Finishing with a savage kick- let’s finish this rainy parade of runners
On Saturday, February 10th, I completed my 17th marathon in 4:02:57 with a big kick and smile at the finish line.
I am very lucky when it comes to having good running weather, but on Saturday, the rain came down steadily for about three hours out of the four hours that I was running the marathon with zero stops for fear that I wouldn’t want to keep going.
My mantra during the entire race was to keep going and never stop, which I accomplished and felt good the entire time, but not as speedy as in other marathons. Yet, the farther I ran, the less interested I was in quitting, which reminded me of our teachers back in Romania, who used to repeat this phrase to us whenever they sensed that we were about to quit:
“You better keep going and not drown right when you’re about to reach the shore.”
As a child, I despised this expression, but as an adult, I appreciate it and practice it with my family, in my business, and in all the sports I do.
Why do I value this so much?
The answer is simple: “We don’t always see the shore, which is why we have to keep swimming, running, or whatever we’re doing.
A Short Course Analysis
My friend Youa absolutely loves this course, which is part of the Mesa-Phoenix Revel downhill course and is considered fast. She keeps hitting a PR every year that she runs this course, but she still needs to hit or break 3:30. Inspired by her and other runners, I signed up to run this marathon hoping to break 3:28:48, which is my PR at Mt. Charleston marathon, the fastest course I have ever run followed by Big Bear in Southern California.
Being a strong downhill runner, I figured that the PR could happen, even though I had a two-month training setback at the beginning of my marathon build-up due to my peroneal injury. However, January was a strong training month, so I was becoming even more hopeful until I got to run the course, and my inner monologue changed.
The start was delayed by 30 minutes, which meant standing in the rain and getting our shoes and clothes wet. After about 20 minutes into the delay, runners were allowed to start after about 20 minutes. I was still in the bathroom, so when I came out, I jumped to the start and started running with joy while trying not to run too fast my first mile. I only hit 7:59 pace in that first mile, after which I dropped in the low 8s.
The course was not crowded at all, which I liked. The course is supposed to be very fast in the beginning, after which there are two hilly miles from miles 5 to 7. During the course preview, we were promised all fast downhill after mile 7 till about 17, but I kept waiting for those downhills to appear and felt like Waiting for Godot, as all I got was a slight downhill and mainly flat course, which didn’t feel that fast to me.
I decided to settle at an easy pace and to take in all the spectators. To my great delight, I saw a family who held up signs written in Romanian just as I was thinking of my dear father who smiled and cried with joy through the raindrops that day.
I ran towards them and greeted them in Romanian, which made them cheer loudly for me. How awesome was that?
As I kept running in the cold rain, I tried to take in the scenery, but there was a long stretch of an industrial-type neighborhood – more than five miles, so I didn’t think the course was beautiful other than in the beginning with the saguaros dotting the road and looking eerie in the morning darkness. I always do better when the course is pretty like the London Marathon, which I consider the most beautiful marathon I have done so far with Big Sur following.
I didn’t know if it was me not feeling those downhills but at the end of the race, my good friend Tiffany Stratton Moreno and I found out from different runners that they also didn’t feel those fast downhills that were supposed to make this course speedy. Tiffany encouraged me to write a detailed race recap, as runners tend to perceive the course sometimes based on their PRs and not the true topography of the course.
Things that went well
My nutrition on the course was right on point. For this marathon, I followed the advice of many elite runners and took a Huma gel every 3 miles, which worked out very well, as I never hit the wall, but I also didn’t settle in my high 7s paces for whatever reason. It could have been running through the rain for so long, or simply not my day.
With the sparse scenery, I focused on the few but wonderful spectators, who were out there standing and cheering for us in the rain.
Every time, I shouted: “Like a savage,” they cheered loudly and laughed.
The fun interaction with the spectators kept me going – soaked with raindrops and the thrill of running another marathon – feeling good and even happy to welcome some fatigue but no real pain in my body due to my good training, a mixture of my own and coach Paul Carmona. I purchased his downhill advanced plan, which was very good and helped me run strong, although I will revert to my training plan next time and run a marathon six to seven weeks before running the marathon that I wish to PR.
Why? You might ask?
Because I am an advanced runner, know my body and all my three fastest marathons from 3:28 to 3:33 came six to seven weeks after I ran an easy marathon, except my first 3:30 Mountains to Beach marathon, which happened after I ran my first 50-mile race seven weeks prior. The marathon felt like a breeze!
Back to the Mesa-Phoenix marathon
As I ran in the rain that came down relentlessly and only stopped in the last mile of the marathon, I looked forward to inching closer to the finish line so that I could change clothes and celebrate another marathon.
The finish line of the marathon was slightly downhill, which helped me finish with my characteristic savage ninja kick and run at a 7:45 pace coming through the chute while shouting “like a savage.”
The spectators were having a blast and cheered me on as if I had won the marathon.
The marathon ended at Riverview Park, which is a large open space park with water features, playgrounds, and a stage, where they played music for us.
As soon as I crossed the finish line, my wonderful friend and Arete teammate Youa Xiong called me and we met up. To my great joy, she told me that she PRed for the fifth year in a row in this marathon, but due to the heavy rain we had, she didn’t hit 3:30 or faster, as she had hoped. She ran it in 3:33, which was so close.
“You seriously did amazing,” I told her while having someone take our picture.
Youa and I at the end of the marathon! Super proud of her! A shiny new medal and a PR!
My celebrations continued with my friend and wonderful roommate Tiffany. We even went on a short hike to see the Hole in the Rock by the Zoo, which was beautiful. My husband joked with me that apparently, I didn’t run hard enough if I was in the mood for hiking.
“It was just a short hike to get some blood flow into our legs,” I told Catalin, knowing that he liked to tease me.
Tiffany and I on our way to the Hole in the Rock- showing off our new shiny medals.
This marathon is still in the top 10 of fast marathons to run and it can be a good course on not such a rainy day.
A million thanks to the organizers of this Revel race for doing their best to make it a positive experience.
And when in doubt, remember that you’ve come so far, and quitting will feel like drowning by the shore, as my teachers back in Romania used to tell us. Let’s persevere!
Whether you’re interested in running or real estate, Running for Real Estate is a great place to learn more! Questions? Call 916–342–2446.
For more inspiration on how to let “AIR,” which stands for adaptation, inspiration, and resilience guide you, please consider buying my print edition or e-book The PR- The Poetics of Running, A Book of Poetry in Motion and Morsels of Love, A Book of Poetry and Short Forms on Amazon, or any other of my books.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916–342–2446.
Also, mention this blog and receive a great offer whether buying (credit for closing costs) or selling (commission discount).
As the broker/CEO of my Dynamic Real Estate, Inc. company, I like to analyze the real estate market and give you my most honest advice and feedback. October for some reason is always the busiest month of the year for me and I have helped a few buyers and sellers achieve their goals and dreams, even though our interest rates are currently above 8 percent.
That’s one reason, we need to understand how to enjoy home ownership in any market conditions. As the guest author Erin Reynolds wrote in her article below, a homebuyer should weigh the benefits of a starter home. You can find more info about Erin Reynolds on diymama.net | erin@diymama.net.
When it comes to the age-old question of whether to invest in a more affordable starter home or go all-in on a forever home, the decision can be a daunting one. Your choice of a home is not just a financial decision; it’s a life decision. In this article, courtesy of Running for Real Estate, we explore key considerations that can help you make an informed choice that suits your current circumstances and future aspirations.
Weigh the Benefits of a Starter Home
The prospect of entering the real estate market is often less intimidating with a starter home, given the lower upfront costs. This kind of home offers you a way to start building equity rather than paying rent. Additionally, starter homes often have the potential for appreciation. For example, investing in a neighborhood that’s in the early stages of gentrification could lead to significant returns in a few years.
Recognize the Drawbacks of a Starter Home
On the flip side, starter homes often come with limitations, such as restricted space, which may not be suitable for a growing family. There’s also the possibility that you could outgrow the home quicker than you anticipated. Resale can be challenging as well, particularly if the market takes a downturn. For instance, homes in areas that become oversaturated with new developments could see a decrease in property value.
Understand the Advantages of a Forever Home
A forever home brings with it the promise of long-term stability. Unlike starter homes, these properties typically offer more room for growth and a variety of desirable amenities like nicer appliances, updated kitchens and baths, and more yard space. Imagine a spacious yard or extra bedrooms that could one day become a nursery or home office.
Consider the Pitfalls of a Forever Home
Forever homes certainly come with their own set of challenges, such as higher initial costs, which might necessitate a larger down payment or a higher mortgage rate. You’re also committing to a specific location for a longer period, and maintenance or upkeep can be significantly more demanding. For example, larger properties might require regular professional landscaping, something you’d need to budget for.
Plan for the Future
When considering which type of home to buy, think beyond the immediate concerns and anticipate your long-term needs. Life changes like marriage or having children can drastically impact your living situation. Moreover, it’s vital to consider the resale potential of the home. For example, a house in a good school district will likely be easier to sell down the line.
Connect with a Great Broker
Navigating the complex real estate landscape, whether you’re considering a starter home or a forever home, typically hinges on partnering with a reputable agent who comprehends both your unique needs and the dynamics of the local market. A skilled broker like Carmen Micsa, can be your guiding light, helping you navigate the intricacies of the buying process, identifying properties that align with your preferences and budget, and providing invaluable insights into the ever-changing real estate market conditions.
Explore Mortgage Options
Understanding the types of mortgages available can significantly impact your monthly payments and overall affordability. Different mortgage options have various interest rates and terms that can either constrain or stretch your budget. For instance, a fixed-rate mortgage offers predictable payments, while an adjustable-rate mortgage might provide lower initial payments but can fluctuate over time.
Safeguard Your Investment
Once you determine what to buy, it’s crucial to factor in the costs of insuring your property. Homeowners insurance covers damage to your home’s structure, theft of belongings, and injuries on your property. However, for comprehensive coverage against home system or appliance breakdowns, you’ll need a home warranty — an annual contract that can protect heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing systems, and appliances. Understanding these insurance and warranty options is vital as you weigh the decision between a starter home and a forever home, and this site could be helpful in making a well-informed choice that aligns with your long-term financial security and lifestyle preferences.
The choice between a starter home and a forever home is a deeply personal one. By weighing the pros and cons, considering your financial situation, and keeping an eye on the future, you can make a decision that aligns with your goals and aspirations. Remember, your home is not just a structure; it’s a place where memories are made and dreams are realized.
Choose wisely, and your home will be the foundation of a bright future.
For more inspiration on how to let “AIR,” which stands for adaptation, inspiration, and resilience guide you, please consider buying my print edition or e-book The PR- The Poetics of Running, A Book of Poetry in Motion and Morsels of Love, A Book of Poetry and Short Forms on Amazon, or any other of my books.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446.
Also, mention this blog and receive a great offer whether buying (credit for closing costs) or selling (commission discount).
Our real estate market is as hot as the 100+ degree Sacramento weather
Image via Unsplash
As the broker/CEO of my Dynamic Real Estate, Inc. company, my favorite part is being in the trenches, helping my sellers and buyers. July has been a super busy month for me working with sellers and noticing that moving can be a challenge, especially for people working from home, which is why I accepted the article below by guest author Erin Reynolds. You can find more info about her at diymama.net | erin@diymama.net.
If you are considering starting a company from home, then you need to look around and determine if you have the space necessary to support your family and accomplish your business goals. If you don’t, then it may be time to move. But how difficult is it to accomplish both? Here are some tips from Running for Real Estate to help you start your business and have a successful move at the same time.
Finding the Right Property for Your Needs
The first step that you will want to take is to find a home that will allow you to live and work comfortably. Research the town or area where you plan to move and once you find the best city, sign up for alerts for houses that are up for sale that meet your criteria. You will probably want to start by looking at the area of the prospective homes and see how many rooms they have. You may want to have space between your office and where your kids will be so you can have the quiet that you need to get your work done.
If you need to get a rental in the meantime, no worries! There are plenty out there, so you can afford to be picky. In addition to price, check the amenities to find the perfect fit for your needs. This has the added benefit of allowing you to learn more about an area before purchasing a home, as well.
Make Moving Easier
Since you will have a lot on your plate with your business, you will need to find ways to split your time or make the moving process easier. We never realize how much stuff we own until we decide to move, so to make things more manageable, The Spruce notes that you should start decluttering each room one by one while you remove the items you no longer need and donate them to a charity so they can be used elsewhere.
Think Realty points out that you should also consider hiring professional movers to make things much easier. A good moving company will help pick up your stuff, load the truck, then drive to your new destination and help you unpack. That way, you can focus more on your business. When looking for movers, make sure to do your research by looking online and reading previous customer reviews so you can get a real feel for the company. Once you have a shortlist, ask for quotes so you can get a good deal.
Keep Your Business Running During Your Move
If you don’t want to wait to start your business until after your move then you will want to have some solutions for how you will keep your company going during the transition. For instance, you can access your files from anywhere by using a cloud computing solution, like those offered by Amazon or Microsoft. That way, you can download or modify your paperwork no matter where you are in your travels.
If you decide to start your business after the move, use a formation company to help you establish a limited liability company. They can make it easier for you to start an LLC. In just a few minutes, they can walk you through the process online, ensuring that your business is set up with full legal compliance.
Next, it’s time to start spreading the word about your business! First, create a well-designed logo that makes a memorable first impression, builds brand awareness, and separates your business from the others. If you’re on a tight budget, instead of paying for a design service, you can use a tool to create your text logo. Go online and design a creative logo by choosing a style and icon and adding any pertinent text. You’ll be able to view an assortment of logos for inspiration and customize fonts and colors of your choosing.
Like organizing a move, becoming an entrepreneur can be challenging. As you can see, though, with some thought and smart planning, you can successfully move while starting a new business at the same time. Search the rental market to help you learn more about the area, plan your move carefully, and upgrade your marketing game to keep your business running smoothly.
For more inspiration on how to let “AIR,” which stands for adaptation, inspiration, and resilience guide you, please consider buying my print edition or e-book The PR- The Poetics of Running, A Book of Poetry in Motion and Morsels of Love, A Book of Poetry and Short Forms on Amazon, or any other of my books.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446.
Also, mention this blog and receive a great offer whether buying (credit for closing costs) or selling (commission discount).
Are you ready for a change? Packing up and moving to a new state is a great way to shake up your surroundings and give yourself a fresh start. Preparing for your move well in advance will ensure everything goes smoothly. Below, we discuss some tips for a stress-free interstate move.
Finding the Perfect Home
First, you need to find a new place to live. Start by researching home prices in your target area to determine the area’s affordability. Next, as you look at different cities in the state you want to move to, find a place that offers the type of lifestyle you’re looking for. Cities have different things to offer in terms of climate, culture, job opportunities, education, housing costs, airport accessibility, and entertainment. What matters most is completely dependent on your own values and interests.
Once you decide on a city, get in touch with Sacramento real estate broker/CEO Carmen Micsa, who can help you find homes for sale. Or, if you’re looking to rent, start searching for potential apartments on rental listing websites. You can also consider renting to own. Rent-to-own programs are great for people who are self-employed or working to improve their credit score and cannot yet secure a mortgage.
Starting a Business in a New State
Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur? Moving to a new state could be a great opportunity to get out of the rat race and finally start your own business. If you want to start a business in your new state, Wave Financial suggests starting by creating a thorough business plan describing what your business offers to customers, how you intend to turn a profit, and what kind of funding you’ll need to get started. Your business plan should also include important details about how your business will be structured and the legal steps you need to take to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws. To learn more, check out this helpful ZenBusiness guide on how to start a company.
Planning for New Living Costs
Depending on where you’re relocating to, your cost of living might increase after your move. Take some time to research the cost of basic necessities in your new state and city. You’ll need to consider housing, food, healthcare, and transportation costs. Be sure to account for the cost of gas, car insurance, and public transit as well.
If your cost of living is going to increase with your move, now is a good time to evaluate your budget. Look for spending areas where you can cut back. For example, you may be able to spend less on groceries by shopping for in-season produce, reducing food waste, and stocking up on pantry staples when there’s a sale. You may even decide to sell your car if your new location is in a walkable neighborhood. This is a great way to cut your living costs significantly.
Planning the Big Move
Long-distance moves can be stressful. Be sure to book your movers far in advance for the best rates and to ensure services are available for your ideal move date. Pods.com suggests breaking down large items so they take up less space. You may be able to get away with a smaller moving truck this way, which can mean some significant cost savings on a long-distance move.
Adjusting to Your New Home
When you arrive in your new home, unpack your boxes as soon as possible so you can start getting settled in. While you’re at it, start working your way through your post-move checklist. For example, you’ll have to register your car, transfer your driver’s license, find a new doctor, and register to vote. When you need a break from all that, get outside and introduce yourself to your new neighbors or check out a local coffee shop. Adjusting to life in a new state can take time, so don’t rush yourself.
Whether you’re looking for a new job, educational opportunities, a lower cost of living, an opportunity to start a business, or simply a change of pace, moving to a new state can help you achieve your ideal lifestyle. Don’t let uncertainty or fear prevent you from taking this leap. While change isn’t always comfortable, it often leads to growth!
For more inspiration on how to let “AIR,” which stands for adaptation, inspiration, and resilience guide you, please consider buying my print edition or e-book The PR- The Poetics of Running, A Book of Poetry in Motion and Morsels of Love, A Book of Poetry and Short Forms on Amazon, or buy it straight from my blog by clicking on my books link, which will take you to Amazon.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446.
Also mention this blog and receive a great offer whether buying (credit for closing costs) or selling (commission discount).
Carmen Micsa, Broker/CEO with Dynamic Real estate touring the anchored tiny homes, an event organized by our Sacramento Association of Realtors with Sacramento City and County officials explaining the requirements and approval process for homeowners looking to build an ADU (Accessory dwelling unit) on their property.
Two years ago I sold a home to a runner friend, and the house had more than six offers, even though it needed work. When my buyer asked me why was the house so attractive, I responded that the bigger lot and the large detached garage meant that someone could build a mother-in-law unit, or guest home in the back, which automatically increased the value of the house. During my 21 years in the business, finding two homes on one lot was almost like looking for the needle in the haystack, as the permit process was not conducive to allowing homeowners to build another in-law unit up to 1,000 square feet on their property.
However, more than a year into the pandemic, the City of Sacramento and the County of Sacramento have a much easier permit process, as they want to alleviate the housing crisis and increase affordability in our super hot Sacramento real estate market. For instance, the City of Sacramento is working on waiving any set-back requirements for the ADUs by the end of summer 2021, while Sacramento County will still require them, and you will need to do all the necessary research and go through the building permit process, which can take up to three months. Additionally, if looking to build a second unit for rental purposes, know that there are strict rules about that, and there is a difference between short term rentals, or vacation rentals, and year-round rentals.
Five Reasons to Build an ADU:
An ADU, or a granny unit, can increase affordability without requiring new infrastructure for the neighborhood/community.
Building an ADU in one’s backyard can help out family members, such as college students, older parents, or disabled relatives.
Building an ADU can increase the income of the property owner, who can potentially rent out the back house, provided that they applied to obtain a rental permit and are following the city and county rules on rentals. In Sacramento County, ADUs might not be allowed as long-term rentals, but check on all the pertinent information before building.
Building an ADU can increase the property value of the original house by more than $100,000 depending on the square footage of the ADU and the quality of construction.
Building an ADU can provide extra housing opportunities in a real estate market where supply is much tighter than demand.
With so much flexibility in how an ADU can be added to an existing home, such as turning a basement into living quarters, turning a big shed into a small office, or artist studio, or building a brand new structure in the backyard, this might be the best time to start building your own ADU that can increase your family well-being and keep expenses under control for your college kids, aging parents, and so on.
For more inspiration on how to let “AIR,” which stands for adaptation, inspiration, and resilience guide and uplift you during these uncertain and crazy times, please consider buying my print edition or e-book The PR- The Poetics of Running, A Book of Poetry in Motion on Amazon, or buy it straight from my blog by clicking on my books link, which will take you to Amazon. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book is going to Girls on the Run Sacramento chapter organization.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Also mention this blog and receive a great offer whether buying (credit for closing costs), or selling (commission discount). Running for real estate with joy!
The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly of Our Post Pandemic Real Estate Market
I like to compare our 2021 Sacramento real estate market to one wild roller coaster ride that besides having twists, turns, and upside down loops sending thrill seekers on the verge of fear and elation, it also has unexpected highs and lows that I correlate to our high real estate prices and extremely low interest rates oftentimes below 3 percent. Our real estate market’s frenzy and desperation, especially on the buyers’ side, is directly related to the sudden decline in housing inventory at the beginning of 2021.
