Mind Over Matter

Had an AM run on Tuesday. Looked for any indications for a mountain lion. None. That means, it was a green light to G.O.

Unfortunately, I had a horrible run on Tuesday. Planned for a 8 miler, ended up doing a 6 miler. I really don't know why. I just couldn't battle my mental ability to keep pushing. Keep going. F. What is everyone's secret during these unfortunate times? What makes you keep going even though your legs and feet feel like lead?

I really thought it was going to be a great run since I amended my route in order to avoid those weedy areas that I always feel so vulnerable. I was excited to see a new area. Maybe it was the garbage truck that I was sadly behind and had to run soooooooooooooooooooo fast in order to beat it. I thought I was going to seriously gag there for a bit.

I think the highlight of my run was tasting a fantastic Hammer gel flavor. Slurped it down around mile 3.75. I know, right? So close to making it to mile 4, but I like I said, my mind was seriously tripping. I was weak. Apple Cinnamon was the flavor. OMG. It was like apple pie filling sans the crust. Freakin' awesome. Wonder why it was on sale at REI? This should be a hot selling flavor. For reals. It's that good.

Oh, and the fact that I got to try out my new Nike Tempo shorts out. Love, Love, Loved them. Why didn't I wear these before? They are very comfortable. I like how the mesh just embodies your legs. How the fabric is so soft and loose. How it lays well on your body. Everything about these shorts are pretty fan-freakin'-tastic.

Probably not going to get a run in until either Monday evening or Tuesday morning. It's my weekend to work which means 4 lovely nights at the hospital. F. Camping next weekend at Lake Camanche with the friends. Need to see if there are any trails I can run at.

Easy as Sunday Morning....

Did a 4 mile run this AM in my parents town. Kinda glad that I opted to run here instead of at home. Word is that there is a mountain lion loose in my neighborhood. Say What?

It's loose in the area where I normally run, too! Remember how I told yah how vulnerable I feel whenever I pass tall weedy areas? Well, now I am feel even more vulnerable. Added to my lists of possums, and rats, is now a mountain lion. Don't think I can outrun him either as my slow ass pace is 11:20.

The news advises that if and ever you were to come face to face with a mountain lion, to stop and put your arms and hands up. No shit? You want to appear larger than the animal. Other tips are open your jacket if you are wearing one, throw stones, branches, or whatever you can grab without crouching down or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a larger voice.

Hah, I'm screwed. I'm 5'2 and run at 11:20 pace. There's no way in hell that I will appear larger. WTF?

Let's hope that I will remember what they advised and not freak the hell out.

I felt a bit productive by bringing my running gear and actually working out in another city other than mine. It felt good. But, I wish I could say that the run itself felt good. It was a wee bit of a challenge for me as it had several inclines. It's good since I need to have some inclines and start finding runs that have hills in training for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. But, it got me thinking and actually chuckling as I was getting winded while running the small inclines. I mean, these were not even high inclines, either. More like little slopes. Sad.

Was starving by the time I got home. Didn't eat breakfast this time. Made me wonder if it was me not eating breakfast that was making me struggle at times during the so called slopy run.

Made myself a hearty egg and bacon sandwich with whole wheat toast and it was so yummy I could have had another one if I really wanted to. Alas, I didn't and I felt so relieved that my fullness finally kicked in.

My First 8.

I ran my first 8 miles this AM. Hit the pavement around 0600 and didn't even bat an eye when it was time for me to wake up. Guess the suggestion of "getting it over with" is powerful to me.

Couldn't believe that I burned 841 calories. The fact that it's near 1,000 kinda freaked me out! Plus, I was able to shave about a minute off my pace. Ran comfortably at 11:40 and finished it within 1:50. Slow, yes. But, so glad that I finished it. There were times where I could have take a short cut home. Twice, I was tempted. But, it would be very disappointing to come home and know that in my mind I cheated. Cheaters don't win! Heh.

Saw alot of walkers and dogs at 0600 and was starting to get a wee bit lonely being the only runner out there. Finally, around mile 5, I saw them. Yeeeeeeah! I felt like such the jogging nerd as I had all my gear on: iPod, Fuel Belt, and Garmin. They, however, were such the purist. No iPods in sight, no fancy schmancy watches, and no fuel belts. Just a running hat and their jogging attire. How do they do it?

Also, saw a guy run bare foot. I've been reading about these barefoot runners and never thought I'd run into any them in ummm..Sacramento? Was a bit concerned and weirded out as he was running on pavement that had dirt and dog poo in some areas. Yet, at the same time, it looked like it felt great! Since, right now my feet are killing me! I found some Q&A's about running barefoot. Check it out here.


Had a vanilla bean flavor Gu this AM and I must say, it wasn't that bad. I think I actually enjoyed it more than the chocolate flavored one because it was less sweet. It didn't require me to chase it down with a gallon of water. Chose it because it was the only one in the bunch that looked the most popular. I tend to choose items like that. Sometimes, this theory works and sometimes, it doesn't.


