I'm currently spending time with my family in Livermore and it's very bittersweet. Because I love cuddling my niece and watching Xman play with Uncle Fomhead and ninong Wayne, ninang Tracey, and cousin BELla.
But I don't get to train with my partner in crime Casimiro Llamas, Jr and the rest of my team in training partners. It makes it very difficult to get up off the couch when I am cuddling my little niece and laughing it up with my little brother! But I need to remember that the marathon is approaching and I need to utilize every day so that I am working toward my goal rather than being my own worst enemy and not pushing my body.
So I suited up and headed out for my training. I ran around my sister's neighborhood and I did about 3 miles total. I ran a lot of pavement today and at the end of my run I realized why our Coach said not to run on pavement but rather pack dirt.
Because pavement is very hard on your body. And it is very unforgiving when you have to run more than 2 miles. As I was stretching I could really feel the effects of running on a surface with no give. And I realized that if I run on pavement all of the time when we get to the day of the marathon, running on pavement is actually going to really hurt my body. This way I push my body to train, but I don't punish every day by not providing a ground that offers a little bit of cushion.
But I was really proud of myself for getting out there and running the miles on our run schedule. It was a little bit more difficult to run alone when I am use to running knowing that others are running the same path.
But the end of the run I felt such a sense of accomplishment.
Exhaustion was wearing a smile and actually helped to spur me on to complete my mileage for today.
I know it's the end of the day and you're probably exhausted too, but take just a few moments to donate to a worthy cause and do what those with blood cancers cannot: being exhausted by choice, not because your body is being exhausted in its fight against cancer!
Roxanne Villaluz's Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz
Casimiro Llamas, Jr.'s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Walking the Mall Day 39
Casimiro and I really wanted to swim today, but every pool in our complex was full of people. We thought about being rude and just starting to swim, but we realized how selfish that was. So we had to come up with a new plan. Because both of us really wanted to be outside so we decided that walking around the mall both inside and out would be another fun and different cross training day.
So we dressed and headed over to Fashion Fair. Unfortunately, the mall was closing in 30 minutes. But along the way we saw our friend Jannisha at work so we went and surprised her.
We went walking around the mall and hoped to catch a glimpse of our friend Angelica also the first person to donate to both of our donation sites! Yay gelatin! But alas she was not there.
Once the mall closed we decided to walk around outside until we smelt the waft of the sewer. Thus our walk was cut short, but we did get in a good half hour. I really love training with Casimiro because he is always willing to train in unusual way. As long as we get in some cardio he's down for anything! This has been a great experience thus far.
So today's exhaustion had very little flavor because we didn't really exhaust ourselves. Rather we worked up a pleasant little sweat!
Please donate to our websites it's no sweat. Just go to our links below and donate!
Roxanne Villaluz’s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz
Casimiro Llamas, Jr.’s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas
So we dressed and headed over to Fashion Fair. Unfortunately, the mall was closing in 30 minutes. But along the way we saw our friend Jannisha at work so we went and surprised her.
We went walking around the mall and hoped to catch a glimpse of our friend Angelica also the first person to donate to both of our donation sites! Yay gelatin! But alas she was not there.
Once the mall closed we decided to walk around outside until we smelt the waft of the sewer. Thus our walk was cut short, but we did get in a good half hour. I really love training with Casimiro because he is always willing to train in unusual way. As long as we get in some cardio he's down for anything! This has been a great experience thus far.
So today's exhaustion had very little flavor because we didn't really exhaust ourselves. Rather we worked up a pleasant little sweat!
Please donate to our websites it's no sweat. Just go to our links below and donate!
Roxanne Villaluz’s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz
Casimiro Llamas, Jr.’s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas
Happy Feet Day 38
Today was a fun training day. My training partner Casimiro works with a girl that djs on the side. She was going to be performing at a small restaurant in Visalia. So Casimiro kindly paid for my cover so that we could dance the night away.
Because we get silly and neither of us has gone dancing exclusively together we decided that we were going to dance the whole time.
So our training day was to go dancing for almost 2.5 hours straight. We had so much fun pseudo salsa dancing, pretending to bachata and cumbia, stamping our feet getting a little freaky with on another and just generally being silly.
I don't think I have ever used my calves for such a long time and really worked my thighs, hamstrings, and glutes.
Today was one of the funnest training days to date. Mainly because it was out of the ordinary and I have never sweat so much. I was so glad that Casimiro dragged me out of my funk and onto the dance floor of the tiny Visalia restaurant.
Exhaustion tasted like sweat, laughter, and feet sliding to great tunes!
DONATE Please make our goal happy too and donate!
