Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Okay. So I went for a short run today -- the first I have done since Saturday. Now, some of you can say that's bad but, honestly, I'm not convinced it has been such a bad thing. Of course today's run was short -- I just ran a mile total. I felt a little discomfort all over my left leg. There was some in the side of my left hamstring, a little in my calf, I've even been feeling it a bit in my ankle. But it was pretty good today. No limping!
And I have actually been hydrating, and I'm about to drink the first Cytomax I've had in a looong while. I'm going to stretch in a second, too!
Christmas was kind to me this year! Last night my sister, my parents, my grandparents, my aunt, uncle, and cousins all went to Church together. I was wearing my "Elisabeth is looking nice!" shirt and was told -- mostly by my family -- that I looked nice. (The shirt worked!) I had to help pass out the wine at communion time and this fellow I have marginally had my eye on for a while was serving also. I wanted to say something to him so I could have at least spoken with him before, but I didn't know what to say. Finally, when all the wine servers were back in the corner and after we had each imbibed what remained of the communion wine left in each of our cups, I turned to him and asked, "Do I have a grape moustache?" He laughed and said, "No. You're fine!" How's that for a little suaveness?
Actually, I did a little research later on and discovered that he's only 22 or something. Oh well. At least he's not likely to forget me for a couple of days.
Then, today, my parents, sister, grandmother, and I opened presents. My parents and my sister purchased my sister's old work laptop from her employer and got it all set up for me! Isn't that cool?! I guess it has a wicked amount of memory. The only thing is that it doesn't have any programs at this point. I'm going to have to spring for Microsoft Office at some point in the future when I have the spare change.
My mom also presented me with an art deco style chandelier for my apartment. We had both noticed it at the consignment store when we were there last, and we both liked it. I had expressed the concern, however, that it hung too low for the not-high ceilings in my apartment. My mom still thought it would look nice in my living room so she came back later and bought it for me. So once it's up, Dave Ross, you're going to have to duck. The rest of you should be alright. Monica is safe for sure. My mom likes the chandelier so, gosh darnit, it will be up in my apartment!
Other than that my family spent the afternoon playing the Harry Potter version of "Clue." My sister won and then got really grumpy with me when I didn't want to chase it with a wollopping round of "Pictionary." I was tired and I needed to go outside and exert myself, I said. Doing so was showing my disdain for "family time" she said. I went running anyway. And I shoveled the sidewalks at my apartment building and at my parents' house.
Could this post be any more chatty? I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I do expect to hear a full report from at least one out of three of my coaches. (You know who you are!) Have a wonderful evening and we'll speak with you soon!
P.S. Scotty, I still have a gift for you.
Gotta go stretch!
Liz
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Today's 10 Miler and Team Apex's Own Christmas Elf
Hello, All!
Okay . . .I started out this morning attending the YMCA Christmas run to cheer on Dave and Monica. Monica dressed as a cute little elf with peppermint-striped leggings.
Mike and I saw our fearless coaches off at the starting line and proceeded to people watch as we waited for them to return. To my surprise, Dave came flying in within 10-15 minutes. I had thought he was running the 10K, but found out after that he had only ever intended to run the 2.5 mile.
Monica was undoubtedly the cutest elf there. (For there were many, many elves. Santa must have been lonely up north today.) She came running in after several minutes. I said, "Congrats" to her and then went to think about running my 10 miles.
I met up with Scotty later in the day and we ran the 10 together. Man, it was a lot rougher than it should have been! My left calf hurt during the first half, it was cold, I was low on energy, and my head and stomach were definitely not up to snuff, either. On the way back, the discomfort moved up into my hamstring, and two of my toes really started to hurt. (I had just gotten new, thicker running socks to fit the cold weather. Could this have been why?) And I was WAY TOO TIRED to only be running 10 miles. I sincerely hoped this was as a result of not much sleep last night.
We finally made it back to Julia Davis and all I wanted to do was drink some tea, take a shower, and warm up. Now I'm home and I think I'll be resting this evening!
NOW: because I like to share my favorite songs, feel free to listen to this. If I were to get married tomorrow and I had 100% control over my wedding, I would choose this song for the first dance. It's my song of the week. It's "Si Volvieras A Mi" I think that means "If you fly to me." I have yet to look up what it means to find out if I'm right. It's very romantic. If you like this sort of thing, feel free to give it a listen! (Only pay attention to the video if you like it.)
Liz
Okay . . .I started out this morning attending the YMCA Christmas run to cheer on Dave and Monica. Monica dressed as a cute little elf with peppermint-striped leggings.
Mike and I saw our fearless coaches off at the starting line and proceeded to people watch as we waited for them to return. To my surprise, Dave came flying in within 10-15 minutes. I had thought he was running the 10K, but found out after that he had only ever intended to run the 2.5 mile.
Monica was undoubtedly the cutest elf there. (For there were many, many elves. Santa must have been lonely up north today.) She came running in after several minutes. I said, "Congrats" to her and then went to think about running my 10 miles.
