Virtual Running Buddies - 2/20

[SusanMac]

Happy Friday, runners! (walkers, swimmers, climbers, and cat yoga-ers)

Had a great run w/my running group last night. 5 miles. Ran with a new girl who was just right for my target pace. The coach also joined us, and told stories about the Austin Marathon he & some friends did just last weekend. I have family down there, and think it would be fun to do it one day. Rigorous training during Xmas has never sounded good to me, though!

On tap for today is a bike spin. And hopefully wrapping up work early. We're expecting snow tonight, so just might have to bundle up and watch a movie at home.

Any fun plans for the weekend??

[TKay]

Susan - Thanks for getting things started today. That's great that you had a running partner you were right in sync with. Your evening sounds perfect to me.

Les - You are so good about squeezing in that baking in spite of all you've got going on. I'm sure it's relaxing too. Has it really been that long since you started school? I remember when you retired. It seems like yesterday.

Tonight will be our typical Friday evening family night. I usually pick up a pizza, we get in our jammies early and watch a family flick together. After the boys are alseep, dh and I will watch a more grown-up movie (if we can stay awake since we usually have a glass of wine with the pizza while the boys have milk ;)).

Getting on the TM today and hoping my legs are happy enough to continue. I remember the same issue when I got back to running last time. I reminding myself to be patient.

Let's hear weekend/evening plans from everyone else.

ETA: Got in a solid 40 on the TM. I made sure to do a long warm-up and jogged slowly and steadily. It did the trick. Also, did some ab work. Yeah! I've earned tonight's pizza.

[Natasha]

Hi all!

TKay, your evening sounds soooo fun. Let us know if you rent something you'd recommend. I've not seen much that interests me renting-wise lately. Yeah on the run!

Susan, sounds like all is well on your end! :)

I'm getting a cardio workout... I've had an elevated heart rate for the past half hour or more while the bank tries to figure out what happened to a cheque for several thousand dollars. :eek: :rolleyes: While I was writing this post they got back to me and the money is now all accounted for but honestly... the manager (who was great) is going to have a chat with the staff member tomorrow, as well she should. Really fun way to start the weekend.

If I need another cardio workout tonight, I might spin. I really should but it'll be after we relax over some Chinese takeout. And a glass of Shiraz. ;)

Best to all for the weekend! :) Any big plans?

[Robyn1007]

Susan, your run and stories from the coach sound great!

Tkay, nice job on the TM!

Nat, yikes, that's scary about the check but so glad they figured it out!

I'm heading out from work shortly to the mountains. Tonight is girls night with a few other coaches up there then we'll all coach tomorrow. I'm not skiing Sunday as it's my last uncommitted day between now and March 22nd :eek: so I want to spin, clean and get ready for the Diva Summit when about 30 women and their SOs are coming in to ski as a group and then my family ski reunion. Workouts will mostly be skiing the first 2 weeks of March and I'm okay with that. ;):p:D

[Natasha]

... the Diva Summit when about 30 women and their SOs are coming in to ski as a group and then my family ski reunion. Workouts will mostly be skiing the first 2 weeks of March and I'm okay with that. ;):p:D

That sounds like such a blast! I bet you can't wait.

Okay, going into town for said Chinese now... catch you all later.

[SusanMac]

Robyn - it's your only day....and you want to clean????

[TKay]

Nat - We rented Changeling. It's hard for me to say it was a great movie, because, darn it, I kept dozing off. :p Something about the pizza/wine combination. I can imagine the elevated HR involved in a mixup with a check that size. Glad it got squared away. How was the Chinese food?

Robyn - I'm with Susan. Cleaning?! :eek: Enjoy your last "free" day. Sounds like you'll be busy, but you have a lot of fun ahead of you too.

Took the pooch on our family bike ride and she trotted the whole way and still wasn't wiped out. Our Great Dane would have collapsed. :rolleyes: Might get in a quick trip to the tennis court, but I'm hoping the boys forget. I'm tired. :p

Another family night this evening. Maybe some card games and a movie (Space Buddies for the kids--about a crew of puppies who rocket to the moon--we're all about film noire over here).

Have a fantastic rest of the weekend, runners.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for starting us this week Susan, I hope the snow didn't sock you in today. It looks like it was a pretty wild day in your neck of the woods.
TKay - Baking is therapy and like most other things I do these days, baking muffins gives me ~20 minutes to read while standing in front of the oven (nice thing to do when it's ~25 outside). Aren't puppies grand? I hope you have another good family evening. You aren't kidding how much like yesterday the start of school feels like (is that sentence even well constructed?) but then the first 4 months were a blur.
Nat - I'll second the motion that your bank misplacing a several thousand dollar checque - even if it turned up. Which Chinese place did you and DH go to this evening?
Robyn - I'm with the others that cleaning on the last free day isn't something that comes to mind for me but then I am a guy. ;) Your skiing sounds like a great time too.

