Tonight's workout wasn't really worth even writing about..except to say that my legs and arms are a bit shredded....a short smidge over 3mi on the treadmill and some weights.
And by "some weights" I mean a slight ass-kicking delivered by my own stubbornness and NC. My calves are jello and I'm pretty sure if I tried to do a plank right now my biceps would quit as muscles.
The legs were tired and heavy while running - to be expected after suffering yesterday - but altogether fairly responsive. I'm glad. I'm looking forward to a swim workout and the core work on Wednesday. I'm finding that I'm somewhat settling into a routine and beginning to look forward to to it. I feel good after lifting, even if it's a bit nauseating and jello-inducing. It feels good to do something proactive for myself. Now if only my core section would agree and start to burn the furniture.
Next up: tomorrow's swim workout and Wednesday's run. Hoping I feel good enough to throw in a bit of speedwork. Yay!
Picture of the Day
Vacation Fun
January 25, 2010
January 24, 2010
Things people say when they think no one can hear...
So I just thought I'd throw this out there. People can be really venomous in general. I am not exempted from this, though I (usually) try to think at least once or twice before I say something. Things said in anger at the heat of the moment can be just plain cruel and do lasting damage. (Likewise to things said in pain or retaliation..) When you've had time to think about something, the chance to rise above and move onward, and you still choose to be hateful and venomous...well, I think there's something unnecessary about that.
To be fair, I started it originally, I admit that...about two years ago. To be even more honest, I DID reply to what was sent to me almost two years later. In said reply I clearly stated that was the end of it & I was done. I was merely stating what I was being told I couldn't say directly. The original message (mine) was totally unnecessary, but people I cared about were hurting and I believed (at the time) that something needed to be said from a peer's point of view - rather than just bashing and lectures coming from adults. Hindsight being what it is...it would do no good in the end, as my message wasn't well thought out and itself was just hateful and venomous. I had since very much forgotten about the incidents causing my reaction and that I even had the reaction. But being reproached with fangs bared (an acceptable response had it been somewhat rational OR closer to what actually happened) then I feltjustified in some sort of response.
I expected that there would, again, be retaliation. I was also hoping that the opportunity to rise above would be taken and prove me wrong in some of my judgement (yes, there is judgement...I am not even about to pretend that I don't judge people - whether that makes me honest about my own shortcomings or those of others I'm not sure..). I just didn't see others' need to reply - especially whilst including an accusation of me "dragging shit out." At the end of the day nothing was accomplished but to confirm and reinforce my own opinions. This makes me sad especially as it might've jeopardized some long-standing and very important relationships. (I've long been of the opinion that you choose who you call your family. What may be related by blood means little, it's those we choose to surround ourselves with and associate ourselves with that truly bring value to our lives.) If there is lasting damage to that I will be sad and remorseful, but it doesn't change my opinion. It does make me wish I had taken the high road when given the chance. I am human, though, and apparently just as prone to venom and malice.
I thought it potentially validating/humorous/insightful (inciteful?) to include some of the comments made towards me (unedited for punctuation, capitalization, spelling OR grammar) just for my own moments down the road....but for my own memories, I wanted to note some of the comments that were made to/about me. Whether justifying my own action, reminding myself the value of thought before action or just the petty reinforcement of my opinions....jury still outstanding.
you are seriously more pathetic that i made you out to be.
so since you put yourself in the position to get raped-are you a slut? hm think about that one?
u think ur so perfect and better than anyone else. no matter how bad i truly hate you(its honest,i do..bet ya couldnt tell,huh?)
which,wait..this isnt any of your business cause you are nothing to any of us.
but i have kids tot ake care of,something you probably will never have.
To be fair, I started it originally, I admit that...about two years ago. To be even more honest, I DID reply to what was sent to me almost two years later. In said reply I clearly stated that was the end of it & I was done. I was merely stating what I was being told I couldn't say directly. The original message (mine) was totally unnecessary, but people I cared about were hurting and I believed (at the time) that something needed to be said from a peer's point of view - rather than just bashing and lectures coming from adults. Hindsight being what it is...it would do no good in the end, as my message wasn't well thought out and itself was just hateful and venomous. I had since very much forgotten about the incidents causing my reaction and that I even had the reaction. But being reproached with fangs bared (an acceptable response had it been somewhat rational OR closer to what actually happened) then I feltjustified in some sort of response.
I expected that there would, again, be retaliation. I was also hoping that the opportunity to rise above would be taken and prove me wrong in some of my judgement (yes, there is judgement...I am not even about to pretend that I don't judge people - whether that makes me honest about my own shortcomings or those of others I'm not sure..). I just didn't see others' need to reply - especially whilst including an accusation of me "dragging shit out." At the end of the day nothing was accomplished but to confirm and reinforce my own opinions. This makes me sad especially as it might've jeopardized some long-standing and very important relationships. (I've long been of the opinion that you choose who you call your family. What may be related by blood means little, it's those we choose to surround ourselves with and associate ourselves with that truly bring value to our lives.) If there is lasting damage to that I will be sad and remorseful, but it doesn't change my opinion. It does make me wish I had taken the high road when given the chance. I am human, though, and apparently just as prone to venom and malice.
