Hua's almost home... YIPPEE!!!!

We gathered with family last night and we went on a run on a trail that my sister found. Nice & smooth + small hills + breezy + sun protection + no traffic = perfect running trail and biking for the kids!!! Plus there's a little bonus feature at the end of the trail...a playground for the kids to get loose and wild!!! The trail is 3.1 miles long so I ran/walk a total of 6 miles last night!!! Just found out that we have a few trails out where we live. I'll have to check them out this summer. I'm so excited about this new discovery!!!

Last night I said to my sister "Humm..it seems like there's many people exercising this year?" And she said, "No Pang, there's always been people exercising. The only difference this year is that you are out here with the people exercising." Her answered cracked me up, but it's so true!!! I am so glad I decided to make a change this year to my heath. I am now a non-smoker (8 months baby!!!), I have cut down on my alcohol tremendously, and I can run and breath again. I have a long way to go still, but I'm not afraid to make the changes that are needed to become the person that I was meant to be.

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear... And when it is gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear is gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” - Frank Herbert

Sorry...my bad...

It's been a while since the last time. Nothing much as changed on my end, I've been pulling 2 miles at least 3 times per week since last time. I know my mileage is very low, but I promise I'll do better going forward. I was hit with a mid-life crises. Still trying to recover from the blow and trying to stay and be positive. I found some inspiring quotes which gave me faith and hope. It's so simple but so true. Here's one of my favorites.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Running....quick recap.
Mon- 2 miles
Tue - 2 miles
Wed - 2 miles

Hua - I'm proud of you! I can't wait to see you in 2 days! It'll be nice to have someone to run with! I'll see you very soon!!!

~Pang

10 days!!!!

10 more days!!! I can not believe it. I've been extremely busy at work trying to get things done before my vacation. I've been getting home extremely late, but still managed to make it to the gym. I'm shock to see how busy the gym is at freakin' 10 pm. The past two nights I've been getting home from the gym close to midnight. I don't want to make any excuses to skip out on my workouts. I'll be leaving in a little bit to go to the gym. Thursday and Friday I have my evening run with Saul.

I remember when PangChee and I were just thinking up the marathon. Next thing we knew, we signed up. Now the marathon is right around the corner. I'm pump and excited and can not wait to see everyone and complete the marathon.

Keep moving!

Much love,
Hua-

13 more days!!!!!

I can not believe there is only 13 more days left before the marathon. I have 5 more days until I see my family and friends. I'm super excited for my trip!!!!!!! Just a quick recap.

Saturday: D DAY!!! I warmed up with a 2 mile run. Completed two miles of drills. D Day is mentally challenging, but physically and mentally rewarding. I completed the session with a mile run. That's a total of 5 miles.

Sunday: RAN 7 MILES!!!!!!!!!! Go me!!!!!! Do I need to say more????!!!!!!

Keep moving!!!!

Much love,
Hua-

16 more days!!!!!

Can you believe it???? 16 more days until the half-marathon. One more week until I go home to visit my family and friends. I haven't been posting on a regular basis because I've been working out late at night and I'm pretty much exhausted by the end of the night. I'm feeling much better this week. I'm quite shock to see how busy it is at the gym late at night. Let me give you a quick recap.

Monday: 30 minute elliptical, 45 minute treadmill, and 30 minute bike
The workout kicked my butt, but I was determine to finish. If I don't cross train, I can't run. I have no choice but to keep up with my workouts at the gym. I was drenched by the end of the night. I sweat a lot. It's pretty disgusting, but at least I know I'm working.

Tuesday: 30 minute elliptical, 30 minute treadmill, and 30 minute bike
Every once in a while you get a nice kick and I definitely had a great workout on Tuesday. I forgot to mention that I finally increased my pace to 5.3 this week. Usually I'm running at a 4.9 pace. I tend to run faster when I run outdoors than when I run indoors. Strange????? Tuesday's workout felt awesome. My legs felt strong and my breathing was on point. It's been a while since I've had a great workout.

Wednesday: 30 minute bike, 40 minute treadmill, and core work
What goes up must come down... How is it possible to be on a all time high and then the very next day you crash? It took all the mental power in me to stay focus and positive. I kept chanting positive mantras: Yes you can and Yes you will.

Today, I ran with Saul for 5 miles. It took 58 minutes to complete. It felt good to finally finish a LONG run since my set back from last week. I definitely was breathing, but it felt good to pump the heart and get the oxygen flowing. I'm proud of my 5 miles.

I'm super excited about the half-marathon. Bring it on! I can not wait for my vacation. I need to give a shout out to the LAKERS!!!!!!! Go LAKERS!!!!!!

What keeps me motivated? Clothes!!!!!!!! I know I'm shallow. LOL!!!!! I always see the same girls at the gym and they are ripped. That keeps me motivated. The marathon keeps me motivated. Friends and family keep me motivated. Above all, the RESULTS keep me motivated.

