Running Buddy, 1/2 Marathon, and Moving on...

Hola Damas y Cabarellos!

I am happy to say that after a craptastic April, I am still moving along.  As many of you know, God called three of my family members home last month, and just when I was getting a handle on that fact, God decided my running buddy Motoki had, had enough and needed to rest so, on the 30th, she crossed the Rainbow Bridge into Heaven, and is now playing with my other long lost fur babies.  It hit me hard knowing I would not have her to run with when she stopped in November but, then on the afternoon of the 30th she developed "bloat" and the Veterinarian said the chances of her survival were slim so, we let her sleep.  To say this was painful on top of the losses of my human loved ones is an understatement, she was my running buddy, and a part of our family that was most innocent.  She is dearly missed.

With losing my Motoki, I had a huge hole in my heart, I needed to feel normal, and running does that for me but, it felt wrong, different without my fur baby to run with, I NEEDED my dog so, as crazy as it felt I began to think about getting another dog, only this time another rescue, NOT a purchased pet.  After deliberation with TheHubs, we finally went to the pound and picked up our newest fur baby, meet Tori.  Tori is a Dalmatian/Pitbull mix, and a totally lovey!  She has been well trained by the rescue agency, Peace for Paws, and is Mommy's girl all the way.  She follows me EVERYWHERE, (imagine shaving your legs as your fur baby stands watch by the tub) lol, yeah that's my baby!  She loves to go running with me, and has been a real blessing to help me, and my family get through our losses.  Everyone thinks of Pitbulls and Pit mixes as these horribly dangerous animals, well they are not.  The breed is amazing, it is the peopel that train them, or ANY breed to be vicious, and abuse their abilities that are the dangerous ones.  Off my soapbox to say, she is helping me to pick up my pace, and better my VO2 levels, at 41 years old, I am at a 41-VO2 level, lol, not bad for an old chic, and mother of 5.  

Now, for the best news, I am running a 1/2 Marathon for Children's Hospital in honor of my little champion Micah.  Micah's Mommy and I are friends, and Mr. Micah was born with Spina Bifida.  Ah but, before you say or think, "poor baby" let me tell you he is amazing!  He is smart as a whip, has a smile to melt your heart, and gets around in his little walker like a champion.  Micah, walks the talk baby, and he gets around, and captures your heart.  Here is the link to his story, and I hope you will read it, and consider helping me to help Children's Hospital as I run out my lungs in honor of "Micah's Mile" in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon. 
http://littlethings.nationwidechildrens.org/meet-miracle-mile-champion-4-micah-ross/ 

You can pledge here: Emeraldtress Children's Champion Donation Page! 

s of now, I am comfortably able to push out 3-4 miles, and I am hoping to get my long run up to 6 miles by end of this month.  I am pushing my body pretty hard, and as the weather gets more beautiful, and hotter I am finding that it is best to run in the many wooded parks here for the shade of the trees.  I will be taking Tori on these runs and she can help me keep moving, lol!

  I have until October 21st, to get to 13 miles, and raise $2,000.  I have a few friends that will be running or walking this with me, and it feels good to see how people join in and reach out for such a beautiful cause.  Thank you to each of you for joining the team, so far there are 8 people that will be joining the fight with me, from work.

Well, that is it for now, which is really quite a bit but, I am still moving along, and hoping to lose more weight as I take on this 1/2 Mary, your support has been amazing and I hope all of you are meeting your own goals as well.  Drop me a line and let me know what YOUR goals are, and lets do this together.

"Corre Mami Corre!"
Emeraldtress

Loss, and Marathon Thoughts

The last two weeks have been emotional, and mind blowing.  April 13th, my Uncle passed away, and Uncle that always had a smile, and hug, and taught me how to fish for freshwater craw fish in Puerto Rico.  He was always so kind to me, and treated me like a little Princess when my family got together to visit, even though it was not often with living thousands of miles away growing up in the Army, my Uncle never changed, and the memories  have been cherished. The last time I saw my Uncle was two years ago, at my Aunt's passing, the family was devastated, that side of the family is very large, my Father is the eldest, and the occasion was painful.  Little did I know it would be the last time I would see my Uncle as well.

