Garmin Fail. Asthma flare-up?

Hello Dear Reader,

This morning, my contacts were not completely in focus when I thought that I'd started my Garmin. It was only towards the end of my run that I realized that my distance and time weren't being charted. Bummer, cause I took a zig zag course this morning...which included a really steep hill.

Don't worry! Tomorrow, both my Garmin and contacts will be on point. And speaking of my little run...which I'm guessing was about 7km...for some reason, it was a bit tough. I'm not that out of shape, but that big hill thrown in there took the wind out of me. Something I've also noticed during my runs this week, is that I'm finding it challenging getting into a steady breathing pattern. It almost feels as if I'm breathless when I know I shouldn't be...and always having to clear my lungs with a cough. Sounds like a little asthma flare-up to me! Perhaps it's the early morning smog (I'm running later in the morning, after all of the traffic hits the city because it's not yet light enough to run at 5am) and the cold air. Not really sure of the cause, but I really need to step up my adherence to my allergy/asthma meds, and I'll start bringing my mental hospital-white inhaler along on my runs.

You want to know what though? Irrespective of my contact/Garmin fail and my TB cough, it still felt so good to get out there and run! For me, as long as I'm getting back into my habit-forming love for running, I'd say today was a BIG SCORE!

On another note, it seems as if all is calm on the western front, as it seems that the political situation has calmed down a bit. There were early morning workers headed to work, the taxis were once again racing up and down the street picking up fairs, and there was a 'let's get back to work' energy in the air. After seeing the first 3 taxis raced by, I smiled and said to myself, 'Life continues...and so will I!"

Tomorrow, me, my asthma +inhaler, Garmin, and jazzy iPod will be out on the roads of Maseru...pounding some pavement!

Until next time (tomorrow)...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in training,

Dani

Girl Interrupted

Hello Dear Reader,

I tried running outside this evening after work. I even left right on time (5:00 pm) for the first time in a minute just so that I could get some pavement pounding in.

Running, running, running my usual route when I was passed by Doc. Doc, being the talkative guy that he is, pulled over to chat me up. Chat, chat, chat is all Doc did. In the 15 minutes that he was gum-flapping, the sun started to drop, and my running plans started to fall just as quickly. Soon enough, there wasn't enough sunlight to complete my run- safely.

Doc, being the friend that he is, so kindly dropped me back at home to run again another day. And by 'another day', I mean tomorrow morning!

So until tomorrow...join me along for the run...and for the fun!

One foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in (tomorrow, I'm going to bust it out) training,

Dani

I changed clothes...and went...again!

Hello Dear Reader,

Ahhh...the running-induced endorphins are still coursing through my veins after this morning's run! I feel high (in a very legal way, California!) on life right now...all thanks to running!

Although I didn't go running yesterday as planned, due to several commitments, I thought about nothing else but running...and work...and the marshmallows I've been thinking of introducing to a box of rice crispies...and my Ethio Running Buddy (of course)!

Yesterday evening, all of the running stars must have been aligned: 1) I was with Doc (remember him?); 2) I ran into my running friend who ran both the full Two Oceans Marathon, and a couple of months later, the Comrades Marathon (crazy, right?); 3) I ran into my friend's dad who is a running coach, who runs the Comrades every year, and trains his group on the highest of high mountain peaks in Lesotho; and 4) I met up with several friends for dinner. One of my friends, who steered the group conversation around his increasing girth, asked if I was still running. "Errr...umm...uhhh...Yeah", I said sheepishly. "Great!", my friend replied. He asked to join me on my "regularly scheduled" morning runs. Sure, I neglected to tell him that I haven't run consistently since March (sad face), that I was sure to be waaaaaay out of shape (so don't expect any broken records or anything), and that I was desperately looking for a (some poor sucker) morning running partner for safety. He didn't need to know all of that...I immediately said, "Hellz yeah! Let's do it!" He set the time for 5:00 am...awesome! He even sms'd (texted) twice last night to confirm that I would be ready at 5 am!

5:00 am- Running clothes on, running shoes laced up, and ready to go!

5:15 am- Still waiting

5:45 am- Fug

6:00 am- What's a girl tah do?

6:30 am- Get up and GO!!!!!

