The times, they are a changin'

I just found out today that Hirono is not going to be doing the marathon. Its bad enough I don't see her at work everyday now, but now- not even the marathon to look forward to with her!

This brings on mixed feeling for me. I totally respect her decision- she hadn't been able to get her training rolling and she always told me- you get out of it, what you put into it. She did her last marathon in Oct- which was not that long ago. She wasn't able to do the Pasadena Half- because she was sick. But there's another part of me that's a little disappointed. I didn't originally get into this to do it alone. I thought it would be great to have a buddy. Even though I admit, I thought I might drag her down since I am walking and not running, but knowing she was going to be there was also exciting.

All in all, there was something inside me that kind of knew this might happen. Call it instinct, call it divine light... I think its all about accepting things being the way they are supposed to be at this moment in time. I have been doing the majority of this training alone. I have been finding more strength in myself to make tough decisions that are about my personal independence and letting go of interdependence and enmeshment. It had been a journey in finding my way, my strength and my peace as I got through these extraordinary circumstances. It has been finding time for ME- to take care of ME- while still taking care of others, the right way.

I know Hirono will be with me during the race, even if it is just in spirit. She is the one who opened this door for me. But I am definitely the one who is power-walking her way through it.

God Bless you Hirono and Thank you for everything.

Birhtday Cupcakes

Can I just say? - I love Hirono!

I am not going to let her leave. I have the duct tape ready to keep her down in her chair...

We were talking about WHAT?

I convinced Hirono to go with me to Sushi again at Empire Center today (didn't take much convincing) and to walk there again (took a little more convincing). Walking there was easy- we were both hungry so getting TO the food is no big deal.

Its when we finish eating and feel a little full and then we want Starbucks before we go (which she bought for me- so I was ALL ABOUT THAT!). Then we're walking with coffee saying to ourselves- why isn't the office closer! Its at those moments when the weirdest things come out of our mouths to pass the time. I am not sure how we arrived at these topics but we ended up talking about (in no particular order) Oct-a-Mom, L word, gay sex, man on man, "goo", humidity, beef jerky, cupcakes, and more...

And dammit if we didn't distract ourselves enough to get back to the office with one foot in front of the other. :)

To and from sushi = 2.49 miles today. Time with Hirono = priceless.

Will Walk for Sushi

Its so nice to be back to the office with Hirono again. I was sharing with her tales of Omaha, how great it was, how sick I got and the time I did manage to get my walks in. She was really proud of me! Between catching up and filling me in on what I missed- which included some very big news for Hirono- she agreed to walk with me to our Sushi place in Empire Center.

We as we walked we talked about things- like the tornado, the class, the weather in Omaha. We talked about past colleagues and how they are doing. And then we addressed the elephant in the room.

Hirono had told me the last week I was in Omaha (though I promised I wouldn't say anything till it was public) that she was going to be leaving Yahoo! and taking a job in the Healthcare industry as a trainer/ instructional designer. It sounded like an AWESOME move for her, as she would have people reporting to her, continue to do what she is incredibly good at (ID) and be challenged everyday. Not to mention that she would be working with people she knew from past jobs, so there was definitely a comfort level coming into that job.

I know I will miss her madly. She and I have gotten incredibly close since the RIFF in Dec. With it being just the two of us at the office as part of our small team, we have learned to rely on one another. She has been my cheerleader and my confidant. She's been to my house, on a road trip with me, knows more than almost anyone at the office about my true nature and continues to inspire me, as well. I hope I have been to her even half of what she has been to me.

To and from the sushi place today was 2.42 miles and took us 46.5 mins. Leisurely and nice- gorgeous weather, a little hot, and lovely.

It looks like she will be leaving a week from today on 4/7- so everyday that we are at work together I am going to try to get her to come to lunch with me and get my Hirono fix before she leaves. I have never been more inspired in my marathon training, than when I am running with Hirono. It will be weird without her...

I think I will have a 10K for dinner, please...

