VRB's week of 4/16

[Kathy B]

Hi, all! What is everyone up to this weekend? Hope you are all having beautiful weather by now....it is mid-60s and sunny here in KC.

Yesterday I did a little under 3 miles at a pretty good clip. Today was a little over 4-1/2 miles easy pace. Then it was clean up day at the church, so I went over for a while to help haul brush up to the parking lot where a wood chipper will be used to dispose of it. I'm not much with a chainsaw, but I can drag stuff pretty well! :D It's such a great day to be outside!

Jennifer, good job on your long run! Glad to hear it felt good. There were people in the group I ran with last week that had not done more than 8-9 miles before the race, and they did fine, so I wouldn't stress over it. And remember, since this is your first half, you will definitely get a PR! No matter what! :) In my mind, the main thing was to finish and the rest is icing on the cake.

Susan, yes we do have a couple of months with temps higher than 80, but it is usually cool enough to run in the AMs. I used to say quite often, that I only ran outside if it was between 50's and 70's, not raining, not too windy, and if the sun wasn't in my eyes so much the better! :D I have progresssed a little since then as I KNOW I ran this winter a few times with temps in the 30's. Thanks to the role models that you all are, I did think it was possible that I was being a tiny bit wimpy....

Hi to Robyn, Natasha, Les, Vicci, Tkay and Mary!

[Natasha]

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for starting us off! Sounds like you've been having a splendid couple of days, filled with runs and other good activity.

I'm planning to run soon. It's chilly here this weekend and we've been puttering around the house getting stuff done, and watching videos. I think I may need to make soup or chili tonight, too. I'd also been thinking of baking, but we'll see whether or not that gets fit in.

Jennifer, your half is next weekend, right? I agree with Kathy that you should be all set :)

Vicci, how's your MIL doing now? And how are you and DH, with all the associated stress?

BTW, how sad about the runners stranded in Europe who won't be able to get to Boston in time for the marathon :( I also wonder how things will be 8 days from now, for the running of the London Marathon...

Hi to everyone else, and happy running and other good things!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Quick check in - Good luck Jennifer on your race. Thanks for starting Kathy.

Busy weekend - spent from ~2:00 yesterday until ~5:00 today on retreat in the western Virginia Mountains with my classmates. It was a great time - nor running or riding but lots of good times had.

See you all tomorrow afternoon - long day at church with 3 services in the morning and a leadership meeting from 3:00-5:00 in the afternoon.

See you later,
Les

[VictoriaL]

Kathy, send those temps here, please! Good going on your running the past couple of days, especially today (then you added in some brush-dragging as well!).

Nat, alas, we are experiencing the same weather pattern. Quite a letdown after the past week or so, huh? But it soon will be warm again... then I'll be complaining of the heat! And I forgot about the London Marathon being next week. I wonder if it will have to be postponed (or can that possibly happen, anyway?).

Les, seriously, when I think that I have a lot on my plate, I read your most recent posts.. ;)

Well. What a week (again!). SIL and I took a road trip to the factory that makes Fiesta ware, the outlet part, and we both bought some colorful new dishes. Tangerine and sunflower- I'm "mixing it up"!

Otherwise, the entire week was spent settling MIL into her new place. She is adapting far better than we had anticipated. But SIL left today, so I will be going to the complex several times next week to take MIL to exercise classes, certain activities, etc. So it's not over, but the heavy rush is. And I ordered her a 4-wheeled walker (she is so excited, a lot of the ladies there have one and she was a bit envious). It's blue and has an under-seat storage pouch... :p

Today was the first day I've been at home all day for over a week. It was lovely. I spent the morning sewing velcro on some of MIL's blouses (she has lost dexterity in her right hand, nerve damage from the broken arm repair), and this afternoon I made a batch o' meatballs (70! We're set for a few months!) and roasted a chicken.

I fit a 45-minute run in yesterday and it was wonderful! DH has been too busy to mow the meadow trails, so they were covered with purple violets (I tried not to run on them, but it was impossible). The mayflowers are beautiful, too. I hope our cold (32F) temps the next few nights don't hurt them (or my tulips and bleeding hearts... wasn't it 84 degrees just yesterday?!?).

It's supposed to be a little warmer tomorrow, so I plan another run. I just love getting out there!

A wave to all, hope that you're getting out too! :D

[Natasha]

Vicci, thanks for the update. Sounds like things are busy but going well! Did you get out for another run? How about Spooky and his running regimen? ;)

Les, what a wonderful-sounding day. Hope today's whirlwind day was equally rewarding.

I had a really good run today and a couple of very nice walks, and am about to see if my friend wants to go out for another walk. I've also got sugar cookie dough in the fridge, to bake up later this evening.

