Don't know why, but this is how I feel today. Just want to crawl back into bed.

This year, due to a grave reduction in my wages, I have decided (really I'm forced) to cut down on holiday spending. Funny but I'm finding this less stressful. I don't know why. I'm even having more fun being creative and making many gifts. All my gifts had thought put into them, but I think this year it has more heart. This year's holiday season, with the economy in the tank, I'm much happier, I'm less stressed and I'm more appreciative of time-both of other's and my own.

This seems to be the tone for the year. Not only me, but others I've heard from. Hopefully this is a new trend in our society. It's not about how much $$ we spend, but the time we spend together that matters.

Tonight, the rains have made me decide to skip bootcamp again. I missed Monday because we had just gotten back from up north and I was tired and the rains made it a good excuse to slack. So tonight it looks like the same theme.

I'm looking forward to watching a Christmas movie, wrapping some more gifts and finishing addressing the holiday cards. Maybe I'll even have some hot chocolate or hot apple cider. Yum. Let the holidays begin!

Love and Hate. Isn't it the same thing?

Last night's BC was sprints and push ups. That's it. Just that. But trust me, that was ENOUGH.

Earlier, when we were at the middle school, I was looking forward to getting back to the park so we can run snakes up the bleachers. Yup. I wanted that. And I got it. In a different form, but we were up there running sprints across the top. Here's the complete workout last night:

(Sprint to one end, 5 push up with toes up on the bleachers so you're elevated
Rest) X 10
(Sprint to one end, down the stairs, sprint back, up the stairs to 10 push ups-Rest) X 5

Thats it. Loved it. My periformis didn't bother me so I really loved that. Hated the back sprints because I kept running out of steam in that back section. But thanks to Femmie, Amy & Carmen for the encouragement, comraderie, pushing me and letting me keep up with you.

As far as Dave goes, I've been telling him he needs to ice that ankle. Has he done it? Nope. I mentioned Eric said he needs to put is foot in an ice bath. No verbal response but the look said nope. Or maybe it was just the silence like he didn't hear a word I said that conveyed the message. But when we were sitting down to dinner and I mentioned Amy was thinking of the Pasadena Half instead of the full marathon....well, Dave mumbled somthing about missing his running partner, got up, went to the freezer and got some ice out for his ankle. I think there's going to be another woman in the house until the ankle is better and he's running on it. Maybe I'll just post her name all over the house. Welcome Home Amy!

What pretty colors

Dave's owie. But the swelling is down quite a bit. I didn't get the photo where it looked like a golf ball. That was Sunday. Well better late than never. Only a day later and the golf ball has been replaced by a nice hematoma.

Aren't weekends for resting?

This weekend had NOTHING remotely resembling resting!

Friday night...well ok I skipped crossfit. Mainly because I thought I was getting sick and didn't want to miss out on FGB or orienteering. So I was good, stayed warm, and went to sleep early.

Saturday I hit the ground running. Wake up at 6 (Dave still in bed until well after 8), started basic stuff-laundry, sweeping, trimming the ivy, lavender, etc outside.... Whew-it's now 11:30 and I'm hungry. By the time we finally decided on lunch, it was 12:30! I didn't want to eat too late since we had FGB later. Can you imagine doing that on a full stomach. BLAH!

Fight Gone Bad- 1 minute stations:
55 lb push press
20" box jumps
55 lb sumo dead lifts
16 lb wall balls to 8'
row for calories

My score: 147
Thanks Carol for doing this to standard with me. You know there's no going back now. No scaling this one!

Sunday was a fun day with Jane and Carol playing at Vasquez Rocks for 2:04:52. We ROCK!

On a sad note, Badly twisted ankle=Dave is out for 6 weeks.
Good note-don't think anything's torn or broken!
An even more positive note=they thought Dave was Eric at a distance! My honey's getting buff!

Thanks all for a good Saturday and a great Sunday. Being out there with all of you made this FUN.

Last night we were invited to see Commissioner Amy Pellman becoming the Honorable Amy Pellman. I can't really express how special that was to witness. It still makes me a bit teary-eyed to think of this. What a BIG honor. This just reinforces how enriching bootcamp has been in my life. Without bootcamp, I would never have been part of this.

I wonder if I can link this in 6 steps to Kevin Bacon?

Wow-I can't believe we're at Week 5 of BC! Boy this is going by fast. It didn't help that last week we didn't go. Well we were there on Monday but due to some miscommunication, we were at the wrong location. Oh well.

Last night was at the Academy again. I'm starting to like that WAY too much. It beats the alternative of rolling around on the wet cold grass.

So here's my reflection on last night's workout:
Rowing-Wow I could tell what a difference when using my legs more. What I did differently than other times was adjust the feet thingy. The strap was more across my midsole section as opposed to towards my toes. What a difference. My heels didn't raise up as much. Wow! I got that!

Lunges - I think I lost my flexibility! When I lunged down, it felt like my quads just wouldn't stretch enough. That sucked! Or maybe it's not a flexibility issue. Is it strength? Don't know.

Sprints - since it was tag team, it gave me a rest in between sprints. That was just enough to make this doable without really sucking tooooo much. This doesn't mean I wasn't sucking wind. But it made the sprints managable and kinda fun. Yeah I said it. But just KINDA.

Thanks-Giving

Since the meaning of Thanks Giving is Giving Thanks for what you have, here's what I'm thankful for:

I'm thankful for my friends. They keep me company. My friends encourage my endeavors, whatever they may be. They are part of my happiness.

I'm thankful for Eric and bootcamp. I'm healthier because of it. I'm happier because of it. And I have met some good friends and Dave because of it.

My family, because they are family.

I'm thankful I'm healthier than others. I'm able to walk, see, taste and hear. I can eat. There's food on the table. I have a home and I have STUFF. Maybe too much stuff.

I live in a country where there's food in abundance. I live in a country where others will fight for my freedom instead of trying to take it away. I live in a country where we can openly debate the election of the first African-American president. I live in a state where we can openly debate the right or wrong of same-sex marriage.

And I'm thankful Dave's in my life. He used to keep up with me. Now I'm trying to keep up with him. He shows me how to be goofy just because he IS. I'm thankful he's on a path that is the same path I'm on.

I hope everyone has a list like this to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving.

The Hammer (said in the best Arnold voice you can imagine)

Gotta love what goes through Eric's head. Don't know where he comes up with this stuff, but gotta love him for it.

25. Think 25. That's a small enough number, right? It can be thought of as 1/4th of a whole. Or it can be thought of just as 25. Something small to some. Well it's not. Not when you think of it in calories. Unless it's a candy bar that's only 25 calories. But we're not talking that. We're talking about reps of 25 or rowing to 25 calories.

Last night's crossfit was 4 rounds of 4 stations. Each station-25 pushups, 25 1.5 pood KB swings, 25 hitting a big A** tire with a sledge hammer (gotta love that) and row to 25 calories. The rowing took the longest but the KBs were the hardest.

The time? Don't remember. What I do remember was that my cardio was WAY up. But I liked the sledge hammer station. Different. Useful if you have a DIY permanent fixer-upper. And just plan fun if you can find that rhythm.....
I've been working on the railroad All the live-long day.
I've been working on the railroad Just to pass the time away....

No Conviction

Well I'm sorta zoning, kinda. I know Eric. I can hear you in my mind. I'm trying to eat better, but no, I'm not weighing and portioning my food. Not yet. And my ratios are off. Last week I spent hours figuring out the week's menues and compiling the shopping list for this week. But opps, I forgot Dave was out of town for a few days. That changed portions, etc. So Nope I'm not Zoning with conviction.

Yesterday meals:
Breakfast: 1/3 oatmeal before it was cooked-so I guess about 2/3 afterwards, 1 soy sausage patty and coffee.

9 am snack: 1/2 donut (I'm bad). How many extra squats for this?

Lunch: 2 grilled chicken thighs( I know I should have stuck with 1 ), about 1/2 C TJs mixed grain

Snack: one 400 ml container with cucumbers and tomatoes. No protein unless you count one small dark chocolate Halloween candybar.

Dinner: 1/2 spaghetti squash (what? about 1 C), about 5 lg sauted muchrooms (approx 1 C) and 1 zucchini (again approx 1 C), sprinkled with feta cheese. Since I used a few T of the TJs artichoke tomato spread for the sauce, where does that fit in? And Nope-not alot of protein. Should have saved one of the chicken thighs to go with this.

So I'm trying to eat healthier and slowly ease into the Zone. If I could just lose 1 small kettlebell or the light med ball.... Yeah that's how my mind works.

Last night's bootcamp was at the new Academy. It turned out there was only 6 of us. Don't know if that was because of the even worse LA air quality caused by the fires, if it was because of the post-Pasadena Marathon let-down, if it was because of just life in general sometimes gets in the way, or the intimidation factor of the Academy.

For me, I like the Academy workouts as a good change of pace. Don't think I'm not a bootcamper. That is my first choice of workouts. I like the outdoor workouts. I like the variety. I like not having to work with weights all the time. But the Academy adds a nice variety to the mix, which is why I like adding the Friday night Happy Hour. Well, it is also the dinners afterwards. But, really, I do like having that workout and I'm hoping more bootcampers take advantage of this. After all, the social part is as much of bootcamp as the workouts.

So last night was in a team of 3, 1 minute workouts at 5 stations with a 1 minute rest at the end.