Just as I was coming to the dark realization that this really had happened, my Mother called me at 3:30 in the morning on April, 15th to inform me that my Grandmother had passed away.  My Mother's Mother had passed, and the sound of my Mother's voice would make me hold strong for as long as the call would last.  I went up to tell my Husband who was fast asleep, and the world just spun, and I passed out.  Woke in his arms, and told him of the next blow in my Grandmother's passing.  My Grandmother, always treated me with so much love, cooked beans, and dumplines for me, and always had a doll I could play with.  My memories of my Grandmother are just as dear as those of my Uncle but, different, I mean, she was my Grandmother. 

 I had gotten the privilege of seeing her last summer, and my children got to really know her while they were there for the summer with my parents.  My heart told me, this would be the last time I would physically see her, and indeed, it was.  


In 48 hours, I lost two cherished family members, and could not wrap my head around it all, it made no sense, and I wanted to do nothing.  I did not want to smile, knit, or workout.  My body was screaming to go for a run but, my heart and head, did not have the drive. With these thoughts, I reminded myself that to keep myself healthy, would honor my family losses because they had struggled with health issues, and so, I finally moved my body into motion on the 17th, telling myself to stop feeling sorry for myself because, the cycle of life, includes death, and I could not use the love I had for them, as an excuse to stop doing what I had accomplished and longed to expand so, I ran, poorly but, I ran, and it felt good...I would complete 2.5 miles, and not remember part of the run because, all I was thinking about was my Mother, and Father and how each of them had just lost a loved one, and the fear that one day, I as their child, along with my brother would lose them.  

Blowing bubbles for our loved ones lost.

"C", one of my workout buddies.

It is amazing how running, working out can make you get away from everything if only for a little while but, away all the same.  I pushed into working out again, treadmill, gym, friends, and the occasional tear, and kind gestures by those friends.  One was a beautiful card left by one of my workout buddies, "C".  I opened that card, and although I did water up, I felt that my friends cared and that made a huge difference.  Next was my friend, "A" he and his family made a donation for my children to go out the following weekend, and celebrate the lives of our lost loved ones, and in doing so, made me realize that I had years of good memories and only a moment of their deaths so, the good would always out weigh the loss.  Finally my buddy "H", he was my rock when I thought I would lose it at work, he would just talk to me, and comfort me with his words, and a hug when I would zone out.  He put a lot of things in perspective for me, and gave his prayers to my parents and my family as we all tried to come to grips with so much so suddenly.  The power of friendship, and the human touch is beyond explanation but, can do so much when needed, Thank you "H", you are always going to be an important person to me, and to my family as are "C", and "A", true friends/familia.


Fast forward two weeks, and things are much easier, I am working out again, did an "Indian Run" as we called it in the Army yesterday.  I did a mile of very short choppy steps, making the mile seems like TEN!  I was tempted so many times to open my stride but, resisted, reminding myself that I was taking more steps to strengthen my legs, with a concentration on my calves, it still sucked!  A good part to all of this was that my eldest daughter, (seen above in the yellow chipmunk t-shirt) ran the whole thing with me...she is 10, and kicked my tail by at least 60 yards.  This was her first time running with Mommy, and it didn't even make her sweat!  I think, with those long legs, swan arms, and thin, TALL frame, she may just be a natural distance runner...goodness I hope so!  She would be in much better shape then her Mama was growing up, I HATED running.

Why would I do an "Indian Run"?  Well, I have decided to run a 1/2 Marathon for my little buddy, Micah.  Micah's Mommy "S" is a dear friend, who needed people to represent Team "Super Micah" for the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon.    

Micah was chosen by Children's Hospital to be represented for a mile in the race, and I have decided what better reason to bite the bullet and make a huge stride toward my first marathon, then to run for an amazing little boy, who is part of an amazing cause?!  So now, I am training for my first 1/2 marathon, and although I know going from 4 miles to 13 is going to be tough, I have 6 months to train hard, and do this little Champ proud, and raise money for an amazing hospital that dedicates itself to cures, treatment, and love of children who have challenges many of us would not be strong enough to handle as adults.  If you feel compelled to donate, I will be placing a link very soon to allow you to donate, and support Team "Super Micah" in the coming weeks.  I would also ask that you kick me in the butt to help motivate me to keep training, and allow me to run the entire distance, this is my goal.

Well, that is the long and the short of the last two weeks, today I plan on doing as long a run as I can.  Just run till I cannot run anymore, then spend time with my family.  My thighs are sore from yesterday but, they remind me, there is a good reason, and I will embrace it for the sweet Micah, and for my daughter Deanna who passed away but, was lovingly cared for by Children's Hospital in Akron.  