By 6:30 am, I was out on the roads pounding some serious pavement. Yes, it was cold as a deep freezer outside. Yes, it was still dark outside, but nearing sun rise. Yes, there were lots of people outside headed to work. Yes, I actually did feel very safe. And within about 30-40 minutes, the sun was fully up!

YES!

YES!

YES!!!!

I feel AMAZING! All of this time, I made up excuses for not running...and thanks to a failed running date...I got up the gumption to get out and do it!

Woohoo!

And the best thing is that I'm not in any pain from being so out of practice! Alright!

Now that I have the experience of and courage to run outside in the mornings, there is nothing standing in my way of accomplishing my goals. Speaking of goals, I know that, for me, it's super important to have reachable goals to work towards. Like to hear it? Here it goes:

1. Lose 2-3 kg by the end of September
2. Run one half marathon in July 30th (Jumbo Jolly Half Marathon) and August 27th (Wilge Spring Half Marathon)
3. ...and when the running calendar is up for September, a marathon.

So, Dear Reader, it looks like I might be on a role! Come along with me as I attempt to put one foot in front of the other and keep it movin'!

Yours in (morning running again) training,

Dani

..and for your pavement pounding playlist: Go!

Good news to beat the winter running blues

Hello Dear Reader,

I've been gone from my little blog for so long, it seems as if we need to get reacquainted with one another. So here goes nothin': Hello, my name is Dani and I'm sorry to say that I'm a Couch Potato. ***Dani hangs head low*** Rather...Hello, my name is Dani and I'm addict. I fell off the wagon (again) and I need to get back up and get moving.

The scariest thing is that my mind no longer incessantly thinks about running...#notcoolatall (like they do on Twitter...)

I signed up for the gym. Thought that might be cool. Running on a treadmill. Sucks. Even though it's not how I'd like my ideal running picture to look...running on a rat wheel...sitting on the couch doing nothing is definitely not the business either.

Not.the.business!

There is a marathon I need to prepare for in August...and a half marathon coming up in mid-July...and the Comrades (still undecided) next year... Sitting on the couch in my uninsulated, freezing-cold house is not the way I want my running career to go down. not.at.all.

As my very first boyfriend taught me a long time ago, "Don't talk about it. Be about it." I've been talking about it (and sometimes not at all), but that needs to change. I want to be about it..I really do. I will be about it. No excuses. No "ifs", "ands" or "buts".

And aside from all of the very obvious reasons for getting and keeping my mind and body right...I have a wedding to prepare for...

MY WEDDING!!!

Yep, my Ethiopian Running Buddy not only wants to meet me with a congratulatory hug at the finish line, but wants to run with me throughout and for life!

And as short sighted as this comment may be...you ready? Wait for it. Ok: pictures last forever...and when you post them on the internet...even longer... So you see, I don't want my half alien/half Ethiopian-American great, great, great grandchildren to remember me as a couch potato (forgive me. I've been reading Octavia Butler's 'Lillith's Brood', which has me concerned for the future of the human race...j/k). I can't disappoint my future like that!

Anyway...keep me in your thoughts and good body prayers as I manage to get myself together and fight off these winter running, 'mood indigo' running blues!

And in the I'm-training-for-the-Publix-Georgia-Marathon way, until next time (Dani)...Keep it movin' (Dani)!

Yours in (all of it) training,

Dani

Since it's just me and you in here...

Hello Dear Reader,

This morning, I woke up with a smile on my face, because it's not only Hump Day, but a public holiday too! And if that's not good enough, the weather gods cooperated enough for me to consider getting in a morning run!

I slapped on my running gear (Garmin and jazzy pink iPod, too) and hit the road. The run down the hill I live on to join my regular route should have given me a clue that, for whatever reason (most likely cause I'm out of shape), this was not going to be a good run. I don't know...I just felt a bit awkward...like I didn't have a good stride...and my shins were sore. True, that was only a few steps into what was supposed to be a 10 km run, but I just didn't feel good about it. As I said, my stride was off, but my focus was off too...thrown off by all of the extra jiggling going on in my arm, midsection and bum area. www.notcuteatall.com/jiggle. You know what I'm sayin?

