2010 in photos

2010 was not only a fun year, but it was a year of some awesome events and pictures.

I started January by rockin' my McGyver compression socks:

In February, we got hit by a ton of snow and I got to start marathon training long runs with lots of loops on icy roads and a ton of treadmill running:

In March, I got soundly beaten by a leprechaun and a hellish hill:

In April,  I ran the hilliest half marathon I've ever run (and I've run a LOT of hilly races) and got poured on for much of it (but hey, I got Tennessee out of it):

In May, I "chic'd" the heck out of some guys and finished my second marathon with my kids running me in (and knocked Pennsylvania off the "to do" list):

In June, I started my barefoot career with a walk in DC and also got to race with two of my favorite running chics:

In July, I got to share a beer with my favorite running/beer blogger and rocked a 10 miler with my dad in Alaska:

In August, I headed to Wisconsin for the best beer festival ever and a meet-up with some awesome running bloggers (nevermind that I didn't run the race the next morning...):

In September, I paced my first "client" to a half marathon finish and PR'd at a 5K in my Vibrams (and a skirt!):

October offered the chance to race in Vermont and New Hampshire, as well as spend time at the Harpoon Octoberfest:

In November, I ran my favorite Turkey Trot and managed to injure my achilles:

December ended on a high note with my RRCA certification, a new medal shelf from my dad, and a mostly rehabbed achilles.

Happy New Year to all my bloggy buddies! I'm looking forward to meeting some of you in 2011, hitting a few new states, hosting some giveaways, and maybe hosting another virtual race. I'll be back in a couple of days with my 2011 goals (Is this where I should admit I have no goals yet? LOL) See you in 2011!

2010 in review

Despite a late in the year injury, 2010 was a pretty good year.  I ran more miles than I've ever run.  I PR'd at two distances (oddly enough a 5k and a marathon).  I got some new states in and I drank a whole lot of beer.  What more could I ask for?  OK, I admit it, I'm greedy.  I'll be asking more of 2011, but we'll talk about that later.  First, let's take a look at 2010.

I had 2 big plans going into the year:  Alaska and a marathon.

Big Plan #1 -Alaska.  We nailed this one.  We had an amazing trip, my dad and I rocked a 10 mile race, and we hit way too many brewpubs.  ;o)  It was a great way to celebrate 15 years of marriage and my 40th birthday.

Big Plan #2 - Run a 2nd marathon.  Nailed this one too.  PR'd by 14 minutes at the Bob Potts marathon.  I didn't hit my goal of 4:30 though, so there may be another one in the future.

My goals all stemmed from the above plans...

So, the goals were:

1. Train smart, enjoy my training, and successfully PR in a spring marathon.

Yes, yes, and yes. 

2. Race in at least 3 states.

Let's see - I hit Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Vermont, and New Hampshire.  So, yep, another goal met.

3. Cross train.

FAIL!  It wasn't until I was injured at Thanksgiving that I picked up the cross training.  I've got Bikram yoga and the gym going on these days, but who knows how long that will last.

4. 4 is the new 3.

Kind of.  After my coaching class, I started varying my run distances more.  I was doing 4 miles 4 days a week and one long run.  I'm now trying to get back to two 3s, two 6s, and a long run - with the short runs to increase as I go along.

Non-running goals (yes, I had a few of those as well.)

1. Bring a little beer to the blog.

I think I did ok on this.  Some Savor posts, a few beer dinners, a few brewpubs and a meet-up with Jamoosh added a little non-running fun.

2. Start exploring how to turn some of my interests into a job.

Well, I started writing over at Metro DC Mom.  I also got my RRCA certification as a running coach.  I'm volunteering with a local running store and potentially helping with a race.  I'm also apprenticing with another coach and considering further personal training certifications.  So, yeah, I'm slowly, slowly finding a "not going back to the 9-5" career path.  Only time will tell on that.

All in all, I'd call 2010 a successful year.   There've been some stressful times (pretty much the whole month of October and a chunk of November), but there's been a lot of fun and adventure along the way. 

So, what's in store for 2011?  Well, you are just going to have to wait a day or two to hear.  ;o)

I can't run slow

At least not on the treadmill (and slow is relative, people.)

