Revealing Me

Running with an Android...

2011-08-22T23:07:00.001-04:00

Running with an Android...
That sounds funny. When I think of an Android I'm still thinking this

not this

Ah well...

Running with my Android phone is for the most part enjoyable. I have been using runkeeper happily for about 6 months now. Long enough for it to be a big part of my runs, and happily so, until about a week ago. Then it started randomly shutting down on me. As you may recall it shut down on me during my 12 miler, it also shut down on me during my 14 miler. Now I thought it could just be my phone. So,I reset the whole phone to factory settings, yes I am that nuts about my running. I re-downloaded the runkeeper app and used it today for a 6 mile run, and guess what.... it shut down on me again. Grrrrr. Looks like I'm not the only one experiencing this either but so close to my race I can't afford to risk it crashing on me. So, I'm looking for a new app. One that doesn't randomly shut down for no reason.

Although, to be fair. I ran with it and loved it for 6 months, even now when it shuts down it does keep the information that was saved up to the point when it shut down, you don't lose all that data which is nice. But still. Once it shuts down you have to stop wait for the phone to reboot(cause it turns your whole phone off and restarts it). Then you have to get a new activity session going and then you can finish your run. That sucks. The positive side of runkeeper is that it does give you time, pace, distance, elevation, maps, verbal cues as to pace, distance, and speed, and you can link it up with facebook and twitter. I used all those features without issue for about 6 months. I figured I'd give ya the good and the bad in case you wanna try it out for yourself.

As for me, I think I'll be switching. I guess I'll be trying out new apps for awhile now...sigh. Looks like the first try is going to be Runstar that one looks pretty nice. Maybe better than runkeeper. But, looks like a lot of the cool features are locked in the free version. Although, if it's pretty accurate and runs without crashing I might splurge and pay the $4.52 for the pro version.

Today was my rest day. But, I ran anyway. Today was a run day for hubby so I decided to run with him. He, after all, is going to take on the half marathon and run/walk it with my sis-in-law. He is going to try a run 2 mile, walk 2 mile, attack method to get done. Today we did 6 miles. That was a lot for my tired legs. But the slower pace helped me get through it.

Todays Half Marathon training:
Time: 1:41:22
Distance: 5.98 miles
Pace:16:57

I feel ready now...

2011-08-21T23:27:00.004-04:00

Today was my longest run thus far.
14 miles.

I wanted to be sure to run more than a half marathon distance before the race. That way, I know what to expect. Since I had such a long run ahead of me I decided to run along the river, at Riverside Park. It's a really pretty place to run. Lots of trees, flowers and interesting bridges.

and as you can see the path is really wide as well.

see what i mean, aren't these bridges cool. The nice part about running here is not having to constantly be on the look out for cars. You can just relax and enjoy the scenery.

like this lovely weeping willow set against a calm inlet from the river. You can't see it in this photo but there are a whole bunch of geese just to the left of the trail. When I ran by them, they just stood there and watched me go by, they didn't move at all.

In parts of the park there were several branches down. I knew it had stormed the night before but I didn't realize it stormed that hard. It almost looked like maybe a tornado went through and just caught the tops of the trees.

Ahh...another lovely shot of the river...so peaceful...so serene

and a very cool old train bridge. That's all for the photos. At this point all my picture taking was starting to cut into my time...lol. So I focused on running and enjoying the morning. Around mile 8 I thought, "I could probably do twice this distance." I still felt really good! when mile 12 came around I started getting really tired and I still had 2 miles to go. Mile 13 came and I wanted to quit, my legs and feet were so tired. But, I thought, "this is what I might feel like at the end of the half marathon I need to know that I can power through that feeling." So I pushed it out all 14 miles. That last mile was filled with a lot of run, walk, run, walk, segments. But I got it done. Then went straight home and hopped into an ice bath.
That's it now for distance, now starts the process of tapering back in preparation for the race.

14 Days Left

Today's Half Marathon Training Run Stats
Time: 3:22:15
Distance: 14.06 miles
Pace: 14:23

We now return to our regularly scheduled program.

2011-08-16T03:15:00.003-04:00

We interrupt your local programing to bring you an official announcement.

No, Not my blog. It's gonna stay right here.
As of September 1st, 2011 I will no longer be a Michigander. I'm moving in with my sis-in-law in Virginia Beach, VA. The plan is to live with her and basically house sit for her while she studies for her bar exam. I'm going out first in September to find a job. Then hubby will come out with the rest of the family in October. It's going to be hard to be separated from my family for so long. But it will be worth it to get away from the long cold Michigan winters.

and my internal awesomeness meter goes wild!!!

2011-08-14T23:41:00.005-04:00

I did it.
I totally did it!!
I came, I saw, I ran my a$$ off!

The daunting 12 miler has been looming at me from my running plan since April. Today was that day.
The day.
12 freakin' miles yo!

....T W E L V E miles...of running....me.....RUNNING.

It is so amazing to me that just this year. I have gone from barely being able to eek out a mile to now...running T W E L V Emiles. Wow, just wow.

Today I went down to the local park to run. I decided to run there and save myself from being eaten alive by mosquitoes and deerfly. As you might guess it takes awhile to run 12 miles so in that time it rained, twice. I didn't mind though, I love running in the rain. It was a good kind of rain too, that nice misty light rain. Temps were about 69 degrees so the rain was cool and refreshing. And since it was raining, I was the only person at the park.
As I was running I noticed the church looked very scenic, so I stopped for a sec to take a picture.

I also found a portion of trail that I hadn't seen before. It was just a short section about a quarter of a mile long. But, as you can see it's a very enchanting quarter mile.

It has that sort of Alice in Wonderland feel about it. And on the left there is a river which gives the area a nice calming sound. Very relaxing.

and surprisingly enough, there weren't any mosquitoes in there. The park association must spray for them or something.

At mile 10 my droid crapped out on me and shut off completely. Luckily runkeeper saved the data of that 10 miles so I just restarted run keeper and did 2 more miles. Stupid Techno FAIL .... grr. At least I didn't lose my data! I'd have lost my mind if I lost all the data on that run. Not THAT run, not my 12 miler. I wonder what caused my phone to freak like that?

So, I finished up my run and walked home. I had to combine the data from the 2 runs to figure out all I did. Thanks to techno failure. Still, I got my 12 miles in, plus some and did it all at a nice steady 13:47 pace. I'll take it! I feel fully ready for the half marathon now. I'm guessing it will end up being about a 3 hour race for me. Not great, but not bad at all for my first half marathon!

Today's Half Marathon Training Stats:
Time: 2:49:59
Distance: 12.32 miles
Pace: 13:47

Poetry of Motion

2011-08-14T05:56:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to share a little poem I wrote a few years ago. It seems funny to me now. I was really wrapped up in...well fear of calling myself a runner. Now, I do it with pride!

A Runner?

I'm a runner, self-proclaimed.
Is there any other kind?
There are no grades, no exams...
No papers to be signed.

Does distance, time or speed make you a runner?
What if your speed makes it a jog?
Does more gear make you a runner?
GPS, Forerunner, or Ipod?

Must you run every day, week, month, and season?
If I don’t measure up, am I a fraud?
Is there a level that I must achieve?
To appease some running god?

I RUN for me.
I RUN my pace.
I RUN to make MY goals.
I RUN for MY race.

30 days left....

2011-08-05T23:50:00.004-04:00

Ekk! It's getting closer. It's almost here! I may puke in excito-terror.

Sept. 4th, 2011

I ran with hubby today, He's still doing the couch to 5k. He just completed Week 4 Day 3 today! We ran for 25 minutes and then walked until we got 5 miles in...and that was my rest day! Tomorrow I got 3 miles to do. Then Sunday it's the long run... featuring 10 miles!!

Fast Post Friday...

2011-08-05T05:05:00.003-04:00

Just a quicky to let you all know I'm still alive. I was down for 3 days with shin splints...thank you so much Michigan Road Construction!! Grrr. I was back on my feet yesterday though with a nice 5 miler. Just one month left to train before the half Marathon!!! eeeKkk!!

Now...You gotta go check out this giveway at The Bitchy Runners Blog They are giving away a pretty sweet Neoprene Single Pouch Running Belt from iFitness Inc.

Go Hurry!! You don't wanna miss it!

Air Quality Alert...should that discourage me?

2011-07-17T23:29:00.000-04:00

Nahhhhhh!
I threw caution to the wind and went on my run anyway. My schedule called for 9 miles today.
It didn't happen.
I started out strong, packing water coz I'm smart like that. Yah well,I used up my water by mile 5 and ran to the local park to fill up at the drinking fountain. I ran the rest of my miles there so I could be close to the drinking fountain and bathrooms. It was so hot. If it keeps being this humid I'm going to have to grow gills. It was 83 degrees at 7:30Am. What The Hell!!! The park was pretty empty... all the sane people were at home in their beds still sleeping. It was just me and this old guy for the longest time. We were running in opposite directions so we only passed twice each mile. So I ended up keeping an eye on him it really wasn't a good idea for someone his age to be out on such a humid day. But he was there, chugging along, just like me. His pace was a litter slower than mine. Heck my pace was a ~~lot~~ little slower than usual. I'm guessing he did about 2 miles. When he was done he stopped to stretch, he was covered in sweat and looked pretty beat. I gave him the thumbs up as I went by, he smiled and nodded. That left me two more miles. I tried to pick up the pace a bit, to just get them done. Nope, not happening. My legs were starting to cramp. My shoulders grew tense, I was running outta steam fast. When I got close to mile 8 I knew I didn't have another mile in me. Especially since I knew I still had a 1.5 mile long walk home...straight uphill the whole way. I pushed through to mile 8 and sat down on a bench. I thought I'd call hubby and have him pick my sorry buns up there at the park and take me home. His phone was off. DAMN! The walk home was the worst. Lumbering like Frankenstein up the hill, step by delirious step. It seemed to take forever. Once I got home and got in an ice cold shower I felt so much better.
Good enough to check the nets and tally all my stats online. The weather station said we were under a Air Quality Alert. That probably has a lot to do with why I got tired so fast, and why this run seemed harder that the 10 mile run I did a week or so ago.
On to the running sites...

I have 3 main sites that I hang out on.

Runkeeper.com - coz I use the GPS and my phone to track my runs (although the site itself is kinda boring.)
DailyMile - think myspace/fackbook for runners (love that site!)
and
SmashRun - Coz you get to earn badges!

Here are a few screen shots from SmashRun so you can get a feel for the site.

You can use it with Nike+ or just manually enter the miles. I've done both. One nice thing is it tells you home much juice you have left in your Nike+ sensor thing. So you can replace it before it runs out.

If you don't have a site to track miles at yet... I encourage you to check those out. SmashRun is by invitation only but, I'm inviting you so you're all set!
Your invited to SmashRun join here

My Air Quailty Alert Run:
Distance: 8.14 miles
Time: 1:59:46
Pace: 14:42

Random thoughts

2011-07-17T01:31:00.005-04:00

Looks like next week is going to be a difficult week for running...

Yuck!Each one of those days is supposed to be HUMID. There has already been an Air Quality Alert issued for my area. LOVELY! And tomorrow I have a 9 mile run planned. But I'm doing it early in the morning...so it should be somewhat cooler. HOPEFULLY.

So today I was reviewing my weight changes this year. So far, this year has been an interesting year for me. Going from traditional eating, to Vegetarian, and finally to Vegan was a slow process. It has paid off slowly in weight and overall health and the best part is I haven't felt deprived...like I always do when I'm dieting. What I'm doing now seems very effortless and results in modest weight loss each month. Just look...

In the first week of December 2010 I was 198 lbs.
January 2011 - I had brought that down to 185 lbs
February - March 2011- down to about 181 lbs and then I stalled. As March began I pigged out for my birthday and many days after.

Starting in the beginning of April 2011 - I went vegetarian

I didn't record my weight until the end of May 2011 at which time I was 184.2 lbs at This point I start full vegan.

June 2011 I started recording my weight more diligently.
June 8 - 176
June 15 - 174.6
June 29 - 171.8

July 2011
July 8 - 169.4
July 15 - 167.2

Total weight loss so far about 30 pounds.

I'm happy That I've finally found something I can do to lose weight. Something that doesn't require me to count every single calorie or record every single morsel of food. I HATE, HATE, HATE that!!! I'm excited to see how far vegan and running can take me!!

Summer Blahs...

2011-07-12T23:12:00.002-04:00

I missed my Sunday long run :o(
Something about an evening of margaritas makes it hard to get up and run at 5:30AM the next day. Who knew.

I've been running strong so far this week, but feeling blah. No air conditioning makes 90 degree weather a little unbearable. I've been trying to adjust my run schedule to run during the coolest parts of the day. It's been crazy. BUT I'm not complaining. If mother nature hears me complain we'll get 8 months of sub-zero temps this winter. It's the curse of living in Michigan.

Since running has been such a crazy sweat-fest, I've been trying to really pack the nutrients into my food.

I got this recipe idea from theAlmostRunner I made it the way she does originally, and it's great...then I got a little crazy with it. This recipe is so easy and so versatile you just gotta start messing with it....and yes, I actually fire up the oven when it's 90 and I have no air conditioning. I'm mental like that.

First the ingredients:
Frozen edamame
Frozen Okra
Frozen Stir Fry Veggies (any frozen veggies will work)
Fresh sliced mushrooms
Raw Baby leaf spinach (chopped)
Fresh Brussel Sprouts (with the ends chopped off and split in half)
1/4 cup - Tamari or soy sauce (slightly more if needed to coat veggies)1/4 cup pineapple juice (slightly more if needed to coat veggies)

To Prepare:
combine veggies, pineapple juice and soy sauce in a gallon size ziplock bag...shake vigorously to coat veggies. This could be done several hours in advance if you add a smidge more pineapple juice...the acid in the pineapple juice will keep the veggies from going brown.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spread the veggies thinly on a cookie sheet.

Cook for 15 minutes...flip and shuffle veggies then cook for 15 more minutes.

While the veggies are cooking...you can mix up some Quinoa...I had some ready made in the fridge. It takes 15 minutes to cook up so you have time to cook it while the veggies are in the oven. (or in my case...just nuke them to warm them through)

Pull the veggies out of the oven...mmmm...looks yummy!

Combine veggies and quinoa in a bowl and serve...

Sunday Morning Long Run

2011-07-04T00:18:00.003-04:00

Another snapshot from the White Pines Trail. This little gazebo is just after mile 3 on my run.

This run was not the most enjoyable. Not because of my body, but because of Deer Flies.

While female deer flies feed on blood, males instead collect pollen. When feeding, females use knife-like mandibles and maxillae to make a cross-shaped incision and then lap up the blood. Their bite can be extremely painful, and allergic reaction from the saliva of the fly can result in further discomfort and health concerns. Pain and itch are the most common symptoms, but more significant allergic reactions can develop.

ugh, and they sure were bitey today. Not only that, but they chase you. Once they find you they keep right with you for a long time. From mile 2 to mile 3 I got bit so many times. Then once I was out of the trees and into the open sun, they were gone. Until of course I had to turn around and head back. They weren't AS bad on the way back. They must have still been full from the first time I came through.

Despite the annoyances, I still got my run in. I went further today than I ever have. 10 miles. When I got home and posted on facebook about my hatred of deer flies, my SIL suggested tieing a dryer sheet to my ponytail holder. She said that she has used dryer sheets before to keep away mosquitoes. Deer flies seem to be more aggressive than mosquitoes so I don't know how it would do against them. Guess we'll find out next Sunday.

How do you keep the bugs away on your runs?