I thought it potentially validating/humorous/insightful (inciteful?) to include some of the comments made towards me (unedited for punctuation, capitalization, spelling OR grammar) just for my own moments down the road....but for my own memories, I wanted to note some of the comments that were made to/about me. Whether justifying my own action, reminding myself the value of thought before action or just the petty reinforcement of my opinions....jury still outstanding.
you are seriously more pathetic that i made you out to be.
so since you put yourself in the position to get raped-are you a slut? hm think about that one?
u think ur so perfect and better than anyone else. no matter how bad i truly hate you(its honest,i do..bet ya couldnt tell,huh?)
which,wait..this isnt any of your business cause you are nothing to any of us.
but i have kids tot ake care of,something you probably will never have.
A fieldhouse shuffle...
Off this morning (at far too early an hour) to UC (that's the University of Cincinnatti for those uninitiated) to be an accompaniment to an LAX camp. Let's not get too fancy, I was going along simply to keep others awake (which is entertaining since I had to be in the car at 6:15a) and to possibly get in a run while we waited. I believe that the Coordination Gods would be duly appaled and all should/would run for cover if I EVER tried to play lacrosse. Lord, I can only imagine the things I would break or the fights I would cause. But...I can make a really good cheering section (all by myself!) and when someone is pouring coffee down my throat I can make good attempts at conversation at ungodly hours in the morning. We were informed that, "weather permitting", the girls would be outside - which meant WE would be outside. So I thusly packed nearly every piece of running stuff I own in preparation to be warm OR cold OR dry OR wet....and away we go....
The goal was between 8-10 at a comfortable pace. The Pig is months away, but laying down good base miles and getting both the lungs and legs accustomed to some suffering is the name of the game. T was informed that there's an "indoor track" at the fieldhouse in case the girls had to be inside, we would just need to be prepared for flying lax balls...entertainment while we run!
Today dawned cold and miserable. It pretty much continued that way, I'm sure, long after I was home, clean and snuggled on the couch. After a few minutes wandering UC (picking up other stragglers as we went - apparently we look like we know where we're going, or we at least carry enough technology to incite followers) needing a bathroom so bad I couldn't breathe and about 15 flights of stairs later, we walked into the gnarliest fieldhouse I think i've ever seen (date apx. 1500 years ago). The clinic started without much fanfare, we changed clothes and pondered about how long the track really was - too short for a 400m, too long for 200m, marked with all sorts of distances. Then out of nowhere - VOILA! While we were shuffling round the track admiring the assorted equipment (from sand pit for long jump to pitch guard for batting cages to pole vault equipment and a gymnastic ring hanging from a low ceiling) I actually noticed the sign on the wall....in the 3rd "lane" (which averaged about where we spent most of our time) a mile was 8.5 laps. UGH....
We shuffled, we sweated, we cussed a bit and we went round, and round, and round, and round. to the tune of about 68 laps...or about 8 miles. We had to guess a bit because we started running on time (since we had NO clue about the distance) and didn't really count for the first 20min...given our normal pacing tendencies we're being safe with 2mi. So...1:22 and some change for 8 miles (give or take). Not too bad.
The soft surface of the track, however, which really wasn't so soft after finishing and sitting down on it, did a NUMBER on both of us as we suffered and were quite sore and cranky by the end. But...we gutted it out. early-season training is about suffering, right?? Hmm...it's in the books anyway.
The goal was between 8-10 at a comfortable pace. The Pig is months away, but laying down good base miles and getting both the lungs and legs accustomed to some suffering is the name of the game. T was informed that there's an "indoor track" at the fieldhouse in case the girls had to be inside, we would just need to be prepared for flying lax balls...entertainment while we run!
Today dawned cold and miserable. It pretty much continued that way, I'm sure, long after I was home, clean and snuggled on the couch. After a few minutes wandering UC (picking up other stragglers as we went - apparently we look like we know where we're going, or we at least carry enough technology to incite followers) needing a bathroom so bad I couldn't breathe and about 15 flights of stairs later, we walked into the gnarliest fieldhouse I think i've ever seen (date apx. 1500 years ago). The clinic started without much fanfare, we changed clothes and pondered about how long the track really was - too short for a 400m, too long for 200m, marked with all sorts of distances. Then out of nowhere - VOILA! While we were shuffling round the track admiring the assorted equipment (from sand pit for long jump to pitch guard for batting cages to pole vault equipment and a gymnastic ring hanging from a low ceiling) I actually noticed the sign on the wall....in the 3rd "lane" (which averaged about where we spent most of our time) a mile was 8.5 laps. UGH....
We shuffled, we sweated, we cussed a bit and we went round, and round, and round, and round. to the tune of about 68 laps...or about 8 miles. We had to guess a bit because we started running on time (since we had NO clue about the distance) and didn't really count for the first 20min...given our normal pacing tendencies we're being safe with 2mi. So...1:22 and some change for 8 miles (give or take). Not too bad.
The soft surface of the track, however, which really wasn't so soft after finishing and sitting down on it, did a NUMBER on both of us as we suffered and were quite sore and cranky by the end. But...we gutted it out. early-season training is about suffering, right?? Hmm...it's in the books anyway.
