Saturday Sampler: I won the lottery

I RUN TO BE

So Wednesday was like the best day ever. I woke up from a terrible night sleep and was going to complain about it on facebook, but before I did that I happen to check my email and found this:

Congratulations! You're register for the Nike Women's Marathon

I am so excited. I still need to focus on my 1/2 next month, but am really excited for my long term race goal for this year. Woo Hoo for more Tiffany's jewlery.

Wednesday was also my sister's birthday. I love all 42 years of her.

I got some other news Wednesday, but we'll save that for Monday. I pretty sure it is good stuff. Ay Dios Mio.

Thursday I left of a two day training. After training on Thursday night, I got to enjoy 5 new beers and their perfect cheese pairing.

Friday was a rough day, Super Hubby is out of town for golf and I really needed someone to talk to. Fortunately I had a couple friends come through for me, even one who exchanged text messages with me at 2:30 this morning when I found out my grandma died. There is lots of celebrating of her life to do so please no condolences. I want to focus on the happy things in my life and having spent time with my grandma in her last days was such a gift.

Why I Kick A$$: Wow, there are so many reasons, um let's go with I know how to be there for people when they need me.

Thankful Three:

1. For my mom and two nieces who worked out taking care of my kids at 4AM so I could see my grandma one last time.
2. For $1.40 Breakfast Jacks, not for me, but 12 for my family members at 6:30 AM + donuts is an affordable yet bad for you breakfast. We needed it.
3. For a long hot shower.

The Turn Around: Attitude-Some is Better than None

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

~Winston Churchill

Wednesday HUMP day sounds funny, but like an out and back run it marks the turn around to the work week.  This week is an extra special week, it is my last day at the office since tomorrow and Friday I am offsite for some kick a$$ training and I am still back on track. Attitude does make a huge difference, I just have to keep telling myself some is better than none this week. I swam Monday, ran Tuesday, swam this morning and have a running date tomorrow AM before I leave for my training. Yes, I am living the dream this week. I got some fantastic news today, but I am going to save it for a later post.

Last night was quite the amazing night. I got off from work, got a massage, gassed up my car AND got a car wash, went to a small sandwich shop before book club's movie night (yes you read that right). While at the sandwich shop, which incidentally serves micro brew, for some blissful me time. Tangerine Wheat Beer and Bossy Pants by Tina Fey on the kindle. Ok, so it was only 20 minutes, but hey, it was MY 20 minutes. Did I mention I got a BBQ chicken sandwich to sneak into the theater? Yeah, I am that guy, sorry folks, it was dinner time and I was hungry.

I got home from the movie and my husband asked if it was a good movie. I instantly and enthusiastically said yes followed by but... Isn't weird the way we answer before thinking? Robert Pattinson was excellent. Perfectly cast in his role, it was a very well executed part. I read the book and he really captured this character. Let me preface this by saying I really enjoy Reese Whitherspoon movies. When I heard they had cast her as Marlena, I couldn't see it. Maybe it was this prejudice that made it hard for me to connect with her in the film. She was just never Marlena to me. There were some moments, but she didn't do it for me, she just kept being Reese Whitherspoon. Cinematography was great. Animals, circus set up and costumes were amazing. The movie did not butcher the book's story line and I loved that too.

Why I Kick A$$: I swam again today, yup 1500 yards, lots of drills and I loved every second.

Thankful Three

1. For book club
2. For my sister, it's her birthday today
3. For Tina Fey

Tuesday Tidbit: Six Doctors

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields,

What the River Knows, 1990

I will spare you pictures of me in my bathing suit and swim cap or me in my reflective vest and ear warmer head band and just tell you: I swam 2000 yds yesterday and ran 2 miles today. It took me the whole practice to do my yardage and a whopping 23:45 to run 2 miles. Yesterday was the first time I have been in a pool since February which was also the first time since, uh? Who knows? Suffice it to say I am taking it slow. As for running, I just haven't been doing it. My Tuesday-Thursday partner is back and ready to run so we had a nice easy jog this morning. It feels so good to be doing something again, but so hard to mentally wrap my brain around it being "enough." What is wrong with me? H-E-L-L-O??? I just went a full two weeks without running and I am playing the 2 miles isn't enough game with myself? Mantra this week: Something is Better than Nothing.