Needless to say, I have never experienced this bidding war before in my 21 years in the business as a real estate broker. And how ugly are these bidding wars? How much over the asking price is enough, you might ask? I have had an offer accepted for my buyers at $50,000 over the asking price, and we had to remove appraisal and loan contingencies to be the winning bid.
The good: offer accepted for my happy clients! The bad: $50,000 over the asking price no matter of the appraised value. The ugly: I have submitted about 15 offers for my buyers before their offer got accepted for $425,000, which is such a hot price point. However, with patience, perseverance, and my professional guidance, my clients are happy homeowners. And in the case of other buyers of mine, I got their offer accepted on the very first try, so some luck never hurts.
This wild roller coaster ride has resulted in the following four unique real estate trends:
Million-dollar home sales have had a 126.92% increase since last year. Additionally, as Ryan Lundquist, our local appraiser expert points out in his Sacramento Appraisal blog, there were 94.9 percent more sales above the $750,000 and 27.3 percent fewer sales under $400,000 price range. We have highs in our real estate market not seen since 2006.
The prevalence of the ADU – an Accessory Dwelling Unit is a permanent dwelling unit that may share at least one wall with the primary residence (attached) or be a stand-alone structure (detached) from the primary residence. ADUs provide permanent facilities for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.), or little homes built in the backyard of the main house, as the city of Sacramento is willing to approve ADUs either one home up to 1,200 sq. ft., or two homes 600 sq. ft. each depending on the lot size and setbacks. The approval of the ADUs is an important step in increasing price affordability and addressing Sacramento’s scarce inventory – see more info in my interview about the tiny homes trend with KCRA news.
The big migration, which according to a LinkedIn data, show more workers moving to smaller US cities and away from larger cities in 2020 compared to 2019. Sacramento is in top five smaller US cities as far as positive growth in inflow over outflow of workers.
Sellers’ confidence expected to grow as vaccine distribution is in full force, providing more peace of mind to sellers looking to make their move. According to Zillow economists, who show that 63 percent of sellers are also buyers, sellers’ mobility has increased for the following reasons: their desires to upgrade or upsize their homes, move to different neighborhoods, downsizing, and wanting a better work from home situation.
For more information on the ADUs and the tiny homes and what type of approval process you need to have one in your backyards, stay tuned, as I will have a meeting with the city and county officials next week!
For more inspiration on how to let “AIR,” which stands for adaptation, inspiration, and resilience guide and uplift you during these uncertain and crazy times, please consider buying my print edition or e-book The PR- The Poetics of Running, A Book of Poetry in Motion on Amazon, or buy it straight from my blog by clicking on my books link, which will take you to Amazon. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book is going to Girls on the Run Sacramento chapter organization.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Also mention this blog and receive a great offer whether buying (credit for closing costs), or selling (commission discount). Running for real estate with joy!
By Katie Conroy, the creator of Advice Mine. She enjoys writing about lifestyle topics and created the website to share advice she has learned through experience, education, and research.
With so many people investing in real estate these days, you may be thinking about taking the leap into being a landlord. It’s a move that can bring a lot of perks and profits if you plan carefully. So before you start looking for a residential or vacation rental, be sure to connect with an experienced agent from Carmen Micsa and go through these essential questions to help you make the right decisions.
What Costs Should I Be Concerned About?
If you are looking to buy an investment property, you already know that you will need to prepare for the initial cost of that home. Coming up with a reasonable price range is one of the most important financial considerations you can take when preparing to purchase a rental property, so think carefully about what your desired price range should look like. Depending on market trends in your preferred location, you could end up picking homes that are slightly above your target price and offer less, but you should research real estate trends carefully before doing so to see if a buyer’s or seller’s market exists. Keep in mind that Sacramento homes have been selling at a median price of $395,000 over the last month.
Aside from the cost of buying your first investment property, you should also be prepared for other expenses associated with owning a rental. If you are buying a vacation property, hiring a management company should be included in your budget, since an experienced property manager can provide 24/7 customer service, on-demand professional cleanings, and easy-to-understand info about bookings. By ensuring you and your guests have access to these perks, you can net more bookings and more glowing reviews.
What Upgrades Should I Be Focused On?
Chances are, you will need to make some repairs and improvements to your investment property before you list it as a vacation or residential rental. There are some pros and cons to marketing your home either as a long-term or short-term rental, so also be sure to think about these as you make your initial upgrades and repairs.
For both vacation and residential rental properties, investing in new paint for the exterior of the home can be an effective way to boost curb appeal, although this sort of improvement project can be a big job that necessitates detailed planning, thorough preparation and appropriate tools. The size of your home and materials needed will determine how much you’ll spend to freshen up your property’s exterior.
Wondering what color to use for your home’s exterior? If you want to add curb appeal to your investment property, most experts recommend shying away from bright hues and using pops of color in your landscaping or even for the front door. Speaking of landscaping, if you’re concerned about keeping your investment property secure, you can also consider using protective plants in the front yard.
What Other Steps Should I Take to Ensure Profits?
Creating a plan for your finances and home improvements can ensure some ROI for your rental property. If you want to maximize that ROI, there are some other measures you can use to attract potential renters and protect yourself from potential losses. You can start by making sure that your rental rates are not too high or low for your property and area. While you don’t want to miss out on potential profits by setting rental rates too low, you also don’t want to lose potential tenants because similar properties have much lower rental rates.
To boost profits and keep your own stress levels low, you may also want to consider using a manager to help out with your first investment property. While using a property manager means paying additional fees, the expertise and guidance you will receive in return can be well worth the added expense. Plus, you may be able to deduct management fees from your taxes as a rental property owner.
Owning an investment property can be worthwhile. You just need to take the right steps from the start. Take stock of overall expenses, necessary upgrades and get a read on what you can expect when it comes to making a profit. With a smart approach, you will see profits roll in much faster, and ensure ROI on your rental.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, or seasoned investor, Carmen Micsa will provide you with outstanding and dedicated real estate service! Call (916) 342-2446 or email carmenmicsa@yahoo.com to schedule a meeting!
After 20 years in the business as a real estate broker, helping buyers and sellers, I am just as baffled as you are by our Sacramento real estate market. What is going on? Weren’t prices supposed to go down? Not really! For instance, in August our real estate prices have reached the highest point in more than a decade. Sacramento county’s median price was $425,000 up from $386,000 last year in August, Placer County was $538,750 up from $500,000, and El Dorado County $570,000 from $525,000.
My new listing in Elk Grove. This beautiful Laguna home with Quartz countertops is very well-priced at $429,000. Showing appointments available!
Low Inventory
According to my esteemed appraiser colleague, Ryan Lundquist, our shortage of homes available for sale is due to a few important factors, as he explains in his blog Why is Housing Inventory so Low?
Our pandemic – sellers are reluctant to put their homes on the market and have a bunch of strangers come through their homes.
More demand from buyers due to historical low interest rates below 3 percent.
Lack of new construction and not having enough building units available.
Shift in demographics, as people choose to live in their homes longer.
Increased migration, as Californians move to Idaho, Texas, and Nevada the most, and some Bay Area residents move to Sacramento, where home prices are much more affordable.
Six Ways A Real Estate Agent Can Help you Become a Homeowner in our tight Market
My favorite way to find homes for my buyers when our listing inventory is tight is to walk the neighborhood they are interested in and drop off flyers telling homeowners that I have a qualified buyer ready to buy. Over the years I found a few homes this way and my buyers were able to buy the house without having to overbid, or deal with multiple offers.
Social media is a great way to connect people and their needs.
For sale by owners are another great way to find homes that are not listed on the MLS. When dealing with for sale by owners, or sellers who want to sell on their own, it is important to have an agent represent you as the buyer, making sure that you are guided by a professional and that you don’t end up having problems in the future due to repairs, or lack of proper disclosure from the sellers.
Expired listings have also been a great way for me to help my buyers find homes and negotiate down on the price for them, since these are homes that used to be on the market and did not sell. Once again, a good agent, who is willing to go the extra mile for you, can sure help you find a good home by searching the MLS data for you.
Pocket Listings are another great way to find listings that will soon hit the market, but the agents have not listed the homes on the MLS yet. As a real estate broker, I have numerous connections and do a lot of networking with other professionals like myself, and I can sometimes find my clients the right home before it even hits the market.
Calling neighbors who are not on the do not call list on behalf of my clients and letting them know that I have a client looking to buy and move in the neighborhood.
To sum things up, when our market is so heated up and our listing inventory low, it is time to work with the best agent, who will find creative ways to help you find and buy the right home, so feel free to call me or text me, and I would love to help you. However, before getting serious about buying a home, the first and most important step is getting pre-approved by a good lender, who will guide you through the whole process and give you an estimate of your monthly payments. One of my preferred lenders is Eric Elovski with Essex Mortgage, and you can apply directly on his website http://www.ericwillclose.com to get pre-approved for the loan.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Also mention this blog and receive a great offer whether buying (credit for closing costs), or selling (commission discount). Running for real estate with joy!
Let’s be honest: when every single race we were supposed to run this year (I was supposed to run Tokyo and London marathons) gets canceled due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, we get upset, frustrated, and even depressed when we feel that our training has gone to waste, even though we all know that our health and safety come first. Our inability to race this year seems unfathomable and surreal, as in previous years we have had way too many races to run and not enough time to properly train for all. And now that we cannot race, how about a shift in perspective? We have no races to run, or a very limited amount, mainly trails and small road races, but we finally have more time to train and to be intentional about the sport that brings us so much joy.
1. The Simplicity of Running
As some of you know, I became a runner in 2015 after having played soccer as a kid and competitive tennis for 20 years plus. However, as soon as I became a runner, I was hooked by its purity and simplicity. I didn’t have to plan my tennis matches by finding friends to play with. All I had to do is put my running shoes on and take off down the street from my house till I hit Ancil Hoffman Park, or what I call my slice of Paradise. What a simple way to experience the world as poetry in motion! What tremendous joy to let my feet take me places while feeling the gentle summer breeze against my neck, my arms that moved in perfect unison with the world, and my legs that, at first stomped around like a sumo wrestler, after which they learned to caress the ground and be gentle and quiet. Not only did I relish the simplicity of running and the tremendous joy that suffused my soul, but I also started writing poetry in my head and I continue to do so. I hope to publish my poetry book at the end of this year, so stay tuned.
Therefore, one way to deal with all the race cancelations is to go back to basics and to the simplicity of running by finding more time to relish our breath, stride, and euphoric feelings induced by running.
PC: Bryn Mumma, my friend and Arete team mate The simplicity of running, but not so much of doing hill repeats- ha!ha!
2. Gratitude
In 2018 when my husband and I finished building our home, I threw a big party for the runners in the Sacramento community. Lisa Limcaco, one of my runner friends, brought a housewarming gift, a small decoration piece that said gratitude on it. She told me: “You always say how grateful you are in your posts, so I thought this would make the perfect gift.” I was grateful to Lisa for being so thoughtful, as well as thinking of me as someone who lives life with gratitude, as I never want to come across as ungrateful or entitled. To me, life is a constant opportunity to practice gratitude, not only during good times, but especially during hard and nebulous times. As Deena Kastor, who is the American record holder in the marathon, said in our Zoom meeting with my Arete team mates: “We need to practice gratitude, patience, and solution seeking.” Optimism, she added, helps us put the bad days in perspective quickly. And if you wish to become a more grateful and joyous runner, according to Kastor, then write three things you are grateful for every evening and you cannot repeat what you wrote the previous day. I also highly recommend reading Deena Kastor’s memoir memoir Let your Mind Run, which will transform your relationship to running and to the world around you.
Due to the precarious stage we are in with this pandemic, I feel gratitude can propel us forward, as well as make us more appreciative of our strong runner bodies and lungs. The fact that we are healthy and that we can run while others are fighting for their lives in hospitals, with some of them not making it, should give us the strongest dose of gratitude ever and dissipate any complaints about races being canceled. Racing will return one day and we will be even more grateful to run next to our friends and competitors, but for now we all need to find joy and gratitude for being alive and able to run.
Grateful to run faster even though I have no races in sight.
3. The Joy of Running
To me, running is pure joy as sweet and gooey as honey pouring down my soul every time I lace up my shoes to go on a run, solo or with friends, but in these times more solo. During our quarantine in March, I ran solo around my neighborhood for two months, missing my friends, but knowing that I had to do my part in flattening the curve of this contagious virus. I kept running through Ancil Hoffman Park and all the hills around my neighborhood, writing poetry in my head and composing a few rap songs. I started to relish the tranquility of my morning runs and found joy in my solitary running, because that was the only known constant in my life and it made me happy to be out in the fresh air, while social distancing. Not only does running make me elated and more content with life, but it also adds inner peace and the realization that we already have everything we need inside our souls to be joyous, as I expressed in this poem I wrote.
Jumping with joy during a solo run
Jumping with Joy
When I run around Ancil Hoffman Park,
my
magic place and slice of Paradise
where
I first became a runner
I sometimes
stop running
and
simply jump with joy
as my
way to greet the day
on
the trail.
To
salute the sun
and
kick up my heels
towards
the Heavens.
4. Health and Nutrition
We all know that when we eat healthy and focus on eating more fruit and vegetables together with high quality protein, such as wild-caught salmon, organic chicken, and less processed foods, we have a better chance to beat Covid-19 and stay healthy, besides running stronger. One thing we can really do while not having to rush from one race to another is to focus on our minds and bodies by eating healthy and clean, avoiding processed foods, and paying attention to what our bodies need, especially when we demand so much from them when we run an average of 40 to 50 miles a week.
As our focus is to stay healthy and not catch this virus, nutrition plays a big role in our overall health, as studies show that runners cannot outrun a bad diet.
In my case, at the beginning of the year when running didn’t feel great, I had to reevaluate my vegan diet and decided that it was too restrictive and not giving me all the vitamins and protein that my body needed. Test results showed I had various vitamin and protein deficiencies, so I decided to adopt more of a plant-based diet and after adding wild-caught salmon and some bison meat, my iron levels have improved and my running has never been stronger. The moral of the story is that we all have different bodies and nutritional needs that are different for women and men and that having many bad runs can mean that our body needs more vitamins and nutrients, which is why checking our iron levels and thyroid is key for runners.
5. Freedom
The fact that most races have been canceled left us with sadness that we cannot run together and compete against one another, but it also gave us more freedom to work on our speed, endurance, or just to run for the joy of running. When not preparing for races, we can devote more time on proper rest and recovery, cross training (I have biked and done more strength training), and just rediscovering the main reason why we run, which is the ultimate freedom, as we stride through time and space. As a sports enthusiast, I have never felt as free as when I run, because running allows us to move freely and to be ourselves. Running is thus the ultimate form of simplicity, gratitude, joy, health, and freedom, and until we race again safely, let’s all hold these truths close to our hearts, because in the end, it will be worth it and we will come out stronger, kinder, and maybe even faster. And last, but not least, let’s wear our masks and show others that freedom also means caring deeply about one another and doing our part to protect our fragile planet.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Also mention this blog and receive a great offer whether buying (credit for closing costs) or selling (commission discount). Running for real estate with joy!
As your parents grow older, it’s
important to make sure you will be able to step in if they become unable to
make medical or financial decisions on their own. It’s also critical to ensure
you have the legal documents needed to make sure their end-of-life wishes are
carried out. The team at Seniorly.com has put together a list of essential
legal documents every aging adult should have. If your mom or dad doesn’t
already have them in place, discuss the need for them as quickly as
possible.
Legal Documents to Obtain
Before Your Parent Moves to Assisted Living
Before your parent moves into an assisted living community, part of the
admissions process will involve preparing specific legal documents. Make sure
you have this paperwork in place before they make their move.
HIPAA Authorization Form
The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act,
often simply known as HIPAA, lays out legal standards for ensuring an
individual’s health records and information are kept private. This means that
healthcare professional can’t share information with you about your parent
unless they have provided you with written consent for you to receive this
information. A HIPPA authorization form is a straightforward yet critical
document for parents to complete. This form authorizes doctors, medical
facilities, and other healthcare professionals to keep you and other family
members your parent approves informed on their medical status. Most doctor’s
offices have them on hand, and they only take a few minutes to complete.
Durable Financial Power
of Attorney
A durable financial power of attorney
provides you or another appointed agent the authority to take care of financial
transactions on your parent’s behalf. Keep in mind, your loved one has to be mentally
competent when the document is created. The durable power of attorney differs
from a standardpower of attorney
in that it will remain effective even when your parent is unable to
make decisions. When your parent passes away, this document is automatically
terminated.
Durable Medical Power of
Attorney
A durable medicalpower of attorney
names at least one person to make medical decisions on your parent’s
behalf if they’re unable to communicate or make decisions on their own. It’s
wise to have more than one agent in case one cannot be reached when there’s an
emergency. Take time to discuss your parents’ wishes on critical medical
decisions in advance so you are able to carry out their wishes if they become
too ill to direct their own medical care.
Physical Assessment Form
Before your aging parents enter an assisted living community, their doctor will
be required to complete a physical assessment form. It provides information
relating to your parent’s medical history, current diagnoses, behavioral or
cognitive status, and sensory or physical limitations they may have. Within the
assessment, the physician can also indicate what therapy or medical services
are needed by your loved one, as well as information on the amount of
assistance that may be necessary with self-care and daily living tasks.
Legal Documents for End of
Life
A few specific legal documents are needed
to dictate your loved one’s end-of-life wishes as well as what happens to their
estate when they are gone.
Living Will
A living will, often called anadvanced directive, allows your parent to
record their wishes for end-of-life care. It keeps family members from having
to agonize over tough medical decisions in the future. Your parent can use aliving
will to make it clear
whether they would like life support to be used in the case of a permanent
coma, persistent vegetative state, or terminal condition. It can also be used
to specify in which situations they would like to receive water and food via
feeding tube, and when they’d like to be provided with comfort care.
Last Will and Testament
A last will and testament states what
happens to your loved one’s assets after they pass away. It can include their
property, money, estate, and possessions. Failing to have a will means that the
government will determine how to divide your parent’s property, regardless of
their wishes. When creating a last will, they’ll need to list beneficiaries and
appoint an executor and alternate executor. By drafting a last will and
testament, parents ensure their estate is taken care of according to their
wishes instead of the will of the government.
DNR
A Do Not Resuscitate or DNR document
informs medical professionals that your parent does not want cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) or advanced cardiac life support if their heart stops or
they stop breathing. A DNR differs from a living will in that it’s a medical
order actually written and signed by a physician, making it a legally
recognized medical order. In some states, thePhysician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
(POLST) serves the same function as a DNR form.
Other Important Documents to
Have on Hand
You should have several other important
healthcare, financial, and personal documents on hand as well, including your
parent’s:
Many thanks to our guest writer for this information article that outlines all the necessary documents needed when selling a home for their aging parents. For more info on Seniorly.com, please go to their website.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Also mention this blog and receive a great offer whether buying (credit for closing costs) or selling (commission discount)! Running for real estate with joy!
At the end of each year, most people are focused on new year’s resolutions, as well as being happier and more prosperous. As we all know, our prosperity is tied to a few economic factors, such as unemployment, stock market, and real estate, to name just a few. When it comes to buying a home, buyers want to make sure they are buying the right house at the right price, which makes the real estate forecast an exciting moment at the end of the year. On the other hand, sellers want to make the most money when selling their home, so they also watch the market and try to find the perfect moment to sell, especially if they don’t have any immediate urgency or need to sell. Before delving into specific market details, I can tell you even though I don’t have a crystal ball, I have 2020 vision, a joke I am borrowing from one of my dynamic agents, that our 2020 real estate market will be great for both buyers and sellers for the following reasons:
The average 30-year, fixed mortgage interest rates will dip to 3.7 percent in 2020, down from 3.9 in 2019. Lower interest rates equate to more purchasing power.
California Association of Realtors 2020 Housing Market Forecast sees a small uptick in single family homes sales of 0.8 percent next year. California median home price is forecast to increase 2.5 percent, followed by a projected 4.1 percent increase from 2019.
With prices slightly going up, sellers will continue to cash in on their equity in order to move into a bigger home, downsize, or move out of state, which approximately 30 percent of sellers will do.
The lack of inventory nationwide was a major theme in 2019. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS®, warned often that first-time buyers would have a difficult year, as the housing crunch became most acute in entry-level price points. Unfortunately, low inventory of affordable homes will continue in 2020. “Real estate is on firm ground with little chance of price declines,” Yun said during the Forecast Summit. “However, in order for the market to be healthier, more supply is needed to assure home prices as well as rents do not consistently outgrow income gains.”
