Just Plodding Along

So after dreaming that I kept missing the race and waking up in a panic my alarm finally went off at 5:30a.m. After drinking some coffee and eating a peppermint stick cliff bar (yum on that one) D and I headed to the start at 6:20. Two thumbs up for early mornings and shiny sunscreen faces  Everything was very organized and easy to get to. We got to park right next to the start and there were indoor bathrooms since the start was at Hohokam Stadium. Score. Start line We started in a parking lot and ran out into the road and then onto a path by a canal for the rest of the way. The course was out and back. We started right on time at 7a.m. It was a little chilly and overcast- perfect running weather. Waiting to start- stand up straight me, geez Half of the course was on a paved path. Half of it was on gravel. There were aid stations about every three miles the first half and then about every two miles the second half. Gu was offered at the turn around point and th...

After tricking our friends J and B into watching the hellhounds Don't let them fool you, they are not as sweet as they look, definitely up to something  (okay we asked nicely, thanks guys!) D and I were free and clear to head out from Tucson bright and early (yes 10 a.m. is bright & early according to us) to drive down to Mesa so I can run the  Shun the Sun half marathon  on Saturday. Road trip  On the way we found heaven. And it is a bright blue and yellow box containing every type of furniture you can build with a peg system plus other awesome stuff like one million tea lights for $1.99 (I bought three bags because that kind of deal just can not go unrewarded). Me with a stuffed broccoli toy: the only vegetable I fully support After wandering through there for what seemed like forever we stumbled back to the car in a Ikea induced haze and headed for race packet pick-up at Hohokam Stadium (we also stumbled out with a ne...

Nine pounds away from glitter shoes ......you will be mine (whaaahaaaa evil laughter). In other news  Just a Colorado Gal  is having her first giveaway so check it out! I know I like free stuff and giveaways so betting everyone else does too. This morning I ran 8 miles. I decided to try out my new running shorts because I am slow and thought wearing shorts when it is 35 degrees out would be fine. On the plus side I did look fairly decent and less homeless for once. I work a long sleeve pink tech shirt that matched my new running shoes and black shorts. Pretty coordinated for me. But my legs were numb for the first four miles. This did result in the first mile being under 10 minutes. I had to recover from a mini-heart attack after about a mile at a stop light. That is when I realized things were getting out of hand. Unfortunately when I started to feel my legs they said NO. The first four numb miles were fine and the last four miles were slow tort...

So Saturday is .......drum roll............................................. the Shun the Sun half marathon in Mesa. So time to set some goals I guess. Since Mount Lemmon was uphill (have I mentioned that) I am not really sure what to expect. I have been running pretty quick for me lately but I feel that is one or two excited miles at the beginning of a race from being a burn out that results in a twelve minute mile limp towards the end. So the goals are: 1) Not die (I feel this is a standard that should not be abandoned) 2) Finish the race (whoooo medals) 3) okay time to raise the bar--- finish between 2:30 and 2:40  4) have fun and obtain sweet swag  Not so sure about number four and the swag since it is a health expo (ugh healthy- hand me wine and chocolate) and not really a running expo. Tricky. On a side note school makes me feel like Count down to the end of the semester.... only fourish more weeks ugh..........I think I need a na...

I headed out this morning intending to run 4 miles but instead ran 8. That rarely ever happens. But it was such a nice day out I just wanted to keep going. I felt like Mr. Happy I am hoping this means that I am getting stronger as a runner.  October in Review: I ran 73 miles in October 1 half marathon 6 hour long swims Longest run: 12 miles Shortest run: 2 miles 2 days of weight lifting= fail Goals for November: Lift weights twice a week Complete the Shun the Sun 1/2 Do more stretching Run 80 miles