AND it's winter.

Today started the first big snowfall, one that is supposed to last three days.  Followed by bitter cold (highs below zero - yikes!).  I spent a lot of time running through snow last winter/earlier this year, so running in the snow doesn't bother me too much.  It's like running in sand - except cold and wet.  I have a feeling my calves will be sore tomorrow though.

In a rare twist, I was the recipient of some neighborly kindness tonight.  I went out after dinner to begin the epic process of shoveling my driveway and sidewalk, when a man pulled up on a four wheeler with a blade attached and asked if he could plow out my driveway for me.  Of course I said yes!  I didn't get his name or where he lived though, so hopefully I'll see him again so I can thank him with cookies or something.  But this is the bigger question - where was he last winter?!?!

And on the countdown front, it's 200 days until Grandma's.  I think I will be ready.

Today's Run

Today I ran in my neighborhood, starting at Barbado's house, for 3.35 miles in 30:01, for an average pace of 8:58.  I still went up the Big Hill, which was especially treacherous since it wasn't plowed yet, and my pace showed it - I was down to over 14:00 min/miles at one point.  And I only twisted my ankle once, tripping over a catch basin casting that was really sunk down.  I just hope I'll be able to go out for a run on Wednesday...

Full of awesome

My fun-filled birthday weekend in the Cities is over, and it went by way too quickly, as these things so often do.  There was good food, good conversation, a museum... and meeting the BF Barbado's youngest sister and her boyfriend, who are pretty darn cool too.

I also used my new Shiny for the first time on Saturday.  Normally I will map out my run in advance, so I have an idea of where I'm going, what turns to make, how long I'll be out, etc.  This weekend I decided to step out of my comfort zone and just get out and run.  The whole Minneapolis metro area has an amazing trail system, and Barbado's sister lives near some at Lake Calhoun, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to just run and not think about my path.  And it was just a great run - even though I got very little sleep the run was easy and I felt so good when I was done.  There were so many people out running, even on a Saturday morning at the end of November pretty early in the morning (I headed out at about 7:30 AM).  It was just one great thing during an absolutely amazing weekend.

Now to the important part - my thoughts on the Shiny.  So here's my lists:

Pros:

• Easy to use - one button to get it out of power save mode, one button to start, one button to stop.  Can't ask for anything more.
• Quick connection to satellites - took way less than a minute for it to connect
• Easy to read - I had no problems reading the display while I was moving.  The numbers were clear and large enough to make out
• Easy to upload the data - more on this part later 

Cons:

• Lap noise too quiet - I missed it notifying me of hitting a mile mark a couple of times because the beeping noise was a little quiet
• A little bulky - it is almost a little too big for my wrist to be worn as a casual watch, which I decided to do so I wouldn't lose it in my luggage

The Cons definitely don't outweigh the Pros for this watch.  And the absolute best part is all the data you get to see when you upload your run to the Garmin Connect website.  Not only is there a map of where you ran, but there is the pace information, elevation information, lap information, and even weather information.  And there's graphs!

Graphs!  Numbers are awesome!

I will even have the ability to compare runs, save routes as courses, and probably many other things that I haven't figured out yet.  This is definitely what I was looking for when I was researching buying this watch, and I am afraid I may spend many hours obsessing with all the data provided.

Yesterday's Run

Yesterday I ran 6.65 miles around Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles in 57:59, for an average pace of 8:43.  My slowest average miles were Mile 5 (surprising), followed by Mile 2 (expected - I always feel like I crap on the second mile of any run).  I can't wait to compare this run to my next "long" run; I have a feeling there will be a lot of differences as this route was very flat and Duluth is not.

Also, for the year, I have run a total of 518 miles, just about half a mile short of my total for 2012.  Which means that pretty much all the miles I put on in the month of December will be above and beyond what I did last year.  Yay me!

Happy birthday me!

37 years ago today, the world was graced with my presence, and I'm still going strong.

Here's hoping the next year is full of wonder and amazing experiences and, of course, amazing mistakes.

Oh, and I will be using my shiny for the first time tomorrow. As I am in the Cities I may not be posting about my thoughts right away, but I have high hopes!