January 21, 2010
A swim, run, core, suffer....
Tuesday was the club kick-off meeting for the year. Good turn-out, some interesting conversation. Stoked to get this year rolling and see what happens with the group workouts and races....now if only the region would be the MERCRS schedule done....amazes me why RDs don't do everything they can to have their race dates up and out by now....most everyone is either in the process of planning their seasons RIGHT NOW or has already done so. I may stick one or two in somewhere, but basically what I'm looking at right now is what I'm going to go with....if it's not posted yet, it probably won't be fit in....sorry 'bout ya. (Now, if the people organizing a wedding would commit to a date I could actually feel more secure in my decisions...but soon..) Anyway...we just keep saying "Should be out in the next week or so...."
Swam a bit after the meeting - PW, NC and I...the HP team is still ramping up for the Hour Postal, which I'm not going to be able to attend at the HP (DAMN) which means we're just doing workouts of stupid distance with not much rest. All good and well, especially given the time of year, but I just don't feel like doing that much yardage (4100) at this point in the evening with this little rest....so we jockeyed around the workout a bit. Did 3000yds in broken 800's. Nice, not too hard, but still a workout. Stroke is coming back around - especially when swimming relaxed. Even managed a couple of decent sprints - though slightly flailing - in effective times. Yay.
Ran last night (Wednesday) back at the gym. Just a moderate run of never-ending proportions. Ever have that moment on a treadmill where you can't tell how long it's been or what day it is anymore?? Like a hamster....treadmills annoy me but whatever. Pushed through 4mi (4.7 when all was said and done) and actually had my HR behave a bit...around 170 comfortably while running. Suffered through some core work afterwards.
I can't really tell a difference looking at my body or the scale, but I'm starting to feel a bit stronger and a bit more coordinated when I'm doing these things. My body is slowly and surely remembering how to run a bit (though I was getting some twinges in my left shin and right knee while running) and the flexibility is a bit more than it was a few weeks ago. So these are good things. I'm building good patterns and sleeping well at night. I'm happy and healthy and life is just freaking good.....
Swam a bit after the meeting - PW, NC and I...the HP team is still ramping up for the Hour Postal, which I'm not going to be able to attend at the HP (DAMN) which means we're just doing workouts of stupid distance with not much rest. All good and well, especially given the time of year, but I just don't feel like doing that much yardage (4100) at this point in the evening with this little rest....so we jockeyed around the workout a bit. Did 3000yds in broken 800's. Nice, not too hard, but still a workout. Stroke is coming back around - especially when swimming relaxed. Even managed a couple of decent sprints - though slightly flailing - in effective times. Yay.
Ran last night (Wednesday) back at the gym. Just a moderate run of never-ending proportions. Ever have that moment on a treadmill where you can't tell how long it's been or what day it is anymore?? Like a hamster....treadmills annoy me but whatever. Pushed through 4mi (4.7 when all was said and done) and actually had my HR behave a bit...around 170 comfortably while running. Suffered through some core work afterwards.
I can't really tell a difference looking at my body or the scale, but I'm starting to feel a bit stronger and a bit more coordinated when I'm doing these things. My body is slowly and surely remembering how to run a bit (though I was getting some twinges in my left shin and right knee while running) and the flexibility is a bit more than it was a few weeks ago. So these are good things. I'm building good patterns and sleeping well at night. I'm happy and healthy and life is just freaking good.....
January 19, 2010
Monday....
So a nice little run at the gym, eh? And a bit of weights too, just for fun. Since I'm trying to do this type of thing consistently I should kinda try to be consistent about it - whether or not I have supervision and/or entertainment. So Monday....I get home fairly early from an "appointment" (thumbs up on the new place, ps....) and figure I might as well get the job done. I hem-hawed around the house a bit and finally just decided to quit being a wimp and GO!
I wanted to run about 3...nothing too strenuous, nothing too serious, just putting in some time on the treadmill. One plan says 30-40min "easy recovery run", one plan says 3mi at a stupidly slow pace. I figure I'll just go with the flow. I hop on the treadmill - after narrowly escaping having to throw-down to claim the machine from LA Fitness Barbie - and start my little warm-up walk. Easy-peasy, after 5min I ease into the 5.5mph easy jog. I bumped that to 5.7 after awhile - I just almost hurt on a treadmill at 5.5mph. 5.7 is more comfy and almost that pace where I can just chug along forever. But what's that you say? The body feels good? Let's go then a bit....bumped up to 6.0 for awhile and then finished with a couple minutes at 6.2. I was chugging at the end - that's not exactly a really comfortable pace after about 35 minutes or so. But, it felt good to put in some quality effort, to focus down on my form for a bit and just not think. I was a sweaty beast, but I think I ran the pants off of Barbie, who was a few machines over....
