Rock. Star. Status.

Rock. Star. Status.

Monday night I went to my first strength class. I sat in the office area waiting for the class to start with the five guys and three skinny bitches (here is where I would do strike though if I knew how, because I know that is wrong to say) err... I mean, other women that were going to be in the class. My heart was in my throat and EVERY fiber of my being wanted to bail.

But I stayed and you know what? I was the only girl that did regular pushups and one of only two in the class (yep, including the guys!) that went all the way, chest to floor for all 10. The instructor even gave me a "Hell yeah!"

I did, however, get my ass handed to me on all the other exercises, but I survived and I will go back on Wednesday.

Wait! There is more!

Today I went to my first Level 2 Masters swim class (I am not good enough to be in Level 1. Seriously, even the pre-masters coach agreed) so they started this intermediate level for the "middle people" like me. Well, I found out today that I am low-middle, since I am the slowest and most inept of the 'middle.'

I did find out that my old Team in Training coach is the Level 2 coach for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. That was WAY cool!

Anyhoo, that is not why I am a rock star. I am a rock star because I went and I did all the drills including speed work.

Speed work!

In the pool!

Me, who HATES swimming.

Like I said...

Rock. Star. Status.

When will I learn...

Every few years, they get me again. They are fun and cute and offer me promises that they just can't keep.

They mock me, "This time it will be different, you will look cute and flirty. We will be comfortable AND look good, go ahead try it."

Fucking capri pants.

In my mind they will look like this on me



However, in reality, I have a 4 inch inseam and two Butterball turkeys for thighs. Therefore, in capris I look like a troll doll in high waters.

Although, I do think I have nicer hair

The Under Armor compression capri running tights I just bought were no exception. In addition to making my statuesque 5'2" frame look like 3'8", they were somewhat low rise.

Awesome.

Now I am a troll doll, with dun lop disease (as in "the fat dun lop over the top of these stupid, fucking capris")

My two runs and one long bike ride this week were somewhat less enjoyable than running in these pants, alternately pulling up the waist and pulling down my shirt to keep from flashing a flesh belt.


2009, not off to a rousing start

2009: RBR a work in progress

Goals for 2009

*yes, another list of goals. Sorry, but it is that time of year.

Fitness

1. Do the training necessary to complete Ironman Coeur d'Alene in under 17 hours. 16:59:59 would be fine by me! (Winter -Spring 2009)

Bike and Run:
See previous post for bike and run plans and milestones in training

Swim:
Masters Level 2 twice a week starting Jan 6th
At least 7 Open water swims with at least 3 of full Iron distance

2. Start strength training. I used to be just naturally really strong (almost freakishly so) and now as I get older I can see that I am losing strength. I want my strength back. Every time I try this I get intimidated by the hardbodies in the gym and stop (or more often, don't start). It is time to get over it. (Start Winter 2009)

My only bar to measure strength by is when I was screwing around on the park course and realized how bad it had gotten. Here is the current and goal totals:

Currently: I can do 10 regular pushups (not on knees/chest to floor) in a row.
Goal: 25 pushups in a row

Currently: I cannot do a full pull up (ugh! I used to be able to do 5 in a row)
Goal: 1 full pull up

Currently: I can do 1 full bar dip (parallel bars/dip to chest)
Goal: 3 full bar dips

School

3. Study for and pass my comprehensive exams to finish my Masters in Molecular/Microbiology (Fall 2009)

4. Keep pushing my AP students. I have an amazing group of kids and I really want to give them the best opportunity to excel on the AP exam and rock the hell out of college biology.


Family/Friends (not listed last because it is less important, just because it is the hardest area for me to admit my shortcomings)

5. Date night once a week (we'll try it again. We have been much better than years past, but once a week is not too much to ask of either of us)

6. At least two Girl's days out with Mom (one already planned in April to see 'Wicked')

7. 3 day fastpacking trip with Dad on John Muir trail. (Let me preface this with the fact that I have NEVER even camped. This ought to be exciting) (Summer 2009)

2008 Wrap up: The year of the runner

2007 vs 2008: This is the first time that I have 2 years of relatively consistent exercise to compare.

2007
Run: 430.15 miles
Bike: 108.26 miles
Swim: 2037 yards
Number of races: 2

2008
Run: 851.2 miles (increase of 421.05 miles)
Bike: 1538.3 miles (increase of 1475. 04 miles)
Swim: 65,990 yards (increase of 63,953 yards)
Number of races: 25 (increase of 23 races)

Jan 1 of 2008
I wrote out a summary of one of the toughest years (2007) I had had in a while and the beginning of my quest to turn it around. Then I set down a "List of Shit I would like to do in 2008" (I have a horrible track record with "resolutions" so I lie to myself and say they are not resolutions when really, aren't goals and resolutions the same thing?)

Let's see how I did: 2008 Goals and Actual

Fitness Goals

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

Actual: I ran 851.2 miles

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.

