A fellow blogger asked for some pictures and insight on what makes us move. I answered her questions and sent in some pictures without too much thought. She sent me a link to the expose she put together and let me tell you…it was exactly what this tired mommy needed to be reminded about. :) Thank you Lulu Monster!!!
lhttp://lululemonmonster.blogspot.com/2013/12/move-it-by-aurene.html
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Give BACKS!
Hello! Last week I was working at a school and noticed that one of the students had a backpack with a large hole being held together by safety pins. His teacher mentioned that his bag had been broken for awhile but that the family did not have funds to buy a new one. I mentioned that my kids had many extra backpacks that they could donate. On my way home it dawned on me that other families must have extras that they could donate as well. If you do, please contact me for pick up. I hope to have some backpacks ready for students when we start the new year. I have already contacted one Principal who would be grateful and will be contacting a few more. Mahalo for your help and let's all GIVE BACKS!!!!
For more info please see this link:
Give Back on Facebook
For more info please see this link:
Give Back on Facebook
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Honolulu Marathon 2013 Team Pila Racing is Victorious
Today is two days post Honolulu Marathon and I went on a nice and easy 2 mile run. It is the first day in 2 years that I am not training for a race and it feels soo weird. During my run I was waging a mental battle with myself whether I should run 3 (ridiculous), run 1 (not enough) or just run 2 (ok, that's satisfying enough).
I began training for the 2012 marathon on January 1, 2012. I had always wanted to do a marathon by 40 so that 2012 marathon was it. I trained diligently with the marathon clinic adhering to training schedules, strict nutrition and everything else. The result was a huge loss of weight, a body in amazing shape, and a 4:50 marathon completed on December 9, 2012.
The high that I felt after completing that first marathon was like no other. In fact, even though I swore I would never do another one at mile 18 I signed up for the 2013 marathon just a month after. By charging that $26.10 I had sealed my fate. Not long after signing up for marathon #2, I signed up for the real marathon #2 (North Shore Marathon) to take place in April 2013 and just like that I was training for another marathon.
Training after the North Shore Marathon for the Honolulu Marathon was bumpy. I took on a lot of responsibilities at home and got a new job. I could not devote the time or energy to training that I did in 2012 and no matter how many races I completed in the mean time I had many doubts about my ability to do well in the 2013 Honolulu.
Race weekend came and I still did not commit to a plan. A type A personality, goals usually rule my life but this time I was afraid. Afraid to put myself out there and afraid of failing. So I told a lot of people that my goal was just to finish and I convinced myself that it would be okay to "just finish."
However, to make things a little crazy, the hubby aka running partner declared that this would be his last marathon because he just wasn't into it. As many of you know Marathon 2012 was a total debacle because of him and he missed hitting his sub 5 goal. So here I was, torn. Torn between "just finishing" and running sub 5.
The day before the race was hectic and I didn't have time to really commit to a plan or get myself mentally prepared and so I woke up at 2:30 am on race day with no real plan. Type A, no plan? Not good. Hubby and I met our friends and everyone talked about their plans. I still did not commit to sub 5 but came up with a general idea and talked to hubby about targeted paces. Before I knew what was happening the gun fired, fireworks went off and the crowd moved forward. It was time to run.
The plan was to start at an 11 minute pace and warm up. The dark run through Down Town was surprisingly easy. It wasn't cold, there was no need to warm up, and the crowd was not as fierce as it was last year. Hubby and I ran very easily for the first 4 miles. We were hitting about a 10:40 pace and I enjoyed looking at all the sites as I ran and saying hi to people that I knew as they ran past us. When we go back to Ala Moana Blvd. we saw bathrooms at the park and decided to make our first bathroom break. The lines were fast and it ended up being a great move. Last year I had waited til mile 6 at the base of Diamond Head and that was a disaster.
After the bathroom we got back on pace and cruised through Waikiki. The mile through Waikiki is an awesome one with lots of screaming, cheering, banging, and clapping. Many of the runners started speeding up here as did the hubby but I tried to keep the pace slow. Diamond Head was just around the corner and I wanted to make sure we ran the "home field" strong.
Diamond Head came quick and I prepared myself for the ascend, the crowd, and the wheelchairs that would be zooming downhill. I knew we were ahead of pace and we were doing good. This stretch is also a great one with the kids from Youth Challenge high fiving and cheering us on. Teenagers on the course is just the best because these kids had me cracking up the whole way up and the mood helped me relax. The hubby and I ran this hill strong and passed many, many people on the way up. When we reached the top we were running a good 10:30 pace and continued to run strong all the way up to Kalanianaole.
I am not sure what happened but when we got onto Kalanianaole something in me changed and I turned to the hubby and said, "I just want to tell you, this is mile 12 and I am going to start dropping F bombs." Right before this we had talked about how happy we were that the sun hadn't risen yet and that we wouldn't need to run into the sun for such a long time, but in retrospect the sun was not the sole problem. In fact, even though the sun was out it was still warm. Very warm and very humid. The heat had started to get to me and I had some rough miles out on Kalanianole going in and coming out.
There were a few highlights, including seeing the lead women racing down Kalanianole (we were too late for the men), and seeing our friend KG in the Hawaii Kai Loop. He ran a few 100 yards with us, sprayed our knees and gave mike some ice. Other strangers handed out food which was a God Send for me as I dropped my bag of pretzels on the road.
Some of the lows that brought me down were seeing the ambulances, hearing the ambulances, and seeing a bunch of god Samaritan runners carrying an older men who had fallen and had blood coming out of his head.
