Goals for Half Marathon #3

• Not be sick.
• Not be on that girl thing.
• Sub 2:30- 2:45 if I find one with in this year.
• Look half way decent in a race photo. Just decent enough to maybe, just maybe, I'll want to fork over $20 for a wallet size instead of screen capping it.

As a photographer myself, I have an open letter to all race photographers:


Dear Race Photographer,

We are running. Hard.  The last thing we think about are pictures.  So a couple of days after our race when we get notifications that our pictures are up, we usually make a face. We cringe. We shiver. We want to look good, but we know that is almost an impossible task while running 13.1 or 26.2 miles. I really only know of professional athletes that run in well lit stadiums and one other "normal" human being who likes and looks good in their race photos.

Can you help the rest of us out?  As a photographer myself, may I suggest a few things?

• Shoot from eye level.  Most of the time I see you guys sitting on the ground in a lawn chair covered by an umbrella. Everyone with a Facebook knows that eye level or above is more flattering. I know you have to see our bibs and be out of the way, but I know you can make all that happen too!
• Have a sign 100 yards away, or even just 10, that there is a photographer coming up.  Some people prefer to have their hair down in photos. It keeps people from looking too much like their younger brother.
• Don't take pictures of people eating should be very common knowledge.  It doesn't matter if its at a wedding when a guest is scarfing down some prime rib or at a race when I'm runners are downing their GUs like its their only lifeline.
• Shoot faster! We all hate em, but we love looking at em. We don't like it when we are being blocked by another runner that is pretty far ahead from us.  Fast shutter speed! Use those auto function sof your $1,000 digital camera if you must.

I think that is about it. Its a pretty hard task to take upon yourself, but I know that you are up to it. As comrades in the photography world, I know we can see [and hopefully take pictures] eye to eye that we just want our clients to look and feel their best.

I'm looking forward to seeing y'all in my next half.

Love,
Catherun

eye of the tiger!!!

PS. This was at mile 6/7, in the hills because the reservoir is behind me. I'm on my 2nd GU, Peppermint Stick is so yum, and I swear my shirt wasn't tucked in. I had to get to my SPI Belt which was under my pink shirt. I was walking cuz theres an aid station right in front of me to my right and I needed water for my GU & if you recall, my knees were giving me trouble around this time.

I've shown you guys my worst right after a solid P90x session but this picture oh man. Its the best one out of all the pictures taken >.< Sad huh? Notice I didn't even put any up from my first half. It was that bad.

My Essentials

My essentials for Sunday. I have decided to bring out my Lunarglide+2 instead of my 3. I've been wearing them lately and they are pretty comfy and now I can say I used both for half-marathons and will have a good comparison.

Rockin' the pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Thought pink shorts might be over kill but I do have them should I change my mind.

Pre-Race Anxiety

I can't sleep. I'm pretty anxious about this run.  I'm pretty scared about the hills so if I beat my PR, even by a minute, I will be super happy and my confidence will probably jump to an all time high! I'm thinking about so many things for the run.  To wear my CEP compression sleeves or not? Lunarglide+ 2 or 3? I'm actually thinking about taking my Saucony Kinvara 2.  (I also want to buy the Saucony Cortana to try em out. Supposedly like Kinvara with a little more cushioning.) What shirt am I going to wear? What shorts? Do I wear my running tights? How cold is going to be? And just so many things. I've never been to Morgan Hill except in passing and I'm debating if I want to go to the expo to check out the actual place since I've never been there, but it is pretty far from me. 

If that picture looks familiar, it should.

I did pick up my packet from a local running store today. I got my bib, shirt, & the oh so ever present cinch bag. Haha! I have more cinch bags from the last six months than my entire life thus far! All from racing events.  I'm so excited. The shirt is awesome. Its from K-Swiss and its not that typical slick & shiny material for a running shirt. Its 100% poly but its textured! Its also one of my favorite colors, blue! It has the principal sponsor's company name on the back, but I don't mind. They are a local company and I love supporting local companies.  So excited!

I'm also confirmed for this:

Like that "!Double" by my name?! I do too! That means I completed the series and I get my series medal! I'm so damn excited!!! They have some awesome bling. They are adding another race to the series next year and I'm thinking about completing all three for another medal, but it means I have to do all three next year.  Its only two this year. So while "series medal" seems a little over kill, I'll take it!

While at the store to pick up my packet, I wanted to buy another pair of CEP Compression but in sock form. I wanted the pink ones but they only had the sleeves in my size.  I can't believe how expensive they are. I really want to wear my sleeve but I wanted the socks. I did find their Injini's were a lot cheaper than retail! I didn't buy any. I ended up buying two Clif Bars, pumpkin & peppermint stick, a mini pink Blender Bottle for my protein shakes, & laundry detergent made specially for workout clothes. I spend so much on my clothes, I want to make sure that they retain their wickness ability and their coating and stuff.  I had 10% off because of the event so it was all good! I just wish they had the CEPs! If not, I'll have to wait for a sale. Hopefully this upcoming season of sales is kind. I've been needing new clothes because as my friend put it, I'm "disappearing" and a lot of my clothes, workout & normal life,  don't fit anymore. Its a blessing, but up to now I'm still wearing the same clothes!

