tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62848128941810778002024-02-22T07:55:19.607-08:00my life on the runthe ramblings of a busy wife, mother and child care provider searching for her inner athleteAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-35937997754841958672013-09-21T11:44:00.000-07:002013-09-21T11:53:32.630-07:00SaturdayI had the best of plans to get up early and go for my first fall morning run today, Yes, the first day of fall is tomorrow but it feels like fall today and I wanted to celebrate with a run.<br />
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Everyone who knows me knows I love summer. I love having my kids home with me, the warm weather, swimming, paddleboarding, hiking and everything else that goes alone with summer. I like spring because it's closer to summer and it defrosts the cold winter weather. But fall is my favorite!<br />
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Living in Sacramento in the fall is great. We have lots, and lots, and lots of trees here. We have so many trees, one of the city's nicknames is "city of trees". As kids we learn in school that Sacramento is second only to Paris, France for the city with the most trees per capita in the world! (I am aware that it has been a long time since I was a child in school and that fun fact might not be fact anymore but I'm still proud of it.) While some of our tree population are evergreens many are not and we are treated to a rainbow of colored leaves every fall. Did I mention I love trees?<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VGf-mnOXSCs/Uj3mJwq82kI/AAAAAAAAEAo/TtzFQeGd9Wc/s1600/trees+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VGf-mnOXSCs/Uj3mJwq82kI/AAAAAAAAEAo/TtzFQeGd9Wc/s320/trees+2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Back to today. I was going to get to up early and run! I was excited about this. I even fell asleep thinking about where I would run even though I was watching a show with Jeremy. I expected to wake up to my alarm going off and the house quiet full of my sleeping family. Instead, I woke up to my family talking in the kitchen, the sun already high in the sky and me in the bed alone. I was stiff and had a awful headache from the lack of caffeine in my blood stream. I looked at my phone and it was almost 10:00AM! What happened??? What happened to my glorious fall celebratory fun? And where is the coffee?<br />
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As I type, I'm drinking my coffee and the computer screen is slowly coming into better focus. (Thank goodness for spell check.) and I am trying to figure out what went wrong. For starters, my allergies have been really bad and my skin has been paying the price. Dry skin + eczema + season change = miserable Anna. Last night I decided to take a few of my dermatologist prescribed antihistamines in an effort to get a better night's sleep. I can only take them when I know I have time for a full night's sleep because whether I have time or not, that's what I'll be getting. They knock my ass out! Those little pills could have something to do with sleeping half the day away but I think they were only a contributing factor. Honestly, I think I'm just really tired. I had a similar over sleeping episode last Saturday too. Only, I don't remember taking my pills that time and I over slept even more than today. I think I'm just tired.<br />
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My work week has never been a walk in the park (even though it includes many walks in the park). Most days I get up at 4:30AM. I'm in the gym by 5:00 and back home by 6:00. I get the kids up, ready for school and make their lunches. Daycare opens at 6:30, Sam leaves for school at 7:00, Nevyn leaves at 7:30. Most of my daycare kids are here by breakfast, served at 8:30, and everyone is here by 9:00. We have lunch at noon, a snack after nap at 3:00 and everyone, my family included, has diner at 6:00. Daycare closes at 6:30 at which point I spend time with my kids, clean up after diner and take care of any other chores that need to be done before going to bed. It's a long and busy day but not more than I can handle, most of the time.<br />
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The dynamic of daycare has changed a lot. I used to have one infant, one toddler, three preschoolers and two schoolagers. Now that school is back in full swing I have an almost all new group of kids. Now I have two infants, one preschooler and three toddlers. In this case, you can substitute the word "toddler" for "2 year old". Yes, I have three 2 year olds. I love all my daycare kids like family. They may as well all be my nieces and nephews because that's how I feel about them so please don't get the idea that I don't care for or like them. But it is a challenge. It's been years since I had a group like this. In fact, those kids who just left to go to school were the last group like this. That's how this business is. So it's going to take me some time to readjust to my new workload and I think that's the underlying reason I've over slept two Saturdays in a row. I think I will stop setting my alarm for Saturdays for a while and plan on running on Sunday mornings instead. My body is being pretty obvious that it needs some extra rest on Saturday mornings.<br />
<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-39569195745144335022013-09-19T17:03:00.000-07:002013-09-19T17:03:19.946-07:00I'm still here and I'm still runningIn case you you didn't notice, I stopped blogging... I've thought about blogs to write and even started a few as "drafts" but they seemed boring and dry so I never posted them. But today I feel like writing so I'm here to catch up on my races.<br />
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The last race I blogged about was the Running on the Elk half marathon in Elk Grove. That was in April... and it's September now... Thankfully I journal on the back of my race bibs so I don't have to actually remember the races I skipped blogging about. Here's a quick wrap-up of each race.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLVONz93y04/Ujt8_1KrUGI/AAAAAAAAD7o/p8_66mL1JMc/s1600/Image+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLVONz93y04/Ujt8_1KrUGI/AAAAAAAAD7o/p8_66mL1JMc/s320/Image+3.jpg" width="320" /></a>Zoo Zoom 5K April 14, 2013, 38:30<br />
It's hard to believe that this was my first 5K since the Lou Gehrig run in January but it was. I knew my time wouldn't be anywhere close to my 5K PR so I chose to treat this run like a fun run. I, of course recored my time, but I wasn't going to seriously compare it to any of my past 5K's. I've been training for distance not speed and even tough this was a short race my legs got tight about half way through. Jeremy and the kids came to this one and their presence always make the finish special for me. Nevyn did the kids half mile. This was his first event since he broke his clavicle. He was vey excited! He hadn't done anything very physical in months and we were very proud of him for getting out there and participating. He had a goal of finishing in six minutes. He crushed that with a 5:30 finish! </div>
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American River Parkway Half Marathon May 4, 2013, 3:46:21</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtiKGw-QjMw/Ujt8_zv-y-I/AAAAAAAAD7s/-YmgOtIl6Q4/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtiKGw-QjMw/Ujt8_zv-y-I/AAAAAAAAD7s/-YmgOtIl6Q4/s320/Image+1.jpg" width="320" /></a>This was half number 5 out of my year of 13. At the start I was only mildly cold in my shorts and tank top and this made me nervous. I like to be uncomfortably cold at the beginning of races, especially half marathons. Otherwise I run the risk of getting too hot too fast which can lead to a disaster. The temperature rose quickly and it didn't take long for me to get overheated. All year I hadn't been running with a hydration belt and that was a mistake for this race. For the first time ever I got dehydrated on the course and fought off muscle cramps in my legs and feet in the later miles. I was forced to walk the last five miles and I was miserable. The silver lining to this situation was meeting Iris. She's a middle aged woman with five kids, in nursing school who was running her first event. She's not a new runner and can out distance me day but she had never participated in a race before. She had a huge smile and is one of the happiest people I've ever met. She made those last five miles bearable for me and I'm sure that meeting her wasn't any coincidence. I finished in 3:46:21 not a time that makes me smile but this year is all about crossing the finish line and I did that with a new friend and that does make me smile.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-91u3WLZfONY/Ujt9BIVe8-I/AAAAAAAAD70/5IwN59Mb7nc/s1600/Image+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-91u3WLZfONY/Ujt9BIVe8-I/AAAAAAAAD70/5IwN59Mb7nc/s320/Image+4.jpg" width="320" /></a>Mermaid Series Half Marathon, East Bay May 11, 2013, 3:44:12<br />
Yay, I love Mermaid events! I had joined Team Mermaid earlier in the year and have been training with the Mermaids for this event. Tracy, my running/yoag/Bodypump buddy came with me and ran the 5K. This event is in Fremont and I normally stay at a near by Motel 6. Cheesy, I know but also cheap and since I have to get up and be at the event location before the sun it seems silly to pay money on a more expensive room for a few hour of sleep. Tracy however, disagrees and didn't think the low expense is worth the Motel 6 experience, lol. If she comes with me next year we'll spurge for a nicer room somewhere else :) This race starts on an unpaved trail around Quarry Lakes. I have done this race for the last three years and I know it starts as a trail run but I seem to get amnesia during training and never train on trails. Because of this repeated newbie mistake my times here are never as good as they could be. However I was also contending with the heat. In the past it has been relatively cool while on the course. It gets a little warmer later on but not enough to need my hydration belt. This was not the case this year. It got hot! In addition to these other obstacles I had a cyst that had ruptured the day before the race and the placement of this monstrosity made it very painful to run. I spent a lot of time walking. Have I ever mentioned that I am the slowest walker on the planet? Well, I am... This was my first Mermaid event as a Team Mermaid member and it was GREAT having so many other Mermaids, Tracy and my coach cheering for me through the finish chute. At least it was a better experience and time than the American River half, even though it was by only two minutes.<br />
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Women's Fitness Festival 5K June 2, 2013, 39:25<br />
June brings the event that got me back into training in the first place. The Women's Fitness Festival! Tracy also did this one with me and she had a great race, finishing well before me. The weather this summer was pretty typical for Sacramento (HOT!) but what made this year different was how early it got hot. By the time this event started I was already feeling warm. By the time we got to the first mile I was overheated and kind of miserable. I got slowed down by other runners more than usual. There were a lot of kids on the course this year, which I love to see, but they stop abruptly and frequently and that adds a little extra challenge. I even had to stop half a block from the finish line due to congestion and kids without break lights. I finished in 39:25. It's a slow time but still two minutes faster than last year's event.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOMyKoGhYFU/Ujt9Bk7CxVI/AAAAAAAAD74/l5kUBaCOm_M/s1600/Image+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOMyKoGhYFU/Ujt9Bk7CxVI/AAAAAAAAD74/l5kUBaCOm_M/s320/Image+5.jpg" width="320" /></a>Mermaid Duathlon, Alameda June 9, 2013, 1:54:27<br />
June also brought my first ever multi sport event. I did a duathlon! Here's the break down of each sport. run-1.5 miles, bike-12 miles, run-2.5 miles. I felt strong on the first leg and the first bike loop. There was a pretty strong headwind after the turnaround on the bike so by the time I did the second bike loop I was feeling tired. My pace slowed considerably and when I left the transition area my legs where weak and wobbly. The third leg was hard and I walk most of the first part. When I got to the turn-about I decided to "finish strong" and I ran as much as I could force myself to run. I powered through the finish to the welcoming arms of my teammates and my husband. This was challenging but so much fun! Run-17:39, Bike-58:16, Run-35:52, Total 1:54:27<br />
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The Superhero 5K June 16, 2013<br />
Nevyn and I did this together and it was a lot of fun. We saw a lot of people in consume and started thinking of ideas for next year :) We ran in the capes they gave up at the packet pick up. Nevyn showed off his awesomeness all over the course by jumping over cones and trying to ditch me. When the finish was in sight she sped away and finished with a big smile on his face! I don't have a time recorded for this race. I don't know why but it doesn't matter. It was so much fun it must have been unmeasurable. <br />
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The Moonlight Half Marathon, Davis July 13, 2013, 3:34:42<br />
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This was hot and miserable! I will NOT be doing this event ever again. I had a another cyst during this race and was told by my doctor to walk it and to stop if it started to bother me. I took water with me this time. I knew it was going to be hot and I would be on the course for a long time. I think the hydration belt makes the distance of the half marathon even harder... An hour into the the race it was still 91 degrees outside but as soon as the sun started to drop in the sky and went below the tree line it got cooler and even comfortable. By this time I had been walking for a long time and my feet where getting sore. (Walking long distances in running shoes are hard on my feet.) Around mile seven I got a burst of energy and started to run. If felt so good to run! I ran for as long as I felt like running then walked till I wanted to run again. I did this for the rest of the race and finished in 3:34:42.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vz0xY2VucYo/Ujt9CnTpDEI/AAAAAAAAD8U/4oJOqMPRGbI/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vz0xY2VucYo/Ujt9CnTpDEI/AAAAAAAAD8U/4oJOqMPRGbI/s320/Image.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Giant Race, San Francisco August 4, 2013, 3:11:39<br />
This was a great race! The weather was perfect and turned out to be my best time of the year. I always love running in the city. The course started in from of AT&T Park, went down the embarcadero, through the wharf, down to Crissy Field, to the the <br />
bridge and back. On the way back we ran though the park around Fort Mason. This was the steepest climb and downhill was a little painful but it was very short. Most of the course was flat. I got to mile ten faster than I had expected and entered the ball park before Jeremy expected. He had to scramble to get a picture of me coming though the finish line. I finished in 3:11:39!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTEDoPQnzCM/Ujt9Czqe5ZI/AAAAAAAAD8M/9bp0x1FmjSI/s1600/Image+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTEDoPQnzCM/Ujt9Czqe5ZI/AAAAAAAAD8M/9bp0x1FmjSI/s320/Image+7.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Whole Foods Running School Half Marathon, Roseville September 1, 2013, 3:19:40<br />
This is another event I wont be doing in the future. I was hot and because it was in miner's ravine it was beautiful but lots of little, steep hills. This was a very small race, less than 120 runner. This means that the back of the packers, like me, become the end of the packers. I finished before two other participants. When I turned the last corner to see the finish line I stopped and called back to the girl behind me asking if she wanted to finish together. That was what she needed to pick up her pace and "finish strong". I ran a little faster than her so I crossed a few seconds before her but because it was past the three hour time limit the even organizers had already taken down the timing equipment so I don't have an official finish time. According to my watch I finished in 3:19:40. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3sw0lG-MYpM/Ujt9CRqDMEI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/pHuCwAj0I3M/s1600/Image+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3sw0lG-MYpM/Ujt9CRqDMEI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/pHuCwAj0I3M/s320/Image+6.jpg" width="320" /></a>Clo-Cow Half Marathon, Petaluma September 15, 2013<br />
