Virtual Running Buddies - w/o 1/8/10

[TKay]

Hello Runnahs!

I got an early start today, so I thought I'd kick things off over here. I did weights and a walk yesterday for a good hour, then took the dog for a brisk walk in the evening. This morning, I did a 45 minute run on the TM, and it felt good. I'm sluggish to start, but can will my way through. I have a busy afternoon with work, a meeting, my nephew coming to stay and bunco tonight (attending, not hosting).

Anyone have big plans for the weekend?

From last week's thread:
Robyn - I used to be a 24-hour Fitness member and I think they are all the same: crowded day and night. Odd about that woman trying to stare you off your machine.

Les - Are you done? Are you done? Are you awake?

Nat - How was the massage?

KathyB - I hope you are well.

Susan - What did you decide about the race organization?

Vicci - Are you still sore from skiing?

Have a great one, all!

[Kathy B]

Hi, Tkay! I just got back from the gym with DD. I did weights and about 20 minutes on the TM.

I have not succumbed to the full blown cold yet, but I have had a scratchy throat and a bit of congestion for two days, so I am still popping zinc and taking it a bit easy. I have to work all weekend, and then be in the office for meetings all day Monday, so I CAN NOT get sick until Tuesday. ;)

Hope you have big plans to do nothing but RELAX this weekend, Les!

[Natasha]

Kathy, hope you get to rest up when not working! Feel better soon.

TKay, thanks for starting us off. Have fun at bunco! I've never played that before. In fact, I've hardly ever heard about it anywhere but on these boards. The first time I read it here, I had to Google it :o

Robyn, aren't some gymgoers too much?

Congrats in advance to Les!

It's going to be cold here this weekend. Susan, is it cold in your neck of the woods?

The massage was lovely, thanks. Today I should do something on the training front but first need to figure out date night plans. Yay Friday! The first week back went quickly and well but I'm ready to put my feet up and veg. A glass of wine might be nice too. :)

Take care, runfolk!

[Leslie Ferguson]

I'M FINISHED!!! 7 tests completed - no brain cells left to speak of. The best thing is I never have to do that again. The results will come in probably in early February and things will be what they are. Even if I tanked a test I'll probably only get remedial studies/write a paper or something fitting.

No running today - lots of nervous energy except in the brain cells.

But I put myself first again...

I hope you enjoy bunco tonight TKay. I've never played but it sounds like a fun game. Great job on your TM work too.

Kathy - I hope you don't get sick too. You'll be great, I know it. TM there too.
Nat - thanks for the congratulations. Cold up there too? It's bitter and windy down here. :( Have a great weekend.

My relaxing started in earnest today. The only plans for the next ~24 hours is to get on a plane and fly to Portland OR. Besides that, pack and sleep are on the bill.

Happy trails and off to make dinner.
Les

[Natasha]

Les, have a safe and fun trip with LW to see family!

I just finished a very strong 7 1/2 mile run. I'd say it's the best run I'd had in months. I did it on the treadmill because it's gorgeous out today, sunny and not a cloud in the sky, but this morning we had the coldest windchills we've had yet this year. We've had a much colder winter than usual so far but that's okay.

Now I need to stretch and do other post-run recovery things, and then hunker down and do stuff around the house and some work. All that is more pleasant when you've got a run under your belt, right? :)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

[VictoriaL]

Congratulations on completing your exams and starting a well-deserved vacation, Les!

Tkay, it doesn't sound as though you are taking it easy lately. And "willing" your way through a TM run is pretty cool. ;)

KathyB, speaking of "willing", hope that your body listens when you tell it that you absolutely cannot get sick. You know, that "mind over matter" can work nicely, sometimes! Too bad that you have a 3-day work schedule ahead, though.

7-1/2 miles on the treadmill? Way to go, Nat! :) Sometimes it's simply too cold to do anything but a nice "run to nowhere"...

Still not fully recovered from Monday (cripes), I still decided against a ride to nowhere yesterday and donned the skis once again. Ouch. Double ouch. If the skiing weren't so enjoyable, I'd be really mad at myself (since I'm hobbling again today). This time, just an hour out, though. But it was enough.