So here's my take on this. I liked the tire station where you flip then jump through. I've been tempted to try this on Friday nights. It sounds fun and with 3 people, it was a goofy exercise without really thinking you are having a workout. Next-jump rope. Yup. It's jumping a rope, fast. As a kid, that was fun. Double Dutch. Stuff like that. If I wasn't so tired, I would have had schoolyard songs going through my head (and if I could remember them). Now it's just alot of cardio. Glad it was only 1 minute per station. Next-35 lbs of dead weight trying to "swing" it to shoulder level or above. yeaaahhh. righhhtttt. Here is where I felt it in my (insert tight body part here). The rowing and hip extention station pretty self explanitory. Glad I got to use that contraption. If you want to know what this is, you weren't there last night. Go to crossfit and find out.

And with only 6 people, Eric can really concentrate on our form. Thanks Eric for all the concerns for injuries and keeping an eye on our form. And thanks Carol and Alva for making this a fun workout.

It's just a race

Even though I wasn't going to run the Pasadena Marathon/Half, I feel the disappointment to have it cancelled. I saw the disbelief in D's eyes at 4:15 am after I told him it was cancelled. You know... that deer-in-the-headlights look. I know. I understand all that effort to get through race, and then to have it cancelled. It's Wilson all over again.

Looking on the bright side, it gave him more time to prepare for his trip today = Less stress. Hopefully if/when the race is rescheduled, he will be able to run it.

I can't even imagine the disappointment the organizers experienced. THE INAUGURAL RACE! Well, next time. Stuff happens but it's just a race.

I'm hoping all the hard-working firefighers quickly get a handle on all the fires and stay safe. And I'm hoping no one else loses their home. No lives have been lost. We have our homes and they're not threatened. Our friends and family are safe. We aren't in the middle of all that chaos.

It's just a race.

Various thoughts. Addicted to consumerism? Damm you Eric? Hmmmm

Yeah one has nothing to do with the other but, yes, that's the way my mind works.

First the consumerism. We're surrounded by it. We're brought up to believe the more toys you have, the more successful you are. Nope. I'm trying to break that addiction but addictions are hard to break. Every morning I log onto REI and see what their Deal of the Day is. Today-a hydration pack. Oh only $15! What a Deal. get it today, and only today at that price. It really is a deal, IF I needed one. But between D and I, we have FOUR of them. (Well I really have 3 and he has 1). But we have FOUR of them in the house. Need to stop that feeling of getting the bargain just because it's a bargain. I'm trying to adopt Suze Orman's habit of "Buy only what you need." Oh so hard.

Now for the second thought, and this thought will continue for the next few days. Who would have thought your own body weight can be your enemy! OK some of us know this when we look in the mirror or try to climb the stairs or try to run... Last night's workout was Tabatas. Yeah Tabatas. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING was hard last night. ESPECIALLY THOSE DAMMED SQUATS. I thought I used to pump out squats like crazy-no problemo. Having to hold that position is VERY different. ESPECIALLY if you have to keep a good form.

NEVER EVER will I say or think bootcamp is easy. Did I ever say Bootcamp was easy? No. Especially in the middle of it. Maybe after I catch my breath, the pain wears off, after I can walk again, after I can raise my arms again, after...... But that's when you get some and go again.

Ohhhhh Noooooo

So Saturday after John left (thanks John for helping out), I parked myself on the couch and couldn't get up. I was passed out. I thought maybe it was my allergies (yuk). Sunday was a bit better but I was just foggy. Maybe because I slept for 12 hours. Makes sense, right.

Monday morning I'm still foggy but a coworker comes in sick because last Friday another coworker brought in her sick daughter. Oh. Light slowly starts to go on. Hmmm maybe it wasn't my allergies. I don't like being sick. Who does! If I will it into the corn field it won't exist.

So last night was a dilemma. Bootcamp? No Bootcamp? If I am sick, do I even risk spreading it to the marathoners (except too bad for Dave). Do I risk getting worse if I'm doing the Bike Tour this weekend? Decided not to go to bootcamp, stay warm and rested and fall asleep on the couch early.

Today-I think more of the same. Damm. I would have been nice if this head-fog thing would have been because of too much fun over the weekend. Nope. Not that. Just too many germs floating around. I'm still rooting for too much pollen floating around, but I don't think I'll win that one.

WARNING WARNING WILL ROBINSON. This post has some references that the under-30 (maybe the Under-40) crowd won't get! And I'm proud of it! YEAH!

No Zoning yet

Reading others' blogs about "The Zone" really makes me want to jump on the bandwagon (again). Last night, while D was gone, I brought out the Zone recipe book I bought last year. I thought I'd go thorough it, plan some meals out, figure out how many blocks for the menues I plan, etc. I'm trying to accomplish 1) cooking on Sunday and having the left-overs spill into quick after-bootcamp meals during the week, 2)less red meat but still keeping D happy, and 3) having it be quick, easy and with stuff I normally have in my pantry. Needless to say I shut down, put the book down (but not away) and sat and watched TV.

How many blocks is the roast chicken w/ rosemary, lemon-thyme and garlic, wild rice (no stuffing-too many carbs) and salad with homemade Honey-Mustard dressing? Hmmm 1/4 C dry wild rice = 30 gm carbs (3 blocks+ )and 6 gm protein (1 block). That was the full alotment of carbs :( But since I made extra, I didn't have the whole 1/4 C amount. I didn't weight the chicken but figured I really had just a bit more protein than 3 blocks.

See in my mind, the left-over chicken and wild rice will turn into chicken soup or chicken pot pie (somehow reformulated so there isn't any carrots or potatoes for a quick after-bootcamp meal. I may still add peas even though it's not really zone friendly. Yeah this is a Zone-ish recipe I'm working through my mind using the quick frozen biscuit from TJs as the only pastry part of this. I was looking for a substitute for the potatoes when I found out the acorn and butternut squash I've been making should be on the No Zone menu. Opps. And I thought I was been good getting D to eat Cooked Orange food: No cooked carrots, no butternut squash soup (unless the butternut is slathered with butter and brown sugar. So I guess that's getting crossed off the list.

I still didn't get a menu that's Zone Approved.

P-I'll join you in your Zoning when I get this all figured out.

Like to Cooking = Like to Eating

Opps I'm bad

I went back and re-read Pablo's Blog. He did say American Woman. I guess I was just so focused on figuring out what GI Jane was that that was the only think that stuck in my mind.

I'm bad.

GI Jane is a B

Last night's crossfit was different. I don't know why or how come. But there was an atmosphere that made the workout "fun." And trust me, I use that word "fun" loosely. Was this the hopeful after-election atmosphere? Maybe with everything going on, everyone was trying hard to be jovial and light-hearted??? Maybe because the last few Fridays we went, D and I were the only bootcampers at Crossfit but last night Carol, Lenel and Sarah were there. We stayed together, we encouraged each other, we fed off of each other's energy. It felt more like Indoor Bootcamp that was Constantly Varied with Funtional Movements and High Intensity!

Now-Damm that Pablo! I was reading his blog yesterday and he mentioned GI Jane. My natural curiosity REQUIRED me to see what that was. Hmmm burpees to a jumping pullup x 100. hmmm Easily Doable? Yeah anything is easy when you're sitting at a desk watching a video of someone else doing the workout. I did want to do upper body because I need it and I suck at pullups. And being week 1 at BC, we haven't done much upper body. (Hey Eric-this doesn't mean you need to slam us next week ok?)

I mentioned we were doing GI Jane the look on Pablo's face made me regret this decision. He mentioned he did American Girl. WTF was that! That wasn't on his blog. He wrote GI Jane but did American Girl(or what ever is half the woman as GI Jane). OK - our out. We can Do American Girl but if we felt good, we can continue to GI Jane. Whew. Then I turn around and OMG our names have GI Jane next to it. We're stuck. We can't back out now.

Results? All 100 pushups from the toes. But at some point, I have no clue when, I started to do step backs on the burpees. I remember noticing it towards the end. But I don't know when this started. But I think it might have been during the first 50? Maybe? I kinda remember thinking my IT band felt tight. But was that why I went to step backs? I kinda remember some other stuff, but .... Funny how the mind just sort of goes into an automatic non-thinking mode and just does. I recall thinking about my pushup form. I recall keeping track of my numbers because we all know that if you forget where you are, you are at ONE.

Thanks Carol, Lenel, Sarah and Coach Hope for the energy to get through GI Jane. Next time we shave our heads and do her again? I think not. But next time, Lenel you can pick the workout! Just please don't read Pablo's blog.

After elections decompression

I'm not political. I don't really follow politics like some friends I know, yet I know I should. But this election and the propositons this time really made me want to follow them, this time.

So the elections are over. Now what? Life goes back to normal. But do you feel that? That feeling of hope, positive changes and the hopeful feeling of economic recovery in the air? Like Obama says, it won't be easy. I like that. He's truthful with us. He's not sugar-coating it because we need to hear the truth. We CAN handle the truth.

Monday's test-in was with Eric. Why not Hope's class? Because. Just Because. I'm tired of having to baby the periformus so I'm not. It may be stupid, I may suffer for it, but oh well. I'll deal with it until I can't.

At first I thought Monday's test-in was easy. Run, 150 quats, 100 dips, lunges the length of the tennis courts and back. Yeah I need to choose my words more carefully. If it were "easy", I wouldn't have been sore Tuesday, looking for any non-bootcamper to pick up stuff I dropped. And by Weds, I still shouldn't have felt like I needed a wheelchair. Nope. Easy wasn't the right word. "Easily doable" is more correct.

And if yesterday's workout was easy, I should have been able to sustain a run up Baldwin. And I should have been the first one back. Nope. Not "Easy" but "easily doable." Big Difference! Yup. That's it.

