What happens in Vegas.........

Doesn't stay there when you fry up like it's your part time job, and yes A-train it's happened before, but I'm going to keep on blaming Dooner.....mainly because that's just fun! HA!

So between a trip to Vegas (did I mention it was like 75 the whole time), work, planning wedding stuff, and thinking about moving I'm fairly proud of the runs I've gotten in. I've been one busy bee! I won't bore you with the gory details of my 15 or so runs but I will say I'm boycotting running outside until it gets warm here. I'm tired of my under armor, mittens, hat, gloves, 80 million other layers. I even opted to do a 13 miler, by choice mind you, on the treadmill rather than run in the cold! WHO AM I!? Lucky for me it might climb all the way to the 40s this weekend, hurray for small miracles!

Vegas week however cramped my training style (although really I'm not complaining) I got in 2 of my week runs before I left on Wed and planned to do the 3rd in Vegas, hahahahahaha silly Heidi, people don't exercise in Vegas! I even packed running clothes which is amusing, such good intentions. We got back with plenty of time to get a run in on Sunday, but the run I was supposed to do was 20. Again, laughter ensues here, 20 miles....really....after I've just partied in Vegas for about 4 days straight??? I have 2 20s worked into this training so I'm not concerned I skipped it, I got 11 in and frankly that's amazing all on it's own.

But I'm back in the saddle this week! The marathon is about 4.5 weeks away, YIKES! I wanted to make up a little mileage, yes yes, I know that's not necessary but honestly I added one extra mile. So instead of 5 tonight I upped it to 6, I'm such a rebel. I got a good treadmill in the back and everything was butterflies and sunshine until about 5.25 miles. That's when what I can only refer to as "stinkman" showed up on the treadmill next to me. Let's be honest, no one smells great at the gym, but I don't walk into the place smelly already, I have the courtesy to throw some deodorant on so as not to kill the people in my general area. I seriously wanted to die, if there had been more than a mile left I don't think I would have made it. What I don't get is.......seriously........I know when I smell bad......how does this guy not know!? YIKES. Perhaps the only good that came out of "stinkman" is he forced me to finish faster.......ew

I'm an F-word!!! And I'm happy about it!

It's not the naughty f-word you're thinking of either.........I'm a fiancee!!!!!!(I spelled that correctly for you mom) Last night Dave proposed by Lake Michigan and of course I said yes! Just a Cheeseheadrunner on cloud 9! Haven't really been able to stop smiling - have that stupid your cheeks hurt you've smiled so much thing going on - but I'm not going to complain! We didn't get to properly celebrate as I has an 18-miler this morning, but we'll make it up today with all our friends!!!!

So back to running.....although who can run when they have such a beautiful sparkly thing distracting them!

I had an 8 on Wed which I was sort of dreading. I knew before I even stepped on the treadmill that my legs would be heavy. And I was right. I somehow managed to fight through and finished all 8. Days like that make me feel good that I can push myself that far, but I certainly wish it wasn't so tough sometimes!

Thursday brought a late night at work so I raced home and only had time to put in 3 before Lost came on. Yes I completely realize I could have skipped Lost and watched it online. But I'd had a long day, I deserved some quality couch time with my favorite tv show. I figured 3 is better than nothing, right!?

Today I hauled out of bed at 6:50 am (this is starting to feel like summer runs) threw some yogurt in my system and hit the road. I wanted to be done and still have time to celebrate St. Patricks day! The first half I was fast, too fast, approx 7:40 miles, for me that's a little too fast, I just can't maintain that....yet. But the adrenaline of last night and wanting to get home soon fueled me. When I turned around that was another story, the wind was my enemy, my face was cold, my sweat all got cold, I was an unhappy camper to say the least.

I ended up running with a guy for about a mile and a half, we were just the same pace. When he broke off to take a different route he gave me the little runner salute. I LOVE that about running, I don't know you, good chance I never will, but I know what you endure, I know what keeps you going, and I respect you for that.

The last 2 miles were unpleasant, I was just ready to be done, then I had to pass a stupid (sorry CARA runners) CARA group of about 20 people and it just irked me that I had to go out of my way to pass them. I understand the appeal of running like that, and it's great for some, it just wasn't what I needed at 17.5. But I made it. Only 4 min off BQ pace, now I don't think I could have kept it up, BUT this still makes me feel like my Flying Pig time won't be so bad after all.

