spa time

At what point are you an enabler because you can't stand conflict? Do you allow your partner to want for nothing at your expense? Do you cancel your own free time to pick up the slack around the house? How would your life be different if you weren't running on constant burnout? What if your body battery was charged to 80% or 100% instead of hovering around 5%? What would it feel like to put your own rest and recovery as the family's #1 priority? Welcome to spa time!

I've had a great time showing my boy what spa time means to me. We do a nice, relaxing foot bath, followed by compression boots, and then a moisturizing leg and foot massage. Sometimes we take a relaxing bath, which involves bubble bath, aromatherapy, epsom salt, soothing music, or ocean sounds, and low light.

• Epsom Salt (3 lbs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXTS6L35 $3
• Glo Pals Bath Cube Lights https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG793KCV $27
• Colorful Bath Bombs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08149KZ68 $7
• Compression Boots https://www.costco.com/p/-/sharper-image-air-compression-boots-flex-leg-recovery-system/4000392515 $159
• Sea Dreams Soother https://www.target.com/p/baby-einstein-sea-dreams-soother-musical-crib-toy-and-sound-machine/-/A-94691831 $36
• Aroma Diffuser https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRSYBY56 $30
• Flameless Candles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8NBFZTY $10
• Princess Tumbler Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BZCPD9W $18
• Star Projector / Sound Machine https://www.kids2.com/products/6940-000-swaddleme-slumber-buddies-elephant $30
• See more about our aromatherapy oils https://bitchonabike.blogspot.com/2024/01/mom-rage.html 

These I gave away because I didn't like the musk smell

• Polynesian: sun-lit palms, calypso citrus, wild hibiscus, teakwood, island fruit, warm musk, and white sands
• Sea Salt + H2O: sea salt, water, lotus, wild rose, sea moss, warm musk, teakwood
• Orleans Resort: jasmine, violet, gardenia, lemon zest, dry down of vanilla

I've been incorporating more Naughty Girl fitness into my training program. I did yoga twice in the last week, and it's been nice. I feel like my body has been crying out for escape, spending money, travel, and distraction. So in response, I've been doing things to calm my nerves. Sometimes it's not about running away from your problems; it's about doing something right here at home to take care of yourself so that your problems don't seem so bad. On Mar 30, I wrote, "Running is just one part of a balanced diet. Other types of movement are good too."

I planned three dance-related events:

• Thursday, Apr 30, Party Like a Mother, Woodland Hills
• Saturday, May 2, Naughty Girl IRL, Burbank
• Saturday, May 9, Dance your way to health, Tarzana

I guess I didn't post much in late March or early April. It shows how underwater I have been feeling. I was kind of drowning. I got sick right after the marathon, and I haven't been 100% well since. Yes, my wounds have healed, but I've had a runny nose that hasn't stopped. Like when I run, I'm blowing my nose all the time. Snot rockets! Maybe that's why I am craving spa time and self-care activities now. And we're heading into Month of Mama 2026.

Finally, I can share that I've been planning and hosting a series of events for professors on using AI productively in ways that positively impact students. So far, I have completed 6 out of 8. It is taking up all of my free time and then some. On Mar 31, I wrote, "I have not worked this hard in 10 years. I haven't felt this stressed about money in 10 years. AND I haven't felt this happy and satisfied with my family life and household members in 10 years." So it's been a weird school year. To feel like I am working my fingers to the bone, yet have so little spending power, and feel so happy being a mom.

• Feb 9 - Study Skills - 0 attendees
• Feb 23 - Letters of Recommendation - 2 attendees
• Mar 9 - Active Learning - 5 attendees
• Mar 23 - Accessibility - 3 attendees
• Mar 30 - Anonymous Feedback - 3 attendees
• Apr 6 - Transparent Assignments - 2 attendees
• Apr 20 - Early Alerts
• May 4 - Student AI Panel

It's been wild planning this workshop series for the College of Science and Math. It's an interdisciplinary audience, to a certain extent, within a narrow window. I'm not sure whether the topics have resonated with the departments I'm trying to serve. I'm not sure these slides will be reusable learning objects. I know I have two participants with three-peat attendance. The content was worthwhile enough to bring them back again. I've been working nights and weekends to create it. And there hasn't been one female attendee yet.

Festivus

I'm actually kind of sick of all the social media posts about women doing all of the heavy lifting during the holidays. At some point, if you don't want to be the one doing all the heavy lifting, you have to put the burden down and do nothing. And wait for somebody else to pick it up, or make peace with the fact that not only do you not have to be the person to carry it, but actually, maybe it doesn't even need to be carried. Like, yes, if you don't do it, it won't get done. But also, maybe you can live without it. 

I'm saying this as someone who has been carrying a very heavy burden for the entire past few months. So heavy, in fact, that when I finally put it down, I'm almost catatonic. I'm having like a two-day migraine headache, and I feel like I physically cannot go on. My body is breaking down like my ribcage. And my neck.

I was listening to the Rise and Run podcast, and they mentioned the Airing of Grievances as a part of the Festivus holiday. I think it might be healthy. To prevent carrying these grievances into the new year. Our son, Albert, was upset that we didn’t do stockings on Christmas morning. I just couldn't swing it. I had stocking stuffers, but we never hung the stockings, so I mistakenly assumed Albert wouldn't expect one. 

My husband seemed to really get it. He realized he hadn't bought or wrapped any of the gifts under the tree. And he offered to do something to make a stocking for maybe New Year's Day. But to my knowledge, nothing has been done about it. And there will not be time. But he asked me not to do it because he feels bad about not doing anything else. I don't know.

We spent Christmas Eve baking. Sugar cookies, candy canes, fudge, peanut butter balls, and gingerbread. Mike delivered the plates to the neighbors. It was a good project for a rainy day when we couldn't do much else.

I don't know what more to do. Now I'm trying to decide whether to take Albert to the winter academy. It's a normal school day the week before they go back to school. Shouldn't I be jazzed to spend every possible moment with my kid? But it is tempting to go for it, since this break has been full of screen time, meltdowns, and sugar.

Sparkle Season

I am already exhausted. The pressure to create the holiday magic is so real. I don't know if it actually brings me joy or am I a product of my culture. Like, am I just acculterated to feel like I must do these things:

Bake cookies

Decorate a tree

Buy gifts for people

Wrap the gifts

Hang stockings

Get stocking staffers

Plan a holiday meal / menu

Plan holiday experiences

Watch holiday movies

Drink holiday drinks

All while teaching six classes, leading a run club, and doing normal stuff like laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, meal prep, and trying like hell to drink enough water and not forget to do anything important.

I surround myself with calendars and to do lists. I am literally terrified of forgetting something. Thoughts flit into my consciousness and then right back out again just as quickly. I can't write them down fast enough and I can't remember what I already forgot.

I want the holidays to sparkle but I am not home enough to enjoy the decor. I have no idea what gifts I have already. I may have sent gifts to people. I bought holiday cards and stamps but I don't know when I will have the chance to address them, write a message, and put them in the mail.

My eye is twitching. It has been doing this for about 4 days. I'm worried it's due to stress and dehydration.

Fever Pitch

Fever pitch means a state of extreme excitement or agitation, and its origin is related to the high temperature of a fever. The earliest known use of the noun was in the 1830s, appearing in print in 1837, likely referencing the high temperature of a fever to describe intense emotions. The phrase is commonly associated with sports.

I have been working so hard since I got these new classes. Breakneck pace is a phrase that comes to mind. My mind is endlessly cycling through the "to do" list. Doing what absolutely needs to get done. Just putting out fires. Not really able to think about long-term strategy or even simple housekeeping.