I finally finished my state taxes for 2007 (don't ask - it's really weird). FIgured I needed to do that so I could really start on my 2008 taxes (those might not be much fun but easier than last year). But before all that I went for a long run this morning. About 1:45 (+) and it felt pretty good except that my ankle isn't playing nice right now. Need to head to bed - three early services tomorrow so out of the house before 7:00 (probably closer to 6:45). Then back to the grindstone for another week of classes with Ash Wednesday thrown in midweek (but that also means we have a quiet day on campus - no classes just time to be by yourself in a meditative way, something I always enjoy).

Happy trails and I'll try to see you all tomorrow.

Les

[Natasha]

Les, your muffin making sounds cozy! I've felt like making muffins these past few days but so far haven't. I did make cookies yesterday for a run club social today, though. Nice job on the taxes, too. DH did his yesterday but I've not started mine yet. We just had takeout from the Chinese place on the main street in town. It's about 1/2 a block from the place we went with you and LW last time.

TKay, thanks for the movie info. Changeling sounds interesting even if I'm not much of a fan of la femme Jolie. DH didn't want to see it, though, so I may have to see it sometime when he's out of town :)

Robyn, hope the cleaning went well... I feel so much better when things are tidy that sometimes I will gladly forego relaxation to make sure all is in order (or MORE in order, to be more accurate). In fact, I think this might be one of those afternoons.

Got in one spin and one 10k run this weekend, and am due for a massage later this afternoon.

Best to everyone :)

[SusanMac]

Les - nice job getting a run in. Do you have services for Ash Wed, too? Oi -- taxes! You will need more de-stress baking after that. We did get fresh snow, but I refused to stay home yesterday b/c of it :-)

TKay - how did you like Changling?? I've been on the fence about it, too....I share the same Angelina feelings as Nat.

Had team run this a.m., in my neck of the woods this time, which means I ran to the meeting point to add a bit more distance on. Got in 7 miles. I felt a bit more sluggish than usual. I think part of it was wearing Stablicers again, and having to push through a bit of snow on many parts of the route. But, this is also my first week of consistent tough workouts. So, my body's probably just adjusting.

Cooking Club has our annual Oscars night tonight, which is always fun. I'm making falafel from my new Israeli cookbook, so I'm excited. I've made CL's oven-style falafel before, but not the traditional kind. Keeping my fingers crossed they turn out good.

[Leslie Ferguson]

I should have been more clear - the taxes I finished yesterday were the ones that were due May 1, 2008. I had an extension and was still trying to figure out how to sort through part year residency with weird income from the government (retroactively got some tax free after my VA benefits kicked in). So I'm not even ready to start this year's taxes but need to.

Susan - The day starts with services on campus and then goes into quiet day that closes with another service. I may head over to my intern parish for service at 7:00 pm but may not because that's a lot of hours (internship parish is a class that I'm only supposed to be at 12 hours a week including travel). I didn't figure that a little snow would keep you in the house yesterday but there were some places that had a bunch up your way. I hope you get your energy back and that the sluggishness yesterday wasn't the sign of things to come.

Nat - Maybe some place to go next time we're up your way (yes, that means we're still thinking of it too). How was your massage? I could use a good one since I tweaked my shoulder the other day (one that bugs me a little anyway).

A long day at church - not work out. Today was a full weather day -- rain when I got to church, about half way into the first service it was snowing (nicely but didnt' stick), then by the end of the third service it was bright and sunny, followed by cold and windy to beat the band. Not a fun day.

Off to figure out what we've got brewing for dinner so until later... happy trails runnahs,
Les

[Natasha]

Hi all!

Les, thanks for clarifying the taxes... gotcha now. :) Congrats on making it through a hectic day and not getting blown away by activity or weather.

My mom is here tonight and we are sitting in front of the fireplace and catching up on family news and such. The pup is here too, lurking and waiting for his walk. After the walk we'll watch a bit of TV (and yes, I'll be good and do a spin while watching TV. May not be super high intensity but so be it).

How's everyone else doing? Hope all is well with the runnahs.

