Three Things Thursday

1.  Ok, so yeah, I need to put on my big girl panties and quit being a baby about racing on Saturday.  I'll be fine.  I'm pretty sure that all my labors combined won't equal the time or effort I will put into completing this 50k.  So, if I can push out 6 kids, I'm pretty sure I can get this done.  I was just opening up a little yesterday, showing some of my humanness.  I'm sure you all thought I was, but I'm really not perfect.  I have doubts.  I struggle.  I freak out.  Now that I've aired all that I'll tuck it back away and go back to being perfectly awesome!  I came across a post on Salty Running yesterday.  It was nicely titled Fake It Until You Make It.  It's just the kick in the pants I needed to keep pushing toward this race and through it.  As far as I know with the exception of a person or two nobody even knows who I am.  It's possible that someone saw & read yesterday's post.  Let's just assume nobody has.  Therefore, nobody that I will see at the race knows that I'm freaking out over never racing in some of these conditions.   I'll just need to walk in, strut my stuff and off I go.  I'm guessing I'm not the only person having the same fears and worries too.  So, come on now Hawkeye 50k, let's bring it on and get the show on the road!

Here are 2 updated pictures posted from the race director:

 (part of a trail we run on)

(the dreaded spillway)

2.  I had said earlier in the week that to take it easy I was limiting myself to 4 easy miles and they would be inside on the treadmill.  After my little freak out yesterday I thought it might not be a good idea to completely stay in.  I felt the need to prepare a little more for the snow and wetness.  So my run yesterday was outside.  Still only 4 miles and still kept them easy (which was hard to do because I felt great from all my rest).  I've been toying around with some ideas on what to do to be prepared for the race.  What can I do to deal with, most specifically running through ankle deep water.  I started off by buying me a new pair of winter/trail running shoes.  I'm a Brooks fan so I went with their GTX (mine are aqua color).  So far, I'm loving them!  The other idea I've toyed with is running with plastic bags on my feet.  I know, it sounds awfully red neckish, but I've tried it and it really works.  The combination of the two are bound to help me in my race.  I will admit, I feel pretty silly about doing it, but if it works, it works!

3.  Today marks the end of February.  It sure doesn't feel like it.  I don't normally equate March with a lot of snow, but everywhere I look there is LOTS of it.  Won't be going anywhere anytime soon either.  It's making the winter drag on longer than what it needs to be.  I know it will accomplish anything by sitting here moaning about the situation, so let me just focus on my run numbers for this month.

I ran 139.35 miles in February.  My vacation and recent rest days brought that down a little from last month.   I have continued with my streaking and as of today I have ran for 277 days.  I'm still have my Run This Year goal to run 2013 miles in 2013.  So far I have logged 282.5 toward that goal.  I'm actually a little behind to being on track, but I'm sure I'll catch up at some point.  I'm sure running 31 miles in one day will help!

That's right....get out of here!!!!

Snowday & Pre Hawkeye 50k insights

I've been used to taking Wednesday's off of blogging since my camera is still without it's cord.  Yesterday threw me for a loop though.  I thought it was going to be yet another day of complete weather prediction fail.  Another winter storm was to hit overnight, but when I woke up not one flake had dropped from the sky.  I carried on with my usual it's a school day mindset.  Much to my shock while running on the treadmill  I saw my school district cancelled.  Understand, we "never" cancel.  Everyone else around us will be closed, but there we are hauling our kids to school.  Anyway, after I reacted (with a literal out loud "WHAT?!?!") I looked around in a weird Twilight Zone feeling wondering if I will still dreaming.  No snow = school cancelled.  Ummmm.....ok.  It all turned out good when the storm did hit a little after 7 a.m.  Within 5 minutes I went from having a 1 mile visibility out of the window to not being able to see across the street.  We got slammed!!

I was all geared up for a day of relaxing since I had plenty of time to veg, watch tv, blog, etc.  Unexpectantly, we lost power in the afternoon.  Not just the occasional flicker, but nothing, nada, zip for over 3 hours.  To pass the time we packed up and went to a friends house to hang out.  It all just threw my whole day for a loop and my blog was left un-touched.  I actually spent very little time on the computer.  That's not a bad thing.

