What Does 2019 Hold For Running (Tuesdays on the Run Edition)

I don't make New Year resolutions.  Mostly because I do not want to make a promise to myself if I'm not sure I'll follow through.  I will make resolutions throughout the year when I know I have the motivation to do my best.

For example, I didn't make my resolution to do a race a month for 2018 till I was half way through the year.  It was a spontaneous one when I realized that I had done 6 months of that without even trying.  It allowed me to keep up with my running and rehabbing my knee because I wouldn't do any more than 5ks.  What I learned from this is that there are a lot of local races out there that are a ton of fun.  Most of the races I did last year were new to me races.

This year, I only have the Ukrop's 10k on my list.  I have done this race 9 times in the past - but not sequentially.  I'll also get the third medal in this streak to go with these two.

I have nothing else planned.  I'm not even planning on doing any runDisney races.  I've done at least one a year for the last five years and while I will miss the good times, I need to rest.  I have found that the weekends were just exhausting.

I'd like to try a few new races out this year.  But my real goal is to make sure my knee holds up as the year comes up.  This means more cross training on my calendar.  And making sure I do my stretches and exercises 5-7 days a week.

I think I'd also like to do the Ride and Run race again at Kings Dominion. That is a mini-runDisney race that was a lot of fun.  Who knows what the year will bring, but I hope it will be fun and my knee holds up.

I’m linking up with with Join Kookyrunner and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-up.

 

R.I.P Dad

Work has slowed down, but I still haven't posted this year.  This is because two weeks ago my dad passed away.  Now, I know everyone will want to share their condolences, but this was a good thing and we are celebrating his life.

About 10 years ago my dad started showing signs of Alzheimer's Disease.  He did fine till about two years ago when he started wandering.  Then a year ago, he started not wanting to be out of the sight of my mom, afraid that if he didn't see her, he would be lost.  At this point with the disease, most of what made my dad my dad was gone.  He no longer spoke as he did not remember words.  Growing up, my dad never even thought about raising a hand to anyone, but when he was scared or didn't get what he wanted he threatened violence.  Then a few months ago he stopped getting out of bed.  He would wake up and my mom or their nurse would give him some food and drink and he would go back to sleep.  This is why it was a good thing.

Knowing my dad is gone is sad, but he had been slipping away slowly.  I have had the time to grieve over the last couple of years and now it's time to celebrate his life.  He is no longer in pain.  My mom no longer has to worry about him and take care of him 24/7.

I was able to spend time with him over the holidays.  He was awake when I called to say Happy New Years.  It was nice that he made it into 2019.  My mom thinks he was holding on for the New Year so that she would get the tax benefit (he worked for the IRS and was a true tax man).  Yesterday we said good-bye to him for the final time.  It was sad that I will no longer see him.  My mom and I shared some pictures and remembered the good times.

My dad helping me hang my stocking.

 

My dad and me at Niagara Falls.

Mom and Dad at Animal Kingdom.

Dad at winery Virginia Winery.

Mom, Dad, my uncle and aunt, and me in Denver for Christmas two years ago.

Don't be sad for me.  Be happy that I was able to have many years with such a great dad.  The last few years were hard as he slipped away and Alzheimer's took over.  But now he is in a better place.

2018 Races in Pictures (Friday Five Edition)

In January all I had planed race-wise was two runDisney events and Ukrop's 10k.  By June, I had done at least one of each of the first 6 months.  I then decided to continue and do at least one per month for the rest of the year.  I sort of accomplished that.  All except December.  I signed up for one, but it was cancelled due to the foot of snow we got that weekend.  I still may be able to do one in December, on the 31st.  It's one right before midnight and the plan is to do it unless it's raining. 

I found that because of this, I did a lot of new to me races.   Except for Ukrop's and the runDisney races that I had already signed up for at the beginning of the year, I have not done any of these races.  All of them I would do again.  I don't know the plan for next year, and probably won't do the one a month race (though I still may), I want to continue trying new races out.  There are plenty out there that I haven't done yet.

