What's a running blog without a new year post? It's the 10th already, so I had better get this one underway!
I have a lot of goals for fitness and my life activities this year. I have been reading about the Olympic marathon trials going on in Houston and it has been nothing but inspiring. One of the common interview prompts for the runners is: "Tell us about a typical day of your life." Reading about the dedication these people have to their full time jobs, families and running is amazing and humbling. I'm only a recreational runner, but the lesson is applicable to everything: You get out of it what you put into it.
When I started my own company, I quickly enjoyed the freedom of schedule. And just as instantly, I was introduced to the burdon of balance. Keeping my drive in check didn't happen this year. I forgot that no one is going to put limits on anything except me. And so, I have been operating like a go-kart with its governor removed.
Looking back on 2011, it is apparent that the many activities and hobbies I love to do have been left dusty in a closet, lonely on a shelf or waiting for me while I sleep off exhaustion. But, I think there is a shockingly simple solution to this problem. I need to work less. Then, with the right balance, which I let go so wrong these past months, I will enjoy the activities I love to do and live the life I'd like to live.
Showing posts with label Random. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Random. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Thursday, October 6, 2011
And work trumps all...
Well, it's the same story. I feel like I should just have an * that comes up that means see this footer/disclaimer:
*Work has taken over. Clients are hilariously out of control. Steph is busy, dizzy and in need of extra loving care.
I feel like I've begun to surface though. I'm trying very hard to not have to work this weekend. I am planning a small vacation at the end of October. I am counting down the days. It seems really far away!
Sadly, I haven't drawn in weeks. I just haven't been able to fit it into the work-sleep-work-occasional run cycle. But soon. I have a few very fun projects lined up that I can't wait to start.
So, this is the update, just for the sake of me updating a blog to feel normal. :)
*Work has taken over. Clients are hilariously out of control. Steph is busy, dizzy and in need of extra loving care.
I feel like I've begun to surface though. I'm trying very hard to not have to work this weekend. I am planning a small vacation at the end of October. I am counting down the days. It seems really far away!
Sadly, I haven't drawn in weeks. I just haven't been able to fit it into the work-sleep-work-occasional run cycle. But soon. I have a few very fun projects lined up that I can't wait to start.
So, this is the update, just for the sake of me updating a blog to feel normal. :)
Friday, December 3, 2010
A Dog-like Goose
I noticed back in the summer they had a baby goose in the front yard. It was fenced in with some chicken (goose?) wire and there was a blue plastic kiddie pool in the area. It kept getting bigger and bigger and soon turned into an adolescent goose. And then one day as I ran past, there was a goose chasing me. Like a territorial dog, the goose started at one end of the yard and flew-hopped low to the ground along the property as I ran past. If it could have barked, it probably would have. It cracked me up.
In my recent running hiatus, I hadn't been paying attention to the whereabouts of the goose. Plus, I just figured it probably flew away once it was big enough. But the other day as I was heading out of the neighborhood, I saw the goose in the yard again, watching me and following the property as I ran past. On my way back I noticed that the back yard is fenced in with the chicken wire, a bigger area this time, and the pool is back there as well. I saw the goose sleeping in the pool.
Perhaps this goose can't fly and ended up in their yard so they started taking care of it. Or perhaps wherever a goose lives when it's young is where it likes to stay. Maybe it just enjoys its kiddie pool and chasing runners. If I ever see these neighbors outside, I am definitely going to ask what is up with their unexpected pet.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Time to Schedule Some Time to Make my Schedule... what?
Yesterday I spent some time working on a new training/workout schedule to start following. I have been using a very loose schedule approach for the last year or two. But I think I'm going to start following a less loose (dare I say tighter) approach for a few weeks and see what happens. Also, this is how a beagle flops down beside you to help with your training schedule development:
A brief background: I love schedules and planning. In the past, especially when I first started running, I looked up plans and copied them down on calendars or in notebooks so I could follow them daily. I would plan out races and workouts leading up to them, but without really knowing what I was doing. As time went on I started tweaking the schedules more and more, realizing that I wasn't always going to be able to do what the schedule told me to do, be it because of my fitness level or because of my day. I soon became frustrated trying to follow too religiously, missing workouts and feeling like everything was ruined when that happened. So eventually I adapted a training guideline kind of approach. Last year when I trained for my marathon, the only real scheduled runs were the weekend distance buildup, Track Tuesdays, and I ran during the week with Krista every now and then. I think I just tried to run as much as possible the other days of the week.
That kind of approach really does work for me in accomplishing consistent and happy running: Tuesday track, midweek with a partner, long run on the weekend. However, it only works if those things are present and, most importantly, I have the motivation to carry through with them. Which brings me to the current State of the Running Union. The State of the [my] Running Union is weak.
