12 Miles And Ready To Rock

I did 12 miles on Saturday!! Woo hoo!! 

April and I ran the Rancho Penasquitos trail on Saturday. The farthest I've ever done there was the 3.2 miles to the waterfall and back. We actually went from one end to the other. April said that it would be our 10 mile trek but it ended up being about 6 miles each way. Didn't plan for that very well. We ran out of water on the way back and tried to conserve as much as we could. Once we got back to the waterfall, I was done with mine and I still had a little over 3 miles til we reached our cars. Ugh. Next time, bring more water. Or don't do the whole thing. 

We stopped at the waterfall and poured water on our heads to cool off. The heat was rising and we both were starting to get a little light-headed. I seriously wanted to just jump in and walk back wet, but the idea of running back all muddy just wasn't appealing. If the water was actually clean, I probably would have filled up my water bottle. 

Luck had it though, during the last 3 miles we passed a large group of hikers and one was kind enough to give me a spare bottle of water. 1 liter to last April and I 3 miles. Conserving was hard considering how hot it was outside. But we did it.

I'm really proud of myself for doing the 12 miles. April had done 10 earlier in the week (I couldn't make it). Granted I felt so dead tired and exhausted afterwards, I could barely get my body moving to stretch out afterwards. We made it back to the cars, did as much stretching as we could for the moment and then went to get some food. I sucked down 2 glasses of water in like 2 minutes. I felt so dehydrated. The food re-energized me though. It felt good to put something in my stomach besides those Cliff electrolyte shots. 

I pretty much did nothing the rest of the day except go see a movie with some friends. Oh yeah, and I stretched some more so I wouldn't be in pain the next day.

I'm really glad that I only have to feel that way one more time... next weekend in fact. And I'm glad that there will be more water stations than the zero there were on the trail. I had thought about getting a different water pack so I wouldn't run out of water, but I've been doing well with just the one and as long as there are water stations along the course, I won't have a problem of dehydration.

This Saturday, after our group run, we are all going to brunch and getting all the rest of the info we need before we leave. The closer it gets, the more excited I get. Recently I've been asked if I'd want to do another race...I don't know. I say, ask me again after I actually finish my first one. 

2 Weeks And Counting

I can't believe that I'm only 2 weeks away from running the half marathon up in Napa. That's nuts. I think I've come a long way since I first signed up to join Team Challenge. I've never run this much in my life. Running while playing soccer is one thing, but long distance running sure takes a lot of perseverance on my part to get myself out there. Meeting April was probably the best thing that could have happened to me in this chapter of my life. She has been my rock in the low times as I have been with here. I push her to keep going and she makes sure I quit my whining and reassures me that I can do it and go the distance. I know it's cheesy but it's the truth.

April and I ran Miramar Lake again today. I have to say that I really do not enjoy running in 80 degree weather. I'd prefer the 60s or 70s. But seeing as how we'll be running up in Napa, running in the 80s is probably a good thing. They say that the weather up there will be anywhere from 65 to 80 - I'm sure depending on the time of day. The race starts at 7am and I'm hoping to finish by 10am - so hopefully the weather won't be too hot by then, otherwise I think I'll probably pass out from heat exhaustion. And I don't need to be carried to the finish line by a stretcher. I refuse. =o)

Tomorrow is the 4th of July. I could use it as my day off, but I want to try and at least get either a 2 mile walk or run in, depending on how I'm feeling when I get up in the morning. I know the dogs would love the walk. It's been a while since I've taken them training with me. They'd always slow me down and I needed to try and keep a consistent time. So we'll see. There's a run Saturday morning though downtown. I'm not sure if I want to go do that one or just do a long run on my own. I kinda want to run a trail instead of asphalt or cement. It'll be better for my body to run in the dirt. I might get better time. Who knows. I'll wait to hear from April and see what she wants to do.

Your support and donations for my fundraising has exceeded my expectations. I remember when I originally signed up I thought I'd never be able to reach $3500 and here I am now at $5300! You guys ROCK! It's a good thing I only do these charity runs once a year. I don't think I could do so well if it was all the time. Next year I'll probably go back to the Relay For Life - a 24hr walk. My parents really enjoy that one and we missed it this year.

