almost there-- a clean slate
Brandon is getting my new blog up and running as I type. I have to be getting to bed pretty soon as I have to wake up at 3 am to get ready and hit the road for Window Rock (work).
Please email me at:
cnazbah_chief at yahoo dot com
...if you want the new blog address.Of course, I won't be updating it until tomorrow sometime and it will be plain for a bit until I have time to spiff it up.
Congrats to Denise and Pat for a job well run yesterday!
reflection on 25
Thank you very much for all the birthday love. I still can't believe that I'm finished with one-quarter of my life and consider myself very lucky to have been blessed to live this long. Even on
myspace I was blown away by all the love! Of course, I knew my close friends would wish me the best but everyone else was a complete surprise. I certainly felt special. Yesterday, I thought of a friend who was near and dear to me. Audrey passed away last Decemember.
She was only 24.
She was this incredible person...perhaps one of the most influential people I have ever had the chance to encounter. I know she had so much more to live for and accomplish. Her most untimely death changed my perspective on life and living to the fullest. Maybe because of her, I've become more aggressive in my willingness to help others, to not be so mean, and to chase after dreams with reckless pursuit and not being so fearful of rejection.
In the past year, I've learned to let go of people who were weighing me down and not to focus on the negativity. I'm a lot happier because of it. If they continue to talk shit, that's their problem--not mine.
I've learned that even the smallest contribution aids in change. Just yesterday, I wrote a memo to my program's staff and requested a staff meeting with our boss and our program's supervisor. I got tired of all the complaining, the lack of communication, and the lack of accountability. I can't believe I had the nerve to walk into my program supervisor's office to demand a meeting! I bet after I air out my frustrations, I'll be on the shit list. Oh well, nobody was going to do anything about the situation anyway. At least I could say, I tried. I'm still thinking,
who the hell is this woman?I've been open to my feelings with loved ones. It's still hard for me to say mushy stuff like, I love you, but life is way to short to be ashamed of saying such meaningful expressions. It makes people happy to hear words of appreciation and affection.
I've learned to be more patient and considerate of other people's perspectives and beliefs. I used to be so quick to judge, to label. Most people can surprise you if you just allow the time for their true person to come out. If this wasn't so, I wouldn't have made such a close friend over the past year. (Trish) :)
I've come to realize that every tomorrow holds promise to achieve greater accomplishments but don't be so caught up in it that I forget to live for and enjoy today.
Thank you, Audrey. You have helped me more that you will have ever known. You will always be dear to my heart.
Art nerds forever!
work it, work it
I'll have my new blog up this weekend. Finally! New address at my personal domain where I can be a gatekeeper.
Went to the gym last night and did the usual circuit for a total of 40 minutes (got to the gym late). I went home and did some squats and other leg work while watching Pride and Prejudice. Good movie. I cried at the end. Love stories are grand to watch when you're actually in love with someone instead of being sad at the end because you have no one.
I'm putting in at least an hour at the gym today and pushing my time on the elliptical to 40 minutes.
Ab work and arms tonight.
Better. Faster. Stronger....people.
I am so gonna kick some ass this year. I can feel it.
Tomorrow, I turn 25.
Some non-running fun
Was tagged by Renee.
Find nearest book
.
Name book and author.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
Turn to page 123.
Go to 5th sentence and copy the next three to blog.
Much as the Industrial Revolution changed the environment for moths, farming changed the environment for plants. A tilled, fertilized, watered, weeded garden provides growing conditions very different from those on a dry, unfertilized hillside. Many changes of plants under domestication resulted from such changes in conditions and hence in the favored types of individuals.
Tag 3 others.
Deene
Teacherwoman
Firefly
the makings of a bridezilla
Today we had another 8 hours off from work because our Navajo Nation president declared "Administrative Leave" for all branches. Today is Inauguration Day of our President, his Vice-President, new Council Delegates, and other elected officials.
I chose not to attend because I don't agree nor am I happy with the amount of money they've put into the festivities. People are always complaining that there is never enough money in our budgets to put forth to services for our people and yet it's extravaganzas like this that suck up all that money. I despise politics.
I still have work to do but I'm doing it at home to save me the hour-long roundtrip from my home to my office.
Save the Date: This morning, I went to a party store to take a gander at their wedding invitation sample books. I was searching for some Save-the-Date cards to send out. They didn't have much of a selection so I finally decided that it would be best if Brandon and I just made our own on the computer. He's a talented graphic designer anyhow.
We shall send them out at the end of the month.
Who to Invite? I was thinking this morning in the shower about which of my friends I would invite. We're trying to keep the wedding a relatively small affair. Brandon and I agreed that we would only invite ten of our closest friends and 5-7 of the friends that we actually have in common together.
I've gone over the 10-mark by 5 people and it's so difficult to axe who the 5 would be. At least, I know there are definitely 5 people I want there and they're all my best friends.