Actual:

Ran 4 marathons, 1 - 50K Ultra-marathon, 6 - 1/2 marathons, and 9 other races of varying lengths, including the 10K with Shelley and Andrea! Completed: 2 sprint distance triathlons (one was a long sprint at 3/4 mi swim, 16 mi bike and 5 mile run), 2 olympic distance triathlons, and 1 half iron distance triathlon.

RBR Girls after I ran the entire Napa Valley Marathon March 2008

Completed: a 65 mile bike ride at Solvang.

LA Run Buddy and I after Solvang Metric Century

25 races total. WAY exceeded what I thought I was ever capable of. I had an absolute blast and I met a ton of people both online and in real life that inspired me to keep on keeping on. Decided to register and train for Ironman Coeur d'Alene.

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

Actual: Joined pre-masters class and completed two open water swim clinics.

4. Do Pacific Grove Triathlon in under 4 hours

Actual: FINALLY did the Pacific Grove Triathlon in under 4 hours!

Team RBR after The Triathlon at Pacific Grove

School Goals

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

Actual: Done with classes. No research, no thesis. Chose committee members and taking Comp Exams in Fall 2009.

Family/friends

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

Actual: Africa, Seattle, Lompoc mini-vacation from hell, and Hawaii.

Hubby and I in Hawaii 2008

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

Actual: Maybe once a month. More likely once every other month. Serious room for improvement.

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

Actual: Nope. Not even close. But I saw them a lot more than the previous year.

My Dad and I after Dammit Run 2008

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

Actual: Nope. Most family cards sent on time. LA Run Buddy's card was miserably late and I totally bailed on several other birthdays. Did not send Christmas cards at all this year. HUGE room for improvement.

All in all an awesome year. I traveled more, did more, and had more fun than I have in my entire life. I accomplished more than I ever thought remotely possible and I did the unthinkable

I became a runner.

Sunday Morning Run in HAWAII!!

In typical RBR style, I made a new friend on our flight to the island. we'll call him "Lester."

Here are Lester and I at take off

This was only the beginning of our encounter. By the end of the flight, in his quest for comfort in the microscopic airplane seat behind me, the 6'5" 350 pound Lester had been all over my seat. I am pretty sure in some countries we are currently considered married.

This is first time I have been to Hawaii since I started running. I remember seeing tourists running and I used to think they were idiots. Why on earth would you exercise on vacation?

I get it now.

On Sunday, I ran 9 miles. I ran from Kahana to Kapalua and back. It was an amazing run, but it started off pretty shitty. (Picture: Picture I took at the Maui Plantation Botanical Garden of a pink hibiscus!)

I had found a route online that was about 5.5 miles, but when I started running my ankles and shins were screaming so I wasn't sure I would go that far. I had to run along a narrow highway that alternated between a tiny, slanted, muddy shoulder and no shoulder at all. The cars were trying to be courteous, but there just wasn't much room.

I don't know what this pain in my shins and ankle is, but it usually goes away after 2 miles or so and Sunday was no exception. It does, however, make for a very loooong first two miles.

Once in Kapalua I was feeling pretty great. The views were gorgeous and there were intermittent showers that cooled you down without being oppressive.

So pretty it could make you cry. I wonder if they need a biology teacher on Maui?


The Kahana preschool



Beautiful tree along a back road road

It was then that I decided to go for 7 miles,

then I got a little lost.

Shocking. I know.

So nine miles later I was back at the hotel.

The elevation profile for my run.

Gorgeous run! It took me 4 days to write this post because I was having too much damn fun in Hawaii.

I am now working on my 2008 Wrap up post which, honestly, I have been so excited to write since this has been a big year for me.

Happy New Year to you all!!

A California winter Christmas morning run

Alternative title: Hey, hail hurts!

I set out for a quick run this morning before heading to my parents for Christmas. The morning was cold and drizzling, but decent running weather. I decided to go to a open space preserve and wildlife sanctuary near my pet sitting job.

Blackie the wonder dog!

He is a 15 year old, blind cocker spaniel that I have been pet sitting on Xmas and when his owners go on vacations, for most of his life. Here he is very unhappy about, but damn cute in, reindeer antlers!

The run started off amazing! I was one of two runners on the trail and the birds were out in force. I must admit I am a sucker for waterfowl. My favorite being the cantankerous coot!

There are hundreds upon hundreds of coots at this preserve.

You start out around a small, man made lake (above). This area is usually crawling with people and it was a little surreal to be out here alone.

Snowy Egrets fishing on the shore of the lake

And then the trail heads out to the marsh and slough. It was so beautiful.

There are certainly worse ways to start a Xmas morning!
Sorry for the scary, no makeup shot.


A pair of stilts wading on the mud flats

A pair of Canada Geese. Christmas goose anyone? I am kidding, I am kidding!

Today I was treated to several rare white pelican sightings. In all I saw 8 of the huge birds!

Pair of white pelicans on the slough. God, I sure wished my hubby and
his fancy camera were here! A point and shoot is not the right camera for this!

