Man!

I had this post written out yesterday, but I couldn't post it cause my server went down. I did copy it, but then forgot about the darn thing. Ah jeez.

Let me see...

Uh, weight room...2 and a half miles on the treadmill...a few leg reps...

I guess it wasn't much of a loss after all.

I'm freakin out about what's ahead...maybe I'll just stay in bed.

I got up early this Sunday morning to make potato salad.

I've got my in laws coming over to celebrate Don & Katie's January birthdays. I really wanted to get in my 10 miles today. I was a bit nervous cause I haven't run a good 10 miles without stopping for a while. Last time I did the 10, I stopped at my friend's house for water and chit chat.
This time, I had no time for stopping. We expected company to show up in 2 hours.

I finished up the salad (with bacon, yum!) and off I went. Since it was Sunday, I saw many people. Beth was on her way to Church (yes, I felt a little guilty for choosing running over God). I also 2 saw ladies walking a dog and 3 men on skinny bikes wearing tight spandex black bodysuits.

I felt very good. Very strong. I waved to several people I knew.

Even though I felt strong, I ran pretty slow. My goal today was simply to not stop. I wasn't out to break any personal speed records.
Everything was going pretty good until about the 8th or so mile. My left knee felt like it was being twisted the wrong way. I ignored it. Then my feet started burning. I ignored that too. At the home stretch...I was hitting a wall. I was so hungry! That was a bit tougher to ignore. I could feel the energy draining from my body.
Luckily, I used my brain to overcome it. I reminded myself that I was close. What a shame to stop now. Keep going Kathy! You can do it, you've done it before. Just go.

I sprinted the end and stopped just in time to catch the image of my in laws white car coming towards me.
They offered me a ride up the hill to our house. I politely declined. A few minutes of stretching and I'm running up that hill!

New song to ipod..."Good Day" by The Click 5

Finding the 5 in blind daylight.

Oh, back tracking on this log blog is so fun! Do you hear the sarcasm in my words? Trust me- it's there.

Anyway...This day was Friday. The training program says I need to run 5 miles.

Okay. Uhmm...so where is that exactly?

I figured Second gate is a good place to start. I can always add to it. I just had one big problem. My eyes.

I went to the eye doctor that day just for a regular check up exam. The good news is that I have 20/20 + vision. The bad news is that I had to go through getting a horrible headache and blurred vision to find out.

During the exam the doc used some drops to dilate my eyes. Those drops stung!
Instantly I started getting a headache. In a few minutes, I was unable to focus on anything close to me. I felt drunk. It was even difficult to listen to what the doctor was telling me since I couldn't see his face very well. I suppose I am accustom to looking at someone when they are talking to me.

Perhaps I wouldn't make a good soap opera star.

Anyway. I left the eye doc feeling very tired. My eyes stung and felt dry, but everytime I blinked (which I had strong urges to do) it felt so good that it took all my strength to open them again. Not good when you are driving.

I got home and crashed in bed for a while. I really wanted to run...but couldn't imagine doing it.

After a while, I got up and dressed in my running clothes. My will was strong. I wasn't going to let my body talk me out of it.

However, one step outside and I seriously doubted if I could do it. The sun was bright and flashed in my eyes light strobe lights. It was a strange feeling. I tried to focus on the pavement, but I couldn't even make out the shape of the rocks around my feet.
This forced me to look up and out into the distance. Distance was easier to see.

I ran the Otter Trail loop, 2nd gate and then back around the Otter Trail loop again. That's gotta be close to 5 miles.

Overall- it was a strange run. One that left me feeling venerable and woosie. Kinda like the feeling you have when you've just been to the dentist who shot your mouth with novicane. The whole world must see it, right?

Weight room with MB

Today I was scheduled for the weight room. That is good because MB has today and tomorrow off. He likes to walk the treadmill (his knees disagree with running). This is why we never exercise together. Besides, I'm more of a loner when it comes to running.
Today provided an opportunity to do our own thing, side by side.

He did his usual 20 minute speed walk with a heavy incline, while I ran 3 miles in 30 minutes with no incline.
After I was done with cardio I did some leg work (not much). I started feeling dizzy and sick to my stomach. After a few stretches, MB showed me how he likes to do his ab work. He uses that big blue exercise ball. I tried, but it's a little big for me and hurts my neck. So I used the ab bender thingy.
We cut the rest of the workout short cause I didn't feel well.

MB just left for Oregon. He has an interview in Medford tomorrow. More on that subject later...