Sights like these, although now new, I was somehow not prepared to face, and the run back toward the finish line was tough for me. I wasn't in a lot of pain, but I was hot and tired and it was a struggle. The hubby was breaking away from me and I wasn't sure if I could keep up. Feeling weak and insecure is not something that I normally allow for on the course and the heat and the marathon was playing games with me. I told hubby many times to go ahead but he refused to leave me. It became a game of trying to keep up and I chased him all the way back on Kalanianaole while chomping on ice, pouring water down my shirt, and just trying to keep moving. All the while I was checking my Garmin and realizing that despite how much crappier I felt than last year we were still on track to sub 5.
When we finally got back to the end of Kalanianaole Hwy I eagerly began looking for our friend JY who had told us on the way out that she' be waiting with some coke. This was the same JY in the same place that gave me a kick in the ass last year and helped me finish strong. When we saw her it was so nice to feel her energy and it was the kick in the ass I needed. Still struggling I told the hubby that all we needed was 4 11 minute miles and we'd hit our goal. We were determined, but Kahala Ave loomed. The hot incline to Diamond Head has always been our foe and it again kicked my ass.
I was hot, delirious and being a wuss. I started resorting to desperate measures and grabbing sponges, oranges, ice, anything to get me through. The howl of ambulances and another person collapsed on the side of the road with a cop calling for help shook me. I began to look at the hubby for signs that he was going to collapse too and was getting nervous. Did we have it in us? What if we didn't make it?
As we reached the base of Diamond Head I told the hubby we were going to walk a little to get some energy back and then were were going to get our sub 5. We had time to work with. We just needed to stay steady and not pass the eff out. Together, on the verge of cramping, me afraid he was going to black out and I would have to carry his ass over the line, we ran and walked. Somehow we got over the hill, and checking the Garmin I told him we were going to sub 5. We just had to keep moving and not pass out. I told him not to run hard, to coast, to conserve energy, but to just keep going. I was so afraid that a catastrophe would occur. Victory was so close I could taste it but being the athlete that I am I was so scared to jinx it. and so we ran carefully, walked a bit when we entered Kapiolani Park. Drank water, took what we needed to and sucked it up for the longest .4 miles of our lives. We turned into the long stretch and could see the finish line. Except that it was blocked by an ambulance. Yes, an ambulance. I again told the hubby to slow down and take it easy. We were going to sub 5 but we would have to cross that line and not pass out before. We ran steadily toward the line, so close, so tempting to try and sprint for it...but playing it smart and taking one step at a time. As we neared the tennis court, I could taste it. After two long years of training, many ups and downs, Team Pila Racing was going to cross that Marathon line together. We were going to have that Finishing picture that our friend KU dreamed about. I grabbed his hand and we approached together smiling, happy, elated, strong. The F bombs, the whining, the complaining, the pain, the declarations that I would never do this again were so far from me. I was in the moment, enjoying a sweet victory. I looked up and saw our friend JF cheering us on the sideline, the crowd was roaring, and we were crossing the mat. Sub 5. We did it.
And we did it more than a minute faster than I had completed it last year. And of course that got me thinking. And angry. And then planning and scheming.
This half of Team Pila Racing is in for 2014. I am hoping to convince the other half that we can kill this record in one year.
<3
Sunday, December 8, 2013
12.8.13 Honolulu Marathon
PR for the course at 4:49.15 so proud of Team Pila Racing. More info to come. :)
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Honolulu Marathon Clinic 10 mile Turkey Trot! 11.28.2013
Honolulu Marathon Turkey Trot!!! A 10 mile predict your time race. Being that my training has been helter skelter I had no clue what to write. I looked at the time I predicted last year and decided to add a few minutes since I am slower. I went with 1:41:27 (don't ask me how I chose the 27). The Honolulu Marathon Clinic puts on a great race complete with a fabulous a capella group who sings an original wonderful Honolulu Marathon Turkey Trot, and a bag piper player. We lined up at Paki Restrooms, did 1.5 loops around Diamond Head Park then set off for miles 6-11 and 11-26.2 of the Marathon Course. The plan was to "just run" and that's what we did. The course is one that we have run on a lot and it felt good to just get out there and do my thing. I've been running "naked" (no Garmin) a lot lately so that listening to my body as opposed to running for time has gotten more comfortable. With only 10 days til the marathon I am being as conservative as I can but I do admit that the instinct to race is strong inside of me and any chance that I had I passed whatever runner I could.
It was nice to see runners on the course, especially members of the HMC "Grey Group" that we used to run with when we had time to train. I knew that I must be pretty much on pace since I saw them on the route. When we turned on to Kahala Ave I vowed to run strong and simulate how I want to be running come Marathon day. I kept telling Mike, "this is the 2nd to the last time we'll be running this hill this year!" and also practice my Hill Mantras. The result was a very strong and solid last three miles of the course and that's the way I want to remember these last 3 miles heading into the 26.2.
As we turned in to Kapiolani Park and the Marathon Finish Mike began to pick up and I tried to keep as close to him as we could. As we passed the Tennis Courts I felt stronger and started to kick. The more I kicked the more he kicked. That's when we started to race. We can't help it, that's just the way we are. I was not going to lose and went full throttle. We crossed the line within a few seconds of one another and a volunteer wrote down my time. 1:41.03. I was 24 seconds too fast. And had I not raced I probably would have been in the running. DAMN. Damn, damn, damn.
