Drunk on Running

While out running, we runners (I can't believe I can call myself that!) lose all inhibition.... I blame the endorphins. It's like being drunk... we suddenly aren't embarassed to pee in public, spit, puke, wipe snot on our sleeve... or like I did today on my heat training run, use a broken landscaping sprinkler to completely drench oneself. Today I experienced all of the above except peeing in public... which I'm sure with all the hydrating that's needed for heat training, peeing in public is soon to follow.

I'm planning on running the Running With The Devil Half Marathon which is held at the end of June in the Las Vegas heat.

Taken from the calicoracing.com website:
Most race organizers go to great lengths to ensure their races are held in ideal running conditions; 40 degrees, light breeze, overcast. Many aim to make their courses flat and fast, or even downhill to facilitate runners to smash their PR. Not this one! Held in summer in the middle of the day thru the dry Mojave Desert, athletes will be challenged to contend with extreme heat and unrelenting rolling hills as they traverse this spectacularly scenic course.

My training scheule looks like the following:

Sunday: long run - with long runs I'm working more on time than pace. From that I will determine what my pace is for running in the heat and then come up with a goal time for race day.

Monday: Power90 3-4 Sculpt, sauna session (20-45 minutes, depending on the week of training)

Tuesday: short run

Wednesday: Power90 3-4 Sculpt, sauna session (20-45 minutes, depending on the week of training)

Thursday: short run

Friday: Power90 3-4 Sculpt, sauna session (20-45 minutes, depending on the week of training)

Saturday: rest


My main goals are to strengthen and get adjusted to being in the heat. All my runs will be in long sleeves/layered clothing and with my new Camelbak Charm



Between all this, my son's soccer season in full swing, work, Beachbody, my other son's boxing and training with Ricky for our next triathlon.... I have no idea when I'll blog again! But I prmise to try to kee you all updated as much as possible ♥

What's up with everyone else??
Hubby's on like week 3 of Power90! I'm so proud and excited!

Rick just did his first kids triathlon today!! He did a great job. And on Saturday his soccer team played game #5 of the season and are still undefeated! Cool tidbit - There's another triathlon family on our soccer team!

Christian's boxing school is moving so we're on a bit of a break from that but hopefully that move goes quickly and we can get back asap. Today he showed such an interest in the kids triathlon, so I maybe he'll do one in July.

Kai is still just awesome.

Shakeology Cleanse - Day 3

Well.... uh yeah it's been a few days since Shakeology Cleanse DAY 3...

I've been done Day 3 for over a week now. But the same week as the cleanse, hubby's schedule changed, I went back to my old job, and my oldest son's been on Spring Break this whole week. So it's been VERY crazy busy around here. I apologize for taking so long to update!

DAY 3:
I was MUCH less hungry this day than any other day. In fact, I found it hard to get 3 shakes, 2 teas and my huge salad in. It was a struggle and I had to drink my shake with my salad at dinner time so I could get it in before bed. I was wiped out from the whole week's events. It had just been such an emotionally exhausting week with all the changes and the cleanse.

My digestive system was back to normal and better on Day 3 and ever since.

Life After the Cleanse
I find myself only wanting 3 Shakeology shakes and a salad everyday! It's so simple and healthy that I drift towards wanting to go back to the "cleanse" style of life. However, I haven't done it. I need my Shakeology bag to last me the whole month!

Ever since the Shakeology cleanse and now doing one Shakeology shake a day, I haven't felt bloated or nauseous. I've had more energy and feel truely cleansed. Fresh, clean, energetic, light... I also have lost a total of 5 pounds since Cleanse week. I was 125, I'm now down to 120 and have stayed there. I also lost inches and bodyfat % but I don't have the numbers on-hand.

