Back from Vermont

We are back!  Got home last night around 6:00 pm - horrible traffic on 1-93 around 2 miles from our exit - took us an hour to get there.

The race was great - report forthcoming since I still need to download my photos.  Although - it rained from about the first mile in, and I'm talking serious rain.  The course was great and very scenic, but since it was raining I only got a picture of some cows at the beginning.  A few pretty good hills - my quads are sore today.  I'm looking forward to my massage tonight.

I'm also pretty exhausted today - but I am planning on doing a recovery run at the gym this afternoon.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Friday Check-In

TGIF!!  Wow, what a long week.  Even though upper management was out of the office 2 days the time has just gone by so slowly.  It hasn't helped that Tigger keeps scratching the carpet at 2:30 in the morning waking me up, and of course I have trouble going back to sleep.

I haven't been to the gym since my workout with Tara on Tuesday, and even that was an abbreviated version since I had to get into the office.  My boss sent me the presentation around 9:00 pm on Monday night and I don't usually check my email that late, so I had to pull it together.  Got it taken care of though.

I've just been super exhausted, which is usually my body's way of telling me it's time to take a little break.  I am planning on running tonight - we'll see what happens.

Tomorrow we leave for Stowe and I have the race on Sunday.  I'm going to run with my camera since I now have a nice pouch to carry it in, so hopefully I'll end up with some photos of nice scenery.

Have a great weekend!

Doing Great!

Another exciting week has begun – LOL! I say it’s exciting because I might be driven insane at work. It’s time for the annual “Securities Lending Offsite” – 2 days of teambuilding for the managers preceded by a day of complete annoyance for me, which of course is today. This year Human Resources will supposedly be taking care of everything. HA! They don’t know my boss the way I do. The last 2 years I was here until after 9:00 pm getting everything pulled together. I don’t think it will be that bad this year, but it will still be plenty annoying.

Anyway, I had quite the big weekend for exercise. On Friday I saw Jane in the morning. We did my workout over at the Boston Common, right next to Charles Street where everyone driving by could see me doing my hopping, skipping and jumping warm-up. We had way more room than we usually do at the gym, which meant I worked out much harder than normal.

I was already pretty sore and tired on Saturday morning, but I had to do my long run with Team in Training. It was supposed to be 10 miles – I ended up doing 9.15. I was supposed to take another loop around the Common, but since I had already done hills the day before I only did one loop. I ran a lot with the same girls from a couple of weeks ago, and another one of their friends. She was pretty speedy – my first mile split was 12:15, which is super fast for me. My second mile was 12:30, and then it was pretty much all downhill (ha, ha) from there. I had to take a walk break, so she sped up to run with the other girls. I caught up with them near the Esplanade because we decided to wait for a few other girls who were behind me. Mind you – this made me pretty happy. It’s good to know I’m not the slowest! Although, these girls are only running the half so they just had to do 6 miles.

I run into problems – well, not really problems, it just slows my time down – at the water stops. I spend about 5 minutes or so at each one just visiting and getting to know the mentors. I guess I should stop my Garmin so it doesn’t seem like it’s taking me forever to complete my miles. However, it’s good to make friends!

I felt pretty good up until mile 7.5 or so. I decided to keep going at mile 6, where I could have crossed back over the bridge to Cambridge, but went further down the Charles to River Street and crossed back over there. My left Achilles was getting tired and achy, so I pretty much walked the last 1.5. I really need to get one of those Achilles support thingies.

I am happy to tell you that I’ve finally found the answer to my feet blister issues. Taping! I started putting tape (I got some Leukotape from Zombie Runner) everywhere on my feet that have blistered in the past, and I also got some Sole socks.

Needless to say, I was pretty sore afterward. I hadn’t run that far since the half mary back in May. I made sure to ice my knee and Achilles after I took a shower, and then rested Saturday afternoon.

Yesterday I decided to go to the gym because I didn’t think I’d be able to go today. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill, then about 45 minutes of strength training followed by 30 minutes on the crosstrainer. I guess I was feeling pretty motivated!!

This week I’m seeing Tara tomorrow morning and Jane on Friday morning. On Wednesday I have 5 miles of hill running to do. I need to get up early so I can go to the Common as there is quite the lovely hill to run up and down! On Saturday we’re heading up to Vermont since I have the Stowe 8 Miler on Sunday. I’d like to finish in under 2 hours – we’ll see how it goes.

Tigger is all better – he was practically sitting on my lap this morning trying to get a bite of my English muffin with peanut butter.

