Thursday, September 29, 2005

Euclid or Bust

So, I did get up at 4:45 am but I didn't actually step foot outside until 6am.
I ran an easy 30 minutes in the surrounding well lit neighborhood. It (Cedar) was a gradual climb the first 15 minutes that got steeper......I decided to turn left at that point...primarily due to the time constraints I'm under today. Anyone who knows Berkeley, Ca knows about the Berkeley Hills.
This is so boring, I'm going to give up tonight and read my Chinese Medicine book.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Back to School

Today I wrapped up a 2 day pain management workshop I attended for work. I'm an occupational therapy assistant and I work in a skilled nursing facility. The workshop focused on alternative methods of treatment...Right up my alley, as I have a background in massage therapy and am a big advocate for holistic medicine. I've recently been feeling a bit burned out and struggling to really help the people on my caseload. This workshop was just what I needed to snap out of my slump.
At lunchtime, I chatted with the facilitator about opportunities available to assistants and she asked me if I had considered going for my degree as a full fledged OT. I cringed (inwardly) I'm sure I gave the impression that I didn't care to return to school, which isn't true I just wouldn't want to go back to be an OT. I would be interested in taking an aroma therapy
course or one on myofascial release.
And what does any of this have to do with running? Like the workshop I just finished , running has got me out of many a slump, it's caused me to see things differently and it's definitely pushed me torwards new aspirations.
I got up extra early this week to run because of the workshop. Not sure if I'm ready to commit to 5 am indefinitely, but I know Brandy oh so happy if I did......actually we'd both be really happy.





Tuesday, September 27, 2005

It is officially the butt crack of dawn........5:11 am.....it's dark out there.........think I'll take Brandy. I've downed a cup of joe, small 1/2 glass oj and 4 gummy bears. Read a hilarious post by mia goddess....a self-admitted control freak she's currently struggling with post baby weight loss and succumbing to weight watchers dogma. ok, quit stalling.
6:10 am
Ran for 37 minutes. Opted for the neighborhood streets vs the trail, seemed safer. Brandy seems to do better on early morning runs...less distractions I guess.
I felt good on this run too! Cool and calm, even on the hilly parts. Good thing I'm not creeped out by spiders, I ran through a few webs!

Monday, September 26, 2005

Fitting a couple of short run will be tricky this week. No excuses though!
I will be up at the butt crack of dawn tomorrow.
I'm going to bed now!
Goodnight and sweet dreams of running strong and painfree.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

My name is Christine. I'm 42 and started running (again) last fall. Quite by accident,
I celebrated my 1 year of running steady by entering my 1st 5k. It was even planned. It was 9/11/05 and the local UN chapter was hosting a "Run for Peace" 5 and 10 K's. I only happended upon the race during my ususal sunday run to the park. I noticed the starting line and a bunch of people (maybe 75-100). I asked if it was okay to run during their event and was quickly encouraged to enter.

So I did. My pace was all off and I shot out too fast, slowing down (unintentionally!!)at the end. I clocked in at 27:? I truly don't remember, but was pleased with it being under 30:00. I pushed too hard though and needed a few minutes to compose myself (heaving and light headed). Despite all that, I managed to place 3rd in my ranks (18-44). Not bad for a first timer!

I run alone or sometimes with my dog, Brandy, a 70 pound chow/boxer. Running w/others takes a different kind of discipline, so I'm learning. I did my run on the track today, trying to find my 5k pace. I'm not really sure what I'm doing but I had a good workout.