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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

So...

I'm about 100 miles behind my goal right now.  Not exactly the words I'd like to be typing.  As you may know, I want to run 1000 miles this year.  I know I only ran 150 miles last year (since August) so anything more than that is an improvement...but I'm kind of an overachiever.   Ugh...so what do I do now?  Change my goal?  Push harder?  I know it's still early in the year but the year is 1/4 of the way done too. 

I seem to be having a problem finding the time to get out on the road.  Between the kids, work, rain, life...time is hot commodity.  I guess I will just keep pushing myself forward.  I think I am going to focus on smaller achievements right now.  Like setting goals per month instead of the overall year goal.  Stepping stones seem to help me.  I know I have more in me! 

So I am sending out a shout out for help!!!  Help me set a goal for April! 

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Half Fanatic!

I did it!  I hit one of my goals this year!!! 

I am officially Half Fanatic #905 :) 

Erik also qualified a month ago but waited to sign up with me so our numbers were aligned.  He is officially #906!  I qualified with 3 Half Marathons in 85 days.  Erik qualified with 3 races in 78 days. 

If you want more information on the Half Fanatics or want to know how to qualify, here is their link! 

http://www.halffanatics.com/

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Dizzy Daze 1/2 Marathon - Seattle, WA

This was a beautiful course around Green Lake in Seattle!  It was a wonderful, low key event that I will definitely run again.  The scenery was lovely, the other runners (even those not running the race) were very encouraging, the staff who put the race on were very organized and friendly, and it was overall just a wonderful event!

My alarm went off at 4:45am.  Ugh...have I mentioned I'm not the greatest of morning people?  Well...I hit snooze.  5am rolled around and my second alarm went off.  I guess it was time to get up.  Luckily, I have an awesome husband who gathered up most of my racing stuff for me the night before so I didn't have much to do this morning.  I got out of bed, got dressed in my cute new long sleeved tech shirt for today's race (because I knew it was supposed to be colder with possible rain) and favorite Nike Dri-fit capris, did my hair and went downstairs.  Erik had already gathered up my armband for my GPS, my headphones, my electrolytes, a banana, and my aleve. 

Once Erik was ready we took off for Seattle.  As always, we made a pit stop at Starbucks for my usual pre-race tall drip coffee with 1 splenda and cream.  We had stopped in Federal Way so I was able to eat my banana and sip my coffee on the way to Seattle from there.  We found the starting point without any problems.  I checked in and got my goody bag.  I was #167 this race.  I was told if I wanted to start early I could or I could wait until 8am.   I decided to hit the restroom and go for the early start. 


To complete the 1/2 marathon I had to do 4 laps of the lake on the outer course.  The first mile of each loop of the lake was always the hardest for me.  There were the most obstacles on the course there.  Lots of tree roots coming out of the ground, curbs to go up and down, and pipes sticking out of the ground.  Once I got past that though, it was easy sailing!  Erik was hiding out waiting to take pictures of me as I ran by...here is one:


While I was out on the course I realized...I want to join a running group...BAD!  I passed several groups out running together talking, running, having fun...I want that.  I also loved running around the lake because the other runners were so supportive of the racers.  I passed another woman who was going the opposite direction as me at least 3 of the loops and she was cheering me on every time we passed each other.  It was so nice!

Once I arrived back to the starting point of Lap 1, the organizers of the race told me I had won a prize!  I have never won a prize for racing other than the consolation medals and things.  I was so excited that I think I picked up my pace for Lap 2!  3/4 of the way through Lap 2, I saw Erik standing there with a water bottle.  Aww...my husband and water!  He's been injured for the last month but he decided to try and run a mile with me.  It was great to finally have some company :)  I had one minor interruption when a giant lab thought I was his mom and he decided to lunge at me.  That threw me off a bit but I kept going. 

