It is Jan 1, 2009 today. I would like to report status of my 2008 goals:


1. Beaten my own record in a marathon in Jan –Pass
I have beaten my last record by 0:35:50 on Jan 20, 2008 Carlsbad Marathon.

2. Yoga once a week – Pass :up:
I am still enjoying yoga once a week and will continue next year.

3. Start weight training regularly –Pass :up:
I did not continue the all-woman bootcamp anymore. But, I am WT ~30min 3x/wk after the 1-hr cycling class. They serve as good x-training to alternative my running. I do not enjoy WT like running yet. Believing the benefit of it to running, I will continue yoga’ing.

4. Lose 5 lbs - Fail
I have gained them all back (or extra) after numerous parties from Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and a lot of birthday parties. It is New Year today. I am not going to weight myself to destroy my holiday mood yet….still have a few more parties to go thru this weekend. However, weight does not bother me much like before. I did a thorough physical check. All the lab tests have proved that I am in excellent health. During the cardio test, the doctor said that I was probably having the healthiest heart in the entire medical building. And, I am still wearing size 0 to 2. If I ever want to lose weight, I probably will do it to enhance my running.

5. Be more consistent in diet and learn portion control – Fail :down:
I have good control in simple carbs and have incorporated more protein in my diet already. Portion control is still challenge. All the parties have proved that I could not help to enjoy delicious food. Need to continue work on it next year. (Conclusion: Bad food = food that tastes bad. We should not eat bad food. )

6. Play better tennis – Fail :down:
I have given up weekend tennis game and devoted the time in running already. I believe I was discouraged by my slow progress and lack of coordination. Not sure if improving tennis is my goal for 2009 yet. I think I still like running the most.

7. Run 2 half marathons –Pass :up:
I have finished the La Jolla Half Marathon on April and AFC in August with improved time in both. I did plan to run the Pasadena Half as the last race for 2008. Unfortunately, the bad air quality deal to the fire has cancelled the event. They cancelled the race without refunding my registration. I am still not quite happy about it.

8. Run at least 1 more full marathon – Pass :up:
I meant to run 2 marathons in 2008. But, ended up ran 3: Jan Carlsbad, Jun San Diego RnR, and Oct Long Beach. The 1st 2 have improved time. The Long Beach was a heart-broken one because I was cramped in the race. Not sure if I will run Long Beach again. But, I do plan to run 2 marathons next year. The San Diego RnR will be in my list again.

9. Recruit a US runner team to race Dean's England runner team virtually and beat them –Fail :down:

The US team has lost based on the rule of weekly average mileage. However, in terms of consistency, the US team won. Nobody has dropped out from the race and most of us were motivated. It was a good experience to me. I realize that it is not an easy job to be a coach or mentor. I need to be good enough to be a role model first. And, thru this race, I have pushed myself to run 30 miles per week. Not too bad!

Thanks, Ms M.



Sunday is my total rest day (except go shopping sometimes. )



I am still upset at my performance. I still cannot figure out what have I done wrong. I never have such cramp before. My arch cramped again when I went to sleep last night. It was strange.



I planned to reward myself with a Garmin 405 if I finished this race with my goal time. Now,....I am going to stick with the IPOD for a while.

I finished it with 5:18. Disappointing! The Long Beach Marathon was a relatively easy course. And yet, I did not do well and was much slower than the San Diego Marathon I ran in June.



The temperature was nice and cool. The so-call hills in the course were relatively flat compared to my training hills. There were enough water stations and clif along the way. I carb loaded well the night before and ate breakfast 2 hrs before the race. I was able to maintain my goal pace initally. I popped 2 clif blocks at ~ mile 15 and went on strong. My leg muscles were a little bit tense as expected. That was the same feeling during training in long run. Everything seemed well on target.



At mile ~18, I passed by the aid stattion got some KOOL ‘N FIT SPORT Spray. It was supposed to bring relief to cramped, tired, burning muscles according to the ad. Somehow, my muscles got more tense by mile 19. At mile 20, I popped 2 more clif blocks. They did not make me stronger. By mile 22, my thighs wanted to cramp. I have to calm down with walk breaks. Then, I tried to run again. They got tense and tried to cramp again. The whole time, I dragged with this intermitent tense/cramp feeling. By mile 25, I basically walked the whole mile. Then, I struggled to jog to the finish line in the last hundred yards. Very disappointing!



I refilled with a bagel, banana and plenty of water in the finish line festival, ate a hearty chicken salad for lunch, pamper myself with a full hour deep tissue massage, a good steak dinner later. Then, after a long night sleep, my body is still not recovered yet. My leg muscles are still sore and hurt. My archs cramped a few times last night. I could barely walk down the stairs in the morning. I never have such soreness before. Usually, I still can move around with some soreness next day. I can start get back to jog on the 3rd day. But, I don't think I can move around easily tomorrow. (Did I injury myself?)



