Home for the Holiday

Merry Christmas! I always lose weight when I visit my parents', even during the holidays. They just eat less and infrequently and Mom gives me guilt trips for having snacks. My last few days have been less than 2k calories and I've continued my 50+ miles/week rate of running. The holidays are my secret weapon. =) Although, I have no idea how I weighed 137 this morning. Yesterday I was 140. I'm not dehydrated. We'll see what tomorrow is...

This past week I was really good. Eating under 2000/day is getting slightly easier, and I didn't have any days over 2500 calories. However, I'm tired most of the time and my running pace has slowed. I knew that would happen, but I'm also sure I'll bounce back when I even out my intake/expenditure.

I'll check back in the new year!

Morning Weight: 137
Miles Today: 7
Other Exercise: None
Total Miles this Week: 17

Log: Dec 17 - 23 2006

Sun-Sat: 12, 6.5 and 3.5 3 min abs, 4.75 max weight (see below) 5 min abs, 6 3 min abs, 8 32 min on bike 3 min abs, 6.5 weights 5 min abs, 5.5 = 52.75

current maxes:
bench press: 80 lbs.
squat: 65 lbs. (took this easy as my hamstrings are still tender and this was my first time squatting weights ever)
pullup: level 2 (the lower the level, the better)
dip: not tried yet.

One Week Down

That first week was tough. I slipped a couple of days last week (Thurs and Sat.), but not too far and got right back into eating properly. I have to remember that alcohol and emotions mess up my logic. I can avoid alcohol for the most part, but I'll just have to make a hard-fast rule to calm down before I eat instead of trying to use food to calm down. Maybe tea will do the trick?

Speaking of tea, I've been drinking a WHOLE lot more of the stuff. I'm really digging Genmaicha (green tea with brown rice in the tea bag) and this Stash Decaf Carmel tea. Mmmm.

My mileage should hit about 50 miles this week, plus I want to do a cycling workout or two, but we'll see.

Morning Weight: 142.5
Miles Today: 10
Other Exercise: 3 min abs
Total Miles this Week: 22

Log: Dec 10 - 16 2006

Sun-Sat: DNR, 3 weights 5 min abs, 7, 3.5, 6.5 weights 5 min abs, 6.5, 6.5 = 33

This time it's for money

So, Holly is putting on an 8-week weight-loss challenge at work. Whoever loses the highest percentage of their starting weight wins! Starting today. 10 bucks buys you entry and there are 9 people so far. If I can get down to 129, I have a good chance of winning. I need to start running more again. I'm not going to worry about intensity until late-Feb/early-March, so I can just focus on this challenge. Let's just hope that I can maintain this focus and determination for 8 weeks. It will be REALLY nice to be under 130 again.

Morning Weight: 144.5
Miles Today: 3
Other Exercise: weights and 5 mins. of abs
Total Miles this Week: 3

Log: Nov 26 - Dec 2 2006

Sun: 7, 62 minutes
Mon: .5 miles on treadmill after weights
weights and 5 min abs
Tue: 9.5, 2.5 wm, 4 strides, 4x 1 mile (Adams State) on Stanford Ave (7:07[up], 6:37[down], 7:02[up], 6:30[down]) with ~3 min recovery between each. Better/faster than last time! =), 2 mile cd
2 miles, 3 min abs
Wed: ?
Thu: ?
Fri: ?
Sat: ?

Total: ???

Log: Nov 19 - 25 2006

Sun: 8 miles, 2 wm, 2 cd, 4 strides 6k race, PA Championships, 26:00, first mile at 6:2-, 13:2-, 20:3-, 114th, hammy hurt on cool down
Mon: 2 left hamstring still hurts
weights, 5 min abs
48 min bike
Tue: 7 (57:48) Big Stanford Campus Loop w/ David
Wed: DNR
Thu: 8.25 2.25 wm, 2 cd, 1 x 800 @5k pace up incline, tempo until completion of 30 minutes
Fri: 2.75 (24 minutes)
2.5 moderate and 5 mile strenous hikes
Sat: 5.75 (50 minutes)

Total: 33.75 (plus 7.5 mile hiking, plus 48 min biking)

Log: Nov 12 - 18 2006

Sun: 9.5 (80 minutes) around Quarry Lakes and trails
Mon: 5.5 (48.5 minutes) loop around horseshoe lake
weights and 5 min abs
Tue: 8 2.5 wm (incl. 4 strides) 3.75 x 3 min (I had to stop the last one because my left hammy was twinging badly) w/ 2-3 min recov on bark chip trails, 3 mile cd
3.75 with holly
Wed: 5 (46) out to middle of horseshoe lake and back. easy
Thu: DNR
weights and 5 min abs
Fri: 6.5 2.25 wm, 2.5 cd, 4 strides, 90 sec on/off x 4
2.75 on treadmill and 3 min abs
Sat: 4

Total: 45

Log: Nov 5 - 11 2006

Sun: 10.5 (93:--)
Mon: DNR
Weights and 5 min abs
Tue: 10 3 mile wm, 4 strides, 4 x Adams State miles (up, down, up, down : 7:14, 6:36, 7:28, 6:53) on Stanford Ave. with 3-4 minutes recovery. 2 mile cool down.
3.5 (26:53) 2 laps around complex
3 min abs
Wed: 5 miles around RWC high school track with Holly
Thu: DNR
Weights and 5 min abs
Fri: 6.5 to stanford track and back, 2 strides, hamstring hurt a bit
moved, up and down two flights of stairs with stuff for 2+ hours
Sat: 7 3 wm, 1.75 cd, 3x3 min at 5k pace, 3 min at tempo from mission blvd. to a little past sequoia bridge.

Total: 42.5

Log: Oct 29 - Nov 4 2006

Sun: 10.5 (92:16) Around Stanford on trails I could find.
Mon: 7 (~57) Edgewood with Max
weights and 5 min abs.
Tue: 9 Sawyer Camp, 2 mile wm/cd, 4 strides, 4x1 mile back and forth between mile marker 2 and 1. 3-4 min recovery, (6:43, 6:51, 6:42, 6:53). Yes, the slight downhill efforts were slower than the uphill efforts. Need to work on downhills more.
3 (27 mins) and 3 min abs
Wed: 6 (50:19) around Stanford with David
Thu: 6 2 wm, 1.75 cd, 6x400 at 90 pace on treadmill with 200 recov.
Fri: 4 (~37)
Sat: 8.5 Fleet Feet Sac race, 2 wm, 2.5+ cd, 4 strides, pulled my left hammy jumping at the starting line, 25:26 for 6km race

