Rock And Roll

I had a date with my Bowflex today... I got in lat tower exercises, incline flys, row seat attachment exercises, bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, and as many crunches as I could do during AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap." I don't know how many crunches that was, I lost count, but I sure am feeling it now.

Anne - Run-DMZ informed me of a 15K event just near by my house, at the bay, and that she would be volunteering at the event. Since there's no real time limit, I signed up for it! I'm pretty excited about it because I've never run in a 15K event before, all of the women participants get a rose, the t-shirt is tie-dyed, and best of all I get to meet Anne. I might get my hubbie to go with me, but it's an early run. He's not a morning person... I just hope the weather will be kind that day.

Here's where the run will be:
This is the photo I took with my cell phone last week. The path is right on the other side of those palm trees.

Also, on Saturday, is a coworker's birthday/bridal party. We're doing a spa afternoon! It just doesn't get any better than that!

Dustin at Home Depot called and got the refrigerator situation settled! They're going to call in a couple of days to set up delivery! Yay! And Whew! I still don't understand why GE/LG didn't do a swap in the first place... There's nothing like great customer service. Time to write a letter to Home Depot. If I'm not mistaken, I think the employees get brownie points or recognition for happy customer letters.

Peace

I Don't Mind A Cloudy Day

Running stuff:
Today, Sunday, I got in my LSD run. I actually did 11.02 miles instead of just 10. I suppose I could have kept on going because I felt really good, unlike yesterday -- which was supposed to be my LSD run day. I even ran negative splits without really trying. I was almost run over by a lady on a bike... There was a "bottle neck" of people going both directions, and instead of slowing down to let the walkers and runners pass, she just went faster and hit my left arm hard with her handlebar. I couldn't get out of the way because I was sort of in the middle of the bottle neck on the path. I usually try to stay away from running near where it looks like the path might bottleneck, but in this instance it didn't quite work out that way.

Stats:
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego, CA
Weather: about 60+ degrees and cloudy
Type: Run
Distance: 11.02 miles
Duration: 2:00:01
Average Pace: 10:53

I'm not speedy by any means, but it was a good run. My last mile split showed 9:55.

Other workout stuff:
I've finally moved my Bowflex into the house so I can start using it. Yay! It was in the patio with all kinds of other stuff that we've yet to go through from the move. I couldn't deal with not being able to use it...

Non workout stuff:
The fridge was delivered but the dorks who delivered it scratched both doors when they were trying to get it in my kitchen. I told them that the door/entry from the diningroom to the kitchen would be too small and that they should bring it in through the garage door to the kitchen, which was three whole inches wider. I even brought out a tape measure. They said "No, we know what we're doing." They even scraped the paint off the mouldnings around the entry way from the diningroom into the kitchen. I am kicking myself for not refusing the fridge because I wasted time on the phone (after that) trying to get the fridge replaced or fixed. Now I have to wait one to two weeks for replacement doors... Other than that snafu, It works, and will look great when they replace the doors. Considering everything we've had to do with the house, this is probably the first big snafu we've had to deal with. We've had all of the other appliances delivered and installed without any issues. Now I have to file a claim with their insurance company to deal with my mouldings... Sheesh...

Peace

Thank You

Please check out this post from Sister Smile -- Februrary 22, 2007, titled "Homeless."

It makes you stop and think, and be greatful.

Peace

Running to Stand Still

I'm feeling really beat up about now. Not so much from working out or running, but from all of the other physical labor I have been doing this week.

We've ordered a new refrigerator (finally). After some unscientific research and asking people about the pros and cons of their stainless-steel refrigerators, we've decided to get the LG Titanium. It's not really stainless steel, but it has the look, and it doesn't show fingerprints. EVERYONE we've talked to about their fridge said the same thing:

It looks great but fingerprints show up quickly, and they didn't think they'd have to "polish the refrigerator" frequently.

Unlike the stainless steel dishwasher, microwave and oven/range, the fridge is touched more frequently. We've received the same comments from people with kids and pets and from people without kids and pets. Hubbie and I spent time at Home Depot looking at a Maytag and the LG. We already have Maytag appliances in our kitchen, so that would have matched what we already have, BUT Maytag doesn't offer anything similar to the LG Titanium, at least not yet.