My feelings were kinda hurt, but you know, I have no one else to blame but myself...for backsliding like I have. I worked very hard to get to where I want to be...but the comforting thing is that I know how to get back there...with focus, determination, and the the realization that I did it before.

Two miles into a planned 6 mile run, my feelings got the worst of me...so I started walking. And I'm not talking walk-in-the-park-on-a-Sunday-afternoon-type-walk. I walked like Ms. Sofia when she uttered the frequently repeated (by me) line, "You told Harpo tah beat me!", in the award-winning, epic drama "The Color Purple". For those who don't know what I'm talking about, I was walking like someone stole my bike...fast walkin'!

So I fast-walked all the way home telling myself the whole way that I will do all that I can to 1) get back to where I was and better (cause I know I can be better than I was) and 2) not backslide again, cause I don't like the feeling of letting myself down, jiggling all over the place, and feeling like I'm starting from scratch.

But even if it wasn't that 5.1 mile-feelin-great run that I had on Sunday, at least it was something. And I'm not going to stop! www.adeterminedblackwoman.com

Well, that's what all I've got for now. I hope that you find some type of learning lesson in my hills and valleys, Dear Reader. If exercising was always fun, everyone would be doing it!

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in (getting my mojo back) training,

Dani

I knew I shoulda kept my gym membership!

Hello Dear Reader,

In addition to being somewhat of a slacker with respect to my running, the barrage of daily grapefruit-sized raindrops has really really put a dent in my weekly milage. Boo...just...boo! Every morning, I wake up with morning baited breath to check for friendly running weather. During the past five days, I've only been able to maintain my morning pavement pounding once. You'd think that I'd catch a wake-up and go back to the gym, particularly under these weather-related circumstances, but alas, I failed. Excuses (and pretty lame ones at that).

Last night, I met a pretty cool guy who has run the infamous Comrades Marathon not once, but six times!!! He's planning to make 2011 his 7th year! Upon inquiring about his training schedule, he told me that he runs no less than seven times a week. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, he runs 10 to 12k. Wednesdays are 15k and every Sunday, he runs a half marathon. Clearly he is serious...and I am clearly not...or not like he is. I should be...I ought to be...I WILL BE (my dad would be proud)!

In honor of being more serious...I have truly slacked off and talking to serious runners makes me feel kinda lame...I am committed to doing better...rain or shine. I pledge to run every day except Saturday, which is what I was doing in the beginning..or at least when I had my gym membership (*Danielle pours electrolyte infused sports drink out for Mad-dog Trainer and New (old) Trainer*).

Seriously though, I need to do better. My marathon...the race of my life...is only 2.5 months away. I need to not only get back to where I was pre-vaycay, but get even better. You might be asking yourself, "Why is she calling herself out? She could just keep it to herself. We'd never know." The answer is pure and simple...accountability. I started this little blog, included friends/family/strangers/Dear Readers in on my plan, and talked/read about running all of the time, because I need accountability. I need encouragement when I can't seem to motivate myself. When I feel like giving up, I need a little reminder of why I started this in the first place- to take the word "can't" out of my vocabulary. And sometimes, I need a helping hand to light a fire under the proverbial couch when I choose to sit back down!

As a good friend used to say to me on a regular basis, "Don't talk about it. Be about it!" Dear Reader, I'm about it! But wait...will it be going back on my declaration if I tell you what I'm going to do? Umm... uhhh.... well... you'll have to wait to find out!

In the mean time, Recovering Couch Potato #1 and Couch Potato #2 are wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas (if that's your thing)!

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin' (I'm actually saying this to myself!)

Yours in (getting my act together) training,

Dani

Pre/Post-Run Fuel

Hello Dear Reader,

This morning, I was scheduled to run for an hour as part of my new revamped training schedule. Mad-dog trainer set the treadmill to40 minutes and I was off! Twenty minutes later, however, I wanted to get off...the treadmill that is. Running between 9.1k and 9.4k/hr (pace) for 20 minutes just about killed me. My legs were like lead weights. I just felt drained- like I could lay right down on the treadmill, curl up in a fetal position and take a nap. Right before I was tempted to start sucking my thumb and rocking myself to sleep, I stopped the treadmill and walked over to Mad-dog trainer (who looked at me as though I was making it Topless Tuesday or something) and admitted defeat. I.just.couldn't.do.it. Usually, a refreshing sip of water will motivate me to continue, but nothing would work this time. I was too tired!

