I'm currently 26 weeks pregnant and am expecting a boy!!! My dream of being a mother is coming true. I will be taking a 3-D ultrasound in a few weeks and hope to post of photo of my son, how exciting is that?!
Since learning of my pregnancy I ceased running, but have been walking daily. I've been walking to my old high school where I've been student teaching, observing teachers, and tutoring. On top of that I attend night classes at SJSU to earn my teaching credentials. It may sound like a lot to take on while pregnant but it's not too bad with proper time management. I make time for sleep, eating, homework, reading, lesson planning, grading papers, cooking and cleaning and relaxing. In fact, I manage my time so well that I started a vegetable garden.
I've planted three different types of tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapenos, bell peppers, egg plants, cucumbers, zucchini, and carrots-all from seeds. Most are in pots but my sweet and loving husband prepared a large portion of our backyard for a vegetable garden. As soon as my seedlings are big and strong enough I'll be transplanting and taking photos. Mmm, I can't wait to taste my harvest this summer.
So, if I have plenty of time for all these activities why haven't I blogged? I blame Facebook. It's so easy to write a short blurb on anything everyday than to write a blog entry. Well, that's my excuse. I'll try to be do better.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, November 13, 2009
Way too busy to blog
Hello followers, that is if I have any, I've been swamped with school work and haven't been able to blog. Since my last entry I ran in the Nike Women's Marathon with a time of 4:53. Not great but I finished it. As usual I ran with my camera and took several shots, but due to too much knee pain I didn't take many. I also came down with a fever after the run that prevented me from celebrating at the victory party.
Now I am completely consumed with papers to write, readings, and projects. I'll be completely done with all of this right before Thanksgiving and will update you on everything complete with photos.
The only other big thing to happen to me was receiving my Christmas gift early, a Nikon D90 digital SLR camera! It arrived today complete with a Nikon D90 for Dummies. What a great gift to receive at such a bad time, in the midst of all my project and paper deadlines. Doh.
Now I am completely consumed with papers to write, readings, and projects. I'll be completely done with all of this right before Thanksgiving and will update you on everything complete with photos.
The only other big thing to happen to me was receiving my Christmas gift early, a Nikon D90 digital SLR camera! It arrived today complete with a Nikon D90 for Dummies. What a great gift to receive at such a bad time, in the midst of all my project and paper deadlines. Doh.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon and Stuff
Ah, I'm so behind in my blogging because of classes and tutoring and marathon training! So, here's an update of it all.SJSU
- Number of classes-4.
- Number of units-14.
- Days I tutor-2, from 8am to 2pm.
- Number of papers written-14.
- Number of demos for science class-1. Conductivity of solutions. How neat is that?!
- Total mileage-255.8 miles!
- Blisters-lost count after 20. :-(
- Bloody ankles-2.
- Races-2. SF Half and San Jose Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon.
- Best quote heard on a race to racers in front of me-"Remember, this is your hobby not your job-smile!"
- Ice baths-8. That's 80 minutes of sitting in ice water!
- Days until Nike Women's Marathon-6! That's next Sunday, October 18th!
- Total raised-$1,735! Thanks to all who've donated.
I completed the Rock 'n' Roll half in 2:11:33. Not my fastest time (2:04:07 in SF Half) but a great run regardless. Live music played around every mile keeps us all smiling, laughing, singing and clapping. Some tunes had a nice running cadence beat to them, too. The best part aside from running my my favorite running buddy Victoria, running into several TNT captains and Coach Tim, having a TNT cheering section, seeing my family support me in front of my brother's apartment along the race path, a great chorizo breakfast at my brother's apartment, the ice bath afterward the run, is the fact that I was not sore at all. I didn't hurt at all after the 20 miles the weekend before and the race. How awesome is that?!
Because of my awesomeness there is something I have developed, a nervous-stress-not enough sleep-eye twitch. Thankfully I'm going to have a short break from school after the race for a little R & R. My next stop, Yosemite! Now I just have to plan the trip. Any tips of where in Yosemite to hike or stay? Let me know. It's my first time visiting.
Photos:
- Conductivity of solutions. Practicing at home
- Me in my bath tub immersed in icy water. Eight times people.
