i will. i will. protect this house.

A little dramatic for a 3k but it was a lot of fun getting hype for our 28 minute run! Under Armour provided the slogan and I pretty much ran with it. (Wow, bad pun!) Our pregame show took longer than the race itself. We joked about the slogan and watched youtube commercials for inspiration and "battle" preparation. We woke up in plenty of time to get on our gear and get to the race but for some reason (being brown) we had to rush to fill out our applications, dodge through the walkers since we missed the runners and then searched to meet up with a fellow runner.

But as I started running through Howarth Park and going through one of my old neighborhoods, I just felt good! I had my people around me and they took turns running by my side.

The sun was shining and there were so many different kinds of people out for the event. Families, businesses, non-profits, soccer teams, friends and so many communities represented Sonoma County. I felt like I had my own team with me--my parents and the whole house woke up early on a Saturday morning (6:30 am is really early for us). Four of us geared up and ran 1.8 miles. My cousin retraced her steps just to fall in line with us. My cousin hesitant to run in the first place ended up running with a bag full of stuff because there was nowhere to check it in.

My sister had a 15 hour work day on Friday, came home and packed before we headed to Santa Rosa at midnight.

My sister's boyfriend made us tea in the morning and pretty much shortened his stride (he's 6' tall) to my 5' tall mini-stride most of the way. My youngest sister took pictures of us at the finish line and beamed a georgous smile and gave me a huge hug.

My parents hosted brunch for us and I received texts from friends and family checking on my inaugural run.

Did I mention I ran 1.8 miles for 28 minutes? It's difficult not to downplay it because it seems so short in comparison to every other "K" distance out there. But as one of the runner's wrote when he sent me this picture, "visual evidence of our epic run", I can't help but feel that way.

There was an epic amount of support for me on Saturday. It's crazy to think that on February 1, 2010 I could only run for one minute at a time and it was very, very difficult! I don't think I really knew if could really do this running thing. Many others did and still do. They run with me, they ask how my running is going, they get up early, drive late, buy me running gear, make me breakfast, slow their pace, and the list goes on and on.

This amount of love and support is epic. I am equally grateful and appreciative.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Group Cause

Saturday, May 8 is the Human Race in Santa Rosa. I'm really excited to run with a bunch of people and change up my routine. I mapped my usual running route and it's not much shorter than a 3K. Phew! I think the race course has a slight hill but I'm gonna be running with some family and so I think it will be easy-er than what I anticipated. There's a family rate that we can pay for all of us to run--we'll get bang for our buck and so now I opened it up to anyone and everyone who can run a couple of miles.
I spent most of last weekend in Santa Rosa with family and really witnessed my parents generation get together with their cousins...they laughed and danced and sang. I wonder where I get it!
I really like the idea of my family coming together to do something physical, fun and together.
I'm a lucky girl to have so much support around me. I'll post a picture of just how much support came out that day!

long week

I've exercised once this week and it feels like forever ago. I'm finally gonna go on a run tonight and I'm excited and scared. It might be really painful. I'm finding that I need to really recommit myself to my workouts and health. I'm struggling right now!
I'm gonna try and really get outside this weekend--it's supposed to be beautiful. I can't wait!

sunshine and nostalgia

This weekend was beautiful. I spent time at my parent's place and was able to catch a little league game. I love that hometown feeling of baseball in the park. Did a slight jog to the park and walked back to my parents place. I didn't really get my full hour of exercise but I did a good amount of walking. Sunday was a glorious day back in SF. My cousin and friend had our traditional breakfast on Balboa Street at Cinderella Bakery...Cappuccino and Croissant (yes, they should be capitalized). Somehow we were finally convinced to ride our bikes through the park and play some soccer. It was really laid back until I decided to play "Monkey in the Middle"--kinda got me winded. Playing soccer is so nostalgic and yet a painful reminder of how out of shape I really am and how long ago I played the game. I wish I never stopped. The bike adventure continued through the park as we watched roller bladers, skaters, skaterboarders of all ages on the blacktop. They always play such good jams too. Moseying on down toward the museums we stopped at the lindy hoppers. Ella Fitzgerald and Beyonce blared through the park within the same half hour. Our two wheel adventure left the park to get some deli sandwiches and then we rode our bikes home. Overall it felt good to get a lot of sunshine and get out of the house. I'm learning that I really have to workout on purpose or my heart rate just doesn't get to where it needs to go.

