Surprise!!!

A few weeks ago I got an email on my phone that got me in panic mode.  It was an email from bestbuy.com saying that they received my order.  I panicked at once.  Oh my GAWD!  Someone stole my credit card and bought themselves an IPAD!!!  I quickly opened the email to see what the damage was and got ready to call best buy, the credit card and change all my passwords.  To my surprise the email said that they received my order for my Garmin 310XT, thank you Michael Pila.

I laughed out loud and heartily.  The poor hubby.  Once again he foiled his own surprise!!  He ordered the Garmin and punched in the Best Buy rewards card that was attached to me email.  I knew he had no idea that he had done so and since he never ever checks hie email I knew that he wouldnʻt think to look for an email acknowledging the receipt of the order.  Some might think that it was pretty over-confident of me to assume that the Garmin ordered by my husband was for me.  After all, Motherʻs Day is weeks away, my birthday a month away, and our Anniversary even father away.  However, in my husbandʻs own words he, "hates to run," and he knew how much I wanted a Garmin for the Marathon weʻre running at the end of the year.

I pondered for a minute about what I should do with this little piece of information.  I could torture my husband and go out and buy a Garmin.  That was my first choice.  I could also forward him the email--but then he might cancel the purchase.  So, I decided to pretend like I had no idea while also stalking the purchase online secretly.

The next email came saying that my Garmin was shipped and gave me a tracking date.  I subscribed to the UPS shipping alerts so that I would know where my package was at all times.  I then went online to learn more about my Garmin that was coming in the mail.  I was soooo excited!

Finally, I received an email that said my--I mean Mikeʻs package was on the UPS truck ready for delivery.  It was a day earlier than expected.  I knew that the package would probably be delivered at 5pm and I was excited.  Hubby usually comes home at 6 so I would be able to intercept the package and then....and then what? Open it?  Thatʻs against the law. What would I do?  I wasnʻt sure but eagerly awaited the honk of the truck.

Well, of all days for hubby to come early, this was the day.  I came home from my afternoon run and there he was.  I couldnʻt stop laughing.  Did the truck come?  I looked in the house and didnʻt see a box anywhere.  I checked the status online and the box was not delivered.  What would I do when the truck came?  What would he do?  Being the impatient person that I am, I finally blurted out, "Hey, whereʻs my Garmin?"  Hubby pretended to not know what the hell I was talking about and I blurted out, "I got an email!"  Poor guy.  Another surprise that was an un-surprise.  But then again, heʻs used to it, lol.  We laughed about it and sat down to dinner.  During dinner I heard the barking of the dogs that always signalled that someone was outside.  I ran out the door and intercepted the package.  Itʻs here I shouted in my head.  I fought all instincts to rip the package open and set it on the table for my husband.

*     *      *     *

Two weeks later and I am in love with my Garmin 301XT.  I no longer have to worry about my phone battery to track my runs with it.  The face of the Garmin is large and the data is easy to read at a glance on my runs without slowing down.  I set it up to auto pause and to show:  Lapsed time, Pace, Lap Time, and Distance.  It gives me an audio and vibration alert every 5 minutes and every 1/2 mile.  When I get home I download the data to my computer on three different sites:  Garmin Connect, Runkeeper, and Daily Mile.  Through Garmin Connect I am able to look at the data to see how my runs are.  Hubby has also used the Garmin on his solo runs and likes it as well.

I am truly thankful for a thoughtful husband who bought me such a cool gift.  Thank you hubby for keeping this van mommy running running running!!

Solo Soccer Mommy!

This past Saturday was a test of my mommy skills.  Both of my children are playing AYSO soccer and I am the head coach of one team and the assistant coach of the other.  I know it sounds crazy and it is, however, one team is U6 and I only have 5 players, and the other team is U5 and donʻt have any practices, just a huge group (80 kids in all) practice and scrimmage every Saturday.  Furthermore, I signed up to coach so that I would be pretty much guaranteed that the games would be spaced far enough apart so that I would be able to make both (smart huh!).

This past Saturday was nuts because the schedule looked like this:  7:45 picture taking, 8:30 game at one field, 10:30 game at another field.  Normally this wouldnʻt be quite so bad, however, on this particular Saturday my husband had class and wouldnʻt be able to help and my parents had a luncheon and would also be MIA.  Thus, I was truly solo and on my own.

