Food and Wine Show

Yes, today I will be indulging! It's the Twin Cities Food & Wine Experience ie a day to indulge in lots and lots of wine! I'll be going with a couple of friends and we all have tickets to the reserve area as well (meaning more upscale wines $20+ I noticed some bottles for $150 under the tasting notes). It's a great chance to be able to taste lots of different wines though. Discover new favorites, as well as the food samples etc. It will be a good day to say the least. The show is from 10-6 and then after one of the friends has a room nearby where we will catch a nap and then probably some dinner before hitting the bars of Uptown or Downtown...we'll see what happens. All I know is that it is a good day to drink!! Bring on the wine!

This will be my third time going. First time I was a puddle after, second time was not too bad, today, only time will tell, but I've added another 90 wines to the 300-400 I can sample (not to mention the beer, meads and other items that sometimes are there as well).

Appliances came at perfect timing yesterday, a little unexpected problem with the fit of the fridge, but it's OK for now and eventually will be better as dad will make the cabinet above that is the problem a little smaller when spring comes. My dishwasher will be installed before I head to the wine show today (coming between 7 and 9 which normally would suck cause it's so early but I'm fine with it for timing for today).

I'm sure updates will abound tomorrow as soon as I've recovered as I now am the proud owner of a pretty laptop too...

More Cold and New Toys

OK, I promise, at least for the next week, (we are supposed to warm up) that I'll stay away from posting about cold...but I had to do it one last time. This was the temp driving to the gym. The gym was very quiet (people don't want to get up in the cold!). I did strength for 25 minutes and a 4 mile run, I'm hoping to motivate to go againt this afternoon and get a bike ride and some plyometrics in, but we'll see. And yes, I hate cold, I'd take any hot temps you can throw at me over this (of course I'm weird in that my preferred marathon running temps are probably a start in the mid-50s topping at 65-70). I feel like a wuss running in the gym, but, as I've stated it to others, I can run in the cold. I have cold weather stuff and can do it. I can also get up and workout/run in the morning. It is hard to get out of bed but once I'm up and doing it, I enjoy it, but I CAN'T get up and run in the morning in the cold (when it gets warm there will be no problems I'll go right out the door for a nice run on days that are only running).

OK, so it's not so much "toys" per se, but it should be a bit of an exciting weekend. I went to Best Buy on Monday and spent a ton of money...since my condo is not likely to sell anytime soon (market is so bad and there are too many for sale in my complex and I just don't want to take less for it) I decided to go ahead and upgrade my appliances and enjoy them for a year or so before moving. Best Buy had a really good deal...fridge, over the range microwave, range and dishwasher for $2000, (Whirlpool brand) with free delivery and recycling of your old items. I couldn't pass it up. Then I added install of the dishwasher (because I need that right away, I'll have a cousin do the install of the microwave in a few weeks as I have a microwave to use till then, but not the dishwasher, no one is taking that away!!), and I swapped out the fridge for one that was a clearance one, and a little cheaper but almost the same, but I upgraded the dishwasher to one that is quieter (my kitchen is right off my living room) so it came out a little more but that's OK. I have a year to pay for it (love no interest financing). One problem is the fridge is too big for the space I have, so my dad is coming up to cut down my counter space and give another inch and a half so it will fit. I guess it's good that we're cold right now since I can put all the stuff from my fridge outside while we are messing with the exchange of the appliances etc. I'll have to take a picture and post it once they are all in place.

I Can't Get Warm

Our last big freeze out weekend was over the 9th and 10th...they said that was going to be the last real bad cold spell (of which we've had way too many this year) for the year. Ummm, yeah, they were wrong. I can deal with the cold, I've been doing it long enough, but I'm at the point where I just never feel warm anymore and it sucks. I drag my butt out of bed to get to the gym, freeze on the way to the gym, only getting warm about the time I pull up, get out, freeze a bit in the gym, particularly when running past one set of windows on the track. Then I get back into another cold car and drive to work. After work I really want to run errands or go to the gym again, but the idea of getting into the cold car a couple of times again isn't appealing...last night it didn't happen, tonight I might force it, but we'll see. I hate being cold. I want nice temps (OK, this weekend wasn't terrible, but I wasn't feeling so well on Saturday so didn't get to really enjoy it).