Anyway! I should try and sleep. Going to go for a 3 miler to stretch out the legs for Sunday!

DO OR DIE!

Signing My Life Away

This just happened a little over a month ago, remember this?

Now that your memory is refreshed, does this look familiar?

I always feel like I'm signing my life away when I fill out the waiver forms for races. Even more so for Morgan Hill because as the name implies, there are hills.  Not San Francisco Status, but there are still hills. Packet pick up today! Debating if I should drive out for the expo on Friday & Saturday but its a long way from me. The pick up is in a local running store.

So anxious, scared, nervous, but really excited.  I haven't had a run longer than 3 miles since my last half a little over a month ago. My lungs and leg muscles had a really long rest period, time to get things rolling again.

PS. SO EXCITED for the double medal. Seriously, I love running for the bling! Also, thats not my address, I obviously wouldn't put that up.

Half Marathon #2

Looks like my decision has been made.

Thanks to a kind soul and the networking powers of Facebook, I have a free, to me, entry to my 2nd half marathon!  Its going to be the Morgan Hill Marathon! They had posted that it was close to selling out and I had commented a sad face.  Like I mentioned, I wasn't sure if I was going to be out of town or not, but it looks like I either will be right after my half, or not at all. Its up in the air, once again.  Anyway, a kind soul said that she can't run the half anymore since she had to start taking certain medications that prevented her from doing so.  She transferred her spot to me and tada! I saved $75! This is part of a series and my first half was part of that. So while I'm super bummed that I'm not sure if I can get out of dodge, I'm excited for this:

Series medal on the left and the half-marathon medal on the middle! The course is hillier than its sister, The NorCal Marathon, and to be honest, I haven't ran much or "trained" for this one since the NorCal Half almost a month ago, but we shall see how it goes. I'm just hoping to beat my previous time and break 3 hours. I'm such a weak runner.  I think I need someone to get down in my face and yell at me to push it. When I ran a 5k and I paced with somebody, I blasted my PR!!! I need to update my PR thing to the right!

Did I mention that this is next Sunday? I'm so not prepared, but I'm super duper looking forward to it. I'm excited to run again. Then I have Hollywood Half & Pasadena to look forward to on April & May of 2012.  I'm excited to run in So-Cal, especially Pasadena where it all began.

Keep on running!

PS. I realize that after I finished the NorCal half, I wasn't able to take a finishers photo! And there isn't a picture of me crossing the line because I was behind two friends!!! I didnt' get the finishers photo because it was freakin' hot!!! They were handing out ice cold water bottles wrapped in towels- those towels are epic- and I ran faster than I did during the half to get me one of those.  It was THAT hot! I look like a hot mess in my pictures too. But oh well! A hot mess from running is a very good thing!

13.1 NorCal Marathon & Half

After only 4 hours of sleep, my day started with this!

I love those Sandwich thin things! These are the smaller ones at 50 calories per two! Makes perfect snacks! So I had two almond butter and strawberry sandwiches at 5 am in the morning. I was nervous. So freakin' nervous.

I went back to my room and packed my three bags. I'm notorious for over packing >.< I had a back pack, my cinch bag and purse. And I was all excited,and admittedly a little crazy, heres proof:

and, I thought, ready to go.

So at around 6 am, I headed out!

Its dark! It was cold and dark! I was wearing my black Tempo shorts, my pink tech tee, black compression socks, my Lunarglide+3 & a cotton white sleeve long tee which is too big- its for guys, I have no clue where it came from but I wanted something that I wouldn't mind tossing in the middle of the course. Haha.

As I was driving there, I realized that I totally forgot my water bottle! I hate carrying things with me, so I bought a water bottle that I can just toss. I didn't bring or want to bring my Nathan bottle. At least I drank before leaving but I'm a sucker for water. I love water! Anyway, I wasn't about to turn around to grab it so I decided to rely on aid stations. Anyway, I kept on driving then finally I was there!

The Shark Tank! Woot! Woot! So I parked and I was so nervous. Haha. I was actually hyping myself up on the drive. Music on 40, listening to some Nero and Nizzle and just being my own cheerleader. I get there, paid $5 for parking and got my stuff ready.

Found the expo site, went pee and just stretched, a.k.a. pretend like I knew what I was doing, by myself. Going in this, I was really sad to go at it alone. Like really sad. I seriously had a hard time getting over that mentality. Anyway, stretch stretch, then pretty soon it was time to self seed and go! Through out my run tho, I was shivering. It was cold in the morning but since I'm sick, I have no clue. Haha! But it was sunny, I was sweating but shivering. Haha.

Mile 1-4 was okay. Like I said, I'm sick and I have a hard time breathing through my nose. It sucks but it is what it is. I was feeling dehydrated already. You know you loose water in your body with every breathe right? And I had no water! Haha. Not until mile 2.  I took my first GU at mile 4 cuz I know there is an aid station that I could grab water from to wash it down. What I wasn't expecting was for them to have orange Gatorade. My GU is Chocolate Outrage- it tastes like FROSTING!!!- Normally I would be like ewe! But the combo tasted good. Or maybe cuz I was running. Haha.