Total: 54

Log: Oct 22 - 28 2006

Sun: 11 (93:46) out on Alameda de las Pulgas and Ferndale in RWC and back, felt good, evening run
Mon: 6 (52:12) Stanford Lake Loop, stiff from last night, really foggy weather
weights and 5 min abs
Tue: 7.5 2.25 wm, 4 strides, 4x800 at 3k pace w/ 1 lap recovery (3:09, 3:08, 3:08, 3:05), 2 mile cd, those were hard. Reminder: PAHS track is cold!
3.5 (29:24) two laps around complex with Josh and Mike
Wed: 7.5 (67:36) Rancho San Antonio, valley loop, DARK (new moon), 6am start.
3 mins abs
Thu: 6 (49:21) Stanford Lake Loop, evening run.
weights and 5 min abs
Fri: 4.25 4 EASY miles around complex at lunch, 4 strides
Sat: 9.25 Tamalpa 4.25 mile race (30:58), 4 strides, 20 min wm, 30 min cd

Total: 55

Log: Oct 15 - 21 2006

Sun: 11 (90 minutes) City to Sea
Mon: 5.5 (44:41) Golf Course Loop in LO
Tue: 8 cool weather, felt really hard to run today, lungs at capacity, 3.5 wm, 3 strides, PAHS 6x400 w/ 200 recov (execpt the last one, 400 reovery before that) (91, 88, 91, 91, 91, 89) 2 cd
Wed: DNR weights and 5 min abs
Thu: 6, 3 to Stanford, 4 strides, got kicked off the track (I wish they would post when the track is closed. grr), 4 strides on the barkchip trails. 2 miles home.
3 on treadmill, 3 min abs
Fri: 4 around work complex
Sat: 7.75 2.5 wm, 2.25 cd, 5k Shoreline race (20:53)

Total: 45.25

Log: Oct 8 - 14 2006

Sun: 13.25 (2 hours) on Alpine Rd.
Mon: 3.5 (32+) Stanford 3.5 loop
weights and 5 min abs
1.65 on treadmill, knee hurt so I rode
16 mins on the bike
Tue: 11 20 min wm, 4 strides, 8 x 1k at 10k effort on the bark chip trails at Stanford, 2 minutes recovery, roughly (4:27, 4:35, 4:23, 4:22, 4:29, 4:28, 4:21, 4:10), 17 min cooldown
Wed: 7.75 (65:36), last two miles was 15:38, first two was 18:03.
3.5 29 minutes on treadmill
5 min abs
Thu: 7 warmup to/from Stanford track 8 x 100 strides, jog the turns
weights and 3 mins abs
50 minutes of spinning class
Fri: 4 on treadmill, 3 mins abs, stretched
Sat: 8.25 3.25 wm, 4 strides, 8 x 300m hills (10 minutes) 2.25 cool down

Total: 60

Log: Oct 1 - 7 2006

Sun: 14 Ran for 2 hours around Fremont trails
Mon: 3.5 treadmill
weights, 5 min abs.
3.5 Stanford loop 28:??
Tue: 10.25, 2.5 warmup, 4 strides, 4x 7 min on Stanford bark trails at 10k pace, 3 minutes recovery, 2 mile cooldown
Wed: DNR, cuz I suck and it was dark and wet.
Thu: 8, 2.5 wm, 8 x 1:30 at 3k effort with 1 minute recovery 2 mile cd
weights, 5 min abs.
3.5 one loop around complex, rest on treadmill
Fri: DNR, cuz I suck.
Sat: 9.75, 2.75 wm, 3.5 cd, 2 strides, Presidio Race 3.55 miles, the hills kicked my butt, but I ran 1 second faster than last year and felt terrible.

Total: 52.5

Log: Sept 24 - 30 2006

Sun: 13 (119:5?) Ran in wee hours of the morning to Corte Madera and Alpine and back.
Mon: 7 (58:46) To first bridge on Stanford Ave and back. Last two miles were 15:40. Last mile was 7:35.
Tue: 9.25 (24:50) Dish Loop Tempo (hard), 3 mile wm/cd
3.5 (31) On treadmill, started at 9+/mile, finished at 8:30s
Wed: 7.75 (68:59) Big Stanford Loop, really tired from yesterday. Saw David and ran with him for a couple miles. owwie.
Thu: 6.75 I think I ran to/from Stanford track and did 4 strides.
Fri: 4
Sat: 7 Garrin Park race 2 miles wm and cd, 5k race (21:51)

Total: 58.25

Results: 2006 Bananaman Chase

Well, that was the fastest I've run for the first mile of a race in a LONG time. Unfortunately, my pace was that much slower the last two miles. The course was slightly different (we essentially ran it backwards). I beat my time from last year by about 50 seconds. The official time had me at 20:17, which is 6:31 pace. My splits were about (6:09, 12:56[6:47], 19:40[6:44]). I didn't feel like I slowed down, but more people passed me than I passed. Of course, the first mile was all downhill... so that could have something to do with it. I was 61st female, 200th overall, 11th in my age group. I was a little bummed that I didn't break 20, but the race was at the end of a hard and high-mileage week. Next year, I guess. Or, maybe I'll run awesomely at Shoreline on Oct 21st. That is my taper week. =)

Morning Weight: 140
Miles Today: 12.75
Other Exercise: 3 minutes abs
Total Miles this Week: 32.75

Log: Sept 17 - 23 2006

Sun: 7 Bananaman Chase 5k, 2.5 wm, 1.5 cd, 4 strides, my time: 20:15 (6:09,12:56[6:45],19:40[6:44]) official time: 20:17
Mon: 11 (96:??) Explored Woodside Hills, Weights. 5min abs
Tues: 7 Warmup/cooldown to/from Stanford track, 4 strides, 6x300 w/ 200 recovery w/ Dave (60, 60, 61, 62, 62, 61)
Weds: 6 (53:30) Lake Loop
Thur: 7 (61:??) Out on ECR and Stanford Ave and back. Turned around at 31 minutes. left hammy still twingeing. Weights. 5min abs
3.5 (31:30) lunch run with Mike out on dirt trail a bit and back.
Fri: DNR
Sat: 7 2.5 wm/2.25 cd 3x5 min w/ 1 min rest, out on Junipero Serra

Total: 48.5

Log: Sept 10 - 16 2006

I'm going to try to (re)start my running log on here. No food intake. Just athletic endeavors.

Sun:13.25 (120:00) Up to a little past Home rd and Old La Honda rd and back. walked the last quarter mile. Achilles twinged.
Mon:7 ran (limped) in morning for 9 minutes. Went on the elliptical for 50 minutes in the evening. It said I "ran" 7 miles, but my heart rate was around 140 the whole time. level 9, 160+spm (strides per minute) Weights. 4 mins abs.
Tues:9 Warmed up to/from Stanford track long way, 4 strides 11x200 w/ 200 recovery (41,43,43,42,42,41,41,41,40,41,40)
Weds: 7.75 (66:02) Stanford Ave Loop
Thur: 7.75 Ran to/from Stanford track long way, 8 stride the straights/jog the turns. Ran from Chevron after dropping off my car. Weights. 5 mins abs.
.75 Ran to Chevron to pick up car.
Fri: 7 (58:36) out on Sand Hill and back. Almost to parking area on other side of 280. WINDY going out. Turned around at 31:15
4 tried my second run outside (.25 miles), but achilles hurt a bit. Used elliptical for 30 minutes instead. Level 10. 160+spm (strides per minute)
Sat: 4 (??) to Campus Loop turnaround, 1 stride, left hamstring hurt.

