Tonight's entry will be short, as I am very tired.
Today's highlights:
*Kara got stung on her thumb by a yellow jacket at school today. She freaked and the teacher had me come to the school early. She's fine, though.
*I found out my first biology test is next week.
*My 49ers won! Close game, though.
*I ran on the treadmill, but it was so unspectacular I almost shouldn't mention it.
*Um, that's about it.
Today's stats:
Run (treadmill):
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: didn't keep track, and don't really care
Monday, September 10, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
OK, so *THAT* was hard!!!
Wow, you guys. I seriously had the most difficult race to date today!
It was the Soroptimist/Arcata Fire Department 5K in Arcata, CA. This is the same town that hosted the hilly Tim Brownlow Memorial Run last month.
I was hoping beforehand that the course would go through downtown Arcata where it's flat. Much to my chagrin, the map of the course showed it would go east from the downtown area to the Arcata Community Forest. Now, this area is beautiful (redwoods everywhere), but the downside is the course was pretty much uphill the entire first half. And about a mile of it was on dirt trails in the forest (and half up steep hills), which I am not accustomed to running at all.
I knew before we started there would be no PR this race. I was thinking I would be happy to finish under 35 minutes.
So we all gather in front of the Arcata Firehouse before the race kicks off. About 120 people total did either the 5K run or a two-mile walk. This race raised money for a new firehouse for Arcata, which they told us will be built in the next few years.
At 10 a.m., they cued the firehouse siren to go off, signaling the start of the race. Oh, before we started, I ran about 1/3 of a mile to warm up. Good thing I did, because almost right out the gates we started an uphill climb. This climb continued from F Street to 11th Street. On 11th Street it went downhill a little, only to go back uphill again. OK, so far, so good, despite the hills. We made our way to Union Street, down Union a little way to the entrance to the park. This is where it started getting rough. The road starts going up these steep switchbacks that just go on and on and on. Lots of people started walking by this point. I kept plodding along, thinking the road would go back down soon. Wrong.
I don't know how long it took, but eventually we ended up at a trailhead that led into the forest. And the hill just continued. I'd say about 1/4 mile at least of trail was one continuous uphill climb. At one point, I did have to walk because running really sucked at this point. Plus, the dirt and tree roots provided tricky terrain, especially since the area was completely shaded because of the redwoods.
FINALLY we reached the top of the hill and started our descent. That was the one good thing about this course: the second-half downhill. Of course, I was pretty tired, but once my legs started feeling the downward momentum, I just followed their lead. I guess that part of the race flew by, because we were headed the same way we had come and I knew it wasn't that much farther.
As I neared the last corner before the finish, I saw Tim (with the camera) and the kids waiting for me, as well as the photographer for Six Rivers Running Club. I smiled and waved for both cameras (which were on opposite sides of the street) and turned the corner. I was so happy to see that finish line!!! My finish time was a lot better than I had hoped, especially since I walked a little.
Oh, and the organizers served the BEST PIZZA EVER after the race. It was provided by Don's Pizza, Donuts and Deli in Arcata, and I can only say this pizza was totally worth all the sweat and pain. LOL! It was truly gourmet pizza. I had a slice of the Pesto Veggie pizza, while Tim had some Gourmet Spicy Chicken. I seriously cannot remember having a better slice of pizza in my entire life. I think if I lived in Arcata, I would eat there all the time. :-) OK, I sound like a commercial, but it was seriously that good!
Just a couple pics:
Me waving like an idiot:
Matty:
Kara:
Race stats (unofficial):
Distance: 5K
Time: 34:18
Pace: 11:02 minute/mile
****UPDATE****
Here are the official stats, just posted:
Time: 34:21 (bah!!)
Pace: 11:03 minute/mile
50th out of 59 (not so great, but not last!)
It was the Soroptimist/Arcata Fire Department 5K in Arcata, CA. This is the same town that hosted the hilly Tim Brownlow Memorial Run last month.