[Leslie Ferguson]

You're welcome Nat, I didn't want to be misleading with the taxes, I'm definitely not that far ahead of the game (sadly). Say howdy to your mom (or give her a shout out or whatever) from the chilly folks in the south. I bet Cabot is itching to go out for a walk right about now - I hope it wasn't too chilly for you all. I also hope your spin was good and relaxing, even if it wasn't too high-intensity.

Speaking of spinning, I hit the bike for an hour this evening. Still love doing a bunch of reading during the time, makes it helpful to get work done and base reading to help prepare for papers that are coming due. FWIW it's turned chilly here or at least the 30-40 mph winds made it nasty today. Still can't complain, no precip to speak of.

Nursing a little bit of a cold and trying my best to Zicam it before it gets here. LW has been sick with a wicked cold for a couple days and there has been a stomach bug going around - neither of which I'm inclined to have right now thank you.

Take care all and happy Mardi Gras eve to all.
Les

[Kathy B]

Hi, all! Finally got back at it this AM with yoga, weights, and 35 min on the TM. Life seems to be getting more hectic as we are on the downhill side of the school year and DS's last year of HS. Just have to get it in when I can, I guess....

Natasha, sounds like a cozy evening with your Mom, the TV and the fireplace. Glad to hear the check thing ended with your money in the right place. Nothing like a several thousand dollar banking error to get the heart racing! :eek:

Les, hope you are able to fend off the cold and that your wife gets over hers soon. DS has been fighting the same cold off and on for a few weeks. It is mostly gone, now, but the darn cough just hangs on and on! Good job on your spin/homework time....way to multitask!

Susan, nice work on your am run with the group. I am sure you are just adapting to your new workout regimen, and starting off with ice and snow has to make it a little more difficult than usual. Keep up the good work! How did the falafel turn out?

How was your skiing, Robyn? Diva Summit sounds really fun!

Tkay, family night sounds like fun! Ours tend to be revolving around AI lately. :D One show we all enjoy, and we all have our favorites. Not that we are too happy with the new format, but whatever. We have aquired a new puppy ourselves. My mom's younger dog (a shitzu) just has too much energy for her to deal with, so we have taken her off her hands. She is really a very cute little thing, and our own dog is tolerating her fairly well. Now both of the kids get a dog to sleep on their bed!

Off to do a little late cleaning and prep for tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a good start to the week. :)

[SusanMac]

I decided to make Mon a rest day. Was feeling sore and figured that, if I was too sore to run, then a bike spin wouldn't be very productive either. I'd prefer to spread out my rest days more, but decided to listen to my body.

Mary - the falafel turned out awesome! It was really pretty easy and kind of fun. I never fry foods for health reasons, but decided to put it out of my mind. So, other than having to do a million batches of pan frying, it was easy. And the ingredients are good for you. Everyone liked them. We have a ton of leftovers, but it has made for extremely easy lunches yesterday & today. DH is already tired of them, but I"m not :-)

[KValley]

Good morning!

Les We did our taxes over the weekend, as well. Federal, that is. Love living in a state where there is no income tax (just horrendous sales taxes)! I'm fighting the sniffles, too. THe past week was a terrible one for absences at work, so the bug is definitely going around. I'm packing in the Wellness formula and washing my hands like mad...

Susan Mmm.. falafel! Your Oscar party sounded like such fun. Stay warm in all that snow and continued good runs with the group!

Nat Your evening with Mom was so lovely- glad you had a chance to catch up and enjoy each other's company.

Kathy Good on you for sneaking in w/o when you can. Has DS decided upon a school yet?

Robyn LOVE the Diva Summit- sounds like a fabulous weekend! I hope you schedule in some R&R days in the coming weeks to avert burnout- I'm in awe of your training schedule.

Tkay It must be so fun to watch your puppy grow and discover the world. I woke the other morning from a dream where Brendan and I had adopted a sweet dog from the shelter. It was so real I expected her to come bounding into the room- I so miss having a puppy to love!

We finished salsa dance lessons on Saturday. We actually want to repeat the course at another stuoio, but we'll wait until next fall/autumn. Now that the weather is turning toward spring, Saturday afternoons are too precious to spend indoors. We're looking forward to hikes and bike rides instead.

I've gotten in some good runs of late- able to increase the intensity. I'm focusing on sprints and sustained bursts of speed, and ending runs by slow slogs uphills. I'm also trying to mix up weights workouts by doing full body circuits instead of one day-legs, one-day upper body. Yoga continues.

A rainy rainy week, but it feels fresh and full of life, as long as it doesn't get too cold. Daffodils and crocus are just about ready to open up- we'll see what the coming days bring. A couple sunny days and we could see serious flowering!

