Things I Want

**NOT in order of importance

-New running shoes
-The baby to sleep through the night
-To run outside
-To walk outside
-To do anything outside
-To fit into my smaller pre-Adam jeans
-A self-cleaning fish tank
-Time to read a book
-Scandal to be on Hulu so I can find out what my friends are talking about
-To lay on a beach by the ocean and get a guilt-free tan

2 Miles to Go

I set myself up last week to run 4 times (which is one more time per week than I usually do). But it was Sunday night. It was 6pm. Stephan was out of the house, so I had no babysitter for my 4 year old. He's proficient on a bike, but the furthest we'd ever gone was 0.5 mile out and 0.5 mile back.

Also, it was getting dark with rain clouds.

"Grab your shoes. We're going for a bike ride, kid!"

It wasn't fast (17 minutes per mile) and we could hear thunder once or twice. It started sprinkling at exactly the 1 mile mark. And I had to push him to keep him moving a few times. But we finished our first bike/run outing! As we walked into the back entryway lightening lit up the sky, thunder shook the floor, and the sky opened up and poured down rain.

It was pretty awesome.

13 Weeks

I celebrated the beautiful weather, and my lack of any sort of sickness today with a 4.0 mile run! It was toward the end of the day and I kept watching the funny shadow I was making. From the front I could see the hour glass shape I'm used to. But from the side... well... I started wondering if people who saw me knew there was a baby in there, or if I just looked like a slow, new runner.

The run was still pretty slow, with a walk-and-water-break about every half mile. Toward the end I started feeling extra fluid in my hands and stopped at 4.0 (I felt like I could run all night, with enough breaks, but the swelling startled me).

The thoughts that rocked around centered on why I'm not as impressed with running pregnant as I thought I would be. I'm still pretty hard on myself for walking, and being pretty slow (12-14 min/mile). So I started playing with my mind: what if I was running this pace through shin-deep mud? I would be impressed with that. What if I ran as rehab for some broken leg or foot bone? I would be impressed with that. Or running as part of a chemo treatment? Or with some weird exhaustive disease (I'm thinking MS, RA, or something equally activity-limiting). I even pictured the Runner's World article about the Dwarves running the Boston Marathon. That's SO badass!

So with a shift in focus I'm telling myself that I AM a badass. And that shadow is only going to get more curvy. And dang it, I'm going to keep going. Because I love this.

Rookie Mistake

"Do you need to potty before we leave?"

No lines!

3 mile run
22 degrees with wind
actively snowing
about 2" in the street pre-and-post-snowplow

I didn't even think about it. But a mile and a half into my badassery I started to feel sharp cramps, then, slowing to a walk, realized it was my bladder sending emergency signals. I, like Neo, had to make a choice- the path to the right would bring me home in less than a mile (leaving me short of today's goal), the one on the left would finish the 1.5 mile loop.

I chose poorly. It only took another .5 mile to realize that it's impossible to do kegel exercises while running. And after an entire mile, it hurts to keep walking. I thought about trying to catch a ride with a passing snow plow, or begging a snow-blowing neighbor to let me into their house. But I did none of those. I tried to run to get home faster, but then walk to keep from peeing.

Man, I love running.

Mindfulness

"AW, what a pretty day for a run. It's almost 30*, and those softly falling snowflakes just look heavenly."

Until the wind whips up and those pretty flakes turn into ice-knives of pain!!!! Also, if you're ever wondering if you need wind/water proof layer, the answer is yes.

Frackin' A...

or...

Don't be cocky. 12* is still cold.

or...

This morning in pictures of other people.



What I feel like when I run in the cold:

What I probably look like:

Faces of Winter

Stephan is training for a spring marathon. So... that's happening. His long run this week was a 9 mile, but with his schedule being what it was, he ran it from 9pm-10:30pm (and without an accurate GPS, he ended up running 10 miles).

Yes, running shorts over windproof pants.

