Happy New Year!!! Fiiiiiiiiiinally this year is O.V.E.R.

I was going to do a decade in review sort of thing, but honestly...looking (thinking) back there isn't a whole heck of a lot that sticks out in my mind as something I actually want to remember.  And there are a couple of years (2002, 2003) that I honestly don't remember that much about anyway.  I made two of the biggest mistakes of my life; one being that I was stupid and tossed the one man that I've ever loved more than anyone by the wayside (2000) and the second being  ... well  ... anyway...  I lost a job here or there, struggled, pulled my way out successfully.  Got engaged for the 5th time :o) (2002) and subsequently broke it off about a month later... Sold my house (2003).   I started running (late 2005) and continue to run despite a few injuries here and there, made new friends along the way.  Lightened my 'backpack' along the way too, and am still in the process of that actually...did a triathlon and a couple duathlons (2009).. Ran the NYC Marathon (2008) and about to run the Houston Marathon for the 2nd time (2007 being the first time). 

2007, 2008 and most of 2009 have been filled with more heartache and disappointment than one person should ever have to deal with but such is life in the big city.  The times they are a-changin'...

All I can say is that not only am I ready for a new decade, but I am beyond ready for 2009 to be over with, despite the few and far between positive things (my new job for one), 2009 has not been one for the record books in the wonderful memories sort of way (unless it was running related).  Now that my friends is just sad.

But as I sit here and type this out, things are already changing and I see that by changing the way I bring in the new year could possibly have only positive outcomes for the year post-NYE.  I sit here with an ear to ear smile on my face, and about to burst from excitement and anticipation for tomorrow.  I cannot remember the last time that has been the case on NYE.

I finally get that the definition of 'insanity' is doing the same thing over and over again, only expecting different results. 

I'm soooooo over 'crazy; in that respect.

Bring on happy.  I sit here with open arms and open heart.

How strange it is to want to cry from being happy as opposed to the alternative. 

What a concept.

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Tuesday workout:  6 miles (treadmill) followed by 1 hour/15 min of Vinyasa Yoga. 

Muy bueno.

I am really starting to love the yoga thing and will more than likely be purchasing a package deal as it saves a bit of money rather than paying class by class.

New Year...New Goals...New Challenges...New Life...New Junie B

1. Complete the Chevron Houston Marathon (4:14:59; 4:20; 4:29:59 (time goals) ..help me Lord if the wheels fall off or Mother Nature lays down a warm/humid Spring/Summer like day upon us)
2. PR at every distance in the Spring, including the RnR Dallas Half Marathon mid-March (havent done a 1/2 marathon in over 2 years
3. 2 Triathlons in the tri-season (late Spring/Summer); and also PR
4. 2 Duathlons; and also PR
5. Reach my goal weight (which means losing about 9 lbs)
6. Complete 2 marathons (both under 4:30; actually closer to 4:15-4:20 pleaseandthankyou)
7. Be as close to BQ'ing (4:00:59) as possible by Jan 2011 marathon (goal race is USAFit marathon here in Houston)
8. Continue to eat smart (imperative to goal #5)
9. Give up alcohol (as I have for the past couple of months), sans the occasional celebratory glass of wine or such for special occasions.
   

This coming year is going to be all about me; call me selfish, I've been called worse.  No really, I have.  :o)Just this past Saturday, someone on the outside looking in, pulled me to the side after the long run and shared with me some things that surprised me (funny how you don't know people are 'watching'), but also made me feel very good inside.  He/she also shared with me how I am a 'giver' and would appear that I am prone to attracting others that might not always necessarily have my best interest at heart.  And at the end of the conversation, the validation alone that I am worth so much more, from someone you never expect it from to begin with, was one of the most precious gifts I could have received this holiday.  So in 2010 I will still be that 'giver' but to myself and those deserving.

I have other thoughts, plans, etc., hidden away in the old noggin but they are still just spinning around in there.  I thought about an ultra this coming year, but I am going to push that off till 2011.  There is only so much time you know! 

All that I know for certain is that I refuse to allow another year go by where I am not completely happy with my choices whether they pertain to relationship(s), running, work, or whatever.  I have done way too much of that over the past couple of years and have compromised some of the values my daddy taught me, lost some self-respect, and allowed others to treat me not like they would want to be treated (you remember the Golden Rule right?).  I have however, also remembered some of what I was taught, and have managed to persevere through some pretty awful situations, some personal, some professional.

Basically I am implementing my "Embrace the "It Ain't Worth It" mentality in 2010.  Pish posh to any, all and everything that doesn't fit my agenda, my schedule, my values, my life, etc., so forth and so on. 

Told ya.  Complete selfishness shall abound in 2010.

Saturday after the long run, was spent mostly on the couch staying warm, snuggly and watching movies.

Sunday brought yoga and was fabulous!  Felt really stretched out and back to normal.  Went to the movies and saw Up In The Air.  Great movie!  Then off to a birthday celebration where thankfully there was sushi (which I have been craving) and tons of wonderful healthy fare to nosh on.

Got up this morning, day off...and headed out for a quick run.  I have a 1.5 hour massage here at noon and doing hills this evening just seemed like a silly idea after the mind numbing experience and relaxation of a massage!  Legs felt a bit heavy today but I guess that is to be expected after all.

