Upcoming Fall Plans (Friday Five Edition)

With my summer not being very interesting, I thought I'd try to highlight things that I want to do this fall.  That way I won't let the season get away from me without a little bit of excitement.


1. I have one real race this fall.  I really don't count the Bubble Run that I did last week as that is more of a fun run then a race.  I have joined a few other ladies and we will be doing the Baltimore Marathon Relay.  It's only 3 weeks away and with my lack of training, I hope I get the shortest distance. :)

2. I really need to get a massage or two or 50.  At least once a month my back tenses up so bad I have to spend a lot of time on my lacrosse ball.  I'm always saying how much easier it would be if I just scheduled regular massages.  I'm not sure if I like the idea of the big box places where you sign up for a membership.  I just don't know how reliable the masseuses will be.  But then if you find a nice independent one, they are only open during the week, during week hours.  So I go back and forth on what I want to do and then just don't do anything.  I need to get off my but and schedule one once a month.

3. I really want to try to keep biking over the winter.  I'm not talking like every weekend or anything like that, but it would be nice to keep riding even when it's a little on the chilly side.  I do have to say that more then anything I HATE the cold, so this will be a challenge.  I did buy a long pair of biking pants and a couple biking underwear.  Now don't laugh too hard at this.  They are basically very short biking shorts that make it easier to wear under normal (non-padded) pants.  This way I'm spending less money and able to use the tights and pants that I use for running.

4. I really want to try and get my house organized again.  I know this doesn't sound like fun, but it will really make me feel a lot better.  When I was out of work earlier this year, I really got some good cleaning done.  I didn't 100% finish everything and those rooms I did finish are starting to look a bit cluttered again.  I'd like to just pick something small in a room each weekend and get that done.  I'm hoping by the time winter comes around, I won't feel like I'm starting to lose control of the mess.  I just want to try and get ahead of it, just a little.

5. Fix up some things outside my house.  Again, it doesn't sound very fun, but it will make me feel much better.  I need to do things like weed and cut back growth from this summer.  I need to power wash one side of my house, which has green stuff all over it.  I need to power wash and stain my front porch.  I'd like to find someone to move the tree/bush things in front of my house to the back.  I feel like it's a security issue not being able to see my front door, but I don't want to cut them down.  Or maybe I can find someone who can trim it better then me to make them a lot smaller.  I'm not sure how much I'll get done, but we will have some nice weekends coming up in the next month or two.

This is from 2 years ago, those are at least a foot taller

I'd like to also try to spend more time with my kitties.  My old lady is 18 years old this month.  All she wants to do is to lay in my lap.  But that means I will just have to sit on my couch some extra. :)

Do you get massages from those subscription places?  Do you like them?  What races do you have coming up?  What fun fall plans do you have?

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0

Running 23 Miles with Matthew (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

So on Saturday, I ran 23 miles with Hurricane Matthew.  While we didn't get a direct hit, we got a lot of rain and some wind.  Not bad enough to cancel the run, but enough for it to be a very wet run.

Monday I didn't go out for a run as I didn't have time.  Plus I kinda counted the hiking we did on Sunday as a run.  Wednesday I got out there and had a great run.  I worked from home so I ended up being able to run after the sun came up.  I really felt like I was finally getting back to where I was before I hurt my back.  There was a guy that was out there with his dog.  He said he has seen me running a lot and to keep it up.  Makes up for the stupid guy last week. :)

Friday while it was still a good run, I felt slower.  I realized it was a lot more humid on Friday then it was on Wednesday.  I had to go into the office, so I had to run before the sun came up.  This is the time of the year where the acorns are falling from the trees.  They kept hitting different surfaces and freaked me out a bit.  That and the acorns were all over the road and I had to watch myself at some places.

Saturday the long arms of Hurricane Matthew hit us.  The weather was in the upper 60's but there was a lot of rain.  I started off before the MTT group as they only had 20 miles on the docket and I wanted to get in 23.  I ran up and back for an extra 3 miles and then off on the route given to us.  I only had 4 miles that I ran over a 16 minute mile.  I was so impressed with my consistency through the run.  I didn't feel like I ran out of steam at the end like I usually do.

I felt like Matthew was keeping me company on my run.  Most of the time it was a light rain, but every so often it would down pour.  And there would be wind gusts every so often.  Every time the rain or wind picked up, I felt like he was encouraging me to keep going.  I just had to embrace the rain and enjoy what was given to me.