Sexy eyes. Er, if you ignore the ice.

I am training for... nothing really. Maybe a spring 1/2. But maybe not. I don't know. I should run something. Sigh. I AM still focused on running my 10 miles a week, which has been really hard considering the streets around here. Wednesday's planned run got shelved for an hour of shoveling. I was so angry by the end of it I considered running in my boots and Carhartt, but the streets weren't plowed, so I'd be slogging through ankle-deep slush. I took a picture...

Angry face. 

So when the temperature slid back into the single digits I S'dIU and threw on layers and layers and layers and ran 4 this morning. It wasn't fun. But I was so happy to be out doing the deal, I, again, took a picture!

  

Bundled, but happy!

I've only turned in 7 miles so far this week, but dang it- I'm sticking to this!! 

And then.. The SIU part!!

28*. Windy... very windy... 4:15pm, with an expected sunset of 5:15pm. But it's cloudy, so it's getting dark fast.

Stephan says, "It'll be colder tomorrow. If you're going to get this done, you should do it now."

Sigh. I don't wanna.

But I do. I need 5 miles in the next two days to finish off my 40 for the month of January. Polar Vortex 2014 hasn't helped my new goals. But today (er, yesterday)... today I can't be stopped.

Cue Miley Cyrus.

(NO! Don't cue that. Never mind.)

The wind is really harsh. The slush-covered-ice is like running on a beach. But people haven't shoveled their sidewalks, so occasionally I chose to run through shin-deep snow. At 3 miles I'm back at the house chugging water out of a tiny kids' water bottle, and I decide to pull the last 2 out of my whiny self.

And I do! But seriously, at 13+ minutes per mile, it was definitely more of a slog than a run. But it happened! Yay me!

Putting the "P" in SIUP

IT'S SO COLD!!!!

I know it's cold all over the country right now (except, puzzlingly, for Anchorage and Florida). For some reason I can put on enough layers to keep my torso, arms, and hands warm (usually in the 4+ range), but my quads are always freezing! I've resorted to wearing three pairs of pants, and that keeps things tolerable.

But is it stopping me?

Uh, kinda. The run we left for in the picture above only netted us 2 miles. Sure it was cold, but having so many layers covering my mouth just doesn't work. And uncovering my mouth is definitely not an option. To make up the other 2 miles I drove 18 miles to my parents house to use their treadmill. Then 18 miles home. That's a little crazy.

It was my first treadmill run in over a year, and it was just as painful as I remember. That little panel is just so tempting! I can watch the seconds tick by. And the .01's of the mile. With that ability, who wouldn't watch every excruciating step. For 24ish minutes. It was a really long 24ish minutes.

The bad weather won't last forever. So I'm enjoying the badassary and photo ops while I can get them. Sweaty hot pictures in July aren't as fun.

Like a Thing that Taunts You

After nearly a week of constant snow here, we got a break. It was beautiful today... brightest sunshine, not a cloud in the sky, some wind, gorgeous.

Every time I looked out the giant front windows I swore under my breath. Because today, being outside could kill you. Windchill estimates ranged from 9-11 minutes outdoors until frost bite. School was cancelled for today and tomorrow. The dogs have resorted to peeing on the driveway. My friends are texting me with their emergency-wine-stock lists.

However, we used to live in Montana. We have a wardrobe for this weather. We learned a few lessons from the locals. And we survived an insane night with no power and no insulation (except dogs).

Stephan reminded me last night (as I was reviewing our own stocks of beans, rice, wheat flower, and tuna) that we've done a LOT more with a LOT less. So here's to being thankful for our wonderful, solid, house, our 2-year-old furnace, and the Home Depot 1/4 mile away if we need anything.

A Rant

OHMYGODYOUGUYS

Pre-story:
In college I dated this guy who had a duvet, and, coincidentally, a duvet cover. For some reason it was the most comfortable angel-inspired invention in bedding I had thusly encountered. It was made perfectly for the single dorm bed and it had these neat buttons that kept it attached to the duvet. And it was amazing.