Although I prayed for a thunderstorm, hail, and even snow, we woke up Saturday morning to a glorious day.  Got the kids up and ready and headed to the field for soccer pictures.  Picture-taking went without a hitch and we got the girls ready for our first game.  I wasnʻt sure what to expect since we only had 3 practices and had little time to do any game simulation or strategizing.  For U6 the coach has to referee and coach at the same time.  We play 4 10 minute quarters so that means 60 minutes on the field running while coaching commentary, directing, and some times physically assisting the girls, lending hugs to the cryers, and dealing with all kinds of unexpected insanity (like getting yelled at by assesnine parents).  To my surprise, there was nothing to be worried about.  The girls did great and by the end of first quarter we were leading 6-1 and all but one player had scored a goal.  AYSO, however, frowns upon beating teams to a pulp so we had to tell the girls not to score, pull out our stronger players, and hang back.  Itʻs ridiculous to take 6 year old girls out of their game.  I am not saying that I am for beating a team to a pulp, however, there needs to be something done about this, especially when girls that have never played soccer before in their lives are scoring goals.  Anyhow,  we did our part to assist in the positive self-image of the team and the game ended in a tie at 6-6.  With game one down I packed up the kids in the van, drove to Burger King for some snacks and headed to field number 2.

Game number 2 was my sonʻs third soccer game.  Prior to this week I was able to avoid coaching duties since he was shy for game 1 and sick for game 2.  However, after coaching my daughterʻs game I  felt guilted into stepping up and coaching my son.  So there I was at the field, ready to go.  I set up my daughter on the side of the field with snacks, drinks, and my phone.  Luckily she had some friends with her who had their Ipad.  I was pretty confident that she would be able to stay the course of the "game."

U5 started and our group began at the skills station.  Noah and I went through the different skills and worked on our ball touch and balance.  For a 4 year old he was doing well.  It was hot as hell and to be honest I was ready to throw in the towel.  After 10 minutes of drills it was time to switch to the "scrimmage."  To my utter dismay (horror) I was the only "coach" in this station so I was forced to referee/coach the "game."  Have you ever watched little boys that are 4-5 years old play soccer?  Aye caramba!!!  Needless to say, it was the longest hour of my life.  BUT, happily Noah did well, enjoyed playing, and there was no drama on the field.

When the whistle blew signaling the game was over I sighed in relief.  It took a miracle and somehow I had survived back to back soccer games in the blazing heat with 2 kids.  Hallelujah!!!

I packed up the kids and we headed home.  With so much success I was feeling brave. I skipped the normal Mc Donalds drive through lunch and brought the kids home and made them peanut butter sandwiches and grilled cheese.  I turned on the tv and let them watch as much cartoons as they wanted while I recovered on the couch.

Itʻs official, I am a van-driving soccer mommy...and it feels pretty good!!!

Ford Island Bridge 10K

December 7, 1941 is a day that most people who live in Hawaii remember for it is the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked.  I wasn't alive at this time but throughout my schooling it has been a day and time that we learned about.  In elementary school I was given an assignment to interview someone that was alive during the attack (I interviewed my grandma) and in high school we read books like Farewell to Manzanaar and also visited the Arizona Memorial for a field trip.  Pearl Harbor has always held a fascination for me because of the rich history and all it stands for.  When you visit the Memorial and stare down into the depths of the harbor to see the sunken battleship iridescent rainbow oil on the surface of the water you can't help but feel a powerful draw for eternal world peace.

This year was the 15th Ford Island Bridge Run.  Back in my non-runner days it's always been a race that intrigued me.  The Bridge connecting the main island to Ford Island was built decades ago and cost millions of dollars.  It's not a bridge that you drive on often and when you do, there's no stopping. I had the opportunity to run on the bridge last year when we stayed on the Navy Lodge and it was beautiful.  The island itself is beautiful as well, with old cottages, the Mighty Mo Battleship and the USS Bowfin submarine (you can tour them as well).  The island also is home to the Pacific Aviation Museum.  A little museum with planes and rich with information and history.  You can also host parties there as our friend Kathy did (great venue!).

