Goals and Decorations

It's almost the end of the year, that time when everyone starts thinking about the things they've done and the things they wish were different. For me today, that meant thinking back over this year's races.

My main goal this year was to finish my first marathon. I wasn't really focused on getting faster, just putting in the miles to make sure I finished Steamtown upright and happy.

I ran four half marathons this year, all right around two hours. A shiny new PR evaded me all year. I feel like if I'm going to improve my times, it's going to take more than just running. If I really want to get faster, I'm going to need to mix things up, and add some - gasp - strength training. The problem with strength training is that every time I think about doing any, I think "no, I don't really want to do that." So that's something I'm going to have to work on.

We don't have a space for the Christmas tree this year, but I have decorated the lights next to the tv. Plus we put holiday M&Ms in the gumball machine, so that's festive.

I also wrapped a bunch of presents, but it's not the same without a tree. Tom keeps teasing and saying "maybe we'll have a tree next year." I told him there was no maybe about it.

We got all dressed up over the weekend for a holiday dinner. It's the one day a year that we actually dress up, so we made sure to get photographic proof.

And here's an obligatory Buddy picture for you. I know you only read the blog to see Buddy ;)

Time Flies

Well, hi there!

I feel like I haven't posted anything in forever! I keep thinking about it, and just haven't made it to the computer. There have actually been days this week that I never turned my computer on, which is rare.

I can't even say what has been keeping me away, because thinking back over the last few days, I don't really know. I don't feel like I've been doing much more than usual, but I must be, because the days keep flying by.

I've been: teaching classes, moving firewood, helping Tom assemble a garage-in-a-box for the tractor, going to the grocery store, making dinner, doing dishes, doing laundry, Christmas shopping...just living life I guess.

I actually started writing this on Wednesday afternoon, and here we are and it's Thursday. Whoops!

My running has been generally lazy since my run with the group on Saturday, but I did get in a good 4 miles worth of intervals this afternoon. I am still liking my Moov Now a lot, and I will try to get a review up for you. Eventually.

I spent more time than I care to admit carefully peeling that blue Nuun sticker off of a box today so I could add it to my training log.

The box was from this cute skullcap that I won on Twitter last week. Yay free stuff!

In case you're having Buddy withdrawals, here's a picture from the other night when he invited himself onto the couch. 

Anything new and exciting with you? How's the Christmas shopping going?

Thanksgiving, Playing Chicken and Shopping

How was your Thanksgiving?

We had a pretty laid back holiday, which was really nice. Tom was up dark and early to do a little sitting in the woods hunting with our neighbor. Buddy and I had a relaxing morning and I finally got myself out the door around 10 to go for a run.

My watch is back and fully functional!

TomTom customer service was wonderful and the only thing I had to pay for was shipping the busted watch back to them. I ran an easy 8 with my audiobook, took a short break at home and then went back out for another 2 with Tom and Buddy. Ten Thanksgiving miles before the big meal.

The house was too hot when we got home, so we spent a little cool off time in the yard. Sometimes when Buddy is running around the yard he plays chicken. He runs straight at you and then veers off to one side or the other at the last second and just keeps on running. Only yesterday, instead of holding still, I tried to move out of the way and took his giant head right to the side of my knee. I ended up on my butt, facing the opposite direction I had been standing. Tom did a really good job of making sure I wasn't actually hurt before he started laughing. There's definitely a bruise, but I'll survive.

We went to Tom's friend's house for dinner and had a nice time visiting with everyone and eating way too much food - as is traditional.

I spent most of today thinking that it was Saturday, and doing dishes. I have no idea how two people create so many dishes. We're just talented like that. Plus I checked out a few online black Friday deals and did a little Christmas shopping from the comfort of my couch. I don't do black Friday. People are crazy.

Did you brave the crowds and go shopping today?

What was the best part of your Thanksgiving? 

Super Photogenic

I lost my thumb ring this afternoon. I keep going to fidget with it and it isn't there. It's not like it was anything fancy, it was just a thin silver band. I think it was about $3 from the Portland Saturday Market - many years ago - but I'm used to it being there. Lame.

I started listening to Mockingjay on audiobook for my longer runs lately. I've read the book before, but I wanted something I knew I would enjoy. Only now I'm too into it and have started listening to it in the car and while doing dishes too. It's not going to last much longer.

This is Buddy's face when I ask him if he wants to go for a run. His posture is never so good as when he wants something.

We took our break at the park, and he refused to participate in my attempts at taking a picture with him. This was the best of the bunch, and my eye is closed. We're super photogenic.

And this one shows his level of interest in taking pictures.

Tomorrow is my Friday since the places I normally teach at are closed on Thursday and Friday this week. We (mostly Tom) are in charge of making cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. We can't really make anything else with our limited kitchen situation.

Are you hosting Thanksgiving? Traveling? What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish? I'm not good with favorites, I love most food. If I had to narrow it down I would say mashed potatoes and gravy...and stuffing...and pie... 

Any good audiobook recommendations? This one will not last much longer.

A Busy Saturday and an Excellent Run

I had an unusually busy Saturday this week. Generally I'm pretty happy with few things on my to do list for the weekends, so it was pretty different from my usual antisocial quiet weekends.

