"...In the end, people either have excuses or experiences; reasons or results; buts or
brilliance. They either have what they wanted or they have a detailed list of all the rational reasons why not."

~ Anonymous
(taken from Matt Erbele's, It Takes Time to Get Good)

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Thursday


Today
I had a good day with the cherubs today. Those have been a little rare lately, so I need to report when we have a fun, productive day where they quite possibly learned a little biology.

Exercise
Run Treadmill (41:50)
run 4 miles ( 10:27 min/mile pace)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (437 cal)

My legs were tired today. I was on them all day and the concrete floors wear them out. I need to try to sit more tomorrow.

Food
Breakfast
English Muffin & jam/coffee (155cal)
Snack
Powerbar/apple/banana (pre-run)/Powerbar (post-run) (520 cal)
Lunch (late)
Chevy's: Chicken Quesadilla/1/2 piece key lime pie (800 cal)
Snack(s)
none (0 cal)
Dinner
none (0 cal)
Snack
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal(150 cal)

Total calories in: 1625 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 437 cal

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Wednesday


Wednesday
Long Day. This semester I teach at State on Wednesday nights until 10 pm. I get up at 4 am because I start to teach high school at 7 am, with students arriving usually by 6:45am so I need to be there early and get myself organized.

Tonight was the first class for State and seems like I have a fun group of kids, so hopefully it will be a good semester. I teach a pre-nursing physiology lab class. It is a fun topic and I get to talk about gross stuff, which makes me exceedingly happy. I am a truly a biology geek at heart.

Exercise
None. Rest Day

Food
Breakfast
English muffin & jam/coffee (155cal)
Snack
Power Bar (200 cal)
Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada/yogurt & cereal (410 cal)
Snack(s)
sl. wheat bread w/ margarine/JC Cheese Curls (260 cal)
Dinner
Bean & cheese burrito (500 cal)
Snack
None (0 cal)

Total calories in: 1525 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Coming Clean about my eating...

Stress, stress, stress. I have so much to do and NO desire to do any of it. I just want to go hide. Well, actually I want to run, workout, take naps with my dog and cats, go to dinner and watch movies with my husband and generally avoid all persons under the age of 25. Why can't anyone pay me to do that?

I am eating out WAY too much and allowing WAY too many indulgences.

Must. Stop. Now.

Dude, I seriously can't train for a marathon and GAIN weight. How embarrassing would that be?!

Especially since, in the not-so-distant past I have trained for a triathlon and gained weight.
I have already proven that it is quite easy for me to consume WAY more calories than I can burn even during heavy exercise. For a little person I can pack away some serious food.

Tuesday: Exercise
Run Treadmill (28:50)
Ran 3 miles (9:36 min/mile)
HR monitor: Calories burned: 315 cal

I have shorter runs planned today and Thursday because I have the 30K (18.7 miles) this weekend. I need to keep my legs loose, but not kill them before the long run.

Tuesday: Food
Breakfast

English Muffin w/jam/coffee (155 cal)
Snack

Power Bar (200 cal)
Lunch

JC Cheesy Enchilada (260 cal)
Snack(s)

2 Nutri grain bars (260 cal)
Dinner

Red Robin: Chicken Caesar wrap/side salad (500 cal)
Snack

Chocolate Cake (500 cal)

Total calories in: 1875 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 315 cal

Yesterday: No exercise rest day, Food fest! I didn't even want to report this
Monday: Food
Breakfast
English Muffin w/jam/coffee (155 cal)
Snack
Power Bar (200 cal)
Lunch
Sushi: Golden Bell Roll/Tamago/Age dashi tofu(900 cal)
Snack(s)
dried mango/sl. Wheat bread w/ margarine (250 cal)
Dinner
Red Lobster (birthday dinner for former student): Oiy! I honestly don’t want to think about it (1200 cal)
Snack
I could barely move much less eat (0 cal)

Total calories in: 2705 cal (Ouch!)
Total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Super productive Sunday


Today
I was a busy bee today. I had to get my life in order at home. I started my day by avoiding the gym. I looked around my house and decided it needed to come first today. I told myself I would go swim if I got everything at home done. So I went to my Sunday morning meeting, came home and did all the laundry including all animal bedding (no small order with a dog, 5 cats, and 2 rabbits), I cleaned the house and all animal cages, washed all their bowls and place mats, sorted my nightstand books (the pile has gotten ridiculous. I have a book addiction. My husband made the rule that I have to donate a book before I buy a book. I break this rule ALL THE TIME.) and created piles of books to be returned to their owners and books to be donated, packed some returns from internet orders gone wrong, and after a brief nap I went to the gym to swim! I am quite proud of myself. Not only did I fulfill my promise to swim once a week I swam 750 yards instead of the 500 yards I had planned.

Unfortunately, I am not done yet. I have some final grading to get done before grades are due tomorrow morning and then I have to plan my lessons for tomorrow.

Exercise
Swim (20:56)
Swim 750 yds.
Total calories burned (198 cal)

Food
Breakfast
2 pcs. wheat toast w/margarine/coffee (240 cal)
Snack
1/2 pc. chocolate cake (200 cal)
Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada (260 cal)
Snack(s)
sl. wheat bread w/margarine (120 cal)
Dinner
JC Carbonara (260 cal)
Snack
1/2 pc. chocolate cake/yogurt w. 1/4 c. cereal (350 cal)

Total calories in: 1430 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 198 cal

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Race Report : San Juan Mission 10 Miler and first 2-Run day


San Juan Mission 10 Miler (1:43:19) 10:20 min/mile pace. HOLY COW!
Today was the 25th anniversary of the he Hollister Rotary Club Mission 5K and 10 Miler. My run buddy is sick and canceled on me for this morning so I decided, what the hell! I will go to San Juan and do the 10 miler in the rain vs. running by myself in the rain. Fortunately, despite the forecast, the weather was GORGEOUS, not a drop of rain and perfect running temp of 52-55 degrees.