Losing aside, today was a great run. My legs felt good, I felt happy, serene, and at the end much more confident. I am hoping that I am peaking at the right time this year and am just ready to run my race.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 25, 2013
On Friendship
I am sure that you have different friends in your lives that provide different comforts to you. There's the funny friend, the going out friend, the hook you up friend, the childhood friend, the college drinking friend and so on and so forth. I sure hope that I provide some sort of something to the people who call me a friend. :) While I have friends who are special to me in different ways today I want to spot light a friend who always dares me to be bad ass. She is one of my greatest supporters and she supports me to be a great mom and a great person.
I have known "D" since she was in the 7th grade and I was in the 9th grade. We played soccer together in our high school years and then lost touch. She was always one of the nicest, most genuine people I knew and she loved sports just like me. After high school we'd see each other time to time at the Mall and would stop and talk, always trying to get together but never ever re-connecting.
In our 30s we ran into one another at the mall (again) and found that we were both married with kids and soon after that our adult relationship was born. A million years later "D" was still kind hearted and a beautiful soul. She married a man just as nice as she and had to boys who were so much like my own son and daughter.
Lucky for me, our friendship blossomed and our families began to spend time together. "D's" active and fearless attitude was contagious. I would always cringe as her kids caught waves on boogie boards, climbed high on jungle gyms, road fast on their bike down mountains, and skated on walls. Where her kids went, my kids followed. I would always have to close my eyes and walk away because her family's extreme way of living was always too much for me. You see, "D" thinks I am adventurous but I am really, really a huge wuss!
And so this past weekend like many weekends "D" and I tried to plan a get together for our kids. What I love about her is that she's super spontaneous (the opposite of me, I like to plan and be 20 steps ahead of the game) and is getting me to be more like her. So on Saturday night we planned to do something on Sunday but didn't hammer out the details (super not like me, I like to be packed and have food ready the night before). I had told "D" that I would be running Sunday morning and that I'd message her after I was done.
With 11.5 miles in the books and already almost 9 am I did the unthinkable and agreed to meet "D" and her family at the water park. There's so many reasons that this is not typical of me, the biggest one being that I HATE the water park. Why? You ask? Well, because a million years ago in third grade I had a drowning experience at Castle Park. I can vividly remember being under water, drowning, looking up at the sun shining through the water and thinking I was dying. Luckily my friend Stacie saw me, yelled, and my sister Laurie saved me. Anyhow, the Water Park was the LAST place I would want to be and with my kids in tow, even worse!!
We made it home and in a frenzy I grabbed things we needed and boiled hot dogs. Before I could think twice we got in the car and headed west. As we drove out I envisioned myself sitting on a chair in the shade and relaxing peacefully.
When we got to the Water Park it was of course, chaotic. I had Dannika running one way, Noah clinging to my leg, and the hubby nowhere to be found. Thank GOD for "D" who is perfect in such situations. She was in the water, chasing after Dannika, taking care of the kids while I stood in the side lines and watched from afar.
I saw all of them splashing and having fun, yelling, and smiling. I saw my dear friend sliding down the slides and having a great time. And that's when it happened. I jumped in after them and tried the small slide. A few times down the small slide and I was ready to try the big slide. In fact I did the big slide twice. Thankfully I soon came to my senses and told "D" that I would watch her littlest son who like me is not so extreme. He and I cruised in the shade, relaxing and talking story. I was feeling so serend and I guess that's why when "D" came back and told me it was my turn to do some other attraction I followed her directions and walked up the hill.
Now, in case you don't know, the reason that I ran 11.5 miles earlier in the day is because I am running a marathon in two weeks. Being at a water park, walking barefooted on hard concrete is not exactly the best activity for a marathoner in training. So as I walked up the hill on hard stairs something in the back of my mind should have willed me to turn around and go back to sitting on the chair. But for some reason, "D's"influence had taken control of me and I was walking up the mountain to who knows what.
Yeah, who knows what because not once did I stop to ask where I was going or what I was about to do. Looking back perhaps it was fatigue that made me do it, but whatever it was I got on a raft with my husband, and "Ds" family. Had I known what was to come I would have forbade my kids to participate in such craziness!!!! The raft was going down a chute at full speed tossing my little guy up in the air and making me ill and dizzy. I was tortured between closing my eyes and holding on tight and keeping my eyes open in case I had to let go of the raft and grab my son who was flying in the air. The short ride seemed like an eternity and I was ready to pray for our safe arrival at the bottom. When we finally made it I was BEYOND relieved. The kids were ready to run up the mountain to go again and of course this mean mommy yelled, "NO!"
The rest of our stay was mellow after that and I was proud to have survived my day at the water park. I felt a little bad ass having conquered some of my fears and actually letting myself go a bit. I will even admit that the whole experience was fun and that I would do it again!
So this post is here to thank my dear friend for being that friend who dares me to be a little wild, who models spontaneity, who serves as an inspiration to me to always be young at heart and enables me to be a fun, cool mom. Thank "D" for all that you and your family have brought to the lives of my family. We are so thankful for your spirit and that you are you. :)
I have known "D" since she was in the 7th grade and I was in the 9th grade. We played soccer together in our high school years and then lost touch. She was always one of the nicest, most genuine people I knew and she loved sports just like me. After high school we'd see each other time to time at the Mall and would stop and talk, always trying to get together but never ever re-connecting.
In our 30s we ran into one another at the mall (again) and found that we were both married with kids and soon after that our adult relationship was born. A million years later "D" was still kind hearted and a beautiful soul. She married a man just as nice as she and had to boys who were so much like my own son and daughter.
Lucky for me, our friendship blossomed and our families began to spend time together. "D's" active and fearless attitude was contagious. I would always cringe as her kids caught waves on boogie boards, climbed high on jungle gyms, road fast on their bike down mountains, and skated on walls. Where her kids went, my kids followed. I would always have to close my eyes and walk away because her family's extreme way of living was always too much for me. You see, "D" thinks I am adventurous but I am really, really a huge wuss!
