slow and steady

Test post (and a really good day)

2011-01-15T21:08:00.001-08:00

I'm testing my new iPhone app so that I can blog more often (and while I'm out and about).

Just a note about my good day, this morning I ran with my best friends, I appeared as an assistant Coach at the Team in Training Preview party, took a little nap and babysat my friends sleeping boys while they welcomed their new niece into the world - today was a good day!

More to come from Jessica, Slow and steady!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

why ? ?

2010-12-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

WHY ????
1. Why do I sabotage myself?
2. Why do I deliberately make bad choices when no one is looking?
3. Why have I not run the month of December?
4. Why am I overwhelmed at work?
5. Why do I not designate time to study for my next test?
6. Why am I tired?
7. Why do my pants seem to keep shrinking?
8. Why can I not make my lunch?
9. Why do I go to be late and make getting up harder?
10. Why are my eyes blurry until 10am?
11. Why am I not more excited to be coaching Team in Training in January?
12. Why haven’t I registered for a race?
13. Why haven’t I ran a race since October 24th?
14. Why did I load the new iphone software and fail to run a backup and now have a blank phone (with new software)?
15. Why can’t I have a clean garage or shed?

Why…..

I know the answers (I think) but implementing them is hard…. I need to take control of my life, make small changes and they will lead me to what I am looking for – a happiness, a balance, a ‘I feel good’ feeling….

So here are some of my answers to my own questions above;
1. Self sabotage - because I’m sad, because I’m not in control

2. Deliberate bad choices - because I want the control, whether or not it is bad for me, no one can tell me what to do (I’m stubborn), and by no one seeing it, no one can judge it.

3. Lack of running - I don’t have any running mojo, maybe I was burnt out, and maybe my body needed some rest… I would like a stead fast running partner that I can talk to while running and that can encourage me to get out and move. I have lots of running friends, time to call in some favors…

4. Work - I feel overwhelmed at work because I am, I have a lot of work on my desk and all of my projects are in the same stage – so of course everyone needs everything right away. I need to delegate and prioritize the work, tell some people that it might be a day until their answer so that I can get one task complete, otherwise I’m a daily pinball machine.

5. Study time - I don’t designate time to study because I feel like I’m taking time away from my husband, by dog, my running (in the end I’m not getting studying, family time or running in…. Set aside some study time, maybe after a walk with the dog or at coffee with family.

6. Tired - I need to go to bed and sleep, not be restless (but sometimes I’m tired, but not really tired – restless mind, restless legs, but still tired), maybe running will make me physically tired so that I fall asleep faster. Bedtimes might need to be reinstated.

7. Small pants – duh, butt getting bigger and pants are the same size…. This one is a no-brainer.

8. Lunch – if I can’t find anything in the cupboard or fridge I just give up, if I would organize my groceries specific to my lunch would it make it easier? If so then DO IT!

9. Late to bed – see #6 answer – Bedtimes need to be reinstated! Brian needs a book light so I can sleep if he has his reading light on.

10. Blurry Eyes – See #6, #9 answers above – early morning workouts helped during the summer, I was able to spend blurry eye time working out and by the time I got to work I was invigorated (and not noticeable tired from working out).

11. TnT Coach – I should be totally jazzed to be a TnT Coach, our first practice is in January and we have a few info meetings before then. Maybe I’m not excited because I don’t feel worthy since I haven’t been running and my running clothes got smaller (see #7 above).

12. Upcoming races – why haven’t I registered for a race, dangle that carrot out there….. Barb from the Y-Run-Club mentioned running the Mercer Island Half Marathon in March, maybe I need to commit to that….

13. Race since October – the two races in October where really, really wet (I wore a poncho for the first and second time). That and Elinor has been concentrating on her family after dedicating so much time to her marathon training that I feel like I lost my best running partner. No excuse, I am a marathon maniac, get out there and run!

14. iphone – I am trying to be more tech savvy, but this one got me – I uploaded the new software and lost all of my contacts, photos, notes, layouts, everything. Still in the ‘no-way’ and ‘really?’ stage… still working to see if I can get the info back.

15. Garage/shed – I think this is everyone’s dream, but really, more crap keeps inching its way into the house and not enough is leaving. Does the New Year spur this need for clearing out in everyone? Make a donation box, a dump box and a sell on craigslist box and spend a few hours in there and get something done.

Slow and steady, working toward the positive goals with the answers that I have, that is all that I can do.... no resolutions here.... just life changing goals.

stepping away from the edge

2010-06-02T22:48:00.001-07:00

ok, wow, can I go off on a torment or what? I guess I was near the edge last week...

I have taken that deep breath, redirected my thoughts and moved away from the edge. This past week I was on plan for eating and I was able to get six days of workouts in. My eating was not perfect, but I did stay within my Weight Watchers daily points and tried to incorporate more fruits and vegtables into my daily meals. Some days I got in amazing workouts (last nights spin class was amazing), some days I got in a 3 mile run, but I got myself out there six out of the seven days for some bit of real activity and it was really, really nice. Today after my speed workout on Ruston Way with Team in Training Coach Matt I weighed in at WW and was down one pound. I wanted it to be more, but hey, I was down a pound, better than up right? Nice photo of one pound of fat that I added - ok one pound is awesome, so much better than on my rear-end!!!!

So now here is what I am happy for (in bullet form - I have to sleep sometime...

I ran at Chambers Bay with my best friend Elinor and Monica in the rain and it was fun!

I will get fully paid for health care from my work next month (right now I have health care, but it is through hubby and his state job and with the way budget cuts are going I was getting a little scared).

I get to run the North Olympic Discovery Marathon with Monica and Sydnee on Sunday and I can't wait!

I lost one pound!!!

I got in a lot of study time during the rainy weekend and I'm finding ways to incorporate it into my busy weekdays.

I get to cheer on my Team in Training mentees on Saturday - they are doing their longest run - 2.5 hours for the half-marathoners and 4.5 hours for the full marathoners! I'll run some with them, but I'll be trying not to push it the day before a marathon.

Getting back to blogging - I missed being able to have an outlet for all of this 'stuff' whirrling around in my head!

Running speed intervals on June 2nd - National Running Day - how could I miss running on this day =)

I hope everyone has a great week and I'll try to get better photos for next week. I CAN do this, I CAN push harder, I CAN run farther, I CAN do this, I WILL!

help I'm floundering

2010-05-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

help, I'm floundering in a weight gain hell.... someone, somewhere tell me I can do this! I'm letting everything eat away at me, everything in turn is getting eaten.... then I think how far I have to run to burn off that scone - then I just have a cookie at lunch and pass off the run to another day... erggg, aggggg, grrrrr - the cycle then repeats.....

I'm running the North Olympic Discovery Marathon on June 6th with a bunch of gal pals from the y-run club - to say I'm excited is not enough. I just need to get there.

I made it through a rough year, why am I screwing it up now?

Elinor has started running - I ran with her on Sunday, she is going great - and to think little Mr. is only 2 months old. Crap, if she can do it then why can't I?

I finished my outside project at work and I even signed up for my first architecture test - but I need something bigger! What about a trail marathon? What about a vacation? What about the bathroom painted a different color? See what I mean, I'm floundering!!!!!

off to watch the biggest loser - hopefully it will encourage me and not depress me......

update .... activity .... and rambling

2010-01-09T21:32:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to sit down to write this blog all week... and something just keeps getting in the way. My goal was to post once a week and now I feel like I'm already behind. Guess the best I can do is start again here and forgive myself (how come that is what I feel like I'm always doing). Anyway.... I started the new year off on the right foot and the left foot and I repeated that for 26.2 miles at the First Call Marathon in Bothell on the first. It was a gloomy, cloudy, misty, rainy day, but I wanted to be there when Michelle crossed the finish line of her 52nd marathon before she turned 52! What an amazing goal and accomplishment - it is really great to see someone set a goal and accomplish it! Go read her blog and give here a kudos!. After the marathon on Friday I was expecting to take it easy for the weekend - ha! I met up with the Y-Run Club on Saturday morning, I was going to walk and then join everyone for coffee after. But I was talking with Monica and I just kinda started running and then it was 4.25 miles later and we were back at the YMCA - this was the first time I had ran the morning after a marathon. I was a little sore from the 26.2, but the short, slow run seemed to flush out my muscles and by Sunday I was like new (hey Michelle I think it worked)!

Saturday afternoon I met up with Jenny, Monica, Michelle, Elaine, Laurie, Lori, Sonya and others to tie blue ribbons on the South Tacoma Way overpass in honor of all of the fallen officers from Lakewood Police Department and Pierce County Sherrifs Office, then we went to the Lakewood Forza Coffee to gather and remember the fallen. It was special time and it was nice to share it with people who have such sincere good intentions and who just wanted to do something to remember the sacrifices these men and women made. It was a really special afternoon.

Sunday I went for a walk with Brian and Darby and got ready for the 'long' regular work week ahead. Monday night I tried to make it to spin class, but got stuck in terrible traffic so I walked on the treadmill and did the excercise bike - it was good, but not nearly as good of a sweat as the spin class. Tuesday I didn't feel like running at all, but I promised Darby that I would take her for a run, so I put my running clothes on and we hit the road. We ran from Emerald Ridge High School, up the hill and to Sunrise and back for 3 miles or so. It wasn't my best run ever, but I got out there and Darby kept my spirits high - dogs are just always happy!

Wednesday night I made it to spin class and made it into my 'last chance workout' ala The Biggest Loser. I worked really, really hard and made the workout count - I kept repeating 'I am strong' 'I am strong'. After the spin class I made it to my Weight Watchers meeting and I rocked the scale! I tracked all week and I was very active and it showed on the scale - I lost 3.6 lbs!!!! So far this week I haven't been as active, but I have still been tracking and I still have a few days to get a lot of activity in!

Today I made it to little Mr. Owen's first birthday party. I was really nice to see everyone get together and celebrate the little Dude's day. I got him a kiddo soccer ball and net, I think he'll be playing before he knows it. I even skipped the cake - ahh the will-power!

Sunday I'm going to run with the Y-Run Club at Point Defiance and get ready for another busy work week ahead - If last week was any indicator I'm in for a duezzy. Oh yeah, I have to get signed up for Haulin' Aspen marathon in Bend in August.

Upcoming races: Pigtails Flat Ass 50k (31 miles) on January 23. West Seattle Fat Ass (50k) on February 7th. I need to make some decisions on races in March - PacRim, Yakima Marathon - guess I'll need to get moving on my schedule....

slow and steady!

Run macha run!

a fresh start

2009-12-27T19:31:00.000-08:00

isn't that what a new year is all about? a fresh start.... this past year has been memorable for the good and the bad - I am ready to start fresh!
Here are my proclamations - my goals - my accomplishments - my pats on the back

I've completed 6 marathons, 4 half-marathons, 1 50k and multiple 'fun' runs.
I want to run a lot in 2010 - I mean A LOT!
I have been diagnosed with cancer, survived surgery and I am now a survivor.
I have raised $4600 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
I am 16 hours away from completing my architectural internship development program.
I've been a running buddy for Girls on the Run and I got my sister, niece and nephew to compete in their first 5k.
In 2010 I plan to start taking my architecture licensing tests and make a plan to complete them.
I plan to be a better wife, friend, aunt, sister, daughter, running partner and person.
A better blogger - once a week - that can be a good goal - every post after that will be gravy.

I'm sure there is much more, but this is a fresh start to the blog - a re-birth for 2010! Stay posted, I have a lot that I haven't shared yet!

Here is to a fresh start!

Three of Three....

2009-06-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

THREE – Diagnosed with Cancer and Conquered Cancer!

A little history here: in February my brother-in-law was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He is currently going through bi-weekly chemotherapy treatments and the scans are showing that it is helping rid his body of cancer. In March, my mom called me and told me that she had an abnormal spot on her upper arm and it was diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma (a very common form of skin cancer). She is a very strong woman and dealt with it all very well, even noting that the hardest part was the sores she was getting from the band-aids. This surely upset my sister and much as it did me, so I scheduled myself for a full body mole check at my determatologist.

On March 31st the determatologist removed a mole (that I have all of my life on my lower right shin) in order to perform a biopsy right then and there at the first ‘scan’ appointment (the photo is after the biopsy healed and before the surgery). Meanwhile, I was wondering if it would hurt at all when I ran the following Saturday – my second Yakima River Canyon Marathon – guess you could say that I wasn’t too worried (especially since the biopsy three years ago was benign)! Well, much to my surprise, the doc’s office called a week later and told me that the test showed that I had melanoma skin cancer (don’t go and google quite yet, ‘cause those sites will scare the crap out of you). I went through some pretty insane emotions – it is hard to hear that you are sick when you don’t feel sick. I continued on to a full work day after I got the news (I didn’t know what else to do). I had a lot of appointments to get me ready for surgery – yes, in order to get rid of my melanoma they had to perform a wide excision of a 2-1/2” diameter circle of skin from my shin (i'll spare you those photos - only a handful have seen the surgery site - it will still be a few months with compression before it can be exposed - also note my stripped sock in later photos).

Melanoma is no skin cancer to mess around with, it is the most deadly form of skin cancer and only 4% of skin cancers diagnosed are melanoma. In order to get my shin to heal they had to close the area with a skin graft from my tummy (and no it didn’t act as a tummy tuck, even though that wouldn’t have been so bad). The surgeons also had to do a sentinel node biopsy to make sure the cancer had not spread, another opening in my upper right thigh. My surgery was on May 6th and I was on bed rest, with my leg elevated at all times for 3 weeks with crutches and wheelchair transportation.

We received the wonderful news on May 14th that the cancer did not spread into my lymph nodes and that the wide excision removed all of the melanoma cells (even though they had began to spread). It was a very topsy-turvy month for me – yes, just about a month from diagnosis to the ‘all clear’ – which makes me a very happy cancer SURVIVOR! I am very grateful for so many things; my amazing husband (and caretaker), my family, my friends, my kitten and puppy, my doctors, science, faith, even sunshine (because even with it I got sick, but without it, my flowers would never grow).

Looking ahead, I had to postpone my Team in Training marathon in Anchorage, but instead will get to run the Nike Women’s Marathon in October in San Francisco (I will even wear flowers in my hair)! I am ready to get back on my feet and make a difference! I would like each and everyone one of you to realize how grateful we all are and to go and get yourself checked out by a dermatologist. It is really easy, and as I am now fully aware, a life-saving appointment. Oh yeah, and use sunscreen!

I have started running and on Sunday the 21st of June I ran my first 5k – the LIVESTRONG Challenge in Seattle (brian even ran the 5k with me). I cried when I crossed the survivor finish line and they handed me a yellow rose – the last time I cried crossing the finish line was my first marathon – and I guess you could say that this really was my first ‘marathon’ since the surgery. My life is slowly making it’s way back to normal and I still have days that I am down and days that everything hurts or I feel crappy, but mostly I am happy to be alive, healthy and moving!

Thanks to everyone who has gotten me through this tough time!

One, Two, Three – and on to many more……

Part Two of Three

2009-06-22T20:41:00.000-07:00

TWO – Tacoma City Marathon (a new PR) – Complete!
OK, I’m not going to get to a full report – I have too much going on… here is the quick version. April sucked – I got life changing news – see next post. I trudged along and ran a couple of times. I opted for the early start at the Tacoma City Marathon – 6am is really early! I ran the entire way with Michelle and Jenny – we talked, laughed, ran in silence and made it across the finish line.

My agenda was to run hard and wear myself out and be active (again see next post). I crossed the finish line in 5:38:28 which was a new PR! This photo after the run says it all – what a group we are and a group that I am proud and happy to be a part of!

How good do we look after running 26.2 miles! Up next - Michelle's Grande Ass Marathon!

Part One of Three....

2009-05-20T15:02:00.001-07:00

Ok guys and gals – there are three long posts here, after reading post three you’ll understand where I got all of the time to write!

