tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36565666948683006582023-06-15T11:07:53.966-07:00Marathon ShapeTraining for a marathon or any running event is a test of physical and mental strength. I’ve never been a runner, but after training to run my first marathon in 2008, I fell in love with the sport. In November 2010, I ran my 5th half-marathon. One month later I had emergency brain surgery to remove a two-inch tumor. This blog is about my journey to get back into the physical and mental shape I was in so I can continue my long distance running and ultimately get to run another marathon.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-28266654469958346282017-06-23T13:43:00.000-07:002017-08-06T13:51:28.224-07:00Reflections on Completing 1st Post-Brain Surgery Marathon<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue';">I did it! I did my first marathon post brain surgery, </span>second<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue';"> marathon in my lifetime. With any endurance race, friends and fellow runners always ask, “when’s the next one?” </span>Simple<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue';"> truth is: I don’t know. Marathon running takes a heck a lot out of you. You have to sacrifice time with friends. You have to build in time to sleep. And, learning what macro nutrients are ideal for this kind of mileage is like having a full-time job. Then there is the injury. Some can make it through a marathon without injury. I could not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I did the best I could with the unique training schedule that was a result of working 60-70 hours a week during the first 8 weeks of my training when I should have been working 40 and laying a strong foundation. Fortunately, these hours as a project manager overseeing a 70 person company move and the completion of a new building also meant I was often walking 5-7 miles daily. Still, I could not escape injury.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">When running a marathon, you constantly have to check in with your body. Is that a pebble in my shoe? Am I engaging my abs? Are my muscles tired or did I injure something? Unlike my first marathon, I don’t feel like I hit the wall… or if I did I just knew I had to keep going because you can’t stop running a marathon just because you’re tired. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">At mile 17 my hamstrings started burning. There was a short line to get your legs sprayed down with something icy. I pulled over. Man, did it feel good. From mile 17 to 26.2 there were two more stops, three sprays in all. I probably could have skipped the last two, but mentally, it helped keep me going. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">What I didn't realize during the race was that I hurt my left hip. When the hot walker (so named for their job and not for looks) collected me after I got my medal and took me around to gather food and gear check, I was sore. Legs, abs, arms all ached. These types of discomfort are expected after you run 26.2 miles. I kept walking. Found my family. Found my friends. I was stiff. Kept stretching. I couldn’t make my left hip feel okay. The next day, I had the same problem. Where the femur joins the ball socket of my hip felt bruised. An ultra marathoner friend told me to stretch, foam roll, and worst of all— take two weeks off— From everything! No running. No dancing. Not even weight lifting. I was only permitted to do slow short walks. This was maddening. I knew I would go stir crazy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">And, while I was encouraged to be inactive, there was a convergence of life experiences that accelerated weight gain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I met someone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">While training, I joined a dating site. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On January 24, I was matched with a wordsmith. Because of the training and sleep regimen I was holding myself to, I told him we’d have to wait until March 20<sup>th</sup> for a date. He was okay with waiting. Even though we only had text conversations, the cadence of speech, grammar and punctuation of Mr. January 24 was something to behold for this Writing Major’s heart. I wanted to give him Saturday, March 25. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Two weeks after our first date I did a four-mile run while Mr. January worked out with his trainer. We had a couple more dates like this, I do a short distance while he works out. I felt so good each time my foot fell on the dirt track and my arms pumped to give myself more speed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">And then somewhere in there, I got out of the habit of running. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">We’d go out to eat. I stay up too late to hit the gym early in the morning. It was a perfect storm to create disgrace and self-loathing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRUz2JTBZSE/WYeAl5Kbu5I/AAAAAAAABbs/1ta4bQtr4gAgnwra6Fd2Ju0qOSDVnve5QCLcBGAs/s1600/love%2Bweight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="480" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRUz2JTBZSE/WYeAl5Kbu5I/AAAAAAAABbs/1ta4bQtr4gAgnwra6Fd2Ju0qOSDVnve5QCLcBGAs/s320/love%2Bweight.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Injury = take a break from training (of any kind)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">No race on the books = complacency <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Dating = happy love weight <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">It was a trifecta that gnaws at your stomach and whispers in your ear, "you're going to be fat and slow forever." I have been annoyed, every time I get 8 pounds away from my ideal weight, my body holds steady, adjusts and then I gain the weight back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I signed up for the <a href="https://www.pasadenahalf.com/" target="_blank">Pasadena half marathon in January 2018</a>. I put a new training schedule on my fridge. Friends started to remind me about a fall race I said I wanted to do. I rejoined <a href="http://bodyspace./">BodySpace.