I won! I won!!

One cool thing about getting into tweeting and blogging is finding those totally awesome friends who host giveaways on their blogs (although the best part is just finding great people who are supportive, inspirational, and completely fabulous). For example, my friend Tricia is always giving away awesome running stuff on her blog, Endurance Isn't Only Physical, and I've entered a couple of them...along with a billion other folks because Tricia is one popular chickie. She recently hosted a giveway for a medal display.  Greg and I have been talking about how we really need to get some kind of medal holder because we now have 13 total between the two of us.  It's getting kind of obnoxious how we're displaying them.

When Tricia announced her Allied Medal Display giveaway I got super excited...not only because I could get a great solution for FREE, but because the displays are exactly what I'm looking for.  I'll be adding at least 4 more medals to my collection in the next 8 months so I needed a display that was going to hold what I already had with room to add more. 

And you know what???  I WON!!!!  Here's the display I plan to order:



Pretty awesome, don't you think?  Thanks Tricia and thanks Allied Medal Displays!

Which is worse? Watching The Bachelorette or getting shot in the head?

I will admit that I'm kind of a Bachelor junkie.  I've watched most seasons of both The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, but do tend to skip the seasons of the people who just completely annoy the crap out of me. Take, for example, Bachelorette #6, Ali Fedotowsky.  She's a pretty girl, but let's face it. She's ANNOYING. That little whine of hers? Holy cow, it makes me want to scream. When she whined and carried on when she had to leave during Jake's Bachelor season, I literally threw things at the TV. ABC then did the unthinkable - they cast her as the next Bachelorette. That was going to be one season I avoided. Weeks and weeks of non-stop Ali whining was not my cup of tea.

* side note - Greg made the mistake of turning it on during week 3 or 4 and we subsequently got totally sucked into it...of course. That may have had a lot to do with the beefcake on her season. Just saying.

ABC did it again. They cast the most annoying girl of Brad Womack's Bachelor season, Ashley Hebert, as the next Bachelorette. Now granted, most of the ladies on Brad's season were pretty awful, but Ashley? Miss Indecisive, Miss "I Can't Communicate"? Would there really be 25 men actually interested enough in her to want to be on the show? She may be perfectly fine in real life (who knows??), but as a TV reality star? Are you flipping kidding me? It stills boggles the mind that Mr. Womack even kept her around as long as he did.

I immediately told Greg that NO! We weren't watching the next season. He didn't listen. He invites people to our house to watch it. I'm forced into it.

So what's my solution? BLOGGING!!  It's most definitely time for me to blog about my irritation. This will not be pretty, I'm sure.

One of the things that bugged the crap out of me about Ashley during Brad's season was that she was so wishy-washy about her feelings for him. When he confronted her about their "future", she didn't exactly get all giddy at the idea that in order to become his wife she'd have to move to Austin. Well, DUH. He owns bars in Austin. It's his life. You can't exactly move that somewhere else, now can you? But to be a dentist? Last I checked there are dentists in every city in America. And her insecurity was off the charts. Did you think you wouldn't be competing with other women on THE FREAKING BACHELOR? Well, there's another big DUH for you.  So instead of getting all freaked out, insecure, bitchy, and annoying, just chill out, enjoy your dates, and take the opportunities as they come for time alone. You got the first one-on-one date, lady....CHILL OUT. She just got worse and worse as the season continued. What a mess.

It was painfully clear that this is one woman who is completely not ready for marriage, sacrifice, compromise, and anything that involves being selfless. To cast her as The Bachelorette certainly makes for dramatic (you knew I'd use that word) reality TV...but not GOOD reality TV, that's for sure.

I don't read up on spoilers, so I have no idea how the season will play out. I'm convinced she ends up with no one. If I'm wrong, don't ruin it for me. While I keep saying I'm not going to finish out this season, Greg has other ideas.  But I still say she ends up with no one.

Before I continue my Ashley-bashing, I will point out a few good things about her. Because, let's face it, I'm not completely insensitive and mean. She is a decently pretty girl and of course she's in shape. Two completely pointless things in the long run. Anyone who bases everything on looks is just asking for disappointment in life. Actually, being in shape is kinda important. It's vital to be healthy and not a couch potato. But I digress. She's cute enough.  She is apparently educated, as she's in the middle of dental school. She will be Dr. Ashley Hebert soon, supposedly, and it's good that she plans to have a rewarding career that will provide future stability for her family. Lastly, she obviously wants to be in a relationship, but I'm not sure if this is good or bad. Desperation breeds disappointment. I'm running out of good things to say. Oh...she has nice teeth.

Now let's start the long list of why Ashley sucks as The Bachelorette and why she is subsequently sucking the joy of watching the show out of every ounce of my being.

