Time Flies!

Tomorrow is March! I was just about to ask how your New Year's Eve celebration was when all of a sudden it was time to flip the calendar to MARCH!! Can you believe it?

I'm starting a new job on Monday March 6th and am very excited! The past week and a half of packing and organizing has been amazingly productive. I surprise myself sometimes. Of course, there was also some time for the Gilmore Girls and bonding with my sister. I love her and her very realistic contract killer role playing abilities. I've only got two discs of Season 4 left...and Season 5 will have to wait until I get to Boston. (I switched back to the Gilmore Girls now).

It's been raining...

I've been exercising nonetheless. (This has become one of my favorite terms "nonetheless". I might be using it more than the term "bazillion".) The half-marathon training has officially ended, because I won't be here to run a half marathon. So I'll, amuse myself with 10Ks over the spring and summer, then train for a half marathon in the fall. Did I explain all of this already? I guess I'm still rationalizing for giving up on the training.

I only have one free personal trainer session left at the gym...just when I was starting to enjoy them. At least I'll be heading off to Boston in good shape. Even Sis said my poochies are looking slimmer. I will try hard to keep up the workout schedule in the snow and cold...thank goodness for indoor gyms.

That's enough babble for now.

Happy March Everyone!!!

I realize that exercising is good for me...so I try to do it every day. Plus, it's fun! I like running, going to the gym, hiking, walking, etc. But, do you realize how much laundry this creates?

New Stuff

There are plenty of new posts today... so scroll down to be sure to catch it all!

Thanks for reading,
_W

Activity of the Day

TAXES! Have you done yours yet?

Wingnut Exercise Log

Just to keep the documentation going...

I hadn't run for several days (with the long weekend retreat and all...) But Tuesday, I hit the park..traversed 5 miles but only ran 2 of it. Wednesday night I attended the team workout. I love my new training shirt that came with the training program! I ran 5 miles with a buddy of mine and according to his watch we averaged 10:14 minute miles! WOW!! Plus, my knee is much better..no pains :)

I hit the gym this morning...my trainer flaked on me, and I had to work out by myself. Go Wingnut!

New Friendly Blog

I just learned that my good friend Mairead Case has been keeping a blog of her own. The link is on the sidebar: "nighttime //anytime (it's allright)". She's got a dream and real talent for creative writing..also a love for music so you'll find fun writing and music reviews on her site. Enjoy!

Olympics 2006

Have you been watching?

Isn't it great how the whole world puts their regular programming aside for the Olympics? I've been having a great time watching people, slide, glide, carve, twist, spin, jump, on snow and ice during these winter Olympics. I haven't caught any curling yet though... Maybe it's over already. I'm subject to the prime time on NBC with just basic cable..I suppose I could use the internet, but it's more fun to just see what's on when I have a chance to sit on the couch between the hours of 8 and 11.

Favorite Sport to watch thus far: Snowboard Cross
Sport I wish I could train for: Speed Skating (long track)

Returned!!!

And we didn't even get Lost. The coast was absolutely beautiful! Sunny, clear, windy, and cold. But not wet. Well, it was wet Saturday night as we drove in..some pretty hard rain with ice pellets banging on the windshield. Sunday and Monday couldn't have been clearer. This is a view from Trinidad Head.

We braved the winds on the coast, absorbed some sunshine, and strolled through the majestic redwoods. It was a beautiful weekend! Yes, there was some snow at the higher elevations of the King Range (mountains along the northern coast). It looked like someone had come through and sprinkled powdered sugar in the forest.

Gone to the Lost Coast

I'm off to the Lost Coast / Humboldt area for the weekend. I do not plan on remaining lost, but finding my way back at the end of President's Day on Monday...

A and I have a fancy room at the Shaw House Inn in Ferndale, CA.

Wingnut Exercise Log

Yes, I've been keeping on track with the running schedule... go legs go! I'm feeling a little tenderness in my right knee so I ice it after every run and make sure there is enough rest between runs.

Since I won't be in town for the Shamrock'n Half Marathon that this training schedule leads me to...I plan to just keep up the 10Ks over the summer and train for another half marathon in the fall.

Thus, I run 3 - 4 miles about 3 -4 days a week and this is pretty comfortable.