Edited to add - yes, we'll be going for that walk. This friend and I have been doing nighttime walks quite regularly these past few weeks (sometimes with DH and pup, other times not). All most enjoyable.

How's everyone else doing - Les, TKay, Kathy, Susan, Robyn, et al.?

[SusanMac]

Well, I am potentially one of those people traveling to the London Marathon! Keep your fingers crossed for me. I'm supposed to go there for work on Tues & stay through Sun a.m. I would miss the race, but am really hoping to go to the race expo. What timing!

JJ - thinking of you & your race today! I know it went well & am looking forward to the report

Kathy - I'm so impressed at all of the running you've been doing! Isn't it nice to not be committed to a certain distance or schedule??

Vicci - excellent news about MIL. Very cute that she's so excited about her walker. I guess we'll all be excited over such things one day.

I've had a good weekend:
Fri - Good 35-min run through some nearby trails that I rarely visit
Sat - 32 mi bike w/my training buddy. The winds were gusting at 32 mph. It felt like 2 hours of nonstop squats. We felt quite virtuous when we were done!
Sun - 6 mile run w/my running club on a route I haven't done in ages. Very nice to have the variety. It was crisp enough to need tights this morning, but felt really wonderful.

Looking forward to Boston Marathon tomorrow! Hoping they have web streaming of the race.

[Natasha]

Quick check-in:

Wow, only 5 responses and 146 views? Who are all the running lurkers out there? :D

Vicci, forgot to mention that the Fiestaware sounds fabulous. Those two colours must look great together. I would love to go to a Fiestaware factory store someday!!

Another glorious weather day here. Not sure yet what I'll do exercise-wise, but time will tell.

Hope everyone's doing well!

[Kathy B]

Weights for me today (finally!). It has been over 2 months since I last did that, and I definitely had to cut back onthe weights or reps a bit at each machine. Felt good to get back at it though. Walked the dogs when I got home, and have been busy in the kitchen, plus laundry and odds and ends that need to be checked off my to do list.

Susan, a ride that equated 2 hours of squats? :eek: I'll BET you felt virtuous! What a workout!

Natasha, I thought of you a few days ago when DS was telling me how their is a LIVE game of Zombies vs Humans happening on his campus right now (lasts a week or two). Zombies wear headbands, Humans wear armbands. I asked DS if he was playing, and he said it is "way more fun to watch!" As he walks to class, he'll hear someone yell "There's one!" and a group of zombies dash after a lone human who is leaping bushes and trying to find a building (safe zone) to dodge into. Rule number one is definitely "Cardio!" :D

Vicci, busy as usual, even during your downtime! ;) I am glad you were able to get a run in on what sounds like a beautiful day. Sounds like things are sailing smoothly for your MIL! She is fortunate to have you all nearby to help her with such things as transportation, and I am sure she enjoys the company. What kind of meatballs did you make (I know you are not a red meat eater, so just curious. I could use a TNT recipe..... :) )

Les, a retreat in the mountains would be nice any time, but in the spring I'll bet it was beautiful. Were you teaching the leadership class or participating?

Dryer just buzzed, so back to work. Wishing you all a great start to your week!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Vicci - You've had a wild spring haven't you? I'm glad you're finally getting things settled with MIL and DH's family. Good job on your run and even with the wild weather. We weren't quite as cool as you were but still a bit cold yesterday. I hope you got out today. I like being busy too.
Kathy - You're right, it was gorgeous in the mountains. We were at a place called Shrine Mont (www.shrinemont.com). A little slice of heaven in western Virginia. It wasn't too bad yesterday and I was just a participant not the leader yesterday. A good day all around but long, long, long.
Nat - I'm probably a few of those 146 views. ;) Good work on your run. I hope you're storing a run up for later in the month. ;)
Susan - I really didn't read your post well - I read your run as 35 miles not 35 minutes.:eek: Then you followed that up with a 32 mile ride - I was totally in awe and shock. Still a good run and ride. 2 hours of squats - WOW!

It was a rewarding weekend and a decent start of the week. Things are wrapping up well - I finished my last newsletter article to my parish; I'm doing work on the final papers for the school year; and looking for work. And I still got out today for an hour's ride - I didn't want to risk a hip issue (like I had last time I ran).

I've got an interview tomorrow evening (6:30) with a church in Venice FL. The pastor from Venice is heading up here to interview a bunch of folks over 2 days. FL isn't one of the top places but the church looks like a fantastic place to work. Wish me grace.

