Ok, I am sorry it has been so long since my last blog post. Not that you are all waiting on pins & needles for a new post, but it helps me to get this stuff off my chest and on to this virtual message board.
I feel like I'm just about over the Christmas holiday hangover, just in time for New Year's! I have not been weighing myself, as per Janelle's request. I have been eating all the holiday goodies, just like the rest of you, but in more moderation I feel than in years past.
We did not run over the holiday, and I didn't allow myself to beat myself up about that...we were busy! We were able to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the many blessings that we count at this special time of year. Christmas Eve Eve I made up a hair appointment that I had cancelled because of Jingle Bell 5K #2. As always, that made me feel fantastic! Afterward, as Shawn enjoyed a few drinks with some old friends, I went shopping. Yes, shopping on Christmas Eve Eve...and not for our friends or family members - my shopping had been complete weeks ago. As all of our gifts were wrapped and nestled under our tree I shopped for myself!
Now, all of my friends know that I have a love of luxury goods - specifically handbags and jewelry. But when it comes to actually buying myself something, I'm a bargain shopper through and through (thanks Brenda), and am especially hesitant to buy new clothes when I feel like I'm heavier than I should be. Besides, have you seen some of the clothes they try to get plus sized people to wear?!
That night, however, be it because I've been running for more weeks than I can recall off the top of my head or divine intervention, everything I tried on FIT! Oh - and was on sale :).
Two pair of work pants, a festive red v-neck sweater, a pair of dress boots, a bargain pair of Chaps Mary Jane Wedges, socks and some lacy panties (remember - still on the salon/hairgasm high), all for $140! Wait, I forgot to mention the Fila reflective pink and gray long sleeved shirt - yep, I actually tried on and bought a running shirt that night, I think a tide is turning.
Christmas Eve itself I experienced the first injury of this journey, and remarkably enough it wasn't due to running. You see we gathered at mom's as we always do on Christmas Eve and as I attempted to scale a baby gate (for the dogs, there are no babies), in said new pants, sparkly sweater and dress boots, I realized that the baby gate was attached to NOTHING. That's right, that sucker was just floating in the hallway, and decided to fall, and soon, so did I (thanks again Brenda). Yep, I bit the dust in my cute new outfit, thankfully the glass of wine I had just consumed lessened the blow. The next morning it was sore, and bruised, and swollen, and I doubted that a run would have even been possible, had our schedule allowed.
So we enjoyed the rest of our Christmas festivities and by Tuesday evening the knee was good as new.
We ran Old Farm Ln. I ran most of what I think is a mile. The Pandora and the new Droid Running app both crapped out, however Shawn got me some super cute Sony ear buds that are pink and sparkly and fit perfectly in my ears and do not budge during my work-out! So we now know that my inner ears aren't deformed, but this girl with a Master's Degree has yet to find a way to get her SMART PHONE to do three things at once.
Today is Thursday and if I have ever had touch of the runner's high that you running fanatics speak of - it was today. I got out of work a little early, and as I neared my house I realized that it was still day light out and still 43 degrees! Mind you, I don't think it has been this warm during any of my runs! So I rushed inside, let the dogs out and called Shawn - I was hoping that he wouldn't mind if I got ready and ran without him - who was I kidding? Of course he didn't. Fed the dogs, dug out my Adidas warm up pants with zipper pockets, a regular long sleeved tee, jacket, socks, shoes, and I was out the door. I was so great not having to lug the gloves, ear warmer, etc. Oh, I also took the ipod, this running without music business had to end!
Got to the track before sunset, set the ipod to shuffle and zipped it in pocket #1, stretched, then found my starting point on the track, started the stopwatch on the (new) Droid, and placed the phone in pocket #2 and was off. It had been weeks since I had run at the squishy track and I had forgotten how nice and FLAT it was. Not that long ago, I was only running a 1quarter mile lap before slowing to walk and catch my breath. That was several weeks and two 5K's ago though...tonight, in the near perfect temps, the first lap came easy, then the second, then the third. I was focused on my breathing and the was able to drown out everything else (including the sounds of my belabored breaths) with my sweet sweet music. I'm pretty sure the last lap was run on sheer momentum and I felt amazing. I reached for pocket #2 ready to stop the stopwatch and revel in a good time AND a fully run mile to find that, of course, the stopwatch had stopped when the new phone went into sleep mode...son of a B&$%@! It was around 12 minutes, that's about as exact as I can get knowing what time it was when I started.
