The Jeff Probst Show

This has nothing to do with weight loss or fitness but...
It's me winning "Who's Telling the Truth" on The Jeff Probst Show
So much fun!!!

Marathon Training Time!

I guess it's WAY past time for me to update this thing. Blogging is more difficult than I thought, but I'm going to TRY to do a weekly update (at least).

From the title of this blog, you've guessed it, it's MARATHON TRAINING TIME.

I began last week and am using the training program through Adidas Mi Coach. I usually use Hal Higdon's training program or something similar, but after recently reading an article in Runner's World, it stated to focus more on time than miles, which is what Mi Coach does.

Since I am trying to better my time, the Mi Coach program focuses on staying at a certain place for a certain amount of time. It also incorporates interval runs and speedwork, which always looks great on paper to me, but I NEVER work on.

One of my disasters (I know I'm dramatic) of the LA Marathon March 2012 was the hills. Being from the Bay Area and having hills everywhere, I took for granted that LA would have so many hills in it. When you think of LA you don't think of hills, but I didn't incorporate it into my training last time and they (not literally) killed me! Learning from that mistake and seeking out training areas that have more hills which makes me nervous because of my ongoing IT Band issues.

Ever since the LA Marathon I've had knee pain due to a tight IT Band. I've rested, taken pain relievers, foam rolled, Rumble Rolled, done yoga, stretched, everything that I could think of with no relief. I actually will soon be getting ready for my first Physical Therapy appointment today because of this issue. But I recently found some relief on my own, my Magic Masseuse. I thought I had totally found the solution to my pain until I did my long 10 mile run on Saturday and after mile 6 the pain began to come back. Someone needs to tell me the cure for this right away because my doctor said I might have to take a YEAR off from running and at this point I REFUSE to take this as an answer; besides I've already paid for my marathon in March, and two half marathons in February and May. HELP! lol

Kinesiology Tape: a Roll of Help or Hype

Taped up foot for my Plantar Fasciitis

So after a LONG hiatus I've decided to try to start blogging again. This first thing that came to mind when trying to think of a topic is my new obsession with Kinesiology tape. It seems there are MANY different brands, KT (Pro) the kind shown in the picture above, they also have a regular that is cheaper, Mueller (that I have also tried), Rocktape, Spidertech and probably many others that I have not heard of.

As many know I've had this ongoing ANNOYING problem with Plantar Fasciitis which gets in the way of my running and plyometrics workouts. This summer I got a VERY painful Cortisone in the heel of my left foot that eventually eliminated the pain. To keep the pain from coming back I had been taping up the arch of my foot too keep the pain from coming back. But after being too confident that I was now pain free forever I went running with non arch supported shoes and 50 feet and a pop later stopped me right in my tracks! I went back for ANOTHER Cortisone shot, but this one didn't work as well as the first. When going to the Expo for the Long Beach Half Marathon earlier this year I saw the stand for KT Tape and got my foot taped. Honestly I don't know if it's mental but when finished I instantly felt no pain when walking around! I also finished my 13.1 miles the next day with no foot pain!

Had to KT Tape the Runner's Knee

After the race was another pain, Runner's Knee! I had dealt with it earlier this year and had to take some DOCTOR'S ORDERED time off from running to let my IT Band "heal." I thought the pain was gone after beginning to train for the race. After the race I had seen it has come back so I decided to KT Tape my knee myself after watching a YouTube video on the process (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f76B0j_bz5E&feature=relmfu). Again I don't know if it's mental because sometimes I can't feel the pain but other times I'm not too sure. In any case I recommend getting done professionally first so you can actually experience how it should be done. I've seen the videos on YouTube and tried to mimic the process before actually getting it done by someone else and the results were horrible and frustrating with a whole lot of wasted tape (which is horrible because this stuff is not cheap $10-$20 depending on the brand and style) with me eventually just wrapping my foot with the tape like I would with athletic tape.

So in summary, get taped professionally the first time; choose the right tape, I've found the Pro Tape is the best (there is also a regular cloth tape that does not stick for me very well); and keep an open mind. There is no scientific evidence and MANY believe the tape is all hype, I myself am on the fence, I don't know if it's mental, but if it is and I feel no pain then I'll take it!

Marathon Training Day 1: Back at it Again!

Today was my first OFFICIAL day of marathon training for the Los Angeles Marathon 2012. I don't know why I was nervous running today because I have run and 6 miles and then some on several occasions, nonetheless I was. Unlike last year when training for the Oakland Marathon I plan on running most of miles throughout the week outside. I know a lot of people loathe running on a treadmill because they feel like they are a hamster on a wheel, but I liked it, key word LIKED. I would watch my Reality TV, Biggest Loser, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Bad Girls Club etc, etc (uh, who's been watching Basketball Wives LA? That Jackie Christie, ooh wee, and not to mention who's gonna watch Love and Hip Hop?), but I digress...lol. Now that I've ventured out to running outside, my treadmill is beginning to collect dust (I hang my head in shame, but not really, because the outside is nice!) I think the only time I will run inside is if it's too late or the weather is too hot, I can stand the cold.

So I made it through Day 1: 6 miles, next up Day 2: 5 miles

See you at the finish line!

SLACKER

OMG, you guys, I have not worked out since MONDAY!!!!! And I always talk bad about people that say they don't have time to work out, BUT this week I REALLY did not have time. With going to work, doing school work and life, I just didn't have time. Waking up at 7am getting home by 8pm and doing papers until 12-1am I couldn't get it in and to top it off I've been trying to have a social life and kicking it on the weekend! And when I kick it, I KICK IT and rarely come home until AFTER the weekend is over....lol. But at least I had fun, right? Well, I'm done with the papers so I'm getting back on track, it's never too late to start over, so come on ya'll, let's get it together!!!!

New Follower

I see that I have picked up a new follower!!!!! Thank you all!!!!! I will post tomorrow to celebrate!!! Thank you!!!!!

Challenges

So I haven't been blogging a lot due to my busy schedule of working, working out and VLOGGING. Speaking of which I have recently joined The Commit To Be Fit Challenge on You Tube. I have just gotten the P90X DVD's and just finished my first day last night. I am currently at 127 pounds and haven't lost any weight but I have lost inches. It's kind of frustrating not to see the scale move down, especially after running 30-40 miles a week and literally running and sweating my ass off!

I have also decided to join The Bikini Challenge on You Tube as well. Both of these challenges do involve prizes which is ALWAYS a plus!

Lately I have not been eating the greatest, hence the reason for running so much, so hopefully these challenges will give me the motivation to stay on track.

Challenge Links: 

Commit To Be Fit:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CTBFchallenge

Bikini Challenge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrBDdSSLvEI
http://tearsnomore87.blogspot.com/