Roxanne Villaluz's Team in Training Website
Because we get silly and neither of us has gone dancing exclusively together we decided that we were going to dance the whole time.
So our training day was to go dancing for almost 2.5 hours straight. We had so much fun pseudo salsa dancing, pretending to bachata and cumbia, stamping our feet getting a little freaky with on another and just generally being silly.
I don't think I have ever used my calves for such a long time and really worked my thighs, hamstrings, and glutes.
Today was one of the funnest training days to date. Mainly because it was out of the ordinary and I have never sweat so much. I was so glad that Casimiro dragged me out of my funk and onto the dance floor of the tiny Visalia restaurant.
Exhaustion tasted like sweat, laughter, and feet sliding to great tunes!
DONATE Please make our goal happy too and donate!
Roxanne Villaluz's Team in Training Website
Whole Foods to Fresno High Day 37
Today was a mentor training day and we had to meet at Whole Foods on Palm/Shaw to run 6 miles. Today was also my friend's baby shower and I had stayed up with Casimiro prepping last minute items for the shower. We went to bed about midnight so when the alarm went off at 5:15 am I was seriously considering opting out, but I knew that I would feel guilty about not doing the Saturday morning run.
We got there just in time and my regular running partner Sara was there. It was nice that she was happy to see me because I miss her at our weekday runs. She is the only one that runs at my pace and talking to her always makes the runs go by faster.
Especially today being a longer run and I had never run beyond 5 miles so 6 seemed a little intimidating.
When the mentor told us the route I was surprised, we were to run from Shaw to McKinley and back. I was surprised because I thought the distance alone was 6 miles but it was only 3 miles.
I do have to say it was fun to run down neighborhoods that I normally drive past. Especially when we got to the street my mechanic is on. I never would have anticipated running from Whole Foods to my mechanics. It was a great feeling. And when we finally got to our destination and I ran past Fresno High I knew that I was going to be okay for the marathon. Because I had teammates that are motivating and I was able to motivate myself to run hard and make it back to our starting point.
I am really starting to enjoy running through the streets of Fresno and getting to know the limitations as well as how far I can push my body.
It is also very nice to see my partner in crime Casimiro my mentor Jafar and one of my teammates Dori hanging out waiting to congratulate us for a good run!
Exhaustion tasted like accomplishment and a reminder that it is team in training because it is a team effort. Every team member needs to cross the line with their teammates cheering them on all the way!
Aside from crossing the finish we need to reach our fundraising goals. Help us out!
Roxanne Villaluz's Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz
Casimiro Llamas, Jr.'s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas
We got there just in time and my regular running partner Sara was there. It was nice that she was happy to see me because I miss her at our weekday runs. She is the only one that runs at my pace and talking to her always makes the runs go by faster.
Especially today being a longer run and I had never run beyond 5 miles so 6 seemed a little intimidating.
When the mentor told us the route I was surprised, we were to run from Shaw to McKinley and back. I was surprised because I thought the distance alone was 6 miles but it was only 3 miles.
I do have to say it was fun to run down neighborhoods that I normally drive past. Especially when we got to the street my mechanic is on. I never would have anticipated running from Whole Foods to my mechanics. It was a great feeling. And when we finally got to our destination and I ran past Fresno High I knew that I was going to be okay for the marathon. Because I had teammates that are motivating and I was able to motivate myself to run hard and make it back to our starting point.
I am really starting to enjoy running through the streets of Fresno and getting to know the limitations as well as how far I can push my body.
It is also very nice to see my partner in crime Casimiro my mentor Jafar and one of my teammates Dori hanging out waiting to congratulate us for a good run!
Exhaustion tasted like accomplishment and a reminder that it is team in training because it is a team effort. Every team member needs to cross the line with their teammates cheering them on all the way!
Aside from crossing the finish we need to reach our fundraising goals. Help us out!
Roxanne Villaluz's Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz
Casimiro Llamas, Jr.'s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas
Running Around FSU Day 36
Today was supposed to be a mentor run at Woodward Park. But there have been fires burning all week in California. Since we live in a Valley a lot of the smoke has been traveling toward us and then getting trapped mixing with our already polluted air.
My asthma has been kicking in strong because of it and the heat has not been helping. Even though our coach pushed our practices back to 7pm it was still a bit too hot, muggy, and thick for my irritated lungs. So Casimiro and I decided to run at 8pm. I had the routes with mileage around Fresno State and today was supposed to be a 4-mile day.
