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Hey everyone,

This is Dominique (Jen and Angela's technical assistant). Sorry for the inconvenience, but Jen and Angela can no longer access this blog. Only I can, due to my special skills. Long story, but basically the login email they were using was deleted and we cannot export this blog yet to the new address.

So for now, loyal followers, please go to their new blog at:

http://jenandangelasdietandfitnessdiary.blogspot.com/

and click the follow button and subscribe button and enjoy the same stimulating content you have grown to know and love.

Thank you,
The Management

Pre-planned Airlift Out Of Avalon 50 Mile Race

Here we are, just a few days away from our "25 mile version" of the Avalon 50 mile race in Catalina Island, wondering, exactly how are the four of us, Kerry, Andrea, Michele and I, going to get back to Avalon from Two Harbors? Of course, there is always the option of running back. Not happening with my knee. Then, there is the more sane possibility of hitching a ride with one of the volunteers. Thus far, nobody has ever accused me of being sane.

Yesterday, I was on the phone with my very dear friend, Tom Crull, who is not only the Ultra Running Stud of Texas, but the race director of the Rockledge Rumble 50k, when he mentioned "why don't you take the helicopter back?" Tom served two tours of Vietnam with John Moore, the owner of Island Express, the wonderful helicopter company which offers shuttles from Long Beach to Catalina Island. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am all about adventure. One phone call later, and it was all set. We will be enjoying the view of the 50 mile runners, weaving their way back through the Island, to the finish line. If they're lucky, maybe we'll drop them some GU.

One week countdown to Avalon 50 mile race

Exactly one week from today, at 5am, equipped with flashlights, a small group of ultra runners will be toeing the line at the Avalon 50 mile race, in Catalina Island. I have completed the race seven times. My best time was 9 hours 30 minutes and my slowest time was, well, we don't really need to talk about that, now do we? The race runs through some of the most breathtaking ocean views that California has to offer. You may even see a buffalo or two. They were brought out years back to film a movie and have proliferated.

My plan is to hike/jog the first 25 miles with Kerry, Andrea and Michele. And let me tell you, I will be challenged to be doing that. Since the knee surgery, my longest mileage is only 10 miles. I suppose this recovery time is a blip on the radar screen of life, but I think that patience is highly overrated. Rico, Michele and I did a 10 miler today at El Moro and towards the end, I was complaining pretty heavily in my mind. The ultra running community does not tolerate wimps. That's what I love about it. So, Rico and I started running down the list of all the things in our bodies that do work really well. The list was long. And one of the things that he came up with at some point during our list making was the fact that some of the guys running the trail this morning were appreciating my new Nike running shorts. Leave it to a man to come up with that statement, but buddy, I'll take it!

As I sit here on the sofa with an ice pack on my knee, I am amazingly grateful and happy that I am on the trails. Period. Send good thoughts out, blogger world, and I will be reporting back after next Saturday to let you know how it went.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

You know how every time we look in the mirror, we go right to the things we don't like about ourselves? Here's something new that I've been trying: Next time you look in the mirror, instead of looking straight at that wrinkle or dermatological imperfection you've been focusing on, find something that you like, really like, about your image. It might be the color of your eyes, it might be the way your hair curls, it could be the arch of your eyebrow. Whatever it is, from now on, when you view your reflection, go directly to the one thing you like and watch how your self image improves. For me it's my smile. It works! I feel better already. I think I'm going to keep smiling. Besides, I never know when I may be on Candid Camera!

Laughter as a form of exercise

Now that my knee is starting to feel better, I am briskly walking the dogs down to Main Beach in Laguna Beach for morning exercise. As we were making our return home, descending the stairs from Heisler Park, I heard all these people laughing. Belly laughing. Then I saw a group of people standing in a circle, on the beach, laughing hysterically with their arms in the air. I stood mesmerized, wondering what they were doing. Then they started twirling, continuing to laugh. I thought they must have been escapees from a lunatic asylum. Then, a nice woman by the name of Ruth came up to me and told me that they meet every morning at 8am for "Laughter as a Form of Exercise"

When we laugh, our bodies release feel good chemicals called endorphins which is a morphine-like substance. Anytime I can get a morphine-like substance into my body without having to meet someone in a dark alley to do so......I'm gonna do it! What if nothing is funny, you might ask? It's what's called the "As If" principle. You act as if something is a certain way and pretty soon it becomes that way in your experience. I am thinking of joining them. And the best part about it? It's free!

Angela and Jen's New Years Goals

Everyone is so excited about the year 2010. When enough minds are joined in what Freud called the "Collective Consciousness" individual realities have a huge potential for shift. Let's use this to our advantage. With that in mind, drum roll please, we now present our goals for 2010

Jen

• Fit into my size 7 jeans (I don't know one female who doesn't share this goal)
• Plant an herb garden
• Learn to tightrope walk. (I found a place that sells portable tight ropes that stand about a foot off the ground)
• Stand Up Paddle from Laguna Beach to San Diego (65 miles)
• Spend less time on the computer (as I sit here on the computer) and more time outdoors
• Walk more places than drive
• Drink one high phytochemical smoothie per day from the Smoothie Formulas recipe book
• Allow my daughters the freedom to be who they are. (they are 21 and 23 after all)
• Watch the entire Nightmare on Elm Street series (hey, you gotta have some just for fun goals)
• Paint three times a week
• Drink less wine
• Drink more fine wine
• Run from Laguna Beach to the top of Saddleback Mountain (32 miles)
• Get my body (and knee) back into 50 mile running shape
• Do an all day workout. This starts at 7am, ends at 7pm and includes Bikram Yoga, surfing, and trail running
• Meditate and pray everyday
• Watch more sunsets
• Pick three things every day to be grateful for
• Cook dinner more often
• Walk the beach everyday

Angela

• Be just like my Mom when I grow up

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

A New Years Goal

A New Years Goal is hatching in my brain.

I got inspired by a story I was reading in The Surfers Journal magazine about two young men (early twenties) who paddled from Santa Barbara to Mexico. They used paddle boards which are designed for paddling either on your stomach or on your knees. They packed all their gear onto the boards and camped on beaches along the way. The Surfers Journal is packed with fun adventurous stories like theirs.

The idea of adventure for the sake of adventure appeals to me immensely. When I was a kid I loved comic books and reading about the characters various adventures. I remember asking my Dad one day "Daddy, when will I have adventures"? He was a big adventurer himself, being a pilot by trade and loved traveling to foreign countries. I also love endurance events and especially love an event that few people are interested in. That's probably why I love ultra marathons so much. But long distance running is not happening for me right now, due to healing up this knee. So, why not Stand Up Paddle from Laguna Beach to San Diego?

The first thing is, I don't own a Stand Up Paddle board. The second thing is, I've tried it only once, with a rented board at "Baby Beach" in Dana Point. Baby Beach is pretty much what the name implies.

I spoke to my husband, Kerry, about the idea. He is the quintessential water man, so he was all over it. I checked into the mileage. It's 65 miles. That doesn't sound like much to the ultra running community where races are routinely 50 or 100 miles. But being out in the ocean, with no control over the elements? Paddling through San Onofre where the three Great White Sharks, Sparky, Archie and Fluffy live? (yes, they have names) Sounds like an adventure to me!

Angela, my darling, you have to work. So, unless she can get time off from work...... We will probably take a week off to enjoy the adventure. I personally don't know anyone who has done this on an SUP, though I think there must be. We are eager for suggestions as to how to make the journey. We will have to paddle through Camp Pendleton Marine Base as well. Does anyone know the rules on that? Daddy, I think I found my next adventure!