Cold Weather - Part 2

If you have ever wondered what the term “bone chilling cold” means, come to Minneapolis today. Seriously, the words bone chilling and mind numbing have definitely come to mind today.

Forecast for today:

The Twin Cities Metro area and the rest of Minnesota is under a WIND-CHILL WARNING until noon for Wind-Chill temperatures down to -45 below which means frostbite is possible in just a matter of minutes to exposed
skin. Winds in the Metro will be from the Northwest at 10 to 20 mph this morning
then decrease to less than 15 mph this afternoon producing Wind-Chill
temperatures of -20 below. Skies will be sunny today with increasing clouds late
this afternoon. Temperatures will be near -14 below ( Wind-Chill -38 below ) at
8 A.M. then -8 below ( Wind-Chill -30 below ) at noon and 0 degrees ( Wind-Chill
-18 below ) at 5 P.M. Sunset tonight is 5:17 P.M. Jonathan Yuhas KARE 11
1/30/2008 5:25 A.M.

And you know how I said that, well, -1, -15, doesn’t really make that much difference? Well, there is the one factor that can change that…wind. It was 40-42F Monday. Great day. I scheduled things to be able to get a nice run in outside. I wish I had gone more than the 4 miles I did. It felt great. I met up with a friend on Monday evening, we watched a movie then went for a drink…1 block from his house. The walk there was fine. The walk back, 2 hours later…sucked!! The winds were coming up, it was getting cold and by morning it was bitter. The winds were gusting to 35 mph yesterday. Today, so far, it’s not THAT windy, but it was enough this morning that the cold was almost unbearable. I didn’t want to crawl out of bed at 5:15 to go to the gym. I didn’t want to get into my car and wish for it to warm up when there was no way it was every going to actually feel warm…I didn’t want to go from my car into the gym and work out, and I SOOOO didn’t want to go back out into the cold (particularly since this time it wouldn’t be in a garage even) after the gym (I felt that way last night too, almost considered sleeping at the gym, or staying longer to work out just because it was so darn cold). I think others felt the same, because when I was showering and getting ready, the gym was dead. And usually there are at least 5-7 other people, pretty much everyday the same people, getting ready to go about their days as well. No way I’d even consider running outside in this. Not with that wind. It might be tolerable without the wind, but when you get that wind, it literally takes your breath away. Thank God I have a gym membership again. I have really become a wuss too…but this is understandable to not be out in!

Weekend Shopping

Ah…what a weekend. Busy, but a fun one none the less. Friday ended up going out to the local place with my roommate and a friend. It was a fun girls’ night and the bar was hopping so talked to lots of people. Was a later night than planned and then roommate and I sat up talking till later still…ah well. I just can’t sleep in either, so was awake mostly by 8, out of bed around 9 but didn’t go to bed till 3…and I could’ve been up earlier!! I went for a 10 mile run that felt good, even managed a 9:12 pace (and it was finally some double digit temps, in the 20s even!) in some places that were a bit slippery in a few spots. I got home, took a bath and then a nap and thought about going shopping…but instead was lazy and did some cleaning and just vegged around the house…till about 8 when roommate and I decided to head out for a bite to eat…after we ate, she suggested we weren’t far from the hangout, so we went down there to see who was around. It was a bit more quiet, but we chatted with a friend for a while and then headed home…

Again I was not able to really sleep in, and then tried to do the Sunday call to mom and dad and THEY WEREN’T THERE! Ended up talking to a friend about the shopping we had discussed and agreed to meet around 1:30…I stopped at Marathon Sports first, and bought some new shoes!! And a couple of tops, some sports wash and yaktrax (I had a 25% off thing and decided to splurge). Then at the mall I found 3 tops for work at one store, then two pairs of shoes that I just had to have cause they were cute AND on a good sale…OK, I might return the pewter ones because the bronze was the one I really wanted but at first they didn’t have it in my size, but the guy looked and happy day, he found them…I also got some new jeans (Lucky brand cause they were on a good sale) and a new casual top…plan had been a new winter coat too, but by this point I was tired and just couldn’t focus…too many to choose from and I’m not sure anymore what I want!! But I figure I did my part to help “stimulate the economy” by pre-spending the tax rebate that we probably won’t get (and really shouldn’t be getting since we are in a deficit anyway, but that’s a whole other can of worms). I got home from shopping and had just poured a glass of wine when a friend called about going for a margarita (for her and a Dos Equis for me) and some aps at a good nearby Mexican place…so we did that. It was a later night than normal for me and pretty busy for a Sunday, but oh well.

Woo Hoo

Twin Cities Marathon

WAVE 1 Wave 1 will consist of those who have completed a sub 3:45 marathon OR sub 1:45 half marathon, OR have a Boston qualifying time within the last two years. Qualifying times must be run on a certified marathon or half-marathon course in calendar years 2006, 2007, or 2008.

My current marathon PR, 3:42:54 set in June 2006.

My current half-marathon PR, 1:44:12 set in September 2006.

I'm in for Wave 1 without having to train super hard and stress myself for a half in the spring. I probably still will anyway, but I might not train quite as hard, and keep myself healthy for the full that I realy want to rock in the fall. This just made my day though!

9 Minutes

Apparently I’m good enough to get out of bed and be ready to go out the door in 9 minutes…well, OK, it might have been 11 by the time I was actually in the car…but I was forcing myself out of bed, but accidentally hit the snooze one more time, but I rolled out of the warmth of my bed, turned on the light, put in my contacts, used the bathroom, grabbed a Lean Cuisine pizza, apple and orange and threw them into my lunch bag, went back to my room, brushed my teeth, made my bed and got dressed in my workout clothes, put my hair in a pony tail and then realized the alarm hadn’t come back on. I have a 9 minute snooze. Just as I was ready to leave, the alarm went off. I threw the book I had been reading last night into my bag, turned the alarm off and reset it for tomorrow, put on my coat and was out there door. I think that’s pretty darn good, and fast, considering it was 5:15 am!! And I didn’t make coffee (usually only do that once or twice a week, don’t want to become caffeine dependent).

This put me in the gym about 5-10 minutes earlier than normal. So instead of the 6 or so miles I might have otherwise run, I did 7…yes, 7 miles in just over an hour. Although maybe I only get 5 of those, a guy I often see at the gym (and who had asked me one day how far I had gone) told me to keep moving as he wanted 2 of my miles today. I’m contemplating a bike ride after work. We’ll see how I feel when the day is over. Part of me wants to, part of me wants to just get home (or run a few errands). Nothing on TV tonight, and doubting I’ll feel up to doing much anyway, so maybe I should just get another workout. Yesterday I was up and did 3 miles and 30 minutes of strength with 45 minutes on the bike after work. I think I’m up to about 95% from my cold. Still some running nose, a little congestion and a slight cough, but I’m feeling better.

Flocke

Call it boring and that I don’t have much to say today, unless it’s to p*#s and moan about the stupid head cold I’ve had develop (OK, I’ve been good about not complaining till now as it’s day 3 and already I’m sick of it!). Tuesday it was coming on, I felt it and started taking Cold Eze (well, Zinc, Target’s brand) and Halls Vitamin C Defense with Echinacea…hoping against hope it’s on the down swing now. Worst has been Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, one side of my head just felt the need to sneeze all day, and I had watery eyes (a co-worker asked me if I had the after lunch sleepiness as my eyes looked so bad, fun). I think it’s in part my desk area at work. My office mate also sneezes a lot and says he never sneezes at home. And yesterday while I was miserable at my desk, I was in my boss’ office and during that time I felt fine (could also be that he gave me a Sudafed to help at that time as well, but I know when I get up and walk I’m better too) I really think air quality by us is bad and I’m going to report that to our EH&S people and see what they can do.

Anyway, this head cold makes me question whether or not 1) I’ll be able to run at all tomorrow, plan was to do 10 and I’m just not sure I’m up to it in my condition 2) running in the cold might not be wise and 10 on the treadmill or track just isn’t appealing when it’s 11 laps to a mile (I have done that before, so we’ll see). I haven’t been to the gym now in two days. I’m debating if I should go tonight, I want to, but at the same time am feeling tired and like maybe I should rest one more day…I also have a happy hour I’ve been invited to, however, I’m not sure I feel up to it. I would probably leave today at 3 or 3:30, happy hour isn’t till 5, if I go to the gym then I have to shower and get myself ready to go to the HH and not sure I have the energy to do that. Otherwise I just stay at work longer, not appealing with air conditions etc, or I go run errands to kill time but with -7 temps, -14 with wind chill, not so sure I want to do that…we are under wind child advisories till 6 pm tomorrow…Big thing is I’m going to see a band tomorrow. I really want to do that, so thinking if I stay in tonight, relax, veg and recover, maybe I’ll feel better yet and be able to enjoy the band…hmm…maybe I should plan to drink fuzzy navels tomorrow…orange juice good for you right??