Hot take versus hot flash

And I had such a bad PMS and hormone rollercoaster this cycle. My flow finally arrived this weekend but the past two weeks were either anger, anxiety, or overheating. It was hard to run and it was hard to be nice. I had to apologize to my family on more than one occasion.

The foot pain is real and I purchased a couple of things to try to address it. I bought lock laces, which are kind of like a bungee, stretchable laces. I also got some toe spreaders, to straighten out my little pinky toe. My sister said the pain that I was getting on the outer part of my foot is most likely due to my shoes being too pointy in the toe box. I guess it's called a bunionette, which is acute sounding name, but it didn't feel very cute.

Bad News Update

I think I'm starting to process through my grief, after I got the bad news that my cousin died last friday. It hasn't even been a week. I told my best friend from college. And I also told my best friend from high school. And just today I told the crossing guard that stands in front of my child's elementary school. It has been hard to go to work and pretend like I'm fine. I've done a lot of sobbing at my desk. 

I've been trying to think of ways that I can honor her. But so far nothing feels right. The only thing that feels logical is to reach out to the tough mamas in my life that are still out there doing the work, fighting the fight, parenting, being an athlete, being a strong member of their community. Just reaching out to them and saying how much I appreciate them. How much the world needs them. How much their family and friends benefit from their presence and strength.

I feel like this tragedy has helped me just take my foot off the gas pedal, a little bit with work stuff. Reevaluate my priorities. Ask myself what things are worth stressing about, and what things are really just small? And I can let them go. It's really terrible to read the obituary of a forty two year old woman.

        

Katherine Gogela Obituary (1983 - 2025) - Lincoln, NE

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/journalstar/name/katherine-gogela-obituary?id=60019271

Lincoln doctor dies after being hit by SUV https://share.google/98sVPQD924YHBW3kx

Stanford Student Dies After Being Hit By Van While Jogging / Nebraska woman struck crossing road https://share.google/1dPeUX0emO5LUJtYb

I used to make very insensitive remarks like, "If I die while I'm out on a bike ride, at least I died doing something I loved." The truth is, at that time, I was suicidal. I was under so much strain and stress during graduate school that the thought of dying was like being able to rest, and I actually wanted to rest. Now that I'm a mom, I definitely don't want to die. I want to be able to exercise outdoors safely without fear of being killed by a vehicle.

The other thing I said, right when it happened, is, "I don't even know what she was training for." My mom said, "She was probably just out enjoying the day, because it was the last beautiful day before winter weather hits." But still in my mind, I had a feeling she was training for something. A mother of four doesn't just go out for a walk because she feels like it. Katie was an accomplished physician and a busy working mom. To be so high-achieving, she was a type A personality.

I looked her up on Athlinks. I found out what name she uses to register for races. I found out that she had already completed two marathons: Panama City Beach Marathon in 2022 and Grandma's Marathon in 2023. But that still didn't answer the question, on that day, on that run, what was she training for?

The answer came over the weekend, Katie was training for The Good Life Halfsy. A half-marathon in Lincoln, which Katie had run before. She was well into her two-week taper period. She was killed on a Friday, the half-marathon she had been training for was on Sunday. I cried a lot on Monday, on what should have been her Medal Monday. Somehow, it brings me peace to know that she was training for something. 

Mission Inn Run 2025 Race Report

We had a blast at the 2025 Mission Inn Run. I met all my goals. My husband didn't get to run his race, but he seems okay with that. We got two nights in the hotel without our kid, since he stayed the night at his grandma's house. That was a first!

The event itself: Where? How long? When? Weather?

This event benefits a historic landmark that has been a hotel for over a century. It was restored 30 years ago, but needs constant maintenance to remain a cultural landmark. It's been a stop for travelers for 150 years. It even served as dormitories for UC Riverside at one point in the mid-20th century. Nixon was married there, so was Bette Davis, Reagan honeymooned there. My husband and I spent our wedding night there and all of our out-of-town guests stayed there for the wedding weekend. The weather on race day was ideal. Sunday, October 19th, 2025. Mostly Sunny. Low: 54℉ High: 79℉.

Course description and evaluation of event logistics

The 10k course goes through Fairmount Park, along the Santa Ana River Bike Trail (SART), around Mt Rubidoux and re-joins the half marathoners at Ryan Bonaminio Park. You climb Palm Ave, adjacent to Evergreen Memorial Park, go over the Buena Vista bridge. Then it's mostly flat or downhill through the Eastside neighborhood, which is one of Riverside's oldest residential neighborhoods. Founded in 1870, the Eastside was originally home to many workers in Riverside's citrus industry. It is known for being one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city. Large trees, wide boulevards, lots of gardens and shade. At 3rd Street, the 5k merged with the 10k and half marathon. It re-energized me for the last mile.

How did you train for the event?

The training that helped me most was beach miles with valley runners Los Angeles x Goodr. I changed my split from 2 min run / 1 min walk to 2 min run / 30 sec walk and I did practice that on my last long run before the race (8 miles). I'm following the LA Road Runners level 3 plan for the Los Angeles Marathon. This was supposed to be a taper week. We have 20 more weeks until the full marathon.

Gear and Nutrition

I carried very little with me. I knew roughly where the water stops would be. The 10k had four water stations. I also knew where the photographer would be. 😉 I wore my new Crowned Athletic flow top, red Arabian Nights. People called me "red dragon" or just "red." One guy said it looked like a troll threw up on me, since I had glitter on my face and a sequin headband. Sorry, I passed you, on the right, going up a hill, LOL.

I drank an electrolyte drink (325 mL) electrolit during my warm-up walk. I probably drank 2 cups of coffee with one packet of collagen in the hotel room. I ate one Rx bar 1 hour prior to the race start. I ate two fruit strips about 15 minutes prior to race start. I waited until I passed the 3 mile mark to take my Gu Raspberry Lemonade flavor. I took the Gu much earlier last year and got tired in mile 5. I felt strong and powerful throughout the race all the way into the finish line. My heart was pounding but I stayed in zone 4.

Specific experiences

My goal was to make it to the kids race. I did make it. But it felt like my mouth was totally dry. I couldn't run with my son, he's definitely faster than me on a good day. But that cottonmouth feeling was so bizarre. I ate two bananas and drank about 16 oz of water between my race and his. I had to speed walk from the finish line back to the start line to catch him in time. I had about 10 minutes to spare.

I had a profound thought between miles 1 and 2. This was my first 10k race as a marathoner. Even though I had already done the Bimbo Global race this season, I didn't feel that it was as important as the Mission Inn Run. I felt the sense of pride that I have experienced a marathon build and now racing a 10k seems like no big deal, just a stepping stone during a taper week, on my way to training for the full marathon. It gave me a sense of peace and allowed me to settle in to the race.

Finish and associated emotions

I was happy when I finished. I wasn't looking at my watch while running. I was just looking at my Gym Boss. I told myself not to worry the whole race about finish time. But I knew from my playlist and from the time on the clock at the finish line that I was going to make it. We ran past the start line and I saw my son and husband there. It was so cute to hear them cheering. My son wanted a hug but I gave him 2 high fives instead.

Overall evaluation of the event

Overall, I loved this event. Really enjoyed my time in Riverside. There were enough port-a-potties to use before all the races. Enough people were milling about starting very early, like 5am, so if you want to walk to warm up like we did, you wouldn't have to feel unsafe. The weather was great. By the race start at 7:45am, the sun was up and very bright.