Laugh & Cry; Sing & Sweat

It is nice to have a set training program. No question if I will run today...It's Tuesday...it's a 3 mile day. The only question I was faced with was...which 3 miles? My old routes are not quite 3 miles.

I decided on Pointed Rocks and Westville. It might not be a full 3 miles, but it has got to be close, cause I ran it hard and finished it in 25 minutes. Told you I was slow. But to my credit...there are couple of nice hills going that way. I lost time going up Pointed Rocks.
However, I never felt like stopping. Nope, not once. I'm inching my way toward progress and trying to keep my body at the same level as my desire...and vice versa.

I felt so strong at the end of the run, that I even considered going around Otter Trail, but decided against it. Let's stick to the plan, Kath.

So instead, I danced my fool heart out in the house. I laughed, cried, sang and sweat.
What song rocked my world?

"Memory" by Sugarcult...

First day of the rest of my life

It's Monday and as scheduled, I worked out in the gym.

20 minutes on the treadmill got me 2 miles closer to my goals. I moved on to the machines for legs & arms. Next up- abs. 40 minutes total.

Hmm, that was easy.

I got it!

My training schedule is coming together.

I've been reading some books and websites on how to train for a marathon. But it occurred to me that I wasn't going to find the perfect formula this way.

Why?
Because it's not personal enough. My life is well...unique. Everyone's is. If I'm going to follow a training path...I gotta blaze the trail myself and then run through it half a million times!

I'm not ashamed to say that I've been struggling with this. I am an organized whanna be. Meaning, I take shots at managing my time and stuff, but wind up with a big mess sooner or later. Take my kitchen for example...The pots and pans are neatly stacked below the counter, the appliances are stored in the island and the dishes stand at attention in plate rack. Everything is neat and tidy except for a few nagging groups that mock my good intentions. Namely- the tupperware, glasses & paperwork.
The daily mail and all important school newsletters clutter the table while I swear the leftover containers are a bunch of bullies playing "hide the lid" as soon as I shut the door. As for the glasses...they multiply. It never fails...as soon as I throw out the ones I don't like, it isn't long before new ones take their place, leaving me to wonder, "how the hell does this happen?"

Where was I going with this? Oh yeah, organization. Despite my greatest attempts, clutter is bound and determined to stick with me. The thing is...having good organizational skills is the secret to success. My dad always told me that I can do whatever I want to do, as long as I can see it. Keep it in your sights Kathy.
I want to run a marathon. At least a half marathon this year. I need training and I need a plan.

Okay- today I got one. It came to me as I was running back from Hidden Gold and Otter Trail (5.5 mile day).

Here's what it looks like in my head...

Monday- Workout room-light cardio, weights for arms and legs. Sit-ups. Stretching.
Tuesday- 3 mile run
Wednesday- off
Thursday-workout room-heavier cardio, light weights, Yoga
Friday-5-6 mile run
Saturday off
Sunday- 10 mile run, HOT bubble bath

Now doesn't that look good? I hope I can stick with it, but I know that life happens and often interferes with our best laid plans. I will allow this knock me off course once in a while. The most important thing is that I have a plan. I'm calling it my 3,5,10 plan.
I'll give it a whirl and see how it goes.

The Endurance Capital of the World

I took Megan to her friend's (and my friend's) house. While I was out there, I decided to park at the tennis courts and do a hilly 3 mile route.
Secret Lake Trail to Sweetwater and back to the courts. More than half the time, I'm going downhill...but I tell you, the hills around here are enough to kill a person.
I guess that's why they call this place "The endurance capital of the world". Seriously, right here in my own backyard is home to a popular 100 mile endurance trail run.

Don't believe me? Here see for yourself. http://www.auburnendurancecapital.com/

Sorry, but I am not ever going to do that. I'm not that crazy. Now watch...in 5 years I'll be training for it! Maybe I AM that crazy??

Anyway. The run was fine, except I got nauseated. I can run through so much, but feeling like I'm going to hurl any second makes it very difficult to NOT STOP!

Just keep runnin...just keep runnin...

what do we do? we run.

Cross training kicked my butt

I thought skiing would be no big deal. Not like it's a real workout, huh?

So why the heck did I wake up with incredibly stiff sore muscles in my calves and arms? Apparently it was more than I bargained for.

And the boots rubbed my ankles raw, but hey- it was fun!

Forgot to post this

Good thing I'm keeping a journal log book as well as this blog. I keep forgetting to write on this site. Anyway, I ran 10 miles on this day.
It was to third gate, stopped at my friend's house and then ran home. On the way home I remember hitting the sharp pointy edge of a rock right on the ball of my right foot, which has been bruised and hurting already. I got so mad because it hurt so much that I yelled SHIT, and ran even harder for the next half a mile or so.

