Happy Trails

I mentioned in my last post that my right IT (iliotibial) band is injured. While I'm in the process of rehabilitating it, I'm not able to run as much as before. This is frustrating to me, because a few weeks ago I joined a bunch of women in Peppermint's One Little Bird CT forum to lose weight. Every Monday we have weigh-in's, and we encourage each other along our weight loss or get fit journey. Several of the girls have taken up running and are doing so well in the Couch To 5K program. We also encourage and motivate each other on Daily Mile. (It's like social networking or Facebook for fitness.)

I started tracking calories again on Livestrong's Daily Plate on June 14th, a week after I finished the San Diego Rock N Roll Half Marathon.

To my dismay, the calorie tracking had no effect on my weight loss. Then three weeks ago, during my five mile run on the coast in Encinitas, I felt pain in my right knee. I knew it wasn't normal and it wasn't good. Shortly after that, my right leg felt tight and sore all the way from my hips to below my knees, to the side of my knee. I realized that the soreness I had felt in my right thigh all the way back to May, was this IT band injury developing. I felt a little sad, like my efforts at weight loss was being derailed. I felt especially defeated as I watched Todd train for his triathlon in September, and he was getting in the best shape of his life.

Then I had an epiphany. Who said I can't be active while running less and rehabbing my leg? Who said I can't just do some less vigorous, simple active things every day of my life, instead of only running 3X per week? Then I remembered how I lost weight in 2004 and was in the best shape of my life. I had a varied fitness schedule and simply incorporated many different activities into my life. Including walking at work during lunch.

So, a couple of weeks ago, on July 22nd, I went out there to the trail that goes around my work campus, armed with my Garmin Forerunner. I used to walk on this 0.92 mile loop trail. I don't know why I stopped doing it for years. My company sold part of the land to a developer, and I thought the trail didn't go all the way around anymore. I was wrong. The trail still goes all the way around, and it has really nice views. And it's a dirt/gravel trail, so it's not hard like concrete or asphalt.





Walking on it literally made me feel blessed. I felt blessed that I can still get an extra two miles of activity in during lunch time, despite my leg injury. I felt blessed to have a job. I felt blessed to work in such a nice environment, where a walking trail like this is right out the door, literally within a couple hundred feet from the front door.





I've been walking on this trail at work during lunch now for a couple of weeks. Today I finally brought my iPod and listened to music, which made it even more invigorating. I'll also listen to podcasts too. The walking is in addition to another workout that I would do either in the morning before work, or after work. I've been switching between Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred DVD, Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga, strength training, and rowing. This past Saturday I even ran some. 5.2 miles of switching between two minutes of running and one minute of walking to rest my legs. I was ecstatic that my leg seemed to have taken it well.

Coincidentally, I stopped tracking calories on July 22nd. I wasn't making any progress and I just said screw it. Counting calories made me feel deprived, even if I wasn't really. If I had a couple hundred calories leftover at the end of the evening, I'd think of something to eat just so I ate up all my calories, because I felt deprived. That's lame. So I stopped counting. I just eat sensibly, practice portion control, and I'm eating a little less carbs.

Today was Monday Weigh-In Day. I am finally losing weight! I am motivated by my progress. What had worked for me in the past, in my 20's and 30's, may not necessarily work for me now. I'm glad I've found daily activity to be enjoyable and effective. And I'm saving money for new jeans. New smaller jeans. :)

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In-Laws Visit

Last Sunday 8/1 Todd's parents came for a short visit from Ohio. Todd's dad Tim had a conference in San Diego for a couple of days. They arrived on Sunday morning, right before lunch. Of course, Todd had to take them to Brett's BBQ, because it's Todd's favorite. I've been vetoing it because I'm so sick of it, so Todd will take any opportunity to eat at Brett's. I forgot to take any photos there, but everyone really enjoyed their food, and we even got a bread pudding dessert to share.

On Sunday afternoon Todd's mom Sylvia, Todd, and I played Rock Band on PS3 a lot. Sylvia had never played Rock Band before, but she did surprisingly well! She played drums, guitar, and bass. I had never done better on the guitar and bass either. Everything just clicked I guess. It was really fun, and I even got a blister from drumming so much. :p

In the evening we took Todd's parents to Point Loma Seafoods. We can't believe that we've never taken them there before, because we totally thought we had. It's our favorite seafood place here in SD! They close at 7pm on Sundays, so we had to go for an earlier dinner.