Regardless, I had accomplished something major. In 8 or so weeks I had gone from struggling to run one lap to running an entire mile without dying! I had done this without Shawn, without my "coach" running beside me, coaxing me to carry on, this victory was my own...but I still had to call someone! Once I stopped myself from full out crying as I crossed the "finish", I tried to call Janelle as I walked my cool down half mile. She was probably enjoying her tottie time as I struggled to compose myself and catch my breath. Shawn, however, picked up! I've got some work to do before I can catch up with his progress, but I am so glad that I can share these mini milestones with him.
Saturday is New Year's Day, and weather/hang-over permitting, we'll be out running. My vote is the squishy track!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
HO HO HOpe for me yet!
In the time since my last blog there have been a few mini milestones.
1) I completed my 2nd consecutive 5K in two weeks
2) My husband completed his FIRST EVER 5K
3) I was able to run an entire mile without stopping to walk
4) And the big one...I've not given up!
This "challenge" began 11/7/10 and my first official run/walk was 11/8/10. We are at December 12/21/10 - we are seven weeks (and how many runs Nelly?) in. I feel pretty great about the fact that we're still going strong, though it is still a chore somedays to get the work-outs in. I NEVER would have guessed that I would agree to two 5K's in two weeks, nor did I ever imagine that Shawn would be joining me for so many of my morning or evening runs OR agree himself to the participate in last Saturday's race.
This past weekend's race was not what I would call fun, but another accomplishment for us. Janelle a.k.a Drill Sargeant, a.k.a coach, met us around 8:30 AM and we made our way to the race site. We had plenty of time to kill as this race was much smaller in size than the last and we had again pre-registered. Janelle decided that rather than wait in the warmth of the car that she would go ahead a run the course before the race started, Shawn and I walked a lap to warm up. The course itself was laid out nicely and I think we'll have to spend some more time there in the Spring. Shawn took off ahead of Janelle and I once the race began. It wasn't very long until we were again lapped by the race leaders.
I felt pretty good though, starting out, Janelle acredited that to the fact that I hadn't ran the Thursday evening prior - again, I am a fair weather runner, and there was snow covering Old Farm that evening. About half way through the first mile I began to feel as if I could run the entire mile without slowing to walk. Once I mentioned that to Nelly - it was on. Her sole job became encouraging me to keep it up until we reached that neon "1 Mile" sign. And I did. It felt great. I walked for a while and began to shed layers like an onion - I still dress to warmly for these races, but it's cold out there! Janelle, being the awesome sister that she is, would hold my gloves, ear warmer, extra long sleeve shirt as I undressed on the course and was determined to keep us on track to beat our previous time, which we did!
We finished right around 42 minutes Saturday, and along the way, I even encouraged another runner to stay with us and run to the finish...she almost made it. As we rounded the corner to the finish line I saw my adorable husband waiting for us. He'd finished about 6 minutes ahead of us - I told you he was a closet running machine. And as I huffed and puffed, getting myself calmed - he hugged and kissed me and once again professed his pride in my accomplishments. Yeah, I'm a lucky gal.
After the race we headed to the shiny diner as the loot at this inagural race didn't compare to the prior weeks. I was thankful for this time with my husband and sister, though I wasn't on board with her New Year's Day 5K in Baltimore plan. I was again thankful too, that I was off the hook for at least another few days until I was running again.
That brings us to tonight. I was a reluctant runner tonight, I just feel so rushed and fatigued this time of year. Parties, shopping, wrapping, baking, it's all catching up to me it seems. But we got out there for a run on our street. I was feeling pretty good the first half mile or so. It wasn't terribly cold tonight, and Sean Kingston's "Fire Burning" blared in my ears. After the song ended, so did the music for the rest of the work-out. I finished the mile, though. I probably walked for a 1/4 of it. I walked another 1/2 mile afterwards before meeting up with Shawn and heading in to make dinner. My time - 13:47.
I'm again off for a day, and am thinking a return to the track might be in order for Thursday morning. We'll see about a Christmas run....I won't beat myself up about it too bad if we don't get out there as I know the track will be right there waiting for us on Tuesday.
The best way to eat an elephant? One bite at a time. 13.1 might seem like a lifetime away, but as recent history has proven, there's ho ho hope for me yet!
2) My husband completed his FIRST EVER 5K
3) I was able to run an entire mile without stopping to walk
4) And the big one...I've not given up!
