Race Goals for 2010

Taking after my fellow bloggers I am going to list my goals for 2010. They are as follows:

1. Run in at least two more marathons, I would be happy with one as I have found it's pretty tough on my body. I want to run in 4:30 or faster.

2. PR in a 5k. I can't believe how long it's been since I have PRd in a 5k. I am embarrassed to admit that my best time is only 28 minutes... yeah, I'm slow!

3. PR in a half marathon. I think the 1/2 is the best race distance. I need to go faster than a 2:13. So far the last three 1/2s I have done have all gotten slower. Here is to a fast 2010 for my half marathon.

4. Sign up for and finish my first half ironman. I just got a new bike trainer and I am hoping that will keep me in bike shape until I can get outside.

5. Swim a sub 6 minute 500 free at a masters meet! I haven't done this since high school. I think I can do it for sure. My first meet in 2010 is in April.

That's all for now! Maybe I'll add some the faster I get!!! Here's to a healthy, fast and fit new year!! Congrats to all of you who have stuck through your training and made some awesome accomplishments in 2009!!

Non-Running Related: Starting Accutane

I usually wouldn't post something like this but maybe some people can relate.

I am starting Accutane tomorrow morning. Acne has been a struggle for me for many, many years. And it's not little break outs here or there, it's ugly, cystic, scarring acne. It's Yucky! It always makes me mad when people complain about one little zit that they have. Ummm, hello! I have a whole face full of them, they are ugly and painful.

I have tried everything under the sun to make my face look and feel better. Oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics, vitamins, birth control, no birth control, elimination diet, intense pulse light therapy and on and on! I have even had a prescription for accutane before but decided against it because of all the potential side effects. Nothing has worked.

It's hard to look in the mirror because all I see is a red, zitty, scarred face. Most people say " Ohhhh, it's not THAT bad!" Well it shouldn't even be a little bad. I look like a teenaged boy. I ALWAYS exercise with make-up on, ALWAYS! I never leave the house without make-up, covering up the yuck, makes me feel a little better.

It has been quite the process to obtain accutane, as it can cause some pretty severe birth defects. I am sure it's easier to buy a gun legally than it is to get accutane. So after 2 negative pregnancy tests, blood work and registering for the IPledge Program (a government run website to track pregnancies while on Accutane) I finally received my pills today and I will start tomorrow. Apparently, it gets worse before it gets better. How can my fact get any worse? I am soooo dreading the next few months. It would be nicer if I could just go into hiding for 60 days and re-emerge with beautiful skin! If only!!! I thought about posting before and after pics but it is just way too embarrassing to take my make-up off for a picture.

Anyways, I don't want to turn this into a blog about zits, I want to keep it fitness related. But maybe someone out there can relate!

Happy running and exercising!

Team Whimsy Races Again!

I am so excited! My mom and I are signing up for the Resolution Run 5k on January 1st! We will be running as a team, so our times combined will decide our standings. Last time we ran as a team we placed third!! There is an option at the end of the race to do a polar bear dip in Lake Washington, I am all for it, but my mom will not be doing it. I think as a team you have to decide if you both are doing it or not. So I probably won't be dipping!

I have been doing some very short runs during the week on the treadmill. A little boring since I can't find my ipod shuffle at all. Hopefully Santa will bring me a new one!

Starting again today!

I have been taking it real easy since our marathon. At the most I have been going to Zumba 2 days a week. No running. I finally feel like I am ready physically to start again. With my knee hurting the way it did on marathon day I knew I needed to take a much needed break. I am going to start slow today with a Zumba class and a 2 mile run on the treadmill and probably just stick with shorter treadmill and outdoor runs the next couple of weeks.

The next race we want to do is "The Capital City" marathon on May 16th. I don't think I have to start really training until mid-January. We haven't signed up yet but we know we will be doing this. My mom is going to really try to qualify for Boston at this race. From what we hear it's flat and fast! I am just hoping to go for a sub 5 hour marathon! This time I will be following a strict plan, I think that will be the only way I can reach my goal!

Happy Running and Resting!

Girls on the Run Fundraiser Brunch

Now that the marathon is over I/we can concentrate on other things. It's been so nice to have some time off of working out. I plan on taking some more days off and then start slowly back again.

Team Whimsy's next endeavor will be hosting a fundraiser brunch for the Girls on the Run of Puget Sound (www.girlsontherun.org). Girls on the Run "uses the power of running to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living." So far we have come up with a date, created a list of friends and family to invite and have been in contact with the director of the Puget Sound affiliate. We will also be racing a 5k with graduates of the fall program on December 12th. This is a great organization. Think about volunteering or even starting your own where you live.