Anyhow, it's a run that I have always wanted to do and this year I finally took the plunge and signed up with a bunch of friends.  It is the run that almost didn't happen since I was unsure whether I would be able to run 10K so close to my first Half Marathon.  However, knowing that the course was relatively flat and with the idea that it was "too crowded" on the bridge to really "race" I signed up with my hubby and my running friends.  Two of our friends even signed up to run with their two kids in jogging strollers!!!

The days after the Half Marathon I took it relatively easy and had the mindset that Saturday's Bridge run would be nice and relaxing.  I ran a slow 10K on Thursday for my Marathon Clinic homework and felt strong.  I was ready for the race.

On race day we woke up early and arrived at Richardson Field to meet our friends.  The energy in the air was positive.  I had my camera ready and charged because I intended to stop and take pictures of the island and all the history as I ran.

The gun (horn) sounded and we were off to run across the bridge onto the island.  Since the bridge is narrow the start was a little harrowing.  Some people were walking, some people were stopping with no warning, the bridge was on an incline, and we had to weave in and out of the craziness.  I also wanted to make sure that I got some shots of the Arizona Memorial which was just so close to us from the Bridge.

I did the run with my husband and my pacer buddy Sheryl and we ran strong for the race.  We were at a less than 10 minute mile pace and my body felt good.  At about the 4 mile marker I noticed that my time was good and very near to my personal best that I had recorded for a 10K at the Women's Pacific race a few months ago.  I reminded myself that this was supposed to be a slow and easy run for fun.  Still...I kept thinking that I was doing well, feeling fine and could run a fast race.  At about the 4.5 mile run mark I decided to make my move and picked up the pace.  But at mile 5, I looked up and saw the Bridge incline and felt the wind coming down strong and straight at me.  I decided to just go for it and started picking people up ahead to pass.  I took them down one by one and made it over the bridge and up the last incline back on to Kamehameha Highway.  The finish line was just ahead I could go hard but saw the condition of the road; uneven hole-y gravel and a finish line on Richardson Field with more holes.  I decided to ease up (smart) and finish.

At the end I felt great and enjoyed all the yummy food they served (popsicles, Portuguese Sweet Bread, chocolate mile, gatorade, bananas) and relaxed with my friends.  We stayed for part of the awards ceremony and were stunned to learn that the finishers finished in 35 minutes (we were still on mile 3 at that time!).  It was a great race and great day.

When I got home I was a little bummed to learn that I only finished 37 seconds shy of my personal best time.  I realized I could have easily beat it if I had entered the race with a different mindset.  Nevertheless, it's another fun race that's in the books and run with friends and family.  :)

See results here:

http://timelinehawaii.com/Results/Bridge%20Overall%2012.htm

USS Bow Fin Submarine

Arizona Memorial

Look at the Swag!

Finisher's Shirt

Signs Running has Taken Over my Life: Data Analysis

I'm trained in data collection and analysis, both quantitative and qualitative.  For my job I crunch numbers and use the data to write Action Plans as related to education.  I love looking at numbers and other forms of data for clues.  I know it's not for everyone, but me, I like it.

When I began running I used a Pedometer to keep track of my steps.  Initially I was trying to get 10,000 plus steps per day for good health.  As my fitness level increased I slowly began wanting a better indicator of what kind of work outs I was accomplishing each day.  I ended up downloading the runkeeper app to my phone:

runkeeper.com/

The app uses GPS satellites to track your route, speed, pace, time and distance.  I have mine set up to give vocal alerts at each half mile mark and 5 minute mark.  The app has been great for my training and at times makes me a little maniacal (C'mon, hit that 9:30 pace!).  I love it because the data is sent from my phone to the runkeeper website where I am able to track my progress, compare my runs, choose different routes to run, and also, analyze my data.

Yup, I am now analyzing my runs.  The data that I have been looking at are my speeds on different elevations, and my mile split times.  Over the course of a year or so I have learned that I tend to hit my stride somewhere around mike 4 and 5.  Yups, it takes this old body that long to warm up!!!  The mile splits have also helped me in strategy for longer runs (SAY WHAT?!!).  For instance, in training for my Half Marathon the data collected on my Long Slow Distance runs gave me a good indicator as to how long I could run at a 10 minute pace.