ANYWAY.....what I was planning to blog about yesterday.....

This is very unlike me, but I am nervous as heck about running the Hawkeye 50k this Saturday.  Seriously, my heart starts racing, I get all queasy and begin to freaked out when I think about it.  I keep having to just stop and breeeeeeath!

We all know, I got this, right?  RIGHT?!?!?!?!  I know, you are all going to smile, slap me on the back (or give me a hug, I'm a hugger, I don't mind) and tell me how awesome & tough I am and how I can do this!  Deep down, I know you are all right.  That's what makes it so easy to calm down and carry on.  I've never given thought to backing down from this race.  I don't think I ever backed down from any race.  I will follow through and I will finish.

It's not the distance that bothers me.  Pssssh, I can run 31 miles in my sleep.  Ok, maybe not, but I've run this distance (plus more) on more than one occasion.  Big whoopty doo, 31 miles.  However when I signed up for this race I was thinking March would give me this kind of scenery:

(Actual pictures from the race course)

A dreary, blah, post winter, yet not quite spring trail run.  Yes, I knew that I was going to have to cross a spillway (twice).  That's didn't bother me, a little water won't hurt.  I was never counting on this:

Yes, those are the same pictures.  The first set taken in early February.  The second set taken last weekend.  Gulp!  Wh-....I mean ho-....crap, there I go again.  Heart racing.....FRREAKING OUT!!!!!  <insert heavy panicked breathing!>

Ok, ok, ok, ok.....breeeeeeeeeath.  I got this!  I'm awesome!  I'm tough!  I can do this!

So, I've never raced with several of inches of snow on the ground.  I've never raced anything that included a water crossing.  Last reported the spillway was at least ankle deep.  I have to cross it twice!!

I'm really anxious to just get this over with.  Running wise, I'm ready.  Bring it on!  31 miles ain't got nothin' on me!  (hold it together you grammer nazis, I wrote it that way on purpose)  The other conditions have me worried and nervous.  Like, a lot.  Like, I want to curl up in a ball, cry and sleep until next week when it's all over.  For now it's a moment by moment process to carry on and get ready for the race.  I know way deep down, I will be ok.  I might even still go and kick some butt!  I am pretty awesome...come on, you never doubted that did you.  But I am still human.  And flawed.  It's all a lovely combination that makes life wonderful and interesting.  

More on this race prep and breakdown tomorrow!  Happy hump day people!

Rest

In 5 days I will be lacing up and toeing the line for the Hawkeye 50k.  Even though I have failed to run a few "long" runs, I've still been pushing myself fairly hard the last week or two.  I'm beginning to feel those affects and a few of my recent runs have been really, REALLY tough!  Which, I'm not arguing or complaining.  Tough is good.  Pain (the good kind) is good.  I'm not the athlete I am by constantly taking it easy or backing down from what I know I need.  However, there is a time for rest and this week is it.

Even though I know how much my body needs this rest, it's really hard for me to do.  I'm standing firm with myself and may even need to be a bully to keep me from over doing it.  Of course, my idea of rest, is not the norm.  I am still keeping active, I am still running.  I ran my usual 2 miles today, but cut the extras (biking, Spartacus, swimming).  The rest of the week I plan to still run 4 miles, but keep the tempo slow and easy.  I will give myself a little break from the weather and stick to the much easier (for me) option of the treadmill.  My body already has the training it needs for the hills, trail, weather and tempature I will race in.  I just need to keep moving and get ready.

I've never been one to follow a training plan.  I just run.  In my head I come up with a plan, a strategy of sorts.  But it's really flexible and I change it around all the time.  I will stand firm in "my rest" this week, hoping....planning that on Saturday I will be ready to bust out of this slow down and be ready to bring it on 100% for my 50k.

Tomorrow I will bring you more of a breakdown of my thoughts, plans, strategy, etc. for the Hawkeye 50k. For now, it's time to go rest.

