Briefly

A few things I learned today:

• Younkers sale prices + Goodwill coupon + lucky find in sales rack = Awesome steal
• Binge watching "Parenthood" is pretty depressing.  But that show is AMAZING.
• Running 105 minutes is exhausting, so much so that I straight passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow.  When I didn't even want to fall asleep.
• Flowers are EXPENSIVE!

Overall, it was a really good day today.

Today's Run

While driving to running group, I realized that today's scheduled run was a little more than two minutes shorter than the time it took my to finish the half marathon last summer.  That was pretty heady - that a TRAINING run was barely shorter in time than what it took me to finish a RACE.  And this isn't the longest I'll be running before the full marathon this summer.  It's hard wrapping my head around that concept.   Today I ran 11.45 miles in 1:45:00, for an average pace of 9:10.  A little too fast for an easy, long run, but it felt pretty good.

Optimism!

You will never guess what I saw today....

Look very closely...

 

Do you see it? That green stuff? On the ground?

 

That's right - it's grass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ok, granted this was growing right next to a pipe that's been carrying 120F+ wastewater all winter.  But it counts, right?

 

I am taking this as a sign that spring is finally here!  If only in limited places.

 

Today's Run

Today's workout was 15 minutes jog, 30 minutes brisk, and we only ended up doing a 5 minute cool down (was supposed to be 10).  But running friend Ben and I totally rocked the brisk running with an 8:20 pace for the first full mile and an 8:10 pace for the second full mile that we decided we could cut it short.  That, and I miscalculated where we should turn around and ended up back 5 minutes early.  But it was an awesome run.  Today I ran 5.63 miles in 50:00, for an average pace of 8:53. 

If I could control one thing...

Waking up to it snowing - again - this morning was, to put it bluntly, crap.  I am so done with winter.  It can end any day now. Yes, I realize I live about 9/10ths of the way to the North Pole, but enough is enough already.

I am sure the people further south agree with me.

And, yes, I know I can't control the weather.  It is not something that I should get overly anxious over.  But it's either the weather, or wedding planning stuff, and the weather doesn't give me mini-panic attacks.

So weather it is.

Suck it, Old Man Winter.  I'm done.

Don't we have enough already?

Yesterday's Run

Yesterday was glorious and amazing, on so many different levels.  First of all, no snow.  Bonus.  Secondly, nice temperature. Thirdly, mostly clear pavement, with minimal puddles.  Awesome.  And last, but not least, I totally kicked major butt.  Yesterday's workout was more speed work: 5 minute warmup, followed by 800 meters at goal race pace, then 2 minute jog with 1200 meters at race pace, then 3 minute jog with 1600 meters at goal race pace, and then repeat one more time on the way back.  I will admit that for the faster parts I went faster than my ultimate goal race pace of 8:40 (the average pace needed to finish the full marathon in 3:40), but I felt really pretty good averaging between 8:15 and 8:30.  Was a lot hard on the last 1600 meters, but I still felt so good when I was done.  And I am super duper jealous of the Shiny of my new running friend Cassie - apparently they make a new Garmin where you can program in the workouts, and it tells you when you're supposed to change pace, AND it tells you when you're going too fast or too slow... Oh well, just need to save up for another fancy toy.  Yesterday I ran 6.58 miles in 57:50, for an average pace of 8:47.  And, if I didn't mention it before, my NEW shoes have over 100 miles on them. Already. Looks like I'll need to save up for new shoes soon too....

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe

When I bought my house a year and a half ago, it was the perfect little house for me and The Boy.  It was in a good neighborhood, the yard was really nice, it was just big enough for us and our stuff.  Sure, there were some less than desirable things about it, like the sewer that needed to be replaced right away, and the ugly plastic cabinets in the kitchen, but it was livable, and more importantly it was home.

Now.... well, now it's still home, but on those days when chaos reigns it feels like the walls are closing in.  It feels like the stuff is crowding in on me and I just can't breathe.  And don't even get me started about the mess.

This house isn't ideal anymore, but it is still home, and we're making it work for now.  There is no doubt in my mind that we'll have to get something bigger sometime soon (boys don't stop growing after all), and when the time comes to move out of this house I will definitely feel sad.  I will mourn my first house.

