Upcoming 15k

On Sunday I will be wearing the Shirt that Races in the inaugural Hot Chocolate 15k/5k. I'm running the 15k and well a little nervous about the race. The weather should be excellent (in the 50's and sunny!) I get an extra hour of sleep (thanks daylight savings!) but I feel heavy and out of shape. I haven't had real quality runs and didn't have much time to train. I think this race will be more of a "Easy Run and Reward Oneself with Hot Chocolate and all the Hershey's Chocolate One Can Consume" kinda race. Which really isn't that bad of way to spend the morning. We will see though. Now I'm off to get my last easy run in before Sunday.

Such a Procrastinator

All weekend I procrastinated the 7 miler that was on my schedule. Not only out of sheer laziness but also as an adverse effect of all the alcohol I consumed. Friday we went out to dinner for my friend/old roomie birthday where we partook in several adult beverages. After dinner she wanted to stop by her sisters apartment for a college house party. Hahahaha. We walked in and everyone just stared at us! Doesn't help that they were all 8-12 years younger than our little group. Some partook in beer pong (I was not one of those lucky some) but did continue on with our adult beverages. We brought good beer b/c I'm a snob and try to avoid busch light/natty ice (or something along those lines) now that we are no longer a poor college student ;) At said party we were talking to one of the 20/21 y.o girls at the party about DePaul and how my friend's husband still wears his Blue Crew shirt circa 1999. She said and I quote "Oh how cute, it's vintage!" We are all still laughing that 1999 is vintage thus making us vintage! We didn't stay long at the party but late enough with too much sangria and beer throughout the night so a Saturday run was scratched. Saturday night we went out with other friends of ours who will soon be welcoming a baby but are trying to go out as much as possible before that day arrives. After dinner in Greektown we went to a local brewery that is closing before the end of the year. It was a late night... No the mama to be did not partake in any adult beverages - strictly water, she is such a trooper for hanging so late though. Today the hubby and I decided to go out for lunch at a local watering hole and the birthday girl and her husband joined us. We sat around drinking beer and watching football. An excellent way to spend a Sunday but not so much when one still needs to run. I spent the rest of the afternoon laying around the house then after the sun was long gone I finally ran those 7 miles.

Early Morning

Thank you everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers for my stepmom...It really means a lot! She's out of recovery and the rest of the surgery went as planned but she still has a long way to go.

I've been getting a lot of crap from family and non-family members for the fact that I did not go home and it's making me feel guilty/like a jerk, etc, etc. There are a lot of complicated reasons/circumstances as to why I'm not there physically but it doesn't mean I'm not "there" for my dad and step family. I really don't understand why people can't see that. It's not like my physical being could do anything else that everyone there already has covered. It's not like I haven't called, won't be sending flowers and food, etc. It is really frustrating...Alright, I'll stop complaining/venting and move on ;)

Right now I am sitting in O'hare on my way to Terre Haute, Indiana. Yeah, work travel is so very exotic. Another long day/late night in a string of long days/late nights this week. I hope to be walking back in my house by 9pm. Ugh, I really hate these kind of days. Yesterday was another long day as lovely Chicago traffic and construction allowed me to spend nearly 3 hours in my car for what should be under a 2 hour drive back home. Needless to say another day of not working out/no running. The week is nearly over and I can hopefully get back to my regularly scheduled program Friday.

Weds Update

Yesterday I had planned to go to the gym after work even though I would be getting home late. My exhaustion and laziness kicked in and I played guitar hero instead. Then I figured that probably wasn't the best cross-training and picked up the hand weights for about 20 minutes. Eh, it was something I guess. A run is on the schedule tonight but honestly after making the 2 1/2 hour drive home I'm not sure how it will feel. Maybe Friday will be a good day to run ;)

My stepmom is having her mastectomy/reconstruction surgery today. I just received a call from my sister saying the doctor came out to inform my dad that they tested the lymph nodes and the cancer has spread. My stepmom isn't aware yet as she still has another 9-10 hours left in surgery. After surgery she will need to start chemotherapy. Not really the news anyone wants to hear.

