Goodbye 2008 Hello 2009! Resolutions ...

It's been a busy year, a great year, and a year of change.





In 2008 my resolutions were:

• Try new things - I got into running, did trail races almost monthly (and qualified in most of them), ran the San Diego marathon (and qualified for Boston Marathon), traveled to FL (exotic), and more ... new things? Yup, check!
• Help and follow passions - started leading Lululemon fun runs on Mondays, started volunteering for Girls on the Run (best group ever!), become volunteer "Captain" for PacWest (technically that kicks off January 5th)
  

My resolutions for 2009 are:

• Continue to try new things - camp (I hate camping but I'll learn to love it)
• Stay financially fit - cash is king!
  
• Balance - work/life (not on a beam)

To the great old song noting "old acquaintances" I'm thrilled to be closing 2008 having reconnected with tons of old friends that I knew ages 3 on up!

A Happy New Year to all!

How I got my grove back - uploading a run from Garmin 305 to Google Earth

I haven't been running in quite a while - I blame laziness and being sick - but today I finally made it back out with GGRC for a "short run" - short to them is the perfect distance to me, 7.07mi. I'm thrilled I got back out on the trails, but even more thrilled with my new-found gadget love - the Garmin 305 is a great way to track runs and map them.

Here's my run from today (planks run):








And here it is in Google Earth:





It took me a while to figure out how to do this, but now that I know the steps it's "easy peasy."

1. Buy a Garmin 305 (really they are the coolest)
2. Download the Unit Software
3. Download the USB Installer
4. Download the Training Center (this gets you to the first screenshot)
5. Download Google Earth
6. Export the workout you want to map from the Training Center to a .tcx file
7. Use the O-Files site to convert the .tcx to an XSLT file
8. Open Google Earth
9. Go to File > Open > and select your XSLT file (the exported run you want)
10. Oo and ah at how cool it is to see your runs

Home gym

The weather outside is frightful (a little ditty to keep the Xmas cheer going), and the gym is so far away, so I've been making full use of my "home gym."


Intro - the home gym.


We live in a 1-bedroom in San Francisco so a "real" home gym is unthinkable. I've made due with a corner full of equipment and I'm quite proud of my home gym - what's more, I know it works.







Here are the basics:

• Bosu Balance Trainer Home Version - that half ball thing on the bottom works miracles! I use my Bosu to stand on and lift weights (working posture + muscle), do pushups on, and occasionally do situps on.
• Resistance Band - the red cords are magic workers for the thighs. I won my resistance band in a pushup contest with my running club - these are great for doing side-steps with or using for the biceps and doing curls.
• Body Ball (55 cm)- the perfect pushup helper/enhancer. My body ball acts as a pushup enhancer and doubles as a chair when we have company. Many people use the ball for posture (they'll use this at work instead of a chair) but I would fidget too much so I leave it in the "gym."
• 15 lb weights- my ideal weight for curls, pulls, pushes, and more. I've been doing the same arm workout for about 7-years (yep, it's time for a change) but it really works! I'll do 3 sets of 15 curls, then 3 sets of 15 pulls (where you have one knee up on a bench and are leaned over in a table top position), and 3 sets of pushes (same setup as the pulls but instead of pulling the arm from hip to waist you're extending the arm straight behind you).
• Yoga Kit - I call it my kit but it's really a hodge podge of yoga gear I've accumulated over the years (they sell the goods in kits though). The essentials for yoga are: the mat, the block (I can barely touch my knees let alone toes so this helps in stretching), and the strap (awesome for a post run stretch).
• Foam Roller- I have the small one for rolling out my IT band - it hurts like heck but works.
• The stick - the newest edition to my gym (thanks Santa!) and I LOVE it!!! The stick is great for rolling out sore muscles and the IT band.

On the wish list?

• Valeo MB8 8 lb. Medicine Ball- a ball that you hold for side twists which works the obliques to make an awesome beach bod.
  
• Foam roller- I have the small one, now I want the long size. The small one is good for working out sore muscles, the long one is good for making muscles sore - I use it at the "real gym" to lay on and try to balance while lifting one leg then the other.

