Meg Runs!

I Welcome All Change in My Life

2012-01-10T21:15:00.000-08:00

My husband has a new jacket, I'll call him Fred. Actually, I call "him" Fred Gray. The jacket, not my husband. It was a pricey little thing. My son calls the brand, Padi-Gucci. I'll let you take a guess at this adventure clothing company's real name. I sold jewelry, running medals and a few other favors to pay for this jacket. Well, not THIS jacket. I actually bought a much COOLer version, a lime green version, a trail jacket version. Fred Gray's owner wasn't impressed. The jacket was tricked out, ultra running style. It had breathing flaps, built in hand warmers and did I mention the COLOR? Lime green!! Definitely a safe color for the road or trails.

You know where this is going if you can even follow this at all...MY HUSBAND returned the "Carl Lewis" of all running jackets that I GAVE HIM for Christmas for the less "flashy" jacket, Fred Gray.

Some things will never change. My husband loves gray.
I love bright green.
He will wear Fred Gray until he has holes in the elbows.
I will continue to introduce color into his running wardrobe.
Somethings will never change.

On the other hand, lots of things DO change. LOTS OF THINGS.

For instance, we no longer have an empty house with two free rooms.

I am no longer "injury" free.
Yes, I said it. With three weeks to go until my marathon, my condition CHANGED and I suddenly had a "calf" issue.
Seven days later, seven days without running, I'm back on the road to the Carlsbad Marathon and just in time for taper.

I'm either going to LOVE THIS MARATHON because of this massive REST or wish that I had opted for Sedona or another race.

What I've realized about change is this...

CHANGE HAPPENS AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT! GO WITH IT. TRUST and LOOK FOR THE LESSON without questioning what is going on around you. Move forward and expect the best.

How do you handle change?

Have fun running,
meg

Sparkle Pants Has Some Big Guns!

2011-12-28T15:32:00.000-08:00

Watch grandma babysit Sparkle Pants.
Watch her dress him up in the dog's Halloween Princess Dress(he asked).
Watch grandma settle on cutting up her old socks and making arm warmers for Sparkle Pants(yes, he asked).
Watch Sparkle Pants take off his shirt for running(yes, that's how we run and roll here in San Diego on December 27)and step into Grandpa's WONDER shoes. Actually, Gpa is often HASSLED when he wears these...the running dudes call them his CHARGER shoes. That's NOT a compliment around here anymore.
Watch grandma take two dozen pictures of Sparkle Pants acting cute and kiss him a zillion times in between photo shots.
Grandma needs to go back to school to entertain herself.

Several days ago I announced that my marathon training was almost ready to be declared OVER and that TAPERING would be my next project. There were so many OTHER things I wanted to say about training and some of you commented on sharing my similar training philosophy this time around...

Develop a base for training hard by going slower on your

long runs!

Let your body rest from the two to three hard workouts a week by doing your light days very, very SLOWLY!

Eat an apple or other carb and a little protein right after your hard workouts, it will help with recovery!

Finally, using a heart rate monitor will help you keep these runs slow which will definitely help you recover quicker and stay injury free.

I still have two more hard workouts before my tapering but I had to let the cat out of the bag....

THIS IS THE FIRST MARATHON I'LL BE RUNNING IN THE PAST THREE YEARS WHERE I WASN'T INJURED IN SOME WAY!

It's a miracle really. Then again, no. It's just running smarter and not going crazy with speed and trusting the training.

** I do have ONE secret weapon that SANTA brought BS and I for Christmas and it has also helped us recover from the usual aches and pains. More on this $$WEAPON of CHOICE$$ soon .

Run for fun!

meg

Hello Marathon, Hello Whales, Hello Christmas!

2011-12-23T14:50:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

Southern California finally feels like Christmas! The Santa Ana winds are blowing a colder wind at odd times of the day(like during my speed workouts along the coast)and the California Gray Whales are making their way to Scammon's Lagoon in Mexico. BS, my trusty running partner/husband and I, received a WHALE SPOUTING show at sunset on Wednesday night and I was jumping up and down along the cliffs as I spotted the water sprays over six times!

I love whales.

I love sunsets.

I love running.

I love my running partner.

Enough said about that.

Only 3 weeks and some odd days until the Carlsbad Marathon!

This training has been a mix of the ooh's and aah's...

**a long, long base phase of slow, slow long runs

**a lot of hills run at various paces that have both killed me and made me stronger.

Have you tried running up hill for 60 mins?

In Southern California? On the coast?

(witch cackle inserted here...bahhhhaaaahaaaa)

More hill sprints, bounds and 1 min. repeats.

**a lot of marathon pace long runs which I've only just started so I hope they kick in and stick for the race!

OOOh and ahhh all I want, it's RACE DAY that counts and I'm feeling like I can keep myself happy and feeling confident if I keep up with the rest of the workouts for the next two weeks and then sigh that ultimate ahhhh...for taper. I'm ready for that.

Goals?

To start and finish injury free!

Be strong!

Be happy!

I can do that...

Finally, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and my thoughts and hugs go out to each one of you this season.

Meg

The more wecare for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-beingbecomes. Cultivating a close, warm-hearted feeling for others automaticallyputs the mind at ease. This helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we mayhave and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It isthe ultimate source of success in life.

The Dali Lama

Periodization and Other "New" Discoveries...

2011-12-05T19:57:00.001-08:00

This picture of Matthew reminds me that life is too short to sit around and stew, fret and wallow in the way the winds blow. Sadly, friends, I've been in this state of CHAOS for a few weeks. CHANGE has a way of doing that to us. However, one can't fight the winds forever. I need to settle in.

So, like the little piggy who's house was FLATTENED by the Big Bad Wolf, I'm fleeing to another house and starting out all over. JUST KIDDING. Well, I have made the mental leap to move into a better place and keep moving forward, because that's WHAT WE STRONG WOMEN DO! **Please read my past blog posts if you have NO idea what I"m talking about!*

Sparkle Pants(our 2.5 year old grandson-now-house-mate) amuses us with his dances with flashlights and the way he wears the headlamp around his tummy and struts his stuff during power outages and HEY...there's nothing like having a TWO and a half year old around again! His mommy continues to move forward as she starts over with us as well. BOYSCOUT and I have realized that we aren't parenting anymore. We can't! We're co-living. There's a sweetness in this somewhere, I feel it. It's the "processing" that is taking some time! Thanks for your AWESOME EMAILS and comments. I feel like I'm back to following YOUR running, your experiences and your expertise in this area. I've missed YOU!!

I guess I've celebrate enough and with the XC Championships over, I've moved into the THRONGS of marathon training. The short stuff was so easy to maintain...just speed work and resting but...

Marathon training is baaaaccckkk!

I've stumbled on to something called PERIODIZATION in marathon training.

My last 11 marathons were run according to the average marathon plan with my mileage hitting about 70 miles at the peak. I would run the usual weeks of training that included: track/speed work, a tempo run with progressively more mileage each week and then the major long run that gets longer each week and usually tops out at 24 miles. What I've found is that my 46 year old body usually handles everything until about that last week of tough training, right before taper. SUDDENLY, at that point, hell breaks loose. I fall a part. The plantar facitis kicks in and I end up tapering with a hobble and a strict habit of PRAYING 10 times a day that a miracle with happen. I also end up visiting my physio twice a week. I'm usually a mess by the time I hit the starting line and then, of course my goals and plans are less than what I hope for.

THIS TIME, it's different.

Since I started training for the XC Championships, my training has consisted of one workout of mile repeats/strides and hills, a long run but a VERY slow one and a moderate run. I take two days off and do one other day of very easy running.

My training calendar was broken up into three distinct cycles: base, hills and marathon specific training.

Sunday, I ran 60 mins. up hill and the rest moderately for a total of 16 miles. Next week I have one more long run with hills and then I start my marathon pace work.

I'm feeling strong, not broken. Usually, by now, my body is aching from the tempo runs and they would get tougher for me. NOW, each and every run ends with me feeling stronger. It's the STRANGEST THING! My body has been preparing itself for the hardest and most demanding part of my training and it's ready.

6 weeks until The Carlsbad Marathon. So far so good.

XC Championships in San Diego!

2011-11-12T15:34:00.001-08:00

So happy and so sad! The XC Championships in San Diego were today and it marks the end of my XC season. On the one hand, I'm happy to be freeing up my mind for things that don't start with 5 and end with k or 4 and miler. The short stuff, all 8 races practically every weekend, have been great for my "racing brain." I tend to run short races like a fun run...high fiving, smiling, just out for a piece of candy. Race candy. As the last few races played out, I found myself focusing more on the run. The speed, the flow, the end. And then I smiled. Once I realized that the courses were never flat, never smooth and usually had about three hills and lots of turns, lumpy grass and today, some soggy mud, I relaxed and found my "happy place" with XC racing.

Seriously, bliss.

I think my favorite thing about this series has been running with my BSK Teammates. So many fast ladies but also, so smart and so supportive. Once you start traveling around every weekend together you also get to know the other masters ladies and it becomes one big family. We cheer for one another, celebrate and give lots of hugs. This is what a racing team is all about. I love you, Girls!!

BIG THANK YOUS to the RUNNING SKIRT GIRLS here in town for sponsoring us and the OPEN Elites with such cute skirts!

Jessica won first woman OPEN! Awesome, Jessica! Great job, Morgan, Joey and Melissa!

Tomorrow, my focus turns to my marathon training for the Carlsbad Marathon in January! My base is strong, my focus is good, I think I'm off to a good start.

Thanks BSK girls, Coach David, Nicole, and Steve for making today possible! I love you all!

2011-10-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

Is it corny and trite to say that I've always imagined that I would live in a community that reflected the WORLD? Different types of people, different colors, personalities, unique qualities and talents?

That we could all live our lives but somehow contribute to the lives of others in meaningful, kind and constructive and helpful ways? I guess that's why I blog...and why I shared that story about our daughter coming home...I haven't felt the blog community to be anything other than CARING AND HELPFUL. HOPEFUL. I'm grateful. Thank you all so much!

