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

Early morning with my neighbor.  We left early so we'd have plenty of time to get our 6 miles in.  Ran to the p-town light.  I only recall 2 cars passing us on the road.  One of them was being ridiculous and wouldn't give us an inch.  I am looking forward to using my new air horn on these people in the future!

In the pm I put on my vibrams and went for a walk to deliver a package that the mail carrier delivered to the wrong address (mine).  I decided to try running home slowly in them to practice my mid-foot strike. 

Then, I had to redeem myself a little in the calorie department and spent some time (75 minutes) on the elliptical to try and work off the 2 1/2 donuts, 5 cookies & hot fudge sundae I ate at work today.  Pretty sure I didn't burn them all off, but I made a dent.

Watched "money ball" movie in the pm.... MEH... fell asleep a couple of times- kind of depressing.

I slept in because it was raining, and my bed was so much more inviting than the rainy roads.  When I got up an hour later, the rain was done, and it was 58* outside. Perfect weather for a run. Avg pace 8:57

This afternoon is looking like a run with Wyatt.  Goodie goodie!!

A Beautiful afternoon/evening run with Wyatt.  We wore shorts & t-shirts and it was just perfect.  We went slow and easy (had to stop and watch a beaver playing in a swamp for a few minutes) and talked each other's ears off.  If we could only talk our rears off too!!  Avg pace 10:57  (2 min difference from this morning).

p90x and 20 min elliptical.

Krispy Kreme tomorrow-  whoopeeee!!!

Great fun with the neighbors on the ride to & from the race, as well as at the race while we watched and commented on everybody that was running!  My favorite was either Hulk or the Spartans, who all took off running in ranks, with their red capes billowing behind them in the wind and their swords held high. 

I never did actually see the frisbee guy who was running in body paint and had a frisbee tied on the front and a frisbee tied on the back.  Too bad for me.  Then there were these guys at the donut stop:

Does that tattoo on the guy's forearm actually say nerd?  I'm just glad that race bib is stragetically placed to cover his ranger panty squat.

MR ate his dozen (I only ate one donut & took the rest with me in a ziplock bag [thanks for the great ideas grandma]).  He actually finished before me- the run back is all uphill and he's a beast on the hills.  I struggled to catch up with him for almost 2 miles and had just about caught him, but was just a second or two behind.  Including the stop, I had a 9:49 average pace, but I did lap my "donut stop" time, which was over 9 minutes, so the average running was a much better pace... more like a 7:59 or something.

It was chilly to start, but so much better than last year with all of the rain.  I wore my FAT KIDS LOVE CAKE t-shirt and got a few comments out of it.  Evidently, it's acceptable to wear to a donut race, but not so much to Red Lobster for dinner at the all you can eat shrimp-fest.

Here's a pix of MR in his warrior skirt and helmut....

What a hottie.

Neighbor and I were going to run 11 today since we didn't get a long run in on Saturday, but we both woke up sore from the race and it was overcast & drizzling. 

We decided to only do 4-6, but after 2 just threw in the towel because her back was really hurting.  We walked home and look at a house for sale that she wants to buy (she's renting now).

Here's a photo of some superheros from the krispy kreme run....

You're welcome.

Up and at em early again.  The first couple miles were super slow & tough, but then I caught my groove & put it in my pocket for the rest of the run.

Nothing dead to see, although it could have been me looking like a running zombie there the first 2 miles.  Here's something you CAN see- another contestant in the stange costume krispy kreme challenge.

A very merry unbirthday to you!

what a mess of a morning.  I slept in knowing that I'd still have plenty of time to do the p90x plyo, then just afer I got up, I got a phone call saying I'd have to pick up daughter from seminary so that cut my time in half.  I decided to do some elliptical instead, and then after 20 min she called & said she had a ride home anyway.

So I could have done it, but didn't think it was possible, and then was relieved/mad that I didn't get the chance. 

I ended up with 45 elliptical and one kettle ball session.  Running today after school.