After taking a 10 minute break, I marched myself over to the elliptical machine for a25 minute ski session, and wrapped the day up with a 15 minute stationary bike ride (next to the King...I had to pull it together in his presence). As I was walking to the locker room, Mad-dog Trainer's husband (who is a trainer as well) asked me if I poured a bucket of water over myself for full effect. Side-eye. Smile. No.

The level of fatigue I experienced this morning got me to thinking about the importance of pre-run fueling. This morning, as I was walking out of the door, I thought about eating one of the gloriously delicious croissants (found at the petrol station, believe it or not), but alas...nothing to eat. Pre-run/workout meals are so important. As we all know, food is the fuel of life. For runners, food (carbohydrates in particular) give your muscles the energy they need to work hard and keep going mile after mile. Unfortunately, this morning I failed to use that basic information and the result was a terrible run cut short! Boo! Just...Boo!

My virtual running buddy Linesiya must have had food on her mind as well, because she's been looking for advice on post-run/workout food...which is equally important. One of the tips I've garnered through all of my blog/running site stalking is that, for runners, a pre-run carb snack/meal gives you the fuel you need for a good run. A post-run protein snack/meal aids your body in rebuilding the muscles that are damaged in the process.

Having said all of that, I need to commit to eating before a run/workout to prevent the monumental FAIL from today! At least a banana! Do you have any tips for me and Linesiya for a good pre and post-run snack/meal? If so, let me in on your secret!

Luckily, my lunch and constant snacking (apples and peanut nut butter) have me fueled up and ready to go to Spin Class after work (if I can get a bike, that is!).

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in training,

Dani

In Serious Need of Runivation!

Hello Dear Reader,

I'm in need of an intervention...and a little runivation (motivation to run)! This ankle business is slowly chipping away at my motivation to go to the gym/workout. Last week, I went to the gym twice (strength training) and took Couch Potato #2 on two 2 hour long walks...but that's not running. I didn't even manage to break a sweat! I feel terrible about it. On my walks, if I try to pick up the pace, my ankle reminds me that I'm not in charge. All of last week (with no real working out done) has left me feeling...bleh!

Even waking up at the usual 5:00 am is difficult. My alarm clock (aka cell phone) must have given up too. For the past week my alarm has not gone off once even though I have not made any setting changes (time for a new alarm clock?). Has my alarm gone on strike along with my ankle...taking my motivation to go to the gym (without being able to run) along for the ride? Waking up that early is not natural for me...so I need some assistance. Without an alarm, I've woken up too late to hit the gym at my regular time. Working out in the evenings, after putting in extra long hours at the job, is a no-go. So you see, I need my ankle, alarm clock, and motivation to strike a deal with me. We all need to reunite...join forces for my marathon training's sake. (Ok, I admit that this one is a lame excuse...and can (and will) be easily resolved. A new alarm clock will be purchased today!)

The ankle pain (more like discomfort) isn't bad enough to be seen by a doctor...and I already know the advice I'll get...rest. So, I've rested. No running since last Saturday and I've missed two long runs. If I go another week without having run, will I be able to catch up with my training schedule? Ugg!

This post has turned into a rant...a disorganized whining session...an itty bitty pity party ...so I'll stop here.

So Dear Reader, if you're out there, I need you to throw a bit of runivation my way. Any words of wisdom you have to share would be much appreciated!

So...until next time...keep it movin' (I clearly need to be saying this to myself right now!).

Yours in (no/not much) training,

Dani

Slacker

Hello Dear Reader,

I've been a slacker all week. Unfortudamente, my ankle is still reliving Saturday/Sunday in all of its glory. Walking too fast causes a slight throbbing which builds up to a beating pulse. Last weekend was worth a few days of rest, but all week? Not so much. I want to run! I want to feel the wind against my face, the sun on my neck, and hear the sound of pavement pounding. I want to hear twenty other treadmills humming, twenty other people running next to me/across from me, and the annoying sound of monotone techno blasting non-stop. My jazzy pink iPod nano didn't come all of this way just to sit in my gym bag! Really now ankle? Really?

