Happy New Year

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas (or holiday) as we did with our family in Northern California--though it's never long enough. We left San Diego during the torrential rains, got to enjoy them up north, and then returned to sunshiny wonderfulness. I did my first run in 8 days today after too much couch, cookies, candies and cakes. It was a sluggish and extremely blah run, but it felt good to be in the sun outside.

Take a little time today to reflect on your successes and lessons of this last year and set some goals (not resolutions) for the coming year.

To happiness, health and running--

Happy New Year

The Elfin Forest

Check.

It's been on my To-Do List for two years now, so on Sunday I fiiiiiiinally hiked around the Elfin Forest. And you know I didn't see a single damn elf. I was hoping to find one with a Santa hook-up. Maybe next time.

Except for lack of elves (and forest as you can see here), the Elfin Forest was lovely. Observe the shared walking stick collection--lovely and friendly. The hillsides were verdant and fresh looking from the rains we had a few weeks ago, and I was surprised by how many runners I saw making the trek up and down. -- I was even more impressed by the mountain bikers: the hills are not easy and there are sharp, jagged rocks.

Sunday's hike reminded me that I still need to look up and register for some trail races around here. I only did one last year, but I fell in love with the trails. Unfortunately, right now, I'm stuck with track workouts most of the time because I can't seem to get myself out the door before the sun goes down--and I'm too much of a wuss to run dark neighborhoods alone. I've been running 2-3 times a week at a track near my house. I'm starting to love it.

In fact, I like it so much I've started brainstorming all the ways to keep it interesting-- because let's be honest, running in a circle over and over and over and over again is boring and deeply depressing to think about. Right now my favorite thing to do is Tempo 400s, but I wrote down some of my other favs in an article HERE. (Scroll to the bottom of the article to see the exercises).

I'm looking for more ideas, so please share them here if you have a favorite.

Happy Running.

Redding Turkey Trot

There are some fast turkeys in Redding. I signed up for the 6 Mile Turkey Trot in my hometown thinking I might be able to hang with some of the frontrunners-- I mean, hey, I didn't do too shabby in my last race (the Silverstrand 5K). I got 3rd in my age group afterall. So, I figured a small town turkey trot? Sure. Nothin' to it. I can probably place in the top 20. That t-shirt is as good as mine.

Learned a new lesson about myself and running: Never stop being insecure. Odd little lesson, but hear me out. It's the same lesson you probably learned in high school: There's always going to be someone (or 40-something people) better than you--no matter how good you think you are or are getting. For example, a friend of mine from high school passed me during the race. She was someone who I figured (with all the training I've been doing lately) I would beat (easily), yet she beat me by about 3 minutes. Blerg. Pride took a tumble.

The other lesson I learned--or actually was reminded of by my husband after I sulked for a couple days--was: Run your own race. It only causes more stress and pressure to compare yourself to others, so don't. Compare yourself to yourself and you'll never lose. Easier said than done that's for damn sure, but I need this reminder. I've started noticing that as I try to get faster I'm getting more competitive. Seven years ago I chose running as a hobby because I wanted to do something that was solitary, noncompetitive and a stress relief, but lately I've been putting to much pressure on myself to get fast and not focusing on why I chose it in the first place.

Well that pressure is no more. My new goal for the month is to log as many miles as I can in preparation for Marathon Training Kick-Off Day (which will be sometime in the middle of December, I think) and to do those miles at whatever pace feels good-- not at pace that is "fast enough."

The Chi in Me

My husband has by plagued by running injuries since college: every time he tries to get back into it, something breaks down and forces him to the sidelines. This cycle happened again recently and he ended up at the doctor's office. However, instead of being told to use rest and ice to recover, it was suggested he try reading ChiRunning by Danny and Katherine Dreyer.

You've probably heard of chi running already, as I had, but I thought of it as a fad like barefoot running. So when my husband left the doctor's office and went immediately to go buy the book, I was skeptical and not all that interested in what it had to say. I'd heard of the chi running classes where the focus is on form, not speed, and since I'm interested in speed these days, this had no appeal to me. How wrong, how wrong, how wrong.

After only a couple sessions on the treadmill at the gym, my husband came home so excited that he ran without pain or heavy breathing-- he said it was so much easier to run this way.

Whaaaaaaaaa? I thought. That's ridiculous. It's just a mind game you're playing on yourself. But then he read some of the book to me, and explained the basic principles, and now I've found myself waiting for him to fall asleep reading so that I can snag the book and read a

few chapters myself.

I have started using a few of the running techniques and I can honestly say that I feel a significant difference when I'm (it's cheesy...here it comes....) "harnessing the chi." Oh I said that. Yes I did.

I realize this sounds like an infomercial, and I would go into more detail, but I don't even know where to start... I guess I'll try just a little so I can validate these crazy ramblings:

The basic principles involve balance and force: the idea is to let gravity (or the chi force) do the work for you. This means great posture, relaxed limbs, loose joints, engaged core muscles, a focused mind and good breathing techniques. When I have the correct running form, it does literally feel like a force other than myself is moving me, and when I check my pace in these moments I find that I'm moving faster than it feels.

I sort of feel like I've discovered how to do magic and I don't want to tell anyone how easy it really is because then we'll all be doing magic and then I won't be special anymore and what's the fun in that if we can all do it? Except, this isn't magic and it's a way for all of us to run until we decide we want to retire--not when our bodies force us to. And really, who wants to be 80 and running alone? Having some running buddies at that age (I imagine) would be pretty badass.

I haven't experienced a completely "effortless" run--as the book claims it can teach--but I have had significant miles of what felt effortless, and I believe Dreyer when he tells me I can go as far and as fast as I want without pain or worry of injury. Example: today I ran 12 miles without my hip flexor giving me any problems...when only a few days ago I ran 6 miles and was limping the next day. And, I'm now considering running the Catalina Marathon for my 30th birthday this year... if I have a couple more good long runs like today's, then it's a done deal.

I highly recommend this book, and am currently entertaining the idea of taking a class for one-on-one Chi help. Here's what I found in San Diego:

Effortless Running (North County)

Move with Nature (San Diego)

Time for Change

Does anyone know when the time change is supposed to occur? Is it possible that I'm too lazy to Google it myself? I'm at least too lazy to come up with an interesting post, so I'm just going to link you to my most recent article about the time change. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep (whenever it comes) and be careful out there, Friends.

The Fall Line-Up

I love November. I consider it the start of my race year. Maybe it's the Turkey Trots, maybe it's the time change, maybe it's because running clubs start new rounds of marathon training. Either way, I'm excited for November 1st. I have three races to look forward to: The Shelter Island 5K, The Silverstrand 5K, and a Turkey Trot 10K in my hometown of Redding.

I'm trying to get faster, but getting no where fast with my current training schedule (running twice a week...not good). It's time to come up with a real plan and make it a priority. However, if I make the plan for myself, I'll never actually do it. Soooo....thanks to my iphone and the Runner's World Smart Coach App I downloaded recently, I can type in the date of my next race and my racing goals. This is my plan for the month of November (I made a slight modification and flip-flopped Tuesdays and Wednesdays so I could include Track Club). If you have any 5Ks or upcoming 1/2 marathons, I hope you find this plan useful too:

If you're 2-4 weeks out from a race, here's what Smart Coach says you should do: (Works for 5K, 10K, Half Marathon)

Monday: 5 mi, easy run
Tuesday: Speedwork (AKA: Track Club for me)
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 5 mi, easy run
Friday: XT (for me, Cycle class)
Saturday: 8-10 mi, long run
Sunday: rest

There it is. I wrote it. Now I'll do it.