Now for the running stuff. Last couple have been related to dating, etc and I haven't really touched on running so wanted to get back to that, before I go on another rant!! Anyway, two weeks ago I managed a respectible week of 33 miles. And realized that I had run 6 or 7 days in a row, before I forced a break (one day was only a mile so it kind of was a rest day) and it's not perfect still, but things are better than they have been. Last week I managed to get in 37 miles. Way too many of them on the track, so far only long runs have been outside, but still respectible. I had 11 miles at a 9 minute pace 2 weeks ago and 10 this week at 9:22 but that's a little skewed because the first 2 miles I was messing with my phone and trying to have a conversation with my dad so those miles were slower. Last week I did my first "tempo" in quite a long time. I kind of consider it a tempo/interval workout. I was planning to run 7 both days. I ran 1 mile around 9 minutes to warm up, then sped up to planned 8:30 or so, and every other mile went that way. The last mile though I extended to keep the pace up both weeks and added one more to cool down for a total of 8. Last week I didn't wear a watch so was only guessing, this week I did wear a watch and the 1st tempo mile was 8:22, second was 8:14, 3rd was 8:09 followed by one more at 8:01 and a cool down 8th mile at 8:22 (yes, I was slowing down, but I obviously didn't slow enough for a bit). I had an average if 8:28 for a pace for the 8 and it felt really good to get going faster again. Although I felt sluggish and didn't want to pick up the pace...you know, was out of bed at 5:15 and damnit, it was cold!!

I don't think I'll meet or beat the 37 of last week this week, maybe it's good to have a fall back after 2 weeks of "up" considering how running has been lately. I just don't see getting my long run in this week because of busyness of the weekend this weekend...I'll post more about that later. We'll see though. Hopefully this means I'm getting back up there. Of course my crosstraining has suffered...

Being Single

I guess I feel the need to clarify about my V-day post. Some of you have been reading my blog maybe for only a short period of time. Up until last spring, I had been single (as in no actual boyfriend, then I met L in May and we dated until last October) for 10 years. Yes, 10 years...no boyfriend, and lots and lots of bad dates. Ok, not all the dates were bad, but there were a number of guys in that time that I would've liked something more with, some I wouldn't have and every range in between. During a lot of that time I was very upset and hated it, desperatly wanting someone...then I finally realized hey, I like my life...I like being single...I enjoy life as it is and I'm very, very needy of my own time. And I took a look at those that were married, realizing that they were not happy. I was definitely more happy than they were, had more freedom, etc. Plus, I've come to the realization that I don't want children. So that makes marriage even less necessary (not that I think you have to be married to have kids, but no way I'd do it myself!). Anyway, all this was fine and good, and then I dated someone, and now I'm dealing with that, while the relationship didn't work, I realized the things that were nice, that were good, and that I do miss. Between that and finding it difficult to get people to get out and do things sometimes...and when the warm weather comes, (heck, right now sometimes it would be nice cuddling in front of the fire and keeping each other warm) there are so many things that it's nice to have someone to do them with. I'm not looking for a marriage, long term or anything like that, but I guess I've realized that I'm back to the point where I was wanting to be with someone...it's what comes when you have been involved with someone. Then of course I partly went on the rant due to the games of a guy...something I haven't blogged about because I'm mad at myself for being stupid about the situation, but what do you do? Someone comes along with the right charm...and of course all my friends point out how stupid this is!! Ah well, but that's where the rant came from. I'm mostly fine with being single, I'm just struggling off and on now due to being out of my happy being single form that I've been in for a while now. And then the lack of decent men out there to date it seems.