Here is a preview:
ONE – Yakima Canyon River Marathon – Complete!
TWO – Tacoma City Marathon (a new PR) – Complete!
THREE – Diagnosed with Cancer and conquered Cancer – Complete!

One – Yakima City River Marathon
Taking a half day from work on Friday, I checked the pass report and raced to the mountain pass. It was April 3rd and I had to rush to beat the pass closing for avalanche control (yes in April I had to worry about snow on the pass). I beat the road closing and ran into a huge traffic jam – I was in the middle of the mountain pass, three lanes of traffic wide and we were rolling… I could run faster (I was really frustrated). Anyway, I made it over in time to pick up my race packet and get settled for my FIRST ever Marathon Maniac Reunion Meeting. It was amazing being in a room with 40-60 other runners that have the same running addiction. A lot of the Puyallup Y-Club runners were there and we took up a full row in the room. The lovely race director Lenore Dolphin called out each of our names and handed us a YCRM mug and we were able to say our names, MM status,etc. Eric made sure that we all made mention that we were from “Puy-allup,” we had a lot of fun. I remembered why I love this group of runners so much, we are all one big happy family! I even won a Marathon Maniac car flag for being the ‘newest’ maniac at the reunion.

A group of us headed to the Olive Garden for dinner. I prepared myself and looked up meals online that would still fit into my weight watchers plan. After dinner I stopped at a local grocery and got a few more supplies and cold water (oh yeah and my new tradition – a slice of cheesecake). I made it back to the hotel, organized my stuff and settled down for a quick nights sleep. The morning rolled around really fast – I made a microwave breakfast sandwich and headed to Starbuck for a quick Skinny, Cinnamon Dolce Latte. We had to catch the shuttle buses in Selah at 6:00 am, so I had plenty of time to wake up. With two hours to the start I was getting a little nervous, which is weird, this would be my fifth marathon – I was pro at this. I think my nerves were from having time before the start. At the small (30 people) runs, you get out of your car and go – although the time allows you to really get ready and make sure you are prepared. The race directors have a box of ‘drop’ clothes at the expo, so I picked up a sweatshirt from the box so I had an extra layer at the start.

The start was chilly, maybe mid to high 30’s. Clear skies and a promise of a great run. I started off with Michelle and I planned on finishing the day with her (she had just finished her first 100k, two weeks before – she is my hero). We settled into a great pace of 4 minutes run with a 1 minute walk break. Heading into the canyon we started up the first little incline, this canyon run is mostly downhill, but it has some major hills at about half way and then again about mile 22. Last year, this was my first marathon and I struggled through the canyon, I really worked hard this past year to make sure that I could have a wonderful second chance at the canyon. It worked, I lost about 30 pounds and I worked on my pace by running with others that were just slightly faster than my usual pace. I also made a conscious effort to rest for a couple of weeks before the run. The mileage, training and weight loss were in the bag – I needed the rest to make sure that I would perform at my best. Michelle and I chatted along the way, and at one point we heard a lot of birds chirping, we looked up to the canyon rock wall and noticed all of their nests right there within the rock face. These are the things that I really enjoy when I run; the conversation, the observations, amazing nature, connecting in so many ways.

We finally were able to make a pit stop at about mile 13, we didn’t want to have to wait in a line – guess we should have told the lady who was in there when we pulled up…. At this point I was feeling good, I had shed my coat and was running in capris, a tech shirt with my marathon maniac singlet on top. My pack was full of snacks; rice crispy treats, shot blocks, jelly beans, GU, but I forgot my cinnamon bagel and pretzels. The bagel and pretzels usually help ‘fill’ my stomach during a run and they seem to help soak up all of the sugar so I don’t get queasy, I did alright anyway. My feet were holding up well, last year I changed my socks at mile 13 and the insides of my heels were huge blisters, I’ve learned a lot in the past year. Body glide and lots of it on my feet helped me out, that and some memory foam insoles from Route 16 Running and Walking – Miguel has been my lifesaver.

Michelle and I made it up the huge mile long hill at the half-way point – we would pick a spot on the guardrail and run to it, then walk and run to another point. We made it and kept moving. I was feeling strong and felt like I had more in my tank, but I was really enjoying my time running with Michelle. We just talked away the day and I really helped mentally to have someone to run with in the canyon. Last year I felt really lonely in the canyon – but I needed that time alone to reflect and make some serious changes.

At the top of the last major hill there was a sign that said 3.7 miles left. Michelle looked at her watch and told me that I had about 30 minutes to get to the finish…. So I took off. Literally, I took off and started doing sub-ten minute miles – this was big for me, my usual pace is 12+ minute miles and at mile 23 in a marathon I picked up my pace and I couldn’t have been happier! I wish I could capture that feeling and breath in right now. Ok, so you’re asking, why such a big deal to get to the finish – Well, last year I finished the marathon in 6 hours and 39 minutes and I was on pace to finish in 5 hours and 38 minutes – a full hour and a minute faster. I really pushed myself to the finish and smiled as I crossed the finish line – 5 hours 45 minutes. I almost made it! And in my mind I did make it, this run was not about the number, but about feeling like I could do anything and I got that feeling. I ran with a friend for over 5 hours and I was able to pick up my pace at the end of a marathon! I had an amazing run and the feelings of finishing all rushed to me as I grabbed a bottle of water and sat down with the rest of the Y-club runners. I did it, I conquered the canyon again – this time I won!

A long overdue update:

2009-03-28T14:20:00.000-07:00

It’s been while – a lot has been happening with us the past few months.

Team in Training has been keeping me really busy and I have been doing a great job running every Saturday morning with the group and my fundraising is moving right along – thank you to all of my friends, family, colleagues who have supported me so far!

We received some horrible new in mid-February, my sister found out that her husband has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – the same week that I sent out my first letters for Team in Training which supports The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – that is irony. Justin went to the doctor because he just wasn’t getting over the symptoms of the flu. They did a biopsy and by the end of the week they had the news. My sister is dealing with it quite well, my mom says she is more organized than ever. The entire family has been helping in whatever capacity they can, some babysit so Justin can rest, others take care of some of the bills, and others run for a cure (that’s me – I also babysat all three kids one day). So my involvement with Team in Training has now become very personal. Justin has started his chemotherapy and will continue treatment every two weeks for six months. His kids are ok, the oldest is 3-1/2 so they don’t really understand, they just know that daddy goes to the doctor to try and get better. My sister is working as much as possible to keep some income coming in (and I’m sure it is somewhat of an escape for a few hours each day).

In some wonderful news we found out that Brian’s sister is pregnant and is going to have a baby lovebug in August. They are having a little boy and Brian is excited because he can teach the little guy how to ski (and pester his mom). I am excited to meet the little guy!

On the running front I am getting ready for the Yakima River Canyon Marathon on April 4th. Last year this was my very first marathon – this year I am totally ready! I have four marathons and one 50k under my belt, and I’m a marathon maniac – I am ready! Oh yeah, my belt this year is going to be holding up my pants ‘cause I’m 30 pounds lighter than last year – I can’t wait to run fast through the canyon!

TNT weekly update and some running highlights from the past few months:

Week 1 - 1/31 Vasault Park – first run since my 50k the weekend before. Felt good to get out and run, even better to only run a short distance.

Week 2 - 2/7 Cushman trail in Gig Harbor. Shoe Clinic, I finally have insoles that work and the blisters are gone! Seriously all it took was some new insoles – everyone should go and see Miguel and SR 16 Run/Walk – he knows his shiz!

Week 3 - 2/14 Sand Dunes with brother and dad, I did not do any running, but man I rode that 4-wheeler like it was going out of style – upon our return home on Sunday the 15th we received the sad news that about my brother-in-law.

Week 4 - 2/21 We celebrated Brian’s Birthday in Cannon Beach. I ran 60 min. through town and some on the beach into the wind and rain. I was amazed that I could enjoy site-seeing so much – this is definitely the way I want to spend vacations from now on! We also hiked about 3 miles at Ecola State Park and rocked the trail – maybe I should try some trail running!

Week 5 - 2/28 Orting, Foothills Trail 8 miles – it was a nice flat run.
Week 6 - 3/7 ran from Vasault Park to Wright Park for a total of 12 miles.
Week 7 - 3/14 ran from Vasault Park to Wright Park for a total of 10 miles in the miserable rain. Then finished 3.1 more at Rogers park near my house – it was brutal starting back up after getting warm – at least the sun came out for my second run. I also signed up to be on the National Bone Barrow Registry.

Week 8 - 3/21 – we ran from Vasault Park for 7 miles – it was foggy, but not raining! I finished it off with 13 miles at the Pac Rim (a 24-hr fun run) with Michelle, Jenny and Abi. – Those girls are amazing. Steve, Rob & Jamal also did amazing jobs – maybe next year I’ll take a stab at it. After I finished my miles I whipped up some pancakes and made some grilled cheese for the group. Even in the weee hours they were munching on the grilled cheese!

I will be getting ready for Yakima this week and I can’t wait for 8am on Saturday morning – when I will conquer that canyon!

Here is my photo from last year - yikes - I did carry that 200lbs down the canyon....

Keep on running!

50k is how far?

2009-01-25T20:18:00.000-08:00

I did it, my first 'ultra' - I ran a 50k on Saturday morning! That is 31 miles. I ran 31 miles. I ran 31 miles. I ran 31 miles. I still don't believe it. Saturday morning was the Pigtails 50k around Lake Youngs in Renton. I made it to the early start and ran the entire way with Michelle and we finished in 7 hours 2o minutes. The first lap around the lake (it sounds so short, but was around 9.6 miles) we had a fairly large group, which was really nice because we started at 6:30 and ran with headlamps - who is this writing... I woke up early on a Saturday and started running at 6:30 am. We ran three loops around the lake, which is the Seattle watershed and then a short out and back with a huge hill to the finish. I am sore today and my giganto blister has been deflated and is doing fine, I am also still really tired today. Through all of this I am super proud of myself. I did it! And now on to bigger and better things!

Anyway this is a short and sweet post as I have some running fundraising to start. I've been thinking about this whole running thing lately and that while it has been amazing and life changing for me, there are surely others out there that I could help while running, so I joined Team in Training last week and I have been reviewing all of my information and getting ready to get some flyers out to everyone I know. It is a really great organization with 75% of the fundraising going toward research serving patients and families that are affected by blood cancer. Thankfully I have not had first hand experience with blood cancer, but I strongly believe in research and supporting a group that furthers that work. So that being said, take a look at my fundraising page and help if you can. I will be working on fun ways to raise money and posting them here - if anyone has any ideas, I'm game.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/anchor09/jwillia6im

Also, please become a blood donor. It is easy, doesn't hurt and hey, what a way to instantly loose a pound. I've been donating every six weeks for over a year (that's over a gallon donated)http://www.cascadebloodcenters.org/home/index.htm

where 'o where in the world has jessica been?

2009-01-22T20:48:00.000-08:00

Ok, I’ve totally been slacking at keeping my blog updated. I’ve been really, really busy the past few months – whoa it really has been a while. So here is the long and short of it. I really will get better at posting – even if it is only a few words, such as ‘I finished’ or ‘Today I ran’ or ‘Yipee another size smaller’…. So here it goes (this starts in the year 2008 – again, yikes!).

October
On the 5th I ran the Portland Marathon – I had a wonderful time – my lo-o-o-ng overdue and long race report can be found through a link above. The short and sweet of it is that I finished 1 hour faster than my first marathon six months earlier! Oh yeah, I was 28 pounds lighter – that might have helped. It was a great experience and I will surely do it again – I was floating for days!

I hosted Elinor's baby shower in the middle of the month. If I didn't already have a day job, party planner would be my calling, I love getting everything ready for guests, and especially for Elinor and baby Owen. We have waited a long time to meet this little guy, so his party had to be big. I really enjoyed the day and I think baby Owen has a lot of 'aunties' to watch over him. How cute is pregnant Elinor - she was seriously glowing!

I also ran the Dawg Dash with my friend Lisa and her kids Brandon and Abby. Darby tagged along too, since this is one race that encourages the four-legged family members. Brandon was almost 5 and he ran the whole 5k - I was impressed. Lisa pushed the jogging stroller with Abby and was really fast (I'll have to weigh it down next time!). Abby even ran the kids dash! We had a great day and I will definitely put it on the schedule for next year!

My sister had baby girl Ashlyn Patricia – baby #3
Brian and I baby sat my niece and nephew for two nights so that my sister could recover and bond quietly with Ashlyn. We took the kids to the zoo for the first time and then got them dressed and went trick-o-treating – they had a ball. Brycen was Spidermand and Haylee was a princess (I even made her a magical wand). We were wiped after we took them home - I can't imagine how my sister does it.

November
Started working in retail – yikes! Worked, worked and worked – trying to keep my sanity, and trying to keep my schedules straight.
On November 29 I ran the Seattle Ghost Marathon after working a full week at job #1 (40+ hrs) and job #2 (3-4hrs each night). I ran with Michelle, Margaret with Steve and Robin joining us for the second half. This run was totally not about my time, but about keeping Michelle sane on her second of three marathons in a row, this in turn kept me preoccupied and I just ran and ran and we talked and started singing towards the end – this is what it is all about, running with friends on a beautiful day in along the shores of Lake Washington. It was a beautiful fall day – in the 50’s, overcast and not raining (I even picked up a few pretty leaves to hang on the wreath on the front door). My running high was quickly ruined by huge chaffing issues with my REI performance underwear (they were too big – argg) and was nearly in tears as I headed off to work retail for 4 hours after running a marathon – yes, I greeted people at the door of a retail store after running for six hours and having my thighs rubbed raw – how the heck did I do it – I still don’t know, guess I’m tougher than I thought.

December
I worked and worked some more. Working in retail was a whole new world for me – People are really rude sometimes, and others are so dang nice and easy to talk to and help it is amazing. If anything else I learned a lot about the Christmas spirit and I transferred it to our holiday – we went small this year, but meaningful. I pulled my sister’s name from the hat and I gave her some great gifts – some lotion for her (when she gets some quiet time), some photos of her kids at the zoo in an album and a framed collage of her family. Gifts that were unique and created just for her. I did not get a lot of runs in (but when I did they ended up being long runs), I did run the Pigtails Flat Ass Marathon on the 20th in the snow with screws in my shoes for 26.2 miles with Michelle. My camelback hose froze about 1 mile in it was in the teens – I’d never ran when the temperature was so low. I kept my small water bottles from freezing by putting them in my shirt and alternating them. My Starbucks hot chocolate turned into a Frappachino by the time I started drinking it, but it turned out to be delicious. This was another slow run (6 hours 29 minutes), but running 26.2 miles in the snow is no small feat. I was a little sore after this run, my hips were achy, but I really think that I was using different muscles to help keep my balance on the snow. There were a couple of blisters, but nothing too bad. I did find wonderful Patagonia underwear – no chaffing – yippee! This was my third marathon in three months which qualified me for Marathon maniac status! I am maniac #1255 – I did it.
I got my jersey on Christmas eve – I was stoked! I might have even worn it to dinner at my in-laws =)
January
I ran the First Call Marathon on January 1st hosted by Adrian and he and his volunteers did a wonderful job. This is the first race that has provided pancakes at the finish line – and boy were they delicious, I’m going to try and carry some on an upcoming race. They settled my upset stomach the instant they hit my mouth (I had way too much sugary items during the run). The trail still had some slush (as seen in my Maniac jersey photo above), but after about the first mile it was clear pavement. I ran on my own, Michelle was doing the second marathon of a double and I didn’t make it to the early start to run with her. I had a great time though –my i-pod was playing Bennie and the Jets by Elton John over and over and I talked to my friend Lisa and her daughter gave me a good luck shout (nothing better than a 3 year old cheering you on). I talked to my parents and they gave me some kudos and I left a message for Elinor to make Owen wait until I crossed the finish line to come into the world so I could meet him (today was her due date, but it was not like I could stop him). Along the trail I saw two bald eagles perched in a tree and the beautiful Woodinville valley with the all of the breweries and wineries – maybe next year they can host an aid station – hey I might have something here I finished in 5 hours 42 minutes – only 3 minutes slower than Portland (even with the slushy trail) so I was pretty proud of myself.

