Week 7: Portland Half – Busy Week

Plan for this week:

Mon: Run 3.75 miles

Tues:  Strength Training

Wed: Run 3.3 miles

Thu: Cross Training

Fri: Rest

Sat: Run 11 Miles

Sun: Rest

I totally flunked this week’s training.   It’s a week leading up to my wedding reception and well, I’m a wee bit busy than normal.  Yes, yes I know.  I should made that a priority but life get in a way and I did not do any of my strength training, cross training and long run (that scheduled on my wedding day!).   I was trying to make that happen though, even pack my running shoes along with my wedding dress but I was not able to do that.  Or let say – I did not make that as a priority.   I choose to enjoy the day with my husband instead.    After all, those 4 inches heels that I wore on Saturday gave my calves a workout as if I ran uphill!

How it went down:

Monday:

I took the girls with me to East Lake Sammamish trail so they can rode their bike around while I ran.  We stopped at my mom’s on the way there and my youngest one decided to stay behind at Grandma.   I asked my brother to join me and since he’s about to go out and did a run himself.    We got to the trail and while my husband unloaded the bike with my oldest daughter, I started the run with my brother.   My muscles felt pretty tight initially (after my 10 miler 2 days prior) but it started to loosen up about a mile into it.   I felt great and was trying on this pose running method that my brother-in-law told me.   It was interesting!  I did have to constantly thinking about it though.  I wasn’t able to just naturally do that.   As we approached the 2 miles mark, I heard someone calling my name.   It was my 5-years old!  She rode her bike (without training wheels) to catch up with me!  I was so surprised as she never rode her bike that far!  We had a little ‘accident’ as she fell off the bike on the 2 miles mark and I had to stop and comfort her, but my husband told me to keep running so I did.   I continued to run back and was a bit distracted as I was worry about my daughter.   Shortly after I finished, I heard a giggle and there she was, riding back to where we started.   I was so proud of her!  My 5 years old rode for 4 miles!  Oh, and I did pretty good myself.   My avg page was 11:20.

Tuesday:

I didn’t really do any strength training, but I went to see my PT and we did a few stretching and strengthening routines.

Wednesday:

Work get in a way and I skipped a run.   I only had an hour sleep the night before and I have nothing in my tank to even walk, let alone run.

Thursday:

I put on my running clothes, laced of my shoes and dropped my girls to school.   I told my husband to drop me on top of the hill and I will run home (yes, I don’t want to run hill).   It was awesome morning and I ran around my neighborhood.  Turn out, even though I avoid the main hill, I still had to run to about 3-4 different hilly road.   I also was trying on different running trick.  The Galloway method.   Jeff Galloway is the official running coach for all Disney event and I’m curious with this run/walk method.   I choose 4-1, which mean 4 minutes run and 1 minute walk and I love it.   My avg pace is 10:32 with this method!!  I *never* able to run below 11 minutes pace!  I want to try this method on my long run and see how that goes

Friday:

Rest Day

Saturday:

My schedule called for double-digit long run today but I have a wedding to have.   I thought that I might be able to do that afterwards, but who I was kidding.   Beside, as I mentioned above, my 4 inches heels that I wore really did a number to my calves!

Sunday:

Rest

Fundraising:

I didn’t do much for fundraising this week, but a few of my awesome friends donated to it without me asking.   You know who you are.  Thank you SO much from the bottom of my heart.   I’m looking for a corporate sponsor.   Yes, you.  I’m talking to all of ISV or Solution Provider company on my circle.   I know you are not doing or selling anything ‘running’ but I’m a DBA and what could be a better way to sponsor your own and have your company logo/name printed on my running jersey that I’m going to use on my Disney run.  Let me say it again.   DISNEY run (which mean, there’s thousands of people who will see that).  On top of that, you will be helping Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.   You are helping ME.   I’m a survivor and these organization play a critical roles on research for MY medicine.   Email me for detail or visit my fundraising page at http://tinyurl.com/HelpYanni

Week 6: Portland Half – Back to Normal

Plan for this week:

Mon: Run 3.75 miles

Tues: Strength Training

Wed: Run 3.75 miles

Thu: Cross Training

Fri: Rest

Sat: 9 miles Run

Sun: Rest

This week is a highlight of my training run so far.  I’m still nursing my IT Band injury but overall, I felt great and this week is my best week so far.   I went to see Physical Therapy on Monday and had a painful yet awesome massage for my injury.   I also learned a few different stretching technique and some different strength training routines to help my injury.    I also (gasp!) decided to register for my second half-marathon race before even do my first one!   Yes, I know – a bit ambitious, but hey – life is short and I can’t see a reason for NOT going after what I want to do.   Not even a stupid cancer can stop me.   On January 29, 2012 – I will also be running half-marathon on TinkerBell Run at Disneyland.   I’m so excited and looking forward to it!    I still need your help though, as my mission to raise money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fund research for finding the cure for my cancer still on and to meet my minimum fundraising for the race.

