Merry Christmas

Beanies and Gloves for the winter

For this winter season, I decided I needed to add a few items to my running gear to help embrace the cold. Since I'm in Northern California and it doesn't get too cold (although its been pretty chilly by CA standards in the AM these past few weeks), I didn't need heavy duty winter gear but enough to keep the chill off my ears and hands.

The first is this beanie:

 

The beanie is from REI.  What I really like about it is that it has a slit in the back for my ponytail and that is dips at the ears so it completely covers them.  Its a fleece-like material on the inside but thin enough that it still breaths.  I still have to wear and headband to keep my bangs out of my face.  Its washable and has a little reflectiveness to it, although I wish it had a bit more.  I don't look nearly as cute as this girl modeling it but it does the job.  Here is me at the latest race wearing it:

 The other item I got were some gloves.  My hands were burning with the cold and I knew I needed some.  When I was in Tahoe in October my dad and I went on a run together and he let me borrow his and that sealed the deal for me.  I NEEDED my own pair.  These are the gloves I chose:

They are the Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Gloves.

While I like them, I wish I had spent a little extra money and gotten windproof gloves like these.  Maybe next year?

Do you have winter running gear that you really like?

Race Review: Walnut Creek Half Marathon

Yesterday I (along with one of the young adults from our Young Adult ministry, Jose) competed in the Walnut Creek Half Marathon.  It was a great race.  Besides the temperatures being near freezing at the start and from what I can tell, not warming up much during the race, the race was wonderful. We were freezing at the start and especially after the finish when we were sweaty but cold!  Not fun!  Oh, well, I guess that's what I get for racing in mid December right!?

The race was no joke and I felt was a really great test of athletic endurance for a half marathon.  The race never got boring because at nearly every mile, there was a change up either in elevation or scenery.  The race was filled with small and long steady climbs.  Miles 6, 8 and 12 were the incline miles.

Here is the elevation chart:

It was a USATF certified course and had plenty of aid/water stations along the way (I believe they were every two miles along the course).

My only complaint about the race is that at the start for the half marathon (they had different start locations for the 10k and 5k, which was the finish for the half) there were only TWO porta-potties!  TWO!  The line was hundreds of people long.  I had to pee so bad!  There was no way I was going to make it through the line for the start time, so I held it.  I had coffee at the start of our drive to the race (30 minutes away) and drank a lot of water.  We had a mile walk from where we parked to the start line and then had about a 40 minute wait till start!  I had to go SOOO bad by the time the race was over.  I kept telling myself that I could stop along the way (they had 2 bathrooms at each aid station) but I really didn't want to loose momentum and focus.

For this race, I told my self, NO expectations. Just have fun and go with it.  Because of all the differences in terrain during the race, I had to keep focus on my form, pace and momentum the whole way.  I was really focused in on my breathing and form.  I wanted to make sure that I started out slower and saved energy for the hills which were in the middle of the race and then speed up once the big ones were under my belt.    I started drinking small sips of water at the aid stations starting at mile 4ish and every one after for the most part unless it was on the hill).  I took a GU between mile 8 and 9 during a downhill stretch.  Jose and I ran together for the first three miles and then he took off from there and ended up finishing at 1:38! He did really well and more than successfully completed his first half marathon!  I ended up finishing in at 1:45 and was really happy with my time.  My last half was flat and I finished at 1:44, so even though I finished a minute later, I was VERY happy with my time.  I figured there was no way to get close to that time considering the hills, but I think the pacing and the prep paid off.  There were pacers the whole way too which I appreciated.

Overall, I really had fun.  My husband came and this is the first time he's seen me cross the finish line at any race. I got really emotional when the finish line was in sight.  I knew that he'd be there waiting and I couldn't get there fast enough.  He's a huge support and I was so glad to share that moment with him.

Here's Jose and I after the race (we forgot to take a picture at the race, so we took one when we got home)  We were still cold, can you tell?:

breather

This last week I really felt like I needed a breather.  I knew that my normal routine was going to be all out of whack because the kids are on fall break...no school.  I knew this week was going to be a little difficult because of that and my work schedule, so I declared a "breather" week when it came to working out.  That, plus, I physically just felt like my body was telling me to rest a bit before I start ramping back up.

So, what did that mean?  Well, I still worked out but decided to mix up my routine a bit. Monday was a 45 min bike ride with the trailer and 75 lbs of kids in tow.  This was difficult especially with the hills around my house.  At some points, I wondered if were were going to stop moving forward and actually start rolling backward...thankfully we kept moving forward...barely.  Tuesday was a day off. Wednesday was a new weight circuit that I loved, Thursday was treadmill and planks, ABs and push-ups, Friday was 45 minutes of Yoga and Saturday was 40 minutes of the elliptical at the gym at the hotel!  I feel good now and ready to start my next round of 1/2 marathon training.  

I'm running my next 1/2 in December (Walnut Creek 1/2) so next week marks the start of "training".  All this means to me is more running during the week and progressively longer runs on the weekends.