And so this past weekend like many weekends "D" and I tried to plan a get together for our kids. What I love about her is that she's super spontaneous (the opposite of me, I like to plan and be 20 steps ahead of the game) and is getting me to be more like her. So on Saturday night we planned to do something on Sunday but didn't hammer out the details (super not like me, I like to be packed and have food ready the night before). I had told "D" that I would be running Sunday morning and that I'd message her after I was done.
With 11.5 miles in the books and already almost 9 am I did the unthinkable and agreed to meet "D" and her family at the water park. There's so many reasons that this is not typical of me, the biggest one being that I HATE the water park. Why? You ask? Well, because a million years ago in third grade I had a drowning experience at Castle Park. I can vividly remember being under water, drowning, looking up at the sun shining through the water and thinking I was dying. Luckily my friend Stacie saw me, yelled, and my sister Laurie saved me. Anyhow, the Water Park was the LAST place I would want to be and with my kids in tow, even worse!!
We made it home and in a frenzy I grabbed things we needed and boiled hot dogs. Before I could think twice we got in the car and headed west. As we drove out I envisioned myself sitting on a chair in the shade and relaxing peacefully.
When we got to the Water Park it was of course, chaotic. I had Dannika running one way, Noah clinging to my leg, and the hubby nowhere to be found. Thank GOD for "D" who is perfect in such situations. She was in the water, chasing after Dannika, taking care of the kids while I stood in the side lines and watched from afar.
I saw all of them splashing and having fun, yelling, and smiling. I saw my dear friend sliding down the slides and having a great time. And that's when it happened. I jumped in after them and tried the small slide. A few times down the small slide and I was ready to try the big slide. In fact I did the big slide twice. Thankfully I soon came to my senses and told "D" that I would watch her littlest son who like me is not so extreme. He and I cruised in the shade, relaxing and talking story. I was feeling so serend and I guess that's why when "D" came back and told me it was my turn to do some other attraction I followed her directions and walked up the hill.
Now, in case you don't know, the reason that I ran 11.5 miles earlier in the day is because I am running a marathon in two weeks. Being at a water park, walking barefooted on hard concrete is not exactly the best activity for a marathoner in training. So as I walked up the hill on hard stairs something in the back of my mind should have willed me to turn around and go back to sitting on the chair. But for some reason, "D's"influence had taken control of me and I was walking up the mountain to who knows what.
Yeah, who knows what because not once did I stop to ask where I was going or what I was about to do. Looking back perhaps it was fatigue that made me do it, but whatever it was I got on a raft with my husband, and "Ds" family. Had I known what was to come I would have forbade my kids to participate in such craziness!!!! The raft was going down a chute at full speed tossing my little guy up in the air and making me ill and dizzy. I was tortured between closing my eyes and holding on tight and keeping my eyes open in case I had to let go of the raft and grab my son who was flying in the air. The short ride seemed like an eternity and I was ready to pray for our safe arrival at the bottom. When we finally made it I was BEYOND relieved. The kids were ready to run up the mountain to go again and of course this mean mommy yelled, "NO!"
The rest of our stay was mellow after that and I was proud to have survived my day at the water park. I felt a little bad ass having conquered some of my fears and actually letting myself go a bit. I will even admit that the whole experience was fun and that I would do it again!
So this post is here to thank my dear friend for being that friend who dares me to be a little wild, who models spontaneity, who serves as an inspiration to me to always be young at heart and enables me to be a fun, cool mom. Thank "D" for all that you and your family have brought to the lives of my family. We are so thankful for your spirit and that you are you. :)
Run Streak Day 700!
Every morning I wake up, brush my teeth, brush and curl my hair, put on my make up and run. The latter is a routine only 700 days old while the rest are routines I picked up many, many years ago. To some, running 700 days straight is preposterous but I like to think of it as just another thing that needs to get done on a daily basis. By incorporating it into my day and always setting time aside for it, it has become as important to me as putting on my make up. And so, today was run streak day 700. Just an easy 5k. Nothing spectacular or grandiose. The truth is I am not feeling my best today (dehydrated and ate too much at dinner, a few aches and pains from the water park yesterday) and with the Marathon so close I don't want to push ANYTHING. And so, day 700 is just another day in the life of this running mommy. :)
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Mizuno Val Nolasco Half Marathon: Marathon Readiness Series 11.17.13
I've had a rough couple of weeks and wasn't at all sure that I was going to be able to run this race today!! An injured IT Band from the 30K I ran two weeks ago acted up quite a bit and I wasn't able to get a run longer than 6 miles done!!!! With the marathon only 21 days away I was torn. Sit it out, run it, race it? Well, I knew I wasn't going to race it and I also knew that for my own psyche I needed to get to the start of the race, start, and try to finish whether it was limping, crawling, whatever.
A busy weekend of softball practice, Noah's class picnic, and a UH Football game was also a concern.I made the last minute decision to keep my pre-race routine as normal as possible by squeezing in an early dinner at Bravo's. It just makes me feel more at ease when I am able to eat my go-to-meal of Linguine with Spinach and Artichokes.
We left the UH Football game early to get home at a decent hour but I still did not get enough sleep. The 3 am wake up call came way too fast and I was still tired and groggy as we drove out to Kapiolani Park. Once at the Park the hot air and voggy conditions had me worried but with everything going on there was nothing to do but just do it. I planned on running a 10:30-11:00 pace and see how it went.