I met up with Scotty later in the day and we ran the 10 together. Man, it was a lot rougher than it should have been! My left calf hurt during the first half, it was cold, I was low on energy, and my head and stomach were definitely not up to snuff, either. On the way back, the discomfort moved up into my hamstring, and two of my toes really started to hurt. (I had just gotten new, thicker running socks to fit the cold weather. Could this have been why?) And I was WAY TOO TIRED to only be running 10 miles. I sincerely hoped this was as a result of not much sleep last night.
We finally made it back to Julia Davis and all I wanted to do was drink some tea, take a shower, and warm up. Now I'm home and I think I'll be resting this evening!
NOW: because I like to share my favorite songs, feel free to listen to this. If I were to get married tomorrow and I had 100% control over my wedding, I would choose this song for the first dance. It's my song of the week. It's "Si Volvieras A Mi" I think that means "If you fly to me." I have yet to look up what it means to find out if I'm right. It's very romantic. If you like this sort of thing, feel free to give it a listen! (Only pay attention to the video if you like it.)
Liz
Thursday, December 11, 2008
To Those of Little Faith :)
I am sitting in a coffee shop right now and I have 9 minutes left to write this in. There is a guitarist and a guy playing a harmonica. They're raising money so the guitarist's mom can have a transplant. I'm totally donating!
Anyway, tonight's run kind of sucked. I ran-limped the first mile-and-a-half, did a little stretching, and then turned around and did the same back to the store. It almost felt like my foot was a little lop-sided and like I was twisting my calf muscle as I ran. When I returned, it didn't feel better. Instead, it felt worse.
Of course, I wasn't back 5 minutes before Mikey was at my side finding out how I was. Love that man!
Monica is supposed to work on my calf tomorrow. Thanks, Monica!
The eating is going awesome! And, y'know? Keep yourself occupied, watch the snacking impulses, and eating a little healthier isn't that hard!! It's pretty cool actually. Plus, I'm totally motivated, which is cool.
I'm back on socks. It's too cold for my sandals. I'll have to try boycotting socks not during winter next time.
Got new running shoes today, and in my favorite color. I love half-price sales!
Have a good night, All!
Anyway, tonight's run kind of sucked. I ran-limped the first mile-and-a-half, did a little stretching, and then turned around and did the same back to the store. It almost felt like my foot was a little lop-sided and like I was twisting my calf muscle as I ran. When I returned, it didn't feel better. Instead, it felt worse.
Of course, I wasn't back 5 minutes before Mikey was at my side finding out how I was. Love that man!
Monica is supposed to work on my calf tomorrow. Thanks, Monica!
The eating is going awesome! And, y'know? Keep yourself occupied, watch the snacking impulses, and eating a little healthier isn't that hard!! It's pretty cool actually. Plus, I'm totally motivated, which is cool.
I'm back on socks. It's too cold for my sandals. I'll have to try boycotting socks not during winter next time.
Got new running shoes today, and in my favorite color. I love half-price sales!
Have a good night, All!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Quickie Post
Hello, All!
I have a headache so this will be quick.
Well, my calf is still bugging me, so I had to take the run quite a bit slower tonight. I really think it's time to replace my shoes. I'll be heading out tomorrow to get new ones.
Well, I have decided to try for Boston in 2010 with the Chicago, 2009, marathon!
I wouldn't do it if I didn't think it was doable. Here's my plan:
Dan Shirilla let me in on a little bit of info tonight. According to him, every ten pounds you have extra on your frame adds 20 minutes to your marathon.
Well, let's think about this. I know for sure that I could lose 25 pounds and still be in the healthy weight range. Actually, I think I could probably lose closer to 35 before I started pushing it. But, to be conservative, let's suppose 25.
So, my first marathon time was 4:54 and it included 20 miles of hills.
With 25 pounds lost, that time comes down to about 4:14. Subtract the time for the hills and I have no idea would come down to, but I'm sure that that time minus the time I'll be able to shave off during the next year in speedwork, etc., will be enough to put me below 3:40. And, if 35 pounds of weight loss is a healthy option, then that could further cut the time. (I figure I can deal with that after I lose the first 25.)
Eating going well. All recorded. I can't figure out why there's so much fat in the pie chart. I have some cheese with lunch and I added some cheese to my omelet for dinner, but, other than that, everything I eat is pretty much fat free. Weird.
Anyway, here's a song that inspires me and livens me up. Warning: it's Latin, and it's Ricky Martin. If you can't stand that stuff, beware!
The video, as usual, is nonexistent. Just listen to the song.
Liz
I have a headache so this will be quick.
Well, my calf is still bugging me, so I had to take the run quite a bit slower tonight. I really think it's time to replace my shoes. I'll be heading out tomorrow to get new ones.
Well, I have decided to try for Boston in 2010 with the Chicago, 2009, marathon!
I wouldn't do it if I didn't think it was doable. Here's my plan:
Dan Shirilla let me in on a little bit of info tonight. According to him, every ten pounds you have extra on your frame adds 20 minutes to your marathon.
Well, let's think about this. I know for sure that I could lose 25 pounds and still be in the healthy weight range. Actually, I think I could probably lose closer to 35 before I started pushing it. But, to be conservative, let's suppose 25.
So, my first marathon time was 4:54 and it included 20 miles of hills.