Good eats

My cold finally lifted so I made my way to the gym this morning. By 8:30 the skies in SF were crystal clear but deceivingly so - it's freezing! Noshing a Luna bar (Chai is my fav) I ambled over to Crunch to enjoy Forrest Gump) they play movies and get some cardio in.

When I was in highschool I was a lot craftier than I am now - I even made my own power bars. I might resurrect that - don't get me wrong, I love Luna bars, but it's fun to create (and consume :) ).


Now I'm off to Chez Mama to continue to food fest (aka holiday spirit).

Merry Merry Christmas!

It's a bright shiny Christmas morning (in between downpours of rain - my fav) and what a great day it is! We woke and found that Santa left CamelBak water bottles and rock climbing gear in stockings under the tree (no fireplace) which are a perfect tea-up for a 2009 of outdoor adventures.

My parents are headed in soon and we're going to enjoy Christmas brunch with gifts. Here's the brunch:

• Egg frittata with ham, cheese, and mushrooms
• Papaya, pear, and pomegranate salad
• Greens
• Toast and jam
• (Most importantly) Blue Bottle coffee

Yum! I think after all these food fests I'll be looking a bit Santa-esque.

Tight quarters

Oh - and to the guy sitting at the table next to me... I do not need your junk in my face everytime you need to walk by. There's a ton of room in front of and behind me. No show please.

Merry Christmas.

Give me your weary, cranky, and just downright b-chy

Still sitting in the coffee shop trying to get some work done. I've made myself as small as possible in a corner with my computer bag under the table but I still seem to be in everyone's way. Everyone seems to be in everyone's way. A few minutes ago an older woman in mis-matched Christmas sweater attire (I'm not being mean, just honest) charged over and fell right on top of me. She made a huge deal of using both hands to hoist herself up over my head and moving my body to accommodate her rise. I asked "are you OK?" (in other words, what can I do to get you off of me quickly). No reply - she just gave me a nasty look, fixed her Christmas sweater vest that had come undone atop the Christmas reindeer sweater draped over the Santa thermals, and walked on.

Coal!

Now please don't get me wrong - I love people of all ages. Over the past few years I've worked in a retirement home, a daycare, and now in open source (listen, open source draws one heck of a crowd). It's not an age thing - it's a "yep, we're all cold, tired, and scared of the economy. So time to buck up and be nice" thing.

Dark Christmas

Feeling the holiday spirit my work let us work from home today. Two hours into a presentation, the power went out and with the power outage, the heat went off. Peaking out the window I realized the power was out all over Russian Hill - ee! So off I ambled to Union Street to mooch wireless - the funny thing is the only place I can get on the WiFi is Bus Stop bar. Ridiculous. To top the darkness, cold, and poor working conditions off, I'm sick as a dog and my mom says she won't come for Christmas if I remain sick.

On the bright side, it's Christmas and there are some killer sales!

The drunk who stole Christmas

I left work a bit early today to do some last minute Christmas shopping in Union Square. Escaping the crowds I ambled into Lohmans (where I found a $30 DVF dress thank you very much) and encountered the biggest Scrooge ever.

I got stuck in line behind someone who clearly had enjoyed a loooooong and very early happy hour (it was only 3pm) and Ms. Boozy kept talking on her cell phone. At one point the phone rang, she was silent, and then screeched: "you ruined Christmas for everyone! You don't deserve Christmas." At which point she went silent again and then stared at her phone - I'm guessing the recipient hung up.

Ick.

In my book Christmas is a time to spend with friends and family and a time to let pants out just a little bit.

The great smoke-out

I've smelled a noticeable rise in smoking in the city in the past few weeks - I blame icky weather and declining economy. It starts in my building - every morning my neighbors apartment smells like a teen-age boys car - stale cigarettes and bad pot. Walking to work I'm constantly getting the smoke machine treatment only not from a machine, from the puffers on the streets. The odd (sad) thing is the majority of these puffers are centered around banks and financial institutes.

All I want for Christmas is some clean city air - I'll take the sewer smell over ciggies any day. Cigars? That's another story.

To do: Running in the Rain

I love running in the rain. Love it! Not just because I get the Singing in the Rain soundtrack stuck in my head (although that's a nice one because it helps me go a bit further) but because I like to get dirty. I think that explains the passion for trail races. Running in the rain makes me feel like a kid who gets to puddle stomp for the first time.