Make it a great week everyone!!

Filming Update - So Disappointing!

Just got home and there was a note posted in the front hallway that the movie filming is called Four Single Fathers.  IMDB has it listed but hardly any details - plus it's from Italy?  Oh well.

Angela, I'll keep watch around town for Bruce - you never know, I might see him one of these days!

It's pretty sad, but the only well-known person I've seen in Boston in the 14 years I've been coming (and living) here was Sammy Haggar at Olives back in 1997.  Oh yes, we did see Stephen King crossing the street one morning when Jerel was driving me to work.

Brief Update

Sigh.  I am not blogging very much, am I?  It's been busy this week at work and I haven't felt motivated to write when I'm home in the evening - I've been too busy playing Klondike on my iPod.  Strange addiction, I know!

Things are going well - workouts have been awesome, even though it was super hot & humid here the last few days.  Saw Tara on Tuesday, took Wednesday off and ran 5 miles yesterday.  When I got home last night Jerel asked if I had gotten caught in the rain since my hair was soaking wet.  Ah humidity.

Tigger has been sick all week with some sort of doggie flu.  Jerel took him to the vet yesterday and they gave him some fluids.  He seems to be much better today.

In exciting Boston news, there will be no parking in front of our condo building or on the street next to us tomorrow, Saturday & Sunday to allow Film Vehicles to park!!  Rumor is they will be filming the new Bruce Willis movie.  I will be out with the camera - hopefully I'll be able to spot something exciting!

Hope you're all having a great week!

Long Weekends Rock

Hey there everyone - just wanted to check in.  Things are just fine.  Had a sort of a crappy few days at work (I've dusted off the ole resume but haven't sent it anywhere yet - 'nuff said).  Thanks goodness it was a short week.

Tuesday I had a good workout with Tara, took Wednesday off.  On Thursday I left work at 3:00 pm and did my strength training.  Yesterday I got in a lot of walking.  We got up early and went to see Hancock (thumbs up), then walked to Macys because it was time for a new shower curtain (I had been meaning to get one since, oh, February).  After that we walked over to Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market and had lunch at Houston's.  I had the babyback ribs - yummy!  I haven't had them since before I started JC, so almost 2 years ago.  Then we walked home.  Took a great nap and watched some tv.  We didn't go out to see the fireworks, because we can actually see most of them from our window.  Plus, the noise really freaks Tigger out so we stay home to console him.

I woke up at 5:00 this morning planning on doing the fun run with Team in Training, but it was raining and I was pretty tired, so I snoozed for a little while.  Got back up around 6:45 am and had my breakfast and some coffee and headed to the gym.  I did 6 miles on the treadmill and felt fabulous, except the sweat was just pouring off of me.  I couldn't believe how soaked my clothes were!

After showering I walked down to Emerge and had a great mani/pedi.  My poor feet are in such bad shape.  I've started taping my insteps and my big toe to help keep the blisters away.  At least the toenails that I lost are growing in nicely.

Jerel was waiting for me in the car so I didn't have to walk home (what a guy).  Had some lunch, took a little snooze, and thought I'd let you all know how I was doing.

Tonight we're going to dinner at Scampo, and tomorrow I need to get in my strength training and run a few miles.

We're thinking about getting the iPhone 3G went it comes out next week.  Jerel said he did some research and talked to AT&T, where we already have our cell service.  It would be great to have, but not sure it's absolutely necessary.

I'm still working hard to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I've raised my personal goal to $7500 and I've updated my training website so stop by for a visit!

Have a great rest of the weekend!

A New Month!

Wow...can you believe it's July already?  Before you know it it'll be Christmas!!  This year is just flying by.

It's been an unexciting few days.  TOM arrived Sunday night so I've been dealing with that for the last 2 days - ugh, terrible cramps.  Even my workout with Tara couldn't get them to subside this morning.

On Saturday I ran 5.5 miles with my Team in Training group.  A couple of the girls slowed their pace so I didn't have to run alone, which was very nice of them.  Afterward I went to brunch with a group of mentors - lots of fun.  It was great getting to know them better.

The Corporate Challenge went okay too - very crowded.  I will get my race report written and posted soon with a couple of photos.

I've been a little bad with my eating the last couple of days, but I'm going to chalk it up to TOM being around.  Yesterday and today I had a Starbucks Dulce de Leche scone for breakfast - oh dear, they are SO tasty!

