Yesterday at work a co-worker pointed out how tired I looked. I agreed I was feeling kind of tired, but not thoroughly trashed. I actually felt I could have felt even more tired considering my schedule of the past couple of weeks. She asked if I was getting enough sleep. I relayed some events that had me burning the candle at both ends. Then she says, "You've been running early in the morning, haven't you?" And I stood there feeling like a kid who's hand was caught in the cookie jar.
Of course I went on the defense to protect the one precious thing in my life that is immutable and has been my rock in the storm. I gave her my list of events pointing out that is the part that has changed and even though most of the things I enjoy doing, I don't necessarily enjoy doing it all at once.
So call me the running rebel.
Meantime at work I have been super-focused, trying to get all my work done within 7 hours. Unlike other people at the office, I have places to be and people to see right after work. I can't afford to lollygag. So even the work has to be high energy. I like that actually as it makes the day pass sooner. It has also been a satisfying few days as the projects I get have offered their own challenges. However I get them done relatively fast and out of my hair (except for those few niggling projects I wish would go away because I don't know quite how to do them yet and they just suck time out of my day). The higher ups are finally noticing my (mostly) efficient style so hopefully that will secure my position once my probationary three months are up.
And oh yeah, I am underpaid. I needed this job to get my foot back in the office door. Rick thinks I could start looking again in three months. The thing is I do like the environment and I am learning lots. The benefits definitely will add value to the position. I am aiming for a year.
Pledge drive will carry on again starting today since we are $82,000 short of our goal -- oy! That means more office food and pressure to work early and late answering phones. Thank goodness I already have "appointments." I did my time already.
Anyway, am off and running here. Running has been the one thing that is keeping me sane. Despite what happens, I am still a runner.
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Need a weekend from the weekend!
This weekend was a rollercoaster of events that wouldn't end! Each event on its own would have been sufficient, but racing from one to the next was just plain exhausting!
Thankfully I got a run in at Bootleg Canyon (around 7 miles) Saturday morning. That was probably the highlight of the weekend. When I arrived I noticed they were having a bike race. I was a bit worried that I would be run over on those narrow single track trails or run off a cliff!
A nice biker explained their route to me and I was able to come up with one that would avoid most of the mayhem. When I told him that we would be running a footrace next weekend he stared at us in awe. "How can you run on those rocky trails?" he asked. "I love trail running, but out here is just too much!"
Inside I giggled a little because bootleg has such a reputation as being a bada$$ mountain bike place that I would never imagine the bikers thinking the running is scarier than the biking. I think biking out there would be more dangerous because there would be more factors out of your control like the bike and gravity. Then toss in the rocks and narrow singletrack abutting cliffs and you get the idea!
So off I go running, the bada$$ lady in full on pink with lipstick to boot ;) Watch out for me!
Running out there isn't the easiest, but you can do it. Just pay attention and slow down. It isn't the place for those looking for speedwork unless your version of speedwork involves rocky obstacles and the occassional tarantula.
Speaking of tarantualas, they are oft misunderstood desert creatures and aren't looking to harm anyone. One was crossing our path toward the end and freaked out my friend. Rightly so. They are an awesome sight. It was moving pretty quickly though. Too bad I left my cellphone in the car.
The rest of the weekened included the requisite work function that I was invited to attend the day before. If I were actually thinking I would have had my excuses lined up. Funny thing is when we arrived, the same people who invited me practically ignored me! Next time I am gracefully bowing out. It would have been better if it was a good event. It was the Electronic Media Awards put on by Women in Communication. The audio visual was terrible, the presentations were aweful (and they had teleprompters!), the interruptions (they were interrupting each other) were very unprofessionally done. For experts in communication, you would expect better.
Thankfully Rick and I had our excuse lined up to leave after an hour (it was our anniversary).
However he went off to play softball (first time since he broke his leg) and I went to the Halloween Hafla.
Meantime we were experiencing the worst windstorm in ages, power was out including the traffic lights. Half the hafla was danced in the dark with flashlights which added to the ambiance, I guess. Rick's game was cancelled.
Yesterday involved a lot of driving around for M's bridal shower I was hosting. It was beautiful and a lot of fun. We had Kosher sushi and all the food got the stamp of approval from her guests. They appreciated all the work that went in to it. That felt good.
After Rick and I celebrated our anniversary with a night out at our favorite steak house. I got crab legs and salad bar and ate the whole thing. I am feeling a little rolly polly this morning. Gotta get back on track!
Off and running now!
Thankfully I got a run in at Bootleg Canyon (around 7 miles) Saturday morning. That was probably the highlight of the weekend. When I arrived I noticed they were having a bike race. I was a bit worried that I would be run over on those narrow single track trails or run off a cliff!
A nice biker explained their route to me and I was able to come up with one that would avoid most of the mayhem. When I told him that we would be running a footrace next weekend he stared at us in awe. "How can you run on those rocky trails?" he asked. "I love trail running, but out here is just too much!"
Inside I giggled a little because bootleg has such a reputation as being a bada$$ mountain bike place that I would never imagine the bikers thinking the running is scarier than the biking. I think biking out there would be more dangerous because there would be more factors out of your control like the bike and gravity. Then toss in the rocks and narrow singletrack abutting cliffs and you get the idea!
So off I go running, the bada$$ lady in full on pink with lipstick to boot ;) Watch out for me!
Running out there isn't the easiest, but you can do it. Just pay attention and slow down. It isn't the place for those looking for speedwork unless your version of speedwork involves rocky obstacles and the occassional tarantula.
Speaking of tarantualas, they are oft misunderstood desert creatures and aren't looking to harm anyone. One was crossing our path toward the end and freaked out my friend. Rightly so. They are an awesome sight. It was moving pretty quickly though. Too bad I left my cellphone in the car.
The rest of the weekened included the requisite work function that I was invited to attend the day before. If I were actually thinking I would have had my excuses lined up. Funny thing is when we arrived, the same people who invited me practically ignored me! Next time I am gracefully bowing out. It would have been better if it was a good event. It was the Electronic Media Awards put on by Women in Communication. The audio visual was terrible, the presentations were aweful (and they had teleprompters!), the interruptions (they were interrupting each other) were very unprofessionally done. For experts in communication, you would expect better.
Thankfully Rick and I had our excuse lined up to leave after an hour (it was our anniversary).
However he went off to play softball (first time since he broke his leg) and I went to the Halloween Hafla.
Meantime we were experiencing the worst windstorm in ages, power was out including the traffic lights. Half the hafla was danced in the dark with flashlights which added to the ambiance, I guess. Rick's game was cancelled.
Yesterday involved a lot of driving around for M's bridal shower I was hosting. It was beautiful and a lot of fun. We had Kosher sushi and all the food got the stamp of approval from her guests. They appreciated all the work that went in to it. That felt good.
After Rick and I celebrated our anniversary with a night out at our favorite steak house. I got crab legs and salad bar and ate the whole thing. I am feeling a little rolly polly this morning. Gotta get back on track!
Off and running now!
Monday, October 15, 2007
World of Determination
Yesterday morning I met L at Bootleg Canyon for a three hour loop run. 
That place is incredible with its pristine desert landscape and its undulating single track trails. Yes it is rocky, but that just makes the running more interesting, something to break up the monotany. I sure wish I could get out there more often.
Trail running definitely clears the mind more than street running.
When I am street running before work I keep thinking, how soon will I get back so I can get ready for work. That isn't really the stress-free mindset I am looking for.
In two weeks I will be running a 25 k (15 m) trail race out there called the World of Hurt. And no, it really doesn't hurt too much unless you fall on the rocks (wear long sleeves, gloves and leggings). I even wear water bottles on my hands to protect them when I fall.
I sure wish I could find just as diverting and adventurous way to cover 7 pounds of territory back to my personal goal. It really is annoying that all my clothes are taylored to fit best at 118 and below. As of Sunday I was 122.something. Remember, I am short and this extra real estate shows up immediately as extra inches right on my hips and thighs.
The food fest continues at work, but I will not be daunted. The walking shoes are coming with me again and today I will wear clothes that are "walkable."
Gotta get these pounds off so I am not carrying them with me on my race next week.
That place is incredible with its pristine desert landscape and its undulating single track trails. Yes it is rocky, but that just makes the running more interesting, something to break up the monotany. I sure wish I could get out there more often. Trail running definitely clears the mind more than street running.
When I am street running before work I keep thinking, how soon will I get back so I can get ready for work. That isn't really the stress-free mindset I am looking for.
In two weeks I will be running a 25 k (15 m) trail race out there called the World of Hurt. And no, it really doesn't hurt too much unless you fall on the rocks (wear long sleeves, gloves and leggings). I even wear water bottles on my hands to protect them when I fall.
I sure wish I could find just as diverting and adventurous way to cover 7 pounds of territory back to my personal goal. It really is annoying that all my clothes are taylored to fit best at 118 and below. As of Sunday I was 122.something. Remember, I am short and this extra real estate shows up immediately as extra inches right on my hips and thighs.
The food fest continues at work, but I will not be daunted. The walking shoes are coming with me again and today I will wear clothes that are "walkable."
Gotta get these pounds off so I am not carrying them with me on my race next week.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Signs
Just in case I needed a sign to tell me what to do about the recent job opportunity/job offering, sometimes life just hits you over the head, grabs you by the shoulders and shouts, "Wake up!"
It seems like the stresses of the soon to be former schedule have been building up to boiling point just in time. I can take these signs as failures or merely as confirmation that I am doing the right thing by taking the new position (yes I got it!).
Yesterday I was severely dressed down over paperwork and mileage. Nevermind I had members (friends, thank you skinnyguy!) telling me after my meetings this week (no matter how well the topic flopped, talk about hearing crickets chirping) that they have shopped around forever and are happy to have found a leader they click with. Nevermind I have members, strangers merely 30 minutes before, hugging me after the meeting and apologizing for having to miss a couple weeks. See this is the problem of being a nice person. People dare to tell you all the stupid stuff because they think you can take it.
Sure I had good excuses last week for half my tallies not reaching the office in time (a tight schedule T-Th not leaving any time for paperwork, late Labor Day mail, a lost deposit -- see tight schedule that left me no room to think). In any case I did not apologize or make excuses. I just said, "Thank you. I will be better." In the back of my mind you know what I was thinking (I will be MORE than better -- I will give you almost no paperwork since that is what you asked for, thank you very much. Is that the kind of thanks I get for all the schlepping and the crazy scheduling I agreed to?). I was also thinking thank goodness I am leaving this mess! This company has such an antiquated way of dealing with paperwork. It's one thing when you are doing this part-time and the paperwork is manageable. It is another thing when you are crazy enough to take it on "full" time and have to dot all i's and cross all t's, meanwhile keeping track of the deposits -- too much! I just want to help people lose weight, thank you very much!
