4.5 Training Run

Schedule called for a 4.5  miles. I tweaked my ankle around  mile 3. Isn't that lovely?  I can totally tell that I haven't improved my time because I haven't done fartlek or hills in a while. I'm pretty upset about it, but I can wallow in my upset-ness or change.

I'll pick the later.

My "local" Nike Run store had speed training this past Sunday but due to ridiculous gas prices, I'm in California, so its highest in the country, I decided not to go. I say "local" because its the closest Nike store to me that has a run club. Its pretty far tho.  I feel the need to insert this disclaimer: SoCal far & NorCal far are very different. NorCal means distance far.  SoCal far means time. I travel back & forth the two, and me and a friend had a late night discussion on this. It was hilarious, but to us it makes sense. I'm still laughing about it.

Anyway, back to speed training. A friend suggested we do this at the track:

I'm the type of person who is down for anything! And if you don't know what that is, its a running parachute. Goes around your waist and the parachute creates resistance. Its pretty much resistance training for running! The more you train with it, the faster you'll be with out it! Makes for great sprinters and to just build speed. I of course being the Nike fan girl, has to have the Nike one. I hope I can hunt it down. I tried one that is generic, but it looks like a circus tent. It went back to the store. Like I said I'm pretty much down to try anything, but I'm afraid that when I "for serious" do the chute, as oppose to half hearted tries, when the chute opens, it will pull me back instead of me pulling the chute! This can created 15lbs of resistance. But I know as I build more muscle and drop some more fat, I'll be more compact. Not necessarily lighter, but more compact! If you know where to find these Nike chutes for the cheap, let me know!

So yeah, speed training will occur! But today, I just ran until I tweaked my ankle. It hurts, I'm about to wrap it right now when I find my bandage. Its one of those things that will go away over night but for now it hurts. I wanted to do the last mile up and down the steep stairs at the park, I did one round and my ankle was in pain.  I'm probably going to switch up my shoes too so that my feet don't get to used to the support of the Glides and I can correct my form. I'm thinking that its my pronation as well. I was able to correct it and I'm probably just being dependent on the support of the glides. So I'll use my Pumas or Kinvara or even my Frees to remind myself to land right. If not, whatever. I'll be okay!

Pre-run! I had work early morning and last I ate was at 9:15 am, I ran around 3. So I needed that GU. I used to train fasted all teh time. I'll just eat a GU. I can't eat anything 2 hours before a run, I just feel nasty. I didn't run with the hat tho, I always dress too warm when I run and I get irritated and go home. I'm anemic so I get cold easily, but I always end up getting super warm during my run.

Post run I had this:

I was really hungry and was looking for a bigger meal but this hit the spot for some weird reason. Two slices of cinnamon raisin bread, the Ezekiel kind, a wedge of brie, almonds, & ham. I don't normally eat pork but I wanted some meat.

Then I had to do this:

Because I get cold post workout. I was reading about it, and it just happens to some people. It was a very cool scientific explanation. I'll look for the link again, but it has something to do with the body trying to protect itself.

Anyway, later lovely people!

Have a strong day (-;

Power Song Saturday! Run- 4 Miles!

I ran again. I wanted to do 8, but I under estimated the heat and didn't bring enough hydration or hydrate prior.  Its HOT. I know, I know, a lot of people are training indoors and I shouldn't be complaining about the heat, but would you believe it if I actually prefer the cold?

I have a playlist on my mp3 player and when a couple of songs come on, its set on random, I like to run to em. One of them is this:

OH YEAH! I'm sure I've mentioned this some where in the blog before, but if EVER there was a song made for HIIT, its this song! Haha. I was pumped when it came on. I was doing HIIT, but really it was just lets get out there and do some cardio and use up those carbs I had last nigh- carbs in the form of fries from Red Robin. All I had was fries and a zombie. I was told to carb up, probably wasn't the carbs they had in mind, but it was yummy.

For those wondering, this is my 2nd power song

Anyway, 4 miles done. I'm taking today to write up my calendar, clean my room, and P90x my arms. I got part of my order from bodybuilding.com. I bough BCAAs and whey protein powder but the whey is in back order so I got my BCAA and in the box was a sample of this:

 Perfect because I knew GNC was giving out samples but the person didn't give me one!!! Do I not look like someone who takes strength training seriously? Don't answer that! Haha! Just kidding. But I'm excited to try that out at night. I just had my post run oatmeal and I'm going to go eat a bit more and be productive.

Its going to be a wonderful day!  I know yours will be just as wonderful too!

