My Mommy Run

Week 40 Recap

2012-02-13T12:19:00.000-08:00

Week 40 went pretty well, although the wrist is not completely healed yet. I haven’t done any strength training since my fall and I am starting to miss it. I should at least be doing core and legs (still can’t do upper body strength), but I haven’t yet. Will start this week….I promised myself. I was thinking of doing P90X core video this week.

Also, my tech guy (yes, my wonderful techy husband ), has got me set up on a GPS and heart rate monitor. I will be using the Garmin 310XT watch which has the option for a heart rate monitor (the strap is in the mail!!!). Once I get my strap, I plan on doing my Lactate Threshold and Max Heart Rate tests.

I want a treadmill really bad.
My husband and I are thinking of setting up a gym in our garage – weights, treadmill, bench, trainer. How great would that be…there would be no excuse for not working out on something. We have everything but the treadmill and the bench. We are still deciding what we want to do…but something for us to consider.

Here is my summary for the week:

Monday – REST DAY. The “Be Iron Fit” plan has rest days on Monday, which actually works well for me. So, for now, I will rest on Monday.

Tuesday – 5:30 AM – Swim – 2150 yds in ~ 50 mins.
My wrist does not hurt when I swim, so I have been swimming. Although it is not healed and I am getting a little worried if I am doing the right thing by swimming. I can’t lift heavy things and I do feel it when I am doing chores around the house. But I don’t believe it is making it worse by swimming (???).
5:30 PM – Run!! 4.5 miles (didn’t bring watch so not sure how long).
I haven’t done a weekday evening run in ages. My husband agreed to do dinners once a week so I can get an evening workout in. Thank you! When I left the house for my run I had a huge smile on my face. It was so much fun to run in the evening.

Wednesday - Transition day – 30 min bike on trainer and then 20 min run.
I started doing transitions every Wednesday – this is what Be Iron Fit plan has, so I decided to start it now. It is something I have never really incorporated into my training, but I like dong the transitions.

Thursday – 5:30 AM – Swim – 2150 yds in ~ 50 mins.
I started not feeling too well on Thursday. I think I was really tired, but I felt like I was on the edge of getting sick. So, Thursday night I decided not to wake up early on Friday morning.

Friday – REST day – I should have ran this day, but took it safe by not working out. Felt much better on Friday and I am glad I “slept in” (until 6:15 instead of 5 AM!).

Saturday – 5:30 AM – 30 min bike on trainer and then 5 mile run in 47:32.
I felt bad about missing Friday workout, so I got up early on Saturday and got a transition in.

Sunday – 5 mile run

Goals for this week is to incorporate core and leg training.

Goals for next week – need to bike outside!!! All my bike training has been on the trainer and I am itching to bike outside.

Week 42 Recap

2012-01-31T15:24:00.000-08:00

This week I didn't get all my workouts in because of my wrist (see previous post). I am still unable to swim or do upper body strength training this week. But I am not going to stress because the "A" race is so far from now. I also don't want to burn out before the race...... I want to be mentally and physically prepared for the really high volume weeks.

I decided to do the Intermediate 30-week plan from "Be Iron Fit". I read a lot of good reviews about this book, so decided to give it a try. I need to be realistic though, I don't think I can do the Competitive plan, although I'd really like to....I will keep it in the back of my mind though.

I need to do my max heart rate tests to get a better understanding of my heart rate zones. I also need to get a heart rate monitor. I have never been technical in my training, but rather just ran/biked/swam. I would really like to be a bit more technical this time. I figure now, with my limited time, I need to get pretty technical as every workout needs to be quality.

I am a runner at heart, so my default workout is to run, as you can tell from my workouts this week :):

Monday - Swam for 50 mins for 2450 yards. I have been doing 350 warm up, 3 X 500, 5 X 100. 100 cool down.
I fell and hurt wrist on Monday also. My wrist hurt so bad on Monday night, there was no way I could workout the next day.

Tuesday - Went to doctor - REST

Wednesday - Not motivated to workout, wrist was hurting - REST

Thursday - 4.5 mile run in the morning. Wrist started to feel better.

Friday - 4.5 mile run in the morning

Saturday - bike 30 mins on trainer

Sunday - 5 mile run
-----------------------------------------
Total - 3.67 hours

Last couple of weeks

2012-01-26T14:15:00.000-08:00

I decided to do a weekly count down to Ironman – so 42 weeks to go until Ironman Arizona (well 41 and 2 days). I would like to post each Sunday or Monday of this journey to review the week. For some reason, on the bad weeks, I just don’t feel like posting, like I let someone down. So I don’t post – and I have had a couple of bad weeks. But I feel I should post the bad with the good. So here is a summary of my last couple of weeks.