The horn went on and we took off into the dark early morning. Heading to Diamond Head hill I felt okay. The first mountain wasn't bad and so I felt like I was off to a great start. As we rounded around the crater and down the road next to Kaimuki I took the hill very, very slowly still testing out my knee. Once at the bottom everything felt fine and by mile 4 I eased into my pace and relaxed. As we entered Kalanianaole I was a little alarmed to see Kawika Carlson heading down Kahala Ave. YIKES! I was sooo slow I missed the lead runners! WHen the heck does that ever happen? A little sad I vowed to keep going but turned to Mike and told him, "We're soo slow!!!" I had a few other choice things to say to him about how slow we were as well.
Kalanianaole had me worried for the mere fact that it is where I got injured a few weeks ago. So, today, I made it a point to run in the middle of the road, concentrate on my gait, and put the least amount of stress on my IT band as possible. My plan worked because as I rounded the turn-around at mile 7 I decided to go for it and picked up the pace. We began to run a little faster but I was still thinking about my knee. Kalanianaole went by fast and without incident. All that was left was 5 miles and Kahala Avenue inclines. I started feeling much more hopeful and relieved.
At Triangle Park with 3 miles left to go I still felt good, had no knee issues and wasn't fatigued at all. I ripped open my new pack of Salted Caramel GU and let it rip. :) Great taste and I will be sure to add this to my GU rotation (8 hours post-race no GI issues!). I ran up the hill as hard as possible and decided to let it rip down the hill (not smart, I know but thankfully it went as planned). As I ran out of Diamond Head and to Kapiolani Park I could taste victory and I was smiling from ear to ear and running as hard as I could.
As I neared the finish line I saw my friends and did TWO CHEERLEADING jumps for them (none of them caught the picture) and headed to the finish line. I had done it!!! What a relief!!!!
I learned a lot of lessons from today's run and am so glad I decided to go for it. Completing my run today gave me the confidence that I sooo needed heading into the last stretch of the marathon. I now know that if I treat my body well all will be okay. And so I will plan out the last remaining runs from here until the big dance, test out more of my equipment before race day, and stay healthy, hydrated, and rested. :)
Half Marathon NUMBER TEN is in the books!!! :)
A busy weekend of softball practice, Noah's class picnic, and a UH Football game was also a concern.I made the last minute decision to keep my pre-race routine as normal as possible by squeezing in an early dinner at Bravo's. It just makes me feel more at ease when I am able to eat my go-to-meal of Linguine with Spinach and Artichokes.
We left the UH Football game early to get home at a decent hour but I still did not get enough sleep. The 3 am wake up call came way too fast and I was still tired and groggy as we drove out to Kapiolani Park. Once at the Park the hot air and voggy conditions had me worried but with everything going on there was nothing to do but just do it. I planned on running a 10:30-11:00 pace and see how it went.
The horn went on and we took off into the dark early morning. Heading to Diamond Head hill I felt okay. The first mountain wasn't bad and so I felt like I was off to a great start. As we rounded around the crater and down the road next to Kaimuki I took the hill very, very slowly still testing out my knee. Once at the bottom everything felt fine and by mile 4 I eased into my pace and relaxed. As we entered Kalanianaole I was a little alarmed to see Kawika Carlson heading down Kahala Ave. YIKES! I was sooo slow I missed the lead runners! WHen the heck does that ever happen? A little sad I vowed to keep going but turned to Mike and told him, "We're soo slow!!!" I had a few other choice things to say to him about how slow we were as well.
Kalanianaole had me worried for the mere fact that it is where I got injured a few weeks ago. So, today, I made it a point to run in the middle of the road, concentrate on my gait, and put the least amount of stress on my IT band as possible. My plan worked because as I rounded the turn-around at mile 7 I decided to go for it and picked up the pace. We began to run a little faster but I was still thinking about my knee. Kalanianaole went by fast and without incident. All that was left was 5 miles and Kahala Avenue inclines. I started feeling much more hopeful and relieved.
At Triangle Park with 3 miles left to go I still felt good, had no knee issues and wasn't fatigued at all. I ripped open my new pack of Salted Caramel GU and let it rip. :) Great taste and I will be sure to add this to my GU rotation (8 hours post-race no GI issues!). I ran up the hill as hard as possible and decided to let it rip down the hill (not smart, I know but thankfully it went as planned). As I ran out of Diamond Head and to Kapiolani Park I could taste victory and I was smiling from ear to ear and running as hard as I could.
As I neared the finish line I saw my friends and did TWO CHEERLEADING jumps for them (none of them caught the picture) and headed to the finish line. I had done it!!! What a relief!!!!
I learned a lot of lessons from today's run and am so glad I decided to go for it. Completing my run today gave me the confidence that I sooo needed heading into the last stretch of the marathon. I now know that if I treat my body well all will be okay. And so I will plan out the last remaining runs from here until the big dance, test out more of my equipment before race day, and stay healthy, hydrated, and rested. :)
Half Marathon NUMBER TEN is in the books!!! :)
Thursday, November 14, 2013
26 reasons why I run and they have nothing to do with a medal!
A recent Facebook game and two articles have led me to write this blog. This morning when I woke up I was linked to this blog post:
"Ok you're a runner, get over it"
It's an article that blasts runners who have 26.2 and 13.1 stickers on their cars (If you check my Ebay cart you'll see that I have a few in there to purchase. The only reason I don't have one on my car yet is 'cuz I am too cheap to buy one) and calls them narcissistic and that they only run to post pictures of themselves on Facebook with their medals (sound like someone you know?).
