Friday, December 28, 2012

Last 5K of 2012


I was all smiles at the start (fake it till you make it?), but boy was that one of the toughest 5Ks I've ever run! 

Several reasons I'm sure of: 1) I lovehate my treadmill.  2) All.Those.Christmas.Cookies.  3) its been a solid week since I've run.  Or even walked that much, unless you count my Christmas Eve shopping trip.  4) I didn't much feel like doing it, so good thing I forked over the money and felt forced to do it. 
So in that regards it was pretty successful
That WAS my whole purpose for challenging myself to sign up for at least one race a month all year. So I would do it. I never said I'd like it ;) That said: I've never regretted a run or a race no matter how bad. I always always always regret not running. So with that, I am proud of my worst 5k time in recent memory.
LOL.  Maybe i can blame some of my difficulties on the fact that I wore two different shoes?!

2013 Goal #1

I'm still not sure about what my 2013 goals will be running wise yet, but what ever I pick, I realize that I can make them happen if I am consistent in thinking about them and persuing them.  I like to read a lot of blogs, and spent the past few mornings searching out 2012 wrap-up entries and realizing that I should expand my ideas of goal setting to include some other areas of my life. 

Goal #1:  Keep a handle on my eating. 

If I am eating well, I feel good.  If I eat junk, I feel bad.  Duh.  Besides feeling bad, eating poorly also causes my pants to not fit properly (and my underwear...which truth be told bothers me more...tight undies causes me to suffer from 4-cheek syndrome.  You know.  Where the panty line cuts my rear-end into four butt-cheeks instead of two.  Classy.) and my skin to look like I'm 14 again.  And causes me to bring out the control top panty hose instead of cute tights with my dresses to control mommy-tummy (yep, I still blame my kids for that, not the food.  So wrong).  To kick this off, I'm joining runwithjess's Diet Bet
 
I'm hoping this works in the same way that when I challenged myself to run a race a month and register ahead of time I actually do it.  I forked over $10 to join this, and I don't want to lose that money.  It's not a lot...but HEY!  It's mine!  We've had weight loss competitions at work before, and each  time I hit my goal, or very close.  The problem:  I've hit my goal each time.  As in...once it's over my bad eating habits creep back in.  Usually this time of year.  It's not as bad this year, since I've had my year of running, but this month has been not so good for me on the running front (as I sit here typing and drinking coffee instead of hitting the treadmill...I will when I'm done.  I swear!  I have my virtual 5K to complete!) so my clothes are feeling it.
 
Do you have any goals set yet?  Do you do the goal-setting New Year's thing?
 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Goal Setting

Finishers swag for my second half marathon (The race that put my goal setting in motion earlier this year.)  How did I never post this?!
I set a goal for myself last year to run at least one race or event each month during the year.  I didn't start until March, though, so after I run my virtual 5K this week I will be tacking on two more in the new year to make my goal. In the process, I ran my first 10K, then PR'd my next 10K by 10 minutes 6 months later.  I PR'd my 5K by a whopping 4 and a half minutes.  I completed my first half marathon, then my second two weeks later.   I started last year doing yet another round of Biggest Loser at work.  That's the third time I participated, and each time I've dropped ten or more pounds (the first time 4 years ago, I lost 18).  That sounds great, but it's the same ten pounds that I lose each time.  I'm fairly happy with my weight this time, and won't be joining if they have the competition at work again.  I am a few pounds heavier than  I would like to be, but I know that I have kept most of my padding at bay by continuing to run at least a few times a week.  (Funny how that works, right?)

I am looking for a new goal for the new year.  I don't think I want to do the one race a month thing again, because it's kind of expensive...and I get stressed out when I can't find one.  I also have done 4 virtual races this year.  Three because I couldn't find anything else to run, and one to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  (and that one I got a DNF...I did run the whole thing, but I didnt' finish before the deadline.  Oh well.)

