The 7-Day Itch

Well kids, it has been awhile. But it hasn't hit a month YET, so hey, I'm improving.

I'll start with this past week, bc my post title wouldn't make sense otherwise.

It has been one whole week between runs. See how dedicated I am? 7 days of no running.

Sunday 7/17: Irvine Mud Run! SO fun. It was a total blast. I ran the whole thing and did all the obstacles. My thighs were exhausted by the last 100 yards - which is where they decided to put all the deep puddles and slippery slopes. Highlight was wading in mud with the tailed hotness of Ted Stryker *swoon*. He beat me in the end - by a tail, as Miss Lisa would say. ;o)

I hope we do it again next year.

Psycho Mike would love my camel toe here.

On Monday I did strength with Travis and neglected my 1st conditioning run. Everything good and great there. On Tuesday, I was finally back to TKB. I pushed it as always after an hour of abs, back, and lunge work. Ahhh, then there's Wednesday. That was the worst day. I woke up so sore it was unbelievable. My left hamstring was incredible tight (ding!) and my right knee was acting up. I couldn't do any running that day either. I just stretched and tried some strength. But technically, I didn't do anything. Thursday, I had PT scheduled with Travis. It was a disaster! My muscles were shot. Trav quit early and Tiger Tailed my left thigh. It was heaven! He rolled out my tight muscles and I was able to play soccer! (two goals, thankyouverymuch!). Friday, I went to the fair, so no exercise there! Saturday I did an hour of strength . and then, SUNDAY, bloody Sunday, I was finally able to hit the pavement. I did my required 7 miles, and it was great. I paced mostly 9 minute miles, and I was barely winded when I finished. Nothing hurt. I was really proud of my success. I had expected to have to walk up Gilbert hill (last 1.5 miles is all uphill), but I was able to run up it no problem. Hooray!

Oh, and just for kicks, let's journey back...

I ran that Twin Lakes 5 miler on the 4th of July in Bridgeport, and I may as well announce it to the world of blog (a blatant disregard of the use of the word "blogosphere") that I most certainly did NOT win the race for my age division. I came in THIRD. Ugh. What a major disappointment. This was the most uncomfortable race I've ever run, for many reasons... one in particular I will not utter here for FEAR of spilling "too much in-fo-mation 'n shit, man!" But yes, it was over 80 degrees at race start, my shorts are chafe-city, and the first 2 miles are unshaded asphalt and I told myself to quite three times before I hit the other side of the lake. I was sorely tempted to accept that offer. But I persevered! I killed 2 minutes off last year's time (45:20) and fully expected to be #1. These bitches must've trained all year bc I was behind them by like 2 minutes! *groan*

Me in happier times, prior to the start of the race.

Now that we're all caught up, I'm heading out for the devil of all run workouts: HILL REPEATS! What am I thinking? It's like high school xc practice. Ugh.

So the plan is running a mile to the hill, then do 5 peats, then running the mile back. Should be a fun and exciting time.

This weekend, 9 miles. Check it.

You Say You Want a Revolution...

... the Barefoot Running Revolution, that is.

I have purchased two pairs of minimalist shoes, and let me tell you, after one run, I'm a fan.

Nike Free 3.0

Why I'm a fan...

Reason #1: They're cute. NOT pink. but still cute. I'm hoping for a pink one to come out soon so I can trade in.

Reason #2: They make my form impeccable. I'm forced to run on the balls of my feet - like I'm supposed to! - and they propel me forward with minimal effort, thus leaving more gas in the tank for longer miles. Double score!

Reason #3: They make me fast. See above. It's the same reasoning. I run so smoothly. I FLY. Ok, not really, but it feels like it.

Proof? I ran 5 incredibly difficult miles with Lise & Sky on Saturday morning (I blame the heat and pacing more than my lack of talent!). Then, on Sunday night, I ran a 5k very easily in my new shoes. I was barely winded, I ran two of the miles at 8 minute pace, AND I included a hill. I felt so good afterward. Those kinds of runs make me love the damn "sport."

Only drawback so far is that my calves have staged some sort of rebellion against this new style of running (I guess they are not fans?). They have seized up in protest. Walking up stairs was a feat of gargantuan proportions. Hopefully, this is only temporary resistance and they will embrace the barefoot movement as I have.

In other news... Travis tells me my shoulders are noticeably stronger. Well, that's great news, because when I'm in a bikini, my first worry is that my SHOULDERS don't look good. Gosh. Hey Trav, how about them love handles? The thigh jiggle? I still can't bounce a quarter off my ass. These are the real problems here, kid.

