Day 111 - Saturday - Sister's Wedding - Rest Day

Breakfast

Lunch

Snack

Dinner - 6:00pm - LPH
Wedding Feast!!!

Snack - 8:00pm
Cake

Note: Today is my sister's big day. Many months of planning has went into this day. I am sure it will be so beautiful and memorable.

Day 110 - Friday - Day before the BIG Day! - Rest Day

Breakfast - 8:00am
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites w/ lite sauce sauce

Lunch - 11:30am

Snack - 3:00pm

Dinner - 5:30pm

Snack - 8:00pm

Note:

Day 109 - Thursday - Dental Challenge End Date

Breakfast - 8:00am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites w/ lite soy sauce
1/4 fruit

Midmorning workout - 10:30am
Cardio - Jog for 2-3 miles

Lunch - 12:00pm
Tuna pasta salad

Snack - 3:00pm

Dinner - 7:00pm

Snack - 9:00pm

Note:

Day 108 - Wednesday

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites w/ lite soy sauce

Lunch - 12:30pm
Poach shrimp salad w/ cranberries, butterleaf, candied walnuts in poppy seed vinagrette
1 cup strawberries

Snack - 4:00pm
Tropical nut mix
1/2 cup cherries

Dinner - 7:00pm
Wonton soup w/ broccoli, snap peas, and crab meat.
2 oz steak
1 cup che thai

Note:

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 107 - Tuesday - Day After...

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites w/ lite soy sauce

Midday workout - 12:00pm
Stretching and rolling out muscles w/ foam roller at gym
Shoulders and tris

Lunch- 2:30pm
Tuna pasta salad
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 toasted wheat bagel w/ PB

Snack - 4:00pm
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 toasted wheat bagel w/ PB

Dinner - 7:00pm - Charlie's Kabobs
Sirlion kebob plate w/ basmati rice and shiraz salad
1/4 pita bread

Snack - 8:00pm - movies - Star Trek
Some popcorn
Couple of slices of dried pineapple

Note: Last night, I slept for 10 hours, man I must've been tired! I can't even remember falling aslept. Too much excitement in one day. My soreness is no where as bad as after the OC. It is actually very bearable. Some trouble going up and down stairs but alot better than last time. With the major races behind me, I am going to clean up my diet this month as I've noticed that I've put on a bit of weight again. I think that if I want to run faster that I will need to be a bit lighter. My next race is in July in SF but it is only a half. I would like to run my halves faster in training for running a faster marathon.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

2009 LA Marathon & Memorial Day

Date: May 25, 2009
Location: Downtown LA
Start: 7:20am
Goal: Sub 4-hours
Finish: 4:06:38

Well today I ran my second marathon in one month. I've never done that before. I have to admit that it wasn't as much fun as I had thought. It was really hard but I am happy with the time I got because it was somewhat close to my last time. I didn't have any expectations going into this since I didn't think I would be able to cut more time from my previous time. My sisters came out to support me. Sister J cheered me on somewhere along the course, I cannot remember where...hahaha! She even made a sign for me! I felt so inspired when I saw her running and calling my name with the sign. Thanks Sister J! Sister S and Sister K had carbo dinner with me the night before and then woke up at the butt crack of dawn to come and meet me at the start and then at the finish line. You guys are wonderful! Biking M was also there meeting me at many mile points to give me endurolyte pills, sport drinks and support. He rode his bike with me from miles 22 to 24 when I thought I was going to die. I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life. I missed my sisters not running with me today but I always run on their behalves when they are not there. I think last years marathon was the most fun for me since they were all there. Maybe one day it will happen again. Overall, it was a great day for a run. It was over casted but kinda humid and started to get warm towards the middle of the day. Being May it could have been way worse. I think the new marathon owner did a really good job organizing this event. There was lots of water and gatorade along the course. Also, oranges, bananas and vaseline. At the final 5, there was even Emerald nuts. The only think is that this years medal is rectangle and not circle. The old medals were so so much better. I am sad but I am going to write them and ask that they bring the old design back for next year. There is a very interesting article about Frank M. and the LA Marathon in the Sunday LA Times paper in the Sports section about Frank's vision for a future LA Marathon route from Dodger Stadium to the ocean. Now that would be super cool. I will run this marathon again next year. Organizers did a great job!

