We did it. By Saturday night, I was a nervous wreck. I wanted to go out to my friend’s party but I understood that it would have taken a lot of energy out of me and I would have struggled in the race. I was in bed my 9 and woke up several times in the night.
We met with Coach Al at 6.15 for the pep talk and stood waiting for the start. Our pace group made the finish line at about 7:20. I realize that my pace at the beginning was very slow because my Nike watch was not calibrated properly. I was a couple of minutes per minute off unfortunately.
It all worked out in the end and I am glad I had the opportunity to participate in the fun event. I was exhausted and beaten up but right as rain by Monday night. I look to the ½ marathon in Oakland and will work towards improving my times over the coming months. GO Team!
Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=119083&id=558708185&l=c29d1d0abf
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday October 14th
To donate go to: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/nikesf09/gasante
I was looking forward to decorating my T shirt, it was a longer than usual journey home because of the over-turned Safeway truck on the Bay Bridge S-Curve. I made it to Michaels but had left my wallet. I went back home, got my wallet and my shirt and tried again. I spent the evening covering up the smudges and will do some more on Friday when I have time to relax. I tried to visualize the route and the race and will keep doing that over the next few days. It is funny how now I am nervous and excited at the same time. Not because of the race itself because I know that if all else fails I will walk it but I am excited to see the celebration of life and the efforts of all these women (and brave men among 20,000 women) to run for the cause.
I was looking forward to decorating my T shirt, it was a longer than usual journey home because of the over-turned Safeway truck on the Bay Bridge S-Curve. I made it to Michaels but had left my wallet. I went back home, got my wallet and my shirt and tried again. I spent the evening covering up the smudges and will do some more on Friday when I have time to relax. I tried to visualize the route and the race and will keep doing that over the next few days. It is funny how now I am nervous and excited at the same time. Not because of the race itself because I know that if all else fails I will walk it but I am excited to see the celebration of life and the efforts of all these women (and brave men among 20,000 women) to run for the cause.
Tuesday October 13th
Today was t shirt decorating day. Sheree had come over the night before and put some beads as a good start for me. A few of us were very nervous about touching our shirts because we did not want to destroy them but it turned out to be a fun evening. I spent the next hour or so looking at my shirt until a very skilled Katie wrote my name for me in puff paint and I was ready to make a trip to Michaels to hook my shirt up with more bling the next day. There were a few emergencies with smudged glue and Katie had to perform emergency surgery to resuscitate each shirt.
I kept my cool, wordlessly handed my shirt over to Katie for surgery. She fixed it and me and the t-shirt made it home safely. I will continue my decorating Wednesday with my first stop being Michaels after work.
For some reason I could not sleep early enough and I know this is the time to rest. Managed to sleep around 12 but woke up again at 3am. I think I was finally feeling the stress, excitement or nervousness of Sunday.
Saturday October 10th
I had to drag myself out of bed when the alarm went off at 6. I had stayed out late for the breast cancer event and only had 4 hours sleep. When will I learn that I am too old for this sometimes? I blame it on the young lady in a pink dress, 2 sizes 2 small, full of alcohol and the skripper pole. She took to the pole as I was on my way out and I could not leave after that. Most of us stopped dancing to look. Smh!
I was only going to do 4 miles this time.
Today was the day to collect our packets with t shirts and logistics for race day. Some honorees spoke but everyone was freezing cold so I sat this one out. I tend to get emotional speaking out it too because I see the effort the runners but it so that me and people like me can live.
We had our instructions and I made it a point to pack everything I need before the day and make it to the t shirt decorating party.
Oh! When we got the shirts it became apparent that a medium would not work for me unless I intended to look like a skripper or wear it is a bra. I managed to get an extra large. I can say they either run small or I have expanded..... I am sticking with the fact that the run small.....
Friday October 2nd
I ran Lake Merritt because I will be at the TAN conference on Saturday. I have to be in Stanford for 7 am and so could not make the final long training run with the team in Moraga.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday September 30th
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear - Nelson Mandela
I got this quote in an email sent from my team in training captain Jen Canalin and I am truly humbled by what has happened to me this month in my efforts to make the Nike Women’s ½ marathon on October 18th.