So we mapped out our route and planned together what we had to do. At first it wasn't so bad, my asthma was starting to kick in but I had my inhaler just in case. Which was a good thing because after about 2 miles my breathing turned into a wheeze and I was sucking in oxygen through inflamed bronchioles making it sound as if I were breathing in air mixed with water. But I knew I would be okay and I wanted our run to be beneficial to both of us so I encouraged Casimiro to run his pace and I promised not to run so hard that I would be in danger of passing out.
I can be pretty stubborn, but I have been reminding myself that this is a lifestyle change so if I want to continue this I need to listen to my body and my training partner.
So I kept running but then I forgot there was a parade to honor the baseball's teams state champ victory. As I was running through the dorm parking lot exhaust fumes were blowing hard in my face so I ran through it, but then decided to walk because I could feel my lungs becoming irritated with fumes. I didn't want to take another shot of my inhaler because I had already done it 15 minutes before.
I walked about 5 minutes and then went back to interval training. But I started wheezing and getting light-headed. Since I promised I would stop if I felt like passing out decided to do a 2 min/1 min respectively run/walk. But I ran to the end. Then Casimiro and I stretched out and walked home feeling tired yet good about sticking to our training.
Exhaustion tasted like smog, fumes, feet hitting pavement and muscles that needed a good buddy stretch!
Stretch your dollars and donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as cheering us on in our training!
Roxanne Villaluz's Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz
Casimiro Llamas, Jr.'s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas
My asthma has been kicking in strong because of it and the heat has not been helping. Even though our coach pushed our practices back to 7pm it was still a bit too hot, muggy, and thick for my irritated lungs. So Casimiro and I decided to run at 8pm. I had the routes with mileage around Fresno State and today was supposed to be a 4-mile day.
So we mapped out our route and planned together what we had to do. At first it wasn't so bad, my asthma was starting to kick in but I had my inhaler just in case. Which was a good thing because after about 2 miles my breathing turned into a wheeze and I was sucking in oxygen through inflamed bronchioles making it sound as if I were breathing in air mixed with water. But I knew I would be okay and I wanted our run to be beneficial to both of us so I encouraged Casimiro to run his pace and I promised not to run so hard that I would be in danger of passing out.
I can be pretty stubborn, but I have been reminding myself that this is a lifestyle change so if I want to continue this I need to listen to my body and my training partner.
So I kept running but then I forgot there was a parade to honor the baseball's teams state champ victory. As I was running through the dorm parking lot exhaust fumes were blowing hard in my face so I ran through it, but then decided to walk because I could feel my lungs becoming irritated with fumes. I didn't want to take another shot of my inhaler because I had already done it 15 minutes before.
I walked about 5 minutes and then went back to interval training. But I started wheezing and getting light-headed. Since I promised I would stop if I felt like passing out decided to do a 2 min/1 min respectively run/walk. But I ran to the end. Then Casimiro and I stretched out and walked home feeling tired yet good about sticking to our training.
Exhaustion tasted like smog, fumes, feet hitting pavement and muscles that needed a good buddy stretch!
Stretch your dollars and donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as cheering us on in our training!
Roxanne Villaluz's Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz
Casimiro Llamas, Jr.'s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas
Back in the pool Day 35
Well I am back on track thanks to my motivating partner Casimiro Llamas, Jr! After begin away from training for a week and getting back by attending hill training I am feeling great about going back to training. So today was a swimming day. In the very beginning we had swam on our cross training days. But unfortunately, the weather cooled down (funny for Fresno) and we couldn't find an indoor pool so we started doing more Pilates, toning and stretching as workouts.
But now that we are back to 90 + degree weather, swimming thankfully is back on the roster of cross training.
So we decided to go to our complex's pool to do our cross training. When we got to the pool we realized we had forgotten a clock so we couldn't time ourselves. Instead we decided that if we swam 25 laps that would be about 30 minutes. The workout felt good even though I felt a little weak and tired. The pool was a lot longer than the pool we normally swim in so one lap felt much longer and I felt I was exerting much more.
But Casimiro and I swam steadily enjoying one another's company, watching our neighbor swim with his two young kids. Then eventually it was the three of us doing laps in the pool.
As we finished up the last lap I could hear the big clock at Fresno State near the Student Union chiming the hour. Casimiro and I were so excited to realize that we had swum for a complete hour! Each time we surpass a goal we set both of us feel motivated and ready to take on the next phase of training.
Today's exhaustion tasted like joy mixed with satisfaction and pride in one another.
Now that it's hotter you probably aren't going out as much, so spend some of that money helping those with blood cancers that can't be out in the sun.
Roxanne Villaluz's Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz
Casimiro Llamas, Jr.'s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas
But now that we are back to 90 + degree weather, swimming thankfully is back on the roster of cross training.