Before the start with Sister S and Sister K.

With my on-course support crew!

 At the finish line!

**********************************************************************************
Breakfast - 5:00 am
Pasta from last night's dinner
4 scoops of Driven mixed w/ water
2 Endurolyte pills

LA Marathon - 7:20am - Downtown LA
3 Accel gels and 1 Hammer gel
Gatorade and 1 slice of orange
Endurolyte pills

Lunch - 2:00pm
1 banana and 1 sample size chocolate chip Clif bar
2 oz steak, iceberg lettuce salad w/ tomato in balsamic dressing
1/4 cup chili
1 bit of granola cookie
couple of almonds

Snack - 6:00pm - Thach Che Hien Khanh - Westminster
1 fake pomergrante che drink
1 piece of sponge cake

Snack - 8:00pm
1 cup strawberries
1 boiled egg white

Day 105 - Sunday - Day before LA Marathon

Breakfast - 8:30am
Egg sandwich on french bread (a la mommy's style)
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, tropical nut mix and PB
1/4 cup strawberries

Lunch - 12:00pm
1 cup strawberries

Snack - 2:00pm
1 cup strawberries
French bread w/ PB

Dinner - 4:30pm - Macaroni Grill
Bow tie pasta w/ artichoke, shrimp, mushroom and spinach in spicy tomato sauce
Lotsa warm bread - yum!!

Snack - 9:00pm
Some of the pasta from dinner

2 endurolyte pills

Note: I am so nervous about tomorrow's run right now. Mainly because this is the second marathon in the month and I have no idea how it is going to go. I am just hoping to not bonk.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 104 - Saturday

Breakfast - 7:00am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal, tropical nut mix w/ PB

Morning workout - 8:00am - ICR Meet
2 miles

Snack - 10:00am
PB and banana in flatout wrap

Lunch - 3:00pm - Sam Woo
1/2 bowl of black preserved egg and pork congee
1/2 cup young chow fried rice
1 cup wor wonton soup

Dinner - 7:00pm - Banh Mi Che Cali
Some freshly baked french bread
1 coconut Larabar sample

Snack - 9:00pm
1 serving of che

Note: The congee from Sam Woo really messed me up. I don't think I am going to go there anymore for a long while.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing:done

Day 103 - Friday

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal w/ wheatberries, tropical trail mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites
1/4 cup of mixed fruit (watermelon, strawberries, pineapple, honeydew)

Midday workout - 12:00pm
Back and biceps
Cardio - indoor bike for 10 mins

Lunch - 2:30pm
Tuna pasta salad from yesterday (I made a hugh batch of this so it will be making many appearances in the next few days)
1 cup mixed fruit

Snack - 4:00pm
Tropical nut mix

Dinner - 7:00pm - Corner Bakery
1 turkey, tomato and avocado sandwich on harvest wheat bread
1 cup of chili

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 102 - Thursday

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal w/ wheatberries, tropical trail mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites w/ lite soy sauce
1/4 cup cherries
1 cup of hot green tea

Snack - 11:30am
1/2 toasted honey wheat bagel - 1/4 of it had PB on it
1 slice of star fruit w/ Tajin

Midday workout - 12:30pm
Cardio - run 4 miles

Lunch - 2:30pm
1/2 roasted veggie, tomato, hummus wrapped in spinach tortilla from yesterday
1/2 cup cherries

Snack - 4:00pm
1/2 toasted Western honey wheat bagel w/ PB

Dinner - 7:00pm
Pasta salad (green pepper, broccoli, tomato, garbanzo and black beans, tuna and crab meat, wheat rotini and regular farfelle pasta, lemon juice, italian dressing)
1/2 cup blended mango, frozen banana and berries
1 tbsp PB