Next run will be a 4.5-miler Wednesday after PT. Actually, PTx2 because I have Physical Therapy, followed by Personal Training. I want to try the Frees again, but apparently you shouldn't go more than 2-3 miles the first few weeks. Ugh, I hate the idea of putting those clunky stabilizing shoes back on.

So, I have to run a 5-mile race in less than a week. WTF. I am so unprepared. Hence the required 4.5 miles on Wednesday. And then I leave for the Sierras early early Saturday, and need to run up there to acclimate to the altitude. Last year, I barely ran 10 minutes before I was practically collapsing. Then I waited 2 days and ran the race and won my age division in 47:something.

We are all hoping for a repeat performance. I told myself to cut off 2 minutes of last years time, but promptly ignored that all year until this week. Stupid injuries.

By the by... I know 9-minute miles are crap, but seriously, it's like 7,000 ft above sea level. Cut me some slack!

Even if I don't cross the line first, I still get Indian fry bread and a Jolly Kone raspberry marshmallow shake afterwards, so really, who's the loser?

Next post: Race results and the OFFICIAL START OF MARATHON TRAINING!

Personal training: it's new

i had my first PT session with travis today. apparently, my triceps and shoulders didn't get the memo. they are total weaksauce. i can NOT do pushups. or those weird shoulder pushups. wow. there were abs, biceps, mini sprints... dear god. and i felt bad because trav had this whole session planned out and my damn knee ruined it. he had to make it up on the fly. i appreciated the rests while he thought of new stuff though. =) so next sesh is wednesday. weeeeeee.

soccer news! i played for the first time in like 6 weeks last night! we played a super easy team and had a full squad so it was a nice transition. i even managed to score and assist. it's alllll comin' back. knee is still iffy. i'm scared to do more because it's still not 100% and i don't know why. the doc better figure it all out on tuesday. watch... something's torn now. grrrrr. i mean, it pops when i move it laterally, and clicks when i get up chairs, not to mention the constant dull ache and large muscle knot. that just ain't right... right?

update from my last post: that 4 mile run last week went along swimmingly. i actually made it 4.5. and i did do parks hill. slowly at first, and i had to rest at the intersection before phase II, buuuut i did it! and it hurt. not death-hurt, but normal run-hurt. so i was pretty happy about that.

running apparel!! i need it! i bought some UA running shorts yesterday. but seriously, all the good running shit is expensive! i need shorts that don't chafe, a sports bra that keeps in the ladies, and a breathable running shirt. although i might just run the damn marathon in my sports bra (by then, my PT should have given me flatter abs and NO love handles!!). and my running sneaks have just about had it. not to mention the fact that i want to try minimalist shoes just to see how it feels.

then there's the accessories. oh lord. i really need a good running watch. should i spring for that nike shoe thing that tracks my miles and times and all that jazz? and what am i supposed to do about holding protein and energy snacks? i hate putting things in pockets.

this post was so boring, *i* was falling asleep reading it. i'll try to be more witty next post, but hey, cut me some slack. my body is still recovering. tomorrow: tkb!!!

Competition Begins in 212 days

it's finally happened. i've changed the subtitle to my blog. huzzah.

ok, what's really happened is in march i decided to sign up for the disney world marathon. yes people, i've gone barking. i blame lisa.

this NEW and IMPROVED blog will (attempt) to showcase my training and all the drama that comes with it. technically, training doesn't start until july 4, but i'm starting the blog now because i know i won't post again until, ah, may-tember?

FAQs:

melissa, why are you running 26.2 miles?

BECAUSE I CAN!" if i can run 15, i can run 26." simple as that. and i've run 15. lisa inspired me. i only wish she could run with me. =(

melissa, why are you going to disneyworld to run this?

i can't think of a better place to torture myself. plus, i make a vacation out of it, and even if god forbid, i don't finish (please... we're finishing), i'm at disneyworld people. mum has promised me a churro no matter what.

melissa, how are you training for this?

3-day a week schedule starting july 4. i'm making my 4th of july 5 mile run in the sierras my tip off. i was 1st place last year, so i need to make it a back-to-back. the pressure!

ok i'm done answering questions. here is the lowdown lately:

i've been injured with this stupid knee thing for like 5 weeks so i haven't been running. last week i tried an easy 3-miler. eh, not so much the easy. i felt like i was going sooo slow. turns out, i was. i took me like 30 minutes. come on now.

then, last thursday, i tried again. i've been having some tough emotional problems, so i really wanted to push myself to pain. it worked! i ran 6 miles in the heat and almost died. well, almost fainted anyway. it was the toughest most grueling run i have done in a verrry long time. i could barely see straight, and on the 5th mile hill, i was going so slow, i was almost walking. the dehydration was incredibly taxing. my mom was pisssssssed...

today i am trying a 4-miler. but this time, i am waiting for the SUN to go away, and i am NOT doing hills. we'll see if i come back alive.

on a related note, it's like everyone and their mother is doing the LB half this year. WTF?

next post topic: running apparel! why i need to fork over hundreds of dollars on shoes, shorts, shirts, and other crap. spare watch, anyone?

