2.25.2009

The Green Girl Improves Her Proprioception

proprioception (prō'prē-ō-sěp'shən)
n.
The unconscious perception of movement and spatial orientation arising
from stimuli within the body itself.

The Green Girl's ankle is doing significantly better after her two three week running hiatus.

At this point, my number one priority is to allow my ankle to heal and strengthen it as much as possible. I am so glad the San Francisco Half Marathon is not until the end of July.

As I mentioned before, my doctor wants me to do isometric exercises on a weekly basis for both my ankles to strengthen them.

My doctor also recommended I purchase or borrow a Bosu Ball and balance on it three times a day to increase my kinesthetic coordination. Instead of a pricey Bosu Ball, I found a much cheaper alternative, a Harbinger Balance Trainer, at my local discount sporting goods store, Big 5, for $19.99.

After using the Balance Trainer for a week now, I must admit I prefer it over the signficantly more expensive Bosu Ball in terms of balance training.

With the Bosu Ball, you can adjust the difficulty simply by spreading your feet further apart to make it easier or closer together to make it harder. Even at the most challenging position, the Bosu Ball is not as difficult as the Balance Trainer because the dome is firmer and offers more support. When I'm at the dojo, I continue to use the Bosu Ball for squats. I would need to purchase a second Balance Trainer if I wanted to do squats (one for each foot).

I stand on the Balance Trainer at least twice a day - in the morning and at night when I brush my teeth. Simply trying to balance on the disk is challenging but the brushing movement makes it even more difficult.

I hope this training also helps me to improve my balance and spatial awareness. I tend to trip fairly often and I've always been really accident-prone.

2.21.2009

The Green Girl Races On The Base

The Green Girl raced in the Los Alamitos Race on the Base 5k this morning at the Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB).

There was a 5k, 10k, reverse triathlon, and 1k for kids. The course looped around the airfield.

This was the first time I'd run since the Surf City Half Marathon three weeks ago. I taped my ankle up before I went to bed last night so when I woke up this morning and got out of bed, my foot felt really good. There was no pain in the arch for the first time since I sprained my ankle.

There were a number of groups of military personnel running in formation and chanting. Each time they went by me, I tried as hard as I could to keep up with them but I could not. Honestly, I got tired in the first mile of the race. My official finish time was 36:30. According to Mr. Green Garmin, I finished in 36:16.

I was thrilled to see bananas and orange slices as soon as I crossed the finish line.

I headed over to the Expo to check out the booths. I stopped to get a free five minute massage from Complexions Day Spa. I was really impressed with the quality of the Expo. It was much better than the Surf City one. I got a lot of really cool, free stuff. I even made my very first race apparel purchase. (My very first race purchase was a "Rock 'n' Roll" guitar Italian charm that matched the race medal perfectly.) I got a technical shirt with the Race on the Base logo for $20.

I watched the 1k for kids. It was so cute to see them in their starting positions. My favorite runner was this little girl dressed in all pink pushing a little pink stroller with a doll. I loved that she was taking her time. At the end, I saw her casually veering off the path to the finish line.

Penny, I'm sorry I missed you at the reverse triathlon. I headed home after the 1k.

I was uploading my pictures when I got a call from The Crossings at the Bay. I had entered my name in their raffle for a beach cruiser and I won. I couldn't believe it. Anyone who knows me will attest to how obsessed I am with getting a bike.

My boyfriend hopped in the car with me and I headed back to the base to claim my prize. As I was rolling the bike to the parking lot, the announcer congratulated me on winning the cruiser. I waved happily.

We folded the backseats down but the bike was too big to fit through the hole. Using some string, we secured the bike to the best of our ability and I slowly drove home. My car kept beeping at me to let me know the trunk was still open.

We got the bike home but, unfortunately, when my boyfriend was taking the bike out of the trunk, one of the screws scratched the bumper of my brand new car. It was the very first scratch.

I wanted to take the bike for a ride but I realized it's too big for me. I'm only 4'10.5" and there's no way I could get on that bike without stepping on something raised first. I'll have to figure something out.

2.18.2009

And The Winner Is...Option 2



The Green Girl wants to thank everyone who participated in her running shirt poll. I ordered the shirt today using the Option 2 design.

2.17.2009

The Green Girl's Current Running Playlist

Here's the Green Girl's current playlist for running and working out. I like to start off my runs with pop music and then move into the trance. I usually tend to listen to the hip-hop more when I'm on the elliptical.

Based on my playlist, please let me know if you have any recommendations for me.