Snack - 9:00pm
Sunflower seeds

Note: So I have officially signed up for the Long Beach marathon and training program with the ICR Beach Runners. The first practice session is this Saturday. I've been thinking about this for a few weeks now and decided that I could not wait until next year to try to BQ again so I am going to try again in October. Hopefully the training group will be able to help me get to where I want to be. If nothing else, to help me run a sub 4 marathon comfortably. I also signed up with the training group because I realize that my runner friends will probably not be running the full and I will not have anyone to run with and I've discovered that I run best in a group. These next few months should be fun and interesting.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 101 - Wednesday

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal w/ wheatberries, tropical trail mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites w/ lite soy sauce
1/4 cup of melons and pineapple

Lunch - 12:00pm
1/2 roasted veggies, tomato, hummus wrapped in spinach tortilla
1 cup of mixed fruit

Midday workout - 1:30pm
Shoulders, tris and chest

Snack - 3:30pm
1 banana w/ PB
2 slices of starfruit w/ Tajin

Dinner - 7:00pm - Pho Bac Ky
Regular bowl of tofu pho w/ broccoli and carrots

Snack - 9:00pm
Sunflower seeds

Note: Been feeling really tired this week. Slept 8 hours last night. It's a good thing that this is taper week because I find it hard to even workout a little. Hope this improves over the next couple of days.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Los Rio Tea House Review - San Juan Capistrano, CA

Since I started this blog to review tea houses, I thought that I should at least talk a bit about the Los Rios teahouse that I went to recently for my sister's bridal shower.

I must say that I am somewhat of an afternoon tea snob. I love me some fancy afternoon tea and accompaniments. If I had a choice, I would have afternoon tea and scones everyday. The Los Rios tea house is located in San Juan Capistrano's historic district next to the metrolink station. It sounds weird that it is situated next to train tracks but the area is really cute and rustic...very garden-like. Anyways, this was the first time I actually ate at this tea house. I've passed by many times before but have never gone in for some reason. Well, mainly it was because I was always in sweats and was embarassed to go into such a cute place looking like a gym rat. On this particular afternoon, I ordered the Los Rios tea service which included tea of choice, 1 large currant scone w/ cream and jam, some finger sandwiches and a fruit cup w/ brown sugar on the side..for $18.95. The price is high but not for OC. The food was ok. The tea and scone were the star of the show. The scone is just amazing and large and the tea was very good. I ordered the green jasmine infused tea, which was delicious. The sandwiches and fruit were just ok. Actually the sandwiches were nothing to write home about. Hopefully I will be visiting again but I will only be ordering the scone and tea.

Day 100 - Tuesday - 100 days since I started clean eating! - Rest Day

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites w/ lite soy sauce
1 new zealand kiwi

Snack - 12:00pm
1 toasted honey wheat bagel w/ PB

1 cup papaya

Lunch - 2:30pm
Sauteed ong choy and 2 dolmas that someone from work gave me yesterday (these were so good!)

Snack - 4:00pm
1 cup cherries

1 rice cake w/ PB and raisins

Dinner - 7:00pm - Santouka

Bowl of shoyu ramen

1 plum rice ball wrapped in seaweed

Note: Wow, it's been 100 days since I started clean eating. Most of those days have been clean. Some of those days, I should have eaten better but I let the good times roll because in life you cannot always eat clean. Hope the next 100 days will be just as great. My diet can always get more clean.

Running: 6 days and counting until the LA marathon. I noticed that the new marathon company sends an email out everyday since day 10 counting down the days until the race. This is new as the old company did not do that.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done


Ong Choy (water spinach): I've loved ong choy ever since I was a little kid. My mom cooked with ong choy often and I've always loved it. The leaves are tasty and the branch part has a nice crunch to it. You have to cook this stuff to eat it. I have never eaten this stuff raw nor do I think it taste good eaten raw. This stuff is great sauteed and eaten plain or dipped in your favorite sauce. It is really good dipped in fish sauce with lemon juice and chili. I notice that regular markets don't sell this stuff, but they should. I have to always go get this at the farmer's market or the Asian market. I've been trying to eat more leafy green veggies and since I love this stuff it has been pretty painless.