Night Running

Normally I don't run the day after a long run. My legs are tired and mentally it's not something I can handle nor want to handle. Today happened to be a rainy day in Chicago and I got lost in non-work related computer tasks so I didn't make it to the gym at a reasonable time. Finally the rain stopped as I was changing into my workout clothes. I decided it would be a heck of a lot easier to run from house than drive to the gym. The plan was an easy 3 without the garmy. I ended up running around 4 without garmy. My legs felt light and loose from the beginning. It felt great being out in the early evening on the lakefront. There is something about running at night in the city - I absolutely love it.

The rest of the week runs may be a bit tricky as I have 3 work visits in 3 days in 3 different cities. We will see how tired I end up being - maybe there is another night run in me yet this week.

Sunday Run

The hubby was missing his family so we headed back to central Illinois for family time this weekend. It's not the easiest trying to get a run in down here. 1) the MIL feeds me constantly and does not know what the phrase "No thank you I am full/don't like/don't want" means. 2) Country roads scare me after spending the last 11 years in the city. People drive like maniacs! Luckily there is a 6 mile path between East Peoria and Morton and if I ask nicely I can get someone to drive me there and pick me up later. The plan was for 8 miles on Saturday. Jacob decided his time would be better well spent washing and waxing the car than taking me so the run got pushed off until today. It is a beautiful day albeit a bit windy. The first 2 miles were horrible; my legs felt like 50lb sandbags. Then I found my groove and the next 6.3 miles flew by. The picture is from the first half of the trail. The last half...not as nice but at least there is somewhere to run.
Alright I should get off the computer and get back to hanging out with the in-laws. They already think I am anti-social I don't need to reinforce it anymore ;)

Speedwork Sucks

Probably my absolute worst feeling run in a very long time. Days like today are the reason I have a love/hate relationship with running. Speedwork was on the schedule yesterday; however I couldn't get to it yesterday because I had to drive up to Madison, WI and back in one day. Umm 7 hours in the car and 4 1/2 hours sitting at a desk really not what I call a good time. My hips and back were throbbing from all the sitting! Anyways, it was a nice cool day today so I thought it would be a great day to get back into speedwork. Let's just say it's been awhile and although I remember really hating this part of training I had blocked out how horrible it really was for me. I seriously thought I was going to puke up my orange I had just eaten for lunch. I ended up not being able to complete the 2nd 1600 and broke it down to a 2 x 800 with 2 x400 jogs (walks). Everything felt off. Legs, lungs, head, everything. I guess I shouldn't have expected much it being the first speedwork session in a very long time. At least I finished and met the times I was shooting for so that is definitely something!!! AND I feel better an hour or so post run. Maybe it wasn't all that bad...

Alright I am off to obsess over my new facebook account. Yet another thing to keep me from working (and cleaning the house).

Letter to Running Top Designers

Dear Workout/Running Shirt Designer and Manufacturer,

Please do not discriminate against those of us who have long torso's. I'm am tired of only being able to find fantastic, non-cotton, running tops that are meant for someone my height but half my torso length. It is really uncomfortable to have my mid-drift (aka muffin top) showing because no one will make a running top 2-3 inches longer. I'm not asking for much...maybe an extra dollar or so in fabric.

Sincerely,

A girl with the nickname of booger

P.S - I have not shrunk my tops or had a massive growth spurt ;) Women's running tops are notoriously made the same in every brand which ends up being just short enough on me to be uncomfortable.

P.P.S - If anyone else has this problem and has a fantastic (and longer) running top they know of please share!