Brian and I have gone Cross Country Skiing a couple of times since Christmas and we learned to snowshoe with Darby the last time we were up, the weather has been beautiful each time we get to White Pass – we’ve been lucky

Elinor & Jack’s Baby Owen Arrived on January 5th. I was fortunate to be able to spend a day at home with Elinor as she was getting used to another man in her life. It is really amazing how such a small person is created – it was a blessing to be able to spend time with them. I made Elinor and Jack a wonderful (I’m hoping it was good) lasagna dinner and made up their plates and left them to enjoy a quiet dinner as a new family – it felt wonderful to do something for others and I’m sure they appreciated a good home cooked meal (and I’m sure the leftovers were a hit).

My Upcoming Plans:
Registered for the Yakima Marathon in April, 1st Annual Rock’n’Roll Marathon in late June. I have a lot more that I want to run – I’ll get the calendar out and start signing up!

Pigtails Flat Ass 50k this weekend, my first ultra!

I ran...

2008-12-08T21:25:00.000-08:00

I went for my run after work tonight. Darby and I suited up and ran for 4 miles. I cleared my head and still made it home in time for boboli pizza dinner! Thanks for the words of wisdom and encouragement - you really do have to take time for yourself, then everything else seems to fall into place. I need to hit the hay - lots to do this week.

keep running!

I'm still working on the 50k answer... we'll see how the week goes.

here is a photo of darby and I in front of Emerald Ridge High School, it's pretty darn nice up there - I'll have to do more exploring around the campus in the daylight.

Oh yeah, 40 degrees and not raining - I love running!!!

OK this is it - I'M DOING THIS NOW...

2008-12-08T13:06:00.000-08:00

Ok this is it – I’m doing this NOW (in a guilt free tone)….

I have been cranky lately, part of it is because the job that I love has had to reduce my hours in order to keep everyone working, partly because I added a second job, which is keeping my mind off of the first job’s reduced hours, and partly because I miss my running! Yes, I miss my running. With two jobs, and the holidays, I feel like going for a run is a luxury. I feel like going for a run takes away time from my husband, which is very slim these days as I’m always going to/coming from or tired from a 16 hr. work day. I feel guilty for wanting to take the time to go for a run. I feel guilty because I have another marathon on December 20th which will wipe me out for a whole Saturday right before Christmas. But most of all I feel guilty for feeling guilty. My parents raised me better than this, I can do what I want, I can make myself a better person, I can be a marathon maniac (even if I couldn’t do it in Las Vegas – again due to the whole job hours cut/two jobs issue). So that being said – I AM DOING THIS NOW, I AM GOING TO GO RUNNING WHEN I WANT!! Even if it means no quiet mornings at home or sleeping-in one day a week – I can’t be happy until I go running. So that being said tonight I’m going to take Darby, my steadfast running partner with me and we are going running after work (I only have one work today – later this week will be a little more problematic, but I’ll get there when I get there). On tonight’s run we will have a few goals; run by the glow of our headlamps (yes, she wears one too, she needs to see the sidewalk also), run in the cold (but thankfully not rain), look at all of the Christmas lights, run down the big hill by the high school and run back up it, and the most important thing – decide on running a 50k with Michelle and Rick on the 20th as my last goal in obtaining my Marathon Maniac status – well at least try and talk myself into it – as Michelle says, it’s only 5 more miles than a marathon….

I thought about making a list here that includes all of the items that I am not able to get done because I am out running, but I don’t think that works too well with my guilt-free mantra. So, let the list grow, I’ll get to everything later, I mean really, who cares if I don’t get the cards out early, or the dusting goes another week (or month, whatever), I’ll do that stuff later and probably better and faster after I have gone for a run.

I read Cyndi’s blog and she is so dang positive about her running, that it occurred to me that my running is for me, it is my time away, it is what makes me happy right now, I need my runner’s high back….

So her is to making & taking time for me - no strings attached.

Run Macha Run!

marathon update.....

2008-12-02T12:50:00.000-08:00

well, i've been really busy, stressed and overwhelmed. Work has turned nerve-racking - we are going through some layoffs and reduced hours (which is really hard when there are only 5 people in the firm). So I have started a part-time seasonal postion at the mall in retail - something that I've never done before. Needless to say my October and November have been very stressful - my report for the Portland Marathon is still half done - someday I'll get to it.

I did want to report that I ran with the world-famous Michelle during her second marathon of three in a row, yes 26.2 miles on Friday, 26.2 miles on Saturday and 26.2 miles on Sunday - she is amazing, you have to read her past few posts - oh yeah, each one was progressivly faster - holly cow!

Saturday I completed the Ghost of Seattle Marathon along the shores of Lake Washington and Seward Park, it was a balmy 50 degrees and I ran with Michelle, Margaret and for a portion with Steve and Robin. Our goal was to keep Michelle moving - which by the way, we had no trouble with - she finished strong and happy!

I've been running in the past couple of months when I get the chance and I did well during the marathon, but I did forget one key item - body glide in a very important area at my undies - I have huge chaffing spots - yikes..... and it's because my fancy REI undies are too BIG!!!! I've been resting - oh yeah did I mention that I had to work the retail job after running the marathon - yeah, you know, 6 hours of running and then 4 hours selling lotion - I was beat!

The weight loss has been slow, but steady. Ups and downs, but I just keep working at it. I did have to buy a pair of jeans and they are a size 12! I was wearing an 18 this time last year - yippeeeeeeee!

I'll get better about posting, just trying to keep my head above water at this point.

Again, everyone go and congratulate Michelle on her awesome weekend - what an inspiration!

Next up is the Pigtails Flat Ass Marathon on December 20th for my Mararthon Maniac Status!

Keep on running, slow and steady!

YIPPEEEE! another PR

2008-10-06T16:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'll work on a long race report, I'm home today recouping - sssh don't tell, I'm not really that sore so I'm doing some cleaning, crafting and hanging out!

Sunday I broke my first marathon record! I ran the Portland Marathon with thousands of others and I finished in 5 hours, 39 minutes and 57 seconds! This is one hour (no really almost exactly one hour, the first was 6:39:52) faster than I finished my first marathon. Can you believe it !!! I attribute it to loosing 28 pounds, training and support of so many fellow runners!

I am elated - long report with photos to come

Thank for the pats on the back as I go through this transformation- and to Rob and 'someone he lives with' who I saw a few times during the marathon and to George K who I saw around mile 9 and gave me a great lift - wasn't it George who a year and a half ago said someday I'll be running a marathon - I gave him a crazy look and said no way - thanks for the inspiration George.

Until later

I DID IT - ANOTHER PR!!

ready or not, here I come Portland

2008-10-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

Ready or not, Portland here I come! I’ve gotten in two, 5 mile runs this week, a bike ride and tonight another 5 miles in the rain – I’m ready! I’ve been packing all week to make sure that I don’t forget anything, I have my rice crispy treats, shot blocks and s-caps ready. Brian booked us a hotel for Friday night in addition to Saturday, so I can sleep in and the hotel’s spa has a pilates class that I might go to also. Then Saturday we’re going shopping and I am going to find a new pair of jeans! I am now down 28.2 pounds and I have been saving my running/weight loss money, so I’m ready to treat myself to some new clothes. We are also going to hit the marathon expo, which I heard great things about and maybe a trip on the elevated tram, we’ll see how the weather is. We are going to enjoy exploring Portland, I’m going to take it easy and rest and hit the sack early. Our hotel on Saturday is about a mile to a mile and a half away from the start so I will walk to the start for my warm-up. The run starts at 6am so I’ll need that time to wake up also. Anyway, I’m excited and ready. I’ll have a race report when I get back (and hopefully some new cute jeans)!

It’s been six months since my last marathon, here are some things that I have learned, realized or that have hit me;

Body glide, apply liberally, even on feet.
You need to eat (and the right things) to fuel your body in order for it to run at its optimum level.
Chi-running helps my perceived effort level.
28 pounds has been hard to loose, but if you work at it (and follow the weight watchers plan), it really isn’t that hard.
Eating right takes a lot of planning.
Eating right doesn’t cost more, I’ve only been out to fast food a few times in the past 5 months – it has really cut down on my needless spending on crappy food.
Run with friends, you really have more fun and the miles fly by.
Try new things on short runs – don’t try something new the week before a race or the day of – go with what you know.
Sign up for a lot of runs, it gives you something to train for and look forward to.
Include your family in your run/weight loss path, they want to help and you may encourage one of them to take the leap!
Take time for family, but also get those early morning runs in – I am working on this!
Teach, encourage others to follow their passions – I don’t know how many people are amazed that I am running a marathon, when in reality is has been fairly easy, you just have to start, and keep running, a little bit at a time and some weekends a lot at a time.
My face looks smaller, my rings are too big and I have to buy third belt this year – not to mention buying smaller underwear, clothes, and replacing virtually everything in my closet (goodwill has been getting great donations from me this year – yes, I’m getting rid of the clothes as I shrink out of them, I don’t need them hanging around – except of course the one pair of fat jeans for my before and after). I’m even running out of ‘skinny’ clothes in the closet! Not to mention my running wardrobe is getting slim – I guess I should get some new running clothes in Portland also.
Take naps after a long run, it’s ok to rest.
Enjoy time with friends, watch them grow (I can’t wait to meet the little boy Elinor), Brandon is in kindergarten and Abby is counting to ten! They amaze me every time I see them; I need to see them more.
I thought I would lose all of my weight before the end of the year, but slow and steady is how it is going to be, after all, the slower the better, and besides, it’s gone for good, not ‘lost’.
Enjoy the journey – thanks for the reminder Michelle.
Take a minute and enjoy how far you’ve come, it’s OK to pat yourself on the back once in a while!

Run, macha, run! Portland here I come!!

turning the ship around....

2008-09-24T23:53:00.000-07:00

I made it through the thick of the cold and now I'm kicking it out the door. I am finally starting to feel like my energy is coming back. So tonight I decided that I needed to get the toilet out of the downstairs bathroom (as I started tearing apart the bathroom weeks ago). I drained the water out and thought a few times about googling 'how to remove a toilet' but went for it all on my own (Brian is out fishing with his Dad for a few days). I got that toilet off the wax ring, shoved an old towel in the hole and sat back in amazement - I did it! I told the dog (hey, I talk to the dog when I'm home alone, so what) how cool I was that I mastered removing the toilet! And as soon as I got the words out, the toilet tipped over and the tank shattered into a zillion pieces - awwww crap! And as some know, this is truly amazing in such a small bathroom - and I'm glad I was not in there because I would probably be in the ER with my luck. What is my luck, I got that darn thing removed without a hitch, I was going to try and start ripping up the vinyl and finish painting and get it put back before Brian got home, but noooo, it had to tip over and shatter..... now I have to buy a flipping toilet - if you not laughing by now I'm not sure how much funnier I can make this, other than I was laughing so loud that the dog moved to the other room. Guess I'm going to Home Depot this weekend, at least I can just buy one in a box and I don't have to tell them why I have to buy a replacement.

OK, so now I've had a cold and broke the toilet - things always happen in to us in threes, so I decided to set the stage and prep myself for the third thing - here are my guesses; I put my pants on for work tomorrow to find that they are too stinking big and I spend 10 min. looking for a pair that fit and that are ironed, or, I get to work to find my travel coffee cup sitting on my desk - therefore I couldn't use it and I spent 10 min looking for it before I gave up and left the house, or I get to work and find that I put on my running shoes instead of work shoes because it has been a week and I really want to run. Yeah, those sound good for the third thing to go wrong - then I'll be done.

Right, turning the ship around.... I went to the WW meeting around the corner from my house tonight (I was still sick on Monday and didn't go to that meeting). I was apprehensive about going tonight as I was sick all week, I didn't track my intake and I didn't get any 'structured' exercise in (and my 'friend' is visiting). I knew that if I didn't weigh-in then I would just continue on for another week in my rut, so I took the plung, with the excuse in my pocket that I was sick, when I was really just being lazy, I stepped on the scale and was down .4 lbs, which is really a great feeling. Usually during my time of the month I am always up .6 lbs, so I felt a lot better. I will turn this ship around - I ate a frozen lean cuisine for dinner and a skinny cow ice cream for desert and made my lunch for tomorrow. My tracking book is all set up and I am ready to get back on track of tracking....

I really should get to bed - aw crap, it's midnight..... I need to set an alarm to tell me when to go to bed.
Hopefully I will make it out running tomorrow, or at the least a good swift walk, it should be a little stormy, so even a walk would be nice - here comes fall, ready or not.....

Off to bed, really, I'm going this time.....

best laid plans..... aw forget it, i'm sick

2008-09-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

so my last post was upbeat and entergetic - that was a week ago. I wish I could rewind a week. It all started with a sick co-worker and a sick husband early last week - I vowed that I would not get sick...... Thursday rolled around, I got a monster project out the door (with no help from the sick-out-of-office co-worker) and the sore throat creeped in.... Skipping out on running at the track seemed like a smart move, I've scared off a cold before with sleep and 'good thoughts'. Friday morning rolled around and after nearly fainting in the shower, I called in sick. I was out for the count. I slept on and off all day. I knew that my run was off and I was bummed. This was going to be my weekend to get the skunk off, run my socks off, enjoy the early hours, but alas, I slept in and continued with the 100lb head and cough. I went to work today and made it almost all the way through the day but faded quickly. I am still not well enough to run, I just don't have the energy. My goal is to walk or do something on Wednesday (that involves walking further than the mail box). This weekend is my parents Alpaca Farm Open House that I will be helping with, so if I run, it would be late on Sunday. Otherwise next week I'll get my mileage back and the weekend before Portland I'll get some mileage in.

Here is where I need some encouragement. I know that I should have gotten in my long mileage weekend in before now, but I am out of time. I have a 15 miler, a 13 miler and lots of 10+ in this summer. I am faster mile/minute and I have all of my gear figured out (the new shoes are only for walking until after the marathon). My worry is that the longest that I have run since the last marathon is 15miles. I am worried that I didn't get enough long miles in and I'm worried that if I try to do it the weekend before that I will do more damage that it's worth.

Right now my goal is to start running during the week this week. Get 8 miles in on Sunday and next week, during the week get in 15 miles (3 x 5miles). The weekend before Portland, run easy, but get in 10 or so miles. Taper during the week before Portland (which is pretty much what my body just forced me to do).

So as of now, that is my plan. I will take my nyquil now and go to bed - a good 10 hours should help, right?!

Thanks for listening to me rant!

Oh yeah, I'll weigh-in on Wednesday (I need to keep my head up though, I haven't ran in a week and I'm sure the scale will know that).

Here is a photo of my niece Haylee at her big brother's third b-day party.

And here is a photo of Darby learning what a swimming pool is, she still isn't quit sure of it - but watching her run and think she could walk on water was VERY entertaining!

Marathon Training Run 20+ miles

2008-09-17T10:13:00.001-07:00

I have my 20+ mile training run plan for Saturday morning! My plan is to start out at 6:30am and complete the run in around 5 hours, putting me home in time for lunch and a nap =).

A map of my run is on the left (marathon training run).

I will carry shot blocks, rice crispy treats and everyone's encouragement!