The rise of the iBuyer will continue in 2020, but my personal recommendation is to go the traditional way, or at least get a second opinion, as you will make on average $20,000 to $30,000 more on your home after paying the commission. The fast cash offers are not that hassle free and are usually about 80 percent of your home value. They also come with request for repairs and added fees, so don’t give away your equity, because I can get you a strong offer, as is with no repairs if necessary with a fast close and the least amount of hassle.
To search free listings, please go to http://dynamicsacramentohomes.com/ For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
“Above all, learn how to breathe correctly.” Joseph Pilates
I wish I had a glamorous story to tell you about how I started to practice Pilates, but the truth of the matter is that I stumbled upon this class at California Family Fitness and I immediately loved it. At the time, I felt Pilates provided more movement and excitement than yoga, not knowing that over 12 million people practice Pilates worldwide. Nowadays, I practice both Pilates and hot yoga at least once a week, which makes my runner’s body stronger, happier, and less prone to injuries.
Adding the resistance band to the airplane pose makes the workout more challenging.
I particularly enjoy Kate Muir’s gentle Pilates class, because it seems to work wonders on my sore and tight runner’s body. Kate, who has a Master’s degree in history of art with emphasis on Bronze casting, has been teaching Pilates for about a decade. She also teaches cycling and strength training, but she teaches Pilates the most, which is five times a week. From the first time I took Kate’s class, I loved her lovely British accent, her sense of humor, and the fun exercises she had us do, changing up the routine often and providing at least three options to do the poses successfully. Once Kate found out that I was a runner, she teased me that I can run 50 miles, but I moaned and groaned when doing various stretches. Needless to say, Kate was right and her comments made me and the other people in the class laugh.
I even do Pilates on a bench on the Parkway after my run whenever I have an extra five minutes, or so.
Four reasons Pilates is so great for runners
Whole body workout. Developed by Joseph Pilates, the exercises were related to dances designed for people with injuries. Kate pointed out that runners always use forward motion, while Pilates works the body up and down, side to side, front and back.
The breath. We all know that the breath is so crucial in running, which is why the practice of Pilates requires mastering the breathing technique. Kate said that when we inhale and exhale in through the nose and out through the mouth, we expand the rib cage, pull the abs, and zip them up.
Strength. Pilates increases strength in anyone practicing it, which will reduce the risk of injuries. For instance, I am not big on lifting heavy weights, but knowing that I get my core, strength, and stretching done in one 45-minute class gives me confidence that I will get stronger with Pilates. As Kate says at the end of her class, “the more you do, the more you do.”
Flexibility. Like most runners, I am quite stiff and inflexible, which is why I simply can’t touch my toes without bending my knees. Pilates increases flexibility in our body and keeps us from getting injured.
Tree pose with my friend and Arete team mate Leilani Dunmoyer, who is also a big believer in Pilates, strength training, and Yoga.
THREE PILATES MOVES EVERY RUNNER SHOULD DO WEEKLY
Mondays are usually my days off from running, but as much as my awesome coach Jenny Hitchings wants me to take a full day of rest, I cannot do it without Pilates. I have tried the full rest and was stiff the next day, but when I only did Pilates on Monday and no running, I felt loose and my glutes and body were happy. However, if you don’t have access to a fitness club or studio to practice Pilates weekly, Kate suggested that you do the following three moves:
Planks and different variations. We usually do a variation in class and have been holding the pose for two minutes, or longer.
Fun doing side planks with leg raises with my awesome friend and best training partner Andrea Brizendine. We both ran Chicago marathon in 2018, so we are doing a little matching here.
2. Bird Dog pose is extremely beneficial for strength, core, and strong lower back and glutes.
Bird dog pose, one of the best to activate the core and glutes.
3. Single leg glute bridges are simply a must for runners, or anyone who wants to stay injury free. I do them 4-5 times a week and love doing them right before a run or race to activate the glute muscles and run strong.
Single leg glute bridge – the peanut butter and jelly pose – ha!ha! for us runners that we can do before or after a run, or any time we do our strength training routine.
Having lunch at the Pho House with my friend and favorite Pilates instructor Kate Muir.
Besides these three poses highly recommended by Kate, Runner’s World has some more Pilates moves that we can all incorporate into our routines so that we run strong and stay healthy, or as Kate likes to say: “Nice to see you to see you nice.” Namaste!
To search free listings, please go to http://dynamicsacramentohomes.com/ For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
Moving to a new home can be exciting, but it can also be stressful. Dealing with packing, unpacking, and all the initial move-in tasks is enough to make you feel too exhausted to feel at home right away. Thankfully, there are some simple tricks to settling into your new place.
Take Care of Repairs Right Away
A leaky faucet or running toilet may seem like it can be put off for now. However, small issues in your new home can lead to big problems later on and even bigger bills for you. So, make sure these items are taken care of as soon as you move into your new place — or beforehand if possible. If you live in a rental, contact your property manager ASAP to schedule repairs. For homeowners, it’s fairly simple to do many common repairs yourself, and you can even save money doing so!
Throw Some New Colors on Your Walls
Nothing makes a home feel like your own like some fresh paint on the walls. There are so many ways to coordinate paint colors and create a palette for your new home. If you rent your home, just make sure to get the okay from your property manager/landlord first. You can look for deals on paint, as well as decor to further perk up your place. Then, save some more money by completing the job yourself. All you need are some basic painting supplies and a helpful tutorial to add a personal touch to your home. Make sure you tape off any borders, and cover your furniture before you begin.
Get Creative with Storage
A new home is an opportunity to get yourself truly organized. Having your home decluttered and tidy can help relieve stress and make you feel more comfortable in your new environment. So, look online for some creative storage solutions and then pick up all you need to organize your home. Retailers like Kohl’s have hundreds of accessories to get your home in order. Even better, you can easily find Kohls coupons or discount codes that can save you money on every shopping trip.
Add Some Air-Purifying Plants
It may come as a surprise to know that the air in your new home can get dirty quick. Luckily, air-purifying plants can help clear toxins, and they make for gorgeous, easy home decor, too! Best of all, you can score some majorly helpful plants for majorly low prices, if you know where to shop. Recently, Amazon has even gotten in on the house plant trend, and you can order any plant you want for a fraction of the cost.
Host a Small Housewarming Soiree
One of the best ways to settle into a new home, and meet your new neighbors, is to host a housewarming party! Even on a small budget, you can put together a soiree that will make you feel at home and your guests feel welcome. Many party supply stores offer coupons online that will save you money when picking up cups, plates and other essentials. When it comes to snacks and food, you can’t go wrong with essentials from Trader Joe’s. With their everyday low prices and $2 wines, you can stock up for your party, and stock your pantry too, without breaking your budget.
Making a house into a home can be easy if you know what to take care of first. Adding personal touches with inexpensive decor, paint, and home projects can make a home feel like your own.
Now that summer is almost here, I have special incentives for buyers and sellers, such as money back towards closing costs and reduced commission when selling, so please mention this blog and you will also receive a free market analysis of your home, no strings attached.
To search free listings, please go to http://www.dynamicsacramentohomes.com. For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
Increasing the resale value of your home is a good idea, regardless of when you plan to sell. Many homeowners complete DIY projects to save money; after all, it’s cheaper to purchase materials and do the labor yourself than hiring a contractor. But, homeowners save money on improvements only when the projects are within the scope of their capabilities. To help you get the most out of your improvements, we suggest both DIY and professional projects.
1. Make Roof Repairs
Making repairs to your home is important not only for maintenance purposes, but also to show potential buyers that you have been taking care of your home and preventing damage. One such repair is fixing your roof. Buyers shy away from homes that need roof repairs and new roofs because they fear a large expense immediately after investing in a home.
Image via Pixabay
When you repair your roof, you not only prevent water damage, but you also attract more buyers who appreciate that you have taken care of the repair. You’re more likely to sell your home quickly when you repair the roof, and you are much more likely to get your asking price, too.
Of course, making roof repairs or replacing your roof is a home improvement project best left to the professionals. When hiring a roofing contractor, you should take the time to ensure you choose a reputable one.
Watch out for traveling contractors or those that come to town immediately after a storm assuming that you have roof damage. Get bids from several reputable, local firms and ask for references that you can call to ask questions.
2. Update Your Lighting Fixtures
One simple DIY home improvement is updating your lighting fixtures. Old fixtures date your home and don’t deliver the fresh look potential buyers seek. There are several ways to update your lights, from spray painting them to change the finish to completely replacing them. In fact, Good Housekeeping shares nine DIY ways to transform lighting fixtures for homeowners who do not want the expense of buying new ones.
If you do opt to replace your lighting fixtures, make sure you put safety first by turning off the light at the breaker box instead of flipping the wall switch off. You also should test the wires with a circuit voltage tester from a hardware store before doing any work.
Also, make sure that you replace a fixture with the correct wattage bulbs and avoid exceeding the maximum wattage of the fixture. And, always have an assistant to hold the fixture while you wire it or attach it to the ceiling.
3. Update Your Kitchen
Kitchen updates are one of the best ways to increase the resale value of your home because people use this room more than any other room in the house. Potential buyers look for updates such as stone countertops, tile backsplashes, islands, and high-end appliances. So it goes without saying that a kitchen remodel can be quite the undertaking.
Because an entire kitchen remodel gets to be costly, decide which projects fall within your budget and which you are comfortable completing yourself. For example, you likely can handle giving your kitchen a fresh coat of paint or installing a tile backsplash.
But, these projects can be overwhelming and costly if you do them incorrectly. Planning ahead when attempting DIY projects can save you a lot of time and money. When in doubt, consult your real estate agent to help you determine what’s worth upgrading.
There are several DIY and professional home improvements that will increase your home’s resale value. Hire a roofing contractor to repair or replace your roof if necessary. Then, update your lighting fixtures and your kitchen by practicing a project you’ve never done before and hiring pros to complete the ones that you can’t handle.
Article written by guest writer Erin Reynolds with www.diymama.net.
Now that spring is here, I have special incentives for buyers and sellers, such as money back towards closing costs and reduced commission when selling, so please mention this blog and you will also receive a free market analysis of your home, no strings attached.
To search free listings, please go to http://www.dynamicsacramentohomes.com. For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
The motto of Hot Yoga at Sunrise: “it’s not how flexible and fit you are; it’s how flexible and fit you will become. Be all that you can be – be a hot Yogi!”
There are many ways to cross train for runners, but hot yoga is at the top of my list together with swimming and Pilates. According to the Runner’s World, hot yoga can help you become faster and fitter, so why not roll out the yoga mat?
Last December, I ran with Bobby Carpenter for the first time, as he was introduced to me by my friend Genevieve. We did the hilly trail run from the Fish Hatchery and I noticed right away that Bobby’s breathing was smooth and controlled even when we climbed steep hills. I asked him what his secret was. Bobby replied nonchalantly:
“hot yoga.” To my great surprise, I found out that both him and his lovely wife Robin Carpenter were the owners of the Hot Yoga at Sunrise.
We runners enjoy donuts after a tough track workout. Bobby is the one in the blue T-shirt.
Introduction of Bobby and Robin Carpenter
Bobby and Robin Carpenter, the owners of Hot Yoga at Sunrise
Both Bobby and Robin Carpenter are avid athletes and have practiced yoga for 20 years. They also run, road bike, and kayak. Bobby also likes to do mountain biking. Originally Bobby started to do yoga to prevent injuries. Robin and Bobby stayed with yoga because of the flexibility, balance, strength, stamina, and for the spiritual benefits. They have been teaching yoga for 16 years and are very passionate about it.
I have been practicing yoga at their studio for six months and love it. I try to do hot yoga at least once a week, especially Robin’s yin yoga class, as we hold certain poses for five minutes, which makes me feel rejuvenated and less sore after the class. However, I have tried all their classes, and I also love doing Bikram, Yin, core, fusion flow, vinyasa, and yoga sculpt.
Why Hot Yoga at Sunrise?
Incredible flexibility
The philosophy behind Hot Yoga At Sunrise is community building, which is very important to Bobby and Robin. The spiritual awakening that happens for most people is an added benefit. The fact that the business is family owned and the whole focus is to get yoga into people’s lives makes Hot Yoga at Sunrise unique. Bobby and Robin are not focused on profits but on people and the benefits that come from practicing yoga as often as possible. Most studios are making a living with their studio, whereas Bobby and Robin are not relying on the studio for their income. This allows them much more freedom to truly care about their students.
Top 6 benefits of hot yoga for athletes and everyone who wants to be happier and healthier.
1. Flexibility
When our body and muscles are more flexible, we perform better and reduce the risk of injury.
2. Strength
Without strength we cannot last longer when we run. A runner with a strong body is also going to perform better and avoid injuries.
3. Stamina
The more stamina and energy we have, the more we can enjoy our athletic activities.
4. Balance
Yoga helps athletes develop good balance and coordination.
5. Improved breathing and performance.
Bobby Carpenter said: “Your breathing becomes so much more efficient and your muscles become a lot more pliable, which allows you to go much deeper into the pose with the heat.
6. Overall stronger faster, fitter, better.
Robin pointed out that if you just go to a professional baseball game, you’ll see the players stretching on the field and you realize how flexible they are. Besides their God-given talent, the players do yoga and it helps immensely with their flexibility, strength, and stamina.
Yoga’s Mental Aspect
We all know that running and pretty much most sports are 90 percent mental, which is why yoga is great at calming the busy mind and putting us in the present moment. Yoga also attenuates stress through the endorphins that are released, which is why people come out of class feeling so much better than when they went in.
Although Bobby and Robin believe that doing the poses in a sequence is important, I have three favorite Yoga poses that I like to do when my calf and gluteus muscles are tight.
THREE SIMPLE POSES FOR RUNNERS
The benefits of yoga for runners are great, which is why we should at least start by incorporating three easy poses into our routines.
1. Pigeon Pose
This pose stretches a lot of important muscles for runners, such as the hip rotators, glutes, and the IT band, which are easy to be injured. To perform this pose, sit down, put your right knee behind your right hand and put your right foot in front of your left hip. After that leaning forward in order to rest on your forearms or palms depends on your flexibility.
Pigeon yoga pose.
2. Bridge Pose
I am doing the bridge pose with the weight for extra strength.
If you find hunching forward at the end of a hard run is difficult that means your back muscles need to be strengthened. Repeating bridge pose several times will work the muscles in your back as well as your glutes and hamstrings to make you balanced and stronger in the next run. First, lie down on the mat. Bend both of your knees and place the feet directly below them. Next, slowly lift your back up by pressing into your feet. Keep this for about several breaths and then slowly lower your back down at the first position. Perform bridge Pose for at least 10 times.
3. Downward-Facing Dog
Downward dog pose – my favorite pose to release my tight calf muscles, as well as my glutes.
This stretch will help your hamstrings tremendously, as well as stabilize your shoulders. Use your hands and knees. Spread the fingers wide, lift your body up and straighten your legs so that the balls of the feet are pressed into the floor. Try to align your neck, back, and arms during performing this pose. You can alternate the relaxing between your legs.
And if you are wondering what type of hot yoga is better for runners, then Bobby and Robin have the answer. They believe that
Bikram, Yin, and Core are best due to the deep stretches and strength that all athletes and runners need.
Now that spring is here, I have special incentives for buyers and sellers, such as money back towards closing costs and reduced commission when selling, so please mention this blog and you will also receive a free market analysis of your home, no strings attached.
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For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
Let’s be honest! Who doesn’t want to be faster as a runner? And aren’t we willing to try new ideas to enjoy this incredible sport of running road or trail races? As some of you know, I have been pesco-vegan for four years and fully vegan for three years, but in this blog, I have the honor to introduce local sub-elite runner Jedidiah Soliz, aka Jedi, or the Vegan Jedi athlete on Instagram, who runs for Sacramento Running Association elite team. He is also my amazing friend and training partner on recovery days, or when I have to do a tough workout and he is great to pace me. I have also paced him on my bike and barely kept up with him – ha!ha!
Jedi and I run together through Ancil Hoffman Park on the peaceful trails, where we get to see deer, turkeys, and coyotes while talking about running, nutrition, podcasts, and books we read.
Introduction
Jedidiah Soliz, aka Jedi, or @theveganjediathlete athlete on Instagram, is 36 years old and has his own business as a Landscape Gardener and Designer. He has been vegan for about seven years and has been a competitive distance runner for almost 15 years. Jedi started out doing cross country in college back in 2004. At that time, he was only doing short 4-mile races, after which he attempted the 800m in track during the spring season. Jedi thought that was fun, but unfortunately, he got injured. Since then he has worked his way up to the marathon distance and has also done one 50k race.
Jedi also got accepted onto the Altra Running Red Team at the beginning of 2019. He is a big believer and promoter of the Altra shoes that he wears for all of his running and most casual outings as well. They are the best brand of running shoes in his opinion and Jedi believes in their philosophy whole-heartedly. The Altra shoes have a signature wide toebox and Zero Drop technology that makes for a more natural, efficient, and injury preventive experience.
Jedi believes that his true purpose, calling, and mission in life is to be an ambassador for a vegan lifestyle. He is proud to have been featured in Vegan Health and Fitness Magazine and Sacramento News and Review.
Jedi’s Running Accomplishments
Jedi running Boston last year (2018) in the worst weather – rain, wind, and very cold conditions.
Jedi completed his first marathon California International Marathon in 2:50.52 in the craziest storm of the year. He was 30 years old and turned vegan that year, experiencing renewed energy and increased sports’ performance.
In 2018, Jedi ran CIM marathon in 2:39:25, which is his personal best so far in marathons.
His half Marathon PR is 1:13.34.
His 10 mile best race is 55:45, the 10k 33:24, and his fastest mile is 4.27.
In 2019, Jedi is working to break his 5K PR, which 15:58.
Jedi has just won the Davis Stampeded 5K race on Feb. 24th, 2019 with a time of 16:43.
Winner of the 5K Davis Stampede, 2019
Why Should You Consider Turning Vegan and How it Can Change You as an Athlete and Human Being?
Jedi running CIM last year and setting a new PR of 2:39:25.
Jedi offers 10 reasons to become vegan:
For health reasons to combat cancer, diabetes, heart disease, for weight loss,and to become the best version of oneself.
For better skin and combating acne, which he had growing up.
To inspire others just like his sister Vanessa Dawn who became a raw vegan with the help of a friend of hers. Jedi was completely mesmerized by his sister’s transformation and knew that he was desperately ready for a change.
To counteract the destructive industry of animal agriculture.
To spread kindness and compassion.
To protect our environment and to live our lives as vegans, or what is considered World Peace Diet.
To change our planet by being conscious of our food habits.
To promote peace and harmony.
To appreciate the synergistic component of veganism, because what’s best for the planet is also best for our health, the animals and visa versa.
To improve our running, or any other sport’s performance, as well as reduce injury and improve recovery.
Picture from Santa Rosa Marathon, 2018.
Jedi’s Advice on Becoming Vegan
Focus on fruit, vegetables, and whole foods!
Make sure that the bulk of your calories comes from high carbohydrate, whole, plant-based foods. It is far too easy to become a junk food vegan these days, but you need to fight that urge, because your performance depends on it. Not to say that you can’t treat yourself to some delicious vegan treats and fatty, filling foods now and then, but it is best to keep it to a minimum and time it out right so that you are mostly only eating that way after a race or hard workout.
Proper timing of nutrition is very important!
Also focus on low fat, but make sure to get enough calories, which can be one of the biggest pitfalls that most unsuccessful vegan athletes experience.
Getting plenty of fiber and an easy way to do so is by making big fruit and green smoothies. Jedi makes himself a big smoothie every morning, which powers him through his workouts and his job until lunch time.
Jedi’s Smoothie Recipe
Jedi’s favorite fueling breakfast before and after a run is his famous smoothie that he is kind to share with us.
Jedi’s advice on how to make the smoothie: “Put the water and dates at the bottom first to soak. You can play around and tweak this recipe some to your liking. You can swap out the fruit for other seasonal fruit of your choice if you’d like. This is just a standard recipe of mine, but it definitely varies for me as well! Also the amount of liquid you need may change, depending on the size of the smoothie. I recommend adding a little bit extra at a time if need be.”
Final Thoughts About Being Vegan
Jedi running the Break Free race, which he has won a few times.
Becoming a vegan is a big lifestyle change and you should also consult your physician, but as Jedi points out we all have the potential for greatness within us. For Jedi, being vegan is a bigger cause that is near and dear to his heart and it makes a huge difference in his life as an athlete and his ability to push himself to the limit. Moreover, Jedi’s questions for all of us are: “Do you have the will power, self control, and courage to join me on this journey into a life saving and world changing movement and rise up to your inner greatness by doing what’s right and fighting for this cause? Life is short and we will all die one day, but it’s what we choose to do with our time here that really matters. Do you want to be part of the problem of cruelty and destruction, or do you want to be part of the solution towards compassion and peace?”