Do I sound like MARY SUNSHINE? Are you opposed to reading what else I have to say because this is just TOO PIE IN THE SKY, too ROSEY, too idealistic?

Idealistic, realistic, optimistic?

I am entirely optimistic for my daughter and Sparkle Pants. I know it's not going to be easy for them but we've re calibrated, , set up some new house hold boundaries for all of us and now, moving forward. Let me thank the author of this book for some insight!

I'm finding that just remaining in the present and staying mindful is helping me in EVERY are of my life.

I also need to thank those people in my COMMUNITY/FAMILY/WORLD for their unending LOVE and confidence in all of us. THANK YOU BLOGGERS for your supportive comments and know that it was important to share this information with people who are in my WORLD because this is life. Hiding or putting on the "RUNNER BLOGGER MASK" just isn't my thing. I'm many different things but a runner is only one of them...thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Our 7th and FINAL Cross Country Race!

I might have neglected to mention that besides everything else going on in my life, I am now training for the Carlsbad Marathon in January! This week had no room for tapering for today's 6k but it's all good. I managed 42 miles this week and definitely felt the fatigue in my legs during the last mile of the xc race. Last Saturday was a 15 miler on hills with 4:30 spurts at marathon pace. I felt sturdy and strong and felt totally recovered by track night on Tuesday. That night I did 10 miles and didn't feel great by Thursday but did pull off the workout. Yesterday, my recovery miles were slow and few but I did wake up HAPPY and ready to race.

Starting line!

There was a STACK OF fast masters women today, everyone is gearing up for the XC Championships in San Diego in two weeks. I managed to stick to my 6:45 pace goal for the first two miles and then slowed down to about 6:51 for the remainder of the race.

The terrain was mostly rolling, grassy hills and trails with some flat trails, lined with honking geese. I have DEFINITELY learned to stick with a pace effort over the terrain rather than aiming for a set finishing time at a XC race. There are just too many variables with the terrain and other runners. Again, I had the time of my life today and ended the race slightly sad because this was our last one of the season. Our team has become so close and supportive of one another but we'll move on to the Championships at Mission Bay shortly! It's not quite the END!

Again, the marathon training is first so I'll also keep on with the longer training.

THANK you, THANK you, THANK you once again for your thoughtful comments and support. I am grateful for each and every one of you.

Fondly,

meg

2011-10-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

"While we try to teach our children about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about."
---unknown

Guess what I did? I got complacent. I started getting used to being an empty nester. Making dinner and eating when we felt like it. Running at any hour of the day. Cleaning the house ONLY when we knew it was absolutely necessary(like when spider webs were dangling from the corners of our living room), and finally, putting out breakables, using fancier glasses, REALLY living life like adults. You get the picture and I'm sure you know where I'm going.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

It started raining confetti and it wasn't my birthday. "Surprise!" Someone shouted(and even though it was only in my brain, I braced myself."

Sparkle Pants and His Mommy came home. Moved home. Grandparents, meet living- with- daughter- in college/working/mommying and precious two year old plus a few months.

The surprise party died down and reality took over..

The kind of reality that wakes you up, tests your unconditional love and everything you ever said about being there for your kids NO MATTER WHAT. Because, yes, we said that to both of our kids. All the time.

So now, we're living it. Trying anyway. We're trying to NOT parent a 22 year old woman who is scared, working way too hard at school and has two jobs. We are grand parenting a football-running-baseball-soccer-loving 2.5 year old who asks questions all day long and loves books, snuggling and tortilla chips and hummus.

And you wonder why I'm still blogging? Still running? Still looking for wisdom and inspiration with faith and hope?

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Moving forward as always; xc running, training for a January marathon, hugging my husband, digging in some dirt and playing with some rad five and six year olds because they call it "my job."

Suddenly, my life sounds pretty good. I am blessed and very non-complacent at this moment.

Thanks for reading this. Can you believe how fast things can change?!
meg

XC Race # 6

2011-10-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

6 races down, every weekend, only two more to go. This was supposed to be the fastest course, the course with the least hills and the course that many gals PR'd on last year. Alas, this wasn't to be my day for the sub 20 min. PR at the 5k. I knew it the minute I woke up. That's not to say that I woke up with a negative attitude. Nope. I love this fun stuff too much. I just have been DEALING with real LIFE this week and it pretty much pooped me out. On Saturday morning, I wanted to wake up, put on the team jersey and run my heart out. Actually, I was just hoping to survive this race.

Basically this is how it went down>>>

Our masters women team started off with the OPEN team in a "team box." What? Suddenly, at this race, we're mushed in with about 15 women and two other teams on either side of us.

"Expect elbowing." was sort of mentioned at this point. Women elbowing? College girls or the old ladies like me? Couldn't see myself using "the elbows" as running tools. Of course, that changed as we started to the firing of a gun. I felt myself listening to the words of a porta potty coach who told her girls NOT to run by feel. Heck no, make up your mind in the first few strides whether you're going to go for it at mile 1, 2 or 3. Oh, by the way, she wasn't coaching the porta potty users, she was actually coaching her team girls while they waited in line for the potty.

*free coaching*

Suffice to say, my mental focus wasn't on for this race and I spent the 3 + miles waiting for my poop cramps to go away, grabbing my side, rolling my eyes at BS and taking the turns wide enough that if I "decided" to quit the race, I'd be in the right spot.

People told me they thought I would quit the race several times. I must have looked radiant and thrilled.

But I didn't quit. Close to the hill near the finish, I sucked it up. Once I hit the track for the finish lap, I realized the clock read 18 something and if I tried to run the track in one minute, I'd PR.

Ha, ha, ha.

I must have been delirious or on crack at that time.

I just kept running and crossed the finish at 21:01.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Well, I didn't quit.

I am new to xc racing this year so everything I've learned has come from MAKING STUPID mistakes right down to eavesdropping on a coach and her college students while we were in line at the porta potty.

I didn't race xc in high school. Heck, I just started racing 6 years ago. SOMEONE should have told me the rules before I got started. There is strategy, there are rules, you just can't run and run and hang on.

But, it's worked for me so far.

AND, I'm loving it.

Great women ran today. Some fast, some took their time, most gave it their all. That's all that matters.

Did I tell you I'm just grateful to be a member of this awesome group of girls...I mean, women?

Happy Running,

meg

My Race Candy...

2011-10-12T18:14:00.000-07:00

Our team raced again last Saturday and as we approach one of our final three races, I'm left to reflect on how this XC season as gone. Of course, it's no surprise,

I"VE LOVED IT!

A friend from the team told me that these races are like CANDY. She's right. Once you get started, you can't stop. It's almost addictive...no, it IS addictive. This is being said by the woman who despised 5k's two months ago and is on a quest to finally break her 20 min. goal for the 5k.

TODO ES POSIBLE.

I would say that biggest challenge has been running these hilly and varied-terrain races as if they were a road race. Thus, expecting that my time will be close to my road 5k time. It just "isn't" so and it's almost a relief some days. Going out to hang on and push for the team and for my personal goal is more fun knowing that the occasional soft and sandy spot will be there to test my forward movement. Maybe it will be a muddy spot or a lumpy grassy hill, perhaps, even a KILLER hill. Whatever. It's fun to see what new adventures will be encountered during these races.

New flavors. New textures. Less calories, NO cavities.

I like this candy. Too bad it's almost devoured but I've appreciated every minute!

TOO much, way TOO much, to be discussed on the home front and the school front. One little tidbit is that BS has been out of running commission since the summer due to his Achilles and he's had an MRI, etc. He's out until December.

I miss my favorite running partner.

*he's a good listener
*he has something GOOD and wonderful to say about EVERYONE(yes, really)
*he's funny
*he's inspiring
*he's the real deal

Love that man.

Happy Running!
meg

This is real life, guys...

2011-09-28T18:58:00.000-07:00

Painting "The Box."
So far it is The Rainbow House.
It has twinkling lights and orange Halloween lights.
It's still a work in progress.

Pretend Napping Inside the Box

I'm all about being real today. Today. Last week, I had a week of parent-teacher conferences that were enlightening, inspiring and also, sad and frustrating. Be real. Life isn't easy for some of us right now. We have our home. We have jobs. We have healthy kids. Not everyone does. About 4 or 5 of my Pretzels out of 22 are in homes and families that are in some kind of crisis. These little guys are shutting down at the ages of 4-6. Their families are struggling financially and it trickles down on the eeny-meenies of our
society. These EENY-MEENIES are innocent. One child was afraid to go to the nurse because he thought his mom would have to pay. The fears are deep, they've been planted and fed over the past two or three years. These Pretzels have been raised in crisis. It's their "normal." We need to remember this when we fuss about test scores, PUBLIC schools, and "those" kids. They really are OUR kids. They will always be a part of OUR WORLD, our community, our neighborhoods. Be mindful. Be hopeful. Reach out.

REALITY number TWO: Be grateful.

We have so much. All the way down to the running...what we LOVE to do. What we "get" to do!

I had my cross country race on Sunday, Race NUMBER 4! It was a hilly 8k which was down in San Diego, very close to the border of Tijuana and San Diego. The terrain was all trail and dirt with some dry grass and a golf course for much of the course. All of the courses have been hilly and it has been interesting to see how my body/fitness has changed with the racing every week. I barely run during the week really. I do one big track workout which consists of 4 downhill repeats, then 4 1 min. up hill sprints, and ends with 4 uphill repeats. It is usually about 8 miles of work and a good warm up and small cool down. The rest of the week consists of a rest day and two short run days at a slow pace. Friday I gear up mentally with a two mile run and 6 strides at 5k pace. I am seeing a lot of progress on race day, not just with my times but with how strong I feel.

Here's where I get real with you...