Exercise - I've hardly been running, just 5 miles here and there. I miss it but haven't been cranky about it because I've also been biking and doing P90X or Power90. And as far as P90X goes, it was just very time consuming for my life. Our schedules change so often that 90 days of P90X is a lot on me. I made it through 30 days and have really felt the difference in my strength. I also believe it had so much to do with my better 1/2 marathon race at Red Rock. The core work is unbelievable!

Hubby and I have now decided that Power90 is more up our alley and we can do it together. It fits both our schedules and is meant to get you worked out and showered in less than an hour.

I've also been having a lot of fun with random TurboJam and Hip Hop Abs workouts. Hip Hop Abs Hips, Buns and Thighs is an awesome workout!! I looooove the leg lifts at the end.

I signed up for the Las Vegas Triathlon Club and have at least 3 triathlons to do this year. My next 1/2 marathon is April 11, 2010. Then I'm doing the 5k Running From A Devil race at the end of June. I'm hoping I can get a PR there and maybe... i dunno... maybe place in top 3... maybe. We'll see if I have time to speed train. I think I will since it's such a low distance and I'm naturally faster in my VFFs.

Immediately after posting this, I left the computer for the day and felt horrible that I didn't mention more about the LVTC (las vegas triathon club) - we signed up as a family! For one price we signed up 4 people... and that means that if hubby decides to do his first one this year - he can! And also... MY SON! Finally my oldest (7 years old) will be doing his first kids' triathlon on May 16th!! The same day as I do my first one for this season. I'm so so so excited for him!!! I bought him some awesome kids swimmers goggles and we've been riding bikes & running together. He's a fish in the water so it'll be pretty easy for him, but we're also going to hit the pool a few times beforehand. He's going to do GREAT!

Shakeology Cleanse - Day 2

Yesterday was a little rough. I was very irritable, but hubby and I both agree it was mostly due to the busy day. I really really dislike being too busy and overscheduled.

Today has been interesting so far. I decided that I would weigh an measure everyday's progress so that I can see if one day has more effect on me than another day and then compare that with my notes for the day and how I felt, how much water I drank, did I have more fruit, etc, etc.

My stats so far:

DAY 1
weight: 124.8 lbs
waist: 29
abdomen: 36.25

Total food counts for DAY 1:
783 calories
86.5g protein
89.5g carbs
9.5g fats
(however, I must note that I don't have calulations for some of the veggies I had in my salad OR for the olive oil I used when cooking the asparagus that I added to my plate for dinner) But those won't change the numbers too much anyway.

DAY 2
weight: 122 lbs
waist: 28
abdomen: 35.5



For a second I thought... "maybe it's dehydration" because to be really too honest, I haven't many BMs. In my opinion, not enough to equal those amounts of loss. And I didn't exercise yesterday. I was so worn out from the business of the day that I had nothing left to give. Howevr, I had 104 ounces of water yesterday! So it can't be dehydration.

Today, I'm definitely going through withdraw of food and calories. I'm feeling fatigued and somewhat bloated. Whatever my husband is cooking up for lunch for the kids smells AMAZING! (It must seem like he's always the one making them their meals... I swear I do make them food too!) We're a great team ♥

I'm starving right now. Nauseously hungry. I want to go for a run - 5 miles - but I'm not sure I'd feel better or worse afterwards. Right now, I want to break the cleanse SO bad. I shall be back later to update....

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3pm
Ok it's later! I decided to throw 2 tsp crunchy peanut butter and a banana into my Lunch Shake (instead of the mixed fruit or having it plain). THAT HIT THE SPOT! Even my hubby and kids were begging for more. It tasted SO good! I instantly felt energized and focused. When I was done, I went for a run - 5 miles! I feel AWESOME and I'm no longer counting the hours until dinner. I feel full and satisfied.

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6pm
Dinner was much different today than yesterday. I wasn't starving by dinner time and and feeling much more satisfied afterwards. I didn't eat too differently though, so it's probably due to eating a hartier lunchtime Shake and going for the run. I'm less hungry when I exercise. This feeling of contentment was appreciated after being so hungry earlier.