Well, we got MIL released from the nursing home, to the SIL in NJ to spend a couple of months recouperating, and of course we're not done yet. That poor woman. She collapsed 2 days after her arrival, was taken to the hospital (dehydration and a UTI) but then an aortic aneurysm was discovered during an echocardiogram today. So we're waiting for a course of action to be suggested by the doctor. I guess that, when you're 89, nothing is ever easy, but why couldn't it have been just a simple fractured arm she had to recover from?

And this reminds me. I've not, up until the past few weeks, had much experience in nursing homes. However, even though we found an excellent place, I would like to make it my life's goal not to have to be staying in one as a resident/patient for my entire life. DH, too. So we are going to up our exercise goals and be even more diligent about the foods we eat. And, needless to say, no more climbs up 40' ladders to wash windows! There are people whom we can pay to do that sort of thing. Geez, one small trip in the dark, and look what can happen!

Hoping that you all have a fun, safe weekend. :)

[Natasha]

Vicci, I'm glad your MIL is discharged but sorry to hear she has some hurdles yet. :( Great reminder though, as you say, to take as good care of ourselves as we can!

And a very timely reminder, as I sit here being a slug :D I know I need to spin today but so far haven't done it. Contemplated skiing earlier this afternoon but didn't. Just made a big pot of potato soup topped with chorizo and it hit the spot on such a cold day.

Les, hope you're having fun with your family!

Hi to everyone else, and have a great upcoming week! Mine will be action-packed and training might be challenging the first few days. Talk with you later!

[SusanMac]

Tkay - thx for kicking us off. I like the 'will' concept. it's often needed! I'm stalling on the race committee decision. I should probably jump in tho

Les - congrats! congrats! Wow, you are so amazingly close to the finish line now. Have a fabulous, well deserved trip. I so want to visit Portland some day. Need to make an excuse

Nat - we've been unusually cold lately, too. It's going to be 35 later this week & we're joking about running in shorts ;-) 7.5 is impressive on the TM. don't think I could do it

Vicci - that's such a shame about MIL! I'm not looking forward to that stage with my parents or myself. I've definitely seen my share of nursing homes. It's inevitable for so many of us. Scary. Nice job on the ski. 1 hour is a long tough workout for xc skis!

Kathy - I often wish I could schedule colds, too! Hope the zinc works. I've been popping that, too

Here are my updates:
Fri - 60 min yoga class. This one was too light for me, but got in some great legs stretches & balance poses, so that's a very good thing

Sat - rest day. But, we watched Ultramarathon Man, the documentary about Dean Karnazes' effort to do 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. It felt more like a home movie than a 'real' movie. But, we really really liked it. Such an interesting guy. Afterwards, I said it totally made me want to run more. DH said not for him. I guess we're wired differently!

Sun - 40 min run. Windchill was -6, but it wasn't as bad as we expected, mainly b/c we stayed out of the wind except for a few short segments. Will do a long run tomorrow when it's supposed to be warmer.

Happy Sun night runners!

[Kathy B]

Hi, all! Two days down, one to go. The zinc seems to be holding things at bay, still have a scratchy throat, but I managed the weekend pretty well. It helped that it wasn't crazy busy. Tomorrow is a day full of meetings and office work, then I'm home free. I'm pretty sure the calendar has "NAP" and "TEA" and "SNUGGIE"written on Tuesday.

Susan, it is amazing to me that the fellow could find 50 marathons happening 50 days in a row...or am I not understanding what he did exactly. I wonder what kind of toll that took on his body. He must have been in great health!

Natasha, resting up today was probably a good plan since your week is going to be starting off full of activity. Nice job on the long run yesterday. The potato soup sounds yum!

Vicci, good for you getting back out on the skis! My mom is starting to investigate senior housing, too, so I am sure I am about to learn a lot about it. I hope you are able to find something for your MIL that everyone is happy with. Are her pain issues pretty much resolved?

Hope your having reasonable weather and lots of relaxation in OR, Les! Enjoy yourself! :)

How were your weekends, Tkay and Robyn?

Wishing you all a good week.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Frustration :mad: my post just got eaten. :(

Vicci - My prayers to you and your family. I pray your MIL has a speedy recovery from the continuing medical saga. I pray you don't have too many more headaches from the process.

