Hormonal Plunge

You know those menstrual charts where the graph starts out toward the bottom (emotionally low) and slowly peaks toward ovulation (emotionally high)?  I’m at the bottom of the chart!  TOM arrived on Saturday afternoon (a couple of days early) and I have been feeling blah ever since.  Yesterday was pretty bad with cramps but at least it didn’t hit me at work like it did last month.

I did get my 15 miler in on Saturday morning. It wasn’t too bad.  I didn’t run with the group so I was able to get started around 7:00 am.  It was a great day for a run, and the first 10 miles or so was really nice.  I even ran past the Northeastern University boathouse – I had always wondered what it would be like to be out that far on Storrow Drive!

Of course, even though I'm getting in good exercise the scale isn't cooperating, but I'm sure that's water retention.  Hopefully it will start to go down in the next few days.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  I will try to be a better blog buddy this week - especially since the boss will be out Wed, Thurs. and Fri!

Hell Yes!!

I was successful in Day 2 of my telephone redailing marathon and secured reservations at The French Laundry for October 22nd!!

TGIF!

I have been a bad blogger this week – probably because I’ve been too busy playing with my new iPhone!! Oh my goodness, how did I ever live without it? We got them on Wednesday – super fast compared to what they had told us.

Actually, I’m sort of feeling under the weather. I think I might be getting a cold, plus TOM is right around the corner. All adds up to me feeling blah.

I did make it to the gym on Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday I ran 5 miles and yesterday I ran 6. I just couldn’t get up early either day to run. I took Wednesday off. I’m planning on going tonight – we’ll see if it happens or not!

Anyway, I apologize if I haven’t commented on your blogs this week – I have been reading though.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

PS:  Follow me on Twitter and let me know if you set up an account!

To Kelli who sent me a message a month ago

Kelli,

I hope you read this.  You sent me a message from the contact area here on my blog and I have tried and tried to write back to you, but the emails keep bouncing from your provider.  I feel badly that you probably think I've never written back - but I have tried!!  Not sure what else to do - you could set up a blog here and leave me another message so I can get in touch with you.

********************************************************************************

I'm doing just great - hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Respect The Distance

Last Saturday’s long run was “just” a 12 miler – at least thats the way I kept looking at it.  I mean, what’s 12 miles when you’ve run 14.5 and then walked a couple more miles home, right?  Wrong – especially when you add the hills of Newton.  Oh my goodness – the last time I was that sore was after the Boston Run to Remember.  My feet were dragging toward the end, and my glutes and hammmies, well, they were dead.  I really worked hard though, and made sure to run up all 3 of the hills on the way out to our turnaround point.  However, on the return there was plenty of walking.

Another One Bites The Dust

Another toenail, that is.  It's the toenail next to my big toe on my right foot - one of the ones I lost after the Boston Run to Remember.  Sigh.  Somehow I ended up getting another blister underneath the nail - not sure when or how, but it started pressing against the nail bed and was slightly painful, so I decided it needed to go.  I'm sure my pedicurist will freak out on Sunday when I see her!  It feels so much better though.  I'm ready for my 7 miles tomorrow morning!!

Oh - and this morning's 6 miles went really well.  I left the house a little after 5:00 am - um, yeah, it's still sort of dark at that time.  I ran down to the esplanade and kept an eye and a ear out - only saw one shady character on a bench next to the Charles.  By the time I got to the Mass Ave bridge it was definitely lighter.  Had a really good run, although not sure if it was the best idea after Lungefest '08 yesterday.  I had a slight ache from my left glute into my hamstring after the first couple of miles, and was definitely stiff whenever I got up from my desk today.  Lots of stretching is in the forecast!

Hope everyone has had a great day!!  It's almost Friday - woot!

EP is Sucking Big Time

And for the second half of my post:

Did I mention that one of my TNT coaches signed up to do the Maine Coast Half on Sept. 21st?  I’m so excited that there will be someone else I know there. I’m also trying to get my running buddy to sign up too.

RANT:  Get it together EP - soon.

How Are Lunges Like Jello

Because there’s always room for more…at least that’s Tara’s philosophy!  Nothing like 25 stationary lunges on each leg while holding 20 lb dumbbells, followed by 15 single leg presses at 25 lbs, followed by 25 more stationary lunges on each leg while holding 20 lb dumbbells, of course followed by…you guessed it…15 more single leg presses at 25 lbs.  May I say…Holy Crap!  I’m so glad I have 3 days to recover before I hit the hills of Newton on Saturday. 

We also did a new chest press move and my pecs are seriously aching, and she added about 4 more core exercises that I need to start doing.  I got my money’s worth today, that’s for sure.

Just Awesome!

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel just incredible?  That’s me today!!  No idea why, I just feel fantastic.  Everything just seems like it’s falling into place.  Running is going great, the scale is finally moving downward, & my pants are fitting better.  Sure, it’s raining today, but since it’s my rest day, it doesn’t even matter.

Almost Able to Envision 26.2

Just a quick check in, because I know you all want to make sure I survived a 14 mile long run.  Yep, I sure did!!  In fact, I felt so good afterward I decided to walk the 2 miles home.

It was a perfect day to run - nice and cool, low humidity.  Julie & I rocked the first 7 miles.  We met the rest of the group and started the second half around 8:00 am.  It always takes me a little bit to get started again because my right knee needs to be reawakened.

We finished the last 7.5 (what's another .5 when you're doing 14?) a little before 10, and I was still feeling pretty good, so decided to walk home.  I knew from using Map My Run that home is about 2 miles from the Mass Ave. bridge.  I figured a nice walk would be a good way to cool down and keep my leg muscles engaged.  So, Garmin total for today is 16.38.  Calories burnt - 2052!!

Which is where my title comes in.  Yes, today is the first day that I can envision actually doing the whole 26.2 miles.  I can envision it - but I can't say I would physically be able to do it.  I'm still trying to work out my feet issues.  I've been wearing toe protectors on a couple of toes on my right foot and I think they are doing more harm than good.  Legwise I think I could go the distance, but my little feet just end up aching.  I am sure though in another 9 weeks I. Will. Be. Ready!

I took an ice bath when I got home, had some lunch and then tried to take a little snooze.  I think I slept for about 10 minutes and that was it!  Those endorphins are just flowing too much for me to sleep.  I did rest in bed for a couple of hours though, and am happy to say my legs aren't feeling achy at all.

So, 4 miles recovery tomorrow. 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!