1. Worst Judge of Character EVER.

Okay, seriously, Ash, you were WARNED about Bentley. Now, mind you, it was from Michelle Money, the biggest freakshow on Brad's season. But still, YOU WERE WARNED. Had I been in her shoes, I just would've flat out confronted Bentley on Day 1 about what was said about him. If there's one thing I've learned after so many years of watching friends go through bad relationship crap, it's that if there's a warning about someone, IT'S USUALLY TRUE. At least in some capacity. And even if she hadn't been warned about him, Bentley has sleeze written all over him. Compared to some of the other guys on the season, he's a total slimebucket. The guy can't even carry on a meaninful conversation. And he spends entirely too much time on his hair. A guy who spends more time that I do in front of the mirror has got to go. Plus, this is the guy WHO WALKED AWAY! Yes, he told her it was for his daughter (which we all know was BS anyway) but still, HE WALKED AWAY! And left her hanging! If that didn't give her red flags to realize this guy was not worth it, then nothing was going to knock sense into her and her judgement (or lack thereof).

2. Her Inability to Communicate

Watching Ashley and Bentley try to have a conversation is worse than having my fingernails pulled out one by one. Although that's never actually happened to me, I'm pretty sure it would suck worse than anything else ever. That's what it's like trying to sit through two communication-duds trying to get their feelings out. I tried to get Greg to fast forward through their last scene together but he's the remote Nazi and he wouldn't budge. I think he likes me to suffer.

And then there's the scene where she tells all the guys that she saw Bentley in Hong Kong. Really, could she have handled it any worse? "Hi guys, I totally fell for Bentley, and I had unresolved feelings, and I got to see him here in Hong Kong, but he's gone now, and everything is okay, and all you guys are better than him anyway." That's not really how she said it all, but that's the general idea. How easy would it have been to tell them she hadn't been able to shake him, although she was developing strong feelings for them as well, and she felt she needed more closure from him to truly move on and give the guys the attention they deserved. Did she have to mention she completely fell for him? And then to blow it all off like it was no big deal and not even give them an opportunity to say much to her about it. What does she then do? Walks away. Uh....okay. Yeah, that's a good problem solver right there.

Kudos to Mickey for taking off. He finally figured it out.

3. Her ridiculously annoying INSECURITY

Can this woman just get over it already? Insecurity breeds more insecurity. Look in the mirror, find some self-love, stop freaking out over every little thing. Yes, when William roasted her, that sucked, but he was a tool. I would have been pissed off, too, but MOVE ON ALREADY.  Be secure in yourself, realize that you have things to offer, and get to know these guys on your own personal merits. Insecurity is incredibly unattractive. No man wants to spend his life trying to bolster up your sagging ego and reassuring you that you're swell. Talk about exhausting. And a relationship-killer. I've been insecure before and it's stupid. I like myself a lot now. I've been with Greg for 16 years. Yay! I got over it and found success.

4. Her choice of clothing....or lack thereof

Ashley, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: It's not necessary to constantly wear itty bitty little miniskirts and to show your abs in 90% of the scenes. As a matter of fact, it kinda makes you look easy. No, not just kinda. It REALLY makes you look easy. Of course you have a nice body, but why not leave just a little to the imagination?  If you're always having to cross your legs when you sit so the guys aren't looking up your super short skirt, then maybe it's time to put some jeans on instead.  And is it necessary for every dress to be skintight? And every shirt SEE THROUGH? I laughed out loud during the boxing group date when she was parading around in her sports bra. A tank wasn't good enough? seriously?  We know you have good abs, my dear. But if you find it necessary to use your body to attract the guys' attention, then what does that truly say about what you have to offer them?

5. Her lip biting

Okay, so we all have stupid little physical quirks that might be deemed unattractive and annoying to others. But Ashley's lip biting drives me batty. Sometimes it's her lip, sometimes the inside of her cheek, but she constantly does it. Especially when she's on the hot seat by one of the guys. It's like her nervous little tick. And you know what it says to me? That she resorts to it because the girl CAN'T COMMUNICATE!  She has no idea how to get her feelings out in a constructive, meaningful way, so she bites her own face. Add to it her constant use of "uh huh" and you have yourself one irritating chick.

So now that I've shown my mean side in spades by trashing Ashley, what do I think about the guys?  I really have no idea, because I've spend so much time focusing on my annoyance with the Bachelorette that I almost forget that there are worthy guys still on the show. Good looking worthy guys. I will say that I thought I liked Ryan, but if the other guys are that completely annoyed with him, it's likely I'd get fed up pretty quickly, too.  Never mind that he's hot. I do like J.P. and Ben the winemaker. Well, duh, of course I'm going to like the winemaker. Maybe that's what I need to focus on in the next episode. Staring at the guys. Yeah.....

Houston Marathon #2!

My 2011 marathon season wasn't exactly what I was hoping for.  You can read about both my marathons here and here. The plan was to run Houston on January 30 and Austin on February 20.  My training season was okay, but definitely my toughest. Race day weather was mediocre. It just didn't turn out like I had hoped.

I told my husband afterwards that I just wasn't sure what 2012 would bring me. I didn't know if I'd want to run another marathon or just stick to half marathons and wait until 2013 for my next full.  I was pretty sure I was going to skip Houston or any other out of town race.  If anything, I'd only do the Austin Marathon. But that decision would be made after our training season began in August (I'm an assistant coach with Round Rock Fit). 

