Time to reflect

It's been awhile since I've posted much that's going on so I'll try to catch up. I'm still struggling with getting back in the game but am feeling better now that I'm working less days. I'm down to 3 days a week and it's such a relief, physically and mentally. Now I just have to get my workout schedule in order. It seems that my days off from work coincide with my days off from working out which is kind of dumb. I need to work on that. I've pretty much decided to try to run another marathon this fall but am not all that excited about it. I'm still torn and prefer running the trails. I guess I'll just train for a marathon and see what happens. It's been so hot here that it's making running tough but I suppose that is what makes runners tough. We ran 8 miles yesterday and it was brutal, very hot and humid. We have met some great people to run with and hopefully I'll improve as a result.
I'm reading the book Born to Run for inspiration. It's a very interesting book because I am so familiar with many of the people in it and it gives a lot of history to ultra distance running. It certainly is making me want to get out and run on the trails. We're going to do the Sweaty Butt 50K on July 4. Well Frank is, I'm only going to run two loops (hopefully I'll run two loops) for about 20 miles. That'll be the farthest I've run in a long time. It should be fun as it is a Fat Ass so no pressure. Elsa and Joe are going to do it as well. They've never been to Umstead so I'm looking forward to showing them around.
Looks like our next big race will be a 10 miler in Wilmington NC. We've been wanting to get to the beach for awhile so this is a great opportunity. The race is Saturday evening at 6:00 so we'll have all day to hang out and then there's a party after the race so that'll be fun as well. That is July 18 so I've got a month to get ready. We don't have anything picked out yet for August but in September we plan on doing Hinson Lake 24 hour run. Hopefully it'll be our comeback race with the Mangum group.
Tomorrow we go to the township to discuss our deck addition. They told us it would only take about 10 minutes so it sounds easy enough. I'm really looking forward to have the deck completed. We'll be able to eat out there and even get a little sun. I need my vitamin D.
I bought some new massage training dvd's so I'd better get watching them. I'm hoping that they'll help save my hands and arms.
I also wanted to add another picture that Tate sent me of Adalyn and me. He takes such great pictures. This pic was another one in the Cleveland Garden.

Gotta Run!

Back from Ohio

We just got back from a weekend trip to Ohio to see the grandbabies. (and Tate and Julie!) They are gettting so big, the babies, not Tate and Julie. Anyway, I'm still recovering from the trip and hope to run in the morning and start getting back into some kind of shape. Now that I've cut my days at work, I have no more excuses!

What next?

Well, I've managed to cut my days to only working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Hopefully that will help restore my energy as well as my hands. I went to the doctor and he did more blood test but we both agree that my lack of energy is most likely from overdoing it at work. I go back to work tomorrow and have a full day so that will be a test.
Running is still not going great for me although I sometimes have a good day (or should I say a not too bad day) and at least it keeps me from totally giving up. Tomorrow I plan on running on the treadmill and then taking a spinning class. I'm hoping that it will be good to mix it up a bit. I have found that swimming really feels good after a long day of giving massages so I try to do that after work as often as I can and I really enjoy it.
We've decided to expand our deck a little so that we can actually sit out there and get some sun. I can't believe what this township requires in order to "expand" a deck. We're probably adding about 100 square feet so it's not a big deal but it still requires the same thing as if we were building a house! Crazy. Anyway, I hope it's worth it. I spent several hours this afternoon trying to find the info they need. I hate paperwork.
We're going to Cleveland to visit Tate and his family this weekend so that should be fun. I'm looking forward to seeing the kids. I'm sure I'll be amazed at how much they've grown. I wish we could see them more often but we just have to make the most of it when we can.
Frank and I actually signed up for golf lessons and I'm really looking forward to it. It's a 5 week golf school and a friend is going to do it as well. I think it will be fun to putt around a little and hopefully it'll be a social outing as well. It seems the only people we meet are the ones we've met from running which is great but for the most part, they are acquaintances. It'll be good to have another interest other than running as well. Who knows we might even like it!

Happy Birthday to me!

