just me...

( Mummy's big sister, Fay Beneke née Gehl )

( Mummy's childhood BFF, Rosalie Rose )

I did complete the Denver Half Marathon three weeks ago. It was far from a stellar performance. After I asked about my last long run on, what, 10/1/09, I did a 7-miler that day and promptly ended up horrendously ill that weekend and still don't remember the vast majority of the next 10 days or so. After 10/1/09 I didn't run again until 4 days before the race and that was a really good 5-miler. Mom and I survived the half, though.

I did have to walk some of it after twisting my ankle at the beginning of mile 10. It scared me so badly that I started hyperventilating and couldn't breathe. It was awful so I walked a bit. I did meet my time goal, so I was content with that. Were I to be here again next year, the race would be way different as Rock N Roll bought the series. The expo sucked...I mean really SUCKED.

At any rate, I then took two weeks off. I had exams, a trip back to Michigan to visit my grandmother (non-Hodgkins lymphoma and just moved into assisted living and was asking for me) and life got crazy. Did a 6-mile race on 1 November. AWFUL...only words to describe it. Between two weeks of no running and then to discover it was a mountain trail race...yea, did not go very well at all.

Been running about every other day since then. Racing 7 miles this weekend...another trail race but it's not on a mountain side this time. heh

My plan is to keep up my mileage. It'll help with winter doldrums and the stress of school as I enter the final 3 weeks of the semester. I do have races scheduled all the way through the end of February so that will help, too.

At any rate, I'm here and still running.

Judit is getting more and more interested in letters and numbers. She can count nicely and add up single digits, which is probably not too special from a 5year old, but they aren't really taught such stuff in the kindergarten here.
Her interest in writing isn't that new , but now she not only wants me to pre-write isolated letters but whole words and she would copy all sorts of texts she happens to come across.  I'm quite proud of her :) Just yesterday she and Öcsi asked me to print coloring pages and Judit made one for Grandma, one for Grandpa and one for me, and wrote her full name on all of them, plus "MAMA" on grandma's and "PAPA" on grandpa's. I giggled a bit on mine, as she obviously tried to write "ANYA" (Mum) several times but failed and finally wrote "ÉVA" - that is my name - on it. Creative :)

It's actually quite interesting that she sort of instinctively knew how to hold a pencil from a very early age (the same case with the spoon even earlier) Even her teacher in kindy was surprised by that! I think it's just her drive to do things exactly the same way as we do and her attention to detail. No biggie, but comforting nevertheless. I'm already excited about how she will do at school (which she might not get to start until 2011...)

I recently got a ticket in Orleans Parish for going through a stop sign. It's my first traffic ticket in Orleans Parish. Every other city/state I've lived in, when I got tickets I either went to court and won my case easily, or there was an option (California) to sit through "traffic school" for an evening and get the ticket wiped from my record.

From what I understand (from friends and from calling the city today and asking), my options here are:
1) Go to traffic court and represent myself. But if I don't win, I pay not only the amount of the ticket ($180) but also "court costs" plus, of course, the violation stays on my driving record. Other possible outcomes are that I win and it all goes away, or I can get the fine reduced. My girlfriend told me she cried in front of the traffic judge once and they took pity on her.

2) Hire a lawyer (can do this for $200 through a friend of a friend) to represent me in traffic court. But possibly the lawyer won't win either or they will only get the fine reduced and then I still pay everything plus the lawyer, too.

3) Just pay and suck it up.

Of course, the cost of everything is a concern. I am most concerned about my car insurance premiums going up because of a ticket on my record. My job is super busy right now, and actually this week is particularly busy and doesn't leave me a lot of time to sit around waiting to talk to the traffic judge in the court house. However, I think I could call or go to court and reschedule the court date?

What are people's experiences? What do you advise? Have you been successful in going to traffic court yourself and winning (best case scenario)? What about this hiring a layer thing, which I've never even heard of anyone I know doing for a traffic ticket before I moved to New Orleans.

I imagine I will get many different perspectives, but I am interested in hearing people's input because, well, how do I put this... the municipal and legal system in Louisiana works very differently than any other state I've ever lived in, and I'm a little concerned about proceeding without as much information as I can get.

Thanks.

I'm just starting marathon training now (for next April - Shakespeare Marathon, Stratford, UK) as some of you probably know and I have decided to try a more formal approach rather than the mile gathering I've done in the past.

I have a SmartCoach program from Runners World but being a bit of a 'lazy' runner in training, I've never done speed work or 'tempo' runs as just couldn't be bothered with the faff!! LOL!
So my question is a bit naieve! It says I am to do a 7 mile with 4 mile @6:32 (ie race pace) 
 
Should I be aiming to do this on a flat, lap type circuit or my normal 7 mile route with hills etc?!

Secondly, all my days training (including long run) are at the same pace initially of 7:48 a mile. Whilst this isn't a hassle or too hard really, I always believed that one or more of my days a week training (5 out of 7 per usual) should be at a considerably slower, almost recovery pace. Perhaps nearer 8:15-8:30??