It took me a couple of months after signing up with TNT in July to send out my fund raising letters and join the team. I kept putting it off and not going to the training sessions. If there was an excuse not to go, I found it. By the time I did show up the team had already been training for 6 weeks! It was hard for me on so many levels including my not wanting to ask people for money or put myself out there with my story.
After one of my colleagues at work, Gino, made it to the Hawaii marathon and I realized that I was so fortunate to be alive and be able to participate, I had no right to just sit back and watch from this safe distance. I knew I had to work on this fear and be given the courage to train as well as send weekly updates asking for donations. Asking for donations was harder than getting up at 5.30 on a Saturday morning to do 8 miles at Ocean Beach!
As it turned out, as a survivor I got an “honoree discount” (it makes me smile every time I talk about it) and so my fund raising limit went from $2100.00 down to $1500.00. I cannot put into words how I felt each time I received a donation. It was a mixture of elation, humility, and gratitude. Like a kid with a new toy and each donation was validation of the fact that I am on the right track and that I will be in the race.
Today, within 1 month, I have reached my fund raising limit and can focus on my two 10-mile training sessions in time for the race in 3 weeks. The quote sums up this journey and many more that I have ahead of me.
Oh! And before I forget, last week I got an email from Nike saying that I could sign up for the race for $100! I looked at the email in disbelief … You mean I did not have to put myself out there like that to raise money? I guess not. But then again, I would not have had this experience to look back on if I did!
GO TEAM!!!
To Donate: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/nikesf09/gasante
I got this quote in an email sent from my team in training captain Jen Canalin and I am truly humbled by what has happened to me this month in my efforts to make the Nike Women’s ½ marathon on October 18th.
It took me a couple of months after signing up with TNT in July to send out my fund raising letters and join the team. I kept putting it off and not going to the training sessions. If there was an excuse not to go, I found it. By the time I did show up the team had already been training for 6 weeks! It was hard for me on so many levels including my not wanting to ask people for money or put myself out there with my story.
After one of my colleagues at work, Gino, made it to the Hawaii marathon and I realized that I was so fortunate to be alive and be able to participate, I had no right to just sit back and watch from this safe distance. I knew I had to work on this fear and be given the courage to train as well as send weekly updates asking for donations. Asking for donations was harder than getting up at 5.30 on a Saturday morning to do 8 miles at Ocean Beach!
As it turned out, as a survivor I got an “honoree discount” (it makes me smile every time I talk about it) and so my fund raising limit went from $2100.00 down to $1500.00. I cannot put into words how I felt each time I received a donation. It was a mixture of elation, humility, and gratitude. Like a kid with a new toy and each donation was validation of the fact that I am on the right track and that I will be in the race.
Today, within 1 month, I have reached my fund raising limit and can focus on my two 10-mile training sessions in time for the race in 3 weeks. The quote sums up this journey and many more that I have ahead of me.
Oh! And before I forget, last week I got an email from Nike saying that I could sign up for the race for $100! I looked at the email in disbelief … You mean I did not have to put myself out there like that to raise money? I guess not. But then again, I would not have had this experience to look back on if I did!
GO TEAM!!!
To Donate: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/nikesf09/gasante
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sat September 26th
To donate go to ->> http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/nikesf09/gasante
5.30 am - It is pitch black outside and the alarm goes off. I groan, curse, groan some more, curse some more, kick the cat, and finally fall out of bed. This sucks. It’s dark and I want to sleep but I have to make it to San Francisco for a 7.15 start. This was a major training week before the race and I was going to do my first 8 miler this year.
I was a mess and had to make a choice. I could continue to stumble and grumble about being up at this ungodly hour on a Saturday morning, or dig deep for enthusiasm and a positive attitude and keep it moving (pisstivity or positivity). I opted for positivity.
My GPS got me to Ocean Beach with visibility very poor because of the fog. I signed in and left with the 7.15 group. We all run in unison for about … 5 minute …. But I was ready to pass out. It was up a steep hill and was brutal. I decided to walk it before I passed out after less than a mile. I made a steady run/walk pace but because of the hills, it took an hour to finish 4 miles.
This training session was for full and half marathoners for a few upcoming races. There were people doing 8, 10, 11, and even 22 miles. A few of the full marathon runners ran past me a couple of times. I think they were on their 15th mile while I was on my 4th!