BTW my legs are still sore. Love it!

YES WE DID

I woke up this morning knowing we have contributed to a HUGE part of our history. A HUGE change in our government. We have elected the first black US president.

But we as Californian can't accept two people of the same sex to get married?!? As of this morning, some are saying it's too close to call. I'm still holding out that Prop 8 will fail. I will be hopeful and positive that it WILL fail.

Now is the time for us to move forward.

Guilliani HAS HIS HEAD UP HIS ASS!!!! PALIN HAS THE EXPERIENCE AND IT WAS JUST NEGATIVE REPORTING?!? BULLSHIT!

WAH WAH WAH

Where the F**K does he get this crock of shit!

Yeah the TVs on and I'm watching the election results. SHHHHH

What a day can mean

VOTE!

In the next 24 hours, I'm hoping we elected the Tin Man!

I think I'm in shock. The news last night has me feeling numb. Basically there is a fraction in the "family." Two that have been so loyal have left. It feels like a death because the sense of "family" is a strong feeling. Family is one that can be counted on, no matter what. Family is something you can lean on , maybe not when you want it, but when you really need it. And to have the slightest change, the slightest ripple, can cause a feeling of uneasiness.

I know that life is not static and to have growth, there needs to be changes. We may not like those changes, but may see in the future that it was necessary to get to a better place. If someone needs to leave in order to grow, that's OK. But not this way. There's such a feeling of betrayal left behind. Maybe death always feels that waym especially when it's unexpected.

We grow stronger by being tested. And this may be a test.

Love running in the rain

This morning while D was marathon training, I was up and decided to run to Home Depot again. Literally. Me and my ipod, ATM in the back pocket and off I went. I took it slow so it was 24 minutes to get there.

My reflection on this? 'Cuz you know there is. Its amazing how slow I can run. I know I'm slow when the ants are passing me up. Does that mean I'm now running backwards? I kept my eye on a stop sign and it just wouldn't get any closer. And I'm talking about a stop sign that was at the end of the block. I could have gotten there faster if I walked. Yeah-you think I'm joking? Hardly!

And trying to get to that every-elusive stop sign I had E's voice (I guess its now SUFFER) telling me to push through it, don't stop until after you pass it. Yeah would you stop just 5 feet in front of the finish line and walk through it? No he doesn't say that but that's what he means.

I could feel the periformus, hamstring, blah blah blah all tighten so I felt compelled to walk half the time. But it seemed like the tightening started when my cardio would just start to get pushed. Did I even break a sweat on this run? Don't think so. But was this need to walk just an excuse to not have to push myself? Am I using this injury as an excuse to just cruise and put on "junk miles?" Maybe. But I could have drove to HD.

The nice part about having to take my time was that I didn't have to come back the same route to figure my time. I took the back route along Evergreen just to see something different. The route was just a bit longer, but didn't have the slight uphill grade and was less congested. Nice.

Oh yeah. What does this have to do with running in the rain? Nothing. But I got home just before it started.

The Hauntings bahahahaha

Last night I actually did what I blogged. Boo and I set out to visit a few Haunted Houses last night. She did 1 and I did a few more. She's not a running dog since her nose gets her way too distracted. After the first house, she went home. I don't know if that was her plan or not.

I felt like I was doing the Boot Brew but instead of beer at the stops, I got to look at these spooky houses.

I should have went with my camera since some of these houses were fantastic. I don't know what my mileage was and I don't know what my time was. I was having so much fun just siteseeing. If you have the time and inclination, go to Monrovia's website and check out the list of houses that entered the contest. The two on Melrose...WOW! I think it was one of these that had TWO coffins in the front yard. Not One but TWO. Where do they get these? This makes me want to go Trick-Or-Treating.

And the bonus was there were some houses I passed that didn't enter the contest but had some great decorations. One house had a mask hanging from the tree that was probably 4 or 5 ft tall.

Yes Kel & Hope I took it easy. It was an easy jog and I walked some when I needed. But at such a slow pace, I didn't have to worry about stamina. And I was compelled to rest in front of these houses. You HAVE to check these out.

Confused again!

Since I am now commuting to work on the bike a few times a month, and have committed to continue to do so, I need to think about clipless pedals. I am using Look-type and I like them if I don't have to stop. This is the only one I've ever used so I don't know about any others. My used bike from ebay came with SPDs but I took those off and gave those to Dave so I could use my existing shoes. Sounded good, right? Around the dam or on a closed route, the Looks are fine.

But if I have to stop, it is hard to start. Ok I can hear some of you thinking just to change gears. No it's not that. When I push off, the plate slips and I can't get any traction. OK! So there :)

I think bikers who blog just think other people know the lingo. I was reading a blog from a "biking newbie" who asked about pedals. The responses talked about "float." What the HELL is float? And what the HELL is the advantage of being able to clip in from both sides. AND HOW THE HELL CAN YOU CLIP IN FROM BOTH SIDES? ISN'T THERE A FRAME OR SOME GEARS IN THE WAY?!? OMG! I so don't want to go so the store and ask. God I hate looking stupid.

On a lighter note, they reopened the Bike Tour during the Pasadena Marathon. I'm signed up and can proudly wear the T-shirt (if I get one).

And since this is off week and Dave should be off doing his training, I think I'm going to do a fun jog/walk/run. When I was talking to Beth during the Race for the Rescue, she said she entered her house in the Halloween contest in Monrovia. So I when to Monrovia's website and they have all the houses listed in the contest. I think I'm going to map out a route and slowly cruise by there tonight. I think BooBoo needs some exercise tonight, too. So Beth, if you see me and Boo go by, we're not stalking you.

Comment on Voting

It's great how this election, no matter who wins, will be monumental.

No matter who you vote for, but of course I'm hoping you are voting for change and progress, not for gender or skin color, no matter WHO you vote for, you must vote. ESPECIALLY if you're a person of color or female.

Why? We take things for granted, me included. But I've always voted because that's what you're supposed to do. I may not vote for everything on the ballot, but I will always vote in the presidential elections. If you're not female or a person of color, basically if you're a white male and a US citizen, you always had the right to vote. But not me. My gender had to fight for it. My gender had a few who were strong enough to suffer for ALL females' right to vote.

In an age where your worth was based on your husband's. When your opinion was that of your father's or husband's. When your status in society was based on birth, which determined who you can marry, and only if your father or the patriarch approved...

1870- The 15th Amendment of the Constitution provides African-American males with the right to vote.

On April 6, 1891 the first 15 female votes in Illinois were tabulated. In 1919 Congress finally passed the Susan B. Anthony Amendment that had first been introduced in Congress in 1878, simply: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." Illinios was the first state to approve this amendment. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution took effect on August 26, 1920. This made the United States the 27th country to allow universal sufferage.

And can this be right?

1952 The McCarran-Walter Act gives first generation Japanese Americans the right to become citizens.
1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act into law.
The Voting Rights Act is enacted as a permanent federal statute prohibiting any election practice that denies the right to vote on account of race.

Make sure you vote because it is our RIGHT that many fought and suffered for.

Another successful watersaving home project!

Dave was taking a nap since he ran 13 miles. Don't know why he's tired! So since he's down, I decided to install my retro-fit dual-flush lever. Its a water saving device - OK!!! I ordered it on-line and it was delivered Wednesday. I figured it would be a weekend project because you KNOW they ALWAYS take longer than expected.

In the middle of this, Dave wakes up. He and I are learning to work as a team on projects. He's learned to let me do whatever until I ask for his help. I've learned not to get too frustrated and to get him when I get to that point. It's better than breaking things by force. He'll do what's needed, then leave me to my endevores. What a smart man! No it's not really working on things together, but it is a way to keep the relationship going :)

Let's put it this way, if we were on the Amazing Race, we would be THAT couple. You know, the one everyone hates. I would be the one you would yell , "Oh what a bitch!" And Dave would be the one you would say, "Oh God what a temper. Yeah they won't make it." We know this. We accept this. And we learn to work around this. Relationships are about adapting. Persever. Adapt. Overcome. HA

2 hours later, one broken fingernail and much contemplation...it's done. I figure we live in a desert and I'll do everything within my power to use as little water as possible. That's what I kept telling myself. And I'll keep telling myself this the next time I get another one of these brilliant ideas.

BTW Dave's new nickname for me....Jo the Plummer

What an honor to be part of this

I just got back from crewing for the marathoners and half-marathoners. I was the water station at miles 13 and 17. I was there, waiting patiently for the runners to hit me twice since I was parked at the entrance of a loop so they would have to pass me twice. So I was there, waiting, watching other runners-both individuals and groups-who were obviously also training for the marathon or half-marathon.

How did I know? Well one group had on matching shirts that said Pasadena Marathon. I could be wrong, but I think it's a safe bet what they were training for. And another group and some individuals were looking at maps. Now I don't know about you, but I don't usually run with a map unless there's a specific route I want to follow. HMMM. What could that be?

Anyway I digress. So I'm waiting and watching, and wishing I could be one of them. All I could do is say "Hi" to those who ran by me, or tell them "good job" so they do know they ARE an INSPIRATION, even the ones, ESPECIALLY the ones, who were struggling, sucking wind, had that look like they desperately wanted to walk or to just go home.

I SO wanted to be part of the group that was DOING instead of part of the group WATCHING. Even if I'm usually slow, at least I was able to run and participate. Now I'm just a bit envious because they can do what I can't right now.