I am always busy during the winter months, selling my listings, or helping my buyers buy the right home, so please mention this blog and you will receive a free market analysis of your home, no strings attached.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
“When you run hills, ideas surge their dormant heads and inspire you to pick up your mental pace.” Carmen Micsa, aka ninja
How many times do we see other runners brag that they had hills for breakfast and what does that mean to us runners looking to improve our form and racing times?
I just did this 16.8 mile run on Feb. 7th, two days before Valentine 4-mile race, where I PRed by 14 seconds, running it at 7:20 pace. My long run had various hills, which helped me practice my uphill and downhill running. My focus while running downhill was on keeping the legs under my body and not over striding. Photo Credit: A guy named Dave who was walking on this hill.
Hills Improve Our Running Efficiency and Form
After my Mountains 2 Beach marathon, which I ran in 3:30:59 in May 2018, I had a month of easy running, which for me due to my hilly neighborhood and love of hills, meant running hills short and long. A few of my friends and running partners remarked that my form has improved and that I looked like a strong runner with very little upper body motion and great form. I seemed surprised until I read some articles about how hills make us stronger runners, as well as help us improve our running efficiency, economy, and our form.
There is also a technique to running uphill and downhill:
When we run uphill, we need to pump our arms and fists towards our chins, as if executing powerful uppercuts. Our legs don’t need to do much, as pumping our arms will do the climbing.
Running uphill, I lean forward and don’t use my legs very much. Instead, I do uppercuts with my arms to propel myself at a steady pace and not consume more energy than necessary. Photo Credit: A guy named Dave who was walking on this hill.
When running downhill, we need to lean slightly forward, as well as exaggerate our kicking and pretend that we are kicking our own butts. Over striding downhill will result in fatigue, poor form, and possibly knee pain, as our legs need to stay underneath our gravity center.
This is a video I took while running on our beautiful Auburn, CA trails.
Specific Hill Repeats to Incorporate in all our Training Runs
According to Runner’s World, there are four types of hill running workouts to increase speed and endurance.
Longer hill workouts One way to practice hills is to do our long runs on a hilly course. I am lucky to live in a neighborhood where hills come in all shapes and sizes, so I run them often.
Valentine 4-mile race, which has some rolling hills for which I have overprepared this week, doing a 16.8 mile super hilly long run, since the main goal is running a strong Boston marathon. Happy to run and represent the Arete Women’s Running Club Sacramento Chapter this year, making me a happier runner to have the support of so many amazing women runners who strive and stride for more. Photo Credit: Heather Sims
2. Hills for speed
To increase speed, practice running 30-second hill sprints at 5% to 10% incline on any type of terrain nearly all out. At first, start with 5 to 8 repeats and work up to 12-14. Jog 2 minutes in between repeats. Always warm up and cool down when doing hill repeats.
3. Hills to improve the running biomechanics
To practice better biomechanics, find shorter hills and do 10-15 second sprints 5 to 20 repeats, depending on your fitness and running level with jogging in between.
4. Specific hill workout for hilly courses, such as Boston
When preparing to run a hilly course, do a 2 mile warm-up, do 6 to 8 hill repeats at an effort of 7 out of 10, then run 1 to 3 miles at GMP (gross marathon pace), followed by 1 mile to 2 miles cool down. I did this workout a few times, doing the Penn hill repeats out in Fair Oaks, or doing the Hazel hill repeats close to the Fish Hatchery followed by 2 miles at marathon pace. It is a hard workout, but it certainly prepares the body to run strong on a hilly course.
No description needed. Too much joy and exhilaration running through my slice of Paradise with hills of various inclines. Love running there and finishing the run with more hills, as it is my recovery hilly route.
I remember the year I ran my second California International Marathon we had a woman in our pace group from Florida who was cursing the hills as often as we ran over any kind of hill. She was totally not prepared for the hilly marathon, which is why you want to do your homework ahead of time and avoid hill disasters.
While hills are as good for runners as eating our veggies and fruit, Jack Daniels, PhD named world’s best running coach by Runner’s World, advises to gradually add hills to your training regimen in order to avoid injuries. He also recommends doing a 20-mile long run on rolling hills five weeks out from a marathon and to stay away from downhill training during the final couple of weeks before the marathon.
And now that we have our hill workouts cut out, here are some popular races with net downhill that give high hopes of securing a PR or BQ (Boston qualifying time):
Date / Race / Net Drop / Info Oct. 3 / St. GeorgeMarathon, St. George, UT / 2,560 feet / stgeorgemarathon.com
Oct. 4 / Wineglass Marathon, Corning, NY / 220 feet / wineglassmarathon.com
Oct. 10 / WhistleStop Marathon, Ashland, WI / 510 feet / whistlestopmarathon.com
Oct. 11 / Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon, Susanville, CA / 1,100 feet / bizzjohnson.com
Oct. 11 / Steamtown Marathon, Scranton, PA / 955 feet / steamtownmarathon.com
Dec. 6 / Cal-International, Sacramento, CA / 340 feet / runcim.org
Dec. 10 / Tucson Marathon, Tucson, AZ / 2,200 feet / tucsonmarathon.com
Apr. 19 / Boston Marathon, Boston, MA / 450 feet / bostonmarathon.org
I am always busy during the winter months, selling my listings, or helping my buyers buy the right home, so please mention this blog and you will receive a free market analysis of your home, no strings attached.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
For most homeowners, the joy of having something to call their own is tempered by the upkeep and maintenance that must be done. When you own a home, you also own everything that comes with it, from the furnace to the lawn, and those things become your responsibility. While many home projects can be tackled as DIY weekend jobs that won’t empty your wallet, others can be quite costly and require a professional to handle. When it comes to your HVAC system, sometimes it’s a little bit of both. However, keeping up with cleaning and maintaining your system all year-round will prevent any major issues and keep your home clean at the same time.
The HVAC system is a pricey piece of machinery, so it’s important to make sure you take very good care of it and call in a pro when necessary. Changing filters is the easiest way to keep it running smoothly, but you can also make sure the area around the outdoor system isn’t overgrown and that it has plenty of ventilation.
Keep reading for some great tips on how to keep your system running well all year.
Have It Checked Every Season
It’s a good idea to have your unit checked out at the start of each season, especially if you live in an area that has great temperature changes throughout the year. Having a professional make sure everything is in good working order could help prevent costly repairs down the line, and it will help you ensure that the system will be ready to go when you need it the most. Hot summers are particularly hard on these units, so call a pro when fall rolls around.
Learn the Ins and Outs of Your System
There are several ways you can take care of your system yourself, such as changing the filter often and grooming the area around the outdoor unit, but it’s important to understand how it all works before you make any changes. This will help prevent damage to the unit and injury to yourself, so read up on the system using online guides prior to attempting any maintenance.
Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
The quality of the air in your home can have an impact on everything from your family’s ability to sleep to allergies and breathing issues, so it’s imperative that you take steps to ensure that your HVAC system is clean. This means changing the filter often — typically once a month will work best when you run it every day — and check the return ducts to make sure they’re clear of debris and don’t have any tears or cracks, which can pull pollutants from outside and distribute them in your home. Not only can this affect the air quality, but it can also leave behind dust and pollen.
Keep Your Lawn Tended
Your lawn can have an impact on your HVAC system because the outdoor unit can become blocked by grass, leaves, and other debris. Keep these items away from your system by weeding, cutting the grass often, and making sure animals steer clear of the unit. Make sure branches and twigs are cleared from the area often, especially in fall and winter, and cover the unit with a heavy tarp before you cut the grass to prevent clippings from flying into it.
Keeping up with your HVAC system can be quite a job, and it can be a costly one if you aren’t careful. Taking pains to make sure the area around your unit is clean and free of debris is a big step since the system can pull in outside elements and pollute the air inside your home. With a little research, you can find the best ways to take care of your system without going broke.
Blog written by Suzie Wilson who is proud to announce that her debut book, TheUltimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House, is COMING SOON to online retailers and bookstores near you!
I am always busy during the winter months, selling my listings, or helping my buyers buy the right home, so please mention this blog and you will receive a free market analysis of your home, no strings attached.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
“Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together.” Paul Ryan
This quote strongly resonates with my progress as a runner and athlete due to the fact that I joined various teams and running clubs right after becoming a runner. I felt that running with friends gave me more strength, endurance, tenacity, better performance, and it was simply more fun that running alone.
I run with many friends and running groups, but Andrea and I are best running buddies and have logged thousands of miles together. We are fortunate to live close to each other and enjoy each other’s company.
SHORT HISTORY OF MY RUNNING JOURNEY
1. My greatest appreciation as a runner goes to Fleet Feet Sacramento training groups, as they helped me so much as a new runner. I could hardly wait to go to their Sunday long runs in preparation for California International marathon, when I started running in 2015.
2. After training for my first marathon, I got into trail running by joining Folsom Trail Running group and Trail Mix on Facebook. That was amazing, as trail runners are the friendliest people and so supportive.
3. In the summer of 2016, I joined Fleet Feet Fit program, where I met more wonderful runners and I did more track workouts, which improved my speed. After one season, I had enough fast races and qualified for the Fleet Feet Sacramento racing team. I have raced for them for the last two years and had great success and performances.
4. While on the team, I hired my own coach Robert Ressl-Moyer, who helped me PR in two half marathons, two marathons, and one ultra marathon. I also continued to run with Trail Running Adventures, Trail Mix, and Folsom Trail Runners, as well as the Fleet Feet Roseville racing team, as I enjoyed meeting new runners and running in various locations.
4. In 2019, I’ll be joining Arete team, as I feel they are an amazing supportive group of women (it is a women only team) and their training will challenge me more as a runner and help me grow. I am also training with SRA elite Jenny Hitchings (for more info, read the blog I wrote a few months ago on her huge accomplishments), amazing runner, coach, mother of two, who holds four age group National records in the 5K, 10K, 10 mile, and half marathon distance, and who checks in on me to make sure I am not doing too much, as I used to overtrain and race too much. Very excited about working with Jenny and looking forward to hitting some new PRs when the timing will be right.
OVERVIEW OF RUNNING CLUBS AND RACING TEAMS IN THE SACRAMENTO REGION
With 2019 around the corner, I wanted to give the running community an overview of the majority of our running clubs and teams. I was not able to reach everyone, or get info from all existing groups, but I have done this analysis to help you decide where you belong next year, as running with others is more fun and will likely get you stronger and faster.
1. ARETE
E-mail interview with Tamara Torlakson, who is Sacramento’s team leader of Arete.
– Arete was started in Santa Cruz by two best friends who wanted more from running teams!
– Arete is coached by Mary Wright, sub 3 hour marathoner and Mom of three! She posts awesome workouts weekly and gives great training advice. But if you have your own coach or like to follow your own plan, that is totally fine! We welcome all.
Super Sunday race. Arete team is cohesive and extremely supportive.
HOW TO JOIN THE CLUB
New members can join starting on January 1st through the website, www.runarete.com. We will have a formal 2019 season launch party on Saturday February 2nd at 2pm at one of our teammates homes. This is a chance to pick up new Rabbit uniform tops, meet teammates, Arete coach and co-founder Mary, and get any last minute questions answered! You can also sign up there, but we encourage you to sign up in advance if you can!
WHAT MAKES ARETE UNIQUE IN COMPARISON WITH THE OTHER CLUBS OUT THERE
Arete is the only all women’s running club in the Sacramento region. While we love running with men and they often join us for runs – we are open to all, we feel that having an all women’s team offers a safe space for open dialogue and a very supportive and positive space.
WHAT RUNNING MEANS TO YOU OR THE ARETE TEAM
Leading the Sacramento chapter of Arete has been such a joy! I love all the women that have joined us who have never been on a team before. Seeing them form friendships, find running partners, and improve their running is really fulfilling to see!
Info about Arete
This all women’s intermediate and advanced running team is fast with a side of fun. We are an environment that welcomes authenticity, grit, sweat, and fun. We believe that when women come together to support each other, they will get the most out of their running and their lives. We started Arete because we believe that running strong and joyfully is one of the best parts of life, and we know that women who share these values and goals exist in every city town across the country.
If you are wondering if it’s a good fit, we recommend you can run 6 miles without stopping– not to exclude anyone but to foster a space where no one is left behind and everyone feels encouraged. We also encourage you to start your own chapter or join our Remote team if an Arete team doesn’t already exist near you. (TT adding: In addition to the Sacramento chapter, there are chapters in Santa Cruz (where Arete started), Oakland, San Francisco Peninsula, Colorado Springs, and a Remote team – you can live anywhere – there are small groups in Chico, Santa Barbara, and Bend, Oregon.)
We understand that our lives are busy and your schedule may not always allow you to make every workout.
We look forward to gathering Arete groups from all over to race together, explore new trails, and meet people you may not have normally crossed paths with.
We all have a passion for this movement, for self-improvement, for being a part of something bigger than ourselves. There is something very special about a team.
2. TRAIL MIX
E-mail interview with Brad De Luchi, a great group leader who even creates training schedules for Salmon Falls 50K and AR 50 mile races.
Trail Mix was born out of one person’s desire to keep in touch with people and to keep running in between Fleet Feet Sacramento trail training sessions. It is not a racing team or running club; it has always been a loose collective of people who want to run together. It is a secret group on Facebook, meaning that you can’t look for it. You join by having an existing member add you. There is no expectation or requirement that members volunteer although it is encouraged and Trail Mix does host aid stations at a few races, most notably the Horseshoe Bar aid station at AR50/25.
What makes the group unique is that there is a penalty for falling while on a run. The original penalty, back when the group was small, was that you bought pancakes for those running with you. As the membership increased and the number of people at a run bigger the penalty switched to donuts. The fall penalty is taken very seriously and there are rules around what constitutes a fall and situations where fall rules are suspended. The rules have been amended over the years as new scenarios are discovered.
The photo I am attaching is not from a race but from one the best days out on the trail. We crossed a raging Hastings Creek near Cronan Ranch and in true Trail Mix fashion, we all worked together to make sure everybody got across safely. There is now a bridge over that creek so that day can never be repeated.
Trail Mix adventure run crossing the swollen, raging river after the rain. I skipped that run, as I was too chicken to go due to the wet conditions.
Running with Trail Mix has always meant friendship, support, connection.
3. TRAIL RUNNING ADVENTURES
E-mail interview with Carina Kool and Hassan Aboukhadijeh, group leaders.
Trail Running Adventures is a group of people who love to have fun and motivate each other as we all embark on our own unique running journey. Our motto is simple, “no runner left behind”.
The founders of Trail Running Adventures and one of the members. This year they also created their team hats, visors, and T-shirts. Looking great!
If you want to join the group, it’s easy! We have runners of all ages and paces so you’ll be sure to always have a few people to run with.
As part of this group, we’ll introduce you to all sorts of incredible trails/races that you’ve likely never even heard about. In addition, the social component of our group is very important to us and thus we regularly host potlucks, movie nights, and even coordinate our travels together.
Oh, and we love taking pictures, so smile!
Happy runners!
Volunteering:
We love giving back to the running community and volunteering. We love encouraging & supporting other runners. By being a part of our group, you aren’t required to volunteer though, but if you can, that’s great.
E-mail interview with Robert Ressl-Moyer, coach, ultra runner, and founder of the group.
Team ReMo in action with amazing runners. I love being part of this awesome group led by a terrific coach and wonderful human being Robert Ressl-Moyer.
Behind Team ReMo is Remo Fitness founded by Robert Ressl-Moyer in 2018. He offers personal training, group classes in partnership with Dai Endurance and personalized run coaching. His services are open to everyone regardless your club affiliation.
How to join?
You can started with us through personalized run coaching, personal training, or small group training. Once started you are part of the ReMo family. www.remofitness.com
What makes ReMO unique?
ReMo is open to everyone. I am working with runners from run/walkers, injured runners fighting their way back, to runners dreaming of an Olympic qualifier. There are no prerequisites to join ReMo. You bring the passion and I got your back while pursuing your wildest dreams.
What does running mean to ReMo?
We face our fears, build our strengths and find joy in challenging who we are.
5. FLEET FEET ROSEVILLE/FOLSOM
E-mail interview with Rob Schmidt, passionate runner, assistant coach, and supportive friend and wonderful human being.
Rob said: “Yeah, we have a pretty cool team. Jocelyn, my daughter, is enhancing it this year by including four structured (approx 1/2 marathon) training programs that are included: two trail races and two road. It addition, we’ll have team events that support the local community, such as Folsom Turkey Trot, Folsom Firecracker, and other East Sac area races. Basically those are races that we’d like team members to participate in, but that is totally optional.”
What’s unique about the group?
The neon pink and green jerseys that their members wear and make them stand out at a race.
The team accepts and has runners of all levels. Their group isn’t about being the fastest; they rather focus on team support and recognition for those who like to run and participate in group activities be that local or across the country. The group also celebrates AG winners along with those who simply PR in any given race.
The team’s end of the year celebration party is about all the runners in the team, as FF Roseville/Folsom has male and female “Athlete of the Year” Awards, race AG wins, and participation/volunteering at team events. They also have Boston Qualifier Award, Rookie of the Year, and Pink and Green contribution awards. Some of the prizes were embroidered backpacks given to runners who participated in six of the eight selected team races, as well as plaques.
Volunteering
Fleet Feet Roseville/Sacramento asks for volunteers at team sponsored events, tent monitor, aid stations, and other duties, but it is requested and not demanded.
What does running mean to Rob Schmidt?
“I believe that running has helped build new friendships, enhanced my health, and provided a venue of positive support and encouragement. Running with a team that embraces those values makes exercising and accomplishing goals a lot of fun. I run everything from road 5ks to ultra trail 50ks, and everything in between. I enjoy the side benefit of running outdoors in this wonderful environment we are lucky to live within. NorCal has a lot to offer and running allows me to experience it at a higher level.”
INFORMATION NIGHT: Join them on Thursday, January 3rd at Fleet Feet Folsom at 6:00pm for our kick-off meeting and first workout of the year!
What is the Racing Team all about?
Our Racing Team is driven by passionate coaches who lead weekly runs, and experienced mentors to help facilitate workouts. Through our Fleet Feet Racing Team, our coaches will facilitate year-round runs for participants to meet up, gather, and run together.
Team Details
Year-round program
Training plans for goals races
4 goal races strategically placed quarterly:
Lost Trail Half Marathon, Granite Bay, CA (Trail)
Parkway Half Marathon, Carmichael, CA (Road)
TBD
TBD
Two coached workouts:
Thursday @ 6pm
Saturday @ 8am
Meetup locations will primarily be in Folsom with occasional workouts closer to our Roseville location
Facebook private group access
Monthly emails with upcoming training schedule and updates
Printable event calendar featuring Fleet Feet Events and training
Team challenges and social events year-round
All racing distances are welcome!
Program fee: $150
6. FLEET FEET RACING SACRAMENTO
Having been a member of this group for two years, I will provide the information.
Info about Fleet Feet Racing Sacramento
As opposed to Fleet Feet Roseville/Folsom, runners who want to join have to meet the qualification standards to be accepted. To find out all the details, go to the team’s website http://www.fleetfeetracingsacramento.com/.
Having been part of Fleet Feet Racing, I grew as an athlete and I enjoyed giving back to the community, as well as making wonderful friends for life. However, unlike all the other teams in Sacramento, Fleet Feet Racing Sacramento requires their team members to volunteer at least three times a year, which is not hard to do, but for those runners who barely find time to run, they need to take into considerations the following commitment as presented on the website:
Commit to be active in Fleet Feet Racing practices, racing events, and social events. Membership does not preclude individuality. We recognize that each member has a specific set of running goals that may direct him or her to different races. However, visibility in Sacramento-area races with a focus on Buzz Oates RunSac Race Series events and attendance at team practices are an important part of membership.
Minimum number of races per year: 6
Support Fleet Feet Events Management events through volunteering a minimum of 3 times per year.
What’s Unique about Fleet Feet Racing Sacramento?
The competitive spirit, the drive to accomplish more as an athlete and human being, as well as good team support and strong runners who will inspire you to become the best version of yourself.
The Power of FOO at the Super Sunday race, where the energy and the support were amazing.
2. The power of orange, or FOO. New Balance has been a generous and wonderful sponsor to our team. Runners receive discounts on the New Balance shoes and merchandise.
3. Great end of the year party at a nice restaurant, celebrating the runners who have volunteered the most, but we did not have awards for the top athletes like Fleet Feet Roseville/Folsom. I think that would be great to have those awards added in the future to recognize our outstanding runners.
