Sunday's shorty little run

I was actually supposed to do this run tomorrow but Monday's are typically my yoga/stretch and/or weight days.  The schedule had 2 miles on it, which to me is almost not worth getting dressed for but it's the "plan".  I'm sticking as close to this "plan" as I can.  Since I decided to wear the heart rate monitor, I knew it would be SUPER slow in zone 3. (I chose the mid-range zone for no particular reason.)  I added 1/2 a mile to it just to make it a little more worth my time.  2.5 miles at an 11:46 pace.
(antibiotics + mucinex d = heart rate off the charts!)
I actually noticed during ab ripper that my heart rate was crazy.  I always try to remember to do 10 boy push ups after ab ripper. When I was doing them, I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. Wow!  I cannot wait to get off these meds!

Tomorrow's plan is Jillian Michael's yoga workout #1 & my free weights.

How 'bout those Texans?!  I am a bit bummed the Lions didn't get past the Saints but that was totally expected.  The Saints have WAY more discipline & experience than the Lions.  Maybe next year...

Our Spring break plans for florida are still in the talking/planning stages... The more I think about it the more I'm hoping the kids decide they don't want to go.  Am I bad or what?  They've done Disney to death & the only thing they've not done is Universal.  Guess Joe will be deciding next weekend what we'll end up doing.  I will be knee deep in basketball games with my sister & her family.  Austin has his high school game friday night & Avery has two games Saturday.  Such is my sister's life.....they live & breathe Texas school sports.

1st training run for Carmel, Indiana & Country Music 1/2 marathons

I was a little apprehensive about running the first training run, which was only 3 miles. With the combo of mucinex D & antibiotics in my body, I just felt "weird".  Drug fog, maybe?

The tinsy bit of rain was very welcoming to me since it was 56 degrees at 5am when I woke up. So many folks overdressed but I had to remind myself that the store was full of 1st timers. It's January but at least it wasn't snowing or icy. I was thrilled to see that David H. was the sub-2 hour pace leader. (seems like we had the biggest group out of the 500+ runners that were inside/outside the store)  I told him I would probably do good to hold onto a 10 minute pace & he said we would probably do a 9:30 or so pace.  So, I was nervous. I was just going to go with it & see what happened. We started out slow & then I heard people screaming David's name around the 1/2 mile mark. Apparently, a gal towards the back of our group slammed into a pole & hit her head. An ambulance was called. I heard it looked pretty bad.  David had the rest of us go on & finish the run. Of course the pace picked up. ha!

Overall, I had 3.26 miles at a 9:19 pace.  We did have a few small hills & some of it was on concrete sidewalks so I'm ok with that pace all things considering.  I then did a few errands & called Joe who had run with the NRC.  I met them for breakfast at Mama's Javas in Nolensville.  (Much talk about the Carmel, IN race the entire club seems to be doing & Ragnar 2012 plans.) 

We just booked our hotel for Chicago the weekend of the marathon so now we just have to wait till noon Feb 1st to register.  I have to say I'm getting excited about the plans we have in place so far for 2012.
I will be missing the group run next Saturday due to my San Antonio trip, then I'll miss it again Tom King weekend, & the weekend of the Carmel, IN race.  I'll be ok, though.  I'll make sure I get everything in....it's just a half marathon....  ;-)

Cheers to the wildcard weekend match ups!  Hot wings, anyone?

....and the answer is.....

I hear a drum roll...........

Chicago  (our Fall marathon of 2012)  Registration opens Feb 1st.

Yeah, I know, if I'm injured, I can't downgrade to a 1/2 marathon.
With Detroit, I could register for the full but if I arrived there with some stupid injury, I could switch to the 1/2. 

We discussed it off & on during the holidays & even had Joey in the floor flipping a coin at one point.
Really it's more Joe than myself that chose & that's ok. I want to do both eventually.
Yes, there's the weather issue & from what I've heard the last 1/2 of it is in the sun.
I wish they'd move the start time to like 5:30 or even 6:00am.  ha!

At least when we do the strider's training runs this summer/early Fall, we'll be right on track for this one.
The plan is to run flat the weekends that we don't run with the striders & that will have to be in Shelby park.
The only flat park I know of in the area. ha!

If I can run through the heat of the summer in TN then hopefully, I can make it through the heat of Chicago on Oct 7th.

signs of "life"

I'm feeling soooo very mucho betta!

I bought the mucininex D that you have to sign for, show ID, etc....
I'm thinking that stuff has finally released the painful sinus pressure. Who knows!?
I'm sure the antibiotics are in my system too.  Got to get the water in or I'll end up dehydrated!

