Good Day Sunshine

CHANGES

Earlier this month my grandson participated in his First Holy Communion.

Before the procession in front of  .St. Mary Magdaline Church

He was apprehensive and nervous about it, and, as he walked down the aisle with the other children, he looked like he wanted to hide because the church was full.  He's so different from my two kids, who always wanted to be on stage and the center of attention.  Evan wanted to just blend in. 

Deliberately NOT looking at us for a photo.

Whew!  He got through it.

More changes include my daughter and grandson are (finally) moving.  They're moving much closer to the college, which really isn't all that far away, but she felt like it was time to be on their own.  I really do want them to be on their own, but I'll probably go through some days of really missing them.  I was hoping she would move out AFTER graduating in December, but apartments close to the college are more available after graduations in June. 

My final race for the year is in a mere two weeks and I am anything but ready for it.  There has been a slew of upper respiratory illnesses going around that have taken people out for weeks.   My entire office came down with some form of this crappy illness, so has every member of my household.  I was even put on antibiotics, but it's taken me several weeks to bounce back.  My running has suffered.  A 6 mile run should normally be a nice little jaunt through the neighborhood or along the bay, but it's a struggle.  I'll make it to around mile 4 or 5 then have to walk/run.   It feels as if I haven't been running in months, not a couple of weeks.  When I initially signed up for the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll half marathon, I was hoping to gain some speed and be somewhere between 2 hours and 2:15.  I dislike not having a time goal, but it is what it is.  I now have no time goal, and, as much as I dislike this, my goal is to just finish.  I kind of feel like just finishing is a cop out, but that's the reality.  I was hoping to finish this race with a bang, but settling for just finishing will have to suffice.

"Final race for the year" doesn't mean I'm giving up running, it just means I'm taking a break from racing.  As much as I try to stay on course with training schedules, my body isn't cooperating.  I'm progressively getting slower and the fatigue can be overwhelming -- and this does absolutely nothing for my psyche. I'm going to switch gears and perhaps get more into where I first started, which was weight training.  I need to start from scratch and build up strength again.  I might also look at a few other options, such as yoga classes and maybe even get more into swimming.  Don't talk to me about getting on a bike because I'm not there yet, nor can I afford the expense right now.* Someday the bike thing will happen, just not this year, not now.

Remember those brand new On Cloudrunners I talked about in my last post?  I took them out on a very hilly trail run.  I was supposed to fit in 8 miles, but it took me longer to navigate down hill.  This run was EFFING hard.  I can't figure out how to post the elevation chart off of Daily Mile, but, trust me, it was killer. This is what that trail did to my new shoes:

My On Cloudrunners don't look so new anymore.

I really like these test shoes and I hope they clean up OK. I have yet to find a local retailer who sells these.

Finally, I'll leave you with a rare moment, where my little family is all together on Mother's Day. It was a very good day.

Notice how we're all looking in different directions?  (Deeper meanings, perhaps?)

Song from Thursday, April 26, 2012:
Come Out and Play - The Offspring

PEACE



*I'm the type of person who takes something on completely, and getting on a bike the way I would want to requires an expense that would take away from house repairs.

Come Out and Play

RANDOM

The last time I ran was supposed to be a 10 miler with the track club on my day off.  I was looking forward to it  and we had perfect running weather, meaning overcast skies and temps in the low to mid 60s.  I woke up that morning not feeling right, but a lot of times I'll get past that "not right" feeling and run OK.  I only made it a little more than 2 miles before I had to turn around and walk most of the way back.  I ended up in bed from the time I returned home until the following Tuesday when I decided I needed to go into work and produce a paycheck.  Wednesday I had a session at RU and that was difficult at best.  Thursday it's a visit to the doctor's office.  I came home with antibiotics, Rx nose spray, a netti pot, and a big bottle of Tylenol.

I hope with all this rest that my IT band will ease up. It's better than it was a month ago, but still reminds me it's there.

I was asked to review the book Train Like a Mother  - How to Get Across Any Finish Line and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity by Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea, authors of Run Like a Mother.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!  I honestly didn't want to put a lot of preconceptions into this book before reading it because I've often been disappointed with running books written for women.  This book is written with real life in mind, a healthy sense of humor, and serious support and concern when needed.  It's as if you're getting training advice from your very knowledgeable running friends who know what it's like to fit in a training schedule and juggling kids, school, family, work, etc.  I like that they go over things that everyone talks about, but nobody ever addresses in other training manuals, such as going commando, race goals, running music, women's nutrition, etc.  The training schedules are very straight forward and not too technical -- they explain everything as if they're talking to you without being condescending.  I liked that there were little reminders to not skip a particular workout and get a babysitter. Both authors give their spin on explaining things, which I liked, because no two experiences are the same.  This book is a good read for the new runner with constructive tips on how to get started, as well as the seasoned runner with chapters affirming that what you're doing (or thinking) is actually right on par, or that you might need to change a few things. This book can be read in a weekend and is a good "go to" or reference book.  If I gave stars to books, I'd give this a 5 out of 5 stars.

