Running without support...literally

 

This is embarrassing...it really is.  This picture represents some of the items I describe as my running gear.  You've got the shoes, the hat, the Garmin and for cold weather...gloves.  In my opinion, these items are essential when going for a run.  Well, when I went out for a run today...I forgot one significant item.

I got home from work and no sooner was I busy at the computer handling girl scout matters, planning birthday parties and checking email.  I had planned on a run and since I had class tonight, I knew I had to start getting ready if I wanted to log at least 3 miles.  So in the middle of a phone call and a few text messages...hey, I can multi-task...or so I thought, I start changing into my running gear.  At this point, I am pressed for time so I quickly dress and head out the door.

As I hit the pavement, excited about being able to run in the rain, a feeling suddenly comes over me...I felt free...not free as in spiritually...but free as in physically.  And then it hits me...OH MY GOD!!!  I forgot to put on my dang sports bra!!! OH MY GOD!!!  How in the world did I manage to forget to put on something so critical??? Now I am only about 4 houses down from my house when I realize this and only take half a second to ponder returning to the house to put it on.  I decide against it...turning around would mean less time and a shorter run.  Aah to heck with it...I'm going to keep running...3 miles won't cause that much damage to my girls..will it?  I certainly hope not.

So the "support-less" run was not that bad and the rain came down hard but felt oh so good.  But I still do feel the need to pray...Oh running gods...please don't let me run into this fiasco again...especially on a long run or race day!

Sleep for it...

So we went to our favorite store today...Costco!  Kaelani has some money saved up and decides--more like impulsively decides--she wants to purchase a camera.  I wouldn't consider my daughter spoiled but she does have a lot of things and a camera is one of them.  However, the camera she currently has is suddenly "inoperable" because the buttons are too small for her fingers...what???...(kids will come up with anything these days).  John and I quickly came to the conclusion that our little girl just wants a new camera, after all, hers is sooo 2008.  Needless to say, John and I aren't sold on the idea of a new camera and know hers is still in working condition.  We tell her to "sleep on it" and if she still wants it in a few days, we can come back.

Nevertheless, John and I are subjected to the terrible tween tantrum, i.e., "It's my money...I could spend it the way I want", pouting and the silent treatment.  We leave Costco--sans camera-- and when we get home, our little drama queen rushes to her room to call a friend.  It is so quiet in the house that John and I can hear her conversation.  She begins to give her friend a play-by-play of the incident and then says...wait for it...wait for it..."My parents told me if I want the camera, I have to sleep for it first...why do I have to sleep for it...that doesn't make sense!"  John and I start exploding with laughter careful to cover our mouths to keep her from knowing.  Aah...youth and their innocence!  These moments become more rare as kids get older but are equally appreciative each time they happen.  I guess I better tell her what the expression "sleep on it" means.  Haha.

A little piece of motherhood

As I've mentioned before, my daughter Kaelani is emerging into her teens.  She will be 12 on January 28th.  Can you believe I am going to have a 12 year old?!

I have always been revered by Kaelani but for the past couple of months, I have noticed subtle changes in our relationship.  For one, I no longer have as much influence as I used to over her.  Everything I like...she doesn't.  Everything I think is cool...is not so cool.  Oh no!  Have I become that Mom???  The un-cool, un-hip Mom?  No...I can't be...I am approaching 30 but I am still considered a young mom to be brought down to that level. Right? Wrong...

So the other day, I was surprisingly stricken with some type of stomach bug which had me sick for most of the night and confined to the bathroom rather than my bed.  In the wee hours of the morning, John wonderfully offered to stay home and take care of me.  While I was still feeling nauseous, I didn't think it warranted him to wait on me hand and foot so off he went to work.  I rested until it was time to take Kaelani to school.  I rolled out of bed, brushed my hair and teeth, pulled my hair up, put on my glasses, a zipped hooded sweatshirt, lounge pants and slipped on my Uggs.

We got in the car and made our way to school.  I happened to stop right in front of the place...kids everywhere...a prime spot to be dropped off in my opinion. Kaelani sat in the backseat so I turned around and noticed that her face was covered with hair and she was awkwardly yet purposely turned away from the window with her head facing downward.  I began to greet her goodbye when she asked me to pull the car up further.  I looked out the front windshield and told her I couldn't due to a line of cars stopped in front of me.  And then I turned around...and she was gone!  She pulled a Houdini on me! Nowhere to be seen...didn't even say goodbye.  And that's when I realized...I became that mom.  She was embarrassed of the way I looked!  I mean...I was sick...give me a break! 

