Virtual Running Buddies - 11/20

[Kathy B]

OUtside for a 3 miler this AM. The weather site says it is 48 degrees, but I don't believe it...felt like mid-50's. Sunny and beautiful! Chatted about running a bit with a neighbor. He is about my age and is gearing up for a half. Said he only started running a few years ago, and he has done 3 of them...really got me thinking about it. The half's around here are very hilly, but he said there are some not too far away that are pretty level. Hmmm....

I am working TG, so the family is going to have to do the Turkey Trot without me, but they ARE planning to go. YEA! I love it when traditions can stand on their own (without my presence required).

Vicci, did you finally finish getting your train station cleaned out? What are you up to for TG?

Susan, I have heard of Girls on the Run, but unfortunately we found out about it too late for DD to participate (she was too old at the ripe old age of 15!). I think it would have been a great way to introduce her to running, but even though she claims not to like it much, she does enjoy the 5Ks we do as a family. Nice job on your time of 20 sec off your PR! :)

Tkay, enjoy having your kiddos home for the week! DS is arriving this evening, so I have been doing a little extra cooking to get ready. I told my sister I would send two pumpkin pies for TG, one for DS, and one for everyone else! :p
Hope you are feeling better!

Les, sounds like you are in the home stretch. That must be exciting! Nice that you are still able to work in some runs/rides with all of your other commitments.

Still have a few things on my to do list for today, so better get started. Have a great weekend all!

[SusanMac]

Kathy - thanks for kicking off the new week! I'm so impressed that your family will do the turkey trot together, even tho you have to work. Will you all do official Tday dinner on Fri instead? OMG - you should totally do a half next year!! You run so consistently, I'm sure you could do it with or without hills. It's a fabulous goal.

I didn't think I'd get in a workout today, but DH talked me into it. So glad I went! 40 min of hilly trails at the dog park. I haven't been running enough lately, and oi, could I feel those hills.

We played hooky this afternoon & went to the state football championship game. Didn't know anyone there, but it was such a fun environment. Something about HS games is so special. And brings back great memories. We both kept talking about our HS games -- didn't know each other then, of course, which made it even more fun.

Any good plans for the weekend? We will have fabulous workout weather here

[TKay]

KathyB - Thanks for starting us off this week. Funny about the two pumpkin pies. I thought about a half last year (I think it was), but never fully committed to it. Let us know what you decide. That's great about the turkey trot. Enjoy ds's visit.

I did an easy run on the TM while I caught up on some daytime TV shows I've taped. I enjoy watching it when I can buzz through the commercials and the boring stuff.

Tomorrow is ds's last soccer game of the season. Whee! We've achieved burnout status. The boys are fishing with dh before the game. Hmm. Wonder how that will pan out. It's a Scout outing and they don't want to miss it. Hope I don't sleep in too long. :p

What weekend plans do you all have? I'll be making a bird this year, so I need to get my list going. I've done zero shopping.

Hi Les, Susan, Nat, Robyn, Vicci, Meg, OJ, and everyone else whose names escape me now.

[VictoriaL]

Les, thoughts of your ordination already?! Wow, you really are nearing the finish line! Bet you're thinking it will never come... ;)

KathyB, hopefully your lovely, sunny weather is making its way here (I'm tired of gloom and rain!). It's too bad that you have to work on Thanksgiving, but so funny that DS needs to take his own pumpkin pie to your sister's for dinner!

Susan, nice to get in a run when you don't have plans to, isn't it? Did Bodie join you, or did you and DH run through the dog park sans doggie?

You are so busy, Tkay, I hereby give you permission to sleep in! Admirable that you also have been consistently getting in TM time, too.

I haven't run for a week, mostly due to some nasty back pain. Although we had movers take the heavy stuff, both DH and I thought we could handle a rather large piece and, well, it was a stupid thing to do. I used the EB on Wednesday for the first time since last winter, and today got out for an easy 2.3 mile run.

