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

4:30 was too early, so I slept in till 4:38.  Wow, living on the edge!!

It was nice to get out by myself and spend time in the dark. I'm sure that sounds silly, but it really was nice.  I only had one moment where I realized I was out by myself on a dark country road at 5 am and felt super vulnerable.  Luckily, the thought passed and I was back on track.  I tried running mid-foot strike.  I land differently on my left foot than I do on my right, and I can't seem to get the same "landing" on both feet.  I wonder if my knee brace makes a difference. 

My toes went numb on my run.  Was it because I was trying to midstrike run or was it because I had a big hole in my sock and all my toes were trying to crawl out thru it?  

Did the ab-ripper x when I got home and then..... off to work!  Hooray :-}

90 minutes on the elliptical...feet falling asleep again (esp the same one as yesterday when I was running).  I'm really enjoying my book, so it's the reason I chose elliptical over p90x today.  No regrets.

It's cold here today- for us.  High of 36?  Ick.  I brought my stuff to workout after school, but left my garmin at home (on accident).  Maybe I'll stay indoors and stretch.  Haven't done that in a while.

Ended up going home after school because the little wench's art club was cancelled.  I put on the merrells and did 2 miles in the hood.  I tried to stay focused on midfoot and then ball to heel, ball to heel...(As I'm typing this I can hear my tap dance teacher, "shuffle, ball, heel, shuffle, ball, heel."  Who knew she'd be describing how I run????)

It was slow.  I averaged a 10:50.  I want to train myself to run correctly, but my feet don't listen very well.  Or at least the right foot doesn't listen.

Early morning with the neighbor.  It was 22 degrees.  Coldest day all season yet... I had to bring all my plants inside so they wouldn't die.

We bundled up and did some speed work.  9:08 warm up, 8:33, 8:44, 9:09.

Then I shedded a few layers and did the ab ripper.  It's actually getting easier.  Not easy, just easier.

 Out early, enjoying the dark.  9:28 avg pace.  Cold, but I was dressed for 20's not 30's and got too warm. 

Almost ran on over a dead squirrell.  Why was he sleeping on the side of the road right next to the white line???

I had a nice long post about all I did, and what tomorrow has in store.  Then I got distracted and when I finally clicked on publish & calendar, it all disappeared.

So here's a pix instead:

My fab Sunday hat.  Tried it on & knew it was a good hat that I could wear to church and if I fell asleep, no one would know cause they couldn't see my eyes!!

20 min elliptical, 2 kettle ball workouts (1 & 2), and ab ripper x.

Worked in the morning, and we'd considered just running Sunday am instead, but it was so beautiful outside Saturday afternoon that we went and ran on base for a change of scenery.

It was nice outside, and my capri length pants ended up being warmer than I needed.  Got a little too hot for my liking.  MR ran with me and we hung together until around mile 5, when he had to start taking walk breaks.  I would run ahead, run back for a couple of miles, but at mile 7 I went ahead and ran to the car. 

Trying to get MR ready for the 1/2 in Feb.  He tends to not train and shows up and runs like the devil.  I just don't think that's healthy.  He wants to get in under 2 hrs, so I'm trying to help encourage him.  It's hard coaching a spouse. 

MR & I slept in (how lovely). Then we did the p90x stretch video together.  We were both sore & tight from the run Saturday and it really helped.  It may become our new Sunday morning activity. 

Ran  the chicken farm road today.  The wind was blowing right from the hen houses onto the road, so I had a super smeller of a run on that part of the road.  First mile was over 9, but all the rest were under.  Avg pace 8:48.  Fast second half than first.

Little nagging soreness on the bottom of my arch.  I normally wouldn't think much of it at all, but after RAD's foot business, I'm seriously worried.

It was 47* outside this morning.  Very nice.  Only my wrists got cold.

Got home and did the ab ripper.  It was harder doing the first few exercises that use my quads, but I'm feeling stronger with that video every time!  If only I could see some results!  My ripped abs seem to be hiding behind my rippled steak biscuit and rootbeer float belly fat.

 After work I ran 1.44 miles, then took mini-me to tutoring and walked 3 miles, finishing up with a .8 mile run.  My legs were tired and running was tough, but I know they'll get stronger from doing these twice a day runs.

Stupid foot pain.  I'm beginnng to think I'm having sympathy pains for RAD :-(  So get better soon, sister blister!!

I did pilates and one of the kettle ball workouts.  Took some meds & hope for the best. 

Foot was fine except for the push-up section where I had to flex my toes and put pressure on the ball of my foot.  That stretching and pressure made the pain flare up.  Luckily I only had to do 5 :-).