We ran and went through a new neighborhood to get a new view.  Me & the lone bubble girl...

Early morning run with neighbor.  We both had so much to talk about, we were still talking when we finished but had to go inside because it was too cold to stand around being sweaty wet.

We were chased by 2 dogs on a road I usually never have dog trouble with.  And of course I'd left my air horn at home!  I feel like the wicked witch of the west, "I'll get you next time, my pretty!"

Avg pace 9:40.  Knee bothered me the rest of the day.  Iced it in the pm.  Hoping for better luck with it tomorrow.

My knee felt better this morning, and I wondered if I should run like I'd planned- but I chose to err on the side of caution and I did elliptical instead.

45 min elliptical and ab ripper x.

Got a phone call during elliptical that I had to pick up daughter from seminary.  The boy that drives her home fell asleep on his way to the church this morning and drove his car into someone's front porch.  So I'm guessing I'll be driving her home from seminary for the rest of the year.  NOT happy about that.  The boy is okay- didn't hurt him, but totaled his truck.

20 min elliptical after work.  Went to bed early again.  I could get used to this.

I had to wake up at 3:40 this morning to get it done, but it was worth it to get my long run in with MR.  He'd taken the morning off so we could run together.  It was 32* when we left and 30* when we got home.

10 miles- it was our long run for the week.  We have plans Saturday morning so we did it early.  It's great having it out of the way already.

Ave pace was 9:40.  Faster the second half than the first, and I felt good finishing strong. 

We had to stop along the way 3 times.  Twice for MR's twisted ankle (it's hard to judge depth perception in the dark), and once because he was hot and when he tried to unzip his sleeves, he got frustated and turned into the Hulk and started ripping the fabric of his jacket. 

I had a gu half way through.  it was key lime pie.  I loved it!

No critters, very few cars.  I did take my air horn with me and when the dog came out and I pushed the horn, it was kind of quiet... and then the whole thing started freezing over and spraying freezing air everywhere. I froze my hand (8.5 hours later, it's still red & tender).  It did keep the dogs back, but it took a lot of air time.  I didn't see any house lights come on, but I'm hoping as the weather warms up, the noise will get louder.  I'd just love to wake up the people who are irresponsible and leave their dogs out loose on the streets all night when it's 30 degrees outside. 

Hey, a girl can dream....

Did 30 minutes elliptical after work so I could earn some extra calories for dinner out with Wyatt.  Fun stuff, as usual.

We helped with a local blue & gold banquet today, but had time to sneak off to the park across the street and did some walking.  It was cold, but we were bundled up.  I wore my merrells and tried to walk on the balls of my feet instead of my heels like I usually do.

I had some terror flashbacks to Collette, (the crazy lady with cheese & dog hair) as I was walking pretty on my feet.

p90x stretch...always good

having that talk with your 18 year old about how they're going to have to start paying for their own insurance & cell phone bills.... never good

My own little 10K run in the moon-light.  My Garmin was dead...not just low, but dead.  It won't even charge.  Might have to get out the paddles and shock it back to life.  But it was good because I just ran what felt very comfortable, and didn't worry about anything but breathing and not being hit by cars. 

There weren't many cars on the road, so I eventually just turned my headlamp off and enjoyed the moon'light.  I'd turn it on if a car came by, but there were only 3 times I had to do it and I loved the quiet dark the rest of the time.  Totally clear skies (it was 30*) and the fresh air smelled sooo good.  I almost choked on some diesel fumes coming off a mini-bus, but the rest of the time it was mah-vel-ous!

I was going to get up at 3:45 so I could run 6 miles before MR & mini-me left for the morning, because I wanted to give them their valentines. 

But I've been feeling like I'm on the edge of coming down with something, and even though I had almost 8 hours of sleep I was still so tired and talked myself into staying in bed another 90 minutes.

I managed to squeeze in p90x ab ripper x and 30 minutes elliptical before I had to get ready for work. 