January

Frostbite 15k

February

Princess 5k

Princess 10k

Princess Half

March

Lucky Charm 10k

April

Ukrop's 10k

Star Wars 5k

Star Wars 10k

Star Wars Half

May

Uncorked 5k

June

 Run & Ride 5k

 

July

Pony Pasture 5k

August

Pink Power 5k

September

Speak Up 5k

October

Ashland Harvest 5k

November

Donut Run 5k

December

Run-a-Latke

I'm linking up with Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness and other healthy lifestyle bloggers.

New Slidding Glass Door (Friday Five Edition)

I've been working about 60 hours a week for the past month, so I have had little time to do anything fun, including posting anything.  I'm hoping to get my PTO next week, so I can relax and catch up on all the fun stuff I've been missing out in.  I did have something fun happen last week, though.  I finally got my new sliding glass door!

Back in April, I mentioned that I was planning on getting a sliding glass door to replace my fake French doors that leads to my back deck.  Not only did I not like the doors, they were not put in very well and there was mold starting to form in my crawl space from the door leaking down.  So one way or the other, the door needed to be replaced.


In May, I did some research and got some quotes and finally ordered one in June.  They said that it would be 6-8 weeks for the door to come in and then installation would be set up.  Well 8 weeks had passed and I had not heard from the company.  I called them and they said that because I ordered the doors with screens inside the glass, it usually took 2-4 weeks later.

In September they finally called and said that my door was in and scheduled an appointment to install the door 3 weeks later.  I was so excited to see the door.  The weather was turning perfect to be able to open up the door and my windows and feel the wonderful fall weather through the house.  They came and started to get ready and about 20 minutes later they had told me that they were done.  Huh?  Well apparently the door was ordered a half an inch too small.  At least they measured before took my old door out and I had a huge hole in my house.

On Monday they finally came to install the right size door.  They were also able to fix the mold that had started in my crawl space and fix it so water would not leak down there.  I'm sad that I won't be able to take advantage of the screen door for another few months, but it's in!


They do need to come back and fix the screen inside the door that does not sit right.  But they work and I'm happy to have them.  I will need to paint the new molding that they put in, but that will have to wait till I know they are done with everything and I actually have some time to do something besides work and sleep.

A couple weeks ago was Hanukkah, so if you celebrate, I hope you had a good one.  Next week is Christmas, and if you celebrate, I hope you have a merry one.

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

Donut Run 5k (Tuesdays on the Run Edition)

This past Saturday, as part of my at least one race a month, I participated in the Donut Run 5k.  There was a short window to pick up packets on Friday night, but since I worked till 8 PM, I missed the window.  Thankfully we could pick up our bibs before the race. 


There was a kids race at 8 AM and then the 5k started at 9.  I got there right before the kids race started and picked up my bib and shirt.  I was able to see the kids run.  I swear, they are all so cute!

I walked around some and checked out some of the booths.  They had Belle from Beauty and the Beast and the local baseball mascot, Nutzy, as well as the VCU mascot.  I have to admit I did stalk the VCU mascot some, as that is my alumni and I wanted a picture with him.  I actually was wearing my VCU jacket and he got all excited.


I headed back to my car to put the shirt away and get myself ready for the race.  I headed back and realized the bathrooms were inside, so of course I had to try and go.  Once I made it through the bathroom line I stretched a little and headed out to the start.

There were tons of people lined up.  There were no waves, so I just stepped in where there was room.  The MC mentioned that there were 1000 people signed up.  Wow, that was a lot of people.  Though as I looked at the results and only 600 finished the race.


The race started out of the track area and on to the streets.  I realized that some of these same streets are the ones that I have run over and over with my 10 mile route.  Since I hadn't trained for a half or longer in a long while, I haven't been on those roads in awhile.  It was nice to be on the same roads, but not be the same route.

