Still here

Just not feeling well. The weather is perfect, so this is killing me. I didn't run all last week. I really, really want to, but I'm still not feeling well. I've had a really hard time breathing lately, too. Normally I get really wheezy the week preceding my period, but this hasn't gone away. My sister has been having trouble, too, and that never happens. She thinks it had something to do with the wildfires in California.

So I figured it's best to play it safe. So what if I fall back a bit? The Couch to 5k program isn't going anywhere, and neither am I. It's not being out in the fresh air and sunshine that bothers me. I go out in the yard a lot with Tank, but it's not the same.

I just took all last week off. Though it was good for my immune system, it took its toll on my arthritis and back pain. This week I resumed my workouts, except for running. I'm not going all out with the aerobic, though. I just warmed up yesterday and did strength training. In a little while I'll do the same warm up and then do abs. I have to stop by my sister's house and lend her my car. Before that I'm going to stop at the library and pick up the pilates DVD they have on hold for me (along with Singin' in the Rain). Hopefully a new routine will inspire me.

My sister recently had a health "scare" (more like a very, very, very mild concern) and is now motivated to start working out again. She asked if I would like to come and run with her at her house. That would be awesome, except that I'm about to (hopefully) start Week 3, so we'd end up not running together after the warm up. Plus, she doesn't have an iPod. She can probably just steal Homer's, though. Also, her work offers a discount for 24 Hour Fitness, and since I'm a family member, it would apply to me, too. I'm loath to join that place again, but if they've got an indoor track, I might be tempted. I don't think they do, though.

And me, I just feel like I'm getting fatter and fatter, and I know it's my diet. So I made the best smoothie ever for breakfast.

Okay. Maybe it’s not the best, but it’s the best one I’ve made in seven years because that’s the last time I made a frickin’ smoothie.

I wanted to keep with fruit-only for breakfast, but I also wanted a way to get my flax seeds everyday without having to keep buying yogurt (expensive). Last week I cut up and froze some overripe bananas and also bought a couple bags of frozen fruit (mixed berry - blue, red, straw; peaches).

So this morning, I felt like crap. So much so that my mom said we should hold off on going swimming. I got up before 8:00 but my mom was still sleeping. I didn’t want to run the blender and disturb her. So after she got up, I offered to make her a smoothie. I didn’t really have a recipe, I just threw stuff in:

• One cup enriched Silk
  
• Three or four ice cubes
  
• 2 Tablespoons soy yogurt (all I had was strawberry, otherwise I would’ve used plain)
  
• Approximately half a frozen banana
  
• Approx. half a cup frozen (mix) berries
  
• Three or four slices of frozen peach
  
• A dash of apple juice (approx. 4 Tbs)

I blended the hell out of it and then poured it into two cups. Then I ground up a tablespoon each of flax seeds and dumped it in our cups. Mixed. Consumed.

So yay for smoothies. I’m glad my mom wanted one because I know it’s the healthiest thing she’ll eat all day. I try to work a tablespoon of ground flax seed into her diet every day.

I think it’s time to make more Vampire Stew. And I'm definitely trying that nutloaf recipe again. I made it last week and it sucked so bad. It called for one raw potato to be grated, so I did. Well, it didn't cook all the way and it tasted terrible. I found out later that Corinne's mom blends the walnuts and potato together in the blender. Well, that little tidbit would have come in handy before I tried the recipe, no? The gravy, I'm happy to report, turned out beautifully. So if you're going to try making the nutloaf, toss the grated potato in the blender with the walnuts!

Lastly, back on the subject of running, I finally ordered a good bra. It kills me to spend that much money on an article of clothing, but really, this thing is essential to my continued good health and happiness. The only down side is that it's on back order until November 15th. Grrr.

