I promise I am not dead....

Or I wouldn't be writing this right now.  I have been quite busy with:

1. Foreign exchange hosting.
2. Work as usual.
3. School, yeah I am not doing it for a degree... far better, for money.
4. Training for my run.
5. Planning my trip across the Pacific.
6. Trying not to murder my husband's child.

Not dead and not the race I have been training for.

Commuting

School's out for summer.  Which means two things, lots of work to do.  And no students or staff on campus.  With the exception of a few people that work through summer or are working summer school, the school is MINE. 

Before school let out, I asked the principal if I could use the shower in the Girl's PE office in the morning.  She said no problem!

This is good for me because I want to see if I can couple my training with a commute to work.  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday my training dictates 4-6 mile runs.  The high school is just a tad over 3 miles away.  So if I plan my route properly I can run to work instead of training on the treadmill.

I would have to walk home or plan for public transportation.  I started this week and getting to work is the easy part.  Getting home, I have only managed to walk home once.  Yesterday my co-worker drove me home. 

In an effort to kill as many birds with one stone as I can.  I also joined a fitness challenge that runs through the middle of July.  Click here if you are interested in my goal to make money for the local humane society.  All of this is fine and dandy but I think I may be a little under prepared for my commute.

I leave the house when it is still dark.  I have blinking arm bands that I use so I can be visible to others.  And I ran down a route that I have walked on numerous times; but only in daylight hours.  During dark time there were a few areas that I felt a little uncomfortable running through.  So I modified my route.

The modified route is highly traveled by vehicles and brightly lit.  My biggest complaint is the driveways making my ankle twist, though only slightly, repeatedly because the tarmac is was not wide enough to share with vehicles.  I don't need to create a repetitive motion injury situation while I am trying to train. 

So I need to reassess my route a little more.  I have found a route that looks a bit more approachable in terms of avoiding a sports injury... but I may incur a different type of injury.  I have turned to a few running blogs and a few suggestions have been made to fend off an attacker: pepper spray/mace, knife and gun.

Pepper spray sounds like a good option.  In theory it sounds good to me.  Aim, spray and run like the wind!  But that means the attacker will most likely get away to have his try at another victim at a later date.  Or potentially me again!  Ugh the thought gives me the heebie jeebies!  I would most likely go for a gel formula so I don't have issues with wind blowback.  And maybe a UV reactive one, just in case I am able to get to safety and can call the cops.

I have the right to bear arms but I kinda don't want to.  I would be a shitty gun owner... cleaning and maintenance and such.  Ugh, I have a tedious time of keeping my car in proper working order and I use that often.  So I don't want to have to deal with the maintenance, weight while running, chafing from a holster or killing someone. 

Maiming on the other hand I guess I am okay with that.  But I am petite and knife may incur the wrath of an attacker and used against me.  Also there is always the old adage: don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

I've read that the knife/spray combo is best.  You spray, stab, run away and live to tell the tale.  Then you can call the cops and let them know the person glows under black light and may seek medical attention.  It's all a bit nerve wracking to think about all of this.  But I think if I have the proper shoes to avoid injuring my self, the proper attire to keep me visible to others... I need something to protect myself in case of attempted rape/murder.

Any suggestions?

Tomorrow is my birthday, I think I may have to at the very least gift myself some pepper spray.... so I can live to my next one.

Reservoir Canyon Trail

 I was under the impression that this hike was a 5.35 mile round trip hike.  Maybe it is if you stop right at the little trail marker with the stones like pictured above.  I will blame the longer hike I took on walking along the ridge a bit.  Reservoir Canyon Trail is located in the outskirts of San Luis Obispo.

Valencia Peak

 It's been a while since I have taken to local trails.  If feels nice to have started hiking again.  It helps me build strength in a weak ankle that needs to stay strong.  I am still training for my half marathon but the hiking really is giving me motivation to stick to my training.

You suck, you can't play with us.

Tuesday was another typical day for me.  Well typical in that since my last blog post I have been working 13 hour days, including weekends.  How does that saying go?

I digress, as usual.  So Tuesday shortly after the mister takes Andy to crappyassfootball practice, I get a text about the coaches acting like idiots.  Here is the scenario:

The practice field that SMYFL uses belongs to a junior high school.  During regular school hours, which last Tuesday ran business as usual since it was the first day of school.  All campuses in this city are closed campuses, meaning all perimeter gates are locked, for the kids' safe keeping I suppose.  I don't see how a perimeter gate will keep the crazies out if all they need to do is hop over or climb under a fence.  Which brings me to what happened next.  

Football (American Football) is stupid.

I really don't understand the fascination with the sport.  And my husband can do without it too, so un-American of us.  But our son just started football today.  What?!  Yeah, I know sounds like counter-intuitive to put him in a sport we both hate.  Guess who else hates it, or so he said up until the very second we walked onto the field: Andy.

