VRB's- week of December 18, 2009

[VictoriaL]

Well, Les, have you gotten some sleep and handed in your paper after determining that those 18 pages were not only coherent but brilliant?!?!

I was able to get in 4.1 miles this afternoon before the clouds started to thicken and threaten (Les, you're being "threatened", too, right? Actually, your area is to receive a lot more snow than ours!).

I found out that I will not be able to go home for Christmas, and not able to spend the holidays with my family for the first time... ever. Pretty depressed. Need another run! Oh well. DH wants me to go without him, while he stays with MIL (who had to go from the hospital to a rehab facility rather than home with her daughter to NJ), but that would be silly. *sigh* Eventually I'll shake it off, but now I just want to curl up on the sofa with a pound of toffee! Fortunately, I need to pick up DH soon, before ice begins to fall from the sky.

Hope that everyone has a good weekend. If I do anything exercise-wise, it will most certainly be indoors!
Stay safe, Les!

[Natasha]

Hi everyone!

Vicci, sorry to hear that. Hugs if you can use 'em. Good thing you're such a good baker - what better therapy than some fresh-baked goods, and the act of making them? Oh yeah, that and running and other exercise. :)

Les, congrats on making it through! You sounded really exhausted there for a bit. Enjoy the very well rested break.

Hope both of you - and anyone else facing bad weather - stay safe in the snowy and icy conditions! I drove home from a social event earlier this week. It was absolutely clear and dry until I got right near my town when suddenly the roads were pure ice. I swear it looked like a skating rink in places. It took me an hour to go the last 6 miles and was more than a little stressful. So be safe!

Welcome back from Orlando, Susan. Even if it's not your favourite place, the warm weather must have made a nice change.

Hi Robyn, TKay, Kathy, and everyone else. :)

I had to take rest days these past four days because I've been ailing. Can't think of the last time I took off four days in a row and needless to say I don't like it. Not only that, but I think I'll take off tonight as well, since I'm feeling tired. DH is at a work event so I stocked up on videos and books from the library, and some munchies and baking supplies from the store, so am all set to hunker down and veg with the pup.

Plans for the weekend, anyone?

[SusanMac]

Vicci - Thx for kicking off the week. I would do the same thing & stay with my DH, too. I'm sure you'll have a nice holiday. Maybe you can plan a time in Jan or Feb to have a belated Xmas with the other part of your family?

Nat - sounds like your'e doing a good job of fending off a potential cold. Hang in there. Maybe some baking is in order for you, too?

Yesterday I actually combined running & Christmas shopping. I ran down to our local pet store to buy several gifts for Merckx and his cousins. I had planned on buying just a few small things I could fit in my pockets. Instead I had to run home carrying a shopping bag :-) Oh well. Lots of good stuff, and a very productive run. Did you know that they now make bubbles with catnip? With the little wand like they have for kids. Can't wait to try it

Today another spin on the bike trainer. I watched the news & did tough segments during the commercial breaks. Darn it if the commercials didn't keep getting longer & longer as the program went on. Good workout!

Headed out to a new restaurant tonight w/some good friends. I always enjoy catch-up dates during the holiday season! Happy weekend everyone. Stay warm & safe out on the East Coast

[SusanMac]

P.S. The Ironman World Championship race is on NBC this Sat, 12/19. Check your local listing. This is always a fantastic one to watch each year!

P.P.S. Did you see that Lance Armstrong announced he's going to do it in 2011?

[Kathy B]

45 min on the TM for me this AM and at a good clip I might add. I was watching some DVR'd episodes of Colbert, and of course laughing out loud at times. The workout went by pretty quickly.

Sorry to hear you are sick, Natasha. 5 days is a long time! The vegging out with books and movies sounds a bit tempting though... ;) Feel better soon, but don't push yourself.

Susan, do you have a cat? I don't remember you mentioning that before. Thanks for the tip about the Ironman tomorrow...we may have to tune in for a while. I still remember watching YOU cross the finish line on our computer, and both kids really enjoyed hearing the announcer tell each competitor "You're an Ironman!" :)

Vicci, sorry to hear your Christmas plans didn't work out. You will just have to plan a trip for soon after the holidays....make a few late deliveries and carry the holiday over a little! All of your baking sounds delicious...and ambitious. Are you making mostly family favorites, or are you trying some new recipes? Please report! :D

Les, what a relief to have your semester behind you. Now you can relax and enjoy the season. Are you traveling for the holidays, or staying close to home? Hope the weather doesn't interfere with your plans.