My run takes by the YMCA, the Meeker Trail head, multiple Starbucks and the Puyallup Fair, so I'll have plenty of water/potty stops if needed. It will also get me a few hills, both up and down with plenty of flat even asphalt in between. All of my equipment will be charged and Friday night I will update my i-pod (I still have i-tunes $ from my birthday in April). This is really my simulation run, so all of my clothes will be the same as on race day, down to the undies and the weight in my pack. I am really getting excited for Portland, it will be soooo much different from the lonley Yakima Canyon, but as I have said before that is exactly what I needed at that time in my life. I'll be running Portland with at least 26 less pounds, and I am working hard to try to make it 30 lbs gone! I can wait - I really will be a lean, mean, running macha machine!

I'm running tonight and Thursday at the track with the club, so I should be able to get in 30+ miles in this week!

Run, macha, run!

My first PR! & 25lb gone mark!

2008-09-15T14:06:00.001-07:00

My first PR (personal record)! My running career has advanced another level this past weekend. Yesterday I ran the Black Diamond ½ Marathon and I loved it! Last year, I ran this ½ as my first, it means the world to me to be able to run on the roads that I grew up on. Running up the hill down the street from my childhood home was amazing (I used to ride my bike up it and on the good days, I would make it to the top without stopping). Yesterday was one of those good days. I ran up the hills and took quick walk breaks at the top and kept going. I was running strong and practicing my Chi-running – leaning forward, using my core, letting my legs kick behind me, not crossing my arms in front of my body – in the zone! I ran past my parents house on the first loop and said hi to the new baby alpaca – her name is Peyton, yes, Peyton the ‘paca! Then the route continued onto the highway and down the road to my friend Heidi’s house. There were rolling hills, steep, but short hills, a canted road, tons of volunteers, smiles and yells of encouragement from the leaders of the pack as they were passing me (they had already hit the turn-around and they were heading back to the lake). Around mile 7, I caught up to a lady who started walking, giving her some encouragement, she started running with me. It was enjoyable to have someone to talk to, share running stories with, and be able to keep each other moving. Erin picked this race as her ‘come-back’ after having twin girls in March, she was my motivation to keep moving. We made it back up my street and I waved to the Alpacas again, looping back toward Deep Lake, we ran the last 1.7 miles on the soft trail around the lake and we both made it across the finish line with smiles on our faces, she was glad to finish running, not walking (which she did with no problem, even with a head cold – amazing). I did it, two hours and 40 minutes! Last year’s time was 3 hours 4 minutes, a 14:05 pace, this year’s pace was 12:13! I was excited and felt like I could keep running for days, although I was hungry, so I need to work on snacks for my long run next weekend. The only issue that I had was really small blisters starting to form on my arch and heel from the canted road, hopefully that will not be such an issue at Portland. I also had some rubbing from my pants – can it be true, I might need an even smaller size!

Anyway, I stopped by my parent’s house when I was done. My dad checked out my medal and my mom must have congratulated me five times, it felt good. I took their compliments and it kept my smile lasting into the afternoon! I helped get the gutter on the back of the garage for their new rail barrel and mom and I got to pet Peyton, her wool is amazingly soft. I need a photo of the little girl!

I headed home. Brian stayed home doing the grocery shopping and food prep for the week ahead (and watching the Seahawks game). I relaxed, did some laundry, took a nap and smiled the rest of the day. We walked to the grocery store after dinner, I was tired, but still had some energy. I have so many projects in my head, I need to start writing them down. Here are some; Elinor’s baby shower ideas (they are pouring out of my head and I need to get the invitations in the works today), Alpaca Farm Days (setting up a nice display of all of my mom’s products and literature), Portland Marathon (finalizing the trip- dog overnighter, schedule of the weekend, products I will need, new watch battery, i-pod playlist), Bathroom Remodel (tear out the floor and learn how to set tile, baseboard trim, finish painting the cabinet, install the faucet), that’s not even all of them, but see, that is why I run, not so I can clear my head, but so I can come up with new ideas or refine the projects that are already swirling around in there.

Tonight is my weigh-in and I am getting excited, nervous and well very hopeful! I have been doing really well this week, tracking my intake, not using my ‘extra’ points and getting my runs/cross-training and rest in. The scale at home looked promising, but I have to remember that my run yesterday might alter my numbers. We’ll see, I will post my results. I am hoping for the 25 lbs mark tonight – that would make my day, week, month, my year! And if I lose .4 lbs I’ll be happy too – and I’ll work even harder tomorrow!

Keep running, Macha women, keep running!

UPDATE:
I DID IT! I MADE IT TO 25LBS GONE!!!! Last nights meeting did go well, I lost 2.4 lbs and passed the 25lbs gone mark - actually I am down 26 lbs and hoping for 30 by the time I run Portland in a few weeks! Less than half way to go! I am soooooo happy!
Have a great day everybody!

Bank to Bay!

2008-09-07T13:41:00.001-07:00

Whew, kids have unlimited energy! This morning I ran the 10k Bank to Bay in downtown Tacoma and the kids 1k fun run with Abby and Brandon. I will include photos (as I don't have time for a long post) and because I told Abby and Brandon that I would get their photos on the internet!

Here is Abby getting ready to run her first 1k - how cute are her pink skirt and pink mary-janes!

The next photo is of Brandon during the 1k run - he can do 4 miles with his mom, so we're shooting for a 5k as his next race. Check out those kicks!

And here is their finishers photo!

Lisa, Brandon and Abby cheered me on at the finish line - I finished in 1hr 12 min. - a 12min. pace and I was very happy to have them cheering me in!

We are looking at doing the Dawg Dash 5k in October as they allow strollers and dogs! So maybe we'll get the whole crew out there to run it. I'm glad the kids enjoyed themselves - hey they got t-shirts, medals and tons of free stuff at the expo (did I mention that the kids fun run was free).

What a great day! Now I'm off to the running store for a new sports bra - I had a major malfunction during the run (guess it's time for a replacement). After the running store we are taking Darby to my Aunt & Uncle's house to teach her how to swim - it should be a fun evening!

here is a photo of Darby yesterday - we walked to Starbucks and she was 'napping' while I read about ChiRunning.

Have a great day everyone!

Ready for the Grande-ass Marathon Relay?!

2008-08-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

The grande-ass relay is this weekend !!!! It will be my first relay and I am excited for the comrodaree, the laughing, the drinking (coffee of course), and the running with friends. I am ready....

I ran this past weekend while the car was getting some maintenance done - for 15 miles in 3 hours 30 minutes all around downtown Puyallup, up to the YMCA, down to the Meeker trail head, out to the river and back to the car dealership (whew, it is even tiring writing it). My time was a little slower that I've been lately, but it was a little warm (84 when I finished) and I ran up the Meridian Hill past the fairgrounds, so I was a little tired. After my run I came home and played with Darby and then we took a nap on a blanket in the backyard, it was a wonderful lazy afternoon (Brian laughs when I say it was a lazy day, because I start off with 'after I ran 15 miles' I took a nap). Brian was fighting a forest fire in Eastern Washington last week and just arrived home today (he is trying to catch up on his newspapers, laundry and not being around hundreds of stinky fire fighters). So he is home, safe and sound. I don't know how military spouses do it, I get worried and he is just across the state, but it's something about being in a dangerous environment that gets me. Oh well, he loves doing it!

Monday night was a great weigh-in - I was down 2.4 pounds last week!!!! for a total of 24.4 gone for good. I had a regular doctor apointment just before my weigh-in and she was totally impressed, my last appointment I was over 200lbs and she actually gave me a high five! We talked about my running and how to keep up with it and not to get hurt (she also mentioned that my chances of getting injured/stressed are much lower with each pound gone). It was a great doctors appointment - I was actually excited to get on the scale!

Last night I also went to Pilates - what a great way to end a great day. I need to go on Friday morning as a way to start my weekend.

This weekend is Michelle's Grande-Ass Marathon and I am running the relay with others from the Y-run club. It should be fun, I just have to remember to not have too many drinks before it's my turn to run! I am also getting excited because Portland is just around the corner!

Here is another photo from our anniversary vacation (and yes Elinor, the last photo is of the fish that I caught!).

We are at the top of Chinook Pass on our way home from fly-fishing the Yakima River (the same river canyon that I ran my first marathon in). We also made it to the Tom Petty Concert at the Gorge - whoa, what a different experience. The music was good, but the crowd was obnoxious, we think we might be a smaller-venue-kind-of-folk. But hey, you're only young once and it was a great long weekend!

Another photo from earlier in August when Darby, Brian and I hiked Mt. Peak in Enumclaw. I remember hiking it when I was a kid and Brian did extra credit for a teacher in high school by hauling gravel up to repair the trail. We had never hiked it together though - in all of our 12+ years together - another thing that this weight loss has given me - freedom!

Until later, run like you're a kid again!

I love fishing!

2008-08-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

All I can say is I am a fisherwoman!
We had a great anniversary weekend..... I'll post more later - I have to go cook dinner.
Oh and by the way 22 lbs are gone for good and I am happier than ever!

Plateau, rut, bored, tired, cranky – HELP!

2008-08-07T11:46:00.000-07:00

It’s been a bit since my last post – I’ve gotten a lot of running in. I ran 5 miles on Ruston Way on the 24th, 9 miles on Saturday the 26th and I got a manicure/ foot rescue pedicure on Sunday with Elinor… Then last week I ran on Wednesday to the weight watchers meeting with Wendy, 5 miles with the Y-Run-Club on Saturday and I ran 13 miles in Orting on the 3rd. It felt great to get in a long run and enjoy the morning along the river with my updated i-pod playlist.

I have not updated my weight because it has not changed in 3 weeks! Well not really. Week 1, I was up .6 lbs and week 2, I was down .6 lbs and when I weighed in on Monday I did not gain or lose. ARRG! Wendy and I went to a different meeting on Monday with Sonya, another Y-Run-Club member and the lady was very energetic, so I think the class will be good for me. I am frustrated that I have hit a weight loss plateau, (for me I was averaging 1-3 lbs gone per week). I thought that I was doing really well with my eating and running (a hard balance for me). After I ran the 13 miles on Sunday, my Garmin showed that I had burned 1600 calories and I figured that I earned 27 activity points (they recommend 28 in a whole week). So I ate 16 activity points in order to get my energy back and to break even with the 1600 calories burned (which included a Subway turkey sandwich, banana, cinnamon raisin bagel, latte and lots of water). Then I weighed in on Monday and my weight was unchanged….. Sonya did mention that because it was warm I was probably retaining water after my run – that was only 24 hours before. I appreciated the comment, and think that maybe I’ll do my long run on Saturday next weekend to avoid that problem (or at least eliminate it from the equation). So the rest of this week has been a little warmer that I like (in the 80’s, I know I can’t complain when the rest of the country is sooo much hotter and muggier), and I haven’t made it to the gym, running or really doing anything. Sleeping has been tough with the heat also, so I am just in a little bit of a funk. This morning I slept in until it was my usual time to leave the house, so I rushed through my routine and feel slouchy and frumpy today (at least the boss is gone and I can just get my work done). Another thing that has been bugging me is how dirty our house has become – having a lab that sheds constantly and a cat that lives on top of the fridge (don’t ask) will do that to a house. I read Michelle’s cleaning spree and think that I might need to get some of my activity points by cleaning this weekend.

On a brighter note, a news story said that there is going to be a Rock-n-Roll Marathon in Seattle next summer – are you kidding me?!!! So Jane was kind enough to let me know that the registration was half-off on the 4th, so I signed up and I will be doing the first annual Rock-n-Roll Marathon next summer. I can’t wait! We’ll see who else I can snag into running it with me! I looked into doing the San Diego one, but the expense of the weekend was prohibiting me – now I get to go to one in my own back yard!!! Have I mentioned that I can’t wait!

So really, running has kept me sane, but the whole weight loss thing is dragging me down, I guess I knew that the weight loss would slow down sometime. I just don’t know what to do now…. Part of it is probably mental – I have hit the 10% gone mark and now I am entering a weight that I haven’t been in 5 years or more. I really enjoy that my clothes fit and that I am able to be more active than ever before, but I feel a little lost on my weight loss journey – if it weren’t for Wendy attending meetings with me and Sonya starting back, and Michelle’s amazing accomplishments I don’t know if I would have made is this far. So thank you to those who are constantly encouraging me!

Here is my plan to get me out of my funk….
Get some fresh flowers from the Farmer’s Market at lunch time today.
Go for a walk tonight at the track – invite my friend Elinor to join me.
Run on Saturday with the Y-Club – 13-16 miles, run before and after?
Help my parents install Pergo on Saturday and hook up their rain barrels at the farm.
Work on baby names for my mom’s Alpaca that is due soon – I get to name this one!
Make a welcome baby kit for Elinor – she finds out if they are having a boy or girl next week and I can’t wait!
Look at the Marathon in Las Vegas in December again and the possibility of cheap flights.

Sorry for the rant, sometimes you just have to clear your mind and get back into the game. I really want to get to my goal by next May (my long-term goal) – Brian and I are going to Maui with his parents and I want to wear a cute bathing suit (and have fun on the water slide). But for now, small goals – be happy and get through today, this weekend and the next weigh-in!

GO-MACHA RUNNER –GO

Have fun in the sun and wear your sunscreen (even if it makes a weird white gooey paste when you sweat – that reminds me to find some better ‘active’ sunscreen for running).

through the woods, down the hill and over the river we go...

2008-07-24T13:01:00.000-07:00

Well I survived last week – I won’t dive into my gastrointestinal issues (I took antibiotic for my sinus infection – which killed all of the good digestive things in my tummy, so when I started eating my normal menu full of fiber I felt like a big bloated blimp). God I love google – I’ve laid off fiber and I am eating enough live yogurt cultures to get back to normal. Needless to say I gained .6 lbs last week, but hey, I am listening to my body and I figured out what to change.

Last week I had a huge to-do-list, here is a recap….
mow the lawn - check, lavender festival - check, hiking near Mt. Rainier (maybe next weekend), running the Starbucks to Starbucks Y-club run on Sunday - check, hooking up my drip irrigation in the backyard (I thought about it, but didn’t do it), eating salad from the garden – check, kinda, I’ve been eating it for lunch this week, compiling a birthday package for my brother (which got mailed off earlier this week), download recipes (maybe on a cloudy day), grocery shopping (thanks Brian), washing the car (Brian and I both tackled it), ironing my skinny clothes for next week - check, start the concrete forms for the garden shed (yeah, not so much).

I ran with the Y-club on Sunday from Starbucks in Puyallup near the YMCA down the hill to the Starbucks in Sumner for a total of 6.58 miles. It is leg 1 of Michelle’s Grande-Ass Marathon, which I am running in as part of a relay team (each person’s leg is still to be determined). The group that showed up in the morning was the ‘fast’ group, I was a little nervous, but I had a map that George printed out and I was fine knowing that I was going to be a little slower. So we took off, about a ½ mile in Patch came back and started running with me – he said he wanted a little slower pace. So we weaved our way down the hill and through the valley, under the bridge and over the Sounder train tracks into downtown Sumner (and we did go through the woods, but not to grandmother’s house). I said hi to all of the other runners as they were taking off from the Sumner Starbucks and heading to the Starbucks by the river in Puyallup. I had a strong run and I didn’t want to push it too far (my tummy was still a little upset). Brian and Darby were waiting for me and we sat for a bit and skimmed through the newspaper in the sunshine – I love mornings like this. I did get a huge blister on the ball of my foot – probably 2” long. It is healing up and I guess I need to be paying more attention to my feet – does anyone give runner’s feet pedicures? ‘cause these babies need one!

Last night I met up with Wendy and we ran to the WW meeting and back for a nice 3.3 miles. I was up .6 pounds, but I am fine with a little up and down, slow and steady right?! – I am running a lot more, which is tricky to get enough fuel without going over my points, I’m a work –in-progress.

Tonight I am going to run on Ruston Way in Tacoma as I have CPR training until 7pm and can’t make it to the Y-club run at the track. I thought it would be nice to change it up a bit, plus I’ll be able to run in the daylight, I’ll run for an hour or maybe for 5 miles – we’ll see what the pace feels like.