It's grand being here, I'm still beat and now have faded even more. 10+ hours of sleep last night is nice but not even back in battery. Throw in the stress of last week and... had a long walk in SE Portland with SIL/BIL/LW this morning. Kicked around and had dinner with IL's tonight. A great time.

Bed calls (still tired). Maybe tomorrow I'll have the brain cells to do a better reply so until then,
Les

[SusanMac]

Kathy - A handful of the marathons were 'live' races (part of his schedule was the Chicago Marathon I did in 2006, so we 'ran together' ;-) But the majority were actual, official marathon courses that he ran on other days of the week. He got the race official's permission, arranged police escorts, and recruited locals to do part or all of the race w/him. In WI he did the Green Bay Marathon course, and I remember all the recruiting emails when he was here. It sounded fun....but the runners have to pay $$ to run with him. I didn't think it sounded THAT fun ;-) It was pretty expensive for a training run, from what I remember. Looking back, I probably should have done it. A very unique experience.

But, part of what I liked best about the movie was stories of all the interesting runners he met throughout his journey.

[TKay]

Les - Hip, hip, hooray! Try to relax, rest and enjoy Portland (the family that goes along with it too). I'm thrilled that the latest portion of school is over for you. Whew!

KathyB - Yeah for zinc! I hope you continue to stay well. The nap, tea and snuggie sound like just the thing too.

Nat - Do you and dh have date night every Friday? We used to be much better about regular dates. Need to get back to that. Good job on the lengthy run. That soup sounds great to me.

Vicci - :( Sorry about MIL. Those issues are just no fun to deal with. I think you and dh have the right attitude about taking care of your health though. Dh and I are both very committed to it, having lost parents young. We don't want our kids to go through what we went through (especially since we had the ds's a little older). Funny about skiing again. It must be fun if you're having trouble resisting.

Susan - Thanks for mentioning Ultramarathon Man. I just added it to my movie queue. I think it would be good to watch on the TM. :rolleyes: Hope the weather cooperates and you get some warmer temps where you are.

I intentionally stayed away from the computer this weekend. I did manage a nice TM run on Saturday and a weight walk yesterday. I skipped my evening walks though. Hey, it was the weekend! I also got in some glorious sleep. It's amazing how good sleep can make you feel. I've met my two deadlines for today, so I'm heading up for something on the TM. Probably a hill walk. I've been working on increasing the incline just to mix things up. Then it's back to the usual take-care-of-the-house-and-figure-out-dinner routine. Probably grilled salmon tonight.

Happy week!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Success! My first run of the westward swing. It's been typical Oregon so far, grey skies followed by grey skies. But warmer than the East coast.

It's good to see folks doing TM and other forms of running/riding these days. I'm glad you're feeling a little better Kathy B.

Today's run was ~ an hour. I was definitely over dressed. Went out in a long sleeve shirt over a tank and tights. About half way I stripped off the long sleeve and was okay as long as I didn't stop. Luckily the lights were in my favor. :) Of course I also probably did a little faster pace because of the lack of over-shirt but...

Off to check out lunch and do some other fun family kind of things.

Happy trails,
Les

[SusanMac]

Back to report a 10-mile run with DH! It felt really good. Much stronger & more solid than I expected. quite a few pieces were slushy. Man, you have to work harder when pushing through the slush. We're telling ourselves that this will automatically make us faster down in Austin :-)

I also forgot to report another weekend success - my first batch of crepes! It took me 1-2, but I got the hang of it. In fact, they're pretty easy. Had the first handful as apps stuffed w/goat cheese & dried apricots. The rest were a Sun morning treat slathered with a bit of raspberry jelly & rolled up. Yum!

[VictoriaL]

So Kathy, how are you doing this "Snuggie-eve"??? :) Enjoy tomorrow!!!
Oh, and MIL's pain issues were resolved at the doctor's appointment. He pointedly told SIL that he agreed with DH, his mother should not be on continuous vicodin at this stage in her recovery. She iss managing well with regular Tylenol, but we shall see what happens after this next round of surgery.

Tkay, glorious sleep and some exercise over the weekend plus meeting 2 Monday deadlines-- sounds as though you've had a very successful past few days!