Mile 5-7 was blah! Guess who almost ate it at mile 5? Me. Oh man. I actually yelled cuz I really thought I was going to fall. The pavement/trail was uneven and my foot got caught and my natural response is to yell so I did and the runners in front of me turned around. But didn't fall. I did however remove my tape on my knee. It was falling off and bothering me more than helping so i took it out. Mile 7 was also when the elite/challenge runner passed me. WAHHH! Hes crazy fast! I think his pace was like 4 minute per mile or something. I could be wrong tho. But he was an elite runner with his own bike escort telling us slow pokes to move to the right. Haha. After him were the fast folks- the "Kenyans" haha. Crazy fast!

Miles 8-10 I can feel my hip flexors starting to complain. They've been problematic as of late and it just sucks but what you gonna do? My glutes were also starting to hurt but I kept on.  Took my 2nd GU at mile 9 and almost ate it again at mile 10! I didn't like this part of the run cuz it was by the airport and the path wasn't paved it was just a dirt path with pebbles. It was just blah! And I stepped on a rock that hurt my right foot! But whatever! It was done!

Miles 11-13.1 by this point, I was questioning my sanity. I was like what the eff was I thinking?! I had to walk mile 12 because my hip flexors were just in pain. I mean pain. It was crazy. My glutes were also hurting but I read somewhere, not sure if its true, but I read that if hammies and glutes hurt its good posture. I'll believe that for now. Haha. But yeah. I was done. I wanted to stop and just fall. It was getting hot and at one point I wiped my face and felt sand like granules. I licked my hand and sure enough its salt! I could have seasoned an entire steak with the salt that was collecting my face alone. I was dehydrated, loosing electrolytes and my form was shot. But c'mon?! Would you quit when you only have a couple of miles left?

Going in, I knew that I cut corners come training. Pretty much do or die! Haha. The night before It old myself that I'm going to approach this as a long training run. A chance to run the streets of downtown, someone giving me water, and geting a medal for it. Not to look at it as something I'll let define me or my running. There will be more events where I can see improvement and this first run, is just a base to see where I am and how far I can go. I finished at 3:08. Not the sub 3 I was hoping for but considering I'm sick and girly issues were going on, 8 minutes isn't that bad! No bad at all. I'm confident that I can sub 3 on my next event, bet it official or just me on my own.

Haha.

Post race, they were giving out LaVics burrito! LaVics is like an institution here so it was welcomed! But I'm never hungry post run. I took a piece anyway and first bite, I bit into the foil and ate it, I think, so I decided that I'm too brain drained to eat so I threw it away and walked to my car and went home. I went home and ate a banana. Then didn't eat till I thought of Wendy's and their french fries and nuggets. But didn't want to drive that far so I got a protein style burger from In N Out which only mad me want That Habit. Oh man. I'm not as hungry but I know it will hit me tomorrow.

So yay! I'm glad that first one is done and over with. Now onto the next! Still with apprehension but with the knowledge that I have now!

Things I Learned:

• Body Glide is your best friend
• Compression Socks are also your best friends
• SPI Belts are also your best friends!
• In ear headphones = beast. They don't fall out!
• Don't forget your water.
• Long sleeve tees are useful but you'll be hot for sure.

Lets do another one!!! I'm so excited! I have a lot of frames and wall space! Haha!

I'll do a review of all my gear later. Haha. Like I said, I broke the cardinal rule of marathon running, don't do anything new. I used/did a lot of new things for this event, so yeah! Tomorrow, when I'm saner!

For now, I shall leave you with this:

Getting chocolate wasted, since I can't do the real thing till later- tonight! I hate drinking my calories but a glass of chocolate milk makes for great recovery!

Tomorrow, I Am

13.1 miles. Seems crazy back when I sat on my ass all day long, and after hours & hours, and miles upon miles of training, it still seems crazy.  I'm scared, I'm nervous, I'm terrified. And oh yeah, I have a cold and girly issues going on. What a memorable way to start out the fall running season and to commemorate my first half marathon.

I listed out my expectations for my first 5k and I'll do the same for my first half.

• Finish.
• Finish sub 2:30, at the most 3:00.
• Enjoy an easy pace, 10:00/mile. I have a problem of starting too strong & going by my GPS watch. I got an advice from Mr. Bart Yasso himself, ignore the watch, listen to your body. So while I want my pace to be at 10:00 mile, it will be the result at the end, not the goal.

I don't have much expectations seeing as this is my first half and also I'm sick. I'm also going to use my  Lunarglide+ 3 which I never broke in and using my compression sleeves, which I haven't done a long run in. I'm breaking the cardinal rule of marathon running, don't do anything new come race day. But I'm treating this as a long run because there is no finish line. Or that is what Nike says anyway. So really, I paid $35 for someone to motivate me to do a long run. A long run I'm doing with 1,999 other people.

So while I'm all nervous, sick, feel like puking, and scared, I'm also at peace and I'm excited.

"Scared & excited makes for a great race." -Bart Yasso

PS. If you guys want to or can come out to support, I would love it. Starts at 7:30 Downtown at Arena Green. I'm hoping to be done running by 10 am =]

Training Run 09/07/11

I did 2 miles.

The first mile, I just jogged my heart out. I got 10:31 pace, which is 31 seconds slower than my not Nike+ official mile.  But is 29 seconds faster than my official 11:00 in my Nike+ official mile.

