I Get It

Okay, so one of my running friends has been quite upset at her recent picture from our latest race.  I really couldn't see what the big deal was.  Besides, I thought she looked great, but she has been pretty down about it.  So today I got an email from that same race saying my photos from the event were available for viewing.  Now I get it.  After seeing my photos of me running, I am pretty disgusted with how much heavier I look.  You have this vision of what you think you look like when you are running, but then when you see the reality, it is quite a shock.  How did I gain so much weight?  Well I know the answer to that.  Too much work, too much ice cream, too much stress, and not enough running.  I am thankful that I have the afternoons off for the next 3 weeks to try to shed some of the extra pounds.  Until then, it will be a bunch of grumpy moms running together.

Showing Up

Runners have a saying that "half the battle is just showing up" and today couldn't have been more true.  After our race this weekend, Patty and I were not feeling it and we were just looking for an excuse to cancel.  It's cold, we're still too sore, we're tired, we haven't made dinner yet, etc, etc.  However, the extra pounds we are both trying to lose were nagging at us a little louder than the other excuses not to run and thankfully so.  As bad as I felt today, I think we both felt good that we were able to get in 3.5 miles.  Sure it was slow, but it was a recovery run. 

The same goes for any race we enter.  I know we are contemplating the next race and whether we are going to be in good enough shape for it, but it doesn't matter.  Let's face it, we'll never be in good enough shape and good enough shape for what?  The Olympics?  We're not going to be breaking any records so why not just show up and enjoy the journey.  The benefits come from the training and the feeling you get after finishing another race.

Race Day Memories

I was reminded today of why I like to race.  There's something about the excitement on race.  Runners are a very social group of people and they have no problem striking up conversations with complete strangers, even if it is while waiting in line to use the bathroom in Ralphs Grocery Store (Thank you Ralphs!). As I stood in line talking to various women in line and watching my friends do the same, I realized that this is what running is all about, the camaraderie among runners.  It's also about sharing joys and pains of running with your fellow friends who have struggled and celebrated with you on your various journeys to becoming a better you as a runner and as a person.  During the race, I noticed a man running in front of me with a prosthetic leg and I realized I had no excuses.  I am fortunate to be able to run with both legs so why was I so phobic about entering a race?

I am happy to say that for the most part, we were all happy with our race results, although I can't speak for the dueling Mayeda boys.  Actually I don't think there's a duel, just a healthy competition among brothers.  It was nice to see them both out and running and having them cheer for us as we came in.  As for the hills, they really weren't all that bad.  I think our training was just right for it.  As for the course, it's supposed to be a pretty course, but I really didn't look around too much.  I was just trying to stay on course and keep from tripping.  Maybe next time I'll pay attention to the scenery some more.  First we have to figure out what our next race will be.  Can't wait!

Official 10K Results:
Marisol 55:37
Kwan 58.50
Bonnie 1:02.36
Caryn 1:01.29
Patty 1:01.53
Jerry 56.59
Ben 1:03.02
Andrew 42.26
Steven 42.54

Almost Race Day

It's hard to believe we are actually going to be in a race tomorrow.  It seems like such a long time since the last race, I believe it was the Santa Clarita 5K.  That was quite an experience!  At least for tomorrow's race it will be substantially drier.  As usual, I made my pre-race dinner of spaghetti with meat sauce.  I think it's more psychological than anything else, but hey we can use all the help we can get.  The only thing I'm dreading is the time we have to meet to get there, 5:30 a.m., which means I'll have to get up around 4:30 a.m.  Really?  Why do races have to be so damn early?  Stay tuned for results.....

Spring Break

My spring break has begun, well sort of.  I have three weeks off from my afternoon teaching job, which means I will be able to put in some more miles during the next few weeks.  I'm sure my poor neglected friends will be glad too.  I am so thankful to have very patient friends who still let me run with them, even if it's only on the weekends.  I do wonder why they keep me around.  Is it because they like having an even number of runners? Three's a crowd, four is more?  I mean, is it really a team jersey if only two out of the four wear the same shirt by accident?  Would they only get to sample 3 pastries with coffee after a run rather than 4.  Besides, who will wear the GPS watch if I'm not there and share the GU?  Who will be there to crack the whip when bathroom and water breaks are beckoning?  Watch out girls, she's back, at least for three weeks :)

Hello Blog!

There is something about having your own blog versus posting on facebook.  I've neglected this site since spending more time on FB, but really a blog that's meant for a specific purpose, running in this case, really does serve an entirely different purpose.  It's a way to reflect your thoughts, but in a less intrusive way than on FB because people get annoyed at you if you post things they aren't really interested in.  I guess if you are reading this, it's because you specifically went to the site to find out what we're up to.

Which leads me to what we're up to......
I first wanted to say not much since I took on another job this year.  My poor friends' running have suffered as a result of my new work schedule; however, we have decided to not be completely defeated by my job and have registered for an upcoming 10K.  We decided to just sign up since it would give us a goal and help us train for something rather than just running aimlessly, which we seem to do a lot of.  Thankfully due to the upcoming 10K, we have been a little more focused. Regardless of how we do next weekend, the race helped us run a little better and a little stronger as a result.  Stay tuned for results next week and maybe a picture or two.  It's good to be back.

Hills

Caryn and I set out to do a more intensive hill workout today.  We had planned on running to the top of the plateau at Central Park two times, but our glutes and calves were screaming NO MORE!!!!!!  Ironically it was actually easier on the second attempt, but we had already planned to go only halfway up and come down the other way.  Our goal is to make it all the way to the top without stopping.

I have been inspired by a new book I'm reading called "Born to Run".  The story got me hooked right away because the author went on a quest to find out why his foot hurts when he runs.  As it turns out, his pain is in the same exact spot as where I've been having problems and so I'm curious to find out how it all turns out.

The Perfect Run

Just as surfers look for that one perfect wave, runners are always chasing after that one perfect run.  Today, I would have to say was pretty much near perfect except we were missing our running buddy, Patty.  We couldn't have asked for better running weather this morning.  Caryn and I ran a slow and steady pace out of Lowes and really focused on distance rather than pace and was able to log in 7.8 miles with no pain.  We even managed a decent pace of about 10.5.  It was so nice to finally get in a long run without any aches and pain and the legs feeling pretty good.  Now if only Patty would return to join us and then it will be perfect.

Creeping up

Today just Caryn and I ran since Patty is away in paradise.  All I can say is that I'm glad we ran as long as we did at a respectable pace considering we haven't been doing any long runs.  It's nice to finally see the miles creeping up again.  Now if only we can see the pace start creeping down.

No More?

We have been very bad lately as far as keeping up the blog and running that some might be wondering if we have completely given up running altogether.  Trust me the thought has crossed my mind and we've come close, but we are still at it.  Now that I am all done with my credential program, we have been adding the number of runs we are getting in during the week to more than just 1.  My body is going into shock, but I am going to work towards getting back in shape.

I know my friends are on the same page as me about getting back in shape because we seem to be telepathically sending messages about what we should wear while running.  Two days in a row, we have managed to show up wearing the same color, and even the same shirt.  We have even received comments like "hey great color coordination!" from fellow runners.  I guess great minds do think alike.