Wordless Wednesday....

I whine (inside my head mostly) about having trouble losing weight. I eat well, I exercise, I bounce around a 1-2lb range and can't seem to budge.

But, really. Check this out.

3 months ago....

....today.

Well done, me. Well done.

Plan for the Week.....

Let's recap last week, yes?

Monday - I did some crazy speedwork run... Link HERE for that recap. It was rad. 5 miles.
Saturday - Wet n' Wild 5K. 3.1 miles.
Sunday am - 4 miles Tempo.
Sunday pm - 1.5 miles at 7% incline.

The end.

This is TAPER WEEK!!! 6 days until Disneyland. I know some people look forward to taper week... me, it just makes me think I'm crazy. I don't think I'm setting out for a PR (I might try, but just a little......), it's really more of a fun run for me. My A race is Long Beach in October. But still, I'm a crazy person.

Anyway...
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 5 miles. Scheduled for easy, but I might do 400's.
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 3 miles easy. Or tempo. Tough saying.
Friday: Rest
Saturday: COFFEE, and CHEESECAKE!
Sunday: 13.1, and two GIANT medals.

Also to follow up on last week, if you recall HERE I asked for finger crossing for Gab's labs on Thursday. She didn't make her counts, unfortunately, despite the fingers that were crossed. When her counts aren't high enough, she has to wait for chemo until they are high enough. So, she's got another clinic visit this morning (super fast, usually they wait a week!), and if that goes well, chemo this afternoon.

Sheesh. Poor kid.

Anyway. It's been a billion degrees here, so we spent the weekend at the pool...

Have a stellar week!

Wet n' Wild 5K Recap

Man.

I registered for this race awhile back, and it was SUPER cheap - like $25 - and less than 5 minutes from my house. Winner.

The Good
The Outfit - pink sparkle skirt and hot pink knee socks....

The course finished with a run through a lazy river at the water park - Awesome, every hot race should end this way.

Super sweet swag for a $25 race....

They attempted some type of corralling system - they had pacers with giant signs up with your anticipated finish time, and instructed people to find them and stick to where they belonged.

I got to meet Rose!

The Bad
No one listened to the pacers, except maybe us. Strollers, walkers, all of that, everywhere. Typical of any other 5K I've seen. (seriously, folks, WHY!?)

The race started at 8. We've had some CRAZY hot weather the last week or so, and I know the weather is unpredictable, blah blah whinycakes. But maybe an earlier start time would be nice (seriously, it was 80*, sunny as hell, and HUMID when we started).

And speaking of that earlier start time, they were still taking registrations at 7:30. The race was CLEARLY bigger than they could accommodate. Dumb.

There were water stations (good), but poorly manned, and dumb cups that don't crush so you can drink them. DUMB.

The course was weird, but that's my fault - I don't like loopy courses. But it also wasn't super well marked, and was VERY crowded in parts... again, I think they just ended up with way more people than anticipated. Which is what happens when you take registrants until the very last second.

Getting into the lazy river was a pain the arse. The volunteers were handing out plastic bags for your stuff (I planned ahead and brought my own), so people were literally just grabbing them, and stopping dead in their tracks to pack up their stuff, and take off their shoes. PEOPLE. MOVE TO THE SIDE. The volunteers should have instructed them to do so. It probably took me 5 minutes or so to get INTO the river. I know, I know, it's not a race to do for a PR, and that's fine, but some consideration for the folks around you... not too much to ask.

The UGLY
So, finished with the race, you want to cross the timing mat, grab your water and snack, and move on to remove your chip and whatever.

Oh, but picture this with sweat and lazy river wetness everywhere around you, crammed into a space about 5 feet wide...

There was no water at the finish line. Eventually (I had some time, I was obviously not going anywhere any time soon) someone dumped a box of these water bottles on the table...

Randomly, there was some chick standing in the middle of this mess with a box of medals - serve yourself style (I didn't even realize they were giving medals!) Then, like right there,was a sign to remove your chip, but it was like 6 inches from the finish line, so everyone is just... stopping to remove the chip. There was randomly a guy holding a box with everyone's removed chips, but he was just standing there, with the box. I just happened to see him.

UGLY. I wasn't hungry, thankfully, because I never did get to the food - it was too crowded.

Anyway. I don't know if I'd do this again - maybe if a bunch of friends wanted to do it, possibly... it was super cheap. But what a cluster.

(PS, my time was 37:xx, which, if you're a creepy stalker you'll recall was my Corona del Mar 5K time from 2010.... That include walking about half a mile of lazy river and stopping for 5 minutes to get into the water. I totally need to find a 5K to see what I can pull off....)