Then my left leg, its always the left leg, decided that its done. So I walked/jogged the rest of the 2 miles, my 2nd mile was an ugly 16 minutes. UGLY! What didn't help is this insane heat! Its already like 80+ & its not even noon. I am sweating buckets and my shirt was soaked.  I feel bad for the fam in SoCal, its going to hit 106! Crazy! Anyway, the pain on my IT band is weird.  Its like a dull pain and I feel it even when I'm stationary. I really need to go see a doctor or something.  I feel it in my sleep. That is why I don't want to push it.  I'm terrified of overuse injury, I'm not sure if I can get at least a 10 miler in before the 18th, 11 days away, but I'm going to try. I was reading if the pain goes away, keep running. If it doesn't go away, run to the doctor. The pain goes away, if I stop running. If I keep running it hurts, a lot.

I don't want to be lame about this, but I want my half over so I can say I did a half and I won't be intimidated as I am now. I feel like I'm wimping out on the half. And part of me wants to just say forget it and just stop running for a while, but thats only robbing myself of the awesomeness known as running. Thats not going to happen anytime soon. I know and recognize a lot of it is mental and its possible part of that mental fear is leaking into my physical body. Sometimes I feel like I "have no place" being out there, wearing a bib, running. Its just lame self-esteem issues. I know what it is, but it still gets the best of me at times. At least I went out there you know, ran 2 miles, just multiply that 6.5 times, and I'll be gold. I just need to get over this and take it as it is, complete the event and tada! I have the first of many half marathons under my belt. 11


And a bit of encouragement for me and everyone:

“You have to wonder at times what you’re doing out there. Over the years, I’ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.”
  — Steve Prefontaine

I don't know what to do, but I'm going to definitely KT tape the day of the run. I'm hoping it helps. I'm going to try for 10, and see if I can do 13 miles, tomorrow & Friday. If I can't do it then, I'm going to do or die that half.

One thing I need to work on is fueling properly. My weight has been the same the past week and its pissing me off cuz I still want to drop in terms of weight, but I know that I will drop just not as fast as when I was crazy not eating, plus I'm not running as much cuz of my left leg.

Damn left leg.

I woke up today hungry and took a GU before I ran and a handful of peanuts. It helped. I woke up and I wasn't tired. I wanted to keep going but my leg and that insane heat was too much.

Anyway, I'm going to try to do a night run in a different route tonight. Maybe a change of scenery will help.

And here is my schedule:

• Thursday- attempt to do a 10 miler, 13 if possible, at least 5.
• Friday- rest or repeat above if I failed Thursday
• Saturday- Mission Walk 5k
• Sunday- Nike Run Club! Dress your level day! I'm level orange! I'm excited. I get free orange laces! Haha.

Training Run 08/31/11

I "ran," or really pity walked 4 miles today.

I'm never going to do plyometrics the day before I plan to do a long run. You know what, scratch that, I'm never going to do plyometrics ever.

It hurts. It feels like I rode a horse for 24 hours straight. Its insane. Its painful. My inner hammies and glutes and everything is in so much pain.  Its a good pain tho and if this is how ___ feels like, I'm looking forward to it.

So, lets not talk about my measly run, Nike+ isn't broadcasting it over Twitter so that sucks, but whatever.  They probably know how much it sucked and was like "PASS!"

Instead lets talk about yesterday.

Yesterday, I realized that I:

hit 100 miles!!! Ever since I got my Nike+ GPS!!! So my yearly total is WAY over 100  miles! My goal? Try to get 200 miles more (so lofty, realistically another 100) by the end of the year!

Yesterday, I also went shopping!

Oh wait, not for that... Haha. I just found it weird that this car was parked by the dumpster.

I went shopping at Sport Chalet which is having an additional 50% off their clearance items! I saw these:

Lunarglide+2 in Sharks color! Sharks the hockey team, not the one that swims around in the ocean. Haha. I wanted them but decided against it.  They were $40 after the sale but to be honest, the Lunarglide+3 are way better than the 2s.  Like a-lot. Its sorta not worth having two pairs of the 2.

But I did walk away with this:

A new pair of Nike Running Tempo shorts!!! Tempo shorts are like the "holy grail" of Nike running shorts. I like em a lot. But I also like my Nike Pacer shorts alot. The pacers are a little lower rise and have two pockets. One in the back like the Tempos and a "secure" one in the front. Its pretty cool. Whats even cooler? I scored these for $10!! Retail price? $32!!! I scored all my shorts from Sport Chalet sales all at $10!!! Isn't that neat? Oh wait, whats even neater?! I had to size down! SIZE DOWN!!! What the f'ck is that?! I'm now on mediums. For shorts at least. I doubt my super calves can fit in a medium =| I hate my calves. I like to poke em and say "shrink."

Anyway, that was my day yesterday.

I'm not as down as I was. But maybe cuz I'm on an endorphin kick right now. But I really need to hit that 10 miler this week and hopefully a 13 next week then taper the last week, which isn't really tapering at all because that last week is the actual event.