Lap 3 was the hardest physically for me.  I stopped at the check-in tent to empty my shoes of all the gravel they had collected from the trail I had been running on.  That ate up about 1 minute of the clock but it was so worth it to not be stepping on rocks anymore.  The rain they had predicted had also started at the beginning of Lap 3 which made me very cold.  My hands had turned so purple and they hurt to bend them through most of this lap.  Oh yeah, I almost totally bit it on one of those tree roots too!  That's a problem with me when I don't wear my glasses to run...can't see too far ahead of me :)

During Lap 3, I also really wanted to stop off at the restrooms again but I knew from the tent that I was on pace to PR again.  I didn't want to take anymore time off the clock then I had to so...I kept on running.  The worst problem though...I realized that the band aid I had but under my bra line (like I always do) had come loose.  I knew there was something wrong but didn't want to stop to look.  What I came to find out at the end of the race was that my bra had rubbed me so raw I had bled through my bra and even through my new tech shirt!  Ugh!!! 

Final Lap!  What glorious words!!!  I still hadn't stopped except to empty my shoes so I thought, what the heck...I'm going to try and run the whole thing!  Mile 10 was fine.  I think I was still pacing to finish around 2:05.  Mile 11, I felt myself starting to slow.  My breathing was still great.  Actually, it was the best it's ever been in a race.  I was never once gasping for air.  It was a nice, constant rhythm but I felt my body starting to tell me that it had never run this far without stopping.  Oh oh!  I found myself talking to myself..."Come on Sharon!  You are strong!  You've got this! Just pass this guy!"  What ever it took just to will by legs to continue.  I came up to the only crosswalk in the whole race and my legs started to walk.  I thought, "What the heck are you doing?  Keep going!"  So, I forced them to run some more.  I also kept looking around hoping that maybe Erik was waiting along the course to finish the last mile with me.  Like the great husband he is, he was waiting at the finish line with a camera in hand :)

As I approached the finish line the group of organizers started clapping and yelling for me :)  What a great feeling!  I made the final loop around the parking lot and finished in a time of 2:08:27!  A new PR for me :)  It's amazing what torture we can put our bodies through and yet feel so good afterwards.  By the way, my prize was an Asics Hat!  I was stoked because I have been wanting a new running hat. 


p.s.  This race also allowed me to complete my miles for the #cupcakemarathon!  That would be my first marathon ever :)  Who cares if it was over a few days time?!?  :)

Friday, March 25, 2011

New Playlist!

Finally updated my playlist just in time for tomorrow's race!  Not in any particular order because I will hit shuffle anyway.  It's random as always!  Here it is:

Bad Influence - P!nk
Violet Hill - Coldplay
American Girl - Tom Petty
Gotta Be Somebody - NickelbackUse Somebody - Kings of Leon
Sing - My Chemical Romance
Wonderwall - Oasis
Jesus Walks - Kanye West
Jai Ho - Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack
All I Hear - Train
I Write Sins Not Tragedies - Panic! At the Disco
Dog Days Are Over - Florence and the Machine
Sober - P!nk
If I Had You - Adam Lambert
Loser Like Me - Glee
The Best Thing About Me is You - Ricky Martin/Joss Stone
Please Forgive Me - David Gray
Breakeven - The Script
Beautiful Day - U2
She's On Fire - Train
Liquor Store Blues - Bruno Mars
Alright - Darius Rucker
Rockstar - Nickelback
Toes - Zac Brown Band
Let It Roll - Train
Waka Waka - Shakira
Cupid Shuffle - Cupid
Forever - Chris Brown
Funhouse - P!nk
Born This Way - Lady Gaga
Coming Home - Train
Message to Myself - Melissa Etheridge
UBerlin - REM
Free - Zac Brown Band
It's A Great Day To Be Alive - Travis Tritt

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Not the best running day

Something was just off today.  I woke up early enough to go for at least a 3-5 mile run this morning.  I hopped onto my new treadmill (new to me, but used) and began my run.  That's when everything bad began.  The treadmill's belt seems to be too loose.  I decided to still give it a try though since it was dark out when I began my run.

Within the first .50 miles of my run though, the GPS kept shutting off.  Not once, not twice, but four different times!  VERY IRRITATING!!!  I know I could run without my GPS but I am really trying to log my miles right now and I prefer to use that tool to help me out.  I decided it was time to give up for the morning and try again after work.