</a> And while I was making these small but important Modifications, I called my gym to cancel my personal trainer... I had passed the year contract commitment. I could cancel, but I would have thirty days to use my training sessions I had in my cache. I had 57 30 min sessions. And, we decided twice a week to reduce these quickly. I asked for an hour each time to reduce my girth. Done. Now, I have to be at the gym at least twice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The first training session with new trainer was rough but manageable. For my second encounter, I decided to do thirty minutes of running intervals first. I was quite sure I was going to collapse with the kettle bell side lunges or dumbbell step ups. I managed to eke out the workout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I talked to him about appropriate weight. If I want to build muscle, if 12 reps is too easy, I need a heavier weight. (If we're being honest, I don't want to be too bulky, but I like it when I have more definition... More weight it is!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I took a rest day; reset my <a href="https://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/" target="_blank">BodySpace c</a>alendar restart at an appropriate level. I figure this is the plan I started with. Build the muscles, get used to waking up early, and get used to getting ready at gym. Then, I'll let myself start on the women's 20-39 max weight loss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I didn't pay close enough attention- today was supposed to be a rest day. I skipped the rest and went for upper body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I feel great. Feel like it's not hopeless. I also remember that after you have a certain level of fitness, if/when you take time off it feels like you're starting from zero. It feels like zero every time, but your body knows what to do. It's not zero and getting back into desired shape is not impossible. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-74024966082999919492017-03-19T12:53:00.000-07:002017-03-21T13:02:37.195-07:00A Quick Post Recap ... More to come<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g"><span><span>Ran my second marathon today... Great weather! I've been working like crazy... 60-70 hr weeks when I needed to lay a strong foundation. (Fortunately, I was also walking 4-5 daily at work!) Work tapered to 50 hr weeks. Was hoping to do a sub 7 hr race. </span></span><span><span><span>Ended up finishing in 5:58:14 (only 10 min off my PR)!</span><br /><br /><span>Ran with my old running buddy</span><span> for first 8 miles or so, which included running past my secondary oncologist's old office and my first apartment... Found parents at mile 12 and found another fried & his 8-year-old daughter on Sunset Strip... Hammies started hurting around 15 and got sprayed down with Icy Hot... Wicked Side cramp at 24, but overall emotionally easiest run ever had. </span><br /><br /><span>Thank you all for the cheers and prayers! </span></span></span></span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-74479304730853844852017-03-17T13:04:00.000-07:002017-03-21T13:04:53.046-07:00It Just Got Real: 03-17-17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-62688222322913949842017-03-11T13:11:00.000-08:002017-03-21T13:12:00.395-07:00Last Push Before Marathon<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Last long run before LA Marathon. Encountered Pasadena reverse Tri and this fabulous pine cone.</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-7678616753702463452017-03-09T13:15:00.000-08:002017-03-21T13:15:40.521-07:00Always special when friends call you out.... On those days just when you can't push anymore, without saying you need encouragement, they are there reminding you how far you've come and what you're capable of.... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-21380607396515840622017-03-06T13:15:00.000-08:002017-03-21T13:16:30.057-07:00Long Strange Strip from ZeroWow! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to hear myself scream, "oh my God, I only have to run 4 miles tomorrow!" What a crazy paradigm shift endurance running has been!<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-36165181826454988812017-03-04T13:19:00.000-08:002017-03-21T13:19:28.524-07:00<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Pasadena- hills. 12 miles. Did something different and followed another route. Thank you World Vision for the path and the messages! <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span>Despite negative self talk, God's love was everywhere. By mile 5, I had passed a number of people who cheered me on, this sign and I started thinking, "hey maybe I can train to do that 8min mile that's making its way around FB." </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span>Besides the lovely "Stay Strong" message, when I got to the crest of the hill and I wasn't sure where to go, there was a pictogram of an arrow and a person screaming, "WHEEEEEEEEE." </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-2784130233056834492017-02-27T13:39:00.000-08:002017-03-21T13:43:53.544-07:00Calling All Friends For MusicTraining and Running is more than just miles... you sometimes want a good tune or two to sing along to... whether you run with music or just ambient sounds....<br />
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I have my 2nd marathon in 3 weeks. I have Phl 4:13 and Isaiah 30:40-41... One friend suggested adding Church Camp songs to help me with the rough miles. (Challenge accepted!) The Doors's "Road House Blues" helps with the downhill and "Pharaoh Pharaoh" has a great cadence for flat, but I'm taking suggestions for other songs to add! I need happy and uplifting... No "One Tin Soldier" or anything like that! I'm looking At you...<br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-64277201732874629732017-02-23T13:44:00.000-08:002017-03-21T13:45:13.510-07:00Charity Running It's nearing that time in my training... After twenty (20) miles this weekend, the taper starts next week. I'm already getting emotional. I'm feeling prepared and then not quite prepared. And as I go on the L.A. Marathon page, I toggle over to see what charities are participating. Some groups are simply running for a presence and to show solidarity while other charities like will benefit from the people who train and raise money. Whatever the motivation for the team based/charity based running it is all for a good cause. There is certainly time to donate to the team as a whole. <br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-69415550549935386282017-02-19T13:29:00.000-08:002017-03-21T13:46:29.738-07:00Long Runs Are Great With FriendsThe long training runs are so much more enjoyable with friends. On those runs, you scrap the "how's the weather" talk and dig into more interesting conversation. It's extra special when your friends share their favorite running routes with you too!<br />