- Me and Victoria running at the San Jose Rock 'n' Roll half at mile 5. Photo taken by Jennifer Ibarra, TNT mentor and runner.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Running and Eating
I know, I know. It's been a while since I last posted anything here. I didn't go anywhere, really, I just haven't had time to blog or snap photos. Here's why: reading, writing, class, tutoring, class, reading, writing, tutoring, class, some more of the same and running when I can fit it in. Well, I'm back to write and post a few photos.
If you look above this blog you'll see a slide show of the 18 mile training run in San Francisco on Sept. 12th. This was a run to remember because there was rain, thunder, lightning and in some parts hail! The rain washed away some of the chalk marking showing up where to run in Golden Gate Park but my group and I managed to find a way out back down the Great Highway and around Lake Merced.
The team ran 20 miles this pass weekend along the beautiful Monterrey coast. Was I there? Nooo. I was a good girl and attended my Mainstreaming (Special Education) class from 9 am to 4 pm that day. I did run 20 miles yesterday, though. Captain Mike Z. lead the make-up run for four TNTers along the Los Gatos Creek Trail starting from Campbell Park. When I arrived at the park at 6:15 am a small TNT cheer team showed up. Coach Tim, Captain Steve S., and mentor Ilya showed up to send us off. Coach Tim ran with Monica, Latoya, and Lindsay part of the way, too! How awesome is that?! And Captain Rich H. was there to run us in at the end while Cap. Mike rode his bike up and down the trail supplying us with water. What a great team! Thanks for all your support guys!
The run was lonely at first but once I broke up the run into four parts and got into the rhythm and pace I did well. I find that breaking up a long run into manageable portions make the run go by faster and doesn't wear me out mentally. But lets get down to a very important aspect of running, something Mentor Jen loves, eating. Everyone runner knows the sooner you're done with a long training run the sooner you can eat, you know, for recovery purposes, and eat I did.
My husband has had a hankering for dim sum lately and his cravings were finally satisfied after my run.
From the top left hand corner going clockwise are the first items we chose off the dim sum carts. Tender marinated chicken feet, so delicious; bean curd, a.k.a tofu, stuffed with vegetables; tripe marinated in ginger, garlic, and dressed with jalapenos, has a great snap to it and a tremendous flavor; steamed pork dumplings; steamed BBQ pork buns; and shrimp stuffed eggplants. But wait, there's more.
Okay, not that much more but two extra dishes. A plate of Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce and a large bowl of rice porridge with 1,000 year old eggs, a fermented black egg. It was all washed down with hot Jasmine Tea and as Alton Brown would say, it's good eats. Now I regret not ordering honey walnut prawns and a sweet beans for dessert.
As every long distance runner knows, your stomach is like an endless pit after a training run. I hate to admit this but I actually ate two Taco Bell tacos two hours later and ate a bowl of seafood pasta from Frankie, Johnnies, and Luigi's for dinner. Not including the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, oranges, and banana I ate directly after the run. Or the bowl of oatmeal and banana I ate before the run, and the great deal of water and other fruits I consumed throughout the remainder of the day. I feel gross just thinking about the amount I ate but it was so worth it.
Now back to reading and homework.
If you look above this blog you'll see a slide show of the 18 mile training run in San Francisco on Sept. 12th. This was a run to remember because there was rain, thunder, lightning and in some parts hail! The rain washed away some of the chalk marking showing up where to run in Golden Gate Park but my group and I managed to find a way out back down the Great Highway and around Lake Merced.
The team ran 20 miles this pass weekend along the beautiful Monterrey coast. Was I there? Nooo. I was a good girl and attended my Mainstreaming (Special Education) class from 9 am to 4 pm that day. I did run 20 miles yesterday, though. Captain Mike Z. lead the make-up run for four TNTers along the Los Gatos Creek Trail starting from Campbell Park. When I arrived at the park at 6:15 am a small TNT cheer team showed up. Coach Tim, Captain Steve S., and mentor Ilya showed up to send us off. Coach Tim ran with Monica, Latoya, and Lindsay part of the way, too! How awesome is that?! And Captain Rich H. was there to run us in at the end while Cap. Mike rode his bike up and down the trail supplying us with water. What a great team! Thanks for all your support guys!