SongArtist
What Goes Around...Comes AroundJustin Timberlake
Break The IceBritney Spears
Keep Bleeding LoveLeona Lewis
RehabRihanna featuring Justin Timberlake
WomanizerBritney Spears
My Love (Remix)Justin Timberlake
You Want A Piece of MeBritney Spears
EscapeEnrique Iglesias
Nobody Listens To TechnoDJ Tiesto
Green HeavenVincent De Moor
Still Alive (Paul van Dyk Remix)Lisa Miskovsky
Adagio For StringsDJ Tiesto
Back In My LifeAlice Deejay
Do You Like BassDJ Tiesto
Better Off AloneAlice Deejay
Lord of TranceDJ Tiesto
EternityArmin Van Buren & DJ Tiesto
Take Me Away (Club Mix)DJ Tiesto
Sweet DreamsBenny Benasi
The AnthemDJ Tiesto
Everytime We TouchCascada
TitanicDJ Tiesto
MiracleCascada
Touch MeDJ Tiesto
What Hurts The MostCascada
Children of The SandstormDarude vs. Robert Miles
SilenceDelerium featuring Sarah McLachlan
You Take My Breath Away (DJ Tiesto remix)Dido
We're In Heaven (Techno Remix)DJ Sammy
Like A Prayer (Dance Remix)Madonna
Electronic European Dance MixEuro-House Techno
SorryMadonna
InsomniaFaithless
San Francisco DreamingGlobal Deejays vs. Benny Benassi
Because of You (Techno Remix)Kelly Clarkson
In A DreamLil Suzy
What It Feels Like For A Girl (Paul Oakenfold Remix)Madonna
Bittersweet Symphony (Remix)Moby
Ready Steady GoPaul Oakenfold
Piano In TranceRobert Miles
Castles In The SkyDJ Mystic
Sail Away (DJ Tiesto Remix)Enya
Take Me Higher (Club Mix)Sonique
Zombie Dance MixThe Cranberries
Will I EverAlice Deejay
Apologize (DJ Ypsilonta Remix)Timbaland
Hustlas AnthemWes Coast
Thugs Get Lonely TooTupac & Nate Dogg
Cyclone (Dirty)Baby Bash featuring T-Pain
ForeverChris Brown
Knuck If U BuckCrime Mob
Get Buck In HereDJ Felli Fel
Deep CoverDr. Dre & Snoop Dogg
We Started This ShitEightball & MJG
Cleaning Out My ClosetEminem
'Till I CollapseEminem
When I'm GoneEminem
Remember The NameFort Minor
CrazyGnarls Barkley
Numb (Remix)Jay-Z featuring Lincoln Park
Get 'Em HighKanye West
Let It RockKevin Rudolf featuring Lil' Wayne
I Don't Give A FuckLil John
Ain't No ClickLloyd Banks
Hip Hop Saved My LifeLupe Fiasco
Paper PlanesM.I.A.
Let's Get DirtyMethod Man & Redman
We Run ThisMissy Elliot
Quiet Storm (Remix)Mobb Deep featuring Lil' Kim
Party PeopleNelly featuring Fergie
Heart of a ChampionNelly
Say It RightNelly Furtado
Give It To MeNelly Furtado
Push It To The LimitRick Ross
Start From ScratchThe Game
It's A FightThree 6 Mafia
The Way I Are (Remix)Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson
ScreamTimbaland featuring Nicole Sherzinger
Running (Eminem's Dying To Live Remix)Tupac & Biggie
Hit Em UpTupac
Make Love In This ClubUsher featuring Young Jeezy
Speed of SoundCold Play
Viva La VidaCold Play
I Run For LifeMelissa Etheridge

2.16.2009

The Green Girl's Running Shirt Poll

Since the Green Girl is going to be running the San Francisco Half Marathon in July to raise money for Angelman Syndrome, the Green Girl needs an Angelman Syndrome running shirt.

I will be ordering the shirt from Running Banana because they offer a size XXL for women and that made me one happy Green Girl.

Which Option do you think is the best for the Green Girl?

Option 1:


Option 2:


Option 3:


Poll is closed now.

Here are the results:

2.05.2009

The Green Girl's Two Week Running Hiatus



The Green Girl is going to take a two week hiatus from running.

After doing way better than I could have ever expected in my half marathon last Sunday, I want to give my ankle an opportunity to heal. I think repeated sprains have weakened the ligaments and tendons. Just last week, I remembered I had injured this ankle back when I was in elementary school. I had torn the ligaments so badly I ended up on crunches wearing this giant boot for months. I can't believe I completely blocked that entire incident out of my mind until now.

My next race is the Los Alamitos Race on the Base 5k on February 21. Depending on how my ankle feels that week, I might go for some easy runs before the race.

I'll continue to kickbox but I'll tape my ankle. I'll do the elliptical instead of running. This will also give me an opportunity to focus more on strength training.

2.02.2009

Surf City USA Half Marathon Race Report

Surf City USA Expo

The Green Girl went with Snowboarding Buddy to the Surf City USA Marathon Expo on Saturday. The highlight of the Expo was getting to meet Janey Jaye and Miss JC from SparkPeople. I even wore my homemade SparkPeople t-shirt for the occasion.

Janey Jaye and Miss JC are leaders of the California Dreamin' SparkTeam. This SparkTeam is for people who are participating in the California Dreamin' Racing Series.

