mother-daughter bracelet :)

Hmmm... It's been a while since I found the time to update my blog. And honestly I haven't had much to write about since my last entry. I've had a pain in my left foot for way too long and took some time off running since my next big race isn't until November. I had initially thought that I would just run whenever/however far I wished for a few months. Hoping my foot would heal in the interim. Then I realized that I hadn't run much at all over the past 6 weeks and my foot pain was about the same. So I buckled down Sunday morning, picked an 18-week marathon training plan and worked it backwards (reducing miles) to extend it to a 25-week plan since that's how many weeks until my big race. I'm so glad that I did. I've been so much happier this week running (and resting) with a purpose!

As I was typing this, my daughter came in and put a "silly band" on my wrist. She said it was a mother-daughter bracelet. I accepted it lovingly without thought. Later, I was curious which silly-band she had given me. Was it a cowboy hat? or a horse? (horse riding is her passion). I took it off to see what shape it would create. I laughed... her favorite treat is an ice cream cone. Life is good :)

Team 65ROSES

Thanks Susan for delivering my Team 65ROSES t-shirt! I LOVE IT!!!  Still looking for donations... If you'd like to support Cystic Fibrosis charities, please contribute at: http://www.razoo.com/story/Miles-For-Cystic-Fibrosis-For-Susan-Burroughs

stress relief

I'm in Asheville, NC this week on a business trip. It's insanely stressful. The day-to-day work is calm enough, but preparing for a presentation at a public meeting on Thursday evening is insane. I much needed a stress-relief run this morning. I didn't take a photo, but the riddle on a marquee that I saw improved my spirits during this rainy run. "When is a door not a door?  When it's ajar." Okay, so it's corny. But it's a good distraction from the way-to-serious stress I'm under.

Friendships

Today was a day of sharing with friends. We went to see a movie with one set of friends, then my daughter and I went for a run at the park, which was followed by going to visit another set of friends. Our flowers are starting to bloom, as our friendships are blossoming. I am so greatful for such amazing relationships!

Team 65ROSES

Sam & Susan - March 2008

It's that time of year again... so... Please consider donating to Miles for Cystic Fibrosis. I will be running the Publix Georgia Half Marathon on March 20, 2011, on Team 65ROSES for my dear friend, Susan Burroughs. Susan was one of the first people to welcome us into our neighborhood and has been a great friend. She has CF and had a double lung transplant in May 2000.

Sam & Susan - March 2009

Donations will be split between the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the national organization that funds research of new drugs and treatment, and Susan's own charity, the Cystic Fibrosis-Reaching Out Foundation, a Georgia non-profit that provides financial grants to CF families to keep up with the overwhelming costs of medications and treatments. Any amount would be greatly appreciated!

bye bye groundhog day

I had to put my running streak on a mini-break. My legs were dead on Monday and it's been a crazy busy work week. I still consider it a success, since 26 groundhog days is a record for me! Will I try a streak again? Probably, but think I'll make this a rest week and gear up for a PR in my next half marathon (March 20th).

Songbird Habitat Trail

My plan was to run 1.5 - 3.5 miles to bump up my mileage to no more than 10% over last week. My legs were tired from yesterday's 10 mile hilly run around the mountain. And my body was under-fueled. I managed to lose a pound yesterday and haven't had much of an appetite. Tired legs + under fueled = not a fun run = walk up the hills and jog slowly on the flats/downhills. Plus, part of it (the Songbird Habitat Woods Trail) was a trail that isn't frequently used and was covered with slippery leaves and had a good bit of rocks, so I took it slow to be cautious too.

But, it was a gorgeous day, 73 degrees, so I had an awesome drive to and from Stone Mountain with the top down on my convertible. (the picture here is from the day I bought it and includes my daughter and her current bff a.k.a my other daughter). I wanted to run on the Confederate trail, but all the parking lots near trail intersections were full/overflowing (cars parked on the grass). So I ended up at the more secluded Songbird Habitat Trail. It's a short trail, but a change in scenery is always appreciated. I remember walking here with my friend, Anna, and our daughters about a decade ago, when the girls were 2-3 years old. They chased butterflies on that warm spring day. Fond memories.