I can't believe that it's been over a month since I've posted. I am definately too busy and have to work on changing that. Today was my birthday and I had to work. I'm starting to get pain in my elbows, arms and hands so that is not good. I'm going to tell my boss I have to cutback or I'll end up not being able to work at all. I've been working 5 and sometimes 6 days a week, putting in over 30 hours and it's just too much. Now that the weather is warming up and summer is here, I definately want to have more free time and hopefully will be able to work that out. I like having a little extra money so I'm not ready to stop work yet but we'll see what happens.
I'm still struggling with my running and working out but am now convinced that probably the biggest handicap I have is that I work too much and am just exhausted much of the time. Noticing a trend here? Looks like something has to give. soon!
Well, it's almost 10:00 PM so I'd better get ready for bed. I want to get a run in in the morning and then I have an appointment at the eye doctors to check out my glasses. I got new glasses in March and I don't think the lens is right so I want them to be rechecked.
Friday I'm going to our doctor about my hand, wrist arm, elbow shoulder etc. I hope he has some words of wisdom. I'm also going to go to an acupuncturist next week for treatments as well and am really excited about that.

Back in the running!

Well, I got through the Owls Roost Half Marathon and after a rocky start with dead legs I was very pleased with the outcome. I started in the back with Irene and started to jog as I began to warm up so I was last from the get go. My chest burning was minimal so that was a pleasant surprise. I started passing people around 3 or 4 miles and started feeling better about my steady pace although my legs were still tired from Thursdays workout and I had my doubts about finishing. I started to count the runners I passed for awhile but lost count. I realized that I'd be able to figure it out by looking at the results to determine how many people ended up finishing behind me. I ended up passing about 28 people so that made me feel great. I was third in my age which I didn't expect but I was happy with that has well. Now I'm excited to do more races and get my endurance back. We've signed up to do a 15K this weekend in Chapel Hill and it looks like a lot of fun. Another single trail event and not too long a distance so it'll be a good training run. Maybe we'll make a comeback after all.
Work has slowed down and I'm only going to end up with 2 clients today which is fine. Kind of nice to have a break actually. I do plan on swimming after I'm done which will be around 7:00. I'm finding I really like winding down after work and it's a great time as the pool is pretty quite by then.
Chico goes to the vet tomorrow to have his teeth cleaned. That always makes me nervous but the vet came highly recommended so I feel as confident as I can feel I suppose.
Well, better get ready for work and play. Lots to pack for the spa plus the gym!
Out!

Owls Roost Rumble

Well, we're off to do the Owl's Roost Rumble 1/2 Marathon. It's in Greensboro about 2 hours from here and it's going to be about 89 degrees so it'll be HOT!!!! Oh well, it'll be a nice day in the woods. I ran about 8 miles yesterday after a leg workout with my trainer. Probably not the smartest workout right before doing a half marathon that you're not up for, but what the heck, who ever said I was all that smart. At least I have a ton of excuses for a very slow run!!!!! It's a good think I'm not too competitive and am not too concerned about my time.
Sunday is the Striders picnic and it's going to be about 88 degrees! A good day to stand around and chat rather than running! I'm hoping to get on my bike Sunday afternoon and for good measure, maybe just in the pool for a cooldown swim!
I've been swimming after work at night and I'm really enjoying it. Once I take the initial plunge I'm always glad I did it but it's tough to make myself get wet. I'm hoping that an evening workout will become a habit and eventually may be able to do something other than swimming but if not, swimming is a great workout.
Well, better get ready for the drive. It'll be great because we'll be able to do a little shopping. Target and Costco! Who could want for more. Who ever thought a trip to Target would be fun!!!!! Well, it is!
Say some prayers for us this weekend as neither Frank nor I are in "racing" shape! I'm mosting hoping not to fall. Ever since I broke my pinky, I'm a little nervous!
Better go!
Out!

Out of my funk!

Today is April 1 and I'm finally out of my funk. Whew! I was just really not doing well. Part of it was probably that I'm so exhausted from working so much and I think I've solved much of that problem. I had been extending my hours and it was just too much. Also, I wasn't running until 9:00 most days and it was just too late as I couldn't get anything else done. So, I'm running at 8:00 and working out with a personal trainer a couple days a week. I felt a lot stronger this morning on my run and am finally making progress. I think the Cross-fit Training will really help with my cardio as well as strength. We're starting to think about running again and have signed up for at least one trail run. We're going to do a half-marathon trail event in Greensboro where they hold the 40 miler in the fall. It's a good way to make a return to the trails. It's on April 25. In May we're doing a 15K in Asheville on the Biltmore Estates. It's supposed to be beautiful although I'm actually a little sorry that we signed up to do it as there are some other events that might be better for us to do. The Biltmore race is on the roads but it's only a 15K so hopefully it won't be too bad.
Tomorrow is the running club meeting and hopefully that will go well. I've got a good agenda and we have a guest speaker coming to talk about feet! Hopefully it will be interesting.
Not too much going on and it's almost time for American Idol so I'd better get ready! Who will get the boot tonight? I hope it's Megan but she seems to skate every week!
Gotta Run!