Don't get used to this...

3 posts back to back.
I am sore today. An easy 5 miler yesterday. But, I had planned on doing more (8) and decided against it because one of the errands I had run was getting waxed. Once I started to really sweat - it stung and I decided to cut my run short. SO, I decided to do some walking lunges. I did 3 sets - I don't know how many per set but I'd say I lunged for 30 or so yards each time. It burned and I figured it was a good way to up my intensity for cutting the rest short. Well, today I hurt. Obviously not enough strength training going on.
That's all. Just a quick update.
Happy running....

Let your hair down

Quick note about my run today. A quick 5 miles on a new trail. Fun but frankly too many people for my liking. But that's not the story. I had some errands to run over the hill this morning so I dropped the kids at school, ran my errands and then decided to try this path I've heard about. I parked, put my Garmin and iPod on. Found my 'running' sunglasses and took off. About a 100 yards out I realized 2 things.

1. My regular sunglasses were still on top of my head (while wearing my running glasses). I was too lazy to go back to the car and put them in there - I stashed them in a tree and grabbed them on my way back.
2. I forgot to put my hair up in a ponytail.

I always run with my hair back. Keeps it out of my face. And it grosses me out when it starts to stick to me. BUT, today, having it down changed my outlook. I still had my training gear - I needed to know how far/fast I was going...but having my hair down was reminiscent of running in high school. I didn't feel like I was training. I was just out for a run. I usually don't even feel like that if I leave the Garmin and all behind.

So, if you need to change your mind set and if you have long hair - give it a try. Can't hurt.

Happy running.

Jared & Kendall

Wedding, Remodel & Life

My oh my what a few months it's been.
I have about two and half weeks until my half marathon. I'm still not ready. But I will run it. Unfortunately, the friend who was going to run it with me, backed out. Totally sucks. But understandable as life does happen.
We've had some nice days and I've enjoyed getting out and running in them. My endurance is getting back up to where it should be - but sadly speed evades me. But, as I continue to train, that will come back. I had started a post a while back that never made it out onto blogland. Life happened here too. Or rather death. And I've spent weeks traveling to and from Sacramento taking care of stuff. There's still more stuff to be taken care of but the initial bulk has passed. In some ways it was good because I *needed* to run. But also, trying to fit them in was often difficult.
We're starting our remodel. Well, we have all of the plans finally finished and ready for permit submission. I have huge holes in my ceilings/walls where the contractor needed to do some exploratory demolition to see if the walls I want removed were load bearing. We're good to go. I can't wait to really get going on it. But it's still a few weeks out...permitting and all.
Oh, and did I mention my sister is getting married. That's in a week and half. So there's been all of those things too. Do most people have 3 showers and a bachelorette party these days? They've been a lot of fun but again, time consuming. But she got lucky, she's marrying a great guy who treats her like gold. He's the guy you want to marry your sister...your daughter...you...fill in the blank. She done good.
Baseball has started up too. We're now in Little League...not instructional...and it's a whole new world. Jared loves it. We spend hours out on Smith Field for practice, games and even some double headers.
We're heading to Tahoe for a week...between the wedding and the race...for some spring skiing. I'm hoping to get a few runs in up there and then when I get back maybe the 'altitude training' will give me an advantage on Sunday. Guess part of that depends how much I thrash my legs skiing. :)
And I've rambled but caught up on the basics...I have more to come...I need new running sunglasses...
But it's time to go pick up Jared from school.
Happy running....

Inconsistent

Just a quick check in. I had a track workout over the weekend. And although I was very happy that I made my times. I'm all over the place. I had a mile warmup, 2 x 400's w/200 recovery @ 2:02-2:08, 1 x 800 w/400 recovery @ 4:08-4:20, 2 x 400's w/200 recovery @ 2:02-2:08 and then warm down...as my goal.

My actual times...
400 @ 1:45 (um nothing like starting out too fast)
400 @ 2:01 (pretty much right on but hurting from last one)
800 @ 4:07 (again, nice but I was hurting at the end)
400 @ 1:46 (damn it!)
400 @ 2:04 (had I not blown up last lap....)

So I need to work on my consistency. But I am making my times - that's a good thing. And I'm finally making my runs without the dead leg feelings the next day. I'll be ready for April.

Also, I need to drink more water. And watch my nutrition levels. Too easy to not properly fuel. So those are my couple of current goals.

Happy running.