I added a few items today -
2 tsp Peanut Butter, 1(5oz) can of Tuna, and a banana.



Instead of Salmon, I used tuna on my salad tonight. I also added about 1.5 cup of cooked zucchini.

Baby Spring Mix, 5oz Tuna, 3 cherry tomatoes, onion,
Raspberry Vinegarette

For today, I still need 80oz of water, 1 cup of green tea, 1 Shake.

Shakeology Cleanse - Day 1

I went to bed last night SO excited and feeling ubber prepared... then I hit the alarm clock off 3 times and well we all know what happens when we do that! It just throws our whole day off.

The fam and I had lots of errands to run today and my oldest had school. He ended up being a little late (bad mommy!). So while I got dressed and quickly took my weight & measurements, Hubby threw on the teapot and start boiling water for the Green Tea and fed the kids breakfast (he's such a great daddy!). Then I blended up my Greenberry Shakeology and off we went! I basically consumed both as one meal - Green Tea first and then the Shake.

We were out soooooo much longer than expected today. In fact, it was time to pick up our oldest by the time we headed back home! And I still had another store to go to! So we go pick him up, come home, drop off hubby and the 2 other kiddos, I blend my second Shake, and then my oldest and I head back out to the store to pick up salad for moi, steak for hubby and pay a bill. If nothing else, Shakeology has been really convenient!

Now here I am... finally getting a moment to sit down and relish in all the wonderful things that happened today. It was one heck of a great Godly day!

I also wanted to come on here and give a list of the exact products I'm using for this Shakeology Cleanse...



Greenberry Shakeology
Tea: Liptons Naturally Decaf Green Tea
Fruit: Sunrise Growers frozen fruit mix (pineapple, strawberry, peach, red grape)
Lean Meat: Wild Salmon Fillets, frozen and individually vacuum packed
Salad: Private Selection Organic Baby Spring Mix
Dressing: Annie's Natural Raspberry Vinegarette
Water: my goal is at least 100 ounces (preferably 124 oz) per day


As for how I feel today... I'm not hungry at all, just munchy-hungry. I am looking forward to dinner so I can bite into something. But this is habit more than anything because my stomach is content and full. Something interesting is how much I've had to pee! I usually can drink A LOT before having to, but within a half hour of my morning green tea and shake I REALLY had to go! Like really really. LOL

I still have a salmon salad for dinner, another Shake and a cup of green tea to consume before bedtime.

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6pm
My grilled Salmon salad! (I also added 4 spears of asparagus after I took the pic)

Baby Spring Mix, Wild Salmon, 3 cherry tomoatoes, 1 cutie, onion,
Raspberry Vinegarette

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And off topic but SO exciting - my oldest son brought home his progress report - STRAIGHT A's!!! I'm so proud of him. Not just because they're straight A's, but because he's showing effort. If you've kept up with me on him and school, you'd know that we were homeschooling but when we gave traditional school a try they made him go back and repeat a grade that he already COMPLETELY passed with excellence. VERY frustrating for me, and I'm sure for him although he is more delighted in making new friends that he doesn't really care. However, this means more work for him, because in only 2 months he finished the 1st grade Math book they gave him his first day. So he comes home and does 2nd grade work to bring into the teacher. He loves learning so he is doing just absolutely amazing. His writing was a B. It's his least strong area. But even a B is great for a struggling subject! He decided he wanted to challenge himself for an A-Honoroll pin for his lanyard.... and wouldn't ya know! He brings home this progress report with all A's. So most of all, I'm proud that he made a goal, worked hard towards it, and achieved it.

God and I have been really in sync lately... it's been easy times and I'm VERY grateful and thankful for these down times. It's a great opportunity to take in all that is peaceful and calm. I'm feeling very clear and in touch with the Lord. It feels really good.

Have a great night everyone ♥

Cleansing... counting the hours!

