Favorites of 2008

Before I welcome 2009, I wanted to post some of my favorite memories of 2008:

My 30th birthday in Taos with Jonathan...

New York city with my mom to celebrate our birthdays...

High School Musical on Ice with my nieces...

My new nephew, Blaze, and my new nieces, Kinley and Kassidy...

Hanging out with my mom and sis in Dallas (only a pic my heart took to remember it by).

Celebrating Jonathan's birthday in Chicago...

Hiking in Taos with Jonathan and Sprouse folks...

Spending 4th of July with Jonathan's niece and nephew...

Having my nieces and nephews spend the night...

Going to Kansas City for the 99th Division WWII convention with Jonathan's dad and grandmother...

Going to Albuquerque with David and Christine to watch the Ags...

Vacationing with Mom and Dad in South Dakota...

Going to Oktoberfest in Angelfire with David and Christine...

Starting to run and training with Jonathan...

Starting to run and going to races with friends...


Starting to run and rediscovering that there really is no one quite like a sister...

Spending holidays with family (loads of pics my heart took to remember them by).

Happy New Year!

I've always been pretty good about New Year's Resolutions--making them that is. I've never been much on the follow through (which could explain the extra 15 pounds I've been carrying around since I finished law school in '05). I read an interesting post on resolutions on Kristin Armstrong's blog. This is my favorite part:

It can be overwhelming in the face of all that needs to be done, to consider what we really want to do. I'm talking about getting back in touch with the desires of our hearts. That's why this year instead of thinking about what I want to do in the year ahead, I am going to try to shift my perspective and consider who I want to be at this time next year. If I can figure out how to get my 'I am's' to fuel my 'to-do's' instead of the other way around, I think it could be a year of great growth. If we aren't paying attention, the way we fill our time defines who we are by default.

Read the full post here.

So last night I did a lot of thinking on this. I listed 5 things I want to be at this time next year. Then I listed specific things I can do under each of the 5 things to help me achieve it. #5 on my list was fitness related:

Who do I want to be at this time next year?

#5 An active, healthy, self-confident woman.

1. Take a multivitamin and drink 2L of water everyday.
2. Establish and maintain a consistent exercise routine with 4 components:
• Cardio
• Strength training
• Stretching
• Deep breathing
  
3. Learn more about and practice good nutrition.
• How to shop for and cook healthy foods
• Be in tune with what my daily diet should consist of (e.g. get the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, etc.)
  
4. Practice mindful eating and moderation. (I am the queen of mindlessly gorging on high calorie food and beverages.)
   
5. Cook more.
6. Eliminate negative self talk.

As for running related goals, I'd really like to run about 15 miles a week and participate in one race a month. I think the race will help shame me into keeping up with my workouts.

Have you made any New Year's Resolutions?

Week 1 of 4: Houston Half Training Report

M: 3m (skipped)
W: 4m (skipped)
R: 4m (skipped)
F: nothing planned, but ran 4 miles
Su: 10m (skipped)

Yep, you read that right...I only ran once last week, and for the very first time, I skipped a long run! Yikes! Can you say slacker? It was extremely tough to get motivated over the holidays, and well, I failed miserably. I'm going to get back at it this week. I've decided to just do two runs a week plus a long run (instead of 3 runs a week plus a long run) and make 1 of my mid week runs a speedwork or tempo workout. I used Smart Coach on Runner's World to come up with a training plan for this half. I'd really like to get my 2:30 so I think a little speedwork and tempo work might help.

I did manage to get one run in over the holidays. There is a neat Rails to Trails trail in Jonathan's hometown. His sister and a family friend ran with me. We ran 2 miles out and 2 miles back on the trail. It was a lot of fun. It was really windy out, and neither of them are used to running 4 miles so we just stopped and walked when anyone needed to then started back up again when we felt like it. We chatted along the way which really made the time pass. Even still, we finished in 12 minute miles which I was pleased with. I love running with other people with no time pressure; the talking makes the time pass so quickly.

Here's to hoping the second week of my training is a lot better than the first!

Recovery Week and Jingle Bell Run

Though my feet looked like they had been through a blender (the moleskin didn't work!), overall my muscles felt better than they did after the DRC Half. I took the entire week off. It felt so good!

Saturday was the first time we ran since the half. We ran in the local Jingle Bell Run. It was an untimed 4 mile run through Wolflin (an older neighborhood in town) to see the Christmas lights. It was COLD! Jonathan and I ran it together and went slowly, walking a few minutes after about 25 minutes of running. We had hot chocolate afterwards and visited with friends. We hope to make the run a new Christmas tradition!

More White Rock Pictures

(There's music with the slideshow so you'll want to pause the music at the bottom of my blog to avoid hearing two songs playing over each other.)

