Blank pages

I love tuning into a radio station and get The song, a song that fits so well for a moment. Music can add so much to an experience... Like driving through the Redwood forest while listening to Bon Iver. Or, watching a documentary about the ocean and just as the music build up the most - humongous whales fly out of the water for a few seconds before they hit the ocean and makes the biggest splash you`ve ever seen.

As I was driving home from the gym, tired, thirsty and hoping for a "second wind" this morning, a song came on the radio that completely picked me up. The song is called Unwritten, it`s by Natasha Bedingfield, and it was the perfect moment to hear these lyrics:

"Unwritten"

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten.

Singing along, loving the lyrics - inspired me and made me feel empowered to go after more, to fill the blank pages of this day with more accomplishments! I got home and threw on my running shoes and went for a run. It was an awesome run. I think I`m sharing this to say that we all can take this day and fill it with great things, great accomplishment, great love. Make this day be lived to the fullest.

My May play-list has several up beat songs like this, watch out - some of these songs can be a little "too" catchy ;)

1. Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
2. Stronger - Kanye West
3. Hanging by a moment - Lifehouse
4. Viva La Vida - Coldplay
5. Marry You - Bruno Mars
6. Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the waves

7. The cave - Mumford and Sons

Happy Saturday!
-Kathrine-

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More running stuff

Last Monday, I was very intrigued by marathon running. Redding has a yearly Marathon that takes place in January. It happened to be last Sunday, and a friend of mine participated and finished strong. Now, that I`m a runner, I know how much work goes in to running miles. A 26.2 mile run... is just completely impressive, and on a whole different level.

Back to my story, Monday came around and I decided to set out on a long run on the treadmill. I had done 8 mile runs in the last few weeks. Now the next obvious goal had to be a half marathon - 13.1 miles. Fully aware that the conditions of running inside and outside are totally different. It`s cannot even be compared, really. Outside you have weather, hills, drinking stations and such that influences the run. A treadmill is very simple, flat and straight forward. But tracking my work on a treadmill made me sure that the accomplishment would still be very legal. So I ran.

And I did it. 13.1 miles. I took very few breaks, but all in all it took me about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Then I spent the rest of the day in bed extremely nauseous, a little dizzy and with a few other issues that I wont share here.
Lesson: Don`t run LONG runs without eating something, anything - a date or some nuts.
Also: eat a carb filled meal the day prior - like pasta.

Some day soon I`ll be a pro runner, well maybe! =) But for now I take experience, hard work and lessons learned with a big smile. Small step sturns in to big accomplishments. Mother Theresa once said "Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies".

Kisses

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Inside the run

There is a point you get to, when working out becomes a part of you, and you no longer have to be concerned about how hard it feels, or who`s watching. Your confidence is telling you that your body is ready for the challenge and nothing can stop you.

I woke up and felt an urge to accomplish. My work out clothes had been picked the night before, all I had to do was to get myself to the gym. The treadmill was waiting for me. I felt like everyone at the gym was cheering for me, without any words being spoken.

The first mile was easy, second and third too. My shuffle worked with me today and I found myself tearing up while listening to "sing my love" by Jesusculture. At around 12 minutes, my sweat glands starts to kick in.
I`m thinking about what I have done so far in this run, and I wonder if I can do another 3 miles. The rain is pouring down outside. I imagine me outside in this moment, my face would be all wet and cold, my feet would be soaked. Glad to be inside. Kudos to all of you that run outside in the winter!

The song fades and a man voice is telling me "you have accomplished 5 miles". My in ears are falling out every now and then. I can do this.
For a second I get upset that the in ears wont stay in place. I need the music! There`s a really good part in this Coldplay song coming up. So I push them back in. My anticipation is not let down. Good job Chris Martin. Strongly consider listening to that song one more time.
Ok, where am I.. 6.34 miles. Could I do another 6 miles? Slowly I become aware of the tiredness in my heart. Rats, I`m out of water. And the in ears are falling out again. Fine, I accept the change, take them out and quickly notice the cute older couple walking on the treadmill next to me.

