a day of rest

Well, I've racked up 14mi so far this week. Feeling pretty good about that! Tomorrow will be my long run (7.4mi) so I'm taking today off. Instead I have some grocery shopping to do, maybe stop at the Apple Store, possibly head over to Sports Authority....

I joined Nike+ online , which I thought was going to be a place where I could just plug in my miles and times but it turns out that in order to log in runs you have to get this gadget that syncs with an iPod. It logs how many miles, your time, mile splits, and you can download music that matches your speed. Which I guess is pretty cool...I haven't gotten it before because I thought you needed to use it with Nike shoes (which I don't like). In recent reviews, though, it turns out you can use it with any shoe you want! Very exciting... So this is the reason behind the visit to the Apple Store.

I've also read that it will be very helpful on long runs (like over an hour and more) to bring along a supply of power packed bars, GU and drinks. I've wondered how I could bring all this stuff along with me. I mean, I don't like to carry anything when I run...even carrying my iPod throws me off. :) Well, in some online hunting I found out that most runners wear...fanny packs! Oh dear. Not to fear, there are some pretty sweet ones out there that are sleek and wicking and all that good stuff. I refuse to revert to the style of fanny pack that was popular in the early '90s. (I distinctly remember having one that was neon green...) And this is the reason behind the visit to Sports Authority.

Also in this post, I've learned how to link things...so enjoy visiting the gmap-pedometer map of my long run tomorrow as well as the Nike+ site. :)

luck o' the irish

I got another 5mi in at the gym last night.  That's about all I can do on the treadmill.  It's getting increasingly boring to run inside but until it gets a bit warmer and lighter outside, I'm afraid I'm stuck.

I've got another race scheduled.  This one is in South Boston on St. Patrick's Day.  Which should be VERY interesting.  For those of you who don't know, Southie is a very Irish neighborhood and they take St. Paddy's day very seriously.  The race is scheduled right before the parade and I believe it is on the same route.  Again...this should be interesting!!  It's a 5K (3.1mi) so it should be a fast easy course.  I'm hoping for under 30min for this race...we'll see if the luck o' the Irish is with me...  

This Saturday I'm hoping to get a 7miler in.  It works out that if I just run to the lake, around it twice then head home, that is 7mi.  Perfect.  Now to check the weather...  Daylight Savings is coming soon and that will help with getting outside after work for a run.  In fact, next Tuesday, I'm thinking of joining a group from the running store in Lexington for their group run.  They do it every Tuesday and go for a 3-6mi loop in the neighborhood.  Should be fun and a great way to meet new runners and hopefully get some good training tips.  :)

Hoping for another three tonight after hanging out with Andy and Dawn after work.  

the marathon guy

Today has been a really great day!  I got up early to do a video shoot for something at church which took just over an hour to film.  It's for a sermon series on the Lord's Prayer so I had to say it over and over and over then try and really make it my own and think about the words I was saying.  (Let me just say here that praying out loud is not something that makes me super comfortable, let alone doing it in front of the whole church...)  Not only did they film me doing this, they filmed me about 5 inches from my face....in Hi-def.   They say it looks good...and it's not about how I look anyway, although if I look terrible, it could detract from the words...anyway, it doesn't matter.  I had fun doing it.  Even when they wanted a close up of just my eye. :)

In training terms, it has also been a really great day!  The forecasted sunny and 40deg was sort of right...it's sunny, windy (very!) and about 35deg.  Still a good day to run outside.  Earlier this week I mapped out a 6.2mi run on Google's handy pedometer and mentally prepared myself to make it the entire way.  I've run this route many times and the last mile has some challenging hills, mostly challenging b/c they are at the end of the run!  I didn't get a chance to get any mileage in on Thurs or Fri so my body was really ready to go this morning.  I am pleased to share that I did the 6.2mi in 60min.  That is just barely under 10min miles...which is right where I like to run.

The best part about the run was around mile 1.5 when I saw this guy coming up to pass me.  It turned out to be this guy that I have seen run for years around the lake with me...usually around Boston Marathon time.  He is totally a marathon runner by the looks of him!  Anyway, he turned around to make eye contact and said hello, indicating that he remembered me too (I usually smile and wave to most of the runners I see but this guy was always really nice).  So, he passed me and that was fine but it turns out he takes a slightly different route than I do and he came up behind me again, passed me with another hello then slowed himself down to a pace that was perfect for me.  This guy paced me for about a mile before stopping to chat with another fellow lake runner.  I wondered if he knew what he was doing and did it on purpose...I'm quite sure he did as he could probably hear me behind him (he doesn't listen to music or use any headphones when he runs).  

It was just kind of cool to have this guy 1. remember me 2. make a point to say hello, twice!, and 3. pace me (whether he knew he did it or not).  Thanks, Marathon-Guy!!!

living up to it's name

I realize it's been quite some time since my last post.  But I want you all to know that doesn't mean I haven't been training!  Quite the opposite.  I've been working very hard at getting my mileage up for some weeks over 20.  Wahoo!

I have made some pretty big goals for myself and I am going to do whatever it takes to reach them.  Last week, I registered for two big races.  The Boston Run to Remember on May 24th.  This is a half marathon (13.1 miles) through parts of downtown Boston and along the Cambridge side of the Charles River.  It is a really fun race that I did a couple of years ago.  

While I'm excited about that race, I will be using that as a launching run for some serious training as I have signed up to run the Chicago Marathon on Oct 11th.  There is really no going back now that I've registered!  I am nervous and excited and scouring the internet for training tips and schedules and any kind of info I can get my hands on.  The best part about this marathon is that I have two really good friends running it as well.  It's close to my family so my parents will be able to come down to see the finish...  It's going to be such a fun weekend!  I can honestly say, I think even the running will be fun.  :)  I'm a glutton for punishment, I suppose.  