7. THE RIVER CITY REBELS, OR SIMPLY THE REBELS
E-mail interview with Andy Harris, founder of the group and with Bobby Carpenter, a passionate runner and the owner of Hot Yoga at Sunrise, during a trail run together on the bluffs by Hazel.
Info about The Rebels and How to Join
For info on this awesome group of runners who are one of our region’s best cross country male team, please visit their website at https://rivercityrebelsrunning.com/.
The River City Rebels are a Sacramento-based club formed in 1994 by a handful of local runners who liked training and racing together. The name “Rebels” fits both the club’s founding spirit and it’s ongoing philosophy of training hard, racing often, and always having a good time.
Info from their website: “We are the LEAST EXPENSIVE running club in Sacramento that has the most FUN! ONLY $25.00 to join and $40 for a family membership!
Your River City Rebels membership automatically enters you in the RunSac competitive division for 2019. Entering the RunSac series on your own would cost you $35, so membership is a real bargain!
You can also to fill out and mail the membership form with your dues by downloading it HERE. If you choose this option, please mail the form to: River City Rebels, P.O.Box 189667, Sacramento, CA 95818.
The Rebels after another successful cross country race. Lots of fun, great support , and camaraderie.
8. Buffalo Chips
Info about Buffalo Chips and how to join
I was not able to get an e-mail interview, but as most of you know, and according to their great website, the Buffalo Chips, are Sacramento’s oldest running club. They are a diverse group that includes competitive and casual runners, short-distance, marathon and ultra-marathon runners.
As George Parrott pointed out, the Buffalo Chips also supports a strong youth program with a separate youth coach and training series. The Tuesday night workouts for the Chips started in 1980 ONLY for women. The Chips was and still is strongly supportive of women’s fitness and excellence in sport with women’s marathon teams that have WON the team title at Boston 3X in the open and 2X in the master’s division and the National Championship at the marathon once. In the 1990’s Runner’s World named the Chips “the best running club in the United States.”
To find out more about the club, click here. Questions about Buffalo Chips Membership? Please send an email to membership@buffalochips.com. Click here to join or renew your membership. Make sure you are current to continue to receive all the benefits of membership. Don’t forget to renew your PAUSATF membership as well, at http://www.pausatf.org
Cross country race
“The members of the Buffalo Chips Running Club consider ourselves active participants in the local running community and the overall Sacramento metropolitan area through our contributions of energy and resources to promote a healthy lifestyle and positive changes in the lives of its vibrant population. Each year, we dedicate a portion of the proceeds collected from our membership dues, race revenue, and outside donations to promote activities and organizations that contribute to the well-being of our neighbors.”
Indeed, I have many friends belonging to this wonderful group of runners, and I can say that I am impressed by their friendliness, kindness, great attitude towards life and running, and their commitment to helping our community. Their 10-mile Buffalo Stampede yearly summer race is one of the best in our region.
9. Run4EVER
In 2015 after having completed CIM, my first marathon, I set up Run4Ever group as a way for us to keep in touch with each other after having met through the amazing Fleet Feet CIM training group. Please feel free to join it on FB and enjoy weekly inspiring posts about running, life, nutrition, and being a ninja- ha!ha!
You also can see at least two runs posted every week, especially trail running. As the name of the group says, I wish everyone to run 4 ever with joy.
Elisia de Bord was my first friend I started running with in the CIM training group. The funny thing is that we reconnected through running after we had gone through Graduate school together taking our Masters degrees in English at Sacramento State University. So grateful for the friendship.
Holly Macriss has also been one of my very first and dearest friends I started running with. Our first run together was a half marathon on the bike trail on a Wednesday, as I sometimes could not make the long weekend runs.
10. Other FB running groups
If you are a trail runner, you sure are covered.
Here are a few more running groups that you can easily find on Facebook and join: Folsom Trail Runners, Auburn Ultrarunners, Norcal Runagades, Rogue Runners, Ultra Training, Trail Whisperers, Auburn Area, Sierra Foothills Trail Runners, Canyons 100K , and Moms Run this Town, which has many chapters all around Sacramento and is focused on both road and trail running.
11. SRA Elite – Sacramento Running Association, which will be a separate blog.
How to join: only open to elite runners. Outstanding organization and Sacramento’s premier racing team!
After this thorough analysis of teams and clubs, if you are still not sure whether you wish to join a team, here are five reasons why you should choose a team/club in 2019:
The most compelling one is the camaraderie you will develop with the runners in your team, which gets you through fun and tough times so much easier.
Doing speed workouts and long runs together with your teammates is huge, especially when running a 20-miler and you feel like throwing in the towel and questioning your own sanity. Instead, running with others will confirm your craziness and even make it cool!
Giving it your best and running with passion and dedication in racing events while wearing your team’s apparel.
Having a coach, or a team leader you can check with regarding your progress, your injuries, or anything else that you wish to ask.
Staying motivated, inspired, and challenged for being part of a team that believes in you and supports your goals and dreams.
This blog does not contain all the clubs and racing teams in Sacramento, but the author Carmen Micsa has tried to give a detailed picture of the majority of teams and clubs out there.
Questions on joining any of these groups, organizations, teams? Please comment on the blog.
Most of us know that the big selling times for homes are spring and summer. That doesn’t mean, however, that we need to feel panicky if we must sell our home in autumn or winter. There are strategies to make this season the one to successfully sell your property.
Maintain Curb Appeal
This is the perfect time of year to make your property look cheerful and bright, despite gray days and colder weather. As the seasons change, consider putting a festive wreath or some simple decoration on your front door to make it inviting. Touch up paint where needed, including your mailbox and the trim around your door. Don’t overlook smaller nuances as well, like cleaning the windows to give your home a bright shine or updating your house numbers for a fresh new look. Just because many plants are dying down for winter slumber does not mean our homes cannot look lush and gorgeous. A winter flower garden can be beautiful and add a colorful touch as a border or in pots by the door. Holly, snowdrops and hellebores are all excellent cold-weather options.
Stay on Top of Maintenance
You also need to think about ease of access to your home, especially when the temperatures drop, as there may be a few more hazards to consider during the colder months than in warmer ones. If you live in an area where snow is abundant, you are probably used to shoveling your driveway. However, you need to think not just of your family’s car getting in and out of the garage, but of buyers coming up to the home. That means you should shovel the entire driveway and every walkway around the house. It looks nicer and keeps buyers in a happy mood due to ease of access, but also makes navigating any open house showings you host a safer endeavor. Keep your gutters clean and clear, ensure your pipes are insulated, and that your chimney is ready; a nice fire can add a cheerful touch to any open house.
Bring on the Light
A bright home full of light sells better than one that is dim or dark. Adding lighting is more important now than ever, as the colder seasons also tend to turn dark earlier than the rest of the year. Make sure you add white light. It’s warm without coming off as too artificial. Put lamps on bedside tables and in dark corners of rooms, and consider installing some hanging fixtures or mounting lights on the walls themselves. If you have screens on your windows to keep out bugs in the summer months, it may be best to remove them during winter. This will bring in a startling amount of natural light, something we should be striving for during open house showings. Keep pieces such as your couch coverings and pillows, curtains, drapes, and table runner a pale color to reflect light.
Sweet LittleExtras
Does a chilly house sound appealing to you? Is it a place you want to return to when the weather outside is nippy? No, and buyers agree, so keep your home heated and cozy. Little niceties can go a long way to making your home stand out, such as providing treats for visitors to nibble on while they tour your house. To emphasize how comforting your property is, consider brewing some hot chocolate for guests to enjoy or lighting some festive holiday candles in different rooms. Make sure whatever scent you opt for is not overpowering, as nothing is worse than one that’s too strong and artificial.
You don’t need to worry about selling a home during the off-season if you make some smart preparations. Keep your curb appeal sharp with attention to detail and pops of color, and make sure your home is bright and easy to navigate. Add in some sweet extras, and you may be surprised by how quickly your home flies off the market this fall or winter.
Blog written by Suzie Wilson who is proud to announce that her debut book, TheUltimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House, is COMING SOON to online retailers and bookstores near you!
I am always busy during the winter months, selling my listings, or helping my buyers buy the right home, so please mention this blog and you will receive a free market analysis of your home, no strings attached.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
A dated bedroom can age your home in an instant. Remodeling is a great way to upgrade the aesthetics of your bedroom, but that’s not the only reason to give your bedroom a facelift.
In fact, an updated master bedroom can also make it easier to sell your home and you’ll see a 40 to 80 percent return on investment when you do. While that’s less than the ROI on kitchen and bathroom remodels, bedroom remodels are also much less expensive.
On average, bedroom remodels cost about $10,000 to $30,000, with additional expenses for high-end upgrades. Completing the remodel yourself brings the cost down significantly. However, DIY remodeling comes with challenges of its own. Without pros to handle the planning, purchasing, and renovating for you, it’s up to you to manage and execute the project.
Use this guide to plan your DIY bedroom remodel so it’s a smooth process from start to finish.
Choose a Style
Before planning projects and shopping for materials, you need a vision of how you want your bedroom to look. If you intend to sell your home in the future, choose a style with resale value in mind. The style should be both soothing and cohesive with the rest of your home’s interior design. It should also include the features that buyers want in bedrooms, such as built-in storage and plenty of natural and ambient lighting. For inspiration, check out these bedroom before-and-after pictures from Architectural Digest.
Plan Projects
With a vision in mind, list the projects that will get you there. Remember that for a DIY remodel, you need to stick to projects you’re confident you can complete.
These projects are ideal for a DIY remodel:
● Repainting
● Installing trim and molding
● Updating lighting fixtures and ceiling fans
● Replacing carpeting or flooring
● Adding built-in storage
● Installing a new closet door
● Replacing furniture, linens, and window treatments
Things you shouldn’t do yourself include installing new electrical fixtures, moving walls, adding or moving windows, and installing gas fireplaces.
Set a Budget
Next, decide what you’re able to spend on a remodel. Your budget should reflect the value of your home and your personal financial situation. Zillow recommends basing your budget on the value of the room as a percentage of your overall house. It’s not necessary to pay cash for home renovations, but if you choose to finance, ensure the payments fit within your budget.
Price Out Projects
Now that you have a plan and a budget, it’s time to determine how much each project will cost. Research costs for construction materials as well as new furniture and décor, keeping your budget in mind as you select options. Don’t forget taxes and shipping costs in your calculations.
With a list of projects and prices in front of you, revisit your budget. Do your plans fit within the constraints of your budget, including a buffer for unexpected costs (Curbed suggests 5 percent, but if it’s your first DIY remodel you might want a bigger cushion)? If not, you’ll either need to cut low-priority projects or find ways to reduce costs, such as choosing less expensive materials. However, be mindful of cutting too much: It’s better to do a few projects to a high quality, saving the rest for later, then to end up with sub-par results.
Get to Work!
With your project planned down to the penny, you’re ready to get started. Stay flexible as you remodel — you never know what kind of unexpected surprises could pop up — but avoid deviating from the original plan too much. By planning carefully and following through on that plan, you can achieve a DIY bedroom remodel that fits your vision and your budget.
Article written by guest writer Erin Reynolds with www.diymama.net.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
“As long as you can run, jog, walk, crawl, hop and skip for many hours, you are an ultra runner.” Carmen Micsa
Two weeks after I had completed my second 50K race with a 48-min PR from my very first ultra marathon the 2016 Folsom Gold Rush, my coach and I decided that I was ready to run another 50K race, the Chanoako 50K, which was new this year. With my American River 50-mile race approaching in April, I needed another long run, so after my new trail runner Tracy Bedwell told me that she would be running Chanoako 50K, I jumped on it. Organized by Total Body Fitness, the Chanoako 50K did not have major elevation gains, but it had technical terrain in some spots. Nonetheless, I told my coach that my goal was to break 6 hours in this race. He believed that I should be able to do it. I was excited about my new challenge.
The Start Line
My sweet husband dropped me off at the start line at the Auburn Overlook from where we would run all the way to Granite Bay Beach by Folsom Lake. The weather was perfect with cloudy skies, but no rain or wind. The temperatures in the low 50s perfect for a long run in short sleeve. My coach Robert Ressl-Moyer was also running the 50K . It was wonderful to see him at the start line and later on have him cheer on me at the finish line. I felt particularly more motivated to break 6 hours and run a strong race. Moreover, I knew I could do it due to the focused and personalized training schedule that Robert created for me – feel free to check out his website and maybe take your fitness and running to the next level. I was also happy to see my friend Tracy Bedwell who had the same goal to break 6 hours. We even talked about running this together and pushing each other. However, at mile 2, we got separated and had to run our own race. In racing, we need to be flexible. If it works to run with a partner, we do it, and if not, we need to keep moving.
At the start line of my third ultra the Chanoako 50K with my amazing coach and Fleet Feet Sacramento racing teammate Robert Ressl-Moyer.
The first mile of the race, I ran it a little fast at 7:43 pace, since it was all downhill, but then I slowed down in the 9s and 10s. I felt exuberant and confident about today’s race for some reason. I even got myself a new pair of compression pants, as I knew I would need the support and wanted to wear something new in my race, which brought me good luck in past races when I ran with a new water bottle, new arm sleeves, and so on.
The trail and the lake competing for the runners’ attention. I always love running by the lake, or the river, even though I only take a quick glance, as I need to pay attention to my feet.
The Race and My Thoughts While Running
The undulating trail unraveled in front of me and helped me gain momentum at times, while slowing me down when the terrain was steep, uneven, or rocky. I felt good running at a steady pace between 9 and 10 minutes, which gave wings to keep running until I reached the next aid station, and then the next.
I have learned that the 10-mile mark during a 50K race is crucial, as it feels like the first big boulder that we move out of the way to reach the finish line. I always say to myself: “I am third way done with my 50K race. Running strong! I got this!”
As I passed the 10-mile mark, I also started to pass more runners. I worked hard on staying focused on my form, since my right knee started to hurt me from breaking a little too much on the downhill. I kept running and staying within each mile. I also paid attention to the course and followed the pink ribbons to make sure I remained on track, for who wants to add any more distance to an already long race? Around mile 15, I passed a younger woman after I kept seeing her running in front of me. I felt strong and steady.
From miles 15 to about 24, I have developed my race mantra, which is different for every race depending on how I feel and the conditions in the race. This time, I came up with one word that kept me running up and down the hills: UNSTOPPABLE. I kept telling myself that I am unstoppable, so that I don’t get any ideas that I needed to quickly stop when my legs, gluteus muscle, or my knees had their own ultra running story to tell. I also kept assuring myself that I was mighty and strong, which reminded me of my co-ed soccer days with my husband before our kids were born. Our friends used to call me “mighty mouse,” as I was fearless and always ready to score from a great pass.
The advantage of running this race was that we were running my next race American River 50 mile in reverse. I knew the terrain from all the wonderful training runs with my trail runner friends from Trail Running Adventures and Trail Mix. I also knew that I had to run carefully when I got to the meat grinder, which is called that for a reason. Capable of grinding feet, muscles, and joints, the meat grinder could not grind my spirit, I told myself, feeling, or more exactly pretending to be in control of the rocks, large steps I had to hop on, twists and turns, roots, and steep terrain. I did not take any chances, so I slowed down to a shuffle around there. I even saw the race photographer, as I was carefully keeping my balance and moving forward. I gave him a big smile pretending the meat grinder and I were best buddies.
The exhilaration of trail running. The meat grinder cannot dampen my joy and my desire to break 6 hours in my third 50K race. The lake background and the constant views made this course my favorite.
The gentle downhills helped me out, but the steep and rocky ones made my legs quiver with doubt in my downhill abilities. I even admitted to myself that I was not a strong downhill runner, but did not let that truth smear my rosy image of me finishing this race under 6 hours. Another constant concern I had during the run was the snacking on time without losing energy. The race was super well-organized and the owners of Total Body Fitness always put together the best races. However, when I realized that I would get no bananas, or other fresh fruit during this race, I turned a little grumpy, for I love eating bananas during marathons and ultra marathons. My friend and awesome training partner Andrea Brizendine made fun of me when I recapped the race for her and said that maybe that’s the reason I ran faster, as I wanted to get to the real food at the finish. Great point! Having relied mainly on Cliff gels, shot blocks, dry fruit, and some pretzels kept me running to fill up my stomach with the real deal at the finish.
The Finish Line
The last 6 miles of the race were a combination of levee running, which was flat and rocky, but helped me run a little faster, running around the parking lot of Beal’s point, and up and down hills around Cavitt in Granite Bay, CA, where I tried to shift my focus from the steep hills to the gorgeous homes towering over the lake and winking at the trail. My Garmin watch and Strava were telling me different times, but I knew that I had to keep running strong to finish under 6 hours.
My goal to break 6 hours was starting to become attainable. It was not just a phantom anymore; it started to crystalize. At this point in the race when I passed the 26ish marathon distance, the miles just came and went, buzzing around like butterfly wings, without me keeping too much track of them. The hills, trails, and my legs were the real time keepers, so things shifted to my interior monologue. I uncovered the simple truth that ultra running is a long meat grinder, as well as a joyous triumph at the end when you forget how you piled up 31 miles. Running ultras also feels like running on top of clouds at times when things go well and you feel the “unbearable lightness of being,” or simply running in Dante’s Inferno – punished to eternity.
I kept running and stayed focused on my form to finish strong. As I reached the parking lot at Granite Head Beach, I remembered the finish of other trail races, as well as my triathlon. I started to speed up to get to the finish line. Will I finish under 6 hours? I was so fortunate that my body has this wonderful extra bounciness and energy at the end of races, so I started to work on my final kick for the race. As I ran down, the straight and flat path towards the finish line, I saw my coach Robert in the distance. He was cheering for me – visibly happy and excited. I knew that I had to switch gears and kick it higher.
“Go, Carmen!” my coach cheered for me with all his being. “You got this!” “Go, go, go!” Although he took my video running to the finish line, I posted below the video that my friend Monica Davis took of me, as she kept still a little better than my coach -just saying – ha!ha! Emotions, joy, bliss, infinite gratitude.
I heard other friends cheer for me and there was nobody coming behind me, so when the announcer said my name, I crossed the finish line with a big smile and looked at the race clock. It showed the final race time of 5:59:20. Yet, my official time was 5:56:29 – even better.
“I made it under 6 hours,” I told my coach.
“Yes, you were also third female,” he said with a proud look on his face.
“In my age group?” I asked.
“No, third overall.”
I was ecstatic. I hugged my sweet husband who was waiting for me. We took a few pictures. What a feat! Two weeks after running Salmon Falls 50K I was able to get a 30-min PR, run under 6 hours and finish third woman overall in a smaller and beautiful Chanoako 50K race. We are capable of great things when we believe and work hard!
My sweet husband Catalin who always waits for me at the finish line of long races. He also drops me off and fully supports my running.
My coach Robert Ressl-Moyer won the race in 3:56! Yet, he made me feel as if I won the race. He is the most encouraging, knowledgeable, and wonderful coach!
On the podium with my friend Tracy Bedwell, who finished second, and Mandi Kruse, first female overall! Trail running is about making friends and celebrating our victories together. A million thanks to my coach Robert Ressl-Moyer who prepares me for all my races and who waited for me two hours at the finish line. So lucky to have him as my coach. My motto in races is “Make Robert proud.”
After the awards, I was happy to eat pasta and salad. My body felt great and I could not have been happier with my race. My gratitude goes to my wonderful family, our sweet kids, Alex and Sophia, my mom whom I dedicated this race to, my awesome Fleet Feet racing team, and all my friends and running partners. It takes a village to raise a runner and I could not have done this on my own!
My coach was happy with my running two 50K races just two weeks apart, because they had taught me to run on tired legs and be well-prepared for my first 50-mile race, the American River 50, the second oldest 50-mile race in America.
How about you? Have you ever run a 50K race? How about a 50-miler? Share your experiences here.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
By Lucille Rosetti, contributor and writer to Runningforrealestate
There can be many benefits to moving locations after enduring a significant loss. A new home can offer a change of scenery and fresh start, one you can make new memories while still cherishing old ones.
Here are a few things to consider, if you think you are ready to relocate after losing a loved one.
While buying and selling a home is an action that requires a lot of thought, in order to get through it with as few headaches as possible, you should hire a qualified real estate professional.
You should then spend time researching where you would like to move so you feel comfortable embracing the added change. If possible, rent instead of buying to give yourself some flexibility in decision making, as it can take time after a loss to think clearly enough to make such a permanent commitment. Lastly, develop a budget you feel comfortable staying within both in your search and sale — and stick to it.
As you prepare to move, you might find the idea of packing and downsizing difficult. Deciding which of your departed loved one’s items to keep or discard is an important step in one’s grief. Keep anything you think may provide you with comfort, and when in doubt, know that you can always get rid of it later. The grieving process is different for everyone, so do what you feel is best for you.