My motivation is at an all time low, so it's time to make some changes. Enter brand new, shiny, still-has-that-new-car-smell training schedule! I've reflected a lot about my running hobby and how it fits into my life. I'm not so sure I've ever taken this approach, but I do believe it's imperative for developing a successful schedule. I also thought about what my goals are, another crucial element. They are pretty simple. I love running, so I want to run. I love biking and believe I might have some unleashed potential there, so I want to bike. I really like the challenge of improving, so I want to push myself and enjoy the rewards.
Here are the boring details of it all, an overview of the next few weeks. I'm going to "spin" (indoor trainer) 3 days a week and run 3 days a week. I've scheduled times for this to happen that are realistic and current. I'm not going to run in the dark by myself, so morning runs are out and have instead been moved to lunch time. Spinning works after work, unless I work late. That happens from time to time, and for the past month has been pretty much every single night. So, I am just going to bite the bullet and get up earlier so that I ensure myself the time on the bike. I really don't mind getting up early, and it's dark anyway. It's just that I would prefer to not get up that early :) On the weekends, I will do a long run and a long bike session (Spinflix-style).
I have the daily details scratched out on a piece of paper. I'll be ramping up my mileage and time on the bike back to respectable amounts. I figure I will test this through the rest of the year, and then see what I want to do when January hits. I might want to focus more on one or the other sport, or start training for the Pig. I have some big ideas/dreams about it all, which don't seem to look right on this blog right now. I feel like I'm all talk with nothing to show for it. So for now, it's just about doing what I like to do, and improving at it. When there are results to show, that might warrant more discussion.
A brief background: I love schedules and planning. In the past, especially when I first started running, I looked up plans and copied them down on calendars or in notebooks so I could follow them daily. I would plan out races and workouts leading up to them, but without really knowing what I was doing. As time went on I started tweaking the schedules more and more, realizing that I wasn't always going to be able to do what the schedule told me to do, be it because of my fitness level or because of my day. I soon became frustrated trying to follow too religiously, missing workouts and feeling like everything was ruined when that happened. So eventually I adapted a training guideline kind of approach. Last year when I trained for my marathon, the only real scheduled runs were the weekend distance buildup, Track Tuesdays, and I ran during the week with Krista every now and then. I think I just tried to run as much as possible the other days of the week.
That kind of approach really does work for me in accomplishing consistent and happy running: Tuesday track, midweek with a partner, long run on the weekend. However, it only works if those things are present and, most importantly, I have the motivation to carry through with them. Which brings me to the current State of the Running Union. The State of the [my] Running Union is weak.
My motivation is at an all time low, so it's time to make some changes. Enter brand new, shiny, still-has-that-new-car-smell training schedule! I've reflected a lot about my running hobby and how it fits into my life. I'm not so sure I've ever taken this approach, but I do believe it's imperative for developing a successful schedule. I also thought about what my goals are, another crucial element. They are pretty simple. I love running, so I want to run. I love biking and believe I might have some unleashed potential there, so I want to bike. I really like the challenge of improving, so I want to push myself and enjoy the rewards.
Here are the boring details of it all, an overview of the next few weeks. I'm going to "spin" (indoor trainer) 3 days a week and run 3 days a week. I've scheduled times for this to happen that are realistic and current. I'm not going to run in the dark by myself, so morning runs are out and have instead been moved to lunch time. Spinning works after work, unless I work late. That happens from time to time, and for the past month has been pretty much every single night. So, I am just going to bite the bullet and get up earlier so that I ensure myself the time on the bike. I really don't mind getting up early, and it's dark anyway. It's just that I would prefer to not get up that early :) On the weekends, I will do a long run and a long bike session (Spinflix-style).
I have the daily details scratched out on a piece of paper. I'll be ramping up my mileage and time on the bike back to respectable amounts. I figure I will test this through the rest of the year, and then see what I want to do when January hits. I might want to focus more on one or the other sport, or start training for the Pig. I have some big ideas/dreams about it all, which don't seem to look right on this blog right now. I feel like I'm all talk with nothing to show for it. So for now, it's just about doing what I like to do, and improving at it. When there are results to show, that might warrant more discussion.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Winter Woes Written
So winter is approaching. I know, it's barely fall. But really. It's certainly not summer anymore.
Every year I struggle with winter. I am not a big fan. I appreciate the seasons changing and blabbity blah pretty white snow yaddah yaddah. But in reality, it is not a picture postcard season here in Cincinnati. It's a Nestle Quick chocolate milk spilled all over a slushy kind of scene. From November through March (and sometimes April) it's cold, dark and wet.
