Virtual Running Buddies - Happy 2010!

[SusanMac]

Happy New Year everyone!! I get to kick off our first thread of 2010! Hope everyone had a fun & safe NYE with friends and family.

I've decided to bail on the NY Day Dash today. Wind chill is -8. And my heart just isn't in a race today. I'll have a bike trainer session in the basement later today, as I feel I definitely need to log some kind of workout to start the year off on the right foot.

Stayed in last night & made salmon & shrimp pasta. We got some artisanal (sp?) pasta from my aunt for Xmas. What a fabulous gift! We received 4 different flavors, and they are gorgeous. Very yummy dinner with movie, cheese & reading. It may not sound exciting, but it's our kind of evening. I may practice making crepes today....just plain, no fancy recipes. I also have a sewing project and lots & lots of football.

Since we're starting a new decade, it would be fun to share fitness/health-related accomplishments from this past decade. Anyone want to kick it off?

[VictoriaL]

Happy New Year, all! Hope that it's both healthy and prosperous for everyone!

Susan thanks for starting us off this year! :D Your NYE sounds as though it was perfect, and have fun with that crepe maker today! Wind chill of -8? Yes, good idea not to go out and run!

I did 45 minutes on the EB yesterday, in anticipation of having today off. At the last minute a friend joined us yesterday for dinner and to ring in the new year, and he left this morning after a late breakfast. Of course, since he was here I prepared more food, and ate more...

My fitness-related accomplishments from the past decade? The biggie-- running! For being something that I never had any urge to do, and finally did so in desperation after reaching my mid-40's, I enjoy it so much. And it has definitely helped in keeping me healthy (and my weight down) as I... age... ;)

I don't know if there are any more that could come close to that as I've been eating a healthy diet for about 15 years now, and even ate less holiday goodies this year than I ever have. Oh, stretching and yoga, I should add those both which I started only about 8 years ago when I started to feel a little "inflexible".

Anyone else???

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for starting this year off with a bang Susan. I'm with Vicci, -8 is probably too cool for my blood - I think that would take just about every stitch of clothes (including my lined GoreTex pants) to keep warm in. Dinner and a movie is a great thing on NYE - keeps you away from the crazies. Enjoy your crepe maker, I know you'll have a blast with it.

Vicci - Good EB and way to pick up with the unexpected guest. That's our lady! Congratualtions on your exercise health accomplishments of the decade.

I ran today, per my usual New Years Day things. Too bad there wasn't any fresh snow on the ground though (even though I did run in some old snow mounded up from 13 days ago - it's not the same). Just over an hour run, felt good; temps in the lower 40s and a little breeze too. Rang in the New Year, not doing much except reading a little. (I'm even more boring than Susan - especially considering I was reading a Study Bible)

Fitness accomplishments? I qualified to run in and ran in the Boston Marathon twice. I also completed two triathalons and a duathalon (run-bike-run). The second run was hard in the du. This may sound odd but I've actually managed to put on a couple pounds (I started the decade somewhere in the high 140s/low150s - at 6') and ended the decade ~160 which is a much healthier weight for me.

Looking forward to a quiet day now that the sun is down and I'm holing up for the evening.

Happy trails,
Les

[Natasha]

Hi everyone. Hope the New Year is starting out well for all!

Susan, thanks for starting us off this week. The pasta sounds delicious. Don't blame you for skipping the race! How was the bike?

Vicci, impressive that you could swing the last-minute guest. Nice job on the EB workout!

Les, your run sounds fun and I'm glad you're getting a chance to lie low and do your thing.

We had a relaxing NYE as well. I think I mentioned we were doing wine and cheese with a friend. It was a lot of fun as always. Between what we each purchased, we had about 16 types of cheese, and I couldn't even try them all. I did have about 10, though, and made a couple of good discoveries (though I can't remember all the names now!)

Yesterday DH and I did a long stretching session. It was just the ticket. We also checked out a newish sushi place in town. Quite good. Today I should swim or run, but haven't yet decided which it'll be.

