I added up all the miles I've logged on this blog and rounded up for the times when I didn't keep track, and discovered that I've covered about 50 miles since I began training!
Wow, reading that makes me so proud of myself!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Last June Workout
Today instead of getting up early for my walk, I waited until Adam got home after work and we walked as a family. Now that I know I am training for the half marathon, my scheduled workout was only 3 miles. I plotted a course on Google maps and away we went. The plan was to cut through a residential neighborhood between 17th and Santa Clara and then walk through the cemetary and loop back down through a different residential neighborhood back to 17th and home.
However, I got a little lost in the residential neighborhood and ended up on Tustin just south of Santa Clara instead. We turned west at Santa Clara, but when we reached the cemetary gates we discovered they were closed for the evening, so instead we continued along Santa Clara to Portola Park, walked south through the park and south on Mabury to 17th, back east to Cabrillo and then west again over to the continuation of Mabury where we continued south to Fruit, back to Cabrillo and north to home. Google Maps won't let me chart this exact route as it doesn't seem to understand that one can walk through a park, but subtracting out the 0.6 mile jog it would take to approximate the same route on through streets, we covered exactly 3 miles.
It took us about an hour what with stopping for lights and pushing the stroller.
However, I got a little lost in the residential neighborhood and ended up on Tustin just south of Santa Clara instead. We turned west at Santa Clara, but when we reached the cemetary gates we discovered they were closed for the evening, so instead we continued along Santa Clara to Portola Park, walked south through the park and south on Mabury to 17th, back east to Cabrillo and then west again over to the continuation of Mabury where we continued south to Fruit, back to Cabrillo and north to home. Google Maps won't let me chart this exact route as it doesn't seem to understand that one can walk through a park, but subtracting out the 0.6 mile jog it would take to approximate the same route on through streets, we covered exactly 3 miles.
It took us about an hour what with stopping for lights and pushing the stroller.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
26%!
My apologies for not making an update about my fundraising progress in a while.
Thanks to some very generous friends and family, I've now reached 26% of my $5000 goal!Thanks to the following donors:
- my parents
- Robert and Julie Chang
- Tom and Elizabeth Schroeder
- Stacey Pechan
- Bernie and Sena Sierdsma
I'm excited about my progress, but know I need to plan some more fundraising activities. Watch this space for an announcement of a special fundraising event.
Edited because in my excitement I did some double counting.
June 27 Team Training
I made a decision today. I'm training to walk the half marathon.
I walked 5 miles today instead of the 7 miles that the full marathoners did. We left Heritage Park at approximately 8:05. We walked northeast on Yale Avenue up 2.3 miles to Hicks Canyon Greenway, went along that trail about two tenths of a mile and turned around. I was back at Heritage by 9:30.
I walked 5 miles today instead of the 7 miles that the full marathoners did. We left Heritage Park at approximately 8:05. We walked northeast on Yale Avenue up 2.3 miles to Hicks Canyon Greenway, went along that trail about two tenths of a mile and turned around. I was back at Heritage by 9:30.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
June 25th Workout
This morning I took Charlotte with me in the jogging stroller. We left home around 6:35, but got caught up at the light crossing 17th at Cabrillo and didn't really start going until 6:43. We went west to Grand Avenue, north to Santa Clara, east to Tustin and south to 17th via Old Tustin, then back to Cabrillo and home. A 3.3 mile course. I was home by 7:37.
In other news, Charlotte has impetigo on her nose and a possible UTI. She's had a fever since Monday night. Poor baby.
Edited to correct impossible departure and completion times!
In other news, Charlotte has impetigo on her nose and a possible UTI. She's had a fever since Monday night. Poor baby.
