Hi blog readers - I have moved my blog to the following address:
http://dazedinlosangeles.blogspot.com
I just found I could do more with it without all that complicated CSS crap that I know nothing about, or have the patience to learn about.
Happy reading!
I found a cool website - Vixen Training.
Too bad it is too late to sign up for their Long Beach Tri training, but at least it is something I will have to look forward to next year! I can’t wait!
I also missed out on the hill clinics from Cycle Maven. Man, I need to start doing my research earlier!! I don’t mind doing hill training with the BF, but sometimes I just want to be surrounded by a bunch of girls who can complain along with me!
I am thinking about starting swimming in the fall. I have yet to find a nice, clean pool. I want to get a headstart though. BF can out-run and out-ride me, but he doesn’t know how to swim, so at least I will be better in one discipline! Also he has been running and riding much longer than I have. I started doing both in February, and he’s been doing it for what, 6 years? So I don’t feel so bad anymore 
So, I did a little test on one of those fitness and health websites, and found that it is bad for me to work out in the 182 and above heart rate zone because it is too intense. Problem is…when I run, my heart rate is usually around 185-190! And during last week’s run (when I got my runner’s high) it even went up to 208! And sometimes, I feel dizzy for a few seconds after a fast-paced run. Am I overdoing it? I am not even running that fast! Ugh…I am 24, is this even healthy?? And will it eventually go down as I run more? I have been running since February, but only recently (as in 2 months ago) started running at least 3 days a week.
On the other hand, when I do strength training, I have to work EXTRA hard to get my heart rate up to where I need it to be. So I throw in some 5 minute bouts of cardio here and there. It never used to be like this.
When I cycle, my heart rate is just right. Except when I tackle the hills…then it seems to hit the highs that I reach while running. Except I feel even more tired.
I don’t know though…what is your heart rate when you run? And does anybody have any idea how to bring that heart rate down when i’m running?
So I decided to mix things up a bit this morning and went for a run on the trail. Well trail…it is a woodchip path that runs through Hermosa and Manhattan Beach. But for me, it was a trail because i’ve never run on anything like that before. It was quite tough! I thought I was going to roll my ankle a couple of times. There were lots of sticks and rocks and soft ground, and I felt like I was going slower than usual (but when I checked my pace it was actually pretty good). It smelled musky and very foresty (is that even a word?) I ran just three miles because I didn’t want to end up tripping and injuring myself before my 10K on Saturday.
Here is a picture of the trail that I found on yelp:
Also, my shoes and pants were DIRTY. When I took off my shoes, my socks were also dirty. I cleaned my shoes before I got into the car, and I took this picture when I got home, so they don’t look as dirty. But still..they looked brand new before this!
I have never been this dirty after a run!
Yup, can you tell i’m currently unemployed? Ha!
So, I went to check out a cute little store today in Culver City. It is called Sport Eve, and they cater to women only (and their furry four legged friends, since I saw some doggy toys as well). The store has a nice selection of cycling, running, yoga and outdoorsy gear, all handpicked by the owner. She is very knowledgeable and took her time in showing me clothes and explaining how it would fit, etc. The fitting room was very large and had just the right lighting to make anything look flattering on you, plus I loved how they don’t ask every second how the stuff fits. On top of that, the other girl that works there is trying to put together a cycling team, and I am so up for that! Oh, and my purchases for the day were two pairs of balega socks (the girly ones, I bought the regular ones 2 weeks ago from Village Runner) and a sports bra that finally fits just right! Thank you Roadbunner for blogging about balegas, because they really are comfortable.
It is also the first time that I tried on a running skirt…and it fit really well and looked cute, but I just can’t picture myself running down The Strand in one of those. I don’t know, I need more convincing…and what better than signing up for the Skirt Chaser 5K held in Culver City on November 1st? And to make it even better - registration is held at Sport Eve! For $55 I will get race entry, a running skirt, and a block party drink ticket and party entry. Sounds like fun! So, I will be heading back there tomorrow to sign up for this thing.
Oh, another thing happened today. We had an earthquake! 5.4 magnitude. I was driving and parking the car when it happened, so I was clueless, until the girls at Sport Eve asked me if I had felt it. Now it made sense why people were looking at me in fear and I was walking down the street all smiley and happy to check out the store. I thought there was something wrong with me! And this was the sms conversation between BF and I:
Me: I didn’t know Culver City has so many cool restaurants…I want to try them out (put iPhone back in my purse and tried on clothes at Sport Eve)
BF: U Ok? Everything is ok here!
