Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Yucky sidewalks

I probably couldn't have selected a worse route for running this afternoon. I wanted to run before I left town. I headed west on Dartmouth. In general, sidwalks were clear enough that yaktrax would have more annoying than helpful. Still, where the sidewalk met the street, ice and snow to hurdle. And at some points before the intersection the terrain was slick. If it wasn't icy, then there were pools of water that you needed a boat permit to get across. At these less than ideal spots, I stopped to walk. I didn't want cold, wet feet.

All of the tip-toe-ing definately didn't help my momentum. I couldn't get my stride and when I did run, my legs felt like lead. Stop and go efforts do not work for me.

I walked for 20-30 minutes. I decided to cut the effort short and try to pick up some groceries so that maybe I could get home and ride my bike. I maybe should've run when I got home. Oh well.

Max and I went up and down the driveway for awhile. He got tired and would follow until half way and then stop to make sure that I came back. I only went a couple miles, rode for 20 minutes. No biggie, but it was still kind of nice.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

You know you're doing something right...

When you've gotten into a small routine of running or biking and you feel like a caged animals if you don't get out and do SOMETHING!!!

Running didn't happen last weekend. A 10 mile ride on the trainer did, so that helped ease my anxiety.

Yesterday I was chomping at the bit all day to get out and get a run in. I finally did and changed at work. If I would've waited until I got home it would've been dark or I would've been distracted.

I ran 3 miles, just around the perimeter of campus. 1 lap = 1.26 miles. Then I just doubled back down to clark street and back to finish 3 miles. I ran a bit slower than usual. I had to walk on some rough bits of ground near the new student union. They don't have the ground landscaped by the new sidewalk. And I had to slow for a couple of spots of ice.

The wind is never fun, but I like running in town where a person is sheltered a little more than I am out on my driveway. It all builds character though. :D And I felt MUCH better afterward.

Monday, January 5, 2009

2009

I don't really do resolutions. I'm always trying to get more fit, at least maintain weight or drop a couple of pounds. I don't really diet. I like to eat and am glad that I like veggies and healthy stuff... but dang cookies and a variety of other no nos are tasty too.

I'm already doing better with running than I would typically be at this point in the year. I will be able to run at least the 2 mile option of the Frostbite 4. I generally wish to run the 4 mile option, I might get close this year.

I would like to be able to run a 10k before the end of the year. Running has been a difficult thing for me to advance at. I'm hoping to be able to run the Tulip Festival 10k in May. Last year I was registered for the 5k, but had a really really bad cold that kicked my feet out from under me.

And, I plan to keep cycling. I'd like to do some more casual rides with mom and Nick.

I wouldd like to commute more next summer and do a few centuries... plan to do the TDK, MS150 and a few centuries... It all depends on what the good Lord has planned for us. We really would like to start a family, this year so we'll see what happens. It never hurts to have a couple of plans to work toward and it doesn't seem like one can truly 'plan' kids regardless of when you'd 'like' them.

While I don't care for resolutions, I do like the idea of a bucket list.

In order of extremely likely (#1), to someday - I just don't know when (2-4):

1. Ride the entirety of the Mickelson Trail. I would like to do the 3 day organized ride so that we can stop and enjoy the scenery and putter around. The one day big mick would be a bit much, two days would be pretty manageable, but the 3 day organized ride would have a chauffer.

2. W.R.A.T.H

3. A half marathon... I like the idea of doing either the Disney World or Kauai races. Though both are hot and humid. I like the idea of one of the Rock n'Roll races too.

4. The Gut Check or a Marathon version of number 3 I hear that the Twin Cities is actually a really nice race to complete too.

Maybe #4 by the time that I turn 40. I've got 10 years to train.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Suggestions?

So, I get my butt out the door for a run moments ago. I thought that the wind would be out of the South yet. According to weather.com, it should have been. I knew that it would be switching to the North, eventually. It already has.

The wind isn't TOO fierce yet, but there is plenty of moisture in it. I was wearing two pairs of tights. A long sleeve shirt, hooded sweatshirt with hood up over ear warmers. And gloves. My torso was a bit cool, but once I got going I'd be fine.

The problem is that the trip down the driveway was into the wind. My face was really cold, tears went down my cheeks. On the way back wasn't bad.

I stopped at my car to grab my balaclava. I put it on and immediately my glasses fog over. I hate the thing. I ran .10 and said screw it. My glasses would likely freeze over before too long and I would be stuck with a snotty and vapor soaked mask. Yeah pleasant.

So, I'm irritated. I wanted to run. I feel like it was going to be a good run. The weather wasn't such an issue, but it turned out to be.

What is the answer??

A treadmill isn't an option financially or spacially.

Looks like I'll have to ride the trainer. I don't really like that option either. I dislike it quite a bit actually. 30-45 minutes is manageable, but not pleasant.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Holiday Recap

Here are just a few photos from the last couple of weeks.


No peeking Nick!!


My cousin's son enjoys one of his toys.


I made my grandpa a hat for Christmas. I don't know if it quite suited him, but I liked it. I'm wearing a silly hat that I made too.



We celebrated Nick's birthday with his family last night too.



I tried to make cakes that looked like beer cans. A professional pastry chef, I'm not. While they didn't look as polished as I envisioned in my head, they were better than they were looking yesterday morning. The cake was fine, it was the icing that I had trouble with. Yikes.



Our guests had to travel, so they left around 10. Nick and I stayed awake until a little after 11 and fell asleep on the couch, woke up and then went to sleep. Yeah, we're getting old. :D But, I hear that 2009 happened anyway. So we're all good.