A Busy Weekend...A Busy Week

Our trip to Fort Worth this past weekend was just awesome. I ran a great 1/2 marathon, with the help of my "aid boys", we enjoyed wonderful visits w/our friends, Maxx got to play (for 2+hrs) w/Tubbs, his Jack Russell friend, and I had a fun birthday! There was a group of us who went to Joe's Crab Shack for my b-day dinner.....and they made sure to tell the server I was the b-day girl----in turn, I had to mingle around the tables banging a crab bucket, wearing a headdress made of toilet paper, while everyone sang Happy B-day. It wasn't embarrassing, but really funny!

Monday started our 10 week Woman Can Run Clinic. Twice a week we meet (I'm going to the location Cheryl is attending) and we either do speed work, hill repeats, or just run some mileage. I had started one last year, but had to stop going because it interfered w/my teaching of Jazzercise, but I'm in the clear this year. Which is great because I've been looking forward to the clinic and hope to us it as a tool to gain some speed.

W/the addition of the running clinic to my schedule, I've had to shift around a few workouts so everything still fits in. So, now I go to water aerobics a few mornings at 7am (before school) and have added a few more 5am classes (currently go T/Th 5am spinning). For my b-day present, Ben bought me a 2 month pass to Andrea's classes---same place I go spinning. But, now I'll be taking classes w/Andrea as well (and she's tough!!!).

This semester of classes is halfway thru. Spring break is in 3 weeks (don't worry, I'm not going anywhere!!) but, I do hope to clean some closets that week! I've very, very busy w/classes right now and really want the time to fly by so I can get past this mania!

Currently training for Nashville marathon (full), which is 26 Apr. When do I have time for training runs?? (thought you might be wondering).....thank goodness for upcoming warmer weather, earlier sunrise, and later sunsets!!!

I have Drill this weekend. Actually, I have it 2 weekends in March. Wow, can I clone myself????!!!!!

P.S. I like to stay busy :)

Cowtown Pictures

While I'm not ready to write my full race report, I'd like to take a quick second to say I Finished!!! Pace was 9:30, Chip time was 2:04 and 26 seconds. Not bad considering I wanted to stay 10:00-10:15 pace---my hip/knee ended up feeling really good throughout the race, so I was able to keep a faster pace. Weather wasn't bad--race start was 36 degrees, race finish was 50 degreess, wind was 7 mph (although it felt stronger at certain points throughout course). Ben and our friend Tony were my water/Luna Moon/Gu boys and they did an excellent job!!! More details to come later, here are a few pictures Ben took. I'm in the pink (wanted a bright color so the boys could see me coming)

And here's a couple of video clips. The second clip is really funny because Tony dropped the Gu (and didn't realize it) and in the video he's asking Ben "where's the Gu--you got the Gu?". I laugh everytime I watch it!

Cowtown 1/2 Marathon, Here I Come!!!

Goodness, we leave tomorrow morning!!! As you can imagine (and most of you probably do too) I'm running around like a mad woman trying to figure out what the heck to pack (winter races are much harder to prepare for!!!), gotta get Maxx's stuff ready (doggy food, toys, etc), and of course Ben (if I don't pack a nice outfit for going out to dinner, he'd show in his play clothes), get the maps and Expo info printed. To sum it all up, I'm anxious, excited, and nervous....yep, don't usually get nervous (too much) before the races (esp. since I've run more than a few 1/2 marathons), but since my hip/knee have been giving me trouble, I'm afraid something bad will happen while I'm running and I won't be able to finish my 1/2. Sounds silly since I've run at least 13 miles and more since the pain started. Can anyone relate?? I just have this sick feeling in my stomach. On the otherhand, I'm really looking forward to running and getting another finisher's medal! My plan is to treat this as a training run (but, I'd like to keep my pace 10:00-10:20). I don't want to go faster and use it as a race because I don't want to risk hurting the old hip/knee. Slow and steady, time on my feet!

Better get back to packing! Ben's taking his computer, so I'll try to post after the race. If not, check back early next week for my post race report.

