Santa Baby

Hello Dear Reader,

It feels like Christmas! Santa decided to overlook a few things this year (thanks for that) and bring my gifts for 2011 a little early:

Sure it looks like the watch you had in 6th grade in 1986, but this watch is the business. It's the Garmin Forerunner 110! Not only will this watch keep track of my running distance and pace, but will also monitor my heart rate, provide a summary of my run(s), calories burned, and is equipped with a high-sensitiity GPS function that will chart my path! Now go and tell that to your friends!

Since my Nike + iPod combo was a bust (the Nike+ function anyway), I will now be able to keep track of all the aforementioned information and use that data to increase/improve my performance.

Not only did Santa bring me the sexy running bling, he also helped me put a little pep in my step by giving me these:

Saucony Progrid Guide 4

The nice guys at Fleet Feet in Chicago watched me run up and down a track to test them out. Let's just say that they me glide across the floor like butter on a hot skillet. Basically, we should all expect good things from my running life after marathon 1.o! But wait, the story gets better. Dear Saint Nick thought his gift was so nice, he gave it twice!

One of the lessons learned from my training is that, when you find a shoe you like, get it twice. Little did I know that the Nike shoes I started training with, and subsequently ran my marathon in, were/are the jam! How nice it would have been to have two pair. Well, fret none mon cherie...this time around, I'll be well prepared!

...and I'll be participating in Fleet Feet's "Chick's Night":

What better way to release energy and manage stress than a night out with the girls. Fleet Feet Sports Chick's Night Fun Runs celebrate women in running at 6:30pm every Tuesday at Piper's Alley and Wednesday at Lincoln Square.

Our "Chick's Night" is comprised of a fun group of women who love to run, are inspired to be fit, healthy and enjoy the camaraderie and empowerment that exists amongst each other. Before the run, feel free to change into your running gear at Fleet Feet Sports and leave your bags with us while you head out. Runners and walkers go anywhere from 3 to 6 miles, and we welcome all paces and skill levels.

After the run log your miles to keep track of progress, stay motivated, and earn great gear! Here are the items you earn when you participate in the Chick's Night Fun Run & Walk.

In addition to our weekly Chick's Night runs, Fleet Feet Sports is proud to offer informative and interactive seminars just for you on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of every month. We will always head out for our run first at 6:30pm and the seminar will begin at 7:30pm. Hang out post run, enjoy refreshments and enter our monthly raffle.

Grown and sexy, right?! Hopefully my kankles will be nice enough to hold up during the short run! Wish me luck!

Well....you know the deal...it's time to love you and leave you...so until next time...one foot in front of the other and.....

KEEP IT MOVIN'!!!

Your in (writing a 'thank you letter' to Santa) training,

Dani

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Hello Dear Reader,

Let me tell you about 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. It's an interesting story, really!:

Five (5)...5:00 am is for the time I started running this morning. For some unfortunate reason, Couch Potato #2 was having stomach issues all night and woke me up at 4:00 am. After letting him out for a much needed potty break, I figured...what the heck...I'm already up...why not get to stepping...running actually. Getting a head start before the sun and the masses spilling into the city makes for a pleasant run. If the spirit moves me enough, my goal is to wake up earlier in the mornings so that I'm able to increase my daily mileage.

Four (4) is for the number of miles I ran this morning- 4.51 miles (7.2 k) to be exact. Instead of cutting through side streets like I normally do, I made a big loop around down town- Past the mall, down towards the border, through the industrial area, past the gym (I wonder if Mad-dog Trainer and New (old) Trainer saw me), and next to the national referral hospital. A nice route, considering that1/3 of it was down hill!

Three (3) is for the number of kilos I'd like to lose before I hit my "goal weight". Since I haven't been to the gym in a minute, I haven't had the benefit of Mad-dog Trainer's routine physical assessment. A couple of months ago, I purchased a home scale but, because the manual scale never wanted to start at zero, I was never able to get an accurate read on my weight. This morning, after fiddling with it, I managed to get squared up. If the scale is accurate (and the one at the gym too), since starting this whole running thing, I've lost 10 lbs (5kg). ***Dani pumps both fists in the air and softly hums "The eye of the tiger"!!!*** And it's not just the scale that's taking notice. On Saturday, I was out partying with a group of friends, when a person I haven't seen in a while walked up. Before even saying hello, the first thing that came out of his mouth was, "Wow, you've lost a lot of weight!" To which I replied, "Yes, hello to you too! And thanks!" Last week, my co-workers even started to take notice....even the one who, a couple of months ago, said she couldn't see a change. Thank you very much!

Two (2) is for two of my most favorite people and biggest supporters in my secondary project (aka running) and in life in general who will be visiting me in six more days. I speak to at least one of my parental units, if not both, on a daily basis. They've endured more running-talk than what should be allowable by law. Being the wonderful parents that they are, they graciously listen to me babble about my bloated ankle, the merits of running up Half Moon Road instead of down Moshoeshoe Road (as if they even know what I'm talking about), gym-related gossip, and my weekly progress. In fact, this morning I had my father examine (with me) the running route I completed on Sunday, and proceeded to explain in detail every curve, bump and lump in the road. During their visit, I actually contemplated having them follow me in the car as I show them that I can really run. That's fun, right? No? Oh... Yes, I do have wonderful parents. In fact, my parents are so sweet that they are bringing me a few running goodies- a water belt (aka a runner's fanny pack) so that I can stay hydrated during my runs and a running skirt! Yes...you heard me correctly...I said a running skirt. Yes, I'm sure that every.single.solitary.man.woman.child.dog will be staring at me...but I don't care! Yes...I will be able to say that "Girls do it better in skirts". It even has a pocket for keys and things. ***Dani has visions of doing the Irish River Dance in her running skirt and will talk about her running skirt and will take pictures in her running skirt***

PS: My legs are gonna look like that one day!

