With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams...

Got to go for a beautiful outdoor run in the south's 60 degree winter weather.  Now that's more like it!!

Short sleeves, knee length bottoms, and Wyatt was sporting her cowboy hat for protection from the sun (or so she says...I think she wears it because it is totally cool looking).

We walked a couple miles at the end- so that made our average pace rather slow...didn't even bother to check it.  I'm pretty sure we stayed under 10mm, so I'm a happy camper.

Tried the p90x stretching dvd today.  It was good to stretch, but that guy is a little obnoxious, don't you think?

Ah, the call of the early morning alarm clock.  Too bad Christmas break had to end.

It was dark outside this morning.  No clouds, no moon.  Just that bright plant shining on me..I'm guessing it's Venus, but my astrological chart went missing & I'm not sure.

Did my PT first to warm up, then went out and ran in our balmy 34* weather.  I think there was a glitch in the matrix, because one of the loops I run on had a rabbit run across the road right in front of me two different times in the exact same place.  Guess he already knew how deep the rabbit hole was.

Had a very small progressive, but progressive run.  The last mile felt the best- bringing it home strong with the Pet Shop Boys.  I enjoy quiet runs sometimes, but most of the time, I love my tunes.

Knee didn't hurt at all, but after the run I could feel that it felt different.  Not in pain, and not really even sore...just different.

On a "glad I didn't run there" note, there was a dead body found on the trail I love to run on.  I haven't been on the trail in a while- guess I'll stay off of it until they figure out what happened to that poor guy. 

It was cold, so I did the Jillian Shred level 1 for my warm up, then did 2 miles of speedwork.  .5 regular,  .5 fast, repeat.  

Probably should have done more, but I don't want to over-do it with my knee.  A fine line between being too cautious and not being cautious enough.

9:40, 7:48, 9:06, 7:32

wonderful run. It was really dark out, and for some reason it seems like people aren't as nice to give me road room when it's cold outside.

I ususally get 80-90% of the cars to pull over the yellow line & give me some space when I'm running in the morning dark.  But today I only had 10% of the cars pull over & give me room.  Most of them acted like they were ready to run me over.

The run felt amazingly good, but knee twinges after.  I iced & stretched.  Re-evaluating plans for Feb.

decided to go easy & not push my knee into an injury trying to train for a mid-Feb marathon.

Kind of a let down, but I really don't want to hurt my knee again & it was sore a bit yesterday.

So today I slept in & did Jillian's shred 1 and my physical therapy.

Not quite as fulfilling as a run, but my knee felt better by the end of the day.

Did my PT before my run for a warm up.

My first mile I felt like I was running a good strong pace.  I couldn't believe it was a 10:25 pace...I thought for sure it was more like 9:40.  Funny how things seem different some days.

I eventually progressed and increased my speed so I was actually running a 9:40, but it took a couple of miles.  I'm trying not to over-do it or push too much so the knee can strengthen & heal without being abused.  The run felt good, and I feel great.  No knee problems today.

Update on the man shot on the running trail.  The trail was actually closed to runners/walkers/bikers (there were signs posted) for hunting that day.  A couple of hunters had just "jumped" a deer and it was running out of it's hiding spot when they shot at it.  Except one of the guys didn't shoot the deer, he shot the runner.  They called 911, but the guy died.  I guess it's his fault for being on the trail when it was closed. 

physical therapy exercises

work

run with Wyatt.  It was windy & cold, but I needed a therapy run like nobody's business.  Just what I needed, no one had to walk the plank today.  Thank goodness for Wyatt!

3 Words: Krispy Kreme Challenge

It's featured in the back of the newest Runner's World magazine.   And just so you know, I've already been registered for weeks.  It is ON this year!!!

I even had a dream about the race last night.  I was with RAD and Allie & we ran to the donut stop point, and they sat and watched in horror & amazement while I managed to eat all 12 donuts.  Then we all headed back, only I couldn't keep up with them, and I got seriously nauseated and lost my way back.....    I was trying to run around the city looking for the finish line.

It was still a good dream, because it's the only time I've eaten donuts and not felt guilty about it.  The ones in my dream were good too....chocolate iced donuts & glazed ones....mmmmm....nom, nom, nom, nom.

It would fun if RAD & Allie could come out for the race, but when Allie said she wanted to do more "out of state" races, I don't think this is what she had in mind.

School cancelled, so I slept in.  woke up to snow everywhere.   Big beautiful flakes.  Doesn't happen much down here & it looks beautiful.

I did 45 min on elliptical, then tried the p90x plyometrics.  It was my first time & wasn't sure what to expect.  It kicked my trash.  wow, what a workout.

I decided to go for a walk around the hood in the snow.  we had almost 4 inches at the time.  It was a beautiful walk.  I decided to run a little, and went slow because of the snow.  after a mile, I just went back to walking.  It was easier to enjoy the beauty of the falling snow when I was walking.

cut my ankle on the ice walking out to the chicken coop today.  there's 4 inches of snow with 1/2 inch of ice on top of it.  Sharp stuff, evidently.  So that put a stop to my idea of running in the snow today. 

45 min elliptical - then I baked pumpkin biscuits, pumpkin bread & sweet potato muffins -

then, I got super brave and tried the Shred #2.  It was good to feel like I was getting a workout. 

went to Wyatt's in the afternoon to do laundry (washer's broken) and make carmel corn!! 

did physical therapy while our family "The Office" marathon continues.  What else do you do on your 2nd snow day in a row?