Hirono and I arrived for the sales conference about 15 mins late, due to some undesirable traffic in Palm Springs. Well- it was undesirable because I took a wrong turn off the freeway when I should have stayed on the 10FWY instead of getting off towards Palm Springs... but that's besides the point... The point is, that from the moment we arrived at 11:15am- we were involved in prep exercises, lunch and then sessions started at 1pm! We had a full day of sessions and the plan we had of doing a run that day- in the daylight was almost lost...

Thank goodness Hirono was up to gearing up and going for a run before dinner. She was originally thinking that we could quickly kick out 3 miles (even though my goal was to go 8) and then make it to our team meeting for cocktails. But we both got so inspired by each other and motivated by each other that we ended up running (and I can honestly say running here- because I ran more than I ever have with her alongside me) for 1.35hrs! We ended up going 6.44 miles and wrapped our way around the Renaissance Esmeralda hotel about 6 times. We were taking part of the golf cart trail and watched them set up for dinner on the back lawn, smelled dinner and when we saw people lining up for dinner- we both decided we were too hungry to go the full 8 miles.

What was so great about this run, is that it was a little before twilight when we started, we saw the sunset, and the stars arise. We heard the band warming up for their dinner performance (like a Surf Punk band without vocals- think Dick Dale's song on the Pulp Fiction Soundtrack) and found our groove together. There were times she was running ahead of me and times I was running ahead of her (which I never thought I would do). It felt like we were there for ourselves- but we were definitely in it together. I knew we were both safe- even as it got really dark.

One thing I discovered on this run is that my shin splints always hurt like a bitch when I start- but they actually WARM UP! By the 2nd or 3rd mile, they stop hurting and I can stop and stretch them out. I used to think that pain would never subside and I would have to just live with it- but I can actually run through it. Then other pains arise- but at least I am recognizing them and none of them seem like emergencies.

I am hoping to get another run in before we drive home on Wed 3/4/09. I found out recently that I will be flying to Omaha for a month on Wed 3/4/09- in the afternoon- so it will be good to get some runs in before I head out. If my experience in Manila was any indication of how it is to open up a new office, then I doubt I will get much work-out time while I am there. And from what I hear about Omaha weather- I doubt any of it will be out doors.

But for tonight, I got in a 10K before dinner and then feasted guilt-free on the fine buffet they had for us, with roast beef, garlic mash, shrimp, pasta and all the fixings. Oh and salad.

Talladega (Friday) Nights

One thing I have learned so far is trying to do more than 4 miles on the treadmill gets incredibly boring. Even when I alternate jogging with power walking, 4 miles still takes me 1+ hour. This week seemed so tough to squeeze any time in to go out for a walk or to even get a walk in at lunch time. I decided to sacrifice some of my date night and go to the gym after work.

My training had 3/5/3 on the schedule for the week's short runs. Then this weekend I need to try to attempt 8- even though I will be in Palm Desert for the Y! Sales Conference, I am still optimistic that I can squeeze it in. I am driving out there with my running partner, Hirono and she and I talked about carving out some time on Sunday to do it outside and enjoy the oasis they have us staying at. We haven't seen the agenda yet- but are sure they can't have us booked for every second. I expect the 8 miler will probably take me a good 2.5 hours or so. We'll see.

For tonight, I am just trying to get 5 done. So I go to the gym, get suited up in my running capris, strap 'em down bra, wrap-em-up knee braces (I love my new velcro brace with boning. Its been great for my left knee!) and my purple 'do-rag. (always bleeding purple!) I lace up my Brooks and get out to the treadmill.

The gym at my work has 4- 40" flat panel TVs up in front of a row of ellipticals, treadmills and bikes. The first one was tuned to TBS and I was quickly drawn to the movie playing- Taledega Nights. I turned on my iPod to record my distance but plugged my headphones into the TV. I started jogging at the commercial breaks- went for 4 mins on the longest one- and then speed walked during the film. Dammit- if that time didn't fly by! That movie is great for working out to! "Dear tiny infant baby Jesus..."

