Like A Cat Up A Tree

When we first got my cat Spaz, she chased a squirrel up a tree and couldn’t get down. We had to call the firefighters to come get the cat out of the tree. This morning, I felt like Spaz, hopeless and scared up in the tree. Nash and I had plans to meet at 6:00AM at El Diablo/ in Maui (can you tell I haven’t named it yet?). My bed felt so good. I snoozed my alarm for 45 minutes before I finally crawled out and made my BirdRock coffee and chomped on a banana. There I was, ready to go. I had my things packed for work, grabbed my phone and ran down the stairs, slamming the front door behind me. “Oh…. Dumb,” I thought. Yes, my keys were not in my hand. Instead, the coffee mug had taken their place. “Well, hmm…. What should I do? Maybe I can break in through the kitchen window?”

Climbing the gate up to my rooftop is not an easy task, but this wasn’t the first time I had done it. At least this time I wasn’t wearing skinny jeans, cowboy boots and a silk top. I pulled myself up over the downstairs neighbor’s room and scaled my way to the window, noticing the molding on top of her roof, wondering if it would give way and I would wind up in bed with her… that would be awkward. I tore the screen out and tried to open the window. Of course it wouldn’t budge. Thank goodness I had decided to stick my phone in my pocket just in case.

6:10AM… TEXT MAVEL: “Are you awake?” Response: “Hi! Yeah, I’m at work!” Me: “Do you have your keys? I’m stuck on the roof.” Response: “Oh no! No, Andrew dropped me off.”

FAIL.

6:12AM… TEXT ANNAGRACE AND JUDY: “Are you awake?” Response: none.

FAIL.

6:20AM… CALL JOSH: “I’m sorry to wake you, but I’m stuck on my rooftop. Will you come save me?”

CA-CHING! Third time's a charm.

So, as I waited for Josh to come to my rescue, I watched the sunrise. It was beautiful. I would love to build a balcony and watch it rise over the ocean every day. Maybe then I could hide a spare key on that balcony. During my time of sunrise enjoyment, Josh pulled up and shook his head.

“How exactly do you want me to help you,” he asked.

“Just make sure I don’t stab my face out with the fence on my way down,” I pleaded. “I can’t see anything and there is nothing to hold onto.”

So he guided my feet into their proper positioning and I was safely on the ground soon enough. He dropped me off at the Jankes’ house where I waited outside until they responded to my text! Yay! After getting my spare key from them, I walked home and got in my car to go run. I didn’t want to risk being late to work, so I did my speed work on the treadmill (ugh!). 2 mile warm-up, 4x300m 5k race pace with 100m jogs in between, 2x400m 5k race pace with 100m jogs in between, 2x800m 5k race pace with 100m jogs in between and a 1-mile cool-down.

2-mile warm-up: 20:11

300m’s: 1:39, 1:31, 1:22, 1:29

4oom’s: 1:58, 2:00

800m’s: 3:55, 3:49

1-mile cool down: 8:50

During my lunch break, I met up with Carol for a cool (and when I say cool, I mean ice cubes in the refrigerator cold) ocean swim. Yes, it is mid-February and Carol and I are swimming in the ocean. Sometimes I wonder if I am crazy… then I remember that I am insane. We got in the water and I panicked. “So cold, so cold, so cold! Can’t breath! Ahh,” I thought to myself as I whacked the water with my arms and legs like a mosquito struggling to get out of a Jell-O mold.

“How you doin’?” Carol asked, looking back.

“Great! Hey,” I started. “If you want to go on and just turn around when you’re ready, I’m TOTALLY cool with that!”

“Oh, I’m good.”

“No, really, TOTALLY cool…”

Then I stopped panicking. I focused on my form. Breathe, face in…. AHHHHH! So cold! Can’t get my breath out! Panic! Panic! No! Stop! Breathe, stroke 1, 2, breath 3.  And there it was. I totally relaxed. I didn’t think about the recent shark sighting down the coast or the fact that my toes were numb (okay, maybe I thought about those things a little bit); instead, I realized that I was having so much more fun being out in the ocean than I had ever had in the pool. The rest of the swim, I spent in total bliss.

When I got home, I showered off, hopped on my bike and rode out to Katie’s house for a home-cooked meal and prayer. It was so good! Great time of fellowship and yumminess before work.

Yesterday, my cycle classes were all fun and intense! I kept the members in zones three and five with short recoveries. The best part of my classes is the smiles on the member’s faces when they finish. The harder I make the class, the more they enjoy it and that is so awesome to see! I put my iPhone on shuffle for my first class and loved the mix so much, I just used it for the others.