Well I think I am going to go and relax now. Thanks for listening! I'll write again soon.

Deb

Extreme Heat

I can't believe how hot it's been lately. It's really a killer on the running. Trying to run even 2-3 miles is ridiculous in this heat. I don't think I've sweat so much in a short period of time ever. But don't worry, I'm keeping myself hydrated and fueled up on those good carbs to keep me going.

I've been sick this past week with a fever of 100. I have no idea how that happened seeing as how it's not extremely cold weather we have. So that set my training back a week. But I'm feeling much better now. I'm still congested and have this nasty cough, but I'm keeping myself medicated to minimize my runny nose and such. I started out easy today and just did the elliptical for about an hour. It felt good to get back to training. I missed this weekend's long run which I'm kinda bummed about. I really enjoy going on the long runs with all my teammates. Plus there was a pre-race hydration clinic that I really could have used but my coach said she'd fill me in on everything. 

So there's only 4 weeks left until race day. I can't believe it. It feels like time is going faster the closer it gets to July 20th. I'm getting kinda nervous about the race. I have my days where I really have to think about what I'm doing. I'm not a distance runner in the least - especially with my asthma holding me back at time. The air quality kinda sucks right now. I can only hope the air is better up in Napa. I know people have been warning me about the heat up there in July, but if I can run here in the friggin desert, why not up there in wine country. I'm definitely going to need all the encouragement I can get, so feel free to send those good vibes my way. 

I want to thank all of you again for your generous donations. I have almost reached $5000!!! That's so exciting. I think I'm only about $200 away and I have one week to get there for it to count by race day. So if you haven't donated yet, please do so. My mom and I really would appreciate it.

Thanks For The Support

Wow! That's all I can say right now. Just, wow.

Your support and generous donations have been more than I thought would ever come out of this. I took a little vacation to Vegas this past weekend and when I came back, I checked my online donation page and WOW! You guys are the best! I've reached my goal of $3500! I could not have done this without you. 

So, I've decided to try and set a new goal of $5000 and see how much I can raise by July 20th. Your generous donations just keep coming in and it just blows my mind. I feel blessed to have people like you in my life.

I'm speechless. Thank you soo much!

I will keep training and pushing myself to make you all proud so that I can cross that finish line!

Half Way There

Team Challenge -- is just that. Yesterday we had a 7.5 mile course at Torrey Pines State Reserve. We did the trail and beach run. Though this time I chose to train with the power walkers due to an email I got from our endurance manager that said for the "wunners" this terrain would be best trained with the walkers. So April and I joined them this week. I have to say that those power walkers train just as hard as us runners. I figured it wouldn't be as tough as our run training, but it's just as hard. The walking coach, Devon, is great. She pushed us and gave us personal tips for our gait - exercises and such. She showed us the power walking moves and got us to 14 minute miles. 

In order to be in the race, you have to be no higher than 14 minute miles. No problem. We've got that covered. Between walking and running, we've got it in the bag.

The training yesterday was so exhausting. Granted I haven't really been running more than about 4 miles when we go out for about an hour run so to do 7.5 miles was definitely a push and a challenge. If I'm already exhausted after 7.5 miles, how the hell am I gonna do the other half. But you know what? I'll get there. I'm pushing my endurance to get there. I WILL get there. 

I loved the view of our training though. We were coastal and so once we made it up to the top of the Torrey Pines hills - wow. The view was spectacular. We walked down the hill to the beach and along Blacks (for those of you that don't know Blacks beach, it's our nudie beach - mostly gays - though there were no nudies while we were there) We went out to the ghettie and then back along the beach all the way to the parking lot - about a mile back. 

I was proud of myself for sticking with it. Half way there.

I CAN DO IT!!

Energized

Hey everyone! I just got back from a 2 mile run with my dogs and I'm feeling great! I think that the new inhaler is actually starting to work! Usually at the end of a run I am dead tired and out of breath -- but today, the out of breath isn't as bad as it usually is and I'm not completely exhausted. Hungry, yes. But not super exhausted. 