Mulligan Race Report (with pictures)

Friday: We left work that afternoon and went to Mineral Wells to spend the night with Jonathan's dad. They had a nice visit, and I went to bed early and got some quality shut-eye. Aren't they a handsome pair?

Saturday: Saturday we left mid-morning to meet Christine and David at their apartment. We pit-stopped at Walgreen's to get some water, Gatorade, and moleskin for my blisters. My feet looked horrible, and I thought I'd try moleskin out. I know you're not supposed to try anything new on race day, but my blisters have been horrible every single race so I didn't feel I had much to lose. We got the 30 second tour of the Stroud's apartment then headed for Dallas to meet her family for lunch. After a yummy lunch, we went to the Expo. It was huge. We picked up our packets, got some free stuff, made a few purchases, then went to the hotel to check in and rest up before dinner. Jonathan took a nap while I did my nerdy work of organizing our gear and sorting through our Expo bags. I just love the planning opportunities these races present!


We had dinner at Macaroni Grill with Christine's family and my sis and her friend, Steph, and went over our plan for the next day.



I was worried about Christine since she hadn't been feeling well and I could tell she was really nervous. This turned out to be a good thing for me because it allowed me to focus all my energy on her and not think about my own race! I didn't sleep hardly at all before the DRC Half, and I was worried I wouldn't rest well this evening either. I slept really soundly until about 4:30am though then slept off and on until it was time to get up. I actually felt pretty rested race day!

Sunday:

Expectations: NONE. While I had initially hoped to run a 2:30, or at least beat my DRC Half time, I knew this was a long shot. First, I had not trained like I should. Second, the weather was slated to be horrible...in the 70's and WINDY (as in 30mph). I threw both the 2:30 and goal of beating my DRC Half time out the window and decided I'd walk the thing if I had to. My objective was to finish and go cheer for Christine so I wasn't even that worried about the whole thing. I was dreading the wind though--no doubt about that!

Race morning: I felt rested, and we got to the race in perfect time. We were worried about the traffic and parking, but we called a cab, and this turned out to be a great plan. I called Christine after we dropped our items at bag check, and immediately got worried because she had just arrived at the race site (she was supposed to be there before us so this meant she was late). Again, a "good thing" for me because I could focus my nervous energy on her (I knew she wouldn't be happy arriving a little late)! She found us and we hustled around until it was time to get in place at the start. We took pics and gave hugs all around, then we all went to our respective starting corrals.


The Race: I found the 2:30 pace group at the first of the C corral. While my bib said I was in the B corral, I lined up with them in C. After the National Anthem, F-16 fly by, and confetti, we were ready to roll...sort of. It took me 8.5 minutes to even get to the starting line because of the crowds! This was not a problem for me though; I was in no hurry!


Miles 1-6: We were slammed by a gust of wind the first turn we took. Wow! "This is is going to be a long 13 miles" was all I was thinking. It strengthened my resolve to throw any time goals out the window. There was a long incline in the first 6 miles, but I was surprised at how doable it seemed. Literally, every mile for the first 6 miles I thought, "I can't believe that's mile 2 (3, 4, and so on). It was awesome! I felt like I was on cruise control. Neither my IT band nor my knee hurt at all. Even my calves and shins felt good!

Miles 7-10: Mile 7 was the first time I started looking for a mile marker. I kept thinking, "where in the world is mile 7??". Miles 8-9 were a long straight and turn around. It felt like I would never get to the turn around. You saw people heading back toward you so you felt like it was just a few yards further, but you never seemed to get there; it was very deceptive! The wind was at our backs and it was a downward incline on the way to the turn around so you knew what you'd be facing when you got to the turn around--not anything to look forward to! I didn't enjoy this part of the course. There was a pretty bad incline up to mile 9, but again, I was amazed that it seemed very doable. I was keeping with the pace team, but it grew more difficult because of my routine of walking 1 minute at every mile. This meant I would fall behind when I walked; I really had to book it to catch up with them after my minute passed. This proved exhausting. Finally, at mile 10, I gave up on them and decided I wouldn't try to catch back up with them after I walked for a minute. I knew the big hills were over so I wasn't worried about finishing alone.

Miles 11-13: These last 3 were a struggle. I extended my walk break to 2 minutes at mile 10, 3 minutes at mile 11, 3 minutes at mile 12, and back to 2 minutes at mile 12. Through mile 10, I was on track for a 2:30 finish, but I really slowed down the last 3 miles. I knew after I lost the pace team, that 2:30 was out of range so I decided sub-2:35 would be my goal. I know I said that time goals were out the window when I started the race, but I just could not get over how good I felt! Even in the horrid conditions! While the last 3.1 were pretty brutal, I stuck to it, and finally, I saw the finish. My sis, Steph, and Jonathan met me at the line. I finished smiling! (and I finished under 2:35--2:34:36!)