Robyn, How's the skiing??? :)

Tkay, are the kids out of school now? Hope you are finding a little down time for yourself.

DD and I went out this afternoon for a few things and stopped for Starbucks on the way home. It's pretty enjoyable when there are only a few things on the shopping list and no pressure. This evening I made some spiced nuts and have a batch of Peanut Butter Choc Chip Biscotti in the oven (DS's request). Think I may start a pot of lentil soup for tomorrow, too. I am in a puttering mood once again.

Take care, all, and enjoy your weekend! :)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for starting Vicci, things are supposed to be pretty nasty down here. They're talking 1-2 feet of snow in Alexandria. :eek: Can you say paralyzed? Even if they're on the low side of that estimate it's going to be a beautiful weekend.
Nat - Sorry you aren't feeling well. But it does sound like you're fending whatever you've got off. I hope you have a good quiet evening - even if you don't get to workout. Yep, I was working on exhaustion the past week or so and yes, it's better now.
Susan - Funny about the commercials seeming longer as your workout progressed. I hope your weekend is good too.
Kathy - We're laying low this year, actually not travelling until after comps in January. I figure we did our travelling for Christmas last year anyway with 5 or 6 trips to Appomattox in the span of 5 weeks for Dad's surgery, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. Care to send some of your lentil soup my way - we could use it.

It's great to be done with another semester. I can't believe that I have just one more and I'm done. In response to Vicci, I ended up pretty happy with the 19.5 pages of research paper that I turned in. That's the longest and most thorough paper I've written since 2002 in Newport. Hopefully the last really big paper too. I finished my last paper for the semester this afternoon - read it while I was spinning this evening. Glad I did because I left parts of sentences out when I wrote it this afternoon. Last edit and I'm done. The last "official" action tomorrow, assuming they actually give the final exam, is to go and work in the computer lab for a couple hours. Of course that assumes that I can actually get to school - may walk if it's too bad to drive.

I spun this evening, kind of in celebration for the end of the semester. It's been a little sporadic over the last couple weeks but I got a few rides in and lots of energy burnt finishing projects, doing "walk-abouts" and the like.

On my plan for this weekend, assuming the snow behaves, is a run in the snow. I haven't had a really good run in the snow in ages and this one will fill the bill for a 2009 snow run. Love it, love it, love it. Other than that, if the roads are sufficiently clear on Sunday morning it's a "free" Sunday for the church (I'm "off" from the internship but can work in the church if I want) but I want to go.

Besides that, I feel a sleeping bug closing in - to make up for the lack of sleep over the past couple weeks.

Happy trails all,
Les
(the one-semester kid!)

[Natasha]

Les, sounds like you are getting really hammered! Did you get in your fun snow run? :) The one-semester kid - I love that :D

Susan, how was dinner with friends?

Kathy, those biscotti sound delicious. Is the recipe posted somewhere on the boards?

Finally got in some training. I did an hour-long spin and some weights. Yeah! I also made peppermint bark.

Hope everyone's having a fantastic weekend.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hammered is the word for it. We're at 16" and counting at our house. :rolleyes: I didn't get out for a run either but walked to and from school (2.5 each way) this morning. There was only ~8" when I walked up and ~12" when I returned (less than 3 hours later). I may head out to run but there's 16" easily and it's still snowing - not hard now but at a pleasant clip none the less. And it's getting dark too.

I can probably count 5 miles of walking in snow with heavy snow boots on as a run today can't I?

Hope Vicci isn't getting totally whacked. Maybe I'll get some pictures posted next time I'm up.

Happy snowy trails,
Les

[SusanMac]

Les - yes, that's totally a workout! Snow shoveling counts, too

Nat - you're feeling bad & still got in a 1-hour bike spin? I better crank things up a bit over here. The new restaurant was really fabulous! I hope they do well b/c it could become a new regular spot for us

Kathy - yes, we have a 2 y.o. grey tabby named Merckx. The vet last week said he's very 'dog like'....so it's now official! (DH already calls him "dog #2"). I probably don't talk about him much since he doesn't run (excpet indoors :-) Too sweet that you remember watching my Ironman. I can't wait to see the NBC broadcast. They always work hard to make you tear up a bit!

I get to report a 50-min run in the neighborhood with DH & Bode. I put my Stabilicers on today & they are sooo wonderful. Fully confident on any ice or muck. It was 19 deg. out & there were tons of runners. I love where we live :-)

[Robyn1007]

Vicci so sorry you won't make it home for Christmas. I've been away many holidays and know it can be tough.