Despite today's run not being the best, and not feeling well earlier in the week, I'm happy with my accomplishments this week. I lost an average of 1.7 pounds from last week, logged 24.7 miles (which is my highest weekly mileage in 2011), and maintained my running streak. Groundhog Day #26. Yay! Now, unfortunately or fortunately, my pants are sagging like those silly boys that think they are cool. I hadn't planned on going clothes shopping until I hit my goal weight, but think I might have to buy a few intermediate sized pants if I want to maintain a professional look at the office. 8 pounds does make a difference. Woohoo!

big red blinkie light

When did 10 miles become "easy"? For the first time in forever, I set out on a 10 mile run with no dread or fear or thoughts of it being hard. I went out with the intention of running very slow and just enjoying a few hours out in the sunshine with the hundreds of other bikers, walkers, hikers, and runners at the park. I've run the 5-mile loop around Stone Mountain many times over the past few decades and know it's a hilly route. But I've also learned how to manage those hills... walk when needed.

It was a gorgeous day; 65 degrees and sunny. My favorite parking lot was overflowing with cars when I arrived, but thankfully I snagged the last spot in the next lot. I wore my camelbak and had 3 fun-size snickers instead of energy gels. They are easier on my tummy than the sports gels, and taste better too without the stickiness of gel packets. I started slow and remained slow. I took 30 second walk breaks up some of the steepest hills, and jogged the rest. I was honestly surprised when I finished the second loop and felt like I could easily run another lap (5 miles). But I stuck to my plan of 10 LSD (long slow distance).

Near the end of my first lap, a woman on a bike with a big blinkie red light on the back passed me. She seemed so chipper pushing up the hill. She wasn't on the bike pictured, but she was just as bright and glowing. I couldn't help but wonder... is that Katie that posts regularly on Daily Mile? I didn't see her face, but saw long blond hair. When I returned home and sat down to log my run in Daily Mile, I noticed that she had posted a 15 mile bike ride at the mountain in shorts and a tank top. I couldn't help but ask if that was her... it was.

I completely enjoyed this 10 mile easy run. So what made it "easy"? Slow pace, perfect weather, and...  the number one contributor: my running streak. Groundhog day #25

In the eyes of the beholder

If I had been listening to my iPod during this lunch time run, as I normally do, it would have been just another ordinary average run. A happy one because I exceeded my goal of beating my pace from a month ago on this same route (11:48 avg on 1/19, goal today was 11:45 avg, accomplished 11:33 avg). But what made this run truly extraordinary would have gone unnoticed if I weren't tuned into my surroundings. This route passes the high school and elementary school.

As I was approaching the elementary school, I noticed a teacher with 3 or 4 visually impaired children standing beside the sidewalk. As I got closer, I heard her describing to the children the noises they were hearing ("we're near the road", "cars are approaching", "a bird is chirping", "a lawn mower is cutting the grass", etc.). I was tuned into their conversation and ran past without saying a word. As I passed, with thudding footsteps and slightly heavy breathing, one little boy said during a pause in the teacher's description, "and someone is running. Is that a high school track star?" This totally made my day! and would not have been known/heard if I had earbuds in my ear. Life is so much sweeter when experienced totally.

Later, my daughter drew on my hand. A star makes you special, a smiley face makes you happy, a heart makes you loved... she explained. Life is grand!

groundhog day #22

Groundhog day #22. Felt awesome to get in a solid 3+ miles this morning! I've been preparing and packing my meals/snacks yesterday and today to make sure I stay gluten-free. Yesterday and today I had no gluten, but apparently the effects from the weekend lingered through this evening. Daisy enjoyed checking out my lunch bag :-)