My mile time has been staying pretty consistent lately. I'm still around 12.5 minute miles, but my asthma seems to be improving ever so slightly. And for that I am thankful to my new doctor!

We have a 70 minute run this Saturday at Torrey Pines. I hope all goes well. That place has some hills, but on the bright side, it'll be a nice view of the pacific and the weather is going to be great. Of course I'll lather up in sunscreen. I think I'll actually be tan by the time this run is over.

Thanks to everyone for your support and generous donations. I'm half way to my goal! Keep 'em coming!

The Little Runner That Could

Wow. The run today was a little more intense this time. We ran for an hour at Mission Trails and I guess we ended up choosing the rockiest of trails. I found it tough to run down or even up the rocky hills. The rocks were protruding from every where. The entire trail wasn't like that, but a lot of it was. I felt like the little engine that could. "You can do this," I kept telling myself. It got hot fast and I got out of breath earlier than I have been. The doctor put me on a new inhaler on top of the one I already have. I don't really think it's doing much different but maybe it takes a while to really see results. It's only been about a week since I started using it. Now I have to take Flovent twice a day, every day and if I feel I need my albeuterol inhaler, to use that when needed. 

So I fell behind everyone, but I had my tunes to keep me going. I think I need to make a new playlist. I've been listening to the same music every time I run, so I think it's time to change it up. I've also been thinking that I should just get one of the tiny MP3 players. My iPod is so big and clunky to have strapped on my arm. It's almost worth it to spend the money to get one of the iPod shuffles or some cheap MP3 player (but the problem with that one is that it has to be Mac compatible. My PC laptop is non-functional at the moment). If anyone has some suggestions, please let me know. Though I have no clue if anyone is actually reading this, but if you are - thanks for reading!!

I have to admit that half the time I'm running, I still wonder why I'm doing it. I mean, I know WHY but more like why am I actually running. I can barely keep up with the other runners, my asthma is getting the better of me. I should really just be walking. But I don't like the sound of that - "walking a half marathon." It sounds cooler to say "running a marathon." Am I right? I like the idea of running a marathon and finishing it, but actually doing the long distant running is SO tough. It's a lot harder than I thought. I can sprint in soccer - no problem. But running for miles and miles...I must be crazy! Oh well. I've gotten this far. It's been one month already! I can't believe it. Only 2 more to go. July 20th will be here in no time. 

I finally downloaded the pictures from the benefit party and with Picasa I can embed a slide show on here - so for those of you who want to see the pictures - here they are!

Renewed Motivation

Wow. I can't believe it has been almost an entire month since I last wrote. My whole plan with this blog was to update you at least once a week and I seem to have fallen short of that. So sorry. I'm going to try and not do that now. But let me update you on what's happened the past few weeks.

I got a phone call from one of my friends asking if their band could play a show at my house since they hadn't booked anything for the month of April. I had no problem with that. I enjoy playing host to a party anyways. I don't know why. Hmm.
Anyways, I got to thinking that this would be the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the situation and use it to my benefit - and when I mean my benefit, I really mean the benefit for Team Challenge. I turned it into a small benefit concert for CCFA. I found another band, sent emails to all my friends, and thus became my first "real" fundraiser for this half marathon.
There was a really nice turn out. People jammed out with the band, while others drank. And the more people drank, the more we got them to donate so it really worked out in my favor. I was able to raise $315 dollars! Wow. I couldn't believe it! That was so awesome. I love my friends. That put me $315 closer to my goal. And since I've been feeling like my fundraising has become stagnant, this was a great motivational boost. The only thing that sucks is that the numbers don't show online until the national chapter in NY enters the info and that could take a few weeks. But at least I know that I'm that much closer to $3500.

Then Passover came. I never feel like I eat well during Passover. I mean, I know I do, but because we're limited to certain foods, after a while, matzah just doesn't do it for me. April 19th there was a clinic up in Carlsbad at this place called Velocity. It's like an endurance training facility. I ended up over-sleeping and got there late after hauling ass up to Carlsbad. Got a good work out but I hate that my asthma slows me down. I don't think the albeuteral is working anymore. But more on that later.
I raced home afterwards to get ready for the evening Passover seder. It turned out nice.