I splurged on the scallop sandwich and it was nommy.


Todd had a cod sandwich because his favorite halibut sandwich was not available this time. It was a shock because every single time we've gone before, the halibut sandwich had been the special.

It was decent, but Todd didn't like it nearly as well as the halibut sandwich that he always gets.

Sylvia got a grouper sandwich, while Tim got a soup bread bowl of clam chowder.


Everyone enjoying their food.




The scenery was spectacular, especially at this golden hour right before sunset.




After dinner, we drove down the block to go for a walk/run along the waterfront in Point Loma. Todd did his long run for the week, while I walked with Sylvia and Tim.


This is actually where Todd will be swimming in the San Diego Triathlon Classic in September.


View of downtown San Diego right before sunset. It was pink!




I walked two miles with my in-laws, then I ran the 3rd mile by myself. I don't know if I've mentioned on my blog yet, but my right leg is injured. Remember how my right thigh was always sore even before the half marathon in early June? Turns out I have an iliotibial band injury, just like Todd did last year. I don't think mine is as severe as his was, but my right knee, thigh, and side of my upper leg gets tight and sore. It's an overuse injury so I have not been running as much. If you're my friend on Daily Mile, then you'll know that I have been doing a lot of cross-training the last three weeks: walking, rowing, yoga, other exercise DVDs, strength training, etc. I am running a little bit too, but with walking breaks so I don't risk further injuring my IT band. 

On Monday 8/2, Tim and Sylvia drove up from downtown San Diego in the evening.  We went to Panera Bread for dinner and then hung out at our house.  We played Rock Band again.

On Tuesday 8/3, we met Tim and Sylvia at Pacifica Del Mar for dinner.  It is a really nice restaurant in Del Mar, with ocean view.





I had shrimp ziti and it was delicious.


Todd had grilled halibut.

He said it was super fresh and delicious.

Sylvia had salmon, as did Tim.


Photo right at sunset.


Downtown Del Mar at dusk.


After dinner, Tim and Sylvia left for the airport to catch a red-eye back to Ohio. It was a short visit, but we managed to fit some fun in!

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Somewhere Out There

in the vast Pacific Ocean, lies Todd's wedding ring.

Last Friday (a week ago), I went with Todd to the San Diego Tri Club group swim at La Jolla Cove again.  He wanted more practice with swimming in the ocean, because the first week didn't go so well for him.  I'm amazed at Todd's resolve in this triathlon training.  I will never swim in the ocean.  Sure, I've floated around by the shore while boogie boarding.  But I cannot imagine swimming out 1/4 mile from shore into the deep dark ocean.  Todd has not missed a workout since he started triathlon training in June, after the Rock N Roll San Diego Half Marathon.  He swims twice a week, bikes twice a week, and does one or two runs.  Seriously committed he is.

The good thing about the Friday evening swim with the tri club is they conduct a beginners swim with swim leaders, so you are never alone.

Here goesTodd down the stairs to the water.


The guys in yellow swim caps are the swim leaders.  They make sure everyone is doing okay in the water.


Todd's group ready to start.




There they go.


I stayed there and watched Todd swim out.  After a while I couldn't see him anymore.  They were going to the 1/4 mile buoy.  After about 22 minutes, I saw Todd swim back.

When he got out of the water, he was dizzy and couldn't walk straight.


After about 5 minutes, he felt ok.  There are many theories about why someone would get dizzy swimming in the ocean.  One of them is that cold water in the inner ear causes balance disturbance.  Todd's going to try swimming today with some waterproof earplugs I bought him from Target.  We'll see if that helps him.

After the swim, we headed to Sally's house for a BBQ. It was her first big get-together with friends at her new house. We sat around in the backyard, eating appetizers first.



Suddenly, Todd said, "I think I lost my ring in the ocean." Some people looked alarmed, but I wasn't. I smiled and said, "I guess now we can get matching new rings." Todd said, "I knew you were going to say that." When we got married 16 years ago, right out of college, we were poor. Our rings were cheap. They matched and there was nothing wrong with them, so we just kept wearing them. But now, we have a chance to get a new set of wedding rings. Although, we're still not going to get expensive rings. I would much rather have good travel and good food than expensive jewelry, as would Todd.