Have a great rest of the week, all. And in honor of Mardi Gras, Laissez les bons temps roulez!

Julie

[Kathy B]

Julie, wow, you have daffodils ready to bloom? Nice! Salsa lessons in the fall sounds like a nice thing to look forward to, but I don't blame you for getting out now that the weather is nicer.

I finally went outside for a run today, myself. A little over 2.5 miles, and it wasn't bad at all. The temps were 47-48 when I started, but continued to climb. When I got home I took the dogs for a walk. They were ecstatic! The new little one has clearly never walked on a leash before. We definitely have some work to do....

Glad to hear the falafel were successful, Susan. I fry mine, too, as I have never been too happy with the results when I bake them.

I just HAVE to give a plug to Kima's Potato Salmon Bake (http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=125643)posted over on the GF board. I made it for supper last night, and all four of us LOVED it! And I didn't even follow the directions correctly, and it still came out great! So if you like salmon....

Happy running all!

[TKay]

KathyB - Potato Salmon Bake? Sounds delish. I've been in a cooking rut lately. I'll have to give that one a try. Good going on the run and the dog walk. Isn't leash training fun? ;) We watch AI too. Every year I say I won't and then...

KValley - That's sweet about your dream dog. :p Glad the salsa lessons were fun. Dh and I talk about dance lessons of some kind, but never seem to get around to it. Sounds like spring with those blooms about to begin.

Susan - Hope you enjoyed the rest day even though it's hard sometimes. I've never made falafel. Glad yours turned out well. Your run sounds challenging. Not sure about Changeling. I kept dozing off. :eek:

Les - Reading while baking, reading while spinning, what's next? We have a neighbor who actually walks reading a book. Maybe you need to rig up some sort of apparatus that you could wear so you could read while running. I'm envisioning something like those harmonica slings singers sometimes wear. :p You could do your homework and your workout at the same time. ;)

Nat - Your evening with mom sounds lovely. Hope you got in some good talk time.

Taxes? (Hands over ears: Lalalalalalallaaa!)

Got in 45 on the TM while watching Oscar pre-show. So that was fun. Skipped yesterday and will likely skip today. I have sickies at home and am trying to rest up and not catch what they've got. Ds #1 has a cold (so far), but ds #2 has the stomach bug. Come on, EmergenC. Do your thing.

[SusanMac]

I have a solid, steady 10K run to report yesterday with DH. I felt a bit sluggish again, but got out there & did it anyway. Now I'm hoping it's just PMS and passes (more info than I usually share, but there you have it).

Today will be a bike spin today...I'm behind on my Lost episodes!

[TKay]

Susan - Funny about Lost. Enjoy! Glad you got yourself through the 10K. It's nice that you and dh can run together.

Nothing to report. I'm debating a workout today since I still have a sick one at home and am trying desperately not to catch it. Will play it by ear.

Happy Ash Wednesday, all (not that that's really a proper greeting, but...).

[Leslie Ferguson]

Happy Ash Wednesday, all (not that that's really a proper greeting, but...).
drifting in from the silence
Actually it is Holy Ash Wednesday in our neighborhood.
drifting back to silence

[Kathy B]

Yoga and weights at the CC this AM. Then I just got back from a 3-miler outside. Outside two days in a row in February...can you believe it? In the office and Parent-Teacher conferences tomorrow, then a 12 hour shift Friday, so I am pretty much done for the week. It's supposed to turn cold again anyway with rain and or snow.

DD has me giving up chocolate again for Lent, so when I come back next week, I may be a wee bit cranky. :p I shouldn't complain though, she gave up chocolate AND Facebook!

[Natasha]

Hi everyone!

Sounds like some good workouts happening here. Nice job, Susan, Kathy, TKay, et al.

Les, your drifting in made me laugh.

Susan, falafel - yum. I like making it but haven't lately. Keep promising DH I will, though.

Kathy, good luck giving up chocolate! Better you than me ;) :eek:

TKay, how's your little one doing?

I have a spin and a run to report. I've also eaten very well these past couple of days (at meetings with no shortage of good and varied food) so it's a good thing I've fit in the training!

Best to one and all :)

[Robyn1007]

Robyn LOVE the Diva Summit- sounds like a fabulous weekend! I hope you schedule in some R&R days in the coming weeks to avert burnout- I'm in awe of your training schedule.


Did someone say burnout? Uh, yeah, it hit this week. Just no motivation. Although I did just finish a wicked spin watching a video called "Race Day" which follows a criterium race. Seriously hard. And good. Just no mid ride recovery it's all out for 40 minutes plus warm up and cool down.