I didn't have a very good attitude going into this race. I knew it was going to be hilly and I hadn't trained properly for hills. That was made painfully clear when I ran the Whole Foods run two weeks before. That race went so badly I had already made up my mind that Clo-Cow was going to be just as bad or even worse. Originally, Jeremy was going to go with me but his work schedule changed and no longer had the time off. This intensified my "I don't wanna!" attitude. The race started in downtown Petaluma and would go through farmland to the turn-about point. As we ran through the streets I noticed we were about half a block from the parking garage where my car was waiting for me. I actually thought about ditching the race. But I didn't. I kept going while thinking up reasons and excuses to quit. We left downtown and headed up our first climb. I ran part of it and walked part of it but it wasn't too bad. As we headed into farmland my attitude started changing. As always, and especially during of town races, I focused on the scenery and my surroundings. The hills made for a beautiful landscape. The houses would really pretty, the animals where fun and the locals were amazing. I ran past cows, sheep, horses, donkeys, chickens, dogs, kids and whole families out there supporting the runners. At one point a horse paced me to the end of it's property line. It was pretty amazing. The cows where mooing and the poor dogs didn't know what to do with the heard of people running up and down the roads. The longest climb was just over a mile long and we were rewarded with an aid station and the turn-about. Up hill is brutal but I like it more than going downhill. Going down hill is complicated, at least for me it is. If I run down it too fast I risk injuring my knees. If I walk down hill my feet slide in my shoes (yes, they are the correct size for me) and cause friction which leads to raw feet. I have to find a happy middle ground for my body so I compromise with a jog. I keep it soft on my knees but my feet aren't on the ground long enough for my feet to slide. It works pretty well most of the time. In most races mile 10 is where the my race becomes more of a mental challenge than a physical one but this race was different. I was tired by the time I got to mile 10 but not like I normally am. In fact, I was only mildly uncomfortable and that really made me happy. I finished the race at a good pace with a time of 3:17:32. Two full minutes better than the race two weeks before and only five minutes slower than my best time of the year. I couldn't ask for a better outcome.<br />
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Okay, I'm all caught up on my races up to this point. This goal of finishing thirteen half marathons in 2013 has proven to be harder than I had thought it would be. I'm really tired. I'm now taking a week off from training after every race to give body body a chance to recover. I only have three left and as long as I don't get injured think I'll be able to finish.<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-18629947596317994292013-07-25T09:53:00.001-07:002013-07-25T09:53:29.863-07:00Anna, why are you such a huge fan of the Goo Goo Dolls?<br />
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When I was a kid, a young kid, I had a pretty great family life. My dad worked his ass off running his company and doing odd jobs whenever he could find them in the 80's. I never went without even though my mom was a stay-at-home and we where in a recession. When he wasn't working dad was taking me on bike rides on the river trail, taking me fishing, taking all of us camping and building me and my sister doll house furniture. My mom and I had a great relationship and spent a lot of time together. We would go out on lunch dates, she took me to musicals at Music Circus, endless trips to McKinley park, dance lessons, swim lessons, ice cream at Gunther's, she was my campfire leader and she was always the mom with the most classroom hours at the end of the school year. I had a very close relationship my aunt even though she always lived out of state and I had the love and support from my grandparents and other extended family members. I had an amazing childhood but somewhere along the way it slowly started to fall apart. </div>
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When I was ten my parents split up and life was never the same again. My mother had made some new friends in our neighborhood and soon became a party mom. Her drug use which had been minimal in the past became a recreational activity and eventually became the focus of her life. That left my sister and me to fend for ourselves. I'm older by five years so I stepped up and made sure we had dinner every night, got our homework done and tucked my sister into bed while mom was "at the store" for hours. Once my sister was in bed I would wait up and make sure mom got home okay. As soon as I saw her pull up to our house I would quietly go to bed. </div>
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Middle school is a time for kids to explore different sides of their personality and for exploring who they want to be. I was struggling. I didn't think I had a personality and was afraid of the person I might be. After all, if my mother had given up on me I didn't have much chance of being a likable and lovable person. At that time I didn't understand that addiction was an illness and had nothing to do with me. I tried to do really well in school thinking that maybe that would make my mother proud and me worthy of her affection. After middle school I became obsessed with my grades. It was the only part of my life I had control over so I put everything I had into them. My grades continued to get better and I eventually graduated high school with a 4.0.</div>
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I didn't talk about my life with anyone. Looking back, I don't remember being embarrassed or fearing judgment from others so I don't think that's why I never talked about what was going on. I think being away from home was a welcome break from the stress and gave me the opportunity to be a kid so I kept my two lives separate. My best friend didn't even know. We have been very close since we were in the fourth grade and had spent lots of time at each other's houses. Back then our household dysfunction wasn't yet obviouse to the casual visitor. In the last few years I have shared more of my story with her and anyone else who asks and she's always surprised by what my reality was. </div>
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In 1995 I was in the eighth grade and I spent a lot of time in my room listening to music. My tastes were changing and I was listening to less of the R&B I grew up with, and that my mother still listened to, and more rock. One day I heard a song titled "Name" by the Goo Goo Dolls and it quickly became my favorite. As soon as I got paid (I worked as an assistant at a family child care home) I went out and got their album, "A Boy Named Goo" and listened to it nonstop when I was home. When my mother was out of the house, which was frequently, I would turn up the volume as high as I could stand and listen to it while laying on my floor. The vibrations in my chest was comforting to me and I identified with the songs "Name" and "Naked". They aren't uplifting songs by any means but they made me feel less alone. Like I had some kind of connection. Music is like that.</div>
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The next few years (my first two years of high school) got worse but then, life changed again and, things got better. I wasn't as alone as I thought I was. When I was dealing with my demons there where people who loved me and cared about me trying to make things better without making anything worse. This might not make much sense right now but someday I'll write about the next chapter in my life and where these people were when I was fourteen and fifteen and the pieces will start to fit together. </div>
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Throughout the changes life thew at me the Goo Goo Dolls became a constant and continued to be a source of comfort and connection. "Name" isn't my favorite anymore, the Goos have released five albums since then, (not counting the greatest hits, teasers and concert disks, and yes, I have them ALL) but when I hear "Name" live I get misty eyed. Not because of the hardships and not-so-good memories but because it reminds me that I'm resilient and comfort can be found even at the worst of times. </div>
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And that's how I became obsessed with the Goo Goo Dolls :)</div>
Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-22842336876951514362013-04-10T09:45:00.001-07:002013-04-10T09:45:27.613-07:00Running of the Elk wrap up and Acupuncture<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o-DN9_1Qxks/UWWSLACwMtI/AAAAAAAADzQ/T_n_B-eSrz4/s640/blogger-image--1232095614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o-DN9_1Qxks/UWWSLACwMtI/AAAAAAAADzQ/T_n_B-eSrz4/s320/blogger-image--1232095614.jpg" width="320" /></a>Last Wednesday I went to my Team Mermaid workout and did a total of four miles. The next three days I paid for it dearly. The plantar fasciitis in my left foot was making itself known and I was getting very concerned about my half marathon the following Sunday. I had decided that I would take it easy and even walk the 13.1 miles if I needed to. <br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uG-M9TGdEf0/UWWQmWRQe4I/AAAAAAAADy4/L12G899NHDI/s640/blogger-image--344295380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uG-M9TGdEf0/UWWQmWRQe4I/AAAAAAAADy4/L12G899NHDI/s200/blogger-image--344295380.jpg" width="200" /></a>I had been excited for this race but dreading it at the same time. Excited because it would be my first event in my new shoes and I had about three weeks to recover from my last half. Dreading because over those three weeks I had been ill and got almost no training done. If you have been following this blog then you know all about my training troubles. <br />
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On race day my foot was bothering me during the drive from my home in the Arden area all the way to Elk Grove. I took that as a reminder to just enjoy the day and not worry about anything else. I spend the 45 minutes before the race walking loops around the expo. At first it was to see what venders where out but then it was just to keep warm and loose. Walking expo loops can get boring. But the Nissan booth and a Quest (Nissan's minivan) out there. I have been wanting one for a long time and I really like their new body style so it was pretty awesome to get an up close look at it. <br />
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Side note: We are a Nissan family. Over the course of our relationship Jeremy and I have owned five Nissan's. When I first met Jeremy (I was in high school) he had a Frontier. After Samantha was born we got a Sentra (in heat wave), after Nevyn was born we got another Sentra. Not long after that Jeremy got a Maxima and he now has a 370 Z.<br />
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Back to race day. I remembered my watch this time so I was better able to run/walk my 30 second splits. This was great I finished the first 5K in 37 minutes, a really good time for me. Unfortunately, because I wasn't as conditioned as I would have liked to be I wasn't able to keep up that pace for the entire race. As the miles went on I got more and more tired and had to take more walking breaks but that's okay. I finished the race in 3:18:12, not bad considering I hadn't been training. Even better, the next day my foot had not hurt as bad as I thought it would. In fact, I was able to walk almost normally on it. <br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aRG74gc4EJw/UWWSNfwPUmI/AAAAAAAADzY/BpJGpoWK_C4/s640/blogger-image-1914932108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aRG74gc4EJw/UWWSNfwPUmI/AAAAAAAADzY/BpJGpoWK_C4/s200/blogger-image-1914932108.jpg" width="200" /></a>On Monday I had my first acupuncture appointment. I was amazed by the initial results. After he placed five needles in my hand he had me walk around. My foot felt instantly better. I could still feel the stretching of the plantar fascia but it didn't cause pain in my heal. It's been two days since my treatment. Some pain did come back later that day and the next morning but I have been walking better. I'm interested to see how I'll feel after my Mermaid workout this evening. He's not sure yet how many treatments it will take to heal my condition. When I tell him how long the initial treatment lasted he'll have a better idea on the whole picture. I'm optimistic! I just wish insurance covered more of the treatment. They will only cover 80% or $25 (so, $20) and the treatment are about $105 so it's actually more cost effective to pay out of pocket. They charge $65 of you have insurance but pay on your own. <br />
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My next event is the Zoo Zoom this up coming Sunday. I'm doing the 5K and I'm super excited about it! I'm treating it like a fun run. I'm going to go all out, give it everything i have and have fun! It'll be a no stress run :) <br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-1766785359043027642013-04-02T13:48:00.001-07:002013-04-02T13:48:08.460-07:00Shamrock'n wrap up<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Zkcy0Rxj_ps/UVtDn9QDUSI/AAAAAAAADyo/-3mlh6dAUo4/s640/blogger-image-947015857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Zkcy0Rxj_ps/UVtDn9QDUSI/AAAAAAAADyo/-3mlh6dAUo4/s200/blogger-image-947015857.jpg" width="200" /></a>Okay, I know this is very late but I just haven't been in the blogging mood. I've been a little stressed out. I seem to have a new ailment every week and every weekend I've been stuck in bed so my training is suffering and as a result, so are my race times. I know I said from the beginning of this crazy 13 in '13 goal that I wasn't going to stress on times this year since I have so many half of marathons on my race schedule but three hours is ridicules! So my little illness depression has made it harder for me to get on here and blog.<br />
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The day of the Shamrock'n half was a great day for or a run. The sun was shinning, it was a little cold at the start but not bad. The volunteers where great, the crowds or people cheering us on where great but I did not have a great race. Let me rewind to the weekend before this event. It was the Lucky Run half and around mile 9 my feet were killing me. That familiar feeling you get when you have exceeded the amount of miles your shoes where intended for. If you're not runner you may never experience this feeling so I'll explain what it feels like for me. My feet start to feel achy and sore at the same time and usually start to rub raw in places they have never rubbed raw in before. So the last four miles of that event where not good. I actually had to walk most of it. It was pretty obviously I needed new shoes. However, I had this event the next weekend and I didn't think I would have enough time to break in a new pair of shoes. This whole situation is every familiar to me. I ran the Shamrock'n in bran new shoes last year for the same reason and I was miserable for the entire race. I chose to wear the old shoes this year. It was painful but looking back I would have made the same choice. The next day I went down to Fleet Feet and got some new kicks and I am so excited to run my next event in them! <br />
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If I choose to run this again next year I need to remember to get new shoes in late January or early February. It would be awesome to come running around the warning track at Raley Field not feeling like I just shot myself in both feet. <br />
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Now for the medical crap. The week before the Shamrock'n half I was diagnosed with MRSA. If you don't know what that is don't feel bad, I didn't know either. This is what WebMD said:<br />
