Reading Fast

Run Fast.  This is my latest reading adventure.  I LOVE it.  The author, Hal Higdon, is a well-known runner, coach, and writer.  He has contributed to "Runner's World" magazine longer than any other writer.  His training plans are considered the best out there. This book is such a page turner for me.  It is like I am reading "Gone With the Wind" again!  However, what stinks is that I don't think I am physically ready for a lot of his strategies.  He recommends speed-work (obviously) to get faster.  Workouts would include- repeats, intervals, tempo runs, fartleks, etc.  In order to begin running speed-work you have to have a good base or you will get injured.  I started running, after my injury, about 8 weeks ago.  I started at about 4 miles a week and have slowly built up my mileage.  Right now I am at 18.5 miles a week.  I don't know that this is a strong enough base to start speed-work on.  (Confession- I did run a fartlek this past week and everything seemed fine.)  Some experts say you need 6 weeks of a good base before beginnign speed-work.  Some experts say a year of running w/ a solid base!  I am going to email Dr. Osborne (my podiatrist) and find out what he thinks.  I am also going to email Coach Jenny and see what she thinks.  I am really wanting to get faster but not a the expense of my leg.  I was doing the math and in the past year I have been unable to run for 8 MONTHS of it b/c of my leg injury!!!  That is crazy.  I didn't realize it was that long but I couldn't run 2 months last summer, one month in the fall, and 5 months this spring!!!  I do not want that to happen again.  For now I will just read about fast people running fast.  That is pretty exciting for me!  Peace!

Sarah's do Big Things!

I don't write about politics much.  I have a ton of opinions but generally keep them to myself. HOWEVER- I am just so happy about Sen. John McCain's choice for a running-mate!  Sarah Palin is SUPER-pro-life and the mother of 5 children!  She started politics in the city council.  She was then mayor.  Palin is currently the governor of Alaska.  I think she is an amazing example for today's girls.  Heck- she is a great example for me.  I started reading up on her yesterday and I love her already.  In fact she makes me feel like I could do big things too.  I said to Jack today- "Honey, I think I could be Vice President.  Don't you?"  Jack said- "Well, I don't know...."  I said- "You're right... I would need to be President."  

Cool down

Ahhhh- another great run today.  They have all been good lately.  I am running slow and concentrating on form.  I went at 3 in the afternoon today so it was a bit hot out.  Luckily, Jack had the kiddos in the pool when I got back. 

School Begins

Today was Lisa's first day of school for the year.  She was SO EXCITED!  She is going to do one more semester of preschool before we start kindergarten in January.  We are pretty much working on phonics, handwriting, and religion.  We both had a great day!

Getting Ready

Saying Prayers

The Pledge

Handwriting

Phonics

They tried to make me go to rehab...

I am rehab-ing my leg AGAIN!!  It is not such a big deal this time.  I am not injured again or anything.  I am just having a little problem w/ my right hamstring.  (Only my right leg ever bothers me.  My left leg is perfect!)  My sports medicine doc thinks that my hamstring was weakened during the last 6 months that I have dealt w/ my IT Band injury.  So I am just back in Physical Therapy for a few weeks to strengthen it and keep it relaxed.  I am doing daily squats, lunges, hamstring curls, etc.  I've been doing these for months but they have not been too effective b/c of my ITB injury causing my leg to overcompensate in some way.  I don't entirely understand it but my leg is already feeling better and it has just been a week.  Of course now I am doing a TON of these exercises!  The therapist is also doing a lot of ultrasound therapy and electro-something therapy which keeps it from getting tight and cramped too badly.  I am hoping this therapy will keep me from hurting my leg again.  We shall see.  As for my running and eating.... I am putting in 3 miles everyday and still sticking to my eating plan.  Not many splurges this week.  However, I am running low on my Jenny Craig food which I need to get soon.  I have a weigh in on Saturday and plan to stock up then! Peace out!

Woot. Woot.

I am so excited about my run today.  I participated in a 5K at my parent's parish and guess what... I placed first in my age group!!!!  I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!! What is even better than that is I brought my time down from my last race.  Today I finished in 24:44, bringing my time down 3:14 from my last race 3 weeks ago.  I am so happy w/ this time.  When I finished I just kept saying to Jack and my parent's- "Did you see my time?  Did you see my time?"

I wasn't sure if I would place b/c it is just so hard to determine people's ages.  When I first started the race I was trying to make sure I would be in contention to place.  I was running near women trying to figure out their age.  "College sorority t-shirt.  Too young."  "Some gray hair.  Too old."  But doing this was driving me crazy!  I also picked a runner to keep my eyes on.  She was cute.  Looked to be in great shape and maybe just a little older than me.  I just figured I would keep her in my sights.  Not follow her, but just make sure I could see her.  Well that backfired when at the first mile marker she started walking!  I thought "Geesh, Sarah. Get it together!"  So at mile one I decided to just run my own race w/ myself.  I didn't care if I placed or not- my goal was to improve my time.  

Some of the positive things I said to myself while running really helped me today.  "You are prepared for this." "You were made to do this." "This little 3.1 miles is nothing compared to all the work you have done to get you here."  Around mile 2 LL Cool J came onto my ipod rapping "I'm Gonna Knock You Out".  In my head I imagined myself at my last race and sang that to myself and my time on that day. "I'm gonna knock you out."  It made me laugh out loud to do this!  All in all I am so happy w/ my race and my time.  It was a lot of fun.  And check out the bobble-head trophy!