Needless to say, I was there for 1.22 hours and finished 5.07 miles. While my knees almost buckled on the stairs leaving, I felt really good for getting that in. Now its off to enjoy one day of weekend and on to the sales conference on Sunday! Hirono and I have to leave at like 8am to get there on time... ROAD TRIP!

Sushi never tastes so good as when you earn it...

This is week four of my official training for the marathon. That means my schedule is to do 3/5/3 miles during the week and 8 miles for my long run. It has been a constant challenge to figure out when I can work my runs into the week, when I work 8-10hrs 5 days a week, go to meetings 5-6x a week, rehearse 3x a week and tutor once a week. Its exhausting just writing all my commitments!

So when I looked at my calendar today and saw there was not a lot of time between meetings, I looked up at Hirono and asked her if she would like walk to sushi? The closest sushi place to our office is California Roll & Sushi in the Empire Center- near the Burbank Airport. It is a little under 1.5 miles away from our office and so walking there and back makes for close to 3 miles.

At about 11:30am I pinged Hirono and asked her if she wanted to go. She was game, so I pulled on my running shoes, grabbed my shades and my money, and we ventured out. We walked at a medium pace (18.43 minute mile) and made it down the street past the construction, in and out of the shade.

We got to the sushi place and sat down and had lunch, the walked back. I tell ya, having a bento box and spicy tuna hand roll with no rice never tastes as good as it does with a little bit of perspiration on your upper lip from walking to the restaurant. I feel like I earn it! like its ok for me to spend $12 on lunch :)

I love doing these walks with Hirono. We have gotten so much closer over the last couple months and I know so much of it has to do with the training. That is a definite WIN for this Marathon stuff!

4 Weeks in and Finally blogging...

As of today, Feb 6th, I am officially done with the first 3 weeks of "pre-training" and almost done with my first full week of real training- minus the 5 miles I have to figure out how to get in during the rain.

I was trying to journal about all this and why I made the decision to sign up for the LA Marathon on 5/25 and now the Pasadena Half-Marathon on 3/22, but I guess my hands cramp up a lot more than they used to- when I would sit for hours in a coffee shop and wax poetically about the people hanging out or walking by.

Here's how it started...

About a month ago, just after returning to the office from the X-mas Holiday, my co-worker, Hirono, asked me if I might be interested in doing the LA Marathon with her. I knew she had done the Portland Marathon in 2008 and there was part of me that thought- if she could do it, so could I. But back then I though- I could just show up on the day of the Marathon and DO IT. I had no idea the type of training involved. I had a chance to see my friend Karen train for the NYC Marathon (which requires you to qualify for the race, etc- WAY hard-core) and last year and began to understand the level of commitment required to do something like that. And yet... there was part of me that wasn't daunted by the possibility.

After Hirono said that she had signed up and wouldn't it be fun to do it together, etc- I started seriously thinking about it. I have been wanting to get in better shape and loose some weight (well- when haven't I wanted to do that... lol) and I know that the way my body works- I have to exercise to get that to happen. There has only been one time in my life when I have lost weight from watching my diet alone and my foot was in a cast at the time. But that's another story...
There was a part of me that felt like it was impossible. I am NOT a runner. I never have been. If someone isnt chasing you, why would you possibly want to run?

But there was a bigger part of me that kept saying, WHY NOT. Why not try? Why are you always telling yourself- NO. How many times have you let that voice decide for you?
The clincher was hearing someone speak later in the week at a meeting. The gist of her whole story was- "Now I am doing all the things I never tried, because I never thought I could." It got me to start questioning myself and ask "What would you attempt if you knew you could never fail?"

So I went to the running store that weekend with my husband (whose initial reaction to my saying I wanted to do a marathon was- "Really? But you don't run. I have never seen you run. Why would you want to do it?" and later- as the weeks have progressed has been my biggest supporter. My mom had a similar reaction- but it had more to do with our genetics and crappy joints- more about swollen knees later) and got fitted for shoes. Now, I had the business card for this store for over 2 years. Given to me by my chiropractor, but never went. I kept telling myself I would do more/ better exercise if I just got shoes and never did. I knew this was a big first step (all puns intended).

