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

We were up late last night.  Mr. had to drive to work to welcome back a team member from the sand box at 11 pm.  I was terribly worried about the icy roads, so I went with him to keep him company and be there to help push the car out of the ditch if needed.

We got home around 3 am, so my sleeping in till 9 didn't mean as much as it usually does. 

The roads around the hood were pretty cleared today.  Some icy spots where the sun couldn't get through the trees...so we had to run really carefully on those spots.  By the time I was done, around 3, there was a lot less ice than when I started.  It was nice and sunny today, and I got to see the ice melt on the cars and roads as I was out running the loop over and over again.  The busy roads aren't safe because there's no shoulder at all right now w/o ice.

The snow is covered with a sheet of ice.  When I walk on the snow, I just slip around...I don't even break through the snow, just slide around on top of it.  It's different than the snow I'm used to out west. 

I was surprised that they've cancelled school on Monday.  I was expecting a 2 hour delay, but not cancellation.  I'm hoping to be more productive at home tomorrow than the last two days.  I've still got those cookies to make.  They're healthy because they've got oatmeal, flax seeds, and whole wheat flour in them. 

I really enjoyed my run today in the sun.  Mr. ran the first 8.5 with me, then he rode the bike along side of me while I finished the 20.  It was a nice time to spend together.  I had to take one bathroom break at mile 14.5, so that would have added a few minutes to my time, but since I stopped my watch for that break, my overall pace was 9:42.  I think I had negative splits on the second half, but my legs are too tired to get up and find my Garmin right now.  I was able to pick up the pace the last 1/2 mile, so my last mile total was an 8:59 pace.

I'm glad I was able to get this run in.  It really boosted my confidence.  2 weeks till show time.  I hope the weather is like today and not yesterday for the race.

30 minutes on elliptical

not feeling too bad after my 20 yesterday, but I think it's best to not run today

lots of stuff to do anyway

"Each afternoon I would run my demons hard until I left them heaving by the roadside. "  This is the Runner's World quote of the day...I love it.  It describes so many of my runs.

2 hour delay, but someone told me it was raining this morning, and the weather had forecasted sleet, so I slept in and did the shred along with 20 min of strength training/physical therapy stuff.  Of course it wasn't actually raining, and if I would have gotten up, I could have run. 

Hopefully I can get in a run after school today.  It's the beginning of my taper, but I have to make sure it's a real taper and not a drop-off.

Up at 2:40 this morning & couldn't sleep.  Finally decided to just go out and run, hoping I could sleep after I got done heaving my demons by the roadside.  So I went out running at 3:30.  It was 36^o outside, and not too windy...pretty nice weather for a 3:30 am run.

I had a 5 mile w/3 tempo mile run on the agena.  I did that, and still needed to run a while more, so I added another loop on the end.  I was finished and going in the house about the same time I am usually leaving for my run.  I showered and laid back in bed.  After 30 minutes of listening to Mr. breathe, he got up and left for work, and I was able to fall back asleep for another 25 minutes until it was time to get up and have breakfast with mini-me.

I'm not feeling really tired yet.  Pepsi Max is good stuff :-) 

Average pace was 8:50.  I can't remember all the times.  I know the first was 10:06 and the last was 7:57.

I was sleeping so well that I didn't want to stop.  Too many snooze buttons pushed, and I only had time for a 3 mile run.  I ran fast so I could be home for breakfast with mini-me.

It was 33^o at 5:30.  My average pace was an 8:24.  I tried sprinting a few times to make my short workout meaningful. 

After mini-me left for school, I did the shred level 1 video and raced to get ready on time.  All the crazy racing to get ready was worth the extra sleep.

Lots to do this morning.  Had time for 4 miles, and that was it.  Maybe I'll try to get a shred in after work.

Overall pace: 9:24 (I think this is exactly one minute/mile slower than yesterday's hurry up and run 3 miles).  It was just starting to rain lightly when I was running my last mile.  45 minutes later, it was pouring.  I'm glad I got out early.  It's going to be another wet week-end around here.  I'm glad it's my easy week with only 8 miles on Saturday. 

I have a friend in MD who is expecing her second week-end of snow and ice.  Last week-end she had to do 18 on the treadmill, and this week end looks like 20...I would go crazy!!  It would be a mutiny at the gym.  I'd have to take over and make sure none of the TVs were playing Hannah Montana or Suite Life of Zach and Cody...because that's what is always on at the MD gym on Saturday morning.

Good Idea: getting in a run before the rain, then going out for pancakes afterward.

Bad Idea: sleeping in, going out for pancakes, then trying to run in the rain & sleet.

Guess what I did Saturday???  It was a little tricky dragging around my "former DC Mayor Marion-Barry" (marionberry) pancakes in my belly while I was trying to run.  The cracker barrel sure does have good pancakes!!  I swear I think they were actually fried. 

 I cheated on my taper run.  It was supposed to be 8, but I did a 10k instead.  I really don't think it's going to matter at all next week for the race. Looking forward to the race.  So far, the weather looks pretty good, but I'm going to knock on wood.  Forecast today said Saturday should be low 50's with partly cloudy.  Nice, huh?

Pace average was 8:35.