Budget

$900 for three nights

$139.24 for parking & incidentals

$129.70 for race registration

$59.78 for gas

$284.28 for Crowned Athletic stuff from 70% off sale

$291.95 for food & dining

$1804.95 for the race weekend

trade-offs

The trade-offs in life that I'm talking about is when you get back from a run you have three choices: eat, shower, stretch. It seems like I generally do two out of the three but never all three. But more broadly than that it's like the choice between healthy food and junk food. You can choose healthy food but it takes a lot more time and effort. You can choose junk food but it's going to make you feel like crap. Another one that's related to Mom guilt: you can let your kid eat candy, but then you're going to have to pay when they go to the dentist to have their cavities fixed. Or you can have a daily struggle to start brushing their teeth when they're 6 months old. You can drink enough water to be hydrated, but then you have to go pee every hour. Or you can drink less, but then every cell in your body will suffer because you're dehydrated. We have these daily small choices that add up to have a big impact. 

I was listening to a podcast this morning about Mom guilt. We're heading out for a racecation this week. As I was training this morning, I was thinking about what food to send for my kid. He is staying two nights at his grandma's house for the first time. The podcast said you can bend over backwards to map out every detail for your Mother-in-law or you can just drop them off and go, and let Grandma and Grandpa figure it out. It's not that I don't trust MIL, it's more like I just want everything to go smoothly and for them all to part ways with good memories, not stress.

I guess I'm just thinking about the whole concept of "having it all." Being a working mom, you do have trade-offs. You're going to let somebody else watch your child, spend time with your child, while you work. And when you are together, you're stressed about work. Not to mention housework like dishes, vacuuming, and laundry. But working more and having more money means you are less stressed financially, so you can buy higher quality food and then feel better.

Let me not forget, you can work on your phone while you're in the waiting room at the tire repair shop. You'll have your tire repaired, and you'll get work done, but you'll have carpal tunnel in your wrist from working on your phone.

Goodbye free time

This is a brief post to discuss a last-minute schedule change. I was awarded more units, which means I will have less free time. I enjoyed the work-free Tuesday and Wednesday while they lasted, and I completed some tasks around the house that needed to be done. Or didn't need to get done, but I wanted to spruce up the place and complete some things that were left unfinished.

• 📝 Attach ladder to bunk beds
• 😄Setup new modem Charter
• 📝 Upgrade phone T-Mobile
• 😄Finish setting up new phone
• 🧽Mop floor of office

Crowned Athletics had a 70% off sale sitewide, and I ended up purchasing a number of items. I also bought some things secondhand from the Facebook BST group. The first thing I got was the Arabian Nights mint skort and bra. I knew I loved the AN red bra that I've had for a while. Then I got the Barbara Girl Pink and Blue Bra, Biker Shorts, and Reversible Jacket. Arabian Nights red flow top. I loved it so much I decided to get more from Facebook. Like me, people jumped on the 70% off sale, and some ended up with sizes that didn't work for them, so they let them go for a low price, around $28, when they're usually priced at $52 or more. So that's how I got the Changed Fate Flow and Solstice Sister Flow top.

I got one Golden Dreamer athletic cap (purple) and liked it enough to get another, the Poisoned Heart athletic cap (red). I organized all my caps in a rainbow and realized that I now have enough hats to cover the entire spectrum. I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more athletic wear this season, but the sale was too good to miss. I got to try some pieces that I wouldn't have otherwise bought. Now I am more aware of what sizes I like.





Given my new work situation, I don't feel so bad about buying these items. I was having some guilt. But after wearing the cotton Color Run shirt, I realized I can't run in cotton. The Flow tops are just so breezy, I can't wait to train in them more. I don't know what to do with my hair besides just letting it grow out. Therefore, the hats with the high ponytail holes are just right. It's turning cool in the mornings, in the 50s, and I'm grateful to be able to enjoy wearing pants and even long sleeves again. I registered for the Clueless and Breathless half-marathon race on Dec 20th, it was only $35. I might also register for the third race in the Run Riverside County Challenge series, the Palm Desert Half Marathon & 5K in February 2026. We were considering skipping it due to my pay drop, but now that I'm making more, I want to do it.

Also, probably because of the Bimbo race and the stress of adding two more classes to my week, I got sick. My symptoms started on Wednesday and got worse on Thursday and Friday. It was congestion and sinus pressure, then on Saturday, it felt like there were razor blades or sand in my eyes. Very uncomfortable. On Sunday, I tried to run, and my heart rate immediately increased into zone 5. It felt like the congestion was trying to push into my ears, so I just walked and covered fewer miles. I haven't run since last Tuesday (a week ago), but it's the best course of action to rest and focus on hydrating. The Mission Inn run is two weeks away, and I bet I'll be healthy by then. I just have to trust my training and enjoy it no matter how I feel on race day.

New Shoe New You

Our campus got a new toy, the BrandU photo booth. Mike and I went over there yesterday to take our headshots. It was my previous CSUN headshot that led me back to running, so I'm grateful for that. But I was hoping for a do-over because I feel like I have at least one less chin now. And it's subtle, but I have new glasses. They're the same frame style but a slightly different color.

FA23

FA25

I want to devote a short segment to gratitude for my shoes. Honestly, I don't know how many miles are on the current shoes I own, but I do think it's time to retire the Ariel 20s. It's also time to let go of the Ghost 13s that I got from Poshmark. The reason is that I can feel my toe hitting the end of the shoe. It's actually uncomfortable and after a day of wearing them, I feel my toenail on my big toe hurts.

https://bitchonabike.blogspot.com/2024/10/consumables.html

I have to be very frugal, and I hate throwing things away that aren't completely obliterated. However, I don't want a massive pile of shoes by the door that I'm afraid to throw away. 

• June 2024 grey green Ariel 20 via Amazon = $92
• November 2024 grey green Ariel 20 via Amazon = $106.33
• March 2024 black/grey/white Ariel GTS 23 via Fleet Feet Encino = $160
• August 2024 Grey/Black/Pink Ariel GTS 23 via Amazon = $119.95
• February 2025 New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14 via Fleet Feet = $140.00
• April 2025 Ariel GTS 24 COCONUT / CHATEAU / PORTABELLA via Amazon = $160
• August 2025 Ariel GTS 24 EBONY / BLACK / WHITE via Fleet Feet = $160
• August 2025 Ariel GTS 24 MERCURY / EBONY / SWEET LAVENDER via Fleet Feet = $160

So I think I'm feeling okay about this now, seeing that I've had the Ariel 20s for a year and I still love them, and I had two other pairs in the intervening time, which I didn't love, probably because they were the wrong size. So I will likely want to buy more shoes around the holidays or afterwards (before the marathon). I actually hate the New Balance shoes. My feet hurt so much the day after I wear them. Like they're comfortable but not supportive. I understand that some people might want a lightweight shoe, but I prefer a supportive shoe that is heavier and more durable.

I had a really good summer. We did a lot of decluttering, and I'm preparing to sell some items at the consignment sale. I did a lot of cleaning. I didn't do a lot of running. June, especially, but also July, were light on miles. But the goal I had set for the year (2 miles per day), I have already met and surpassed.

Goal achieved!

I had an episode where my blood pressure surged. My doctor says it could be because of stress or excessive sodium. I came across the video below that discusses exactly the problem I've been having with histamine. It's so helpful to see this type of content, so I don't feel gaslighted. Gaslit?

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A post shared by Elevate MD (@elevatemdohio)

Looking forward to a new season with the LA Road Runners. Guessing the Santa Monica Classic (which I'm not running) is in 2 weeks.🌟 Orientation Sunday is 9/14 🌟 First Sunday of the season 9/21. I do feel like I've been doing my base building starting in July and continuing in August so I will be ready to get back in season. My run club that I oversee was a non-starter for this session. I'm not super optimistic about the Oct-Dec session either, since the holidays occupy many of those weekends, but we'll see if there's any interest.