I'm also reviewing another pair of running shoes.  This time it's On Cloud - Cloudrunner.

Yes, purple and fuchsia, but I actually like the colors, which aren't too foo-foo.  Photo from the On Cloud Facebook page.

I've never heard of this brand until I received them.  They're engineered in Switzerland and relatively new on the running shoe scene.  I've received them a week ago, and haven't run in them since I got sick, but they're very comfortable.  My only concern is that they might be too cushy, which might aggravate my plantar faciitis.  I have some miles to make up next week, and I'll be able to judge on how well they ride then.

This weekend is the La Jolla Half Marathon and 5k, which I am happily not running in, but my brother and sister-in-law will be here to participate in the 5k.  My sister, the one who concocted the whole running weekend has backed out, which sort of throws things off. My sister has participated in only two, maybe three 5ks in the past 5 years or so.  She likes La Jolla because she doesn't really race it.  She's more of a walk/runner.  That's all fine and good because she can enjoy the scenery.  I personally don't like this race.  I like the course on my own terms because it is a pretty course that goes along parts of La Jolla Shores and ends near La Jolla Cove.  If I'm in a 5k race, well, I'm in to RACE and try to edge out that lady in the red tech shirt just ahead of me. I'm far from being 5k race ready at this point,  my IT band aches just thinking about it,  and running La Jolla, with the steep hills and bumpy running surface for the last mile, does not bode well in my mind.  Hubs and I are planning to be at the finish line to see if my bro can score a podium finish.  My sister-in-law has been running for a long while, but sort of new to racing.  I'm looking forward to seeing how they fare on Sunday, then head out for brunch. 

In a little more than a month is the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon/Half Marathon.  I'm not 100% certain, but I think this will be my last race for the year.  I almost put in for the lottery for the Nike Women's event in San Francisco in October for 2012, but I reminded myself that I do need the break, and would need to continue training and be half marathon ready.  No to Nike, and probably most other races until January 2013.

This year will be the 30th anniversary of Title IX.  Even though Title IX happened in 1972, I personally did not see any changes until I was in high school in the mid to late 70s. It also took my parents longer than that to be on board, even though my high school finally had girls track team started in my Junior year. There was no support (or transportation) to stay with the team.

Because of Title IX, my niece was able to participate on the high school wrestling team and sparred against boys and girls in her weight class. 



Song from Saturday, April 14, 2012:
Part of Me - Katy Perry

PEACE

Part of Me

Several weeks ago, Cindi tagged me for a meme. Since I haven't blogged in a while, I figured this would be good fodder until I gather up my thoughts for a more personal blog post.
 
Here are the rules:

The Random Eleven Rules:

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Tag 11 people (can't be the person who tagged you)
5. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag
6. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them (Tag! You're it!)

11  Really Random Things About Me:

1. I have workout dyslexia.  No, not a medical diagnosis, but something I sort of coined. Certain exercises just don't translate well when switching sides from right side to left, and visa-versa.  I tend to get the arms and/or foot placements wrong trying to do the opposite of what I just did.  I've also noticed that,  unless you're a dancer or really coordinated, this happens frequently.  I see this phenomenon happen to others when I work out.  It's not just me.  PS... That's me on the far left side of the picture, front row, not having a WD moment.


2.  The songs on my run playlist aren't necessarily songs I would listen to otherwise.  Some songs are just better for running, even if those songs are head-banger heavy metal, salsa, and ska.  :)


3.  My bedroom used to be a garage.

4.  I have "Morton's Toe."  This has nothing to do with my last name, it's when your second toe is longer than your big toe.


5.   I like the way polished finger nails look, but with my job a manicure lasts about an hour upon entering the office.  If I can keep hangnails down to a minimum, then it's all good.


6. I bought art supplies last year that I have yet to use. 


7.  I have pierced ears, two holes on each side.


8.  The first car I bought with my own money was a used avocado green 1970-something Datsun 510, 4 door sedan.  I think I paid something like $800.00  for it in 1980.


9.  I lived at home with my parents until I got married.  I was 24.


10. When Hubs and I go out to dinner, I usually order something that looks like a "man" meal, and he usually orders something that looks like a low cal "girly" meal.  The servers always assume wrong and serve us each other's orders.