co-ordinate

Bless! So I think I'm coordinated but then I took a Zumba class and figured out that I'm not. Plain and simply, I can shake it in the club but a Dancer I am not! No matter though because I had a lot of fun attempting to shake everything my mama gave me and more. I need to practice my moves in the mirror like my sister. The class was an hour long and I sweat soo much! We did merengue, salsa, cha cha, flamenco, reggaeton, samba and some afro-latin moves too. I'm definitely gonna go back and hopefully master hopping backwards. I can't remember the dance we were doing but the instructor explained it saying it's a backwards hop. Theoretically it sounds easy since I know how to hop forward but practically, there's something missing. Bless!

run shy

Knowing that I have to run for 25 minutes straight is intimidating. My sister made a good point though...it's difficult to run at your peak every day so maybe I should change it up a bit. I've come up with a weekly plan. I'm running for most days and I have one day completely free from a schedule. I also read in Runner's World that if you're trying to lose weight (which I am) then I have to workout for 60 minutes per day. That means I have to up the ante and move for a little longer. Here's what I gonna do:

Monday: Light Run/Walk
Tuesday: 25-30 min Run / 35-30 min Walk
Wednesday: Zumba
Thursday: 25-30 min Run / 35-30 min Walk
Free Friday
Saturday: Anything Active i.e. tennis, soccer, walk to the beach, Zumba, yoga
Sunday: 25-30 min Run / 35-30 min Walk

Today is my first Zumba class! I'm excited to dance and sweat!

i am a runner

I ran for 25 minutes straight today and from now on, I just keep running. My C25K program hasn't officially ended but I'm done with the run/walk portion and now it just tells me to run for time. It's a scary place to be but it's an amazing feeling. There's nothing to fall back on and nothing to stop for. I can do it and that's almost as difficult to admit as not being able to do it. I have no more excuses because I've been training to eliminate them. I feel vulnerable and afraid to succeed. The most difficult part of succeeding and going for my goals is that I'm invested. The stakes are higher because I care. I become accustom to mediocre and settling for okay. To try and fail or heaven forbid, to try and succeed seemed like too much to risk. For such a long time I couldn't handle either outcome. I was fragile and depressed and fearful of what might happen. I didn't have to change but I was definitely at a crossroads for the millionth time. I chose differently in January and I've been making small changes that hopefully keep adding up.

I continue to chip away at my fears but to put my success and accomplishment simply, i am a runner!

day of rest

God did it...so can I? I'm struggling with this one but I'm trying to take one day a week off. Is it a good idea? Bad? When I think I've shed myself of my Catholic upbringing, it's the guilt that always reminds me of where I come from. I jokebut I do feel guilty about not gearing up and running around the park. Part of this will be an experiment. It rained last Sunday and the next day I ran for 20 minutes straight and felt great. I have a 25 minute run coming up so I'm hoping my strategy works. I didn't run last Friday either. Maybe I just don't like running on Fridays and I might have to get in trouble some other way at the end of the week!

am i in a better mood?

My sister made a comment after yesterday's run that she was in such a better mood after our little jog. So I asked if I'm in a better mood ever since I started running...Her answer was a resound, DEFINITELY! Hmm, I must have been a real beezee before I started running :) She elaborated about how I have much more energy, my habits of sitting on the couch and zoning out on television have changed. I am out and about more and so all of this seems to translate to "good" energy. I've definitely noticed a change in my disposition. I'm running and feeling better about myself and I'm hoping it translates to a better mood. I don't think it's coincidence that since I've started running my mindset has changed. I feel like I've accomplished something and everyday brings new challenges that last about 30 minutes. My half hour triumphs give me confidence. Feeling good about myself has been difficult for the past three years. I've hardly felt determined let alone proud of myself. I like measuring myself day to day and week to week on how long I've run and how much easier it feels (sometimes).

As much as I love being a beezee, it's nice to know that I can be a happier one!

catch up!

This week went by so quickly. Work was crazy and life after work didn't seem that crazy but I just spent a couple of minutes trying to remember what I did the past couple of days. Did I run? How was it? More reasons to keep a blog...my memory sucks! It finally came to me though--I ran on Wednesday and then ran out the door for some dinner. I needed that run to get me through my week.

Yesterday was good. Kezar Crew met up in the park (minus one). We got a little run in and a little "therapy" in. Both were good but I think I need to dedicate a little more time to my "therapy"...Talking with my friend just made me miss her more.

is running like golf?