::shrieks::

PS. This:

while healthy, is not proper dinner the night before a long run.  It just didn't work. Not enough carbs. And even for the whole day, not enough carbs. I had cheese and toast with greek yogurt for breakfast, 1/3 of a protein bar that I didn't finish at all (I have no clue where the other 2/3 of it went), a piece of bread when I got home, then that for dinner and another yogurt.  I was watching a video of when I was PTFO drunk on my 25th birthday and I said "I don't like carbs cuz running and carbs don't mix." or was it "I like carbs cuz running and carbs mix?" but whatever it was, I'll watch the video again, I really need to carb up. I can't be afraid of that.  I'm still dropping weight which is good tho. But right now shouldn't be a time to obsess over that.

Training Runs Random Dates

I haven't been motivated to run.

I'll be honest here.

I've done 3 runs at 2 miles each since that 8 miler.  So you can say I've been not motivated to log those runs either, hence the "Random Dates" in the title.

At this point, I want to just do or die [preferably just do] the half marathon.

I set out today to do a 10 miler but my left knee is hurting so much. I was using my water bottle to ice it.

I went home after two miles and I'm about to P90x to make up for my lack of running.

I think its a couple of things. At the moment I'm drifting towards my "vain" side and I'm more concernd about dropping pounds.  I'm holding steady at my weight since I was told not to worry too much about dropping right now because its 20 days till the half and I need to fuel my body for the rest of my training and for the actual event, 20 days ahead. However, I was at a point where I was consistently dropping a pound a day and to go from that to stable is a mental kick in the face.  I'm sure I'm still going to drop as I train and keep at it but no where as fast as that one a day.  I was hardly eating food that fueled me then. I was relying on energy drinks and GU for my runs.

Second, this is kinda harder to admit, but I feel lonely when I run and I really wish someone would run that half with me. I'm so scared of that half.  Maybe its the endless looping I do in the park or maybe its actually cuz I am alone and lonely. It doesn't help that a bunch of other things happen and I really do feel like I'm alone. I do realize that this part is mostly mind games. I probably just need new music. All in all, I still remember that this is for me, by me. I can and will  get over this mental bump.  Today was hot too. I need to start heading out at 6 am to beat this heat for my long runs.  I'm going to plan for this, 10 miler by tomorrow and a 13 miler for beginning of next week, then I'm golden for the half. I believe I can do that remaining .1 for the actual event.

Off to P90, shower, and ice and tape my left knee. It really hurts. I hate the fact that my knee cap keeps on giving me isues.

Training Run 08/21/11

Did a 5k with the Palo Alto Nike Running Store's Run Club. I like going there but I'm sorely intimidated and I feel unqualified but one thing I learned is that -most- runners are nice and very very supportive. 

It was a 5k and I PR'ed it but not by much. Its still a new PR.  I'm finding that with my runs, I'm not improving a lot in terms of time.  I also can't seem to manage negative splits! Its sad. My miles were like 11, 12, 13. Damn. Hahaha. Sad.

I know I need more runs that focus on my time so that I can improve on that, but I know a big factor of it is nutrition.

I weighed myself everyday for a week and I've been consistently dropping a pound a day for a week. Thats CRAZY. I know some of it is probably water weight but I know its mostly not because I've been drinking like crazy.  I mean A LOT. I've been making it a point to drink.

So while I'm happy about that weight being gone, I've been mentally and physically drained and that lack of fuel- I know I haven't been eating much- is affecting my runs.

SIGH.

Running is "supposed" to make you hungry and my long runs make me hungry but I don't want to eat since I also want to drop weight... its like crazy.

Blah. I don't want to talk about it right now because its getting to me. But yeah, I ate like crazy today. Well not really. Did that run had trail mix & OJ and then didn't eat till dinner. A bbq burger with sweet potato fries. Then tiramisu.

Haha. That better fuel me for my early run tomorrow. I'll try to head out at six and just run the streets since the park doesnt' open till 8 and I have work.

Anyway... its weird how my priority is running vrs. dropping weight. I know that dropping pounds will benefit running but I really want to make sure I'm fueled for my runs.  And being that I'm a naturally lazy eater, its easier for me to not eat and work and drop weight like that as opposed to dropping weight slower but in a way where I'm fueled for my runs.

I can only eat so much turkey & broccoli I guess. Haha.

Epic Marathon Music Project & "Run" With Me!

I've been up since 3:30 am. I'm not sure why but I know I'll be paying for this later.

I've also been looking for my mp3 player since 3:30 am so I can go out for a run.  I know, I know. A lot of events, people, websites, etc. recommend against having a music device while running, but I'm a thinker and when I run without music, I over think and let my emotions dictate my pace and while I agree with Pre that suicide pace is the way to go, I don't want to die in anger.  Just kidding.

So it got me thinking how much I love music and how much I love words of encouragment. And how my first ever half, thats 13.1 miles for you folks who doesn't know, is a month away, I should probably get a new mp3 player that has a battery life of at least 26.2 miles (I want to run a full too!) and some new music.

Here, my pals is where you come in! I need 2, yes thats rights TWO (I'm very demanding aren't I?) favors from you!


Favor #1- Marathon Music Recommendations!

I'm pretty open to any genre but keep in mind that I need something upbeat (ideal is 180 beats per minute- think "I think I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I REALLY THINK SO!") but since I'm not really aiming for 180 bpm, any upbeat music is good. Nothing too slow or too thinky, or at least let me know its just a good song, albeit not for running. I've been looking for new awesome music lately anyway.

Favor #2- YOU!