I'm sure some people were wondering why I was parked there. And I wonder if some of the neighbors were a bit suspicious of a car parked for hours, me just sitting in the back, rocking out to my iPod, doddling and sketching. I know the barky little dog who's house I was in front of was sure wondering. He barked almost the entire 3 hours I was there. He was actually barking at the runners and anyone who went by and would only bark at me if we made eye contact. If I made eye contact, I was fair game.

Then it hit me. I was waiting there, as support, for MY group. This wonderful group of people I know who are making every effort they can to train for this race. They were relying on ME to be there for them. This wonderful group of people who are inspirational to others, show encouragement to everyone willing to make an effort, to be appreciative of me and Rochelle supporting them as water stops. What a great group! I was happy to have the opportunity to support them.

Kudos to all the runners today. Now relax and ice for tomorrow is a rest day. But if you want to have an "easy" day, you can join us since we're walking the 5K for Race for the Rescue at the Rose Bowl tomorrow. (Just FYI-the we I'm referring to could be me and Dave, or just me and BooBoo Bear). Yes -E that is her name. Yes the one I gave her. No it's not a type-o. Yes I did spell it that way to be unique. Yup! And she loves me all the more for it! HA!

What a small world

I guess with technology and the internet, you can't remain hidden.

I opened up my email this morning and received an message through facebook from a name that sounded familiar, but just couldn't place. Though oh this is spam, I'll delete. But that courious side thought I'd look on his facebook site. OMG it was from a kid I tutored in HS. God I guess I didn't do too much damage since his bio shows he went to Grad School at Harvard! I'm impressed and relieved. HA.

I'm glad I went to BC last night. SHHHH but I was going to skip it since I still need a costume for Friday night's party. I wasn't thinking about testout, but there it was...I walked right into it. And only 3 people were there. That's why I was glad I went. How sad that only 3 people showed up. Yes life gets in the ways with mandatory work meetings, dealing with family, etc...stuff that we can't avoid. But I don't have those reasons and I didn't want it to seem like I whimped out. So it was 1/2 mile run, 1 minute of situps, 1 minute of dips (YUK), and 1 minute of pushups - not in this order. I was happy about my run time since I was still tight from Monday's 1 mile run.

I have definitely been lacking in my consistancy of workout and it does show. But yes that is a consequence I knowingly accept each time I skip out. But since this is my blog, I can still whine about it.

And so if my costume is half-assed or non-existent....HEY I was testing out! OK?!?

Damm Her

Ok. It's my fault. I'm the voyeur secretly peeking into her blog like the silent stalker looking thorough the window.

What blog am I talking about? Well I guess I can keep some anonymity. But I'm getting this urge to trail run. Damm. I want to go places that's quiet, less populated, pristine. See the sun just peaking over some majestic mountain range. That means longer distances and pushing limits. Damm. DAMM. DAMM.

The next time you see me, please bring me back to reality. PLEEEEAAAASSSEEEEE.

Last night I was really tempted to ditch BC because I wanted to run. At least do a mile or two just to see what I can do now. Well be careful about what you wish for because it did come true. I went to BC and we ran a mile! Yeah! Is that the power of thought? Did I have this kind of mind control over Hope? I don't THINK SO but I was really excited when Hope leaned over and warned me we were doing a mile. I didn't let her know then that I was hoping for this.

So 10:04 wasn't a bad time for me. I was actually pretty pleased with that time since I thought it was going to be worse. I'm not running and my cardio sucks. But it felt good to run. It felt good to just DO. I felt my hamstring tighten up more and more with each lap but since we were only doing a mile, I couldn't walk. Not now. Not since I got my wish.

I can feel the aftermath of this. But it was worth it. And the tightness will go away by tonight, I think. Maybe if I do a few miles tonight I can get it to loosen up. Does it work that way? Anyways fall is running weather.

Yeah its the same ol story but at least I can post this cute Snoopy wallpaper

Yummy

http://lstudio.lexus.com/#vid346

HMMM might have to switch over to the Navy. Thanks "Peg Leg" for posting this.

Here's my new mantra that will be playing in my mind...Show no weakness.

I might have to start training for Ultras ;)

Last night I decided to listen to the debates instead of BC. I don't know if that was a mistake or not. I should have worked out and thought maybe, just maybe, a short "jog" to test things out should be in order. But my laziness, the warmth of the late afternoon, and the debates won out. I just parked myself to the TV, listening to McCain get more frustrated and try to hold back a tantrum. OMG he belabored points over and over and over again. We're not deaf- we get what you're trying to say! Get over it and move on! Yes I yelled at the TV. God you would think I was D watching the poor Dodgers lose :(

So since I didn't work out and am out of the Pas Half Marathon, I found myself on Active trying to see what events there are for cyclists! I no longer look at my bike as a leisurely ride, slowly riding around the block, looking at houses, gardens, the scenery. It's now a training tool. It's a mode of transportation to help train for some event. It's a way to work on my cardio while I'm not running. HELP ME I'VE BEEN SUCKED INTO THE BACK HOLE OF RACES AND WORKOUTS.

New Post Same Story

Had a love/hate moment yesterday during Ladies BC. Loved working out, loved the chance to sprint, hated the dips and HATED my IT band. The periformus held out but the IT band was feeling tight towards the end of the workout.

I LOVED the chance to sprint. No I haven't changed my mantra, but since I can't....I want. I guess some of us never grow up (no short jokes OK?!?) Next I'll be flailing around on the ground having a tantrum.

The never-ending search for the impossible balance

Friday night consisted of ZERO working out. In fact, this whole weekend was one of reeeellllaxxxxaaaationnnn. Nope-no sky chair reading. Just relaxing. We went to ArtNight in Pasadena Friday night. One of the exhibits was up at Pasadena Art Center...you know up on the hill. OMG that was so cool. One them was a rainbow wormhole that you crawl through (or if you're vertically challenged you just bend and walk) and come out the other side to a kaleidascope window. COOL.

Then there was the exhibit of Greene & Greene. I want to learn furniture making. Maybe I can make my fortune that way, or at least have a house full of really cool looking stuff. God it was sensory overload! And we only got to 3 exhibits since this was only from 6-10.

Then Saturday consisted of D getting up and CLEANING THE HOUSE! Yes that's good. No Really it's GREAT! But I really was planning on laying in bed and guilt made me get up. Damm!

Sunday we walked to the Monrovia Art Fair. It was, oh I don't know, a bit of an eye-opener. I've been contemplating getting my resale license and selling my fused pieces either on-line or maybe trying to find a place to have it on consignment. The one drawback with turning a hobby into a business is that it's no longer a hobby and it becomes work. It this my passion? I don't know. I noticed alot of glass booths there, and 2 were from the same class I take on Thursdays. This isn't very encouraging. That just means I would be thrown into a large pool of other glass fusers. I know it's just a matter of getting a "signature" people want, a unique look that would be charateristically mine, but the "hobby" doesn't allow that kind of time. The 2 people that were from my class actually have "free time" to devote to this. Not to my advantage, but oh well, that's life.

Hey D-do you want to support me while I go and find my "signature style"?

ARRRGGGGGG

Talking about contradictions! I'm listening to the analysts discuss the recession. Nothing the Feds do are working? Why? CONSUMER CONFIDENCE! We as a WORLD, let alone as a nation, are hunkering down and not spending which is why there isn't money being circulated, which is why factories and stores are closing, which is why stocks are going down, which is why we have less money and less confidence, which is why we as a nation aren't spending money!

So we are supposed to feel more comfortable about the economy and spend money that we don't have so the economy will turn around so we can keep our jobs and keep the factories and stores open with, once again, with money we DON'T have using our credit that we DO have, to have more wealth to .... What? Save? Pay the credit cards used to fund the economy? Or Spend more to further fuel the economy? What a vicious circle.

This is why I always hated economics in college. Macro, Micro...it all makes my head spin. Please wake me when it's over!

Improvising Adapting and Overcoming

Let me just say the Ladies' BC are no slouches! Yeah Tabatas! They may not all have the stamina yet, or the strength yet, but they have the heart, the courage and the determination to stick with it and to get there. I was passed, out-push-uped, out-dipped by Susan. That just makes me want to work harder. Thanks for the incentive. I need that. I felt my pushup form from the toes going...dropping to the knees...then barely able to hang on to that. Note to self-Need to work on upper body.

Did my periformus bother me last night? Yes a bit, but I'm happy that it didn't stay bugged all night. I think that's a sign it's getting better. Couldn't do well on the hill sprints though...DUH! Of course I never was quick on that. Oh yeah-what was that mantra? I hate running with a passion? HMMMM I've got to get to that point again where I can be thinking of this while I run....Well I guess it's actually jog, but I'm calling it running OK?!?

Last night I decided to ride my bike to work in the morning. I need that extra cardio. Of course what good is 4 miles of riding really going to do for me? It all depends on how hard I push, right? Trust me, I worked up a bit of a sweat riding here, racing to get to the light, pushing to get past that car, dodging around cars creeping into traffic, etc. So where's my venting? I know you know it's coming. So here it is. Don't pedestrians know that a bike can hurt them too?!? I was going past the middle school and a girl, old enough to know better, got out of the car, looked both ways, and ran right in front of me across the street. I should have left tire tracks on her just to show her a bike can hurt! Or was I just invisible since I wasn't backed by 126-hp. Yeah that's all the Matrix has...126 hp, but that gets the job done. Oh I digress from the venting so I guess I'm done.

Living in FEAR

I'm living like the frozen deer in the headlights, waiting for the closet of financial shoes to drop! I'm so sick of listening about the economy, but I just can't get myself to turn off the radio or turn off the news. Everywhere I turn- radio, TV, internet, conversations in the stores- it's the main topic of conversation. Its so suffocating!