Once I was off work, I decided to give the treadmill another shot.  Bad news, same thing kept happening.  I hung in there for 1.15 miles but the loose track and bad GPS was so frustrating that I took myself outside and went for a quick lap around the neighborhood. 

I'm glad I did!  I paced my fastest mile of the year to date 7'55"/mile.  WOOHOO!  I think all that anger was helpful in today's run.  I only accomplished 1 more mile though because it was starting to rain.  Like I said, today just was not the best running day for me.  I hope it went better for everyone else!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Taking a little break.

I decided I need to take a break  Okay maybe not a break...just choose a new start date for my P90X program.  I don't know why I decided to start it a 1 1/2 weeks before a half marathon!  What was I thinking?!?  Plus, I already had to take a 3 day break from it for ophthalmology conferences in Seattle. 

I was really enjoying the program...even if it was just a little sample of it.  I can't wait to get the resistance bands to improve my workouts and also the pull-up bar.  I can already tell this is going to be a kick-ass program!  So with that being said...I will put it off until after my half marathon on Saturday.  After that...I will take it on full force!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

A quick run

The weather has been so bi-polar lately and today I wasn't taking any chances.  Looking out the windows of the house, to one side...sun...to the other side....clouds.  My choice, gym!  Off to the YMCA I went.

I was hoping to get in a long run because I need to log some miles before my upcoming half marathon but unfortunately my run got cut short.  The YMCA track was pretty busy this morning.  The first three miles of my run started off fine.  People were following the lanes properly but at about mile 3.5 is when my "runner's rage" kicked in (here's to you @Runnergirltrain).  People started wandering into my lane and taking up the whole track as they decided to have social hour.  UGH!

I passed the culprits about 10 more times before I had to actually yell at them.  As I was approaching the 5, yes 5, people taking up the WHOLE track while chatting away...I kindly yelled out "runner" about 20 feet before I got to them.  They didn't budge.  10 feet to them I yelled "RUNNER" louder...nothing!  They didn't move at all.  So here came the runner's rage.  I had to physically turn sideways and bust through the opening in the wall of people with my hands in the air as I kindly said "runner" again!  I may have *brushed* them too.  Oh well, they shouldn't have taken up the whole track.  Did I mention that the lap before that I had to go out on to the carpet (off the track to avoid the same people)?

Needless-to-say, a could of laps after that and I was done.  I was not going to risk injury to get extra miles in.  I hate letting others determine my workout time but I wasn't going to let them ruin it for me.  The plus side is that I averaged a 8'57/mile average.  :)

Power Song of the Day: Jesus Walks - Kanye West

892.54 miles to 1000 miles for the year.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

P90X - Day 2

Well, I managed to get my butt up and out of bed at 5:10am today!  That is hard for me to do but if I want to work out in peace then that's what I have to do.  Today's workout Plyometrics.  This is the disc that I've heard is the one to watch out for.  Everyone always told me how hard it is.  I have to say...it really wasn't that bad.

Maybe it's because most of my workouts are so cardio based anyways.  I didn't have any trouble keeping up with Tony and the crew through all the lunges, squats and jumps.  I had to modify a couple of them for fear of waking up the family so early in the morning.  Instead of doing the Rock Star jumps, I did more squats and instead of the Mary Katherine jumps I still did the May Katherines' without jumping (more of just lunging). 

It was a good way to start my day.  Also, I am happy to report...not very sore from yesterday :)  A little sore in the shoulders but that's it. 

I wanted to go for a run tonight but my 3 year old wasn't having it.  That is one of the downfalls to being a full time working parent.  My son has to go to daycare all day and doesn't want to go to the gym daycare once I get home.  After I am home, it's full-on "Mommy-Brycie" time.  He's worth giving up the time for :)

Monday, March 14, 2011

P90X - Day 1

I decided since I hit my goal weight a while ago, it is time to hit my fitness goal....TO TONE UP!  After much consideration, I chose the P90X program.  I know people who have completed it, who haven't completed it, who liked it, who got great results, who got their butts kicked...sounds like my kind of workout.