Anyone got any thoughts? Glad to hear them! Thanks all!

I've been in a motivational slump, but today - encouraged by a 5.2km I registered to run on Thursday night - a friend and I decided to hit my local run spot for 4.4k of huffing and puffing.

Got up at 5am, she sent me a text 15 minutes later telling me she's on her way. We met in the carpark and got going. About 1km in it started to rain, we considered stopping after lap one but through stupidity or in the hope of the 'running high' we kept going... through the rain.. it was nice, really. Hydrating by absorption - hah. We were about 300m from the car park when we noticed one of the most spectacular rainbows that either of us (or the other runners on the track) had seen.
You could see where it started and where it ended (GOLD GOLD GOLD!!) it was vibrant and just beautiful.
If that wasn't reward enough for my run this morning, I don't know what was.

Despite the rainy season, I have to conduct my lessons as per normal. This is the semester where I see myself conducting more indoor circuit/conditioning classes than actual outdoor ball classes.

So guys, if you have any creative ideas on effective propless conditioning exercises so that I can have more variety during class, please share! You can also offer partner exercises as well. I can pair them up easily.

Don't worry if it is tough. In fact, the tougher the better! I will do them myself or with my colleague to make sure I can do it before I teach it.

PS. I teach volleyball by the way. ;)

PS. Currently some of the exercises varies along doing bicycle crunches, standard pushups, leg lifts, partner v crunch, bridges, half squats etc...

Just need more ideas. ;)

Thanks in advance!

I don't always post my race reports here, but I'm so freaking proud of myself that I'm doing so for this race. I ran a really good race.

( Enjoy...with pictures! )

But, here's a question: the past two races I've run that I've PR'ed at, I've almost thrown up at the finish line. Like, literally stomach clenching and heaving. This is a new phenomenon and one I'm pretty sure I don't like. Is this just a side-effect of running hard or what?

Hi runners!

I need the collective wisdom of this community for two issues I've been having:

1. How on earth do I rid myself of a side stitch? I know that correct breathing can prevent them in the first place, but I always seem to acquire a killer stitch in my right side about halfway through my run. Any tips for getting it to go away?

2. Due to an old ankle injury, I find myself in need of an ankle brace. Does anyone have recommendations for ankle braces that fit inside shoes?

Thanks!

I guess nobody told this kid that you are supposed to run in lightweight racing shoes.
Or if they did, he sure didn't bother listening. Instead he won his State Championships
wearing these...



I want to say those are Air Jordans, but I don't even know if they still make them or not.

I recently got a kona paddy wagon

http://www.konaworld.com/09/09_paddywagon_en.cfm

it absolutely rocks and I love it except for the break levers
and I'm not riding it fixed gear yet so they matter :P

so, to adjust the positioning of the break lever on the handlebar (or to tighten it so it didn't slide a bit which mine did when I got it) the screw is located behine the lever so you push out a little piece and the lever flips out forward and you can access the screw

unfortunately this little piece is just a straight little metal cylinder which will happily slide from side to side and work itself out

the right one did this and successfully lost itself somewhere when I was riding yesterday (knowing roughly where it is give or take a block in autumn with leaves everywhere was sooo not helpful)

cut up a wire coat hanger and put it through the empty hole (and bent into O ring so it wouldn't lose itself) but it's not wide enough so there's too much space so the break lever is fine from the hoods but a bit of a stretch to reach from the drops...

so anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any brilliant suggestions for fixing this better or recommendations for great break levers/hoods for a single speed that aren't designed so crappily?

or maybe the world is just trying to tell me to ride fixed gear and not use breaks?

november 8th, 2009 spring mountain cyclocross, schwenksville, PA C men, 53rd out of 75ish and wearing my new skinsuit that shows off all my sexy curves(sarcasm) haha good race, kinda muddy but a lot of fun. next up is USGP in mercer county NJ.

Good morning runners! Here's the daily training thread!

I had a really great 10 miler yesterday on the NCR trail. And this morning I wake up to legs that feel quite fresh still, and raring for more miles. So miles I will give them. I'm headed out on a 3 hour drive to western Maryland where I'll be til Wednesday doing search & rescue training (the much cuter hbfs will be handling two more days of dailies duty and when I return I'll have internet in my house which means me doing this regularly again and a race report to go with it!). When I get to the cabin, I'm gonna do a 90 minute run around the trails, probably covering 10-11 miles. The weather is beautiful here; it's supposed to be mid 60s out there and clear.

So how is everyone else starting off their week, training and otherwise?

Question! How was your weekend? Highlights to gush about? Lowlights to grumble about? Hangovers you're still trying to shake?

In keeping with this month's music "theme" enjoy some Wyclef:



Discuss... and HAPPY RUNNING!

http://feeds.blogthings.com/whatdopeopleloveaboutyouquiz/

What Do People Love About You? - What makes you a good person?

