Ugh!

After all the confusion and issues... I removed the Commentluv from my blog. I liked how it linked your latest blog posts on the comment form and such but I think it was just too confusing. I had a few "How did I comment anonymous" comments yesterday, which led me to go back to the Blogger commenting form. Unfortunately, I lost all the comments with it. :-(

Anyway, I had a good workout yesteray at the gym. I ran 5 very slow but easy miles on the treadmill, 10 min on the stationary bike and then another 20 min on the Elliptical machine. It also helped that the Golden State Warriors were playing. Although, they lost painfully to Utah Jazz. For being the "winningest" team on the NBA, they really suck this year. Although, I really think Corey Maggette is hot.

I also slipped and fell on the stationary bike seat and slammed really hard into the seat. (I tried to get off the bike to grab my iPod and well, my foot slipped. It was one of those cartoon moments.) And, yeah, it hurt SO bad... *there*. Ouch. I seriously saw stars. Somehow, I played it off and recovered to make it to the Elliptical. I'm giggling just thinking about what my face must have looked like.

I also totally rocked out to the new Britney Spears' Circus album. 5 miles went by really fast!
(Did I mention I'm going to go see her live in April!! So excited!!)

I'm thinking about a lunch time run today. Maybe I'll hit 6 miles.

And no, I haven't signed up for the Napa Valley Marathon, yet. I'm actually holding out for Run to Finish's announcement on the HBBC winners. I mean, I could get picked randomly (not as the winner, because I know I didn't win) and could possible get the entry to the Napa Valley Marathon!!

You never know!!!

TIaRT: Creating My Own Destiny

In contribution to this week's TIaRT's theme: Life Lessons Learned from Running, I wanted to dig deep. Back in my freshman year in high school, I wanted to run. I thought cross country was so cool. Besides, the junior varsity team had some hot looking guys!! On top of that, I was never good at sports that involved hand-eye coordination. I stank at every group sport... from softball to volleyball to basketball, you name it. But, running, that was something I thought I could do. Cross country was perfect!

I told my parents that I wanted to run cross-country. I thought they would be excited for me. But, I got this response from my dad, "You're not built for running. You shouldn't do it". Not sure if he thought I had two left feet or if he was concerned for me but I think I burst into tears at that point. He tried to explain to me that I just wasn't meant to run long distances. That my body wasn't built that way. Maybe I should try tennis, instead?

I was so hurt. I wanted him to support me and believe that I could do it. Or at least, pretend to! Even if he didn't really think so. I ran anyway. I wanted to prove him so wrong. And I did. That Freshman year, I joined the cross country team and ran for the next two years. I think I was the slowest girl the first year. But slowly, I improved. I started passing people up. And it felt so great! I loved running. I loved the power it gave me.

Several years back, I told my parents that I was going to train for a marathon. My dad said this time, "Do you think just anyone runs a marathon?" I wasn't surprised by his response. He's not as heartless as he sounds. To his eyes, his little girl just wasn't the running type. Well, since then, I've run 4 marathons. The very first one, I finished just a bit over 4:13. Running wasn't always consistent since high school. But it was gave me self confidence when I was out on the road, pounding the pavement. Sure, I don't look like a runner, even now. But, when I cross that finish line (whether it be a 5k or 26.2 miles), I know I did my best. That I started. That I am as good as I think I am. It gives me confidence that no one can take away from me. I know I can do anything I put my mind to. This is what I learned from running: That I create my own destiny and expand my potential in life... I created this running life, for myself and no one can take that away.

I went for another 5 miler after work on Tuesday with D. You're right, I felt so much better! It only felt like I was wearing 5 lb ankle weights this time. Not 10! Ha! I rested yesterday and will again today. I'm sorta kinda tapering for the Rock n Roll San Jose Half Marathon on Sunday. I'll go for a short run on Friday... then RACE time again! I'm very excited about the half marathon! Bunch of my friends are running it, as well as Aron and Audrey!!