Photographer: We agreed that our close friend would take our photos for us. He's a talented photographer. His website is
here. Brandon and I have until May or even late April to shape up because that's when we're going to take some photos for the wedding invitations. hehe
I think for the rest of the day, I'll be emailing my friends for their mailing addresses. Ugh. I've put off this planning for so long that now it's finally catching up with me!!! I hope I don't become a bridezilla. lol
BTW, we're having a Navajo Traditional Wedding. I found this painting of a Navajo bride, groom, and medicine man on the web. It'll kind of give you an idea of how our wedding will be like. If you're interested, here is a good read on an article written by a Navajo medicine man on how the wedding used to be like in the past and how it's been altered a bit in modern times.
Read here.IMAGE REMOVED. Workout:
Tonight I'm headed to the gym for more elliptical time and some leg workouts.
Labels: wedding, work
more 'woe is me' crap
Went to the gym yesterday afternoon after having breakfast solo at Denny's and slaving over laundry.
I'm gradually building up my time on the elliptical trainer. I forget how difficult it can be sometimes. Elliptical time: 31 min. Incline Treadmill (walking): 15 min. Reclining bike: 15 min.
I was walking at a slow pace of about 3.2-3.4 on the treadmill with an incline of 6-7.0. Every 4 minutes, I would lessen the incline to 2.0 for about 2-3 minutes. I thought that this would help stretch my fascia. Now I think that was a bad idea. Mind you, I DID stretch before I got on the treadmill.
After I got home, my arch was hurting more than it normally does after the gym. There was tightness on the left part of the top of my foot (where I felt initial shooting pain during the 30k.) It's a noticeable ache where I have to massage and ice.
I thought I'd give an update on the pain: I hardly feel anything in my actual heel. It's always near the top of my foot and directly under my arch or near the instep. I don't have pain when I wake up in the morning either. While I can feel an ache when I generally walk around, the pain increases when I walk for more than 10 minutes or so. Anymore than 45 minutes of standing and walking and it heats up or throbs.
I don't think it's so much plantar fasciitis anymore.
This is really frustrating me because I can't seem to get an answer I can work with from the doctors I've seen. I feel like my only choices for treatment is going to an actual orthopedic doctor which means I have to go to Albuquerque or Flagstaff now.
Do you think treatment from an acupuncture therapist or a chiropractor would help? (I feel like I have built up pressure in my foot.)
I HATE THIS!!
UPDATE: I scheduled an appointment with a Podiatrist in Flagstaff who specializes in Sports Medicine. It's next Tuesday though. Still, I'm feeling more optimistic about this already.
my sights for 2007
It's been a while--again.
Hello running world. I miss you.
First of all, I wanted to cheer on all the runners who are counting down to PF Chang's Day next Sunday. I'm proud of your commitment, determination, and heart thus far. It's been a pleasure keeping up with you.
I'll be there next weekend in Tempe. I may be volunteering at the Scottsdale Running Company's tent. I still haven't gotten word back on it so it's still up in the air. I"ll keep you posted.
What has Carmen been up to?
Not much. After a short hiatus, I got myself back to the gym. On Friday evening, I put in 30 minutes (20 min elliptical, 10 min incline walking). Yesterday, after a full morning's worth of housecleaning I drove myhself to the gym to put in 55 minutes of hard cardio action. (25 elliptical, 15 reclining stationary bike, 6 minutes upright bike, and about 10 minutes of incline walking on the treadmill).
I don't think my gym offers personal training but there is this girl that I always see working out in the weightroom. I think she's about my age and I'm thinking of asking her to show me the ropes around the weight room. I've very intimidated but I know I need to get over my lame fear.
When I walk the treadmill, I can still feel an ever so slight dull pain in my left foot. After every workout, I ice my foot down and compress it with my arch bandage. If anyone can help me, I'd be very grateful if you could point me in the right direction to some websites where I can learn about some foot stretches. :)
I've made a pact with myself that I would not try to start jogging until mid February or even the first week of March. If I do have the beginning of a stress fracture, I don't want it to get even worse. Better safe than sorry, I always say. I'd rather be out of commission for a few weeks rather than enduring months of regret.
I have two big races that I wanna run this year.
1)
The Shiprock Half-Marathon (early May): this is on the reservation with spectacular scenery.
2)
The Frank Maier Marathon in Juneau, Alaska (08/04): I shot the idea of running a marathon together as part of honeymoon to Hubster. He loved it and was so hyped up for it. I've never been to Alaska either so I'm super excited to be going. (BTW, we set our wedding date for July 28, 2007. You'll be reading quite a bit about the wedding preparation this year in my blog!)
2006 in review
2006. I feel that there is a lot to be said about my running this past year. More importantly, there is a lot to be proud of and much had been learned.
Triumphs:
- I ran my first half-marathon on Jan. 15 in Phoenix (PF Chang's Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon). I remember that my goal was to beat an old classmate's time of 2:17 but unfortunately, I was tanking near the end but still finished with a respectable 2:22:23.
