12/16/2013

Week 5: Half way there!

Monday - ran 3 miles; Body Revolution 7
Tuesday - rest
Wednesday - ran 5 miles
Thursday - Body Revolution 8
Friday - ran 3 miles; Body Revolution 7
Saturday - ran 10 miles; Body Revolution 8
Sunday - rest

Wow, this training schedule has been a doosey. Is that a real word? Or a grandma word? Hmmm, deep thoughts. Anywho, most of the week I was feeling like this:

On Saturday though, all my hard work paid off. I actually felt good on my 10 mile run. Nothing hurt. Nothing! What a difference mid-week running and strength training make! It also helps that I found the best GU flavor EVER! I just happened to find 2 of them recently digging thru a big ol' bin of gels.

Salted Caramel and Winter Bigfoot - what's not to love!
And before all the Who's in the Whoville could go boo-hoo-hoo, I got online and ordered more. Plus it was a warm 44 degrees on my long run and all the ducks were laughing (really, they were making this laughing quacking sound) cause the lake was only half frozen.

More ducks than rocks this weekend.

Mom gave me some really old pictures of Scott that I'll post shortly. I forgot to do it today because I was focused on getting all of my sister's Christmas presents in the car to mail to Arizona. Oh yeah, score one for the good sister! Who is not hating that it's 70 degrees in Arizona right now. not. hating. big heart of Christmas joy. love ya sis!

12/09/2013

My first crash and ice

It was 27 degrees on Saturday, so I did what any other normal person would do. I put on my ski clothes and ran 8 miles. Pro compression socks over thermal pants over compression tights and my thermal shirt under my waterproof, windproof jacket (so worth every penny!).  Top it off with my ski hat, and I'm cute and functional.
Frank was ready to run, but he doesn't have any snow clothes yet.
It actually wasn't that bad once I got going. I won't kid anyone though, it was cold. So cold that the lake I run around froze! The poor ducks were all huddled in a small corner that hadn't froze over yet. 

You can see the rocks people threw to test the ice.
I'm glad I got outside cause it was gorgeous! Sparkling ice with Christmas decorations everywhere. Then it happened. My first crash. You might think that I slipped on ice, but those who know me well know better. 

While I was admiring all the Christmas decorations outside, at mile 4 sat a house with Halloween decorations still up. Halloween?!? It was What the pumpkin - Boom! - pavement. I tripped on the sidewalk gawking at the Halloween house. No ice anywhere to be found. Just me and dry pavement and the pumpkins. As I laid sprawled on the lawn in the front of the house, I secretly hoped the owners would come out so I could I tell them about the dangers of leaving out incorrect holiday decorations for too long, but alas no one came to my rescue. So I got up, looked at my torn thermal pants, was thankful that my compression tights didn't rip and that I put my leather gloves on, and finished the last 4 miles.

I felt a wince of pain on my knee but had too many layers on to check until I got home.
I'm missing a nice chunck of skin, but thankfully didn't hurt my knee. Lessons learned? Keep your eyes on the road. And be wary of frozen pumpkins - they're rotten to the core.

12/06/2013

Week 4: Life First and To The Fullest

I was feeling bad about not doing any blogging for weeks 2 and 3, but really when I thought about why I didn't blog - playing Minecraft with the boys, making and eating good food on Thanksgiving, shopping with my mom - I was reminded of Scott. He always enjoyed life and tried to live it to the fullest. And that's what I was doing.

So there. No beating myself up over not running enough and eating all the homemade cranberry sauce - sooo good! Instead I'm going to laugh and share a picture of Bryan and Scott wearing one of his infamous Nautica shirts at the beach no less. He wore this brand so much that even his friend Fritz spoke about it at his funeral. 80's be damned, Nautica never goes out of style!  


My weekly running recap. Only 6 more weeks until race day! Run Oregon Girl Run!

Monday - rest
Tuesday - ran 3 miles; Body Revolution workout 5
Wednesday -  ran 5 miles; Body Revolution workout 6
Thursday - Body Revolution workout 5
Friday - ran 3 miles; Body Revolution workout 6 (it snowed today!)

Ok, I have to say that I'm freaking tired! I also had more hate than usual for Jillian Michaels as these workouts were really hard. So hard that I might of yelled the b-word at the TV. The boys thought it was funny, but I was too out of breathe to laugh. Damn, I got my ass handed to me. At least it snowed today!

Planning on running 8 miles tomorrow hopefully in the snow! We never get snow - I love it!

