Running-girl's Reflections

Guest Blogger- 11-y.o. Markus

2012-02-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

I want to introduce to you my 11-year-old son, Markus. He will be my guest blogger for today's post. Like me, he is an avid runner. He is a member of his school's track team and has qualified for the Hershey's Regional Track and Field Games in California 3 years in a row. He enjoys both sprint and long distance running. His first 5k was on May 9, 2010, Mother's Day- his gift to me. Since

Take a Look

2012-01-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

When you're driving and you see a runner, do you turn your head to take a look? I do. It's a weird habit of mine. I can't help but look at every runner I pass by in my car. What am I looking at? I look at their gait, their pace, their brand of running shoe, and their accessories. I like to see whether or not they are wearing their iPhone, iPod, Garmin, water pack, cap or visor. Sometimes I

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

2011-12-07T14:52:00.000-08:00

Ever wondered what to do with your old or unused running shirts? If you’re like me, you don’t want to throw your shirts away because it is a reminder of your run event and your accomplishment. The site of my shirts is like walking down memory lane. I could pick out any one of my shirts and tell you the weather, my finishing time, and the challenges I faced during that particular race. So the

I interrupt this blog for an important message...

2011-11-28T09:24:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, As you know, I love to run. But what you may not know is that I like to write...not just blogs, but children's stories. A lot of my stories and ideas transpires on my run. The longer the run, the better the flow of my creative juices. Anyway, I am writing to ask for your support. My story, Funny Face, qualified for the MeeGenius author challenge. The winning author gets a

Mentoring

2011-11-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

It’s not uncommon for runners to lose the enthusiasm that once engulfed them when they first started running. I've been there. You can read about my dilemma in previous posts: The Running Blahs, Confessions of a Runner, The Running Routine So how do we make it exciting again? You can play running games...with yourself; or you can mentor a new runner. Here's how: Go find someone to mentor.

Got Water?

2011-10-05T00:49:00.000-07:00

Water is cooling. Water is refreshing. Water is quenching. I can’t go on a run without carrying a water bottle or wearing a hydration pack- no matter what the distance is. It’s like a safe haven for me. I like to be prepared and would hate to be without water when I need it most. My routes don’t offer water options. I don’t always have the luxury of water fountains or convenience stores

The Liebster Award, Part 2

2011-08-31T23:03:00.000-07:00

This is the moment you've been waiting for. As I mentioned in my previous post, I was awarded the Liebster Blog Award by Lady Gwen of Run Gwen Run. And it is my honor to award the Liebster Blog to five of my favorite blogs. And the winner is... (In no particular order) Picture This! http://www.robsanderswrites.blogspot.com/ Rob Sanders is a children's author and educator who offers his

The Leibster Award! (Part 1)

2011-08-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

I don't usually like running in circles, but today I am. My face is glowing, my arms are flailing, I'm jumping up and down, and running in circles. No, this is not a new-age exercise. It's my HAPPY DANCE! But sorry to disappoint you. I'm not dancing because I mastered the art of drinking out of a paper cup while running, without spilling all over myself. Or have I been able to call an 8-

Picturesque Run

2011-08-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my scenic runs. Sometimes you have to take a moment from your run to enjoy the view. View of Pacifica, CA (my backyard...almost) On the peak of Mori Point overlooking Sharp Park Beach in Pacifica In Half Moon Bay- 10 miles Lake Merced- a 4.5 mile loop Trail running at Portola Valley Crystal Springs Trail in San Bruno- 4 miles RT Crossing the Crystal Springs

Top 10 Excuses for a Poor Race Time

2011-06-05T17:24:00.000-07:00

I always try to run my best time at each race. So, whenever I don’t do well in a race, I find myself making excuses for my poor performance. Here are my top 10 excuses: My knee (or other body part) was bothering me I ran it just for fun I'm getting over a cold I just ran it for the mileage My training schedule was off I got a cramp The weather was bad (too windy,

The Running Blahs

2011-04-05T18:22:00.000-07:00

Lately, I’ve been experiencing "running blahs." Running blah is a state of mind. It’s a loss of enthusiasm, motivation, and desire for running. Here are some of the causes: § Routine- running the same route, mileage, or speed can cause boredom§ Overtraining- causing tiredness or robbing you of the fun of running§ Being off schedule- getting off schedule due to various reasons make it

The Running Date

2011-03-08T17:21:00.000-08:00

My husband and I are runners. When you are married with children, finding time to run together is a rarity. And going on dates with your spouse are far and few. So when my husband said, "Get ready. We're going on a date," I was thrilled. This is what our date looked like: One early afternoon, I got ready for my date. I donned my sexiest bun shorts and matching sports bra and topped it off