Run- 4 Miles

A friend sent me a mix to run to, and this song was on it. Of course, the running version is here. It caught me off guard and it cracked me up. Thanks buddy. 

i ran 4 miles & it felt so good (felt so good)
on 3 hours of sleep i ran four miles
i ran 4 miles & i'll never go back (never go back)
to the not running ways of the past

Haha. Anyway (-;

I really want to go inside there and take pictures while its cold and foggy and gray and empty like that. Its such a  contrast to when its summer and they paint the slides, or do something to it and make it brighter, and there are tents and the lines of people go down the stairs. So empty. I want to go do a photo shoot in an abandoned carnival too. Oh yeah, this is a run blog.

Did a 4 miler with miserable time, but I'm not paying attention to time and pace right now. Just get out there and do something, needed to clear my head and I wanted to run. Its so amazing how hard it is to get out there sometimes, but when you're there, doing your thing you're just like "Dang! This is fun, and I get to do it again tomorrow!" Either that or I'm a dork/riding that endorphin high.

I also stopped/paused a bit to take pictures. I never realized some things in the park where I run. Its pretty cool during this season when things seem so gray.

Of course I would never go in that water to swim, wade, or anything. I run in a park with a man made lake, this is the creek to the side of it. It would be cool if the water in the lake was maintained. The tri I'm eyeing does their swim in a reservoir and it would be cool to train out doors. But alas, its dirty. And its against municipal code.

Its supposedly 66 degrees outside, but as y'all know, I get cold easily and I had to "bundle up," to my standards anyway.

I hate the way I look without glasses but I prefer running with contacts, Its easier for me to zone out in my runs without something slipping off my face every two seconds. That is my purple & yellow Nike Tempos. In honor of Lakers' win last night. And that will be all of my sports politics. Haha. I'm wearing my running tights and using Lunarglides +3. I really like em, plus my Nike+ pod was already in them. That jacket I'm wearing is from Costco out of all the places! It was a Christmas gift from my Dad. Its awesome and dry-wick and my favorite part are the sleeves. Observe:

Thumb holes! 

Mitten covers!

Isn't it awesome?! For someone who gets cold its a must. It keeps me warm too, its compression as well. It has a cord management "system" so that I can stow my mp3 player in the pocket and the cord runs through the inside and has some loops the run them to the back of the neck. I have no problems putting my mp3 player and phone in the pockets, it doesn't bounce up and down. It also has "vents" in the back. I sweat easily so the vents help keep my back feeling fresh. That bump on my wrist is my Nike+ GPS Sportswatch. I don't like how it slides up and down my arm when I run. I don't like it sitting on my wrist bone and I hate it too tight. But I love my watch. I love my jacket. I love everything.

Anyway, have a strong day everyone! I'm going to eat and nap because um, I had 3 hours of sleep.

Then probably a P90x session at night. This plateau is to be climbed out of!

Run

I ran today and I have my workout mat ready, debating if I want to get a P90x session or something in. Chest & Back or Legs & Back. Something with my back. I have work early in the morning so I would love to sleep, but I'm thinking I can get at least a 20 minute ab session in before then. Its not even 6PM!!!

The run was more of a walk. I haven't uploaded it on Nike+ since I'm not sure if the website is up yet, but my times were miserable, but I just wanted to get out there.  And out there I got. I went to the park and walking there is about a mile and the loops is 2 miles. I can't believe I used to lap that loop 5 times to get 10 miles in. Thats insane. I must have been really bored. Being out there is just encouraging me to keep my cardio up. I've been loving strength training so much as of late. Maybe that is why I'm super excited for the race on April.

Funny story. I always sprint the last bit home after my runs.  No matter how tired you are, when you race, you run the chute to the finish. Thats just the way it is. No matter how tired you are, just do it. Feed off the energy of the crowd! Anyway, I was about to take the last turn home & I was running with my contacts on and my contacts tend to shift.  About 10 feet away, I saw this blurry looking animal. I was like "OMG. What is that? Thats a big looking thing. Dog or cat? Why is not moving?" I'm not really scared of animals but this thing being blurry and it was just there, I was pretty cautious. So I creep up to it and when things got a little bit clearer I laughed.

It would have been stellar if it was real! Haha. We do have mountain lions that reside near by, I guess this is a bit of a stretch, but it would be cool to see a big cat chilling in the street as long as it wasn't hungry. If it was real, it would have won the race between it and I.

Speaking of races, someone is trying to talk me into doing a half next weekend. Oh man, debating on it, but I'm in no way prepared. It would be an ego blow if I sub slower than my old half, but then again, it would just motivate me because I probably super suck now.

But anyway...