I eyed the weight floor with trepidation and an annoyed smirk for awhile as I walked to TRY to get my heart rate down from the ceiling (I was at 191bpm when I stopped running...looks like true-to-form my HR is still really high when I run...) - the meatheads were lifting in full force. I just don't really enjoy the meathead mentality...I'm sure they're GREAT guys, but the parade around and talk to all the chicks, work your shoulders for hours with toothpick legs...really? I just don't have much patience for them. ESPECIALLY when they're sitting/resting/taking up space on the ONE machine I want to start with....leg extensions. So I jumbled around the whole process and lifted, being ogled a bit and stared at a bit and just in generally made a bit uncomfortable. Not sure if I was overcompensating a bit but I lifted harder (re: more weight) than I have been (not a bad thing) and just suffered a bit. It felt good to know that I'm doing something proactively, by myself, to not only show up this year but possibly even improve my abilities.
Remember....the key word is CONSISTENCY.
I wanted to run about 3...nothing too strenuous, nothing too serious, just putting in some time on the treadmill. One plan says 30-40min "easy recovery run", one plan says 3mi at a stupidly slow pace. I figure I'll just go with the flow. I hop on the treadmill - after narrowly escaping having to throw-down to claim the machine from LA Fitness Barbie - and start my little warm-up walk. Easy-peasy, after 5min I ease into the 5.5mph easy jog. I bumped that to 5.7 after awhile - I just almost hurt on a treadmill at 5.5mph. 5.7 is more comfy and almost that pace where I can just chug along forever. But what's that you say? The body feels good? Let's go then a bit....bumped up to 6.0 for awhile and then finished with a couple minutes at 6.2. I was chugging at the end - that's not exactly a really comfortable pace after about 35 minutes or so. But, it felt good to put in some quality effort, to focus down on my form for a bit and just not think. I was a sweaty beast, but I think I ran the pants off of Barbie, who was a few machines over....
I eyed the weight floor with trepidation and an annoyed smirk for awhile as I walked to TRY to get my heart rate down from the ceiling (I was at 191bpm when I stopped running...looks like true-to-form my HR is still really high when I run...) - the meatheads were lifting in full force. I just don't really enjoy the meathead mentality...I'm sure they're GREAT guys, but the parade around and talk to all the chicks, work your shoulders for hours with toothpick legs...really? I just don't have much patience for them. ESPECIALLY when they're sitting/resting/taking up space on the ONE machine I want to start with....leg extensions. So I jumbled around the whole process and lifted, being ogled a bit and stared at a bit and just in generally made a bit uncomfortable. Not sure if I was overcompensating a bit but I lifted harder (re: more weight) than I have been (not a bad thing) and just suffered a bit. It felt good to know that I'm doing something proactively, by myself, to not only show up this year but possibly even improve my abilities.
Remember....the key word is CONSISTENCY.
January 18, 2010
Running with friends...
A 6.4mi run on Saturday morning. Wasn't too cold, wasn't too muggy, wasn't too over/under dressed. Wasn't fast, wasn't terribly slow. Was a freaking awesome time filled with great conversation and laughter. It was pointed out that I am happy, I am "softer" than I've been in awhile, more filled with positive and less harshness. (Oh, it's still there, but maybe in smaller quantities and not as vehemently expressed.) It wasn't the greatest of efforts on my part, but it was the social aspect of this run that really just nailed why I do what I do. E might've suffered a bit, running further than in many moons. But I'd like to think that we buffered the effort with a bit of humor and again the good conversation. It was enlightening and led to a few realizations over the remaining course of the weekend. I'm not giving up the details on those yet, I'm still quite satisfied to keep them inside and smile when I think of them.
But it's all true. I have wonderful friends, a great relationship, a positive outlook, some quality athletic ability and the ability to sleep good. I'm comfortable with who I am and what I want and where things are going (if maybe only for the short- to mid-term). Life is freaking GOOD folks!
But it's all true. I have wonderful friends, a great relationship, a positive outlook, some quality athletic ability and the ability to sleep good. I'm comfortable with who I am and what I want and where things are going (if maybe only for the short- to mid-term). Life is freaking GOOD folks!
January 15, 2010
Well....so much for that.
I didn't swim last night. I gave up and went home and was in bed at 3p...I emerged only briefly at some point (it was dark) to set up the humidifier, pick up more cold medicine, Panera soup and hit the couch, where I stayed until I shuffled back to bed in my foggy bedroom.
Today, I'd say I'm holding my own. I'm not quite deathly ill but I'm not much better than yesterday. If I had to guess I'd say that I'm medicated, and that's what's making the difference. Sinuses are still burning, nose is still running, cough is every-so-often and it's a hack.
So I'm fairly confident it's just a cold and I'll live, but I'm going to get my quality whining in while I can. I am thankful it's not worse and I'm trying to be conscientious enough to keep it from getting so. I still plan to do yoga date night tonight (All People Yoga) and the run in the morning....so we'll see. It'll either make me feel great or be a snot-filled slugfest.
Today, I'd say I'm holding my own. I'm not quite deathly ill but I'm not much better than yesterday. If I had to guess I'd say that I'm medicated, and that's what's making the difference. Sinuses are still burning, nose is still running, cough is every-so-often and it's a hack.