Fitness accomplishments from the last decade - let's see. I was already running before 2000, but in the 2000s I ramped up my running distance-wise and speed-wise, and finished quite a few distance events (incl. a few marathons). Since meeting my husband early in the decade, I've taken on and progressed in many different sports and activities. One of the many related benefits was completing two half iron duathlons. My body is on the whole much more balanced than it was ten years ago.

[Kathy B]

I have a lot on the agenda today. Family Christmas is here tomorrow, and I have quite a bit of cooking in store. TM last couple of days for a respectable length of time. Probably again today while things are baking and simmering, but hopefully Monday I can get back to the CC for some weights.

Susan your weekend sounds very recreational with crepe making, football, movies...nice! How about your list of successes? I think you have a few....;)

Vicci, I really enjoy drop in guests, too. My niece ended up dropping by for an overnight this week as her travels home were slightly derailed by weather. It was so nice to visit with her for an entire evening!

Les, good job on your NYD run! I seriously considered it, but it was just too cold for my wimpy bones. DS went out with some old HS friends for their "2nd annual alumni run". Their numbers increased from 4 last year to 6 this year. I told him, who knows how big this thing could be in 20 years? :p

Natasha, the wine and cheese party sounds like fun, although I have extremely limited knowledge of either one. Do you have a specialty cheese shop where you bought your selections? I definitely want to get back to my yoga after the holidays. The stretching makes such a difference in a lot of ways besides flexibility for me.

Fitness accomplishments would be picking up running and participating in several 5K events over the past several years. Also getting started with weights and yoga, though I am not as consistent with those. Guess that can be a goal for the next decade! :D

Have a good weekend all!

[Natasha]

Checking back in to report a very fun 9k treadmill run. We now have Susan's -8F windchills and the thought of getting into a pool (albeit indoors) and warming up afterwards just wasn't doing it for me ;)

Kathy, that's so cool about your DS's 2nd alumni run. Love that idea! We have a deli in town that has great breads and pastries, cheeses, and meat. So we bought everything there.

Hope everyone else is doing well and staying warm (since other than TKay I think we are all in coolish climates)!

[SusanMac]

Well, the temps are still crazy here, so yesterday was a bike trainer session. I also added some walking lunges, and my bum is sore! Today is colder, but DH is thinking of running. I haven't decided yet. He's out walking Bode right now to 'test' how it feels. I'm supposed to be taking down the tree :-)

I had a really good decade, when I look back. I picked up 3 new sports: rowing, cycling & triathlons (so I guess I should add swimming, too) That feels really good & rewarding for this non-athletic girl! Lots of great events across all 3 sports, as well as new friends & staying healthy.

I haven't gotten around to the crepe-making yet, as yesterday was focused on a sewing project. I'm making a fleece pullover, which is a first for me.

Kathy - I love the annual alumni run idea, too! Hope your family Xmas was good. When is DS going back to school?
Les - nice job on the NYD run. A good tradition, I'd say
Nat - a night of wine & cheese sounds fab. We might have to plan one of those soon. Fondue is often on the menu for NYE, but I just didn't think of it this year.
Robyn - you must be off skiing somewhere :-)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Quick check in today. I'm not sure how much I'll be around the boards this coming week with my exams. I'll have 7 hours of tests Mon, Tue, Thu, and 3.5 hours on Fri. Any good thoughts/wishes/prayers would be appreciated. I'm at the point where whatever will be will be - really can't study for these tests because each one covers such a huge amount of stuff.

I hope to get some exercise this week to keep my sense about me and maintain perspective.

Happy trails all,
Les

P.S. Anyone who wants to see what the test consists of you can read about it at www.episcopalgbec.org.

[VictoriaL]

www.episcopalgbec.org[/url].

Les, you've been preparing for this exam for the past 2-1/2 years! The website described YOU:

A person who has "read, marked, learned, and inwardly digested" his or her studies during preparation for ministry should do well on the GOE.