So we decided to go to our complex's pool to do our cross training. When we got to the pool we realized we had forgotten a clock so we couldn't time ourselves. Instead we decided that if we swam 25 laps that would be about 30 minutes. The workout felt good even though I felt a little weak and tired. The pool was a lot longer than the pool we normally swim in so one lap felt much longer and I felt I was exerting much more.
But Casimiro and I swam steadily enjoying one another's company, watching our neighbor swim with his two young kids. Then eventually it was the three of us doing laps in the pool.
As we finished up the last lap I could hear the big clock at Fresno State near the Student Union chiming the hour. Casimiro and I were so excited to realize that we had swum for a complete hour! Each time we surpass a goal we set both of us feel motivated and ready to take on the next phase of training.
Today's exhaustion tasted like joy mixed with satisfaction and pride in one another.
Now that it's hotter you probably aren't going out as much, so spend some of that money helping those with blood cancers that can't be out in the sun.
Roxanne Villaluz's Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz
Casimiro Llamas, Jr.'s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas
I fell off the track but now I am back Day 34
Well as many of you know I had been away from my training for about a week because some big things happened in my family.
I was really frightened to run because between the heat and the notoriously bad air which now had smoke from fires burning all across California and my asthma I didn’t know if I was going to do this. But I finally came back and just in time to participate in hill training at Woodward Park. I can’t lie. I was scared! I hadn’t worked out in a week and last time we had done hill training I had almost passed out. And since we have already been in training for over 30 days I knew that hill training was going to be tough. But surprisingly enough it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had imagined. We warmed up with a 2-mile run, stretched and then lined up to do our sprints, high knees, and lunges. Funnily enough, I think because I had a break from working out my muscles weren’t that sore during or after. I felt really good. Then we went to killer hill. The hill I had almost passed out after trying to run backwards. So I was intimidated to say the least. Especially because coach said we would run up the hill go around and down (about the size of a high school track) and that we were to do that 3 times without stopping to rest. And then we would do 2 more running backwards up the hill and then around (facing forward thank goodness). I was so proud of myself and my other teammates because we made it all the way around and then ran back to a spot where the mentors were kind enough to have cold towels, popsicles, Gatorade, and water! I felt like such a kid. All of us standing around sucking on popsicles, with ice cold towels draped around our necks just happy to be finished and getting cool.
After each training I am always apprehensive about my ability to finish the marathon, but when I sit down to write these blogs I realize just how far I have come in a little over a month and half. If I can go from couch potato to running bug I can eventually tackle the 26.2 miles around beautiful San Francisco. Exhaustion tasted like red, blue, and orange popsicles with ice cold towels on skin thirsty for some relief from the heat and dirt!
We don't always do everything we can, but in this instance you can! You can donate to a wonderfully worthy cause!
Roxanne Villaluz’s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz
Casimiro Llamas, Jr.’s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas
I was really frightened to run because between the heat and the notoriously bad air which now had smoke from fires burning all across California and my asthma I didn’t know if I was going to do this. But I finally came back and just in time to participate in hill training at Woodward Park. I can’t lie. I was scared! I hadn’t worked out in a week and last time we had done hill training I had almost passed out. And since we have already been in training for over 30 days I knew that hill training was going to be tough. But surprisingly enough it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had imagined. We warmed up with a 2-mile run, stretched and then lined up to do our sprints, high knees, and lunges. Funnily enough, I think because I had a break from working out my muscles weren’t that sore during or after. I felt really good. Then we went to killer hill. The hill I had almost passed out after trying to run backwards. So I was intimidated to say the least. Especially because coach said we would run up the hill go around and down (about the size of a high school track) and that we were to do that 3 times without stopping to rest. And then we would do 2 more running backwards up the hill and then around (facing forward thank goodness). I was so proud of myself and my other teammates because we made it all the way around and then ran back to a spot where the mentors were kind enough to have cold towels, popsicles, Gatorade, and water! I felt like such a kid. All of us standing around sucking on popsicles, with ice cold towels draped around our necks just happy to be finished and getting cool.
After each training I am always apprehensive about my ability to finish the marathon, but when I sit down to write these blogs I realize just how far I have come in a little over a month and half. If I can go from couch potato to running bug I can eventually tackle the 26.2 miles around beautiful San Francisco. Exhaustion tasted like red, blue, and orange popsicles with ice cold towels on skin thirsty for some relief from the heat and dirt!
We don't always do everything we can, but in this instance you can! You can donate to a wonderfully worthy cause!
Roxanne Villaluz’s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz
Casimiro Llamas, Jr.’s Team in Training Website
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas
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