So I'm fairly confident it's just a cold and I'll live, but I'm going to get my quality whining in while I can. I am thankful it's not worse and I'm trying to be conscientious enough to keep it from getting so. I still plan to do yoga date night tonight (All People Yoga) and the run in the morning....so we'll see. It'll either make me feel great or be a snot-filled slugfest.
January 14, 2010
Week in review...
Monday's workouts weren't anything spectacular. A lot of residual soreness from the long run on the snow/ice. Pump that up a bit with a short recovery run of about 2.6mi and then do a some lifting on the legs/arms and it's a recipe for exhausted. For the little extra sprinkling on top add in just a few core exercises (before your roommate decides he's annoyed by the gym and "done" for tonight). So...Tuesday was fun, I was sore and a bit cranky.
Take Tuesday's swim practice, add in the dash of sore, the sprinkling of cranky and a good measure of exhausted and you get a fairly worthless practice. Fold in the fact that it was mostly at a threshhold pace (1:30 - 1:45, yeah, stuff it, that's about my threshhold for comfort right now..I'm working on that.) and the cranky quotient rises.
Which brings us to Wednesday. Has anyone seen the crowbar I must have used to PRY myself out of bed? All I remember is how miserably tired I was - I didn't sleep great so adding that to the above workouts makes me a bit questionable in the human department. Spending all day with my friend called spreadsheets and reformatting and throw in a bit of the sniffles. I didn't think much of the sniffles until the end of the day as they were getting a bit more pervasive. A bit of a scratchy throat - I can mislead myself into thinking that they were a combination of being tired, sitting inside all day and staring at spreadsheets. Ha! I decided to go home and basically go straight to bed (after some food, of course).
Anyway....had a tiny low-grade fever last night prior to bed, was cold all the way through. Went to sleep anyway. Tossed, turned, awake, put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt, promptly sweat my ass off and take clothing off a piece at a time until you're still burning up with very little on, then flip flop and toss and turn and wind up FREEZING again. Take your temperature a couple times throughout the night and thing your thermometer's crazy since it's reading 97.8 and 98.2...fairly typical temps for me but why the hell is my body so whacked then? URGGGG...final result: next to no sleep, a headache, coughy/itchy throat and a left sinus (from forehead to cheek and around to my jaw) that is just angry at the world. Right one, clear sailing..left one, locked and hurting.
With C headed up tomorrow. Great. I'm vitamined, medicined and hydrating (after I finish the coffee) and we'll see where that gets me. If it's not much better I may just pout in a corner. Damn winter colds. (Though I am counting my blessings, lest anyone forget, as I haven't been sick yet this year...so I can take this and keep moving...as long as it plays nice and goes away soon...)
Take Tuesday's swim practice, add in the dash of sore, the sprinkling of cranky and a good measure of exhausted and you get a fairly worthless practice. Fold in the fact that it was mostly at a threshhold pace (1:30 - 1:45, yeah, stuff it, that's about my threshhold for comfort right now..I'm working on that.) and the cranky quotient rises.
Which brings us to Wednesday. Has anyone seen the crowbar I must have used to PRY myself out of bed? All I remember is how miserably tired I was - I didn't sleep great so adding that to the above workouts makes me a bit questionable in the human department. Spending all day with my friend called spreadsheets and reformatting and throw in a bit of the sniffles. I didn't think much of the sniffles until the end of the day as they were getting a bit more pervasive. A bit of a scratchy throat - I can mislead myself into thinking that they were a combination of being tired, sitting inside all day and staring at spreadsheets. Ha! I decided to go home and basically go straight to bed (after some food, of course).
Anyway....had a tiny low-grade fever last night prior to bed, was cold all the way through. Went to sleep anyway. Tossed, turned, awake, put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt, promptly sweat my ass off and take clothing off a piece at a time until you're still burning up with very little on, then flip flop and toss and turn and wind up FREEZING again. Take your temperature a couple times throughout the night and thing your thermometer's crazy since it's reading 97.8 and 98.2...fairly typical temps for me but why the hell is my body so whacked then? URGGGG...final result: next to no sleep, a headache, coughy/itchy throat and a left sinus (from forehead to cheek and around to my jaw) that is just angry at the world. Right one, clear sailing..left one, locked and hurting.
With C headed up tomorrow. Great. I'm vitamined, medicined and hydrating (after I finish the coffee) and we'll see where that gets me. If it's not much better I may just pout in a corner. Damn winter colds. (Though I am counting my blessings, lest anyone forget, as I haven't been sick yet this year...so I can take this and keep moving...as long as it plays nice and goes away soon...)
January 11, 2010
A cold run
Went for 6.4 yesterday in sub-20 degrees. I don't mind running in the cold, it's kind of nice to have some solitude and the crunch-crunch of shoes on snow isn't bad at all. The whistling in my nose, however, is darn-near enough to make me go crazy. But...there are some ground rules that I've found I need to obey or else I pay for it. I MUST dress in layers and have more than 1 layer on almost all of my body. It's key for me to cover my shins in 2 layers for some odd reason. Yesterday's run involved ski socks...extra cushion for my feet and quality covering on both my calves and shins. Win, win! I MUST immediately take off any wet or cold clothes as soon as I get home. I've got a pretty standard 30-45min time period where my body temp comes back to normal - be it too high in the summer or too low in the winter. It's a fairly painful period full of shivering and being cold (regardless of season), it's key that I get out of anything wet and into warm and dry and just huddle. I usually wait to stretch until after the shivering...which usually involves me getting in the shower. I also need to have something over my mouth when it's cold and running so breathing is a bit easier. I'm fairly sure that, with these things done, I can pretty much run in anything. Now whether I do or not.......another story.