My race kit is pictured to the left. Race t-shirt, red number (oops! 10 milers were supposed to be wearing blue), RBR bag with my new green Marmot Rain proof run jacket. Then, barely visible under the t-shirt is my run belt equipped with iPod, camera, water, pouch with Gu, sport beans and Kleenex. The belt is shown perched atop the box of lab reports I should be grading instead of doing this race, but oh well! In back is my cooler with ice packs for my knees post race.

I was nervous about going to the race by myself, but I went. I felt a little self conscious and promptly accidentally registered for the 5 k instead of the 10 miler. I was a little over an hour early, but I didn't realize that I had the wrong color number until about 20 minutes before the 10 Miler start. They tried to fix it for me, but I ran with the wrong color number (this made for confusion at the finish line chute when they kept trying to get me to run into the 5K chute) Therefore, you may see me listed on the site with a 1 hour 43 minute 5K. So please, when your friends point and laugh, say "I know her, she actually did the 10 miler. She's slow, but not that slow".


The race was very small (many said much smaller than previous years, which I am sure was due to the weather forecast which called for cold, heavy rain and gusting winds) but well organized and very friendly. The Rotary Members running the check in were funny and sweet. The course was a predominately flat, out and back with one small loop in the return. There was one "significant" hill that was about 1.4 mile long, but had several places it leveled off to give you a break, so all in all a pretty easy course. They closed the roads so you were able to avoid the sloped sides of the road, which my knee appreciated. The farmland was a beautiful backdrop. I will definitely do this run again.


Exercise (2-Run day)

First Run: San Juan Mission 10 Miler (1:43:19)
run 10 miles ( 10:20 min/mile pace. Holy Cow! WAY faster than I expected)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (1110 cal)

Second Run: Treadmill (54:43)
run 5 miles (10:56 min/mile pace)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (559 cal)

I was concerned that this second run would seriously suck. My legs were a little confused at first, like "hey, we did this already today", but I took it a little slower than usual and I felt pretty good for the whole run. Tomorrow I will swim. I am doing another small swim to get back into it. 500 yds. (20 lengths) this time.

Food
Breakfast
JC French Toast/coffee (250 cal)
Snack
none (0 cal)
Lunch
Chevy's with Mom: Chicken Fajitas/diet coke (1200 cal)
Snack(s)
banana (70 cal)
Dinner
JC Chicken Carbonara (270 cal)
Snack
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)

Total calories in: 1940 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 1669 cal

Friday, January 25, 2008

Friday

Date Night
Tonight hubby and I went to Body Worlds 2 at the Tech Museum of Innovation.

It. Was. Amazing.

If you get an opportunity, go, DO NOT MISS IT. The one pervasive thought I was left with after viewing the exhibit is . We are meat. We are AMAZINGLY magical pieces of meat, but we are meat. It is this reality that makes biology so fascinating to me. Each second an organism's body performs hundreds of synchronized actions without so much as a second thought from the organism. Even complicated (I will not say advanced, because sometimes I don't think we are very advanced) creatures like us humans, can not begin to contemplate the endless number of calculations and adjustments that the body makes each minute just to keep us alive.

Anyhoo.. it was great and I needed to have a night with hubby to distract myself from myself and remind me how lucky I am to have him in my life. Smoochies to Mr. RBR. He doesn't read or know about this blog, but virtual smoochies anyway. He puts up with an amazing amount crap from me. Next month it will be 17 years of my psycho crap to be exact.

Mood Issues
Wintertime Blues are upon me, but it is so much better than last year at this time. Last January, I was at an emotional low point. My run buddy even pointed out that I am so much happier this year. She said she was very concerned by my mood and behavior last year. I have to think the running this winter (I did not run AT ALL last winter. I think I logged 4 miles in all of January 2007, and this year I have 85.8 already) and watching what I eat (
ok, somewhat/trying/... well, alright, at least it is not the fucking free-for-all of last January) is responsible for this difference.

Exercise
None. Rest Day
HR monitor: Total calories burned (0 cal)

I have my two run day tomorrow. It is supposed to rain like hell, so I bought a rain run jacket. This should be exciting.

Food
Thursday:
Total calories in: 1645 cal
Total calories burned in exercise: 454 cal

Friday:
Breakfast
JC French Toast & banana/coffee (320 cal)
Snack
none (0 cal)
Lunch
Mimi's Cafe w. Mom: 1 cup Corn chowder/1/2 Tuna Salad sandwich (640 cal)
Snack(s)
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)
Dinner
Date Night: Okayama's (Absolute Best Japanese Restaurant in San Jose, CA) Beef Teriyaki Dinner w/ all the fixin's ( around 1000 cal)
Snack
none (0 cal)

Total calories in: 2110 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Thursday


In five weeks I am going to run a marathon. Holy shit. I do not feel ready for that.

Exercise
Run Treadmill (40:45)
run 4 miles (10:11 min/mile pace)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (454 cal)

My quads were still tired and I need them to be ok for Saturday, so I cut it off at 4 miles instead of 5. Plus, the quesadilla I ate for lunch was coming back to visit and making my run uncomfortable.

Food
Breakfast
English muffin & jam/coffee (155 cal)
Snack
JC French Toast & banana/coffee (320 cal)
Lunch
Chevy's: Chicken Quesadilla (600 cal)
Snack(s)
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)
Dinner
JC Mac and Cheese (250 cal)
Snack
JC Chocolate Cake (170 cal)

Total calories in: 1645 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 454 cal

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Wednesday


Today
I ate, and ate, and then I thought I would eat some more.

