Thursday, April 30, 2009

Buddy Run Send Off

Every Thursday morning I undergo a ritual, I wake up at 5:30 and don on my running gear and meet up with the raddest group of people I know, my running buddies.

Today wasn't an ordinary gathering, it was send off Thursday. Several of the members are running in a several events this weekend and that means coffee and cake! At the end of the run Steve breaks out the coffee and cups and this time Jen brought the banana bread, not exactly a cake but a close second. It's an odd site to see in a public park at 7 in the morning, but neat nonetheless.

My friend Victoria is doing the Calistoga to Santa Cruz relay (that's 199 miles!), Coach Hao is running the Eugene Marathon in Oregan, and I'm running Avenue of the Giants half.

We run for a cure, the LLS. You can donate here.

Steve-o pouring the good stuff.

My buddy Victoria and Jesi.

Jen and the banana bread.

The manwich. John, Hao, and Steve.

Hao took off his jacket at mile one and forgot to pick it up on his way back after 5 miles. Ran up to the mile marker only to find it gone. He ran a total of seven miles total. All that running wasn't able to keep him warm out in 44 degrees.

Good luck to everyone running this weekend! Happy running!

Papa, Teach me How to Swim!

Yes, today's Theme Thursday is water, the stuff we really cannot live without. H2O, the universal solvent with unusual properties, ice floats and I don't. Today I'll share with you a story from my childhood with a couple of old family photos involving me and my family's pool.

It was a beautiful warm day in July and everyone, and I mean everyone, came over to my parent's home to swim in the pool. All of my uncles and aunts and grandparents were there and all my young cousins, so about 30 people. (All four grandparents, my mother's siblings, all 11 and their spouses and children, and my father’s three siblings. 30 is now the number of cousins I have, and counting.) The smell of charcoal and grilling meat mingled with the chlorine and the sweet scent of honeysuckle that grew all along the neighbors’ fence with a hint of the roses my grandmother planted nearby.

I can hear Spanish music streaming out from one of my uncles portable radios, the splashing of another young uncle diving into the pool, the screaming of an aunt as water splashes into her eyes followed by an exchange of angry words in Spanish. My mother and a couple of my older aunts sit in the jacuzzi, bubbles fizzing upward and spilling over a small waterfall into the main pool, the same corner my cousins and siblings were hanging out in, floating there in our colorful inflatable rings and most importantly, next to our mothers.It is in this corner that I begged my father to show me how to swim and repeatedly received the answer, "take off your donut." I refused and after futile begging got out of the pool. My father, an average height man with black curly hair and a mustache, seemed really tall from where I stood. He was wearing his regular green swimming shorts and his favorite pair of huaraches (Mexican leather sandals with tire treads for the soles). He squinted in the high sun as he manned the grill. Asking for a hot dog wrapped in a tortilla I jumped out of the pool to eat followed by everyone else. The blue pool was empty and bounced the reflective sunlight everywhere.

Now the hardest part of the day had arrived. "Don't jump into the pool after you eat. You have to wait an hour," one of the aunts said. My cousin Julio and I being the eldest at six years old didn't understand why we had to wait and couldn’t explain it to the younger ones. So we waited, taking turns asking, "Now?" in our high pitched whining impatient voices. After being yelled at not to ask again otherwise we wouldn't be allowed back into the pool I proceeded to follow my father. "Can you teach me how to swim now? I mean when we can go back in?"

In my little head I don't know how many times I asked or begged but I could see that I was driving my father crazy. He now had his green and white Hawaiian shirt on and I can see his dark eyes looking down at me from behind his glasses. Uh oh, I was going to be punished. Embracing myself for a spanking he did something unexpected but expected. Off with the donut and in the air I went followed by a large splash. I was sinking to the bottom of the pool in my favorite little corner. I didn't panic but just sat at the bottom and stared up at my father and my father looking back down at me. Making a face he turns to look over at everyone and takes his shirt off. He jumps in and picks me up. Gasping for air he asks,” are you OK?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

Before I move on with the story I need to say this, my father is not a monster. He was there along with a ton of adults and was not going to let me drown. He truly believes that if someone is thrown in the water, particularly children, they will instantly learn how to swim. After all, it’s how he learned. I don’t think this is a horrible memory but a neat one. It’s still very vivid in my head perhaps because it was a little traumatic, but nonetheless a nice memory.