But I will be moving somewhere that fits my new family, this rowdy bunch that have moved into my life, and my heart.

Today's Run

Today was a long run on the Lakewalk.  With the warmer weather some of the snow has been melting, but with no where for the water to go, and the cold temperatures at night, there was a LOT of icy patches on the run this morning.  Running partner Ben and I even ventured out into the road to run, it was that precarious. But the run was good.  Today we ran 9.57 miles in 1:30:00 (yes - 90 minutes today!), for an average pace of 9:24.  This was the first week I ran more than 20 miles in a very, very long time, and it was pretty good.

Dear, sweet chaos...

Looking back, having one kid is easy. It's more than easy, it's practically heaven... Compared to having three monsters that want to eat your soul.

I will admit, I'm probably exaggerating a little bit. But not really. I was told by a very wise man that having three kids is like having the makings for fire - one is the fuel, one is oxygen, and the third is the ignition.

Very wise indeed.

I think my biggest hurdle with this new dynamic is that it's instantaneous big kids. There's no getting used to the new dynamic with a tiny baby, having a couple of years to gain coping mechanisms for dealing with the beasts.

But then again there's no late night feedings or excessive poopy diapers. At least I have that going for me.

Thank the heavens for running and running group. I think that is the main thing keeping me sane. That, and Barbado's support, because this is old hat for him.

The poor bastard. :-)

Yesterday's Run

Yesterday was another interval training run - 10 minutes jogging, 1 mile brisk run, 3 minutes jog, 2 mile run, 5 minute jog, 1 mile run, then cool down jog to the beginning.  Unlike Tuesday's run, yesterday's run was AWESOME!  I felt good during the run, and even after.  And even though there was a lot more jogging with this workout, my running partner Ben and I went slightly farther in about the same, time, which is just, you guessed it, awesome.  Yesterday I ran 6.56 miles in 61:00, for an average pace of 9:17.  And now for tomorrow's long run...

It's confirmed - I am DEFINITELY crazy

It's ten weeks into the running group training program, and things are definitely getting more intense.  Granted, last year I was following the half marathon program and not the full marathon program, but even my running group friends admit this year is just MORE.

Today is one of those days where I am questioning the wisdom of signing up to do a full marathon.  My feet hurt.  My knees hurt.  I am just exhausted.  And tonight was only 60 minutes.

Will I be ready to do a 20 mile training run?

Will I be ready to actually do this thing?

Today's Run

As I said above, today's run was a total of 60 minutes - 25 minutes brisk, 10 minutes jogging, and finishing with 25 minutes brisk.  Even with slightly slick footing, and it getting pretty dark in the end, I ended up running a total of 6.54 miles, for an average pace of 9:10.  The brisk pace on the way out averaged about a 9:00 pace, and the brisk back averaged closer to 8:45.  So yay me!  But I still feel like I've lost my mind...

You may be right, I may be crazy...

It takes a special sort of someone to voluntarily go outside when it is below 0F outside. It takes an even rarer beast to voluntarily go outside when it's below 0F and go running. I guess I am that rare beast.

When I signed Barbado and myself up for a fun run to be held on March 1st, the idea that it would be frostbite-inducing cold on that date didn't even cross my mind. So when I woke up Saturday morning, and saw the forecast for the day was a high of 0F with a wind chill warning for the whole day (where you could get frostbite in 20 minutes or less) I seriously questioned the wisdom in participating in a fun run outside.

In the end, Barbado and I decided to participate in the 3rd Annual Mustache March Run. This is a 2.65 mile fun run on the Lakewalk where it is (essentially) required that you sport a mustache of some sort. I think mine is much better.

Post-run.  I look smashing with a grey 'stache.

Thoughts on this run:

• There was a HUGE turnout considering how ungodly cold it was out. Which is pretty awesome.
• At $25, the entry fee was a little steep for a fun run. But part of the proceeds went to Wildwoods, a non-profit that aids injured wild animals, so that was pretty cool.
• Instead of a t-shirt, you get a pint glass as swag. AND a beanie. Both of which are pretty cool looking. And more usable than a t-shirt. So bonus on the swag.
• Finally, there was a ton of awesome prizes awarded randomly for participating in the run, and the best mustaches got a prize as well. Barbado won a gift card to Duluth Running Company, which I covet greatly. Oh, and you got a free pint at Pizza Luce too.