Exercise
none. Rest Day
HR monitor: Total calories burned (0 cal)

Food
Breakfast
English muffin & jam/coffee (155 cal)
Snack
JC French Toast & banana/coffee (320 cal)
Lunch
Togo's Turkey Sandwich (no mayo, no cheese) (400 cal)
Snack(s)
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal/sl. wheat bread w. margarine (280 cal)
Dinner
Bean & Cheese Burrito (500 cal)
Snack
White Cake w/ strawberries/yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (550 cal)

Total calories in: 2205 cal (Whatever)
Total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Tuesday


Work/School
We are in the homestretch for the first semester. It is finals week. I have tons of grading and then I start back at my classes tomorrow. I can't say that I am excited. I feel like I need a break. I wish I wasn't teaching this semester at State, but it helps a lot with the tuition. Oh well, it will get done. It always does, one way or another.

Exercise

Treadmill Run (40:50)
ran 4 miles ( 10:13 min/mile pace)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (415 cal)

My quads are pretty tired. I wanted like hell to stop at 2 or 3 miles, but my knee was fine and I need to keep my weekly miles up so I kept going. I am taking a rest day tomorrow and I reduced my Thursday run to 5 miles since I have to do two long runs on Saturday. I am doing 10 miles in the morning and then 5 miles in the afternoon. A coach recommended this since I am increasing my mileage pretty quickly.


Food
Breakfast
English muffin & jam/coffee (155 cal)
Snack
2 Nestle Crunch miniatures/JC French toast/coffee (350 cal)
Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada/sl. wheat bread w. margarine (400 cal)
Snack(s)
Power bar (190 cal)
Dinner
Salad w. JC Dressing/JC Chicken Carbonara (390 cal)
Snack
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)

Total calories in: 1605 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 415 cal

Monday, January 21, 2008

Monday: Honor the memory - MLK Jr.





We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
-Martin Luther King Jr.








Exercise

Spin Class (1:00:00)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (525 cal)

I went, I went, I went. Yay me! The instructor was very nice and helpful. Unfortunately, the YMCA is canceling this class as well (Am I a curse?) but, I did meet a very nice lady who recommended a yoga class on Tuesday nights. So maybe I will try it out after my Tuesday run.

Food
Breakfast
JC French Toast & banana/coffee (320 cal)
Snack
none (0 cal)
Lunch
Sushi: Golden Bell Roll/Tamago/Diet coke (700 cal)
Snack(s)
Power Bar (200 cal)
Dinner
JC Mac & Cheese (250 cal)
Snack
Choc. cake (not JC the real kind)/Yogurt & cereal (450 cal)

Total calories in: 1830 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 525 cal

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Sunday

Today
Tired and sore. Those are the words of the day. I apparently used lots of muscles yesterday that I normally don't use when I run.

Exercise
Swim (12:15)
swam 400 yds. (16 lengths of the pool)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (~ 100 cal)

Very short swim, but I just wanted to get back into the water. This is the first swim I have done since the Pacific Grove debacle. It was fine. I just don't like the swim. I am going to look into a case fro my iPod that will allow my to listen to music while I swim. I have to wear ear plugs anyway.

Food
Saturday:
Total Calories in: 1750 cal
Total Calories burned in exercise: 1230 cal

Sunday:
Breakfast

JC French Toast & banana (320 cal)
Snack
1/2 power bar (pre-swim) (80 cal)
Lunch
Southwest Chicken Salad/corn bread (500 cal)
Snack(s)
French Vanilla Instant coffee (80 cal)
Dinner
JC Chicken Carbonara (260 cal)
Snack
JC Chocolate Cake (170 cal)

Total calories in: 1410 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: ~100 cal

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Pacifica Trail Run 2008

Holy Cow! What a run!

Totals
Distance: 12.8 miles (21K)
Time for Run: (3:01:10)
Total Elevation
gain: 3,310 ft. (according to my Garmin)
Pace: 14:09 min/mile (MUCH better than I expected!)


We arrived in Pacifica and the weather was beautiful, but COLD. My run buddy and I sat waiting in the car (we got there about 1 hour early. This is typical for us) and as people started to arrive I noticed one thing, they all looked pretty hardcore. I began to get that sinking feeling that I was going to be last today. Upside is that there was a 30K run and 50K run being held at the same time, that way at least I would come in before those people and the volunteers wouldn't be stuck wondering where the hell I was.

The race started in the parking lot of San Pedro Valley County Park and as its name suggests it was in a valley so we immediately started the ascent. The pre-race briefing told us that the 21,30, and 50K runners' first loop would take us up, up, and up until you cannot go up anymore. Well, at least he is not a liar. The trail was steep and rocky. Later in the race I saw several of the hardcore runners with bloody knees from falling on the treacherous terrain.

The views were extraordinary. I was too afraid to look most of the time because taking your eyes off the trail ahead of you, even for a second, could end in disaster. I did take the opportunity to snap a few photos.















When I finally reached the top I was amused to see that the radio tower my run buddy and I had joked about in the morning WAS where I had to run to. The first climb to the tower was about 3.5 miles all up hill. I was never so happy to see a radio tower in all my life. This picture was taken by the hottest 66 year woman I have ever met. She has been running for 30 years

and does ultra-marathons (runs over 26.2 miles) she was doing the 50 K today. Her name was Barbara and we ran down the hill for about a mile together. I was grateful for the expertise and company she gave me. VERY inspiring.

The descent on this loop was pretty technical and I had to be really careful to 1. not fall and break my neck and 2. not hurt my knee. I was successful on both parts. (At least I hope was successful with 2. I am icing the knee and I am going to rest it tomorrow and Monday.)


I felt like I was on top of the world during the descent and at 7 miles I was downright euphoric. Wait, I had felt this way before, right before I bonked on my 20 miles run, must eat. So I did. I never bonked and felt pretty good for the whole run.