This week, I also did my FIRST double digit run!  If you asked me a couple months ago f I can run 10-miles, I would say – there’s no way I can do that.  Well, lookie here – I just did it yesterday.   I felt pretty awesome and not even once I have to talk myself into keep running.   I am so proud of me!

How it went down:

Monday:

I woke up early and ran at my favorite running trail by my house, Snoqualmie Valley Trail.   I felt really good with my pace and I was able to focus with my run.  I tried to pay attention with my body on recognizing the feeling of each part and made a mental note on how I felt.   The air was crisp and the trail was lovely.   I finished my 4 miles within 46:12 minutes.

Tuesday:

I did my strength training routines that was recommended by my Physical Therapist.   Mostly a hip exercise to strengthen my hips and prevent any future injury as well as a few cores routines.   Gotta love the lunges (all 4 kinds of it).

Wednesday:

I laced up my shoes around noon and head out to this waterfront trail by my office.   I set my iPhone app on and started to run.   I had another great run!  It was perfect day, with perfect breeze and enough sun.   I was focusing on my breathing, my heart beat and the sounds of my shoes hitting the ground, one after another.   I finished 4 miles withing 46:01 minutes and felt great afterwards

Thursday:

I was supposed to do cross training, but life get in a way.   I decided to call it an extra rest day.

Friday:

Rest day!

Saturday:

My brother-in-law and the husband are going out for the run with me.   We were at the trail at 7:45am and did our light warm up.   My husband was on his bike, and my brother-in-law was running with me.    The first mile went by really quick and I didn’t even realize it as I had a good time chatting with my brother-in-law as I was running (chatting and running, can you believe that?  I used to HATE that).   We ran side by side and just had a great time.   Before long, 3 miles went by and I switched to my audio books.   I love listening to audiobook when I run!   The one that I am listening right now is What I Talk about When I Talk about Running and it’s pretty good so far!   It kept my mind occupied during the long run and focus on the words.   I hit the 5 miles mark with no problem (other than the need for the bathroom break)!  I took my Gu shot, down some water with it and turn around on that trail for the second part of my run.   My pace slowed down a bit on the second half, but I still felt great.   Not even once, I had to talk myself to keep on running!   The tweets from my friends during my run were absolutely awesome!   I love you guys!   I finished 10 miles withing 1:58:11!  Under two hours!!  30 minutes faster than the time I was predicted for myself!!  So so happy!

Sunday:

Rest

Week 5: Portland Half – Nursing the Injury

Plan for this week:

Mon:   Run 4 miles

Tues:  Strength Training

Wed:  Tempo Run – 3.75miles

Thu: Cross Training

Fri:  Rest

Sat: Run 8 Miles

Sun: Rest

The knee pain that I’ve been feeling, turn out to be bigger than what I thought.   After doing my Monday run, it actually felt worst and my running coach was very concerned.   He told me to take Tues off and give it a rest, which I did.   After my Wed run – I was barely able to put pressure on it.   I iced it and stretched quite a bit, but it didn’t feel any better.   I took another rest on Thursday and Friday and only run 4 miles on Saturday.    I made an appointment to see Physical Therapy for next week since I want to make sure to nip this in the butt.

I was frustrated.  For those who knows me, patience is not one of my strongest suit.   I was antsy and very frustrated with the fact that I wasn’t able to keep up with my training plan.   My running coach assured me that I would be okay and he was confidence that I would be just fine even though I miss a few runs.   It’s another learning experience.    My body was trying to communicate with me, and I need to listen to it.

How it went down:

Monday:

I went to Snoqualmie Valley Trail and ran for 4 miles.   I felt okay during it, but my knee started to hurt about half way through.  I managed to finish it, but it wasn’t all too pleasant the second half of it.

Tuesday:

Rest.  Coach order

Wednesday:

Tempo Run.  I went to Sculpture Park by Seattle Waterfront and did the whole 3.75 miles.   I ran for 12 minutes (a mile) and did interval of 6 minutes pace-up, and 1 minutes pace-down.   I did that interval three times and follow by another 12 minutes ran.   Total 45 minutes (3.75 miles).   The interval was HARD and I felt like my heart about to jump out of my chest!

Thursday:

Rest.  Coach order

Friday:

Rest.  Coach order

Saturday:

My running coach change my training plan to only run for 4 miles.   I laced up my shoes and went to the neighborhood trail.   I know it’s out there, but never tried one before.   It was interesting trail and boy, it was a LOT of hills.   My calves felt like rock when I was done!  I did good the entire 4 miles, even with the pain in my knee

Sunday:

Rest

Fundraising:

Wow.  I am speechless.   Well, sorta.   I finally sent out my fundraising email out and the respond is completely amazing.   I raised $1,850.00 in a day!!!  A huge shout out to people in SQL Community!  I am so proud to be part of this community.  It’s full with amazing, generous person with a big heart.     You are helping Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, help ME.    Your funds are being used for funding a research to MY future medicine, patient support (ME) and all other wonderful things that this organization does.   From the bottom of my heart, thank YOU for your generosity.   You know who you are.    To participate on this great cause, visit http://tinyurl.com/HelpYanni