Nat I know it's tough to take time off but it sounds like you needed it. Way to come back strong!

Les so happy that you've got a little break and you got through your paper! Enjoy!

Susan I too remember watching your Ironman! I didn't get to watch the broadcast today but last year it was up on Hulu so I'm hoping it goes up again soon.

Well, I got in a short run on Friday but it put me over 15 miles for the week so it felt great! My goal for the winter is 12-15 miles per week which isn't much but given my winter schedule of skiing I should maintain a decent base for next season. Today was coaching and it went better than I'd hoped given some issues that I'm having with some challenging kiddos.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Vicci - Sorry I didn't notice that you weren't going to be home for the holidays. :( This is the first year in many that we aren't doing anything special for Christmas - my folks can't handle all of us anymore (moved out of a 4 br house to a ~2 br apartment). They're coming up here on the 27th (their 50th anniversary) and all the kinds are up here anyway. we're not heading out to Oregon until after I finish comps in January so it looks like I may be home with Kathy and we may go over to my sister's place on Christmas Day. But that's a long time from now (Friday). Hope you didn't get as much snow up there as we did down here.
Robyn - Great job running that much in the winter. Maybe I'll get back to that now that classes are over. And I've got nothing particular to do. Glad the kids behaved themselves.
Susan - Glad you had a good run, sorry it was mucky. I could have used Stabilicers today - either that of snow shoes.

I went for a run this afternoon - I'm not as much of a fan of running in day old snow, it's not as nice as falling snow. There were three options for running today - ice, knee deep powder, or (what I found out the hard way) slush! :eek: Slushy shoes are no fun in knee deep snow. Still, checked off running in the snow. Had a good day at church - we only had 2 serviecs this morning. It was exciting trying to get there, in a few places on the freeway there were 5-6' mounds of snow. :eek: Bet that would cause a problem if you hit it going 40+ MPH.

Hope all are well,
Les

[Natasha]

Hi everyone!

Susan, nice job on that run and staying upright! Haven't used my Stabilicers yet this season. I'm not in a hurry to, to be honest, but it's good to know they're there :)

Robyn, glad to hear coaching wasn't as stressful as it could have been!

Les, I agree with you - slush isn't much fun. Still, a run is a run.

Vicci, you'd asked if I'd seen Men with Brooms. You bet! I have the video, too. Pretty fun in a zany way :D Did you like it?

I did a spin followed by a short run today. Should also fit in some core. This is a long weekend for me.

[TKay]

Hi all -
I've been laying low. Had a really busy few days and then was fighting the achy cold thing. Much better now and back at it. I'm heading up to the TM right now, but wanted to say hello to everyone.

Vicci - Sorry about the travel plans.

Nat - Glad you're feeling better.

Susan - I missed the Ironman, darn it. You are brave to get in those icy runs.

KathyB - Soup and biscotti? Yum! Yes, kids are out. It's nice to have them around. Ask me about it again in two weeks. ;)

One-semester kid - Congrats on getting over another hurdle. Hope the weather is kind to you.

Robyn - Wow, maintaining 12 to 15 in addition to all the skiiing? You'll be in top running form for spring.

Happy holidays, all!

[Natasha]

TKay, glad you're feeling better! How was the TM?

I'm enjoying my day off - did some last minute grocery shopping and a bit of menu planning, got in a 55-minute run and a couple of good walks, wrapped presents, and so on. I'd like to do the rest of my baking tonight. One batch of human cookies and one batch of dog cookies to go :)

Hope everyone else is doing well and enjoying festivities of various sorts!

[SusanMac]

I love the unofficial Christmas season work schedule. 1 meeting....bake a batch of cookies. 1 meeting.....wrap some presents. Do a bit of work....finish Christmas cards :-)

Popping in to report a 6.5 mile run with DH. I've been feeling a bit sinus-y for a few days, but today was much better & I felt really strong on the run. Hopefully the run will kick out whatever little bug is hanging around me.

Headed out to sushi tonight to catch up with a few girlfriends. Maybe the healthy fish & rice will make up for my cooking club's cookie exchange last night??

Happy Winter Solstice everyone!

[VictoriaL]

Les, sleep! Rest and rejuvenate! You have certainly earned it. :) We had a piddly (compared to your area) snowfall total-- 6"! But it was enough for me. Plus, we spent the day getting the MIL discharged from the hospital and transported to a nursing home (15 minutes away on a nice day, it took us almost 45).

Nat, we loved that movie (it was given to us by a Canadian friend) and have watched it 3 times since. You reminded me that I have yet to make the peanut butter bones for our friends' dogs...