Saturday we are planning on going to the Dog-a-thon and enjoying the day (oooh, maybe I can run it with Darby…). Sunday I’ll try to get in some miles – maybe 8 or so.

I also picked up my ‘run-macha-run’ bracelet from the farmer’s market at lunch – it will make me smile all day and through my run tonight – it made my day! I’ll post photos later (and the lady’s contact info in case anyone wants one – she can customize).

Until later,
RUN – MACHA – RUN!!!

a few more things

2008-07-18T09:40:00.000-07:00

A few more things that I’ve been thinking about since yesterday.

Michelle reminded me of my first marathon description – I re-read it and got all misty eyed, I really needed that run to awaken me. I have so much that I want to do, experience, teach, learn. I really, really needed that experience in the canyon.

This weekend I am going to the lavender festival in Sequim – ah my love of lavender, anything that is lavender – lavender lemonade, lavender soap, lavender, lavender, lavender! Brian might be fighting fires, if so, then I’ll go on my own – oooh and maybe take my bike….

I ordered a bracelet from a lady at the farmer’s market at lunch yesterday and I can’t wait to pick it up next week (I know it sounds weird, but you’ll all want one once you see it). Photos will follow – I’ll SOOO excited. I also got some carrots, snap peas, blueberries and a basil plant, I’ll have to do some cooking this weekend.

A few weeks ago I read an article in Runner’s World about two mom’s training for a marathon and one of the ladies would pay herself a dollar for every mile she ran. After she finished the marathon she had $750 hard earned dollars to spend entirely guilt free and on herself. So, I started my stash at the beginning of July and I have $11 whole dollars saved (don’t forget I’ve been sick for a week and a half, so I haven’t been running too much). I also decided to up the ante and I will be taking my weekly weight loss and rounding up or down the number of pounds and stashing that also (I will need new clothes anyway). Then I thought I should have been doing this from the start of my weight loss, so in order to make up time, I am going to double my weight loss. So I’ve lost 3.2+1.8 *2 = $10!!! This is like the gold stars in first grade… it sounds lame, but once you get a gold star or twenty-one dollars in your stash it isn’t so lame. For security purposes I will not post my stash values =), but I will let you all know how much I get to spend after the Portland Marathon (oooh, and it is all sales tax free in Oregon)!

Oh yeah, I ran with the Y-club at the track/park last night and ran the park loop with Sydnee (she ran the Yakima marathon as her first also, she is young and fast). We got 3 miles in and according to her Garmin we did 11:40 min/miles – Holy guacamole!!!!! I was pushing it a little, but we were still carrying on a conversation, so I wasn’t totally maxed out. I know that on longer runs I will be a little slower, but it is really encouraging to get some fast times under my belt, especially after being sick for a week and a half.

Hopefully I’ll have some ‘after 20 lbs’ gone photos from this weekend – hmmm, what to do this weekend, here is my list (in no specific order and don’t worry- I make lists that I know that I cannot finish – that’s just me); mow the lawn, lavender festival, hiking near Mt. Rainier, running a leg of the Michelle's Grande Ass Marathon with the Y-club run on Sunday, hooking up my drip irrigation in the backyard, eating salad from the garden, compiling a birthday package for my brother, download recipes, grocery shopping, washing the car, ironing my skinny clothes for next week, start the concrete forms for the garden shed, hmmm, anything else…. We’ll see.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Run Macha Woman Run!

10% of me is gone for good!

2008-07-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

We’ll I’m back from my near death experience. It wasn’t that bad, but I did get a sinus infection that did not clear up until a few days ago. Sleep, the couch, the remote control and I made good friends last week and through the weekend. In the last post I had hoped that my ‘detox’ from vacation would work and it did – I lost 3.2 lbs and last night I weighed in and lost 1.8 more – drumroll here….. for a total of 20.2 lbs gone! I hit my 10% gone goal last night and I was thrilled.
Here are some positives from this weight loss experience:

I get to buy new clothes (even down to the undies ‘cause they don’t fit anymore either).
I have a ton more energy (last week not included).
I feel better about myself, which is weird because I never felt over weight before, just uncomfortable.
I am eating soooo much healthier and getting my body the fuel it needs to run faster and further.
I can run faster!

On my running, I didn’t get to run in Longview or Portland last weekend. I did make my father-in-law and Kent a poster for the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Ride but they beat me out of the rest stop and I missed them. I revamped the poster and gave it to them after they finished. I might want to try the STP next year, I could do it…. It is roughly 200 miles in two days – oh boy, here we go…. Ooh I could ride it with my ‘dads’. My dad rode it about 20 years ago, he might be up for it again. Look what happens when I’m sick and can’t run or work out, I start to plan for another goal (wait that’s a good thing right!).

My new running shoes are broken in (I’ve been wearing them even when I was sick because I really wanted to be running in them – what an addiction). So I am going to hit the track tonight and go for a short warm up run (and to make sure I don’t push it too hard and get sick again). I also made sure to pack my water belt to keep my pants up, the smaller size should be here on Friday! I'm going to sign up for another race this fall at lunch......
Happy Trails everyone!
Also, go and congratulate Michelle on her blog, she has lost 75 pounds and is a true inspiration … someday I want to be cool like her =)

summer colds are no fun

2008-07-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

Today is my weight watchers meeting and I am hoping for a loss. I have done really well this past week – I ran 7miles (with hopes of more but a cold got in the way), I ate all of my ‘flex’ points and I feel like the detox from vacation worked. Brian came home from fighting fires on Monday night and he was tired, I had caught a great head cold and was in and out of work the past couple of days just trying to survive so we are passing in the night again. I finished my training schedule over the long weekend, but I am now behind due to this crazy summer cold – so I’ll catch up in the next few weeks.

I did find some new running shoes, it was time, the last pair got me through my first marathon and I didn’t want to have to get new shoes right before the next one. I might try to find a second pair in a month or two so that I can alternate them – we’ll see.

I ran the 4 on the 4th in Steilacoom and I really enjoyed the morning run. There were booths set up and I did some window shopping before the run. I also ran the 4 miles in 47min. under a 12 min. mile !!!!! I was so proud of myself, I even made it up the hill to the finish without stopping. Michelle finished under 40 min – single digits miles – she is going to have to change her name from ‘Back of the Pack’ to speedy Gonzales….. it is great to see her smiling and enjoying her fast pace.

My father-in-law is doing the Seattle to Portland bicycle race this weekend and we might be a support vehicle which means I could run in Longview and in Portland this weekend, it sure would be nice to run in Portland before the marathon (I mean it would be great to be his support staff and see him finish =)). Hopefully we’ll be able to help, I just hope I don’t get the bug and decide I want to try the race next year – I should prepare Brian for this now…..
Anyway, I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful summer weather. I’ll kick this cold to the curb – I’ve had enough rest for awhile and I really NEED to go running.

Go macha, go!!! Sniff, cough, sniff…..

update

2008-07-03T09:53:00.001-07:00

I went to the WW meeting last night and I gained….. 1.8 lbs. – at least I’m still at 15 lbs. lost – and hey, life happens, next vacation I will be more active and eat more wisely. I’m glad that Wendy decided to join me at the meeting, I think she will enjoy it and I know that having her there last night made the gain bearable (otherwise I would have beat myself up during the whole meeting). Now that I am home from vacation, I am totally on track again, all of my ‘safe’ foods are ready, I can pack my lunch and I have fruit again. Although I am having a triple latte this morning as I still have not caught up on my sleep and last night we had thunderstorms and lighting, so I didn’t sleep too soundly. Both Michelle’s gave great pep talks – thank you for the comments, support is key on this journey.

My husband is off fighting wildfires in Eastern Washington (he left a few hours after I got home from Alaska), so my nerves are a little more rattled than normal, but he loves his job and knows to be safe. I am planning on running tonight at the track with Wendy and I will probably get in a long run or two this weekend, oooh and maybe a quick hike with Darby on the 4th. I will work the 1.8 lbs off before I know it!
I’ll get some photos up soon, have a great 4th everyone and steer clear of the potato salad – it will kill ya…

This is not a great photo, but here is Wendy and I finishing the Tacoma Half Marathon in the beginning of May (before the weight loss journey began – I can’t wait for my race photo at Portland – remember… lean mean running machine!!!!!)

family

2008-07-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

Well, Michelle has asked where have I been? Well, I am working today on three hours of sleep after coming home from Anchorage last night. My Dad and I went to visit my brother for a long weekend (he is stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base for a three year stint). I have some cool photos to post – we have a great group of men and women serving us in the skies, everyone should be greatful that they have decided to serve our country.

Let’s go back to last week, I ran out of time to post but I had an awesome WW meeting last Wednesday night – I am down 17 pounds total !!!! I talked with my leader the week before and mentioned my lack of energy, especially when I’m running and she told me to eat more – yes, eat more (this is a diet? – no remember, a lifestyle change, healthy eating, a new world). So the ‘eating more’ really helped, I made sure to get my full points in for each day and try to use my flex points for the week. I also made sure to try and eat more meat for the protein. Anyway, it was a losing week, about 2+ pounds – I’m too tired to look in my book, maybe later.

Thursday I picked up Darby the dog from her full day at doggie daycare and we made our way to the local high school track to meet up with the Y-club, but I was running late so we did a few laps around the track and Brian picked her up so I could keep running. I ran out through the trail, passing by Linda who said she didn’t recognize me as she tapped on her hips – what a compliment and also a reminder that I need to be running with the group more. I ran for 48 minutes and completed 4 miles for a 12min/mile – which for me is 2min/mile faster than before I started losing weight. I didn’t feel like I was speeding up, my body must just be able to move faster with the same amount of effort and less weight to move – this is very encouraging for me, maybe I’ll be able to keep up with everyone now, and maybe after losing even more weight, get even faster!

Friday was a busy day, it was Alpaca shearing day at my parents farm. We had 14 animals to shear, collect wool, trim toe nails and wrangle in the pastures. The lady shearing was tough and weathered, but truly seemed to care for each animal as if it were her own. The weather was really warm and we were tired, dusty and just plain beat. After we finished (8am-5pm) my Dad and I headed off to the airport to catch our 8:30 flight to Anchorage – we were beat.

Saturday was the air show at Elmendorf – we even got to watch the Thunderbirds fly, my brother joined us (he had to work most of the day). Sunday, Monday and Tuesday we hung out with my brother – taking him grocery shopping, buying him a houseplant, sight-seeing, having a fun time just hanging out. He sure has grown up a lot – it’s weird to think that he has his own place, his own life, he is a grown up – a responsible one at that! I might get some photos up from our weekend later.

As far as running while in Anchorage – I took all of my running clothes and it was light out for 20+ hours a day and there was a trail very close to my brother’s house, but did I run, nope – I turned into the ‘bump-on-a-log-Jessica’ that I used to be. I really should have ran, but I was enjoying time with my Dad and brother, guess sometimes that is the important stuff. I did try to eat right while gone, but eating breakfast out is really hard – especially at greasy diners. I did fairly well at dinner – one night at Applebee’s I got a WW point meal and I got a turkey burger at Red Robin (only because they were out of Garden burgers). I did cave on Tuesday and had some Kraft Macaroni and cheese (hey I was in a bachelor’s house…), but I did only have half the box instead of the whole thing – and I balanced it out with a salad at Chili’s in the airport that was 11 points. I did realize that I am much happier, fuller, feel skinnier when I eat better, I was starting to feel sluggish and I was craving broccoli and grapes. Oh well, how often do I get to hang out with my ‘little’ brother and my Dad like that.

Tonight is a WW meeting and I will be going with Wendy, who has been doing the program online. I am glad she’ll be attending the meetings – maybe we can even run to them together. I am a little nervous though – it was a really heavy eating weekend (the first real time I know that I went over my points – how much are hashbrowns in oil anyway) and I have my ‘friend’ visiting, which usually puts be at a lower weight loss on its own. At least I know that I want to continue the weight loss journey and that the feelings of missing it was a great indicator that I didn’t ‘fall off the wagon’ but that I should have prepared for the vacation a lot better. Anyway, I bought a Runner’s World Magazine in the airport and here are a few highlights that kicked me into gear:

Finalize my training schedule for the Portland Marathon – print it out and carry it with me.
Work on my i-pod playlists – use the article as reference for additional songs.
Look into marathon in Las Vegas in early December.
Look into the Olympic Dualathon at Black Diamond in September (40k bike and 10k run).

Here is to family, friends and happy memories.
I’ll get photos and more info on here once I get more than 3 hrs of sleep….

Tagged

2008-06-17T07:33:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I haven't found time to scan the photos or upload from the camera, but here is my response to Michelle's tag.

The Rules:Tagging is easy. Just copy the following onto your post. The rules of the game are posted at the start of your blog post. In this case, I'm asking you 5 questions about running. Each player answers the 5 questions on their own blog. At the end of your post you tag 5 other people and post their names. Go to their blogs and leave a comment on their blogs telling them they've been tagged and to look at your blog for details. When they've answered the questions on their own blog, they come back to yours to tell you. Got that?

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago? 10 years ago I was applying for Architecture School and was trying to get through my second year of college. Working out was not something that I would do. Looking back, I did a lot of walking at school in Seattle. Lots of daily exercise washing cars for a living, but very little structured exercise. The last time I ‘ran’ was getting ready for 10th grade basketball – I would run down my childhood country road bouncing the basketball, I must have drove the neighbors crazy.
2. What is your best/worst running experience? Every time I run it seems like the best running experience. I like the fact that I can talk and run, so probably when I was doing my first 16 mile training run and I need a pep-talk I called my friend Lisa and her son Brandon gave me a pep talk – he is five! I talked to a lot of people on my cell phone that day, just out for a run. Oh yeah, the day in the winter when there were little snow flurries as I was running, that was fun, I felt like a kid chasing snowflakes. Oh yeah, the first day this spring when I smelled fresh cut grass. This list could go on for days, running has just opened my eyes, ears, heart, everything.
My worst running experience was during my first marathon. The hills were tough for me – I trained for the mileage on a flat trail, just to get the mileage in, not the hill training. So when I was at the 20 mile mark, my feet were like raw hamburger and I felt alone in the canyon (I really was alone), and I had a big hill in front of me, I felt like I was crazy for even trying to do this. Then I would think about all of the people at the end waiting for me, I got up those hills even if I had to power walk them. It was a mentally and physically challenging day. The next one will be better though, I know a little of what to expect now and I can train my body and my mind for the obstacles that I know will be out there.

3. Why do you run?
Because I can, and because I saw a flier in the YMCA last February (2007) advertising a Couch to 5k running program. I told my friend Elinor, I should do that… and here I am. The Y-Run-Club took me under their wing and kept me moving, giving me advice, cheering me on and just being out there running.
Why not, I have a lot of things that I want to do, the more someone makes it a challenge the more I want to do it. Because I can run, putting my own two feet in front of each other and move myself fast down the trail, road, sidewalk – it is amazing what your body can do!
As I heard a lady in my WW meeting say, she ‘walks away her mad’. Part of me runs to get away from pressures – pressures like work, family, spouse, housework, projects… the list could go on and on. I can think about what I want to when I’m running, although at times I wish I had a recorder to nab great ideas or at least be able to sketch while running (wait, that’s what I could be doing on my walk breaks).

4. What is the best or worst piece of running advice that you've been given about running? Best advice; Body Glide, Butt paste, proper clothing, proper socks, retiring shoes after mileage (even if they still look new). The Y-Run-club has been a wealth of information. I just figured out that I can use the body glide on the arches of my feet to combat the 2” blisters that are persistent.
Worst piece of running advice…. I don’t think I have gotten bad advice, I try out a lot of different things to see what works for me.
4a. My advice to others – you are never too old, too fat, not-built-for, too clumsy, etc., to start running. Just find a good beginner program and try it – you’ll find it addictive – and hey there are many more worse things to be addicted to.