I was hoping beforehand that the course would go through downtown Arcata where it's flat. Much to my chagrin, the map of the course showed it would go east from the downtown area to the Arcata Community Forest. Now, this area is beautiful (redwoods everywhere), but the downside is the course was pretty much uphill the entire first half. And about a mile of it was on dirt trails in the forest (and half up steep hills), which I am not accustomed to running at all.
I knew before we started there would be no PR this race. I was thinking I would be happy to finish under 35 minutes.
So we all gather in front of the Arcata Firehouse before the race kicks off. About 120 people total did either the 5K run or a two-mile walk. This race raised money for a new firehouse for Arcata, which they told us will be built in the next few years.
At 10 a.m., they cued the firehouse siren to go off, signaling the start of the race. Oh, before we started, I ran about 1/3 of a mile to warm up. Good thing I did, because almost right out the gates we started an uphill climb. This climb continued from F Street to 11th Street. On 11th Street it went downhill a little, only to go back uphill again. OK, so far, so good, despite the hills. We made our way to Union Street, down Union a little way to the entrance to the park. This is where it started getting rough. The road starts going up these steep switchbacks that just go on and on and on. Lots of people started walking by this point. I kept plodding along, thinking the road would go back down soon. Wrong.
I don't know how long it took, but eventually we ended up at a trailhead that led into the forest. And the hill just continued. I'd say about 1/4 mile at least of trail was one continuous uphill climb. At one point, I did have to walk because running really sucked at this point. Plus, the dirt and tree roots provided tricky terrain, especially since the area was completely shaded because of the redwoods.
FINALLY we reached the top of the hill and started our descent. That was the one good thing about this course: the second-half downhill. Of course, I was pretty tired, but once my legs started feeling the downward momentum, I just followed their lead. I guess that part of the race flew by, because we were headed the same way we had come and I knew it wasn't that much farther.
As I neared the last corner before the finish, I saw Tim (with the camera) and the kids waiting for me, as well as the photographer for Six Rivers Running Club. I smiled and waved for both cameras (which were on opposite sides of the street) and turned the corner. I was so happy to see that finish line!!! My finish time was a lot better than I had hoped, especially since I walked a little.
Oh, and the organizers served the BEST PIZZA EVER after the race. It was provided by Don's Pizza, Donuts and Deli in Arcata, and I can only say this pizza was totally worth all the sweat and pain. LOL! It was truly gourmet pizza. I had a slice of the Pesto Veggie pizza, while Tim had some Gourmet Spicy Chicken. I seriously cannot remember having a better slice of pizza in my entire life. I think if I lived in Arcata, I would eat there all the time. :-) OK, I sound like a commercial, but it was seriously that good!
Just a couple pics:
Me waving like an idiot:
Matty:
Kara:
Race stats (unofficial):
Distance: 5K
Time: 34:18
Pace: 11:02 minute/mile
****UPDATE****
Here are the official stats, just posted:
Time: 34:21 (bah!!)
Pace: 11:03 minute/mile
50th out of 59 (not so great, but not last!)
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Kickin' ass and takin' names
That's what I was doing in my biology lab last night.
LOL!
We had an extra credit lab last night. That is because half of our class goes to lab on Monday and the other on Wednesday, but Monday was a holiday so those students didn't have class. To make things fair, instructor Jen made last night's lab optional and will give those who complete the work extra credit. Boo yah!!!
So the lab was about pH and buffers, something I knew little (very little) about until last night. We had to work in groups of four, which were assigned by which table we happened to sit at. Unfortunately for me, my lab partners were idiots. One of the girls was a total bitch, while the other girl (I think she was a girl; she was SO butch!) did nothing and ended up leaving early (I was secretly happy about that). The guy was a slacker who did little, also.
We had to do two experiments in lab. The first one was testing the pH levels of different liquids, making tables of results, and seeing if crushed-up Rolaids make a good buffer. For those who are not biologists (join the club, LOL), buffers are basically solutions that resists changes in pH when small quantities of an acid or an alkali are added to it. It was actually fun.
