Getting back to business!

Well, it looks like my vacation is over. I interviewed with a spa today and decided to work part-time. I'm going to work a few hours a day a few days a week. I can pretty much set my own hours and will work as an independent contractor. We have to work out all of the legistics but it looks great. I'm going to stop by next week and spend some time getting to know everyone there and how they work together. Inga, the manager is very fair and I think it will be a good match. My hairdresser, Kim, turned me on to this place months ago and now that I am officially licensed and certified, I could pursue working there. I've very excited and working and meeting new people and clients. Frank will be getting lots of massages next week so I can get my massage hands back so he'll be happy.
We leave in the morning for Texas to run our 50 mile run. It's at this point in the event that I think I'm crazy to do these things and wonder why we do them. Fortunately, when we get there and start running, I'm always glad we do as they are so much "fun". It's what we do and it's what keeps us going. It'll be great to be back on the trails in Texas.

Thank God for massage and chiros

I don't normally post twice in the same day but I'm so relieved after getting a massage and visiting my chiropractor. My hamstring is much better after much kneading and stretching. The massage therapist that I found is pretty good and from what I understand, probably the exception to the rule for NC. (which bodes well for me) Anyway, she worked mostly on my butt and legs and I feel much better. The chiro adjusted me and also did some assisted stretching. YAY! I'm back in business. I'm still going to stick with the 50 as planned but looks like Frank might walk another 20 with me after the 50 miler. I still plan on staying awake all night so we'll see. In the meantime, it's rest, rest rest! I don't plan on running in the morning but may end up deciding to get a couple in at the club. (mostly so I'll end up with a VERY HIGH mileage week)
Almost time for American Idol and Biggest Loser! It's a busy night plus the FL primary was today and I'm dying to see who "wins" there. I'm sure a news addict! Time to go!

An Injury in the Making

I just got back from the club after doing 4 easy miles on the treadmill. I feel really good but my hamstring is still feeling week. Is it an injury? I'm trying to nip it in the bud and prevent it from becoming a full fledged injury. I am scheduled to get a massage this afternoon and now I'm going to see the chiropractor after that as well. Hopefully that will eradicate the problem. I'm planning on just resting until Saturday now. Now more running although I may swim or do some pool running tomorrow but will wait to see how everything feels. It's always best to err on the side of caution so rest is best at this point!
So it looks like I'll stick to "just" running the 50 and hope for the best. Frank and I may "walk" a 20 mile loop after we finish the 50. Kind of a reward???? We'll see how we feel but it would enable us to run at night and experience that portion that we haven't yet in preparation for Umstead in April. Hopefully my leg will cooperate. I'm sure it will.
Frank stayed for yoga and I came home after my morning run. It's so strange to be home so early. I usually stay there for 3 or 4 hours and it's lunch time when I get home. That's one way to eat less! I ran for an hour and that was it! It's bizarre how quickly you get used to doing more!
I'm really looking forward to Rocky. Another ultra under our belt. We'll get to see Mary and in two weeks from then we'll get to see Jean and Herm. Running ultras is a big extended family that keeps on growing.
It's going to be in the 60s today! How cool is that? We are really enjoying the weather and although we've had some pretty chilly mornings, they are short and sweet and not mind numbing. It's going to be warm in Texas as well and that makes it challenging to know what to wear. Last year it got really cold at night but this year it looks pretty nice! Looks like shorts are in order and maybe some pullover pants for at night. I'm hoping to be out there until around mind-night with the extra 20 mile loop! Sounds like fun right?!

A Job Interview

I can't believe that I'm actually thinking about going to work and looking forward to it. I contacted a Spa that my hairdresser told me about and have an interview with the owner on Wednesday. When I called to schedule a massage and they told me they didn't have any openings until Mid-March I knew it was time to take the plunge and offer my services. They really need me and I think it'll be a good match. I only want to work a few hours a week, nothing full-time and I think we'll be able to work something out although I have no idea how the percentage will workout. That will definately be a key factor. I have an appointment for a massage tomorrow with a therapist at my chiropractors and I plan to ask her how the pay works around here. It'll be good to have some info so I can be prepared when I meet with the spa owner. I know that the health club pays an hourly rate as well as 40% of the service. Here's a link to the spa www.eurobodytherapies.com. Check it out.