And why isn't' the "War Against Terror" being talked about, other than a reference about how much in US $$$$ it's costing us. If they bring the soldiers home, what will they come home to? It's Desert Storm but worse. There are no jobs for them to come back home to so they are better off financially staying put (in the service, not in a war). And now Pakistan is back in the news? Pakistan? Iraq? Iran? Afghanistan? Georgia? Russia? Somalia? We need to concentrate on the US. We can't even control the crime and gangs here. What makes the US gov think they can control another country? And I STRONGLY mean CONTROL.

I feel like I live pretty conservatively, but each and every company is affected by this "economic downturn". Let's call it what is really is...a depression. How far are we going to fall before we hit bottom? We're paying for those who haven't lived conservatively in the past 5+ years. Yet we have to BAILOUT everyone because if we don't, they will drag us all down the economic black hole. Where is the accountability? Where is the responsibility? This is so big that we still have to coddle those who blame others instead of looking at themselves for their situation. Wake up people.

Am I done venting? Probably not. Just fair warning for the future.

Back at Ladies BC last night. And of course we were running! Ha! It felt good that I was sweating BECAUSE I was running. Yes my mantra is "I hate running with a passion" but when I'm deprived of something, that's the one thing I want.

I miss Eric's class, my friends, the friendly competition ...I just miss it. Not that the Ladie's BC is bad. The level of compassion and support is nice but its just different and change is hard sometimes.

The push ups I did also sucked. I had to go down to my knees much sooner that I wanted to. And the situps? I used to be able to pump those out-no problem. Now I have to take push hard to complete.

Thanks Kel & Hope for concerns about my periformus. Its so frustrating having to deal with this. And now my left Achilles is getting tight. Yes I'm taking ibuprofen and I brought the triggerball to work. No that won't help my Achilles unless I want to roll around on the floor at work so that will just have to wait.

Last night I had to suck it up, learned to baby it and get a ride down before it prolonged recovery even longer. That was frustrating but last night I let my injury dictate my pride and not the other way around.

More reflection on the vacation

Driving out of California towards Arizona I should have been just enjoying the drive, the music, spending time with D. But a thought popped into my empty little head. .. "We're going up a slight grade. I wonder how hard this would be on a bike." WHAT! What was going through my head! It is so clear that you in the "workout world" have infected me and how my thoughts have changed! Yes I'm still proud to be a slacker! But my mind does drift off, thinking in terms of how much effort is required to do something.

If you haven't been to the Grand Canyon, it's alive. At night the canyon "breathes." Actually it SHOUTS! The explanation is that the warm air is trapped down below and rises out, creating a breeze. My poetic explanation is that all those who go down into the canyon bring their thoughts and their negative energies and are held by the canyon. At night, when its dark and quiet, it lets out a cleansing breath. Its such an experience standing at the edge in the dark and feeling the warm air come rushing out.

Ahhh back to the real world. Friday night's crossfit was a disappointment in myself. Knowing I haven't been working out regularly, I know I can't expect much. 3 rounds of 500M rows, 12 DL, 21 box jumps, times 3. By the time I was on the last round, the 500M row sucked. That's it. Just sucked. I felt I was going slower and slower but couldn't fight past it. It took FOREVER to finish. When I went to the DLs my form sucked so bad that I was told to stop and do the box jumps. I just couldn't get my body to respond to correct my form. I THOUGHT I was doing them correctly but apparently my body wasn't listening to my mind. Basically I DNF. Sucks. I find that personally unacceptable. I need to work on my form.

On a better note, I hiked to First Water this morning. I love hiking right after the rains. Well last night wasn't really rain, but let's just call it that since there was moisture that hit the ground. You could still smell the smokey wood from the fire in May! But the view was beautiful. And the smell of the sage and scrub brings back so many pleasant memories. I still can't run ( I tried but thought I'd better stop), but I'm not in pain while writing this. I can tell I'm getting better. But its just not at the rate I want it to be. Is it partly age (as much as I hate to admit it). Can't my body keep up with my mind? Patience. That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. What did I blog earlier? I should find this down time a blessing in disguise...or something like that? Yeah right.

Let's see...It's now Oct 3rd? Wow this year is just flying by.

D and I went on vacation mid last week to mid this week. Well I'm still on vacation while D is back at work. I wonder if D is afraid each time he comes home, thinking I'll have some new project thought up for us to work on. Or if he'll come home and there will be something different about or in the house. Today I'll enjoy my last day of freedom...oh I mean my vacation.

Vacation is always nice. Our vacation was sort of split into 3 parts. We went to Sedona for a few days, did some hiking, spent lots of $$, visited Arcosanti (someplace I've wanted to visit for the past 15 years or longer). The description of driving 2.5 miles down a dirt road to see this has always put me off. But since D always likes to be behind the wheel, he got to drive (heeheeheehee). If you haven't heard of Arcosanti, I'm not surprised. It's a vision of a self-sustaining, eco-friendly community, and the home of the Soleri bells. If you want to see what I'm talking about, check out www.arcosanti.com. Since the founder is from Italy, it has many traits of Greek communities and takes advantage of their abilities to live comfortably creating breezeways, using passive heating and cooling methods, etc.

Then off to the Grand Canyon for some hiking and camping. I haven't been camping in years, but I've done alot of car camping. And, well D being from Oregon, it's in his blood, right? On day 2 of our stay in Sedona, D asks a simple, but poignant question...We did pack the sleeping bags, right? WHOOPS! It was just a matter of circumstance. D packing a few things Tues night. I packed some things Weds AM before we left. The sleeping bags and air mattress were set aside so we wouldn't forget them. Guess we were wrong. So here's a dilema. Do we get a friend to overnight them to our hotel? Do we forgo camping and stay in a hotel, driving to the Grand Canyon every day? Or do we go buy more sleeping bags?

Off to the dreaded Walmart to look for sleeping bags. I'm not a Walmart fan, and pretty much refuse to shop there, unless forced to. 2 sleeping bags and an air mattress (we did bring the pump, though) = just over $50. Now we have 2 more sleeping bags to add to our collection. Priceless. We're up to 9, YES 9, sleeping bags that we have. In a house just under 700 sq ft, having 9 sleeping bags is a bit much. Now we did give D's 2 kids sleeping bags for their birthdays a few years ago. I think those now have to be shipped up to Oregon so they can enjoy them up there (and get them out of here!)

We had a wonderful lightning show driving up to the Grand Canyon. And our stay there was beautiful. Just after we had the tent set up, a huge number of birds flew by. About 10 stopped on the tree just above our tent and were feeding. I just stood there, amazed at this. We never would have experienced that if we stayed in a hotel. And to hear the elk bugling at night (since it is rutting season) was magical. The first time I heard an elk was when I was camping in the Rockies. It's such a beautiful sound to hear at night.

I love squirrels. They are like natures little jesters. We had some when we went down to Indian Gardens that were hilarious. I was resting on a bench, had the trial mix bag open and had one feel like he could help himself. I yelled for him to get out of there and got no response. Then I pounded the table. Still no response. I just this close to flicking him when he took his head out of the bag. What a pig!


We did one, and only one, hike at the Grand Canyon. I'll just say this. 4.6 miles down, 2985 elevation loss down, 4.6 up and 2985 elevation gain coming back. Yeah one hike was enough, but it did make me realize one thing. I hear this alot in our workout family but it is hard to really, truly feel it. I'll preface this first with I'll never again underestimating someone else's abilities based on looks and overestimating my own abilities against others. I bonked on the way down. Each step became harder and harder and I knew I also had to work my way back up. So what did I learn? What was my life's lesson for the day? It was truly a competion against myself, and only myself, to get back up that dammed trail. I was being passed my people I should have outhiked. I had a camelbak full of water and they were just carrying a small bottle. Hell one guy was carrying a gallon jug for him and his 2 hiking partners. You know, the 1 gal jug of Sparklets or Arrowhead you pick up at the grocery store. He carried this 9.2 miles! I had trail shoes, some food and my trekking poles to help me. But it wasn't about them. It was about me. It became real clear, ah that feeling of clarity. All these races, all these events and the lip service about only competing against yourself became a true understanding of only focusing on myself and doing what I am capable of doing. Not compared to others. Just me and my limits. I stopped when I had to, and that's OK. Because those breaks let me get some energy back to get to the next resting point. It's OK to stop because I know I'll going again.

And after that I was back at the tent, in my sleeping bag at 7:30. The original plan was to do the big hike the first day and to do an easy hike 3 miler. 1140 elevation change the following day. Didn't happen. Here's my one word about this hike...

Ladies Bootcamp is VERY different than regular bootcamp. I have to learn that. Concentration on good form is more important than competition against ones self and others. I know good form is important in regular bootcamp, but I can sacrifice form when intensity increases. Not that competition is bad. If fact, it can be a good thing. But not here and not now.

Last night's workout was 20 squats, 20 dips, 20 step ups (I was soooo tempted to do jump ups but thought it would be showing off...and not good for the leg but thought I needed more cardio), and 3 stair repeats X 3. Yeah I was sweating after this.

Squats felt ok. Dips-couldn't do straight leg because the pull on the periformus and hamstring just didn't make that possible, 20 step ups-ok. Dam those stair repeats. Actually the stairs didn't feel bad. It was the sprint (which I just slowed to power walked) to the wall that was the worse out of all these. Hmmm. Doesn't really make sense.