Snail's Pace

Saw this little dude on my long run this morning. I think he's onto something with that streamlined, aerodynamic shell-situation going on. I think we can learn a few running lessons from snails... which is what I thought about for the remaining mile of my run.

1. If you can't go fast, you may as well be "slick."
2. Stay off of busy paths whenever possible.
3. It doesn't matter how quickly you get to the finish line, as long as you don't dry out before you get there.
4. If the conditions outside aren't ideal, or seem a little scary, stay inside the house.

Fog Delay

Look at that.
It's perfect long run weather out there and I'm stuck inside with an injured hip flexor again. Well...almost injured. It's hurting, but still usable--unlike the first time it gave me grief. I realized today what the problem is: hills. Every time I do more than one hill during the week, it starts acting up. This week I took on Laurel Street (22.5% grade) and almost immediately regretted it (it didn't help that I did speed work at track practice immediately after. That's just dumb.).

So there are really only a couple solutions I can figure for this hip problem of mine: 1.) Stop doing hills and 2.) Stop being stupid.

Starting with #1: There are so many flat races out there, so why do hill training if it's unnecessary? Especially since hills (both the up and down versions) are harder on joints and can cause injury more easily than a flat road. And #2: Honestly, what was I thinking doing two major hills this week while trying to up my speed? Just doing one of those things a week is enough...at the very most twice a week. But again, only one thing at a time. It's crazy how invincible we think we are when not injured.

One other thing... After reading this linked article a couple weeks ago I started working on my form: I'm trying to eliminate striking with my heel so much. But, now I'm wondering if in trying to run more flat-footed has caused me to strain my hip flexor in some way. Eh. We'll see. I'll do some foam rolling and a magical spin class and reassess the situation at the end of the week. One week off. That's the plan for now.

Anyone else out there working on their form--or have had to change it in the past? Got any helpful tips-- like, how do you know if you're even doing it right?

Why I Need a Long Run Tomorrow...

I received this email yesterday from a co-worker and almost didn't open it because I thought it would be some kind of Glenn Beck bullshit; however, I'm glad I read it. Although, it sort of made me feel even more like a babysitter than I already do. I literally said to my class of 40 freshman (10 girls and 30 boys...do you even understand what that means for my sanity??), "I am not your babysitter. Do you see any graham crackers and milk?!" To which one of the boys said, "Wait. You have graham crackers and milk? Where?" fml.

Title: Teachers' Hefty Salaries

Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - baby sit! We can get that for less than minimum wage. That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan -- that equals 6 1/2 hours). Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children.

Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day. However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations. LET'S SEE.... That's $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).
What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 15 children X 180 days = $140,400 per year. Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here!


There sure is!


The average teacher's salary (nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days =$277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!

WHAT A DEAL!!!!

Fall Racing Season

I love the fall. So many races to choose from... I just couldn't decide, so I signed up for three great ones (and I still need to find a Turkey Trot). They're great. Did I already say that? You should come run them too.

The first is:

The Shelter Island 5K on November 7th: This is a quick one that zooms around Harbor/Shelter Island area and ends at Humphrey's by the Bay for a...wait for it... champagne brunch. Whoo hoo! No need to join the Hash House Harriers with races like this around. I did this one about three years ago, before I acquired my running buddy, and a champagne brunch is just sad and pathetic without someone to toast with. However, this time is a different story. A much happier, drinkier story. If you sign up for this race and need someone to clink glasses with you at the end, let me know. I'll double fist it if I have to.

The second one is the very next weekend:

The Silver Strand 5K on November 14th: I was trying to sign up for the half marathon; however, San Diego is suddenly half marathon obsessed and it's becoming impossible to get into races without planning years in advance. Gone are the days of last minute registration...which means I'm screwed. I do everything last minute: lesson plans, plane tickets, deadlines. Anyway I settled for the 5K which means my goal is to beat whatever time I get in the Shelter Island one.

And finally,

The Carlsbad Half Marathon: I know it's in Winter, not Fall, but we'll ignore that for now. I was debating about whether or not to sign up for the full, but I just didn't feel excited for it like I was for Napa. The problem I've always had with the Carlsbad race is that it's an out-and-back course. Those are just the worst... you'd think they'd do something about that after all these years. It's just cruel is what it is. But, I decided to still sign up for the half because I guess I like being mean to me. I'm hoping to have picked a February or March marathon by then and the halfer will be about 6-8 weeks out and a good gauge for me pace-wise.

That's that.
Keep on truckin'

Thank You Thunder Thighs

So here's the skinny on Mt. Whitney: it's f'ing hard to summit in one day. No surprise there, right? And we even had perfect weather (aside from the freezing, gusty winds). A twenty two mile round trip hike with a 6,000' gain in altitude from the trail head, coupled with the fact that we started at sea level only the day before-- I'd say, making it to the summit and back again is a pretty big deal. A deal I didn't realize was that big until I was smack dab in the middle of it. Literally. At the summit, 14,500 feet up and only halfway finished--that's exactly how it felt. My body was halfway finished. Halfway between being and not being. I'm sure that's overly dramatic, but it feels dramatic when you need to breathe and every inhale is harder and smaller than the one before it.

So in case I haven't made myself clear, my friend and I got altitude sickness. But to get a sense of the whole adventure, let's start at the beginning...

Day before "The Hike": we visited the trailhead and wandered around at 8,360 feet for about an hour. Not nearly enough to do any sort of acclimating, but it gave us a good chance to study the map below and watch a number of people stumbling off the trail with severe nausea and headaches from altitude sickness and dehydration.



If you can see it above, Trail Camp is at 12,000'. This is where most people, the smart ones, camp overnight to give their bodies a chance to acclimate to the altitude. My friend Matt, an avid mountaineer, told me that anything above 12,000' is considered the "Death Zone" because the atmosphere is so thin "anything can happen." It was comforting to know that we'd be wandering around for a good 10 miles in said "Death Zone." (Not.)

We began our adventure at 2:30am on Sunday. Each of our 30lb day-packs were crammed tight with a gallon of water, first aid kit, water filtration supplies, extra warm clothing, emergency gear for an overnight stay (if necessary), and lots of food, namely: Corn Nuts, 2 bananas, 2 PB&Js, 5 Gu packets, ginger cookies, trail mix (only appropriate), and granola bars. (Sidebar: all of this food tasted like shit once we needed them. I mean serious s.h.i.t.) After talking to many experienced Whitney Day-Hikers, we learned that staying hydrated and eating--especially when that's the last thing you feel like doing--is the only way to keep altitude sickness at bay. I do believe following those orders kept us feeling better than many of the people we saw along the way attempting to do the same climb. (Though the argument could probably be made that we looked and felt exactly the same as the other "sickies" too...there's really no way of telling because the brain is a bit... floaty...for a few hours up there.)

So, back to 2:30am with our gear and headlamps. Pitch Black. Scared. That's about all I remember about hiking in the dark. Scared. Scared to look too far ahead on the trail, for fear of what might be looking back. Scared of looking off the sides of the trail, for fear of what might be looking back. And scared for what weather the rising sun would bring. Weather is a crazy thing on mountains.

We survived those 4 hours of darkness by saying loudly "Hey yoou guuuuuys" (from "Goonies") to warn bears and cougars of our approach and by playing "Would You Rather" between sharp intakes of breath. I knew, it would be a long day when we were struggling for breath before the sun even came up all the way. At 6:30 we were greeted with the red mountain peaks you see below and the marmots who began crawling out from the moonish rocks to yell at us for stomping around and gasping for air...they were probably like, "Every f'ing morning these pervs wake us up with their heavy breathing...can't a rock pig just sleep in already?"



