Just Plodding Along

2011: Year in Review Began running consistently in July (it was a warm beginning) Miles run since July: 327 miles Half Marathons completed: 4 (Mt Lemmon, Shun the Sun, Fiesta Bowl, Tucson) Medals obtained: 4 PR'd at the Tucson Half Marathon with a 2:07:50 Placed in the filly category at the Tucson half with a third place finish Favorite half marathon this year: Mount Lemmon Half- most scenic so far Favorite medal: Fiesta bowl half medal (I guess I have a thing for cactus or something) Ran a sub 9 minute mile in a race Goals for 2012 Run between 80 and 100 miles a month Run between 15 and 18 half marathons Sweet running log Christmas gift to record all my plodding in Get a sub 2 hour half finish time More weight lifting and stretching- DO IT Speedwork- learn to love it Overall this year has been pretty fantastic. I am happy to have found blogging as a way to entertain myself, stay motivated and hopefully inspire someone...

I registered for a January Half: Registration Confirmation for: Temecula Valley Half Marathon & 5k 2012 Dear Bean, Congratulations! You are now registered for  Temecula Valley Half Marathon & 5k 2012 .  Date & Time:01/21/12 Location:Monte De Oro Winery Purchased at:12/30/11 Category:Half Marathon And it involves wine.......                                               so that is a win! I imagine after the race I will look like this: Fill'er up! So if you are interested in hitting southern CA for a race through wineries that involves wine tasting let me know! We can learn to love reds together.

Last night we arrived back in Tucson after a fun week in Colorado. I miss Colorado already but it is supposed to be 75 today in Tucson so there is that. Colorado Snow! Our Gingerbread village- so fun Nellie likes presents Max exhausted from all the Christmas fun I scored pretty big in the running apparel gift department. Plus using my Mom's JCPenny coupon got to add on some fun running pants and capris. Present # 1: Awesome Under Armour  running outfit- now I can look coordinated ! Coupon find: black capris! Running tights: take that cold Tucson morning! What is this? Present of the year! That's right it is a running skirt.  WHOOP. So excited to break this baby out at a race. I also arrived home to an 3rd place finisher art work thing from the  Tucson Half Marathon . I was the third place filly.  In other words the third place female finisher over 160lbs (To review my former thoughts on  Clydesdales ). ...

and a happy new year!!!

After eating our free breakfast at La Quinta Inn (totally a good deal-$67 for the night and pet friendly- no charge so those with dog children keep this in mind) we hit the road to finish our journey to Franktown, Colorado to be with my family for the holidays. But the trip was.....less than perfect. We hit snow pretty early on Kringle does not approve of this snow storm  and then our back tire exploded. What the heck crappy tire don't you know I have Christmas to get too!  So I sat in the car and supervised from inside the warm car while D got all dirty and tired changing out the tire. Someone had to hold the lug nuts. I am probably the best asset in an emergency. Very good at supervision. And then when he was done I made him drive through a blizzard. I am the BEST WIFE EVER. It was slow going for awhile but after many hours of white knuckling it and eating Wendy's for a nutritious lunch we finally arrived to a winter wonderland! Whoo snow I like you be...

Travelling to Colorado for Christmas means lots of car time fun! Our proud road trip mascot Kringle Dogs stuffed in the back with all our crap plus presents and cookies FUN Max was less than amused after about twenty minutes I am less than amused with New Mexico  Nellie gets nervous when Dustin drives... just kidding.... D took over half way to ABQ which meant..... I could do a photo shoot with our mascot After stopping for the night in Albuquerque we are on to Colorado tomorrow whooooohoooo!

This is Kringle Yes I am the cutest version of santa you have ever seen I bought him at Walgreens today with the kettle corn and sunflower seeds needed for holiday travels. Why? Because I am an adult and if I think the car needs a beenie baby Santa that is round and adorable to fill it with holiday cheer, then it must be so (and I apparently have no impulse control). Plus what else am I supposed to stare at as we drive through New Mexico. Seriously there is nothing in that state. Max & Nellie are also excited for the road trip can't you tell? They could at least pitch in and pack their dog bowls or something. Jeez Oh and I am over cross training. Can't wait for my run on Friday.  Workouts: Saturday:  biked 1 hour Sunday:  laid around and ate my weight in poppy-seed bread Monday: biked 1 hour/ lifted weights- arms and legs Tuesday: biked 10 mins and wanted to die so switched to plyometrics dvd from p90x (bad idea c...

1. I booked a hotel for Sedona. It is a 20 minute drive away from the start which will be super fun in the early a.m. and looks older but has good review and for $55 you can't go wrong. D agreed to go along but I have to treat him to a nice dinner. Gah this man is so needy. Days Inn Kokopelli 2. I have decided to take a week off to rest my foot so it will hopefully get over itself and heal all the way. So hello cross training schedule. Not the most creative but hopefully it will keep my cardio up and my foot relaxed. I may throw in some strolls with the dogs but I am lazy so I promise nothing. Fri 12/16/2011 XT: bike XT Sat 12/17/2011 XT: bike/ yoga XT Sun 12/18/2011 OFF Off Mon 12/19/2011 XT: bike/yoga XT Tue 12/20/2011 XT: bike XT Wed 12/21/2011 XT: bike/yoga XT Thu 12/22/2011 XT: Off travel to CO XT 3. This is what I bike on and...

So this is happening........ Some hill up in here Dear Sabrina, Congratulations! You have successfully completed the online form for 2012 Sedona Marathon Runs.  This e-mail is to confirm that your submission has been received. Our records indicate  you have selected the  Half Marathon - 13.1 miles  option. So now to make sure I don't have to sleep in the car.... .........and that makes 3 half marathons in Feb. The same month I am supposed to take my comprehensive exams for my PhD. I crack myself up.  I blame  this guy  who suggested I beg, steal or bake cupcakes to get there. I am super excited!

So I want to run the  Sedona Half  on Feb. 4th. and I really want to visit this area. Make it a fun weekend with the hubby or something. BUT IT IS SO EXPENSIVE. What the heck Sedona. One night at the Best Western costs $180. THE BEST WESTERN. I can't even bring myself to look at the nicer hotels in the area. Tricky, very tricky......what to do?

After a truly blissful slumber..... um no I fought with Nellie half the night for room on the bed. I used to be able to nudge her out of the way and she was fine but now she is dead set on touching me at all times and snoring like she suffers from sleep apnea.  So that is fun. Any whoo the alarm went of at 4a.m. and I promptly flung it off the night stand. 4a.m. is not my best hour. After standing in the kitchen drinking iced coffee for awhile. I finally got ready and forced D to get out of bed to drive me (he actually volunteered to go even though I gave him several outs because standing around for four hours is fun for no one. He is in the running for husband of the year). Check out the arm sleeves of awesome. We drove for about 30 minutes to get to the shuttle buses in OroValley that took me to the start. This race was a point to point. The whole naming the Tucson marathon the Tucson marathon is kind of funny because you never actually are in Tucson when you are runni...