Saturday 60?

They say we might get close to 60 again today...and I can't get out in run in it. I've been told to take at least the week off, if I can, and right now I can, (I don't want to, but I can). It weighs heavily on me since I want to race a really hard mile in a month, but my big training goals revolve around Twin Cities of course, so it's better to take time off now, heal and be ready for training come June than push now and not be able to train and run this fall. I was reading an article in a local sports magazine about the women from MN competing at the Olympic Trials in Boston in two weeks yesterday as well. And one of them is training through and dealing with PF. I figure if she can do it, and get things together and be ready, so can I. I'll do what it requires to get there...even if it means to enjoy today I have to be content with pumping up the tires on my bike and riding it (part of me is contemplating a ride to a coffee shop and taking my computer with to work on something, or even taking the laptop and working outside on something...such a dream and the whole reason for a laptop right?).

Today's quote I pulled from my "Runner's Book of Daily Inspirations"...I bought this book a while ago and have never actually remembered to read it every day in a year but it's a good one, I like it and today really kind of fits:

"The only thing that's important in your training program is motivation. I've developed a set of motivational tricks that I'm constantly reviewing and refining. They haveonly one purpose: to keep me running" - Amby Burfoot, marathoner

And Something Quick...

I have to give myself props...I am a good cook!!

I made this up Thursday night to cook last tonight...oh, after having made the sauce on Sunday (I only make homemade sauce for spaghetti and lasagna).

It didn't look as nice on the plate...I'm just not patient enough to have it sit for 15 minutes to "set up" before dishing it up...it tasted soooo good though...I should've taken a picture with the garlic bread on the plate with it too...so yummy!! And even better, leftovers!! Only thing that makes lasagna better is the leftovers (why is that? I'm not a big fan of leftovers but lasagna leftover is so good).

TGIF – NKOTB

When people ask me why I run, I tell them, there's not really a reason, it's just the adrenalin when you start, and the feeling when you cross that finish line, and know that you are a winner no matter what place you got. Courtney Parsons

I found a great link with great running quotes, so those will probably continue most of this month!! I might post the link at the very end!!

Anyway, lots of positives for today. Of course it’s Friday (unfortunately no Hottie at gym) which is awesome in and of itself…but for those in the know…the other letters on my title…well…yes, I’m dating myself…I was a big New Kids on the Block fan (OK, not was, still am!!) and today they made an appearance on the Today show to announce that they are working on a new album, plan to tour this fall AND as a birthday present to me (OK, so it’s not quite just for that, hey, it’s Jordan’s birthday too!) they are going to be on the Today show performing on May 16!! (technically, not my birthday but if not for leap year this year it would’ve been). So this makes for a happy day of things for me.

This morning I only biked, and did strength. It’s supposed to hit 60 today and I’m forcing myself to not run today. In fact I contacted L, since he’s involved in sports massage, sports and all that and might have some ideas, and he thinks PF for my foot too…his suggestion was a week off. I can live with that so am doing a self imposed week off and re-evaluating in a week (OK, that’s just a week off of running, I will still bike or something unless I find out that is something I should stay away from too). He also offered to look at it for me this weekend if I wanted…I’m thinking it’s a generous offer and I should take him up on it…he’s cheaper than the doctor and probably knows just as much about this kind of thing as it is…we haven’t seen each other since we broke up though…so it makes me a little nervous though.

Now I ended the day at work with tickets for the Timberwolves...not a huge basketball fan, but free tickets...have to figure out who I'm taking...

Hottie Day

A marathon is like life with its ups and downs, but once you've done it you feel that you can do anything. unknown

I think this quote so fits. If only everyone could really experience it!!

Well, it had to come one day…unfortunately my days of dashing off a quick blog post during work hours is gone…they have finally figured it out and banned it. So while I’m trying to keep a positive…this did dampen my day. I used to take a few minutes here and there to read peoples blogs when I had some downtime…I mean seriously…what do they expect, me to work all day??? Ah well…

This morning I wanted to sleep in…it was so tempting to reset my alarm, but knowing I’m meeting with my financial advisor this afternoon, and might meet a friend for a quick bite or something after a quick stop at the mall, I knew it might not happen if I slept in…so I got up, got to the gym, started my laps (was planning 7 cruise intervals, 3 of the intervals, 4 slow miles, but added one more mile of faster pace for a total of 8) when I noticed guess who on a bike…and all he did was bike today…so I had blissful joy of seeing him every lap for the first 5 miles…And then he was stretching, right by the track…ah…happy day (so worth not sleeping that extra hour)!! I don’t know my times for each interval, unfortunately…I didn’t have a working watch…I was going to use the one for my HRM which was in my bag, but apparently the battery is going dead cause I couldn’t get it to do anything but show me the time…ah well. I had an idea of the time overall and it was about 20 seconds per mile slower than Tuesday, which is fine. I’ve got 24 miles in for the week so far, 34 miles of biking too and 2 days of strength. I’ll have to get two more in yet this week, which shouldn’t be a problem since I’m doing shorter sessions…tomorrow and Saturday maybe…

Positive Hump Day

People ask why I run. I say, "If you have to ask, you will never understand". It is something only those select few know. Those who put themselves through pain, but know, deep down, how good it really feels. - Erin Leonard

I like that quote. I even have it printed on my cube wall at work. For those of us that run, I think we have all been there. People who don’t run, just don’t get it. It’s beyond a need…it can be an obsession. Even for those of us that don’t race much (I rarely do) it’s about the run…even if you aren’t racing, you can always race yourself. Whether it’s getting further out in the time frame on an out and back…or beating your time over a set course…or going further in the same time. Like me last night. I did a tempo run (heel does still hurt, I’m noticing it’s a bit more noticeable on downhills than anywhere, if that means anything, but I’m icing, I’m stretching it, I’m using a tennis ball to massage it…hopefully it will fix itself). My plan was 7 miles, 4 at tempo of 8 minutes or so. Well, got out, was feeling decent and I thought, well, maybe I’ll do 8…and while I’m at it, why not keep the faster pace for one more mile. So a warmup of 8:47, then, I don’t have my Garmin with me but vaguely remembering splits of 7:35, 7:47, 7:31, 7:40 and 7:33 or something like that. I know it probably averaged about 7:40 for the 5. My first recovery mile was 7:54 and then an 8:19…I need to work on slowing that down a bit more I think!! Although the big overall of it, my typical, "easy run" if I were to go 7 miles is a 1:03 or so...so 1 more mile in that time frame (granted a speed work session, but still!!). Anyway, temps were close to 40 and I was out in just tights, long sleeved top and windbreaker. It’s nice to be able to dress lighter. Hopefully maybe shorts this weekend.

Oh, and that was preceded by a morning workout. 15 minutes on the elliptical to warmup, 15-20 minutes of weight training and then a 30 minute bike ride. Lighter bike ride since I wanted the legs fresh for the run. But I managed a double on Monday too and that felt good. This morning I decided I wasn't ready to get up though, so laid in bed for another hour and plan to either hit the gym for a light recovery run tonight or just do one outside. We'll see what happens.

30 Positive Thoughts

To counter the not so happy post from below (but please read it if you are so inclined) I ran across something that talked about 30 Positive thoughts and thought, hmm...today is April 1, April has 30 days...of course I have a trip (more on that another time) coming up that I'll miss a few of those days maybe, but might try to work something out. Anyway, positive for today:

"Do not lose courage in considering your own perfections. -Saint Francis de Sales"

Hmm...almost fitting based on what I just posted...weird.

It is April…

And fools we all are!

Yes, that’s what it looks like here, today. We got snow, yet again, last night. I spring ever going to come?? Or are we all fools?? I know it’s foolish to live in this cold, God forsaken state (we had an extremely cold winter, and I’m bitter about that and I want my favorite season to get here already!!), but I am feeling like a fool for other reasons as well. I sometimes wonder why I try, to be honest. I attempt to be a decent person. Mostly I attempt to be there for my friends and family…they do mean the world to me. No matter the situation, or what has happened in the past, I try to always be there to help them get through whatever it might be, even though I rarely get reciprocation from it, especially from the ones I try to help the most.