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus -- or staph -- because it's resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.<br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MDf_txh3wl4/UVtCprJM1nI/AAAAAAAADyI/iCo6yQc2xFM/s640/blogger-image--1481822633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MDf_txh3wl4/UVtCprJM1nI/AAAAAAAADyI/iCo6yQc2xFM/s200/blogger-image--1481822633.jpg" width="150" /></a>The symptoms of MRSA depend on where you're infected. Most often, it causes mild infections on the skin, like sores or boils. But it can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract.<br />
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Though most MRSA infections aren't serious, some can be life-threatening. Many public health experts are alarmed by the spread of tough strains of MRSA. Because it's hard to treat, MRSA is sometimes called a "super bug."<br />
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I was on a round of two antibiotics, eye drops and ointment. It sucked! And it sucked all my energy. Like it's not hard enough to get moving after a twelve hour workday and chores and feeding the family. But it's all gone now. <br />
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Now I'm getting ready for the Running of the Elk half. It'll be this Sunday and yesterday I had a root canal. Over the weekend and half of last week I missed all my workouts because of an infection in a broken molar. I'll be finishing up yet another round of antibiotics tomorrow. I really hope this is it for a while. It would be nice to get some training in and have a respectable race time. Is that asking for too much? I don't think so. <br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-35765414348460166102013-03-15T10:07:00.000-07:002013-03-15T10:07:42.637-07:00Lucky Run Wrap Up & Team Mermaid, Sacramento<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5-9zrpAbwjg/UUNR9_yaGoI/AAAAAAAADiI/HGxz5aY94Bk/s640/blogger-image--220345649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5-9zrpAbwjg/UUNR9_yaGoI/AAAAAAAADiI/HGxz5aY94Bk/s200/blogger-image--220345649.jpg" width="200" /></a>Half marathon #2 is in the bag. This was the first time I ran the Lucky Run in Davis. It was a beautiful day for an event (I could have done without the wind) and everyone I came across was in great spirits. I've never had a bad experience with race day volunteers but the folks at this event was among I the best ever! They help motivate and everyone of them had a smile on their face. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2gGNCqNqYyle045MSad7a-qBmiAjDDZIy3dmtPNkg-Sj26bq9FWCa1ibWr5uy8K8hjlVPEn6HLr9WgH8bJaDvCM_Bo512OYx8MFj-zuHd9AEl7oSNJ1400ihkEbixaq57triIaMqcLY/s640/blogger-image--394129116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2gGNCqNqYyle045MSad7a-qBmiAjDDZIy3dmtPNkg-Sj26bq9FWCa1ibWr5uy8K8hjlVPEn6HLr9WgH8bJaDvCM_Bo512OYx8MFj-zuHd9AEl7oSNJ1400ihkEbixaq57triIaMqcLY/s200/blogger-image--394129116.jpg" width="200" /></a>This was a challenging race for me. My right hamstring with bothering me before I even started and I had forgotten my watch at home. This meant I didn't have a timer to run my usual 30 second walk/run intervals. So instead I ran till I was tired and walked till I felt recovered. This was great, at first. I was running longer than I usually do but I wore out my feet and legs too early in the race. By the time I got to mile nine my feet where so tired they hurt. I actually walked the last 5K. On the up side, hard races make me value the finisher medal a little more. I earned that sucker. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GmJiEiGkaiJN54ESnaXSO3NMsthsvTV2tkxGA0ImQ3alS2abhtd1YMdiVG0wee8BArxBtGDcMJB0nKVwkG-QsjDz-8ezfo7b3an6MtxSNccfaiuUXgb93T4hODXRT6hJf3k9tm01nHs/s640/blogger-image-1185982851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GmJiEiGkaiJN54ESnaXSO3NMsthsvTV2tkxGA0ImQ3alS2abhtd1YMdiVG0wee8BArxBtGDcMJB0nKVwkG-QsjDz-8ezfo7b3an6MtxSNccfaiuUXgb93T4hODXRT6hJf3k9tm01nHs/s200/blogger-image-1185982851.jpg" width="150" /></a>I started training with my new team this week. Team Mermaid has come to Sacramento and I couldn't be happier! It feels great to be apart of a team again. We did a short run and lower body work on Wednesday and today (Friday) we did a strength workout focusing on upper body. It was challenging but I felt like a rockstar when I got home. <br />
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Tomorrow I plan on taking my bike on the the American River bike trail for the first time. I'll go for 30 minutes out then 30 minutes back before spending the day with my honey. I have my third half marathon on Sunday, the Shamrock'n half. I'm excited for this one. I ran it last year and it was a lot of fun (even though I was in new shoes and my feet didn't have a good time). Wish me luck! <br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-30641925691080879242013-02-21T08:39:00.001-08:002013-02-21T08:49:06.211-08:00I'm in a funk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn1gGueW-KFq7H23s9dWsDqU78vYNE97nvBlAFhdn40ie6xKKilftWkzFVOMsD6xAQF86mh9XNhG3Esdh9JF8UD-da9-PhO9kuMiDjdc4U_OpblgpzleiJEAKlfz66ZV6vMQMUwhnyfk/s640/blogger-image-1293119449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn1gGueW-KFq7H23s9dWsDqU78vYNE97nvBlAFhdn40ie6xKKilftWkzFVOMsD6xAQF86mh9XNhG3Esdh9JF8UD-da9-PhO9kuMiDjdc4U_OpblgpzleiJEAKlfz66ZV6vMQMUwhnyfk/s200/blogger-image-1293119449.jpg" width="200" /></a>Yesterday's workout: <br />
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Lol, that didn't happen... Rest day<br />
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I'm writing this at 8 in the morning sitting on a pillow on the floor with a baby playing by my feet, a dog cuddling next to me, three kids on the other side of the carpet playing with blocks. Another kid is at the table eating and my other dog is standing under the table just I case a muffin crum falls her way. It's a typical morning. <br />
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As I'm sitting here it's hard not to notice the crazy amount of dog hair that's all over everything. And that reminds me of what a mess the hallway floor is, and the kitchen floor, and the bathroom floor, and the mounds of laundry that still need to be folded, and the mounds that have yet to be washed. I used to be on top of this stuff. My house was sparkling. My "messy" was other people's "tidy". I had a system and it worked for me. Every room was clean, the laundry was under control and I did it all on my own. Things are very different now. <br />
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The kids have gotten older and my husband and I decided they need some extra responsibilities and to contribute to the household. We started giving them each chores and making them responsible for their own laundry. Now my house is a complete disaster and nothing is ever clean. I need to get back to my routine but I can't seem to force myself to do what I know needs to be done. What's wrong with me? I'm not happy the way things are and I know how to fix it. So what's my issue? Why can't I just buckle down and do it? Please tell me that I'm not the only person going through this. <br />
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I guess I should put this away and clean something... But I really don't want to. <br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-50302700029376700772013-02-20T12:51:00.000-08:002013-02-20T12:51:58.619-08:00Mermaid Half Wrap-up<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FI3-dW4j7qU/USUgQ5r6LXI/AAAAAAAADXQ/iBm8tjZI3z0/s1600/554013_10200658590014122_406579869_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FI3-dW4j7qU/USUgQ5r6LXI/AAAAAAAADXQ/iBm8tjZI3z0/s200/554013_10200658590014122_406579869_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>Yesterday's workout:<br />
Treadmill: Warm up and alternating speeds<br />
1.5 mi, 21 min<br />
Stationary bike:<br />
7 mi, 25:26 <br />
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We turned my race weekend into a week long vacation. The day before my race we spent in Disneyland. I was worried that all that walking around would hurt my race but I don't think it did. We hadn't been to Disneyland since Sami was 5 and Nevyn was 2 so this trip was much different. We were joined by Jeremy's brother and two family friends. We had a ton of fun. In the shop outside Star Tours Nevyn found and fell in love with an Ewok backpack he named Alex and hat he name Zack. I don't remember the last time he loved a toy as much as he loves that backpack. He wore everywhere. <br />
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After leaving the park we drove down to San Diego, checked into the motel and had some diner then I soaked my foot in a cold tub in preparation for the race. I was nervous about the weather. California has had a very cold winter and all over the state we have been reaching record lows. Even in sunny San Diego. The day before, in Disneyland, we got caught in a hail storm... Thankfully the race gods were watching out for us ( or maybe it was the mermaids). The sun was shinning throughout the race and even though we had to run against the wind at some points, it was a beautiful day!<br />
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I had a few issues on the course but overall I feel really good about my run. I had some tummy troubles in the very beginning but thankfully this course was blessed with lots of port-a-potties. Yes, I said blessed. My first three miles were really rough but around mile three those good running feelings hit and it was smooth sailing. Until around nine a half miles. I drank too much water and felt a little sick. I made another pit stop and ate a z-bar. That helped a little but I was tired and had slowed down so it was nearly impossible to get back to the pace I had held through most of the course. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY5n5uucWkHWEYIvA-syBp4v86g2vExqKZ7BLReIy0woaZSQG5qDXCHVRl6LPq67KJBRrQ-t9_8q2I8F5LIxwDsOUrIpIFY4U7XrkdvrWKUsIjyj2m7HtAHcpZmmdZLSePaffPtpfd8U/s1600/securedownload+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY5n5uucWkHWEYIvA-syBp4v86g2vExqKZ7BLReIy0woaZSQG5qDXCHVRl6LPq67KJBRrQ-t9_8q2I8F5LIxwDsOUrIpIFY4U7XrkdvrWKUsIjyj2m7HtAHcpZmmdZLSePaffPtpfd8U/s200/securedownload+(2).jpg" width="200" /></a>At the finish I was greeted by the biggest finish line crowed I had ever had. Jeremy and the kids where there as well as his brother, Daniel, our friends, Jimmy and Brittany, and one of my best friends from high school, Carolina and her daughter. That was really special. I wanted to finish in three hours but considering the tough start and feeling sick near the end I'm happy with my time. 3:15:17<br />
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My family and I stayed in SD for a few more days while the rest of our group headed back north. We explored SD and visited with Carolina who I hadn't seen since she moved there years ago. We visited the USS Midway (AWESOME!) went to Sea World, Balboa Park, Little Italy and downtown. <br />
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Our next stop on our So Cal tour was Indio ( east of Palm Springs) to visit Jimmy's grandmother. We have known her and Jimmy for close to 20 years and she has adopted us as part of her family. (Backstory: Jimmy was my friend in high school and Jeremy's friend from swim Team. we both met him separately around the same time. He introduced us to each other about sixteen years ago.) Our visit was very short but very nice. The kids really like her and Nevyn even gave her a hug, without prompting, when we left. If you know Nevyn than you understand how impressive that is. <br />
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My aunt got us reservations at a hotel in San Luis Obispo for our last couple of night in So Cal and on the way there we stopped by Disneyland for one more day of Disney magic. We went on a lot more rides, met a few more characters, including Sami's favorite-Belle. We made to SLO very late that night and feel asleep as soon as we hit those wonderful beds. Jeremy spent the next day doing homework so the kids and I went for a walk. A block away from the hotel there is a lake so we went exploring. It was sunny, warm and gorgeous. After lunch the kids played in the hotel pool. I think they really miss being in the water. Both of them are excited for swim team to start again. <br />
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Later in the day we drove 15 minutes to Pismo Beach. I loved it there! We walked down the beach to the pier and watched the surfers. I really loved the SLO part of the trip. The hills are green, the sky is blue and the air is clear. Everywhere you look you see hills and trees and you're only minutes from a beach. In my dreams I live there. <br />
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The drive back home was uneventful. The kids slept and Jeremy and I enjoyed the scenic drive. As we got closer to the valley and Sacramento the sky was less blue and the along the skyline we could see the brown smog cloud that looms over the city we call home. It's no wonder our first two mornings home we felt sick. <br />
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Looking back over the week, I can safely say that this was one of the best family vacations we have ever taken and we are planning on going back to SLO soon.<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-49173913191726632282013-02-04T10:10:00.001-08:002013-02-04T10:10:36.187-08:005 days till race 1 of 13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Workout:</div>
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Super Bowl 10K</div>
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Yesterday I ran the Super Bowl 10K as a way to force myself to get 6 miles in over the weekend. It took me longer than I really wanted but I have to remind myself that I've had a lot of set backs over the last two weeks. Let me fill you in on my recent hurdles.<div>
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1) Eye woes - Last summer I was scratched in the eye by one of my daycare kids. It took forever to heal and the doc warned me that if my eyes get too dry, the scratch could reopen, especially first thing in the morning. A couple of Thursdays ago, in the afternoon, my eyes where too dry (I guess) I blinked and the scratch reopened. The next day I saw my doctor and he confirmed that it was the same scratch. I was doomed to wear an eye patch tapped to my eye for the next few days.</div>
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<br />2) Skin issues - The tape the doctor used to secure the eye patch to my face was plastic medical tape. I forgot that I have a latex allergy. Can you see where this going? When I took the patch off my skin was red, itchy and there were even a few sore where the tape had been. I even had a sty on each eye. </div>
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3) Monster hand - I had, what I thought, was just a small clogged pore on my left hand. I get these ever now and then from the buckets of lotion I use on my dragon skin. I popped it and though that was the end of that. The next day I bumped into something while I was walking down the hall and it hurt my hand more than it should have. I looked at it and was shocked to see it was flaming red and hot to the touch. It was infected. I tried cleaning it out as much as I could but it continued to get more and more painful and at one point my had was about three times the size it should have been. I had to take my wedding ring off it was so swollen (the injury was near my thumb). I went into the doctor and was put on two antibiotics. The constant throbbing in my hand was torture. </div>
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So I missed a lot of workouts and I knew I couldn't flake on my last weekend before my half. The 10K was a lot harder than I thought it would be. That makes me nervous for the half on Saturday. Send me good thoughts for race day. I think I'm going to need them. </div>
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-74948139181096101772013-01-16T22:06:00.001-08:002013-01-17T09:14:35.407-08:00Thank you Facebook peeps!Workout:<br />
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3 mi/treadmill 1% incline<br />
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Today was a long day. Things got a little stressful at work and by the time the workday was over I was exhausted. I knew I really needed to get today's run in but I was in a motivational melt down. I knew I would get the support I needed if I reached out to my Facebook family so I posted the following on my FB page:<br />
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"I'm fighting the urge to flake out on my training run tonight. I'm going to chill while my diner digests then go to the gym. Why am I sharing? Because I need encouragement, lol"<br />