Hope you all are moving!!!! Keep pushing hard!!!!

Much love,
Hua-

Monday, 06/14/10

I'm so sorry for not checking in sooner. I was in recovery mode last week. I backed off on the training. I took it very easy at the gym and my running sessions. I ran with Saul last Thursday for 3 miles and the run kicked my @ss. I took Friday off and just walked for 45 minutes. On Saturday, I ran 2 miles for my warm up, did drills which almost killed me, and cool down with 1.5 mile run. On Sunday, I ran 3 miles and I was done. I was super sore on Sunday by the afternoon, but still managed to walk in my neighborhood for 45 minutes.

I went to the gym today and did 30 minutes on the elliptical, 40 minutes on the treadmill and 20 minutes on the bike. I just got back 15 minutes ago and it's late. I'm so sorry for the short update.

Keep moving!!!

Much love,
Hua-

Getting Closer

Let me check in. On Wednesday I ran on the treadmill for 45 minutes at a 4.5 pace and biked for 30 minutes. It was an easier workout session. I was tired from Tuesday's workout. I met Saul on Thursday and ran 5 miles in 47 minutes and ran again on Friday for 4 miles. I felt pretty good on Thursday's run, but on Friday the run kicked my @ss. I didn't get enough sleep Thursday night and woke up early on Friday and ran in the morning and again in the evening. Saturday was my choice. I was drained. I was only able to stay on the treadmill for 30 minutes and called it quits. My body is shutting down. I can feel it. I've been super tired and slept all day yesterday after my workout and still managed to sleep that night. I met Saul today and we ran 2 miles and did some drills. We took it easy since I'm not feeling well. I'll still continue to train, but not at the same intensity level until I check in with my doctor. I'm so sorry for the short blog. I'm still tired and my body needs some rest.

Keep moving! The marathon is right around the corner and I'm excited. I've put in the work and know that I will complete the race.

Much love,
Hua-

Wk 12: Thursday, June 3, 2010

My house is half way done at least. My pipes are fixed. Yay no more leaks! My wall is built. Yay no more closet door! My downstairs is finally painted! Yay no more ugly red! Half way done baby! Next job is to get the kids room done so that they can have a place to sleep comfortably. That means I'm in a serious fight with some ugly blue flower wall papers. Time to get ugly and start peeling!

Week 12...30 days left...Lord help me get through the next 30 days!!! Lets see...Monday 2 miles, Tuesday 2 miles, and Wednesday was sad...I didn't get to run around my favorite "lets hook up" lake. It was the last day of Awana at church for my kids so I had to attend their award assembly. Mama has to be there for her babies! :-) Tonight...not sure how the run will be like. I like to go with the flow. So we'll just have to see.

So the other night I was watching "20/20" and they had an episode on "SuperHumans". There was this guy who ran 50 marathons in 50 days!!! Amazing! I want to be like him!!! Fit, strong, and man, I want the endurance! I was impressed and motivated!!!

Till next time, keep running Hua!!! You go with your bad fearless self!!! Love you girl!!!
~Pang

32 days left

I'm so sorry for not checking in sooner. I've been so busy with guests in town for the past two weeks, but I maintained my training schedule. Go Hua! Last Friday I met with Saul and ran 4 miles. On Saturday I walked for 6 hours. My sister and her friend shopped and we walked. I met Saul on Sunday and warmed up with a mile run and drills. After the drills, Saul and I ran our very own 5K race. I ran my best time in 30 minutes and 36 seconds. It's not quite under 30 minutes but close enough. My sister's friend decided to run with us on Sunday. I thought for sure she would finish with us from start to finish. Never judge a book by its cover. If someone was to look at the both of us, they would have probably bet their money on my sister's friend. I realized that day that being skinny has nothing o do with your fitness level. She completed the warm up run and drills with us, but after two laps into the 5K run, she gave up. Although I didn't make it under 30 minutes, I felt pretty good being able to finish. I was proud of my sister's friend too. I was her three months ago and look at me now. It's quite amazing to see the progress. Guess what????? My sister and her friend was impressed with my dedication and are going to start running when they get back home. I got a text from my sister's friend and she wants to run the half marathon next month. It gives her one month to train, but she was inspired. She's looking for a babysitter so she can run with me on July 4th. It's pretty awesome knowing that I inspire someone. It was an aha moment.

It's late. I got back from the gym at 10:30 pm. I ran on the treadmill for 45 minutes at a 4.9 pace, 30 minutes on the elliptical and 35 minutes on the bike. Yes, I'm super tired and spent almost two hours at the gym. I feel pretty darn good right now. There was a lady next to me on the treadmill who started at the same time I did and I peaked over at her pace and she was running at a pace of 4.6 and had to stop between the run. I ran on the treadmill for 45 minutes and she finally gave up after 40 minutes. She kept looking at my time and pace like she was competing against me. I didn't stop the entire time and outlasted her. I had two non-scale victories back to back.

Keep pushing hard!

Much love,
Hua-