Total: 60.5

Results: 2006 Golden Gate

Stream of consciousness:

59th. An improvement of 22 places. 28:42. An improvement of 1:50 from last year's race and 0:47 from Regionals. So yay! I achieved my goals! I don't have any splits except for the 3 mile, which I ran through in about 21:12. Four miles is LONG, but I'm getting better at it. I had a side stitch in the middle of the race that fortunately disappeared. I wonder if I drank too much water beforehand.

Next week is the Bananaman Chase 5k. I'm going to try to break 20 minutes. Last year I ran 21:05. I want to run 60 miles next week as well, so I may just end up in the low 20s. I'll be training through the races, so I can peak at Nationals and do better than 9th from last.

Morning Weight: 137
Miles Today: 12.5
Other Exercise: Walked around Downtown Menlo
Total Miles this Week: 55.5

First XC race of the 2006 season

Tomorrow I run the 2006 Golden Gate Open. My time last year for the race was 30:32 and my best time (at the championships last year) was 29:29. My goal is to improve my best time. I'm feeling the fittest I've been since being out of school, and it is great. I've been lifting 1-2 times a week and this is the least I've weighed since college. This course can be tricky, but it is two loops of grass and dirt and I'm pretty sure I understand it after running it 3 times. I plan to run the second loop stronger than the first. Right now, I'm debating on whether to use my waffles or my spikes, so I'll probably bring both tomorrow and decide on my warmup. Ready... Race!

Morning Weight: 137.5
Miles Today: 4
Other Exercise: None
Total Miles this Week: 43

Scraping the seconds (not the lunch plate)

David and I did the dish loop again yesterday. Our goal was to run with a good effort. That meant little talking. We both felt fairly stiff and our muscles were tired before we started, so we knew it was going to hurt and probably not result in a superior time. At least, we hoped, it would be better than the 28+ minutes it took us last week. We leapt from the start, and the up-hills did NOT feel good. My glutes were not happy. My lungs suffered because I was still slightly dehydrated from not drinking enough water on the weekend. BUT, we ran a decent time: 26:42 and only 8 seconds off the record.

Holly and I have a goal for the next two weeks. We are going to be VERY good. I'm trying to lose 2 lbs/week before I head off to running camp (and no scale) on Sept. 1st. On Monday, I weighed (a dehydrated) 136.5, and I think that I'm hydrated now, so that means I should aim for 135 by Friday morning of next week. My calorie intake goal is 2000/day and my exercise goal is to average 1000 calories burned. So far, I've managed the latter, but I've been struggling with the food. I need to take a tip from Holly and eat more fruit. At least I've been under 2500 per day, so that is a start. We'll see how hungry I get today. Tea, fruit and veggies are my friends.

Morning Weight: 138
Miles Today: 6
Other Exercise: Bike to/from work
Total Miles this Week: 30

Time Goals: 3/3!

Yay! My triathlon a week ago was a success! I beat my goal of 90 minutes by over 2.5 minutes! The official time was 1:27:25. I had my mom as my lap counter (I had to swim 18 of them) and she handed me my watch when I got out of the pool. It took me a while to heave myself over the large wall, but when I was upright and jogging to the transition area, I looked at my watch and it said 15:26. I'm thinking I swam around 15:20. Not bad for a non-flipturn swim. I didn't do any warmup laps before I went, so the first 5 laps consisted of a lot of adrenaline and breathing strokes. I can definitely see how an open water swim could be overwhelming.

The transition was smooth. I had my towel folded so I could stand on it and wipe my feet as I put on my helmet, sunglasses, shorts and racing flats. Putting on my shoes took the longest amount of time, because I didn't want to have to re-tie them or have them be uncomfortable for 15 miles of bike riding and 3 miles of running. I did a great job in that respect. I didn't even feel the shoes. I was worried that I'd make the shoes soggy and heavy because I was still dripping water everywhere, but I think it all soaked into the bike seat. Off I went out of the transition area! I had placed my livestrong band on my cateye speedometer, and when I went to start the clock on the cateye, I knocked the band and it fell onto the street. Poop. I didn't want to wear it swimming because of the drag. Oh well. I had been dreading the biking portion of this thing since I learning about triathlons, and surprisingly, it was my favorite part of the race! Since I started at about 7:20 am, there was still cloud-cover and it was cool out. I sped up and down those rolling hills! A few people passed me, but I passed several people as well. If I had remembered to stop my cateye, it would have said I averaged about 19mph with a top speed of something in the low-30s. I was moving on the flats at 22mph. Wow. I certainly did much better on the bike than I predicted, finishing that portion in under 50 minutes (probably around 48).

I think I probably had the fastest bike-to-run transition of the day. I unbuckled my helmet as I set my bike on the rack and took off my sunglasses and helmet. As soon as I placed my helmet on the towel, I was off and putting my sunglasses on as I ran through the transition area. Whee! When I was setting up my bike and arranging my stuff that morning, I looked at the way a few others had placed their bikes. Some had the seats resting on the bar, others had the brakes over the bar. I tried both ways and thought about how I'd be rushing. I think I tried about 4 different setups before I felt good about which rack and where on the rack and which side of the rack I put my stuff on and which way my bike hung. In the end, I was on the far end of rack 3 with my bike hanging from the seat, so I could go straight toward the exit without having to back it up or turn anything around or worry about people in the way.

When I left the transition area for the run, my watch said 1:06:10, so I figured I had about 24 minutes to run a 5k and to reach my goal. I knew I could do that, but it would be difficult because my legs felt like jelly. It took me only 21:15 to get from that point to the finish line. I think that the start of the 5k was at the finish of the bike instead of at the other end of the transition area (where I looked at my watch) because I didn't run THAT fast. My first 1/3 of a mile was great. Then, I got a painful side stitch and it miraculously disappeared after the first water station. I don't remember my legs bothering me after that.

Those three miles went by fast, and so did the people I passed. It was so strange to be running a race and passing people as if they were standing still. And these were fit-looking people too. It boggled my mind and made me a little unfocused. That was something I didn't expect. I expected the run to have people I could key off of and try hard to run down. It was definitely different than a cross country race where everyone starts at the same time.

I flew by these guys sitting and smoking outside a bar or something, and one yells, "I hope you twist your fucking ankle!" I was having so much fun, my response was a thumbs-up. Fortunately no-one else on the road had that sort of attitude. The race had volunteers every so often cheering us on. Some people had set out lawn chairs at the ends of their driveways and were cheering. Coming up to the first water station on the bike portion, I read cardboard signs saying that I was leaving the USA and heading to Mexico. Right before the water/gatorate, there was a huge line drawn in chalk across the road that had "USA" on one side and "Mexico" on the other. There were welcome signs and colorfully dressed people. About a quarter mile after the station, there was a sign that said, "Don't Drink the Water!" I laughed. On the run, we went over the railroad and back under it. The Southern Pacific had stopped on the bridge as I went under it and the conductor was out on the tracks leaning over the wall of the bridge and cheering. People had hoses and squirt guns ready to cool the runners down. There were chalk markings on the sidewalk like mini versions of the Tour de France chalk on the mountain stages, encouraging runners up Johnson Street. I had such a blast.

