Kara got a new bed!

Well, not a new mattress, but a new daybed frame!! I found it on Craigslist the other day and picked it up last night. Took me a while to get it together today, but I did and it's really cute!

Here are a couple pics of her in the new daybed (she just had to jump right in):





Today is supposed to be a run day, but I think I'll do it tomorrow instead. I'm just not feeling motivated to run for some reason. Probably because I'm too tired from fighting with that daybed! I will shoot for an ellipitical workout instead.

Bits and pieces

My dad has noticed I haven't been blogging much lately. I haven't really felt like it. Thanks, Facebook! That's where I've been spending a big chunk of my online time. But here are a few bits and pieces of what's been going on:

1) I turned in my nursing school application yesterday. Now I have to wait until at least March to find out if I get in this fall or if I have to wait until falll of 2010. I seriously hope I don't have to wait.

2) I still haven't signed up for the marathon yet, but I will. I have until Feb. 28 to sign up for the current price, so expect an update on that within the month.

3) I have been running still, despite not feeling the greatest lately. I have been trying everything to stay well, including using a sinus irrigation treatment that my friend Kristen turned me on to. I can breathe better and I've only used it a couple times.

4) My online nutrition class has been going well. It is super strange not going to an actual classroom, though. I miss my face-time with other adults.

5) We've borrowed a Wii from Tim's co-worker. Damn, that thing is another great time-waster. It's so much freakin' fun, though. Even Kara loves to bowl on it. She's really good, too!

That's about it for now. I will leave off with my stats for the past week or so.

Thursday's stats:
Elliptical:
Time: 20 minutes

Sunday's stats:
Run:
Distance: 5 miles

Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: 3.5 miles

Marathon

Geez, that's a scary word.

Why am I so intimidated by it? Maybe because I know it's 26.2 miles. That's a lot.

But here I am, contemplating whether I want to try my first marathon in May.

OMG. What am I thinking?

Maybe it's because I'm starting to feel good about running again. I've had a pretty good month so far and have been sticking to my HM training plan.

Maybe it's because I want a (HUGE) challenge.

Maybe I am nuts.

But whatever. I am mulling over throwing my hat in the ring for the marathon at the Avenue of the Giants. If I chicken out, I still have the HM. I would hope if I decide to go for it (and train for it) that I won't chicken out!!

So for those of you who have run a full marathon before, how hard of a choice was it to commit to it? Was it worth it? Would you do it again? I guess I just need some advice from people who have been there, done that.

Yesterday's stats:
Elliptical:
Time: 30 minutes

Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: 3.75 miles

Kara lost her second tooth today

Imagine that! On the eve of her fifth birthday.

The tooth fairy is going to be busy with this child.

I took a pic, but I'm too lazy (and tired) to load it tonight.

I will update my stats, however. The HM training is going really well!!

Tuesday's stats:
Run:
Distance: 3 miles

Thursday's stats:
Elliptical:
Time: 30 minutes

Friday's stats:
Run:
Distance: 3 miles

Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: 4.25 miles

The great time waster, part 2

So I have recently become addicted to Facebook. I have reconnected with a lot of former co-workers and classmates on that site. Talk about a time waster! But it's so freakin' addictive that I can't help myself. So if anyone still reads this blog (and is not already my friend on there), give me a holler so I can add you. :-)

Tomorrow is an early-morning run, so I'd better get to bed eventually.

Today's stats:
Stretch and strengthen
10 reps x 2 sets of: overhead curls, squats, abs, bicep curl, tricep curl, rows and pull-ups

The great time waster

Thanks to Marcy for passing along this awesome time-wasting Web site (yes, I am aware she posted it a couple months ago now, but I am slowly trying to catch up on my blog reading).

Just thought I'd share the results.

Me (on my way to a KISS concert, no doubt):




Tim:



Kara:




Matty:



My dad (John; circa 1960s, apparently):



My mom (Linda):



And my sister (Valerie, which looks a lot like Tim when he has facial hair):



Looks like a few of us went over to Thailand for gender reassignment. Because, as you can see, this is a totally accurate representation of the human race, in general. ;-)

Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 44:33
Pace: 11:08 minute/mile

Yeah, I really am slower in the dark

Today was another pre-dawn run. This time, the dark was accompanied by rain. Fun, fun.