The route that they had for us went through a lot of nice neighborhoods.  It was still a little dark out, but there was a lot of street lights still on.  I ran by this church that had signs of all the terrorist attacks that have happened and at the end is a sign that says "Love One Another".  I was very touched by this.

I also ran by a few houses that had Halloween decorations up.  This was my favorite one.

This same house had a big metal rooster and it really reminded me of The Bloggess.

But most of the run this was my view.  A lot of rain.

And a lot of puddles to watch out for.

I used this run to see what time I would make it for mile 15.5 and mile 18 for MCM.  So that I can beat The Gauntlet, I would have to be there no later then 12:38 PM.  Which means if I cross the start line right at 7:55 AM then I have 4:43 to get there.  If I cross the start line at 8:55 AM then I have 3:43.  I got to 15.5 on my training run in 4:03, which means I have to cross the start line by 8:35 AM or earlier to feel comfortable.

To beat the bridge at mile 18 by 1:15 PM.  That would mean I would need to get there between 4:20 - 5:20.  I got there in 4:40.  Plenty of time after getting past The Gauntlet.  So my main concern will be getting to The Gauntlet on time.

I was still one of the last people that got back to the parking lot.  I just hate that feeling that I know I did great for me, but still one of the last people to finish.  I told one of the coaches that I did an extra 3 miles and he scoffed at me.  The MTT thought of training is that you only need to do 20.  One would think that they would encourage you if you felt better doing something different from that.  There is not one way to train, and I'm doing what is best for me feeling like I can get to the finish line.

When I got home I saw how badly I chaffed.  I used so much Glide on myself because I knew it was going to rain the whole time and it didn't help.  I'm chaffed between my thighs, on my waist, and all around my bra line.  I also wish I had shorts and a sports bra that would treat my body better.  But thank goodness for Aquafur!

So now I have two weeks of tapering and then it's race time, though it really hasn't hit me, yet.  Some people have a hard time with taper time, but I really try to embrace it.  I feel really good about MCM after this run but I know I will be very nervous about beating those times.

Do you ever feel encouraged by the weather, even bad weather?  Do you look forward to taper time or dread it?  

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.

Heart Rate Training Week 9 (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

This week has been much better then the last few.  I actually got some runs in (with quite a bit of walking), including my long run.

Monday I decided to at least get out there and walk my miles.  I just tried to run every now and again just to see how things felt.  The few times I ran really wasn't a run, it was more like an old lady shuffle.  I'm glad it was dark out so people couldn't see it.  While the walking felt fine, the few times I tried to run my back felt tight.  My hip and glut hurt by the end, but I was happy to have a PT appointment later that day.

Wednesday I decided to try again.  I ran a little bit more and while it was a little faster, it was still a shuffle.  The back felt better, but still tight.  No real pain, just tight.  I knew that was a good that there really wasn't any pain.

Friday I decided to work from home, which meant that I didn't have to start my run till the sun came up.  Even though there was more traffic out at that time, it was nice to run in the day light.  After my PT appointment on Wednesday, my back finally really felt good.  No pain or tightness.  It was so nice.

After a good run on Friday I decided to do my long run on Saturday.  I didn't run with the MTT since I wasn't sure if I would be able to do all 20 miles.  I decided to do my favorite 10 miler and then I can figure out if I could do it again or a shorter loop after that.

I saw this sign in someone's neighborhood and I was very confused by it.  Did someone that lived there put it up or did a neighbor put it up?  It was still there when I did my second loop.

There was a guy that saw me on a walk break and said that I had a lot of stuff for a walk (I had my vest on with my two big water bottles).  I wish I could have said something before he drove off, like it's a walk/run or that it was 20 miles.  I thought it was really kinda rude.

The first 10 miles felt good.  No back pain or really any at all.  I decided to do the second loop of 10 miles.  I refilled my water bottles and started off again.  It was starting to get more warm but I was feeling good, so far.  By mile 15 though the heat was getting up there and I was getting tired.  I haven't done anything more then 5 miles in a month so most of the last 5 miles was walking.  I thought that maybe 20 was pushing it, but I was so excited to be out there.

By the end my hips and my feet hurt, but I did it.  My back didn't hurt at all.  I bruised both of my big toe nails which sucks.  I'm very excited to be back into the game.