So, there you go.  I'm finally going to live up to my blog name!  Training-wise, I'm up to 5miles at the gym (which seriously is getting SO boring and I really can't wait for spring....) and this weekend will be my 6mile run outside.  Saturday is looking to be a perfect day for it, 40 and sunny.  Just right.  

black ice and sin

The weather this winter has not been mild, to say the least. And yesterday we had yet another winter storm. This one came in the forms of snow, hail, rain and freezing rain over the course of the day. Since I was staying in Lexington all day, until 8:30pm or so, I figured it wouldn't affect me much as it was supposed to be easing up by mid-evening.

So it surprised me when I walked out of the church building (intending to go to the gym) and the parking lot was like an ice skating rink! Between 5pm and 8pm there had been more freezing rain that covered cars, the parking lot and the roads with a thin but very slippery coat of ice. As I was scraping off my car, I thought it would probably be best to just go home on the highway as that would most certainly have been salted and sanded and therefore would be less treacherous than the back roads I take to the gym.

But when I got to the corner to take a left (home) or right (gym) I took the right, thinking the road crews were out, it couldn't be that bad! Well, it was... I went only 30mph the entire way to the gym terrified that I was going to spin out. And on my way home I saw a salt truck trying to get up a very slight incline with much difficulty. It was so slick that even those who were trying to do their job and be helpful were finding it tricky.

I've heard it said "them" talk about the slippery slope of sin. It has always made sense to me...but until you feel your car spinning out of control or your feel slide right out from under you it might seem more like a cliche than an actual true analogy. Like black ice, sin tricks you. Makes you think everything is just fine...and then all of a sudden our lives or relationships are spinning out of control and we are left near or at rock bottom.

The only way to prevent sliding on black ice to be careful, take your time and learn from others. Preventing the slide into sin is similar...be careful to know what you're getting into. Take time to get into God's word everyday and spend time with him. Learn from those around you how to make living out faith an everyday activity and let them challenge you in how you're growing.

This is not meant to be a preachy post. I say these things because I've been there...I've been at the bottom and felt like maybe there wasn't a way out. But there always is because I have a Father who doesn't give up on me. And who loves me unconditionally and with out reservation. And for whom I am thankful everyday.

riley the retriever

I've heard the rumors about tons of people joining the gym in January in the hopes of keeping their New Year's resolutions to finally drop that 10 pounds that just won't go away.  Being that I've never really been to the gym myself in January, I didn't hold much stock in that...until tonight.  

Every single treadmill at the gym was in use along with nearly every eliptical.  Jennifer (who, hooray!, joined my gym) was to be meeting me there tonight so we could talk while working out...but there was no two machines next to each other!  Craziness.  Usually when I get to the gym at 5:30pm there is hardly anyone there.  But, it's January after all.

One more random thing from today:  For a couple of years now, I have seen a couple walk this beautiful dog.  A huge golden retriever.  They are the most dedicated dogwalkers I have ever seen.  They walk this dog in the rain, snow, freezing cold, and the hottest, muggiest days.  Mornings, afternoons, evenings...this dog gets more walks, he's probably the envy of all his dog friends.  

So today after walking over to my landlord's house to pay the rent (yes, I know it's the 6th...), here comes the dog and the couple.  I stepped onto the sidewalk behind them and the dog swung around and nuzzled right into me.  I couldn't help myself from saying how I had seen them for years and thought how dedicated they were at walking their dog, who's name turns out to be Riley and he's a 90lb golden.  The husband jokingly asked if I would like to walk him for them and I said I'd be happy to run with him!!  I gave Riley a few more rubs and scratches and the couple continued their dogwalking, I returned to my house.

I tell this story because for years I have lived in this neighborhood and I know not one of my neighbors.  I think that is sad.  Pastor Bryan in his sermon yesterday said we as Christians should greet others warmly and show hospitality.  Well, Paul says to greet one another with a Holy kiss...but that just isn't happening.  Anyway, as I listened I felt like it wasn't just the people that I go to church with that I should be treating that way, but also my neighbors, the people who work across the hall from me (they aren't Grace Chapel people), the cashiers and baggers at the grocery store....  Being hospitable and greeting people warmly go a long way!  A must do for all those who love Him.

 

in the spirit

What a weekend! If I wasn't in the Christmas spirit before, I am now after a weekend of non-stop Christmas activities! (Thankfully I was able to sneak a run in on Saturday...)

Here's the rundown of the Christmasy activities with a few pics below:
1) watched The Grinch (Jim Carrey version) with friends on Friday Night.
2) Saturday, Amanda, Alisha and I went to see The Nutcracker at the Opera House in Boston. One of my 6th graders was Clara (the main girl)!
3) the Middle School staff Christmas party following the ballet. Asiana Bistro catered the food...so good! I won the movie, Elf, in the Yankee Swap...can't wait to watch it!
3.5) the first snow fell on Sunday morning. Here is a view from inside my car. :)
4) Sunday, my small group had a gingerbread house decorating party. Two hours of candy, chaos and serious decorating. Can you see the concentration on those faces??And here is my little house. :) Gumdrop roof, peppermint fence and a blond haired, blue eyed gingerbread girl. (of course!)

5) the High School staff Christmas party following the gingerbread party. The theme of the Yankee Swap was pens...there were some nice ones (Feng Shui bookmark pens) and not so nice ones (a pen attached to an empty 2-liter of Diet Coke).

I hope you are all enjoying the Christmas season in your own ways!!