The off season has surprised me.  I ran the Texas Indepedence Relay in March and was surprised at how good I felt, and then I joined a gym in order to use the treadmill rather than always having to run in the Texas summer heat.  Whereas last summer I was suffering through every single run and really not enjoying it at all, I'm feeling very different this summer.  I feel strong and fast. I'm not having trouble getting through runs at all.  When I do run outside it's not always very pretty, but my treadmill runs are surprising me and giving me a huge boost in confidence.  I started thinking that maybe Marathon Season 2012 was not out of the question.

Three things about the Houston Marathon in 2012 that are very appealing to me: first, I have other friends who planned to run it. Second, it coincides with the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials, being held in Houston. And third, it's on my birthday. I knew if I decided to run Houston after all that I probably wouldn't have my family trek there to watch me this time, but rather just come to watch me in Austin.  So having friends there would be a huge thing for me. I couldn't imagine starting and finishing a full marathon with zero support.  And the idea of getting to see the elite athletes tough it out for a coveted Olympic marathon spot? How could I forgo that opportunity?  Lastly, about my birthday....that's a more bittersweet reason....

I lost my older sister in 2009 at the age of 37.  I was never one for celebrating my birthday much prior to her death, but since she passed it's been the absolute last thing I've wanted to do.  I was 35 at the time of her death and the two birthdays I've had since have been extremely difficult to take. She was clearly too young to die, and as I crept up on her age it made the pain and guilt of being the "survivor" very unbearable. Birthday number 38 is on January 15, 2012, the day of the Houston Marathon, and my toughest birthday yet. My sister didn't live to see 38.  I really will need the distraction of something big and grand to keep my emotions in check.  To hit 38 years old with a bang seemed just the way to do it. I feel like it gives me a bigger purpose to my running, and makes the approaching date feel exciting rather than just dreaded.

Will it take away all the pain? Of course not. Grief doesn't disappear, but any self-therapy I can come up I'm going to take.

I was lucky enough to get selected in the Houston Marathon lottery, so it's definitely going to happen. I have several friends who got in as well, and at least a couple who plan to be in Houston for the Trials, too.  It will be the perfect way for me to officially be the "older" sister that I never was growing up. Bittersweet, yes, but maybe a little sweeter than I thought it could be.

As a bonus.....the Austin Marathon will be on February 19, which just happens to be my daughter's 7th birthday. I couldn't have planned it better myself.

Don't miss out on opportunities....

I recently traveled to Italy with my husband and friends...my first time across the Atlantic and the only other country I'd ever visited besides Mexico. I have to admit - I was a bit freaked over what it would be like to be in another country. Excited (obviously, since Italy is one country in Europe that is an absolute must see for me) but nervous.

I've always maintained the mantra that we must try new things in life, things we think we may not like or enjoy, and if we do this continually we're going to experience some unexpected joys and triumphs in life. One of my biggest leaps of faith was becoming a runner. I have always maintained that I hated running, that it was "bad for my knees." What a bunch of baloney!  Running has become my lifesaver, my therapy, my key to good health, and don't even get me started on the whole "bad for my knees" BS!  Additionally, my family took a huge leap of faith back in 2007 when we decided to get the heck out of California and move to a state that better fit our lifestyle. I had never lived outside California and Texas is a very different place. I was scared, but knew that in the long run it was best for us. I had no choice but to find the positive. I haven't looked back.

Back to Italy...

Being in a foreign country forces one to suck it up and just deal with the unexpected. It forces us outside our comfort zones. If we get caught up in the "but that's not how I usually do things" garbage we'll never experience the joy another culture and country can bring us. 

As soon as we left the airport in Rome, I'm not gonna lie...I was a big freaked. The signs were so very different than how we mark things here in the U.S. We easily could have gotten frustrated and lost, but that would do no one any good.  I had printed out the directions from the villa's website and had them with me. As I'm sitting in the passenger seat of the car (and mind you, this was at 8:30 in the morning local time after getting NO SLEEP on the plane!), I wished I had noticed just how obsure the details on the directions were. I'm the kind of girl who likes "turn right at Main Street, drive 1.2 miles, turn left at Lakeshore Drive, etc" - you know, SPECIFICS. The directions on the villa were of the "turn right at the first street on your left, then make a sharp left, and turn right at the third road" variety.  Kind of like the directions you get from random folks at gas stations - "turn left at the old barn, then drive a few blocks, a make a left just past the house with the broken fence...."  You get my point? 

Thankfully, we were meeting up with our friends at a hotel first (they arrived the day before) and then caravanning up to the villa about three hours north of Rome.  My friend Susan gave us perfect directions to the hotel and we miraculously didn't make a wrong turn. Wait, I take that back....Greg didn't believe me when I said that we weren't supposed to turn into the hotel's first entrance but rather keep driving down the road to Building 2.  He insisted on turning into Building 1's parking lot. Silly boy.  Always trust your wife when it comes to directions. After making it to the hotel unscathed, with all our luggage, with Greg already expertly driving a Fiat with a stick shift, I was feeling a bit better. "Outside our Comfort Zone" Lesson 1 was a success!