11/17/2013

Week 1: Whole Wheat Spaghetti with a Chance of Tofu

As every mother should be, my mom was very focused on nutrition for us kids. There was however a very large generational food gap between my 70's "peace, love, & granola" mother and us 80's nerds and pop rocks kids. It should of been no surprise then when given a pile of brown speckled whole wheat noodles that Scott threw them at the wall. The look of shock on my mom's face turned to laughter though when Scott quickly yelled, "Ok, they're ready! I was just making sure it was spaghetti. Since spaghetti sticks to the wall when it's done."  Makes sense to me! Only Scott could make us all laugh and not get in trouble after sticking food to the wall.


Week 1 Training Recap:

Mon - 3 mile run/walk with dog (short legs and a long nose make it hard to run)
Tues - 30 min Body Revolution workout video
Wed  - 3 mile run + 30 min Body Revolution workout video
Thur - 30 min Body Revolution workout video
Fri - 30 min Body Revolution workout video
Sat - rest
Sun - 7 mile run

I've started doing Jillian Michael's Body Revolution workout video cause I need to add some strength training to my running to keep injury free. I'll be honest. She scares me. If I miss a workout she just might come to my house and yell at me. It's like looking in a mirror and saying Bloody Mary. Not going to do it. Why tempt fate?


Source 

I'm also following the below training schedule from Marathon Rookie. But as you can tell from my weekly recap, I'm not worried about anyone tracking me down and kicking my ass. It is not very realistic for me to keep this exact schedule, but I ran 13 miles this week!

10-Week Half Marathon Training Schedule
WeekMonTueWedThuFriSatSunTotal
13Rest33Rest4Rest13
23Rest43Rest5Rest15
33Rest43Rest6Rest16
43Rest53Rest8Rest19
53Rest53Rest10Rest21
64Rest54Rest11Rest24
74Rest64Rest12Rest26
84Rest54Rest9Rest22
93Rest43Rest8Rest18
103Rest3Walk 2Rest13.1Rest21.1


11/14/2013

The Scott Lloyd Magnificent Racers - How You Can Support Our Run

Not only am I excited to be running for Team Diabetes in honor of my brother Scott, but I am super uber excited to be running with my sister Jennifer. We are "The Scott Lloyd Magnificent Racers!"

Why Magnificent? Because we are. ha! But really it's because one of our favorite memories growing up is playing the board game "The Magnificent Race" with Scott and Bryan. I've kept it all these years, and it's torn and falling apart - but isn't that the true sign of something well loved anyways.


We are running the  Arizona Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon for Team Diabetes on January 19, 2014. Our goal is to raise $500, so please consider joining us to help make others smile and support our run. All proceeds go directly to the American Diabetes Association, and you can donate at the following link:


You are also welcome to join our team and run with us! (You are responsible for all your own costs associated with travel and the race since 100% of support received goes to Team Diabetes.)  Just leave a comment, and we'll get in touch with you.

I'll post the ups and downs of my training *I can do hard things!* (just keep telling yourself that Bethy girl) and post more pictures and stories of Scott as I embark on this 10 week journey.

11/02/2013

In Honor of My Brother

My older brother, Scott, was diagnosed with childhood diabetes when he was 13 or 14. If I had only one word to describe him it would be smile. He always made others smile and had a smile even when he wasn't happy or in pain. He hid a lot of that from us. I think it was because he didn't want his illness to define him, and I hope he's happy to know that it didn't. When I think of him I never think of diabetes. I think of throwing darts, hitting pinatas, being goofy, playing The Magnificent Race and Shoot The Moon board games, dancing to Nine Inch Nails at his wedding, playing Keno for the first time, the thrill of drinking with my older brother whose birthday was 1 day and 1 month before mine, and laughing. He had a great sense of sarcasm to go with his humor, and always had a wry comment to make me smile even during contentious family political or religious debates. Not that I come from a long line of stubborn, independently minded people. maybe.

L to R: Jenny, Me, Scott, Bryan circa 1993 - look at our hair!!!

We all knew he was sick. My oldest brother, whose example of genuine love and care for another humbles me beyond words, tried to convince Scott to move in with him, but he wouldn't have it (did I mention stubborn and independent runs in our family). I was not that close with Scott, and while I have a feeling that Bry and those close to him knew, I really didn't think he was as sick as he was. I remember him being upset when Bryan told us when he was in the hospital and can picture him standing in his driveway with a smirk telling me, "I'm not going to die; I've got more years in me than they think." That was less then a year ago.

L to R: Scott, Jenny, Me, Bryan circa 2012 - with less, but better hair!

I guess that's why it such a shock when I heard the news. I was in Indianapolis sitting in a hotel conference room waiting for the next assessment session to start. I don't know what made me listen to my voice mail, but as soon as I heard it I just stood up and started walking. My apologies to the presenter. It's such a shock. You expect to see a person for Thanksgiving in less than a month but instead they are gone. You realize that you didn't fully appreciate a person in your life who you really cared about and now it's too late.