Reflections on the Race: I really can't believe how well it went. I certainly didn't set any speed records, but I did set a new PR and really enjoyed myself. My goal for my next one is to really work on those last 3.1. I felt really good for the first 10 and was on pace. Unfortunately, the last 3.1 ate my lunch. Hopefully I can stay more consistent through the full 13.1 next time.

Cheerleading: After post race pics with my sis and Jonathan, Lori and Steph left for home. Jonathan and I hung around and visited with his sis, bro-in-law, and our niece and nephew. (Aren't they cutie pies??)


Then we lined up and waited for Christine to cross the finish line. Initially, I had planned to run around with her sis and parents and cheer for her, but it proved to take quite a bit of time so it didn't work out. Jonathan and I grabbed a spot near the finish and watched for her. While we waited, we kept getting moved to tears! There was a man without legs who finished, and the crowd's response was incredible! We both cried at that awesome sight! Then as some of the parents would near the finish line, their kids would join them to cross the line with them--also moving! Finally, Jonathan yelled, "There's Christine!" I yelled uncontrollably and started crying! I knew how hard she'd worked to finish her first 26.2, and I was so proud watching her near the line!

We all congratulated her post race then went to enjoy copious amounts of calories at Pappasitos!

Congrats to All!

Everyone set a new PR at White Rock despite the awful conditions! Hurray for David, Lori, Jonathan, and Christine for a great race! So glad to have #2 behind me and so very glad to have such fun memories in the memory bank (after all, the race was just something I had to do to have the opportunity to enjoy all the fun---spending the weekend with my sis and friends!).

Preview of Mulligan Half Race Report

Oh, yeah. That horse bucked again, but I hung on this time. All things considered, it was actually a pretty great race. Pics and full report to follow...

Ready or Not, Here it Comes

Forecast for Sunday: low of 58, high of 72, and winds blowing 25-30 mph. You have got to be kidding me! If I was supposed to get up on Sunday and run 13 miles, and I saw a weather forecast like this, I'd stay in bed and run 13 another day. I do not do well in heat. Let me repeat that. I. Do. Not. Do. Well. In. Heat. If it is hot, I stay inside. I am fair skinned, and I don't want a sun burn among other things. I am a fair weather runner. I do not run in the heat. I do not run in the rain. I do not run in the snow. I do not run when it's windy. (This sounds like a Dr. Seuss book, but I digress.) I know that's contrary to most runners, but I've already confessed I'm not a runner, I'm a non runner. I was really feeling okay about this thing, but this recent news disturbs me. Sure, one might think, "at least we'll all be dealing with the wind and heat together" might make me feel better. It doesn't. Most of the people out there are not fair weather runners. I'm discouraged.

On a more positive note, Jonathan and I got bundled up and went for a run around the neighborhood last night looking at Christmas lights. It was great! No pain or fatigue whatsoever really. No watch. No idea how far we truly went--just out and about looking at lights. That's what I'm looking forward to after all of these halfs are over...just running about with no watch, no distance, and no goal really, other than to keep moving and be outside.

Week 4 of 5: Mulligan Half Training Report

M: 3m (did 2)
W: 4m (skipped)
R: 3m (skipped)
Sa: 8m

This has been more of an "I'm Not Training Report" lately rather than a "Training Report", but nonetheless...

After such a great 9 miler last weekend with my sis, I laughed at how easy my 3 miler would be on Monday. Trust me...it laughed back! From the very beginning, I knew it was not going to be a good run. Every step felt like that very first run---awkward, labored, and "just off". I've already mentioned this "non-run" in the last post; I'll not belabor it here. Awful. So awful, I took the rest of the week off until my long run.

I was determined to get 8 miles in on Saturday. Jonathan and I went out to Wildcat Bluff and ran an 8 mile out and back course. I enjoyed last week's run so much with my sis that Jonathan and I decided we'd give it another shot together. We really enjoyed ourselves! We decided we'd run on the way out together and separate on the way back since I can usually run the hills on the way out, but I walk a lot of the hills on the way back. Funny thing is--I managed to make the whole way out and back without any unplanned walk breaks (I still walked a minute each mile) so we stuck together. It was awesome!

A funny thing happened this run...I forgot my watch. I must say that I am tempted to not wear a watch on Sunday during the half! I got to each mile and walked 60 steps and never had any idea what pace I was at--so there was no reason to be discouraged or down on myself when "I was going too slow", etc. I just ran, walked, then ran until I got to 8 miles.

I also tried a new little tactic with wanting to take unplanned walk breaks on the way back, especially on the hills. I would only look a few feet in front of me and tell myself to make it to the next ________. "Just make it to that rock and then we'll talk about a little break." Pretty soon I would be over the hill and the talk switched to, "You can't walk on a downhill; that's a waste. Just get to the bottom and then we'll talk about a little break." Of course, you know what happened when I got to the bottom of the hill. "You're not far from the mile marker now, and you know you get a walk break at mile markers. Keep it up until the mile marker." This worked amazingly well. My mind can only process a run in very small pieces--one step at a time. I hope to focus on this in the half on Sunday. We'll see!