Something has been brought to my attention, and I’m wondering how many times the fool I can be and when it all will stop? Sometimes you have to cut your losses right? Sometimes no matter how much you try, some relationships just aren’t healthy for you. And to maintain your happiness, your sanity or whatever it might be, sometimes you just have to let go. When you’ve been there, done that and know, at least to a degree, what you are and are not willing to put up with, and you have someone that is on the sidelines of your life that sees, and knows and understands only small aspects of the person you are, and from those very rare occasions, has decided to use them to make judgments of you, to assume the person that you are from these tiny incidents in time, well, that gets to be a bit much, and you sometimes have to say enough is enough.

Being told you have a drinking problem (because the few instances you go out with said person, said person usually wants to drink, because said person never gets to, and then you are judged on your behavior when you are drunk). Being told that you are “high on yourself” (when nothing could be further from the truth) based on one time, one instance and a lack of knowledge of multiple other times I may have been in similar situations and have learned how you HAVE to act sometimes. Being called a snob because, after years and years of dating experience, and dating unhappiness, I’ve finally figured out what it is that I will and will not put up with from someone, and refusing to date substandard guys, and only I can determine (based on above mentioned experiences) what constitutes a substandard guy to me. Of course, not being careful on how I stated my intentions of why most recent guy is not one for me (even though it was never an option anyway), I stated he was a server, what I didn’t add to that was he has no other ambitions (or if he does have ambitions, they aren’t ambitions that he’ll ever move on) and he spends every dime he gets (I grew up saving, having money around for emergencies and/or when you have something fun you want to do), and therefore should be a red flag anyway. Even that said, it’s now why he wasn’t an option…I was open to seeing, and he wanted an FWB, and you know what, I deserve better than that. The situation went way beyond anything, and my not wanting to date “a server” has caused a person in my life to decide this is a reflection of how I see her and how I judge her. I’m not sure still, how that is, but it is, according to her. I don’t judge my friends. No matter what they do, or how they are, mistakes they keep making…I’m there for them. I try to offer advice, but I don’t say hey, you do this or that or whatever and that makes you a bad person (OK, those words weren’t uttered but the intent was there and it seems to be constant criticism from this person)

The statement was made to me, that by not dating “outside the field of what I look at” (no one but me knows the types of guys I’ve been out with over, oh, say the past 10 years right? So again, how can someone know what I have and have not dated and reasons for making decisions I have)? I’ve also been told that I’m passing by people that might make me happy. Well, you know, I’m not looking for happiness from someone. I’m happy with myself and I don’t want or expect someone else to make me happy because to be happy, you have to be happy with yourself. Someone else can’t do that for you. Personally, while I have my times when sure, someone to go out with on occasion would be nice, I’m still not even really looking. Granted, if someone could introduce me to a really great guy, and/or somehow I ended up meeting some really great guy somewhere along the way, I’m not going to rule him out, but at the same time, I’m fine if I never meet that “great guy” either…My life is full. I have my running. I have my work. Hopefully soon I’ll have school, which will take a huge chunk of my time. And I have friends and family. I’m fine with however it ends up. With someone, not with someone, no regrets either way. But each year I get a little pickier, a little smarter and a little more knowledgeable about whom I will and will not date and no one else should have any say or judge me for my decisions.

I always seem to be defending my decisions, at least to this person. And why should I have to? It’s my life right? When it comes down to it, nothing I say or do is going to matter anyway. Some people will still only see the bad, only point out your faults and only do what they can to try to bring you down….it’s life right? And really, if I'm such a bad person, people can choose to not be around me in the first place right?

At least hottie happiness got me through part of yesterday!!

March 31st, And We Have...

This, for a forecast:

Yes, that's a 72% chance for snow. We are getting snow right now. It's supposed to stop a bit, then really start up this afternoon with 3-6 inches likely...and then another 2-3 this evening...umm, yeah, that means we could get a total of 9 inches!! Thankfully they are usually off, but it is snowing. It is March 31st too. We have been in spring season for 10 days now. I think God forgot us here in the frozen crappy north!! Oh why do I not live where it gets warm...where the temps average in the 60s, not the 40s...(I'd prefer 70s, but even 60s would be fine at this point!!).

However, much as this forecast could make me depressed...bringing on something like Friday, thankfully it hasn't. OK, I woke up this morning, not having had QUITE enough sleep (but getting a good amount from Saturday night into Sunday morning so felt rested) and got up and got my butt to the gym. I started with 15 minutes on the elliptical to warm up and then headed to the weight room…hottie hadn’t made an appearance and I was a little bummed, but just adjusted my workout so I could strength tomorrow too in case he is there then…I’m sneaky that way!! Anyway, did my strength and then headed back up for a 45 minute bike ride…well, as I’m coming up the stairs to the cardio floor, I come to the mat pretty much right at the top of the stairs and who should be stretching there…I was slightly shocked and a little thrilled cause he had turned his head and looked right at me and I started my, hey how are you smile, that I tend to reserve for people I know, and stopped myself last minute cause hey, I don’t know him and you know, that shyness thing hitting…he looked so hot too…I think I’ve determined another thing though…I’m assuming he’s a fairly serious biker (one day I saw him in a bike shirt) and I am pretty sure I was noticing shaved legs…which made me start thinking…hmm…I wonder if he’s a tri guy…if so…that would mean he’s in the pool some days too right?? Hmm…I sooo need to see him in the pool!! Might be time to start morning swims!! (maybe that’s where he is mornings I don’t see him!!) Regardless of the fact that I’ll never talk to him, he still brightened what is otherwise looking to be a crappy day (weatherwise that is, due to the weather I’m going to have to put off my trip to the chiro as traffic is just going to suck). In his honor, I’ve put up a couple of pictures…he reminds me of someone, but I have yet to determine who…this pic of James Marsden kind of reminds me of him in the eyes…and Johnny because my hottie has, believe it or not, even nicer cheekbone structure, (think that’s what draws to his eyes)…And finally, my favorite hottie, even though I had to remove him from my list since he’s now married…Ah Matt…I still love you!!!

Oh, and yeah, heel still bothering, I skipped a run, did only 35 minutes of bike (when I saw hottie decided I could do some ab work before he left so I could stare a bit longer) and might go back and do a bit more today. I have determined where my heel hurts though, and really don't think it can be PF. It's a spot at the back of the heel...and I can fully find the hot spot and push on it...wonder if a massage would help...

Better Days??

Another weekend is coming to an end….I could use one more day. Hopefully I feel more in tune with things and productive tomorrow. I have a lot of things I need to focus on and I can’t seem to do that lately.

So Friday was horrible. I don’t know what was wrong. As I said, hottie was there, that should’ve cheered me up and made my day right?? Well wrong. Maybe it’s just looking at something I can’t have that added to the compounding of things or something but I just felt terrible all day. Very down. I talked to a few others though, and maybe something was in the air or something because a few others were feeling the same as me (men and women) so who knows. I went to a happy hour, sat alone for a time, contemplated my beer, was going to finish it and go home, and then ended up having another couple and eventually got to feeling OK. I might have lined up a “date” for the wedding I am going to in May too. The groom’s brother-in-law’s brother…OK, got that one?? Groom, S, his brother in law G (sister’s husband) has a brother that apparently is going to be invited to the wedding, but might come as my date instead…he lives in Canada…so not like anything will come of that one, but hey, if he looks like his brother (which I’ve been told he does, only a little taller and couple years older, which is fine since G is younger than me) he’ll be a nice attractive guy to hang with at the wedding.