Me: I tried on a running skirt and it looked really cute! I love this store.
Me: Why are you asking if i’m ok honey? (Try to call him to see what’s up, phone lines are dead)
BF: Earthquake?!
BF: The building was shaking and we had to evacuate. It was a 5.8 centered in Chino Hills.
BF: You might want to email your parents so they don’t worry cause the phones are not working.
Me: They are not worrying. I was driving when it happened. Lol!
Then I sms my dad:
Me: We had an earthquake here, but I didn’t feel it. I was driving on my way to a store.
Dad: We are in Hong Kong and the sales are great! Salvatore Ferragamo shoes for $250!
Me: Can you look for a red purse for me and give it to Stephen when he flies back to LA?
(Now you guys know where I get my love for shopping from. My parents. But that will take up a whole other blog, and I will reserve that for another day).
Yeah, I can be clueless sometimes. What is even funnier are the stories my BF shared with me about the way his co-workers acted at work. Screaming and shit. Ahahahaha. Cry babies.
Speaking of cry baby, I was in tears this afternoon because I had a migraine and a terrible stomach ache. I couldn’t go running because of it, and I was more mad at that than the fact that I was hurting. It happened an hour before I was supposed to head out. Now how annoying is that? I am still pissed about it, but will just make up for it tomorrow morning.
Yet in this country, everybody seems to make my name all ghetto. A barrista at Starbucks even had the nerve to correct me on my own name. The conversation went something like this:
Me: Grande Latte please
Barrista: May I have your name please
Me: Chantalle
Barrista: You mean, Shawntel?
Me: No, Chantalle
Barrista: Yeah, Shawntel
Me: Um, ok…
And this is what he wrote on my cup:
My name is French! The French version is Chantal, but my parents wanted it to be a bit different so they added the extra “le” to it. But I have heard from several people here that “it is a black person’s name”. I never had any problems with people saying my name wrong in Europe and Asia, and never got the “girl, you got a black girl name” comment thrown at me either. I have also had a lot of people in Los Angeles think I am African-American just by looking at my first name, until they see my last name and realize I must be from Europe. And then when they meet me, they are shocked to see an Asian looking girl!
I also get the occasional: Oh, Chantelle, just like the lingerie brand.
From now on, if anybody asks me for my name, I will just say it as the French say it. Or shout out an easier name like Kelly or Sarah or Michelle.
Sucky McSuck. That’s me. I got up early to run…got to the beach…and I only ran 1.5 miles! What the hell? My legs felt like lead. My knees were hurting. My hips were hurting. I felt like I was going in slow motion. Maybe it was all in my head, but I was not a happy camper. So I ran to the end of the Strand, and walked back to the car. I was fuming mad at myself. My 10K is this Saturday! Maybe my body was still feeling the aftermath of Saturday’s hardcore ride?
However, sometimes walking opens your eyes to things. When I run, I see things but it doesn’t register in my mind. Today I saw such a cute lab puppy. He reminded me so much of Indy. I saw people standing on their surfboards and paddling along. I would like to try that one day, except I have this fear or sharks and I panic when I start to think about how much water i’m surrounded by. I can’t even swim in a swimming pool by myself without freaking out thinking there is some underwater creature lurking around. I also saw dolphins! The last time I saw dolpins in the Pacific Ocean was when I was stuck in traffic on PCH a few years ago. So the dolpins made my morning.
Still, I was upset with myself, so I punished my legs with some strength training.
And the punishment isn’t done yet. Oh no. I’ve got a spin class to go to at 6:30 pm.
Counter-intuitive? Maybe. But I have to wake these legs up!!
Oh. I also quit my part-time job. I was working for two nutjobs. I will blog about it some other time. But now, with all this free time, I can focus on working out!
I love this blog.
My problem with loving fashion and loving sports at the same time is this:
To spend $3,000 on a new Chanel purse, or to spend $3,000 on a new carbon bike?
But of course, for me, answering that question is easy, since I don’t have $3,000 to spend at the moment!
I think I love too many things, and have many expensive habits and hobbies. Sigh…what to do with myself?
I grew up in Europe, spent my last year of high school in Jakarta, Indonesia, went to college in Malibu, CA, then moved back to Indonesia and took a job in Singapore. I realized how much I missed LA, so now i'm back! This blog chronicles my life and my passions. Feel free to comment!