- 5k PR of 29:12 in July despite early morning sizzling Phoenix temperatures.
- 10k PR of 1:00:08 in November at the New Times 10k in Tempe. The first time I noticed a difference in my running after training at high altitudes.
- 1/2 marathon PR of 2:14:49 in December at the Fiesta 1/2 marathon in Scottsdale.
- I ran my first 30k (18.6 miles) in December near the White Tank Mountains in Surprise, AZ. To date, it is officially the longest distance I have ever run at one time.
Follies:
- After running my first 1/2 in January, I was constantly getting sick and had too much to do for school (my last semester of undergrad) that I didn't run consistently for almost 5 months! I finally started a training program again in June.
- In August- September I was transitioning from Phoenix to the Navajo reservation for my first post-college job. It took nearly 5 weeks to fully adjust to an elevation change of +5,000 feet. I was not at all into running during this period.
- After one of my 8 or 9 mile runs in November, my heels started hurting. I thought I was developing plantar fasciitis so I worked on correcting my form.
- In what was supposed to be my 2nd to the last long run until my marathon debut, fate intervened in it's most cruelest ways during the last half mile of my 30k and I sustained an injury to my left foot which crushed any chances of running the marathon I was training for. I still don't know what exactly it is: a stress fracture (Jones fracture) or a case of plantar fasciitis. It feels like both.
- Near the tail end of December, I finally admitted to myself that I could NOT run the PF Chang's marathon in Jan 2007. Turbulently angry emotions soon followed.
- I ended the year doing absolutely no running on doctor's orders.
A couple things I've learned:
- Tape both of my arches with wide bandages for runs more than 8 miles. The bloody things always start chafing.
- The importance of constant hydration every mile and GU gels every 3 miles will stave off post-race headaches and lethargy.
- Sip small amounts of fluids lest I want to pee in the bushes or on myself in a race with no restrooms.
- Always carry extra safety pins.
- Bullfrog Sunblock gels work wonders.
- Little setbacks only encourage me to work harder.
- I don't run for anyone else but myself and my health.
- The endorphins usually don't kick in until after 2 miles. Be patient, lassie.
- Bananas work wonders for running less than 5 miles.
- My little Sony mp3 player kicks more ass than an iPod.
- It's all about the high energy punk songs, 80's dance music, and Dean Martin.
- I am awesome!
In early 2006, I finally declared myself a "runner" shortly after my 1st 1/2 marathon. It's not a term that I feel can be tossed around lightly. One must earn the title. One must put in the time and the effort. One has to feel the temporary pains and fatigue of long distance running and speed training.
To me, a runner is one who harbors a deep passion for what most people believe is ridiculously rudimentary: simply placing one's foot ahead of the other mile after mile. It's a passion that imbeds itself in a person even when one is put through the anguish of sidelining injuries, defeat, and performances that finish just short of a well-sought PR.
A runner is one who is never completely satisfied with a stellar race performance. After crossing the finish line, they are already thinking about how they can improve on their time, their form, or their pace. When they set a goal, there is no way that they let anything get in their way of achieving that goal.
Most people cannot fathom running for hours on a stretch of road in the sun. Some would rather watch paint peel than run for the same amount of time. Only runners can understand this delight.
It is something that I proudly tell people about myself when we are introduced for the first time.
As my running performances improved and I was running longer and faster, I became enthralled with visiting running stores. I found more delight in shopping for GU gels than regular food, running shoes instead of flip-flops, moisture-wicking running shirts instead of casual clothes. It's funny how I am now recognized as a regular by a couple of salespeople at Performance Footwear in Tempe. It's comforting in some way to have them ask me about how my training in going.
This year I also became a regular RBF member. I've met great friends through this running blog community that I never would have met through racing alone. All of your encouraging words and helpful advice help me more than you can ever know. Thank you friends.
Most of all, I love it when my friends ask me in surprise, "How is it that you can stand to run more than 6 miles?"
My answer is always the same,
"Because I love it. It's who I am."
2006 was an incredible year for me. It will only get better in '07.
note
Wow, it's already the second of January and I haven't even gotten around to posting my Review of 2006 and my Hopes and Goals for 2007.
I think it will take at least a week to get my new blog up and started given the way things have been going. I'm forever traveling and on the road. This weekend I was all over Northern NM and in my hometown of Kayenta. Next weekend, I will either be back at the blockade site or in Kayenta planning a surprise party for my mom.
The weekend after is the PF Chang's marathon. It took a lot for me to commit to stopping along the race course to cheer on fellow half-marathoners and marathoners that I know. It still really sucks hardcore for me not to be running. I get a knot in my stomach thinking about it. I'm also looking forward to meeting some RBF'ers at the pre-party. Count me in Firefly!
I'll will mention where my first marathon will be and when in my 2007 post. However, I will leave you with my motto for my running in 2007. It is stolen from a Daft Punk song (hehe).
"Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger".Download it if you have the chance. :)