We had the same type of day Susan-- I made phone calls, then made marshmallows; typed 2 letters, then wrapped gifts... Christmas Multitasking at it's finest!


I have decided to take this week off from running. Just to get some fresh air, I tromped over a couple of my trails this afternoon but it's quite the workout in the snow. Then I shoveled a path through the front yard to the front door from the road. I am expecting a FedEx delivery and they will not go up the driveway since the battery on the atv died so we can't plow it. It's quite the aerobic workout shoveling, especially shoveling over grass!

This may be my last time on the Boards until after Christmas. If the MIL is doing well, and the weather cooperates, we will travel to my parents' for 24 hours from Christmas Eve afternoon to Christmas day afternoon. Better than nothing at all, I say! So I am in a preparation frenzy. I like it.

Merry Christmas, my Virtual Running Friends! I'll catch up with you all (and return to my running) next week. :)

[Leslie Ferguson]

I'm glad you're enjoying the long weekend Nat. I enjoyed my first day off, no classes and nothing to do (especially since they closed campus today so I could e-mail my last paper as opposed to hard-copy). Human cookies, dog cookies - love it. Glad you had a good run too.
Susan - That's funny - meeting/cookies/meeting/cookies, nice to work at home isn't it? Good run today, 6.5 sounds good, especially with DH.
Vicci - Saying a prayer that you get to your family's place for Christmas eve/day. 6" sounds like a pleasant snow too.
TKay - Ditto Nat, how was the TM? Sorry you haven't been feeling well, hope it breaks soon.

I didn't run today but got my workout in - lots of walking (indoors) and about 4 miles in the snow and slush - there's still ~10-12" in spots. And it's still fluffy where the snow has been in the shade. Maybe tomorrow will bring another run, otherwise it will be back on the trainer. Of course, there will be some more sleeping (love it) and maybe a little stocking stuffer shopping.

Happy trails,
Les

[Robyn1007]

Natasha and Susan I am so jealous of both of your days.

Tkay how'd the treadmill go?

Vicci so excited you'll get a few hours at home! Travel safe.

Les your first day off sounds lovely!

I got 2.5 miles in yesterday. Yes, very short but I'm finding my legs feel like lead the day after coaching so I really just wanted to get out and move a bit. Besides, I realized that my last rest day previous to that had been Tuesday. Generally I do best with a 3 day on 1 day off schedule so that had surpassed it.

Today I took the day off and had a busy day at work. We're officially shut down but have a skeleton crew so I'm covering through Wednesday. I had a lovely Indian dinner with Mcgeiger tonight as well.

[TKay]

Nat - I'm with the others. Your day sounds lovely.

Susan - Sushi, yum. It's been a while since I've had that for dinner. Sounds like the perfect antidote for heavy holiday fare.

Vicci - Have a great holiday and enjoy your time off the trails (although I highly doubt you'll be sedentary). Hope your MIL gets settled in and feeling better soon.

Les - I would agree that you still had quite a workout. Enjoy your time off from class.

Robyn - I don't consider 2.5 a short run. I'm not one who goes long like some of the studs on this bb. I typically run 3 to 4, so I think we're at a similar level. For now, anyway. If you keep up your schedule, you'll pass me by very soon.

I was very sluggish on the TM yesterday. I had to will my legs to keep moving. I'm planning a weight walk today to keep the blood moving and then lots of cooking. I like to pre-make things like garlic-cheese mashers. I'm also making a pumpkin risotto to take to the in-laws. Dh may take the kids out on BIL's boat tonight to look at lights in the harbor. I may stay home to wrap and assess the damage. If we need fill-in gifts, I can't wait much longer.

Have a great one, everybody!

[SusanMac]

Tkay - holiday harbor lights sound wonderful! I'm jealous

Vicci - ecstatic that MIL is doing OK and that you'll get to squeeze in a family road trip.

Just got back from a yoga class. My first since Thanksgiving. Feels like I just had a massage. Aaaaaahhhhhhhh.

I think I may give DH a gift certificate for 1 yoga class. I know he doesn't want to go, but I think it would be so good for his tight muscles!

Ho! Ho! Ho! to the rest of you Virtual Running Buddies. Off to make some granola for the neighbors

[Natasha]

Susan, yay for yoga! I have started getting back into it these past couple of months and my body thanks me. Hope the granola turned out well! That's a good gift idea. I've thought about it but so far haven't done it.

Vicci, so glad you can see your folks!! Safe travels.

Les, enjoy the continued R&R!