So, we're going to skip ahead 3 hours to The Switchbacks. This is where the magic happens. The bad, dark, evil, cold, cold, cold magic. In a little over an hour, we crawled from 12,000 to 13,700 feet. We moved from feeling constantly winded to feeling constantly winded and barfy and headachy and like the mountain and gravity combined were pulling our day packs backward in an attempt to drag us back down to the bottom. The following video is us only halfway up the switchbacks.


Sorry if the video doesn't work...Never uploaded one before. It wasn't that great anyway.

For the next hour, walking became stumbling. Stumbling became shuffling. And sentences turned into, "Word (breath) Word (breath) Word (breath)," and there was still two more miles to the summit with 1,000 more feet to climb.

We did eventually make it and I can only say that water, food and years of long distance running is what made it possible. My thighs burned the way they burn at mile 20 of a marathon. My lungs ached like they do after 10 sets of strides. So, thankfully, I was used to these feelings. They were like old, comforting friends who were there to remind me that I'm still alive and doing my job: moving forward. And I pulled the old mantra out of the daypack as well, "I feel good, I am strong." And I was. We both were.

The Summit Shack

To conclude, I'd just like to say that I by no means now consider myself a "mountaineer" or claim to understand anything about the mysteries of the mountain. But I do know, that if-- when-- I climb Whitney again, (because I already miss it) these are the changes I will make:

1. I will carry less water and refill more from the lakes and streams.
2. I will camp overnight at Trail Camp to acclimate and enjoy the sunrise sans barfy-feeling.
3. I will sign the visitor's book at the summit shack myself, instead of making my friend do it for the both of us.
4. (In the words of Bryson), "I [will] shit in the woods."
5. I will make sure my pants are tight enough at the waste so that I don't have to hike them back up over my ass-crack every five minutes. Oh the chaffing.

That's that. Check.

The Summit:

This one probably didn't work either. But, it sucked too.

If the videos didn't work, and you want to see either of them, shoot me an email and...
Keep on truckin'

The Trail to Come...

"Trail Crest 13,600 feet"
Love that someone left a note on the famous photo-op sign...but we were too sick and tired to be annoyed at the time; we were more focused on the 3 miles and 1,000 more feet to climb to the summit.

We DID make it to the summit and back again in one piece! Thanks to everyone for all your advice and well-wishes.
Details to come soon...

In My Secret Life...

I can run 5 minute miles.

I write for Runner's World.

I have perfect classroom management.

I'm a spy.

And a bounty hunter.

And a travel writer.

Oh, and a food critic.

And I always look this happy when I run:

Thanks, Megan Guerrero Photography for taking a good shot and keeping my thunder thighs under wraps!

New Season, New Look, New 'Tude

I felt my blog needed an attitude change... the grayish-green background with small font was starting to depress me. So since it's almost fall, and fall is my favorite, I gave it new school year/fall face lift. I love running in San Diego's fall weather because I can easily shift from the cool morning runs of summer to the cool evening runs of fall with little temperature shift or divergence from my weekly mileage. (With the exception of this first week of school...which is two hours away from being officially last week's first week of school.)

I'll soon be able to frequent my old friend, Lake Murray. It's still a bit too warm at 3:00 in the afternoon for a 6 miler in east county, but give it a couple weeks and we'll be picking up right where we left off last May.

I can feel the season starting to shift ever so slightly. It's harder to see in Southern California, than in other parts of the country, but it's noticeable in the produce section of the market, the flower selection at Trader Joe's, the sun leaving the day a bit sooner, and the cold smell in the air. I can smell the cold coming, can't you? (Again, I know cold should be written as "cold" because we're 70 degree San Diego...but it's all relative.)

Even though I won't see fall leaves around the city, I know that for the next couple months, I can find them here...and so can you. Maybe when winter comes, I'll pretend we have snow and do a mountain scene.

Speaking of mountains, I'm hiking Mount Whitney next Sunday. If all goes as planned, my friend and I will be summiting the tallest peak in the lower 48 in a 14 hour hike adventure. Got any tips? (FYI: We're over-prepared for it as far as safety goes, but if you have any tips that might make the 26 mile hike feel more like a 12 mile hike...I'd greatly appreciate it!)

Enjoy the last few days of the summer season.

My Summer Baby

While on a run with my friend Angie today (actually, we were in the car on our way to the run destination), I told her about how I consider summer vacations a form of post-child-bearing memory erasing. She had me elaborate on this idea and then told me to post it... so I'm going to do that now. Since I'm an English teacher I get the equivalent of a contact high when it comes to extended metaphors. I'm sure half the time my students leave class wondering why the hell I just talked for half and hour about how pulling quotes from a text is like running fartleks.

So here is my extended metaphor about being a high school English teacher in the Grossmont Union High School District. (I make that distinction because I have to believe that there are school districts out there that don't overcrowd classrooms and don't lie and cheat and steal from its employees... even if it's not true...I believe it exists somewhere. "And sometimes I believe as many as six impossible things before breakfast"--the Queen, from Alice in Wonderland)

My Summer Baby

I've heard mothers talk about how the pain and torture of labor is blocked from their minds as soon as they see their baby. The joy and love of that precious, squeaky little babe somehow makes the 12(+) hours of sweating, panting, screaming, pushing, swearing, ripping, pooing, and God-knows-what-else-they-don't-have-the-courage-to-talk-about, worth it...and not so bad. Granted, this memory-loss doesn't happen right away (for most). Those I've talked to say that after a few months when the stitches are out and the soreness is gone (just about the time her body is ready for another go-round) the mother believes having another baby is a good idea. And so she does...and the same torture is waiting for her in the delivery room. just. like. last time.

Teaching is similar to this process--especially for those of us who are not on the year-round system. The beginning of the school year is always a little rocky. We wake up in the morning with butterflies in our stomaches wondering what the year will bring. We tend to "glow" just a little with hope for the year of possibilities. Then, we find out what we're "having" and after about 3 or 4 weeks the excitement and wonder is over and the "morning sickness" kicks in.

After about two months, we reach a calm spell. Things are cookin' along... we've gotten used to one another, as mother and baby do, and we have our routines down. About halfway through the school year, things begin to get slightly uncomfortable... nothing too bad, just...not that fun anymore. We're changing every day at an alarming rate: stretched and pulled in directions we didn't foresee and didn't desire. Small things that at one time could be shrugged off now cause annoyance or occasional anger. But, with a proper exercise or meditation regimen the annoyance of overbearing in-laws (parent emails) or unresponsive husbands (lazy students) can be controlled.

Toward the end of our "pregnancy" the pain begins. Everything is too cramped--it feels like we're being crushed. It takes all our strength to push through to the end. Our nerves are shot to hell, our hands are cramping from all the papers, our brains are fried from trying to think of new ways to keep the end-of-year chaos controlled, and those slight annoyances now turn us into raging lunatics...why bother yelling? Just go straight to crying. But we push and breathe, push and breathe. (Some get the margarita epidurals flowing earlier and earlier in the day...)

And then, oooooooh sweet "and then", just as quickly as the pains came, they are gone. Summer has been born. Sweet, cooing, precious Summer is yours for the cuddling. We rock our baby Summers and love them and do anything for them and they are ours and we are theirs and the previous 9 months don't seem so bad anymore. In fact, about 60 days later, we almost miss our pregnancy and want to do it again... and so, toward the end of August, forgetting the labor that awaits, we "get busy."

The end.

I hope you have enjoyed this extended metaphor brought to you by one "glowing" teacher.