As we drove up to the Villa I continually made mental notes on the signage used in Italy. Vastly different than how we use roadway signs in the US, but decipherable nonetheless if one puts on their thinking cap and looks for the logic. Funny enough, as we're following Susan and Bryan to the villa and are only about 5 km away (yes, I started thinking in kilometers!), I actually realized when they made a wrong turn. Lesson 1 success continues...

While in a foreign country, you're obviously going to be at the mercy of their diet for the most part. Sure, you can find "American" restaurants just about anywhere, right? Hmmm...not really in Tuscany, at least not where we were. It's Italian, Italian, Italian. Pure, authentic, fresh ingredients, ITALIAN cooking. If you're one who doesn't normally eat a lot of vegetables, who thinks of Italian as being "spaghetti and meatballs" and "pepperoni pizza", you're going to have to throw those thoughts out the window in a place like this.  If you can't be willing to try new dishes or eat things you haven't necessarily tried before, don't bother traveling. I tried everything put in front of me. Did I like it all? Not necessarily, but that's okay.

Some of our most wonderful experiences in Italy involved cooking.  Our first night there we were treated to some exquisite appetizers made by the villa's caretaker, Claudia, and housekeeper/chef, Monica. Ever had zucchini flower or fried sage? Me, neither! But I ate it and it was amazing. On our second night, we had Claudia and Monica hold a cooking class for us. I had never thought of using green tomatoes in anything before, but they made the most wonderful pasta using green tomatoes and zucchini squash. It's definitely something I want to duplicate at home.

On our third day we traveled to a 1000 year old abbey to take a cooking class by a master chef.  The first thing we see when we walk into the kitchen is the abundance of fresh ingredients. These Italians do not believe in anything processed (or low fat, for that matter!). It's all about being fresh and simple.  But even with fresh and simple, the outcome is magnificent. Picky eaters have to throw caution to the wind! You just never know what you're going to get unless you just jump in and experience it.  "Outside our Comfort Zone" Lesson 2 - SUCCESS! 

Greg and I took one side trip completely by ourselves while in Tuscany - our day trip to Pisa. I wrote out the directions, we hopped in the car, and off we went. Yes, we got lost once we hit the city of Pisa, but eventually found our way, parked our car, and hit Piazza del Duomo for some sightseeing. Pisa isn't really the nicest city, that's for sure, and I was a bit apprehensive about our surroundings, but I just HAD TO see the Torre di Pisa (Leaning Tower).  We then decided to see the Mediterranean....a few consultations of the map and driving in that general direction got us to the coast.  We even made it back to the villa 80+ km away without too many wrong turns. (as long as we remembered that left turn arrows at a roundabout actually mean to go straight, we were in business).  So going off into a foreign country completely by ourselves wasn't too bad. "Outside our Comfort Zone" Lesson 3 - SUCCESS!

When you're in a foreign country you can't be embarrassed about speaking their language, no matter how stupid you think you might sound.  We took the time to learn a few important phrases, we constantly asked Claudia and Monica back at the villa and our fabulous wine tour guide, Donatella, how to pronounce things, and we had our handy Phrasefinder book.  While in San Gimignano one day, Greg and I decided we would only speak Italian at the cafe where we ate lunch. I was kind of embarrassed because I sometimes got my accent and stress wrong, but I figured it didn't hurt to try. We managed to order all our food (including our acqua frizzante grande, of course!), ask where the bathroom was, and ask for the check completely in Italian without having to revert to English. And the waitress understood us.  We did it again while in Pisa and in Rome later in the week.  It really does make it a whole lot easier when you take them time to learn the common phrases and words in the country's language, even if most people do know English.  How fun it was to become immersed in the culture and forget about any language barrier and to make the effort to understand the signs around the cities. I find it very disconcerting when Americans just assume another country will make concessions for them without any effort to conform to that country's customs. It's arrogant. WE should be conforming to THEM! The whole experience made me want to come home and learn Italian (I may do that!).  "Outside our Comfort Zone" Lesson 4 - SUCCESS!

