Wiggle Room

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 184 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 872.4 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 433.6 Money Found For Food Bank: $1.56

As soon as our kids had assignments and projects due farther out than "next day," I taught them the discipline of making their deadline a few days earlier than assigned to give them built-in wiggle room for the unexpecteds of life or well-earned free time while everyone else is scrambling. I figured this strategy out for myself in college and thought I was a genius (considering the fall from grace I endured to require the figuring-this-out, I felt the need to highly congratulate myself).

Anyway, I drew upon this strategy this morning when I took advantage of the wiggle room I have in my current running plan and ran it against my lack of desire to get out of bed. As of yesterday, I had only 32 miles to hit my goal of 900 for the year, but I had 49.1 scheduled. As hoped, that extra mile or so here and there has totally added up in my favor, and I jumped at the opportunity to cut my great idea of 5.5 to 4.4 and sleep in a little. Ahhhhh ...

It's not like the temperature was inspiring, amiright ?!

That's what it was when we were heading out ... brrrrr ...

I was stoked when I stepped outside to feel it wasn't windy. That was the key to the morning success (that and the extra hour of sleep!)! The only thing I really wanted to accomplish this morning was covering the territory and scope the only drive-thru I could put on route. Both missions were accomplished with the added bonus of 8 cents at the drive-thru and another nickel before finishing up. Super score!!

The bonus feature of the route was this big Christmas Tree. I approached it, and Elly immediately turned in position to sit for her portrait. She knows the routine.

"I know lots of stuff, mommy. But, later
today, I'm going to pretend like I don't
know anything at all and pull the garbage
out of the trash can. 'Hope you don't mind."

And, there we were. Cold but running. And, happy. And, I was super-thankful we were able to go out as I keep hearing of more events cancelled from the Winter storm. I feel for all who have trained and anticipated their events!!!

It's Rest Day tomorrow!! I'm totally ready for it and will see you from there!

Well, Hello, Old Man Winter

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 183 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 868 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 429.2 Money Found For Food Bank: $1.43

For starters: For all of you signed up for races this weekend that have been cancelled because of the winter storms, I am so very sorry!!! What a disappointment after many days of wondering on top of months of training!! BOO!!!!

While the snow and ice stayed at bay around here, the frigid temperatures did not. Last night, I tossed around the idea of just planning to run on the treadmill, but, this morning, I just couldn't stand the thought and went out even though the reported temperature was, "Feels like 3." The actual temperature was 19, so I figured I was okay. I bundled up as best I could, fully prepared with extra ear warmers to use over my face as necessary, and Elly (she has a fur coat, after all) and I headed out.

Can I get a ho-ly crap to the wind factor?! Yowza!!! That had a bite!! That first half mile was a bit of an oucher on the ol' face, but, after that, I had to take the warmers down off my face as I got too hot. I looked awesome, though, check it out:

Goo.Ber.

You can see my cheeks already got tagged by the wind, but it was all good. What was not good was that the very cold temps froze my sniffin' muscles. So, as runner's nose does not take a break in any kind of weather, it was almost impossible to sniff it back in for the duration of the run. I know ... ewwww ...

Oh, I will say running outside had a big, 37-cent payoff! Yahoo!! There were coins all over the route from beginning to end. Evidently, everyone's too cold to stop and pick them up. That doesn't explain finding that kind of scratch in better weather, but whatever. Elly and I persevered and were winners today!

"We're always winners, mommy. Hug me tighter, I'm chilly."

THEN after going almost four miles feeling quite comfortable overall, I came home and almost burned my fingers off from the cold putting these on one of the bushes where we have Christmas lights:


I wasn't out there for more than 5 minutes before the tips of my fingers let me know that if I'd like to keep them, we needed to stop with the decorating (which totally worked because I was finished, so take that). Even the goose couldn't stand it out there:

The next few days (or, really, the next week) hold no promise for anything getting much better, so I just need to settle in and deal with it! There's no precipitation in the overnight forecast, so I'm flipping the schedule again and going forth with a run tomorrow. It works better in the home schedule, too, so who doesn't love a win-win! I'll check in after thawing out in the morning!

Be careful out there running or not!! Baby, it's nasty-cold outside!!!

