Ride, Run, Repeat

I had a really awesome xmas long weekend and I hope you did too. Family drama aside, we all ate, drank and were merry (mostly).

On Christmas eve, I worked half a day at work and then vroomed over to the grocery to pick out food for cooking the next day. Hubby took the RR to her mom's house for xmas eve. Since EXW is moving and didn't have time to buy a christmas tree, hubby bought the tree and decorations and sent them over with the RR. Say it with me.. "AWWWWW...".

Christmas morning entailed going to my mom's for indian breakfast. There I met my brother's new girlfriend. She's pretty cool. She's vegan, hippy, and apparently a pagan. Wow. Well, happy saturnalia to her.

Hubby picked up RR#1 and RR#2 from their mom's (No "thank you" from the EXW for the tree, of course)at noon and headed to our house for presents and food. I managed to snag some great stuff--Chanel #5 (mmmm); Two vegan cookbooks (30 Minute Vegan and Alicia Silverstone's new book); a new hand blender; some gourmet tea; clothes from Banana Republic; all new bedroom furniture; and Louis Garneau full shoe covers!

After ripping open gifts, we excused ourselves to the kitchen where I whipped up an almost entirely vegan dinner. The only "non-vegan" item was the ham. I made Ham, Field Roast Celebration Roast; lemon dill carrots, rolls, fried apples, garlic mashed potatoes, two pies (blackberry and apple); green salad (from mom) and sweet potato casserole with pecans (also from mom).

Oh, and wine.
lots and lots of wine.
lots and lots and lots of wine.

between the 9 of us there who would drink wine, we finished 7 bottles.

After my fourth glass, I texted my riding partner and postponed our 8 a.m. ride to 9 a.m. My text looked like this, "hI cn we neeu @ 9 not 8 2morox?"

Lucky for me, she understood and texted back, "Sure no problem see you at 9"

Next morning, I was horribly hung over and trying to eat a barely cooked egg at 7 a.m.before the ride. My husband laughed at me.

I made it to the rendezvous point and my hangover complimented friends, asthma/cold. Between us, we barely did 20 miles at average 14 mph. We were a sorry sight. :) I got to wear my new louis garneau booties though and that was awesome.

I got home, ate, and then ran 2 miles in the evening.

Sunday morning at 2 a.m. it started raining. I was scheduled to ride again, but I HATE riding in rain--especially when I am doing hills. So I postponed Sunday's morning ride to noon. By then it was clear. I did the Shirland Tract ride again, but added a couple of miles at the beginning by going down to the boat ramp and then climbing back up. The whole ride took 1:23--15 miles total. 3700 feet of climbing. My max heart rate got to 191bpm. Really. I thought my heart was going to explode out of my chest. If I do the 220-age formula, I should have a maximum of 183 obviously the formula is wrong--but I really thing 191 is about as high as I can go without passing out.

In any case, after descending at a scorching 28 mph and passing a dead deer on the road (eww), I climbed into my car, drove home, changed to run gear and did a 3 mile run in 33 minutes. I was trying to keep my HR around 165 so I had to slow down a lot to keep it at that.

Back home, shower, food, but I was GRUMPY GRUMPY GRUMPY. Even RR was telling me I was grumpy. I obviously needed to eat before the shower and I needed to eat something other than plain air popped popcorn.

I am resting today, and then running and biking tomorrow. The swim still is not on my radar. Hopefully soon.

Yoga Product Review

I have been doing the Shiva Rea Vinyasa Flow yoga DVD. I can review it in 4 words.

I.
Love.
this.
DVD.

Shiva Rea has done several other DVDs--Yoga Shakti, Core Abs, etc. But this DVD really is special. Here are some highlights:

Yoga Matrix--this allows you to customize your yoga experience. If you only want to select backbends and hip openers, simply click on those two and hit "play". If you want more meditation, click on the appropriate pranayama and you are all set.

Preprogramed routines--DVD has several preprogramed routines ranging from 41 minutes to 108 minutes. Everything to help you progress through your yoga journey. I especially like the "flow" routine that has the hip opener.. Wow!

Music--ok, the music on most fitness DVDs leaves a lot to be desired. We all know that.. but the music on this DVD was pretty cool. It was kind of indian sitar music electronica. But not abrasive. Very calming.

The "FLOW"--this is not a 'traditional yoga' DVD. Downward dog is not held for eternity, rather you do it with a wave flow. The idea of "flow" is to allow non-limber people to become limber/stretchy at their own pace. At first it was a little strange, but I quickly got used to the wave / flow sequences.

Specifically, I really enjoyed the HIP OPENER section of the DVD. It really stretched out my low back, butt, hips, and IT Band. I couldn't believe the difference in my pain level before and after. I was tight and in a lot of pain before I did the DVD and after I am always very limber, relaxed and in no pain at all. In fact, I ran yesterday 3 miles and had no pain at all in my knee or hip. I really think that the yoga (and the PT) is helping.

If you have the ability to pick up this DVD I highly recommend it. Even at twice a week I am seeing a difference in my pain/strength level.

Happy Holidays everyone!