Here's my schedule for next week:

Monday: x-train or weights
Tuesday: Run 5.5 miles
Wednesday: weights
Thursday: Run 7 miles
Friday: Run 9 miles
Saturday: Hike AM/Core/Plank; 3-4 mile run
Sunday: Off
Total Running: 25.5 miles (plus whatever hiking mileage)

We took a very mini vacation this last Fri/Sat and went to Monterey to take the kids to the aquarium.  We had the best time and wished we had booked another night to stay, but all-in-all it was a great time to just get away and spend some focused quality time with the kids.  We found a great park for the kids on Friday and swam in the still-too-cold heated pool at the hotel and topped off the night with dinner at Bubba Gumps and treats.  Saturday, I woke up early, headed to the gym (normally I always run when I'm on vacation because I LOVE to explore the city we're in and find the best way to do that is through a good run...however, I left my sports bra at home...no running for me) and hopped on the elliptical. I got ready, grabbed some coffee and then we headed to the aquarium where we spent the majority of the day.  The kids had the best time (Phil and I did too). 


There's one more week of Fall break but I'm going to try and add in a few fun things this week for the kids since the weather is supposed to be beautiful.  My dad is coming one morning to play with the kids (he did this last week too) and its such a huge help while I'm working.  I feel rested and ready to tackle another week. I'm glad I took a breather.    

Bridge-To-Bridge 12k Review

On Sunday, I had the amazing opportunity to run in the Bridge-to-Bridge 12k with a few of our young adults/college-aged students from the ministry my husband pastors.

Me, Allison, Brian, Jose, Natalee and Steve (Allison's and Natalee's dad)

 

We had a great morning.  You really couldn't ask for a more beautiful run.  We ran from the Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate and ended up finishing at the Presidio.  It was stunning.  By far my favorite part was when we were literally underneath the Golden Gate with the wave splashing up on the rocks.  I'm so used to seeing the Golden Gate from afar but being right underneath it was breathtaking.

Jose, one of the guys I ran with did so well.  He's had quite the journey becoming fit and for him, this race was a highlight for all that he's accomplished.  I was beaming proud of him.  

My goal (you know I have to have a goal for myself) was to finish running sub 8:00 minute miles.  I wanted to run 7:45's which is what I ended up doing, finishing at 57:41 (7th in my age group, 27th for women out of 1252 women).  I was really happy with my time.  I felt like I pushed myself but didn't burn out.

Here are my stats:

Distance	12K
Clock Time	58:29
Chip Time	57:41
Overall Place	176 / 2237
Gender Place	27 / 1252
Age Group Place	7
Pace	7:45/M

Chased...again...

One reoccurring theme that happens while I run is being chased by dogs.  There are a few houses in my neighborhood in which the owners let their dogs out in the front yard (I'm assuming to relieve themselves) unleashed to "explore".  While I normally don't mind this, especially now that I know the dogs are harmless.  They just enjoy chasing random passers by, however,  its starting to get a little old.   Especially when I'm running in what I would consider "safe zones" and get blindsided by dogs chasing after me.  I'm not sure what to do...what's the running etiquette?

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 Here's what I do:  keep running if I can and start yelling "back, get back"  (I'm sure way louder than I think I'm yelling due to my ipod being turned up so high).  This leaves me feeling embarrassed and silly but honestly, I want the owners to know that their dog is chasing me.  Most of the time, the dogs stop dead in their tracks and turn towards home...however, sometimes, they just keep coming.

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At this point, I stop and keep yelling and pointing and freaking out.  I have visions of being bit and can't remember what I'm supposed to do...stop and make myself appear big and clang pots and pans?  Oh, wait...no that's for a bear attack.  Do I yell, "stop, drop and roll"?  NO...that's for a person on fire.  Do I blow my rape whistle? No...I'm not being raped.  (Ok, I don't have a rape whistle...but this is still a viable option that rolls through my mind). 

Yesterday I was chased by a street sweeper...today, two very large (very friendly) golden retrievers...and, yes...I did yell.  The owner promptly put them back on their leash.  I just don't know who's a good dog and who's a bad dog...and I want to keep my ankles...

What would you do if you were being chased by dogs?

Protein Loaf Pan Lasagne

I was craving lasagne other other day and whipped up this yummy recipe! Its packed with protein, under 300 calories and delicious! Enjoy!

Ingredients:
5 sheets whole wheat oven ready pasta (such as Archer Farms)
2 cups favorite tomato sauce (homemade or jarred spaghetti sauce)
1/2 cup fat free ricotta cheese
1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese
2 T grated Parmesan cheese
3 chicken Italian sausage links
1 small white/yellow onion
1 red bell pepper

cooking spray

Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 375*.

Spray loaf pan with cooking spray.

Chop up Italian sausage links, onions and bell pepper.  In a saute pan, spray with cooking spray, over medium heat cook Italian sausage.

Once sausage is cooked, add in onion and bell pepper. Cook until onions are translucent and peppers are tender.  Add tomato sauce. Heat thru and then remove from heat.

Add enough tomato sauce on the bottom of your pan to coat.  Add 1 1/2 pasta sheets.  Add tomato sauce, then add ricotta dollops and cottage cheese dollops.  Sprinkle a little parm.  Continue to layer until you are at the top (about three layers) end with sauce, and the cheeses.

Cover and back in the oven for 35 minutes. Uncover and cook for another 10 minutes or until cheese is nicely melted and bubbly.  Remove and allow to cool and set for about 10 minutes.

Serves about 5.