Running around Christmas...

...sucks. :)

But, Merry Christmas to you! Or, if you aren't a Christmas-y person, "Happy Holidays!" or better yet, "Happy Birthday!" (the last quote being that of Frosty the Snowman).

I enjoyed a lovely Christmas day with the family (crazy as they are) and started it out with a lovely 4 mile run (sort of) yesterday, Christmas Eve, where I wussed out and didn't do the full 8 miles that I told myself that I was going to do. Running laps around a track is oh-so-not interesting. Especially when it is bitterly cold outside and you just want to go home and sleep in where you know your hubs, daughter, dogs, and even the cat are all snuggled in bed where visions of sugarplums dance in their heads.

Ugh. What was I thinking? Oh yeah, I remember now. Feb 1. My goal is Feb 1. 13.1 miles. In the snow. Uphill. Both ways!

Ha ha ha. Here's to you and yours and hoping that you find snuggly warm goodness during this time of year. Wish me luck on Saturday. :)

8 Mile

As I was running today, I was trying to think of a clever title for this entry because it is the latest milestone for me: 8 miles! I didn't really blog about earlier distances largely in part because I was obsessing over trying to not be injured and to complete my fundraising.

Now that those two topics are partially behind me, I just wanted to share that I actually completed the distance that Coach Kris pushed me into (I was trying for just 6 today!) but at a small price. A little hot spot that developed in my right arch at around mile 5. I'm wondering, "Is it my sock? Is it my shoe?" Either way, what a PITA (normally referrring to my "Pain In The Ass" phrase - also the nickname that we use for Miss K when she's being especially ornery - but for this instance, probably more appropriate to say "Arch" instead).

But back to my original train of thought: The title for this entry. I chose it because it referenced my accomplishment today...NOT the Eminem movie that came out in 2002 (for all of you Marshall Mather's fans out there). And a quick nod to the folks who picked the trail we trained on. It was absolutely gorgeous. I can tell you that I would have rather been walking the trail with a digital SLR and going nuts with nature pics than doing my run/walk...I mean, who wouldn't? The steam coming off a moist fallen tree as the sun peaked through, the stillness of the water creating a magical mirror of greenery, the tragic body of a small dead mouse (ick!) that I had to step over...hey, it couldn't all be sunshine and roses, right? Ha ha ha. Sorry. :)

To compensate for my last comment, here's a few pictures of the trail courtesy of the San Mateo County Parks Dept website and Bay Area Hiker that shows off the beauty of this trail:

Nutrition, Hydration, and Clothing - Oh My!

Wow - there is so much to consider when you're preparing for a marathon...even a half marathon! Last night at the Weekly Tuesday Night Clinic, there was an After-Clinic Round Table (with pizza - yum) where coaches and runners gathered together to talk about what to do before, during and after. The hard part is deciphering what makes sense for you as, with everything in life, it needs to be tailored to fit with your body. What you like.

What do I mean? Well...all along they've been telling us. On the Saturday long runs, you need to experiment with hydration. Try different sports drinks. Try combinations of water & electrolyte drinks to see what you like and don't like. For example, last night, I came to the realization that I don't like Fruit Punch Gatorade when I run. It is too sweet. My stomach had issues with it. Now, it could very well be that my tummy was upset because I hadn't eaten a good dinner, but that is another thing! What to eat the morning of a run. What to wear. Knowing how your bowel movements work (sorry, TMI). Do you carry a hydration belt or a CamelBak? Experimentation, experimentation, experimentation.

But here is the question du jour: When do you know when you've got the right combination?

I leave you with this (only because it just popped into my head):

Marathon Love

At first when I read the subject line in my email inbox from Discovery Health of "Marathon Love", I thought it was going to be something about people who love to run marathons. My initial thought was "How timely!" Followed quickly by, "Hmm...I wonder how did they know that I'm training for a half? Are there spies somewhere that I don't know about?" (Ha ha - paranoia always keeps people on their toes!)

But it isn't just a story about people who love to run. It is about someone who loves someone so deeply, defied all odds and brings it all to a head with the Boston Marathon. Here is the trailer to the special that Discovery Health is showing on December 14th.

WARNING: It made me cry (but then again, I'm an emotional person so take that thought with a grain of salt). :)

Fun and Fancy Free

Tuesday night's clinic involved hills. Lots of hills. Actually, it wasn't so bad only because I didn't run dem dar hills. The coaches advised that if you have a knee issue, to stay on the track instead. Where it is nice and flat. NICE AND FLAT. Those are my kind of words. :)

But I have to admit that I sort of missed not being part of the "in crowd". Granted, I know I shouldn't push myself but there is that little gnome inside of me (I know, a gnome of all things. Not like a cute little fairy or even a fierce bobcat.) that wants me to to be magically at the ability to run the 13.1 miles today and without any issues. To be able to do all of the things that the coaches expect of us. Never you mind that there are minor problems to deal with which could escalate into bigger problems if I'm not careful. Oh no....I have to do it.

So, I dedicate this entry to the idea of being "Fun and Fancy Free". To try and relax, know that it will come in time. And to recognize that time does heal all and I'm one of the lucky ones who actually has time to do this again. And again...and again...and again....

Who put the cookie in the Cookie Jar?

I DID!

Ha ha ha. Can I just tell you how cool the "cookie mix in a jar" concept is for fundraising? They sell so nicely and people just love them. What an excellent excellent excellent idea! Not only are they super easy to make (Thank you, Costco!) but they are delicious and super cute. I'm bummed that I didn't take a picture of the 12 11 (one broke) that I made last week, but I have to do more so I promise to take one this week.

I'm hoping to sell lots of these over the next couple of weeks. Fingers crossed and let's get that thermometer to burst by the end of this month! :)

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/sfhalf09/cfradenburg

Clever is as Clever does

Finding something clever to talk about can actually be a daunting task! Crazy as it sounds, but I was actually sitting here thinking that I really needed to write an update as I haven't yet for this month. And, these blogs love to categorize themselves by month. Yes, I know what you're thinking. "Christine, are you giving a blog anthopomorphic qualities?" The answer is "Yes. And, don't you love how I threw in a really big word and even used it in a somewhat proper manner?"

On to my update! The beginning of December is showing lots of changes. Changes in the weather (much much much colder for Tuesday night track! This past Tuesday, CYN needed 3 jackets to stay warm. Was I envious? Heck ya.) and changes to my training. I completed the latest Tuesday clinic where they did a time trial. Run a 5k around the track and we'll see how fast you do it. Then they had us input the time into a chart to see how long it will take us to run various events. According to them, I can finish the 1/2 marathon in a little under 3.5 hours. And that was with a gimpy knee and everything. See below for my nifty chart.

What I'm laughing about is whether or not I can stay under the Disneyland Half-Marathon required pace of a 16:00 mile (my goal for after the SF 1/2). I'm at about 12:00 right now so does that mean I have 4 minutes of wiggle room? Or, is it wiggle run? Ha ha ha. We'll just have to wait and see.