I've also been thinking about running Rocky Raccoon this weekend. Frank and I are signed up to run the 50 miler but I also plan to stay up all night and wait for Mary and Marie to come in. Now I'm thinking about doing a couple more loops so I'll have practice running at night. It's tempting to change my entry to run the 100 miler instead but I really don't think I'm ready to commit to the 100. I have not ruled it out yet though. It would be great to have that goal behind me. I'll talk to Mary about it. Maybe she'll have some thoughts.

Another Shirt Run completed!

We ran another Shirt Run yesterday with the MTC. There were over 70 runners that showed up, 27 of them "new" members. It was 34 degrees at the start and warmed up to the mid 40s by the time we were done. It's pretty hilly and all on the roads so I was a little stiff when I work up this morning. I set out to the reservoir to run another 3 hour loop but my legs were dead and I ended up bagging it! Frank got his 3 hour in so he's doing well and should have a great time at Rocky next week. I'm going to run at the club tomorrow and hopefully will get 10 easy ones in. I'm getting so I prefer to run on the treadmill. Who would have thought that? Yesterday I ended up running the entire 15 miles alone again so that was a bummer although I really don't like to talk anyway so it was probably just as well. I thought I would be last again but I ended up passing about 8 people towards the end so that helped justify my theory of starting out slow and just maintaining an even pace. I almost caught Marie which would have been great as she as told me she's run with me but then got caught up in the "race" of it and took off. She finished about a minute in front of me; I should have really kicked in at the end and passed her! Next run!
The rest of the day was pretty quiet. I spent some time on the internet shopping and checking out some trails around here to add to our running options and then we went out to lunch. It ended up being a beautiful day after a cool start this morning and it got in the 50s and was very sunny. I'm getting pretty spoiled here!
Oh I almost forgot. I have been approved by the State of NC and have received me license to practice massage. I called a Spa that my hairdresser had told me about to inquire about part-time work. I have an interview this week! I tried to schedule a massage there and couldn't even get an appointment until mid-March so they need my help! I could be working again be next week! (not until after Texas) I'm very psyched about that! Some extra cash would be great plus it would be great to meet more people!

I'm legitimate!

I'm finally licensed to practise massage therapy! Wow! I'm so excited and can now start to look for a job although I am really enjoying not working. Hopefully I'll be able to find a job that won't interfere with my working out too much! I'm optomistic that I'll be able to fit both loves in! I called a spa that my hair dresser told me about and couldn't get an appointment for a massage until mid-March so she definately needs help. I left my info and hopefully will hear from her and can work something out for part=time work. I also plan on sending my resume to a couple of spas in the area.
I decided to take a couple of days off from running and working out after stressing out my hamstings. I'll be running with the MTC tomorrow running 15 on the road and I want to do 15 more on Sunday and should end up with over 50 for the week which is my goal. After Sunday I'll be taking it easy to rest up for the Rocky 50 miler next Saturday.

A Simple Day

Nothing much going on today so this will be short. Got a run in at the gym and then spent about 30 minutes on the stair climber. My hamstring is a little tight so hopefully I didn't overdo it?? I iced it and I'm sure it'll be fine by morning. I plan on running at the reservoir tomorrow. It's supposed to be a little warmer so hopefully it'll be a good run. I'm hoping to do about 15 so I'm going to do my regular 12 mile loop and add on a coupld of miles of single trails.
The shirt run is on Saturday so I'll be running another 15 then but it'll be on the roads. Hopefully I won't be last like I was last August when we ran our first shirt run. (when it was about 90 degrees)
That's all for now!