Welcome Back

Well I'm back at it. Running that is. I took a well deserved week off from, well that's face it, nearly all physical activity. A sloth in front of the computer or TV for a whole week. I did attempt weights and the elliptical machine 2 days but it was a extremely half-hearted attempt. Oh and I ate like crap too. And it felt great until yesterday. Yesterday I realized I needed to get back at it (especially if I wanted to continue to fit into my only pair of jeans). I'm a cold weather wuss so the blistery 20 degrees had me headed to the gym today. BUT I took these last two weeks of December off from work so I can leave whenever I want and not worry about missing a call or important e-mail. Anyways, easy run of 4 miles to get back into the swing of things. It felt good to be back at it. Although I do need to suck it up and run outside soon...

I have been thinking a lot about races in 2008 especially now that I met my goal of finishing a marathon before 2007 ended. I am toying with the idea of the New Orleans half marathon in February. My closest friend and her husband will be running as well so that will be nice to actually have someone to run with as I am nearly always by myself! I would like to PR this time so I'll need to focus more on speed and tempo runs. I've already figured out a new training schedule so all I need to do now is find airfare, hotel, and sign up! Usually I only do a handful of 5K's over a year and sign up very last minute but not the Race to Wrigley 5K in April. It's small and you get to run in the stadium (not on the field) and finish under the big marquee. I love it and have done it each year (this year is the 3rd) but the race fills up fast. I am kicking around either the Lakefront 10 miler or Soldier 10 mile both in May. I have wanted to do both for years but have never been in very good running shape in the spring to run. Plus this year I am a bridesmaid in 2 weddings that month (a freaking week apart!!!) so training is going to be tough during April (showers, bachelorette parties, etc). The race dates aren't finalized and could fall on one of the wedding weekends. The Soldier 10 would be awesome because you finish on the field and post-party there too! This race fills up in days though. As far as another marathon I would love to go somewhere else but I think Chicago and I have some issues to settle. I see payback coming in October (sub 4 anyone!?!) And that's the plan. I'm sure I'll try to squeeze in some more races as soon as the Chicago race calendar is finalized :)