During strength class yesterday morning after my first cycle class, my hip flexors were exhausted. I felt like I couldn't finish any of the moves. Thank goodness Sophia was there! Fortunately, the class went by quickly and I rushed home, changed and got ready to hike a 2500 elevation climb with Ben. I think that might have been the highest peak I’ve done (not positive about that), but I had great company, awesome conversation and gorgeous views. Ben admitted that he didn't think I would be as fast as I was. Teaches him to wear Chocos to hike! Although, he's hardcore like that, so I don't think that bothered him. 

I ended the evening by making Richard do stadiums after doing my evening cycle class. Soon, he is going to be tougher than me! … oh wait, he already is! ;)

More Than Just a Running Shoe

Every moment of our lives, we are faced with decisions we must make: What to eat for breakfast, whether you should go back inside the house to grab the one item you forgot, who to say hello to, what to order at the coffee shop... the list goes on. For this example, I will use running shoes.

Say I have a pair of Brooks running shoes that I absolutely love. Sure, they are starting to lose their cushion and color due to the fact that I have logged hundreds of miles on them, but I like them. I am happy and satisfied with them. They feel good, look good and are there for me when I need them. They have supported me throughout the miles, helped me keep running, inspired me, motivated me... I may be ready to move on from these shoes, but I still love the memories that I have had with and am still making with those shoes.

One day, I realize it's time to take a break from running. I say goodbye to my Brooks, but I'm not quite ready to move on to the next thing. I decide I want to focus on something else for awhile. Maybe I will take up rock climbing! Maybe I will use the money I would have spent on new shoes to go on vacation. The options are endless and I am so excited for this stage of my life!

Then a new shoe presents itself to me. Imagine the  most ideal pair of shoes; these are the shoes I've only dreamed of. In high school, I made a list of the best qualities possible in a running shoe. On this list were several traits that no one shoe should be able to possess, but somehow this shoe promises all of these and more. You know your parents would approve of these shoes. Your best friend is in love with these shoes and she hasn't even seen them! You decide to try them on... oh no... they feel great, but something in you tells you that you're not ready for that ideal shoe. You still long for the adventures of rock climbing and traveling and being without a running shoe. But what if you give up on a great running opportunity?

...Obviously, this is about more than just a running shoe.


Back to the training world...

Thursday, I taught aqua aerobics and cycle. I made my cycle class due the entire thing standing once again and they were amped!!! About a third of the way into class, Country Girl by Luke Bryan came blasting through my Iphone. "Uhoh," I warned my class. "I may start dancing soon." They laughed, probably hoping it wouldn't happen, but happen it did. "Got a little boom in my big truck. Gonna open up the doors and turn it up..." Aw man! Great song!

After class, I went on a trail run on my old college stomping grounds. It felt so good to be up there again, looking over the ocean. Sometimes I wish I was still in college. I dropped by my favorite professor's office to see if he was in, but find him, I could not. I finished my run, logging 6 miles. That makes 20 miles for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday combined.

After the run, I did a quick swim. When I say quick, I mean quick. After 45-minutes, I was over it. I had not brought a routine with me, so I was doing mostly pulling and freestyle and I just was not feeling it. I got out early and went to El Diablo/Maui to meet up with Richard. We did stadiums and Pilates.

Friday morning I had my running strength class with Drea. For a second week, I had a really hard time getting out of bed and getting to class. I don't know what it is, but I have been so tired this week! The class was difficult, simply because it hurts to put any body weight on my cut-up right forearm. But I got through it. I was going to go swimming, but I decided I would rather go home and try to clean a little. Cleaning turned into eating a big bowl of Bob's Red Mill Organic rolled oats while watching the second season of Prison Break. So much for a clean house.

I taught aerobics and balance then met up with Sophia to lift weights and eat Backyard Bowls. After we finished, I needed to get my bike ride in, so I rode out to the beach and back, working on speed skills. I had just enough time to decide what to wear to sushi that night and get to work. After three classes, Ben picked me up at work and took me out to one of my all-time favorite sushi places. It was delicious! When we finished our rolls, we went down to the beach and walked along the sand until the time got late and I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore.

Saturday morning, I taught then met up with my Tri group for a bike ride. We've had another woman join! Julie is her name and she is a doll! I am very excited for our new addition! It was a quick hour of bike riding along the beach, which we bricked with a 1.5 mile run and I followed with a swim. I swam 1200 yards before I decided I was over it and got out. I'm still in Base 2, which means Build 1 starts next week. Once the build period starts, I won't be able to just stop a workout. If I can give up early now, I might as well, especially if I'm not enjoying it.

Jameisha and I met up at the bike shop so I could try on my new kit for my tri team and she could look at bikes. We met Adrian who works there and helped us out. He is going up to Oregon next month to ride! I'm so jealous! He told me I should try mountain biking, which I said no to, but you never know... I could love it.