Happy trails,
Les

[jjsooner73]

Just checking in quickly--

Much grace to you on your interview Les! I would think there are many worse places to end up than Florida. :)

My half is Sunday. I'm looking forward to a low key week. Today is the 15 year anniversary of the OKC Murrah Building bombing. Hard to believe it's been that long. I've reflected a bit, listened to some of the activities on the radio.

If anyone is interested, here is a part on the marathon page called "Why I Run (http://www.okcmarathon.com/Testimonials/tabid/191/Default.aspx)".

Hi to everyone else-I'm about to pass out. I'll check back in tomorrow.

.

[Robyn1007]

Kathy I always enjoy returning to a type of workout. It feels like seeing an old friend!

Vicci I hope thing start to settle in and calm down for you!

Natasha sugar cookies sounds so yummy right now!

Susan are you doing any major races this year? Triathlons?

Les good luck with the finishing weeks of your semester. It has to feel a little surreal.

Jennifer I thought about that day today as well. Tomorrow is the anniversary of Columbine here so lots of reflections here.

Wow, the last week has been a whirlwind for me. I had 3 incredible days of skiing with friends. I'm still basking in the glow of the fun times we had. Speaking of hours of squats, the bumps I was dragged through definitely felt like hours upon hours of squats and leg presses.

Today is a notable day for me running. We did a 5k time trial tonight with my run program and I PR'd the distance by 1min 45seconds. I'm so excited! And that on tired legs with 2 Benedryl in my system as my allergies took over about 3pm and I could barely function.

[VictoriaL]

Nat, so did you get out for a walk/ anything else on this lovely spring evening?

Apparently Susan is not one of those who kick back and relax (re: become a slug) over the weekend... ;) 32 miles with such a headwind-- wow!

Kathy, for the most part I've been neglecting weights for the last month or so, and I need a "kick" to get back into it. Did you have any particular incentive that you can share??? And the meatball recipe is one that a friend developed and DH's all-time favorite. Turkey meatballs, and if you want the recipe let me know. :) I use a 5-pound package of ground turkey from Sam's, but of course the recipe can be scaled back.

Les, good job in getting out for a ride with all that is on your plate now. And I wish you much luck with the interview tomorrow.

Well, there's nothing like a half hour doing "senior exercises" to motivate me to get out and run! After a busy day (a baking class, along with the group exercise session with MIL, then a few hours at the old apartment continuing to sort and pack), I still went out for 40 minutes late this afternoon.

And guess who came with me (for the last 1/4 mile...)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0da38b3127ccef9b312d85ad800000040O00AZNG7Ro4cuG IPbz4S/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

I wish you could see him "bounding" through the tall grass (which DH claims he will cut this week). It's so cute!


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0da38b3127ccef9b3befddb9b00000040O00AZNG7Ro4cuG IPbz4S/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Zoomed in as he got closer.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0da38b3127ccef9b305cb1a5800000040O00AZNG7Ro4cuG IPbz4S/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

On the way back home... and it appears that I have run a path in the grass! :rolleyes:

Well, a very different day tomorrow than what I am used to. We are not going anywhere near the independent living complex or MIL's old apartment. Instead, a drive, lunch in a (supposedly lovely) restaurant along the river with my parents, and a relaxing afternoon with them and DH. 'Cause tomorrow is my birthday! :D

[Robyn1007]

Happy birthday Vicci! Love the pics. Milo would look at me like I was crazy if he was near me on a run.

[Natasha]

Vicci, I LOVE the photos!

And Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day of R&R (and pampering) :)

Take care, all.

[SusanMac]

Vicci - I love the Spooky run photos!! Very jealous of your great, peaceful wilderness running trails.

Les - I'm confident your interview will go well.

JJ - Oops - I was one week early on your race! I knew the actual memorial day was yesterday, so thought the race was last weekend. Can't believe it's already been 15 years. It doesn't seem that long. Enjoy your taper week.

Robyn - I have picked a big race for the year & am officially into my training plan. I'm doing the Steelhead 70.3 tri in Michigan in late July. Really excited about it! Big congrats on your running PR!!

Yesterday was happy, happy rest day. Alas, my London trip this week was cancelled. I'll probably go some time in May instead. So, this means I can get more bike rides in this week. DH & I are headed out today.

I just finished a really fantastic book called To The Edge. It's about a regular guy who sets a goal to run the Badwater 135-mile ultramarathon race in Death Valley. He's an excellent writer, and it really takes you through what goes on in your brain and body during a grueling endurance event like this. A really great read, if you're interested.

[Kathy B]

Hi, all! Well I can certainly tell I lifted weights yesterday....AND that it had been a while. I am a bit sore today!