I was talking about supplements & vitamins and I spoke to a couple of people and did some research and I think I'm going to add two things to my supplements & vitamins list: Fish Oil, CLAs, & BCAAs.  Okay, that is 3 things, but yeah. I'm currently just on a daily vitamin, biotin [my hair!], jack3d, & whey protein.  I need to do a bit more research on CLAs [I really wanted to stay off fat burners, might as well go on Oxy Elite Pro- is that mainly CLA based] and also on BCAAs, but I don't want to loose my lean muscles when I start to run. I'm aiming for a full by fall this year! I'm not sure what yet because I have a feeling a lot of life changes are going to happen this year, but thats my goal. If not, beginning of next year for a full. So I'm going to start running like crazy! I've also began doing brick training some time ago, but nothing serious. So we shall see.

I'm "Back," Well, Almost...

"I'm back!" In probably the loosest way of of "back" possible. I may look like the harbinger of death, and I felt like it, but it got done! I'm not feeling well, I haven't been for over a month, but pushing this whole no run thing any further will not help me at all. This sicky thingy has been pushing at me, I'm going to push back harder, & smarter.

I decided to just get out there. Wanted to do my 5k route, but I wasn't feeling well and my knees weren't up to it, I ended up doing a mile.  Knees and outer thigh muscle [?] were in pain. I feel like I'm starting over with the whole running thing after this month long break. I was thinking about it and I really am. I'm down a lot of pounds so thats something new.  I'm running and focusing more on improving time as opposed to just "finish" is new and while this start all over again may seem very discouraging, its actually a good thing. I'm starting over in a new level.

I only did a mile, and I was cold, but it got warmer. But this was hours ago and now I'm feeling a lot worst than I did before I ran. I really need to get rid of this sickness whatever it is. I don't get sick often, but when I do, I get sick for a really long time.

Anyway, 1 point something miles, about 2 miles for reals, I tend to turn off my watch at random points, is a lot better than no miles!

I just woke up from a nap, so I'll be doing Shoulders & Arms in an hour or two.

Happy Sunday everyone!

PS.  Good luck to all those running R&RLV tonight! I know a few people who are doing it! Jealous that I can't be there, but I know y'all will do me proud!

PPS. The latest patch for the Nike+ Sportswatch GPS is AWESOME! Picked up GPS signals really quick and is more accurate and just makes me happy! I want the heart rate monitor for it and its for sale for $60 at my local Nike Outlet, and I have a $5 off coupon. I wish the HR reader was standard with it, it would make it a nicer, more complete package. And I want to start paying more attention to my HR. It seems wise.

PPPS. I have other news, I'll anounce later. Its awesome, its epic, and I'm blessed to be able to dream big and follow my dreams.

Strength Training 11/29/11

Shoulders & Arms today and in my favorite shirt ever! I love this oversized shirt. Funny thing is, I got it on clearance up here in NorCal, for $1.97!!! But its my favorite shirt to sleep in and workout in.

I've been in a rut lately that doesn't have anything to do with working out.  Been lazy and not motivated because my mind was just pre-occupied with so much junk; but this week, this day, this second is new and it may have taken me a while, but now is what matters.

Back to the grind it is! I'm on track so far in terms of weight loss, I'm actually ahead of schedule, but it all good. I broke that plateau even through thanksgiving my weight dropped (not as much as I would like but that pumpkin pie was worth it) and I'll check the end of this week how much I lost.  I'll talk more about that December 1 when I do my monthly goals :-) That way I'll have a few more days to loose some pounds!

Today's workout was good. Maybe cuz I needed the endorphins, as I always say, or maybe it "gave me a purpose," not that I'm purposeless, but it was good. I liked it. I sped it up a bit and did 3 sets of 30 second planks and some squats when I should have been ballistic stretching, so it was good.

I want to get back into running too. I've pretty much taken November off from running which is LAME but I've been sick on and off and not wanting to venture far from the house just in case I puke. Its still no excuse because we do have a treadmill, but I hate that thing.  I'm loosing muscle definition on my thighs. If you run, you know them runner legs & they pretty!

See the muscle definition? I already have defined calves [which I don't really like, but its better than cankles?] and when I started running [more specifically running hills] I gained a lot of muscle & definition in my thighs.  See that "bump" above the outer knee? I love that thing. Haha. Its like a badge of honor. It might not be "sexy" by other people's standards but to me its a sign of all the miles and hills.  Mines still there, maybe I'm just paranoid because I haven't ran in a while ::sigh::

Anyway, more about running on my December 1 entry. I need to start up a plan and stick with it when it comes to running :-)

Have a strong & beautiful day everyone!