School Lessons

First-year students at the University of Saskatchewan Vet school were
receiving their first anatomy class, with a real dead cow. They all
gathered around the surgery table with the body covered with a white sheet.
The professor started the class by telling them, 'In Veterinary Medicine it
is necessary to have two important qualities as a doctor: !
The first is that you should not be disgusted by anything involving the
animal body.' For an example, the Professor pulled back the sheet, stuck
his finger in the butt of the dead cow, withdrew it and stuck his finger in
his mouth.

'Go ahead and do the same thing,' he told his students. The students
freaked out, hesitated for several minutes, but eventually took turns
sticking a finger in the anal opening of the dead cow and sucking on it.


When everyone finished, the Professor looked at them and said, 'The second
most important quality is observation.

I stuck in my middle finger and sucked on my index finger.'

'Now learn to pay attention. Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid.'

Quilts and other Christmas paraphernalia

Here’s what I’ve been doing the past 3 days. Yes trying to finish my brother's easy dumb Cal Quilt.


Should be completed tonight.

I have a resolution run in less than two weeks. I have not run in more than two weeks.

Unfortunately, I cannot post more until after the hohohoho holiday is over.

Merry Christmas!

Registered 4 Resolution Run - booya!

Thank you for registering for the 2010 Resolution Run. You registered in time to get a long sleeved cotton shirt. You may begin picking up your race bibs, chip timing tags and shirts at 11:30 am. See you on the 1st.
J & J Sports Productions

Stuff I like

This weekend's training was a total bust. I did zero. zilch. nada. Rain/storms and looming holiday gift procurement kept me hopping from store to store trying to find that extra special something that could later be returned for store credit by the receiver.

Part of the weekend was spent cleaning out my closet. As I went through and organized my workout gear, I realized there are some things that really work well and others, usually bought in a frenzy, that haven't worked for me at all.

Things that work well for me:

1. nike shorts. These things are the bomb. I have tons of other company pairs that i purchased over the years--but only the Nikes don't ride up my bum as I run. they are nice and loose and comfy. I have three pair now and I love each and every one.


2. skirt sports shirt. I have one skirtsport shirt that I got at a race a couple of years ago. It is by far my favorite shirt. It is not too loose, it is an awesome color -- a nice teal--ish blue--perfect for wiping my nose while I run or sopping the sweat off my neck. It also is tight enough to make me, well, look a little well endowed and sporty at the same time. Go figure! Here's a pic of me wearing the shirt. I'm on the left.

3. Balega socks. Ok, these socks are great. I actually wear them all the time, even when I am not in running shoes. I don't know why but they cling to my small feet really well, don't stink, and no matter how hard I sweat, they never get wet or icky.


4. Nike hat. I love my nike hat. I. LOVE. My. Nike. HAT. I have no explanation.

5. Nike Triax. These shoes work so well for me. I've tried every other road shoe known to woman. These work for my bunioned-yet-narrow feet.


6. Asics Trabuco Trail shoe. As far as trail shoes go, nobody can touch the Asics Trabuco. Wide enough to fit my bunion. Sturdy enough to run hills in Auburn. They are great.

7. Ultimate Water bottle holder-- Ok ok, I know. There are some devotees of the systems that have 7 little bottles on a belt around your waist. Granted, I haven't tried those yet. I am sticking with my ultimate water bottle holders. I have 10+ ultimate bottles. Small ones, large ones and ity bitty ones. I have holders for each. I like them cause I can usually carry some Gu and my cell phone in a little pouch. Someday I might change to the amphipod/fuelbelt system but only after all my Ultimate bottles melt in the dishwasher or break.


8. Gu. I love Gu. It doesn't upset my stomach and they taste pretty darn good.

9.Mittens for really cold days. I have a pair of blue/white striped mittens I bought at Target for 50 cents on clearance last year. I wear them anytime weather is below 40 degrees. Who needs stinkin' $70 gloves???


10.Headband. I must have my headband to run. No, not the kind from Napoleon Dynamite. Just something to hold my hair out of my face, and off my neck. It is a necessity. I have a pack of 10 from Target. They have silicone grippers so that my unruly hair doesn't come loose and end up in my face. That would be a problem.



See this is what I really look like when I wear the headband to run. Really.

Neither Rain, nor sleet, nor snow....

Saturday was a bust in terms of exercise. It was hubby’s birthday so I went ahead and spent the day with him. We hung out, went shopping, got dinner, watched “Angels & Demons”.. It was a lot of fun.

Sunday, I rode the infamous Shirland Tract in Auburn. This area is a part of the Auburn Half Ironman Bike course.

The part I covered yesterday has average 4.7% elevation grade.
Total climbing yesterday 3000+ feet
Mileage= 13
Time to complete=1.25 hours

OUCH!

There are sections that are 45% grade. I rode everything. I did not walk up any hills. My speed sometimes went down to 4.5 mph and I was in granny gear, but I did it!!! During the decent down Auburn-Folsom Road, it began to rain/slushy snow pelt us and the wind gusts picked up. But we finished our ride before the storm really struck. I have to say—I feel pretty darn studly for riding in that weather. Yeah me!