This year I've decided to embrace winter. Somehow. [sigh] So here's a list of what I don't like about winter, and how I think I can somehow (somehow!) embrace it. Set to the tone of a shallow women's magazine self help/great idea section.
Steph Writes: "There is too much darkness. I don't like rising out of bed when it's dark. I love opening my eyes to a dimly lit room as the sun is rising. The obvious remedy for this would be to get up later, when the sun is rising. Duh. But if I can't convince everyone to do that..."
Easy Fix! Buy some cute candles! On those dark days when you just have to get out bed and, you know, go to work and stuff, have some cute candles ready to be lit in the places you brush your teeth and wash your face. The bright orange flame will brighten your mood! Carry a favorite candle with you to the coffee maker and watch the flame flicker as you wait for the coffee to brew!!
Steph Writes: "It's always wet out with no snow. OK it's not always like that. But I hate it so much that those days overshadow the rest and I'm forced to talk in dramatic extremes about it."
Easy Fix! Get some cool galoshes! Wear your rubber boots on those particularly saturated days and instantly bring a smile to your face and memory of elementary school to your brain! Jump up and down in some slush and laugh with a co-worker about the pants you just ruined! Make sure you get multiple pairs/colors so you don't have to wear the same ones in a row!
Steph Writes: "Everything is drab. Trees are brown. The grass is brown. My hair is brown. Streets are brown-gray. The sky is gray. The mailman looks grumpy."
Easy Fix! Wear a rainbow! Be the color in the day by sporting rainbow sweaters, scarves and eyeshadow! Or, just a rainbow patch for your jeans! Rainbow fashion isn't in this year? That's OK- check your local Goodwill, where rainbow colors are always in season, and pick some clothes to fill the spectrum in your closet.
OK that's enough I think. Really though. Winter is rough for me. And I seriously do look for things to get me through it each year. I am thinking this year it will be centered around training - on the bike and running. Running has gotten me through winter before. This time I'd like to have a little more focus though. I still need to find something to motivate me and come up with some goals. I think numerous short goals will be best.
So perhaps I will come up with some goofy winter challenges in the next months. Hmmm...
Every year I struggle with winter. I am not a big fan. I appreciate the seasons changing and blabbity blah pretty white snow yaddah yaddah. But in reality, it is not a picture postcard season here in Cincinnati. It's a Nestle Quick chocolate milk spilled all over a slushy kind of scene. From November through March (and sometimes April) it's cold, dark and wet.
This year I've decided to embrace winter. Somehow. [sigh] So here's a list of what I don't like about winter, and how I think I can somehow (somehow!) embrace it. Set to the tone of a shallow women's magazine self help/great idea section.
Steph Writes: "There is too much darkness. I don't like rising out of bed when it's dark. I love opening my eyes to a dimly lit room as the sun is rising. The obvious remedy for this would be to get up later, when the sun is rising. Duh. But if I can't convince everyone to do that..."
Easy Fix! Buy some cute candles! On those dark days when you just have to get out bed and, you know, go to work and stuff, have some cute candles ready to be lit in the places you brush your teeth and wash your face. The bright orange flame will brighten your mood! Carry a favorite candle with you to the coffee maker and watch the flame flicker as you wait for the coffee to brew!!
Steph Writes: "It's always wet out with no snow. OK it's not always like that. But I hate it so much that those days overshadow the rest and I'm forced to talk in dramatic extremes about it."
Easy Fix! Get some cool galoshes! Wear your rubber boots on those particularly saturated days and instantly bring a smile to your face and memory of elementary school to your brain! Jump up and down in some slush and laugh with a co-worker about the pants you just ruined! Make sure you get multiple pairs/colors so you don't have to wear the same ones in a row!
Steph Writes: "Everything is drab. Trees are brown. The grass is brown. My hair is brown. Streets are brown-gray. The sky is gray. The mailman looks grumpy."
Easy Fix! Wear a rainbow! Be the color in the day by sporting rainbow sweaters, scarves and eyeshadow! Or, just a rainbow patch for your jeans! Rainbow fashion isn't in this year? That's OK- check your local Goodwill, where rainbow colors are always in season, and pick some clothes to fill the spectrum in your closet.
OK that's enough I think. Really though. Winter is rough for me. And I seriously do look for things to get me through it each year. I am thinking this year it will be centered around training - on the bike and running. Running has gotten me through winter before. This time I'd like to have a little more focus though. I still need to find something to motivate me and come up with some goals. I think numerous short goals will be best.
So perhaps I will come up with some goofy winter challenges in the next months. Hmmm...
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Columbus Marathon Spectatorship
This weekend is the 2010 Columbus Marathon...my first marathon that I completed last year. It's an interesting reflection. Sometimes I still have a hard time believing I did it.