You're obviously having a great (and well-deserved) vacation Les. I'd love to run outside (and the possibility of being slightly over-dressed for such a run is making me long for... March???)

Susan, oh yes, Austin will be a cake-walk (-run???) after plowing through the slush. And congrats on the successful crepe-making!

I got in a 45-minute ride to nowhere this evening. :) Earlier I took some letters to the mailbox and, walking back up the driveway to the house, realized that I was still pretty sore. Another day or two and I'll give it another try, provided the snow is still around.

[Kathy B]

Just surfin the web a bit after a long day of meetings. I should have stayed after the last one to type up minutes and update my "to do" list, but it was 9PM by the time I got home as it was. Guess I can do a little on-line work from home tomorrow with my tea and snuggie at hand! :)

I am hoping to get up with DD, though, and head to the CC when she leaves for school to get in some weights and a light TM or EB workout.

Thanks for the marathon explanation, Susan. That makes sense, but it sounds like it would have been quite a production getting it all organized. Still can't imagine the physical toll. Great job on the 10-miler!

Glad your MIL is doing well, Vicci. Probably did your muscles some good to switch gears for a day. Is your snow starting to melt? Even though our temps are slightly warmer, I think it will take quite a while for the mounds of snow on the sides of the road to melt away. There is no grass to be seen anywhere yet.

Nice run, Les, although I can't quite imagine it being warm enough for a tank with no overshirt ANYWHERE besides the far south. You must be made of hardy stuff!

Tkay, I should be getting back to the take-care-of-the-house-and-figure-out-dinner routine myself, tomorrow, but it may have to wait until after my nap. After all, the nap is already scheduled! ;)

Natasha, hope your busy week is going well!

Off to bed for me!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Nice run, Les, although I can't quite imagine it being warm enough for a tank with no overshirt ANYWHERE besides the far south. You must be made of hardy stuff!

Well, I can say that it was ~48-49 when I started which is actually short-sleeve temps definitely not two shirt temps. I'm not sure that I would say hardy but I can also confirm that it caused me to run a bit faster coming back than going out (and it was kind of uphill coming back).

I hope that you get up with DD and get some weights in at the CC too.

Happy trails,
Les

[TKay]

Susan - It's so nice that you and dh can do those lengthy runs together. I'm sure it helps keep you motivated. The crepes sound lovely.

Vicci - Hope your MIL continues to make good progress. Here's to the snow sticking around for your next foray into ski-land.

KathyB - You mean I should schedule naps? Why didn't I think of that? "Oh, shoot. I can't make that appointment. I'm already booked." I like it. Did you make it to the CC?

Les - You do realize that whenever I run outside I always, always have on long pants and usually some sort of cover-up? I think in the temps you run in, I'd be bundled up like the kid from A Christmas Story (picture here (http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/famecrawler/2008/12/08-15/randy_card-christmas-story.jpg)). :p

[Kathy B]

Back to report weights at the CC and then I did 10 min each on the rowing machine, the elliptical, the TM and the EB. Moderate effort at best, but I was moving and it was a little more variety than my usual.

Tkay, hey, whatever works! :p

[TKay]

KathyB - Sounds like a good workout to me. Now are you wrapped up in the Snuggie? I think we all want to live vicariously. Please tell us you're having a cup of tea, followed by a (scheduled) nap in that thing. :p

Popping back in to report a solid 50 minutes on the TM. I did a couple of walking breaks, but kept at it fairly well. It felt good.

[Natasha]

Hi all!

Crazy busy portion of the week is now over. I was out on Monday but managed a short run on Tuesday. Today I plan to spin or something.

Sounds like everyone is doing well and having some fabulous runs! And naps. :D

Just thought I'd check in and say hi. I think a cup of tea is calling my name, even if I'll have to enjoy it sans-Snuggie ;)

It's so funny - I had never heard of a Snuggie until Kathy mentioned it a few weeks ago, and since then I've heard of it quite a few times! You started a trend up here, Kathy!

