In To The Weekend

Happy Friday!
Have to post quick because pizza is a-waitin'.
I ran 7 miles recovery yesterday at a 9:10 pace, and I was soooooo sore from the CrossFit workout the day before. I'm still sore today!

I forced myself to the gym at 4:40 p.m. and ran 7.5 miles. 5 of those miles were at a tempo pace between 7:16 and 7:19 (about 36:25-36:35). It was tough, but I really needed to challenge my body after the week off.

Good news: I FINALLY GOT MY GARMIN 305. My hubby bought it for me for my birthday!

Tomorrow I work, so no running. Sunday I have my 13 miler.
Take care friends and God Bless!

Post CrossFit Jitters

My arms are shaking as I type this, and my legs are toast.
I think I'll be completely fried by tomorrow because of today's WOD.

3 rounds for time of 50 Thrusters and 35 pull-ups.
I did it in 24:49.
2 of the rounds of 50 thrusters w/ 30lb., last 50 w/ 20lb. (I got tired).
All 3 rounds of 35 pullups done w/ jumping or kipping.

Can't wait to sleep tonight!

Almost 100%

It's Wednesday and it has been a nice few days since I last posted. Monday I pushed the baby in the jogging stroller and we did an easy 4 mile run. It felt good to loosen up the legs and lungs a little. I hate telling people that I ran while still sick, so to those of you I told that I walked I apologize for the fib.

Yesterday I took the day off from running/exercise completely! Went to the dentist (and I need ANOTHER root canal), took the baby to get his immunization shots and then my hubby and I went to see my older son's musical recital. Second graders do it every year before school gets out. He was sooooo cute! Later hubby took me out for dinner and I chowed down on a chicken burger, garlic fries and 1-1/2 Bud Lights. Oh so good!

I worked it off today w/ a 6 miler, pushing the baby in the stroller again. The run included the following fartleks (speed intervals):
1 minute at a 6:40 pace
2 minutes at 6:27 pace
3 minutes @ 7:19 pace (slowed a lot, fighting some mental hurdles)
4 minutes @ 6:20 pace (felt better, but oh it hurt)
5 minutes @ 6:45 pace (sucking wind here too)

Tomorrow I do an easy 6-7 miles, and Friday I do 8 w/ 4-5 miles @ Tempo pace of 7:20-7:25.

I'll squeeze some CrossFit in there too. I love the upper body and core strength I've built up and don't want to lose it.

Be safe out there!

Start of the Week

It's a new week and unfortunately I'm still feeling a little under the weather. I'm trying to stay positive though. A part of me wants to go out there and run, but I have a feeling I'll regret it and that doing so will make this illness linger even longer. What a drag! Sorry, I had to have a mini pity party for a second.

Moving on... yesterday was a special day. The baby was baptised and our families celebrated with us. The priest was so great, even though the baby cried the entire time!

He said something that really sticks with me, "You're kids are your greatest gift, yet can be your biggest curse. But no matter what, I pray you get callouses as you get on your knees everyday in prayer for your children." Then he choked back tears and said, "Don't ever forget to pray for your children." If nothing else.

Here we are with my brother and his wife (the Godparents) on the right, and a bunch of our nieces and nephews. My daughter is holding the baby.

The kids all wanted to swim after the celebration. It was hot so the were in the pool for hours!

Here's the birthday cake my husband made for me. NOT! But it was still sweet that he surprised me with one after the baptism. He's da' bomb!

Okay, so tomorrow I will attempt a run. I'll let you know how it goes.
Blessings to everyone!

Thanks Everyone!

Thanks guys and gals for thinking of me. It has been tough being sick and in mourning, but all of it has made me count my blessings again and again, and to really let the people in my life know how much I love and cherish them.

I got to see some very dear and very missed childhood friends yesterday. I was sure to let them know how special they all are, and they did the same. Once again, Mario was bringing us all together to share memories and laughter, and also some tears (but we wiped them away quickly). We didn't think Mario would've wanted us to spend the time together crying. He would've much rather preferred us to be laughing, and so we did!

Tell those you care about how much you care! It all could be gone in just a split second.

Be safe friends!!!

38

That is the number of years I am today. I remember when 30 seemed really old to me, now I'm only 2 years shy of 40.

Still sick, but getting better. Pumping the antibiotics and cold medicines in to my system. I tried to run yesterday morning before getting ready for the viewing. I managed 2 miles before I started to feel woozy and light headed.