The next thing I did was hop on eBay. Hirono had already shown me her Nike+ sensor and her Nike Mini-Me avatar. It was really cool to know that she could track her mileage, time, calories and pace on this thing and then have a cartoon encourage her to do more. I decided to find one and get one on eBay. I also got an iPod, and Armband, a book called the Non-Runner's Marathon Training Guide (awesome book!!) and MORE... Call it retail therapy for making a big decision.

Then on Sunday 1/11- I went to the LA Marathon site... and signed up.
It was a huge moment. Filled with trepidation. Could I actually do this thing? Would I make it to May? Was I going to fall on my face, or dislocate my knee or break my foot again? Would I loose weight or gain it or be able to make it?

So far, I have not lost any weight. I have played with a pound- back and forth for the last three weeks, but it hasn't left yet. I walked and tried jogging every day for at least 30 mins for the first 2 weeks, then moved up to 45mins everyday the last week of pre-training. This week I walked/ jogged (it ends up being like 4-7 mins walking then 1-3 mins jogging in a 10 min span) for 3 miles on Mon., 4 miles on Tues, 3 miles on Wed. and walked to lunch with Hirono on Thurs- 1 mile there and 1 mile back (with a nice sushi reward in between). Today is Friday, my rest day. I am glad its a rest day, because it is POURING rain. Well at least as much as LA can pour rain. But its really coming down, roads are flooded and its not a good looking scene for outdoor activities- unless you have a canoe. My long run for the week is supposed to be tomorrow- 5 miles. We'll see how I do with the weather tomorrow- but I am hoping for a 1-2hr window where I can try to get this done.

My goal is not to get some great time. To cross the finish line with other people. I am learning that running (remember- when I say running- you say "walk/jog") is a very solitary sport. SO my goal- is just to FINISH the marathon. I don't care if it takes me 7-8 hours (now that IS optimistic) or 9-10 hrs (that is realistic) or 12 hours (maybe if I get hurt). I just want to finish.

So far its going well! I am motivated and doing my best to stay with the training plan. I LOVE my Nike + on my iPod. One long walk, I went 4.10 miles and at the end of it, the iPod voice gave me a summary of my run and then I hear "This is Lance Armstrong. Congratulations on your longest workout yet! Keep it up!". HOW COOL WAS THAT? Totally motivating. They definitely have my number.

The down side at first was my feet. Breaking in my shoes took about a week of pain on all parts of my feet. I guess I figured I would get good shoes and have no pain- it would be like walking on clouds and stuff. Nope- to take feet that have falling arches and past breaks and arthritic toes and put them in good shoes, doesn't stop the fact that the feet are jacked. Then once I got my shoes broken in more, the feet have been OK- with some small arch issues every now and then that I try to stretch out.

The bigger issue is my knees. My left knee has not stopped being swollen since I started. It has been different levels of swelling, but it has not gone down to the size of the other. I have grown accustom to icing my knee everyday after workouts and at home at night. I take Advil almost every day now and its becoming manageable. I also started taking glucosamine pills and have now moved on to the "joint juice". So far so good.

Stretching has been tough, but I am doing it. With my knee, I haven't been able to kneel on the ground and stretch out my quads the way I used to- it hurts to much to out my weight down like that. But I am trying to rest my foot on something behind me and bend like that to stretch out the front of my quads. It does the job for the most part. I cant wait to re-incorporate my Yoga class into this as X-training on Thursdays.

I'm doing my best to stay on point- even on business trips. I was in Las Vegas last Wed- Fri and convinced a co-worker of mine to go for a walk jog from our hotel (RIO) to the strip, down and back at 8am. It ended up being 3.87 miles and it made the rest of the day so much better.

So who knows where this journey will take me (aside from 6th and Figueroa on 5/25). I hear only 3% of the world's population ever finish a marathon. I have a half and a full one set for 2009. I am sure once I finish that, that the little critical voice in my head, will have some competition from the self assured, confident one I am building now.

This is just the beginning...