The second loop was 9.3 K and had two climbs the first was not as bad as the second. The second climb felt like it would never end, but the descent was glorious. I finished in 3:01:10. I really was concerned it may take me 4 or more hours with all the miles of uphill and technical descents.









I have to say I am feeling pretty damn good at the end. The race was very well organized the volunteers were very nice and I will definitely do it again.





Friday, January 18, 2008

Fabulous Friday

Today
I think the hormone fog is lifting and the good news is that no teenagers were harmed in the process. A few near misses, but all students in my care accounted for. I have my trail run tomorrow. My asthma is acting up so I am using my nebulizer and hoping for the best. If all else fails it will be a hell of a hike!

Exercise
None. Rest day
HR monitor: Total calories burned (0 cal)

Food
Breakfast
English muffin & jam/coffee (155 cal)
Snack
JC French Toast/coffee (250 cal)
Lunch
Spaghetti w/marinara (lunch portion)/5 soft breadsticks (yikes!)(1150 cal) Whoa! Damn breadsticks!
Snack(s)
none. (0 cal) Really, after a 1150 calorie lunch do I need a snack?
Dinner
JC Mac and Cheese (260 cal)
Snack
JC Cheese curls/Yogurt & 1/4 cereal/JC Chocolate cake (440 cal) Because...uh, ... I got nothin'. I just kept eating.

Total calories in: 2255 cal (Oops!)
Total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal
(I have noticed a trend, the days I don't work out I eat more. Hmmm... food for thought. Ha! "Food" for thought! Sorry, it is completely involuntary. I think they call it pun-itis, or maybe pun-emia. I'll stop.)

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Thursday

Today
Not much nicer yet. Hopefully soon.

Exercise
Treadmill Run (48:50)
run 5 miles (9:46 min/mile pace)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (525 cal)

Although I was very happy with my pace, my asthma was acting up. I think I am fighting off a small cold, but any respiratory inflammation goes straight to my chest and triggers my asthma. I had a hard time on the run and a hard time recovering from the run.


Food

Breakfast
English muffin & jam (155 cal)
Snack
JC French Toast (250 cal)
Lunch
Power Bar (pre-run)/ banana (post run) (260 cal)
Snack(s)
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)
Dinner
Red Robin: Chicken Caesar Wrap/side salad/diet coke (500 cal)
Snack
JC Cheese curls/JC Chocolate cake (300 cal)

Total calories in: 1615 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 525 cal

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Wednesday


Today
I am a pre-menstrual mess. I am being a bitch and WAY to sensitive. I seriously need to lighten up before I have no friends and am divorced.

Exercise
None. Rest day
HR monitor: Total calories burned (0 cal)



Food

Breakfast
English muffin & jam/coffee (155 cal)
Snack
1/2 Luna bar/ JC French Toast/coffee (330 cal)
Lunch
Sushi: Golden Bell Roll/Tamago (700 cal)
Snack(s)
2 pc. of chocolate (80 cal)
Dinner
Rojo's: small Bean and cheese burrito (450 cal)
Snack
none (0 cal)

Total calories in: 1715 cal (Whatever.)
Total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

PR on the treadmill


Exercise
Run treadmill (38:17)
run 4 miles (9:34 min/mile pace. Holy cow!)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (421 cal)

This is my fastest 4 mile run to date. This is also the fastest pace I have EVER had for a run of ANY distance. Can I get a BOO YAH?! I don't know if PRs (personal records) really count on the treadmill, but I am pretty excited that I had a pace under 10 min/mile. One of my goals is to run a 10K and then a half-marathon at a 10 min/mile pace. Today was the first time I felt like maybe I can get there.

Food
Breakfast
English muffin & jam/coffee (155 cal)
Snack
JC French Toast/coffee/2 pcs. choc. covered caramel (350 cal)
Lunch
JC Mac & Cheese/sl. wheat bread w/ margarine (360 cal)
Snack(s)
Instant coffee (vanilla flavored) (80 cal)
Dinner
Salad w/ JC dressing & croutons/JC Turkey Dinner(420 cal)
Snack
JC Chocolate cake(170 cal)

Total calories in: 1535 cal
Total calories burned from exercise: 421 cal

Monday, January 14, 2008

Monday, whoa.


Today
Whoa, I am a little tired today. My legs feel pretty good, but I just feel tired. I am glad it is a rest day. My run buddy helped me with my iPod so that I will have good run music for Saturday's run. I am more than a little freaked out about a 13 miles run with serious hills. I have a little camera pouch so I am going to take my camera and try to get some pictures.


Exercise
Rest day. Thank God!
HR monitor: Total calories burned (0 cal)

Food
Breakfast
English muffin & jam/coffee (155 cal)
Snack(s)
granola bar/JC French toast/coffee (had to eat a granola bar during class before my low blood sugar resulted in the death and dismemberment of several teenagers. The Board of Education and the state of California frown on that.) (375 cal)
Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada (260 cal)
Snack(s)
Sushi w/ friend: Golden Bell Roll/Tamago (Ok,enough, time to reign it in.) (700 cal)
Dinner
JC Turkey Dinner/sl. wheat bread w/ margarine (380 cal)
Snack
Yogurt w/ 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)

Total calories in: 1920 cal (Lordy. Hormone munchies combined with zero self control)
Total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal

Sunday, January 13, 2008

What the hell is 'cyclates'?


Today I had my ass handed to me on a silver platter

Exercise
Cyclates: Spin Class (50:00) Pilates (20:00)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (580 cal)

I wasn't sure if I should go to the Cyclates class (that is what the Y calls it) this morning after the 11 mile run yesterday, but I decided to go. I promptly regretted that decision, and proceeded to get my ass handed to me for 50 minutes. Thank God she stopped at 50 minutes. I had to sit down and turn down my resistance several times to rest. My quads were screaming! After that was the pilates part of the class. I only stayed for 20 minutes of the class because I had to go meet a friend, but that was plenty.