I was debating making another trip down to meet up with my running buddies and made the last minute decision to go for it. Tom convinced me that I would be happier if I went, and, of course, I'm glad I did. It was a beautiful, if chilly, day and we had a fairly large group of people for the run. It's always fun to see everyone, and 7 miles never go by so quickly.

After a quick stop at the house for a shower and some lunch, I was out the door again, this time for a CPR class. The class was hosted by another running group, which isn't really close to my house either, but it's a bit closer than my old group. It worked out nicely because I renewed my CPR and got to meet a few of the runners from the Taconic Road Runners Club. One of these weekends I will have to branch out and meet up with them for a weekend run.

The woman who taught the CPR class gave us a bit of a lecture about the fact none of us like running with our phones. The short version was: suck it up and run with your phone.

One of Tom's friends was having a dinner party, so we made ourselves presentable (what do you mean I can't wear running clothes to a dinner party?) and made the 45 minute drive to their house. We went to a couple of barbecue/pool parties at their house this summer. They always have a ton of guests and even more food.

SO much food.

We didn't end up getting home until almost 1am, which is way past my usual bedtime. It was a pretty long day.

This morning I took my time getting moving and finally got out the door for a run a little after noon. I swear, sometimes I take longer to get ready for a run than when I get dressed up.

I started my Moov (my replacement GPS watch hasn't made its way back yet), threw on an audiobook and went on my way. I didn't really have a plan for my run, I just took it easy and enjoyed myself. It ended up being fairly slow, but it was as effortless and enjoyable as running gets! I got caught up in my audiobook and ended up running 8 miles.

How was your weekend?

Are you a fan of busy, social weekends or lazy, quiet weekends?

Running, Yoga, and Buddy in a Hat

Nothing terribly exciting around these parts lately. This week has flown by and I feel like all I've done is teach classes, do dishes, run and decide what to have for dinner.

That's pretty much life, right? Deciding what to eat for dinner every. single. day. Mom, I'm sorry for all the times you asked what we wanted for dinner and we didn't help at all.

I completed my 30 days of yoga challenge. I actually did every day and didn't skip any!

And - get this - I'm still doing yoga. I have seen noticeable improvements in my strength and flexibility, and while I'm still a long ways off from being a super bendy yogi, I'm way better than a month ago.

Please enjoy this random photo dump from the week:

I've been researching showers and bath tubs for the new bathrooms. It's not a kind of shopping I find fun.

The obligatory weekly trip to the laundromat.

My computer did this again. It happens so often now that I don't even freak out anymore. As long as it turns back on - we're good.

Buddy hates when I get in his face to take a picture.

A little post-run Nuun and my new Moov. I ran a cadence workout on Wednesday with the Moov; it was interesting. The focus was on shorter, quicker steps, and since it can tell your range of motion (you wear it on your ankle when running) it yells at informs you when you are striding out too much. The shorter steps feel odd, and a little bit like I'm shuffling, but it is allegedly a more efficient way to run once you're used to it. We'll see.

I never knew how much work wood stoves were to get them burning efficiently. I'm not good at it yet.

Wild Sockeye salmon was $7.99/lb instead of $14.99/lb the other day. I couldn't pass that up! Tom made a fancy salmon - the picture doesn't really show how pretty it was.

Just harassing the dog. As usual.

The longer I was in the store the other day, the less healthy my choices became. This was a little odd, but also pretty addicting. Luckily it's a small bag.

Buddy and I went for a run this afternoon, and then I harassed him with my Nuun hat.

I can't help myself.

How was your week? Anything fun planned for the weekend?

Weekend Update

I'm not sure where the weekend went. Pretty sure it was just Friday!

Buddy looks really small in this picture. He's been having a great time running a few days a week, and had a pretty speedy two miles on Friday. 

Tom bought a tractor.

He's been pulling bushes out and moving heavy things like wood and our new wood stove.

It was a bit of an adventure getting this beast into the house, but it does an amazing job warming the place up. Don't worry, we moved all the flammable things out of the way.

On Saturday morning I woke up bright and early to drive down to see my old running group. It's about a 45 minute drive, but the roads are pretty clear at 7am on a Saturday.

I'm so glad I made the trip, running with people is so much fun! It helps me run faster, and the miles just fly by. Not to mention the amazing trails we run on. There's really nothing like the trails at The Rockefeller Preserve.

I'm going to make an effort to get down there at least every few weekends.

When I got home I lounged around and drank coffee for a while. It felt like a lazy morning even though I drove a ways and ran 7 miles.

Today I actually ran some intervals with my new gadget. Let's be honest, there's no way I'm running intervals by myself out on the roads. I used to run them on my treadmill, but it's buried in the garage right now.

Having the Moov tell me my pace and when to start and stop my intervals was much better than trying to run and stare at my watch at the same time. Especially since I haven't mailed my watch off to get fixed yet.

I have some serious running goals for next year that I've been contemplating, and I think cross training and speed work are going to be a necessary part of reaching those goals.

Speaking of cross training - you'll probably be surprised to know that I completed day 28 of 30 or my 30 days of yoga challenge. I haven't missed a single day, and I am seriously loving the Yoga with Adriene channel on YouTube.