We had our first group training run last Wednesday where we learned to walk. Yes, apparently I've been walking incorrectly all my life. We learned how to warm up to prevent injuries and how to maximize our walking motion by propelling ourselves forward with smooth, rolling steps while pumping our arms.
Our walking coach showed us how to hold our arms bent at a 90 degree angle and pump them vertically, not across our bodies, for the most efficient motion. When our elbows started jutting out in the wrong position she came up behind us and tapped our upper arms and warned us "Arms! Arms! Up and Down!"
We ran around the track 4 times (1 mile) for our first timed assessment. I made it in a respectable 15 minutes and 15 seconds running intervals of 2/1 (running 2 minutes, walking 1 minute). Not bad for my first time...but there's plenty of room for improvement. I was a little worried at first because everybody seemed to have a running buddy... either coworkers or family that signed up together. I was fine running alone around the track, but I admit I was a little lonely during the warmup when everybody was buzzing around and chatting excitedly before our first run. On the way back I struck up a conversation with Tasha, a kindergarten teacher from Woodland. She was friendly and in about the same level of fitness so we were able to keep up with each other with no difficulties. We were so absorbed in conversation that the second mile seemed to go by in no time and made the stretching session afterwards less lonely.
We went a total of 2.5 miles and I felt really good afterwards. My arms were sore the next day from all that pumping but my legs felt good. It was a nice easy start to this long and exciting journey.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
So...about this marathon thing...
I've done it. I've gone and lost my mind. I don't know what possessed me to think I can do it.
I am training for a marathon.
There, I've said it and I can see those raise eyebrows and here you say, "Watchootalkinboutwillis?"
There is an organization called Team In Training (TNT) that raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The way they do it is to provide regular people like me the training, motivation, and support to run marathons (or triathlons, or half-marathons). In exchange, the participants raise money that goes to the LLS for research, patient support, and services. The research that LLS does benefits not just those with Leukemia or Lymphoma but all cancers or blood disorders. I have signed up for the Nike Womens Marathon in October and I'm still quaking in my boots, or should I say running shoes, just thinking about it.
Now, now...before you think I've completely lost my mind...I'm not going to run all the way. My plan is to run/walk the 26.2 miles in intervals, following the Galloway method of interval running. Some members of my team are going to walk the entire way, so I don't plan on being last.
Training is going to be hard and time intensive. We run as a team 2 times a week and do cross-training or light running on our own 3 times a week. I have 5 months to prepare for this thing and I'm getting my strength and inspiration for loved ones who have suffered from cancer, leukemia, or other blood disorders. Officially, I am running in memory of my father who died of pancreatic cancer, the tough women in my life who've battled or are currently fighting cancers (my mom (lung), my mother-in-law (breast), , my aunt (recently diagnosed with breast cancer) my cousins Grace, Yoly, and JoAnn (breast)), and also for my 2 year old cousin Lilly who has HLH, a rare blood disease.
Peter has been super supportive of my decision and couldn't be prouder. Not only will I be raising money for a good cause but I'll be getting in shape and losing weight at the same time. Yay! I'll be updating this blog with my progress as my training goes along. Feel free to shower me with gratuitous praise and inspiration...I'm gonna need it!!!
I am training for a marathon.
There, I've said it and I can see those raise eyebrows and here you say, "Watchootalkinboutwillis?"
There is an organization called Team In Training (TNT) that raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The way they do it is to provide regular people like me the training, motivation, and support to run marathons (or triathlons, or half-marathons). In exchange, the participants raise money that goes to the LLS for research, patient support, and services. The research that LLS does benefits not just those with Leukemia or Lymphoma but all cancers or blood disorders. I have signed up for the Nike Womens Marathon in October and I'm still quaking in my boots, or should I say running shoes, just thinking about it.Now, now...before you think I've completely lost my mind...I'm not going to run all the way. My plan is to run/walk the 26.2 miles in intervals, following the Galloway method of interval running. Some members of my team are going to walk the entire way, so I don't plan on being last.
Training is going to be hard and time intensive. We run as a team 2 times a week and do cross-training or light running on our own 3 times a week. I have 5 months to prepare for this thing and I'm getting my strength and inspiration for loved ones who have suffered from cancer, leukemia, or other blood disorders. Officially, I am running in memory of my father who died of pancreatic cancer, the tough women in my life who've battled or are currently fighting cancers (my mom (lung), my mother-in-law (breast), , my aunt (recently diagnosed with breast cancer) my cousins Grace, Yoly, and JoAnn (breast)), and also for my 2 year old cousin Lilly who has HLH, a rare blood disease.
