Charity

This year I've decided to make a difference. I've decided that with all the money I spend on racing, why not make that money work for something.... like charities :) I'm a giver, I always have been. Show me a puppy, child, elderly person, or sick person and I'll show you my wallet. We've even "adopted" a homeless man on the corner we see all the time. He's our guy, we like him and he gets our spare change or sometimes our 5 dollar bills. As I was looking at the/my race schedule for California for 2011, I noticed something I normally don't - the charities. I've always seen the running groups and think it's really cool to be a part of that, but it's never dawned on me that I could do it too. So I am. My first run will be the Surf City Half Marathon on Super Bowl Sunday! I'm very excited because not only will I get to run this with a couple of really great family members, but also my goal is to raise $500 for The Run for Mobility!

You can click here to see my official fundraising page and donate and to also learn more about this particular cause!

One of the things I hope to accomplish this year by doing this is to become more aware of  the different causes all over the world. I know the major ones, but I'd like to become more educated on not only WHAT they are, but specifically WHAT DO THEY DO TO HELP? I believe awareness is very important, especially in the world we live in today. Can't wait to see where this journey will take me in 2011!

Goals

I've learned that sometimes it's okay to make not yours goals. Sometimes it's actually a good thing. It's an important learning experience. You get to evaluate things you did right and wrong and things you can do diffferently and how to improve... or maybe if you did things just fine and it just didn't work out. I did not make my 25 point goal.... but I made it to 23 :) And I was really proud of myself.

I'm currently looking at the 2011 race schedule for California.... I like to do my traveling around races, so this is the point in the year where I do get to do some fun planning for the upcoming year. It's a very exciting time in my personal year because races excite me and give me a new push to be better at everything I do. When I'm running I'm just a better person over all :)

I only have one specific goal in 2011. No matter how many races I get in, or don't get in, I want to run a sub 2:00 half marathon. This goal will take work, but will be fun work and is a completely attainable goal. I have complete faith in myself that I can do it.

HBBC Week 4

I know it's Saturday and not the beginning of the calendar week, but it's the beginning of WEEK 4 of the HBBC and I'm in full challenge mode.

Yes, I know this is crazy seeing that I have 14 people to throw a party for next Saturday night and it's an extreme understatement to say that I have a lot to do. Hi, My name is Sarah and I'm a serial over-achiever. Aaaaand I LOVE it!

So the number is 25. That's not a lot at all compared to some of the numbers on the challenge, but I don't care about them. This challenge is for me. To see what I can do, what I can achieve. I've got 4.5 already and intend on getting 6 more today with a run later.

I've been mainly sticking to Cardio X and running for my points, but this week I think I'm going to vary it up, we'll see how it goes. I wish you got points for glasses of water you drank a day cause I'd have boatloads of points! This HBBC challenge is some of the most fun I've had working out in awhile. A little spice to my workout life :)

The Ever Elusive Sleep

I wonder what it's like to just wake up. Ya know, just have your eyes open on their own in the morning and decide - "Hey self, I think I'd like to get up now"..... I have no recollection of what that's like. While I was talking to my sister today I thought about how nice it must be to do that. I mean, I know people without children are tired too, but I have no choice. If I stay in bed a little longer, mayhem could be downstairs in less than 5 minutes. Children would starve, fight, pour cereal all over the ground....

Last night I went to bed with visions of waking up rested, working out hard, making cookies and getting things done. A perfect Saturday! Instead, my poor daughter decided to scream from about 30 minutes after I laid my head down until 1:15AM... Poor girl, I have no idea what was wrong with her, but she seemed to just want to play.... too bad she doesn't understand the words - It is One Fifteen in the morning, dear! Because that could have solved our problem right there.

So, today, I will do my best. Because I know that in just a short time this will all be over. Scarlett will not need me in the middle of the night, I will look in on her and want to wake her up as I do sometimes with Noah. Also, I will try not to eat all of the cookie dough that is meant to make yummy cookies for family we love :)

P.S. If in fact, no one reading this gets any cookies, I apologize.... I'm only human ;)

Unproductive Centerpiece

Well as unproductive as a centerpiece can be anyway....