Riding also helped take my mind off the fact that I was missing my marathon yesterday. CIM went on without me. :( Next year????

My riding partner suggested I ride Shirland Tract and the first part of the Auburn bike course every weekend and slowly add distance so by May, I have ridden the whole bike course a few times. I think this is a good suggestion –I would also like to do a little bit of transition run after the bike—to get my legs ready for trail running after a long hilly bike ride.

Anyway, that’s it for today. It snowed in Sacramento last night and our front lawn was covered in snow/ice. Very pretty!

TableRunner pics

Tonight we're going out for dinner for my mom's birthday. I made her a gift..it's a table runner.

Here's pics. I'm getting all crafts-y in my old age.






I ran 3 miles this morning at 5 a.m. It took me 29:32 to finish. Not too bad. My right hip felt a little weird but I realized that I haven't been doing my PT exercises all week. I'm such a weenie. Back onto those tonight after dinner. Oh, and I am picking up my CIM bib/t-shirt today. I tried to sell it but nobody wants to buy it apparently. Oh well, that's ok.

I will also be riding my bike in auburn on sunday. Auburn hills are notorious for kickin' the crap out of people. My riding buddy, Judy, said she is going to 'kick my little @$$' on sunday. Great. I can't wait. I have to get some hill workouts going if I am going to be ready for the Auburn Half Ironman in May.

In any case--I hope to make it a good weekend of running and riding.

Hope yours is good too!

Yummy Recipe for Blue and Yellow Indian Cornbread

Enjoy!



Hopi Blue & Yellow Indian Cornbread
------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Meredith McCarty, www.healingcuisine.com

Makes 16 servings

The intriguing swirl of marbled color in this cornbread comes from
a combination of blue and yellow cornmeal batters. The special
qualities of this recipe are the lack of dairy products and eggs
in a main dish that is attractive, light and delicious. Soymilk
acts as a mild leavening agent in addition to the baking powder.
Baking cornbread in cast-iron pans makes for the best crust.

Blue Cornmeal Batter:

3/4 cup blue cornmeal
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3 tablespoons light vegetable oil (I prefer Spectrum walnut oil)
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, brown rice syrup or barley malt syrup
1 cup soymilk (I prefer Edensoy Original)

Yellow Cornmeal Batter:

3/4 cup yellow corn flour (preferred) or cornmeal
3/4 cup unbleached white pastry flour
2 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3 tablespoons light vegetable oil
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, brown rice syrup or barley malt syrup
1 cup soymilk
Kernels from one small ear of corn (optional, in season)
2 small serrano or jalapeno peppers, halved, seeded and very
thinly sliced (optional, in season)

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Brush a 2- or 2 1/2-quart baking dish or
a cast-iron skillet with oil. Heat the pan in the oven while you
make the batter (this is an optional step).

2. To make each of the batters, in two bowls mix dry ingredients.
Mix wet ingredients in separate bowls and gently whisk with dry
ingredients. Batters should be thin and pourable.

3. Pour blue cornmeal batter into baking dish. Pour yellow batter
on top. With a utensil, draw a large spiral through to the bottom
of the batter. Bake until cornbread tests done, 30 to 35 minutes.

Variation: Barbecue Beans and Cornbread Casserole: Visit Meredith's
website for this recipe that contains just 14% calories from fat.

For 16 servings, per serving:
Calories: 182 Protein: 4gm Saturated Fat: 0.4gm Fiber: 2.5gm
Carbohydrates: 27.4gm Fat: 6.4 gm Cholesterol: 0 Sodium: 178mg
Calories from Protein: 9% Calories from Fats: 31% Calories
from Carbohydrates: 60%

Chad Gurlach encounter

Hubby talked to a panhandling Chad Gurlach this afternoon in front of Target.

So very sad.. Chad was on US Postal Team with Lance but fell into drugs.
He was featured on an episode of Intervention...

Check Season 5 , #64

As of today, he's still looking for drugs and a place to sleep every night. He hasn't seen his baby daughter.

How very sad.

The Biggest Loser is... me??

Last night on the Biggest Loser, the last four contestants ran a marathon.

Oh, you read correctly...

they.
ran.
a.
freakn.
marathon.

People, who barely moved except to get the remote control, just ran a marathon.

I've been trying for YEARS to run a marathon and I have not succeeded.

:(

Hubby told me to turn it off because he could see, with my PMS looming, that it was going to end up an ugly week if I continued to gape at the TV.

Really? I don't begrudge these people because they were/are overweight. More power to them and I hope they accomplish every single one of their goals. I am frustrated that I train for years and can't do something that recently sedentary people can do after 6 months of training. What is wrong with me??? Am I a big loser?


The fastest --Rudy-- completed in 5:10 I think.. The slowest two took over 7 hours.


Hmprhummmmpph.

In any case, I signed up for two short races. Both are trail runs--6 miler on December 13th and a 10K on January 1.

Is it too early to think about racing again? Probably. But I've got to put something on my short term calendar or I'm not going to run at all.

And one last query--WHY oh WHY is the biggest loser on the channel next to the food network? I think it is a consipiracy... :)