Wordle of the Day

Here's my Wordle shot of the day... Thanks to Leslie!

This could be addicting!

Did a 5 miler after work yesterday and it was pathetic. I couldn't have asked for better conditions... It was in the mid 60s and nothing really hurt. But I had a hard time warming up. My body felt very stiff and heavy for the first mile or two and felt like I need to walk. (Why did it feel like I had 10 lb ankle straps on each leg?) Good thing I came to a traffic light around the second mile. It gave me some time to recooperate. The rest of the run was ok. Usually 5 miles feel like a breeze but it wasn't the case last night. At this rate, I am not expecting to PR in the Rock n Roll Half Marathon on Sunday morning... Going for another run after work today and I am hoping it will be better!

Happy Friday!

I had a great time at the Sunset Run in the city last night. I made it in good time after work and the weather was quite decent. I was practically frozen at the last Sunset Run. I got an extra mile in before we started the run because I had to use the restroom and the nearest public one was half a mile away! So with the warm up, the 5 miles was pretty easy, even though, I did slow down towards the end. I got to meet some of the Students Run Oakland's staff and volunteers before the race, too. It felt really good knowing that 100% of the race entry fees going to this organization. After the run, I put my name on their volunteer list to see if I can involved in some way. This non-profit organization is right up my alley and would love to give my time in the near future.

The Fleet Feet SF Sunset Runs usually have a raffle at the end of the run. Last night, they were giving away 2 entries into the Nike Women's Marathon and 8 Nike+ Sportbands. They were giving away 2 entries to the marathon this time because the winner from the last run decided she didn't want to run it. Hello, give it to someone like me!!! Please! So, even though I've pretty much given up running the Nike Marathon, I was still hopeful and well, if I got the entry, I would have run it. But, no, they didn't call my name. Not once. They actually pulled out 6 names before they had any takers for the race entry. Can you believe it? No one wanted it!! Most of the people in the raffle were more interested in the Nike+ Sportband. I thought it was funny that they had such a hard time giving away the race entries. It's just not meant to be for me!

I plan to run 12 miles tomorrow morning with the Club Run SF... and the Race for the Cure 5k on Sunday. Our team name is "Boobies-r-US"! Aron is also running the 5k with her own team. :-)

Have a great weekend everyone!

For All You Lunchtime Runners

I don't know how many of you run during your lunch break but today I went out there for the first time! I did the San Toma Creek Trail again. The weather was beautiful, there were lots of walkers and few runners on the trail. Good thing that the trail is an easily accessible considering there are bunch of business parks and companies near by. Whizzing by the walkers and few runners made me feel totally hardcore running at lunch time! It felt great! I feel revived and refreshed. Of course, I had to rush through the dinky shower at work to get ready but it was all worth it. For all you lunchtime runners, you rock! I see why you do it. ;-)

Also, the 5.5 miles that I ran yesterday turned out to be correct. I guess I didn't read the Nike+ screen correctly when I thought I turned around at the 3 mile marker... Today, when I turned around at the 2.5 mile point, it wasn't too far from where I turned around yesterday. Anyway, Nike+, I take back what I said yesterday!

My foot did bother me a little bit but I ran through it... It wasn't too bad, actually.

And I'm so glad so many of you feel the same way about our unoffical running blog community. You guys are awesome!

