Wow! Time is flying these days...
I can't believe 2 weeks have already gone by since I started this training cycle and I'm thankful I made it through Christmas without veering off course. So here's the recap so far... boring but mainly for me to keep track...
Week 1 (12/15)
Sunday - rest
Monday - 5 miles
Tuesday - yoga 1 hour, 3 miles
Wednesday - 3 miles
Thursday - 5 miles, average 8:44 pace YEAH!!
Friday - 10 miles
Saturday - rest
Week 1 total: 26 miles
Week 2 (12/22)
Sunday - 3 miles
Monday - 5 miles
Tuesday - 3 miles
Wednesday - rest (Christmas Day)
Thursday - 5 miles (after a 12 hour shift)
Friday - 11 miles
Saturday - exercise bike for 30 minutes
Week 2 total: 27 miles
Today's another rest day. I'm prepping/cleaning my house for our New Year's Eve party before heading to work this afternoon. One of my goals this coming year is to declutter my house so I'm off to clean!
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! May your day be filled with love, laughter, and peace.
My family has enjoyed a lot of love and laughter already. Now it's peaceful because the kids have all gone back to bed. My coffeecake and bacon are done though so I expect them to come crawling out of their rooms any time now!
Last night was our Christmas Eve celebration with my inlaws. I love unique gifts so I have to share what my sister-in-law's family got me...
It's an antique pie pan with my maiden name "Park" on it! I still practice as Dr. Park so that's the last name all my co-workers know me by. Love it! I'll have to figure out how to put it up on the wall in my kitchen.
Enjoy your day!
My family has enjoyed a lot of love and laughter already. Now it's peaceful because the kids have all gone back to bed. My coffeecake and bacon are done though so I expect them to come crawling out of their rooms any time now!
Last night was our Christmas Eve celebration with my inlaws. I love unique gifts so I have to share what my sister-in-law's family got me...
It's an antique pie pan with my maiden name "Park" on it! I still practice as Dr. Park so that's the last name all my co-workers know me by. Love it! I'll have to figure out how to put it up on the wall in my kitchen.
Enjoy your day!
Sunday, December 22, 2013
New Shoes
Meet my new running shoes!
They are the Brooks Ghost 5 - exactly like my old running shoes, just in a more palatable color. I had been looking for these shoes for the last several weeks. Every year the big shoe companies will come out with the new updated versions of their shoes. The Ghost 6 is now on the shelf, meaning the 5's are on closeout everywhere. I don't need the latest shoe model every year. I like to stick with what works!
My biggest problem was finding the shoes in my size - an 8. I searched Zappos, eBay, Sierra Trading, REI, etc. and just could NOT find my size. Then fate struck. I was skimming my bazillion emails and found a sale flyer from DSW. I am on their list because I buy shoes for my daughter there. I never even thought to look for running shoes there but for some reason I decided to search these shoes and, voila, there they were - in stock in the Bloomington store! I stopped by after work yesterday and picked them up. Used a $10 reward certificate to drop the price to $79.99 (they were even less expensive at REI but REI didn't have my size) then used my VISA giftcard for the balance. Merry Christmas to me! (The Ghost 6 retails for $110)
So I am really bad about replacing my shoes. I know I should do it more often. Runner's World says to replace them every 300 - 500 miles. Competitor.com recommends every 400-600 miles. Since this is the first year I've actually tracked my miles and knew what day I bought my shoes I decided to do the math...
My current shoes have 830 miles on them. Ooops.
Pink is old, blue is new
So I knew the treads were a little worn when I could barely stay upright during my last 5K but I had no idea!
While I was at it, I also totaled up my miles for the year so far. 987 miles. Amazing how far you can go one step at a time!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Keepin' the Pace
Day 4 of training. My pace run.
I think one of my problems with my last training cycle was that I just didn't do my pace runs properly. I either blew them off, getting the mileage in but not really working the pace, or I wimped out and ran pace for only part of my run. Sure, I did the 5Ks as my speed work, however I think there is probably a big difference in running 3 miles fast and 15 miles tempo when you're training for 26.2.
