Wrapping it up!!

I hope everyone had a good Christmas!  We had a good day here in California even though Christmas finally brought in the cold.  We’ve hit freezing the last few nights and had colder days.   Yes, it has been nothing like anyone who gets actual snow but it’s cold for someone like me.  I think the perfect running temp is around 73 and I almost like running in 95-100º.   Crazy, I know.

Christmas was good this year and I can finally share a few things I purchased for my family.   I was super excited about these gifts this year, there were others but I had fun with these-IMG_8280

Road ID-  Ok this one is mine but I ordered a similar one for my mom and I ordered a FIXX ID for my dad for when he hikes.    IMG_8213

My mother has been saying that she wanted something with a logo on.  This is the back and the front says photographer.

My family proved just well they knew me as well-IMG_8223

I’ve come to realize that part of the reason I may have only run 34 miles in December 2013 was that there are so many things to be done.   My mileage so far this month is not where I had hoped it would be.  I had two tiny weeks in a row that put a dent in my goal.   But that’s ok- people first right?  I have one more commitment on Monday evening and then I think I am done!     Christmas is typically a lazy day with my family and I have always looked forward to it.  Last year, I ran a few miles to break in the Garmin I had received but this was a return to the norm.  It was so nice.  We hung out and watched Love Actually and then multiple episodes of Supernatural.  While enjoying yummy food of course.  🙂IMG_8255

Friday was back to work and I was confused all day.  It was a Friday but felt more like a Monday.    Even with that, I was able to restrain myself from eating cookies (Cookie Friday) which is kind of huge for me.  Saturday consisted of the usual errands and waiting around for it get a little warmer before running.   I admit to having little desire to run but I knew I was short on miles and also needed to get in a longish run.  10 was on the schedule but that didn’t seem like a smart idea after 2 short weeks.  So I headed out around 3, figuring I would aim for 8 but would settle for 4.5 if I still wasn’t feeling it.   For my longer runs, I have decided to aim for a pace around 11:15-11:30.   I really want them to feel easier and be more of a focus on time than pace.   Up until Saturday, it was going well.longslow1227

The run felt hard from the start and my legs felt weirdly achy.  I figured the cold was aggravating my asthma because I didn’t feel like I was pushing hard.  I had a route in mind but going up a hill in mile 2, I changed it up and ran that hill 3 times.   That section is kind of triangular so it was run up, walk a block over and run down to repeat.  From there it just a series of loops around neighborhoods but I did hit that hill again around mile 6.   I paused for a moment at an elementary school to check my shoes- they felt uncomfortable and just off- and use my inhaler again.   It was there I noticed my pace, aside from my first mile, every other mile was in the 10’s.  Slow down fool!  My legs had a mind of their own and the last 4 miles were faster than the first 4.  I was literally talking out loud to myself saying “slow down” but I just couldn’t seem to make it happen.  I took walk breaks in every mile just to slow down.   On one hand this is kind of awesome because it’s closer to what I used to be able to do but I need more self-control.   I should have been able to rein it in when I need to.    So yay but ugh?  🙂IMG_8275

Sunday called for an easy 6 and it was the perfect time to break in some new, shiny shoes.    I attribute the aches from my long run to my shoes.  I had noticed my neon Wave Rider’s had gone from good to not good overnight recently but I was hoping for another 50 miles or so.  All of my treadmill miles have been run in my Sayonara’s and have been relatively ache free.   Granted the condition of our streets doesn’t help but I had a feeling my Wave Rider’s were just done.   I bought another pair in October and just stashed them until needed.    What a world of difference!  Putting them on today made me realize just how bad the previous pair had been, I had arch support again!   Today’s 6 miles felt good, no aches other than a little soreness from yesterday.  Woo hoo!

How was your Christmas?

Ever have a pair of shoes go bad seemingly overnight?

Ready for 2015?  I’m getting there- next post will be goals.  🙂

18 thoughts on “Wrapping it up!!”

  1. I tried to watch Love Actually again – Actually, I kept seeing it pop up everywhere, every one was watching it, so I figured I should probably go ahead and watch it and see what the fuss was about. I realized soon that I had actually watched it before. I kept recognizing the characters, but had no clue how it ended.

    I still don’t know – I think I made it 45 min before I gave up!

    But, I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

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    1. Haha, I used to love it but the more I watched, the more I realized that it’s kind of a bummer. I haven’t watched in years but for some reason that was my mom’s choice on Christmas day, so not her usual taste!

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  2. I had a great Christmas–most especially because I was finally able to run! I actually think my current shoes are on their way out, which is a bummer since they’re only a little over 200 miles, but what can you do?

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  5. Sounds like a fun Christmas! I love those gifts, especially the GAF socks 😉
    My first pair of “official” running shoes – ones that were fitted for me at a running store – totally went bad seemingly overnight. They were perfect for months and then out of nowhere I started getting shooting pains in the outside of my foot. As soon as I switched to different shoes (same kind, just a new pair) the pain disappeared immediately.
    Here’s to a new year! Hopefully one that is injury-free for us all! 🙂

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    1. I have a feeling I am going to wear those socks out! Yeah, the new pair was so much better! Unfortunately they no longer make this model so hopefully I like the new version . I second that for an injury free year!

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  6. Yay for new shoes! I’m glad your run felt great in them. I’m always a little reluctant to put my old shoes on the shelf, but when those pains start, it’s absolutely necessary. December is my lowest mileage month this year! It’s a little disappointing (especially considering I ran a marathon this month!), but I’m learning to be ok with it. I’m just eager to start the new year off good and smart.

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    1. Mentally (emotionally) I just wasn’t prepared to say goodbye to those shoes but at least I was prepared. That’s exactly what I have been trying to tell myself since I realized I wasn’t going to hit my December goal- better to be smart than push. Nice job on the marathon!

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  7. Loved all of your IG pics, looks like a great Christmas and glad it worked out well for you! As for the shoes … yeah, my Saucony Virratas felt like one Monday I put them on and they were just *done*. Weird 😉

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  8. Such fun Christmas gifts! I feel you on the cold temperatures…it’s definitely not motivating me in the running department. I read all these blogs where it is snowing, and I feel so lame when they are still running 80+ miles this month. Good luck with your new shoes! 🙂

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    1. Right? They are running in snow with icicles on their faces and I’m over here whining about the cold. Granted we are having the coldest week of winter so far, they are predicting 18 degrees overnight, but still it makes me feel like a big baby.

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