I love the quote above, I really need to focus on those things. I definitely am not spending enough time in the sun and with it, fresh air, I need to leave work earlier to accomplish this. Yes diet is always a struggle as is my water in take. I feel like I am getting back on track with exercise, but taking it one day at a time. I hate that cliche phrase, but what are you gonna do? As for rest, I tried to go to bed early last night. Like 9PM, only to be woken up by my hubby at 12:30, my daughter at 2:30 and my running alarm at 5:00. Oh well, at least I tried!

Why I Kick A$$: I am getting back on track

Thankful Three

1. Running Partner
2. Old sneakers
3. My fantastic night ahead: massage then Water For Elephants movie with the "book club" 

Sunday Summary: You're getting fat!

When friends tell you how awesome you look, 

drop the "I still have more to go" crap.  

You worked hard and 

you deserve the compliment!  

~Jillian Michaels

Week Summary and a litte more at the end. Let me skip to what you are looking for, I haven't work out, but that is where the "little more" at end comes in.

Monday: Passover, we have toddlers so they ate before we went to the Seder and sure enough we left the Seder 3 hours later (midway) still not having eaten. If you have ever been to a Seder, you know my pain. LOL

Tuesday: We did our own toddler friendly Seder, super cute, super short.

Wednesday: Played hookie from work and caught the A's Boston game. We lost. It rained.

Red Sox 5, Athletics 3

 

Thursday: Played hookie again to help a friend by taking her to medical appts, best day ever. We strolled whole foods, had a traditional Russian meal: Borscht and stuffed cabbage, then we strolled around an outdoor mall and scored awesome deals at GAP.

Friday: Played hookie from work again, this time I got to have a lovely day with my hubby who indulged me by skipping work too. Nothing fancy, just a trip to Costco, REI where I scored on sale Patagonia underpants (my favorite) and a great lunch.

If you are ever in Sacramento, CA you should try Selland's Market Cafe for lunch.

On the drive home we stopped and walked around the apartment complex we lived in while in college. Memory Lane is a pretty wonderful place.

So why am I not working out? Honestly everything I type from here on out are excuses. I am feeling constantly sleep deprived is the big one. My 1 1/2-year old has learned how to crawl out of her crib. The first few nights it was quiet, put her back in bed x3. Now it is stand in the hallway crying, put her back in bed x3. Last night we decided we'd drop the crib rail and attach the toddler bed rail since it's a convertible crib. Not the biggest success. When I am not sleep deprived at home, I am still pulling a 2x a week shift staying the night at my grandma's. Pictured below, the culprits: Me, my Bug and the Grandma.

This is where the Jillian Michaels' quote above comes in. My grandma, in all her kind, generous, loving words told me, "Your getting fat!" Yup, gotta love old people. Actually, she has always been a little feisty and always too straight forward, old is just the license to do so without much criticism. Anyhow, she said I am getting fat and she is right. It is all in the middle too. Belly fat is the hardest to lose. I was feeling strong mid-March, a little weakerk by mid-April and now I feel like a total flop. Want to know what the kicker is? We are talking about roughly 5-6 pounds. I am still a size 10, just a flabbier version of a size 10. 

When I first started losing weight last year (32 pounds of which is still gone-Whoot!) I couldn't take a compliment. I would always site that there was still more to go. If you asked me what my goal weight was this time last year I would have told you somewhere around 185 would be dreamy, but I am not sure I could maintain it. Well I held in the range of 180 for 6 months, through the hardest parts of the year Thanksgiving and the winter holiday sweets at work, pretty freak'n awesome right? Now I am about 186 and instead of seeing that while it is not the best weight given my revised goals, it is still nothing to be sad about. My recent weight gain I am certain is the sudden inconsistency of working out, sleep deprivation, poor diet and massive amounts of stress from losing my cousin in late February and now dealing with my grandmothers certain death. Home hospice is no fun, she was given a week and here we are 2 weeks later about to have a lovely family brunch. Sure I am thrilled to have more time with her and especially how lucid she is, but it has been quite the roller coaster. So why the Jillian Michaels' quote. Well the compliments are fewer and further between and I wish I had really appreciated and accepted them when I was getting them. Grandma telling me I am fat, really makes me want to be skinny. I liked the compliments even though I dismissed them. Since I gained my 1st pound back I am been back in self-deprecation mode and constantly thinking, "I still have more to go." Sure I have more to go, but it is time to refocus on how to get there, not just the end result. If I work at it the weight will fall off so now it is just a matter of getting off my a$$ and working.

