I ran a 10K?

What a week. It started off with a heat wave in San Francisco. What? Yes! It was 88 degrees outside when I attempted to run last Tuesday. So darned hot that I chose to bring the run inside for the first time since I started training, to save myself not only from the sun, but also the tons of annoying tourists that were out and about in my neighborhood (I live behind the Piers). Not really an ilocana thing to say, we love the tropical weather. But I had to work that night too, so I didn’t think calling in sick due to heat exhaustion would be appreciated. So there I was, on a treadmill, and it was worse than watching paint dry. I desperately tried to amuse myself, but I couldn’t lip-read the newscasters on CNN. 40 minutes felt like an eternity. My arm got a workout too because I kept lifting my 10-lb watch to my face every 2 minutes (I bought a hard-core training watch and it weighs more than my head). This run was painful, not really physically, but because my mind ACHED of boredom. I am not a hamster! Flash forward to Sunday… I ran 7 miles. That's actually more than a 10K!?! Yes! I ran a 10K on Sunday! Wowsa! This time around Lake Merritt. Passed by puppies galore (oowee how I love the dee’oh’geez!) ☺ Ran by people picnicking on the grass, babies in strollers –all who stared - probably in awe of how red my face was; kids in the playground (I saw this mom who had stilettos on just watching her kids from the sidewalk (what a maroon, she wasn’t a California girl per Katy Perry), fitness freaks across from Gold’s Gym, arm-pumping-chit-chatty walkers, folks on fixies, girls on their phones talking about “Oh no he dih’int.” I swear, I’m not making this up. It was better than TV. I also test-drove my first Gu. Almost choked on the orange flavor (think : melted Jolly Rancher), but found that the chocolate one tasted like fudge. Didn’t really feel the surge of energy promised after taking in the Gu’s, but the fact that I made 7 miles (woot!) I guess is testament enough for now. And as it’s Monday, my legs do feel like jell-o when I hike up the 3 flights of stairs to my apartment, but I still control them, which is enough to make me happy. Week 4 complete. 102 days left. Please don’t forget to donate! $5 goes a long long way… Thank you again. Enjoy the sunshine this week! ☺ gemma (exit song… “Don’t stop! Believing!” Hold on the feelin’! Streetlights, people ….” ) Oh! Leave me a comment if you can think of a song to add to my ‘Marathon Playlist’. !

26miles

Week 3 down, 16 more weeks remaining!  I finally completed 26 miles.  It only took 3 weeks to do it.  I wish the Hono marathon allowed that much time too.  Ha. 
This week I ran Lake Merritt and also the Lafayette Reservoir.  I logged 5.25 miles on Saturday alone.  Non-stop running, up and down hills.  Although I expected my body to take me to 6, I had to listen to my quads (and the coach) and remember that 'More is not always better.'  That pushing myself too much too soon could lead to injury.  Wise coach.  Wise quads.  I kept on, dodging the landmines (doggie poo) along the trails and praying I wouldn't swallow one of the trillion bugs flying in the air.  I wonder if that would go against my non-land-meat eating lifestyle.  ?  I remember someone saying bugs have more protein than PowerBars.  If so, I could save a lot of money running on these trails with my mouth wide open.  And yet I digress. 
Where were we?  Oh ya.  A marathon.  I've also decided that at the end of 26.2 miles that will hopefully take me less than all day to run, I will not be able to feel my extremities.  Perfect timing for that tattoo I've always wanted, but have been afraid to get.  And so on each run now, I think I'll keep imagining what I want this tattoo to look like and where and by who, etc.  Any suggestions?
I'm also very excited to announce that my dear cousin Rob has been inspired and has bought a bike and has started his own bike training.  Go Obski!  Maybe he'll read this and also save money on PowerBars.
I'm going to end this blog saying a prayer for Nanay.  Nanay Julie Diwa.  She's a tough cookie at 84 years young.  Jaden's great-grandma.  Please join me and say a prayer?
Thanks for reading folks.  Stay tuned.  Week 4 starts tomorrow.
*gem

So spoiled in the Bay.