"Corre Mami Corre!"
Emerald

I love the Sun!

Today was one of those days that a person who longs to be a real "runner" lives for.  Today, the sun shown upon the track, and I decided to take advantage of it's blessings.  The clouds were puffy, and white/grey/light blue/silver, the sun was shining very brightly all day.  During work, I had to go to another building a few times, and when I went outside, the sun was so bright, all I could do was hope it would hold out till, I got out to go to the gym, and hoped to hit the track.  Wish come true!

Got to the track, and did 1.5 miles walking at a good clip, then 1/2 mile run.  This was an easy day to allow my legs to have a bit of rest from the last two days of running.  It felt good once I got warmed up but, warming up took a bit of time today.  I do not know if it was from going at the rate I did Wednesday, and I was still recovering or if it was just a common way of my body saying, keep it calm because you are not 18 anymore, lol.   Either way, I enjoyed the 2 miles of movement,  and finished up with crunches.  I look forward to the weather that is supposed to grace us Sunday of approximately 70 degrees, let's hope it happens.  Looking at Sunday as a chance to do another 3 miles, at an easy pace, and lot's of rest.



How do you get YOUR pace?  Do you run with a friend?  Do you use a heart monitor?  Or do you run with a group?  Tell me how you choose to accomplish your run, and what has been your greatest feeling accomplishment in the running  journey?  

I have run with friends, and my dog, she is an Alaskan Malamute but, I am sad to say that our girl "Motoki" is getting old, and has given up on the running with me.  It pains me to see her curled up on the run by the door, and standing up stiffly still trying to move about like a puppy yet, limping, and slowing down.  She was a worthy running partner, and I miss her terribly out there on the cold nights, when I would wonder if I could handle the cold.  She would set my pace, like she KNEW the right speed to go, and would look back at me as if to say, "Are you okay?"  When we would make it back home, she would lean against my legs like she was warming me, I miss my at home running partner.  I have been entertaining getting another dog via adoption but, TheHubs has put the parking break on the idea so, for now I will just run alone as the days get longer and the sun sets later.  Motoki was my protector in the dark of Autumn and early winter, now it is time for her to retire.  Mama loves ya girl.  

The Menu:
1.0 Pineapples, honeydew melon, water
1.5 Granola bar, water
2.0 Steak fries with KETCHUP BABY...and water! lol
2.5 Cashews, water 
3.0 Pizza, and potato wedges, and water!

***To date, I have lost 11lbs on the Vegan challenge, and am hoping it will be 13lbs gone but, it will take strictness.  So far, it really has been easy so, we shall see.***


I was doing the girly leg maintenance thing, and had my leg up high on the tub ledge when Miss Moomoos came in...

Miss M: Mommy how do you do that?!
Me: What, shave???
Miss M: Yes, with your leg up that high..
Me: Flexibility honey.
Miss M: Your legs are like Twizzlers,  all bendy and with lines.  (Lines=shave track through the soap)
Me: Thank you sweetie....(I think, I wasn't sure if it was a compliment or not, after she left I got paranoid and checked to see if I was getting varicose veins or something.  Luckily, no varicose veins.  sigh of relief.)
Me:  Thanks I think. 


Corre Mami Corre
Emerald

The Day 15 Vegan...

It has been as many days since I have blogged on my fitness journey. Since my last update I have joined another person in a 21 day vegan challenge. So far it really hasn't been so tough and I have lost 9 pounds! Yes, I am happy with the weight loss but, more so what it has done for he inside of my body.

I am feeling much better and don't feel gut wrenching puffy in the tummy off and on throughout the day. I can exercise and not feel weighed down and am feeling more energetic as well. Essentially, my body has detoxed quite a bit and it has improved many aspects of my general well being. Do I plan on staying vegan? Nope, I like burgers but, I do plan on keeping some of the tricks and wholesomeness that I have learned along the way.

When I HAD to exercise I didn't as much back in the military. This is a great friend, good times.     

The running is still feeling pretty good I am still concentrating on speed but, soon I will shift my focus back to endurance, and distance again. More than likely I will be doing more sleds and pulling/ pushing exercises along with explosive exercises for my legs and core. I am hoping by changing things up between strength and speed and distance, I will have an easier time with the 10K and feel even more confident than I did with my first 5K. We shall see. 2 more inches around the middle and I may take the dive and get the tattoo I have wanted to honor all of my 5 children.