Supplements: jack3d pre-work out & ON Whey Protein post work out

Short Jog & Laundry

I jogged a mile today. Just a bit over, didn't really bother for time but I wanted to make sure I kept pace at the hills and didn't walk. Its not the insane hills, but its up hill none the less. I'm not sure if its related but my left instep is in pain, not as bad as the 13.1 miles, but it was in pain. Kinda sucks, its something I have to watch out for. All those tendons at the top of the feet feel so crackly for a lack of a better word.

Anyway, just threw my work out/running clothes in the wash

I bought that the other week and I'm hoping it makes the life of my workout clothes longer.  Supposed to be gentler than regular detergent. I had a coupon so it came out cheap so if it doesn't work, its all good.

Anyway, time to get back to real life and training. I'm looking for a half or two before the Hollywood Half! If I can improve and run a sub 2:30 half with confidence, maybe, just maybe I'll do the Pasadena full! But I won't be so sad if I choose to do the half instead. I've come far from where I began and I'm proud of that.

Motivational Monday: Lets Get It Started

I'm done! Well, with the P90x part and the planks. I did like ten burpees and decided it can wait. My core hurts and I drank my protein shake and as always, the clear headedness that follows any serious workout is on overdrive. In my world, that means its time to share!

First of all, thanks to all the people who message questions.  Its those messages that make me smile tho. Like that "planking" message and messages that are questions!

I'm not a fitness guru, all I know is what I do, but one question that pops up once in a while is:

How do/did you get started? How can I get started?

I personally got started with running. I've always liked running. I played soccer but to be honest, I get frustrated really easily, even with myself, so a team sport was something I didn't pursue past middle school.  Running can be done alone or with a group, so to me it was perfect.  However, I didn't really run for serious until May of 2011.  Along with running, I also did P90x.  What I hated was having weak upper body strength!  Its not like I'm a gymnast but I hated not having that and P90x was something that I figured could help with that.  I also read up a lot and with the help of a friend was able to just learn more about strength training and just the basic science about it.  This was all around the beginning of 2011.  So thats how I got started.

How can you get started?

You don't need much. I'll show you what I use.

For running, all you really need are good, solid, running shoes.  Don't wear Chucks, don't wear basketball shoes, don't wear flats, and please, please, please don't wear flip flops.  Get some solid running shoes.  If you can't tell, I'm a big Nike fan girl.  I have shoe reviews right here. But for the link phobic, it boils down to my two favorite shoes. Long distance running: Lunarglide +3 & for short distances: Saucony ProGrid Kinvara 2.  Protect your legs! Please don't be afraid to invest and try out running shoes.  I have spent a good amount on my running shoes and some I use more than the other, but I don't regret it.  My legs are something I'll have with me for life, they carry me on my runs, I want them to be protected as much as I can.  For running, that is all you really need to start.  As you push on, you might find you want some dri-fit gear: socks, shirt, shorts, etc.  But thats when you push on.  Some people hate running and I wouldn't want you guys to invest a lot of $ into something you hate, but if you end up loving it, you'll know what you need. If not, talk to me, I love talking gear!

For P90x/Strength Training, I have a little bit more than shoes.  First of all, I can just say a $30+ a month membership to a gym. But I'm cheap, and a lot of people I know either don't have $30+ a month for a gym or have a $30+ month gym membership but don't go.  So, I'll show you what I use at what I dubbed my "Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Gym," a.k.a. my living room.

Free Weights: 8 & 10 pound free weights.  It may seem low, but I'm not trying to bulk up here.  In the beginning I was struggling with 8 pounds. Right now, I'm on 12-15+ reps for the 8 pounds. Its time to move up soon, but I notice my form suffers at 10 pounds.  Foam Roller: you don't really need this for strength training. This is more for stretching and untangling muscle knots, but it never hurts to foam roll! Resistance Bands: when I began, like I said, 8 pound was a struggle.  I hardly use my bands now, unless its a sub for the pull up bar, which I need to buy.  But the bands help if you're beginning or intimidated by weights.  I liked them when I needed them, but I'm always slight terrified of them snapping on my face. Work Out Mat: if you're fine on hardwood, you don't need it, but I like cushioning and this saved my knees when I did push up on knees.  I also like it for cool down when I lie on the floor and think. Jack3d: this you really don't need but it's saved my lazy ass so many times. Jack3d is a pre work out that helps you focus. I would just be careful with it. I'm lucky that I had someone who knew what they were doing help me out when I began with jack3d because I would have been terrified to try it otherwise. I'm also highly caffeine sensitive so I had to learn what works for me. Some days its one dose, some half.