Food
Breakfast
JC French Toast/coffee (250 cal)
Snack
Lindt chocolate ball (78 cal) (Whoa! One little chocolate!)
Lunch
Oatmeal/2 pieces toast (dry)/coffee (400 cal)
Snack(s)
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)
Dinner
Taco Bell: Crunch Wrap Supreme/taco (730 cal)
Snack
White cake (310 cal)

total calories in: 1783 cal (Yikes, the slippery 'bad meal' slope. One planned night turns into 2)
total calories burned from exercise: 580 cal

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Boo - FREAKING - Yah!


Exercise
Run LSR on park trail (2:03:44)
ran 11 miles (11:14 min/mile pace Whoa, much better than the 12:00 min/mile I was shooting for)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (1141 cal)

Great run today. I was seriously dreading it and I put it off as long as I could (I didn't start running until noon) but the weather was PERFECT. Sunny, about 58-60 degrees, beautiful! A really great thing came out of today's run. I am beginning to believe I can really do this. By "this" I mean train for the marathon by myself. I didn't have anyone waiting for me at the beginning of the trail waiting to start, I didn't have anyone that would know if I turned around and did fewer miles, and I did it, I did all of it. Boo -Freakin' -yah! (the picture is representative all the duck butts I saw today on the trail. I love duck butts. They make me happy)

Weigh In
I went to JC today and my weigh in was exactly the same as last week. Frustrating, considering how conscientious I was this week. However, my weigh in for last week was BAN on my home scale, not the f%$#ing Jenny Craig scale, which I am convinced HATES me. Also considering the sheer mass of Christmas cookies I consumed over the break, it is not that bad.

RBR - Shelley's 10K
We have made a decision! The 10K we are going to run together is the Sacramento Zoo Zoom on April 13. It fit the criteria: 1. has a cool name 2. most likely will have a cool t-shirt 3. FLAT 4. held in April.

Food
Breakfast
JC French Toast/coffee (I am back, baby!) (255 cal)
Snack
Almonds & snack pack dried plums (150 cal)
Lunch
JC Mac & Cheese (250 cal)
Snack(s)
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)
Dinner
Taco Bell: Crunch Wrap Supreme (560 cal)
Snack
German Chocolate cake (490 cal)

total calories in: 1855 cal
total calories burned from exercise: 1141 cal

Friday, January 11, 2008

Friday

Today
Better today. Thank you to all of you that left kind comments and to those of you who stopped by but didn't know what to say, I totally understand. What can you say about something like this? School is consumed with the loss and I am going to keep this about weightloss, health, and learning to take care of myself. That sounds seriously selfish, but it is what it is.

So, back to our regular programming...


It is Friday. Whoo hoo! I am looking forward to having two days off. Mission Impossible made for a long week, and I will enjoy a break. My hubby is going to Monterey and my run buddy is going to Tahoe, so I guess I am soloing it this weekend. After my 11 mile run tomorrow I foresee a serious slugfest this weekend!

Exercise
none. rest day
HR monitor: Total calories burned (0 cal)

11 mile run tomorrow Yikes! I don't know why but I am seriously dreading the run tomorrow. I think that is why I but the bullet and signed up for the 13 mile trail run. I need to run some different places, and unfortunately, with some different people. My run buddy isn't really running much and, other than a mile here or there, I run alone now. I know it is unrealistic to think we will run all of our runs together, but this feels like the end of an era. We started this together over 2 and half years ago, so it is a little sad. We are still great friends and I know we will do events and training together, it is just won't be ALL of our training and ALL of our events, like in the past.

Weigh in
I am actually going to go weigh in tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes.

Food
Breakfast
English muffin & jam/coffee (155 cal)
Snack
(1) 1/2 Cliff Bar (Had to only eat half. Damn thing has 200 calories!)/coffee/(2) almonds & snack pack of dried plums (285 cal)
Lunch
JC Chicken Fettuccine/apple (315 cal)
Snack(s)
salad w/ JC dressing & croutons (150 cal)
Dinner
JC Turkey Dinner (270 cal)
Snack
yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)

total calories in: 1140 cal
total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Thursday


Rough day. I don't really want to go into details, but the quick version is that a former student was killed in a car crash Tuesday night. She used to come to my room during breaks to bottle feed my cat Autumn when she was a baby back when I had to bring her and her brother to school. That is why I put a picture of Ms. Autumn up in her honor. I am going to leave it at that.

Exercise
Run treadmill (1:02:44)
run 6 miles (10:27min/mile pace)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (655 cal)

Food
Breakfast
English muffin & jam/coffee (155 cal)
Snack
Granola bar/coffee (2) almonds & snack pack of dried plums (315 cal)
Lunch
HM Turkey sandwich (wheat bread, mustard and turkey only) (300 cal)
Snack(s)
Apple pie (410 cal)
Dinner
JC Cheesy Enchilada (260 cal)
Snack
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)

total calories in: 1590 cal
total calories burned from exercise: 655 cal

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Mission POSSIBLE!


Today
It is done! Done, done, and done!

The inspection went very well and I am so over the whole damn thing. My legs, back, and neck are very sore from all the manual labor, so I hope I don't have a tough run tomorrow.

To be filed under: Holy Crap! What the hell have I done?
I registered for the Pacifica Trail 21km (13 miles) on Jan. 19th. It is the day I have a 13 mile long run scheduled, but this a trail run with A LOT of elevation gain (2,930 ft) to be exact. Holy shit. I need to branch out in my long runs and do some different things. I love my little paved trail, but it will get pretty boring if I try to do all my runs on it. We'll see. I have that nervous/sick feeling in my stomach.