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know. hummm, I’m sure that there a lot of things…. Let’s see, I was a pretty rebellious teenager and I got suspended from school for TP’ing my basketball coach’s house. There were eight of us maybe that got caught…. My punishment was being home from school with my dad working around the house (which really wasn’t that bad, except that I knew he was disappointed with me). I still have the newspaper article somewhere and I still feel lame buying a case of TP at Costco. Let’s see, I am really a farm girl who needs a place in the city during the week and a farm with lots of animals and tractors and fields and chores for the weekend.
I am really a open book, I try to have people around me that support what I do and what I want. Someday I would love to have my own architecture firm in the city and my own farm in the country – and adopt some kids that need a good home along with a pack of ‘pound puppies’.
Now, I’m Tagging,
Michelle, Rob, Wendy, Emily, Jenny

I'll try to get some photos in later, but today is my active day, I rode my bike to the bus (1mi.), went to work and I am heading to step aerobics tonight after work and then a 5mi bike ride home. Hopefully it will get sunny later today!

Have a great day everyone!

Tag & Thin-Dependence

2008-06-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

I’ve been tagged by Michelle regarding running – I will work on those (something to do during my lulls at work tomorrow.)

I had a great weigh-in last night, now I’m down 13.8 pounds (in 6 weeks)! Today I had a client tell me that my eyes looked really blue because of my nice purple shirt (I found the shirt with the tags still on it in the bag with the receipt in the bottom of the closet – an obvious purchase without trying it on last fall, and that it didn’t fit – I tried it on and now it fits and looks good). This client is about my age +/- and she is becoming a really great person to talk with, I floated all of the way back to the office – she had no idea what an impact that comment made.

Today I had a great moment(s). For all of you skinny people you can skip to the bottom of the post now, you just wouldn’t understand. I squatted while looking at roofing samples on the floor and when getting into a supply cabinet at work. You know, squatting when the back of your thighs touch the back of your calves – for me it hasn’t happened in a long time, I guess I didn’t even notice until I did it today. Yes, it is weird, but it was comfortable, it did not cut off the circulation, guess it’s a sign that all that I am doing is paying off. Well it’s not the only sign, I have moved in to the 4th belt buckle hole – that happened when I was feeling like I was getting a cold on Tuesday. I kept hiking up my pants all day and finally took the belt in a notch. Brian is going to get me suspenders soon if I don’t stop shimming my pants back up to the correct spot =).

Tonight I came straight home and Darby and I started out on a long walk – the sun is finally out (it has been in the 50’s and raining here). We walked down Sunrise, stopped at starbucks for an Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte and headed back home. I just need to be out in the sunshine… We did 2.5 miles – a good afternoon walk. I am still optimistic that all the sleeping I did earlier this week has kept the cold away, but I don’t want to push it, otherwise I would have ran at the track with the Y-run-club. The Sound to Narrows 12k is this weekend. It will be my third year. My first year I was coming off of a broken toe and a sprained knee (don’t ask – it was only a fall down three freakin’ steps onto carpet). Last year, Brian and I ran it together in the rain. This year I’m running it solo – Brian has been having some knee troubles so he is out. I am going to park and ride my bike to the start line to avoid parking aggravation (it is at a park in the middle of a residential neighborhood). So I am excited to be running through the park, zoo and old neighborhood. I have also been putting together my training plan for the Portland Marathon – I will see if I can post my goals for that.

Overall my WW has been a really great experience, next is to see if I can convince my mom to join me…. My WW ‘coach - Candy’ (yes, her name really is Candy) gave us this inspiration for the upcoming summer season;

My Declaration of Thin-dependence:
I pledge allegiance to myself
In quest of my weight goal,
And to the healthy habits for which it stands.
One body…
Under control …
Indisputably,
With confidence and new clothes for fall.

Run, macha woman, run!

i'm here, just being a busy bee

2008-05-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

My post is in response to Wendy’s question of where have I been lately …..
Let’s say I have taken some time off from running – I am still running, I am just making sure to get a lot of living in also. Spring is my favorite time of the year, I love waking up with the sun and going to bed when it gets dark, although I may be guilty of thinking that I could weed the garden with a headlamp on. Here is a long list of the past month or so…. I’ll get back to running soon, I have Portland to start training for after all….

My list:

Accepting the fact that I am 30 and nearly every woman I know is pregnant – I’m not even kidding, I can ramble the list of ladies for days. I should invest in Babies-R-Us.

My Surprise birthday party with my entire family at the local pizza place (just wished someone told me to wear a nice sweatshirt…)

Mini-vacation to Cannon Beach; spa tub, warm weather, long hike, lots of walking/sightseeing, missing our puppy at home.

My friend Elinor called us in Cannon Beach to tell us she is pregnant! She and her husband have been so patient, they are going to love this child so much. I am so excited to hear about all of the new steps in her journey. I saw photos of the baby’s leg yesterday!

Ran the Tacoma Half Marathon with Wendy. I went slow with her (or so she thought, I was really trying to keep up) and she got me to finish the last couple of miles. We got lots of talking in and it was great to have someone to pass the time with. I still need to check to see if it was my best time or not.

I planted my first vegetable garden. I have waited so many years to do this, now that I have most of the ‘flower’ beds planted, I wanted to have my own vegetables (the seeds are even poking out of the ground). I’m sure I’ll have enough vegetables to pass around, I went a little crazy with the lettuce seeds.

Brian and I babysat my niece (1-1/2years) and nephew (2-1/2 years) for my sister’s birthday gift. She has baby #3 on the way this fall, so I thought I would make a grand gesture. Brian and I had fun, but were beat after we dropped them off – guess that answers that question.

My dad and I finalized our trip to Anchorage to visit my brother over a long weekend at the end of June and see the Elmendorf Air Force Base Air Show. We haven’t seen him since he moved to Anchorage in March. We also get to see his shiny new car (that gets 4 times better gas mileage than the truck he had).

Brian and I took the lawn back – over the long weekend we thatched, aerated and over-seeded, and the next day we put down 2 yards of bark! That got a good workout in.

Brian and I also babysat my parents Alpaca Farm (they look like llamas, they are decedents of the camel, she raises them for their wool, which has all of the qualities of regular wool only it is really soft) while they went to a convention in Utah. Those animals can win your heart; I don’t think I can have one in my backyard though…. If anyone wants any fertilizer they produce a wheelbarrow full a day (did I mention that we had to scoop poop as one of our babysitting duties).

Oh yeah, I joined a local weight watchers group after reading Michelle’s amazing journey. Since April 30th I have lost 10 pounds!!!! My goal is to be a lean mean, running machine in Portland in October.

So that is the long answer to where I’ve been lately…. I hope to get some running in with the Y-club, even if I am the slow guy out there. They are running Chambers Bay Golf Course on Sunday – that might be my run to start up again. It also means a trip to Trader Joes afterward!
Hope to see you all on the trail soon.

Portland here I come...

2008-04-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

I did it - I signed up for the Portland Marathon today! I have been really thinking the past few weeks and I really need to finish another marathon that I am proud of - so I signed up for the Portland Marathon on October 5th. This gives me six months of training time, a fall run and some time to really get geared up and possibly drag one of my friends along. The Y-run group has said great things about Portland, and it was my father-in-laws first marathon, so something inside of me says to go for it. I'll start working on my training plan - yeah, I have a new project!

Oh yeah, they are i-pod friendly in Portland, I'll work on my playlists too!

Tonight is a run from the Y, around Bradely Lake (the baby bear has been relocated), a stop at the photo store to pick-up my photos and back to the Y to see what other trouble I can get into.

Today is the start of my second marathon training!

marathon report and memoir

2008-04-17T21:30:00.000-07:00

Well, today is the day, I turn 30 at 12:12 pm (right mom?). I have been trying to write an entry about the Yakima Marathon and I feel like it will be inadequate, almost like I let myself and my cheering squad down. I started in Ellensburg and moved my 200lb frame to Yakima with my own two feet – so I did finish, just not like I had imagined.

Here is the story; I started out great, a little overdressed, but it was in the 30’s and windy in Ellensburg. I started with the Y-run group, Eric, Steve, Marco and Abi moved to the front of the back and at the back of the pack was Michelle B, Michelle S and Sydnee (it was her first marathon also, but being young and in shape I knew she would be fine). I guess I started my Garmin in the wrong program – my running .5mi, walking 1min. was off – not a good way to start. I fixed it at the first walk break and got my head into the run. All of the fast runners quickly moved ahead and this was hard, I could see everyone in front of me, moving further away, which was a very deflating feeling. I turned on the music at mile one and settled in for the day, the ‘back of the pack’ group moved ahead and I was glad to see them moving. After entering the canyon around mile 7 my left hamstring was starting to tighten a little, and I could feel what I thought might be a blister forming on my right arch. The canyon road was very twisty and turning (and beautiful), but I think it was taking a toll early on (I did all of my training on a ‘flat’ asphalt trail, this road was banked – like the kind that a fast convertible would love to drive). I was always encouraged when I got to an aid station – I did find that I somehow did not get all of my snacks from my drop bag into my backpack (guess that was part of my morning jitters) – so I started rationing snacks by mile 7. I was looking forward to the mid-point so that I could change my socks and get some more Aleve in me. Being out there for 6 hours is a long time, I was thinking a lot as I did my run/walk intervals – how great it would be to sit in a drift boat with my husband and our dog and do a full day of fishing – how it would be much quicker to ride a bike through this canyon - how I should start more lavender in the back yard to make soap – how crazy I was for trying to run for 26 miles – you know the usual stuff you think about when you are alone in a canyon running for 6+ hours. I made it to mile 13.5 or so and changed my socks, sat down for a minute and hit the wall (I thought about the people who were probably finishing right now – big mistake) – but, I made it to the half-way point in 3hrs- my goal. I checked out my massive blister, put my fresh socks on and kept moving. I took more walk breaks than scheduled through the second half, longer stops at the water stops, and more thinking about how crazy I was for thinking I could do this. Along the route I was able to talk to my friend Elinor on speaker phone and she gave me a surge of energy, she and her husband were going to come over to see me finish. I also talked to my husband and he got me moving again.

I ran into some hills in the last half (why didn’t I train on more hills?) and I ran out of energy and rice crispy treats. I started walking fast and drinking lots of water. This lovely lady and I kept leapfrogging each other, she would keep me moving if I was walking a lot. She must have been in her 60’s and she was speed walking the course – which doesn’t help my mojo when the walker and I are keeping pace, but were both out here doing it right! She used to live in Yakima and always wanted to walk this canyon, now that she lives in Issaquah she thought now would be a great time to do it. Anyway, she was about the only constant person I saw in the lonely canyon. I was really dragging and got emotional about mile 21 when I knew I would finish. I reached the top of the ‘hill’ above the dam and said to myself, get moving people don’t want to wait for you all day at the finish. So I picked myself up and got some more running in before the finish on the downhill portions.

I rounded the bend with about .3 miles to go and sitting on the side of the road were the ‘back of the pack’ runners that I started out with. Thankfully I had my sunglasses on and could shed a few tears without everyone seeing them. I ran into the finish area with Michelle and she peeled off as I ran through the finish. I heard the loudspeaker announcing me coming through and I had to correct him that it was my first marathon. After I crossed the line I was in a daze. My hands were swollen twice their normal size, I couldn’t get my shoes off fast enough (I couldn’t even bend down to reach them) and there were so many people there that I knew out of the few people that were left. Michelle handed me an S-cap to get my salt back (and yes I swallowed the most enormous pill ever), Steve was getting me pretzels, Eric handed me part of a banana. My husband gave me a hug, his parents made it over with their dog, some flowers and a sunshine garden art to remember my day. My friend Elinor and her husband drove their shinny new car over and I saw the nice lady that I was leapfrogging and we hugging in congratulations. I was tired, sore, hot, sweaty, overwhelmed and amazed at myself. I just ran from Ellensburg to Yakima – that is even a long drive in the car!

I showered at the local school and Elinor, Jack, Brian and I headed up to Ellensburg for some great burgers and fries at ‘the Tav’ a college bar/pub that had huge burgers and fries – I was really, really hungry.

Overall I was sore, tight and tired for the next few days, stairs were the hardest. But overall I did it, I had a medal, I finished my first marathon!

In writing this I have come to realize that I did do it, even if I had to slow down, I moved myself, with my own two feet from 8am to 2:30pm from Ellensburg to Yakima over 26.2 miles of beautiful canyon country. It was not my best run, but that leaves plenty of room for improvement. It leaves me with the do’s and don’ts for next time. It leaves me with the idea of ‘when will the next one be’. It leaves me with the sense of accomplishing the goal of completing a marathon in the body that I have, not the body that I want to have. It leaves me with the love and support of all of my friends and family, without them I would not have made it through that Canyon (or through all of my training runs)!

Now on to the fun stuff; Michelle tagged me
Here are the rules:

1) Write your own six word memoir

2) Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you want

3) Link to the person that tagged you in your post, and to the original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere

4) Tag at least five more blogs with links

5) Leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

Here are some words that I wanted to use;
Live, laugh, goals, best, planner, projects, imagination, athlete, adventurer, explorer, color, growth, emergence, learner, teacher, smile, friend, family, wife, builder, baker.

Here is my six word memoir:
“Determined to succeed at my goals”
Here is to running slow and steady and smiling at the finish line!
P.S. I don’t know when the next marathon will be, guess I better get to planning!

I DID IT - I FINISHED MY 1st MARATHON!!!

2008-04-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

I will expand on the details later, but I finished my first marathon on Saturday and I am still walking - well limping. More of a report and photos to come, but I wanted to thank everyone for coming over to support me at the finish and for all of the training runs I drug everyone through.

I have some reflecting to do, some do's and don'ts for next time - yes there will be another Marathon - I'm not sure where or when, but I have to try and beat my PR - what an adicting sport!

A special thank you to my husband who has been so patient through my hours of training. I'm looking forward to spending some time in the garden and going on a quick trip to the ocean without a run as the focus.

My next 'race' is the Tacoma City Half Marathon in about a month, so it will be a light month of training - this time I will get some hills in before hand!

Thanks again to everyone who has supported me!

Go MACHA!!!

Always be prepared

2008-03-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

I am preparing for my first marathon this coming saturday and I am trying to keep my nerves in check. I ran 19.8 miles two weekends ago with a steady 14 min. pace (it's maybe slow, but it's steady, even at the end). I finished with a blister on the arch of my foot, which has healed and should not return thanks to some 'remodeling' to my insole. My goal was to get in a long run with all of my gear and see how it went - I passed, I think I am ready.

Now, I am trying to get everything coordinated, packed, purchased, etc. for Friday, which is coming quicker than I thought it would. I have neighborhood meetings tonight and tomorrow night, a short, easy workout on the eliptical on Wednesday and then it is laundry, packing and list making..... If I find the energy and the time I will try to get another post in before the weekend - thanks again to all of my loyal family and friends who have been out on the trail supporting me and who are making the trip to see me finish - I love and need your support.

Oh yeah, I have to download a few more songs into the i-pod - guess I know where my free moments went. I should start a list, no I should start laundry, no I should go to bed...... aaahahhhhh!, deep breaths, look how far I have come. I'll get a good nights sleep and start my lists tomorrow.

If only I had this to drink:

Some of my support crew (Brian, his mom Sherri and Darby):

And if I could only get the smell of the blossoms to go through the computer... (it won't be long i'm sure).

Thank you everyone for your support - I will carry it with me on my 26.2 mile adventure.

G O M A C H A!