Found in Translation

I felt refreshed and clear of mind going into this first week back on campus. It could have been denial, or it could have been that I am reminded of my youth and the hopeful, nervous excitement that comes with a new school year. But, then I went to my first staff meeting yesterday (and another today) and was reminded of all the reasons why summer break is what keeps me in this profession...(even though I was told that if I ever felt that way I should stop teaching immediately...haha. yeah right like I'm giving up my summers now!?). I'm not going to go into it right now, but I am going to go to the gym later and try to work off some of my anger.

The other thing I'm going to do, is write the letter I wish I could send home to parents at the beginning of the school year. (The alternative is a venty, bitchy post about administrators and the terrible, terrible decisions being made that are veiled in "this is what's best for students" even though it's what's worst....ugh. I continue to be amazed by how little admin understands about students.) Anyway...

As I was revamping my course syllabi today, I was reminded of all my teacherly pet peeves that are soon to be ignited. I feel that if parents could learn how to interpret what their kids say about school at home, my pet peeves might be significantly, if not entirely, squashed.

So, this is to the all the parents out there:
When your child comes home and says the following, this is what he or she is really telling you...(note taking is encouraged here).

Scenario #1: The detention

Parent: I got a detention notice about you today. What's that about?
Student: I dunno. My teacher hates me.
Translation: I do know, I just don't want to admit to you that I was being an annoying attention monger today in class and refused to shut up when my teacher asked me to do so 80 times. I guess she got sick of asking me to behave properly and maturely and it probably has something to do with the fact that I've never been taught how to respect authority because look at how you let me talk to you, Bitch. That's right, I'm talking to you. Now go buy me a new video game.

Scenario #2: Truancy
Parent: I got a phone call from the attendance office at school today. They said you weren't in 6th period. Where were you?
Student: I was there. My teacher is dumb and prolly marked me absent.
Translation: We had a test today so I snuck off campus to get high and hangout at Burger King. And even though I promise you to ask my teacher about it tomorrow, I'm not going to because I just texted plans to get-it-on with Adrian from Bio class in the bathroom during 6th.

Scenario #3: Failing a Class
Parent: Why do you have an "F" in X Class?
Student: I dunno. My teacher hates me.
Translation: Mother, Father, it's a combination of issues here. But what it comes down to is I don't do my work because I don't do the reading at night because you're not checking up on me like you should. Furthermore, I don't ask for help from the teacher when I am confused because my classroom is overcrowded by about 20 kids and I don't want to look dumb in front of my peers, plus the new sweatshirt you bought me with the ipod adapter inside the hoodie strings makes it super easy for me to listen to music during class without the teacher noticing-- which only makes me more likely to not understand what is going on in class and in turn forget to write down the homework. Plus, how can I can get any work done when I have so many text messages to stay on top of?

Scenario #4: Mean Teacher
Parent: Why do you have a "U" in Citizenship in your X Class?
Student: Oh my gosh that teacher is soooooooo mean. He hates me.
Translation: I'm an obnoxious, disruptive, brat in that class and I hate him because he calls me out on my shit every day. I need to learn manners; please teach me how to speak to adults appropriately.


There are more scenarios, but I will save them for later because I have to get to the gym pronto. If you have a particular "teenage response" that you'd like translated for you, please submit it via email or the comment box below: I'd be more than happy to tell you what your teenager is really trying to say.

Mossy Trails

As promised, it is time for me to debrief my trip to Portland, Oregon with you. Trails, trails, trails. So many wonderful trails up there. I'm pretty sure that you're not allowed into the state if you don't like hiking because even in their most urban part of downtown, you can see the forest waiting only five miles up the the hill. I'm so jealous of the trees and moss they have up there. I want moss... real bad. But, I don't think it grows on Palm Trees.

I hiked every day and ate a lot of really good food (like fried cheese curds and pancake bbq), and I could talk about all that, but it'd just be too much. So, I'll share my discoverings during my run up Tabor Mountain. That makes me sound way hardcore... and maybe I am a little, but it was only 4 miles total and Tabor Mountain should probably be called Tabor Hill. In any case, it was fun discovering Portland on my own. (Wellllll, that's also a stretch because my friend Jamileh was with me, but neither one of us had ever been up the "mountain" and we're both from California. So. There's that.)

I'm a big ol' wuss when it comes to running in unknown places. I get self-conscious: like people can tell I don't know where I'm going and so that means they're going to steal me. (But, who would want to steal a sweaty runner?? Apparently some guy in South Park for one. see post below.) So even though Jamileh and I didn't really know where we were going, we had each other and that was enough to get me on the road at least. So often I forgo running altogether on vacation because of my high wuss factor--a personality trait that I know helps my mom sleep a little better at night. (e.g. Every time we're in New York I tell myself that I'm going to jog around Central Park, but then once I'm there I can't get up the nerve even though the running paths are well trafficked and safe.)

Back to Tabor. We got directions from a friend and found the base of the mountain (just a regular mountain in a regular neighborhood...so Portland). We chose a small dirt trail and began climbing up and up. We walked a little, we swatted bugs out of each other's hair, I squealed when I ran through a spider web (I really really hate spiders. A lot.), we stopped and admired the reservoir, ran into a drinking fountain and had some water, passed a few people--but not many--on the trail, observed banana slugs (seeeeeriously gross) and then somehow found our way back down. All the trails we took had some kind of color coded signs for them, but we weren't paying much attention and couldn't figure out which direction the signs were pointing. (That makes us sound stupider than we are....) This (for me at least) made the run more stressful and less fun-adventurey. I like adventure runs--as long as I know where I'm going and how many miles it will turn out to be. (e.g. running 20 miles is one thing. Doing it unintentionally is another.)

I wouldn't have run at all without someone with me, and it got me thinking... what would it take for me to feel safe on a run by myself in a foreign city? Other than studying maps, carrying pepper spray, and a backpack full of clothing and nourishments, I'm not sure how to make a run relaxing and non-stressful in an unknown place. Which is unfortunate, because jogging around a new place is a great way to site see.

Punchbowl Falls in Forest Park, Oregon:

Thank you great outdoors! You're pretty.

Perv Alert

I just got back from a fantastic trip to Portland, Oregon--which I will debrief here in a few days--but, upon returning yesterday, I came back sad to hear that two female joggers in the South Park area were attacked by someone. The women weren't hurt, but they were physically assaulted. The weirdo attacked in broad daylight with other people around who came to their rescue.

It never hurts to be reminded every once in a while to be aware of you surroundings. Today is your reminder. Run with someone when you can, carry pepper spray when you can't and (as the police officer who "pulled over" my jogging friend the other day to warn her said), "If you're going to listen to music, only put one ear piece in" because it A.) Allows you to hear your surroundings better and B.) Makes you appear like a less easy target... like you might actually be paying attention to what you're doing out there.

Also, remember women, it's OK to demand safety for yourself. Don't give anyone the benefit of the doubt that they aren't up to something. If you're suspicious-- yell at the person who is making you feel uncomfortable. When I used to take martial arts as a teen I was required to shout "Back OFF!" consistently in order to get used to hearing myself use my voice that way. It builds confidence and self awareness. And besides, what's the worst that will happen if you shout this at another person? They might actually back off? They'll choose a different path? Even if you feel bad that you may have shouted at a perfectly innocent man, DON'T, because if he really is a good guy, he'll understand that you need to feel safe and he was encroaching on that.

I suggest you practice demanding your safety by shouting, "You need to BACK OFF!" or "Don't come ANY CLOSER!" or "YOU'RE CREEPING ME OUT! MOVE ALONG!" at your roommate, spouse, BFF, running buddy, etc. until you are OK hearing yourself do that. If you don't practice, you might not use it when you need it. Hopefully you'll never need it, but the first line of defense--as my dad drilled into my brain growing up:

"Always be aware of your surroundings."