Well, now one more thing is checked off the lengthy list of things to do/buy for the house.

Yesterday afternoon I ran the approximately 5.50 miles (5.52) at the bay and tried out the wireless run tracker. It's very cool. I set it up to beep after every quarter mile. At each quarter mile, it would beep differently, and after a mile it would start the sequence over again. When I was finished with my run it showed the map/course and all of my stats. As far as yesterday's run, well, that's another story. It was rather windy in spots and it felt like I was going nowhere, running into the wind. My average mile was something like 10:44. I even felt sluggish, so I knew I wasn't putting forth a good effort and wasn't the least surprised at my much slower than normal time - my splits on the wireless run tracker definitely reflected it. I usually start out slow and finish strong, but I progressively went slower. It was actually beautiful at the bay and I did take a picture with my phone, but I need to figure out how to download it to my computer so I can post it here. I'm not very mechanically minded, so it will take a little figuring out the proper downloading procedure, but I know it can be done.

Today will be a rest day, and it's also, technically, a "free" meal dinner. I don't thing I'm going to go hog wild with the food and drink, since I did that already this week. I can still go out to dinner and keep everything clean, and save the alcohol (if at all) for the weekend.

PEACE

Tuesday Afternoon

I can't remember exactly where I found this meme, this is what I ended up with:

What Irene Means

I is for Influential R is for Rich E is for Edgy N is for Nervy E is for Emotional

What Does Your Name Mean?

Let's analyze, shall we?

Influential - I guess that depends on what your talking about. In the working out and running areas, perhaps a smidge - especially with my friends and family who don't work out or run, but that's about it.

Rich - Comfortable, but by no means rich. Perhaps I can look at "rich" as my life being rich with loved ones. (Yeah, that sounds good.)

Edgy - After 3 cups of coffee and no breakfast...

Nervy - How about nervous? All that caffiene gets a gal buzzy.

Emotional - Sure. But aren't we all?

Actually, in all the name dictionaries, my name means "Peace."

There was no specific workout or run today but I sanded a 8' X 12' floor, which is like doing abs, hamstrings, biceps, triceps, and shoulders. I also put down a coat of polyurethaine. I'm tired. There's an extra room in the garage. It was added when my dad was a teen, when his grandfather came to live with the family. His dad built him that little room. My dad loved it because it was away from the rest of the house. Since this old house has very little storage/closet space, we're turning that little room into a much needed closet for (mostly) clothes and it will serve as a dressing area, once we turn the garage into a liveable space. We've also purchased 3 inexpensive armoire/closet pieces from Home Depot to go in that space.

Afer all that sanding, my appetite went through the roof. Everything just tasted so good. I'm not even PMSing right now. I guess I can chalk this up to one of my "free" meal for the week.

It's Fat Tuesday! Happy Mardi Gras or Carnaval!

Call Me

I took care of my cell phone, small camera and GPS situation today. I did an upgrade and got myself a Motorola MOTOKRZR Fire. I haven't upgraded my cell phone since I replaced the one that was stolen from me back in 2003. My poor cell phone was really beat up. I went ahead and downloaded the wireless run tracker. I can't wait to use it, but it's supposed to RAIN tomorrow. GAH! It also comes with capabilities to download or add my own music, and I did get the software for that, but I need to make sure it's not going to cost an arm and a leg to use that feature. I'll definitely post a report on how everything works out once I get to actually use it.

After yesterday's run I realized that I need to make some big changes if I want to finish my next marathon under 5 hours. I'm running about the same pace I've been running for long distance training for at least 2 years, give or take a few minutes here and there. Not much has changed in my training, mostly because I've been afraid of the pain associated with arthritis, which is a big concern. I'm leaning towards joining a group or some sort of coach, just so I know I'm doing everything right. I realize I need to do so much more if I want to achieve more. You would think I would already know this, since I've been through the plateau thing before with weight loss, gaining muscle and weight training. It's really time to make a change.

AND... After yesterday's run, I found out that Anne (Run-DMZ) was at the same location with a training group! I wished I would have been a little nosey and asked what all the groups were about! I could have ran up to say hello. Oh well. I suppose there will be a next time.