Not much else going on.  Work tomorrow and Thursday and then a nice 3 day weekend.  We were going to go down to Connecticut and stay at the new MGM Grand over the weekend, but decided we didn't need to spend the money.  We'll stick around town and try to avoid the tourists.  On Friday morning I might get up early and run by the Esplanade and get some photos of all the people who get there at 6:00 am to mark their piece of grass for the Boston Pops July 4th spectacular.

No official training run on Saturday with TNT but we are having a fun run.  Then I have a much needed mani/pedi scheduled.  We might try to squeeze in a couple of movies too.  I really want to see Kung Fu Panda and Hancock.

Hope everyone is doing great!

Random Rants and Raves

I've been spending too much time on the message boards at Runner's World, where one of my favorite areas is Rants & Raves.  I had a whole bunch of random thoughts as I was walking home from work tonight, so just thought I'd get them off my chest.

Rant

What the hell is up with all the tunic tops?  Seriously, if they can make someone as thin as Paris look pregnant then there's no hope for those of us who have some extra meat on our bones.

In short, an unsuccessful stop at Macy's.

Raves

Free iced coffee Wednesday at Starbucks!  A couple of weeks ago when I was stopping for my morning java one of the cashiers gave me a handy dandy little card that gives me free tall iced coffees on Wednesdays until the middle of July.  Nice!

Motley Crue's new album Saints of Los Angeles ROCKS!!  Oh yes, EP'ers, I love my rock n'roll.  I know it's hard to believe, but in the 80's and early 90's, there wasn't a hair band that I didn't love.  Ah, the good old days. 

The JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge tomorrow night has been shortened from 3.5 miles to 3 miles due to construction.  Sweet!  Not sure if I'll really be able to run - still trying to take it easy after tweaking my Achilles last week - but I'm going to do my best.

That's it for now - I don't want to subject you to too many of the crazy thoughts that swirl in my mind!!

Pure Exhaustion!

There is nothing I hate worse than not getting a good night’s sleep.  I had planned to get up and run a few miles this morning (even though technically it’s a rest day), but I woke up around 1:30 am and just could not get back into a deep sleep.  I was hot, then thirsty, had to go to the bathroom, toss, turn, toss, turn…then around 5:00 am Tigger decided he wanted to get up and have some breakfast.  Crunch, crunch, crunch.  Then he decided to walk around – click, click, click went toenails on the floor.  Grrrrr.  He finally decided to get back on the bed and go to sleep, and of course that’s when the alarm went off.  So, I am beat.  I’m going to need some toothpicks to keep my eyes open today…and caffeine, lots and lots of caffeine!

Had a pretty nice weekend.  On Saturday I went to the gym and did my strength training workout.  I also added a lot of calf strengthening exercises because my right Achilles has been bothering me, but I definitely overdid it because my calves are seriously aching.  Luckily I have a massage scheduled for tonight.

I also had a manicure and pedicure, and I’m happy to say that I once again have 10 toenails!  Yes, there are already little bits of toenail growing in.  Hopefully I won’t have that problem again now that I’ve gone up to size 9 running shoes.

On Saturday night we went to Stella for dinner, and had a great time.  We had cocktails first and enjoyed chatting with Liam, our Irish bartender.  Then one of the servers complimented me on the dress I was wearing, and we got to talking.  She’s originally from Virginia, so we had fun discussing how people are so different here compared to our home states.  Dinner as usual was delish.

Yesterday I worked out on the crosstrainer while Jerel went grocery shopping.  We were supposed to go a health & fitness expo, but as we were walking there it started raining, and I had on sandals and no rain jacket, so we turned around and went home.  We ended up watching some taped shows on the DVR and in the evening we watch Juno On Demand.

Not much planned for this week.  I’m seeing Tara tomorrow morning, and I have the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge on Thursday night.  It doesn’t start until 7:15 pm. Um, I’m usually in my pjs by then!  Anyway, it should be pretty crazy, since there are around 15,000 runners squeezed onto the streets of Boston.  That doesn’t sound very fun at all to me!  Oh well, I’m doing it for the experience.

Hope you’re all doing well and had a fab weekend!

Holy Chipotle!!!

I am in total shock!  One of my cruise buddies just donated $1000 to my Nike Marathon fundraising effort, which has helped me meet the minimum amount needed in order for me to participate!!!

Her grandmother died from lymphoma a number of years ago, and her mother was diagnosed 4 years ago with lymphoma and is currently in remission.

Thank you Kathy!!