BTW, Shelley and I are looking at 10K's for late March or April. When we decide on one we will let you know! She will have finished the race, gone home to shower, had her nails done, and come back before I finish, but technically we are doing it "together." LOL

Exercise
None Rest Day
HR monitor: Total calories burned (0 cal)


Food

Breakfast
English muffin w/ jelly/coffee (155 cal)
Snack
Granola Bar/banana (200 cal)
Lunch
Luna Bar/almonds & snack pack dried mango (325 cal)
Snack(s)
none (0 cal)
Dinner
Sushi: Golden Bell Roll/Tamago/Diet Coke (700 cal)
Snack
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)

total calories in: 1530 cal
total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Finished!


Today
Last day for Mission Impossible the inspection is tomorrow morning. Halle-freaking-lujah!

I went and did my run ( I was NOT going to let this damn project mess with my training) and then went to the hospital for another 5 hours of manual labor. I had to do some book work for the first hour and a half so I am going to record it as 500 calories. I just think the calories burned calculator is a little high at 830, but I worked hard and I want some credit for it in my calories burned for today. I couldn't go to the strength class because I was at the hospital working. I also missed the damn PTSA meeting, where I was going to grovel for money. Damn, damn, damn! I really wanted to get one of their mini grants. It is easier than writing a grant, you just go and present. I can be pretty convincing when I grovel for money for my students. I have never been turned down for a mini grant.

Oh well. At least the stupid thing is done! I have to go one last time to stand for part of the inspection and then I am out!

Exercise
Run treadmill (41:20)
run 4 miles (10:20 min/mile pace)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (415 cal)

Tough run today. I looked at the treadmill screen and was shocked.horrified to see i had only gone 0.5 miles. It felt like a long run. I think i was feeling the effects of working so hard at the hospital. My back in tweaked, my legs, arms and neck are all sore and stiff. It was of those runs you do because you are supposed to not because you feel good.

Food
Breakfast
English Muffin w/ butter/coffee (155 cal)
Snack
Luna Bar (morning)/coffee/almonds & snack pack of dried mangoes (pre-run) (365 cal)
Lunch
1/2 Togo's turkey sandwich/banana (295 cal)
Snack(s)
Togo's Peanut butter cookie (They put the f&%$ing things right on the counter! Then ask, "is that all for you?" " No, I take a goddamn cookie, you cookie pusher! Sorry... I digress) (360 cal)
Dinner
Other 1/2 Togo's turkey sandwich (225 cal)
Snack
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)

total calories in: 1550 cal (I will never eat only 1200 calories. I am obviously constitutionally incapable)
total calories burned from exercise: 915 cal

Monday, January 7, 2008

Monday: Back to reality, bummer.


Today

It was actually kind of nice to see the cherubs today. That is the sign of a good break, when you actually like them again. We will see how long that lasts!

I had to go back to Mission Impossible and did 5 more hours of hard cleaning and physical labor. Moving tons of boxes reorganizing getting rid of crap that should have been thrown out LONG ago.

Just a little clarification, I am going all this at my old job. I am a veterinary technician (RVT) and I used to manage a veterinary hospital before I became a teacher. I have worked there since as relief and when they need me for special projects. The hospital is due for their accreditation inspection which involves lots of protocol writing and reorganizing. I was supposed to do the protocol writing and the staff was supposed to do the cleaning , but they are short staffed and they have not had time (or ambition. Sorry, snarky comment) to do it. I have been working my butt off trying to finish all the paperwork, now I am doing the manual labor part. I am giving myself credit for 750 calories, even though the calorie counter says I burned 1038. But I worked my tuckus off and I am getting some credit calorie-wise.

Exercise
none rest day
HR monitor: Total calories burned (0 cal)

Food
Breakfast
Granola Bar/banana/coffee (205 cal)
Snack
almonds & snack pack dried mangoes (185 cal)
Lunch
Togo's Turkey Sandwich (no mayo, no cheese)(450 cal)
Snack(s)
PB cookie (Large 3 oz. ) (360 cal Sheesh! Need to rethink the giant PB cookie)
Dinner
JC Cheesy Enchilada (260 cal)
Snack
(0 cal)

total calories in: 1570 cal
total calories burned from exercise: 750 cal

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Sunday: The saddest day of vacation since it is the last day of vacation!

Today
I went work at made some serious progress on Mission Impossible. I had to do heavy cleaning and organizing and i was sweating up a storm, so i thought I would look online to see how many calories I burned, now I think this is a little exaggerated, but the Calories Burned Calculator said I had burned 778 calories doing general house cleaning for 3 hours 45 minutes. I think I will record 600 calories for it because I did work pretty damn hard.

I am pretty pooped, but I have to get my act together for school tomorrow.

Exercise
Cycle (41:00)
stationary bike 13.0 miles (19.02 mph pace)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (478 cal)

Holy Cow, was that hard! I was trying to keep my HR rate at 155 average and my poor little leggies were so tired. It is a completely different muscle group from running. I guess that is why they call it cross training.

I tried to go to the new class at the Y this morning, but apparently the entire class is canceled and they added a new class at 8:00 am-9:30 (yikes! That is a long class) that is cycling (50 min) then pilates (30 min) with a cool down between the two. I got there at 9:05 for the 9:15 class and I was not going to walk in after they had been working for over an hour.

However, instead of leaving (actually, I was half-way out the door, but guilt got the better of me) I went to the cardio room and did the stationary bike. I resisted the urge to run instead of cycle since today was supposed to be strength training or cross training. 'Yay me' on both counts!

Food
Breakfast
2 pcs. wheat toast w/ margarine/coffee (260cal)
Snack
coffee (0 cal)
Lunch
1/2 Turkey sandwich (no mayo, no cheese) (175 cal)
Snack(s)
other 1/2 turkey sandwich (175 cal)
Dinner
JC Cheesy Enchilada/salad w/ JC dressing & croutons (410 cal)
Snack
Yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)

total calories in: 1580 cal
total calories burned from exercise: 1078 cal

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Unmotivated Saturday

Today
I am feeling less than motivated to do anything. I got my run in and I need to go work on Mission Impossible at work, but I can't seem to make myself get up and moving again.