So this happens just before I go into the director's office to give her the "news." I was so nervous but I did it. She is happy for me. I made the right choice. In fact there is another staff member who is retiring from her "day" job and wants to do this full-time now. They needed meetings to give her and here I am giving some up -- perfect! Another sign.
Of course signs that encouraged me in the direction of strongly pursuing a career change included: the recent breakdown of my car's AC in the heat of summer which will cost $1000 to fix (read, by new car now); pesky student loans; promised "in the mail" freelance payments that only seem to arrive at a snail's pace; normally low summer meeting attendance's effect on my paycheck; dying to have my Sunday's back for running, travel, family, social activities (most of my friends/family socialize that day, ie bridal showers, birthdays, etc.); killing myself to find subs to cover meetings on days I have said activities; said crazy schedule's effect on my eating habits and exercise schedule... I could go on.
The culminating effect of it all has given me a big headache and a case of anxiety I didn't realize I had until I started relieving myself of some of these duties.
So those are the signs. Next time I will talk about the how I used these signs to create my Winning Outcome!
PS -- The last two days I ran 4 miles each morning. The legs are tired, but on the comeback trail.
It seems like the stresses of the soon to be former schedule have been building up to boiling point just in time. I can take these signs as failures or merely as confirmation that I am doing the right thing by taking the new position (yes I got it!).
Yesterday I was severely dressed down over paperwork and mileage. Nevermind I had members (friends, thank you skinnyguy!) telling me after my meetings this week (no matter how well the topic flopped, talk about hearing crickets chirping) that they have shopped around forever and are happy to have found a leader they click with. Nevermind I have members, strangers merely 30 minutes before, hugging me after the meeting and apologizing for having to miss a couple weeks. See this is the problem of being a nice person. People dare to tell you all the stupid stuff because they think you can take it.
Sure I had good excuses last week for half my tallies not reaching the office in time (a tight schedule T-Th not leaving any time for paperwork, late Labor Day mail, a lost deposit -- see tight schedule that left me no room to think). In any case I did not apologize or make excuses. I just said, "Thank you. I will be better." In the back of my mind you know what I was thinking (I will be MORE than better -- I will give you almost no paperwork since that is what you asked for, thank you very much. Is that the kind of thanks I get for all the schlepping and the crazy scheduling I agreed to?). I was also thinking thank goodness I am leaving this mess! This company has such an antiquated way of dealing with paperwork. It's one thing when you are doing this part-time and the paperwork is manageable. It is another thing when you are crazy enough to take it on "full" time and have to dot all i's and cross all t's, meanwhile keeping track of the deposits -- too much! I just want to help people lose weight, thank you very much!
So this happens just before I go into the director's office to give her the "news." I was so nervous but I did it. She is happy for me. I made the right choice. In fact there is another staff member who is retiring from her "day" job and wants to do this full-time now. They needed meetings to give her and here I am giving some up -- perfect! Another sign.
Of course signs that encouraged me in the direction of strongly pursuing a career change included: the recent breakdown of my car's AC in the heat of summer which will cost $1000 to fix (read, by new car now); pesky student loans; promised "in the mail" freelance payments that only seem to arrive at a snail's pace; normally low summer meeting attendance's effect on my paycheck; dying to have my Sunday's back for running, travel, family, social activities (most of my friends/family socialize that day, ie bridal showers, birthdays, etc.); killing myself to find subs to cover meetings on days I have said activities; said crazy schedule's effect on my eating habits and exercise schedule... I could go on.
The culminating effect of it all has given me a big headache and a case of anxiety I didn't realize I had until I started relieving myself of some of these duties.
So those are the signs. Next time I will talk about the how I used these signs to create my Winning Outcome!
PS -- The last two days I ran 4 miles each morning. The legs are tired, but on the comeback trail.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Kid's Play
This weekend Rick and I stayed with my parents in California so we could participate in my family's favorite Labor Day weekend tradition, Sycamore Sunday.
Sycamore Sunday is an event my mother's running club puts on every Labor Day Sunday which usually includes an early morning trail run up Sycamore Canyon and a relaxing BBQ on the beach.
One may picture spry young 20-40 somethings while imagining this scene, but actually I think the average mean age is 60. I do remember when these folks would sit around and recount the details of their latest marathon, but lately I have been hearing stuff like, "I don't need to prove anything anymore." "I will just do 4 miles." "Wow! You ran 13 miles in (less than three hours)! That is fast!" Hanging around these folks is enough to prop up any midpack runner's ego.
On the other hand I have been trying to imagine where and what I will be doing on Sycamore Sunday when I am 60. Will I be sitting in the easy chair or will I be heading up the canyon for a trail run?
Sunday our group decided to host a couple races "for the kids." One was a half marathon (13.1 miles) for "big kids" and the other a 50 m dash on the beach. I knew the 50 m dash was for the little ones (picture toddlers with barely their land legs holding them up -- too cute!).
I signed up for the 13.1 miler figuring it has been a long time since I have raced. Well just my luck California is experiencing a heat wave, hotter than Las Vegas, just in time for my visit. And nevermind this race is starting at the way-too-hot hour of 8:12 am. In Las Vegas I may have been long-finished with my long Sunday run by that time. I noticed most of the "big kids" decided not to participate and run 4-8 miles instead. I was beginning to see the wisdom of their ways when we approached the starting line and I saw the treeless route sprawled out ahead.
I think maybe 10 of us went for it. For sure it was going to be a hot one and today wasn't the day to push it. Most went with the "it's just a run" attitude. I sort of went with that mindset, but knew that if I had anything left with half to go, I would pick it up, provided the heat didn't get to me first.
I headed out with a pack of four men with one gradually breaking off early in the race to leave us in the dust. I couldn't believe it considering the heat, but figured he is a big boy and knows his pace. Hey, one person's 10 minute mile pace is another's 7 minute mile pace. So on a hot day you up it by a minute or two. I figured he wasn't going so fast that I possibly couldn't catch him later on. However, it was 100 degrees and I doubt I would have the gumption to catch anyone later in the race. In any case, I let the easy pace of my comrades dictate my pace and hold me back for the first half.
At a certain point we split into two "couples." I was running in the back with a fellow named Mike who usually leaves everyone, myself included, in the dust! He was feeling under the weather and kept questioning outloud the sanity of running any distance in the heat with his condition. The pace was easy and conversational and the conversation was compelling enough that I gave no thought to effort. That may have been good or bad, depending on how one view's distractions during a race. I guess it was good since it got me through the first half pain-free. However, I don't know if I was running too fast or too slow. We did walk up a hill together so that did help me conserve some energy for later on.
Maybe a couple miles later I bid my friend goodbye. I don't mind walk breaks, but it seemed like he was ready for a permanent one. There were people behind us he could walk with. He had plenty of water too. Personally, the idea of walking three hours versus running about two in the 100 degree heat seemed less draining. I would probably run out of water faster by walking. And now that the hills were pretty much overwith, I was ready to pick it up.
Well, this surge of energy lasted about a mile until I hit the hot flats again and saw the mile marker for 8 miles. Yikes -- five hot miles left! Normally, when it is not 100 degrees out I would be thinking, "Just five miles left." Now I was questioning my sanity for signing up for this thing. But really, I just tried to ignore the "hot" part of it and focus on a steady pace.
At some point I caught up with the fellows ahead of me at a water spigot. I asked how many miles to go and one said, "Five." Five? Five! FIVE!?!!! How can that be possible. I just ran about 1.5 to get there. Maybe the mile marker was wrong. How can I keep up this pace in the heat when the miles are sooooo long? Did I was energy needlessly? Will I soon be joining the troops doing the death march through the hot Valley of Death?
I should have more respect for my "elders" I thought as I set off again. I could be reduced to a crawl and they will be hiking right by at a steady 15 minute mile pace. Those thoughts were pushed out of my mind as I did some estimates on my watch. (Point of note -- my Garmin GPS watch bit the bullet so I was using my mother's borrowed Timex with watch hands.) I gave myself an 40 minutes to an hour to finish the race and if I didn't finish it by then, I could walk all I wanted. That window was to allow for the two extra miles the nice guy with the GPS decided to throw in.
So off I went, keeping it steady meanwhile feeling the sun's heat bore into me. I honestly had no idea when I hit the main trail again. The sight of hikers in flip flops not carrying water bottles was a good tip off though. I knew the end was near.
When I finally finished, the race director and the few people at the finish line said nothing and did nothing. No clapping, no nuthin'! I was pissed. Yes, I was glad I was finished (the last two miles were neverending); however, a little congratulations would have gone a long way. I almost walked off.
But I jogged over and said, "Hi," patiently waiting until they were done doing whatever it was they were doing.
"Oh you are done. Did you do the whole thing?" the race director asked me.
"Um, yes, that is what I signed up to do." I said as she searched me with her big eyes, probably for wings.
"Oh, ok, wow! It's just that several people came in already deciding not to do the whole thing. I can't believe you did the whole thing!"
I looked down at her timer, hoping above hope she pressed the button. She did, but I think she shaved off a minute to make up for her gaff of missing me.
She proclaimed me the woman's race winner and pinned a blue ribbon on me -- First Place it said. LOL, I thought, were there other women competing? But ok, I guess I am in. (Later I found out there were others. I will have to check out the NBB site.) I was happier to find out my time was 2:14. Not a PR for me by any means, but definitely a respectable time in the heat and also considering the two walk breaks with my sick friend and the water spigot break. Just what I wanted. And that was Garmin-free. I think I have run the same before on a colder day. In any case, the accomplishment was finishing alive on such a hot day.
I almost forgot, I also won a whopping 32 ounce water bottle filled with jelly bellies. That will make a great conversation piece on my desk at my new job (I got the job and I start in two weeks!). I tried to post a picture of it, but had a little technical difficulty.
Later after relaxing on the beach and enjoying some BBQ fixin's (I did pretty good in the calorie department, by the way) I watched the kids in their 50 meter dash. They were all smiling and jumping in the air before and after the race. Actually they resembled all the "big kids" (us) running around with big goofy smiles on their faces. Both little kids and adults proudly flaunted their winning ribbons pinned to their shirts. Where else could one find such a display of enthusiasm on a hot Sunday morning. Both sets were already setting goals to "beat last this year's time" next year! Ha Ha.