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The support I got was amazing!<br />
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"Go to the gym!!!" - my hubby <br />
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"Go to the gym. Nobody ever regretted a workout they completed. You got to do the work if you want to reach your goal!!" - my neighbor<br />
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"Go Anna and workout for me too! There....,did that help?!?" - my cousin <br />
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"Go Anna-you will feel so much better afterwards plus you can't let me down cuz you are my inspiration....how's that?" - my aunt<br />
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"Get off your bum! I did my walk this morning and tomorrow I'm adding an evening bike ride to my routine." - close friend since grade school<br />
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"Go, you will feel better after. I know I did!" - friend <br />
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"Just do it" - close friend since high school <br />
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"I hope you went already, Tina did." - friend<br />
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I'm feeling great riding the post run high and I have all of you to thank. So, thank you! My legs were a little (lot) sore from yesterday's bodypump class but my legs felt pretty good during the run. <br />
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Tomorrows plan? REST DAY! And I need it. :) <br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-6822706968020312062013-01-16T07:22:00.002-08:002013-01-16T07:22:44.227-08:00back to bodypump<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjTbDn5_r3Y/UPbCdyVKQ3I/AAAAAAAAC-A/RrUINuJvX9g/s1600/fit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjTbDn5_r3Y/UPbCdyVKQ3I/AAAAAAAAC-A/RrUINuJvX9g/s200/fit+1.jpg" width="200" /></a>Workout<br />
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Bodypump class/60 min</div>
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Last night was my first bodypump class since the end of October and I was embarrassingly weak... After the first track my legs where quivering, haha. My workout buddy, Tracy, was giving me "the look" when she saw that most I would lift was 15 lbs. I'll add a <i>little</i> more next Tuesday. My plan is to go to the Friday class too and keep going twice a week and hopefully build back to where I was before I started slacking off. </div>
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Life here in Sacramento has been miserable! I understand that we are still living in above 0 degree conditions and there are other places that are not as lucky but I'm not a fan of cold weather so waking up in the twenties makes it very difficult for me to get my ass out of bed. For a while I was trying to get up early and do my training in the morning before work like I did in the summer and fall but I refuse to run outside when it's colder than 40 degrees. I just can handle it. The dark doesn't help either. If it was sunny I would probably suck it up and run. Maybe. Bottom line, I'm so tired of being cold!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">if only i could take Sadie with me</span></td></tr>
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It's going to be another cold but sunny day today but because of my long work day I wont be able to use that sun for training. So I will be at the gym again tonight running in the treadmill, blah. </div>
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-44634826544112504222013-01-15T08:27:00.002-08:002013-01-15T08:32:53.616-08:00New running expense: massageWorkout: Training run<br />
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2 mi on the treadmill<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8YPj_AEKRZ28w_j9fNWyklI86SF_aOyKHBhyphenhyphenLNPza0qFtUjnETrDBzSw3F_pAbm1c7chBKOZMOyTVeJd1bH9gakNAG0zKf4yR7RHONfIWukwOcUVOPrVcwIXWafQ8fdDlXIJRtN4vjQ/s1600/317579_275872752432853_1999514127_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8YPj_AEKRZ28w_j9fNWyklI86SF_aOyKHBhyphenhyphenLNPza0qFtUjnETrDBzSw3F_pAbm1c7chBKOZMOyTVeJd1bH9gakNAG0zKf4yR7RHONfIWukwOcUVOPrVcwIXWafQ8fdDlXIJRtN4vjQ/s200/317579_275872752432853_1999514127_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>I've been dealing with foot pain for a long time now and have read study reports and articles on so many foot problems I can't keep them straight anymore (I guess I wouldn't last long as a researcher). A common treatment seems to be massage. But it wasn't until I listened to recent pop stuff pod cast on massage (one of the podcasts from howstuffworks.com) that I was interested enough to make an appointment. <br />
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I've had massages in the past and while I enjoy them it's not something I would splurge on. My husband on the other hand gets massages pretty regularly and sees the benefit of them in his back and arms. Maybe that's partly because the Swedish massage is enough to do him some good while I know it would take a deep tissue session to help me and it just doesn't seem worth the discomfort. But with all that said, thanks to Holly Frey at howstuffworks.com, I made an appointment and explained that I was looking for someone who could do a "sport-ish kind of massage for running injures". (I wasn't going to actually to ask deep tissue even though I knew that's what I probably needed.)<br />
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I went the Mellow Me Out Day Spa yesterday for my massage. My therapist, Dale, and I talked about what I wanted and my current foot and leg issues. It turns out about 40% of his clients are runners and when's I asked him questions he seemed to know his stuff. He warned me that it was going to be a little uncomfortable, as I expected, but he wanted me to know that my pain level should not get more than an eight, otherwise it could cause me injury. Basically, if in my head I'm thinking I want to kick him then things are good, if I say it out loud, that's a sign he needs to back off. <br />
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Yeah, it was an eight but later that night I noticed that I was walking normally, with full range of motion in my foot. It's been months since my foot has felt so good. Before I left the day spa I scheduled my next appointment for two weeks out. This is going to get a little pricey but if it'll allow me to run with less pain and discomfort than it's worth it.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-2832970286609424662013-01-02T11:50:00.001-08:002013-01-02T11:59:51.139-08:00Happy 2013Yesterday was my fist workout of the new year. Every year on New Year's Day I go for an easy run. Usually about 3 miles and I don't worry about time or pace. I just enjoy starting another year.This year I ran in a nearby neighborhood that my kids refer to as "where the rich people live". Most of the houses are small mansions with large lots with lovely yards. I enjoy running in this area. It's pretty quiet with lots to look at and lots of trees. I love trees. My three mile run turned into three and half. I came across two little dogs running and playing all alone. They were very friendly and let me check their tag. They lived a few houses away so together we ran over to their house. I rang the bell a few times and knocked but no one was home. Then I called the phone number on their tags but there wasn't an answer there either. It was pretty obvious where they got out through the fence so I tried to coax them back into their yard but once they where at their front door they weren't going anywhere. I ended up leaving them scratching at the door. I felt a little guilty about that but I didn't know what else too do and they didn't look like they where going anywhere. <br />
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Later in the day Jeremy, the kids, our niece and I went out to the lake for some very cold SUPing. We went out there last New Year's Day so the kids wanted to do it again. I tried to explain that last year was a much warmer day than this year but they didn't think it would be that much colder. Lets just say that we all had fun but no one spent more than fifteen minutes on the boards. :) <br />
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I have five weeks and three days till my first of 13 half marathons this year! My breathing is a million times better than it has been over the last few weeks so I'm feeling nervous but optimistic. I bought two air purifiers and I think they have made a huge difference in my breathing, running and quality of life. I feel a little bit bad for Jeremy though. Now he has to put up with a humidifier and an airy purifier in the bedroom. I'm so high maintenance! <br />
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Pix:<br />
1) my new dream house that is for sale along my course (I have a dream house on all of my neighborhood routs) <br />
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2 & 3) the shirt I designed to wear any half marathons <br />
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4) after my run I took the kids to Noah's Beagles for some yumminess. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQos8FCfM_Dr9rlVqlW_7sw6pjwX-_QQJ9Vr-dH7jYUcRRe9H_oZAV_YnGac50ngIuYkvCaBFompYB37zJoRHnble4ZIgRh8P566f2rYTpH7mf4kRXHXTDWOayIgx5JfcgG4UKu5x5dM/s640/blogger-image--872723278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQos8FCfM_Dr9rlVqlW_7sw6pjwX-_QQJ9Vr-dH7jYUcRRe9H_oZAV_YnGac50ngIuYkvCaBFompYB37zJoRHnble4ZIgRh8P566f2rYTpH7mf4kRXHXTDWOayIgx5JfcgG4UKu5x5dM/s640/blogger-image--872723278.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tg_xVWufDzU/UOSPY3hYhsI/AAAAAAAAC70/pPodEGp3hPw/s640/blogger-image-1200126397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tg_xVWufDzU/UOSPY3hYhsI/AAAAAAAAC70/pPodEGp3hPw/s640/blogger-image-1200126397.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5vdKph6Bm6w/UOSPcJKPk1I/AAAAAAAAC8E/LORUsDzZavc/s640/blogger-image--221699291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5vdKph6Bm6w/UOSPcJKPk1I/AAAAAAAAC8E/LORUsDzZavc/s640/blogger-image--221699291.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NMYyy_b0WN4/UOSPakjivgI/AAAAAAAAC78/qf87p92r6mo/s640/blogger-image-1959637846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NMYyy_b0WN4/UOSPakjivgI/AAAAAAAAC78/qf87p92r6mo/s640/blogger-image-1959637846.jpg" /></a></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-66413337015398681772012-12-31T12:20:00.001-08:002013-01-02T11:55:20.313-08:00Last post for 2012Happy New Years to who ever is reading this. 2012 has been a busy year. I started my running year with the Lou Gehrig 5K in January. It was during that first race that I hurt my left foot and have been dealing with arch and heel pain ever since. (It's been better since I stated wearing inserts about a month ago). In February I ran the Super Bowl 10k and in March I ran my first half marathon of the year at the Shamrock'n half. In April I ran the American River Parkway half and than, two weeks later, the River City Half. In May I went back to Fremont to run the Mermaid half again. This time Sami, my niece, Maddie, and her mom, Michelle, ran the 5K at the Mermaid Run. The Mermaid events are so much fun! In June I took a break from the halves and ran the women's fitness festival 5K. I really love this event. In 2010 I trained for the WFF 5K after taking seven years off from running (I had an injury then was too deposed to try again) and I finished feeling great without a hint of my old injury. In July I ran the Fab 40's 5K, the color run in August and the Giants Race in September. I also ran the McKinley Park 5K with my new running buddy, Tracy, in August and and a Pumpkin patch 5K in September. October brought me my fifth and final half marathon of the year, the Urban Cow. I didn't come close too my PR but I hadn't trained well for it and still beat my time for the year before. (In 2011 I got injured at mile 1 and had too hobble most of the curse-but I crossed the finish line) This year at the Urban Cow I won an iPad so I didn't really care what my time was. On Thanksgiving day in November Tracy and I participated in the run to feed the hungry. I'm proud to say that with the help and support of my friends and family I raised just over $300 for the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services! Also in November, Sami and I went I to San Francisco for the Mermaid Run 5K and then spent the day exploring Alcatraz and pier 49. That was a great day! A few weeks ago in December I ran in the CIM as part of a relay team. It was a very wet day but it was a great experience. I'm looking forward to running it again next year. <br />
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That,s my very quick recap of my 2012 running year. There are some races I left out but I wrote about most of them earlier in the year. <br />
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I wish you and your loved ones a fantastic 2013! <br />
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AnnaAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-21453004290005735032012-12-06T17:53:00.000-08:002012-12-06T17:53:09.075-08:00Post CIM... postIt's been a long time since my last blog. I haven't been able to grab on to one thought long enough to write it out and, apparently, that means I've been on a blog hiatus. But I'm back (for now) and I have lots to share.<br />
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The CIM (California International Marathon) was held this past Sunday. I participated as part of a four person relay team this time. The weather was a mess but the race was a lot of fun. If you haven't been out running in the rain I recommend you try it. Some of my favorite training runs in the past have been done in the rain and the race was even more fun. I ran a seven mile stretch of the 26.2 mile course and my team finished in 5 hours, 34 minutes. We Rocked It!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zachary, Nancy, me, Rebecca, Janice (David had to leave) </td></tr>
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Organizing the relay team was more of a roller coaster ride than I was expecting. It all started after last year's CIM. I was sitting around my table chatting with my sister and my friend, David. (David ran the CIM about four years ago and he ran part of it with me last year as a supporting cheerleader.) We decided we would run the relay. As 2012 moved along I started talking to other runners about the relay hoping to find a fourth person. My sister-in-law, Rebecca said she wanted be our fourth runner. Yay! But then more people said they wanted to run the relay too so I organized a second team. This team took a little bit longer to fill up but eventually we got four runners.<br />
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Not long after everyone was registered (and paid for) someone on team 2 needed to drop out. Then another person. Then we replaced one, but she dropped out too. Then someone got sick. Someone couldn't make it into town. Another replacement got injured. In total, there were eight people who had to drop and one of those people dropped twice. In fact, there wasn't a single original person on team 2 who ran on race day. Fortunately we were able to pull things together.<br />
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Team 2 didn't have a person for the first leg so Rebecca ran with the timing chips for both teams. My team, team 1, didn't have a person for the last leg of the relay. I was ready to run both my leg and the final leg but once my socks were fully saturated and bunching under my toes I realized that running another five miles would be harder than I anticipated Thankfully I came up with a plan. I sent a text to Zachary, the leg 4 runner for team 2, and asked (begged) if he would take both timing chips if I got to the relay exchange before his team member. He was more than willing to help out and it gave me the motivation I needed to keep my pace up. I had to beat Janice to the exchange!<br />
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Everything worked out. I got to the exchange before the team 2 runner so after my seven miles I was done. We all got our medals and had a great time! Both teams were a runner short but we made it work :o) A big THANK YOU to my teammates, Rebecca, David, Nancy, Janice and Zachary! Who's excited for next year?!?!<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-26108464319125501972012-08-20T08:23:00.001-07:002012-08-20T08:23:39.463-07:00my running bag<div style="text-align: center;">
