A GIVEAWAY..just because + Virtual race for Sherry Arnold.

Taper week is here again...and it is fine, I need some rest but taper messes with my brain and that, I hate.  So I am in full panic paranoid mode...about getting sick.  Oh yes.  And this week I have the birthday party factor.  Yep Mini Urban is turning 6 on Thursday and I am having a party for him Friday ....with 27 kids, never thought they would ALL come..this kid is Mr Popularity, his teacher was not lying when she told me that.  Bring on the pool of germs.  I am seriously considering sporting this look:

Yesterday I did my last long run before Surf City; 10 miles and it went pretty well.  I have made some changes to my long runs since Sherry Arnold was kidnapped.  I no longer take the trail I used  to run on pretty much every day.  I now run on a busy street.  I have to use the sidewalk, that is not a + but it is safer.  I have a Road ID that I never used to wear, now it is on my shoe.  I carry pepper spray in my hands not in my belt.   I also tried something different with fueling yesterday.  This time no NUUN, just water and smaller sips and 1 Stinger Waffle in small pieces.   That part went pretty good, not perfect but good.  I also took salt sticks.  The not perfect is because I wish my stomach could handle more water at once, I worry about dehydration all the time.  It has been my #1 enemy in most of the 30 races I have done so far.  30; did you catch that? in less than 2 years.   But if I cannot keep the water down than it is not helping either.  If I take more water it tends to want to come back up...especially if I try to speed the slow pace up,   I always feel pretty good before I start drinking, I wish I could pull off a 13 miler without needing water but I cannot do that.   Now the one thing that was on the negative-lets-get-Caro-worried-before-she-gets-the Beach-Cities-challenge-DONE: Heel Pain.  CRAP.   I don't need this right now..well not ever really.  So this is related to my problem with plantar fasciitis.  I had it AFTER running not during.   I am taking care of this as best as possible.  I did buy new shoes and I will rotate those with my Mizunos Wave Inspire 7.  The new ones are Brooks Ravenna 2.  Maybe they will be better for me.  We will see.

Beth (SUAR) has created a Facebook page for a virtual race in honor of Sherry Arnold.  You can go here to read about it and to like the page.  I will be doing that race on February 11 in my town.  I am trying to get a group together to have others run this with me for Sherry.

Ok now Giveaway time.  I was not sent anything fancy, this is something I saw at the store and it was a BARGAIN so I got 3 copies.  1 copy for  me and 2 for you guys.  I am giving 1 this time and another in April when it will be Boston Marathon time.  So this is the prize:

It is a book called The story of Johnny Kelley, Boston's Marathon Man.  I just bought the books today so I have not read it yet.  I cannot tell you how great it is, I don't know yet but it looks interesting!  I did find this review:

 Johnny Kelley is Mr. Boston Marathon. Mr. Lewis has painted a loving portrait of this running icon. Mr. Kelley ran 61 Boston Marathons, winning twice and finishing 2nd an astonishing 7 times. The book was originally published while Mr. Kelley was still alive. Mr. Lewis interviewed Mr. Kelley extensively and this adds immeasurably to the story. The book is not only a biography of a great runner but a personal journey through the history of America's Greatest Race. GREAT READ!!

There are lots of pictures in the book:



Want a copy?

Here's how:

1. You need to be a follower of this blog and leave a comment.

1 Bonus Entry:

Share on Twitter (include @carotabi in your tweet) or on your blog and leave a comment.

You can enter until Surf City Day or what most people call Super Bowl Day: Sunday February 5th. 

This is open to everyone, Stefano, I mean it, EVERYONE..USA, Canada, Italy, New Zealand (Mrs. Cotter).

Freeze Your Thorns Off 5K Race Report

Adam over at The Boring Runner (nothing boring about that blog) is hosting this Virtual race.  This is my second year doing it, do we get a special medal if we do 2 in a row?..Adam? Hello?

All right so the summer is here in Southern California and I am not happy about that.  I HATE it.  It has been really windy and so guess what is back with the heat and the wind? ALLERGIES!  I cannot breath and my face feels like I got beaten up. Nothing was freezing over here I can promise you that, it was more a melting situation.