Anyway…back to other things. I seemed to cheer up some on Saturday and got some stuff done. Went to the gym, iced my foot numerous times (took another day off running) and did some grocery shopping…Super Target is evil…they take a lot of my money (considering I was there again today and spent only a little less than yesterday). I didn’t go out or do anything last night, other than some cleaning up around my house. Today I went for a run…it was nice out…the run was feeling good (someone had set my irritation level off the charts and I had had too much coffee that really set me to shaking) but my heel was still having issues. I just don’t know anymore. I took 4 days off running this week. 2 days completely off any workouts. I only ran 17 miles (vs the 30 I had planned and the 40+ the lat 4 weeks) and still it’s bothering. I am icing, using a tennis ball to massage and doing some stretches (including the stick on my calves to loosen them up and the foam roller a bit on my hip to loosen it up more). My plan is to see my chiro tomorrow and see if she can do something too. I’ll take tomorrow off running. Just strength train and bike, but I really want to get back to normal stuff. It doesn’t bother that much when running, just feels kind of bruised, but I’ve had people freak me out with residual stuff around PF and if it is PF I don’t want to cause any long term effects. What to do….without running though, I feel like I’m also going to get fat. I can’t get nearly the workouts anywhere else…sigh…I put on one pound this week from the days off…not a good thing!! I’m not in control of the snacking that’s for sure!!

What Can You Expect...

From a day that begins with getting up in the morning? I used to have that T-shirt…I loved that shirt…and for some reason today is starting to feel that way and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because due to lack of activity this week, but no cutting back on eating, I’m up a pound, so at 6 that I’d like gone in just over a month and a half (and 2 more by my big race day). Actually got up and went to the gym for only the second time this week (I kept resetting my alarm cause I just didn’t want to get out of bed) and lo and behold, hottie was there!! I hadn’t seen him in almost two weeks…and yay…he was there…working his abs…biking, then I assume down to strength train (by that point I had jumped on a bike, just to be nearer him, even though I was two bikes away from him AND not looking at him…I’m bummed I was in a bad place as he got off the bike just after I got on and wiped his face with his shirt, I could’ve gotten a glimpse of what I am assuming is a nicely toned tummy had I just stayed on the mats and worked my abs for 5 more minutes…sigh)…one thing I was finally able to remember to look at is his left hand…no ring!! Of course what does that mean…that he’s maybe not married (could be and just doesn’t wear a ring OR might not wear it during workouts), doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a girlfriend (or boyfriend for that matter, I’m not really getting that vibe from him, but you never know). Anyway…we all know I won’t talk to him anyway, but you’d think it would’ve started my day right. And it might have. But I started thinking…yeah…bad thing for a Friday. Where did my thoughts go?? Well, to the pathetic thing that is my love life…and I honestly don’t know why. I’m about over that I’m feeling down because it’s winter/transition time to spring (which is still is in the great north, but I’m past those feelings, or so I thought) and it’s too early for me to be wishing I was attached to someone right now (haven’t been out to see couples walking around and enjoying time in the nice days with each other). In fact, I still look at things with some of my friends and am SO GLAD I’m NOT attached…but still…something weird is going on. I think it’s the fact that while my love life is pathetic, maybe it’s the fact that I rang in the new year with Dom and the three dates I’ve been on (with three different guys) this year were far from the look and/or feel of Dom dates…

Date 1 was a long past due movie date with C…yes…the same C that I had all the stuff going on from last year…bad, bad, bad…but it was beginning of the year, I was a big tipsy and, well, you know…things happen. We went to see Juno, good movie, he paid, although made mention of that I make more money etc…so I paid for the beers we had after…he didn’t say again anything about it, but I felt obligated…

Date 2 was the wine date…yes, where I ended up with the $10 glass vs. the $6 glass (not that it would’ve been THAT big of a deal but I wasn’t trying to get something expensive when I thought the guy was paying, for that price I would’ve picked something other than what I had) and then paid for my two glasses…I did see him out one night after that but didn’t even talk to him…no interest in going out with him again for many, many reasons…

Date 3 was a dinner/drink date…we were going to go see a movie and instead hung out a bit, had some wine and then went to get a bite to eat…and he asked me to throw in $10 on it…my beers were $3 a piece and I had only eaten a little of the pizza, we went more cause he was hungry, not me…but oh well.

Yes…can we say I’ve been on dates with…well, one of my friends likes to tease me about my “losers”…let me clarify on that…the guys, youngest was 35…then one was 40, the other 41…wouldn’t you think that at that point in their lives they’d have their acts together? Well, OK, the cheap guy does own a house, the other two, well, one got divorced and let his ex have everything, no fault divorce state and even though she cheated, he got screwed, oh and lost his job shortly after that too. Then let himself get screwed by the army when he signed up for reserves and gee, what a surprise, they didn’t follow through on promises he’d been given. (supposed to see him tonight, but thinking I’m going to skip it…he’s thinking we’ll meet up and leave together…I’m thinking no) and the other, well, 40, no college degree, works as a server, rents an apartment…and he has no kids and no divorce and still can’t seem to get his act together…what is wrong with me?? Ah…let’s not answer that one!! One thing though, that I’ve finally, duh Danielle, come to a realization on. I deserve better!! Yes, I’m slow sometimes…but you know, I’m almost 34…ugh…but I own my condo, I have owned it for almost 7 years. I own my car (and I have a fairly decent, reliable car). I have two student loans but should have them paid off this year. I have a good job, with opportunities for advancement within the company and the opportunity for educational advancement through a very nice tuition reimbursement plan. I have nominal credit card debt (that I pay off every month, only reason there is a bigger debt right now is my laptop and booking a vacation and a maintenance thing on my car and it will be paid off when it comes due). I take care of myself by trying to eat healthy and running like a mad woman. I’m also fairly intelligent…but I’m also very independent which is somewhat a turn off I’ve found (even though most guys I know say they want independence they don’t seem to know what to do with it, or intelligence for that matter). All I can say is there is definitely a lacking of quality men…and I seem to keep finding guys that are either freaking out at the idea of a date (after being asked on a date and agreeing I have heard the “I’m not looking for something serious” umm…yeah…neither am I!) or a guy that is wanting some super serious right away…(I recently heard, when I say I’m not looking to get married, “you just don’t want to marry me” or something to that effect from someone I haven’t even really been on date with…yeah…not sure which is scarier!!).

So yes…this is my life…I think I need to do the ban on dating again. It just doesn’t seem worth it. Not unless there is a quality person to date…I’m not looking for anything long term. I’m not looking for that end all be all life partner. I’m really not even looking. But if something came along, that was worth it…someone to run with on occasion and do some of the things I like to that it seems my friends are never around for…maybe then? I hate that I’m writing this and even considering thoughts like this…because it makes me sound like one of those “oh whoa is me, I can’t find a guy” and that’s not it…I think what it is, is that I want all guys to be away, unless they are quality!! Someone with…potential…so how do you ban dating and still potentially find that??

2 Years and Still Going Strong

That's right, two years ago today I started this blog. Wow...and other than maybe a week's time here and there, I've been pretty good about writing on it. I've NEVER been able to keep a journal that long. Through the time I've made a lot of good friends, some that I know personally, others that I just know through the blogosphere...but it's been a great time. It's nice to be able to just go post your perspective be it on a run (I'm still lacking on the reality friends that I can run with) or the hottie at the gym (who I haven't seen in over two weeks now...I have to admit I skipped a couple of morning workouts this week and last though so that's probably why I've missed him).

Anyway, I couldn't get up this morning because I was out watching Atonement last night with a friend...I do want to read the book even more now, so am on the list for the audio or real version of it at the library. Very good, but I think I'm questioning a few things about it that I hope maybe the book will give me insight into that I didn't pick up from the actors. Definitely worth watching though.

One thing I haven't posted about is some heel pain I've been suffering from. I have had a few people mention Plantar Fascititis (sp) to me but to me it more feels like a bruise than anything. It's never been a huge problem, kind of lightens up and/or goes away partway into a run and sometimes comes at the end in just some foot pain. When I get up and walk, not just in the morning (the way I've heard PF can be) it's a little sore but not terrible. I've been icing it, and I took Monday off running (but biked and used elliptical) and Tuesday I took it entirely off...today I planned for 4, ran 5 (at the gym while I tried my new shoes...I like them but I think Nike is doing away with some of the great cushioning that I have always loved about them) and and then biked for 30 minutes. I thought about going one more but want to try for an easy 7 tomorrow. We'll see what happens. But anyway...two years...here's to many, many more!!