Day 99 - Monday

Morning workout - 7:00am
Cardio - run 8.5 miles

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites w/ lite soy sauce
1 cup of hot green tea

Lunch - 12:30pm
Leftover brown rice with veggie and tofu in thai curry
1 new zealand kiwi

Snack - 3:00pm
1 green apple w/ Tajin
1 Kashi TLC granola bar w/ PB

Snack - 4:30pm
Nuts and seeds

Dinner - 7:00pm
Sauteed ong choy w/ leftover steak and white beans
1/2 cup papaya
1/2 cup cherries

Snack - 9:00pm
Nut mix

Note: I was folding some laundry last night and I think there was a little earthquake but didn't see anything on the news. Must not have been news worthy. I was suppose to go and run my 12 miler this Sunday but I was feeling really tired when I woke up on Sunday as I had stayed up late the night before and even though I had slept alot, I was still tired so I did not do my run until this morning. I had wanted to do 12 miles but decided to do 8.5 instead since the marathon is next monday, I didn't want to kill myself running to much so close to the event date. Another busy weekend has come and gone. Lots of fun but just crazy busy it seems like. Can't wait for some relaxing in June...some BBQing and lounging by the pool sounds great just about now.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: Was not feeling well so went to bed without brushing my teeth. I know, so bad!

Day 98 - Sunday - Rest Day

Breakfast - 10:00am - Side Street Cafe
2 pieces of french toast
Couple bites of scramble egg and ham and breakfast potato

Lunch -12:00pm
1 bowl of bun bo hue

Snack - 3:00pm
#19 che
1 cream puff

Dinner - 5:30pm
Rice and accompaniments
pineapple

Snack - 9:00pm
4 piece of har gow and 2 large piece of white sugar sponge cake

Note: I ate very badly today. I will make up for it during the week. :(

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 97 - Saturday - Bridal Shower - Rest Day - Rest Day

***Not a clean eating day!

Breakfast - 8:00am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
1/2 mango

Lunch - 11:00am - Los Rios Teahouse
Los Rios tea service - scone and jam, finger sandwiches, jasmine tea and cup of fruit

1 slice of red velvet cake

Dinner - 6:00pm - Yen Sushi
Spyder roll, hungry roll, nabeyaki udon, sashime salad (family style)

1 slice of red velvet cake

Snack - 9:00pm - Banh Mi Che Cali

1/2 Bo nuong (ground beef patties) baguette

1 rau ma

Note: Today is going to be a very fun day! I hope my sister will like what I planned out for her. I know nothing about bridal showers as I've never been to one but this will definitely give me some planning experience. I am so looking forward to the spa-ing!

Note2: Oh what a fun day it was today. Love the teahouse and the spa-ing. Hope to be able to go back to that tea house again in the near future. The scone was just amazing!

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 96 - TGIF! - Rest Day

Breakfast - 8:30am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB

Lunch - 12:00pm - Boudein
Turkey on whole grain bread with tomato and avocado and mayo

Snack - 3:00pm
Tall chai latte on ice
1 slice of star fruit
1 bowl of wild mushrooms and seafood soup

Snack - 5:00pm

1 ricecake w/ PB and chocolate chips

Dinner - 7:30pm - Pomodoro

Skirt steak and arugela w/ tuscan beans

2 pieces of french bread w/ pesto and olive oil dip

Snack - 9:00pm
Nut mix

Note: This is going to be a fun and relaxing weekend as it is my sister's bridal shower weekend. I also have to fit a 12 mile run in sometime this weekend. Might do this early Sunday morning at Huntington Beach again. Wear less clothes this time as I was sweating more than normal the last time I run there.

Whoa, was out all day running errands but it feels so good to get everything done. Plus, didn't have to be at work, that is always good.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Vegan Parmesan Cheese!