I'm off to be "that" girl all day, sorry it's my weekend, I'm going to live it up. And hopefully I'll drink a few green beers too!!

Just another week

It's been a pretty solid week so far. My legs were talking to me all day Monday, practically begged me not to crosstrain, so what did I do, broke out the Gliding video. Now, I'm not a huge fan of workout videos but this particular video was recommended when I was in therapy for my ACL so I figure it has to be good right?? Also, a day later I can't even get out of a chair from all the squats you do during it so that's probably a good indication.

As a side note, I would never say I've been so confused by daylight savings time in my life. On my drive home Monday night I actually asked my mom what time it was, I thought I left work too early (I had not changed the clock in my car yet) It's funktified my whole week and I can't imagine why, it's never happened before...

Today was beautiful. I didn't wear a hat or mittens at lunch, there were runners on the trail as I flew down LSD, signs that perhaps spring is ready to make an appearance here and there. I was looking forward to perhaps my first outdoor weeknight run, but alas it wasn't meant to be....

I hold a pretty strict "you can't start a run in the dark" policy in Chicago. I'm ok if I'm ending a run around dusk but I just don't think it's safe for me and my headphones to chance it. I don't particularly want to be headline news, unless of course I've done something superbly awesome :) I had to take care of some apt papers after work so that meant hitting the gym, bugger!

Stretching today felt like a gift from God, my muscles were thrilled with me. I ran a pretty easy paced 5 miles, but still managed to stay strong in the end.

Ooooo new running song of the week - I like this song so much I even lip-synced while I was running - I'm positive I looked insane, but when you've spent as much time as me on a treadmill lately you'll do anything to make yourself smile - I Don't Wanna be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem) - Good Charlotte, check it out, love a good tune!

I Finally Saw Him!

I've read about him, seen pictures of him, I was starting to believe he was actually a myth....but then it happened........as I rounded the corner on North Ave beach the JOGGLER!!!! For those who don't know about the joggler check him out here. It was very inspiring to see him today, I have a hard enough time just running, adding juggling (which is something I can do, quite well if I do say so myself) to the mix sounds just insane to me. I caught him about mile 15 and it certainly helped me on my last 2 miles!

So, as you may have gleamed from above I had a 17 miler this weekend. Due to apartment shopping, and for those who care we found and secured an awesome place :), I decided to skip runnning Sat and instead tackle the beast on Sun. This proved a good idea for quite a few reason, but mainly because it was cold as HELL on Sat. Walking around to apts I thought my face would freeze off, running would have been just brutal! But having found a place, and a good friend and fellow runners birthday on Sat night I wanted to have a few drinks. I wasn't sure how this would affect me, granted I watched myself and was my no means cashed. I sucked down a big glass of water when I got home, slept till 10 and really I was fine.

It was still pretty cold out today, and the longest I've run on the trail lately has not exceeded 12 miles. Most of my long runs for Chicago this year were done while we were travelling whereever we were at. So long story short I ran pretty far south, farther south than I've ever gone, infact I would venture to guess most people avoid that part of the trail. There were considerably less runners, I saw less than 10, and it's just not as pretty. I also used 2 gels this time which I think really helped. I was hesitant to use the second but when I thought about how it would help me finish strong that was all I needed to get it out. Although I will say that it was so cold today that my gels were more gummy than gel-like, not a big fan of that. Then I saw the joggler at North Ave Beach, highlight of my run, and I was almost home. Finished in 2:26:43, which I'm VERY happy with, I was ready to be done today, but that kink of time for 17 miles indicates that a sub 4 is in reach. Maybe not the Flying Pig with all the hills, but soon, heck that sort of time makes me feel Boston qualifying is not so crazy either!

After my run I actaully had a productive day too. I have a tendency to be uber-lazy following a run like that, not today, ran errands got groceries, I haven't even napped! Looks like we might get up into the 40s this week, I'm so happy I could cry, peace out old man winter!