Igor: Igor is my laptop. Work Out Plan: your pick! I use P90x. I used to do Insanity but since Insanity is mostly cardio, I've swapped that out with running.  P90x is strength training. And I love it. Shaker Bottle: for your post work out protein shake! I already drank mine, obviously. Music: your choice! You can click on that to see my Spotify profile. I usually listen to spotify or long mixes, an hour or more long.  Music helps to motivate or push through when I don't want to keep going. Either that or it distracts me and I just end up dancing ;-)

Thats what I used to get started. And I think thats all you really need. But I believe the most important thing ever that you need is:

I'm more than glad to help, I'm more than happy to answer questions, but the greatest and most important gear you need is really just YOU!!!  In the end, you will be putting in the miles.  You will be putting in those reps. Not me, not anyone else, but you.  Trust me, its amazing how running has built up more than my leg muscles.  How P90x has given me more than upper body strength. I don't put all the credit on those, I know God loves me perfectly.  My confidence, my belief in myself, my strength, all has grown as I keep on pushing myself in running and working out, and also knowing that I'm perfectly loved. Its a mental thing as much as it is physical.  Its being proud of something that you know is for you and by you. Its a-ma-zing.

So to those people who messaged over the weekend, go you! I'm surprised at the amount of messages.  Were the planets aligned this weekend that people wanted to "start" their workout regimen? Is it the impending onslaught of holidays, a.k.a. food time?  I'm not sure but for those of you guys, yay! Keep going.  Get those running shoes, get those weights and bands. Or just get yourself and get out there and just do it!

Run 10/11/11

I was determined to do at least 3 miles today. Get out there cover at least 3 miles. Run, walk, roll, hope, skip, worm through 3 miles.

I was all dressed with my new compression tee under my NorCal Half shirt:

I'm loving that compression tee! Its from Target's C9 workout collection and I was originally going to Target to pick up an Iron Gym- I have to start doing pull ups soon, my bands aren't cutting it and if I want to improve, I need to move up from bands to the pull up bar, but I ended up finding these in the clearance section for $11.xx. I got a white one and a purple one. I put in a lot of money into this running thing, but health care is also expensive! I didn't pick it, the Iron Gym, up because all the boxes were opened, and I'm picky like that. Anyway, so I was all ready then THIS happened:

View from the floor. I was all ready, even had my phone in my SPI belt.

I slipped. Two steps outside my room, I slipped on our notoriously slippery wooden floors. I'm wearing my running shoes, Lunarglide+2, so theres traction there and I slip.  I did some damage to my left knee which was in pain and its the knee that loves to act up but I decided to go out there.  I said on my Twitter last night that somebody shoot me in the face if I don't get a run in, and that somebody was gona be me! Anyway, went out there to just be out there. 

It was cold to begin with but dang compression tee made it feel like I was running while being hugged by a teddy bear! I was sweating buckets. Reminder that I'm anemic so I get cold easily, so I needed that compression tee! It was 74 according to the school's electronic billboard, but to me it was like 50, so for me to sweat means that compression was doing some work keeping me warm! I love it! And I don't get get dark! Oh man!

I'm not back to where I'm at, but I acknowledge that its really a mental thing. Someone just offered their spot to me, I can "legally" transfer it to my name too, on a half marathon that I was debating on doing the 23rd of this month, for free. I'm not sure if the transfer is free or if shes letting me have her spot and registration, but thats $75 I don't have to pay and its part of my series. I was supposed to be out of town, and God knows how much I need to see my other family, but if everything pulls through, it looks like I have my other half! My goal? Sub 3 without much additional training. If anything, I've gotten "worst" since the NorCal Half! I'll see if thats solid, cuz if not, I need to book my ticket! Haha.

Anyway, running, I love you.

Thank you for helping me bring sexy back!

Someday, my mp3 will bust out SEXY BACK while I pass this street! Someday!

Power Food & Post Race Depression

First of all, its getting cold! I love this weather but I have no running pants or normal sweat pants that fit so I'm cold. Another sign of the times? Itchy throat & a cold!  My power food for this season?

HONEY!!! I've always used honey as "cough drops," and itchy throat medicine.  I was reading random articles online and I ran into this article >>Honey: The Facts from Runners World UK. It talks about how the sugar content of honey [glucose vrs. fructose]  is beneficial as a fuel source for energy source for runners.  Anyway, its just another justification for my honey obsession. It has to be organic tho.  If I over think things and analyze what honey "really" is, I'll start to get all shivery. The "organic" label helps my queasiness quotient go down a bit.