So today was my dreaded day. I was going to push myself. I had a 5 mile pace run on the schedule. Originally, I was going to run indoors. I thought about doing the 1:15 per lap thing around the track again but didn't think I could maintain an 8:45 pace for 5 miles. I thought about trying it on the dreadmill. You are only allowed 30 minutes at a time on the dreadmill - however the fitness center is pretty empty around noon so I thought about going then and just fudging my start time on the sign up sheet and starting 15 minutes earlier than the written start time.
As fate would have it, it warmed up to above 40 today. I finally talked myself into running it outside - that way I could use my Garmin and try to run a 9 minute pace. There are hills outdoors. I told myself Louisville had hills so I needed to put on my big girl panties and run fast on the hills. I could lollygag all I wanted to tomorrow on my long run but I needed to push myself today.
So... running tights on, thermal shirt on, Garmin on, it was cloudy outside... cursed Garmin wouldn't pick up a satellite for about 5 minutes. I stood at the end of my driveway starting to freeze waiting for it to lock onto a satellite. Good thing I have a long driveway, otherwise I would have gone back inside to get my keys and drive to the fitness center!
FINALLY got a satellite and took off running. Goal was 9 minute pace.
Mile 1 - 8:30
...my brain is screaming at me to slow the freak down!
Mile 2 - 8:36
...now I can't decide if I should just go with it
Mile 3 - 8:44
Mile 4 - 8:56
...I almost got run over by a car backing out of a driveway and ended up in the field across the street, plus this is where I go uphill
Mile 5 - 8:53
...I just tried to hold it together and keep it under 9
So would you rather have a white Christmas or 40 degree weather?
I think one of my problems with my last training cycle was that I just didn't do my pace runs properly. I either blew them off, getting the mileage in but not really working the pace, or I wimped out and ran pace for only part of my run. Sure, I did the 5Ks as my speed work, however I think there is probably a big difference in running 3 miles fast and 15 miles tempo when you're training for 26.2.
So today was my dreaded day. I was going to push myself. I had a 5 mile pace run on the schedule. Originally, I was going to run indoors. I thought about doing the 1:15 per lap thing around the track again but didn't think I could maintain an 8:45 pace for 5 miles. I thought about trying it on the dreadmill. You are only allowed 30 minutes at a time on the dreadmill - however the fitness center is pretty empty around noon so I thought about going then and just fudging my start time on the sign up sheet and starting 15 minutes earlier than the written start time.
As fate would have it, it warmed up to above 40 today. I finally talked myself into running it outside - that way I could use my Garmin and try to run a 9 minute pace. There are hills outdoors. I told myself Louisville had hills so I needed to put on my big girl panties and run fast on the hills. I could lollygag all I wanted to tomorrow on my long run but I needed to push myself today.
So... running tights on, thermal shirt on, Garmin on, it was cloudy outside... cursed Garmin wouldn't pick up a satellite for about 5 minutes. I stood at the end of my driveway starting to freeze waiting for it to lock onto a satellite. Good thing I have a long driveway, otherwise I would have gone back inside to get my keys and drive to the fitness center!
FINALLY got a satellite and took off running. Goal was 9 minute pace.
Mile 1 - 8:30
...my brain is screaming at me to slow the freak down!
Mile 2 - 8:36
...now I can't decide if I should just go with it
Mile 3 - 8:44
Mile 4 - 8:56
...I almost got run over by a car backing out of a driveway and ended up in the field across the street, plus this is where I go uphill
Mile 5 - 8:53
...I just tried to hold it together and keep it under 9
YES!!!
Definitely not an even pace but I did prove to myself that I didn't lose a whole lotta speed during my 6 weeks off. It's actually kind of a scary starting point.So would you rather have a white Christmas or 40 degree weather?
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Not Quite a Fuddy Duddy
First off, I find it disconcerting that I am starting to get Christmas cards from some of my friends, some of who are several years younger than me, with photos of their grandchildren!!
Can I really be that old?
However... my older daughter has also started to swipe my clothes. I have not seen my new Nike running tights that I bought for myself here since the day after I bought them. J asked to borrow them. Since then I have spotted them on her body at least 3 times and they have yet to be returned to my closet. When I pointed out they were tights not pants she claims they are thicker and more "pant like" than her leggings and continues to wear them to school. I will have to swipe them back.