The Disneyland Halloween half is also about 2 weeks away. I'd like to go down to Anaheim for a meet-up with the Run Fit Mama herself, Kristin Wentworth, troop 486 leader. Next week is World Princess Week, which is a holiday made up by Disney Parks. There are daily themes that have been set forth by Crowned Athletics.

https://www.runfitmama.net/trainingprograms/core-workout-plan-cinderella-royal-core-7j8s6 

https://www.crownedathletics.com/blogs/crowned-connections 

If you interact with each day's social media post, or for an extra entry, share a photo of yourself, you might win a Crowned Athletics set. Here's my loose plan for which princess goes with each day's theme. Depending on how you feel about the Disney movies, you might assign a different princess with each trait: creativity, strength, kindness, grace, and bravery.

Mon 8/25 - Creativity 

   Rapunzel / Tangled

   Tiana / Princess and the Frog

   Raya / and the Last Dragon

Tues 8/26 - Strength 

   Luisa / Encanto

   Elsa / Frozen

   Moana

Wed 8/27 - Kindness

   Snow White 

   Cinderella 

   Ariel / Little Mermaid 

Thu 8/28 - Grace

   Mulan

   Aurora / Sleeping Beauty 

   Belle / Beauty and the Beast

Fri 8/29 - Bravery

   Merida / Brave

   Jasmine / Aladdin

   Pocahontas

So I want to put together five outfits. Monday, I can wear my purple jumper and call that Tangled. Tuesday, I could wear my Powerful Hermana set. On Wednesday, I could wear my mermaid skirt / visor / tank top from Sparkle Athletic. Thursday, I teach two labs, so I'm not sure how I could represent any of those princesses, but the jumper I have to wear that isn't already taken is slate grey with a red shirt underneath. I could run in my red Arabian Nights top with the Poisoned Heart Villain athletic skort. Friday, I could wear my green jumper and my Changed Fate set. 

And finally: Monday 9/1 is Labor Day and also the kickoff to the RFF Cinderella Royal Core program. The fun thing is to go out and get a Cinderella latte, which is a pumpkin spice latte with a half pump pumpkin sauce and a half pump white mocha. In fact, I'm heading out now to pick up these sauces so that we can make it here at home.

https://athome.starbucks.com/recipe/pumpkin-spice-latte
https://athome.starbucks.com/recipe/homemade-pumpkin-spice-syrup 
I bought this but it's taking ages to arrive https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1TX4TL6

I'll end here. It feels like there's more to say. I wanted to do a quick check-in before the semester starts to have at least one post for August. I'm at peak optimism at the moment.  

Perimenopause Beauty Routine

Cleanser

Ponds Cold Cream
Facial Cleansing Wipes for sensitive skin from Target
Johnson's Head-To-Toe Baby Wash and Shampoo
Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser
Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil For Face

Moisturizer

Clinique dramatically different moisturizing lotion+
Pond's Dry Skin Cream
Dr. Mercola's Organic Acai Night Moisturizer
Clinique Moisture Surge Intense 72H Lipid-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturizer
Jurlique - Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Rich Cream

SPF

Sun Bum Baby SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick, Mineral Roll-On
Eucerin Sun Sensitive Mineral Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 50 & Zinc Oxide
Think Everyday Face Sunscreen Lotion, Naturally Tinted, SPF 30+

On my 45th birthday, surrounded by loved ones, two family members that I haven't seen in awhile commented "gee your face looks red, it looks like you've gotten some sun." I was kind-of taken aback, like geez people I hardly ever see you and this is the first comment you want to say. This is what you're leading with? Well, I suppose it's just their observation, and I didn't mean to take offense. 

But when you're dealing with hormone fluctuations, you get bad skin. And then I thought about the use of face tune, filters, and skin smoothing on photos. If people are keeping up with you on social media, and you're doctoring every photo you post, then when you are greeted in person, people are going to ask you if you're okay when your skin doesn't look like it does in the photos. 

Generally, I do wear sunscreen every day and on special occasions I wear the tinted one that is kind of like foundation. But I didn't bring it. And I had gone for a difficult 6 mile run that morning so I guess I was looking flushed. And this is the best routine I can do at the moment for my aging skin. I'm seeing a dermatologist today so we'll see what they say.

I tried this at my parents' house, and it was nice:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DMW79VM4/

https://www.amazon.com/Seborrheic-Face-Cream-Dermatitis-Moisturizing/dp/B0D8RNX734/

I remember that

Menopause is worse than puberty because adults have already formed a stronger sense of self. Menopause changes you in profound ways, in your body, skin, fat, and brain. Probably skeleton too, just like puberty. But as a 13 year old, I was still forming my personality and identity, I was more malleable. I feel my adult self is being destroyed and re-formed by menopause, perhaps more profoundly than matrescence. I guess it's scary because I don't know what the final state will feel like or look like and I'm afraid it will be worse than the state I have been in for more than 30 years, the childbearing years.

It is interesting having this realization in the house I grew up in, the house I went through puberty in. The most valuable part of spending time with family has been reinforcing my childhood memories. Hearing a sister say, "I remember that," is so validating. I have a big fear of losing my grip on reality and having no memories. Like is my body already primed for dementia? Is it tied to the brain fog of motherhood and menopause? I have enjoyed reminiscing with my sisters this trip, sharing memories from our childhood, reinforcing things that happened as facts and not made-up fantasy from my silly failing brain. I feel like I'm grasping at a mist that can't be held but my sisters help me retell the story and reinforce it with concrete cinder blocks with rebar. Love those gals.

Running through Elmwood Park, Memorial Park, near the Keystone trail, through UNO and along Happy Hallow Blvd made me think moving to Omaha was a good idea.

running swaps

Hollie Sick from @fueledbyLOLZ made an instagram post that got me thinking. She was arguing that running can be a low-cost activity. You don't need a ton of fancy gear to get good at it. She noted that the rise of influencers can make you think that you need more stuff, but it's okay to start or continue with less. Or possibly that there are cheaper items you can swap for whatever is the "latest and greatest."

Do you need a fancy watch? No!

Armitron Sport Unisex Digital Chronograph Nylon Strap Watch, 45-7004 $13.65
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2PM2TX9 

I've written before about wearable electronics such as a Nike watch and a Garmin watch, so I don't want to rehash it too much. I lost my original Garmin after the strap broke and I couldn't wear it around my wrist. Then I wore it on my handlebars of my bicycle until one day I looked down and it had fallen off. It looks like I lost the Garmin on the Chatsworth Orange Line Tour (COLT) or maybe I was using something else at the time. It looks like the Nike+ data was from 1/03/2009. I got the Garmin in June 2011, when we moved to Glendale, and used it until 6/10/2018. What I liked about the Garmin was that I could see the route and elevation profile.

I will say that I've been wearing the Samsung Watch5 since August 2024 (basically the whole school year). I like the heart rate feature, but it's not better than the Fitbit Versa. Someone gave it to me, so it was free to me. The things I don't like about them are that they're annoying to remember to charge. The Versa has a longer battery life (3-4 days), whereas the Samsung has only one day and must be charged or it will die mid-day. You can send short answers to text messages, which is nice. You can use your watch as a remote shutter for your camera, and a little preview of the photo will appear on your wrist, which is a cute feature. So far the Samsung isn't generating a map, but I think I could play with the settings and get it to do that if I wanted to. I think it's possible for the Samsung watch to track elevation but I just look at my Strava for that. 

But I have worn this cheap watch linked above about half the days now, since I got it mid-April, post-marathon. Because if you're not using the data from the smartwatch, why are you wearing it? If you just need a timepiece, then why? I still use the period tracking feature in the Fitbit app because it's scarily accurate now and helpful, even though I don't wear the Fitbit Versa watch. Also, when you think of these little computers on your wrist, you have to consider the disposal cost associated with it, how long it lasts, and how often you will want to upgrade. 