I couldn't have done this alone. My mom lent me her bike and numerous people gave me advice and their training time. I would like to thank the following people for helping me to achieve this goal: Holly, David, Tim, Mike, Mom, Frank, Doug, Marny, and Dad.

Morning Weight: 140
Miles Today: 10+
Other Exercise: Walked to the store and around Shoreline
Total Miles this Week: 10

Where did that come from? 1600 Time-Trial

So, I decided that driving to Davis and paying $20+ for a mile race plus $20+ for gas was a silly idea, especially when I'd be giving up my socializing all Sunday (the Tour and the World Cup were on). Instead, I saved 50 bucks and 4 hours of my time by, warming up to my local track, doing a few strides, changing into spikes and running 1600m in 5:41.1 (hand-timed ;} ). What the!?! Wow! Splits were 85, 2:49(84), 4:15(86), 5:41(86). That hurt my lungs. All this biking has really made my legs stronger and my turn-over quicker.

Unfortunately, My weight was 141 Sunday morning, so my weight goal wasn't realized, and I have a feeling that my triathlon weight goal of hitting <136 is unattainable now, but I'm still going to try to break 90 minutes. I want to break 16 in the swim, 52 in the bike and 22 in the run. That leaves no time for transitions, so I have to better all my goals and practice the transitions, so I can get the transitions under a total of 2 minutes. This is going to be very difficult. Wish me luck!

Morning Weight: 143
Miles Today: Day Off
Other Exercise: Biking and Swimming
Total Miles this Week: 5.5

One goal down, 2.5 to go

Woohoo! The Pozo 5k was today and Joe made me "Beer Gal". I've always aspired to be Beer Gal and have been a teeny jealous of the other beer gals at that race in the past. For those who don't know the Pozo 5k tradition, the women who beat the Beer Gal or men the Beer Guy, get a free beer. Talk about pressure. But I prevailed. 5 ladies beat me and two were under 21. I ran my fastest time for a 5k since college, 20:11. That is 6:30 pace! My splits were 6:24 and 13:10(oops,6:46), and the last 1.1 came out to 6:22 pace. Third in my age group. Cool.

Next goal: Break 6 minutes in the Davis mile. (and be about 138.5 lbs.)

Morning Weight: 140.25
Miles Today: 7
Other Exercise: Kayaking to the fireworks
Total Miles this Week: 20

It's been about a year of blogging

This morning I took my heart rate for the second time in about a year. It was 46. Awesome! I'd love it if I could remember to do that every morning, so I could determine if I need to rest and load up on Vitamin C for fighting something that doesn't have any other symptoms yet besides an elevated heart rate.

Looking through the past year of posts, I watched my weight go down and back up, my speed follow the same path, and my confidence steadily increase. I'm glad that my weight is 10 pounds less than a year ago today, my resting heart rate is 5bpm lower, and I'm running faster. That is encouraging. It also reminds me that I haven't reached my goals. I still have about 12 pounds to go to hit 130, a couple minutes to slice off my 5k time, and I have yet to run a track season or in the Bay to Breakers Centipede yet. In the next year, I'm setting out to accomplish these goals. I'd love to run a steeplechase race again and be fast enough that I'm routinely in the top 33% of elite races. But, one baby step at a time. My most immediate goals are to break 21 at the Pozo 5k on the 4th of July (I'd really like to break 20, but Pozo is usually slower for me for some reason), break 6 minutes at the Davis Mile race, and break 90 minutes at the SLO Triathlon where I'll be ~136lbs.

Morning Weight: 140.5
Miles Today: 7.5
Other Exercise: Bike from work, swim 1800yrds
Total Miles this Week: 30

Oops, I did it again

So Dave and I ran the dish loop again, and we talked pretty much the whole way while maintaining a tempo pace and not pushing overly hard. I was less sore this week than last and my hill strength and speed has improved dramatically. I am slightly sore from running downhill in Rancho San Antonio on Sunday, but it didn't affect the uphills at all and that is where you get your most speed improvements. Anyway, we ran another new record, and we weren't even trying to! Sweet! 26:34. My goal of breaking 26 is looking very attainable now. Maybe we can even break 25 by the end of August, but we'll see.

Morning Weight: 141.5
Miles Today: 6.5
Other Exercise: Spinning Class (moderate), swimming workout 1800yrds
Total Miles this Week: 22.5

And I thought 35 minutes was a lofty goal

Considering that I had run 7:18s for a 10k 4 weeks ago, and the fact that I hadn't run a 5k under 7s yet this year, I figured that breaking 35 minutes in an 8k was a long shot. I thought it was going to be the toughest race so far in 2006. I had no idea how to run an 8k, so I went out fairly conservatively the first mile. When I looked at my watch, it said 6:51! I said to myself, "If you want to continue to break 7s you are going to have to pick it up, because you know the 2nd mile is always slower than the first." So, I increased my pace and went through the 2nd mile in 13:35! Whoa! A few more miles and a 20:25 and 27:14 later, I was on track to break 34, not 35. I don't know where any of this sudden return of speed came from, or where it went between November and June for that matter. I was so relieved at mile 4, since I had to run a 7:45 or better to achieve my goal, that I let up a little and a few people passed me. A little voice in my head said, "If you really push it, you can break 34..." and I returned, "Maybe, but it will hurt a lot and I already made my goal... so nah, I'll pass, but keep running strong and stay with the ladies in front of me." After a little less than a half mile, my body and mind realized that we didn't have much farther to go and picked it up a little. There was a "400 meters to go" sign and upon seeing that in the distance, I let my turnover and push-off increase. Looking at my watch a bit after the sign, I calculated that I would have to run a 94 to break 34 minutes, which seemed like a hard thing to do, but I decided to try anyway. At the 100m mark, I looked at the finish-line clock, and I had 30 more seconds! "Oh! I guess I'm going to beat my goal time by more than a minute!," I said in my head. Pushing the last bit, I finished in 33:52 (33:50 by my watch). I am so proud of myself.

Morning Weight: 142
Miles Today: 6
Other Exercise: biking to work
Total Miles this Week: 16

New Dish Loop Record

Yesterday David and I ran the Dish Loop as fast as I could again. We broke the time from before by 51 seconds, coming through at 26:56. My hammy's were tight for some reason, but we kicked our previous butts, so YAY! My goal for the summer is to be able to break 26. Then, at lunch I did a spinning workout. I'm hoping all this cross training I'm doing will reflect in my race this weekend. My goal is to break 35 minutes for the 8k (or faster than 7 min/miles). The weather is supposed to be an almost record high in Sacramento though, so it may be too hot to run fast, but we'll see. I'm going to take it easy the next two days, with doing some quick strides tomorrow on my run with an easy lunch spin session (maybe), and only running 3-4 miles on Friday and no cross-training.

