Asides

Sometimes You Listen

In my March Recap, I likened March to a truck that had run me over. Well, April is a freight train barreling through. I have been trying to stay upbeat, particularly when I post but I am not sure if it worked. 🙂

Work has been crazy busy since the beginning of March and it’s likely to stay that way through late August. I did not think it would affect me as much as it has. But I am tired, so very, very tired. But again, I tried not to say much because, 1- who wants to read a Debby Downer all the time, and 2- my boss reads this blog. (Hi awesome boss!) I think with work being crazy and then trying to stay trained for 3 half marathons (plus 5k’s) in 3 months may have been a little more than this Slacker was ready for. I still love my job, I’m just a little worn out and somehow when I was planning my race schedule, I wasn’t paying a lot of attention. My next few weeks look like this-

This weekend– work/ long run*
April 19– Firehouse 5K -may be a 5K but there’s a 500 ft elevation in less than 1/2 a mile
April 25-27– SLO Marathon weekend- half
May 3– Run or Dye
May 10– work

My last post mentioned an irksome migraine, and it hasn’t really left. This is not horribly unusual; I average a lingering one around once a year. 😦 Between that and being overly tired, I got a little emotional driving home on Friday. There may have been some loud, off-key singing involved as well. 🙂 Maybe a little Let It Go.

Saturday was a work day and I was trying to psych myself up for the 10 mile run that I needed to do. Meanwhile, both of my co-workers were lecturing me that I needed to take of myself. After work, I headed home for the usual lunch and errands. It was while I was in Target with my mother that I had to face facts. I jokingly mentioned that a nap sounded like a great idea. She looked at me, paused and then said that it was a good idea. Ummm, what?

My mother is not the type to suggest that. Growing up, one of the things we argued about most was my inherent laziness. If there are hours in the day then there are hours you could and should be doing something. The name of my blog came from her; one day I said I didn’t feel like running, she called me a slacker. So for her to say I needed a nap meant I must look like a train wreck. Ha!

Even then I still thought about trying to get in my run. I was telling myself I could start with 5 miles and see how it went. Finally common sense prevailed and my planned *2 hours of running turned into 2 hours of napping.

slo — This will be the finish line in 2 weeks

I was still feeling a little rough today, so I took it easy again. That’s not to say it wasn’t a good day. I headed down to SLO for some more hardwood shopping with my mom, seriously, how long does it take to make a choice? The choice was finally made, so now I just get to look forward to helping her rip out the carpeting in the near future. My brother gets to install the hardwood. 🙂 So that’s coming up in a few weeks too.

I ate some yummy food, didn’t buy too much and finally managed to get this shot-This is the local landmark that inspired this years medals for the SLO Marathon and 1/2. I can’t wait to earn this crossing the finish line. 🙂

Tomorrow, depending on how I feel, I will get back to running. If I am still tired, I may rest another day. I would rather feel rested and slightly under trained for the half than exhausted and sore. Work is likely to be just as busy in the coming weeks, we will down a person, so I am thinking of dropping my training back to 3 days a week. I need to think on it a little more though.

How was your weekend?

Award Season

Last week felt like the longest week, granted that was probably aggravated me trying to knock myself into next week. 🙂 Friday was stressful but I knew if I could get through I had a whole weekend ahead of me! I briefly thought about trying to get a few miles in after work but my head was still a little off and hearing my boss exclaim at how bruised my head was, I decided against it.

Saturday I was up earlier than I would have liked but that was ok because I spent the day shopping in SLO. The weather was great, there was a storm coming in but it didn’t get windy until we were leaving. The food was super yummy and I didn’t do too much damage to my bank account. 🙂 I managed to get in a few miles when I got back to town, but man they were rough. It was like my brain forgot how to work my legs. I managed to bring the pace down by the end but my body was rebelling. Even though it was harder than I would have liked, I loved that I was out and moving. Especially when I consider that I am now less than 28 days from my next half marathon- SLO!!!!!

Moving on- I call my blog Slacker Runner for a few reasons, one of which is that I am a huge procrastinator. If I can do it later, I will, usually at the last minute. I am the exact opposite at work, but in most other aspects of my life, I am a Slacker. I was recently nominated for some blog awards and I am just now following up. Sorry!!! So time to rectify that –

The Versatile Blogger Award-

Suzan over at Welcome to the Nuthouse sent me this shout out last week. Thanks!! She’s awesome and if you haven’t checked out her blog, you should go do so! And I found out that we both just completed our 6th half marathon last Sunday 🙂

Now, there are always rules-

1. Thank the person who nominated you for your new award, and be sure to include a link back to their site in your acceptance speech. DONE!
2. Share 7 random facts about yourself– hmmmmm
3. Pass on the award to 13 other versatile bloggers.—- that’s a big number