The run was lonely at first but once I broke up the run into four parts and got into the rhythm and pace I did well. I find that breaking up a long run into manageable portions make the run go by faster and doesn't wear me out mentally. But lets get down to a very important aspect of running, something Mentor Jen loves, eating. Everyone runner knows the sooner you're done with a long training run the sooner you can eat, you know, for recovery purposes, and eat I did.
My husband has had a hankering for dim sum lately and his cravings were finally satisfied after my run.
From the top left hand corner going clockwise are the first items we chose off the dim sum carts. Tender marinated chicken feet, so delicious; bean curd, a.k.a tofu, stuffed with vegetables; tripe marinated in ginger, garlic, and dressed with jalapenos, has a great snap to it and a tremendous flavor; steamed pork dumplings; steamed BBQ pork buns; and shrimp stuffed eggplants. But wait, there's more.
Okay, not that much more but two extra dishes. A plate of Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce and a large bowl of rice porridge with 1,000 year old eggs, a fermented black egg. It was all washed down with hot Jasmine Tea and as Alton Brown would say, it's good eats. Now I regret not ordering honey walnut prawns and a sweet beans for dessert.As every long distance runner knows, your stomach is like an endless pit after a training run. I hate to admit this but I actually ate two Taco Bell tacos two hours later and ate a bowl of seafood pasta from Frankie, Johnnies, and Luigi's for dinner. Not including the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, oranges, and banana I ate directly after the run. Or the bowl of oatmeal and banana I ate before the run, and the great deal of water and other fruits I consumed throughout the remainder of the day. I feel gross just thinking about the amount I ate but it was so worth it.
Now back to reading and homework.
Monday, September 7, 2009
A Healthy Labor Day Dinner
Today, of all days, I didn't feel like eating a traditional Labor Day meal. I said no to hamburgers and hot dogs, no to potato salad, no to carne asada, no to grilled chicken, and a big fat no to anything laden with overly sweet barbecue sauce. No to soda, no to salty chips, no beer, and no to manufactured processed boxed foods; basically no to anything artificial fat filled and artery clogging. To be honest with you, it's not that satisfying.
For years my husband and I would go to friends homes or my families places and eat all of the above. Of course my family will add extras like hot links, refried beans, Spanish rice, at least three different kinds of salsa and guacamole, grilled green onions and corn, and plenty of corn tortillas to go around, which isn't bad at all-in fact I really love my family's take on it-but it does becoming a little boring and passe. Especially when it's a lot of the same food for most family gatherings. So this year my husband and I decided to do Labor Day the way we like to eat, fresh and healthy.
Our meal began with sliced organic orange tomatoes with a slice of mozzarella cheese with a hint of salt and balsamic vinegar. The tomatoes are so sweet that I ate an entire tomato by itself! This is a great dinner in itself with a great piece of toasted or grilled bread topped with basil or an organic baby green salad.
Yummy grilled zucchini and yellow squash marinated in olive oil and salt. I can never get enough of this summer squash. Also great in a sandwich. Grilled eggplant is a great substitute too paired with marinated grilled red bell peppers.
The always delicious salmon powdered with lemon pepper and olive oil. Add a little lemon and I'm in salmon heaven.
I cannot deny my Mexican roots and not eat grilled corn whenever the grill is out during the summer. I bought white corn on the cob and husked it all.
I don't grill corn with the husk on. I like my corn grilled, I think you can taste the sweetness more this way than boiling it or steaming it in it's husks. This way you don't need to add any butter. Mmm, I can still smell the sweet corm on my table.
We did eat our meal with white rice, not the best carbs out there but it's what we have on hand and my husbands favorite. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the fact that I forgot to snap a picture of freshly steamed rice. I'll take one the next time if you really interested, though.
All in all with our portions weighed out and using FitDay.com to calculate our caloric intake, this meal was under 700 calories. Not a lot and not a heavy meal for a really tasty and nutritious meal.
I hope your Labor Day was great tasting too! Now get back to work, or school. :-)
For years my husband and I would go to friends homes or my families places and eat all of the above. Of course my family will add extras like hot links, refried beans, Spanish rice, at least three different kinds of salsa and guacamole, grilled green onions and corn, and plenty of corn tortillas to go around, which isn't bad at all-in fact I really love my family's take on it-but it does becoming a little boring and passe. Especially when it's a lot of the same food for most family gatherings. So this year my husband and I decided to do Labor Day the way we like to eat, fresh and healthy.