Morning Weight: 143.25
Miles Today: 5.5
Other Exercise: Commuting to/from work on bike, swimming 900yrds
Total Miles this Week: 28.25

Food and Weight Logs

I've gone outside the blog world and signed up for a couple of sites that work better at tracking what and how much I eat each day, and that chart my weight. The links are now in the Linkspeed section on the right. Enjoy! Holly pointed me to them. Thanks Holly!

Morning Weight: 142.5
Miles Today: 6.75
Other Exercise: Spinning Class
Total Miles this Week: 23.5

8 x 400 cutdowns

On Saturday, I ran to the middle school track in Los Osos and was going to run 2x(4x440 )at 3k pace with 220 recovery and a lap jog between sets. After the first one in 99, I decided that 3k effort would be a better way to go because the track is eroded and the grass is growing into lane 1, so it ends up being a fairly sandy > 1/4 mile. Anyway, I guess I got used to being on a track again, because these were my times: (99,97,98,96,96,95,93,88). Whee! What's that, a 12:45 or so 2 mile?

After breakfast, I rode 40k into SLO on LOVR and back on 1. That's 25 miles and I averaged 27kph. Note to self: change CatEye to MILES next time you ride Mom's bike.

Morning Weight: 144.5
Miles Today: 10.5
Other Exercise: Spinning class at gym, 1 hour
Total Miles this Week: 10.5

Cross Training Galore

I've been cycling about 5x per week, running 6x, and swimming 1 (hopefully 3x in the future), and I feel really strong and energized. It's awesome... and totally weird. I work out 2-3 times a day, but my easy runs don't feel like a chore and I don't waddle around the office from soreness and achey legs. Instead of doing 3 running workouts a week, I'm doing 2 running and 1 biking. Maybe my energy can be attributed to running workouts that aren't as strenuous. My last two workouts were 4x5min fartlek with 2-5min rest at easy day pace today, and a 1600m time trial on Saturday. I'm mad at myself concerning the time trial. It was 6:07. Grrrcicle. (88,92,95,92) And the weird part was my lungs were the threshold and not my legs. I'm doing a mile road race in a month and my goal is to break 6 minutes. Hopefully by then, I'll have broken 140lbs. as well.

My food goal is to eat only when I'm hungry the next 4 days. I think I'm doing well so far. I'm glad I have plenty of snacks at my desk like apple rings and rice cakes. mmmm!

Morning Weight: 145.5
Miles Today: 7.5
Other Exercise: Lift Weights/Abs
Total Miles this Week: 22.5 running, 30 biking, .5 swimming

2006 Marin 10k and first fast Dish Loop

David made me do a tempo dish loop Tuesday. Talk about a confidence booster. We were chatting a lot of the way and still finished in 27:47. My goal is to break 26 by the end of the summer.

My first 10k race in my life was today. 45:17 by my watch, 45:21 by the race's. The start was slow. I think half the people didn't know they were doing the start. Some of those people were on the front line. Oh well. I started my watch when I crossed the line. My first mile was at 7:04, then 14:36 (7:32), 21:58 (7:22), (5k at 22:46), 29:12 (7:14), 36:39 (7:27), 43:53(7:14), (2nd 5k at 22:31). Yay for negative splits! I passed many people on the way to the finish after the 5k mark. Of anything, I'm proud of that. Considering that my best 5k time this year is 21:55, I think I did well. My goal that I didn't think I'd get was to go under 45, but I came pretty close, so I'm relatively happy about that. I don't think I want to race 10k again any time soon though. Ew and ouch. I'm going back to 5ks.

I lost a bunch of weight when I went to King's Canyon National Park with my parents. Hiking takes my mind off of food and keeps me entertained, so I don't eat so much.

Morning Weight: 145.5
Miles Today: 9.25
Other Exercise: None
Total Miles this Week: 12.25

On my own for a bit it seems

My coach didn't give me any new workouts for this period of time, so I took a little time off of workouts last week, focused on cross-training, and started again on Saturday. Saturday, I ran a 30 min warmup and 8x90 seconds at about 3k effort or harder with 90 seconds rest. I was dead on the last repeat. Then, I ran 12x200 cutdowns on Monday with 200 rest. (44,48,47?,46?,44,43,43,43,38,39,38,37) With trainers and no spikes. I'm glad I can go under 40, but I feel luke warm about the results. I was going HARD and they are still above 35. Blah.

Since it feels like summer now, I've gone into summer training mode. I just want to get myself ready for cross country season, which means getting to my racing weight, doing a lot of cross-training of swimming and biking (and saving gas along the way). I've biked to work Tues, Weds, and today so far this week. Wheee!

Morning Weight: 149.5
Miles Today: none
Other Exercise: Biked to and from work (15 miles)
Total Miles this Week: 27

Two races and an in/out workout

Not-so Zippy 5k, 6 x in/outs, and SLOW Run for the Future 5k. Both 5ks were on Sundays. I ran the Zippy in 21:55. Mile splits were approximately 6:49, 7:26 (14:15), and about 7. The 5k-pace part of the in/outs (21:34) were: 95,99,101,100,99?,98? Humph. That HURT. So this last week was a trial on all the things I shouldn't do a week before a race. 1) Wake up with the sun so I don't get my full 8+ hours any of the nights in the week except maybe Fri and Sat. 2) Forget to drink water 3) Drive to LA Weds/Thurs and back Fri. 4) Party on Thurs and get dehydrated. 5) Ride a motorcycle 45 miles on Sat.

Yeah. So I ran 22:10ish. I don't have the official results yet. I am sore today and it is probably from a combination of riding the motorcycle and running.

I really really need some speed. I also really really need to lose weight. Heavy legs are not fast legs.

Goal: 136 or lower by the time I do the SLO Triathlon this year. (July 23) That is 12 weeks away which is one pound a week.
Goal this week: Sleep 8+ hours a night starting tonight. (last night was ~3)


Morning Weight: 147
Miles Today: 12
Other Exercise: None
Total Miles this Week: 19.5

Workouts for 4/12 and 4/15

Last Wednesday, I ran 3 x 1600 in 6:46, 6:37 and 6:39, with 800 jog between each. Wore trainers. Warmed up 3 miles, 4 strides, 6 diagonals with spikes, 4 x 200 after the 1600s (--, 43, 43, 42)

Saturday, I was in my hometown and ran the first two miles of the 4-mile race there, backwards. The first mile was at tempo pace in 7:38 and the second was 7:11 at 10k pace. Total: 14:49

Today was 6 x in/outs which is a 400 at 5k pace and another 400 at faster than easy pace (about 15-20 seconds slower than 5k per lap), no rest between each in/out. My 5k laps were at 98, 97, 99, 97, 99, 97 and the total was 21:32 (for 3 miles). I thought that was pretty sweet.

