Apparently, all pictures I've uploaded to my blogs from my old google account have been removed from the Picassa Web album that use to house them. The account has some other pictures, but none of the ones uploaded to my blogs.

To put it lightly, this irks me.

>:(

First 5k

I ran my first 5k today. My chip time was 38:47.17. Not bad at all for a first-timer.

I'm already thinking ahead to my next run, wondering if it will be December, January, or both.

My legs are sore. I took a three hour nap when Chris and I got home this afternoon. It's time to enjoy some chai tea and relax.

:)

200th Post and a New Goal

Tonight, during stretching, my running group cheered for me and wished me luck on my run on Sunday. I'm doing the Hot Pink Fun Run in Roseville. If I feel as good on Sunday as I did tonight, I'm going to do just fine.

I'm picking up my packet on Saturday before Chris and I head to the Renaissance Fair in Folsom. It will be a weekend of firsts for me, as I've never raced and I've never been to a Ren Fair. It's still up in the air whether I will dress up or not.

We've got a lot going on in the next couple of weeks, followed by the holidays, which will undoubtedly be busy as well. I'm not going to let this deter me. I'm going to continue running and probably take the 5k maintenance class with RfW, or maybe even the Intermediate class, which has a 10k as it's goal race. By next fall, I want to have done a 10k or be training for one. This is my new goal. Wish me luck, folks.

Plant Updates

I have three spider plants my great-grandmother gave me. One lived in a glass for two years. It's potted now and doing well.

One of the other two plants started growing rapidly. I have been watching it, curious about the height of the leaves and the robustness of it. I suspected it was growing babies very close to the main plant.

My suspicions proved correct and I was hoping they'd branch out a little more before I cut them. Well, they didn't grow out, they grew up. One of them has a very deep root and the other two just shot up high. The main plant, however, has small, thin leaves. The babies were too much for it, so I had to remove them.

I took the two large babies and put them in a plastic cup. The one with the root I left, hoping the two plants can coexist. I suppose we'll find out. If anything, at least one will survive.

The jade cutting my mom gave me is finally starting to get two little white shoots at the bottom. It's been over a month since my mom sent me home with it. I finally gave up on my Christmas cactus and so it has a pot it can live in when it's ready.

The philodendron is also growing and so I've had to pinch quite a bit so it doesn't grow too long or bushy. If I ever get a chance to hang it, I'll let it grow longer.

My air fern...is an air fern. I'm not sure it's even a plant. It just sits there. I spray it from time to time. It never changes.

I don't really know what I'm doing. The only plants I've ever been able to keep alive were spider plants, my oldest lasting five years before it died. We'll see how these two babies turn out. I feel lucky all my plants have survived this long.

Less Than Two Weeks

I have less than two weeks before my first ever 5k run. I'm super excited. I'm doing the Roseville Hot Pink Fun Run benefitting the Placer Breast Cancer Endowment. Team Tatariffic has two members now. I thank my friend Ray for asking me to do this with him, this convincing me not to do the zombie mud run, which probably would have been a bit much for a first-ever race.

This week in Running for Women, we are progressing from nine reps to eleven of 1 1/2 minutes running to 2 minutes walking. I'm going to be looking for either a bridge class over the holidays or see if any of the women still want to meet at the usual times to continue running. In January, I might take the intermediate class or the 5k maintenance class or I might do a different program altogether. I like the run/walk, but I know I can do a continuous run for at least two miles, so I might try something new.

What I love about all of this is that I can call myself a runner. When Chria and I are playing around and chasing each other to the mail box or whatever, my body automatically clicks into form without me thinking about it. It's like turning on a machine, I just love it. Can't wait for the 21st!

A Race Tips Sheet from my Coach

TIPS FOR A GREAT FUN RUN



Get your race gear ready before race morning. Set everything out the night before so it’s ready to go.

Pin on your race bib (it goes in front) in a comfortable place. Be sure the pull tag can be easily removed. You might be shedding a layer or two of clothing during the race, so make sure the bib is pinned under those layers you’re likely to remove.

Don’t forget hat/gloves/sunglasses/sunblock/lip balm.
Make sure you use the restroom before you leave. Get there extra early if you think you might need one at the race. These portables often have big lines!

Eat and drink exactly what you usually do before a run. Don't try anything new. You don’t need any surprises!

There will likely be water stations on the race course, but BYO if this makes you more comfortable.
Make sure you give yourself time to warm up. You can park far away and use the walk to the race as your warm-up.

DO NOT GO OUT TOO FAST!!!
This is the hardest piece of advice to follow. It's difficult not to get caught up in all the excitement, but you'll be much happier if you stick with your own comfortable, usual pace. Put blinders on and don't focus on those around you.

Do your current run/walk workout.
· TAKE YOUR WALK BREAKS NO MATTER WHAT!

As Jeff Galloway preaches, walk early and often. This is how you get the most benefit from walk breaks. You'll feel fresh throughout the race and you won’t be dragging at the end.

Remember, you've done this workout during the week and it's easier at a fun-run since you're pumped up from the energizing atmosphere.

When you slow down for a walk break, move to the side of the road (preferably the right side). People coming up behind you are still moving and if you stop in front of them, the scene is set for a collision.

Use visualization - picture yourself running across the finish line with your friends and family cheering you on. This always works for me!
Begin running as you near the finish line, even if you’re in the midst of a walk break. It’s so much fun to surge through the chute looking good for the cameras!

SMILE AND HAVE FUN!!!