Here's the data from my Half Marathon yesterday:

My timing chip data from the run had me at the 7 mile marker at 1:12:05 and my finishing time at 2:13:20.  I ran the second half of the race much much faster than the first half for a negative split.  While I sprinted the last mile, afterward I did have quite a bit of energy left (Probably that high octane Rasberry Chocolate GU at mile 8) and looking at the data I probably could have picked up the pace earlier and didn't need to slow down at mile 11 for the last 2 miles.

Sound nuts?!!  YOU BET!!!  Obviously I am a little too intellectual and obsessed about this crazy running thing and need to GET A LIFE!!!

Someone help!!!

But really look at mile 13.  Haha.  I ran 12 miles and still managed to pull out a sub 9 mile on a hot as hell course in a mile through Magic Island (those of you who know Magic Island know how hot it is!).  Can I get a cheee hooooooo!!!!

April 1st: Running 13.1 miles is fun!

Today I accomplished a major feat.  I ran 13.1 miles for FUN!  I never ever would have imagined that I would be able to do this but I did and it's no APRIL FOOLS!  :)

Back in December a friend of mine mentioned that she wanted to run in the Diva Wahine Half Marathon so that she could get a medal.  In my head I thought, "She is CRAZY," and told her to go do it.  About that same time I signed up for the Honolulu Marathon because it was 1) cheap, and 2) on my 40 year bucket list.  After signing up for the marathon I realized that I would need to train for it since I refused to wasted my $52 dollar entrance fee ($26 for me and $26 for the hubby who jumped on the band wagon).  So I started to do some research, start training and somewhere along the way decided that I should do a half marathon before the big dance to see what I was getting myself into.

So, I bit the bullet and signed up:

http://www.runlikeadiva.com/

I began training and a few weeks before the race hit my longest training run, 11.5 miles in 2 hours and a 1minute.  I decided I was ready.

Well, the big day was today and I was crazy nervous.  So many doubts, so much of the unknown. So many things that could go wrong.  What if I drank too much water before the race?  What if I got a side stitch?  What if my feet hurt?  What if it was too hot?  What if the vog rolled in?  What of my clothes started to chaffe?  What if I was just not good enough?  What if I wasn't strong enough?

But with all the doubts I found myself at the start line and there was no turning back.

The run was hot.  There was no breeze, a strong sun, and a thick humidity in the air.  My plan was to run conservatively at a 10 minute pace.  I didn't want to burn out early and I knew that at 10 minutes I could run comfortably, without pain, and for a long duration.  During the run I ran with my friend Sheryl and we were right on pace every time our Runkeeper app sounded off.  We ran around Magic island, through the hills of Kakaako Park, along the water front, around a huge warehouse at the Piers, then back toward where we came.  I enjoyed the run through Aloha Tower market place and especially along the shore line at Kakakao.  I did not appreciate the steps there, though.  While only about 5 steps, after running 9 miles, any steps are a blow to the body.

When we got to 10 miles I texted my husband that I was on my way to the Finish Line because he had brought my son to watch.  Let me tell you, it was an amazing inspiration to see all the dad and their kids cheering for the moms running on the course.  As I reached mile 11 at Ala Moana Beach Park I kept searching for them and turned on the heat.  As I entered Magic Island at mile 12 I really let myself fly as fast as I could.  Only thing I could not see the Finish Line.  Where the HELL was it?  How much farther did I need to go?  Longest mile ever.  As I turned the corner, there it was.  I could see the Ambulances waiting in case they were needed and I could hear Stephanie Lum calling out names.  I ran toward the line smiling and as fast as I could (thank goodness for that turbo chocolate rasberry GU I gulped down at mile 8).  I got my medal from a hottie, took my pic, grabbed my anthurium (say what) then my banana and cookie.  I was also still looking for my family.  Nowhere to bee seen I sat down and stretched.

As I reflect back I am amazed at the feat that I have accomplished.  13.1 miles in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 20 seconds.  Not bad for pushing 40, 2 kids, and too much going on.  The weirdest thing is that there was nothing at all painful about the experience.  I ran with so much joy and wonder for the entire race.

So, my first Half Marathon is in the books.  We'll see if there is another one in my near future.  Right now I just need someone to massage my legs!!!

the time

the swag

the diva outfit

more swag

this weighs 5 pounds!

the course

my cheerleader

could have run another mile  :)