Today's buggy Half Training:
Time: 2:18:07
Distance: 10.01
Pace: 13:49

Starting July out right.

2011-07-01T17:05:00.002-04:00

Today I figured I'd start the month out with a nice run. I decided I'd get a four miler in. The weather was not ideal for running. It was really humid and it really looked like it could rain at any minute. I spend moments like these in my house pacing from the laptop to the patio door. Looking, timing, assessing. Do I risk it? Is it just rain or is there thunder and lightning? I heard thunder in the distance. and it was sort of raining...big fat drops here and there. I checked the radar...most of the weather was North and East of us.
I decided to go.

It was warm 71 degrees, and humid 87%. But, I was feeling good. I set out and kept a pretty nice pace, for me anyway.

Even kept pace over some pretty big hills...

It rained a little during my run, not enough to really cool me off though. So I got my four miles in and ran home. About 20 minutes later it really started to pour. So, I'm glad I got my run in when I did.

How about you, Do you run in the rain?

Half Training Run:
Time: 53:35
Distance: 4.32
Pace: 12:24

Two run Thursday

2011-06-30T23:17:00.001-04:00

No, I don't plan to run twice every Thursday, that's just how today went...lol. I did my run first in the afternoon while hubby was at work.

Then I ran with him as he did his C25k W2D2.

He seems to benefit from me running with him. So I'm going to try to keep it up.

U-Pick

2011-06-28T00:21:00.009-04:00

Yum!
Nothin' better than fresh hand-picked Strawberries!

We took the kids to pick strawberries this evening. It was a good day for it 70's and cloudy so we didn't have the sun beating down on us.

A local farmer does this u-pick every year. I love supporting them...and I love farm fresh fruits and veggies!!

That's my little man picking berries...so cute.

and my baby girl....testing the product. (it's u-pick...not u-eat...lol)

That's me showing Buddy which berries to pick.

That's my hubby holding our bounty...that's 12 pounds worth of Strawberries!! Cost us $15. We'll be eating strawberries forever.

I also started the week out right with a nice 6 mile run this morning. I ran down to the local park and back. Coming back is a challenge coz it's all up hill. Ugh.
I got home just before it started to rain.

Today's Half-Training Run:
Time: 1:21:06
Distance: 6.04 miles
Pace: 13:25

Low Mileage...

2011-06-26T23:58:00.001-04:00

....MUST STICK TO SCHEDULE....

......

Didn't happen.

I get freaky about my running schedule. I plan this running thing all out and I like to stick with my plan. My precious, precious, plan.

Yeah, like that.

Adorable right?

This week wreaked havoc on my schedule. Missing runs, shorter distances, even the cherished Sunday Long Run suffered. The week of 6/20 I had kicked out 27 miles! This week...just 16 miles. Between family, work, and sleep, it seemed to be impossible to find time to get my runs in. This morning, I was just too tired to run. So I didn't, I slept.
I figured I'd just run later in the day, no biggy. Well, when later came, I had family over...so I couldn't leave then, and when they left... Hubby suggested I do C25k W1D3 with him...so that's what I did. after we did his run we walked around the neighborhood for awhile, to build up some miles for me. We got 3.76mi and hubby was spent so we walked home. Not the "long run" I was hoping for. But, something anyway.

I'm a little bummed that my plan got so messed up. But, Monday starts a new week. A fresh start. That is supposed to be a rest day for me. But, I'm not resting. I feel like I've been resting all week. So tomorrow I'm running... not sure how far. Maybe 3mi..maybe more, we'll see.

Shopping FAIL

2011-06-25T23:55:00.001-04:00

Every day is a new day I'm reminded of my past
Every time there's another storm I know that it wont last
Every moment I'm filled with hope
cause i get another chance
But I will try I will try
Got nothing left to hide

I'm beautifully broken and I don't mind if you know it
I'm beautifully broken and I don't care if I show it.

Beautifully Broken by Ashlee Simpson

So today I went shopping, should have ran my scheduled 3 miles, but I went shopping instead. Things were going great until I stopped by Dick's Sporting Goods to look at running shorts...

At this point I should mention, I don't own a full length mirror. I also should mention that the Vegan diet seems to make you feel amazing and energetic. So I haven't even thought about my body image in several weeks. I've just been running and eating and living life. I know from my clothes that I've been losing weight but I haven't stepped on a scale in a few weeks...I get number crazy. So I have vowed to stay away from the scale until July 1st. all that said...

I walked over to the running shorts feeling like Ms.Thang. I knew I wanted/needed compression shorts for my thigh-flab issues. But I also wanted to get some shorts. then I saw them, shorts with built in compression shorts. How cool. I'm trying them on!

XL? L ? I have been losing weight I'll try them both. And with that I skipped off to the fitting room. Beaming with confidence I grabbed the L first. and put them on, slid them right on! Hell Yeah I knew it! Go Vegan! Go Vegan! Yeah. Then I looked into the mirror... and the party was over. Staring into the mirror I saw my legs. The legs I feel so proud of, the legs that run 9 miles....but, what I felt, and what I saw were not the same thing.

In my head my legs were awesome, powerful, beautiful. But when I looked in the mirror, they were old, and fat. The compression shorts ended in a tender part of my inner thigh and cut in just a bit, enough to really showcase the lovely thigh cheese I was growing there. My mood sunk. I wasn't a runner, I wasn't fit and healthy. I was old, fat, used up, worthless. A fool to believe that true change was possible. I tried on the XL and it was bigger, but the issue was the same. I am a size L and I should be happy about that...but I wasn't. I gathered everything and went back out into the store. Hubby was a bit stunned by my quick mood change, but he caught on to what was going on. I told him I was ready to leave, I wanted out of the store.

An old saga was trying to play itself out again. The words spilled into my brain like the lines of a well rehearsed play. "Not good enough", "Give Up", "Failure". These are all the lines my Internalized Parent/Super Ego likes to feed me. The next step in the play would be the appearance of my Id/Child which would mean crying, eating bad food and feeling depressed...sometimes for weeks. Those two, (parent and child) would battle it out and when the dust settled, my ego would then emerge from the rubble to clean it all up again. That's when I'd "start running again" or "go on a diet". The initial trigger was different each time, but the result was the same, conflict, pleasure seeking, depression, guilt and fear.

We had some different errands to run so hubby took care of those as I sat in the car thinking.

It is true, I'm not where I want to be weight wise. But, that shouldn't negate the the fact that I have lost weight, or that I'm a size smaller now...yeay! My inner thighs do have some cellulite on them and maybe I'm not ready to where shorts that short. But, I'm coming along, I just have to give it time. NOTHING CHANGED the only thing that was different was my emotions. I can choose to look at the positive, or focus on the negative.
It is my choice.

But, You know what? It's all good. Because, I saw this whole thing attempt to play out. I caught it in time to do something different. I realized the trappings of my past, I felt sad for the moment, but I kept to my plan. I did not medicate with food. I reasoned through my emotions and I've got a run planned for Sunday morning. I may still stumble but Perfection is not the goal. Moving forward in health...that is the goal!

Let them eat...Pizza?

2011-06-22T23:44:00.000-04:00

lol, yes I'm still vegan. And yes I've been told vegan pizza is an abomination... but hey, don't knock it till you try it! Tonight was pizza night. Yummy pizza which is definitely a favorite of mine. This time, done vegan. It's not hard to make a plant based pizza, and it can be AWESOME. Here's how I did it.

Get a pre-made plant based pizza crust. Yes you could and probably should make your own, but I'm really bad a making dough...so premade crust it is.

1 Natures HiLights Brown Rice Pizza Crust (looks to be about 10" diameter)
1 Jar Eden Organic Pizza Sauce
1 bag of Daiya Mozzarella Shreds
Spinach (chopped)
green pepper (diced)
Roma tomato (sliced like pepperoni)
mushroom (sliced)
black olives (sliced)

I follow the directions for the crust and pre-cooked it then pulled it back out and topped it with the pizza sauce and veggies and viola... vegan pizza.

The Diaya really seems like cheese, and is amazing on the pizza!
Since there were 2 crusts in the package hubby and I figured we'd each cook up one and make it our own way. Well if there is one thing I can say for sure about vegan eating...it is FILLING. So I actually only ate 3 of the four pieces you see in the picture above. We should have cooked up just the one crust after all. Old Pizza habits die hard..sigh. From now on we are going to just make one pizza and each eat half.

As for running, Hubby talked me out of the 5 miler I had planned for today, and into running the C25k W1D2 with him. It was nice to go back to my C25k roots. W1D2 is so easy now. It's amazing how fast my mileage and endurance have grown

Today's Memory Run:
Time: 01:02:20
Distance: 3.26
Pace: 19:07

A change will do you good.

2011-06-22T01:48:00.005-04:00

Today I had to alter my running plans. I hate, hate, HATE, changing my running plans on the fly. But, This morning I was just toooooo tired (worked all night) so I went home and went to bed. I didn't sleep very well either. I was up by 3:30pm about 5 hours sleep...not enough, but I couldn't sleep anymore either. The house was HOT, 88 degrees outside with humidity around the 80% mark UGH, sooo, yucky.

Well, after considering all that I decided 3 miles may not happen today. I even thought running may not happen at all today. No...I couldn't live with that. So I decided on 2 miles...walk, run, crawl, whatever, just 2 miles of movement. So, out I went, the sun was OUT, there was NO AIR at all. Everything was stagnate and wet. Beads of sweat formed, pooled, dripped but did not evaporate to cool me. I felt slow and weak, runkeeper broke into my music and said 13:56 minute/mile. Really? Wow, it felt much slower, more like walking with style...lol.

As I neared the end of my sweat-fest I noticed the sun disappearing...

Dark clouds were rolling in, the temp quickly dropped about 10 degrees, and the wind picked up. I wish I could say that helped, but by that time - I was about spent. I had less than half a mile to go and I could hear thunder now. Eekk! I gotta get movin'! Finally 2 miles, I bolted back to the house, about 10 minutes later. The storm began...shwoo. I just made it! It was a doosie too. Lost of lightening, thunder, rain pouring down in torrents, tornado watch...CRAZY. Just look...

That big green dot is me.
It rained for about 2 hours then I decided it was safe to head out to the store and grab a few groceries. When I came out of the store again, I was pleasantly surprised by a tiny rainbow trying to form.
Can you see it?

Today's Crazy Training:
Time: 29:09 minutes
Distance: 2.10
Pace: 13:53

4 day weekend re-cap...

2011-06-21T04:48:00.007-04:00

Yeah, I was gone for a bit. I had four long luxurious days off from work! I got my runs in as planned all week. I even did a 3 miler on Thursday that was run at a 12min/mile pace.
Before I knew it Sunday was upon me, time for another long run. I chose the White Pines Trail again. The plan 4 miles up 4 miles back for a nice even 8. and if I felt I could, I'd push it to 4.5 and get a 9-er in.

Since my 3 mile runs are now poppin' up to a 12 min/mile pace I knew I'd have to start holding back on my long runs. The first mile was kinda crazy as I found my groove...10 min/mile, slow down 15:30...oops speed up. I finally settled in at 13:50 to 14:00min/mile...good enough. I ran...and ran....and ran. I felt light and full of energy.I went over the overpass again...and kept going.

Each time I do a long run I get a little further down the trail and see something new. Sunday it was this.

So far this trail takes me over a river, over a highway, and under a road. Never a dull moment. On the way back I actually lost track of the miles... I lost a whole mile deep in thought...forgot I was even running..lol. When I got back to the car I checked runkeeper 9.03miles...FREAKIN AWESOME!! That's 2 hours of straight running Uh-mazing.
I spent the rest of the day chillin' at the beach and swimming.

Sunday Long Run:
Time: 02:05:56
Distance: 9.03 miles
Pace: 13:58

I'm a believer...

2011-06-12T23:55:00.007-04:00

Wow, I really just can't even believe this is me.
I can't believe I'm running like this.
Today I went for my long run and not only did I run farther than ever before but I also ran faster than my normal time by a full min per mile. This is insane!!
This whole process is pretty amazing to me. How someone can go from gasping at running 5 minutes straight to now running for over an hour and a half at a time... it's just mind blowing.

So my plan today was to run 7 miles. That would be 3.5 miles down the trail and 3.5 miles back. I think I must have over shot and ended up going an extra .25 because when I got back to the car runkeeper said we had gone 7.53 miles. Oh well, the extra half mile doesn't hurt. At the half way point I slowed down for just a bit to chow down of some Sharkies
They say "Vegetarian" not Vegan on them, but I cannot find anything animal based in the ingredients. So I guess they're ok.

I do feel that they gave me a certain boost for the second half of my run I felt a renewed alertness come over me about 25 minutes post chowdown. That lasted right up until the last half mile and then it slowly started to fade away. So that last half mile to the car was pretty much all me. Everything I had left.
After my run, my knee was feeling kinda, i dunno.. weird. Swollen, sore, maybe a little poppy, kinda concerning. Several hours later it felt ok but it has me worried thankfully I have this stuff ordered and on its way.

I'm hoping this will help my knee out some. Otherwise, I guess the next step is a running assessment and new shoes. One step at a time.

Sunday Long Training Run:
Time: 01:38:00
Distance: 7.53 miles
Pace: 13:01

Foggy Morning Run

2011-06-11T23:53:00.001-04:00

This morning It was so neat to be running outside! It was quite foggy. It gave the whole neighborhood a cool, spooky, dreamy sort of vibe. Check it out..

I really enjoyed running this morning. So quiet, so pretty. Every now and then I'd hear an owl hooting. The rest of the time it was just be and the chirping of the neighborhood birds.

Foggy Half-training details:
Time: 00:49:54
Distance: 3.43 miles
Pace: 14:34

You've Changed...

2011-06-10T00:07:00.001-04:00

So I walk up on high
and I step to the edge
To see my world below
And I laugh at myself
while the tears roll down
'Cause it's the world I know,
it's the world I know.

- Collective Soul

I'm feeling a whole mess of things today. During my run today the song "It's World I know" came on. It got me thinking about my journey this year, both physical and emotional. Right now, as I look back to who I was and how I felt in 2010, it feels distant. I remember it from an emotional vantage, anger, failure, self-loathing, depression. I know it, but it feels like it's gone from me now. Like a veil has been removed and I see things clearly. I look back on my life and I'm sad, for that person I was, for the lost time. I look forward and I have a bit of fear, this path that I'm on is unknown. Who am I? Who am I becoming? The changes are welcomed but scary at the same time.

How I've grown thus far
- Knowledge of internalized parent/child conflict or Super-ego/Id
- Completion(with relative ease)of the C25k program
- Signing up for the Half Marathon in Virginia
- Beginning the half marathon training program
- Becoming Vegan

They don't look like much begin written out like this, but the sum of these things result in a completely different me. A scary new me that I don't recognize, but I'm liking. I guess to put it simply I have had a huge, or maybe a few semi-huge "ah-ha moments" as Oprah would put it. Mid-Life Crisis? Maybe that's where I was at in 2010. I don't feel in crisis right now. Actually for the first time ever I feel in control, unstoppable, amazing. But since I've done nearly a complete 180 in 6 months time, it's not surprising that I'm still a little uncertain of it all. The kids have officially noticed over the last few days. Saying things like, "wow your happy" or "why are you so happy" for them to notice a change in me says a lot.

I think this "happy" they speak of is really just peace. I accept where I am right now, both weight wise, and running wise. I know I have a ways to go before I'm down to my goal weight, but I have every confidence that I will get there in time. I am not worried or obsessing over it. I am not weighing my food or counting calories. Not torturing myself with exercise. I'm just making Vegan food choices, listening to my body and running. I have definitely tried to beat, hate, torture, deprive and verbally abuse myself into shape. That never really worked for me. But now I appreciate and I'm even in awe of my body. I'm amazed as I push it further and further, mile after mile. My body takes it and keeps going. I AM Strong after all.