Muddy runs and more

So, I've been running. Not so much blogging about it but running nonetheless. Why is it that after having met the challenge the first time, every accomplishment no longer seems like a big deal?
Here's the deal. I was wrong. Flat out wrong. I wasn't in bad shape. I was going to the gym and farting around in there a few times a week. I was going for short runs a few times a week. Well, my ego took a bit of a hit when I realized a few weeks into training that I would NOT be ready to race this coming weekend. I actually decided this 2 weeks ago and fortunately, my friend who I was running with I think had been running less than me. But bottom line, going from three or four 30-40 minute cardio sessions (including running) each week to three goal oriented shorter runs and one longer run. Bottom line, if you're not pushing it, your not getting the benefits. I doubled my miles in a week, simply by adding a long run. Which I did OK. And I upped the intensity on the shorter runs (adding tempo, hills, track work). But after the first week of this, I was tired. My knee ached. It never does. And my legs felt like lead. The second week (I think when I made my last post) I was still tired but figured it was still the transition of upping the miles and I'd be fine soon. But I wasn't recovering run to run. I don't know how to explain how I felt, I just knew that my legs were weak. I was slower than normal. Achy. And exhausted. All the vitamins in the world didn't help. Then the next week, I was run down enough to catch the nasty cold bug circulating up here...that was the final straw. My body couldn't get to 1/2 marathon shape in a few weeks. My girlfriend & I sat down and picked another race - one that we can train the right way for. We are running the Artichoke Half Marathon in April. It was perfect timing. We were still 12 weeks out when we switched (now we're 10). I put together a more reasonable workout plan. And I know now that I'll be ready. My body is thanking me for it too. My legs have regained some spring. And the runs are a lot more fun - even the darn track workouts.
I'm focusing on trying to maintain a little bit faster of a speed. I'd really like to do this in 2:11. And I think it's a real possibility. So, for those of you (one of you) who wished me luck this weekend. I won't need it quite yet....but will in a few more weeks.
And just a note regarding the running. We've had some rain. Lots of rain actually. And the bluffs running along the ocean are all boggy and muddy. And it makes for such fun running. As long as you don't slip and fall in it. I've gotten in the habit of just leaving from my house and running out to the coastal trail but today I decided to drive to a spot to run through the bluffs. I'm so happy I did. I was a brown muddy mess by the time I got home but it was so much fun. And if we can't have fun doing this, then why bother right?
Anyway, lots of projects to do. Kids are fighting. I have to put the laptop down for a few minutes.
Happy running.

Committing

So, I haven't been around much. At all? No. I haven't posted in ages. But I have been around. I've dropped a comment a time or two on some of the blogs I regularly hit. But, seeing that I wasn't posting myself, I felt a bit like a lurker so kept my comments to a minimum. But I'm back. Well, that may be a bit of an overstatement. I'm going to start to blog again, but hopefully this time without my compulsive nature. It's not going to overwhelm me trying to think of things to put out here. I'm not going to obsess about the stat meter. Cause basically, I'm not a writer. I live a boring life. And I really don't have a ton to share that I really think others would care about. But I've decided (this is NOT a resolution - it was actually decided a few weeks back) to up my running again and seeing that I run by myself, the blog was my way of team training - having someone who knew what I was doing and who would hold me accountable. I miss the comradely that went along with it.
Now, I'm pretty sure I'm not still on anyone's bloglines and a doubt anyone bothers to check in here so I have to start all over again. But for those of you (any of you?) that happen to come by...here's a little introduction/update on what's going on her in my little world.
I'm a 35 year old mom of 2 sweet children (most of the time) and have been married to a wonderful man for 11 1/2 years. My son just turned 8 and is in 2nd grade. My daughter is 5 and is in Kindergarten. We live in a small coast-side community just south of San Francisco. I was a programmer for years but finally left my job last April to stay home full time with the kids. Big decision but if I digress on everything, we'll be here all day. So, the last year has had many changes. Although, I have to say, I'm still adjusting and figuring it all out. It's made my life much more manageable in many ways but has also made me do some self examining that hasn't been so pretty. But I'm sure all these things will come out here over time. I don't want to overwhelm/scare people away this early.
Anyway....
I actually had to go back and look at my last post to see where I left off a year and a half ago. Jeez. I didn't really realize it was that long ago. I got the Garmin if anyone cares. I love it. Although I haven't been training competitively, it speaks to my inner geek. I love the numbers and the records. Not that my little 3 mile plods amount to much. I've run a couple of halves since my last post...Disneyland (so much fun) and the OC Half Marathon (sucked). It was almost exactly a year ago, my sister turned 30 and she wanted to run OC for her birthday. She never intended to run it - but she walked it. Anyway, I commented at that point the half was a perfect distance because I was never more than a few weeks away from being ready for one. Well, we're gonna put that to the test. Before Xmas, hubby & I went to San Diego for a couple kid free days of relaxation before the circus began. He started needling me about racing again and trying to hit some goals (2 hour half) - it was enough to get the wheels turning. Upon arriving home, I did a girls night to find out 4 others there (I only knew 1 of the 4) are running the Kaiser Half in SF in February. A few drinks later I committed to run it too. So, I have one more month to get back to 13.1 mile. Nice. My little 3 mile couple times a week runs (that basically disappeared from Halloween to Xmas) have to serve as my base. I've been putting the miles in the past week or so. Amazing how sore things like your abs and your ass can get when you actually 'train' vs plod. Intervals & hills are awakening some long forgotten muscles. So, I may need to run/walk this first race - and I won't be breaking the 2 hour threshold but I'm back in the game. Hope to see you around.
Happy running.