13 Miler

Alright, I had been thinking 14 all along, maybe even 15, but feeling a little uninspired (I'm doing a fall back on running week this week now) I did do 13. It wasn't too bad. Part of my cutting it shorter was heel pain and glute stuff still. I am going to see the chiro this week!! I managed 42 for the week, today was the 13 miler in 1:57:10...I remember when I wanted to break 2 hours for a half, and now on an easy run, I do that...it's quite interesting. And I know some of you that read this, see the times I post, and think wow, (others are so much faster it's not even funny!) look at those times, but I'm telling you, 9 minute easy runs weren't the norm for me when I first got back to running. (after a long break, high school track and then back at it seriously again in 2002) I remember when 10 minute miles seemed fast...so seriously...it just takes running...running...and more running...

And of course running is something not everyone understands. Most people think it’s pure insanity. But as my mileage gets longer. And I’m able to run further. I can go further from home. I can explore other areas. I can see new views, new neighborhoods. I think it’s part of what keeps me running. Knowing I see something new every time. Knowing I can see new places. Explore new things. All in ways I never would see or notice in my car, going to just get from point A to point B. Running is different. Running I see so much more. Like the 4-5 deer running across backyards (I live in the burbs, but not THAT far out into the burbs). Or seeing a fox, or a doe and her 3, yes, count them 3, fawns that I saw one year. I see the first signs of spring (although right now they are not out there. Damn snow! Hence more spring pics) when the buds are small and you can’t notice them from the car. I can smell the blooming flowers. I can enjoy scenery. Listen to my music. Nod at other runners, and know that only they understand why I’m out there. It’s like a secret society that so few of us see and understand. Ah…isn’t it fun being insane?

This is How MN Welcomes Spring

Yesterday was the first calendar day of Spring but today was the first FULL day of spring (it didn't technically start till sometime yesterday morning or something) and this is what it looks like outside:

Yes, it's typical of MN to welcome spring with snow...ah well. It melts. I just ended up with really wet feet on my run today...it was an adventure for numerous reasons. First, because I didn't go to bed till 7 am...yes, that's typically the time I'm LEAVING the gym on a Friday and going to work, but instead I hadn't even crawled into bed till then. My friend Steve and I both had today off so we went out last night. All places we went were pretty lame, but we hit 4 different bars in our quest. It was fun. We surfed porn on his iPhone, looked up interesting things here and there chatted...then we got back to my place and watched some things on YouTube (like the I'm f*cking Ben Affleck and Matt Damon videos) and next thing you know it's way, way past time to go to bed. I slept till about noon, then took a nap, and finally set out to get my car (yes, drinking, I was responsible and left the car at the bar, intending on doing that all along cause the bar is only about 6 miles from my house). I turned it into a 7 mile leap over slush puddles, avoid splashing by cars, slip around on sidewalks that should've been shoveled but obviously hadn't been all winter and in essence just tried to stay as dry as possible. All things considered it wasn't a bad run...the conditions were bad, I was slightly hung over and sleep deprived and I still managed a sub 9 minute pace (not the tempo I had had intentions of doing, but that's OK).

Anyway, it was a fun night and even though I got not much done around the house, I did get a run and a stop at Trader Joe's in so it was fine. Hope others are having better weather than we are!! Spring...please come soon!!

First Day of Spring

And it's the start of a three day weekend!! I'm so excited as we are now entering my favorite season of all. It's the best time of year (although have to give it about a month) to be in MN because the smells, the sounds, the views (ie flowers blooming, trees starting to turn green, not to mention my birth all happened in this season) and we get some of the most perfect days of the year. If it wasn't for some of those days, I would definitely not live here any longer!!

For the first time ever I work for a company too, that gives employees tomorrow off. Yay!! I feel no need to hit the church, so I have all day to just veg and do whatever tomorrow. Tonight I'm reconnecting with a friend that I haven't seen in a while. Maybe her new perspective will help me on a few of the other issues going on in my own life (namely in the form of a few boys that are adding complications that I don't need...and none of them is my hottie!!) and hopefully help her get over the things in hers. Three full days to do whatever I want. Cleaning, finishing up those essays and finally submitting them and just relaxing...along with hopefully getting a few nice runs in...although I'm feeling a little lazy right now. Not sure what is going on but even hitting the gym after work today is not feeling that appealing. We'll see what I end up doing (I skipped this morning with plans to go tonight and bike, test my new shoes finally and do a light strenth session but I feel like none of it). Technically this should've been a fall back week (since typically I train hard for 3 and then fall back on the 4th) and maybe my body is telling me that's what I do need...

Tempo Run

So I didn’t get enough sleep on Monday night. I went to a coffee place again to work on those essays and didn’t even get anything done on them because I was chatting with a few people in IM and then was hanging out with a friend…sigh…I had a double latte and then a single…when I left around 11:15, well, let’s just say a good nights sleep wasn’t going to happen!! So even though my hottie hadn’t been at the gym on Monday, and he was most likely to be there on Tuesday, I opted to reset the alarm and went back to sleep. I have been doing strength different (used to be 30 minutes 3 days a week now it’s about 15 minutes 4 days a week and specific training from Weight Training for Runners, just to see) but figured if I missed it yesterday, not a huge deal as I can still get 4 workouts in this week.

Anyway, exhausted all day, eating candy (but a healthy lunch of peanut butter sandwich on wheat and an orange) I went home and laid down for about 15 minutes, but popped up and threw on running clothes. A 6 mile tempo run was on the plan…this is how it broke down (for a basis, I’ve been planning for tempo pace, right now, to be 8:00 for up to 4 miles so far):

Mile 1 - 8:53
Mile 2 - 7:56
Mile 3 - 8:03
Mile 4 - 7:31
Mile 5 - 7:37
Mile 6 - 7:33
Mile 7 - 8:14

Yes, that is 7 miles, not 6…and yes, that is 3 miles (well 4 technically) UNDER the 8 minute pace, 3 of them quite a bit under. Mile 5 I’ll somewhat discount because that one is mostly downhill…but Mile 4 is a fairly flat, with ups and downs about equally as is Mile 6…if it was on my Garmin, and the route I ran a fairly common one that Garmin has consistently measure at the miles it clicked off, I’d say some were short…and no, I didn’t lose signal at any points either…overall time was 55:53…I hit 6 miles under 48 minutes (guess I wasn’t off much when I said 45-46 was my 10K race pace, or maybe I was off as this was just a “fun run” what would it have been in a race?). When I finished, I wasn’t overly tired…but I thought…can I really maintain that pace for 26.2 (my goal pace would be 8:00 for fall)…guess we’ll see. I had one thought on it...but not sure I want to post that here...might have to do with some frustrations on my part...I'll leave it at that!!

On a good note, the friend I was having coffee with on Monday might possibly volunteer to bike along with me on longer runs…and carry water, powerade etc…I need to hunt down a few more people so I have lots of options when I need it!!

Today I got up (and no, hottie wasn’t there) and biked for 30, elliptical for 15 and 15 of strength training and I’ll do an easy 4 after work. Then I desperately need to clean!!

Glad people are liking the look. I was needing something new…I really didn’t like the last layout and no idea why I had kept it. I’m still playing with it, but it’s definitely better so far (I like that it’s easier to read, not such long narrow columns now).

Happy St. Patrick's Day

For those that are Irish, and those that are not, it's a day of drinking green beer...oh, and I think there is some other reason behind it but darned if know anything but the drinking end!! OK, I know, St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland or something along that line...Anyway, it's an excuse to wear green, clovers, blinky lights, etc and go out and get drunk! And in Chicago they dye the river green. One of these years I'd like to see that.

So I found these cute little things to decroate my page today. I did see an actual "kiss me I'm Irish" and technically I'm a little Irish, so that could've been mine, but I kind of liked this other one better!