The official race shirts were really nice. I really liked how you had the opportunity to try them on for size.

The Expo was much smaller than I had expected. I was also disappointed by the lack of free stuff. Both Snowboarding Buddy and I were hoping to get lots of cool stuff. The only swag I got was a Minute Rice pad of sticky notes.

After the Expo, I continued my pre-race baking tradition by making "Run, 1/2 pint" cupcakes.

Surf City USA Half Marathon

This was the first time I didn't take public transportation to a race and I didn't give myself enough time. I got stuck in the Beach Blvd. traffic and all the designated parking lots were full by the time I got there. I ended up parking in some residential neighborhood and walking back to Edison High School to catch the shuttle. There was a long line to get on the buses so I stretched my legs a little bit while I waited patiently.

According to Mr. Green Garmin, I crossed the Starting Line at 08:04:23. I felt a bit out of sorts because my morning had been so hectic and I missed the usual pre-race rituals but I took a deep breath and just started running.

My biggest concern was my sprained ankle. I had it taped up per my doctor's instructions and popped some ibuprofen before I left my apartment. I was so relieved it wasn't bothering me. I was also a little nervous because I wasn't really prepared for 13.1 miles. My longest training run had only been 6.51 miles.

In the first mile, a group of police officers passed me. They were chanting something like, 'This is what we do everyday!' It was definitely entertaining.

My Timex watch was programmed for 5:1 run/walk intervals. I kept reminding myself this is only one race but I will have my ankle forever. My goal was to cross the finish line in one piece.

The walking resulted in an unexpected benefit. I was able to recover during the breaks and then maintain a faster running speed. I had set Mr. Green Garmin's Virtual Training Partner to a 13:30 minute mile just for fun. I certainly had no intention of actually going that fast with walk breaks. I couldn't believe my eyes when everytime I looked at Mr. Green Garmin, he said I was ahead. I was also surprised when Mr. Green Garmin kept telling me my pace was under a 13 minute mile. I even went under a 12 minute mile a few times. I kept thinking about Kitzzy and I couldn't wait to call her after the race to tell her how much I liked the run/walk method.

Between Miles 3 and 4, I ran up the Seapoint View hill effortlessly. I overhead a few runners saying how much the incline was taking out of them and I silently thanked Coach Steve Mackel for all the awesome hill training.

I took three sips of Gatorade Lemonade every five minutes during my walk break. After Mile 10, I also ate three Rold Gold pretzels with each lemonade break.

It was around Mile 10 when I started feeling tired. Mr. Green Garmin told me I had slowed down to just over a 13 minute mile. The reality that I could beat 03:05:50 and finally break the three hour mark had set in and I was determined. I began telling myself I would get a 'new pair of legs' in less than five minutes. This stategy worked really well. I got a boost of energy that lasted the rest of the race.

According to Mr. Green Garmin, I crossed the Finish Line in 02:49:23. My Official Time was 02:49:16. I couldn't believe it, I had done it. I had broken the three hour mark.

I found the post-race confusing. I wanted to get food but a volunteer accidentally directed me to the beer tent so after waiting in a pretty big line, I ended up with a Bud Light bracelet but nothing to eat. Another volunteer directed me to another tent where they were handing out bags. I was craving orange slices (as usual) but unfortunately, inside my bag was a badly bruised apple, a slightly bruised banana, a Clif bar, and Fig Newtons.

Once I had something in my stomach, I started looking for Janey Jaye and Miss JC. I also got to meet some more SparkPeople, Denise and
Suzanne. We all exchanged stories about running and congratulated each other on our shiny, new PR's.

I was eager to get home and ice my ankle so I said my goodbyes and tried to locate the shuttle pick-up spot. I ended up passing the group of SparkPeople again but this time Angie Eats Peace was with them. I had to stop to meet her and congratulate her on her very first marathon.

As I was walking northbound on Magnolia St., I noticed pieces of glass scattered on the asphalt. Upon closer inspection, I realized someone had broken into one of the cars. A yellow purse was sitting on the seat beside the smashed window. I couldn't help but imagine how the car probably belonged to one of the thousands of runners and how the runner would return to the car with that feeling of accomplishment from crossing the finish line and then they would see this. I felt so bad.

I walked by a homeless guy pushing a shopping cart. It was piled high with stuff but he had draped a Steelers t-shirt across it. I had no idea the Steelers were going to be in the Super Bowl. I found out later when my boyfriend was watching the big game and I asked him who was playing. It made me smile to think the homeless guy was representing his team - even if it was on top of his shopping cart.

Catalina Island Buffalo Run Half Marathon

The Green Girl wants to congratulate her coach, Steve Mackel, on finishing 1st in his age group and 17th overall at the Catalina Island Buffalo Run Half Marathon.

Whoo, hoo! Way to go, Steve!

2.01.2009

Surf City USA Half Marathon Results

The Green Girl's official time was 02:49:16!

I cannot believe I PR's and broke the three hour mark with a sprained ankle and walk breaks.
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