Recipes

I forgot to post the yummy recipes Corinne’s mom gave me:

Sunflower Seed Nut Loaf

• ½ cup sunflower seeds, ground
  
• 2/3 cup walnuts, ground
  
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
  
• 1 medium raw potato, shredded
  
• 1 cup nut or soy milk
  
• 1 garlic clove, chopped fine
  
• 1 small onion, chopped fine
  
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
  
• 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
  
• 1/4 teaspoon sage
  
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Grease a loaf pan with olive oil or cooking spray and pour mixture into it. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 45 minutes at 350°. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes. Serves 6 to 8.

Oat Country Gravy

• ½ cup oats
  
• 2 cups water
  
• 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes
  
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
  
• ½ teaspoon salt
  
• 2 Tablespoons oil
  
• 2 Tablespoons soy sauce

Blend in blender and cook until thickened.

__________________________________________________________________

If any of y’all try it, let me know what you think. I’ve got all the fixin’s except for the bread crumbs, otherwise I’d be stuffing my face right about now.

I'm still not feeling well. Not sick exactly, but sneezy and congested. I found out that the cake I ate this weekend wasn't vegan. It had milk in it. I think that's what's happening to me --- bad reaction to the dairy. I wish I could get it out of my system. I wonder if drinking a detox tea would help any. I feel so gross.

The weather is going to be absolutely gorgeous all week. Really the perfect opportunity to start Week 3.

I just don't know if I should go for it what with how shitty I feel right now.

Self sabotage?

Why is it that I never seem to get one full week of running in?

I woke up at 5:30 this morning and yacked in the toilet. Went back to bed. Woke up several hours later. I feel okay, not queasy or anything. I want to put it down to eating like crap yesterday and topping it off with a sandwich of possibly suspect (expired) Tofurkey slices, mustard and aioli.

I really want to run, I'm just not sure if I should push it.

Week 2, Day 12

I did it! I didn’t slack off again!

Had a late start today. As soon as I got up, I had to shower because I was going to a birthday party at 1:00 and since I’ve gone no ‘poo, my hair get scuzzy in between baking soda scrub/vinegar rinses. Actually, Sunday will be three months since I went no ‘poo. I would think my hair would be done detoxing by now, but what do I know? I’m thinking I’m going to start washing my hair twice a week instead of just on Sundays.

At any rate, since I was going to be around people, I figured I should wash my hair. Then I had to take Mom to Blockbuster so we could buy Corinne a movie. Then it was off to the post office to finally get some change-of-address forms.

Got to Corinne’s house at around 1:45. We love to make an entrance. /sarcasm

I was the only one there not collecting Social Security.

Aside from Corinne’s brother being an asshat about my veganism, I had a pretty good time. I love old people. I love their stories and, when there’s a married couple, the way they play off of each other.

We (me, Mom, Corinne, Corinne’s mom and brother, and an elderly couple who are Corinne’s other clients) sat down to lunch. I was a bit apprehensive about it since I’m vegan and they’re not. Corinne and her mother are Seventh Day Adventists, so they eat vegetarian. Except for Corinne, who eats meat outside the home. All I’d had to eat by then was a banana, so I was pretty hungry. The dinner spread was some sort of loaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli, cranberry sauce, gravy, olives, beets and salad. I took beets and some broccoli before Corinne’s mother told me the loaf, gravy and mashed potatoes were all vegan. And they were sooooo goooood. Corinne’s mother explained to everyone that I was a vegan for moral issues instead of spiritual (like her), and Corinne’s (43-year old) brother laughed and said, ”What cow ever died to give you milk?” I looked him in the eye and said, ”All of them.”

Asshole.

I need a 400 pound man ridiculing my lifestyle?

After dinner (and vegan cake), we made Corinne open her presents, and then we all sat around and talked for an hour or so. Her brother, thankfully, went back downstairs. Then we all went into the front room to watch Ellen. Old people are so damn cute.

Mom and I went home soon after that. I was getting antsy because Tank was home alone and I knew he had to go potty soon, plus the sun was out and I was itching to get my run in before the rain started up again. Before we left, Corinne’s mom printed out copies of the Sunflower Seed Nut Loaf and Oat Country Gravy recipies for me. I’m going to make them tomorrow or Sunday.