- On Friday, January 13th, I woke up with a foot cramp. This cramp caused me to limp around until Tuesday, where it finally went away. So no, I did not get my planned run in that weekend. Luckily, I believe it is gone. I feel a little bit in my arch, but I am still going to run. My right foot has been giving me problems though, so I definitely need to monitor how it feels.

- Later that day, I found out there as a death in my family. I hopped on the next plane to Arkansas go be with them and attend the funeral. It was very emotional and sad experience. It just isn’t fair when such nice, honorable, hardworking individual has to die.

- On Tuesday, Jan 17th, when I arrived home from the funeral, I was exhausted…mentally exhausted. And I also had a cold. By Thursday, I was really sick…couldn’t move sick. So I missed my workouts..again.

- By Sunday, I was running again. I. ran. 3. miles. I was supposed to run 10 that day. But that’s all my body gave me that day.

- On Monday, I felt good…I felt like myself again. My motivation was back. I went swimming Monday morning and planned my workouts for the week.
Then the fall………..the fall on my butt…..the butt that just got better about 2 weeks ago.
I want you to imagine the fall being one when I was running, running fast and working hard, but then I noticed a child crossing the street and I fell to the ground while saving this young child from crossing the street.

But…no, I fell from my foam roller while I was on the phone talking to a co-worker. For some reason I was standing on it while I was talking and it slipped out from under me. How. Embarrassing. I can’t imagine what it sounded like to my co-worker when I fell…..

So, my butt didn’t get that damaged, just a bit sore. Just a bit sore because my wrist took all the impact. I went to the doctor on Tuesday and it looks like I have a hairline fracture. So, no swimming for me for the next couple of weeks. I also missed my workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday.

But today is Thursday and looking better. I ran this morning and felt good. My wrist is feeling better. I am back…………right?

All I know is, my son “Loves me because he loves me”. And that’s all that counts

Until Sunday….and yes, I will post..the good and the bad.

Training status and my son's workout

2012-01-09T09:36:00.000-08:00

313 more days to go!

- On Tuesday evening, I rode my trainer for about 30 minutes while the boys played. After I finished my 5-year old came up to me and told me he had written his workout down and wanted to go outside to do it. His workout (which he wrote on an index card) included:

10 laps bike, 10 laps scooter, 10 laps running, 10 laps walking

So cool!!! We went out side and he did his workout – 4 times! 10 laps of bike and scooter around the cul-de-sac and then 10 laps of running/walking around the driveway. I was really impressed and felt good that maybe all my training will influence my sons in a positive way :)

- Training for this week – I completed 6.28 hours of training. I am starting to feel strong and really good. Would like to incorporate more strength training, esp boot camp like training (push-ups, pull-ups, interval running, dips, etc). I was at my peak performance when I was doing a hard core boot camp 3 days/week. I need to come up with a plan….

Monday – REST Day

Tuesday – 4.5 mile run in the morning and 30 minutes bike on indoor trainer in the afternoon. I worked pretty hard on the bike because it was so short. Need to get some anaerobic training in.

Wednesday – 2350 yd swim in the morning

Thursday – 4.5 mile run in the morning

Friday – 2350 yd swim

Sat – 60 min on indoor training watching Scrubs (love that show:). My husband downloaded Gladiator for me, so next session I get to watch this movie!!

Sun – 7 mile run around 9 AM. Followed the run with 20 mins of strength training.

Ironman Arizona 2012

2011-12-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

The 50-mile ultra marathon plan didn't work out. I ended up getting surgery and studying and passing my PMP test the first part of 2011. Now that both of these big events are done, I am ready to train!
I decided to go for another Ironman and not an ultra. The Ironman is just so alluring....I don't know why....but the event just draws and inspires me. I do plan on doing an ultra eventually, probably in 2013. But for now I have my eyes set on Ironman Arizona - November 18th, 2012. I plan to document the training (probably not as often as I want), but I would like to document as much as I can.

Of course, 2 weeks after my husband signed me up for this race, I fell and hurt my tailbone. I wasn’t able to work out for a week and wasn't able to run for 3 weeks. But I am now running again, so I am back to swim, bike, run!

Week #10 update and AR 50 race logistic problems

2010-11-24T13:29:00.000-08:00

My husband and I were going to sign up for the AR 50 this weekend....we were all set to hit 'Send'. But then my husband decided to check his parents calendar to make sure they were free to babysit. And low and behold...they will be on a cruise that weekend. And my parents, well, let's just say my mom does not support my running habit, especially this 50 miler. So we are out of luck. We have no babysitter for the AR 50. Thank god my husband checked the calendar or we might be out some $$$.

