Monday, March 30, 2009

A Quickie Post That is Longer than Regular Ones

Lots to cover today, lots to cover. Are you bored at work? Are you tired and trying to stay awake? Are you trying to fall asleep? Are you trying to find inspiration for a run? Find all that and more in today's post....

I guess I'll start with today, since it is freshest in my mind. Today I went to the gym at lunchtime. Why? A few reasons. Sometimes I don't get home until after 9 or 10 because I go to the gym and then run errands after work/make out with my boyfriend. Another reason is that I found an interesting work out for lunchtime that promised to kick my butt in under 20 minutes. Find that workout here: www.fitnessmagazine.com/lunchtime.

I guess it was good. I guess I feel more toned and energized for my afternoon. I guess I enjoyed doing weights, which I haven't done in a million years. I guess it's good to have my afternoon free. But there is something about a 20 minute workout that does NOT do it for me. I called my boyfriend afterwards and he mentioned something like, that's barely enough time for you to warm up. Which is completely true, considering that many of my workouts are over an hour. I don't know if I can really get behind a 20 minute workout, but I'm trying. If I could take one day a week and switch to a power lunch workout (power lunch is better than quickie workout), I could have another free afternoon, which my poor cat would like very much. I feel like a very irresponsible cat mommy, leaving him alone all the time.

So the jury is still out on the Fitness Magazine work out - why don't you give it a try and tell me what you think? Thanks, I'd appreciate it.

This weekend I also saw my cousin, whose wedding I'm in in 2010. We had a really nice dinner and we discussed the idea of blogging. I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about this whole deal, as much as I love doing it. We agreed that there are strict rules to adhere to when blogging, like keep it related to a hobby or critiques of some sort (movies, books, music, politics...) and don't relate every detail of your life. So I will NOT tell you what we had for dinner, even though it was delicious.

We also realized that we have a lot in common, probably because of genetics. My family, in case I haven't mentioned it before, carries the worry gene. I'm not sure if this is scientifically proven yet, but anyone trying to prove it should contact me and study my family. It seems to run more in the women, but it definitely carries from generation to generation and I think it gets worse each time.

Pondering this later, I realized that running has really become one of the main things that keeps me from going insane. Whenever I'm sad, tired, scared, worried, panicked, anxious, happy, hungry, ok not hungry...bloated, excited, angry, etc, I get out there and run. It alleviates the bad things and enhances the good things. I think being outside and being able to see things that I past and know that I'm getting somewhere is a positive experience.

Anyway, that's the majority of my rants. Congrats to my coworker who completed a 10k in 1 hour, 2 min! Also, I'm currently in the midst of drafting a marathon training plan for anyone interesting. "in the midst" = the idea has occurred to me. I'm willing to personalize any/all plans.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Getting lost is fun!

On Saturday, I got up at 5:45, dashed out the door and ran a half marathon. It was really fun - through DC, it started almost next door to my house. I decided to go for time - usually I go just to finish. But I felt like pushing myself a little bit.

When I was waiting outside in the cold, I kind of had second thoughts. Why the heck am I outside, before the sun is up, on a Saturday morning? Negative thoughts shocked through my system and I had to scold myself a little bit to keep from returning home to bed. But there really is something about that start gun. And once I do one mile, my addiction floods back and I have to do another. And another. I didn't even notice the first 5 miles.

Ok so really, I don't know if I even noticed any of the miles. It was cool to see the mile markers fly by, but I really wasn't paying much attention. I was in the zone - I didn't even realize it then, but looking back now, I see that I was completely in this race.

I don't ever look at the race map too closely before a run. There are times when this is bad, like when you can see people looping back towards you and you're wondering when you get to the turn around, but most of the time it keeps my interest piqued and I stop worrying about when I will get there and more about how I'm getting to the end. I know this would drive some people crazy, but I think this is why I hate treadmills - you always know where you are. I like running outside cause you can get lost - I like getting lost in a race because it makes you more alert.

I tried to convince myself that I didn't want to be doing a full marathon anyway, but it kept bugging me that I had a "HALF" sign on my back and when I finished, other people where doing more than me. We split off from the marathoners right at 13 miles, which is when I began to pick up the pace. I saw the finish line and looked down at my watch - I was going to make it in under 2 hours. As I rounded close to the finish line, I heard the announcer say that we were going to make it in under 2 hours - then he started the countdown. What??? I looked up at the finish clock and there were only 12 seconds left to 9:00am. I really had to sprint to make it in before that time! (My chip start time was actually a little bit after 7:00am, so I think I was pretty well under 2 hours anyway).

Then on Monday, I went over to the pool that is close to my house. I was kind of wary, since it's a public pool in Southeast DC (not hatin' just wondering!). But it was a GORGEOUS pool, a lot bigger than the ones I've been swimming in and it's FREE for DC residents! I only swam for about a half hour, but I will definitely be going back there.

And that is why the William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center receives....

SARAH'S UNPAID ENDORSEMENT!

