Running from Car Shopping

Happy summer vacation!!

I am sitting here getting ready to go for a run while I finish my morning coffee.  I want to start off my summer on the right foot and I have been letting the workouts slide lately.  Parties, celebrations and oppressive heat have all given me good "excuses" for avoiding taking care of me.  3 miles is my goal...here's hoping!

Later today I am doing some car shopping, which I have discovered I hate more than anything.  Sarge and I need a 2nd car for when he gets home and I am HATING having to do this.  I know I should be exited about it and feel fortunate that we have saved enough to afford a new car for the first time in my life but I just want to avoid it.  I have serious stress over spending a ton of money on a car and am afraid I'll get it home and regret my purchase for some reason or another.  Gas mileage, size, visibility, potential for growth...AAARRRGGHHH!!!!  It all makes my head spin.

Hmmm...this is interesting.  Going running to procrastinate other things I don't want to do?

10K Recap

My run turned out a little better than I anticipated though I'm always disappointed that I'm not faster than I am.  Sunday's 10K was pretty good though I'd come up with long list of "reasons" it wasn't before I got to the finish line!  The photo below was from the end of mile 2 and in going through the selection of race photos have realized I am NOT cute when running.  The mile 5 photo (at the same spot) was just unfortunate in many ways!

I started out a little too fast for me and ran the first mile with my friend Niamh in under 10 minutes.  I slowed down at that point and averaged out just over 10:40 which was my goal.  I only wanted to puke once, after picking up a gatorade at mile 3 instead of a water.  Blech!  I really do not like that stuff.  So, 10K in 1:06 and the goal for the next one is to be closer to 10 minute mile average.  Next planned run is a 5K so I'll be focusing on speed the next few weeks.

Marathon Memories

I was so happy!

I was cleaning up files on my computer yesterday and found my marathon pics.  San Diego Rock 'N' Roll in 2008...so much has changed in the last 4 years!

I am pretty sure I have never shared these, mostly because they are AWFUL.  But, I got a kick out of looking at them and remembering how insane that whole experience was.  Seriously, I ran 26.2 miles...what was I thinking????  But, I finished and there is proof.

So have a little chuckle with me.  I actually gained weight during the training and these pics are hysterical and something I am very proud of. 

My goodness, that singlet is NOT flattering

I did finish!

They gave me a medal and then took the most awful pic ever.

I've Got a Mule Her Name is Sal

15 miles on the Erie Canal!  Okay, more like 6 but that song has kept running through my head since yesterday.

I was up visiting my in-laws and had to find a way to get my long run in for the week so this morning won.  I found a great bike path along the Erie Canal and did a nice 3 mile out and back run.  I felt very good and pushed myself for the first five and back off on the 6th to give myself time to cool down.  I love how running lets me see parts of where I visit I wouldn't otherwise.  I got to see a lock in the canal, something I've been singing about for years and had no idea of what it really looked like.

The weekend was a good one and with all my nephews and nieces there it was fun.  They are great kids and it's great to see them all playing together now that the youngest is old enough to really play.  Here are a couple of cute pics from the weekend, enjoy!

Running Motivation

I am having a hard time lately choosing the run over a trip to the gym.  I made it out on Saturday for an enjoyable run and a walk  on Sunday.  The past 2 days...nada.  I know that I need new sneakers and new running clothes are always a strange motivation but I just don't want to go shop for them.

I should be able to get to the gym tonight after my seminar but I am so tired I can't even think about it.  I'll put my stuff in my bag and just make the best of it.

So, tell me, what motivates you to get outside for a run?

Tech-NOT

So, in my quest to re-start my running habit I finally picked up the Nike+ for my iPod.  Now, only I could manage to screw it up more than once on the first run.  Now, because of this I think I walked and extra mile and a quarter which is all good, but added an extra 20 minutes onto the 5K I was originally planning to do.  Oh, and the workout only ended up being 3.5K....according to the iPod.  So, that will NOT be uploaded anywhere, we'll consider it a test run and hopefully I'll get my act together for the next run.  Today's Run:  4.3ish miles

Anyone want to join me on Tuesday?

First Run in 4 Months

And it felt pretty good!  I'll admit that I walked portions, I want to be smart and not injure something else in pushing myself too hard.  I'm going to follow (mostly) the Couch to 5K program though I started at week 4.  I figure I've been doing cardio regularly for the past month so this is really about getting my "running legs" back.  So, 3 miles in about 36 minutes today.  Slow, but I did it!

I realized, as often happens, that I am bored with music.  Tonight's project is going to be washing the curtains here in the house and looking up some new tunes for my little red ipod.

Happy Saturday!

First Outdoor Run In...?

Post Run Grossness

So, I haven't run outside in months.  I was in a good pattern for a while and Sarge and I were jogging together a couple times a week for a little bit but then everything stopped as the trainings and deployment process started.  I've been keeping up at the gym because I can throw the gym bag in the car and go for an hour after class or errands, etc.  Today....3 miles, mostly hills, GORGEOUS weather!

It was awesome...and tough.  I remembered some of the things I love about running on a Saturday morning. 
1.  It's 10am and I have the rest of the day to enjoy.
2.  Running past houses where you can smell the pancakes they're making for breakfast....yummy!
3.  Candy Man by Christina Aguilera.  That song pumps me up like no other.  That's Not My Name by the Ting Tings is another great one.
4.  Other runners/walkers.  There was a old man walking and he was making fun of how slow he was walking.  We had a nice chat as I jogged past him.  I want to be that old and still getting outside every day!
5.  Random run-ins.  I jogged past a garage sale on my way out and thought the woman running it was someone I knew but talked myself out of it because she doesn't live in Pearl River.  Turns out, her mother-in-law does and she was helping out.  We chatted for about 10 minutes at the end of my run.  What a great ending, thought I was a little embarrassed by my sweaty gross self.

So...all in all a good morning.  The hills were hard but I conquered most of them.  Now to keep the running going.  Maybe I need a goal race.  Any suggestions or running buddies want to join in?