Yesterday I did another 4 mile run on the treadmill.  I had the boys home with me (I have them all week while Beer Geek works), so I either needed to run on the treadmill or hit the road when he came home.  It was super windy out and I was afraid I'd lose my motivation, so I hit the treadmill.  My plan right now is to start super slowly and then run a couple of miles at a 10:30 pace.  I got the first part right - my first mile was right around 11:30. But then I kept hitting the up arrow.  Again. And again.  In the end, I finished four miles in 40 minutes. (Which isn't smokin' by any means, but means I was running closer to a 9 minute pace at the end).

And the best part?  Yep, you guessed it.  No pain.  Whispering: I think I'm back in action!

Coming up:  2010 in review and some goals/plans for 2011.  Is there a marathon in my future?  Stay tuned and find out.  ;o)

Awesome Christmas present

So I blogged about the amazing Christmas present my dad gave me.  And Beer Geek and I don't exchange gifts (and Jones didn't make me a gift at school for the first time ever.  Ok, that made me a bit sad.)

So, what did I get that was so amazing?

3.2 miles of outside running with NO PAIN!  Best Christmas present ever.  It was chilly and there were flurries and I was OMG! slow, but it didn't hurt and I loved every minute of it.

All I want for 2011 is more pain free running.  (OK, and a Rav4 with a V6 engine and a third row, but that's a whole different problem.)

Is that too much to ask?

Randomest 3 Things Thursday Ever!

1.  I can't be trusted around sweets.  I just can't.  And if I eat one, I eat 10.  My usual plan for dealing with that is not having any that *I* really like in the house.  Unfortunately, right now I have some awesome cookies my mom made and some chocolates a friend made.  I ate so many last night I'm not even hungry for breakfast.  Sigh.

2.  We get our produce from a delivery service called Washington's Green Grocer.  They provide organic produce at a reasonable price.  Each week (or every other week) you get a delivery of whatever their basket is that week.  Unlike a CSA though, you can go online and switch stuff.  For the third delivery in a row, I forgot to change things.  I now have enough turnips to feed an entire third world country.   Anyone got an awesome turnip recipe I can feed my ILs on Christmas?

3.  Yesterday, Jones' grade had a Greek Festival.  All the kids dressed up for the event and parents came in and helped (I got to work the standing long jump.)  I was one of only two parents who dressed up.  I got lots of comments about that, but seriously, my kid asked me to, so why wouldn't I?  I'm 40 years old and a runner (and we all know runners wear goofy stuff and have lots of embarrassing moments)- why should I care if I look goofy?  It did seem weird to wear a toga and not do inverted keg hits, but, ahem, I'm pretty sure the principal would have frowned on that.  ;o)

We have a pretty laid back holiday around here (already did Christmas with my parents and won't do Christmas with Beer Geek's family until the 26th), so I'll be around, but Merry Christmas to everyone who won't be online for a while.

Looking for some last minute gifts?  Check out my Metro DC Mom blog for some ideas.

And did you do a 3 Things Thursday?  Feel free to link up!

Mostly Wordless Wednesday: Look what I got!

 My dad made me this medal holder for Christmas!  He even made slots on the shelf to hold the coins that the military races around here like to give out.  I'm so excited to finally have a place for medals again.  So excited, in fact, that it's time to get moving again and find some good races.   Thanks, Dad!

Getting it where I can

Exercise, that is.

Remember these arms?

I got those thanks to the FEET of snow we got in February.  My arms don't look quite like that right now, but between hot yoga, lifting weights at the gym, and this...

I'm working on getting those arms back.  The two inches of snow we got were a far cry from the two feet we got last time it snowed, but the boys wanted a snow fort, so I carried every shovel full to the corner of the yard for them.

The best workout I've had lately was pushing Shoo in his stroller to pick up Jones from school in the snow. That? Was a challenge.

Running is slowly improving. Yesterday, I ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill with some of it actually at a sub-10 minute pace. I totalled 9.8 miles for the week, so I'm making progress. I'm hoping to hit 1275 miles for the year - 19 miles to go to get there.

A Very Bloggy Christmas

Look what came in the mail last night...

My gift from the bloggy gift exchange organized by Jill.  AJH at Age Groups Rock sent me a lovely glass and bottle opener from Otter Creek and some really soft,warm socks from Cabot Hosiery Mills.  Do you think maybe she knows me?  LOL   Huge thank you to AJH for the awesome gift and to Jill for organizing.  I promise I'll be mailing my bloggy buddy their gift soon!