Three Things Thursday

1. My new job is GREAT. I am digging it. However, it's introduced me to "Restricted Access". Meaning, I can't read or comment at work. And since I used to do it.... At work. Argh.

2. Gab has bloodwork today, and if all goes well, chemo tomorrow!!!! Fingers crossed, yes?

3. I had to rearrange my week due to other commitments - dinner with a friend Tuesday (aka speedwork day), and dinner with the cousin today (aka tempo run day). I intended to run Monday and Wednesday instead. Monday was good. But last night? Total flop. So I really thought I'd run this morning (because that's worked out so well for me previously...). I set out my stuff. I went to bed early. I woke up at 5:30. And it was pitch black out. And I HAVE to be out by 5:45 to finish in time to get ready for work. Fail. I just don't want to run in the dark.

3b. Sorry, cousin, in advance for probably being sweaty when you come over tonight.

A Good Day =

Perfect overnight oats...

+

Happy Hour with the BFF

+

A giant fort in my living room...

The Most Complicated Run Ever

I kind of switched things up this week and moved speedwork to Monday, instead of Tuesday.

I was apparently feeling like quite a rebel, because I made up the craziest looking run ever.

I don't know what part of me thought this would be a good idea. When I sent my goal paces to The H, he sent this text back...

Your times are very ambitious :).

Rude. Even with a smiley face.

10 min warm up
1200 in 7:21 (9:11 pace) - actual 6:59
1000 in 6:02 (9:23 pace) - actual 5:51
800 in 4:48 (9:36 pace) - actual 4:42
600 in 3:35 (8:49 pace) - actual 3:20
400 in 2:22 (8:22 pace) - actual 2:10
200 in 1:05 (7:58 pace) - actual 0:55
10 min cool down (200 RI)

4.96 miles. 46 minutes. 9:23 pace.

Yep. Killed it.

Clarification.... Maintenance?!

I need to clear something up.

I certainly WISH Gab was almost done with chemo.

But she's really not.

She's one step away from the final stage of her treatment - Maintenance.

What is maintenance?

Maintenance: The final phase of treatment lasts two or three years. Maintenance is much less intensive than the previous treatment and consists mostly of oral medications given at home. There are also intermittent intravenous and intrathecal medications given throughout this phase.

(source)

She'll still be in maintenance, and receiving chemo (daily, at home). It's just a MUCH less intense regimen than what she's experienced so far.

We've been sort of thinking of maintenance as a giant milestone. Gab gets a bit more freedom in maintenance.

It's still two years worth of chemo, just.... Less. Easier, if chemo is ever easy. .

We're still pretty damn lucky.

Plan

***I sent out an email regarding plans for the Disneyland meetup... if you asked to join, and I missed you (because I have the organizational skills of a chimp), please email me!!***


I seriously suck at the cross training portion of RLRF.

Last week's run down:
Monday - Nada (still recovering from my long run the day before, if that's a valid excuse?)
Tuesday - 800's. Goal pace 4:48. Actual 4:43, 4:42, 4:41, 4:38, total 4 miles. Not a fan.
Wednesday - TV watching
Thursday - Tempo. Goal pace 10:38. Actual actual: 10:38, 10:20, 9:51, total of 5 miles. This run was sweat-tastic.
Friday - um.
Saturday - 11 glorious miles on the treadmill. Goal pace 11:44, actual 11:33, with my last mile at 10:22. I clearly need to step up my game. Talk about underachieving... Also, I adore the treadmill. I'm a freak.

Says The H, "Wow. You're bright." Heh.

(have you entered Running Ricig's "Before and After" Click Giveaway?! Link HERE). Please don't because I love Click and want it for myself. Thanks.

Magic. I also love an ice bath. See: Freak.

For some reason... last week's 10 miler made me sore and achy and tired for days. Saturday's 11 miles? I'm not achy a teeny bit.

Maybe it was the Tommy Coppers?.....

AND, I wasn't famished, either. I mean, I destroyed lunch, but my appetite was totally normal after that, not bottomless-pit-like. Not at all. So strange. I saw this a few hours later, and managed to refrain. Not Normal, people. It's obviously a sign, yes?

Instead, I held out and grabbed some Veggie Grill (meh, what is all the hype?) and Yogurtland with the lovely Faster Bunny. That chick rocks my socks.

Plan for this week:
Monday - 5 miles speed work, TBD
Tuesday - I don't know. Yoga?
Wednesday - Nothing
Thursday - 5 miles, 4 @ tempo pace
Friday - Swim?
Saturday - Wet n' Wild 5K, plus an extra 5 miles sometime over the weekend... welcome back, taper!

And two more random pictures from the weekend...

"Daddy, hold my baby's hand, not mine!"