Happy Turkey Day!

It's the official American holiday of overindulgence, so of course that means I ran a race this morning. This is the second time I've run the Gobble Gallop 5k here in Duluth, and I must say the first time was a better experience than this time.  Some thoughts on this race:

• There were a LOT of people out for this race, over 2000.  Which wouldn't necessarily be a problem, but the walkers and runners were in one big group, so I spent a good portion of my time bobbing and weaving around the walkers.  Which is no good when in the back of your mind you want to PR...
• The swag was pretty nice.  Runners got a really nice long sleeve tech shirt, which is good for winter running, and some coupons to local stores.  I especially appreciate the $20 off a new pair of running shoes.
• The route was flat and fast, as it was down and back on Superior Street.  Which would have been good for a PR, but see bullet #1
• I didn't partake in any of the post-race food and beverages, as I was a meat popsicle and just wanted to get inside. But from what I understand it was fruit, bagels, water and coffee.  Pretty standard fare.
• One huge bonus is the race offered free child care during the race on a first-come-first-served basis.  I have never seen another race offer this, and I was grateful for this as I did not have anyone to watch The Boy.  He said he had a good time as well.
• The price was a bit high for a 5k, at $30 for the registration with the tech shirt.  Part of the proceeds go to the Second Harvest Food Bank, which kinda makes it worth it.

I'm not sure if I'll do this one in the future, as the whole walkers not lining up at the rear thing kinda pissed me off.  Plus the price is at the top end of what I want to spend for a 5k.  Besides that it was put together well and is a race Duluthians need to try at least once.

As for this holiday, I am thankful for so many things in my life.  I great job that allows me to work a normal schedule and still provide for my family.  A roof over my head, and food in my belly.  Friends and family that care for me, and that I care for in return.  And this year, I am most thankful that I met a special someone, someone that is truly amazing and that I am so extremely happy to have in my life.

Today's Run

Today I ran a 5k (approximately 3.1 miles) in XX:XX 24:11, for an average pace of X:XX 7:47.  I started a bit back in the pack, and did not see the clock as I was passing the finish line, so I have to wait for the official results to know how I did.  Which feels weird and is liberating at the same time.  It was extremely cold out this morning, and the wind was brutal.  And I saw a lot of people from last spring's running group at the race, and it was nice to catch up with all of them.

*Update 11/28/2013: Just got an email with the official results.  Definitely not a PR, but way better than I thought I had done.

I am unlimited.

SHINY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had some bad stuff happen last night (not super bad, just emotional bad) and so I couldn't be bothered with writing this post last night.  But now it's early, and it's a new day, so I will push all the negative away.

Before all the crap, this came via my friends in the brown truck:

Shiny! Shiny! Shiny!

The setup was super duper easy.  And even though it's a bit bigger, it is actually smaller than I thought it would be (my wrists are on the smaller size).  Before I use it I want to figure out the whole Garmin website upload thingie, which is hopefully super easy as well.  I did read something in the rather sparse manual that has me a bit concerned - you're not supposed to use it when it's below -4 F.  Is that air temperature or wind chill?  Because I do go out when it's below zero wind chill...

Yesterday's Run

Yesterday was a bit of angry running, around the neighborhood and down the Big Hill.  Normally my angry running has me going a lot faster, but as it was getting dark out (I also had someone in a car yell at me for not wearing enough reflective clothing - super awesome) since I got started a lot later than I had wanted to I kept it a bit of an average pace.  Yesterday I ran approximately 3.6 miles in 30:20, for an average pace of 8:24.  As I am running a race on Thursday, my first opportunity to use the Shiny will be on Saturday, and I am really looking forward to it! 

Bits and pieces

Today feels like a list kind of day...