Good thing I did something- I've already had a donut, a bo-berry biscuit, and a cupcake!

Early morning with my neighbor.  We are enjoying our Wednesday runs together, always lots to talk about.  I had my headlamp off most of the time, just us and the moon and the stars.  And the random barking dogs...but they were all behind fences today.

We averaged a 9:22, which is better than we've been doing.  I didn't want to go too fast so I'd be ready for Saturday.  Hope I'm not sick- I feel like it's just waiting beneath the surface - ready to jump out and grab me by the throat.  Trying to get plenty of sleep and take my vitamins.

Just wanted to get out and do something.  I had to pick up from seminary, so I was short on time and this worked for me.

walked 3+ miles on treadmill at 2% grade after school at a 4.5 mph pace.  We have a new workout room at the school for the staff...3 treadmills, an elliptical, a recumbent bike, and 2 boxing bags.  It was a good day to be inside walking.

20 min easy on elliptical, then I had to do the seminary driving both ways.  Good plan for a taper day.

Went to bed early the night before, but hotel doors slamming all night kept me up till 11.  And I was worried about jr at home alone (not sure which I was more worried about- him or the home), so my sleep time really suffered.  I finally found some ear plugs at 11:00 and then got some sleep.

The course is nice and flat for this race, and this year was the best weather year yet!  No snow, no rain, temps in the am were just around 40 (chilly just standing around), but warmed up to the 60's by the afternoon.  Perfect running weather.

MR and I ran together.  He ended up pacing us a little faster than I'd anticipated, and I was surprised that he didn't KO by mile 10, but that race adrenaline kicked in and he brought us both in with new PRs.

Our goal was under 2.  Getting in under 1:55 was just a treat.  I was happy all our miles but one were under 9mm.  And that was the mile with the mile 10 waterbreak when I had to stop to walk to catch my breath, eat my gu, drink some water & spill pink gatorade all over myself. 

Average was an 8:43 pace.  I really tried to run good tangents, and for me, .08 isn't bad.  Splits were: 8:34, 8:38, 8:40, 8:42, 8:44, 8:37, 8:56 (water/gu), 9:00 (water again), 8:42, 8:37, 9:14 (water/gu), 8:45, 8:19, and 7:33 for the last .18. 

This was a great run, but I didn't "enjoy" it as much as I have in the past when I've just been running to have fun rather than running to meet a new PR goal.  I missed a lot by staying focused on running instead of noticing the other runners, the beach, the gay dolphin store, etc.  

And I guess there are 2 ferris wheels in myrtle beach now.  I thought I was having a bad mind trip when I saw one on the run up ahead of us and I could have sworn we'd already passed it.

The after run food was great.  chocolate milk, hot chicken noodle soup, the banana, orange, bagel, muffin & more tent, krispy kreme donuts that were waiting to be dipped in hot chocolate sauce and rolled in sprinkles (those were sooooo good), and of course the beer tent where MR had his beer & mine too.

We went back to the hotel, spent some time in the hot tub, took a nap, went for a 2 mile walk on the beach, and found our way to a Red Robin for some rootbeer float training time.  He got in 4, and I managed to take down 3 with 2 orders of sweet potato fries.  Needless to say, I was hitting the tums pretty hard by bedtime, but it was all worth it.

MR says he might even try a marathon sometime.  He'll need his own medal rack soon if he keeps this up!  My quads are sore from the run- not something I usually experience, but then I've never run 13 miles at that speed before, so I don't know what to expect. 

Morning 2 mile walk on the beach with MR, drove home, p90x stretch (aahhhhhh), then another 2 mile walk in the evening.  Just trying to walk that soreness away.

President's day and I got to work.  Hooray :-(

20 min elliptical on easy.  I never imagined my quads would be this sore after a 1/2.  I want to recover properly and not over-do it. 

pilates in the morning

My last Wed morning with my neighbor for a while.  She's going away to school for a few weeks.