At least now they sell strap replacements, but eventually it won't hold a charge anymore, or the company will no longer update the software. Many of my Fitbits lasted only a few years. I think I still have two old ones sitting in a drawer. I guess they were the Fitbit Alta HR and it looks like we bought replacement bands in 2019 for them. I used the FitBit Alta HR from Aug 24, 2018 until May 15, 2022. I guess I must have got it when the Garmin got lost. I remember that is what I used for step counting and HR tracking during my pregnancy. I liked the AltaHR because it only needed charging once per week. I think it would last about 7 days on a single charge. But the AltaHR didn't have a mapping feature.

https://sites.google.com/site/kaiserwellnesscenter/kaiser-wellness-center-statement/fitness-awareness/available-routes  The Garmin was useful for creating maps! This was before we had smart phones, LOL. Honestly, how many times do you go for a run or walk and not bring your phone? And the smartwatch can't be a phone unless you put it on your mobile plan as a separate device with a data plan. Yes phones are bulky and heavy now, so they are kind of a drag, but the camera is fun and they also play music. You don't need three separate devices for that.

Do you need fancy massage gun / recovery boots? Not really.
Amazon Basics High Density Foam Roller for Exercise and Recovery $11.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XM2MXK8 

I have addaday roller, but you can find one on Amazon for about $10

https://www.amazon.com/IDSON-Athletes-Tools-Muscle-Massager-Tightness/dp/B015RKCWR6/

I have been doing a mobility program that uses the two items mentioned above. $30 https://www.runfitmama.net/trainingprograms/runner-mobility-program  

Run Fit Fab

Do you need a large volume of shoes? Um, no.

I have one main shoe that I use for running. Then, I know how many miles I have on it because I keep track of when I bought it. When I start to notice that I'm feeling achy and the shoe is breaking down, I make that my walking shoe and buy a new pair for running.

I've written a lot about shoes before, so I won't say much more. What I have done is space out my races every three months or so, and then after I finish a race, buy a new pair of shoes. That's worked pretty well so far. There are places that you can donate your old shoes (like at Fleet Feet) and they get turned into playgrounds, running tracks, track jackets, etc.

Considering what else I wear to run in, I don't wear expensive sunglasses. When they get scratched up, I get a new pair because visibility is important. I have written about the biker shorts I love to run in. I love that they have pockets. I did get a bit delulu and buy a bunch of crowned athletics but I'm trying to just pump the brakes on that and stop. Also, I love living in sweatpants now. This post discussed the crowned althetics sets that I got and why, and also compares the price of running fuel. This is another great swap you can make: from specialized running fuel to something generalized and cheaper.

I've already discussed this hat, but I wanted to also note the price point!

ELLEWIN Unisex Baseball Cap UPF 50 Unstructured Hat with Foldable Long Large Bill $9.99
https://www.amazon.com/ELLEWIN-Baseball-Portable-Research-Foldable/dp/B01JI0XLZS

Running hats are priced between $25-100 which is kind of crazy when this foldable hat does everything I need and it's so affordable. I found it at It's A Wrap (a consignment shop) so I think I paid $2. 

Fueled by LOLZ This is the original post that inspired me to write about this. I started writing this on May 5th and am just now finishing it a month later, so that gives you an idea of how Maycember or Mayhem went for me. Just too many things in one month!

5 days until Rose Bowl Half

After my time trial, I feel so tired. I feel like my torso is dragging my legs along. My whole body feels achy and heavy. I feel like my hormones are all out of whack. I cried for no reason on Friday and Saturday.

I feel good because I am getting faster. On paper, I am faster. But in my body, I feel sluggish. I had planned on doing more cross-training when I finished the marathon, but training for another half-marathon right away has been tough.

I remembered I was so excited for a January race. I figured it would be cold. I had an outfit planned accordingly. Now I'm not sure what to wear. Luckily, the weather is still going to be cool, at least according to the forecast.

Okay, it's time to debut Forest print and wear it with the race shirt. #sparklesquad #teamsparkle

10 days until the Rose Bowl Half

I'm at the point now where I'm at the end of the season. I'm planning next season. I realize this race is a beast, I also realize I'm not quite ready for it. I feel slow and injured right now.

sweatpants

I'm thanking the inventor of sweatpants today. It's interesting that sweatpants' history dates back to runners in the Olympics in the year 1920. Sweatpants became a staple of the American wardrobe during the global pandemic of 2020, a century later. I would love to see a historical photo montage of the evolution of running warm-ups. Instead, here is a historical montage of my sweatpants. These stoned sweats were bought in the aughts after Juicy Couture popularized the bejeweled velour tracksuit. I remember I wore them until they had massive holes everywhere.

Victoria's Secret Pink with Rhinestones on the Butt circa 2008

The new sweatpants I got from Target, as a Valentine's gift to myself this year, are of the brand Universal Thread. I bought them in 4 colors. The green ones say Kindness. The blue ones say Perfect As Is. The red ones say Love. The pink ones say, "it's a good day to have a good day."

Love

One sweatshirt I got this year was a different brand, Grayson/Thread, and it is pilling. It's not as heavyweight. Another sweatshirt I got is the brand Wild Fable, and it is holding up better after many washes. I love the message, too: keep dreaming. It is 80% cotton and 20% recycled polyester. I got a sweatshirt last year made of 55% Cotton, 45% Recycled Polyester. Women's Hooded Love Sweatshirt - A New day™. I love the coral logo but it's been hard to keep it clean because it's cream-colored. But the point is that it's been durable and I've worn it A LOT. 

I do remember these pink sweats, which I wore last time I was running long distances. They were pretty thin and I probably mostly slept in them, and I definitely wore them until there were massive holes in them. This is my sister and it was probably the only time in my life where we could wear the same size.

Old Navy? Sweats circa 2010

I don't know why I feel the need to justify these purchases, maybe because they were expensive. But with sweats, I don't buy them often, and I wear them out until it's unsafe to wear them in public because the inner thigh gets holey. I was reading about all the clothing that was donated during the wildfires in Eaton Canyon and Malibu. There were SO many clothes, and because consumers buy clothes so often, the donated clothing was almost new. Unfortunately, what people who were displaced by the fires needed was more toiletries, cash, or food. Some of the donated clothing was probably sent for recycling. So it's interesting that stores like Target use recycled polyester in their new clothes.

Perfect As Is

I feel like I'm driving so hard right now. Like I'm using every possible minute in the day. The semester is wrapping up in some sense, or the home stretch will be a change of pace, but it's not over yet. The track suit was launched in 1939, which included matching pants and top. Adidas adopted the tracksuit in 1967, made from nylon instead of wool. RunDMC's 1986 music video really launched the Adidas tracksuit as a staple of the hip-hop scene.

My Adidas 2020

I get up early, go for my run, do my strength training, or vice versa. Then I go to work. If I have time to grab a shower, I do, get the kiddo ready for school, and walk to school. I am getting a lot of miles, which is good. I'm having trouble getting in all my nutrition, though. And hydration is the worst. I'm pretty much unable to keep up with this. I've had these blue sweatpants for a long time, but I can't wear them to work because the flared leg drags on the ground. But the waistband is super wide and stretchy and it has a real working drawstring.

Dec 2020 Pandemic Xmas

I joined Run Fit Mama in a 30-day program called Royal Core. It's kicking my butt in a good way. I asked my chiropractor if I should consider a breast reduction, and he told me to consider instead being mindful of my posture for 30 days, and then we'll talk about it.