Now, the topic of today’s blog. Flocke is German for Flake, and this is the name that was voted to this adorable little bear cub that was born in Germany and has been raised by keepers for fear that his momma would reject him and he’d die…he’s 5 weeks old…talk about adorable. I want a baby polar bear!!

Cold, Cold, Cold

Yes, I know, I live in MN, yes, it is KIND OF my choice (I say kind of because I was born here and they have these tags they put on you when you’re born that make it very, very difficult to get away from the border for too long, kind of like electric fences…OK, not really, but, well, my family is here, and while I want to move, it is difficult) but it doesn’t make me happy. I hate cold. I’m not a cold weather kind of person. In fact, my body reacts so badly to cold that until people witness it, they don’t even believe me. Try I can be in cold, get in out of it, and still be shivering and uncomfortable for an hour or more…I basically can get out for a run, and I have plenty of cold weather stuff for it that I’ve collected over the years, but when I get home, it’s so uncomfortable it almost doesn’t make it worth it. I get in the shower and everything turns red, I’m itchy, uncomfortable, and still cold. I typically need to get immediately into a hot bath and drink some hot chocolate and soak for 30 minutes before I can start to feel unfrozen…that said, all last year I did manage to do it, only using a treadmill once, and that was because there was 2 feet of snow on all the paths I wanted to run on at the time I wanted to run. Now I have a track that I can use indoors, and it has kept me from running outside unless it’s been in the 20s (I am tired of the treadmill)…that said, talking to my chiro last night during my adjustment she said her and a friend are going to run this weekend just for the freak out factor that drivers are going to have when they see her (and I know exactly what she means) and I said I was considering it, of course she pushed and said I really should…we’ll see. I don’t know that it’s the best thing for the bad head cold I’m battling, but if I have my way, that will be gone by tomorrow anyway. Problem is I wanted to run 10 miles…running 3 or 4 in the cold is one thing…but 10…when this is the forecast:

Hmm…yes, you read that right, the high Saturday is in the negative numbers. That’s not figuring in windchill either. And that’s different from the highs of -2 and -5 I’ve heard. For those not familiar with this extreme cold, I’ll tell you, -5, -10, there really isn’t a difference. Once it drops below 0, cold is just cold. Add in some wind and it makes a difference, then it’s d**n cold…
Besides my little rant about cold, I had to use this space to enlighten those that have never had the fun experience of “true” cold. My friend that now lives in Idaho, but was originally from Wisconsin, and I have discussed these items in great depth before…particularly when she moved to northern Kentucky where they really didn’t understand about the cold and she “enlightened” them to some of the phenomenon. Until you’ve been in it, you just don’t understand the feeling of walking out into the cold that is so cold your nose hairs actually freeze. Yes, you can actually feel it, and it’s not a pleasant feeling!! Or it’s so cold that it actually hurts to breath. Sucking that cold air directly into your lungs can cause a coughing fit, whether you have a cold or not!! And finally, our favorite…those days that it’s so cold, you come out to your car only to find the windows frosted up, on the inside, not so much fun scraping the inside of the windows…and it’s not like you really want to be going anywhere anyway because no matter how good the car heater works, it never really warms up, and you never really feel warm…this is the joy of the true cold.

Again, I’m not sure why I live here. And anytime I hear people talk about how much they love it, I want to smack them. It’s why you’ll never, ever, hear me complain about the hottest days. It can be 100 degrees, and 70% plus humidity (yes, it does get warm here in MN too!!) and I won’t say a word, I might even, just then, turn on my A/C…I’d much rather it be hot than cold. I’m much better in the heat than the cold…and again, yes, you might ask, why do I live here?? Well…because I have yet to figure out exactly where I’d like to live that I can also afford. And I do live for spring. We have a beautiful spring (the 2-3 days we get it) and when you get that warm lift to the air, and birds are coming in, the green has come through and flowers are in bloom and you can literally smell spring in the air…nothing can compare to that.

Evaluations

Are we really always our own worst critics? I know that I’ve read in a few places how women are usually their own worst critic, we don’t necessarily like take credit for something easily, even when we know we did work really hard on it, while men are going to be tooting their own horns readily and easily…and it’s expected. It’s the male mindset, and I’m not saying that as a bad thing. I look at my friends and seem to see that pattern, men vs the women… And the really bad thing is, if, as a woman, we do take the credit when we deserve it, it comes across as boasting and bragging and considered a bad thing…yet men can do it and it’s fine. Why the double standard? Is it because there is still an expectation that women should be at home, and maybe don’t belong as much in the working world as we’d like to be and expect to be?? Because some of us are even stepping up and saying I don’t want kids (and you have to be really brave and ready to field all kind of questions and responses of “oh, you’ll change your mind”) and are not willing to put careers on hold to be at home with kids (when so many still seem to think that even if you work for a while, if you have a kid you should be at home!) even if we do have them. It still kind of puts you behind since there is maternity leave and time away from work when kids are sick etc…All of this seems to be an unfair double standard and unfortunately it’s both men and women that will judge those that ignore the “mold” we should maybe fit in. But I digress, I was looking at the idea of evaluations and building yourself up…I’ve always been my own harshest critic…no matter what I can’t seem to say I did a great job, or I look great or what not (unless I’m drinking of course, then I go way opposite my norm!!)…and right now, it’s that time of year at work. We are to do our evaluation, then our boss does it, and then we review and finalize it, come up with objectives for the next year and this is all submitted and by February it translates into a dollar amount increase in pay (hopefully a nice one!!)…of course we all know the standard basically is a 3% cost of living (yeah, right, like that’s all cost of living has gone up!) and no matter how good you do you really can’t get much more than that, unless you’re in a really small company where people have more control…although apparently my boss has said he’s had some luck in the past pushing through a higher amount, here’s hoping (I do really like my boss, he is one to fight for his employees!!). I spoke with him yesterday regarding the evaluations and how you go about filling them out, etc since this is my first and I had already looked at it and in typical fashion was putting low scores in, and in looking at the objectives I had, he was saying higher numbers, so when I went back to actually fill it in, I thought, well, he said this so I went ahead with higher numbers…even giving myself the highest scores on items, that, yes, I really did meet and exceed expectations. I’ve had good feedback from those I work with, including the president of the company, why shouldn’t I toot my own horn and tell people I did great, especially when it really counts for something!!

Weekends are Too Short!

So Friday night was actually a really fun night. I had two friends come over as the plan had been a couple months ago to eat cheap pizza and watch Sex & the City. One of the two that were coming over had never seen the uncut versions…so that had been the plan that was put on hold for too long…we finally managed to do it on Friday!! So Cosmos, pizza and 4 episodes later, one friend had a headache and chose to go home, but the other friend and I went to my regular hang out, neither of us caring much about drinking, but deciding to go see what was going on and we had a nice chat, nice time people watching and just a great evening all around. I need more of those!! It even ended up being later than I expected but that was fine.