Growing up around a bunch of golfers the idea that you can have an amazing round one day and have a horrible game the next was often talked around. The men in my family often played the same course with the same clubs, shoes and balls. I know the greens were changed slightly enough from time to time but really? Now I have some kind of sympathy for what they went through because that's what it was like for me today. I ran the same course about the same time of day with the same shoes. How could today be so difficult? While on my run yesterday I was thinking this is my marathon today. Little did I know that my "marathon" today was really going to challenge me. It was soooo difficult that every minute felt like I already ran 20 minutes. What's interesting is that I new it from the start. Maybe my dad and uncles know they're gonna have a bad day too. They seem to get through the 18 holes and even head out the next day. I'm gonna follow their lead and head out tomorrow as well.

run and give me twenty

I'm not sure why some days feel better to run than others but today was one of those days. Yesterday was a bag of mixed feelings and weird weather. Today the rain held off for most of the day and I just knew I was going to get out there. I was tired though and took a nap beforehand. I had exactly a half an hour before sunset and so I got up and left the house and ran and ran and ran for twenty minutes. I paced myself but felt strong at the end. I finally feel like a runner and it feels really good!

eh!

Not the running weekend I wanted to have. I skipped Friday for some retail therapy and ended up buying running gear instead of actually doing any exercise. I decided I'd do a double workout on Saturday since I skipped Friday and nearly broke my feet. I did my walk/run for an hour but on my way home my arches started hurting so badly. I ended up slightly limping home. Not good since I was also supposed to go to a concert that night--what was I thinking? My sister, the future physical therapist said that it could be that I tied my shoes too tightly...i have no idea but noted for next time. Sunday was supposed to be my big run for 20 minutes straight but I woke up to some serious rain. The weather god seemed to play a trick on me because the time I was supposed to head out to the East Bay to run with a friend, it wasn't raining at all and the sun actually came out! By that time I was already gun-shy and over it. I contemplated going out anyways and put on my running gear. That was as close as I came to running though...I ended up cleaning in my running 'fit. Such a frustrating weekend. I was upset, overly-eager and then got spooked.
Lessons learned: Running each day is less painful than doubling up on my workout and possibly injuring myself. Mental strength is just as important as physical...I must continue to find my will to go on a run.

eight is enough!?!?

As an aside...does anyone remember that eighties tv show?
This week has been crazy difficult to run. My C25K program is kicking my butt. It's been relatively easy to increase my running time each week and now it's just going to kick into high gear and I'm afraid I'm not ready for it. This weeks schedule: 3 days of 5min run/3 min walk (done), 3 days of 8min run/5 min walk and then the dreaded 20 minute run!!! Cereal? Yesterday's 8min run/5min walk kicked my ass and now all sorts of aches and pains just seem to leach on to me like barnacles while I run. Am I pushing myself to much? I really want to be at this point but it's so difficult! And by no means am I giving up but it's been so long since I've done anything like this that I'm not sure how "painful" its supposed to be. Yuck, I feel like a complainer...
Regardless, lets hope today's 8 min runs feel better than yesterday's runs.
Also, I tried to run with a smile (a suggestion from my brother) for the last minute and it was totally awkward and I'm not sure I liked it. It takes a lot of energy to run and smile...not sure I'm there yet either. All of my effort goes to keeping one foot bouncing in front of the other.

home run

I love going home. I can't even stop calling it "home". I haven't lived there in forever and I probably wouldn't move back but I love going back. Easter is always one big eating fest and usually filled with family drama. Thank goodness the drama was kept to a minimum. We did have awesome food though and I even ran two days out of my three day visit. I had some great company at a local high school track and added a new running tradition to my birthday.
Plan on going back to the Rose for the Human Race's 3k on May 8th...I'm a bit nervous and excited at the same time-wish me luck :)

a family that runs together

My brother gave me a pair of high performance running socks for Christmas. As usual, I made a joke that I couldn't wait to wear them to bed with my new down comforter. Maybe his eternal optimism or his psychic powers kicked in while shopping. I definitely did not think I would actually use them for their intended purpose. But here we are four months later and it seems as though he knew all along. While we were all active as kids and teenagers, adulthood has had different fitness challenges for all of us. It was our first family run ever. It was really cute. We got ready for the run- high performance gear comparisons (check), ipod/iphones (check), coffee (check), bathroom (check). My youngest sister was on my workout train and this was our first adventure to Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park. She doesn't live here though and I have no good excuse for neglecting this place. I can't believe that I've never been there before! It's another reason to love San Francisco, another place to run around and it was really good for all of our fitness levels. There are hills, a waterfall, a gazebo, lots of stairs, a lake, a bridge and plenty of awesome views. Like sibling magnetism, we all ended up at the same place after our runs. We walked down (some better than others) steep stairs and found these stepping stones at the base of a waterfall. My cousin and fellow Kezar Crew member (not an official group) took this photo as a memento.


Running tips from my brother, the eternal optimist:
*Run with a smile. It really does help*
My sister agrees and draws wisdom from yoga:
*Smile from the inside.*
My cousin's fashionable encouragement:
*That headband really looks good on you. You should rock that for real.*
A warm-up with my little sister:
*Let's keep it at a four people! (Huh? I asked) 4mph, duh!*