I re-examined the vitamins I'm taking and took out all the ones that were there to support breastfeeding.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039UT7DE  Menopause vitamins

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K1YVMZG  Magnesium deodorant

As of today, I've been taking the Menopause vitamins for a week. Unfortunately, it hasn't been an instant fix for all my symptoms. Besides sweatpants I'm living in jumpsuits. They're not as easy to use the restroom in, but they are extremely comfortable. All these things I can throw over running tights or bike shorts so that I can stay cozy all day at work, and throw in a workout midday if needed.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGXVQKBT Muchpow Women's V Neck Sleeveless Jumpsuits Spaghetti Straps Harem Long Pants Overalls With Pockets (XX-Large)

$26.99 army green

$19.99 purple

I think I might be outgrowing my Latched Mama era, my Kindred Bravely era, as well as my LuLaRoe era. I don't need nursing bras anymore, but I'm not sure what my next era will be. Sports bras I guess?

priorities

Yep it's cycle day 20. Luteal misery. I fell on my run this morning and cut my knee and the palms of my hands. It got me thinking about my priorities. Should I have cut back the volume of today's run considering I'm a bit sick and on a difficult part of my cycle? Should I have done a shorter workout since my husband and I overslept? Was I rushing to get home and therefore not watching my footing? Was I pushing my pace too hard? Is it too soon after the marathon to be doing speed work again?

Mom

Wife

Teacher

Athlete / Coach

Dog Mom

Friend / Sister

Human Being

Woman

Artist / Gardener

The identities listed above define my priorities. Scheduling my time and doing the most important thing first is a struggle. Minute-by-minute, day-by-day, week-by-week, etc. I do count down the weeks of the semester. I count my parenthood duties as foremost in my mind. I cannot skip these. If my child is sick with a fever, I must drop everything else and take care of him until he is well again.

I guess my wife's duties are to my household and my husband. We took vows to care for each other in sickness and in health. As we strive to reach a more optimized state of health, these duties look like creating shopping lists and meal plans, cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, vacuuming and wiping down common areas, cooking and transporting food, restocking important household supplies, organizing items at the house so they can be inventoried and located, purging items that are no longer used. This is a long list. I also spend many hours per week just putting stuff away, sorting trash from treasures, and resetting areas to be useable again.

Next set of duties that I cannot skip, but also are not my top priority, are the things that I get paid for. Teaching duties, lesson planning, grading, sending emails, posting announcements, following up with absent students, etc. Writing quizzes, making copies, drawing on the board, communicating with colleagues in person and online, reading emails, and scheduling things. I put these things lower on the priority list when I need to, and then higher again when things at home are settled. I work ahead when I feel healthy and balanced, but I fall behind when other higher priorities become urgent.

My duties as an athlete/coach are sometimes higher and sometimes lower, but lately, they have been pretty high. I've let my health take a back seat to parenting and work for half a decade, and now I want to put it higher so that I don't skip workouts and backslide into more significant obesity than I currently am. I spend time creating content for YouTube to educate myself and my runClub. I program and track my workouts using spreadsheets and mileage trackers on Canva. I compare the data on my Samsung Health app to Strava Athlete Intelligence to keep myself motivated and moving forward. As Coach Bennett of the Nike Running app says, You're your best coach. Talk to yourself kindly as you would want your coach to talk to you.

I have a new identity as a dog mom again, which means that I have to fit dog walks into my life. I need to do some dog training and grooming, and remember to add her food to the shopping list, refill her water dish, talk nicely to her, and watch for her under my feet when I'm carrying something large so I don't step on her. 

As a friend, this may look like hour-long phone calls to check in on the women in my life. Or it may look like sharing something funny or motivational on Instagram messages. It doesn't have to take up a lot of time when I'm busy, but it is a steady stream of back-and-forth to let those women know they are important, significant, loved, and cared for. It's similar to sisterhood. It's curating the village. This may be a separate post, but I'm leaning into paying for my village. I paid to join the run club. I paid to join the Sparkle Squad. But I get a lot out of it too.

How the "human being" tasks ended up so far down, I don't know. This is stuff like eating, sleeping and pooping. Stuff all humans do. Getting sick, getting well, breathing, digesting, the things we take for granted when it is going well. Maybe we should also put hydration in this category. Also shopping for stuff like supplements, vitamins, and tracking macros. I mean, this could also be a separate post. I've reconsidered the supplements I'm taking. After some bloodwork before my marathon, which I begrudgingly agreed to do, I briefly stopped taking all my supplements. But since then, I've started retaking most of the supplements I had paused. 

I guess I would put "woman" in here in a general way to say self-care. Beyond friendships. Stuff like pampering. Spa time. Being alone. Thinking your own thoughts. Blogging like I'm doing now. Doing something I enjoy. The other day I heard a podcast about Disney stuff and they mentioned that Bath and Body Works was doing a line of Disney Princess fragrances. I had to go to the mall and smell it for myself. I'm not sure why this resonates with me in the category of women, but I guess princesses are women and women are taught to be conscious of smelling good, not sweaty, and having soft skin, not rough. So this type of self-care is associated with femininity. It also falls under the Wife category since it involves keeping the lotions and soaps stocked. It is Woman, though, because this dry skin due to perimenopause is something else. And I'm hoping the lotions help with that.

Artist is the last, lowest, and least of my identities. But it's still there! This may be visual with crafting, or it may be kinesthetic with roller disco and dance. I had vowed that when I finished the marathon season, I would do something else in the off-season and get back into dance or rollerskating. And then I went ahead and signed up for another marathon! Yes, I'm doing the LA Marathon 2026. But I still have a lot of semester left to finish, and most of the summer will pass by before training starts again in earnest. Naughty Girl Fitness is $14.44 a month, and it's app-based. 

I'm still paying for my Fit4Mom instructor membership, which is $9.99 per month, not even covered by the amount I get paid for coaching the RunClub. After talking with my husband over the long weekend, we may have concluded that I might not continue coaching the RunClub. I might get more out of the season if I commit fully to LARR. The good discount with Fit4Mom is that you do not have to pay for the monthly membership as an instructor and you can still attend classes. I think I was paying $69 per month for Fit4Mom, and at one time, I was paying hundreds of dollars for a monthly membership and Body Well. 

People say good things about Orange Theory Fitness, and 24 Hour Fitness, but for now I've got my Planet Fitness Membership. It's $25 per month for the Black Card membership, which includes massage chairs, hydromassage, tanning and Total Body Enhancement, which I have yet to try but I might do it soon. It's vibration combined with red light therapy. Again, this could be a topic of a future blog post. What I'm looking forward to most is the end of the semester and our trip to Nebraska. What I'm not looking forward to is the Rose Bowl Half because it seems so out of place in the season, finishing up all the work of grading and submitting grades, and the weather going hotter and hotter as we approach summer. 

Maybe I could add to Artist also Gardener. And this is the lowest priority. At the moment completely dead. But it is generally in spring where I revive our garden. Albert has shown some interest in planting stuff for spring. It will be difficult to justify since we're traveling to Nebraska early in June, but maybe if I'm clear with my husband about care instructions, the garden won't be completely dead when we get back. And I really need to work on getting stuff OUT of our house. It's so overstuffed right now it's stressing me out.

RunClub Session 5 Debrief

Session 1 was the inaugural session.

Session 2 ended with my first run streak.

Session 3 I did a mid-session check-in.

Session 4 almost didn't happen.

To what extent have you met your RunClub goals?

I have more than met my RunClub+ goals. I have exceeded my goals. I am definitely one pants size smaller and also one shirt size smaller. When I get dressed in the morning, I feel like my clothes have too much fabric. I'm wearing clothes that I haven't fit into since before pregnancy.

