Sometimes, running IS the cure. Sometimes, not.

I haven't done speed work in probably a month.

Actually, according to Daily Mile, it's been since Sept. 20th. Oops.

Last night, I set out to do 6x400 at 2:15 goal pace. 4 miles total.

I am obviously broken, because I felt SO GOOD at number 6, I decided to make it 8x400.

I sort of regretted that decision half way through interval 7, but by then it was too late. I was committed.

This is why I love 400's. They're over SO FAST (hopefully), it's easy to talk yourself into just a few more.

Anyway. Planned 10 min warm up, 6x400 @ 2:15, then cool down to total 4 miles
Actual 10 min warm up (.78), 8x400 @ 2:14, 2:11, 2:10, 2:05, 2:06, 2:00, 2:06, 1:57. 200 RI. .25 cool down.

Everything about this run reminded me of WHY I love running. It wasn't easy. It was fast. I did it on the treadmill, so I got to listen to really, really loud music. I've been pretty much bleh about running lately, so I needed this. It rocked.

I'm not really a fan of the "listen to my body" excuses for myself - I know me, and I know how easily I can covince myself that I'm falling to pieces. So I try to not use "listening to my body" as a reason to skip a run or take it too easy. I almost did it on Sunday, when I almost skipped the 6 Hour Challenge (really, it was that close). I almost did it again last night, because I was just tired. So I'm glad I sucked it up and just did it.

But... I've felt like I've been on the edge of a giant cold for days, and it decided to make itself known last night around 2am. Coughing, sneezing, general achiness. I haz it. I don't know. Maybe sometimes I err too much on the side of ignoring myself.

Whatever. That run was totally worth the Cold of Death that has taken residence in my head.

Sometimes, my body is kind of a little bitch.

How to have the best Birthday Weekend ever

(So, first, I'm just calling it out. I'm quitting Suck Less. Not forever, but for this week, at least. I need a break, I'm tired of the program right now, and just bleh. I'm going to try to incorporate some other cross-training things, but for now, I don't even want to discuss a push up or tricep dip.)

Anyway.

Recipe for the Best Birthday Weekend Ever

1. Show a 10K who's boss.

2. Have a husband who not only accepts your love of The Mouse...

...but also makes TWSS jokes.

3. Have the best internet friend ever, who didn't believe The H when he said "She likes bright things to run in", but bought these for you anyway....

4. After finishing the day with pizza, beer, and pool, and the cutest, most disgruntled baby ever....

....sleep from 10pm until 8am. Because that's not your baby.

5. Follow up French Toast and bacon in the morning with a stop at the farmers market, where a miracle happens. You find the Baconmania truck.

No words.

6. Go shoe shopping, "for The H"...

7. Let #3 try on anything that looks fun at Target...

8. Use the Sports Authority gift cards that you got for Mother's Day to buy a swimsuit appropriate for a tri...

...and also appropriate if you ever get lost at sea and need to be found.

9. Finally, FINALLY, bake the perfect cupcake. Vanilla, with mocha frosting, and toasted coconut.

The end.

Wordless Wednesday

We got a bike this weekend....

I think Target was trying to tell me something...

Awesome? Or Awful? Overwhelming response on Facebook was Awful.

Photo Friday

Have you noticed yet that I'm a blog-idea-stealer? It's kind of true.

I've been meaning to blog about weight. And weight loss. And diets, and that Racing Weight book. But I haven't.

I've also been meaning to post about how running has changed my body. But I haven't.

The Studly Runner Marcia posted about Racing Weight today, and Becka posted about P90X making her even more awesome (who knew it was even possible...), so I'm killing two birds with one stone and taking my inspiration from them. Well, three birds - Foto Friday. (that hurt to type).

I picked up Racing Weight at Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago, and used the equation to determine my "ideal" racing weight.

According to that book, I should weigh just about what my 12 year old weighs.

I'd like to lose maybe 25 lbs. That would put me about in the middle of the "healthy" range for my height. The suggested weight was 18 lbs LESS.

Madness.

I'm not a 12 year old girl. I'm a 32 yr old mom to three kids. I have hips. I have a bum. I have boobs. I don't know that I've EVER weighed what my 12 year old weighs, except maybe... when I was 12. Of course, by the time I was her age, I was a C cup already, and she's... not. Lucky.

I just don't think that weight is reasonable, FOR ME.

I eat well, mostly. More importantly, I don't go crazy with guilt when I don't eat the most healthy option. I eat in moderation. I am educated about my food choices. I am always more concerned with making the BEST, more healthy decision, over the choice that will fit in a "diet".