Friday's Funny

Ha!  Ha!  The joke was on us.  After several days of hype and non stop media talk the "big winter storm" arrived last night.  Except it didn't really come.  At first we thought, oh....ok....slow start, it will really pick up over night.  Nope!  Upon waking this morning I believe our official snowfall was an accumlative 2".  That is a far cry from this:

(I live in the dark blue area)

I'm nuetral to the whole snow issue.  I really don't mind one way or the other if we have snow.  While I don't mind a day home with the kids to veg and watch movies, it's not going to affect my running or much else of my life.  A few years ago when we had 14" inches of snow I didn't stay put for days on end.  Yes, I stayed home during the brunt of the storm, but then ventured out and carried on with life as usual.  As pointed out by another friend, even if we had received the predicted amount, it's really not that much.  It's not like we live in Alaska or Antarctica, just deal with it people.

Based on a gut feeling that had nothing to do with any meteorological knowledge I had come to my own conclusion that we would get 5-6 inches which would keep the kids home from school.  So I planned accordingly with lots of movies and extra baking goodies to spend the day at home with them.  I figured it would be nice enough by late afternoon to take them to the Y and for me to get a run in.  Instead it was morning as usual with hauling the kids to school.

I decided to still relax today.  I'm still in my jammies.  I've watched a movie.  I've baked 6 dozen mint chocolate chip oatmeal muffins.  I plan to set out for a run this afternoon.

(A little bit of my day represented here)

So bummer, my day didn't turn out quite like I was expecting (mostly just sans kids though).  The snowstorm was a fail, but I'm not complaining either.  What are you gonna do?  I just laugh & be amused.  Life is funny sometimes.  Just go with the flow & roll with the punches.

TTT: snow, cold, red

~Snowstorm:  We have a "big" winter storm moving in.  We've been hearing about it for the last 10 days or so.  I'm to the point where I'm like: just snow already.  Come on!  Depending on what radio/tv channel and or website you look at we are getting anywhere from 1" - 8"  How's that for a I'm not sure I'm just going to guess with wide numbers so it should fall in there somewhere and I'll be good.  No matter what I'm good to go.  I went to the store yesterday to stock up on essentials like milk, bread, eggs, etc.  I also went to the library and checked out 9 movies.  For good measure I'm about to head to the movie store for more movies and also the grocery store for some baking extras.  If we get what is expected, I'm good to go and I'll be baking and watching movies all day tomorrow.  Of course a run will be planned and executed, but it will likely have to wait until later in the afternoon.

~Brrrrr: When I ran this morning it was 14 degrees with no wind, so it felt like 14 degrees.  After running in -14 windchill with 18 mpr winds on Tuesday this sounded heavenly.  Yesterday during my run, which was late afternoon, it was 25 degrees.  That felt really nice too!  Even though 14 sounds really nice I slacked a little on layering.  I did have 2 1/2 layers on my legs, but should have gone for another full layer.  Up top I had 3 layers and that was good, but one of those was a breath thermo jacket from Mizuno, so that helped a lot.  The temperature can be so subjective and overall I was ok on my run.  It was a nice reminder that I should not get lazy on my preparation for the cold temps.  There is no hard rule about what to wear when and each person is different.  For me 14 is still cold and I need to remember that extra layer.

~Go Red:  I never got a chance to post these pictures and since I need a third item to round things out for today I will post it now:

A few weeks ago I heard about a last minute Red Dress run.  It was an unofficial loosely organized run that drew a small crowd, but was a lot of fun.  I was just coming off being sick and wasn't sure if I would actually go.  But I can't resist a run, with people, in a "costume/get up" that was FREE!  About 50 people showed up in all sorts of red dresses,  The men were particularly wonderful looking!  My closet is full of all sorts of red items, including many dresses (Hint: red is my favorite color) so this was real easy to do.  The total time it took me from leaving my driveway to pulling back in was 25 minutes.  I don't know how far we ran, it was just down Main St. with a police escort.  When we finished they had hot cocoa and free tshirts to give away.  It would be fun to see this become a bigger event.  For the first time though this small gathering was very fun and entertaining.

