Speed n' stuff

Major change of plans for my sanity...running 18 in E. Nashville with some other runners in the am. Should be fun!

Last night, I jumped on a treadmill for 3 miles last night, speed-walk a min, more speed-walk a min, repeat... I was drenched as usual. Did some yoga ball crunches & stretched a little. I probably socialized a bit too much so I left without doing anything else.

I'm going to get out by 6:30am at the very latest tomorrow. Noticed that it doesn't get quite light enough for my taste until about 6:45 so I'll probably jog around the parking lot of the gym as a warm up...then take off when it's light enough. Hoping to complete around 18 miles tomorrow on purpose. :) Looks like it's going to be pretty much the same temps as last Sat morning but the wind is not supposed to pick up at all while I'm out. I'm borderline on the tights versus a running skirt. (thin, long sleeve tech shirt, running skirt, gloves might be enough)

I have to admit, I'm a little upset that due to the writer's strike there may not be another episode of "Grey's Anatomy" (or anything else) until Fall. :( Maybe I'll find something more productive to do during the very few hours a week that I do watch TV.

Got this from the Predators last night via email:

Predators Fangtastic 5K
February 2, 2008 10:00am
Join David Griffin from season 4 of The Biggest Loser and the Nashville Predators for this year's 5K run/walk. Registration fee is $25 before January 28th. This fee includes a t-shirt and ticket to a Predators game. Last year's race SOLD OUT so register today at http://www.active.com/

My "vent" for the day:
People in the gym who do NOT follow the rules
My gym has a kid room. It's very visible, has a TV, & parents can easily check on their kids in there. I'm laying across a yoga ball last night in the yoga room trying to stretch & do crunches. This woman allows her daughter to come in & play with the weights which are right at my feet. I wanted to scream! I was there first & I know this lady was probably told when she signed up (probably a week ago) that all children under the age of 13 have to stay in the kids room. 1st of all, it's dangerous to have small children (she couldn't have been more than 4-5 yrs old) around weights. 2nd, it's annoying to the other paying customers who are there all the time who follow the rules. Just gets my goat. I love children but parents who think they are above the rules annoy the crap out of me.

My "happy" thought for the day:
No expectations for Mercedes
This marathon will be by far the most challenging one I've ever done. My goal is just to finish it. I suspect that I'll walk/jog that mile long hill. I suspect that my legs will be toast by mile 18-20 but I have no expectations, except to just finish. Why does this make me "happy"? It means no pressure to finish in a certain time. I have been told by someone who ran it to just make up your uphills on your downhills. I will be looking forward to the downhills that's a given. :)
This quote came from the Strider's board from someone who ran it last year.
"The climb over red mountain at mile 21.5-23 and the insuing descent are a real test."
Apparently, it brought a 3:33 marathoner down to a 10 minute pace for 1.5 miles. He said he went up at a 10 min pace & down at an 8 min pace. Like I said in a previous post, it will be an adventure race for me. :P Below is a link showing the course. I can see me "jogging slowly" around miles 5-8.5, mile 17-18, & walking a lot from mile 21-23. I have to admit, I hope I have some gas in the tank for that decent. Whew!

http://www.mercedesmarathon.com/course/profile.gif

Rest today, 18 & stretching 2morrow, Sunday.....a tinsy bit of cross training, lots of football, & relaxing.