Our meal began with sliced organic orange tomatoes with a slice of mozzarella cheese with a hint of salt and balsamic vinegar. The tomatoes are so sweet that I ate an entire tomato by itself! This is a great dinner in itself with a great piece of toasted or grilled bread topped with basil or an organic baby green salad.
Yummy grilled zucchini and yellow squash marinated in olive oil and salt. I can never get enough of this summer squash. Also great in a sandwich. Grilled eggplant is a great substitute too paired with marinated grilled red bell peppers.
The always delicious salmon powdered with lemon pepper and olive oil. Add a little lemon and I'm in salmon heaven.
I cannot deny my Mexican roots and not eat grilled corn whenever the grill is out during the summer. I bought white corn on the cob and husked it all.
I don't grill corn with the husk on. I like my corn grilled, I think you can taste the sweetness more this way than boiling it or steaming it in it's husks. This way you don't need to add any butter. Mmm, I can still smell the sweet corm on my table.
We did eat our meal with white rice, not the best carbs out there but it's what we have on hand and my husbands favorite. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the fact that I forgot to snap a picture of freshly steamed rice. I'll take one the next time if you really interested, though.All in all with our portions weighed out and using FitDay.com to calculate our caloric intake, this meal was under 700 calories. Not a lot and not a heavy meal for a really tasty and nutritious meal.
I hope your Labor Day was great tasting too! Now get back to work, or school. :-)
Saturday, September 5, 2009
New Shoes!!!
It's time I retired my running shoes. They're filthy, starting to tatter, blood stained, the insoles giving up their support, plus the tread is wearing out having over 317 miles on them, I'm shocked I waited this long.
So, I went to Runners Revolution and picked up my new Brooks Adrenaline GTS! There I happened to run into Jen. It was great catching up with one of my running mates and didn't realize how much I missed her and the rest of the Team. I don't have class or tutoring this upcoming Thursday and I hope to make it to the Buddy Run at 6 am. So peeps, bug me!
As you can see my new shoes are pristine and gleaming. My old ones looked like that once, before Rancho San Antonio, and other dusty parks. I won't be long before my new ones look like the pair they're replacing. With this comparison looking at me whenever I walk into my apartment, I'll make sure to wash my shoes after a dusty run in the future.
Now to break in my new shoes! With my Achilles chafed skin wound healing nicely, and not wanting to aggravate it more, I put on the thickest running socks I own to cushion it- my Team In Training socks!
Ahh! That should do it, and it did! I ran eight miles at Campbell Park with little pain. The first few steps did hurt but quickly dissipated. Soon enough the plantar fasciitis acted up and my foot went a little numb. After several more minutes of stretching and loosing up my laces my little aches went away. Or my pain tolerance has gone up. Either way I know that I must roll my foot more often now that my runs have reached double digits.
Next weekend 18 miles at Lake Merced! Whoo-hoo!
So, I went to Runners Revolution and picked up my new Brooks Adrenaline GTS! There I happened to run into Jen. It was great catching up with one of my running mates and didn't realize how much I missed her and the rest of the Team. I don't have class or tutoring this upcoming Thursday and I hope to make it to the Buddy Run at 6 am. So peeps, bug me!
As you can see my new shoes are pristine and gleaming. My old ones looked like that once, before Rancho San Antonio, and other dusty parks. I won't be long before my new ones look like the pair they're replacing. With this comparison looking at me whenever I walk into my apartment, I'll make sure to wash my shoes after a dusty run in the future.Now to break in my new shoes! With my Achilles chafed skin wound healing nicely, and not wanting to aggravate it more, I put on the thickest running socks I own to cushion it- my Team In Training socks!
Ahh! That should do it, and it did! I ran eight miles at Campbell Park with little pain. The first few steps did hurt but quickly dissipated. Soon enough the plantar fasciitis acted up and my foot went a little numb. After several more minutes of stretching and loosing up my laces my little aches went away. Or my pain tolerance has gone up. Either way I know that I must roll my foot more often now that my runs have reached double digits.Next weekend 18 miles at Lake Merced! Whoo-hoo!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Autumn
Welcome to Theme Thursday! Today's theme is beginning. I hope you like where my interpretation goes.