This morning, I spotted her running out the door with my Chicago Marathon jacket on. Again, swiped from my closet - not from the general coat tree downstairs next to the door but from my bedroom closet. She also insists on borrowing my down jacket. She has her own down jacket but somehow she always wants mine. I can't possibly be a fuddy duddy if my 14 year old daughter takes my clothes now, can I? Do you have kids that "borrow" your clothes?
My 900-year old daughter, on the other hand, went clothes shopping with her grandmother over the weekend and came back with this...
It's a gray gossamer burn-out sweater that hangs to mid-thigh level. She wears it with a black camisole underneath. She had cut the tags off but missed the trash can so I went to throw them away this morning and noticed it was a size PXS Simply Vera Wang sweater. Ummm... I don't think my 11 year old wears petite extra small children's clothing and I don't think there is a children's Simply Vera Wang clothing line either. She must have got this from the Misses Dept at Kohls! I don't even shop the Misses Dept at Kohls. It may be that I'm just in denial or it may be that I just don't own any "real" clothes. If it's not jeans, T-shirts, athletic apparel, or scrubs, I don't own it. Maybe I should get some pointers from my 11 year old. She looks fabulous in it.
Where do you get your clothes?
I got my 3 miles in this morning. I will admit I'm not 18 or 20, or 30 for that matter anymore. I've slept 4-5 hours a night for the last 5 nights and I'm ready to crash. I believe I'm going to take a nap...
Can I really be that old?
However... my older daughter has also started to swipe my clothes. I have not seen my new Nike running tights that I bought for myself here since the day after I bought them. J asked to borrow them. Since then I have spotted them on her body at least 3 times and they have yet to be returned to my closet. When I pointed out they were tights not pants she claims they are thicker and more "pant like" than her leggings and continues to wear them to school. I will have to swipe them back.
This morning, I spotted her running out the door with my Chicago Marathon jacket on. Again, swiped from my closet - not from the general coat tree downstairs next to the door but from my bedroom closet. She also insists on borrowing my down jacket. She has her own down jacket but somehow she always wants mine. I can't possibly be a fuddy duddy if my 14 year old daughter takes my clothes now, can I? Do you have kids that "borrow" your clothes?
My 900-year old daughter, on the other hand, went clothes shopping with her grandmother over the weekend and came back with this...
It's a gray gossamer burn-out sweater that hangs to mid-thigh level. She wears it with a black camisole underneath. She had cut the tags off but missed the trash can so I went to throw them away this morning and noticed it was a size PXS Simply Vera Wang sweater. Ummm... I don't think my 11 year old wears petite extra small children's clothing and I don't think there is a children's Simply Vera Wang clothing line either. She must have got this from the Misses Dept at Kohls! I don't even shop the Misses Dept at Kohls. It may be that I'm just in denial or it may be that I just don't own any "real" clothes. If it's not jeans, T-shirts, athletic apparel, or scrubs, I don't own it. Maybe I should get some pointers from my 11 year old. She looks fabulous in it.
Where do you get your clothes?
I got my 3 miles in this morning. I will admit I'm not 18 or 20, or 30 for that matter anymore. I've slept 4-5 hours a night for the last 5 nights and I'm ready to crash. I believe I'm going to take a nap...
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Todd's Desserts
Several years ago a man called me out of the blue in early December to tell me he was a fan of my baking (from the fair) and wanted to know if he could buy some baked goods from me for his office Christmas party. The first thing that crossed my mind was "stalker!", then I laughed and said "sure."
Every year since then he calls me up and I make dessert. This year I made German chocolate cake, lemon pound cake, and blueberry pie. I never know how much to charge him... however, since he wants a blueberry pie in December and blueberries are $3.99 a pint in December, I came up with $15 an item - $45 total. My husband thinks I'm way underpriced. Thoughts?