My excuse......I'm in mourning

Now that would be a fantastic excuse, I'm mourning the retirement of my all time favorite sports GOD Brett Favre, but unfortunately since this just happened yesterday that doesn't really explain all those other days I missed! opps!

So last week in a sick haze I dragged my butt to the gym for 2 week runs, it was a light week, since I missed Tuesday being sick, I did my 5 on Wed and another 4 on Thursday. Both nights I started on craptastic treadmills, on Thursday I literally switched machines 3 times. I started, and the stupid pace wouldn't keep up, that's BS, I pay good money to work out here (ok my boyfriend actually pays but that's a technicality) the machines should work. So then I moved to a second craptastic treadmill, this machines decrease speed button malfunctioned, sweet, just what I need, get going too fast and then I can't slow down, nice. Then a decent treadmill opened up and I hopped on it, the other treadmillers must have thought I was crazy, but I could care less, not my issue if you want to deal with running on rogue equipment, I don't!

This weekend was a lighter run, only 11 miles. Due to the apt search, Dave and I are moving in and seeking out an uber-cool 2 bedroom, I had zero time to get a run in outdoors on Sat and I CANNOT handle another ridiculously long treadmill run. So I waited until Sunday morning and I'm so glad I did, it was GORGEOUS out. But let's clarify shall we. By gorgeous I mean for March it was very nice and the sun was shining, I don't mean whip out your skanky running tank tops. Listen I'm all for showing off the great body you get running, but it was maybe, maybe 40, there's no reason to be showing skin, even in the Midwest where we are a little crazy. Anyhow it was very nice out, and tons of people on the trail, and it was Polar Plunge at North beach so I thought it was great that they got such a perfect day! There was a small ice age around the Oak Street curve but other than that pretty smooth sailing. I didn't have a gel, which was less than desirable, but I was ill-prepared. I made it though, although I don't think I want to do it again, it's nice to get that little boost to kick me home.

Mileage starts to ramp up again this week. I made it to the gym for cross training this Monday....sorta skipped that for like 3 weeks....I biked and pulled out some old weight exercises from physical therapy after my knee surgery. I totally felt the weights in my arms, I should do that stuff more really, also it would probably help my knee too.

I wanted nothing to do with my 4 miler on Tue, I was tired, there were no treadmills and when I was done the stupid decrease didn't work so I had to pull like the emergency stop, I'm sorry but I think that's a little dangerous. Where is daylight savings time when I need it! My midweek mileage has ramped up to 8, that's as high as I get during the week, but I have to plan to get that in, that's more than just a quick run. Thankfully the traffic gods watched over me tonight and I was on the treadmill by 6:30, I even snagged a good one this time! Roughly an hour 10 min for 8 miles, a little slower than I wanted but I've been insanely tired all week so I will take it. I'm skipping tomorrow nights run due to an apt showing, it's feast or famine so I'm making a sacrifice.

I have to do 17 this weekend YIKES!!! I'm really sure I will be fine, I just haven't had that kind of mileage in awhile and it sounds very daunting at the moment. We already have several apts to see Sat morning so it's looking like it will probably be Sunday by the time I fit it in. It's been the longest week EVER. I don't know what the deal is but every min at work literally feels like 2 min. not cool. Maybe that means the next 2 days will go in hyper-speed, here's the hoping!

Sickie McSickerton

Once again I've slacked off on keeping up, good thing I'm not getting graded! My 7 and 4 miler last week were pretty standard, ran at the gym, wished I was outside. I could feel myself getting sick on Thursday, but if I wanted to go to Mad-town I had to do my 15 INSIDE Friday night. Last week 14 was a pain in the butt, 15 this week was just plain brutal.

When I got to the gym all good treadmills were taken up - you've got to be kidding me, it's Friday night, why are you here!?! By the time I stretched and warmed up though there was a treadmill in the back with my name on it. I made my way through the captions of 1 vs 100 and then on to that new show Amnesia, which I'm sure would be great, but there was waaaaaaaaaay too much talking for it to be entertaining reading the captions. This 15 was grueling, when I stopped the treadmill at the halfway to start it back up again I honestly did not know if I could go the whole way. While I was running Dave came and ran next to me, then he left, because he was finished.......that's right, he came after I came, then left before I was even off the treadmill, that's just sick. I managed to make it home without feeling ill, but that did not last long. I downed a gatorade and Dave brought over veggie burritos. Perhaps this wasn't the best choice but at least it would be a lot of calories to fill me up right?? Well, while Dave watched Mr. Brooks, which by the way is super gory, ew, I writhed in pain on the couch.

