Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Coyotes

I am proud to report I have been running everyday since Sunday, just 2.5-3 milers each day but I am back on a roll again and feel great. I also am happy to say that someone actually noticed I have lost weight and when they asked how much I have lost, I said 3lbs but a few inches here and there.. #'s dont matter, the fact that someone notices does!!!!

Today was a tough day, not sure what was going on with my breathing but I couldnt catch my breath at all and my heart rate was 169+ -my watch kept beeping at me to bring it back down. I actually walked a little bit to bring my heart rate down and stop the watch from going crazy.

As I was on my last leg of my run around my neighborhood I saw 2 coyotes in front of me. They are creepy creatures, at first they look like normal dogs, then they look at you in the right light and their eyes glow. Its especially creepy when its still dark outside and you are running alone towards them and they keep looking back at you to see if you are running after them. I slowed down to make it like I wasnt "chasing" them and at the corner they split up- one went one way and the other went on to a driveway and just stood there. I couldnt see how far up that other one went but I kept seeing the glow of the eyes of the one on the driveway, so I stopped and waited for a few minutes contemplating what to do.

I first turned around and started running the other way then thought, what if they come chasing after me, so I stopped again debating to call Andy to pick me up literally 4 houses from ours, or run all the way back around or move forward and take my chances of getting attacked by 2 coyotes, When my senses came back, I realized they are probably more afraid of me then I am of them, then I ran by the driveway where I saw the glowing eyes only to find out it wasn't a coyote just a glare from something on their lawn (probably a xmas decoration) and both coyotes had left the scene.

Moral of the story- not sure, but I guess I can say coyotes are harmless unless they are in bigger packs so next time I won't be afraid!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Back in the shoes again

Happy holidays- I hope everyone is having a nice time. Santa was very good to me this year, lots of running stuff and a toaster oven- Yay!. Anyway, after a good week off, eating way to much food and craving a run. I put on my running shoes and digs today and ran 3.78 miles in 38 mins.

Not too bad considering I haven't gone out since the last post. It was raining and I was down for the count on Tuesday-Thursday with a migraine. Rain and a migraine with me is like Austin Powers smoke and a pancake. They go hand in hand. But Friday and Saturday I had no excuse except that I didn't want to go. So now that we have the big holiday over and feeling like I have gained 2000 pounds, I thought it would be best to run run run.

Here's a tid bit I read today in Men's Best Magazine -your body temparture raises so much that you should dress like its 20 degrees warmer outside. I found this very helpful reading it, but then I continued to put on my layers today - it was about 60 degrees and I had too many on again. I should have gone outside, tested the air and then dressed even cooler than that. Shorts? maybe? I could tell you how to get the best abs ever because there was a great article in there about that too, but Ill spare you all.

Ok now on to cleaning up the Chaosmis mess! Cheers!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Excuses

I actually stooped to a new level of excuses, I used the "I forgot my headphones on my desk at work" excuse on why not to run this morning.

I was dressed and ready to go and when I remembered I synced my Ipod to my computer and left the headphones there, there was NO way I would run 3 miles in the dark with all the scary bush noises and no pumping tunes. Therefore I was happy to clean the house, enjoy my coffee and get ready for work early instead. I am going to admit there was another pair on the counter, but they are my step sons and I love him to death, but I'm not into sharing anything that touches another persons body especially one of a 14 yr old boy (no offense of course).

Saturday my excuse was the wine the night before, but Barb and I managed to get out 6 miles in exactly 1 hour and 825 Kcals burned. So I went I just didnt do the full 8 miles I had my mind set out to do.

Sunday my excuse was I had a proposal to write and a birthday party to go to and of course the Christmas shopping list that had to get done and I will throw in one more- had to go grocery shopping for the week.

Monday my excuse- I was just too damn tired from the busy weekend to get up besides my body is used to having a rest day on Monday- right?
 
So this leaves me tomorrow to start it over again- 3 days off, that should be enough rest time ya think? We are having the once a year rain fall this week and maybe that can be my excuse for tomorrow morning.

Tis the season for eating too much and not wanting to work out!!!

I will give up the excuses and will run this week- I promise!!!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

I'm a Loser!

Finally, I lost 3 pounds this week. I am doing a lot of different things and not sure what to attribute this to but I will take it.

Since going to the Dr and trying to convince/beg her that I have a thyroid problem where she told me I did not and well, so do all the blood tests, I decided to take things into my own hands -Yikes-.

I'm thinking if I can get the science down on how the body works itnernally with hormones, thyroid, diet, exercising and losing weight I might see a move in the scale. Mind you, I am an Events Planner and science, math- anything scholastic is not my thing, so you can imagine how this is huge undertaking.

As I was reading and after filing out a series of quizzes, I figured out and self diagnosed myself that I am deficient in amino acids (GABA, Lysine, Glutamine,Tyrosine to name a few). It also said to add weight lifting 2-3 times a week and to only eat carbs for one of my meals. Well sure enough, after taking a variety of vitamins, cutting the carbs and pumping iron (where I have not mention, should I ever become single, I will hang out at the free weight area of my gym- hotties!!) I have finally pushed the scale a few LBs. I will not discount the running as I'm sure it has also aided in the weight loss as well as the 2 inches + lost from every part of my body. Yippie I may be finally on to something!