This "challenge" began 11/7/10 and my first official run/walk was 11/8/10. We are at December 12/21/10 - we are seven weeks (and how many runs Nelly?) in. I feel pretty great about the fact that we're still going strong, though it is still a chore somedays to get the work-outs in. I NEVER would have guessed that I would agree to two 5K's in two weeks, nor did I ever imagine that Shawn would be joining me for so many of my morning or evening runs OR agree himself to the participate in last Saturday's race.
This past weekend's race was not what I would call fun, but another accomplishment for us. Janelle a.k.a Drill Sargeant, a.k.a coach, met us around 8:30 AM and we made our way to the race site. We had plenty of time to kill as this race was much smaller in size than the last and we had again pre-registered. Janelle decided that rather than wait in the warmth of the car that she would go ahead a run the course before the race started, Shawn and I walked a lap to warm up. The course itself was laid out nicely and I think we'll have to spend some more time there in the Spring. Shawn took off ahead of Janelle and I once the race began. It wasn't very long until we were again lapped by the race leaders.
I felt pretty good though, starting out, Janelle acredited that to the fact that I hadn't ran the Thursday evening prior - again, I am a fair weather runner, and there was snow covering Old Farm that evening. About half way through the first mile I began to feel as if I could run the entire mile without slowing to walk. Once I mentioned that to Nelly - it was on. Her sole job became encouraging me to keep it up until we reached that neon "1 Mile" sign. And I did. It felt great. I walked for a while and began to shed layers like an onion - I still dress to warmly for these races, but it's cold out there! Janelle, being the awesome sister that she is, would hold my gloves, ear warmer, extra long sleeve shirt as I undressed on the course and was determined to keep us on track to beat our previous time, which we did!
We finished right around 42 minutes Saturday, and along the way, I even encouraged another runner to stay with us and run to the finish...she almost made it. As we rounded the corner to the finish line I saw my adorable husband waiting for us. He'd finished about 6 minutes ahead of us - I told you he was a closet running machine. And as I huffed and puffed, getting myself calmed - he hugged and kissed me and once again professed his pride in my accomplishments. Yeah, I'm a lucky gal.
After the race we headed to the shiny diner as the loot at this inagural race didn't compare to the prior weeks. I was thankful for this time with my husband and sister, though I wasn't on board with her New Year's Day 5K in Baltimore plan. I was again thankful too, that I was off the hook for at least another few days until I was running again.
That brings us to tonight. I was a reluctant runner tonight, I just feel so rushed and fatigued this time of year. Parties, shopping, wrapping, baking, it's all catching up to me it seems. But we got out there for a run on our street. I was feeling pretty good the first half mile or so. It wasn't terribly cold tonight, and Sean Kingston's "Fire Burning" blared in my ears. After the song ended, so did the music for the rest of the work-out. I finished the mile, though. I probably walked for a 1/4 of it. I walked another 1/2 mile afterwards before meeting up with Shawn and heading in to make dinner. My time - 13:47.
I'm again off for a day, and am thinking a return to the track might be in order for Thursday morning. We'll see about a Christmas run....I won't beat myself up about it too bad if we don't get out there as I know the track will be right there waiting for us on Tuesday.
The best way to eat an elephant? One bite at a time. 13.1 might seem like a lifetime away, but as recent history has proven, there's ho ho hope for me yet!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
One Jingle Bell Down, One to Go...
Well, I survived the Jingle Bell Walk/Run 5k! I have attached some pictures courtesy of my coach/drill sgt./excited sibling. The race itself was not that bad. Of course, I say that now, good thing there wasn't a laptop at my disposal as I crossed the finish line!I made it to the race location early - registration began at 8:30 AM and I arrived soon after. I was a good pupil and did not partake in my morning coffee or cigarette (ok, so I haven't completely broken up with the cigs - it's more like one of those on again/off again dysfunctional relationships, but I'm trying!). I arrived before Nelly, Joy-ous and two of their students who also believe that running is fun. I picked up our race packets and turned in ANOTHER $30 thanks to my friends at Dentsply (yay!!), and went back to my car to warm myself before we began. It was cold on Saturday, about 27 degrees. I was less nervous about the chill in the air than actually completing this thing. I mean, I knew I would finish, but I didn't want to be dead last, I didn't want to look ridiculous, I didn't want to sprain or twist anything, I didn't want to disappoint Janelle. I mean, I had only ever completed one of these before and that was YEARS ago! We suited up once the sis & co joined me. She brought the hats and the Jingle Bells for our shoes laces. I brought the garland, the snowflake earrings I made and the knee high socks (well, calf high socks for me). We posed for pictures and then made the necessary adjustments. 1) The earrings had to go - they were way more obtrusive than originally thought. 2) So was the garland - Janelle wrapped hers around her waist, I left mine in the car. 3) The gloves I brought weren't really doing the trick so Nelly-bell lent me hers. 4) The ear covering/headband thingy was a must!