I was still upright for the 6 mile mark and did not feel daunted by going another 2. I considered going on to 10 but by the 8 mile turn around sign, 8 miles looked too good to pass up and so I turned back. It was a full day and so in the end I was able to be out and about until 2 am. It showed that my recovery was much quicker.
I hope I can do my 10 miles next weekend! GO TEAM!
5.30 am - It is pitch black outside and the alarm goes off. I groan, curse, groan some more, curse some more, kick the cat, and finally fall out of bed. This sucks. It’s dark and I want to sleep but I have to make it to San Francisco for a 7.15 start. This was a major training week before the race and I was going to do my first 8 miler this year.
I was a mess and had to make a choice. I could continue to stumble and grumble about being up at this ungodly hour on a Saturday morning, or dig deep for enthusiasm and a positive attitude and keep it moving (pisstivity or positivity). I opted for positivity.
My GPS got me to Ocean Beach with visibility very poor because of the fog. I signed in and left with the 7.15 group. We all run in unison for about … 5 minute …. But I was ready to pass out. It was up a steep hill and was brutal. I decided to walk it before I passed out after less than a mile. I made a steady run/walk pace but because of the hills, it took an hour to finish 4 miles.
This training session was for full and half marathoners for a few upcoming races. There were people doing 8, 10, 11, and even 22 miles. A few of the full marathon runners ran past me a couple of times. I think they were on their 15th mile while I was on my 4th!
I was still upright for the 6 mile mark and did not feel daunted by going another 2. I considered going on to 10 but by the 8 mile turn around sign, 8 miles looked too good to pass up and so I turned back. It was a full day and so in the end I was able to be out and about until 2 am. It showed that my recovery was much quicker.
I hope I can do my 10 miles next weekend! GO TEAM!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Sat Sept 19th
There was a race in Pleasanton but I decided to just go to Lake Merritt and try the 6 miles again. I was slow to start and in fact walked most of the first time around. The second one was better and so this was much easier than last week. Last week I couldn’t leave my bed for the whole day.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wed September 16th
I was still dragging and that may be because of the gloomy weather BUT I made my first Insanity Max Circuit workout. It is absolutely no Joke!!! I enjoyed it though!
I remember there was one part where you do something called an S turn. I took one look and said to myself - OH HELL NO!! but then realized that resistance would be futile and got on with it.
I remember there was one part where you do something called an S turn. I took one look and said to myself - OH HELL NO!! but then realized that resistance would be futile and got on with it.
Tues September 15th
My body was still achy from Saturday. I rode the stationary bike because I had to get my body moving. After the bike, I did push ups and crunches and made it out the door feeling much more energized.
I managed to make it to Lake Merritt for the 6.30 pm buddy run. I walked with my friend Cynthia. I have found out that thankfully, I am eligible for a sizeable discount because I am an honoree. Because of that I have passed the 50 % mark.
I managed to make it to Lake Merritt for the 6.30 pm buddy run. I walked with my friend Cynthia. I have found out that thankfully, I am eligible for a sizeable discount because I am an honoree. Because of that I have passed the 50 % mark.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sat September 12th
To donate go to ->> http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/nikesf09/gasante
I woke up when the alarm went off which was an achievment in itself! I dragged myself up and out the door in enough time. The run was at Lake Chabot so I should know what to expect right?
I was the newbie as most of the team had been at this for seven weeks already! We started around 8.18. Some were set to do 6 miles and others were up for 8 miles. It went without saying that I would be in the "We will be lucky if I make 4 miles group".
Each session starts out with shout outs "in memory" and "in honor" of survivors and those who did not make it. I made my silent shout out to my friend Jeff who decided to go back home back in April. They asked for honorees to speak and I joined another survivor called Louis to say a few words. I don't quite remember what I said because I was full of emotions of inspiration and gratitude to be there.
This long run was called the hills. OMG!!!. I have done Lake Chabot countless times but I must have "pimp walked" it because the first 2 miles were the longest 2 of my life! As you go, team members give you encouragement with "Go Team". The first few times, I could respond back with smiles and waves but by that 2 mile mark, up the steepest hill in the world where I swear I saw Jesus, Mary, AND Joseph, I could only grunt back. We turned back and made it passed the start post, out and back ... making it 6 miles. I did a lot of walking with my running and was amazed to realized that I felt at peace, relaxed and was having a good time. My legs were aching by mile 4 so I did not push it because I didnt want to risk any injuries. I aim to train 2 more weeks with 6 miles, 2 weeks with 8 miles and the final 2 with 10 miles. We'll see!