America's Finest City Half Marathon: A Letter

Dear Muse Pandora Station:

I'd like to start out by saying that I'm really sorry I was so pissed at you this morning (at 7am), when the gun went off, and you weren't able to "access my Pandora account" because there was no wireless signal at the top of Cabrillo. I said some things, and made some threats, that I ultimately didn't mean...and I'm sorry if I embarrassed you in front of other runners by calling you some things I probably shouldn't repeat ever again. I realize now you were trying your best and ultimately it made me appreciate you more when we got down to Scott Street at mile 4 and you started with "Uprising." That really meant a lot and made me say, "Fuck Yeah" out loud... maybe a little too loud... but I'm sure you remember.

Then at mile 7, when I got pissed again because you started playing an acoustic guitar song and I thought, "What the 'f'! This is a Muse station not f'ing Dashboard Confessionals bullcuss. But then it turned out to be that American Idol kid's rendition of Rhihanna's "Umbrella" and it was f'ing awesome. So awesome, in fact, I ran that mile at a 7:30 pace and danced half the time...which made some of the runners guffaw at me the way I used to guffaw at those dancing-running-idiots. Thank you for making me one of those idiots.

Last, I would like to thank you for helping me to 1.) PR 2.) ignore the garlic burps from last night's Italian dinner and 3.) not be bothered by other people's smells, sounds, and poorly-chosen-eye-offending running outfits-- all things that usually get me down.

Pandora Muse Station, you cussing rocked my world. Literally. So thank you.

Sincerely,

Asha

P.S. Maybe next time you can throw in a Queen song too. I'd f'ing love that.

A Little "Lady" on the Run

I got the new iphone. Finally. I went from a four-year old flip phone to the 4G. As my husband says to everyone, "She got her learner's permit and then went out and bought a Ferrari." It's true. I feel rich.

I also, for the first time in three years, went for a run with music. Nothing like a little Lady Gaga or Flogging Molly to get the legs pumping harder. In fact, I'm rather shocked by how much my time improved. Well...I guess it wasn't that much faster, but there were definitely advantages:

Advantage #1: The music kept me distracted from my loud huffing and puffing. I have a theory that hearing yourself breath heavily during a run messes with your head and makes you feel more tired than you actually are.

Advantage #2: The music distracted me from the heat and kept me positive... except for that one rap song that came on and used the "n" word...I had to stop and switch Pandora stations.

Advantage #3: 30 seconds faster per mile and didn't even feel like it!

Advantage #4: It's fun to pretend you're in a movie and the sound track is playing just for you and this run.

I know there are a lot of opinions out there about running with music vs. running "naturally." I used to lean toward running naturally, but that was mostly because I accidentally drowned my ipod nano years ago and couldn't justify buying a new one. And blah blah blah we all know that running with headphones is more dangerous because we're less aware of sounds around us like approaching cars, viscous dogs, and catcalling construction workers. (But, seriously, do keep the music low and be extra cautious people.)

I'm not going to pick a side on this issue, that's not why I'm writing this, although I will admit that I felt a little weirdish when I saw how much my time improved... Hopefully (barring any last minute bib-acquiring complications) I'll be running America's Finest City 1/2 Marathon this weekend. I'd like to PR. My best AFC time is a 2:02...and my last 1/2 marathon in...what was it...May? Was a 1:57 or 58...need to look that up.

In any case, even though the music feels a little bit like cheating, I'll get over it.... I have noooo problem PR'ing with the help of a little Lady Gaga if it inches me closer to qualifying for Boston one day.

Stonewall Mine

Mission accomplished for the month: I walked a trail I'd never been on before...and I'll be honest, it was a bit of a disappointment.

A girlfriend and I have been wanting to find some old ghost towns in the area--left over from the gold rush days. We thought that the old Stonewall Mine in Descanso, off the 79, looked promising based on what we read about it online. But, like most things on the internet, it proved to be misleading. The "mining town" is little more than a fenced-off hole in the ground. There were a few cool mining tools laying around (behind the fence) and we saw some people riding horses and the views from the trail were pretty OK, but all in all...it should not be classified as a ghost town.

If you decide to go to Stonewall Mine, don't go just to see the mine. You'll see it and be done "exploring" in less than 5 minutes. Go because you want to hike around Cuyamaca Lake or camp in Cuyamaca State Park. It's a calm, slow little place to get away from the rush of the city, and all the oak and pine trees and dried grass reminded me of Northern California. I will go back as a camper, but not as an explorer.

The Results...

I've now done the coffee ground "wrap" twice and actually think it's working... I'm going to do it a few more times before I make a firm decision about it one way or the other. But, I still feel like a tool doing it.

Tips to make it less messy and clean up easier:

1. Add olive oil to the grounds before applying
2. Lay down craptons of newspaper when applying grounds (or just do it outside)
3. Remove the saran wrap outside and use a garden hose to rinse off so you don't clog your shower drain (assuming you have an area your neighbors can't see...it will really freak them out seeing you partially wrapped in plastic).

I honestly think I can tell a difference around my knees: they seem firmer.
But again...we'll see.

An Act of Desperation

In an attempt to "downsize my ass" (mentioned the other day) to fit it into my cute, sea-blue, ruffly bikini bottoms, I did something today that is either genius or ridiculously moronic.

Maybe you saw that episode of Ellen in which a beautician came on and suggested rubbing warm coffee grounds on your buttocks to get rid of cellulite? If you missed it...well, I did too. You can read about it here. I, however, did not read the attached link until after applying the coffee grounds in the shower, sans olive oil and newspaper to protect the spillage. Genius me thought I came up with the saran wrap idea, too. But I didn't. I did, however, come up with the blow drier idea... read on....

So far, this has been the last 30 minutes of my life:

1. Remove coffee grounds from coffeemaker, place in a bowl. Spill half of them on the floor. Cuss more than the situation really calls for.
2. Put grounds in microwave for 30 seconds to "warm," step in spilled coffee grounds. Cuss. Wipe grounds up off the floor and foot. Cuss: dark spot on the linoleum. Cuss: we have linoleum.
3. Remove warm grounds from micro. Carry them, saran wrap and paper towels to the shower. Cuss: wearing good underwear.
4. Change into old underwear. Return to bathroom.

5. Get distracted by sonic care toothbrush that won't charge. Cuss: it's broken. 

6. Sigh.

7. Return to shower.
8. Rub warm coffee grounds on upper thighs and buttocks. Watch as most of the grounds end up on the floor of the shower.
9. Saran wrap leg from knee to buttocks. Cuss: saran wrap is sticky. Cuss: how the f do you get saran wrap around your butt without going all the way around and thus denying yourself a bathroom break should you need one in the next hour?
10. Cuss more quietly: husband trying to write a sentimental letter. Feel selfish and vain.
11. Wash feet. Put on sweat pants.
12. Wipe up grounds in shower. Cuss: stained. Stained bad.
13. Turn on blow drier and shoot hot air into sweatpants. Thinking I'm pretty smart. Cuss. It's hot. Feel like an asshole.
14. Turn off blow drier.
15. Walk down the hall as grounds fall out bottom of sweatpants. Cuss.
16. Write this post.
17. Thank husband for telling a friend what I'm doing.

This process is not only supposed to help reduce cellulite, but it's also supposed take off "inches." The information I've read about this process instructs women to do this 2-3 times per week. Who has time for that? I guess I do right now...since I'm on summer break. But, I also value my sanity and am trying to stop swearing which clearly gets worse when I implement these methods.