We started towards the back of the "running" group. There were walkers there, a few with their make up done, cute, warm looking outfits and coffees in their hands, I was envious - they brought up the rear and looked happy doing so. There were also dogs, I'm still not sure how my little puffballs would handle 3.2 miles of run/walking. Joy and the two girls that tagged along ran a good bit ahead of us for the entire race. It was just Nelly & I, and well, I ended up being quite the captive audience during the trot. You see, for once, I couldn't get a word in edgewise - not because I had nothing to say (let's face it, that's never been a problem), but because I literally couldn't speak between belabored breaths...in through the nose, out through the mouth...
We did a pretty good job of running, I would say that we ran at least 1/2 of the 5k (easily). She allowed me to power-walk up the hill(s) and allowed me to decide when I was ready to run again. About half the way through the race we were lapped by the race leaders. I took comfort in the fact that we were not "dead last" - though it turned out that only 6 official runners crossed the finish line after us. The official time was 42:45. We beat Joy's anticipated time for us by over two minutes. When Janelle had me figure the split (that's an official running term, I'm told), it came out to about 13:25 per mile, which I was happy with. That time is right about what I'm averaging at home on my own, and I don't run/walk more than a mile at a time! I can't let myself forget that this was only something like my 14th run, either.
One thing they don't tell you about is the loot after the race. There was literally a lady with an armful of donuts waiting near the finish line. There was Starbucks coffee - THANK GOD - fruit, cheese, granola bars, candy canes, etc. We had gotten a long sleeved tee and Santa Hat with the race enrollment too. I must say, it was pretty funny watching all of those Santa hats bob up and down as the runners started off that day. Before we left I stumbled across a postcard announcing a mirror image of the Harrisburg race in York the following weekend. I showed it to Janelle because I was thinking, "why in the hell did I have to get up and drive to Harrisburg to torture myself when I could have waited a week, slept in a bit and been a lot closer to home when I was done the race and ready for a nap?!" The plan kind of back-fired though when she suggested we all do it all over again the following weekend, and this time Shawn (my husband), and Sophie (her Golden Retriever) should join us.
Yep, I agreed. Am I becoming one of those addicted runner types? No. Am I happy that I can accomplish something outside of my comfort zone that I set my mind to? Yes. Is it also a plus that I will see my sister twice in two weeks (no matter how annoying she can be early in the morning, on race day especially). Shawn too, has agreed to join me, and while we are still on the fence about whether or not we will talk the doggies along, we can at the very least feel good about the fact that we have at this point raise nearly $200 for the Arthritis foundation. Again, thank you to those who have donated to my this wonderful cause and my silly quest. And there is that time that we need to beat...
In other news, I have made the executive decision to begin a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday training schedule based largely on the fact that I'm now running a 5k every Saturday. We ran tonight, again on Old Farm Lane, my time tonight was 13:40 and it was as cold as it has been since I began this journey. My cheeks were stung by the wind and 20 degree temps. I'm pretty sure that the tears that streamed down my face, froze there. But I'm not sick, I'm not too sore, and I'm feeling pretty good about my progress, though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to a day off tomorrow.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Baby Steps
cause for celebration is that I have braved some pretty cold temps this week, and feel good about that. Last night I heard the low was going to be 17 degrees! We ran around 7PM and I'm guessing we were right around 28 degrees, but the wind chill was stinging. Shawn ran nearly an entire mile before stopping to walk - I am so envious of him!
Once we both completed our mile We gave each other a high 5 and walked probably another 1/4 - 1/2 mile on our street :). I do love our little neighborhood. It's fairly well lit and not heavily traveled, and really, after a long day at work and commute home, who wants to load back in the car to go to the track...I will say this though - the ground is hard! Ugh, I've got a dull ache today in both legs, but I'm guessing this is par for the course and am grateful to not have sprained anything or injured myself thus far. I'm proud of what I'm accomplishing, even if my progress is slow.