The train station is empty and clean and ready for its new occupants. What a couple of weeks it has been! Closing was postponed a few days, but that's just a formality now.

Now I can concentrate on the holidays! It will be just three of us for Thanksgiving, but we love leftovers so I picked up a 21-pound turkey (at 40-cents a pound, I figured what heck!).

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for starting Kathy, it's good that your family will do the Turkey Trot without your prodding. A half? You'd do great. Too bad you're so far away or else I'd come out and run with you.
Susan - Good run, even if DH had to coax you out. It sounds like you had a blast at the game too. Hope your weekend is a great one.
TKay - Fishing bfeore soccer? That sounds like a recipe for disaster. Hope you slept in and let DH do the fishing.
Vicci - (and in response to last week's comment) It is absolutely hard to believe that I'm thinking about ordination, which is scheduled for June 12. That's just 7 months from now and graduation is exactly 6 months from today. Didn't I just start this ride? A 21 pound turkey? I don't know that I could fit that in my oven - around here that would give us leftovers for eons. I bet if feels good to have the train station out of your hair.

So far today I've been a good boy. LW and I went to the National Mall to do the annual Walk for the Homeless. This was the third year in a row and this year was the best yet. Definitely beat the daylights out of last year - it was ~30 with wind chill somewhere in the single digit range. :eek: Today it was ~45 when we started and no serious wind. An easy 5 k walk. Now for the rest of the day... don't really know but I'll probably do some shopping and maybe take a ride outside this evening. As for Thanksgiving, we're going to dinner at a classmate's house - singles or not leaving the area folk. There's supposed to be 9 but may be a couple more. We're (I'm) bringing mashed potatoes - probably a combination or split of regular and garlic mashed. YUM!

Off to do lunch and make a good weekend of it.

Happy trails,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Back-to-back... claiming a 75 minute ride today. It was great a little cool into the wind but a fine ride.

Happy trails,
Les

[VictoriaL]

Nice ride yesterday, Les-- must have felt great to get out! And congrats to both you and LW on walking for the homeless.

I got in a 2.5 mile run today before going out to the stores for last-minute Tgiving supplies. I thought that, with a Steeler game going on, there would be less crowds. I was wrong. :rolleyes:

I've decided that the longer runs tend to hurt my back, so I'm keeping them down to around 2.5 miles for a while. And I am running my very own Turkey Trail Trot on Thanksgiving. 5k. Just me and perhaps DH. Anyone want to join us? There will be plenty o' turkey afterward!!! :D

But you will have to deal with the MIL... :p

[Kathy B]

Vicci, your 21 pound turkey reminds me of that old Pizza Hut commercial with all the ways people use leftover turkey including "flaming turkey wings"! :D Good thing you have the BB to help you use up all the extra. Sorry to hear your back is complaining.....shorter runs for a while sounds like a good idea. Hope it is a quick recovery.

A 5K on the national mall on a nice day sounds great, Les! Good job on your ride, too. Were you Christmas shopping? I have started, but I need to get serious!

Tkay, I think burnout status is a common ailment among soccer parents. Hopefully your DS hasn't succumbed! How many will you have for TG?

Susan, hope you enjoyed your nice weather over the weekend. The HS championship game sounds like a lot of fun. Glad you were able to get a good run in....somehow I can't really imagine you not running much. I am sure it is all relative!

TM yesterday since it was a busy day. Today I went for an almost 4 miler after church. It was overcast and mid-50s, very nice. DS said it would have been perfect running weather if it had been misting a bit. I said no, it was just fine as it was. :rolleyes: Strange child. Later DD wanted to go to the CC, so I decided to go ahead and get one of my weights sessions taken care of for the week. All in all, a productive workout day.

Hope everyone is gearing up for a great week. :)

[MaryH]

Running a week behind but.........