Also, although I havent blogged this previously, today marks day 87 of no fast food (which I never ate much of anyway, but always would indulge in Whataburger on average of 3-4 times a month), and no mexican food restaurants either.  We had fajitas on Christmas day, but still...Also sans a couple of glasses of wine and 1 vodka shot at Lights in the Heights, its been the same amount of time of consuming alcohol.  I am pretty darn proud of myself.

2010 goals post coming shortly...

LAST Long Run Before Marathon - Kenyan Way

“You want peace, chase down your war every morning and get it out of the way.”
So says my ever-present and usually annoying alter ego.

4:00 a.m. (hell even 5am for that matter) always sucks. Always. Always. Always. It is never going to be one of those things body or mind naturally do (on a weekend when there is no good reason really), and I do not give one single flying #*$@ what anyone says. As long as we’re all clear on that, we’re good.

See, I have a big problem with things and people who are not straight forward… if something is going to suck like a Hoover, just give it to me, don’t wrap it all up with a frilly little bow the shade of someday and call it communicated. In this respect, I do not like surprises.

So, folks, here it is for you - you NEVER get used to getting up at {insert ungodly hour here} in the morning for anything, in fact, unless your house is on fire, all of your receptors and responders will not, in fact, engage in any sort of conscious behavior for at least 20 minutes. Do not drive during this time. Do not leave your house during this time. Do not go up or down stairs during this time. Trust me.

There. Said. Done. Moving on.

I am not weak. I am not faithless. That said, I have earned the right to bitch a bit about the first few miles of a run (or the last couple for that matter). ESPECIALLY that early in the morning. On a Saturday (or a Sunday). When it’s awful, icky, humid ass weather.  Or its not (as was the case this morning, with low humidity, no wind to speak of and a nice chilly 32 deg at the start, with 49 deg at the end).  Or that I am just plain ass tired.  Or just because its the weekend.  I mean really?
So – let’s recap:

-- Getting out of bed to do anything at 4:00 a.m. will, until the end of time, FORever, damn near cause me to become violent. Depending….

Get up.
It sucks.

Then it doesn’t.

Go train.
It sucks.

Then it doesn’t.

Always, in that order.

No games. No bows. No tiaras.

In the words of Nike:  Just Do It.

And thats exactly what we did this morning...12-23 miles of the marathon course covered, which included the Westpark Bridge (not so bad after all this time).  21 miles total.  Was supposed to be 22, but F a bunch of that :)  After 21, we just said OK, thats enough.  I had 3 previous 20+ milers under my belt, not to mention the 17, 18 and 19 milers along the way.  We ran the first couple nice and slow before starting with the group, then started out.  We decided to run the long way around the park to add on a mile and then finish up around base instead of doing Allen Parkway.  I finally figured out what was wrong with my Garmin but not till after daylight so I dont have splits; I was only able to monitor pace.  The history was full.  Go figure.  As I monitored the pace fluctuated between 10 and 10:30's so all is well. 

Now we rest.  Recouperate.  Re-energize.

And on race day, may my preparation meet the task at hand, and with that hand, I hope to hand the marathon a big old helping of whup ass.

And a partridge in a pear tree.

Tis The Season

To everyone out there, enjoy your holiday in whatever form or fashion you and your family partake in. 

I have only 2 things I really wanted for Christmas, well 3, but Daddy can't be here, so we'll leave it at just the 2.

I sure hope those 2 things find their way underneath the tree...oh and maybe one under some mistletoe.  I found some mistletoe right outside my front door this morning (hmmmm) as I was loading a bazillion gifts into the car...

Merry Christmas!

p.s. a great, injury free 22 miler on Saturday would also be greatly appreciated Santa :o)

I Hate Running Sometimes

A warm front is upon us (till tomorrow) and I had mile repeats, 7 miles total.  Since I have plans for early evening out in Kingwood, I had to run my speed workout mid-day.  Ugh.  It sucked.

1.5 mile warmup
4 x 1 mile w/ 1 min rest in between (between 9:18 and 9:26)
1.5 mile sloooooooow run back home

My body feels like its shutting down on me but I know its just because I am exhausted and we are in the last full week of high mileage before taper.  And it was just soooooo humid out and we've been so blessed with cold temps...till today...

I have to try and squeeze in a run tomorrow before work, or between work and heading to my sisters.  I honestly dont know if thats going to happen as I wont be home till late and I know I am going to be that much  more exhausted come tomorrow morning...

Sigh.

Bitchy, Whiny and Moany

I am sore from yoga.
I am exhausted from running 38-50 miles a week.
I am moany because thats what I do when I am sore and exhausted.

I didnt want to go to hills, but to hills I went.  If Megan would have responded No to my text then I might not have gone.  But she said Yes and there ya go.

Did a 1 mile warm up around base and then 3 loops of the cloverleaf.  Ran them about a minute slower than we normally do and I did in fact, bitch, moan and groan the entire time.

Only got 4 miles in today and I guess I am just going to have to live with that.

Tomorrow will be better.  I am sure of that.

Whew!

I am finally a Female again.  The timing company finally fixed the results from the Turkey Trot.  What sucks is that it was 10 sec between me and 3rd in my age group :o)  4th out of 105 women?  AND 296th out of 2,643?   I will take that and a bag of chips.  :o)

Sheltering Arms Turkey Trot 2009

Overall        AG       Bib     Name                Gun    Avg Pace    Chip
 296/2643   4th/105 3633    June    F 46   26:04    8:42     25:55