L to R: Scott, Me, Bryan, Dad - Thanksgiving 2012

Scott would try to make me laugh or smile right now. He would say something witty or silly or simply state the obvious in such a way that the absurdity of it all would make you realize that all you could do was laugh. And he would hate what I'm going to do next. He would hate the attention it brought to himself or his disease. But like him I'm stubborn and independent and am going to do this my way, which I hope he can appreciate.




I'm going to run the Phoenix Rock n' Roll Marathon on January 19, 2014 as part of Team Diabetes in Scott's honor for the American Diabetes Association. I'm running in hope that other sisters may get to smile and laugh with their brothers longer than I was able to due to our support. I'm also running because quite simply running, like my brother, makes me smile. I miss and love you Scott.

I'll post details about how you can support the American Diabetes Association and my run shortly.

10/21/2013

Fire and Ice

Ugghh. I took an ice bath yesterday. It sucked. That should mean I wasn't up all night with aching knees and calf cramps. At least I have a nice fire to go with my ice.

Ran Like Hell at Run Like Hell

Yesterday I completed my first half marathon!!! I tapered, I carb loaded, I ran like hell! I was so excited that I made my poor husband and son wake up at 6am on a Sunday so we could get there early. I guess we really didn't need to be there THAT early - they were still setting everything up.



 But it gave us time to add some yellow glitter to my hair to match my yellow glitter nails.


I was a little nervous about running in cotton, but my Pikachu hoodie actually kept me warm. It was in the low 40s and misty/light rainy.


Team Pika were the best support a running girl could ask for and were at the mile 5 aid station to cheer me up the Terwilliger hills. Reid was totally embarrassed that I yelled "Hi BooBear!" but one of the perks of being a mom is paying your kids back - aka 2006 IHOP diaper explosion barely missing the lady eating next to us.


Overall I had a great time running the course. The Terwilliger path was beautiful with fall leaves everywhere, and it was so fun seeing all the costumes. The devil, a bumble bee, and I had a good pace going for miles 8-11.


The only bad thing, which I'm not focusing on, was the train. At mile 11.5 we all came to a complete stop as a train had derailed across the course. It took over 40 minutes for it to clear, and my hamstrings and calves were spasming from being wet and cold. My knees suffered the worst of it even though I tried to stretch and move while waiting. The tutu fairy to my left thought she was going to puke and the spider witch to my right started shaking and her lips turned blue. It's twisted, but misery does enjoy company.

It hurt so bad to run, but I got my serious face on and entered the pain cave I read about in a running magazine. It was going to hurt walking or running, so I made up my mind to finish my first half running. I could barely see straight at the end, but once I saw my husband and son's faces waiting for me I got the strength to finish strong.


My phone says I finished in 2:13:44, but the official time is 02:19:05. Not sure which is right due to the train, but who cares! I set a personal record (PR) for myself! The only question that remains is what am I going to run next??? I love it!

I don't care! I love it!


Event2013 Run Like Hell
RaceHalf Marathon
DateOct 20, 2013
Overall526th / 1022
Women321st / 481
Women 35-3962nd / 90
Time02:19:05
Pace10:37.02/mi

10/14/2013

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Julia Would Be Proud

Happy Sunday! It's stormy and raining so hard that we're flooding a bit, but I've got a nice big fire going and a cup of coffee making it quite a cozy morning. It also doesn't hurt that the husband stopped by the local casino and won us some extra $$$. He should be a professional poker player, but I'd miss him too much with all the traveling it would require. Instead I told him that mama needed some new running pants and sent him on his way. And now I've got these beauties to look forward to, which I'm trying to focus on instead of the gallons of water I know will be soaking me on my run today.
Womens CW-X Endurance Generator Fitted Tights
CW-X Endurance Generator Tights

Plus I'm channeling my inner Julia Child and made Pouding Alsacien (Gratin of Sauteed Apples). "This simple - ha! - apple dessert is always better if prepared the day before it is eaten, as a good 24 hours are needed for a slow blending of flavors." Oh, it looks and smells so good that I want to eat it now, but Julia said to wait, so we shall wait.


9/29/2013

The Ice Bath

You know how they say things happen in 3's? Well it must be true, because my legs finally felt good 3 days after the big run and all 3 boys were off on their own adventures that evening! So I stopped by Beaverton Bakery on the way home after work, then took myself out for a nice 4.5 mile run. Then I did it. The ice bath.

I was scared.

