San Francisco Calls

UPDATE: Change of plans - sometimes, that happens in life and you gotta roll with the punches!!  I know I will do this one day, even though I've decided not to do it next year!  It's still an important matter to me, and it's a goal, for sure :)

One month from today, I'll be at the Tech Shop for a Team in Training information session.  I decided that I WILL sign up and run the half marathon at the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco on October 14, 2012.  As a part of team in training, I will have to raise $4250 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  I'll be raising money to find a cure for blood cancers...supporting those going through it and their families.

Although blood cancers is not something that has directly affected me, I have known many close to me that have battled cancer.  In my efforts to raise money and find a cure, I hope that the research to cure blood cancers will also help in the effort to cure cancer in general.  That's the optimist in me speaking.  People who fight this battle go through so much, this charity run is the least I can do to help.

I'm nervous for both the distance and raising the full amount.  Back in 2010, I ran 2 half marathons and was in running shape.  Fast forward 2 years and my body is not the same as it once was. I'm hoping this training will help me get my energy back and shed some weight along the way.  Also, fundraising is something I've never done before.  It's hard for me to ask others for money when I know it's so tight, but it's for a good cause.  I will try my best to conquer this and use as many techniques as I can.  With my fundraising, we can be that much closer to finding a cure.  I CAN do this.  :)

I've felt this "calling" for a while...you know, the one where you feel like something within you is urging you to do this.  Quotes have been appearing (or I've just been noticing them) reinforcing that I have to get out of my comfort zone and do this! 

Life has no limitations, except the ones you make. -- Les Brown

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. -- Mark Twain

Don't let the barriers you see define what you do. -- Sonal Shah

Moral of the story is...life is short and you only live once!  I'm excited beyond belief and scared outta my wits, all at the same time.  Strangely enough, it's a GREAT feeling :)

First Solo Run

I did my first outdoor solo run last night around the resevoir!  It was super scenic and a perfect night to get outside to test these legs!  They have been out of commission with outdoor running for quite some time (aside from the few I've squeaked in with D).  I have been trying for 3X a week at the gym (or being active).  So far, I've been pretty good!  But I've always said that running outside was a whole different ballgame.  It's tough!!  After last night, my half marathon training seemed like another lifetime...I used to run long distances and 5K was a breeze!  What happened to that!??!

With the Mother's Day run about a month away (May 13), I have to really get serious about training to run the full distance!

Since I just started reading Chi Marathon, I hoped to employ some of their running techniques.  I tried to run keeping my body straight with only a slight lean, and to strike the pavement midfoot.  I also tried to keep my body relaxed and keep my strides under me. 

The first 5 minutes was a nice jog.  However, at the one minute walk break, I was already winded!  I alternated jog/walk in a random fashion for about 2.5K.  At the turn around point, I decided to use my couch to 5K app!  I needed some tunes and motivation!

I had some trouble with it at first, missing my cues because the app turned off.  I wondered why my 5 minute brisk walk was so long!  Once I discovered that I could lock the app, it was smooth sailing.  I really liked the quick 1 min jog/walk intervals - that seemed totally manageable.  Toward the end, I felt comfortable with the pace, even though my calf and leg muscles were flaring up and really sore.  (I'm sure I'm still running incorrectly as it should NOT be this painful!)

All in all, I was happy to complete the 5K jog/walk with the aid of my "trainer".  I really dig this app.  It showed me that I CAN run on my own!  I'm not sure why I was so nervous about it in the first place.  I'm excited to continue this journey and learn to run with better form.

I've enrolled in two sessions and am so excited to learn how to improve my running.  They come to me with RAVE reviews from my very kick-ass and inspirational running coworker! :)

- Smart Runner by Dale McDonald
- Fitness Fix - run analysis

April Goals

In April 2012

I choose...

to ride my bike on weekends.

to do the April Ass-kicking workout.

to be active 3X a week.

to write on my blog at least once a week.

to run outside on my own at least once.

to organize my clothes closet.

to finish reading one book on my to-read list.

to maintain my Sunday night cooking and not eat McDonalds (my guilty pleasure).