V-day

That stupid holiday that is pretty much to make singles feel bad I think...honestly. All the couply crap and what day is there out there that is just for singles?? I mean I've been feeling pretty good about my situation and where I am in life but partly cause of a stupid boy and partly due to those things around that day, I actually was feeling bad about myself last night and I hate that a stupid nothing commerical holiday has that power. It's been too long (11 years I think) since I had a boyfriend around V-day so I don't know that I'd feel different if I had someone...but I honestly believe in little gifts and acts of appreciation more than one day a year...But I digress...one thing that kind of bothers me too, is when people wish you Happy Valentine's day...umm....exactly what is happy about it? My mom sent me and my siblings a greeting, saying she loved her "babies" and that was OK...but a few others saying it I wasn't OK with...particularly said stupid boy mentioned above. Unless you're dating me and with me, don't wish it for me...arghh...now, spring, you need to come as this S.A.D. is hitting me too much...of course spring sometimes gets me a bit (much as I love it there is a sadness to it too) as it's a great time of year to be with someone...ah well...It's basically been 11 years since I was with someone in spring too so I should be used to it right!! I should never have dated L, it got me back into relationship mindset!

And He Runs

That's right...I got to the gym today, hit the track at 5:45 and saw my hottie on a treadmill...the temptation was very strong to get on one of the two empty treadmills on either side of him (even though that violates the invasion of space rule!) and I am so bored by the treadmill these days...I only use the track or outside, but that's just how cute he is. Anyway, I stuck to the track and just admired him as I ran past each lap...till at 2 miles for me, he got off the mill and headed out...and then I discovered he was in the weight room! Nice thing about the track, there are a couple of spots where you can see down to the weight room, so I got to see him a few more times...wonder if he'll be there tomorrow...wonder if I will...Oh, and I did get 7 miles in...and a decent pace, 1:01:30...I finally timed myself with an actual watch and not the clock I normally am using. I'm still pretty sure the track is accurate and I always run the outside lane...

I am amazed I was able to get up this morning. Last night I was at work till after 5 (I'm in at 7:30 so yes, that makes for a long day), I got home, took a quick power nap, got up, got dressed, snacked way too much and then a friend happens to be in town for training for work so we finally managed to get together for dinner and a drink and caught up. Hopefully he'll be joining up with me and some other friends to see a band on Saturday. I have yet to see them play, but the lead singer/namesake for the band used to be part of a friend's band and has an amazing voice so looking forward to checking them out.

Ode to the Hottie at the Gym

I'm finding it's sometimes a bit easier to get up and go to the gym in the mornings, knowing, that on occasion, I get a chance to see you...call it motivation!!

Yes, there is a very cute boy that I see, and I never know when I might run into him. But it's only in the mornings...I wonder if it's because he slightly reminds me of a guy that has made half hearted attempts at pursuing me (I say half hearted because he has asked me if I'd like to go on a date, has my number, says he will call and doesn't, I see him out and he tells me he's glad to see me, but never follows through...and when I met him, I figured out he is out of a recent relationship, but he said it's over and done, he's fine, but yet one time we were supposed to go out, he says he didn't call because of stuff with her, this was two weeks after my asking him about it and him guaranteeing me he was done with it...now I asked about it because I've been burned on this exact thing before so I asked and was lied to...sigh). Anyway, it's fun to look at the guy at the gym...nothing will ever come of that and I can just admire from afar (I always wonder at all the things that say a place to meet people is at the gym because I for one am not at the gym to meet people, I don't primp before going, I go with headphones so I can focus, I'm there to workout NOT meet people!!).