Whose idea was this anyway????? This thing is setting me back all the calories I'm burning.... but I do love the way it looks, even though it looks kind of weird in this pic, but whatever..... it used to be full, but thanks to the Farntastic Four, it's not.

Get Busy Tuesday!

As I'm typing my arms feel like jello, so if I mistype a lot I probably won't even go back and fix it...

I'm making up *read: punishing myself* for the over indulging, pidly 4 point earning weekend I had. :) Sure, the birthday party for my one year old darling neighbor was great, but did I HAVE to eat everything on the table? No... But did I? Basically :)

So this morning I laid my babe down for her nap and began hitting it HARD. I count of CardioX done and one half count of Arms&ShouldersX done.... equally me 6 points before noon ;) Not bad, I'm hoping I can get a jog in later and my last week's amazing feat of 10 points might become a more regular thing.
It's cake for me to get in CardioX or KenpoX while the babe sleeps, while still getting a shower and things done. A few weeks ago I would have never thought it possible.

Waking up early in the morning has helped make all this happen. There's something about the workout/healthy train that just makes you feel like SuperWoman and in all reality with the stuff I'm able to get in a 24 hour period I might actually qualify :) It's a cycle I like being in.

What now? Shower, get the feeling back in my arms, do some laundry, make some homemade pumpkin puree, and gather more recipes for my upcoming Christmas dinner for 14!!!!

On a side note, I finally started reading "Eat, Pray, Love" I know, I'm a bajillion year late on this one. I haven't even seen the movie, but I think the book will be great and a nice step away from all the running and parenting books I've been reading.

Happy Get Busy Tuesday!

10 - Update!

I did it! I was a little scared at the end when the hubby came home and wanted to relax and all, but he stuck by me and did the bath/bedtime deal while I went out and hauled my last 4 points in! It felt so great.

CadioX was a blast in the morning, I seriously love that workout! I think I did it more intensely than I ever have, like it was the last time I would ever be able to do it again. That always feels so good though, when you get done and you gave it EVERYTHING :)

AbRipperX was the same, I literally HATE Tony Horton by the end of that, but I know he has my best interest at heart. Hahaha!

I walked around eating little tomatoes, carrots, tangerines and a banana all day then made stir fry for dinner, MmmmMmmm!

I had completely forgotten that I walk AT LEAST a half mile a day taking Noah to school and back so since AbRipper is only 16 minutes and not 20 I thought that made up for it :)

My 4 miles were some of the best miles I've had in awhile. I'm getting used to running in the cold and my playlist was super fun last night so people probably thought I was crazy all running and dancing around. Sometimes my runs feel more like a night of dancing in my head!

When I got back I had the HUGEST adrenaline rush ever and couldn't quit babbling about how proud of myself I was and how awesome I felt. Which leads me to the conclusion that I should do this every week..... but only once a week because I am SORE this morning!

10

Today is my day! Today I am setting a goal of earning 10 points in the HBBC! I've just been earning whatever points I naturally get in so far, but today I thought it would be fun to challenge myself since me & Letty don't have too many concrete plans!

Here's my plan:

45minutes of CardioX at my fullest steam will earn me 4- 4.5 points

20 minutes of ab work will earn me 1 point

Running 4 miles tonight will earn me 4 more

And eating all my fruits & veggies will earn me 1 to bring my grand total to......

10!!!!



HBCC "OhNuts" GiveAway!!

So not only is it just motivational and fun to do the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge from Amanda over there at RunToTheFinish, but she's also offering mad fun giveaways like this one

OH NUTS!!!

I've never tried it, but I also love Nut Stuff so I hope I get some!!!!!!!!

Head here to check out all of there yummy looking stuff!!

It's 50 Flippin Degrees Out There!

Boy have I found a whole new kind of mental obsticle for running.

