A Few on Friday

• I got A a "graduation" present.  She wants to go camping/hiking over Memorial Day weekend (back to MOAB!) She will love these. (WITH shipping, I got both of these for about $40. What. (PS - go to campsaver.com - GREAT deals over there!)

• I am undecided about what to do for my "long" run this weekend. 20 alone tomorrow in decent weather, or pay $20 and do a "timed training run" with some other folks in probably rainy/cold. What would you do? Chances of me actually doing 20 miles alone? Slim. I know me, I'll probably quit at half that... Bah. I'm just OVER running right now.
• I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE the new treadmills at the gym. If I wasn't already struggling with my fatigued legs and general unknown cause of my weakness / being tired / fitness decline, the new treadmills are TERRIBLE. I feel like I am running up Mt. Everest, even on "0%" incline. This week I attempted two runs and both were FAILURES. I am quitting the treadmill. If it means I don't run anymore, so be it. These runs cannot be productive. THE END.
• Related to above two bullets - WHAT IS THE POINT OF RUNNING IF I AM NOT ENJOYING IT???
• Yesterday was my one year work-a-versary. I finally asked about a review/raise. Apparently the shareholders do "reviews & raise analysis" for EVERYONE at the same time. When? Any time now. WTF.
• I am pretty surprised that there hasn't been more action on my latest FLASH GIVEAWAY. So far only one person is entered, so chances are good if you donate now! Remember, no minimum, so even $1 puts you in the running!! (Ends today at 5:00 pm MST)
• Believe it or not, I have finally decided to shed the 10-15 pounds I have gained in the last year. Since nothing else is working, maybe THAT is why I am suddenly a slow and fatigued SLUG. There. I said it. I haven't actually "tried" to lose weight since A was born, so let's see how I do with no cupcakes.

Black Friday - Ultra Training Style

Most people that were up around 3:15 in the morning on Black Friday were out shopping. Me? I was on the treadmill in my basement, getting in the first long run of my new training program. So how far did I have to run?

Did you know that I watched Gone With the Wind all the way through and it STILL didn't last my entire run? That's a LONG time on the treadmill. How did it go?

Basement Treadmill = INFERNO. Never been so hot and sweaty in my life. Had to change clothes halfway through my workout. Went through three towels, 1 32 oz powerade zero (orange), 1 GU (plain, nearing expiration date), 1 pack chomps, 1 pack Honey Stinger chews, 1 small Luna bar (white chocolate macadamia), 2 17 oz bottles of water and a 12 oz diet wild cherry Pepsi.

Goal - 20 miles @ MP+30 (10:54) 

Actual - 24.08 miles @ 10:51

There were some stops in there - bathroom, clothes change, dumping water on my head, feeding A, letting the dog out...

The nice thing was that I finished early and A and I were able to go out and do a little shopping at a reasonable hour. By the time we went out all the crowds were pretty much gone, and everything I had hoped to pick up was still available.

Ridiculous Runs

Hard Core... part 2?
Outdoor Run - Arvada Loop - Sunday, August 29I raced on Saturday afternoon/evening, then I went to a concert, didn't get home until almost 11 pm. And yet... I set my alarm and diligently got up at 3:58 am to go running with L before she had to go to work at 7 am. It's hard to find lighter/brighter colors to wear so I'm at least *slightly* visible in the dark, but I did my best:

I had a busy day planned AND I just loathe running in the HEAT, so this seemed like a better idea. 


We did the same "Arvada Loop" that we have done a few other times, taking out a few miles to be sure we could finish in time. The nice thing about the loop is that it is mostly well lit, there aren't *too* many busy streets to cross, AND we get in a lot of hills... Anyway. My run was great. Fabulous even. I didn't feel fatigued, I didn't feel hot. I didn't even feel like I needed it, but I took one of the GUs that I had won in a giveaway a few weeks back. Strawberry Banana... and it was pretty good! Thanks again, Stephanie!


Anyway, the "long" run was just short of 8.5 miles, and I felt good the whole time - which is a win.


Part Two of today's blog...


I won a contest!! Woo hoo!!!

The Rules:

1. Answer this question: If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

2. The second thing you have to do is, pick 6 people and give them this award. You then have to inform the person that they have gotten this award.

3. The third and final thing is, thank the person who gave you the award.


The Answers:


1. Well... I couldn't really go back and change anything without changing the super awesome person (I'd like to think) I've become. So the "easy" answer is... nothing. I guess the "real" answer is... I'd have been nicer to my family when I was in high school - and I'll leave it at that.


2. 6 people that I would like to give this award to (in random order):

• Silly Girl Running
  
• Wendy @ Adventures in Triathlon
  
• Julie
  
• Abbi @ Higher Miles
  
• Racing With Babes
  
• Shut Up and Run!
  

3. Thanks to Little Fruit Fly in the Rainbow Colored Socks for presenting me with this awesome award. I love reading your blog! (And I really don't know anyone else that actually has "The Goonies R Good Enough" on their iPod, haha).