Running Free

Remembering back to 2006…the year my running had a breakthrough. Without trying (I wanted to break 4 hours, that was my ultimate goal) I came within 2 minutes of qualifying for Boston. I had a lot of things going on in my life at the time. Nothing real great, and running took me away from it all…all I did was train. Running was the thing that kept me sane during that time.
Unfortunately last year was a complete flip of the coin. I lost my motivation to run, to a degree. It felt like a chore most times, and was almost never enjoyable due to my glute issue. I ran a total of 3 races, none of them marathons, longest was a 25K, and that was a bust of a run. Now I’m at a place where things are starting to feel better…finally…It’s not 100% yet. There are times when things really do bother still. BUT, and this is a big but since I haven’t been able to maintain constancy for a while now…but this week I finally managed a good week. I actually, technically, ran 6 days…in a row…One of those days was only a mile (after checking back over the day, I had not eaten enough protein and after a 30 minute bike ride had no energy for more than a mile). Friday though, I had a long run planned (it was going to be cold Saturday and Sunday), I wanted to do 11 miles…my pace, hoped to be around 9:15 or so…well, I managed 8:59…and that was with maybe a mile under some slippery conditions (I didn’t wear my yak trax because most of the roads were clear, even though we had had snow earlier in the day). Saturday I ran in the gym after a strength session, and it felt OK, but the big breakthrough of the weekend came today. I went out last night (surprise, surprise) and somehow got a little happier than planned…getting up this morning wasn’t great, I had a little bit of a bad discussion with a friend while I was drinking, thankfully that was resolved this morning, but while I wasn’t feeling good early in the day, I still opted to go to the gym (braved the cold to get there), needing to clear my head over some stuff going on and it just felt good. I think I had to have had a smile on my face for a big part of it, it felt good, and freeing…I even think I managed to run around an 8:45 pace…and it felt good. It was one of those runs where I could’ve just gone forever…had I eaten a bit more (and not been pushing it on the mileage, 33 was a bit more than I probably should’ve gone for the week, but I went with it) before it. I’m close to being back. And I know what I need to do to meet my running goal. I know the training I need to do. I have plenty of time to get geared into it. I have this goal…But I’m suddenly figuring out I have a problem too. OK, yes, I’m loving my independence, I need to the focus time, etc…and my family and a bunch of friends will all be there that day, to help celebrate the achievement or ease my disappointment (have to think both ways since there is always a chance of many things happening) but it’s such a huge goal for me, and I wish there was the possibility of someone special being there to urge me on…something I’ve never had, but really want. I did get that a little bit with L, even though he was never able to make it to a race…he was there to tell me how proud he was, even on bad days…and I wish there was that feasibility of someone being there for me this time…but like I said, it would also be a distraction that I just don’t need…I'm so messed up.

Twin Cities Marathon Invite

“The most beautiful urban marathon” according to Runner’s World…and really, not just because it’s my city, it honestly is a very nice course. I have avoided doing it, having already done a MN marathon etc…but this year I have a very big goal, some of you know it, some don’t, regardless it’s out there, it’s in my mind and I really want to achieve it, so what better than doing a race on a course you can run any day of the week if you want?? Not to mention it’s cheap for me, I can sleep in my own bed the night before AND eat at my favorite Italian restaurant the night before (heck, I can even practice the meal by eating there before long runs…oooo what a great idea!!). The course has plenty of crowd support, it really is nice, you run from Minneapolis to St. Paul…around the chain of lakes (one of the most popular places to be in the summer and the reason Minneapolis has the nickname city of lakes) over and up along Summit Avenue, where a lot of St. Paul’s wealthy live and where the governor’s mansion is located. The finish is past the Cathedral, down a hill and up to the Capital (and we do have a pretty capital with gold horses on top of it). There is a limit of about 11000 runners, the course is fairly open so not overly crowded and last year, when it was hot (even more humid) like Chicago, there was never a worry about running out of water. They had plenty (and much of the course does have some type of shade, although it was still hot).

So what I’m proposing and putting out there, is for anyone considering a fall marathon…why not come to the Twin Cities?? I already have a large group of people coming in from a couple of online running groups I’m part of…I figured why not send this invite out to blogland too? Registration opens on April 18th and has been known to close in about 10 days. It’s $95, $15 cheaper than Chicago AND hotels I can guarantee you will be much cheaper than Chicago, even if you stay near the start or finish!! At least think about it…you have just over 2 months before registration opens! (and for those that are set on Chicago, they are a week apart, you could always do a back to back!!)