Peter has been super supportive of my decision and couldn't be prouder. Not only will I be raising money for a good cause but I'll be getting in shape and losing weight at the same time. Yay! I'll be updating this blog with my progress as my training goes along. Feel free to shower me with gratuitous praise and inspiration...I'm gonna need it!!!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Happy Birthday Daddy!
Peter chose the activities for his special day. It was nice to have a day off with him in the middle of the week. Here's how we spent his birthday:
A Happy Birthday kiss in the morning
Burp!
A trip to the Zoo! On the way there, I said to Lauren, "We're going to the Zoo!" She replied, "Yyaaaayy! Jew!!!!"
With his pal joey
The new Conservation Carousel at the Zoo. We were there for the unveiling. All of the animals on the carousel are endangered species.
A special birthday card and treat!
A Happy Birthday kiss in the morning
Breakfast at the Pancake House
Burp!
A trip to the Zoo! On the way there, I said to Lauren, "We're going to the Zoo!" She replied, "Yyaaaayy! Jew!!!!"
With his pal joey
The new Conservation Carousel at the Zoo. We were there for the unveiling. All of the animals on the carousel are endangered species.
A special birthday card and treat!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Catch up time!
Man, man, man..the last month has been so crazy-busy-fun for us. I've been posting to the blog in my head I just haven't had time to sit down and type it all up.
There haven't been any major happenings, just the day to day goings on of life, work, and family that make for a very busy and blessed life. Among these things: family birthdays, holidays and milestones, our growing garden, a couple of road trips, and training for a marathon.
"Whatwhatwhat?!?!?" I can hear you say...Marathon?! More about that in a future post. I'll try to post more before the end of the week. For now, here are a couple of pics Lauren's golf lesson:
On the putting green
Studying the greens for her next shot
Great shot! What do you mean I missed?
There haven't been any major happenings, just the day to day goings on of life, work, and family that make for a very busy and blessed life. Among these things: family birthdays, holidays and milestones, our growing garden, a couple of road trips, and training for a marathon.
"Whatwhatwhat?!?!?" I can hear you say...Marathon?! More about that in a future post. I'll try to post more before the end of the week. For now, here are a couple of pics Lauren's golf lesson:
On the putting green
Studying the greens for her next shot
Great shot! What do you mean I missed?Saturday, April 18, 2009
Cows and Horses and Goats, Oh my!
UC Davis held its annual Picnic Day today. We headed out there early with the cheekaboo to watch the parade and get up close and personal with some farm animals. Afterwards, we attended a BBQ at Miss Alabama's house where Lauren got up close and personal with an adorable West Highland Terrier named Riley. We passed out when we got home and we ordered pizza for dinner after waking from our naps. I ended the day watching the sunset in our backyard with a slice of Campelli's chicken parmesan pizza in one hand and a tall frosty glass of iced tea in the other. Perfect Day.
Horse used for teaching with muscles and bones painted on
Holy cow!
Watching the parade
I don't have a pic of Lauren with Riley, but he's even cuter than this Westie from the Cesar dog food commercials.
Lauren comes face to face with a goat
Entranced by a pony and his mommy
Horse used for teaching with muscles and bones painted on
Holy cow!
Watching the parade
The coolest way to get around campus and a horse named Jack.
I don't have a pic of Lauren with Riley, but he's even cuter than this Westie from the Cesar dog food commercials.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Easter Goodness
We had a whirlwind Easter weekend. We travelled to the Bay Area to bring Easter Lilies to my Dad's grave, drove to my bro's house, dyed about 2 dozen eggs, had an egg hunt, ate BBQ with my family, drove back home, ate more BBQ for dinner, dyed another dozen eggs, went to church, drove to P's mom's house, ate a delicious lunch of ham and lamb, had another egg hunt, drove home, and then...exhale...took a nap.
Super busy, super fun, and here's a video I wanted to share of my super sweet girl and her super cute Easter outfits having a super time searching for eggs (some where plastic and filled with animal crackers, so they were still super).
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Birthday Cake
My brother's awesome. He made me an "Office" cake. For fans of the TV show, you'll recognize this cake as Michael Scott's desk complete with dundie and "World's Best Boss" mug. Everything on it is edible and the cake was yummy!
Did I mention that my brother's awesome?
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