Moving on from my love of sweetness in the form of honey...

Lately I haven't been as motivated to run.  I feel like its purposeless.  I can't get myself motivated to loop the park. I really want to run at least 5 miles. I was supposed to do it to today but I wasn't motivated.  After running the NorCal half, I just haven't been motivated.  I would rather strength train. I've been going crazy on P90x but not at all for running.  Every time I leave my room, my running gear stares back at me with puppy dog eyes waiting to be used.  As I was reading articles, I also ran into this >>Post Race Depression and also this >>The Blues: Post Race Depression. Note that I didn't run a full marathon, I ran a half. Even so, I thought I was just going crazy or lazy. This is why I like to share life, because now I know I'm not going crazy, and that I'm not alone! 

Personally, I think I just need to officially sign up for a race event, not a 10k or a 5k, but at least a half. I have a paid for voucher for the Hollywood Half next year in April but I still need to officially register.  I know for a fact I also want to do the Pasadena next year. Pasadena means a lot to me for various reasons, being the nostalgic person that I am, I would love to be able to do Pasadena yearly.  Pasadena is in May.  Those two events are far away tho.  I have a possible half the 23rd of this month, if I chose to stay in town; I have a planned trip to SoCal.  Aside from that, I have no other half planned.  One thing going for me is the 3:00 hour time limit for the Hollywood Half. I know for a fact I can do it, but I would love to be sub 2:30. I wonder if I can shave 38 minutes off my NorCal time?  I know I can sub 3 because during my NorCal run I was sick and one of the things only girl runners face, my period.  I don't plan to be either on the Hollywood Half.  I think I'll find a half between now and then and hopefully sub 2:45, so I'll be confident for a sub 2:30 for Hollywood Half.  I know thats slow compared to a lot of people, but its mine! See, just talking about it is motivating me to run.  I'm pretty sure I just need to be registered for an event to light a fire under my legs. Running has admittedly gotten to be lonely for me. I don't mind running or training alone, I don't want to slow anyone down, its being able to talk to someone about all this to someone who will be like "I GET IT!" Thats why I share life, I love company.

Running is one of those things that I really love and I'm still trying to understand.  Its like getting to know a friend and to do so, you have to push yourself over and over.  And just when you think you've pushed yourself and know running, you realize that you're on a whole new level and have no choice but to keep on pushing. Keep on running, keep on improving.

Its crazy.

But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Foam Roller!

I get really sore muscles and tight knots in my legs after the longer runs, and even short ones.  One thing that helps, besides stretching- which I recently incorporated- is foam rolling!

Left the plastic on, so Asian of me!

When I first started seriously running, which was only last May, I was clueless about foam rolling, but now I feel all pro when I foam roll because its like I worked so hard, I need to foam roll!  Even if it hurts a bit (since I bruise easily, if I over do it, I'll bruise,) it helps a lot more! Its like getting a deep tissues massage while working out your core.  It feels so darn good.

I was going to take pictures of different ways to foam roll, but seriously, I tried. Here is the best picture.

It can be pretty awkward to take pictures of yourself in different foam rolling positions. And its hard to do it via webcam without looking like a complete fool. And I'm wearing my pajamas because its cold here!  And this set of videos by Runners World does it a whole lot better!

>>How To Use A Foam Roller

I usually use it on my it band, hammies and adductors.  But seriously, if you get tight glutes, it helps so much! Combine this with stretching, since I don't normally stretch, I feel a lot better after working out or running. I just feel limber. And it works out your core because if you watched the videos you'll be able to tell that theres a lot of balancing in there too. If you have a personal masseuse, go for it. If you don't, get a foam roller!

In other non-foam rolling news, I really need to log a run that is more than 5 miles. Its getting colder here tho. I'm debating getting running pants but I want them semi-compression and last time I bought compression gear, I wore it once and lost inches and now it doesn't compress. Nike running pants/capris run $60+ and I don't want to buy and have it not compress or fit after a month or two. So expensive! Its getting cold tho and I only have one pair of work out pants that I can use for running but it won't last long. Time to hit up Ross!

Heres to speedy recovery for all!

Running & Strength Training 10/04/11

I woke up today and this greeted me:

So I decided to go out and run/walk/jog for 15 minutes. Not set distance or pace, just get out there in rain and in the cold and have fun for 15 minutes.  So I laced up my Lunarglide +2, shoes I don't mind if they were to get dirty or wet.

It was cold and I'm trying to be careful with my immune system because its on the weak side right now so I wore some long socks. I love my long socks.  They keep me warm. These aren't my compression socks. I actually took them from my brother, they were his soccer referee socks. Haha. They are big and loose but they keep me warm.