A response to the article is posted here:
http://danerunsalot.blogspot.com/2013/11/my-response-to-chad-stofkos-article_13.html
I enjoyed both blogs and wasn't at all offended by the first piece. Yes, he could be describing me to a "T" and in fact that person he's describing is probably the person that I put out there on internet land. But honestly, inspite of all my Facebook pics of me running in cute clothes and with medals there is more to me and running then those pretty pictures.
In response to the new Facebook game where you have to post random things about yourself according to a number that's assigned to you, here's my 26 reasons that I run (thanks to my buddy and fellow runner Trae Mitten for the 26 ideas).
26. I am too cheap to pay gym membership.
25. I can run at any time no matter how crazy my work/mommy/life schedule gets.
24. I can run with my family including my two kids aged 6 and 7.
23. Ok, the cute clothes.
22. I love to compete and I don't need a whole team of people to compete with or against.
21. I love the feeling of pushing myself past my limits.
20. Running is a sport that can actually take me places.
19. When I run on the road, street, trail I see things that I would never be able to see from a car.
18. Because running has turned my health issues around.
17. Because I cannot give up food.
16. Have you seen my calves?!!!
15. Because when I run really fast it feels like I am flying.
14. It's the only quiet time that I get.
13. It gives me time to reflect and figure out problems and issues that I have.
12. For that post-run endorphine rush.
11. Because my runner friends are pretty cool.
10. I prefer being in the outdoors and not in a gym.
9. To be a role model for my kids.
8. Because at 41 the more I run the younger I feel and look.
7. Because pretty toenails are over-rated.
6. I had to give up my golf game after I had two kids.
5. I just don't have enough t-shirts.
4. I loved running with my Dad who also completed two marathons in his 50s.
3. Did I mention my calves?
2. Have you seen me eat?
1. Because running 26.2 truly reaffirms for me what a bad ass I am, makes me extremely mentally tough and reminds me to constantly challenge myself on a daily basis to be the best that I can possibly be because anything is possible with hard work and determination.
"Ok you're a runner, get over it"
It's an article that blasts runners who have 26.2 and 13.1 stickers on their cars (If you check my Ebay cart you'll see that I have a few in there to purchase. The only reason I don't have one on my car yet is 'cuz I am too cheap to buy one) and calls them narcissistic and that they only run to post pictures of themselves on Facebook with their medals (sound like someone you know?).
A response to the article is posted here:
http://danerunsalot.blogspot.com/2013/11/my-response-to-chad-stofkos-article_13.html
I enjoyed both blogs and wasn't at all offended by the first piece. Yes, he could be describing me to a "T" and in fact that person he's describing is probably the person that I put out there on internet land. But honestly, inspite of all my Facebook pics of me running in cute clothes and with medals there is more to me and running then those pretty pictures.
In response to the new Facebook game where you have to post random things about yourself according to a number that's assigned to you, here's my 26 reasons that I run (thanks to my buddy and fellow runner Trae Mitten for the 26 ideas).
26. I am too cheap to pay gym membership.
25. I can run at any time no matter how crazy my work/mommy/life schedule gets.
24. I can run with my family including my two kids aged 6 and 7.
23. Ok, the cute clothes.
22. I love to compete and I don't need a whole team of people to compete with or against.
21. I love the feeling of pushing myself past my limits.
20. Running is a sport that can actually take me places.
19. When I run on the road, street, trail I see things that I would never be able to see from a car.
18. Because running has turned my health issues around.
17. Because I cannot give up food.
16. Have you seen my calves?!!!
15. Because when I run really fast it feels like I am flying.
14. It's the only quiet time that I get.
13. It gives me time to reflect and figure out problems and issues that I have.
12. For that post-run endorphine rush.
11. Because my runner friends are pretty cool.
10. I prefer being in the outdoors and not in a gym.
9. To be a role model for my kids.
8. Because at 41 the more I run the younger I feel and look.
7. Because pretty toenails are over-rated.
6. I had to give up my golf game after I had two kids.
5. I just don't have enough t-shirts.
4. I loved running with my Dad who also completed two marathons in his 50s.
3. Did I mention my calves?
2. Have you seen me eat?
1. Because running 26.2 truly reaffirms for me what a bad ass I am, makes me extremely mentally tough and reminds me to constantly challenge myself on a daily basis to be the best that I can possibly be because anything is possible with hard work and determination.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Pizza+Spaghetti=Happy Kids
A couple of months ago my Facebook feed was filled with baked spaghetti/pizza pictures. Spaghetti on the bottom and mozzarella/pepperoni on the top. My kids love spaghetti and pizza so I was sure that this would be the perfect meal for them!!!
With a pool date and dinner scheduled for today I thought it would be the perfect time to make this yummy-looking meal.
Here's the ingredients:
1 box spaghetti
1 pound of ground Italian Sausage
Spaghetti Sauce
Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese
Pepperoni
Step 1:
Boil the pasta (al dente, 10 minutes) and let drain in a colander.
Step 2:
Cook the Italian Sausage then drain excess liquid.
Step 3:
Lightly oil a 9x13 inch pan and place spaghetti in the pan. Mix one beaten egg and 1 cup of a mixture of mozzarella and parmesan cheese and mix into the spaghetti. Pour half of your spaghetti sauce into noodle mixture and mix.
Step 4:
Layer Italian Sausage Over spaghetti noodles and cover with remaining sauce.
Step 5:
Layer Mozarella and Parmesan Cheese.
Step 6:
Add your toppings (pepperoni, olives, mushroom, etc).
With a pool date and dinner scheduled for today I thought it would be the perfect time to make this yummy-looking meal.