Also, another kink in my plan - I was going to run Sunday, Monday, Wed, Thurs, Friday and Sunday. Tuesday and Saturday were going to be my days to "sleep in" to 7 or 7:30 (dependent on the kids and their wake up time). I knew I was going to need that sleep. BUT a class at work I need to take just so happens to be on Tuesday morning from 6 to 8 AM. I have to have 100% attendance to this class to pass. Yikes - there goes one of my sleep in days.

I guess I am going to have to get used to getting up really early 6 out the 7 days of the week and work on trying to get to bed as early as possible. Because I need my sleep. Plain and simple. I am not one of these people who can go on 4-5 hours of sleep a night.

And we are trying to get creative about a babysitter... maybe it will work out...somehow. Either that or my husband does the AR 50 and I do the Leona Divide 50 miler on April 30th. We may have to divide and conquer this way.

Has anyone out there run the Leona Divide 50 miler before?

Week 10

Total Miles - 33 miles

# of days - 4 days running

Speed workout -No

Longest run - 15

Cross training - Strength training 2X

How I felt - Felt good this week, although by Friday, I needed some rest. So, I took Friday and Saturday off to get some much needed sleep. 15 miler on Sunday went really well (average 9:41) even though it was pouring!!!

Week #9 Update and Mission Inn Half Marathon Race Report

2010-11-15T09:51:00.000-08:00

Week #9 did not start great, and didn't really end great, but the middle was pretty good :). Sunday night I started to get a sore throat - my two year old had a cold and I had caught it. I did not run Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and I thought I was going to have another low mileage week. I had planned on running Wednesday morning, but I didn't even hear my alarm go off (I must have turned it off when I was half asleep???).

But Thursday I was feeling better and I deployed a back up plan - I was going to get all the planned 36 miles in the 4 days I had left. That meant -

Thursday - 8
Friday - 8
Saturday - 7
Sunday - 13.1 (@ Mission Inn Half Marathon)

And I did it! I woke up at 5 AM everyday and got all 36 miles in in 4 days. This means week #10 I can move up to my planned 39 miles. Woo Hoo!

As for the Mission Inn Half Marathon - my husband and I planned on running this one together and we were so excited! Two hours to ourselves with no kids sounded so good.
We started off at about a 8:30 pace and were feeling really, really good. And then at mile 3 - BAM!!- my husband fell, and fell pretty hard. He tried to stop himself, but he was going too fast. He had forward momentum because he had tried to stop himself, so the road was like a cheese grater on his body- his hand, hip, and knee were cut pretty bad. But he got up from that fall faster than anything I've ever seen and was running again. He was such a trooper. Here is a picture of his hand:

But the fall really hurt his knee and he was unable to keep up the pace we were doing before. And I didn't want to leave my poor husband and he was NOT GOING TO QUIT. So we took the next 10 miles at a slower pace and finished at about 2:07. We were hoping for a 1:53 or so.

But I did learn something during this race - how slow I am really going to need to go for the AR 50 and that at a certain pace, I feel I could go forever. We started running a 10:30 pace in the half and at that pace, I felt I could finish 50. I also realized how much speed I am probably going to lose training for the 50.

Overall, I really like the race and will do it again next year. There was a pretty bad headwind for a few miles, but other than that, it was very organized and a nice course.

Week 9

Total Miles - 36 miles

# of days - 4 days running

Speed workout -No

Longest run - 13.1

Cross training - No

How I felt - Was sick this week, so not too well. But I felt great starting Thursday!

Week 8 Update

2010-11-08T13:40:00.000-08:00

22 more weeks to go...that seems so far off, yet right around the corner. I have so many miles to run before then. Started to get a sore throat on Sunday after my long run. My youngest is sick, so probably got his cold. Ugh. I think I am going to just ignore it...is that the best answer? Probably not. This was the one part about training I was worried about...catching my kid's sicknesses - and here we go right into flu season. I try my best not to catch their cold, but almost 90% of the time, somehow I catch it.

On a side note - I would love to get some biking/swimming in...I might delay my PMP exam until next summer and this would give me some more bandwidth. I think some cross training would really help me out.

Week 8

Total Miles - 34 miles

# of days - 5 days running

Speed workout - Yes. Total - 5.2 miles
3 X 1.05 miles
7:36, (7:16/mile)
7:41
7:42

Longest run - 12

Cross training - Yes, Strength Training 2X (Monday and Wednesday)

How I felt - Week #8 was a good week. My legs felt good, I felt refreshed and ready to run. I am very happy to say I got every planned workout done. I get very happy when that happens. Almost as happy as Elmo and Ironman when they knew they were going to get TONS of candy!!!!

Training Update

2010-11-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

It has been a while...sorry about the delay. I drove across the country from California to Arkansas with my 2 kids (ages 2 and 4). It was a hard, yet very fun trip. I got to run in Williams, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, and Carlisle AR.