If you’re reluctant to throw away their belongings, but also don’t want to keep them, consider passing them on to other family members who may enjoy having them. You can also repurpose items in a way that allows you to make your loved one feel included in your new home. This can be done by making an album out of photos instead of showcasing them throughout the house, or taking samples of some of their favorite things and creating a memory box with them.
Forbes magazine recommends blocking off a chunk of time in which you can focus exclusively on that single task. If it is too hard for you to take on alone, ask for help. As you go through the packing process, make sure you label everything that is in each box so that unpacking is easier on you. Use clothes, towels, bed linens, and old newspapers as an affordable way to prevent delicate items from breaking.
If you’re moving during the school year, chances are it will be a bit difficult for your kids. However, with the right support system in place, you can help make the adjustment smoother for them. Communicate with the school via their teacher, counselor and or administrators on any special needs your child may have as well as the context of the recent move. Find similar activities for your kids to engage in. When your children share their feelings, make sure you try to understand what they’re going through and be sympathetic even though you’re going through your own transition and change, according to The Spruce.com.
It’s crucial you keep an open dialogue so your kids feel they can communicate with you about how they’re coping. It may also help to encourage them to keep in touch with their friends from their old school so they don’t experience additional loss.
While it won’t be an easy experience, if you feel moving away from your old home will help you and your family in their grief, you should rest easy in that decision. Take the appropriate amount of time off for them to gain a sense of closure and find points of interest in the new residence that may excite them. In time, your pain will be transformed into a fond memory of your loved one.
We all know how much dedication and hard work running a marathon or ultramarathon require. This year, I am training for two ultra marathons, Salmon Falls 50K and AR50 mile, which is my first 50-mile race. I also have to log in 50+ miles every week to run these races strong and not get injured. Every single week, I start adding my check mark next to the miles I ran all the way to Sunday when I write in the total mileage with a big smile and satisfaction of a work well-done. Then Monday comes along and both my paper schedule and my Strava running app stare back at me with a big 0 MILES. No big deal, right? I just need to start over and enjoy the cycle of life and the joy of logging in the miles week after week till race day and then find another big boulder to roll uphill just like Sisyphus.
Sisyphus and his rock.
In his book The Myth of Sisyphus Albert Camus sees the futility of Sisyphus carrying the boulder up the hill over and over again as a triumph, for Sisyphus knows himself to be the master of his days. Are we thus runners the modern Sisyphus logging in our miles through our smiles? Are we looking at our running as a huge reward and not a punishment as in the case of Sisyphus? Is there joy, satisfaction, and a sense of hard labor achieved at the end of climbing a hill, where we are rewarded with breathtaking views?
The views at the top of a steep hill that I climbed with my trail running friends Rob Schmidt and Nicola Elliott.
Climbing a steep hill on the lake loop around the Folsom trails – no boulder, although it felt like we were carrying one.
Lesson from the first hill
Before climbing this hill, our friend Rob asked us if we wanted to take the steeper route, or the flatter one. I deferred making a decision to Nicola, who said that she always makes herself do the hard things that she is not so fond of, or as good at in order to get stronger and better at things. Life’s wisdom while running, I thought to myself grateful for the moment of joy carrying ourselves up the hill. Unlike Sisyphus, our actions had meaning, purpose, and satisfaction, knowing that we didn’t have to keep running up and down the hill. We could just relish the breathtaking views on top of the hill and continue running until we achieved our mileage and called it a day.
Lesson from the second, longer, and much steeper hill
During our 22-mile run, my friends and I climbed K2 hill in Auburn twice, which is a long steep hill comprised of five sections, as my awesome ultra runner friend Keather Kehoe, who ran 45 miles that weekend, explained to me. It felt long and hard the first time we did it, but the second time, it felt much easier, which reminded me that our attitude towards the difficult things we do is everything. This bad-ass hill taught me this: it is easier to accomplish hard goals when you surround yourself with like-minded people, you surrender to the task at hand with joy, and when you feel confident that you have what it takes to conquer challenges.
This long, steep hill brings many trail runners to despair. Hiking up the hill replaces running in most cases.
Experiencing a sense of joy, pride, and satisfaction during my climb of K2 famous and infamous hill.
Despite his scorn of the Gods, Sisyphus had a tremendous passion for life and an intense hatred of death. While carrying his boulder up the hill, Sisyphus knows himself to be the master of his days, which is how I feel as a runner, too. After I get my run done, whether it was a short or long one, I triumph and revere in all moments of joy and desperation when tiredness sets in. I also smile remembering the man with the rock, as my friend Rob calls him. We saw him recently at the end of our run. He was walking across Sunrise foot bridge with a big, heavy rock that he hurled around from one hand to another. He made me think of how we all have to restart our days carrying our rock with the same joy and gratitude that he displayed.
Just like Camus’ essay concludes: “The struggle itself is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy,” so does my journey as a runner continue with elation, resilience, perseverance, and hope for a bright future, in which I can carry my boulder up and down hills and mountains with the purpose of getting stronger, happier, and healthier.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
“Running is like a blooming rose – each petal encapsulating its own beauty amidst thorns. Running is also peeling off the layers of life one petal at a time to achieve the ultimate magic.” Carmen Micsa
At the end of each year, there is reflection and remembering all the lessons we have learned.
Physical Fitness Lessons
When your first injury as a runner strikes, learn to let your body heal through cross training, such as swimming and biking.
I consider myself pretty fortunate to avoid injuries, as I do have a decent form and I am good about listening to my body if something hurts me during a run. However, this year I got my first injury that sidelined me from running for almost two months after doing a tough track workout with my Fleet Feet Sacramento Racing team. We did mile repeats and I felt great during the workout. However, when I returned home, I was visibly limping, which is why my husband asked me if I got injured. I replied that I felt great during my track workout and that it is probably just temporary. I was wrong: I had peroneal tendonitis, which hurt my foot when I walked, so I had to take time off and heal using acupuncture and my new best friend the TENS machine, which is short for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Although my tendon was not completely healed, I have decided to race my favorite 5K race the ZooZoom Run. I finished second in my age group, but at the end of the race, I was barely able to walk. I knew I had to listen to my body and start healing and take time off from running. Poor decision to run the race.
I was lucky that my California Family Fitneess club had the hydro-fit belt that helped me do pool running, gave me joy, strength, and helped me heal my tendon.
3. Biking is another great cross training method for runners.
Biking is extremely beneficial to keep your cardio level up, as well as one of the favorite with injured runners, but I have decided to continue biking as cross training when not injured.
Preparing for my first triathlon. Combining swimming, running, and biking is quite fun and challenging. I have also enjoyed doing bricks workouts, such as biking followed by running.
4. Getting injured can help one put perspective on things, as well as become more adventurous in trying other athletic endeavors, such as a triathlon.
After I healed from my injury, I gained a new perspective on things and learned to appreciate swimming and biking, which is why I have decided to do compete in my first triathlon on Sept. 9 organized by Total Body Fitness. To my great delight, I finished third in my age group, doing very well in swimming, OK in biking, and outstanding in running.
I finished third in my age group, even though I did my very first triathlon. Yet, the highlight was the discovery that I can have stamina and strength to swim, bike, and run.
5. Learning to trust our bodies after an injury and come back stronger.
It took me almost a month to regain my speed and confidence in my ability to run strong and continue to get PRs in all my half marathon races, my marathon, and my 10K. At first, I tried to stay away from track workouts, but I realized that I needed to continue my running journey with passion and confidence.
Running together with my friend Andrea Brizendine helped me bounce back from injury and made me look forward to my runs.
6. Learning to respect my body and to strengthen it with key workouts and specific exercises to avoid future injuries.
One of the best exercises to strengthen muscles are kettle bells thrusts. My gluteal muscles often hurt after long runs, so I knew that I needed to do specific exercises to keep strong and be a better runner because of weekly strength workouts.
7. Learning to trust your body when running higher mileage weeks in preparation for a marathon.
Getting my own coach to prepare me to run my strongest marathon so far was the best decision I made, as Robert-Ressl Moyer, a top ultra runner and winner of many 50k races, taught me to trust my body when running between 50 to 70 miles a week. He helped me get my body stronger by having me do a few easy runs after every tough speed workout, which kept me healthy and uninjured through California International Marathon.
Running strong and faster with the help of my amazing coach Robert Ressl-Moyer.
8. Running fast on tired legs is not a myth!
With the help of my coach, I have learned to finish my races with negative splits, meaning running faster at the end. The main workout to help me accomplish this were my weekly progressive runs for the first month I trained with him to get me to run faster on tired legs at the end of our workout. I succeeded to negative split the Urban Cow half marathon finishing with a 3-minute PR in 1:43:56 with a 7:56 pace, The Mandarin half marathon finishing in 1:41:21 with a 7:45 pace another 2:30 mins PR only a month later after running Urban Cow half marathon, and the California International Marathon, where I had a 7-minute PR and qualified for Boston for the first time.
My awesome friend and training partner Andrea and I after finishing a smooth progressive run together.
Boston-Bound at California International Marathon, where I finished my fourth marathon in 3:40:41.
Mental Fitness Lessons
9. Dig deep literally means just that when you use your mental toughness during your training runs or races.
Digging deep as a runner, or a human being on the quest of achieving a big goal means just that. Although I am not a gardener, I find this expression to represent physical and mental strength when digging a hole, but more importantly, the strength is imperative to dig one’s way out of the hole. As runners we have to find that inner fortitude to run strong through the pain when our bodies rebel against us. My revelation came during the middle miles of my fourth marathon that I ran on Dec. 3rd, 2017. I was getting really tired and my gluteal muscles were sore and hurting. I slowed down by 30 seconds from my goal marathon pace of 8:16 and I was even thinking that marathons are not my cup of tea and why was I insisting on abusing my body like that. I even wanted to stop and use the bathroom, but I decided to harness my mental strength and focus on good form technique, and running the best I could to Loehman’s Plaza past the 20 mile point. Sure enough after that my body stopped hurting, or was it my mind overwriting the body? I started to run at 8:14 pace and felt rejuvenated and confident in my ability to finish strong.
I was able to run part of the CIM with my wonderful friend Karen Clark who ran ahead of me during the middle miles. I managed to catch up with her around mile 22 when my mental strength helped me dig deep and get out of the pain hole that slowed me down.
10. Find another gear.
How do runners differ from bikers? They just don’t have as many gears. Nevertheless, once we allow our brains to process and transcend physical pain, we become stronger and able to find faster gears that we did not know existed and were available to us. The way I learned to access my faster gears was by finishing many key track workouts with a few 200 meter repeats on tired legs. The first time I discovered that I could run super fast at the end of the workout on tired legs, I felt like a legit athlete. Running strong at the end felt like pulling a rabbit out of a magician’s hat, since the pain had disappeared and allowed the legs to do their thing.
My super fast and supportive team mates Genevieve Clavier and David Pai made me look forward to our 5:20 a.m. Tuesday workouts, when we all gave it our best and felt as if we were hanging off a precipice, but somehow managed to stay in control of our tired legs and finished the workouts strong.
11. Overwriting our doubts and mental weakness.
I was doing 800 meters on track with my awesome team mates, when my body and legs rebelled and started to slow down. My coach who was timing us noticed that I slowed down, so he said: “Your legs are not tired; it’s all in your mind.” I smiled and tried to process that statement. My next 800 was stronger, and the last one was the strongest. I had to simply overwrite my brain that was giving wrong signals to my body. All of a sudden, I found renewed energy in my running and knew I could do it! I felt in control of my body, thoughts, and managed to subdue the doubts that were creeping up like tiny spiders ready to weave their web of lies around my tired legs that were capable to give more that morning on track. Positive thoughts and reinforcement are an important tool for runners to have when needed.
Doing track workouts with friends is always more fun and motivating.
12. The power of visualization.
It is essential to visualize our goals and even more important to let our friends, our social network and media know about our goals, so that they can keep us accountable. Besides visualizing our goals, it really helps to repeat to yourself what you wish to get out of a race. For instance, when I ran the MandaRun half marathon, I kept telling myself that I wanted to finish with a 7:45 pace, since my pace during my Urban Cow half marathon was 7:56. During the race, I felt great and the speed was effortless, but I kept pushing myself to run a little faster than 7:45 to account for slowing down on a few hills. To my great surprise, I finished the half marathon in 1:41:21 with a 7:45 pace. I was elated and surprised that I finished third in my age group, as half marathons are harder to place. This was my first time finishing in the top three at a half marathon and felt that repeating the magic pace numbers worked well for me. The brain and the body were focused on the same goal and worked as a team!
Showing off my two medals that I earned at the Mandarun half marathon. First time getting an age group award for a half marathon race.
Spiritual Lessons
13. Jumping with Joy.
To me running is the perfect harmony between body and mind. In order to celebrate that inimitable feeling, I often jump with joy suspended between Heaven and Earth and rejoicing in the runner’s high.
No description needed. Too much joy and exhilaration!
14. Running is divine.
I have enjoyed doing trail runs for the change in scenery and for the divine beauty I see all around me. Just like we need to break up the monotony in running and run trails instead of road all the time, it is the same with life. We need to find the divine in various activities, in the people we meet, and in the ordinary that we can easily transform into extraordinary. The divine is within each of us and once we learn how to access it, we will feel our hearts expand with love for others and ourselves.
Serendipity and divinity.
The divine nature of wild flowers.
15. Running is finding God in nature.
Even though we need to watch our feet and pay attention to each step we take on the trails, I always rejoice in connecting with God during my runs. This year, I saw a cross in the sky right before Easter and I teared up thinking how much God loved us and how much I enjoyed discovering and talking to God during my runs through nature. Then on Christmas Eve when I ran the Foresthill Divide Loop with a few wonderful friends from our racing team, I stopped on the trail enthralled to discover God’s Temple.
I took this picture on Good Friday before Easter this year. At first, I thought it was just the evening sky right before sunset, but when I looked at the picture on my phone, I was in awe to see the clouds forming a cross in the sky. I cried, prayed, and wrote a poem about this divine apparition in the sky.
The light filtering through this old, mature bent over tree stopped me in my tracks. I felt God’s infinite love for me and all mankind. This deep spiritual connection filled my heart with love and gratitude for the existence of a higher BEING and for being ALIVE and closer to GOD.
16. Running is transcendence.
Whenever I run, there is a calmness descending over me that transcends any worries, crazy thoughts, doubts, or fears. Moreover, running becomes my way of transcending time and space and propels me in the NOW.
I love bridges, as they connect two ends, two worlds, two souls, two hearts, and many transcending moments in time.
17. The Zen of Running.
Running is controlling the shallow and deep breaths into a rhythmic breath, which I call the Zen of running, for it gives me inner peace, calmness, and composure to be the best human being possible. I also feel serene when I enter the Zen realm and know that no matter how difficult or long the run is, I will end up overcoming pain and come out cleansed and elated.
This art reminds me of the Zen of running, of breathing and living a meaningful and joyous life.
I am humbled to share what I have learned from running in 2017 and hope to hear your stories, too about your ultimate running experiences. Please share any special moments and lessons you have learned during your runs. Namaste!
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
It’s been more than a month since I have completed my very first triathlon The Women Only TRI put together by Total Body Fitness. To my great delight, I finished third in my age group mainly due to my strong 3-mile run at the end, when I passed more than 20 women. The running was definitely my forte, but I loved the swim and biking, too. The best part about The Granite Beach Triathlon held close to my home was that my body felt stronger and not too tired all throughout the race.
Arriving at least an hour early before the triathlon starts gives you a good spot for your bike and plenty of time to prepare.
I did not read much about preparing for my first triathlon (read some great tips), but have received free training and amazing advice from Dusty Dustyn, the head coach of Women’s Cycling Program at Total Body Fitness, Bill Driskill , one of the owners and founders of Total Body Fitness, Tiffiny Ferrell, one of the awesome swim coaches , and running coach Henry Hawkins, who gave me the best and hardest track experience that included squats, lunges, push-ups, and dips in between our 400-meter repeats.
SWIMMING
During my training for the triathlon, I have practiced my swim more than the biking to feel confident in the water and not too slow. Once my swim portion started, the Folsom Lake waves lifted and cradled me against them. My swim turned into a negotiation with the lake and its brownish water. As I chopped the waves next to other triathletes’ arms, legs, and bright swim caps, I realized that less was more, so I relaxed into my strokes. Soon, my elation grew when I realized that the swim felt effortless.
Photo credit: Charlie Joyce. My good runner friend and real estate client Christina Joyce and I right before the start of our swim. She told me that I inspire her and that since I was doing the TRI, she also decided to sign up. Good peer pressure, right?
My body turned into a vessel of joy, hope, and determination. My arms were in unison with the underwater world, carving and parting the water, as if slicing a cake in even portions. The waves made by all the women swimming around me turned into my self-propelling device, which made my swimming relaxed and easier than I had expected. My only worry was the second white buoy and the turn towards the shore. After I passed the buoy, I deviated a little, but made my half a mile swim in 24 minutes. I used my slippers to run faster to the shore, just like Total Body Fitness experienced trainers taught us when we practiced our transitions. I still could not believe how fast and effortless the swim portion had been. Was my swim a levitating, floating dream, or was I really done? The cheers from the spectators and the calling of my number by volunteers meant that I was done and that it was pedal time!
BIKING
The transition to biking took a little longer than 2 minutes, because I quickly changed into my running shorts to avoid chaffing. I used the towel as a shield, while avoiding any wardrobe malfunctions. I also put my racing team T-shirt on top of my wet bra after which I quickly put my socks on last – they were already rolled up, which was great advice from one of our Total Body Fitness instructors. I was trying to get out of the transition area as quickly as possible. I still managed to take a bite of my banana that was in my small triathlon bag and grab a fruit bar to eat on the bike . It seemed that everyone around me just hopped on like grasshoppers hunched over the handlebars of time on their super fast bikes. Finally, helmet on, I took off and promised myself to catch some of these fast transition women on the hills.
I started to pedal and felt the rush of freedom that comes from having a good clip on your bike. The hills showed up fairly quickly. I knew that they would be my friends and that I would pass a few women on the hills. Although I felt stronger than many women on the hills, I still felt nostalgic thinking of my dear father who bought me the first bike and taught me how to ride it when I was seven years old back in my home country Romania. Soon, I was riding and crying not because of the hills curving and bending in a maddening rhythm that cooler September morning. I was crying when I realized that the gaping hole in my heart was still there along with my longing for my dear dad, who once again was smiling upon me from Heaven. I started to sob when I realized that my father was there with me, guiding me gently upon the hills that seemed to multiply, especially because we had to do the same loop twice. I even worried that I went too many laps, but when I reached the volunteers the second time, they flagged me towards the finish of the bike portion. Yay!
RUNNING
After I set my bike on the rack, I dumped the clip-on shoes and put on my Nike Wild Horse trail running shoes with elation and renewed energy. I took a quick bite of my banana and ran as quickly as I could. My legs were not tired, or sore, so I knew that I had to catch up with as many women who were already running as possible. One of my friends and volunteers took my picture while speeding towards the trails. I needed to push hard, since the running portion was only three miles. Soon, I heard myself saying: “on your left,” quite frequently. By the time I reached one mile and some hills came up, I had already passed more than 10 women who were ahead of me. I kept going strong and focused on passing as many runners as possible. I felt great and so happy to finally get to my favorite portion of the triathlon. My feet felt the dirt, the earth, the roots, the rocks, and they were happy. By the time I reached the finish line of the run and the triathlon, I knew that I had done fairly well and that I had chances to finish in the top three in my age group.
At the end of my triathlon elated and happy that I conquered a new challenge.
I was right! I finished third in my age group during my very first triathlon. I knew the run had been my forte, but my swimming and biking have also come together for me. I had conquered a new challenge and discovered a big secret: triathlons are much gentler on the body than racing a half marathon, for instance. The body gets worked differently during the three events. As long as one has enough determination, grit, and positive attitude towards triathlons, there will be a successful and happy ending.
To TRI, or not to TRI, runners? That is the question! You guessed the answer: to TRI for stronger bodies and minds, to live life in a challenging and meaningful way, and to say that you tried the TRI and have succeeded!
A collage of joy during my first triathlon. Many thanks, Total Body Fitness for putting together such a great event.
Veni, vidi, vici, or I came, I saw, I conquered! I was proud of finishing my first triathlon, making new friends, and even placing in my age group.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
“How is our Sacramento real estate market?” is a question I get quite frequently when talking to friends, past and new clients. Before elaborating on this question, I try to start with a simple answer, such as : “Well, it is a seller’s market right now.” This straight forward statement is immediately understood, but oddly enough, I have come across seasoned agents who still do not explain our purchase agreements to their buyers correctly and honestly.