But with tea in hand, I chanted my mantra - what one woman can do, another can also. I was going to kill the bear (bonus points for movie reference).


It was cold. I do not look cute. And it was the longest 10 minutes of my life. But I did it! And I don't know if it was the self induced suffering or just that Beaverton Bakery rocks, but the petit fours I ate afterwards were the sweetest, most delicious treats I've tasted in a long time.


And I do have to say that when I woke up the next morning, my legs didn't hurt at all. I felt great. Damn it, it looks like there are more ice baths in my future. But on the bright side, I have a really good reason go to to Beaverton Bakery again. 

9/25/2013

Holy Humble Hurray!

Holy smokes, I did it! 12 miles! Now before you get all after school special on me, let me explain...or admit...that I've tried to run this far before and failed, very miserably. And for me, this is the longest I've ever run - ever!

Why run so far now you ask? Because smarty pants me is following a half marathon training schedule that has you peak your long runs mid-way before a race and then taper them back down so your legs aren't jello the week before race day.

Sounds good, eh? Yeah, well I'm a little off schedule due to my, uh hmmm, lessons learned lets call them. So to remind myself (and mom - this is what I've been up to lately):

1. You need the right clothes.
 - Shoes, check. Put wallet back in purse; husband smiles. Long run attempt #1 however was cut very short after being cold and wet with a nylon jacket stuck closer to my skin than the static cling sock I wore on my pants all day. And I thought it was my winning personality that made people smile. A rainy runner Oregon girl needs (1) a ventilated hat and (2) a waterproof, windproof jacket. Remind your husband that happy wife = happy life, and buy the right clothes for the weather you're running in.
After my first 12 mile run
2. Be the tortoise, not the bunny.
- "Your average pace is 10 minutes per mile" (yes, I'm hearing voices from my phone and not my head), check. Long run attempt #2.5, ended painfully with me walking back home. Rockstar me was more concerned about my speed than my form, and I ended up doing some mindless funky chicken dance move mid-run and hurt my knee. I embraced my inner turtle and only averaged 12 minutes per mile this time, but was focused and pain free the entire 12 miles.


Me with red hair at the Hoppity Hop 10K
3. Fuel while running.
- Light breakfast, Gatorade, wait 30 minutes, check. At mile 6 of long run attempt #I've got this now, I was thirsty and exhausted. Luckily I had enough sense left to not push myself and risk injury again and went back home. Learned you need fuel and water during a long run, not just before and after.

I tried GU energy gels in orange flavor, and wow! what a difference. This time I was sucking down gel and drinking water every 3 miles and - shock, surprise - I felt great, great enough to keep running! The gel didn't bother my stomach at all. Espresso Love seems to be the blogger GU gel of choice, so me and my change purse have some shopping to do.

I love Anne Taintor!

4. Ice, ice baby.
- Right clothes + slow and steady pace + fuel and water = successful long run #1, check! Yay me, I deserve a nice hot shower and Ben and Jerry's - totally love and ate the entire Liz Lemon pint! Felt pretty good about myself until I woke up the next morning and couldn't move. After my minor (ok, I have anxiety issues) major hypochondria about rhabdomyolysis subsided, my online obsession found its way to informative posts about why you should take an ice bath after a long run.

Not me, but how I feel about rhabdo and ice baths
So this weekend I am going to see if I love GU Espresso Love and will have a cute sweatshirt in the ice bath picture to share - as my husband tells me, it's what all the football players do.

Like the sock, it would of been helpful to know this BEFORE I went to work. But apparently this is how God keeps me humble.




5/30/2013

My Walls

I always enjoy reading "the other Beth" from high school's blog and being the online wanderer that I am, I clicked thru from one of her posts to find another girl who I went to high school with and was inspired by her blog, A Year in the Life of an Art Journal. Crafty and coffee - it had me at "Hello, Lovelies."

The 30th came this month after Wednesday date night with the hubby, so still slightly hung over from Hokusei's lychee sake martinis and with a belly still full of salmon collar I begin...


Monday Mugshots Collaboration May 30th
PROMPT: My Walls. Do you have walls that you put up?
SHOOTERS: Shoot your mug in front of a cool textured wall.

First thought - oh crap, I do not have a cool textured wall in my immediate vicinity.  Second thought - just take a picture of your wall already. So there you have it. My morning coffee and blank office wall. I just got my own office, and to date have not been motivated to decorate. Could it be that by not decorating I'm putting up a wall to separate my personal life from my work life? Do I not want my work space to reflect my personality? Or am I just being lazy? Who knows, but I just realized that like my wall, my coffee cup is empty. And unlike my wall, I'm going to fill it up.