I am not getting in all the mileage that I would like at this point. I feel I should be doing higher mileage if I am going to do a 50. Week 7 is embarrassing, but I was exhausted from my trip. I have been averaging 30 miles/week for the last 7 weeks. My plan is to increase to 40 during the next 4 weeks - 34 miles, 36 miles, 39 miles, 40 miles - and then take a rest week after that increase.

Below is a summary of my training ( I really need to do this on a weekly basis, as I can hardly remember what I did the past few weeks :)).

Week 7

Total Miles - 8.4 miles

# of days and time spent running - 2 days

Speed workout - No.

Longest run - 5

Cross training - No

How I felt - I felt burnt and tired from my trip. I felt like I was getting sick and was waking up with a sore throat each day. I think my body needed the rest.

Week 6

Total Miles - 28.27 miles

# of days and time spent running - 4 days running during my trip to Arkansas. I thought I did pretty well considering the circumstanes

Speed workout - No, not during my trip.

Longest run - 10 miles.

Cross training - No

How I felt - Running during the trip was really nice, but it was a physically hard trip and I felt tired a lot of the time. But it was nice to run in new areas -AZ, NM and AR.

Week 5

Total Miles - 31.12

# of days and time spent running - 5 days running.

Speed workout - Yes. Flo Jo Park. I really liked doing mile repeats! Will do these from now on!
5.2 miles
3 X 1.05 mile -
7:36, (7:16/mile)
7:33,(7:14/mile)
7:34 (7:14/mile)
Longest run - 10.4 miles. Legs were tired...was supposed to do 12. But just wanted to get home and pack for my tri0p.

Cross training - weight training 2X.

How I felt - My legs did feel a little tired this week.

Week 4
Total Miles - 29 miles

# of days and time spent running - 4 days running, approx 5.5 hours. I missed my Wednesday run (becoming a habit...need to ensure I get up on Wednesdays!)

Speed workout - Yes. Flo Jo Park
4.8 miles
1.05 miles - 7:44 (7:23/mile)
.70 miles - 5:23 (7:40/mile)
.70 miles - 5:23 (7:40/mile)

Longest run - 11 miles.

Cross training - weight training 2X.

How I felt - Felt great!

If you have a dream, why hasn't it come true yet?

2010-10-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

"If you have a dream, why hasn't it come true yet?" - anonymous

For some reason, this is the quote that really motivated me to achieve my dreams - qualify for the Boston Marathon and complete an Ironman. I had wanted to do an Ironman since high school and qualify for the Boston Marathon since college, but something was stopping me....I never really thought that I could actually have my dreams come true - little 'ole nonathletic me just really couldn't achieve such feats.

Then, one day, I came across this quote and I asked myself, why haven't my dreams come true yet? And I knew that it was because I hadn't made them come true yet. I realized had complete control over my dreams. I realized that my dreams were doable and I knew deep down inside that I could complete them. And that day, I stopped feeling sorry for myself and I turned my dreams into goals and then my goals into achievements.

Achieving my dreams has given me the confidence that I can do anything that I put my mind to and it has given me the confidence that I can complete a 50-mile training program as a full-time working mom. I just have to want to make my dream come true.

Week 3 Summary

Total Miles - 32.8 miles

# of days and time spent running - 5 days running, approx 5.5 hours. I did every run that I had planned this week!

Speed workout - Yes. Ran on the sidewalk that goes around the local park. The loop is .35 miles. It was drizzling in the morning so the sidewalk was really wet and slippery. Id like to think that's why my time are so much slower this week than last week :). But I think it is because I just didn't push myself
1.05 miles - 7:44 (7:23/mile)
.70 miles - 5:23 (7:40/mile)
.70 miles - 5:23 (7:40/mile)

Longest run - 11 miles. My legs felt really tired during the run and my pace was a slow 10:08. But I believe it is good to train on tired legs??

Cross training - weight training 2X.

How I felt - My legs have been feeling really tired this week. I think it is because I really pushed myself in my "track workout".

4:45 - 5:30 AM wake up call

2010-09-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

Because I am a full-time working mom of 2 boys and 1 step son, I don't have a lot of extra free time. So, it is necessary for me to get my runs in as early as possible. Lately, that means getting up between 4:45 - 5:30 AM, depending on the distance.

I have been doing pretty well for the last 2 weeks and have been getting up 5 out of the 7 days, except for last Wednesday. But for how long can I keep this up? I usually hit snooze at least 4 times, so that's about 20 minutes of alarm before I even get up....so, it is not easy for me to get up. My body wants to sleep. I will need to wake up at this early and even earlier when the runs start getting longer to train for this 50. I can get some short runs in at lunch, but if the runs are longer than 6, it is hard for me to get them done at lunch. Also, right now I am studying for a PMP exam and use some of my lunches to study. And I use 2 of my lunches to weight train. So lunches are slowly not becoming an option.