Although, as I read on about the specifics of the exams I realized that, in a hundred years of studying, I could never even hope to do well on it. You, however, will. Absolutely. ;)

KathyB, but I don't enjoy drop-in guests! We've had three in the past 26 years... This one, actually last-minute invited, was different. The house was squeaky clean, being a divorced man who cannot cook he was thrilled to get spaghetti and meatballs (which DH requested as his NYE dinner), and DH needed a night of hanging out with a friend. :) I envy you for being such a welcoming, relaxed, hostess!!!

Nat, sixteen different types of cheese?! Wow. I don't know if I've had that many in my life! Sounds like great fun, though.

That feels really good & rewarding for this non-athletic girl!
Susan, did you actually say that?:p Maybe "formerly athletic", perhaps??? I still remember your Ironman!

I meant to get on the EB today, but it never happened because I started organizing my photo files from '09 and became immersed...

Definitely tomorrow because Tuesday and Wednesday will both be too busy to do much of anything exercise-wise. And now that it's officially "after the holidays", I need to toss what cookies are remaining in the kitchen before I can seriously begin to exercise again. Alas. :o

[TKay]

Happy New Year, runners!

Susan - Thanks for kicking off the new decade. You have achieved some major accomplishments. What an inspiration. Your NYE sounds perfect to me too, btw.

Vicci - Becoming a runner is big. Congrats on that one. I was never a natural runner either, so I know how much of an accomplishment that is.

Les - All the good thoughts and positive vibes I can muster are going out to you for your finals. I agree with Vicci, though. You will do great. Hope you get in some stress-busting exercise too. (Those Boston marathons are impressive, my friend.)

Nat - I'm in awe of your fitness accomplishments. You rock. That wine and cheese sounds divine too!

KathyB - How did your family Christmas go? Great going on the 5Ks. I've only done a few myself, but I feel a great sense of achievement afterward.

I have managed to maintain the workout consistency throughout the holidays. In fact, I've even increased my times. I've had a terrible time with my weight just creeping up on me. I've made efforts to shed a few, but to no avail. So I'm adding workouts, increasing my time and intensity and recommitting to being healthy. I don't care so much about a few pounds. It's the few pounds on top of those that I mind. And then the few that come with the holidays. And the few more that come with age. You get the picture.

The decade's accomplishment? Hmm. Maybe maintaining a fitness routine during the time I've had and then adjusted to raising my kids. That has been a real challenge for me. I'm one who has the tendency to sacrifice myself when someone else has a need. So keeping my health and well-being on the agenda has been a real achievement.

[Natasha]

The boards ate my post! Don't you hate that?

Les, you've now at least made a dent in your exams. Way to go!

Vicci, how was the EB? Are you actually going to throw away perfectly good cookies? :eek: Wish I were closer!

TKay, that's a huge accomplishment. I'm impressed. Actually, I'm impressed with everyone's achievements. You all rock :D

DH and I took yesterday off training to see a show and go for dinner. Very nice afternoon and evening, and a perfect way to wrap up the holidays. We went back to work today. I plan to spin this evening.

Hi to Kathy, Susan, Robyn, and everyone I'll remember as soon as I click Submit and go downstairs to check on dinner. :)

[SusanMac]

Happy back to the grind day, runners!

Les - you may not be online, but we are ALL sending good vibes your way! You will sail through this, and come out stronger on the other end.

Vicci - I guess it should be 'formerly,' but even though I do a lot, it doesn't come naturally to me. I really have to work at it. So, even though I consider myself a runner, not a jogger (for example), I still don't consider myself 'natural' at any of it. I think Robyn writes about this often, and I always love reading her posts when she talks about overcoming this. Robyn's probably a natural skier, but not in other areas perhaps. (hopefully I'm not putting words in her mouth!)

TKay - I ditto Nat's sentiment about being impressed w/your accomplishments! I know that if I had 2 little kids around the house, I'd probably do 1/10th of my current workouts. Your DH is a great example of making it a priority, tho! Hopefully you've learned from him.