I hit the gym today for a little fun with the elliptical.  I also ran one lap on the indoor track.  My ankle is still not loving non-treadmill running, but it didn't hurt as much as last time. I'm going to have to just keep taking it easy.

It's snowing here right now, but surprisingly, the county has yet to decide to close school early.  I have the stroller packed with snow pants and snow boots, just in case.  Yes, I am a Wisconsin girl who doesn't drive in the snow.  What can I say - I know my limitations LOL.

Winter weather wimp?

I'm a Wisconsin girl at heart.  I love colder weather.  I have no problem going out when it's cold out, as long as I've dressed appropriately.  Umm, until this year that is.

This year, I can't seem to stay warm.  I'm wearing ridiculous amounts of layers to bed.  I'm choosing the treadmill for nearly every run (ok, my ankle is playing a role in that.)  I'm even doing Bikram yoga.  Yes, people, I am CHOOSING to be hot for an hour and a half.  (And this past summer I actually ran several times when it was over 100 degrees.)  Is my inner southerner coming out after nearly 20 years in Virginia?

I ran an easy (and again pain-free) 3.3 miles on the treadmill again today. Yesterday I did Bikram yoga, tomorrow I'll hit the gym for some time on the elliptical and bike.  What's up with doing something besides running and enjoying it?

Apparently, I've become a cross-training, heat loving girl.  Where did MCM Mama go (and really, should I even try to get her back)?

(Speaking of cold weather, my post over at Metro DC Mom has some tips for preparing for cold/snow.  Hop on over to check out the tips and/or add your own.)

A little sunshine

Life has been kind of grey lately.  No major problems (thank goodness), but lot of little annoyances.  Yesterday was a much better day.

• We woke to and walked to school in a light dusting of snow
• I ran a really slow but PAIN FREE! 3 miles on the treadmill
• This came in the mail (Thanks to Anne Franklin Designs and Shut Up and Run!)

• Then a box of this was delivered.

•  And then an email that said this arrived.

I’m pleased to say “congratulations coach”. 

You have successfully completed the certification requirements

and are now an RRCA certified coach. 

Merry Christmas to me!

I'm "it".

Miss Zippy tagged me with some running related questions.  Since I don't have a lot of running to talk about these days, I'm actually going to answer them.  ;o)  I did manage a 3! mile run on the treadmill today.  I felt a few twinges near the end, but nothing major.  My goal for the week is three runs of three-four miles each.

1. Do you prefer winter or summer running? Why?  I'm a winter runner all the way.  I'd much rather run in really cold weather than in the Virginia heat and humidity.  I hate being hot (and yes, I'm still taking another Bikram yoga class) and there's only so much clothing you can take off, kwim?
2. What's been your toughest race to date?  My two toughest races were actually not my two longest.  My first half marathon, the Zooma Annapolis half, was living hell.  It was the first hot day of the season.  I'd gotten myself a bit dehydrated before I started.  It was hilly. I went out too fast.  My other tough race, the Lighthouse Run 10 miler,  was similar - too hot at the beginning of the season.  I've learned I have to be really careful about long races at the start of the summer.  My body is just not ready.
3. Running goals for 2011?  My number one goal is to get back to my "regular" mileage pain free.  I miss going out for a run whenever and for as long as I want.  I'd also like to hit four more states.  In a perfect world, I'll also pull off another sub-2 hour half marathon, but I'm trying to focus on recovery at this point.
4. Do you have any other passions in life? Besides my family, my other passion is sharing my love of running and fitness.  I'm training to be a coach and personal trainer so that I can help other moms find their inner runner (or biker or whatever).  I strongly believe that if you don't take care of yourself both physically and mentally, you are less capable of taking care of others.  Women often forget this and put everyone else first.  I want to teach others how to be selfish in a good way.
5. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?  My first choice would be near family, but since that's not really an option (Beer Geek won't move north), I'd like to live some place where the weather does not fluctuate as drastically as here.  I'd love some place like San Diego or the Pacific North West.  Really though, I love where I am.  It has its drawbacks, but I've been here for 16 years and it's comfortable now.

Who's next?  I choose Rene', TriFitMom, and Johann.   Feel free to use the five above questions or answer the questions on Miss Zippy's blog or make up your own.  I'm easy that way.  ;o)

Running slow to, well, run...