I posted about most of my runs/workouts last week but in the overall I managed another 40 mile week. I'm very happy with that (as I think that's the level I need to drop the pounds I'm trying to drop!) and especially happy that I managed 2 double days last week (that is my goal for my real training when it starts). And the second one, which was Friday, I started the second run and almost turned around at a half mile...but I kept it up, told myself at least 6, topped it at 8 and even got some decent tempo miles in it (around 8-8:15).

This week is a short week at work. We have Friday off. I'm so excited!! Means I can go out and celebrate the first day of Spring on Thursday!! This technically should almost be a fall back week for me, but since I have Friday off, I might push the miles one more week and take a little more of a break next week. I'm planning to get in and see my chiro this week as well.

On one final note, definite signs that spring is almost here. Yes, that is snow, but what you don't realize is that we usually get that snow this time of year, and after it's done, spring usually comes on full force (not to mention it won't last long)...I want spring so bad I can taste it...and on that note...I'll leave you with this:

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. So in celebration I took her out to Fogo de Chao for dinner. She became interested in it after I told her about my last trip, and since dad got a nice dinner on his birthday, it was only fair. So dad, mom and I along with another friend of mine who my mom is fond of as well, went to dinner. Lots of meat was eaten by all and for dessert mom, much to the chagrin of the rest of us, chose fresh fruit...it was good though.

Yesterday was a busy day, after a night of too much drinking on Friday...darn shots!! I chatted with a few people, got a number of a boy that was way too young, and then crashed but didn't get enough sleep. Saturday morning mom and I had run to a friend of mines place to get back the items she had been holding for me while I attempted to sell my condo...since I opted to buy appliances and stay a while longer, since I can't sell anyway. My cousin stopped in to install my microwave, but we discovered, as all things in this place are, it wasn't going to fit without some modifications so dad has to do some more work to make it fit. Anyway, then dinner and a drink and I crashed for the night. Oh, and earlier in the evening I got a little love from Max (he was freaked, dad had been using power tools at my sister's place and he's scared of them).

Today was a run, planned 10 miles, for a total of 40 again for the week, this time with only 5 days of running (last week was 6) but two days of double workouts. Things are a little tight, I need to see the chiro this week, but it was still OK. Finished 10 in 9:01 pace, would've been faster but I had a 10 minute and 10:30 minute mile in there when I was texting and then chatting with a friend (he's in basic traing and just finally had his cell back today, first time in over a month) so it slowed me down a bit. Still felt pretty good.

Naked Sushi

OK, should’ve said this, to keep people from being too grossed out about it…the food was all on banana leaves, so there was the leaf between the food and the persons skin. Definitely had health safety in mind when they were doing it (considering it was hugely advertised and foodies from the papers were there to write about it, it had to be somehow sanitary!).

TGIF!! And it’s payday. And it’s bonus day (company did really well last year and my bonus, even for just half a year, was better than I thought it was going to be). And tonight I’m going out for fun with girlfriends. And the sun is out. And I’m leaving in about an hour. And…well, you get the picture!! It’s a good day! (although my hottie wasn't at the gym today, and I got up specially hoping to see him since he hadn't been in all week...hopefully Monday I'll see him again!!)

Should e be a nice weekend too as I’m taking my mom and dad (well, I’m paying for mom, offered to pay for dad but he’s buying his own) out to Fogo de Chao for dinner. Yummy, yummy, yummy. My second trip in a month!! It’s mom’s birthday on Sunday and when I mentioned going there she thought it sounded good and wanted to go there for her birthday (since I took dad out for a nice dinner on his birthday, I was agreeable to doing that for mom too). Lots and lots of meat. What more do you need?

Coffee, A Mile and Sushi

I have to say, I really, really heart my laptop...I always knew it would be a great thing to have it to be able to go and work on things away from home, but until last night I had never really experienced it. Still trying to complete those darn essays, I decided I needed a change of scened (and distraction) so I headed to Spyhouse Coffee, a cute little coffee place in Uptown that has free wi-fi and just a nice atmosphere (not to mention a FANTASTIC latte, although I should've gone decaf). I got there around 6:30 and settled in at a table, logged on, emailed, IM'd and worked on my essays...at a table, not sitting on the couch with it on my lap, what a concept!! While I didn't get them completed yet, I'm still finalizing, redlining, correcting, etc...I did spend 2 1/2 hours on getting things worked on so there was progress. With any luck I'll be able to finish them by this weekend and have them submitted early next week at the latest. I know one of my letters of recommendation are in, just have the essays, my resume and one other letter to check on.

Of course, having sat and drank a double low fat latte, I was a bit jittery and knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. Since it was around 9 and I was near my favorite watering hole, I opted to stop in, say hi and have a couple of beers to try to counter the caffeine. I ran into a friend, visited with him a bit and then got sucked into a game of pool (I warned everyone that I sucked and to prove that, after missing all but one shot, I went to bank off the side for an intentional miss to set up for my partner and managed to bank just right to knock the 8 ball in...ah well...I told my partner coaching me is not a good idea and it's been probably 2 years since I shot as it is!!). I got home around 11:30, attempted to get to sleep so I could be up for a workout, cause you never know, hottie might be there (he wasn't), ALMOST thought I was walking in just behind him, but it was a false alarm. I got a decent workout in and plan to run a 4-6 miler tonight (moved around to get my tempo in tomorrow when I'm more rested) in more warm temps (although I'll be away from work later than normal today so not sure it will still be a nice as it's supposed to be).

I got to work and realized it was the 13th and time to register for my 1 mile race as well. So I am officially doing one race here sometime in the on the map future. I am opting out of the 5K on Saturday, even though I really wanted to do it, but a friend wants to go out and I don't see her a lot and she really can't get out much so we are going out and it won't work to get up and do it. Ah well.

Finally, to the last part of my title...never thought I'd ever post something about sush, but I had to post this cause the picture was in the paper today. I might try sushi (not a big seafood fan and the idea of eating cold or raw fish is so NOT appealing to me) if I can have it served to me this way!!

Happy Day

Ah, what a great day! This morning I managed to get up early, managed a 7:45 or so pace for 4 miles, and of course, saw my hottie...then, after a busy day at work, I left the office to find it 49 degrees outside!! Yes...OK, granted tomorrow it's only going to be 40 or so, but I got home and it was 50!! You know what 5o means?? I was able, to run, outside, with SHORTS on!!! Yes...today was my first run in shorts and I so loved it. I had a short sleeved shirt, light weight jacket and shorts...no gloves, a baseball cap and my music going lightly in the background. I got back and had muddy water splashed up my legs and that was an awesome thing. I even held a pretty decent pace. Plan had been 6 miles with 4 at tempo, I had semi wanted to do a sub 8, but didn't think it quite feasible since I had run the faster one this morning, but first mile was 8:38 (fast warm up) then I had a 7:59, 8:04, 7:55 and 7:40 (that was mostly down hill) and an 8:30 final for a 48:50 6 miler...guess my recent estimate on a 46 minute 10K wasn't that off. Anyway, I am so desperate for spring, but today, the nice 50 minutes in the sun was a help.

OK...focus...need to work on those essays....

A Break? Finally?