This also greeted me outside

Loving those clouds! It was just a light drizzle when I left and it actually stopped during my run.  But man, I love this weather. As much as I want to stay under my warm blanket and just sleep in, this weather is begging for a run or just some outside time.  Plus I want to get summer body read. So excited for this summer. Don't ask why, I don't have any solid plans, but I know things will fall together. I have a feeling I'm going to be in SoCal a lot, again. I want to take up surfing or something in the water. I'm terrified of sharks, NorCal beaches are shark territories, and drowning but I haven't seen a shark yet or drowned.

Anyway, I did 15 minutes worth of stuff. I actually logged just a mile but it was more than a mile. My time was dismal, but like I said, I wasn't focused on that.  When I was about to turn the corner home, this started playing:

And of course when Sandstorm starts playing, the legs start pushing! Sprinted the last few home and when I got home I was sweaty like heck.  I love power songs.  I have so many that pretty soon my running/workout playlist will all be power songs that I'll just have no choice but to run like hell all the way through! I also always forget that no matter how cold it is, if you put in honest work, you'll be hot. I wore my over sized long sleeve white tee again over my compression tank (+ sports bra = compressed to the max = sweat) and damn. I was sweating bullets.  I love this white tee. I have no clue where it came from, I just found it. Its a guys tee too and I feel like I'm drowning in fabric when I run but its so comfy.

Theres my favorite white tee and my pink in ear ear buds! You guys know how much I rock pink when I run or work out! Ignore my chapped lips. I always get chapped lips during the winter and no amount of chapstick, EOS, BurtsBees, Vaseline can fix it. Its annoying as hell but its what I got. Is there such things as prescription chapstick?

Got home and decided that I have time and energy to do some P90x! Took jack3d, by the way, I can't wait to finish this jar so I can try new flavors, and did some arms & shoulders.  I know I've been doing arms & shoulders forever but I really want to work out my arms. I should do my other upper body work outs tho. I know it all works together but damn, I want my arms to lean out.  I'm also kinda annoyed at my legs.  This is going to sound stupid complaining but I'm loosing a lot of fat from the mid section, which is great. Don't get me wrong its great but I was hoping to loose a good amount from my arms and legs too. Legs I'm not too worried because I run, but my arms. I know they are shrinking because my clothes tell me so and I have muscles and I'm getting stronger and my tape measure tells me so, but damn. I want to "be there" already.  I just need to remember that most of the fun is in getting there. It takes work, but not gonna lie, its hella fun.

Heres some fun proof:

PROTEIN SHAKE POWER! Haha! Yes I love my crazy facial expressions too. I'm one of the most animated person you will ever meet. I'm a walking cartoon! Or so I've been told, I just wear my heart on my sleeve and apparently my heart is very crazy 8-)

Anyway, this girl and her over sized long sleeved & white tee will see you soon! Love you guys!

Have a strong day!

Craziness brought to you by endorphins & the natural crazies <3

Cat & Her Love Affair

For those of you who know me, you know that I can talk it up to any stranger. I love being able to meet people. I met a kinesiologist who randomly stretched my legs out this week.

Today, love wins again! It "pays" to be genuinely friendly and invested in people. I crashed an expo today. Its open to the public and hey, I'm part of the public. Its for the local Rock & Roll Marathon. And guess who was there? GU! My favorite running gel <3 <3 <3 I'm so glad that they are a local company.

Anyway. I'm almost all out of my box of Chocolate Outrage so I decided to go buy a box for $20.  Its cheaper than Amazon and the money goes directly to GU. I was talking to the rep and just being genuinely interested, thats the key it has to be genuine. You can't fake nice, people aren't dumb. Anyway, I was asking him about the Peppermint flavors and I brought up that I know that they are releasing Peanut Butter.

And guess what he busts out:

THATS RIGHT!

I, Catherine, also known as Catherun am confessing my deep love for GU and peanut butter.  And now, I hold in my hands 2 sample packs- the rep wanted me to point out that these packs are in limited not for re-sale packaging, haha- of PEANUT BUTTER GU!!!

And a water bottle.

But seriously. All I did was talk to the guy and be genuinely nice and ask questions about GU. Things I wanted to know anyway.  He told me that some guy at work used the tri-berry and peanut butter GU as filling for sandwich. Haha. He also said that he didn't have a lot of peanut butter samples. That it wasn't just given to the public, it was actually hidden from the public. Its al cuz I was nice and I asked! Thats what he said!!! He actually didn't know I bought a box too. Someone else helped me with that.

