Monthly Archives: March 2012

I can do better

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Have you ever had a moment when you think, “I can do better?” It’s like, when you first start running you’re so proud of running one mile without stopping. Then three. Then five. And so on. And then you’re proud when you run a mile under 10 or 9 or however many minutes. You sign up for your first race- 5k, half marathon, marathon- and are SO proud when you cross the finish line. Then, at some point, you don’t stop being proud, per se, but you realize that what you’ve just completed isn’t good enough. That you can do better.

I had one of those moments this last Saturday. I ran the Canyon Meadow 50K trail run in Oakland. I finished with a time of 7:25. I remember being proud that I finished, but thinking I could’ve gone MUCH faster if I weren’t wading in 2 feet of mud for most of the race. Then a funny thing happened. I realized that I ALWAYS make excuses for myself. There’s always SOMETHING that prevents me from being the best I could be. Instead of settling for being a mediocre runner, maybe I can aim for something a little higher. Since it’s too late to train for AR50 (which is in less than 3 weeks), I’m planning on summoning my inner Rocky and training with intensity for the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance 50 Mile in July. Here are my plans:

-Aim to get a few 50-70 mile weeks

-Strength and cross train to help prevent my ol’ knees from breaking down

-Cut out junk miles and junk eating! This means miles and food that don’t have specific purpose, like running 2 miles when I could be resting or cross training. Or eating out of boredom. Does NOT mean cutting out junk food, because that always has a purpose. 😛

-Play Eye of the Tiger and run stairs in grey sweatsuit at least 3 times a week.

Some pictures from my lovely mud run this weekend:

I look funny because I didn't want anyone to see me taking a picture of myself. Or I'm just funny looking.

On a weird note: as I was running (ok walk/hobbling) the last 5 miles I saw a deer leg on the trail. Whaa??? Gross. Poor Bambi…

Top o' the marnin' to ya!

After I sprayed them down. Might have to say good-bye to them soon. And my toenail :(

Don’t Hate the Treadmill, Hate the Game

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I went to the gym the other day and only lasted a mile on the treadmill. Not because I hate the treadmill, mind you. It’s more of its place in the gym. Physically. In the 24 Hour Fitness I go to, the treadmills either face the entrance–and I mean you’re staring head on at anyone who comes in–or a mirror. Either way it’s an awkward situation and not a pleasant view. Also, I’m super-competitive on gym treadmills. On other equipment I’m fine. I can sit back and enjoy a magazine on the bike, or go Level 1 on the Stairmaster and not care what anyone else thinks. But running is my domain, and I get competitive on the treadmill. If there’s an overweight 70 year old man next to me, I’ll be damned if he runs faster! And if there are some desperate housewives gossiping and power-walking on my other side, you’ll be darned sure I’ll outlast them. Which is why I usually end up sprinting a mile, cut my losses and stop, and pretend like that’s what I meant to do.

A few years ago I made my parents put a treadmill in their garage. It comes in handy when it rains. (And when I want to stop by their house and eat their food. And steal their toilet paper.)

The ideal treadmill situation: GU, chapstick, waterbottle, and One Tree Hill. Oh, and no competition!

 

On a side note, trying to decide if I should run this on Saturday:Coastal Trail Runs throws AWESOME races but it’s gonna be raining and I don’t like getting dirty! 31 miles in the rain might suck…

Craigslist Tuesday

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I’ve been keeping an open mind about careers lately. If all goes well, I hope to be a high school English teacher. However being the ripe old age of 28 1/4, I know that life doesn’t always go as planned. Which is why I check Craigslist on the daily, just to be sure I don’t miss my true calling.

A highlight:

“ping pong player (lower haight)

I have a nice table but no partner. Will pay a good player to come over several hours a week to play and to teach me. (I play well enough but could get a lot better.)
Compensation: $20 an hour”

You would think being half-Chinese might help me with this one, but no, I suck. Too bad!! $20/hr ain’t nuthin’ to laugh at. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that “ping pong player” might be a euphemism for something else… hmm.

Thanks for NOT passing on the ping-pong gene Mom! :(

Lovely photo of me. Happy Tuesday!

Peas on my Knees and 730s

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See Mom? I do listen to you. (And yes, my parents are both actually doctors.)