From the cold that is. It was sunny and fairly warm yesterday. Not that I got to enjoy it as I was at work by 7 and here until close to 5…and it will be more of the same today (since we have wrap up meetings at 4 and they will last till at least 4:30/4:45 again today I’m sure). My intent last night was to get home, work on my essays (until I realized I had left my jump drive with the essay drafts on it at work), maybe even going to Caribou or something to work on them so the TV and other things weren’t there to distract me. So instead I managed to clean my bathroom (desperately needed it and a big nice cleaning too, spring cleaning time!!) and do some research for a contract I’m in the process of negotiating. I was up later than planned, but oh well. Got up and was at the gym today, running, by 5:20!! And hottie showed up around 5:30 and was on the bike…I was so bummed as I almost started on the bike darnit…and he apparently only used it for a warmup as 15 minutes later he was down strength training…ah well. I got to view him on the weight floor as I ran by the windows each lap. I managed a good 4 miler, somehow sub 8 minute pace for it (must’ve been the false alarm first lap when I thought I saw him on the treadmill, but it was someone else, just had a similar build from the back). 31 or so minutes…tonight, since it’s supposed to be 40+ I’m going to run another 6 miles, 3-4 at 8 minute or faster tempo. After my run I biked, was going to go 30 minutes but wanted to see if maybe I’d bump into hottie as he left the weight room, unfortunately that didn’t happen, and when I walked out to my car, I THINK I JUST missed him walking out as I am pretty sure he was walking to his car (since it’s now dark in the early morning I didn’t have a clear view, so am not 100% sure it was him, but it could’ve been!!). Ah well. As I’ve said, there is no way I’ll ever talk to him, unless he says something to me (and even then I’d probably just stammer out something stupid anyway). I do appreciate the words of confidence from everyone on what I should do, but see, for one I would never interrupt someone during their workout, and for two, I’m just way too shy to approach someone…so instead he’s just my motivation to get up early and get to the gym before work…

Running, Trips and Weekend

Alright, I’m at work, and it’s going to be a busy, busy week…and I’m angry at myself for NOT booking my ticket to NY last week as the deal I had found, really good price, is now $20 higher (OK, not THAT big of a deal) but it was also better flight times and into and out of La Guardia vs. JFK…but what do you do? I guess I should book the other one I’ve found and suck it up, live and learn…prices are just going to go up right?

Running…last week I managed 40 miles. First 40 mile week in I don’t know how long. I was pretty happy with it. My plan included 10-12 for yesterday. I wasn’t sure which I would do, but while it was cold, I had the run going well enough that I stuck with it. I ended up doing 12 over the hills of my neighborhood at a 9:05 pace. This was 3 seconds per mile slower than last week, BUT, I did walk a portion of mile 10 (it ended up being 9:36) while messing with my MP3 to get to the right place in the book I was listening to. Had I not done that it would’ve been faster and that’s all I’m looking for…improvement each week. One of these weeks I need to expand the distance…I’d like to be regularly doing 10-15 miles until I start marathon training again. We’ll see. This week might be a good one for a cutback though, since daylight savings change will probably get to me by tomorrow or Wednesday and due to a special thing going on at work this week, I might be working some longer hours and not have the time to get out and run the way I’d like to anyway.

This morning I did get my workout in. 30 minute bike ride, 40 minutes of strength training…and no hottie to even motivate me!!

Weekend was pretty fun. Had a girls night out with friends on Friday, got a little rowdy but not too bad. Felt a little ill on Saturday morning, but was up, doing some cleaning and converting some CDs to my laptop…went to the gym for strength and a run but didn’t feel the strength so just ran and then went home to meet up with my roommate to hit a movie. We saw Definitely, Maybe which both of us enjoyed. Not quite as good as Love Actually (same people made both movies) but very cute…I got a little teary eyed at it…I had a bit of a panic attack on Saturday night…this I tend to come to expect during this time of year though. I guess panic attack is the wrong work, but a tinge of loneliness I guess was more like it, and the sadness I sometimes feel after drinking…I just cleaned and converted more CDs and it finally passed. Yesterday I didn’t feel I accomplished nearly as much as I would’ve liked, but oh well…this week and into the weekend hopefully I can get some big time cleaning done, as well as finishing the grad school essays I’ve been working on for the last month. Maybe I’ll leave the house and see if that motivates me to do something more!

Give Me a Freaking Break!

It's *&#$ing March!!! I'm so sick of the negative temps that I am ready to go balistic on someone...Minnesota sucks!!! I haven't liked it, but I've been tolerant of the freaking cold temps this winter, if it doesn't warm up...I too cold to even think up a good threat. I went running outside after work yesterday and had to wear my balaclava, which isn't good when trying to do any type of speed work since you can't breath quite as normally through it (and I tend to clench my jaw to keep it a bit further off my mouth) all that said I still managed a respectible tempo run, 7 miles, 4 at tempo, wanted 8:15 pace, first tempo mile was 8:14, then 8:09, 8:05 and 7:55, oops...it was cold, I wanted to get done!! Averaged an 8:21 again which wasn't bad, especially considering how cold it was (not quite as cold as today, but defintiely single digits).

Susan G. Komen

OK, I tend to avoid writing, at least a bit, on things too political and/or religious etc…but you know what, this is my blog and I should be able to write what I want right?

I grew up Catholic/Methodist, neither parent really religious, but went to church on occasion at each…I was given the choice and went Methodist cause I liked the Pastor, she left and I didn’t really go much and then mom started going Catholic so I followed her…so I’m technically Catholic…I don’t really follow most of what the church says, but have been pretty good in following Lent and when I go to church, it is toward Catholic…but last week I was pushed too far. There was an article in USA Today (and maybe other places) about some diocese, mostly in the south, Little Rock was the main one, but Atlanta and a couple of others were in there. They made the paper because they were telling their parishnors to STOP donating to Susan G. Komen, their reasoning you ask? Because Susan G. Komen apparently gives 1% of the money it takes in for research and other uses related to breast cancer to Planned Parenthood to provide breast exams for low income women. The best way to prevent or survive breast cancer is early detection, and some people can’t afford a doctor, this is a way to get around that…but the Church, in it’s all knowing wisdom, says don’t give because that 1% that goes to PP is evil because you know, PP provides birth control, and of course, in extreme instances pregnancy termination…So don’t give to a breast cancer organization because they are trying to provide exams. That seems right huh? Can you give money to the church for them to give poor women to get the exams?? I doubt it. Of course in all its wisdom, the Church knows that that money doesn’t specifically go where Komen tells it to go, but if anyone did any research on PP they would know that even if you are full funded, meaning you have no money to pay for any part of the services you receive, you cannot have an AIDS test, cryogenic surgery or an abortion. Those are all things you have to pay no matter how little money you have. OK, so the church has an issue with BC too, which you can get if you have no money, but it’s better than someone with no money also have a child they have to raise with no money right, and it’s better to not get pregnant with said child than to have an abortion right? Anyway…the Church’s antiquated and messed up values just have finally pushed me over I guess. Maybe I shouldn’t be so sensitive, but when you see your aunt die from breast cancer, it kind of makes you a little touchy on the subject. And when you see your aunt who survived (6 years and counting) due to an experimental drug that she received, due to research, that was probably at least partly funded by Koman (and her sister, the one that died, supported the organization fully) you get a little upset when a religion is telling people NOT to give to that organization.

Doughnuts Do Not Equal Super Food

First, I should explain that title...back a year, maybe two, ago, I discovered, quite by accident, due to a co-workers birthday...that if I were to eat cake around 2/2:30 in the afternoon, when I went for a run at 4:30 or so in the afternoon, I had a fantastic run (if I could get it work to post the link to that post I would but last time I did it, something screwed up, so I dare not try!)...that happened more than once...hence, cake is a super food. Today there were doughnuts...I should not have had one but I did...and I went home, and I started running, and it wasn't feeling great...and I thought right away, yeah, should've skipped the doughnut, but 1:06:50 and 8 miles later, with an average pace of 8:21, I guess it wasn't THAT bad. I've been running those "cruise intervals" on Tuedays at the gym, starting with a mile warmup, doing a faster mile 8:15 or so pace is what I've been getting...and I thought maybe the gym was off. Today I got home and it was calm, it was cool, but not too bad, so I ran outside. Over the hills I normally run even, and what do you know, the splits were similar:

Mile 1 - 8:54
Mile 2 - 7:55

Mile 3 - 8:54

Mile 4 - 7:47 (this was about half downhill so I give that some of the credit)

Mile 5 - 8:41

Mile 6 - 7:56

Mile 7 - 7:59 (these 2 miles were intended to be back to back fast, the second one had a patch over icy snow)

Mile 8 - 8:41

So what do you know, the gym track must be the length I've been told and my pace is doing well. I was fairly pleased with how I felt at the end. My glute is a little tight and sore, I had done a 30 minute bike ride and some ab work this morning. Tomorrow I'm strength training and an easy 4 mile recovery run. No second workout as I'm meeting a friend for a bit of shopping and maybe a drink, so definitely have to get the workout in in the morning. Means I need to be up EARLY!!

