And We're Finished With That

Last day of November today...not sure where the month went but it's on to December tomorrow.

Oh, and I'm hopeful that whatever robbed me of my motivation in November stays in November.

42...that's right, 42 miles.   What an impressive grand total of mileage for November.

I really, really hope December is better.

Worth A Thousand Words?

T and I before the Gobble Wobble Fun Run Thursday morning, and yes the hat got quite a few comments.

We Have A Winner...

nice job EC.

7 Weeks Will Do That To You...

Just looked at the calendar:  this is the 7th week since Chicago.  The 7th week that I've pretty much done nothing.  The last 7 weeks has seen all of that fitness I had over the summer vanish like a virgin on prom night (bonus points to anyone who recognizes the movie).

I ran 4.2 miles with T on Thursday in the Gobble Wobble fun run (no numbers, no timing) and it about freakin' killed me.  We ran with some new friends and I felt really bad because I know that T and I were the anchor that slowed them down.  Then today we went out for an easy 4 mile run - intentionally chose the flattest route we could and we still only managed 3.6 before we were both ready to throw in the towel.  Did I mention that my heart rate was over 160 at one point during today's run?  I haven't felt this out of shape or struggled this much running in awhile...

so long in fact that when I got home I pulled up my running log from 2007 to check something.  Yep, I haven't felt like this sine June of 2007 after running the HM at the Flying Pig and struggling in a 5k here.  I didn't start making progress that summer until I slowed down and actually built some aerobic base - running easy paced runs between 11:00-11:30 per mile.  Runs that felt like a complete and utter struggle.

Well, guess what?  I'm back there so I'm going to try the same strategy, because I need to do something different to try and get back into the swing of things.  Training for Toledo/Glass City (still not sure if it will be a full or a half) starts on 12/22.  Need to get my ass in gear.

Winter Wonderland

The first significant snowfall of the year hit yesterday.  Nothing more than 1.5" but it made for interesting driving conditions in the morning.  I just hope it melts and we can see what little greenery there is left before the true winter hits.

More importantly that 1.5" of snow on the ground meant that in the short term running, for me at least, was forced in doors due to the fact that not everyone is as diligent as we are about shoveling/clearing the sidewalk.

Three ugly miles on the treadmill.  Not that I'm surprised they were ugly - I've run a whopping 8 times for a grand total of 34 miles so far in the month of November - but it always takes me a few runs to get used to running on the treadmill again.  No matter how ugly the miles were, or how hard they felt (I'm not even thinking of posting my pace) the important thing was I wanted to run this morning which felt really good.

Long Day

The desire to run has resurfaced.

I finally completed all of my scheduled runs for the week, after many, many, many weeks of trying. I only ran 20 miles this week, but every one of those 20 miles felt good.

I ran today with T...and no matter what the pace may be when we run together, I love running with her. It gives us the chance to talk...or not talk and just be...together.

My mood has improved (even T commented on that today while we were running) and I'm finally starting to feel like myself again after Chicago. It's only taken a month.

Another good one

6.27 miles this morning.  Luckily the crappy weather hasn't hit yet so it was only cool and windy instead of snowy.  Felt good running...feels like I'm rounding back into form a bit more with each run.

Did my exercises as well so I'm good for the rest of the day - and thankful that I don't have to stand outside at a soccer game!

Rant

*****Warning, the following post is rated R due to explicit language*****

When I ask a goddamn "Yes"/"No" question do not answer: not really, sometimes, maybe, sort of, kind of, etc. I want you to say "Yes" or "No". I will then ask more questions.

Trend?

Easy workout this morning...just did my hip exercises and stretched.  No run.  Unfortunately today maybe the last decent day to run for awhile.  Forecast for the weekend and much of next week:  highs in the 30s and maybe an inch of snow before tomorrow.

Love the midwest weather.

Finally!

6.3 miles this morning, and finally a run that felt good.

Leg circuits and everything else after work and before the cleaning of the house begins tonight.  T's father and his wife are coming for a visit this weekend.

Next

Now that T is done with her latest addition I need to find the time to go see Jay about my next project.

I don't want to reveal too much, but this one will be a more traditional style pin-up. Hopefully I can have it done over Christmas when my work schedule isn't as hectic.

Oh, and the next time I decide to drink that much on a Tuesday night would someone please slap me.

Whoaaaa....

Too many beers last night to run this morning...

I did, however, do all the other things on my workout schedule, I just pushed the run back to tomorrow.

Don't Want To Jinx it...

Two days in a row.