Pace and time have always been HUGE for me. I love the numbers. Not for comparing with anyone else, just to compare how I've been and where I am. It's almost a game for me. It's fun. Suddenly though, I started to realize with racing every week, it can't be about numbers. You have HILLS in cross country. You have rocks. Bumpy, wet grass. Mud. Dogs. Runners. Slippery slopes covered with leaves.

It's all about how you feel. Am I feeling strong?

Now when I'm racing, my mind isn't wondering about the numbers. This is what goes on and I can be pretty exact with this since I've done it for four Saturdays in a row.

My mind talking to me:

The start:
"How relaxed do I feel right now? Relax!"

Mile 1:
"How relaxed am I right now? How settled am I feeling? What am I noticing around me? How much fun am I having right now?"

Mile 2-3:
"Hills! Use your arms. Relax! Smile, you love hills. Ah, down hills. No, this is what you love, down hills. Keep it controlled. Yes, it feels so good!"

Mile 4:
"Flat? Yikes, this feels weird. Where's my 64 year old friend who is usually here at this time? There he is." At this point, he joins me or I join him and we have a friendly, unspoken game of can Meg slow down her breathing to match his. He's won every time. Today he spoke to me at mile 4.something, "See that girl in the red? Go get her." Because I'm in a zone and listen to anything anyone tells me at this point, , I followed his instructions but never really caught up to her. His words were like CRACK though, it shot me out of my comfort zone of RELAXATION and zen...and I made an honest attempt to catch up with her though the sandy final mile.

Each and every one of these races has had me crossing the finish line with a smile. I'd shout and cart wheel if it didn't look SO "NFL" football player-bragger-like. My smiles and shouts are for me. I'm just grateful. My body kept itself healthy and in one piece for another race. Thank you for that, body.

Numbers can be good. Being strong can be even better, it carries you farther, lasts longer.

Have a great week! Be grateful. Reach out to a child who looks like they just need a smile. Work towards being STRONG, inside and out.

Our Class Marble Jar Party...

Donuts on a string, hands behind backs.

Thanks to Clifford's Halloween for this idea!

meg

RECOVERY...

2011-09-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

Lots and lots of recovery going on around here. First off, from ORANGE DAY. My last post explains the whole fiasco. Moving on to purple tomorrow, I'm sure I'll be able to keep it off the floor, the faces and the clothing...NOT!

One of you requested a photograph of the whole ordeal. Uh, no. Can you imagine the parents watching me cackle as I took a picture of the poor innocents with paint dripping off their noses? They'd have me shipped off to one of those "teacher" places where old teachers give themselves paint facials and sniff Elmer's. I know. I've seen it. Anyhoo, I did get this picture for you on Friday. See? Still caked into the rug. Sorry Emmanuel. This is YOUR spot. Sit here. Right on the orange paint your teacher threw at you.

This week, after the abc's, the 123's, the please and thank you's, we'll be decorating this refrigerator box which literally touches the ceiling in my classroom.

We DO refrigerators BIG here in California. Vaulted ceilings, remember? All the NEW houses have them, even mine. However, I have a normal refrigerator...I'm only teacher but hey, I AM GRATEFUL for my job!!! That's what our principal says we should tell ourselves every morning and I DO! I know I sound sarcastic right now but I AM thankful for my job. Anyhoo...I have a vague idea of how we'll "use" this box in my classroom. ONe parent suggested I put the bad kids in the box. NO WAY, I don't have any bad kids this year. All angels. Next idea? Any creative ideas on your part? I'm going to plan with the kids tomorrow and I'll keep you posted. Any random ideas are welcome!

Now that I've tricked you into thinking I'm a balanced woman, I'll hit you with the real reason I write this BLOG...running!

Yes, still an ~~obsession~~ interest of mine.

Besides my job, which by the way, did I tell you I'm grateful for?

I am.

My third race in a row was yesterday, our fourth in a series for the Dirt Dog Cross County series. It was a 10k, the longest in the series. I was not planning on racing it all out as I am still recovering from the last three races...that's what you do when you're 46 and racing every weekend. You recover. That means that I am taking more days off, doing less mileage than I should and doing a speed workout with hills and a little tempo run once a week. I wish I could do more but I truly feel like the racing week after week is enough. We'll be going into late October with this kind of schedule so I'm conserving energy and muscle fibers as we speak.

I won a pair of these awesome recovery socks yesterday, the orange ones! They are so tight and really felt great on my feet, ankles and calves. I think I'm going to buy the calf sleeves!

I used to be a ZOOT girl, I still love their stuff, however, these CEP compression socks are even better!

Interestingly, I'm going to start training for my January marathon in October...we'll see how that cuts into the recovery schedule AND the November Cross Country Championships in November.

It's all about recovery.

Finally, here's the recent video of my SUPER SANDY POCKETS playing football...
If you are still reading this, you have a minute to see the cutest boy in the WORLD.
Humor me!!!

Have a great week!
meg

A CRISIS in ROOM 105!!

2011-09-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

I got to school early, dressed all in ORANGE, since today was ORANGE DAY in the kindergarten.

Socks

Shoes

Bows

Shirts

Dressess...

I was setting up a painting table so that my Chili Peppers could express themselves through all things ORANGE....

and I accidently left the cap off the paint bottle. Later, distracted by the Chili Pepps, I placed the top ON the bottle, neglecting to twist it.

Lame.

20 minutes later with 23 little Peppers surrounding me, we hunted for orange things around the class, I picked up the bottle of paint on a tray,

it fell

and fell

and fell,

hit a tree stump bench

and imploded.

Pegging the legs of about 12 Peppers.

Other parts too.

Orange pants.

Speckeled faces.

Streaks of orange hair.

Spotted orange shoes.

The carpet.

The rugs.

The teacher.

Parent helpers just looked at me.

Kids cheered.

It was offically ORANGE day, let the fun begin.

The true test in being called a patient person is being able to laugh, brush your shoulders off(or wipe them off, in this case), and move on with your day...despite the 2 foot wide pool of orange paint sitting in the middle of your circle/carpet area.

Have I arrived? Only slightly. I'm still stewing about it obviously. However, it didn't ruin my day. Now I'm off to RUN TRACK and be a normal person. That's the beauty of my life!

What's really important?

meg

Starting Fall Afresh...

2011-09-11T13:53:00.000-07:00

It's already mid September???

August 6, was my last post. Where did the summer go?

23 kindergartners marched into my classroom a month ago and continue to stay, and stay and stay! After many poop problems(the kids, not me), I can officially say, we're ready to start having SOME FUN! Bring on the juice boxes, the baggies of milk from the cafeteria! Bring on the ABC's, the people colored crayons, the GLITTER, LOTS OF GLITTER(I love that commercial)and the sniffles, lice and wobbly teeth. KINDERGARTEN has begun!

My healthiest vice/respite/escape/drug has been my 5k/10k cross country training. I'm mixing it up with some **FUN** 40+ masters runners and have found that their speed and inspiration only fuels me to work harder! I've never been a part of a running team, it was actually a little scary to try something new like this. I shy away from too much competition in this sport. Would this group of women have the maturity, strength, compassion, fortitude and WILL to put others above themselves? I've seen groups of women in other competitive situations and it wasn't pretty. It gets petty. It can get ugly. I didn't want to commit to something that would be DRAMA with a capital DDDDDD. That being said, I know these athletes and they are all STELLAR women. Big hearts, enthusiastic 40+ women who are out for speed, FUN and the chance to be there for one another.

Our first three races have NOT been a disappointment but rather, a privilege. It's going to be a NEW season for me for running, a new adventure.

much

fun!

I feel like a high school runner again!!! Even though I didn't run in high school.

The San Diego Track Club Dirt Dog Series

Race #3 for the team was last night, the SUN DOWNER. The CHANCE to run under the light of the moon for 3 plus miles over grass, along dirt paths, along the street and back onto the grass. JUST LIKE HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTY. Loved it. My training has been much, much lighter this summer/fall, as I had decided NOT to run a fall marathon. I'm following a cross country running schedule which gives me the speed work AND the flexibility to throw in hills and more farleks if I feel like it. I'm down to a 12 mile long run on the weekends...just might skip it today though. See? I can be flexible like that now. Love it.

I was determined to run this 5k all out. My present PR is 20:18 and I knew the hills in this course were too much to even expect a personal best out of this race. HOWEVER...I was EERILY close...somewhere in the range of 20:20 or so. Since I ditched my GARMIN so that I could run by heart and feel, I'm not sure how I really did but let's just say I was ECSTATIC to cross the line so close to my PR, having worked the hills as I did. Still ecstatic. Even today.

The BEST part of the race though, was watching those in front cross the finish, hear the announcements from the director as I ran all over the hills in the dark and being there to see other friends cross. Our team should STILL be in first place this week...most had terrific runs last night. Those that couldn't run came to cheer and one, in particular, I hold in high regard. As I crossed over the street and neared the finish, I heard these particular words...and remember, to a 46 year old women, these words are NEVER taken lightly...

"You look awesome! You look so strong! You could run like this for 10 more miles!" Oh my gosh, you are rocking it!"

We are all there for each other. The good times and the bad. A team is like that at times, a family.

Thanks for making this 46 year old feel like 17 again, if only for 20 minutes or so. I think that's just enough time.

Have a happy week, missed you all. Keep looking for new adventures...

meg

Masters Run/Race Report and More Summer Fun!

2011-08-06T17:03:00.000-07:00

Drippy Drawers(AKA: Sandy Pockets)

summer fun, 2011

Yikes! BS and I played GRANDMA for four straight days with Drippy Drawers. ! Drippy's Mom and Pop went to Hawaii for the paddle board race. Drippy stayed and kept grandma Meg BUSY, BUSY, BUSY. OMG, how did I EVER have the energy to raise two kids, work and function? 5 days with Drippy was more difficult than the San Francisco Marathon a few years ago. No kidding.

Today Drippy's Mom called to tell me he is potty trained!

It's been a most excellent summer!

Today the MASTERS GIRLS had some great runs at the 56th Annual Balboa Park 8 miler. Well, Sweet Alexis in the light green shirt isn't a masters runner but she was sure a great cheerleader. THANKS ALEXIS!!