Stupid Jenny Craig closed at noon today. I didn't know their Saturday schedule, but I thought they would be open until 4 or 5 at least. I dawdled this morning and didn't get to the gym until 10:45, then when I was leaving at noon I called to see if I could swing by JC and do my weigh in, but they were
closed. I will try tomorrow morning, but it will be tight I have a class I want to go to and I haven't been super motivated in the mornings to get my ass moving.

I weighed this morning after breakfast and coffee, but BAN (bare ass naked) at 131.0, which
is a 0.8 pound loss. I am going to record it. I could use a morale booster today. Over the break my weight got as high as 135.5 when I weighed in the morning, BAN. Whoa! Reality check. That was at the height of the Christmas Cookie Binge-o-Rama. I will record my JC weigh in when I finally get to JC.

Exercise
Run (1:03:24)
Ran 6 miles on treadmill (10:34 min/mile pace)
HR monitor: Total calories burned (622 cal)

Food
Breakfast
2 pcs. wheat toast w/ margarine/coffee (260 cal)
Snack (pre-run/post-run)
banana/almonds & snack pack of dried mangoes (250 cal)
Lunch
JC Cheesy Enchilada(260 cal)
Snack(s)
Yogurt w/ 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)
Dinner
JC Chicken Carbonara [I subtracted 40 calories because I didn't eat the chicken, it looked gross]/salad w/ JC dressing & croutons (380 cal)
Snack
yogurt w/ 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)

total calories in: 1450 cal
total calories burned from exercise: 622 cal

Friday, January 4, 2008

Friday

Today
I feel like I haven't hardly eaten anything and I am still over calories for JC. I guess it solves the mystery of why it took me three months to lose 4 pounds even though I was running 20+ miles a week. This is not sustainable. It is only because I am working at the hospital all day and feeling down.

Not much to say. We had a big storm and lost power all day. We just got it back and it is time for me to go to bed, but I wanted to log my food. I am exhausted from Mission Impossible at my old job. Tomorrow and Sunday are the final "push" days, so it will be lots of hours. I'll get done what I can get done. That is all I can do.

No word from my friend. I tried to call again, but no answer. Feeling pretty shitty about it.

Exercise
none. Resting the knee. I am running tomorrow
Total miles for the week so far: 14

Food
Breakfast
2 pcs. whole wheat toast w/3/4 tbsp margarine/coffee (260 cal)
Snack
1/2 oz. almonds (no salt)/snack pack dried mango (185 cal)
Lunch
Granola bar (200cal)
Snack(s)
Salad w/ JC dressing & croutons/apple (230cal)
Dinner
Turkey sandwich (no mayo/no cheese) (350 cal)
Snack
yogurt w/ 1/4c. cereal (150 cal)

total calories in: 1375 cal
total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal

Thursday, January 3, 2008

2008: Day 3


Thursday
Pretty good day today. My friend still has not emailed me and there was no answer when I tried to call her. This is stupid, but I guess I will just wait her out.

I started my day by going to the gum to run 5 miles on the treadmill. I saw one of my old AP Biology students (he is now in college) he said he aced his first biology class in college and that made me feel pretty darn good. He worked his buttinski off in my class. He was saying he wanted to run the marathon with me in March. That was very cute. Just a little background, he runs for his cross country team in college. He can run a mile in 5 minutes. I am pretty sure he would die of boredom before we ever got to the finish line. After the gym I met my mom for a diet coke (she doesn't drink coffee and I had some on the way there) and then went to visit a friend of mine that is 5 1/2 months pregnant and has an almost 2 year old (his birthday is in 3 weeks) it was very nice to get to visit with her and her son is getting HUGE. He knows how to go get his train DVD put it in the player and get the remotes to turn on the TV and play the movie. it took me months to figure that all out and I still have to think about it. My friend says he taught himself. Whoa! The movie is this REALLY boring documentary on trains and he LOVES it. They got it for him at the train museum in Sacramento. He fast forwards through any train that is not a steam train, he is a purist! LOL!

Exercise
Run (53:10)
Run 5 miles (10:38 min/mile pace)
Calories burned from exercise (according to HR monitor) ( 555 cal)

Food
Breakfast
2 pcs. whole wheat toast w/3/4 tbsp margarine/coffee (260 cal)
Snack (post-run)
1/2 oz. almonds (no salt)/snack pack dried mango (185 cal)
Lunch
1/2 piece banana bread/ grande non-fat SF vanilla latte (310 cal)
Snack(s)
Granola bar (200 cal)
Dinner
Date night: Sushi golden bell roll/tamago (700 cal)
Snack
Non-fat yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150 cal)

total calories in: 1805 cal (sucky!)
total calories burned from exercise: 555 cal

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

2008: Day 2

Feeling Blue
I am currently in a "fight" with one of my longest standing friends. She moved to San Diego about 6 years ago after she got married, she had kids (2, very adorable kids) and we kind of grew apart. We had chose different paths, her kids and school, me work and school, but we had always maintained contact even though it wasn't the relationship we had before she moved.