In about 36 hours I'll be starting a 3-day Shakeology Cleanse! The Shakeology Cleanse is meant to jump start you in your fitness, break a plateau or shred pounds fast & effectively in a healthy way. The key is caloric efficiency; getting the most nutrients possible out of the fewest number of calories.

Here's how it goes:

3 SHAKEOLOGY Shakes a day (blended with water and ice)
2 Cups of Green Tea a Day (Triple Leaf Detox Tea is good choice)
1-3 piece of fruit a day* (Apple, pear, orange, banana, mango, berries, etc)
1 salad for dinner (lettuce, veggies, lean protein)
– 4 oz lean protein in salad** (WHITE poultry or fish)
– Only Low Fat Dressings

NO: Dairy (no almond, soy, or rice milk) or extra sugars. If it’s not on the list, don’t eat it!

*Optional – up to 3 pieces of fruit. This is for people who are in fairly good condition without too much weight to lose and may need the extra calories to power their workouts.

**If you are not a meat eater you can substitute meat for beans, just be sure to add enough beans. The only other food requirement is to have two tbs of a healthy oil like olive oil with your salad dressing. It's essential that you have your healthy fats everyday, even when you are in a cleanse.

Before you begin, weigh and take measurements. Measure around your midsection - 2 inches below your belly button and 2 inches above. This will give you a good comparison area for your lower abdomen and your waist.

Results are going to vary - so don't go heading off into cyberspace world and read about people who have gotten 10-pound loses or lost 10 inches off their midsection, and expect to get the same results. Weightloss and inch-loss will depend on your current health condition when you begin the cleanse, but what you can bank on is that you'll come out of this cleanse healthier than you were before you began!

So.. Monday morning it all begins! I hope you'll join me if you have Shakeology! If you don't, click on any Shakeology link in this post and you can order right from my Shakeology page! I'll be journaling and blog posting about each day, so check back!

Now I just have to finish off the girl scout cookies before Monday or else.... Anyone want to help with this task?

P90X... VFF Style

There's P90X... and then there's P90X Vibram Five Fingers style! Because it forces me to practice balance and use more muscles in my feet and legs, I am getting SUCH a better workout.

Today I made up a missed Core Cynergisitcs from Monday, Shoulders & Arms, then went for a 4 mile run. My running is getting crazy awesome! I'm staying within the 9-min mile range consistently. My legs are extremely less tired. I chaulk all this up to the combination of P90X and VFFs. I'm getting stronger while improving my form and lightening the load. What isn't helping... Girl Scout cookies. Those don't make you faster or lighter. So.. someone come take the rest of mine away!

Tonight I'll do Ab RipperX and call it a day!

On another note.... A few weeks ago, my husband started running. He still hasn't found the love for it like I have, but he's giving it all he has! He's improved SO much! I'm watching him go through the same steps I did last year and it's really humbling for me. I'm so proud of him, and he feels great. Sadly, only a few weeks away from completing the 8-week Hal Higdon plan I gave him to use, he had an incident at work and fractured his kneecap =( He's definitely out of running for a long time. Tonight, we're cleaning up dinner and he says "I want to put on my new shoes and go for a run! I need to get out and do something." HA!! I'm wearing him down! But it really sucks he can't go out and do it. I can only imagine what that would be like... Lots of prayers for him please.


Oh and my Shakeology shipment arrived today!! Oh I love it when a Shakeology/Beachbody package shows up!

And let me say - I'm not trying to SELL anyone anything. I'm just telling it like it is. You WON'T find another nutrient rich and filling shake that tastes amazing like Shakeology. And if you choose Shakeology is something you want to try - really really consider becoming a coach because you SAVE $15 a month by being a Beachbody coach. No catch, no lies, no hidden agenda. It's just that Beachbody coaches get 25% off everything and even with my website fee ($14.95/month), by getting $30 off Shakeology (the 25% off), I SAVE $15. So... like I said, I'm just telling it like it is.