When I saw that this company made something that is like parmesan cheese except vegan, I almost fell over. I am not able to digest dairy very well so I just avoid it completely. Yeah people have suggested I take those Lactaid pills or drops or Lactaid laced milk and such but I've done that and it is not for me. As a result of my clean eating diet, I've also avoided pasta, which I use to eat by the boatload. I still eat pasta once in a while, mostly before marathons. But nowhere as much as I use to eat and without parmesan cheese, might as well. I wonder if this stuff taste as good as real parmesan cheese. Maybe I will get to try it one day. Just amazed at the stuff they come up with these days. I must say that I really really miss cheese, yogurt and milk. I use to drink milk by the boatload as well. Maybe my dairy bank expired! :(

Day 95 - Thursday

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites w/ lite soy sauce
1/4 mango

Midday workout - 12:00pm
Cardio - indoor bike - 9.5 miles
Back and biceps

Snack - 1:30pm
Protein drink

Lunch - 2:30pm
1/2 chicken breast, roasted veggie, tomato and hummus wrapped in spinach tortilla.
1 cup mango

Snack - 4:00pm
1 green apple w/ Tajin
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal w/ PB

Dinner - 7:00pm
Octopus and tomato w/ lemon juice and Tajin

Wild mushrooms, mixed seafood bits in chicken broth

Snack - 9:00pm

Some starfruit

1 cup of cherries

Note: I decided to take the day off work tomorrow to run some errands that I've kinda left to the wayside and also to relax a bit. I mainly just need to get away from work for a while. It's not so much the work I want to get away from but more the routine, the same old same old thing everyday. So this weekend is my sister's bridal shower and my 12 mile run at Huntington Beach. It's a crazy month and I feel it's effects. June will be a more quiet month to relax. I think I am just too old for too much excitement. Sheesshh!

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 94 - Wednesday

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked mixed oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites

Midday workout -12:00pm
Cardio - run 3.5 miles - intervals
Legs

Snack - 1:30pm

Protein drink

Lunch - 2:30pm
Chicken breast, roasted veggies, tomato and hummus wrapped in spinach tortilla
1/4 cup of mango

Snack - 4:00pm
1 cup mango
1 rice cake w/ PB

Dinner - 7:00pm - Pei Wei
1.5 chicken salad rolls
1 cup brown rice, veggie and tofu with thai coconut curry

Snack - 9:00pm

1 chicken salad roll from dinner

2 Ak Mak cracker w/ PB

Note: The Biggest Loser was a big letdown yesterday as the person I was rooting for did not win. Mikey got robbed! The second person I was rooting for also did not win. The pink team has won the last 3 seasons...so strange.

So today I am going to try to eat as clean as possible. I try to eat mostly clean on most days but think that I need to clean up my diet a bit. I've been kinda lazy to prep my meals lately which is why my meals are not the best they can be. I am also trying not not consume as much land animals. We will see how today goes. I really really need a vacation. I am going to try to take one soon.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 93 - Tuesday - Biggest Loser Finale Tonight!

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites
1/4 cup yellow watermelon

Midday workout - 12:00pm
Cardio - run 4.5 miles
Chest

Lunch - 2:30pm
Ground lean beef w/ canned mushrooms and tomatoes
1/4 cup brown rice
1/4 cup yellow watermelon

Snack - 4:00pm
1/2 toasted Western honey wheat bagel w/ PB
1 cup yellow watermelon

Dinner - 7:00pm
2 scrambled eggs w/ spinach w/ bit of ketchup in Flatout wrap
1/2 cup baked yams and sweet potato
1/2 toasted honey wheat bagel w/ PB

Snack - 10:00pm
1 rice cake w/ PB
1 boiled egg white

Note: I'm having a blah day today and hope that the rest of my week will improve. Tonight is the Biggest Loser Finale so I am happy and sad at the same time. I will have to wait all summer long for next season which will start in September. :( Watching the Biggest Loser is always so motivating. Seeing the contestants struggle but getting through those tough workouts really inspires me. I am going to have to find another source of motivation until next season.