7 Random Facts–
1. My mind just went blank. it does that sometimes.
2.   I have a freaky memory for numbers and some things. Sometimes I can’t decide if coworkers and customers are impressed or scared.
3. The list of childhood movies and cartoons that I haven’t seen is pretty large.   Actually some popular movies too. I get a lot of shocked faces. Like The Sound of Music and A Christmas Story or any of the Matrix Movies. Never seen them.
4. I worked at a Taco Bell for 10 years.   Spent most of those years as Assistant Manager before I left.   Oh the stories.
5. I went stag to my Senior Prom. My dress was borrowed and in recollection was a little more scandalous than I thought.
6. I got through the City to Sea half marathon by listening to Hannah Montana songs. No not Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana.   And I am not ashamed.
7. I love owls. I have necklaces and ear rings and artwork and decorative pillows. My boss even bought me an LED one for station at work.

Now for the nominations-

Life-Everyone Has One

Close to 13 right?

Thanks again Suzan!!

So, with my slacker-ness, I make no guarantees that I will message any of you before you read this (if you read this 🙂 ) so consider this your notification and run with it! If you’ve been nominated before, congrats! Just take this as further confirmation of your awesomeness. If these awards just aren’t your thing, well that’s cool too. You’re still cool. Oh and another random fact- my lingo is still in the 90’s. 🙂

The other one is The Liebster Award by the lovely Jenni on the Run, but that will require some thought and deserves a post of its own.

How was everyone’s weekend?

Now, I’m off to order a new gear bag, any suggestions?

~A change in plans~

~A change in plans~

Today is my Friday and that makes me smile 🙂 I have the next 4 days off, woo hoo! The original plan was to run a half marathon on a local army base on Saturday. Packet pick up would have been tomorrow, so I took the day off. They were also giving tours of the course. However, with my ankle a little sore and getting the chance to be an Ambassador for the SLO Marathon, I adjusted my race schedule. My first half of the year will be March 23 and this weekend I will be racing a 10K at a nearby college instead. I will then spend the day enjoying SLO. But I still have tomorrow off. 🙂

Yesterday, I packed everything I needed to hit the gym after work. I was planning on 4 miles with some sort of speed drills thrown in. The weather was amazing throughout the day and I was dreading the treadmill. On a last minute whim, I decided to chance it. I didn’t have my Garmin, I didn’t have my running belt and I only had my Wave Riders. I had never run in them outside only on the treadmill plus one puppy walk. But I was running outside!

I checked the sunset time and knew I could get in 3 miles. Maybe 3.5 if I pushed it. I had an armband, so I shoved my phone in it and was off. Seriously, I have never changed that fast and I was walking up the block before everyone else was in their cars. I had a 3 mile route planned, out and back. The first 1.5 miles are slightly downhill so in this route I am usually quicker going out than coming back. The first mile felt a little rough, I was breathing heavier than usual. I took that as a sign that 3.5 would not be happening. That is until Nike chimed in at mile 1- 9:00. Holy crap, that’s race pace not training!

Change in plans, now I wanted to run 4 and hold that pace. Mile 2 came in at 8:57, then the turn around. Here I did stop for a few pics, also to lose the sweatshirt I had started out in. I ran past so many photo opportunities but I wanted to hold pace and beat the setting sun. Then it was back the way I came, uphill. I always walk a part of mile 3 as the road in the state park gets super narrow. The return route has a blind corner on a downhill for cars, so I slow down to pay more attention to the cars. I figure it’s easier to jump out of the way when I am not huffing and puffing. 🙂

The sun set just past mile 3. The last bit of uphill was hard and I knew I was slowing. I hit my car and was only at 3.8 so I ran around the block again. Luckily I hit 4 and stopped Nike before walking a cool down. Which was cool because I was not running around the block and the police station again. Figured that would look a little odd. 🙂

I was so pumped after this run. I had no idea I could do that in a training run. I think racing the sun was a huge part of that. That pace would not have happened at the gym. Nor would it have been so pretty. Plus I could smell the ocean and the eucalyptus while running. I may have to try that again next week.

On an annoying note, today my favorite boots decided to lose a bottom. I almost took a header while walking across the tile floor. Now I am trying to decide if they are worth repairing or if they should be retired like a pair of running shoes. They probably have a similar amount of miles on them. 🙂

Now I just need to decide how to spend my four days off. Is it bad that I kind of want to have an Austen marathon? Jane Austen, that is. Or maybe I can get my friend to actually go to the movies. Hmmmm. And somehow, I agreed to help my mother with tennis practice tomorrow. One thing I know, I will be sleeping later tomorrow morning. 🙂

Anyone have big plans for Valentine’s day?

Who’s racing this weekend?

~Christmas Parties and Randomness~

Happy Monday!!!!