I can happily report a great long run today! The wind chills hit 1 today, so DH & I hit the roads and logged 9 miles. Whew. I was slogging about half way through, but put it out of my mind, got a 2nd wind & kept cranking. I could really feel the recent bike workouts on my legs.

P.S. The new scooters felt fantastic!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for all the positive thoughts and vibes and prayers. It was a tough day, not bad just 7 hours of writing. Both of the questions today were reasonable, actually had to do with things I might have to do in ministry in coming years. Ironically (not really, I think God had a hand in it), the sermon we heard in chapel last night and one of the readings from chapel this morning were great primers for this morning's question on Scripture. And my last masters from the Naval WAR College (go figure that one) helped inform my answer about social theology this afternoon. I'm going to go out for a walk - it was a day inside and the cool air (hopefully the breeze has let up) will do me some good, off load a little pent up energy.

Good to see that others are doing well these days and getting exercise/runs/EB/TM in. I hope you all are staying warm and I'll be in touch on the flip side. Oh, and I'm over 1/4 done (2 out of 7).

Happy trails,
Les

[VictoriaL]

It was a tough day, not bad just 7 hours of writing. :D :D :D

Les! I'm not gonna touch that one! Hope that you had a nice, head-clearing time outdoors this afternoon.

Tkay, yes, I would consider keeping yourself fit and healthy a definite achievement, and throw into the mix raising your kids and, well, you've done great!

Well, KathyB, I certainly hope that you're enjoying a well-deserved rest after Sunday!

Okay, Nat, get the heck down here and you can have your fill of cookies! Actually I plan to take all of the remaining cookies to the nursing home (where MIL will be released from on Wednesday). :) If I don't eat them first... Hope that your "spin" was enjoyable.

Well Susan, you have certainly fooled me! With all of the activities you do, and frequency, I thought that you were practically born to athleticism. I thought that I was the only one in this group who has to literally talk herself into getting out there and doing something. :rolleyes:

So here I sit, my lower back pressed up against a fully-crankin' heating pad because I overdid it a bit today. It was in the mid-20's with a few inches of fluffy snow on the ground this afternoon. I planned to climb onto the EB but then had an idea. It has been years since I used my xx skis, and I had a few hours before DH was due home... so I dug everything out of storage and went out. Oh, it was fun! I skiied around my trails (only once forgetting that I was skiing not running but I was able to make a soft fall before my descent down a hill turned... disastrous) and when I arrived back home, I discovered that I had been gone for over 1-1/2 hours. Needless to say, I used muscles which really weren't accustomed to being used, and not only my back is killing me, but also my knees, shoulders, and adductor muscles. Ow. But it's a good ow! :) Well, kind of... you all know what I mean!

Hope that you all were able to make the transition from Holiday mode to Regular Work-week mode without much of a problem.

[Robyn1007]

Hi all!

I don't have the energy tonight to respond individually but it sounds like everyone has had a good couple of days (with the possible exception of Les as your tests sound brutal!). I have been off skiing for Friday and Saturday.

I had a great day coaching on Saturday and I feel like my group is finally settling in after some political drama going on with a couple other coaches. I gained a new athlete that is just a go getter and going to be a lot of fun to work with this year. Unfortunately the drive home took 5.5 hours instead of the normal 1.75 due to fume build up in the Eisenhower Tunnel (the tunnel that goes under the Continental Divide) causing it to be shut down every 10 minutes or so as the mountains unloaded their holiday crowds. Subsequently my body was a wreck yesterday so I did absolutely nothing. :p

BUT, I did finally get a run in today and it felt pretty darn good. I wore my new Brooks Nightlife jacket and if I get hit by a car in this, well I was meant to go. That thing is BRIGHT and reflective to boot. :D

Happy running my friends!

[Kathy B]

Glad to be able to report a solid TM run today as well as yoga the past two days. Wish it were more, but the year is young, right?