Today: I finally got a work out in!!  Whoopie!  3 miles at a 10 minute pace & P90X ab ripper

Tomorrow: I'm hoping to get some yoga in either before or after work.

Saturday:  Is the 1st "official" training run at Fleet Feet. 3 little miles....  ;-)

Monday's downhill spiral (I wish I were talking about a run...)

On Monday, I went into work early & got out fairly quickly but decided to drive my droopy self to a "Walk In Clinic" for antibiotics.  When I got home, I ate, took the first dose, & headed to bed.  From 4:30pm Monday until early this morning at 5:00am, I barely moved.  I finally got my pajama day but it was a "sick in pajamas" kinda day.  The symptoms that I've been having for weeks finally turned into a full blow sinus infection. (first one in nearly a year!) Those bring me to my knees, BIG TIME!  So, needless to say, I've not worked out at all since I did that little 2 miler on Sunday.  I will take a stab at ab ripper when I get home today but I'm taking it easy the rest of the week.  I was supposed to do a 3 miler yesterday but I'll do it Thursday & delete the other 2 miler off my schedule. It's not like I'm a novice at this & never run before, ya know.... (Since the medal organization project started, I've counted 16 half marathon finisher medals.)

What a way to start the very first week of 2012 & the very first week of the training I've paid for....ha!

Saturday's little 3 miler with the group should be very interesting. Of course I know I won't be able to keep up with the 2 hour pace group. I'm not even going to try. I'll drop back with the 2:15 group for sure.  I'm making myself go since, number 1, I paid for it, & number 2, I'll miss next weekends group run on the 14th.

San Antonio, I cannot wait to get there!  I finally get to watch my 16 yr old nephew play high school basketball & my 13 yr old nephew play middle school basketball.

Hello, January 2012

Friday evening, I ran 5 miles with Kim C. in Manchester. Amazing that I did it at all after a really stressful day, (worked longer than I should've, 15 mins late for my hair appt in the 'homa, & a blown tire early that morning,...don't ask!). I NEEDED the "run therapy" after my day, trust me. It was a 10:10 pace but we chatted the entire way. She let me "vent" bless her heart. Gena, who cut my hair had let me "vent" & cousin, Pam had let me "vent" earlier in the day. Anyway, I count my blessings that I have these wonderful folks in my life.  I truly am blessed beyond belief. Makes the far & few bad days seem "notsobad" at all.  ;-)

Saturday, we had plans to head to the 'boro for New Years Eve to "catch up" with the Heusers.  After finding out Hannah was still in Evansville taking care of her grandpa, I chose to drive there. I sent Joe & the kids to the 'boro to hang with Jeff, his mom, & his daughter. (Hannah's grandpa had fallen earlier in the week & had been in bad shape.)  A road trip to have some "me" time needed to happen so a "rest" day in the Honda for 3 hours was what I did Saturday morning. I spent New Years Eve having girl talk in her grandparents house in the middle of BFE.  No internet, no cable, etc...just plain ole girl talk. I NEEDED it & so did Hannah. 

Today, I drove back listening to talk radio & then the first quarter of the Titans game on the radio.
They literally squeaked a win out of their butts so now we're becoming Ravens fans in hopes they win so the Titans can squeak into the playoffs. LOL!

I started my first day of the new year with one of the greatest friends I've ever had, drove 3 hours home, watched some football with my husband & step kids, & completed my 1st "offical training run" of the new schedule. (2 miles at a 10;20 pace  LOL!)  It was actually supposed to happen tomorrow but I'm working & don't want to run in 34 degree weather in the dark. (I still have a bit of a head cold!)  Yep, I'm working tomorrow & floating my New Years holiday to the 13th for my San Antonio trip.  I still say I should get sister of the year for flying on Friday the 13th to see Deb!

As for "Resolutions"...I don't really have any. I don't care if I lose weight, get another PR, eat healthier, or find a way to smooth out any wrinkles.  It's not that I'm not goal driven, I am to a certain extent but you're not going to find me declaring over & over again what I'm going to do then coming up with massive excuses as to why I didn't do them this year. We've ALL been guilty of that. This year will be more about what I want to do differently for myself & others. I want to let things "roll off my back" more, not be the one who stresses the most when others clearly don't care as much, & just be myself.  If I have any clear goals at all, it will be to just "let things be".  I can't control everything all the time so in 2012, I'll just stop trying to do the impossible & leave some things in God's hands. ;-)  I plan to put in the hard work for what I want & what I want for others, don't get wrong. As I get older I care less about what others think, gossip about, etc...  What I want is for the people who mean the most to me, who truly care about me, & who are my true friends to just be happy.  Nuff said...