I *think* I want to do a spring half marathon and one in the fall again.  But that doesn't seem like much of a goal.  I'm not wanting to do a full marathon yet.  I can't fathom having enough time to do a four hour long run, ever. 

So...maybe a mileage goal?  Something slightly lofty, but attainable if I work hard?  (I didn't start tracking miles until I officially started half marathon training in July, and I quit tracking miles after that race for some reason.)  A destination race?  A time goal?  Take swimming lessons and buy a bike and fulfill my Iron Girl dream?  I'm just not sure!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Out of the darkness...

There's not much anyone could say about Sandyhook that hasn't been said already.  Since Friday, I've been fighting the darkness in my heart.  I felt it creeping in as I saw the initial reports.  I had stayed home from work for a doctors appointment.  I saw the immediate news of a shooter, and my body felt immediately cold.  I remember feeling that way when I saw reports about columbine so many years ago.  I had just finished my student teaching when that happened, and the more I learned the details (news was not so immediately available then) the worse I felt.  On Friday I went into defense mode and turned off the tv and after reading a few posts on Facebook, I chose to drag that little icon to the trash, as well as all my newsfeeds and even Blogger.  I picked up a book and shut out reality.  I had to. 

I tried to not be emotional, but how could I not?  My boys.  My precious boys.  My students.  My colleagues.  My husband.  Despite all my resisting, everything puts me in Sandyhook in my mind.  It could be me losing my children.  It could be me losing a colleague.  It could be my family, losing me as I simply do my job.  It's terrifying and paralyzing and so much more than I wanted to think about.  A woman at work passed out green and white ribbons to wear on Monday.  I could hardly touch it.  I put it in my desk.  I could not wear it.  I could not think of it or I would collapse into myself.  I knew it.  I needed time.

This morning I revisited Facebook, and my newsfeeds, and I discovered #26acts.  And, somehow, something so simple has allowed me to read the news again, and still feel what I feel minus the vortex of depression pulling me in.  I feel hope.  Hope that, despite this tragedy, despite the most horrible things I couldn't have ever concieved of before, hope that kindness, goodness and light wins out.  As overused as it has become, that Fred Rogers quote, the one where he says his mother tells him when bad things happen, to look for the helpers...it makes me see they there truly is good, despite the bad.

I can't do much, but I can do something...I can be a helper.  I can be a helper to those around me.  I can help others see the good too.  I commited to purposely complete 26 acts of kindness to honor the victims.  And I will make that 27, one for his mother.  And I might do one more on purpose.  Not in his name, but...if it feels right.

I started today.  I won a gift card to a restaurant at a race a few months ago, but haven't used it...so I stuck a #26acts stickynote to it and put it in a colleague's mailbox.  Later I visited the vending machine and passed along a snack to a pregnant colleague.  I have some more ideas, and I hope I make the moment a little brighter for those who cross my path.


Monday, December 10, 2012

Christmas survey..just for fun!

I'm a sucker for surveys, and Hungry Runner Girl has this cute one...wish I had fun pictures like she does...Oh well.  I'll add some if I find them.  Meanwhile...here's mine!

1. Favorite Christmas Album/CD/Song?


OMG.  Totally John Denver and the Muppets!  I've listened to it while decorating the tree, and Christmas cookie making my whole life!

2. Run on Christmas morning or take the day off?

Probably take the morning off...but this year I might run.  maybe.  (On the treadmill that was my ChristmasNewYear'sValentine'sDayBirthdayEasterAnniversary Present)



3. What do you usually eat on Christmas morning?

Breakfast pizza...and last year I made cinnamon rolls and Christmas Candy! 
My 'famous' breakfast pizza...if I didn't make it, there would be lots of complaining!
 

4. Favorite holiday or Christmas tradition?

Oh geeze...EVERYTHING!  How can I pick a favorite?  My mom's family has always celebrated Little Christmas On January 7th, and I continue that with my kids.  So I like that too.