THIS GIRL had her SECOND TO LAST CHEMO before maintenance on Thursday.

SO so so close, you guys. SO close.

Photo Friday....

How to survive a tempo run....

Mile 1.... 10:38

Mile 2.... 10:20

Mile 3..... 9:51

Result:

Swoob.

Three Thing Thursday

1. My job has big fat blocks on ALL outside websites, with very few exceptions. That's literally the first time in my career that I've been restricted. Dislike.

1a. It really makes blog reading difficult.

2. But the view from my office almost makes up for it. (Fruit Fly, we'll be running on that exact trail in.... 16 days!)

3. Have you checked out See Mom Run Far's giant NYC/Team Meb giveaway? Click HERE to see all of the great prizes she's got left. You really should be reading her blog. I hear she's BFF's with Dean and Meb....

800's can kiss my....

Running three quality runs a week works best for me. I have a wussy ass body, that likes to feel injured all the time. After my first half, I was sidelined for 2 weeks. After my second, I was out for a month.

So what's the logical thing to do? Register for another 6 half's and create my own training plan, of course. I based it on Run Less, Run Faster, ran it by a smart runner I know, and so far, so good. My paces are getting better, and my endurance has improved by leaps and bounds.

Like I've posted before, I'm doing a modified version of RLRF. The ONLY reason I've modified any part of it, is because numbers give me anxiety, and there are a LOT of numbers involved. I prefer to simplify things, and do like a straight set of 800's, vs what RLRF posits as Key Run #1.

Overall, I still do Key Run 1 (speed work, of various types - 400's, 800's, etc), Key Run 2 (tempo), and Key Run 3 (long and slow).

Cely @ Running off the Reese's posted a great blog about how to create your own training plan HERE. Good read.

Anyway. Last night I dubbed 4x800, at 4:48 goal pace.

Actual... 4:43, 4:42, 4:41, 4:38. 400 RI.

800's always make me feel like I might die. They last forfreakingEVER. ugh ugh ugh. Plus, I don't know what was happening, but it just seemed like the most annoying gym trip ever. It was a trillion degrees, my legs felt TIRED, there were punk boys there boxing (fine) to the loudest soundtrack ever played on their personal speakers (not fine). Then, #2 showed up in the middle of interval #3, and wanted to chat. Um, sorry kid, I'm barely keeping myself alive, I'm sure not gonna have a convo right now.

Blah. Oh well. I did them, and they're over.

Next up: Thursday tempo, 5 miles with 3 at 10:38. Sounds.... Doable.

Dear New Job,

I hate to set you up for disappointment later on, but I showered, did my hair, put on make up, and am wearing fancy (read: non-running) clothes.

But there's a running/biking path that is directly adjacent to you. I'm guessing it's only a matter of time before I decide to test it out.

Fair warning.

Please be kind,
Me

"smile, open your eyes, love and go on"

Thirteen years ago today, I somehow convinced this guy...to marry me, in a small ceremony, with only our families invited, in the park behind a library.

Three kids, and two cross country moves later, he's still pretty okay.

I think I'll keep him for another thirteen years.

Assuming he doesn't divorce me when he sees what picture I used.

Plan for the Week

So, I didn't entirely suck last week.

Tuesday - 4 slow, horrible miles. That first run back kicked my trash.
Thursday - 2 (4x400) with 100RI, 5 miles total. THIS was awesome.
Saturday - 10 HILLY miles on the bike.
Sunday - 10 miles on the treadmill, goal pace 12:10, actual pace 11:44.

I've been slightly freaking out about, you know, that half marathon coming up in THREE WEEKS. The one that I've been in denial about while I took 2 unplanned weeks off of everything. The last long run I did was 7 miles. Really, me? But the 10 miler was awesome, and I felt fanTASTIC the entire time. I briefly toyed with the idea of running 13.1 on the treadmill, but figured I wouldn't push my luck. But I bet I coulda PR'ed.

For this week....
Monday - Cross training, of some kind. And stretching. My left IT band feels tight and achy.
Tuesday - 4x800, 400 RI, 5 miles total.
Wednesday - cross training (no, really)
Thursday - 5 miles, 3 miles at tempo pace
Friday - cross training
Saturday - 11 miles

I forgot how GOOD a long run can feel.

My workout weekend in pictures...
I am in love with G2. Gab loves her Sparkle Skirt :D

Saturday I rode my 12yr old's bike up to work the Team Gabby water stop for TNT. So much fun, and not lacking in the snack options...

The ride there must have been uphill, because I was DYING. I was seriously considering asking the H to come and pick me up. SO glad I didn't, because the ride home was exponentially better. Still hilly, but fun.

Something else I missed about long runs?

Gu. I love that gu'ey stuff.