As you know, a little over a month ago, I embraced the RRCA theory of running slow to run fast.  It basically involves running a LOT of miles slowly.  Tonia and G recently embraced this method and have been knocking out PRs left and right, so it does work.  Unfortunately, I managed to injure myself while I was still in the very beginning of building my mileage to the kind of mileage RRCA recommends, so I had yet to see those kind of gains.

Right now, I'm instead embracing a different theory.  It's the "run slow to run at all" theory.  I ran three times last week for a grand total of 6.3 miles.  Two of the runs were very slow on the treadmill and were pain free.  The last run was in my hilly neighborhood, not quite as slow, and in the wrong pair of shoes (not my new ones).  Guess what?  Yep, I had some pain.  I could definitely feel it on the uphills and there were some twinges on the downhills.  Thankfully, my digestive system got in on the act and I ended up walking the last half mile home, thereby saving myself from really hurting myself again.

So, for now, I'm running slowly and I'm running on the treadmill.  But at least I'll be running.

I'll also be hitting up the gym and taking Bikram yoga and taking my Vitamin D and hoping I can manage to keep the darkness at bay until I can really hit the pavement again.

Any other suggestions for beating the winter blahs?  I can use everything I can find since I'm not getting my requisite running endorphins right now.

Bikram Yoga Review

First off, I'm not big into yoga.  I've only ever done yoga as part of another class.  I took a pi-yo (pilates yoga) class when Jones was a baby, but that's it.

It felt amazing to walk into the hot, hot room.  I can't imagine enjoying that in summer, but right now when I've felt cold for a week, it felt great.  I was afraid I'd have trouble with the heat and everyone told me just to sit if I needed to.  Apparently, just staying in the room the first few times is an accomplishment.

Surprisingly, I managed to complete the whole workout.  I was dripping wet by the end and had a bit of trouble grabbing onto slippery body parts, but it.was.awesome.  I found the balance poses a challenge, but that's a personal issue LOL.  I also had trouble with some of the floor work because my ankles, calves, and quads are tight, but I managed to do every exercise at my own level.  Today, I mildly sore in places I didn't even know could get sore, but it's nothing like the soreness after a marathon, so I'm liking it.

Will I do it again?  Yep.  It's hard to work it into my schedule and I got dehydrated yesterday (I was rushed to pick up the kids and then we were out all afternoon), but the workout was a nice change from running and I think it will eventually help with my running.  I'm hoping to manage it once a week after the holidays, at least while it's cold out.

If you get a chance, check out a sesssion!

Three things Thursday

1.  So about that picture...  Marlene hit the nail on the head.  And, no, it wasn't staged.  The (empty) beer was still on the table from the previous night and I was blogging about hurting my achilles at the Turkey Trot LOL.  I was actually not particularly thrilled he took the picture.

2. Today I'm planning to hit a Bikram yoga class.  I'm not generally a fan of being hot, but it's been so darn cold lately that I might actually enjoy it.  I'll be sure to blog about it.  I'm trying really hard to keep cross training a part of my life as I head back to running. (Edited to add:  I may not be able to lift my armes tomorrow.)

3.  My Metro DC Mom blog got mentioned on the Washington Post's local blog summary because of the post I wrote about Tonia's 35 piece wardrobe last week.  I've also been mentioned on dcblogs because apparently I stink and I'm lazy.  I'm kind of beginning to worry about my local reputation LOL.

Have a happy Thursday, my friends!

Mostly Wordless Wednesday: All about me

Beer Geek couldn't resist snapping this picture because he said it represents me so perfectly.  Can you guess the aspects he's referring to?

Cafe Press offered me a free custom Sigg bottle.  Since I LOVE reusable bottles and can always use another Sigg, I took them up on the offer and designed a bottle for my business.  They were great to work with and I'm pleased with how it turned out.  (Disclaimer:  I paid nothing for it, the opinions are my own.  CafePress is the online destination for custom hoodies, personalized t-shirts and even Valentine’s Day gifts! ).

On the running side, I ran again today.  2.5 miles on a treadmill with 0 incline at a 10:30 pace = no pain.  I'm hopeful I'll be back to normal soon.

Runner's block

I'm having "writer's block" these days and I blame it on the lack of running.  It's not just blogging about running that's affected.  I haven't felt like updating my facebook status or tweeting or writing on my other blog.  I've even had trouble with real life writing I'm expected to do.  Somehow, not having time to zone out (or alternatively, tune in) while running has affected all aspects of my ability to think.