My metabolism is wonky, because it takes seriously like an act of Congress for me to lose weight. I've been tracking my calories (and carbs, fats, proteins, etc., via SparkPeople) for a few weeks. I've not had one day where I ate over 1850 cals in a day. My average caloric intake is around 1620 daily. According to Spark People, my BMR is 1900.

Over that same time frame (16 days), I've burned 2894 calories. That averages to 180 calories/day. If you follow the general rule that you have to burn 3500 cals to lose a single pound, I should have lost about 2 pounds in the last 16 days.

I've lost 0. Well, half of one. So 0.5 lbs down.

And that's kind of okay, because, frankly, I'm just not as concerned about being a specific weight, as I am knowing that what I'm putting in is good for me. That's the mentality I want my kids to have, as well.

And it works FOR ME.

But what's MORE important than that for me, is this...

(I swear I'm not sucking in)

These used to be skin tight on me. It wasn't the best look.

I did drop about 10 lbs between October and February, when I first started running, and then in the hospital. But since then, it's kind of plateued.

I don't run, or eat (mostly) good for me for the weight. I do it because it feels good, and I want to be healthy. Cancers and heart disease and high blood pressure and diabetes all run in my family. I want to do what I can to mitigate that. And if it means that right now I'm eating grapefruit because (1) it was a quarter, and (2) it is better for me than the Godiva chocolate covered strawberries that I *really* want, well. That's a small price to pay, isn't it?

Anyway. I guess my only point, really, is that being HEALTHY, IMO, is more important than a number on the scale. Obviously the number can indicate some risks - too high or too low - but it's the be all, end all of you, nor is it the determining factor to your fitness. The H is in great shape, and kicks my butt in most things of a physical nature, but I can take him down on any leg strength test you could name. I mean, I still can't do a "real" push up, but those squats, they're my bish.

/soapbox.

I ran last night, 20 minutes, per the suggestion of the salesperson who walked away with some nice commission after I bought new shoes and orthotics... and The Ankle cooperated!! Thanks, Ankle! First 1.75 miles of the Cupcake Marathon down!

Happy Friday! Don't forget to enter my GU and RoadID Giveaway! HERE

I am FAMISHED

Goal A:

Finish and don't die.... Success!

Goal B:

Don't get swept.... Success!

Goal C:

2:30... Not so much success.

I ended up just over 3 hours. I also ended up stopping and waiting in line for a dozen pictures, and felt flipping FANTASTIC the entire time, AND my fastest mile was 12-13.1, through EPCOT, so... I'm calling that a success anyway. :D

Seeing Becka is always a good time, and meeting L was fun. A informed me that I'm her new BFF. I got to see an old friend from high school, who used to skip gym and algebra with me, and briefly met Little Fruit Fly and Leslie from Racing it Off.

Full report later!

Three Things Thursday

1. T-18 hours. Hopefully the H is doing laundry for me, I still need to run to Target one more time, and then start to pack. After I get out of work, drive home, cook dinner, and put kidlets to bed. I like to live on the edge.

2. Sure did.

3. Seems like, coming along for the ride to Florida, is an awesome head cold... sore throat, cough, and sneezing. Sounds like fun!

CAN.NOT.WAIT.

Happy Monday!

Saturday morning was my first run with the PCRF fundraising team (to donate, you can click here). I was pretty excited to get out there - I'd taken an extra day off, iced and stretched my IT band, and was feeling GREAT. We took off on a 3.5 mile run... and awful. My leg? Hurting. I walked the second up-hill, and that was the end. I didn't get back out. I didn't finish my 7.5 remaining miles. I didn't do my long run. I logged 6.5 miles last week, total.

Sucktastic.

I spent the rest of Saturday, and all of Sunday, alternately stretching, icing, and foam rolling. Tonight, I attempt again. Fingers corssed?

I also have an update on my Brooks shoes situation...

So I posted this picture on the Brooks Gurus FB page...


And this is the ensuing conversation:
Okay, so that came out teeny, but, essentially, Brooks Gurus tells me that my "nagging" pain (that at this point has been around for 3 full days) is what caused the defective-looking wear on my shoes TWICE, which started last JUNE.

And now I'm pissy, because I've been preaching about how rad Brooks are, and their customer service is above and beyond, and their shoes rock... HERE... and... HERE, for example.

So, something to keep in mind when looking at Brooks in the future, I guess. And such a bummer, because I really did love Brooks.



But what makes this such a Happy Monday?



This...


I think the steroids have run their course, and my kid seems to be back. She spent the weekend being sweet, and huggy, and playful, and moving, and it was the.best.thing.ever. I mean. I don't think there are even words for how grateful I was to see her again.



General housekeeping... don't forget about the $25 CSN giveaway! This runs until tomorrow night, and winner announced Wednesday.