I'm hoping that when I take this saran wrap off (in the back yard this time) that:

A. No neighbors can see into our yard
B. The coffee grounds won't make our grass look any worse than it already does
C. The water from the hose is magically warm
and,
D. Find that it was worth it.

I guess I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, my newest blog is up. (If you hadn't noticed yet in the sidebar announcement.) Check it out:

I Run Because I Eat

I Run Because I...

It's summer-- I'm sure you're aware. So, technically I don't "run because I teach" in the summertime (because I'm not teaching). There was, of course, summer school, but I've been officially studentless for almost 3 weeks now...so what's the excuse for my irritability? (And if my husband accuses me of PMSing one more time I'm going to go ape-shit.) But I'll get to that issue in a sec.

Well, for thing I run because I eat. A lot. So, I'm starting a new blog called "I Run Because I Eat" (go figure). It's not up yet, but I'm excited about it because I consider myself a person who is well-informed and "in" the San Diego "scene" as far as film and music are concerned...let's just say I know people and therefore I tend to end up eating and drinking at the newest places around town quite often. And the only reason I'm being even a little bit braggy about this fact is because I've had a glass and a half of wine (called "Cupcake" and it's delicious)! So, my plan for that blog is to eat, drink and merry my way around San Diego this summer (and beyond). (I guess I get parenthetical- as well as braggy- when I get tipsy. huh.)

Back to the point: my irritability.

Why do I need to run during the summer? In some ways, I almost prefer the high schoolers to these reasons...

1.) I have a friend whom I love (and will call Zooey), but can't stand going out with in public, and yet that's the only place we go together. She is high maintenance but thinks she's low maintenance. There is nothing that can't be changed with her from the weather to the seasoning on her food. In fact, those are the two things she is constantly commenting on. I kind of wonder if it's a form of OCD--in which case I feel like a total asshole. But seriously, if I hear one more time in that squeaky, nasally voice (that she gets when she wants something changed for her), "ooo it's kinda chilly, I wish I had a cardigan," or "ooo the sun is making me squint, I wish I had my rose-tinted sunglasses," or "ooo this sushi needs less seeeaweed," I'm going to bitch slap someone...and there's no guarantee it'll be her. (As you may know, my husband usually gets the worst of me in these cases.) People like this need to go live in a tent next to a dump in Calcutta for a month so they can be grateful for any food at all and be grateful for living where you don't have to worry about spiders who eat your face off while you sleep. *sigh* I've gone too far. So... I run because I (actually and truly do) like Zooey, and want to keep her as my friend forever.

2. My goal is to go the beach every day for the next month, and if I'm ever going to fit into the cute ruffly bottoms that go with the cute ruffly top I have to downsize my ass. It's one of those bottoms that only covers about a 1/3 of your butt...WHY do all the cute suits do this?? (And more importantly why do they also make these suits in a size large?) I would like to stop wearing the full bottomed light-purple paisley suit bottoms from three summers ago with my new, cute, sea-blue ruffly top. So... I run because I want my bikini to match.

3. The overcast weather is perfect for running between the hours of 6am and 12pm...and even when the sun comes out around 1pm, until it goes down again at 9pm, it's nothing to Zooey about. So...I run because the weather requires.

4. My husband raps and sings life out in falsetto jingles. He hides my lip balm under my pillow at night for no apparent reason and then laughs like a fucking hyena when I find it under there. Because he stinks up the whole house on a daily basis, waits until the trash is in three separate bags on the kitchen floor and smelling like an outhouse before taking them out (his one and ONLY chore), and because he sleeps until noon whenever possible (to his credit, he's a musician and works nonstop). But mostly... I run because he tells me my ass is "looking good these days."

5. I eat frozen yogurt everyday, buy craptons* of $1.00 candy at Target while I wait in line (and then eat all 3 boxes of it while watching re-runs of 'Arrested Development: Season 1' in one sitting), and because I've discovered a new love for vodka-based drinks while eating fried foods like calamari at happy hour. So....I run because I eat.

*craptons: (pronounced crap-tons) An unreasonably large and superfluous amount of a given item.

7 Midsummer Moonlight Runs

An intriguing idea these night races. Unfortunately, I don't live in Utah or I could run one of them. But then... I'd live in Utah.  The last race listed is in my hometown, Redding, but my in-laws will be down here visiting; that would have been a good excuse to take a trip up north. On second thought... the run may be at night, but Redding in August is still 90 degrees at midnight. I'm not acclimated to that. Not even close. I'll leave it to the hardcore locals.

Uptown Footbridge Loop (and Salad at the Ready)

(If you're only interested in the Salad part: skip to the bottom.)

Today my friend Angie and I decided to discover the footbridges of uptown. I can't believe I've lived in San Diego for over 10 years and didn't know about the suspension bridge in Banker's Hill or the old wooden bridge off Quince. But, I had just as much fun admiring the beauty of the bridges as I did the houses in the area! Whew. People have some money around here! What do they do, I wonder? And how can I make that much? I never crave richness... until I see the old, romantic, huge homes with balconies and spiral stairs and fountains and reading rooms and plazas and patios. What's it like to have a courtyard in your home??  But I digress.

This route may not be a trail-- like I've been wanting to do once a month-- (though I do have an all day hike scheduled for next week!), but it will take you through some scenic areas of San Diego. It has a little bit of everything: canyons with fragrant eucalyptus trees, craftsman homes, rose gardens, museums...odd metal lawn sculptures (I finally saw them, Anne--thanks for the pics!)

Here is the route (about 6 miles):

Bridge #1: Start at the Vermont Street Bridge: it's a 416' footbridge that connects University Heights to Hillcrest over the 163. Make your way down University to Park and head south toward Balboa Park on the east side of the road.

Bridge #2 (not pictured): Near the rose gardens above the Florida Canyon switchbacks is a small footbridge that crosses Park toward the large fountain in Balboa Park. Run west past Balboa Park's museums, botanical garden, theaters and ponds (I like running under all the arches for shade) toward the Laurel Street bridge. (There is another footbridge if you go past the zoo and Theodore Roosevelt Jr. High, but we skipped that one.)

Bridge #3 (not pictured): Not sure if this bridge counts as a "footbridge" since cars are allowed on it, but it's my second favorite bridge in San Diego for it's architectural beauty and views of both the city and sea. Continue west across the Laurel St (out of Balboa Park) and cross 6th Ave toward Bridge #4.

                                                     Bridge #4: 

After crossing 6th, continue west to 4th and take a right. Keep an eye out for the Quince Street bridge on your left. You'll go down a few stairs to the oldest and woodiest bridge in San Diego (built in 1905!). It spans Maple Canyon.  Continue toward 2nd Ave and hang a right.

Bridge #5: Continue down 2nd Ave toward Spruce, where you will turn left and find my new favoritist bridge and funist bridge to cross in San Diego: the Spruce Street suspension bridge! Do not run across if you value your life.... This bridge spans Kate Sessions Canyon (AKA Arroyo Canyon). After the bridge, hang a right and then wind your way through this suuuuper cute neighborhood with dreamy homes-- all small streets dead end, so just follow them around until you get to First. Continue up First toward Robinson.

Bridge #6: Turn right onto onto Robinson. Enjoy the short foot/car bridge that goes over the 163. Continue onto University toward Vermont St. At Vermont take a left... and you, my friend, are back at the Vermont Street bridge.

SALAD AT THE READY:

After a good run I like to try to continue my healthy streak with a salad. But, sometimes (no, all the time) salads are annoying to make. However, I recently discovered the trick to always having a delicious salad ready to go-- using a simple appliance that (I find) most people don't take advantage of: the freezer.  

