gym time

Well I still have not gotten back into the swing of things since my two months off.  I don't think the cold from last week helped either.  Really who wants to leave the house to go to the gym when it is freezing outside. It was much too comfy on the couch under covers when the temps were below 0.   I did do a lot of walking during my time off from running and the gym, so I'm not feeling totally lazy...just sort of lazy.

I finally made it to the gym yesterday.  I figured if I went in the afternoon I wouldn't have to wait for machines.  I know I should be happy that people are all excited about going to the gym and getting fit..but I hate the fact that I can't find a parking spot or a machine.  And I know I need to wait for 8 at night and I should be fine, but by that time I am all comfy at home.  So yesterday I headed over in the afternoon.  I figured everyone pretty much went to the gym first thing in the morning.  Turns out that the afternoon is the perfect time to visit the gym during New Years Resolution January!  Now if only I could take off of work during this month so I could go to the gym..but that is not looking promising.  I ran some and biked some. So all in all I was happy with my gym time.  I think I will head back there this afternoon.

I am supposed to be in training mode for my March half marathon.  I have yet to actually put up my running schedule on the calendar. Maybe that will be today's goal.  You have to dream big people!  Since it has not been on my calendar I have sort of ignored the fact that I need to be in running mode.  It is so easy to ignore training when you do not see it everyday when you make your morning breakfast.   Well I am off to finish some cleaning and then head to the dreaded gym :)  Temps might be great for running the neighborhood today so that could be on the calendar too.  

2013 in Pictures..

I know I have not been around for December...but I am still alive and breathing.  I have not been running much.  Really I normally don't run much in December so nothing new this year.  I am going to do another year in review with pictures.  So if you hate pictures you may want to move on. :)

January- Always the start of a new year of training for some spring races.  This year did not have nearly as many races as 2012 but I had a good amount on the calendar.  Too bad I had to miss two races because of sickness or a flat tire..but that has nothing to do with January...

 Volunteered picking up wreathes at Arlington National Cemetery.  Great day with Jeff and Becky picking up wreathes.

I had my 100th run at run club!  Always great to celebrate anything at run club!

Looking back over my January posts, the theme seemed to be "I do not want to run".  I am guessing that has something to do with the weather and getting back into the swing of running. I also noticed that even though I didn't want to run, I still ran, which is a good thing.

February

My birthday month!  Always a fun month!  I had my birthday run.

Along with some New Kids On The Block!

March

My first half marathon of the year takes place this month...Rock n' Roll USA

This was Megan's last Rock n' Roll race.  She is officially done with Rock n' Roll.  I will continue to run the local USA and VA Beach runs with Shawn.

March was also Becky's birthday run.  We ran the Four Courts Four Mile.  Great day for a run.



We also volunteered at the GW Parkway Classic ten mile race.

It is always great volunteering with run club friends.  Unfortunately there was an attack of a dolly while loading up the extra water.

Poor Becky!  

April

Whiticar returned from deployment!  We ran with flat Whit for over a year.  He enjoyed running races with us.

In April we retired Flat Whit since real Whit returned to the U.S.

April was also the Cherry Blossom 10 miler.  We convinced Becky to run her first 10 mile race.  She did great!  I also got to see my friend the damn juggler!

I also signed up for my first full marathon.  Yikes!  I was scared!

May

I ran the Marine corps Historic Half.  I couldn't pass it up since it was so close to home.

I had the second  Color Me Rad run with Kristi and family at VA Beach

It is always fun to run with people throwing colors at you!

June

June was Hatfield and McCoy half marathon.  I was looking forward to this race for a year!  It lived up to expectations.  I think this might be my favorite race because the people and town were just so darn friendly!

Becky ran her first half and Megan ran the full at Hatfield and McCoy.

June was also a time to say see you later to a good friend.  Becky was leaving for Columbia.  

It's not good-bye but see you later!  Becky is enjoying her time in Columbia.

July

The heat of the summer, summer school and summer training.  Ugh!
July was the beginning of the summer of sweat.

A fourth of July run.  Hot, hot, hot!

Then lots of sweating taking place in July.  Why did I sign up for a fall full marathon again??

August

Rock n' Roll Pittsburgh was canceled.  

Biggest Loser Erie happened. 

It also was the first race that my mom has seen me run.  I was a bit worried that she would be bored waiting.  She really enjoyed herself.  We will see if she will ever make it to another race.

School and work started up.  The juggling act between running and work begins.

September
My first DNS happened.  I missed Navy/Air Force Half marathon because of a stupid flat tire!

9/11 run

Rock n' Roll VA beach tried to kill me or I hate running in heat!

I ended up in the medic tent for overheating.

October - the month of PRs

Clarendon Day 10K.  Running with run club friends again.

Army 10 mile race and a new 10 miler PR!

I ran a very wet Heritage Half and PR'd!

I ran my first full marathon!  Marine Corps Marathon was fun!

November
I didn't run a bunch in November.  I was scheduled to run Annapolis Half Marathon before Thanksgiving.  But I got the stomach bug so I now have another DNS for 2013.

I now have a new magnet on my car. :)

December
I didn't do much running this month.  I did go and cheer on one of my parents from school for her first half marathon.  We also visited Santa at run club.  We had a run club outing.