Our second experiment was one we had to come up with ourselves. My totally useless partners (now sans butch girl) sat around with their thumbs up their butts while I came up with our experiment and got it approved by Jen. Most of the other groups decided to test if milk makes a good buffer. I thought it would be much more interesting to see if one of the other liquids would act as a buffer against sodium hydroxide (a basic solution). I chose grape juice (we had just a few options). So I designed the entire experiment (which Jen told me was the best one of all the groups, oh yeah!) and carried it out while bitch girl scowled and slacker dude, well, slacked. Jen said I rocked it and I actually understood it, too!!! That was the best part, I believe. :-)
Only three students stayed the entire lab session (we could leave after our second experiment was done). The three of us are considered the "older" students. I spoke with Jen about my awful lab partner experience, and she sympathized and told me to sit somewhere else next week and see if there are better people to work with. The two other "older" students told me they'd love to work with me in lab, but they're in the Monday session. Bah! Jen told me in a couple weeks I could transfer to that lab if I want, since people usually drop out by that time. I think I will do that.
I want to surround myself with the people who are my age and are there for the same reasons. Kristen, one of the older ones who stayed late last night, is also 32 and has five kids (three biological), a husband and full-time job. She also wants to go into nursing, but eventually wants to be a lactation consultant for new moms. She and I exchanged emails addresses, so I think I might have a study buddy!
I know this will sound so snooty, but I have no use for 19-year-old lab partners who are there because they have to be, not because they want to be. And you can tell easily who those people are. It's frustrating, especially since I WANT to be there.
Switching gears, I did sneak in a workout tonight. Just a bike ride. Matty has been sick and had a hard time sleeping last night. He has lots of phlegm and a very stuffy nose. It was so bad I went to the store at 5:30 a.m. to get him some meds. Then, after I gave it to him, he went into a coughing fit and projectile vomited all over me, himself and the floor. Ick. He threw up twice today, but by bedtime tonight he seemed to be feeling a little better already.
Today's stats:
Bike:
Distance: 12 miles
Time: 45:33
LOL!
We had an extra credit lab last night. That is because half of our class goes to lab on Monday and the other on Wednesday, but Monday was a holiday so those students didn't have class. To make things fair, instructor Jen made last night's lab optional and will give those who complete the work extra credit. Boo yah!!!
So the lab was about pH and buffers, something I knew little (very little) about until last night. We had to work in groups of four, which were assigned by which table we happened to sit at. Unfortunately for me, my lab partners were idiots. One of the girls was a total bitch, while the other girl (I think she was a girl; she was SO butch!) did nothing and ended up leaving early (I was secretly happy about that). The guy was a slacker who did little, also.
We had to do two experiments in lab. The first one was testing the pH levels of different liquids, making tables of results, and seeing if crushed-up Rolaids make a good buffer. For those who are not biologists (join the club, LOL), buffers are basically solutions that resists changes in pH when small quantities of an acid or an alkali are added to it. It was actually fun.
Our second experiment was one we had to come up with ourselves. My totally useless partners (now sans butch girl) sat around with their thumbs up their butts while I came up with our experiment and got it approved by Jen. Most of the other groups decided to test if milk makes a good buffer. I thought it would be much more interesting to see if one of the other liquids would act as a buffer against sodium hydroxide (a basic solution). I chose grape juice (we had just a few options). So I designed the entire experiment (which Jen told me was the best one of all the groups, oh yeah!) and carried it out while bitch girl scowled and slacker dude, well, slacked. Jen said I rocked it and I actually understood it, too!!! That was the best part, I believe. :-)
Only three students stayed the entire lab session (we could leave after our second experiment was done). The three of us are considered the "older" students. I spoke with Jen about my awful lab partner experience, and she sympathized and told me to sit somewhere else next week and see if there are better people to work with. The two other "older" students told me they'd love to work with me in lab, but they're in the Monday session. Bah! Jen told me in a couple weeks I could transfer to that lab if I want, since people usually drop out by that time. I think I will do that.
I want to surround myself with the people who are my age and are there for the same reasons. Kristen, one of the older ones who stayed late last night, is also 32 and has five kids (three biological), a husband and full-time job. She also wants to go into nursing, but eventually wants to be a lactation consultant for new moms. She and I exchanged emails addresses, so I think I might have a study buddy!