But at least it didn't rain.

Dancing with Myself

I took the girls to school, went to the post office, bank and the gym.

I spent the next hour using the machines and dancing to the beat of my own drum. I had my nano on. I bet I must have looked funny. I don't care. I love to dance. Of course I was alone in the gym. I am brave and don't care to much if other people think I'm a little strange. I am little strange. But happy to be myself. It's a good thing Katie didn't know about my dancing around. She would have DIED of embarrassment. O'well. Ever since I saw the movie "The Truman Show" I tend to look a little closer for hidden cameras. However, I think I'd make a good show. Then again, I think most people would make a good show. People are naturally funny and gross all at the same time.
Somewhere in this country I think there is a rather large building devoted to national security. A place where your tax dollar is being spent on gathering vital information. You know...things like- what you wore last Tuesday and if there is method to your madness. That sort of thing. (IT'S JUST A THEORY...I HAVE NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER. DON'T COME AFTER ME BIG BROTHER!!!). Just your average American girl, who loves her country, using her imagination. REALLY. But if you must check me out, go for it. I promise to be quite entertaining. Hehehe. I have a good lawyer.

What a job that would be, huh?! After two weeks, nothing would shock you.

I wonder what the suicide rate for that job is? Not that I really believe there is a job like that...uh, no...I don't think there is.
Honest.

I just want to JUMP

Music has come back to me!

Yes folks, I got a nano. I know what you're thinking...that I don't deserve it. And you're right. It was all my fault, my stubbornness that caused the untimely death of "cool runner" (my blue ipod mini). If I would have just relinquished the unit to MB when I had the chance...but no. I had to keep it on my arm, brutally exposed to those cold bundles of ice...she just couldn't take the abuse!!

Okay...I'm alright now.

There is still some hope for cool runner. I have not given up on her yet. This Friday I am going to Macworld (an Apple conference) held in San Francisco. I will ask around and perhaps bring her along and see if I can get any help for the little mini me.

Back to the Nano. It is black (2g) holds 500 songs. MB is a dear. He worked all day yesterday (overtime) just so he could buy it for me. It is my early birthday present. My birthday is not until late February. I felt terrible getting it, knowing that I'm the only one in the family who has ever had an ipod, only to break it and get another one so soon. He bought it at Best Buy so he could also buy a warranty which covers everything, including moisture damage (the problem with cool runner). Hmmm, good idea knowing me. It's not that I don't take good care of my stuff, cause I do! But I am very strong willed. And often times, it over rules my better judgment.

I ran to Hidden Gold (5 miles). Being the first sunny Sunday in quite a while, there were lots of people out walking, riding horses & shooting hoops.
I saw my friend, Thea, but she didn't see me. I really need to call her. Her husband, Ron, was driving. He saw me and waved. My knees did not hurt at all today. Perhaps my training plan is working. Cutting back on distance and concentrating on quanity, strength training & stretching is having an effect.
However, I've noticed that getting out to run EVERYDAY is a little daunting to me. It's not that I can't do it. I know I can, and really love it. The problem is time. It takes most of my morning to exercise, shower, write this post...blah, blah, blah. Running is not the only goal of my life right now. I want to write my book and perhaps get a part time job to save money for a trip to Portugal.
I am not gifted in the art of multi-tasking. Which is why I waited until this point of my life to tackle life time goals. When the girls were little my whole world revolved around them. They needed me constantly, and I was a good, tentitive mommy.

Life is a balancing act. The things that mean the most, get the most of your time. FEAR, or just plain LAZINESS, can over ride your good intentions and kick your priorities to the bottom of the list, replacing that precious time slot with nothing. You know what I'm talking about. Haven't you ever had PLENTY to do, but instead you just sat around and watched tv? I know I have. I did loads of nothing last year. I wonder how many hours I wasted doing nothing, when I could have been writing or reading or catching up my scrapbooks or....you fill in the blanks.

Okay, that's enough of that. My mind rambles sometimes...

I'm going to be very careful with what songs I choose to go on my ipod. However, 4 movie themes have already made the cut. Star Wars, The Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Unending Stories (Neverending Story) & E.T.

I have lots of movie theme songs... call me crazy, but I just love them!

No more running nakey for me! Hehe

Light Day

In my attempts to run more and less (more often, less miles) at least until my knees get a little stronger, I ran Westville and down Pointed Rocks. When I reached American River Trail, I turned right and headed straight for the gym. It's not that far to first gate...I would guess a mile, perhaps more going the Westville route.