If finding the proverbial fountain of youth is one of the effect's of running, I will keep running. Meantime I will try not to "eat" my trophy :p
Sycamore Sunday is an event my mother's running club puts on every Labor Day Sunday which usually includes an early morning trail run up Sycamore Canyon and a relaxing BBQ on the beach.
One may picture spry young 20-40 somethings while imagining this scene, but actually I think the average mean age is 60. I do remember when these folks would sit around and recount the details of their latest marathon, but lately I have been hearing stuff like, "I don't need to prove anything anymore." "I will just do 4 miles." "Wow! You ran 13 miles in (less than three hours)! That is fast!" Hanging around these folks is enough to prop up any midpack runner's ego.
On the other hand I have been trying to imagine where and what I will be doing on Sycamore Sunday when I am 60. Will I be sitting in the easy chair or will I be heading up the canyon for a trail run?
Sunday our group decided to host a couple races "for the kids." One was a half marathon (13.1 miles) for "big kids" and the other a 50 m dash on the beach. I knew the 50 m dash was for the little ones (picture toddlers with barely their land legs holding them up -- too cute!).
I signed up for the 13.1 miler figuring it has been a long time since I have raced. Well just my luck California is experiencing a heat wave, hotter than Las Vegas, just in time for my visit. And nevermind this race is starting at the way-too-hot hour of 8:12 am. In Las Vegas I may have been long-finished with my long Sunday run by that time. I noticed most of the "big kids" decided not to participate and run 4-8 miles instead. I was beginning to see the wisdom of their ways when we approached the starting line and I saw the treeless route sprawled out ahead.
I think maybe 10 of us went for it. For sure it was going to be a hot one and today wasn't the day to push it. Most went with the "it's just a run" attitude. I sort of went with that mindset, but knew that if I had anything left with half to go, I would pick it up, provided the heat didn't get to me first.
I headed out with a pack of four men with one gradually breaking off early in the race to leave us in the dust. I couldn't believe it considering the heat, but figured he is a big boy and knows his pace. Hey, one person's 10 minute mile pace is another's 7 minute mile pace. So on a hot day you up it by a minute or two. I figured he wasn't going so fast that I possibly couldn't catch him later on. However, it was 100 degrees and I doubt I would have the gumption to catch anyone later in the race. In any case, I let the easy pace of my comrades dictate my pace and hold me back for the first half.
At a certain point we split into two "couples." I was running in the back with a fellow named Mike who usually leaves everyone, myself included, in the dust! He was feeling under the weather and kept questioning outloud the sanity of running any distance in the heat with his condition. The pace was easy and conversational and the conversation was compelling enough that I gave no thought to effort. That may have been good or bad, depending on how one view's distractions during a race. I guess it was good since it got me through the first half pain-free. However, I don't know if I was running too fast or too slow. We did walk up a hill together so that did help me conserve some energy for later on.
Maybe a couple miles later I bid my friend goodbye. I don't mind walk breaks, but it seemed like he was ready for a permanent one. There were people behind us he could walk with. He had plenty of water too. Personally, the idea of walking three hours versus running about two in the 100 degree heat seemed less draining. I would probably run out of water faster by walking. And now that the hills were pretty much overwith, I was ready to pick it up.
Well, this surge of energy lasted about a mile until I hit the hot flats again and saw the mile marker for 8 miles. Yikes -- five hot miles left! Normally, when it is not 100 degrees out I would be thinking, "Just five miles left." Now I was questioning my sanity for signing up for this thing. But really, I just tried to ignore the "hot" part of it and focus on a steady pace.
At some point I caught up with the fellows ahead of me at a water spigot. I asked how many miles to go and one said, "Five." Five? Five! FIVE!?!!! How can that be possible. I just ran about 1.5 to get there. Maybe the mile marker was wrong. How can I keep up this pace in the heat when the miles are sooooo long? Did I was energy needlessly? Will I soon be joining the troops doing the death march through the hot Valley of Death?
I should have more respect for my "elders" I thought as I set off again. I could be reduced to a crawl and they will be hiking right by at a steady 15 minute mile pace. Those thoughts were pushed out of my mind as I did some estimates on my watch. (Point of note -- my Garmin GPS watch bit the bullet so I was using my mother's borrowed Timex with watch hands.) I gave myself an 40 minutes to an hour to finish the race and if I didn't finish it by then, I could walk all I wanted. That window was to allow for the two extra miles the nice guy with the GPS decided to throw in.
So off I went, keeping it steady meanwhile feeling the sun's heat bore into me. I honestly had no idea when I hit the main trail again. The sight of hikers in flip flops not carrying water bottles was a good tip off though. I knew the end was near.
When I finally finished, the race director and the few people at the finish line said nothing and did nothing. No clapping, no nuthin'! I was pissed. Yes, I was glad I was finished (the last two miles were neverending); however, a little congratulations would have gone a long way. I almost walked off.
But I jogged over and said, "Hi," patiently waiting until they were done doing whatever it was they were doing.
"Oh you are done. Did you do the whole thing?" the race director asked me.
"Um, yes, that is what I signed up to do." I said as she searched me with her big eyes, probably for wings.
"Oh, ok, wow! It's just that several people came in already deciding not to do the whole thing. I can't believe you did the whole thing!"
I looked down at her timer, hoping above hope she pressed the button. She did, but I think she shaved off a minute to make up for her gaff of missing me.
She proclaimed me the woman's race winner and pinned a blue ribbon on me -- First Place it said. LOL, I thought, were there other women competing? But ok, I guess I am in. (Later I found out there were others. I will have to check out the NBB site.) I was happier to find out my time was 2:14. Not a PR for me by any means, but definitely a respectable time in the heat and also considering the two walk breaks with my sick friend and the water spigot break. Just what I wanted. And that was Garmin-free. I think I have run the same before on a colder day. In any case, the accomplishment was finishing alive on such a hot day.
I almost forgot, I also won a whopping 32 ounce water bottle filled with jelly bellies. That will make a great conversation piece on my desk at my new job (I got the job and I start in two weeks!). I tried to post a picture of it, but had a little technical difficulty.
Later after relaxing on the beach and enjoying some BBQ fixin's (I did pretty good in the calorie department, by the way) I watched the kids in their 50 meter dash. They were all smiling and jumping in the air before and after the race. Actually they resembled all the "big kids" (us) running around with big goofy smiles on their faces. Both little kids and adults proudly flaunted their winning ribbons pinned to their shirts. Where else could one find such a display of enthusiasm on a hot Sunday morning. Both sets were already setting goals to "beat last this year's time" next year! Ha Ha.
If finding the proverbial fountain of youth is one of the effect's of running, I will keep running. Meantime I will try not to "eat" my trophy :p
Thursday, July 26, 2007
You've been served!
Last night at bellydance class our teacher had us gather in a big circle for what she calls the "Yalla circle" (yalla="let's go!" in arabic). Then she had us go in two by two and have a "dance off" with each other. One would dance and the other would reply and try to outdo the other.
It was too much fun! This was the first time that the ladies really came out of their shells and got jiggy with it. In fact those shells were cracked wide open. I keep smiling thinking about how fun it was. It was fun to watch the mothers and daughters especially. Nothing like a little friendly competition to get things rolling.
Ha ha, it was a female fight club with hips instead of fists ;) But no black eyes and everybody laughed. Now that is exercise for the soul.
And that was after we each did a shimmy solo in which the teacher told us which direction to move. Again -- too fun!
How could this be exercise. If this is exercise than I will take more of the same please!
This week R and I entered into a little friendly competition of our own, a little weight loss competition to see who can lose the most percentage of body weight each week and by the end of six weeks. Again, no losers. This was just what I needed since I was finding it hard to find a new and exciting way to motivate myself to lose these niggling few pounds (six to eight to be technical if you want to go with the evil night reading at my official weigh in on Monday night). The winner gets a massage! The loser also gets to have one that day, but must pay for the winner.
I too have joined the ranks of myfooddiary.com and am loving the little motivating comments about how much weight I will lose or gain if I choose to continue to eat a certain way. In fact it encourages me to eat my exercise calories to get the most bang for my buck. Interesting how at my weight it also recommends I lose no more than .9 pounds a week. I know I can make that goal. I also know the difference between one and two pounds is dessert every day which I refuse to give up!
I wasn't that way when I was losing 110 pounds. Desserts were sacrificed for the greater good and I was fine with that. Nowadays if I don't get my Weight Watchers cookie dough sundae fix or my Skinny Cow, I am doomed.
In any case the MFD has encouraged me to cut my Skinny Cow ice-cream sandwiches in half and see if half will work as well as a whole. And you know what? Mostly it does!
If you are in any way competitive, I recommend a contest. In the end it is only ourselves we are competing against and if you pick your contests wisely, all will be winners in the end.
Just a catch up on this week's happenings... got in uber long run (13 miles, but felt like 15) with L on Sunday. The heat haze and humidity (welcome Monsoon season!) was a killer, but we did it and finished strong. That post-run dunk in the pool never felt better!
Monday was aerobic machines, abs and free weights at the gym.
Tuesday was my first speed workout in like forever with R. We covered about 5.5 miles of undulating terrain doing fartleks of 2 minutes fast with 3 rest. There were some warmup and cool down miles as well.
Wed I met L and she kicked my b#++ in the weight room. We were doing all the stuff you need spotters for, the stuff I usually avoid doing because I don't have a spotter. The Hubster used to spot me on the bench, etc. Now there is L! I SO feel it now.
Not to mention last night's veil, zills and basic BD moves class.
This morning's 5.2 mile run started slowly and a little sluggish, but I managed to pick it up on the way back. Methinks I just had to wake up.
It was too much fun! This was the first time that the ladies really came out of their shells and got jiggy with it. In fact those shells were cracked wide open. I keep smiling thinking about how fun it was. It was fun to watch the mothers and daughters especially. Nothing like a little friendly competition to get things rolling.
Ha ha, it was a female fight club with hips instead of fists ;) But no black eyes and everybody laughed. Now that is exercise for the soul.
And that was after we each did a shimmy solo in which the teacher told us which direction to move. Again -- too fun!
How could this be exercise. If this is exercise than I will take more of the same please!