Before she moved we talked most days. Often went out for coffee. She would try to drag me hiking (I was a smoker early on in our friendship). She was always the active one. One summer she trained and rode her bike across the entire U.S. ! I was pretty sad about her move. She was the only really close friend I had at the time and I spent a few years pretty lonely. In the last 2.5-3 years I have made some new close friends and have embarked on my journey to being a healthier person with exercise. I know this bothers her. We often find that we don't have much to talk about. I know she is uncomfortable with my talking about Jenny Craig and my exercising because she has gained a considerable amount of weight since she she started dating her now husband (about 50-70 pounds I would guess). She never responded to my email about my marathon and has never asked about it. Fine, I get it. Different priorities, whatever. Well, she got mad because on my recent trip to San Diego I didn't call her. I didn't have time to see her so I thought it would be weird to call her and say, "Hi! I am here, but I don't have time to see you."
She has been up here a couple of times where I didn't know she was here and/or she didn't have time to see me. It happens. We both have crazy busy lives. I didn't get mad at her. When I do it, this must mean that we are not really friends anymore. Unfortunately, she sent me a snarky email about it and I responded in kind. I have a temper and often, react rather than respond. Now, she hasn't responded except to say she is "sleeping on her words". I hate to think our 16 year friendship is over because of this lame reason. Yes, the relationship changed, but it still was a good friendship.

Exercise
None. Rest Day
Calories burned from exercise (0)

Food
Breakfast
None (out of food)/coffee (0 cal)
Snack
None (at work, avoided chocolate. Yay me!) (0 calories)
Lunch
1/2 Turkey Sandwich (mustard, tomatoes and pickles only) (175 cal)
Snack(s)
other 1/2 of turkey sandwich/coffee (175 cal)
Dinner
salad w/ JC dressing & croutons/JC Chicken Fettuccine (420 cal)
Snack
non-fat yogurt & 1/4 c. cereal (150cal)

total calories in: 920 cal
total calories burned from exercise: 0 cal

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

New Year's Day Report

Exercise

LSR Day (1:41:00)
9 mile run (11:13 min/mile pace)
(burned 1130 calories)

Knees were ok. They were pretty tired after the run. I iced them right away, which helped.


Food

I am adding the calories counts for foods (at least temporarily) to eliminate any denial I may be harboring about the amount of food I am eating.

Breakfast
JC French Toast/coffee (220 cal)
Snack (during run)
1 Gu/1 pk. Energy Beans (130 calories)
Lunch (post run)
Carrow's: Southwestern Chicken Salad (750 cal) /sl. apple pie (410 cal) /coffee
Snack(s)
JC Cheese Curls (130 cal)
Dinner
JC Chicken Carbonara (270 cal)
Snack
JC Lemon Cake (170 cal)

total calories in: 2080
total calories burned from exercise: 1130

The year in review and a look forward




2007 "the good, the bad and the ugly"

This is really long but I wanted to get it all down as it was both the best and worst year I have had in a long time all rolled into one

Jan 07-Feb 07: did not set any goals, as I was too miserable to think about anything positive, had not run all winter, consumed by electron microscopy class (hereafter referred to as "that stupid, fucking class") and preparing my students for the AP Exam in May 07. My friend of 16 years was diagnosed with terminal cancer. One of my best friend's gets engaged and wants to get married in July (she asks me to be in the wedding a HUGE wedding. We start doing planning like fiends), she also announces she will be moving to LA in August. Started teaching my first ever college level class (physiology lab) enjoyed it (despite the madness) and thought I may want to teach this level in the future.

March 07-April 07: My friend with the cancer's health went downhill fast. He died at the end of April. I was able to be there for him and his wife. I am still not running, I have no life outside of that stupid, fucking class and AP preparation. I decided I MUST do something outside of school or I will be insane. Started running again. Logged 13 miles in April (mostly 2 mile runs)

May 07: Students took AP exam in early May (they did AWESOME this was the ONLY good thing that came out of the first part of 2007). I did not run again until end of May. That stupid, fucking class earned its name and that coupled with my friend's death crushed my spirit. I slammed into the lowest emotional point I had hit in 15 years. I was in trouble. My weight reached an all time high. Not one stitch of my clothing fit without discomfort. I bought three pairs of work pants online to get me by until the end of the year. I had to return them THREE TIMES for increasingly larger sizes until they fit "ok". I decided to return to Jenny Craig and recommit to taking care of myself. I got my hair done, went to a dermatologist (my skin had FREAKED out), started taking supplements for peri-menopause, and most importantly got my ass running again. Then I decided to train for Nike Women's Marathon.

June 07-Oct 07: I trained for the Nike Women's Marathon with Team in Training. I logged over 300 hundred miles training for this event. I ran the Dammit Run with my dad. The first event we have ever done together. I hurt my knee two weeks before the marathon and had to walk/run the marathon, but I did it. My best friend and run buddy moved to LA. I felt the loss but we are keeping in touch. I lost 20 pounds with Jenny Craig and marathon training. I completed my third Olympic distance triathlon (Pac Grove 2007). Taught my second college level lass (microbiology lab). I started journaling (blogging) my progress to help keep me motivated and help with the depression. It helped more than I ever dreamed it could.

Nov 07- Dec 07: I have continued running. I logged a total of 421 miles in 2007 despite my late start and injury. I have lost 24 pounds total with Jenny Craig. I have registered for the Napa Valley Marathon in March. Work stress, school stress, and winter time blues still haunt me but I am MILES (horrible pun, sorry) from where I was this time last year.

2008 "No resolutions, just shit I would like to do in 2008!" in no particular order

Fitness

1. Run 800 miles in 2008 (a little over 15 miles per week average)

2. Complete the Napa Valley Marathon and at least one other marathon, at least one half marathon, and at least two other races including the Pacific Grove 2008 triathlon and a 10 K with my friend Shelley.

3. Swim lessons, starting in June (after school gets out until the Pacific Grove triathlon)

4. Do Pacific Grove Triathlon in under 4 hours

School

5. Be a whole lot closer to finishing my masters degree. (i.e. be finished with classes and research and be writing thesis)

Family/friends

6. At least three vacations with hubby (Africa and Seattle are planned for summer 2008, then one weekend get-away)

7. Date night with hubby once a week at least 3 weeks out of the month

8. Lunch/breakfast with Mom and/or Dad once a month.

9. Send all family and friends' birthday cards ON TIME!