Thursday, January 29, 2009

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.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

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

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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

Sunday, January 18, 2009

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

Monday, January 12, 2009

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

Sunday, January 11, 2009

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

Thursday, January 8, 2009

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

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

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

Monday, January 5, 2009

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

Saturday, January 3, 2009

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

Friday, January 2, 2009

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! :-)