So, in running news, I will be running another marathon on Memorial Day monday. I hope that by the time that day comes around, I will have already forgotten about my last marathon. I might run with the Clif Pace Team to help take my mind off of pacing myself but that will only mean that I have to keep up with them and they stop for no one.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 92 - Monday

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites
1/4 cup yellow watermelon

Midday workout - 12:00pm
Weights - shoulders and tris
Cardio - stair climber - 20 mins

Lunch - 2:30pm
Boca burger patty on toasted honey wheat bagel
1 cup yellow watermelon

Snack - 4:00pm
Rice cake w/ PB
1 cup yellow watermelon

Dinner - 7:00pm
Ground lean beef w/ diced tomatoes, canned mushrooms wrapped in Flatout
1/2 cup OJ

Snack - 9:00pm
2 cups of popcorn
1 cup mango and frozen berries - sorbet/smoothie
1/3 bowl of wonton noodle soup from Costco

Note:

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 91 - Sunday - Mother's Day & Lil Sister's B-Day!

***Note: not a clean eating day!!!

Breakfast - 7:30am
1 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries and PB

Brunch - 10:00am - LPH
Dim sum

Snack - 3:00pm
1 rau ma drink
1 piece of birthday cake
couple piece of leftover dim sum

Dinner - 5:30pm
Rice and accompaniment

Snack - 9:00pm
A couple piece of yellow watermelon while I can cutting it up. :D

Note: Today is a rest day, yay!

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 90 - Saturday - Ren Faire!

Breakfast - 7:30am
1/2 toasted honey wheat bagel w/ PB
1 bottle of gatorade
1 Accel gel

Long Run - 9:00am - Huntington Beach
10 miles

Lunch - 12:00pm
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg white

Snack - 4:00pm - Ren Faire
Chicken leg
1 mango sorbet

Dinner - 6:00pm - Green Papaya
Various food

Snack - 9:00pm
1 mango w/ Tajin
1/4 PB roll

Note: Today is day 90 since I've started trying to eat cleaner. Many ups and downs along the way but mostly happy with eating clean and will continue to do so to the best of my abilities as the benefits are wonderful. Ten more days until day 100. I don't know why I continue to count since the habit has already set in. I guess mainly to get to day 365 and see where I am at that point. I would like to eat more whole foods and less packaged things. This is a goal I will have to work on some more.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 89 - Friday - YAY!!!

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites w/ lite soy sauce
1/4 apple

Midday workout - 12:00pm
30 mins of cross fit workout (HIIT)
Weights - legs

Lunch - 2:30pm
Ground beef, black beans in tomato sauce over brown rice w/ sauteed on choy
1/2 toasted honey wheat bagel w/ PB
1/4 apple

Snack - 4:00pm
1/2 toasted honey wheat bagel w/ PB
1/2 apple

Dinner - 7:00pm - dinner w/ friends tonight
1 bowl of spicy Korean seafood noodles
1/2 cup fried peking rice
couple piece of sechwann beef w/ vegetable

Note: I am so glad the week is over. I cannot wait to not go to work tomorrow...haha. Anyways, busy weekend ahead but should be lots of fun. I am still planning to head to the beach tomorrow morning to do my run. I am excited as I haven't done that before. If it turns out good, perhaps I will run there more often. Today is no running but some stair climber and going to do some leg work so they can be more toned again.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 88 - Thursday

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, nut mix and PB
2 boiled egg whites w/ lite soy
1/2 cup honeydew
1/4 piece of PB roll from last night

Midday workout - 12:00pm
Cardio - run 3 miles

Lunch -2:30pm
1 boca burger patty
1/2 toasted honey wheat bagel
1.5 cups honeydew

Snack - 4:00pm
1/2 toasted honey wheat bagel w/ PB
1/4 PB roll from yesterday
1 cup hot green tea

Dinner - 7:00pm
Ground beef and black beans over brown rice and sauteed on choy

Snack - 9:00pm
1 chocolate soy milk
1/2 PB roll

Note: My quads are feeling almost back to normal today. I will test them out during my lunch break. I had a thought in my head to go run my 10 miler at Huntington Beach on Sat morning. I am sure it will be an interesting run with all the people watching. I am also planning to bike a bit after work since it is warmer outside now. Going to start swimming a bit too in about a month.