1. Went to the Y with Roja on Thursday to do the Core Challenge class.  But the teacher was a no call/no show so that didn't happen.  I feel slightly ripped off, but as it is a free class I guess I can't complain too much.  Basically just a waste of time and gas.  I was kinda looking forward to getting my butt kicked a little bit though...
2. The Cookies and Cream Mini Cupcakes were a hit.  Score another one for me.  I'm thinking those will be a good choice for The Boy's first violin recital in a couple of weeks...
3. I ordered my Shiny (aka the Garmin Forerunner mentioned in a previous blog post) on Friday, and I got confirmation that it is guaranteed to arrive on Monday!  Thank you Amazon Prime for your speedy delivery services...
4. I made a Pear Upside Down cake today, just because.  And, man, was it good.

 So much better than the pineapple variety

  

5. I also bought most of the stuff I need for this year's Christmas Cookie Baking Extravaganza. So far the total is around $60, and I haven't gotten any butter yet :-/

 

Today's Run

Holy cold run Batman!  Per the internets, it was about 10 F, with a windchill of -5 F, when I went on my run this morning, but it felt a LOT colder.  My muscles just would not warm up, and I probably could have used a third layer as my skin was bright red from my ribcage to the middle of my thighs when I got back to the Y.  I did find my face mask, which helped a bit with the frozen cheeks, but I still was fighting fogged up glasses.  I don't know if I'm quite ready for the below zero running on a regular basis quite yet...

Today I ran on the Lakewalk from the Y, approximately 6.1 miles in 54:00 for an average pace of 8:47.  Hopefully by this time next week I'll have figured out the shiny and I can be a bit more accurate!  Yay! 

Happy Birthday, Pequena!

Another of my friends, Pequena, is having a birthday tomorrow.  Don't ask me how old she is going to be, because I honestly can't remember.  Age is just a number anyway, right?

So for her birthday, I'm trying out another mini cupcake recipe: Cookies N Cream.  They look like this:

Not the prettiest, but they look damn tasty!

I only hope they: 1) Taste good; 2) Are still good when she comes over on Friday; and 3) There are still some left because I love me some cookies and cream.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure she doesn't read this blog, so the secret is safe.  Even if she doesn't like them, she will be gracious enough to appreciate the effort.

Today's Run

Today was an odd weather day, in that it was well above 40 F when I went for my run before dinner.  Needless to say, I overdressed and was extremely overheated when I was done.  I guess that is better than what it will be like on Saturday, where the high is only supposed to be 15 F.  Today I ran the neighborhood route, down the Big Hill, for about 3.6 miles in 30:30, for an average pace of 8:26.  It did get really dark at the end of my run, so it may be time that I find out if I can take long lunches a couple of days a week so I can run in daylight.

Sleepy

It was a really great weekend for the most part, and so today I'm recovering.  So let's just get down to business...

Today's Run

It took all my willpower to go out for a run tonight; I was tired, it was cold and I was feeling slightly unmotivated.  But I got out there and ran the neighborhood route, up the Big Hill, which sincerely kicked my butt.  I ran approximately 3.5 miles in 31:00, for an average pace of 8:41.  Not too shabby, all things considered.

And now I'm off to bed.

I have the best friends

Last night was my friend Roja and my monthly get-together, AKA Nacho Night.  Roja makes the rice and queso, I usually bring witty conversation or some type of dessert.  Since today is Roja's birthday, I made her a birthday cake for Nacho Night, strawberry with whipped cream frosting.  It was delicious.

I love cake. Not too pretty, but SO GOOD.

Since my birthday is at the end of the month, Roja decided to surprise me with a present last night, since there's a good chance we won't be getting together before then.  And does this girl know me - she got me a digital kitchen scale.  I have seriously wanted one forever - there are so many recipes that call for a certain ingredient by weight, and I just had to wing it with mixed results.  I am so lucky to have her in my life.  For more reasons than she is an awesome gift giver.

Today's Run

I try not to run two days in a row, to give my body a rest, but I didn't really have a choice due to the craziness that was this week.  And it was surprisingly a good run.  My calves are sore right now, but it's not that bad.  Today I ran from the Y down the Lakewalk approximately 6.1 miles in 53:15, for an average pace of 8:40.  Overall I have improved my average pace from 8:46 last week to 8:38 this week.  Not too shabby. And only 28 more miles and I will have run more miles this year than last.  Pretty awesome.