After work, did some speed work with walk breaks inbetween.  Total of 2.36 miles walked and 1.06 miles run.  Our speeds were short (.37 was longest and .12 was shortest) but we did get going fast a couple of times.  6:41 for one of them, but most were in the low 7:00.

My foot doesn't hurt when I run.  Just after & before.  Not sure what that means, but I think if it doesn't hurt while I'm running, then why quit running?

Early run with my neighbor.  She's trying to recover from some tendonitis in her foot and she's going to a PT who said they'd "scrape her feet."  WHAT does that mean?

We averaged a 9:13, didn't really push the speed too much, and I was okay with that because I ran fast Monday and did those fartleks last night. 

My foot didn't hurt running, but at the end of the run, my freaky knee (which hasn't bothered me in ages) started hurting in a new place. I was going to run 2 more miles after we finished, but jumped on the elliptical for 20 minutes instead, and then I decided to lay in bed and ice it instead of doing ab ripper x.  No regrets :-)

Taking the afternoon off of running.  I noticed my mileage last week jumped up from my December totals.  I may need to ease into the higher miles a little more slowly. And I'm kind of disappointed when I say that because "higher miles" right now only means "over 20."

Wait, what am I complaining about?  I was supposed to be recovering and taking it easy in December, so I'm not going to whine that my miles were so low.  I'm ready to play it smart!

Slept in, did a short run (to try and not over-do-it) and that was it.

No knee pain at all last night or today.  I'm glad it was just a short term thing.

Foot pain doesn't seem to bother me any more or less than usual so I'm just wearing my arch supports and keeping my fingers crossed.

90 minutes elliptical after work.  trying to catch up on my old runner's world magazines so I can read the new one I just got yesterday.

Went to walk with MR this morning.  I tried to get him up early to walk outside around the hood so we could enjoy the moon-light, but he wanted to sleep in.  So we walked at the park while mini-me was in seminary.  The park just isn't as magical with all the lights and trees blocking the moon.

What was magical was the wicked cold wind.  MR forgot a hat and gloves, and then refused to walk at a brisk pace to try and warm up.  MR WHINEY HIENEY!  Gaaaa!!!

After 2 miles, we drove back to the church where I went inside and did ab ripper x by myself.  I liked it better without Tony because I counted as fast as I wanted to!

It was in the 20's (cold for me) so I was layered up like a lasagna, but when the sun came out, it was actually very nice.  The horrible winds from Friday morning were gone, thank goodness.

MR & neighbor lady ran while her husband biked along.  He actually ended up freezing and having to stop to warm up his feet, because we were workin' it, and he was just slowly pedaling along. 

I'm glad he came along because after mile 5, neighbor and I picked up the pace and ran at a comfortable pace while MR ran at his little slower pace and bike-man kept him company.

Good negative splits for us, and I was proud that MR finished the run without stopping to walk.

My watch died after mile 2, so I have no idea what my time/splits are.  Doesn't really matter anyway. 

Got up and made Chicken Cordon Bleu for dinner, then MR and I did our p90x stretch together. 

I really like the stretch video. Feels good :-)

Ran with MR after sleeping in too late, but I am glad we did, because it was still cold at 10:30 in the morning.

Not really eventful, one car refused to move over at all and seemed to just want to hit us.  I wish I had a air horn to blow at them when they do that.  I'm keeping my eye open for one (yes, the good eye, and not the one under the patch)!

60 minutes on the elliptical

ab ripper x

still not finished with my runner's world magazines.  I must read really slowly when I'm working out.  I'm still on the first magazine!  Love the story about the runner from Ghana who scrimps & saves to build a school house & clinic in his home town.  The article really made me think and consider how blessed I am and how I would like to make a difference like he does.

after school:  ran/walked.  1 mile run with a 1/3 mile walk, repeated 3x.  total was 4.2, so 1.2 miles walked and 3 miles run.  Not fast, just moving.

Early morning with my neighbor.  She had her foot scraped again yesterday, so we didn't go really fast.  Avg pace 9:15.  It was warm outside!  57* and we were able to run inbetween rain storms.

Tomorrow morning will be 27*.  Ick.

Tried doing some speed interval-type workout. Ran 1 warm up mile, then .73 fast, jogged for a while, fast for .75, jogged again, fast for 1 mile, then a cool down.

My fast paces were 7:35, 7:**(can't remember), and 8:01.