Here's to a great 2014!!

Happy Hug a Runner Day!!

Big Hugs to all of you Runners because it's

Hug A Runner Day!!

Hugs to you all!

I hope you all have the chance to hug a runner today..if  not hug one tomorrow! Runners give great hugs!

looking back and cupcakes make running better

I was looking back over posts from previous years and noticed a trend..I alway seem to have a rough time running in November and December.  Looking at my running calendar, I also noticed that I was sick last October so that month was not very consistent.  Which means that I guess I have been a better runner this year than last?  So I don't feel really bad about my not wanting to run lately.  It will come.

I did run this Tuesday with run club, even though it was really cold outside. Megan and I were talking about not running.  But how could we not run when it was her 100th run at runclub?! And just like always, I warmed up quickly once I started running and I didn't notice the cold.  I really hate these first few colder runs.  It takes awhile to figure out the clothing needed and what temps are going to feel horrible and which temps are pretty ok for running.  I normally stick with capris and short sleeved shirts until the temps fall below 40 degrees.  But when you have had days of 70 degree weather followed by days of 30 degree my body just doesn't want to get used to that!

When we came back in from running, Megan received her long sleeve run club shirt for running 300 miles for beer.

Nestor came too and he earned his 100th shirt too!  We also had cupcakes galore!  Jen brought some yummy homemade cupcakes and I stopped off at our yummy cupcake place near school to pick up some 100th run cupcakes!

We had lots of cupcakes to make new friends with too :)  Really who does not like a cupcake after a run?  Way to go Megan on your 100th!

Today I was planning on going for a run, but I think I am going to scrap it..I will go tomorrow for a long run.  Today I have some chicken and dumplings in the crock pot.  And this afternoon Ironman Kona is on.  I love Kona!  You would think I would have some secret desire to run an Ironman..I don't.  I just am in awe of what those athletes that do an Ironman and especially an Ironman in Kona.  Well a tri is awesome by itself, but add the heat of Kona and Wow!

Where's the running love??

So after the Marine Corps Marathon I just have not been in the mood to run.  I have ran a whole 2 miles..yeah I know you're jealous!  I just have not been feeling the love for running.  Or maybe running has not been feeling the love for me..either way I have not done much.  I could give you a bunch of excuses..you all know I am good at those:

1.  sinus issues
2.  knee bothering me
3.  back has been hurting from boot camp last week
4.  It has been (insert one or more of the following:  too hot, too cold, too windy, too rainy, too dark, too sunny, too tired to run..etc)


I remember when running and I were in love..I couldn't wait to come home and put on my running shoes on and head out the door.  Or the times when I just would daydream about all of the fun spots I could head out to and run..Ah the butterflies before we would head out the door to meet on the road..and the smile that you get when you are together.  Ah young love. Don't worry I think the love will be back, we are just going through a bit of a rough patch.

I have a half marathon coming up at the end of the month..well the weekend before turkey day actually..so I need to get my running legs in gear.  Annapolis will be here before I know it.  Tomorrow is the day it all comes together.  I am either running the hood..or the gym..either way there is no reason not to put on my running shoes.  Sometimes you just have to suck it up and get out there and run.  I have been walking Riley more..so I don't feel like I have been a total slug.

Look what came in the mail!

So on Halloween night I got a nice treat....

My Marine Corps Medal came!  I was happy to get it so quickly.  The fact that I got it so quickly leaves me to believe that a box might have been left in someone's office..Oh well it made me happy.

 I did wear it to school on Friday.  The kids loved it.  One teacher yelled at me for distracting his kids as they were walking down the hall.  Its not my fault that the medal is so shiny and it spins!  You have to touch it!  Some kids were very impressed that I must have won first place..umm yeah we all feel like first place winners when we finish!  Who knows maybe I have inspired some student to start running.  I also had a few students who were stalking me as I ran. Funny I didn't tell them how to stalk a runner, but some figured it out.  Some might be a bit weird-ed out by that, but I thought that was so nice.  Especially since I questioned if they were listening as I was telling them about my first full marathon and how I hope I finished.  I guess some of them listened.  I also had a bunch ask me if that was the medal from my full marathon around my neck.  So I guess more listened to me than I thought.  I also had the few that asked me what I did for the medal?  Umm we talked about it last week.  Yep that kid wasn't listening and could care less about my running stories. lol

I will say that I have some very nice friends.  Megan offered to let me wear her medal on Monday since I was so bummed that I couldn't wear it to school to show off to the kids.  My friend Keith, who I joined  his fundraising team for Fisher House, offered to give me his medal since he felt so bad that I didn't get one.  Keith must not enjoy bling because honestly I don't think I would give that medal away!  And my friend Juli at school, her husband ran it and was really appalled that I didn't get a medal.  He came in on Friday with his medal and was going to give me his medal.  How nice.  But no need I now have my own.  And really people you earned your medal as much as I did!  I tell you what, runners are great people!

I took this week off from doing pretty much anything.  It has been pretty nice not having to worry about running X amount of miles.  No stress.  Today I think I will head to the gym and do the stuff around my house that has been pushed to the side since marathon training.

Enjoy your weekend!