Latest exercises incorporated: dips with 25lbs weight across thighs between two benches, sleds, leg lifts, Russian twists without the box and running, always some type of running. Yes, I will run a marathon...

Menu:
1. Fruit, water
1.5 trail mix, water
2.0 salad, orange, water
2.5 cashews, apple, water
3.0 habichuelas y domplines! Giggle AKA beans and bread dumplings and it was Puerto Ricanly delicious!
7
Mister P to Miss M:
P: what is 12-4?
M: 8!
P: why is it 8? (trying to make her doubt herself)
M: because seven ate nine, duh!

Yeah, she used an old kid joke but, used it well. The three of us just laughed as we walked to their school bus stop. Life is good!

Corre Mami Corre!
Emerald

Run-Time, and Time Travel…

Hola Damas y Caballeros! How are your fitness goals coming along?  Well, I hope.  Mine is on a steady uptick again, I have been picking up my distance, 3-4miles for a “long run” and

Plyometric Exercises for Balance & Control -- powered by ehow

Plyometric Exercises for Balance & Control - KIRK VICKERS

to strengthen my long and short muscles for those hills.  

The plan is to do the 10K in the Spring at some point, I am looking at the venues available, and particularly looking for a nice wooded park race.  I have looked at many organizations and found that I liked Greenswell the best.  They have beautiful wooded locations, laid back atmosphere, and well organized runs.  They are hosting many runs under the, Wellness In the Woods” program, with run distances of all types with a focus on family events, and charities, to me that is a win/win for everyone. 
Right now, I am working on improving my time at an 8K distance, to lead myself into the 10K distance by, doing many short runs with a focus on going just tiny bit faster to trim off, 10 seconds a week.  I realize that does not sound like much to many people but, for me it adds up quickly as a month of doing this comes up at the end of this month.  Nine more days, and I hope to have 30-40 seconds shaved off my 4 miles.  This would get me to where I am able to run 4 miles, a little faster, and still be comfortable.

Did some running in PA!  Nothing noteworthy because I was there for a certification course in geek Dom and got back too late to enjoy the amazing weather for an outdoors run but, I did get the luxury of getting a room next to the gym!  The funniest part was that it was on the third floor, when I would think many would agree that the gyms are usually on the first floor, lol.  Anyhow, I was able to go and run 3 separate days while using my heart monitor watch.  (You can see it on my wrist in the picture above.)   I love this watch, it is accurate, and has helped to let me gauge when I need to kick things up a bit, or slow it down to avoid burning out.
The treadmill in the gym, had seen quite a few miles by many runners, and the belt slipped a bit until I got a good pace going that was friendly to the treadmill.  This pace was a bit on the faster side for my ability but, I got through it all three times, and was quite happy that due to not having a choice, I made a better time. 
While in PA, I was able to eat sensibly with less pressure to eat what was available for dinner.  I went to the grocery store after the first day of classes, and bought natural foods, and lean meals for the microwave.  Doing this really helped me not feel pressure to eat crappy food everyday.  I did treat myself to lunch with my buddies two of the 9 days there, and two dinners, other than that, I was eating fruit, veggies, whole wheat, peanut butter, and lean meals with a case of water.  It was a good healthy trip, and I detoxed quite a bit because, when I returned, anything heavy, hit me like a ton of bricks so, I was able to tell that my body was not use to the heaviness of some cooked foods.

Starting Monday, I go on a 21 day detox with my Jefita (little Boss Lady) who had suggested we go vegan for 21 days.  She is using this method to jump start herself, and I am using it to rid my body more stringently of toxins, and lean out the tummy.  Veggies, and fruits are great for this, and to wean myself from heavy amounts of meats and animal fats.  I do NOT plan on living a vegan lifestyle because lets face it, I love a good filet mignon with wine!  ;0)

Miss Moomoos: Mommy you are home!!!  I missed you!  Did you exercise while you was gone?
Me: Yes, Mama I did.
Miss M:  What did you do?
Me: I ran on the treadmill and did some Russian Twists.
Miss M:  That’s all?  You dinent lose any weight that way did you? (look of disapproval)
Me: I don’t know baby.  (Which made me avoid getting on the scale as I had originally planned.  Stuck with gauging how  the tummy looked than quickly put my shirt back down after looking in the mirror.  I swear she is going to be an Olympic or Football coach, little bully!) 
Corre Mami Corre!
Emerald

Running Without the Wind

My newest obsession has been running on the very loved treadmill while watching Netflix on my laptop propped on a table, lol.  I have been pushing out the mileage while watching, "Downton Abbey", a British mini series hosted on PBS from, Masterpiece Theatre...um, it is really good! I get moving along on the treadmill, and do not even realize how far or how long I have run while watching.  I don't even notice my breathing, and before I know it I am hitting 3-4 miles, and feeling great!

