Fundraising Events! Come Join Me!

Have I got some news for you! Other than the extra special treat of TWO entries in ONE day...yes, folks, I'm actually writing TWO entries.

("Two...two...two Blobbies lost in the lobby. Betty and Bobby Blobbie...." Sorry, I've been watching Sesame Street with Miss K and things like this get stuck in my head. You have to admit that repetition is really effective for learning.)

Please come join me for two (technically three) fun fun fun FUNdraising events!

Saturday, December 13th & Saturday, December 20th
Visit Orange Julius at Westgate Mall in San Jose any time during regular mall hours (10AM to 10PM) and Orange Julius will donate a portion of the sales for the day to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Orange Julius is located inside of the mall near Target across from Party City and Hancock Fabrics.


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Wednesday, December 17th
Grab the family, grab some friends and head on over to Chevy's Fresh Mex (also near Westgate Mall in San Jose) for dinner. Take one of our fliers (http://iansagabaen.com/media/chevys_flyer.pdf) with you and 25% of your meal will be donated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This special event is for one night only from 5-9PM and only at this location. (Excludes alcoholic beverages, sorry!!)

Chevy's is located outside of Westgate Mall on the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Atherton Avenue.


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Things to be thankful for

I realized that I haven't written in a while and wanted to give a quick update to what was going on. While I enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving feast (and hope that you did as well), I've been resting my body and trying to stretch and heal. My knee that I had complained about earlier decided that it was not going to cooperate and give me trouble for about a week and a half now. As in my earlier post (The Art of Resting), I had concluded that you have to listen to your body or else you'll pay for it later.

So here I am, resting and feeling, I have to admit, restless. Like really restless. I feel like I haven't been able to progress like I would have preferred. Ugh. But, sticking to the schedule is what I must do and Monday will be an opportunity for me to get back into things. I can't believe that I'm actually looking forward to cross training. The elliptical machine is actually calling me, "Chrriisssttinnee....come train on meeeee." (OK - that was a little creepy, but have you *really* ever thought about what an elliptical machine sounds like?)

So in the meantime, I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving and I'm thankful that I haven't hurt myself to the point of NOT being able to recover. My knee is feeling much better and I'm on my way back into the swing of things. I realized that I have another post to make so 2 in one day just for your reading pleasure. Hooray!

Making a difference

"Follow your dreams. Don't let anything stop you."
- Brenden Foster (1997-2008)

The Art of Resting

Who knew that resting your body was actually an art? I thought it was all science, but it turns out it is an art. Yes, I know that there definitely are elements of science involved - from taking the days off before and after a long run so your body can recover, but here is where I figured out the "art" to come in...

It is when you aren't able to do the long run
that you had originally scheduled.

GASP! Can you believe it? I know! Me neither! My TNT friend and I were in Seattle this weekend being silly teenagers in 30-something-year-old-bodies and so we weren't able to do the long run scheduled for Saturday. My first inclination was to get up and run in the Seattle but have you been there in the winter? I mean, it is frickkin freezing there! (Sorry, Family Who Live There!) And besides, we had to be at a certain location by a certain time so we thought better of trying to squeeze it in.

Upon return to the "oh-I'm-so-glad-I-live-in-the-Bay-Area" Bay Area, I thought about trying to get my run in on Sunday. That became just a thought in the wind (a "not as cold as Seattle!" wind, I might add) as I had Miss K all to myself that day and it was a Mommy/Girley bonding day (and a "I-have-to-make-up-for-not-being-here-for-two-days" kind of day).

(By the way, what's up with me and these weird em-dash phrases? )

I'm happy to say that I'm sort of glad that I didn't try to make up the run as in today's Coach's update, they say to stick to the schedule (especially for beginners - that's me!) and don't try to make up days. Not only that but my knee is still bugging me from last Tuesday's clinic. I think my body is telling me to rest and rest I shall do! :)

Hey Mr. Crossing Guard Man...raise that sign for me...