Our last day in Italy was going to consist of leaving the villa, driving to Rome, exploring for a few hours, spending the night in a hotel, and then heading home on a morning flight. Our hotel was near the airport, which is several kilometers from the city center and all the historical Roman sites. We knew driving into the city from our hotel was definitely not what we were going to do.  Have I mentioned how Italians drive and how narrow the streets are? It's insane. It's one thing to do it in a Tuscan village, a whole other ballgame to try it a city the size of Rome.  So we had a choice - take the hotel shuttle to the Ancient ruins and walk around Rome or hire a driver. The cost of a driver was astronomical so we didn't even really entertain that option for long.  So the shuttle it was. Only there was one small hitch....Lady Gaga was in town for a concert during the Europride Roma parage, so the shuttles were not allowed to go into the city center. We'd have to take the Metro.  Okay, a foreign subway - no problem!  I've actually been okay taking subways and public transportation in strange cities.  It's a little disconcerting - they aren't really very clean, there can be some strange folks on them, and they typically don't go through the best parts of town. But if it's really your only option, you have to get over your trepidation.  Just get on the damn subway and go see the sights, right?!  So we did!  As we're traveling along the Metro, we are noticing all the graffitti and some of the odd folks riding. But we're getting the real Roman experience in the process - silver lining in the chaos, I suppose.  Greg and I are in a completely foreign place, we have only a few hours to sightsee, and here we are experiencing it on a unique level, throwing our caution to the wind.  It was pretty cool, I think.  But don't get me started on our trek through the ancient ruins in the dark and then back to the hotel at midnight - not gonna lie, that experience was a bit much even for me!  But we survived, we rode the Rome Metro, we explored Rome on foot, we survived a scary cab ride, and it was amazing all in all.  "Outside our Comfort Zone" Lesson 5 - SUCCESS!!


(that's me cruising through the Metro station)

 So back to my original point. We all have our comfort zones, we all have our ways of doing things, but if we allow those rituals to define us to the point of paralyzing us from trying something different or new, we are completely selling ourselves short and missing out on life changing experiences.  You truly never know what you're going to like or what's out there in the world if you force yourself in a small box, if you allow your "comfort" to dictate ALL of your decisions, if you follow only one known path.  Try something different, take a different route, ride a subway, eat fried sage. It isn't going to kill you, and you just might embark upon something magnificent!

Running advice! We all need it

I started my life as a runner 3 years and 8 months ago and since I've maintained the fitness routine consistently during that time, I'd like to think I've picked up a few great tips here and there.

Are you just starting out your running routine, or even a walking routine, or are you thinking about it?  Then please take the time to read this.  You'll be glad you did.

I did a lot of things wrong when I first started out. It took me a good year to really feel like I got a handle on what I needed, how I needed to do it, and what wasn't going to work for me.  I didn't really check on any resources before starting...I just RAN.  Probably not a good plan.  I wish I'd had someone to walk me through everything step by step...well, technically I had plenty of people around me to ask but I chose to muddle through 75% of it on my own. Don't do that - find some resources!

Here are my top 10 bits of advice for novice runners/walkers. Disclaimer - I'm not a professional!!!

1. GO TO A SPECIALTY RUNNING STORE. Yes, they charge retail. But you're going to get expertise you will never find at a big box department store or outlet mall.  They will analyze how you walk and run, they will look at your feet, they will make you try on 10 different pairs of shoes, and will find you a good pair. If those shoes don't work after all, you can usually take them back and try a different pair. The customer service simply can't be beat.

Why do we need the right pair of shoes? Many people don't realize we need to go up in size when we run or walk long distances. I usually wear a size 8 or 8.5 in shoes. For running shoes I wear a size 9.5. This gives my feet room in the toe box of my shoe so I'm not jamming them with every step. When I bought my very first pair of running shoes I bought a size 8.  I think I ran in them about a month. A waste of $100. I went up a half size to an 8.5. Ran in them for my first half marathon six months after I started running. Another waste of $100 and a lost toenail. 

Secondly, many of us have weird quirks about our gait that may require a certain type of shoe.  Flat feet vs. high arches, overpronating vs oversupinating.  Heel striking vs. midfoot striking. A trained salesman is going to find all this out for you and put in the shoe with the right support in the right places.  After my half marathon I developed plantar fasciitis, which was extremely painful and required a trip to the podiatrist (Dr. Scott Pattison...he's freaking AWESOME!!!). I discovered I had functional flat feet and the tendency to over pronate, in addition to tight calf muscles. All this was contributing to my injury. Custom orthodics (thank you medical insurance!) and a trip to a running store for stability running shoes helped this injury correct itself.  Best $140 I ever spent on shoes.

2. INVEST IN TECHNICAL FABRIC WORKOUT CLOTHES. Technical fabrics, like Nike DriFit, will wick moisture away from your body, have better evaporating properties, and will allow for better body temperature control. Cotton will merely suck up all that moisture and make it feel like your clothes are heavy and sticking to your body. There is no temperature control, no evaporation, just a heavy feeling that can have adverse affects on your workout. Technical fabrics are also much more durable.  Trust me, tech fabrics might be pricier but they are worth the long term investment. But you don't necessarily have to spend a fortune on a new workout wardrobe. My favorite running tank is a $10 Champion tank from Target. And I scout the online deals all the time. Don't forget the awesome finisher's shirts you sometimes receive in races.