Tuesday's Tunes: Focus on the Positive

So excited!  I was late in the day to get this post started and was just getting started when I remember I saw two packages sitting on the front porch when I got home.  I was expected these packages so I jumped up in little kid fashion to go see what awaited me.

Taaaaaadaaaaaaa....

I was due for new shoes and had recently ordered my newest pair of Saucony's.  Then, just YESTERDAY, I had ordered a pair of Brooks GTX to go with my upcoming 50k in 12 days.  Standard shipping seemed risky so I paid the extra money to bump up to the next level and BAM they came today!

You know you're a runner when the highlight of your day is NEW SHOES!!!!  The Brooks will get lots of use this week with the snow and ice we got last night and the expected 2-6 inches that is heading our way in a few days.

So I won't tell you about how I ran late last night while it was snowing and saw some beautiful snow thunder.  Also won't mention my run this morning in the dark pre dawn hours on pure iced over streets with the windshield dipping down to -14 and steady winds of 18 MPR.  Nope, nope....let's just focus the positive....Yay!  New shoes!!

Here are my tunes that I listened to on my run this morning:

Olympic Theme - John Williams
Up All Night - One Direction
Happy Girl - Martina McBride
Greatest American Hero - TV Theme Song
Weekend in New England - Barry Manilow
Then Fredric/When the Formen Bares the Steel - Pirates of Penzance
The B-I-B-L-E - Go Fish
The Mom Song - Go Fish
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin
Blessings - Laura Story
Iowa Fight Song - U of I
Waiting for a Star to Fall - Boy Meets Girl
Every Breath You Take - Police
Gonna Fly Now - Bill Conti

Random Thoughts

I have a few random thoughts that I wanted to throw on here.  I don't have enough time or honestly want to take the energy to put into a full post.  So here are my  few random thoughts on this President's Day.

~Today is a national holiday.  That means my husband and all 6 children are home.  That always throws me for a loop.  It's one thing when it's the kids, but a whole other ball park when you throw the hubby in too.  My time is not so much my time on days like this.  Largely explains why I need to wham bam thank you m'am this post.

~My dad is also coming today.  He should be here any minute now.  Dad doesn't come over often, so I make sure I'm completely available for him.

~Last night we had friends come over to play games.  They didn't even get here until 9 p.m.  That's ok with no work and no school today.  We can afford the time to stay up late and do what ever.  I unfortunately ate and drank like crap.  After my 11 mile run yesterday I chugged a Mt. Dew with no guilt at all.  I even made the comment and realized that I had not drank a Mt. Dew since the last time these friends came over to play games which was New Years Eve.  It's no true justification (is there ever for eating/drinking junk food), but I don't indulge in some things very often.  Even though it had been 6 weeks, it might be 6 months before I indulge again.  There is no rhyme or reason to when/why I indulge I just go with the flow.

~Since our friends were here late and then I couldn't get to sleep until 1 a.m. or so, I also ruined my chances of my usual early morning workout.  Typically I'm up and out the door by 5:30 a.m.  Largely that is because of my schedule with the kids getting to school etc.  I could have easily slept in until 6 or even 7 and still went and got my workout in.  No school gives me a lot more flexibility in my morning time.  In a complete act of laziness I didn't bother to set my alarm and just decided to sleep until I felt like it.  Didn't wake up until 8 a.m.  Still, I could have rolled out of bed, rushed to the Y and squeezed it in.  Instead I got the laundry going and have enjoyed a cup of coffee while buying new running shoes online and blogging to y'all.  Sometimes it's nice to not be so strict with myself and just let things roll.  Don't worry, I will still get my run in today.  Monday's is always an easy 2 miles.  It's nice to just let go and be "lazy" even if it's just for one day.  Don't worry I'll be back to cracking the whip tomorrow.