I was in my mother's arms. There's some commotion about how else is she suppose to learn how to swim, and she's alright, and some other yelling in Spanish. I remember being angry for a while at my father and at myself, not at the fact that he threw me in but at the fact he wasn't in the pool with me teaching me how to swim. I wasn't scared of the pool or water after that. I continue to jump in with my donut and play with my siblings and cousins.
The fear came a little later that year when autumn had come along. The sweet honeysuckle and roses were no longer in bloom. I tiptoed outside with my sister to peer into the pool for no reason other than to do it. I fell in fully clothed. My grandfather fished me out. I was forced to learn how to swim in high school and passed my swimming exam; tread water for x minutes, float on your back, free stroke and back stroke, but ask me to do those things now and I'll say no. I don't like pools and don't like the ocean. I'll admire them but that's about it, I won't go in.

My husband took me to the island he grew up on, Oahu, a couple of years ago. It was great. He convinced me to buy a bikini and go to Waikiki. He took me out and showed me how to float and took me out further where treading was necessary. I couldn't do it. I panicked and held on to him as tight as possible. (I’m so glad he’s six feet tall.) He rolled his eyes and took me back to the beach. The scenic views of the ocean and Diamond Head and the green lush hills didn't calm me down, being on solid ground did. I bummed my husband out a little.

Now, I'm looking into adult swim lessons but haven't been successful. I'll keep looking; I have to beat this fear. I'll learn how to swim. I will.

Thanks to my friend Mike Z. who scanned the photos for me. Thanks buddy.

Photos
  1. My father in the upper left hand corner. Me clinging on and nearly completely out of water in the lower left hand corner. Sister, brother, and cousin in the pool.
  2. Me dry and safe inside, younger cousins behind me.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Let the Summer Season Begin

Being a participant for Team In Training is great. The people in charge, the mentors, captains, the honorees, and coaches are so helpful and encouraging and are incredibly inspiring. Participants range in age, come from every corner of the world, have different backgrounds and join the team for a myriad of reasons. Yet everyone leaves with the great and happy achievement of completing a half or full marathon. Besides the individual achievement, friends who help fund a cure for leukemia and lymphoma have an equally significant part in combating cancer. I'm so honored to have participated last summer and even more honored to be accepted as a mentor this summer. I'm part of a great family and I can't wait for the season to begin and share with you the photos and tales as they unfold.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Remembering Pat Tillman, all Veterans and Friends

We woke up early Saturday morning to join our friends Victoria and Scott for the 4.2 mile Pat's Run at Leland High School, the high school Pat attended here in San Jose. In fact, they picked us up. You can read a news article here.

We ran to honor and remember all troops of the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars, and friends that are no longer here. I honored my uncle Pepe who was stationed all over the middle east, and as a way to remember a friend who recently died, Wanbli, whose birthday anniversary is April 25th.

Scott, Victoria, and my husband warming up in the sun before the race. It was a chilly 44 degrees in the morning.

Families were out pushing strollers, people running with their dogs, and a San Jose firefighter battalion ran in cadence along with a military song with their helmets on.



It was a beautiful morning to honor great men and women of our country.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Fundraising

I'm a mentor for the South Bay Silicon Valley Run Team for Team in Training 2009 summer season! Yippee! I'm so happy I can't wait for the season to start so that I can inspire and lead a small group of new runners.

What I'm training for-
  1. Pat Tillman's Run (4.2 miles) in San Jose Sat. April 25, 2009
  2. Avenue of the Giants Half Marathon in Humboldt County Sun. May 3, 2009
  3. San Francisco Marathon/Half Sun. July 26, 2009
  4. Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon San Jose Sun. Oct. 4, 2009
  5. Nike Women's Marathon in SF Sun. Oct. 18, 2009 TNT event

Nike is the official TNT event I'm training for and the others are for fun. My team is also training for the Kauai Half Marathon on Sep. 6, 2009 and the Royal Victorai Marathon in BC, Canada on Oct. 11, 2009.

This is where I need your help with fundraising. In exchange for a great support staff, great coaching, I must fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The vast majority of funds go to over 40 researchers here in Stanford, UCSF, and Berkeley. Funds also go to patient services-treament co-pay assistance and travel to and from hosipitals. How amazing and great is that? I need fundraising ideas other than bake sales, restaurants, and garage sales. Selling T-shirts? A marathon time pool? Come on, throw your ideas at me!

If any of you can, then please donate. If you're interested in training for a marahon (26.2 miles) or a half (13.1 miles), cycling a century (100 miles), a triathalon (swim, bike, then run), or hiking Yosemite then click TNT and check out your local chapter. Believe me, you'll get hooked.

All ideas and donations are much appreciated. Thanks!