My Sunscreen Regimen

I always get really dark during my summer runs. I apply tons of sunscreen and wear a running cap, too. But to no avail, I'm usually several shades darker by Fall. Of course, besides getting overly tanned there's the fear of skin cancer, too. This year, I decided to be more proactive and got myself a super-wide brimmed hat made by Sunday Afternoons. I see runners with one of these hats every once in a while and I used think, "wow, they are so hard core!" I guess I'm one of those now. This hat is fairly light but the only thing is when it's windy the hat tends to flop a lot. So I need to hold onto the rim sometimes. Oh and due to the wide brim, I've run into low-lying tree branches from time to time. Oops. Also, it's not the cutest running gear... Not that I'm Miss Runner Fashionista or anything. But it does remind me a bit of a older ladies' gardening hat. Fortunately, I've done my long runs early in the morning (less sun) or in San Francisco (foggy) to avoid major sun exposure. Hence, not needing the big hat. I love my Banana Boat Sport SPF 30 "Ultra Sweatproof" Sunblock lotion but now that I'm almost done with my super sized bottle, I'm looking into another brand. Just to see what's out there.

Does anyone have a good recommendation? Do you have a good sunscreen regimen?

Ran 5 miles after work today. I ran about 8:58 pace for the 5 miles. Much better than my 10:40 pace from yesterday's 4 miler.

Side Note: D'oh. I just checked the Sunday Afternoons website and just noticed that their hats were voted "Editor's Choice" by Organic Gardening!! I guess I am running with a gardening hat... Although, I did notice they have a "sport hat" designed for running. But that's not the one that I have! I have one of the Adventure Hats, I think.

TGIF!

The Sunset Run was quite an event on Thursday! Over 100 people showed up for the social run and apparnetly we raised about $1400 for the Live Strong Foundation. It was freezing in San Francisco that night. Very windy and chilly. Very typical summer evening in the city. Ha! And no, I didn't win the raffle for the Nike Women's Marathon. I was pretty bummed. But I did get a nice technical shirt with the Sunset Run design on the back from Nike. And they had free food and even Jamba Juice. I'm always happy with free food! Anyway, I'll have to find another way to get entrace into the marathon now... Anyone want to sell me their bib??

The run itself was great. I felt good and ran about 8:57 pace for the 5 mile run. The run started from the "monkey bars" at the start of the Marina greens (near Safeway) and ended at Hopper's Hands. The route was very flat so that probably had a lot to do with it. The only thing that sucked was the drive back home after I was all sweaty and icky from the run. Note to self: Need to move closer to San Francisco...

I was supposed to do an 8 miler on Wednesday but I got home and totally fell asleep. By the time I got up around 9pm, I had no desire to go run. Just wanted to eat at that point. This morning, I ran only 3 miles on the treadmill, just to make up for Wednesday. But, as Marathon Matt said on his email broadcast this week, "Literally, there is NOTHING more we can do these next few weeks to better prepare you for race day. The best thing you can do is 'maintain' your current level of fitness and focus on rest, recovery, and mental preparation for race day." I think I did a good job this morning, trying to "maintain."

12 miles tomorrow morning... Right before my bridal shower!!! I am so excited. About the bridal shower, that is.

5 Miles on Treadmill

Ran exactly 5 miles on the treadmill this morning, along with my trusty buddy the Nike+ SportBand. I had reset it back to the factory setting last night so when I finished the run and it said I ran 5.4 miles, I knew it was definitely off. But I just recalibrated via the Nike+ Utility software so I am hoping the next run with be much more accurate.

I was already quite warmed up after an hour of bootcamp class this morning. I was up at 5:40am to get ready for my morning workout!! The session started yesterday but had a hard time getting up at crack of dawn after a nice long weekend. (Not that it was any easier today!) I actually ran the 5 miles at about 9:13 pace the whole time and it seemed really easy. Of course, there were times when I wanted to slow down but I kept up the pace since these days 5 miles seem like a breeze. With the weather being super HOT (today's high is 104 degrees in San Jose) I had no desire to run outside. I'm supposed to run 8 miles tomorrow and I think I'm going to run at the gym in the morning again.

By the way, I really enjoyed the bootcamp session this morning. I really missed it while we were on a week-long break. Tomorrow morning is the track work out session and looking forward to running that mile to see how fast I can run it.

Oh wow, I just realized today is exactly one month away from my wedding date!!!!