Shit hit the fan on thursday night and my computer has been in the shop. My computer guy had to wipe the slate clean and I've got to reinstall everything.
Wow 9 comments while I was away!!
Glad to report the running is going smoothly, though I've been slacking off in the weight lifting department (I'd like to think that all the people I lift, move or transfer from point A to point B qualifies as some form of weight lifting!) and I finally found the access trail for dogs off leash at wildcat canyon. Brandy is a very happy pooch these days.
So, I've got to reaccqauinted with this computer. I'm still trying to access my e-mail!
Friday, February 24, 2006
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
100 minutes
Today I ran 100 minutes non-stop. Not sure how far I got but that's not as important as the fact that I ran 100 minutes without stopping!
I was going to run the Nimitz but at the last minute decided to check-out Wildcat Canyon.
I didn't hit the trail until 10:35 am, I was moving extra slow from the having taken a night time cold med lastnight, I just couldn't get going. The sluggish feeling had me hemming and hawing about where to run, how hard I was willing to work, which shoes to wear....
Wildcat is off road and the dirt was hard packed, I wore my Keyano's instead of my Montrails and felt the difference right away. My feet felt lighter but my footing wasn't as sure, so I avoided rough spots.
I also tried a new hydration system today, my camelbak dream. It's intended for cycling but I gave it a try on the trail, it worked out well after a few tweaks here and there, I like it much better than my hand-held system and will most likely use it on race day.
This trail is a lot flatter than Strawberry, but without distance markers I can't say for sure how long it is but it felt further. I turned around after about 45 minutes. At 90 minutes my legs grew tired but I felt like I could keep going, a voice in my head kept whispering something about a 10% rule, (up till now the longest I've run is 85 minutes) so,15 extra minutes didn't feel like I was overdoing it.
I was sure to walk a good while afterwards, I thought about what David said(Adventures in the thin trade David) when he couldn't get his stride back after stopping during the marathon, I really understand that after today, my legs felt wobbly and I couldn't of run again if I had wanted to. I found a picnic table and stretched for a good long time, then layed back and closed my eyes feeling the sun on my face and for a little while basked in the utter contentedness of it all.
I was going to run the Nimitz but at the last minute decided to check-out Wildcat Canyon.
I didn't hit the trail until 10:35 am, I was moving extra slow from the having taken a night time cold med lastnight, I just couldn't get going. The sluggish feeling had me hemming and hawing about where to run, how hard I was willing to work, which shoes to wear....
Wildcat is off road and the dirt was hard packed, I wore my Keyano's instead of my Montrails and felt the difference right away. My feet felt lighter but my footing wasn't as sure, so I avoided rough spots.
I also tried a new hydration system today, my camelbak dream. It's intended for cycling but I gave it a try on the trail, it worked out well after a few tweaks here and there, I like it much better than my hand-held system and will most likely use it on race day.
This trail is a lot flatter than Strawberry, but without distance markers I can't say for sure how long it is but it felt further. I turned around after about 45 minutes. At 90 minutes my legs grew tired but I felt like I could keep going, a voice in my head kept whispering something about a 10% rule, (up till now the longest I've run is 85 minutes) so,15 extra minutes didn't feel like I was overdoing it.
I was sure to walk a good while afterwards, I thought about what David said(Adventures in the thin trade David) when he couldn't get his stride back after stopping during the marathon, I really understand that after today, my legs felt wobbly and I couldn't of run again if I had wanted to. I found a picnic table and stretched for a good long time, then layed back and closed my eyes feeling the sun on my face and for a little while basked in the utter contentedness of it all.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Because it warms my heart
While my blog isn't the most popular site around I'm glad to say I have a few "regulars". When you stop by and drop a line or two it feels sooooooo great. I dunno why, validation, empathy, or just a pat on the back ...it just makes me happy.
I'm a lurker for sure, I visit way more than I comment and on the occasion that I do submit a comment to someone new and that person takes the time to respond it's especially sweet.
It's like receiving Valentines every time I read my post.
So, here's wishing you and yours a sweet V-Day!
I'm a lurker for sure, I visit way more than I comment and on the occasion that I do submit a comment to someone new and that person takes the time to respond it's especially sweet.
It's like receiving Valentines every time I read my post.
So, here's wishing you and yours a sweet V-Day!
Sunday, February 12, 2006
A Damn Fine Day
You just gotta love the weather around here these days, sunny and warm. This morning started out very foggy, until I got to the top of Cedar on my way to Strawberry.......then it began to clear. By the time I hit the trail, Brandy was nearly out of her little canine mind....I've been a bad dog mom lately and she was really ansy, when leaving the house she bolted to the car off leash, hopped in the back seat with that " COME ON LET'S ROLL!!" look in her eyes.
Around a dozen military dudes dressed down in fatigues and rather large looking packs were doing some kind of drill, again Brandy went bonkers, completely ignoring me and curiosly sniffing at them as they headed for OUR trail.