So yesterday was Day 1 of my new training cycle. Of course I also had to get up at 4:30 am to go to work. Then I didn't get out til 4 pm. It was the day from hell and I didn't even get to eat lunch. I was ready to chew my arm off by the time I got home at 5. Then I had to make dinner. By the time we finally ate at 6, I felt sick since I hadn't eaten since 5 am. It took another 2 hours for my stomach to settle down. I finally got to the fitness center at 8 pm and got my 5 miles in. Went home, showered, cleaned the kitchen, then made my cakes for the German chocolate cake. I went to bed at 1 am.
Today I got up at 6 and made my blueberry pie. Got the kids off to school and made the lemon pound cake. Then went to hot yoga at 10:30. I ended up being the only one there so I essentially got a private lesson and Heather (the instructor/owner) answered all my bazillion questions on where to put my arm-leg-weight-etc. SO glad I went cause I really wanted to just go back to sleep for a couple hours!
I made the cake filling and frosting once I got home. Then the kids came home and tried to eat all my filling... Finally got the cake all put together, then went back out to the fitness center to get my 3 miles in.
Todd came and picked up his desserts tonight. Day 2 of training is done and I'm still on track!
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Joy of Giving 5K ... aka Slush Fest 2013
So I've come to a couple conclusions...
1. Sometimes it's fun to just run a race for fun and just forget about your time
2. If you can get your butt out of bed in the morning the hard part is over
3. I need new running shoes
Saturday was the last race in the Indiana Crossroads Racing Series. I didn't have to run. I already had my 10 races in and I knew I was going to finish third in the 40-44 age group overall whether I ran the race of my life or didn't run at all.
Still, the race was before the awards banquet and I wanted to see what kind of shape I was in. Well, Saturday morning dawned 30 degrees and snowing - wet slushy snow. I was really tempted to sleep in a couple more hours and just show up at the banquet but I had already driven to Columbus the night before (after getting off work at 11 pm) so I showed up at 7:30 am to register for the race.
Half a mile into the race, my feet were already soaking wet and I couldn't feel my toes anymore. We were running on a paved trail and I was sliding around with every step I took. There was slush flying everywhere. I decided then and there that I just wanted to finish the race upright and uninjured. I got passed by a bunch of people I usually beat but I didn't care. I just wanted to stay upright and get to the finish so I could rip off my shoes and socks and warm up my feet!
So here are my splits - slowest of the year...
Mile 1 - 8:34
Mile 2 - 8:56
Mile 3 - 8:47
last 0.1 - 0:46
Official time - 27:03
pace - 8:42
Here are the bottom of my shoes...
I realized I had no tread left on parts of my shoe! I guess it's time to get new shoes. I'm really bad about buying new shoes.
I also neglected to pack any dry clothes to change into after the race. I ended up putting the clogs and socks I had worn to work the day before on and taking off my top thermal shirt and throwing on a sweatshirt but I had no warm up pants so I ended up sitting around in my soaking running tights, basically freezing my ass off.
So now to the banquet. First they announced the awards for today's race. Since I moved up an age group this month to the 45-49 category, I won the age group no problem (I would have been third in the 40-44 age group today behind the usual #1 and #2 runners - everybody was here today.) I won a $10 Blue Mile gift certificate and medal for that.
Next was the age group awards for the year. These awards are based on your age group on June 30th. The woman that would have won my age group actually ended up placing third overall for all the women so everyone in my age group actually moved up a place and I ended up second. I got another $10 Blue Mile gift certificate and trophy for that.
After the awards, they had door prize drawings for all the runners that had finished the series. Several local businesses provided the prizes which ranged from carpet cleaning to hotel nights to massages with the "big" prizes being two $300 VISA gift cards and a $400 VISA gift card. Crossroads also gave everyone a $15 Road ID gift card.
Guess what!!
1. Sometimes it's fun to just run a race for fun and just forget about your time
2. If you can get your butt out of bed in the morning the hard part is over
3. I need new running shoes
Saturday was the last race in the Indiana Crossroads Racing Series. I didn't have to run. I already had my 10 races in and I knew I was going to finish third in the 40-44 age group overall whether I ran the race of my life or didn't run at all.
Still, the race was before the awards banquet and I wanted to see what kind of shape I was in. Well, Saturday morning dawned 30 degrees and snowing - wet slushy snow. I was really tempted to sleep in a couple more hours and just show up at the banquet but I had already driven to Columbus the night before (after getting off work at 11 pm) so I showed up at 7:30 am to register for the race.