I am going to need to look for motivation and inspiration through out this training period to ensure I keep getting up early. During my previous IM training I was single, had no kids, had a "job" (not a career) and worked from 9-6 or 10-7. So, time management was a bit different back then.

I am probably going to look for motivation through blogs and music. I am going to try not to get spun up in my own head (which happens a lot and takes away precious energy). I am excited for this new goal, a little nervous about the time commitment. But I have read other mom blogs and they are able to do it and I know I can also. It's all about figuring out the priorities and mine will be family, work, training. It's all about having the determination and motivation to get it done and that I have because I want this 100%....I want to finish this 50 miler. Bad.

50 mile training plan

2010-09-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have changed the 50 miler we are going to do to the American River 50-mile on April 9th, 2011. I think it will be a better first 50 miler because it is much flatter than the other ones. Also, it is easier for me to train on streets than trails. It is supposed to be pretty flat the first 27 or so miles and get hillier after mile 27.

I created a 30-week plan and I am on week 3. I plan on doing my long, long runs on Sunday morning and then wake up early Monday morning to get in a run the next day.
You will need to click on it to see it correctly. The red is what I have completed so far and the black is to be completed.

As for the Surf City marathon, that will have to be a training run now because I will need to wake up on Monday and do 10 miles!! Yikes, this is going to be hard.

Here is a summary of my miles so far. I feel that I should be doing a lot more, but I will eventually build up. I am not trying to win or anything, just want to finish my first 50-miler....wow. I wonder which is harder, the Ironman or 50-miler???

Week 1 Summary

Total Miles - 29.93

# of days and time spent running - 5 days running, approx 5 hours (will get more accurate time in the future).

Speed workout - Yes, 3X 800. I went to the track and it didn't work out too well as the football team starting practicing. I had to improvise by running around the basket ball court.

Longest run - 10.42 miles

Cross training - weight training 2X, as for biking/swimming - my lunches are consumed with studying for the PMP exam so those workouts are on hold for the next few weeks.

How I felt - doing ~ 30 miles a week and strength training 2X/week is really not an issue now. A year ago 30 miles a week might have worn me down. I do not feel much fatigue doing this many miles.

Week 2 Summary

Total Miles - 27.95

# of days and time spent running - 4 days running, approx 5 hours (will get more accurate time in the future). I missed my Wednesday run because I did not wake up!! Lesson learned, it's hard to make up runs if I don't wake up.

Speed workout - Yes, I started improvising since I don't have a track. I run around the park down the street. One loop is .35 miles. I did:
1X 1.05 miles in 7:33
1X .71 miles in 5:09
1X .76 miles in 5:40

Longest run - 10.42 miles

Cross training - weight training 2X, as for biking/swimming - my lunches are consumed with studying for the PMP exam so those workouts are on hold for the next few weeks.

How I felt - I felt really good this week, except I was not happy that I did not wake up for my Wednesday morning run. I thought I would be able to make it up on Sunday, but motivation did not permit (spent time with family :))

Training Plan

2010-08-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

I am getting my training plan together for the 50-miler race. I got to admit, I love this s%$t. I love getting a training plan together - I love having a physical goal - I love the structure - I love the control it gives me (the one thing I have control over in my life -hahahaha - sure as heck don't have control over my kids!!!).

My first objective is getting ready for the Huntington Beach marathon on February 6th, 2011. I plan on incorporating some speed work, interval training (fartleks), some cross training (mainly biking), and strength training. I would really love to make the Boston marathon again (I need a 3:45 now), but not sure if this will happen or not - it is not my main goal, my main goal will be to finish the 50-miler. Nice Bonus if it does happen :).

After the marathon I am going to take a 2 week "break" and get rejuvenated both mentally and physically. Then I am going to start the 50-miler training - I'll have about 5 months to get ready. I do realize that my pace will probably slow down while training for the 50, as I believe the most important training is your long slow runs. But I hope to build a big enough base during the marathon training so my pace will not slow down that much? This ultra training is all new to me. I am not sure if speed training is helpful or not when training for a 50-miler, as it just might make your legs too tired for the long run - I am going to have to do some research on this subject - oh , and find a 50-miler training plan.

During my training, I am going to post weekly on how the previous week’s training went and then detail the total weekly mileage, number of days and time spent running, length of longest run, speed workout, cross training,etc. I am also going to post how I am feeling, both physically and mentally.

For the marathon, I'll have 23 weeks to get ready starting on Monday, August 30th. The date of the 50-miler is TBD, so not sure the exact number of weeks I'll have before the 50 yet, but I am guessing around 21 weeks (that does not include my much anticipated 2 week "break").