Three things I love (and need) when running in the rain:

1. A good waterproof brightly colored jacket (I love this one by North Face - disclaimer, I don't own it - I'm saving up for it, though)
2. A good pair of running gloves (I'm digging this pair by Nike)
3. A good snack for post run - I recommend something good for the body (GU Energy makes an excellent sports drink that beats out any electrolyte replacement (try TangoMango))

Matty, read closely, these would make great under-tree surprises! :)

Cool Running

It's cold in the city. Yes, I realize, it's not Boston cold but it is chilly. The chill makes running especially difficult. I step outside bundled up in running tights, wool socks, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, and hat. All this and still cold! Then, a mile in, my defrost kicks in and the layers are too much so I'm left feeling like the little brother from the Christmas Story. Oofa!

I am that dork

Last weekend I got to go to the Lucasfilm holiday party with my mom (boy can they throw a party!) The theme was carnival and over the course of the night I won two stuffed animals and a plastic light saber. I decided to give the light saber to my old boss (in exchange for a new cell phone - not a bad trade if you ask me). This gift exchange resulted in me being that ism on the way to work this morning.

Picture this:
I was walking carrying the light saber under my umbrella. The outfit? Rain boots, slacks/t, black ear muffs (picture the Princess). The worst part is I kept hitting myself in the head with the plastic weapon. Never again.

Snow in San Francisco?!

Running roundup

This was definitely a weekend of running. The weekend was off to a "running" (heh) start with the Muir Beach 17k on Saturday. My goodness what a brutal trail! The course boasted a 2k+ elevation gain with 3 brutal hills (funny note - the elevation map looks a bit like the stock market over the past 2-months ... OK, not funny) scattered over the 10 miles. Eesh! At the start of the race the temperature was hovering just around 40 - I am not used to that and my first few breaths felt like I had swallowed an ice cap and couldn't thaw. I finally could feel my throat (and limbs) again at mile 6.

Post race I enjoyed my mom's books signing (she kicked A!) and then went home to nap.

After a quick nap it was on to an awesome Lucas party (they really brought it home this year with the carnival theme).

Today brought another race - the Christmas Relay which I ran with GGRC. It was such a good runner turnout with the studs from PacWest (hands down, best training group) rocking the course (accompanied by Lululemon (hands down, most inspiring company) runners), and runners from almost every other running club and/or team in the city. I took the first leg and ran a terrible split - my first mile was 6:24, then I went on to a 6:40, and brought it home with a 7:30 and 7:00 respectively - ick. After my leg it poured rain through legs 2 and 3. Thoroughly soaked and frozen, I watched the beginning of leg 4 before darting into my car to blast the heat and peal off wet clothes.

Post race it was off to Meredith's for a FANTASTIC brunch. I'm still full from the frittatas (yes, plural - I'll be honest), scone, salad, fruit, chocolates, pork, cheese, oh, and pie! (Uh, writing that is a little embarrassing now that I re-read)but it was SO good!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

It is that time of year again - the busiest, most frantic, spendiest. Here's the weekend lineup: race > mom's book signing > Lucas holiday party > Steve and Brett's party > Sleep. >> Race > GGRC party > Courtney's party > Sleep. Eeee! Blue Bottle will be seeing a lot of me these next few days. Speaking of mom's book signing - I have to say that's what I'm looking forward to most. I am related to fame - this past week my mom was written up in the Chronicle - finally the press is recognizing her brilliance. What's more, tomorrow my mom is doing a book signing at Book Passage in Marin - if you're around, come on by!

WHERE: Book Passage, Corte Madera

http://www.bookpassage.com/calendarview_cm_thismonth.php?monthno=12&year=2008&submit=Go

WHEN: Saturday 12/13/08 1:00PM

I see pregnant people ...

(Insert creepy music here)

For some reason I've been seeing bellies lately. No, Molly, this is not some big announcement entry. Something about the cold and holidays is bringing out the rounds.

Yesterday I was walking home and saw a big red belly coming around the corner. I thought it was a woman dressed in a festive red coat. Then I saw the orange-tan and stick on beard - Santa! No really, it was Santa, he was coming off a job at Union Square.