Half a mile into the race, my feet were already soaking wet and I couldn't feel my toes anymore. We were running on a paved trail and I was sliding around with every step I took. There was slush flying everywhere. I decided then and there that I just wanted to finish the race upright and uninjured. I got passed by a bunch of people I usually beat but I didn't care. I just wanted to stay upright and get to the finish so I could rip off my shoes and socks and warm up my feet!
So here are my splits - slowest of the year...
Mile 1 - 8:34
Mile 2 - 8:56
Mile 3 - 8:47
last 0.1 - 0:46
Official time - 27:03
pace - 8:42
Here are the bottom of my shoes...
I realized I had no tread left on parts of my shoe! I guess it's time to get new shoes. I'm really bad about buying new shoes.
I also neglected to pack any dry clothes to change into after the race. I ended up putting the clogs and socks I had worn to work the day before on and taking off my top thermal shirt and throwing on a sweatshirt but I had no warm up pants so I ended up sitting around in my soaking running tights, basically freezing my ass off.
So now to the banquet. First they announced the awards for today's race. Since I moved up an age group this month to the 45-49 category, I won the age group no problem (I would have been third in the 40-44 age group today behind the usual #1 and #2 runners - everybody was here today.) I won a $10 Blue Mile gift certificate and medal for that.
Next was the age group awards for the year. These awards are based on your age group on June 30th. The woman that would have won my age group actually ended up placing third overall for all the women so everyone in my age group actually moved up a place and I ended up second. I got another $10 Blue Mile gift certificate and trophy for that.
After the awards, they had door prize drawings for all the runners that had finished the series. Several local businesses provided the prizes which ranged from carpet cleaning to hotel nights to massages with the "big" prizes being two $300 VISA gift cards and a $400 VISA gift card. Crossroads also gave everyone a $15 Road ID gift card.
Guess what!!
I GOT DRAWN FOR THE $400 VISA GIFT CARD!!!
So here's all my loot for the day...
Definitely worth getting out of bed for! I'm getting new running shoes.
Week 1 of my new training cycle starts now!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Information Overload
I had 738 emails in my inbox this morning...
Not all new emails. There are about a 100 or so that just live there at all times waiting for me to "file." Nonetheless, I had a boatload of emails to screen through. I send all my emails to one address hence I don't have a "junk" email address. I think I am getting at least 2 emails a day from every retailer I ever bought something from (tis the season ya know!) The OCD part of me wants to open every one before trashing it - not that I really do! Anyway, you get the picture.
Plan was to run 5 miles in the morning and do hot yoga in the evening. Problem was, I had a bunch of other stuff to do - like play with my email and buy Christmas gifts - plus I had another crappy night of not being able to sleep on account of my leg trying to kill me - so running kept getting pushed further and further down the list.
I should have just hit the fitness center as soon as my younger kid got on the bus. Instead, I fell asleep on the couch til, oh, 10 am. Doh!
Long story short, my heart just wasn't into it this afternoon. I even made it all the way to the fitness center after running all my errands when I realized I wouldn't have time to run 5 miles at a relaxed pace and get a good stretch in if I wanted to make dinner in time for my oldest kid to eat before taking her to dance. Originally, I had planned to go to yoga while she danced. Her dance class time got all switched around tonight too so I was going to have to drop her off earlier than usual. Anyway, I decided I'd get my run in tonight instead of yoga.
To be honest, yoga is stressing me out too. I know. Yoga. It's suppose to be calm and meditative. Well, I was absent the day they taught "right" and "left." I am constantly looking around trying to figure out which arm and which leg go where. Plus then you have to coordinate your inhales and exhales with your body movements so I'm trying to remember what kind of breath I'm suppose to be taking with what arm or leg thing I'm doing. My other problem is that holding the poses is making my legs spasm like crazy and I've had to stop several times to just rub my leg out. I'm always sore the day after I do it so I think I'm getting a work out in but it's not all that relaxing!