What more could you want from a pool than free, not too crowded, clean, and managed well? I mean you could have lockers that worked a little bit better, but let's not get greedy here. If you happen to be able to get to Eastern Market, this is the place to go. Well worth a commute and well worth a trip, even if it's just for fun. They have those noodles there for you to use. You know what I'm talking about. You know you still use them even though they're for 5 year olds. I know you know.

William H Rumsey Aquatic Center
635 North Carolina Ave SE

Right by the Eastern Market hall.
Cost: FREE for DC residents
Locker rooms available - bring a quarter to make sure they lock!
Showers on site.
Clean locker rooms.
Kickboards and other swim tools available for use.
Lifeguard on duty.

Friday, March 20, 2009

I'll Stand By You

Man, what is UP with the lame post titles?? My creative juices must be getting peed out as I try to hydrate for my half marathon this Saturday...

This week, a coworker registered for a 10k (this will prove to me that you're actually reading this...you know who you are!!!). And my friend in Delaware (resisting Dela-WHERE joke) called me in a blind panic this morning with the statement, "I have a charge on my credit card for that stupid marathon you made me register for!" Whoops. the whole point of getting people to do that was so that I could do it with them! But alas, my credit card remains sadly uncharged, leading me to believe that I will not be joining the ranks of runners in October.

First of all, to both these beautiful ladies, I just want to say, wow, I am so proud of you! It takes a big step to run a race, even if you're just doing it for fun! I know that both of you are going to do a great job and dedicate your time and your heart to a huge accomplishment!

Second, my marathon friend pointed out something interesting to me: running a marathon requires running intensive training. To me, this is great news. It never occurred to me that this could be disturbing for someone.

But here's the thing - it doesn't have to be. Training for a race requires a lot more than just running. You have to cross train or else you run the risk of injury. You have to swim, use the elliptical, do yoga, and take days off. Heck, she will probably do better than me because if you add more cross training it, you learn more about your body and what it can take and what it can't. My downfall was that running became the only thing I would do and it got to the point where I had my on/off button - am I running or not? I found it difficult to vary things and push myself by the end. That's why I'm training for a triathlon.

Which brings me to a very important point. I'm putting this in writing, so you know I have to stick with it.

If you are doing a race and want my support, I'm not just going to be there at the finish line, chugging a beer while I give you a high five. I'm going to be running at 6am with you and if you live in Delaware, I'm going to call you at 5:30 so that you can get on the road by 6. with me. I'll be out there too. If you want someone to jump into a race (cough illegally cough) and be there for you during mile 22, I'm going to be there. I'm training with you, I'm standing by you, I'm celebrating with you, I'm crying with you. I'm not a personal trainer, I'm not trained professional to help you do this.

I'm just your friend.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

How to be healthy

I'm struggling with this myself, to be honest. I try to work out a lot and I've tried to replace my snack bars and granola bars with fruit. I've replaced bagels with oatmeal and I try to drink a lot of water and stretch once every 2 weeks at least. I don't take vitamins, but I have contemplated it on many occasions. I don't sleep enough, but I'm semi-aware of this. Kind of. Sort of.

This morning I got up and went for a half hour run before work. I've been pretty wiped out lately, but I convinced myself that it was a good idea. It felt good to run, but as I was out this morning, I realized that I haven't done a lot for other people lately. I haven't done any sort of volunteer work in a long time and random acts of kindness should be a daily occurrence - it's not something you pat yourself on the back for every few months.

Did you know that people who do volunteer work are clinically happier? Psychologists will sometimes encourage people who are depressed to do volunteer work, because it just makes you feel better. I mean...I think that human beings often need to find a personal gain in order to be incentivized to do something (that's not a real word, I know. work with me here). But if you're going to find personal gain in anything, why not find it in someone else's joy?

Can we ever be really healthy without working out our soul? Yeah, I know I'm entering the dangerous world of drum circles and chants of kum-bai-ya. But I think that people often end up searching for something, even with personal accomplishments like marathons or triathlons. No matter how many races you run, it's your place in the human race that really matters.

I'm sorry, but can we take a minute to applaud my pun?

Thursday, March 12, 2009

I feel good (na na na na na na na)

Horrible title for a post. I know. *hides face in shame*

This morning I woke up at 5:05am. BAM! My alarm went off and I was AWAKE. It was awesome, cause usually when I get up for an early morning run, I have to have a little chat with myself to remind my brain why it has to function so early in the morning. Not this morning. This morning I was out the door before 5:20.

There's not a lot of people out that early in the morning. I was out before the buses even start picking up people. Surprisingly, even a lot of other runners seem to have something better to be doing (I can't imagine what???). I didn't even see another runner until I was on my way home. But it was one of those days where it just felt really GOOD to run, when I felt like I could go for hours (silly work) and not get tired. It energized me and now I can't believe I've already been awake for almost 5 hours...

