Category: Slacker

Hello Cutie

Sundays for me alternate between track days and Slacker Sundays. And despite my best intentions to have yesterday be a track day, the Slacker in me won over. The time came to go run and well, a nap really sounded like a good idea at the time. I can’t even say that vacation brain kicked in because it was just me.

Today was the first real day of my vacation, and I admit I slept in, late. It was kind of awesome. I had plans to go to lunch with my mom, run some errands and hit the gym in the afternoon. Those plans were derailed in the cutest of ways.

My parents have been fencing their yard in preparation of getting a dog. It’s almost done but not quite so some thought the dog would be the beginning of next year. Surprise!!!! My dad was totally not prepared for us to show up with a dog. Neither, really was my mother, there was nothing for the puppy yet.

So the afternoon was spent taking care of this adorable fur ball (so hard I know 🙂 ) and running around getting stuff for her. She now has a collar and a leash, a bed and some toys, a squeaker frog! What she does not have is a name. The whole family is in on it now, but no one agrees. I said Marathon, my brother said Ammo, my dad said “not thought out”. My mother has shot everything down, I am currently calling her Misfire, but my mom hates that and it is her dog.

Every time she would bring up getting a dog, I would tell her that it had to be able to run. That way I could “borrow” her and train her to run with me. I have always wanted to run with a dog, instead of being attacked by them. She is an Aussie/ Lab mix and the lady said that she could totally be a runner. We would just have to start her early and slowly and she could do shorter runs. Woo hoo!

Even after I chased her around the yard all afternoon I knew I should get a run in. According to my Nike fuelband, chasing a puppy does not earn you many points. 😦 It was getting dark and I did not feel like going to the gym. So I changed into whatever was on the top of my running drawer and went for a quick run. Good lord, I was obnoxious.

Damn, that's bright! — Damn, that’s bright!

But, racing the darkness, I completed 3.8 miles. If I could have seen my phone to know how close I was to 4 I would have run more. But that’s for another day.

Anyone have any tips for puppy training?

Hope everyone had a good Monday!!!!

And some last cuteness-

Fun Times ( and a little running)

I tried to start this post last night but the kitten decided she wanted to join me on the comfy chair. I was cold so I had the big blanket out. She made it very hard to type. Not sure if it was her purring or just me but I totally fell asleep in the chair. It’s a good thing I didn’t drop the laptop.

Thursday saw a successful girl’s night out. We lost one before it even started (missed you A!) but picked up another. 🙂 We hit Chili’s for yummy food and drinks and then were off to an early showing of Catching Fire. And it was amazing. I got a little teary eyed and I knew what was coming. Could have done without the guy a few rows down getting trashed and shattering his wine glass, but the movie was great.

The only real downside to the night came when I realized I had left my hat in the theater. 😦 It was my favorite hat! It had been a little misty when I picked up my friends, so I had been wearing it to and from dinner and into the theater, I hate umbrellas (and cause more harm than good with them) so for years I have been wearing an old fedora. I tried calling and emailing the theater but no luck. Ugh! Otherwise, it was a great night!

Today marked the 1^st of 9 days off. I’m on vacation. Part of me is excited and part is anxious. I have not had that many days off in… well ever. But work gives me no choice, so here I am. If I had my way, I would just have a 4 day weekend every once in awhile. But no such luck. So much time and so little to do.

My first morning of vacation started off with a very slow 5.5 mile run. And it was so cold, and I apparently thought I didn’t need gloves or ear warmers. Stupid. It was cold and I was slow but whatever, I still made it a happen. I even ran halfway up 2 hills I have always walked before. One of which was my driveway- when my shin splints were really bad, I would drive to the bottom and park before running. So to even make it partway up was cool. This run may have been slow but I met my weekly goal for the Pile on the Miles challenge. Woo hoo!

My run was cold and early because nerdily enough I had a date with my tv at 11:50. Today was the 50^th anniversary special for Doctor Who and I was too impatient to watch it later. It was awesome! Between this and Catching Fire, it has been like nerd-vana for me this week. Now if I can just go get my book that came out this week, it would be a trifecta of awesome-ness.