Happy Birthday Vicci! I hope you are enjoying your day with your DH and parents. Sounds like they have great plans in mind for you. What a way to start off another year! :) I would love your meatball recipe. I finally found some decent ground turkey (at ALDI'S of all places!), and I have been using it to replace the beef in a lot of our familiar recipes. I never did have a meatball recipe, though. You could PM it to me if you like so we don't hijack the running nature of this thread.;) Thanks for sharing the pics of Spooky...what a cute personality he must have! How old is he?

Thanks for the book rec, Susan, I will have to check it out. Sorry about your trip to London. Was it work related, or just for fun? Did you find a live stream of the Boston marathon to watch?

Les, WOW! What an impressive place! Thanks for posting the link. It looks very peaceful. A great place for a retreat, I'm sure! WIshing you the best outcome for your interview tonight. :)

Just got back from 7 miles (supposed to rain from Thursday on, so I thought I better make the most of today with a long run), and the dogs are agonizing over how much longer before I walk them :p (they are such creatures of habit!), so I guess I better go put them out of their misery.

[TKay]

A quick hello from me. I have fallen so far behind in the few days I've been MIA. Dh's birthday was over the weekend, so we had lots of activities and family stuff to tend to. It was all fun though. I have a lot of work this week, so I'm kind of distracted.

Vicci - Thank you for the Spooky photos! I can't tell you how they brightened my day when I scrolled through the posts. He is adorable. Your path is pretty lovely too.

Hi to everyone else. More personal notes next time.

[Natasha]

Quick hello. It's been a long week already; I did one of my little work jaunts (short there and back flight) :) Very good day though.

Kathy, I'm impressed you're still running 7 miles and such, after your race.

Robyn, sounds like a great way to end ski season!

TKay, happy belated to your DH and welcome back.

Les - yes, definitely storing up energy for a run :)

Jennifer, I'll have to check out that link - thanks!

Vicci, looking forward to the birthday update.

Susan, sounds like your training is going great!

Hi to everyone else, and happy mid-week training!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Nice day's work here! Lots of running and riding today... WOO!
Susan - Sorry you won't get to London for your marathon but I hope you find some other new race that you want to run. Hope your ride today was a good ride.
Vicci - Love the pix of Spooky. The only critter that looks for me when I run are the squirrels (and that's probably because I feed them). Good job on your run too.
Kathy - Shrine Mont is a wonderful place. I'm normally up there in the fall so spring visits are different and absolutely beautiful. Good idea to get out before the rain comes and congrats on 7 miles this close to your race.
Nat - Sorry about the long week so far. Hopefully it doesn't take too much out of you.

As with most days around here these days - things were a bit disjointed. :rolleyes: I had a decent interview and I would like working with the head pastor in the church although I'm not sure I'm sold on Venice FL. Still, I'm up for a good interview and a potential call.

Alas, no run or ride. My trip to and from the doctor (routine follow up) and tweaking my personal profile for an application for a church in Del Mar, CA kept me off the road. Tomorrow? I hope to get out.

Happy trails and have a great evening.
Les

[Robyn1007]

Just a quick pop in before I collapse into bed. Yes, I know it's only 7:40. Tonight's hill sprints were HARD! 9x1 min sprints uphill. Supposed to be 2 minute recoveries but I'm positive that coach kept shortening that. Last time we did this workout I only managed 7 sprints. And the long mileage group only did one more than me. Yay! Tomorrow is an easy 25-30 minute recovery run. So looking forward to it!

[Natasha]

Les, congrats on the Venice interview going well. Del Mar, CA - wow. Good luck with that one too.

Got in a good spin which hit the spot (workouts can hit the spot, right? ;)). I needed a good ol' endorphin fix :)

Hope everyone else is doing well!

[VictoriaL]

Hi everyone!

Susan,
It's about a regular guy who sets a goal to run the Badwater 135-mile ultramarathon race in Death Valley
Okay, how do you define "regular guy"?!?!? :p And if he really were a regular guy, how many years did he train for the race???

Wow, Kathy, a 7-mile run then you take the dogs for a walk! I am impressed! I will pm you the turkey meatball recipe as soon as I can remember to transfer it to this computer (it's on the memory key, I just have to remember to bring it into this room from the office!).

Tkay Spooky will be happy to know that he could brighten your day... ;)

Nat, do you fly often? It seems as though you do, on business, but then again the last time I was in a plane was... '95! And, yes, a workout can absolutely "hit the spot". I had one of those last week!

Les, so glad that the interview went well, and hope that you are able to get out for a run or ride tomorrow.

Robyn, wow. And "ouch"! :D Hope that you feel better in the morning.