3. TAKE IT SLOWLY IN THE BEGINNING. My very first run was a mere 3/4 of a mile. I didn't care...at least I was out there getting off my butt! Don't feel like you need to run or walk 3 miles the very first time you lace up your shoes. Give yourself goals each week, or even mini-goals for each workout. My first goal was to be at 3 miles non-stop after 30 days. And I did it, taking it one day and one workout at a time. I sometimes added a mere quarter mile to my distance, sometimes a full half mile, sometimes nothing at all. Going out too hard is just asking for injury, so take it easy and ease into a consistent routine that you're more likely to stick to. Once I hit the 4.5 mile mark about 2 months into running, I really felt like I'd hit my stride with running. I decided it was time for a loftier goal - a half marathon 4 months later. I then broke that up into smaller goals for each week so I could get that distance in by race day. At that point it wasn't crazy to add a mile a week onto my weekend long run until I got up to 10 miles. 4 months after I first laced up my running shoes I ran my first double digit long run, all because I picked reasonable goals and maintained a consistent running schedule. But it all started with a mere 3/4 of a mile.

4. INVEST IN A SUBSCRIPTION TO RUNNERS WORLD MAGAZINE. Some of the best, most useful, funniest, interesting, inspirational advice you'll ever get.

5. FIGURE OUT HOW TO FUEL. Before becoming a distance runner, I had never thought much about the right kind of fuel before, during, and after a workout. I'd sip some water, maybe some orange juice, hit the gym for my hour of aerobics, maybe sipping some water during it, then head home and eat cereal. Not a lot of thought ever went into it. But if you're planning on completing runs of an hour or more (and especially 2+ hours) then you need to get serious about fueling.

I've recently started grabbing just a bit to eat before any run I do over 40 minutes...maybe just a mini bagel with peanut butter, or half a Luna bar, particularly if I know it will be an hour or so after I awaken before I hit the trails. It's been making a difference in how I feel during my run, giving me that little edge where I feel stronger the longer I'm out there. This "pre-fueling" is particularly important if my run is going to be longer than an hour, or if I'm hitting the weights and treadmill at the gym. Giving our bodies fuel means they'll give us an awesome workout in return.

During a long run of more than 7 miles I always make sure I fuel about halfway through, most times in the form of Clif Shots or Power Bar Gels. You might have also heard of Gu or Honey Stingers or Clif Shot Bloks. Anything along these lines, with or without caffeine, is great. You have to experiment to find the fuel that you can tolerate, that doesn't make you gag, and that will do its job. The longer the run, the more fuel I have on hand. In addition to something to eat, I tend to carry something a little more filling than just water in my water bottle, sometimes just Gatorade and sometimes a drink with a protein/carbohydrate mixture like Pure Sport. Giving my body that extra electrolyte and nutrient boost will help it to respond to the added stress and fatigue of an extra long run. Without any kind of real fuel other than water, your body will quickly burn through your glycogen stores (what your hard working muscles prefer to feed off of) in as little as 60 minutes. That's not good. Fatiguing and wishing your workout was over rather than enjoying what the workout is doing for you is going to make distance running/walking miserable. NOTE: be sure to take any gels with 6-8 ounces of WATER to aid in digestion.

After your run, you need to get a combination of protein and carbohydrates into your body within 30-60 minutes to help replenish glycogen stores and repair your muscles. You've given your body a beating and it needs some TLC in return. Sometimes just a simple bowl of cereal with milk will do the trick. There are also many awesome protein drinks out there, my favorite being Pure Sport Recovery. It has the perfect combination of carbohydrates and proteins to refuel my muscles.

Just remember, if you don't fuel your body properly and you're trying to lose weight or get stronger, your metabolism will slow down and you'll hit a plateau. Give it a boost with the right food and see what happens.

6. HYDRATE!  Hydration is equally as important as the food you put into your body. If you're going to be a distance runner you must always hydrate...every day. Water, water, water.  If you like a little something extra without the added calories, try Nuun. Electrolytes, very few calories, fizzy, awesome - I'm addicted to the stuff. (And I might add that Nuun is GREAT for hangovers....not that I would know...). A good rule of thumb on how much water to take in daily is to drink an ounce for every pound of half your body weight. Weigh 140 pounds? Then drink 70 ounces of water per day.

7. CROSSTRAIN. CROSSTRAIN. CROSSTRAIN.
I was always the worst when it came to changing up my routine. But the fact is, if you merely run you're depriving your body of a complete workout. Sure, you'll have awesome quads, low cholesterol and a 50 beat per minute resting heart rate, but that's about it.  You need to add in core work and strength training or you'll develop other problems that could sideline your running. Instead of running one day, try a bike ride or a swimming workout.

Why core work? A strong core means better running form. Better running form means fewer injuries. Without a strong core, as we fatigue we'll get sloppy in our running. We may start overpronating more, slouching in our shoulders, even start carrying tension in other parts of our body...never a good thing. Simply put, a strong core will help minimize the impact of running.

Second, if all we're doing is burning calories through running and not adding in more lean muscle while we're doing it, our bodies will start burning that muscle. Just keep remembering that one of the keys to a complete fitness routine is BOTH cardio and strength training.

You know what I love? Yoga. People who have never done yoga really don't understand the amazing workout that it is. You're developing stronger, leaner muscles, you're stretching and increasing flexibility, you're getting an awesome core workout, and if you're working hard enough you're going to break a sweat. Yoga and running go together perfectly.

Speaking of flexibility.....