I'll be taking today and tomorrow off from running, but still doing sit ups and push ups. :-) This morning the kids and I went to our local track to cheer on the Cancer Survivors during the opening lap of the Relay For Life. My hubby's parents succumbed to Cancer about a year apart (2001 and 2002). My former mom-in-law also succumbed to cancer when I was pregnant with my oldest, in 1997. I plan to participate and raise funds for the American Cancer Society at next year's Relay.

Tomorrow, the baby gets baptized. Then we'll all come back here and have a BBQ & swim. Another hot day on tap.

Have a great weekend!

Strep Throat and Sinus Infection

Yup, that's what I got. My daughter had a positive throat culture for strep and I get my results back this morning, but I'm almost 100% sure that I have the same thing. Why? Because I feel like crap from head to toe.

Haven't run since Sunday. It was a nice, warm 11 miler. But it looks like I won't be out there for at least a couple more days. One week of not running won't hurt my training in the long run.

On a different note, I'll be attending Mario's viewing this Friday. It's going to be hard. I wish I had a picture of him to post here. I don't have a scanner either.

Everyone be careful out there running, biking, swimming, what have you. And try to stay healthy.

Weekend Happenings & Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you DADDIES out there!

I've got the baby on my lap as I type this. He's getting ready to go to bed and he's just snuggling up for a little nursing session.

Anyway, ran 3 miles with the running club on Saturday. I pushed the baby in the stroller and my older kids rode their bikes with us. They loved it once again. Afterward I took them to my favorite coffee shop for some yummy treats.

This morning after my dear hubby got home from work, I went on an 11 mile run at a nice easy pace. Ended up averaging 8:51/mile. I felt good except when it started to get too hot, I actually felt light headed and a little off balance. In 1 hour and 37 minutes, I chugged 40 ounces of fluids. It still was not enough. Shortly after getting home, we all headed into the pool and it was a very refreshing 86 degrees in there. NIIIIICE! My older kids just waded because they're a bit sick today. But the baby was all over the place with me.

I now feel a bad cold coming on. My daughter came down with a temp of 102 this morning, and I think I'm getting what she has. My older son is starting to get it too. I'll take it as God's way of telling me to slow down and rest a little. I need it.

WEEKLY MILES: 35

Friday Night

I'm posting late, it's been a busy day. This morning I chaperoned my 8 yr. old's field trip and it was so fun to be with him and the rest of the parents and kids.

I was so tired when I got home just before lunch. After we ate I crashed out for a nice, solid nap. Picked up the kids from school at about 3 and then went to the gym to run shortly afterward.

I warmed up for 2 miles, then ran 4.1 miles at Tempo in 30:16 (avg overall pace of 7:22) then 1 mile cool down, so 7 total. I needed it. It was a hard run and I felt tired, but it was therapeutic. I almost cried during the tempo run though, the exhaustion and sadness were getting to me. But I held it together and finished without a tear.

Just finished eating dinner w/ the family (we made tacos) and now going to get the baby ready for bed.

Tomorrow is a new day. Still waiting to hear on Mario's funeral arrangements. But I will take all three kids w/ me to running club at 8:00 and do a 3 miler. My older ones will ride their bikes and I'll push the baby in the jogging stroller.

TOTAL MILES: 7

OC Register News Article

"Capistrano bicyclist killed in Dana Point
A truck hits and kills a Capistrano Beach man on the on-ramp to the southbound I-5 in Dana Point, police say.
By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ and KIMBERLY EDDS
The Orange County Register

DANA POINT – A bicyclist riding along Pacific Coast Highway was killed in a collision with a truck early Wednesday, authorities said.

The accident occurred at 5:07 a.m. at the PCH on-ramp to the southbound I-5 freeway, California Highway Patrol Officer Denise Quesada said.

The bicyclist, Mario Scalise, 38, of Capistrano Beach, died at the scene.

Scalise was riding a Murray bicycle on the right shoulder of the road near the on-ramp, according to a CHP collision report.

The driver of the red 1986 Mazda truck, Jose Ortega of San Clemente, was approaching the on-ramp at about 55 mph and drifted toward the right shoulder, hitting the bike rider with the front end of the truck, Quesada said.

The rider hit the front windshield of the truck and the roof.

He landed on the right shoulder of the road.


Last year, four pedestrians and bicyclists were hurt or killed in collisions with vehicles on Coast Highway in Dana Point, a short distance from where the accident occurred Wednesday.

The city adopted a plan to spend $350,000 for a route protected by a concrete barrier, then considered a proposal to ban cyclists from the north side of a 1.5-mile stretch on Coast Highway between Palisades Drive and Camino Capistrano.

The ban was not adopted by the city.