Today Nicole and I enjoyed a bootcamp in front of the buiding (can you think of a better location?!) Awesome workout - I can still feel the burn(ing).

When we were lining up for the curl, lat, lunge trio, I looked back to check out the other bootcampers. Over my left shoulder my eyes grazed a round belly - cute! I was just about to say "I think it's amazing you have worked out through your pregnancy - good for you!" when I decided to make eye contact to pass on this compliment. Thank goodness I did that - turns out round belly was a dude! Eeee! I am so glad I didn't say anything.

I think this is a sign that I need to drop my powder sugar cookies and start doing more planks.

A walk (home) in December

Insert Mandy Moore music here. No, not the (cool) Entourage cameos. The waxing poetic movie stuff.

I’ve said it a million times before and I’ll say it again – I love San Francisco! Especially the chilly times when lights go up, parties proceed, and eggnog is abundant (I admit, I actually really dislike eggnog but I couldn’t think of a third thing).

I’ve been trying to get some hills into my walking mix - I need to slow down on running for a few days, my knees/hips/ankles decided to go all wonky and I’m not pleased. I’m especially enjoying the walking knowing a) I don’t have to get stuck in the road-rage mess caused by the spiraling economy and frantic shoppers, and b) I get to see more of the city.

Here are my fav pics from the walk home.

p.s. Sorry Rye and Matt, no isms were seen. No cross dressed Santa and Mrs. Clause (what’s her first name anyhow? Glenda?). No hoola dancing, harp playing, poetry reading Karoak wannabes in front of Vessuvios. No, our little city has quited down – for a bit anyhow. If the temperature rises another 3 degrees, then we’re in business – ism business.

Top of Nob Hill

Grace Cathedral

House on Nob Hill

It's a Small Sports World

Over the past few months I’ve been getting more involved in the running world in San Francisco – I guess you could say it’s a NY08 resolution that stuck! I will now be partnering with PacWest to lead the Lululemon fun runs which we’ll continue on Monday evenings at 6:30 in front of Lululemon on Union St. On a personal level I’m psyched to be getting more involved in the running world – it’s a cool (or should I say “hot bod”) world to know.

On the fitness note, I think there are three types of sportys:

1. The novice – folks who want to get fit but don’t necessarily want to compete


2. The fitness freaks (and I mean freak in the nicest way possible) – when abs and arms are the best accessories and 200 pushups and sit-ups just aren’t enough


3. The competitors – the loons (myself included) who like getting up at 7am to run up the side of mountains just to see if they can do it and beat last month’s trail race time
   

I’d like to think I started at #1 and progressed through to #3 as the year went by (flew by). Now to fine tune the competitor in me and start beating last year’s times!

Richard, the owner and founder of PacWest, breaks athletes into much clearer buckets (without the childish names I attach) that help for training purposes and when people show up to PacWest workouts (bootcamps, runs, rides, etc.) they can expect to find the right group to fit their type.
I’ll be at a handful of the upcoming PacWest events to get myself in the “know” – I encourage you to come, too!

2009 Kick-off & Info Meeting
Tuesday night, December 16th – 7:00 to 9:00pm
Pete’s Tavern (across from AT&T Park) (

www.petestavernsf.com)
Come learn about PacWest’s training programs (i.e., BootCamp, Running, Triathlon, Cycling and hear about our NEW "Yoga for Runners" 8-wk program and PacWest's Elite Triathlon men’s and women’s team.

PacWest Holiday Party
Saturday night, December 20th – 8:00 to 10:00pm (private party)
Roe Restaurant & Club (www.roerestaurant.com)
What’s a workout or race without rad people and a cool bar to share best practices and stories at if you’re not already overloaded with holiday party madness, check out the PacWest site for details around their holiday party and come enjoy good company, great stories, and more. Raffle prizes and awards will be presented. I can’t make any promises but I highly doubt the party halls will be decked with sales pitches.

Girls on the Run - Lollipop Run 2008

The Lollipop Run oh the Lollipop Run

The funnest of races I ever have run

In the sun shiny morning we went to the park

The runners were stretching, arms stretched in an arc

280 girls and boys gathered

For the 1m and 5k

Their coaches and run buddies cheered them on

Hip hip hop hurray!