The family get-together was aborted Sunday due to more bad weather :(. We did have one BIL in town who made it, so we had a nice dinner with the 5 of us and the rest of the food went into the freezer (don't read that part Natasha! :o Although, at least now I have ROOM in the freezer....:D).

DD should have been back to school today, but it was cancelled, and the rest of the week isn't looking good as the weather is supposed to get worse. Sigh. (I don't mind DD being home at all, but I am really tired of this miserable freezing weather.)

7 hours of writing sounds tiring, Les, even if you are comfortable with the topic. Hope you are more than 1/2 done by now!

Vicci, your CC sking sounds great! I have always wanted to try it. Hope your sore muscles recover quickly. I think part of the reason I don't mind unexpected guests is because we had company so often when I was growing up. One time some friends of my parents stopped by when our folks weren't home, and my sisters and I (junior high at the time) invited them in and served refreshments and visited with them ourselves because they were some of our favorite adult visitors. :p How is your MIL doing? Hope you were able to get some answers to your questions from her doctor.

Susan, you amaze me with a 9 mile run when it's 1 degree outside! As I sit at my computer with 3 layers on. I was hoping to stay outside longer this year, but once the frigid temps hit, I once again have become good buddies with my TM! DS heads back to school next Sunday. The town where his college is located is supposedly one of the coldest spots in Missouri....poor guy! He has to go out and start his car daily (sometimes more) to make sure it will start if he actually wants to go somewhere. Fortunately most of his classes are in the building right next to his dorm. And he got a small coffee maker for Christmas so he can make hot water for his tea/chai/hot chocolate.

I saw the jacket on FB, Robyn. I think you'll be very safe! :p

Tkay, I know exactly what you mean about a few pounds becoming a few more, etc... A few years ago I told my doctor that I felt like I increased about 1-2 pounds every year. It is pretty typical as we get older I guess. At some point, it becomes a real victory just to maintain from year to year. Working out certainly makes that a whole lot easier to accomplish. Way to stay consistent with your exercise over the holidays...good job with that!!

Natasha, what show did you see? I wish we had a good deli or bakery near us. It is really hard to find good bread for everyday meals.

Laundry is going and I have cleaning to do and supper to start, so signing off for now!

[SusanMac]

Kathy - after sweating our buns off yesterday, DH & I were discussing how people just assume it's too cold to run, but, in fact, you get just as hot & sweaty as when it's warm out. It's true. The big difference is that when you stop & feel the sweat it makes you chilly. So, no sitting around or going into a conf call after a run in winter. I have to immediately jump in the shower!

Robyn - there you go with cool gear again! I complimented a woman in yoga class on her top that I was coveting. She said she got it at Lucy...and I immediately thought of you! We recently got a Title IX store here, & I've been scared to go b/c I know I'll want to buy everything.

Les - way to go! Hang in there!

Happy happy rest day today. I wanted to do yoga, but the class schedule & my work schedule didn't jive. I probably needed to spend some calories, tho, b/c it's Orange Bowl night and DH insists on having nachos for dinner. I know, I know. But I figure it's kind of like pizza -- if you make it at home & control the ingredients, it's not quite so bad. Definitely a guilty pleasure, tho. DH's alma mater is playing. So, I need to go now & put on my Iowa sweatshirt, or else he'll be sad :-)

[Natasha]

Hi all!

Susan, sounds like you need to buy more gear now. Oh oh! Hope the game goes the way you guys want it too! Good job on that 9 miler.

Vicci, CC skiing sounds fun. Are you feeling less tender today?

Kathy, it's okay - you're allowed to put things back in the freezer :D :p I have also bought more staples since but feel okay about it because I'm getting through old stuff faster than acquiring new things, and because at least I'm rotating the stock. Right? ;) We saw The Sound of Music. It's one of my all-time favourite movies and the show did a good job of staying true to it while taking a few, fun liberties. And the sets and quick changes were very impressive.