So week 2 is complete.  I've logged 17.45 miles so far.  But even better is that I've met some inspiring people.  'Honorees' are those afflicted with blood cancer and are on remission and join us in our training sessions.  One of the honorees told me that we could dedicate a coached run to Jaden.  Cool!

So in these 2 weeks I realize there are really lovely places out here in the bay where crazy chipper runners who run for fun lurk.  And I've never been.  Just in these few training sessions, I've been to Berkeley Marina, I ran the Pier and Embarcadero, San Leandro Marina, Kezar stadium and the Marina Green.  Really beautiful spots. 

My body is paying for it though.  My quads and hams are still in pain.  I'm guilty though.  The soreness is mainly from a capoiera class I took on Wed.  But running isn't helping much.  I had a heart-to-heart with my body and we decided I won't overdue it.  I have a tendency to go a little gung-ho-crazy sometimes when I'm inspired and motivated.  So ya, gonna slow my roll here while the physical me recuperates. 

I'm at 6% of my fundraising goal now.  I have til Sept23 I think.  So keep the donations coming!  Even $5 helps and you don't have to put the amount you fronted on my fundraising page.  It can be your little secret. 

Stay posted.  Week 3 is coming up and the miles are starting to increase, woohoo!  Looking forward to checking out more lovely places here in the Bay Area. 

I've got my ammo.

Week 1.
 Just to clarify...this is not a marathon like "CSI Marathon" or "America's Next Top Model".  It's a real 26.2 mile running marathon.  But if you would rather me do a TV marathon & sponsor me, I might entertain the thought.  :P
I'm still pumped.  Especially because I have mastered one of the most important aspects of marathon running.  The steez.  The costume. The marathoner's 'fit.'
About 0.9 miles from my apt, is a great store called Feet Fleet.  I drove there.  PUahaha!!  (Hey, it was before I started training!)  Anyway, they measured my feet and watched me jog (should I admit I was slightly winded jogging around the store that's smaller than some bedrooms?  :P  ).  Then they brought out some shoes for my gait.  None were remotely cute.  My eyes couldn't tell the difference.  All white.  I don't currently own or like white shoes.  Yay.  If you know me well, I used to pride myself on my stylish kicks collection.  Gone are those days.  I agree to the shoes hop back into my car.  Hahah
Back to the fit.  Spandex pants.  Eeeeeek!!!!  Last time I wore spandex was in my 'tweens dancing "Cold Hearted Snake" with my dance crew.  You mean I can't wear scrubs when I run?  Spandex shows all the many wobbly bits.  Ow well.  Cute is definitely out the window.  :/  Then running hat is not my usual paperboy hat or beanie.  It's white with holes in it.  Argh.. 
Anyway, I've invested mucho dinero on looking the part.  Now I have to focus on the actual running...

And so the adventure begins...

"Wanna hear a joke? I'm going to run a marathon. That's it. That's the punchline."

So you still might be laughing. In disbelief ("Ya, sure Gem.") Confused? Maybe concerned. Because you know that I don't love running. I don't even like it.   26.2 miles.  It's a little bit more than running from Great Mall to Cal State East Bay (Hayward).  It's leaving my car at Folsom outlets, jogging to Sac State AND BACK to my car at the outlets.  It's from my apartment behind Ghiradelli Square-Pier 39 to the hospital I used to work at in Redwood City.  Eastridge Mall in San Jose to Cal State Hayward (now CSEast Bay).  Just checked myself for more perspective. 

But ya...

Do I think I can run 26.2 miles?  I know I can do anything I put my body, mind & soul to. And it's for LLS. Those suffering with this disease spend countless hours in hospitals. I know this from firsthand experience with family and being an Oncology nurse. Some of these folks and children put more effort in getting out of bed in the morning than I, (an able-bodied person) might do in an entire week. I owe it to them, my nephew & his family, heroes here on earth and our angels who lost the battle, and mostly to myself, to get off my ass & use this body I take for granted. And on my journey, I'll show my admiration and respect for those survivors and families, while raising money for blood cancers.

So the adventure begins.  No turning back.