They are discussing wine but turn the subject to be about olive oil. The lady shares about her trip to Italy, where she tried olive oils, but found them to be too strong. The man likes his oil strong, he wants it to taste like an olive.
I get aware of myself again. Can someone please notice that I`m out of aqua. And that I`m running very far!?
Luckily, the older man turns to me and asks how far I`m going. I smile and proudly tell him all about it. Then I thank him for distracting me from my 7th mile.
The thought about doubling the miles gets shut down fast. My body is getting ready to rest and the feeling of having accomplished is mine. There it is, 8.3 miles/13 Km. Ah yey, I did it.  I beat my longest run by 0.9 mile =)

There`s a "wild card" in the board game Apples to Apples that says Inside the sun. It`s our favorite card. It always wins. Thought of that as I named this post Inside the run. Anyways.. ;)

Happy Thursday!

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Goal #1

One of my goals for 2011 is to become a more consistent runner. Since October the 19th when I started using Nike`s running tools, I have done 11 runs = 42 miles, burnt 3600 kcal and that took about 8 hours. For a while I did not run at all, because I was focusing on weight training more then aerobic (typically cardio) work outs. Plus it was too cold to run outside.
But I recently purchased a Nike chip, strapped it on my shoelace and can now track my runs even on a treadmill.

#1: I want to incorporate running 4-5 times per week starting January 1st. 

My work out today started with this run:

Then I did 10 minutes of whole body strength work outs.
Running itself is not the funnest thing in the world, I think many people kinda hate it?
I have ran on and off since I was 14, but never been sure of my progress. So now with all the tools that makes it possible to track my runs, I stay motivated and excited about it.

Kisses

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A perfect run

It takes some Right conditions to have a great run! What time of the day, when was your last meal, weather (if you run outside..), trail - hills, flat road ect, I think even your emotions can have an affect on a run.
Earlier this week I had the roughest time getting down a really good run. My Monday run was super long, my legs felt heavy and my body just didn`t wanna co-operate. On Tuesday I went to the gym, did some exercises for my arms and had planned to run home because we only had one car this week so Jeffrey dropped me off there. And that run was only about 2.7 miles, but with all the hills that Redding has to offer, it turned out to be a heavy intense interval training!!
It is frustrating to not achieve fully what you set out to do. That night I could not sleep very well, so I started thinking about how it would be like if I ran farther then what I had so far. I thought about what route that could be in Redding, I considered hills, I even planned out that I probably should try to run at a different time of the day then what I had previously done this week.
The next morning when I woke up I knew I had to test it out!
I got my running shoes on, my heart rate monitor, I checked the temperature outside..... the conditioned seemed perfect. But I could still be fooled. My body could say no. I started out slowly, allowing my body to get ready. A mile and a half in to my run I started building great hopes for this run. I felt ready for more..
About 3 miles in to it I found a water fountain like I had hoped for, snacked on a fig before I quickly continued my run. At this point I felt completely renewed. At about mile 5,7 I had another stop for water and the last fig. I knew I could keep going! The last couple of miles I was able to keep up with the steady pace and made it home, having finished 8.1 miles/12KM in 1 hour and 16 minutes. 

Here is me after getting home...

I am stoked to say it mildly. Focusing on doing a huge load of cardio for a season, is unexpectedly turning out to be really exciting and fulfilling! Marathon runners run this loop 3 times plus 2 more miles......... Crazy!!!!

Anyway, just instructed a Spinning class at Everyday Fitness. The rest of the day is kinda vacation...... Jeffrey and I will relax and have FUN! Maybe go Christmas shopping. It`s only a week now until we fly to Norway for a weekend. Hurray!!

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My work outs - week 43

Here is how my week looks like for working out. I have loved running the last couple of weeks, it`s hard because I'm pushing myself for greater cardiovascular purposes.. but it`s good.  =) Hoping for some sunshine next week so I can run outside. The other day on a run, at one point my heart rate was 199!!! Which is crazy high! That cant possibly be far from my maximum heart rate. I am hoping to get my V02 tested soon, to see what really is my max.

Monday: Instructed a Spinning class 50 Min.
                5Mile/8Km. Run

Tuesday: 6Mile/9,2Km. Run

Wednesday: Weigh training back, abs and arms

Thursday:  Yoga core
                    Spinning 55 Min.
Friday: Free
Saturday:  Instructing a Spinning class and 90min Bootcamp
Sunday:Run?