Morning Weight: 148.5 (yesterday)
Miles Today: 10.5
Other Exercise: brick workout with ~45 min. on the bike
Total Miles this Week: 36.5

Two more Pretty Good Workouts

So, that last workout left me tired until Thursday/Friday. The following are the results from my two workouts last week...

Wednesday: Stanford Track inner lane. 3 mile wm, 4 strides, 6 long accelerations (it was dark and raining and the inside of the track was muddy, so I did them on the track instead of on the infield.), 4x800 at 3k pace w/ 400 recovery (w/ spikes) Puddles galore on the track surface. (3:05, 3:07, 3:08, 3:04), w/ David. 2.5 mile cool down.

Saturday: Palo Alto HS, 3.5 mile wm, 4 strides, 6 long accelerations (on the track, the infield was muddy, ew.), 3 sets of 4x400, 100 jog between 400s, 500 jog between sets. Last 400 in a set was at 5k pace, the rest were at 10k. (102,102,100,94, 104,100,101,95, 102,101,101,95), 2 mile cool down.

Morning Weight: 151 (after bowl of cereal)
Miles Today: 10 miles
Other Exercise:none
Total Miles this Week:10 miles

Good hard workout. Finally

I finally had a long, hard workout that I finished. On Saturday. Yay! It was 3.25 mile wm, 4 strides, 6 diagonals, 4x1600 @ 10k pace (6:58,7:01,6:59,6:48) w/ 400 jog between each and 800 jog after the last one, 4x200 w/ 200 jog (43,44,44,43), 2 mile cd. Yay! I was totally wasted after that. I still feel dead today. (But in the Tri class, we did a bike workout and a running workout, so..... it could be a combo of both.) Oh yeah. I've been taking a triathlon class at the gym and it is pretty fun. Monday/Wednesday at lunch (11:30-1). Today we did a bike workout w/ 5 minute intervals of different stuff (sprinting, hill climbing, etc), and then we ran on the treadmill w/ 4x(10 minutes on and 2 minutes walking) increasing pace or incline during the time chunk. I didn't go fast. I stayed right around 8 min/mile pace for the running. Still, I'm totally pooped.

Morning Weight: 151
Miles Today: 6.75
Other Exercise: spinning for 30 minutes
Total Miles this Week: 6.75

Log for half week of 3/15-3/18

Wednesday: 148.5
9 miles: 3 mile wm, 4 strides, 8 diagonals, 6xin/outs (5k/MP), Palo Alto HS track.(6:5?, 7:14, 7:16) (14:30 for last 8 laps), 2 mile cool down.

2 miles: 10 minute wm on treadmill, spin workout for about an hour or so (OUCHIE) I was making it rain on the ground. ew. Then we got to run (yay!) on the treadmill for about 10 more minutes, slowly increasing speed. I was doing sub-8 pace at the end and feeling good. I was suprised that my legs un-jellofied pretty quickly. Talk about a confidence booster!

oatmeal w/ cranberries and brown sugar[200], 2 egg whites[50], fresh pineapple[100], mocha[50], 2 hershey nuggets[150], salad[150], corn chowder[250], veggie strombolli[300], TJ choc. square[70], egg salad sandwich[400], yogurt[150], tortilla[110] = [1980]

Thursday: 147
7 miles: out on Junipero Serra for an hour, slowly.

PDI breakfast[350], banana[100], mazing bar and TJ square[150], M&Ms [100], soup, salad and veggies w/ rice [500], PDI cookies [300], ...= [1500]

Wow. I couldn't even finish a half week. Being stressed at work stinks. I won't stop trying to eat right!

Log for week of 3/5-3/11

Sunday: 149 (Parents')
Hiked up Bishop's Peak

Carlock's Bavarian Cream Donut [500], 3 big strawberries [50], a few chocolate chips and M&Ms [50], 4 homemade buttermilk pancakes (w/ choc. chips) [500], 1/3 of large Round Table Chicken Garlic Supreme [800?], Negra Modelo [150], choc. chips and M&Ms [300] = [2350]

Monday: 150.5
stiff from hike
7 miles - ran to Stanford track far side (27 mins) 8 strides of jog the turns, stride the straights, ran home (28 mins), a few walking drills, step-ups on bleachers
3.5 miles - 2 slow laps around business complex ~32 minutes

Oatmeal w/ cranberries and brown sugar [200], fresh pineapple [100], 2 egg whites [50], mocha [50], fun size peanut M&Ms [100], salad [100], okra gumbo soup [100], brown rice and mu shu veggies [300], 1/2 egg salad sandwich on whole wheat [200], Dark chocolate square [70], Nature Valley choc. chip bar [120], fun size mazing bar [100], gatorade bar [250], bowl oatmeal [150], gardenburger patty [100] = [1990]

Tuesday: 150
sore in glutes, quads and hamstrings
7 miles - Raining. w/ David, up Dish loop and down the back side to the cow grate and back.

Oatmeal w/ cranberries and brown sugar [200], fresh pineapple [100], 2 egg whites [50], bagel with strawberry cream cheese [400], mocha [50], salad w/ pasta [200], cheese sandwich [300], 2 chocolate squares [140], 2 gatorade bars [500], some strawberries [50] = [1990]

Wednesday: 148
still stiff
9 miles: 3 miles warm up SLOW, 4 strides, 6 diagonals with spikes, 2x1600 (7:23,7:23) w/ trainers on inside lane of Stanford (I was supposed to do four at 10k pace, but I did the first one and it was really difficult and I got such a slow time, any my lungs were a little rumbly, so I decided to do one more only) w/ David, 400 recovery, 5 min after, 4x200 w/ 200 recov at 3k pace (43,45,44,44). Man I'm slow. Those were hard. 2 mile cool down.

Oatmeal w/ cranberries and brown sugar [200], baked omelet with spinach, matzo meal, and cheeses [150], mocha [50], maple yogurt [150], pastry thing [200], salad [150], 1/2 egg salad sandwich [250], 2 pieces olive cheese bread [300], 2 mazing crispy bars [150], chocolate square [70], carrot cake Clif Bar [240], strawberries [50]= [1960]

Thursday: 149.5
6 miles: ran around for ~53 minutes, slowly. sore and stiff.
1.75: 1 lap w/ Holly 16:26 windy!

Oatmeal w/ cranberries and brown sugar [200], fresh pineapple [100], 2 egg whites [50], mocha [50], 4 rice cakes [140], veggie lasagna [300], greek salad [100], bread [100], 2 PDI cookies [300], choc. square [70], cereal [200], some sugarly snackies [100], Clif Bar [250] = [1960]

Friday: 148
DNR

??????