I went against my coach's advice and weighed myself this morning. Is it actually possible that after 5 weeks of running 3 times a week, and all of the activity these past few weeks, that I gained 3lbs?! What the hell! I was ready to pitch the damned scale this morning, but decided against it. Here's what I do know, my scale probably could use a re-set, and both times I've weighed myself since this journey began has been in the poorly lit early AM light of my bedroom. And I didn't write down the first figure - mostly because I was scared of it, so maybe I remembered it wrong too...either way, it looks like I need to be a little more conscious of what I'm eating heading into holiday party season, not that this is ANY different from any other year. God bless all of you who live each day without food/weight issues - you really have no idea how lucky you are!
Two days til the Jingle Bell - and while my sister is uber-excited, I am moderately terrified. There are two, well three pluses for me with this 5k: 1) I don't have to run Friday 2) I get to design cute outfits for us 3) I've raised $ 120 for a good cause.
And now, a word from the boss:
Can you believe it's been 5 weeks of running already...and 13 runs? You are really doing well. I am super excited for Saturday and if things go well, I think we should look for some more 5K and maybe 10K races in the near future. It will certainly be good time for us to be together. Much love~
Did she say 10K?!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
T-minus 4...
This is the best time of the year to sing Christmas Carols, this is the best time of the year to shop the holiday sales, this is the best time of the year to bake cookies, attend parties, and drink milled wine - but I cannot get on board with this being the best time of the year to run outside. Hmpf.
Yesterday was of course Monday, and I did a pretty good job of running myself ragged this past weekend. Saturday was NYC, mom and I hoofed our way from East to West side like old pros. I was proud of the fact that we did not take a cab, carriage, rickshaw, bus or subway ALL day. That had to count for some of those off day exercise bonus points. Sunday was haircut, a jewelry open house with Michele - and then, who can stop at just a jewelry open house, we hit up Target and Kohl's for good measure and some gifts...oh, and Jingle Bell Walk/Run garb of course!
I thought you all would be more forthcoming in your suggestions for ridiculous holiday attire for me to wear during the 5K this Saturday, but with only a weeks notice we had to get busy on the outfits.
Janelle, aka Coach, aka drill Sargent picked us up some pink Santa hats. And while I loved the idea of wearing a tree skirt - 1) it's festive, 2) it would cover my spandex covered bootie - and I DID find pink and purple sequined tree skirts at Target, they were $30 ea. and I just couldn't justify the cost.
So plan B includes some pink and purple argyle knee socks, some white garland with tiny colored ornaments on it - to drape, or make like a necklace, and some pink snowflake ornaments that I intend to fashion earrings for us out of. There will of course, also be pigtails. I think that is sufficient. Still not sure what I'm wearing underneath all that. Runners, please, what can I wear to cover my behind? I can't rock just these leggings in public - help! I would also appreciate any pre-race suggestions, stretches, warm ups, snacks, drinks, etc. Coach, if you are reading this, you are slacking! The only thing you have made clear is no coffee or cigarettes... :).
Last night it was around 30 degrees here and since I did not get my butt out of bed earlier enough yesterday A.M. I had to brave the cooler temps and that crazy wind chill alone (hubs was at class). Making things easier, however, was the package that was waiting for me when I got in the door. An old high school friend has been reading my blog and was generous enough to send me a pair of Under Armor leggings and two Under Armor turtlenecks along with a note of encouragement. Lord help me, I was excited to see running gear, if only in the hopes that it would keep my butt, well, and the rest of me, warmer.
I ran a mile on Old Farm last night, tracked the course in my car ahead of time. My apps - the running log and Pandora decided to just stop mid run/walk, so it was a lonely, cold, work-out. I guestimate my time to have been around 15 minutes. To run/walk on the road and not the squishy, supportive track at the high school makes a big difference in my time as well as how bad my legs hurt afterwards. I must say, I'm not looking forward to this 5K on Saturday...I'm going to need a hot bath to thaw and rest my muscles in for sure.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Jingle Bell Bootcamp
Hello hello blog followers - I am in a great mood (currently) because 1) it's Friday 2) my run/walk is out of the way for the day and 3) things are really starting to feel festive!