I've also been going to a personal trainer at 24 hour fitness.... 5 sessions came free with the membership. It's amazing how many muscles you can grow in 50 minutes! It is nice to be learning exercises that strengthen the rest of my leg muscles and will take strain away from my knees and ankles. Good ol' exercise science. Keepin' Wingnut healthy!!!

Darn Spiders! Why me?

I'm working on cleaning the house (as I do, every few months...) and last week, I hit the bathroom. Since the maintenance man was here and I'd cleared all of the stuff out of the way, I decided to clean the floor, toilet, etc. Well, while I'm hands and knees on the floor wiping away (you don't want to know what...I don't even know what..), in front of my face lands the ugliest spider I've ever seen!

Why me? Where did it come from? It just fell from the ceiling. Did it crawl on me before jumping onto the floor in front of my face? CREEPY!!!

Needless to say, it didn't last long. I squished it without hesitating about the thinness of my soggy paper towel. This is probably why they continue to come after me.

Sugar / Fat Bombs!

It's been a long time since the Krispy Kreme Donut "WOW" phase. You know, the phase were we went to KK to watch the hot donuts glide through the frosting "water" fall. But, today, on my drive back from Sunnyvale, I had a craving. I swung through the drive through of Krispy Kreme and ordered half a dozen assorted.

Right there in the car (within 3 miles of the shop) I ate three Krispy Kreme donuts. Shortly thereafter, I could literally feel my blood pressure rise! As I was driving, I could feel the veins in my neck and head pulsing from the sugar rush!. It was crazy. I'd recommend eating those sugar bombs in moderation :)

To top it off, I had two In & Out cheeseburgers (animal style) for dinner last night. Plus, I ate all my fries.

I told you this running stuff makes me hungry! Don't worry, this isn't a regular diet for me...it was just one day.

Runner's Log #2

I rested my knees on Tuesday (for the King's) which worked out beautifully, becuase they felt phenominally better on Wednesday morning.

Of course, Wednesday evening was our speed workout. 14 minutes of warm-up, 22 minutes at "tempo" which means 'run fast', and 14 minutes of cool down. Emily will be proud, I chatted with other runners...something I've been hesitant to do until I built confidence in my running abilities.

How embarrasing is it to be jogging along (la la la) chatting with someone and then have to stop suddenly to walk?..they zooming ahead and wonder where you dropped off to (or perhaps they don't wonder and that makes you feel even worse!) Plus, I'm going through a transition, so I wasn't sure if I'd actually be committed to the running team for the entire length of it. Now, I realize that even though I won't be around for the whole thing, the little talks on the trail help us all. Emily was right!

I've noticed through the 10K on Sunday, and the practice last night, that people like to be asked how they are doing...it's amazing how conversation starts from there and it keeps you both going a little bit longer and faster than you would've on your own.

I think I'll continue chatting it up along the running trail. Hence the notion of a "running community".

Highlight of the run (aside from making new friends): Six or Seven Deer grazing near the river. One male had one huge antler and was missing the other. Surprisingly, he held his head straight up. It reminded me of the balance poses in Yoga. Even without both feet on the ground, our bodies can stand up straight. Amazing! The deer were cute...I reminisced about the family vacations in which Sis would count how many deer we saw throughout the length of the vacation.

King's Game Recap

We all met at D's house before the game. There, I ate almost half of a large pizza (not a smart strategy if one wants to chow on garlic fries, soft pretzel, and a churro at the game). We walked across the street to Arco Arena, found our seats. I talked and talked with my pals. Called some friends who were sitting on the other side of the arena. We looked at each other in our binoculars and waved. Wow, it's the second period already! I walked over to their section to say hi... They were planning to come over to my section at half time. Ok! Come over at half time!

By the time I got back to my section (the arena's pretty big!) it was half time, and I could see them heading my way! Talk talk talk.. how's it goin'? These are my work buddies. yada yada

3rd period starts and I'm off to get a churro. The only churro stand is on the other side of the arena. Huff, puff, stairs, wow! I made it back half way through the third period, enjoyed my churro and all of a sudden it was the fourth period. I'm not sure what happened to the first half of the fourth period but then the score was tied and it was a very exciting last 5 minutes of the game. Lots of standing and cheering....it was all very fun!

Synopsis: (for the family) My only Arco Arena snack was the churro...I was too full for garlic fries or a pretzel.

Runner's Log

It’s amazing what these little feet can do. Or perhaps I should say it’s amazing what following a training schedule can do!