Wednesday's accident occurred less than half a mile away from the stretch of road where that ban was considered.

Signs identify that stretch as being off-limits to both pedestrians and bicyclists.

CHP is still investigating the accident and looking to see if the bicyclist was riding in an area restricted for vehicles only, Quesada said."

Saddened

Can I share some bad news? My dear, childhood friend, Mario, was struck by a car yesterday during his bike ride and unfortunately did not survive. He was just 38. I went to JR high and Highschool with him, and we went through all our Catholic education together. Many many good memories of him. He was like a brother to me. I'm heartbroken, but okay. I remind myself that God's will has to prevail.

As far as running:
Yesterday I opted for stupidity and ran 3.2 miles in 101 degree heat at 3:15 p.m. I drank 16 oz. of water in the first 3/4 mile. It was so hot that I could only manage a 10:00/mile pace. I was dizzy for 2 hours afterward, even after rehydrating and eating. I wonder if it was a sign of something (related to Mario's accident).

This morning I put the baby in the jogging stroller at 7:30 and we did 4 miles together at an easy 9:00 pace. I just finished some core work: As many sets possible in 20 minutes of rotating through 15 tuck jumps, 15 burpees w/ full push up, 15 box jumps (used the 2nd and 3rd steps on my staircase) and 15 towel pull ups (threw a towel over my pull up bar and as I jumped off the ground, I see-sawed the towel to mimic rope climbing; one pull w/ each jump off the ground was all I could handle). I managed to complete 4 sets. It felt therapeutic and today I need that.I'm wiped out for the day, I think.

Please say a quick prayer for Mario and his family. Thank you friends. Be careful out there, please, and whether or not you're a believer I'm going to pray that God bless you!

A Little Background

I've been asked several times in the last couple of years about my running history so I thought I'd do a quick post to address that. Carolyn, this is for you!

I ran track and field my sophomore year in high school and did not enjoy it because I was not fast and finished last quite a bit. At the beginning of my junior year, a friend from track talked me into running Cross Country so I could get in shape for track. Well, I LOVED IT! The coach was so awesome and motivating. He was one of those coaches that you just wanted to do your best for. He didn't talk down to anyone, he supported even the slowest person on the team (sometimes me) and he was always there for us.

Our senior year we were so "together" as a team that we won our league championship meet, we won our section meet and we ran in the State meet, placing 7th! I went to college and stopped running but continued w/ fitness routines by teaching aerobics. However the partying and late night eating negated all the aerobics classes and I eventually weighed in near 150 (I'm under 5'5, so I looked a little on the thick side with that weight).

After college, I curbed the drinking and late night food binging and continued to teach aerobics. I lost the weight I had gained. When I started my new career in 2000, I got the running bug again. I began running road races for fun with some coworkers in 2002 and the rest is history. I've been hooked on running ever since. I trained for my first marathon in '03 after having gone through a very depressing and horrible divorce. When I finished that marathon, I bawled my head off at the finish line. I felt triumphant, like I could do anything! My life has been so enriched by running and I've not been depressed like that since.

God willing, I will continue to run and race because it's fun, challenging and rewarding. It's something I do JUST FOR ME! :-)

Sunday Run & Virtual Tuesday

I forgot to log my run on Sunday. It was an easy 6 miles accompanied by my 8 and 9 year olds on their bicycles. What a great time we had! I'm so glad they wanted to join me.

I rested Monday, no run, no CrossFit, just REST!

This morning I woke up at 6 and after drinking about 12 ounces of water I headed out for the track. I ran a 3 mile route there, and threw in 6 x 100 meter strides along the way after about 15 minutes of warm up jogging. I then stretched for a few minutes at the track before I did the prescribed distances for the first of 12 Virtual Races organized by the Masters Board on Runnersworld.com. Today was a 400m interval all out and then a 600m interval all out.
RESULTS: 400m @ 1:21.47; 600m @ 2:13.99. Both followed by recovery lap jog.

I felt the lactic acid build up in my upper body by the last stretch of the 400. And by the last stretch of the 600, I thought I was going to hurl. Thank goodness I didn't have breakfast first because it would've been on the track. I cooled down with a 3 mile easy run home.

Tonight I do 100 sit ups, some rolling on the foam roller and then stretch.

SUNDAY'S TOTAL: 6
LAST WEEK'S TOTAL MILES: 30

TODAY'S TOTAL: 7

MOJO

I love the Masters Board on Runnersworld.com. The runners there are so supportive, excellent, speedy runners, and just plain friendly. RGreen45 is one of the regular forumites there and he ran an incredibly difficult and hilly race today. He ran the same course last year, but this year he improved his time on the course by over 2 minutes, and won his Age Division! He trained hard, trained smart, took his easy days easy, and just thought POSITIVE. He had his MOJO going in full force! Way to go, Ray!