I didn't have a stellar run, it was actually a minute slower than last year and I felt pretty tired the whole time but I ZIPPED up the MAN/WOMAN suite(Marathon TALK)and just pushed through. No negative thoughts, just pushed. I was happy with that. I'm feeling the affects of

NOT running the long mileage on the weekends during these longer races, those that are longer than a 10k. I might have more speed for the short stuff but the endurance is something I will integrate later in my training.

Two Other major YIPPEES from the race

1. I had no poop/potty problems thanks to Imodium

2. My foot did not hurt during the entire race, despite the hills and terrain. It's been 5 months since my Boston episode with my foot and today, it was confirmed that I am back to having a foot and body that is 100% healthy.

There is HOPE and HEALING for all....believe.

*****

Finally, here's proof that the WEST COAST bloggers got together for Jill's visit from Colorado.

Chris Korn

Irene

Glenn

Anne

Heffer Blog

We had a fun get together and it was GREAT to visit!

Miss you already, Jill!!!

OPERATION "CAN I GET FASTER AT 46 YEARS OF AGE?" REPORT!!

2011-07-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

I've written about 20 posts since my dog and I went through some "issues." NONE of them were published, obviously.

Do you REALLY care about my...

garden growing?

my son(who ditched college) sailing the open seas, dressed as a pirate?

my genius grandson, Sandy Pockets?

my husband's achilles heel injury or is trip to Tahoe to crew for a 50k?

Yea, Brian!

my "goal" to only buy summer clothes from resale shops(and I totally HAVE found some CUTE stuff...)

is this blog

about running?

I've had more fun reading YOUR blogs this summer and finding out what's going on in everyone else's life.

Boy, you guys are having adventures and some of you

are just livin' it simply like us.

Simplicity is what it's about right now...

our economy

the state or our nation

our World

it seems like we're being called to refocus once again.

Are you feeling that or is it just me?

SO BACK TO RUNNING...the cheapest, most fun thing you can do to stay fit and happy!

I hope this doesn't get too long...

The Goal: So after Boston, I took two months to recover from my planter facitis flare up which cost me a fun race and a lot of training...

I decided to cut down on mileage, tuck my Garmin in a drawer and start racing short stuff. It wasn't about PRs, it was about feeling strong and knowing when I could push myself. Really knowing the "state" of my body.

I've been reading a good book

SPEED WITH ENDURANCE

and as a master's runner, I am reminded to make sure that I have the ENERGY and LEG SPRING to carry off the mileage and speed work, as well as tempo runs, that will keep me moving forward but not DEAD after every push!

In the book, they give you a chart as part of your training log, that helps you monitor your recovery.

Girls, at 46 this is HUGE.

What I did: So I cut down on mileage and focused on relaxed 7-8 mile runs throughout the week with one day of track and one long run. I'm spinning at home one day and racing WHEN EVER I CAN. I do use my Garmin during track workouts and my heart rate monitor on the days off SO THAT I STAY IN RECOVERY MODE.

Do you see the thread here??? I'm FOCUSING MORE ON RECOVERY than the training and **DUH**, I feel great for every run. It's simple.

The Results: That question I posed in the spring, " CAN A MASTER'S RUNNER IMPROVE HER SHORT DISTANCE TIMES?" " HOW? " Has been answered.

The good news is YES. I have been able to improve my 5k, 8k and 10k times! The key has been toning down the LONG mileage and focusing on recovery throughout the week.

I still integrate hill work every week because I am doing a lot of cross country and HILL/trail runs this fall...but that just means I have to balance it on the other end with lighter runs and rest. I also...

use the foam roller every night

do strength training four times a week

ice ANY and ALL sore spots

drink ULTRA FUEL during speed workouts

wear ONLY shoes that are good for my feet(all the time)

and dream about running longer distances...

yes, my heart is still in the marathon.

Carlsbad 2012!

Thanks for stopping by, stay tuned for the FULL REPORT on RUN WITH JILL'S VIsit to California!!!

Go Jill!!

My Dog Wants a Divorce

2011-07-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

The tension in the Ling Home is palpable. Daisy stands outside in her SPACE COLLAR, refusing to look at me nor enter the house. She's done.

Let me back track...

Last week I put ADVANTAGE II on her for the first time. I was putting Advantage 1 on her but the vet sugguested I use the tick and lice version since LICE is never far from ME(since I am a kindergarten teacher). The liquid must have aggravated the two spots where it was applied and two hot spots were created. I tried to treat them holistically(since dog owners around here are VERY GREEN and only feed their dogs yams and potatoes...). You don't want to be JUDGED as a bad, bad doggy owner around here and excluded from the parks as if you had the plague. If ANYONE had found out I HADN"T tried black tea bags and cucumber paste, I'd really be humiliated.

ANYHOO...Daisy started to itch and itch, wearing herself and her hair patches out. I invested in a SPACE COLLAR, well, that's what "I" call them, obviously PET CO has other ideas...and she seemed okay. Until yesterday...so, $$$$215.00 later, we came home and started the "routine" of applying the five ear washes, ointments, sprays and creams.

Daisy wants NO part of it.

She wants a divorce.

Why is dog-loving so complicated?

I thought that having our kids moving on in life would make our life less complicated, which isn't really true. Every transition in the lives of your kids AND your dog, bring their own changes and hence, adjustments.

Life IS all about change and adjusting. NEVER EVER think you're "got it down."

Even with you dog....

I may need to take her to counseling today, I really want us to work this out....

The Poop-less Race

2011-07-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

A gorgeous Cuyamaca morning at the starting line of trail half marathon.

Family photo, minus Pirate Man and Scabby Knee's Daddy

Loving the dirt.

The camp site stage for Scabby Knees

First off, NO POOP stops, no cramps...yea! I owe it all to Let'srun.com(ha, ha...runs)AND all of you for your awesome advice and great comments.

I took a 4 oz dose of IMODIUM about a half an hour before the start of the race and NEVER felt the cramps, never had the URGE and the body worked it's magic. I don't know if this "plan" would work for everyone but I'm back to my "regular" self this morning and planning on using the miracle liquid for my next race.

THE RACE:

This was a low key event so when I say race, I should say that it was basically a trail run for MORE than 13.2 miles with lots of other people. I tried to keep the pace up there and push the hills. I am NOT against walking in an ultra but since this distance was so much shorter, I decided to run the hills. This actually ended up working out...considering I missed a turn off and avoided the steepest incline and descent in the race, uh, and I took two other people with me. One of them was Runway, my marathon partner in crime, who had stayed the night with us in our sparse little cabin. I guess we all missed the pink plastic ribbons at one point, only to discover them a while later, taking THAT turn and coming in to the aide station ahead of the first runner. The aide station volunteers didn't seem surprised that two skirt-wearing girls were ripping it up on the trails, with no MEN in sight. We had no idea and didn't stop, just continued on our merry way.

At this point in the race, we were about five miles in, which should have been six miles, and we felt awesome. We were jumping streams, running through mud and having a jolly time under the canopy of trees and gorgeous vegetation. I felt so good, so full of zip that I took off down a rocky hill...my ankles wobbling from very little technical trail running as of late, and suddenly found myself alone with white flour arrows pointing in three different directions.

I was suddenly a victim of an ALICE IN WONDERLAND moment. Runway wasn't behind me. I crossed the road and found a little sign pointing UP the hill that I had just descended that said 50k GO HERE> So, I just did an eeny-meeny type of decision making and took a hill with a pink ribbon by storm. It was steep, it was rocky it was full of little sticks. It was also empty...until I was faced head on with a down hill trail runner from the 50k who informed me I was miles off course and heading in the wrong direction. So, I flipped around and followed him down...tripping and hobbling over the rocks, feeling STUPID and totally inexperienced. Off in the distance, I heard a woman's voice so I headed that way.

**At this point, I must insert the thought that I had regarding ALL Colorado bloggers:

YOU MAKE THIS LOOK SO EASY and EFFORTLESS!

Reaching the ALICE IN WONDERLAND site was of no help, once there, I was totally alone again, spinning in a circle, shouting Runway's real name, hoping my rotating body would send out a rotating message that would reach all four corners of the Cuyamaca Mountains(assuming there were four corners to a mountain range).. Silence responded. See, I really am a rookie.

Suddenly, Red Shirt came ripping down the hill, he wasn't too talkative but did tell me he was first male in the half. Hmmmmmm. I really WAS off course. So, I ran back up the first hill that I had descended, looked around and decided to follow him home...at least I would find my way back to the finish without winding up a skeletal corpse, lying across the trail.

I smelled people and suddenly, dozens of 50k runners were walking up the LONG hill that I was running down. "GOOD JOB!" they shouted, "Awesome!" Uh-oh. That only meant I wasn't far behind the first place guy...meaning that WE HAD skipped the trail up the peak and even though I had gone off course again, we were way too close in time to the first place guy.

Oh well, I gave the last down hill everything I had, and then some. It was hot, it was sunny, I was running and I didn't have diarrhea. It was a joyful time.

Crossing the finish line confirmed that we had gone off course. Runway had arrived WAY before Red Shirt Guy and although she and I were shaking our tails on this run, we were slower than Red Shirt's pace for sure.

The director of the race was the coolest ever. Runway was first over all just because she crossed the finish line first. Red Shirt asked NO questions and assumed second place...I came in second female and 6th over all....and that was that. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. We all left laughing...as I said, it was a low key event.

Poop, Snakes, Sprints, and Sweat

2011-07-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

So even on the 4th of July, BS wouldn't listen to my poop

woes!

POOP issues plague me at every race. Really. Small, sharp stomach cramps that turn into me having to go to the bathroom URGENTLY. After trailing a girl who had pooped her shorts in Boston, I have NEVER had the desire to do the same. Too fragrant. I want my friends. So this weekend, after a HOT and quick start to a 10k, I decided NOT to evacuate "short" style but to just stop and use the port a potty. Twice. The cramps went away and I caught up to Chris Korn...eventually I had a fun race but it's time to FACE THE CACA WOES head on.