Story:
Many of you don't know me. That's cool. But try to picture the following.... it's 15+ years later. My husband and I own, not one, but TWO queen-sized duvets (see: living in Montana). Now picture, I've been sick for more than a week, I'm home alone, hyped up on Nyquil, it's 11pm, and I'm trying to wrestle a 45lb duvet into it's cover.

WHO INVENTED THIS THING???? How is one human supposed to accomplish this? I was actually wearing the duvet cover for a few minutes, thinking I might be able to fool the cover into thinking I was the duvet.

Ok. I understand this is completely a white person problem. And that the Nyquil has a lot to do with it. But, folks, please increase the national funding for duvet technology. Please? Because I'm tired and Game of Thrones Book 3 is not going to read itself.

Still Alive

Hellooooooo. Ahoy! I just spent a week(ish) in the middle of a cultural experience that I'm still trying to process, in a place that was absolutely beautiful, with people I completely love.

I think I have thoughts about it. But right now, I just have some pictures of scenery. I'm waiting to post other pictures with people in them to get the approval of the people I was with. Enjoy these for now!!

View from a Room

View from a Balcony

Storm Approaches

Breakwater

I. Am. Batman.

I wear a face mask to run when it's less than 25 degrees. And now I know what it's like when people are dozens of feet underwater and panicking and they take off their breathing apparatus thinking that will save their lives.

I hate breathing through a mask. It feels like suffocating. It feels like a hand is over my mouth, like I'm just not getting any oxygen. I know that if I take the mask off the cold air will freeze my lungs and throat and make everything worse. I know the air is too cold to really absorb, and I'll end up losing my breath quicker.

And yet, today, with 16 degree air temperature, running my speed drills (30 seconds with 60 second 'rest' breaks), I just couldn't breathe. So I lowered the mask and inhaled deeply several times. And it burned. Duh. The thin cold air stung into my chest. It made everything so much heavier. Within seconds my feet started dragging on the ground. My throat started to close. My eyes stung.

I threw the mask back over my mouth and tried to take a set of warm moist breaths. But it was too late. One minute of frozen air had tagged my lungs with its burning graffiti. It's a weird drowning feeling- mask on: not enough air. Mask off: burning icicles of respiration. I lose either way. The challenge of the frozen run is to tell your brain what your body knows... you ARE getting enough air. You're still breathing. You're still moving. You're fine.

You're Batman.

No Title Yet

I have a song in my head and I just realized I have no idea who sings it, or what the lyrics are. Crazy, no? But I thought it started, "It's 6am and I am not awake...." but Google isn't helping. I also thought it was by Green Day.

I thought the 6am runs would get easier. Not so. It's getting darker (duh) in the mornings, so it's actually a little scarier to leave the house half dressed with earphones in. But it's also getting cooler. I headed out this morning surrounded by 57 glorious degrees of air temperature with a gentle breeze. Yes, in shorts and a tshirt. And I feel amazing. This is why I started running. It's so different to run in fresh air.

So my advice for you today is to go surround yourself with something refreshing. I'm choosing a shower next!!

Rain Dance

I just realized why there is a drought in the Midwest. Apparently, every time I want to 'sneak in' a run and only have a few minutes to spare, it pours down rain. So, I'm sorry farmers, for my lack of enthusiasm this summer.

Copy/Paste

I just received an email from the Rock n Roll Race coordinators with official tips for running in Sunday's heat. I'm passing them along to you in case you were thinking about tackling an outdoor event in a stupid high temperature...

Here are a few tips for running in warm weather:

• Do not push yourself. Run at a comfortable pace and ease up if you feel warm.
• Eat salted foods. Add a salt pack to a cup of fluid and drink it at the Start and another half way through the race. Salt packets will be available at the start and can be found on course at water station 3, approximately mile 4.5.
• Don't over-drink. Drink when you are thirsty and no more.
• Use spray stations and sponges along the course and at the finish to cool off.
• If you are warm and don't feel right, stop at a medical station to get checked out.