Product Review- Vibrams FiveFingers

2011-02-06T14:20:00.000-08:00

My guest blogger is my beloved cousin, Connie. She has been running for 2 years now. Fairly new to running, she has embraced the sport with enthusiasm and insight. Here is her review of the Vibram FiveFingers: As runners out there know, the type of shoes used is very important. Chi runners advocate for shoes that allow for better balance and give you the most flexibility for a mid-foot

The Age Advantage

2011-01-03T22:08:00.000-08:00

There seems to be a youth revolution…or so I think. The truth of the matter is I’m getting older. I seem to be surrounded by 20 and 30-something year-olds. I recently grew aware, by my coming of age, that 98% of the runners I run with are younger than me. Age is not something I think about when I run. I simply enjoy being surrounded by wonderful people with a passion for running. The company

Thanksgiving Run

2010-12-01T15:20:00.000-08:00

November 27, 2010-- Thanksgiving Day. I am thankful for a loving and supportive family, great friends, a wonderful job, my beautiful home, and my health. And today, God gave me one more thing to be thankful for--my age! As every year passes, I am reminded that I'm not the tight-bodied, smooth-skin, non-graying, limber young lady I used to be. But today, age was on my side. I won first place

A RUNNER’S PET PEEVE

2010-11-03T00:12:00.000-07:00

When sharing a recreational trail with others, there is some etiquette or common sense I expect from runners, walkers, and bikers. But not everyone has the courtesy to follow these simple rules. It’s become one of my pet peeves. Here are three that tops my list. So allow me to go over some of my expectations with you. 1) When running on a trail or narrow pathway, please stay on the right

Why Run a Marathon?

2010-10-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

"Why would anyone want to run a marathon?" asked Bob. Good question, I thought. Why would anyone subject themselves to running 26.2 miles? And for what? When I decided to sign up for my first marathon in 2006, that thought never occurred to me. Running a marathon had always been on my bucket list. So, when I was nearing a milestone age, I just thought it was the thing to do for myself--

Running-Girl Meets Running-Boy

2010-08-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

Running-boy is free-spirited. He takes pleasure in the simple things of life. He especially enjoys running outdoors with the breeze gently combing through his dirty blond locks. He loves the warmth of the sun that caresses his shoulders, and the feel of the ground as it rolls beneath his feet. His stride is as effortless as an ice skater on ice. Running-boy never passes up an opportunity to

Runner's Lingo- Conversations of a Runner

2010-08-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

Have you ever dropped in on a conversation and felt as if you were listening to a dialogue of codes? Well if you are ever in the company of runners, you will inevitably hear what I call, “runner’s lingo.” Here’s an example: Jane: Did Andrew BQ at CAL? Jack: No, but he definitely PR’d. If he BQ’d, it wouldn’t have counted. He lost his chip at the start and didn’t know it. He got a DNS.

EVERYONE IS RUNNING

2010-07-12T15:45:00.000-07:00

Ever since I started running marathons, it seemed as if everyone I know has started running. My co-workers, my friends, my cousins, and even my husband started running. Maybe they were thinking, “If she can do it, I can do it too!” Yes, there have been a growing number of runners over the years. In 2008, there were 9.4 million finishers of U.S. road races. That is a 9.9% increase in runners

Zen Running

2010-06-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Some runners are obsessed with running for time. You know the type--runners who never run without their Garmin. They are the ones checking their watch at every mile. I used to run with a group of "Garmin runners." At every mile, they call out the time. It makes my run feel like a chore. And anticipating the announcement of the time makes the run feel even longer. Well, I have a challenge

A Funny Thing Happened On My Way To...(part 2)

2010-05-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

Apparently, there are lots of funny things that can happen on our runs. A discussion on LinkedIn's Marathon and Team In Training groups elicited many responses to the question: Has anything funny happened to you on a run? Here are a few of my favorite ones: THE DOG CALL Have you ever received a call from your dog while on a run? John has, but it wasn't his dog. It was his running partner's

A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to…

2010-04-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

I love exploring new places on my runs. It makes running enjoyable and new again. On a fourth of July weekend, I traveled 50 miles to visit my in-laws. It was a weekend I needed to do a 20-mile run. So, I decided to map out my run in their area—a loop run from their house. Fortunately, the area where they lived had miles of paved paths for runners and cyclist. As long as I stayed on a path,

Trail Running

2010-03-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

Imagine dodging low-lying branches, hurdling over fallen trees, skipping through running creeks. You pause for a moment to breathe in the fresh scent of pine and eucalyptus trees, while overlooking breathtaking views of the city below. Welcome to trail running. Gone are the bone-crunching asphalt, the endless straight-aways, the busy streets, and the smell of exhaust. In trail running you,

Running-girl's Vacation

2010-02-20T13:24:00.000-08:00

Ahh....nothing like a vacation in Hawaii! Hawaii offers many beautiful runs. The scenery off-sets the blazing hot sun beating down your back while the "sheets" of sweat blur your vision. Never mind the scalding asphalt that penetrates the soles of your shoes or your perspiration-soaked shorts that leave you heavy. If your run doesn't take your breath away, the Hawaiian views will leave you