I need YOU! I don't know very much "runners" around me and most of my friends are out of town (Hi So-Cal, Texas, New Jersey, China, & Philippines! Oh & Japan!).  I'll be running my half  alone and I'll admit that I'm terrified and excited at the same time. And I was thinking, since if you read the tag line of this blog, "Run With Me" that I'll take YOU ALL for the half with me! Well, at least your voice! Like I said, I'm a words of encouragement type of person, so having your voice along for the run would make the miles go by so much quicker.

So I was thinking, record yourself! Tell me a story, tell me a memory, tell me a joke (OH MAN I LOVE JOKES!!!), tell me something encouraging, sing me a song, anything! Just record yourself and I'll add you to my marathon playlist! All I ask is that you keep it sweet and short, nothing like 10 minutes long and that you don't make me cry. Laughing while running is good, but crying while running, while isn't bad, isn't preferred.

I'm so excited to run my half- because I want to hear y'all!- and I'll keep on trying to convert all my local friends from non-runners to runners so I won't have to run alone (haha, watch out, I'll be knocking at your door with pamphlets) but I'm so excited to be carrying all you guys around in my handy dandy new iTouch!

So to simplify:

1. Send me your marathon (upbeat!) music recommendations! Comment, Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, text, call, whatever, just get em my way!
2. Record yourself either telling a story, a joke, (I really love jokes!) a memory, singing, or anything encouraging and send it to me catheruns (at) gmail (dot) com. Don't forget that S! catherunS!

I have a month to compile everything and I'm excited. I'll try not to listen to all the hundreds (I know I'll get hundreds because YOU'RE doing it!) of messages till race day. But please keep them positive. If I hear something bad at mile 12 and not finish the last 1.1 miles, I'm coming after you! Haha.

Thanks guys! I've been really discouraged about running lately for various reasons, loosing my mp3 player just being one of them, and now I'm really looking forward to running that half in less than a month! What was I thinking?!

PS. Here is an unrelated (it sorta is!) picture. I have my pre-"race" food! Snickers marathon bars! This stuff is expensive but its so worth it! And I get to eat it for the last 2 of my long runs before the half so I can get used to it!!! Its so good!

Training Run 08/04/11

I'm getting concerned over my splits. My first mile was at 12:xx and my last mile was at 14:xx.

I'm not going to put up excuses reasons why I think that happened but this close to the half, a little over a month, I should get serious about properly doing EVERYTHING which includes pre & post fueling and just treating everything like its go time and seriously incorporating some speed work.

I know that I'm not going to be the fastest out there, and I can come in dead last for all I care as long as I finish, but I do want to make sure that I put in work because I know I am capable of finishing and I am capable of doing a lot better of what I believe I can do.

13.1 miles is crazy. I wouldn't have thought I would be doing a half this soon, but why not.

Training Run 07/31/11

6 miles DONE! Its not the best but I was somewhat consistent with my times which I'm proud of. In Pasadena my marathon pace was 13:00/m, so I'm anticipating that for my half, I'll be somewhere between 11:30-12:30, or more realistically 12:00-13:00/m. I hope so at least because I would discouraged if I didn't improve on that 13:00 pace. I'm already pretty disappointed that my training runs are at more than 13:00/m. But I have to remember where I came from at almost an hour for a 5k. That is super half assed! Maybe not have half assed, that was just like rolling on the floor status of a joke for a pace and now I did six miles in 1 hr 18 min when before that would have gotten me like 4 miles! You'll never know how far you've come until you look up and look back. I chose to be proud of whatever I can do now because its mine. For me, by me. Need to remember that. I need not to compare myself to others to make myself feel better. Haha. I'm uniquely me!

splits

this is my running route! =]

Ran this in my Lunarglides and I'm still very unsure about these shoes. My right foot felt weird around mile 5, just my right foot tho. Like I could feel EVERYTHING under my foot. But I did appreciate the support and bounciness of the shoe! Maybe I just need to put on my Free runs and do a short run on the dreadmill later just to compare.

I actually walked to the park, did some joke of a stretching (I normally don't stretch since I use my walking to the parking to justify not doing so, but I know I should stretch), ran my six, and cool down was walking back home. I'm not that tired. I know I can keep going but I was getting bored. Haha. I so don't like looping at the lake, and I hate running there in the weekends cuz there are more cars and some drivers are stupid and irresponsible. I'm not tired, but I just wanted to get in doors.

I wore a white long sleeve because it was so cloudy when I left and it was still cloudy when I finished but the shirt was 100% cotton and it was some random shirt I found in my room a guys long sleeve crew neck and guys shirt have a higher neckline. I was dripping sweat and the shirt is now gross. But at least it kept me cool and my skin from not getting any darker. I really need to get an Under Armour shirt with UPF protection. I don't mind my legs getting darker because frankly, I get hot easily and I'm going to get irritable and not run. But I mind my upper body. My skin is really sensitive and its getting really dry and blotchy from running out doors.

Its all good tho! All good!

Now its time to eat some egg white omelet and then research up food for post run recovery and post strength training recovery and just eating in general. Have to get that done for me and for those people who has been patiently waiting for that promised food post. Lols!

