9 Miles to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend!

Okay I didn't run 9 miles to celebrate Memorial Day weekend but I am proud that I managed to get out to Sawyer Camp Trail in San Mateo Saturday morning at 8:30AM when the night before I had gone out to downtown San Jose and didn't go to bed until 3AM. Its never smart to do that but I find myself not caring because life is short.



Water that will distract me for days..

This trail is so nice and I would run here all the time if it was closer to my house. It has some nice rolling hills to challenge you, bathrooms, half mile markers, lots of greenery for shade when it got hot, and the beautiful water to distract you.



Love all the greenery and the shade when it gets hot

The furthest I had run before this was 8 miles the week before and I thought it wasn't going to be a big deal to do one more mile but I was wrong. Maybe it was the fact that I did a hardcore Zumba class the day before and went out and drank and danced but it just hurt my body.



Team Challenge Group Photo after our 9 miler..

I was running slower than a lot of people but I still managed to run the entire time which was good. I never needed to stop at all so that was great.

I'm really glad I did the 9 miles and look forward to another long run to challenge my body. I had my fuel belt on filled with water so I'm going to try filling one up with Gatorade and during the run I tried Sports Beans. Not sure if they are giving me more energy but I like to think so. I'm telling you its a psychological thing.

Even though it was a long weekend and a lot of people were not there we had a pretty good turn out. The walkers started at 8:00AM and runners at 8:30AM so we could all finish at the same time. You can find the rest of the pictures here.

YAY one more day off! I love 3 day weekends!!

My First Half Marathon 7 Weeks Away!

I am getting really excited about the idea of running a half marathon and accomplishing that goal. This year I've crossed over so many fitness obstacles and I think its great that their is always something to look forward to.



On Saturday Team Challenge practice will have us run 9 miles which will be the first time I'm doing that so its great! I'll have my fuel belt on, a Gu, and my Nike Phantom shorts!

I forgot to post this article that Bel had sent the team and I think these are such great tips!

First Marathon Survival Guide

A few things that stood out for me were:

- Don't try to run with a buddy
- Bringing toilet paper in case you have to use the yucky port-a-potties
- Don't have a time goal
- ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT

Its so cool that I'll be running with part of Team Challenge and knowing I was a part fighting for the cure of Crohn's and Coltiis.

Also I am hoping to meet Valerie Berinelli too! She's planning to run it this year and also Sara Rue the new spokesperson! These women have lost so much weight and I am so happy for them. Check out the article about them running in Napa to Sonoma half marathon here.

Goal of doing 25 miles for being 25!

It was my birthday yesterday and I had such an amazing time this weekend! It was another weekend that I had to miss my Saturday morning run with Team Challenge but I made sure to run my 8 miles in order to stay on track with training.



Celebrating my bday weekend with a stop at Asian Art Museum in SF with one of my best friends "Wifey" Laura. This statue is called 3 heads 6 arms

I went 3 days without doing any type of workout other than partying so I was anxious for today's run. Ran around Campbell Community Track and did a little over 5 miles. Even my mentor Deanna said isn't it crazy that my first run of the week is the same distance of what was considered a long run a month or so ago? Its fun to see the progress of your body.



Blowing out my bday candles at Asia SF

We got our second half of training schedule for our half marathon in July and I decided to challenge myself by doing the Intermediate Runner level even though I feel like a beginner. My goal is to do 3 runs a week and today I did 5 miles, the next I do 4, and this Saturday I do 9! Before you know it I'll be in double digits!

So while running around the track today my goal is to run 25 miles in one week for turning 25! I think that's an attainable goal. I mean if my body can handle a full marathon than that mileage won't matter but I want to make sure my body is okay with a half marathon first.

Can you believe that the weather is still crappy even tho its the end of May?? Well here's to productive week! Oh and looking forward to a 3 day weekend!! Countdown begin for Meorial Day weekend!

Hump Say What?? 8 Miles in the bag!

I knew this week was going to busy because of all of my birthday festivities this weekend so I had to fit my training in!

What helps me look forward to this 8 mile run today were the following:
- new music (I currently am really into Charice featuring Iyaz- Pyramid)
- challenging my body to a new distance
- being alone. I find myself so stressed from work I just need to escape in my head.
- new Nike Shorts! I think I am now able to run in shorts because they completely worked out for me today. I found Nike shorts that have a spandex lining instead of that granny panties thing inside and its GREAT. They are called Nike Dri-FIT Phantom Performance Women's Training Shorts!!



- Trying Gu for the first time (Vanilla Bean flavor) I think it worked because I took it at 5 miles and I didn't feel too tired after that. UGH but eating that stuff for the first time was weird. It took me almost an entire mile to eat the whole thing. Its a lot and its super filling. Gu will have to be a completely separate blog entry.