What was the problem? I kept asking myself. Here are what I have done differently in last few months during the training for this race:

1. I did 1 hr spinning in 24hr Fitness 3 times per week to alternative the running day as x-training.

2. I also added 20 to 30 min weight training on core or upper body during the spinning days.

3. I cut down running from 4 days to 3 days per week. Sat was still the long run day.

4. But, sometimes I could not make the long run. Then, I did it on Sunday.

5. I added more protein and healthy fat into my diet.

6. I was trained with a new pair of Asics Gel for a few months and wore it in the race.

7. I spent less time on TV and traineo as I was taking some evening classes.

The list seems clean. I am still yoga'ing once a week to relax my muscle. What have I done wrong?



Was it the KOOL ‘N FIT SPORT Spray in mile 18? It was the only new thing I did on the race.

I am running the Long Beach International Marathon on Oct 16. Did my long run last week. Now, I am in taper mode also.

Tomorrow 1hr spinning in 24hrFitness. I have started the spinning class as one of the x-train for running.

I rewarded myself with an IPOD nano after finishing the 1st marathon. I will reward myself with a Garmin 405 if I reach my time goal of finishing the next marathon in 4:30.

hello, brothers and sisters. How is everybody doing?



Sorry for being away for so long. Being interrupted by the classes+work, I have not been able to train and traineo'ing as I wished.



I ran 14 miles with mile repeat interval this morning. Not bad at all. I Today's run gained me some confident. I should be alright for the Long Beach Marathon next month.

Cool, Cardio. Let's run! I wish to see your 1st 5K or 10K time.



Sher, did you run the 5K? I thought you have signed up a 5K.

I ran 24 miles today.



Shame on myself that I did not declare in this thread yesterday because I was afraid unable to make it. After running a few marathons, I am still not very confident to myself in long distance running. Actually, I kept thinking last night if I could do it. This morning, I was struggling before getting out of the door. My left brain kept trying to make excuses to tell me forget about running today. Thanks god that I made it out of the door. I knew after 3 miles warm up, I would be better (my left brain will be weaker.) I was able to run thru the course I planned yesterday. Surprisingly, after mile 20, I was still strong. When the IPOD told me that I have achieved my goal, I felt that I still could run. How nice! I have never felt such strong before. I am very satisfied!



After the run, I have a big brunch in the Original Pancake House. I devoured the 49er (3 huge thin pancakes), half of my dad's veggie egg white omelette and 1 of his buttermilk pancakes. ..... Life is good!



Tonight, I will have BBQ party with friends. Tomorrow, I will take a good rest.....or, perhaps power walk in the malls (a lot of Labor Day sales, hard to resist. )

Congratulation, Sher S. I can see a runner inside of you now.

Thanks! I wish I could do better in the Oct Long Beach Marathon. Let's see...



It is good to alternate your workout routine, Glenda.



Tomorrow, I will run at least 5 miles.

Thanks, all my dear friends.



Hope I can reach most of my goals for 2008 by Dec.

Progress as of August 18, 2008:



1. Beat my own record in a marathon in Jan â€" Finished the Carlsbad Marathon on Jan 20 with 35:50 improvement from last marathon - goal met



2. Yoga once a week - still practicing yoga class once a week since March. It does help my muscle stretching. I will declare goal met if I am still continuing in Dec. - Goal 75% met



3. Start weight training regularly - Still boot camp 2xWk since March. By Dec, if I am still boot camping or going to the gym 3x/wk for wt, I will declare goal met. - Goal 75% met.



4. Lose 5 lbs ��" Very slow in progress - lost only 3 lb since April 29. But, my objective has changed. I want to lose weight to improve my running. Not sure if the last 2 lbs make any different. But I will keep trying - Goal 75% met



5. Be more consistent in diet and learn portion control - still learning and inconsistent. Need to work harder!



6. Play better tennis - I could rally better now. But, still not good and unable to serve well. I may fail this goal since I miss the games for run training in many weekends.



7. Run 2 half marathons - Finished the La Jolla Half Marathon on April 27 with 6:07 improvement from last one, finished AFC Half on August 17 with 11:09 improvement from the La Jolla - Goal met!



8. Run at least 1 more full marathon - Finsihed the San Diego RnR Marathon in 4:56:39 on Jun 1, 2008. It was 55:07 improvement from last year I ran it. It was 13:11 improvement from the Jan 24, 2008. I am a sub-5 marathoner now. - goal met



9. Recruit a US runner team to race Dean's England runner team virtually and beat them. - the US team has lost based on the rule of weekly average mileage. However, in terms of consistency, the US team won. Nobody has dropped out from the race and most of us were motivated. - 50% goal met.

Cool, Sher! You can join any Nike+ challenge. It is fun and quite motivating.

I am back! Finished the AFC Half on Sunday. I was surprised that I still could break my record. I have finished in 2:16:18. It was 11 min faster than the La Jolla Half in April and 18 min better than last year's AFC Half. The temperature was great. It was hot, but much better than last year. Can't complain with my inconsistent training.