Saturday I was up and helping my sister and her boyfriend move. He bought a house and she rented out her townhouse and they moved to a much bigger space (and I swear it’s full already, no idea how they fit all that stuff in half the space!!). We loaded up, moved them and unloaded, all by 2 pm (and didn’t get started till 11). After we were done it was sunny and nice outside so I headed home and out for a run. It was planned to be 10 miles but I shortened it to 7.5 when my knee was bothering a little bit and I wasn’t properly fueled….came home to a hot back, hot chocolate and a nap and then an evening of football. I thought about going someplace to watch it, but didn’t really want a drink and knew I was going out on Sunday to watch games so I held off and went for the staying home thing instead. This was all fine as Sunday I got up, did some cleaning and then met my sister and her boyfriend for drinks and watching the game at a bar nearby…and unfortunately his Colts lost, but oh well. Went to the gym for a quick bike ride and then thought I’d stop for a while to have one more beer and watch some of the next game, but this didn’t happen when I walked in and all the bar stools were full. Oh well. It was fine. I went home, watched the game and vegged…kind of needed it. Tried to go to bed early but was just not feeling tired enough and didn’t sleep well, but I did manage to get up and get to the gym this morning…now I’m debating going to the gym a second time after work or if I’ll just go home and relax and maybe get some cleaning done that I didn’t get done this weekend…and that I’m really going to have to focus on during the week since it looks like it’s going to be a rough one this weekend!! I already had plans for watching a band on Saturday night and now had an invite for a happy hour at a place that proved to be a late night last time I went to it…sigh…

Personal Space Again

OK, maybe it's just me...but remember I had that gym incident with the locker thing fairly recently...well now two days this week I've kind of run into something again, this time with the bikes. At the main location I work out at, there are 10 regular bikes, all in a row, and granted, they aren't on top of each other like they are at another location I hit sometimes, but still, they are close enough...anyway, got there this morning at 5:45 and decided to bike then run...all 10 were free, I took one on the end...10 minutes into my ride and a guy comes along, still all of them free, and he takes the bike NEXT to me...he had headphones on, so no, it wasn't so he could be close and try to hit on me (plus I was reading a book), he was older, so that could be part of it, just lack of the understanding of the unwritten rule to leave a space if you can (a couple minutes later another guy came along and took the bike 2 over from this guy, leaving an opening)?? Anyway, not THAT big of a deal except for the fact that within about another 5 minutes he started to sweat, and smell...ughh...yet another reason I don't like running on the treadmill at the gym, when it's busy...I always get sweaty guy next to me that starts to really stink soon after...now I'm not saying I smell great when I'm working out, cause I know I don't, but if at all possible, I leave space between myself and the next person over!! Sigh...

Advil PM Rocks!

I have taken it before, but I just had to say that yet again. It helps you sleep, you wake up rested (not feeling like you were drugged like somet things can make you), I know I won't have a problem with an addiction to it as it only works for a couple of nights befoer I'm immune and need to not take it for a time again, and it just feels so nice to sleep that good sometimes. Long ago, before Advil PM there was Tylenol PM and both are good, I just now prefer Advil because Ibuprophen works so much better for me than acetaminophen…not that I take it for the pain, but for the sleep part of it anyway. After my bad nights sleep on Tuesday though, I really felt like I needed a good one last night, and while I was feeling tired, I wanted that guarantee…so I took 1 Advil PM just before 8 (dosage is 2) and laid in bed watching TV for a bit, but then turned off the TV to go to sleep around 8:15 (8:30 on my clock, went from 10 minutes fast to 15 minutes fast for some reason, not sure why I did that, but it was intentional) and was out within 15-20 minutes (I’m NOT one of the supposed average that falls asleep in 7 minutes) and slept solid till 2, woke up just briefly and was back to sleep shortly after that and didn’t wake up till 5:30…problem was, I was going to get up at 5 and go to the gym…then I remembered when I set my alarm I set it for 5:57, not 4:57…and while I could’ve rushed and gotten there, I decided to just rest a bit more and go after work instead. I can’t do much of a run tonight anyway since I already have 10 miles in on the week and I want to run today and tomorrow and a run on the weekend of 10 miles and should NOT go much over 25 miles…kind of difficult since typically I run at least 4 miles in a run…Anyway, I was wide awake, but laid in bed for another hour, just relaxing, then, of course, was running a bit late cause I was distracted trying to find some documents to send to my financial planner (was supposed to send them Monday and still haven’t managed to get them together and sent) but didn’t quite find everything I need anyway…so need to do that tonight after my workout!!

I did manage a workout last night, even though I was tired and so ready to bag it and/or at least cut it short. I didn’t strength train, but I biked for 45 minutes and that was good. I still need to get an appointment made and get back to my chiro. Things have been feeling good for the most part on runs, not the tightness that I have had, but I still am concerned and really do want to be sure to keep things good. If I’m on the road to recovery, I don’t want a set back by NOT having an adjustment when I should…even if a friend is trying to tell me that chiros are bad…I had to explain to him well, a doctor was unable to help, PT was unable, so what, I just deal with it?? When your sacrum is out of alignment and causing issues, who else do you see? I certainly don’t need surgery or something for it if someone can adjust and get it back in place…particularly someone who is herself a runner!!

Hmm…I so want some chocolate right now…

Tired

For the last few months I’ve been having no problems sleeping. In fact, some people would say I’m abnormal, considering the sleeping habits of Americans (and part of the reason for more weight gain!). I like 9 hours of sleep…my body needs at least 8-8.5 and it prefers 9 or more…particularly when I’m training hard. For the last week and a half I’ve been getting up between 5 and 5:15 and at the gym by 5:30/5:45 to workout before work. And some days I’ve also been getting a workout in after work. I get to work and am a little sleepy, but soon manage to wake up and feel good and energy is up all day. By the time I get home, I’m getting tired and have been in bed some nights by 8/8:30, some nights I’m up till 9…but that’s only if I really force myself!! Anyway, last night was unusual. A friend and I had decided to see a movie, basically it came about because from a long time ago, he kind of owed me, so decided we could go this week, Tuesday kind of worked best, so I was up early, did my run, skipped after work workout to favor being able to get to the movie in time, depending on what time we went. By the time he called, it was obvious I could’ve gone for a workout, but that’s OK, I really didn’t NEED to (did a run of 6 miles and that was all I was supposed to considering the limits to my mileage so as to slowly build up and not get injured) but that’s fine. We met at the theater for an 8:05 showing of Juno. Excellent movie!! If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth it for the dialog. Very well written by Diablo Cody, who is from MN and I’ve been meaning to read her book forever so am finally on the list for it at the library. Anyway, the movie was great and after C suggested getting a beer so we got one and then was home to bed around 11…I read for a bit and then turned off the light, with alarm set for later wake up (haven’t gotten ready at home and driven right to work in a LONG time) and I just could not get to sleep. I have no idea what my problem was, but my mind wouldn’t shut down and I was awake off and on through the night. My guess is maybe the change in weather? It warmed up and is now cooling down again? I don’t know, I just know I feel tired today…I might need a nap for lunch. Still wish I could figure out what it was that kept my mind moving and didn’t let me sleep…I didn’t do much different yesterday except go to the movie, which, OK, it’s rare for me to do something during the week these days, but it does happen on occasion. I’m so lame…

Mall of America

Well, we have had some nice weather over the weekend and while I got a nice 9 miler in on Saturday (averaged a 9:30 pace, not bad, but not where I’d like to be, but I guess it’s a start), Sunday, which ended up being the nicer of the two days was a bit of a wash. Didn’t get out for it early and then had a friend call and in a moment of weakness I agreed to go to the Mall of America (affectionately called the Monstrosity of America by me) to do a couple of errands. Even though it was Sunday, and even though it was middle of the afternoon. It wasn’t terrible, although there was a cheerleading competition going on in the rotunda and that had a big crowd and happened to be right by one of the places we needed to be, but it was kind of cool cause the Gopher cheerleaders were there and they are competing at nationals on ESPN in a couple of weeks. Was kind of cool to see live. After the mall we made a stop at IKEA, which is always fun. They build the largest IKEA in the US right by the MOA so it makes for easy stops at the two. Ended up finding fun stuff there, nothing that I HAD to have (except the plain tealight candles) but stuff I felt I needed at the time…and all useful!! So anyway, while it was warm and sunny out, I was in the mall, but that’s OK. Had fun shopping time with my friend and that’s important too right? I did manage to get 19 miles in in the 3 days that I did run though, along with 54 miles biking and 3 days of strength training so not a bad week…if only I hadn’t drank too many beers on Saturday and blown my calories for the week. I do need to get back on track with my diet, that’s for sure!!

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and while it was to be close to 40 today, the temps are coming down…sigh…hopefully I can get a run in tonight and enjoy the day before we lose it…then HAVE to get some cleaning done. I need to get things in order so I can get my house back on the market and hopefully sold this time!!

Anyway, not much of an update, but I wanted to write something…maybe some other exciting things will happen in the next couple of days and I can write something more exciting then.

Lucid

Realized I neglected to state that Lucid is the now legal Absinthe that is available here in the US as of 2007...think "From Hell" Johnny Depp's character drinking it...or Eurotrip and the green fairy following them!

New Years Eve…What a Night!