I hope everyone had a safe New Years Eve & that everyone did something wonderful today that made them happy.  2012.....bring it on!  I will leave you with a picture below from past years goals...some that came up short & some that exceeded my expectations. (A little project I'm working on to organize finisher medals & age group awards.)

"Lose Yourself"

Say what you want about Eminem but that man can do RUNNING music.
It's been an EXTREMELY long time since I've run with music. I lost my shuffle, found the shuffle, couldn't get it to sync, missplaced the dang thing again, etc...but I bought a new one recently as I've mentioned.  Between the two of us (Jessica & I actually), we have flooded my new shuffle with some of my OLD & NEW favorites.  During my little 3 mile run in zone 5 (yes, I wore the heart rate monitor again), I struggled just a tinsy bit the first half of it (warming up & adjusting the patella band).
Then on comes "Lose Yourself" & my feet promptly fell into place.  :-)

Today: P90X ab ripper before work & 3 mile run in zone 5 after work (10:05 pace, yeah, I know still SLOW. Blame the patella band scratching my leg).

I am feeling much, MUCH better. My 6 mile run with Kim tomorrow afternoon in Manchester is something I've been looking forward to all week.  ;-) 

What's your favorite running songs? 
Some of my favs.....anything Bon Jovi, Madonna, Usher, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Ga Ga, & Aerosmith. 

3 things

1) I ran with the heart rate monitor for the first time today....man, I could tell I'm not 100%.
I started in zone 1, which was basically a fast walk per my heart rate, moved it to 2, not too much better, then moved it to zone 3.  This was all during the 1st mile of a hilly 5 mile run. LOL!  I stayed in zone 3 & made myself take walk breaks. 5 miles at an 11:58 pace  (laugh with me!)
I had to remind myself that P90X Cardio had been way more difficult than it normally is for me the previous day.  Anyway, this will teach me to slow down & do recovery runs a whole lot more.  I kept telling myself all that had gone on the last few months & made myself accept it.  My body is just tired right now & it's "recovery" time.

2) The shuffle is working.  Don't know what we did differently, but it's working & I've got a ton of songs on it now.  No need to head to the Apple store!  Whoo Hoo!

3) As for the yurbuds that I bought at the Expo when I did the Nashville Women's 1/2 marathon, they sorta sucked.  My ears were measured by the sales person but apparently, I'm not putting the dang things in correctly or they're the wrong size.  In the past, I've worn the over the ear buds & had no problems. Guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I was off today but heading back for about 5-6 hours tomorrow & 4 on friday.
We are spending New Years Eve in Murfreesboro with the Heusers.  Can't wait!  ;-)

Wimp

Yep, I was a wimp today.  No run. It felt cold enough to snow here but I think it was the wind that was cutting through me that made me wimpy.
I chose to do P90X ab ripper & P90X Cardio. (full hour of Tony Horton)
I swear I wanted to take a break towards the end of that Cardio dvd but I pushed through it.
I do feel a bit better than yesterday, thank goodness. If I had not, there would have been NO work out whatsoever.....

Tomorrow is supposed to be just as cold if not colder....it is winter & my body has just got to get used to it.  Trouble is...it could hit 55 or 60 several days from now!  ugh!
Anyway, I've got to get in a run tomorrow for sure.

I'm off tomorrow & the kids & I plan to hit up "Dave & Busters" for half price lunch & games.

AND in honor of Drew Brees passing Dan Marino's single-season yardage record, I'm posting my "Cool Brees" shirt I bought in New Orleans earlier this month.

head cold? maybe? possibly?

I'm one that never gets sick unless it's a migraine or sinus infection.
Since I started doubling my antihistamines back in the Spring, I've avoided sinus infections.
But the last few days, really about 5 days...I've been dragging ass.

1) I thought it was stress from work because since the first of Dec, it's been nuts.
2) I thought it was all the stuff I had planned starting early Nov with the marathon, then Thanksgiving in MI, then New Orleans, then East TN, etc...
3) Maybe it was over training?
4) Maybe it was under training then pushing my limits?
5) Maybe it's my diet?
6) Maybe it's just me running down & getting some sort of cold?

I first noticed this feeling when the gas heat was kicking on more & more. I detest gas heat. It dries me out, makes my sinuses dry & bleedy.  So, we set up a big momma humidifier in the room.  I think it's helping. 