Obsessed

My new obsession...guitar hero III. In 1 1/2 days I have beat every song but 1 on the easy level. I have tried to move up to medium level but honestly I hate getting booed off stage b/c my pinkie finger is lame and doesn't want to hit the blue key at the right time. My left hand is in some serious pain, I may have to ice and rest ;) I realized in time that it hurt enough so maybe I should stop and go do some physical activity before I lost all daylight. Seriously I am such a dork and apparently have the mentality of a 12 year old. I'm so going to give my step sister a run for her money next time I go home :)

Race Spectating Report

Just returned home from watching the Chicago marathon. I ended up driving to my friends house in the west loop to meet up with her to watch at mile 14 and between mile 16-17. I arrived before our designated meet up time with enough time to see part of the course before 45,000 people burst onto the scene. First impressions were it was set up better than last year. More aid stations, water sprayers and sponges more readily available and earlier on the course than last year, first hydrants opened and spraying. A few minutes passed and the lead car came through to indicate the first of the wheelchair division were about to arrive. So incredibly inspirational to see them. A group that receives too little recognition as far as I am concerned. There was nearly no crowd support as many spectators had not arrived at the later miles yet. Then the elites came through at a blistering pace. I became more than a little choked up when I saw a man who had lost his arms and had to be in a sort of half standing/seated wheelchair but was still able to use his legs running the race. Amazing. My friend came out to join me and we spent the next couple of hours cheering for the runners and calling out words of encouragement to those runners who wore their name on their shirt. I think I saw Tom from Runners Lounge pass and yelled loudly for him! It it was him he was looking great just past the halfway mark. I didn't see anyone else I knew but I'm sure I just missed them. My friends saw 2 of their co-workers and one of the guys we were with jumped in to run with his co-worker. He was in street clothe with a bunch of items in his pockets and had just finished drinking a bloody mary. He was only going to run a couple of miles with his friend who had not trained at all and ended up running 10 miles!!! With no water in this heat! What a friend but seriously not too smart. We heard a few sirens during the race and that made my heart a bit heavy as well as took me back to my experience last year (even though I don't remember the ambulance ride).

The whole time being a spectator all I kept thinking was I can't wait to run next year. Although I was itching to run I'm glad I saw a different side of the race and could support those who made it to the start line. I was glad I could be at a part of the course cheering where there were not a lot of spectators because it made it that much more special experience for me. But next year look out for the girl with "booger" on her shirt (barring any unforeseen circumstances of course) and be sure to yell it out loud :) I can't wait!

Congrats to all the Chicago Marathon finishers! You are all true inspiration and heroes to me!!!

Finding Garmy

Since I have this crazy 15k coming in 4 weeks I decided I should probably start running more than just at a easy, fun pace. Yesterday was my big return to the tempo run. As well as being garmy's big return. It took me awhile to actually locate him. Why they didn't put some kind of locate button on it like they do with some cordless phones...Probably b/c most people use theirs more than every 3 months or so. Of course I put him in a spot pre-wedding that I couldn't possibly forget post wedding. Yeah not so much. I stuck him in one of the bathroom drawers...why I thought that would be an awesome spot for my garmin for several months I have no idea. I guess I was delirious from actually cleaning or something. Then garmy had some trouble locating the satellites but after 10 minutes I was finally on my way. I had 5 miles with 3 miles at an 8:45. And I have to say for my first time back at this for how many months it went really well. I can't say that it wasn't harder this time around to maintain that tempo but at least I met my goal. It probably helped that I went out telling myself that it would be great to meet the goal but would settle for xxx time as it is like I am completely starting over. I know they all won't go this well but at least it's nice to be back on a good note!

Back home

Okay Cubbies I love you but seriously losing the first game in crap play and giving up 5 runs in the 2nd inning of the 2nd game...really??? It's hard to be a Cubs fan. It hurts..

On to other news. I am in Ohio visiting the family - Fred (my dad) is having a clambake. It was supposed to be for my new husband and I but now that my stepmother has been diagnosed with breast cancer and has chosen to have a mastectomy (due to family history) later this month it is more a party for them. Regardless, it will be fun but none of my friends could make it so it should be interesting! I'll have pictures and plenty of stories by Sunday :) Always good drunk Fred stories :) Hopefully I will get a run or two in this weekend but we will see.

It being breast cancer awareness month - Ladies my step mom had countless mammograms due to the family history but found it in a self exam. Be sure to do you self exams and go for regular check ups. Hopefully MRIs will be covered by insurance soon! I can say my race schedule will include more races for breast cancer awareness for sure. And my stepmom is passionate about getting insurance companies to recognize that mammograms are not enough.