One (1) is for one God awful farmer's tan I have developed. Now that I'm spending a lot of time outside, the cute little running pants and ankle socks that give one the impression that my legs are a little longer and a little more toned, now leave me with a section of my shin and calf muscle that is significantly darker than the rest of my leg. My shoulders are one color and the rest of my arms look as though they belong to a different body. My right arm, in fact, is a bit sunburned. Oops, I guess that I've been running in the gym too long that I forgot that running outside requires different preparation: ensuring that the running route has a bathroom embedded within, water/water/water/water station, protection from the (misleading) weather/sun: hat and sun screen. I'm learning!

Well, that's all I have for now.

Until next time...one foot in front of the other! Keep it movin'! (My friend Jami and her roomie just started training for a road race. She told me that my little mantra was giving her a little inspiration. ***Dani pumps both fists in the air thinking that, finally, she is achieving world domination*** Jokes! Love you Jami and keep it movin'!!!)

Yours in training,

Dani

P.S. I'm getting nervous about my 1/2 marathon coming up this Saturday....4 more days!!!...There I go counting again!

Catch Up

Hello Dear Reader-

While I may have been on a blog-writing vacation, I certainly haven't been sitting on the couch! Friday morning, I wasn't feeling so well, but knew that this could not side-track my goal- marathon preparation. After work, with a make-up workout session on my mind, I headed to the gym for a 45 minute fast walk/run. Although I was a bit worn down from not feeling my best, core strengthening was up next: side, abdominal and back crunches (4 sets of 20); and the beloved ham string "crunch" capped the day off. In total, my workout lasting about 1.5 hours.

As you know, Saturday is my designated break day, but rest, it was not. My roommate, who I've managed to rope into running with me, and I went to Bloemfontein, South Africa, to pick out new running shoes and a few other things. To be honest, that was the most productive Bloem trip I've ever had. Usually a trip to Bloem equals a mall meander, dinner, movies and light shopping. My roomie and I, however, were on a mission, and in the process, took the opportunity to explore the "other side" of Bloem (read: got lost).

While looking for shoes, I actually found the Nike + iPod gadget that helps you set and keep track of running goals (distance, time or calories burned). The special Nike + shoe includes a little pocket under the insole for a little sensor. A tiny white receiver fits on the bottom of the iPod to capture the data being transmitted from the sensor. In addition to pace/distance/calorie monitoring, the Nike + iPod gadget also keeps you updated with motivational songs and a spoken account of your progress. The things that Apple comes up with! Pretty cool, huh? Yeah, I thought so too, until I got home, plugged the receiver into my iPod "classic" and got the message that "this accessory is not recognized"! What!?! A call to the Apple store confirmed that the Nike + iPod= Nike + iPod "nano"...the baby version of what I have. In other words, I have a super cool, fantastic gadget that I can't, at this point, use. Boo for Apple on this one! Perhaps someone from the Apple store is reading this little blog o'mine. If you are...I'm giving you the side-eye and hoping that this intimidates you enough to expand this tool to the rest of the iPod users. Please?!?

Nike + iPod gadget or not, I have running shoes, sports bras, thin running socks, and running pants with a zipper pocket in back for keys and things. Oh, did I mention that I got a hammock and a blender too? Can we say together..."Summer is (almost) here!" True, the hammock is an outdoor couch of sorts, but hey, I've gotta sit down sometimes! The blender, in addition to many planned frozen adult beverages, is a great way to get your daily fruit and veggie intake...a round of smoothies for everyone- on the house!
Bringing it back to exercise...after returning from Bloem, we drove around to clock our planned Sunday morning running route- 4.1 K. At 7:30 this morning, we walk a little over 1K to our starting point. Remember, it's always a good thing to "warm up" prior to any exercise. A positive note was that we ran the majority of the way with only a few short slow down breaks (completed in 28.14 minutes). Furthermore, I wasn't physically tired at all. What frustrated me however, was that my asthma, caused my chest to tighten a bit and forced me to stop to catch my breath. I'm sure that, with better management and listening to my body, this will not get in my way. Management includes carrying an inhaler, taking prescribed asthma meds regularly, and a few other tips and tricks.

Running was followed by a "cool down" trip back to our flat, and back out again for a walk to the grocery store. Delicious fresh fruits (blueberries, strawberries, bananas and passion fruit) and yogurt were blended to make a fantastic morning breakfast drink. A fruit smoothie, along with pancakes from scratch, was a nice way to start off the day! Speaking of breakfast, remember that eating well is just as much a part of marathon preparation as running. Without the proper type of fuel for your car, it won't run to its full capacity, right? Eating balanced meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner...along with healthy snacks...helps your body to perform at the optimal level. Because I'm interested in performing my best, I've started working with a nutritionist. This week, we're focusing on healthy snacks for (before and after) running: carbs (fruits and easily digestible carbs like white bread) before & protein (nuts, beans, etc.) afterwards. Pre-run carbs assist in providing your body with the energy it needs for continuous movement. Post-run protein aids in muscle building. As I get nutrition tips, they'll be passed on to you.

It feels great to have maintained my goal of running, working out and eating well. Because I'm feeling so motivated, I'll head to the gym a little later for some core strengthening...as a reward (of sorts). Never thought I'd "hear" myself calling a workout a reward for working out...but I'll take it however it comes!

Thanks again for all of your encouragement and for following along with me in this journey!

Until next time...

Yours in training,

Dani