Milestones (of sorts)

Well, a few things of note occured tonight.

First, I accomplished a long standing fitness goal of mine by completing 100 push ups today. Granted they were spread out, with 40 at the gym this morning, another 25 this afternoon, another 10 early evening, and the final 25 before bed, but still, 100 were done. In January I was unable to do even one 'guy' pushup, as I essentially had no upper body strength. However, in watching " A Race for the Soul" and in following accomplished female ultra runners and seeing how strong they looked, I decided that this would be the semester that I would become strong. Since I had starting planning to complete a 50k sometime in the coming year, I wanted to gain the physique that my 'ultra idols' as they were, had. So, I've been working hard all semester, trying to do strength training at least twice a week and doing lots of 'girl pushups' until I finally graduated into being able to do my first real pushups sometime in March. I know this seems like a silly thing to post about, but I've just always had no upper body strength and to do a push up was something I've always wanted to be able to do, but really never could. I just really feel like I've become so much stronger :)

My second milestone of the evening, on a different note, is that I've had my first running related toe-nail loss. The 2nd toe-nail on the right foot had been looking sad since my 30k at the end of march, but I wasn't quite sure if it was going to come off. However, the last few days it definitely looked to be losing its battle and tonight the thing finally came off with a little help. It looks sad with the soft new nail beginning to grow in, but I'm sort of proud of it in a way :) Seems like a necessary experience in the ultra/trail world!

Anyways, some sort of odd milestones, but fun ones nonetheless :)

99 days!!

According to my TRT countdown, I'm now less than 100 days from my first 50K. I'm also 51 days from San Diego RNR Marathon and one month and one day from college graduation :) Lots of good stuff coming up!

Today was a great day. I turned in my second paper, and am reveling in having no homework assignments hanging over my head. My thesis still needs a lot of work, but I nevertheless have 40 pages written and plenty of ideas to talk about :)

Went for a very nice run after class up on the firetrail. I felt out of shape for the beginning (the hills didn't help) but it was such a beautiful day that it was impossible not to feel great out there. It was one of those perfect bay area days, 60s temperature and crisp clear sky. From the trail I had an amazing panoramic view of berkeley, the bay, mt. tam, the golden gate, and san francisco. I felt so lucky to have been able to be out there!

With my newfound time I was finally able to get back to the gym to do strength training after work, and it was really wonderful. I walked at a slight incline on the treadmill for 2.1 miles while reading Running Times (forgot my book so I decided to buy a magazine and this seemed like the best choice), did lots of stretching and relaxing (they have a room just for stretching at the gym in one of the raquetball court rooms where the lights are off. Its really nice!). Then I did 100 crunches and 40(!) pushups :) Considering about a month ago I could barely do one, this is great progress. Granted, it was 5 sets of 8, so not 40 at once, but its still a very exciting step. Push-ups make me feel strong! Then I did my normal 6 weight lifting things. All in all spent about 2 hours there, and it was great.

I decided to celebrate having such a great day by stopping by the store and picking up some salmon. Had salmon, lots of zucchini and squash, 1/2 an avocado, and cherry tomatoes for dinner. Absolutely heavenly :)

And I get to sleep in tomorrow

Life just doesn't get much better!

All Signed Up and Ready to Go!

Event: Tahoe Rim Trail 50K/50M/100M Endurance Runs
Category: Tahoe Rim Trail 50K
Registrant First Name: A
Registrant Last Name: Bonner-Lyon
Registration Date: 03/29/07 08:14 PM
Gender:F
Birthdate:9/20/1985
Email:Addygrl@Berkeley.edu
T-shirt size? Small
Number of Pasta Dinners? 2 ($24)

I agree, warrant and covenant as follows:
ALL ENTRANTS MUST SIGN WAIVER Waiver: In consideration of accepting this entry into this event, I undersigned, do hereby for myself, my executors, and administrator, waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages I may have or acquire against any beneficiaries, organizers, sponsors, advertisers, employees, and Federal, State and local government or private parties on whose property this event may be run, or any and all injuries suffered by the participant due to participation in the event. I am aware that races of these distances are extremely difficult and hazardous for even well-conditioned athletes under the most favorable conditions. I am physically fit and sufficiently trained to participate in this high altitude endurance event and assume all risks of such participation. The race covers difficult mountainous terrain and spans great extremes of altitude and temperature. I have been warned that I should not participate in this event unless: a) I am in excellent physical condition; 2) I have previously run endurance distances. I understand and agree that situations may arise during the race, which are beyond the control of race officials or organizers. These factors include, among other things, the fact that I may become injured or incapacitated in a location where it is difficult or impossible for the event’s management to get required medical aid to me in time to avoid physical injury or even death. No entry will be accepted without signature.

A Bonner-Lyon


Aak!! I'm officially signed up for the 50k. There's no going back now :) And I couldn't be happier. The 'covenant' that I signed looks slightly intimidating (death?!?) but I'm going to put in the training. I'm going to get on those trails. I will be ready!

*smile*

I'm going to become an ultrarunner

Hit 300!

Hit 300.7 miles today for the year, which finally puts me back on track to get in my 1,200 miles by December 31st. Hopefully I'll exceed that number, but I want at least an average of 100 miles/month. I'm trying to get back up to around 40 miles a week, though, which should make hitting the goal nice and easy. After the time off post marathon in January, though, I've definitely been playing catchup.

Looking to hit 40 miles for the week. Only 26 to go :)