I am going to go with the Classic program.  I will see how it goes.  My heart tells me to choose the Lean program because it is cardio based but that is the reason I am not going that route.  It would be too close to what I am currently doing and I need to push myself a little harder. 

I did the Chest and Back disc today.  I don't currently have the pull-up bar so I did have to modify the program a bit.  Everytime they did something on the pull-up bar, I just did overhead weights in the same fashion as the pull-up.  I also modified some of the push ups. 

Unfortunately, I have what is called an "essential tremor."  Think of Katherine Hepburn.  I have an uncontrollable tremor that acts up when I am overexerted, nervous, too cold, and eventually just with age.  It's not common with people my age but none-the-less, I have it.  When I do certain strength based exercises (like push ups and one legged activities) my tremor goes into overdrive!  It's not your normal shake that comes with exercise either. :)

Anyway...I had to modify some of the push ups, like the decline push ups, because my tremor was interfering.  I substituted with planks instead.  Still a good workout but with a stable base! :)  The diamond push ups were also a struggle so I just did those at an incline against the back of my couch. 

I finished my workout with the Ab Ripper X DVD.  WOW!  That made me sweat!!!  15 minutes of core, abs, and stability.  I know I will see results with that one in no time.  Again, some modifying because of my tremor.  Holding my tremor filled legs straight up is quite difficult but I pushed through.  I can't wait to see the results in the next 90 days. 

Next on the to-do list...buy a tape measure.  I have to measure myself so I have before and after results.  Wish me luck!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

I love Sundays!

I really do!!!  It's the day that I get the time to do a full workout in.  Today was another butt-kicking session with Amy at the YMCA.  It was an intense 45 minute spin class today!  Half way through we did a 13 minute hard hill climb that I was fully sweating through.  As she finally let us sprint down the hill the class began to cheer.  Amy couldn't figure out why...until we all noticed the the overhead fans weren't on!  The wind from the fans made me feel like I was pedaling even that much faster!

After class I went for a nice jog around the track.  I have been sick for a majority of the week and today was the first day that I could breathe through my nose...I planned to take full advantage of it.  About a mile into my run, I noticed my neighbor, Rob, was on the track.  We usually run about the same pace so I joined him and had company for the remainder of my run.  At mile 2, there was a girl who I met on Wednesday who was also running.  She and I keep a similar pace and she had given me some nice encouragement the other day.  So as Rob and I ran by her, I tapped her on the arm and she joined in. 

It really was so nice to have a group to run with today!  It is rare for me since I am so used to running by myself.  I didn't get the name of the girl who I ran with since we were focused but we agreed to meet up again on Wednesday.  I may have finally found a running buddy!!!

MILETIMEPACE
1         9:30           9'30"
219:009'29"
328:429'42"
Power Song of the Day: Waka Waka - Shakira
897.19 miles to 1000 miles for the year!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Dick & Rick Hoyt

This is such an amazing father and son. What a true inspiration!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

81 Laps

That's how many laps it takes to run 9 miles at the YMCA I go to...and I ran it today.  I actually ran a little further but my GPS was off.  I am now .18 miles away from 100 miles for the year!  It's funny when you run around the track...you see all sorts of crazy things. 

Here are a few I saw today:
  1. A woman dressed in full hiking gear, along with giant backpack, walking the track. 
  2. A man doing tae-kwon-do as he did laps around the track
  3. A elderly man do physical therapy rehabilitation (the wrong way on the track) with the assistance of 2 helpers. 
  4. A lady who did her whole workout on the elliptical one handed because she was holding a book the entire time in her other hand.
  5. A man who wore a tuxedo t-shirt for his workout and another man in a pharmacy/lab coat looking t-shirt.
  6. Another lady who talked on her cell phone through her whole elliptical workout.
It's easy for me not to think about much while I am running but some of the people I came across today made go hmmm.....

http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/plus/#//runs/detail/676716880/1099860576/all/allRuns/
http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/plus/#//runs/detail/676716880/965642856/all/allRuns/

Power Song of the day:  Let's See How Far We've Come - Matchbox20

900.18 miles to 1000 for the year. :)

Sunday, March 6, 2011

This journey

It's funny, I've had a lot of people comment to me lately about how "tiny" I look.  I'm not sure if it's a compliment or more of a statement?!?  The thing that makes me sad is that my current size is actually the size I have been for a majority of my life...I just lost control of it for a while.  I'm happy to say I won't be going back to the way I was when I lost my direction!