Half-Marathon Training:
Time: 00:57:00
Distance: 4.03 miles
Pace: 14:08

Lovely Long Run

2011-06-05T23:50:00.004-04:00

When a day starts out like this, you know your in for something special.

Look how the clouds seem to just glow, truly beautiful...

Anyway,

last night I found this website called jog.fm it shows you songs based on your running pace. It's a handy little web site. I organized a playlist based on my pace as suggested by the website and had it already for my morning run. This morning I had my long run and it seems to me that the only logical play to do this run is on The White Pines Trail. It's 92 miles long. Just bikers and runners, no cars to watch for, the perfect place. The plan for today was up the trail 2.5mi and then back down to the car, 5 miles for the day. It was a nice morning about 70 degrees and very low humidity so I was comfortable running. My new place list was great, nice and steady. I ran and enjoyed the flowers and the trees. I saw two bunnies and a cardinal, you can tell these are city animals, they let you get very close before the shuffle off to safety. When I got to 2.5miles (my turn around point)I could see just ahead something that looked vaguely like...a covered bridge? It couldn't be more than a mile away, I thought. I have to see what it is. So I decide to keep running and check it out. When I got up there, this is what I found...

Not quite the "covered bridge" I was hoping for...lol. But, an interesting view nonetheless...

I looked down at runkeeper 3.06 miles, looks like I'm doing 6 today instead. So I ran the 3 miles back, those 3 miles went so fast! I ran faster and faster since every mile brought me close to the car and air conditioning! lol. I made it back to the car and I was beaming! Not only had I run a FREAKIN' 6+ miles but I did it ~~a few seconds~~ faster than my normal pace!! I'm really starting to feel like I can do this!!

Today's Trail Run:
Time: 1:27:27
Distance: 6.26 miles
Pace: 13:58

Cut the Cheese...

2011-06-04T00:31:00.004-04:00

Well I've been vegetarian for almost 2 months now and I gotta say I'm liking it. I have less cravings for food, I feel better, and have more energy. I've been slowly pushing toward Vegan. That is my personal goal. But one thing has stood in my way. CHEESE! "Behold the power of CHEESE!" With my last visit to the health food store I found Daiya and it is nothing short of amazing. But, what is more amazing is...I don't NEED it. I add it sometimes for taste, or lets face it a quesadilla isn't quiet right without cheese. But, I don't add it to EVERYTHING like I did regular cheese. I was a huge pizza addict...5 slices, double cheese. OOoey,Gooey, lovely cheese. When Wendy's had their "Wendy's Cheddar Lover's Bacon Cheeseburger" OMG amazing. But I think more than the food...this was at play. The Food Fix Is In
I'm not trying to go conspiracy theorist on yah. But, hey, something just isn't right here. Four months ago, I was scarfing down pizza and ice cream and ooey gooey cheesy deliciousness and today...meh. Actually the thought of the texture and mouth feel of ice cream for me is less than desirable. Yuck. I KNOW, I can't believe it either...and that thought is in my head!! After all the gimmicky diets, all the fads, all the self hatred all the weakness, all the binging on off limits foods, all the failure. Could it be I was addicted to food? If that's true, then vegan is the only way to go, at least for me. And MANY other American's who struggle with weight and yoyo dieting. We shall see. I'll make myself the guinea pig and start fully vegan today. No calorie restrictions, no measuring food, one 1 rule, no animal by products. I''ll tell you, giving up meat...not that hard really. Giving up dairy...hmm. But I really feel that we've been dooped here. Think about it, anything that businesses could add to their food that could make it addictive would only make them sell more products, and make them richer, come on, really, do you think Coke or McDonalds really care about you? Do you think it's in their best interest to keep you safe and healthy? I DON'T if they can make money off killing us very slowly they will. $$$ Bottom line, it's just business baby. Oopsie, our product gave you diabetes after eating it for 15yrs, well how could we have know that? Not our problem.

Gray Day

2011-06-03T09:47:00.003-04:00

Well it's another gray day in Michigan.

Looks like it may storm, glad I got my run in when I did. Today I took my pace a bit slower and just tried to really enjoy the cool air and scenery. It was 63 degrees the morning when I went for my run. It's supposed to get up to 80 today and be humid again. Which is why I knew I had to get the run in early. I suppose it would be a good idea to get some runs in during the hot part of the day. After all the race is in Virginia Beach. I feel like I have a bit of an advantage here though, I train on some pretty sketchy, hilly terrain. It's Michigan so we have potholes galore and weird shifted sidewalks. My ankles get a real work out when I go outside just from negotiating the terrain. Whereas in the Virgina Beach area it's all flat and smooth. So I'm hoping that will make the race a bit easier for me once I get out there.

Today's Number's look like this:
Time: 01:01:05
Distance: 4.26
Pace: 14:20

Happy National Running Day!!

2011-06-01T00:27:00.002-04:00

Yep today is National Running Day!
I have a 4 mile date with my treadmill in the morning that's how I'll be celebrating it. Today's run (technically yesterday since it's after midnight)was hard but still went well. I keep my same pace but ran a much hillier part of my neighborhood and even though to was 8:30AM it was already 80 degrees with 69% humidity. YUCK. Go Michigan! But, I powered through and ran the whole thing.

My sweaty run:
Time:43:17
Distance:3.06
Pace:14:08

WOOHOO I really did it this time

2011-05-30T23:37:00.016-04:00

Well I was pretty M.I.A. this weekend, from bloggyland anyway. I was out enjoying that weekend! Despite some storms rollin' through I managed to get some good run time in, which is a plus considering I just signed up for this...

Oh yeah, it's official now.
I signed up for that right after I finished my long run on Sunday. Sunday was a nice peaceful morning. I woke up at 6AM and I was wide awake. So I got up. I thought about signing up for the race then, but I had fear. It has only been this last week...last 4 runs that I have felt in my zone. My Zen post actually started it all. Since then I have been a running machine. So, it isn't so strange that...I don't trust it. It feels like a switch has been flipped and now I can do distance running, 3, 4, 5 miles...doesn't matter I can do it...and with rock solid pace. But, I don't trust it, I fear it's a fluke, that I'll go out to run and piddle out after 10 minutes just like I always have. So I decided Sunday morning I was going out to run and if that went well I would sign up for the race when I got home and that's exactly what I did.
So, I decided to run down to the park...and I do mean that literally. It's all down hill to the park, which is fine on the way down there, but I knew that would be a slow personal torture coming back home.

See, look at the elevation changes. You might also note how stable my pace is throughout, yeay me!
But, it's worth it to run in a place so peaceful.
And so empty, I think everyone must have left for the holidays because I had the whole place to myself.

View of the path and playground

Water so calm, like glass.

Sun creeping up in the sky

An uphill battle

When I got home I checked out my stats and was happy to see them so consistent. Especially since I stopped a few times for a second or two to take the photos you see here.

So, high on confidence, I signed up for the race. And now I sit here, a mixture of happy, confident, nervous and afraid. 13.1 miles is a long way to go. Will I make it? How will this change me? What will I be come Sept 4th? Eek, I'm so excited!

This should be Week 8 day 2 of the C25k but I'm way beyond that now:
Time: 01:15:49
Distance: 5.36 miles
Pace: 14:09

X-train Today with Jillian

2011-05-27T08:51:00.003-04:00

Yoga Melt Down I should have known that with Jillian Michaels the word, "yoga" is actually code for, "slow a$$ kicking". Wow, that was hard. It's not traditional yoga either, it was more of a yoga meets sculpting exercise workout. This was fine by me, but some true yogis might HATE it. The reps of each pose kinda remove the transcendental nature of the yoga practice. But, for a core routine, it's pretty kick a$$. The poses were core intensive and a few of them I had to cut short since I'm really pretty new to yoga. I'm loving the Dolphin pose, it feels like it'll be a nice core toner.
I did level 1 today. There is actually a level two as well...I won't be getting to that one for awhile. Overall, I liked it and will continue to use it although, it's a bit wrist intensive for me, (I have wimpy wrists) so I will have to be careful about that. But, I got a nice x-training core workout today! Hope you all have a pleasant day.
Later Babes!!

Rainy Day Zen

2011-05-26T23:36:00.001-04:00

Another gloomy and grey day in Michigan.

It was rainy and 51 degrees. I deliberated for a long time, run inside on the treadmill or outside in the cold misty rain. Eventually, I decided to brave it outside. Running on the treadmill just isn't my idea of fun. So out I went into the grey gloomy world.

Guess what?
It was my best run yet. I'm freakin AMAZED. This should be W8D1 of the C25k but who needs that anymore!! I ran, straight up RAN, 4.66 miles today in my bleak, cold grey world. I freakin' rocked it. ANNNNND...the only reason I stopped was my battery was dieing on my phone and it started pouring. Here I am drenched and happy!!

I found it today, my pace, my stride, my running zen. I was there. Free. blissful. Half the time I even had a goofy grin on my face coz it just felt so good to be able to run. I can't even believe it, and I just did it!! Awesome. I'm sooooo happy!!

Week 8 Day 1 of the C25K...or whatever...my run:

Time: 01:04:54 (that's right I ran for over and hour straight)
Distance: 4.66 miles
Pace: 13:55 (my fastest pace yet for the C25K program)

Rest Day - Runner's Survey

2011-05-25T04:51:00.008-04:00

I read this runner's survey on Run with Jess, and thought it looked fun. So read away, and if you'd like, post the survey on your blog...you know you want too!

What is your favorite type of cross training?

Swimming, I love swimming! But, when swimming isn't possible..too cold or no place to go. Then I opt for my stability ball.
It's easy, somewhat portable and really works the core!

What is your favorite song to run to?
Right now I'm really liking "Fire Burning" by Sean Kingston. Oddly enough I"m finding I also like "Price Tag" by Jessie J it's slow for a running song, but mixed in with my run music it helps me relax, breathe and just enjoy being alive and running.

What brand of shoes do you wear?
Mizuno! It used to be Saucony's. But after awhile with my saucony grids, I'd run for awhile and then my heal would be a little tender from all the heal strikes...and my fattitude. So I got a new pair of shoes Mizunos which is what I have now and I gotta say I'm in love! With the mizunos, they hold my foot in such a way that each foot fall is less on the heal thus, no more tender heal.

Do you wear a hat when you run?
No, sometimes a visor...but not really. Now since I have my hair shorter I've been thinking about bondi band. But hat's just aren't my thang.
Bondi Bands are SO cute, and so many designs, so hard to choose! I wonder how they are to run in.

What temperature is your favorite for running?
Between 60 and 70 degrees is great, preferable with out humidity!

Do you have any big races coming up?
September 4, 2011 - Virginia Beach Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon - EEKKK!!! So EXCITED!
Can you tell? I love Virginia Beach, I love the ocean. A match made in heaven? I think so! I can hardly wait!

What is your favorite distance?
Since a 5k is all I've ever done I guess 5k But, I'm hoping to love the half-marathon as well.

Are you a morning, noon or evening runner?
That's a loaded question, I'll say morning...even though, your morning is my night...let me explain. I work 3rd shift 11PM to 7AM. I usually get out of work and run when I get home. which would be my night. But, It's usually like 8:30AM so morning. Mornight? Norn? Norning? Yes Norning, I like it.

Do you run solo or with a buddy?
Usually solo no one has a weird schedule like mine.

What's your favorite post run snack?
Banana!

What's your FAVORITE race?
Since I've only done one real race I can't really answer that. But, my goals,and races that I look at and think MAN I GOTTA DO THAT ONE are beach related races. And races with funny names. Like the Run thru Hell or the one I did Purgatory. Also this year I gotta do the Doggie Dash because my dog Mz. Bridgy would love it!

Do you wear a Garmin? If not, how do you track your runs?

No garmin, they look cool but I just can't shell out the bucks for one. I use my phone (Droid) and the app RunKeeper which uses GPS to track my runs. when I'm inside on the treadmill I just the read out on the treadmill. Before I got my phone I used Nike + which also works pretty good. I got me through Purgatory. I'm a gadget crazy woman so a garmin maybe something I look into one day.

What is your least favorite race?
Assuming the half is every bit as awesome as everyone has been telling me that it is...then I would have to say Purgatory. The Run through Purgatory was small, had no finishers medal, was very hilly and on dirt. To be honest the ONLY reason I chose it was because of the name. I will most likely not run it again.

What race is your favorite medal from?
No medals yet :^(

Who is your running idol?

Gladys Burrill I got MAD RESPECT for that chica!!

How long have you been a runner?
Really really serious since January 2011. Before that, On and Off since 2007.

Do you run with your engagement/wedding ring on?
No, my fingers get all huge and swell-ie when I run, I get afraid that I won't get it off again and would have to have it cut off. So no jewels when I run.

What's your favorite workout? repeats? long runs? tempo? fartleks?
Long runs. I enjoy the scenery, and the feeling of AMAZING accomplishment when I'm done!!

Have a Runny day!!

OH YEAH!!

2011-05-24T10:09:00.005-04:00

Woohoo! I'm so totally happy right now. My run went FREAKIN' AWESOME. Feeling Good, Feeling Strong, I totally ran the whole time!! It was a beautiful day for a run! Sunny and 62 degrees. There was hardly anyone out and about so I had the whole neighborhood to myself. There was lovely landscaping to look at.

and many hills to run up and down...our neighborhood is soooo hilly.

and despite all the hills I managed to keep my pace rock solid!!

I ran and ran until I got 3.49 miles in and that was a lot of loops...trying to avoid the really steep hills.

and this my Dears...
this is the face of one sweaty squinty eyed happy camper!!

Week 7 Day 3 of the C25K:
Time: 50:09
Distance: 3.49
Pace: 14:23

W7D2 now with Mojo!

2011-05-24T00:29:00.003-04:00

Today I ran. Yeah Baby!

Mile 1 was...eh, I was finding my groove.

Mile 2 was EXTRAORDINARY...it was like butter. My pace was smooth, my body was in control dare I say it was easy, no, not easy, I still knew I was working but, it felt natural, beautiful, like I was made to run.

Mile 3 it all fell apart. At 2.20mi I had to start walking, just a moment, my breathing was off and I needed water. That moment was actually 2 minutes, then I started running again, but now it was labored, my calves felt tight..I lost my mojo. :^(

Ahhh, but for one whole mile, I felt it. My Running Mojo. Is that the runners high people are always talking about? Whatever it was it was GREAT. I was sad to see it go. Maybe I lost it because I had to do my run on the treadmill, maybe it way because it wasn't the time I normally run. It doesn't matter, I'm still excited. Can you just imagine having that feeling for 3, 4, 5, 10 miles...wow...that would be UH-MAZING.

Today's insightful Run:
Time: 43:00
Distance: 3.00 miles
Pace: 14:20

W7D1 at the park

2011-05-21T23:45:00.004-04:00

Yeah who could resist running in such a lovely place on such a nice day!

Running outside today was a bit of a challenge. I was in a good mood and in such a lovely place that it showed in my pace. I did 2.75 miles and the splits went like this.

Splits:
Mile 1 13:47
Mile 2 12:55
Mile .75 24:19

Yeah, after I got my 25 minutes in...I fell apart my pace for the first 2 miles was faster than I usually do. I average about a 14:00 min/mile on the treadmill, so it's not surprising that I was pooped after 2 miles. Hubby walked with me the last .75 and we just enjoyed the nice day...as you can tell by my leisurely pace. lol.
I'm feeling good about those times...I just gotta work on more of an even tempo.