And if you also were wondering how race organizers help runners deal with extreme heat, here is the rest of the email...

Keep an eye out for the following cooling stations on course: 7 Misting Stations An Ice/Sponge Station at approximately mile 10.5 Cooling buses located at miles 7.4, 9.9, 11.1 and 11.9 Ice towels, ice sponges and misters will be available at the Finish Secure Zone An ice tent in the Finish Village Visit our website for more information and stop by the Health & Fitness Expo to listen to Dr. PZ Pearce speak.  Dr. Pearce will be available for questions at the medical information booth during expo hours. In the event temperatures rise above a safe degree to run in, tail vehicles will be in place to transport participants to the finish. That "Tail Vehicle"? Yeah, that's the vehicle that chased us during the 2011 Nashville Marathon. I've seen that vehicle. I've vowed NEVER to get on the stupid thing. Here's to slowing down and NOT GETTING ON THE BUS!!!!!

I will not check the weather... I will not check the weather...

Dang it.

Runner's World reported that athletes who were not told the temperature performed better in the heat than those who knew the actual figure.

There goes that advantage. Sunday's weather has gone from hot to dangerous. Starting a race at nearly 80F is going to be a challenge. Ending it at 95F is insane. I'm pulled between slowing down like an invalid, or boosting my speed just a little to get the dang thing over with. Obviously the correct answer is slowing down, walking through EVERY water station, and hydrating like a crazy person in the next 3 days.

Good thing G2 was on sale!!

Two lines!!

(Stephan says if you have to explain a joke, then it's not funny.... I wanted the title of the post to be something about getting a 'positive' response to my speech... and like, "two lines" is when you get a positive pregnancy test, but I'm not pregnant so I don't want anyone to get confused. So does this mean it's not a funny joke?)

I've forced many people to read my speech. Everyone likes it!! In a few hours I have to participate in a conference call to run through the night's events. It's going to be in the 100's for temperature, so my taper week is turning into a 'stop running' week. I know I have to pay attention to my nutrition this week and focus on high density carbs (wheat, whole-grain stuff) so I have fuel in the tank for all 13 miles. Oh, and here is the course map if you are interested in where we'll be going.

The ACS sent out our schedule for the weekend and listed their cheer stations. I'm excited to see friendly faces as I run. This race will be weird for me since it's the first one that I'm doing completely by myself. I'm a little worried about driving home after the run- usually I'm totally uncoordinated and a hot mess, but there's a concert afterward, and plenty of places to sit and rest up to make sure I'm solid before getting back in the car.

Oh, the concert? Yeah, Cobra Starship is the headliner and they start at 10am, so I better be done running by then!!

Drip drip drip

Just....... ran....... ten...... miles.......

It was 70F when I started but 90F 1 hour 54 minutes later*. I'm sitting in the kitchen with ice on my knees eating a popsicle.



*That's 12 minutes LESS than the Soldier Field 10 mile!!!

Hiding

Today's run was supposed to be 10 miles.

That is NOT happening.

THIS is happening -------------------------------------------->;

I'm a smart girl. Sawyer fell asleep for his nap and instead of gearing up and going for a run today, I'm drinking water and sitting in a dark room. I can run later. Much later. When it gets cooler out. This would just be setting myself up for a failure.

I'm also checking out my fundraising goals and making sure I've got my head in the fundraising game for the next 22+ days. "Massage for Donation" is going really well. I'm right on target to hit my goal in the next 2 weeks. Yippie!!

Once this race is over on July 22nd I'm going to have to sit back and plan the rest of the "year" as far as running goes. Do I run more? Raise more money? Volunteer more? Or do I maintain my fitness and just focus on home more? Good thing I have 22+ more days before I have to think about it!!