Let me show you why...

This is me at my heaviest:
Like I said...I lost control.  I got married to my wonderful husband in April 2005 and put on some "happy weight".  I had our last child in July 2007 and he was my "excuse" for not losing the weight.  I lost my mom to lung and brain cancer in April 2007 then I lost my dad to the same thing in June 2009.  Again, very sad...but more excuses. 

In September 2009, my husband and I went on vacation and I can honestly say that when I saw our vacation pictures I was disappointed in myself.  It was at that moment that I had my "A-HA" moment!  I picked my husband up after a Seahawks game and drove straight to the local YMCA and signed up our whole family! 

After a year of butt-kicking spin classes, becoming a smiling runner :), and learning how to actually eat a true portion size of food...

The rest is history.

So here we are March 2011, almost 45 lbs lighter, I am back down to my healthy, normal self.  The self that I am familiar with, the self that people who have known me in the last few years will grow to recognize as my normal self and not my "tiny" self,  and the people who may just be getting to know me will always know as just Sharon.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

10 miles to go

Actually a little less then that to reach my first 100 miles for the year.  I'm not going to lie - I am happy and sad about this both at the same time.  I am happy because I can't believe I have run almost 100 miles this year but I am sad because I thought I would have already accomplished this by now.  Since my goal is to run about 80 miles a month on average - I should have been there and done that.  Regardless... overcoming a stress fractured foot to start the year and training for my 3rd half marathon in 90 days...I am still a happy runner!

Which brings me to my accomplishments this week.  I have already run a total of 23.57 miles this week!  Phew...I am tired.  I think that is the furthest I have ran in a week combined.  Not bad for someone who just began running in August of last year.  I must say, I have MUCH respect for marathon runners.  I can't believe they can make their legs run that far in a single race :)

Anyways, I am proud of myself this week.  I found my mojo again (even if it meant running at the gym) and I was able to run 5 times this week, 4 days were in a row!  Half Fanatics here I come!!!!

Power Songs this week included:  The Finish Line - Train 
                                                    Born This Way - Lady Gaga
                                                    Jai Ho - Slumdog Millionaire Sndtrk


909.22 miles to 1000 miles for the year!

p.s.  Thanks Rory for making me check out Twitter.  I know I was reluctant to do so but I have met some amazing runners there and it's a great forum to expand my running family!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Lunch break run

The weather had been bi-polar all morning but the sun was shining bright during my lunch break so I decided to hit the pavement.  It seemed like a good idea at the time :) 

As I headed down the road I was going at a pretty quick pace for me.  I was averaging in the 8 minute/mile range.  Holding steady for the first mile too.  Then I as I got to the Manette Bridge all hell broke loose!  A massive hail storm decided to open up on me and I was being pelted in the face.  It was horrible!  It was too late to turn back now because I was nearly at the halfway point any direction that I was going to go.

As I began crossing the bridge, I slowed to a walk and decided to hide next to a tarp (they are repairing the bridge right now).  Thankfully a bridge worker came up to me and offered to block the hail for me so I could continue across.  I walked alongside him for a little bit then thanked him and told him I was ready to brave the weather again.  I guess chivalry isn't dead :)

Up 11th street I went.  I managed to hit every red light.  Typical!  Turned at headed towards the Warren Avenue Bridge.  My left ribs have been sore lately and recently my chiropractor told me I popped my rib out of place...  Well, as I was crossing the bridge, I felt like maybe my rib slipped out of place again.  I had to walk for a good portion of that bridge too. 

I made it back to work in one piece!  I still managed to finish the 3.1 miles in 29:31 minutes.  Not bad despite the weather and pain in my ribcage.  Hopefully the next run will be less eventful :)

Power Song of the Day: Viva La Vida - Coldplay

926.7 miles to 1000 miles for the year.