I's a nice little park to run in as you can tell by the pic above. It's got a nice run path with trees and in the middle of the loop is a playground for the kids so they can play while I run. It even has a pond with ducks swimming about. Very relaxing, and way more enjoyable than staring at the wall while I'm on my treadmill!

My Peaceful Run Overall:
Time: 44:55
Distance: 2.75 miles
Pace: 16:19

Anxiously Awaiting...

2011-05-16T10:57:00.004-04:00

I ordered these on Thursday last week. I REALLY need a new set of headphones. I hope these don't suck. Here the Link to them on Amazon The reviews seem pretty solid and I like the shape and style of the ear piece. Of course I will be blogging my unbias review here after I take them for a run. Wish I would have had them for my run this morning.

Today was C25K W6D1. I stretched it out for 4 miles so it could be a long run as well. I'm trying to make it easier to transition into the half marathon training program after I finish the C25K. Onward and upward toward that goal of the Rock-n-roll half marathon in VB this September.

Today's Long run went like this:
Time:1:00:00
Distance: 4.07 miles
Pace: 14:44

Bad Luck Friday...

2011-05-13T23:37:00.000-04:00

Friday the 13th
I should have know by the day that this run would be cursed. All I wanted was to run my 20 minutes and be done...that's all. So I start to get ready, and can't find a hair tie...after about 10 minutes of searching I find one...good. I get the treadmill ready and get a bottle of water. Then I gather my tunes...I usually run with my Droid. Except for today that is..the battery was almost dead. So I put it charging and go get my old Ipod...dead too. UGH, the first time running 20 minutes straight and I have to do it with no music...at all......NOOOOOOOOOOO.
So I get on the treadmill and start walking to warm up, wondering how I will survive without my music. For me this is a nightmare, like sitting in a doc's waiting room listening to the clock tick as you wait and wait...time creeps by so slowly.
Tic, tock, tic, tock. Only 10 minutes in and I feel like I'm already going crazy. that's when I start the self help talk. "This is making you stronger" ...."This is preparing you for the mental struggle of a half marathon" .... "Think of how strong you'll feel once you complete this run" So much inner whinnyness, so much mental self talk. But 30 minutes later week 5 day 3 of the C25K was done. I ran for 20 minutes straight....with no music! Just me...I did that!

The Cursed run results:
Time: 29:19
Distance: 2.0 miles
Pace: 14:39

Small Victories..

2011-05-12T02:06:00.000-04:00

The couch to 5k running program is such an amazing thing to me. It works every time, you just have to do it and listen to your body for speed. Today was week 5, day 2. that means 8 minutes of straight run/jog then walk for 5 then run/jog another 8 minutes. 8 minutes is a long time. Heck 5 minutes is a long time. But, I got on the treadmill and just did it. It was humid and I was sweaty but I ran it. No near death experience...no clutching the sides of the treadmill for dear life...I just ran. I did ease the pace back just a smidge because it was so humid. But, I'm proud. I made it. Next up is Week 5 day 3, that means 20 minutes of straight running!

Time: 30:44
Distance: 2.05 miles
Pace: 14:59

I have survived...

2011-05-05T10:20:00.004-04:00

YeaY,
I have four days off from work! That's a nice way to start off Mother's Day weekend. I have been working 6 and 7 day weeks since the beginning of March. Now we finally have a new co-worker so we can all have some much needed rest! I decided to take mine this week. So I have today off and I don't go back till Monday night(3rd shift) Needless to say when I got home this morning I was on high! Woohoo! So I got on the treadmill and practically danced it out...YES!
Today was Week 4 Day 3 of the couch to 5K and it was no match for my positivity! I'm in a great mood right now. Time off, happy run, and nothing planned for the day except a nice tasty nap...WHHHHAAAATTTT...I did work all night...lol.

Happy Run Details:
Time:00:30:00
Distance:2.06 miles
Pace: 14:33

That's what separates the Runner from the Whiner

2011-05-04T10:04:00.003-04:00

So I sized up my treadmill this morning...

It wasn't lookin' so tough....
Huh, you eyeballin' me treadmill?
Yeah, it had to go down...a treadmill throw down like no other. Sure there was sweatin', cussin', maybe even a tear or two, but I came out victorious!

Week 4 Day 2... it's no joke.

Week 4 Day 2 says BRING IT or stay home!

and the sweat on my face says.... BooYah.

Treadmill Throwdown Breakdown:
Time: 00:29:35
Distance: 2 miles
Pace:14:47

My new run partner

2011-05-02T18:44:00.003-04:00

So I had a new partner on my run this evening, my baby girl

She wanted to come with me so we did W4D1 of the Couch to 5k. She actually did pretty well. She did whine quite a bit during the long runs segments, but she made it the whole way with me. As for me, having my daughter along was a nice distraction, I spent more time encouraging her than I did thinking about my legs. That was good coz our area is nice and hilly

It was a nice cool evening for a run and I'm glad I decided to run it outside.
My W4D1 training:
Time:00:39:04
Distance:2.43 miles
Pace:16:04

Thought for the day...

2011-05-01T05:45:00.002-04:00

"Many are so preoccupied with what others think it defines their existence. When we fixate externally, it keeps us from truly knowing ourselves and our destiny. Most [people] fear looking inward for worry they won't find greatness, but when you stop allowing others to define your worth, you'll see—greatness exists in us all, waiting to be  expressed" –Jillian Michaels

Another week is done...

2011-04-30T16:32:00.003-04:00

Today was C25K W3D3. I did well and felt good so I ran/walked another mile. I'm ready for week 4.

Time: 00:43:58 min
Miles: 3.0miles
Pace: 14:39

It's My Anniversary!

2011-04-27T16:16:00.004-04:00

Just a quickie post to check in. Today was C25K W3D2 and I didn't skip it. I thought about it, afterall it is my 15th anniversary. But no, I had too. I took time off for Easter, I don't need anymore "time off" I got a race to prepare for! So, not only did I run it, but I gotta a better time then I have in awhile woohoo...feeling great! Now I'm flying high on good number too. I'm in such a great mood today! Off to get ready for my date with hubby!

Today's awesome training run:
Time: 00:29:30
Distance: 2.00 miles
Pace: 14:45

Tuesday in Slo-Moe

2011-04-26T09:15:00.005-04:00

It's a rainy gray Tuesday morn, and today my daughter has a doctors appointment. Just enough time to get my run on and get showered up to take her in. It's lightly raining out...misting really, and I thought about running outside anyway, but I decided against it. Running on the treadmill can get so boring luckily for me I had just freshened up my tunes so my music was fresh and lively. Wish I could have said the same for myself...lol. Today I felt heavy and a little sick to my stomach as I ran. Note to self: do not toss a hand full of peanuts in your mouth 10 minutes before you hop on the treadmill...barf! I never did barf but that feeling came and went the whole time I was running. I think I'm just short on sleep. I cut myself short on sleep all weekend long entertaining for our extended family, I think now it's finally catching up with me.

Todays training run:
Time: 00:31:10
Distance: 2.0 miles
Pace: 15:35

Will it ever get warm?

2011-04-26T05:34:00.002-04:00

I checked the weather this morning, just depressing...rain, rain, rain and...

BELOW AVERAGE...crap.
I'm soooo ready for some nice 70 and 80 degree days.
Hope you all had a Happy Easter!

Jelly Bean 5K today...

2011-04-21T11:00:00.008-04:00

Hey Everyone! I just completed the Jelly Bean 5K virtual race. There's still time if you wanna join in on the fun! Today was supposed to be C25K W2D3 so I just did the whole 5k in that fashion, run for 1min30sec walk for 2minutes. I did try to run more where I felt I could to try to get an ok time. Edn result? 00:46:33. I'd like to have done better...But, I'm fine with that number. Yep, another race under my belt as I prepare for the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach!! This is me just after my 5k, tired and happy!

Rest, Potassium and a Race?

2011-04-20T04:59:00.006-04:00

Good Morning!
So, Today is my rest day. Time to stretch, take it easy, and let my muscles heal. So I'm reading up on proper hydration (also a good thing to be mindful of) and I see that while water is important, so to is the amount of salt and potassium in our bodies when we exercise.(3) Apparently Salt and potassium work to balance each other out. So if your a big salt fan your probably going to want to pay closer attention to how much potassium your getting. So what does potassium do anyway, "Potassium is especially important in regulating the activity of muscles and nerves. The frequency and degree to which our muscles contract, and the degree to which our nerves become excitable, both depend heavily on the presence of potassium in the right amount." (1) Not only that but, "Potassium is involved in the storage of carbohydrates for use by muscles as fuel." (1) So wow, potassium does play an important role in my running. I've tracked my food before (not a fan of tracking food) and I have noticed that I don't get very much potassium at all from my diet...well anyway my diet as of a month ago. " .... most American women 31 to 50 years old consume no more than half of the recommended amount of potassium."(2) My diet a month ago contained a lot of pre-packaged foods, meats, and occasional fast food. All high in Salt. But, since reading the Veganist, I've been vegetarian. Which sadly means making more of my own food and not relying on so much pre-packaged stuff. But, now I'm looking at my diet and my seeing that wow I bet I am getting enough potassium. I should track my food for a week and see how I'm doing. UGH, but I hate, hate, hate, measuring and writing stuff down and looking up calories and all that. I track at sparkpeople from time to time, but it's just such a chore for me.
I'm looking over the list of high potassium foods and surprised to see bananas down that list a ways... I would have figured that to be #1 or darn close. But, surprisingly Spinach beats it out...who knew. That's great coz I love baby leaf spinach in salads and wraps...and in my green smoothie's!
A few great food sources of potassium are:
"Chard, crimini mushrooms, and spinach, fennel, kale, mustard greens, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, winter squash, blackstrap molasses, eggplant, cantaloupe, and tomatoes.
Good sources of potassium include parsley, cucumber, bell pepper, turmeric, apricots, ginger root, strawberries, avocado, banana, tuna, halibut, cauliflower and cabbage."(1)
To see the rest of the list you can visit #1 in the links below. I love the World's Healthiest Foods website www.whfoods.com there is a TON of great info there about all sorts of foods. I have this page http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php bookmarked in my browser for easy reference.

Today, in my random net surfing, I found a new blog to follow RunwithJess and signed up for a virtual 5K to be completed Anytime during Easter week (April 18-24)hurry up and go there now if you wanna sign up!!

(1) http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=90
(2)http://iom.edu/Reports/2004/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-Water-Potassium-Sodium-Chloride-and-Sulfate.aspx
(3) http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/aa011599a.htm

C25k W2D2

2011-04-19T10:03:00.004-04:00

Nothing like a post-run icing to make yah feel like a true runner! Ugh, my legs are tired, glad tomorrow is a rest day.
Today's run went kinda crappy. I got into a small squabble with my hubby, just before he went to work. Which put me in a bad mood for my run. I actually thought about not doing it at all. I thought about making some sugary crap food to eat and watching TV instead. But, I didn't. I made the decision to get on the treadmill anyway and do my run. It was hard. I didn't feel very happy running. My legs felt heavy, I actually thought I might even cry. But, I powered through, and NOW I feel a little better...still mad at hubby, but at least I don't have the guilt of not running. That would just make things worse.

Today I managed to get this:
Time: 31:10
Distance: 2.01 miles
Pace:15.30

Snow Again?

2011-04-18T09:53:00.004-04:00

WHAT is allll that about? It's mid April and it is all snowy outside. Grr, Michigan. So I decided to stay in today and run on the treadmill. This is W2D1 of the c25k. It went well no complaints. Would have been nice to run outside...but I guess mother nature had other plans. I hope it goes away soon, I'm so sick of winter.

Today I did:
Time: 31:00
Distance: 2.01 miles
Pace:15.25

Motivational xtrain

2011-04-15T04:49:00.001-04:00

Vegetarian lentil soup and much running blog reading...seems like the perfect way to prepare of today's xtraining session. I must admit, reading blogs is so motivational for me, I'm not even sure why. Maybe it's a feeling of belonging to a group, or maybe it's just in the psychology of connecting through struggle. Or maybe it's just to ground myself in the idea that running can be a very physical and mental struggle, a struggle that every runner goes through regardless of distance, pace, or PR's. We all have our walls, we all have our PR's. The thrill of the race, the battle of will against muscle, and the victory of the finish line are all things we share and in that commonality there is peace, the peace of understanding. So while my non-running friends and co-workers shake their heads and wonder how...or why I torture myself, I can always find solace in the blogs of my fellow runners.

C25k W1D2 Today

2011-04-14T05:48:00.002-04:00

Ok that's it...time to pull myself together and get goin'.
- Game face on - check
- Podulating device packed with groovish tunez - check
- C25K training schedule handy - check
- Random running blogs gleaned for inspiration/motivation - check

Then I am ready.

C25K W1D2

Lock N Load.

Pretty Darn Convincing...

2011-04-06T03:59:00.001-04:00

OMG...I can't believe I'm actually considering going vegan. I haven't set anything in stone, but this book make a pretty good case for going vegan.

Cool

2011-04-02T03:35:00.002-04:00

If you check out www.wordle.net you can make one of these!

The only book you need to read...

2011-03-27T02:14:00.003-04:00

I Thought It Was Just Me: Women Reclaiming Power and Courage in a Culture of Shame
I've spent the last few months with my nose buried in books. Primarily this book I Thought It Was Just Me by Dr. Brene Brown. I was an amazing read! It took me forever to get through I'd read a couple of pages and then have to put it in the freezer. (Friends reference) Well, ok so I didn't really put it in the freezer. But, I did have to stop reading, put the book down and really think. I figured out so much about how I am and why I do things. I felt like my brain was about to bust outta my head....in a good way. I never thought that a book could be so life changing! I encourage anyone who feels like they are struggling with their emotions to read this book and I bet you'll find some of your answers here. If you like to know more about Dr. Brene Brown you can find her website here http://www.ordinarycourage.com/

"hope springs eternal..."

2011-01-11T23:39:00.001-05:00

So my current plan for weight loss and overall health is to eat 1500 or less calories a day...and some sort of movement. Today was a good day. I ate about 1200 calories and ran for 15 minutes. I'm not judging that short interval... I moved, that's what counts. I'm feeling good, more positive and at peace with my diet and exercise lifestyle. My current plan is to move every day. To do some sort of exercise, Running, walking, stability ball, yoga, just something, even if it's just 1 sit-up. For now I'm not even going to put time or quantity limits on my exercise, no judgment. I just wanna get into the habit of doing something everyday. I can worry about numbers later.

21 days to make a habit...day one down!

A new year...