Yesterday's run was ok. My gait changes on snow/ice and that causes issues with the knees/hips. More running usually alleviates this and I'll be fine. Wearing my trail shoes created a slight problem on the ball of my foot but I'm sure I can figure something out there, too. It was nice to get out and stretch my legs. It's better if I don't sit around all day before doing so...but it was still good to do nonetheless.
6.4mi, 1:08:00.
Yesterday's run was ok. My gait changes on snow/ice and that causes issues with the knees/hips. More running usually alleviates this and I'll be fine. Wearing my trail shoes created a slight problem on the ball of my foot but I'm sure I can figure something out there, too. It was nice to get out and stretch my legs. It's better if I don't sit around all day before doing so...but it was still good to do nonetheless.
6.4mi, 1:08:00.
January 7, 2010
I still don't like chipmunks
Another spin class last night and yeah, she's still kind of annoying. But there were more people there so it was at least a bit easier to ignore. Not sure if I'm going to continue those, the spin bikes are too far off of my normal bike and my left knee is really hurting today.
A fairly quick/easy 2mi on the treadmill afterward, 21:00. Pace was quick but didn't feel too tough, good to be warmed up prior with other activities.
Not a bad night, just glad it's done.
A fairly quick/easy 2mi on the treadmill afterward, 21:00. Pace was quick but didn't feel too tough, good to be warmed up prior with other activities.
Not a bad night, just glad it's done.
January 6, 2010
Year in Review...
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? A standalone marathon
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolution, and will you make more for next year? I typically don't make resolutions. I just want to be happy and grow a bit each year (preferably growing emotionally/spiritually/mentally, not physically)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? I don't think so....but it's been a long year.
4. Did anyone close to you die? I think everyone I know has lost someone(s) close this year. I lost only Gfell. We weren't as close as we should've been.
5. What countries did you visit? Only the US, though I might've flown over a tiny parcel of Canada.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? A good race or two, more mental and physical strength, more happiness and more fun!
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? April 25th taught me I wasn't invincible (bike wreck), May 3rd taught me I CAN do anything I set my mind to (marathon), Sept. 12th taught me to do the things I've always wanted to do (Big Shoulders) and Sept. 18th taught me that it's ok to be happy (though I didn't know it at the time).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Surviving the work consolidation is pretty high up there, but completing that marathon is pretty far up on the list, too.
9. What was your biggest failure? My relationship. Managing my own stress levels. Saving money. Training w/dedication.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Hella. Bike wreck on 4/25...drop a buck fifty straight onto the lower back/pelvis and see what happens. I can tell you this much, it sure ruins the marathon the next weekend. You also see stars for a day or so and you have trouble walking for about a month. Note to self: no need to bomb down hills anymore...nothing to prove.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My new bike would have to be the most expensive thing I bought...the gas for the trips south would be the "best". The trip to DC would be the most enriching.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? NB & SI, who pushed through some pretty impressive obstacles to finish and enjoy IMLOU. TS, who hung with me through the Pig and didn't let me quit. DM, who had the ability to recognize our problems and let go w/o fighting. GL for gutting it out and giving it up in NV. NC, for opening up to let himself love. B&G for giving and loving....everyone has done something worth celebrating. Human nature really is good and beautiful at times.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My own at times, others' at times. There is a flip side to every coin. Whenever we act in jealousy, anger, spite or sheer meanness, it is depressing.
14. Where did most of your money go? Food and entry fees. What irony that is. Oh, and that bike.
15. What did you get really excited about? I was STOKED about that marathon. Also about the vacations, the training, the client possibilities, the responsibility at work, swimming, THE NEW BIKE and the ability to train hard....alas I fell short on some of them, but still...
16. What song will always remind you of 2009? "I Got a Feelin'" by the Peas....made the last 5 minutes of IMLOU amazing and in one moment signified the awe that IM inspires and the strength it takes and how quickly that finish line and a buncha screamin' people can wipe away 15 hours of suffering...going back to the strength and beauty of humanity.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
- happier or sadder? Immensely happier
- thinner or fatter? I've got some chubbiness working, but it's been fairly earned. This time last year I was still close to Silverman....
- richer or poorer? Overall, about the same. Upon further examination I am poorer, no thanks to the poop people.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Laughed, ran, loved, watched
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worked, stressed, cried, hurt
20. How did you spend Christmas? With the longest stay with my parents in almost 10 years. With my closest (only) family and hopefully starting new traditions that last a long while.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009? In and out and In....It should be a continuous cycle in my mind, never a static (stagnant?) "state". You don't have to love constantly and it should both wax and wane, but never disappear entirely. I loved deeply and hurt deeply. I learned much. Now I am learning to be happy first, worry about "love" second. We should always love.