This year, I'm going to Columbus not to race, but to watch my friend Erin walk the Half Marathon division of the race. She and her husband Roman (track buddy sometimes pictured on this blog), drove to Columbus last year to watch, cheer me on, and take awesome pictures...throughout the entire 26.2 miles. It was absolutely incredible. I am spoiled; they set the bar pretty high for cheering friends in future marathons!!
The weather is going to be pretty fantastic. It will be fun following Roman around to all the spots to see her. We haven't ironed out plans yet, but I assume that is what will happen. I'm also looking forward to being in the race environment. I wonder if I will wish I was out there doing the marathon again. I can at least very much look forward to my own half the following weekend...it's almost here!
This year, I'm going to Columbus not to race, but to watch my friend Erin walk the Half Marathon division of the race. She and her husband Roman (track buddy sometimes pictured on this blog), drove to Columbus last year to watch, cheer me on, and take awesome pictures...throughout the entire 26.2 miles. It was absolutely incredible. I am spoiled; they set the bar pretty high for cheering friends in future marathons!!
The weather is going to be pretty fantastic. It will be fun following Roman around to all the spots to see her. We haven't ironed out plans yet, but I assume that is what will happen. I'm also looking forward to being in the race environment. I wonder if I will wish I was out there doing the marathon again. I can at least very much look forward to my own half the following weekend...it's almost here!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Window View
This is what I get to look at all day while at work.
I love fall. And it is my favorite season to run in for sure.
I love fall. And it is my favorite season to run in for sure.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
First Fluid Spinflix
The other night I had my first Spinflix session on my bike in the new setup. I wanted to start the Battlestar Galactica series but realized that I haven't watched the DVD of the first episodes yet, which I believe set it all up. So instead I watched a claymation movie I've had in the cue for a while called Mary and Max. Netflix suggested it for me because of some other movies we've watched... and it was a great suggestion. I had to finish it up the following day during lunch.
In my opinion, it is a very very well done movie. Visually it was fantastic, and the story is pretty incredible too. It's one of those stories in which you discover you can see something of yourself. Nothing crazy deep or anything, just something you notice. The two characters are unlikely pen pals. There is a beautiful simplicity in how they happen to share the most matter-of-fact yet inadvertently intimate things with one another in their letters, and form a true bond of friendship. It's an absolutely beautiful depiction of love.
In my opinion, it is a very very well done movie. Visually it was fantastic, and the story is pretty incredible too. It's one of those stories in which you discover you can see something of yourself. Nothing crazy deep or anything, just something you notice. The two characters are unlikely pen pals. There is a beautiful simplicity in how they happen to share the most matter-of-fact yet inadvertently intimate things with one another in their letters, and form a true bond of friendship. It's an absolutely beautiful depiction of love.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Catchup. Or catsup. Or ketchup.
Well, I got an anonymous "crickets..." comment on my last entry. Hint taken. Guess it's time to get back to this blogging thing.
Recent race highlights...Powder Keg Trail Run was quite possibly the most fun I've ever had at a race (other than my marathon). I should still give a bit of a write-up to that before I forget it all.
Training... for the Cincinnati Half Marathon is going well. I was sick a couple of weekends ago and somehow kept a slog up to finish around 8 miles. Now 10 has been conquered at the fastest pace I've ever ran 10 miles.
Biking...I get a ride in when I can. I am trying to figure out what to do over the winter. Because I think I would like to do more biking next year.
Work...is busy. Nice and busy again. Not the greatest of projects, but the steady work is much appreciated and will hopefully allow for Fill Creative to gain some ground to be able to seek out some stuff we would like to do. Also, I have been trying to draw more, and was blissfully drawing regularly for a while. But it has been hard to fit it in recently. I'm hoping to fit it in again soon. The motivation is definitely there.
And now, because pictures make this blog better...
Wednesday night bowling.
The odd nubby things you could win in the claw game.
Recent race highlights...Powder Keg Trail Run was quite possibly the most fun I've ever had at a race (other than my marathon). I should still give a bit of a write-up to that before I forget it all.
Training... for the Cincinnati Half Marathon is going well. I was sick a couple of weekends ago and somehow kept a slog up to finish around 8 miles. Now 10 has been conquered at the fastest pace I've ever ran 10 miles.
Biking...I get a ride in when I can. I am trying to figure out what to do over the winter. Because I think I would like to do more biking next year.
Work...is busy. Nice and busy again. Not the greatest of projects, but the steady work is much appreciated and will hopefully allow for Fill Creative to gain some ground to be able to seek out some stuff we would like to do. Also, I have been trying to draw more, and was blissfully drawing regularly for a while. But it has been hard to fit it in recently. I'm hoping to fit it in again soon. The motivation is definitely there.