Kicking Back in Santa Cruz

Fire is the theme for Theme Thursday. Here's how I spent my evening after running my first 20 miles last September with my fellow TNTers and friends. There's nothing like drinking some beer, bundling up in a warm cozy sweater and cuddling with my hubby and hanging out with friends at a bonfire.




Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Back to Reality

I just got back from my trip to New York City and I'm wiped. Walking all over the place, taking the subway and running nine miles for my training in the middle of the trip, eek, I was done for. Now I'm back at work, training for my half marathon and going to ballet. My feet hurt.

New York was fun despite the weather going from one extreme to the other-high 70s to high 40s, sunshiny and warm to cold and rainy. Spring was in the air and everything was blooming. So, from everything I shot I'll show you a few of the beautiful blooms around Manhattan.


44th street in front of Grand Central Station.


Lunch at the Bowling Green.


More blooming tulips at Trinity Church on Wall Street.


A small patch to sit and eat chocolate near the South Side Seaport.


Strolling through Central Park during a short heat wave.


More blooms in Central Park.


Easter lilies line Rockefeller Plaza at midnight!


Behind the Metropolitan Museum between showers.

Sigh, now I'm in California where spring had sprung and gone away. With record temperatures over the weekend, summer is definitely on the way and the start of TNT summer season! I'm going to be a mentor!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

A View From 35,000 Feet

It's Theme Thursday and today's theme is Earth. Here are a few views from my air travel to NYC form SFO this morning!

Recognize that panhandle?

The TransAmerica building and the Golden Gate Bridge are in this one.

The Rockies.

Lake Michigan.

Hey, it's New Jersey! A view before landing at JFK.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Getting up There

I just got back from my run with Victoria. We ran eight miles today! We did a run-walk at a pace of 5:1. The run-walk is great for longer distances and helps prevent fatigue. I don't want to over do it. Plus, its great training when recovering from injuries. So, with that said we ran our eight miles in 1:24 and I don't remember how many seconds. Not too bad.

Of course we ran at our usual Campbell Park and it was busy as usual. Lots of running, walking and cycling groups crowding the trails. Families walking their dogs to the dog park and lots of strollers. And, of course, TNT running groups. Campbell Park is literally the most active park I've ever seen. It's busy at all times of day, early mornings, and evenings. It's a great park.

Overall it was a great morning! :-)

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Gnats, Gnats, and more Gnats Everywhere

Yesterday I managed to wake up at 5:30 am to meet up with my old buddy run group at 6 am. I'm tired. I ran four miles with my running buddy Victoria, captain Steve and coach Tim. John, Brian and Jesi went further and faster than us, but that's them.

Rain still being in the forecast the dark grey sky quickly lightened into a light grey sky. As this happened large clouds of gnats gathered over the paved trail. I mean large. You couldn't run without breathing one up your nose and in your mouth. In my lucky case some in my eyes. YUCK was the least I can say. Coughing is what everyone did. Screaming and swatting are what Victoria and I also did.

At the end Jesi ran up asking how everyone liked their gnat breakfast. Oh Jesi...how many did you swallow?

Eggsactly My Kind of Afternoon

Baking and decorating and eating!

That's right, it's theme Thursday and today's theme is the incredible edible egg.

My friend Alison invited us over to her place to decorate and eat Easter egg cookies. Here are some of the nicer cookies I decorated.

Easter egg cookies!
My husband made the yellow frosted one for me.

This guy is not shaped like an egg but eggs are in the dough. I know, I'm stretching.I have to admit, this little guy looks a little creepy.

And the stretch continues with more baked goods. I baked these gluten free peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies the next day. There's egg in there...

...and in these scrumptious strawberry muffins.
Mmm, pulled right out of the oven.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Five, That's Five TNTers

One TNT runner, two TNT runners, three TNT runners, four TNT runners, five TNT runners-five TNT runners at Campbell Park today, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah! One spring TNT buddy run group! Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah! (Insert traditional trademark thunder and lightening here.) Go Team!

Come on, who doesn't love The Count (full name Count von Count)?

I originally planned to run four miles today but I'm still sick from the cold I caught this weekend and decided to cut it short to three miles, on a cold windy cloudy rainy day. Stupid? Perhaps, but exercising usually perks me up and helps chase my colds away. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I was a little weaker than normal but the run went well. Besides, it stopped raining by the time I went out.

I ran into Diana at my three mile turnaround (14 minutes) and ran the rest of the way in with her. Diana ran 12 miles this weekend and was a bit fatigued and was running a 4:2 (run four minutes walk two minutes). Being a little weak myself I was glad to join her. Having someone to talk to also helps the time fly by. That's when we saw Jesie and Jason and a couple of their friends, Troy and Corina, and a buddy run team. A lot of TNTers for a cold cloudy evening in a relatively empty park. Campbell Park is never empty!