Anyway, I woke up sometime around 3 or 4am wide awake with too much on my mind this morning.
I decided to run by the office for a bit to kick start what I have to do tomorrow since I had to go to that area anyway to return something, use a Macy's gift card, & try to get into Apple to see why my shuffle won't sync.  (Apparently, there was like a 5 hour wait to see the tech. So, I'll be scheduling an appt online in the near future.)

I did all of the above except wait around the Apple store, plus I went to Target to get the kids new bedding & Walmart. Amazing how I can stand Walmart in the middle of the day but going there after work or on the weekends makes me ill.  Productive day, if I say so myself but NO workout of any kind will be happening. I'm wiped out & we have the Red Wings - Predators game tonight!  So, a nap I will be a takin'.....

Tomorrow is another day....

Oh & before I forget, I got the 1/2 marathon training schedule that I paid for today. 
Wow, there are days with just 2 miles on them. ;-)  (almost not worth getting dressed! LOL!)
Looks like a fairly intense schedule in March/early April.
I'm going to do my best to stick to it to the letter, though. NO whining from me.
The only changes I know I'll make will be the Tom King 5k (I will be adding 7 miles after the 5k since there's 10 that day on the schedule!) & the Carmel, Indiana 1/2.
Now that I see the actual run schedule, it probably wouldn't be too wise to throw in any other races anyway.

sluggish miles for Christmas

Saturday: 4 hilly miles at a 9:42 pace before leaving for the Titans - Jags game.
Sunday: 6 miles of jog/walk with hills at a 11:10 pace

I had thought I would stay in pajamas all day today but it was in the mid-50's & sunny.
I had to get out. It was just too pretty to stay inside on Christmas day so I took the run/walk super easy.
My body needs the rest anyway.

I did accomplish something else. The dang heart rate monitor now works & I hope to use it for a short run sometime in the next few days.  I couldn't get the iPod to sync and I couldn't get the lap top to recognize it.
(Always something!)  I will most likely make a visit to the Apple store tomorrow in Greenhills since I need to run a few errands over there. 

As for any P90X or Jillian's Shred this week, I'm not sure if I want to make my body sore this week with that. I'll have to sleep on it.  GREAT workouts but it is taking me days to recover & the running has come to a screeching halt with those work outs in my schedule.  I want to work other muscles, confuse my body, firm up some areas, but dang what a price I'm paying! 

Fall Marathon decision has been made.  I hate to even post it yet for fear we'll change our minds again.  I tried to talk Joe into the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, PA.  ha!  Detroit would be awesome to do but my gut isn't feeling it right now.  We have until Jan 7th until Detroit's registration jumps, though.  We'll see how we feel next weekend.

Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas!

A girl can change her mind, right?

Yesterday, I did P90X Stretch & worked out with my 5 lb weights when I got home from work.
We went to the NRC Christmas party last night. Good Times & lots of fun!  Due to peer pressure at the party & my strong desire to run in places I've never been....we've decided to register for the Carmel, Indiana 1/2 marathon. It's the Saturday BEFORE the CMM 1/2.  Yes, I'm going against what I put in my "goals" post but it's not like this half is in Feb or Mar or even early Apr. It's super flat & it should be at least a little cooler than TN one week later.  I still want to shoot for a sub 2 hour finish time on the CMM 1/2 course.  I started thinking of the courses that I've gone sub 2 on and I know I did it in Huntsville, Tom King at least twice, & in McMinnville. (I need to find the post where I listed all my half marathons.)
This morning I did ab ripper & I had intentions of running 3 miles after work but that just didn't happen. I'm not going to feel guilty about it either. Tomorrow is another day....I'll squeeze in a run before we head downtown to see which Titans team decides to show up to play the Jags. ;-P

Happy Friday!

2012 Goals

I took a vacation day today.  I declared it a "Ferris Bueller" day but it really just turned into a regular day, minus me driving into Greenhills to work. ;-P  A "Ferris Bueller" day would have entailed no planning & possibly a road trip. (always too hard to find a parade float to sing on, anyway) 
I was wide awake at 5:20am so I ate breakfast & crawled back in bed for a little while. I did ab ripper P90X about 7:15am & then headed out for a painful 7 mile run about 8:15am. You see, someone hit me with a stupid stick this week. I've done Jillian Michael's shred dvd twice this week & it's basically "crippled" me.  My original plan for the last two weeks of Dec was to do some speed work but apparently, I'm choosing to abuse my body so that I have to run slow. Anyway, I had a 10:24 pace for 7 miles with lots of walk breaks. It was 60 degrees so I wore no shirt & I broke a sweat. People were looking at me odd in the 'hood but hey, it is December. ha!
Yesterday, I did the dread shred & the 1 hr 20 minute "Yoga For Runners" dvd.  I knew that seemed to go on forever! ;-P

Goals for 2012

Training for the CMM 1/2
I actually paid for training for the first time ever so NO other half marathons will happen between now & the end of April.  I will focus on the "paid" training schedule. ;-P 
No Tom King 1/2 for me in March but I am signing up for the 5k since Joe will be there anyway doing the 1/2.
If another short race, maybe a 10k, pops up that I want to do, I will certaining consider it.