I went for my 5k and this was supposed to be an easy run because tomorrow I got 10 probably windy miles on the menu and then it is taper for Surf City and I don't want to get injured between now and next Sunday.  At mile 1 something looking like Scooby Doo comes out of a back yard and scares the crap out of me.... 

He comes running in the street and cross to where I was.  I froze. I did not want him to jump on me.  This was a huge dog...like a mini horse.

I stood there waiting for his owner to come rescue me, or Batman or Superman..I mean anyone braver than me.  After a minute or so I remembered to stop my Garmin.  I know where my priorities are. Finally he went back home...and I ran backwards to make sure he would not follow me...no no that is not true, I ran forward but I did turn to look back at least 24 times.  So I need to complain to the race director about animals on the course that are not on a leash...

Time: 30:51

1st in AG who were almost assaulted by a Great Dane. 

thank you Adam!



11 things and 33 answers

Jen, Jolene and Kovas  tagged me to participate in the 11 Random Things going around the community.  I like to read these posts so I will play plus Kovas said he is giving a new car to his 11 nominees if they participate...or maybe that was Oprah..I am not sure.Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

All right I will not post 33 things about me because well I don't want to put you to sleep so early in the day.  I will answers all the questions my 3 friends asked though.  Some of you already know some of these already.

1. I don't have a middle name.  My maiden name is Tabi and it is Hungarian.  As a kid,  I was teased A LOT because of this unusual last name.  I got all kinds of nickname because of my name, they were not all nice.  "Tablette" is the one that lasted to this day.  My friends in Quebec still call me that at 43!  That or Caro.

2. Meet my Grandparents, Mathilda and Louis-Philippe.  On the far right that is my mom, Cécile.  She is their 15th child.  The one on the left is my aunt, she is their youngest child, lucky #16.  I am their grandchild #49.  I am not the youngest one.

3. I am left handed and so are both my sons.  Bill is what I call confused.  I think he is a lefty who was forced to  change to writing with his right hand in school. 

4. I was always the tallest kid in my class in Elementary school. It sucked, so for this class picture I bent my knees so hoping the guy on the far right would be the tallest on the picture (that guy is still my friend after all these years by the way). How do you like my Dorothy Hamill haircut? 

5. I hate the heat and it hates me back.  Southern California summer are HELL for me. 82 today; in January, that is not normal. 

6. I cannot stand liars. 

7. My favorite color is blue and my least favorite is brown.

8. I hope George Clooney will win the Oscar for The Descendants.

9. I have not read the Twilight's books or seen the movies.  It will stay that way.  I saw the Star Wars movies for the first time in my life just last year when my sons started watching them.  (I know, I know Patrick.....this is a sin) Han Solo is my favorite.  My son Will thinks Yoda is the real hero, I think he is pretty smart.

10. My favorite junk food is poutine.  That is 100% Quebec food.  French fries with fresh cheese curds covered with brown gravy.  It is loaded with fat and calories but so good.  It is a good thing that I can no longer eat poutine!

11. I would love to be a book critic for a magazine like Entertainment Weekly.  I love books.  It is the only "luxury" thing that I will buy for myself.

OK now the questions.

Jen's Questions:

1. What was your first job? Basketball coach.
2. If you could only hear one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? That is hard.  OK I go with this one.  Je l'aime a mourir by Francis Cabrel.  It means "I love her to death"

3. Favorite quote or saying? "If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes." John Wooden.
4. Disney World, Vegas or a cruise? Disney World.  I have never been but I want to go!
5. Your favorite "kid" movie? Toys Story 3
6. Celebrity crush? Hmm if you read my blog you know it is this guy

We are BFF as you can see!

7. Dream race? Big Sur
8. Favorite blog? (Bonus points if it's mine… just kidding. not really.) :) Come on now...
9. Italian food, Greek Food or Asian? Italian
10. Favorite sports team? Emz: do you wan to take this for me?