My Internet BFF bought me these for my birthday last month (while laughing at me). They are MAGIC. My shins/calves/feet feel totally unscathed. I wore them out for a walk later in the day, and got some funny looks, but whatever. I bet the Togo's eating chick with the side-eye didn't just run 10 miles.

Gooooooood weekend.

Friday, Friday....

Welcome back, Running Mojo. Man, I missed you.

Last night I did 5 miles total, 2 (4x400), 2:10-2:16, with 100 RI, 800 between sets.

1 mile sloooow warm up
1 - 2:23
2 - 2:10
3 - 2:25
4 - 2:17

1 - 2:15
2 - 2:14
3 - 2:19
4 - 2:15

.75mi cool down

So, not quite where I wanted to be. But it felt GOOD to run again.

Welcome back, indeed.

Today was my last day at work, and man.... That felt good, too. Sometimes it's just time to move on.

Tomorrow, I'm volunteering at the Team Gabby water stop for TNT. I seriously love volunteering, it's such a rewarding feeling. If you've never done it, do it!

Aaaaad, to round out my Fresh Start, I'm heading to the farmers market tomorrow for the first time in ages. It was a lot of fun eating fried Mac and cheese for lunch today, but... Really, me? Knock it off.

It's a new day, my friends.

Three Things Thursday

1. I just discovered the tab key on my keyboard does not work. Stupid.

2. I wore running clothes to work today. Why? Why not?

3. I ran 4 miles Tuesday morning. Before work. As in, I set my alarm, and got out of bed, and put on running clothes, and shoes, and ran. And maaaaan, did it suck, a LOT. And then my quads and shins decided to rebel all day yesterday like i had just run some crazy miles. Hello, quads, shins, it was just FOUR. Shut up. You're fine. Sheesh.

3.5. Today is speedwork. I think I'll do 400's. They feel challenging, and over so fast I can't possibly die while I'm doing them. Right?

3.75. THREE WEEKS THREE WEEKS THREE WEEKS!

“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.”

First...... last call for Disneyland Half Dinner Meetup at Cheesecake Factory, Saturday, 9/3! If you're in SoCal, click HERE for info! I'm making reservations tomorrow :).

***************************************************

I've been busy.

Certainly not busy running....

But busy with other things.

Like job wrapping up.

Like welcoming Kid 1 and Kid 2 back home.

Like realizing I need to buy clothes for the New Job. (Because everything nice I owned was too big for me).

Like plotting a possible Summer 2012 FULL Marathon.

Like Fro-Yo with other crazy people.

Anyway. Some snippets of my Girls' Weekend with Gabby, and I pinky swear I'll be running again (24 days to a half marathon, I suppose now is a good time)....

Regarding Oscar the Grouch...

"Mom, he's always so obnoxious at me. His mommy needs to teach him better."

At Target....

"MOMMY! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!"

Playing Candyland....

"I don't want that card. I want..... this one."

On Shadiness....

"Mom, don't peek. I'm not doing anything sneaky."

How to Play I Spy....

"I spy something SMALL and BLACK.... MY EYE!"

Duh.

Hide and Seek Like a Professional...

Future Spy (I've seen Alias, I know how this works)...

Three Things Thursday, Late Night Edition

1. I do NOT know how people stay home with their kids. If you're a stay at home parent, you are my hero. The H is in FL this week retrieving 1 & 2, so I'm here, with Gabby, and holy crow. She's a freaking tornado. There's a constant state of CHAOS everywhere she's been. She's been asking me constantly, "Mommy, what's (insert inanimate object here) saying?" Over. and. over.

She's damn lucky she's cute...

2. I have been pretty unhappy with my job recently. I don't agree with some decisions that have been made lately, the environment is pretty crappy (and that bums me out, because it USED to be a great place to come to every day), etc etc. I could go on and on, but this story sums it up. My official title is Customer Service Manager (note that I no longer have a staff to manage - it's only me). The owner of the company asks me to find him a TV/DVD combo, LCD, with a stand, 30"+. I know squat about electronics, but search, and find a couple of options, a variety of prices, etc., and send him a list. I get an email back, "I found this one, it's a GREAT price!" I'm sure it is. It's TWENTY-SEVEN INCHES. I'm sure it's cheaper than what I found.

3. Which makes me REALLY excited to announce that I got a job offer today. Thank. God. I haven't given notice yet. I suppose I should. I've been advised to make it EPIC.... we'll see.

Right, so this half marathon....

It's been 10 days since my last run.

If someone could remind me that I have a half marathon in... 31 days, I'd appreciate it.

Alternatively, if you are the one who stole my running mojo, please bring it back. I miss it.

Gracias.

(credit)