I definitely run slower in the dark. I am pretty sure it's because I am afraid of tripping and falling. So I am extra cautious in the dark. That's OK. At least I am out there getting my workout done.

Today called for three miles. That is what I did. Came home soaked with rain and sweat. Guess that's the sign of a good run. :-)

Tomorrow's a rest day, according to the program. I think I will take advantage of that!

Yesterday's stats:
Elliptical:
Time: 30 minutes

Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: 3 miles

Up before the roosters

I woke up at 6 a.m. today to get ready for my run. First let me say that 6 is really, really early for me. Apparently it's too early for the sun, as well. I ate breakfast, got dressed and sat around for 40 minutes, hoping the sun would start to rise. Nope.

So I grabbed a flashlight and headed out into the dark, misty air. I am not a fan of darkness (at least being out in it by myself), so I guess I was being brave. After about 1/2 mile I started feeling OK about being out so early. Just then I encountered another runner going the opposite direction. He was the only person out that time of the morning, but it was nice to know I wasn't alone.

It wasn't until the last 3/4 mile that I heard a rooster crow in a backyard of a home in the subdivision I was running in. It was now dawn and I was able to turn my flashlight off, but all I could think was how annoying it would be to live next to that guy with the crowing rooster.

The run itself was a bit slower than Saturday's, but that was mainly because it was so dark even with a flashlight and I didn't want to trip. The HM training program called for three miles today, but I ran 3.25 miles because I was too far from home at the end of three (I had to get back here quickly to get Kara up for school so Tim could take her).

I am planning to do my weekday runs early in the morning so I can have the rest of my day free. The nice thing is it's only 8:20 now and I am totally done working out for the day! And I feel *awake* for once!

Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: 3.25
Time: 36:10
Pace: 11:10 minute/mile

First "official" day of HM training!

Today kicked off the "official" start of my HM training. I am following the Hal Higdon novice HM training schedule, which I (loosely) followed before I ran my first HM last May. I like it because it's simple.

Today called for stretch and strengthening. So I stretched and used my Total Bodyworks strength training machine (for the first time in about 11 months, LOL). It was a nice, low-key workout. Tomorrow morning calls for a three-mile run. I am hoping I can get up really early and get it done before Tim goes to work and Kara goes to school. I really need to start doing my workouts in the morning, because waiting the whole day to do it is a drag. I have to train myself to be a "morning person" (or just fake like I am). My HM starts at 8 a.m., and I will have to get up really early just to get there. Better start preparing my body now!

Today's stats:
Stretching before and after workout
Strength (10 reps, 2 sets): overhead pull, squats, abs, bicep curl, tricep curl, seated row

HM training has started!

Today was a perfect day for a run. Partly sunny yet crisp, with the temperature in the mid-40s and only a slight breeze.

I bundled up and headed out, planning to run about 2.5 miles (my "official" day of the HM training program is Monday, but I figured I'd use the weekend to get a head-start). I ended up going three miles instead. I had some new tunes on my iPod which, when coupled with the weather, made for a wonderful time. It felt so good to get back out there and have a good run. I am still woefully slow again, but I am not worried about that, as I will get faster again. I am just glad to be back at it.

Oh, and I think I want to switch things up this year, race-wise. I have become accustomed to doing several small races, both in distance and participant numbers (I did eight of them last year). This year, I want to do a few big races and maybe one or two small ones. I think that will keep me from getting bored.

So, if I have my way, I will be doing three HMs this year: the Shamrock'n HM in Sacramento (March), the Avenue of the Giants in Weott (May) and the San Jose Rock 'n' Roll HM (October). The last one is kind of a dream right now, but I hope I can make it a reality if my schedule allows me to. If I can't swing that one, I will probably do the Humboldt Redwoods HM in October.

Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: three miles
Time: 32:35
Pace: 10:52 minute/mile

Now they can drive themselves to kindergarten

Just sharing a couple pics of the kids' new rides, courtesy of Santa. Yeah, the big guy pulled through this year, despite the crummy economy. The pics were taken today, as we had a brief break in the rain.

Tomorrow will (hopefully!) be the start of HM training. See ya'll then! :-)