11. What was your first concert? Chris de Burgh.

Jolene's Questions:

1. Did you have a childhood nickname? What was it? Caro or Tablette.

2. What is the weirdest thing you have ever done while driving? The only thing I do is singing and I am terrible.

3. Do you have any strange phobias? What are they? No strange phobias.

4. If you could travel to anyplace right now without worrying about finances or how long you are gone, where would you go? Why? Home to Quebec because I miss it every single day.

5. What was the last movie you saw in the theater?  Mission Impossible 4. Loved it.

6. What song always makes you happy when you hear it?  Better Life.

7. If you had to move to another state right now, where would you move and why? Colorado, looks beautiful and they don't have 10 mos of heat there.

8. Salty or sweet? What is your favorite? Salty, pretzels.

9. Do you have any pets? What are they are? One Golden Retriever named Maggie.

10. Snow or rain? Pick your poison. Snow

11. Name someone you would love to meet right now, who is currently living? Why would you like to meet them? Louis Zamperini. His story is truly amazing.

 

Kovas Questions that he borrowed from Lindsay.

 

1. You have the skills to go pro in any sport (except running/triathlons). what sport would you choose? Basketball

 

2. What is your favorite vegetable? Carrots

 

3. They're making a movie about your life. what actor/actress would play you?  Wow..I don't know a blond who is in their 40s....and tall...I Googled that and I got Uma Thurman and Gwyneth Paltrow...both way too pretty to play me!!

 

4. Last book you read? Unbroken.  A must read.

5. Last text message you sent? To my friend to invite her for dinner.

6. What is your favorite meal/recipe to cook? Homemade Spaghetti.

7. Do you prefer dusting or vacuuming? (and when are you coming to do my house?) Vacuuming.

8. If you could go on vacation to anywhere in the us or Canada, where would you go? Banff, Alberta, Canada.

9. What something you love about where you live? My husband and my kids are there.

10. Something you don't love about where you live? The heat.

11. What do you do when you have trouble falling asleep? I read.

 

Did you read all that?

Thank you.

 

OK my 11 friends to whom I will pass this to (I did not go and check if you got this today so if you did, just answer my questions I guess!)

 

Elle Eat run snail

Sandy Boston Bound Brunette

Christy My dirt road Anthem

J.L. Attempting the Absurd

macnic I have always been a joiner

Christine Dream Big runner

Jenn Running Sane (you're welcome!)

Jim 50 after 40 (did you see the video he made for his wife's 1st marathon?)

Frenchie Runing with Frenchie

Robin Westford mommy

Tricia Running Life etc

 

My Questions

 

1. What is your favorite brand of running shoes?

2. Favorite book you have read recently?

3. Letterman or Leno?

4. How are you today?

5. Who is someone you admire?

6. Reality TV: yes? no? if yes...confess the worst...I won't tell anyone

7. What makes you laugh?

8. Why are the Kardashians famous again?

9. Favorite Olympic moment?

10. What is something you cannot stand?

11. When is your next race?

 

"You are NOT doing this!"

A friend of mine recently completed his first Ironman.  His wife put a picture on her Facebook wall and I showed it to my husband since he also knows them.

First thing he said " You are NOT doing this!"
WHAT???
First: I never said I wanted to do an Ironman.
Second: Don't tell me I cannot do one, I will go sign up for the next one in Southern California!

OK seriously, I was mad when he said that.  Last time I checked I was 43 and my one and only dad is in Quebec.  It is not like Bill to tell me what I can or cannot do.  He knows me better than that.  So I asked where this was coming from after I gave him the "I cannot believe you just said that" look .

He said that since Long Beach he gets worried when I do the longer distances.  Remember Long Beach when I ended up in the hospital after the race?  That story is here.  So I was not really expecting that, but I get it. 

I asked how he felt about me doing a Marathon.  He said not comfortable.
Ayayaye.
Here's the problem....
I have my eye on this:

The picture of that race is on our refrigerator. It has been there for a year.
If I ever get the courage to run a marathon it would be this one: BIG SUR.

I don't want to give up on a goal like that, on a dream of becoming a marathoner some day but I have to respect and listen to my husband's feelings.  Right?
I don't want him to always be worried that I will collapse on the course.
He said he hates to see me dry heaving at the end of most half marathons and there's Long Beach and my visit to the cardiac unit.  But I am FINE.