Yesterday was our office Christmas party. So we all put on our party duds and met at a local steakhouse. For once I had the shorter drive, woo hoo!! After some reservation confusion (if you have 3 locations but all phone lines ring the same place, you think they would ask where you wanted to eat!), we were finally seated.

I live less than 10 minutes from this particular restaurant but I don’t think I have been there in almost 20 years. I was super excited when we chose to eat there because I have been craving a good Filet. Even better when I don’t have to pay 🙂 There were 11 to our party and I was rockin’ the single life at the head of the table, ha! Or was that the bottom? Hmmmmm. Either way it was still a blast. We started out by exchanging our secret Santa gifts. Mine knew me pretty well, a Barnes & Noble gift card, sweet!

This restaurant is big on the real steakhouse, cowboy theme. And the food was amazing. There is no such thing as diet, when you eat here. Every meal comes with beans, soups and salsa. Then salad, garlic bread, rice pilaf and potato spuds. Then you chose your entree. It was then followed by desert of a root beer float or after dinner licqour. Like I said, all included, so yummy. I chose the Filet Mignon, with Shrimp Scampi on the side. Up until that night I had never tried seafood. And yes, I know exactly what facial expression you are making right now. The Filet was amazing and the shrimp was, ehhh. I ate one and passed the rest around the table. Still not my thing but at least I tried it. 🙂 I topped everything off with a Root Beer float. I can’t remember the last time I had one, and they are just as good as I remember.

After all that calorie loaded goodness, I really should have gone for a run tonight, but nah. After a good day at work, I finished up the last bit of my final while watching a cheesy Christmas movie. It was filmed in my town, I had to watch! Tomorrow, I have a date with the bore-mill, oops, sorry- the treadmill.

So I leave you with a little random-ness inspired by my morning commute and Christmas music. Apologies in advance for the cheesiness. Oh, and please no on sue me, I have no money, but you are more than welcome to all my bills!

And some more festive pictures from Saturday-

Anyone else Secret Santa’ing this year?

Any good Christmas parties?

The Slacker in the Sisterhood ~

It’s Monday!! And the first one back from vacation. Note to self, never go back on a Monday. Overall it wasn’t bad, one person called in sick but we made it work. After work, we all hung out and ate pizza and decorated for Christmas. We hung so many lights, going up and down the ladder felt like a workout. There are garlands wrapped around the beams and lovely silver bells hanging down as well. Snowflakes and lights fill the windows. There is a little more to finish up tomorrow and then the tree comes on Friday!! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Well as long as you don’t go outside, it was a lovely 70+ degrees today with a bright shining sun.

Today was also my mother’s birthday so I then rushed home with flowers for her. She wanted a cake…oops. Tomorrow the plan is to take her and my pops to dinner for their birthdays (his is Wednesday).

There is a decided lack of running in my schedule right now but I have chosen no to stress about it. I am calling it a rest period. I am going on day 5, let’s see how long til I get twitchy. After the last race, I was tired, so I figured a little rest won’t hurt. But it will only be a little one!!!!! I promise, help hold me accountable people!!

In brighter news, I was recently nominated for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award. Say that 5 times fast. The nomination came from the wonderful TIA and the awesome Tartan Jogger. Thanks Ladies! I won’t lie, sometimes these awards confuse me. They are amazing to get, don’t get me wrong, they sometimes bring back memories of signing yearbooks and never knowing what to write. “Have a bitchin’ summer” anyone?

So the rules are as follows (I think)- Thank the blogger who nominated you, answer some questions, nominate 10-12 other bloggers and notify them on their blogs. Easy enough right? So Q&A time-

Favorite color– Alternates between purple and grey, depends on my mood.

Favorite animal- Cats- they are self-sufficient enough for my admittedly Slacker self, and slightly anti-social like me, ha!

Favorite non-alcoholic drink– Diet Coke, seriously I’m addicted.

Facebook or Twitter– I’m still working out Twitter (17 followers, woo hoo 😦 ), so Facebook.

Favorite pattern– Ummm, help? Chevron?

Favorite number– 394, anyone know why?

Favorite Flower– Rose, is it narcissistic if that’s also my middle name?

What is your passion– Still looking for it, but when I do, I will shout it from the rooftops.

So next- my nominees in no particular order-

Don’t Blink. Just Run

I Thought they said RUM

See This Girl Run

Lucy on the Lookout

Hmmm, just noticed a lack of female bloggers I follow. I need to find more!!!! Any suggestions? I would have nominated TIA and Tartan Jogger, but someone beat me to it! 🙂

Ok, I totally admit that I am a Slacker, and I am going to do my best to notify everyone on their blogs, (yearbooks again) however, if I do not in the next 24 hours, and any of my nominees read this before I do, please don’t wait for me, enjoy your shout out!!!!! Also if you have previously been nominated just use this as confirmation that you rock.

Hope everyone had a good Monday!

Any Reindeer or Jingle Runs in the future?