A Little MLK Inspiration

I can't fly, so I run, in the quest to keep moving forward.

Miles logged: 0.0

I've missed you, running

I thought I was starting of 2013 right by running back to back half marathons. I thought the accomplishment would inspire me to keep my running spirit. But the weather and circumstances made it such that I really haven't wanted to run much since. Pile on an unbearable workload, cold weather, and I've only run 3 times on the last 3 weeks. Pathetic.

Despite not wanting to go, and making excuses as long as I could, I finally went for a "long" run; my first since the new year. And it was amazing. The weather was beautiful, though I was dressed too warmly. The sky was blue and without a single cloud to be seen. I got into the groove right away and remembered what it is that I love about running. I can't pinpoint one thing, but many, the freedom, the peace, the strength. I'm so glad I've found it again!

Miles logged: 7.0

Always be an Island

I forgot how much I hate the gym after the new year starts. Today was my first day back to the routine, running after work. And the gym was PACKED.  By the looks if it, that place is making a killing! I've been going to this gym for 6 months and it has never been full. There have been a few days when I've had to use a treadmill right next to someone else instead because it was too full to adhere to the every-other treadmill rule. The every-other treadmill rule is like the bathroom rule, never use a stall next to someone else. Always be an island. Same works at the gym.

Well, none of that was in play today, as every single treadmill, elliptical AND stair stepper was full. Surprisingly, every bike was available. And I didn't recognize a single face. These were all New Year's resolution gym goers. Seeing as we are halfway through January, they should start falling off soon!

Miles logged: 3.0

I'm Back!

It's been almost 2 weeks since I've laced up my running shoes...I've been a bit gun shy after the New Year's Double. I've had lingering pain in my left foot, been working a lot lately, and frankly I've been completely lacking motivation. So, while I have jumped on the elliptical a few times, I don't really consider it a much of a workout. In addition, the weather sucks, and you know how that affects me.

It was really cold this morning, so I got dressed and headed to the gym. I knew I wasn't going to get a long run in, but a short run was better than no run. Since it was early and cold, I sat in the sauna for a few minutes to warm my muscles and focus.

And the run felt great. I have lost a bit of speed, but I felt good. I didn't have any pain in my foot, nor in my hips. I only made it through a couple of miles, but I was glad to be back!

Since it was the weekend and I wasn't in a rush to get home after a long day of work, I decided to try my hand at one of the stair steppers. Not a stair master, but one of the machines with real stairs that rotate. I was watching the Biggest Loser last night and some of the contestants were put on it during their first work out. If they could do it, so could I. My goal was 5 minutes; I made it to 7 and climbed 25 flights of stairs. Kind of pathetic. But it was HARD! And you have to be coordinated, which I am not. You also have to pay attention to each step--it was easy to get distracted and trip on my own feet. Falling off would have been embarrassing, but par for the course. Thankfully I made it through without incident. I think I might even try it again!

Miles logged: 4.0

I Miss Uranus

It hasn't even been a week and I miss Uranus already. Not that Jupiter isn't awesome--4 moons out of 9, but it just doesn't have the same ring to it! I'm almost halfway to the top, but I'm pretty sure this is where I'm going to stay, for a very long time. In order to just get to the next level of Half Fanatics (Mars), I have to achieve:

• 3 Half Marathons within 3 days. 

• 26 - 30 Half Marathons within 365 days.

• 4 Half Marathons within a 9 day window.

• 3 Half Marathons in 3 separate US states, Countries, or Canadian Provinces (any combination) within a 10-day time span.

• 13 Half Marathons in 13 different US states, Countries, or Canadian Provinces (any combination) within 365 days. 

I really doubt I'm motivated enough to make any of these, especially since I'm still dealing with a little foot pain from the last 2 races.

Miles logged: 0.0

New Year's Double-New Year's Day Race Report

Happy New Year!

I woke up to a much drier 2013! What a relief. The radar showed some scattered storms, but nothing like we experienced yesterday. Since I considered today a do-over, I dressed in the same outfit as yesterday-basically taken out of the dryer and put on, with one addition, my Half Fanatics singlet. It was cold, so I wore it under my jacket. And I felt like superman wearing it that way. A little unzipping of my windbreaker and I was a running superhero!

Me, pre-race

The barefoot wonder, wearing shoes!

Unfortunately it was too cold to expose it. It was around 40 degrees again today, damp, but with a whipping wind. At the last minute I decided to run with my warm ups on too. This turned out to be both good and bad, as they shielded me from the freezing wind, but also flapped in it and almost tripped me a few times.

There were much fewer people running today, which is surprising since the weather was so bad yesterday. I guess lots of people partied hard last night... I was in bed by 9. I should have stayed out late drinking; I would have felt better today if I did! This was another race in which I struggled. I was sore from yesterday, my feet were achy, it was cold, windy, and I was bored. At least had music with me today, but my husband walked due to injury, and the 3rd and 4th trips around the same out and back course (so really, trips 5-8) were not interesting. At least the bling made up for it!

Finish Line

Finishers Medal Plate!

Miles logged: 13.1