Anna Saves the Day

Last night I settled into bed at the early hour of 9:30.  I thought I'd get a long night of sleep.  I took a melatonin and got comfy.  Just as I was drifting off to dreamland I got a text message. I rolled over to check my phone and it was from my dear sister Anna.  It read "Phelps 50 minutes!".  Oh no!  I had forgotten that Michael had a race!  How thoughtless of me.  So I did what any exhausted, stay-at-home mother would do when she gets a text message from her sister that a beautiful man in his early 20's is going to be on her television, in the middle of the night, in a Speedo- I grabbed my pillow and a blanket and shuffled down to the couch to set up camp.  What a great race he had!  I can't believe I almost missed it.  Thanks Anna- that is what sisters are for!

A letter

Dear Michael Phelps,

Thank you for all you have done for me.  I used to have issues w/ swimming laps.  Now- not so much.  I really appreciate all your hard work because you've represented the United States better than any other athlete ever.... but mainly b/c you are just so very beautiful.  Thanks again for all you do.

Yours truly,

Sarah- Phelps Phan

Still Maintaining

I had my monthly weigh-in Saturday.  I am still w/in my goal range... thank goodness!  I was super worried b/c I don't really feel like I have maintenance down yet.  However, all is well.  I was glad to be back at the centre.  A month w/o seeing my consultant, and everyone else, seems like a long time!  I bought some Jenny food that I was totally missing.  I have been craving Jenny's Pizza SO MUCH!  I am trying to keep better track of my daily food intake.  It is really easy to do that w/ prepackaged meals.... and of course Jenny food is the best.  I've decided to go back in for another weigh-in 2 weeks from now- instead of in a month.  I just really struggled during this last month and I think a quick check-in at the 2 week point will be better.  It will boost my confidence to have a good weigh-in and chat w/ Melissa.  Added bonus- I can pick up some more JC food! Yum!

Let the Games Begin!

Tonight kicked off the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to watch the Olympics and always have.  I know that it is a little controversial that they are taking place in China b/c of their stances on religious freedom and human rights.  I am taking the same approach as President George W. Bush.  He was urged to boycott the opening ceremonies but didn't.  He says that to boycott the event would be "an affront to the Chinese people".  He chose to attend the opening ceremonies to support the United States team and to keep the communication lines open w/ China.  The old- "You catch more flies w/ honey rather than vinegar"  attitude.  (See article here.)

The opening ceremonies were amazing!  I let Lisa stay up to watch a little bit of them.  She loved it too.  We clapped and cheered.  The shows and performances were detailed, symbolic, and very moving.  There were 15,000 performers!   I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks of games and competition.  I have explained to Lisa that every country in the world has team and the USA is our team.  I went to www.nbcolympics.com and registered to receive text messages a half hour before my favorite events.  I won't be missing a thing!  Peace!

If the shoe fits...

Okay- well Dr. Osborne has not emailed me back yet but I think I figured out the problem.  I DO need to wear these orthotics all the darn time.... and therefore, my sneakers as well.  Ahhh!  How the heck am I supposed to look cute and stylin' in sneakers?  My Mizunos aren't exactly high fashion!  I've been wearing them all day and, wonder or wonders, my leg feels almost perfect.  I got to thinking about the shenanigans of last weekend and... I was in flip-flops or heels both days... and on my feet for like 12 hours each day!  (See pics.)  And doing an unbelievable amount of booty dancing and Irish jigging. Hmmmm.  That cannot be good for any leg.  Let alone an injured one. For someone who is supposed to be so smart I sure do some dumb things!  Now I've decided that the only way to look cute AND wear sneakers everyday is to get more running skirt outfits.  I'll just wear one during the day to run my errands, etc.  That won't be so bad b/c I really like my running skirt outfit.  Geesh!  What does a girl have to do NOT be injured around here?  I am interested to see what Dr. Osborne says.  Peace.

Fun Was Had

... by all this weekend!

I had a wild and crazy weekend w/ my best friends from college.  (Minus one- we missed Nicky.)  It was a TON of fun and I am still recovering.  Jack was a real trooper- watching the kids so I could go out.  Thanks love.

In other news- I have been running 3 miles a day for a week now.  And my right leg is killing me.  Can you believe it?  I don't know what I am doing wrong.  I have an email out to Dr. Osborne and hopefully he can help me.  Do I need to be wearing my orthotics 24/7?  I certainly haven't been.  Do I need to add mileage even slower?  Hmmmm.  I am anxious to hear what he says.  I'll keep you posted.  Peace.

The Early Bird Gets The...

... whatever.  I was up bright and early at 6 am this morning and on the road, running at 6:30.   I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE doing this.  I can't tell you the last time I was able to.  See, I have to get the proper amount of sleep the night before, or an early morning run is a no-go.  I consider myself a morning person.  I like to get up and start the day at the beginning of the day.  I am usually pleasant.  The more sleep I get the happier I am in the morning. As I stepped out on my porch today I could smell skunks, cigarette smoke, and fresh asphalt.  All of which I expect to smell in the morning and generally don't mind.  The sun was coming up over the Urban Nature Reserve as I ran by it and it was a beautiful sight.  A nice man waved me over to his car and asked directions to Wal-Mart.  (Which I gave eagerly.  I love to give directions.)  There was an old woman riding a bike w/ a basket on it.  A man was roller-blading.  The guys at 84 Lumber honked their truck horns as I ran by and it startled me.  Really nice people are out and about at this time of day, and if I am sleeping b/c I went to bed too late, I don't get to see them. I was back home by 7:20 and the kids and Jack were just waking up.  Perfect timing.  Peace!