Edited to correct impossible departure and completion times!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Back in the Saddle: June 22 Workout
After taking last week off, it was tempting not to get up and work out this morning, but I did it. The schedule called for a 4-mile course, so I got on Google Maps and planned one out. My trail took me from home to Tustin & 17th, up to Santa Clara, left to Fairhaven Memorial Park where I cut through and enjoyed reading names on the turn of the century era tombstones on my way up to Fairhaven. I continued west on Fairhaven to Old Grand, left again down to Santa Clara, over to Wright and down to 17th Street and home. I hit the road around 6:45 and made it home at 7:45.
The best part about walking in the morning is the cool air rushing past you.
The best part about walking in the morning is the cool air rushing past you.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
June 20th Team Training
Today's training was held at three sattelite locations. I chose the Newport Back Bay location because I love the scenery there but also because it had the latest start time at 8:00 a.m. I was running a bit late and pulled up exactly at 8:00, and by the time I parked the car and walked down to where the group was meeting, they had already left. I caught up with my friends Pat, Maria and Ana from the 14-15 minute pace group and off we went.
We started at San Joaquin and walked Back Bay Drive all the way up to the hill up to Eastbluff, then turned right back around. According to Google maps, the course was 4.7 miles total, not counting the 0.1 of a mile up the hill to my car at the end.
I felt good and had a lot of fun. There was an option to go out and back another two miles, but given my recent illness and lack of training this week, I decided 4.7 miles was good enough.
We started at San Joaquin and walked Back Bay Drive all the way up to the hill up to Eastbluff, then turned right back around. According to Google maps, the course was 4.7 miles total, not counting the 0.1 of a mile up the hill to my car at the end.
I felt good and had a lot of fun. There was an option to go out and back another two miles, but given my recent illness and lack of training this week, I decided 4.7 miles was good enough.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Summer Cold stops me cold
I haven't posted an update because my training has been impeded this week by a summer cold.
I'm taking a wait and see approach to Saturday's Team training. It's supposed to be 6 miles by the beautiful Newport Back Bay. I'd hate to miss the scenery, but I also would hate this cold to get worse or turn into a secondary infection.
More as it develops....
I'm taking a wait and see approach to Saturday's Team training. It's supposed to be 6 miles by the beautiful Newport Back Bay. I'd hate to miss the scenery, but I also would hate this cold to get worse or turn into a secondary infection.
More as it develops....
Saturday, June 13, 2009
June 13th Team Training
I completed today's 5-mile course in about 80 minutes. That pace is much slower than what I have been doing but I felt like I was going as fast as I could. I'm a little disappointed, but some days are like that I guess. I went to bed with a sore throat and woke up with a sore throat, so I'll give myself some grace. The important thing is, I finished the full 5 miles and didn't turn around at the early turn back point.
Before the workout, Coaches Noah and Jennifer taught a clinic on proper running and walking form. Summary: head up, neck relaxed, shoulders back, chest up to take in maximum air, arms relaxed at a 90 degree angle as if gliding on drawer rails, hands held loosely. For running, the goal is for the foot to strike the ground under the body's center of gravity -- better many short strides than a too-long one. For walking, the heel strikes the ground first.
After the workout, a physical therapist taught a clinic on stretches and keeping muscle pairs in balance in terms of flexibility and strength to prevent injury. I asked her about the pain on the insides of my knees that have been troubling my attempts to jog rather than walk. She suggested that the trouble actually stems from weak hip and outer thigh muscles and suggested some body mechanics and strengthening exercises to build up those muscles.
Before the workout, Coaches Noah and Jennifer taught a clinic on proper running and walking form. Summary: head up, neck relaxed, shoulders back, chest up to take in maximum air, arms relaxed at a 90 degree angle as if gliding on drawer rails, hands held loosely. For running, the goal is for the foot to strike the ground under the body's center of gravity -- better many short strides than a too-long one. For walking, the heel strikes the ground first.