This week R and I entered into a little friendly competition of our own, a little weight loss competition to see who can lose the most percentage of body weight each week and by the end of six weeks. Again, no losers. This was just what I needed since I was finding it hard to find a new and exciting way to motivate myself to lose these niggling few pounds (six to eight to be technical if you want to go with the evil night reading at my official weigh in on Monday night). The winner gets a massage! The loser also gets to have one that day, but must pay for the winner.
I too have joined the ranks of myfooddiary.com and am loving the little motivating comments about how much weight I will lose or gain if I choose to continue to eat a certain way. In fact it encourages me to eat my exercise calories to get the most bang for my buck. Interesting how at my weight it also recommends I lose no more than .9 pounds a week. I know I can make that goal. I also know the difference between one and two pounds is dessert every day which I refuse to give up!
I wasn't that way when I was losing 110 pounds. Desserts were sacrificed for the greater good and I was fine with that. Nowadays if I don't get my Weight Watchers cookie dough sundae fix or my Skinny Cow, I am doomed.
In any case the MFD has encouraged me to cut my Skinny Cow ice-cream sandwiches in half and see if half will work as well as a whole. And you know what? Mostly it does!
If you are in any way competitive, I recommend a contest. In the end it is only ourselves we are competing against and if you pick your contests wisely, all will be winners in the end.
Just a catch up on this week's happenings... got in uber long run (13 miles, but felt like 15) with L on Sunday. The heat haze and humidity (welcome Monsoon season!) was a killer, but we did it and finished strong. That post-run dunk in the pool never felt better!
Monday was aerobic machines, abs and free weights at the gym.
Tuesday was my first speed workout in like forever with R. We covered about 5.5 miles of undulating terrain doing fartleks of 2 minutes fast with 3 rest. There were some warmup and cool down miles as well.
Wed I met L and she kicked my b#++ in the weight room. We were doing all the stuff you need spotters for, the stuff I usually avoid doing because I don't have a spotter. The Hubster used to spot me on the bench, etc. Now there is L! I SO feel it now.
Not to mention last night's veil, zills and basic BD moves class.
This morning's 5.2 mile run started slowly and a little sluggish, but I managed to pick it up on the way back. Methinks I just had to wake up.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Shake it Like Shakira
Last night I tried a new bellydance class. My usual Friday night choreo class was cancelled so it gave me the opportunity to try something new. It was billed as the "Shake It Like Shakira" class and since I like Shakira, I was all excited about learning how to do some of those MTV moves.
The class is taught by Maharasha, the male bellydancer (that is his moniker, btw). And we actually learned a choreography to Shakira's "Whatever. Wherever." Now he wants to perform it at the next Hafla (next week!). Unfortunately I will be back to my normal BD class next Friday night.
Too bad this class wasn't going on during that whole time when the Community Center was giving my other teacher heck about having her class there and we had no choreo class for a month.
On another note, I met L yesterday morning for a 5 mile trail run from her house. It was steep to begin with and I actually took a flying header (left hand is all scraped up), but it turned out to be a great run. She brought her dogs which are super running dogs. The run was followed by a dip in the pool, breakfast (I brought melon!) and a nice chat.
We will meet on Wed to work out at the gym (hopefully my hand will be ok enough to grasp those weights by then) and maybe next Friday for a long run.
I took this morning off from activity although I will practice some BD moves today.
The class is taught by Maharasha, the male bellydancer (that is his moniker, btw). And we actually learned a choreography to Shakira's "Whatever. Wherever." Now he wants to perform it at the next Hafla (next week!). Unfortunately I will be back to my normal BD class next Friday night.
Too bad this class wasn't going on during that whole time when the Community Center was giving my other teacher heck about having her class there and we had no choreo class for a month.
On another note, I met L yesterday morning for a 5 mile trail run from her house. It was steep to begin with and I actually took a flying header (left hand is all scraped up), but it turned out to be a great run. She brought her dogs which are super running dogs. The run was followed by a dip in the pool, breakfast (I brought melon!) and a nice chat.
We will meet on Wed to work out at the gym (hopefully my hand will be ok enough to grasp those weights by then) and maybe next Friday for a long run.
I took this morning off from activity although I will practice some BD moves today.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Shouting into the Wind
The topic this week in the meetings is activity. There is no other topic that receives such a mixed reaction. No matter how I ask the questions, what I wear (this week I have been wearing my "badwater racing pajamas" -- an spf a million sun suit), and what I share of my good times with friends participating in my fitness pursuits, I can hear the crickets chirping.
One lady I worked with said to me yesterday that she lost weight really well just modifying her food intake and was ready to add exercise when her weight loss slowed down. Well 60 pounds later it didn't slow down so now she is maintaining and wondering how to get rid of her underarm flab.
But you know, I can relate. When I was in the weight loss phase, the eating was the focus of my universe and activity were the little moons that revolved around the planets. They existed, but were secondary to my purpose. Any activity I did was to give the weight loss a little boost, not to be my sole source of burning calories.
It's funny how things are all flip-flopped around. No, activity doesn't burn most of my calories. It is still about the food choices, but activity makes for a lifestyle centered around movement versus couch-potato-dom. When you are at goal, keeping moving is the way to stay there. I don't want to be a slave to my tracker the rest of my life.
Plus the midset is different. Now I am an "athlete." Athletes I know do not blow through an entire bag of Doritos and a gallon of Ben and Jerry's during Prime Time. Or maybe that is the fantasy I choose to believe.
When I go to eat something I have asked myself, "Would Lance Armstrong eat this?" which has often stopped me in my chocolate-hunting tracks.
So it is important to surround myself with people who believe as I do. It feels good at the end of the day to walk into my bellydance class and be greated with smiles and hellos from the other dancers (who remembered my name! I am SO bad with names! I know way too many people to know everyone!) who are ready and wishing to dance. The teacher last night asked how hard we wanted to work and she got a rousing response of hoots and hollers. And she worked us and it was fun. The class is filled with women of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels and we are all there to learn, move, have fun and laugh together. No frowny faces or blank stares.
In fact the positive attitude I sense while participating in these sub-cultures or runners and dancers makes it seem so normal and fun to want to move and groove. Complainers are not allowed. Such a difference from the move less mindset of the general population.
Tomorrow I am meeting L and R for a tough and fast trail run through the hills near L's house followed by a splash into L's pool. I can't wait. I feel like an eager puppy raring rushing my owner to go out for my run.
Activity is playtime. When I meet up with like-minded people I am faced with eager smiles and enthusiasm. Nary a blank stare or an excuse.
In my quest to squish more spontaneous and convenient fitness moments into my day, next Wed in between my morning and late afternoon meetings I will meet L near my Wed Centennial Hills meeting location to lift weights. The window is big enough and I won't feel rushed or have to make extra trips to drop off melty bars beforehand. We got the idea yesterday when I called her after my meeting and we met for lunch at Chipotle nearby where we decided that it would be more fun if we worked out THEN ate lunch next time.
Yesterday's activity included a 5 mile early run, tv weights and two hours of BD class (one hour of veil plus one hour of high energy basic moves drills). No doubt I will feel it tomorrow.
One lady I worked with said to me yesterday that she lost weight really well just modifying her food intake and was ready to add exercise when her weight loss slowed down. Well 60 pounds later it didn't slow down so now she is maintaining and wondering how to get rid of her underarm flab.
But you know, I can relate. When I was in the weight loss phase, the eating was the focus of my universe and activity were the little moons that revolved around the planets. They existed, but were secondary to my purpose. Any activity I did was to give the weight loss a little boost, not to be my sole source of burning calories.
It's funny how things are all flip-flopped around. No, activity doesn't burn most of my calories. It is still about the food choices, but activity makes for a lifestyle centered around movement versus couch-potato-dom. When you are at goal, keeping moving is the way to stay there. I don't want to be a slave to my tracker the rest of my life.
Plus the midset is different. Now I am an "athlete." Athletes I know do not blow through an entire bag of Doritos and a gallon of Ben and Jerry's during Prime Time. Or maybe that is the fantasy I choose to believe.
When I go to eat something I have asked myself, "Would Lance Armstrong eat this?" which has often stopped me in my chocolate-hunting tracks.
So it is important to surround myself with people who believe as I do. It feels good at the end of the day to walk into my bellydance class and be greated with smiles and hellos from the other dancers (who remembered my name! I am SO bad with names! I know way too many people to know everyone!) who are ready and wishing to dance. The teacher last night asked how hard we wanted to work and she got a rousing response of hoots and hollers. And she worked us and it was fun. The class is filled with women of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels and we are all there to learn, move, have fun and laugh together. No frowny faces or blank stares.
In fact the positive attitude I sense while participating in these sub-cultures or runners and dancers makes it seem so normal and fun to want to move and groove. Complainers are not allowed. Such a difference from the move less mindset of the general population.
Tomorrow I am meeting L and R for a tough and fast trail run through the hills near L's house followed by a splash into L's pool. I can't wait. I feel like an eager puppy raring rushing my owner to go out for my run.
Activity is playtime. When I meet up with like-minded people I am faced with eager smiles and enthusiasm. Nary a blank stare or an excuse.
In my quest to squish more spontaneous and convenient fitness moments into my day, next Wed in between my morning and late afternoon meetings I will meet L near my Wed Centennial Hills meeting location to lift weights. The window is big enough and I won't feel rushed or have to make extra trips to drop off melty bars beforehand. We got the idea yesterday when I called her after my meeting and we met for lunch at Chipotle nearby where we decided that it would be more fun if we worked out THEN ate lunch next time.
Yesterday's activity included a 5 mile early run, tv weights and two hours of BD class (one hour of veil plus one hour of high energy basic moves drills). No doubt I will feel it tomorrow.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Back in the Running
This weekend has been a whirlwind on ups and downs running-wise and lifewise.
On the upside, despite my limiting weekend schedule, I was able (and willing, since ga$ is so expen$ive these days) to have three social runs in a row.
Friday I met R and L at Bootleg for a strong 6 mile trail run. Although waking up for these runs is never fun (since when is a 4:00 wakeup call ever fun?) once I am there I am raring to go! L runs just a bit faster so it makes for a good challenge. There were some harrowing moments like for instance when L went running off a cliff, but other than that we made it back in on piece - whew! It was fun to spend time with both R and L.
Saturday I met on ol' running buddy, Ernie the ultrarunner of running across Nevada two years in a row and badwater fame (see link on the left). The course is challenging (Red Rock Canyon loop), but the pace was not too hard since she likes to take walking breaks up the hill. We met a couple others and we sort of divided into three groups. Terri ran ahead. I ran with Ernie and Steffen ran on his own. We all met up at the end and shared some watermelon I brought (which I meant to bring the day before to Bootleg). E thinks I should just go ahead and train for the St. George Marathon. I am signed up and was very close to cancelling, but I haven't closed the door yet.