We gathered at the line

For "ready set go"

I led the 5k pack

Wee runners in tow

Out of the park center

Around the small lake

One big loop parkside

No time for a break

The finish line held

High fives and crowd cheers

The little boys and girls crossed

All runners were winners - all heights and all years

Inspired - Dean Karnazes

I just finished Ultramarathon Man and am truly inspired. I'm signing up for my first 33k (sure, I've run a few marathons, but there's something about trails and the #33 that has me scared ... excited ... scared).

Side-note, I think it's funny that "ultramarathon" isn't considered a real word. Maybe they're (they being the races) not mainstream enough yet.

Yoga for runners

Quite a few gyms and trainers are starting to advertise yoga for runners. At first, I have to admit, I played the pessimistic role and thought people were starting to capitalize on two popular workout/de-stressing means (sort of like a blog-wiki-mashup but a fitness mashup or hybrid). I tried one class at Lululemon a few weeks ago and LOVED it.

Tonight I tried a class at Crunch that was hot yoga. It wasn't advertised as "for runners" but this class felt like it was made for me. The entire class was one flowing movement in the heat which both made me more flexible and didn't let me get bored stretching.

Yoga for runners? I'm totally bought in.

Running with pepper spray

The alarm went off at 6:03am as always. I snoozed for 5min and then sleep walked to the bathroom to splash water on my face. I did not want to be up – I wanted to be in my REM sleep dreaming of Ireland (I have no idea why I was dreaming of being there BTW) warmed by down covers and luxurious multi-hundred threadcount sheets. But no, gotta run. If I’m going to do a 33k next week, I gotta run.

I laced up and looked out the window – the entire city was cloaked in fog (it’s own down cover?) and darkness. To battle the darkness, or really the jerks that come out in the dark and scare runners (there have been a few recently) I grabbed my new pepper spray – a first, I don’t know where the paranoia is coming from. I walked out the front door – eyes still only half opened – and started ambling down the 4 flights of stairs to exit the building. “You go girl! I’m so proud of you!” I heard from behind. Some neighbor I’ve never met was trailing behind me, maybe she thought I was someone else, or maybe she’s one of those cheer leaders we all love – either way, it helped crack my eyes a bit more.

Out the door – I made it. The hardest part of starting a morning run is getting out the front door. Cool air and fog spit (you know what I mean if you live in the city) smacked me in the face and my eyes were open. Opening my eyes was like pulling the string on a toy doll – the full vision got my feet going and I was off. Down to the water (still pitch black) and around the museum. There were lights by the water – lots of flashlights – weird. I kept going and saw it was a group of police. Pepper spray held tight I kept going. They were circling a homeless man saying something and he kept rocking on the wet pavement not wanting to listen to them. I turned up my Erland (new iTunes mix I downloaded) and blasted by. Pepper spray still in hand I made it up to Ft. Mason. By this point my face was covered in mist but I was too scared to wipe it off – I’ve never used the spray before and I didn’t want to accidentally shoot myself in the eyes. Instead of using my hand like a normal person, I used my shoulder in an awkward yogi-wannabe move.

Done with the run and drenched. I made it – first run with the pepper spray.

I’m sure you were waiting for the hilarious similes or jokes spinning off the spray. I haven’t finished my coffee yet, so I’m not feeling that funny and can’t do better than tie my run to an Annette Bening movie. Later.

Economics of saving

Saving money is tough but is proving to be an interesting challenge. The past 3-weeks I've brown bagged it everyday bringing microwave meals, leftovers, build-a-salads to work. I've also avoided all window shopping let alone shopping - believe me, that is a toughy! Running has proved helpful in that I can get past the stores faster. Biking is even better as I barely have time to turn my head let alone look.

I have learned to harness the power of imagination to wish instead of spend.

If I were a rich girl (la-da-di-da - you get the drill), I would buy:

• A 2-bedroom in Cole Valley
  
• A dinner at Pesce
• Manolos for the holiday party
• A facial
• Roundtrip tickets to the Philippines

Back to my jigsaw.