Category: oops!

The Week that Was

You know that quote?

Yeah that’s the one. This week definitely ran me. While Tuesday was a planned rest day, it turned decidedly less so shortly after my last post. Food poisoning, yippy!!!! I was up most of the night feeling horrid. I hated the sound of my alarm more than usual on Wednesday morning. I drug myself out of bed and made myself presentable. Well, I tried to, I realized on the way to work that I had forgotten mascara. I have never even run without mascara. Luckily I had one stashed at work. I don’t wear a lot to begin with but I felt naked without mascara. 🙂

Thankfully, Wednesday was the last day of our inspection. I put on a smiley face and mustered on. Not gonna lie, it took 2 Diet cokes (big ones) and a cup of coffee to do it. I had a hot flash before the exit interview and one after. It could have been due to the stress or the lingering sickness from the night before. I really wanted to run after; I had my clothes and everything, but I was completely whipped. Just the thought of having to change my clothes sounded exhausting. I left my running gear at work for the next day and just headed home. Which turned out to be the smart choice because I was sick again. 😦

Thursday I was still super tired, but everything else felt better. Work was so nice without Mr. inspector looming around. Plus my replacement Fuelband finally arrived!!! 3 in 13 months but more on that later. 🙂 I have a busy Saturday this week, so I was shooting for getting in my long run after work that night. I figured I could get 8 miles in around the lake before twilight set in. Work was done, I changed, hit the car and headed for the lake. Then the phone rang.

My mother had Zoey spayed on Wednesday and she (the puppy) was having a rough go. My mother was out of town for a tennis match so the pup was with my pops. He wasn’t dealing so well with an under the weather puppy and kept calling my mom telling her the dog was “freaking out”. She wanted to know if I could go to the pet store and find one of those cone things for Zoey and then go check on her. Ok, no more long run. 😦 I figured I could at least get in 3 laps of the lake.

I hurried there and set out running. Halfway through mile 1, I decided that if I couldn’t run long, then I would run hard. I mean hard (hard for me), I was aiming for race pace. I figured my last 5K race was 27:54, I wanted to hit that. The weather was good, the park was full of people. Actually very full, apparently Thursdays are popular. I kept pushing; I was breaking one of my own rules, I was huffing and puffing on a training run. But it felt good, really good. End result – 3.1 miles -26:35. Hell yeah!!!!

Under 27, I was pumped!!!!! I walked a cool down and then went to stretch. My usual stretching bar was occupied so I used the railing around the observation part of the path. I also attempted a selfie or 2. I should just give up, they never turn out. The only reason I am smiling in this one is because I had just realized that behind where I was stretching and taking crappy pictures was a class full of people line dancing. Oops! Cue embarrassed laughter.

I went to Petco and picked up a cone and some new toys for the pup and then headed that way. She ran right up to me when I got there. She had been hanging with my pops in the garage. He again expressed the opinion that she was going psycho but I don’t think she was that bad. I wrestled the cone onto her head and we played with her new toys until my mom got home.

Today was pretty good but I wish I had managed to get a run in. This week has turned into an accidental taper. It’s leaving me a little stumped about how to proceed next week during actual taper time. Plus I drank too much soda, ate too much sugar and too many chips getting through it. Stress bites. I am getting new tires on my car tomorrow and I have a work thing in the afternoon, so I am trying to figure when to fit in an 8 miler. Hmmm, can this Slacker pull it off?

How have your week’s been?

Anyone racing this weekend?

Running with a Jiggle

Want to know a good way to find what areas you need to tone? Fall at work, get bruised and then go for a run. A similar thing happened a few years ago after I was attacked by a dog while out ~~running~~ walking. I was left with a giant bruise and puncture marks on my backside. First time I tried to walk/ run, I could no longer deny that my butt jiggled. Seriously it hurt. Damaged my ego a bit too. 🙂

Friday was a little crazy at work and I had a late lunch. I was sitting in the back at the table eating when the phone rang. Getting up to answer is where the trouble started. I had one foot propped on the chair across from me and one wrapped under mine. Somehow I tangled my chair in the chair next to me when getting up, slammed the second chair into the inside of my left leg and face slammed into the door. I say slammed because my co-workers informed me you can only call it a face plant if you hit the ground. Good to know.

I worked Saturday morning so I didn’t head out for a run until that afternoon. Saturday’s work has a shiny new building and I was so excited that I got to stand and work the whole shift. I didn’t sit down once. I had a little bruise on my leg but it didn’t bother me at all while working. I headed out for an easy run later that afternoon and was greeted by pain. So apparently I need to work on toning my legs more. 🙂 So much for running doing that for me! I had planned on my usual 4.2-4.5 route but I ran into my mom and Zoey along the way. I walked with them for a bit. While it helped me slow down and take it easy, it added some distance and then I ran a little more to round it up. Finished the run at 6 miles.

Today was the only day I have for awhile to sleep in, so I totally took advantage of that. It was so nice. I also managed to make myself get back on the bike. Soooo boring. I forced myself to do 4 miles but wasn’t paying attention, so ended up at 4.5. Or so I think. Miles on the bike always seem to go so quickly; boring but quick. I think my bike needs to be serviced but who has time for that?

