BOOYA!

31 and done!

Goodbye, 2011!

Today is the last day of my December Running Streak! I intentionally designated this week as an "easy" week at the beginning of the month because I anticipated being tired and lacking in the motivation department. I am grateful for my foresight because this week has been rough, and I have definitely taken advantage of the "1 mile minimum per day" policy of the streak. Traveling for Christmas definitely threw a wrench in my running. My sleeping, drinking & eating habits were off (as in I enjoyed excesses of both) as was my daily routine.

Since I was in Illinois, I appreciated the lack of hills in every run, but the running was kept to a minimum. The highlight of my runs was a quick out and back with my dad, which is something I have never done. He is an avid swimmer and cyclists and has taken up indoor triathlons at his gym, so has added running to his repertoire. I am usually a solo runner but it was nice to go out and work off some of the red meat and libations we had consumed in the previous meals.

When we got back home, my motivation was no where to be found. I managed to force some time on the treadmill by telling myself that the streak was almost over and I only had to stay on for one episode of Parks and Recreation. I also busted out a pair of new running shoes I bought several weeks ago. I am hoping that since this last day of the streak, and of 2011, I will be inspired to go out and really enjoy myself. And despite all my talk of being tired and unmotivated, I still have 2 legs that can move and will welcome 2012 with a good run tomorrow.

Streaking for the Holidays

Yesterday I traveled back to my home state of Illinois to spend Christmas with my family. The best thing about running in Illinois is the lack of hills. My parents live near a bike trail which makes running while on vacation fairly easy. The December streak is on day 25 and has now spanned two states!

One of my Christmas gifts from my wonderful husband was a Garmin watch with GPS and a heart rate monitor. I have only used it on one run so far but it has already made my runs more interesting!

23 1/2 hours

I saw this video on the Runner's World website yesterday and had to share. Watch, enjoy, and move!

http://youtu.be/aUaInS6HIGo

Big Breakfasts and Long Runs

After the success of last week's big breakfast + long run combo (chocolate chip pancakes and 9 miles), I decided to repeat the plan on Sunday with a few changes. I substituted pancakes with two eggs, homemade corned beef hash, and rye toast and ran 10 miles instead of 9. The big breakfast was successful in keeping me fueled for my long run and, since I gave myself plenty of time to digest, did not make me feel heavy or ill. SUCCESS! We finally had some snow on Saturday but not enough to stick around so the trail was pretty clear when I made my way over on Sunday afternoon. It was cold but sunny - a good combination for a long run. I'd be lying if I said my legs weren't sore by the end, but I think that's to be expected given the distance! I managed to drag myself out of bed to do a quick 2 mile recovery run this morning. Only 12 more runs to complete the streak!

Half Way There!

Yesterday was the half way point in my December Running Streak Challenge. Since I went into the official streak with 3 days of running behind me, I have now run 20 days in a row! I was worried that I would start falling apart but I have been forcing myself to take care of my body after each run. This running streak has also tuned into a stretching and icing streak. I can't imagine I will be able to continue running like this once January shows up, but I am appreciative of the good habits that I have developed, like stretching and icing daily, that I was previously neglecting.

Tomorrow my goal is 10 miles, and it will be my last long run of 2011. Next Sunday is Christmas Day and it marks the start of my easy week. I think after 3 weeks of running I deserve an easy week - it will be a Christmas gift from me to me!

Rudolph?

As I came home from my run this evening, I heard an animal walking near the bushes that serve as the property line between our house and the neighbor's. Out of curiosity I walked over to check it out and saw 8 deer making their way to my backyard. Seeing deer isn't anything new in my neighborhood since they're everywhere. They have adapted to being around humans so they don't scare easily. I once ran right past one 2 feet away from me that didn't even bother to look up from the plant it was eating. However, seeing such a large group so close to my house was pretty rad. I hurried inside to grab my camera and was able to get some (blurry) shots in the backyard. You never know what you're going to see on a run!