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What a day!!! Four weeks until the LA Marathon... 18 miles on the books. Feeling strong. Thank you <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=592649464" href="https://www.facebook.com/melissaerwin">Melissa 'Bodily' Erwin</a> for finding the course and joining me for 10... All the cheers near and far (<a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1109011953" href="https://www.facebook.com/jacbost">Jac</a>, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=671963727" href="https://www.facebook.com/krista.davis.35">Krista</a>, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1228476007" href="https://www.facebook.com/carol.b.johnson.58">Carol</a>... And other good thoughts) and <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=13001580" href="https://www.facebook.com/billtravers">Bill Travers</a>- holy smokes! Your winter training and bossin' Heartbreak Hill in these chilly temps is inspirational! I will not complain about 54 and overcast!<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-56124255058995696122017-02-11T13:48:00.000-08:002017-03-21T13:48:31.643-07:00Cupid's Undie RunHoly moly! What a blessing as I prepare for my LA training run (because I'm insane to do 16-18 miles before a charity run) I woke up to see that I've exceeded my fundraising goal! Thank you all for helping me get there! <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=508048218" href="https://www.facebook.com/johnathanr">Johnathan Ruggiero</a> <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=13001580" href="https://www.facebook.com/billtravers">Bill Travers</a> Antony Pretti <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=678097684" href="https://www.facebook.com/amy.cheong.31">Amy Cheong</a> <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=699192292" href="https://www.facebook.com/christine.oppenheim.1">Christine Altounian</a><a aria-controls="js_i99" aria-describedby="js_i9a" aria-haspopup="true" class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=529113298" href="https://www.facebook.com/cattlebane" id="js_i9b">Jacques Altounian</a> Sebastian Altounian <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000407377385" href="https://www.facebook.com/paula.lazeski">Paula Lazeski</a> <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=722161163" href="https://www.facebook.com/linnea.amodio">Linnea Bronson Amodio</a> <a aria-controls="js_ife" aria-describedby="js_iff" aria-haspopup="true" class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000408906958" href="https://www.facebook.com/cary.freeny" id="js_ifg">Cary Freeny</a> <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=30510626" href="https://www.facebook.com/vivalalaura85">Laura Crook</a> <span class="_5mfr _47e3"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v8/f6a/1/16/1f497.png" width="16" /><span class="_7oe">💗</span></span><span class="_5mfr _47e3"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v8/f6a/1/16/1f497.png" width="16" /><span class="_7oe">💗</span></span><span class="_5mfr _47e3"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v8/f6a/1/16/1f497.png" width="16" /><span class="_7oe">💗</span></span> proper thank yous and details to come!!<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-80806924013949150372017-02-04T13:31:00.000-08:002017-03-21T13:31:31.337-07:00Running Makes You HungryWell, it was an interesting 13 miles. Hungry at mile 7 and a little cold at mile 9.5 (wore off by 11). Need to do something different next week!<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-90134134719391091592017-01-29T13:34:00.000-08:002017-03-21T13:35:09.374-07:00Hills and Heat in PasadenaFinished 16 in Pasadena... Took phone w me for safety and the darn thing says I ran 18 (per step tracker), which could have something to do w fatigue (besides the relentless hills and mid-day temps that were 5* hotter than what was promised.)<br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-3573210516111583172017-01-14T08:04:00.000-08:002017-01-14T08:04:53.393-08:00Pre-long Run Morning Museings<span style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Last week I didn't run 10 with a fuel belt or chomps. I still hadn't replaced my belt from when I left it in my rental car. I bought a new one along w new kicks this week. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The excitement and palpitations I'm feeling when I'm adjusting my belt and filling with water and BCAA is unreal. It draws me back to so many good long runs, what the long run means to me and how endurance running has changed my life. I was tired when the alarm went off. I was tired when I hit snooze. Now, I can't wait to get out there! </span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-82829215495867316322017-01-09T12:33:00.000-08:002017-01-09T12:33:14.918-08:00A Long Sunday Run... Double Digits; Finally!<span style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The problem with writing a blog about marathon running while holding down a day job and training is that the two activities give you very little time to write about which you are blogging. </span><br />
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After 3 weeks of 60+ hrs of work, Christmas and a cold, I got a 10 mile run in. Ten miles is my favorite weekend distance. Today was not an easy run, but it's in the books! </div>
<br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-78168942856454680142016-09-03T00:12:00.003-07:002016-09-03T00:12:58.408-07:00L.A. MarathonWhelp, I did it. I finally singed up for the L.A. Marathon.<br />
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I've lived in Los Angels for 14 years and seven of those years I would classify myself as an endurance runner, but I've never run the <a href="http://www.lamarathon.com/" target="_blank">L.A. Marathon</a>. I've watched the race from home, cheered friends on from the sidelines and even organized a group of bandit runners to pass one friend off like a baton every couple miles while he ran his first marathon.<br />
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After my surgery I wrote a bucket list, and on it is "do another endurance race" AND "run the L.A. Marathon." I've done several endurance races since brain surgery, but L.A. Marathon was just too convenient somehow. And, even though I said I wanted to do another marathon because I didn't want to be a one and done marathon runner, the truth of it is, training for a marathon is a giant pain. I do not blame the one and done folks. Your life becomes consumed with training and you have to decline things like cake and build your social life around your training schedule. But the L.A. Marathon is out there; it's on the list. I've crossed some things off because I know they aren't me anymore or even possible, like grow taller, but running the <a href="http://www.lamarathon.com/" target="_blank">L.A. Marathon </a>is attainable.<br />