First things first, I am going to put together my marathon plan and somehow post it up on my blog. I am pretty good at creating marathon plans, as I have completed 12 marathons. Not so sure about this 50 training - all new to me.

Feeling better and new goal

2010-08-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

Feeling much better this week. I think I am over my sickness and I feel my motivation coming back. I compare my overall training to a chart that has a gradual upward slope with some downward spikes, but over all the training does get better.

I hit a downward spike last week...and I will hit more in the future, but that's part of it. I am a full-time working mom and I have other priorities other than training. Although my fitness does go up regardless of the downward spikes.

I am really going to work on trying to relax during the day though...I waste so much energy on unneeded stress. Something I plan on working on.

But onto the new goal - my husband and I are going to train for the Headlands 50 miler in July 2011. Somehow we would like to get some of the long runs done together...but how? when someone needs to stay and watch the kids - we're not sure. But that's part of the adventure. I plan on blogging about our adventure -including scheduling, products, training + kids, etc. I hope you come along for our adventure.

Learning to Relax

2010-08-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

How come on same days everything seems possible? That you could accomplish anything you put your mind to, that everything is in alignment, everyone is happy, and your goals seem within reach.

And then the next day.....everything seems impossible. Your goals are just dreams, and just that...dreams. That you have stretched yourself too thin and nothing can be accomplished. Snap - just like that - in one day your mental attitude is completely different.

That is what has happened to me in the last few days. I was so tired this last weekend and it turned out I was/am sick. My lack of motivation has continued through the whole week and I haven't felt like myself all week.

I have so many ideas on how to accomplish my goals. I have my schedule in my head and the ideas are all there. But sometimes my body can just not keep up and it gives out on me.
I am a full time working mom and sometimes everything just becomes too overwhelming and my body reacts to the stress/craziness/lack of sleep. And that is what happened to me this week.

I need to figure out how to perform physically to accomplish all my physical goals without making myself sick. I really feel I need to learn how to relax during the day...the day to day routine puts my body at stress because I am constantly worried about something - work, kids, dinner, getting everything done. I can feel my body tense up everyday and I really need to learn how to control that stress, because it does affect my physically -
I need to tell myself -
It's okay if I am 10 minutes late picking up the boys from daycare.
It's okay if we have cereal for dinner one night.
It's okay if the house is dirty, the clothes needs to be washed and there are dried raisins and rice on the kitchen floor.
It's okay if I miss that meeting at work.
It's okay - that everything is going to be okay. It's hard to remember this when your're running around day after day.

But if I want to accomplish my physical goals, I need to learn to control this stress. I don't believe it's the working out that is causing my body to break down. I really think it is the way I handle the stress of the day to day routines that causes me to get sick and worn down.

How do I do this? I have been like this my whole life, so how do I control the way I handle it. This is something I need to figure out.

Oooooops

2010-08-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

Today I went biking for the first time in 8 months. I am a recreational runner, but I bike and run with a purpose - only when I am training for a triathlon. So, now that I am training for the OC triathlon, I went on a bike ride during my lunch hour .

I got on the bike and everything came back to me right away...I felt great. I was a pro...a seasoned pro I was thinking. People probably think I am a stud...getting on the bike after 8 months and biking like this...wow. I kept biking...biking up a big hill, feeling great.

I went to adjust my helmet...and OMG!

My freaking helmet was on backwards. Ego......deflated.

It did not look this bad (my son putting on his helmet for the first time) -

But it did look pretty bad....at the top of the hill I readjusted the helmet and biked home..ego totally deflated. I didn't realize how bad it probably looked until I saw the picture -

San Francisco Marathon Race Report

2010-07-27T15:10:00.001-07:00

What a run!! This was my third San Francisco marathon. I did it in '92 and '97 and the course is completely different now. This course I got to run down Haight Street (yeah!) and not up it.

My husband and I stayed at the host hotel, the Hyatt Regency. Here was our view -

We went to the Expo on Saturday and got to meet Bart Yasso. Amazing!

We got up at 4:00 AM on race morning. We headed down to the starting line around 5:30 - we were in Wave 4 and started at 5:52 AM. We were both a bit nervous, but more excited that the race was going to start soon.
While I was standing there ready to begin, I notice a bunch a green bibs....and then I realized there were half -marathoners in our wave. I really don't like starting with half-marathoners because bottom line is they are running a different race, they go faster and it is mentally challenging to have people passing you at the start of the race...it really messes with your pace. So, I made sure to note which ones had green vs black bibs to help me keep my pace.

I got to say the weather was perfect that morning (and throughout the whole race)...I thought it was going to be a lot colder, but I just had a long sleeve shirt on and was fine (and I get cold easy). San Fran is probably the only pace you can have a marathon in late July and have perfect running weather.