I am glad I held back running with E because I knew Sunday morning meeting up with L to run would prove challenging in both miles and pace. Finally I found a running situation that works for Sunday PLUS I can get a long run in to boot! L lives just minutes away from my Sunday morning meeting. Now running with her required a 3:30 am wakeup. It didn't help that Rick returned home at 2:30 am and woke me up causing me toss and turn in bed for an hour before really having to wake up (grumble grumble grumble -- one of the reasons I wanted to give up summer running to avoid the sleep necessary for early morning wakeup calls) I warned her that I am slower and espressed my concerns about keeping up and knowing the course. She said my pace is fine as she runs with another girl who runs probably a little slower than me and is just looking for someone to run with right now. Funny how we push each other in the early miles and we keep having to tell each other to back off the pace. Good thing we did because we lost track of time, which we have done twice before while deep in conversation and ended up getting in 14 instead of 13 miles which was the perfect compromise between her wanting to get in 15 and me wanting to get in 12 or 13.
We ended with a soak in her pool. She let me use her shower too!
Also, on the fun and adventure front, Friday night BD performance practice was great as we continued to learn the moves for Misirlou as well as practice La Playa again. Watching that video over and over really is helpful for me in seeing what I need to work on.
Ok, on the negative front, I am dealing with a car returned from the mechanic that required a new timing belt that cost major buck$. In the process they didn't rehook up the AC nor did they reset the security alarm (insert me picture of me pulling out hair from my head).
Meantime Sunday morning during my meeting, I thought I heard a car alarm go off around 9:45. I asked the receptionists to check. I was driving Rick's car. Turns out thieves broke into his car and stole my gym bag. Given it had nothing but old pink Nikes, skanky sweaty gym clothes (grody shorts and my favorite running expensive bra), a hair dryer and my good makeup collection/deoderant I felt violated nonetheless. I hope they touch the gym clothes and it gives them cooties. I felt sad about losing my favorite WW gym bag. Thank goodness nothing else was taken and thank goodness I had the sense to drag all my other cr@p inside, weighed down like a pack mule before the meeting. I was lucky indeed. Of course having to shell out another $240 to fix the window is not too lucky.
Rick and I had a choice to go home after and wallow and nap or to continue with our plans. We decided to see Transformers instead. Very entertaining, but again too long. I thought long summer movies were a fluke, like when I thought Pirates was too long. But I guess not. 2.5 to 3 hours is too long to sit no matter how entertaining. That is almost enough to erase the entertainment time and make if feel as if I am doing time to get my happy ending.
This morning will be tv weights since I don't want to park Rick's now insecure car outside the gym for an hour, BD moves, appointment and later my meeting and seeing Harry Potter (let's hope it isn't too long) and dinner with M.
PS -- I am no longer tracking my food intake in here. I felt wierd doing it here for all the world to see and was not always around here to do it. It was an interesting experiment nonetheless.
On the upside, despite my limiting weekend schedule, I was able (and willing, since ga$ is so expen$ive these days) to have three social runs in a row.
Friday I met R and L at Bootleg for a strong 6 mile trail run. Although waking up for these runs is never fun (since when is a 4:00 wakeup call ever fun?) once I am there I am raring to go! L runs just a bit faster so it makes for a good challenge. There were some harrowing moments like for instance when L went running off a cliff, but other than that we made it back in on piece - whew! It was fun to spend time with both R and L.
Saturday I met on ol' running buddy, Ernie the ultrarunner of running across Nevada two years in a row and badwater fame (see link on the left). The course is challenging (Red Rock Canyon loop), but the pace was not too hard since she likes to take walking breaks up the hill. We met a couple others and we sort of divided into three groups. Terri ran ahead. I ran with Ernie and Steffen ran on his own. We all met up at the end and shared some watermelon I brought (which I meant to bring the day before to Bootleg). E thinks I should just go ahead and train for the St. George Marathon. I am signed up and was very close to cancelling, but I haven't closed the door yet.
I am glad I held back running with E because I knew Sunday morning meeting up with L to run would prove challenging in both miles and pace. Finally I found a running situation that works for Sunday PLUS I can get a long run in to boot! L lives just minutes away from my Sunday morning meeting. Now running with her required a 3:30 am wakeup. It didn't help that Rick returned home at 2:30 am and woke me up causing me toss and turn in bed for an hour before really having to wake up (grumble grumble grumble -- one of the reasons I wanted to give up summer running to avoid the sleep necessary for early morning wakeup calls) I warned her that I am slower and espressed my concerns about keeping up and knowing the course. She said my pace is fine as she runs with another girl who runs probably a little slower than me and is just looking for someone to run with right now. Funny how we push each other in the early miles and we keep having to tell each other to back off the pace. Good thing we did because we lost track of time, which we have done twice before while deep in conversation and ended up getting in 14 instead of 13 miles which was the perfect compromise between her wanting to get in 15 and me wanting to get in 12 or 13.
We ended with a soak in her pool. She let me use her shower too!
Also, on the fun and adventure front, Friday night BD performance practice was great as we continued to learn the moves for Misirlou as well as practice La Playa again. Watching that video over and over really is helpful for me in seeing what I need to work on.
Ok, on the negative front, I am dealing with a car returned from the mechanic that required a new timing belt that cost major buck$. In the process they didn't rehook up the AC nor did they reset the security alarm (insert me picture of me pulling out hair from my head).
Meantime Sunday morning during my meeting, I thought I heard a car alarm go off around 9:45. I asked the receptionists to check. I was driving Rick's car. Turns out thieves broke into his car and stole my gym bag. Given it had nothing but old pink Nikes, skanky sweaty gym clothes (grody shorts and my favorite running expensive bra), a hair dryer and my good makeup collection/deoderant I felt violated nonetheless. I hope they touch the gym clothes and it gives them cooties. I felt sad about losing my favorite WW gym bag. Thank goodness nothing else was taken and thank goodness I had the sense to drag all my other cr@p inside, weighed down like a pack mule before the meeting. I was lucky indeed. Of course having to shell out another $240 to fix the window is not too lucky.
Rick and I had a choice to go home after and wallow and nap or to continue with our plans. We decided to see Transformers instead. Very entertaining, but again too long. I thought long summer movies were a fluke, like when I thought Pirates was too long. But I guess not. 2.5 to 3 hours is too long to sit no matter how entertaining. That is almost enough to erase the entertainment time and make if feel as if I am doing time to get my happy ending.
This morning will be tv weights since I don't want to park Rick's now insecure car outside the gym for an hour, BD moves, appointment and later my meeting and seeing Harry Potter (let's hope it isn't too long) and dinner with M.
PS -- I am no longer tracking my food intake in here. I felt wierd doing it here for all the world to see and was not always around here to do it. It was an interesting experiment nonetheless.
Friday, July 13, 2007
I Love Lucy Sneaks into the Chorus Line
There I am, big hair and all! Hehe! Amaryllis gave us our videos of our first performance Wed night at BD class.
Ok guys, be nice. We are beginners. I can see those mistakes in posture and the occasional flubbed move. But hey, we were working it!
But my little sneaky looks at the teacher to check out what to do next are apparent. I feel like Lucy when she snuck into the chorus line, remember that episode?
Anyway, everytime I replay it I giggle because I look like I have been transported back to six years old (but this time I didn't quit ballet because the teacher said I had bad posture and a stomach that sticks out).
Anyway, I am pleased with the effort and know next time will be better! It was fun even though my expression says the opposite. I thought I was smiling, really.
(By the way -- Today my arms hurt from hurling, I mean, gently waving Alice, my silk veil around during the first class of Bellydance 2 Wed night. Yes she has a name to force me to be nice to her. She is no longer a nameless, faceless veil. You want a good arm workout? Try veil!)
Yesterday was the WW day from hell. I worked FOUR meetings (subbed one) so I didn't have my usual midafternoon break to come home and unwind before revving up and driving off again. There was nothing left by the end of it all. Talk about that run over by a Mack Truck feeling. I had no voice left by the middle of my third Getting Started Session of the day.
I won't let that wipe out any warm fuzzy feelings from helping 55 people yesterday (small classes due to summer).
On a positive, I wore a great "multi-tasking" outfit (heals, knee highs, sport coulottes, tank, flowy overshirt) so I could easily kick off my heels and sneak in a 1:30 BD class at the gym.
Here is the combo du jour:
shimmy with arms going up in the air
right bump bump up with arms "directing/pulling" over the hip
left lift with arms in that direction
Figure 8 (forward)
To right, travelling hip circles with arms out and then hands over mouth
reverse to left
keep hands over mouth (so eyes show, very dramatic) 3 full mayas (flat-footed, erghh!)
roll up with hands moving toward head and ending in "migraine position" (very dramatic, see Dina the famous Egyptian BD superstar)at the same time as chest lefts up and down
R foot brushes floor to direction of R front, side, back hip lift with matching arm "directing"
Back to "migraine"
Same on Left
Repeat on Right
Repeat on left but instead of returning to migraine, hands in air and squat lean, pose with hands back in migraine
I know this sounds wierd, but the moves are very dramatic. It is supposed to exude emotion. I think on a nice Jewish girl like myself the moves bespeak, "Oy veyesmere, vat a headache!"
It was fun and I made it do the second half of my "Day of Heat and Hell" on time.
I didn't get to track, but I am deducting 6 points from my WPA to make it 21.
This morning I met R and L for a great run out at Bootleg Canyon. It is a challenging course, but it is so much fun with all the undulating singletrack.
Maybe I will run St. George afterall. L is trying hard to motivate me to do it. She says she thinks I can run it well. I know that is the truth. The heart of the matter is how much I want to dedicate myself to training for it. Well, if she is willing to run those miles with me, perhaps I can change my mind. It isn't too late.
She wants me to come and run 13 with her on Sunday before my meeting.
And tomorrow I will meet Ernie and Steffen at Red Rock Canyon for six "easy" miles at the crack o' dark. Oh summer how I love/hate thee!