As if just not feeling like it somedays isn't enough, it was 50 degrees out there when I headed out this evening. "I don't friggin think so!" said one side of my brain. "Yes, you will!" said the other.... The next thing I knew I was catapulted out the door by my overachieving body!

I'm glad I went. It was a really great run. Especially with the abundance of Christmas lights out!! I do have to say, some of them sure are tacky! But some are the classic image of a winter wonderland; Can't wait to get our up this weekend :)

Fruits, Veggies, & Cold Weather!

Today, I got all my fruits & veggies in for my F&V Point for the HBBC! Even though I did have to throw the last 2 servings on my Sunday family make it yourself pizza. Which, by the way was awesome! I always use just plain tomato sauce with herbs... it's just better for you. Ingredients- organic tomatoes and from the earth herbs.... good stuff that I can pronounce. Tonight I added low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, and sliced asparagus! YUM!!

Anyway, I headed out for my 2miler tonight and it was soooo cold :) It's a crazy change, but welcomed. It makes me even more excited about our first fall/winter as a family. These are good times, folks! My run was great. My hip has been feeling much better in the past week. I think it really needed a break, some rest. I have just been going out there and running. I mean really running. Not pacing myself, just feeling it. So nice. I am looking for my next race, I think I've found one but I'm not in a hurry. This past year I've completed my first two half marathons and improved in so many ways. I'm excited about my past year in running and can't wait to see what I dig up for next year!

Eat your Fruits & Veggies kiddies - Stay warm!!

Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge

Hello! Hello! Man, I sure sucked at keeping this up! Oh well, I'm back now to chronicle more of my journey in running, staying fit and gracefully getting older!

Let's just get right to it. Today was the first day of the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge aka the HBBC! I'm pretty excited about this, it just looks fun and any motivation around the holidays is gladly accepted :) Let me know if any of you decide to do it too. That would be so fun!







How did today go? Hahaha, I earned 4 points, not exactly what I planned! I basically ate like poo, laid around and then made up for it doing an hour of Cardio X :)

Not much more to say now. I'm looking for my next race. I enjoy taking it easy for awhile after a race, but then it's time to get moving again.

Happy Healthy Holidays Everyone!!

Vacation makes me SO MOTIVATED...

NOT!! So I'm back from the Big Island and I had quite the amazing time, but needless to say I haven't exactly been motivated. Tonight I did a nice 4 miler to put me back in the game. We're coming up on really less than a month for the Great Aloha Run and I'm really excited to be running it again. It's 8.3 miles and I think pretty decent scenery after you get out from under the bridge, lol!
Lately I've been thinking a lot about how much of a novice runner I really am. I have so much enthusiam for the sport that sometimes I forget what I really don't know. So, I'm determined to find a running group as soon as we get to Alameda. I think it will be great and teach me so much to be part of a group. Some real running commraderie ya know?...I'm also going to re-read Chi Running; this really great book that my great friend Joy gave me awhile back. I remember before I got pregnant it was helping me line my body and really feel how it all works together. It's way more than that, maybe I'll post some stuff from it as I get into it again.
I've started the 5 factor eating plan again. In 2008 I lost about 10-15 lbs upping my running game and eating along this plan. It. Is. Amazing. I love the food and it's not really expensive. It taught me how to look at food differently and it's stuck. Recently I've been having a really hard time with body image and whatnot after the baby so this is exactly what I need to jumpstart the solution.
Yep, that's about it for now! Happy Running and being healthy to everyone!!! :)

+

Tonight I will take the opportunity to focus on the positives, I think that's a better idea.