PS. I had bitter melon, ampalaya, omelet post run. I am indeed a masochist! It was just bitter melon, tofu, & egg whites. It was really bitter even if I salted the ampalaya prior to get rid of some bitterness. Truth be told, I was craving it! Gonna read up now & P90x later. Its a good and beautiful day, as always!

07/29/11 Training Run

Today was supposed to be a rest day but I wanted to do at least 2 miles. As per the norm right now, no negative split and a really bad 2nd mile. But its okay. I made a couple of mistakes. First one, don't wear cotton shirt under a windbreaker. Its like a freakin' sauna. Second, I got some moisture wicking socks that I think are supposed to be liners but I wore them alone and my foot kept on sliding around my shoe. It wasn't fun.  But its okay. Well, its not. I'm disappointed in my performance, but I mean, like I said... ITS MINE <3<3<3 I don't know anyone in this household that ran 2 miles today and will do P90 before going to bed.

In my head I wanted to do 10 miles. I have a lot of "clearing" in the head to do and how better to do that than run?

If you're in pain, go faster. It won't hurt less but it will end sooner.

Anyway.

My hamstrings are totally beat from yesterdays run. I actually tried to push through hills and just push in general. I've gotten into counting in my head while running because I can't find my mp3 player. So I'll jog 100 paces, walk 50 and repeat. Different variations of too. Whatever whimsy is in my head that day.

So my hamstrings and glutes are totally in pain right now. I'm about to put on my compression socks and lounge. Truth be told, I'm having a hard time pushing myself DURING my runs. Not to run, because I would always want to run, but during my runs. I'm not sure why. Actually, I know why, but I'll keep that to myself. Its just one of those things that are more mental than physical. I can look past the physical pain because theres such thing as pain killers, compression socks and icy hot. Its the mental stuff that gets to me. I think it only happens during my shorter runs because on my long runs I'm too in pain to notice the mental stuff. Haha. But its okay! I have about 50, or less, days before my first ever half! Nor-Cal Marathon! Woot! Then Hollywood Half in April which has a 3 hour time limit which I'm kinda scare of. But well see how that goes. If ever, I'll sell my voucher. LOLs!

I'm going to eat something small and P90x tonight around 9 because I CAN!

I want to sleep like a baby. I'm aiming for 5 miles tomorrow and I want to do it before the heat settles.

That is the picture of my new socks! Its Fila from Ross. But its okay that its Fila cuz it was cheap and it is moisture wicking! Yay! But I guess they are more for lining. They were kinda thin. I want the cushioning in the toes =] But hey, they match! And it came in three pairs and one of them is blue and match my Frees or Faas! All of them are grey =]

07/28/11 Training Run

Ran 4 miles. More like walked. But whatever, I was out there! Where were you?! Haha. Just kidding. I can't find my mp3 player and ran lonely today. I had a good time listening to my body tho but hearing me breathe is ewe!

I'm not giving up on the Lunarglides. Still ran with them. Was tempted to put on the Frees, but I'm hoping Lunarglides will be my "long distance" shoes. I'll do my long run (6 miles) this weekend with the LG, then next weekend (6 miles) with my Frees and see what happens.

I'm not too worried about time, even tho I still couldn't/didn't manage a negative split this run. I started out at 12:xx at mile 1 and finished mile 4 at 15:xx. That is such awful times, I feel like I'm doing Pre a disservice, but its okay. I'm not Pre and this is me for me! To think It would take me 55 minutes to do a 3 miler before and now I'm at 4. Thats progress. Its not where I want to be, but its better! And better is better! Haha.

Thats about it. I'm kinda getting anxious about this half, but I've come anticipate that and embrace it! I'm so looking forward to it! I'm kinda hoping they open up at least a 10k, 5k is better, so that I can convince people to do it. Its hard to convince non-runners to do a half with me. But its okay.

Work in a hour then P90x when I get home! I want to be fly like a G6!

PS. Charles gave me a mix that his cousin made and its freakin' epic working out music! I was feeling it during P90x yesterday. The thing is, its an hour long and my 4 gb mp3 player would need some extensive cleaning! LOL! But its awesome.

PPS. Very little things feel better than peeling off two layers of sports bra after putting in a ton of work. Its like sticky sweat being lifted out of your body... beast!!!

07/27/11 Training Run

I wanted to do 5 miles but my legs wouldn't let me.

I'm wondering if switching between neutral shoes (Free Runs) and stability shoes (Lunarglides) have anything to do with the pain.

I've only put 5 miles on my LG as opposed to like a million on my frees, so the shoe isn't broken in yet, but I'm missing the arch support of the Frees.

Like I mentioned before, I want the Lunarglides to work because they look fly. And I have the LG 3 on the way! Black & pink is a sick color way. Not the black, pink, & blue, just black & pink! However, if Frees and the FAAS 300 (neutral shoes) are what my feet like, I'm just going to cancel those LG3 and customize a 2nd set of Frees.

Or maybe its all mental. I can't seem to get a negative split in the park since I'm looping and lapping as opposed to one giant loop. I manage to get negative splits when I ran in the neighborhood. I need to pick up runners pepper spray tho. Stupid ghetto as folks who hold up people on gunpoint in broad daylight. Blah!!!

Anyway, my time was bad. Mile 1 was 13:55 and mile 2 was 15:52.

