Baby, it's cold outside!

Brrr! I'm such a baby when it comes to the cold. Drop the temp close to 40-50 degrees and it's all over. All of you people who live in snowy climates, I'm giving you full permission to laugh at me.

This morning was my little more than 4.5 mile run. I've set Sunday mornings aside for a long run and each week I go about a half mile further. I leave my house a little before 7am and drive 15 minutes over to the next town to make use of their trail that makes a complete 12 mile loop when you go all the way. Perfect training ground for a half-marathon.

As I sat in my thermals, bathrobe, fuzzy socks and scarf last night I was thinking about how cold it was going to be and the things I would need to combat this. From my run last week I knew I needed my Ipod to be loaded with inspirational songs that made me thing of sunshine and happy times, gloves for sure, my down puff vest and a beanie. As I got in the car I contemplated not turning the heater on, my logic being that I would just get used to the miserable cold feeling and not create the "warm bed" effect. I turned it on anyways.

When I got to the park that opens up into the trail I geared up and coated my lips in chapstick. Deep breath in, open the door and go for it! Walking very briskly I started doing my 10 minutes of warm up, when I got to my start point I was going very slow. I think I maintained about a 12-13 min/mile pace today. That's okay because I'm not training for speed I'm going for distance and enduring that distance. In the first mile I was still cold. My nose and cheeks were probably red. I noticed the frost on the plants and grass and contemplated running through it to hear it crunch under my feet. The first two miles when by quickly and the songs on my Ipod were a great help to get my mind off my muscles taking a long time to warm up.

When I got to the 2.3 mile turn around I stopped to stretch for a minute. This helped greatly and I started my next 2.3 mile return with new vigor. Going at a much quicker pace and knowing exactly what to look for as distance markers. I attempted to take a few pictures and got one that

just doesn't do justice for what it actually looked like.

There's a storm brewing in my area, but as Casting Crowns song " Until the Whole World Hears" streamed through my ear buds, beams of sunlight streamed down through the clouds with heavenly radiance. I pushed on.

On my way back I passed by the school that has farm animals and noticed the rooster was now awake. He still had his head tucked under his wing when I ran by the first time. I gave him a nod as if to say, "That's okay Mr. Rooster, we all need a day to sleep in." Every time I see a rooster I'm still amazed at how they wake the day. I knew I was now close to my finish and kept my pace up. My body now warm and moving I could have easily gone to 5 miles which makes me excited for next weekend.

After stretching I climbed back into my warm car, pulled out my protein drink to replenish. Pealed my gloves, vest and beanie off and drove home. When I got home I took a hot shower (I was so cold it stung my skin) and sat down to a wonderful breakfast The Hubbs prepared of egg whites scrambled in our leftover chicken fajita mix, garnished with avocado. I sipped my green/mint tea and smiled at what the day had already brought. I'm definitely ready for this week.

3 more

That's how many weigh-ins until this year is officially closed. I did have a small loss of .6lbs and we all know anything is better than a gain. I would love to be down to 192 by the end of this year just to be at the 70lb loss mark. Tomorrow is my long run and I'm going for 4.5 miles. My weekly miles are getting faster and I'm feeling the strength increase in my legs. I've also been doing Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred every Tuesday and Thursdays and man is it tough! I love it so much :)

I sat down with a friend yesterday to give some helpful advice as she starts her weight loss journey. I heard her say familiar things that I thought and felt when I first started. How losing the weight seems so insurmountable and impossible. What I also heard was the distinct tone of someone who is ready to face the challenge. To finally win the battle and I am excited to watch her transform into the person she deserves to be.

Next weekend I will be running another 5k to benefit our local schools and libraries. Also to have one last fun race with friends because next year I'm getting serious. Not to say there's nothing serious about a 5k, they are a great challenge, but I'm aiming for the top. I want to be in that elite few that finish with outstanding times. Who get more than a finishers medal. I know it's going to take time, but the time starts now. Next year also means going further, on to the 10k and later in the year a possible half-marathon. I have to keep pushing forward and improving myself. 2010 has to be the year I finish this race for good.

Whatcha gonna do?

I've had a song stuck in my head and I keep singing the chorus over and over. I wanted to share it with you because I think message is one I'm supposed to share today. Wherever you are in your journey or what your facing this is a great message. It's by Francesca Battistelli from her album My Paper Heart and the lyrics go;

This is the moment
It’s on the line
Which way you gonna fall?
In the middle between
Wrong and right
But you know after all

(Chorus)
It’s your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It’s an open door
It’s your life

Are you who you always said you would be?
With a sinking feeling in your chest
Always waiting for someone else to fix you
Tell me when did you forget

(Chorus)

To live the way that you believe
This is your opportunity
To let your life be one that lights the way

(Chorus)




Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Ephesians 5:15-17

Here's...December!

Well this month has gotten off to a... fun start. The kiddos have come down with another bug and for me this gets a big eye roll because I know we're in for a challenging week. We can't go to play group, the park, or the library because I'm one of those moms who actually cares about spreading our germs. I also know I can expect heightened bad behaviour. This week it's been intensified because The Hubbs has been gone a lot. He's working on leveling up in his jujitsu class and in all fairness I told him to go as much as he needed to get it done by the end of the month.