And we're off..........The first 9 miles were my favorite of the race, although there were a couple of really steep hills.. We ran down the Embarcadero to the Marina and then over the Golden Gate Bride. It was beautiful. I was feeling good during the run and keeping my pace despite the half marathoners. I did see one man run into a sign at mile 3 and cut his forehead open - he was bleeding pretty bad. I felt so sorry for him...his race over at mile 3 :(.

I stopped to use the bathroom around mile 7.5 - quick stop at the end of the bridge.
Then we headed towards Golden Gate Park at mile 13 (bye bye half marathoners!!!) and I was already feeling my legs. I hit 13.1 at 2:04...way off my normal half marathon pace. But I felt pretty good.

And then somewhere around mile 14 or 15, these people started whizzing by me like I was standing still!!! WTF?? Am I going that slow?? Then I realized the 2nd Half Marathon just started. I literally thought I was going to get trampled by all these people.... and this happened until around mile 24 or 25 - people just whizzing by me like I was standing still. Usually at the end of a marathon you find a community of runners running your pace and you kind of get together to get to the finish line. All I had were people running past me, which is hard on you mentally from mile 20-26.2.

But I kept running, hill after hill and finished with 4:12:13!!! Now, I got to say that is way off my best time, and I was a bit of a reality check for me. But I'll go into that more in my next post.

My husband came in shortly after me with 4:40! I am so proud of him...he did so well for his first marathon and finishing his first on such a hilly course is quite an achievement. Welcome to the club David! Here we are at the finish -

Overall, I really liked the San Francisco Marathon and will do it again. I just wish they'd get rid of the second half marathon...or maybe I'll start in a different wave next time. I should have started in Wave 5 anyway.

Taper Week Blues

2010-07-20T12:34:00.001-07:00

I got the Taper Week blues. I was actually really looking forward to the two weeks before the San Fran marathon because I would get to taper. I wouldn’t have to run around trying to get my workouts in. I could relax a little bit and go a bit slower – enjoy my family more.

But it seems to cause me more anxiety when I don’t run/exercise. I think that running provides me not only mental well-being but also chemical/hormone/endorfin – whatever the scientific chemical release is when you exercise – balance. I think running/exercising keeps me patient, relaxed, satisfied and more happy in general. I need the chemical rush that exercising gives me, especially from running for some reason.

Also, I have a lot of nervous energy that I need to use up and if I don’t get the outlet via exercise, I get antsy, nervous and can’t relax. Exercise just helps me all around.

So Taper week has been harder than trying to get all my exercise in on a weekly basis, I think. I know, the same sob story all us running addicts give…but I really didn’t think Taper Week(s) would affect me this much, as a full-time working mom. I thought I would enjoy the time more. I guess this experience has just taught me that I really do need exercise in my life and I am on the right path.

My Nike Frees for the Marathon next weekend

2010-07-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

I figure since I am wearing BRIGHT PINK nike Frees during the marathon..I better kick some ass.

My "other" blog

2010-07-16T12:21:00.001-07:00

My blog is on www.mymommyrun.com. I need to combine these two some how. But check out www.mymommyrun.com also!

8 days to San Francisco Marathon

2010-07-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are in the final stretch….only 8 more days to go until the San Francisco Marathon. This will be my husband’s first marathon and I couldn’t be more proud of him. He wasn’t working out at all 6.5 months ago and now he is about to run a marathon. He has worked so hard and has missed only 1 training run (that was because his knee was hurting and I demanded he rest:)).

I can not wait to share something I love with someone I love.

And now that we are on the topic of the first marathon..I got to say I am jealous. Jealous that my husband gets to finish his first marathon. The best marathon/Ironman is the first one…the feeling one gets when they cross the finish line of their first is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. The pride and happiness that you feel knowing you worked hard at something..so hard..and it paid off. You accomplished something because of your hard work, determination, motivation.

The San Francisco Marathon will be my first stand alone marathon in 9 years. My last marathon was San Diego Rock n’ Roll marathon in 2001 – 3:37:46. I will be no where near that time in this marathon (not even sure how I got that time), but someday soon I hope to be. I am so excited to run a marathon again…it is almost like this is my first…my first after getting married and having kids.

My first marathon was the Big Sur Marathon in…holy moly…1992? I was 19 I think. I was running some weekly mileage (no idea how much) and decided to run for 2 hours one day. So I ran from Isla Vista to Santa Barbara one day and loved it. I read somewhere, I think Runner’s World, that if you can run 1/2 marathon, then you can run a full. So, I signed up for Big Sur because there was an add for it in the magazine. I didn’t have a training plan, no gels, no knowledge of distance running at all. Just my damn stubbornness and determination.