Autumn has many ways of indicating it's here. The air turns crisp, the days grow shorter, the leaves turns to brilliant colors in many places around our country, unfortunately the Bay Area doesn't see much of it. Empty classrooms are filled once again with students excited to see their friends to show off their new clothes and gear. The college bound, like myself, are a little nervous about the curriculum.
According to science, the beginning of autumn is Sept. 22, 2009; 5:18 P.M. EDT. For me, the beginning autumn is not signified by the start of school, the turning of the leaves, nor the cooler weather. No, autumn begins when Starbucks starts offering their fall special, and my all time favorite flavored coffee, the Pumpkin Spiced Latte! Yummy!
Nothing makes me happier than sipping on hot coffee while reading or surfacing the net. Oh, but the joy of sipping a hot pumpkin flavored coffee makes me happier. No matter how disorganized my Multicultural Foundations class is, or how many times the course syllabus contradicts itself (I found five so far), and the daunting number of pages that must be read over the course for this class alone, Starbucks' Pumpkin Spiced always melts the stress away.
Now I'm sitting here at the library with my class readers out, ready to read 75 pages of racism, social injustice, poverty, and activism in the classroom and I'm so glad I have my coffee.
Yes, 75 pages of double pages! Now that's a lot. Now if I put my camera away and finish my readings.
If you haven't clued in yet, I love pumpkin. With that said, autumn also begins with pumpkin pies are being sold in the supermarkets. And as a mid-afternoon snack I cave in and have a slice of pumpkin pie. I did not pair it with the PSL. :-)
Autumn has many ways of indicating it's here. The air turns crisp, the days grow shorter, the leaves turns to brilliant colors in many places around our country, unfortunately the Bay Area doesn't see much of it. Empty classrooms are filled once again with students excited to see their friends to show off their new clothes and gear. The college bound, like myself, are a little nervous about the curriculum.
According to science, the beginning of autumn is Sept. 22, 2009; 5:18 P.M. EDT. For me, the beginning autumn is not signified by the start of school, the turning of the leaves, nor the cooler weather. No, autumn begins when Starbucks starts offering their fall special, and my all time favorite flavored coffee, the Pumpkin Spiced Latte! Yummy!
Nothing makes me happier than sipping on hot coffee while reading or surfacing the net. Oh, but the joy of sipping a hot pumpkin flavored coffee makes me happier. No matter how disorganized my Multicultural Foundations class is, or how many times the course syllabus contradicts itself (I found five so far), and the daunting number of pages that must be read over the course for this class alone, Starbucks' Pumpkin Spiced always melts the stress away.Now I'm sitting here at the library with my class readers out, ready to read 75 pages of racism, social injustice, poverty, and activism in the classroom and I'm so glad I have my coffee.
Yes, 75 pages of double pages! Now that's a lot. Now if I put my camera away and finish my readings.
If you haven't clued in yet, I love pumpkin. With that said, autumn also begins with pumpkin pies are being sold in the supermarkets. And as a mid-afternoon snack I cave in and have a slice of pumpkin pie. I did not pair it with the PSL. :-)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Runners Brain + Math = Doh!
The results of this equation are at the end of this entry via photos.
The alarm goes off when the whole world is snoring in a deep state of slumber way before the sun rises, and here I am getting out of bed. As soon as I'm standing my husband of four and half years whose back was towards me rolls to my side and clasps onto my pillow. I need to get ready to make up the Team In Training Coach led run I missed yesterday due to class.
Fully dressed to run 16 miles, I eat my instant oatmeal and banana. My fuel belt it fully loaded with my favorite GU, Outrageous Chocolate and Tri-Berry, along with Lemon Gatorade. Out the door and at Campbell Park before 7 am. Ten minutes worth of stretching and I'm off.
Along the trail I run to Willow Glen and back to Campbell. Five miles done, great, 11 miles to go. Here is where things become a little tricky, by mile six on my way to Los Gatos the back of my foot above the heel is being scratched and burns. The top of the sock falls below my ankles leaving my bare skin exposed the high back of my shoe. Now to run ten miles while my shoes rub the skin off the back of my feet. Ugh. Ignore the pain. It's not there. Listen to the whistle, is what I tell myself.
