So much to do, so little time

Geez, the weekend came and went and Matty still doesn't have a bedroom.

Tim and I worked our heineys off this weekend, moving furniture, installing a ceiling fan and wiring our living room for cable in order to get the living room put together. It is mostly finished now, but we still have to move our old futon out and put our DVDs on the shelves we purchased. The room looks really nice, but now it will be an uphill battle to keep the kids from messing it up.

Meanwhile, our family room, which will soon be the office/playroom, is not even close to being done. We just didn't have time to do any more this weekend. So it looks like next weekend we'll have to do some more work to get that room set up and get Matty's room ready.

Of course, our projects didn't all turn out to be as easy as we'd planned. Take the cable wiring, for example. We had to run a cable from the outside box to our living room. It meant we'd have to drill a hole in two walls to run the wire through. Not a difficult task, right? It shouldn't have been, but we didn't know there was a cable in the wall right where we ended up drilling a hole to the outside. So we accidentally severed the entire cable that hooked up in the family room. So half our day was spent fixing that and running the new wire to the living room.

The second half of the day was spent installing the ceiling fan. Why do ceiling fan companies have to make installing their fans such a huge pain in the ass? Seriously, after screwing the 1,104th screw in place and getting frustrated after one fell in the casing, I told Tim that I was glad we didn't do this for a living. He laughed and said if we did, we wouldn't be married. So true. Installing fans for a living is way too stressful. But after what seemed like forever, the fan is up and looks beautiful.

Of course, all this work meant my study date with Kristen was called off and so was our run. But have no fear, as Kristen and I will meet tomorrow afternoon to study and run. I can't wait to try out my new running shoes. :-)

I am taking my tired, sore butt to bed. Night, everyone.

Gonna be busy this weekend

So not only am I going to get my new running kicks this weekend, but Tim and I will also be working on moving a few of our rooms around to create a bedroom for Matty. Finally!!! He has been in our room since his birth more than 18 months ago. I want my room back!

So we're going to move our TV room from the back family room to our front living room, move the office to the family room (which will also become a playroom for the kids), and move Matty's stuff into the former office, which is really a third bedroom.

We likely won't get it all done this weekend, since I want to rent a Rug Doctor and clean the carpets. I also have a study date on Sunday because time is ticking away before my next test. My goal this weekend is to get the family room furniture into the front room. If that goes done this weekend, I will be happy.

Today's stats:
Stationary bike:
Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 7.44 miles

Saturday!

That is the day I am getting my new Mizunos!!! Yeah!!!

Just in time for my Sunday run, which I will be doing with my friend/biology lab partner Kristen. She used to run a few years ago but hasn't in a while. We were talking about it yesterday, and she decided she'd like to run with me. So we're going to study for our test on Sunday and follow that with a run.

I did manage another short run today. It was cold out, so I had to bundle the kids and myself up, but it was otherwise pretty good, albeit slow. I just can't wait to get those new shoes.

Today's stats:
Run (with loaded stroller):
Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 35:25
Pace: 11:25 minute/mile

I need new shoes

I ran again today. I couldn't resist the awesome weather! Did a little jaunt with Matty in the jogging stroller to pick Kara up from school. Needless to say, the return trip was a lot more difficult since I had more than double the kiddie weight I had on the way down.

But the run was still good. I have now run five days since last Tuesday. That is pretty good for me! Of course I have been keeping the mileage shorter, but it's still good.

I realized today that I need new running shoes desperately. I've had these since February and they are getting really worn. I am hoping to have a new pair before the new year starts.

I have class tonight, so that's all for now. :-)

Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 33:47
Pace: 10:54 minute/mile

Now I can relax. Sort of.

After several nights of researching, writing and editing, I finally finished my biology semester project paper! It is such a relief to have it done.

But our next test is coming up in 10 days, so I can't really relax yet. Actually, I don't think I'll be able to relax until the semester is over.

I ran again today. The weather was spectacular for November: sunny and warm. Everyone in Fortuna seemed to be outside today, doing yard work or exercising. It was nice.

I am going to try to up my mileage on the weekends slowly, and probably keep my week runs between three and four miles for now. I don't want to burn out again thinking I have to keep up with other runners. I am going to do my own thing and enjoy it.

Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: four miles
Time: 44:30
Pace: 11:07 minute/mile

Still chipping away...

...at my semester project. I am about 1/2 through now. Yay! But I won't feel relieved until it is done!

Despite the project, I managed another run this evening as it was getting dark. I like to call them my twilight runs. :-) My mantra right now is quality over quantity (in miles each time, that is), and tonight was another good one. I am so happy that loving feeling is returning to my running. For a while, it felt like the spark was gone. ;-)

Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 27:21
Pace: 10:56 minute/mile

Change of seasons

I love this time of the year. It is getting so cold here now that I wear a sweatshirt when I run in the evenings, like tonight. The only bummer is my evening runs will be coming to an end after this weekend thanks to the end of daylight savings time. I don't like running in the dark (I scare easily, LOL), so I will be sticking to daytime runs until spring.

Tonight's run was very nice. I took it nice and easy, not running as hard as I know I can. It felt like a nice, relaxed pace. Running slower allowed me to enjoy the scenery on my route, which was nice. I noticed the fog rolling in as dusk approached, the smoke wafting from chimneys, people rummaging at a huge yard sale. Things I wouldn't normally pay attention to during a faster run. I think part of the reason I was feeling burned out on running was because it had turned into a chore to just get faster and not enjoy the journey, you know? I want to enjoy the journey again, and if it means running slower more often, then so be it. :-)

Oh, and I want to add one more thing: I am sorry I haven't been posting on my fellow runner's blogs lately. I have been so busy the past few weeks and haven't spent much time on my own blog. I have a semester project rough draft due on Monday for my biology class and that is sucking my time away. Well, that and the kids, chores, sleep, etc. Hope you all understand and I promise to comment on your blogs when I have the chance! :-)

Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: 3.54 miles
Time: 40 minutes
Pace: 11:17 minute/mile