I've also been gifted with tons of other goodies from some generous companies, that you'll all love (think fab running supplies)! I'm so excited about these.... Next week :D



And..... of course, my donation page, and our story - please share!

OH! And, Happy Birthday, TMB! Stop by and tell her how awesome she is. I hear she likes that.

Well, something sure the hell ain't right.

Did you know this is Leukemia Awareness Week?

Leukemia is one of those things, for me, that I knew about - I always thought it was sad, of course, but... it was not really on my radar. A few years ago, I signed up for Team in Training with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I didn't know anything about blood cancers, and while I found the stories touching, they weren't really... life impacting, for me. I just wanted to be a runner.

Some of you are new followers, and might not know how my last month unfolded. It started with a cold. I've got three kids, in two different schools, so unsurprisingly, someone brought home a cough.

Three weeks after this cough started, it still hadn't stopped for Gabby. But all the kids in her class were also coughing, so.. it didn't seem like much. I brought her to the doctor, and they thought nothing of it. She'd be fine.

New Years Eve, she was kinda sleepy and bleh. I thought it was her body resting and fighting off whatever funk was left.

New Years day, when she wouldn't get off the couch or eat, still, I gave in and brought her to urgent care.

Something sure the hell ain't right. Something was really, really wrong.

I brought her to Urgent Care, and they took one look at her, and sent us to the ER down the street.

I brought her to the ER, and the nurse on duty took one look at her, and cleared a bed and brought her back. 5 minutes, from door to bed. Done.

Within 20 minutes, she had a chest X-Ray, blood draws, and IV's. Shortly after, the doctor came back in, and said, for real, "There's some abnormalities in her blood. I've been on the phone with the children's hospital. They are sending a transport ambulence for you now. The Oncology ICU is waiting for her."

And there is nothing you can imagine, scarier than that.

You can read about her official diagnosis HERE

And everything in between then, and now, tells her story.

Me, I'm just a mom. A mom starting to run. A mom with two other kids, a full time job, and a husband. A mom with an already full plate.

I'm not a fast runner. I'm not a perfect wife. I'm not the World's Greatest Boss.

But I do have amazing support, through my blog, through my favorite message board, through the running community.

And now, I'm counting on that support to help support the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is holding its Annual "Cinco de Mayo Races" on Sunday, May 1, 2011 in Irvine. The money raised will fund research that explores causes, treatments and cures for pediatric cancer.

My donation link is HERE.

And this is where the fun starts...

There's a Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K option for this race.

I'm willing to do ANY distance, but the distance I do depends on how much I raise.

$500 for the 5K

$750 for the 10K

$1000 for the half marathon

That's it.

In the next few weeks, I've got some great giveaways lined up, and the more you donate, the more entries you'll earn.

I know this is a loooong post. But Gabby has TWO YEARS of chemo treatments. Two years, where she can't play in the sun. She can't go to Disneyland. We can't travel to visit our families. TWO YEARS where her sisters can't have their normal lives back.

And that sure the hell ain't right.

5 bonus entries on my first giveaway to whomever can guess what movie my title quote is from.

Blogger's Block

I'm totally stealing this phrase from Little Fruit Fly. I've got a lot to say, and no creative way to say it.

First, people have not only liked the shirt idea from my last post, but some have requested a shirt of their own.

And I love that.

I have to do some more research on what exactly I want it to look like, where to buy from (any suggestions??), etc., but need to order this week to have for the Princess Half - if anyone is interested, shoot me an email at hmgiraffy at gmail dot com so I can have a quick count of how many to order.

Second, I was super psyched out about the 10 miles I was scheduled to run this weekend. I'm really glad I live somewhere with great bike paths. Literally across my street, there's a bike path that goes for... miles. It's called Mountain to the Sea, or something, and its true.

The plan was to just go, 5 miles, and turn around. Somehow even when I'm running the 405 manages to wreck my life, because my GPS failed somewhere around there, and I didn't realize for about 10 minutes that I remained at 3.5 miles regardless of how far I'd gone. Doh!

I definitely didn't want to fall short of my 10 miles, so I kept going, even after I saw this in a church parking lot....

Fearless, right?

It was kind of a pretty trail, in parts.. if you're into that "homeless den, petri-dish water" look.

At each intersection, there's a choice to take the flat path across the road, or a path under the road. I purposely ran the hills most of the time... I know about that hill at the Ticket and Transportation Center!

Every time I ran under one, I was reallllly hoping The Big One wouldn't hit right now... especially at the end, there was no way I'd be sprinting fast enough through there.

TNT obviously does some training out here as well, 'cause at the end of my run, I saw this and kicked up my pace... Soooo close to the end!

...but apparently they run the opposite loop

No thanks.

