You Better Work B*tch

I confess - I have the Ru Paul single - and I played it a LOT!!! I love club music and house music, and I have shared that love with Erik. Friday when I got off I took the dogs for an hour walk, did a little housework, started Erik's laundry and did the grocery shopping. Saturday was CRAZY busy - starting at 0500 with two pans of lasagna, sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor, running 3 miles, prepping communion, getting the last of our Mother's Day gifts, mowing and fertilizing all three houses, prepping dinner, finishing laundry, hosting 9 for dinner, walking the dogs and crashing. Sunday was much quieter. Even though we did communion for church we had lunch with my mom, got Erik on the road early since the forecast was pretty dismal, planted annuals in the front yard, ran 2 miles, purchased the mulch for our house, had my mom over for dinner and watched way too much television. I have officially started the Iron Girl Sprint Triathlon training program. I am confident that I can pull this off and become a better athlete along the way! Lincoln was spared from MAJOR storm damage last night but it sounds like many places around us were not as lucky. Hopefully today the sun will come out and dry things out!

Hungry, Lazy, Tired

I keep thinking that some of the fatigue from running the half will just evaporate on its own. I have blamed allergies, running, spring, long days at work and even a few unseasonably warm days but I am just zapped! Yesterday I got off at 2:30, picked up Mother's Day gifts, walked the dogs, went out to dinner for Brian's brother David's birthday, went to the deacons meeting, come home and cleaned for an hour, planted myself on the couch for 30 minutes and crashed at 9:30. This might seem like a full day, but I skipped my run, didn't make it to the store for cards and still have to make a trip to pick up one last Mother's Day gift. This weekend I'm going to try to balance rest, cleaning and exercise so that hopefully I feel more on top of the world next week - when I officially start the training program for my triathlon!

Time to Get Out on the Trails

Last night was chore night at home, but first, I took what is probably my last ride on the trainer for the year. I put in an hour while I watched the end of "Just Go with It" and the beginning of the Real Housewives of Orange County. It is SUPER weird to watch the ugly Christmas sweater party when it's 95 degrees outside. Since it's officially spring and our threat for snow and freezing temperatures has largely passed I'll have Brian bring my bike to the garage this weekend so I can go back to riding outside. After my ride I tackled three loads of laundry, cleaned out the fridge, cleaned sinks and toilets, ran Bob the Robot vacuum (iRobot), and did dishes. I have been wondering if I have bad allergies this year or if I'm coming down with something so we went to bed early and I took a Benadryl. I have been beating myself up pretty badly over my half marathon time, but yesterday, I learned that a recruited Division II swimmer started at the same time I did, and finished a minute behind me. She is 19 years old. While that sounds tacky, it makes me feel better to know that someone who is a "real" athlete struggled on Sunday. I will begin the triathlon training schedule on Monday. I'm a little nervous - but completing the half has given me courage to train and confidence in my ability to succeed.

Shake it Out!

Yesterday was my shake out run. I did two miles to a friend’s house in a surprisingly short time since I had a few stops and starts. My toenails are still pretty sore but my quads are feeling so much better that it's a fair trade! After work yesterday I had a quick lunch before mowing, planting, walking dogs, dinner with Brian and then my short run. It was a beautiful spring day to play outside. The rest of the week has some unseasonably high temperatures and a few chances for rain so I've been trying to enjoy the nice weather every chance I get!

Rest, Stretch, Walk

My day of recovery yesterday involved lots of food, lots of stretching, lots of time with the remote and, in the evening, a nice walk with the dogs. We did 2 miles when Brian got home and it made my legs feel much better. I used some quad stretches off the internet that improved my outlook on the world and am hoping to get in a shakeout run today in addition to some yard work. This week will be unseasonably hot (90+ forecast for Wednesday) and with lots going on at work. Hopefully I can get everything done!

My First Half Marathon

I officially survived my first half marathon. My official time was 3 hours 7 minutes - so not as fast as I was expecting. My 5k and 10k times were good and consistent and close to my other 5k times. I think I may have been slower at the end since I had only done a few long runs. Sunday also marked my first running blister(s) on the ball of my right foot. While I remember a lot of things about the route I confess there are things that I don't recall about the last few miles.


I learned that my running iPod is only good for 2 hours and 15 minutes but I was able to switch over to my backup and keep running.  While I had originally planned to be a one and done, I am going to run again next year - for two reasons - 1) to beat my time - I want to finish in 2 hours and 40 minutes (or less) and 2) because it was AMAZING.  While the pain in my quads today is pretty intense, and my shoe choices are limited because of the blisters I loved the experience, the route and the people.  Next year as part of training I will plan to run country club hill until I can make it to the top =)


The hardest part was the rest days.  Thursday I got off REALLY late and then met my mom for Fiddler on the Roof.  By the time I got home it was WAY past my bedtime so I hit the sack and did my last 2 mile run on Friday.  Saturday I took the dogs for a walk but otherwise lazed around.  The hours passed slowly, I was bored with the television and I have never been so tired of eating.


Brian was FANTASTIC - I could not have had more support - he got me dropped off, made sure Erik was at the first stop, had my mom and Roger prepared for me, gave me a hug and kiss at the 9th mile, and met me at the finish with a smoothie.  He ended up parked about half a mile from the end of the race but it was good to get those extra steps in.  I had so much help and support along the way with my new co-worker Tracie and my dear friend Vicki.  It was a great day and I am excited to do it again. 

Let Your Mind Wander

I blame the running. Seriously - it's like my new catch phrase. Last night I got home about 5, tossed dinner in the oven, leashed up the dogs and hit the road. It was cold and windy and not a very fun walk. When we got home Brian and I walked around the yard and made some landscaping decisions for this year - we have a few more plants to buy but overall things from Erik's graduation are doing well. After dinner I took on the laundry and rode the trainer for an hour. Last night I really let my mind wander and honestly I have found it is the best way to get through my workouts. I use the time running and pedaling to focus on what I need to change, improve or redesign in my life and before I know it - the run is over. I suspect this negatively affects my times, but it does change the activity for me into something that brings a lot of stress management and relief. I might have to read one of the marathon books to know if this is good or bad - but it definitely works for me - well that and the Real Housewives of Orange County.