I did it! I ran a 3/2 without cheating!
Well...sort of. I did have to take a small break when my knee felt like it was going to give out on me. :)

But seriously. I did my 4 mile loop around work - yes, kids, 4 freakin miles! - and set my watch to a 3/2 interval and (to quote Emeril), "BAM!" I did it. I realized, however, that I have to continue to push through the pain. Once I was able to recover, it make each 3-minute run set a little easier.

Since I haven't had a chance to put in any pretty graphics in a while, I thought I'd add this little number to commemorate the really nice crossing guard dude who saw me coming and actually stopped some cross street traffic for me so I didn't have to wait and jog in place on the curb.



And for all of those of you were wondering (seriously, people!)..."No. This is not an actual representation of Mr. Crossing Guard." I mean really...duh. :)

Soooo proud!!

I mean, c'mon. The thought of "being proud" just makes your chest puff up, your head raise just a little bit higher and your body just want to dance around. I have to dedicate this little entry to all of the events that have happened to me in the past week that has really evoked the feeling of great pride.

I'm proud of my friends in crime for doing this with me. I love that they're there and that they kicked a** on the track tonight. And for the crazy email threads that go around about what we're up to and how together we can do this.

I'm proud of my friends who can't be there physically but who have shown such love and support for what I'm doing. Don't worry -- I want to run another event (i.e. the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon) so I *will* get you to run with me!!

I'm proud of my family for being such a great crutch and believing in me. I know we all have crazy schedules, so I'm grateful for making adjustments and sacrifices to help me meet my goal.

I'm proud of myself for surviving the circuit training tonight and making a new friend (thank you, Other Kristine!) who may end up being a perfect running partner. I may end up sore tomorrow (must remember to stretch!) but I'm thrilled that I pushed through some of the pain barriers and kept at the circuit training for 45 minutes.

As the Little Train said, "I think I can. I think I can." And, to quote another friend (and she knows who she is), "That's rad."

(By the way, don't you love it when you write a word over and over again and it starts to read funny? Ha ha ha.)

The *FUN* in fundraising

I think the most nerve wracking thing about doing TNT is the obligation of raising money to participate. While I think that I can do it (sure! no problem!), I fully admit that there are moments of panic that bubble up and attack my insides -- turning my stomach into knots and my brain into mush.

Here's the goal that I have to reach: $2,000

I totally get that it is a lot of money and I feel horrible about asking people for donations considering the shape the economy is in and all. So I give my heartfelt thanks a million times over to all of those of you who have donated. I truly appreciate your giving spirit and I promise to do you proud by crossing the finish line. Oh yes...I *will* cross that finish line...hopefully upright. :)

"Wax On, Wax Off"

If anyone of you have lived through the 80's (hopefully, I'm not *that* old yet), you may remember that oh-so-famous movie starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, "Karate Kid".

...Ok - here is where I just have to digress because its fun. I totally admit that I was one of those girls who totally drooled over Ralph Macchio because I thought he was hot. As with anything in life, I have to look back and say, "What was I thinking?!?!?" And to make life even stranger, I played 'Let It Ride' in Vegas with Pat Morita when I was in college. And yes - I believe there is such a thing as 6 Degrees of Separation for Japanese people. Like how I met Kristy Yamaguchi before she became famous (and I have the picture to prove it!). Anywhoo....

The point of all of this is that we learned a technique in yesterday's clinic called the "Run/Walk" which I equate to Karate Kid's "Wax On, Wax Off" technique. Definitely tedious, slightly boring, but in the long run, helps you fend off mean nasty boys who train at the competing dojo and use their powers for evil instead of good. And when I say "long run", I really mean "L O N G R U N". Ha ha ha ha.

Well, through the powers that be, I wasn't able to do a 4/1 (4 minutes running, 1 minute walking) but I was able do something akin to a 3/2 and will definitely work my way up. Right now, I think I'm going to focus on getting to that elusive drink/snack station. Last week it was set up at the 1.5 mile marker (3 miles round trip). I did that this time, but it wasn't there! Apparently, they moved it out to the 2.25 mile marker. Sheesh.

At least my friend, SMNB, was able to enjoy the gummie bears and Skittles. :) Next time. Definitely next time.

Ok - And I thought *I* had it rough...

Amazing story - Thanks to DN for sharing!