Damn, she would need to get back on leash until we passed them, so in vain I called her but she was too distracted by the men in a long single file line, finally I had to sneek up on her in order to get her back on leash and then endure the humiliating attempt of passing the boys with my crazy dog! She doesn't bark, she's just all nosey pulling me practically to the ground as I'm trying to reel her in and pass without being such a spectacle. Gads!!
I've written about Strawberry enough, so I'll spare you the scenic details.........it does have me wanting to figure out the digital camera and start posting pics though. Someday I'm sure I'll get around to it.
More activity on the mountain. CAL was having a triatholon, I noticed markers and a sign cautioning drivers to look out for cyclists as I pulled into the parking lot.
I didn't see any triathlete's on the trail until I turned around, some of the guy's were walking up the hill and yes, I did feel a tad bit superior...Ha! I couldn't swim a mile if my life depended on it though. LOL
I received my first issue of Trail Runner's magazine yesterday and was reading an article on quad strengthening and going down the steep descents. Bottom line.....practice is what it takes to bomb down those babies, that and No Fear. I was feeling pretty good on the way back and just went for it, until I grew painfully aware that my toenails needed trimming!!
Now I do pay a fair amount of attention to my grooming and hygiene but I'm alway's putting this off. I guess cuz I seldom wear open toe shoes, nor have I impaled my husband when snuggling.
I'm just taking a break from baby quilt #2 , I decided to use some patches I already had so it will be quite different from the first one.
As for the remodel, we ordered the sink and faucet on E-bay, the sink arrived friday, too late for Dwight to finish the counter this weekend , so that's been delayed until next week. The plumber hasn't gotten back to us and my faucet is somewhere between here and so.cal.
The honeymoon is over and I want my kitchen back now please!
Around a dozen military dudes dressed down in fatigues and rather large looking packs were doing some kind of drill, again Brandy went bonkers, completely ignoring me and curiosly sniffing at them as they headed for OUR trail.
Damn, she would need to get back on leash until we passed them, so in vain I called her but she was too distracted by the men in a long single file line, finally I had to sneek up on her in order to get her back on leash and then endure the humiliating attempt of passing the boys with my crazy dog! She doesn't bark, she's just all nosey pulling me practically to the ground as I'm trying to reel her in and pass without being such a spectacle. Gads!!
I've written about Strawberry enough, so I'll spare you the scenic details.........it does have me wanting to figure out the digital camera and start posting pics though. Someday I'm sure I'll get around to it.
More activity on the mountain. CAL was having a triatholon, I noticed markers and a sign cautioning drivers to look out for cyclists as I pulled into the parking lot.
I didn't see any triathlete's on the trail until I turned around, some of the guy's were walking up the hill and yes, I did feel a tad bit superior...Ha! I couldn't swim a mile if my life depended on it though. LOL
I received my first issue of Trail Runner's magazine yesterday and was reading an article on quad strengthening and going down the steep descents. Bottom line.....practice is what it takes to bomb down those babies, that and No Fear. I was feeling pretty good on the way back and just went for it, until I grew painfully aware that my toenails needed trimming!!
Now I do pay a fair amount of attention to my grooming and hygiene but I'm alway's putting this off. I guess cuz I seldom wear open toe shoes, nor have I impaled my husband when snuggling.
I'm just taking a break from baby quilt #2 , I decided to use some patches I already had so it will be quite different from the first one.
As for the remodel, we ordered the sink and faucet on E-bay, the sink arrived friday, too late for Dwight to finish the counter this weekend , so that's been delayed until next week. The plumber hasn't gotten back to us and my faucet is somewhere between here and so.cal.
The honeymoon is over and I want my kitchen back now please!
Friday, February 10, 2006
I'm a Fast Fueler
According to a diet personality test I took recently at Sparkpeople.com I prefer to not have to think about what I'm eating and tend to be rather irractic with food and eating. I have to agree, I love food but I don't like to have think too much about it, which having said this, you would think a diet with structure and pre-packaged meals would work, but as I said I love food
(real food) and those types of meals leave me flat.
Lately, I've taken a more consciencious approach to what goes in my mouth, and gulp, have begun the tedious task of tracking everything. Now, mind you, I'm not trying to adhere to any suggested calorie count or anything like that, no no no no no no, I'm still very much in the
"Just stop and think about what your putting into your mouth for 5 seconds" mode. Nothing too drastic, just raising my awareness and accountability. Just having to think about food this way is certainly influencing what I do eat. I still have high calorie days but I also have ramped up activity, so in my mind it all balances out.......At least that's what I'm telling myself for now.
Sigh.........Change is hard, but so was starting to run , so was running longer and faster, so is wt. training. So, why should this be any different? I attribute a great portion of my success by starting slow. So, I'll apply the same approach to food.
I'm really working on the water intake as well, it's been easier to do as the weather is getting warmer.
My technique is lacking however, instead of sipping along throughout the day, it's more like "oh shit, it's 5:30 pm and I still gotta drink 32 oz glug glug glug glug" Then I'm up half the night peeing!
16 months ago, I embarked on this running journey. The fact that I'm still here and now reconsidering my diet is encouraging.