2011-01-11T03:23:00.003-05:00

another year...another attempt at health and fitness. Last year was filled more with emotional growth than physical fitness. I questioned myself and the reasons why I felt so driven and why I was so hard on myself all the time. Those questions led me to the book If You Had Controlling Parents: How to Make Peace with Your Past and Take Your Place in the World

I read this book and found it to be very revealing for me. I have a very critical and nasty internalized parent. That voice in my head is why I can never find peace in anything I do. Why a run is never fast enough or far enough, why I never can stick to anything, why I'll never amount to anything. That internalized parent is the result of growing up emotionally abused. Growing up, my family was not loving, love... if it existed at all came in the form of doing. I quickly learned that if I did well enough, got good enough grades, kept my room clean enough... I might find favor with my Dad. Not in the form of hugs or quality time, but more in the way of indifference or an underneath the breath affirmation. Which was better that the yells, cutting comments and insults I got the rest of the time. I spent a good portion of my adult life minimizing this abuse. I'd say to myself I deserved it, I wasn't working hard enough, doing good enough. I didn't feel it was abuse, he rarely hit me...it was only words or no words at all. My father was good at not talking at all (for days) if he was mad at you.
But the sad fact is words hurt. They can be very damaging. It varies too, from child to child. You can say you're stupid to one child and they shrug it off, another child is scarred for life. I am that latter child. I'm the sensitive, emotional, tender hearted being and his words would cut me to the bone.
My goal this year is to heal and just BE. This year I'm going to try to recognize that internalized parent's voice and NOT LISTEN to it. I'm going to trace those negative thoughts and take care of them, rather than let them control me. I'm going to try to figure out what is really me and what parts of me are some weird result of abuse. HEALTHY inside and out...that is my goal.
I started this with my run today. I got on the treadmill, it's been awhile since I was on it, and I worked on my thoughts....staying focused on me. It was work, I would think faster, faster, and then...slow the treadmill down instead...going in direct violation to the voice in my head. I almost think it needs to be this way. A fictitious fight inside my head between me and that internalized parent. The prize being control of me. I need to start rebelling against that voice in my head.
So I'm not judging myself, today I moved 2 miles, it wasn't fast but I did something and that is good enough.

Too Humid!!!

2010-08-15T05:13:00.003-04:00

I haven't run in about a week. It's just too HUMID, ugh. The air here in Michigan is so thick with moisture that you can hardly breath and it's that way all the time...morning and night! It's been about a week and a half straight of EVIL humidity, like 97%, crazy. I don't have air conditioning at my house so there is no relief. Well there is air at work so I get relief when I'm there...and in my car.
Since I've been sweating bullets for the past few days, I've been drinking lots of water. Ever notice how much you pee when you drink lots of water. I feel like getting some Depends er something...lol.
On the pulse side though...we've been using practically zero natural gas. Taking COLD showers, not using the dryer as much. Only thing that is getting heat is water for the dish washer. That should be nice on the ole pocket book.
how bout you guys, what are you doing to stay cool?

It's all in your head...

2010-08-01T23:49:00.001-04:00

When I'm feeling less than, feeling hopeless, I usually look up quotes from great people. People who I feel have (or had) great knowledge. I know I don't have it all figured out...in fact I don't think I have anything figured out...lol. Kudos to those who believe they do, for your sake I hope your right! For myself, I'll go with Socrates..."The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." So aside from Quoting Socrates...I'm reading quotes from an actor I like...

Bruce Lee, I loved his son Brandon too! R.I.P.

The thing that stealing my confidence is mainly a woman thing. The monthly annoyance has come to visit me, it's filled me with cramps and taken my desire to run. The lack of running has planted seeds of doubt in my mind. The race grows closer every day and a missed day of running feels like it puts me so much further behind.

“If you think a thing is impossible, you'll make it impossible.” ~ Bruce Lee

I'm trying to keep a positive perspective, for myself and my hubby. He's struggling with his emotions as well. The fears of ...it's too far, too hard, I won't make it. Loom around us. They are just fears, not reality. Our reality hasn't been written yet...we make it everyday. Each day that we wake up and run puts us that much closer to our goal of completing the race. I'm not letting fear make me give up on my goals. I plan to have a solid run tomorrow. It may or may not be great run, since I don't feel my best. But I plan on getting out there and moving anyway!

“The possession of anything begins in the mind” ~ Bruce Lee

another great Bruce Lee quote which goes well with this article!
Become a better runner in your sleep! A real good read on the power of confidence and believing you can do something.

The problem with Trying...

2010-07-28T03:31:00.002-04:00

try (tr)
1. To make an effort to do or accomplish (something); attempt:

Trying implies that failure is an option, that a half hearted attempt at an unrealistic goal, ending in failure is acceptable and grounds to give up and never "try" again.

I've tried dieting, I've tried following a race training program, I've tried really hard at a number of things, and you know what...I think I "try" too hard.

I was thinking about this as I was running this morning. The plan was to run 4 miles, which I did. I wanted to try to beat my pace from my last run. I'm always thinking like that, more, faster, better, stronger. I rarely appreciate the now, I'm always looking to the future. So, I set my goals and started running, by the time I had completed the 4 miles I was beat and uncertain if I should be happy or not. The run felt slow and I seemed to take too many walking breaks. Dark thoughts and doubts loomed in my mind.... I'm so unhealthy... I'm so slow...I'll never get any better. Once I hooked the ipod up to the computer to compare my times, I realized that this had actually been one of my faster runs and something to be proud over...not depressed by. That's the problem with me and trying...

1. I set unattainable goals
2. Attempting to achieve the goal is Uncomfortable/ Dissatisfying
3. I feel weak and inadequate
4. That lowers my confidence
5. I become defeated and quit.

It's the same pattern every time, apply this pattern to my diet now.

1. I set an unrealistic weight loss goal
2. Attempting to achieve the goal is Uncomfortable/ Dissatisfying
3. I feel weak and inadequate
4. That lowers my confidence
5. I become defeated and quit.

That pattern is really destructive, and is probably the reason why I have gained and lost the same 50 pounds over and over again. Today I noticed this my running, as I thought of ChiRunning and maintaining good form, my running seemed more natural and unforced, whereas, when my mind wandered back to personal bests and good pace times I became more and more...stressed, my shoulders tightened, my elbows clenched, my hands became fists, I got tired and had to walk. It was a vicious cycle but a great metaphor for trying too hard.
When I try hard, I'm unhappy. When I'm unhappy, I eat. I'll never achieve lasting weight loss or true healthiness by living under these extremes. I've got to learn to relax and take what comes naturally. That isn't to say that I should be lazy, but there is a BIG difference between putting solid effort into something, and being masochistic.

"Do, or do not. There is no try." ~Yoda

I really felt like a knuckle dragger today

2010-07-21T09:52:00.001-04:00

It was Hot and HUMID today.
My run required MAXIMUM effort.

Today was a hard 3.2 mile run. Not only was it hot and humid, but I think I've got some running issues. I think my form is bad, specifically my upper body. I think, well I'm pretty sure, that I carry my arms too close to me and lock my elbows...I also think my back ends up hunched over from all the tension in my arms. I may have to take some running form pics/video to see what I'm doing. All I know for sure is after I run my neck and shoulders feel tired and worn out. I must be doing something that isn't quiet right. But, despite the heat and my running form I still got a good 3.2 miles done, so I'm pretty proud of that!

Hubby ran today too, did 2.5 miles. He said he walked most of it and he didn't feel like he could call it running. I told him lots of runners walk, there is no walking police, no rules that say you can't walk from time to time...lol. He's very nervous about training for this 5K. He says he can't imagine himself looking or feeling any different than he does today. It does seem that way. I kinda feel the same thing about my 10 mile run. It's hard to imagine my body just going and going like that. But, logically I know with time and persistence it will happen...least something will happen. either I'll get faster or fall flat on my face...lol...either way I'm moving forward!

Today's Run Stats:

Distance: 3.20 miles
Time: 45:21
Pace: 14:10

"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! " ~ Rocky Balboa

The runner and the pea stone

2010-07-18T09:26:00.000-04:00

This morning I decided to run outside, for one...it was finally not a bazillion degrees out! and for two, I need to get used to running outside again. So off I went looking at the sky, looked a bit dark and ominous... it was threatening to rain me out. But, I took off anyway.
For the first half mile I was feeling kinda woozy...ughhhh, barf.
No, I didn't barf, but the forward motion of my running was affecting me this morning and not in a stomach friendly way. I kept going and after about the first half mile I was feeling great. I trotted along, impressed by my stamina, one mile down...no problem. Passed a jogger who was heading the other way, gave a big smile and a little wave then continued on my merry way. Another half mile done...this was easy. Then came the HILLS.
At pretty much the start of mile 2 and stretching for the next mile is a VERY HILLY road. I started the first incline...very small probably 2% but I could feel it, "keep going, keep going, just to the mailbox, I can make it that far, I'm getting there, I have more, just a little more, to the fire hydrant, I can do it...now it's down hill, I can run it..." I kept going. When I got to the bottom of that hill I could feel my legs growing weaker. Ugh, and I had a stone in my shoe too,crap. I couldn't stop to mess with that, so I slowed down and tried to tap my toe on the cement, trying to send the rock into the toe of my shoe. Sort of reminds me of the story the princess and the pea..lol....the runner and the pea stone...a cautionary tale...lol. I struggled along. Part way into my journey up the hill a car pulled out...I had to stop.
My legs were screaming at me, so I walked at a quick pace up the hill to the top. It was downhill now so I figured, I had to run again and I picked up the pace. That section is a VERY gradual down hill slope which ends in a curve. I jogged down the hill and thought, "I'll go to the curve the I can walk for a bit", no such luck. At the bottom of the curve there is a house, and in the driveway stood a guy watching his dog wander around the front yard, I assumed he was bored to tears waiting for the dog to pee. He heard me coming and looked up. "Well, jeez, I can't stop and walk now", I thought, so I kept on running. Down, down, down the road til it curved again and I was safely out of sight..lol.. isn't it funny the mind games we play with ourselves. Once I was out of sight, I slowed to a walk to catch my breath and cursed the pea stone in my shoe. I got to the stop sign and realized I was almost done...less the half a mile left, yeay.
Then I looked at the hill ahead of me. It is definitely the steepest hill in our area. It's not very long at all, so I started up it...nope, not happening, my legs were mush, so I walked, staring at the ground concentrating, step one, step two... finally to the top...the end of my run was a nice gradual slope down to my house. That part was nice, I even mustered up enough energy to run up my driveway...which is another somewhat steep, very short hill...lol. I'm very glad that I ran outside today! It was a great day for it! Even though I had to run over half of it with a pesky stone in my shoe...lol.

Official Stats:
Distance: 3.12 miles
Time: 44:23
Pace: 14'13"

I'm gonna WHAT now??

2010-07-16T03:32:00.003-04:00

The Challenge has been made. I have no choice I must do this....

After much talk of health, and losing weight and not dieing...hubby has agreed to do a 5K. He is a struggling compulsive eater who has been in OA (overeaters anonymous) for about 3 weeks. He threw down the gauntlet and announced that he'd found a 5K that he wanted to do...on one condition. I do it with him....but not the 5K portion...you see this is a 10 mile & 5K road race...linky here he wants me to do the 10mile run while he does the 5 K that way we are both nervous and uncertain if we can complete it. I think that running a 5K could be a wonderful experience for him...so I pretty much HAVE to run this 10 mile race. This, from the girl who ran for 3 miles along the board walk while in Virginia Beach and nearly puked. Nearly puked over 3 miles...how am I ever gonna do 10 miles? Oh but that's not even the best part...the best part is...there is a cut off time! Yes, in order for my time to count I MUST finish in under 2 hours. That means less than a 12 minute mile...I'm currently doing about a 14 minute mile. I sure do have my work cut out for me. Although so does hubby...he weighs around 400lbs...he's 6'4" so he carries it pretty well...but that's still a lot of weight to move around for 3.1 miles.
So that is the current plan. September 19th, 2010, I should be running 10 miles. Should be interesting!!

Dosha Quiz time... Lots of links 2 share.

2010-07-13T05:19:00.004-04:00

Ahhh, the internet... no matter what you wanna know about yourself, there is an internet quiz to take that will tell you all you need to know! lol. It's a particularly slow night at work tonight so I decided to take some online quizes and figure out what my Dosha is.
If you have no idea what a Dosha is a quick Wiki link will fill you in.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda
Well I took 2 different quizzes on line and the verdict is the same... I'm a Pitta Person.

I have to admit I see my Pitta-tude in alot of the questions... in fact when I'm "in a mood" my hubby has referred to me as Spicy...lol.
So below you'll find links to the quizzes I took...had to take 2 just to be sure...lol

http://www.ayurveda7.com/dosha-quiz.htm On that one I got a Vata: 9 Pitta: 28 and Kapha: 12

in the second quiz my numbers looked like this:

My overall Dosha is Pitta

In my body:
Vata 2
Pitta 6
Kapha 4

In My Mind:
Vata 3
Pitta 9
Kapha 0

The link to that quiz is here: http://www.whatsyourdosha.com/quiz/
though I must say, after reading all the descriptions...I think I have a good bit of Kapha in me too. This web site has a nice description of each.
http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/article/dosha/Pitta

Your turn...What Dosha are you?

I'm back!! and ready to Rock!!

2010-07-11T02:04:00.008-04:00

First a few Vacation Pics....

Nothing says HEAVEN like sandy toes!

Virginia Beach at Dusk

I'll post more as I go through them...I still haven't done that yet...lol...Vacation-Hangover!!
Vacay was just the thing to jump-start my zeal for life. Being in Virginia Beach helped me unwind and forget all life's craptastic glory. I feel renewed, rejuvenated and down right giddy. I'm already excitedly planning to go there again next year...and on the agenda for next year...being fitter!! I've pretty much decided...I'm a beach bum. I want to try everything... surfing, parasailing, kiteboarding you name it...I wanna try it.

H3LL- ASS- YeS!!
I should be doing those things....RIGHT NOW. I need to do those things. That however is going to require...some athletic core strength. Probably some endurance too. Thankfully running will give me those things..yep, between, yoga, my stability ball and my treadmill, I should have all I need to get in shape for my next vacay. Incidentally...I was so active on this vacation that I actually lost 2 lbs!! 2bs in a week...that's freakin awesome! I was so stoked this morning I ran a little over a mile. 1.15 to be exact... ran as in just ran...no walking...no breaks just pumped out a mile. And I could have done more..but I was pressed for time. For good measure, though, I took a 2.5 mile walk this evening!! BooYah

it's not me...it's you.

2010-06-24T00:39:00.002-04:00

As part of a writing project I'm participating in, graciously hosted by http://binduwiles.com/ , I have decided to: "Write a letter to what is making you sad."
I chose FEAR because I feel it is the root of my inner turmoil. So, without further adieu, here is my letter. Enjoy.

Dear Mr. Irrational Fear,
Pack your crap and get the hell out, that's right, we are through. Look, I know you said you were just protecting me. I know you want me to be safe. But, your a control freak and I'm done with this abusive relationship. We've been together a long time now and in the beginning it was nice to hide behind you. When something came along that threatened to push me out of my comfort zone...you said no, and helped keep me calm. I thought that was what I needed. But, as the years progressed, your grip got tighter and you got down right mean. Friends would ask me out for drinks or to a movie and you'd tell me, "no, you can't go." You tell me crazy things like, "you'll just look stupid." or " you'll humiliate yourself." You grew increasingly paranoid everyday. To the point where you wouldn't even let me go out for groceries without implying that something horrible would happen if I did. You won't let me try new things, you just tell me, "Your are such a F%^k up you never do anything right". You shoot down my confidence before I even try. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about...remember the painting I wanted to try. I went shopping for the paints and canvas...but you wouldn't let me buy them. You told me it would be a waste of time and money becuase I have no talent. You told me it was frivilous and childish and I gave up that dream because of you. Oh, and even earlier this year, when I was doing the couch 2 5K program, you just couldn't stand that fact that it was starting to give me confidence so you verbally abused me until I quit. You call yourself my friend, my ally, but your actions speak louder that words. You are no friend of mine! My real friends have quit calling to ask me out becuase they hate you and they know you won't let me do anything. You try to twist that arround on me too, telling me that they hate me because I'm fat and stupid. But, I see it clearly now, it's never been about me. It's been you, all the time, and now I hate you too. When I think of all the wasted years I spent on you, the number of times that you made me cry...or made me feel inferior, oh, it's just a damn shame! I'm not innocent though, I let you do this to me. I should have known. I should have realized how controling and paranoid you were becoming. But, I believed your lies. I made your delusion my truth. Living under your control has made me miserable, alone and afraid. I feel like a prisoner and I have had enough! That's why I have to say we are through. I don't need you or your "protection" anymore. I want to live...I want to be free! I want to feel good about myself again. I can't do that with you around. I'm sorry Mr. Fear but, I hate you and I never wanna see you again.
~Kat

Unexpectedness...