I have the best intentions, I just need to act on them. I have a short term goal, finish my 1/2 marathon May 15th and hopefully I'll find out this week whether or not I get into the SF Nike Women's Marathon scheduled in mid-October. If I do, the marathon will become my long term goal for the year. At the beginning of the year, when I was all gang busters I wanted to hit 500 miles run. Unless I hunker down that goal will be hard to meet. If I get into the marathon, it won't be a problem. I also wanted to do 52,000 CORE exercises. I have a ways to go there too. I know I can do it, but again, I have to really make the commitment. Right now I am just going to take it day by day and hopefully get back to taking it a week at a time here very soon. Yesterday I almost ran, it turned into just a jaunt to the grocery store, but better than nothing. This week I hope to swim 2x (Monday and Wednesday) and run 3x, but again we'll take things a day at a time. I am out of town Thursday and Friday for a work training, it's my sister's birthday Wednesday, and Tuesday it is Water for Elephants Movie night with the book club (oh, a little massage before hand) and I just have a feeling "Me Time" the exercise version will get crowded out family time and fun relaxation. Priorities. I should be running instead of writing this blog right now, but I really love blogging. Thanks for reading.

Why I Kick A$$: I made a perfectly delicious Toddler Seder meal on Tuesday.

Thankful Three:

1. Days off from work
2. Mt. Tam Triple Cream---super yummy cheese folks
3. Brunch today with maternals then lunch with the paternals...gotta love extended family
   

Monday Motivation: A Friend

A friend is someone who 

lets you have total freedom

to be yourself.

~Jim Morrison

Ok, I finally did it, I bought a pair of vibram five fingers and I will make them my new best friends. They are an old school pair and not running specific. They did not have my size in the Bikila style and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I do not have intentions at this point in time on becoming a bare foot runner, but I am interested in building better foot strength and a more natural gait. So instead of waiting for my running ones to be ordered, I bought this lovely pair that I can wear casually everywhere. I am hoping I will be able to get away with wearing them at work every now and then too. They are not the fancy leather ones, but very comfortable and all black. My hubby said once I am totally into them I can just buy a running specific pair. I love it!

Why I Kick A$$: I am a few hours in to Passover (yes blogging) and haven't given in to a bread fix. Just 7+ more days to go!

Thankful Three

1. For a nap this afternoon
2. For TUMS-tummy flu is killing me
3. For my basketball league. We lost again, but I love playing and I scored 16 out of our 27 pts. It makes me feel valuable....even when we lose.

Friday Five: Damn Fool and the Secrets to Success

Everyman is a damn fool 

for at least five minutes a day; 

wisdom consists of not exceeding that.

~Elbert Hubbard

Ok, so I have been a damn fool for like 5 days. If it helps, I didn't realize there was a 5 minute rule. Thanks Mr. Hubbard. I know the recipe for success. Do you want to know what it is? I know this is going to shock you and I really should bottle it, sell it and be a billionaire... but alas I am too generous not to give this one away. Ready? When you want to be healthy, if you want to beat stress, if you want to be happy, if you want to be confident, if you want to be sexy and want everything else that is brilliant in life, this is what you do:

• Get enough sleep
• Hydrate
• Smile
• Eat when you're hungry (not bored, not emotional, like actually in need of food)
• When you eat, make sure the food you eat serves a purpose. Food is fuel, the food pyramid isn't just a cute poster from elementary school. Oh, and twinkies aren't bad...a box of twinkies however, is not the best idea.
• Exercise is great. Figure out a type you like and rock it out 3-7 days a week.
• If you think you don't have time, stop reading my blog and spend the few minutes doing CORE work. We all have plenty of time to workout. Maybe not Biggest Loser 6 hour a day workouts, but 20-30 minutes is manageable so stop kidding yourself with the no time argument.
• Enjoy something, anything. Family, cooking, reading, blogging. Just really love it.
• Get over yourself. Me. Me. Me gets old. We are small, not insignificant, but small portions of a bigger world. Have a little perspective, it helps you be kind to yourself as well as being kind to others.
• Be consistent. This is the hardest one, but seriously, no snake oil sales here. If you are consistent, you are successful. If you are consistently bad you will be successfully a lame-o. But if you are consistently doing your best and open to learning how to be better, then you will be successful. It is all in how you frame it.