Peace

Alone

Today I did a slow run, about 5.5 miles in 55:47. I'm sort of guessing the on the milage. I really should figure out my new route on mapmyrun.com.


I must confess that I feel totally blessed to live where I do. I have to pinch myself sometimes. At 8:00 am there were all kinds of people running, bike riding, in groups exercising, walking, boating, etc. I really should get a cheap-o, small digital camera to take on my long runs. It's hard to run with my big-ass digital camera with all the big lenses and gear. Sometimes words can't express how beautiful a day is. This morning was just fabulous. Hubbie was still home in bed with the stomach flu, so went alone. Before I took off, I was thinking that it might seem weird to know I was technically "alone," but I really didn't feel alone with everyone out there being so active.

After my run and stretching a bit, I trekked out to the grocery store for "comfort foods" for my DH, such as ginger ale, crackers, popsicles, etc. I'm sure he'll be fine, it's just getting past the icks.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Peace

****EDIT****
I finally got around to updating today's run on mapmyrun.com. The distance turned out to be 5.51 miles. Not bad for guessing. I ran a 10.07 min/mi. Check it out here.

Soak Up The Sun

I'm gonna soak up the sun
I'm gonna tell everyone
To lighten up
I'm gonna tell 'em that
I've got no one to blame
For every time I feel lame
I'm looking up

I'm gonna soak up the sun
While it's still free
I'm gonna soak up the sun
Before it goes out on me

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

PEACE

Hanging on the Telephone

I've been pondering purchasing a Garmin or some sort of GPS thingy for running. I haven't put in a ton of research yet, but it's one of those gadgets that would be nice to have, and helpful for training. While I was leafing through the March 2007 issue of Runner's World, I found an advertisement for a wireless run tracker. Basically, you download the program to your phone, and your phone serves as your GPS device. Granted, it has to be a particular type of phone, but what a great idea.


I carry a cell phone with me when I run anyway, and there wouldn't be one more thing to think about. I've been wanting to upgrade my cell phone, but now I have a really good excuse to get the better upgrade. Hmmmmmm...

It's raining here. I suppose I could go out for a run but I have no rain gear. (Yeah, that's it...) Hubbie is sanding the floor in the garage storage area and I get to put down the polyurethane. It's gonna be a fun filled Sunday.

PEACE

Ghost Town

After reading a blog post by Anne - Run-DMZ, about "ghosts" in her house, it got me to thinking about my own experiences in a house we used to live in.

Between about 1986 and 1996, we lived in a very cute, 2 story, 2 bedroom, one bathroom house, little (about 800 sq ft) 1940-something house near the Little Italy section of San Diego. The house had been in my husband's family for years, and was left to my father-in-law after the relative who lived there died. I loved being in that house because it was so charming. It was also close to everything and close to most of the major roads. Location, location, location! My husband's siblings also had the opportunity to rent that house prior to us moving there. They told us stories of weird occurrences such as a glass breaking for no reason, lights going off and on for no reason, a feeling of a "presence." My first thought was "Yeah, right, uh-huh, they're mental."

A few months after we moved into the house, we experienced the lights going off or on for no reason. When the light would go off, I would get up and turn it back on and it would stay on. There were no electrical shorts in the wiring. On another occasion, I was in the kitchen and noticed that some cooking utensils on hooks were swaying back and forth. Since I live in California, my first thought was "earthquake." Nothing else rattled or moved, such as the hanging plant in the dining room or the hanging light in the kitchen -- Those are the things I would look at to see if we had some sort of earthquake... No earthquake happened and no one was physically in the house with me.

Through the years we lived in that house, I would occasionally feel a presence there. One night while I was dozing off to sleep, I distinctly heard a man's voice whisper in my ear my name. I got up but my husband was not home at the time, and no one was there in the house besides my (at the time) toddler boy and little girl asleep in the other bedroom. I think that particular "voice" incident was the only time I felt creeped out. Most of the time I never felt afraid, in fact I thought it was kind of neat to share a house with a "ghost." I never felt like the presence was evil. Maybe my ghost looked like the ghost Patrick Swayze played in the movie "Ghost?" Teehee...