After the workout, a physical therapist taught a clinic on stretches and keeping muscle pairs in balance in terms of flexibility and strength to prevent injury. I asked her about the pain on the insides of my knees that have been troubling my attempts to jog rather than walk. She suggested that the trouble actually stems from weak hip and outer thigh muscles and suggested some body mechanics and strengthening exercises to build up those muscles.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
June 11th Workout
So last night the back of my baby girl's skull collided with my nose. I was able to go back to sleep, but when I woke up felt like I had a severe sinus headache, and didn't do my workout in the morning. After reading up on nose injuries, I decided I should call the doctor. She wanted to see me to make sure it wasn't broken and there weren't any complications. I had a 2:00 p.m. appointment and left work early. The nurse took my blood pressure, which was very low: 65/40! The doctor confirmed that my nose is just bruised and gave some tips for pain relief. She also looked at my thumb which I injured on Monday trying to open a coconut with a butcher knife and advised that I get a tetanus shot, which I did.
When I got home from the appointment around 3:00, I was exhausted and Charlotte was asleep in the back of the car, so we both slept in the car for about 30 minutes. When she woke up, we went inside and continued resting, me with a dose of Tylenol and a cold pack wrapped in a towel on my face. Just before 6:00 I felt a little better so I decided to get out and move even if I couldn't do a very intense workout.
We walked to Staples on 17th Street and got some ink for my printer so I can finish printing my fundraising letters. From Staples, we headed down Tustin Avenue, right on Fruit, explored a condo complex, continued on Fruit to Cabrillo where we turned right and headed up to Monterey Villas where we live.
I stopped to switch the front wheel of the stroller to swivel mode so we could better navigate the sidewalks in our complex. I must have stood up too fast, because after a few steps, I felt lightheaded, my vision started darkening and I felt weak in the knees. I decided to sit down in the middle of the sidewalk to avoid falling.
When I felt better, we slowly continued to the mailboxes and then on home.
Do my recent fatigue, today's low blood pressure and this little episode add up to anything serious? I hope not.
Today's stats:
Total course registers at 2.1 miles in Google maps; I checked out at Staples at 6:04 and we were back in the house by 6:43; not sure how long I was sitting on the sidewalk.
When I got home from the appointment around 3:00, I was exhausted and Charlotte was asleep in the back of the car, so we both slept in the car for about 30 minutes. When she woke up, we went inside and continued resting, me with a dose of Tylenol and a cold pack wrapped in a towel on my face. Just before 6:00 I felt a little better so I decided to get out and move even if I couldn't do a very intense workout.
We walked to Staples on 17th Street and got some ink for my printer so I can finish printing my fundraising letters. From Staples, we headed down Tustin Avenue, right on Fruit, explored a condo complex, continued on Fruit to Cabrillo where we turned right and headed up to Monterey Villas where we live.
I stopped to switch the front wheel of the stroller to swivel mode so we could better navigate the sidewalks in our complex. I must have stood up too fast, because after a few steps, I felt lightheaded, my vision started darkening and I felt weak in the knees. I decided to sit down in the middle of the sidewalk to avoid falling.
When I felt better, we slowly continued to the mailboxes and then on home.
Do my recent fatigue, today's low blood pressure and this little episode add up to anything serious? I hope not.
Today's stats:
Total course registers at 2.1 miles in Google maps; I checked out at Staples at 6:04 and we were back in the house by 6:43; not sure how long I was sitting on the sidewalk.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
21% of Fundraising Goal Reached!
Thanks to my generous friends, Tim and Katie Jacoby, I've now reached $1,050, or 21% of my $5,000 goal!
Can you spare $25, $50, or $100?
Can you trade :
Can you spare $25, $50, or $100?
Can you trade :
- One night out at the movies?
- A new pair of jeans?
- One nice dinner out?
- Getting your car detailed?
- Increased federal funding for biomedical research
- Collaborative public-private sector research efforts
- New blood cancer medications
- Ensuring patients access to high quality healthcare
Please use the link at right to make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
June 9th Workout
I had planned on doing today's workout this afternoon, but Charlotte was awake at 6:30 so I figured I might as well get out there rather than trying to squeeze in a few more minutes shuteye and worry about not getting up on time. I quickly dressed, put my precious girl in our new (to us) jogging stroller tucked in with a blanket, and away we went.