Kel showed me a GREAT stretch for the periformus. After the 3 rounds, I did the stretches. While I waited for time to be called, I tried doing the straight legged dips. SUCCESS! I couldn't believe what a difference that stretch made. BTW I did stretch before I came to bootcamp so I didn't go into this cold.

Today the piriformus and hamstring is the same. Good news-no worse than yesterday.

Friday night back at Crossfit! My thought was I would do something that was "easy." Now we all know there is no "easy" in crossfit, but I would stay away from running, and possibly squats. Ivan-1 sounded good. 5 rounds of 5 pullups, 20 situp, 5 pushups, 10 KB swings for time. 15:13! Tried the band to help with the kipping pullups. Loved it! OK I only did 1 and the rest were a spastic, comic effort. BUT I DID 1. So is this a progression? Is using the band a step up from jumping pullups? Can't wait to tell Kel.

Sunday morning I woke up at 5am to run Hogees with D and Kel and whoever else showed up. I really wanted to enjoy the morning up there, but thought better when I was in the shower and felt how tight my hamstrings & periformus was. I was good the night before and rolled, iced, etc. In my mind I kept thinking how stupid was I to try my leg out on a "easy paced" 5 mile trail where I knew it would be only uphill or downhill. So I played it smart in the morning and reluctantly backed out. Since there was a 5K later that day on a flat course, with walkers, that would be the better choice to test out my running legs.

So in the afternoon we met. And I did a light jog with Kellie, stopping when I could feel the hamstrings really tightening up. I was waiting for the "pop" but decided to stop and walk just before I thought it would happen. Luckily it never came. After the run...ice ice baby! By the late evening, sitting was not my favorite thing to do. Remembering my conversation with Kellie about not being able to "just stop" knowing this will prolong recovery, the uncomfortableness of sitting reminded me of how stupid I can be. So today me and my triggerpoint ball are up close and personal again.

But I'm looking forward to hiking around Sedona and the Grand Canyon later this week when we're on vacation. Yes there is a disconnect in my brain. After all, we are a society of quick-fixes and self-gratification.

On Dirt Diva's blog she wrote "Bless your difficulties and ask to see their hidden guidance. Have the courage to accept what you discover and to initiate whatever action your healing requires." I'm still trying to find how this is a blessing and how this could be a good thing. If I discover the "Why," then maybe I'll do 100% of the "How."

Maybe one day it will come to me, but not today.

So here is my favorite reading spot. In that skychair. The hammock (which is no longer there since it needs to be replaced), was my favorite summer napping spot. Just FYI

So Weds Beth came by and worked on me. I knew it was a good hurt, but boy, did it hurt! But it is ohhhh sooooo much better. Not perfect, but MUCH MUCH BETTER. I didn't realize how tight my gluts and IT bands were. Oh that woman knows how to take my breath away! OUCH!

I had this nice massage while D was off running/training for the Pasadena Half. :) D having the car, I decided to walk, yes just walk, to the store. Boy walking is so slow. I had to resist the urge to do a light jog since I was in flip flops. Hmmm maybe I could power walk. I left something cooking on the stove - yeah a power walk. I could stretch out the hamstrings and the legs and gluts were feeling better after the massage. Somewhere deep in the back of my brain, way way WAY in the back, I thought this probably wasn't a good idea. Oh what the hell. So when my foot hit the lifted sidewalk and I lurched forward, my hamstring tightened up. DAMM. But the good news is that it wasn't so bad.

Thursday I rode to work and brought the triggerball. It's a good thing I'm hidden away in my own office. I'm sitting on the triggerball, hitting the tight spots in the gluts or my hamstrings, rolling those spots while I work. This could look a little funny to the innocent bystander. Oh how I sacrifice ;)

Not a workout blog

Nope-didn't work out. Gave my leg a rest, but I have Beth coming over tonight to work on it. YEAH!

Yesterday after work I sat in my favorite chair to read-my sky chair under the mulberry tree-and finished The Kite Runner. What a great book!

Let me preface my comments with I try to be as open-minded as possible. Growing up knowing and experiencing some prejudice, I try to not stereotype people, try to see and accept different cultures and different views on life.

Now my comments on this book. This book surprised me. It really was great to see a war-torn country/culture through someone else's views who is closer to the situation. Yes this is fiction, but the author's bio shows he was born in Kabul. So I'm assuming some of the descriptions of the landscape and cultural traditions are accurate. This book really shows a humane side of a culture I know very little about, except what is shown on TV. The Afghanistan that is described before the war is one of beauty, friendship, family, love and respect.

So last night was the first night of the bootcamp cycle. It was nice to see so many people out there. I'm doing the women's bootcamp, at least for a bit, until my leg feels better.

That said, during the warmup lap last night, oh, about 150 M into it, I felt a pop at the back of my leg. DAMM! Ok here's the rant. HOW MUCH LONGER IS THIS GOING TO GO ON?!? I know I'm not resting it. I know I'm not doing EVERYTHING I can to make this go away. But really! OMG! How much longer is this going to last! I roll, I take ibueprofen. Now really, I what to know how much longer I have to put up with this SHIT!

It's my ego and my pride that kept me limping for the rest of the lap. And for the 800M at the end. My mind kept telling me to walk. Just stop and walk. Give it a rest so it can fully heal. But my mind doesn't always win the argument. So I hobbled along, knowing that I might be making the recovery take even longer. Ego isn't always a good thing.

I couldn't get comfortable last night. Finally broke down and gave Beth a call. Can't wait until tomorrow. I'm hoping she's the help I need. I'll see how I feel after her magic massage works my body over. Maybe that's all I need. I'm going to keep telling myself this.

Am I really done for the year? No Inaugural Pasadena Half? No AR? I'm not dead yet!

Watching from the sidelines is hard to do

Friday night-no crossfit for me. It was a VERY bad day at work, got home late, and just needed space. It was also a good time to give the hamstring more rest. I didn't even want to meet for dinner because I didn't want to hear all the stories about crossfit. Its a bit of self-pity. But hunger won over and I walked over to meet the Cross-N-Nosh gang. I'm glad I did since the friendship and comraderie is always comforting.

So Saturday when the marathoners were doing a 10-13 mile run, I was left behind. D went off to run and I was in the house alone...up at 6 am...what to do. I told people I would ride today. Do I ride and be accountable for myself? Or do I make up a bunch of excuses not to do anything but sit in front of the TV drinking my coffee. Damm that accountability thing (no really-its a good thing).

So I'm on my bike at 7am. Do I go towards the dam, or towards Pasadena? Hmmm what choices! I'm out the driveway, turn right, and I guess I'm off to ride the dam. On the way there, I'm thinking this isn't the same as running. It's way to easy to get to the destination. You can change gears, or just coasting you still gain distance. When you're running, if your legs stop, you don't move (unless you're doing the fall down the hill and roll maneuver). But overall, you just stop. My mind kept going back to E and bootcamp/crossfit-you make it as hard or as easy of a workout as you want. OK keep the legs moving. Keep them moving at a quicker pace. Hey my legs never move this fast when I'm running :)

Did I say it was way to easy? I changed my mind on the way back. The nice breeze if I were running became those dreaded headwinds on the bike. Uphill, headwinds, the back half of the ride...I was pedalling and my 16-18 mph there became 11-14 mph back. But going that slow had it's good points. I could enjoy the water in the "river" flowing, yes flowing! How nice a ride it was. Then my thought went to the fact that I rode over there and my car wasn't were it normally would be - at the park. I had to ride back home! I had a downhill section on the way to the dam, right? Wasn't there a hill I had to go up? Did I remember right? Yup.

23 miles, 1:32... but still a nice day to ride and I was happy about that.

How do I get rid of an enemy when it's me?

We are our own worst enemy, right? Upon further review of my blogs for this past year, its all full of injuries. I suppose the best thing would be to wait... and wait ....and wait until I fully heal. But how? I keep doing these things.

My thought yesterday was to test how my hamstring felt after last week's run. Last week it was around mile 2 that it was giving me problems. Maybe this week it would still be ok after 3 miles.

I tried to run and got 2 blocks before I had to walk. HMMM... How far could I go before it would really make me stop? I'd walk half a block before I would have to stop and walk the last half. I did this for another, what, 3 more blocks (forward of course). My original goal was to go 3 miles....and I got a whole 2 blocks. Whoo Hooo ( I hope you hear the sarcasm). I did have the sense to stop at Myrtle and turn around (half way to my original distance). And I did go home and foam roll and use the triggerpoint balls.

So I'm online looking at solutions and...opps...forgot to take ibuprofen....oh and forgot to ice. Not good at remembering these things when I get home.

So do I remember to NOT try this again next week?

On a lighter note, I'm LOVING the change in weather! I had to grab my fleece pullover when we grabbed dinner last night. Oh the start of fall. LOVE IT.

This Thursday my class starts again. Yeah. I'm so excited! Yes it's mainly social hour, but I have projects to work on! Many thoughts going through my head.

So I didn't blog about the 2x5K. I only did 1 since, yes, I'm injured. Sucks and I'm tired of blogging it. I'm sure you're tired of reading it. So on the 3rd, I did a 5K around the park. I kept thinking my Pasadena Half Marathonn time is going to suck. Then just after mile 2, I could feel that hamstring giving me problems. Kinda weird, sorta a pins-and-needles feeling. Hey-this new feeling took my mind off of other things. Is that sick when these new sensations are kinda interesting? Even if it is injury related? Hey it's new and different.