My new tri suit fit

After ordering my suit, Ben and I grabbed coffee and walked along the beach to watch the sunset. The weather was a little gloomy, so I didn't expect much of a sunset. I was astonished when Ben interrupted me in the middle of my story to point out the sky. Wow! It was one of the most vibrant pink sunsets I had ever witnessed. It was beautiful and I was so glad that I was taking time to enjoy it.

Once it got dark, we drove over to REI and explored. Mmmmm  I love REI. I bought some new Hammer Gels and Honey Stinger blocks. Yes, I am a happy girl. More sugar for my sugar jar!

Yesterday was long run day! I met up with Richard after work and we ran hill repeats and stairs for five miles. As soon as we finished, Mavel and I met up for a 10-mile run along the cliffs. It was the most ideal day for a run. I felt strong the entire way! We averaged an 8:44 pace, which is faster than I ran my race last weekend! I didn't feel tired at all! It was a fantastic run with a wonderful friend! I'm so glad I got her to go running again! In the past six days, I have logged 30.5 miles. 19.5 miles to go by the end of the month!



Taking Back Wednesday

Another day from hell came to me on Wednesday. It started out REALLY well! Cycle class went well and everyone talked about how sore they were. La-di-da. Then Mavel and I got to Grind it up and chat over bagels. That was lovely. We had some great conversation and I left feeling stoked for my long day.

Then hell arrived. There was no parking at the retirement community, so I was running late for work and got scolded by one of the older ladies in my aerobics class. She did it nicely, but it irritated me. "We've been waiting for you," she exclaimed in her cheery voice. "Maybe if you had more than 5 visitor parking spots, it wouldn't be a problem," I thought to myself. After class, my keys went missing. I had planned to read Drea's blog during my 30-minute break between classes, but my phone was in my car and my keys were NO WHERE to be found. I searched and searched. I walked out to my car, which was parked far down the hill, and they weren't there either. "Bum!" I thought. I called my parents. Neither answered. "AAAAAGGGGHHHH," I groaned. Tears may have formed in my eyes a little bit, but I stayed strong. This is not the first time my keys have run away from me. I decided to check with the receptionist. Low and behold, someone had seen them on the floor in the kitchen when I picked up the water for class and turned them in. Praise Jesus!

I went to my next job later and was just stressed and unhappy all day. "Snap out of it," I thought, but everything seemed to be irritating me. I think I missed my parents a little too much. Circuit class went well though with five new people. Then I went up to my office and the tears came. I sat and I sobbed. Mavel came up and comforted me. Sophia made three. Doug came to give me a hug. Supportive friends are awesome! I really had nothing to cry about, I just wanted to be frustrated. Then the text arrived. I'm not even going to tell you what the text said or who it was from, but it got me excited. All of a sudden, I had to change my class routine. Since I have my half marathon this weekend, I was going to have an easy class, but this text changed my mind. "Alright," I thought. "How hard can I kick these people's butts?"

Class was so fun! I had twenty participants and they all had a good time! Not one person completed every single workout without having to take a break. Even Oliver, Jameisha and Austen, who have perfect form and are athletes, were struggling. Take that, Wednesday!!

After class, Sarah, Sophia and I grabbed dinner then I went home and talked to Steven for over an hour. I miss that kid so much! Steven, come home!!!

Thursday made up for Wednesday 100% and more! It was a fantastic day. I taught a 6AM and 7AM class for Bob then went to meet my first client at 8:15 at my next job. I was dreading teaching aqua aerobics, but it was actually really fun. It was a smaller class and everyone paid attention. Instead of the usual structure I follow, I switched it up a bit and class flew by! Next thing I knew, I was in the locker room changing and women were coming up telling me how they love that I'm always changing things and challenging them. It was very encouraging.

I went out to see my next client then taught cycle. Thursday's cycle class is my favorite! They are always ready to be pushed and challenged to the limits! Some of my morning usuals and a Monday participant came to the class because they wanted to take more of my classes. My class was filled. The Monday evening woman said, "I am so sore from standing on Monday! Please don't make us do that again!" I said I would make it easy since I have my event this weekend, but Barry looked over and said, "Easy?! Excuse me, what's your name again?" He's right... I don't have an easy button... So I just made it aggressive.  It was one of the best classes I've taught. At the end, I made everyone who hadn't finished their water do ten push-up holds. And they LOVED it!

Before running to my next job, I had an hour, so I swam. I gave up 45 minutes into it though because my shoulder was hurting. "If you listen to your body whisper, you'll never have to hear it scream." -Author Unknown. Me stopping when I'm hurt? I know... that doesn't happen. But I knew I needed to back off or else I wouldn't be able to swim for a couple of weeks. I can barely lift my arm at the moment.