Log for half week of 3/1-3/4

Ash Wednesday: 152.5
DNR: still gunk in my lungs

Oatmeal w/ dried cranberries and brown sugar [200], 2 hard-boiled egg whites [50], fresh pineapple [100], green tea, calcium pill, spinach and pasta salad [150], "Carrot and mushroom loaf with forest mushroom sauce and brown rice pilaf" [700], upside-down apple coffee cake [400], calcium pill, TJ's chocolate square [70], chocolate chip nature valley chewy granola bar [120], bowl of cheerios and cornflakes w/ milk [200], 2 liters water = [1990]

Thursday: 151.5
DNR: still gunk in my lungs

Oatmeal w/ dried cranberries and brown sugar [200], 2 hard-boiled egg whites [50], fresh pineapple [100], calcium pill, banana [100], salad [150], 1/2 veggie calzone [600], 2 PDI choc. chip cookies [400], calcium pill, peach wallaby organic yogurt (this stuff rocks! Usually I gag on the consistency of yogurt, and this is more liquidy) [130], stir fry from TJ's [270] = [2000]

Friday: 149.5
28 minutes of running. Ran for 1 minute. Had a hack attack with tears streaming down my face, and then tried cautiously running and felt fine! yay!
30 minutes of Yoga - easy, but I'll be sore tomorrow.

Oatmeal w/ dried cranberries and brown sugar [200], 2 hard-boiled egg whites [50], fresh pineapple [100], vanilla bean wallaby yogurt [140], macaroni and cheese [600], salad [50], mocha (nestle powder w/ 300 mg of calcium and coffee) [50], Nature Valley choc. chip chewy granola bar [120], calcium pill, pad thai [600] = [1910]

Saturday: 147.5 (Parents')
DNR: gunk

Choc. chip Gatorade Bar [250], 1/2 cup vanilla TJs yogurt [90], cheese sandwich [300], 1/2 a huge banana [70], nachos [250], 1/2 clam chowder in a bread bowl[ 500], red velvet cake [400], some choc. chips [40] = [1900]

Mardi Gras and Lent

Yep. It is that time of year again! Lent! I just ate a chocolate chip muffin to celebrate. Yes. I know. BAD. 40 days of being good to come, I swear! At the last minute, I have decided (finally) what I am giving up for Lent this year. I am giving up eating more than 2000 calories/day and I'm going to log it. By 'day' I mean from 12:00am to 11:59pm. Let the log begin! Wish me luck! Oh. I should probably mention that Sundays don't "count" as part of the 40 days, so it is either ~46 days or Sundays are "freebies", but I'll see how I feel on Sunday =)

Log for week of 2/19-2/25

Sunday: 148.5 (San Clemente)
12 miles: Ran with Katherine in Rancho Santa Fe, we started out fast and then I died on the hills. I was stiff to start out because of the hills and track workout yesterday and Katherine is in MUCH better shape. ugh. My butt hurts. I just couldn't hang on the hills. Pretty run and very peaceful. There were a ton of fast runners out there, wow! 98 minutes (which probably isn't 12 miles as I was probably running 9+ min/miles the last hour, but it felt like 20).

Gatorade Rain [150], Breakfast burrito [800], Endangered Species dark chocolate with raspberries (some of the best chocolate, yum! You can buy it at Whole Foods, but I found this in the Natural Section of Vons) [100], some bean chips and hummus [150], curry with rice [500], little penguin cabernet [150]

Monday:149.5 (San Clemente)
7 miles: Ran to middle school track along beach, 6 strides, back to apartment along El Camino

Rest of Gatorade [50], curry (for breakfast, I know)[200], Dreyers' chocolate chip cookie dough in a waffle cone [400], curry at a restaurant and pad thai [1000], non-fat decaf mocha [200], starbucks brownie [450]

Tuesday: 150.5
DNR sick.

Oatmeal with brown sugar [500], homemade noodle and veggie soup [600], chocolate [200]

Wednesday: forgot to weigh, I think
Jogged to track to meet Dave, probably 10 min miles (30 min wm), 2 strides, 1x800 at what felt like 5k pace but it wasn't =( (3:23)


==============
Well, I have been sick since that Monday. Didn't get any more log notes in and I don't really remember. I've been in a fog, but I'm feeling better. Unfortunately, it moved to my lungs and running has been a no-show. I tried during lunch today, but no luck. I'm going to try again tomorrow morning when my lungs are clearer.

Log for week of 2/12-2/18

Friday: 150.5 (149 after run)
9 miles: Stanford Dish Loop from house (80:54) saw David on the loop and ran with him for a bit.

BOM (Big 'ol Mocha) *lol* [200], cream of wheat with a truffle in it (yes, that was chocolate, yum! There wasn't any other good sugar around) [200], banana [100], curry lentils and veggies [300], salad [100], "cheesecake" w/ strawberry topping [200], TJ's chocolate square [70], fun-size crunch bar [100], fun-size mazing bar [100], gatorade bar [250], some scotch tastes (ick. puke.) [70], yogurt [140], cherrios and soy milk [200], oatmeal [200], cheese and pita chips [600], garden burger [350] = [3180]

Saturday: 154 before I left (at 4am), less (150 or so) when I got to San Clemente.
11.5 miles: 3.5 mile warmup, 5 strides, 4x1600 with about 500 jog because I had to run in lane 4 on the HS track. (7:11,7:03,6:59,6:46) 27 minute cool down uphill.

Went for an afternoon short hike to the top of the hills.

Nutri-Grain bar [140], crepe w/ potatoes, cheese, onions, and I don't remember but it was neat. [600?], Nature Valley soft granola bar [140], beans, rice, cheese and 3 corn tortillas [800?], margarita [250?] = [1950]

Urg. I fell apart.

Last week, I fell apart after Thursday. But, I weighed 148.5 on Monday. Probably a fluke though. This week my goal has been to not eat at my desk(s). I've been pretty successful so far, but I think it is just making me eat more in one sitting... Next week, I'll try a condensed version of my log. I'll put the foods in one line with commas, and I'll add to the same post throughout the week, republishing. I'm also going to try to drink at least 2 liters of water every day. In fact, I'll start tomorrow with the log.

Tonight for dinner I had spinach salad, cheerios w/ soy milk and 2 TJ's cookie dough frozen cookies.

Morning Weight: I don't remember. 152? 150? I forget.
Miles Today: None - it was cold outside and my bed was warm. It'll be colder tomorrow and I'm going to do the run I didn't do today... brr.
Other Exercise: None - went out to a birthday lunch.
Total Miles this Week: Urg. hold on... I'll add them up. 12+6+3+7.5+3+8.5+0=40 (planning to do 13 tomorrow and 10 on Sat.)

Thursday Log

9 miles: Stanford Dish Loop, 78:36, felt pretty good, a little hamstring tiredness, almost hit by a car... This was the closest I'd ever been to being hit. I was running on the right side of the road so I could cross and turn right at the end of the crosswalk. The street is two lanes in both directions. The green man says I can run across. One car sits at the red light in the closest lane, but the far lane is open. As I pass the stopped car, an SUV slows down for the light and stops in the far lane (California style). At this point I am right in front of the SUV. I hear the engine rev and I yell, "AAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Holy S#$%!" with my right arm out in a running-back pose and I swing wide. She slams on the breaks. If she hadn't stopped, I would have been a dent in her hood. Good thing I leave a "safety cushion" from cars when I run. Motorcyclists do that too. Stupid SUVs.

oatmeal w/ cranberries and brown sugar
2 hard-boiled egg whites
strawberries and pineapple
latte - decaf
chocolate frenzy (5 hershey nuggets, 2 fun-size peanut m&ms, 2 TJs squares)

The sugar frenzy just got worse from here...