At the end of the run, we had 2 more honorees speak: Joe and Justin. Justin is going through treatment now and is scheduled for a stem cell transplant next month. This is what it is about! The money raised not only goes to research for drugs but also the care for survivors.
Oh! I forgot to mention the rain.... Now if it was raining when I woke up, maybe I would have rolled over and gone back to sleep. It started getting heavy after the run and so I could not feel my legs and arms at one point AND I was freezing. I made it home showered and at 1 pm on Saturday afternoon I am about to take a nice long nap! Good Night.
I woke up when the alarm went off which was an achievment in itself! I dragged myself up and out the door in enough time. The run was at Lake Chabot so I should know what to expect right?
I was the newbie as most of the team had been at this for seven weeks already! We started around 8.18. Some were set to do 6 miles and others were up for 8 miles. It went without saying that I would be in the "We will be lucky if I make 4 miles group".
Each session starts out with shout outs "in memory" and "in honor" of survivors and those who did not make it. I made my silent shout out to my friend Jeff who decided to go back home back in April. They asked for honorees to speak and I joined another survivor called Louis to say a few words. I don't quite remember what I said because I was full of emotions of inspiration and gratitude to be there.
This long run was called the hills. OMG!!!. I have done Lake Chabot countless times but I must have "pimp walked" it because the first 2 miles were the longest 2 of my life! As you go, team members give you encouragement with "Go Team". The first few times, I could respond back with smiles and waves but by that 2 mile mark, up the steepest hill in the world where I swear I saw Jesus, Mary, AND Joseph, I could only grunt back. We turned back and made it passed the start post, out and back ... making it 6 miles. I did a lot of walking with my running and was amazed to realized that I felt at peace, relaxed and was having a good time. My legs were aching by mile 4 so I did not push it because I didnt want to risk any injuries. I aim to train 2 more weeks with 6 miles, 2 weeks with 8 miles and the final 2 with 10 miles. We'll see!
At the end of the run, we had 2 more honorees speak: Joe and Justin. Justin is going through treatment now and is scheduled for a stem cell transplant next month. This is what it is about! The money raised not only goes to research for drugs but also the care for survivors.
Oh! I forgot to mention the rain.... Now if it was raining when I woke up, maybe I would have rolled over and gone back to sleep. It started getting heavy after the run and so I could not feel my legs and arms at one point AND I was freezing. I made it home showered and at 1 pm on Saturday afternoon I am about to take a nice long nap! Good Night.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Friday Sept 11th
Needless to say I didn't get round to doing anything (running or Insanity) on Thursday. I helped with the decorations for the birthday party and at the party danced to all the line dances and ended up sweating as if I had been running.
I managed to drag myself out to the lake. The main reason was because I saw it as preparation for the long TNT run on Saturday. I have always known that the type of music I play on my Ipod makes a difference and so I played very upbeat songs and made it round in 36 minutes. I did a few minutes walking as well. I came home exhausted and my legs definately felt it. I listened to what Mama Lisa had said and iced my legs at night before I went to bed and put some smelly muscle ointment on them too so that I can keep up on Saturday morning. I was supposed to go out but I knew that if I did, I might not get enough sleep and would be letting alot of people down if I did not get to the Saturday morning meet on time. I had an early night (if you consider 11.30 early) and had everything ready to go the next morning. I had to do that because knowing myself I would have wasted precious minutes turning and looking for socks, arm warmers, etc. It is an honoree potluck and so I put my keys in the fridge with the bagels so I would not forget them. I know how I am!