I'm posting this picture of both Max (my parents dog) and Beaux (my sister's dog and last weekends snuggle buddy) cause it's cute and Josh thinks my posts should have running, snuggle buddies and beer in them...

And to top off the post, I think I'm going to see what kind of beer is in the fridge right now!

The Continuing Saga of the Gym Hottie

Yes, it continues…my plan this morning, just in case he was there, get up even earlier so I can be in there around the time he is…so I hit the snooze one more time and didn’t quite get up (I blame this on the waking up at 1:10 to go to the bathroom and not being able to get back to sleep until 2:10 or later…and I was tired…so no idea why). But I was there at 5:35, was going to elliptical for a bit before strength and guess who I saw in the weight room…quick change of plan there!! I got back out on the floor really quickly after dropping my stuff in the locker…Now when I strength train, I mainly use the BOSU and stability ball for doing a lot of my strength…so I grabbed them and the only place I could fit them between the benches and such just happened to be next to the bench he was using…he was going between that and a Smith machine (he supersets like me!!) and each time he was on the bench I was of course enthralled but trying to not to stare and trying desperately to make sure he didn’t catch me watching him in the mirror…which I don’t think he did…realized later I again failed to notice his finger and if he had a ring or not…not that it really matters. He’s just a gym crush. There is no way I’ll ever talk to him (unless he starts the conversation, I’m just not aggressive enough to approach someone, particularly at the gym, bar, maybe, with the right amount of alcohol, but gym, no way) but he’s nice to look at…I think I’m so enthralled by him because my last gym had just a wide variety of hot men, but there was something about them that you didn’t even notice because they all looked the same, basically like models and I just put that look to not much upstairs or a lot of ego…this guy is hot, but there to workout, not trying to impress and he actually puts a lot into the effort…maybe that’s what draws me…

Oh, but thanks to him I managed 40 minutes of strength training today and a nice 30 minute bike ride (realized I should probably take a running day off since I was on day 5 in a row yesterday and 33 miles in that time frame).

Procrastination

So, right now I SHOULD be working on my essays for grad school...yes, I need to get them finished. I have had intentions of getting them in all February and STILL haven't finished them...And what am I doing right now?? Surfing the internet and typing a blog...oh well. I should've brought my laptop with me to my parents and I might have had one of them almost typed today when I was discussing it with my parents...I even thought about it more on my run this afternoon too...it's too bad my thoughts can't type for me...

I was at my parents for the weekend. After a slow trip down on Friday, I got to their house, changed clothes and went to meet them for a drink. Had a couple of beers and then went back to their house and went to bed. Had a little snuggler with me (see picture on the right), then up early the next day and went to visit grandma. Was at her house for about 6 hours, visiting, had lunch, then went back to my parents where I took a nap and then went for a quick 4 miler before getting ready for the dinner and silent auction to raise money for the town foundation. A couple of beers and then a fairly early night and up early, visit with parents a bit longer then got on the road back to the cities so I could do a run. It was supposed to be 38 and it had to have hit that or higher...it felt really nice even with the light mist coming down. I managed my 12 in a 9:02 with a last mile of 8:41.

Now, I suppose...back to those essays and maybe the homework from my financial advisor, and a quick review of a couple of work related things I didn't get to on Friday...and maybe I should think about some "real" food (the Godiva hot chocolate, cheerios and fruity cheerios didn't quite do it!).

It's Official

OK, so I just officially signed up for my first race this season (even though there are at least 2 I'll probably do before this one:

http://www.ragnarrelay.com/northwestpassage/index.php

Yep, that's right, I'm going to be doing a relay out in Washington in July with blogging friend Annette and a team of people she knows. Look, I can be adventurous, and what better way to try a relay for the first time than with a bunch of people you don't know across country?? I'm so looking forward to it...I figure by the end of this adventure I'll have 11 new running friends and exciting stories to share. And the views look gorgeous!

Tag...

Thanks to Nat and Molly, I get to tell you 7 wonderful or weird things about me! And you have to read them!

1. Just before I turned 10, my cousin and I were playing croquet (on Mother’s day) and she was swinging the mallet like a golf club (we didn’t know better) and she ended up hitting me in the head, pretty much right on my right eyebrow, it didn’t hurt till I knew it was bleeding…mom and dad had to drive me to the emergency room 20 minutes away and I ended up with 7 stitches. They had to be taken out on my birthday a week later. What a crappy birthday! And yes, that is probably what is wrong with me!!

2. I trained for the first 2-3 months of my PR marathon on the treadmill. I was running 5-7 days a week, almost all inside (cause it was cold and crappy and I wasn’t as brave then as I am now) with up to a 16 mile long run on it before I could get outside. I was worried it would affect my speed but first chance I got to run outside it felt even easier, so the treadmill can be a good thing.

3. I am a bit on the shy side, but no one who knows me believes this…but I swear I’m a split personality when I’m on vacation…vacation Danielle can be a blast.

4. I think it was 2002 I was out in Seattle for a wedding…well, it was in OR actually, but I met a friend that lived in Vancouver to go to the wedding…we had met when we were 14 but hadn’t seen each other since, I was about 28 or so then…we went to the wedding and were then going to hang out in Vancouver, but I was feeling a little uncomfortable, so I had him drop me in Seattle and was debating changing my ticket, but rented a car and was going to Pike’s Place market but somehow ended up at Hemp Fest instead, where I started talking to this nice little stoner guy (older gentleman but very nice) that I had a couple of beers with, and then called a friend, who I knew had a friend in Seattle…long story short, my friend contacted her friend who contacted me and I ended up staying with her and her boyfriend and had a blast all week doing random fun things around the city alone and with her, her boyfriend and other friends of theirs…Like I said, vacation Danielle can be a blast!

5. In 2001 one of my best friends and I went to Italy and while in Venice, it was raining and we stopped into a bar, started talking to this very cute Italian boy and then a couple of gay guys who were down from England on holiday…during this time Andrea (cute Italian boy) had stepped outside and I followed him and had the most romantic kiss ever with him on this little side street in Venice with a light rain falling…

6. I’m addicted to the Internet…OK, not as bad as some, but I LOVE email, and emailing people and even more so getting to know people that I meet online.

7. I didn’t get drunk (well buzzed or so) for the first time till I was 18. I never partied or drank in high school. I was really the good child…first born, did everything I was supposed to, always home on time…rarely lied to my parents…

Here were the rules are as follows (I'm required to post them):
# Link to the person who tagged you
# Post the rules on your blog.
# Share seven random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
# Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
# Leave a comment on their blogs so that they know they have been tagged.

Since it seems most people have been tagged, consider yourself tagged if you've read this and post it if you haven't already done so!

Flirtini

So last week I was telling a male friend about the hottie at my gym and said I didn't know how to start a conversation/get his attenion. The friend told me to wear a skirt (of course he was drinking and got a bit gross after that, but we'll ignore that part) and I realized, hey, I have two running skirts I bought because of deals on them and I have yet to try it...so I thought why not...he's usually there no Thursdays if not other days (and he's there other days, at least I've seen him other days on occasion) so I got up this morning for a run, donned my cute "flirtini" (appropriately named!) colored skirt, cute little white top and pink socks and headed to the gym...and alas, he was not there...oh hottie...how am I ever going to find a way to talk to you? (not that I'd ever approach him at the gym, and doubt I can time it to leave or get there the same time as him and I'm sure he has a girlfriend anyway)

Bad Neighbors

First of all, I'm starting off this post with this cute picture because the post is nothing but a compaint and I wanted something to offset the negativity...I'm sorry about this but hey, it is my blog and I so need to vent and see if it is as bad as I think it seems!!