Last night I ran 2 miles at the gym (boring), and did free weights with Andy (note to single self: do not bring a guy with you to free weights).
Today I ran 3.11 miles in 32mins and burned 312 Kcals -lots of 3's today- strange. Is it a full moon too?
Tomorrow is a rest day and by the way I feel I am ready for a sleep in and no pressure/mind games on if I should run or not!

Happy Thursday!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Limping Lisa

I have no idea what I have done to my poor body. Just when I finally figured out how to ignore the usual hip and arch pains during each run and days after, my body goes ahead and finds a new muscle, tendon, bone, what ever to give me an excuse not to want to run.

Not sure if anyone has this, but the muscle (i think) right above my inside ankle bone up to my shin in so tight and sore that I dont know what I did nor what stretches to do for it.

I kind of noticed it yesterday but didnt think too much about anything until halfway through my short, flat 3 miler today that I could hardly run and was totally limp/running to avoid hurting it more. Then while trying to compensate that pain, my left hip started to ache and now Im all messed up on that side.

Im going to blame the hill because that is the only thing I have done different. I know I was running on my tippy toes trying not to fall backwards down the hill and trying to grip the pavement to bring me up that hill all at the same time. So maybe that's where I pulled something. 

Anyway, I'm going to roll it out with one of Andy's 10 rollers and see if that helps. Or I'm bartering services with an ART massage therapist, I'm planning her wedding and she's giving me free massages (not sure yet who has the better deal) and I will make an appointment with her.

Cheerio!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Ode to the Weather

I finally was able to get out for a run yesterday after I had been hit by the flu/cold what ever was going around the entire office and it was just beautiful!

Actually it was just HOT. It was about 75 degrees when I went out and not realizing the temp I put on capri running pants and a long sleeved dri fit shirt. I was so hot I got chills (which is more a sign of dehydration then overheating but who's keeping tabs) I was half tempted to strip down and run in my sports bra, but since I have not lost 1lbs I spared all the fellow runners, bikers, drivers the stealth abs sight. (stealth meaning they are in there, just in stealth mode and no one can see them).

I also thought I would conquer the Chandler hill. I usually run down it and find another way back, but yesterday I was a machine. The upward part of the hill came at about mile 6 after my water and my little balance bites were all consumed so I had to dig deep to master that beast. I started it and kept telling myself to only look 5ft in front of me, this is how I get through hills on my bike.
I was slowly climbing and all of a sudden I felt like I was running in place, I stopped to walk, yelled the F word and then noticed the guy right next to me on his bike going the same speed I was. I was so embarrassed, I apologized and then said "we can do it, we can do it" he laughed and took off a little ahead of me. I continued to walk up the hill because it was faster than me trying to run/jog and finally made it! Yay! Well now I have a goal should I ever go that way again!

I am very proud to say I conquered that hill, ran 7.43 miles and burned 886 Kcals averaging an 11 min mile (that hill set me back as it took me 12 mins). I do have to put a shout out to Cousin Barb who ran 20.12 on Saturday averaging a 10 min mile!!! You go Girl!!!!

Not to rub it in to my fellow mid-westerners, however this is the picture of the hill going down it and you can see how beautiful it was yesterday and kind of what a beast it was- who wouldn't want to run?

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Freaky 40 Year Old Runs 4 Miles

Its a new decade in my life and I actually woke up strong and ready for my run today. Ok well I was strong after I snoozed for another hour after Andy got up and pulled myself out of a deep deep coma but after that I was rearing to go.

I'm ready to launch into my 40's and to start it off I ran 4 miles (4 for 40- get it).. Well I didnt realize I would turn into a freak halfway through my run- of course the half after the sun had risen so every one I passed saw.
I was running a 9:58min mile (sub 10 min-by 2 seconds- Ill take it) and I didnt have my usual mind game. I didnt have the breathing ramp up and I didnt have my 2 mile hump. Which was the perfect way to start out- I also didnt start my watch again until halfway up my hill leading out of our neighborhood.. ANYWAYs...

At about halfway through my run, I started thinking about life -whats in store and got overwhelmed with happiness. So much so, I started crying tears of happiness. I was happy because how proud I am about running and how proud my sister, my parents, my husband, my cousin, my husbands friends, and a lot more people that I should mention are of me for running and really for being me.

It warms my heart that so many people love me and I had to cry about it (im crying now too).. The real kicker was when Chasing Cars by Postal Service came on randomly on my Ipod and I started balling- this song was the song I listened to while lying with my dog Kaia on the very last day of her life and every time I hear that song it reminds me of her, I cry and I know she is with me. Once I got over that love cry the new Black Eyed Peas song- I had the time of my life came on and it took me down memory lane of what a great life I really DO have and all of the fun things I have been fortunate to experience. I always say- if I died tomorrow, I would have no regrets.