I'm a worry-ier by nature. It's in my blood, it's how I function. My mind is in a constant whirl of "what will happen next!?!?!" It's really irritating. One of the few ways I've found to combat this is running. So even though the worry wolves were nipping at my heels (yes, even at 5:30am they come out to play), I find that I can run away from those thoughts, that it is possible to push them out and just be positive and feel my body working. I felt very alive this morning.

It's spring now, so you can hear birds chirping even at 5:05am. Which is nice when I'm running...but on the rare morning when I can sleep in? Makes me want a bb gun. (bebe gun? beeebeeee gun?)

Monday, March 9, 2009

Variety

I was planning on going to the gym after going out to dinner after work today (I know...I sound like a lunatic), but having bought plane tickets to Israel, I've decided that I'm too excited and would rather drink instead. Possibly a regrettable decision, but after all, one does not buy tickets for a vacation in Israel just any old day.

So I have made the decision to leave my gym bag at work. This seems unthinkable at first, leave my baby at work???? But then I realized...I don't need anything in it. Which made me realize...

I have like 6 pairs of sneakers. In good condition. Hard core, nike or aasics or some other brand name sneakers. Perhaps overkill? That's absurd you say?

But wait, it gets better. I also have a large tupperware (like 2.5 feet high and 3 feet long) FULL, OVERFLOWING with gym clothes. Sometimes I forget what I have, I have so many gym clothes. I have running skirts and tennis skirts. I have shorts with pockets and shorts without pockets. I have spandex and sweats. I have hoodies and zip up sweater jackets and underamour and overarmour (ok I made that up). I have sports bras and sports underwear. I have shirts that have bras built in and shirts that cannot be worn without one. I have tank tops and t-shirts and 3/4 sleeve shirts and lightweight shirts and heavyweight shirts. I have tennis t-shirts and running t-shirts.

And most of it is brand name, cause my mom works at a running/tennis store.

Speaking of tennis, I got to play this weekend!!

But seriously...this is not a bragging post. This post is really to say that this stuff is, well, kinda necessary. Maybe not for everyone. But it's necessary to have enough clothes that you don't have to do laundry every two days. It's necessary, I would argue, to feel cute when you work out. I would argue that if you have more than 1 pair of sneakers, you can leave one in the office and then there's no excuse for not working out.

Variety is, after all, the spice of life.

Except when it comes to peanut butter. Then there is only Skippy.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

A Challenge

*email sent out to my friends and family today*

Hello Women of my Life.

Some of you may have heard me talk about this before. For some of you, this may sound absolutely crazy. You'll be all, what is she THINKING? But I am issuing you a challenge right here, right now. A smack down. (Is that the right phrase?)

This October is the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. This is one of the most popular races in the United States. It is for women. It is for us. And do you know how they make it for us?

~a ghiradelli chocolate stop
~a change your sock station right when your feet feel gross
~firefighters in tuxedos at the end who
~hand you a tiffany's necklace designed specifically for this event
~massages and facials after the race
~in San Francisco. So we can shop when we're done. And see the sea lions. :-D

It's so popular that the only way to register is through a lottery. This is happening NOW: http://insidenikerunning.nike.com/category/events/nike-womens-marathon/

So look....here's what I'm saying. This could be the funnest weekend ever. Why don't you let fate decide? Just register. Go online, fill our your name, etc and see if you're chosen. If you're chosen, then Nike has deemed you ready. If this will be your first marathon, if you never thought you'd run a marathon, if you never thought you'd run more than 10 minutes in your life (stupid gym class), just take a minute and think about what a huge accomplishment this will be. And I will train with anyone who wants to do this. Even if you get through the lottery and I don't.

Just think about it....just register...just do it.


HAHAHAH I SHOULD BE A PROMOTION WRITER FOR NIKE

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The backs of my thighs

I think I've officially decided that I sincerely dislike bikram yoga. Sorry, Dupont studio, but no endorsement for you. I went again on Sunday and couldn't even make it through one pose without having to sit down, EVEN THOUGH I was sitting by a window. For shame, Bikram yoga (of course it's not MY fault). I went with boyfriend and with a friend who easily touched her forehead to her knee...life is so unfair. All those flexible people.

I've found an interesting flaw in my body. In general, running and chasing my cat around my house and cycling classes and occasional swimming (cough) keeps me in shape. I've even started doing ab classes. But the other day I noticed that the backs of my thighs are less than taut. They're not flabby per se, but they're certainly not up to par with the rest of my body. The fronts of my thighs (I believe those are the quads) are, dare I say, ripped. My calves have and probably always will be one of the most muscular areas of my body. My butt, in case you were wondering, isn't exactly a big sack of fat attached to my body either. However, the backs of my thighs, an area often overlooked, need some TLC. Or the opposite of TLC whatever that is. I'm immediately starting to do squats and lunges again at least twice a week (did them on Sunday...still feeling it). But what an odd thing to notice. Why wouldn't the backs be the same as the front? I use my whole leg when I run, in fact, I use both of them. So why is only half how I want it?

Some girls worry about their stomachs. Some worry about their butts. Some worry about their arm flab. Some worry about their whole thigh. But not me.

I'm so low maintenance.