AMGEN Tour of California

Yesterday we had record breaking heat and stage 5 of the AMGEN Tour of California go through our small community.  Right out front of the high school I happen to be working at these days.  The street was closed off and teachers were allowed to bring their students out of class to cheer on the riders.  These guys whizzed by pretty quickly but not as fast as they barreled down San Marcos Pass later that day.  70 plus miles per hour is pretty darn fast for a cyclist to be going down that mountain pass.  If I am not mistaken I believe 55 mph is the top speed for vehicles on that pass.  Watching these guys on the live news feed made my palms sweaty knowing how fast they were going down that dangerous road.  Cycling takes some balls!

Guest Blog Post: Running For Fitness

No one looks sexy running; but damn if you don't feel it!

So I started running because my sister wanted a running partner for a 10k in San Fran.  I figured, "Ugh I don't run!  Why?!  Ugh, ok, I will do it!"  For my sister you know... and then a funny thing happened, I liked it.  No, no, I found a new drug!  Running can be so great for health; both mental and physical.  And magically I fell in love with it and as Forrest says, "For no particular reason I just kept on goin'."  So, Healthline wanted to do a guest post and I figured why not if the subject matter was of interest to me.  Running is, so for anyone who is thinking, not thinking or even uttered the word running.  Here is to you and I hope you can join in the good fun that is running.

Beginners Guide to Running for Fitness

Setting fitness goals is one of the most common new year’s resolutions around. Unfortunately for many, this desire to get in shape and turn over a new fitness leaf soon fizzles out in a week or two because of lack of planning and setting unrealistic goals. Some tend to choose fitness activities that require a lot of time and planning, while others choose those that don’t need a lot of preparation, such as running and jogging. Running is probably one of the best forms of exercise anyone can do; however, proper technique is important. Here are several running tips for beginners:

Plan your Schedule

Like any other exercise routine, setting a specific schedule for running is important. For beginners, most fitness experts recommend at least 30 minutes a day, three to five times a week. Running too far and too fast is the number one cause of injury among runners, so it is best to start easy, and increase the pace and distance gradually for a more positive result. Keeping a running journal or log is also a great way to track your progress. It also allows you to tune up your running routine if necessary.

Set a goal

Setting a goal is important when starting a fitness routine. It helps you to stay focused and motivates you throughout your exercise. Writing it down and posting it to an area where you can see it every day is also a good idea. Make sure that your goals are specific, attainable, measurable, timely and realistic to help you progress consistently, while avoiding the possibility of lapses. It is also recommended to categorize goals as short-term or long-term so that you are able to focus on one goal at a time. It also allows you to adjust physically and mentally to the changes brought by the new fitness program.

Clothing and Equipment

Running is an easy and cheap alternative to other exercise routines because it can be done almost everywhere, and requires very little equipment. A good pair of running shoes is the most important investment runners should make since this ensures the safety of the runner against injuries incurred with the use of improper shoes. It is best to purchase running shoes in specialty shops because they are more knowledgeable about what kind of shoe will complement your physique, goals, running style and ability. The late afternoon is the best time to shop for running shoes since feet swell slightly during the day.

Learn running techniques

Make sure you know all the basics before starting a running program. It is important to consult your physician to know your health limitations, especially for men 45 years and older or women who are 50 years and older. Start each run with a warm-up for at least 5 minutes. This can include quick walking, knee lifts and climbing stairs. Start running slowly with walking intervals to avoid straining. As time goes by, you can increase your pace and running time up to a speed and duration you’re comfortable with. Give yourself a few minutes to cool down after each run by walking and gently stretching your legs afterwards. It is best to run at least twice a week, consistently every week. Make sure that even if you’re running, you’ll still be able to carry a conversation. Running at the right intensity will keep you from burning out too quickly.

Mix up your routine

Mixing up other exercises or activities and adding variations can keep your fitness regimen more interesting. Running the same route over and over again can be boring, so it’s best to try different routes as you progress. Trails in woods, hills and beaches are also great places to run, since they allow you to enjoy your surroundings even while working out. You can also add variation by doing other activities such as cycling and aerobics. Try to add at least 20 minutes of strength workout in your routine twice a week as well. This will help you to build muscle and bone density, which can protect you against injuries.

Track what you eat

Exercise is not the only solution when trying to lose weight or keeping yourself healthy. Your eating habits play a big role in helping you achieve your fitness goals. Make sure to keep an eye on everything you eat. Try to avoid colas, candies and foods that are high in salt and sugar. Fruits and vegetables should comprise most of your diet since they contain fewer calories and significantly more nutrition.

David Novak is a international syndicated newspaper columnist, appearing in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV around the world. His byline has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Reader's Digest and GQ Magazine, among others. David is a health and diet enthusiast, and frequently writes on a wide array of health topics for various publications, including regular editions appearing in healthline.com. For more of his Healthline articles, visit http://www.healthline.com/ .