The training plan calls for a 35 minute workout today. My course took me east on Wellington to Tustin, south to First Street, back up Tustin to Fruit and west to Cabrillo Park, where I headed north back to my front door. According to Google Maps, this was a 2.2 mile course. I left home at about 6:50 and returned just after 7:25, putting my pace at ~16 minutes a mile. I've gone faster before, but that time does include stopping for the light to cross 4th street both directions.
The training plan calls for a 35 minute workout today. My course took me east on Wellington to Tustin, south to First Street, back up Tustin to Fruit and west to Cabrillo Park, where I headed north back to my front door. According to Google Maps, this was a 2.2 mile course. I left home at about 6:50 and returned just after 7:25, putting my pace at ~16 minutes a mile. I've gone faster before, but that time does include stopping for the light to cross 4th street both directions.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
June 6th Training
Today I met up with Team in Training at Heritage Park in Irvine. After a clinic on proper running clothes and gear, we headed out in pace groups for a 4-mile course. I chose the 14-15 minute/mile pace group and finished right around the middle of my pack. I forgot to bring water to the course, and was glad that they had plastic cups and a water cooler at the end. I did stretch before going out this time, and did not experience any cramping. I had some minor twinges in my lower calfs/ankles early in the course but they went away by the first mile mark.
Today we also worked on proper breathing. I tend to breathe along to whatever song is stuck in my head, which I notice is not always efficient once I get going. Coach Noah instructed us to breathe in rhythm to our steps, which helped a lot. At one point in the course there were cones set up for a breathing drill. Between the first two cones, we were to inhale for four steps and exhale for four steps. That felt like too long between breaths for me. Between the next two cones, we did a 3/3 pattern, then a 2/2 pattern and finally a 1/1 pattern. The 3/3 and 2/2 felt the most comfortable to me.
Today we also worked on proper breathing. I tend to breathe along to whatever song is stuck in my head, which I notice is not always efficient once I get going. Coach Noah instructed us to breathe in rhythm to our steps, which helped a lot. At one point in the course there were cones set up for a breathing drill. Between the first two cones, we were to inhale for four steps and exhale for four steps. That felt like too long between breaths for me. Between the next two cones, we did a 3/3 pattern, then a 2/2 pattern and finally a 1/1 pattern. The 3/3 and 2/2 felt the most comfortable to me.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
June 4 Workout
I woke up at 6:00 as planned, got dressed and finished stretching by 6:05. I realized after I was down the block that I had neglected nutrition.
My course took me from Wellington down Cabrillo Park Drive, left on Fourth Street, left on Tustin, left on Wellington back to my complex (about 2 miles). I did short runs throughout and kept up a brisk walking pace otherwise. I ran between Fruit and a driveway into a condominimum community. I ran from one fire hydrant to the next. I ran from a tree to the corner. I was back by 6:35. According to Google Maps, at a walking pace the course should have taken 37 minutes.
When I was out there, I thought about my attitude toward running. I used to think that running feels like flying. How fun it was to speed along. But at some point between then and now (5th grade?), I began to think of running as a chore or even a punishment. I want to restore my childlike attitude and enjoy running once more.
My course took me from Wellington down Cabrillo Park Drive, left on Fourth Street, left on Tustin, left on Wellington back to my complex (about 2 miles). I did short runs throughout and kept up a brisk walking pace otherwise. I ran between Fruit and a driveway into a condominimum community. I ran from one fire hydrant to the next. I ran from a tree to the corner. I was back by 6:35. According to Google Maps, at a walking pace the course should have taken 37 minutes.