2010-06-18T01:39:00.002-04:00

Open, shapeless, ebb and flow...

My yoga, the book I'm currently reading, and recent life events are causing me to investigate myself in new and foreign ways. Opening me up to the concept of non-control. I'm not sure but I think I could be, or have been, a control Nazi. If my life were just blah, and my kids were just blah, and my house was just blah, etc,etc,etc....then I could be happy. The only part missing is the part where I ACTUALLY LIVE!! I've spent so much energy on making things "a certain way" that I forgot that the true beauty in life is the element of unexpectedness. The flower that blooms in the most unlikely place.

Hubby and I have been dealing with a lot of relationship things the past couple years. We still love each other very deeply but, we've come to realize that neither of us is very healthy, mentally speaking. He is a binge eater and I'm filled with fear...of what I'm not yet certain. His issues, are my issues. When he's doing bad, I feel helpless and then I fail as well. I gain weight, I stop moving, I get depressed. I can't control him...can't make him stop. I feel like I can only stand by and watch him chow his way to an early grave. For reasons he can't tell me, coz he doesn't know himself.

The 21.5.800 project has been bringing this topic to the forefront. I think I've been wanting to talk about it for awhile now but it's hard. Addictions are not easy things to talk about. They are self-inflicted and hearing about them you think the person is weak and they should just stop it. I can tell you, when I look into hubby's eyes, he has all the desire in the world to stop. He is good for a time and then...things fall apart. When he's deep in a cycle I swear his soul grows dark, there is a dense and choking gloom about him that seems to draw the very life out of you. He is tortured by this affliction and I feel cannot help him. When he's bad, I have to hide money from him, he will take it and spend it on fast food, burgers, pizzas, you name it. He'll eat in the car to hide how much he eats, he'll eat and night to hide as well. I feel I am getting caregivers syndrome. But, he needs me, I keep him trying at least. I shudder to think what would happen to him if I died or something.

That is why it hard taking time off to go to Virginia Beach. But, I really need the escape. The beach has always been my sanctuary. When I'm there..all stress seems to melt off from me. Like it's being washed away by the waves. I grew up on a lake so water has been a part of my earliest memories, I have always loved it. My mom often tells a story of me as a toddler and my obsession with water. She had to watch me closely because if you took your eyes off me for a second I'd be neck deep in that water, I had no fear. I'm not sure why me and water are such great friends but it is at times the only thing that can bring me peace.

Lying in savasana, and some simple healing yoga is all I have been doing. My body is tight and twisted. Yoga opens my senses up to observe how painfully stressed I really am. Letting go is hard, clearing my mind is hard. Even making time for me is hard. Worst of all relaxing is nearly impossible. It frustrates me and infuriates me and at times makes me want to cry. This process is slow and arduous but it is my sincere hope that by the end of this year, some permanent changes will have taken place...for the better this time.

You know, I wonder if my control Nazi-ism comes from the desire to conceal hubby's secret, and my own codependent behavior. If I can keep things a certain way...we won't appear so screwed up. People won't know, family won't know, kids won't know how far the rabbit hole goes...maybe I won't know...then I won't have to deal with it until it smacks me in the face. Maybe it isn't a control at all but rather and unwillingness to accept. Hubby has sought counseling and OA. I'm skeptical and really I guess unwilling to hope for better. I'm afraid that hope will only betray me. I don't share these things with hubby, he needs my devoted support, it's hard for him to admit he needs help and support...this is big for him.

In the midst of all this is everyday life and stresses, which I have assumed the bulk of, to allow him time to heal and work on himself. This all added to my already stressed out self. But, I feel like if I can just shoulder it long enough...it could all pay off in a big way. Quite the gamble huh?

Positively Positive Possibilities

2010-06-13T01:26:00.000-04:00

So I'm trying to get ready for work tonight (3rd shift). I go to the cupboard to get a flavor packet for my water...Box is there...packets are all gone! Annoyed, I head to the living room to yell at kids for not only drinking all my flavor packets but also leaving the stupid box in the cupboard so I'll think we still have some. On the way to the living room, I trip over my daughters shoes which are naturally just laying right in the middle of the floor...Thank You! So I yell at the girl. Pick your shoes up and take them to your room...you don't just leave them laying about like that someone could trip over them and break their neck...is that what you want? On to the living room I go...Who drank all my flavor packets? I glance about at the sea of deer-in-the-headlights expressions, well I know it was a kid because daddy doesn't drink them and I wouldn't have put the box back empty when the trash can is 2 steps away. They are all quiet. Fine...thanks a lot guys. I finish getting ready, say bye to hubby, then I'm out the door. On the way to work, ROAD CONSTRUCTION, oh boy!! Out of the blue they decided to reduce a normal 4 lane highway down to 1 lane, on Saturday night so there is plenty of traffic....and of course there are the standard idiots that stay in the left lane until the last second, then hold up traffic as they try to butt in...HELLO...DID YOU NOT SEE THE LAST 5 GINORMOUS GLOWING ARROWS TELLING YOU TO MERGE RIGHT? No, No, that's ok...cut right in front of me that's fine, you are after all so much more important than me. JERK. Needless to say, after all that I arrived at work...LATE. I wasn't in trouble...but they did give me crap about it...the sarcastic crap...which actually helped me to feel a little better.

All that negative energy was building in me, and with each new thing the negativity grew it was like a snowball of hate. Laughing even about a small part of it helped me to breathe...and put it into perspective. Behold, the power of the mind!

That all led to thoughts on positivity. Glass half full, half empty...I think most of us have figured out where we stand on that one. I know for the biggest portion of my life I've been a half-empty person. I really wanna change that and tonight really kinda illustrated that for me. So in the slower times here at my job I've been checking out positivity. That brought me to the LIVESTRONG website. That talked alot about internal dialog. I know I have problems there. I'm very down on myself and sometimes just down right mean to myself. I think I'm weak, inconsistent, and unattractive, I'm repeatedly telling myself all the ways that I'm unacceptable. When I go out to perceive the world, I'm only looking for those things that support my view of being unacceptable. That's obvious, when you consider how lightly I take praise and how easily I can become destroyed by poorly fitting clothes, other people, or even my own reflection in a door or mirror.

So, by that logic simply changing the way I talk to myself I could start a positive change in my life. It would cause me to go out in the world and start to perceive things in a nicer way which should boost my self esteem and make me more positive.

I hesitate to call this brain washing, since that term has such a negative connotation. but this is in effect a sort of Brain-Cleansing. How I got such negative energy this evening is a mystery. But, by speaking to myself and out loud and not clearing that energy...I essentially gave it soil to grow in...you know what I mean?

So what do you think? Are you a Debbie Downer or a Suzie Sunshine?

She's got a ticket to ride...

2010-06-10T23:36:00.001-04:00

Well I booked my flight today. Fear or no Fear I'm going to Virginia Beach! Baba and I plan to drive out there. Then after several fabulous days, I'll be flying back...all by myself. Gulp Tonight I have been researching all the ins and outs of airport security. I wanna try to get by with just my purse and 1 carry-on bag. So I'm trying to figure out what the real no-no items are.
I'm not too worried about making it on to my first flight, since I'll have my girls there to help me find my terminal and see me off. But, after that, I'll fly into Atlanta and then take a connector flight to Detroit. Once in Detroit my hubby will be there to pick me up. I'm sure it will go fine. But, I am nervous about it! Mostly about finding my way around Atlanta Airport and making it to my connector flight on time.
Since, I'm gonna be gone out to VA, that leaves hubby at home with the kiddos. He's already planing some quality time with them in the form of movies and video games...lol. I'd rather be in VA...lol.

Today's exercise consisted of a 0.75 mile walk and a 15 minute Savasana. Not much, but at least I got something in. I'm searching for the energy to re-commit to some higher impact exercise...the kind that takes some poundage off. It'd be nice if I could lose a few before my lil vacation.

Yoga Newbie... Yewbie

2010-06-09T23:46:00.002-04:00

Booooooo....ok that was lame...lol.
I'm new to yoga though, pretty much brand new. I don't know any of the words, and only a few of the poses. I've heard of downward dog, and the cobra pose. That is about the extent of my knowledge. But, I'm excited to learn. My body is very rigid and pretty much void of any flexibility. Hopefully in the next 21 days I can change that.

Today's yoga consisted of the classic sun salutation and then a nice shavasana. That shavasana or corpse pose is relaxing but, I find that my mind wants to wander around and it's hard to keep my focus on relaxing my body and my breathing. I'm sure this will come in time. Relaxing is actually very hard for me but the thing I think I'm going to find PRICELESS about yoga is it gives me permission to unwind, relax and really stretch out my body. Almost every other activity I do leaves me tense and tight. I think this is why so many people love Yoga.

I wanna get the lingo down too so over the next 21 days I'm going to learn one word a day. I'll post it here if you wanna learn with me.

Today's Secret word is asanas, special props to anyone who got the secret word reference...loved PeeWee's Playhouse back in the day...lol.

Anywho, asanas = yoga postures. I did several asanas today.

Feeling a bit inspired....and a poem emerges.

Meditation
deep, calming, quiet.
Restless thoughts
fluttering about the mind
are dismissed.
In silence
they are irrelevant
unnecessary.
Peace descends
softly
as a warm blanket
gently cuddling the soul
swaddling and healing it
as the moments pass.
Soon the soul will emerge,
rejuvenated,
ready for the day.

With letters,work, and this blog...I think I still might be shy of 800. Oh well, tomorrow is another day!
Tomorrow's plan is to run with forgiveness... allowing my body to dictate how far and how fast I go, do some yoga, eat well, and be kind to myself. (343)

Challenge..and Fear

2010-06-08T23:20:00.002-04:00

Well I've stepped out into a scary new venture...at least for me. I joined Bindu's 21.5.800 challenge. This is scary for me and I'm not even sure why really. The challenge is 21 days of practicing yoga five days a week and writing at least 800 words a day. I've been getting into yoga as of late, and I also write letters, poems, comments in forums, and in this blog quite often. So, I'm not sure why this venture seems so scary to me...but it does, and fear is something that I've avoided all my life. I have a very small box that I live in, metaphorically speaking, due to my avoidance of fear. Being a stay at home mom a few years back started me down a path of Anthropophobia- Fear of people or society. I hate meeting new people...and social situations, parties, and get togethers...unless I know everyone that will be there. Sad, really sad. I guess I should clarify Hate... I get nervous to the point of shaking, feeling ill, cold sweats dizziness. I even experience this in leaving a comment in a forum or on a blog from time to time. Why, I don't know... Fear? fear of being made fun of, appearing stupid, being judged...maybe all of the above. What ever, Why ever...I don't like it. I have very few friends because of it... it's hard for me to open up and let down my guard. I think people sense this about me too. Maybe they wonder if they are doing something wrong...or offending me somehow. That's never the case. I'm actually a very easy going, silly goofball to those that know me...and that goof inside really wants to escape and be known. This year has really been a turning point for me. I've really been taking a hard look at me. I realized that the basis for a lot of the things I do is fear. For example, I have the chance to go to Virginia Beach the end of this month, my sis-in-law...I'll use nick-names (BaBa) is driving down there to visit my other sis-in-law (Meju). So I have a very cheap ride out there, just help with gas, and it's sandy beaches galore...woohoo...so what could be bad about that? Getting home, that's what! Baba is going to stay out there for 2 weeks, I cannot stay out there that long I can only have a handful of days and then I have to come back...finances and my job require me to come back. So I'll have to fly back. We can squeeze out the money for a plane ticket so that shouldn't be a problem. The only problem is me. I'll be alone, flying back, on a plane with lots of strangers, going to an airport with lots of strangers. Sitting next to people I don't know. Someone might talk to me, OMG what then. This whole plane thing is FREAKING me out. Almost enough for me to just say forget it. But, I could really use the vacation...chilling with my girls on the beach sounds FAB. I don't want FEAR to make me miss out on something that could be so rejuvenation for my soul! SO, in the true spirit of change...I'm going. I've requested the time off of work. They have -not officially, yet- okayed the time off. I've told people. I've worked into the budget, I've shopped for my dreaded plane ticket. Not one but two stops coz it's cheaper...more anxiety though. FEAR or no Fear...I'm doing this...I need too. Fear can't run my life forever. When I'm on my death bed I don't wanna look back and think about all the things I should have done. What a waste. This life is too short for me to waste it all on stupid fear. I'm not sure how this will go, but I do know...when it's all said and done...I'm sure I will have much to tell...lol.
Wow, that was quite the tangent...lol. I knew that the trip has been on my mind but I didn't realize I needed to write a book about it...lol. I guess maybe 800 words won't be so hard after all.

In case you were wondering...that was 721...lol. This plus the letter I just wrote Meju is definitely over 800.

A life full of changes...

2010-06-04T05:13:00.005-04:00

So I've been cleaning up my lifestyle a bunch, I've gone to lean, mean, raw and green. I've started a veggie garden, been switching my foods to at least all natural and totally organic when I can. I'm trying to make all the meats I get grain fed, pasture raised and hormone free. I gave up Diet Coke and bottled water, I now drink my filtered water from a stainless steel water bottle. Take that carbon footprint! This all has happened since April! now that I look at it, that's a lot of change in such a short amount of time. I'm still learning all the time.
There have been some sad casualties along the way. Like just last week I gave up my FAVORITE skin lotion.

I totally LOVED OPI's Avojuice Grapefruit Juicie skin lotion. but when I looked it up on skin deeps website... it got the worst score ever! I might as well have been rubbing radioactive sludged on my skin...probably would have been better for me...and it'd have a nice glow...terrible aren't I...lol. So since it's so bad for me...and I now know just HOW BAD it is I had to go and switch my skin lotion. Ugh, and I hate that, coz I'm very picky about my lotion... I want to put it on and be done with it... I don't wanna be all sticky and gooey for hours after application, I don't wanna feel like I need a towel to wipe my hands after applying lotion. It should soak in to my horrible dry skin. So I went to harvest Health Foods and tried a bunch of different lotions . I love the fact that they have testers right there so you can try the stuff.
Final verdict: Giovanni Hydrate Body Lotion, Cucumber Song.

That was the bottle that came home with me. At $9.79 is wasn't horrible. the bottle is decently sized and it feels luxurious to put on. It doesn't soak in as fast as the Avojuice did but, after a few minutes, like less than 5 minutes, I'm ready to go. My skin is sooooo smooth after using this lotion that my husband even noticed and said, "man, your skin is smooth all of a sudden" That to me says something. After 15 years of watching me put on skin lotion he only now notices I have soft skin...men...lol. You can order it on amazon if you don't have a local health food store. I highly recommend it.

RIP Avojuice I loved you so...but you're no good for me. Sigh

Randomness

2010-05-22T02:45:00.002-04:00

So I was puttering around the net looking for races near by...since my race in Virginia is going to be a no-go due to lack of fundage. Anywho, I found this cutie of a race, Bailey's Doggie Dash. How cute it's a 5K race that me and my pooch can do together.
It sounds like a lot of fun! I think I may just do this one...course I'll have to consult Mz. Bridgette and see if she has time in her busy schedule...lol.

