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I ran the Christmas Classic race this morning. I went all out on the mile. I ran I think at 7:56/mile. I've never ran a mile that fast before. I was amazed at myself. I felt like I was running in slow motion, but it turned out I did really well. The last time I did a timed mile was in 2003 and I ran 9:37 or something like that. I've improved by a lot! Yipee for me!

I almost PR in the 5K. The results are not in. To PR on the 5K I have to beat 29:40. I think I came in at 29:43. I was hurting at the end, since I went all out on the mile. I almost puked after we stopped to get our strip off.

Good race! I would do it again next year.

slow and steady wins the race

I ran in my new neighborhood for the first time. After living in my new home for almost 4 month, I finall got up early for a run. Yes, I'm snooze girl. 5 more minutes or 3 more minutes. Well, today, I finally got up early enough before work to run on my own. I do run with a group on Tuesday mornings at 6:30am when it's not raining:). I ran for 41min. It was dark and the road was damp from the night before, but at least it wasn't raining. It was a major road, so it was well lit. I had a good run. I'm not sure how many miles, maybe 3 or 3.5. I was sweaty afterwards. I felt good! The new program is to run at least 2 times in the morning before work. I want ato PR in Feb, so I better work at it.

Oh, so the slow and steady reference was from phedippidations podcast. I thought I came up with the mantra, guess not.

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cookies and cooking

The peanut butter cup cookies turned out beautifully. My DH is the baker in the house.

Reading the Recipe

Rolling batter into a ball

the final yummy product.

The cookies were not as hard to make as I imagined them to be. They were yummy. I ate 1/2 of them:). We brought some home to his parents and had to bring to them to cookie exchange of course. They were a big hit.

We also went made dinner for his parents tonight. My DH is an Italian chef in secret.


Okay, I made the bruschettas, but he made the rest.

the Sahara

One of the highlight of the trip is being in the Sahara Desert! The sand was a lot redder than I imagined it to be. The picture doesn't capture that. We rode out on our camels an entire 6K out from where we stayed. Our butts were really sore from the short ride. Camels go really slow. It took us about 2 hrs, but we took the scenic route, so it took a little longer. On the way back, we took a more direct route and it took 1.5hrs. Our tour guide walked instead. He knew how much your butt would hurt afterwards.


We slept out at night and it was cold, but beautiful. I've never seen so many stars in the night sky. I think we even saw the Milky Way. It was incredible.

7mile

date: Saturday, 12.08.2007
time: 7:45am
weather conditions: cold and crisp, but sunny, needed suglasses, perfect running weather
clothing: new Nike black running/yoga-looking pants, black turtle neck, dressed a bit too warmly
shoes: New Balance 1010
route: Marina
distance: 7 mi
time: 1:29:42
pace: 12:48
meal before hand: Thai Pad See Ew, a little too salty, was pretty thirsty when I woke up
overall: I am so out of shape. I haven't run regularly for the past month. I know I've been traveling, but still I've been back for 2 weeks now. I was huffing and puffing today event the small hills near Golden Gate Bridge were killing me. Yes, I always go into this cycle of training and then being lazy:), then I have to start all over again. Very sad. If I continue this way, then I won't run faster.

My ultimate running goal is qualify for Boston. My overall goal is to run consistently of course not until burn out, but to stay in shape instead of feeling like I'm starting all over again.

This evening we are going to a Christmas Cookie Exchange party. I am not a baker. I've baked maybe cookies once in my life. My DH has ambitious ideas. He doesn't bake either, but he got these cookie recipes that are very fancy like:
Cherry Snowballs
Caramel-Filled Cookies.

Okay, I won't be a cookie party-pooper, but I was just thinking of baking chocolate chips and peanut butter cookies. None of this cookies filled with stuff or cookies rolled in stuff. I'll take some photos of the process and our end result:). Our oven is kind of iffy, so hopefully our cookies will be at least edible:).

spectator:)

We drove up yesterday to see R and P run the Cal International Marathon. It was fun going to the expo and trying different Gu's and replenish snacks without fear of upsetting my stomach. My DH asked me this morning if I wish I got to run this morning instead of being a spectator, I said I love being a spectator! I get to cheer on my fellow runners and sleep in, relatively late:). We got up at 6:30am, which is not that early, but we didn't have to be at the start by 7am either:).

R. was trying to BQ, sadly she didn't make it, but of course we just got back from Morocco and being jet lagged, food poison twice! and losing 10lbs in 3 weeks indicates one is not in tip top shape. R. did fantastic despite all the challenges. She was on track at mile 13. Of course, we know half-way mark is early in the game, but R. kept up until the last few miles. She was hurting at the finish:(. Congrats to R.!!

P. finish her 1st marathon! She made it under 5! She was tired by the last 3, but she finished strong! P. had trained hard for CIM. We are proud of her!

We had a fun short road trip up to SAC. We stopped by the Davis Farmer's Market. We got to try a lot of samples of soup, apples, persimmons, pastries, Afghan breads with spread. Again, I'm glad I wasn't running the next day, I got to try all sorts of stuff, but of course staying away from dairy.

We finally go to the expo around 2pm. P. brought her own supply for food. The rest of us ate at The Old Spaghetti Factory. The food was good and cheap and the wait was not too long.

Congrats to CIM Runners!