And now, because pictures make this blog better...
Wednesday night bowling.
The odd nubby things you could win in the claw game.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Posts!
Woah - it's been too long! I need to get back to posting on this thing. Perhaps with a different outlook also. I've tried to make this blog interesting through sharing my running and racing adventures. But the truth is the daily running stuff just isn't all that exciting. So I think I'm going to try to dive in a little deeper and see what else I'm thinking around the subject of running.
For now, I have a slight cold. The 10 mile run that was supposed to happen this weekend got cut short to about 8 and it was slow and very painful. I felt like I could have laid down at any time and just fallen asleep. We'll do 10 next week. There are 7 more weeks until the half marathon - woohoo!
That's it for now. The Powder Keg 5K race report is in the works!
For now, I have a slight cold. The 10 mile run that was supposed to happen this weekend got cut short to about 8 and it was slow and very painful. I felt like I could have laid down at any time and just fallen asleep. We'll do 10 next week. There are 7 more weeks until the half marathon - woohoo!
That's it for now. The Powder Keg 5K race report is in the works!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Training
A quick thought on my recent training...
So this week I'm doing well with training. I'm pushing since next week I'll have to taper a little for the duathlon. It's made me think about how hard I train/work in general. In the past, it just hasn't been very hard at all. I think that I thought I was doing what I should, but I have gotten to know my body a little better and have discovered that's not quite true. I've also discovered (not really a new discovery, more a reminder) that it's so much easier to push myself with other people around. It would have been difficult to push the way we did on the bikes Monday night, probably mostly because I would have just been a little bored. Same goes for running. Motivation is priceless.
So this week I'm doing well with training. I'm pushing since next week I'll have to taper a little for the duathlon. It's made me think about how hard I train/work in general. In the past, it just hasn't been very hard at all. I think that I thought I was doing what I should, but I have gotten to know my body a little better and have discovered that's not quite true. I've also discovered (not really a new discovery, more a reminder) that it's so much easier to push myself with other people around. It would have been difficult to push the way we did on the bikes Monday night, probably mostly because I would have just been a little bored. Same goes for running. Motivation is priceless.
I hope after the du to keep this level up and see what can happen.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
My Calves Have Rocks in Them
I was wondering what part of my legs would be sore from the stair workout Tuesday. Um, it's my calves, and it's ridiculous. I am having a hard time walking and going down stairs involves a funny side-stepping quick hop down to each step.
Christen and I walked to lunch today, which I'm sure helped the soreness. They felt good by the time we got there. It is .8 of a mile to walk to El Picante. We are devising a way to make it an even mile. This may be accomplished by walking in the opposite direction down the side street our office butts up to and then heading there down another side street...or we could do a bunch of laps around the building to get those two tenths in. Tee-hee.
I will be using the evil foam roller tonight. Yay.
Christen and I walked to lunch today, which I'm sure helped the soreness. They felt good by the time we got there. It is .8 of a mile to walk to El Picante. We are devising a way to make it an even mile. This may be accomplished by walking in the opposite direction down the side street our office butts up to and then heading there down another side street...or we could do a bunch of laps around the building to get those two tenths in. Tee-hee.
I will be using the evil foam roller tonight. Yay.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Plans...again
I probably do this too much on this blog, but I'm again trying to think out loud about what I want to do this season. Now back from vacation and with one duathlon done, it's time for some evaluation and training commitment. I think I've come to the decision that I don't want to do a fall marathon as I originally had planned. I think. Though I just had a conversation with Christen about Shaun's race this past weekend which made me want to do it again - argh! But I'm really having fun getting faster and thinking in a "sprint" mindset - be it 5Ks or duathlons. If I was going to do Columbus again this year, I would need to start training now. But I don't want to just focus on chugging though long distances right now. I could definitely see doing the Pig next spring though; train through the winter, take my time at is (because it is going to be a lot harder than flatsville Columbus).
Ok yes, this conversation with myself seems to be working... you're such a good listener, Blog.
So the next question is, do I want to try a triathlon? That means I'd have to join up at the community center and start trying to swim again. I've been wanting to do spinning again anyway, so that would be another reason to get a few more months in at the gym. Hmmm...
Some duathlons or triathlons I could do:
July 11th - Caesar's Creek
July 18th - Fit to Fight (in my backyard practically)
July 25th - downtown Cincinnati
Aug 2nd - East Fork
Hmmm...
I need redemption for Caesar's Creek. Last time I was there it was DNF. The Fit to Fight is really close to home. The Cincinnati one sounds fun and is downtown which is always fun. East Fork? Well it's beautiful out there...