I was only going 5 miles today, so I turned around to head back in and I saw this

Uh oh. Looks like a storm is a comin'. Wonder if I can beat it back?

The answer to that would be a resounding 'No!'

Within minutes the wind was whipping and the deluge started. It was crazy! Then HAIL! I will tell you, hail hurts like hell when it is hurled at you by 30+ mile an hour winds.

It was crazy like this for about a mile and half and then as quickly as it started it stopped. By then I was back at my car, but the evidence of the brief storm was present.

They did not look like this when I left for the run


Nor did this!

Great way to start Christmas! The rest of the day was pretty typical holiday fare: I ate too much, laughed too loud, and was 'knodding out' tired on the drive home.

Now I am getting ready to leave for Hawaii! My dog is at her grandparents house for the week, alternately being spoiled rotten by my parents and tortured by their new puppy.

Daisy the English bulldog puppy!

She had to be crated during present exchange. She was WAY to excited about wrapping paper, bows, and the "new" dog in the house, my poor 11 year old Lucy. X-mas is her birthday by the way! I can't believe it has been almost 10 years since we got her.

Lucy says, "Happy Holidays! Now take this damn jingle bell collar off!"

I hope you all had a great day with family and friends! My next post will be from HAWAII!!

How an 8 mile run turns into a 16 mile run

No, it is not 'New Math', or a crazy Garmin glitch, it is my trademark, unbelievably poor sense of direction and yesterday's very UNcharacteristic lack of planning.

First off, for credit sake and to appease my new bike and swim monitor Izzac (I have appointed him to keep me honest about the bike and swim portion of my training which are unarguably my weakest triathlon events and subsequently, the easiest workouts for me to bail on)

Saturday: Long Ride - 25 mile bike ride in the wind and cold on Highway 1 (yes, with cars and trucks and other scary stuff that I hate)

Total bike mileage for the week: 40 miles
Total swim yardage: 3000 yds

On to the run:

On Sunday I had planned an 8 mile long run. A group of us decided to run together in Santa Cruz. Everyone had different run distances in mind. Two gals were going to run for 1:20 (Our coach assigns workout times instead of distances. My low grade OCD won't allow for uneven run distances, so I pick a mile number that somewhat fits my schedule), I wanted to do 8, and the other gal was doing 14.

Picture: Julia called this the gateway to Narnia. It was a beautiful trail up a hill to where the old health club where the Lost Boys was filmed and then a pretty redwood trail.

We head out and I start to think (great time to get that ball rolling, huh?) hmmm... how exactly am I going to do 8 if I don't know where I am or how to get back to the start?

The other gals turn back at about 3.5 miles. Which is less than I want to do, so I think, that's ok, I will just run 10 miles of the 14 miles with her.

Hello RBR! 8 miles or 10 miles, you still do not know how to get back!

Elevation for today's run

But this does not occur to me until about 30 minutes later. So I am now in it for the full 14. Whatever. We ran up through UC Santa Cruz campus which was quite lovely and had quite a bit of climb in it. Then we ran past pastures of cows. I love to run or even drive by cows. They make me happy. Back in the day, my hubby and I used to spend hours driving in the country looking at cows. What can I say? I am a cheap date. Picture: Me and the cows of the UC Santa Cruz campus.

At some point we saw a trail that headed toward the ocean. She says, "I think this trail meets up with a public park called Wilder ranch, and we can get back this way for a total of about 13-14 miles. It would allow us get off the road a bit." Sounds good to me! Off we go.

Well, after we climbed two fences, belly crawled under a barbed wire fence, and ran past the NO TRESPASSING signs I became a smidge worried that we were lost.

Then suddenly we are running amongst a herd of cows. Not running next to the pasture of cows and saying "aww, so cute!" like before. We are running IN WITH the cows!!

At this point, all I can think is, " Dear God, please tell me that: 1. there is no bull in this field that will charge and crush us until we are dead, and 2. Please say the rancher that owns this land doesn't blow our fucking heads off with a shotgun!"

I grew up in the country, this is NOT ok. You DO NOT just run through a rancher's pasture without permission. We got to the road and climbed another fence to get out and immediately met up with the rancher. God, I was mortified. I apologized profusely and the woman was very nice, but very clear that she was not happy. The fact that she did not have us arrested or blow our heads off with a shot gun is a testament to her good nature. No pictures of these cows. I was a little concerned about watching out for an enraged, hormone laden bovine that was ready to pound me into a cow patty.

After that, the run was pretty uneventful. We had been running for 11 miles at that point and my friend estimated that we had about 5 more to go (4.62 to be exact). It started to rain and it was cold, but not too bad. We ran along the ocean so the views were distracting. It was a fun run because of all the varying terrain: road running past the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, tromping along a soft redwood trail, climb through the UC Santa Cruz campus bike trails, unauthorized trek though cattle ranch, and cliff side bike trail along the Pacific Ocean. Truly a beautiful run...

... just a tad longer than I had planned.