Good luck to everyone participating in the San Francisco Marathon!

Fleet Feet Rocks!

Fleet Feet in Vacaville, CA is having an overstock apparel sale this coming Saturday, July 25th. Everything in the clearance will be $15. I'm so there. I'm hoping I can find some sport bra's and dry fit long sleeve tops. The last time I did my long run in a tank top, I got burned bad and very tanned. This Filipino gal does not need to get any darker.

They are also opening up registration for their half marathon training for those participating in the Las Vegas marathon in December. Hi, that's me! I need this. But, it's in Vacaville which is 30 minutes away from Sacramento. Dam. Not sure if I want to spend the gas money to drive all the way down there. I looked to see if the Sacramento Fleet Feet location has any training for the Las Vegas and unfortuantely, there is none. Right now, they are offering training for the Fall Half Marathon which starts on the weekend of August 7th. But, I'll be camping that weekend with friends and plus working a night schedule is not condusive with their training days. Its times like these that I really wished I worked day shifts. It's so frustrating finding a program that works with my schedule. F.

Great Find.

I'm always on the lookout for some running attire-gear. Didn't expect to find a good deal at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale though. That's the last place I'd expect to purchase athletic wear. I'm surprised I even clicked on the athletic gear link to even peruse.


Thank goodness that I did, because I wouldn't have found these cutie patooties. I was able to snag a couple of Nike Tempo Track Shorts for $17.90. Post sale, they will be $28. Got them in black and white and in mid fog/blue. Hurry UPS man. Ring my doorbell already!

Since I didn't go into work last night, I was going to do a run in the AM. But, given my extreme soreness, I decided to take a break and just run as scheduled which is on Friday. I think that was one of the best decisions I ever made. I feel alot better today as I should be. I know I'll have the ER tonight and probably will be running my tail off anyways. So, it's a good thing.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Uneventful Running Weekend.

I finally got a chance to get out there this morning. Did 6 miles and fortunately my legs and feet were in autopilot. Love it when it's not a mental game.

Been itching to get a run since last week as I had a very busy week at work. Isn't it cool when your mind craves a workout when stress hits you? I'd take craving a workout over a fattening meal any day, yes?


Went to the Renegade Craft Fair at Fort Mason on the good ole Presidio base on Saturday. Anticipated this fair all week as I am a fan of Etsy. Being there felt like it was Etsy in person and I just couldn't get my heart to stop pitter pattering with each booth I passed.

Felt good to get out of the 100+ heat. I enjoy living in Sacramento, but man, the heat is something I do not enjoy. It has been like living in hell last week and this week is no exception. San Francisco was a welcoming relief to me. Made me think for a hot minute to move, especially after seeing a man jogging on the pier at 3 in the afternoon. Can't do that kind of stuff at 3pm in Sac. 8:00 am you are already pushing it with the heat. F.

Looks like I'll be registering for the Rock n' Roll Marathon in Vegas soon. Half Marathon, ofcourse. Spoke to my friend, No Fear, who is a fellow coworker that runs too, and she is wanting to sign up for it. Can't wait. December. Birthday Month. Cold Weather. What can be better?

Just wondering if it'll be just a wee bit too much since we are both running the 1/2 in October for the Nike's Women's in San Francisco.

Plans for the week:
Monday: RAN 6 miles
Friday: Run 8 miles
Saturday: Run 4 miles
Sunday: Rest
Monday: Run 8 miles

Total: 26 miles.

I struggled yesterday to succumb to my ever annoying alarm clock at the ripe ole' time of 6:00 am. Poor husband, since he sleeps right next to the alarm clock, had to endure the blaring noise every 15 minutes or so. But I gotta love him even more as he never once complained that I wasn't getting up. He just continued to push the snooze button after I finally said, " okay, I think I'm just going to sleep in, turn it off."

This morning, the same thing happened, only it begun at 5:15am. I had every intention the night before to wake up bright and early. Heck, I even slept early so that I can wake up. Yeaaaaah, that didn't happen until 5:45 am. The poor guy. But, I did it. I woke up, got dressed, ate breakfast and hit the pavement at 6:15 am.

Too freakin' late though. I could feel the sun already, but it was still enough to tolerate as there was a breeze every now and then.

Need to wake up earlier. Need more discipline.

But, I had a cool 3 mile run. Saving my long run for this coming weekend. Realizing that my comfortable pace, aka, my zone pace is 12:25. Dam, I'm slow. I did get as fast as 10:30, but that's because I was too excited to get out there initially and was running off of excitment. Totally slowed it down as I was getting way ahead of myself.


Had to get a new running hat as Maddie chewed my running hat. Dam. The pains of having a puppy. She's lucky she's so darn cute.