Would I do this fun run again? Possibly. The only negatives were the weather, which can't be controlled, and the entry fee, which made up for itself if you won a prize. So I guess it will come down to how I'm feeling next February as to whether I will do this one again.

Yesterday's Runs

That's right - runs PLURAL.  In the morning, when it was a blustery -8F outside (with wind chill to boot) I went on my normal Saturday group run.  Since I knew I was going to be out in the evening running/jogging again, I decided to do the shorter workout.  In the morning I ran 4.54 miles in 40:00, for an average pace of 8:48.

In the evening, at the balmy temp of 0F outside (still with wind chills), I did the Mustache March Run.  This one I purposely stayed with Barbado, since this was his first week back into running and he's a trooper for agreeing to do this with me. Needless to say, there was a bit of walking involved, but much less than I had anticipated, which is pretty awesome for him.  In the evening I walked/jogged 2.65 miles in 27:17, for an average pace of 10:17.  Kinda messes with my average pace for the year, but it was a LOT of fun and I'm glad I decided to keep pace with the honey.  Even though he cut me off at the end and claims he won.

Outside my comfort zone

Today I shall write about two interconnected stories of Doing Something.  Specifically about Doing Something at my work.

Story #1:

Shortly after I started working at my current place of employment, I was approached by several people in my work area if I would be interested in chairing the District's Wellness Subcommittee.  The last chair had retired quite some time ago, and no one else wanted to take on the responsibility. 

I have normally not been the type to take on a leadership role voluntarily; it is too much of putting myself out there and that concept has scared (and still does to an extent) me.  After couple weeks of deliberation, I decided that volunteering to chair this committee would be Doing Something to become less of an introvert.  I know that when I am in a leadership position, I take control and do whatever is necessary.  It's the volunteering to take on that role that is a stretch for me.

And I am glad that I did.  I feel like I can do a lot of good, both for my employer and for the people I work with. I have been told by a lot of management that they are glad I took on this role and that it is apparent that I am a good leader.  I feel I am definitely Doing Something.

Story #2:

Flash forward to last week.  One of my co-workers brought to my attention that the Hermantown Chamber of Commerce was having a luncheon to discuss a proposed health and wellness center.  Perfect opportunity for the Chair of the Wellness Subcommittee to get out there and find out some of the initiatives that are going on in the community, and what possible role my work could play in this venture.  Again, Doing Something.

But when signing up for this thing I didn't really consider what exactly a Chamber of Commerce Luncheon entailed.  It is a bunch of high-powered business types that are there to network and advance their careers.  Big talkers.  Not engineering types that have a passion for wellness and are, in their nature, introverts.

When I got there, I signed in and walked into the meeting room.  All these people in power suits were already huddled in small groups, having conversations about who knows what.  I felt like I didn't belong.  I felt like I should crawl into a hole where no one would see me.  But I didn't.  I found a spot at a table, pulled out my work phone to check my email.  Probably looked pretty uncomfortable.  Luckily, some nice ladies came over to talk to me, and we had a nice conversation about why I was there, and what I was trying to do with the wellness program at my work.  It was alright.

But then the luncheon started.  And the person in charge said (direct quote) "It's been a while since we've done this, and I see some new faces in the crowd.  Why don't we go around and introduce ourselves?" I thought I was going to die.  And when it came to me, I stood up, and said my name and where I worked; I'm pretty sure my voice cracked a little.  I was mortified.

So, yeah... today's adventure in putting myself out there, of Doing Something that is out of my norm, was not a total success.  But at least I tried.  And I got a lot of good information too.