How was your week?  What do you think that sign meant?  Have you ever had someone say something rude while you were out for a run?

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.

Five Things I'm Looking Forward To (Friday Five Edition)

I haven't posted a lot recently and haven't done a Friday Five in a couple of weeks cause life has just thrown me a few curve balls.  Between my dad's situation and knowing I'll be losing my job in a few months, there has been a lot of things figure out.  That and I'm not a huge fan of this time of year.  Between the days getting shorter and colder and past haunting memories of the start of school, this is my least favorite season.  For now, I'm just happy to have things to look forward to in the next few months to get me through everything.

1. My trip up to PA to visit a friend - Next weekend I'll be visiting a friend that lives in PA.  I haven't seen her since last summer and can't wait to catch up.  This will be the first time seeing where she lives and meeting her family.  Most of all we will get to run together some.

2. MCM - While I'm getting really nervous about this marathon because of my back, this is my goal race of the year.  I am very relieved that they are changing the mileage of the "beat the bridge" which takes a little bit of stress off me.  A friend from MA will be joining me, and I can't wait to spend the weekend with her.  On top of all of the race special events over the weekend, we have requested a tour of the White House.  While I've been to DC many times, that is the one thing I have yet to do.  It will be a very fun and busy weekend.

3. Rogue One - Yes, I'm a geek.  I love me some Star Wars and this movie looks amazing!  I will be there, seeing it opening night.

4. Trip to Denver for Christmas - With my dad's dementia getting worse, my mom wants us to visit his brother before things gets too bad.  I grew up in Denver and have only been back once for my uncle's wedding.  While I'm not looking forward to traveling over the holidays I am looking forward to seeing my uncle and being in Denver for Christmas (and maybe a day of skiing).

5. Something New - I have a lot of opportunities right now.  Anything from another job in IT to selling some stock and working at Target for a little while and not have the stress of IT.  I have my job till the end of the year and then I have 30 weeks of severance, so I have time to think about what I really want to do.  It might be fun to work for a museum or do something in the parks and recs department or see what's involved in helping out and organizing a running event.  I have no clue, but I'm trying to think outside the box and not just jump into the next job that comes my way.

Bonus - I'm also looking forward to the 2-4 weeks of amazing running weather before it turns cold.  I can't wait to get out there and not be a sweaty mess before I even run.  I've never trained for a marathon in the summer and this has got me thinking twice before I sign up for another fall marathon.

And just to end on a good note, I saw this video and it is very inspiring.  Reminding me that even though things kinda suck now, I still have some other very good things in my life.

What are you looking forward to?  Any advice on traveling during the holidays?

Linking up with Courtney, Mar & Cynthia 

Heart Rate Training Week 8 (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

So this week really wasn't a good week training wise or really any other wise.

I don't have a running theme picture, so I thought I'd share one of my kitty

I think and hope my trifecta of bad new has hit me.  First was my back, which I still haven't been able to run because of.  Second, was issues with my dad and needing help while my mom is at work.  And now, this past week, I found out that I'll be losing my job at the end of the year because of outsourcing.

So my back is a little better, but it still hurts to run, so I haven't.  PT and the dry needling has helped, but I wish it would work faster.  I did a 5 mile walk on the treadmill on Monday and a 3 mile walk around the neighborhood on Friday.  Both hurt a little, but it's good to keep moving.  I did go to the gym twice this week too, but really haven't felt like I have done anything.  I'm hoping to do a long walk (and maybe a run here and there) this next weekend.  MCM is coming up and I'm getting nervous.

My dad's situation has gotten better.  My mom found a neighborhood kid (well not a kid, he's 21) to help out.  I went by on Tuesday and Wednesday to be there just in case anything happened.  Things seemed to mellow out and I think he will work out.  At least I really hope so.  We will see how things go on his own this week.  Fingers crossed.

As for my job, they are outsourcing some things and about 60 of us will be gone in 3-6 months.  I have a nice severance package which I only get if I stay till the end of the year.  I've already been looking for a new job so this really isn't the worst news.  I now have a chance to try something new in IT or get out of IT all together.  Right now the sky's the limit and I'll be trying to figure out what I want to do in the next month.

And then last night I had a dream that my car was stolen.  Really?  I don't need something else right now so I'm glad it was only a dream.

So now things can only go up and get better.  Right?

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.