So Sunday a few of us decided to do a "leisurely" 48 mile bike ride from Duarte to Seal Beach. It was a great day for this ride. It was a bit humid, but other than that, it was great weather. Not too hot or sunny. And I loved the sites. I've lived here all my life and I couldnt' believe the number of houses with horses along this trail. Not just in South El Monte, but even further on. And Pico Rivera had a nice park that looks inviting. Hmm might have to find out which park that was and check it out. And the number of herons, many egrets, a huge flock of pelicans! And there's this section where they have a ramp down into the wash (I guess this is technically the San Gabriel River)! They encourage playing in the wash! I'm amazed! Wow the sites! I'm soooooo glad I did this.

Now for the kudos. Thanks Jane for getting this organized. And for those who hadn't been on a bike for a long time, you did great! Somehow sitting on the saddle for that many miles is a great feat in itself, let along peddling along for that distance. No complaining, no whining, no bitching. You are all great troopers! But what I would like to know is, with all the new technology available, can't someone make a saddle that is comfortable after mile 15? What do these Tour-de-France riders do? Can their butts be that calloused or numb? Oh what a thought. Mental note to self-work on biker butt before doing 48 miles again.

So I was asleep on the couch by 6 after this ride, barely awake to eat dinner. Must stay awake......Ok in bed by 7:15 and I was out!

OMG its been a month

It has been pointed out to me that it's been a while since I've blogged.  HMMM Why is that?  Let me think....maybe because I've been too consumed with other things like enjoying the life of a slacker, kinda.  I tapered working out because it was too stressful between D and me for me to be living a separate life while he was home dealing with his boys.  So back to "being there" which I am willing to do for us.  Now I'm stuck in this slacker mode.  No D it's not your fault.  I know these are my decisions.

Only working out 1 night a week (Friday night crossfit) seems to cause more harm than good.  Last Friday, doing handstands (without the pushups) caused me to pull something.  God knows what...hamstring...glut...something.  So for those of you sick people, my friends, out there who get a good laugh at another's expense, here's the visual the next morning.  I wake up, we all know the first thing we all do, and I have to lean because I can't put pressure on one side.  OK STOP LAUGHING!!!  Ok you can laugh a little.  Well OK a lot because I would be if it weren't me.

So that was my excuse for not doing anything last week.  So this Friday we go to crossfit.  I decide Barbara sounded doable.  And it is.  Or it would have been if I were working out on a regular basis.  I can normally pump out sit-ups, but not this time.  Each sit-up was hard.  And squats?  Normally I can pump those out, quick, 10 at a time, great.  Well  it serves me right for not working out regularly and getting cocky.  I completed Barbara, dead last, but I did it (Thanks Brad & Tracey), but I haven't felt that sick after a workout in a long time.  It took a long time afterwards for me not to think I was going to puke.  Now you know the one main reason I like to work out Fridays is for the Nosh afterwards.  That wasn't sounding at all appealing after this workout.  Good thing we drove to Zelos.  I needed all that time, and more, to feel better.

So the best part about Nosh is the company.  Love spending time with friends, Kel, Hope, and even John :)~  That is, and always will be for me, the best part of anything.

I've been glued to the TV watching the DNC.  I missed Kennedy's speech but heard it on NPR.  Gotta love listening to him.  And Clinton...well I always loved his speeches.  Barack, may I call him Barack, is the new hope for this country.  After all, he's so down to earth we must be on a first name basis, right.  You're one of us and we're one of you.  He says things that most politicians won't.  He points out that this journey will be hard and that it's not all the government's fault.  You, me, we all have to take responsibility for ourselves and our actions.  Parents must participate in raising their kids, not rely on the government to raise them, or blame others, the economic situation or the government for their misbehaviors.  But the government must help provide the opportunities or the tools for citizens to better their situations.  Yes I ramble.  But he makes me hopeful.  Something I haven't been about our government in a long time.  I hope he can do it.

OK last rambling.  In the paper today, on the same page, there was a caption that said "Incomes Drop, Spending Slow in July."  Yet another caption reads "Nintendo raises profit forecast."  Hmmm, people don't have as much money, but games are still selling.  D and I don't have cable because if we had it I would be glued to all the different programs instead of doing something else, something more productive, something healthier.  And no we don't have video games.   Yes they are just PROJECTIONS, but seriously, we all know there's a reason why a company states they are raising sales projections!   Is it just me or does something just not seem right.  People are complaining about how much everything is costing but still are spending money on toys.  I just don't get it.

My weekend of pain and pleasure

So since I haven't been to CF in 2 weeks (AR and then a break), I went this past Friday. I didn't know that it was changed to Happy Hour, making me pick my own workout...aka making me think OMG. After being dazed and confused for the first 20 minutes, I picked Angie, thinking it was the most doable.

100 pullups (I did jumping pullups)
100 situps
100 pushups (90 done from the toes, wimped out and did my last 10 from the knees)
100 squats
My time = 23 minutes (I think, or maybe 21)

Knowing I hadn't really worked out in the past 2 weeks, I knew any workout was going to be tough and I would be sore the next few days. YUP it's Monday morning and my quads are SORE.

Saturday night was spent with some BC friends. Dave appreciating the additional testosterone around the house to watch the MMA match. Me-appreciating the company to share a bottle of wine, good conversations, etc. Is this Mars Vs Venus?

I had a nice massage at the spa yesterday. What a treat. Thank you Dave! I love you!

The masseuse person asked what, if anything was sore. HA! What wasn't?!? So I told her about my quads and my hamstring. She worked on that and then pointed out my left IT band was tight. Yeah I already knew that from months before, but I'm so used to that now. And then she pointed out that it's not just my hamstring that's tight, but my gluts are really tight. Yeah-Buns of Steel! Oh not the same thing? Darn.

Next Friday I need to do a workout with weights. Can't wimp out and take the "easy" workout, if there is even an "easy" workout in crossfit. HA! That'll be the day!!!

And tonight is the first day of the new BC cycle=Test in.

Life isn't always full of good surprises

I just got off the phone with a friend of mine-P. He's always off to New York, or Phoenix, or Chicago, London, etc. So when he called I thought he just got back from vacation in (insert some city). I forgot he was in New York for his boss' son's wedding.


So he had just gotten back from New York when he got a phone call from the Wichita police. His father died in his sleep, and P just spoke with him the night before. His father sounded fine. Now, after the funeral, the settling of the estate and how to take care of his mother who has alzheimers, who was being taken care of by his father. How tragic. I feel for their whole family, especially his mother. Can you imagine being lost, not always knowing where you are, or even who you are? But then there's always one face that you recognize, who you feel safe around. And then all of a sudden that person is gone. You don't know why. You don't know when. You may not even know why you feel scared, why you feel your security is gone, only that you know you're lost.


So we really need to show the people we love how much we appreciate them. And Mr G, I hope you're at peace. I never met you, but I've met your son and one of your daughters. And I know from them that you were a good and kind person.

Run last night

I'm off the marathon training schedule so I'm off doing my own thing for a bit. Ran 5 miles yesterday, hoping for mid-tempo pace. Times 52:26 total with 27:09 and 25:15 splits. After taking all this time off, it actually felt good. No pain in the beginning and the shin didn't start to bug me until the very end.

Overall-felt good. Felt good to WANT to run, even though my mantra was I hate running with a passion. After the tri, my new mantra is I hate swimming with a passion.

That's it. Not much else to say, except made a killer ceviche last night. Yummy.

Mental vacation is WONDERFUL

So I see I haven't blogged since Wednesday because I had nothing to write. I didn't work out. In fact, I didn't move much. I spent the whole weekend relaxing. D and his boys were in Fawnskin, bonding with Dave B so I was planning a weekend of QUIET.

My ZEN PLACE (boring to some, but needed for my mental health):

Friday night I was asleep on the couch by 9pm. Woke up Saturday around 7am. Spend most of the day sitting in my backyard with my dog (even she didn't run around or bark much), contemplating what the next project will be, listening to the birds (AKA quiet), watching the baby lizard running around, bonding with the squirrel who came and hung out a bit above my skychair, looking for the hummingbird to come around to the strategically placed feeder, etc. Finally around 3 I decided to leave the house, go to Armstrongs Nursery and spend my GC from Christmas. Worked on my drip irrigation, planted a new fern and fushia (hopefully I'll keep these alive this time). Then back to the skychair to admire my renewed "woodland" area.

Later than evening I met other BC/Crossfitters for a Girls Night Out that consisted of an evening at CAWine & Cheese and then the chick-flick Mamma Mia. What a fun night full of laughing, wine and an interesting audience participation movie.

Damm that Jane! She was talking about the next events. After the AR I swore I was done with races until next year. ALL RACES! With the mental and physical break I just took, I'm starting to think about the next race. Damm that Jane! Ok I MIGHT still do the sprint AR. Not that I think I can't do it, it's just I was tired and wanted to NOT think about training, racing, working out. I'm starting to think that break is over. No more summer vacation for me!

Sunday was pretty much the same as Saturday until 4:30 when the boys came home, talking about what they did over the weekend, what they saw, the hike they went on, the bike ride they did, shooting the BB gun and what they did or did not hit, the Playstation noise in the background, yada yada yada...back to "normal."

So now that the vacation break is over with, and it's the start of a new week, I might open up the maration training schedule to see what's next. Or I might plan a long run, just to get the legs moving and HR up. Also thinking about doing the 200m sprints at the Arcadia track. Oh such options.

I guilted myself into running

So after I blogged last night, I started to feel guilty about being a slug.
So here are my splits for the 5 miles-56:18 total (28:16 and 28:02). Crappy times!