I guess this is a sign my daughter is growing up and into her teens but I must say, it does make me chuckle a little and think back to when I was her age.  In fact, I talked to my Mom about it and she recounted a story of my sister and I hand-picking an outfit for her to wear to our school one day.  Sigh..I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Addiction

I've been running for only 15 months now and I absolutely love it.  I started running because I needed to switch up and step up my exercise regimen.  Back then my workout consisted of  three times a week for 30 to 35 minutes on the elliptical and twice weekly group exercise classes.  It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't doing the job.  I needed something that would continuously challenge me and make me sweat...sweat profusely.  I began reading running books to learn about shoes, proper form, nutrition and then started doing a few runs on my own and sometimes with a friend.  In January 2009, I joined Team In Training and signed up to run the Rock n Roll Seattle Marathon.  Ever since, I've been hooked.  Running has got me into the the best shape of my life and helped me drop those infamous "last 5 pounds." And the best part is that I could eat whatever I want and it works out for me because runners need carbs to refuel and carbs happen to be my fave.  Pasta, rice and bread...I can't get enough!

Not only do I run so that I could eat whatever I choose, I run because I love the feeling.  And it is the feeling that I'm addicted to.  Every time I plan a run and complete it, I feel a great sense of accomplishment and that I've done something good for myself.  When I've had a bad day, I can go out for a run, have time to think and de-stress, as it also serves as a form of meditation for me, and when I'm finished...I feel a hundred times better.

My husband got me a Garmin for Christmas the year before last and I have a love/hate relationship with that thing.  It tells you the truth and sometimes not what you want to hear...or see for that matter.  Occasionally, I promise myself not to look at it during a run (like today) for fear that what I see will hinder my performance while on a run.  I never thought such a device could have such power over you.  And some days, I can't stop myself from looking at it. Pretty silly, huh.  Oh and I forgot to mention how gigantic it is and looks on my wrist.  I'm not trying to make a fashion statement out there but I'm just sayin'.

Among the miles, I've met many wonderful people, made new friends...

and I've also inspired a few to start such as my husband and brother-in-law.  My husband has been such a great running partner and sets a good pace for me.  He's naturally faster than I so it works great.

Our first Turkey Trot

So I'm already thinking about my next run because, as you know, addicts crave that high and are all about getting that next fix.  I'm planning on 7 to 8 miles this Saturday...my longest run since my last marathon in December.  Until next time...Happy Running!

Thirtysomething

So it's 2010. A new decade. And for me, the decade I am going to turn into a thirtysomething. Wow...just typing that overwhelms me with anxiety. I will be 30 in exactly 29 days (for those of you who aren't math wizards, that would be February 1st). I know everyone says 30 is the new 20 and it's not that I'm terrified of getting older (okay, maybe just a wee bit). I guess looking back, I thought I would've accomplished many of the items on my proverbial bucket list by now. So enter "the blog". Not only do I have countless thoughts that run through my head, day in and day out, this blog will give me an opportunity to share those thoughts, document some of the best times of my life, and hold me accountable for what I set out to do. With that said, a few things on my to do's this year and this decade and in no particular order:


*More running, more yoga, more pilates and oh more races
*Plan my 30th birthday bash...ideas anyone?
*Travel. Anywhere outside of California but I am hoping somewhere tropical or a destination requiring a passport would be awesome.
*Finish college
*A triathlon
*The NYC Marathon
*Learn the art of photography

and the endeavor I am most excited about...drum roll please...

*Getting pregnant!

Yes, you read that correctly. After years and years of talking about it, talking to other people about it, changing our minds, and talking about it again, John and I have decided to have another baby and we are very excited about it. Another person super excited, our fabulous daughter Kaelani. Now Kaelani will be twelve in a few weeks so I'm sure some of you are thinking, "why would you want to go back to diapers, car seats, strollers, sleep deprivation yadda yadda yadda?!" John and I always thought we would have another baby when Kaelani was around 3 or 4 but sheesh time flies and we kept wanting to wait until the "right time" and right now, the "right time" seems to be about now.