11.  I'm currently hooked on the Sam the Cooking Guy Livecast. It's live, uncensored, uncut, unedited, and they don't always talk about cooking.  F-bombs might fly, food gets spilled, outside noises occur (like house alarms),  and a lot of other unexpected issues such as losing my internet connection, but that's part of the attraction.  The show is "livecasted" from Sam's own kitchen.  You can comment during the show via Facebook, and a lot of times they talk about what people are commenting on.  There is always food being made at some point in the livecast, usually something pretty easy, but impressive. If I miss a show I can always watch the podcast a few days later.

My 11 Random Questions from Cindi:

1. Who was the last person you randomly ran into at a race or during a long run?  Wendy from track club - While running at Mission Bay Park.  She was running in the opposite direction. By the way, Wendy is running in the Boston Marathon on Monday. :)
2. What was the last embarrassing thing you did? So many...  Hmmm.  Well, my house is currently embarrassing.  It's not anything I did, but we need a roof and can't get a new one at this second, so Hubs patched it, but it looks very ghetto, especially from the front.  My house also needs paint and new landscaping.  Actually, It needs to be bulldozed down and redone.  I sometimes feel like I'm living at Sanford & Son's junk yard.  Perhaps it's not that extreme, but I never imagined living in a house that needed so much repair, especially being married to an architect. I really LOVE the location,  the property is awesome, and that this was where my grandparents retired. 
3. Do you wear underwear when you run? Why or why not? Most of the time no, because most running shorts/skirts I wear come with built in boy shorts, and running tights are so thick that there is no point to underwear, unless it's super cold, then it's athletic type of underwear.
4. Where is the strangest place you've ended up having to pee during a long run, ride, or race? In the bushes at Balboa Park in the canyon adjacent to 6th Avenue with many others before one of the Rock 'n' Roll races.  The porta potty lines were too long and I could NOT wait.
5. Which color porta potty do you prefer? Blue?  I never thought about it before.
6. What was the last random object you saw on your last run?  Glitter.
7. What is your favorite breakfast? I love anything breakfast-y. I love fresh fruit, pancakes, waffles, French toast, eggs and bacon, huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos, cereal, Pop Tarts, Cinnabons...  Breakfasts with big carbs rock.
8. The Voice or American Idol? The Voice.
9. What was the last TV show you watched? Rick Bayless -Mexico, One plate at a Time, airing on PBS. It was the episode when he went to visit Ensenada's wineries. 
10. What are you doing tomorrow? Sleeping in.  It's Sunday.

I'm not sure who to tag next, since it looks like just about everyone has been tagged. If you feel the need to do this, go ahead, and just use Cindi's questions, since those are pretty good questions. I'm also being lazy. 

Song from Wednesday, March 14, 2012:
We Found Love - Rihanna, featuring Calvin Harris

PEACE

We Found Love

Half Marathon #18 is in the books


The Inaugural San Diego Half Marathon on March 11, 2012 just kind of crept up on me.  There wasn't a lot of planning involved for me, mostly because I already had a few half marathons scheduled and this would be one more.  What's another half marathon?  


In my last post I had mentioned something about pulling a muscle in my right leg. It turned out to be an IT band issue. WTF? I did not run in the Sue Krenn 15k scheduled for March 3.  A simple 2 mile jog to the water station where I volunteered at was difficult.  With all of the injuries I've sustained over the past few years, I have become a bit cautious, but I did not think this soreness warranted a trip to the doctor's office. I did have a couple of visits scheduled with my PT for training, and I'd figure he'd help me out.


The Friday before the half marathon I was still feeling rather sore. I was worried that I'd have to skip out on the INAUGURAL San Diego Half Marathon or walk most of it.  I had a session with my PT scheduled for that morning, but I worked with an assistant.  At the end of my session, my PT said he would do some assisted stretches.  Little did I know that, after the stretches, he would pull a chiropractic type of maneuver and pop my my hip.  Suddenly, birds were chirping, the sun was shining, the angels sang, and I felt like skipping.  He said it looked like my leg was jammed up into my hip.  I felt so much relief, but I was still sore from being out of place for two weeks.  I even made a special trip to Road Runner Sports for CWX compression capris to wear on race day, just in case


Saturday afternoon is when Hubs and I went down to Petco Park to retrieve our bib numbers and swag.

The race expo was pretty uneventful, but that's probably a good thing.  No cluster f***.  The only difficulty I had was waking to Petco Park from where we parked, and I was still feeling sore, but far from being in pain.  I was a tad bit concerned, but I wasn't exactly wearing comfy shoes since I went from work to the expo.


Kind of to the last minute, my sister and  brother in law called and said they'd be in town and wanted us to rendezvous with them in the hot tub at their hotel that same night.  I almost said no, but the idea of a hot tub to relax my muscles sounded pretty good, even though we'd get home late. I think the hot tub helped.