Les, nice going! Naval war stuff... social theology... hmm :D Always good when you can put past experience to good use, anyway!

Hi Robyn - nice to hear from you and to hear that coaching is going better.

I ran about 40 minutes today, with some intervals. It was pretty good. I wanted to get the run done early so I can watch a game tonight.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Brain fry - I've skimmed the posts and it sounds like everyone is busy (and if not I'm sorry). The second 7 hours of writing is over and tomorrow is an "off" day where I get to do a bunch of personal stuff (dr., spiritual direction, and a massage :cool: ). All in all, things have gone exceedingly well although this morning was a period of abject horror and an adreneline rush that I haven't experienced in ages. My computer went absolutely BLACK ~ 2 hours into the first exam, just as I was starting to flesh out my outline. Needless to say the essay wasn't someplace that was easily accessible (stuck on my computer but thanks to Word 2007 I was able to recover ~97% of my typing). A few moments of panic and the coining of the phrase "computer vomit" and I spun out of my room and located another computer. In actuality I had all the time I needed (within reason) but was only 15 minutes over and I definitely spent more time than that trying to get restarted after the hiccup.

But for now - bed calls and my fried brain needs to not think about anything for a few hours. Maybe there will be a run tomorrow afternoon.

Happy trails and I'll try to give a better report tomorrow.

Les

[TKay]

Les - OH NO! How stressful. I'm so sorry about the computer snafu, but glad you kept your head about you enough to get through. Here's to some good rest (and a wonderful massage) today. You certainly deserve it.

Nat - Did you get to your game last night? I'm so out of the sports loop right now, I have no idea who's playing or what's at stake. Come Super Bowl time, I hope to know who's in it. :o

Susan - I'll add my kudos to you for that chilly 9-mile run. I can see how freezing temps might motivate you to keep running. Glad the new kicks are working out. Did dh's alma mater win the Orange Bowl? I don't even know (see post to Nat above).

Vicci - Ouch! Hope you are more mobile and less sore today. The only kind of skiing I've ever enjoyed is CC (sorry, Robyn!). I haven't been in years and I'm sure I'd be utterly crippled after 1.5 hours of it. Hope you're moving more freely today.

Robyn - Great to hear from you. That traffic sounds brutal. Hope things are better now that the holiday crowds have (fingers crossed) cleared. Glad your new gear is keeping you safe. Yesterday I got a compliment on a top I was wearing. I looked down and realized I was wearing top to bottom Lucy, thanks to you. I think you should get a commission.

Kathy - Sorry about your wretched weather. I can't even imagine. Too bad Sunday didn't work out, but at least you still had a lovely (though smaller) meal with family. I keep reading about your yoga (and Susan's) and keep thinking, I have GOT to get back to that. It sounds so soothing. Glad you're getting that (and some TM runs) in.

I ended up taking yesterday off. I worked in ds's classroom in the morning, had work the rest of the day and a family meal out last night (with visiting cousins). The mid-week margaritas wreaked havoc with my sleep, but I'm heading up for some TM intervals anyway. Onward! I've been adding evening walks to my routine--just about 20 minutes of either really brisk stuff, hills or intermittent running/walking. I'm attempting to up my metabolism a bit to drop some of this extra poundage.

Happy Wednesday, all.

[SusanMac]

6 miles. 18 degrees. Clear & pretty. A few turkeys. A few school crossing guards. A few icy slippery spots. Great new shoes!

Yes, DH's alma mater (Iowa) won the Orange Bowl last night. It was a really good game, too, so fun to watch. I didn't overdo it with the nachos, either, so feel pretty good about that. Once I was full, I mainly picked out the roasted cherry tomatoes that were on top b/c they were the best part.

Les - OMG, bummer about the PC crash. I don't think I've ever taken a test on the computer before. It's obviously been a while since I've been in school!

TKay - the evening walks sound like a nice addition. It helps you stay motivated when you have a puppy staring & begging you for a "w", as we call them in our house for fear of Bode knowing what we're talking about.