I just couldn't catch my breath. I kept feeling pressure so I just couldn't breathe right on the run up to Rancho x Orange Grove, which is 2.5 miles from my house. Don't know what's wrong, but it felt like I was trying to run during a smog alert. And then I kinda forgot I got a blister from the AR. Yeah don't know how you would forget that, but I did. It's on the side of my big toe so I didn't really notice it until the run down. Yeah I also forgot that my arch was bugging me after the AR and I didn't start to feel that one until the half way point. Started to feel the pounding on my right quad on the way down. So many whiny complaints!

How much did I block from my memory? OMG!

On the way up I tried to get my arms to move correctly. Don't move them in front of my body-that's a waste of energy and movement. Are my feet landing directly under me? Can't tell. Tried to correct my breathing, but I couldn't. Stop looking at the ground and look at a point straight ahead. STOP LOOKING AT THE GROUND.

Finally on the last 2 miles, on the slight downhill, I could take in deep breathes, I could get my form down, I could get my arms moving forward, I could feel like I was landing mid-foot. FINALLY on my last 2 miles. OK I could still feel the blister but I was almost home. I felt like I was running correctly ( I know the downhill helps) but it was all starting to feel right.

Then I'm home.

After AR blues

I'm having a hard time getting motivated for anything. It's been non-stop since, well, Mt Wilson training in Feb. The really hectic time seemed to start mid-June. First the marathon training started, overlapping the AR training and planning, overlapping Dave's boys coming down south for the summer turning our lives, our limited space, our privacy, and schedules upside down. Whew. Where to start? Where to go? Where? What? When? Have you ever felt like you were pulled into 15 different directions and just can't control anything? Can't breathe? Can't think? Can't hear? And poor Dave's life is even more hectic since they are his boys and he has to deal with them more.

Now that the AR training and planning is over, I just want to STOP! I want to stop and rest. Stop and relax. Stop and just have some quiet. JUST STOP AND HAVE SOME CALM IN MY LIFE!

I remember the times, before I found bootcamp, where my summer nights were spent at the Hollywood Bowl and John Anson Ford theater. When the weekends were waking up and making breakfast with a mimosa, then maybe a trip to the museum. There was plenty of time for movies, concerts, weekends in Santa Barbara or in Laguna. I could sit and read a book. How different my life is now. That calm has been taken over with training for (fill in the blank).

I know this isn't good. I have to continue working out. I have to continue training but the motivation isn't there. I usually get this way at the end of the year when it gets dark early and the holidays consume everything. This is summer and with all the daylight I should want to be outside moving, outside running, outside biking, just outside moving. But for now I will fight the urge to curl up in a ball and lay in bed for days.

I feel like my life parallels Koyaanisqatsi (Hopi for Life out of Balance). It's a movie-check it out.

Maybe tomorrow I'll get my running shoes on and do a few mile. I think that's what I was supposed to do tonight for the marathon schedule. Well it's not to late. Maybe, just maybe I'll run tonight, when it's dark and quiet.

I survied the AR

So the AR was yesterday. We camped out Friday night and got our mandatory meeting at 9PM, getting our map at around 10. We went back to camp, figured out the UTM coordinates, and camp went quiet around 11. Everyone started to wake around 3am for our 4am start time where we got our first leg's map.

Out with headlamps looking for 4 checkpoints was fun. Staight out of Blair Witch, but not spooky... just alot of fun with other insane people.

So after 10 1/2 hours we finished trail running, biking, trail running/hiking and then back on our bikes, covering over 20 miles and elevation gains starting at 642' elevation and going to over 2000'.

What I learned from the AR was that my fears were justified, but my team got me through this. I couldn't have done this whole thing without their physical and emotional support. So thanks for that. I had my emotional breakdown between Eagle Rock and Hub 2. Bob was towing me and I was having conversations in my head. Poor Bob. He was so good about asking me questions just to make sure I was coherent. So when I was asked if I was OK at the Hub, I couldn't help just breaking down and crying. I could feel it coming on, but I couldn't stop the emotion from coming though. I had to just sit there and cry. I sooooo wanted this to be over. I was sooooo tired and I hurt. I hurt all over. My quads, my feet, my calves, my shoulders, even my abs. I was hot and uncomfortable.

But what I learned was that I can rely on others, on my teammates, and that its acceptable to have that help. I didn't want to rely on others. I've always been taught to stand on my own two feet. Sound familiar? There's no giving up when its a team and their victory of completion depends on EVERYONE on the team completing. If I quit, they would all get a DNF. And it would be my fault. THAT is not acceptable. I couldn't let them down just because I was tired, sore, hot, uncomfortable because I also knew they also were and they were all willing to finish this.

So knowing that and the fact that we only had 3 checkpoints left, I had to go on. At least we were on bikes again. Didn't think I'd ever think that after the first bike leg.

After 10 1/2 hours of this torture, my pour Dave-O only wants to come up and hug me and congratulate me and all I could say was "Not Now!" If he did, another emotional breakdown would have happend right then and there. I needed space after finishing this grueling race just to put this all into perspective. He's now seen me enough after being exhausted that my bark MAY be worse than my bite and he endures it. After 3 years, he's willing to understand my emotions, or at least parts of it. Just another reason we are "us."

Happy 4th

So in honor of the Forth of July, and to stay with the marathon training, I ran 4 miles. Yeah it was supposed to be 5, but I guess I just can't read. I did mapmyrun and figured out a 5 mile loop. What I didn't count on was my memory, or lack of it. I thought I was supposed to run to Rodeo X Orange Grove, but it really was supposed to be Rancho. OPPS. So my run was really 4.6, not 5. Bummer. I was wondering why my time was spot on even though I felt like I was running so slow and I . Big OPPS.

So here are my splits for 2.25 miles 25:54 and 24.52. The reason the last was faster was because it was slightly downhill. And the uphill also included stopping to speak to a lady walking her dog about the stray that was running around about 50 yards from us. And to stop and say "Hi" to Ben and Lee who drove by after finishing their 5 miles. I was trying to get them to stop longer so I could have a longer break-no luck.

Talking about being accountable?!? What other group would you run into other friends at 7:15 am on a holiday! And they stop to offer works of encouragement! Love this group!

Skipped the 6 miles this morning. I was going to go, but after D&J B's last night, I decided to skip it. I was good and no drinking because I planned on leaving early so I could wake up to run. But after talking to DB and telling him about my new pain, he said it sounded like shin splints. We went on-line, and yup, new event, new injury. BUMMER. So I decided to ice-ice-rub-ice and not run today. Gotta be better for the AR. I iced, rubbed and wrapped it last night and did some jumping up and down on it. That seemed to help. Might wrap it for the AR.

The addiction to blogging

I was never one to write in a diary so I was resistant to blogging. I didn't really see the value of it. My emails are usually short and concise. The letters and cards I send are to the point and without much elaboration. But blogging? I'm addicted!

Why do I feel the need to electronically post my trials and tribulations, my emotions, my frustrations and my inadequacies that I try to hide when I know this is available for all to see? Maybe some self-exploration is needed.

Got another lecture (for a lack of a better word) from Eric about nutrition. He read my blog and said my snacks weren't in the Zone. Where was the carbs when I just the the turkey-hey that's all I had available at the time. Damm I thought I was picking some good choices. I'll dig out the book again and go through it. I have to make flash cards with pre-determined meals to make this easier on me.

So he would be disappointed to hear my dinner yesterday was half a can of salmon, about 3 T of white beans, a slice a cheese and a cherry tomato (yes just one). Basically whatever was in the fridge or I had in the pantry that sounded somewhat zone-like and had ZERO prep time other than using the can opener. I didn't have time to go shopping, got home at 8:45 from the meeting and didn't want to eat late, especially if I had to prepare something. Its been a bit difficult since Dave's boys are here now. Since this is Week 1, we haven't gotten into a routine. And I don't think we know how meals, schedules, etc are going to work this summer. We don't seem to be having many "family" meals because of their schedules and my schedule doesn't overlap well. I think I'll be on my own for meals for 8 weeks. HMMM that might be perfect timing to Zone. If I'm responsible for ONLY my meals, then I can determine what I want since I would be responsible for ONLY me. No McDonalds! (not me-the kids like it). And Dave-there will be tofu in the fridge now! HA!

Last night we had a team meeting. It was SO informative. I found out that we are not as prepared with supplies as I had thought. We're not bad, but there was alot more we need. And there were some tips from Eric that were so helpful. As a team, I think it helped to ask him questions. Bob is the only experienced 12-AR member of the EFB Rouge Rabbits. And Jeff and Bob were warned they are going to be towing me alot-maybe through this whole AR. So they better get used to me because they will be seeing alot of me next Saturday!

It was good to have the meeting, but it just sent my anxiety level through the roof. I woke up this morning at 4 with the AR checklist going through my head. Damm-I wanted that extra 2 hours of sleep! The lack of proper nutrition (yes I woke up a bit hungry) from last night's dinner might have contributed just a bit.

Tomorrow's workout is 5 miles at mid-tempo pace. I have some electrolyte pills to test out on tomorrow morning's run. Don't know why, but taking those pills kinda scare me. Can't figure that one out since ibuprofen is my best workout buddy.

Well tonight was going to be an off-night. No working out. But that gives me a time (AKA an excuse) to go shopping! Need more zone foods like fresh veggies and fruits, a trip to REI for a longer pair of gaiters and maybe some new shorts, Sports Chalet in the mall (yuk), maybe Run With Us to see if they have Hammer Gel and electrolyte. No wonder Eric stresses a day off is just as beneficial to our fitness as the workout days.....hmmm I'm starting to think this AR sounds fun.