This week, I've only been to the gym twice (ok, so I took advantage of the ankle issue and slept in on the other days...don't judge)! Over the past couple of months, working out and focusing on running has become my life. I love the change! I love the way a good workout makes me feel! I always feel a sense of accomplishment after a long run...a sweat-soaked shirt as my trophy.

In a day or so, I will have reached my wits end. Ankle...I'm talking to you...don't make me pull out an anti-inflamatory...I'm not afraid to use it. Let's just call a truce...let's leave last weekend in the past and live in the present! I won't hold a grudge if you don't...

Bleh! Well, that's all I've got for today. You now know why the posts have been a bit slim this week. Hopefully, by Sunday I'll have some productive news to share. So until then...one footloose ankle in front of the other...keep it movin' (or hobbling in my case)!

Yours in (?) training,

Dani

And just because he's so damn cute, here's a fatroll treat for the eyes! Enjoy!

Weekend Updates

Hello Dear Reader,

I just wanted to give you a few updates since we last spoke...and because it's Labor Day on Monday (No, I don't get the holiday off in Lesotho)...I'll take a break and get back to you on Tuesday.

So, ready or not...here we go...

1. Friday was an everything fail. I have a cold and couldn't manage to get out of bed at 5:30 am. After work...all I did was crash...and burned. Since I could only breath out of one nostril and my face felt like it was going to explode from all of the pressure, I figured that this was deserving of a break, no?
2. I woke up on my own at 1:30 am on Saturday morning...dreams of Bultfontein and charts displaying my (running) personal records (PR). In my dreams, however, the Bultfontein 5K remained.
3. Saturday morning 2.0...I woke up, took a swig of cough syrup, and hit the gym. 20 minutes on the treadmill, 10 minutes on the elliptical machine, and a bunch of stretches was all I could manage. Clearly my knockoff cough syrup came with the 1 hr relief guarantee.
4. Sunday morning...my run felt more like a morning stroll in the park...cause all I could muster was a walk with a light jog here and there.
5. Head cold + entire weekend= Training FAIL= Booo!

On another note...Apple recently revealed the Nano Touch...sexy...me likey...happy it came out before I bought one to use with my Nike+...SCORE!!! Dankie Steve Jobs! Dankie!

Well, that's all for now folks! I'm planning to take another sip of my cherry flavored cough syrup and pray that it gets me through the night with both nostrils clear!

Until next time...keep it moving!

Your in (Please Dear Baby Jesus...make me feel better soon!) training,

Dani

Bultfontein Boertjie Fees 5K FAIL

Hello Dear Reader,

As you can see from the title of this blog post...my participation in the Bultfontein Boertjie Fees 5K is a F-A-I-L. When I called the race organizer last week to get all of the details (registration cost & time, location, directions, etc.), I was told that Bultfontein was about 50K (appx 30 min) outside of the closest major city. Just to get to the closest major city takes about 1.5 hrs. Because I wanted to make sure that I didn't get lost, this morning I made a call to a random Bultfontein B&B for distance and directions. Err... correction ...Bultfontein is about 97K outside of my next closest major city.

Let's do the math. My next closest city takes about 1.5 hr to reach. Add on top of that a 45 minute drive (or more) to Bultfontein. A one-way drive would take me 2.15 hr. Umm...for a 5K race that will take approximately 34 minutes? Well ok...so like I've said before...waking up at 4 am is early as hell, but I could manage. Factoring in "getting lost time" and making it there by 6:00 am to register...I might as well pull an all-nighter. As much as I seem to be fasinated with running and waking up at 5:00 am in order to run my little tooshy off...the thought of possibly having to be on the road at 3:00 am is a no-go.

Perhaps if Bultfontein was either closer by or had something super sexy about it (other than the Bultfontein Boertjie Fees 5K) to stop me from running .5 extra kilometers beyond the finish line...right to my car and back home...maybe we could talk. So I guess that the Bultfontein Boertjie Fees 5K will be the race that never was (in my books)...FAIL!

I guess that it's back to the road racing calendar...5K anyone? Err...local 5K anyone?

Yours in (local 5K Google) training,

Dani

***Disclaimer*** A girl has the right to change her (go out of her) mind. If I end up going for it, you'll be the first to know!