The Running Resolution

2010-01-16T16:37:00.000-08:00

The New Year is a time when we think about our resolutions. We always start with good intentions. We make good on our resolutions with determination and enthusiasm. And then we start to lose momentum and eventually quit. I often tell myself that the word, “resolution,” when broken down, is “re-solution.” The prefix, “re” means to do over. I try not to beat myself up about failing to commit

Staying Positive

2009-12-16T21:52:00.000-08:00

I beat myself up for not running the full distance I planned on running. For example, yesterday, I had planned on running 10 miles. “I only ran 6 miles today,” I confessed to my co-workers. “Only 6 miles!” they’d say, tongue in cheek. “That’s 6 more miles than I would ever run.” Feeling a little embarrassed by my statement, it hit me. I should be happy that I ran at all. Instead of

Running With The Elites

2009-11-22T21:48:00.000-08:00

Here is a "did you know or do you care" tidbit which was brought to my attention by my husband. If being a statistic of the less than 1% of the population who run marathons doesn't tickle your fancy, consider this fact. Running, particularly marathons and half marathons, is the only sport in which you can compete with the elite athletes. For example, you won’t find yourself in a basketball

T-Shirts That Entertain

2009-10-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

Beautiful scenery, interesting people, and gorgeous weather keep me motivated on my run. But what I really look forward to seeing are the quotes on people's t-shirts. I enjoy reading people's t-shirts as much as I enjoy reading bumper stickers. Reading bumper stickers while sitting in traffic help pass the time. Reading t-shirts while running keeps me entertained. The words on t-shirts range

The Running World- Cult or Culture?

2009-09-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Being a part of Team In Training (TNT) has been a wonderful experience for me. It is a great organization full of spirit and comradery. You can easily spot a fellow TNT participant. TNT participants are often found wearing their team shirts or caps, sporting the colors green and purple. Sometimes you’ll find them running with their names printed on their shirts. If you look closely, you

HILLS!

2009-08-31T17:59:00.001-07:00

Hill. The dreaded 4-letter word. A mere mention of the word and runners are quick to respond. I hear it all the time—the sighs and groans of runners-in-training at the base of a hill. They respond with statements like, “Are you ready for the hill?” “This is going to be painful,” “I’m gonna die,” and “Let’s get this over with!” As a seasoned runner, I too, can feel dismayed just hearing

What It's Like Running a Marathon with Your Spouse

2009-08-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

July 26, 2009 marked a day of firsts. It was my husband's first marathon and my first time running a marathon with him. From the time we started training together, it was like getting married all over again.The CourtshipAbout a year ago, my husband decided it was time for him to start running. We started running together whenever our schedules allowed. It provided many wonderful opportunities

My "Last" Marathon

2009-08-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

I want to thank everyone for helping me raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and for your overwhelming support. Your contribution,financially or prayerfully, will go a long way in saving the lives of people with cancer. This is a cause very dear to my heart. The disease is non-discriminatory so it can infect anyone, regardless of health. I'm hoping that someday we will find a

Marathon Quote

2009-08-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

Less than 1% of the population take the right path..."We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100-meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon." ~Emil Zatopek (Czech runner and winner of 4 Olympic gold medals)

The Running Routine

2009-07-21T21:38:00.000-07:00

I sometimes run on a trail called Sawyer Camp. It is a recreational trail with a never-ending path of twists and turns. Every time I approached a turn, I kept thinking that the end of the trail was near. I get excited until I pass the bend and see another turn…and another…and another. Every winding turn looked the same.Running can be tedious at times. There are a lot of people who don't see

Games Runners Play

2009-06-22T13:37:00.001-07:00

One of the many things I love about running is the solitude. But there is only so much I can reflect on in 2 hours. If you run as often and as far as I do, you need more ways to help pass the time. After polling runners, I'm finding that the games we played as a child are also being played on the running trail. And runners are also making up games on the spur of the moment.The following is a

Confessions of a Runner

2009-06-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

The music, “Eye of the Tiger,” that played in my head as I ran had been replaced by, “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling,” by the Righteous Brothers. You know the song: …You've lost that lovin' feeling,Whoa, that lovin' feeling,You've lost that lovin' feeling,Now it's gone...gone...gone...wooooooh. I confess. I had lost my enthusiasm for running. I’ve struggled to wake up in the early

Crossing the Finish Line

2009-05-26T23:29:00.000-07:00

Dedicated to my Team In Training teammates of the Silicon Valley/Monterey Bay Chapter, North/Mid-Peninsula team Most people training for their first marathon are overwhelmed by the 26.2 miles they would have to run. “I just want to finish,” they’d say. But crossing the finish line is more than “just finishing.” I remember my first marathon: (The 2006 Honolulu Marathon) “I was touched by

Running with GIANTS

2009-05-23T16:55:00.000-07:00