This morning was down right frigid, but we made it to the track before the sun did. I actually double layered the pants today, I do not have an actual temp reading but I can tell you it was below 30 degrees and an my eyes and nose were running plenty enough to prove it. Good thing for me I did load up the pockets with tissues before we left the house. Yes, WE, Shawn was again along for the morning run. He ran practically an entire mile before slowing to walk, he doesn't track his time, but I think he's doing just amazing with this.
It also makes it nice that, he too, hates to run and it's kind of like this camaraderie that we've developed as we "suffer" through this.
I was determined to push myself a bit more this AM (reasoning to follow). I ran the first full lap, and rather than slow to a walk at the end of that lap, I ran a bit further today, another 1/4 length of the track. I finished out that lap walking, ran the third, then walked the fourth only until the half way point, then ran to the end. My time reflected the extra effort - 12:51. Shawn and I then walked another lap to cool down (strange, since it was freezing out) a bit before heading home.
And while I'm happy to be finished for the week, my sister presented me with yet another challenge - that's right, the girl is about out of challenges if you ask me...but this was more of a challenge/bribe so I relented.
Next Saturday morning, instead of sleeping in before the Killian Christmas Party, I will be participating in a Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5K for Arthritis. My sister paid the $ 15 entry fee and has stated that if I do this Saturday, I will not have to run on Friday morning, she also said that she would stay with me, and of course the run was benefiting a good cause. It was too tempting to turn down.
Here is the info. she sent to me:
2010 Jingle Bell Run/Walk®
Harrisburg, PA
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Registration Begin at 8:30 AM
5K Race Begins at 10 AM
Be there with bells on!
Get in the spirit this holiday season at the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis®. Be one of the thousands of runners and walkers who hit the nation’s pavements, pathways and parks this winter to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability.
Jingle Bell Run/Walk® is a fun and festive way to kick off your holidays by helping others! Wear a holiday themed costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. Run or walk a 5 kilometer route with your team members and celebrate the season by giving.
Harrisburg, PA
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Registration Begin at 8:30 AM
5K Race Begins at 10 AM
Be there with bells on!
Get in the spirit this holiday season at the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis®. Be one of the thousands of runners and walkers who hit the nation’s pavements, pathways and parks this winter to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability.
Jingle Bell Run/Walk® is a fun and festive way to kick off your holidays by helping others! Wear a holiday themed costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. Run or walk a 5 kilometer route with your team members and celebrate the season by giving.
So I'm all signed up and ready to roll. I get an e-mail from the people at the Jingle Bell Boot Camp, I mean Run/Walk, to e-mail to family friends so that they can join me or support me in this effort. Much to my surprise, $ 120 has already been raised in my name. YOU PEOPLE ARE FANTASTIC!
Because you have been so supportive and wonderful, I am open to "suggestions"/donations for my Jingle Bell Boot Camp, er Run/Walk, costume...just remember, I'm not the best runner so let's not impede my efforts too much. I was thinking pigtails...I love a good excuse to wear pigtails.
Have a great weekend, thank you Uncle Tom, and thanks to the rest of you, you really do motivate me everyday. I'll write more next week, though I plan on getting in quite the work out tomorrow - Brenda and I are hitting NYC for a day of shopping :).
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Back in town and back in the saddle...
As you know, we left last Tuesday night for a mini vacation to Williamsburg over Thanksgiving. The trip there took us SEVEN hours, which is basically twice the time it was "supposed" to take. The dogs traveled well with us, but we were all thoroughly exhausted by the time we reached our destination, got checked-in and un-loaded. The Williamsburg Plantation was great, we ended up with an additional bed and bath, and the master bath, in all its enormity, with the super sized jacuzzi tub almost made me forget about the treacherous trip down.
Now, you also know that my current run/walk schedule is Monday, Wednesday , Friday (though I've already been warned that a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday schedule is in my near future). So even though it was after 2 AM until I was nestled all snug in my bed, I knew what I had to do a little later that morning. When we checked in I did something I have never in my life done - asked where the gym was! Usually I ask where the spa is, but this was an altogether different vacation. I slept lightly, thinking about the work-out, thinking about what I wanted to see & do in Williamsburg, and was up & at 'em before 9 AM.
Shawn was not happy about the fact that I was up so early but I explained to him that I just wanted to get it over with. He drove to Williamsburg, and I can't drive a stick shift (I know, I know), so I walked to the gym at the clubhouse and eventually found myself a treadmill. The gym was HOT, full of sweaty vacationers and the roaring fire outside in the lobby did not help my cause. I was about 1/2 way through my run when I saw a familiar face in the glass door at the Gym...yep - the hubby got his behind out of bed and ALSO walked to the Clubhouse. He finished his run outside, I got it done in 14:30, it was dreadful, I was so tired, (and did I mention hot?)...but it was done!