Ok, now on to the real Friday Five.

1. Had the best massage today. 1.5 hours of hot stone-deep tissue torture bliss.
2. Half day at work was exactly what I needed. Pressure to get all my work done in half the time had me motivated and half day off helped me start this weekend with relaxation in mind.
3. Tomorrow night is a girls slumber party night. Wine. Jane Austen Books turned movies and great company. Did I mention the wine?
4. I have been visiting with grandma everyday. There have been late nights, an over-nighter and very little sleep trying to make the short trip out of town with these visits and still do my regular life. She is doing so well it doesn't seem like she is dying anymore. When I went to see her today she smiled brightly, looked around and clearly showed disappointment in the fact that I didn't bring my kids tonight. It was cute. So guess where the kids and I are headed after breakfast tomorrow.
5. I am really looking forward to the next couple weeks. There will be lots of work pressure trying to squeeze 40 hours of work into short weeks. Next week I only work Monday and Tuesday. Some of my days off are for vacation and one is for someone who needs me for a day. The following week I am only working on site three days and two days at an awesome offsite overnight training. Sometimes switching things up is what it takes to keep you fresh in all aspects of life.

Why I Kick A$$: While I have not worked out in 5 days, it hasn't stopped me from carbo loading. Tortillas and Beer are my current coping mechanism.

Thankful Three

1. Every moment I have with my grandma
2. Friends
3. Rice Krispy Treats made with strawberry marshmallows

Monday Motivation: Grandma

We should all have one person 

who knows how to bless us 

despite the evidence, 

Grandmother was that person to me.  

~Phyllis Theroux

Today did not start out as planned. I forgot to set my alarm. Seriously? I am really lucky I didn't have any early morning work responsibilities. I did miss Master's swim. I could've gone for a 1/2 workout instead of the full hour, but I was unsure how the coach dealt with late people and was too embarrassed to show up and risk rejection. I now have confirmation that 1/2 is better than none. I'll know for next time. Work was kind of blah, I guess a bad night's sleep, missed swim workout and a dying grandmother will do that to ya. Yeah, my 83 year old grandmother is dying. She is really young for her age, but these past 10 years have been rough. She survived a brain tumor removal, breast cancer and a mastectomy and losing my grandpa. I guess it is just too hard to fight old age when it comes barreling at you the way it has for her. The picture is of us tonight at my aunts. She has been moved home for hospice and it is so wonderful that all the family has easier access to her. The last few days at the hospital have been tough. As you can see she is happy as can be given her current state of affairs. Now it is just a matter of time. If you have a spare prayer lying around, we'll take it. We know it is her time, she knows it is her time, please prayer that these last few days, hours and minutes are pain free and peaceful.

On a positive note, I decided I wanted to try for the SF Nike Women's Marathon lottery. Wish me luck! I did the event last year and despite less than ideal conditions, did surprisingly well. I've been day-dreaming today about being fast...well fast for me. If I can easily take 8 minutes off my 1/2 marathon time, I am wondering if I can cut another 8 with training. Then I was thinking, if I can cut 40+ minutes off my half, I wonder if I can shoot for 5 hours for the full? Where are these thoughts coming from? Seriously, after my 3-weeks off, I have only been back a week and suddenly I have go getter attitude driving my fitness brain. I kinda like it. On the agenda this week. Tuesday run, Wednesday swim, Thursday stadium stairs, Friday swim, Saturday run and Sunday basketball. It's going to be full week. I am looking forward to the workouts for the outlet. My work days, grandma stuff and regular family-friend commitments are going to be taxing this week for sure so an outlet is definitely a necessity.