5. Real tree, fake tree or no tree?

Real.  Which means we haven't gotten it yet, so it will last into January

6. Christmas pajamas… yay or nay?

I love pajamas!  So yay!

7. Where do you spend the holidays? Your own house, your parents’ house, extended family, in-laws, friends?

Christmas eve with my mom usually, our house Christmas morning, my in law's house Christmas afternoon, extended family Christmas evening for dinner...and usually my dad's sometime around New Year's.  I would like to hunker down and not go anywhere...but it's a non-negotiable.

8. Food that you always have during the holiday season? Favorite Christmas food/treat?

Always Pirogi and Kielbasa! (Same on little Christmas....the Polish-Ukrainian in me!)

Favorite Christmas treat--cookies.  Hands down.  I gained 10lbs last year.  Sigh. I guess I should run on Christmas, huh?
Yeah...I posted this same picture yesterday.  I  have 2 cookies left.  I definitely need to add a Christmas run to my morning.!

9. Open presents all at once or take turns? Stockings… yes or no?

Sigh...I prefer take turns to draw it out and make it last...at the in-laws it's a debauchery-free-for-all...
And the kids get stockings.  Not us.  Sadly, I would have to stuff my own if I wanted one, (the husband doesn't think to get little prsents...only big ones.) so we just hang the kids'.  But my mom usually stuffs one for all of us when we go to her house.


10. Favorite Christmas(ish) movie?


elf.  Definitely.  It's my favorite.  I even make my students watch it in French.  (called le Lutin)

What about you?  Link back to me and Hungry Runner Girl!

1. Favorite Christmas Album/CD/Song?
2. Run on Christmas morning or take the day off?
3. What do you usually eat on Christmas morning?
4. Favorite holiday or Christmas tradition?
5. Real tree, fake tree or no tree?
6. Christmas pajamas… yay or nay?
7. Where do you spend the holidays? Your own house, your parents’ house, extended family, in-laws, friends?
8. Food that you always have during the holiday season? Favorite Christmas food/treat?
9. Open presents all at once or take turns? Stockings… yes or no?
10. Favorite Christmas(ish) movie?

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Trying to not be grouchy this weekend

Sad to say that I just didn't make it to the holiday 5K last weekend.  Turns out the husband had plans to go hunting with out of town friends that he set up with out mentioning it to me...and completely couldn't recall having the conversation about us going up north to the Christmas village-run thing.  I specifically recall mentioning that instead of waiting around for me to run, he could take the kiddos to breakfast with Santa and come back and get me and we could visit all the fun little shops up there before heading home.  Turns out you can't have a conversation with a man who has ESPN on at the same time he's doing his crossword puzzle.  Even though he seemed completely coherent while I talked with him (yep, WITH him...as in he asked relevant questions and made appropriate comments and everything!  I totally thought he was paying attention!) turns out he didn't remember me mentioning a thing.  I asked around, but all my babysitting options had plans, so the race was a no-go for me.  I probably could have set something up sooner if I had realized he didn't know what was going on, but when I found out on Thursday night, it was really too late.

I consoled myself by planning my runs for the week, and I spent the morning playing Suzie homemaker in the kitchen all weekend, and I hit the treadmill for a bit.  I totally have to get my DVD player set up down there.  I can't take looking out the window at my car tires in the driveway anymore!
Monday's run...cold and short...but much needed!
 
This week started out awesome...I had a chilly run on Monday, and it was pretty short, but I got it in and that's what counts.  (I ran solo, and almost talked myself out of it, since I have so much school work to take care of, but as soon as my feet started flying I knew I made the right decision.) 