Aside from those, I'd like to sprinkle some fun 5Ks in there and see about lowering my time! :) Those don't take too much planning thankfully.
Arrgh decisions! One thing I do know is I need to start tracking everything again. I need consistency.
Ok yes, this conversation with myself seems to be working... you're such a good listener, Blog.
So the next question is, do I want to try a triathlon? That means I'd have to join up at the community center and start trying to swim again. I've been wanting to do spinning again anyway, so that would be another reason to get a few more months in at the gym. Hmmm...
Some duathlons or triathlons I could do:
July 11th - Caesar's Creek
July 18th - Fit to Fight (in my backyard practically)
July 25th - downtown Cincinnati
Aug 2nd - East Fork
Hmmm...
I need redemption for Caesar's Creek. Last time I was there it was DNF. The Fit to Fight is really close to home. The Cincinnati one sounds fun and is downtown which is always fun. East Fork? Well it's beautiful out there...
Aside from those, I'd like to sprinkle some fun 5Ks in there and see about lowering my time! :) Those don't take too much planning thankfully.
Arrgh decisions! One thing I do know is I need to start tracking everything again. I need consistency.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Weekend
This weekend was the Flying Pig marathon. Back in October after the Columbus marathon, I definitely wanted to train for the Pig. But my IT band said otherwise, and as I've been whining on this blog for the past few months, I was side-lined and have been slowly been getting back to running without pain (and with some help from the Evil Foam Roller.) I would say I'm healed now, at least for normal distances. But I am going to be extra careful when I start to ramp up the mileage into marathon distances again. It was kind of rough knowing I couldn't participate, even for the half. I felt a little left out.
But it's OK - I am having a great time running regularly these days. Saturday I went out in the rain for what I think was about 3 miles. I don't care enough to fight the clunky Mapmyrun.com site to check for sure. It felt good and I felt strong, though I kind of faded at the end. Some highlights from the run: a girl in her front yard acting like a rooster (all by herself) and goose poop minefields - always fun.
This week I'd like to redeem my 35 mile ride that I bonked on and go with the group Monday night. It's supposed to be near 80! If it's dry, we'll go. Maybe give one of the new bike jerseys a try.
Right now the sky is a very eerie gray. I was looking forward to some cool thunderstorms this afternoon, after we were done playing disc golf. But they haven't really happened, and it's just soggy out. Man I love thunderstorms. Maybe they'll happen tonight after it's dark and I can watch the lightning light up the room.
But it's OK - I am having a great time running regularly these days. Saturday I went out in the rain for what I think was about 3 miles. I don't care enough to fight the clunky Mapmyrun.com site to check for sure. It felt good and I felt strong, though I kind of faded at the end. Some highlights from the run: a girl in her front yard acting like a rooster (all by herself) and goose poop minefields - always fun.
This week I'd like to redeem my 35 mile ride that I bonked on and go with the group Monday night. It's supposed to be near 80! If it's dry, we'll go. Maybe give one of the new bike jerseys a try.
Right now the sky is a very eerie gray. I was looking forward to some cool thunderstorms this afternoon, after we were done playing disc golf. But they haven't really happened, and it's just soggy out. Man I love thunderstorms. Maybe they'll happen tonight after it's dark and I can watch the lightning light up the room.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Rainy Monday
The tree outside my window is moving vigorously this morning. It looks blustery outside. The weather makes me want to be productive though - get a lot done inside since I won't be going outside. Today I am sore. I am not sure exactly what from...disc golf and running faster than I normally run on Saturday perhaps. Oh and maybe from the few push-ups I did on Saturday? Yes, I do think it is probably from the dang push-ups! I need to do them daily!!!!! In fact, I am hereby setting forth a push-up challenge for myself. I'll start with the wall ones. 50 a day. In combination with that I'll add on real pushups too. I'll do as many as I can, which is probably two. I need upper body strength. It is crazy how disproportionate my body strength is. So, yeah - challenge on!
I was finally contacted by Girls on the Run and will be running their GOTR 5K with one of the girls on May 8th! I'm excited, it should be fun. And it hopefully will lead to more opportunities working with them. I am sending in my background check form and will register for the race today. Then in the next weeks I will get details about being the running buddy!
My studio is creaking in the wind. I still look forward to a good thunderstorm while here.
I was finally contacted by Girls on the Run and will be running their GOTR 5K with one of the girls on May 8th! I'm excited, it should be fun. And it hopefully will lead to more opportunities working with them. I am sending in my background check form and will register for the race today. Then in the next weeks I will get details about being the running buddy!