Note2: Did my 3 miles in the gym on the dreadmill (yuck) and felt great afterwards. Going to crosstrain on stair climber tomorrow and maybe do some lite leg or arm workout. Next week will hopefully be a more normal workout week.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 87 - Wednesday

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ mixed nuts and dried berries and PB
2 boiled egg whites
1/4 apple

Midday workout - 12:00pm
Light legs, back and biceps
Tried to run today a bit but was not ready to come back. Maybe tomorrow.

Lunch - 2:30pm
Sliced turkey meat w/ spinach and lite mayo in a Flatout wrap. (the spinach was gross tasting in this wrap. Not going to put in there again.)
1/2 toasted honey wheat bagel w/ PB
1/4 apple

Snack - 4:00pm
1/2 toasted honey wheat bagel w/ PB
1/4 apple

Dinner - 5:30pm
Steamed spinach w/ chicken meat
1/2 turkey and apple wrapped in Flatout wrap

Movie - 6:30pm - Went to see Wolverine tonight and it was not bad. Hugh Jackman is muscular. I like it!
2 cups of popcorn
1.5 cups of honeydew
1/2 Flatout wrap w/ PB, pecans and raisins.

Snack - 9:30pm
1/2 bowl of wonton noodles from Costco w/ chicken meat

Note: My quad soreness is about 60% better than on the first day after. I am going into the gym today to run a slow 2 miles on the treadmill to see how my legs feel. I don't know why but I work out so much that when I have rest days, I feel so sedentary. Looking forward to training again soon.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

I *heart* Hugh Jackman!

Day 86 - Biggest Loser Night!

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, mixed nuts and PB
1/2 toasted whole grain english muffin w/ PB
1/2 cup honeydew
2 boiled egg whites

Snack - 11:30am
1/2 toasted english muffin

Lunch - 1:30pm - Broadcom BBQ day
2 skirt steak fajitas soft taco w/ red bell peppers and black beans on flour tortillas
1 piece of watermelon

Snack - 4:00pm
2 cup honeydew
1 Kashi TLC Trail Mix bar

Dinner - 7:00pm
1 bowl of wonton noodle soup w/ shredded chicken meat
shrimp cocktail
1/2 cup OJ
1/2 cup of leftover ground beef, brown rice and black beans in tomato sauce
Sauteed french green beans

Snack - 9:00pm
Some trail mix
1/4 apple

Note: Still feeling some soreness in the quads. Mainly noticable when I get up from sitting prolong periods in front of the computer, walking down flights of stairs and sitting down. I guess I take my quads for granted until they are sore and I can feel every movement. The Hal Higdon schedule has me running again starting tomorrow (2M) but I will have to see how I feel. I have a 10 miler scheduled for this weekend so I have to get that in somehow.

Morning brushing: done
night brushing: done

Day 85 - Monday - Day After

(Garmin note: I didn't stop my watch when I crossed the finish line which is why the time is off. Also I think the course was a bit longer than 26.2. Other people aside from myself have noted this on facebook.)

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, mixed nuts and PB
2 boiled egg whites
1/2 cup of fruit (melons and oranges)

Midday workout - 12:00pm
Stretching and rolling
Shoulders and tris

Lunch - 2:00pm
1 cup melons

Snack - 4:00pm
1 small Promax bar (cookies and cream)
1/2 cup of ground beef, black beans and brown rice in tomato sauce

Dinner - 7:00pm
1/2 bowl of Costco wonton noodles
2 chicken drumsticks
Shrimp cocktail
1/2 cup OJ