22. What was your favorite TV program? Favorite...ha. Biggest Loser, Criminal Minds, Sing Off, Top Chef, Numb3rs....there are many I like to watch, I'm equally attached to all of them.
23. Do you hate anyone that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don't like to hate. There are people I like much less, people I respect much less, but I don't know that I really hate. There's only one person I can say I "hate" - and he's not even worth worrying about. God's in charge of that.
24. What was the best book you read? Jeez...I read too much to answer this one. Merle's Door was way up there...so was The Art of Racing in the Rain. There's been much good reading this year.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? REdiscovering OAR, continuing to discover the Mummies, and the ever-present but with a new album Dave...music is good.
26. What did you want and get? I got exactly what I needed and exactly what I deserved. I wanted more than I can ever have. Exactly as it should be. I finished the marathon, got the consolidation work done, met most deadlines and got happier
27. What did you want and not get? A tough one. I wanted happiness with one, am finding it with another. But I don't think that's bad now, we're all growing because of it. I wanted to rock Steelhead and I didn't, but I learned I have to develop some more discipline and strength. I wanted to rock that marathon and I didn't, but I finished and that took more than enough. I guess I wanted more than I deserved, and since I didn't get it, in those cases it was just.
28. What was your favorite film this year? Because it was the most recent and the one I remember, Sherlock Holmes.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 29 (but not 30!) I don't believe it was anything special. The customary reflection time and a lot of work. I believe much fun came a few days later. Unbeknownst to me, I got an early birthday present that's taken awhile to materialize.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Not wrecking that bike and achieving my athletic goals.
31. How would you describe your personal concept in 2009? Ingratitude.
32. What kept you sane? Debatable if anything did. The outlets I did have through athletics and invaluable friendships.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Hmm...I don't know, honestly.
34. What political issue stirred you the most? The debacle that is healthcare reform.
35. Who did you miss? Those that I wasn't with.
36. Who was the best new person you met? The one that goes out of his way to make me happy...a ridiculously easy answer, but I met many others that have touched and enriched my life immeasurably.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. Sometimes I have to bear down and just push through it. Might not always be fun but it (whatever "it" is) can be accomplished with hard work and determination. I am not invincible, but I am not afraid of hard work.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Hmm...have to think on this one awhile.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolution, and will you make more for next year? I typically don't make resolutions. I just want to be happy and grow a bit each year (preferably growing emotionally/spiritually/mentally, not physically)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? I don't think so....but it's been a long year.
4. Did anyone close to you die? I think everyone I know has lost someone(s) close this year. I lost only Gfell. We weren't as close as we should've been.
5. What countries did you visit? Only the US, though I might've flown over a tiny parcel of Canada.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? A good race or two, more mental and physical strength, more happiness and more fun!
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? April 25th taught me I wasn't invincible (bike wreck), May 3rd taught me I CAN do anything I set my mind to (marathon), Sept. 12th taught me to do the things I've always wanted to do (Big Shoulders) and Sept. 18th taught me that it's ok to be happy (though I didn't know it at the time).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Surviving the work consolidation is pretty high up there, but completing that marathon is pretty far up on the list, too.
9. What was your biggest failure? My relationship. Managing my own stress levels. Saving money. Training w/dedication.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Hella. Bike wreck on 4/25...drop a buck fifty straight onto the lower back/pelvis and see what happens. I can tell you this much, it sure ruins the marathon the next weekend. You also see stars for a day or so and you have trouble walking for about a month. Note to self: no need to bomb down hills anymore...nothing to prove.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My new bike would have to be the most expensive thing I bought...the gas for the trips south would be the "best". The trip to DC would be the most enriching.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? NB & SI, who pushed through some pretty impressive obstacles to finish and enjoy IMLOU. TS, who hung with me through the Pig and didn't let me quit. DM, who had the ability to recognize our problems and let go w/o fighting. GL for gutting it out and giving it up in NV. NC, for opening up to let himself love. B&G for giving and loving....everyone has done something worth celebrating. Human nature really is good and beautiful at times.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My own at times, others' at times. There is a flip side to every coin. Whenever we act in jealousy, anger, spite or sheer meanness, it is depressing.
14. Where did most of your money go? Food and entry fees. What irony that is. Oh, and that bike.
15. What did you get really excited about? I was STOKED about that marathon. Also about the vacations, the training, the client possibilities, the responsibility at work, swimming, THE NEW BIKE and the ability to train hard....alas I fell short on some of them, but still...
16. What song will always remind you of 2009? "I Got a Feelin'" by the Peas....made the last 5 minutes of IMLOU amazing and in one moment signified the awe that IM inspires and the strength it takes and how quickly that finish line and a buncha screamin' people can wipe away 15 hours of suffering...going back to the strength and beauty of humanity.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
- happier or sadder? Immensely happier
- thinner or fatter? I've got some chubbiness working, but it's been fairly earned. This time last year I was still close to Silverman....