After, I got the puppy and went for a puppy jog. She did so good today!!! Only barked at 2 cars and laid down twice. She may never be a solid runner but she’s great for fartlek training! Super speedy sprints followed by walking breaks. 🙂 She made it a full 5k today! She played nice with a little girl and was overly excited when a small terrier wanted to play with her. She only had one odd moment when we passed a particular house. Now this house is on my usual running route and while interesting looking with an even odder looking trailer in the front yard, I have never been concerned by it. Today however, Zoey was spooked. She actually growled at the house and barked a few times. She was completely fine as soon as it was out of sight. Great, thanks Zoey, now I am going to be spooked the next time I run by it.

I should actually be working on a paper right now but nah. Following that I should be getting some sleep, I have a crazy week ahead. So crazy, I am a little unsure of how I will get my runs in. I’m trying to look on the bright side and just say that the lower mileage week will help my ankle soreness. My first 1/2 of the year is exactly 4 weeks from today. Yikes!!! When did that happen?

How was everyone’s weekend?

Anyone run by any spooky places?

A Long Not So Slow Run

The weather man was actually right and we had a very rainy Saturday. Not complaining because we need it but it did push my long run back until today. Saturday was spent building a cabinet for my mother for her garage. Every time my pops goes out of town, I get a “honey do” list. The cabinet was one of those MDF things you buy in pieces. Some very colorful language ensued, I hurt my ankle, pinched a finger and realized that wood glue peels off your fingers just like Elmer’s did back in grade school. 🙂 But it was built and muscled into place (weighed 200 lbs!), well mostly. One door is out of whack. 😦 That counts as a workout right?

I don’t know why I tell myself I am going to run in the morning, I never follow through. It is too cold and my bed is so cozy. After a little lie in this morning, a late breakfast (or early lunch) and some errands, I headed out for my run. The rain had held all day but I dressed for it just in case. Full pants, tank and and long sleeved layer on top. All topped with an ear warmer. I was also wearing the ankle compression socks. Ankle is a misnomer, they were more like crew, they went halfway up my leg. It reminded me of when I played tennis in high school. For some reason we thought we were cool wearing crew boys socks with our skirts. Ha!

I was a little overdressed in the beginning but I forced myself to keep everything on, I knew I would be cold eventually. Plus there was some more wind today than usual. I had plans to get the puppy and take her for a walk, so I was only going to run 8. The first 4 at a steady pace, last 4 at a much slower pace. I started out ok and the first 4 went as planned. Then it got a little tricky.

I was trying to take some pictures for the blog so occasionally I would stop and pause the Garmin and Nike and take a pic or 2. Start them back up and keep going. At the last shot I didn’t pause the Garmin so time kept running. Oops. Nike had paused fine and restarted fine. Half a mile later, I noticed they were .30 miles different. The Garmin was ahead but the pace on Nike seemed right so I just kept going. The last few miles seemed hard, harder than a 10:30 should have been, which is what I thought I was running. At the end, the Garmin showed 8.32 and Nike 8.02. I must have had my Wheaties this morning, mile 8 was 8:47. Say what?!

Thinking both devices had serious issues, I Google mapped it. It showed 8.46. Well crap. Since I know the time on the Nike was accurate for time actually ran, I took that time and randomly chose 8.2 miles. That is not the pace I was trying to maintain for a long slow run but I am stoked that I held it. I later logged into Nike and was able to see where the signal drop happened. I have never had a problem there before so I’m not sure what happened 😦

I then headed for the puppy and what I thought would be a nice stroll. Except she was ready to go and wanted to run the whole way, I had to hold her back at times. Plus she still randomly likes to just plop flat on the ground and I almost trip over her. Another 2.7 miles in 38 minutes. And I was done. And cold, the temperature had dropped a bit.

I later went to dinner with my mother. This time I was wearing the full length compression socks under my jeans for recovery. So far I like them but I am going to need a few more times wearing them to decide. I must say that I thought they would be tighter. Or at least feel snugger. But then I wear knee socks or derby socks almost every day during winter and spring so maybe I’m just used to it? Who knows.

First week of the reboot plan successfully completed and I feel pretty good. I am hoping to maintain that through next week finishing with a 10K on Saturday. 🙂 I was originally supposed to be running a half marathon but with my ankle being sore, I decided to try and be smart and not push it. My first half of the year is still set for March and I will run SLO in April.

How was everyone’s weekend?

I know I need to just use 1 device but it’s so hard! Anyone else use 2?

Tiny bit of business-

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Treadmill Tuesday

Totally random, but let’s start with this little snippet- Hell froze over!!

Sorry couldn’t help it, but that must be why I made it to the gym two days in a row 🙂 Can we say ugh squared to the treadmill? Maybe it’s because of the circulated air or the fact that you have run while staring at yourself in the mirror but running just seems so much harder.