~Saturday and Sunday seem to be carrying the weights of my runs recently.  Last weekend I ran 10 miles on both of those days.  This weekend I ran 9 on Saturday and 11 on Sunday.  That wasn't my plan either day.  Timing and the weather on Saturday turned my planned 14 miles into 9.  I rarely ever concede to the weather, but the wind and bitter cold was very bad.  Right away we (I ran with my running partner) altered our run to try and fight the wind, but it was really fighting us hard.  We still managed the 9, but it was really tough.  We decided to try again for 14 on Sunday, but we found ourselves fighting against time.  So much to do, so little time.  We still managed 11 and the weather was much nicer to us this time.  In anticipation of an upcoming  winter snow storm I need to try and pack in the miles before it all hits on Thursday.  Otherwise I'll be hitting the treadmill hard, which is not an option I enjoy.  We'll see what happens.

My daddy just walked in and it's time to take my daughter to swimming.  Have a great President's Day everyone!!!!!

Friday's Funnies

^^This applies to so many of my friends!!  ^^

This was me yesterday, right, noting my oh so awful run.  Guess, what I did today?!?!?  That's right, got right back out there and went back for more.  It was a good run too!  Better & Stronger.......

Have a good weekend dear friends!!

Three Things Thursday: filled with love

1.  I can't find my camera cord to unload the last of my vacation pictures.  So that means that anything I use my camera for is stuck on there until I find my cord.  The ocd in me says that I can't go through and post ANY vacation pictures until I have them ALL unloaded, sorted, organized, etc and ready to post.  That also means I can't vlog until I find my cord because that video would be stuck on there.  Hence, my hiatus from posting yesterday.  I know what I wanted to vlog, I just didn't have the means to get it all done and posted.  I tried to use my ipod, but that just wasn't working out and after a few attempts I just gave up on the idea.  I really, really want to get the situation resolved quickly!

2.  This morning's run was awful!  Ok, maybe not.  It was with my running partner so that automatically makes it a-ok.  As soon as I woke up I noticed immediately that I was sore.  Mostly in my legs, but other areas too.  I know on Monday & Tuesday I told you what I had done.  Tuesday night I was called to go teach a cycling (spin) class.  I'm certified and used to teach all the time.  Key word: used to!  Being a good sport though I jumped in to teach because they really needed me even though it had been a year or so since my last class.  I bike all the time, but getting on and going at my own pace is different than leading a group of people who want a challenging work out.  I survived (barely) and was glad for the change up. 

Yesterday I ran with another running friend Julia who being 10 inches taller than me pushes and challenges me to run at a faster clip than usual.  Make no mistake, my little 5 ft. legs (well, my legs aren't 5 feet tall, but I am) can keep up with her.  People say it's a funny sight to see us run together.  Her long elegant stride right next to my twice as fast little clip.  Anyway, we ran out at Lake Storey trail which has lots of little rolling hills along the way.  It was a great workout.  On my own I would have likely gone a bit slower.  After that I went to the Y to take Spartacus again.  (I've been meaning to devote a post to that so you know what I mean when I tell you I took that class).  Again, challenging.  Pushing me to push.  It hurts, but it feels so good!  I finished off my workout with a 1/2 mile swim.

I think those things combined all contributed to me waking up very sore this morning.  My running partner, Angela, and I were already set to run at 5 a.m.  We planned for our usual 5 miles before I teach (and she takes) my pilates class.  The wind was not very kind as we took off and the gps on my phone would not kick in.  Two more nails in my run.  We still took off and after a mile I admitted to her that I wasn't sure if I could make it.  My legs were so heavy, tired and sore.  Ugh!  She didn't try and push me, maybe she should have.  But she knows me best and it is VERY rare that I ever back down from a run.  We didn't stop completely, we re-routed our run and still finished a little more than 4 miles.  I know, plenty of you will think 4 miles is wonderful.  Aside from the great company they were 4 sucky miles.  It's bound to happen though from time to time.  I'm glad I got the miles done and hope it's a stepping stone to making me a better, stronger runner.