I had only run twice since my last race, the Ashland Harvest 5k, where my knee really started hurting.  By that race, I had worked my way up to a 30/30 run/walk.  Since I seemed to have a set back, I went back to 30s run and 1m walk.  My knee wasn't bad, but it was bothering me for the last couple of miles.  The course was rolling hills, and my knee really did not like the uphills.

The best part of this race was that there were munchkins at both of the water stops.  Yum!!

During the last mile we came close to the finish line.  I even passed my car on the street.  While I wasn't tired and my knee was holding up, I didn't like getting so close to the finish line without finishing.  It was just a mental thing I guess.

I did finally get to the finish line and was happy to be done.  I went over to one of the younger girls and asked if she could put the medal around my neck.


I grabbed some water and a donut and headed out.  I had some errands to run and an appointment to get my hair cut.  Then I went home and took a 2 hour nap.  After working 60 hours this week, that was the treat of the weekend.

I’m linking up with with MCM Mama Runs, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup.

Diwali Celebrations (Friday Five Edition)

In my area at work, most of the people I work with are from India.  Because of this, there was a huge Diwali celebration this week.  I've learned a lot about the holiday and was welcomed into the celebration.


Diwali is a five day celebration, also refereed to as the festival of lights.  This is because Diwali coincides with the darkest night in the Hindu calendar.  During this celebration temples, homes, and offices are brightly lit with candles, lanterns, and other festive lights.  It lasts for five days, which includes cleaning, decorating, eating, fireworks, and visiting loved ones.  It's like 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all rolled up in one.

While Diwali was last week, we celebrated in the office on Monday.  Most people came dressed up in their best Saris and Kurtas.  I even bought myself a Kurta to join in on the fun.  Sadly, I never got a picture of me in it.  Next time I'll make sure I get one.

Last week everyone decorated their area.  There was even a contest for the best decorated area - and we won!

There was also dancing, games, and music.  Unfortunately, I was too busy with work to join in on the games, so I don't know what was played.

And then there was the food.  I think everyone that is from India brought in some sort of homemade dish.  I admit, I did go back one or two times to try more.  Everything was so good.


Everyone that has been here for a few years kept saying that this year's celebration was the best by far.  I cannot wait till next year's celebration.

Have you ever celebrated Diwali?  What is your favorite holiday celebration?

I'm linking up for Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness

 

Short Update (Friday Five Edition)

So I have been MIA the last couple of weeks.  I got added to another team at work and man have I been busy.  They have been trying to get a release out for the past few months and are now up against a very tight deadline.  It's been crazy, but so far a good crazy.  Here are a few things that have been going on beyond work.

After my Ashland Harvest 5k, I have been giving my knee a rest.  I shouldn't have pushed it the way I did, but I think I'm glad I did.  But it defiantly relapsed a little with my knee rehab.  I am OK with taking it easy right now. :)

I have my November 5k next weekend.  I'm excited about that one.  It's doughnut themed and who doesn't like a doughnut? :)

I took a training class for work this week.  It wasn't too bad, just have to get through the exam to get my certificate.  I am so bad at taking exams....bleck.

In the past few weeks I saw a couple of plays.  One was a local small theater play called "Gutenberg! The Musical!".  It was put on by two men who was trying to sell their play so they "acted" it out for a bunch of to-be producers.  The way they distinguished the different characters was that they had a table full of baseball caps with character names on it.  It was just a very creative play.

Then we saw Les Misérables.  I have seen it a couple times before and I still loved it like the first time when I saw it.  Though I wasn't sure if I remembered the stage having a round movable part.  I may have dreamed that, who knows.



I do have a funny story and cute picture to share.  I was doing laundry the other weekend and I placed a load on the couch to fold and before I knew it, Aiden decided to crawl underneath it.  Not on top, under.  Totally under.  So weird.

Well that's all for now.  I hope things calm down a little after next week's release.  Hope all is well with everyone else.

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