Hit Me Baby, One More Time...

So, blog #2, like a million years later. I just can't get a good flow going with this "blog" thing. It's almost like I'd rather be *living* than *writing* about living. Weird...

Anyway, I wish I could post something truly incredible about my weight loss, but truthfully, I've hit a wall. Can't lose pounds or drop body fat anymore. I'm pushing myself with two-a-days, but it's clearly not enough for my body (to be clear, my two-a-days aren't like regular two-a-days. Mine consist of running 4-5 miles, then playing 1 or 2 games of soccer a few hours later).

And I'm trying to cut back on calories, but when you're pushing your body, it need nutrients! I can't DEPRIVE my body if it yearns for a cupcake! Or Yogurtland (btw, Root Beer Float flavor making an appearance at your local Yogurtland. I highly recommend a large cupful for maximum delicious effect).

Also I found recently found out that I have a new addiction a la cupcakes, only saltier. Tortilla chips & salsa. Now, I've always loved me some C&S, but when I devoured two basketfuls at On the Border the other night, I fully realized the detrimental effect this newfound addiction may have on my diet regime. This needs to stop now. Someone intervene. Help a sister out.

I have a few more injuries to welcome to the party. May I introduce Mr. Right Ankle Tendon ("he makes walking in heels unbearable!"), and Mr. Left Upper Thigh ("what a pain to get up off chairs!"). YAY! I don't know how I do these things, but I always just ignore them, run anyway, and hope they go away. They have met Mr. Stick, and I think it's going to be a match made in heaven.

Rereading this entry, I think I need to change the titles to "Miss Barfs Her Brain." I can't even put together a proper thought text flow. Good thing I spent all that time in writing classes for that JOURNALISM degree. Yeesh. May have well been a Comm Major (ooohhhh! burn to all comm majors!).

Back to fitness, the best I can say is that I'm holding steady at 120. Go me. And also, I need to do a long run really soon. I haven't gone past 6 miles in a few weeks. I need to visit Lisa to get a good run in.

BREAKING SOCCER NEWS!!!

I have been on a super scoring streak the last two weeks. I score every game, and I've had 3 hat-tricks, and two games where I've scored 4 goals per game. What's going on here? Oh thats right; I'm awesome!

And we beat that damn Rosary High Reunion team, thank God. Scored on a breakaway, one-on-one with the keeper. It was solid. And I made moves around all those RHS varsity girls. Who varsity now, bitch? (ok, slightly mean, but it felt good!)

Got a couple ("how many?" COUPLE!!) of tournaments coming up - San Diego and Vegas. *So* excited!

The gym was a nice change of pace this morning. Sunday mornings are officially tied with Friday nights as the best time to work out. NO ONE is there. I was able to monopolize the cross-train cable machine today. That never happens! I did some new moves from Self Magazine. A couple ("how many?" COUPLE!) worked really well, but some (the abs and glute ones - the ones I care most about) didn't really do much. Unless I shouldn't feel anything. But that doesn't seem right. Eh, I've got my new Fitness mag so maybe that will have some new ideas for next week.

Off to bake some almond-vanilla cupcakes! (Hey, man, they're reduced sugar, AND will be made with applesauce, ok????)

PS: This week it was discovered that Nicholas had never heard the words "kismet" and "wick" (as in moisture, not candle) before I came into his life. He's pretty...

First Time Ever I Saw Your Face*

it's the first post! how exciting!

let's recap about what this thing is about, shall we?

1) topics

a) health - diet & food

b) fitness - exercise, including but not limited to running, soccer, and the gym

c) goals - body: weight loss/managment, body fat percentage, water weight

fitness: half-marathon & marathon training, soccer scoring, weight lifting

d) fun - cuz the three topics above aren't, and...

e) random - thus is life.

2) rules

a) the rules are, there ain't no rules

3) for your information

a) there will be frequent quotes from random tv shows , movies (see rules 2a for an example), and certain KROQ morning shows sprinkled throughout every post. i use them in my everyday jargon, so get used to it

b) i welcome comments

c) ... but only positive ones (too much in-fo-mation and sh*t, man!)

now that that's over with, we can move on to more exciting stuff... like my weight loss!

*all blog post titles will be song/movie/tv shows titles, quotes and/or lyrics until i get extremely lazy, get a new stupid idea of a way to be creative on this thing, or can't find one to correlate with the topic. let the great experiment begin!!!