Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Baby got back...

..."LA face with an Oakland booty"...

It's been roughly 8 weeks maybe more since I have started running and not only have I NOT lost any weight, I now have a butt. I had a flat ass and now I have back! I keep getting glimpses of it in the mirror when I walk by and I have to do a double take to see if that is really my butt in the reflection. I guess it looks nice, but I am not used to it yet.

Speaking of back, I am back logged on my blogging so I will give you a quick run down...

Saturday- Ran 7.4 or .5 miles with Cousin Barb and Sole Sports crew in 117 mins- Is that really a 15 minute Mile? UGH!!! I have to admit, I had issues- If there is not a bathroom around or I'm trapped in a window seat on a plane (dont ask) I get this nervous pee and think I have to go the entire time. So bless Barbs heart, we veered off the path a few times to help look for a bathroom because I thought (and I really did) I had to pee the entire run on Saturday.

Sunday- I was not going to run because I was tired- simple excuse! but my step son and husband went shopping at Dicks sporting goods and came back with a bag full of stuff. I asked what they got and Dominic said "Dont worry about it" considering my birthday is next week I knew it was for me :)..
At about 4pm, the 2 boys who cant keep a secret or a surprise gave me my presents.. and they were a pair of Nike long warm running pants and shoe inserts for my arch!.. Now heres the funny part, Andy was looking at the inserts at Dicks and then Dominic told him that his Mom, The Ex-wife, aka Monster swears by them because she has the same foot arch problem as I do... Joy! I had to go for a run to try out the new digs 4.4 Miles in 50 mins (slow slow slow) BUT I have to report.. those damn arch inserts actually worked and my foot has not hurt in 2 days.. not sure what I love (hate) more that the ex and I have something in common or that she was right about something.... (for reference, they are called Super Feet in the green box and they work!)

Monday- Rest Day Yay!

Today- Tuesday- I brought it inside because it was 28 degrees when I woke up this morning.. I actually knew it was going to be cold so I packed a bag last night for the gym just in case and thats exactly what I did- 45 mins on a treadmill- inside a gym- with boring music and boring surroundings. I cant believe I like running outside more than inside. I had a huge mind struggle this morning and today I may have had one outside too but at least I would not have been stuck in one place looking at the time left ticking away, fast forwarding every song, walking then running, and telling my mind to keep going- it was more exhausting then running my great loop outside!...

Anyway- This Baby's back has to get back to work- Keep running my friends!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Oh My Arch!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.. i sure did! 
It started with me waking up at 4am with excitement and then I started stuffing the turkey, making cranberry sauce, setting the rolls out to rise and then I did a 6Mile run all before 9am! Now I'm paying for not sleeping and pushing myself when I probably shouldn't have- but I think I got the runners high and didn't want to stop!

On Tuesday, I noticed my arch started to ache. Its the right foot and it only bothers me about halfway through my runs and then the rest of the day/night. I talked to my sister and she said that it was one of the top 5 injuries of a runner and that I should freeze a bottle of water and roll my foot over it. Well I have yet to do that- stupid me! I'm also going to Google what else to do about it.

Wednesday it was bothering me so I decided to take it easy and join our walking club we have at work for their 12 noon walk. There were four of us and we walked down to the QT gas station, grabbed a soda and walked back to our office. I would say it was a little less than 4 Miles to/from. It was also very funny because when we got back, one of the girls said boy that was the fastest we ever walked yet! I think I was the one who was walking super fast and they kept up with me. I tried to jog a little but no one joined me so I walked fast in hopes of getting in a semi good workout?? We did that walk in 56 mins!

Today is a rest day and my arch is telling me to do just that. I'm going to WedMD/Google/whatever it takes to heal this foot because my mind is set on doing 7 Miles tomorrow and I don't want it to hold me back nor do I want to hurt it any more!!! 

Happy Running!




Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Mornings are Cold, Dark and Scary!

There have been a few changes at work and I have been asked to come in by 8:30am which is only a 1/2 hour earlier but now I have to start my runs before 6:30am to give me enough time to get ready for work. This also means that I have to have everything ready the night before so I can get up, dressed, out the door for my run and then come home, get ready and get out the door for work. Last night Andy and I were both running around putting our piles together for our morning routines- it was quite humorous. 

Well this 6:30am morning came with a cold wave and I realized the sun doesn't start coming up until 6:40ish. It was a cold 40 degrees (if that) when I started and I had the sun rising on one side of me and the full moon on the other side of me for most of the run. Thank goodness I put a hat and gloves in my pile last night just in case because they came in handy until the sun was up and I had to start pealing things off to avoid overheating.