Like most people I have a few addictions and one of those are bags. I love bags and the more pockets a bag has the better the chance is that I will buy it. I have four bags I use on a regular basis and I will list them here for you (any excuse to make a list, right!) </div>
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[1] my backpack </div>
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I use this for the lake, river, beach and overnight trips</div>
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[2] my swim bag </div>
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this is a small tote that has a waxy lining on the outside. This works well for my wet swimsuit and towel because the water doesn't leak through</div>
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[3] my gym bag </div>
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I take this bag to the gym when I'm planning on doing more than one class or cardio and swimming. I also use this bag for trips</div>
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[4] my running bag </div>
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I take this bag to all of my races and to my long runs and trail runs.</div>
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I'm writing about my running bag because I keep it stocked with anythings I might need before, after or during a run. Most of the things in this bag I found out I needed after I needed it and didn't have it. I'm hoping this little blog will will help someone stock their own bag before an item is needed and not after. Like me.</div>
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Here is my bag</div>
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It's just a small duffle with three pockets.</div>
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[1] a big main compartment pocket</div>
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[2] a smaller pocket between he big pocket and the front</div>
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[3] a small mesh pocket on the front of the bag</div>
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What I keep in the biggest, main pocket:</div>
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- an assortment of hydration packs and fanny packs<br />- a towel<br />- hand wipes, mine are "natural" and eco friendly<br />- an arm band for my phone<br />- a hat<br />- a first aid bag</div>
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In the first aid bag:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8aowpPPGKt8/UDJOovcSuFI/AAAAAAAACmU/oyFr7_dG-Ac/s1600/IMG_1767+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8aowpPPGKt8/UDJOovcSuFI/AAAAAAAACmU/oyFr7_dG-Ac/s320/IMG_1767+(1).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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- muscle relief gel</div>
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- pain revilers (I pack Tylenol & Advil)</div>
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- tissue</div>
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- band aids</div>
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-vitamin E gel capsules (for blisters)</div>
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- ace bandages and/or knee brace</div>
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- athletic tape</div>
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- feminine products</div>
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- chap stick</div>
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- cream/lotion</div>
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Middle pocket:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATxLBawiCfIycrVkXO4rSE9QMHueb5LeOr4I8st_HZh3ABSNhline-_yU3Xq0_74093gZmk9EzvWe8TRtFQc9-PwnzD9-2gF90fQvJya1ObogrW6qZlUBSytysM6ME1LamocYtJHn0wo/s1600/IMG_1769+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATxLBawiCfIycrVkXO4rSE9QMHueb5LeOr4I8st_HZh3ABSNhline-_yU3Xq0_74093gZmk9EzvWe8TRtFQc9-PwnzD9-2gF90fQvJya1ObogrW6qZlUBSytysM6ME1LamocYtJHn0wo/s320/IMG_1769+(1).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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- road I.D. anklet</div>
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- reflective vest</div>
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- snacks</div>
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- hair ties</div>
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- race belts</div>
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- more tissue</div>
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- a handkerchief (a good friend gave this to me for </div>
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Christmas one year and I carry it with me during cold weather runs and races)</div>
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- headband/ear warmer</div>
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- gloves</div>
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Front pocket:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VTFY9BbDR3c/UDJSsZQqDxI/AAAAAAAACmo/vaASECpjh4c/s1600/IMG_1768+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VTFY9BbDR3c/UDJSsZQqDxI/AAAAAAAACmo/vaASECpjh4c/s320/IMG_1768+(1).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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- inhaler</div>
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- baggy of safety pins</div>
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- ipod</div>
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- more hair ties</div>
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- parking passes for the bike trail and state parks</div>
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- clip on light (I run before dawn a lot)</div>
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- pens</div>
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- gu gel pack</div>
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- life savers (my quick sugar of choice)</div>
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- a luggage tag w/ my business card </div>
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There you go, that's what I keep in my running bag. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NnqRLPEyZh4/UDJUUW71cjI/AAAAAAAACmw/nCrWAJKvyM0/s1600/pizap.com10.56103747338056561342105477944+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NnqRLPEyZh4/UDJUUW71cjI/AAAAAAAACmw/nCrWAJKvyM0/s320/pizap.com10.56103747338056561342105477944+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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over there <--------- and follow me! </div>
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-16377872453859505812012-07-31T10:30:00.001-07:002012-08-01T15:25:05.021-07:00Let the Games Begin!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l7Sb_u87Y8I/UBgUZKlg9RI/AAAAAAAACjU/nvA2VW2XSMU/s1600/389155_132008213604876_192408358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l7Sb_u87Y8I/UBgUZKlg9RI/AAAAAAAACjU/nvA2VW2XSMU/s320/389155_132008213604876_192408358_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am a huge fan of the Olympic games and always have been. I become obsessed with sports I normally don't take the time to watch or read about. No matter where the athletes place in their events, or what country they are from, they all inspire me.<br />
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I am not an athlete but I have always dreamed of what being an Olympic athlete would feel like. Here are a few of the athletes I'm keeping my eyes on during the 2012 Olympic games.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Kara Goucher</span></u><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZa_jao45c0/UBfsmHlbAaI/AAAAAAAACfI/6plJ5BJmBMA/s1600/61932_117982208259705_4003941_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZa_jao45c0/UBfsmHlbAaI/AAAAAAAACfI/6plJ5BJmBMA/s200/61932_117982208259705_4003941_n.jpg" width="129" /></a>Kara Goucher is a middle and long distance runner from Portland, OR. She ran the 5,000m and 10,000m in the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing but this year, in London, she will competing in the marathon. Her debut marathon was the 2008 New York City Marathon where she came in 3rd with a time of 2:25:35 (that's 5:33 minute/mile pace). That race won her the prestige of becoming the first American woman to be on the podium since 1994 and she set the record for the fastest marathon debut ever by an American woman. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGDcGjnQYII/UBfsm6Bd1tI/AAAAAAAACfY/5Wn5K6uyphA/s1600/large_KaraGoucher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGDcGjnQYII/UBfsm6Bd1tI/AAAAAAAACfY/5Wn5K6uyphA/s200/large_KaraGoucher.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OsyXI36Xo9M/UBfsmurz4_I/AAAAAAAACfQ/1YL95Z1pmlo/s1600/kara+goucher+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OsyXI36Xo9M/UBfsmurz4_I/AAAAAAAACfQ/1YL95Z1pmlo/s200/kara+goucher+5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Lolo Jones</u></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLHJhmGoPK1UlgFjY3VMfsEyiV8zFGvwIclNC_Me_zEaUmRfWzLMZOecaQjGEPxZEhj3vAzhLrJ5AlcuPajO-whvDjj6-mjyzc33aq-5TDqc_2F3vQnErAww7tfz45BuJKo9sxWVYmrE/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLHJhmGoPK1UlgFjY3VMfsEyiV8zFGvwIclNC_Me_zEaUmRfWzLMZOecaQjGEPxZEhj3vAzhLrJ5AlcuPajO-whvDjj6-mjyzc33aq-5TDqc_2F3vQnErAww7tfz45BuJKo9sxWVYmrE/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a>Lolo Jones grew up very poor and was homeless for a period of time as a child. Today she's a favorite to medal in the 100m hurdles. She went to Beijing four years ago and finished in 7th place. This was a bit of surprise considering she was named the Olympic trials champion and came in first during the game's semi finals. Following the games she struggled with a string of injuries and ended up having surgery in her spinal cord in 2011, a year from the Olympic games in London. She came in 3rd place at the Olympic trials this year and will compete in the 100m hurdles on Sunday. She's been getting some heat over a tweet she wrote<span style="color: #333333;"><b>:</b></span></blockquote>
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<a class="account-group js-account-group js-action-profile js-user-profile-link" data-user-id="65477401" href="https://twitter.com/lolojones" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;"><strong class="fullname js-action-profile-name show-popup-with-id" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;">Lolo Jones</strong><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span></span><span class="username js-action-profile-name" style="color: #999999; direction: ltr; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; unicode-bidi: embed;"><s style="color: #bbbbbb; text-decoration: none;">@</s><b style="font-weight: normal;">lolojones</b></span></a>: USA Men's Archery lost the gold medal to Italy but that's ok, we are Americans... When's da Gun shooting competition?</blockquote>
Okay, so yes there was a horrible shooting in our country not long before she tweeted this but... I never thought she was relating this to violence. I think some people took this the wrong way. Afterwards she responded to her critics with:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;">"sorry u guys only think of violence but I think of all the hunting I do w southerners in da south. Its impressive."</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DRQ-LcUZe3s/UBf6HT57LvI/AAAAAAAACf8/hzUkq2lxQMY/s1600/391445_392903814104622_873528942_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DRQ-LcUZe3s/UBf6HT57LvI/AAAAAAAACf8/hzUkq2lxQMY/s200/391445_392903814104622_873528942_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J8yNQ7JHWKA/UBf6HzRni6I/AAAAAAAACgE/kmLLPX1gmHw/s1600/523860_353836931344644_622611359_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J8yNQ7JHWKA/UBf6HzRni6I/AAAAAAAACgE/kmLLPX1gmHw/s200/523860_353836931344644_622611359_n.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh</u></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyvq9v0stIM/UBgDIjtmq5I/AAAAAAAACg4/JeG6HoFPQn0/s1600/Misty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyvq9v0stIM/UBgDIjtmq5I/AAAAAAAACg4/JeG6HoFPQn0/s200/Misty.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDufBR4NlqZmj-kwH7TI1KuNRDXfclVHofJAbMhwc3HsJFjLPKUQyFYYLUf3Lso8swb7sMkdijuCY6j_JXn64QgHmcB88wofSKec01k4Dy-JQqIQmg9y_lj-JyG1KEi1bAMgeo_bu4AJ4/s1600/Kerry4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDufBR4NlqZmj-kwH7TI1KuNRDXfclVHofJAbMhwc3HsJFjLPKUQyFYYLUf3Lso8swb7sMkdijuCY6j_JXn64QgHmcB88wofSKec01k4Dy-JQqIQmg9y_lj-JyG1KEi1bAMgeo_bu4AJ4/s200/Kerry4.jpg" width="160" /></a>These women need no introduction. If this is the first time you have heard of their awesomeness, even if you're not a volleyball fan, you've either lived a very sheltered life or under a soundproof rock. In any case, these women are truly amazing. They won the beach volleyball gold medal in both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic games. Misty has won more tournaments than any other woman with 107 career wins. Kerri played on USA team volleyball team in 2000 where they finished in 4th place. After the 2000 games, Kerri turned to beach volleyball and teamed up with Misty and quickly made their way to #1 ranking in the FIVB world tour. So far they have won both preliminary matches and I think they are playing in the finals today. I'm very excited!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZgaSd1cp7AgukDvB4SPD0ULrp7tS9HZA7tAurWpZzNzBh9tPj-KRQyTUvk9eT58S8Xrkbka8BvQ4pq2uGTb1koXGwj_zptSbh9B2YjeQ0-idWCCQ0MkLlWxs9HiDErkoSunCadOV3L0/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZgaSd1cp7AgukDvB4SPD0ULrp7tS9HZA7tAurWpZzNzBh9tPj-KRQyTUvk9eT58S8Xrkbka8BvQ4pq2uGTb1koXGwj_zptSbh9B2YjeQ0-idWCCQ0MkLlWxs9HiDErkoSunCadOV3L0/s320/images+(1).jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Natalie Coughlin</u></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MkbC1R5iXU/UBgJIFA-rnI/AAAAAAAAChk/8ZcgBMhAD4g/s1600/284700_10150283230894787_3508396_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MkbC1R5iXU/UBgJIFA-rnI/AAAAAAAAChk/8ZcgBMhAD4g/s200/284700_10150283230894787_3508396_n.jpg" width="149" /></a>Natalie is a 11-time Olympic medalist! She swam in both the 2004 and 2008 games and was the most decorated female athlete at both games. She also holds the title of the most decorated female swimmer in world championship history. To top it off, look how cute she is! In this year's games she swam in the 4x100m freestyle relay but was pulled in the final. The team finished in 3rd place to earn the bronze. I can't find her anywhere else on the Olympic schedule but I have a hard time believing that the relay is her only event. I hope I'm just reading the schedule wrong. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1_i3NaTIZ8/UBgJIrSG0tI/AAAAAAAAChs/HCk-h23_Hzo/s1600/422068_10150651245044787_1815600655_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1_i3NaTIZ8/UBgJIrSG0tI/AAAAAAAAChs/HCk-h23_Hzo/s200/422068_10150651245044787_1815600655_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnLD7aTl4kg/UBgJI6MfVqI/AAAAAAAACh0/jKC7elJhRmw/s1600/5145_92910599786_3653185_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnLD7aTl4kg/UBgJI6MfVqI/AAAAAAAACh0/jKC7elJhRmw/s200/5145_92910599786_3653185_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Shalane Flanagan</u></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rMx28mcBZ9g/UBgOsQC2GVI/AAAAAAAACio/h_jAT18AacY/s1600/556561_127956494010048_1301569361_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rMx28mcBZ9g/UBgOsQC2GVI/AAAAAAAACio/h_jAT18AacY/s200/556561_127956494010048_1301569361_n.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xUMwaB3SDg0/UBgOsIpWhwI/AAAAAAAACig/U98rLSX6MEQ/s1600/314862_128417230630641_117825220_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xUMwaB3SDg0/UBgOsIpWhwI/AAAAAAAACig/U98rLSX6MEQ/s200/314862_128417230630641_117825220_n.jpg" width="133" /></a>Shalane Flanagan is my favorite Olympian this year. She currently holds the American record for the 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m and won the bronze at the 2008 Olympic games for her 10,000m event. In 2010 she competed in her first marathon and finished in 2nd place with a time of 2:28:40 (that's a 5:40 minute/mile pace). This year she will be competing in the marathon on Sunday along with her team mate and training partner, Kara Goucher. She won her spot on the American marathon team in January when she won the Olympic Trials Marathon and set the event record at 2:25:38 (a 5:34 minute/mile pace). Sunday will be a very exciting day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-itWhEIqoeRmn7BIr1ElAn3V_oL0dui3uohFt_f3WdF96cJN1XYkEj-Gj0r1579SpxqOyewt7GaIwTB-Ub3aGMAQW1nY6_wNO9dIeHro_-PrnSa4VRRjsYLDboZSlvwl7Rv8ePXTSaNA/s1600/166046_128418427297188_109413409_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-itWhEIqoeRmn7BIr1ElAn3V_oL0dui3uohFt_f3WdF96cJN1XYkEj-Gj0r1579SpxqOyewt7GaIwTB-Ub3aGMAQW1nY6_wNO9dIeHro_-PrnSa4VRRjsYLDboZSlvwl7Rv8ePXTSaNA/s320/166046_128418427297188_109413409_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You may have noticed that these are all woman athletes. There are men competing in the 2012 Olympic games that I'm watching and routing for as well as other woman athletes. I wanted to keep this blog short so I limited myself to five athletes or teams to write about. It took me longer than expected to get this done. I started before the opening ceremonies but life got in the way of my ramblings. I hope you are enjoying the events as much as I am. Feel free to comment below and tell me who your favorite athletes are and what events you enjoy the most. <br />