Im off to get my hair done!! ;) Later

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Pumpkin Patch!

Today has been SUCH a good day. It started out with me instructing a Spinning class at 5.15 AM, which is quit so early... but lucky me I just hurried home after the class, took a quick shower and got right back to bed. Woke up several hours later and went to Jamba Juice and Starbucks with Jeffrey, before we set out for errands all over town. The forecast for today and this whole week was rain, rain and more rain. But at 1PM the sun was shining so I went for another 5 mile/8Km run. Happiness! 

This time every year we go pumpkin patching. For those of you that don`t know, a pumpkin patch is a field where pumpkins grow...It`s a Holiday festivity where you can have lots of fun, drink apple cider, eat kettle corn and other Harvest goodies. There`s usually several scarecrows, farm animals and little trains you can get on to tour the farm. We went with our good friends Becky and Derek. In this picture Im NOT sharing my popcorn with the little pony. sorry. 

 

 Becky and I found some cute mini pumpkins to decorate our homes with.....

 lots of big ones =)

 He wanted a 33lb. pumpkin. Lots to carve later!

XOXO

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I love fall!

Here in Redding, California it gets really warm during the summers. More like HOT - 110F/45C! And this year was no exception. We are already far out in October and it is only a few weeks since it started cooling down outside.  Yey, FALL is here, leaves are turning orange and Starbucks is selling pumpkin spice latte`s again....  and I can go for beautiful runs outside.
My new best friend (Nike Plus GPS) and I set out in the dark last night and ran 5 miles/8Km. Somehow I had lots of motivation and drive, even thou Jeffrey and I ate a huge dinner just an hour prior. My own pace and distance kept my competitive spirit up and it turned out to be a great run! When I got back I had to use frozen vegetables to cool down my achy calf's... but today I feel fine. I cannot wait to go again.

This picture below is from my friends wedding I went to on Saturday. The wedding was very cute - decorated with old wooden plates, mason jars and pomegranates. It was in a barn surrounded by beautiful green fields.

 Pumpkin patch, Caramel apple spice, corn maze, leaves and Halloween are typical fall association here in America. I am learning to connect these things to fall. Adapting to a culture very different from my own. Growing up in Norway, fall is more preparation for winter. You order new thick jackets and boots, you dig up the old wool socks your grandma knitted to you years ago and hope to find a matching pair. It seems like a very short season, lots of cold rainy days. Can we just skip to winter already, where rain turns into snow and bikes are replaced by "sparks"!...
I get to go home to Norway one more time this year! It will be 4 days full of laughter and fun in November. I`ll write more about this later.
Northern California gets rainy days all winter through, but the temperature rarely falls below 32F/0C. It`s suppose to start raining tomorrow..

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Testing out the Nike+ GPS app

 This morning I set out for a little run with a newly downloaded application on my Iphone called Nike+ GPS. After setting up my profile all I had to do was start running, holding the phone in my hand. I was caught off guard when some minutes in to it my phone started speaking to me. It told me that I had ran one mile, and how fast I ran it. Loved this feature today as I was running in a foreign city. It tracked me on the GPS and helped me stay on route.
Running is very easy for me. But it was not always like that. I used to dread the thought of a hard run with hills and never ending miles ahead. Somehow I could never be satisfied with the amount of running I had achieved. With allot of grace for myself, a heart rate monitor and a month of running 5.7 miles, 5 days a week.. things started changing. My cardio foundation got strong... my motivation kicked in with having accomplished what I set out to do - running most everyday for a month and all in all I just felt strong! Here was my run today..

A run does not have to be a dull thing.  Do you run with this app..? Add me as your friend. I am not a serious athlete - I just run for fun, for the work out and for aging well...

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."
-John Bingham, running speaker and writer

One of my role models for running is my sister Anette, she loves running and she is GOOD at it! She has always been fast and light on her foot. A run has always seemed easy for her and every time I would dare to go on a run with her.. she would be nice and run with me till the very last mile.. then she would pick up her pace and just take off!! Less then a month ago she ran the Oslo Half Marathon and she loved it. So I am always pushed to run a little further with her =) And I have her to thank for this application, she used it last time we ran together.

Run with me!
-Kathrine-

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