Today is great day- and not only because its my birthday and that I ran a sub 10 min mile, but because I know I have many more years to be happy and thankful for every thing and everyone in my life!!!

Here's to 40+ more wonderful years of love, life and running!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Garmin is the best!

Day 2 of a hangover and achy hip and arch/body from Saturday's run but I was dying to try out my new Garmin and digs so I mustered up a teeny tiny bit of energy at 5:45am to get dressed, eat something and head out.

I started running and remembered that I forgot to start my new watch so I had to stop running and wait in the cold and darkness for it to locate a satellite. Once I got going again, it was so simple to just run. My sister even said, that I would love the Garmin because all you have to do is push start and run. I failed at the first step, but the watch took over and tracked my miserable run- I do have to say I looked hot with my new gray shirt and fanny pack water thingy- which has 4 water bottles evenly placed on the belt- I only used 2 of the bottles today because I knew it was going to be short and cold! Have I told you that I love all my presents yet?

ANYWAY- Here is everything the Garmin tracked this am:
I titled it- Around the Park Run (very creative, I know)
Overall
Time:
00:41:09
Distance:
3.67 mi
Elevation Gain:
151 ft
Calories:
364 C

Timing
Time:
00:41:09
Moving Time:
00:39:48
Elapsed Time:
00:41:49


Avg Pace:
11:13 min/mi
Avg Moving Pace:
10:50 min/mi
Best Pace:
08:50 min/mi

Elevation
Elevation Gain:
151 ft
Elevation Loss:
151 ft
Min Elevation:
1,218 ft
Max Elevation:
1,320 ft

Heart Rate
Avg HR:
153 bpm
Max HR:
167 bpm






Run- Dont Walk to Buy your Garmin today and you too can have so much fun with the stats!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

10 is the Magic Number

Cousin Barb and I ran for 10 miles on Saturday 10 Miles!!!! Wooo hooo- Huge milestone for me. AND we averaged a 10.66 Minute Mile-

I had my usual struggle of not breathing in the beginning, my mind game and my 2 mile hump I have to get over every time but other than that I was fine until about mile 7.
My hips, knees and right arch were on fire. At every cross street I prayed for cars so we could stop for a little rest and I had to talk out loud to tell my body that I could do it. I had given Barb a pack of Balance Strawberry Banana bites (with caffeine) before our run for her to try and she busted them out at about the 8th mile. She graciously offered me a few and it took a lot of coordination to run, talk and chew on a mass of gummy mess without choking but I think they kicked in and is what helped bring me to the end. 

10 Miles!! The only bad thing about it is that I now know I can do it and there's no turning back/excuses!!!

Today's run- not so much-  As I mentioned before, yesterday I celebrated my 40th birthday with friends, presents and too may libations. I received so much awesome running stuff that I wanted to put to use today, however I could barley get off the couch to go to bathroom from the hangover let alone run.

Tomorrow I will be able to try out my new Garmin 310XT (from my husband), my new awesome fanny pack water bottle thingy, a headband, a long sleeved gray Nike shirt (all from Cousin Barb) AND the new Reebok Slim Fit undershirt that works on the back and belly fat (from Eric & Karyne). But I think my most favorite gift is the t-shirt I am wearing right now from Cousin Barb that she customized it to say Run Lisa G Run is really cool fonts- So great!!!

Tomorrow is also the first day of my 10th week of training!!!

10-10-10 guess that means I'm a 10 :)

P.S. I have to make a correction from a past blog - We did the 7.5 miles averaging a 10 min mile- NOT 15 min mile like I thought!! Phew!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Did I mention I hate running in the mornings?

After 2 days of rest- only because I did a day trip to Las Vegas on Wednesday (but Tuesday I walked 4 extra miles at lunch) and yesterday I just felt blah!- I went this morning!

Up at 5:30am with Andy because he was riding, struggling to put my running gear on, standing outside to see how cold it was, drinking my water with Heed in it to give me energy because I have found that coffee and running dont mix, finally at 6:15am- pitch black - I headed out!
It wasnt as cold as I thought nor has it been so half way through my run I had to start stripping down the gloves and hat, sweat was actually dripping down my face from the fleece part of my hat- gross! I get so scared of the dark corners so I ran pretty fast this morning- 3.78 miles in 40:30 mins- avg 10.66 min mile by myself- not too shabby!

Does the aching ever stop? After I run my legs just ache and my knees hate the stairs- I do have to tell ya those damn foot inserts work and are the best. My arch does not hurt anymore- well ok in the mornings if I dont do silly foot stretches before getting out of bed, the first step is tight and I will limp like a I have a hurt paw but then it gets better the more I walk. I recommend the Super Feet. (hate hate hate knowing the source of this good find!).

Tomorrow is a big day in a two ways... 1. I will be running 10 miles with Cousin Barb in the morning and 2. I will be celebrating my 40th birthday (my actual birthday is the 7th but the celebration party is tomorrow night). Very monumental stuff I tell ya!