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More than being attainable, it is more than likely that it will be my last opportunity to do it as an L.A. resident. I feel bad blogging about an imenent move without telling all my friends. Casually commenting, "it will likely be my last opportunity to do a race as an L.A. resident." Moving has been a decision that wasn't easy. But I've started to put the wheels in motion much like training. And, since running a race in the city you live in is more economically sound than buying a plane ticket to fly across the country to run with jet-lag, running the 2017 L.A. Marathon is not only economically sound, it's clinically sound too.<br />
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I've gained weight with the new job, lost some muscle and cardio, but I can get it all back and naturally improve. I have 28 weeks to train, starting Monday. My PR is so old, it wasn't even accepted for corral seeding. I'm not training for time (although I'm a competitive person, so even though I say I'm not, training for time my heart is). I'm training for fun. I'll take my camera on the course and take pictures. This will be a fun way to see and say goodbye to the city I've called home for so long.<br />
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*If you're reading this and are surprised, let's talk this weekend. I'm sorry our schedules haven't aligned to have a conversation.*<br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-32503394095697274612016-08-13T06:57:00.000-07:002016-08-13T06:58:19.200-07:00RunningYAY! It's not even 7am and I already got my run (and abs) in.<br />
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The excitement I have is better than expecting Christmas. I'm flying home soon to see my family. If these early mornings keep up, there'll be even fewer excuses to not run. I have several friends that would advise with all this energy I should do a double workout. I might not want to do another run, but a long walk would be nice!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-48188589889244973902016-07-17T11:51:00.000-07:002016-07-17T11:51:03.404-07:00Recalibration <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';">It's easy to do.... The first couple days you feel “Meh” and
then that cookie you could've said no to calls your name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I got a new job. My daily rhythm is out of sync. In an effort
to be optimum at the new job and understanding all the moving parts that go
with it, I opted for sleep over the gym. I was feeling slightly lethargic and I
could see and feel my body changing. More alarming, I could feel my brain
chemistry changing— I didn't and don’t like it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Through the first three weeks of the new job I battled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">“Today will be the day I start exercising before work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">“I am behind on my weekly sleep. If I'm going to understand
this thing, I need to get adequate sleep. I can go back to the gym later.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">“I feel crummy. These non-gym in the mornings can’t continue”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">“What has happened to my cardiovascular system?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five miles was getting easy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">And this is what the last three weeks have looked like. The
job consumes all my mental bandwidth. I’ve been too tired or too scared to
exercise in the morning. The fear comes from the possibility of not having
super-human intellect to grasp all the initiatives, causes and responsibilities
that the director I’m working with has.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The evening is out the window because I have other
commitments or need to get home, eat and go to bed so I can repeat the slippery
slope tomorrow. This slope looks like guilt because exercising before work
could either A. physically drained me or B. I wouldn’t be “early” to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Silly I know. I cannot stay here any more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The last three weeks have been filled with me telling myself
exercise is necessary. Then guilt and or fear creep in for doing it. Worse,
when you repeatedly don’t do it, not doing it starts being easy. Not doing it
and making less than good food choices becomes easier. The first week I was
counting macronutrients. I haven’t counted a macro in 14 days. It would be
easier to not count them; they are a pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I like macros. I feel really good when I focus on them. I
feel even better when I eat them with a solid exercise program. To be my best
self I need both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Knowing this, I still have frustration with myself. By now,
my running schedule had me up to 9 miles for a long run on the weekends with a
mid-week run of 7. If all I was doing was training, I could be here. BUT, I
live in the real world and am supremely lucky to have a job that I enjoy and
challenges me. I have to find a balance. It can’t be helped. With this setback,
the inner critic starts wagging it’s finger: “You could be doing better. See,
who were you kidding? You are not an athlete. An athlete would not let
themselves we waylaid by a new job.”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIjiULAzeeE/VvhO8TBTCGI/AAAAAAAABCM/TY8VIaFPZ5orlPjRzIjWW2jCyUaEetigwCKgB/s1600/2-20-16%2BBurning%2BLungs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIjiULAzeeE/VvhO8TBTCGI/AAAAAAAABCM/TY8VIaFPZ5orlPjRzIjWW2jCyUaEetigwCKgB/s1600/2-20-16%2BBurning%2BLungs.jpg" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I have friends that are by the true definition, an “athlete.”
They are the ones that qualify for the Boston Marathon. They train to run sub-3
hour marathons. They take a divisional fist when they race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">They also get injured. They get sick. Something happens and
they have to work back from being on the Disabled List. It’s not necessarily
the nature of training; it’s the nature of being human.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">When the flu or injury subside, they have to start training
again. It’s not from the beginning; they have to pick up somewhere in the
middle, knowing that the first couple sessions back, maybe even the first
couple weeks back won’t be fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Now, it’s my turn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I was nearly doing an inclined bench of 30 without effort.