My studio is creaking in the wind. I still look forward to a good thunderstorm while here.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Day of Rest
Well, I didn't get out on the long run I was hoping for today. I am pretty sore from sprinting during kickball yesterday (!?). My hips are pretty tight so I decided to just take a day off. Plus I'm just absolutely exhausted. Really really worn out. I've enjoyed relaxing this evening.
I found that Blogger allows you to do tabs now. I am not sure what all to put up on my tabs. Right now there are two: Goals and This Week. Goals is what I've written as my recent goals. And This Week is a list view of what I've done with for the week. I can go in and change it every week. It's just nice to see the week all together. I track my workouts on LogYourRun.com, but it's kind of clunky and this will be a nice, easily accessible snapshot of the week. I thought about putting my times for races I've done, just so I can see everything together and use those times as benchmarks... but that is kind of embarrassing so I'm not sure I want to do that. I don't know what else to put on the tabs for now, but if I think of anything cool I will add it.
Tomorrow I have a lot to do, but I don't have any meetings or deadlines, so it's my own time. I am going to get up and go for a run...perhaps the longish one I talked about in my earlier post. It will probably be raining, but oh well.
I found that Blogger allows you to do tabs now. I am not sure what all to put up on my tabs. Right now there are two: Goals and This Week. Goals is what I've written as my recent goals. And This Week is a list view of what I've done with for the week. I can go in and change it every week. It's just nice to see the week all together. I track my workouts on LogYourRun.com, but it's kind of clunky and this will be a nice, easily accessible snapshot of the week. I thought about putting my times for races I've done, just so I can see everything together and use those times as benchmarks... but that is kind of embarrassing so I'm not sure I want to do that. I don't know what else to put on the tabs for now, but if I think of anything cool I will add it.
Tomorrow I have a lot to do, but I don't have any meetings or deadlines, so it's my own time. I am going to get up and go for a run...perhaps the longish one I talked about in my earlier post. It will probably be raining, but oh well.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday Morning
ZOMG this entire week looks like it's going to be absolutely beautiful! I hope maybe I can take some time off to enjoy it a little bit. The front beds of the house are crazy weedy/messy. It would be best to get to it now before everything gets mega-established.
I have yet to make my list for the day. Letting the coffee sink in slowly, lol. Here's to a lot of energy to get a lot accomplished today. There is ongoing work, and then there's a lot to figure out with the business. It is a sunny day, which is nice. I feel like the leaves have come in so suddenly – my view of the park across the street is pretty restricted now. I wonder if the leaves on the big trees outside my window will have an effect on the light in my studio. Right now it looks like this.
I have my space heater on this morning, it was chilly when I got here. But it will definitely warm up this afternoon with the sun. I'm looking forward to a bike ride this evening.
Off to productivity.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Week
Often time seems to change its pace, and I don't know how the days pass so quickly. That is what last week feels like to me.
This past week hasn't been too great on the exercise front, so I have some work to do this week. I am hoping to go on the long group bike ride Monday night. Hopefully I'll get a few good runs in too, including Track Tuesday. Tomorrow is the Boston Marathon, so I am going to follow the couple of people I know that are doing it.
Tonight I got an email from the Girls on the Run Running Buddy Coordinator. She explained the next steps I need to do to become a running buddy for the 5K race that is May 8th. I thought that maybe I just didn't get in since it was late in the season kind of, but looks like I may get to be partnered up with someone for the race, and I also might be able to do one of the practice training runs with the girl. So I need to fill out some paperwork for a background check and then I'll hopefully be paired up.
This past week hasn't been too great on the exercise front, so I have some work to do this week. I am hoping to go on the long group bike ride Monday night. Hopefully I'll get a few good runs in too, including Track Tuesday. Tomorrow is the Boston Marathon, so I am going to follow the couple of people I know that are doing it.
Tonight I got an email from the Girls on the Run Running Buddy Coordinator. She explained the next steps I need to do to become a running buddy for the 5K race that is May 8th. I thought that maybe I just didn't get in since it was late in the season kind of, but looks like I may get to be partnered up with someone for the race, and I also might be able to do one of the practice training runs with the girl. So I need to fill out some paperwork for a background check and then I'll hopefully be paired up.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Kickball!
Tonight is our first kickball game - woohoo!
I am super looking forward to it, think it will be a lot of fun. I haven't played kickball in years. I have very fond memories of elementary school kickball games at recess. I think sometimes we started planning it before we even went outside. I recall running out to the wooden shed that was right outside the back door. The shed was where we had band, and I think maybe other stuff was held in there.
In this photo, the shed is gone. (Found these pictures on Facebook!) The shed would be about where the cars are, starting at the left most vehicle and going to probably the car between the vans.