Sally and me.


Friends around the table.


Sally served some kabobs, grilled corn on the cob, and some hamburgers. (Not all pictured.)




We were the first to go home. We were tired after a long week of work, and Todd's swim, plus he had to get up early for a bike ride on Saturday. It was really awesome to get together with Sally's friends again. They're fun people and there were some awesome stories. Hope to do it again soon. :)

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Day Off + Mid Mod

Last week Todd and I got to take a day off work and enjoy a staycation here in San Diego. We decided to check out a seafood restaurant called Blue Water Seafood, down on India Street, close to the airport. The parking meters on the street were only good for 30 min max, so Todd had to go refill the meter. The food was decent, but in my opinion not as good as our favorite Point Loma Seafood.

I had a soft-shell crab sandwich.


Todd had some kind of fish sandwich, maybe halibut. I can't remember. This is what happens when I don't blog right away, LOL.

And we shared some onion rings, which were only okay.  We left a bunch behind.


After lunch, we went to Old Town State Park to hang out and read. We both brought our electronic readers and some lounge chairs. Todd got some taffy from the old time candy store inside Old Town. I was looking forward to reading a book on my Sony Reader, until I whipped it out and it wasn't charged. I guess it loses its charge even if you don't use it. So I took a brief nap while Todd read on his Kindle. Then we stopped by Temecula Olive Oil Company and picked up some garlic infused olive oil.

Some sights at Old Town.




After Old Town, we decided to go see "Toy Story 3". Todd had written down the movie times. We got to the theatre and it turned out that the movie time he had written down was a 3D showing. I don't do 3D. I throw up at 3D. Plus it cost like $5 more per person to watch it in 3D. It would be a long wait until the next non-3D showing, so we left.

We had a fun day off spending time with each other, even though some things didn't go our way. I guess that's how things go sometimes. :)

Have you checked out this month's Daily Digi Digi File yet? My friend (and I CT for her) Dysfunctional Design by Ami Collofello is in the Digi Files #20 in August at The Daily Digi. Here's her contribution to the Digi Files this month.

Mid Mod




And here's the layout I made using Mid Mod.

Also used Template Set #13:  Round N Round by me, found here.

You can read Ami's feature at the Daily Digi here.

You can get Mid Mod + contributions by six other designers when you purchase The Digi Files #20 here!  Good deal!

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Pickin' Peaches with Dad

Last Saturday 7/24 we drove up to my dad's house to celebrate his birthday with him and Shelly. It wasn't actually his birthday yet, but close enough. I fell asleep for most of the way up, leaving Todd to drive. I usually stay awake during these trips because we always have really good conversations in the car, but I was a pooped puppy for some reason.

We got to dad's house right before lunch. Dad got to open his gifts from us. I got him two books. He's the cerebral type and enjoys intellectual stimulation. I usually give him books, or else clothes or shoes. Mainly b/c he has no fashion sense. The two books I got him this time are "Predictably Irrational" by Dan Ariely, and "Nudge" by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein. Todd (also a cerebral type) had these on his book list and suggested my dad would like them. I read the first couple of chapters of "Predictably Irrational" and loved it. So I will take a turn reading the book. Wait... is that considered indian-giving? hmm...

We took dad out to lunch at his favorite Japanese sushi buffet.


I was really excited to try the stir-fried crab.


Lunch was delicious, although I don't think I ever feel like I get a good deal at buffets. I just can't eat enough at one sitting to make it worthwhile.

The highlight of the day is picking the white peaches off dad's peach tree in the back yard. The peaches are a couple of weeks late this summer due to our unusually cool weather. We got baskets and went out to pick some sweet white peaches.







We had to be careful because there were bees! Tons of honeybees.






My dad grew up a farmer, so he loves to brag about his fruit trees in his Los Angeles suburbs home. Besides the peaches, he also has a guava tree.

We had a simple dinner of dumplings and veggies, and headed back out on the road for home.  It was a nice visit to celebrate dad's birthday.  :)

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