The whistle is new to my running regimen. It's an ordinary whistle with a ball inside that I hope to never use to ward off attackers. But the ball, is bounces inside the whistle with every stride. It sounds like I'm running with a rattle. There's no way I'm sneaking up behind anyone. Dogs in the surrounding neighborhoods bark as I approach and pass their homes. You can hear them barking several yards away. People walking or running their dogs look behind them to see where the rattle is coming from. A couple of dogs whimper and a few lunge for me. Some passersby leer and seem annoyed. You try running so many miles listening to this.
I'm tired and need to use a restroom bad when I reach mile ten. Luckily I know a little league field is quickly coming up complete with restrooms. I rejoice and smile with the little sign points to the field. I stop my watch and go. Hmm, mile 10.48, I'll need to turn around soon. This is where the Doh! part of the title comes in.
The math here is simple. I ran five miles, two and half miles out and two and half miles back is five, subtract from 16 and you're left with 11 miles left. Divide 11 by two and you have five and half. From Campbell to Los Gatos I need to run out five and half miles and turn around. Easy, add five to five and half to get ten and half. I need to turn around at mile 10.5, at the little league field, but that's not what I do.
No, I continue south bound deeper into Los Gatos. Pass the little league field, crossing Highway 17 on a bridge painted with murals from the local children, pass Los Gatos High School and towards the Lexington Dam. Why did I do this? Because I added 5.5 to 6 rather than 5. Why? Runners brain. There's a point when a runner is tired and stops thinking other than running and finishing. That was me. I ran an extra mile after my turn around point. Of course I realize this when I turn around. Now I'm in for 18 miles. Wah!
I cut corners where ever I can which is hardly anywhere. I stop at mile 16 and walk the remainder two miles. I am not going to run 18. My bleeding heels, back of my feet, whatever you want to call that part of the body hurts. My legs are sore and my knee is bothering me. And the heat? It's climbing. Yesterday it was in the 90s by 10 am, today it's a lot cooler but still warm. I'm tired and just want to go home.
After completing my 16 mile run and two mile walk I immediately call my husband. I was suppose to call him when I was done but told him to call me if he didn't hear from me by 9:30 am. I left my mobile phone in the car. By the time I call it's nearly 10:30, an hour late.
I go home and before I prepare myself for an ice bath I show him my boo-boos. Take a look for yourself.
Yep, it hurts.
How was I able to run 10 miles and walk 2 miles like this?
As of today these shoes are retired. They are blood stained and surpassed 300 miles.
Not looking forward to this...
because it hurts! My husband heard me howl at the other end of our apartment.
I've retired these socks too!
The alarm goes off when the whole world is snoring in a deep state of slumber way before the sun rises, and here I am getting out of bed. As soon as I'm standing my husband of four and half years whose back was towards me rolls to my side and clasps onto my pillow. I need to get ready to make up the Team In Training Coach led run I missed yesterday due to class.
Fully dressed to run 16 miles, I eat my instant oatmeal and banana. My fuel belt it fully loaded with my favorite GU, Outrageous Chocolate and Tri-Berry, along with Lemon Gatorade. Out the door and at Campbell Park before 7 am. Ten minutes worth of stretching and I'm off.
Along the trail I run to Willow Glen and back to Campbell. Five miles done, great, 11 miles to go. Here is where things become a little tricky, by mile six on my way to Los Gatos the back of my foot above the heel is being scratched and burns. The top of the sock falls below my ankles leaving my bare skin exposed the high back of my shoe. Now to run ten miles while my shoes rub the skin off the back of my feet. Ugh. Ignore the pain. It's not there. Listen to the whistle, is what I tell myself.
The whistle is new to my running regimen. It's an ordinary whistle with a ball inside that I hope to never use to ward off attackers. But the ball, is bounces inside the whistle with every stride. It sounds like I'm running with a rattle. There's no way I'm sneaking up behind anyone. Dogs in the surrounding neighborhoods bark as I approach and pass their homes. You can hear them barking several yards away. People walking or running their dogs look behind them to see where the rattle is coming from. A couple of dogs whimper and a few lunge for me. Some passersby leer and seem annoyed. You try running so many miles listening to this.