- richer or poorer? Overall, about the same. Upon further examination I am poorer, no thanks to the poop people.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Laughed, ran, loved, watched
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worked, stressed, cried, hurt
20. How did you spend Christmas? With the longest stay with my parents in almost 10 years. With my closest (only) family and hopefully starting new traditions that last a long while.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009? In and out and In....It should be a continuous cycle in my mind, never a static (stagnant?) "state". You don't have to love constantly and it should both wax and wane, but never disappear entirely. I loved deeply and hurt deeply. I learned much. Now I am learning to be happy first, worry about "love" second. We should always love.
22. What was your favorite TV program? Favorite...ha. Biggest Loser, Criminal Minds, Sing Off, Top Chef, Numb3rs....there are many I like to watch, I'm equally attached to all of them.
23. Do you hate anyone that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don't like to hate. There are people I like much less, people I respect much less, but I don't know that I really hate. There's only one person I can say I "hate" - and he's not even worth worrying about. God's in charge of that.
24. What was the best book you read? Jeez...I read too much to answer this one. Merle's Door was way up there...so was The Art of Racing in the Rain. There's been much good reading this year.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? REdiscovering OAR, continuing to discover the Mummies, and the ever-present but with a new album Dave...music is good.
26. What did you want and get? I got exactly what I needed and exactly what I deserved. I wanted more than I can ever have. Exactly as it should be. I finished the marathon, got the consolidation work done, met most deadlines and got happier
27. What did you want and not get? A tough one. I wanted happiness with one, am finding it with another. But I don't think that's bad now, we're all growing because of it. I wanted to rock Steelhead and I didn't, but I learned I have to develop some more discipline and strength. I wanted to rock that marathon and I didn't, but I finished and that took more than enough. I guess I wanted more than I deserved, and since I didn't get it, in those cases it was just.
28. What was your favorite film this year? Because it was the most recent and the one I remember, Sherlock Holmes.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 29 (but not 30!) I don't believe it was anything special. The customary reflection time and a lot of work. I believe much fun came a few days later. Unbeknownst to me, I got an early birthday present that's taken awhile to materialize.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Not wrecking that bike and achieving my athletic goals.
31. How would you describe your personal concept in 2009? Ingratitude.
32. What kept you sane? Debatable if anything did. The outlets I did have through athletics and invaluable friendships.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Hmm...I don't know, honestly.
34. What political issue stirred you the most? The debacle that is healthcare reform.
35. Who did you miss? Those that I wasn't with.
36. Who was the best new person you met? The one that goes out of his way to make me happy...a ridiculously easy answer, but I met many others that have touched and enriched my life immeasurably.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. Sometimes I have to bear down and just push through it. Might not always be fun but it (whatever "it" is) can be accomplished with hard work and determination. I am not invincible, but I am not afraid of hard work.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Hmm...have to think on this one awhile.
January 4, 2010
I am sloth.
I am a worthless human. I have realized that. I did one 5-mile run the entire time I was gone. I realized that running with C is a viable option, even if he has a "barn mode" as bad as T. It's manageable, I will let him run off just as easily as I do her. I believe he will and can outpace me though, also an acceptable outcome. Nice to be able to have someone else to enjoy sports with.
I will NOT be one of the New Year's Resolution crowd, though I'm sure I will have to battle them all at the gym starting tonight. Hopefully many will stick, though I am equally hopeful that they choose efficient times to work out and I won't have too many problems working around them. I'm anticipating seeing much hilarity tonight between running and lifting.
Totally stoked to get back to the routines and patterns that lead up to race season. Hoping for a solid half-mary attempt in a month in NO at the end of Feb., with an equally solid attempt (and hopefully decent weather) for a Costa run in late March...those will lead up to the April Florabama race and in May the first mary of the year (Pig...I WILL have a better showing this year). I'm working on the rest of the schedule now...laying out plans and whatnot. I think it's going to be mostly run and swim-based, with Sharkfest already registered and the 10k swim in the plans as well. Maybe another appearance at Big Shoulders?
I'm excited about life, excited about the possibilities heading into the year. I feel...just different this year. I'm happy and excited to be taking off on new adventures. Who knows what all I can accomplish this year?
I dunno, but I'll start with a 3mi jog tonight....and some weights. Wahoo.
I will NOT be one of the New Year's Resolution crowd, though I'm sure I will have to battle them all at the gym starting tonight. Hopefully many will stick, though I am equally hopeful that they choose efficient times to work out and I won't have too many problems working around them. I'm anticipating seeing much hilarity tonight between running and lifting.
Totally stoked to get back to the routines and patterns that lead up to race season. Hoping for a solid half-mary attempt in a month in NO at the end of Feb., with an equally solid attempt (and hopefully decent weather) for a Costa run in late March...those will lead up to the April Florabama race and in May the first mary of the year (Pig...I WILL have a better showing this year). I'm working on the rest of the schedule now...laying out plans and whatnot. I think it's going to be mostly run and swim-based, with Sharkfest already registered and the 10k swim in the plans as well. Maybe another appearance at Big Shoulders?
I'm excited about life, excited about the possibilities heading into the year. I feel...just different this year. I'm happy and excited to be taking off on new adventures. Who knows what all I can accomplish this year?
I dunno, but I'll start with a 3mi jog tonight....and some weights. Wahoo.