• I am thankful I have 2 strong healthy legs to run with.
• I am thankful that I have a beautiful healthy baby to be cranky during our run.
• Sorry guys, but I'm thankful for this time of the month that makes my run so crampy and hurty, because that means my body is healthy and running right.
• I am thankful for a wonderful husband I can be annoyed with.
• I am thankful that that wonderful husband does crazy things like train for half-marathons with me. :)
• I am thankful for all the tomorrows, because on a bad day, there's always the hope for tomorrow :)

Those last 10 pounds

     Okay, I know little Letty is just 6 months old, but I'm just not a good waiter and I am really hard on myself. I only have 3 lbs to be back to the weight I was at before I was pregnant, but my body looks totally different. I have a goal of losing 5-10 more lbs to be were I want to stay. So I'm watching this show "The last 10 pounds" on FLN and this girl who has a much smaller waist than me eats the nastiest stuff ALL day long! HOW UNFAIR! I only drink water, except for drinky drinks (which is part of my NY resolution to drink WAY less), I eat red meat like 2x's a month. I eat tons of veggies and chicken and even use ground chicken and turkey for tacos or spaghetti. On top of that if I ever even have tacos I use whole wheat tortillas and ONLY whole wheat bread. I feel like that lady on the commercial for that Slimquick stuff... ya know, "my husband stopped eating white bread and he lost all this weight... I did it and .... nothing!" I know I have got to stop the cheating, because in the end it's not worth it and it's cancelling out all the great stuff I'm doing. So today I made myself a nice little note and stuck it to the fridge. I hope it helps, I need to focus. As I'm still watching this show the trainer is like "YOU CAN'T CHEAT", wow, I think he just said that for me... I'm sad because remember the whole 5 lbs in 10 days thing from the previous blog... yea well that's not gonna happen.

Plan:
STICK TO THE YUMMY GREAT FOODS I KNOW I SHOULD TO EAT
SHAKE IT OFF!
NO EXCUSES, JUST DO IT!

Cheater Cheater, Pumpkin Eater!

OK, I know the rhyme really goes Peter Peter, Pumpkin Eater but who cares!? Who's a cheater??.............shameless, it's ME! I totally didn't run yesterday, but it was my birthday eve eve, that makes it ok, right?.... I did do Ab-ripper X if that makes it better, which of course I think it does. :) We'll see what this does to my 110 minute run on Saturday. And of course I'm going to put in my 45 minutes tonight and Friday, there's NO WAY I'd cheat 2 days in a row. Plus, I leave for my Big Island vaca on the 16th and I really want to fit in my favorite pre-pregnancy jeans. I "fit" now, but it ain't pretty, lol! I've got 10 days, I think I can loose 5 lbs in 10 days. It's a challenge, it's ON!

First run of 2010!!

Yippppeee did it feel good! Kev is all healed up so he went with me. I am absolutely 100% SO proud of him! He said it's the longest he's ever run and he did a really great job. K, Enough about him... it's also the longest I've run in a year. It felt really good, needless to say, I am so motivated and inspired to go further and further. By the end of the run I still had energy and believe I had at least 1 more mile in me, which is good because we really paced ourselves. Ko Olina is also a really nice area to run in, the ocean sounds amazing at night and the atmosphere is really relaxing and chill. I'm stoked because I got this new widget over there to the left... -------> to keep up with all my miles on here. It's a really cool website and I'm enjoying it so far. Another cool way to share my bests and totals with you all as I move along this journey. If anyone knows any other websites clue me in. I'm in absorbtion mode for new running info. I'm reading The Non Runners Marathon Guide For Women right now and I love it. Although I'm a relatively experienced runner and have been for awhile, I don't know a lot about serious distance training and I was sort of starting from scratch after having Scarlett. Anywho, tonight I realized that I am "Chipper Jen"... you gotta read the book. Basically Chipper Jen is the peppy, always happy, running, pain lover... yep that's me. I'm all like "I love this, this feels SO great" and Kev's like...."you're nuts"! It's cute! Back to Kev for a moment; it is so great doing this with him. I remember training before and wishing I could share how stoked I was with him and he could understand it, now he does and not only does he understand it, but I'm sharing the experience with him. I think this is going to be one of the funnest things we've ever done together (there goes my Chipper Jen-ness again!). Alright, don't really know what else to say on top of that... I've decided NOT to list my goals yet. I'm going to go through Jan and evaluate my goals as I go. Then, at the end of January, I'm going to lay them all out. I like this plan.