I hate my neighbor. OK, I take that slightly back…I don’t hate her because I don’t know her. I hate her actions and the childish way she is in her dealings with me. Considering she’s late 30s/early 40s she could be adult about things, but she doesn’t seem to understand the concept and I’m a bit fed up with it. I’ve lived in my condo for almost 7 years (it will be 7 years this July) and she has been my neighbor below me (I’m in a manor home, 2 up, 2 down) has never introduced herself, never acknowledged me personally other than to complain about something…her husband (now ex) was always pleasant, friendly, etc…makes me understand why he left (OK, not knowing the whole story that was mean and I really don’t mean it, but if she was toward him the way she is to me, then I can understand). All of her dealings with me she has been NOTHING but nasty, and as far as I can tell I have done nothing to her other than being a female. When my dad and my cousin were doing work outside she was talking to them and pleasant acting, but when I was dog sitting once, she all but yelled at me for walking too close to her bedroom windows (her reasoning she’s on the lower floor and it’s bedrooms and it’s only courtesy to keep a wide berth, she could’ve been more pleasant about it but I did understand, even though it is common property and I can walk where I want to) after her request though I adjusted to walking to the end of the driveway and around the tree to then get back out to the grassy area to have them do their business instead of going across the rocks and closer to her windows. Another time I had her leave me a nasty little note about not throwing things off my balcony when she found a cigarette pack off her patio, like I’m a two year old that needs to be reprimanded and even though I had lived there for 2 years by that time and had never done that before, obviously I must now. I simply replied by saying I don’t smoke and I don’t throw things off my balcony (hey, this is my property too, does she think I want to litter on it??). Yet another time she sent her ex up to complain to me about my overflowing a planter and water dripping down onto her metal table and chairs that were on the patio and they were having people over and now wouldn’t be able to sit outside to eat (cause you know, it can’t be wiped off with a towel). On a few occasions I’ve attempted to talk to her on the rare occasion that we are outside at the same time, just to say hi or be pleasant and try to get an amiable relationship going, but I’ve always been met with a glare and silence… and I know it’s not me, my neighbor across the hall expressed sadness when she saw I was attempting to sell because she likes having me for a neighbor. She asked me recently if I was still trying to sell and I said yes and she said she understood why (the association and all the crap) but was glad I was still living there. So, obviously I’m a good neighbor…I get along with a few others too, talk to them in the summer when we are out, pet their dogs, have nice conversation…

Anyway, that is all the background of my dealings with her. Now there is a new thing. Last April my toilet was clogged (I know the exact day due to having an out of town guest, and another friend that stayed after a party we went to) and I used the plunger to unclog it. The neighbor called the caretakers to complain about water dripping down and staining her ceiling…she said she heard plungering and obviously I overflowed something and caused an issue. I explained to the caretaker that yes, it plugged, but only a small amount splashed to the floor and it wasn’t leaking anywhere in the bathroom. The caretaker just wanted to warn me but I never heard anything more about it.

Fast forward, 10 months later, and this past weekend. My toilet has been a pain (filled very, very slowly, 10-15 minutes, and you had to hold it 10-15 seconds to get it to flush) and my dad and brother fixed it for me by putting new guts in the tank, namely a new water flow valve and now it fills fast!! Prior to doing this, in case we needed to turn water off (which we didn’t, we just had to turn it off at the toilet) I called the caretakers to find out if there was a way to turn water off other than at the main thing to the whole building. There isn’t, and they told me to warn the neighbors (I explained to them what was wrong and what we might do which we didn’t need to shut it all off anyway). After the replacement of the guts, the tank isn’t leaking and there was no leaking around the base or at the shut off valve (4 years ago, we lifted up the toilet, and had to put a new seal in back in, which apparently was fine as I never heard a complaint about leaks then, when we put ceramic tile down and last time it the valve leaked a bit). All was good. Or so I thought.

On Saturday, after I had left, my parents came back to pick up the dogs and she caught them and started complaining to them about the water leaking in her bathroom. They told her I owned the place (which she knows) and that I wasn’t home till tomorrow…she knew I wasn’t home, but opted to get on them anyway. Mom asked to see what was going on and neighbor said no, took a picture though and showed them, but the picture was hard to tell anything.

I got home yesterday (yes, Tuesday, she talked to my parents on Saturday) and had a message from the property management company saying that my neighbor had an issue and that I probably knew about it, but that I had apparently been doing plumbing work, which the city requires licensed plumbers to do any work like that (first of all, not for do it yourself stuff and how did they know I didn’t have a plumber anyway!!) and that I should’ve had that handled by a pro (the guy had no clue what I had done and was hearing it third hand so that irked me he was making assumptions) and that I needed to get a plumber in there as it sounded like a toilet seal and that if I didn’t handle things soon, that I might have liability from not mitigating the damages…The woman (she probably doesn’t know my name but I know hers is Jeanette) apparently has not called anyone herself to come look at what is going on in her place, she had to have had this stuff going on on Friday if it was anything to do with what I was doing, yet it was Tuesday before property management called me, and she didn’t do anything about it from back in April…talk about not mitigating damages (oh yeah, she had told my mom there had been a problem a couple of months ago, 10 months isn’t a coupl)!! Anyway, I called back the property manager, told them I didn’t do any plumbing over the weekend, that something had been replaced inside the toilet tank, that there was no need for a plumber, that my toilet has not overflowed nor is it leaking around the base so it can’t be related to that and the only other thing I had been doing was related to the appliances (which I had professional installers handle). I also said that I thought it was ridiculous that she is bringing everyone BUT me into it, that she attacked my parents that don’t even live there and she can’t contact me in a civil manner to discuss. That there is nothing on my end that is having a problem and I think she needs to understand that she owns her place and there isn’t a rental manager to come in and fix problems that she should call a plumber and figure out what is going on. There is no reason I should call one because there is nothing that is a problem in mine. She claimed to my mom too that it’s my pipes that her pipes run underneath. Umm, doubting that. My guess is that there are pipes in her ceiling/my floor and splits off for both units. It would not make sense that they run two sets of plumbing would it? And even so, I’m not ripping up my floor because her ceiling is leaking. Ceiling is easier to go in through anyway…and nothing I’ve done should cause any of this anyway!! See why I wanted to move so bad?? Between her and the property management and stupid stuff from the association. Sigh…I have so many complaints I could make about her and what she’s done (like having a woman stay with her for a few weeks with a young child that was outside screaming early in the morning on the weekends and the woman was also a smoker and would smoke right outside that wafted into my place) but I haven’t because you know, it’s an association, shared common space etc so you have to have tolerance and understanding and allow some leeway on that stuff!! She needs to move out!! My thought, if you can’t get along with others, don’t live in an association!!

I did have a revelation on a run on Monday though too...I'm going to flat out tell her, if I ever get a chance, she does avoid me it seems, that unless she can come to me directly, since I am the owner, and speak to me in a civil (I'm not even asking for friendly), adult manner, then she might as well not bother because I'm going to not listen to anything she passes through anyone else.

Wine Show Results

Well, the show was quite enjoyable...at least the early part. We got there early enough to have some of the cheaper wines, a bit of beer a few tastes of some foods and then into the reserve area. Unfortunately I lost the notes I was making so not sure of some of the wines I had, but most were quite enjoyable...and the reserve area included some very expensive wines (I tried a $150 port that was actually not bad, usually they can be overly sweet) toward the end of the reserve though I had had it...I was brought back to the hotel and the guys went for food. Go figure. After a 4 hour nap though I was up, had some pizza and we went to see a comedy show. Had a drink before at the Red White and F*$#ing Blue bar (yes, that is on a sign in the bar) then went to the show and had a couple of other drinks at a couple other nice places nearby after the show. It was a nice evening. Woke up and had breakfast and then came home where I am still trying to get up the energy to clean...sigh...one of these days I will. I did get a run, wasn't feeling really great (namely a bit of upset tummy from hangover). But managed 6 miles and a total of 30 for the week. Less than the 37 of last week but OK nonetheless. I just need to remain focused. And the big drinking weekends should be over now. I should avoid the temptation hopefully for a while and get back on schedule of only the weather now holds!!