Morning runs scare me, not only because its dark and you have to wear a light but you have to watch out for whats hiding in the scary trees and bushes. There are also different types of people out before dawn that you have to be aware of. You have the runners, the bikers, the walkers, the dog walkers and then there's the creepy guy.. there's always one and I hate running past them especially after they grab a doggie bag when they don't have a dog (we have little posts that have poop bags for the dog walkers, but they don't have a garbage can anywhere- so people put the poop in the bag and leave it on the side of the sidewalk- I never understood this because poop will disintegrate where the bag will stay in tact for years- so why even use a bag? another blog in itself) MY goodness I just went off.. ANYWAY creepy guy... Why are they out walking in the dark and why are they taking doggie bags when they don't have a dog? I just ran by him hoping he wasn't going to use that bag to strangle me or the next runner up... 

Now that no ghosts or goblins jumped out at me and creepy guy went on his way, I am proud to log my 4 mile loop in 48.28mins- not my best time but I do have to say I was not loving my music and I did stop a few times to change it up to keep my buggy mind going today. 



Monday, November 22, 2010

Weekend Update with Lisa G

Saturday was a great running day after I hit snooze and pulled myself out of a deep coma sleep from when Andy went for his bike ride until I had to get up... I motivated myself to meet Barb at Sole Sports at 7am. I tried to get my 2 friends to go with me, but no one was interested but I knew Barb would be waiting for me so I couldn't back out!

We ran with a girl named Amy (found out her name at the end of the run). She used to be a marathon runner and is now getting back into it. We started off strong and continued for 5 miles finishing in 50:38 mins thats about a 10 minute mile. This was a day I could have gone on forever, but since Amy and I ran back to Sole Sports, my mind gave up once I saw the car.. Next weekend for sure I will go more!

Sunday was an incredible day. I had the opportunity to watch some of the AZ Iron man (IMAZ) and boy was that an inspirational event. Don't worry, I am not that crazy to want to put my body through that, but if you ever want motivation then go see an Iron Man. Andy was making fun of me because I had to cry when 2 girls didn't make the time cut off for the swim. 2.5 hours for 2.5 miles in 60 degree water. We still cheered them on, but I just had to ball for them and I'm still tearing up while typing this...poor things! We also got to stand by the medic tent and there was a whole lot of hypothermia going on in there.

Since every street in Tempe, AZ was closed that day, I had to park at the Marketplace which was exactly 2 miles (ok maybe a little more) from the activities of the Iron man. So I decided to run to/from the IMAZ. Andy rode his bike from our house to get his workout in earlier that morning so I met up with him at the race and when we decided to leave he rode behind me as I ran back to the car. Putting in 4 or so miles for the day- I didnt wear a watch so I cant log a time- Oh well... We then stopped at Chompie's for a real NY style bagel and cream cheese before heading home.

It was a great weekend and I'm so excited to be back on track with things.. Today is a rest day but tomorrow I will run my 4 mile loop!

Friday, November 19, 2010

I'll Take What I Can Get

Yesterday I chose the "Cougar Town" sized glass of wine and enjoyed that with a bowl of Chocolate Cookie Dough (full fat) Ice Cream over going to the gym!

That left me no choice but to say my rest day was yesterday and head out on my bike today. Andy, my husband, decided to join me this morning.. well he didn't have anyone else that wanted to go with him during the times he could go, so he humored me with a nice couples slow ride.

We used to do long bike rides when I lived in Chicago and that was "our time" but now Andy has left the leisurely bike rides behind and is a borderline pro racer, hes on the Bike Haus team here in Scottsdale and rides over 200 miles a week.  His average speed is 25-30 mph where mine is 12-16 mph on a good day so going with me is not a workout for him but a challenge to stay that slow..
We always argue (ok I always argue) that he never wants to ride with me anymore because I'm slow or I'm holding him back and to be completely honest it really makes me mad how effortless he makes it look especially when he's coasting while I'm huffing and puffing on a downhill. Anyway its always a big ta do when we even think of going on a bike ride together now. It usually starts out as me asking if he would like to ride with me and then any hesitance on his answer turns into me accusing him of not wanting to go because of the said reasons.

But sure enough after our (my) argument last night, we got up and rode together for 13.1 Miles in 49 mins until he left me at our gate to ride for another hour and a half through the hills of our neighborhood to get a good workout in.- Hey these days, I'll take a nice couple ride when I can!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Sicko

Yesterday afternoon I had big plans to ride this morning..  But after we got home from my step sons football banquet... where I must brag he won the "Most Improved" award- there are 54 kids on his team and they only gave out 13 awards and he was one of them.

I digress- ...someone has been punching me in the stomach since, giving me the worst pangs, not to mention my arms are heavy and my hair hurts (sure sign of sickness) so I did not get on the bike this morning. I do have my gym clothes to hit the spin class on my way home tonight, but I also have the house to myself and the temptation of going home, putting on PJs, pouring a huge glass of wine and plopping it on the couch is outweighing the gym!