After I got home (at around 4:30) and took Tank for a stroll around the house, I quickly put on my new workout pants and a tank top, strapped on my iPod, grabbed my bag and my rain jacket and drove down to the track. There was a couple speed walking around the track with their two dogs, but by the time I’d finished my warm up and stretches, they were gone.

It was 53° out there, sunny with a strong wind coming in from the south. I was fired up and ready to go. The run was pretty darn good. My calves started to hurt a bit after the third run but I worked through it. When I got to the sixth run, I really pushed myself. Not so much that I’d hurt myself, but just enough that I went out with a bang. Since I was feeling so good, I did a full five minute cool down around the track. Normally I do one lap and then head home to finish my workout, but it felt so good to be out in the sunshine, I wasn’t in a hurry to get back.

When I got home, I took Tank outside again and then went into the office to do my strength training.

Tomorrow is World Toy Camera Day, so I’ll be out in Portland with my sister and my Holgas. I will run again on Sunday.

I think I’m ready to start Week 3.

One final note: I think I've gone down another pant size. That was another reason I bought three new pair of pants from Goodwill. I wasn't sure if my clothes weren't fitting properly because they were old (I never buy new clothes) or if I was just in denial about losing weight. The jeans I bought are the same size as the pants that are loose on me but I figured were just "old." Well, these new jeans are loose on me, too. So it's not the clothes, it's me!

Also, I apologize for rambling. I'm trying to keep this blog focused on my journey into the world of running, but sometimes the details help.

Blowin' in the wind

Okay, so I’m totally being a big baby about running today. There are high wind warnings everywhere.

A Wind Advisory Is Issued When Sustained Winds Are Forecast To Be 31 To 39 Mph OR Gusts Will Range Between 45 And 57 Mph. Winds Of These Magnitudes May Cause Minor Property Damage Without Extra Precautions. Motorists In High Profile Vehicles Should Use Caution Until The Winds Subside.

Right now, it is cloudy (and really, really windy) but no rain. It’d be the perfect time to run, but ... I’m scared.

I’m not really sweating it since I can always run Friday and Sunday. That really kind of works out for the best, since Saturday is World Toy Camera Day, and I plan to be out most of the day, “shooting” with my sister. Friday I have a birthday party to go to, but hopefully I can find the time to run beforehand. I’ve got a lot to do today, anyway. My mom’s rides fell through, so I’ve got to drop her off at her Thursday thing, and then I’ve got to drive all the way into Tualatin to pick up Lady’s ashes. Then I’ve got to drop them off at my sister’s house and drive all the way back to the other side of the world to pick my mom up. Then I've got to drive all the way back to my sister's house tonight so we can watch Supernatural together.

So why am I still in my pajamas?

I was looking forward to running today because I got new workout pants! I went to Goodwill last night to buy a bigger water bowl for Tank and a tray for Freddie’s food (she’s mostly toothless and spits kibble everywhere). I ended up buying two pair of jeans (before that I had an old pair of khakis and a pair of green pants. And nothing else.), too. The workout pants have pockets, so now I don’t have to shove my keys and puffers in my bra when I run.

The other reason I’m posting is because my friend Jan was wondering how I got my mileage calculation thing that I post sometimes:

20.0 miles
Time: 11h 38m 00s
Avg. Pace: 34:54/mile

Well, when you register at Cool Running, you can keep track of your runs. You can also edit the start page to your liking. My start page has: my running log, local weather, daily run, and featured races.

This is what the running log looks like when I open it up to log a run, and this is what it looks like as I’m entering the information. As you can see, there are three options for Location. I have no idea what short or long loops are, so I just click on “track.” For Stats I put “one mile,” but I have no idea if that’s how far I’m running. I’m too lazy and/or stupid to gauge it, so my information is probably completely and utterly wrong. I have no idea how many laps I run, and at any rate, the track is much smaller than regular tracks, so maybe four times around isn’t a mile. Corinne said it was, and she went to school there, so perhaps I should take her word for it.