Todays journal so far:
coffee/ff milk/splenda
oatmeal, banana, ff milk
six mile, hilly trail run
2 pt bar/propel (3)
carrots/veggies
cottage cheese/yogurt/fiber 1 (1 -- yogurt was a lite n'fit, all I have left!)
turkey salad with veggies, salsa, evoo, few spriztes Wishbone, few pretzel thins thrown in (1)
la tortilla (1)
sf creamsicle, part, rest melted and I forgot about it (0)
Golden Spoon frozen yogurt, small (3)
veggie stir fry, evoo, ff cheese, nf milk (to make a sauce w/evoo & cheese)
watermelon -- seemed like lots
shared choc smoothie w/hubster
2 ww choc cookies (1)
WPA's left: 18 (took 5 from AP's)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Marathon Tuesday
This morning I met some of the Las Vegas Road Runners training for the LV Marathon at Sunset Park at 5:30 am. Talk about a park that doesn't know it is 5:30 am. Walkers and joggers were out there doing their thing already. The bathrooms were even open (but they were the scary prison stalls with the cold metal toilet and no doors!).
It was pleasant enough. The company was great and the pace was easy. This group runs with the 4:30 marathon pace group and was supposed to run a 10:00 min/mile pace and was closer to an 11:15 pace. I wasn't about to be the one responsible for pushing the pace this time since it was their pace. I was just a tagger-onner.
The route consisted mostly of red dirt track and cross-country trails which gave the legs a respite from the pounding pavement and occassional cement (See Fitness Police).
We covered about 4.5 miles in 50 minutes.
I've got a lot of running around from appointment to appointment today. Tonight is body pump if I can make it. (didn't)
Todays eats so far are:
coffee with splenda and ff milk
alternative pita with icbinb spray, cinn, splenda and a little sf maple syrup (1)
4.5 m run
yogurt, van pudding mix, cinn, splenda, Fiber One, small banana
watermelon (with a sprinkle of salt which brings out the sweetness!)
Appointment
spinach salad with shredded chicken, salsa, rwv, peppers, mushroom, carrots, corn
2 biscuits (1)
2 pt bar, Salty Sweet, my favorite! (2)
watermelon
Meeting
Appointment
Bank
gum on drive home
choc ww smoothie with coffee, a little ff milk, sprinkling of ff sf pudding mix, ice
mushrooms, salsa, California slaw salad, rwv, couple spritzes wishbone ceasar dressing
Upper body tv weights
Meeting
petite spin salad with turkey and some veggies, couple spritzes of wishbone, salsa, rwv, evoo
mini jollytime 94% popcorn and evoo
ww cookie dough sundae (3) -- These ROCK!
couple bites of yogurt with sf pudding mix (what was I thinking, put it back, yeah me!)
Uncore points: 7
AP's earned:4, spent 2 (only half and will apply WPA's to rest)
WPA's left:27 (spent 5)
It was pleasant enough. The company was great and the pace was easy. This group runs with the 4:30 marathon pace group and was supposed to run a 10:00 min/mile pace and was closer to an 11:15 pace. I wasn't about to be the one responsible for pushing the pace this time since it was their pace. I was just a tagger-onner.
The route consisted mostly of red dirt track and cross-country trails which gave the legs a respite from the pounding pavement and occassional cement (See Fitness Police).
We covered about 4.5 miles in 50 minutes.
I've got a lot of running around from appointment to appointment today. Tonight is body pump if I can make it. (didn't)
Todays eats so far are:
coffee with splenda and ff milk
alternative pita with icbinb spray, cinn, splenda and a little sf maple syrup (1)
4.5 m run
yogurt, van pudding mix, cinn, splenda, Fiber One, small banana
watermelon (with a sprinkle of salt which brings out the sweetness!)
Appointment
spinach salad with shredded chicken, salsa, rwv, peppers, mushroom, carrots, corn
2 biscuits (1)
2 pt bar, Salty Sweet, my favorite! (2)
watermelon
Meeting
Appointment
Bank
gum on drive home
choc ww smoothie with coffee, a little ff milk, sprinkling of ff sf pudding mix, ice
mushrooms, salsa, California slaw salad, rwv, couple spritzes wishbone ceasar dressing
Upper body tv weights
Meeting
petite spin salad with turkey and some veggies, couple spritzes of wishbone, salsa, rwv, evoo
mini jollytime 94% popcorn and evoo
ww cookie dough sundae (3) -- These ROCK!
couple bites of yogurt with sf pudding mix (what was I thinking, put it back, yeah me!)
Uncore points: 7
AP's earned:4, spent 2 (only half and will apply WPA's to rest)
WPA's left:27 (spent 5)
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Calculated Risks
(why won't Blogger let me title this post?)
I am such a good girl that I can't even fathom all the risky possibilities that are out there.
But yep, that was me jogging down the right side of the street on the sidewalk! I agree that kind of behavior involves some kind of calculated risk.
It was 6:30 am and at least 90-something degrees in the shade.
Never mind most of the time I am Molly Mindful, careful to wear appropriate gear (I have a sun protection outfit I wear if I am running later in the day, which I am not), apply sunscrean and face traffic while running in the street.
However when it is a million degrees outside and there is a little traffic. I dare to break the rules sometimes.
Shade trumps cement.
Double bike/parking lane trumps non-existent shoulder and constant jumping out of the way for cars.
In any case said violation occured for about a mile out of a six mile run. Guilty as charged.
One of my members caught me in the act and mentioned it. The Fitness police are out in full force, it seems.
Yes I know I was breaking the rules. But sometimes it is better to break them. She quizzed me about my knees, etc. They are fine. I was running slow enough that I wasn't "pounding" too hard.
Honestly if I didn't break some rules sometimes, I probably wouldn't run. Running is about breaking the rules of convention. Most people say they don't have time for exercise. Running makes me feel trimphant over everyone else's needs of my time. It makes me feel like the boss of me even when my schedule seems to belong to everyone else's. I go when I am tired and sometimes sore (but I don't push it when I feel bad). So sometimes I am trimphant over sloth. And it is too hot to be outdoors... well almost not at 5:30 am!
The alternative would be hard on my hard, joints, mind and soul. I shudder to think!
Meantime I will continue to drink my daily (Alzheimer's causing) Diet Coke, chew my lock-jaw inducing sugar-free gum and run on an occassional sidewalk. Please leave me what "vices" I have left in my tea-totalling, early-to-rise, non-partying, salad-eating, milk-drinking, non-drug using, non-gambling, seatbelt-wearing, show up at work on time life.
It's what I do most of the time that matters anyway ;)
Run this morning -- 5.2 mostly on the road. .6 on dirt shoulder -- wore sun-protectie shirt and carried water :p
(why won't Blogger let me title this post?)
Ok ok I give up! You caught me in the act. What was I caught doing?
Was it ordering a whole pizza for myself at midnight? A pack a day habit of cigarettes? Driving without a seatbelt on? Drunk driving? Riding a motorcycle without a helmet? Speeding excessively down the highway? Dialing on a cellphone while driving? Skydiving? Putting my entire paycheck on red at the roulette table? Climbing Mt. Hood in the middle of a snow storm? Cliff diving? Shooting up heroin and sharing needles? Smoking while pumping gas? Having unprotected sex? Running naked through the streets of Baghdad waving an American flag? Oooo the possibilities are endless.
I am such a good girl that I can't even fathom all the risky possibilities that are out there.
But yep, that was me jogging down the right side of the street on the sidewalk! I agree that kind of behavior involves some kind of calculated risk.
It was 6:30 am and at least 90-something degrees in the shade.
Never mind most of the time I am Molly Mindful, careful to wear appropriate gear (I have a sun protection outfit I wear if I am running later in the day, which I am not), apply sunscrean and face traffic while running in the street.
However when it is a million degrees outside and there is a little traffic. I dare to break the rules sometimes.
Shade trumps cement.
Double bike/parking lane trumps non-existent shoulder and constant jumping out of the way for cars.
In any case said violation occured for about a mile out of a six mile run. Guilty as charged.
One of my members caught me in the act and mentioned it. The Fitness police are out in full force, it seems.
Yes I know I was breaking the rules. But sometimes it is better to break them. She quizzed me about my knees, etc. They are fine. I was running slow enough that I wasn't "pounding" too hard.
Honestly if I didn't break some rules sometimes, I probably wouldn't run. Running is about breaking the rules of convention. Most people say they don't have time for exercise. Running makes me feel trimphant over everyone else's needs of my time. It makes me feel like the boss of me even when my schedule seems to belong to everyone else's. I go when I am tired and sometimes sore (but I don't push it when I feel bad). So sometimes I am trimphant over sloth. And it is too hot to be outdoors... well almost not at 5:30 am!
The alternative would be hard on my hard, joints, mind and soul. I shudder to think!
Meantime I will continue to drink my daily (Alzheimer's causing) Diet Coke, chew my lock-jaw inducing sugar-free gum and run on an occassional sidewalk. Please leave me what "vices" I have left in my tea-totalling, early-to-rise, non-partying, salad-eating, milk-drinking, non-drug using, non-gambling, seatbelt-wearing, show up at work on time life.
It's what I do most of the time that matters anyway ;)
Run this morning -- 5.2 mostly on the road. .6 on dirt shoulder -- wore sun-protectie shirt and carried water :p
Friday, July 6, 2007
Furnace Friday
This morning I met R and a new lady, L, at the Equestrian trailhead for a six miler. L and I got to talking and somehow we did 7.6-ish That was fine since I could use the mileage and I had a good time.
The heat is killing me though. It is time to take it seriously and pack accordingly. It used to be a 5-8 mile run required not more than 2 fuel belt bottles. Now I need at least 4 with Propel (for electrolyes), especially if I am doing more than my usual sloth pace as of late. And L is fast and of course since we were talking we were going at a good clip. I wasn't pushing at all. But without the proper hydration on the way back along with the uphill, I felt the effects. And with 100-teen weather (90-something at 5:30 am) during the day, one can't fool around. Point taken.
But I am excited. She is about my age and a good running match. I have a feeling she will push me to run better.
Later I will lift and dance.
This afternoon I am meeting M for a late lunch (2 pm) to find out the deets on her elopement/marriage/engagement-whatever.
Meantime I've got work to do, a house to clean and zills to practice.
The heat is killing me though. It is time to take it seriously and pack accordingly. It used to be a 5-8 mile run required not more than 2 fuel belt bottles. Now I need at least 4 with Propel (for electrolyes), especially if I am doing more than my usual sloth pace as of late. And L is fast and of course since we were talking we were going at a good clip. I wasn't pushing at all. But without the proper hydration on the way back along with the uphill, I felt the effects. And with 100-teen weather (90-something at 5:30 am) during the day, one can't fool around. Point taken.
But I am excited. She is about my age and a good running match. I have a feeling she will push me to run better.