Now, 25 is rough. Who knows what my average running speed looks
like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More alarming than these physical
challenges, I do not like that I was able to feel my brain chemistry changing. I
don't like it. I need to shift myself back to where I was (again). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The first week will be rough, like I'm learning to do it all
over again. I feel lucky. I work for an MD. Yes, he pushes his staff with work
and expectations until they cry uncle or make it clear to him that his
expectations are unreasonable. But, while he pushes us to intellectual and
organizational capacity, he has told me numerous times "we need you
healthy." He gets health. He understands the importance of exercise. Now,
that I mostly understand the job and he has made this declaration, exercising
before work has become priority (again). It needs to stay there. If not for my
birthday goal or for my half marathon goal, at the very least I need to keep up
the momentum of exercising for myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-25846276287997316762016-06-12T19:57:00.002-07:002016-06-12T19:57:22.298-07:00Who Needs A Car?Did I just run 1.2 miles to do a HIIT workout (High Intensity Interval Training) and then run home? You bet I did!<br />
<br />
Despite having a rough week managing diet and exercise, these last 3 days have been AMAZING. I love this new route and want to explore more areas along the local greenway known as the Tujunga Wash. I think I can make it all the way to Studio City.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-18021004139918079472016-06-11T22:34:00.001-07:002016-06-11T22:34:12.582-07:00Sharing A Tradition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXC8WKv5_8M/V1zuwg_l_8I/AAAAAAAABH8/-fMKMnIBQIEcJs7IYke-1l2CYY6I8w2dwCKgB/s1600/Lake%2BBalboa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXC8WKv5_8M/V1zuwg_l_8I/AAAAAAAABH8/-fMKMnIBQIEcJs7IYke-1l2CYY6I8w2dwCKgB/s1600/Lake%2BBalboa.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">You feel a lot of things on a run. You literally might waiting for
your body to get warm before you can pour on more effort. You could be anxious
because you’re getting to that portion of your training course you don’t like.
Thoughts may wander or there could be extreme focus on breath, posture and
arms. For me, the longer a run gets, the more varied (and sometimes wild) my
thoughts become.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Author, <a href="http://www.harukimurakami.com/"><span style="color: #420178;">Haruki Marakami</span></a> observed, “The thoughts that
occur to me while I’m running are like clouds in the sky. Clouds of all
different sizes. They come and they go, while the sky remains the same sky
always. The clouds are mere guests in the sky that pass away and vanish,
leaving behind the sky.”</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And that is what happened when I was on mile 4.25 of a four-mile run
that became five miles.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_e1lPE9ZD4/V1zuw2FOi_I/AAAAAAAABH8/KgA3N1lW8M4Gym7mYOOjh83V1ZOBKrO2gCKgB/s1600/sepulvedaBasinRC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_e1lPE9ZD4/V1zuw2FOi_I/AAAAAAAABH8/KgA3N1lW8M4Gym7mYOOjh83V1ZOBKrO2gCKgB/s1600/sepulvedaBasinRC.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Today was my ideal running weather. Sixty-six, overcast and a light
drizzle. My intent was to get out extra early and conquer the hills that ate me
alive two weeks ago. But, before I knew it, I was driving to </span><a href="http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=126" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #420178;">The
Encino Golf Course and Recreation Center</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">. I love this place. This is
where I overcame my fear of double-digit runs and where I made life-long
friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">In January, I started <a href="http://gretchenrubin.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project</span></a>. It’s
helped me set tangible monthly goals, with the idea to keep the
previous month's goal and add a new goal(s) the next month. Naturally,
increasing weekly mileage each month was a goal I set in January. Another theme
she tackles is “Try Something New.” With a new commute, I was going to read
more, and I was going to achieve this using audio books. When I was at the
library, perusing shelves of potential books <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sally-Ride-Americas-First-Woman/dp/1476725764?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0"><span style="color: windowtext;">“</span><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space,”</span></a> leapt
out at me. I have no interest in space. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Try Something New.”</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Being of a child of the 1980’s, of course I knew who she was. She
was a hero to my teachers and being contemporary, we were strongly encouraged
to do a book report on her. I knew she was the first American woman in space.
That’s all I knew. When I picked up the CDI didn’t know what I’d find. I
loved the book. And now, I love Sally Ride. I learned a lot of things, among
them, she grew up in Encino, California, the very city where I did my first
double-digit run. She is far beyond and more important than being the first
woman in space.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Fitness and her endurance was quietly woven through the book.