I know this will sound so snooty, but I have no use for 19-year-old lab partners who are there because they have to be, not because they want to be. And you can tell easily who those people are. It's frustrating, especially since I WANT to be there.
Switching gears, I did sneak in a workout tonight. Just a bike ride. Matty has been sick and had a hard time sleeping last night. He has lots of phlegm and a very stuffy nose. It was so bad I went to the store at 5:30 a.m. to get him some meds. Then, after I gave it to him, he went into a coughing fit and projectile vomited all over me, himself and the floor. Ick. He threw up twice today, but by bedtime tonight he seemed to be feeling a little better already.
Today's stats:
Bike:
Distance: 12 miles
Time: 45:33
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Two freak outs ... and a goal
I had two freak out incidents within about 20 minutes today. Fun.
The first one happened when I picked Kara up from preschool. All the three-year-olds were out front playing when I arrived. Matty loves to come and join the other kids, which I allow him to do for a few minutes while I talk with Kara's teacher and pick up her stuff.
Teacher Ronnie (Kara LOVES her, and so do I) and I were chatting about college courses when we turned our heads just in time to see Matty fall face-first on the concrete. I mean, he just splayed out and the sound his body made was kinda sickening. I ran over to him and he was doing what we call the "silent cry." His face was beet red, his mouth was wide open and tears were forming, but no sound was coming out. I hate that cry. It always scares me. I looked in his mouth, and sure enough there was blood everywhere. I took him into the bathroom and cleaned him up. Thankfully, his teeth were all OK (I was so worried he'd either chip another one or knock one out), and the blood stopped quickly. Two minutes later, he's back out playing like nothing ever happened. He does have a fat lip now, though.
Second freak out happened on the way home. I took our dog, Spike, with us to pick Kara up from school. He's a Yorkie and loves to ride in the van, so I figured what the heck. On the way home, Kara and I decided to stop by the local strawberry patch and buy a basket of fresh-picked strawberries (they are SO good!!!). I stopped the van, left the kids and dog in the car while I walked 15 steps to the fruit stand. What I forgot to do was shut the door completely. I paid for my berries, got in and drove off.
About three minutes later, I realized the dog wasn't in the car. Cue freak out mode. I turned around as fast as I could and sped back to the strawberry stand. As I got out of the car, the man I bought the berries from asked me if I was looking for my dog. He saw Spike running around the parking lot and herded him inside the stand, thinking his owner would return soon. I was relieved yet mad at Spike at the same time. And I was angry at myself because I hadn't put his collar and tags on this morning because we were only going for a quick trip. Lesson learned.
Nikki asked me what my goal is for this weekend's 5K. I am thinking I would be happy with a time of 31 minutes or faster, but I don't know if that will be possible. The course is in Arcata, near the course I ran in August, which was so hilly and difficult. So if it's hilly, I would be happy with a time of 32 minutes. But really, I am just happy I can run, so if I don't meet my goal it's no biggie. :-)
I have class tonight. I decided not to work out today, since my heart already had enough stress this afternoon. LOL! I will resume tomorrow. :-)
The first one happened when I picked Kara up from preschool. All the three-year-olds were out front playing when I arrived. Matty loves to come and join the other kids, which I allow him to do for a few minutes while I talk with Kara's teacher and pick up her stuff.
Teacher Ronnie (Kara LOVES her, and so do I) and I were chatting about college courses when we turned our heads just in time to see Matty fall face-first on the concrete. I mean, he just splayed out and the sound his body made was kinda sickening. I ran over to him and he was doing what we call the "silent cry." His face was beet red, his mouth was wide open and tears were forming, but no sound was coming out. I hate that cry. It always scares me. I looked in his mouth, and sure enough there was blood everywhere. I took him into the bathroom and cleaned him up. Thankfully, his teeth were all OK (I was so worried he'd either chip another one or knock one out), and the blood stopped quickly. Two minutes later, he's back out playing like nothing ever happened. He does have a fat lip now, though.