Blog Action Day - Easy things you can do for the environment

I am still alive. :)
After seeing so many Blog Action Day posts...I thought it a worthy enough cause to bring me out of my LONG blogging hiatus. This year's blog action day is supposed to focus around the environment.

I'm not an extremist in any sense of the word. I believe in doing everything in moderation. I'm not going to preach about how you should only eat organic food or lecture you on driving an SUV. I do buy organic when I can but if I want strawberries and there are none at the store that day, I get non-organic. I drive an SUV...in fact, we're a 2 SUV family. I know, yuck. But one was a 'hand me down' that came at a time when my other car was on the fritz...this allows me to drive it without putting a new car on the road for a few more years...maybe they'll have worked out the hybrid SUV kinks by then...that's my hope anyway.

So, as you can see, I'm a pretty middle of the road person but there are LOTS of things that you can easily implement around your house that will help to keep the earth a great place for our children, grandchildren, etc. without having to spend a lot (if any) money and not crimping your style.

I'll start from the easiest....

1. Reduce, re-use, recycle.
   It's so easy. And really, it's the bottom line of all of the suggestions I have below. The whole point is to decrease my impact and leave behind as little as I can. Don't buy it if you don't need it. Well, maybe that's not so easy. I buy stuff I don't need all the time but I'm trying to get better. :) Once you're done with something re-use it for something else...or buy products that are meant for multiple uses (eg bento box type lunch boxes vs plastic bags). Finally, for those products that have gone past their useful life...recycle. Most communities have great curbside recycling which makes this a no brainer. Just keep an extra 'garbage' for your recyclables. It's easy and means it's not going to the landfill. Most communities will even pay you to take your cans & bottles...and others will pay you for your paper recycling too. This does take a bit more time to research to find the facilities and drive the stuff there...but it's a great way to make a couple of extra dollars while doing a great thing.
   
   
2. Compost
   I'd have to do a search on my blog to find it, but I know I've written before about vermicomposting. Yes. Worms. I have a small bin in my back yard that all my non-meat/dairy food scraps go into. It's soooo easy. Really. When I'm cooking I just throw my banana peels, apple cores, carrot tops, potato peelings, the crust peices of our loaves of bread etc into a little bowl...at the end of the day, I dump it in a bin outside. I use my junk mail as the worm bedding...so I throw a layer of that on top of the food and let the worms do the work. I could do it a lot better...chop the food so it composts faster, shred the paper smaller, etc. But the worms don't seem to be too picky. They eat my garbage. And I get BEAUTIFUL compost (read dirt) that works better than any fertilizer I could ever buy. And I feel really good about this. We think throwing a head of lettuce in the garbage is ok because it's obviously bio-degradable - it'll rot quickly in the bottom of my refrigerator...but studies have shown that our land-filling process is so 'efficient' these days - that they pack it so tight - that heads of lettuce have been dug up 20 years later - fully intact because of the anaerobic conditions. Ummmm 20 years?!?!?! So food products aren't dissolving in the landfills...it's just sitting there...so by composting it, I get great fertilizer and save the landfill a few cubic yards each year. Worm Digest is a great place to start to get info...or email me...I can tell you more....you don't need a yard, it shouldn't smell...it's not nearly as scary as it sounds.
   
   
3. Re-use your grocery bags
   Most stores now offer to sell some sort of re-usable bags - many will even give you a bag credit of a few cents for using a re-usable bag. If you're crafty, you can easily sew one up with leftover fabric. A great pattern is here. I used some left over fabric from when I re-upholstered my couch. If you watch the fabric stores, you can sometimes find some cheap canvas remnants...and figuring about 2 bags per yard...it's less expensive than the ones at the store...and usually a lot cuter too. If you're not a sewer...try this...fusing old grocery bags together with an iron makes for a cool looking bag. And please recycle any bags you get at the store...most grocery stores have a plastic bag drop off...and did you know that most of those will take all plastic bags that havent' had food in them...the plastic bags your toilet paper comes in, the newspaper bags, all of that can go in those recycle bins too. Check out Plastic Bag Recycling for lots of info.
   
   
4. Change your old light bulbs
   You've probably all seen the commercials. If every household changed out just one incandescent light for the new fluorescent lights, it would be the equivalent of taking over 7 million cars off of the road. That's a lot of cars. They save energy, last longer and generate less heat. They now come in many different shapes so they can be used just about anywhere. But please be sure to dispose of properly...they do have mercury in them which could be toxic to water supplies, etc.

So that's it. There are so many more things you can do but if you even try to do any of the above, you can feel good knowing you did something to make a difference.
Hope everyone is well...and now that I've made one post...maybe I'll be back in a day or two to update my activity. :) Have a good one.