Quick flash of the past few days:
Wednesday evening: speed workout with the Fleet Feet Team in slightly rainy weather
Thursday: rested...afternoon and evening were full of meetings
Friday evening: 30 minutes on the treadmill (running average of 11:45 or 12 min miles)
Saturday: Snowshoeing! We found snow huts (like igloos but made of snow). We were able to crawl inside and have four of us plus dog sitting in there chatting around our imaginary fire. Of course, if we had a real fire our snowgloo would've melted.

Sunday, I ran the Davis Stampede 10K with a time of 1 hour 9 minutes 18 seconds. That’s an average pace of 11 min 9 sec per mile! I’ve been running 12 minute miles in my workout runs, so this was speedy!!!

After the 10K, I bubble bathed, caught up with the fam via cell phone, and vegged on the couch for the superbowl game. Both A and I slept through the second quarter but woke up for the half-time show. Man those Rolling Stones are thin! Snacking through the third quarter resulted in winning the football pool! Congrats A! Too bad the score didn’t stay the same through the fourth quarter, we could have had more $$.

Get this, after the superbowl, I cooked! I made stuffed manicotti (a food that Sis and figured out is pretty simple to prepare actually). Sis, I’m not nearly as good at stuffing the manicotti as you are, but A is very grateful and loves it. It’s nice to have food for dinner.

Monday evening after work (we’re continuing on with the runner’s log now, pardon the intermission), I was scheduled to run for 35 – 40 minutes at a perceived effort of 70%. I probably ran at 85% instead, but I covered 4 miles in 43 minutes. I thought that was pretty swell!
My knees are taking a break today… This evening’s fun activity is attending a Sacramento King’s game with some fellow co-workers. In my mind, the $10 ticket is just a cover charge to be able to eat garlic fries and a churro. Of course, if I have time, I might catch a glimpse or two of the game. (I know my family understands).

Getting to Know Wingnut

Here are my responses to one of those e-mails full of questions! Phew... It's exhausting.

1. What time did you get up today? 740 am
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Hmmm...let me think...Syriana (in Boston with my parents)
4. What is your favorite TV show? Gilmore Girls
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? some kind of toasted something or other with cream cheese, peanut butter, cottage cheese, or jam on top.
6. Middle name? Marie
7. Favorite cuisine? japanese? I like everything! (almost. Mexican would be my least favorite)
8. What foods do you dislike? licorice, onions, spicy hot foods
9. What is your favorite chip flavor? salt and vinegar
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? the one my sister made me for christmas
11. What kind of car do you drive? Why? Do you want to break my window too?
12. Favorite sandwich? turkey and avocado from Togo's OR any sandwich that I make (or Mom makes)
13. What characteristic do you detest? meanness and rudeness
14. Favorite item of clothing? Hmm.. what do I look cutest in? Oh, all my clothes!
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would yougo? New Zealand, Alaska, so many places!
16. What color is your bathroom? White with blue diamonds in the tile...it's a rental
17. Favorite brand of clothing? Banana Republic (but you've got to have $$ to shop there often!)
18. Where would you retire to? How am I supposed to know that already?
19. What was your most memorable birthday? Memory..not my strong suit...
20. Favorite sport to watch? I love the Winter Olympics
21. Furthest place you are sending this? Massachusetts
24. Goal you have for yourself? To be the best person I can be
25. When is your birthday? Dec 1st
26. When is your Anniversary? Never been married.
27. Are you a morning person or a night person? it depends on the situation...if I'm lacking nightime activities and sleep early, then rise and shine baby! If nighttime activities are prevalent, please let me sleep in.
28. What is your shoe size? 8
29. Pets? nope... killed some fish while I was in highschool though. I don't think I was meant to have pets.
30. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I'm training for a half-marathon and ran for 65 minutes on Sunday!
31. What did you want to be when you were little? Frederick Law Olmstead
32. What are you today? A planner (soon to be hazard mitigation planner)
33. What is your favorite candy? dark chocolate
34. What is your favorite flower? Gerber Daisy
35. What is a date on the calendar you are looking forward to? Every Day!
36. If you could have one wish what would it be? For my loved ones and friends to be happy always.

Question for my readers: Did I get the answers right? Some of you know me better than I know myself! Funny how that works, isn't it?