Wishes MeMe

OK, I’ve been tagged on this and it was different than others I’ve seen, so I figured why not…might be fun (and it was my cousin that tagged me, I’ll hear about it if I don’t do it!!)
So here goes:The directions: Post two wish lists, 5 material wishes and 5 spiritual or more meaningful wishes. Then tag five people. Let them know that they have been tagged by posting a message to them on their blog.Here goes:

List 1: Material Wishes

1. I wish to get my house sold for a good price and find my perfect new home in the area that I want to live
2. I wish to have all my student loans paid off
3. I wish to get into an MBA program for the fall
4. I wish to be able to afford my fun sports car for my birthday next year (those student loan payments are earmarked for it)
5. I wish to find my way toward exactly what I want…and to know what that is!
   

List 2: Meaningful or Spiritual

1. I wish that people would be more accepting of differences in others…be it political, religious, ethnic or sexual orientation
2. I wish that our government were not so corrupt and instead of everyone being out for them, they would be out to help those that elected them, and would stay out of the business of others around the world until we fix the problems in this country
3. I wish the so called “holy martyrs” that are sent by powerful, rich who are extremely corrupt and obviously NOT about their God’s will but their own agendas, would realize they are being used and stand up to those that are using them
4. I wish that people would realize they live on this planet with others and it’s not always just about you…
5. I wish for the safety of our troops…which would not be necessary if 2 and 3 above were there…of course this is partly selfish since I have a cousin over there…but I have connections to others too and it makes me sad to see so many young people dying for someone else’s agenda, an agenda that seems to keep changing too…
   

Now for the tags:I actually am not going to tag anyone specific, anyone that reads this, feel free to use it…I think it’s kind of neat personally…if only some of the wishes could come true!

A $10 Glass of Wine

So last night I met up with a friend (OK, a date) for a drink…was a first meeting and not wanting to drink beer, decided a glass of wine sounded nice, and wanted to stay away from anything too terribly expensive, I saw a Shiraz that sounded nice for $6. Unfortunately, they were out of that one…the bar tender said they had a Syrah, so I said sure, that sounded good…and, it was an OK glass of wine. Nothing to write home about, but tasted fine. My date just had a beer…so we talk, he’s through a second beer and bartender asks if we want another, we both went ahead with it (I had sipped the wine to this point) and then it was getting later (about 10:30) and I was tired from the night before (will blog more on this in a bit) so we called it a night and the bill was presented to us…my wine…$10 a glass…yes…that annoyed me. When I’m ordering a $6 glass and you are out of it, even suggesting an $8 might be acceptable, but there might be a reason I was ordering a cheaper glass…arghh…So anyway, that makes things awkward a bit as my date had had the tab on his card…he was hesitant about things, I wasn’t sure what was going on, he finally asks if I’m going to put something toward it…uhh…well…you’re the one that asked me out right?? (I’m not a girl that thinks a guy has to always pay, but I always figure whoever did the asking, should do the paying!) So I ask what is needed, and he tells me, well mine was $20…OK, so I handed him a $20 and a $5…let’s just say I don’t think I’ll be seeing him again. It just came across to me as very tacky, and overall, I felt like I was carrying more of the conversation, and I just didn’t think it was that interesting. And of course, this just topped it off. So not worth losing my sleep that I needed!!

Why was I tired?? Well, as you all know, I live in MN…sometimes in MN we get cold, sometimes we get snow (and on occasion we get a lot of both!). On Monday we had a prediction of 3-4 inches to come around rush hour time…great. Thankfully it started early, a lot of people must’ve worked from home and it kind of was stopping by the time I headed home…so commute wasn’t bad at all. I got home, nothing had been plowed, but we only had 1, maybe 2 inches on the ground so no big deal. Snow was completely done by this time too, around 5. I was supposed to go to dinner, but never heard from the friend I was supposed to meet, so instead I vegged and was going to go to bed early since I had been up early on Sunday night watching the game. Crawled into bed but was having some trouble trying to sleep…I was finally dozing off around 10 when I started hearing some scraping sounds…it took a bit, but figured out it was someone shoveling a driveway…the one that is right outside my building (not the one I use), basically, right below my bedroom…and it went on…and on…for an hour!! By the time I was so angry and ready to yell at the person (there are courtesy times, you DON’T shovel and make noise after 10 pm on a week night!!) I saw they were almost done, so I just let it go, but then was so mad about the lack of courtesy that it took a while longer to get to sleep. It’s not like there was so much snow people needed to be plowed out…and it’s not like it hadn’t stopped hours before so it could’ve been done sooner…and it’s not like the driveway hadn’t already been driven on!! I’m not sure if it was our caretaker or just one of the people that lives in that particular building or what…I just know the plow company was there and working on stuff the next morning at 5:30 when I was leaving…so annoying though.

