58.45 miles this week!

This is the 20 mile route I did tonight - the first of three scheduled 20 mile runs before the big weekend. 48 oz of Mountain Berry Blue Powerade (Become a Fan!), Vanilla Bean Gu, and 20 oz of Water gave me 400 calories in, and 2,971 calories out. Post run recovery of 16 oz organic chocolate soy milk with 300 calories... that's still over 2,000 calorie deficit!

I am now going to bed... should be able to get a good 7 1/2 hours.. hope I can walk in the morning!

Extra Rest Day = Better Performance

It's been an interesting week, it has.

Had to work on Sunday, getting ready for the "go live" we've been working toward over the last 6 months. Then decided to have some co-workers over for dinner - instead of running the 14 miles I was suppose to. I justified it because my left calf had been hurting like crazy, and we had a going away celebration for our recovery project manager on Wednesday, so I planned to do 14 miles on Monday, 7 on Tuesday, and 7 on Thursday. That would get me back on schedule.

Well, Monday went well, and I got in 13.25 miles. I really thought I would wimp out after just 5 or so, so was really happy when the miles kept racking up. I even could have turned around at mile 11, but I didn't. I fueled up pretty well during the day, and I had some Blue Powerade before, and brought it along wih me in my water belt. That extra rest day helped.

Only problem was I found out that my dad has had some numbness in his face, and couldn't bink his right eye.

Tuesday, I ended up having some co-workers over again, and only got 1 mile in, right before my training session. I didn't eat very well, and I felt it. I also felt my calf. I think I pulled something, and doing calf raises didn't help.

We found out my dad's issues were not a stroke or a tumor, so that is good.

We had our celebration at Fleming's Steakhouse on Wednesday; fun times for all. No running, though. And poor sleep, ony about 4 hours.

Last night, I pondered, but came up with another excuse. Had to get up early and get on a plane to ATL. And was tired. And whatever else.

So I am trying to get back in the swing. Only one week until my weigh in with Jill, after 5 weeks of training with her.

holy crap & oh my gawd

I am starting up my training plan for my half and full marathons this season, and I cannot believe how tough just a few miles can be. The good news is that I can go for a run at 8:30 in the evening and not freeze to death.

I've still got something wrong with my shoe set up. I am thinking that it is time for a new set of Superfeet, but it's so hard to pay $35 for a pair of insoles. They've gotten me some good miles, so I'll stop being so cheap. Probably go look for some tomorrow.

I downloaded the new Frosty, Heidi and Frank Uncensored podcasts. I use to listen to the Jamie, Frosty and Frank show when they were in LA and I was in Denver. It was interesting hearing them again, and more interesting that they found another woman as wild as Jamie to replace her. They sounded different than I remembered, but good to giggle to while I ran.

Having a real hard time getting out of my eating rut. Carbs are too addicting. I want to get back to my eating plan, but I think at this point I don't want it want it. I think to myself "wow, I feel so much better when i eat better, where's that cheeseburger?" Talk about non sequitur. Not sure how I'll get past that. I know - just say no. Whatever Nancy.

I finally got a good night's sleep, but I had to wake up at 6:30, which just does not work for me. I hope to do it again! Wow, I need a life. I think it's the diet soda. Too much too close to bed. Night before last I was up at 1:40 pacing the apartment wondering what to clean. Ok, last night may have been the mojitos from Havana in Walnut Creek. That's some good stuff. Not close to the eating plan, but good stuff.

, I'm excited to move forward. Nine weeks to the Bay to Breakers. Countdown begins.

Into burlington

Just got into Burlington. Going to bed! So not ready for a race in less than 6 hours sleep!

Missed flight

I planned to fly standby on JetBlue to Burlington, VT for the Green Mountain Marathon, but the flight was full.

I will be sleeping in the SFO airport tonight, since there isn't really time to get back home nor get a hotel before the 8:00 am flight.

Ugh!

This week in my running life...

I just finished up a 4 mile run and my big glass of chocolate milk. Was kinda rushed this morning, so I didn't have the chance to pack up my lunch, like I have been this week. Following the ELMO method really helps, and there is not a lot of forgiveness if it's ignored.

Sunday, we ran the "big 16" in Berkeley. The coach changed up two things on us: moved us to a 3:1 run/walk split, and dropped us to 13 min per mile. That was not where I wanted to go, as I am still hoping for a sub-5 run. Our group was pretty large, so we split into two groups, and I was the "pace nazi" of the group I was in. We came in at 12:52, so I think we did pretty good. We have the Speedy McSpeedsters that I couldn't keep back, and those in the back that run only on the weekends that had a bit of trouble keeping up, so it was a little challenging.