So I said that Ironman is not something I think about doing so there is no need to worry about that one but marathon...I want to re-visit this topic later. 

All right on to other stuff...

Shoes: I realized that I ran over 600 miles with my shoes...maybe that has something to do with me having foot pain recently.  I don't know.  Good thing I had a new pair of the same shoes here already so I changed right away.  I am in Mizunos Wave Inspire 7 now.  Do you wear stability shoes?  What kind do you like?  Do you use more than one pair for training? Are they different brand?

I have had very little pain since my last half marathon, I hope it stays that way!

Game 1 for the new basketball season was Sunday.  I am not coaching this year and I am terrible at being a spectator.  I coached basketball for 18 years, from pee wee to College level, I cannot watch a game and keep my mouth shut.  This is hard.  I keep telling myself they are little, they are having fun, Will is doing great.  I sit away from the players bench.  That is my strategy for now!  I do love to see my sons play that sport that has been such an important part of my life for so long.

Go Cougars!!!

Ovo was GREAT!  Magical! Spectacular!  What a treat to go see this.  When we arrived on the site, first thing I saw was the Quebec Flag!  Everything was in French (and in English of course) that was very special for me.  My boys LOVED it. 

Check SkinnyRunner Mizunos Giveaway here!

Product Review and My son Mini Urban jaming

We have some stuff falling from the sky here in Southern California.   It is wet.  It makes headline news every time it comes for a visit and makes people loose their brain especially when they drive.  Yep, it is RAINING.   Not a storm, just rain.  People go nuts here when it rains.  I would love to see them in a real Quebec Snow Storm!  Well no I take it back, I don't want to witness that,  it would be a disaster. 
All right so rain...It kind of is messing up my plans for the weekend.   I wanted to do my long run this morning but 10 miles in the rain...yikes...I am a wuss, yes I am.  I prefer the long run to be DRY.   So I decided to wait and see if the rain would stop, well it is 10 am and it is still raining.  Today it is the opening game for Will basketball season at 11 am.  Of course I am going to that,  training run don't come before my kids games.  Tomorrow we are going to Santa Monica to see OVO, Le Cirque du Soleil!  I cannot wait for that.  Did you know that Le Cirque du Soleil is from Quebec?  We have to leave the house at 11:00 am for that.  Of course tomorrow the forecast is showing nothing falling from the sky here.

So I don't know what to do about my long run.  Go in the rain this afternoon and maybe get sick....not the greatest plan...go tomorrow am before leaving for Santa Monica and be tired for the show...Go Monday?

I am between 2 Half Marathons so not really following Hal Higdon's plan like I usually do.  I have ran 10+ miles for my long runs every week for the last 9 weeks.  I feel good about that.  I have 2 long runs between last week's Half and Surf City.   I don't want to get injured or sick. Surf City is important to me, it is the last of 3 races for the Beach Challenge for me.  I will not go over 10 miles between now and Surf City.  My foot has not been hurting this week and I want it to stay that way.   How do you deal with half marathons that are 3 weeks apart, do you give yourself a week to recover and lower the mileage for the long runs or do you keep it up?

A couple weeks ago I was asked if I would be interested in trying the PureFit nutrition bars.  I looked them up first to make sure I could actually eat them.  (For the newer readers, I am on a very strict diet because of GI issues I have, more on that and my weight loss here and here).  So it looked like I could give those bars a try.  They sent me one bar of each flavor they have: Almond Crunch, Berry Almond Crunch, Granola Crunch, Peanut Butter Crunch and Chocolate Brownie.

What is special about these bars?

• NO Hydrogenated Oils
• NO Animal Products - Vegan
• NO Cholesterol or Trans Fatty Acids
• NO Wheat or Gluten
• NO Artificial Sweeteners
• NO Hidden Carbohydrates
• NO Sugar Alcohol

They are all 220 calories except the Chocolate Brownie that has 210 calories.
They all have 6-7 grams of fat and 24-26 g of Carbs and 18g of protein.

 This is what they look like

I tasted all the flavors except the Peanut Butter one because well I don't like peanut butter but I had my husband/assistant taste that one and compare it with Choc Brownie.