Morning Weight: 151.5
Miles Today: 9
Other Exercise: None
Total Miles this Week: 47.5

Wednesday Log

10 miles: 30 min warm up, 4 strides, 5 x (3min on/off) on Junipero and Stanford Ave, 22 min cool down
3.5 miles: easy second run around complex w/ co-workers(29:39)

oatmeal with cranberries and brown sugar
Powerade w/ soda
mocha
pineapple and cantelope
earl grey tea
2 hard-boiled egg whites
salad w/ beans
chinese veggie soup
veggies and broth
chocolate TJ's square
bite-size milky way caramel
egg-salad sandwich
mocha
bite-size krackel bar
gatorade bar - chocolate chip
bread with cheese
cheerios w/ soy milk

Morning Weight: 151.5
Miles Today: 13.5
Other Exercise: None
Total Miles this Week: 38.5

Tuesday Log

7.5 miles in morning around Stanford w/ David ~61 minutes, up part of dish loop and around the back to Alpine.

Oatmeal w/ brown sugar and cranberries
fresh pineapple
2 hard-boiled egg whites
Nestle hot chocolate w/ decaf coffee
bagel w/ cream cheese
curried veggies, rice, cabbage salad and half a pita
bread pudding w/ sauce
tomato lettuce and cheese sandwich on whole wheat
fun size mazing bar
square dark TJ's chocolate
Gatorade bar
Pitas with roasted veggies, misc mediterranean toppings

Morning Weight: 151.5
Miles Today: 7.5
Other Exercise: Weights
Total Miles this Week: 25

Monday Log

7 miles. ~58 minutes. Loop through Stanford, stiff right hammy. Tried one stride and ended up doing some walking drills.

Oatmeal with brown sugar and dried cranberries
fresh pineapple
2 hard-boiled egg whites
nestle hot-chocolate w/ decaf coffee
Nature Valley chewy granola bar
salad
spaghetti with roasted veggies
fun size mazing bar
dark chocolate square (TJs)
maple yogurt
bowl cold cereal
pria mint chocolate bar
spinach salad
pasta
bread w/ cheese

Morning Weight: 151.5
Miles Today: 7
Other Exercise: None
Total Miles this Week: 17.5

Sunday Log

10.5 miles: 3 mile warm up to/around Palo Alto HS track, 5 strides, 4x1600 w/ 400 jog recovery (6:51,7:04,7:00,6:53), 2 mile cool down

Cherrios w/ soy milk
chips and 7-layer dip
fuzzy navel wine cooler
veggies
2 vodka/sprites
garden burger and bun
2 mint milano cookies
2 chocolate chunk cookies
Cherrios w/ soy milk

Morning Weight: 151.5
Miles Today: 10.5
Other Exercise: Super Bowl Cheering?
Total Miles this Week: 10.5

What a procrastinator - New Week Resolutions

Oh man, it took me forever to catch up to my blog. I'm really going to try to post more often. At the end of the season, I weighed about 145. I got my cast off right after Thanksgiving and proceeded to make the same mistakes I did last year by not waking up early in the morning to go on my runs. It was dark and cold and wet. My bed was warm and dry. That decision-- "I'll run later,"-- seems SO appealing in the morning when you are groggy. Unfortunately, it was still dark and cold and wet when I got home from work and when you are exhausted from working all day, it is just as appealing to have dinner and crash as it is to stay in bed in the morning. Thus, I only ran about 4 days a week in December and the beginning of January. I did run every day when I had time off work though the week after Christmas.

If I weigh myself now, I'm probably 152 or something. =( It is the end of the day... hold on... 154.5 OUCH. Poop.

So, I'm terrible at New Year's Resolutions. I didn't make any this year. On the other hand, I have been making "New Week's Resolutions." Today is the end of the second week. I'm having a great deal of success. A week is so much less daunting than a year. Two weeks ago, my resolution was to wake up every morning and go running. I accomplished that and I'm so proud of myself. I even barely made it to work before 9 almost every morning. (They serve breakfast until 9 at work and then take it away). Last week my resolution was non-athletic related, so I won't post it here, but I still woke up 4 out of 5 days, and my excuse for the morning I didn't run was that I was really sore the day before, not that it was cold and wet. It has helped that the sun is finally rising earlier, the rain is only falling in the afternoon, and the cloud-cover has warmed the mornings. But I digress.

Next week's resolution:
Keep a running/food journal. I will post what I eat, drink and run this next week, Sun-Sat. I'd better behave, huh?

Nationals 2005 Rochester

Rochester was beautiful at the end of November. The air was crisp; the trees were naked; all the leaves were sitting on the hard ground waiting to be crunched. It was awesome. Goals for the race: 1) Run a faster pace than PA's. 2) Don't get last. 3) Break 26 minutes. My co-workers thought that my second goal was stupid. "You're not going to get last." they said. That's what they thought. This is Nationals, not a fun run. My race was at 1pm which is the same as 10am my time. I didn't try to acclimate to the new timezone because most of my races for the season were around 10, so it was perfect to go to bed at 12:30am and wake up at 8:30am every morning. (We had been there since Thursday and the race was on Saturday.)

The 6k course was 2.5 loops of flat and a few rolling hills on grass, with some muddy parts. It cut across an asphalt trail 4 times each loop. Despite that, I decided to wear spikes... cross-country spikes. I think they were over 1/2" long. I had never worn long spikes for a cross-country race before... They turned out GREAT! That was an awesome decision. Running across the asphalt wasn't a problem as the spikes seems to sink right into it, and my grip on the soggy grass was excellent. I took turns without even worrying about slipping. Ahhhhhh.... Next year, I just need to remember to buy Asics spikes... I felt a little guilty about wearing Nike while representing Asics. Well, maybe that's why I finished so far back.... ;) Speaking of finishing, I met my goals. My time was 25:52, my pace was 6:56, and I finished 9th from last, beating 8 people. Heh.

Next season, nationals is at Golden Gate, which is the same course as PA's. (see previous post).

PA's/Regionals 2005

Wheeee! My goal for this meet was to break 30 minutes and hopefully beat my time from the beginning of the season by at least a minute. And my guesses in this post were untrue about the second log. But really, I was just going to run hard because I didn't know how much my cast was going to affect me. From the start to the finish, this was an elbow-licious race. I really tried not to hurt anybodies elbows with my hard cast, so my swing was in constant adjustment. I'm way too nice. I should have just cracked their elbows for getting too close.

Well, the cool thing was that I achieved both my goals! And, I beat a Nike Farm Team gal. Those ladies are elite and it is nice to know that I'm getting closer to that level. I ended up 124th, and I'd love to finish in the top 100 next year. We'll see how track season goes.