Ready to Run

2008-03-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

It has been an emotional week. On Sunday March 9th I finished 16 miles with my friends and family being my 'aid stations' along the Orting Trail. I finished the 16 miles with a 13:30/mile pace, which is about 30 seconds to 1min. faster than normal. I finished strong, with energy and a smile. My support crews were wonderful - Thank you!

The photo is at the half-way point.

I didn't cramp up too bad and I finished out my Sunday. At step aerobics class on Tuesday night, my calves were giving me trouble, it hurt to step down, so I slowed down and took it easy. By Thursday I was hurting (only when I walked) and I did some ill fated internet searching. I was convinced that I had stress fractures. After going to the doctor on Friday and getting x-rays I was feeling a little better. Keep doing R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate).

Saturday I walked while the Couch to 5k group did 25min. of running, I just wasn't feeling that I could do it. I walked with one of the groups little girls, Gracie, she sang Hanna Montana and told me all about how she was going to sign up for t-ball soon. She kept my mind off of the fact that I wanted to run, but it hurt.

Saturday afternoon Wendy and I drove down to Longview where Michelle and Jenny were running the Pac Rim 24 hr run (they were doing 50 miles) and Steve was going the full 24 hrs. Rob and Jamal were already done when we arrived. Wendy and I started running with them around 7 and I finished with them completing 13 miles and feeling great. The energy that Michelle and Jenny had was contagious. They were happy, smiling, and having a great time that I just had to finish with them. I did not have any pain and when Wendy and I finally got back to the hotel after 11pm I stretch and felt fine. Sunday I was walking like nothing was ever bothering me. Today I went to my orthopedic doc. with my x-rays, just to be sure and he said I did what my body told me, I rested and started moving when I was ready. He is a runner also, so he listed to my 'training' plan and suggested that I go cross-training that is non-impact, such as the eliptical machine, biking and swimming - no step aerobics during the week (icing and heat afterwards) and running on the weekends should be fine. He also said that my body will start to adapt to the mileage and this may not be an issue after awhile. Oh yeah, the best news, no stress fractures - now I understand how mental this sport really is.

I'm back on the road again. - More on my run last weekend (and if any of my aid crew is available this Saturday, I could use some help again).

Here is to listening - even if you don't want to hear it.

Oh yeah, Congrats to my crazy running friends, Michelle and Jenny for finishing 50 miles in 14 hours and Steve for finishing 105 miles in 23.5 hours - you guys are amazing. Rob and Jamal will get 106 next year =)

Hydration Test #02, #03 and new sock test.

2008-03-06T09:19:00.000-08:00

Last week I tried the camel back – it passed, but need refinement. Last Thursday at the track I tried carrying a water bottle that had a strap on it (designed for running), but between the water condensation, my sweaty hand and the sound of the water it was not working. So Hydration Test #02 failed as a long run solution.

Last night I tried out the Nathan Hydration vest built for women. Michelle was gracious enough to loan me hers to try it out. It fit well, adjusts easily and has pockets in the front to store snacks, phone, ipod, etc. So I ordered mine at REI using my 20% off coupon and it should be here before the big race. Hydration Test #03 worked great.

While browsing at REI I finally found the Smartwool running socks – I have been looking around for them, but I was unsuccessful at finding the ‘running’ version. So I tried them out last night on my run. They felt like I was wearing cozy slippers while running. I had been having blister issues on the insides of my heels and with new SuperFeet insoles the problem had gone away. Now, with the new socks, my feet have never felt better (ok maybe when I was getting a pedicure or when they were buried in the sand in Maui, but you know what I mean). So all in all, I am finally getting my equipment refined.

Last night Darby and I did 4.75 miles around the Sunrise neighborhood. We started out just before sunset (I can’t wait for daylight savings time) and turned our headlamps on and had a great evening run. We even sped up and ran like we were kids going down the hill, I’m sure we are a sight to see! One equipment item that I will work on for this weekend is a tank top or a sports bra top that goes to my waist. The feeling of my tummy is not great when wearing the hydration pack and a tech shirt, so hopefully that will help without making me too warm.
Today is supposed to get to the 60’s and I am planning on running at the track tonight. I can feel spring coming!

Sunday, I have planned a 16 mile journey on the Orting trail and I have recruited friends and family to be at ‘aid stations’ for me and to provide moral support. Everyone has been very supportive and I am glad that I asked for help. I’ll try to take some photos of my ‘support crew’ for the next post. In the meantime, smile, get outside and enjoy the journey!

Hydration Test #01

2008-02-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

Tonight I tried out the camel back. Brian had one sitting in the closet that had only been used once. So I filled it up with a few ice cubes and cold tap water, got Darby all suited up in her head lamp and I with all of my reflective gear and we headed out. Tonight it was in the 50's and a little misty. I ran in shorts and a long sleeve tech shirt, I have not been without my jacket in months - spring is on the way! We started out walking to warm up and when we started jogging I thought the sloshing noise of the camel back was going to drive me crazy - when I run at night outside I don't wear my i-pod for safety. So I got used to the noise after a few minutes and we got into our groove. We treked out and back home for a total of 3.5 miles with an average pace of 13.12 on the runs (I did .5mile runs with 1min. walk breaks). The pace was ok, but it can be improved. I did notice that I was just getting into the groove when it was time to end, what an amazing feeling.

The camel back gets 4 out of 5 stars.

Positives:

I have water when I 'need it'

It didn't rub.

It has pockets to carry stuff

I didn't notice that I was sweating any extra with it on my back.

Negatives:

The sloshing noise (which I was getting used to, almost like the rhythm of waves).
The taste of rubber (I will try a flavored water or adding a little lemon juice to knock back the taste).
The straps are built for a man - the only cross strap goes right above 'the girls' and makes for an awkward feeling (I'll get some spare straps from the camping kit and 'fashion' a contraption that should help).

So, for a test run the camel back gets a passing grade. Tomorrow night at the track I will try the water bottle that I carry in my hand (it has a mesh handle that your palm slides in). I will also try a flavored water to see if I can handle it.

I did also notice that I did not seem to drink that much water after all - I think it is just the knowledge that I have it accessible that is what I need. After all, I take a glass of ice water to bed every night and I might have a drink or two and that is it - I usually pour it out in the morning. So if I can carry a small amount and know that I have rest stations then I should be ready to run!

Time to sign up for the Tacoma Half marathon - keep running!

Runner Girl...

2008-02-25T20:52:00.001-08:00

I forgot - I ordered a new t-shirt in preparation for the marathon.

It will be a great addition to my running wardrobe!

Brian is working on a personalized shirt for the race with my name on it so that people can cheer me on from the finish line. I am getting really pumped up!!!

Guess I better get my travel plans in order, after all it is going to be here before I know it.

L-O-N-G Run - Short Report (that was the idea)

2008-02-25T13:09:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile – I have been running (I even got a 13 mile run in with my brother while he was passing through town). I tried pilates (love them – and as Brian says, they taste good =)) and I went cross country skiing for the first time. Oh yeah, the car is fixed and we got a refund from the oil change store – life is back to normal – knock on wood – real wood too.

Here is a run down of last weekend:
Couch to 5k group on Saturday morning at Bradley Lake – logged about 2.3 miles (run/walk). They sure are progressing, they will all do great at the 5k!
Saturday on the Orting trail – logged 15.5 miles starting about 10:00 and finishing around 2:00? For a Saturday total of almost 18 miles!!!!!
Positives from the run:

*Beautiful weather – mid-50’s with sunshine.

*Smelling freshly cut grass.

*Views of Mt. Rainer.

*Chasing my shadow.
*Nothing rubbed in places that they shouldn’t (thanks to the liberal application of body glide)
*Talking to friends on speaker phone for ‘pep-talks’
*NO blisters – the insoles are working!
*Good songs on i-pod.
*Making it up and down the hills just north of the McMillian trail head (they are not big, but after the drinking foundation incident).

Negatives:
*very, very thirsty
*hot tamales are not a good idea as something to suck on.
*i-pod running playlist is not perfected. I NEED my Dixie Chicks- Goodbye Earl.
*Did I mention very, very thirsty – chapped lips.
*Walking more toward the end that running.
*Hip was starting to give out, give me some pain.
*Started to get hungry.
*Drinking fountain at McMillian trail head was not on – I could see it from the trail for awhile and when I got to it, it was not working – that sure is not a good feeling. – contact people who maintain trail and ask when they will be turned on.

What I took away from the run and what I will work on for next weekend:
*Set up friends and family for mock aid-stations about every 2-4 miles.
*Try out the camel back and a hand held water bottle on short runs this week to see what works the best.
*Find a food that I can have at the aid stations. Some options are all natural fruit leather (no weird red paste like the hot tamales), green apple slices, bread product, pretzels w/ salt.
*Layer clothes better so that I can shed a layer – or wear a visor to vent top of head.
*Wear sunscreen on my neck (I covered the face last week, just not my neck and ears.)
*Stay positive – this run has been my longest run to date and even though I had to walk some, I still made it.

Plans for this week:
Tuesday, run at the YMCA, do ab work, maybe an machine.
Wednesday, run outside with Darby, try out the CamelBack.
Thursday, run at Rogers track carrying water. Try fartlek (sp?) work
Friday, pilates class
Saturday, couch to 5k group and short run.
Sunday – LONG RUN with my support groups on the Orting Trail!

My bulbs are two inches out of the ground, how far are yours?

AND POURS....!

2008-01-31T10:12:00.000-08:00

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS WHAT DID I DO TO PISS OFF THE HIGHER POWERS! Our brand new car died last night. It is undergoing a diagnostic now, until we know what is wrong I can't blame Subaru or the oil change place. Until then, I can be really cranky. We just fixed the other car.

I will be at Step aerobics tonight (after I ride the bus to the YMCA) if you see me I'm the one running around the track after class screaming!

Deep breathes, positive thinking......

Here comes a sunshine break..., things will get better - they can't get worse.

When it rains, it pours.... and pours and pours

2008-01-29T12:08:00.000-08:00

Well, last week was, well last week. I got a run in on Saturday morning – 3.5 miles with Darby around the trail at Rogers. It was a fun run, not fast, just moving and she was enjoying the sounds and smells of someplace other than the backyard. Sunday I just couldn’t get out of bed, I was exhausted from ‘commuting’ last week. My in-laws came over with their new dog ‘Abby’ so the dogs could run around the back yard. Together we have Darby and Abby – we can now refer to them collectively as ‘Arby’. It is really fun to watch them romp around, it reminds me that spring is not too far away. My father-in-law showed us his finger that he cut with his new sharp knives – his was not too bad, but made for some jokes about the Christmas present that just keeps giving. He got all of the families one of these dangerous Cabellas knife sharpeners – they work very, very well, we were just used to the dull knives.

Sunday afternoon Brian, Darby and I went for a walk around Sunrise in the afternoon for 3 miles. It was a good brisk walk and it was even sunny for a little bit (I got my vitamin D intake).

Monday night I ran at the YMCA. I ran five miles in 57 minutes – it was my best time ever under twelve minute miles!!!!! They closed the Y early due to inclement weather so I closed the place down at 8:00. I really wanted to keep running to see how fast I could go and because everyone started to leave, I had the track to myself. It felt wonderful. How did I speed up you ask? I looked at my reflection in the glass and noticed that my feet were not really leaving the ground, so I picked up my feet and increased my stride – amazingly enough it worked – all I had to do was speed up and my times improved – who would have guessed. I noticed that I could feel it in my breathing, but that is what happens when you pick-up the pace, right? So, my track work is paying off and so is just keeping with it. I am aiming for one more run this week (about 5 miles) along with step aerobics. This weekend I am running 13 miles on Saturday morning and a 10k Geoduck run at The Evergreen College on Sunday – I can’t wait!

and pours, and pours….

I got home from the Y on Monday night and Brian had made homemade pizza, one of my favorites. He finished slicing the pizza – yes, here it comes…. and was wiping the cheese off the knife and cut his right thumb. Oh man, here we go, it was one week ago that I cut my thumb, and less than a week ago that my father-in-law cut his. I took a look at the cut and Brian agreed that he didn’t think he needed stitches, so off to the band-aid aisle I went. I got some of the ‘wound glue’ and a few more packs of band-aids, along with a chocolate bar for Brian. We are going to throw away the knives (at least that was our solution last night) or dull them down on a 2x4 before using them again. I did read on the ‘wound glue’ package that you can use it for blisters – I wonder if Michelle knows about this stuff – she might need more than 1oz though =)
On another note I am totally still on a running high from last night – tired, but still on my running high – this is totally addictive!

Keep running in the rain and take in the sunshine when you can (and don’t underestimate warning labels that state ‘knives will be sharp after sharpening’ they don’t’ lie).

when it rains, it pours....

2008-01-23T16:55:00.000-08:00

After getting my brother off to Delaware on Monday, the rest of the week really dragged on. I made it to the YMCA on Tuesday and did the Body Fat Test. You get dunked in a stainless steel tub in a mobile truck and it tells you your lean body weight and your percentage of body fat. The tester did complement me on my lean weight – but I do need to get my body fat percentage down (which I already knew). So I will write down everything I eat for a week, figure out the best places to cut calories and keep doing aerobics and running. I worked hard in step class and went to bed with a lump in my stomach thinking about how hard this is going to be.

I dragged Brian to the movie theater on Thursday night to see the movie about marathon running, but as we walked out the door I had thoughts that it might not be for another week….. as I suspected, it is showing on Thursday the 24th – AGGGG. So I missed running and wasted a drive to the movie theater! I packed my bag for the Y when I got home – I was going on Friday night – I had had it with my week – I was turning the ship around.
Friday I ran at the Y for 4 miles doing the hair band transfer and i-pod groovin’. My time was about 52 minutes so I was averaging a 13 min/mile. It felt really good to get back to running – I missed it during the week, especially during this week.

Saturday morning I had full intentions of getting up to run with the Y group – I even set out my running clothes and set my alarm, but I stayed in bed with my husband. Sometimes family time is just more important. We ran errands and went to our Homeowner’s Association meeting. At least my clothes were all ready for Sunday!

Sunday I met the Y running group at the Orting trail at 8 am and headed south. The group took off as I removed the crusties from my eyes and turned on my Garmin. It felt really early, but the weather air was cool, damp and I was ready to run (once my eyes opened). My goal was to go out for 4 miles and 4 miles back in. My garmin ran out of batteries about 6 min. into the 1hr 45 min. run so I was on my own for pacing and timing. I turned up my i-pod and just got moving. Using the marks on the trail and my reference point from my last run, I went out to mile 4 and turned around. Now I have to figure out how to insert the run into the training program even though the garmin did not record it. It was a good run and I met up with the group at Starbucks and asked advice about hotels in Yakima for the Marathon in April.

Brian and I both had Monday off of work and this is when it started raining on us….. Usually when something happens to throw us off course it comes in multiples – as it did again on Monday (the weather was beautiful by the way). The old car would not start in the garage – so when we did get it started, we had to take it into the shop and leave it there – this will make for a fun week of carpooling. So we planned our week – I would drive Brian to work in Enumclaw and then proceed to my work in downtown Tacoma – a nice two hour commute for me at each end of my day! Normally I would have just hopped on the bus, but I had a doctors apt. on Tuesday and a work meeting in Gig Harbor on Wednesday. So, we had a plan, not a great one, but a plan. So I figured that I should get everything ready for Tuesday morning so that we could get out the door on time. I was slicing my apple for my healthy snack (with our freshly sharpened knives) and I slit my thumb open. Being stubborn and tough, I wrapped a paper towel around it, bandaged it up and went to bed. So Tuesday morning I nearly fainted when Brian helped my re-bandage it, I was going to have to go to the doctor. I stopped by the Enumclaw ER and they glued me back together and gave be a great gauze bandage and I was on my way (of course, the bill is on the way) and the doctor admonished me for not coming in earlier – thanks for the stubborn trait mom! I will be fine, thankfully it is my left hand and I can keep working. The results on the car are still not in, so there goes another wad of cash.