Running, was something she did well and it allowed her to do many of the
physical things she did, among them, be a nationally ranked tennis player.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">When I drove to </span><a href="http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=126" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #420178;">The
Encino Golf Course and Recreation Center</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> I did not have Sally
Ride on my mind. I was thinking about my mileage and the connection to friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZ0d8ra2-6U/V1zuwgka3xI/AAAAAAAABH8/rsD5Z6a2sHEKUo_jWSG9hMkrQTZ-VAp0QCKgB/s1600/run-course-balboa-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZ0d8ra2-6U/V1zuwgka3xI/AAAAAAAABH8/rsD5Z6a2sHEKUo_jWSG9hMkrQTZ-VAp0QCKgB/s320/run-course-balboa-trail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I had four miles on my training schedule. I ran around the man-made
lake looking at waterfowl and smiling at runners that passed. Then I turned to
the familiar interior loop. I passed the golf clubhouse, the spot where Team
and Training meets, through the area where there is exercise equipment and then
a left to get the last mile plus done. It is on the backside of that course,
along the over-grown area of the L.A. River, I thought of </span><a href="https://sallyridescience.com/" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #420178;">Sally Ride</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">My soul started vibrating. I don’t like comparing myself to other
people and don’t make a practice of it. I always try to do better than my best
or do better than that goal I think I should be doing (even if that goal is
realistically several years off). And, while I don’t like comparing myself to
other people, in that moment, Sally Ride was on my mind.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">She ran this course. I’m working to get back into Marathon Shape and
running the same routes that Sally Ride ran! A unique run for sure. I focused
on friends, posture, breath and then Sally Ride.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xiplEpUm6WU/V1zuwgERTBI/AAAAAAAABH8/3n1BOvHoxDIGCeqsBmb2xUV0N3eeeDeMACKgB/s1600/Sally-Ride-Quotes-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xiplEpUm6WU/V1zuwgERTBI/AAAAAAAABH8/3n1BOvHoxDIGCeqsBmb2xUV0N3eeeDeMACKgB/s320/Sally-Ride-Quotes-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 26px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1242px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 26px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1242px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 26px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1242px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 26px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1242px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-64274587603877015382016-05-29T21:26:00.001-07:002016-05-29T21:26:19.911-07:00Rough Runs .... Make Us Stronger<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Man,
this run was rough. REALLY rough. Last week's 3 miles wasn't easy, but it
wasn't rough. This one jut plain hurt. It was more than the hills, my legs
didn't want to cooperate. Portions that were suppose to be easy were so
difficult, I couldn't even slow my running pace. I had to walk. I don't want to
walk on a training RUN.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I
was demoralized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ROjzLMRqA4o/V0u2vBBe9zI/AAAAAAAABGk/mD_64y6T51cw7d9Z61Q8SoZc8ui21TOAQCKgB/s1600/TopResedaFR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ROjzLMRqA4o/V0u2vBBe9zI/AAAAAAAABGk/mD_64y6T51cw7d9Z61Q8SoZc8ui21TOAQCKgB/s320/TopResedaFR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">What do I have up my sleeve for next week? Add on
to weekly mileage and hill repeats in Mount Lee on Saturday. I'm also doing
something this race- I'm weight training and cross-training. I had started
weight training in the winter to build strength and definition. Finally, after
months of prodding from friends "what's your next race," I found this
one. There are easier halves for sure, but I kind of like</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">doing something
that scares me a little bit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">It
was so rough, I was running 100-200 yards before I had to walk 50 yards. Bleh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I'm better this. </span></i><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Well,
I wanted to be better than this. Not every run can be great and I've had my
share of rough runs, but man. This was not fun. I want to get back to
where 10 miles feels great. These training runs can't keep feeling like
this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GXVhot6nZo0/V0u312DHbUI/AAAAAAAABGw/Q4DMtReyD9oohE7twGR4YQ6Gt5XNR6WUwCKgB/s1600/Course%2BMap.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GXVhot6nZo0/V0u312DHbUI/AAAAAAAABGw/Q4DMtReyD9oohE7twGR4YQ6Gt5XNR6WUwCKgB/s400/Course%2BMap.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">In
training, you don't want to increase your weekly mileage more than 10%. But, at
some point, often early in your training, you're going to have to make more
than a 10% leap. That was going to be this week. It was my goal to run 4
miles... jumping a mile from last week's 3. A 10% jump would put me at 3.3
miles. I ran 3.5 with a 3/4 mile cool down. (The cool down was up a quarter
mile from last week to compensate for my shortcoming.) I also rationalized that
.5 is .2 more than a 10% jump, so really I was doing okay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Part
of me is wondering how I'm going to accomplish the 5,000 feet elevation gain in
my trail half this November. The course looks a little something like this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">The
other part of me, the wArrior part tells the worrier to simmer down.
I'm 25 pounds lighter than I was at my college heaviest. I might not have the
cardio stamina after my first marathon, by I'm the fittest I've ever been.
Hell, I SURVIVED BRAIN SURGERY (and recovered so well because of running)!
Logically, I know I can do this. There are 5.5 months to train and prepare.
And, on days like this Saturday, on the slow days, I'm becoming better at
reading a trail... looking out for potential hazards and learning how to move
my feet. (Yes, you can't do a fancy road race shuffle/grape vine thing to
dodge objects). FOCUS ON CORE. Core strength and solid low arms (where I
don't scrunch my shoulders) will help get me through the 13.1 miles.