Monday, I met up with my friend Heather, who was competing in the Wildflower Tri in Lake San Antonio. She's looking great, very in shape, and it was good to see her again. Unfortunately, I bowed out of my exercises - the bike and lifting. I did go to PF Chang's! (Bad part.. I had been diligent to ELMO all day, and kinda blew it with Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Beef and Brocoli. Good part.. I skipped the Coldstone! Yey me.)

Tuesday, I made up for the missing workout. 3.35 miles on the stationary bike, and a 4 mile run immediately after. Was a little tough, legs were not use to that shift, but I felt good about it overall. Not sure if I should have followed a 16 miler with that so soon after.

Wednesday, I decided to have some co-workers over for a BYOW party (that's bring your own wine) and I made up some light snack foods. I followed ELMO most of the day, and even in the evening, I ate small amounts slowly. The wine, on the other hand, was completely out of the program, so I blew it. Went to bed late, and got up early.

And now we're at Thursday. Like I said, I was rushed, so it was a Quizno's sub for lunch and two chicken breasts when I got home. Waited a few hours, then the 4 mile run. Rough. I really felt like I was forcing my way through it. Felt it in my legs and in my head - was a tough day at the office, and that always seems to carry through.

Anyway, I hope to get some good sleep tonight, finish up the week with a nice easy day tomorrow (both work and exercise)

Saturday completely off - can't wait!

Sleep

I got another 7 miles in last night, same route as Tuesday. Tried the same eating routine - a nice bowl of angel hair pasta the night before, sports drink, but it was much tougher than Tuesday. The major factor, I think, was sleep. I didn't sleep very well or long enough (only 6 hours) on Tuesday night (thanks to having to complete my taxes, then up early for work) or Wednesday, from simply tossing and turning. Felt tired at the gym on Wednesday, and

Even though I was tired, I still think the run went well. I was proud of myself for "making it happen" even though I didn't really want to. Yey!

So now, Travis, my mom, my grandma, and my aunt are coming to town, late on Saturday night, and then I have to run 14 miles on Sunday. I say that like I am not looking forward to it, but I think I really am. With 17.5 nicely run miles under my belt this week, 14 should be very comfortable. Unfortunatley, I am a little anxious about how much sleep I will get. I have to be at SFO at 9:30, so not home until 10:30, then back at the Berkeley Marina at 8 am.

The good news is I took today off, to try to get caught up. Bad news is I had a meeting at 9, then have to get the car looked at, and I will end up running errands and cleaning the house all day. So much for rest.

Well, as soon as I hear from the car place, I will run to Concord - literally. It's about 3 miles up the Iron Horse trail, which is perfect for today. It's right beside the office, so I will hit the gym there, then get the car cleaned. What a day.

Tough Day

Actually the whole week has been a little tough. I've got a lot on my mind - with the job and with the personal life. I took awhile to decide if I was going to run at all, and didn't get out there until 8:30 pm. I was trying to decide if I should do 5 today, and 2.5 tomorrow, or just do 7.5 tomorrow. Since I wasn't able to get out Tuesday, I did my run and the bike, upper body, and ab work all on Wednesday, then woke early this morning, so I really think I am overly exhausted. I wish I could sleep in, but I have to get in for a meeting at 8:30.. yet again.

I did the first two miles on the treadmill, but found that to be excessively boring and the exercise room at my apartment complex was so HOT. Sweating like crazy.

Did the next mile and a half around the block. Thought hard about just going in, but somehow, something kick in, and I picked up the next half mile and little bit to end up at 4.3. Pretty good for today.

I ended up totally resetting my iPod, hoping my Nike+ won't crap out on me again. I still love it, just a little upset at it. Behind on two challenges now. How sad for me. I guess I only really need to make up 3 miles, but it will be difficult on one.

Less than 5 miles away from my 100 mile training mark!

Die hard?

I am sitting in my hotel room in Tulsa OK, 1:13 am, just got in from California. Have a meeting at 7:30 am. Should have run 4.5 miles today, didn't have time. Having an ongoing "discussion" with a significant other that's just taking its toll on me.

Alarm is set for 5:45. Will I get up and run? Or will I blow it off? Tune in here and see.

1:40 and still up..

... but Psych is good. Need to be up at 7am. Will be a short night. And I was just getting rested. Darn.