Since leaving that house in 1996 we have not experienced a "presence" such as the one we felt at that little house. I don't know if the "ghost" is still there, but he might be... Several renters have been through the house since that time and only one other renter has said anything about weird/unexplained occurrences at that house.

Peace

You Oughta Be In Pictures

Photographers were present at the Super Run last Saturday. Here's a link to the site, just in case you're curious:

Super Run Pictures

My number was 2082, and my brother's was 2050.

Same old stuff, otherwise... Work, house unpacking, colds...

Peace

Working For The Weekend

My brother was in town for the weekend. When he arrived on Friday afternoon, he sort of mentioned checking to see if there were any run events that we could crash. As it turns out there was a 5k/10k event, just less than a mile from my house, the next day, on Saturday. It was so close I suppose we could have walked to it, but we drove... Since my brother (amazingly) didn't bring his running shoes, we signed up for the 5k. It was a nice, flat run near the bay, just adjacent to Sea World. It was a cool, crisp, sunny morning, perfect for a run. My speedy brother finished in 23:45, not a PR but, still pretty damn fast. As I finished, my time-piece read 27:42. The event clock said 27:45. The posted results said 28:01. It wasn't a "chipped" event, so the times are usually a few seconds off, but my time was more than a few seconds off. I still feel pretty good that I got out there and did the run. I didn't prep for this run, as in speed training, plus I was still getting over the stomach icks from earlier in the week, and it was day one of TTOTM. I'm glad I could hoof it under a 10 minute mile pace. I did get a tacky, long sleeved race t-shirt that has the superbowl teams logos on the back and the race logo on the front. The race was called the "Super Run," just because it's Superbowl weekend.

Hubbie and I also spent a good part of the weekend prepping the old house for our renters, which included a lot of scrubbing/cleaning and painting.

My weight is up. I threw caution to the wind this past week. PMS is just as a good excuse and anything else. Chocolate brownies were calling my name. My weight is up a good 6 pounds at the moment, and everything is just a little tight. I can't afford new bigger clothes at the moment, so it's back to totally clean eats, 'cept for my free meal day. Part of this weight gain is water retention, part of it is just being careless.

I'm filling in at work for the month of February OR until they find a new hire. Unfortunately, one of my favorite coworkers resigned her position. It's a long story that I can't really get into. I will really miss her, though. The good thing about this stint is that I should earn enough money to buy the refrigerator we really want.

This past summer one of my friends broke down (to me)about how she didn't like how overweight she had become. We saw her Sunday at the Superbowl party and she has already lost 14 pounds and is entered in a 5k in April. I was so stoked! She could barely even walk a mile, so she's going to walk this 5k. I'm so proud of her! If the timing is right, I might join her.

Have a great week!

Peace

Barbie Girl

Another month of "Name That Singer, Band, Group, Etc," has passed. Here's the list of songs and winners for January 2007. Barbie2be is definitely on a roll.

Thanks for humoring me and playing along!

1/31/07 Head Over Feet - Alanis Morissette - Barbie2be

1/30/07 Red Rain - Peter Gabriel

1/28/07 Traveling Without Moving - Jamiroquoi - Barbie2be

1/25/07 Shock To The System - Billy Idol - FV Tom

1/22/07 Surfin' USA - Beach Boys - FV Tom

1/19/07 Freeze Frame - James Geils - FV Tom, Barbie2be Tom gets Brownie points for supplying the correct spelling and website http://www.jgeils.com/

1/19/07What I Like About You - The Romantics - Barbie2be

1/15/07 Cold As Ice - Foreigner - Barbie2be

1/12/07 Fly Away - Lenny Kravitz

1/11/07 Betty Lou's Got A New Pair Of Shoes - Bobby Freeman or Neil Young - Barbie2be

1/9/07 Lift Me Up - Moby - Barbie2be

1/8/07 Light Up - Styx

1/5/07 King Of Trees - Cat Stevens - Barbie2be

1/4/07 A Little Fall Of Rain - From The Broadway Play, Les Miserables - Barbie2be, Chantal2bfit

1/2/07 Your Song song - Elton John - FV Tom

Peace