Vicci - the xc ski sounds like a blast! Are you feeling less sore today?

Question for the group - do you all remember a VRBer who was on a race planning committee a few years ago? I thought it was Kwormann, but she said no. I have an oppty to join a planning committee for a local fun run that raises funds for Gilda's Club. I can't decided whether or not it would be fun & rewarding....or tedious & frustrating. Let me know if you have experience with this, or if you remember our previous member who has done it. Thx!

[Natasha]

Question for the group - do you all remember a VRBer who was on a race planning committee a few years ago? I thought it was Kwormann, but she said no. I have an oppty to join a planning committee for a local fun run that raises funds for Gilda's Club. I can't decided whether or not it would be fun & rewarding....or tedious & frustrating. Let me know if you have experience with this, or if you remember our previous member who has done it. Thx!

Betsy! (Elizabeth B).

I have only volunteered for races, not planned them, but have run friends who started up a race organization and many others who plan them. I always think about getting more involved but so far just haven't!

Sounds like a nice run today.

Les, eek! Glad it worked out okay.

TKay, how were the intervals?

I plan to spin tonight and finish a movie from the library :)

[Kathy B]

Susan, It was Elizabeth B. Here (http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=122417&highlight=Committee+race) is a thread where she talked about it. I think it would be very fun to help with the planning of a race, especially if I didn't have to be in charge and handle everything myself!

Tkay, the evening walks do sound like a good idea. Do you have a pedometer? I find them to be very motivating. When I am walking the dogs, I often end up going a little further so I can rack up more steps.

Les, I think everyone on the BB can probably relate to that adrenaline rush from our school days. Usually happened to me when the teacher said, "OK, put your books under your desk and get out a clean sheet of paper." (Pop quiz! :eek:). Glad everything ended well. Enjoy your day off!

Natasha, we are big Sound of Music fans, too. I am sure a live production would be a great evening out.

Today I did brisk walking on the TM and slow run during the commercials. I feel like a cold might be hovering, so I am popping zinc, drinking a lot of fluids and not pushing the workout too hard. No school the rest of the week, and I am sure we will be shoveling again tomorrow, but it is nice to be home and not need to go anywhere. DH took today off and plans to work from home tomorrow, so the holiday atomosphere of everyone at home continues. Although we probably should think about taking down the Christmas decorations....

[Robyn1007]

Les :eek::eek::eek:

Susan The race organization sounds fun!

Tkay too funny about Lucy. Glad you're enjoying it. I like the idea of a commission. I'm holding a $100 gift card and waiting until I fall in love with something.

Vicci I hope you're feeling a bit better.

Nat hope you had a good spin.

Kathy hope you fight off the cold.

I got in about 30 minutes on the elliptical tonight as it was cold, snowing on top of ice from previous storms so I thought it too dangerous to run outside and the gym is packed with resolutioners.

[Leslie Ferguson]

You all have been busy. I'm with you Susan, the biggest issue with running when it's below freezing isn't during the run but after. I still remember my long runs in Norfolk when it was cold and humid (running in a nearly frozen swamp) I would go to hit the steam room/sauna combination at the gym. Or else I would go and cook or bake. Stopping is a true bummer when you run and always makes me reconsider run/walk when I do distances that require that routine.

Sorry that you're socked in Kathy, hopefully things break and your daughter gets back to school and you don't get socked with a real cold. :(

Robyn, that's a good summary. Good run too.

It was nice today to not have to think for a change. I'm down to 10.5 hours of writing and by shortly after noon on Friday I'll be done. Two sets tomorrow and one on Friday. Then comes Christmas in the Northwest. I doubt I'll do much running except for my mouth and my brain over the next couple days, but if by chance I actually pound the pavement I'll let you know.

To bed, to sleep, perchance to dream.
Les

[TKay]

Susan - Funny about the "w" word. I think the race organization sounds fun, but I completely understand your concern. Alas, I have no experiences to offer. Congrats to dh's alma mater.