I consulted a GI doctor. A nurse. A lot of friends. I've decided that I'm not going to let my bowels command my races any longer. Now that my foot is behaving and the training is going well, I'm going to give IMMODIUM a try this weekend. I'll be racing a tough, hot and hilly half marathon trail race in the mountains near Julian, CA. I'm going to pop the magical immodium and see if I can pull this race off without squatting on a snake or poking the hinny with a cactus. Report to follow...this is my last chance!! The "letsrun.com" forum had many success stories of those who have tried IMMODIUM. Have you?

Summer is off to a great start. Warm! Best July eva' .
So far our runs have challenged us with...

6 snakes(one rattler)
25+harmless lizards
sweaty parts/sweaty clothes
3 races already, 3 more to come this month!
consumption of enough Vitalyte to fill Sandy Pocket's baby pool

I'm off to catch up on blogs this afternoon! Miss all of those reports!

Sunburn Smiley Face

2011-06-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

If you've followed my blog you know I have massive SKIN cancer issues and that SCAPE is my all time FAVORITE sunscreen. I can run with it smeared everywhere and TRUST it 100%. It won't run, leak into my eyes, clog my pores nor wash off in the pool or ocean. I've used it for more than a year and it JUST WORKS. I've tried it all too, even the sunscreen from my dermatologist and nothing beats my SCAPE. Well, the issue is you HAVE TO ACTUALLY apply it in order for it to be affective.

Yesterday, my SECOND day of summer vacay, I worked in my garden for a few hours and SCAPED up but *neglected* to cover my booty crack...the plumbers crack...the coin slot. Last night my booty lover(ok, that just sounds bad)said I had smiley face sunburn that started at "the crack" and curved up at the edges of my back, right where my shirt pulled up.
Yes, I'm aware that this IS A MAN and is NOT me but you get the picture. Just imagine a BIGGER, wider smile that curves up at the edges. Nice. I hope it lasts all summer and stands out when I'm wearing my bathing suit.

Actually, I hope it doesn't. That's too much sun damage.

Wear your SCAPE people, you'll have no regrets!

Summer garden shots:

Despite the sale of our house, I'm determined to be a backyard farmer and try to grow all of our own summer veggies.

This means mixing veggies with flowers, roses, and other crazy things.

Last summer, when I tried to do this, we had the attack of the RATS from the brick yard(I know, don't you just want to OWN THIS HOUSE RIGHT NOW?)

This year, this won't happen.

It just won't.

Cinco de mayo roses!

Heirloom tomatoes.

Zinnias with new squash sprouts.

Basil, green beans and gnomes.

RUNNING?!

The 10k is just a week and a few away! The short mileage experiment (faster paces) officially ends on that day. Then it's on to half marathon training.

Sunday: 9 miles trails, easy

Monday: 4 miles, training pace

Tuesday: track 10x 500, 300 off @ 5k pace(THIS WAS HARD)

Wed: Off

Thursday: 6 miles, training pace

Friday: 4/5 easy

Saturday: Interval workout with Kevin

Sunday: Trails(are you in Chris?)

My heart rate is officially changing for the better so the fitness at the shorter distances is improving.

***I do miss the longer runs this week, now that I have time to do them AND sleep.*

Have a great rest of the week!!!

Escaping OPEN HOUSE and Running Trails Instead

2011-06-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

Our house hasn't sold yet, many of you have asked. Thanks so much for your positive thoughts, prayers and hopeful messages...no offers yet but today there was a big open house so we're hopeful that something will happen...for some silly reason, very few like living next to a brick yard. I just see so many positive things about a brick yard; it's not a fire hazard, there are no nosey neighbors peering in our windows and the view of tractors, haulers, fork lifts keep Sandy Pockets occupied for hours. What can't anyone see that?

We escaped the event by leaving Daisy Pie at my friend's house to be mauled by her German Shepherd. I love it when a dog puts Daisy in her place. Then, we headed up to the Laguna Mountains where we like to play "trail runners" just like all of our Colorado blogger buddies who are REAL mountain runners. We just pretend. We take off too fast, race along the flat trails and our ankles are wobbling and twisting up the inclines and down the rocky faces. We are overly friendly to all hikers, mountain bikers, dog walkers, squirrels and other runners and we act as if we've never been out of the city. One MAJOR mistake was forgetting our camera and NOT taking trail shots like you see on HAPPY TRAILS BLOG...now THAT is the ultimate trail blog. I also neglected to wear a cute skirt like Kathleen...maybe next weekend.

We did frolic with the orange and blue dragon flies that whizzed in and out of our legs and I stopped to bend over right in the middle of the trail to closely examine each and every variety of wild flower. Stunning. Only one pee stop in the tall grass and let me just say that tall thin grass DOES not feel soothing as it pierces certain orifices. As much as I tease, I must say that I am a trail girl at heart. It's just peaceful being out there for hours, time stands still. The miles tick off quickly.

My Running Study...

I continue to monitor my 10k training project with gusto. I ran a 3 miler three days after my 10k trail race. It went well but it was another hilly race and it was interesting that my body/mind connection did react to this little 3 miler as if it were a race, which it was. My mind, however, went out on it's own with the healthy attitude of attacking the "run" as a tempo run and I was determined to NOT go out at a 5k pace.

Could it be that when the body is happy and rested, it can override the mind or did the mind over ride the body? Just who is in charge here?

Which ever the case(which might actually be TOO MUCH THINKING on my part), I was happy with the results of this race(?)/run.

There were some great races this weekend, I hope everyone enjoyed their racing and if you did some fun running, I hope it was everything that you wanted it to be!!

Happy Father's Day!!!!

meg

Race Report and Sandy Pocket Passes Out!

2011-06-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

My Baby...Sandy Pocket's Mom

I adore this woman...and mom...and daughter and wife(to Lifeguard).

Sandy Pockets who will soon be RE NAMED for the second time, to HE WHO WAVES STICKS, came to the race today. He and his MOMMY woke up at their "usual" time and we picked them up for the EVENT. BS is suffering from some tendonitis issues and has opted to rest for a week or???? It seems like the only thing left for him to do. Well, besides cheer...

The 10k wasn't HUGE by So Cal standards. I didn't see any familiar faces from up near our house but it was a great day for a trail run. Kind of overcast, cool and the trail was actually WOODSy...as woodsy as it could be nestled between San Diego University and a housing development. After a mile or so, I felt like I was running in the Laguna Mountains so my brain and I were easily fooled. Another thing I did today to FOOL my brain was to run sans GARMIN. He and I haven't had a love fest lately. Our training runs are enjoyable and he really is quite helpful for keeping me in line but come the races....he's just getting into my head. This happens from time to time but I want to rely on my own awareness of pace and how I feel at this pace, rather than just NUMBERS.

Sorry Dude, I'm choosing flow over function. AND IT WORKED.

I started the race knowing that everything was in place. As I expressed in the previous post, my 10k training plan has been a GOD SEND. I actually bless the blogger who mentioned it in her blog and here it is: http://www.runningplanet.com/training/10K-training-program-advanced.html
I just feel like my body is once again, itself, and my leg strength is back 100%. It has made me think a lot about my marathon training and I am going to really consider taking this fall off from marathon training and concentrate on half marathons and the faster, yet, shorter distances. I feel like my body could use the rest and my mind seems to really like the refocus! As I've been getting fitter with my 10k training, my "issues" have healed and my hips, it band and foot have been just getting stronger. IT all makes sense. I'm throwing some swimming back into the mix. I'm excited.

Back to the race...

I took off towards the front of the pack and managed to just feel totally relaxed during the first three miles. I did see one girl/lady up ahead and I decided that she would be the motivation to stay steady. I was determined to catch up to her, in time. The hills started at mile 2, I passed a coach from a team who was very supportive and encouraging. HIs words pumped me right up and over the first hills. I think the short hill sprints and other hill repeats I've been doing weekly, have helped. I just didn't even give the hills too much thought and I knew once I caught up to yellow shirt, I could relax again. The rest of the race was just FUN,

I had no idea about pace but once I crossed the fourth rocky creek, I knew I was close to the finish and no one was in sight. In the distance, I heard the call of the cowbell and I imagined Stick Waver, his mommy and BS standing at the finish line and I started to pick up my pace, only to be slapped by a very, very, very winding trail that slowed me right down. It was the craziest thing ever...to be running like crazy and then hit a path that wouldn't let me run faster. It was just a meandering path that said, "SLOW DOWN, enjoy the ride." So I did, letting the cow bell guide me.

Suddenly, I saw them up ahead, ran like crazy and gave Stick Waver his first high five from grandma in a race. I'm so used to him chanting "Grandpa Races, Grandpa Races!" that his "Grandma Races!" made me smile from ear to ear.

First woman finisher!! That's what they said when I crossed the finish line. I was totally shocked.

The flow was so fun and my Garmin Head games were obsolete. Don't think I'm going to ditch the dude that quickly. He really is a part of my running life but as far as racing goes, I'm going to rely on myself for the next few races...

Speaking of which, I have another one this Wednesday night. A cross country 3 miler. Can't wait.

Sticks were flying!

And then....Stick Boy passes out at the awards ceremony!

He never stops so this is a rare photograph!

Have a great week!

I'm IN LOVE...

2011-06-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

...with my kindergarten class. This week we'll be parting ways and I REGROUP for next year's crew. Busy, busy with their memory books, report cards and turning 46 years old. My class gave me this birthday card with my photo on the front. I think my hair looks better lighter, what do you think?

Our district "gifted" us new Mac Notebook laptops this week. Happy Birthday to me.. Don't ask about the layoffs, the per student decreases in funding nor the fact that my class size will go up next year. Shut me up with a new lap top. They know how to do it right!

Now for the real fun, RUNNING! My 10k training is shaping up nicely. New discoveries every day in regards to fitness and speed.