Sunday morning Hubs and I got up at the crack of dark, even though there was a time change, it's still dark at 4:30 am.  For whatever reason I could not figure out what shirt to wear.  I only have what seems like a zillion tech shirts.  I even had running garb pre planned and laid out, but my thoughts were fuzzy at 4:30 am.  I finally settled on a lightweight , long sleeved tech shirt. From races past we've learned that it's good to have our son drop us off  the race site to avoid parking issues and crowds.  We could have driven ourselves and parked on the street.  There were no huge crowds or chaos.  

We saw several track club friends as we walked to Petco Park, but still no cluster f***.  The pre-race vibe was very chill and happy.  Port-o-Potty lines were VERY short.  We were able to use the restrooms inside Petco Park as well.  Gear check was a breeze.  Event photographers were everywhere.  There was a pretty good contingent of us from the track club, and most of us waited for the race to start together.  Even though we had assigned waves, we all started in wave 5.  The race started right outside of Petco Park.  I set my music and started my iSmoothRun app, and I was off.  It was really cool to start a race with so many people I knew.  

The route was mostly scenic.   Click HERE to see highlights of the route.  This is why I love being a runner in San Diego.

I ran the first 6 miles with track club friend Kate.  This was purely a fluke, but we paced each other for those 6 miles, which was nice. We even have a couple of cheesy race photos together. I'm buying those.  Somewhere after mile 6, Kate must have really warmed up, and she went way ahead.   I kept my pace because of my IT band issue, but it didn't bother me until the end of the race.  


Before the race everyone was anticipating the hill on Washington St, which comes at around mile 9.  It was slow going for me on that hill, but I kept running form.  I only walked a bit just prior to that hill, right after the Gu and water station, there was a much steeper, but shorter hill - about a block long. 


The last three miles of the race were mostly downhill, past Balboa Park on 6th Ave.  It was nice taking the down hill on 6th, making that home stretch feel somewhat victorious.


As we turned the corner into Petco Park, and went through a tunnel, we found ourselves in the outfield behind third base, with about 200 meters to the finish line, near home plate.  

I was able to bring it for the last 200 meters and sprinted in.  I'm not sure if that made a difference, but it felt good to shift gears at the end.  My offcial race time was 2:24:11, which is not bad, especially since I was allowing myself time for the cranky IT band.  I was figuring 2:30 to 2:40.  The IT band was done and I was a little limpy. A volunteer asked me if I was OK and needed assistance, but I really was fine.  I guess I still tilt.  I was so consumed with trying to shut off the iSmoothRun app that I almost forgot about the medal.  Something really cool, that I didn't expect, was that we received our medals from representatives of the military.  I will never forget having my medal placed around my neck by a Marine.

It was pretty cool to walk on the field at Petco Park.

Post race I began to see friends.  The mood was pure happiness, and it was easy to move about the finish area.  Track club friend Kelly finished just mere seconds behind me, and we made our way to the food are, as we chatted about this race and future races. As we went back into halls of the ball park, we were greeted by the sweet aroma of freshly cut oranges.

These were the best oranges ever! Hubs thinks these were blood oranges.

After grabbing some sustenance, Kelly and I were greeted by another track club friend, Doreen, who was waiting to take photos of track club members as they walked by. 

Photo op with Kelly on the banana phone.  I'm not sure what I was laughing about, but all's I know is how happy I was.

Doreen, unofficial track club photographer.  Doreen took third in her age group!

Since Hubs had not come through yet, I just parked myself next to Doreen and watch everyone come in. Finally, Hubs is done!

Hubs!

After a quick visit to gear check, we grabbed a couple of beers and went into park to enjoy watching the final finishers, get some sun, hear what Meb had to say, and and listen to the band Lifehouse.

I would grade the San Diego Half Marathon an "A".  It was one of the most organized races I've ever participated in.  I think the fact that there were just under 6000 runners participating (not 40,000, like Las Vegas) made the race a lot more fun, and everything seemed so efficient.  Everything flowed. Everything was well thought out. The course was great and there was plenty of water and electrolyte, and well briefed and informed volunteers. In the swag bag they even put a small baggie with pins for the bib and a card that reminded us of the time change.  The medal is weighty and detailed.  This medal is now one of my favorites:

Ever since the the Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll half marathon, I just haven't been feeling all that great about running.  Running has been a struggle.  Yes, some days have been good, but not "woo-hoo" great.  My paces have slowed and I haven't been finding the joy that running gives me, that is, until this race.  I found my love of running again.  I hope it sticks.



Song from Wednesday, February 29, 2012:
One Moment in Time - Whitney Houston

PEACE

Most of the above photos are not mine.  Props to Doreen, The San Diego Half Marathon Facebook page and from Howard Lipin - San Diego UT.