Long Overdue

I've been meaning and needing to get a massage for an extended period of time, but hadn't found the right person---you know, you just can't go to anybody, you have to trust and feel completely comfortable w/whoever you choose. Given all the nagging pains I've been experiencing lately, I knew I couldn't wait much longer. I had previoulsy been to a particular day spa and really didn't like the massage therapist, so I decided to go to the same place again, but this time to a different girl. And I'm SO GLAD I did!!!! Before she got started, we discussed my tight/sore spots, where I wanted her to spend a little more time, where I didn't want her to spend time (my feet and hands, 2 really sensititve areas), etc, etc. She was awesome and found a lot of knots in my muscles---and she really worked them over. I'm always very knotty and tight and I left there feeling wonderful. If you've read my blog before, you might remember about my sore hip from those damn Rocephin shots I got in Oct. She found a big clump of knots in the area I got the shot....and boy was I about to jump off the table when she found them!!! The good news is, I'll be seeing her again in 2 1/2 weeks :)

I'm still chugging along on my mileage. Yesterday I ran on the base, 6 miles. It was pretty windy, good thing the sun was out to make it a little warmer. Today I ran 5.5 around the subdivisions. I was thinking of more, but decided to stop since I have homework to do, and my I-pod died at mile 3. Tomorrow and Thursday I'll run w/Cheryl. On Friday, Ben and I leave for Fort Worth!!!! The weather is predicted to be in the low 50's at race start, w/a daily high of 70 degrees! Chance of rain is 20%. Of course, I'm constantly watching it, because we all know the weather changes in an instant.

The best way to describe my runs this past weekend was damp and dreary, with a bit of wind mixed in the equation. On Saturday, Cheryl and I ran 12 miles on the River Trail (6am w/the Little Rock Training Group). Despite the misting rain we encountered for a good part of the run, the rather damp clothes and feet we had by the end, it was a good run. My hip/knee pain held out until close to the end and Cheryl's foot pain did pretty much the same thing. Upon completion, we stretched, took off the damp clothes, and headed for some coffee. All in all, great run and I'm hoping to do it again! Although, it won't be w/the LR training group since Cheryl only has 2 weeks before the LR marathon! I won't get the chance to run w/her this weekend as I'll be in Forth Worth.

Sunday's run was 6 miles around my neighborhoods. It was windy and I didn't feel like running, so was happy to have it done and over w/. Again, I'm stuck in this winter funk feeling and need a jolt of spring air to get me over the hump!!!!

Fun In The Water

Happy Valentines Day (to those of you who celebrate it). Today was a fun day! The weather was nice so I took Maxx to Lakewood for a run. Well, I ran 5 miles, he waited in the car. Cheryl met me and we walked around the lake a couple laps. I took advantage of that time and was able to have Maxx go on the walk w/us! I really think he enjoyed the time outdoors (and bonding w/Cheryl, he likes her!). He was asleep for the entire car ride home and when we get home, Maxx ate his lunch and hopped on his favorite chair for a late afternoon nap.

Back to this Valentines Day thing---Ben and I don't do anything special, but a few days ago he asked me what I wanted (knowing I'd tell him nothing)....but, this is what I replied "I want you to go to water aerobics with me". Knowing darn well he wouldn't. Well, I was WRONG!!! He got home from work tonight a few minutes early, ate something really quick (for energy??) and asked if he bathing suit was ready. Ha, ha.....I had everything ready for him! I think he really enjoyed himself! There are about 5 guys in the class and they all swam over, said hello, and shook hands. The music started, the instructor started cueing and we got down to buisiness. I'm thinking Ben thought this was going to be easy----I looked over at him a few times and he was huffing and puffing, moving his arms, and looking like he was working it. Of course we raced each other when we had to run the length of the pool, splashed when given the chance, and laughed at each other. All in all, I was happy Ben joined me and hope he goes again (at least he told me he would).

The Babies

Recent pics of my niece and nephew. Timmy is 6 months old and Meghan is 21 months. They are too cute and I miss them, even though I was home to visit in December. Boy, they certainly grow up fast!! Looks like Meghan just woke up from a nap!

And of course, my baby---Maxx. He'll be 3 in August.

Here he is w/Ben