Why I Kick A$$: I am someone's bestfriend

Thankful Three:

1. For time with my grandma
2. For snuggling on the couch with my son
3. For snack size Fuji apples

Saturday Sampler: Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If you don't replace lost fluids, you may get dehydrated. 

~MayoClinic 

Quick recap of my workouts and refocus on my fitness commitment.

Tuesday: Tri Club meeting & CORE

Wednesday: Track workout with my 3 yr old After 3 weeks off from running, I'll take what I can get

Thursday: University Stadium Stairs: WOW, still in pain from that workout. Calves & Quads are shredded.

Friday: Swim workout with Master's Swim. Got one-on-one coaching. Only did 1300m, but it was all focused on form with 250 speed workout at the end
Saturday: easy 30 min run (2.6 mi at 11:26)

So why the dehydration not above? Well, water is my nemesis. I have a water bottle on my desk at work. I have two in my car. I still ignore them. I am rarely thirsty, but pay the price with chronic calve cramping and other unmentionable side effects. You'd think I'd learn my lesson, but alas I struggle. I have read stories about eating my liquids via large fruit & veggie consumption, doing smoothies or sports drinks to take the dullness out of water in take, but the fact remains: I rarely am thirsty. My cues to drink water come way too late to prevent the painful side effects. Apparently I I need a reminder. I am going to try and program it on my calendar at work to go off every hour and maybe my iPhone. Is this super lame or what?

Lower Leg Exercises: Injury prevention tips from Runner's World 
Great article at this link above. Neat video below. Thanks Runner's World.


Why I Kick A$$: Because the Federal is not shutting down, but if it had, I would have been considered "Essential" personnel. That kind of kicks A$$ right, somebody needs me:)
Thankful Three

1. For new runner partners
2. For not chickening out of swim yesterday
3. For ice packs

The Turn Around: Refocused and Re-Energized

A person who aims at nothing 

is sure to hit it.

~unknown

Wednesday HUMP day sounds funny, but like an out and back run it marks the turn around to the work week. So now what you have all been waiting for (drum roll......) enough whining about how I don't have a plan, I NOW HAVE A PLAN! After almost 3 weeks of no running and only sporadic cross training, I have a plan. Last night I did some CORE, today I hope to run and tomorrow I have a 6AM date to run bleacher steps at a local university stadium. I am getting back into it and I am excited. My problem last training cycle was that I didn't plan adequate rest post "A race" and I did not have any overlapping goals to carry me past the PR I secured with my A race. My flame burned out. Like finishing at good book I was left kind of sad and without direction. I have learned after many a finished book that I need to have my next book planned and purchased well before I finish my current book. Most times I am reading multiple books at one time. I plan on applying the same philosophy. I am in the process of setting a progression of more immediate goals and also having an larger over arching goal.

Last night I attended my local TRI Club meeting. The topic? Goal setting and race season planning. P-E-R-F-E-C-T timing. I have decided I am going to commit to Master's swim and go 3 days a week from 5:30-6:30 am. YUP, it's kinda early, but it is the only way I can make the time commitment without affecting my family time. I will have to make some adjustments and go to bed earlier to ensure I am getting enough sleep, but it is better than the alternative...doing nothing. For 3 weeks I have been aiming at nothing and hitting that target every time. One of our teammates talked about only focusing on 2 weeks of training at a time. Life happens. Have a template and do your best, but re-evaluate every couple weeks to make sure the plan continues to be appropriate and modify accordingly. My current plan is 6 weeks culminates with a 1/2 marathon in May... I think. I haven't registered, but that is the plan I am working on today. I will plan to take at least 1 week off after the event to recuperate and get a massage. During my rest week I will not plan my next training cycle because I will already have the next one drafted and ready for evaluation and fine tuning. I feel ready, I am a little concerned that I am going back to 5-7 days of working out, but this time I will try and give myself a break when I need one and not fault myself for doing so. I don't want to burn out, but I am happiest when I am feeling healthy and strong. I think my give will be dropping 1 swim workout a week and building in more rest days for the higher mileage weeks. I like the idea of checking in every 2 weeks to make sure the plan continues to fit.

Why I Kick A$$: For figuring out how to get back on track. This is kick ass worthy people, I was in a funk. Now funks rest will be planned.