For those who asked, the 1/2 I did was the Fresno Trail of 2 Cities. This is the 5th or 6th year for the half and the second year for the full marathon. I believe the Cal Int'l Marathon (CIM) in Sacramento is next weekend (usually the first weekend in Dec).

Haven't done any running since then, but am thinking about it. I am currently in trial which stresses me out no end (as it's been a long time and I'm a bit rusty). All the more reason why I should be running......:):p

But I do enjoy reading about all your adventures. :D

[SusanMac]

Happy Monday runners!

Mary - Glad your race went well. You've still got a few weeks of 'post race recovery' to justify not running :-)

Les - I remember you doing that walk for the homeless last year. Very cool that you & LW have made that a tradition

Vicci - We sadly won't be running on Tday, but we will have an extended session at the dog park w/the ILs and their sheltie. We will think of you. Last minute Tday supplies?? I haven't even started yet. Just decided on the menu last night.

Kathy - very impressed w/your double workout day. Please do a bit of arm work for me with the weights....it's been a while for me! I'm not even doing my daily pushups these days. Doh!

I ran on both Sat & Sun, and it felt good to be in somewhat of a rhythm. Sat was a neighborhood run w/Bode & DH. Sun I joined my running club for 6 miles. DH went on a bike ride, which was tempting, but don't think I would have been very strong after the run.

Not sure what today will bring. Kind of nasty outside. Although I know the rest of the week will just keep getting busier & busier each day!

[Kathy B]

A little under 3 miles for me today. I was going to do the TM in the interest of time, but it was really nice out. It is supposed to get a little colder every day now and rain/snow by tomorrow night, so I thought I shouldn't waste it. OF course Thursday is supposed to be the coldest day this week....hope the family dresses warm!

Nice that you got something in both days this WE, Susan. You are absolutely right that it will be getting busier every day. I had to backtrack a bit on the weights (decrease my weight loads, such as they are :D) because I haven't been very consistent at ALL lately. Hoping I am back on track now....

Mary, pardon my ignorance....why is it the trail of two cities? I don't know anything about CA geography, but I am assuming the name means something. Hope the trial eases up soon so you can destress. Take care of yourself!

Do any of you brave the stores on Friday? I am working Friday, too, so no shopping for me this time. We did go out last year later in the day, and I must say there were some great deals to be had!

That's all for now!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Kathy - It was a fabulous day and not shopping for Christmas presents yet. Shopping ended up being mostly food and looked at a couple things for LW's birthday (this Saturday). I don't go out on Friday unless I'm just people-watching (I may do that).
Susan - Yep, LW and I did the walk and my sister and I did the walk together last year (miserably cold). Good getting something over the weekend - I'm with you too, our weather is getting yucky. It's supposed to rain through at least Thursday. :(
Mary - Good job on the half and enjoy the CIM. sorry your at trial but it will all come back.

A shout out to the rest of the gang. Spent today doing tons of research and then the rain started. I bit the bullet and put the bad tire on the road bike (it has a thin spot that always pops the tube). Now all I can do is ride it on the trainer so tomorrow, when the weather is supposed to be terrible again, I have something to ride.

See you all later and happy trails,
Les

[VictoriaL]

MaryH, yes, you should be running more for some "stress relief". I am poster child for that, today. I hurled a roll of parchment across the kitchen as hard as I could (was a tad frustrated because something I was working on just wasn't turning out as I had envisioned) and was quite unsatisfied with how I felt afterward, so I turned everything off, suited up, and went out for a run..It made all of the difference, really!!!

Nice plan to go to the dog park on Tgiving with the IL's, Susan. Does their Sheltie get along with Bodie?

KathyB, our weather is expected to go downhill as well. :( Well, I guess that it's time. Do you have to work a full shift on Thursday? Is yours the kind of workplace where people will bring in goodies to share, to celebrate the holiday?

