"All runners receive an official race T-shirt and both male and female first place winners of the half marathon win their weight in wine."

That sounds like my kind of race!

Solved the pants problem today by wearing my running pants.

Ahhhhhhhh.....

Today in swimming I swam 82 laps!!!!! YAYYYYYY
That's over a mile!

You can add to that list from this weekend: The swim coach did not show up to class again.

That makes:
2 times in two weeks that we sat in the rain at 7am on a Saturday waiting for him
3 times in two months he has not showed up.
4 times in two months that I did not get to swim (because I missed one day when I was sick)
24 days since I've been in the pool.

I am not losing any weight this way folks.

After sitting in theaters for 2-8 hours a day for 12 days straight, even Spike was begging to go to the gym with me. We cannot wait to get back. We refused to take the escalator the last couple days in order to get some sort of exercise. It was the stairs for us! My first day back at the gym will be Thursday - I'll probably take Spike along on Saturday. Really cannot wait!

I was asked how long it takes me to do 50 laps...

It takes me around an hour, sometimes 50 minutes. Keep in mind this is using a lot of different strokes, and that I can rest as often as I like. Typical assignment will be something like:

8 laps warmup
8 laps freestyle/breastroke alternating
8 laps with kickboard
8 laps with blocks (arms only, no kicking)
8 laps backstroke
8 laps freestyle
8 laps cooldown

So this takes around an hour. I'm going to ask him to put up an assignment totalling the 72 laps (1 mile) because as long as it's written down I know I can do it - also it's easier to keep track of what I've done when I'm following the board.

Anyway, that's my swimming!

So I swam 50 laps Saturday morning (37 degrees again!) but mostly fooled around. I could have easily done 72 (1 mile) but I goofed off too much and had to leave for Cinequest. Next Saturday I plan to buckle down and get the entire thing done.

It's only been a week without running (while we've been at Cinequest) but I really miss it. I was happy to see that I've only gained half a pound - yes it's a gain, but a gain after sitting in a theater all week and eating popcorn and cappuccinos. Actually I was happy to see the scale still tipped down at that almost-lost-8-pounds section. I just have to get through one more week of movies, then I can hit the gym. Unfortunately, that won't be this weekend as I'll be in the theater all day every day then.

I was up to running and using the elliptical for 90 minutes when I stopped. That is a great feeling. Not of accomplishment, although there's that too, but the feeling you get when you can run for any amount over 30 minutes is really great. If you can run for an hour, you don't want to ever stop. Even at 90 minutes I only stopped because of time constraints.

The other good thing is I was scratching my back, over my shoulder, and there was this big lump there at the top between my neck and my shoulder, and for a second I was wondering "What the heck is THAT?" and then I realized...

It's my muscle. Hee. and Hurray!

So, just one more week of theater popcorn and hot dogs and Starbucks Marble Mocha Macchiattos, swim my mile on Saturday, and hit the gym next week. I only need to drop 1.5 pounds to get to the next 10 pound section - those are always great goals to hit, haha.

And we're set.
The kids and I are all going to run the 5K at the Mercury News race in March.
That overachiever part of me wants to sign up for the 10K, but I would rather run a really good 5K then a crappy 10K. So that's what we're going to do.
I am really really happy with the decision.

Okay, I decided. I'm going to run the Mercury News race, and I'll do the 5K. There's no reason not to, really, since I'll be in San Jose and I can definitely run a 5K (anyone can run a 5K, Itsy, everyone should try it one day!), and there's really no excuse to not run it. To not run it would just be laziness.

I didn't ask the kids yesterday because I was basically trying to not kill them last night, and that required so much concentration I forgot about the race. But if I'm calmer by the time I get home I'll ask them tonight.

And also, for those who asked, a 5K equals 3.1 miles. Plenty of people walk and run, or just plain walk. So a 5K is always open to anyone. I really would like to take on the 10K (6.2 miles) though, so I'm going to delay registering until the end of the month to see how much progress I can make.

While looking something up for an email I was writing I came upon the website for the Mercury News 10K, you all remember, that race I had planned to do again... last year? two years ago? However long ago it was that I started school and let the ole body go all to hell?

Anyway. I remember that was my big goal for that year, to better my time by ten whole minutes, but school got in the way, blah blah blah excuses excuses, and that goal was not achieved. But as I looked it up today I realize it's coming up again...

Now, there's no way I can better my time by ten minutes in less than 2 months, in fact, I'm not sure I can get up to a 10K in that time... but I can definitely do the 5K... which is a shame because I love that 10K course so much... but still, a race... I haven't done a race in so long... !!!!!!

I just checked the calendar, I'll be in San Jose that weekend... there's a 5K walk the kids can do if they want... or they can run or they can stay in bed until I get home for all I care.... do I dare?

What a great goal to start the year off. I remember when I ran that 10K for the first time so long ago my mother was SO PROUD of me, and bragged to everyone at work that her daughter ran the race, and ran it faster than some other teacher's daughter who worked with her... Heee....