2.  NEWSFLASH:  It's Valentine's Day!  No, really, Captain Obvious!  I'm very neutral on this holiday.  I'm not all mushy and sentimental and I don't expect gifts (although I wouldn't mind and would never complain!).  Actually I am those things (mushy, sentimental, total gift lover), but more so every day of my life.  An official holiday on the calendar doesn't make it even more so within me.  I want those thing every single day of my life.  The big hoopla of a holiday makes me rebel and say so what!  I just go with the flow and what it is is what it is.

Today, however, despite it being just another day I was inspired.  I wasn't really planning anything "special" or out of the ordinary.  I came across this picture on facebook and couldn't get it out of my mind. It got me thinking about other famous/well known tv couples.  More specifically tv couples that my husband, Jim, and I love and relate to.  I wouldn't say we are huge tv watchers, but after 18+ years together we've had some shows that we loved and always watched together.  So often we don't even say anything to each other, we would sit there watching the show we loved, then just looked at each other and busted out laughing with the realization that could just as easily be us and our lives on that tv screen.  I came up with a list of tv shows and couples that we love and feel like we represent them in some way or another.

It also reminded me of the saying: We don't have it all together, but together we have it all.  That was my sudden inspiration of the day and it came from deep within and greatly represents that last 18 Valentine's I've spent with Jim.

Another running friend, Connie sent me, this great link from Runner's World.  It's so funny and corny I laughed through the whole thing.

I hope everyone is having a great Thursday.  Valentine's Day or not I send out my love to you on this special day!  XOXO

Tuesday's Tunes - Auto pilot

I didn't think I was going to have any tunes to report to you today.  My running partner has kicked things up a notch and we've been running together a lot.  Usually for every ten of my "do you want to run" invites to her we actually only run once or twice.  It's just how our running relationship works.  It's neither good or bad, we just run when we can even if we think about it more often.  Anyway, for a change things have lined up several times recently for us to be out racking up the miles together.  I am always so happy and thankful when I get to run with her.  She always makes my run better!

I was planning on running with her this morning which means I would not have listened to any music.  When I woke up this morning I saw a text from her that she wasn't going to make it.  I was tempted to sleep in and just deal with a run later.  That ready or not here I come go get 'em attitude is very hard to find at 4 a.m.  Knowing that Tuesdays have very little wiggle room for a run I finally got myself up and going.  5 miles is what I was shooting for and I was going to have just enough time to get that done.  No lollygagging, taking my time or thinking I had earned a slower pace.  Doing any of those would have resulted in less miles.  Yes, there is a huge difference in getting 4 vs. 5 miles done.

With all of this going on I felt distracted during my run.  When I looked back over my song list I don't even remember hearing most of the songs.  In one ear and out the other.  On one hand I'm glad that I can do this.  As much as I love music and use it during all solo runs, I don't rely on it to motivate me or keep me going.  Yes, it does often do that for me, but it's not it's sole purpose.  On the other hand I don't like that I was not able to really take in the moments of my run.  I wouldn't say that I didn't enjoy my run, but then again I was so distracted I can't say I did enjoy it either.  I seemed to be on auto pilot.  I just went and ran.  I was really glad that I got it done, but don't want this to be a regular habit with my running.

Here are the tunes that played while I ran:

Getting to Know You - The King & I (finding the original sung my Marni Nixon was not possible)
Look Away - Chicago
Heal the World - Michael Jackson
Patience - Guns N' Roses
Cuddles the Calico Kitten - Dora Hall
I'm a Believer - The Monkees
Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO
Who Let the Dogs Out - Baha Men
Lord, I Lift Your Name on High - Go Fish
This Is One of Those Moments - Yentl/Barbra Streisand
Beautiful Things _ Gungor

Ready or Not Here I Come!!

It can be often true that you need a vacation from taking a vacation.  After our week at Disney, I really needed a week to sleep in, lounge around and soak up (some more) sun!  It also seems to be that no matter how much you keep working to get back into your groove you still need just a little more time.  All last week I kept saying and thinking "I'm getting back to it", but didn't quite feel I was there.  My standard of "normal" is pretty high so that makes it hard enough.  Then I had to go and deal with being sick and that, well, it really just sucked.  I know, boo hoo, cry me a river.  I really got off easy in terms of how bad it could have been, but it still sucked none the less.  Anyway.....