One of my listings that I have sold for my sellers in three days with multiple offers. Yet, the buyer asked for $5,000 credit for repairs following the home and pest inspections, even though the repairs were quite minor. Their intention was to renegotiate on the price after the inspections, which should not be a buyer’s focus or hope when making an offer.
I have recently sold properties in Auburn, Rancho Cordova, Carmichael and acted as the listing agent, meaning that I represented the seller. On all the listings, I received offers at or above asking price with no mention about repairs on them, which is why I want to answer and clarify the following question for future homeowners, as well as sellers.
Is the seller obligated to do repairs for the buyer after buyer’s home and pest inspections to name just a few?
The answer is: NO. The seller can certainly choose to do some repairs, all, or no repairs based on the “as is” clause, or paragraph 16 that is in our contracts. Yet, most selling, or buyers’ agents do not bother to explain this clause to their buyers, who will get upset and frustrated later, if sellers do not agree to do repairs.
16. CONDITION OF PROPERTY: Unless otherwise agreed in writing: (i) the Property is sold (a) “AS-IS” in its PRESENT physical condition as of the date of Acceptance and (b) subject to Buyer’s Investigation rights; (ii) the Property, including pool, spa, landscaping and grounds, is to be maintained in substantially the same condition as on the date of Acceptance; and (iii) all debris and personal property not included in the sale shall be removed by Close Of Escrow.
With older homes there are more items that home inspectors point out on their reports. However, our purchase contracts are written as is. You can always try to negotiate, but sellers do not have to agree.
The moral of the story for buyers and sellers:
Buyers – Do not expect the sellers to bend over backwards to do repairs, or offer a credit. Be reasonable if you do ask for repairs and evaluate the repairs needed before making an offer in case sellers will not agree to do these repairs after your inspections.
Sellers – I hope you will work with an agent who will fight for every dollar on your behalf and who will not make you do unnecessary repairs, especially if you are selling your home at a great price and have had multiple offers. Have your agents negotiate on your behalf, and feel free to refuse doing minor/petty repairs that come across on the famous, or most precisely, infamous Request for Repairs form. Yet, be flexible with repairs that are major or safety items, as it is not always easy to start with a new buyer and it will definitely delay the close of escrow.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
With the continued growth of our real estate market and prices climbing, Sacramento is still affordable especially for Bay area buyers who agree that Sacramento is a thriving community with great nightlife, according to some Bay area newspapers, a flourishing art community, and an amazing bike trail system for various recreation purposes.
Grateful to listen to a wonderful presentation at our monthly broker meeting held at Sacramento Association of Realtors.
Sacramento’s Real Estate Projects
Natomas has 3,000 entitles, but unbuilt homes.
Folsom will have a 6,900 new units being built . The Folsom plan will add about 350 homes a year.
Rancho Cordova will also build 6,700 homes with a master plan being developed that would add about 12,189 new homes. Rancho Cordova has the advantage of being close to the Lightrail.
Downtown has 2,200 entitled or under construction units.
Sacramento has a lot shortage with a supply of about 5,700, which is approximately a year’s worth.
J St- 11-story project in midtown with 175 units being built, some as small as 440 sq. ft.
Some of the building projects.
Despite all these great new building projects, staff writer Ben van der Meer pointed out that new housing supply will continue to stay slim, which creates a shortage of new listings and inventory.
Sacramento’s Wide Open Walls – Art Meets Real Estate
Another reason to be excited about our Sacramento real estate market and all the new projects is the Wide Open Walls new murals that adorn Sacramento’s old and new buildings. With more building and development, the art movement is evident. More than 50 local, national, and international artists have produced some amazing art, using various techniques, such as spray painting.
A poignant and suggestive art mural and portrait of a child.
Along with enhancing the cityscape, Sacramento Congresswoman Doris Matsui said a thriving arts scene can be an economic driver for the city.
Portrait of Lady Gaga on the Golden One building, where I recently saw her in concert. Gaga-ism at its best done by Southern California artist Christina Angelina.
I was lucky to take the Wide Open Walls running tour done by one of my fellow runner friends Jenn Kistler-McCoy and organized by our best local running store Fleet Feet. Jenn is the founder of Sacramento Running Tours. She leads walking and running tours of our beautiful city and has tremendous energy, passion, dedication, and knowledge about Sacramento’s culture and history.
A collage of the art murals reflecting different themes, artists, and painting techniques. A feast for the eyes, heart, and soul! Sacramento moooves us with its sophistication – not a Cowtown anymore!
Due to the constant developments and our growing art movement, Sacramento will continue to be a wonderful place to live a lot more affordable than the Bay Area, so let’s be proud of our buildings – inside and outside with all their stories and adorning art.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
I graduated with my Masters degree in English from Sacramento State University in 2011. One of the highlights of my going back to school besides learning and becoming a better writer was biking from home to school using our beautiful American River Parkway. I was biking 20 miles round trip and loved my bike rides and the freedom they brought to my day. At the time, I was doing century rides for the American Diabetes Association in memory of my dear father who died of a heart attack due to his diabetes at the young age of 53.
TRIATHLON – A NEW SPORT TO MAKE US MORE WELL-ROUNDED
Now as a runner, I experience tremendous freedom and joy, but I also use the same muscles. After attending a free Triathlon information session at Fleet Feet, I have decided to jump right at it and do my first women only triathlon coming up on September 9th. Being new to triathlons, I did not even know what it really meant to do a triathlon. I found out that I would have to swim half a mile, bike 20 miles, and run 4 miles, so all doable. Moreover, after taking some clinics and talking to my runner friends who have done them, I realized that doing my first triathlon will open up new fitness doors that I never knew existed. This reminded me how important explorations and trying new things are.
At my first swim clinic wearing a wet suit for the first time in my life and feeling like a seal – all sealed up – ha!ha!
I figured the wet suit is not needed, so I bought myself some comfy swim shorts for my triathlon, as Carolyn, one of the women who has done many triathlons told me that it is easier to swim in a swim suit and transition easier and faster to the bike. I agree and have accepted the great advice.
What is a BRICK in triathlons? Why runners should do them once a week, or every other week to become stronger and faster whether training for a triathlon or not?
Veronica, one of my trail runner friends , who used to do half Ironman told me that I needed to start doing brick workouts. She explained to me what they meant, as I had no clue. The biking-running brick workout is one of the most popular, as one bikes first and then runs to prepare for the triathlon. Second most popular brick workout is swimming first and biking second. These two brick workouts can also be done in reverse, meaning run-bike, bike-swim, but the idea is to experience the same conditions and order as in the triathlon.
Doing my first brick workout in preparation for my first Triathlon. I biked for 12.7 miles and then ran 4 miles.
Meeting Christy, a new fellow biker, who rides 50 miles on her days off. Wow! We rode together and immediately connected due to our being health conscious, vegan, and loving the freedom and control that exercise brings into our lives. To new friends! To more happy rides!
TOP FIVE REASONS TO DO BRICK WORKOUTS AS A RUNNER, OR JUST FOR OVERALL FITNESS
Excellent cross training exercises and routines.
The two sports help work and train different muscles in our bodies.
Reduced risk of injuries.
Increased cardio fitness.
Fun, fun, and more fun!
My first brick workout was biking 13.7 miles at a brisk pace and running 4 miles in the low 8s right after the biking. Although I felt my legs turn into bricks right after biking, I was able to run at a decent pace easing into each mile and being amazed at what my body could do. I felt confident and happy with my very first brick workout. I will report back after doing my second brick workout swimming and biking.
My selfie picture during the 4-mile brick workout. I had to quickly stop around mile 2, as it was getting hot. Running was not easy after biking, but what a great training!
Whether doing a triathlon, or not, I highly recommend mixing these type of brick workouts into your training to help you stay stronger and infuse more variety and fun into your workouts. Happy feet! Happy pedaling! Happy swim strokes! This is my favorite order for my upcoming women only triathlon, but everyone will have different favorites.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
Traveling to new places with my family means bonding, having fun, laughing, trying new foods, and exploring. We love to play sports, hike, visit museums and caves, and enjoy being together. Yet, my favorite way to explore new places is to do it at my own running pace before our children even wake up and are ready to start their day with us.
We have recently visited the Midwest and have enjoyed Chicago, the impressive, unforgettable, and most beautiful American city in my humble opinion, the sweeping and undulating corn fields of Illinois and Indiana, the magnificent lush forests, the balm weather, the history, and spending time with our friends.
After having spent a week in Illinois, we headed to French Lick, Indiana, a quaint, small town with a population of around 1,800. I also wondered about the name and found out that this town used to be a French Trading Post built near a spring and salt lick. Known for its Pluto Water and healing springs, French Lick is also the hometown of basketball legend Larry Bird.
The signs pointing to the many adventures around French Lick, IN.
From the moment we drove into town, I noticed the winding paths. As always, my husband helped me plan and plot my run, so I had a route ready for the next day.
THE HISTORY
On a crisp June morning with 55 degree temperatures, I took off for my long run that had to be at least 10 miles. I was soaking in the fresh air and was giddy with excitement. I was also thinking of my friends back home in Sacramento who had to put up with the 107-degree sweltering weather. In less than a mile, I arrived in front of the French Lick Springs Hotel, which is on the United States National Register of Historic Places for its architecture and old charm in our modern world (the hotel first opened in 1855).
Front of the French Link Springs Hotel, where I took the path leading to the next small city West Baden and the other historic hotel West Baden Springs.
Running down this paved trail was enjoyable.
After about two miles of running, I reached the next town and hotel West Baden Springs Hotel, also named the Carlsbad of America. I loved the arched entry and the brick path. I stopped to take some pictures, as well as learn about the history of the hotel and its mineral water and baths that were alleged to cure more than fifty ailments.
The double arches confer a European appearance to the hotel.
As I ran on the brick path towards the hotel and the beautiful gardens, I learned that it was the original brick street installed when the hotel was built in 1902.
I loved running through the garden of West Baden Hotel, as the brick road reminded me of some streets in Romania, where I grew up.
I could not resist taking a selfie of the water fountain in the middle of the garden that was a healing place many years ago when visitors came to find cure to their illnesses by drinking the springs water.
Running is social – connecting with a local runner
Around mile 3 into my run, I ran into a local runner. I asked him how long the trail outside the West Baden Hotel was and he told me that the path ended right after the bridge. At that point, I figured I might as well repeat the same loop and asked him if I could join him. David told me that he was running his usual three-mile loop, so I was happy to have company and talk to a local runner. I found out that he was a teacher, married with two small children, and that his wife was a nurse. We talked about Indiana and why he liked it. I also told him a little bit about California and our lives there. He told me that he enjoyed running 5K races and that he also ran a half marathon with his wife in Kentucky. David was polite, kind, and a good running companion, which made my long run more enjoyable. No matter where I meet new runner friends, I feel so blessed to be part of a worldwide running community. Our universal love of running does not need translating; it simply resurfaces like a well-balanced surf board above high and tall waves.
David kept me company for about three miles and regaled me with stories from his hometown French Lick, IN. I enjoy meeting new runners who are passionate about our sport and run with happy feet.
After an enjoyable run, I said good-bye to David and thanked him for his company. I only had four miles left to make it to 10 miles, so I headed back towards French Link, passing by churches, small restaurants, a mini golf course, and small antique stores.
I loved the brick church and what it represented: Christianity , warmth, friendliness, and hospitality of Southern Indiana.
Our Lady of the Springs Church founded in 1887 faces the street sign reading Indiana Street.
TRIVIA
Besides exercising, socializing, learning about the history of French Link and West Baden, I also gathered some fun trivia knowledge that I can share during my runs with my runner friends back home.
TOMATO JUICE
In front of the French Link Hotel, there is a sign about the invention of the tomato juice. In 1917, French Lick Chef Louis Perrin ran out of oranges to squeeze for juice during the breakfast rush. With a group of Chicago businessmen waiting, Chef Perrin improvised and squeezed some tomatoes. The businessmen loved it and spread the word: tomato juice was great stuff. By the 1920, tomato juice was promoted as a health drink.
Tomato juice trivia
WEST BADEN – THE CARLSBAD OF AMERICA
According to one of the signs in front of the hotel,Carlsbad means “Charles’ bath,” named for the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who is believed to have discovered the mineral springs at Carlsbad in 1347.
ORIGIN OF THE WORD HYGIENE
West Baden Springs Hotel had four springs all known for their amazing healing properties. One of the springs was named Hygeia, based upon the goddess of health in Greek mythology. Thus, the word hygiene comes from this Greek goddess’ name.
With running tours becoming more popular, I am grateful to go on my own running tours and learn on the go, as well as immerse myself in the culture of the new places I visit. During this trip, I have become fascinated with fireflies, brick homes and buildings, the dancing corn fields extending for miles, and the ubiquitous red barns.
When traveling, I also like to apply this German saying: “we grow too soon old and too late smart,” which matches with my philosophy to explore new places we visit with the eyes of a curious and inquisitive child and the soul of a wiser traveler.
This teapot was hung on the wall of the German Restaurant we had lunch in French Lick. Our kids loved the Polish sausage and the home-made pretzels.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
Most sellers getting their home ready for the market have consistently heard one word from their agents: declutter. Why is clutter bad? It obstructs the view for your potential buyers, as well as it diminishes the size of the house. The solution to sell for top dollars and not hear about clutter anymore is outlined in a great and practical book I read recently.
I found many answers to this question by reading New York Times Best Seller The Life-Changing magic of tidying up – the Japanese art of decluterring and organizing.
The author of this practical and powerful book is diligent to point out why people fail to declutter their homes using old methods of cleaning and organizing,,
TOP 10 TIPS TO TIDY UP & DECLUTTER
The book inspired me to get rid of too many clothes I don’t wear, like, or need anymore.
Here are my favorite top ten tips from Marie Kondo’s book, which I have enjoyed reading and has taught me a lot about cleaning, organizing, and decluttering, which I will apply to my own home.
Kondo starts her book by pointing out that changing one’s habits depends upon changing one’s way of thinking.
Her statement: “If you tidy up in one shot, rather than little by little, you can dramatically change your mind-set” has come as a revelation, but also as an obstacle to people who really have a lot of stuff. Kondo adds that by using this method, people are able to keep their space clean afterwards.
Storage methods provide superficial answers to the clutter, so get rid of things and don’t focus too much on storing and re-storing.
Another new concept to me, was tidying by category and not location/place.
If we need to understand clutter and declutter, we need to apply Kondo’s astute remark to our daily lives and activities and really start discarding and disposing of things, instead of worrying that we might need them one day. Kondo says in her book: “Effective tidying involves only two essential actions: discarding and deciding where to store things. However, discarding comes first.”
How does discarding work? Kondo believes that every item that does not bring us joy anymore needs to be discarded, unless we really use and need that object. When discarding, clothes are the easiest to deal with and photographs are the hardest. With this in mind, Kondo suggests that the order or sequence to tidying up should be: clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items, and mementos.
Since discarding makes tidying up a smoother process, Kondo says: “to truly cherish the things that are important to you, you must first discard those that have outlived their purpose.” Great lesson to follow!
Get rid of “Just because,” Kondo points out, which means that people live surrounded by clutter and things they don’t need out of fear that one day they might need them.
When it comes to disposing of sentimental items, Kondo remarks that we cannot live in the past. Instead, the joy and happiness come from living in the NOW moment.
And last, but not least, decluttering and tidying up, according to Kondo means to reset your life and settle your accounts so that you can take the next step forward.
As wonderful as this book is, sellers need to know one thing: declutter should not be a dreadful chore, even though it is not easy to tidy up. Instead, declutter should be a means to attract more joy and more buyers willing to pay top dollars for a tidy house that will be appealing and attractive.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
With our Sacramento real estate market getting hotter, many first time buyers and investors will turn their interests to condos and townhomes for a few reasons: they are more affordable, require less work, as some of the exterior and roof repairs are covered by the Home Owner’s Association, and offer more security features, especially the gated ones. When I showed a condo to my cash investors last week, they asked me: “What is the difference between a condo and townhome?” Excellent question!
Just listed! Great condominium close to Sac State, Arden Fair Mall, and downtown!
CONDOS AND THEIR FEATURES
According to the article below from Realty Times, “a buyer of a condominium owns his or her individual unit, plus a percentage of the surrounding property, including land and any amenities on the property (The word “condominium” is Latin, meaning “common ownership” or “common control”).
Common areas include stairs, driveways, walkways, hallways, parking lots, and Home Owner’s Association amenities, such as pools and club house.
Only few condos have garages; most of them have shared carports.
TOWNHOMES AND THEIR FEATURES
As opposed to the condo, the townhome has a very distinct characteristic: owning the ground underneath the unit and having their own roof. Additionally, some townhomes look like a detached home and have garages, which is not that common with condos.
When I first got into the business, my first sale was a condo and then I kept selling quite a few others, so my nickname was “the condo queen.” I learned about each condo complex and sold a few townhomes, too. I am helping one of my clients who bought this condo with me 17 years ago. She used it as a personal residence and then turned it into an investment property. Thus, condos or townhomes can make great financial sense in a hot market, in which it might be hard to buy a home.
For more info on my new condo listing, check out the virtual tour, and feel free to call me for a viewing. This one will go quickly!
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
Romanians (Yes, I am Romanian American and quite proud of it) have a great saying: “smart people learn from the mistakes of others, whereas not so smart people learn from their own mistakes.” I would love for you to learn from my mistakes and know that learning from your own mistakes is unavoidable. Besides, when things happen for the first time, it has little to do with your intelligence level: it has to do more with life’s constant element of surprise, or what I like to call an ocean wave sweeping us off our feet when we are least expecting it.
Balance
One of the things I think I am pretty good at is balancing my busy parent, professional, intellectual, and athletic life. I feel that I can juggle things, because I use my calendar well and try to write down all appointments, all my to-do lists, and still have room left for fun activities. I also found out that as a runner, balance is key. I need to balance my workouts, the time on my feet, as well as make room for tennis and strength training. But what happens when you become a little too confident in your running abilities? Well, you tip the balance scales to the heavier training cycle of running, so you start doing two runs a day even after a race you did the same day, which I have done and felt great at the time. You know that your form is good, so you won’t get injured, but overuse injuries can creep up upon us. Our bodies take the beating up to the point of quitting, so that’s when we start having problems.
Five worst running Injuries I have had in the last two years
I always thought I had a stronger body than my body really is! And, yes! I am an optimist who likes to wear the rosy glasses often. Moreover, just because I have played tennis for 22 years and never got injured is not enough to proclaim the Herculean strength of my body. As a matter of fact, once I started to run in 2015, I realized how many weak areas I had in my body, starting with the ankle which I injured in my first month of running due to poor form and improper shoes for my feet (I was wearing the low Altra shoes that offer no support to our ankles), but bounced back in 4 days. Then the knees pointed out to me that I had developed IT band syndrome, when I felt pain on the side of my knees and runner’s knee when my knees hurt right below the knee cap.
My first half marathon Run the Sly in 2015, my first year running. I wore the copper fit knee sleeves to protect my knees from hurting, especially during longer runs.
My first CIM marathon that I finished in 4:13, even though I pulled my groin muscle at mile 18 and had to slow down.
Although I always ran with my knee sleeves on for about a year, as if they had magical powers, I had discovered that I could run without them with no pain when I forgot to put them on. That day I ran freely without any “crutches,” so to speak and felt like Forrest Gump .
Next injury took me almost six months to clear, as I had developed Planter Fasciitis after buying running flats that had a lower heel drop than I was used to and due to my tight calf muscles. Every morning, the sharp pain in my heel felt like walking on needles or stepping on a nail, but once I started my run, I was pain free and kept on going.
Towards the end of 2016, I also developed a mild form of shin splints, with pain running up the inside of my lower legs. Shin Splints can happen to runners whose feet maintain ground contact too long, or if the foot lands too far in front of them. Higher mileage will also contribute to shin splints.
My fifth injury came on totally unexpected on March 21st, 2017 after I did some intense speed workout on the track. I did 4 mile repeats and felt great until I got home and started to limp badly. My husband asked me if I twisted my ankle, or my foot. I said “no.” My speed workout felt wonderful as always. I just didn’t know what happened, but I was sure I would be like brand new by the morning. And, yes: my rosy glasses were on. I had no clue that I had developed one of the worst injuries that only affects 0.6 percent of runners from what I have read – see how special I am?
I had developed peroneal tendonitis on my right foot, which is extreme pain on the outside area of the foot right above the ankle. Unlike all the above-noted injuries that never stopped me from training and running races, this one left me limping and unable to run. Yes, I was smart to stop running, while resting and icing, but it was mainly because my injury forced me to do that. I have not run in two weeks, doing aqua jogging, stretching exercises, and foam rolling.