Anyway, I got my husband to pick up my daughter from dance and FINALLY made it to the fitness center AGAIN. Well, by then it was 6:30 pm. It's pitch black outside and it feels like 10 pm. I'm hungry and thinking I'd rather go back home, eat the chili that's sitting in my crockpot, and cozy up in a blanket. Ugh. Gotta run. "I WANT to do this, remember?" I tell myself.
I hit the track. I float along and start to relax. "This isn't too bad." My mind wanders to Saturday. Last race of the year. I have no idea what kind of time I'll run. Plus, I haven't run outdoors since my marathon. My car said it was 5 degrees this morning...
I have never listened to music or worn anything in my ears when I run. I think it goes back to the fact that I grew up running in the street and was always told to not put anything in your ears so you can listen for traffic and be aware of your surroundings. I have always just listened to my breaths and let my mind wander when not fixated on my time. When I run indoors, it's 7 laps to a mile. I keep track mile by mile... so I count "one" in my head through the first lap, then two, three, four, five, six and seven, then it's back to one. It's actually very meditative to do this - just repeating the number in your head. Plus I people watch all the other people - on the track, in the weight room, on the gym floor below me - and the miles just roll by.
By the time I got my 5 miles in, my outlook on things was much better. I felt like I accomplished something. I got my brain emptied out and relaxed. All the noise of the day was gone. I got a good stretch in. I got to see some dude do a handstand against the wall and proceed to do "pushups" upside down, then do sprint laps wearing a weight vest. "What's he training for?"
All in all, I always feel better after I get my run in. It's just a matter of getting it in! I know in my heart that I really should just knock it out first thing in the morning. I always have a better more productive day when I do. Oh why oh why can't I love mornings?!!
Not all new emails. There are about a 100 or so that just live there at all times waiting for me to "file." Nonetheless, I had a boatload of emails to screen through. I send all my emails to one address hence I don't have a "junk" email address. I think I am getting at least 2 emails a day from every retailer I ever bought something from (tis the season ya know!) The OCD part of me wants to open every one before trashing it - not that I really do! Anyway, you get the picture.
Plan was to run 5 miles in the morning and do hot yoga in the evening. Problem was, I had a bunch of other stuff to do - like play with my email and buy Christmas gifts - plus I had another crappy night of not being able to sleep on account of my leg trying to kill me - so running kept getting pushed further and further down the list.
I should have just hit the fitness center as soon as my younger kid got on the bus. Instead, I fell asleep on the couch til, oh, 10 am. Doh!
Long story short, my heart just wasn't into it this afternoon. I even made it all the way to the fitness center after running all my errands when I realized I wouldn't have time to run 5 miles at a relaxed pace and get a good stretch in if I wanted to make dinner in time for my oldest kid to eat before taking her to dance. Originally, I had planned to go to yoga while she danced. Her dance class time got all switched around tonight too so I was going to have to drop her off earlier than usual. Anyway, I decided I'd get my run in tonight instead of yoga.
To be honest, yoga is stressing me out too. I know. Yoga. It's suppose to be calm and meditative. Well, I was absent the day they taught "right" and "left." I am constantly looking around trying to figure out which arm and which leg go where. Plus then you have to coordinate your inhales and exhales with your body movements so I'm trying to remember what kind of breath I'm suppose to be taking with what arm or leg thing I'm doing. My other problem is that holding the poses is making my legs spasm like crazy and I've had to stop several times to just rub my leg out. I'm always sore the day after I do it so I think I'm getting a work out in but it's not all that relaxing!
Anyway, I got my husband to pick up my daughter from dance and FINALLY made it to the fitness center AGAIN. Well, by then it was 6:30 pm. It's pitch black outside and it feels like 10 pm. I'm hungry and thinking I'd rather go back home, eat the chili that's sitting in my crockpot, and cozy up in a blanket. Ugh. Gotta run. "I WANT to do this, remember?" I tell myself.
I hit the track. I float along and start to relax. "This isn't too bad." My mind wanders to Saturday. Last race of the year. I have no idea what kind of time I'll run. Plus, I haven't run outdoors since my marathon. My car said it was 5 degrees this morning...