From the pool, I drove out to the track to meet Dani and Richard. We did a 5-mile easy run then barefoot hill sprints with easy recoveries for an hour. After pushing them, I met up with Sophia and did a quick, light 25-minute run. Afterwards, I grabbed a smoothie and met up with Jameisha for the first Tri Club meeting of the year. It was great to hear the athlete's stories of Ironman successes and how much hiring a coach helped them. I'm tempted to hire a coach for my ultra-marathon and Ironman if I do them.

Perfect evening for an easy run.

After the meeting, I drove out to Evan's and saw his new apartment. Dang, that boy is clean! His apartment is so stylish. It looks like a page out of an interior designing catalog. He makes me so jealous! I wish I could be neat and tidy and clever like him. Evan is just the coolest guy. I am so grateful for his friendship. His mom was in one of my fitness classes and I fell in love with her immediately. As soon as I met her, I wanted to be like her when I grew up. Then I started training her daughter for soccer and fell in love with her. There was this adorable boy who I used to check into the gym when I worked front desk. When I found out it was Judy's son, I wasn't surprised. Of course the cutest boy I had ever seen is the son of the sweetest woman I have ever met. So we became fast friends and I adore that family. I would like to believe I'm actually a part of their family. I mean, I spent Thanksgiving with them. I'm pretty much the adopted daughter, right? And I'm meeting with Judy today for a lovely walk. Can't wait!

This morning, I had Drea's strength class. It was hard to get out of bed this morning, so I was a little late, but it still kicked my butt. I decided since I was so far north, I might as well go walk on the bluffs and spend some time with God. When I got back on the freeway to go to work though, I got stuck in traffic. Ugh. But class was great and I got to hang out with Sarah and life is so good. I am so tired and my body is hurting, but I could not be more excited for this weekend with Sophia and Weston! Let's go dominate, kids!

Not At The Kid's Table Anymore

Traditions are an important part of life. In my family, we hold several traditions. One of these occurs at every family gathering and holiday. My cousins refer to this tradition as "sitting at the Kid's Table". My grandparents on my dad's side have 12 grandchildren. My aunt's kids are in their late 20's/early 30's and the rest of us are 24-years-of-age and younger. Because our family is so big, we set up multiple tables at family gatherings; there is the kid's table and the grown-up table. Even when these two tables are pushed together or when there are only four cousins present, we still huddle at "the Kid's Table". This last Christmas, there were three tables. One for the great-grandchildren and my older cousins, one for the adults and one for my cousins. We could easily mix it up, but we don't. Mixing it up would mean challenging ourselves to be more mature, more adult-like or taking it down to our adolescent years. Even though my cousin Rynny is pregnant and my cousin Jack Coleman brought his fiance, we all still sat at the kids table and we agreed this Christmas that we will always stay at the kid's table, even after we all grow up.

This morning I started Drea's Running Strong clinic. I teach Pilatess and strength classes on a regular basis. In fact, I teach 36 classes a week; however, I was nowhere near prepared for what Drea had in store for me. Let me tell you, folks, I was no longer at the Kid's Table. She had taken me up a notch. I knew my hips were weak, but I didn't know the strength they were capable of this morning. Every moment of the class challenged me and pushed my hips to their limits, but I loved every minute of it. As I looked around the room, I felt like one of the weakest runners in the room, but I was there and I was going to give it my all. I left feeling invigorated. So stoked on life right now!

As far as running goes, I have been taking a break since Tuesday. Instead of running, I reacquainted myself with the elliptical. In high school, I loved the elliptical. In college, I studied on the elliptical. At work, I set the record for best woman on the elliptical. As soon as I set that challenge, I stopped doing the elliptical. I fell in love with running, so the elliptical went on the back burner. Spending time on it this week, that passion I once felt did not come back. I tried to entertain myself by listening to music. I started with bands like Three Days Grace and Theory of a Deadman, bands with hardcore, I'm going to conquer and succeed albums. I got bored after 30-minutes and on came the country. "Country girl, shake it for me, girl, shake it for me, girl, shake it for me," played in my ear buds for 45-minutes. Later that night, Josh Tuner's Why Don't We Just Dance came on my playlist during my Pure Awesomeness class. One of the surfer guys asked me if that really got me going and I said, without shame, that yes, in fact, it did. It's just not the same on a treadmill as it is on the open road though.

During my 50-minute elliptical session yesterday, I decided to watch a couple of episodes of How I Met Your Mother. Even Ted Mosby's search for the perfect wife didn't entertain me enough to convince myself I was having a good time. Two-minutes aggressive pace, three-minutes moderate... is it over yet?

But bike class was great, tri club went well. All in all, it's been a good week. It's been an easy week. Now that I'm writing about it, I'm looking back and thinking, "Wow... I slacked this week." Next week is my rest and test week. I guess we will see if I improved from taking a break or if my times go down. For now, I'll go teach my Pilates, grab lunch with the boyfriend, do a 2-hour speed and force bike ride, teach three circuit classes, train Richard and get some sleep. Here comes the weekend!