Well WHY THE HECK NOT? I can run a 5K. It may be my slowest time ever (or probably not, considering I was stuck in a portapotty at the starting gun of a race in Monterey once, heh) but I can still cross the finish line...

To be continued while I think about this some more...

2.5 pounds lost!
FINALLY!!!!!!

Forgot to tell ya'll I went to the gym yesterday, ran for 15 minutes, lifted 32,000 pounds, and then rode the bike for 20.

OH, but I also forgot to tell you the terms of my and Scott's new relationship contract, didn't I! HAH! Okay, hold on, let me put that in a separate item, be right back...

Today I had the day off. I went to Sportsmart hoping there would be sales, you know, like Christmas sales, but NO, they not only had (hardly any) sales but they also had no swim suits. Hopefully some place will have them by the end of January. As for the "sales" they did have? A sports bra marked down to $25 is not a sale. Track pants for $60 is not a sale. I can get the same damn things at Target for $15. I was disappointed because I've been to their REAL sales before, and they're quite awesome.

But.

The running shoes were on sale, and I GOT SOME. Nike Converge. They are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO beautiful, that picture doesn't even do them justice. It also doesn't show how old and raggedy my old ones were. Anyway, I put them on and drove straight to my old YMCA. Re-signed up, put my stuff in a locker...

And ran on the treadmill. Then worked every weight machine (15) twice, for a total of 29712 pounds. Yes that's right, almost 30,000 pounds. Then rode the bike. When I checked out, I noticed that I had reached my next level already - I was only 250 points away when I left that gym! So with the 500 points I earned today, I am at 30000 points and have earned my Yellow YMCA shirt. WOOOOOO!!! Great welcome back present!

And it's funny, because as much fun as I had at the gym, and I really really did, I am totally not having fun at the moment. The closer it gets to Christmas the gloomier this family has been feeling. I will snap out of it, don't worry, you don't have to say anything to me. It's part of the grieving process, so just let me be. I think for us to get on with things we may have to just accept that it isn't going to be a happy Christmas, no matter how much we want it to. My mom only died 6 weeks ago. Like I told her just a few months ago... it's okay to still be sad.

So after a very nice three day weekend (and another coming up this week!) I am happy to report that I ran 3 of the last four days. And my leg muscles are crying to prove it.

And then a very large life insurance check came in, and it had so many zeroes that I kept mis-punching the amount at the ATM when I tried to deposit it. At any rate, looks like some bills will be paid off and a car will be ordered next month.

And maybe some work-out clothes bought, and also the dreaded swimsuit that I need by February 4th, 7am.

Brrrrrrrrr.......

Foiled by rain.
I didn't even know it was raining outside when I typed that wish to run yesterday.

Oh well.

Okay guys, Sunday, October 29, 2006, is the Silicon Valley Marathon.

I'm going to do the half marathon (13 miles).

Shut up, I am.

I won't put a time goal on myself this time, but I'm going to run it. It's the same one I did before (only 10K then) and it was an EXCELLENT race, one of my favorites.

I have to start swimming at the end of January, 3 hours every Saturday morning, 7am (for school). So I'll be ready to get in shape.

I mean it this time. I'm going to do it.

Okay, since I am down to 11 units and midterms are over after Saturday, starting Tuesday I can go back to the gym after work. YAYYYY

Plus, in school I start Swimming in late January, meaning I have to be at the pool at 7am ever Saturday for a 3 hour class... I should probably get myself into some sort of shape before that, eh?

I am really excited, actually.

Yes, I actually got up at 5:30 am and ran for two miles this morning.

And now my body wants to kill me.

I keep telling it that running is good for it, but it doesn't believe me and is currently plotting my death.

I did it!!! I ran over three miles! I can't say my body is too happy with me at the moment, but actually I feel really really great. I've already had a shower, after clambering up the quarter mile steep driveway to Scott's house, and I can still feel the blood pumping through my veins. Skin feels so fresh and alive... I just feel great.

It was warmer than I would have liked it to be. It felt great in the shade, but it was way too hot in the sun. I almost got ran over by a bus - Stupid bus. But all the bicyclists were very nice.

Now I'm supposed to run 2 miles tomorrow. That I'm not sure how I'm going to accomplish because it's going to be way too hot. I may have to do it before work in the morning. Well, I guess if I'm going to commit to this schedule then that's what I'm going to have to do. Run at 5:30am. At least the sun will already be out.

And now I have Creative Writing homework to do. So see ya later.

Ran twice around the block this evening, 1.6 miles. YAY!

FINALLY!!!

Just ran! Feels GREAT! Well, *puff* *puff* my heart and lungs are telling a different story, and even my arm muscles are having a bit of trouble typing this right now, but I do feel great.
Only ran .8 miles (once around the block), was going to go twice around but got a bad chest cramp right before I arrived at my house, so I just stopped. Don't want to have a heart attack right after I turn 38.

But I do feel great. November evening weather in San Jose is so perfect for running, it's about 55deg.F right now.