Detroit or Chicago Fall 2012
I'm not real sure when the registration opens for Chicago but Detroit's opens 1-1 & it's only $60 until 1-7.
Detroit is not that far from some of my family & Joe's family, plus it would fall right with the kids Fall break.
Chicago, even though it's notoriously hot, is certaining one to cross off our list. So, guess we'll be making the final decision soon!  Either way, there will be lots of long runs summer 2012. Can you sense my excitement about that?!!  ;-P
There is one 1/2 marathon that I've had in my head for years due to my buddy, T.Q. telling me how much he loved it.  "The Hatfield & McCoy Marathon & Half Marathon" is in June.  We would only do the 1/2 & just do it for fun.  I've heard that it's a hoot!!!  The course runs through W.VA & KY.  I figure if I can run the Moon Pie 10 miler in June then I should be able to handle that 1/2.  (Moon Pie won't be on my list for a very long time, if ever....)
I see us adding some local races here & there that we've never done but we'll see what's going on....
As for the Santa Hustle 1/2 in December 2012, that could very well be another must do, since the kids loved that place.

Quick end of the year wrap up, bye bye 2011!

I'll just do this by answering questions. ;-P

What race did I enjoy the most?
NYC marathon, of course.
Yes, the last 8 miles or so were painful but it was "different".
The spectators were awesome & Joe got a HUGE PR with his 3:38:06.
My pitiful 4:50:something is one I'd like to forget but NYC is done & in the books.
I had some decent training runs leading up.
Who runs a 9:55 pace on a hilly, hot, 21 mile training run, & still comes out with a 4:50 marathon?! 
Not to mention a 20 miler at a 10:07 pace two weeks later...
Just crazy disappointing!
I would LOVE to do that marathon again but with a new left IT Band. 
(Santa, are you listening?)

Best training run?
The hilly, hot, 21 miler, of course.  I truly enjoyed running almost ALL the training runs with the Nashville Striders.  AND yes, I will do them all next Summer/Fall for either Detroit or Chicago.

Best movie I saw?
I love movies even though I feel behind on them right now.
"The Help" & "Brides Maids" movies were my two favorites this year.
One made me cry & the other had me laughing until tears were streaming down my face!

Biggest surprise of 2011?
Tebow with the Broncos, nuff said....love him!

Biggest disappointment?
I didn't expect much of out of the Titans this year & of course they did ok but still disappointing.
And of course my finish time in the NYC marathon!

What did I learn?
No matter how the marathon training goes...it's always a crap shoot in the end.
Whether it be weather or an injury sneaking up on you...you just have to deal with it.

Biggest change for me?
Job change, of course, & moving out of Coffee County.
Yes, I miss the old job & yes, I miss Harvey's Gym, my running buddies, etc....
But you deal with it....I was due a HUGE change anyway. ;-P
I like my job but like I said, it's something I've NEVER done before but I'm grateful for it.
(18 vacation days, plus all major holidays that I can float....thank you, God!)

Most inspiring moment?
Shuffling past a runner during the NYC marathon that had one leg.
When I saw the runner, I told myself to stop the whining in my head & just finish.
It's all about "when you can", not about "if you can".

Best trip we took?
The last minute trip to Chicago during the July 4th holiday weekend was GREAT!
We did so much in such a short time.  I have probably only changed planes there but had never been there to run around the city & see it.  The bus tour, running on the beach near Navy Pier, & the game at Wrigley. Who wouldn't love that?! 
(Bet you thought I'd say the trip to NYC? NYC is a been there, done that trip for us but I NEVER tire of that place.)

Best book I read?
I'm going with two.
The Steve Jobs biography & Kristin Armstrong's "26.2 reasons why women run".

Best tv show I watched?
I'm totally in love with "2 Broke Girls". (created by the "Sex & the City" creator)
I love "Mike & Molly", "Modern Family", & "The Middle".
I gave up "Grey's Anatomy" this year.  (got tired of the same ole crap)
This is the last season for "Desperate Housewives" so I'm watching.
I'll miss my Sunday night addiction when it's gone.