Robyn, 2.5 miles is still a run, right? :)

TKay, sorry to hear the workout wasn't stellar but you're on the mend, which is good. Garlic-cheese mashers... sounds delicious. Are these mashed potatoes or something else?

Kathy, you're probably busy with fun family activities!

I'm not sure I'll be back here before Christmas, so just in case, will wish everyone a very Merry Christmas now! Happy festive running!!!

[Leslie Ferguson]

It's good to hear that all are well.

Laid a little low today - had to finish a letter to my Bishop letting him know how I'm doing in my preparations for Ordination (a quarterly requirement - it just takes me about 4 hours to write it). Lots to talk about and I'm happy with the letter.

2.5 miles is still a run Robyn. I hope you have a good time off until the beginning of the year.
Susan - I'd take a yoga gift certificate - never have enough flexibility and stretching. Hope your granola came out well.
Nat - Thank you for the wishes, it's going to be a weird Christmas here. Might work at Church since we're not heading to Mom and Dad's house. Then time with my sister on Christmas.
TKay - Good to prepare ahead when you can. I hope you have a relatively stress free holiday.

Tomorrow will be a run day. It should be warm (~35) and the snow should be packed down enough to make it easy to run in.

Happy trails and borrowing from Nat... Merry Christmas

Peace,
Les

[Robyn1007]

Tkay the pumpkin risotto sounds delicious!

Susan I have tried yoga a number of times but it always feels like torture to me. So glad it gives you so much relief though!

Les glad you got through your letter, have you gotten any sleep though?

Thanks all for the words on the short run. I've found that sometimes I can't go very long but I always feel better if I just get out there. Today I ran at lunch time since we're a bit more casual during the shutdown so I did a new route and got in 2.8 but at a great pace for me.

[Robyn1007]

Wow, back to backs for me. I got in 3.5 snowy miles this morning. Felt like off roading as the shoveling/plowing at some points left a lot to be desired. So, this ends my week far short of my goal but I'll ski the next 2 days so not so bad. Merry Christmas all!

[Leslie Ferguson]

I'd start a new thread but the only running and exercise today may be staying awake. Wonderful time at church last night led to going to bed at 2:00 am. :eek: Thank goodness there are no children around the house.

A nap calls... Merry Christmas all,
Les

[Kathy B]

I'd start a new thread but the only running and exercise today may be staying awake. Wonderful time at church last night led to going to bed at 2:00 am. :eek: Thank goodness there are no children around the house.

A nap calls... Merry Christmas all,


Les

LOL Les! I could have written your post myself. Except children in the house are the REASON I was up until 2:00 am! Had to wait for kids to go to bed after we got home from the midnight service. It has been a lovely holiday here! (And mine included a nap as well!)

Hope everyone had a wonderful day. Merry Christmas to all of my VRB friends! :)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Kathy - too funny. And my afternoon did include a 3 hr nap. Now time for bed.

Merry Christmas to all,
Les

[Natasha]

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.

Les and Kathy, sounds like you both had a wonderful time!

Robyn's probably on the slopes as I write this :)

I did a short spin and some weights on Christmas Eve day, and ran a bit over 5 miles yesterday. Yes, I know it was Christmas but I like running and so it wasn't a chore. In fact, I think I've run more Christmases than not in the past several years. You guys understand, of course! It's been kind of damp and rainy these past two days but on Christmas Eve we got a pretty dusting of fluffy snow, which lasted until midday on Christmas. We had a lovely day all around.

Take care, all!

[TKay]

A quick pop-in for me. We've had a busy couple of days (like everyone else), and we're headed for Vegas in a couple of hours. Whose idea was THAT?! :o

Nat - I also ran on Christmas. Somehow, it makes the day go smoother. (Could it be the endorphins, perhaps?) Yes, the mashers are mashed potatoes. They were delightful! Glad you had a great day.

Les - I'm with you about the new thread. I think it can wait. :D

Robyn - Enjoy the slopes! The pumpkin risotto did turn out well. I made it vegetarian style this time (usually calls for chicken broth), and it was still delicous.

Susan - Yoga. Ahhh, is right. Glad you enjoyed it so much. I want to get dh into yoga too. I know it would help with his tightness and his stress. You'll like this. My youngest picked out yoga toe socks for me. He was very excited when I opened them on xmas.

Hi KathyB!

As I mentioned, we're taking the boys to see the Love show in Vegas tomorrow night. We'll be there two nights (starting tonight), so I've got to mosey. I am debating about a workout today, but I'm definitely bringing running gear for tomorrow. Have a great one, VRBs!