Here's the ingredients:
1 box spaghetti
1 pound of ground Italian Sausage
Spaghetti Sauce
Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese
Pepperoni
Step 1:
Boil the pasta (al dente, 10 minutes) and let drain in a colander.
Cook the Italian Sausage then drain excess liquid.
Step 3:
Lightly oil a 9x13 inch pan and place spaghetti in the pan. Mix one beaten egg and 1 cup of a mixture of mozzarella and parmesan cheese and mix into the spaghetti. Pour half of your spaghetti sauce into noodle mixture and mix.
Step 4:
Layer Italian Sausage Over spaghetti noodles and cover with remaining sauce.
Step 5:
Layer Mozarella and Parmesan Cheese.
Step 6:
Add your toppings (pepperoni, olives, mushroom, etc).
Step 7:
Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Let cool before slicing and serving.
ENJOY!!!!
Balance
I am so out of balance right now. There are so many things I want to be able to do and not enough time to do it all. Or rather, not enough time to put they type of commitment I want to put into everything I have on my plate. Being an employee, mother, and runner are my main areas of focus. Being a mom is a path I have chosen. I have to be an employee to be able to support my family. Being a runner is gravy. My gravy is suffering.
Today marks 4 weeks to my 3rd marathon. I am struggling with training and injuries. At this time last year I was totally on top of my game. I could run 14 miles without sweating and with total confidence. Today I struggle to even get out the door.
So close to the marathon I should be training hard and consistently. My calendar is marked with the mileage I should be putting in. I am far from the numbers I should be hitting. I should have ran 14-16 miles today. Instead I took a day off.
Sunday mornings for the past two years have been devoted to training. Lucky for me my parents support this marathon thing and take care of my kids. They have a nice time going to China Town and eating dim sum on Sundays while hubby and I put in the work out in town. My alarm went off at 4 this morning and I was supposed to get in my car and drive out to run. Instead, I slept in and awoke to the sounds of two cute little kids watching on the Ipad together. As a family we got dressed and went out to breakfast. I cannot remember the last time we had done this. While they drive me a little nuts it was so nice to sit down and watch the kids enjoy their meal. After breakfast we did some grocery shopping and then I went home and cooked not one, but two meals!!!
In the afternoon we headed to the pool to meet friends and I snuck away for a little 6 miler. Far from the 14 miles I was supposed to run but when I was done I was able to meet friends and family back at the pool and have a nice dinner.
A perfect day that would never have happened without choosing what dream to sacrifice. A perfect day that's tainted with a little bit of guilt and regret that I had to leave a part of me behind.
And so I continue to struggle to find that balance. To be able to be everything to everyone and be able to be true to myself. And it continues to drive me insane because the balance is so hard to achieve. And letting just a part of the equation slack feels like a failure and can even lead to complete and utter chaos (have you seen me when I am not able to get a good run in?).
And yet my my number one priorities will always be my little guys, D and N.
Today's meals:
Today marks 4 weeks to my 3rd marathon. I am struggling with training and injuries. At this time last year I was totally on top of my game. I could run 14 miles without sweating and with total confidence. Today I struggle to even get out the door.
So close to the marathon I should be training hard and consistently. My calendar is marked with the mileage I should be putting in. I am far from the numbers I should be hitting. I should have ran 14-16 miles today. Instead I took a day off.
Sunday mornings for the past two years have been devoted to training. Lucky for me my parents support this marathon thing and take care of my kids. They have a nice time going to China Town and eating dim sum on Sundays while hubby and I put in the work out in town. My alarm went off at 4 this morning and I was supposed to get in my car and drive out to run. Instead, I slept in and awoke to the sounds of two cute little kids watching on the Ipad together. As a family we got dressed and went out to breakfast. I cannot remember the last time we had done this. While they drive me a little nuts it was so nice to sit down and watch the kids enjoy their meal. After breakfast we did some grocery shopping and then I went home and cooked not one, but two meals!!!
In the afternoon we headed to the pool to meet friends and I snuck away for a little 6 miler. Far from the 14 miles I was supposed to run but when I was done I was able to meet friends and family back at the pool and have a nice dinner.
A perfect day that would never have happened without choosing what dream to sacrifice. A perfect day that's tainted with a little bit of guilt and regret that I had to leave a part of me behind.
And so I continue to struggle to find that balance. To be able to be everything to everyone and be able to be true to myself. And it continues to drive me insane because the balance is so hard to achieve. And letting just a part of the equation slack feels like a failure and can even lead to complete and utter chaos (have you seen me when I am not able to get a good run in?).
And yet my my number one priorities will always be my little guys, D and N.
Today's meals:
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Marathon Readiness Series: HMSA 30 K 10.27.31
Last year I signed up for this race, was totally ready for it and it got cancelled due to a Tsunami watch. I ran anyway and finished 20 miles. That run gave me the confidence I needed to do my first marathon.
This year is a whole new ball game. Work and the kids' schedules has me off my training plan. While I knew I needed to do this race I almost let my pride and insecurities get the best of me. Thankfully two amazing friends snapped me outta my stupidity!! So, I signed up at the last minute, and hoped for the best!!
I was ill this whole week and even took a flu shot on Tuesday so I didn't get to train at all. Once Friday rolled around I got into my pre-race routine and ate well. I have put on some weight that needs to come off in the next 6 weeks but I have found that more carbs has been helping me feel much stronger. Anywho, with a crazy weekend that included soccer, a luau for the hubby and a UH football game that we didn't make it to coupled with a flash flood and storm warning and another earthquake in the vicinity on Friday made for another harrowing weekend.