Decisions, Decisions... I may have to surrender to my body telling me to chill out- again! (always love a good excuse not to work out).. there is always tomorrow right?

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

2 Mile Road Block

I ran both today and yesterday and for the past few runs I have noticed something that always happens. At about 22-24 mins (assuming its 2 miles) I always look at my watch and my mind says Stop Please, I cannot go on anymore. Every Time!.. Then once my legs convince my brain that I CAN go on, its like a different person gets into my body and wants to run. Yesterday I did about a 4 mile loop maybe more and was upset when I was running home because (cant believe Im even saying this) I wanted to run longer and would have if I didnt have to get ready for work.. I finally see how people can run 8 or 10 miles in one day because their minds surrender and their legs just run.

Yesterday I am proud to say I ran for 48:38 mins. AND I got to see my first live scorpion it was a long as my pinky and was crawling across the side walk by our park. I should have stepped on it, but knowing my luck I would have gotten stung, so I just let us all go on our merry ways. 

Today I was suppose to go 40 mins, but the loop I went which is approx 3 miles took shorter than I thought. 35.02 mins to be exact! I could have ran (run, runned what ever the correct verbiage is there) longer but decided to quit early because the route I was on happens to be busiest road in my neighborhood and I thought I was going to die from the car fumes. Note to self: Keep to the side roads and non-busy areas to avoid bodily harm!

Tomorrow is bike day!!! yay- so funny that my excitement has dwindled a bit for biking and I would like to run tomorrow instead- maybe my love for the bike will come back once I get back in the saddle again (pun intended).

Oh I also convinced, inspired or maybe threatened a few friends to join Barb and I at Sole Sports at 7am on Saturday!!! muhahahaha.. my plan is working!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

9K and back on track

I am proud to say that I ran and FINISHED my first 9K EVER correction: my first running event EVER!

My cousin, Barb signed up for the Race for Maggies Place and encouraged me to run with her. Maggies Place is a foundation that helps women who may have had a drug past, abuse, financial hardship or just needs a safe place to live during their pregnancy and birth of their child.

Considering the fact I have not been keeping to my running schedule and last week I skipped out on the cross training day, I was very apprehensive about being able to keep up with my cousin and finishing the run in general.

The motivation from everyone starting, running and moving all for a cause we great in itself, but I think the biggest motivator was Barb pushing her son in his jogger the entire 9K. From smooth surfaces to trails and hills, Barb pushed that jogger the entire time.. So stopping and slowing down the pace was out of the question.. every time I thought I needed a break, I just looked over at Barb and made my mind tell me damn she's pushing at least 40lbs- get with it girl, you have it easy and you can do this!
This is not to say I struggled with my mind throughout the race and the hardest part was when we were near the finish and I saw the balloons in the arch just like a finish line should look like only to find out when we got up to it we still had a half mile left to go. Those balloons were a finish line alright, but for the dog race event that was stationed right before our finish line.. I had to literally talk out loud to tell myself I could go for another .5 of a mile.

We finally went through the bigger black finish arch where Barb and I crossed the line at 58:48 mins. Averaging a 10.30 mile, that is at least 1-2 minutes less than I normally run and will be my first PR!

After the race we hung out with Barbs friends and I had a really great experience and am looking forward to more runs! (I never thought I would ever say that in my life).

Today, I met my friend Denise for a run at 8am. She lives exactly 1 mile away so I thought I would get a head start and run to her. Denise is just starting out with the training and is still in the run/walk stage which is totally great!

We did a route that Denise used to walk before so she lead the way, we ran and walked for 5.5 miles which took us roughly 1:45mins. Then once we were finished I ran back from her house- so I put in 2 extra miles for a total of  7.5 miles. Hopefully this is the beginning of getting back on track!

Tonight I am resting on the couch trying to avoid any movement because my muscles feel like its is training week  number1 all over again and I can hardly hobble around. Cant wait for tomorrow as I know its going to get worse before it gets better- But its a good pain reminding me that yes I have worked out and I am doing a good thing right?

Now if I could only drop a pound- Life would be awesome!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Long time no write

Ok sorry for the delay. After my crazy trip to Asia, I went to Cancun this past weekend. It was a mullet trip- a little business in the front and a lot of party in the back kind of trip. I did run- I just couldn't share because I didnt bring my computer and didnt find my way to the business center to post anything.