1. I've learned that it takes me about two weeks to respond to two/three days of speed orientated training. This week my mid run pick up sprints were much easier and I didn't feel the cardio strain that I was feeling last month and even three weeks ago. It wasn't painful but it was a push to get up to my sprinting speed for pick ups. Pick ups are kind of like a faster stride and my 10k plan calls for 5 or 6 pick ups, even during my easy runs. These efforts are getting much easier.

2. I've learned that recovery runs are great for 10k training, just as they are for marathon training...only shorter! Going out for a four mile recovery run is just plain fun and I can throw in some pick up strides, it's even better. Will I ever go back to long distance training???

3.. I've learned that my heart rate monitor should be ignored during the tempo runs when I am pushing 4 miles at 10k pace. Often, I'll look down and see that I'm pushing the limit in my threshold zone and it almost scares me. Even though my legs feel good, I wonder...Will I stress my heart too much? Will I get injured going too fast for too long? I see the reasoning in using the HR monitor as a gauge but I'm learning to tune it out and glance ONLY occasionally at the pace on my Garmin. The good thing is using the HR monitor to see how your fitness improves and responds to your training. I like numbers. It's a fault of mine. One of the many...

SO....even though tomorrow is NOT my target 10k, I'm running a trail race 10k in San Diego and I'm actually excited to be back in the game of running shorter distances. It's been fun wrapping up an 8 mile run and not feeling like my legs are MASSIVE tree trunks. My goal for tomorrow is to have fun, enjoy the new trail because I've never run there before and just push it hard. I'm not going to try for a specific pace since I'm not sure about the hills(which DO exist throughout the course)and I MAY NOT even wear my Garmin since I'd like to just push it and let it flow...and speaking of flow...

My dear friend Janet just returned from Morocco after completing the Marathon de Sables. I ran into her on the trail the other night and was REFRESHED and booty whipped by her insightful words. While out on a sand dune at midnight during her run, she said she stopped to look up at the stars. They were everywhere. She suddenly remembered the words of a team mate. "If you can't stop and appreciate where you are, what you're doing and who you are, then you shouldn't be doing it." She laid down and did sand angels, alone, in the desert. I....love...you...Janet.

So, I'm off to do dirt angels tomorrow. Think good thoughts for me, please!!!

ROCK AND ROLL!!!!!

2011-06-04T07:42:00.000-07:00

Sparkle Pants is now TWO!!! His mom and dad managed to get him through another year. Yesterday they gave each other a pat on the back for that. Truly, my daughter is in school full time, raising a two year old with out EVER yelling or losing it AND he is both well-mannered AND sweet spirited. See Friends, it all turns out ok. How many times have I TOLD YOU that???...hmmm, I mean, how many times do I need to tell myself that????

Sparkle Pants scored a new skateboard helmet from us...and about a zillion balloons, which kept him busy for hours and pooped him out BIG TIME.
Who says a pony, a jumpy, a clown AND a petting zoo is necessary for a two year old? Just buy him/her a few balloons and you're set!

Safety FIrst!!!

SP and Lifeguard(dad)

On the running front, 10k training is SPARKLING. I'm having fun doing less mileage and more speed work/hill work. At track this week, I was able to hold mile repeats at 6:25, so I think my fitness is definitely improving. Today's tempo run will be interesting...

It's definitely nice having more family time on the weekends and NOT feeling like a broken doll from all of that mileage BUT...I do miss not having a marathon goal right now.

I miss it SO much that we're heading down to the RnR Marathon in San Diego to cheer on the troops!!! THERE ARE WAY too many friends to mention on the blog because just about everyone is running from around here BUT I can't wait to see Bethany and Ryan running on their honeymoon!!! We have a surprise for them!!! Can't wait to head down there tomorrow with the cowbell!

GOOD LUCK to Amanda on her marathon and have fun, girl!!

Happy Weekend Everyone!!

Running On and On...

2011-05-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

I'm back into training and it feels SO good! I have two 10ks planned for the month of June and July and then a half marathon.

I'm so excited...goals are good for me and it keeps me motivated to use my foam roller every night, stretch, do my PT exercises and work hard. Ahhh, you know that feeling. One of the 10ks is a trail race so BS and I can run and train on the trails together so if we need to escape the LURKING of the realtors on the weekends, we can do so together. So exciting.

I am wondering aloud(or in writing)if my old 6:45 10k pace goal is still valid. I ran this pace last July and it felt good but I do think I am more fit and capable of a faster race. The question is, am I? Do I just start training for a slightly faster 10k pace, say, a 6:30 and hope it works out? I am using my heart rate monitor during my tempo runs and track/speed workouts so I assume I'll see a change in fitness and KNOW that I'm aiming for the right pace. ANY thoughts?? I've never really trained for a 10k, they just kind of fit into my marathon training schedules from time to time. This will be a fun summer of running, we're still waiting to see what the fall will bring us as far as trail races or marathons.

Our house went on the market today! Thanks for your wisdom and realtor/selling advice. Think GOOD thoughts for us...sell, sell, sell! I secretly hope our crazy neighbor doesn't decide to pull any "tricks" or do anything scary this week. You really never know....

The San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon is this weekend! I can't wait to see Bethany and Ryan who are now an official couple! Good luck and fun running to all of you that are running the full or the half marathon. We will be cheering at mile 10 of the half, listen for the cow bell!

Sandy Pockets is turning TWO on "June Three." That's what he says. Can you believe that little blessing from "all things good and pure" is already two years old? I'm really feeling like it was just yesterday that he popped into our WORLD. Just remember what I've always said, you never know how things will turn out. Embrace surprises. Special thanks to Becky for making me feel like a million dollar grandma the other night. We laughed and laughed, Becky.

Thanks for stopping by, it's been fun catching up with your blogs this weekend.
Have a great, short week of running and life!
meg

WOULD YOU BUY THIS HOUSE???

2011-05-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

Our realtor sent us a list from a HGTV program which included all of the WISE things one should do BEFORE they welcome "the caravan" into their home and DECLARE the weekend, OPEN HOUSE!!!
Hmmm...I'm either sentimental, stupid or just plain NOT ready to sell this house because this list was like a glass of ice water, thrown in my face. Ouch.

1. Depersonalize. Remove all pictures, photographs and art pieces that draw attention to the fact that a family actually lives in the house.
Are you kidding? Take down my "shrine" to Sandy Pockets and my favorite flower plate and drift wood heart that BS gave me for Christmas?

2. Disconnect emotionally from your house.
Does this mean not smiling when you enter the house? Shut down, cop a dispassionate attitude when I'm at home and not call it my "nest" any more?

3. Remove any clothing and shoes that you are not presently wearing in the course of a week. Clean the closets and rid them of any unseasonal clothing.

Seriously? I only have clothing for one season, basically. Sun. I just happen to have A LOT of things that I like to wear during that season.

Umm, is it okay to leave your bathing suit, underwear and bra in the sink? Don't ask me WHO put these there. It's been a long week.

4. Paint your walls neutral colors.
Hmmm...orange is the new neutral, right?
Yellow?
Brown?
Green?
We're busted.

Those are ALL of the colors in our house.

5. Clean your cupboards. People will look in them.
Gosh, how rude. I'm not inviting the FBI nor the police over for a sting. Why would someone actually look in OUR cupboards?
O.K., so I'm NOT thrilled with this one.

What WILL sell our house?

It's light, it's bright, it has a ton of windows and it's cheerful. It looks kind of large from the driveway.

What won't sell the house?

Creepy Angel Head that looks at you as you enter the house. She'll come down today.

The LOVELY view of the brickyard next door. Not only is it dusty , it's also pretty NOISY from 7 am - 4:30 pm. Yes, every day. We have some really strong double paned windows though.

We DO live less than half a mile from the beach. We DO have a lot of places to ride bikes and run. We do have an elementary school nearby and we do have a fun garden.

Many of you have asked WHY we are selling our house!

We are empty nesters and we are eager to do less cleaning, less yard work and more running, exploring and having more adventures on the weekends.

Where will we go?

We don't know!!

We will stay here in our little town of Leucadia or Encinitas, we can't

leave Sparkle Pants and his family nor my school, nor the coast.

Any ideas on how we can make our house sell quickly??

We still have some cleaning to do today, some more PERSONAL items to pack up and some running to do! I'll catch up on that RUNNING business this weekend on my blog AND check out your blogs as well. It's been SO busy!!

I hope that those of you racing and running this weekend have wonderful runs!
meg

Yesterday My Husband Beat My 5k PR Time!

2011-05-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

Even though he was FAST, he didn't "fly" to the finish. His running form looks more FUN than functional and no, he didn't stop to kiss me at this point in the race. I would have LOVED to have slowed him down but today was HIS day! I rode BS' beach cruiser down the road to COWBELL(yes, it's now a verb)Boy Scout and Chris Korn, along with our other awesome running friends at the local Encinitas 5k. I was supposed to run but a YOGA pose "got" me on Monday and I had to forgo the "KORN CHALLENGE." Chris and I were to race this 5k but I'm POSITIVELY sure that Chris would have kicked my booty because he DID do a 20: something race and looked strong the WHOLE time. He's working on his form and I'd say he is looking pretty solid:

Notice Chris is doing some manly passing-of-the-chicks. Not one to be chick'd, Chris would have done this to me and left me in dust.

See Chris' race report here!

OK, so back to BS...

He took off and I played Where's Waldo? on about four parts of the course. Cowbelling him and peppering him with POSITIVES was easy because he NEVER looked tired, fatigued nor ready to slow down. He pulled off this race as if it were a little training run.

OK, so now the hard part for me...

He beat my 5k pr and GOAL for the race by over 18 seconds. A group of friends saw him cross the finish line and they were the first to inform me. I screamed, not with glee but of frustration. How long did I think this running streak would last for me? Not long, in reality, but I had been hoping. So the more fit BS has become, the stronger he is running. I'm afraid we're back to those college days when I would run along behind him, gasping for air and praying he was ready to cool down.