So Les got the trainer going... ;) Now when the weather is nice (and you have time, you can run, but otherwise you can bike-in-place.

Well (crossing my fingers), closing on the train station is tomorrow at noon. I've been busy getting together thank-you baskets for some people related to this whole adventure, and it will be a rush to get everything made which I had planned for Thursday. Maybe I'll delete one of the pies from the menu, after all do 3 people need 2 pies?!?!?

As I mentioned, my frustration earlier today resulted in a good run. I ended up with 3 miles (hoping that my back doesn't mind the "extra" work), which hardly cancels out the "taste testing" the raspberry chocolate truffles... ;)

Good runs to all (remember-- stress relief!!! :D

[Leslie Ferguson]

Vicci - Sorry about your stress but good that you had the opportunity to relieve a little of it with a run. I hope you go to closing tomorrow too, you need to have that officially off your plate.

It is official, my road bike is a trainer bike now - fully locked into the trainer so it's good for spinning now (and had about 20 minutes of spinning this evening after a little wrestling match). Hopefully I can get a run tomorrow before going to my internship site for our Thanksgiving service tomorrow evening. It shouldn't be difficult though, there are no classes for the remainder of the week - and that may be a good thing because there's a lot of paper that needs to be typed between now and the middle of December.

Happy trails all...
Les

[MaryH]

Kathy - its trail of two cities because it covers both Fresno and Clovis, Ca. (Clovis borders the north east section of Fresno.) The half used to start in Clovis and end in Fresno. This year the half was all in Fresno but the marathon took the runners from Fresno, through Clovis, and then back to Fresno.

Since we are quitting at noon today (we convinced the judge that we might have a REALLY unhappy jury if he made them go all day today), maybe I'll get in a run or walk this afternoon. (At least that's the theory.:D) )

Happy early Thanksgiving to all !!!!!!!!!!!! :):D:cool:

[SusanMac]

Tues - hilly trail run w/DH & Bode
Today - yoga class. Excellent timing to stretch, strengthen & destress as we are in marathon cleaning mode for the ILs due any minute. Luckily, it's almost happy hour :-)

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

[Robyn1007]

Hello VRBers!

I'm not posting here right now for personal reasons but as we approach Thanksgiving I knew that one group I owe a big thank you to is all of you! Your support and encouragement this year has been incredible and something for which I'll forever be indebted. I've continued running and I'm up to 4-5 days per week and just loving every minute. Skiing has begun as well and I begin coaching in just over a week. I'm off to Florida on Friday for a week long vacation and can't wait to see how my body likes running at sea level!

Take care my friends!

[Kathy B]

Hi, Robyn! Nice to see you drop in, and glad to hear your running is continuing steadily. Enjoy your week of warm weather! :)

Susan, you didn't tell us you were planning for a marathon!! ;) Good luck, and I hope you have a great visit with the IL's.

Thanks for the explanation, Mary. Nice that you finished early today. Hope you enjoyed your free afternoon. Did you run?

How about you, Les? Did you manage a run today? Hope your service went well.

I did run yesterday. Today I had good intentions all day, but pie baking and a spontaneous lunch and shopping with DH took priority. Planning to walk on the TM in just a minute while we watch SYTYCD from yesterday (DVR). Don't want to run this late since I have to be up at 5AM and really need a good night's sleep.

Working the next two days, so that's it for me. Wishing you all a very

Happy Thanksgiving!


:)

[TKay]

Happy Thanksgiving VRBers!

A quick run-by for me. More personal notes later. I've been consistent this past week, alternating my runs with my other workouts. Feels good. We opted out of the Turkey Trot today so dh could get in a good training ride. Hoping for a little TM time before company arrives, but not banking on it. I've got to get to the kitchen. Turkey and all the trimmings today.

I'd be remiss if I didn't point out how thankful I am for all of you. The support and inspiration you've given me has been invaluable.

Cheers!

Oh, and Robyn, nice to hear from you.