My ankle feels fine today after yesterday's maiden run.  In a way, I feel like I'm starting all over again, but I'm hoping that I can carefully up my mileage without reinjury as long as I stay slow.  The last week and a half of not running proved something to me that I've known all along.  Running keeps me "me".  I tiptoed along the edge of depression (who wouldn't with all the crap in the last few weeks?), but cross training kept me on the right side of that.  But, I've just felt off (and still do to some extent) for at least the last week.  Yesterday after my run, I felt the most normal I've felt since I hurt myself.

I love PRs.  I love long distances.  But I'll run slow and I'll run short if it means I can run for a lot more years.  I plan to be that old lady winning her age group just by virtue of finishing.  And maybe when I'm 70, I'll qualify for Boston.  ;o)

I ran! I ran!

Ok, it was slow (very slow) and only two miles, but it DID.NOT.HURT!  Woohoo!  I had a tiny bit of soreness when I pressed on my achilles after I ran, so I iced it, but it didn't hurt while I ran.  Yay!

I did a short warm-up walking on the treadmill and probably averaged about an 11 minute mile when I was running.  I also had the incline set at 0.  I hardly felt like I was working out, but my mood improved immediately.

I'm really hoping we've turned a corner around here.  Shoo seems to be about done with the pink eye and his cold.  Jones is done with strep for the moment (still need to get an ENT consult).  My new dryer is being delivered on Wednesday (did I mention my dryer died on Saturday evening? Yeah, my daily "screw you".  Lovely.)  And I can run again, albeit slowly.

Fingers crossed that the bad karma that's been hitting us is done.  Please?

Ghosts of races past

Look what came in the mail yesterday!

Pacers had a series where if you ran all the races in the series, you got a medal.  "Run Arlington" included 5 races in Arlington County.  I managed to run in all of them.

First up was the Love the Run You're With 5k. Thanks to the "Snowpocalypse", this race was rescheduled and they ended up offering a virtual opportunity. I decided to run it virtually and volunteer at the actual race.

Next was the Four Courts Four Miler. This race had one heck of a hill and one heck of a speedy leprechaun. Thankfully, they rewarded us with a Guinness at the end.

As a last race before my marathon, I ran the Quarter Marathon at the Pacers Running Festival where I got a PR (first time I've run a quarter marathon LOL) and chic'd the hell out of a couple of guys.

The next race I ran was the Crystal City Twilighter 5k where I didn't PR, but I did get to run a 5k in close to 100 degree heat.   That is something I hope never to repeat.

And finally, the Clarendon Days 5k, where I PR'd in my Vibrams and a running skirt. 

All in all, it was a great series for me.  I love Pacers' races and I really enjoyed racing. Glad it ended before I got injured 'cause you know I would have run the last race regardless if that's all I had left for the medal.

And for those of you keeping track at home, today's "pebble" is that Shoo has pink eye.  Guess that answers the "What's next?" question.

The hits just keep on coming

For the last two weeks, I've felt a bit like I'm being stoned to death by pebbles.  I'm thankful that all of my problems are relatively minor, but the inconvenience and frustration factor is way up there.  Every time I start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, something new happens.  Today, we discovered we have flying squirrels in our attic.  Seriously.   I'd ask "what next?", but that seems to get me in trouble every time.

The "best" part of all this?  I still can't run.  I tried on Tuesday and today and both times I made it less than an eighth of a mile before my ankle was yelling at me.  On the bright side, it now stops hurting within minutes of quitting running.  (I was limping a bit for two days after Thanksgiving.)  On the not so bright side, I still can't run.

Amazingly, I'm ok.  Today I worked out at the gym for an hour. I hit the elliptical, the rower, and a recumbent bike.  They all got my heart rate up and none of them hurt.  One of the old guys who's always there commented on my exercise ADD, but at least I got an hour in.  Tomorrow, I plan to try out Bikram yoga for the first time.  I'm telling myself that I'm becoming more well rounded (and I'm actually becoming less "rounded" as my muscles respond to these different workouts).  I'm also telling myself that it will help me coach if I get an injured runner.  Sometimes I even believe what I'm saying, but it's awfully hard to be a runner who can't run.