With all the MOJO floating around, I had to go out and find mine. Yesterday I made the attempt, and was successful! Thank God!

I ran 7 miles with the middle 5 at Tempo. I didn't really know what my true tempo pace was because I haven't raced since Boston, so I just decided to do what felt good. I was all over the place, thanks to the 80-degree temps at the time I went out.

The 5 mile Tempo RESULTS:
7:30, 7:15, 7:23, 7:33 (gettin' hot out), 7:05! Tempo time of 36:46 (avg 7:21 pace).

That last mile kinda threw me, but then again a FREAKIN' unleashed big dog came charging at me growling and barking, then changed his mind and took off the other way. UGH! I hate that! I was scared he'd catch me so I sped up.

But the good news is, I FOUND MY MOJO! Now go out and get yours! ;-)

YESTERDAY'S TOTAL: 7

I'm TIRED

Today was one of those "blah" days where I just couldn't get out of this funk. I've been feeling it for the last few days. Not really depressed, but kind of blue. Oh well, it happens I guess. When the baby went down for his nap, I forced myself to get into the pool and swim laps for 45 minutes. I was pretty much beat after 25 minutes, but hung in there for the last 20. I felt dizzy afterward, so I caught my breath and drank more water. I actually finished a 16 ounce bottle of water as I swam.

After I caught my breath I went into yesterday's CrossFit. I did 4 sets of 25 of the following 3 exercises: squats, sit-ups and push-ups. I alternated the exercises. It took me about 20 minutes to complete because I took my time. Like I said, I was tired! I feel the burn now though, everywhere. I hope I sleep good tonight. I need the zzzzzzzzzzz's.

G'nite.

A Day of Rest

I'm taking it easy today, I think. No running, but I might swim for 45 minutes later and then do yesterday's CrossFit workout: 100 push ups, 100 sit ups, 100 airsquats for time. I'm skipping the 100 pull ups that were a part of it because of the 120 I did on Monday, and because the calluses on my hands are horrible (ouch).

Ran 6 miles easy yesterday w/ the baby in the stroller. Tomorrow I do 8 total, 5-6 will be at Tempo pace. I can't wait to speed it up a bit, and I won't have to push the baby tomorrow. :-)

Have a nice Thursday!

WEDNESDAY'S TOTAL: 6

Torch Run for Special Olympics

I wish I had brought my camera along. What a great run and with some great people whom I have missed.

I ran a 5.3 mile leg of the Torch Run with about 35-40 coworkers and some Special Olympic Athletes who will, no doubt, do great at the games. I wish I took pictures of the event today. I pushed the baby in the jogging stroller and he was so good and had a great time.

We're home now and I need to eat.
Tomorrow is another day of running. :-)

Have a great night.

TOTAL MILES: 5.3

Monday CrossFit

CrossFit had "rest day" scheduled for today, so I did a modified version of yesterday's workout of the day. The WOD was 30 Muscle-ups for time. "If you cannot do the muscle-ups do 120 pull-ups and 120 dips." So that's what I did. I did jumping pull-ups and some kipping, along with modified dips because I don't have a dip rack. 120 of each, broken down into alternating sets of 10. I'm SURE I'll be sore tomorrow and the next day. I finished with 5 sets of 20 sit-ups. Yaaay! Time to recover.

Monday Monday

What a great weekend! I hope you all had fun as well. I took a day of rest on Friday, which was MUCH needed. By Saturday morning the soreness in my legs was gone. So I got on my running garb and headed out to meet with our city's local running club. I'm so glad I did! I ended up running 6 miles with 2 ladies around my age, and we finished at an 8:30 pace. Prior to that I had run 3 miles on my own, and then a mile back to my home afterward.

When I showed up, there was a group of over 20 runners standing there along with some of their kids on bicycles. It was so great to see so many people encouraging each other to run early on a Saturday morning. At the end of the run, I turned over my membership form and membership fee and I will be joining the group on regular runs now. I'm very happy to not have to go it alone all the time. And quite a few of them also ran Boston this year!

Saturday afternoon we had my son's birthday party and that was a lot of fun. I ate WAAAAY too much cake. Sunday I went to work and took another rest day from running. Today I will run 6 miles and do CrossFit, and tomorrow I run 8 with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics in our area.

LAST WEEK'S TOTAL MILES: 23
TODAY'S MILES: 6