I hope that wasn’t too terribly confusing.

Stupid wind. I washed my “new” clothes as soon as I got home last night. At least I can thank the wind for drying them so quickly.

Intermediate 5k Program

I have a friends only blahhhg blog (still hate that word) on livejournal, and I’m a (n00b) member of the Couch 2 5k community. Someone just posted about this intermediate 5k program at Cool Running. Hmmm. This pleases me. I haven’t read through the whole thing yet, but a glance at the schedule has me confused as hell.



Since I’m only on Week 2 of the Couch to 5k program, I’m not too concerned with the details right now. And since I’m an idiot, I keep chuckling when I come across the word “fartlek.”

I’m hoping the rain will hold off for a bit so I can run tomorrow. Yeah, I’m being a big baby about running in the rain. Shut up!

Fartlek.

Heh.

Week 2, Day 11

I ran today. Didn't think I would, but I did. It's supposed to rain all week, so I was dreading the run. Woke up this morning. Rain. Waited around. More rain. Finally, at around 2:15, the sun came out and it was nothing but blue skies and puffy white clouds. I hurried up and threw my running shoes on, put on a long sleeved tee shirt, grabbed my rain jacket, my hat and my iPod, jumped in the car and drove down to the track.

The good weather lasted until the third run. Then the dark gray clouds rolled in again. There was no warning drizzle, it just started pouring. I could have handled a bit of rain, but not this. I'm just really paranoid about catching a cold. So I hurried back to my car and drove home. Of course, when I got there, the rain had died down considerably.

So I finished my last three runs in the front yard. It wasn't easy because the land here is anything but flat. That's why I didn't just run in the road. It's all up or downhill. I almost broke my ankle a time or two before I decided to run up the flat part of the road. Right when it starts to go up, I turned right into my neighbor's circular gravel driveway and trotted back down the road. It was an awkward path of street and yard and I was miserable, but I was determined to finish my run.

And finish I did. And you know what? It wasn't hard. I don't know if it started out as determination to outrun the rain, or if I finally jumped that Week 2 hurdle, but I felt pretty damn good for the entire run. Even considering I forgot to double wrap my boobs.

Normally, I run with two sports bras on, since one isn't enough to stop my girls from bouncing uncomfortably. But I was so concerned with getting down to the track before it started raining again, I only remembered to put one bra on. So I've decided it's time for the Last Resort. It kills me to spend that much on an article of clothing, but this isn't frivolous. This is something I need to continue down the road to health and happiness.

Anyway, back to today. I had an overripe banana (pleh) for breakfast. I'm going to cut up the rest and freeze them for future smoothie use. I didn't have lunch yet, but I inhaled half an Odwalla (Choco-walla) bar before I ran out the door a little while ago. For lunch I'll probably have leftover pasta and a big salad.

It was 54° out today. I was too warm in my long sleeved shirt + rain jacket, but I wanted to be prepared. Of course, right now the sky is blue again and the rain has stopped. Oh well. There was no way I was driving all the way back down to the track on the off chance that I'd be able to finish my run. I improvised and finished up here, and that's what matters.

Now I've got to shower and go to Goodwill. I need to get a bigger water bowl for Tank, and I also want to get some sort of plastic tray to put under (my cat) Freddie's food bowl. She doesn't have very many teeth left, so she leaves a huge mess whenever I feed her. I clean it up every day, but it comes right back again. I figure I can just trap the stray kibble in a tray and dump it back in her food bin for later.

Anyway. I kicked today's run's ass. I think some part of my determination was just trying to burn off some of the grief over Lady. I'm not sorry she died; it was time, no doubt about it. It's just that life without her smiling little face is so very bleak. The rain here, it can really get to you.