Holiday Training

We have exactly ONE week until Christmas. Can you believe it?? Well everyone knows this time of year is the season when training becomes it's most burdensome. I, for one, have been on that track until recently. Last week’s training went pretty well; no real nerve issues to speak of, which is always a bonus in my world. I have a short week at work this week which is really nice, so I should be able to squeeze in an extra long run on Friday. My schedule, once again, is pretty easy this week. I didn’t manage to get to the gym on Sunday for spin, but I did frolic around the park and play Frisbee. It wasn’t quite the exercise I was looking for, but it sure was fun.

As many of you already know, I have recently moved to Plano. Luckily I live in a super neighborhood with TONS of sidewalks and parks, so I can plan all kinds of different routes for training. My recent favorite route makes a perfect rectangle about 1.45 miles in distance. Depending on the day, I take that a few times around and I’m good to go. It’s a nice run, especially since the trees are all lit with Christmas lights along the way.

When I first started running long distance, I “learned” to run in the very cold temperatures, so for some reason, I LOVE to do that. However it hasn’t been too chilly here. It’s been one extreme or the other. Today was bloody hot! Can you imagine, one week before Christmas and its mid 80’s outside. Something is wrong with that!! Anyway, no complaints… all is good.

Lastly, thanks to those of you who have sent me information on yoga. It’s been very helpful. Please keep the advice coming!

Once again, pretty easy week ahead, here’s the schedule:

M: off run, back stretches, ball exercises.
T: 3 miles and stretches
W: 3 miles and weights
R: 3 miles and stretches
F: (normally I would be off, but since I’m on vacation) 6 miles and back stretches
S: ball exercises and cross training with weights
U: 7 miles and stretches

Oh, and one more thing! For those who listen to "In Transit", the next show should be coming out in the next couple of days.

Yikes! It's Been a While

Okay, okay... sorry folks. I've been neglecting my blog haven't I? Well, the good news is that I have been getting ready for my next big race coming up in February, so let me tell you all about it. I will be running the Austin Half Marathon with several other triathlete friends of mine and I'm stoked about it!! If anyone wants to meet up with us there, please feel free to contact me and I'll get you our information. It's going to be a BLAST!

So I have lots of news. First, the City of Rome Marathon has been taken off the list of possibilities to run this season. Cara, my friend and podcast partner, has moved to Connecticut and won't be able to get that time off of work, so we have chosen another marathon in the states where it's more conducive to our schedules. Ladies and gentlemen, I announce to you, God willing and health intact, that I will be running the Charlottesville, Virginia Marathon 2007. YEA!!! And though Cara has moved to CT, we will still be doing the show. Luckily for us, the wonderful world of technology has provided us with a means to record over the net. It's really amazing actually. I just love electronics. Speaking of, and total side-note, have you ever been to a Frye's?? Oh my goodness, that place is amazing! Every single electronic you could ever imagine in ONE store the size of a Super Wal-Mart. But I digress...

Anyway, here's a little of what I've been up to since my last entry a month and a half ago. My new job is going really well, thankfully. And since I now live so close to my job, I have much more time to train. GREAT BIG YEA!! And I have been consistently running but I haven't been following the plan (Hal Higdon's) like I should. I haven't been increasing my miles as much as I should, so I've already fallen behind on my schedule. I just need to get in gear and buckle down to my plan. GRRR!!!!!

AND! Guess what?!?! You're not going to believe this. I have a person who said they would coach me with swimming! Yes, Yes, I know you're probably dying right now.... well, maybe not, but I surely am excited. I mean, I hate it still, but at least this way, I might get better and I might start liking it. So I'm pumped. But I won't start that until probably March or so.

Okay, man, so much news! I started seeing a wellness coach on Wednesday mornings and she helps me with stretching and upper body strengthening. The stretching is a therapeutic tool for my back, which is still having frequent painful episodes. But I think if I stick to my stretching exercises, then I will improve.... well, I'm hoping anyway. I am just going to listen to my body and see what it tells me. If I have to stop running, I have to stop running. I've come to face that fact. It's not pretty, but it's there, so I have to recognize it. Alas, I continue on in the meantime. My wellness coach has also suggested that I do yoga daily for 15 minutes. So I'm looking for any advice on yoga DVD's if anyone has any to suggest, please let me know. And keep in mind that I am a beginner, so nothin' too fancy-shmancy!

Again, sorry for such a long delay in posting but I've just been crazy lately! Please keep in touch via phone or email. And I assure you, I'll keep you posted on my training.

This week's schedule is pretty easy:
M--off running, back stretches
T--3 miles, back stretches, and ball exercises
W--3 miles, back stretches
R--3 miles, back stretches
F--off running, back stretches
S--6 miles, back stretches, and ball exercises
U--cross train (think I'm going to spin at the gym for an hour and do my ball exercises).

My new pump up music is TECHNO, baby!! Classical music made into techno is the most amazing running music because it's got such an amazing beat, you feel like you're soaring with every step. I love it! Okay, okay... I'm done. Catch ya in a few days! PHEW... that was a workout!