whiner

I haven't run since last Friday. First, I'm lazy on the weekends. OK. There you go. I like to sleep once in a while, and I haven't had much of it lately. Second, I've had to sleep upright in the recliner so that Meatball could get some rest since he has had an upper respiratory cough that really kicks in when he is lying flat. That has happened every night except one since last Thursday. Third, oh - who really cares? Today was my first run in almost a week, and I felt it. I was stiff and uncomfortable to start. My shoes need to be replaced. I had a bout with a very elevated heart rate about 1/3 through the run where I had to stop for 3-4 minutes just to get it to calm down. (I hate that, by the way. You know, when your lungs feel constricted and your heart races and you just can't get your breath...) Oh. My. Gawd. Waaaaaaaaaaaa. Here's my actual run report: I ran to/through Sugarhouse Park and back to work. I had a long break because I couldn't catch my breath and my heart was pounding like crazy. Then, I finished. Stats: 5.5 miles in 56:38 for a 10:18mpm pace

bitter - party of 1

Since I had to work late tonight, I stayed home longer than normal this morning. I got up, got my body moving, and then sat in the chair for an hour. I should have just ran. But, I finally got my fat butt out the door - mostly because I remembered the completely unnecessary bowl of Cap'n Crunch that I ate last night out of stress and depression. Yes. I should have gone for a run, instead. I know. I know. Anyway, I leashed up Sadie and took off, completely forgetting my watch. Oh well. Man, this dog is fat! Obviously, Bub has no intention of exercising her during the day, so it falls on me to do this in the evening or mornings. You know, those times when I am frantically trying to get everything else done. OK. Fine. Whatever. She was pretty well behaved (better than when we are walking). Apparently, training BUB'S dog is my responsibility, too. Let's face it. She's my dog. Bub can't stand her. Yes, I'm bitter. After Sadie and I did 3.3 miles, I stopped and picked up Liz to do 1.5 miles. She's getting so old! And, obviously, she doesn't get any exercise, either! Both dogs were pooped by the end of their distances. I, on the other hand, had energy to burn. Too bad I wasted that extra hour this morning! Oh well. Look out, Zumba, here I come this afternoon! Stats: 4.79 miles

very good pace after a very bad night's sleep

Hell yeah, baby! So, we slept over at Granny's and Grandpa's house last night. I must admit. I don't really enjoy these sleepovers. I never get any sleep. The boys get spoiled with new clothes and toys every damn time. They get wound up. Then, the old people and Bub watch TV while I try to get them to calm down by reading stories and saying Shhhhh! a hundred times. As a side note: it is almost impossible to get two boys to calm down and not laugh when you're reading a "Walter, the farting dog" book. Anyway, the boys never want to sleep, and the bed isn't comfy. I don't care what kind of expensive mattress you have on it, it's not comfy. Last night was extra fun. The new clothes that they got were footie pajamas that were too small, so halfway through the night, Meatball woke up crying because his toes hurt, so we had to change his jammies. Plus, he was ALL OVER THE PLACE, Peanut was glommed up against me like sap to a tree, everyone was kicking everyone else, and it was too hot. Imagine my delight when my alarm went off at 4:15am! I got out the door about an hour later after I had a piece of toast and pottied. The weather is PERFECTLY cool, and the run was awesome. I only walked once, and that was up the long hill at 3300 South. I made it to work at a sub-11 pace for more than 90 minutes! YAY for me! Stats: 8.41 miles in 1:31:15 for a 10:52mpm pace

running with the gazelle

Good Gawd! Yesterday, Carol and I ran the downtown loop at a slow pace because she's struggling with a cold. It was a nice run, we chatted, we ran, we walked. This morming, she decided to take the morning to try and recover since she has a race this weekend. So, I went to weight class (which was a killer), and I was drenched with sweat by the end of class. Then, as I was getting ready to run by myself, one of my coworkers asked how far I was going, and did I mind if she came along. Well, um, yes. I totally mind. Listen. I'm all about company, and friends, and exercise, but she is easily six inches taller than me (you should see her legs!), 40 pounds lighter than me, has about 2% body fat, and is GORGEOUS. (No. I don't have a complex. Why do you ask?) So, off we went. The super model and the ugly step-sister. The gazelle and the hippo. Yes. I know. I'm supposed to visualize myself and talk about myself in term that are glowing and positive, but YOU stand next to her and let's see how YOU feel! HER:

ME:

So, as she jogged along chit-chatting, I gasped and strained, grunting route instructions and pointing when I couldn't be understood. Between her and Lucifer, I feel like I got a decent butt-kickin' today! Stats: 3.1 miles in 29:56 for a 9:40mpm pace

numb

Lucifer was at her finest this morning, and she truly kicked our collective asses during weight class. Holy crap! When you're shouting "OK, Pushups! 1 - 2 - 3..." and everyone is still laying face-first on the floor, you know that you are a great fitness instructor. Then, I had to run three miles. I was numb. In body and in mind. Two hours later, and I still don't want to lift my arms. She is so harsh! Stats: 3.16 miles in 32:34 for a 10:19mpm pace

this is confusing

This was a bit of a slower run, but I'm recovering from being sore (that happens when you've been lazy and decide to step it up a notch), and Carol was recovering from being sick. So, we just did what we did and didn't worry a bit. We ran before yoga on our normal (boring) 3-mile loop. We got a lot of talking in. OK. She talked. I complained. I love that she is such a good friend. I'm really frustrated right now, and she lets me just go off. She never says the wrong (meaning right) thing. She always says the right (meaning right) thing in a way that doesn't seem condescending or abusive towards anyone. That didn't make sense. That doesn't matter. She's just awesome. Stats: 3.1 miles in 35:56 for an 11:36mpm pace

wonderful temps

50*! Yes. Fifty glorius degrees! My hands were actually cold for the first mile of my run! I LOVE FALL! It was another solo run, and after lamenting about my pathetic miles of late, I decided that I should do something semi-long. I know for a fact that I wouldn't have been able to slog out a 10-miler, so 7 seemed the next logical thing. (OK - I could have done a 10, but I would have been miserable and it would have taken me too long to get back to work.) Anyway, I did the East High loop. I did not run up 8th; I chose to run down it instead. I definitely didn't have the gas in me to get UP it. I've been tired all week, and my knees kinda hurt. Nothing to be concerned about, but I just looked at the mileage on my shoes, and it's 567. Another 100 miles on these, maximum. I'm sure that's why I'm feeling some aches and pains. Anyway, the weather was beautiful; the run was decent; my shoes need to be replaced. Stats: 7.39 miles in 1:15:42 for a 10:15mpm pace