Well Hellooooo ...

Hey Stranger .. how goes the battle?

I know it's been a while since my last blog ... but been so busy the last couple of months, with work and vacation (and planning of course), that there hasn't been anytime for anything.

Let's see ... what have I been up to? Well, I'll skip all the work stuff, b'coz that's just boring as heck. New system installs, a lil travel'n blah blah blah.

Vacation .. yeah! So had a boys week up in Moab/Colorado for some mountain biking ... I've been up there before, and the views are still breath-taking. We rode 2 trails in Moab and 1 trail in Colorado.


1)SlickRock - not really my cup o'tea, but it's a totally different experience. Riding on rock ... yeah ... could be painful to take a spill on those darn things. Check out some of the steep hills we had to tackle.

2)Porcupine Rim - 8600 ft elevation, rocky downhills, gnarly terrain makes up what they call Porcupine Rim. This narrow single track with a drop on the right makes it more interesting and of course a more challenging ride. I took a pretty nasty spill on this path, half my bike overlooking the drop ... crushed my rear derailleur, bent my rim ... but managed to finish off the trail. Unfortunately, my bike was in no condition to Colorado the next day. Luckily (or not so lucky), Ken crashed earlier in the ride, broke 2 ribs and was out for Colorado ... thanks to Ken, I had a bike for the next day.

(Poor Ken slouched over, after his crash - up n over the handlebars).

3)Dead Horse Trail - A much easier ride in Colorado to end the week. Riding along side the Colorado River. All single track and switchbacks and awesome views.

After Moab/Colorado, we decided to hit Vegas for a couple of days to wind down, also to celebrate my big Four O ... so did I really say wind down in the same sentence as celebrate my big Four O? Doh ... yeah ... it wasn't really winding down ... and I'll stick to the saying 'what happens in Vegas .. stays in Vegas' ... and let you figure it out.

Oh yah ... this is suppose to be a running blog .. well, I have been running (early early in the morning) and am prepping for the Rock n Roll 1/2 in Vegas in December. Got a few people looking to sign up and run ... so it should be pretty good. What's better than a run then a major partayyyyyy? Could be bad ... but could be really really BAD ... ha ha ha.

I'll try and get better at updating more frequently ... and btw ... didn't make my goal of doing a full before 40 ... the more I run, the more I'm scared to tackle the full ... so might move this goal out a bit ... we'll play it by ear !!!

Have a great week !!!

Get'n back in da groove ...

Phew ... finally feel'n good about runn'in again !!!

Ran Pat's Run on the weekend, and even though it was soooo packed, I just ran for myself ... ran for the mere fact of getting back into the 'groove.'

28,000 people got together to run for a great cause, a fallen hero.

On the flipside, got some bad news this morning ... even though I knew it was time coming ... but I guess, we're just NEVER prepared for a 'friend's' passing. A good friend of mine passed away last night after battling a year long bout with Pancreatic Cancer. This time last year, she called me, and made me aware, that she needed me in her corner for this one. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. I did my research, and contacted the doctor's in my family and I wasn't aware that Pancreatic Cancer was one of the most aggressive ones out there. My uncle told me, that at stage 4, she'd probably have 4-6 months. Well, Diane (aka Big D), fought and fought, and finally lost the battle last night.

I talked to her about 2 weeks ago, and she was on the positive side of things, even though she mentioned she was dwindling to almost nothing. She was about 110lbs soaking wet to begin with (on a good day) and I just can't imagine her dwindling anymore.

Anyway, I think I've just found another reason to go forward, continue the training, and dedicate my runs to battling Cancer. I've lost family and close friends to this disease, and however I can help to hopefully assist in finding a cure ... however little ... it'll be for my fallen friends and family.

Big D ... you'll always be in my thoughts and prayers ... hope you're dancing on the clouds and looking down on us. Luv ya !!

Back from a 2 month hiatus ...

Okay ... got the groove back ... and finally settling into my crazy schedule.