I'm tired and need to use a restroom bad when I reach mile ten. Luckily I know a little league field is quickly coming up complete with restrooms. I rejoice and smile with the little sign points to the field. I stop my watch and go. Hmm, mile 10.48, I'll need to turn around soon. This is where the Doh! part of the title comes in.
The math here is simple. I ran five miles, two and half miles out and two and half miles back is five, subtract from 16 and you're left with 11 miles left. Divide 11 by two and you have five and half. From Campbell to Los Gatos I need to run out five and half miles and turn around. Easy, add five to five and half to get ten and half. I need to turn around at mile 10.5, at the little league field, but that's not what I do.
No, I continue south bound deeper into Los Gatos. Pass the little league field, crossing Highway 17 on a bridge painted with murals from the local children, pass Los Gatos High School and towards the Lexington Dam. Why did I do this? Because I added 5.5 to 6 rather than 5. Why? Runners brain. There's a point when a runner is tired and stops thinking other than running and finishing. That was me. I ran an extra mile after my turn around point. Of course I realize this when I turn around. Now I'm in for 18 miles. Wah!
I cut corners where ever I can which is hardly anywhere. I stop at mile 16 and walk the remainder two miles. I am not going to run 18. My bleeding heels, back of my feet, whatever you want to call that part of the body hurts. My legs are sore and my knee is bothering me. And the heat? It's climbing. Yesterday it was in the 90s by 10 am, today it's a lot cooler but still warm. I'm tired and just want to go home.
After completing my 16 mile run and two mile walk I immediately call my husband. I was suppose to call him when I was done but told him to call me if he didn't hear from me by 9:30 am. I left my mobile phone in the car. By the time I call it's nearly 10:30, an hour late.
I go home and before I prepare myself for an ice bath I show him my boo-boos. Take a look for yourself.
Yep, it hurts.
How was I able to run 10 miles and walk 2 miles like this?
As of today these shoes are retired. They are blood stained and surpassed 300 miles.
Not looking forward to this...
because it hurts! My husband heard me howl at the other end of our apartment.I've retired these socks too!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Missing My Team
Today was my first of three Saturday classes. A Special Education class that runs from 9 am to 4 pm. Because of this class I've missed a coach led run this morning, a 16 miler! After receiving and ready the syllabus for the class I noticed that our next meeting will be on September 26th, my last coach led run for Team In Training. The last run is our 20 miler!
I cannot skip this class and I cannot join the second section because it's taught by another instructor. The only thing I can do is go to class and run 20 miles by myself on Sunday. No one to run with, no water stops and no one to greet and applaud my efforts. I really do miss my Team.
My class did save me from running in 90 to 100 degree heat this morning. Another plus is a forecast of an 80 degree high tomorrow meaning a sweet cool Sunday morning. I think I'll start my run at 6 am just to make sure to avoid the sun and the heat.
Kudos to all my teammates that did run in the blazing sun and heat today and ran between 16 to 18 miles. You guys rock!
I cannot skip this class and I cannot join the second section because it's taught by another instructor. The only thing I can do is go to class and run 20 miles by myself on Sunday. No one to run with, no water stops and no one to greet and applaud my efforts. I really do miss my Team.
My class did save me from running in 90 to 100 degree heat this morning. Another plus is a forecast of an 80 degree high tomorrow meaning a sweet cool Sunday morning. I think I'll start my run at 6 am just to make sure to avoid the sun and the heat.
Kudos to all my teammates that did run in the blazing sun and heat today and ran between 16 to 18 miles. You guys rock!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
So Hungry!
I have forgotten what being a college student is like. You lug around your heavy books and laptop everywhere. You cannot leave your belongings alone either, hence packing everything away and lugging it with you whenever you want to get a drink of water or use the restroom. Trust me it blows. Without a refrigerator to keep your lunch or food cool you must carry an lunch bag or, like everyone here, buy all your meals while hauling everything with you.