8. STRETCH!!

As with any workout, you must stretch afterwards. Your muscles have taken a beating and need to be stretched to loosen them up. The more you consistently stretch, the more flexible you'll become. You'll help prevent injury and you'll will allow a full range of motion to achieve maximum speed. You don't need to become a speed demon, but a runner who is inflexible is often an injured runner.  Stretching during your cool down will help you relax and will help remove lactic acid from your muscles and reduce muscle soreness.

You have to remember that every part of your body is connected. If one part is stiff or inflexible it will affect other parts of your body.  Did you know that tight calf muscles can lead to plantar fasciitis, which affect the plantar fascia that runs along the bottom of your foot?  Yes, I should know....that was my first real injury and it was misery. Now I'm meticulous about my calf stretching. Also, did you know that tight hip flexors can cause lower back pain? Every part of your body needs to be cared for.

9. CONSIDER INVESTING IN A GPS-ENABLED WATCH, such as a Garmin Forerunner. About 2 months after I started running, I really wanted to have a better idea of how far I was running, how fast I was, and how much I could push myself to go faster or further. So I bought a Garmin Forerunner 305. The thing is amazing. Using GPS technology it will tell me my distance, pace, time, allow me to set up "laps" of whatever distance I want (default is 1 mile), check my heartrate (using a heartrate strap), and about a billion other little things that even I haven't tried yet. You can download the data from the watch into software on your computer. To say that this has improved my running is a huge understatement. I've now upgraded to a Forerunner 405...even better!

10. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH OTHER RUNNERS. I bet if you start telling people you're a runner, many of your friends or acquaintances will probably tell you they run, too. You may want to set up "running dates" with those friends to help keep your accountable, make your running more enjoyable, or to help push you to the next level.  When I needed to get to the 4 mile mark I called up my neighbor Diana, who got me into running in the first place, to run with me and help me hit that goal. I set up another running date with her when I needed to go from 8 miles to 10 miles.

When I decided I wanted to run a full marathon I knew I would need a group to keep me motivated. So I joined Round Rock Fit and what a huge difference it has made in my running. To be around so many other runners with the same goal, to have a set running/workout schedule, and to be held accountable every single week made training for the marathon so much more fun and I hit goals I never thought possible. This coming year will be my 4th year with the group and now I'm one of their coaches. Every town has a running group in it...find one if you need to!

There are probably so many more awesome bits of advice I could spew at you but I'm pretty sure if you just read that entire blog post you're completely overwhelmed right now. Just think about all the points I made, see how they can fit into your fitness routine, and hopefully some of it can help you out and keep you exercising, healthy, and happy.

HAPPY RUNNING!!!!

Crash and Burn....in a 5K???

On Sunday I participated in a 5K...partly because I really need to work on speed and 5K's are an awesome way to push yourself to get better speed, and partly because it was a race organized by our neighbors, the Smiths, to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation in memory of their son Kaden who passed away at age 9 from a fatal seizure last year.

As you know I've developed a lot of confidence in maintaining a faster pace lately. My runs have been pretty strong overall and I've gotten more comfortable pushing myself. I passed up the opportunity to run in really cool temps this past week in favor of the warm gym just so I didn't mess myself up during the race, knowing the temps would be warm that day. I've done a couple speed workouts that turned out well and with it being "only" a 5K I figured I could do anything for 25 minutes so matter how bad it hurt. Famous last words....

My goal ever since I signed up was to get a medal.  The race info indicated that the top 3 in each age group would get a medal, and I didn't even think to look at the age group details, figuring mine would be either 30-39 or 35-39.  I looked a couple days prior to the race....my age group was 19-39.  Me, age 37, competing with 20-somethings?  This could be ugly.

The beginning of the race started off well, if you ignored the wind and humidity of course (but I expected this!).  I felt good and comfortable at my pace.  I actually never looked at my watch to see how fast I was running, not once during this first mile. That would be my FIRST mistake. I saw my friend Erica in front of me the entire first mile and I thought we may have been the top 2 females in the race (found out later Erica was #2 as there was an even faster girl in front of her). As we moved into mile 2 we were directly into the wind, which was probably about 20 mph. Not gonna lie - I shouldn't have passed up the water at that first water stop...talk about dry mouth during a run. Wow, the wind can totally suck.  That would probably be my SECOND mistake.

My pain threshold lasted probably about 13 minutes. I really couldn't breathe. My legs were good, my lungs were not. I REALLY couldn't breathe. I didn't know how I'd hold up for another 11 or 12 minutes. Mistake number THREE was walking instead of just slowing down. DUMB MOVE. I know better than to walk - once you give in to that there's really no going back. It's easy to keep giving in. I should have just slowed to a 9 minute pace or so for about a quarter mile and got my breathing under control.  I saw that I was just over 16 minutes through 2 miles...a very good pace and even with walking I was going to produce a respectable time and possibly get a medal.  However, it was about this time that a couple of ladies who looked no older than me passed me, so unless they just looked REALLY good for their age I was out of contention.