Best food I ate?
Nowhere specific although I LOVE me some "Bonefish Grill" & "Las Palmas" mexican.
(I'm still addicted to mexican cheese dip & my 2-3 pomegranite martini's a year.)

Race PRs?
Big fat zero this year....2006 & 2007 remain my faster years.  ha!

I can't think of anything else........"2012 Goals" tomorrow....

breathe, rest, & focus...

Saturday:  lots of running around & errands...absolutely NO time for a workout.
We toured the neighborhood gym, which won't be finished until March.
We signed up!
We went to the post office, bank, & then took the kids to their piano recital.
Lunch & "New Years Eve" movie afterwards.
We did Christmas with the kids, had dinner at Blue Coast Burrito in our 'hood, & then we went to the Hollywood 27 for yet more movies.  (Jessica & I finally got to see "Breaking Dawn")
We fell into bed about 10:00pm & I dreamed about vampires. ;-P

Sunday:  6.5 miles of slow running for me. (10:51 pace)  My legs still had some soreness in them from Jillian Michael's shred dvd.  Let's face it, I was just tired but it was a gorgeous day to get outside.  I couldn't stand just sitting around or working out indoors. We even went back out for another 1.5-2 miles of walking/jogging with the kids to "The Cake Project".  We ordered our new years eve cake to take to the Heuser's. (Can't wait to catch up with Hannah & Jeff on new years eve!)

Monday:  ab ripper P90X in the AM & 4.51 miles in the PM (another slow 10:21 pace)
I think I've hit my holiday wall.  Ever since we got back from East TN, I've been tired. Work has been cranked up a notch, & all our running around has been nuts.  It's time to unplug, debug, & regroup my tired ass. 
When I got to work today, I realized I needed to burn 31 hours of vacation before the end of the year. So, I left an hour and a half early. I'm working half a day tomorrow, & taking Wednesday completely off.  I'm going to find some creative ways to whittle it down over the next two weeks. ha!

I may just have my long awaited, all day pajama day on Wednesday this week.  ;-)

Not sure what workouts I'll do the rest of the week but I will be doing something.
We have the NRC Christmas party Thursday night, the Titans-Jags game Saturday, & the Preds-Red Wings game Monday.  The week after Christmas will be very quiet at work, thankgoodness. 
We have the kids so I will be off with them some...I see a trip to "Dave & Buster's" in our future. ;-)

All is good & I'm still thinking about my 2012 goals.
There's only one thing that I've decided & that's to stick to the 1/2 marathon training program.
This is the first time I've ever paid for any kind of training so I want my $ worth.
The focus will be getting the most out of it & staying uninjured. 
Long story short, my original plans have changed.
The longest race on my calendar in the Spring will be the CMM 1/2. 

motivation

I did ab ripper this morning & 3 cold, damp, slow miles tonight...brrrrr....(10:12 pace)

Motivation #1 to get out the door....the warm pjs are that much sweeter to put on...
Motivation #2 nothing could be more brutal than running in sleet in the dark in the middle of the night...nothing will ever be worse than the Ragnar Relay 2010!  ha!

I did Jillian Michael's yoga last night then immediately did her shred dvd.
Something tells me the 2nd day soreness will creep in tomorrow morning.
Good thing I'll be too busy to work out. ;-P

Our 'hood is getting a new gym at the front of the neighborhood.  We are touring it tomorrow.
Can't wait!!!

4.6 miles of hills to see lights...ouch!

We joined the NRC at "Mama's Java's" coffee shop for a quick run....we all started like we had been shot out of cannons or so it seemed to me.  The goal was to run almost 1.5 miles to stop at a house that has lights that are synched with a radio stadio. (of course we all stopped our garmins for this...ha!) It was cool. We'll have to drive the kids over there this weekend.
The house was at the top of the first MAJOR hill.  When we stopped, I was glad to be stopping. I ripped off my shirt & tied it around my waist. It was in the mid-upper 60's here yesterday. (yep, sinuses are going nuts!)

We took off downhill and then up another.....ouch!...then had yet another couple of major hills to the finish at "Mama's Java's".  I actually had to take a short walk break on the last hill.  The IT Band was going, "WTH?!"

4.6 miles (9:27 pace, I'll take that since I did have a short walk break in there)

I stretched A LOT this morning in front of the TV. DVR'd Barbara Walter's special of the "Most Fascinating People of 2011".  Steve Jobs topped the list.  I still say there needs to be a movie made about that man's life. 

I am 80-something pages into "Explosive Eighteen"...the latest Plum book.  Whoo Hooo!

holiday surprises...

