Checking in...

Hello, blogland!

I know, it's been another extended hiatus. However, June has been just a bit crazy for me. For part of that, I have one thing to blame:

Source

No, not running it, but working it. Working at a running store during an event like that = 60 hour work week. We had a series of booths at the Expo. While those were some long days, they were super fun and I enjoyed them and talking with a lot of really interesting people and telling them about some interesting shoes. (Vibram Five Fingers and Newtons.) And, for my trouble, I may or may not have walked away with a pair of slick shoes of my very own:

(Thanks, Justin!)

The Newton Distancia U Lightweight Universal Trainer. Or, as I've started calling them, my "Holy crap are these things bright pink" shoes. I've only taken them out once so far, as Newtons usually require a bit of an adjustment period, but so far? Not a bad shoe.

Speaking of shoes, I think things are starting to get a bit out of hand here: 

Clockwise from top: my current trainers (Mizuno Wave Inspire 7), my on-deck trainers (same), my Nikes I was given to try (Lunarglide+), the aforementioned Newtons, my now-retired Asics Foundations, and my racing shoes (Asics DS Racer 8). 

Yeah. Three I have been given as part of my job, one was a gift, and the other two I have purchased myself (like when I found out the Foundations were causing me to supinate and giving me IT band issues). But in 6 months time, I've gone from hoping I'll get shoes for Christmas because otherwise I wouldn't be able to afford them to having shoes coming out of my ears. Do I remind myself how lucky I am? Every freaking day, multiple times a day.

Anyway, Grandma's, between the Expo, the store, and the race watching party we held there was a crazy weekend. I'm glad I've finally witnessed the hullabaloo, and I think I'm going to throw my name in the hat for the half next year, despite the whole "Oh, hey, I'm getting married the following weekend" thing.

In other news, I spent a bit of time this month recovering from the awesomeness that was Bayshore. I'm starting to pick things back up a bit in prep for the Cherry Fest 15K. My first 15! Usually I do the 5K--it'll be a nice change of pace, and I'm excited.

I was curious what I could do for a 5K these days though, so last weekend I did one-- the Midnight Sun Midnight Run. This was SO much fun! It was a perfect summer night--clear, a little cool but comfortable outside. It was right along the Lakewalk, my primary training grounds, so my familiarity with the terrain made up for the lack of light. I felt fantastic, even with the odd start time completely throwing off my pre-race groove, and I ran a HUGE PR. My official race time (gun time, not chip time) was 22:58, but my watch time was 22:43. Either time is a massive PR and my first 22. :) I'm pretty excited.

So, that's what's going on here. What's up with you all?

12/3/10--Grumble

Today's run: 3.16 miles
Week to date: 15.3 miles
Month to date: 8.18 miles

Weather:

I didn't get a what I wore shot today, but this probably a more accurate image of me right now:

Source

I didn't start off the day in a bad mood, but it quickly became that way. Contributing factors:

~My neighbors forgetting that this is an apartment building and not their own private house, and carrying on a very loud conversation in the hallway starting at about 7:30.

~Finding out that according to this site, my measurements and body fat percentage mean I'm borderline obese. What? Yeah, that's what I said, but I checked the numbers twice, and I'm on the highest end of "acceptable".

~My moment of irritation spilling over and leading to me saying something to the boyfriend that I instantly regretted.

~Getting a stomachache pretty much as soon as I started running, and feeling progressively worse as I went.

~Getting home from my run to find that the boyfriend had left for the day with no note, no goodbye, no nothing, thus making me feel worse for what I said earlier.

So, I guess it goes without saying that with a nasty stomachache and a rotten mood, my run wasn't that great. I basically redid the first part of my zig-zaggy route yesterday, and instead of repeating it coming back I just headed straight down a side street, and it worked out to be just over a 5K. There were several points when I just wanted to come back, either to make things right with the boyfriend or to do something about my stomach, but I knew I couldn't stop (and the whole "hey, you're not as fit and healthy as you think, should you really not finish your workout?" train of thought was in play, too.)

OK, it's time to clean up, make some hot tea, and do something to cheer myself up. I hope you all are having a better day than I am.

11/25/10--Lindsey's Negative Split Treadmill Turkey Trot 5K

Yesterday's run: 3 miles
Today's run: 3.1 miles
Week to date: 8.1 miles
Month to date: 28.6 miles

First off, Happy Thanksgiving!!


(Yeah, that just boils down to my family being, well, my family. They're crazy in that awesome way!)

Yesterday, I ran in downtown TC with my mom. Short and sweet 3 miler, and it was a nice but COLD morning!

This morning, they were up and ready to leave by the time I finally woke up, so while they did their 10 miler, I ran through my options. I first thought about going 6, but my knee (I banged up Monday trying to load my car in the ice and snow of South Range) wasn't going to handle it. So, I opted to do my own Turkey Trot 5K! (We didn't do the one in TC because the course wasn't that great, it was $35/person, and they capped it at 2,000 people and it filled quickly! I was going slowish in anticipation of a 6, so I had ground to make up. I wound up finishing in 29:06, taking a brief pause right toward the end when I started gagging. (Gross, sorry, but it happened.) I'm not overly proud of that time, but oh well. I ran, I did it, I saved $35.

I'm so happy it's Thanksgiving!! This is probably my favorite holiday, because it centers around such amazing ideas--being grateful and thankful for the things in your life, enjoying the company of friends and family, and of course delicious food! :) I know most people lately have been bombarded with tips and whatnot for staying healthy today, so I almost feel compelled to share my viewpoint on this:
Look. It's one day. It's one meal. Have a little of everything. Do not deprive yourself. I know I've been watching what I've been eating a little more carefully all week in anticipation of today, knowing what is coming with this meal. And then tomorrow and going in to next week, I'll do my best to eat clean and healthier again to balance it out. It may not work for everyone, but this is what works for me. I'm going to enjoy this meal today with no guilt, no deprivation, and tomorrow, I'll go for another run (hopefully long? keep your fingers crossed) and pick up right where I left off with trying to eat healthier.
And, this year, I have so much for which to be thankful. I'm thankful for all the wonderful people in my life--my family, my friends, my goofy but amazing boyfriend, all the new friends I've made this year. I'm thankful for the new opportunities coming up in the near future (to be announced once details are finalized). I'm thankful for every step that I have ran and will run, and that I had the amazing opportunity to run my first half marathon this year.

What are you thankful for this year?

OK--I need to hit the shower before Coach Mom and Assistant Coach Little Sister get back. Have a great holiday, everyone!