Who Signed Us Up For This Thing?

Seriously...whose idea was this to run White Rock anyway? That's the question Jonathan and I have been asking ourselves lately. We've been bad little runners. This was supposed to be my "back on track week". It hasn't been. I ran Monday. It was supposed to be a 3 mile run. I walk/ran for 2 (mostly walk), then gave up and tried to do the last mile on the elliptical (only lasted a half mile). I don't get it. I ran 9 miles on Saturday. Why can't I crank out 3?? Pretty pathetic. I was supposed to do 4 at lunch yesterday; got wrapped up in work and didn't make it to the gym. I was supposed to make it up today, but thankfully Jonathan got wrapped up in work and we didn't go to the gym either. Zero motivation. Zero. I'm going to run 8 on Saturday; no way around it.

I'm going to stick it out for 13 next weekend, but I'm already starting to dread it. I really haven't started dreading it until tonight. My attitude has been to walk run and mostly walk if I feel like it. Just keep moving for 13 miles and have fun over the weekend being out of town, being with friends, and being with family. I know I haven't trained well for it so I've been lowering my expectations, and I've truly been okay with it. But now, I've realized how many people will be there that I know, and my pride is starting to kick in. While I'm sure none of these people will be giving me or my sad "wog" (walk-jog because can I really call what I do a "run"??) a second thought, I have just enough pride left that it's starting to bother me. Of course, my training is now so far down the tube that there's not a thing I can do about it. Wogging it is!

Such is life. That's my whine for the night. Why in the world am I doing this???

(Oh--and did I mention we're signed up to do the Houston Half Marathon in January? Now isn't that just the most ludicrous thing you've ever heard? Way back when we started this whole running bit, I had an inkling I wanted to finish a half marathon. I thought Houston would be "fun" (I was delusional) because we could go back and see family and friends from when we lived there, and the Houston Marathon is a really big deal. So...without telling anyone (not even Jonathan), I signed us up---way back in July, right before it filled up! But I didn't tell a soul (not even Jonathan for awhile) so that I had the option of backing out (I was at least thinking clearly on this). Then, we decided to do the DRC Half with my sis and Christine and David, then this horrible White Rock idea came up (again, delusional), and now, this Non-Runner will have completed 3 half marathons in 3 months! How's that for the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard? Not a good idea. Not a good idea at all.)

Week 3 of 5: Mulligan Half Training Report

T: 4 m (skipped)
R: 12k (only did the 2 mile)
Sa: 6 m (did 9 miles)

Well, it wasn't as much of a fail week as the previous weeks, but it still wasn't good. Fortunately, my billing year is complete, and I can get back on track. Unfortunately, now it's time to taper, but I don't have much to taper about since my mileage never got up to where it should have.

I didn't run the 12k in the Turkey Trot as planned. As usual, I was dreading the race. I knew there would be hills which did not help my motivation, and I also knew I'd be by myself, which further decreased my motivation. There were plenty of people to run the 2 mile with and talk with and laugh with so I just ran it. I'm glad I did. We really had a lot of fun (again, "fun" and "run" is a new concept for me).

On Saturday my sis and I got up and ran for almost 2 hours. I was dreading it right through the first 3 miles, but then ended up having a good time. It was nice to run with someone and talk (sure did make the time pass "quickly"). More than anything, running and visiting with someone distracted me from thinking about how much (or what little) time had passed and what was aching. I ran 10:30 then walked 1 minute throughout. It worked out well. I never walked longer than planned and even extended some of the running segments. My knee started hurting at about 1:45:00, but it held up pretty well overall. It was really cold out, and I tend to think that helped it a little (my legs were pretty numb from the cold).

I was beginning to wonder if I really would be able to finish the White Rock half marathon with as little training as I've been doing and as much as my IT band and knee have bothered me, but Saturday gave me a vote of confidence that I'll be able to finish. I no longer have any preconceived notions about beating my previous time though. I'd just like to finish and feel proud about it. I have a feeling that will mean sticking to my walk 1 minute every mile schedule and power walking the hills, but I'm okay with that.

Turkey Trot 2008 Pics

We had such fun at the Turkey Trot on Turkey Day! I ended up running the 2 mile instead of the 12k. I just wasn't "feeling it". If I ran the 12k, I knew I'd be running by myself, but several people "my speed" were running the 2 mile so I knew I'd have running buddies in it. I'm glad I "chickened out" and just ran the 2 mile--it was actually fun! Sis and Jonathan ran the 12k (and both did awesome). Hopefully it will become a new tradition!