In other news, the nice people at Endorphin Warrior are awarding one of EricaH's lucky readers with a chance to win a Training Tech Workout Hat of their choice.
To enter,visit EricaH's blog today!

The Plan

2010-05-21T06:26:00.003-04:00

Well, I've picked up running AGAIN, it's a love/hate relationship. One of my problems has been pushing myself too hard. I expect unrealistic things from my body and then hate all over myself when I fail to achieve. That kinda pressure usually leads me to an open bag of cookies with a side of Häagen-Dazs...that's no good! So this time around, "the plan" is essentially No Plan. I had my sights set on the rock-n-roll half in VA but it looks like there won't be enough money for a trip out there, and school shopping for the kids, so I'll have to pass on the race again....GRRRRR. I will run that race one of these days!! But now I'm eyeballing something a bit closer to home...like in my home town. The Grand Rapids Marathon. It's in October so I have plenty of time. My regimen will include running 4 to 5 times a week and increasing the distance each week. My only expectation is going to be my body....if it tells me we can run more ...we will, if it says cool it I need rest, then I will rest. This should help me keep at it for the long hall. And as I go along ..... I'll pick up the Hal Higdon half marathon for a novice training plan, taking time, when needed, for my body to acclimate instead of pushing it to the brink. Small victories, instead of my do it or die trying mentality. I'm going to try to love running again...instead of feeling beaten by it.

Nothing more than feelings...

2010-05-12T04:17:00.000-04:00

Well as you may have noticed..me and running haven't been getting along so well. Actually movement in general has been quite a core. I dunno what's happened to me, I'm burnt out I guess. It all just seems so hard...everything. :>/ Am I depressed or something? I don't think so I don't feel sad...more like uninspired. I haven't seen much in the way of weight loss...but that I suppose should be expected since I haven't been running...like at all.

Ya ever feel like your one kind of person on the inside you have thoughts and ideas about how you really are...but then try as you might you succumb to all your bad habits and wind up being this totally other person that you don't even really recognize...that's kinda where I'm at right now. On the inside I feel like I should be this, glowing, fit, yoga posing, ultra runner who eats clean organic food and feels fabulously zen all day long.

But on the outside people see me as an overweight, 30something mom, who as an obsession with reading health books and mags so that she can NEVER APPLY IT TO HER OWN LIFE. What good is all the knowledge if I never apply it. I have read countless books on healthy eating and nutrition...Most women my age are heading to the bookstore to buy fiction romance novels. You won't find me in that section, pretty much ever. I'm always elbows deep in a dozen different non-fiction self help books, mostly on healthy eating, well being, or exercise. I have to admit that I feel weird sometimes even standing in that section of the bookstore or library. Coz I hide the fact that I'm fat and have problems so well...lol. Standing in the self help section says I'm lost...taking 3 or 4 books with you says....I'm hopeless!! I guess maybe I feel like I can think or read my way to being fit. But, it hasn't worked so far.

I have a million excuses, for the world and for myself. I don't have time, I'm not talented at running some people are born to be runners...I'm not one of them. I even pull out the ole well it's just that I'm working so much... I have been working 56 hour weeks. But I've done that and ran as well. All those things are just cop-outs. But there is something definitely in the way of me morphing into the person that I feel like I am inside. I just, for the life of me, don't know what that thing is.

I'm a big fan of Biggest Loser and with every person it seems that they come to this point where they break down and cry, sometimes yell...and then they have this big epiphany and everything changes then all of a sudden they have drive and confidence. You can see it in their faces, there is focus there instead of defeat. I want that for myself. I catch a little bit of it from time to time...but it isn't lasting. I just don't know how to make it stick.

2010 Grand Rapids Kidney Walk

2010-05-02T23:45:00.001-04:00

Another gray day in Michigan...about 65 degrees and no sun.
That's how the 2010 Grand Rapids Kidney Walk began.
This was my first time participating in the Kidney Walk. My family got together and formed Team Brent in honor of my brother-in-law. This is a pic of Team Brent...

the guy with the Blue and Yellow hair is Brent. He agree to color his hair all crazy if we made our $$ goal....lol.After battling with juvenile onset diabetes which claimed his eyesight, foot and kidneys we can proudly say that Brent is a transplant survivor of 4 years. Today was a good day for him and his spirits were high! He managed to walk just about 1 mile of the 2.70 mile course.

Part of the trail lead us along the Grand River which made for some nice pics and we got to see some wild life (turtles and ducks).

The other part of the trail took us along the highway where numerous cars and trucks honked in support. I haven't yet heard how many people walked...I read somewhere that last year they had 800 some people attend. I wonder if we beat that this year? There were a lot of people there.

At the end of the day our team was able to raise $2,158.15 for the National Kidney Foundation, and I got some much needed exercise in!
Below is a picture of my oldest son, my hubby and me.

Distance: 2.70miles
Time: 55:34
Pace: 20:33

Relaxation...

2010-04-24T00:52:00.004-04:00

Ahhh, Saturday. The beginning of my vacation. 7 days of not having to go to work. I have no big plans, just relax, run, sleep... rest. I need it too I've been working nearly everyday so far this month since we are short handed. 6 and 7 day weeks take their tole on your nerves. I'm thinking at some point I'll be hitting the White Pine Trail for some Chirunning Practice!

The White Pine Trail is a monster of a trail that goes probably around 100 miles on what used to be an old railroad track. The trail starts out pretty close to my house, in north west Grand Rapids and goes all the way up to Cadillac. From my area to just the neighboring town it's 4.2 miles. I'd like to try that this summer that will be awhile though...8 miles round trip...I gotta be ready for a run that size.
later gaters!

Hellllllloooooo...lol...

2010-04-15T03:54:00.003-04:00

No, I didn't die or fall off the planet. I'm still here, slightly defeated. I hit a wall at week 6 of the C25K and haven't been able to get past it. Part of my problem is my weight, I know that for sure. So I've cleaned up my diet a ton and I'm working on getting down a few pounds before I attempt to get back into my C25K training. In the interim I've been reading...and changing my life.

As far as my eating goes. I read, "Master Your Metabolism" by Jillian Michaels. It's a great read mostly about hormones and metabolism. This book explains, in an easy to read format, all the little nuances that go on within your body as it responds to the food you put in it. I really enjoyed it. I won't get into any real detail here..just get the book and read it, decide for yourself. I just borrowed a copy from my local library I totally could not put the book down!!...and now I'm going to buy it...that's how impressed I am.
So, armed with my new knowledge last week I started to change the way I eat. This Friday I'll check with the scale and find out if my body agrees with my mind that this book is the bomb.

After that, I borrowed another life changing book, I know...too bad reading doesn't burn more calories...lol.
It's the book, "ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running" by Danny Dreyer. This is a great book too. I'm not sure about the whole "Chi" thing but the science behind why this works is solid! After analyzing the soles of my shoes and the numerous pics my hubby took at my 5k race a few years back, I realized that I have bad running form. AND the way I run really looks like it would promote a lot of injuries...it looks very....jarring compared to the way they suggest to run. This book is great but the DVD is even better. I had to get it to see a visual representation of this method. I ran a little tonight to try to implement some of the techniques of this new form and let me tell you it was a lot to remember..coz I really do that much wrong when I run...but I did notice a difference...a positive difference. I tried to relax my legs (like cotton) and keep my core in-line (hard like steel) and for a moment I had it...my legs seemed to melt away...but, they quickly came back. I can only guess this is due to the fact that I have almost zero core muscles. That is something I'm going to have to work on.

If you are interested, here’s some of the Chi Running basics I'm working on thus far:
•maintain good posture
•keep your core in a straight line (shoulders, hips, and ankles)
•lean forward from your ankles, keeping your body in a straight line (this makes it so you are sort of falling instead of using your leg muscles to push you forward)
•your upper body is extended forward while your legs swing out the back (your knees shouldn’t pump in front of you)
•keep your lower legs limp (chi cannot flow through tight muscles or joints)
•don’t pronate. run along a tightrope, leading with your knees (this is why my knee has been bothering me)
•swing your elbows behind you
•don’t cross your center line with your hands

it's a lot to think about when you are trying to run. But, like I said I think it's helping. If your interested and don't wanna go to the library or buy a DVD there is a brief video here that explains it pretty well ChiRunning Simplified

anyway, that's what I've been up to...we'll have to wait and see how these two things work for me. They are both large life changes...but, I'm ready for something new.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. ~Albert Einstein

W5D3 - Finally! I know, that took awhile.

2010-03-19T23:26:00.006-04:00

So yeah, It's been awhile. I'm not gonna lie...the 20 minute straight run scared the pee outta me. I really was pretty sure I wouldn't make it through, I know I'm not ready. Well, anyway, The first 11 minutes went by well enough, I started to get winded and sore but then I found my groove. But, as minute 12 approached, my calves started burning. Once they started screaming at me I new my run was limited and by minute 13 I had to walk...so I slowed down to a power walk which I really think actually made it worse so I picked up my run pace again...which immediately made my calves start screaming again. Yes, that last 7 minutes was a hellish exercise in futility. Running, power walking, running again, awe hell I can't, walk again until finally the cool down. I know that W6D1 is 10 minute runs with breaks. So I am going to advance myself to week 6 but I'm going to stay on Day 1 or Day 2 until I fell like I can really run that much coz W6D3 is a 25 minute straight run and I don't want it to turn out like this run.

The Details:
Distance: 2.07 miles
Time: 30:53
Pace: 14:55

I'll be participating in the 2010 Grand Rapids Kidney Walk on May 2, 2010. The Kidney Walk is a non-competitive walk event with a route that is about 2 miles in length over generally level terrain. If you like to support me in this event you can visit my page and make a donation online. Any help is greatly appreciated!! :o) BTW: it's a S L O W loading page.

W5D2 - The run that almost wasn't...

2010-03-12T23:52:00.002-05:00

I made my mind up not to run tonight...but then I did anyway. I wasn't feeling the best. My kidneys are feeling sore...or at least the kidney area is sore on both sides. Not so sore that I'm in pain just tender enough that I notice and am concerned about it. I'm gonna wait it out through the weekend and if I still don't feel better than I'll see about getting into the doctor. Because of that, I thought...well I'm not gonna run tonight. But as the night wore on, hubby left for a friends house and that left me in the house with the treadmill and nothing to do. So I got on it and completed W5D2. My kidneys didn't seem to effect my running much so I figured it wasn't too bad on them. The first 8 minute run flew by...by the time I looked at the itouch it said 30sec left. AWESOME!! That was very encouraging. The second 8 minutes was more difficult and seemed to drag on I was keenly aware of the burning in my calf muscles. I slowed the run down some to be sure I could finish without walking and I'm please to say I made it through! Hooray! I'm a little spooked by W5D3...I looked ahead and saw my first straight run of 20 minutes. I hope I'm ready! I have a lot of faith in the C25K program and each week the runs are hard toward the end...but I'm able to get through it. I'm pretty sure W5D3 will be no different.

Today's Run Details:

Distance: 2.08 Miles
Time: 31:57
Pace: 15:20

Discombobulated..... W5D1

2010-03-10T23:19:00.001-05:00

That's how I would describe today's run...discombobulated. I got all ready for my run only to find that I left my Nike+ sensor in the car...the car my hubby took to work...uggghhh. I hate that. So, no nice Nike read out for me...and no pleasing graph at the end of my run either. Oh well, I was wasn't gonna let that stop me from getting my run in.
I hopped on the treadmill and got down to business. Today's big challenge was three big 5 minute runs. The last 5 was H A R D. I got tired after the first 2 minutes. But, I wasn't feeling very well either since I'm also trying to quit Diet Coke...you can check out my other blog for the gory details about all that. Nonetheless, I got through that last 5 minutes without walking. Once done I turned the treadmill off and started stretching. I was thinking about adding the info to the computer and what information I'd need and that's when I remember....I never looked at the miles once I got done...I had been trying so hard not to stare at the numbers that I've completely gotten myself to ignore them, which is fine when I have NIKE+ to tell me my distance...Crap! So with the info I did have total time and speeds, I calculated the estimate of how far I went and learned an important lesson don't leave the Nike+ sensor in the car!!

The approximate details of my run ;o)
Distance: 1.90 Miles
Pace: 16:18
Time: 31 minutes

W4D3..not bad

2010-03-08T23:11:00.001-05:00

Awesome, I survived week four. I'm a little late I know... I hate when 2 or 3 days go by between my runs. I want to have them be nice and predictable from one week to the next but I haven't found my rythm yet. I haven't found a good time to plan my run into.
But, I keep on squishing those runs in here and there...lol.. On to Week 5

Run Details

Distance: 2.11 Miles
Time: 33:19
Pace: 15:43

W4D2 - The Birthday Run

2010-03-04T23:45:00.000-05:00

Yeah, it's my birthday.
I gotta say... I did think, "Maybe I won't run today, after all, it's my birthday!" But, no...I must run...lol. So I did, I told myself I'd just take it easy and do what I felt like doing. No stressing about numbers, no being upset that I didn't do better. No messy head games, just run when it say run and walk when it tells me to walk. Isn't it funny how messed up we can make even the simplest things when we let our minds get in the way!
I got on the treadmill and started giving it the ole' one-two...lol. It was a great looking day out today. I probably should have ran outside. But, with all the melting snow and run off...it's like a mud bog on our roads. The sunshine and blues skies did give me a heaping helping of Spring fever though, DANG!! I sure do miss summer morning runs.
The run itself went alright. The first set of 5 minutes and 3 minutes went great I felt good. That last 5 minutes really got me though. I had about 2 minutes left in me by that time. So after that, I had to slow it down for about a minute and then speed back up again for the last 2 minutes. But, I kept running. I was doing my walking at 3.0Mph and my running at 4.2MPH. Nice and easy for the b-day girl...lol.

The nitty gritty details:

Distance: 2.12 miles
Time: 33:13
Pace: 15:38

Week 4 Day 1 - Still going

2010-03-02T23:44:00.001-05:00

I did it!!! Week 4 Day 1 is done!!
The first 5 min run was really not bad at all, but by the last one I was struggling a little. I think it was the weenie in me, trying to convince myself I couldn't do it. But, I battled that with mental chatter, "You can do it, Only one minute left, don't cheat yourself out this opportunity." and it worked... I pushed through and managed to finish. Yay me!!! I CAN do this...it is not too hard and I'm not too heavy to do it.

Week 3 Day 3 - Finally, the curse has been broken

2010-02-26T09:06:00.004-05:00

Sheeeewwwww.....There it's done. I have completed week 3.
I took a long time to get through it I know. I just couldn't work overtime and run at the same time so I had to back off the running until I got back to my normal schedule. I was a little scared to go ahead and do day 3 after my extended break from running but I was able to pull through alright.

ON TO WEEK 4!!!

I'm back....I just tried to calibrate my Nike+ did the walk portion just fine.
3.1MPH for 1 mile no problem. On to the run, I can't run 1 mile straight yet...no way. So, I set it for 0.25 and ran that at 4.3MPH. After I was done I clicked done...it said it was to short to calibrate.....WTF??? Are you kidding me. I just barely got that out too. UGH, it's default is a 12 minute mile....I'm doing about a 14 minute mile....If I could do a mile. So all my runs are going to be off until either I can speed up....or I can build up enough stamina to go 0.50 miles straight...then I'll try it again.

Bummer...

Week 3 day 2 - No Time for anything...