Work is getting pretty busy and with some newly added responsibilities, it's been pretty draining. To add to it, working as a massage therapist on weekends, I think the workload is finally catching up to my energy level (okay, I never thought I'd say that ... b'coz I 'always' have excess energy).

It's been almost 2 months since my race in Sedona and to be honest ... the training has gone down the toilet. A run here, and a run there, just doesn't cut it. I've postponed my full marathon (that was supposed to be in early May), to possibly the Vegas Marathon in December, or might opt out for a duathlon instead near the end of the year.

I've been riding my bike again, more and more ... and have always contemplated a duathlon (no tri's ... don't really swim well enough for that). This past Sunday, I was out for a 2 1/2hr ride, through downtown Phoenix (wow, so peaceful in the early hours of a Sunday morning). Small baby steps ... we'll slowly get back to proper training !!!

Pat's Run this weekend ... a quick 4 miler ... hoping I'll be okay for this one !!!

Wish me luck ...

Sedona 1/2 Marathon / Vegas RoadTrip ...

Sedona 4500 ft Elevation
Phoenix 1117 ft Elevation


Whoa .. I survived yet another one.

It was slightly overcast, 38 degress and beautiful scenery .. what else can you ask for? Just another 13.1 mile stroll through the Sedona canyons. Since my last disappointing finish a few weeks ago at PF Chang's AZ, I made sure, I wasn't changing anything on race day. I was going to stick to water on the course, no GU, no Jelly Beans ... no energy supplements .. NOTHING .. just cross my fingers and hope for the best.


Let me preface this by stating .. 'This was the toughest 1/2 I've EVER done.' I think I've done all my hill training for 2010 and possibly 2011. This course was hills upon hills upon hills. Oh btw .. did I mention that this course had HILLS?
Okay .. so you get what I'm saying right?



It usually takes me a couple of miles to get into my rhythm, get my breathing in check and start to feel good about my run. Within the first 400 yards, we're already starting to climb. Yup, this setup the challenge for the morning. Once into the groove I was running a decent pace and feeling pretty good after tackling the first 5-6 miles. I was talking to a girl from Scottsdale, as I realized that we'd be looping in about a mile or two, and this downhill we were on would soon become our arch enemy. I looked at her and said 'You know we'll be looking at this from the bottom next time around right?' She just looked at me as if to say ... 'don't remind me.'

Soon enough I came across 'THE WALL.' It had to be greater than a 45 degree climb and you can see runners trying to battle through and conquer. I ended up walking part of it, as it just seemed that I was exerting too much energy for such little gain. As if that wasn't enough, the last 3-4 miles were the absolute killer. I didn't remember any of these being quick downhills the first time around .. but they sure were 'ugly' after mile 9. To finish the race, we got onto hwy 89A, turned the corner .. and bam .. why not throw in the last hill 'for good measure.' Just in case the quads and the calves weren't ready to explode just yet .. we'd better make sure. The finish line was finally in sight, but that last hill just ate up the little energy I had left to sprint.


All in all .. it was a good day. No cramps, no foot or leg pains and still surived to share my stories. Sure I whine about the hills .. but what doesn't break me, only makes me stronger ... right?


Once we compared notes about the run, we were back to the hotel room, cleaned up and showered, we decided on lunch in town. My cousin told me that her dad's side of the family was having a suprise party for her uncle in Vegas this weekend, and that she had family flying in from all over. A spontaneous roadtrip .. and 4 1/2hrs later ... we pulled into Vegas to surprise, not just her uncle ... but also her mom and dad (my aunt and uncle). A night of great food, dancing, and loads of vodka(rb) and tonic, just what you need after 13.1 gruelling miles. Yeah ... sure slept well that night!




We covered alot of miles this weekend and shared some good laughs with family.

What's next? Pat's Run in Tempe, AZ?

Have a great week !

It's been a while ...

Yes, I know ... it's been a while.