We ran an avg 9:57 pace which felt just right.  My legs have felt better ever since. 

45 min elliptical on super easy in the pm while I worked on finishing up runner's world.  Billy Mills story always amazes and inspires me.

At 2:00 this morning, I was awakened by my chicken making noises outside my window.  Our chickens sleep in a hut inside their fenced in coop area, which is nowhere near my bedroom window, so I woke up 100% certain that there was a vicious predator in the coop that was killing all the chickens, and this one had managed to fly out and had come cackling at me for help.

I'm busy looking for suitable attire to put on to go out and put the chicken massacre to an end, and looking for my headlamp, and finding my glasses... it seemed like forever. I envisioned carnage and feathers everywhere, with perhaps an opposum or raccoon licking it's little lips in the distance.  My heart was racing with fear and adrenaline.

Finally, I got out back and right there waiting at the door is "Lassie."  I picked her up and walked out to the coop and the other girls were all safe in the hen house.  I have no idea why that silly bird was 1-awake at 2am or 2-cackling outside my window or 3-not in the hen house with the others.

But I was wide awake, and it was still only 2:20 in the morning.  I was up for at least another hour with my mind running and my body not wanting to.  So I slept in this morning.  I had to drive for seminary which means I'd have to be finished working out by 5:30, and I didn't have the energy or desire.  I'm counting it as a recovery morning.  I'm planning on getting out and walking/running at the park this afternoon.

Hopefully the great chicken mystery of 2 am will not have a sequil anytime soon.

Went to the park and got in 3 laps.  Each lap took just under 10 minutes and is around 1 mile.  It was beautiful outside.

I didn't wake up super early- I stayed in bed as long as possible. It's a good thing (I'm telling myself) that I did so I didn't over-do-it and run too much.  The things I can justify....

It ended up being a progressive run.  I just started running comfortably and by the last mile decided to go ahed and run faster to try and make it 30 second intervals.  I got pretty close. Laps were around 10:10, 9:40, 9:10, 8:40.  Then I had to hurry in and get ready for work.

Of course at work we've had donuts and King's Hawaiian bread with spinach dip and that was all before 10:30.  Good times...

We weren't going to run today, since our training for the 1/2 was over, but there was a free fun run on base, and we just couldn't resist. 

It was colder than I'd planned, but warmed up quickly running the first mile almost all downhill.  Then it kind of plateaus, then uphill.  I told MR I wasn't going to race, but geez, I just the fever!

When we were nearing the 1/2 way point, I started counting females that were ahead of me.  I counted 9, so I would have been #10, but as we turned the 1/2 way point, some pony-tailed vixen passed me up and made me #11.  Aaarrrggghhh!  Well, I worked hard the second half of the race (I even left MR behind) because I wanted to be in the top 10.  I managed to get #10 about half way up the hill, and then on the last stretch of the track heading into the finish line, I got #9.  Woo-hoo!!

They had lots of free SWAG there.  Got some t-shirts, pens, chick-fil-a mini sandwiches, water, food snacks, etc.  We stuck around for the raffle drawing, and I was getting really cold.  We had another 1/2 hour to wait so we went back to the car and I got the awesome fuzzy stinky blanket RAD gave me for Christmas to wrap around myself and keep me warm.  Thank you for saving the day RAD!!

We didn't win anything on the raffle drawing (I wish lucky Burt was there to help me win- he always wins stuff), so we left to do our trail hike.

We did 4 miles on the trail with ruck sacks.  I made sure mine wasn't too heavy, but MR was dragging along his 60 lbs trying to be a hot shot.  My allergies started going crazy and I turned into a hot snot.  I had to use the little towel they gave away at the race to keep wiping my nose and eyes with.  My legs really felt that hike.  4 miles was enough for me. 

It was a good day.  Cherry trees are in blossom and there are pink blooms coming up everywhere.  The forsythia are all blooming too.  I'm soooo glad spring is here :-)

20 min elliptical while I waited for my sticky buns to cook in the oven.  I used cheesecake pudding mix instead of butterscotch.  Good stuff, Charlie Brown.