The "Fly"-By Girls

Ha ha ha - I just completed a 3 mile loop around work and I have to share this story. I was speaking to some of my old Fly Friends about doing TNT as some of them had recently completed some races and were sharing tips with me about FUNdraising (Note: I put the FUN in fundraising as a reminder - as I grit my teeth - about how fun this should be...more on that to come...). I then took off to go out on my own since I couldn't do the Buddy Run today (kid obligations, you know).

As I'm on my way back to the office but who should do a FLY-by but some of the Fly girls! They were on their way to get a treat and offered me a ride. There are so many reasons why I should have joined them:

1. They were on their way to get fro-yo (YUM!)
2. I was hungry
3. There were only three of them so an extra seat was available - no worrying about squishing someone
4. My new shoes may be developing a hot spot in my right heel so I wasn't feeling the run
5. I was hungry
6. I'm a self-proclaimed Big Pansy - as Mr. J would affectionately say
7. Did I mention I was hungry?

It was oh so tempting to just hop into the car with them...but you know what? I didn't. :)

Thanks for the cheers, girls!

The Science Behind The Shoe

Tonight's clinic was all about the science behind the shoe. My mentor Heather actually summed it up the best: "If you ask me what my shoe size is, I have to ask you back, 'Which type of shoe are you talking about?'." (Ummmm - for you grammar freaks out there, I know what I just wrote isn't exactly "proper" but then again, are you really reading this for my ability to be grammatically correct?) I was amazingly fit with a 8.5 vs. my normal 7.5. Well, I don't think it was actually anything amazing because according to people who run a lot, it isn't uncommon to go up 1 to 2 shoe sizes based on if you have flat feet or a narrow heel or curled toes or whatever.

I will say this, however. Even though I felt like the forces were against me with all of the traffic and accidents on 101 and then racing down 280 to get to tonight's clinic at Running Revolution, this event is/was probably one of the most important ones that I could have gone to. Dealing with my ankles, knees, hips, lower back, etc...I totally get that it could all come down to my feet. Hence why Mr. J is always unhappy that I wear heels, but he's a boy. He doesn't get it. :) Anywhoo, here are my new-I'm-so-glad-that-I-went-to-the-clinic-and-got-these-oh-so-comfy-shoes shoes by Brooks (the Dyad 5):



















Now let's just hope that my running improves 1/2 as much as how much more comfortable my feet are in these shoes.

PS - Did you know a running shoe only has the life span of approx. 6 months if regularly used? I had no idea...

A little more than motivation

I wanted to dedicate a "bit o space" (that phrase always reminds me of "The Secret Garden" where Mary asks her uncle for a "bit o earth" but I digress) to tell you about the support that I'll be getting which is in the form of Team in Training.

What I love is that there are coaches, mentors and others who will help train you right. Not throw you to the wolves and expect you to run lots of miles without any sort of idea of what you're getting yourself into (hmmm...should this phrase have been "throw you to the wolves where they'll start to chase you"?). Any any rate, they have clinics, calendars and all sorts of tools to help you meet your goal. And my goal right now is to just finish the event. :)

There is one thing that is even more daunting than doing the race...that is raising the money to participate in the race. That means I need $2,000 from you. Yes you. You're reading this, aren't you? Stick 'em up - hand over that wallet of yours. Ha ha ha. I'm kidding about the $2k all at once, but yes, I do have to raise $2k by mid-Jan. So, if you are able to donate anything, I'd really appreciate it. Yes, really, really. Even $5 would be fantastic. And, if you work for a company that matches donations, that would be even cooler because your money would go twice as far. Have I mentioned that you look mah-veh-loos?

Ready to donate? Go to this website and have at it: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/sfhalf09/cfradenburg

OH MY GOSH

AHH! What have I gotten myself into? Actually, it isn't as scary as you might think but yes, I've signed up to run a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) in SF on February 1, 2009. Crazy as it may sound, I'm really very excited and thrilled to be doing this. Especially because I have such wonderful friends who will be joining me in this chapter of my life.

I've decided to start this particular blog to keep you updated to what I'm doing, how I'm doing and any other random thoughts that would seem random to most but because you're reading this, you already know me. :)