[TKay]

Got in a 50 minute walk with weights, interspersed with bands and lunges. Then jetted out quickly for a lengthy coffee with a friend. I haven't been at my desk all day. It's been glorious. Now back to the grind. :D

[SusanMac]

TKay - I dream of days not at my desk! Sometimes on weekends I try not to come in my office at all....but it's hard to avoid

Just got back from a 7 mile run with DH. Much better pace today. I could say that the roads were more clear from snow....or I could just say that I've gotten faster :-)

[VictoriaL]

Kathy, I'm seein' grass in the yard! Actually, that where I shoveled a path to the birdfeeder... Good (varied) workout you got in pre-Snuggie time.

Tkay you've been pretty consistent in your workouts the past few days, congratulations! Sounded like a very nice day today, too, after the walk.
BTW, I was watching The Sound of Music a few weeks ago, and when the lonely goatherd part came on, well, you can guess what happened. :) I'm glad that you enjoyed it. *

Nat, the grocery stores were selling sunggies recently! If anyone is familiar with the group Weezer, they were selling their own "Weezer snuggies". I was tempted. ;) Anyway, good that the crazy part of your week is over, and you still got a run in!

Susan, ten miles on Monday, seven today-- you are training!

* On the Other Stuff boards, buried in a Jay Leno-related thread, I mentioned my favorite late-night host, Craig Ferguson, and a hilarious opening to one show using puppets and The Lonely Goatherd song. For those who wish to be amused:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0Nv-9FpB4s

Back to business. It was over 30 degrees today, and the snow is too heavy to ski in, so I used the EB for a half hour. We are headed to the lake house for a few days tomorrow (with the thaw, we're hoping that the snow-and-ice accumulation is gone from the access road). We haven't been there for a stay since mid-November! And I'm hoping to run, since my trails will likely be snowy (then muddy) for weeks. And weeks.

[Robyn1007]

I have a bit of a confession. For the last 6 weeks or so running has been frustrating. Feeling like I was forcing it, not progressing and just feeling blah. I think it has to do with my ski schedule and my body adjusting to skiing and running. Well, I think my body has finally figured it out as I've had 3 great runs in a row. On all three I went further than planned and just felt better overall during the entire run. I'm beyond ecstatic!

[TKay]

Robyn - Nice to hear from you! Way to keep at it even though you've been frustrated. I wonder if your body (and maybe your legs in particular) have just been tired? Whatever the cause, I'm glad you've enjoyed a string of great runs.

Vicci - The lonely goatherd. I may have to view it again today. :D Hope your stay at the lake house is wonderful and you're able to run mud-free.

Susan - I thought I was going to enjoy some office-break-time again today, but a client called with a rush job. Still not sure if I'm taking it or not, but ick! I still have holiday decor to box up. Bravo on your 7-miler.

Ds is home sick today. Well, let's call it a mental health day. A string of bad events happened this morning and he had trouble recovering. So here he is. In the next room. Talking to me. All. Day. Long. :D

I got in about 45 minutes on the TM today. A decent, but not stellar, effort. I'm planning a second round this evening--probably just a brisk walk.

Take your vitamins. I hear a lot of people are getting a second round of winter ailments (at least around these parts).

[Natasha]

Hey all,

Susan, nice run! You've been packing in a lot of mileage :)

TKay, did you decide whether to take that job? Way to go on the varied exercise.

Vicci, Weezer Snuggies - I have no idea what the Weezers are. Off to Google it!

Hi to everyone else :)

I am starting my evening of relaxation a bit later than expected so am probably going to opt to spend R&R time with DH, play with the dog and walk him, and bake instead of training :D

[Leslie Ferguson]

I second the comment that your legs may be tired Robyn. I'd say that you've found your running groove and just let them come as they may.

Enjoy your R&R Nat, there's a lot of that going around here.

A shout out to the rest of the gang. Nice day today, for the most part, stopping by our alma mater in Corvallis. Boy how the campus has changed in the past 5-6 years. On the down side, LW took a tumble on a weird incline in the street. No major damage (even stopped at the ER to confirm it was that bad) but her wrist and hand are badly swollen.

Tomorrow we're headed to the beach for a couple days with the family before heading home. Not sure if there's going to be a run in the offing or if we'll spend time walking on the beach.

Regardless, have a great weekend.
Les