Went for a 2 mile walk in the pm.  I felt a little rock - tiny, tiny pebble under my big right toe.  After a few houses, I stopped to kick it out.  Later that night, my toe was still sore so I looked at it, and I've got a nickel sized blood blister on the bottom of my toe.  CRAP!

I chose not to run because the blood blister on my toe is really sore and I didn't want to push off funny on my foot and hurt myself trying to run this morning. 

I started the p90x today trying to get buff for the dirty hog on May 5th.  I won't finish the program by then, but I'm sure I'll get stronger.  If I can keep it up.

Day one is chest & back.  pushups and pull ups and chin ups.  My arms feel very wobbly 9 hours later.  I just know they will be sore tomorrow (and maybe even the rest of the week).  I know I've got to get over it to improve, but I am dreading the sore muscle pain.  I'm stretching and waving my arms around every chance I get. 

After the chest & back I did the ab ripper x (or I tried), it was sooo hard.  Was it because I didn't do it last week or is it because I was already ka-put?  probably both.  The cat usually hangs around my head trying to get pet while I'm doing ab ripper, but today I was making all kinds of horrid sounds and it kept kitty away.  Good to know :-)

I took two little red decongestant pills before going to bed last night, and I'm not sure exactly why but I was wired all night long and couldn't sleep.  I laid in bed from 9 till 1 am, and I was worrying that I wouldn't be able to wake up in time to finish the p90x plyo before 5:30 am.  

I finally got tired of worrying about it, and around 1:10 am, I got dressed and did the plyo.  I decided since I was wired and couldn't sleep anyway, I'd just get it out of the way.  I finished the plyo and finally got to sleep around 3 am- just to wake up at 5:30.  

Then I went with MR to the base where we did PT together.  We ran 4 miles.  It was a good speedy, hilly workout for me.  I was surprised that I had enough energy to finish it after 2.5 hours of sleep.  Those little red pills are magic! 

We grabbed some breakfast and went to the tax center where it took us 3 hours to have our taxes worked out.  I finally started feeling sleepy at the tax center, but managed to stay awake long enough to enjoy some fab Thai food for lunch.

Then I had a nap and went to the dentist.  What a way to spend a day off work.

My arms are sore, my chest muscles are sore, my back muscles are sore.  I'm not sure how I'm going to pull off the shoulders & arms video tomorrow, but I'll try.  Hopefully it won't be at 1 am :-)

I took some theraflu last night before bed.  Much better results than the little red pills- although something should be said for the great feeling of accomplishment one gets from finishing their p90x workout by 230 in the morning.

I had driving duty this morning, so I didn't get to run and do p90x.  I've got plans to run with Wyatt after work.

It was a workout just trying to drag my sore muscles out of bed to start the video, and I was truly hoping it was a short 30 minute video.  But it was not to be- I saw the 59 minutes on there and cried a little inside.  I knew I had to do ab ripper after and just wasn't sure how it was going to work since I was so, so sore.

I managed to finish the video, but I used light weights.  I have 2, 4, or 10 lbs.  10 is too heavy for me for almost all the exercises right now.  4 seemed too easy for some of them, but I used it and figured it was better than nothing and it would probably make me sore none-the-less.

Maybe I'll get some 6 & 8 lb weights to work my way up to the 10.  I feel like such a whimp using less than 10 pounds, but it's honestly all I can do right now.  I'm looking forward to seeing some improvements in that department.

After work, met Wyatt and attempted to run.  The first 1.5 miles were so slow.  My calves hurt like crazy.  We took a stretch break, and the next few miles were 100% better.  Still slow but not a painful torment.  We ran a little on a dirt road and found that someone had been flying a kite, and left the kite on the other end of the field with fishing line strung across the length of 3 fields and almost tripped us because it was strung across the road at knee length.   It was a nice 20 minute diversion.