Even though I did not have big improvement in my time, I did notice some other improvement:

1. I was able to keep my posture in the toughest slope in mile ~10 to ~12. It was the most challenge part of the course. After 10 miles when everybody was exhausted, it was an sleep uphill for 2 miles.

2. I did the mile repeat at least 80% of the course with less than 1 min walk breaks.

3. I sprint in the last mile. I actually could finish stronge. In the past, I was dragging my feet to the end.



The bonus for this race was that I ate over 3000 calories on Sunday without worry. The Finish line festival was excellent! A lot of delicious food. I think I probably have eaten at least 1000 cals just in the Finish Line. And, I got loads of energy supplements that can last for the rest of the year! Then, in the afternoon, I enjoyed the Olympic games with a lot of delicious snacks and ended the day with fish tacos dinner. What most I could ask for. A great day!



Totally rest today. Tomorrow, I will be back to training again. The Long Beach Marathon in Oct!

Tomorrow, I am going to do a relax run. It is going to be the last run before the sunday AFC Half Marathon. Due to the hectic schedule, I have not been trained well as I wish in the last few months. I am kind of worry! I don't think I can beat my last record this time. I will be happy just able to reach the finish line.

We all miss you, Dave! Welcome back!

Deena Kastor is probably the only hope for Gold in Bejing. Her 4000 calories daily, 28 RHR and 82 in VOs makes me jealous!



She did say a lot of protein and weight training can manipulate her body. Interesting.....I am still in trial/error phase in my protein intake vs weight training. How much is good enough for improvement, maintanence? How much is appropriate?

Ran 6.5miles this morning.



Somehow, I felt so sluggish lately and little worry about the AFC Half Marathon this Sunday.



I have not been trained consisttently as I wished in last few weeks because of all the hectic schedule.

Rest yesterday and ate big!



Today, I did 60min morning run. In addition to training, it was indeed a great private time for myself.

Don't be discouraged, Sher S. Life is not always constant. Let's see changes, up/down are seasoning in life.



My routine or healthy life style was totally toasted during the last few months because of my evening classes daily and hot projects at work. However, all these obstacles did not make me give up running. I just did 23 miles this morning.



The only sad thing is that I cannot run with my teammates any more because of different schedule. Then, my bf tries to be nice and show supportive by joining me at the end of my run in last 2 weekends.....well,...sometimes I rather run myself. I see it as a private meditation for myself. By bf is too annoying and interrupting my thought during the run.



Cheer up, Sher S. How's your yoga? Didn't you learn it from your mom when she was visiting? Did you run the 5K in July?

Sher, I am not doing well. The last few months, I have been struggling at time management. training, classes and family/friend life. Have been eating like hell also. I thought you have been learning yoga from your mom. how was it?



I deeply believe the benefits of yoga both physically and mentally. In the past, I did not believe the breahting exercise of it. Now, I won't underestimate the slow motion of yoga.



Cardio seems doing alright!

Ran the Peter's Canyon today. Long 20 miles, very satisfying.



After the long run, went home enjoyed a warm shower, ate a big plate of grilled salmon salad with indian tea. Happy!



Reunion with some old friends in the afternoon, have a big chicken fajitas salad, lemon green tea. Very happy!



Then, have dinner with boyfriend in veggie resturant. I have a cup of chilli and a big papaya salad. And, a big chocolate oatmeal cookies for dessert. Life is good!



Today is a rest day. I am going for a full body massage and spa.

I want to know who sarah2333 is also. S/he is great!

Thanks, Kevin. Those are accumulated mileage. If I can do it, you can do it. Everybody can do it.



It was a nice run this morning. Too foggy to see the ocean. The temperature was just right. 65C. But, running on the trail with moist air in such a quiet morning was so refreshing. After the ~9mile run, we have brunch. It was so nice to run with this new group of friends. I met them in the internet and decided to do a trail run. We will definitely do it again.

Ate like hell this week. I am going to lose all the muscle I have built from the bootcamp!



I determine to eat well in the weekend!

So much work and class work this week! Eating like hell! Finally, it is Friday.



Tomorrow, I am going to reward myself with a nice 2 hr run in the beautiful Palos Verdes overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Me too! I went to 2 birthday parties over the weekend.



I guess I would continue screw this month because of my hectic schedule of work and classes. But, the summer class is over by end of July. I will be back on track. For now, just try not to gain too much weight and continue to workout hard.

Ran 3 hrs today. It was a nice Sunday. Not much sun at all. The whole time was cool with little breeze. A great enjoyable run. I love it.

Do you guys know inspirational movies other than ROCKY IV? I did not mean ROCKY IV bad. It is a great movie. ROCKY IV was produced in 1985.



BTW, just ROCKY IV is the most successful one (in terms of box office $)among all ROCKY series. ROCKY V was the worst one. But, I have not seen ROCKY V yet.