So when it rains, it pours on us, but thankfully we can laugh and look forward to spring!

Here is to being prepared and stubborn – two traits that I wouldn’t change for the world.
Oh yeah, I got 12 miles in and one step class – next week even more!

A good, no, a great week

2008-01-15T13:08:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday I made it to step class at the Y. Man, it was crowded with Resolution beginners, so I think Margo might have stepped it up a bit (sorry for the bad pun). With all of the people in the room, it felt like it was 95 degrees. My calves were sore the rest of the week, probably from not planting my feet on each step, but I was trying to keep up. Elinor and Carissa were kickin’ butt – they were in class more than I was in December. All in all, I think the step class is a great cross-training tool, it helps me feel better about my overall workout plan and I get some time to chat with the girls during water breaks. Margo said that one of her goals this year is to run 10 miles a week. So I asked her if we could compare mileages at each class on Tuesday, how we did and what we have coming up. The more people that are in that support network the better, right. I should see if she wants to join the Y club on a run….

I ran at the YMCA inside track on Thursday, it was just raining too hard for me to run at Rogers. With my i-pod in tow, I ran 4 miles at a 12 min/mile pace – I was really moving with the music going – it helps that the track is flat. To keep track of the laps without counting on my fingers I put 6 hair bands on my left wrist, after each lap I would move one to the right wrist – this allowed me to run with the music and enjoy myself without counting. I probably looked crazy going around the track with my hair bands on my wrists – then I remembered the early nineties when we thought we were cool, putting our ‘scrunchies’ on our wrists’ – ah the memories! I stopped by the step class at they were getting out and saw Elinor, she said I was looking good for 3.5 miles in, what an awesome comment – it was one of those nights were it clicked – I felt good, I was movin’ – running was fun!

I made to run with the Y running club on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we ran from the Y, in front of Bradley Park, through a housing development and back to the Y. I had a total of 5 miles in. It would sprinkle here and there, but it wasn’t really cold, so I warmed up fast. Michelle, Cat, Rick and Jenny were moving a little faster than I was, so I took the straight route back and they meandered through the park and around Lumberman’s on the way back to the Y. Coffee afterward is a treat, catching up is also nice.

Sunday I met the rest of the Y run club at Chambers Creek Golf Course and ran the trail there. WOW, it was a beautiful, crisp morning and the trail is wide enough for 4+ people. The trail wound down to the water and it was a fast run down. We spotted a small bald eagle and a huge one in the top of a weather beaten tree. I slowed down to my comfortable pace and winded my way through the golf course. I would love to play here someday, but the $100+ price tag will keep me away for a bit. I walked more than ran up the big hill to the clubhouse. Mike got me to run a few times. Then I did a couple out and back on the trail along the road while the rest of the group did another loop. The next time we come here my goal is to do both loops with the group. After coffee some of us headed over to Trader Joes. Another reason to schedule this run in every couple of months. I then went to Mud Bay and got some doggie treats and organic catnip for the ‘kids’.

All in all I had a wonderful week. I logged 13.5 miles plus one insane step aerobics class. Last night we sent my brother off to Dover, Delaware for a month of training and then the Air Force is relocating him to Anchorage Alaska. He also got promoted to Staff Sergeant, so I am really proud of him. After he is settled hopefully we can get up there to see him. It was a tough night, but at least he is home safe from Iraq with no upcoming plans to be sent back, so I am thankful. I applaud everyone who has fought for our country. Thank you!

Keep running and soak in the sunshine when you can!

truth be told.

2008-01-08T22:24:00.000-08:00

I didn't make it running on monday night. I was 33 degrees when I got home and I was a little afraid that the sidewalks might ice up. It was a nasty drive into work today so I didn't want to risk an injury. Thankfully I have been virtually injury free in my new running career (the gigantic blisters where really my fault - I can't blame the shoes). Tonight I figured out my garmin running computer and I posted my overall number for 2007 on the running website. *don't forget that I didn't start using the computer until late November*

I ran 41.44 miles in 11:24 hours and burned 4,609 calories.

I see that as an accomplishment - I was a 'couch to 5k' member at this time last year.

I have attached a photo of my little buddy Brandon. We got to ride the carousel at Zoolights this past December. Maybe he'll be my new running buddy in the New Year - or he can be my pace car (on his bike).

Maybe his mom and I can conquer the Yakima River Canyon Marathon together in April. OOOOh and get pedicures when we are done.

Off to bed - I have to make it through the rest of the week still and be ready for my 10 miles this weekend - or 6.2 and go with the running club to Chambers Creek in University Place - we'll have to see.

Run like you're having fun!

Here is to a new year!

2008-01-07T17:05:00.000-08:00

It’s been awhile. The holidays were good to us, we enjoyed time with family, time with each other and time at home. Our lovely dog kept us busy right before Christmas and for about a week with tummy troubles (to put it politely). Anyone who has heard us tell the story or saw us with no sleep on Christmas understands (every 2 hour potty trips were no fun). Anyway, after all of the holiday hulabalu I developed a nasty cold and I am still a little congested. I went for a 5 mile walk on Sunday the 30th with Darby down in Orting on the trail. We were doing 16 min/miles and grovin’ to my new i-pod. After I got home I saw the news report that a cougar had been spotted by the river in Orting. I must have scared it away with my singing!

I went out at lunch today and saw two runners along Ruston Way in Tacoma – I felt envious, yes I actually would have rather been running on a sunny 40 degree lunch hour than driving in my car. So when I get home today, I am bundling up, putting on my reflective gear, headlamps and getting Darby suited up and going for a run. I am still a little congested but I am sick and tired of being sick. Tomorrow I am planning on going to the Y to do step class with Elinor and Carissa and Wednesday night is a candle party at Elinor’s house.
The Y running club has been posting their garmin totals for 2007 and they are amazing. These people are dedicated. I have been fighting my garmin to get the information to download onto my computer – I sent a message to tech support a week or so ago and finally got a response – so I’ll try that after my run tonight. I really want to be able to use the computer tracking program.

Here is to a new year – the year that I complete a marathon!

Sunny Saturday!

2007-12-10T18:08:00.000-08:00

I will get to covering the past couple of weeks in a bit - I have been running, just not as much - really I just need to download my Garmin and give a rundown.

This past Saturday morning I rolled out of bed at 7:00 and headed to Burien to meet Lisa and her daughter Abby. I left the pup at home, her feet have been bugging her from doggy daycare so I gave her the day off. We piled in the mini-van and headed out to the airport road where Lisa usually does her workout. We walked from the school, under both runways to the stop light, back the car wash and back to the stop light. Then one more full lap before we were done. Sneaking a peek at my Garmin we went 4.69 miles in 1 hr 18min for a good swift pace in the cool morning air. It was sunny out and a great way to start the weekend. I got Abby a pair of pink mittens, that she kept on the whole way. Maybe it's just different when they are a gift versus when you mom makes you wear them. Ah to see joy in a 1year old with something as simple as $1 mittens! Here is a photo of Abby in the van when we were done, she looks like she enjoyed herself.

I will try and give a run down of the past few weeks, but first here is my plan for the rest of this week. Tuesday, run the track at the Y before Step class with Elinor. Wednesday night - see if Darby's feet are ok to do a short run - 40 min up to Sunrise Blvd. Thursday night - long run at Sunrise - 60 min. minimum! Saturday or Sunday - 2 hr run - however far that is. Cross your fingers for good weather. It has been crazy around here lately. We had a light dusting of snow yesterday while we were decorating the christmas tree - tis the season.

Keep running (even in the rain) and remember you're not made of sugar - you will not melt!

dark run

2007-11-19T22:18:00.000-08:00

I ran after work tonight - it was really dark, but I had all of my reflective gear and Darby had her head lamp, so off we went. I set up my new garmin and off we went to run up Sunrise. The thermometer read 38 degrees - I was ready (thanks to my new pants from Road Runner - and no I am not paid for the endorsement). We did 5run/1walk with 4 sets out and 4 sets back - 48 min. total. I set up the intervals wrong so my computer did 4 sets and I had to start a second 'interval' session at my turn-around point. So I did a total of 3.52 with an average pace of 14:30-14:35. I knew that I was a little slow, but in the 14's - yikes. Now that I know where I am I can start working on my time. The interesting thing is that the garmin shows me where I am going faster/slower during the interval time - so I will keep running my same course during the week so that I can really hone in on my strengths and tighten up my time. My training schedule calls for 1 cross training and 2, 35-40 min runs during the week - so I will keep the Sunrise loop in my training plans. Overall it felt like a short run - I can feel my stamina building up, the begining 10 minutes are miserable and then I feel like I could run forever (guess that is part of the 14 min/mile thing - I need to pick-up the pace!)

Tuesday night is Step Class, then Brian and I are running the Metro Parks Turkey Trot 5k on Thursday morning with Darby and Friday I am going to the 'Turkey Burnoff' at the Y for two hours. Saturday I will run in the am with the Y-run club and Sunday I am meeting Lisa in Orting. Soooo, I will take Wednesday off this week - I am defiantly in the zone now - there's no turning back.

Here is to running in the Dark - remember this when it is 90 degrees in Yakima for the Marathon! Until later - Jess

weekend wrap up

2007-11-19T22:00:00.000-08:00

so I left off at Step class last week. Wednesday I was scheduled to run, but it was not going to happen. It was just one of those days, I didn't feel like it and it was probably raining. So I bailed. Thursday night I brought my running clothes to work with all intentions of meeting the running club at the Sumner track for a 35-40 min run. It rained all day and by the time I got near the track it was all I could do to talk myself into it - I ended up wandering around Fred Meyer trying to figure out what to do. I ended up driving up to the Y and running inside on the track (in all of my outdoor clothes). So I ran for 3 laps (equals 1/2 mile) and walked one for 8 sets - drum roll.... for a total of 4 miles running and a little over 1 mile of walk breaks. It felt good to be moving, and after the crowd cleared at the Y, I was running by myself on the track.

I got up and met the Y-run club on Saturday morning - 7:30 and running are still a hard combo - especially on a weekend, but I was out there. I am definitely a slow runner, but I did the loop and I ran 5/1 intervals for a total of 1hr 10min. so I got some miles in. I was hoping to get more in but the group headed back and I figured I should head back so that they didn't send out the search party. I ran a whole bunch of errands and I picked up my new training computer at Road Runner Sports in Kent - along with some new pants (which rock in the cold weather). I got home to play with my new toy and I had the display box - what a bummer! So later that night on my way to dinner with the family I was able to pick up my new toy. I got a Garmin GPS unit that tracks just about everything I am doing while I'm running.

So Sunday I met up with my friend Lisa and we went for a long walk in Normandy Park. I was thinking we would do run/walks but I was enjoying our time to talk so we just kinda kept walking. We walked from the Elementary School down to the Cove and the shore and back up through a neighborhood with amazing houses and back to the school. With my garmin we went 5.1 miles in 1 hour 46 min. I am still trying to figure out how this watch works and getting to download to the computer and working with the program it has - so it will be a learning process. It was a cool morning, but it wasn't raining and we got a good workout in. We are planning on meeting next weekend in Orting to run/walk with the kids and dog and maybe Brian. We should be a sight to see!

On a side note, it is really nice to have so many people to work out with. I really enjoy my Tuesday evenings at Step class with Elinor and it looks like Lisa and I will be able to get our walk/runs in on the weekends. It makes the steps and miles go by so much quicker when you have someone to share them with.

finally my first 1/2 marathon photo

2007-11-13T21:37:00.000-08:00

here is the photo of my finish at the Black Diamond 1/2 marathon at Deep Lake in Enumclaw in September - I'll elaborate on the race later..... for now here is the photo... and no comments - it was 13 freakin' miles - yes I look tired (that's why I'm training harder for the next one)!

great fall weather runs

2007-11-11T20:22:00.000-08:00

well last week flew by, after my 5k run with my running buddy I made it to the YMCA to do step class. Then on Thursday night I came home from work and changed into everything reflective that I own. I suited Darby (my lab running partner) in her very own head lamp around her neck and reflective leash and we hit the sidewalk. We did (5/1) for three sets out and three sets back to the house. We run up Sunrise just down the street from my house - the hill was tough but it helped that it was dark out. We just went through the motions and made it through the 45 minutes or so. It was cool and crisp out, a wonderful evening run. I am just hoping the rain holds off for a bit - it is so much easier to adjust to the time change when it is just dark - not dark and raining.

Yesterday I visited my friend Lisa and her family - her kids are growing up so fast - I remember when Brandon was just a baby - they are great kids though. Her daughter is learning how to talk - I understand most of what she says, but I have to admit I really don't speak baby very well, it still amazes me that she says so many things at 1-1/2! Lisa and I are going to try and get together next Sunday for a run/walk with the kids and I will bring Darby to sidetrack Brandon and keep him interested in the run. We might try running in Normandy Park - looking at all of the houses will keep us entertained for as long as we are out there. I will probably run with the Y club on Saturday morning for a 8-9 miler.

Today I ran on the trail in Orting. I did the 5/1 run/walk and went out five sets and back 5 sets for a total of 72 minutes. If I am running a 12 min. mile then I went about 7 miles (someone check my math). I also noticed that there were orange mile marker on the trail - hopefully someone actually measured the distances. I made it from the parking lot to just past the first hil and bridge - I'll see if I can get some actual distances (for my run on Saturday). I am working on my training for the marathon in April, using the calendar on the PBS marathon show for a draft training schedule. This week I'm cross training in Step Aerobics on Tuesday night. Wednesday a 40 min. run, Thursday running with the Y run club for 45 min. at the track, Saturday 8-9 miles with the Y run club and Sunday with Lisa and kids. I think that I will definitely get my training in this week!

On Saturday we are having dinner with my whole family to draw names for Christmas and to welcome home my brother from Iraq. He got home a few months ago, but we are finally all able to get together. I am bringing a side dish and desert - guess I'm cooking on Saturday also.

Be a kid again and run through the leaves like you mean it!
until later in the week,
~Jessica

Girls on the Run - buddy program

2007-11-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

Last night I ran with my buddy for the first time. Her name is Melissa and she is in the fourth grade. She is part of the Girls on the Run Program at the Boys and Girls Club in White Center. We are going to be running the diva dash on December 1st and she is getting really excited. We completed 3 laps for a total of 3.1 miles her first 5k! I was very impressed with the determination to finish and keep running. The first lap was very exciting because everyone was close together, the second lap she started to get sideache (I think she was drinking too much water). The last lap she was keeping up her pace. We finished strong and she gave me a few pointers about how to dress like a diva for the 5k run. I enjoyed myself and I was happy to help such a great program. I felt so good that I raced from White Center to the Puyallup YMCA and got my step class in. My friend Elinor has be going on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I decided that it would be good to get back in the swing of things and at least go once a week, the other day I will run. All part of my marathon training - yes you heard correctly - I am going to do it! That's all for now, hopefully more to come this week.

Road Runner Half Marathon

2007-10-26T16:47:00.003-07:00

Here is the certificate from the First Annual Kent Women's Half Marathon from last weekend. The middle photo on the right is a shot of me and my dog Darby taking off at the start.

My next challenge

2007-10-26T16:00:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I am going to shoot for my first marathon. I have been training (more off than on) and I have ran two half marathons. My goal is the marathon in April from Ellensburg to Yakima. I'll post more once I get this all down. I'll also put photos of my finsh at my first 1/2 marathon.

newbie, cut me some slack.

2007-04-25T16:25:00.000-07:00

ok, bear with me, I am totally new to the 'blog' thing and my on-line connection is antique. I am a new 'runner' and I just completed my first 5k. Keep in mind that 9 weeks ago I was not able to run 60 seconds without huffing and puffing! The Y-run club has kept me focused and motivated.
I will keep adding info as I become 'blog' savy!