I've come into work this week so far to find yellow roses on my desk, a $50 gift card to Macy's, a power bar, box of super soft kleenex, sausages, & reeses cups (gave most of those away!)....
And it is ONLY Wednesday.  It's Secret Santa week plus our directors are so generous!
This job drains me at times but it's like NOTHING I've ever done. Never thought I'd be doing what I'm doing but it's been one of the nicer changes this year.  I've not been buried in spreadsheets since early May. ha!

My end of the year wrap up will be about all the changes in 2011 & goals for 2012.

Yesterday's workout was P90X Cardio, which is 45 minutes long....that's all the time I had!
Today was ab ripper in the AM & a run will happen sometime after work.

Happy Holiday Hump Day!

craziness...before the calm

Yesterday after work, I did ab ripper & XStretch P90X.  My body was a bit sore & needed to be stretched.  With another stressful, busy week at work, I'm cutting myself some slack.
I'm not running until maybe Wed & we may run with the NRC...not sure yet.
My weekend run will only be around 6 miles this week.  We will be doing "our" Christmas with the kids, which will include opening gifts, a movie, & their recital. (Plus I need some "veg" time!)
I'm in a desperate need to spend a day in my pajamas, lay in bed, watch tv, read, & do almost next to nothing. ("Explosive Eighteen"-Evanovich book is calling my name!) 
I need to de-program, un-plug, & relax.  I have a lot to be grateful for this year & it's time to sit back & enjoy it.  Starting 2012, we will have a timeshare! Whoo Hooo!  Yes, we took the plunge & bought one that we can bequeath to the kids.  Our gift to ourselves for the future fun we plan to have...ha!

So, over the next few weeks until the first of the year, I'm going to try to shoot for more P90X & less running.  Jan 7th is my first "training" run with the FF folks. Time to wipe that slate clean & start fresh!

Santa Hustle Half race report & "Wilderness of the Smokies" resort

The lodge was absolutely awesome and great if you have kids or you're a kid at heart. It was decorated very nice for Christmas & when we walked in friday night, they had Christmas cookies & hot chocolate in the lobby.  The kids thought they had died & gone to heaven. ;-)
We hit up the indoor waterpark Fri night for an hour & on Sat for most of the day, did a little shopping, & packet pick up. (which was located next to the waterpark...talk about convenient!)
My ONLY gripe about the place is that the walls are thin. We upgraded to the main building so we wouldn't have to go outside to get to the waterpark. They put us on the main floor between the lobby & the waterpark. I would've asked for the 2nd floor had I known how noisy it was going to be because the waterpark doesn't close until 10pm on Fri & 11pm on Sat. YIKES!  So much noise, plus the people next to us had loud kids.

As for the Santa Hustle Half, it was as expected. There were some hills but nothing real serious like what we have in our 'hood or downtown Nashville. It's going to take a REALLY hilly course for me to forget how hard that Women's Half marathon was this past fall. ha! I didn't expect much today but I did ok. My overall time was something like 2:03:43 (yes, FAR from a PR but FAR from a PW)  Joe did something like 1:44:52.
We met up with the Manchester peeps & we took off.  I would've liked a little more gatorade on the course & less candy & cookies. Nobody running around 2 hrs or less wanted that crap but that was a part of the "charm" with this race. They billed it as having cookie & candy stations with Christmas music. There was water & gatorade but not enough for me, apparently.  Had this been a hot race, I would have bonked in a big way, I think...

Mile 1:  8:42
Mile 2:  9:03
Mile 3:  8:56
Mile 4:  9:09
Mile 5:  9:08 (hill)
Mile 6:  9:19 (hill)
Mile 7:  9:05
Mile 8:  9:11
Mile 9:  9:21 (thirsty)
Mile 10:  10:00 (hill)
Mile 11:  9:25
Mile 12:  9:53
Mile 13:  10:04 (thirsty!)
       .24:  9:57       (my garmin read 13.24 miles at 2:03:45)

Would we do this race again?  You bet!  The kids are already ready to go back again next year.  ;-)

No, we didn't run in the hats & beard. Been there, done that in a 5k in Vegas. Too itchy!

This room slept 6 people. Loved it.

                                          Can't remember the last time I used a chip...but cute!

come on friday.....

Wednesday: Too tired & stressed to do much of anything so I did errands & laundry.
Thursday: ab ripper in the AM & 5.25 cold miles in the PM (9:41 pace)
Friday: yoga in the AM if I can get my lazy behind out of bed.

Check out the cool Santa Hustle 1/2 finisher's medal.  Can't wait to run it this Sunday.  :-)

grrr....grumble, grumble...

