Rose Bowl Loop - 3.3 miles @ Pasadena, CA

 I ran the 3.3 mile loop at the Rose Bowl, averaged about 9 mins/mile! I still can't believe I can consistantly keep up that pace now. I remember when a 12 min mile was zooming fast for me. :)

Down over 80 pounds since I started in July 2011. And yesterday for the first time ever... I did 25 pushups in a row! Straight back, strong arms! Woot! If I can do it, anyone can. I used to taste blood walking a 15 min mile, back when I was a teenager. Now look at moi!

Do it!!!!

V

Oh Yeah.....

(I won this mug in a race!!!!)

Not to brag... but I ran 14 muthafocking miles this week!!!!

Oh yeah, and did I mention that I came in 2nd place in my weight class in the Fat Boy 5K??? With a PR, no less! 31:23 
I won a mug (see pic on the left) and a trophy! Trophy pics coming soon!!!!

Oh Yeah!!!!

Dear Compression Socks,

Wow. What can I say? I always wanted to wear knee high socks, but I had never worked up the nerve to actually do it. It takes a certain kind of person to pull off knee highs. Athletes, school girls, strippers, skinny legged luckies (coining that term!). Those types of chicks can pull it off. I never could... until now.

I guess this means I fall in the category of 'athlete', because I am not a school girl, stripper, or skinny legged lucky. I first became aware of compression socks at the Run, Forrest, Run 5K. I saw all these runners wearing knee high socks on and I immediately wanted a pair for myself. I wasn't even aware that they served a purpose- I just thought they looked fun!

So I googled 'knee high running socks'. Ha. Little did I know. They weren't just knee highs, they were scientifically designed compression socks meant to keep blood flowing. Apparently, these stockings were first designed for diabetics. They're good for helping circulation.

Rumor on the net was that these cutie socks would not only make me 50% sexier, they would also make me run faster, better, stronger, longer. I was skeptical of their powers, but I plunked down $38 bucks for a bright pink pair, because HEY worse comes to worst? They're still really cute.

Welll. WELL. They are miracles. I've worn them twice now. The first time, I ran 3 miles and didn't feel tired afterwards.

Today? I ran 2 miles at my fastest time ever (2.18 Miles @ 9:37/mile) but you know what? I didn't feel like I was anywhere near hitting my wall. These socks really work!

So, my dear compression socks, I would like to say thank you. Thank you for taking my running to a whole new level, and for finally giving me a legitimate reason to wear knee highs for the rest of my adult life.

3 miles @ 6mph

I am getting faster!!! I can't believe I'm actually running a 10 minute mile consistently now! I was stuck at 12 mph for so long!

The secret is Max. He's stupid fast and his stupid fastness is rubbing off on my plain stupidness.

Or, what I meant to say was: Max's speeds pushed me to keep up with him. And even though I still can't keep up with him, I am running faster. I guess I wasn't pushing myself hard enough to go faster before!

Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, bitches.  Here's what I eat for breakfast (after I get home from running):

At Home:
1/4 cups worth of Bob's Red Mill 10 grain pancake batter (makes 4 mini cakes) - 90 cal
1/2 cup of blueberries for the pancakes 40 cal
1 1/2 large eggs for pancakes 108 cal
1/2 tbsp Maple syrup 26 cal
1/2 OJ 41 cal
TBSP of milk for coffee 20 cal
Coffee 0 cal

Once I arrive at Work:
1 twelve ounce smoothie 325 cal, lovingly prepared by Max with these ingredients:
OJ
Blueberries
Strawberries
Mango
Pineapple
Spinach
Chia Seeds
1/2 banana
(all fruit is frozen)

I eat 1500 cal every day, and approx 630 of them come first thing in the AM. I follow this power breakfast up w/ lunch, dinner, and snacks each worth 300 cal for a daily total of 1500 cal.

1 Mile

Max and I got our asses out of bed at 7a and did an easy 1 mile jog today. It was our first run since the race on Sunday.

We ran to the park and let Lucy off the leash for a bit. Lucy is the best.

I was/am having pain in my left achilles. It's been really tight since the 5K.

Max's calves can give him trouble, and they were definitely talking to him this morning. He speed walked most of it while I jogged next to him.

Max is an amazingly fast walker. We were going at a 12/mile. That used to be fast for me. Now? It's my easy pace. Progress!

Fridge Power!!!!!

Reasons my fridge rules (Clockwise from the yellow magnet):

#1 - The yellow clip magnet is holding up a news letter that my building publishes. One of the pics in this month's news letter is me, Max, and Lucy! I look skinny in the picture, and Max and Lucy are cute as always :)

#2 - My race # from the Run, Forrest, Run 5k. 'Nuff said.

#3 - Beneath my race # lies the poster to my play. I wrote a play, someone actually produced it, and we were a hit. I have the poster to prove it! 'Nuff said x2!

#4 - Dish towel. This towel represents how well I've soaked up my new healthy lifestyle. JUST KIDDING! It's just a freaking towel... moving on...

#5 - The blue clip magnet is holding up our Power 90 calendar. Tony Horton for president!!!!!!

#6- Also beneath the yellow clip magnet is the check list Max and I made called our "Go Go Go Go Do" list.  We are trying to install a healthy routine, and checklists that say obvious stuff like "drink water" and "do pushups" are very helpful!

So yeah. I look at our frige and I feel pride. Our fridge shows how committed to a healthy, happy life together!