So 2 days into the month I'm just praying for the day to fly by or for The Hubbs to get off early, just something to save my sanity!! I really threw the wrench in yesterday when I, are you ready for this, fell down the stairs. Ugh...

Yes, somehow my barefoot and a square inch of flattened carpet met and I slid like I was on an iced over pond, hurling myself and kid#2 down half of the stairs. I bounced the whole way down and was able to turn myself over to grab the railing and halt myself. Kid#1 was in front of me and I bowled him over like he was a stack of pins waiting for their fate. Everyone was okay, except for me. My entire left side of my leg is sore and I pulled a muscle in my neck. Add all of this to having to chase a toddler and a sassy pants almost 4 year old around and you can probably guess I'm one grouchy Grinch. Can I tell you how many times I've threatened to call Santa to take the Christmas tree back if they pull anymore ornaments off?!

However, being bound and determined to get out and run, I went and ran my mile last night. It's probably why I'm in so much pain today, but it was a great run. I am getting closer to a 10 minute mile.

The end of this week can't come soon enough and I plan on taking a long Sunday rest all to myself.

Oh and one more thing! I wanted to say hi to my nurse readers in San Francisco! How ironic is it that The Hubbs ran into them on his job site and they recognized me from a photo in his wallet. Thanks for reading and the kind words!

Last Day!

Ahh the last day of the month is here...finally. There's no reason not to like November, but December is so much more fun! Our lights are already up and the tree will be in tonight. Two days after Christmas The Hubbs turns the big 3-0. Although fun, this month also translates into " oh crud I have a TON of stuff to do". This could equal one stressed out mama, but I'm going to do my best to keep that in check.

On to my weigh in. Normally I would PO'd about that number except for the fact I lost an inch all over so I'm going to take that as a gain in muscle. Fine by me. However, this WI got me thinking about my end goal. I started asking myself the question, "what if you're 160lbs and look awesome with great muscle tone?". This could very well be the case, my body is getting trimmer with each week, so what if 150 isn't my target weight? From this point on I'm going to post my measurements along with my weigh-ins. This has actually be very beneficial for me because for the first time I'm actually looking at my body in a healthy way. With an eye that is seeing what a healthy body should look like. Taking note of how much fat I really have on my body. Also feeling the difference between where the fat on my body is and where the lean muscle is coming through.

As the end of the year approaches I'm reminiscing about how I felt last year and looking forward to what is to come in the New Year. One more race to run with friends and then it's time to move on in 2010.

Gobble Gobble

Well if you're like me you're thinking, I survived another year. I had a great day, with my family, and I was able to maintain my healthy lifestyle with ease.

We started our day out at the Point Pinole shoreline for the Nitro Turkey Trot. Kid#1 was participating in his own 50 yard race. I was definitely a proud mama watching my oldest be so excited about running and receiving his finishing medal.

Then I was onto my 5k. I had some goals in mind, but the one I was the most adamant to achieve was to run the entire time. This goal hadn't been a problem for me during my training because I was running a relatively flat 3 mile loop, but I knew this would be challenge due to the hilly nature of this course. The other goal was to beat my previous PR (personal record) from when I ran this course back in May. Happily, I met both of these goals. I put to use my training on how to run hills and was able to get through mile 2 that was all up hill and I beat my previous PR by about 6 minutes. Although my time was a bit slower than I would have liked I was thrilled to have run a race, for the first time, without stopping to walk.

We then went to my parents house and enjoyed dinner and company and then to my Mother-in-law's house to visit some more. We came home very tired and very thankful for a day filled with experiences and memories we will share for a life time.

Oh yea and one more thing...

Have a great weekend everyone!

I'm dreaming...

Although you may have finished that with...of a white Christmas, that's not quite where I was going. I've been day dreaming a lot about upcoming races and events I want to participate in. Earlier in the year I blogged about A New Interest in cycling/running events called Duathlons. The interest is still alive and well inside of me the only thing I'm lacking is the proper equipment.

However, the drive has been rekindled and I'm finding the determination to get what I need to be able to compete by June of 2010. What rekindled this desire? Oh just a little email I received from The Mermaid Series. A group who has all women events throughout California, mainly in the Bay Area and Santa Cruz. I can't even imagine the feeling of running with a group of all women, urging and cheering each other on, while we show our prowess and strength. Gives me chills just thinking about it.

So it's set, I'm going to find a way to get this done by June and September for the Santa Cruz Duathlon. I may find some smaller scale events along the way to get me accustomed to the feel of the exchange points and such.

Another thing my interest has been peaked in, thanks to Muddy Runner and It Just Looks Like Slow Motion are the Ragnar Relay Races. They're recent participation in these races and their glorious recaps are alone inspiring, but it got me to thinking about how exciting it could be. I could travel to a location I've never been to, run with either people I know or don't (potentially at night) and just thoroughly enjoy running. There is one coming up in Utah... it's in my thoughts, but just not sure yet.

Until I register and commit these dreams will have to live in my head...but not for long.