I managed to drag myself out to the lake. The main reason was because I saw it as preparation for the long TNT run on Saturday. I have always known that the type of music I play on my Ipod makes a difference and so I played very upbeat songs and made it round in 36 minutes. I did a few minutes walking as well. I came home exhausted and my legs definately felt it. I listened to what Mama Lisa had said and iced my legs at night before I went to bed and put some smelly muscle ointment on them too so that I can keep up on Saturday morning. I was supposed to go out but I knew that if I did, I might not get enough sleep and would be letting alot of people down if I did not get to the Saturday morning meet on time. I had an early night (if you consider 11.30 early) and had everything ready to go the next morning. I had to do that because knowing myself I would have wasted precious minutes turning and looking for socks, arm warmers, etc. It is an honoree potluck and so I put my keys in the fridge with the bagels so I would not forget them. I know how I am!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Wed Sept 9th
I took a rare day off and slept in. For some strange reason my body aches as if I am coming down with something and so took a nap in the afternoon. Tomorrow (Thurs) I have a birthday party to prepare for during the track training session. My goal is to run lake Merrit tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Tues Sept 8th
Started Insanity recovery week. This is a kind of recovery before the Max interval training which is more intense and a longer time duration. I will try and go to the Marathon training run as well this evening.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Intro
To Donate: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/nikesf09/gasante
Monday September 6th
I was supposed to begin my Insanity recovery week but my body needed a rest. The workouts serve as a foundation to my days and so I will definitely be up and at ‘em tomorrow morning.
Saturday September 5th
For Team in Training (TNT) this was an individual training morning because of the holiday. I went to Lake Merritt and started with the intention of running the 3.5 miles. As it turns out, my body let me know that I had not actually run in a while and so it was going to be a 3.5 mile walk until my body got used to the distance. My legs were officially aching and so Sunday will be a rest day!
Friday September 4th
I made it through the Insanity Plyo circuit workout in the morning. My legs were beginning to feel very sore but I powered through it.
Thursday September 3rd
I finally sent out my fund raising letters and so I made it to the track practice after having put off training all these weeks. Training was at Burrell Fields in San Leandro. The training was to do 4 laps with each lap followed by squats, crunches, and push up. I didn’t think I would make it after the first lap but I thought about why I was doing this and knew that wasn’t the time to be a wimp. I know that I was able to keep up because of my short stint at boot camp but most of all because of Insanity. I made the session and considering the fact that I did my insanity workout that morning, I was wiped out when I got home.
The start
For the past 5 weeks I have consistently worked out with Shaun T’s Insanity workouts. I have managed to drop a size in jeans and lost about 5 pounds in the process. I have done my best not to miss a day. The workouts are indeed addictive and seeing the subtle changes is encouraging.
The journey started in part with my ladies on “the distro” who are working hard on part 2 of our 90 day challenge. Their hard work and motivation is what has been instrumental in getting me this far. I am now in the Insanity recovery week after week 4 and will also be training for the Nike Women’s Marathon on October 18th. I have decided to document my journey as best as I can.
Monday September 6th
I was supposed to begin my Insanity recovery week but my body needed a rest. The workouts serve as a foundation to my days and so I will definitely be up and at ‘em tomorrow morning.
Saturday September 5th
For Team in Training (TNT) this was an individual training morning because of the holiday. I went to Lake Merritt and started with the intention of running the 3.5 miles. As it turns out, my body let me know that I had not actually run in a while and so it was going to be a 3.5 mile walk until my body got used to the distance. My legs were officially aching and so Sunday will be a rest day!
Friday September 4th
I made it through the Insanity Plyo circuit workout in the morning. My legs were beginning to feel very sore but I powered through it.
Thursday September 3rd
I finally sent out my fund raising letters and so I made it to the track practice after having put off training all these weeks. Training was at Burrell Fields in San Leandro. The training was to do 4 laps with each lap followed by squats, crunches, and push up. I didn’t think I would make it after the first lap but I thought about why I was doing this and knew that wasn’t the time to be a wimp. I know that I was able to keep up because of my short stint at boot camp but most of all because of Insanity. I made the session and considering the fact that I did my insanity workout that morning, I was wiped out when I got home.
The start
For the past 5 weeks I have consistently worked out with Shaun T’s Insanity workouts. I have managed to drop a size in jeans and lost about 5 pounds in the process. I have done my best not to miss a day. The workouts are indeed addictive and seeing the subtle changes is encouraging.
The journey started in part with my ladies on “the distro” who are working hard on part 2 of our 90 day challenge. Their hard work and motivation is what has been instrumental in getting me this far. I am now in the Insanity recovery week after week 4 and will also be training for the Nike Women’s Marathon on October 18th. I have decided to document my journey as best as I can.
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