"Running on tired legs is good," I remind myself. "You'll
certainly be tired by the end of any race.... and this race in
particular."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">At
this point, I'm not training for time; I'm training to finish. (Looking at the
history of this particular trail half, most finish times are north of 3 hours.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UqTHNa7jGuU/V0u2vLTYIkI/AAAAAAAABGk/JiEzZNag1n0pP_l4Q72quPNIDaQcQqFdQCKgB/s1600/Nike%2BMissel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UqTHNa7jGuU/V0u2vLTYIkI/AAAAAAAABGk/JiEzZNag1n0pP_l4Q72quPNIDaQcQqFdQCKgB/s320/Nike%2BMissel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I
did get an ego boost when I was half way done with my run and turned around to
go back to my car. Running was easier because I was running DOWN HILL! That
flat I was running on was not flat at all. It had a grade that was slight and
un-forgiving. Then I remembered; I was running in Reseda. I was on the portion
of the road that would take me to the <a href="http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=54"><span style="color: #0000e9;">Nike
Missile site</span></a>. One of the many Nike Ajax projects that
was defense during the Cold War. This particular location contained
ground-based radar that was designed to detect and track hostile aircraft, and
to guide the anti-aircraft missiles that would be launched from nearby
Sepulveda Basin.. So yeah- If it's high enough to launch missiles, you
better believe there are hills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Granted,
the hills I was on had a low grade and weren't as steep as the ones closer to
the site. These low hills are nothing like I will face in November, but as
mileage and endurance increase, you better believe I'll be taking
advantage of the merciless hills on the way to the site and all that The Santa
Monica Mountains Conversancy, Topanga Park and National Parks offer. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 504px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 504px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 504px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 504px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 504px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 504px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-62270812914849127922016-05-07T14:03:00.000-07:002016-05-07T14:03:27.567-07:00Beast Mode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t72o1QEIGXo/Vy5WOvBgDvI/AAAAAAAABEs/sSy0H_Fkr9AjXibGt8R6T_GfYn0QH4MTgCLcB/s1600/Humbaba.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t72o1QEIGXo/Vy5WOvBgDvI/AAAAAAAABEs/sSy0H_Fkr9AjXibGt8R6T_GfYn0QH4MTgCLcB/s200/Humbaba.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I feel like I’ve
switched to beast mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a term you
don’t often hear in polite conversation, unless people are discussing Fantasy
Fiction and Werewolves. If your around people that want to show off, (like I
did when I was in college) they may even reference Humbaba the Beast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">But, I’m not
trying to impress anyone with this near-obscure reference to the Epic of
Gilgamesh and I’m often in this state alone. Beast mode is most often used by people
training (for something) and is used to describe a mental or physical state <span style="color: #21282e;">in a state of serious training or at a level of high
effort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I gave high
levels of effort when I was on the Track & Field team in high school… it
was never beast mode. I was running 40+ miles a week when I was deep in my training
for my first marathon; that was never beast mode. I didn’t even switch to beast
mode training for my first post-brain surgery half marathon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
I was not here last week. Last week I was pre-gamming like I do for an
endurance race. Rest, stretch, nourish. Then, show time. Last week’s ballroom
dance competition I was in the endurance race head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rz1oJwwQW4o/Vy5Xiflfp5I/AAAAAAAABE4/W__9In2dsgAilA7dMKHqOm7_1-5R9eK_ACLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rz1oJwwQW4o/Vy5Xiflfp5I/AAAAAAAABE4/W__9In2dsgAilA7dMKHqOm7_1-5R9eK_ACLcB/s200/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week, a big
mental shift happened. It could have been the two hours of boxing and
kickboxing I did with a friend last Saturday. It might be that whole you need
to do something a month before it becomes a habit. (I’ve been on a new
exercise/eating plan for a little over a month.) It might be that this month of
solid exercise, sleep and nutrition I’m seeing results… not only physically,
but with my cardiovascular system. I’m enjoying this perfect storm that got me
here. There were a lot of ups and downs. Now, I just need to stay in this
space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-79617349027454957872016-05-05T17:28:00.001-07:002016-05-05T17:28:20.262-07:00Competitive Cross Training in the Ballroom<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week was awesome! I was present in every difficult and
easy moment, enjoying it all. It was a state of training, friends, performance
and competition. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I love performing. Aside from the several showcases I’ve
done since taking up ballroom in January 2013, I haven’t had a scrutinized
performance since I did standup comedy in 2008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VGbP4zpRHA/VyvhQo8JbyI/AAAAAAAABDs/OpnZAudx_XwZyQ3W6XqtYoy514RjawRHwCLcB/s1600/Ballroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VGbP4zpRHA/VyvhQo8JbyI/AAAAAAAABDs/OpnZAudx_XwZyQ3W6XqtYoy514RjawRHwCLcB/s320/Ballroom.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.emeraldball.com/">The Emerald Ball
Competition</a> is one of the biggest ballroom competitions in the country.
Preparing for it was a physical challenge and I knew it would be a big mental
challenge. Big challenges call for big guns. I broke out the CD my <a href="http://brennansmith.com/">hypnotherapist, Brennan Smith</a>, made for me in
2008 to have a first successful comedy set. I mentally adjusted the
comedy-specific suggestions to a ballroom competition. I had one last listen
before driving to the South Bay to spend the night with running friends so I
could sleep in until 4:30am for my 6:15am hair and makeup appointment.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the comp prep was similar to race prep. Friends.