Grrrr....or rather Brrr....
We're still in the "seasaw effect" of weather patterns which mean my sinuses are crazy.
Bleeding crazy that is....

On Monday....ab ripper & Jillian Michael's 30 day shred.
Shred workouts are only 20 minutes long but that biotch means business.
When I ran after work Tuesday, I could feel it in my thighs.
Today I can feel it. 
It's not bad soreness like P90X gives you but it was enough to make itself known.
My 6.25 miles had hills & it was a 10:07 pace.

Today....I'm stretching on my own & doing ab ripper...too much stuff to do to get in a real work out.

Tomorrow, probably some Jillian Michael's yoga in the morning & another 4.5-5 miler after work.

Friday cannot get there quick enough. Next week at work looks crazy....crazy before the storm & then calm till the end of the year.  I'm about ready to crack out the baileys & pour some in some sugar free hot chocolate, by golly.  ;-)

the weekend....

Saturday: Ran 10 hilly miles at a 9:52 pace & flew to New Orleans
Sunday: 3 hour tour of downtown New Orleans, the Bourbon St. area, Harry Connick, Jr. musicians area, & Hurricane Katrina area (better known as the lower 9th ward), & we went to the Lions-Saint's game at the Superdome!!!
Today: We flew home & as far as exercise, I've done ab ripper P90X & Jillian Michael's 30 day shred dvd. (just couldn't bring myself to run in the rain so I settled for 35 minutes total of Tony & Jillian yelling at me)

We both managed to get our 10 milers in before we left Saturday so that was a huge plus.
New Orleans has never thrilled me that much (been there, done that) but since Hurricane Katrina, I've always wanted to go back. When I saw that the Lions were playing the Saints on Dec 4th, I thought what better than to head there for our 1st anniversary.  It was a quick trip but we had fun!  ;-)
I dumped pics on facebook so I won't post any here. "Friend" me if you want to see them. ;-P

I finally finished the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson. Wow, I hope they make a movie based on the book. It's 572 pages long so it's taken me a little more than a month to find time to get through it. I hit it hard on the flights this weekend to finish it.  There were times where I thought Steve was an ass, times I thought he was brilliant, & I'll admit, I teared up while reading about his cancer battle at the end.  He was human with lots of faults but he managed to change the world. Think about it the next time you turn on your iPhone, iPod, or you watch a Pixar movie. Not many people know that there was a time where he was running Apple & Pixar. This book even made me look at the packaging that went into my new iPod shuffle which I've not had time to open yet! It's a great read, especially if you like biographies. (I need to post this book review on amazon...)

One more weekend on the road. Sevierville, TN..here we come!

In honor of my birthday....

...here is a trailer from one of my favorite all time 80's flicks, "Sixteen Candles".

Here's to moving into a new "age group", proving that 45 can still look somewhat attractive, & knowing I have a past juicy enough that I look forward to retelling it!  It's been a cool ride so far & God has blessed me each & every year.  "No Regrets!"  ;-)

Thank you for the "quotes" Maya Angelou & Jillian Michaels.

Cold, Hilly, & Slow 6.25 miles

I looked at the weather on my phone yesterday about 5:30pm & I could've sworn it said 44 but it sure didn't feel like it.  I headed out with a long sleeve tech, LONG compression socks, shorts, no tights or gloves.  I felt ok after a mile but the legs did seem to never really warm up. I started by hitting the biggest hills in the 'hood which are behind our cul de sac. One hill reminds me of the infamous "moon pie" hill in Bell Buckle.  It went on forever & really slowed me big time.  My pace for 6.25 mile was 10:39!  That was the hillest, coldest 6.25 miles I've done in a very long time. Gesh!  I was also hungry.  When I finished, I went straight to the frig, got out the spicy chilli, & threw it in the microwave. YUM!  Then I soaked in the tub in hot water. I just couldn't warm up. 

I did ab ripper this morning then I signed up to run with the FF Training program for St. Jude. It starts Jan 7th & is something like 16-17 weeks long.  I'm only doing the 1/2 so I signed up to run with the 1/2 marathon group in the 2:00 pace (I hope to be faster than that, though).  I've done quite a few sub-2 hour 1/2 marathons but I've never gone sub-2 on the CMM 1/2 course & neither has Joe. (My coworker that sits next to me signed up, too!)

Let's hope this ongoing IT Band issue goes away.  It's been flaring up ever since summer of 2010.  My next PT appt is Dec 27th & I'd like to NOT go back after that.

We're looking forward to the Santa Hustle 1/2 marathon in East TN.  I know it will be hilly but it's something DIFFERENT.  2012 is going to be all about "something different" for me.