-_-

I'm so sad about the time, but like I said my feet were hurting. You know the side of your calves? They are hurting like a mofo. I usually wear compression socks to sleep but my only pair right now is dirty (washing em) and my other pair is I have no clue where the f'ck it is cuz I didn't get a tracking number.

But anyway, whats done is done. I'll wake up early tomorrow and try to get a run in. I need to hop back on the calendar, I don't even know what I was supposed to do for today. I was hoping for five miles cuz I didn't get to do my long run this weekend.  That unplanned trip to SoCal threw me off, but it was super worth it! It helped talking to Marathon Mark! He said I'll be okay and just to make sure to log miles and build endurance. Not to worry about time. I'm not worried since the half marathon has a 4 hour time limit or an 18:xx per mile pace. I do have a target time, its < 3:30 so sub 3:30. I'll work that out to negative splits when time draws closer (52 more training days!). He also said that I'll probably get by without too much training and then when I do my 2nd half, I'll get cocky and won't train and then I'll suffer. LOLs! But he got me excited about running. I think training is a big part of it for me since I love endorhpins, and the race events (expo included) are just cherry on top. I'm going to hit up (try to!) the SF Marathon expo and also the SJ Rock & Roll expo! Free swag & inspiration baby!

Anyway, yeah. That was my crummy run today. Or more like walk.

I also got bit by an ant in the nape of my neck and it was a big ugly ant and it hurts!

Time to wash all my workout clothes and wash myself and look forward to tomorrows workout!

Anyway, here is a GPOY cuz I got more Nike gear in. And yes, I bought into the whole Nike thing. I seriously should buy stock in Nike.

Funny story about those Nike compression shorts. I bought them on clearance and got em in the mail. Tried em on, they fit fine. Didn't actually use them for a week and now they are too big to be compression. Is that a good or bad thing? They make nice shorts tho and lining for when I bike or wear shorts with no lining. They are the Pro-Combat shorts. I have also learned to appreciate my thighs because I put those suckers to work. Besides my calves, my thighs are gaining a lot of definition and I've embraced them. If I could "spot" treat fat without getting lipo, I think my legs would be like muscular. I'm looking forward to that fat on my legs going bye bye! Strong calves are awesome! Ten years from now, I'm going to be carrying my kids upstairs and no chicken legs is going to be able to carry/drag five kids up stairs! 40, 50 years from now, I'm going to be carrying my grandkids up stairs to our space ship so we can vacation in Mars. And my thighs will still be putting in work. So yeah. No where near where I want to be in terms of my body, but progress is progress. And that, my friends is what its all about =] And yes, those spiel about kids and grand kids is a paraphrase from a Nike ad. Told you I bought into the hype!

07/26/11 Training & Random Run

Ran 2 miles just to be out there and running through awesome Glendale!

I wish I lived here!!! I could get used to running by/through the Americana and getting coffee hook ups from a friend who works at Starbucks! But I had chocolate milk and had it mid run, which didn't help my 2nd mile at all. But it was yummy organic chocolate milk!

Shoe report! I ran with my Lunarglides 2, and granted I haven't broken them in, I still really prefer my Frees over them. And the LG3. I think its just cuz I've put so much miles on my frees and I'm used to the arch support of the frees. I have high arches which I think goes well with the arch support of the Frees. My calves, the side of them, hurt in the LG2. I'm sure it will go away when I use em some more but they hurt! Enough to force me to walk em out. I'll keep at it tho, Lunarglides are fly lookin' shoes!

Headed home today. Kinda bummed about it since i love where I'm at right now, but its totally okay. I'll be back and running SoCal in no time! If I lived here I would go crazy running. Nice weather, sweet neighborhood, Portos near by, security at Americana if i want to run around that area... I'm in love with Glendale! It comes close to Pasadena!

07/25/11 Training Run

Ran in Glendale! I loved it! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Granted I haven't ran in a while and this was really turtle pacing it.

I ran in my LG2 and kinda pushed it and didn't stretch and my calves were feeling it, but I also haven't ran since Friday morning and been eating really unhealthy.

Ran with my friend Mark, who is getting married THIS WEEKEND, congrats Mark & Camille!!! He will be known as Marathon Mark and he pushed me well considering I had a bagel as my pre run food. But its okay, it was fun and its good to have motivation from outsiders from time to time. Someone who understands! I can't wait till he visits with Camille and run again! I'm going to be stronger & faster!

Anyway. I'm running again tomorrow! Should be fun! Then head home and just knock out.

7/22/11 Training Run

I admit defeat.

I did something to my right achilles tendon and its hurting like a mofo.

If you look at my splits, you can tell it acted up after mile 2 because the last 1.5 miles = hella slow.

First time for everything.

Ice time then wrapping it and hopefully can be okay for tomorrow or round 2 tonight. I'm determined to make up for this bull.

I'm also sore from P90x yesterday and can't "pendulum" my arms without something hurting. My chest hurts a lot and my triceps and my back, so pretty much everything I worked out yesterday. Haha. Also got like 3 hours of sleep and had a really ugly dream where everyone I don't want to see was in it. Like seriously?!

Anyway, I did my best for this run and I'm okay that it wasn't my best over all, but it was my best given the circumstances. I don't know much people who say they went out there and covered 3.5 miles. I'm sure a lot of people did more but in my circle, I'm probably the only one ::proud::