Food/Fuel. Bed (at a reasonable time). Like usual, I set several alarms and
triple checked them, convinced something would go wrong. I changed only one
thing: I put my own sheets on the bed, so the ballroom-dark spray tan I was rocking
wouldn’t come off on their sheets. I woke up several times in the night (like
normal), convinced it was 4:30am and I had to go get my hair and makeup
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of a sudden, I heard an alarm
that wasn’t mine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Holy smokes! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank goodness, the husband is the kind of guy that wants to
walk a lady to her car. He set an alarm so he could wake up and escort me out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I prep as quickly as I can.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I forgot I brought breakfast and went out to find food. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Foraging for food at 5am is not an easy task, and if you’ve
stayed away from fast food for years, you’ll be very disappointed. I eventually
found something and modified it enough, (asking for no bacon and throwing out
the bread) and made something reasonably palatable. More importantly, there was
coffee. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hair and makeup was going to be at <a href="http://lenique.com/">LeNique,</a> the dancewear shop where I (and so many
dancers) get their dresses. It was so early, there was even parking by the
<a href="http://exercisela.com/blog/post/culver_city_stairs/" target="_blank">Culver City Steps</a>, which never happens. I was breathing easy. <a href="http://danceshermanoaks.com/danceclasses.php" target="_blank">Jim (my coach)</a>and I were going to meet at 8:30 and my first heat wasn’t until 11. Endurance
racing mentality wins out again. Biggest difference. You need hair and makeup
for a ballroom dance performance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The hair and makeup <a href="https://www.instagram.com/snowurbin/">Snow Urbin</a> gave me was
spectacular. I rarely feel super girly, but Snow made me feel the most girly
I’ve ever felt. The amazing thing is she did it all in an hour. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I changed into my dress so that way I could jump out of my
car and run into the ballroom. I met Jim, my instructor and the other dancer
who was competing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The ballroom was not intimidating. I had been there before,
last year supporting friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Besides, I like preforming. It’s easier than standup. And,
it’s certainly easier than walking from your hospital room to a gurney to get
wheeled to brain surgery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My heats came up. Pre-Bronze Rhumba, Swing, Salsa... quickly
followed by Newcomer Rhumba, Swing, Salsa. There were other styles peppered in,
so it gave me time to relax and work on dance combinations. The bonus is my
ankles didn’t get tired because I’m dancing in heals that are .5” taller than
what I normally do. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I ultimately finished with two 2nds in Pre-Bronze Rhumba and Swing. A 1<sup>st</sup>
in Pre-Bronze Salsa. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, firsts across
the board for Newcomer Rhumba, Swing and Salsa. </div>
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I was happy with how I did, but naturally, I want to do
better. There’s always room for improvement, with everything. I like chasing
that next P.R. (in whatever it may be). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
while working to get in marathon shape, I’m now working towards being able to
do more styles without my ankles giving out while really getting my arms and
hips to move. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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I took Wednesday off, and resumed workouts on Thursday.
Friday became my long run day since I had plans with a friend Saturday morning.
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How else does one cap off a week of being one of their most girly? A little boxing and kickboxing at <a href="http://www.lakoboxingclub.com/">LAKO</a>. Between the weight training and running I’ve been doing for the past month, I didn’t die. And, the bonus is that the ballroom dance adds a great element of stability and hip action. I was so excited, I tweeted out that I felt like <a href="http://www.ufc.com/fighter/paige-vanzant?id=">Paige VanZant</a>. As of this post, Paige is a UFC fighter and on this seasons <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/photos/ufc-fighter-paige-vanzant-still-competing-on-dancing-with-the-stars-slideshow/paige-vanzant-photo-1462301260447.html">Dancing With the Stars</a>. I was excited to have this commonality with a supreme athlete. I didn’t expect her to respond.<br />
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Yes, it was a good week. Now, to jump back into a training schedule and add hills so I can have a successful trail half marathon this fall. I feel like more and more I’m stepping into my athletic prime.</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-69843074480921724502016-04-23T10:46:00.001-07:002016-04-23T10:46:34.433-07:00Back In ItI'm officially back in the game.<br />
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After struggling to make a commitment to myself and my over-all health, I've reached the point everyone reaches in training. It's the point where training becomes nonnegotiable. I'm not waiting for the mood to strike me or find time to train; I'm training.<br />
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The two weeks of lumbering out of bed to go run or lift weights has paid off. It could be the decreasing numbers on the scale or the tone I'm seeing. It might be the trail half marathon (with 5,000 feet of elevation gain) that I'm terrified to sign up for, but my friends keep telling me I can do. It might be my first dance competition on Tuesday or other personal (secret) goals I've set for myself. Whatever it is, I'll take it. I couldn't recreate the feelings from December that set me on the first path to health, but this one is so strong, I don't see it going away.<br />
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I'm excited to see/feel my strong legs carry me over the miles and on the dance floor. I like seeing the waist creep back in and feel the extra fabric on my dress that wasn't there when I purchased it. I have new goals set and a new mission.<br />
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Today while my marathon brain wanted to do my typical "Saturday Long Run," the logical dancer side of me pipped in and said, "Slow down. Don't tire out those leg muscles for the sake of mileage." And, so, I walked a brisk two miles and will remain focused on my immediate goal of the dance competition. I'll continue to stretch out to keep muscles limber while doing other exercises to work on form and patterns.<br />
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Apparently, while getting back into Marathon Shape, I've become a dancer. The other night, while celebrating a friend and her new career path, she told people I was a competitive ballroom dancer!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656566694868300658.post-74052654037624031482016-04-13T07:28:00.001-07:002016-04-13T07:29:31.235-07:00It happened againI've been logging miles on my kitchen calendar, but I'm not carving out enough time for myself. I need to "Snooze" less.<br />
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I cam back from my run invigorated to write a short pithy post- then I saw confirmation of the last time I wrote. I've had runs since then. They've felt great. Important things happened on them. (I should write that down.)<br />
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But, for today....<br />
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Two miles before work!<br />
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In your face world.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829914586252675406noreply@blogger.com0