Today's Run

It was COLD today!  Definitely didn't get above 0F, not even close.  But I went to running group, and in the end it was alright.  Today's workout was a 5 minute warmup, followed by 15 minutes brisk running, 3 minutes jogging, 15 minutes brisk running, and a cool down (I did 3 minutes for a cool down since I was already a meat popsicle at this point).  One of the bad things about running in this extreme cold is that, per the owner's manual, I can't plug in my Garmin if the battery is under 40F, so I can't look to see if I really picked up the pace on the brisk parts when I write these posts the same night.  Maybe I'll do an update... Anyway, tonight I ran 4.54 miles in 41:00, for an average pace of 9:01.  I'm pretty sure my warmup, cool down and jogging were above 9:30, which means my brisk wasn't too shabby.  But I'll find out for sure when I download the data.

Making goals

Being over two months into the new year seems like an odd time to want to make goals for myself, given that most people make goals as part of their New Year's Resolutions.  But as part of my quest of Doing Something, and because of a book Barbado and I are almost finished reading called "The Good Life Rules," I have been trying to make some tangible goals for myself.  So far I have:
1. Be a good partner (fiancee now, wife in the future).
2. Be a good mother
3. Go to the gym at least 12 times a month
4. Run my first full marathon
      4a. Try to finish my first full marathon in a Boston-qualifying time (sub 3:40)
5. Put at least 10% of each paycheck into a savings account by the end of the year (I'm at 5% now).

That's all I've got so far.  Five goals just doesn't seem like enough.  But I'm at a loss for what I add to the list.

This is where you, the person reading this, comes in.  What do you think I should add to my list of goals?  It doesn't have to be a short-term goal - being a good partner and mother is something that is a goal that is constantly worked on.  But then again being able to scratch a goal off the list is definitely a great reward.

So, comments are definitely welcome on this post!

Today's Run

Tonight's run was definitely on the colder side - the wind on the way back was brutal once again.  But today I ran 3.92 miles in 35:00 for an average pace of 8:55 - the first time in almost a month that I've run a sub-9:00 pace outside.  The footing was much better tonight for the most part.  I am definitely looking forward to clear pavement and really being able to kick it in high gear!

And then there were three.... plus JOIN IN ON THE FUN!!!!!!!!!!

Once a person gets to a certain age, it is almost guaranteed that anyone they meet will have child(ren) from a previous relationship.  Barbado is no exception.  He has two sons from a previous relationship, and they are pretty awesome.

The oldest, The Ringleader, is 7 going on 20-something.  He is very clever, and extremely smart, and is capable of getting the other boys to do pretty much anything he wants them to do.  He is also very sensitive, which means he is more likely to have a meltdown but is able to understand reason to get out of it.  To me, he is the most challenging boy to come to grips with and to figure out how to add him to this new family.

The youngest, The Spitfire, just turned 3.  He has even more energy than The Boy did at that age.  And he has absolutely no fear whatsoever.  He will jump headfirst into a pool and think nothing of it.  He will throw his body around like some sort of deranged acrobat.  And he is TINY!  Well, at least compared to what I am used to, that is.  He is the easiest to connect with, in that he is at that age where he loves and trusts pretty much anyone.  That, and he has a huge heart.

The three boys are, as Barbado and I like to put it, three peas in a pod.  They have gotten along swimmingly since day one.  Not to say there aren't any issues, but they are already loving each other and fighting with each other like brothers.  Which is really nice.

But, now I am surrounded by three little boys, and one big one.  There are times I find myself getting overwhelmed, for sure, but I have the best partner to help me get my head above water.  I'm afraid that in the future I will be completely overwhelmed by testosterone. Sigh.

On a completely unrelated note, next Saturday, March 1, I challenge anyone in the Duluth area to come join me on a long run with the Duluth Running Company's Marathon Training Group.  I dare anyone to not fall in love with this group.  Here's the info:

Today's Run

So, yeah, I wimped out of running on Thursday due to the Snow-pocalypse, and I felt it was more important to have a Date Night with my man (with the amount of snow predicted I didn't think I could fit in both). And I have no regrets about my decision.  Today the weather was better, air temperature was above 0F! The wind, on the other hand, was brutal and in our faces on the way back.  That said, today I ran 7.53 miles in 70 minutes, for an average pace of 9:17.  First half was sub-9:00 miles, on the way back - not so much.  Was a good run overall though, and it felt pretty good.