Last week I went on vacation to NYC to visit one of my best friends. She's a dog walker so I knew I'd be getting a bunch of exercise with her. I had full intentions to do my workouts while I was there, but I'll admit, I got lazy. Though I DID go jogging in Central Park and Kevin Bacon almost ran into me. He was jumping over some barrier going the opposite direction and landed in my vicinity. Totally didn't see that coming. I was close enough to touch him. My friend really wanted to give him a "high 5" but chickened out. He was trying to be incognito with his baseball cap, but he's so recognizable that it's hard not to know who he is.
I had intentions to go back into the park and jog but dog walking with Jesi tired me out. I don't know how she does it. My feet were killing me. On the plus size, I got LOTS of cross training done.

Now that I'm back home I plan on sticking to my guns and really get out there and run a little more every day. I have to get a better time or at least try and keep a consistent pace. I saw a doctor today that I'm hoping can help with the asthma. He's having me take a new inhaler that's compatible with the one I have now. But he's hoping that I won't have to take it. This new one is some kind of steroid inhaler that's supposed to make breathing a bit easier. 2 puffs, 2x day. It's supposed to start to show some results within 2 - 3 days. Today is #1. Maybe I might get lucky and it'll make tomorrow's run easier.

Tomorrow we have long run in La Jolla Shores followed by a big potluck picnic for us and our honored guests. Unfortunately both my parents have prior engagements. I was hoping at least one would show up. Oh well. I've got my teammates to entertain me anyways. :o)

I'll let you know how tomorrow goes --- sooner than later I hope!

OH! I'll have to put pictures from the concert up. Maybe this weekend. Look for them soon.

I'm a Wunner

Saturday's run went well. It was soo cold though. I should have worn a heavier running jacket. It was perfect for the run but afterwards during our fundraising clinic, it definitely wasn't thick enough.

I've made friends with one of my teammates who seems to be at the same pace as I am. We kinda of have this support system. I think it will be nice to have a running partner. Now when I say run, I really mean, run AND walk - a Wunner. With my asthma it just makes sense. There are actually quite a few wunners on our team. We just have to find the right pace to get us across that finish line in less than 3 hours. Well that's my goal at least. If I were to RUN the 13.1 miles with a 13:50 pace, I'd finish in just a tad over 3 hours. I have a goal to get down to at least 10 minute miles and then see where that will get me. This is definitely as challenging as I thought it would be.

Tomorrow I've got to go for a run for about 30 minutes. We'll see how far I can go.

There's more room in my mouth now

Wow! I just realized it's been almost a week since I last wrote. Not a lot has happened, but I'll share anyways.

I got my wisdom teeth pulled last Friday which really put a damper on my training schedule. I haven't felt much like doing anything. The pain just kinda sucks. I can't take Vicodin since it makes me sick so they gave me codine (tylenol with codine). Not as strong but for the most part it does what it's supposed to. I've been taking it with some Advil, which in the end makes me kinda loopy/dizzy. I ran out now but the doc says that since I'm healing well to just take Advil when I need it...which right now is like 3 times a day. It sucks because it's just one of those uncomfortable feelings in my mouth. Mainly it hurts in the morning and the doc said it was probably because I've been clenching my teeth while I sleep. Who knew!
So I haven't really run since Friday morning. I did do my 2 miles before the oral surgery, which was a total mistake seeing as how I forgot I wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours prior to surgery. Duh! Oh well. They were able to do it anyways since it was just water that I drank.

Now that I'm feeling more up to actually running - I missed playing soccer for the past week - I think I'm going to try and do a run either tonight or tomorrow. We have a group run this Saturday morning down in Mission Beach for about 45 min and then there's a fundraising clinic afterwards. I'm looking forward to both.
I just got word that some of the company matching went through. I'm now $500 closer to my goal of $3500!! I think that brings me to a total of $1695.99! Wow. You guys are the best. Please keep passing on the word to all your friends and family. I hope to reach $3500 before June.

I'll let you know how the run on Saturday goes. Til then!

CIAO!