Ah, his game is on.

Congrats Honey, you are one mighty fine MAN, HUSBAND, BEST FRIEND, RUNNER and grandpa. Let's not forget that you are a grandpa. A might fine grandpa!

Hmm...when is our NEXT race and how hard will I have to work to keep you from beating my time???

Love you...

GOOD JOB, Chris. See you in Scripp's Ranch in July!

Do you and your SIGNIFICANT compete like this at running or other activities? Have you found it to be FUN or ???

Smile if you want to...and if you don't, that's okay with me!

2011-05-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

I'm not smiling today.

Don't judge.

Sometimes, we just have one of those "days, months or years."

So I was supposed to run a local 5k this week...

but on Monday I took another HOT YOGA class which has really been helping my legs and feet.

But, when I did that little twist pose, the one where you sit up, bend you knee at your chest, the other leg bent around your leg on the floor and give yourself a

HUGE HUG...and a twist.

and I pivoted my sacrum, lodging it against my pelvis, which was facing front and it stayed there, the sacrum that is.

My hip flexors seized up to help the back and BAM!!

I suddenly became a crippled mess.

Not smiling.

Guess what? Next week is my birthday!

The kindergarten circus!

One of last year's birthday celebrations...

Oh, yeah.

Today as I corralled the circus clowns(they are my "assigned act:), I was forced to chase them across the stage but unable to run, I had to drag my "dead leg" behind me.

I heard laughter from the open classroom doors...my "friends" were totally amused.

I guess I'm due some DOWN TIME.

It doesn't make me happy but I'm going to receive it like I would a

high utility bill...

I'm going to suck it up.
But just remember, today I don't feel like smiling.

I may not be smiling but I do have to laugh at the things life brings. I have read several HONEST blog posts lately from some very, very honest bloggers. I enjoy these posts because life isn't always

rainbows, chocolate ice cream cones and Sandy Pocket's hugs.

It's all about coping and living.

I've gotten a little hooked on watching one of the worst shows on BRAVO...Housewives from Orange County.

Fake tans

Fake boobs

Intense issues and problems

Dishonesty

Marital discord

and

some HUGE ISSUES that are so outrageous and ridiculous that they can't possibly be true.

Yet, dispite my mind telling me that these shows aren't real, can't possibly be true, I hate to admit that watching them makes me feel

just a tiny, tiny bit better about my

crippled, funny life.

Oh, did I tell you we're also putting our house on the market this Monday?

Smiles all around.

Just being real...what are you being real about today????

Can We Just Talk About Ultra Marathoners??

2011-05-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

They are a HAPPY breed.
They run with wider smiles than most.
You don't see the newest equipment, no sparkles, no dressing to impress!
You don't see the television cameras filming their training, nor their fantastic finishes.
You DO see a lot of dusty socks, you DO hear a lot of hooting and hollering as athletes leave the rest stops, off for more fun.
You DO see a joy and enthusiasm for being out there on the trails, facing some wicked wind and surviving a course that consisted mostly of hills!
Chapped lips, no makeup, bugs in their teeth(and nose and ears and....)yet, they make it look SO FUN!!

In the faces of the runners, I saw extreme humbleness, a dedication and respect to their long, long training and perseverance on a course that was threatening, yet, beautiful.

Ultra runners are a tough group. They don't get a milar blanket at the end of their 50 miler. They don't get a goodie bag full of bagels, a bottle of water, a banana nor a LONG line of volunteers shouting "Congratulations." In this case, the finish line was peppered with a few husbands and wives, friends or training partners, just waiting(sometimes hours) for their runner to end their long trek. Not a lot of fanfare, Sometimes, not even a pat on the back nor a bottle of water.

No, the ULTRA runner is pretty much on her own. She starts off with barely a murmur in the crowd, no National Anthem and no spectators around to push her emotionally up the many hills that will threaten and impede her pace. Sometimes, walking will be the ONLY way to survive the rocky, menacing trails. The support comes from within. From her training. Her hours on a Saturday, dedicated to putting time on her feet. The mental game for the ultra runner is finishing, finishing strong. Feeling strong. The pressure of the pace is over ridden by the hills and valleys of the course, running with flow is the goal. It's about meeting the CHALLENGES OF THE COURSE(and the mind),

Witnessing my BS power out his first 50k and having the privilege of zigzagging all over the local roads of Palm Dale to just catch a glimpse of BS' and his training partner, Gazelle, was a treat. Both ran the 50k and it was equally exciting watching the 50 miler runners coming in at just over 7 hours. They were all strong, they were all tough, they were all incredible long distance runners.

Interestingly, the "winners" of the 50k and the 50 miler intermingled after the race. Some were actually "elites" but you'd never know it. They looked and acted like REGULAR FOLK. Just as dirty, just as SPASTIC and HAPPY, just as humble.

I was so proud of BS this last weekend. He has overcome some tough things these past few months. Personally and with his running. He has overcome some ankle issues, a foot issue and still, he pressed on. Besides the obvious family blessings that we've shared, I don't think I've ever seen him happier. Gazelle pr'd by nearly 30 minutes on her 50k race and finished strong. Again, I've known this girl for a while and I've never seen her so confident, so full of JOY after a run.
I respect you both tremendously, watching you both and cruising the hills with G was even better than watching the Royal Wedding!

Happy Mother's Day Ladies, you are all inspiring runners and mothers, I hope you had a perfect day!
Love you guys, can't wait for your next one!!!

Groovin the Recovery in Bullets!!

2011-04-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

I bounce back well.

How to recover from a bad marathon and stay sane...

*get an hour and a half treatment on the bad foot. OUCH...I was running two days later but there has been some tendon damage. Everything was just seized up in my foot but it's getting better and I have run twice for 4 miles at a time. S L O W L Y !
*eat some Cadbury Eggs(protein, remember?).
*I denied myself about four or five GOOD races during training(both 5ks, 10ks and half-marathons because I knew my FOOT was an issue. Now I'm sticking to some shorter races...I'm excited!!
*garden, planted tomatoes, sunflowers and cilantro and zinnias.
*jacuzzi every night
*gear up for BS' ULTRA this Saturday. We're heading out on Friday. This is going to be fun...he's running a 50k. Check out the course here:http://leonadivide5050.com/.
*planning a race for May 14th.
*gearing up the Pretzels for our Kindergarten Circus in May.
*adjusting to my new diet of NOT BEING ABLE TO EAT ANY DARN THING I WANT. Gosh, how I love marathon training and DISLIKE being back to having to eat LESS!!! Ok, besides the Cadbury Eggs.
*running just to be running(and feeling so grateful)!

Thanks for stopping by,
meg

The Boston Skinny...

2011-04-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to say thanks for your emails, texts and wishes. I've been licking my wounds and just trying to chill from the WEEKEND of many issues and "special" events.

First off, I have to congratulate those Boston runners who did such a great job and had such wonderful races. I was inspired through your training and your racing, it is truly a treat to be a blogger and to learn from everyone else out there. Thanks for sharing your fun, your secrets and your training. You all inspire, thanks for that...

If anyone is out there reading this, I have to say that this may be LONG and boring but if there's one thing I can say about blogging, it is therapeutic and more than once, it has helped me through a rough patch with parenting, running and just living. THANKS to those of you who share your advice, I appreciate you all!! Basically, I'm saying that this post is more for ME than you. We'll see how much I delete before pushing PUBLISH POST...

THE RACE:
All my training for this race happened in 11 weeks. Previously, I had been injured at NYC but I did finish that race and ran it well, despite my planter facitis pain which later, turned into IT BAND pain, tendon pain, etc. I rested for 7 weeks and felt strong enough to tackle Boston. The training went better than ever, faster than ever and I was truly ready for this race. The 11 weeks went by quickly.

The race started off well. I looked for fellow bloggers in my corral but no one looked familiar. My plan was to start off slower than my goal pace and just let my body warm up. It is always very crowded and boxed in at the beginning of this race but I liked the idea of taking it easy and picking up the pace as the crowd dispersed a bit. This really didn't happen as quickly as I would have liked but it did keep me from going out too fast. I felt rested, happy and calm about this race and it was just a great start with some awesome, sunny and semi-warm weather.

Hmmm...that feeling of RAINBOWS, CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM and SUNSHINE lasted about 13-14 miles. At about this point, I started to get a strange burning sensation along the top of my foot(yes, the evil foot). I had never felt this type of pain so I just kind of ignored it, thinking it was something temporary. Silly me. Every two miles(every med tent), I was able to get some type of deep tissue work so that I could actually walk and get back out on the course. The final med tent happened to have a physio who reminded me of B. from B Project, the place where BS and I go for strength training and physio work. This volunteer tweaked my foot which had seized up from the toes to the shins, and suddenly everything felt better...until I hit the road and it happened again.

OK, at this point I had a decision to make.
I knew I couldn't hit my desired pace. I had tried and it just made the pain much worse. Jogging anywhere between 9:00-11:00 was all I could do.
Could I endure 9 to 10 more miles at that pace?

Truly, I'm no hero but I am tough so I knew that quitting wasn't an option. Suddenly, I changed my focus to the other people around me, their journeys, their stories and the run took on another flavor.

Sure, it wasn't what I had intended to have happen. It wasn't "the plan." But I've learned over the years that MY PLAN is sometimes insignificant. I can put a dream or a goal out there, do my best to pull it off, work hard and embrace the experience but the outcomes are sometimes HUGE SURPRISES, UNEXPECTED and many times, OUT OF MY CONTROL. Imagine that.

The Boston Play Book was different this year. I walked away with some FUN memories of stalking the elites at the expo, dining with track club friends, eating some incredible meals, meeting some very special bloggers, and running with some very inspiring people. No regrets.

I returned home LATE TUesday night, woke up at 5:45 a.m. and hit the ground running again, It has been RODEO DAYS this week with the Pretzels and ponies, ducks hatching, and campfire sing alongs have filled our days. I haven't had a ton of time to even think about last Monday....which is probably a good thing.

