The Run That Almost Wasn't

Ever have one of those days where you start with your road paved with good intentions and by the end of the day the only thing you want paved is the pathway to your couch or bed? I was so there. I postponed a run that should have been done on Monday and told myself and others on Tuesday I have to get my miles done. Still had myself convinced even at the end of the work day and in the car on the way home.

And then...it happened. I walked in and put my stuff down. And then... I sat down. And then, I put my feet up. Yeah, there would be no running at this point. We had dinner plans for the evening and I was already hungry. So my now soon-to-be-ex husband (just kidding dear) announced that we should go to the gym to get it out of the way before our friendly rendezvous. In my mind he was stabbed at least 25 times with my dagger eyes. He goes to properly prepare for the gym and I stood in the doorway protesting. And then I actually thought I could prevent him from walking thru the door in an attempt to thwart his evil plan! Damn man was entirely too persistent and then I lost the battle with a case of the giggles.

So begrudgingly, I get myself together and in the car. And trust me, there were no nice words coming from my mouth for the entire 2.3 minutes it takes to get to the gym. I got on the treadmill while that man ran on the indoor track upstairs. For every lap he went by me, he gained a new imaginary wound and was the recipient of several dirty looks.

All this drama was for 3 MILES! That's it. That's all I had to do. Got it done and actually felt satisfied at my completion of a scheduled run and was even glad to have gotten it done. And do you think I would give that man the satisfaction of knowing that he had anything to do with my sense of accomplishment? OH HELL NO!!! But, I guess I gotta love him anyway.

Geared Up

Ok, 2 out of 4 runs for my first week. Not great but not bad either. With the incredibly frigid temps this week, I hit the gym for my long run instead of outdoors (again)....crazy, not stupid! My long run was supposed to be 7 miles but with only a single 2 mile run logged for the week I decided on a shorter run. I woke up thinking to myself, "Self, let's do 3 miles at a faster paced then scheduled". I got myself ready and thought, "I'm gonna do 4...yeah 4 would be good". Got to the gym and on the treadmill (not my idea of a good time) and pushed it to 5. Yeah, I patted myself on the back, and then I took an hour long bath.

Tomorrow starts week 2...oh what fun...I can't wait...can you? =)

Baby, It's FREAKIN' Cold Out Outside!!

I picked a fine week to start training for the Germantown Half Marathon with only 11 weeks til race day. The temps have to be the coldest here in Memphis since I moved here in 1992. Holy Cow!! I can handle some cold weather but my face is so frozen while I'm running that I couldn't feel my lips or nose, or the snot running down for that matter.

It was supposed to be any easy run...2 miles at a 14:30ish pace. It had to be the most painful run I have ever done. I swear my lungs grew icicles that refused to melt. It took the better part of the night and a 20 minute circuit workout to thaw. And I have so often said that winter is my favorite season...OY! (Sad part is, it still is and always will be!) Tonight is a 5 mile run with speed work. You can bet your long underwear I will be doing it inside the gym since there will be a whopping 1" of snow coming to Memphis!!

To break things up a bit and not burn out on just running (4 days a week according to my handy dandy Runner's World training schedule), I plan to have 2 days of swimming and at least one Spin class each week. I also decided to try my Aunt's "Warrior XFit" circuit training class 2 days a week. It's a very intense and fast paced 20 minute workout that leaves all your major muscles groups screaming "What the @$%#". I survived my first workout and enjoyed my first "win". I posted the link to the site in my list, so check it out.

Well, those are my objectives and psychotic moments of the week so far...check back to see if I survived the first full week of exercise or if I have become frozen in time...or in the middle of the street.

New Year, New Decade, New Beginning

First things first...Happy New Year to you!! I do hope last year was good to you and may this year be better.

I originally started this blog as a way to keep y'all updated on my adventures and endevours (mostly the running thing I was gonna do). Then life got in the way.

We've suffered some losses in 2009 that many of you know about and we've had some moments to celebrate. Our saddest moment was having to say goodbye to our sweet boy Juneau who was laid to rest in August from a very sudden illness. He was a beloved part of our family for 11 of his 12 years. While the sadness gets a little less, he is greatly missed everyday. We were given some more bad news when Michael was let go from his job in October and he's had a difficult time finding work in his career field of Architecture. He's even been looking in other cities outside of Memphis so I'm not sure if, or when, a move will happen for us.

Well...enough of the unhappy stuff and on to the celebrating. We added a new member to our zoo. His name is Cash and I posted a new picture of our revised family. He has made himself comfortable in his new home and the girls (Nakita and Gretchen) get along well with him. He and Gretchen are both 2 turning 3 soon so they help to keep Nakita, who's 14, young.
We also have had some firsts in our house. Michael trained hard and completed his first full marathon (26.2 miles) and I, with little to no training, completed my first half marathon (13.1 miles). We were both a bit disappointed in our results but proud we finished.

Which brings me back to my original objective with this blog. I'm not that into making resolutions (only cuz I'm not so good at the dedication of keeping them) but I decided I would like to work on some improvements.

So here is my plan (not necessarily in this order):

• Budget Better- we've been working hard together to make that mighty dollar stretch and I have finally learned I can be good at this!!
• Follow Thru- I plan to train (starting Jan. 4th) for another local half marathon in March which will lead up to my first possible full marathon in October in San Francisco.
• Weekly Blogging- I am taking a cue from my friend who just had a baby and is documenting each week with updates and pictures. (I just know y'all are dying to know ALL ABOUT MY LIFE!!)
  

So there ya have it. I will post pictures as I see fit and pester you with emails to check me out. Hey, if "Libilibis" can do this, then I know I can!!

Love to y'all in the new year. Now...hold me accountable for my said actions! =)