I think 2008 should be a really great year. It’s already feeling good (although the weather sucks, but that’s to be expected in January in MN) but I ended 2007 and started 2008 so great…Even though I opted out of the 5K I had planned to run (many reasons, but mostly just feeling lazy about going out and running in the cold), but had bought a new fun dress to wear out (unfortunately I was drinking and forgot to take pictures), it was silver and with it I wore black fishnets and boots and a black and silver scarf…looked very cute if I do say so myself.

Met up with friends at their place, had a drink of Lucid (never saw the green fairy though and we did it with the sugar and water, it was OK, but not a fan of black licorice anyway so would never drink it for the taste) and after downing a bottle of Martini and Rossi Asti, we jumped in a cab and met up with the rest of the party at Cosmos in the Graves hotel, where we jumped into a black stretch limo for the short drive (well longer than intended cause the driver didn’t know where the bar was and drove past it the first time) to The Lounge, where festivities were to be enjoyed. We had VIP passes and seating, so our own table, bottle service (had to buy our way in and the VIP included free drinks at all bars, but the bottle service was paid for by our host) and snacks. It was nice being out of the crowd, and as midnight approached, champagne was placed on the table, I was talking to our host at that point and noticed one of the bottles had a very distinct label…I had never had an opportunity to sample this particular champagne before, and mentioned that and it was made sure that I received a glass of it. Also had a discussion with our host about “where I was getting my new years kiss from” and I explained that I banned the new years kiss a few years back. I used to feel like it was so much pressure to kiss someone at midnight and I wouldn’t enjoy new years if I missed that kiss…and it seems such a silly thing. If I have a boyfriend on new years, yes, I would kiss him, but the idea of kissing some stranger is no longer appealing. I’m growing up!! I had a couple of options to be in a couple of places that would’ve had a guy that I could’ve kissed…one I’d been on a date with, one, well, long story, but I’m glad I went where I did. Neither of the guys are a real viable long term thing that I see and I just didn’t want to start a year with someone that I don’t see something like that with.

Anyway, more partying after midnight, more drinking, more fun and then a cab ride home, some pizza, some drinkin’ mate to prevent a hangover and we crashed. Woke to a cold, brisk morning, all were up and decided on breakfast at Denny’s. I wanted to go for a run, but it was so cold outside wasn’t appealing, so I headed to the gym and found it closed…so I didn’t get to start my new year on the right foot like I had wanted to, but I did get myself up and out of bed for 4 this morning on the track. I plan to hit the gym after work for a strength session and bike ride and/or swim. In the next day or two I need to get a schedule of some kind together…base building, start introducing in some speed work and start to gear up for a spring half, and, if nothing else, the stuff I need to run the fast 1 mile I want to run this spring (and maybe a 5K PR around St. Patrick’s Day).

Happy New Year

OK, maybe if I don’t call them “resolutions” I’ll be better able to handle them. I know lots of people that stay away from the resolutions due to not being able to keep them, they say setting a resolution is a set up for failure but I can’t help but be of the mindset to do this. Plus a few of my goals have been in place recently but I had to wait till the new year to actually start on them since I knew my diet was going to be out of control…even with the time off I didn’t spend as much time in the gym as I would’ve liked either. Anyway, here are my New Years Goals:

* To tell my family and friends more often that I love them. The words have never come easy, and my family has never been demonstrative about saying it, but it’s important and I really want them to always know how I feel. It’s easy to write, it’s easy to get the sappy cards for them to read, but saying it is worth so much more.

* To finally overcome this injury (although I still hesitate to call it that since I didn’t do something to myself to cause the issue) I’ve been dealing with and get myself and my running back on track. It’s been a year since I’ve had the really good year of running…that spectacular training that led to my breakthrough and PR on the marathon course and I want to improve on that time. My goal will be to take almost 13 minutes off my time…although 2 minutes would make me quite happy.

* To get back onto the good eating and working out that I was on that got me close to my goal racing weight, and had me at a happy weight for a good period of time last year. Mainly I need to sugar detox, which is my plan for early this year, cutting out the soda that has somehow gotten back into my diet and cut down heavily on all the other bad for me sugars that I keep letting into my diet. Everything in moderation, which means I don’t need to fully remove it, but a huge reduction would be good.

* To make some decisions regarding my future and the master’s I want to pursue, by either accepting not going to the school I really wanted to attend and choosing another option, or finding a way, however I need to, to better perform on the GMAT.

* To expand my circle of friends, further into the local running community. This was a goal last year too and I failed miserably on it, but with that movie “Spirit of the Marathon” coming out and realizing I’ll probably be going to see it on my own, I really do need to have more running friends.

* To increase my knowledge and better perform at my job…I think I’m doing good, but I think I can really do better, being more organized and getting some of the things finalized that were started this year.

To any and all who might be reading this, wishing you a safe and Happy New Years Eve and happiness and prosperity in 2008.

A Pretty Run

And not because it felt so good (although it actually did feel pretty good, still having that glute issue) but because we have had mid-20s for highs, and it’s been very humid, put that together and things get frosty…and when there is mist as well, it leaves a very surreal run.

I got home and my roommate was in the shower…and of course I realized, gee, I kind of need the bathroom, and the two bathrooms nearest me are closed for the season, but there is a place I have used before that’s 3 miles down the road. I hadn’t been sure of distance to run, but thought hey, 6 is fine, and I figured I would be able to make 3 miles before it became and emergency…so I piled on the clothes and headed out (tights, heavier pants, glitten, skin shirt, heavier pull over and light windbreaker only because it’s an illuminte jacket and it was dark, hat and gaitor since I didn’t wear that Sunday and it was enough that my cheeks were cold)…the route is 3 rolling hills, big ups, but also big downs and I get to run both sides up and down on the out and back. I hadn’t bothered to grab my GPS so only guessing on pace, but it felt pretty relaxed, probably around the 9 minute pace, I did check the clock on the way out and when I got back, but there was the bathroom stop in the middle as well as a bit of stretching on the steps before I got inside…I just wish I had had my camera with me. There was a tree that had lights on it and with the frost, it was so gorgeous…I grabbed these off the internet, but it just doesn’t quite get the full feel of the dark (I was running around 5) and the mist…my camera probably wouldn’t have been able to get a good pic in the dark anyway.

Also great news!! Saturday is the Winter Solstice…first official day of winter is Saturday at 12:08 am. OK, winter is my least favorite season cause I’m not a cold weather girl, BUT, for one, face it, I live in MN and winter hits about November unofficially, and for two, the solstice means we are crossing the line, heading toward summer and that means…drum roll…that the days are going to be getting LONGER!!!!! Yes, I’ve had people put the damper on saying “well, it’s only a minute or two”, and while that may be true, a minute or two more daylight hours means a lot, and it builds fairly quickly and all runners know that that is a good thing as we get more daylight to run in…

The sun is peeking out today, it’s supposed to be in the 30s or so today, maybe some snow tomorrow but warm again and I just heard that unofficially we might have tomorrow off, or at least leave a bit early!! So today might be my Friday, if nothing else it’s the last full day (as tomorrow I’ll leave by 2 or 2:30) of the year. Yep, you read that right. I work for a company that shuts down from Christmas day (and we were also officially given Monday as a paid holiday so I get to carry over one more vacation day for next year) to New Years days…so 10 days off…I’ll be in my hometown Saturday through Tuesday night, then relaxing, working out, vegging and some shopping probably next week. I need the time off to get some workouts in and some stuff done around home anyway. So looking forward to it.

7 Days Till Christmas

Wow...only a week. But thankfully I'm mostly done. I have to get one thing for one friend yet and some shopping I do for others since I have access to stores that they don't, then I'm done.

OK, it has been too long since I updated my blog. I started one on Friday for the past week and then got interrupted and it was end of the day and I had no time over the weekend, literally no time at all, it was way too hectic!! And suddenly it’s the week again…and now we’re partway into it, I spent all day yesterday in work meetings and today I’m trying to catch up but we have a potluck thing too (we won’t even talk about the weight I’ve gained from lack of willpower, lack of exercise and just being lazy!) and then have to get out so I can try to wash my car, get a nap and get ready to get out for dinner tonight…sigh…I need some time off!! Wait, I get that next week.