I wanted to create memories with my son, and I have. I wanted to reach the end of our breastfeeding journey, and I have. I wanted to carve out time for myself, and I did. I feel more focused, more balanced, and more confident.

Which components of the program supported your progress?

The daily reach-outs make me feel closer to my training group. It gives me a sense that someone cares about how my running is going. I miss it a lot when the session ends. I can't wait for it to start up again.

I love the in-person runs. The support I got from the fellow running moms was incredible. They believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. They hyped me up when I felt unsure. They carried me through the mid-run miles that would have otherwise been dull and painful. They pushed me to run stronger and faster than I would have done alone. 

The Fit4Mom in-person classes were essential to keeping my core and other muscles balanced. I was much stronger and in less pain due to taking Jessica's Stroller Strides class at the Vineyards every Monday. It made me climb that hill. It got me around other moms. I also really enjoyed Adriana's Body Boost class at My Gym in Woodland Hills. She made me feel so pumped up and ready for the marathon.

You can't imagine how out of place I felt at the LA Roadrunners when I felt like I was the only runner who had to balance motherhood with my training. Coming to Fit4Mom is a relief because I know every mom is juggling what I'm juggling and I don't have to explain why I feel so exhausted. Nor do I have to listen to people complain about how tired they are when all they have to worry about is themselves (people without kids).

The transition from Pike13 to Glo was interesting, but I like the new interface. It will be easier to access on-demand content. I will ask my runners for their feedback during this next session. 

The finish line was a big motivator for me. I'm grateful that I had attended the expo last year and ran the LA Big 5k in 2024, it definitely brought me a sense of calm on marathon race day 2025. I have heard that first time marathoners follow the training plan more precisely than second-time or multi-time marathoners because they're so terrified of not finishing. That was definitely me.

I did make a new YouTube video about what is a TEMPO run and why you should do it.

https://youtu.be/5hYBHMkFBXg?si=2OldJudwKMhqRgxv

A lot of what I am doing is learning for myself. I tried to make a Marathon route fly through but I didn't get very far. The course is so long, I have a draft that I can finish later. Like maybe after I get the grades in.

What about RunClub+ was surprising or did not match with your expectations (whether positive or negative)? You can share your general reflections here.

I recorded a video of myself running on the treadmill at Planet Fitness. I was worried that my form on the treadmill would be different than how I run on the roads. What surprised me was how I looked like an old lady. I don't know if it was the saggy boobs or the saggy arms or the tired face but I didn't recognize my body.
https://youtu.be/sBKSZrlkrUI?si=ArVonbyYfHrmVFpH 

It was also surprising that it took me so long to find a bra that didn't chafe on long runs. Seeing my boobs and how much they move while I run made me rethink what type of support I really need. I wasn't surprised that the Crowned Athletics bra was not supportive enough on its own, but seeing the displacement made me understand why my boobs hurt so much after the OC back bay half marathon run.

More specifically, what suggestions do you have to improve session 6?

I would like to get to the point where I can be more authentic in my daily reach-outs. I have been using the pre-prepared ones from HQ. I wish I could just say something that feels more like myself but also aligns with the spirit of the program. Would it be wrong to use ChatGPT for this? 

1 day after the marathon

I'm still trying to finish my post-race meal from El Pollo Loco. I'm so thirsty. I'm walking but I'm moving slow. It's weird. I'm hungry but I'm too tired to eat.

I really enjoyed the marathon experience. Looking at my photos, I'm glad I recorded as much as I did. On a sunny day, all the colors and the whole experience was so vibrant.

Yes, it sucked knowing I had already crossed the finish line and having to go back. Yes, those miles after mile 18 were hard. Yes, my smile faded a bit. But after the turnaround, each mile I got progressively more excited for the finish line.

I reached mile 18 right around noon. And that's when I noticed that I was feeling nauseous. I realized that I was almost out of electrolyte tablets. I realized that I wasn't going to make my time goal.

I must have given "big mom" or "big teacher" energy because some of the SRLA students asked me for help pacing and getting in touch with their parents. 

I'm so glad I brought the two fuel rods. When my phone got from 100% down to below 70%, I put a fuel rod on it until it was back up to 100%. I finished the race with my phone having >60% battery left. And I think my watch was about the same. I did have a moment with my phone where it was saying there was water or some debris stuck in the charging port, but I just turned it upside down so the charging port was down and ran for a mile or two with it like that and then it was fine.

I got to sit with my former student Parker Smith and his aunt and uncle before the race. She is a high-school chemistry teacher who has run the LA Marathon many times. She didn't run this year because she's having a knee replacement in a few weeks. But she kept me entertained with stories from the front lines of teaching chemistry at a school in Malibu that burned down in the wildfires. I didn't get nervous at all.

According to my Samsung Watch5, I was in Zone 2 for 1 hour, 18 minutes and in Zone 3 for 1 hour. This was the first 9 miles from 7am - 9:23am. I was waiting until then to change my tampon because someone told me the port-a-potties at mile 9 were the best ones because they're on a side street that you can't see unless you know they're gonna be there. So I was holding out for them, and it was one short line for about 9 bathrooms, and the line went quick. Other people told me the lines at other bathroom stops were 10-15 minutes long. My pace for the first 9 miles ranged from 11'13" to 16'01". It was my intention to walk almost all of the first 6 miles.

The next 5 miles from 9:29am - 10:51am were until I found Mikey waiting for me across from The Comedy Store. I was definitely running this part using my interval timer. I was doing 3 minute run and 1 minute walk. Mostly. My watch says I spent 10 minutes in Zone 2, 47 minutes in Zone 3, and 23 minutes in Zone 4. My pace ranged from 11'13" to 15'56".

The next 5.5 miles from 10:55am to 12:25pm were mainly in the aerobic zone (56 minutes), with some time in the anaerobic zone (27 minutes). I don't really remember what intervals I was doing. Probably still 3 minute run and 1 minute walk. At some point I changed it to 2 minute run, 1 minute walk. Maybe around mile 18. I believe I stopped here to change my tampon again. There was a row of restrooms hiding behind the run clubs and there was no line there. I also refilled my hydration bladder.

It was at some point here where I started dumping water on my body from the water stops. The first tables had electrolytes and the second tables had just water. Well around mile 15 I forgot this and dumped blue electrolytes on my head. I love the running hat and it's great but it doesn't really absorb water like my hair does. So I started raising up my hat and dumping the water on my hair, which is where the electrolytes went. I also dumped it on my shoulders and arms, down my chest and my back. It really helped.

My watch bundled the remaining 7.5 miles together from 12:27 - 2:48 pm, even though I did stop briefly around mile 22 to pee. There was no line for the toilets there. It was right at the turnaround to come back towards the finish line. I was feeling overheated, there was very little shade during this part of the course. There was good crowd support. Lots of people offering lots of different things. Fruit, water, pretzels, coca-cola, gatorade, etc. 

At this point, I was feeling nauseous and I could feel the liquid sloshing around in my belly so I took an electrolyte chew and that helped. But I stopped being able to take Gu and Bloks. I was just so sick of all the sugar in my mouth. Luckily, I had packed Biscoff cookies so I ate those and felt much better. Next 20 minutes I ate as much of a Clif bar as I could and that sat okay. Next 20 minutes, I ate another set of 4 cookies and that settled my tummy.

As much as it sucked to do an out-and-back for the last 8 miles, the saving grace was that we were close enough to the ocean to feel a cool breeze. Even though the sun was out, it was like being near the beach where you don't feel cold but you can get a nasty sunburn. It was like once we got up and over the hill at avenue of the stars, it was a cool breeze for the remainder of the race. Nothing like finishing right at the ocean in Santa Monica, but it was still nice.