4 easy miles which felt much easier than the run on Sunday.  My leg didn't bother me hardly at all and even the strengthening stuff afterwards felt easier.

Wow...imagine that, things actually paying off?

Workout? Check

Saw the Mrs. off to work and then got my workout done.  That fifth time through the leg circuits wasn't fun, but I did it.

Oh, and it snowed last night.  At least it's only on the grass and cars, but still...fucking hate snow.

Accountability

Ok...I know people read this (or at least they point Firefox/Safari/IE7 towards this, if they actually read it or not who knows) so I'm enlisting y'all to hold me accountable, because it's become evident that holding my own feet to the fire hasn't really worked out all that well the last 2-3 months.

So, here is my workout schedule for the coming week.  My plan is to do as much of it as possible in the morning before I go to work (that way it limits the amount of procrastination) and post on here that the day's workout has been completed.  It shouldn't take me more than 20-30 minutes to do everything besides the runs.  If you don't see something by noon, feel free to fire away with the comments indicating I'm a slacker.

Monday

Mini-band hip routine

Leg circuits - week #2 of the cycle.  5 circuits.

Core

Foam roll and flexibility

Tuesday

Hip exercises

Mini-band hip routine

Foam roll and flexibility

Running - 4 miles

Wednesday

Hip exercises

Mini-band hip routine

Foam roll and flexibility

Running - 6 miles

Thursday

Mini-band hip routine

Leg circuits

Core

Foam roll and flexibility

Friday

Hip exercises

Foam roll and flexibility

Saturday

Mini-band hip routine

Hip exercises

Core

Foam roll and flexibility

Running - 4 miles

Sunday

Mini-band hip routine

Foam roll and flexibility

Running - 6 miles

Total planned miles for the week = 20

Maybe?

I think I've found one of the things contributing to my crappy mood lately, my feeling of stress lately...

I haven't been running.

Viscious cycle: no motivation so I don't run, I don't run so it kills my mood/energy level, I'm in a crappy mood so I don't have any motivation to run.

Plus, by not running I'm missing my favorite time of the year...the cool-almost-cold, grey sky fall days.

Must do better this week. MUST.

Unbelievable

I am pleasantly shocked by three results from election day yesterday:

- the state of Michigan voted to approve the medical use of marijuana.

- then the state of Michigan also voted to allow stem cell research.

These decisions by the people of this state gives me hope for the mitten.

The big shocker to me though, and an action by voters that just reinforces that the people of the Pacific Northwest might actually be more with it than the rest of the nation...the state of Washington approved a death with dignity initiative  becoming the second state to allow terminally ill people to control the end of their days.

Okay...enough election stuff.

Three Words For You

Dear State of Michigan,

After waiting in line, filling out the appropriate paperwork, having to tell the lovely older lady volunteer that the address on my voter card did indeed match my drivers license (the state issued sticker was placed on the back per the instructions), then waiting to use one of the four voting machines - which I ponder, is it really a voting machine when all it is is privacy screen with a Bic ballpoint pen for me to use?  I actually got a giggle out of the sign in the voting booth "Only used provided special pen"  - I would like to suggest you take a cue from 33rd state to enter the Union and allow us to vote by mail.

Send me my ballot in the middle of October, I'll fill it out, put it in a sealed envelope and return it no later than election Tuesday.  No line.  No confusion.

Clean Slate

What a difference 48 hours makes...

Friday:  I got to experience Halloween in our neighborhood.  Probably 125-150 kids/teenagers/adults at the door.  Enough people that we ran out of candy (6 bags T bought) and had to resort to handing out individual bags of fruit pieces we got at Costco, and then ran out of them!  Best costume?  Kid who was maybe 8-10 years old dressed as skunk.  Hilarious.

Saturday:  a lovely day of no responsibility.  Spent the day with T - had a leisurely breakfast, went to the mall, browsed a book store for a good hour, had lunch and then just relaxed around the house.

Sunday:  repeat of Saturday except after reading the Sunday NY Times/coffee we went for a run.  Felt great even though T ran me into the ground.  Followed that up with some simple stuff around the house, grocery shopping, and a nice quiet dinner here at home.

We may not have accomplished much (I know I didn't touch the grading I've got to get done by tomorrow) but I don't really care.  It was probably the best weekend I've had in a long time simply because I got to spend it with T.

UPDATE

the most recent addition...for Chicago.

and a phenomenal t-shirt that T bought for me:

That's right...Save Second Base.  It's a breast cancer awareness t-shirt.  On the back it says "If You Love Them, Check Them".  A great cause to support.