Looking for a good way to spend day #3 tomorrow. I believe I will be trying another p90x.  why not? 

physical therapy for warm up, then ran 7 miles. ap 9:20.  Just a little ice on the roads in the shady spots.  The trees looked like they were glistening with diamonds because the ice all over the branches was starting to melt in the sunlight.  It was really pretty.

Later, I did Kenpo (I loved it).  My kids knocked on the door & asked me if I was okay because my Kenpo shouts sounded more like "injured/constipated mom" shouts.  I told them it was just Kenpo, and "there's more where that came from."

Went shopping and bought the Wii Just Dance 2.  It is so much fun!!!  I don't do well, but I get a giggle out of trying.

After dinner I did my mat pilates.  Get to back to school tomorrow!!! 

Shred level 2 for my warm up (it actually kicks my heiney), then I had time for a quick run, so I tried 2 miles fast.  little warm up/cool down before & after.  1st mile: 8:23, 2nd mile 8:03. 

My legs can feel the burn from all the extra cross training stuff I've been doing, but I feel strong.  It's a nice kind of sore feeling.

I had to throw in one quick iko iko dance before getting ready for work.  it's my favoite one on the Wii just dance game. 

Now off to the magical land of work!

did some quick PT and then went for a 4 mile progressive run.  9:50, 9:14, 8:52, 8:30.

P-town 9 mile loop.  The sun was out, but it was windy.  Usually the wind is in my face the whole 2nd half, all the way home.  Today I was lucky and went out into the wind.

Avg pace 9:11.

I had to rearrange the furniture so it's not in the way when I do the Wii dances.  My children say the new arrangement is "unacceptable." I told them to walk the plank. It's good to be the Pirate Queen!! 

1.2 mile walk around the hood at sunset.  I needed something beautiful today, and that was my ticket.

up till 3 am worried about teenagers and their dumb ideas.  Made me wonder how my parents ever got any sleep at all.

So sleeping in till 9 wasn't really sleeping in, but it was nice to have the day off so I could sleep till 9 instead of 5.

Did my Wii dances for a great pre-run warm up, then Wyatt came over and we did the p-town loop with the blackbridge rd extension to make it 10 miles even.  A handsome looking fella pulled up in a truck while we were running and offered to tinker with our heaters. 

Came home and did 40 more minutes of the Wii dance before showering & doing errands.  My claim to fame for the day is a 9330 on the Charleston and a new high score on Rasputin.  Now if I could only get the Rasputin song out of my head!!!

Plyometrics in the morning (with a few cool-down dances).

Then I spent wwaaaaayyyyy too much time dancing after dinner, but found it keeps my mind off my worries, so it's like a drug for me.

Then I got the dumb idea to try the ab ripper x.  I tried.  I really tried, but it was impossible for me to do all those exercises the way/speed they were doing them.  I'm sure that won't stop me from being sore in the morning.  Hooray! 

PT warm ups then a nice jog in the rain.  Love my day-glow yellow rain jacket!!

Shred level II with Jillian, then a speed workout. 8:31, then 7:58.

pm- dance, dance, dance....  I may need an intervention

Up too late watching TV.  Finally got my office fix!!

So I only managed 3 before I had to get ready this morning.  If I'm good, I'll do something more after work.   But my pirate-like tendencies may keep me from doing anything good.  Probably just stir up some trouble somewhere instead.

(pm update) just when I thought both kids would be gone for the night, someone hijacks my evening of splendor and decided to stay home!!  I would have started a mutiny, but I decided to make him do all his chores instead. That way, I won't have to nag him all week-end to do it!  Take that, Blackbeard!

I tried the p90x core synergenistics workout.  meh- not my favorite.  RAD can have it.  I'd rather do kenpo or plyometrics.....or dance. 

late afternoon run with Wyatt.  Chilly out today!

My back muscles are sore from the core synergestics last night.  Nothing is hurt, they're just sore from the new kind of workout.

Did a little dancing & made some ricotta blueberry pancakes with a homemade honey syrup.  Nom, nom, nom, nom......

6 miles 9:13 avg pace.

Loving the moon..still bright in the morning sky :-)

pm- kenpo & dance magic

stayed in bed & spent the morning with the Wookie

danced in the afternoon

Great Day!

6 miles in a light rain. avg pace 9:11

Ab ripper after- this is harder to do after a run than when I do it in the evening when I'm not tired.

shred level 2, then a 4 mile run

recovery run speed.  What am I recovering from, you may ask? All the cake I've eaten this week I guess.

Elliptical and ab ripper.   Kept my feet up for ALL the mason twists today.  That crazy video may actually be working!!

1 hour warm up on the dance floor.  MR kicked my trash..again.  But I'm still claiming that I'd win if he were actually moving his feet and dancing, not just doing the arm movements!!

Then we headed off for the P-town loop.  Wyatt is entertaining her parents today, so we went without her.  After about 5 miles, we did some walk/run/walk/run stuff.  It was beautiful out today- 50's & sunny.  I didn't mind the extra time out in the sun enjoying the world.  Just chores and errands to do at home, so I was enjoying the journey.

2 mile walk- it was beautiful!  almost 70 degrees :-)

dancing & then some Pilates

PT for warm-ups and then an early run.  avg pace 9:08.

Little buckaneer got up early and went out for a quick run this morning.  I'm not sure what motivated him to do it, but I'm glad he's interested in doing something. 

wore the big knee brace & my knee feels fine today.  The run/walk on Saturday really seemed to irritate it. 

The cafeteria brought in some fresh baked cookies & asked us to help them "take care of them."  How can I say no to that?  They were still warm :-)