Saturday morning I ran 4 miles on the treadmill very hung over mind you. We started doing shots of tequila when we arrived Friday afternoon and didnt stop drinking until midnight AND yes I got up at 7am got dressed and went to the gym. Surprisingly enough we were on the beach but the view was of a courtyard and not as nice as Manilas view of the ocean.. boo hoo.. Im spoiled. Anyway fighting back the tequila memories and waves of passing out or puking, I managed to do 4 miles in 51 mins and somewhere of 450Kcal (cant remember).

Then Monday Andy and I went for a run on the beach until we got to the other resort and the sand was not as nice for Andys tender feet- ha! so we did a small run (30mins) and I have to tell ya running on the sand is much harder than on the treadmill or concrete. I didnt wear my heart rate monitor to tell you the stats nor should I even track this run, but I will because it was movement and I feel very guilty for not training as hard as I should be for this month Yikes!

Today I am back on track, I got up at 6am, waited for the sun to rise a bit so at 6:45am I headed out. After my heart rate monitor band broke while I was running up the hill to get out of my neighborhood and my hairband fell out because it was too loose (many times thereafter), I was on my way. My mind was even good to me today. I felt I could run forever.

I was about 2 miles into the 3.9 route and I saw an older gentleman with 2 Bernese Mountain dogs. I had to stop and tell him I love his dogs and how much I missed my girl Kaia. We chatted for about 6-10 minutes and I learned the girl he had was up for adoption. He is part of the BMD rescue/AZ Gold Canyon BMD club. He gave me a card of the president of the rescue and told me to tell her I know Bill and that I was interested in Sasha. Sasha is 5 years old, was rescued from a backyard where she had been neglected and all she wants is love. I instantly bonded with her.
After that encounter, I must have ran really fast home with the card in my hand ready to tell Andy all about what happened because when I looked at my watch it said I was only running for 53 minutes and that was after I talked to Bill for what seemed like a while... Since my heart rate monitor band broke, I can not report how many Kcals but will take my 3.9 in 53 mins and if you subtract the encounter I will say 3.9 in 46 mins?!?

Good news, my birthday is less than 3 weeks so I just put in my present request for a Garmin Forerunner :)

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

My Body Took Over

I had big plans to run the 3.9 mile loop that I just did on Sunday. I was so excited, had my clothes lined up, shoes ready, everything. Then I woke up at 4am couldn't go back to sleep (still jet lagged) until 5 something and woke up even groggier than at 4- I should have just gotten out of bed then, but I didnt.

My body was still in the "we are going to run mode," and even with my mind fighting my body, it managed to put on my running clothes, my heartrate monitor and I headed downstairs where my mind made me clean the kitchen, make coffee and do everything but finish getting ready to run.

Andy came home from his bike ride and thats when I was suppose to leave, well I went back and forth with him and decided I would go running after Taco Tuesday tonight (hahahahaha- right!). All of a sudden Andy looked up and my body was putting on my shoes, getting the Ipod, filling up the water bottle and strapping on the fanny pack thingy. Andy said "I thought you werent going for  run this morning" and my mind said "me neither but I just put on all my stuff so I guess I will go for a little bit"

I ventured out the door and started running and it felt good until about minute #10 when my stomach (my body) gave up and I went into Phase I of a stomach ache.

Our family is notorious for having weak stomachs- Everyone is affected by this gene.  I am not sure who invented it, but someone came up with the Phase system and how this works is each phase has a different level of having to go to the bathroom. I think it was created to indicate to the driver of the car (because these episodes always happen in the car) how much time they have until we had an accident.

Let me explain the Phases there are a total of 5:
Phase I- Is the UH OH and a rumble in the tummy telling your brain that it should find a bathroom soon. Some tell the driver and some stay silent and hope it passes.
Phase II- Is the "we have about 5 minutes until I move into Phase III" and the announcement is made to the driver and then the driver starts telling us ok a few more minutes and/or starts frantically looking for the nearest gas station, rest station any station with facilities.
Phase III- This is where the chills come in and its hard to sit still in fear of an accident, this phase also comes and goes in waves- Driver is well aware of this stage and is trying to tell you to hold it and we will be there shortly but is really paniking with you. This is when other people in the car start coaching you on as well.
Phase IV- Chills, saliva filling up in your mouth, not sure which end its coming out of, need bathroom STAT. Driver now driving very fast.
Phase V- Accident- no one has ever gone into this phase that I am aware of and I would like to keep it that way.

With that description, my body went into Phase I at minute 10 so I ran towards the park and went to their bathrooms, yes I did... but they were locked! so that Phase passed and I ran a little more, but then I went into Phase II at about minute 16 and had to call Andy for help. He luckily was dropping off the kids at school (haha no pun) one block over and I continued to walk until minute 22 when he came to my rescue.

So needless to say my body came through in the beginning but failed me in the end and my run fell short about 23 minutes. but I do get to log 22:59 mins and 234Kcals burned.