First, let's analyze what makes a salad delicious: For me, it's the things I can pick at... toppings and nuts and dried berries and cheeses. But a lot of these things, especially the cheeses, go bad after a few days or weeks. Even nuts go rancid because of the oil in them. And, it gets expensive always having to buy these toppings whenever I want to be healthy. So here's how I can always have a "picky" salad whenever I want.

1. Pre-crumbled cheeses: Look for them every time you're in the grocery store (Athenos makes the best in my opinion): bleu, feta, goat... sometimes it's the plain version, sometimes they have flavored ones like sundried tomato-basil, etc. Get whatever is on sale. Take them home. Put them in the freezer. Yes....just wait. You'll see why.

2. Nuts and Seeds: Then do the same for nuts: slivered almonds, pine nuts (expensive! buy in bulk when you can), sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pecans, walnuts. Take them home. If they are "raw"--which is usually the cheapest way to buy them--throw them in a dry skillet on medium heat. Toast them. Let them cool. Throw them all together in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze.

3. Fruit and Berries: Look for whatever dried fruit is on sale or cheapest...it's usually cranberries or raisins. But, raisins are lame. Don't buy them. Try for mango or dates or figs or anything that isn't boring f'ing raisins. The dried fruit can be stored in the pantry or the freezer.

NOW.

When you are ready to eat a salad, all you have to do is open a bag of mixed greens (because really...why would you buy a head of lettuce when you can get the pre-packaged organic spring or herb mix from Trader Joe's?), dump the greens in a large bowl, take the cheese, nuts and berries out of the freezer, throw a handful of each on top, and then go about making a simple dressing of extra virgin olive oil, flavored vinegar (Trader Joe's Champagne Orange or White Balsamic! oooh.), salt and pepper and voila!  

The cheese will defrost perfectly and keep the greens cool while you make the rest of your meal or go check email before chowing down. (If it's summer time and you have any fresh fruit like peaches, strawberries or apples laying around, chop those up and toss 'em in too!)

No more excuses and no more bland salads. The freezer will keep everything fresh until you're ready to use it.

Eat your foliage and nuts and berries.

You. are. welcome.

I'm so hot

It is not a lie. Hot yoga is f'ing hooooooot. And I have never been this sore after a yoga class in my life. But, I will say... it was worth the torture?

That ends with a question mark because I'm a little undecided. Yesterday I went with three girlfriends up to Solana Beach for a free Hot Yoga class.  I've never been in a real yoga studio before--the 24 Hour Fitness "yoga studio" means they turn the lights out after kick boxing class. The studio we stepped into yesterday was Zen-tastic. Shoeless, unitard-wearing, yogis floated around with long wavy hair and ridiculously hot bodies (no pun intended). My friends and I looked at each other with wide eyes that whispered, "Did you see that?--was it human?" 

When we stepped into the 99 degree room (which would soon heat to well over 100 degrees) our wide eyes turned into red, puffy, sleepy, droopy, salt encrusted...you get the idea...balls of goo.  The yoga instructor, Olivera, had a beautiful, calm Brazilian accent and, yep, a perfect, tan body that glistened and glowed as she wandered around the room adjusting our pathetic forms that did not glow but continuously dripped sweat and leaked stink into the suffocating air. 

My running mantra, "I feel good, I am strong," took a new meditative form... "Don't pass out. Don't throw up."  But, I will say this: after all the stretching and sweating and posing and tipping over and oming... I have never felt so relaxed and content to just sit and be quiet. The four of us went to breakfast down the street  at T's Cafe, and while the girls chatted and laughed, I smiled like a drunken idiot and felt like a melty ball of wax.

If this sounds like something you are interested in torturing yourself with (and I'm undecided as to whether or not I'm going to do it again in this life time), Haute Yoga on Highway 101 in Solana Beach is offering a free week of yoga to all Southern California residents (Click on the offer in the middle of their home page). Hot yoga is not your only choice. In fact, there are almost a dozen different classes to choose from. 

Namaste.

Mind Games

I just read a good article in my Runner's World newsletter and found it to be a good reminder of how much running is mental... not in the, "You're a runner? You must be mental" way, but in the "I'm an f'ing strong runner and I'm going to tear this hill down with my thunder thighs, bitches!!" (So my "mental" is a bit of a potty mouth... but most of you aren't surprised by that.)

To prove (sort of) that this article is legit, I experienced a confidence boost yesterday--which is important to any mind strengthening regimen: it never hurts to help yourself feel good about yourself.

I've been doing a very hilly route lately and feeling down about my 11 minute pace times. I was doing sub 9 minute pace for a good while a few weeks ago, but I was also doing it on flat, oceanside runs. So, I made the decision last night to do another flat, oceanside run to boost my confidence and see if I could still run fast. I could. yay.

So if you, like me, are feeling slow and sluggish and unhappy with your "easy" runs, then 1. Read this article and then 2. Go to the track or find a nice flat spot and run as fast as you can for as long as you can and see what your body can do. I bet you'll be impressed with yourself like I am with me........because now I know I'm the bestest! Wow I love me now! (Over the top?? I know.)

Winging It

I realized today that I am not meant to "wing it" in the running world. I need a plan of attack or my intended 9 mile runs turn into 3 miles. I can't help thinking during those runs, Why push myself if I don't have to? And, honestly, it's true. Why run more than 3-5 miles if you don't have a race you're training for? 3-5 miles 4 or 5 times a week is all a person needs to maintain fitness between training schedules. 

The problem is, I don't run 4-5 times a week. I'm lucky with once a week right now. That once a week was today. But, seeing as how it's Monday, I'm going to try for more days this week.  Part of the problem is that I didn't sign up for my usual August 1/2 marathon before it sold out. Now I'm in limbo waiting to see if I can buy a bib off Craigslist which means I'm not in a training mindset.

Speed Struggler suggested some good races here to spice up a bland running schedule...maybe I'll look into one of those. In the mean time, I guess I need to run for running's sake? To stay sane and less depressed about the June (now July) Gloom still lingering overhead? *sigh* Just not feelin' it.

P.S. Thank you to those who have been sending me motivation via Daily Mile: I'm pretty sure that's why I got my butt out of bed to run today. Maybe I'll find a new route this week, since I've been slacking with that goal.

Year 6

This last school year took forrreeeever and it flew. This is the second year in which I taught seniors that I also had as freshman... and unless I change schools, it's going to keep happening from now on. I better get used to it. But, I really didn't think that A.) I'd be at the same school long enough to see this happen even one time--let alone twice now B.) I didn't think I'd still be living in San Diego this long and 3.) I mean C.) I didn't think I'd still be a teacher.

I've come to realize--this year especially--that all the things I thought I didn't like, I really do like. A lot.

A.) My school: with it's bumbling, spineless administration and incompetent, whiny counseling staff, with toilet paper fires in the boys' bathroom, super-glue in all the locks, black widows in the bathrooms, and the Ag. Department's sheep pens situated in such a way that when the wind blows just right it smells like the 5 freeway in Central California... and my "Coven" of supportive teacher-friends.

B.) San Diego: with the airplanes flying over my house and interrupting my thoughts or hulu viewing, with foggy mornings and sunny 75 degree summers, with the loud-ass green parrots and the tan, skinny-ass North County cougar moms with BMW SUVs and with its running paths and trails along every shoreline possible and the best f'ing seafood and Mexican restaurants on the planet.