So seriously, it’s been crazy busy with things going on. Two weekends ago I was out on Friday night with two friends I hadn’t been able to get together with in forever. We had a nice time, but man it was a later night than I had planned on!! Saturday was spent partly at the gym, biked but didn’t run, (a pathetic mile, that was it) and then taking a nap and trying to relax before a party that night. Then I hit the party…and was going to crash there…spent too much time talking and next thing I know the sun is coming up, I’m sobered up and decide I’m just going home…crawled into bed at 7:30…that’s AM…yeah. It was a good nice though. Champagne was flowing, karaoke was sung (surprised that didn’t clear the party out) and very little sleep was had. Sigh…

Last week was a busy week, not a lot of running as I’m STILL trying to get things worked out. Hadn’t been to the chiro in a while so she adjusted me and I took a couple of days off in there to let it try to take. I biked but no running…except what I had done on Monday and Friday. Friday night was my sister’s birthday and we went out to celebrate. She had gone to dinner with her boyfriend first and joined us buzzed, but fun was had (I wish I had my camera as I would post pics, maybe another time) and it was again a late night. Saturday I spent all day (from 11 till 7) at a friends baking cookies. Her boys, 2 and 4, got hyped up on sugar, but had warmed up to me thanks to the chasing them around, picking them up and tickling them…they wanted more, I wanted to stop!! Then as they were going to be put to bed and I needed to get home to meet my roommate, Colin, the 4 year old, was taking my hand and trying to get me to come upstairs with him…we were going to take a bath and go to bed…I told Heather she was going to have problems if at 4 he was already trying to get a girl into his room!! Anyway, went home, met with the roommate and went out for a bite and a drink (I was driving, she needed one) half a beer at the bar, both of us exhausted, we went home and crashed. I was then supposed to go out to dinner on Sunday night, but postponed it to tonight as I just wasn’t up for it. Way too tired. I crashed out early but wasn’t quite able to get to sleep, even though I was tired. Ah well…unfortunately I weighed myself yesterday. Between the cookies, the lunch buffet on Friday, the potluck happening today for my department (and those that happened last week), meetings and other stuff I have gained somewhere between 3-5 pounds and I’m SOOO not happy with that. I have today that’s going to be a bust, but after that, I really have to get back on the wagon of eating good (except for dinner on Thursday, roommate and I are doing that instead of exchanging gifts). No way I’m meeting my goal by end of the year, but I have to at least get control and stop going UP when I want to do DOWN!! I did run 6 inside yesterday morning, biked this morning and did 30 minutes of strength training…now to get myself back in the pool and back up to running 5 days…and get my longer weekend runs back in the mix. It’s been over a month since I ever ran 12!

Brr...

OK, again I ask WHY do I live in MN?

(notice the description for Friday night)

Where to begin…

I got back from my trip on Tuesday, but it’s been hectic and I just haven’t had a chance to write about it since I got back. Tuesday I got back around 12:30 and was at my desk by 1:30, trying to catch up on all that had come through while I was gone for 2 ½ days. Then I had a 45 minute (what is normally 12 minutes) drive home due to snow and I was exhausted and in bed, sleeping before 8…after 10 hours of sleep and getting through yesterday, getting some cleaning and unpacking done, I’m starting to feel normal again (well, as normal as I get that is!).

The trip was nothing less than fantastic. The journey started early on Friday (4:30) after having been out a little too late drinking beers with a friend…(1 am was when I got home) I even recall a split of a shot of scotch to Uncle Bruce…bad idea! Anyway, 3 hours of sleep and I was up and out the door, parked at the park and fly by 5 and to the airport and through security before 5:30…had some hash browns and orange juice to help me feel better and then flight boarded and we were on our way. First thing I have to say is I love Frontier. I had a very nice flight, never having flown them before it was so refreshing from Northworst who I normally have to fly as they have a hub here in Minneapolis and ends up being the one I fly often…but of all the flights I’ve taken lately on different airlines, I really like Midwest and Frontier now and will fly them when given a chance, even though it means changing planes in either Denver or Milwaukee…I’d do that over anything else!! Midwest serves fresh baked cookies and Frontier has TV you can watch (although I was tired so I opted to just nap instead) for $5 on your flight…25 channels, so not too bad! I made it into Spokane with no major hassles, and my bag was just coming off the plane when Dan called, then came in and met me. We got in the car and plan was to drive back to Sandpoint and pick up Leesa for lunch. There was snow on the ground but it was clear and sunny so we had a nice drive. After picking up Leesa we had lunch at a nice little pie shop, had great sandwiches, salads and of course pie then drop up the mountain to see the views from the top and pick up some snowshoes for a potential hike later in the weekend. The views were fantastic!!

On the way to their place, we grabbed some items at the grocery store and then headed to their place about 10 miles out of town. Their house is quite cute, perfect for them, with a loft bedroom, A-frame with 15’ ceilings and nice open area. We had a couple of drinks and a friend of theirs came over suggesting we should go watch a band play…I was tired as was Leesa but Dan eventually agreed to go and the two of them left, after which Leesa and I hit the hot tub…nothing like sitting in the mountains, with clear skies, snow all around, but hot water…it was great. I was exhausted from the long day and slept great after the hot tubbing and wine…

Saturday morning we got up and decided to cut their Christmas tree. Off their property. That was cool as I’ve never even cut a tree from a tree farm. After touring the property, picking the tree and getting it inside, we decided to head into town to shop a little and have some wine at the wine bars. Dan drove us in and opted to go home and hang out and pick us up later. We went into some cool little shops, bought some smart wool socks for the hike tomorrow (since I had failed to bring mine with) and drank some good wine at a number of places. It was a nice evening.

Sunday we got up and had breakfast, then started clearing the driveway. Oh, yes, I neglected the mention the snow that had started Saturday afternoon and was still coming down, we were guessing around 18” had already fallen…luckily a friend of theirs came by and helped clear the driveway with his plow! After some work on the driveway and path to the hot tub, Leesa and I did some tree decorating and Dan got a pack ready for our hike. It included hot chocolate, powerade and some power bars, in case we needed something more. We headed out around 12:45, knowing we only had till about 3:30/4 before it would be getting dark. The hike was mostly on the road, but with the snowshoes it wasn’t too difficult, then we did hike up some elevation (and apparently 2 days was enough for me to acclimate to the elevation, they live at about 2200 while I’m at about 600!) and into a small national forest where we had to go through some knee deep snow, but that was OK…it was gorgeous sitting among the trees and snow having some hot chocolate. We ended up doing about 4 miles in 3 hours and got back exhausted. Dan opted to clear the driveway again and we made dinner (well, Leesa did, I watched) and then decided a night in watching movies sounded good. Ice Age, Finding Nemo and Best in Show (none of which were ones I had seen) and then off to bed. Nothing like exercise to make you sleep good.

Monday we got up and decided a nice lunch in town was on the menu, and ended up going to a town just north as some friends of theirs were going to join us. It was foggy but kind of cool looking as the snow had turned to rain (but the ski mountain was still getting snow so they were happy as it was scheduled to open Wednesday, a day after I left, but oh well). We ate at a really great organic place and then hung out with their friends watching TV and drinking beer (their friend brews his own) but all too soon it was time to head out and get me back to Spokane for my early Tuesday flight. Dinner, the drive and hugs and goodbyes at the hotel and I attempted to sleep, but not as comfy of a bed and fear of missing my flight etc had me not sleeping well. I did nap on the flights back though and landed to this…

Route 66

Uncle Bruce was laid to rest yesterday. I've always loved this picture of him as it just shows Bruce. His loves (except he doesn't have a Miller Genuine Draft Light or a Scotch, his drinks of choice in his hand), although my aunt Elaine should have been next to him, unfortunately when this picture was taken, she had already passed away. The car had been his pride and joy, he bought it for her, and with her gone, it was his remnant of her. He continued to take it to car shows, and continued to win awards with it (prior to this car, he had had a '72 VW Bug convertible that won all shows he entered it in). This picture was taken in the summer, as his legion's fireman's dance fundraiser, the Vikings cheerleaders were there and we got them to crowd around him because Bruce appreciated the finer things in life (OK, so it was cheap beer and cheaper scotch usually but still) nice cars, booze and women...

Bruce was the guy that you could count on to help you out with anything that was in his control. He was a wonder with cars, he had a hoist in his garage and was always there to help you out or allow you to use it to get things taken care of on your vehicle. He retired a First Sergent in the Army reserves, and had served a tour of duty in Vietnam when he was in active service. He died on Veterans day, which was fitting, as that had been his life. That and his family. Be it the one he was born to, or the one that adopted and kept him even after Elaine died. I didn't get to see Uncle Bruce that often, usually just a family gatherings, but he was always a favorite uncle. In fact, I had intended on taking him and my other favorite uncle out to a strip club one night...it was discussed over beers, they were of course amiable to that (both being single) unfortunately that never happened. But man, it would've been fun! And yes, I was the one that had suggested it too...what things beer will make you say right?