We would line up on the side of the shed that faced out towards the playground and pick teams. The home base was on the right side of the photo. There were yellow square bases painted on the parking lot.
Another pic of the back of the school. And that short wall on the left was the wall you stood on if your name was on the board with 2 checks! :)
After picking teams, we'd take our positions and play. Craig Schauer was always one of the best. And Marvin was good too. I'm not sure how many girls played freely at recess, but I know me and my friend Krista would play. I think I remember that sometimes a group would already be playing. Can't remember if we joined their teams or just did something else. We used to play in gym class as well. It seems like it was always a free day kind of activity, rather than part of a unit. I remember playing inside in the gym, I suppose when it was raining. It was always a big deal to kick the ball so hard and high that you hit the ceiling and made some of it fall down. It was coated with that mustard-yellow insulation-looking stuff.
Here's a picture of the gym, not a very good one though. But you can kind of see the ceiling, and just how tiny it is! Note the little rows of bleachers on the left. We ate lunch in the half of the gym shown here. That wooden floor was awesome. I remember playing floor scooter hockey in the gym and getting my fingers pinched a lot.
Anyway, kickball rocks! I wonder if elementary school memories will just come flooding back into my head after the first kick.... ;)
I am super looking forward to it, think it will be a lot of fun. I haven't played kickball in years. I have very fond memories of elementary school kickball games at recess. I think sometimes we started planning it before we even went outside. I recall running out to the wooden shed that was right outside the back door. The shed was where we had band, and I think maybe other stuff was held in there.
In this photo, the shed is gone. (Found these pictures on Facebook!) The shed would be about where the cars are, starting at the left most vehicle and going to probably the car between the vans.
We would line up on the side of the shed that faced out towards the playground and pick teams. The home base was on the right side of the photo. There were yellow square bases painted on the parking lot.
Another pic of the back of the school. And that short wall on the left was the wall you stood on if your name was on the board with 2 checks! :)
After picking teams, we'd take our positions and play. Craig Schauer was always one of the best. And Marvin was good too. I'm not sure how many girls played freely at recess, but I know me and my friend Krista would play. I think I remember that sometimes a group would already be playing. Can't remember if we joined their teams or just did something else. We used to play in gym class as well. It seems like it was always a free day kind of activity, rather than part of a unit. I remember playing inside in the gym, I suppose when it was raining. It was always a big deal to kick the ball so hard and high that you hit the ceiling and made some of it fall down. It was coated with that mustard-yellow insulation-looking stuff.
Here's a picture of the gym, not a very good one though. But you can kind of see the ceiling, and just how tiny it is! Note the little rows of bleachers on the left. We ate lunch in the half of the gym shown here. That wooden floor was awesome. I remember playing floor scooter hockey in the gym and getting my fingers pinched a lot.
Anyway, kickball rocks! I wonder if elementary school memories will just come flooding back into my head after the first kick.... ;)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Track Tuesday.
I am fueled with pasta and water for what I hope to be a very good workout this evening.
I walked into downtown for some lunch at the Works. It was good - Vegetarian Wearing a Bowtie is the pasta dish I ate. I downed two glasses of water and tried to surf some unreliable interwebs connection before heading back to the lonely studio. If the interwebs had been working, I could have stayed there all afternoon and worked. They were blaring a great Sirius channel and had the garage door open, so there was plenty of fresh (pollen-filled) air.
It is a gorgeous day. The empty planter boxes along the bridge across the river reminded me that this is a very nice early spring we're having - it's not even May!
This is a piece of the park that I have a partial view of from my studio window. It suddenly is very much in bloom.
The bits of pollen-carriers cast off from the trees fell in nice randomness on this bench.
Tonight I think I will do 100s again. I did 8 last time, so maybe this time I'll see about 10. And see about making them all 22 seconds. There isn't such a strong wind this week- yay!
I walked into downtown for some lunch at the Works. It was good - Vegetarian Wearing a Bowtie is the pasta dish I ate. I downed two glasses of water and tried to surf some unreliable interwebs connection before heading back to the lonely studio. If the interwebs had been working, I could have stayed there all afternoon and worked. They were blaring a great Sirius channel and had the garage door open, so there was plenty of fresh (pollen-filled) air.
It is a gorgeous day. The empty planter boxes along the bridge across the river reminded me that this is a very nice early spring we're having - it's not even May!
This is a piece of the park that I have a partial view of from my studio window. It suddenly is very much in bloom.
The bits of pollen-carriers cast off from the trees fell in nice randomness on this bench.
Tonight I think I will do 100s again. I did 8 last time, so maybe this time I'll see about 10. And see about making them all 22 seconds. There isn't such a strong wind this week- yay!
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