 So for me the most important is that I can eat the food without having GI problems like stomach ache or acid reflux.  I did not have any problems with those bars BUT I can only eat maybe 1/4 of it per seating because of the texture of it.   They are thicker then the bars I usually eat.  I needed to drink a lot of water with them also to make them "go down easy".   My favorites are the Berry Almond Crunch and the Almond Crunch, both very tasty, the Almond Crunch tastes just like Marzipan.  I did not care for the Granola Crunch, thought it was too bland.  The Chocolate Brownie tastes like dessert, too sweet for me and also that one is a no for me because chocolate is not good for me but if you like chocolate that one is for you!  Bill tasted the Peanut Butter Crunch and the Chocolate Brownie and he preferred the Peanut Butter Crunch.  He said it tasted good but that he needed to drink a lot of water with it.  So my conclusion is that those are best for after a run  for me.  I could not use these as fuel during a long run or a half marathon.  I kept the left overs in a ziploc bag and they were perfect the next day.

Now an update on the "Star of the week" situation! See previous post here if you have not clue what I am talking about!!

I am happy to report that Mini Urban was good to go on Friday and this time I was even allowed to come for his "Paper Jam" presentation and I got video of it!!! Here he is: jam and giggles!!

This is so fun for the kids, they get to share their favorite things and have the spotlight for a week. 

Ben 10 Book

Will got to come and say something nice about his brother

Jonathan with his buddies

*** I ended up braving the rain and the wind and went for 4 miles!
I think 8 tomorrow before heading to Santa Monica.

 

The secret to running faster

So I found the secret to how to run faster during my morning runs.
I am telling you it works.  100% guaranteed.
Are you ready?

First, you need to be a parent.  This will not work if you don't have a kid. sorry.
Second, kid (s) need to be in school.

So once all that is in place, you leave for your run after dropping the kids at school.
This morning, I had a 5 miles run on the program.

At mile 2.5 : BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
My cell phone was buzzing....not good.  I answered:  "Hi! this is Mrs xx the NURSE from Deer Canyon, crap, Jonathan just threw up so he will need to be picked up" Crap!

So I ran back home as fast as I could.  That lead to negative splits and maybe my fastest 5 miler in training.

So getting a phone from the school nurse...THAT will make you run faster.
I am thinking of having her call me at mile 9 at Surf City half marathon.

I showed up at school to get my son.  He was looking normal, all smiles.  Turns out he threw up a little bit like he said.  He is the star of the week this week and they get to share items they like everyday.  First day he brought the Country Weekly magazine that has our family picture with Keith Urban.  2nd day he brought the guitar pick that Keith gave him in October. Today he brought his "Paper Jam Guitar" -those are great by the way-.  See a pattern here?!!  He had been waiting to be the star of the week since August, poor guy.  So this morning, he announced he would play and sing and I said "I want to come see you" and he said "NO!" WHAT? I got a NO! He is 5!  So I said OK I will not come.  I guess he got anxious about all that and that did it.  So he had to post pone his big performance to tomorrow, I told him I am sure even Keith gets nervous before he gets on stage.  His teacher wanted to keep him but the rules are the rules, if a kid throws up, they gotta to go home.  I get it.  For that week we have to make a poster with lots of pictures.  This is really fun for the kids.  On Friday the family comes and say nice things about the STAR!  He is doing just fine now so it is looking good for tomorrow! Keeping my fingers crossed!
This is what I made for his poster, I printed each of these in 5x7 at home and I glued them on the poster and added stickers and he was happy! You can see the Paper Jam on the first one, he is holding it.

(I used the software that I reviewed before Christmas here to make these.  You can still get it using the coupon that is on the right side of this blog.)

***I am having troubles commenting on some of your blogs, I dont know why.  Stefano, Super Kate are some I cannot comment on.  I tried on the other computer and still no luck. :(

Not too many words Wednesday

I love getting real mail...well not bills or credit cards application forms.
Today I got mail from New Zealand!  Who is in New Zealand? Lindsay! I am sure most of you know her but if you don't you can find her great blog here.