Jim, Bruce's brother-in-law gave a great eulogy, I have no idea how he was able to get through it. The service was simple, like Bruce, (his brother-in-law and sister are ones to drinker nicer wines and micro-brewed beers, very opposite Bruce!) and we took him to Fort Snelling, where the flag on his coffin was folded and presented to his sister, a 21 gun salute was given, Taps was played, and we said our last farewells...My dad was behind me when we walked past the coffin, and I heard him say "farewell buddy" with a catch in his throat that made me lose it once more. We all met at his legion, had a few drinks, and visited. My sister and I were some of the last to leave, neither of us wanting to go, because it felt like once we left, we were forever leaving him.

One good that came out of the bad. Bruce was an organ donor. His sister abided by his wishes and his organs and tissue were able to help 150 people. Bruce would've liked that. And as Jim said in the eulogy...he pictures Bruce, in his 55 Thunderbird, Elaine as his side, driving down Route 66...and all of us are in the back seat...Bruce, we love you and you'll never be forgotten.

Anticipation and Sadness

I have no motivation right now…I have my up weeks and then there are the down ones…this is a down one (we are talking work related here) so I’m taking a few minutes to write about it. I guess I get some ebbs and flows. I have times when I’m super busy, so much going on, I end up with a kink in my neck cause I don’t move much during the day and realize how on I was all day and relaxing at the end of it is hard. Right now it’s kind of a lull though and I’m letting things relax and pile up a bit and then I’ll have another busy time I suppose. I guess I have to look at the fact that I have a couple of easy weeks coming up too. Last week was short week due to my favorite of all holidays…A day you only have to shop to get some wine to bring to dinner, and then you hang out and eat and drink all day…and watch football of course...what more can you ask for? I was at my parents from Wednesady through early Friday afernoon and ate way too much and drank way too much (not much on T-day cause of too much on the night before, but oh well!).

This week is going to be short, but it will be painful. We will be burying my uncle, and he was military, so his funeral will be even tougher (the guns get to me more than anything else)…but on the other side of it, I also get on a plane this Friday to visit one of my best friends in the world and I can’t wait. I fly to Spokane, WA on Friday, get in around 10 am, she picks me up and we drive to Sandpoint, ID where she now lives and I’ll be there through Monday, December 3 (leave early, early in the day on the 4th) back home by noon so will be back to the office (that will be a long day) for a half day. Wine will be drunk, reminiscing will be had, hot tubbing will happen, we might even do some skiing of some sort if they get some snow before that…All I know is I’m so looking forward to this trip.

I also thought I was moving forward from L. Was making progress at least, but I had something hit me on my run on Monday night. One of my many conversations I have with myself while I run. I was just overcome by sadness again. And then while I was watching Dancing with the Stars (yes, I’ll admit to that, I love ballroom dance, doesn’t matter to me who is doing it, I wish I could do it myself!!) and one song kind of hit me…I’ve been doing well, but it started me crying again. Not so much for him, necessarily, because in the true essence of everything, he wasn’t providing me what I needed…but I missed the idea of what he constantly talked about and what I thought I would get from him…if that makes sense. It was the promises he never did and never would have fulfilled, but I liked the ideas he shared…the fact that in 6 months he hadn’t once followed through on the things he had mentioned us doing should’ve clued me in…but I just so wanted to believe in him and the love I thought I had for him and that he had me convinced he had for me…how sad is that. I was so strong and full being single I thought, and just a few words from one guy and I now feel like I’m missing something, but it's something that I never had, so how can I miss it?? What’s wrong with me?

It's one of THOSE days...

You know, one of those days when you get to the gym, get a nice 5 mile run in, a tempo one, with 3 miles just below 8 minute pace and an overall pace around 8 minutes...and it feels really good...and then you get your strength training and rehab exercises done and feel great...but when you go to get ready for work, you find that you have two different shoes...not only that, but they are both LEFT shoes...sigh...And you can't even blame it on the fact that you were up at 5 am cause you packed your bag THE NIGHT BEFORE!

Weekend Recap

What a busy one it was too. Friday I didn’t do anything, but that was good cause I was up early and got a few things done around the house before I met up with a newer friend for a run. I forget how great longer runs can be with someone to help you through it. The plan was for 12 miles, which we accomplished at a 9:10 pace…it felt fairly easy too. That was with a couple of stretching stops and a bathroom stop for me. So not too bad. I’ve always heard that running with someone faster than you is a good thing, and apparently that was the case here. I’ve been running the longer runs at a 9:20 or so pace, and this included talking so a bit more challenging. Unfortunately the glute was still tight. After the run we went for a coffee to warm up and hung out for a while…then I had to rush home and meet my dad for our dinner date for his birthday. I took him to Manny’s. It’s a five star restaurant and according to Zagat’s has been one of the top five steakhouses in the country for the last 5 years or so. Dad loves steak and not knowing what to get him for his birthday…and his having heard about this place for a long time, I figured what better present to get him. We both had a 10 ounce filet (smallest cut of meat on the menu) and split a baked potato (all the sides are a la carte and meant to share) and had really good bread and then since it was a birthday, they brought out a yummy dessert that was brownie on the bottom, chocolate mousse in the middle and whipped cream smothered on top, then they put chocolate syrup on top of that with a birthday candle. It was a great meal and dad really enjoyed it. Plus it gave us about 3 hours of just dad and me, which was great. After dinner we met up with my mom and my aunt’s and then I went home to bed as I was exhausted…up at 7:30, run 12 miles, eat a steak dinner, I was ready for bed.

Sunday I met up with a friend for breakfast and we spent the afternoon watching the Vikings game. We won, which was a good thing, but when you’re playing a bad team…what does the win say?? Anyway, prior to breakfast, I had been up early so got a 30 minute bike ride at the gym with a 4 mile run after…finally figured out the weird feeling of running after a bike ride. What a challenge but after about half a mile my legs felt fine. I even managed to average 8:45 for the run, with a tough ride and then the 12 miles the day before I thought that was pretty good. Gave me 33 miles for the week, 4 bike rides of at least 30 minutes and 2 swims along with 3 days of 30 minutes of strength training. I’m happy with the week. Hopefully I can get a little more in this week cause next week I need to do a fall back since I doubt I’ll do much of anything on my vacation next week.

Personal Space

What is it with people feeling the need to invade personal space? I thought Americans were more known for needing that “wing span” of space and knowing to give people space. I know that in some countries, people move in much closer and are less needing of personal space that we are in America…But in this country there are just certain things you adhere to. For example, if you are at the movie theater, and it’s quiet, and there are a lot of open seats, you don’t take the seat directly next to someone you don’t know, or sit directly in front of behind them, out of respect for their space. In a public restroom, if there are few people in there, and there are a lot of stalls, you don’t take the stall right next to one in use, you leave at least one between you…just the common things that most people seem to recognize as unwritten rules…or maybe I’m just weird, but these are things I’ve observed happening so I can’t be the only one!! Anyway, today I finally made my goal of getting out of bed early and getting to the gym before work. I have been wanting to get up and do that 2-3 times a week to strength train, saving a drive during lunch and getting a good start to the day (at least in theory). So I got up, got myself ready (did hair and makeup since I don’t necessarily sweat a lot during strength training) and went off to the gym. Had my workout done and was changing to head to work…now the lockers at the gym are U shaped and there are a number of these U shaped sections all lined with lockers (as most gyms are set up). They have 3 lockers on each of the legs of the U that are tall, and then 3 others that are short with 1 stacked on top of the other. I tend to take the shorter ones, next to the taller one (as they aren’t often used) on the bottom for ease of getting into and out of. I got back to my locker, had it open and my stuff spread out, getting myself dressed and getting stuff shoved back in the bag. I was taking up my share of space, but at this time of the day, the gym was very, very quiet…in fact in this space I was in, there was only one other person. And she had just arrived and was getting ready to get out for her workout. She asks me if I’m using the locker next to me, the tall one…I said no…then she takes her coat and sticks it in. Then she kind of moves my coat (which is laying in front of the locker door, this locker is open) and then asks if that is my coat, which I said yes, it was, she moves it, shuts the door and then puts it back…all this time I was looking around, the 3 tall lockers on the other side, where no one was, were all free…in fact one of the was partly open and you could see it was not in use…WHY did she have to have the one next to me??? Or why couldn’t she wait till I had moved? I get the idea of using the same locker each time. Honestly I do. I tend to do that and get in a habit of it…but if someone is there and I have to disturb them to get to it, I adapt and use a different one…I heard someone talking on the radio earlier this week too about having been at a Starbucks recently, sitting alone at one of their small tables, one that is meant for one person or, at most two, but only if you are sitting very intimately…she had her stuff spread over the table and was reading. A woman came over and asked a lady next to her if she could share the table with her. The woman sitting told the new woman that she was meeting someone…the woman then came to the radio person and asked her. The radio person looked around and saw there were many open tables and pointed that out…the new woman said they were all undesirable cause they were by the line…so the radio person gave her the go ahead. Woman took over the table…radio person finally told her she would go take one of the other tables and left. Now me, personally, would not have let the new woman sit there, cause I’m kind of a bitch sometimes, but how rude is that to ask someone even? It’s one thing if it’s a big table and there aren’t other places to sit, but when there are places to sit…