Well, the birthday went quite well. :) Lunch was very good, but the restaurant along the river was gorgeous--- everything, the scenery, the interior decor, it was all lovely. My birthday dessert was a flourless chocolate cake with raspberry drizzle and both whipped cream and ice cream! DH had an "awesome" peanut butter pie. On the way home, we stopped at my favorite Thai restaurant for an excellent dinner and a very good Riesling. I need to run. Continuously. For several hours!

The Cake:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2771/4542251722_be35ae9c1f_m.jpg

Alas, I was up early (*groan!*) to take MIL to her exercise class. She is doing the exercises much better and may soon actually go by herself! Her new blue walker came in and, when we left, she was buzzing through the dining room... We have to clear out her old apartment in a week, so the work continues. AND I still have to a zillion spring-things to do here at the farm.

I swear, I'm running tomorrow!!! :D

[Natasha]

Hey Vicci!

Yes, I travel once or twice a month, mostly for business. I really like most things about it but admit some of it can be a bit tiring. Not complaining, though :)

Your birthday sounds wonderful and that cake!! Hope you enjoyed every bite, without thinking about running several hours continuously :D I would have been all over the dessert your DH had. I love all things PB. Thanks also for the MIL update.

Forgot to say "way to go" to Robyn on the hard-core training!

[Kathy B]

Hi, all! Well, I should have gone for an easy run this afternoon, but I didn't. Had an all morning class and didn't get home for lunch until after 1:00, and so it goes. If I don't get out early, it just doesn't seem to happen. Working tomorrow, but I will DEFINITELY do something Friday.

Vicci, your BD sounds wonderful! Had to smile at the vision of your MIL "buzzing around" with her new walker. :p No rush on the recipe (but I can't wait to see it and try it! :D). But no rush, really!!

Great work on your hill sprints, Robyn! You deserve an early night after that.

Natasha, I agree with Vicci, a workout (or the endorphins that go with it) can definitely be just the thing some days....especially after you are done!

Glad the interview went well, Les! I'll bet it was a nice change to see the retreat during a different season...almost like a new place! Here's wishing you a good ride.

Tkay, Hope you are getting caught up. Sometimes you just have to let a few things go for a while as you tend to family. It all gets done eventually.

Hi to Susan and Jennifer. Hope you are having a good week. :)

Have to be at work early tomorrow (6:15 AM) so off to bed!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Fly by... alas no ride today because I was working on a paper and some interview possibilities. The next one may be near Miami. And I learned that two churches in or near my home in Norfolk will be opening up soon. Always a good thing!

Likely to be a weird day tomorrow but I may be able to get out and do something.

Happy trails,
Les

[SusanMac]

Robyn - you are rockin' the run training these days!

Kathy - kudos on getting back to your weights. That's something that I just never do anymore...and I have the arms to prove it :-)

Vicci - Happy Bday! Your whole day sounds wonderful. Re: the book...yes, he was a normal guy who hadn't run previously. Badwater is typically difficult to get into b/c you have to send in a resume of lots of ultras. But, this guy (a NYT writer) promised to write a book about it...I guess the race wanted the PR.

Tues - DH & I had a fantastic ride. Normal winds made it feel quite good. DH took me on some tough hills, which I like. 45 miles. We are both doing a charity bike ride of 55 miles in a few weeks, so I now feel confident I can do it. That's my short-term goal.

Wed - crazy day at work & I didn't feel like running at all. My legs were tired from Tues, too. But it was gorgeous out & I knew it would be good stress release. So, I got in a 30-min run on some trails. It was lovely.

Tonight is a bike ride w/my women's cycling club. It should be a flat route tonight, which will make my legs happy :-)

[Robyn1007]

Vicci I want that cake. Both of them actually! Love the image of MIL buzzing through with her new walker. :D

Les any churches need a pastor in Colorado? We'd love to have you out here!

Natasha absolutely workouts can hit the spot! Nice job on the spin.

Kathy hope work wasn't too crazy.

Susan Enjoy the women's group tonight. I do miss mine at times.

Woke up feeling very stiff and a little sore today. Quads (rare for me to feel sore there from running) and hamstrings are talking to me but tonight's run is going to be a rainy one. If the downpours are too stiff I might bail and just do a long stretching session but I'm hoping to loosen up with the run.

[TKay]

Just wanted to poke my head in here and let you know I haven't disappeared entirely. I'm just getting swallowed up by the work monster right now. I'll resurface soon. I have been squeezing in the workouts and skimming your updates. Wow! Such a busy crew.

Oh, and Les, California is beautiful...;)

[Robyn1007]

Logged 32 minutes today on my recovery run that was supposed to be 25-30 but the first mile was really really slow so it hardly counted.