Nat - The intervals went well. I was sluggish to start but found myself doing fine by the end. Did you get in your spin and movie-watching?

KathyB - I think I have a pedometer around her somewhere. I'm sure it would help. Hmm, where to look? How are you feeling? Is the zinc doing the trick?

Robyn - I think your elliptical choice was a good one--especially considering the alternatives. Have fun shopping with that Lucy card. My sister teases me, because she says every time she comes over here, there's a Lucy screen up on my computer. She says, "Do you just look? Or do you ever actually BUY?" It's fun to browse.

Les - By now, you have oh but a day and a half left. Sounds like it's almost time for you to don one of your interesting hats, no? I'm looking forward to your post that says, "I'm done!" But then, I'm sure you're looking forward to it even more than I am.

Got in my intervals yesterday morning and then a little walk/jog in the evening (only doing about 20 minutes for the second workout). It's interesting, but I find I'm actually more motivated and my workouts are easier when I do two. Hmm. Work is busy and the kids are back to school obligations. I hope I can continue to carve out enough time for all this activity.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Fly by... Done early with set 6... daylight present... running togs on... beware streets of Alexandria. One more and I'm DONE!

If I don't go NOW the light will fade. See you later!
Les

[Natasha]

Way to go Les! Almost there. Hope you had a good run.

Robyn, those resolutioners won't last long and you'll have the rest of your equipment back :)

TKay, nice job!

Kathy, how are you feeling?

Quick check-in here. I trained last night but did core & plyo instead of the bike. It was good to mix it up. Tonight I'm going for a massage I booked over the holidays. Gotta go and pull my chicken parmesan out of the oven now.

Hope everyone else is doing well and truckin' along!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Robyn - the gym will thin out soon, I'm sure. I remember my gym being chock-a-block until mid-February then thinning back to normal until the next January. Good job being careful.
TKay - there have been crazy hats every day this week. I've worn my "Grinch" Santa hat, my "trilobe" Santa hat, and a Santa hat with flashing lights. Tomorrow will be something "sedate" - my propeller hat. :D Then it's all over!
Natasha - I'm not familiar (at least as a term) with plyo - what it that? I hope you enjoyed your massage - they are always a God-send.

We were reflecting over dinner this evening that since Monday morning at 9:00 we've all written the equivalent of ~36 pages (double spaced) of text in response to a bunch of dense (complicated) questions. I don't think I would have imagined writing 36 pages in 14 hours. :eek: By 12:30 tomorrow the total will be 42 pages - hard to imagine.

My run was grand - faster coming back than going out. That's pretty amazing because the outward leg was downhill (significantly in places) and the return leg was back up the same hills. Go figure.

Life has been great and I've felt all the positive vibes and prayers this past week. About than 17 hours and it will all be over. Then vacation until the end of the month.

Happy trails all,
Les

[Natasha]

Les - it's plyometrics :)

Great going on that run. You sound so stoked! Glad you're making use of the fun hats this week.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks - I think I knew that but I'm having a huge case of the brain fries right now.

Anything to keep myself sane.

[Natasha]

Thanks - I think I knew that but I'm having a huge case of the brain fries right now.

I can't imagine why ;)

Almost time for your super long vacation! You can do it!

[Robyn1007]

Yeah, Les, can't imagine why you're brain fried?!?!

Natasha your massage sounds wonderful!

Tkay Nice job on the 2 a days! I'm one that does much better on my workouts when I'm on a schedule. Too much time off means I get lazy.

Unfortunately, I use 24 Hour Fitness which is the cheapest gym in town so it will never be empty. Lots of college kids. It's a battle for cardio equipment most times I'm in there, just a bit worse right and made even worse with the cold weather.

I got in 3 miles today. At one point a woman waiting for a machine came buy and stopped directly in front of each person on a treadmill. Not a smile just looked at us. I can't figure out if she thought one of us might just jump off cause she looked at us? Weird.