Yes We're Running

Yes, my friends and I are still running...sort of.  We're running whenever our hectic schedule allows us to, but just not writing about it lately.  Between my credential program, Caryn's new job, and Patty's busy social life (ha, ha) we barely get two runs in a week.  We're still out there so don't give up on us yet.

Shopping for a New Car?

As Caryn, Patty, and I went for our long run on Saturday along the South Fork Trail, we unexpectedly also went car shopping.  The morning started out nice with the sun shining and most of us feeling pretty good, except for me.  I could tell that I was fighting some form of a cold or sinus infection and almost called in the night before to say I wouldn't make it.  That should have been an omen for me.  As we started running, my stomach became more and more upset, but I didn't say anything to my friends.  Then when we stopped at the water fountain off of Magic Mtn. Pkwy, Patty suddenly announces that she has the same problem.  Well we decide to try our luck and run to the end of the trail at Wiley and back.  Thankfully the Honda dealer is open early on Saturdays so we made a brief stop and used their facilities.  I think the three of us looked rather pathetic since it was rather hot out and we were dripping with sweat.  Both Patty and I are frequent customers there with past purchases and repairs so we didn't feel too badly about coming in without buying anything, but the look on the salesman's face was rather funny.  It was somewhere between shock and annoyance.  I wonder what he would have done if we decided to sit and sample the coffee and donuts too!

Central Bark

Lately, we've been running at Central Park quite often.  We like the new trails and the hilly terrain because it gives us a little more intense cardio workout.  However, every time we run there, someone mentions that they smell poop.  So far none of us have stepped in any, but it sure does smell like it from time to time, especially when running next to the dog park.  I love dogs.  In fact, I have one, but one of my biggest pet peeves (no pun intended) is when people don't pick up after their dogs.  And it isn't just at Central Park.  I see it all over the paseos of Valencia and along the river trails.  Sometimes going for a run is like running through a mine field.  Okay, enough with this topic.

Holidays are Here!

I cannot believe it is already December.  I really want time to move slowly because I know that once January is here, I will be hitting the books again in full swing and I will have very little time to run with my friends again.  I am really enjoying the little break I am having from school now that I am back to my regular running schedule with my friends.  It always seems like once Thanksgiving has passed, then Christmas is right around the corner.

After our run today at Central Park (our new favorite trail) Patty mentioned doing a cookie exchange party and instead we decided on a happy hour cocktail party.  Yes it's nice to trade many different types of cookies, but that would mean that I would have to actually bake cookies to exchange, which would send me into stress mode and it would also probably mean that I would eat all those different types of cookies to make sure they were all okay.  No, I think a cocktail party is much safer for my waistline.

Fabulous at 50!

We celebrated Patty's 50th birthday with a surprise get together at Caryn's house.  It was really hard trying to coordinate everything without tipping her off, but I think she really did think we were going out for happy hour at New Moon since she was the only one that got really dressed.  Well if you can look that good at 50 and be surrounded by good friends, then I guess getting older isn't so bad.  It was so nice to gather around the table with a great bunch of ladies and eat, drink, and be merry without finals, projects, or anything to worry about.

The party was a nice way to kick off our week off from work for the Thanksgiving holiday.  The extra days have given me some extra days to run, which I really missed.  I'm looking forward to the annual Turkey Trot where we will once again gather with a bunch of friends to eat, drink, and be merry again, but at least we'll run first this time.

Sleep, Run, Sleep

I have been savoring the luxury of being able to sleep in these past two days.  I tried to get up early on Saturday to go for a run, but my body just couldn't get out of bed.  Besides, the first Saturday without having to go to class should be spent sleeping in. Then I had plans of getting up early and finally getting in a long run, but again I just couldn't get up early enough.  I think my body is starting to decompress from all the stress of my classes and it has just started shutting down.  It's that fight or flight instinct.  I did manage to get out of bed by 9:30 and did go for a run, but not as long as I had hoped because it had gotten too hot already.  I managed a nice leisurely pace with my husband up and around both sides of the river trail from Decoro to Copperhill from our home, but it was really windy on the west side going up towards Copperhill.  Then coming down the trail on the east side the wind was at our back and the sun was up higher, which left no more shade and plenty of heat.  I am glad I finally got a run in, but I am going back to sleep now.

Almost Back to Normal

Things are finally starting to settle down a bit.  I have two more classes remaining and then I will be free from homework for a month or so.  It has been such a hectic and exciting week with two of my friends turning 50.  It makes me feel old (jk).  Patty, in honor of her birthday, actually had a senior moment when it came to her half-marathon, but I won't mention anymore about that now.  With my classes winding down, I have been able to run a few more times this week and finally got to try out the new course at Central Park.  It looks rather daunting, but I have to say it really isn't as bad as it looks.  It has become one of my favorites trails to run on now.  I am just glad to be running more again.  I am exhausted by the end of the day and really don't feel like going out for a run, but knowing that someone is waiting for me keeps me motivated.  The amazing thing about exercise is that you really do have more energy afterwards.  I really don't know how that works, but it does.  I hope I can stay motivated to run on my own since both of my running buddies will be out of town for the rest of this week.

Jealous

I am jealous because my friend Patty will be running the half-marathon without me this year.  I would love to run it, but I have not been training and don't think I will have the energy with school and everything.  This will be the first time in the last 3-4 years that I have not run the race.  I guess that means it's added pressure for Patty since she will be running it for me and C, if C decides not to run it either. 

This morning Patty and I ran from Peets to just before the Wiley Bridge for about a six mile run, but fell short due to a race that was going on.  We realized as we ran past the cones and the water station that there was a race going on and we were heading straight into the runners.  I think our miles probably ended up being 5.5 miles, but I felt like we ran it at a good pace.  Either that or I was talking too much and that's why I had a hard time breathing.  Good news is that my feet didn't hurt a bit.  I hope Patty does really well next weekend because all of our reputations are at stake (jk).

Hello Blog!

Our poor blog has been neglected lately.  It's not that we haven't been running, it's just that I've been too busy to run and write about.  I'm in the midst of taking 16 units while working and trying to do all my mom duties, but I am still running-just not as much.  For now I have to take what I can get.  It has been a real luxury to have this week off from work to get ahead on some homework and be able to run in the morning a couple of times.  My friends and I got together to celebrate another birthday and boy was that fun!  It is nice to get together with a bunch of gals you like and just be silly.  It was a nice break from all the studying I have been doing lately.

Depressing News

I was reading the news on the internet today and there was an article on the many ways we can ruin our skin and guess what is #3 on the list?  Yup, running.  I always thought exercise, including running, increased oxygen flow to the skin which in essence made it look healthier. Although, I do have to admit that I have noticed that women who run a lot, and I do mean a lot, tend to look wrinklier.  Their face has a very weathered look to it, but I always thought it was from increased sun and wind exposure.  So what is a girl to do?  Should we buy into the saying "beauty is only skin deep"? and focus on keeping our hearts healthy?  I guess I will continue to focus on the healthy aspects of running and let nature or gravity take it's course.  That doesn't mean I won't fight the process and start investing in some better anti-wrinkle cream either.  


3. Running (or any high-impact exercise): "While such exercise may benefit our hearts, it can cause the fat pads to slide south, and collagen and elastin to break down. If you enjoy running, try walking," explains Dr. Gross. OMG — remember on Ally McBeal when Jane Krakowski's character invented the face bra for jogging? It was for this!
Related: Celebrity Skincare Trends: 1994-Today