Tuesday it was almost 60 degrees when I got out of work.  I was running late in the morning and almost forgot my workout bag, and am so glad I didn't.  Although I did forget to pack my sports bra.  Luckily, I'm barely non-existent on top and mostly wear one so I don't ruin a regular bra, and for modesty purposes.  I had my Spanish class that night, so I didn't want to run in my regular bra...and I remembered a fun little post I read a month or so back about how one woman who forgot her bra used her headband instead.  I didn't use my headband (I HAVE to run with it in my hair!) but I have that neck gaiter I wear when it's cold, and it was still in my bag.  I used it Survivor-Style (like those team buffs they wear on the show!) and it worked.  Tah-dah!  I took a picture, but...you know...since I wear the sports bras for modesty...nothing too modest about a picture of my chest!  I won't share it!
Picture after Monday's cold run, but see that neck gaiter?  It was awesome as my bra in a pinch!  And a little stylish!
My happy-face for the awesome 60 degree run with my friend from work!  So warm!  In December! We ran the whole park loop and around town...around 4 miles!

Unfortunately, after that run, I crapped out for the week.  I'm drowning in paperwork at school and next week I need to miss work for a few mornings and a day so I had to get prepared for all of that.  Also, it got cold again.  So tough to get out there (even after the snow run that I did that was FUN!) after a gorgeous 60 degree day in December. 

I was looking forward to my race this weekend.  I've always (well, not ALWAYS...I wanted to run it last year..until then I hadn't heard of it, nor would I have cared much since my running was sporadic) wanted to run this 5K...it's in Seneca Falls, NY and is during the "It's a Wonderful Life" festival they have there, since the town and its bridge were the inspiration for the setting of the movie.  I've never seen the whole movie, so I won't pretend I love it, but I love the idea of a dusk run this time of year on a route filled with Christmas lights.  And I still need a December run...and winter runs are few and far between up here...and I'm worried about not getting a December one in. 

Hunting strikes again.  I thought hunting season was over, but apparently if you drive a little south you're in a different zone and this is the husband's last chance to go.  And he made plans.  And didn't tell me.  Again.  I thought, no problem, since he could go in the morning and be home in time for us to drive down, I can run and we can spend the night in wine country and hit the wineries and the outlet mall before we come home.  He was not psyched about the idea, and basically said NO.   Also, he left the house at 5:30 this morning, and I woke up to the dog snoring next to me after I finally got back to sleep.
Okay...well my flash woke her up after this picture...so we're even.  And I guess she's so cute I can't stay mad at her for long.  But my sheets were freshly changed yesterday, so now they're full of her dog hair.

 So I'm sitting here, grouchy.  The house is a disaster, the kids are fighting.  I feel stir crazy, but can't bring myself to get it together to leave the house.

Sounds like a run is in order, right?  I guess I will see if I can find the portable DVD player and get her set up for a fun basement run.  And I will see if I can find something ANYTHING local I can run to get my December one to count.  And I think I will peruse Spring half marathons.  I need something bigger to motivate me.  I think I've eaten 10 of these sugar cookies this morning in my crankiness.  Whoops.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Wing Thing 5K

It's been gorgeous all week, and today...LAKE EFFECT SNOW! I hadn't signed up for this race, but my WRF (Work Running Friend) had asked if I wanted to do it, and although I did that virtual 5k on the treadmill, I definitely enjoy a real run instead for my November race.

Check out that snow!


We drove through a complete white-out to get to the registration, but by the time we started running it was much better out.

I was really nervous about slipping and sliding, but once I found my rythym I had a blast!  I stuck with my friend the whole race, and there were a lot of walkers, so we're pretty sure we placed, but we had to leave before awards.  Oh well!


Ahahha, I took this while running.  With my gloves on.  So goofy!

 So, I got an official race in for November and I got over my fear of running on actual snow.  (Last winter I would only run if the roads were clear..we may get 5-foot snow banks, but they do a pretty good job of clearing it!

There's another 5K next weekend, and it's supposed to be a holiday run  and will take care of my December race.  I really want to dress up, but I have nothing to make myself Christmas-y in running clothes.  I will probably have to settle for a santa hat or something.  Any ideas?