Morning of the race got to a late start since the poor hubby got home from his Luau after 12. Yes, even though he wasn't running I dragged his ass to the 5:00 am start!!! We stood in line for two porta potties and made it to the starting line with a minute to spare. A little too crazy for the girls.
I got out to a good start with a solid 10 minute pace. My feet and right knee which had been bothering me felt fine and the vog that had me knocked down with sinus issues and breathing issues didn't seem to be a problem. The air was hot and humid but not as bad as previous days. Things were looking up!!
I ran the first 6 miles on pace and feeling good. At mile 8 I felt like I hit my stride and was cruising along smiling and happy down Kalanianaole Highway. Unlike last year when I ran this route every Sunday I hadn't been on it for a long time. I think that was a good thing because the stretch went fast and I was happy to see that the sun was taking a long time to rise. I turned around at Hawaii Kai feeling confident and happy with my pace. I was on track for a 3 hour race.
I ran back toward Kahala on the sidewalk which I do because the white cement is not as hot and rough as the black road. That was my mistake. I totally forgot how bad running on slants is for me. I am really mad at myself for making such a rookie mistake because at mile 14 my left knee literally just gave out. It was an immense pain and I couldn't believe how ironic it was. My right knee normally starts hurting at mile 6 but today it was perfectly fine. Left knee, not so much. I removed the patella band on my right knee and strapped it on really tight to my left. I hobbled and hobbled as much as I could and then began to walk/run for the rest of the way. I was in pain and it hurt like hell but I was energized by the fact that aside from the sore knee everything else was okay. I was not tired, not winded, not down, in fact I was feeling pretty good..I just simply could not put pressure on my knee unless I walked a bit every half mile. And so it went for the last 4 miles walk, run, walk, run. I focused hard and made it over the mountain. These last 2 miles are usually my strongest of every run but I just did not have it in me and simply sucked up all the guts and courage I had to finish strong and proud.
As I ran into the last stretch at Kapiolani Park I saw my hubby running toward me. He was laughing but his presence helped me finish with my heart and my soul. Nothing to be ashamed about, everything to be proud about. 3:25 minute finish time and an 11:06 pace. If I fix a few things I'm on track to a great marathon in 6 weeks.
So here I am, I know exactly where I stand and what I need to do to get me through my first goal. I am admittedly a little sore at the moment but I am smiling ear to ear. Honolulu Marathon, here I come!!
PS--A huge thank you to my girls J and J for convincing me to run today. I am soo happy I did this! We did it girls!!!
This year is a whole new ball game. Work and the kids' schedules has me off my training plan. While I knew I needed to do this race I almost let my pride and insecurities get the best of me. Thankfully two amazing friends snapped me outta my stupidity!! So, I signed up at the last minute, and hoped for the best!!
I was ill this whole week and even took a flu shot on Tuesday so I didn't get to train at all. Once Friday rolled around I got into my pre-race routine and ate well. I have put on some weight that needs to come off in the next 6 weeks but I have found that more carbs has been helping me feel much stronger. Anywho, with a crazy weekend that included soccer, a luau for the hubby and a UH football game that we didn't make it to coupled with a flash flood and storm warning and another earthquake in the vicinity on Friday made for another harrowing weekend.
Morning of the race got to a late start since the poor hubby got home from his Luau after 12. Yes, even though he wasn't running I dragged his ass to the 5:00 am start!!! We stood in line for two porta potties and made it to the starting line with a minute to spare. A little too crazy for the girls.
I got out to a good start with a solid 10 minute pace. My feet and right knee which had been bothering me felt fine and the vog that had me knocked down with sinus issues and breathing issues didn't seem to be a problem. The air was hot and humid but not as bad as previous days. Things were looking up!!
I ran the first 6 miles on pace and feeling good. At mile 8 I felt like I hit my stride and was cruising along smiling and happy down Kalanianaole Highway. Unlike last year when I ran this route every Sunday I hadn't been on it for a long time. I think that was a good thing because the stretch went fast and I was happy to see that the sun was taking a long time to rise. I turned around at Hawaii Kai feeling confident and happy with my pace. I was on track for a 3 hour race.
I ran back toward Kahala on the sidewalk which I do because the white cement is not as hot and rough as the black road. That was my mistake. I totally forgot how bad running on slants is for me. I am really mad at myself for making such a rookie mistake because at mile 14 my left knee literally just gave out. It was an immense pain and I couldn't believe how ironic it was. My right knee normally starts hurting at mile 6 but today it was perfectly fine. Left knee, not so much. I removed the patella band on my right knee and strapped it on really tight to my left. I hobbled and hobbled as much as I could and then began to walk/run for the rest of the way. I was in pain and it hurt like hell but I was energized by the fact that aside from the sore knee everything else was okay. I was not tired, not winded, not down, in fact I was feeling pretty good..I just simply could not put pressure on my knee unless I walked a bit every half mile. And so it went for the last 4 miles walk, run, walk, run. I focused hard and made it over the mountain. These last 2 miles are usually my strongest of every run but I just did not have it in me and simply sucked up all the guts and courage I had to finish strong and proud.
As I ran into the last stretch at Kapiolani Park I saw my hubby running toward me. He was laughing but his presence helped me finish with my heart and my soul. Nothing to be ashamed about, everything to be proud about. 3:25 minute finish time and an 11:06 pace. If I fix a few things I'm on track to a great marathon in 6 weeks.
So here I am, I know exactly where I stand and what I need to do to get me through my first goal. I am admittedly a little sore at the moment but I am smiling ear to ear. Honolulu Marathon, here I come!!
PS--A huge thank you to my girls J and J for convincing me to run today. I am soo happy I did this! We did it girls!!!
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