I'm waiting 6 days and then doing a 3-Day Shakeology Cleanse. I'll write more about that later!

Alright... it's family game time. Peace out.

Red Rock Report and VFFs

Official times are in for the Red Rock Half Marathon I did on March 6, 2010!

So to be honest, Angel left me not really wanting to do another one. It was really rough and I was very sore afterwards. I got a few tips on hydration and electrolytes. As I've said before, I'm a minimalist and I didn't want to take anything but water in. I got advice on at least giving something like hammer gel a try. So I started adding it into my training and found it worked really well. I don't get jittery from it and I seem to have much better recovery with energy and my muscles.

Well, after all the shoe issues I was feeling like a debbie downer about the Red Rock race. But it was the one I looked forward to in all this and the race that began the journey of 4 halfs this year. I had to do it... I stood at the start line at 7am with my arms tucked in my shirt until she started counting down 3,2,1...GO! Until she said GO, I didn't even know if I was going to run this thing. But she said go and out my arms came like a turtle from it's shell and I shot off. I placed myself differently in the crowd this time compared to Angel. With Angel, I stood in the back knowing I'd be slow. This time, I didn't want to be left as the last in the pack and decided the fast guys could go around me. I stood up near the front.

I was praying my heart out the whole way there, while on the bus and at the start line. I needed motivation and confidence sparked in me! And this race was totally a Lord's race!

I felt strong right from the start. I didn't get that fatigue and struggle in the first 1-2 miles. Before I knew it, I was at mile 2 and still feeling good. The race this year went backwards from the exit of the 13-mile scenic loop, up to the visitor's center, with a little out-and-back on a dirt road to make up the total 13.1 distance. This was actually much easier in my opinion! Although an uphill climb from the start, it allowed the rolling hills to come later.

I was running in the old shoes, and knee started hurting just a tad at mile 5-point-something... so at that Ultra aid station I grabbed an Asprin, water, some gummi bears and ate an apple cinnamon hammer gel. I ate another gel around mile 10. I probably didn't need this, but I think I took it out of habit... it was in my hand and I needed something tasty but didn't want food.

I was struggling as we hit the first steep rolling hills, around mile 6. As a bunch of us walked up this hill, me and another girl struck up conversation... we ended up running the rest of the race together! Another 7 miles with a stranger made this the best race ever!! We seemed to have the same speed and threshold for hills. We were on the same page of 'walk to that sign and then start running". She was motivated and energetic, yet steady and realistic in that we just had to walk sometimes. It was a really wonderful experience :o)

Our official time 2:34 - 16 minutes faster than Angel in January! That's really good considering this was a much tougher hilly course. I really do chaulk that up to having a great running partner and the Lord's timing!

The next day, I went out running in my VFFs and felt great! 3 miles. And as I mentioned before, the only issue was the beginning of a blister that is supposedly something normal. I put a bandaid over it and have used nothing but my VFFs since then to run in - with no problems! I run faster and more efficiently in them. Other than some very slight soft calf soreness, I haven't felt any other pain like I did in sneakers. I'm really excited about the easy transition! I am really surprised at the pace change. I guess without the extra weight on my legs, I'm able to move my feet quicker. Also, uphill running is much easier and less straining on my thighs. I feel like I fly uphill now! I've been doing P90X in them and have run 2 more times in them this week.

I suspect my easy transition might have to do with being somewhat of a self-proclaimed hippie at heart already. I'm usually wearing sandals, flip flops or going barefoot. Hey I live in the desert - it's a perk of living here!

I decided I'm going for the Lovell Canyon Half as #3. And I will be wearing my VFFs. I have less than a month left. I heard the hill is awful, so me and the fam went to check it out. I can see why it's hard, it is a striaght upward grade for the first 4.2 miles... however it does seem somewhat of a soft uphill like the first 5 miles of Red Rock.. so I really do think I can do it. Especially considering it's a turn-around race, so the last 4.2 miles are a soft DOWNhill.