So I finally accomplished that. Also, just found out I can take Eng 1B during the winter session, which is a great relief because otherwise I was going to cram in Eng 1B AND Women in Literature AND Creative Writing all during the summer - NOT a good plan. This makes the summer plan MUCH better, and I should be able to do well in all three classes now, instead of barely passing any of them.

Okay enough. Must study for Oceanography midterm that is tomorrow morning.

Good night!

I went to the gym and met with Nick (Mr.Jack-LaLanne's-Father) and he was really really great. He just had some casual pants and a sweater on, and he showed me each of the machines. He's super strong, and said that I was his strongest client, EVER. :-) He said he could tell I work out, and that I'm going to do really well because I use the machines correctly and really concentrate. He said I did so well I should become a teacher!
I told him I was studying to be an English Teacher, going to work full time, school full time, and the mother of two kids. His jaw dropped! He said I didn't look old enough to have 2 teenagers, that I barely looked 30.

So of course, I love my Mr.Nick!

Also, I really really love the gym. It's small but quiet and empty, it has twice the machines the Y had and they're really nice, the people are nice, and it's exactly what I was looking for.

I forgot about this when I just updated the diary with my good news, but after I paid my "fee" at college I decided to celebrate by joining a brand new gym that's exactly 1.5 miles from my house, using the same equipment my YMCA has, for exactly the same price. I had let my YMCA membership lapse because, duh, it cost money, and also I wasn't using it because it was too far.

But I got a coupon in the mail the other day, so I marched over to the gym with it and signed up and was SO excited, because now my days and evenings will be filled with work and school and exercizing...

And then they scheduled my Fitness/Wellness Test... with this old man... like 80 years old... Like Jack LaLanne's FATHER, so old. And the guy is all decked out in his work-out gear, I mean like even a sweat band around his forehead and wrists and everything. And he told me all about how he was going to show me how to work out, and use the machines "the right way AND the wrong way", etc., and I gotta tell you, it was all I could do to not crack up as I thought about how this gym was also going to provide me with as many stories as Princess Missy at Curves did.

Anyway, my appointment is 5:30pm tomorrow, and then I can go anytime I want. I am so excited, my life is so on track right now. Everything is good.

Please, God, Please let it stay that way for awhile.

So Thursday evening I did the New York City Ballet workout tape, which is a very very simplified ballet workout. I took ballet for many years and class was always much harder than this... but I'm 37 years old now and not a cute little ballerina any more, so my legs were sore the next day anyway.

Friday I did a few ballet moves at lunch, and Saturday I did about 20 minutes in the morning. Today I did my Tae Bo workout tape.

I wrote a "Project" statement up this evening, stating I will lose 30 pounds by August 1. If I'm going to get back into shape, I need to just do it, so since I'm on somewhat of a roll, I just need to keep that ball rolling.

I can do it!

Tomorrow morning Buffy and I are getting up at 7:30am to run to the bakery (actually run, not get in the car and drive) (1 mile) and get a bagel and coffee (for me, juice for her) and then run back home.

That is the plan.

Actually the hardest part will be getting her up, haha.

Also, Emily, go check out your page, it's beautiful again!

Well Spike wasn't comfortable with being left alone with frying chicken, so I ran for a mile, then came home and started it myself. Running a mile and eating a couple pieces of fried chicken will just even out, right?

What about if I include a salad?

I'm going running with Buffy right now, then I'll be back at the computer and I get to stay here all evening because my son is grounded AGAIN.
I think he's working on some kind of record.
Or he's very persistent in trying to make me certifiably crazy.
The computers Mine Mine Mine again!!!

Five miles in 63 minutes, People.
Five miles for the second time in a week.
The 2 miles I need to do tomorrow sounds SOOO much nicer now, haha.
Next Sunday I do SIX.

I ran five miles at the gym today and I am very very very proud of myself!!!

I never should have put these comfy sweats on before leaving Scott's house.
They are a psychological symbol to my brain that says "Time for bed!"
I have had not one iota of interest in running since I put them on.
Skipped the 5 miler today.
Not good.
Was going to do a speed run instead.
Not looking likely.
Today I am a bum.
I am disappointed in myself, but I still have no intention of going outside.

Caterwaul ran a half marathon November 16 and here is her inspiring entry.

I have officially lost 8 pounds this month.

I think I may get this watch after Christmas if it's still on sale then, but I'm a little confused why on my wishlist it says it's $109 but when you click on it it's $39. I don't like price confusion.

I had such an easy time running today, I wish I could have had more time. I know I could have done 5 or more miles. I can't wait to go back to the gym - I love running the streets outside, but seeing the exact mileage on the treadmill is very satisfying.
On the other hand, running in Aptos was the very best of all, and I get to do that Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Hurray!

Running Picture

Isn't this a great picture for my running diary?
Someday I'll figure out how to do my own layouts.
Hmmmm.... I wonder if I could figure it out myself....
Well, another day, I'm just glad I found a great picture for now.
Did I mention I ran four miles today?
:-)
Yes, I'm proud of myself.
It's been a great day and a good weekend.

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