Runners are some of the most friendliest people I know. I think we all know, understand, and acknowledge that we all are insane to a measure since we run.  We put ourselves through enough tough physical and mental situations that we are just nice because we've been through a lot worst.  And more insanely, we put ourselves there.

Anyway. I just wanted to say thanks to GU!

I'm a happy little fan girl <3

Goals?

I'm rethinking my goals right now.

Or priorities.

I stayed in a constant weight the week leading up to my half marathon. It was agonizing not to drop because I know that I need the food to fuel my runs. I'm used to dropping anywhere from 2-5 pounds a week. And I still want to loose weight. I'm getting a little obsessed with numbers, tho I shouldn't be. I know muscles and jean size is a better indicator, but I can't help it. I also hate my height. I don't tell a lot of people this, but I don't like my height. Tall for Filipina, short for everyone else. I would rather be a couple of inches shorter because I like being Filipina. Haha.

Anyway, I want to cut back calories again from 1800-2000 to 1200. Maintain running and step up my strength training. But off the top of my head, I'm going to have to pick two from three and stick with it. The most logical and is just stay within the 1800-2000 calorie range and work hard on running and strength training, but there is no way I can do all three. But who knows. I'm pretty bad ass, or so I like to think.

I think I'm going to die tho with that little calories. I keep on getting lectured on by my Aunt who is a nurse. But it works for me. I still want to keep up running for sure. I already have a lot of half marathons lined up and its such a big part of my life now. Its crazy. So I can't give that up. Blah.

I need to step back tho and just remember to listen to my body.

I'm not going to carry weight the same as other people, so while the number may not be ideal, the size will be and I won't be a walking zombie.

Just trying to think things out. I'm re-organizing life and this is part of it.

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 =]

Random Running Musings

At this time next Sunday, September 18, I would hope to be alive and breathing.  For next Sunday, at 6 am in the morning, I would be awake anticipating my first ever half-marathon.

13.1 miles. Never has that seem so possible for me. Up to now, it still doesn't seem possible. My longest run has been 10 miles and as of late, I haven't had the motivation or the drive to do long runs.

Am I screwing myself over? Probably. But what is done is done and it is now time to do or die.

I prefer the "do" part, but to die doesn't seem half as bad either.

So yesterday, I ran a 5K. It was just for a local church and it wasn't marked properly so according to my Nike+ GPS Sportswatch, I only ran 1.66 miles. But the best part to me was having someone to pace with. I paced with my friend who has a definition of "easy" as 8 minute per mile. Since it was just a "super easy" day, it was 10 minute per mile pace and I was able to crank out a 10:07 minute mile with surprisingly no problem. I had problems with my hip-flexors after. The knee I've learned to just deal with it, but the hip flexors really hurt. Ice did the trick, I'm interested in seeing how I'm going to fare come the half, but yeah. 

I think I've been running for so long alone that I have settled into this comfortable rhythm. I need to go back to learning to push myself again.  Its for me, by me. I feel like this journey, is really "lonely" but at the same time its not. The event I'm attending is the inaugural event an they are expecting 2,000 runners.  The Pasadena event was a huge event with thousands and thousands of runners. But that 5 hours of community doesn't compared to the hours and hours and hours of alone time that runners put in for training. I never realized how lonely running was. Maybe I'm just sad right now. Its really hot!

Anyway, yeah, I think I'll be signing up for a lot of smaller races so that I can constantly (at least every other month have an event to run) be pushed by a community. I love people, and I always say people are my treasures, just realized how much hours I've spent by myself running the roads. Its crazy!

Anyway, for those who know me, I work in the design/art field. As a matter of fact, I'm supposed to be working on design comps right now. Anyway, I'm always in love with things visual and it doesn't matter if I'm tore up from the floor up running, I still want to appear good, a.k.a. look like I know what I'm doing.

Here is part of my set up for my half-marathon:

Matte hot pink nails to match my hot pink shoes!!! Or if you are Nike, "solar red."  So excited, I'll post up the entire thing before or after my half. All I'm saying is if I pass out and my ID & bib falls off my body, I'll be dressed all coordinated & stuff.  I'm debating what shirt I should wear. I still have to buy it but I'm debating between white, hot pink, or black. I really like the idea of black because I have pink accessories and pink running shorts, but its so hot! I don't want to sweat like crazy or attract unnecessary heat. 

Anyway, yeah. I'm going to go run in about 2/3 hours or whenever the temperature goes down. I think I have pretty much given up on long runs. And after my half, I'm not sure what I'll do, but hopefully my bad ass switch turns back on again.

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 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!