When I was out there, I thought about my attitude toward running. I used to think that running feels like flying. How fun it was to speed along. But at some point between then and now (5th grade?), I began to think of running as a chore or even a punishment. I want to restore my childlike attitude and enjoy running once more.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
June 2nd Workout
I had planned to get up at 6:00 this morning and go out by myself while my husband and baby slept (or at least while Adam watched Charlotte since she is usually in sync with mommy and wakes when I do), but you know what they say about plans.
When I was getting Charlotte ready for bed last night I noticed a small pus-filled blister on her left index finger. Her whole finger was slightly swollen too. At 4:30 in the morning, I woke up with a start. Charlotte was burning up with fever. I took her temperature and it was 103! Her poor finger was twice the size and the blister took up most of her finger pad and was stretched to the limit with bloody pus. Adam called the advice nurse who told us to try to get her fever down with a sponge bath, and if it didn't go down within the hour to take her to urgent care or the ER. The sponge bath did reduce her fever in the short-term, but by the time an hour had passed it was back up to 102.7. With that combined with how awful her finger looked, a rash she had developed and her rapid breathing, we decided to take her to the ER.
At the ER they did minor surgery on her finger. First I was told they were just going to lance it to let out the pus, but the PA ended up needing to cut away a bunch of tissue. Her finger was dressed in gauze and wrapped in tape. I've had a hard time keeping it out of her mouth and keeping her from trying to rip off the bandage.
We got home from the ER around 8:00 with prescriptions for two antibiotics, Cephalex and Sulfameth. About 10 minutes after her first dose of each, she vomited all over my lap.
Needless to say, I didn't go into work.
In the afternoon, Charlotte's fever broke and she started showing signs of feeling better. We have to change the dressing on her wound tonight and I didn't have any gauze or tape. There is a Walgreens 0.8 miles from my house (about 15 minutes walking) so I thought I would do my 30 minute workout for today and do an errand at the same time.
Pushing the stroller with a 17 lb baby and a who-knows-how-heavy diaper bag and purse made for a great workout even while walking at a brisk pace, and it got even more intense as I walked up Cabrillo due to the tree roots that push up the sidewalk and make steep little hills every few feet.
I feel good if a little tired from my early morning and all-day marathon nursing to comfort and heal Charlotte.
When I was getting Charlotte ready for bed last night I noticed a small pus-filled blister on her left index finger. Her whole finger was slightly swollen too. At 4:30 in the morning, I woke up with a start. Charlotte was burning up with fever. I took her temperature and it was 103! Her poor finger was twice the size and the blister took up most of her finger pad and was stretched to the limit with bloody pus. Adam called the advice nurse who told us to try to get her fever down with a sponge bath, and if it didn't go down within the hour to take her to urgent care or the ER. The sponge bath did reduce her fever in the short-term, but by the time an hour had passed it was back up to 102.7. With that combined with how awful her finger looked, a rash she had developed and her rapid breathing, we decided to take her to the ER.
At the ER they did minor surgery on her finger. First I was told they were just going to lance it to let out the pus, but the PA ended up needing to cut away a bunch of tissue. Her finger was dressed in gauze and wrapped in tape. I've had a hard time keeping it out of her mouth and keeping her from trying to rip off the bandage.
We got home from the ER around 8:00 with prescriptions for two antibiotics, Cephalex and Sulfameth. About 10 minutes after her first dose of each, she vomited all over my lap.
Needless to say, I didn't go into work.
In the afternoon, Charlotte's fever broke and she started showing signs of feeling better. We have to change the dressing on her wound tonight and I didn't have any gauze or tape. There is a Walgreens 0.8 miles from my house (about 15 minutes walking) so I thought I would do my 30 minute workout for today and do an errand at the same time.
Pushing the stroller with a 17 lb baby and a who-knows-how-heavy diaper bag and purse made for a great workout even while walking at a brisk pace, and it got even more intense as I walked up Cabrillo due to the tree roots that push up the sidewalk and make steep little hills every few feet.
I feel good if a little tired from my early morning and all-day marathon nursing to comfort and heal Charlotte.
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