Snack - 9:00pm
1 cup honeydew

Note: So yesterday I ran the OC Marathon with a time of 4:01. Yes I missed my goal of a sub-4 marathon by 1 minute. Doesn't seem like a lot but when I was out there, I did not have it in me to go just 1 min faster. By far, I enjoyed this marathon like never before. Mostly because I trained more than I ever did and had on course support in the form of a biking M who biked around the course to hand me oranges and a drink mix that I had prepared. Due to my training, I was also able to enjoy the scenery around me instead of just focusing to not die out there. Mostly, I think I didn't make it because I wasn't training that seriously this time around but I will not make that mistake again. To come that close and not make it is just frustrating and I don't think I can handle that letdown another time. So next time, I will try harder and I will come in under 4. I am still feeling sore today so I will be taking it easy for the next couple of days but it is back to training come this weekend as I still need to prep for the LA. Aside from all that I did PR at the OC but unfortunately for myself, that fact was overshadowed by missing my sub-4 opportunity. But that just makes me want it more now. So, I will take that determination and try again! :) In other accomplishment news, I am doing good with my dental challenge..hahaha.

Note 2: I just checked my Garmin and it noted that I burned 2190 calories running the marathon. That doesn't seem very much for all that running haha!

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

2009 OC Marathon - Race Recap

Date: May 3, 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Start: 7:30am
Goal: Sub 4 hours
Finish: 4:01:44

Commentary (2/8/2011): Another post I am writing way after the fact. Not much to say about this race except that at the time, I was training really hard for it. It was the first marathon that I had wanted to run a sub-4. Many years later and I still have not accomplish that goal. Good grief!

I remember at the time, I was training for this race with a lovely group of people. They were friends of one of my coworkers and they invited me to run with them. They even had a name for the group...Team Margarita! I really miss those guys and gals. Some of them no longer run distance but mainly I've just lost touch with them.

This is the only photo of me on race day. I was really proud of my time even though I did not reach my goal time. The course was average in terms of scenery and elevation. I ran the first 20 miles without much incidents. The wheels started to fall off the bus towards the last 3 miles or so. I walked about a mile at that point and knew that I would not make my sub 4 hour goal time. 

So close but no dice.

 
I like this medal! I think I may revisit this course in 2012. 

Day 84 - Sunday - RACE DAY!

Breakfast - 4:30am
1/2 toasted whole grain english muffin w/ PB
3 accel gels
Powerade

Marathon - 7:30am

Snack - 11:00am
Orange slices
1 chocolate soy milk
1/4 piece of raisin wheat bagel

Lunch - 1:00pm
1/2 whole grain english muffin w/ PB
1/2 cup leftover pasta from last nights dinner

Snack - 2:30pm
2 El Pollo loco drumstick
1 small flour tortilla
Rice, beans, pico de gallo and guac

Dinner - 7:00pm - Santouka
1 regular shoyu ramen
1 large passion fruit green tea with boba and rainbow jelly

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 83 - Saturday

Breakfast - 10:00am - Side Street Cafe
1 piece of french toast w/ syrup and scrambled egges
1 small fruit cup
1 cup of coffee w/ sugar

Snack - 2:00pm
Cheeries and 1 piece of french toast
1 cup of popcorn

Dinner - 4:30pm - Macaroni Grill
Create your own pasta - bowtie pasta w/ artichoke, mushroom, spinach, and shrimp in spicy tomato sauce

Note: Day before the big race. What I eat today will determine my fuel supply for tomorrow. Nerves!!!

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done

Day 82 - Friday - Rest Day

Breakfast - 9:30am
1/2 cup cooked rolled oatmeal w/ wheatberries, dried tropical mix and PB
1/2 toasted whole grain english muffin w/ PB
2 boiled egg whites
1/2 cup melons

Snack - 12:00pm
1 cup of melons (watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew)

Lunch - 2:30pm
1/2 of steak and veggie wrap from yesterday
1 tall hot soy chai

Snack - 4:00pm
1 Kashi TLC bar
1 cup hot green tea

Dinner - 7:00pm - Irvine Lanes
2 carne asade some taco on corn tortilla

Note: I've been getting in some good sleep lately since I haven't had to get up early to do cardio. Sleeping mostly 7-8 hours (yay!). After the OC I will still need to continue training until the LA but I will go back to doing my cardio in the morning and weights at lunchtime. I've been feeling weird this week since I had to taper and cut my workouts short.

Morning brushing: done
Night brushing: done