I'm happy to report, that I ended up running PF Chang's about 2 weeks ago ... but very disappointed with the outcome. Worried about being fueled up and energized I tried sportsbeans (http://www.sportbeans.com/). This is the 2nd time I've tried this kinda stuff in competition (I know I shouldn't try new things during races .. ehk), and this is the 2nd time that I've experienced cramping. My first couple of 1/2 marathons, I didn't eat anything (but breakfast) and drank a few ounces of water .. and I felt great. I guess my body just doesn't work well with this stuff .. so my next 1/2 (which is the Sedona 1/2 on 02-06-10), I'll stick to the water.

In any case, I was running at just over a 2hr pace, when I hit mile 10, and my right leg started cramping up. The last 3 miles were a complete disaster. I battled through but every 7-8 strides, I could feel the cramps and I'd have to stop, stretch and walk. A very frustrating finish ... I crossed the finish line at around 2:39 (my worse run ever).

I've put PF Chang's behind me (as I hadn't planned on running it anyway) and 2 weeks later am expected to run the Sedona 1/2. With a 2000 ft elevation difference from Phoenix, I'm sure I won't be running my pb up there ... but just looking to finish better than Chang's. Oh yah .. and no more energy supplements .. I'm sticking to good ol'h20.

February and March I'll be putting down the hammer on the training and hopefully by early April, I'll have a good idea of where I am in sights of the OC Marathon in early May. Wow, did I just speed up the process to turning 40?

Oh, one last thing ... http://www.injinjistore.com/ ... I'm a fan !!! I picked up a couple of pairs of their toe socks, and at first it was a really weird feeling, so I wore them just walking around. I've now run in them, and they are super comfy. I've never really had issues with blisters ... but these are suppose to be pretty good at preventing them. Oh yah ... and got rid of my 2 month old Saucony's, because for whatever reason ... my right leg always gave me issues on my first 2-3 miles or so. The really odd thing ... it would disappear after that .. hmmmm. I picked up a pair of Nike Pegasus and they're working out for me ... we'll see how it goes next weekend.

Should I .. Shouldn't I .. Should I .. Shouldn't I ..

So, I've been sitting here for the past couple of days ... contemplating ... 'Should I .. Shouldn't I ..' ugh .. and it's killing me.


I have a few friends running the PF Chang's this weekend ... and a friend emailed a bunch of us for support on race day. As much as I'd love to be a supporter of all my friends, especially since I ran her very first 5k with her over a year ago .. it's given me the itch to run on race day also.


Well, since I've waited too darn long ... on-line registration is now closed, and I'll have to wait and see on Friday (at the Expo) if there are still spots available.


My debate lies in the fact, that I am also registered for another 1/2 Marathon in Sedona in early February ... can I really do both? Hmmm, I think I can ... I think I can ... guess we'll wait and see on Friday .. I may just be running the PF Chang's .. ha ha ha.

So, I'm a virgin at this blogging thing ... so please bear with me.

I just got back from vacation up in the Great White North (Toronto, Canada). For the most part it was pretty damn chilly .. okay who we kidding ... it WAS DAMN COLD !!! I did manage to get two runs in on a two week vacation, but that was really the only 2 warm days up there. Oh well, that's it for the major food binges and drinking for a while.

So, what's on the list for 2010? I've put quite a bit of thought into this, as May 2010 is the year. Yup ... THE YEAR !!! This is when I take the major leap, into a new era ... 40. Forty. Guess no matter how I put it down ... it's 40. As of today, a 1/2 Marathon in Sedona (02/10), The OC Marathon (05/10) and our bi-annual Mountain Biking week in Moab ... to list a few. That's the first half of 2010 ... what to do for the 2nd half (when I'm actually 40 ... ugh)?

Yesterday morning was my first run for 2010...woohoo! I ran 4.48miles, at just under a 10min pace. Felt some tingling/soreness on my right leg, but battled through it. So I go to upload my nike sensor via my ipod, and voila ... my ipod decides to erase my run data ... so right now ... according to my nike website .... I need to get my lazy butt moving, because I don't have a recorded run for 2010 ... wth? Oh well, plenty more runs to go in 2010 ...