Workouts through Wednesday

Monday – Strength training for 30 minutes. I wanted to do something else too, but by the time got away from the chiropractor I just wanted to go home. So I did…

Tuesday – 7 mile run. I left from Bally’s, did two loops around Normandale lake and came back. I almost got hit by an inattentive driver (thankfully I was paying attention) and almost called and reported her as I memorized the license…should’ve made her roll her window down and yelled at her, but I didn’t want to interrupt my run more. My slamming my hands on her car should’ve hopefully scared her enough to pay a bit more attention. Anyway, after that I went and got on the bike for 30 minutes…did almost 10 miles in that time (level was only at a 5 on the bike, but I’m building up) and then was going to swim, but kind of felt like going home then, so I did…

Wednesday – Strength training for 30 minutes at lunch. After work and the chiro, I hit the gym and did 4 miles, a 1 mile w/u then 2 miles at 8:30 (8:35 and 8:31 to be exact) pace and then a cool down mile. After that I jumped on a bike and did 30 minutes and 10 miles…no idea if the level I’m using for making it harder is that hard or not, I haven’t tested things all that much, but it feels like a workout. I didn’t get into the pool yet…

All this working out, I did strength for 30 minutes last week and ran 30 miles, longest in a long time with a 10 mile run in there one of the days, and still not feeling or seeing any weight loss…it’s very frustrating. Tonight I’m meeting a friend for a run, we might only get 4 in together cause of time issues on his part, but I plan on adding whatever more I need to to get 6 and then swing by the gym for a bike and/or swim. If I don’t get the swim in tonight, I’m for sure getting it in tomorrow!! I’m not running tomorrow, but am going to try to get up and strength train before work then leave work at 3, run a computer I need to get rid of to the Mall of America (they are having a free electronics pickup) hopefully get a gift bought for a friend at a new store there and back to the gym by 4 to get a swim and bike ride in…and look at what I have coming:

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday Dad! OK, I’m a day late (and failed to get a card in the mail, but I did call him like a good daughter and I’m taking him out for a really nice dinner someplace he’s always wanted to go to on Saturday night) on this wish as his birthday was yesterday, but like I said, I did call him and we talked for a while. I love my dad very much and appreciate so much the sacrifices he’s made over the years for his family. He worked long hours and often away from home to be able to give us all the things we needed and many of the things we didn’t need but wanted and he has always been there when I need him.

When I was running high school track, meets were during the week, but also on weekends. Weekends were the time dad was home and his time to relax and maybe do yard work or whatever he needed or wanted to do before he had to go back to work, away from home, during the week…but he was always there for meets. Even when they were far away and took up almost all of his Saturday. He never complained about the time he could be doing other things…he was there to cheer and watch and was always proud. He even came to a during the week event once, when it happened to be close to where he was working, and was later at night, and he had to get up early to work in the morning. He wasn’t able to express verbally how he felt, at least not easily, but he definitely showed me through his actions how he felt. Any chance he had to be at any events he was there and this has carried through into my adult life as well.

When I decided to run a marathon, and chose one that was father’s day weekend, dad and mom hauled their fifth wheel up to Duluth, camped out and were there to watch, and dad was right at the finish line to get a sweaty hug. After that weekend he even sent me a card, thanking me for a wonderful father’s day and the chance to be there to watch me finish. He was then bragging to all his friends and co-workers about my running. When I ran Chicago, he was there, meeting my internet running friends and figuring out why I enjoyed being on line chatting to them so much, and braving the streets of Chicago (dad HATES big cities), cheering for me when I needed the help at mile 16.5 and then surprising me by seeing me cross the finish line. He had even bought me flowers for my finish…. Then my PR marathon, when I ALMOST got my BQ he was there again. Again father’s day weekend and again something that he was happy to do. He has the miles for a free ticket, and he almost used them to come see me run at Marine Corp, but I’m actually glad he didn’t, because I told him I’d like him to hold those miles, I’d love to have him use them to fly to Boston…because I want him to be there for the biggest. There are so many people I know that get funny looks and little support for their running from people close to them. They hear all about how bad it can be for you and their families don’t even try to understand it. My dad never has to asked me why I run, he just knows I do, knows I love it and is there to support me no matter where or why. Hopefully I can make him proud and have him see me hit that time I need next year at Twin Cities. I love you dad.

To Bruce...We'll All Miss You

I'm going to have to write more on this later, but I had news today that my uncle Bruce is going to be removed from ventilators today. He took a couple of falls a week ago and ended up at a Las Vegas hospital (he winters near Laughlin) and appeared paralyzed on one side, but was responsive and seeming to improve all week, but we had word today that there was pressure building on his brain stem and there was nothing they could do. He was expected to only last a couple of days and today his sister made the decision to take him off life support. Bruce isn't my uncle by blood, but when he married my aunt, he became part of our family. He made Elaine very happy till the day she lost her fight to breast cancer 6 years ago. Since losing Elaine, Bruce has not been happy, and I guess the one blessing in this is that he will now be with her again. He loved her so much...

10 Miles

Today I went out for a 10 mile run. Longest run I've done in quite a long time...and unfortunately I'm STILL feeling the glute pain. It was feeling tight the whole run, and now the leg is still tight. I'm using my roller and my stick and can't seem to get it loosened up...I don't know what more to do. I've been seeing the chiro for a month now. Two times a week. I'm doing my exercises...granted I can't swear to having done them twice day every day, but it's been that way more often than not. And I've added in strength training, full body and specific stuff for the problem area and it still isn't enough. I just don't know what more to do. I wasn't prevented from the run, it's just not comfortable and it's really bad feeling after. Shorter runs haven't been as much of a problem, it's just this longer stuff that seems to get it. I see the chiro again on Monday, but I can't keep seeing a chiro 2 times a week or more hoping it will eventually help...shouldn't I have seen something by now? I wonder if I should go see my doctor and do some PT (before my insurance changes in January), if I can fit it in...As far as the run, other than the glute, it wasn't bad. I ran 10 miles at a 9:18 pace, which is kind of standard for me if I haven't been doing speedwork and such. I know, I know, I can run, which is more than some people are able to do right now, but I just want the comfort back...I want it to feel good...the way it should...

On another note. I had a fairly productive day. I stayed in last night so was up early and cleaned out my garage enough to get firewood out of my car and piled where it's supposed to be and have space for more. I have a ton of boxes I need to get cleaned out though. What a freaking pain...then I went to Trader Joe's, Cub, Super Target and Dick's and was back home before noon...talked to a friend on the phone, did a bit of cleaning (including laundry) and then my run and a short nap. Had a text conversation with a friend who suggested a beer, which I'm contemplating but still not sure I want to go out. Oh, and updated her on the L situation as she hadn't been in on it yet. I've been telling people slowly...

On that end...it's been 2 weeks now since the fateful night we ended things...well, he ended things. I mean it had been in my mind off and on and it wasn't something I had decided on yet...I think I'm past the upset stage and kind of more angry. Angry about the promises, or implied promises that he had made and never kept...and the fact that he had me thinking so much into the future (which I would never have done so early in anything) when apparently he didn't mean any of what he said. I still stick to his words, when discussion my quirks at one point and telling him they can get annoying very quickly and he said he wasn't 20 anymore and knew what he could and couldn't handle. Well, one of those quirks ends up kind of being the only real answer he gave me for why things wouldn't work between us. Go figure. He might not be 20, but some things were certainly actions that spoke of a 20 year old.