But on a good note…I had a good review today. My boss said very good things about me. Just hope he’s successful in getting a nice chunk percentage of raise for us…unfortunately we get things dictated from parent company…now to work on those essays so I can apply for grad school…getting that MBA would offer a chance for promotion that can justify a higher raise…hopefully enough can change in the next year or so in my responsibilities, so I can get to be a senior level (since this is a new position, there really isn’t much to dictate that) and then maybe the MBA would push me to principle…promotion is usually good for 4-5% raise I think (or would hope)…money makes the world go round right??

To Brighten Your Monday

http://animal.discovery.com/tv/puppy-bowl/video/video.html

I have this link on it's own browser...open, so I can look at it at any time and smile (or laugh out loud as my next door cube neighbor has heard). Thought everyone who didn't see the other "big game" last night might enjoy it!!

February?

How can it already be February? Didn’t we just ring in 2008?? (I think I remember ringing it in, that Dom and Absinthe have messed with my mind!!) Where did January go?? Not that I mind January being done, mind you. Remember, I live in Minnesota…January is the dreaded month (at least for those of us not a fan of cold, and dark, and cold, did I mention cold??). Of course there are those that say if you’re a real Minnesotan, January should be your favorite month. I’m not a real Minnesotan I guess because May is my favorite…for many reasons, but I digress. February is usually something to look forward to because it’s short, usually a bit more mild than January (although two years ago it was kind of opposite) and when February is over, you have March, with some cold, but some mild days, usually some snow storms but the hint of spring coming in by the end. Of course this year February has that extra day so it is longer, but hopefully now that January is past, and it was so cold, the days will stay in the double digits, hopefully closer to freezing than it has been and I can get some more running in outside. I won’t do outside morning runs again till the days are a bit longer and it’s warmer, just too hard to force myself out of bed at 5:15 AND psych up to run outside…I’m fine with it to get up that early (in the dark) to run cause it’s going to be too hot later, but not when it’s cold!!

So today a friend is visiting from out of town and staying over, another friend was/is supposed to maybe be coming by and staying over tonight as well. The plan was for another friend that doesn’t drink anyway, to be out, and of course she’d be driving, then another friend and a friend of hers as well as one other friend (get all that?) to be meeting up with us and/or coming with us…OK, I’ve realized that’s too many people for one car, but figured we will figure something out…but now the non-drinking friend is sick and probably not coming, I haven’t heard from the other friend and her friend (her friend was sick so not sure if she was going to be up for it or not) and haven’t talked to the last of the friends about it…most likely I’ll be driving and having to not drink, after feeling the need/urge to get out and have some fun since I haven’t for a while now…unless we opt to drive there and cab home and get a ride to the car the next day…which is always an option….hmm…now thinking about that…we could split that ride in a way to drop one friend along the way and then 2 or 3 of us would still be in on the way to my place, but it might make the ride even a bit cheaper…something to consider at least, since I really do want to have some fun tonight!!

Other than that nothing really planned for the weekend. I do need to get to Macy’s at some point because the idiot that rang up my new jeans that I bought last weekend didn’t take the security thing off of them, so I can’t wear them till I get that removed…so freaking annoying!! I wanted to wear them tonight too. Maybe I’ll try to run that errand during lunch. Then I’m still looking for a new pair of black boots…it’s so weird, from the way I’m posting with shoes, and then that mention, you’d think I was this big shoe person, but I’m really not. I’m into bargain shopping, hence the two pairs of cute type shoes last weekend, but I hate when I actually NEED some type of shoe (except my running shoes, those are easy!) because I can never find something I like, in my size and in a price I’m willing to pay…it sucks!!

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…