Anyway- As I was running up the hill to the barnloft (gym room) I noticed several cars parked near the stairs. My first thought was that I was not going to need my key (there must be other people using the gym right now). However that was not the case. The gym room upstairs was cold, dark and deserted. Since I was already hot from running, I decided to keep the lights off and the door open.
While I was using the ab bender and watching "blind date" on tv, I heard another car pull up. I heard the car engine roar suddenly and then a loud crunching sound. This caused me to glanced out the window, but all I saw was an old lady getting out of her car. She was parked awfully close to a metal horse enclosure. I figured she must have hit it. Crazy old lady drivers.

I continued on with my workout. Abs, legs & arms. I felt strong. After some much needed stretching, I turned off the tube and wrote down my name in the log book. I heard the unmistakeable sounds of a bunch of old women having a meeting coming from a room below me. I locked up and skipped down the stairs. Then I remembered the old lady and the fence. I walked over to see what damage she had caused to her Buick.
Nothing. Not a scratch. However, underneath her front passenger tire lay bits and pieces of splintered wood. I laughed. She had run over a palette. Don't suppose security will be to happy when they find it. I don't think the lady had any clue what she had done...and probably never will.

I ran back home and found out I only had 30 minutes to get ready. A movie and lunch with my friends sounds good.

Nothin in me Noggin

I wasn't really thinking about anything. I listened to my breathing. I heard each foot hit the pavement. Birds chirped and fluttered through the leafless tree limbs.

Today the sun is shining bright. A familiar, but distant scent of springtime hangs in the air, fresh and clean. It feels as though the earth is waking up from a deep dark sleep. The sky is baby boy blue with streams of thin white clouds holding perfectly still. The hills look like God poured green food coloring all over them, except for the dirt that washed across the roads, that part He painted red.

What a masterful artist.

I ran Otter trail and second gate. I kept my back straight and my head up. I ran slow. I always do. Once in a while I would begin to feel sweat dripping down my face. I wiped it away and ran into the stream of water that flowed along side me. My shoes delighted in throwing water up the back of my legs. I rather enjoyed it too.

There is ONE thing I wondered...How long does it take for a banana peel to break down? For at least 2 months I have ran past the SAME banana peel on the side of the road. I have witnessed it go through many different stages of color and size. It hasn't really changed it's position much. You would think that after all the rain and wind we have had, it would been carried away by now. But no. It sits in the same spot, day after day. Hmmm?
I wonder...
How can mother nature move mountains...but not a simple black, old, shriveled up banana peel?

On the road again

Ran to Hidden Gold and back. Weather was great. Didn't have any music...again. Instead I listened to the babbling sounds of newly created and more intense roadside streams, flowing downward toward the nearest drain. Either my knees ached or I am just paronoid about them.
I noticed more people out doing things in their yards. Some were using chain saws while others watched me go by. I'm a jogger, not a freak show.

Here's the thing...I love running, but I miss having my music. I will run no matter what. I guess I can get used to this...and it's probably a good thing since many marathons don't even allow headphones...

Give me a second please.

I'm grieving the loss of my ipod.

Thank you.

More Machines

Yesterday I went to Border's Bookstore. I like that place. I can always find an interesting book and a consistent cup of coffee. This time I picked out a book that has great training tips from elite runners. I don't usually buy the books I pick up, but this time I did. Mostly because nobody bought me a training book for Christmas and I really wanted one...I guess it would have helped to have told someone.
Anyway- The book will be interesting. I read the first 2 chapters this morning. The first chapter focused on what makes a good runner. I can sum it up in one word. Desire. You have to WANT to run, want to improve and want to finish the race. No problem, I got it!
A book like this is nearly impossible for me to read from beginning to end, so of course, I skipped around. In doing so, I noticed that most elite runners run everyday. I also noticed this in other books. Runners who run marathons, run nearly every single day. I haven't been doing that. I've been giving myself a day or days inbetween to repair my muscles. This is how I've been going for the last 2 years. Now that I'm getting more serious, I think it's time to step it up a notch. Instead of adding more miles...I'm going to try running (or cross training) everyday, if I can.
Even if it is just one mile.

There are no excuses for me. I don't have a job. I do have access to a workout room any time I wish to go. Rain or shine...I can exercise.

Today the wind caused the rain to pour down sideways. Back to the gym I went. Same as yesterday...except I added that big blue exercise ball to my routine. I've never bothered to use one of those before and found it to be quite beneficial with push ups and stretching.

Along with my running book I also bought a book on Yoga. There are four major categories of exercise that I wish to master. They are endurance, strength, flexibility and balance.