Running and Eventually Swimming!

Another day, another chiro visit and another run. Hopefully I can keep the rants to a minimum now…I have a few things I could comment on, but will try to not say anything if I can’t say anything nice!! One of my friends I mentioned in the post yesterday was very concerned that I thought she was ignoring me and I hope I’ve reassured her that that is definitely not the case. She has a very busy schedule and a lot going on in her own life and we’ve been there for each other as much as we can and I know if I really needed it, she’d be there, but the unfortunate thing is money and time are not on her side to be able to get together that often…which is too bad as I know she needs to get out more herself.

Yesterday it was dark and cold by the time I got done at the chiro so I chose to run at the gym. My plan was speedwork…nothing major, just a couple of faster mile runs with a recovery in between…I had run off a tentative training schedule for the Breast Cancer Marathon in Jacksonville, FL in February and am tentatively following it (I put it together off Runner’s World’s training program) but made some adjustments since the time I put in is much faster than I plan to run this one in. Anyway, I decided the miles at 8:30 pace would be good and I used the indoor track and managed to do a mile warm up, 1 mile at 8:20, a recovery half around 4:30 and then a second mile at 8:16 with a recovery again around 4:30 and decided to do one more fast half, 3:50 and finish with an easy 4:30 half…Total run for 5 miles was 43: and some odd seconds so not too bad. Fastest I’ve done in a really long time and it felt fine. I think I’m still a little tight on one side though and forgot to do some of my exercises this morning. Wanted to get to work…I can do the upper ones but kind of hard to do the others at work. I plan to either lightly run or elliptical train tonight after drinks with friends for a birthday celebration…then to bed since I just didn’t get enough sleep last night for whatever reason. I couldn’t sleep, woke up too early this morning.

One other thing I decided though is even though a tri next year is probably out, there is no reason why I can’t get my butt into the pool since it would be a good cross training for me. So this weekend I intend on getting out to Dick’s or someplace to get some goggles…and I’m looking into a new swim suit, a nice lap swim one…was looking for clearance Speedo online but if anyone has any recommendations on other suits I’m open to listening. I just figure Speedo since it’s a name I know and I found a few for under $50 shipped which isn’t too bad. I have a couple of suits I can use till I get the new one too. Only problem I’m running into is sizing…32, 34, 36…is that waist hips or bust? Couldn’t find anything to explain and I’m used to small, medium, large!!

Support Networks

Suppose it’s time to stop with the downer posts. Not much else to write about, well, I have all kinds of things I seem able to compose in my head on runs and never manage to remember what I wanted to say when I get near a computer…Anyway, I am still in a state over numerous things but it’s to be expected…I can take at least a month or two to grieve right? But this week I do have to allow for a bit of getting out of the house…I have house guests coming tonight. Denise and Josh are going to be here sometime a bit later tonight (after my bedtime, am I pathetic or what since they should be there by 10?) and are staying with me tonight and tomorrow. Tomorrow is Denise’s birthday and we are going out for that…she is in for some surprises too, but there will be going out then. Friday and Saturday though I think I’ll stay in. I have options to go out on Saturday and just not sure I feel up to it. I might just hit a nice 10 miler since it’s supposed to be back in the 50s (as opposed to the 30s and 40s so far this week) and then just veg at home. We’ll see. I have the house to myself as my roommate is hanging at her boyfriends for the next few days. I’ve been a bit disappointed in a friend though. She is one I helped through her divorce from her ex, who cheated on her…I was there when she was going through it all, debating taking him back, when it finally fell apart, all the guys she dated and/or just hung out with in that time. Going out with her as she needed etc…and now since her divorce has been final and she’s now involved with someone else that she plans to marry and get pregnant with soon, she is never around. I used to see her at least a few times a week, then at least once a week and now she’s been busy with work and I get that, but I maybe see her once a month…and on those times all I get to hear is complaints about him and then it sometimes tends to be an early night. I hadn’t even had an email or anything from her in a while, responded to a joke she forwarded me on Monday, she asked what was new, I told her about L and her response was are you sad? When I said of course and ranted a bit she told me I should’ve called her last week as she had been around, and that she was here to go out to dinner, drink, movie whatever I needed…and that she would’ve called me right then but didn’t want to upset me at work and had a conference call…this was all yesterday…I had responded that I didn’t want to leave the house (I guess when someone says that to me, I feel it’s my job to drag them out and cheer them up but that’s just me and/or call and make sure they are OK) and I had friends in town for the next couple of days and then I was probably staying in all weekend…so nothing back from her regarding any of this yet today and no call or anything last night to be sure I was OK. When she was going through her stuff, I was calling her constantly just checking in to be sure she felt OK. Apparently a break up with someone you had only been dating for 6 months isn’t as big of a deal. And it’s not like I’m getting divorced right? The thing that sucks so much is that I really don’t have a support network around me. Granted, I’ve had a lot of people over to talk, told me to call, and have tried calling me, and I haven’t felt up to it, but someone who has known me as long as she has, and who I was there for should be able to be there for me…my roommate has a boyfriend, she’d be there to go out, but, well, not sure what I feel there…another friend married with 3 kids, no chance to go out, another friend, divorced with a 5 year old, no chance to go out as babysitters are expensive and going out usually isn’t in her budget…others are around but not really reliable no matter what…so even if I wanted to go out, not really an option…wow, I’m pretty pathetic. I’ve been saying I need to get to know more people, one of these days maybe I will…or maybe I’ll just get back into the staying in, hanging at home, and just running and working out…nothing wrong with that. I did get 6 in yesterday. I was tight through both glutes and hamstrings due to lunges the day before so no idea if things are improving or not, but going to see the chiro soon to find out. I’m just getting so frustrated as nothing seems to work…this has been going on over a year. I’m doing the stretches and strength work, I’m starting to strength train. I took time off running. I’m building back up slowly…I’m doing everything right…I just want to feel good and have running feel good again.

November??

Well, been trying to get an update up for the last week and what do you know, it still hasn’t happened. Anyway, I’m still feeling upset, which should not be unusual considering it all, but I’ve also come to a realization that I don’t want to do it anymore. Now I’m not going to be stupid and say I’m never dating again and have to eat my words 2 years down the road, but honestly, I don’t want to do it anymore. I was with someone that I cared deeply for. I let down a lot of walls and protections that I had had in place, and I let myself open up and trust the things he was saying and telling me…including the talk about the future, which when it came up, seemed to be way too much for the period of time we had been together. But for whatever reason, I let him convince me this was the way it was and was going to continue. He seemed to think he had found everything he wanted…we had just had a discussion about it before his last trip in fact. How I needed to realize he was doing some of the things he was doing because it was going to be great for the future…it was for us. There were still things I wasn’t sure on, but I had a lot of what I would want in someone and I was sure that what was missing would come. If he loved me as much as he said, there was no way it wouldn’t come right? But guess I was wrong about it, and all I know is that I have no interest in pursuing something new down the road. Let’s face it, first dates, really not a lot of fun. In fact dating in general I have been known to deem similar to the waterboarding being discussed right now…in fact I think I’d rather go through waterboarding than dating…think about it, you are out with someone that you are trying to impress while at the same time trying to figure out if you want to see again, it’s a situation of judgment on both parts, who knows what will come of it and all the games that go with it. Can’t call right after the date, that seems desperate right? Have to wait x days to go out again as you don’t want to give the wrong impression…it’s what I liked about L…what drew me in…there were no games. He said he was going to call, he called. He liked me and was quite vocal about it. When he told me he loved me, it freaked me out, but I got over that and realized I felt the same…it was just something that happened, and it was good and that just doesn’t happen for me…it’s the first time in 9 years that something happened that easily…anyway, enough on that…

Last week was an OK workout week. I weight trained for 25 minutes 3 days, I made my goal run 5 days and I hit 26 miles. Another couple of weeks and I’ll be back to the 6 days or so a week running and 30-40 miles that I was enjoying. Only problem is, even seeing the chiro like I have been, and doing the exercises that I need to, I’m still not having the results I wanted/hoped for…and I’m getting so down and frustrated about that…lost my boyfriend and running still isn’t what it should be. Seems very unfair.