Tomorrow my goal is to get in some track time and maybe do a little speed work. Now let’s see if I follow through or let this vacation thing go to my head.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Anyone else see Catching Fire or The Day of the Doctor?

Anyone racing?

Ch-Ch-Changes

Monday’s run was a successful 5 miles. I was wondering how far I would make it as I left work early to go to a dermatologist appointment. The first thing that comes to mind when I have to make an appointment is scalpels. Ouch! Seriously, people, wear your sunblock and wear hats. You can never have too much. Reapply often!! Or end up like me and have to check in every 6 months. Ok, off my soap box now.

Monday’s damage was the upper sides of my ribcage. Ouch, again. So when changing and heading to the gym, I was a little concerned how the sports bra might rub. I took it easy and walked 2 minutes of every mile on the treadmill. I managed to get my average pace to 10:26. While I was running, I was watching a cheesy Hallmark channel Christmas movie. I didn’t have sound but it was fairly easy to figure out the plot. I have to admit, I do love the cheesy Christmas movies that come on every year. I haven’t watched any this year but I’m sure I will at some point.

I really had planned on hitting the gym on Tuesday to get in a few miles, but a better offer came along. What was better? I got my hair done for the first time in 2 years!!!!!! I am cheap so I have been trimming my own hair and bangs for the last few years. If you have been reading with me for a while, you have probably seen my hair color changing in most of my pics. I am a natural blonde who went brunette in March. I have these urges at least once a year. My theory is that it’s just hair, color fades and it will grow back. I think I have had every natural hair color at some point (even black) and even some unnatural ones, oops.

I saw a picture of me crossing the finish line at my half marathon in March and thought yuck, my hair is freakishly blonde. So I went dark. Since March, I have been a variety of brunette shades and auburn. In mid-September I decided it was time to be myself again. Talk about an uphill battle. The blonde regrowth was making me look like I had a receding hairline. I finally threw in the towel and called for help. So I had a late night appointment to highlight the heck out of my hair to lighten it up. I also cut it all off. Got to get my money’s worth right?

October's Half- look at those roots!!! — October’s Half- look at those roots!!!

I cannot take a decent selfie (seriously Oxford?); I look like I was punched in every one. Since I was going for a drastic change I actually wanted to do a before and after shot. However, the before selfie looked like I was stoned. The 4 after that weren’t any better, so I gave up. Today we took pictures for our Christmas cards at work, which is how I had the picture above. Not the best image as I had to crop everyone else out-

Only slightly blurry — Not quite there but a heck of a lot closer

Pony tails are next to impossible now, I haven’t quite worked out how to pull it up for running. I will cross that bridge this weekend! Until then, no worries! 🙂 I am on track for my mileage for the week, so my next run should be Saturday. Provided I am not too distracted by Doctor Who, that is. Did I mention I was a nerd? But, seriously, I will get my run in 🙂

Today was a late one at work and it started with an early oil change, so this was a planned rest day. Tomorrow will be another rest day, but not because of school. Shhh, don’t tell the teacher! I am actually meeting up with my friends for a girl’s night out, woo hoo!!!! We’ve only been trying to make it happen since my birthday… In July. 🙂

How is everyone’s weeks going?

Any big plans or races this weekend?

Sunday Slacker-Day

This morning started early for me (at least for a Sunday), I met my boss at Wal-Mart to finish up some Christmas preparations. Does it freak anyone else out how close it is getting to December 25? After lunch and running some errands, I was home and feeling very Slacker-like.