Sunday I was helping out a new friend
We met at Central Market and were lucky enough to find a table it was so packed
Just as we got settled, the rain started
Then Ukemi started playing
First, they're fantastic
Second, they were amazing to hear in the constant drizzle of rain
What a fantastic way to meet a wonderful Austin band!

Sorry, folks.  I should have spent a little more time seeing how this community operates before assuming that posting updates to my blog was an appropriate use of space here.  Sorry for clogging the pages.    

Happy running!

effin j 

No, I didn't run it; I was a "caller". For some reason, neither the organization that times the race nor the organization that runs it have clocks to put at the mile markers, so they have volunteers calling out the times.

I called the 3 mile and 6 mile points of the 10K and the 3 mile point of the 5K.

The 10K started at 8 am and the 5K started at 9:15 am. there were people still in the 10K race when the leaders of the 5K were crossing the finish line Some people did a double header and ran both races.

The winning time for the 10K was 29:49 (4:48 pace); the first woman to cross the finish line did it in 35:41 (which is about my PR for a 5K), a 5:43 pace. She was 24th overall.

The winning time for the 5K was 14:07; a 4:33 pace. The first woman across the finish line was 19th overall, with a time of 16:45, a pace of 5:24. She was 19th overall.

What's the best way, any way really, to go from couch to 5k? I've been walking 1 - 2 miles a day. I am overweight, really overweight, and I'm a bit worried about destroying my joints by running. But I want to run to lose weight faster, and finish a 5k.

First of all, thank you to EVERYBODY who responded to this post! I super appreciated everybody's feed back.

WELL, i ended up staying off my foot all week. On Friday I attempted to run a few miles to see what the situation was. I started off the first mile golden and felt great but at about 1.5miles i would get a twinge of pain here and there and then a little before mile two I got one sharp pain and i got off the treadmill. i was only in it to do 2 miles anyway.

Anyway, i didnt know what to do because clearly something was still up with my foot. BUT, the next morning it felt the same as it did before i ran those 2 miles. SO, i decided to go for the half marathon.


This race was PERFECT, friends. Perfect weather (60 and sunny), perfect views, there was SO much support from locals, and the race was very well put together.
the last few races i've done i havent been nervous at all, but given my foot situation i went to this race an anxiety ridden mess. However, i found my pace group and off i went.
The course was pretty flat. a few rolling hills. the only thing that was weird was going over draw bridges so you were running on top of a ton of holes for .2 miles. i didnt like it. but seriously, the course was so nice. i love the smell of the ocean and being able to run next to it and next to the pretty parks, bogs, and marshlands was awesome!
Once i passed the 5K mark i remember thinking "YES! i havent felt any pain in my foot. this is awesome." and then in between mile four and five i got a SUPER sharp pain that took my breath away. i yelled "OW!" outloud but as soon as it came, it went. and that was that. I got in between mile 7 and 8 and slowed it down to have a GU and then picked it back up a little right after mile 8 where i got the same pain. "OW!" haha. but, again, as soon as it came it went.
on another note, i SWEAR from miles 8 through 11 the miles got longer. i find knowing what mile i'm on makes things way harder on me. but, i got a twinge of pain here and there throughout these miles and once i got to mile 12 i knew i only had 1 mile. ONE MILE!! so, i picked up the pace a little.... until i got to a GIANT super steep hill that almost killed me. haha i swear that hill lasted for at least a half a mile. it was rough. BUT, i got through it and the last tenth of a mile or so was complete downhill and i let gravity do it's work and i ran as fast as i could down that hill.

... welp! 2:05:42!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this was under the goal i made BEFORE my foot started bothering me which was under a 10 minute mile.
I was so overwhelmed that i started crying a little. by myself. haha. My friends eventually found me, i ate a banana and a half a bagel, drank 40oz of water in a bout 10 minutes haha, and then the race was over!

i'm really really really really really excited about my time :) that's a 9:36min/mile!!!

my foot? it's hangin in there. i took a bunch of ibuprofen, i'm keeping it elevated, and i'm planning on icing it in a little bit. it feels exactly how it felt after i ran the 11 miles last week. so basically, i have to walk on the inside of my foot and wear heels to avoid pressure on where it hurts. damn my neutral feet!
i wont be running for a few weeks :( i need to get better!

so... i think that this race concludes my 2009 race list unless i decide to pick up a 5K in december or something!

2009 RACE RESULTS
April 11th - Feed the Need 5K. Hingham, MA TIME - 31:37
May 3rd - Margaritas 5K. Exeter, NH TIME - 30:19
May 24th - RedHook 5K. Portsmouth, NH TIME - 32:07
July 11th - Red Dress Run 5K. Hartford, CT TIME - 29:48
August 28th - Bare Cove 5miler. Hingham, MA TIME - 48:58
September 5th - Nantasket Seaside 4 mile Roadrace. Hull, MA TIME - 37:16
October 12th - Tufts 10K for Women. Boston, MA TIME - 1:00:37
November 8th - Seacoast Half Marathon. Portsmouth, NH TIME - 2:05:42