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</div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-55691033354466234772012-07-25T07:56:00.000-07:002012-08-01T15:25:57.565-07:00Aurora<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Ever since I saw Sleeping Beauty as a child I have loved the name Aurora. When I was in high school there was a girl in my gym class named Aurora and every time I saw her I told her she had the prettiest name of anyone I knew. In those days, I was sure I would name my first daughter Aurora. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure how Sami got the name Samantha. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">However, today the name Aurora has a different ring to it. I will forever think of the events of last Friday first instead of the beautiful princess I pretended to be as a child when hearing the name, Aurora. The facts make me so sad. The image in my head of everyday Americans, like me and my family, going to a movie and instead of enjoying the heroics of Batman are faced with as real life bad guy frighten me. Not just a bad guy trying to get rich or steal but a terrorist. I know the investigators have said that this man had no ties to any terrorist organization but he filled the hearts of his victims with terror so to me, he is a terrorist. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">What scares me the most about this man is he is one of "us". He has grown in up here in the good o' USA and has grown up living with the rights and freedoms that this country has to offer. He's educated and intelligent. Why did he feel that this act was a good idea? What was going through his head? What happened to turn his mother's son into the mass murder he is today? Can that happen to one of my kids? I have tears in my eyes as I write this because that idea is a nightmare. What can I do as a parent to give my kids the morals, ethics and tools to become good, hard working and life loving citizens. I'm sure this man's parent's gave them all the love they had to offer so what happened? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I pray that the victims of Friday's shooting find peace. I know four women where there with their boyfriends and those men gave the ultimate sacrifice and covered those women with their own bodies and died. I Pray that those four women learn to live everyday to the fullest and seek help for the survivor's guilt they may be going through. In fact, I hope all of the survivor's seek help. They all may be feeling that guilt. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I pray for the the family and friends of the fallen, <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-21/colorado-shooting-victim-identities/56389076/1" target="_blank">Alex Sullivan, Micayla Medek, Jessica Ghawi, Petty Officer John Larimer, Rebecca Wingo, Matthew McQuinn, Veronica Moser-Sullivan (6 years old), Staff Sgt. Jesse Childress, Alexander Boik, Alexander Teves, Jonathan Blunk, Gordon Cowden</a> and for the victims who survived. I also pray for Arlene and Robert Holmes, the mother and father of the "accused" gunman. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">To save my faith in humanity, I'm choosing to associate the name of Aurora with strength and bravery in honor of the survives and the fallen heroes instead of sadness. </span></div>
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It's been way too long since my last post... There's no good excuse (other than my keyboard being broken but I fixed that problem last week...) There's a lot you have missed such as more skin issues, an eye patch, my best 5K of the year and my kids who have turned out to be swimming studs. Oh, and Sami has decided that she's going to go to Julliard for college (she's going in to 7th grade next year)</div>
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Samantha turned 12 at the end of June. For her birthday we got her tickets to see Grease (on her birthday) and The Little Mermaid (The Little Mermaid might just be the best stage production I've ever seen. It was amazing!). She also got the dvd, cd and book of Phantom of the Opera as well as a Joffrey ballet dvd. The last dvd I mention is especially cool because one of the ballet teachers from Sami's studio is in it. Maia Wilkins was the prima for the Joffrey ballet for many years and now she teaches at The Sacramento Academy of Dance, where Sami has been going since she was four.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quRfXMCS2Wk/UA3eEYCsruI/AAAAAAAACaU/s9atG4COMwE/s1600/at+little+mermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quRfXMCS2Wk/UA3eEYCsruI/AAAAAAAACaU/s9atG4COMwE/s200/at+little+mermaid.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sami and I at The Little Mermaid</td></tr>
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Both the kids were on the Arden Manor Pirates Swim Team this year and both had a great time! Nevyn is especially gifted in the water and continued to get faster every week. One of his coaches didn't realize till very late in the season that this was his first year on a swim team. He was shocked and said he should look into swimming on the year-round league. I'm so happy we have found another sport that he really likes. The team went to championships this past weekend and both Sami and Nevyn did a great job. I'm very proud of both of them.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sami at champs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hubby, Coach Jeremy at champs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nevyn at champs</td></tr>
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Around the time of my last post one of my sweet daycare babies came towards me with with his finger pointed at me and before I knew it, it was jammed in my eye. He meant to poke my nose, a game we play a lot, but he missed miserably and I ended up with a pothole in my eye. It took a week to heal and it was very painful. I had never experienced pain quite like that before. Hence the eye patch (wait, who's the pirate?).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDSEKtG3Ne_yJyTABzBtT3VzBweTqQzwaiW4qd-ITe34tBwej6aA2m3IsX2clAdHwyZ4Sf10kATjNCj-bONR2KdlOIUUaI8PBR0t1lJKc_rPglePJb-sn2sXK9TUZIHI2UcSYWhA6Fxo/s1600/a5cbfe70c2d811e19b0622000a1e8a4f_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDSEKtG3Ne_yJyTABzBtT3VzBweTqQzwaiW4qd-ITe34tBwej6aA2m3IsX2clAdHwyZ4Sf10kATjNCj-bONR2KdlOIUUaI8PBR0t1lJKc_rPglePJb-sn2sXK9TUZIHI2UcSYWhA6Fxo/s1600/a5cbfe70c2d811e19b0622000a1e8a4f_5.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLDX-IAzy9U/UA3pyon2B5I/AAAAAAAACbg/sdzvHd9qTFw/s1600/wpd226a803_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLDX-IAzy9U/UA3pyon2B5I/AAAAAAAACbg/sdzvHd9qTFw/s200/wpd226a803_06.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
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Two weekends ago I ran in the Fab 40's 5K. Formally, this was the Alzheimer's Memorial Run. I ran it a couple of years ago and even though the last mile was tough I really enjoyed it. This year's race was another good experience. I started out training for this one but after a week and a half my training fell through the cracks in my busy life. There wasn't much time for training between my medical issues and schedule conflicts. I didn't run during the last two weeks before race day so I wasn't too optimistic about finishing in under 40 minutes. I got tired half way through and the final mile seemed to last forever but when I saw my time I knew I pushed myself just enough. I finished in 39:01! I know a 12:33 pace is pretty slow but my running year has been a mess. I've had slow times all year long and haven't been able to get through any of my training plans because of constant medical issues. This was my first sub 40 minute 5K all year long. I'm wondering if the new pair of of my favorite running socks had anything to do with my improved time???</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFe7F37sRnQ/UA3XveKSFfI/AAAAAAAACZw/5n_6jDFqS2w/s1600/fab40s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFe7F37sRnQ/UA3XveKSFfI/AAAAAAAACZw/5n_6jDFqS2w/s1600/fab40s.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6dHsfu0GF0/UA3eE6f4-PI/AAAAAAAACac/6yjp4M6FoNA/s1600/socks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6dHsfu0GF0/UA3eE6f4-PI/AAAAAAAACac/6yjp4M6FoNA/s200/socks.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Next on my racing schedule: </div>
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The Color Run</div>
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August 4th</div>
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August 11th</div>
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September 16h
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October 7th</div>
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November 10th</div>
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November 22nd</div>
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Relay Team</div>
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December 2nd</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Friz_6xDjZI/UA3X6Jc-mwI/AAAAAAAACZ4/IgOFTtnnJeQ/s1600/follow+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Friz_6xDjZI/UA3X6Jc-mwI/AAAAAAAACZ4/IgOFTtnnJeQ/s200/follow+me.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-54844715111511805172012-06-22T13:14:00.000-07:002012-06-22T13:14:33.892-07:0030 day yoga challange<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As you may know, I'm training for my next 5K which will be held on July 14th. I haven't actually "trained" for anything in a while and it feel good to be back on a schedule and training plan. It gives my workouts focus and having a specific goal helps keep my motivation going strong. </div>
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The Fab 40's run is going to be a nice event. Here's some info from the website:</div>
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Fab 40s 5k Run/Walk</h2>
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In 2008 we launched a great community event, and we strive to make it even better every year. Realizing there is a tremendous need in the local community to help caregivers and their families, the <strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fab 40’s</strong> committee donates all proceeds from this event to the<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Alzheimer’s Association</strong> <a href="http://www.alz.org/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #3e4911; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">www.alz.org</a>.</div>
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We want to increase the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and its devastating affect on families. We feel the need to provide an opportunity for affected families to meet and interact with one another.</div>
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This year’s Fab 40′s 5k Run/Walk will be held on <strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saturday, July 14, 2012</strong>. The name of the race comes from the neighborhood in which the race is held; the <strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">East Sacramento community</strong> has embraced this event and looks forward to seeing and cheering on all event participants.</div>
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“Alzheimer’s Memorial Wall”</h2>
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The “<a href="http://fab40s5k.org/?page_id=222" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #3e4911; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Alzheimer’s Memorial Wall</a>” is the first of its kind in the nation. Modeled after the Vietnam Wall, people can inscribe the name of a loved one who has died from Alzheimer’s disease or is currently dealing with this disease. It is a way to memorialize or honor a loved one or friend. Located at <a href="http://www.eastlawn.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #3e4911; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">East Lawn Memorial Park</a>, individuals are invited to visit the wall in a beautiful, peaceful setting and share a comment on your visit.</div>
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<a href="http://-www.fab40s5k.org/">-www.fab40s5k.org</a></div>
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My search for my inner athlete has opened my eyes to lots of different forms of exercise over the years and one form that I have fallen in love with is yoga. I used to take two yoga classes a week and I felt a change in my body very quickly and I looked forward to my yoga nights all week long. My gym has changed the class schedule around over the years and now there is only one yoga class offered in the evenings. Very disappointing.</div>
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I have been wanting to add more yoga workouts to my weekly routine but I seem to lack the dedication and discipline to make it happen. I've decided to change this and do a 30 day yoga challenge. I'm not following any plan or joining a website, I'm just going to make my yoga practice a priority and commit to doing a yoga workout everyday for the next 30 days. The days I don't go to my class I will do my Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown DVD and I'm going to start going to the downtown gym and try their Thursday night class, just to mix it up a little. </div>
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Today Jeremy and I took our kids and the daycare on a field trip to Fairytale town and then had a picnic lunch in the park. Everyone had a great time but I'm exhausted! Now that everyone is sleeping it's time for me to put my feet up and relax.</div>
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Have a great weekend!</div>
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<br /></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-86426912483459001732012-06-19T09:47:00.000-07:002012-06-19T16:10:20.154-07:00I'm still hereIt's been a little over a month since my last blog. I had a small case of writer's block and then I was battling an illness that made even the slightest movements very painful. The last thing I wanted to do was type away on a computer. But I am much better now and I thought this would be a good time to catch you up to what I've been up to.<br />