C.) English Teacher: with the "spit out your gum," "yes you have to do this," "are you kidding me right now?" "this is good crap you're learning," "i'm totally blowing your mind, I can tell," "yeah, macbeth is pretty much a d-bag," "your essays are why i drink so much wine at night," and... "i'm really, really proud of what you guys did these last few weeks and I'm truly going to miss laughing with you every day."

Year 6. It was a good one.

Totally unrelated but related in every way possible: The following video is about the school dress code was created by teachers in North County at High Tech High School. My life's goal for the next school year to emulate this... (the video is really long and sort derails at the end. you'll get the point after the first 2 minutes.) My FAVORITE line is, "Caught wearing tights for pants."

Off Again, On Again

It seems to be a crazy time of year for many of my blogosphere buds, and the same is true in my sphere. We had a visit from the in-laws 2 weeks ago, my mom last week and a half crazy foster dog somewhere in between. It's been fun and busy. It's been funsy. Which, of course, means "busy fun." I'm sort of in the mood to make up words. I had my freshman doing that today in imitation of the poem "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Caroll. But, my point: I'm feeling a funk setting in. What do I do with myself now that the excitement is over and my schedule is lackluster?

I suppose it's time to focus on the pre-30 goals I made specifically for this year of my life:

1. go to Europe and see a really real castle
2. Run a marathon in under 4 hours
3. Grow my hair out again
4. Get a paycheck for writing something
5. Take the GRE, apply for grad school

I've only checked off one so far...and I have exactly 9 months (as of the 14th) until my 30th birthday! I think I've got #3 well underway (I had to set something ridiculously simple, just in case the others proved too much). But, my goal to run a marathon in under 4 hours before 30 is beginning to feel ridiculous. I haven't been on a serious run in weeks; calling Monday night co-ed softball games "fartlek training" isn't going to fly anymore (especially since I'm not a very good hitter).

I was reading this month's Runner's World and found my newest training schedule inside. All I have to do is decide when to start the 16 week training program...and that will be determined by the race I decide to enter.

I'm accepting suggestions for flat/enjoyable marathons that take place in mid to late fall (2010). I'd love to hear what your favorite races might be at that time. I'm considering New York City. But, is that too big and intimidating? Should I try for a small one closer to San Diego...or family in Northern California? Anyone know much about good Central Cal races in the fall? I just can't decide.

In the mean time, I'll be doing my maintenance runs during the day while sighing and studying and dreading the training chart, which will soon become my "social life," at night.

Break 4 Hours or Bust!
(I'll post the training schedule soon.)

An Email...

I got this email from my husband after the second sleepless night with the new dog...

Dear mommy, sorry I didn't let you sleep so good last night. I'll do better tonight. I did a couple of good things this morning. I did really good on my new training leash. I walked right next to daddy. I also pooped where you want me to. I'm trying hard. Love, El Guapo

Must be the time of year...

...the sunshine is making me lazy. School feels like it's never going to get out. And, I'm working on a blog piece for Voice of San Diego that will probably never make it to publication because I get into too many politics and name namingness. So, just in case it doesn't fly (or I have to water it down so much it won't mean a thing) here is what I want to say. Here are my thoughts as I reflect back upon the school year that was and the one that is to be.

Well, with little more than a month left of school, I’ve decided to take time and reflect back upon the school year. With state budget cuts, teacher protests, district negotiations, and a general low morale, it’s been a tough year for everyone. And in the words of our district Director of Curriculum, Robin Bellarin, “There will be dark days ahead for teachers.”

From what I understand, the Williams Act started as a lawsuit over the damage done to students’ backs caused by heavy backpacks. The goal of the lawsuit was to make it so that students had a copy of all oversized texts at home and at school, so that carrying these books back and forth would no longer be necessary. But, somewhere along the way the case took a turn for the complicated and somehow, not surprisingly, it is no longer about what is best for students. According to the law, now, all schools must teach the same books and curriculum—any and all books and curriculum that one school teaches, all other schools in the district must use or have access to as well. This seems reasonable enough at first, right? But this is what that will translate to in the classroom….

At my school in the Grossmont District, I teach Lord of the Flies at the senior level. When I teach this novel, my students are put into “tribes” and every day in class we have competitions that range from kinesthetic challenges relating to the previous night’s reading to in-depth literary analysis and interpretive performances of a scene. The tribes compete with one another a la “Survivor,” to be the last one standing. When I teach Hound of the Baskervilles, a Sherlock Holmes tale, I have an investigation simulation—since all the kids want to be forensic investigators like they see on CSI. And when I teach 1984… Big Brother runs the classroom and students have to “educate paroles” to form a “Brotherhood” all while trying find Big Brother and coordinate an overthrow.

I find that the students are much more engaged with the text when I run simulations such as these because the books hold the clues to winning the “game." The novels for which I haven’t developed simulations have much lower test and reading score performances. I’m not saying all this to toot my own horn…. I’m getting to the point here:

At other schools in the district, Lord of the Flies is taught at the 9th grade level, 1984 is sophomore level and Hound of the Baskervilles is not on the list at all. (I could list dozens of other mismatches, but I think you get the idea.) If the Williams Act is actually enforced, I will most likely lose these novels either to a different grade level, or to...the dumpster? Six years of perfecting these simulations and incorporating them into my curriculum will be lost. That’s not only inconvenient for me, but it’s a disservice to my students.

And as far as aligning curriculum goes, look at how well the scripting worked in San Diego City Schools…it didn’t. It was a disaster. The reason scripting is a debacle is because teachers need to care and be excited about what they are teaching. But if we are told what to say and do, word-for-word, then we are entering a world that feels like perpetual standardized testing. It’s boring for the teacher and when teacher is bored, students are bored. And bored = less learning.

To further make my point about how well the state can run the schools, let’s look at how Prop H has been implemented. This proposition started with good intentions—and for that we are grateful! But, it has not been implemented in a safe or competent manner. I have a new high-tech classroom…that will soon be “technically” dead. The fancy, mounted projector has a $100 bulb in it with, at best, a year left of its life. When it burns out in the middle of my power point presentation, or while I’m using my document reader to go over sonnet annotations, who will replace that $100 bulb? Our department budget has been so ravaged we can only afford one bulb per year. Yet we have 14+ projectors about to burn out. They put a new DVD player in my classroom, but it is so cheap it is unable to read half the discs I put into it. And how can I forget about the day my overhead screen broke off its wall mount and nearly crashed on my head—luckily my second period class likes me and yelled for me to get out of the way before it took me out.

The last thing we need in the classroom is more regulations and “help” from the state and district—which is what we will get with the Williams Act. We’re barely surviving what they’ve “given” us so far. (I understand they give us our funding. But they get the funds from the tax payers. And I have a feeling tax payers would not be satisfied with the ways the state and districts choose to spend their money…)

Final thoughts.
Should for some reason we allow the Williams Act to be enforced, what will come of all the books each site will no longer be able to teach? A certain Ray Bradbury book comes to mind…. Indeed, dark days may be ahead for the teachers, but it’s the students who will suffer.

Eliminate GI Issues

Now that I'm trying to run faster, I've been experiencing more stomach/intestinal pain and cramping during and after my tempo runs. So I turned to my friends at Runner's World, yet again (I should be their official spokesperson since I promote them so much!), for a solution to this painful, annoying, and performance inhibiting issue. I found the following article very helpful. If you get chills, cramps, and have to make frequent runs for the bathroom during or after your runs, then you should read this article too. It explains the scientific reasons behind this biological bedevilment and how to eat properly before and after a run to ensure freedom from cramping and... well, you know.
Article: Runner's Digest: Eliminate stomach trouble with our short list of foods to eat--and avoid