Second freak out happened on the way home. I took our dog, Spike, with us to pick Kara up from school. He's a Yorkie and loves to ride in the van, so I figured what the heck. On the way home, Kara and I decided to stop by the local strawberry patch and buy a basket of fresh-picked strawberries (they are SO good!!!). I stopped the van, left the kids and dog in the car while I walked 15 steps to the fruit stand. What I forgot to do was shut the door completely. I paid for my berries, got in and drove off.
About three minutes later, I realized the dog wasn't in the car. Cue freak out mode. I turned around as fast as I could and sped back to the strawberry stand. As I got out of the car, the man I bought the berries from asked me if I was looking for my dog. He saw Spike running around the parking lot and herded him inside the stand, thinking his owner would return soon. I was relieved yet mad at Spike at the same time. And I was angry at myself because I hadn't put his collar and tags on this morning because we were only going for a quick trip. Lesson learned.
Nikki asked me what my goal is for this weekend's 5K. I am thinking I would be happy with a time of 31 minutes or faster, but I don't know if that will be possible. The course is in Arcata, near the course I ran in August, which was so hilly and difficult. So if it's hilly, I would be happy with a time of 32 minutes. But really, I am just happy I can run, so if I don't meet my goal it's no biggie. :-)
I have class tonight. I decided not to work out today, since my heart already had enough stress this afternoon. LOL! I will resume tomorrow. :-)
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Crazy day!
I had a really hectic day. I babysat for a family member who has a son around the same age as Matty. Let me just say I am glad I do not have three kids! Talk about a handful!! Garrett is such a sweet boy, though, and both Matty and Kara had a great time playing with him during the seven hours he was here. I will be watching him next Tuesday, as well, and maybe on Tuesdays beyond that.
I have to take a shower soon and finish some reading for my class tomorrow night, but I did do an indoor bike ride this evening. I had to do something, you know? Tomorrow will be another busy day (Kara has school, I have school) but I will try to squeeze a treadmill run in sometime before I go to class. I hope.
Today's stats:
Bike:
Distance: 8.04 miles
Time: 30 minutes
I have to take a shower soon and finish some reading for my class tomorrow night, but I did do an indoor bike ride this evening. I had to do something, you know? Tomorrow will be another busy day (Kara has school, I have school) but I will try to squeeze a treadmill run in sometime before I go to class. I hope.
Today's stats:
Bike:
Distance: 8.04 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Monday, September 3, 2007
Queen of consistency
That was me today!
I didn't get a long run in. Kara is still feeling sick and I had some homework from my biology lab to do (I'm almost done -- finally!). I opted for a short run around the track at the elementary school instead.
Tim and the kids did come with me. Even though Kara has a cough and says she's not feeling great, she still wanted to go. She ended up running around the track a bit, too. And so did Matty. LOL! After my run, they both conked out in the van. Typical.
My run was so consistent today, and I didn't even realize I was being so steady until I looked at the stats when I got home. I was just running at my own pace, bopping to my iPod the whole way. I had no idea my pace would be almost exactly the same for all three miles. Crazy!!!
OK, that's it for now. I have to get Kara some medicine (forgot to at the store when I stopped by there *slapping forehead*). I might try another short run tomorrow afternoon. It looks like tomorrow morning I will be babysitting for a relative. Her son is just a couple months younger than Matty, so it should be insane and fun at the same time!
Oh, and Nikki asked how long my race this weekend is. It's a 5K. It's hard to find races here this time of year that are longer than 5K. The running club holds some really small races that are open to members, but I haven't had the courage yet to do one. I plan to eventually, though.
Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: three miles
Time: 31:23
Pace: 10:28 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 10:27
Mile 2: 10:27 (not a typo)
Mile 3: 10:29 (I told you it was consistent!!!!)
I didn't get a long run in. Kara is still feeling sick and I had some homework from my biology lab to do (I'm almost done -- finally!). I opted for a short run around the track at the elementary school instead.
Tim and the kids did come with me. Even though Kara has a cough and says she's not feeling great, she still wanted to go. She ended up running around the track a bit, too. And so did Matty. LOL! After my run, they both conked out in the van. Typical.
