15 weeks to half 'm' day. and my swag.

Seeing how I went with that subject title last year for OKC, I have to do it again. Plus I don't have enough energy to think of something new, so you're stuck with it blahgesphere. That said, week one of training for OKC was a success. I am doing a three day a week running plan, with lots of cross training thrown in for now. But once I start teaching again at the end of next month, that will change. So I'm trying to cram as much as I possibly can in right now. Like a twice weekly spin class, yoga three times a week and two weight training classes. I'm trying to reduce stress around my running, and last year it was far too stressful for me to try and work, teach, run 4-5 days a week, and live. So far, so good.

Yesterday The Lawyer came over to my house to do our long run, she did 10 (she's running the full) and I did six. My neighborhood is really sheltered from the wind compared to most of Wichita, so we opted for that, but because it's so sheltered there is still a lot of ice on our streets. A good chunk of our miles were spent picking our way through icy patches, we would run for a minute then have to stop and slip all over, then resume running. I bet that was entertaining to all the cars going by. I clearly should have scouted this all out a little better. The good news is, I didn't fall, it was a first long-run miracle!!

Other than the ice, and some wind at the end (but that is nothing new in the big dub) it was an excellent run. I'm not posting my times, I am running Garmin free for now, and I kind of love it really. I didn't even ask The Lawyer what our pace was once, and I asked with mild interest how long it took once we finished. But for my sanity and to remain injury free, time is something I'm just choosing not to give a flying flip about for now. So freeing.

And of course since it was a chilly run, we got back home and insisted the Eddder take us to Starbucks, clearly he gets wrangled into taking us to do a lot of things. So he did, we all headed to Barnes and Noble though, to hit up the Starbucks there and take care of some shopping. Which is where the first of the killer swag comes in. But I have to preface it, OF COURSE.

So every year, I get the Runners World Running Calendar, but I reserve it for work. So I'm left needing a calendar for my fridge. And at the start of every new year, I also buy a brand spanking new journal, whether the old one was full or not. Yes, wasteful, but I don't care. I'm kind of a organization freak, can't have two years in one spot!! The thing is, I make it a point to wait as long as possible into the new year to get these items. I am the queen of procrastination. Since The Lawyer (and the other lawyer, usually known as edder) needed some stuff at Barnes and Noble I decided it would be my annual 'get a new journal and find a discounted and as hideous as possible calendar mission'. Mission succesful.

The Calendar:So it's Parrots this year. PARROTS. Creepy. But it's on cool paper so it made up for it. Other than the fact that when I opened it up to write the next few months events on it, I realized it has no room for said events sooo..... I may have to go back to B & N and retrieve that classy little number I almost got called "Dragons" or that other gem I passed over titled "Warcraft." Tough choice.

The Journal:
There isn't much to say about this one, except it's totally kick-ass! I love it. The cover is a copy of this handcrafted tile some random woman makes. But it caught my eye and made me smile, so I went for it. Oh the things this little journal will have to hear me gripe about, feel sorry for it. Really.

Other Swag:
The hat. First, I forgot to mention that the resolution run was sponsored by Mizuno. Mizuno....mmmmm. They are my first running love, they were my first official running shoe, and although I tried some others (in which i got those nasty stress fractures) last November I went screamining back to the wonderful that is the Mizuno WaveRider, I promise to never stray again. I was wearing my sweet little Mizuno's at the resolution run, natch, and one of the reps was going around handing out Mizuno hats to everyone wearing their perfect little shoes. Usually I wouldn't care about a hat. I would know that as cute as that hat was, I wouldn't be able to wear it because my freak of nature peanut head doesn't look good in hats, they are all way to big for this fluff ball. However. I put the hat on and ohhhh my was I wrong. I'm now in love with it. And seeing how the instant I woke up this morning I KNEW it was going to be 'a day', I slapped the sucker on and haven't taken it off yet. Happy.

Next item. I found a cozy little fleece piece of perfection. I deem it my new favorite thing. It's a fleece I've been desperately needing for years now. The one I had been using belongs in my ski coat and just wasn't doing it for me. But this one is perfect for running, perfect for wearing on weekends, and perfect for wearing to work when having 'a day'. It's the most snugly thing on the face of the earth. And I'm pretty sure I am going to try hard to never actually run in it, because I don't want to ruin it. Plus it was on sale. Although I couldn't buy it with the change in my car IRISH, disappointing I know. Somehow wearing it made today manageable. Yeah, we like to dress up REAL NICE in radio world.

Both the hat and the delightful fleece running jacket above. Yeah, I was too lazy to take separate photos, and Edder happened to snag this RIGHT after i got home from that killer spin class I'm addicted to, all disgusting, and plopped myself down on the floor in front of him to explain the hell that had been my day. He said I looked pitiful, and snapped that pic on his phone, so I'll take it. Not enough energy not to.