I did my run at Los Gatos Creek Trail and since it was overcast today it was somewhat dark at 6pm already. I don't ever suggest that women go run alone. I was pretty scared the entire time but I made it. I might run with pepper spray next time if I go in the evening.. or have someone join me!

Only 2 days until this week is over and the weekend can begin!!!

3.5 Mile Run a good cure for a Hangover?

I always pride myself for doing it all.. all the time but this time it may have been too much. lol.

I went out in SF to club Roe to celebrate my good friend Mari's bday and didn't get home to south Bay until 4AM.

I set my alarm for 7am which either went off or not but I didn't wake up until 8:15AM and the practice with Team Challenge was at 8:30AM! Needless to say I was late.

I was still able to run and made it in time to get a gift from our coach Randy! I got this tile that says "Success" on it with several other people for our efforts in either fundraising, training, or enthusiasm. Very honored!



"Success"

So I was not able to run the hole 3.5 miles since I didn't feel too well but I did run/walk it and I sweat out the toxins from the night before. I'm really glad I did it too!



Group Photo at Los Gatos Creek Trail

I am glad I made it the Recommittment Breakfast hosted by my mentor Deanna where their was a delicious breakfast spread and all these pictures from our trainings. I am officially doing this race. I have met my fundraising goal, have run half of the distance of the race, and turned in my hotel paper work for that weekend!



Recommitment Breakfast- I am all in!

We are less than 2 months away!

This week I'll get to do 8 miles! I'll let you know it goes. :)

More photos from group training here.

The Dish in Palo Alto Kicked My Butt!

I have really enjoyed all the outdoor places in Northern California and there are so many more that I have on my list to check out. The only thing down in LA that was about a 20 minute drive and where the parking was killer was Runyon Canyon. SUCH a beautiful view at the top but that was even full of dirt and not much green or shade so it got SOO hot.

So my Team Challenge Deanna told me about The Dish in Palo Alto and how it had steep hills and was very challenging and suggested going there yesterday instead of our usual run at Los Gatos Creek Trail.



I will be on top of that hill in a second..

Oh my gosh it was challenging! Their were 3 major hills and when you are running up them its like you are going in slow motion and not moving haha. I was huffing and puffing by the time I got to the top. My legs are absolutely sore today but it was amazing and I am excited to do it again next week. I really welcome challenges. I like the idea of one day being able to run the whole thing even tho it will take some time. We might have ran almost 3/4 of it.



Running is just one step in front of another.. easier said than done huh?

The loop was about 3.5 miles and it took us about 47 minutes to do that so we should be able to beat that time next time we go.



This is why they call it the Dish!

Tonight I'm going to Zumba! Then taking advantage of 24 hour Super Sport and using the sauna to massage my muscles. Aahhh. Tomorrow is 3.5 miles at Los Gatos Creek Trail and then Bay to Breakers on Saturday! Talk about a jam packed weekend! Woo!



Baby dish in my hand! lol

Happy Friday everyone!

More Before and After Pictures!!

It amuses me so much when I go back and look at pictures of when I was a lot bigger and what I am now. I am very proud of my body transformation and understand that this can't be a fad- its a lifestyle change. I really don't want to go back to the days where I was so limited on things to do or wear because of my size.

I literally did not allow myself to wear sleeveless shirts so that meant no halters, tank tops, tube tops, BATHING SUITS etc. I would only wear dark flowy tops that hid my belly and I would have to turn my body sideways all the time in pictures.

Its so weird how I just let myself go like I gave up and then ended up being 175 lbs at my heaviest. Literally one day I woke up and was like omg I can't do this and started to lose weight. Well I def put an action plan together. Cut portion dramatically and increase gym from once or none a week to 5 times a week! I had lost about 20 lbs last year but then I moved up to the Bay area in August 2009 and gained 10 lbs. I was adjusting to the So Cal and Nor Cal change! haha no excuses tho. This was also another inspiration to join Team Challenge.

This year I got bit by the running bug and lost 20 lbs since January. So to date I've lost about 40 lbs. Today on the scale I was 133.2 lbs. What a difference.

This entry is my inspiration to never go back to that point. It takes a lot of work, sacrifice, and dedication but let me tell you - its way worth it to not look at yourself in the morning and hate your body.



Going to a Jay Z concert



Bday party at the end of 2007 - can this dress be any more shapeless?



This wasn't even that long ago but 10+ lbs make a big difference



I wore the same outfit from above and boy did it feel different. :)



Wedding in SF- Some people from college didn't even recognize me!



It may be hard to imagine but I didn't even allow myself to wear simple t shirts because I didn't want it to hug my body so its nice to wear t shirts now!

Let this blog entry be some type of inspiration to you or a good job at already doing this! ANYONE can lose weight as long as you keep at it. Don't let anyone bring you down. Life is short.

Disclaimer: People are beautiful in all shapes and sizes this entry is aimed for people that may want to lose some weight, a lot of weight, or become healthier. Its not meant for any ill will or bashing.