And oh, by the way, I've lost 4 pounds.
Today was another short but intense gym workout, 20 minutes on the treadmill, 2.14 miles just under 10 mins miles overall and 3x10 lunges w/10 lb. wts. Today was suppose to be a rest day but there was another potluck at work, and well need I say more?
As mentioned earlier, the weather is warming up and that means the trails are drying up.
And that means Strawberry Canyon is ripe for the picking this weekend woohoo!!
Look out Big Bertha here I come!
(real food) and those types of meals leave me flat.
Lately, I've taken a more consciencious approach to what goes in my mouth, and gulp, have begun the tedious task of tracking everything. Now, mind you, I'm not trying to adhere to any suggested calorie count or anything like that, no no no no no no, I'm still very much in the
"Just stop and think about what your putting into your mouth for 5 seconds" mode. Nothing too drastic, just raising my awareness and accountability. Just having to think about food this way is certainly influencing what I do eat. I still have high calorie days but I also have ramped up activity, so in my mind it all balances out.......At least that's what I'm telling myself for now.
Sigh.........Change is hard, but so was starting to run , so was running longer and faster, so is wt. training. So, why should this be any different? I attribute a great portion of my success by starting slow. So, I'll apply the same approach to food.
I'm really working on the water intake as well, it's been easier to do as the weather is getting warmer.
My technique is lacking however, instead of sipping along throughout the day, it's more like "oh shit, it's 5:30 pm and I still gotta drink 32 oz glug glug glug glug" Then I'm up half the night peeing!
16 months ago, I embarked on this running journey. The fact that I'm still here and now reconsidering my diet is encouraging.
And oh, by the way, I've lost 4 pounds.
Today was another short but intense gym workout, 20 minutes on the treadmill, 2.14 miles just under 10 mins miles overall and 3x10 lunges w/10 lb. wts. Today was suppose to be a rest day but there was another potluck at work, and well need I say more?
As mentioned earlier, the weather is warming up and that means the trails are drying up.
And that means Strawberry Canyon is ripe for the picking this weekend woohoo!!
Look out Big Bertha here I come!
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Life is Good
It wasn't an especially great run or effort today, but it just felt really good to run today. Seems
I'm getting a later and later start these days, (too many late night talks w/T about the remodel) and I didn't hit the pavement until 9am.
Spring is definitely in the air and I'm just happy.
Have a good day ya'll!!
I'm getting a later and later start these days, (too many late night talks w/T about the remodel) and I didn't hit the pavement until 9am.
Spring is definitely in the air and I'm just happy.
Have a good day ya'll!!
Sunday, February 05, 2006
8 Miles with a cherry on top
Everyone and her cousin were up at Nimitz Trail this morning. Plenty of sun and wiiiiiindy!
I actually chatted with quite a few people today. I met the Lake Merrit Striders and a couple of member's from San Francisco Road Runners Club.
On the turn around I caught up with 2 women from SFRR and one of them noticed me running and dodging potholes, she cautioned me to be careful and I told her I was trying to get used to it due to my upcoming trail race, she then inquired about it and it turned out she and her friend did the half marathon there last year and she smiled and said "oh yeah, there were lots of potholes, rocks and roots." They were a faster than me and we kept playing catch-up, as they would walk up the hills and I would pass them and then they'd pass me.
Later in the parking lot, I arrived probably 10 minutes (total time running: 85 minutes, I had to remove rocks and tie my shoe twice!) after them, we talked some more about the route of my upcoming race and she mentioned that it starts with a gradual 3 mile climb.......I thanked her prompltly for that tip! She then gave me the info/details about the SFRR club and then said "you'll do great" before I headed to the car. The Lake Merrit Striders were really nice too! Before my run I asked them if they were part of Team in Training, and the whole group, about 6 of them gathered around me and told me about there club, details, website etc.
So, opening my mouth paid off for a change. It looks like I may find a running buddy before too long.
I actually chatted with quite a few people today. I met the Lake Merrit Striders and a couple of member's from San Francisco Road Runners Club.
On the turn around I caught up with 2 women from SFRR and one of them noticed me running and dodging potholes, she cautioned me to be careful and I told her I was trying to get used to it due to my upcoming trail race, she then inquired about it and it turned out she and her friend did the half marathon there last year and she smiled and said "oh yeah, there were lots of potholes, rocks and roots." They were a faster than me and we kept playing catch-up, as they would walk up the hills and I would pass them and then they'd pass me.
Later in the parking lot, I arrived probably 10 minutes (total time running: 85 minutes, I had to remove rocks and tie my shoe twice!) after them, we talked some more about the route of my upcoming race and she mentioned that it starts with a gradual 3 mile climb.......I thanked her prompltly for that tip! She then gave me the info/details about the SFRR club and then said "you'll do great" before I headed to the car. The Lake Merrit Striders were really nice too! Before my run I asked them if they were part of Team in Training, and the whole group, about 6 of them gathered around me and told me about there club, details, website etc.
So, opening my mouth paid off for a change. It looks like I may find a running buddy before too long.
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