Last bit. SKI BOOTS! Please note Frank, he is getting all pushy about his cameo's on my blog now.
I love skiing (both snow and water).... and mountains, and snow, and colorado, and lamps! We go skiing every winter in Winter Park, Co. This year is no exception, in fact we leave in a just a few weeks. And it just so happens I'm going with this girl... oh and her husband who is my baby cousin. YAY! So after begging and pleading I got my very own shiny pair of ski boots for Christmas, they are so soft and delicious inside. Thanks mom and dad! And yes, of course I wore them to work today too, as well as Spin. Ski boots make everything better.

Wow, that was a ridicu-long-post. But happy monday, and cheers to everyone starting their training plans this week! For now I have some more cheese pizza to inhale and a bed that misses me.

my husky boy.

I present to you, the glory that is Frank my cat. This is his usual lounging position in the middle of the living room rug. Pretty sure he's waiting for fifth dinner. He has a bit of a tum on him, but he is darn proud of it.
And yes I was mostly productive this weekend and do have things like week one of OKC 1/2 marathon training to report on, my successful and cold first "long run" of the year, plus that SWAG and news to share. But Frank won out. So enjoy... ohhhh, but wait. Does this make me creepy cat lady?! Oh dear.

resolution beer run & frosty 5k.

I realize I already kind of summed up the Resolution Beer 5K on New Years Eve. And yeah, I'm a little late on all of this, but ummmm, busy week?! Yeah, we'll go with that. I actually have been sick though.

So besides enjoying a teensy bit of beer while doing a 5k with some good friends, there isn't much to say about this race. It was ridiculously, mind numbingly, nose freezing, eye watering, cold. And since it started at 5p it got dark before it was over. I think it would have been a much more enjoyable race if it started an hour earlier, but that's just my opinion. Despite the cold and dark, it was a fun race.

*a little pre-race beer to keep us warm, i heart these girls (me, lea, candace and indi)*

After some New Years Eve enjoyment, Indi and I got up New Years Day and started getting ready for the Frosty 5K. Luckily we had plenty of time since the race wasn't until 11a, which was just a perfect start time for a cold winter race. Loved it.

I went into this race prepared to take it easy and I did. The race isn't chip timed and I didn't wear my Garmin (on purpose), but the results said 28:02, which is my second worst 5K time (the worst being that little NYE beer run the night before). BUT, I only took it easy because I promised some people I would, despite a little cursing in my head about it, I need reminders. I have to admit it was an excellent decision. I got to run the entire race with one of my favorite human beings in the UNIVERSE, The Running Lawyer.

What an amazing way to start the year, running side by side with the lawyer, on a sunny day, through my favorite part of my hometown -- downtown and along the river, feeling fantastic. It made me ridiculously happy. Pretty sure not much could beat that. I felt incredible the entire race, I was really surprised about that really. This is always a fantastic race. LOVE IT!

So there you go, an amazing start to my 2010. I'll take it. Of course we all gorged ourselves at our traditional post-race eatery the Good Egg. Mmmmm... it was a fantastic day. Because it sure did end with The Running Lawyer and I dragging Edder to that little Alec Baldwin movie that's out right now. He even laughed once or twice, despite grumbling about it....shhhhh I think he secretly didn't mind.

*indi, the running lawyer and i after the frosty 5K, how sweet is it we all have matching hats, and gloves and not on purpose?*

*who needs a PR when you have jazz hands?! and because no post-race photo is complete without them, that's why, oh i know there was some 'WTH'? going on in your blahggie heads*

a good start.

I think 2010 will be good, and that makes me happy, especially since the past three years or so have been somewhat forgettable. This year has started out spectacularly, despite a little cold I acquired, I'm guessing due to the fact that I forgot to take MY yoga mat to the gym the other night and had to use a gym yoga mat...bad idea. I have no resolutions to announce, because I'm not that kind of girl. I've blogged about that before, but I'm the type to say why wait for a new year to resolve to be better?! So I've got nothing for you there.

Onto the great new year so far, exciting news. I RAN!! In fact I ran two 5Ks in two days. I am going to say I got a PR in the first 5K, because it was totally a PR for a beer race. Yes, I had a beer BEFORE the race, then there were three beer stops through the whole 5k. I am a lightweight, those who know me at all know this. In fact, I should not be allowed to use technology after even one beer, those who have witnessed this...HOLLAAAH.

Lost my train of thought....beer 5K on New Years Eve....yes. So I did the 5K with some friends and even Edder joined in. Although he took the beer part far more seriously than I did...hey, someone had to drive home. I'm not even sharing my time, because it doesn't matter. It was fun and freezing and something different and shared with good friends. Plus, the perfect way to start the evenings festivities. Which included fellow runners bombarding my house for pizza and beer and games, it was a whole bunch of running nerd fun.

Tomorrow I'll recap a good first few days in the new year, including that second 5K in two days, some quality time with Alec Baldwin, a few announcements (just like school), some SWAG and maybe even a picture or two! EEEIIIIAA, happy new year!! Annnnd I'm spent. Time to go back to sleep, having a cold sucks. Or give in to a guilty pleasure and watch Pet Psychic...yeah, I just admitted that interweb, but it's such a fabulous train wreck!