I debated whether or not to go to Madison, but in the end my sense of a good time won out. And if I do say so, Bockfest 2008, SUCCESS!!! Great seeing the crew, not so great feeling crazy sick Monday morning. Missed work Monday, felt like poo Tuesday = no running. So, not a huge fan of this at all, I'm hoping I'm miraculously cured tomorrow morning so I can run tomorrow night, we'll see. Did I mention this morning my windshield wiper broke off and it was snowing....awesome....then my yogurt and apple exploded in a lunch dropping escapade...double awesome. So I figure it's not possible that tomorrow could be worse than today.

For now I'm going to dip oreos in milk,and try not to eat through the whole pack because frankly, they're delicious. Think happy healthy running thoughts for me!

Slacker to the MAX

So I'm pretty terrible, missed a whole week although there wasn't much to report, my week runs can be summed up like this:

4 miles - craptacular treadmill
7 miles - didn't know it was possible but the crappiest craptacular screwed a water bottle on the side treadmill
4 miles - craptacular treadmill

Man did I have some BAD luck last week in the treadmill dept, and what makes me so angry is those girls that are there and then leave after they have walked on the treadmill for 10 min. I have NOTHING against walking, nothing, walk all you want, but these were girls that were chatting and using quality treadmills that people who are actually there to USE the machines and then poof 10 min in gone. I could swap but that requires stopping mid-workout and I hate that.

Then with my Mom coming in for the weekend I was faced with a dilemma. 14 miles inside on a treadmill (are you serious?) or wake up at the butt crack of dawn on Sat, we are talking like 5.30 AM and brave the fridgid temps. Normally I have no problem getting up early on a Sat for a run, but in the summer its actually warm at that time, in the winter its gotta be at least like 9 for it to be bearable outside, at least in my humble opinion. So inside it was. Being that it was a Friday night I had my pick of the treadmills. I chose one in the back so I could at least glance at the show they had on the tvs mounted in the corners (yea yea I know I said I can run without watching tv, but 14 miles inside called for drastic action) The treadmill can't even go all the way to 14 miles, or rather it takes me too long to get there, so halfway thru, I stopped, took my gel and started again. Overall it was ok, the last 4 miles it was just like "all right already", I think I watched about 20 people come and go too, which makes you feel awesome and really nerdy all at the same time. I definitely did not have enough in me though for this run, I felt sick and weak after, luckily Dave was nice enough to make me some grub. I could have used a better pre-run snack or possibly a 2nd gel, I will have to re-evaluate before next weekend.

The sick part about all of this is I think there will be a repeat performance for 15 this Friday. We are heading to Madison early Sat morning to see some friends so I think the only option will be Friday night indoors. So I'm either really dedicated or crazy, you can decide.......

Last night was another 4 miles, once again craptacular treadmill, stupid new years resolutions! I felt good though and forced myself to run a tad faster than normal. I started out the same but kicked it up much early than I normally do. This leads me to wonder if I could actually be pushing myself further? Or perhaps it's just easier on a treadmill, who knows, I finished 4 miles in about 33:40 though, I was pretty pleased. It also didn't feel like much, I finished and thought, huh could have kept going I don't feel like I really worked out. It's been interesting training this close to a past marathon (Chicago) I have never "stayed" in shape, and I think this time it's pretty evident I have, haven't lost my stamina. Also on a yuck note, my toes are back to "runner" status, good thing it's winter and I can wear socks all the time!

The barker is back.....

What a week of training it was!! Monday had me skipping crosstraining to get all my runs in as I knew I would need a night off for an appt. I ran an easy 4 miles but found I was in extreme pain on Tuesday. My right arch has major issues, it was so painful it was even bothering me in ugly flat work shoes, who knew! I have never had problems with my arches and really this was only one as it just hurt on my right foot. Troublesome let me tell you.