Finished in 2:04, which is pretty exciting, 'cause after I got home and mapped my run, I'd churned out 10.9 miles. Sweet!

And, it was awesome. It was hard, but never overwhelmingly so. I ran sans music, I ran wthout knowing my pace, and it was GREAT. I seriously felt like I could have kept going. I'm a little achy today - ice on the hips, and compression socks - I feel like a 70 year old woman.

But I am SO READY for the half.

Holy CRAP that felt good.

Phew.

Now that I've proven to myself that I can, in fact, wake up at tooeffingearly o'clock, I suppose I could make use of that time to do the cross training I yapped about staring here... The getting up early isn't what bothers me, so much as the "cold". And by "cold", I mean, it's like in the 50's at 5:30am. Brrr.

Baby update:
She has a chemo treatment today. She has to go to what the hospital calls "The Infusion Center". It sounds so dramatic. But really? Since she has the port, it's just a quick teeny poke, and done. Plus, we have some fantastic numbing cream, so she doesn't even really feel it (true story, I tested it). Next week is another lumbar, and that's the one that always gets to me :(.

Anyway. Have I mentioned this steroid that makes her scary beyond all reason? It also, apparently, makes her extremely kooky. Last night, she was flipping out because I turned a light on. I mean, it was dark, and I don't like to sit around in the dark, so it seemed reasonable. Oh but it was not. Awhile later, this happens:

Mmhmm. Too dark to not have the light on, but - apparently - the light was TOO MUCH for her. And, check.out.that.gut. Sheesh. That kid is gonna explode in the next 6 days (not that I'm counting down).

Oh, and, I also have 2 other kids. Both of whom are really pretty healthy - we haven't had a flu or puking incident in YEARS. Until this weekend, when we bring home the kid with no immune system, at all.... and both kids decide to suddenly run super high fevers (#2) and start puking (#1). Thankfully both are now better, so it was a quick bug, but... Oy. Timing, man. Timing.

*********

Gratitude....

I've always been one to be really proud of the fact that I am independent. I take care of myself (well, we take care of ourselves). I don't like to ask for help - I'd rather figure out a solution on my own.

I've literally been overwhelmed with the KINDNESS of people the last 3 weeks. People I don't even know, really. People I chat with online. My virtual-then-real-life friends.

I'm touched, beyond words, that someone would do this for me... Running off for a Cause. While I spent yesterday morning (while I was up early NOT running) complaining and wallowing about how lazy I am, Marcia was... doing that. It's humbling, and inspirational. I've cried exactly 4 times since this started - once when we got the diagnosis, once at her second lumbar (I didn't cry the first time, 'cause people were around. That's how I am.), once when Becka did something unbelievably generous for me, and yesterday, when I read that post.

I'm thankful, for all the kind words, all the prayers, all the thoughts. I don't even have words to describe it.



ps. holy crap, eyebrow waxing and frizzy hair. It's like I didn't even look in the mirror this morning. Yikes.

YES YES YES!

I am registered....

AND! Thanks to Priceline, my flight is booked, $90 less than I was going to pay for the EXACT SAME FLIGHT. It is totally my lucky day :D.

Why today is awesome

1. I recieved a sticker yesterday from SUAR. That makes TWO stickers on my car, both beginning with "Shut Up".

2. My hair is a life-form of its own and must be doubling the size of my head.

3. I totally just told off a chick via email who filed a chargeback erroneously.

4. I'm THISCLOSE to talking H into letting me buy a pair of shoes for $140.

5. The fact that they are running shoes instead of fancy shoes makes me smile.

6. It's lunchtime, and Togo's has some fab mushroom and brie soup that I am loving.

7. I took #1 out for few hours one-on-one time Sunday. On the way to the car, she said, "That was fun, mama." It was a few days ago, but it still makes me happy. She's almost 12. I think my days of THAT are dwindling.

8. I wanted to go to Sbux today, but I didn't. Restraint!

9. The Disney Princess half is still at 65%. Woohoo!!

10. Thanksgiving ham is FINALLY gone!

11. Snork and I have a date tonight :D


What's making YOUR day awesome?

"Photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place..."

My weekend in pictures. OC > Julian > Miramar > La Jolla > OC

Corona del Mar Scenic 5K - SUCCESS!

We completed the CDM5K yesterday. I am so, so pleased.

For some perspective, a few months ago we did a practice 5K at the gym. This was when we'd been gymming regularly, and we ended at 40:11. I was pleased.

We started practicing the actual race route a few weeks ago, to work on the hills. Our best time on the route was 46 minutes (I think? Turns out we were stopping shy of the finish line).

My OFFICIAL time yesterday was 37:57.

WIN!

PS. lora thinks mommy should train more