After two weeks of rest and doing aqua jogging, Pilates class, and core exercises, I have tried acupuncture http://www.acupunctureinsacramento.com for the first time in my life to attack the tendon and be able to restart my Mountains to Beaches marathon training coming up on May 28th in Southern California. It worked so well and I highly recommend it, but check about your injuries with your doctor first.
Although the article below talks about 5 most troublesome running injuries, which I had all, my sixth running injury comes and goes depending on how long and intense I run. I have had piriformis syndrome on and off, which is simply pain in the gluteal muscles, making it hard to maintain a certain pace, once it kicks in. I like to call this injury a kick in the butt, not figuratively speaking, as that’s the area that hurts and slows me down.
When it comes to healing all kinds of running related injuries, I recommend reading James Sullivan’s advice below and then read about my healing methods.
CARMEN’S 20 HEALING METHODS FOR THE ABOVE-MENTIONED INJURIES AND ADVICE:
Listen to my body and address the issue promptly.
Read many running books and changed my running form after reading the Chi Running book by Danny and Katherine Dreyer. I highly recommend it, as I was able to apply the lessons and improve my form and speed.
Read about the injury and take action to heal the body while running, if safe to run.
Changed the type of shoes I wore and currently run in the Nike Lunar Glide 8, which are better for my feet.
Changed my running shoes every 400 miles to avoid injuries.
Rolling my foot on a tennis ball daily and often while working at my desk to get rid of Plantar Fasciitis.
Using the foam roll often and doing different Yoga stretches.
Doing weekly core and strength training exercises, such as squats, lunges, kettle bell swings, bridges, and so on.
Doing hills to strengthen my body, especially my gluteal muscles.
Running much slower on my recovery days to allow my body to fully recover.
Running with friends to keep myself accountable.
Using the sauna to loosen up the muscles and recover well from tough workouts.
Using the Epsom salt baths after long runs.
Not running the day before a race and especially before a marathon.
Using the chiropractor once to realign my body.
Using the acupuncture and common sense to heal the tendon.
Not taking Levofloxacin or Ciprofloxacin antibiotics, as they can weaken the tendon and ankles, leaving one more prone to injury.
Talking to other runner friends and asking for their advice.
Staying humble.
Being wiser about life and running – hopefully!
CARMEN’S 12 GOALS FOR RUNNING STRONGER AND INJURY-FREE IN THE FUTURE ALL THE WAY TO 100:
Balance my tennis and running better, meaning that I won’t do a speed training session the same day that I play tennis. Instead, I will do an easy run the day I play tennis, or no run.
Strengthen my muscles more.
Do more stretches after my runs and ice more often at the first sign of soreness.
Give up racing, if a small nagging injury is present and wait to be totally healed.
Run mostly 5 days a week instead of 6, unless I am behind my schedule and my body feels healthy to handle the extra pounding.
Do two easy runs a day when feeling good, but never a hard run followed by an easy one. After a hard run, or race, I can do aqua jogging to relax the body and muscles.
Incorporate aqua jogging and biking into my weekly workouts for cross training and getting the body stronger.
Listen to my body more and respond with rest when needed.
Be flexible in rearranging my running schedule, if my body cannot accommodate a speed workout that day.
Mix road and trail running, but avoid running too many hills on tired legs.
Order custom orthotics for my high arched feet to take away the pressure from the calf muscles.
Use acupuncture, deep tissue massages, and active release techniques to stay strong and healthy.
I have tried Crossfit for a month and got my body stronger, while learning to incorporate some of the moves into my own strength training schedule, such as the deadlift move.
Although these injuries seem to be too much, I have enjoyed my running tremendously and highly recommend it to all my friends as the best mediation in motion out there. I have been successful at it, winning many age group races and even winning first female overall in the Gumby 5K trail run this year. I believe that with the right plan and improved running technique, I will continue to run many more races and marathons. Running is life!
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
Are buyers super tired of hearing about the importance of “location, location, location” every single time they work with a real estate agent like myself? Do we agents sound like a broken record, or is there more to these three repetitive nouns?
I have to be honest and tell you that when my husband and I bought our home in Carmichael, CA, I was not much into exercise and I was definitely not a runner. All my husband and I knew was that we wanted to live in Carmichael – the rural feel and yet the central location of Carmichael appealed to us. We loved playing tennis and we did notice that the house we bought was within walking distance from Carmichael Park, which made us happy. Good location!
Since I became a runner, I go to Carmichael Park to play tennis or run. I also go for walks with our kids and play Pokémon Go, because we are close to it and it is convenient to get there.
IMPORTANCE OF LOCATION
I have been in real estate for 17 years and I always try to educate my buyers about the importance of location for two reasons:
Buying a house on a cul-de-sac, one of the most desirable locations, because of reduced traffic, next to a beautiful park, golf course, bike trail, etc. can enhance the property value of a home and the well-being of its occupants, as it is convenient to exercise.
Therefore, buyers who are more nature, outdoor, and fitness enthusiasts might want to work with an agent who understands the importance of location when it comes to easy access to the bike trail, a public track, close proximity to a fitness club, nature parks, and so on.
Sacramento has one of the best multi-purpose trails in the country. Jedediah Smith Memorial Bicycle Trail, known as the bike trail, or the Parkway, stretches along 32 miles of parkway from Old Sacramento to Folsom Lake.
Ancil Hoffman Park, where one can watch deer, coyotes, and turkeys while exercising. The nature center and golf course are one of Carmichael’s hidden gems and treasures.
FITNESS CHECKLIST
As a real estate broker and fitness fanatic (I am an avid runner and tennis player), I recommend buyers the following checklist to make sure their new home will enhance their easy access to exercising whether it is biking, running, playing golf, tennis, etc.
Use Google maps to determine the walking distance from your new home to the above-mentioned locations.
Create your walking/biking/running routes and see how conveniently located you are from your new gym, for instance. I am 1 mile away from two of the gyms I belong to. I love to run or ride my bike there, which makes me feel that I kill two birds with one stone, because I get my run in and do strength training, or take various classes there.
Rate all the homes you visit based on the exercise convenience factor. For instance, five stars rating means extremely easy access to parks, nature preserve areas, golf courses, tennis courts, and fitness clubs.
Be realistic about the importance of your fitness goals and the convenience of achieving them based on the location of your home and decide if you can settle for anything less than three stars. Let’s say your new home is close to fitness club, tennis courts, and parks. That is a pretty good location, but as you go lower in stars, you need to decide if you need to keep looking for that three stars or higher fitness house.
Be very clear and specific with your agent about your fitness goals and the location of your new home and make sure that you do not waste time looking at homes that are far from your desired criteria.
After having your offer accepted and while in escrow, try some of your routes to make sure that your new neighborhood has a high walking score. Additionally, use this website to find the walking score of your new home https://www.walkscore.com/
To sum things up, I believe buyers should take the fitness factor seriously when buying a home. Analyzing a home’s curb appeal and all the remodeling should be done in connection with your ability to walk many places around your new home/neighborhood. Happy house hunting! Happy feet and happy to help you find that perfect FIT home of your dreams.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
When it comes to running in the rain, there is no middle ground: runners either love it, or hate it! Unfortunately, I have been leaning towards the haters group and have stalled and waited around for the rain to stop. Today, I had no choice but to go out in the rain and wind, which makes it even harder. Yet, before leaving the house, I told myself that I needed to have fun with my 10-mile run, so I composed another rap song just like other times when I ran in the rain. Rain equates rap? You might ask. Yep! The tapping sound of rain inspires me to rap, for some odd reason.
Tips for Running in the Rain:
Do not overdress, as a matter of fact underdress!
Wear just shorts and T-shirt, if it’s not too cold, as clothes will get soggy and heavy.
Do not rely on those expensive water proof or water resistant jackets; you will still get wet, so why bother?
Apply glide, or Vaseline to toes, armpits, and other areas of your body that can get chaffed.
Be ready to run in wet shoes and socks, which you won’t bother you, once you settle into your comfortable pace.
Run at your comfortable pace, but allow yourself to be slower, especially if running in the wind and rain like I did today.
Allow yourself to notice nature, animals, and people you meet, and that way you can be creative, such as coming up with songs, poems, etc. to make the time go by faster and have something to amuse yourself with.
Watch the road and run in good traction shoes to avoid slipping and falling.
Pat yourself on the back for sticking to your running schedule and for toughening it out, as you never know what the weather will be like on race day.
Have fun during the run and relax with a hot soup, tea, or cocoa after the run. It will be all worth it!
American River flooding large portions of our Jedediah Smith Bike Trail.
Advantages of Running in the Rain:
I was alone on the bike trail today with wild geese who seemed confused to see the closed trail.
Wild Canada geese exploring the closed trail
Geese staying away from the wet trail.
2. I rejoiced in nature and all the bursting blossoms on the trees that reminded me that winter is almost over and spring is inching forward. I loved this blooming tree so much that I came up with a little poem:
Flurries
“Kissing the bike trail
the soft, delicate petals
are not crushed by pedals
on this rainy, windy day. ”
Blossoms kissing the trail. A flurry of white.
3. The wind and rain act like resistance bands, so running in the rain is fortifying for the body and mind.
I had the rain, wind, and the hills keeping me in tip top shape today. Happy and wet feet!
4. You get to inspire others to exercise rain, or shine.
The River is quite high at the Harold Richey Memorial Bicycle Bridge. Harold Richey was also known as Mr. Bike Trail.
Disadvantages: None.
Go out and run, bike, or walk! A little rain won’t melt your souls! On the contrary, it will fortify them.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
Today at our monthly Sacramento Association of Realtors meeting, we had the honor to listen to Mayor Steinberg talk about Sacramento’s future as a growing city. He was engaging, informative, funny, and invested in making Sacramento not just a government town, but also a destination city.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg talking at our monthly meeting at the Sacramento Association of Realtors
Some of his immediate items to address as a newly-elected mayor were:
Working on our city’s image and transforming Sacramento into a more sophisticated and more visited city. A few ways to attract more visitors would be through the Kings Arena, a world class Science Museum and Exploratorium, an Aquarium, increasing the visibility of arts, opening up the water promenade, and connecting West Sacramento to Sacramento.
Working on providing more shelters and programs for the homeless.
Passing an immediate law regarding teenagers who will be paid for their summer work (just for a certain amount of hours). They will also be employed and paid for two months in their line of work right after college and paid. This will create a more robust work force and will help young people compete fairly in an already competitive market.
Encouraging and expanding the housing market with a variety of newly-built projects, such as the L St. lofts, I St. studio, as well as other ones that are being marketed and that I can help you show and purchase.
Creation of more jobs.
Keeping the real estate market affordable by increasing the supply through building new homes and condos.
To sum things up, Darrell Steinberg’s speech and presentation emphasized the need to increase Sacramento’s positive image, as well as continue to have a robust real estate market while keeping things affordable in our growing city.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
Do you ever feel satisfied and happy when you obtain something so easily that it feels unreal? Of course, not! Satisfaction and enjoyment come from some resistance, hard work, and some challenge. And yet, when it comes to one’s home, the biggest investment in one’s life, many people have jumped to obtain the Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HERO_Program, which is a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PACE_financing and continue to do so in order to retrofit their homes.
Types of residential and commercial retrofitting:
installing energy-efficient, water conservation retrofits
seismic retrofits
solar panels
energy efficient windows
energy-efficient heating and air systems
Installing solar panels is one of the most popular with homeowners
The PACE loan program was introduced in 2008 to finance energy and other retrofits with ease and very few requirements or disclosures. To qualify for this loan, homeowners need to have equity in their homes, so credit scores do not matter. It is also 100% financing with no money down from the homeowner. So far PACE sounds enticing and an amazing way to lower one’s utility bills by doing certain retrofits. Well, it really depends on your future plans, and if you have to sell the home, as this loan is designed to pass the debt unto the new homeowners, which might not make them happy.
HOW DOES PACE IMPACT BUYERS AND SELLERS?
Due to the fact that repayments of the PACE loan are made through the property taxes.
The house has higher property taxes than a similar home on the same street with no PACE loan on.
Sellers will leave debt behind to the new homeowners who assume all these upgrades whether they want them or not.
PACE is shown on the preliminary title report as a first lien.
The property taxes will reflect the additional assessment fees incurred through the PACE loan.
New owners assume the remaining assessment payments, or sellers are forced to reduce the selling price of the home to make the sale go through.
Interest rates can be 3 to 4% higher than traditional loans.
Having a PACE loan might be the only way for some homeowners to install a new HVAC system or new windows, but be prepared for the future impact when reselling the house, as it is not as easy to sell in comparison with a debt-free home.
Are the upgrades worth it in the long run? Sure, they are, but think of how long you will live in that house before getting this loan.
To sum thing up, pace yourselves when it comes to PACE and think of the future plans and the impact of trying to pass debt to the new homeowners. We all know that debt is not sexy!
Debt is a vicious circle
2017 NEW LAWS REGARDING PACE PROGRAMS
Under the new law, which took effect Jan. 1, entities that offer PACE financing providers are required to do the following:
Provide homeowners with a standard written financial disclosure similar to the federal Truth in Lending Act disclosure.
Give the applicants the right to cancel PACE contract within three days.
It limits the amount a homeowner can borrow.
It specifies that homeowners must own the property on which the home sits, be current on their mortgage and property taxes, and not in default or involved in bankruptcy proceedings.
When things sound too good to be true, most often they are, so be aware of the potential future hurdles when selling or buying a home under this program. Maybe try to qualify for a standard loan instead, as well as understand that it can take up to 20 years to break even on a solar system and that the money saved on energy bills is not that significant.
Do your homework, and let me know if I can answer any questions.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
Buying and selling a home are both emotional events, but selling a house in our Sacramento real estate market and any other market is even more emotional, as sellers put their heart and soul into their homes, remodeling, improving, and leaving behind indelible memories. With our low housing supply inventory that will continue in 2017 sellers rejoice in their opportunity to sell their homes for top dollars with little hassle and even with multiple offers. Yet, pricing your home right in a hot market is still key and Realtor.com offers some great advice and six rules on pricing your home right. http://www.realtor.com/advice/6-rules-follow-pricing-home/
DON’T FOLLOW YOUR FEELINGS; FOLLOW THE DATA! My duty as a real estate broker and professional is to present all the data, such as recent comps of other similar homes that sold in the neighborhood, statistics, and market analysis, which will help my sellers decide upon my suggested listing price. Thus pricing their home will be done based on carefully researched data and not emotions, feelings. By relying on the most current market data, sellers will avoid pricing their home too high. Also according to local appraiser Ryan Lundquist, it is important to http://sacramentoappraisalblog.com/2017/01/03/trends-to-watch-in-real-estate-in-2017/ choose similar homes to the one the seller has to sell, instead of focusing on the highest sold in the neighborhood and have appraisal issues later on during the escrow. Lundquist also points out that just because our housing inventory is low does not mean that sellers should command unreasonably high prices, which is also my position as a real estate broker. I like to be honest and upfront with my sellers during the listing appointment and not create false expectations.
Not all buyers will appreciate the older flushing system, so changing the toilet might be a great idea, giving buyers fewer things to nitpick.
Reasons Your Home is Not Selling:
Home is overpriced.
Home is outdated.
Home is over-improved for the neighborhood.
Home has been nicely updated and remodeled, but price is too high and buyers are not willing to pay for it.
Few, or no showings at all is a clear indication of the house being overpriced.
Plenty of showings, but no offers is also a sign that the house is overpriced.
Price is king!
Top Cures for not Selling:
Be proactive, not reactive, which simply means not waiting months and months before dropping the price and selling your home at what the market will bear.
Do not wait till you receive a bunch of low ball offers; instead, adjust the price accordingly to attract those highly motivated and well-qualified buyers.
Do not let too much time elapse in between price adjustments, or buyers will think there is something wrong with your house.
Enhance the curb appeal on a budget and make things inviting, so buyers can feel at home.
Work with highly reputable, honest, and experienced agents who can aggressively market your home and get it sold.
Besides having a three-page marketing plan for my sellers, I also market their homes on the radio show Real Life Lending on 105.5 FM
And least, but not last, remember that buyers today have so much more information at their fingertips and they are not willing to overpay for a house, so evaluate the recent sales and price your home to sell and you might even get more than asking price with the right marketing strategy.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
As we are getting close to leaving 2016 behind and usher 2017, it will be helpful to look at our November numbers and stats to understand where we are heading and what the new year will have in store for us. These numbers deal only with Sacramento county, but if you need stats for other counties, please feel free to click on Ryan Lundquist’s excellent blog that I quoted below.
The median price is the same as it was in August 2007.
Housing inventory is 22% lower than the same time last year (there is only a 1.36 month housing supply).
Sales volume was 17% higher this November compared to November 2015.
There were only 36 short sales and 34 REOs in the county last month.
Cash sales are down 11% this year.
The median price is $325,000 and is down 2% from the height of summer and 12% higher than last year.
The average sales price at $349,659.
2017 Real Estate Outlook
So with these stats in mind, I know that you want to receive the answer to the what I call the crystal ball question: “So how will our real estate market be next year?”
My answer is evasive and honest at the same time. “We never know exactly what the new year will bring, but according to economists and Realtor.com, we will see a 7% increase in value.”
This might be exciting news, but as Ryan Lundquist astutely pointed out in his wonderfully written and researched blog http://www.sacramentoappraisalblog.com, this is what our market has been doing for the last two years, which means that Sacramento will continue on the same steady path. Additionally, even though the Sacramento Bee called Sacramento the 4th hottest real estate market in the country, just because median prices went up 7%, it doesn’t mean that actual values increased by that much.
Getting a Loan and 2017 Interest Rates
These are some of our predictions for 2017 together with the fact that interest rates will go up by about half a point, but they are still super affordable. Today I have also had the pleasure and honor to talk about this on Real Life Lending 105.5 FM radio show hosted by Eric Elovski McKay who is one of my preferred lenders due to his extensive knowledge of the lending industry, his hard work, dedication, and professionalism. To apply for a loan with Eric, just go to his website http://www.ericwillclose.com.
With Eric Elovski McKay, host of Real Life Lending
Another important report that helps us real estate professionals is presented by our California Association of Realtors. According their forecast the California median homes price, this is not just Sacramento, is forecast to increase 4.3 percent in 2017, representing the slowest rate of price appreciation in six years. C.A.R president Pat Zicarelli also predicts that “San Francisco Bay Area will experience a decline as home buyers migrate to peripheral cities with more affordable options.”
Overall, we all need to be excited and positive about the new year, and let’s prepare our Champagne glasses for a prosperous, better, and brighter 2017.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
As the title of my blog is running for real estate, I am pleased to combine my passion for real estate with running. Moreover, rest assured that I will run and hustle to help you buy or sell a house the same way our bunny Peter runs up and down the stairs in this video! I believe in being quick and efficient in taking care of all your real estate needs, so never hesitate to call me with any questions. No strings attached!
As we approach the end of the year, almost everybody wants to know what to expect in the coming year, especially because of the elections and the rumors about interest rates going up, which are not just rumors. Interest rates will be going up a little bit in 2017, according to Oscar Wei, senior economist for California Association of Realtors. During our monthly meeting at Sacramento Association of Realtors, Wei did a detailed presentation on our real estate market- see entire link and forecast below.
10 Key Points to Remember as We are Heading Towards the End of 2016 and Ushering 2017:
Real estate is still considered a very good long-term investment.
Listings inventory is still low, making is more difficult for first-time buyers to afford to buy.
Long-time homeowners are not moving that often and wait about 10 years to move, choosing instead to remodel their homes and stay.
Boomers are not moving as often.
Builders are still not building enough new homes, which contributes to a lower supply of homes.
Interest rates are below 4% for now until the FED will decide what to do.
Consumer confidence is 9-year high.
Unemployment rates are 8-year low.
Majority do not plan to sell their home when they retire.
Most homeowners, as a matter of fact 92% of them, have equity in their homes, which is why we have seen a very low supply of short sales and foreclosure homes.
10 Key Points to Remember about 2017 Market Outlook:
We will see a modest price increase in 2017 of about 3%.
A 2% increase in sales.
The American dream and homeownership is still very important for the Millennials.
Investors buyers are dropping, but still active in the lower-priced market.
Unemployment in California will be around 5.3%.
Interest rate projected at 5% in five years.
Home prices will grow steadily next year.
Biggest challenge for buyers in 2017: lack of affordability.
Buyers will need to educate themselves on our market, the various loan programs, and the down payment assistance.
Pursue your dreams and find a way to build your own equity by stopping to rent and buying a home.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!