And then one day when I was at my parent’s house, I over heard my mom talking to my aunt on the phone. She was saying I had signed up for this marathon, but no one really thought I could do it. What??????????? I think it was that comment right there that has created my love for the marathon. Maybe if I didn’t hear that comment I would not have done the marathon and would not have fallen in love with the distance. Who knows? But that comment motivated me more than you can imagine.

I completed it and I did it in 4:34 or 4:36. Can’t remember. But it was the BEST feeling to finish that marathon. Something that no one thought I would finish. I did it. And so started my love for endurance sports.

Anyone have stories about their first marathon? I’d love to hear them.

Good luck David! You are going to do great. I love you.

I'm Back

2010-05-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

I have been gone for a little while, but I am back for a status.

Good news – Marathon training is going really well. I logged 33 miles last week and I am feeling great, although legs are a little tired. No injuries and still running in the Frees. Loving them.

Bad news – The swimming and strength training is not happening. I dropped the Master Swim because at $45/month it wasn’t worth it. And now that my parent’s community pool is heated, I can just use that pool. But then the motivation disappears when you stop paying. But I plan to start on Friday at 5 AM.
Strength training will start tomorrow.

It is a lot easier to get up early when it’s warmer and the sun is out at 5:15 AM! Loving it!

Sometimes Life Just Happens

2010-03-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

Last week a lot of life issues got in the way of me working out…and instead of fighting them I just let them happen. If you fight life issues and stress over them, it just makes matters worse. It’s one thing to miss a workout because of poor time management or just plain laziness. And another to miss because important life issues take place. Last week -

1. I was “on-call” for work issues weekdays from 5 pm to 8 am and all weekend long. This means all morning workouts were canceled.
2. Doctor’s appt to get scheduled for bone scan (osteopenia) and blood work (high cholesterol).
3. Get bone scan
4. Get blood work done
5. Take car in to get fixed (from fender bender a couple weeks ago).
6. Pick up car.
7. Brother visiting from out of town.
8. Dylan had 2 baseball games (Sat and Sun)

So, with all morning workouts canceled and lunch time taken with doctor’s appts and car pickups, workouts didn’t get done. But I did get a lot of other things done.

At lunch time today, I went out for some hill repeats. I warmed up for 2 miles and then did 4X hill repeats. The hill is .19 miles long –
1. 1:44
2. 1:47
3. 1:51
4. 2:00

But the time I finished the last hill repeat, I was tired. My legs were burning…it’s pretty hot out there today also. I wanted to do 6, but ended up with 4. Next Tuesday I want to do 5 repeats. That hill is steep!!!

Week ending 3/14

Run – 9 miles in 1:30
Swim – 2300 yds in 1 hour
Strength – 1X in 30 minutes

Total – 3 hours

Happy Mommy

2010-03-08T12:42:00.000-08:00

9 hours of sleep Saturday night
+ GREAT 11 mile run on Sunday during nap time
+ kids still sleeping when I got home from run
+ I got up for swimming this morning (monday morning)
= VERY Happy Mommy!

Week ending 3/7

Run – 22.96 miles in 3 hours 45 mins
Swim – 2700 yds in 1 hour
Strength Train – 2X in 1 hour

5 hours 45 minutes training

I Need Answers

2010-03-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

Please could someone get me the answers to the following questions…..

1. Why did Darth Vadar go to the dark side?
2. Why does Darth Vadar wear a helmet? Why does Darth Vadar have no hair?
3. Why do the Storm Troppers wear white? and why do they carry guns? and why do they have helmets? and why are they on the dark side? and does Darth Vadar look after them? why do they have light sabres?
4. Who does Princess Lea look after? Is she on the dark side or good side?
5. Is Yoda on the good or dark side? why does Yoda carry a light sabre?

as I am thinking of the right answers to say to Parker, rather than making them up (I really can’t remember the story that well!!), I hear in the background…….mommy, please why? please tell me why? I need to know why? please mommy? MOMMMY, WHY???

My son is getting anxious for me to have the answers to all these questions…. Please, help me!!

I went swimming yesterday…expecting to have my own “lane” in the 25 yd dive pool as usual (I say “lane” because I am with the dregs of society – the slowww people – in the dive pool, where there are no lane lines, so I should write “area”). But, the coach wasn’t there yesterday. We all had to share 3 lanes in the 50 meter long course pool. I almost left…as I am so used to getting my own “area”. But me and my positive thoughts decided to stay. There were 6 other people in my lane and I was second to last. I really just swam for 50 minutes straight because every time I got to the wall, everyone was already swimming again. But it ended up not being that bad. The positive is I got a good workout in and I got to know some of the swimmers better. Positive thoughts…positive thoughts.

Ran 4.8 miles this morning and it felt good!! Can’t wait to run tomorrow. I love running..i like to swim and bike. But I love running