Thankful Three

1. My daughter's minor eye surgery this AM went well
2. For cute kids hospital gowns that expose tiny little tushies
3. For my tall non-fat zebra hot chocolate form Starbucks

Sunday Summary: The Wisdom of John Wooden

You can't let praise 

or criticism get to you. 

It's a weakness to get caught up in either one.

~John Wooden 

This past week I had a moment...ok a long moment. I received feedback that didn't contain as much praise as I thought I deserved and didn't appreciate some of the "constructive" feedback I got either. I had a moment. A little embarrassed I didn't suck it up better, but it is what it is. I cannot be the stoic, mature, uber-professional being that I am, 100% of the time. In fact, while I was personally disappointed that I let myself be affected by this, I held it together until I got home. I totally unloaded on my hubby, but did a decent job at work the next day by continuing to crank out high quality work products. I love John Wooden quotes. He was more than a coach. Through his model efforts and words, I know he parented many an athlete via his coaching style. When I am in need of guidance, there is a JW quote to fit all situations. 

I got to play basketball tonight for the first time in forever. It is an 8 game recreation league out of town and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to play again and be part of a team. Take a peak at a small contribution I made today, I am #4 and I lay the ball in, score and get the foul. In case you are wondering, of course I made the free throw. We unfortunately lost 36-33, but overall did well. None of us really knew each other, we all have different bball backgrounds and we had to coach ourselves. I scored 14 of our 33 pts, but miss a lot of shots. I was tired and started to slack on defense too, so I am hoping to get into better bball shape so I can contribute more to my ability. Today was such a confidence boost for me.

Why I Kick A$$: I totally made the "And One" free-throw that came with being fouled.

Thankful Three

1. John Wooden
2. a team to play with for the next couple months
3. dinner with my nieces after the game

Saturday Sampler: 2 weeks

What wild imaginations one forms 

where dear self is concerned! 

How sure to be mistaken!

~Jane Austen

Gosh, it is amazing what 2 weeks can do. I mean I hear all the Special K commercials or the Adkins start where people stop eating carbs and see a difference in just 2 weeks. Well I am not exactly talking about my weight here, although it is a factor. For 2.5 weeks I have not run. I had a great excuse the first week, I was hurting. I rested, but I didn't rehab. I wrote a post about it recently. Since identifying the fact that I have not been stretching to rehab, do you think I have turned it around? Nope. So back to what 2 weeks can do. It can do great diet things apparently, but it can also tear you down. In 2 weeks I feel 20 pounds heavier even though the scale and scarcely moved. In 2 weeks I went from confident 1/2 marathoner to depressed couch potato. How does this happen? Good thing I got my Runner's World today, I need a little print inspiration.

With the blah blah blah about 2 weeks, I know that I can get back on track in just 2 weeks! Do I sound like an info-merical? I just need to decide what returning to working out is going to look like. My aim is to:

• not burn myself out
• be consistent
• build in plenty of stretching
• slowly start multisport training

I am not a high mileage runner, but get a little burnt out by so much going on in my schedule. I am actually a little nervous about my TRI training. I haven't started yet, but April is my month to do so. Multisport hasn't really been my focus in the past. I'll usually get in a few rides, a few pool work outs and rely almost solely on running as my base for triathlons.

Other things going on...

 This is my 1 year old drinking out of the spigot we have installed for our dogs to use. Kinda cute in a gross way.

This is my new treat. I read about it in Oprah Magazine. It caught my eye at Safeway today with the "new item" tag. I am a cheese monger and pretty much treat myself to a new cheese or favorite cheese once a month. I love the label on this, it is being marketed as a breakfast cheese and substitute for cream cheese. I dig it. So I bought mini-bagels to give it whirl with. What I love is the owner of this company made a drastic change from software company job to cheese lady. I love it! I feel like I need to do something drastic, but what? I don't know. Take few weeks off work? Vacation? I love my job, but I even looked at what jobs are out there. I am not cutting or coloring my hair, been there, been traumatized by that:(

What is a fun drastic something you have done recently?

Why I Kick A$$: I completely rocked backyard clean up. Score: Me 1, Leaf Pile 0

Thankful Three

1. A lovely overcast day outside with my little ones
2. New fig flavored chevre cheese
3. Zoboomafoo