My friend, Jill, commented about her next ultra (Hawkeye 50k) coming up in (now) 19 days.  At first I smiled and was happy for her.....until I realized that I am running the same race!  Zoinks!!!!  I'm not ready for that! was my first thought.  I just got home from vacation and I've been sick (I know you all feel so sorry for me).  Sure my running had been going really great, but again, the above reasons took it to not quite a grinding halt, but a pretty slow crawl.  Ugh!

No more working my way back into things.  No more excuses, even if they are understandably justifiable.  Vacation is OVER and my sickness has been kicked to the curb!

I kicked it into gear over the weekend with not only 1, but 2, 10 mile runs.  The first one went fast and was "easy".  Actually I was with my running partner and the time passed with ease and we distracted ourselves.  The second one I was by myself at the Y on the treadmill.  That, dear readers, is a good definition of an awful time!  But I got it done (and it really wasn't THAT bad, I was just bored out of my mind!)!  Today being Monday was no excuse either.  It's been 3 weeks, but I got back to my regular training schedule.  That meant up and at the Y at 5:30 a.m. for a 10 mile bike and a 2 mile run.  Later I went back and took a Spartacus class and swam 1/2 mile.  For extra fun (actually I was just helping out a friend) I taught her fitness class at the college which was a Les Mills body pump class.  I have never done that before.  Oh.  my.  goodness!!  It's debatable if I'll even be able to move tomorrow.  Either way, I'm back on track FOR REAL now!  I've got me an ultra in 19 days!!!!

Three Things Thursday: Back on Track

1. We arrived home from vacation early Monday morning.  Yes, we drove all night after hitting the road at noon from the Orlando area on Sunday.  We took 2 extended breaks for lunch and supper otherwise it was go, go, go to get home.  "Sleeping" in a moving vehicle overnight filled with 6 kids and our stuff from the week made it veeeeerrrrrrry interesting.  We made it home safe and sound and it's fair to say the vacation was WONDERFUL!  After unpacking the van, dumping it in the house & taking a well deserved nap I went out for a quick 2 mile run.  No time to waste, time to get back on track!!

2.  I have a lot to do to get us back to "normal" in terms of day to day living.  Which is why I still held off on blogging.  There is just so much to do!  Adding to all of that is our life taking off in many directions.  Kids back to school, hubby & I back to our jobs (in addition to my never ending 24/7 wife/mom position), practices, meetings, my oldest son's birthday......ahhhhhhh!  Blogging can wait an extra day or two, my running can not.  Other than my 2 miler on my first day  back I jumped right back to 5 a.m. runs on Tuesday & Thursdays.  Wednesday I slept in, but slipped out on a nice afternoon run in mid 40 degree temps.  My standard is back to a minimum of 4-5 miles.  The only reason I run 4 is if I don't have enough time, otherwise it's at least 5.  Looking forward to a nice long this weekend with my running partner.  Taking a "break" while on vacation was great, but now I have to make up some miles and I am more than ready to get back on track!!

3.  To add to all this loveliness I am sick.   Sort of, kind of, ok maybe not.  Or maybe I just don't like to admit it.  No matter what we want to call it, it's not bad at all.  At least not in 6packmomma terms.  Sure I'm miserable and would love to curl up in bed all day long.  Honestly though, in every aspect, I don't have time for that!  I'm fairly certain it's just an adjustment of going from 80 degree temps to 30 in less than 24 hours.  Regardless of the cause it's hitting me hard!  Not enough to stop my running.  Trust me, I've come to the conclusion that it will likely have to be physically impossible for me not to run before I will not run.  Stupid?  Maybe?  Dedicated?  Perhaps?  FOR ME this works well though. (I'm not recommending this for everyone or think you should do it too)  My running itself is awesome!  I just need to wait out this cold or sickness or whatever you want to call it because I am back on track to normal (WHATEVER that is!!)