I have to say that running with Diana is a pleasure. She talks about anything and everything and has time to answer her iPhone in the middle of a run! I have proof. She's so funny. I plan to meet up with her and Robin, and a few others, to run eight miles this Saturday. I should stop rainning by then.

Tomorrow: TNT mentor/captain meeting and sign up. Summer season here I come!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

My Next Event is...

Avenue of the Giants Half Marathon in Humboldt county California on May 3rd. This will be my first major running event since I ran the Nike Marathon last October.

I've been running up to four miles but now it's crunch time. I ran six miles with Victoria, my running partner/buddy/mentor, yesterday at where other than Campbell Park. The most active park I've ever seen! I'll get back to that later. So, six miles in one hour! I am so stoked about our time. I wonder what my time will be on the race?

My training schedule is as follows:
  • 4 miles Tuesday 4/7
  • 5 miles Thursday 4/9
  • 8 miles Saturday 4/11
  • 4 miles Monday 4/13
  • 6 miles Wednesday 4/15
  • 10 miles Friday 4/17
  • 3 miles Tuesday 4/21
  • 3 miles Thursday 4/23
  • 4.2 miles Pat's Run Saturday 4/25*
  • 2 miles Tuesday 4/28
  • 13.1 miles Sunday 5/3
I submitted my schedule to my TNT coach and I'm awaiting his advice. Now I just need to find different places to run. Campbell Park is great but I need a little change of scenery. Plus, I'll be heading to New York soon where I hope to run in Central Park.

*Pat Tillman's friends and family created Pat's Run as a way to celebrate Pat's legacy while raising awareness and funds for the Pat Tillman Foundation.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Ballet and Running

Wednesday evening I donned on my pink tights, my leotard, and put my hair up in a bun. I put my makeup on and stretched for a while before heading off to ballet. This was my first class in a year. I put it on the back burner for many reasons but finally have the time, the drive, and spare cash to attend.

I have to say that running did ruin my ballet. My ballet brain was slow, my feet hurt and kept cramping up, and I couldn't lift my leg as high as I could before the marathon. It was depressing and humbling. I need a lot of practice to reach the level I left. By running I'm constantly pounding and tightening my leg muscles where ballet strengthen and lengthens, the total opposite of running. Stretching, another reason why I went back. I need to do more stretching to prevent another injury.

It was great to stand by the bar listening to the perfectly metered ballet music; the french terms and instructions over the music. Tendus, piles, frappes, degages, fondue, passe; in first, in second, in fourth, in fifth; releve; balance, just to name a few.

It was great to see my ballet instructor Zinnia again. I've missed her pleasant smile and encouraging words. It was great seeing old friends and seeing how much they've improved since I've last seen them. Hugs and smiles all around. I'll be back next week.

Walk, Strut, Run and Dance a Mile in My Shoes

So this week I'm participating in a little thing called Theme Thursday. A theme is picked every week and participants choose what to post on their blogs. This week's theme is Ten. So, me being so physically active, I decided to post my ten favorite pairs of shoes. Yep, those who know me know that I love shoes and I had a hard time choosing only ten. Now I wish the theme was 12 or 13 or 15, but it is not. So here are my TEN favorite pairs.

The most comfortable shoes I own, my Chuck Taylors.

The newest and brightest pair of my collection.

These 3" heels are my everyday heels. They're so battered but I love them.

I was doing a little online window shopping when I spotted this gorgeous pair of purple suede shoes. It was love at first sight.

These shoes are 4" tall and they make me 5'6"! They're also very cute long lean slacks.

Every gal has to own a pair of a classic design, T-straps. This updated version is 3" tall and has brown suede and leather.

Ah, my running shoes. This is the third pair I bought since last May. Running shoes break down and die around 300 miles. Now you know why runners obsess over their shoes.

Whoo, I would dance in these 3" latin ballroom shoes for hours four to five days a week. Yep, this is the pair number four. The soles are soft and pliable and are meant for stretching, bending, and pointing and wear down quickly.

Flamenco shoes have nails in the heels and in the tip of the shoe to make that great loud stomping. There's so much I want to do and so little time for it all.

How crazy is this? I started ballet as an adult to supplement my ballroom dancing and discovered I loved ballet more than latin dancing. By the end of my second year I was taking point lessons. I no longer do point but I still love my points. In the meantime I'll stick my ballet slippers.

There you go, a little glimpse of me and some of my passions. I hope you enjoyed it.