LSD

Well, my ickiness is definitely still dogging me. I haven’t had one run this year where I didn’t have some stomach discomfort. It is really very unpleasant. So, as reminded by SpeedyDMD, it is better to get Long Slow Distance in than to call it off entirely.
I had the day off today so I went out into the midday sunshine and did 6miles. They felt aggravatingly slow, about 2min/mi slower than my typical pace, and it wasn’t totally comfortable (I was in a bit of a rush to get home afterward) but it felt OK. More OK than any runs lately and longer than any runs in a long time.




I love being able to run in the middle of the day. Especially when I don’t have to rush back to work. I LOVE holiday weekends!
This whole weekend was so awesome, I feel like I really needed it. My sweetie, knowing how much I love the Olympics, took me to a sports bar to watch the opening ceremonies. We went to Jillian’s in Seattle and did a bit of video game Olympics ourselves, Air Hockey and video-skiing. Then TheCaptain schooled me in Ms. Pacman.
>

Saturday I packed and cleaned a bit for my big move to Redmond and then we met up for Chinese New year dinner.
Sunday I had the BEST Valentine’s Day ever! We did very little but did it all together. We had brownie waffles for breakfast and then TheCaptain made me yummy yummy trout for dinner. We watched lots of Olympics. I gave him the Scrabble wine charms I made and was VERY proud of my craftiness :)
Having today off and getting in a good run was definitely icing on the cake.

However, kinda inspired :)

It is a shame that my funk is coming out right now. Cause I am actually really inspired.

The Captain is learning to swim! And I think it is just about the coolest thing ever. It is hard to learn new stuff as an adult. Not only the learning process is harder but when you're a kid it is your main job to learn stuff. Not so as an adult (well, I guess technically that IS my job but….) you have to carve out time and energy to do it. So I am so happy for him and proud of him.

 

I am trying to be his swim instructor and was over-the-moon excited about helping him learn what I think is not only an essential life skill but a fun one. I have been excited about it for weeks but am now realizing that I have absolutely no credentials for swim instruction.

 

Here's what we've done so far:

Lesson 1: Floating and kicking

Lesson 2: Floating & pulling (w/buoy mainly to figure out how I can help him get breath during kick drills J), some kick refresher

 

Feedback from my student is that we work more on consistent floating so that is a will-do!

I hope he doesn't ask for his money back when he realizes I have NO idea what I'm doing :P

 

The one thing we do have going for us is that I love him, so we'll see.

 

And, after DSF reminded us that it can be risky for one partner to teach another something we're going to be especially cognizant of how we're doing as pupil/teacher so to be sure swimming isn't the end of us.

Motivation: Low

I'm not sure what is wrong with me. I just feel overall crappy and running just makes the crappiness bounce lately. I am really trying. I've run 2X this week and went to a cycling class (and swim instructed, another post). But I feel lacking both mentally and physically.

It feels very chicken/egg right now. Is running mentally hard because I'm physically bleh? Or am I physically bleh because running is mentally hard? Either way I have got to snap out of it.

 

I signed up for Issaquah Tri (1^st sprint of the season around here), paid the $$ and everything. Time to get out of this funk and get training.

Happy Runniversary to me!

It is fitting that my first post of the year is commemorating the 3 year anniversary of my very first run. Well, it was more like a sweaty, painful, oxygen deprived run/walk but it was 3 years ago today.

And I did the anniversary up in style too! I went for a run in Montpellier France with my dear friend. It was kind of a crappy run; cold and snotty. But it was a beautiful course and I had good conversation with someone I just don't get to chat with enough and I came back to her cozy apartment and got to cuddle with the Cap for a bit before he hand crafted us lattes to go with breakfast in our cute little French apartment.

Thanks Ali and Victor for all your generous hospitality. Staying here has been such a blast and getting to see your cuteness makes me happier than I can say.

Thanks Captain for coming on this trip with me. You are my favorite person to experience new things with and I am beyond grateful for the memories we've gotten to make here.

Thanks Self for sticking with the running for these past 3years. It has not always been easy or pretty but I'm SO glad that is has become part of who I am.

***
More on the trip and what is to come in the next running year later1!

Merry Christmas

I was looking at my post from last Christmas eve and remembering where I was then and all the great things that have happened in 09.

It's been a good year. and, I would wax poetic about it but am about to be clobbered by my trio of nephews (well, one is basically immobile but his crazy big brothers make up for it).

I also went for a run this afternoon in nearly perfect weather. Clear and sunny (if a touch too cold). It was the first run in a while since I have been feeling under the weather too much these past few weeks. It felt so great and reminded me how much I love all the things my body can do. It's funny how a little slow, 3miler can lift your spirits and help realign your thinking.

I think my goal for early next year is to build a base for a bit and get my eating under control. Basically just reset. Then I can start adding distance. My general goal is to get better about signing up early-ish and locking myself in :)

2010...bring it on

I'm like this

In an ode to DSF's post:
I'm like this lately, only less cuddly.

I've been running,
I've also been sick, and been through oral surgery
and been making excuses :)

Snippets

Work is such that I don't have the luxury of blogging much anymore and I have lots that I have thought about posting. Here are a few:

1. (Possible TMI) I am learning how to get around my running GI issues I think. It makes me happy but there are some downsides to my solution.
   
2. I had REALLY been on track for a few weeks which is good. I let dark, cold and rain last weekend mess me up and my 11miler turned into 7 (good ones) at the gym. That is not so good
   
3. I have been doing speed work.
   
4. I finally tried running to an audio book. I think I like!
   
5. I had a free session with a trainer at my gym. Made me feel lazy, uncoordinated self-conscious and fat. Plus, that is SPENDY. I think I'll continue muddling my way through this fitness/weight loss business.
   
6. I have got to make a decision about whether or not to do the Seattle Half-M. I'm not technically ready but it is a great way to start the holiday season…even without Speedy.
   
7. Got 5miles in today, average pace…9:00/mi! CRAZY! Makes me want to do another 10K despite that distance being my least favorite.