Not wanting to skip my run Tuesday night I ventured to the orthotics aisle in Walgreens and purchased arch supports, which by the way are not cheap. I figured I should wear them in both as it might be weird if they were only in one shoe. They helped tremendously, leaps and bounds, it was still a little painful but I could tell they helped. This is an interesting dilemma to me though. In the past I have NEVER run this much on the treadmill, could that be the source of this? I've never had arch issues before?? Or is it really all downhill once you hit 25.....just kidding.

Thursday was a quick 3 miles so I could get home for lost, and low and behold the barker is back at the gym. This guy's grunts and noises could rival Sharapova, no lie. He lifts weights, and I haven't seen him at the gym in months but he made his reappearance on Thursday and boy did I hear about it heh heh. I suppose I understand that perhaps that makes him get the extra umph to get the weights up, but c'mon aren't you mildly embarassed that the whole gym is listening to your barking/grunting/you name it weird noises? And if I was your wife, I don't think I'd be caught dead at the gym with you making all those animalesque noises....

I only had 9 miles to do for the weekend and thankfully I did on Sat as it is arctic temps out today! I ran a little earlier and it felt like there were a million people on the trail, which was nice to see. I fought for the first 1.5 miles to get my Camelback to cooperate, it was extremely obnoxious stopping to adjust every like 3 min, but eventually I showed it who was boss! On my last half mile back I passed a guy who gave me the biggest goofiest grin ever. He must have known me, I however had no clue who he was, and if he didn't know me perhaps he was smiling at my ridiculous get-up. The weekend miles pretty much steadily increase from here on out, so there's not much to look forward to in that department - although maybe if I just grunted every half mile or so that would give me the motivation to go the extra mile.......

Sore, tired, you name it

It's been a draining weekend, in a good way I suppose. I really needed to get my 12 miles in, wanted to prove to myself that although I'm missing runs here and there I'm still going to be fine for this race.

Sat was actually a pretty nice day to run, all things considering. The trail was well....slushy, I very often watched my step and somehow miraculously managed to keep my feet dry! There was really only one crappy portion where I was running on slanted slush....thank god I didn't fall. Quite a few other runners on the lakefront and it was sort of calming to look out on the partially frozen lake. 12 miles took me just past the Shedd, which always seems so far from where I started. I ran about 8:45/mile, which I'm pretty happy with considering the conditions. It also cracks me up, so many people have black cold gear, I on the otherhand....I was in black tights, green shorts, teal thermal, white/orange t-shirt with a hot pink turtle. Seriously I'm like a color nightmare.

I don't think I hydrated enough though following the run, especially considering we went out to celebrate Eric's b-day last night. I'm tired and pretty sore, ahhhhh lactic acid, you are no friend of mine. I think mid-week mileage this week is only 5, that's something to look forward too!

It's Official!

Yesterday, the last "cheap" day to do it, I registered for the Flying Pig! So now it's official and I have to do it! There's no turning back now! I also registered Dave for the half marathon. Poor guy gets roped into these races with me. I listed him as one of my emergency contacts as he will be there that day. He then pointed out that if I fall off a bridge during the race and he falls off the same bridge I'm going to be in trouble. So if everyone could please pray that I don't fall off the bridges in this race that would be great!

I ran my 6 on Wed, but it was pretty miserable. I got a crap dreadmill, one of the old ones, that I swear to you DO NOT function properly. But it was the only one availiable so I had to take it. My legs just felt heavy too, I know part of this was mental due to me being so angry about being on a dreadmill from 1985. But in the end I pounded it out, which is really all that matters.

Last night it took me over 2 hours to get home, a big thank you goes out to the LSD parking lot....NOT. However I probably wouldn't have run anyhow since my highly anticipated show is back on the air.....LOST!!!!!! I love it, I don't care if you think it's stupid and don't understand the plot, it is my all time favorite show. So I kicked back with a bottle of beer and enjoyed the premiere.

The weather is still crap outside, 12 this weekend might be a little snowy....we shall see, it's supposed to be 30 though which will be nice. Tonight Dave and I celebrate 4 years! CRAZY!!! I have yet to pick our dinner destination, but I'm sure it will be a great time, how lucky am I that he's stuck by me for all this time!!