I knew I needed to get in some miles for the Pile on the Miles Challenge, but I wasn’t feeling it. I was sitting on the floor (surprisingly comfy) and getting ready to scrapbook the last 2 races. That could potentially take a while, so I could substitute that for running right? I was also checking Twitter, and I saw this tweet-

DEVELOPING STORY: @mikewardian just won #RnRSA in 2:31:19, now he'll fly 1,200 miles to race on the #StripatNight: http://t.co/NcOIYWFrK6

— Dan Cruz (@DanCruzNews) November 17, 2013

If this guy is flying from San Antonio to Las Vegas to run 2 marathons today, I can get off my ass and get in a few miles. So I changed and set out for a quick 3 miles. My calves ~~were~~ are really stiff and my stomach was not the happiest so they were not fast miles. I felt a little better at the first turn around point and added another mile. The up hills felt ok and the down hills were uncomfortable. Anyone remember before they started running and they naively thought down hills would be the best part? Ha! I made back the house at 4.4 miles. They were slow, they were stiff but they were better than sitting on my backside.

After stretching and showering and trying to massage the stubborn knot out of my left calf, I did retreat to the Comfy Chair to put my feet up. I also checked out the Spooner’s Cove race website. Official times and photos are up from yesterday, 1:06:50. As I mentioned before, it was my mom’s first race. And what does she manage to do on her first race? She places 1^st in her age group! Guess we should have stuck around a little longer after finishing, oops. Most people try for years to age group place and she does it right out of the gate!

Both photos- coastaltrailruns.com

Back to the Pile on the Miles challenge, I am on track for the month but was a little behind on last weeks goal. My goal is to hit the gym tomorrow and Tuesday after work. Fingers crossed, I follow through. 🙂 I have a late meeting on Wednesday, so that can be a rest day.

Congrats to everyone who raced this weekend! The posts are coming in, you all did amazing!!!

Random Ramblings

Tuesday was ummm, interesting. I knew work was going to be busy like it always is after a 3 day weekend. This proved true but it was actually a good day. My boss and I are planning a big December for the rest of the team, so we made the first of many shopping trips. We hit the local dollar store to pick up some things. I know it’s the dollar store but they really need to work on their customer service! As we were leaving and trying not to get run over by a woman and her cart, this guy stops us and asks how do I not have a ring on my finger. He then kept walking. Awkward!!!!! I looked at my boss, she looked at me and we busted up laughing and ran the other direction. Both in our 30’s and we could not stop laughing. I never get hit on, probably due to the perpetual “bitch face” my mother says I have. 🙂

Tuesday was also the last volleyball games of the season and also this year. I will miss the girls but I am ready for a break. After the playoff games, we finished an impressive last. Woo hoo!!! We actually played really well last night but for whatever reasons, we can never close. Volleyball nights always end up being fun, but it gets frustrating losing all the time. I will miss the socialization aspect but maybe now I can get in a run on Tuesdays. 🙂

Can I just say, Daylight savings sucks. I didn’t even notice the extra hour of sleep. But then I set my clocks back the night before. I do it the spring too, which helps because I never really feel like I lose an hour either. The darkness bites big time. I have not been able to run after work. I need to get to the gym but am having trouble following through after work. Plus with volleyball and school, its hard fitting it in. Thursdays used to be awesome because I could run in between work and school. However my gym is almost 35 miles from school. There are other gyms in the towns where work and school are but not one from my chain. I just keep telling myself that I only have 4 actual weeks of class left with 2 off in between.

No, its getting out of bed! Photo-Pinterest. — No, its getting out of bed!
Photo-Pinterest.

I ~~want~~ need to become a morning runner. But it is so hard. My bed is so very comfy and warm. The cat is purring. See, hard? I pulled it off 2 years ago for about a month and a half before bailing out. That was also before I started to commute. I have set my alarm for 4:45 and 5 AM for the last 2 weeks. I have hit snooze every time. That whole theory about having your clothes laid out and ready to go? Doesn’t work for me. Where’s a drill sergeant when you need one?

Hasn't changed :( Photo-Pinterest — Hasn’t changed 😦
Photo-Pinterest

Tonight I met a couple of people from class to work on a group project. Even at this age, group projects make me grit my teeth. I would have rather been running. Tomorrow I have class, and I have no idea what I am going to do to kill time before it. Probably homework. Maybe my next post will include some actual running!

Hopefully, everyone is having a good week!

Any tips for running in the morning? Cold mornings?