 Icing my knees after an easy 5.7 mile run. Wearing New Balance 730’s. These are AWESOME road shoes. Super lightweight, flexible, and minimal. Have a nice wide forefoot with just enough cushioning. Not sure I’d be ready to take them out longer than 10 miles or so, but they sure do make my feet happy. Shout out to ZombieRunner for always having the most awesomest shoes!! Working there for me was like being an alcoholic bartender. Had to take a break. Must. Not. Buy. More. Shoes.

Here’s a shot from my run ’round the ‘hood.

This is where I run the last mile +. Beautiful view but lots of duck poo.

 

Excuses for AR 50

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Today my 20 mile run turned into the worst 8 miles ran by anyone, ever. I was too tired to run the uphills, and too worried about my knees to run the downhills. So I shuffled along the flat sections getting passed by 80 year olds and women pushing strollers. My dad, who thinks he’s a doctor or something, mentioned I might be pushing a little too hard. I guess I’ll heed his advice to take it easy. My mom, who also thinks she’s some kind of medical expert, suggested LOTS of icing. Glad I didn’t have to pay a co-pay for that advice :)

[Shoes worn: Saucony Mirages. But don’t hold it against them.]

I signed up for the American River 50 Mile Endurance run a few months ago. Plenty of time to train, right? You’d think…

Excuses for AR 50 (Why I didn’t train) and One Reason I’ll Finish

1. I was sick the month of February. Besides not being able to breathe during runs, I kept swallowing snot which made me nauseous. I’m a LADY I tell ya and I’ll never blow snot rockets!! I also polished off a bottle of NyQuil during that time and unlike Drew Brees in the commercial, I was NOT able to perform my best the next day. I kept weaving off course, probably still drowsy from my double-doses.

2. When not sick, I like to get about 12 hours of beauty sleep. Then in takes me an hour or so to wake up. Then I eat, and am too full to run. So it takes awhile to digest, and then I’m hungry again!! Sometimes I go through this cycle all day and realize that I’ve done nothing but eat, and that’s why I didn’t run…

3. I get discouraged if it’s too hot, too cold, too dark, or too crowded. I usually end up loving my run when I get out there, but I’m so good at talking myself out of things that it’s not even funny.

But I know I will finish because I am so darned stubborn that I won’t allow myself not to finish. It’s as simple as that. Oh, and there’s a cool finisher’s jacket. I WANT THAT JACKET.

Running Aimlessly

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Running…

I’ve been a runner on and off for the last 15 years or so. I ran cross-country in middle and high school and was always a middle-of-the-packer. I picked up running again about 7 years ago because of my love for ice cream. (Well, I had other reasons, but mostly ice cream. And doughnuts.) I’m an EXTRAORDINARILLY mediocre runner… so why the heck am I blogging? Because I’ve decided I want to do MORE with running, like run my first (and second) 50 miler and possibly 100 mile race. You know that saying? If a bear craps in the woods and no one steps in it, did it really happen?? Well, that’s why I’m documenting all of this. Otherwise I’ll never really know if I just imagined it all.

 

Aimless[ly]…

I’m 28 years old and unemployed. Voluntarily, mind you. No, I am NOT lazy. (Well, I am, but that’s neither here nor there.) I’m just tired of spinning my wheels and waitressing and salesgirling while I figure out what it is I REALLY WANT TO DO with my life. I have a degree in English Literature but never figured out what to do with it. Careers I’ve considered: Physical Therapist, Personal Trainer, Dietitian, Book Editor, Magazine Person, Cupcake Store Owner, Chef, Teacher, School Counselor, Therapist, Novelist, Ice Cream Taster…  If I could make a living running I would, but I’m RIDICULOUSLY SLOW and I don’t think they give prizes for that.

The reason I took time off from working is to run as many ultras as I can, and explore possible career choices. Right now the flavor of the year is teaching. I’ll likely resume school in August (if I pass the CSET, fingers crossed), and in the meantime I might try substituting and get my personal training certification. I’ve worked hard for the last 10 years and have saved up enough to indulge myself for a few months. Keeping my eyes and my mind open…

Good thing Gramma gave me pepper spray

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  Went on a 10 mile trail run yesterday, and came across these guys. Can you see the sheep? Or do I suck at uploading pictures…

It was hard to get into my grove with all these guys violently baah-ing at me. That’s a lie; it was hard getting into my grove since I’m out of shape and recovering from the non-trained-for Napa Valley Marathon I slugged through last Sunday.

Hoping to do a 20-ish miler tomorrow! And to pass my CSET!!

[Shoes worn: Roclite 268’s by inov8]