According to my watch, I barely ran any of this. But most of my pace was in the aerobic zone (zone 3) for 1 hour and 17 minutes. I was also in Zone 2 for almost 1 hour. I kept telling myself that that's where you want to be for burning fat, so there's no need to rush. Also, I was hot and I didn't want to cramp. I ran a few downhills when that felt easier than walking.

LA Marathon 2025
Distance	Projected Time	Actual Time	Projected Pace	Actual Pace	Projected Carb	Actual Carb
miles 1-2	7:36	7:33	18	16.5	Gu + bloks	Gu + bloks
miles 3-4	8:16	8:03	20	15.3	Gu + bloks	Gu + bloks
mile 5	8:36	8:19	20	16	Gu	Gu
miles 6-8	9:21	9:23	15	14.8	bloks	bloks
miles 9-12	10:06	10:22	15	14.4	Gu + bloks	Gu + bloks
miles 13-16	10:54	11:19	16	14.7	Gu + Clif bar	Gu + bloks
miles 17-20	11:42	12:23	16	16	Gu + bloks	Biscoff + Clif bar
miles 21-24	12:30	1:33	16	17.75	Gu + bloks	bloks
miles 25-26	1:06	2:06	18	16.75	Rx bar	just electrolytes

What I didn't factor in was all the other walking I would be doing that day. My watch clocked 1.2 miles prior to race start. It also logged 2.5 miles after the race. My husband and I congratulated ourselves for making pre-race and post-race transportation plans but we both agreed that we could have been more thorough. I forgot my gear check bag in the car when I got dropped off and he had to circle around and bring it to me. Luckily, we were so early it was no problem. I'm actually glad I got there so early.

 

After the race, I tried walking through the mall to get back to Santa Monica Blvd, but I ended up right back where I started at the finish line, but on the spectator side instead of the participant side. I had to walk back to Olympic Blvd and follow the arrows on the ground for SRLA to Beverly Hills High School and the long line of yellow school buses along Moreno Drive. Seeing where the kids had to walk to return to their meetup spot was neat. 

I tried to find the Metro 4 bus, but I guess it was diverted to Olympic, so I was just walking up Santa Monica Blvd until I decided I didn't want to walk anymore. I talked with my dad for 40 minutes, which was really great. I was still in Zone 2, and that walk helped me not to be as sore as I could have been today. I never found the bus, but I called an Uber to take me the last 2 miles to the hotel. I could have walked it, but I didn't want to keep the family waiting longer.

I brought back two unopened Gu's and one unopened Honey Stinger that I got at the start line hospitality suite. I never ate my Rx bar either. I ended up carrying a huge pack of wipes and only using one. I didn't want to throw my tampon applicator in the porta-potty so I ended up carrying one back with me (gross I know). They had Terracycle for Gu wrappers but I ended up throwing most of mine in the trash. Right before the race one of the Gu's exploded in my pocket and my hands got all sticky. I didn't freak out though, but it was something I hadn't planned on. I did use the sunscreen and chapstick with SPF. I had forgot to put sunscreen on my neck so I put that on when we turned around and had the sun at our back.

I unpacked the car this morning and washed all my race clothes. I'm happy with how my outfit performed. I got lots of compliments on it. I was surprised that only my hands were sunburned. Somehow I forgot to put sunscreen on my hands, but my arms and shoulders were covered. Minimal chafing. Taking a shower right after the race felt REALLY good. It also felt great to lay down on a soft bed and recover a bit before driving back to the valley. It was nice to be able to chill until around 6pm before leaving the hotel. The traffic was mellow and we got home in about 30 minutes.

I got a strange alert on my watch that I was out of my circadian rhythm. I went to bed the night before the race at 5pm. I woke up at 12:30am on race morning. I ate a power banana (banana, yogurt, granola, nutella, and sour cherry syrup) and drank chamomile tea. I listened to some music, I made a sparkly shamrock by gem painting. It was relaxing to do that for 90 minutes and then start getting dressed at 2am. I ate a bagel with cream cheese at the start line hospitality around 5am. I used the VIP toilets twice and the private gear check 

Budget

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham West Hollywood Hotel & Suites $153.07

Parking in West Hollywood $50.00
Residence Inn Chatsworth $311

Throwaway Clothes from Goodwill $14

El Pollo Loco $65.03

Uber $20

Chevron Gas $62.49

Feetures Elite Light / Ultra Light (4 pairs) $54

New Goodr sunglasses $25

New Balance $140

Custom Tank Etsy $31.74

Race Registration $186.40

Gym Boss $20.95

Gu / Bloks / Stroopwaffels / Salt Tabs $232.78

TOTAL $1,366.46

I was just 3 minutes in front of the sweepers. In fact, when I was doing mile 24, I could see the garbage truck on the other side of the street cleaning up after the Run Club Row. The water tables were being broken down and carried off the course. I am grateful that I was able to finish in the allowed time. I took my time. I got my money's worth!

I got my medal, and my gear bag was returned to me at the bag check. I got to see Coach David, and I started crying. I felt such a mix of emotions. Relief. Gratitude. Pride. I thanked him for all the excellent coaching and told him to thank Julie for the children's book, which helped Albert understand the journey to becoming a Marathon Goddess.

I'm not really gung-ho on signing up for the LA Marathon again. My training group is all over the map: some say it's their last one, and some have already signed up for 2026. If I were considering another marathon, it would have to be a really special course, AND/OR I would have to have a very special person to train with. It's such a long journey and a big time commitment. 

I did pay the annual fee for Planet Fitness Black Membership $45.02 billed on 3/03. The next payment of $25.02 will be billed on the 17th of the month. So I guess I could have included that gym membership in the cost of training for this marathon. If there hadn't have been wildfires, I wouldn't have needed that. But since I have it now, I could train for a fall race and just run indoors on the treadmill.

The only marathons I'm considering are the Every Woman's Marathon in Scottsdale, AZ and the Disney World Marathon, which is now a bucket list race. It doesn't need to be soon, but it could happen eventually. Every Woman's Marathon was inaugural last year, so this would be the 2nd annual. But it's appealing because I know the area. It might be fun to do a San Diego marathon as well. That's first weekend of June.

My MIL warned me that I would have restless legs the night after the marathon. I know what she meant now. I felt like I needed to massage them and just keep moving. When I laid down in bed, it felt like I was still wearing my hat, sunglasses, and headphones. It felt like I was still running. Like when you go on a long road trip and stop for the night and dream that you're still driving and fall asleep at the wheel. But really, you're in bed just dreaming that you're still driving. Just me? Well okay.

I laid down between 7:30pm and 8pm and got my son to sleep and then snuck out of bed for some stretching and to eat a giant bowl of macaroni & cheese from El Pollo Loco. I slept through the night after that and woke up feeling pretty good. I took two naproxen sodium, even though my MIL recommended 4 Advil. Our coach says the maximum of soreness (DOMS) is 48-72 hours after the event, so I guess the worst is yet to come. I would have been okay walking Albert to school today but we kind of ran out of time since I had to clean out the car and do laundry and pack his lunch and walk the dog and all the things and it's St. Patty's Day today.

My MIL said that when she ran the LA Marathon it didn't start at Dodger Stadium and it didn't finish in Santa Monica. It just went around the city. She did the second annual. Albert did surprisingly well spending the day with his grandma and grandpa. Surely he wore them out, but neither one had any complaints about the other(s). I'm so grateful that I have family nearby that is willing to support me in this marathon journey. It does make me feel like I belong in the family, where all of them had completed a marathon except me. Not anymore.