Photo Post

I haven't updated in a few days but I have definitely been running! Today was Day 8 of the December Running Streak. In case you were curious about how completely awesome I look when I layer up early in the morning and hit the road, here's a nice visual. I believe the exact color shade of my jacket is "Road Cone Orange." Also, please note that my shirt is tucked into my tights (for additional warmth - DUH!).

Just stunning.

Wine Monday

Happy Wine Monday! Wine Monday is something Paul created. He decided that the best way to get through Mondays is with the promise that at the end of the work day, you get to go home and drink wine. Thus, a tradition was born!

Today's Wine Monday also included a painful three miles on the treadmill. My chiropractor was making some adjustments to my lower back today; after my appointment my hips felt like I had just done 3 hours of yoga and then got kicked. I decided to run despite the ache because I've realized that if I didn't run every time something hurt or was sore, I'd never run at all! Plus, it's nothing a little ice and a glass of Shiraz can't fix!

Challenge Day 4: Thanks, Global Warming

I am generally against global warming but I'd be lying if I said I didn't love being able to run outside in shorts and a t-shirt in December. Today was my long run. I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to finish because I started feeling a little sick on Friday but it wasn't a problem at all. I finished all 8 miles and felt pretty great after! I am only 5 miles short of my half marathon distance! I was thinking the other day that maybe I should have signed up for the full marathon. I'd like the challenge but since this is my first distance run in hilly Pittsburgh, I think I'll see how the half goes. Maybe I'll work my way up to the full next time.

Don't forget to donate!
https://secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/Donation2?idb=1379457194&36350.donation=form1&df_id=36350&FR_ID=17721&PROXY_ID=10289906&PROXY_TYPE=20

Challenge Day 3

I am on Day 3 of my challenge and despite a sore throat, I went out and did an easy 3 miles. Tomorrow is my longer run - hopefully I'll be feeling better by then.

As I was running I noticed all of the outdoor Christmas lights that had recently been put up around the neighborhood. I wonder how that tradition started. Was it something that began in the homes of people who loved the lights on their Christmas tree so much that they decided to spread the cheer outside? Or was it the brainchild of some company that was looking to expand their profit margin? I hope it was the former but I'm betting it was the latter. It makes me think of a 30 Rock quote. Jack says of Don Geiss, " It was Geiss himself who invented the night light when he realized lights could burn while people slept, then it was Geiss, too, who launched an aggressive marketing campaign warning children of the monsters under their beds."

Challenge Day 2

Yesterday was the first day of my running streak. I decided to take it easy since it would normally be my rest day. Since I was lazy and slept in, I hit up my treadmill after work for an easy 2 miles. Afterward I spent about 20 minutes doing some much needed stretching and core work. Usually I prefer to run outside but it was pretty dark and cold by the time I was ready to go. Plus, running inside allows me to watch 30 Rock on DVD!

Today's plan is to do 4 miles outside since I'll be home before the sun goes down.

December Challenge

In addition to my half marathon pre-training, I have decided to participate in the Runner's World Holiday Running Streak. The goal of the streak is to run at least one mile everyday during this crazy busy, crazy cold, crazy food time of year.

The streak officially began on Thanksgiving but I didn't hear about it until this week. My official streak start date is today but I will probably take it easy since today was supposed to be my "off" day. One third of people living with MS become disabled and many more experience difficulty with simple tasks such as standing up and walking. For everyone who doesn't have a choice to move, I am going to try to move everyday.

http://trainingdaily.runnersworld.com/2011/11/24/meet-the-streakers/

Running With A Mission

I have resurrected my very nearly forgotten running blog! Since I have signed myself up for another half marathon, and my first half marathon was the reason for starting this blog, I thought it would be good to get back to writing about running. I also have a much greater mission to this half marathon other than "finishing without dying." My 13.1 mile mission this time around is to raise money and awareness for the National MS Society. As of now I have $170 of my $550 goal. I am incredibly grateful for the genoristy of those who have already donated but I still have a long way to go! Perhaps reading this enchanting blog will encourage donations! Please check out my fundraising site and consider giving some of your hard earned loot to an amazing cause.

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=10289906&pg=personal&fr_id=17721