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My June race was the women's fitness festival again this year. I really like this race. the 2010 race was my first event back into running after six years of laziness. Last year at this race I met Jaime and Scott from riseSUP.com. I won their raffle and took my first stand up paddleboard class from them and now, as you know, I'm hooked on SUP. This year wasn't as great as the past two years. I was not in the best shape and my time was a little disappointing (41:59, last year I ran it in 35:09) and there was a LOT of runners this year. However, this year was made special by my sister-in-law. She ran this year for the first time and she had a really good race. I have inspired her to start running and this was her third event, I think. <span style="background-color: white;">The idea that I have inspired someone else to get active and healthy is kind of crazy to me but I'm tru</span><span style="background-color: white;">ly </span><span style="background-color: white;">honored. I m</span><span style="background-color: white;">ust be </span><span style="background-color: white;">doing something right. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 2010 37:06</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 2011 35:09</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">This year has been a tough running year. I've been dealing with some odd foot issues since my first race of the year in January and that has lead to calf and hip pain due to over compensation on the part of my other leg and muscle groups. In addition to my injuries I've been sick a lot this year and it's been a horrible allergy season too. My most recent illness was another outbreak of my mystery pox. If you are a regular reader you might remember a blog I wrote back in February about my "I'm-sick-pox" (I also refer to them as "mystery pox" because no one knows what they really are). This time the medication I normally take to make the pox go away didn't work so I went to see my dermatologist. She's my newest doctor (I collect them apparently) and had never seen one of my flair ups. At first, like all of the doctors before her, she was very confused but she had a few theories. She brought in another doctor to collaborate with and the verdict is in. I have Eczema Herpeticum. To confirm this diagnoses she took a few culture samples and a biopsy from my back and prescribed some stronger medication. Here's some additional info on my condition: </span><br />
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Eczema herpeticum, initially described by Moriz Kaposi in 1887, is a potentially life-threatening herpetic super infection of a pre-existing skin disease. Eczema Herpeticum occurs as a result of the eczema being infected with the herpes simplex virus, the virus that produces cold sores. It is important to avoid skin contact with anyone who has cold sores.</div>
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Normally, herpes simplex will be confined to cold sores around the mouth and is a routine condition. However, in a person with eczema the virus can appear anywhere on the skin. In rare cases, it can prove fatal. Despite the availability of antiviral therapies, eczema herpeticum remains a dermatological emergency today.</div>
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Eczema herpeticum appears in small clusters and looks like blisters or ulcers. These are initially filled with a clear fluid but this turns to pus. The blisters are scratched and become raw and weepy. The symptoms of eczema herpeticum may include a high temperature; an extensive rash with small skin blisters filled with yellow pus and you may generally feel unwell. The rash can cover the whole of the skin surface. Eczema herpeticum can occur when anyone with eczema, <a href="http://www.animated-teeth.com/cold_sores/t1_cold_sores.htm"><span style="color: black;">especially if it is sore and open has skin-to-skin contact with someone who has active facial (cold sores)</span></a> or genital herpes. The cause of eczema herpeticum is always HSV type I. The exact patho-physiology is unknown, but it is thought to involve HSV entering the skin when skin barrier function is compromised due to dermatitis. Defective cytokine secretion in the affected skin also plays an important role. The severity of pre-existing eczema does not seem to dictate the severity of eczema herpeticum. Secondary bacterial skin infections are very common. A mixture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are commonly isolated, the most common being S aureus, Group A ß-hemolytic Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, and Peptostreptococcus.</div>
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If your eczema becomes worse for no apparent reason or you see blisters on the surface, medical advice is required. With eczema herpeticum the sufferer may have a high temperature and feel very ill. Be sure to explain all your symptoms to your doctor because this is not a straightforward condition to diagnose.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
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The first indication of infection occurs 5 to 12 days after exposure to the virus and typically appears as multiple itchy, watery blisters that occur on skin previously affected by atopic dermatitis. If these blisters are not treated, they can become progressively worse as illustrated by these four stages of Eczema herpeticum: In stage one, multiple itchy, watery blisters over an area of skin, usually where atopic dermatitis lesions were present (5 to 12 days after exposure). Stage two begins as the blisters begin to disseminate or "crop" into adjacent areas of skin. In stage three, the blisters may bleed, become encrusted, and erode - at this stage the condition becomes extremely painful. At stage four, the viral infection spreads to cover the entire body, with associated fever and swollen lymph nodes. Secondary bacterial infection frequently develops in large, eroded areas of skin.</div>
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During all stages, fever is usually present and the person feels ill. The first episode of eczema herpeticum usually runs its course in 2 to 6 weeks if left untreated. However, letting the disease run its course is not recommended as eczema herpeticum can be life threatening. Subsequent outbreaks tend to be milder, unless the patient has an underlying immunodeficiency condition.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Sometimes a hospital treatment may be required with Eczema Herpeticum. This type of infected eczema is usually treated with an anti-viral drug acyclovir, which is given by injection, by mouth or as an ointment.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">-</span><a href="http://www.internationaleczema-psoriasisfoundation.org/eczema_herptecum.php4" style="background-color: white;">http://www.internationaleczema-psoriasisfoundation.org/eczema_herptecum.php4</a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 2010 38:09</td></tr>
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I'm feeling much better now and yesterday I went for my first workout in weeks. I'm preparing for my next 5K on July 14th, the <a href="http://fab40s5k.org/" target="_blank">Fab 40's 5K</a> and because I'm basically starting over I'm taking things very slow. This week I'll run a total of six miles and I'm keeping my pace slow and relaxed. The last time I ran this race I finished in 38:09. I don't know how close to that I'll get this year but as long as I finish in a sub 40:00 I'll be happy. I know that's a really slow 5K and especially for someone who's been running for years but it's about fun, not time, right? I keep telling myself that but I don't think it's working<br />
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P.S. I don't know why parts of this blog are highlighted. I didn't to that and I don't know how to make it go away...Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-65086916290460683262012-05-13T13:23:00.002-07:002012-05-14T11:26:47.234-07:00I love being a mermaid athlete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sami and I drove down to Fremont Friday night to participate in Saturday's Mermaid Series event. This was Sami's second Mermaid event and my fourth. I discovered the Mermaid Series in 2010 and I try to run as many events as I can. On Saturday I ran the Mermaid half marathon and Sami ran the 5K. It was my fourth half marathon of the year and even though I'm still dealing with an injured foot and hip, it was still a great event. </div>
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I have found that trail running is challenging for me. I have weak ankles that have a tendency to roll and sprain when I step, even lightly, on uneven ground. Even though it's understandable why I have to slow down on dirt and gravel trails I still don't like it. I'm slow enough as it is, I don't need to be slower. When I ran this race last year only the first and last mile (so two miles total) were on the dirt and gravel trail around Quarry lakes recreational area in Fremont. The other 11.1 miles were on the bike path that follows Alameda Creek. This path has it's own challenges too (at every underpass there is a steep downhill and an equally steep uphill) but at least I can take my speed up a notch or two without fear that my ankles will be the death of me. But this year's race was different... Literally half of the race was on the dirt and gravel trial. On the upside, because we ran around more of the lakes it was a very pretty run. It would be a really nice training run but not so nice when I was trying to better my half marathon time.</div>
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Once I got on the bike path and picked up my pace I felt more optimistic about my possible race time. My foot and hip where still injured form the previous race and shoe mix up but I felt well enough to run my 30 second intervals. I started passing more runners and I felt really good. I usually feel good running in the bay area. The air is cleaner, my allergies are much better and it's usually nice and cool.</div>
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However, the mercury rose to 82 degrees on Saturday and by mile 10 I was very much over heated. I normally wear a cami under my race shirts to help absorb some sweat but I never take off my shirt and run in just my cami. I'm too self-conscious about my weight and especially my obscene amount of belly fat. But heat makes people do strange things and I, for the first time ever, took off my shirt and ran in my cami. The heat also slowed me down quite a bit. I think I could have pushed through the pain I felt in my hip but I couldn't distract myself from the heat. My pace slowed down considerably and after mile 11 I gave up on my intervals. I ran when I could and walked when I couldn't. I also decided that Fremont needs to plant more trees along the bike trail. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my finisher necklace</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it says "inspire" </td></tr>
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Even with the challenges I faced in this race it was still a much better experience than my previous half a few weeks ago. Here are some of the reasons why (and an excuse to make another list):</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sami did great considering she was sick. She decided to walk and really</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> only run at the end. She beat her cousin to the finish line my .1 second.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> She was very proud and the announcer named her the winner of their sprint. </span></td></tr>
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I wore my good shoes, on both my right and left foot this time </div>
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I had my girl with me. Sami and I love these little mini road trips :o)<br />
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My niece and her mom also ran the 5K and I got to meet her mom for the first time ever</div>
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I was in the bay, everything is better in the bay or on the coast</div>
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I didn't have to walk the last five miles (goes back to the shoe issue)</div>
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Today (Sunday), my foot and both hips are sore as well as my back. I imagine most of this will be better by tomorrow. Now I'm searching for my next half marathon. I think I might be a little crazy. I don't know what it is about 13.1 miles that I like so much. Every time I do one I have the same thought running through my mind, "why did I think this was a god idea?"... But after crossing the finish line, every time I think, "that was so awesome, I just ran a half marathon!" Go figure... </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always go to Mermaid Series events prepared for a little shopping!<br />
Happy birthday to me, I say!<br />
I got the shirt they gave away at the San Diego event<br />
and the" run happy" sweat shirt that I've been wanting for a long time<br />
but it hasn't been at the last couple of events. I also got Sami<br />
and I both a "Mermaid Athlete" headband. <br />
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</div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-84757410880409597852012-04-28T18:34:00.001-07:002012-04-28T18:36:55.361-07:00The American River Parkway Half Marathon 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
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I was using today's race as a training run. I have the Mermaid Half Marathon in two weeks and figured that this would be a great last long run before then. </div>
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This was my first time running this race but it wont be the last. It's all on the American River Bike Trail so it was a beautiful course and all the proceeds goes to maintaining the trail. That's great for everyone! :o) The Grant High School drum line provided some entertainment at the start as well as a group of bag pipe players. It was really great. Then, just before the start of the race, there was a little ceremony honoring Officer Randy van Dusen with bib #1 for saving the life of one of last year's runners. The runner, Ralph Jefferies was given bib #2 and his wife, Felicia, was given bib #3. Here's the story from last year's race: </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">On April 30, 2011, Officer Randy Van Dusen watched a runner at a half marathon event collapse. Without hesitation, Officer Van Dusen went to check on the runner, thinking he had just tripped or stumbled. Instead, the runner was found unconscious with no pulse. Officer Van Dusen called for Code 3 fire and medical response and began chest compressions on the runner. As other runners arrived, some medically trained, Officer Van Dusen continued chest compressions. Despite several medically trained people on the scene advising Officer Van Dusen to discontinue compressions when the victim did not respond, he did not stop. Several minutes later, prior to medical aid arriving, the victim’s heart started to beat. The victim was transported to the hospital where he began his recovery. -</span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1335661808_0" style="color: #366388; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;"><a href="http://www.americanrivermessenger.com/police.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #234786; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;" target="_blank">http://www.americanrivermessenger.com/police.html</a></span></div>
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I try not to judge a half marathon or analyze how I'm doing during the first few miles. I use these miles as a warm up and I usually struggle through them. I tend to hate running in the first ten minutes of any run. I almost always find myself ask "why do I continue to do this to myself?" But once I work the cobwebs out of my legs I'm fine and enjoy the rest of the run. However, today was very different.</div>
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Early in the race, around mile 2, my right foot started to feel weird and my big toe felt like it was going to sleep. That had never happened before and I was little concerned about it but I tried to just forget about it keep going. It was also around this time that I started running/walking in 30 second splits. This works well for me in longer races. It keeps me running without getting too tired to cover the miles. </div>
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As I was approaching the turn-around point my right foot was starting to really bother me. My toe wasn't asleep anymore but I felt the outside of my foot rubbing against my shoe and the bottom of my foot felt tired. This is the same foot that has been giving me problems all year. It gets really tight and I feel pain in my heel a lot of the time, both on and off the road, but this pain was different. I decided to stop and try retying my shoes at the next aid station after the turn-around. Since I felt my foot rubbing against the shoe maybe tightening up the laces would solve the problem. As I as was retying them I noticed this...</div>