Later I will lift and dance.
This afternoon I am meeting M for a late lunch (2 pm) to find out the deets on her elopement/marriage/engagement-whatever.
Meantime I've got work to do, a house to clean and zills to practice.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Happy Thindependence Day to Me!
Today I celebrated my freedom from the prison of unwanted fat and the right to bare my arms by running 5-ish miles -- yeah me!
During my jaunt I passed two runners (a rare sight in these parts) and was passed by a member on a bike from my Sat group (she gets a bravo for being "sighted in action" by me).
The plan today is to shower up and lead my only meeting today (hopefully it will be jam packed with dedicated "losers"), enjoy a Golden Spoon frozen yogurt, see a movie (hopefully Pirates!), dunk in the inlaws' pool and BBQ. I promise to stick to appropriate portions of whatever is there, but I will bring something 0 points to snack on just in case ;)
So how are you celebrating your Thindependence today?
So let's all stand, put your hand over a body part you would like to shrink and say together,
During my jaunt I passed two runners (a rare sight in these parts) and was passed by a member on a bike from my Sat group (she gets a bravo for being "sighted in action" by me).
The plan today is to shower up and lead my only meeting today (hopefully it will be jam packed with dedicated "losers"), enjoy a Golden Spoon frozen yogurt, see a movie (hopefully Pirates!), dunk in the inlaws' pool and BBQ. I promise to stick to appropriate portions of whatever is there, but I will bring something 0 points to snack on just in case ;)
So how are you celebrating your Thindependence today?
So let's all stand, put your hand over a body part you would like to shrink and say together,
"I pledge allegiance to myself
In quest of my weight goal
And the healthiness for which it stands
One body...
Under control...
Indisputably
With confidence in new clothes for fall."
Monday, July 2, 2007
Dread not Fear not
This afternoon at my meeting (with my one member, but that is a whole other story... biting tongue... biting tongue) we talked about what motivates those who work out to work out? How do we get over our own self-consciousness? How does it become something you look forward to doing instead of dreading?
Good question.
Dance so far has been the one form of physical activity I do not "dread" in any way. Maybe because I have no expectations for myself and I am not expected to perform in any way or using it to "earn" activity points. Yes, I earn them I am sure. But that isn't the point.
Other activities I enjoy once I am doing them or sometimes not until I am done include: running, swimming, working out with weights, tennis, yoga, hiking, cross-training on the gym machines, etc. I enjoy the sense of achievement running gives me; the peace of mind from yoga and the temporary power to eat mindfully; getting out there with nature when it comes to hiking and trail running; and time to bond and socialize with like-minded friends during any of these activities (working out with a friend usually makes it more fun).
Sure I feel good doing all of them and like the way my arms feel after a good weight workout.
The thing is how do we find that one activity that we like no matter how we are feeling that day? Does it exist? I guess we got to keep looking. That unto itself is part of the adventure. We can't dread what we do not know.
Besides that I did workout this morning. I chose two different aerobics machines (the retro-stair monster and stair mill). I started out feeling tired and draggy yet inevitably I felt better and somewhat competitive with the machine after 10 minutes (you know, make it an even mile, make it an even 100 cals, make it 15 minutes, through the next song, make it 2 miles, 200 cals, etc etc).
This morning's was a fake it until you make it kind of workout. I can do anything for 10 minutes. And you know, I did! I did it for 40 -- yeah me!
Good question.
Dance so far has been the one form of physical activity I do not "dread" in any way. Maybe because I have no expectations for myself and I am not expected to perform in any way or using it to "earn" activity points. Yes, I earn them I am sure. But that isn't the point.
Other activities I enjoy once I am doing them or sometimes not until I am done include: running, swimming, working out with weights, tennis, yoga, hiking, cross-training on the gym machines, etc. I enjoy the sense of achievement running gives me; the peace of mind from yoga and the temporary power to eat mindfully; getting out there with nature when it comes to hiking and trail running; and time to bond and socialize with like-minded friends during any of these activities (working out with a friend usually makes it more fun).
Sure I feel good doing all of them and like the way my arms feel after a good weight workout.
The thing is how do we find that one activity that we like no matter how we are feeling that day? Does it exist? I guess we got to keep looking. That unto itself is part of the adventure. We can't dread what we do not know.
Besides that I did workout this morning. I chose two different aerobics machines (the retro-stair monster and stair mill). I started out feeling tired and draggy yet inevitably I felt better and somewhat competitive with the machine after 10 minutes (you know, make it an even mile, make it an even 100 cals, make it 15 minutes, through the next song, make it 2 miles, 200 cals, etc etc).
This morning's was a fake it until you make it kind of workout. I can do anything for 10 minutes. And you know, I did! I did it for 40 -- yeah me!
Hot Hot Hot Hot Stuff. . . Hot Hot Hot Hot
Donna Summer with her famous disco tune and her appropriate last name pretty much sums it up right now.
Welcome to Las Vegas in the summertime. Today's high will reach 111 (I have a feeling it will be hotter since it is just 110 now) with the temps rising steadily throughout the week peaking at 116 on Thursday.
Every July and August I ask myself the same things, why do I continue to put up with this heat? I guess because the weather is pretty much perfect if not fairly cold in the winter so much so that we forget how hot it can get. This too shall pass.
You want hot? Check this out! Hey at least I am trying to avoid the hottest times to run.
So 4:00 am wakeup calls to run are pretty much the norm, that is if I want to run half-way awake with my body functioning and all that jazz.
Yesterday I ran my new 9.5 mile loop from my house, down to the evil community center and around through a neighborhood, past a park and down a parallel street home. Can you believe it still felt hot at 5 am? I started off on dirt, but as soon as I hit the pavement the residual heat left over from the day before raised the ambient temps by about 10 degrees.
Why continue to run during the hottest time? Well there is always an excuse why I can't run and if listened to that voice each time I wouldn't be running. It sure feels good to be done and to say I have done it. And no doubt it will make running through 50 degree temps feel like a breeze. Try running with an anvil strapped to your back for two months and you too will come out stronger, LOL!
And by the time I made it to my WW meetings I felt accomplished and ready to give to others.
After was the requisite reward of a regular (3 points) Golden Spoon yogurt as my reward for making it through my morning followed by a not so accidental dunk in my inlaw's pool in my clothes and a bellydance class.
I was glad I went as it would have been so easy not to go. We focused more on folk-style with a lot of hoppy steps. She had us wear skirts. Darn it! I wore one last week and all we did was roll around on the floor like Madonna so I refused to wear a skirt again to BD class. We only did a little rolling around today. We also played with the veil and she reviewed some moves she showed us a while back I was ready to be reminded on.
So I have a few things to work on this week including my camels. Gotta work on being more "snakelike" and flexible. That comes with time I am sure. Hey I started out totally stiff with two left hips and now my hips are in the game which is good progress. Again I am not only learning how to bellydance, but how to learn to dance in general. This process requires patience.
So lately I have been struggling with an issue about one of my instructor's occassional comments putting down other instructors (which I take from). I did speak with another instructor about the situation because I didn't want her to feel as if I was "cheating" on her by learning from someone else. She said I should continue to learn as much as I can from everyone. But as soon as it gets too uncomfortable, it is time to go.
Back to Sunday's class... I go with all the positive self-talk about how much I am learning and how fun it is to bellydance when I get a snide comment during a correction to one of my steps. Ok, what I was doing wasn't wrong per se, but maybe not the best choice of move for the music. But we were playing with the veil and I thought a camel would look nice. Like anyone was following the music anyway? But ok, I can take a correction. I want to learn. I did feel like a kid sneaking a cookie from the candy jar (No slow moves, this is fast music!). Then she says something like your other teacher may have taught you that, but that is wrong. Um, no one taught me that. I was just freestyling with the veil. But to dig on my other instructors was mean. Last week and some other time she called the style my other instructor teaches us is akin to "stripping." That is so wrong.
That makes me laugh, though, since this teacher dances the same style! Cabaret!
Anyway, I will stop rambling. The point is if I am starting to feel like I can't express myself in this class for fear of being judged or if I keep hearing negative comments, I may have to change. I joined that gym because that class is offered at the right time on the right day. Too bad.
Welcome to Las Vegas in the summertime. Today's high will reach 111 (I have a feeling it will be hotter since it is just 110 now) with the temps rising steadily throughout the week peaking at 116 on Thursday.
Every July and August I ask myself the same things, why do I continue to put up with this heat? I guess because the weather is pretty much perfect if not fairly cold in the winter so much so that we forget how hot it can get. This too shall pass.
You want hot? Check this out! Hey at least I am trying to avoid the hottest times to run.
So 4:00 am wakeup calls to run are pretty much the norm, that is if I want to run half-way awake with my body functioning and all that jazz.
Yesterday I ran my new 9.5 mile loop from my house, down to the evil community center and around through a neighborhood, past a park and down a parallel street home. Can you believe it still felt hot at 5 am? I started off on dirt, but as soon as I hit the pavement the residual heat left over from the day before raised the ambient temps by about 10 degrees.
Why continue to run during the hottest time? Well there is always an excuse why I can't run and if listened to that voice each time I wouldn't be running. It sure feels good to be done and to say I have done it. And no doubt it will make running through 50 degree temps feel like a breeze. Try running with an anvil strapped to your back for two months and you too will come out stronger, LOL!
And by the time I made it to my WW meetings I felt accomplished and ready to give to others.
After was the requisite reward of a regular (3 points) Golden Spoon yogurt as my reward for making it through my morning followed by a not so accidental dunk in my inlaw's pool in my clothes and a bellydance class.
I was glad I went as it would have been so easy not to go. We focused more on folk-style with a lot of hoppy steps. She had us wear skirts. Darn it! I wore one last week and all we did was roll around on the floor like Madonna so I refused to wear a skirt again to BD class. We only did a little rolling around today. We also played with the veil and she reviewed some moves she showed us a while back I was ready to be reminded on.
So I have a few things to work on this week including my camels. Gotta work on being more "snakelike" and flexible. That comes with time I am sure. Hey I started out totally stiff with two left hips and now my hips are in the game which is good progress. Again I am not only learning how to bellydance, but how to learn to dance in general. This process requires patience.
So lately I have been struggling with an issue about one of my instructor's occassional comments putting down other instructors (which I take from). I did speak with another instructor about the situation because I didn't want her to feel as if I was "cheating" on her by learning from someone else. She said I should continue to learn as much as I can from everyone. But as soon as it gets too uncomfortable, it is time to go.