The Pretzels Milk the Saw Horse COw...that's how we roll in Urban California!

I let goats eat kids' hair...it's so entertaining! Even Cowgirl R. thinks it's funny. Two weeks before spring break she cut her own hair at home(oops!), how is she going to explain this one to her mom?

Where will I go from here?

I saw my physio B. and he worked on my seized up foot for an hour and a half. It was the most painful work I've ever had done but it feels better! I can even give a three mile trot a try tomorrow and I'll go from there.

Chris K. from The Manly Runner has challenged me to a 5k race on May 14th so I am determined to heal up by then.

I think this is going to be okay...

Once again, thanks so much.
meg

...and we're off!!

2011-04-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a simple run, not too complicated.
It's going to be fun, it's going to hurt and it's not going to be easy.
I've done this one before(a few times)so I'm know what I'm in for.
I've trained specifically, loved every second of it and intend to have fun and put it all out there.
We all know that that is the the best we can do.

I did read one review of the course from a man who had done it multiple times. He remarked, "...at this section of the marathon, the course will be sweet to you."
I keep playing that over in my mind, I can't wait to get to the sweet spot! I'll be thinking of you all then, smiling and remembering why I love to do what I do. All of it.

It's OBVIOUS that our lives are NOT just running.
We have loving families.
We have BIG HEARTED, smart kids.
Shelter. Food. Clean water.
Remarkable friends.
Good reads, good eats and fun times.

This will be one of those fun times!

Relaxed pace, smiles, FOCUS and let it flow.

7:30 Pace...
I believe, I'm ready!

Thank you and GO Team Taper!!!
xoxo
meg

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You...

2011-04-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

You can't work full time, be a grandma, a wife, a friend, and a marathon runner all by yourself...

Sometimes it takes good friends.
Sometimes it takes a man who rubs your foot every night, never wants you to be anyone other than who you are and believes in you 100%.
Sometimes, it's the message you read in a blog www.charisawernick.blogspot.com.
Or an email from a blogger who you now call a good friend who knows perfectly well how you're feeling six days before your biggest race.
Sometimes it's the physio who nursed your through your last injury, knows your weak spots and continues to KILL you with his strength workouts...just to make your weaknesses stronger.
Sometimes support comes from the doctors/massage experts/chiros who know and BELIEVE that running is what you LOVE to do so they do everything to keep you moving forward.
Support is the track coach who yells SHAKE AND BAKE and tells you to relax.
Support might come dressed as the custodian at your school who once ran the major marathons and takes the time to walk you through what's important. He makes sure you're hydrating and resting.
Support is the guy from track who always seems to pop up in his car along my tempo run route and scream and honk or play his Willy Nelson really loud as I'm running.
Support might come from your mom who lost her husband 6 months ago but loves playing around on the computer and can't wait to follow you in your race on line.
Support is a prayer, a wish, a hug, a loving thought going your way.

Have you noticed we can't do any l of this alone?

**thank you, thank you, thank you...everyone in my life for making this all possible**

Who deserves a BIG THANK YOU in your life today?

**Last marathon post with goal on Friday morning, before we leave for the plane!**

"

Trail Race AND a Marathon Pary!

2011-04-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a gorgeous day for a trail race! Sandy Pockets, His Mommy and I went down to cheer. Sandy Pockets was chanting, "Grandpa, racing. Grandpa, racing," as we picked him up in front of their house. He seems to love these early morning "playdates."

BS was 4th in his age group on a VERY hilly course...that sports the FINISH LINE on a hill. He looked great and had a FUN run. We even saw ANNE, one of my favorite SD Blogging friends, she had a happy run as well! Read her review here:www.blogger.com/profile/04377440606704745517

The marathon party was a HUGE success!! I think we should celebrate before every marathon! We invited peeps from our Tuesday night track workout AND our Long Run Group. Some friends from our LRG/track group are running LONDON so I combined the BOSTON/London peeps and shared the marathon theme. There were over 30 of us celebrating our upcoming races...

Decorations:
Just a "few" items from my BOSTON box which is in my closet...and I created a little BOston shrine on the mantel, complete with the "little" plaque BS surprised me with after my first Boston Marathon. I usually keep it hidden away upstairs but the shrine seemed like the perfect place for it! Notice my OLYMPIC QUALIFYING time. I was fast back then.

Old running posters came in handy and I even strung my Boston bib numbers on a ribbon and hung them over the doorway.

The thermal wraps they give you after a race were used as valances and I hung my Boston medals over the "valances."

Yes, it looked tacky.

Yes, I was happy that I finally had a use for all of that STUFF that I've kept in my closet over the past five years.

Runway's Husband made a cool poster which the Boston runners signed and dared to "state their finishing times." That was fun to read and I can't bring myself to take it down...nor the rest of the decorations. I like the FESTIVE BOSTON MARATHON atmosphere although anyone who DIDN"T know me would think this was a CRAZY HOUSE...

These are the straggelers that stayed until late...

Boston and London Runners proving that we DO all get along...despite the razzing that Garth started on Face Book.

The LONDON POSSEE at the party is leaving on Thursday!

GO LONDON RUNNERS!!!!!!!!!

THANKS Chris Korn for the MANLY desserts, nudge-nudge!

I think I ate 4 or 5 of them all by myself as our RUNNING guru gave me the evil eye...

sorry Jim

Chris knows how to a)party and b) pick out desserts.

He will be invited to ALL of our parties from now on.

I will have to RETHINK whether my gal pal, Gazelle will be invited to more parties...she showed up in her "marathon finest," a plastic bag and her Camelbak hydration backpack.

LOVE THIS GIRL.

She also won the "Best English Accent Award."

Garth won for his best, "BOSTON" accent.

Fun times.

So now, we all settle down to rest, hydrate, live our lives and wait out the week.

Great job on your race, Honey.
Safe Travels Team London.
Enjoy the week, Team Taper...

Have a nice week everyone...

Can't Wait, Boston Friends.

SOY MUY LOCA EN LA CABEZA

2011-04-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

So far I have succumbed to TAPER MADNESS in the following ways...

*my foot hurts(this may or may not be true)

*I have a cold(this may or may not be true)

*I have built a MUD KITCHEN in my backyard for Sandy Pockets(soon to be renamed, Muddy Paws).

*I have sprouted a few chin hairs(which is totally fine with me as I am of Scottish and Irish decent and very secure with my heritage. Everyone knows that Scotish women are tough and have ancestrial links to goats and other bearded animals and this makes for awesome trail running capabilities as well as running over rocks, which I REALLY love to do-honestly). BS was the first to find the "sprouts," for which I am eternally grateful. Could you imagine the mayhem that would ensue if one of my PRETZELS had found it? MOR_TI_FY_ING! Ask me why I care what five year olds think and I won't answer. I honestly don't know.

How did the plucking GO DOWN?

In the Toyota truck. BS leaned over and just grabbed the "short term visitors" and gave a jerk.
Ouch! Please, ask before you pluck, He's "useful" like that.

I guess it's time for the WORLD to know that I would never post pix of my tummy, boobs nor lips but hey, BIG, STRONG quads and chin hairs are another thing.
I'm aging and I'm PROUD! ha, ha, right.

FINALLY...
I will be pondering the following questions this week as I cut back on my running, play with Muddy Paws and get ready for our MARATHON PARTY on Saturday...

Why do my favorite RED JEANS smell like fish? I can't wear FISH JEANS to Boston,

fish jeans=no friends, well, except for Daisy.
She seems to like them.

**Several hours later, when editing this post, I realized that I must have WASHED my red jeans with my FISH OIL SUPPLEMENTS in the pocket, as I usually take my supplements at school at snack time.
**silly me**

Finally, I am using the last paragraph to BLAB about my husband who is running an XTERRA trail race this SUnday and then, an ultra two weeks from Saturday. It's his first ultra and he has been training SO hard! I can't wait to watch him work the hills and trails...HE IS READY!!

**Last final, random thought...why are my legs STILL so tired??? I feel like I should take ALL of next week off!! Is this a

_____good
_____bad

idea? Please check one and explain your answer.

-thanks for stopping by and don't forget, NO LIMITS. That's my new motto, Jenn!!

Pick Yourself Up and Keep Moving Forward...

2011-04-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

Just a little something to keep you inspired and remind you of WHY you do what you do and WHY you should put your all into aspiring to reach each and every goal. Never lose hope. Never accept defeat. Never give up.

I am going to be 46 soon and I've discovered that I have never felt SO ready to set new goals AND accomplish them. No matter how BIG they might seem, I'm ready. It's just the beginning really.

So go and be inspired. If you fall, get back up. Work even harder.
Have a great Wednesday...

*Special thanks to WYDNK for this ONE of a kind video. You rock!

I Was Lost but Here I Am!

2011-04-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

Who would have known that my final post on my old blog was HELLO, GOODBYE!

So strange...and yet, so true.

Here is the same old me,

the same old packaging,

starting afresh and keeping it real.

Will my OLD FRIENDS find me??

I'll be back to checking your blogs and training this week, At any rate, here I am once again. Cheese!

***

Boston Crunch Time is here!

No more tempos, no more long runs, no more rigorous training, just a whole lot of down time,

I'm trying a new taper strategy this time around. I have found that I NEVER stick with the same thing for any marathon and this one has been NO DIFFERENT!

As per MARATHON TALK, , last Wednesday's episode, I'm trying out the following tapering calendar:

Reduced last week's mileage by 25%!

This week back up to 75% of total mileage.

Final week before the marathon, reduce to 30%.

I like this experiment because I always arrive on marathon day feeling slightly flat from reducing the mileage so drastically.

I'm hoping this new experiment works, we will see very shortly, won't we?

Marathon Goals?

Hmmmm...these will NOT be a secret but they are still under wraps for now. I'm feeling confident and ready for this race and really excited to push it to the limit.

This will be my last Boston unless BS qualifies in the fall.

It's up to you Babe!