I won a giveaway that she hosted for a Wild Kiwi T-Shirt!
I LOVE it!

Thank you Lindsay!!!!!!! You can check the Wild Kiwi Clothing website here.

What is that EMZ? You want to see the BLUE shirt that is under my new Kiwi shirt? Well of course I will show it to you! Here you go:

Birthday present from my sweet husband!
Do you like it?
Is it March yet?

13.1 Los Angeles Race Recap

Welcome to my new followers and thank you for following my journey. 

Would you be so kind and go here and vote for my picture: http://131losangeles.smugmug.com/Other/Photo-Contest/19031822_R56CqH#!i=1674484691&k=Mt7MRD2&lb=1&s=A

Yesterday I ran the 13.1 Los Angeles Half Marathon in Venice Beach.
This race was not planned for me, I was lucky and I won a free entry for this one.
It was just 3 weeks before Surf City so at first I had decided not to do 2 half marathons so close to each other but I will not turn down a free entry so of course I did it!

Saturday we went to Venice Beach to pick up the race packet.  It was at a gym, no Expo, very simple.  I got my bib and a nice tech shirt. 

If you read my previous post you already know that I dedicated my race to Sherry Arnold.  I pinned the bib I mad with her picture on my back.  Thank you to everyone who joined me, I know Terzah did in Houston.  She got a 6 min Marathon PR! Congrats Terzah!

The start was at 7 am so that meant getting up pretty early.  I got up with major sinus congestion so that sucked.  Allergies are back and meds are not working great. When we got there we decided to have Bill drop me not too far from the beach and that he and the kids would not come to the start, it was too crazy around the starting area.  So I went looking for the porta potty and found huge lines that were not moving and also cars trying to park in the middle of all those lines.  That was the PREMIUM parking.  CRAZY.

I made it to the start right on time but at the back but that is OK.  The race started 15 minutes late, I don't know why.  We started on the beach and had lots of homeless people lined up to watch the runners pass.  The weather was perfect for me.  Overcast and in the low 40s.

First 5 miles went fine, I was going faster than I should have and convinced myself that I could hold this pace for 13 miles.  Since this one was a "practice race" for Surf City, I thought I would see if I can, how else can I know if I don't TRY? Around mile 5.5 I saw my family and I tossed my gloves and armsleves to the kids.

Not long after that I started feeling a sharp pain on my pinky toe, like I had a cut or something.  I ignored it for a while but it was not going away and got worst.  I had to stop to take a look. My nail was broken but was still attached to the toe.  The broken part was pocking the side of my toe and that was causing me that pain.  I "cut" the nail off and got back on the course.  Waste of precious time :(.  I had checked my nails the night before like I always do and all looked fine to me after the toe inspection.

After mile 6 we got off the beach and back on the road.  That part was not flat but not terrible.  I was still feeling OK.  At around mile 9 or 10 we pass the sewer plant.  You read that right.  I don't get it.  Why do they have the course go there?  The smell was AWFUL.  My stomach is the worst as you know, it can barely tolerate food.  Now sewer smell....yeah not so much.  I tried to hold my breath, that did not work of course and only gave me stupid side ache.  The turn around point was not far from there so I knew we would pass the plant TWICE.  Crap. Second time I went in full dry heaves mode.  I had to stop for a second to get things to calm down.  After that I could not take anything to drink and I had to walk a few times because of dry heaving.  I know lots of people have complained about the sewer and I hope they will change the course for next year.  This was the first year that they had the course go in the area.
Finally the end came.

I thought about Sherry a lot during this race.  This woman I have never met, this woman I will never forget.

So no PR, one nail intervention and 2 sewer interactions does not lead to a Caro PR (or PW!).  It is OK.  I am happy I did this one.  I would do it again if the course changes. This was a smaller race, about 3000 runners, and I like those better than the huge ones, the people were nice, the weather perfect and check the medal, the 13.1 spins:

Good thing I had packed a warm jacket and hat for after because I was FREEZING!

6 Half Marathons done for me in less than a year! I need a Medal Hanger for these!

This one was for you, Sherry Arnold, I hope that you are peace and that you did not suffer.