2010-02-22T01:56:00.000-05:00

so much overtime....
I haven't had time to squeeze in my run for week 3 day 3 yet...so I'm behind. I'm hoping to get a run in on Monday. I did however get my run in on Thursday 2/18/10, that was week 3 day 2 and it went pretty well. I still haven't gotten the hang of using my C25k app and my Nike+ together...although, I think I know what I need to do now...lol... Techno Toys...lol. they make things so complex.

Talk about a pain in the neck...

2010-02-16T05:36:00.003-05:00

I finished week 3 but I didn't make it to week 4. I injured my shoulder and took last week off. I woke up last Tuesday morning in such misery. Only to find out that I had pulled a muscle in my shoulder. The one that runs from the back of your neck out the the top of the shoulder. It must have been a combination of the cleaning I did (rearranging furniture and such) and just sleeping wrong. Whatever it was...it hurt!!! So I spent the week taking muscle relaxers and sleeping...alot....lots of sleep...HARD sleep...lol. Today, my shoulder is still a bit tender but I still plan on running, and since I've missed a week I plan to do week 3 over again.

BBL

My Do-Over Week 3 day 1 run went like this...

Start Time: 7:51 PM
End Time: 8:20PM
Time Taken: 28:24
Pace: 16:32

Average Speed: 3.63 MPH
Distance: 1.71 Miles

W3D3 and a new toy!

2010-02-07T23:34:00.000-05:00

Today's run was all messed up...but A W E S O M E.
Hubby got me an iPod touch and the C25K app to put on it. How sweet is he?

Then my challenge was to figure out how to run the Nike+ and the C25K app and have music all at the same time. It was a little confusing at first but eventually I got it going. Then I was walking, what I didn't know was it included a 5 minute stretch time before the 5 minute warm-up walk so I walked for 5 minutes and then it said beginning warm-up...so I actually walked for 10 minutes to warm up....lol. I gotta say though, man I don't know how I ever did the C25K without this app. all that adding 90secs and 3 minutes. Now all I do is listen and it tells me, "run now" ... "walk now". It's SOooooooo way better!!!! and my oldest son gets my old Ipod nano so he's happy too....lol.

Awesome app. Awesome ipod, Awesome hubby...lol.

My goofy W3D3 run went like this...

Start Time: 7:27 PM
End Time: 8:00PM
Time Taken: 28:00
Pace: 14:37

Average Speed: 4.10 MPH
Distance: 1.92 Miles

W3D2 it's starting to catch up with me

2010-02-04T23:45:00.000-05:00

Today's run was a bit more difficult, the first 3 minute run went ok, but then the second 3 minute interval was killer. I was feeling the burn in my calf muscles and watching the time...crap...only a minute in...look away....it's been a little while now...look back... crap only 30 seconds???...lol...but I made it and I got yet another day in hurray! I'm thinking I might have to re-calibrate my Nike+ the walking is spot on, it totally matches the treadmill and the numbers make sense but, when I start running it makes me look just a little too awesome. Like today it said that at one point I was running a 10:22 pace which isn't possible when I have the treadmill set for 4.3MPH anywho...I'm thinking re-calibrate. Not sure when though.

W3D2's run went like this...

Start Time: 4:10 PM
End Time: 4:33 PM
Time Taken: 23:00
Pace: 14:22

Average Speed: 4.12 MPH
Distance: 1.59 Miles

Week 3

2010-02-02T23:43:00.000-05:00

OH YEAH!!
I'm running strong into week 3. I was a little nervous about the running 3 minutes straight. Week 3 has defeated me before. Today was awesome. I made it through the 3 minutes eachtime, I kept my breathing under control and my legs were only a little fatigued throughout the workout. I'm looking forward to W3d2 on Thursday.

W3D1's run went like this...

Start Time: 1:13 PM
End Time: 1:36 PM
Time Taken: 23:00
Pace: 14:22

Average Speed: 4.17 MPH
Distance: 1.60 Miles

W2D3 - Better late than never

2010-02-01T23:19:00.000-05:00

Well it took me till Monday to feel good enough to run again. But, I'm getting better now and I finished up week 2...even if I had to smoosh it into the beginning of week 3 ...lol. Week 3 I plan to run on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. That'll be 4 runs in this week instead of 3. That's ok though, I'm feeling good and none of my muscles are sore, so there's no worry about injury at this point.

W2D3's run went like this...

Start Time: 6:40 PM
End Time: 7:10 PM
Time Taken: 20:00
Pace: 14:55

Average Speed: 4.02 MPH
Distance: 1.36 Miles

W2D2

2010-01-29T02:14:00.001-05:00

I got my C25K run in early in the day and boy am I glad I got to it when I did!! This evening I was so sick there is no way I would have been able to get on the treadmill. My head is pounding, my throat is sore, my back hurts, and I have cramps. I took some ibuprofen and that is helping some. I still had to go to work tonight too. So I'm sitting here typing and still feeling just miserable...but I got my run in for the day! Just in the nick of time!! Now tomorrow I can rest and hopefully I'll feel better enough by Saturday to get the last of run of week 2 in and be ready for week 3.

The C25K is going great for me. The runs are still challenging, but do-able. This is making me very happy. I can really use the confidence that I'm getting from the progress I'm making. This time around though...I'm not going nearly as fast. I'm so overweight now and so outta practice that I've been alternating between 3.3MPH for walking and 4.3 - 4.5MPH for running. Last year when I started the C25k I was bound-determined that the ONLY ACCEPTABLE speed was 4MPH for walking and 6MPH for running. That led me down a dangerous path of self hatred and defeat. It really doesn't matter how fast I go since the event that I'm ultimately training for is a half marathon. My focus this time is on distance NOT SPEED. Speed will come with time and increased physical fitness.

W2D2's run went like this...

Start Time: 1:03 PM
End Time: 1:23 PM
Time Taken: 20:00
Pace: 14:42

Average Speed: 4.08 MPH
Distance: 1.36 Miles

W2D1, still on track.

2010-01-28T03:05:00.000-05:00

I did W1D3 on Sunday and then Tuesday I did W2D1 so I'm right on schedule, which is good since this has been the longest and suckiest week of my life. I just feel jinxed right now, it seems everything I touch shuts down, blows up, or smashes into a million pieces. I'm tired, I'm sick and I just wanna sleep until spring. I hope next week is better.

W2D1's run went like this.....

Start Time: 6:10 PM
End Time: 6:30 PM
Time Taken: 20:00
Pace: 15:16
Average Speed: 3.93 MPH
Distance: 1.33 Miles

W1D2

2010-01-22T02:05:00.002-05:00

I got another run in. It went pretty well, I feel physically like I'm right in line with how fit you need to be to do week one. The workout is tough but not impossible and the recovery time is long enough. I really feel alot of hope this time around.

Today's run went like this.....

Start Time: 8:18 PM
End Time: 8:38 PM
Time Taken: 20:00
Pace: 15:33
Average Speed: 3.86 MPH
Distance: 1.30 Miles

W1D1 of the C25K all over again...

2010-01-18T16:24:00.002-05:00

I started the C25k again. It's really from the couch too since I haven't really worked out since November...and even then it was short lived. I haven't been serious about running since last May...sad.

So today was about discovery. This is time 3 now of me starting the C25k, I'm getting to be an expert at starting this thing...now I need to figure out how to be an expert at finishing it...lol. But today eventhough I was slow and sweaty I did discover that I haven't lost everything. I did manage to run the entire 60 sec each time and I was able to recover in the 90 seconds of walking. That is actually SOMETHING. I didn't loose it all. So, that makes me happy. I completed W1D1 with a sense of hey...I can do this!! and that's probably most of the battle right there.

Start Time: 4:00 PM
End Time: 4:20 PM
Time Taken: 20:00
Pace: 16:00
Average Speed: 3.75 MPH
Distance: 1.27 Miles

Well...so much for that...

2010-01-01T05:03:00.002-05:00

My running, or rather, walking spurt in November only lasted until Thanksgiving and then it died. But now we are finally through all the eating festivals and I can refocus and regroup for the new year. It's is my goal to do a half marathon this year. Walk, run, crawl, whatever, I'd just like to do that. So the first step is getting on the treadmill. Which I did yesterday. I got a mile in. About a 19 minute mile, coz I reallllllly didn't wanna do it. I was feeling VERY unmotivated. But, I did it anyway and once I was done I felt better.

So here's to the start of what will hopefully be a healthy, and happy New Year!!

Kat is back...back again...

2009-11-06T02:00:00.001-05:00

I'm back...after one gigantically long hiatus!

This summer was a huge mess. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and then some. But, now that fall is fast approaching and things are calming down I'm trying to get back into my running groove. That's easier said than done since I've gained back sooooo much weight.

Running? What's that? Oh...you mean that thing I used to do WAY back when.... Yeah it really has been that long....July in fact, since last I did anything on the treadmill. I got back on the wagon the last week of October and it's been slow going. Pretty much, I am going to have to start from scratch...AGAIN. C25K program all over? Well actually, Nike+ Coach has a walk to run program that I think I'm gonna follow for awhile. http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/plus/#//coach/

I figure I'll give that a try and see what I think of it. If it sucks I know I'll always have my trusty C25K to fall back on.

Moody Blues...

2009-07-12T05:54:00.001-04:00

Egads, I'm in a funk. I'm bored, I'm depressed, I'm moody...I just can't be happy or bubbly like I normally am. I'm really not sure what it is but I know all these 50year-olds dropping dead all of a sudden isn't helping. It makes me all sad and sentimental.
I'm trying to get back into my running groove but I just can't seem to keep my motivation up. How does one Stay Motivated??? Anyone????

On a better note, my Nike+ sensor came in the mail on July 10th just as scheduled. I haven't got the chance to calibrate it and run with it yet, I plan to do that this morning when I get outta work. Hopefully today will be a better running day for me.

"Even if you fall flat on your face·at least you are moving forward."
~~Sue Luke

YeaY..

2009-07-09T04:51:00.004-04:00

I'm excited...I know...it doesn't take much...lol.
I just got the confirmation email from Nikestore that my package (ie. Nike+ sensor) has been shipped!! According to FEDEX:

Ship date: Jul 8, 2009
Estimated delivery: Jul 10, 2009

Cool Beans!! SO that means I'll only be mailbox stalking for a few days....awesome!!

In other relevant running news...I did 3 miles today (Wednesday). I bargained with myself again and promised myself they didn't have to be great miles...I just needed to get through it. I did alright. I still feel like a giant whale clomping along on my treadmill. I swear the whole house shakes when I'm running on that thing!! Earbuds are still annoying me. If I get them JUST RIGHT I can make it through my run without them crapping out on me. But they are getting worse all the time. Looks like I'm gonna have to get a new pair. I hate earbud shopping....I have freakishly tiny ears and a tiny head... so normal head phones just don't fit me right. Even the ones I have right now don't make me very happy. They don't wanna stay in my ears, just a little big. Then my ears get all sweaty on the inside and that makes the earbuds wanna fall out even more. Am I picky or what??

I'd like to get a pair of these.
But I think they'd be to big for me too. An ear piece like the traditional Ipod earbuds really hurt my ears and don't stay in at all when I run.

Ah-well...I'll keep looking.

Wednesday's run stats look like this:

Start time: 7:30 AM
End time: 8:10 AM
Time: 00:40:55
Distance: 3.00 miles

Bored and Bloggin'

2009-07-08T04:33:00.004-04:00

I'm BORED....B...O...R...E...D....bored at work.

I've been in a blah-ish sort of mood for several days now. I ran today. That went like I figured....blah-ish. I felt slower and fatter than usual. My ear buds are dieing on me too. (top) They must have a short in the cord coz I'll be running along and then...my music is gone...Grrr. That makes me unhappy. Not to mention the fact that they were fine up until evil child #2 got ahold of them for her MP3 player. Why do they have to use MY stuff ???...she has earbuds of her own....but mine are pink and sound better....or anyway they USED too. Nuff said.

I ordered a new sensor for my Nike+ today. Nike+....man what a racket....Stupid Steve Jobs!! Do you all know about this Nike+ Sports kit?

Okay. well this will be my unofficial review of Nike+

For those of you who never heard of it and for those that may consider purchasing the Nike+iPod sports kit, it's a "device which measures and records the distance and pace of a walk or run." There is a sensor that goes in or on your shoe and reports to a receiver that plugs into your iPod then the iPod displays how fast and how far you have been running/walking. When you sync your iPod with your PC the data is automatically uploaded to the Nike+ website (for FREE) and you can track your runs, compete with other users, or just see neat graphs of your PR's and run times...all that junk.

So anyway I bought a Nike+ for my Ipod It's pretty inexpensive $29.00 get you going if you already have an Ipod. I never bought special shoes I just have a little sensor holder that hooks to my shoe laces.
I used it nearly everyday for about a year and REALLY enjoyed it... and then the battery ran out...no problem I'll just get a new battery...yeah RIGHT.

Here is where Steve Jobs becomes an evil genius. if you go to apple.com and check this out you will find that The Apple website is pretty clear on how the old battery issue works.

Is the sensor battery replaceable? How long does it
last?

No. The sensor’s battery has a life of over 1000
active hours. The sensor sends a low battery signal when there is around 2 weeks
of life remaining (based on usage pattern), indicating that the sensor needs to
be replaced.

Most Nike + iPod runners and walkers can just drop the
sensor in their Nike+ shoes and forget about it. When inactive, the sensor
enters stand-by mode to save battery life."

There is no replacing batteries the whole sensor needs to be replaced and a sensor costs about $19.00 so once a year, or less, I have to pay $19 plus $8 shipping for a new sensor.
just to keep using the Nike+. It's not that I think that is such an outrageous price I just think it's mighty shady the way they conveniently never mention that.
Well, as I was googling around to find the best price for a new sensor... I read that some people have been able to replace their battery themselves, just take it apart and slip in a new battery. HMMMM...so we tried this BIG MISTAKE! We absolutely MUTILATED the thing trying to get it apart....it's definitely made to NEVER BE OPENED. So we gave up on that and decided to get a new sensor.

So anyway, I give Nike+ a careful thumbs up, it's pretty cool but you must have and Ipod Nano, a holder or Nike+senor shoes, and be aware that the sensor will die...and probably sooner than you'd like it too.

So anyway...back on topic....today my crappy run went like this:

Start time: 7:45 AM
End time: 8:15 AM
Time: 00:27:40
Distance: 2.00 miles

Oh and BTW: There is a pretty freakin AWESOME give away going on over at NIKES and Ponytails, could be the biggest blog give-away ever so you definitely don't wanna miss out!!

Happy Holiday weekend..

2009-07-03T04:02:00.002-04:00

Well my ankle is finally starting to feel better now. So I'll probably be back up and running on Tuesday. I figure I might as well enjoy the holiday weekend and give my ankle a little more rest before I start running 4 miles on it again. I do miss the running. I'm excited to get back on the ole treadmill.

Happy 4th of July Everybody!!

that's no good...

2009-06-28T02:21:00.000-04:00

Well Thursday was the last run I got in...and it wasn't good....I ran 1.25 miles.
I was supposed to do four miles but I didn't. I was having wardrobe malfunctions (shorts riding up) and I was getting very crabby and whinny. So I gave up...no sense in beating a dead horse it was obviously going to be a crappy run for me.
After my crabby run I got in the sprinkler with my daughter we ran around and played, no big deal. Well Friday morning my ankle starts hurting, for apparently no reason. The longer the day goes the worse it gets. I decided not to run. By Saturday, It was to the point where I could hardly put any weight on it at all. The only thing I can come up with is I must have twisted it when I was outside running around with my daughter. I'm gonna give it the weekend and if it isn't feeling any better I'm gonna go into the doctor. I really hope it gets better on it's own. I'm missing a lot of training runs.