Last night I slept horribly. First I couldn’t fall asleep and then I tossed and turned. For someone who used to be something of an insomniac, this is not cool. An unexpected bonus to commuting and the crazy insane schedule I had for the first 3-4 months of the year was finally sleeping a little better. I am hoping tonight is better and that last night was just a one off.

6 miles were on the plan for today but I knew that wasn’t likely when I woke up. While getting ready, I figured I could do a 2 mile walk while on lunch and then hit the gym for 3-4 miles after work. That seemed more feasible. As I was walking out the door to go to work, I received a text message. Someone called in sick. 😦 So I canceled the lunch walk with the intention of taking a shorter lunch and getting back to work. Best laid plans right?

We have a Comfy chair at work too, and I sat down after eating my lunch. Then I fell asleep… oops. I had even turned my jacket into a blanket. I woke up almost 40 minutes later. So much for a short lunch, it was just shy of regular. I jumped out of the chair, refilled my water bottle and ran out of the break room. FYI, I also spilled my water 3x today.

I was still tired and was debating even running but I knew I needed to go. Luckily ME emailed me around 4, so I asked her join me. Part of my gym membership is that I can take a guest whenever I want :). She wanted to go, so we planned to meet up as soon as I got back into town. Woo hoo for company! She’s just getting back into things after a nasty bout of strep and I was still tired, so short and sweet it was! 3 steady, solid miles, done! We hadn’t seen each other since before Christmas so we exchanged gifts in the parking lot after. We’re classy like that. 🙂 So, ME is super crafty and she made these adorable earrings for me-

I managed to finally get the Garmin to work on the treadmill. Well, kind of. As you can see in the picture, the mileage was off. Both Nike+ and the treadmill actually agreed for once. The Garmin however was lagging behind. Time for more research on how to get it calibrated properly, or at least as close as I can. I love Google.

I came home and rewarded myself with a nice cold strawberry banana smoothie. I may have killed the blender in the process, it was not a happy camper. Since it’s so heavy, will that count as strength training for the day? Probably not. 😦

How was everyone’s Tuesday?

Accidental Tempo

First off, I want to say thank you to everyone for the thoughts left on my last post, they really helped 🙂

Today, I set no alarms. After the past couple of weird days I just wanted to get some sleep. I was hoping a good rest would help. It wasn’t the best but I felt a little more level this morning. Not to say that I didn’t have random moments throughout the day but I ignored them.

I met my mother for lunch where I did indulge a little, tri-tip sandwich and onion rings, yes please. Then we hit up a favorite antique store for a little browsing. I hadn’t realized I hadn’t been there since early November, so many things had changed. I went in with the intention of spending no money, I didn’t need anything and as always, Christmas was more than I planned for 😦 I held strong to this until one of the back stalls. I found this little beauty. Then I saw the price. 30 bucks??? It’s mine. Way too good of deal to pass up. Plus I will never turn down extra storage. Like I mentioned before, slight hoarding tendencies.

I was still kind of full from lunch but I knew I needed to get a run in. Not only did my training plan call for it, but I needed one. I was torn between doing the 8 that was on the schedule or backing it down to 6. I had been text messaging with a friend who commented that her legs weren’t ready to run in shorts. I agreed that mine were the same, hello Holiday 4 7. So what do I do? I decide to try out my new running skirt. So I changed and was out the door.

The plan was for this to be a slow and steady run between 6-8 miles. So when the first 3 came in under 30 minutes, hills and all, oops. My head knew what I needed to do but my feet were not listening at all. Luckily I ran into my mother out walking Zoey again, perfect reason for a walk break to slow down. Of course they were going up that damn hill from New Year’s again, but oh well. We walked for a bit then I ran on. Again my feet ruled my head and I went left up another hill, actually the same one I ~~ran~~ walked up 10 minutes previously.

I looped around and then ran up another hill. Stupid feet. Coming down, I hit 6 miles. I was tired and feeling the too fast pace and hills. I headed for home slowly, telling myself I was done when I hit my driveway no matter what the GPS said. I was tired, my legs were heavy, I had had a too big a lunch, and my upper thighs had been regretting the skirt since mile 5. Once again my feet ruled and when I ran passed my driveway, the Garmin said 7.57. So I ran another .25 mile out and then back. I stopped the Garmin as I began the crawl up my driveway. I was so done. But I felt good in a sore, tired kind of way.

Where's the escalator? — Where’s the escalator?

I started out way too fast and was crawling by the end but I finished it. My feet chose to not listen to my head and maybe I needed that. The true measure will be how sore I am tomorrow. It should be a rest day, but I may try to make up some miles, but they will be really slow ones, I promise. I rewarded myself with a nice hot shower (oh the sting!) and a yummy smoothie 🙂

While on my run, I passed an older lady out for a walk and she told me it was too hot for me to running. It is January 4th and I ran in a skirt and tank top, 72º. I can’t decide if her comment was funny or freakishly correct 🙂

Hope everyone had a good Saturday!!!

Anyone else like antique stores?

I’m not the only one who’ve had my feet overrule my head right?