Yeah, about the cleaning. Didn't get a lot done but did get some. I'm focusing on getting ready for the Summit next week (all week, not just the weekend :eek:) which is then followed by working for 4 days then a family ski reunion. I don't expect much more traditional workouts for the next 2 1/2 weeks but out of the next 16 days I'll ski 10 of them, most of which will go bell to bell. I think that will keep me busy and maintaining fitness.

I'm reading but just don't have the energy to post back to everyone. I hope all is well. Best wishes.

[TKay]

Robyn - Enjoy the summit and the ski reunion. Try to squeeze in some good nutrition and rest. It'll help.

Nat - Ds is still home sick, thanks for asking. He's on the mend, but the poor kid eats so lightly, he has no reserves to draw on. He's complaining of an earache today, so we're finally off to the doc's. I just want to avoid antibiotics if we can. Good going on the spin and run. Good food is a great workout motivator, no?

Les - Thanks for drifting in with clarification and then drifting out again. :D (ETA: Ack! Didn't get my sizes right and can't change it in the editing mode. Darn!)

KathyB - Giving up chocolate? What is she, nuts? :D We used to give up candy every year for Lent. I haven't done it in a long, long while. Hope you get in some workouts to offset the lack-of-chocolate-crankies. ;)

Still home with a sickie. So far, I have managed not to catch it. I've laid off the workouts to play it safe. Don't know if that's helped or not. I may get on the TM for an easy workout today, just to keep in practice.

Hope you are all doing well.

Hey, has anyone heard from Seathyme or Legolas lately?

[SusanMac]

Hello VRBers! I just wrapped up a great bike & weights session today. My running group is getting together tonight, but it's raining & chilly out, which I refuse to do. I've slid through winter so far w/out a cold & hope to keep it that way! I didn't get in a workout yesterday. Came down w/a bizarre migraine yesterday afternoon. It's probably been 12 years since I've had one, and have no idea what triggered it. Slept it off & felt off the rest of the day. Luckily, today I feel fresh & good. Whew.

Need to get back to my fascinating demo of electronic records management :-)

Can't believe it's already Thursday!!

[Leslie Ferguson]

I'm glad I made you chuckle. There was more to drifting in than meets the eye. We were just getting started on a quiet day on campus and I was supposed to be quiet (meaning also "disconnected" from the outside world). I was composing some thoughts and saw the post and couldn't pass it up.

I don't blame you for bagging on a cold and wet run Susan, never any fun in my book. I hope the demo wasn't as bad as it sounds.
TKay - I hope your sickie gets better soon and you can get back out to enjoy your pleasant clime.
Robyn - Sending good thoughts as you try to overcome your burnout. The spin sounds intense to say the least.
Nat - Great job on your workouts and I hope that you don't get too many more meetings with good food. ;)

A shout out to the rest of the gang -- Kathy B, Meg, Julie (who is away from the computer), ktg, and all.

Yesterday was grand, long but grand. Like I said, we had a Quiet Day on campus that was bracketed by two services (Ashes in the morning and Evening Prayer at the end). Our guest preacher/speaker was a lady Episcopal Priest named Mpho Tutu (her father is Archbishop Desmond Tutu fro South Africa), what a fantastic speaker. Then I went Interning for more imposition of ashes and didn't get home until 9:30 pm. No workout except for my brain (reflection posted on my blog). Today was a different story. It was ~60 so I went for an hour's run before settling in for studies. Tomorrow it's supposed to be raining and there is a possibility of snow by Sunday or Monday. :rolleyes:

Hope everyone has a great Friday and I'm looking forward to a new thread. Happy trails,
Les

[oceanjasper]

Hi everyone! Sorry that I have been missing in action this week. It has felt like the longest week ever, especially since I had most of last week off work.

I haven't had a chance to read all the posts yet, but I am pretty sure that you have all been working hard as usual. :)

As for me, I went for a run last Tuesday and my hammy was still quite tight. I skiied Saturday with no issues and then ended up playing soccer on Sunday (we had no subs!) I didn't feel a thing and it hasn't bothered me at all since then. Yay! I kept up my normal routine this week and am planning for a big ski day tomorrow.

I hope you have a great weekend and I'll try to jump in on the next week's thread!

[Andy1229]

My gosh! I envy you all to have a lot of time to do such things. While, me, I only have a day to do some running and just an hour. But anyway, I enjoy reading posts in this forum and decided to join, I hope I am welcome here. :)

[SusanMac]

Andy - We start a new thread each Friday. So, hop over to the Feb 27 thread & tell us more about yourself & your running goals!