In a open university with a very public library you cannot afford to leave your belongings alone. Students and very random sketchy looking people roam the floors and between the bookcases. No one can be trusted. This fact alone makes me rethink bringing my laptop. I'd like to leave my desk for a bathroom break without worry. In just the two short hours I've been at the library I've seen three students walk several times with all their belongings to purchase a bottle of water and to use the restroom. I'm starting to rethink bringing my laptop to class. On the other hand I'm not sure how I'll type up my writing assignments during my free time.
I do remember that student's that drive to campus and miraculously find a parking spot use their vehicles as a locker. But many students come via bus or light rail and don't have any such luck. I fall into the latter category. I don't want to drive to campus nor do I want to purchase a parking permit for a hundred some odd dollars. Paying my student fees, which comes close to three grand, and having to pay my PT bill which is another $1200, and being offered a free VTA (bus and lightrail) pass, I'll save my money and catch the lightrail to campus. Besides, the money I save on parking and gas will go towards the purchase of a $7 dollar sandwich. This is where I have to admit, I don't want to buy.
No, I'm not being cheap; I'm just being cautious with my money. I'll feel a bit more comfortable buying sandwiches once I start receiving my severance checks but until then I have no choice but to purchase my sandwiches and coffee.
Hm, it looks like I'll have to go grocery shopping for food that won't spoil and coffee.
Well, it's not that bad. Really, it isn't. My classes are in the evenings and I'm only on campus early to receive a TB test and to have the results read. If it weren't for that I'd be at home eating, watching TV, and attempting to read my assignments. Good news, I finished reading my assignments last night and am working on my writing assignment here at the library. Without food, or water, or my favorite magic potion, coffee. It won't be like this next week. It won't.
Oh, the sun has moved higher into the sky and my little nook by the window in the library on the seventh floor is now bright! Too bright for the likes of me. Sitting by the window is great except when the sun shines down on me and makes me hot. I'll have to find a different window facing the opposite side of the sun. Perhaps this is a good time for lunch. Or maybe not. I'll wait a little while longer before I have to go downstairs and buy lunch and coffee. I don't want to wait in long lines carrying my heavy laptop and heavy class reader.
Boo. I think my age is starting to catch up with me.
In a open university with a very public library you cannot afford to leave your belongings alone. Students and very random sketchy looking people roam the floors and between the bookcases. No one can be trusted. This fact alone makes me rethink bringing my laptop. I'd like to leave my desk for a bathroom break without worry. In just the two short hours I've been at the library I've seen three students walk several times with all their belongings to purchase a bottle of water and to use the restroom. I'm starting to rethink bringing my laptop to class. On the other hand I'm not sure how I'll type up my writing assignments during my free time.
I do remember that student's that drive to campus and miraculously find a parking spot use their vehicles as a locker. But many students come via bus or light rail and don't have any such luck. I fall into the latter category. I don't want to drive to campus nor do I want to purchase a parking permit for a hundred some odd dollars. Paying my student fees, which comes close to three grand, and having to pay my PT bill which is another $1200, and being offered a free VTA (bus and lightrail) pass, I'll save my money and catch the lightrail to campus. Besides, the money I save on parking and gas will go towards the purchase of a $7 dollar sandwich. This is where I have to admit, I don't want to buy.
No, I'm not being cheap; I'm just being cautious with my money. I'll feel a bit more comfortable buying sandwiches once I start receiving my severance checks but until then I have no choice but to purchase my sandwiches and coffee.
Hm, it looks like I'll have to go grocery shopping for food that won't spoil and coffee.
Well, it's not that bad. Really, it isn't. My classes are in the evenings and I'm only on campus early to receive a TB test and to have the results read. If it weren't for that I'd be at home eating, watching TV, and attempting to read my assignments. Good news, I finished reading my assignments last night and am working on my writing assignment here at the library. Without food, or water, or my favorite magic potion, coffee. It won't be like this next week. It won't.
Oh, the sun has moved higher into the sky and my little nook by the window in the library on the seventh floor is now bright! Too bright for the likes of me. Sitting by the window is great except when the sun shines down on me and makes me hot. I'll have to find a different window facing the opposite side of the sun. Perhaps this is a good time for lunch. Or maybe not. I'll wait a little while longer before I have to go downstairs and buy lunch and coffee. I don't want to wait in long lines carrying my heavy laptop and heavy class reader.Boo. I think my age is starting to catch up with me.
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