My run was so consistent today, and I didn't even realize I was being so steady until I looked at the stats when I got home. I was just running at my own pace, bopping to my iPod the whole way. I had no idea my pace would be almost exactly the same for all three miles. Crazy!!!
OK, that's it for now. I have to get Kara some medicine (forgot to at the store when I stopped by there *slapping forehead*). I might try another short run tomorrow afternoon. It looks like tomorrow morning I will be babysitting for a relative. Her son is just a couple months younger than Matty, so it should be insane and fun at the same time!
Oh, and Nikki asked how long my race this weekend is. It's a 5K. It's hard to find races here this time of year that are longer than 5K. The running club holds some really small races that are open to members, but I haven't had the courage yet to do one. I plan to eventually, though.
Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: three miles
Time: 31:23
Pace: 10:28 minute/mile
Splits:
Mile 1: 10:27
Mile 2: 10:27 (not a typo)
Mile 3: 10:29 (I told you it was consistent!!!!)
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Can't believe it's September
Wow, where has the year gone.
Hard to believe we'll be entering fall soon, which happens to be my favorite time of year. Before we know it, we'll be buying pumpkins and Halloween costumes for the kiddos. I just love that kind of stuff. And I love the fact it leads to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
So this weekend was weird. We went to the hills and spent the night at Tim's parents' cabin. Kara had a rough night. She was so tired, but didn't want to sleep because she was afraid of the walls in the room we were in (they're wood-paneled with knots in the wood). She kept saying the walls had "eyes" and that she didn't like that. *sigh* I had to lie in bed with her until she finally fell asleep, which wasn't until after 11 p.m. And then Matty woke up SCREAMING right after I got to bed. So I had to get him some milk, which he hates drinking cold so I had to warm it up on the stove. By this time I was getting really, really cranky. He finally went down again, but at 2:30 a.m., Kara woke up crying. And again, she was complaining about the eyes in the walls. OMG, I was about ready to pack up and drive home (it's an hour one-way), because I was so frustrated. I finally got to sleep, only to be awakened again by Kara around 6:30. Blah.
So we came home early this afternoon. I napped on the couch a little. Kara said she wasn't feeling well and went to bed around 7 p.m. Thank goodness.
I am planning on running tomorrow. I want to do a long run, but I don't know if I will. I have a race next Saturday. I guess I will make my decision when I head out the door. For now, I am going to take a shower and work on my biology lab, which is due on Wednesday.
Today's stats:
Bike:
Distance: 12 miles
Time: 45:22
Hard to believe we'll be entering fall soon, which happens to be my favorite time of year. Before we know it, we'll be buying pumpkins and Halloween costumes for the kiddos. I just love that kind of stuff. And I love the fact it leads to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
So this weekend was weird. We went to the hills and spent the night at Tim's parents' cabin. Kara had a rough night. She was so tired, but didn't want to sleep because she was afraid of the walls in the room we were in (they're wood-paneled with knots in the wood). She kept saying the walls had "eyes" and that she didn't like that. *sigh* I had to lie in bed with her until she finally fell asleep, which wasn't until after 11 p.m. And then Matty woke up SCREAMING right after I got to bed. So I had to get him some milk, which he hates drinking cold so I had to warm it up on the stove. By this time I was getting really, really cranky. He finally went down again, but at 2:30 a.m., Kara woke up crying. And again, she was complaining about the eyes in the walls. OMG, I was about ready to pack up and drive home (it's an hour one-way), because I was so frustrated. I finally got to sleep, only to be awakened again by Kara around 6:30. Blah.
So we came home early this afternoon. I napped on the couch a little. Kara said she wasn't feeling well and went to bed around 7 p.m. Thank goodness.
I am planning on running tomorrow. I want to do a long run, but I don't know if I will. I have a race next Saturday. I guess I will make my decision when I head out the door. For now, I am going to take a shower and work on my biology lab, which is due on Wednesday.
Today's stats:
Bike:
Distance: 12 miles
Time: 45:22
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