Back to Sunday's class... I go with all the positive self-talk about how much I am learning and how fun it is to bellydance when I get a snide comment during a correction to one of my steps. Ok, what I was doing wasn't wrong per se, but maybe not the best choice of move for the music. But we were playing with the veil and I thought a camel would look nice. Like anyone was following the music anyway? But ok, I can take a correction. I want to learn. I did feel like a kid sneaking a cookie from the candy jar (No slow moves, this is fast music!). Then she says something like your other teacher may have taught you that, but that is wrong. Um, no one taught me that. I was just freestyling with the veil. But to dig on my other instructors was mean. Last week and some other time she called the style my other instructor teaches us is akin to "stripping." That is so wrong.
That makes me laugh, though, since this teacher dances the same style! Cabaret!
Anyway, I will stop rambling. The point is if I am starting to feel like I can't express myself in this class for fear of being judged or if I keep hearing negative comments, I may have to change. I joined that gym because that class is offered at the right time on the right day. Too bad.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Did It!
Sorry it took me so long to post about our performance. I just wanted to have a picture to post simultaneously.
Anyway, we did it! We did our little 3 minute dance to La Playa. Rick was there and said it looked like we "had fun" which is a big compliment from him because he dislikes the utter look of concentration many dancers have.
I figured I practiced so much (and more than anyone) as well as showed up to EVERY practice so I had no excuse not to know it.
We went on first so we were able to sit back and relax and enjoy the rest of the Hafla. A video will be forthcoming. Keep in mind we are practically raw beginners and for now perfomances are practices unto themselves.
As for being nervous, I wasn't since I am so used to getting up in front of people and acting, either good or bad. So what was a little dance? Besides, I wasn't alone.
As for the rest of the FUN adventures, here is a rundown of the week:
Sunday bellydance with Y at LVAC. She said I danced nicely on Sunday which was a big compliment since I was so not in the mood that I almost went straight home instead of to class. We went over the Yemini step (again.. this time I think I got it), the veil, walking on the knees, moving splits (more floorwork). Was a good class.
Monday night was troupe practice with A. She is such a sweetie. Even though I must arrive late due to "work" we stayed until I "got it." I felt stupid in the beginning not getting this complicated serpentine entrance, but once I saw it in action I was good to go. It will be to Mizerlou and the theme will be surfer-style. I can't wait to perform it at the August Hafla.
Tuesday I ran 6-ish miles. In the pm I was so dragged out and exhausted from running and then literally running around in the 110 degree heat driving, unloading, leading, reloading and driving home to dump my melty stuff off and have lunch I never did muster the strength to make it to body pain, er pump class ;)
Wednesday I had veil/zill class with A as well as Beg 1 class. I am determined to show my silk veil who is boss and want to prove the teacher wrong that I CAN make my lovely veil do my bidding. We learned the barrel roll spin (got that right away) and "walk the dog" (which looked lovely with my veil -- think holding the veil up lengthwise like a train over my head and fluttering it).
Funny thing is today my arms are killing me. Must have been from that -- go figure!
Beg I was a choreography we performed as groups. We called ourself the Sultry Sultanas and they nominated me the leader -- go figure! We kept it easy enough for everyone to get. I think we did great.
I ran 4 miles on Thursday and snuck in a BD class with A2 (Lebanese style). Note to self... bring footless tights to wear under skirt in summer because thighs make umseemly slapping sound when shimmying/hip dropping which caused me to put less enthusiasm into the moves.
Our choreography du jour was:
8 count of mayas (flat-footed -- yes I am improving -- yeah!)
Camel step backward on right and to left
8 twisting shimmies on left
Hip drop forward and back with alternating arms -- 8
jump with shimmy
forward, sit back, kick hip drop
jump with shimmy
forward, sit back, kick hip drop
stepping back kick hip drop
2 circles on left
Whew!
So far I am liking all my instructors for different things. This one encourages us to take from as many as possible so we can learn as much as possible. Unfortunately not all my instructors are that way with some more than others thinking there way is the ONLY way which makes it confusing for me to keep the styles separate, yet wanting to practice the technique that works best for me.
This morning I hiked 4-ish miles at Bootleg with R. I was glad we finally had a chance to catch up since it has been months since we have had more than a few minutes together to talk. The scenery and the comraderie were worth the 4:30 am wakeup call.
Thank goodness today is my day off as the mid-morning nap was time well spent.
Tonight is choreo with A.
Friday, June 22, 2007
My Hero
Apollo Anton Ohno is my dance role model. He is a dedicated athlete who has developed muscles and discipline for going fast, but not grace and timing until he participated in Dancing with the Stars. He also has very well-developed legs that help him sprint. I have well-developed calf-muscles (notice I used positive self-talk). He had to adapt dance poses to suit him. I do the same thing. I am up on releve (toes) as much as I can get away with since it looks and feels better. One of my teachers dislikes her students dancing on their toes saying it isn't "authentic" enough (like bellydance is authentic with all the changes it has gone through in thousands of years?). She dislikes "Cabaret" (up on your toes) style. I think it suits me just fine. Sure I will still learn to dance flat-footed so I can do all the moves that way if need be, like a flat-footed maya or travelling shimmy.
The lesson for the day is listen to your body. I think my body has been yelling at me loud and clear to pass on the upcoming marathon and do the trail race later in October instead.
I love how nothing hurts on the lower half of my body now :-) No hamstring twinges, plantar faciitis, groin-pulls and piriformis syndrome. Gone is the Friday night dread the night before a long run wondering what "injury" will act up on tomorrow's long run.
Not training for a marathon doesn't make me a less of a runner. Just a more well-rounded one, stronger and fitter one ;-)
The lesson for the day is listen to your body. I think my body has been yelling at me loud and clear to pass on the upcoming marathon and do the trail race later in October instead.
I love how nothing hurts on the lower half of my body now :-) No hamstring twinges, plantar faciitis, groin-pulls and piriformis syndrome. Gone is the Friday night dread the night before a long run wondering what "injury" will act up on tomorrow's long run.
Not training for a marathon doesn't make me a less of a runner. Just a more well-rounded one, stronger and fitter one ;-)
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Newbie Attitude
This weekend we spent the evening visiting with my husband's Dad and family (includes his wife and three kids 14 and younger).
The oldest, K, is now running cross-country. It was so much fun listening to her talk about her training with the excitement of a kid in a candy store. Wow! That is how I feel lately about my bellydancing. It is so new with so much to learn that each practice feels like playtime.
As K spoke, my excitement grew. Here I had all these copies of Runner's World to give her and some great books to read. Maybe we could get together and run a few miles together some time! Maybe we will see each other at low key 5 k's this summer! :-)
So with my newfound enthusiasm, I got myself up and dressed for my run this morning without any of the recent accompaying excuses or complaining. I just did it as the Nike Ad says. The pace wasn't fast, nor was it slow -- just steady. I just thought if K is out there running this early, why not me? So we sort of ran together, albeit in separate parts of town.
When I returned I felt renewed and more ready to get serious about my St. George Marathon training.
On a separate note, my first performance will be this weekend at the Hafla. I am not that nervous yet. I know the routine. In fact I am a little excited!
Gotta go. Busy day ahead. Got body pump later too. Glad I ran so I don't have to "do it all" later on.
The oldest, K, is now running cross-country. It was so much fun listening to her talk about her training with the excitement of a kid in a candy store. Wow! That is how I feel lately about my bellydancing. It is so new with so much to learn that each practice feels like playtime.
As K spoke, my excitement grew. Here I had all these copies of Runner's World to give her and some great books to read. Maybe we could get together and run a few miles together some time! Maybe we will see each other at low key 5 k's this summer! :-)
So with my newfound enthusiasm, I got myself up and dressed for my run this morning without any of the recent accompaying excuses or complaining. I just did it as the Nike Ad says. The pace wasn't fast, nor was it slow -- just steady. I just thought if K is out there running this early, why not me? So we sort of ran together, albeit in separate parts of town.
When I returned I felt renewed and more ready to get serious about my St. George Marathon training.
On a separate note, my first performance will be this weekend at the Hafla. I am not that nervous yet. I know the routine. In fact I am a little excited!
Gotta go. Busy day ahead. Got body pump later too. Glad I ran so I don't have to "do it all" later on.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Down Home Down Time
Somehow I survived my busy week which seems to become exponentially tougher in the summer time when we start experienced that over hot heat we are so well known for. Just to give you an idea, it was 109 yesterday. Today it is already 103 at almost 12:15.
I did run yesterday morning, about 5 miles. It was already warm when I left the house at 6:15. This heat is just killing me. I don't know what I hate more, the treadmill or that sluggish feeling I get when I run in the heat. Don't know if I can motivate myself to get moving earlier because that means my body has to be functioning first thing and my metabolism can only start working so early.
This has been the major make plans with out of town friends week. Some highlights include one of my online maintenance buddies, Carolyn, joining me at my Wed night Bellydance class -- YEAH! How fun it was to turn around and see my cyber-buddy dancing right behind me. And you tell me cyber life isn't real?
We had a chance to reconnect the next day at lunch at Sweet Tomatoes. She brought her darling son Jacob. He is so cute and has such a great sense of humor.
Anyway, she took a picture of us with her cellphone at bellydance class.
As for bellydance class, I did make it in time this week for the beginner 2 where we pranced around with our veils and attempted to coordinate zills with movement. Talk about rubbing the tummy and patting the head at the same time.
I expressed my amazement of the possibility of coordinating these moves and how well the teacher does it when Carolyn pointed out that I have the same body parts as my teacher and with practice, I too can "get it." You know she is right.
Her words of wisdom are the same ones that rang true five years ago when I injured my hamstring while training for my first marathon. I was down in the dumps over not being able to run or even walk when she pointed out how my "arms weren't broken." That was when I set to work on developing the best arms I had ever seen on my body, like that lady in T2! Now working my upper body has been a habit I have been able to keep more or less since then. It sure helps to balance out my developed athletic leg muscles. (see positive self-talk)
Tonight will be Choreography class and after that I may zip over to the opposite side of town for my "free" bellydance class at the gym.
This morning I tried a Jacqueline Chapman Bellydance DVD I got from Netflicks. It was easy to follow plus we learned a sophisticated-looking dance by the end even though the moves were very basic. Why I can't piece together such a basic dance, I don't know. I must suffer from attention deficit disorder half-way through a song. I loved the costume changes throughout the DVD and how she incorporated her veil in one example. I definitely give this DVD three hip-lifts!
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