With 25 pounds lost, that time comes down to about 4:14. Subtract the time for the hills and I have no idea would come down to, but I'm sure that that time minus the time I'll be able to shave off during the next year in speedwork, etc., will be enough to put me below 3:40. And, if 35 pounds of weight loss is a healthy option, then that could further cut the time. (I figure I can deal with that after I lose the first 25.)
Eating going well. All recorded. I can't figure out why there's so much fat in the pie chart. I have some cheese with lunch and I added some cheese to my omelet for dinner, but, other than that, everything I eat is pretty much fat free. Weird.
Anyway, here's a song that inspires me and livens me up. Warning: it's Latin, and it's Ricky Martin. If you can't stand that stuff, beware!
The video, as usual, is nonexistent. Just listen to the song.
Liz
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sunday Run and Babyfest
Hello, all!
Well, I did what I was told today: 75 minutes. I decided to run to Hubert and Petra's house so I could see my kids, but I had to take an extra long route since it only usually takes about an hour to get there.
My calf hurt but not too bad. This did slow my pace down quite a bit, though, and it screwed with my form. I'm sure I would have gotten several corrective shouts from Dave had he been there to see. Thank goodness I was alone.
Nutrition has been pretty good, except Petra gave me a little piece of her almond pastry she made this week. It was scrumptious!! I asked Hubert if Petra had always been a good cook, and he just said,
"Well, it isn't hard to be a good cook by American standards." (Hubert and Petra are German.)
"How come?" I asked.
"Because you guys don't cook anything that takes over 1/2 hour."
He's right. We have a society based on convenience, and it really is too bad.
So, I spent the evening giving the little boys zerberts, feeding Helena, and then getting her ready for bed. I'm still at their house. The boys are in their crazy frenzied phase of fatigue and need to go to bed as soon as possible so the grown ups in the house don't go crazy.
Soon, I will go to an advent concert at church. Looking forward to it.
:) Liz
Well, I did what I was told today: 75 minutes. I decided to run to Hubert and Petra's house so I could see my kids, but I had to take an extra long route since it only usually takes about an hour to get there.
My calf hurt but not too bad. This did slow my pace down quite a bit, though, and it screwed with my form. I'm sure I would have gotten several corrective shouts from Dave had he been there to see. Thank goodness I was alone.
Nutrition has been pretty good, except Petra gave me a little piece of her almond pastry she made this week. It was scrumptious!! I asked Hubert if Petra had always been a good cook, and he just said,
"Well, it isn't hard to be a good cook by American standards." (Hubert and Petra are German.)
"How come?" I asked.
"Because you guys don't cook anything that takes over 1/2 hour."
He's right. We have a society based on convenience, and it really is too bad.
So, I spent the evening giving the little boys zerberts, feeding Helena, and then getting her ready for bed. I'm still at their house. The boys are in their crazy frenzied phase of fatigue and need to go to bed as soon as possible so the grown ups in the house don't go crazy.
Soon, I will go to an advent concert at church. Looking forward to it.
:) Liz
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Got Those Low Down Not-Running Blues
Hey, Friends and Compadres!
Well, as some of you know, my bod has been keeping me from fulfilling all my training runs. (Last week it was my attitude; this week it's actually my body.) I didn't get to run my eleven miles today. I hope that can change come tomorrow.
As some of you also know, my nutrition has suffered quite a bit over the last 1 1/2 weeks or so. Today hasn't been too bad, however!
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Mike's drunken stories last night at the St. Al's Neuro Floor Party. I also enjoyed singing bubblegum songs on the barely-functioning karaoke machine!
Tonight I'm laundrying, cleaning, and thinking about doing something about how full-of-my-crap my car is. There's a bunch of stuff to be taken to school but, of course, I still don't know the code to disengage the alarm.
I have decided that I'm sick of socks. Not only do they make your feet too hot, but they have to kept in pairs, they can only be worn once before they start to stink, and they confine the feet in unfair ways (i.e., they bind.) I am wearing my sandals today in protest. Down with socks!
So, I hope all you runner-types have a good evening, and I'll post again when I have more to say.
Liz
Well, as some of you know, my bod has been keeping me from fulfilling all my training runs. (Last week it was my attitude; this week it's actually my body.) I didn't get to run my eleven miles today. I hope that can change come tomorrow.
As some of you also know, my nutrition has suffered quite a bit over the last 1 1/2 weeks or so. Today hasn't been too bad, however!
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Mike's drunken stories last night at the St. Al's Neuro Floor Party. I also enjoyed singing bubblegum songs on the barely-functioning karaoke machine!
Tonight I'm laundrying, cleaning, and thinking about doing something about how full-of-my-crap my car is. There's a bunch of stuff to be taken to school but, of course, I still don't know the code to disengage the alarm.
I have decided that I'm sick of socks. Not only do they make your feet too hot, but they have to kept in pairs, they can only be worn once before they start to stink, and they confine the feet in unfair ways (i.e., they bind.) I am wearing my sandals today in protest. Down with socks!
So, I hope all you runner-types have a good evening, and I'll post again when I have more to say.
Liz
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