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Yep, I was wearing two different shoes... Normally, the night before a race, I pack everything I could possibly need or want in my "race bag" along with the clothes I plan on wearing, with my bib already pinned to my shirt, and my shoes, with the timing chip already attached. The morning of my races I take the whole bag to the bathroom and get dressed without bothering my husband. But last night the clothes I wanted to wear today weren't finished drying so I didn't go through my usual preparation rituals. I got dressed, including putting on my shoes, in the dark and walked out of the house without going over my attire. Now I know NEVER to do that again. </div>
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You see, the pink and white shoe on my right foot is half of my old pair of running shoes. They were very good to me but no longer have the cushioning and support my feet require. They still work great for around the house, yard, walking the daycare up to the park and my bodypump classes. Not so much for running any substantial distance and defiantly not for 13.1 miles. As a result my right foot was very angry with me and I ended up supporting most of my weight with my left leg. That caused me more pain, mostly in my knee and hip. I was forced to walk most of the last five miles. I did manage to suck it up long enough to run for the two sets of photographers that where snapping photos on that portion of the course and to cross the finish line running. </div>
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Overall, it was a nice race. It was beautiful out today and it got nice and warm. Of course I would have been a little bit more comfortable if I finished earlier and enjoyed the warmth from the shade instead of out on the course... I feel like I did pretty good all things considering. My last half was in late February and my time in that race was 3:15. Today my time was 3:43. I think if I didn't have to walk I would have defiantly beat my last half's time and I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the Mermaid half. Hopefully anything that can go wrong I got out of the way today. </div>
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<br /></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-84390877582636118422012-04-17T09:06:00.000-07:002012-04-17T16:58:23.428-07:00Obsessed? Me? Maybe.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My success on Sunday got me so jazzed to get back into my workout routine. I've gotten a little obsessed with my plans and goals so today's blog is all about that stuff. Sorry of it's not the best reading for those who are not me, but it's what is running through my mind at the moment. (Most moments lately.)</div>
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Yesterday's yoga class was great! I got to the gym about 45 minutes before class so I got a chance to hop on some cardio equipment first. I stated out on the treadmill. I had planned on walking on an incline for awhile to boost my burn but it was bothering my lower back so I gave it up after about 10 minutes. I continued my cadrio workout on the bike. I rode for half an hour on an level 4 and ended up going for 7.5 miles. It felt good to workout my quades a little. I wasn't overly sore from Sunday's race but my quades where making themselves known a little louder than usual. </div>
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We have a new Monday night yoga instructor and I think I'm going to like her a lot. She's been subbing for the last few weeks while "they" made a decision on a permanent instructor and I like her style. We haven't done any poses I haven't already done but I'm hopping we will has time goes on. </div>
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Today is my bodypump Tuesday! I love bodypump but I don't know if I'll be able to make it there today. Jeremy usually covers daycare for me so I can leave early enough to make it to class but he has a swim team meeting today after baseball practice so I might be late if I get to class at all. But regardless if I make to class or not I'll still run and go for a swim. </div>
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I have made the decision that I need a day off form my workouts during the week and Wednesday is the best day for that. This also gives me the chance to pick Sami up from ballet and see her in action once a week, spend some one-on-one time with Nevyn and, once we get this computer back up to "gaming speed" I have reserved Wednesday nights for "gaming dates" with Jeremy. He is so excited. He's going to teach me how to play World of Warcraft (WoW) and we will play side-by-side. I'm not a big video/computer game chick but Jeremy really likes them. He makes time for our aqua dates every week for me (he would never chose to spend his free time at the gym) so I'm going to do the same for him. Aw, aren't we sickeningly sweet? </div>
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I actually don't have a class on Thursdays. Thursdays are for running and swimming. I plan on doing some speed work on my Thursday runs and maybe during my swim too. I don't ever see myself as "fast" but I would be really happy to be faster than I am now. My next 5K is in June and I would like to finish in around 37 or 38 minutes. My half is in less than month and I want to be as close to last years time as I can. </div>
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Friday night is my aqua date with Jeremy! He has been a big help. He has improved my stroke and my breathing pattern as well as made me feel better about my swimming insecurities. </div>
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My plan for Saturday has been altered a little from the norm. Last week, while waiting for bodypump to start and watching the turbo kick class, I shared with one of my pump buddies that I wanted to try turbo kick but I was a little intimidated by it. He said he has been wanting to try it too so we decided to meat up this Saturday and take both turbo kick and bodypump. I'm pretty excited about trying something new but at the same time I'm wondering how I'm going to fit this class into my Saturday program if I fall in love with it. We'll see how it pans out after this weekend I guess. </div>
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I haven't been to PiYo for a couple of weeks. First I skipped it because it was Easter Sunday and then last week I had a race. I'm looking forward to going back this weekend. It's a tough class, tougher than I expected but I really like the challenge and it's very different from anything else I've been doing. </div>
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I have to keep up my running! I have my next half marathon, the Mermaid Series Half on May 12th (my third half for the year) and I really want to better my time. My last half was the River City Half in late February and I finished in 3:13:04. Last year I finished the Mermaid Series Half in 2:31:31. I would like to finish close to that time but this year's training has been much more challenging that last year's. If I don't meet or better that time I wont be too disappointed. My goal this year is a sub three hour finish. </div>
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Bragging rights! I was quoted on the Mermaid Series Facebook page. This is pretty cool. I've done three Mermaid Series events and they are so much fun! I have already decided that my first triathlon will be the Mermaid Series Tri near Santa Cruz. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3Blv0zUJLOHZY3NrveSdlp2mHdE7-8AQz52cCA_JGpcUdgPerl9WlwMcnSxcaHuU4OctjQpRULCyu4bjtTCwitpK9x0o94X5jEmTMlFJctQqR3DHUWnYXDz2cPVgfiT9Asyv35GIQUU/s1600/43a35bf2810211e1af7612313813f8e8_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3Blv0zUJLOHZY3NrveSdlp2mHdE7-8AQz52cCA_JGpcUdgPerl9WlwMcnSxcaHuU4OctjQpRULCyu4bjtTCwitpK9x0o94X5jEmTMlFJctQqR3DHUWnYXDz2cPVgfiT9Asyv35GIQUU/s200/43a35bf2810211e1af7612313813f8e8_7.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MkYYQsrDZWY/T41tKhDkfoI/AAAAAAAACEc/ohLvIrDWFoM/s1600/Kate+and+Ali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MkYYQsrDZWY/T41tKhDkfoI/AAAAAAAACEc/ohLvIrDWFoM/s200/Kate+and+Ali.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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In other exciting news, I got my paddle board! I can't believe it has taken me this long to blog about it but I've had a lot going on. So, everyone in Blogland, please welcome the newest member of my family, Ali. She is a Boga (of course) Mahina and I love her. Look how well she compliments Kate! They are already fast friends. I plan on taking her out on Lake Natoma on Saturday. My kids keep reminding me that I have to share. Who says???</div>
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Are these not the cutest runners you have ever seen? These are two of my daycare girls, Sage (5) and Sierra (3) (sisters, like you couldn't tell) and they may as well be my nieces. I love them to pieces! They ran in the kids races at the Zoo Zoom on Sunday and earned themselves some medals. I hung out after my race so I could cheer them on and see them cross the finish line. They did great! Sage competed in the age group above her own and still finished solidly in the middle of the pack. Both of them are athletes in the making. </div>
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Last Friday after work I met up with an old high school buddy. We saw each other at our 10 year reunion (how am I that old already???) but it's been a few years and she was back in town visiting family. We had a quick little coffee date at Temple in midtown. I had never been there before but now I can't wait to try out the one closer to me. I loved it! Yum, yum, yum. If you haven't tried it, you need to get your caboose down there ASAP. </div>
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284812894181077800.post-82466410836899831562012-04-16T15:44:00.001-07:002012-04-16T15:44:36.117-07:00I'M ALIVE!!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
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I know it's been awhile since I blogged last and a lot has been going in my life including an emergency doctor's appointment, more medication and then a race. Let me back track.<br />
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If you know me or have been reading my life in blog form, you know that this allergy season has been beating my ass. You'll also know that allergies aren't the end of my medical woes. When my allergies attack my eczema and asthma join forces and attempt to kill me. (The saddest thing about this is that I'm not being overly dramatic.) I was in my doctor's office (one of the many) in early March. At that time we decided to start allergy shots again, he me gave more crap to put on my eczema and props for my lung capacity being at 108% that day. When I got home I realized that I forgot to get refills for my every-day inhaler (the one that actually keeps me alive). At first I wanted to kick myself but I knew the pharmacy would call and the office would fax the prescription over without any drama since I had just been seen. On April 2nd, two weeks ago, I called in my prescription to my pharmacy. I had a few days worth of medication left and I was sure I would get my new drugs in a couple of days at the most. No worries, right? Wrong!!! </div>
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Jeremy went to pick up my medication on Wednesday (two days after I called it in) and it wasn't ready. The pharmacy hadn't heard back from the doctor's office yet. </div>
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Lesson #1: </div>
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If this happens again, ask the pharmacy to resend the request, now.</div>
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I called the pharmacy on Friday to see if my medication was ready for pick up. Jeremy was going to go get it for me but I wanted to make sure it was there before he drove over. It wasn't ready yet. </div>
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Lesson #2: </div>
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If this happens again, ask the pharmacy to again resend the request and I will call the office, now.</div>
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As the week wore on, I was getting really low on medication. Over the weekend, I had to puff my inhaler more than once to get any medication out of it at all. By the time Monday came I was completly out of medication. I was on the phone back and forth between the pharmacy and my doctor's office. There was a blame game between the two, I never figured out where the breakdown of communication started but I had my medication that afternoon. Thank God!</div>
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I thought that I would be okay after being back on my medication for a couple of days, and if it was any other time of year I think I would have been, but the evil allergies used this time to attack in full force. By Wednesday afternoon I didn't even have the breath needed to call the doctor. Thankfully, Jeremy called for me and got me an emergency appointment that afternoon and I avoided a trip to the ER. </div>
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The office I went to wasn't my asthma and allergy guy (they didn't call us back in time) but my general practice office. I saw the nurse practitioner and she couldn't believe that 5 weeks earlier I had a lung capacity of 108%. They didn't to a capacity test but I doubt it was more than 25% by the time I was in the office. She gave me a prescription for prednisone (a corticosteriod used to treat the inflammation in the lungs) and sent me on my way.<br />
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I took the next few days really easy. No workouts, Sami and Jeremy helped with making dinner and cleaning up after daycare and I was pretty much a lazy and pouty mess. On Saturday I was feeling pretty good. I even went to my first workout of the week, my beloved bodypump class. I was praying that I stayed strong through class and prove to Jeremy that it was safe for me to attempt the 5K I had the following day. Class was great and one of my class buddies and I decided to go early next week to try the turbo kick class before pump.<br />
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On Sunday I woke up early, got my race gear together and headed out to the zoo for the Zoo Zoom 5K. I was amazed at how great I felt. I tried out my lungs with some warm up jogs around the starting area and was super excited with how great I felt. It was a beautiful day, my lungs were working as designed and I got to be apart of my sister-in-law's first 5K too. It was a great day! I finished in 40:15-not even close to my PR (33:05) but I was thrilled that I didn't have to walk it or die trying to find the finish line.<br />
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Sunday was a great day for me on a more personal level as well. About three years ago I kind of "broke up" with my best friend. I'm not going to go into details but it was a traumatic time for everyone involved. Recently I've seen her at my gym and it made me feel really uncomfortable. Everyone I knew told me to just ignore her and pretend she wasn't there. I did this but it made me feel cold and on edge. I had no desire to be besties again but acting like she didn't exist didn't feel right. It tuned out that she was also at the Zoo Zoom and we ended up talking a little bit. Nothing really personal mostly about our kids, workouts, running and races. It felt good to not ignore her when we were in the same space. I don't know if this makes much sense to anyone else out there but it lead me to a new way of thinking.<br />
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I thought about this the drive back form the race and decided that I'm not going to completely ignore her anymore. If I walk past her in the gym, I'll say "hi". If we are in the same workout class together I'm going to knowledge her presence. If just feels right to me. I'm sure there are people who are going to read this and not understand why I feel this way. The truth is, I don't know why I do either but, if I learned anything from the event three years ago, it's to be true to myself and my feelings. If others don't "get it" that's okay. I'm the one who has to live with my actions.<br />
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So, there you go. Near death, bounce back, lung health, successful race<br />
and even some mental and emotional healing too. Last week wasn't so<br />
bad after all. No, the first half was that bad, scratch that last line. <br />
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</div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404431153537597972noreply@blogger.com1