Polar Heart Monitor

This is my newest addition to my jogging/running arsenal, the Polar Heart Monitor and I LOVE it!  TheHubs bought it for me for Christmas as well, and I am just getting around to using it, I forgot it was in the box!  UGH!  Anyway, I set it all up yesterday for my 5:30am treadmill jog.  I say setup because, you not only set the time but, your age, weight, height, and gender, and you have a strap that you snap around your chest.  This strap has transmitters that one wets with water, and fits securely against your skin to monitor your heart, and sends the information to the "watch" and you are able to see all the information, and gauge your fitness level as you heart rate improves, and yes it keeps time too, lol.  DIG IT!!!

I have two more pounds gone so, from the original 35lbs lost, I gained 8, and have again lost 2 putting me at DAMN IT!!!!  6 more pounds to get back to the original 35lbs gone, (freaking winter makes me hibernate in the worst way)  I slip on my eating, with all the holiday meals, which turns into bad habits again, and I succumb to TheHub's fast food and sweets addiction.  I have in the last two weeks started weening myself back down to proper eating, not starving myself by any means but, just getting back to egg white omelets,  fruits, veggies, no sauces, gravies, added sugars, add salts, or processed foods, outside of my addiction to raspberry yogurt pretzels.  

Moving on, I have been running in the mornings, and on most evenings, getting a total of 3-5 miles per day, I am concentrating on incline runs for muscle strength, and cardio strength.  My incline is only up to 1.5 at this point, I am not trying to be Super Woman, only Wonder Woman, and we all know Wonder Woman can't fly so, there you have it, besides, I think Wonder Woman is hotter, brunettes are awesome, and throw in a tan, and a non-functional cape and WHAM!  Smokin'!   Chill out to all my Blond, Raven, and Red headed friends...I will admit it.......you are cuties too, sheesh, there I said it.

Next on the agenda, more weights, it is the season to start them back up again, with a concentration on core and legs.  I won't be ignoring my arms, back and chest but, it will only be working to define them more, versus true strength like I want to do for my core and legs.

The Menu:

1. Egg White Omelet-turkey, ham, cheese, mushrooms

1.5 Water

2.0 Fried Rice...I know, should have been steamed...

2.5 Pretzels!!!

3.0 Cheese Pizza, (Just remembered I am in LENT!!!  Darn it!  Sorry God!)   

Miss Moomoos - yesterday morning:  How fast are you going? (As she sat watching me on the treadmill at 6:15)  

Me: About 4.5 miles an hour baby.

Miss M: Is that slow?  (She how much faith she has in her old Mom?)

Me: No, not really

Miss M:  Is that lazy?

Me: (cricket sounds.....I stop treadmill at 2.6 miles, drop head and hit the shower....)  Probably baby, probably.

I'm not sure if I want HER at the finish line for my 10K....she might tell me my time sucked!   Kids, gotta love 'em.

"Corre Mami Corre!"

Emerald

Whiner!

...iTouch-check, water-check, towel-check, Nike+ on-check, let's get moving. Trotting along, doobie doobie do! Singing to the music (in my head of course don't want to annoy other treadmill worshipers). 1/4 mile in, woo getting a little winded, WTH?! 1/2 mile in tummy is starting to gurgle a bit, 3/4 mile, nausea setting in, 1 mile tummy cramping full on, 1 1/4 mile... Screw this, I'm done!!!

The forces of nature continue to conspire against me, yesterday I was terribly sick to my stomach from a bug that hit family members at a rate of a new patient every 12-24 hours. I knew I would have to take it easy but, a mile?! The tummy told the brain,"Make it stop!" I did and feel like a punk!

I will give it a shot again tomorrow and everyday till I feel better, blah. For now, I will curl up on the couch,and wait for this to pass.

Miss Moomoos is sick with the bug, no quips. :0(

Corre Mami Corre!