Glad to have that over with.  It was 30* when I left the house just after 5:00.  It was cold, but I ended up getting over-heated in the end.  I want a happy medium somewhere!

ab ripper x, 20 min elliptical

afternoon: 45 min on elliptical while I read "Hunger Games"..... liking the book!

Went out with MR and my neighbor.  We went at an easier pace, and had a nice run.  It had stopped raining and was just beautiful outside.  I wore shorts and a singlet.

We ran across one field where they were growing a Subaru.  It cropped up over night and seemed to be growing well.   On our way back home, it had been towed out of the field.  Looks like someone was going very fast and almost cleared the ditch, but left part of the undercarriage near the ditch, the front bumper a few yards in front of the "impact" and broke the front suspension. 

Someone had one wild & crazy night.

p90x stretch with MR (aahhh...it feels so good)

2 mile walk in the evening

Chue Mung Nam Moi!!  (Happy New Year!)

Early, early... up before 4 am to get it all in, but I managed.

It was 39* out, but a cold wind kept my jacket on the whole way home.  Ran a simple out & back to the p-town light.

Then off to Waffle House for mine-me's birthday breakfast.

90 min on elliptical in the pm to burn some birthday food calories and to read my book.  I wanted to keep going, but my silly MR wanted to spend time together.  WHEN will I get to finish my book?

p90x legs & back.  my knees didn't hurt, but they were cracklin like rice crispies.

After work:  went to the school track...ran 2 miles, walked 2 miles, ran 1 mile and walked .17 to the finish line. It was beautiful outside!

Early morning with neighbor. We headed out a little earlier to get in 5 miles.  We went slow today.  My legs were tired & sore from yesterday, she had ailments of her own and just got "scraped" yesterday so we enjoyed our very slow jog in the fog.

She'll be leaving for airborne school soon & I'm going to miss my Wednesday running partner.

After the run, took mini-me to seminary and went home for a little nap. My legs are sore, sore, sore.  But it kind of feels good.  I think I may have reached level "crazy."

Finished book 1 last night....had to will myself to stay in bed & not get book 2 out.  Good thing there's only 3 of them!

This morning, I couldn't move my legs without them hurting.  The activities from the last 2 days have them screaming in pain.  I have a long run planned for the pm, and wonder how it's going to happen.

------------------------

After work- hurried and got ready after work and finally got to run with Wyatt again.  She even wore her hat.  It was beautiful outside.  Shorts & long sleeve tee (I think I could have even gone short sleeved).  I had my headlamp on when we started because I knew we'd be out for a long time and didn't want to get caught in the dark.  It was a good plan!

I was ready to stop and keel over in exhaustion at what felt like mile 12, but when I checked my watch, it was only 2.73.  Dang, I wasn't sure I'd be able to finish.  But somewhere between 4 and 5, things started feeling better and we decided we'd go for 11 instead of 10.  I love it when you get past that point of despair and feel like you can go on. 

I had to take a "side trip" to the woods about 1/2 way through the run and found the thorn bushes.  It's great when I finish a run and look "rugged" with bloody scratches and thorns sticking out of my legs. 

We were slow.  Oh, so very, very, very slow.  No matter, we just kept running and talking.  It's good to run with Wyatt- I've missed her.

I was worried that I wouldn't be able to walk this morning, but my legs actually felt better after that 11 mile run than they did before.  Strange.

I only had time for 30 min on elliptical, but I got some book time in and feel better for doing something rather than nothing.

We spent the week-end at Beech Mountian (the highest elevation point in the US east of the rockies).  There wasn't any "natural" snow, but the small ski resort there had made 3 1/2 fingers of snow on the mountain for skiing.

The fearof damaging my knees skiing keeps me off the slopes.  We went on a hike instead.  The weather was lovely for mid-winter mountains.  The hike went along a river with beautiful waterfalls.  Just after we finished, a fog came in and a little icy snow came down.  Glad we'd finished when we did.

Here's a couple of pix from our hike:

It was cold this morning out on the mountain, but we got in a little hike before our long car ride home.  Thankfully, there was an IKEA on the way for a nice mid-trip break :-)

Back to running this morining.  I was slow- avg pace 9:32.  Not sure why today was a tough run day, some days are just like that I guess.

I did manage to pull off a 9:01 the last mile, so maybe I just needed more time to warm up.

I went to get up out of bed early, and MR said "Just 5 more minutes" so I stayed in bed with him and 5 minutes turned into 30 minutes of sleep. 

30 min elliptical, ab ripper x, 15 more minutes of elliptical.

I'll do something after work in the "running" department.

walked a total of 2.18, ran 3 after.  All under a 10mm.  Bubble girls are getting busy!!