I slogged through that last mile and finished the slightly short course in 25:14.  I'm kind of bummed that the course was a bit short as I was about to start my final push to the finish when we turned the last corner and the finish was RIGHT THERE. I don't know why I didn't realize we were that close already. So I never got the opportunity to put on my final fast sprint, which I'm pretty good at usually. Not that it would have made a big difference overall.  I believe my actual pace was about 8:35...not what I was looking for at all.

I talked to another lady who finished right in front of me and she mentioned that as we were running alongside each other she could hear me wheezing and definitely having trouble with my breathing overall.  She asked if I had asthma.  I do occasionally wheeze when around cats but running-induced asthma? Or possibly induced by the high humidity or other allergens kicked around by the wind?  It was definitely likely and could have contributed to my crash and burn. It's something I'm going to have to look into with my family's allergy and asthma doctor.

Overall, I finished 5th in my age group and was the 7th overall woman.  Had I been 40 or older, I would have gotten that darn medal, but my age group was really tough obviously.  A lot of talented ladies were out there running a great race.  It was exciting to see three of my neighbors take medals, including Erica and her husband John. Remember them from the relay? Yeah, they rock. I almost beat John...ALMOST. Erica? Not gonna happen.  Did I mention she rode 100 miles on her bike into headwinds the day before this race? 

Remember how I mentioned I never looked at my watch during that first mile? Yeah, I should have...it was 7:45.  About 20-30 seconds too fast.  That should have been the pace on my LAST mile. My last mile wasn't nearly as bad as I thought, but it was still a slightly disappointing 9:13. On any training run that wouldn't bum me out, but not during a 5K.

As always, I take lessons from every race. I have another 5K in July. I will not go out too fast. I will continue my speed workouts. I will not go out too fast. I will slow down if necessary and take a breather. I will not go out too fast. I will medal (well, that REALLY depends on the competition...you just never know).

Where were you when?

May 1, 2011....the day the United States finally succeeded in killing Public Enemy Number One, Osama Bin Laden.  Brave Navy Seals invaded his compound outside Islamabad, Pakistan, and shot him in the head before taking custody of his body. Nearly 10 years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we finally got him and provided justice for the countless citizens and soldiers whose lives were forever changed.



The date provides another example of "Where were you when?" and never being able to forget the answer. Where was I?  Sitting on my couch, watching Adam Richman in Pittsburgh on the show Man vs. Food on the Travel Channel.  Nothing exciting.  I checked my Twitter feed on my phone and saw the CNN tweet that stated the President was going to make a statement to America at 10:30pm Eastern time.  I thought this odd, particularly since it was a Sunday night and the White House was releasing no details of the statement subject. A couple more news media tweets came through with the same information and I told Greg that we should probably turn on CNN.  Well before the President ever made his official statement it known that it was in regard to Osama Bin Laden finally being killed. JUSTICE.



In the hours since the announcement it's made me think of the day nearly 10 years ago when our country literally stopped in shock and tragedy. Where was I when I heard the news? Greg and I were driving to San Jose International Airport so he could travel to Phoenix for the day on business. It was very early...before 6am Pacific time....when the radio DJs made mention of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. At first Greg and I were thinking it was just a small plane and that the guy had to be a pretty bad pilot to hit a building like the WTC.  By the time we arrived at the airport we discovered that it was likely a commercial airline and a much bigger plane than what we thought.

Once we got to Greg's gate (oh, remember the days when you could go to the gate even when you weren't the one flying?), we heard much more information from the airport personnel.  They were now calling it a terrorist attack. And both towers had been hit by planes. I started crying. I called my parents to find out more and during that phone conversation, a plane hit the Pentagon. "Oh, my God" was all I could think in those moments of absolute fright.Who was doing this to us?

It wasn't long after this that the airport personnel announced that the airport would be closing indefinitely, that there would be no flights going out at all.   Greg and I drove back home, deeply sad, incredibly frightened about what was next.  During that car ride the first tower fell....one of the WTC buildings was gone? Are you serious?? We couldn't get our TV on fast enough once we arrived home. At the exact moment the TV turned on, the second tower fell. I was so incredibly emotional and couldn't keep the tears from coming.

I was also 5 months pregnant with our first child.



For the next two days I barely left the house, but instead was glued to the television, watching all the coverage. A deep hatred formed for those responsible. An incredible anxiety brewed inside me over how evil people could be. I mourned for those who died and grieved with those who lost loved ones. I didn't know anyone personally who died, but that didn't matter.  Our entire country was in mourning. This entire time, I had a baby inside me squirming uncontrollably, probably due to my deep anxiety. I developed some guilt over bringing a child into such an evil world...not that there was anything I could possibly do about that. But the guilt was there regardless.

Now that Osama Bin Laden is gone, a relief definitely exists. It doesn't end our war on terror - that will always be there. There will be someone to take his place. But in the meantime we can still rejoice in his death, however odd it sounds to actually welcome someone's death. As the President said last night, "his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity."





Greg's boarding pass from his flight on 9/11/01





Never forget








Pentagon Memorial in Virginia - read about the Memorial here