Our days in Williamsburg were packed with sightseeing and LOTS of walking, by the time Friday rolled around our legs and feet were killing us even though we were doing a regular soak in 'cuzzi with full jets blazing.
We decided to take the dogs with us and do our run/walk in the development which we were staying in. Shawn believed a course he charted was just a mile. We walked most of it, our aching feet were having little more, and finished up in 15:36. We got plenty of exercise on our trip - and eating out on Thanksgiving didn't really allow for us to stuff ourselves, so that worked in my favor too :).
I wish I could feel completely happy about the last week, but on Monday morning, back at home, in the coziness of my own bed, and still suffering from vacation-hangover, I didn't run. Neither of us flinched when the alarm went off, it wasn't going to happen. Yesterday morning we also stayed in bed due to the monsoon like conditions outside our bedroom window, but made a resolve that we would get our butts outside last night. Rather than go to the track, Shawn thought we should run up and down our long, fairly flat street and see how many "laps" equaled a mile.
Now I can say that I've finally figured out how to use my Running Log app with the GPS feature, the only problem(s) - it updates the distance when it feels like it, and the distance is read in Kilometers. Shawn downloaded a free app on his phone, only to find after the run/walk that it read in footsteps, well feet, yes really, feet. So, about 18:20 min in, we absolutely completed a mile, which we think is somewhere between 3 & 4 trips down the street. When I did the conversion on my laptop, I think I was around 1.3 miles. At any rate, it felt good to get back out there, not physically, but the guilt is gone!
Now, you also know that my current run/walk schedule is Monday, Wednesday , Friday (though I've already been warned that a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday schedule is in my near future). So even though it was after 2 AM until I was nestled all snug in my bed, I knew what I had to do a little later that morning. When we checked in I did something I have never in my life done - asked where the gym was! Usually I ask where the spa is, but this was an altogether different vacation. I slept lightly, thinking about the work-out, thinking about what I wanted to see & do in Williamsburg, and was up & at 'em before 9 AM.
Shawn was not happy about the fact that I was up so early but I explained to him that I just wanted to get it over with. He drove to Williamsburg, and I can't drive a stick shift (I know, I know), so I walked to the gym at the clubhouse and eventually found myself a treadmill. The gym was HOT, full of sweaty vacationers and the roaring fire outside in the lobby did not help my cause. I was about 1/2 way through my run when I saw a familiar face in the glass door at the Gym...yep - the hubby got his behind out of bed and ALSO walked to the Clubhouse. He finished his run outside, I got it done in 14:30, it was dreadful, I was so tired, (and did I mention hot?)...but it was done!
Our days in Williamsburg were packed with sightseeing and LOTS of walking, by the time Friday rolled around our legs and feet were killing us even though we were doing a regular soak in 'cuzzi with full jets blazing.
We decided to take the dogs with us and do our run/walk in the development which we were staying in. Shawn believed a course he charted was just a mile. We walked most of it, our aching feet were having little more, and finished up in 15:36. We got plenty of exercise on our trip - and eating out on Thanksgiving didn't really allow for us to stuff ourselves, so that worked in my favor too :).
I wish I could feel completely happy about the last week, but on Monday morning, back at home, in the coziness of my own bed, and still suffering from vacation-hangover, I didn't run. Neither of us flinched when the alarm went off, it wasn't going to happen. Yesterday morning we also stayed in bed due to the monsoon like conditions outside our bedroom window, but made a resolve that we would get our butts outside last night. Rather than go to the track, Shawn thought we should run up and down our long, fairly flat street and see how many "laps" equaled a mile.
Now I can say that I've finally figured out how to use my Running Log app with the GPS feature, the only problem(s) - it updates the distance when it feels like it, and the distance is read in Kilometers. Shawn downloaded a free app on his phone, only to find after the run/walk that it read in footsteps, well feet, yes really, feet. So, about 18:20 min in, we absolutely completed a mile, which we think is somewhere between 3 & 4 trips down the street. When I did the conversion on my laptop, I think I was around 1.3 miles. At any rate, it felt good to get back out there, not physically, but the guilt is gone!
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