I have never listened to music or worn anything in my ears when I run. I think it goes back to the fact that I grew up running in the street and was always told to not put anything in your ears so you can listen for traffic and be aware of your surroundings. I have always just listened to my breaths and let my mind wander when not fixated on my time. When I run indoors, it's 7 laps to a mile. I keep track mile by mile... so I count "one" in my head through the first lap, then two, three, four, five, six and seven, then it's back to one. It's actually very meditative to do this - just repeating the number in your head. Plus I people watch all the other people - on the track, in the weight room, on the gym floor below me - and the miles just roll by.
By the time I got my 5 miles in, my outlook on things was much better. I felt like I accomplished something. I got my brain emptied out and relaxed. All the noise of the day was gone. I got a good stretch in. I got to see some dude do a handstand against the wall and proceed to do "pushups" upside down, then do sprint laps wearing a weight vest. "What's he training for?"
All in all, I always feel better after I get my run in. It's just a matter of getting it in! I know in my heart that I really should just knock it out first thing in the morning. I always have a better more productive day when I do. Oh why oh why can't I love mornings?!!
Monday, December 9, 2013
Trying to Find the Spirit
It's been a trying month so far...
First off, I can't believe it's the 9th already. I was SO ready to be all ready for Christmas at the end of last month. We got our tree up and the house all decorated on November 30th. I got organized enough to get all my out of town cards sent out. Then came my December fizzle.
I don't know if it's cause my leg still hurts like hell or if I'm just unmotivated. All I want to do is curl up in a ball and hibernate. I ran 3 days last week - 3, 3, and 5 miles - all indoors. My leg doesn't feel bad when I run but then it aches all night and I can't sleep. Probably why I'm so stinkin' tired all day!
So now I'm starting to have some worry gnawing inside. I'm running a 5K on Saturday. My new training cycle starts on 12/15. I penciled in my run schedule for the rest of the year on my calendar today. It all starts out innocuous enough. Week 1 alternates 3's and 5's with a long run of 10. But will my leg hold up?
I was planning to run 5 today, then 3, then reasoned I was going to hot yoga tonight and decided to rest my legs another day and didn't run at all. I made caramel corn instead.
Every year I give my co-workers caramel corn for Christmas. When I started doing this over 10 years ago, I only had 14 other co-workers. This year, we have 28 other people in our group plus 20 family members who also expect caramel corn every year. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy making it every year. It just gets a bit overwhelming at times! I got half my "work" caramel corn done today. Hope to get the rest done this week.
First off, I can't believe it's the 9th already. I was SO ready to be all ready for Christmas at the end of last month. We got our tree up and the house all decorated on November 30th. I got organized enough to get all my out of town cards sent out. Then came my December fizzle.
I don't know if it's cause my leg still hurts like hell or if I'm just unmotivated. All I want to do is curl up in a ball and hibernate. I ran 3 days last week - 3, 3, and 5 miles - all indoors. My leg doesn't feel bad when I run but then it aches all night and I can't sleep. Probably why I'm so stinkin' tired all day!
So now I'm starting to have some worry gnawing inside. I'm running a 5K on Saturday. My new training cycle starts on 12/15. I penciled in my run schedule for the rest of the year on my calendar today. It all starts out innocuous enough. Week 1 alternates 3's and 5's with a long run of 10. But will my leg hold up?
I was planning to run 5 today, then 3, then reasoned I was going to hot yoga tonight and decided to rest my legs another day and didn't run at all. I made caramel corn instead.
Every year I give my co-workers caramel corn for Christmas. When I started doing this over 10 years ago, I only had 14 other co-workers. This year, we have 28 other people in our group plus 20 family members who also expect caramel corn every year. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy making it every year. It just gets a bit overwhelming at times! I got half my "work" caramel corn done today. Hope to get the rest done this week.
"recycled" coffee cans - all full of caramel corn
How's your holiday spirit?
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Starting Over
I went and ran 3 miles today. Indoors around the fitness center track. I still feel that little tug in my hamstring every time I extend my leg but it's not excruciating pain. My heels still hurt when I walk around but it's not that nail-piercing pain anymore either. So anyway, I decided it was time to start running again. It's been 13 days since I last tried running. Hopefully I'll feel OK tomorrow!
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