Snowballing

I saw this on the Distant Runners Facebook page yesterday and cracked up:

First of all, that used to be true for me during my first year of running. Suffice it to say, I totally ate back whatever I ran off and did a bang-up job justifying doing so. I have no problem admitting that because I'm one in a billion people who do it. (It shouldn't be such a secret club given how many members there are. But, I digress.)
This grabbed me, though, because it actually applied to how I feel about my little world right now. I'm in one of those stretches where everything is going on at the same time. So, the more I do, the more I feel is in front of me to still do. You know those times; we all have them, and we all go through them. It has made me tired, but I'm not cranky or down or anything. I'm pretty sure I have running -- not to mention this amount of time I spend praying while running! -- to thank for the can-do attitude!

Ooo, and what has also contributed to my feelings of bleh  right now is that I'm pretty sure Thanksgiving and its fantastic leftovers finally caught up with me! I'm not feeling bad about myself, but I am feeling the effects of the divergences from my normal cuisine which is a nice way of saying some of the crap I have eaten has not contributed to using food as good energy! So, it's time to completely get back on track there just in time to totally mess it up between my birthday and Christmas and New Year's.

It's just where I am right now, and it's not a big deal. The big deal is acknowledging what I feel and why I feel it instead of just assuming I suck (given I just talked yesterday about needing a break) and giving up. No need for that. I just need to weather the current upheave.

Speaking of weather -- there's complete craziness going on across the country with the weather especially in the form of ice!! Runners + ice = potential disaster!! During my first year, I gave running when there were patches of ice under the snow a whirl. I fell down twice. I don't run on ice anymore, and I don't suggest it!! Be safe wherever you are, and I'll see you after tomorrow's very, very cold run!

New Year, New Goal?

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 182 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 864.3 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 425.5 Money Found For Food Bank: $1.05

Oh, indeed ... It's coming:

It was supposed to be mighty cold this morning, but the forecast changed sort-of-last-minute allowing for one more warmer morning run before heading into many days of really cold. Normally a fan of the cold, I was unexpectedly very happy that I didn't have to bundle up today. I just wasn't in the mood to do so. I think I'm tired ...

Speaking of that, I spent my first half mile this morning finally realizing that it would be a good idea to take a full week off at some point this year ... and, we're running out of year! I'm pretty proud of myself that it took until December for me to start whining about wanting time off, so I call that a victory if I ever heard one! To be honest, I haven't felt the need for more than a few days off after a long race. But, now, I do. And, it sounds awesome!

Ironically, I spent the next couple of miles pondering a new goal. Right now, there's a challenge on the "I Love To Run" Facebook page to run every day in December no matter how far. I've seen these kinds of challenges throughout the year, whether they are running or progressing in some kind of strength training, and I usually blow them off. I guess I'm finally to a point where I'd like to put an "every day" challenge into my routine. (Um, not today, though. Still tired.) I used the last quarter of this year pushing my running goals, and I liked it. I think that's why I'm worn out, but I still liked it. So, once the New Year hits, and I have two Half Marathons to specifically work toward, I'm thinking that's a good time to also start a new "every day" challenge because fitting it in amidst my running schedule will allow me the excuse to start small and build. I have no doubt about keeping whatever is new small because I am very good about holding the running training schedule sacred.

My thoughts? I need to decide among the following options for my use of Rest Days: (a) finally add free weights as a regular, consistent part of my efforts; (b) run at least one mile, or (c) both.

I need to consistently  add free weights to my world. Period. The question is, will I. And, the running at least one mile on Rest Days? First of all, that actually sounds fun. (whuuuuut ?) Second, even one more mile adds at least 100 to my year-end inspire-myself total. That's cool. And, as far as doing both goes, the way I see it is I can run and do weights, do one or do the other just as long as I do something on that day.

Clearly, my thoughts aren't yet together, but I have a few weeks to ponder. I'm a little stunned I'm even considering such nonsense adding to the mix on a day like today when I could easily put my face on the keyboard and fall asleep.

So, there you have that. Oh, and the rest of today's run? It was fab. I nearly doubled my intended distance because I could and because it gives me some wiggle room on Friday's run when I not only have a lot to do that day, but it's also supposed to be pretty wicked cold. Elly was down with it, too, and she minded her manners a little better today (no on-the-run munchies for the hound this morning!)!

No unintended snacks for Elly, but mama
found some money! Another 27 cents!

And, with that, we cruise on into the evening, and we'll see you on tomorrow's Rest Day!

It's a Dog's Run

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 181 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 858.9 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 420.1 Money Found For Food Bank: $.78

If you ever wanted to see Elly's "I just got busted and am trying to show how sorry I am but am so embarrassed that I can't really look at whom I offended" look, here it is:

It's like this: We were cruising along heading into our third mile when it became immediately necessary for me to make an adjustment to my shoe. This never happens during a run, so, I'll give Elly that it was unchartered territory. I mean, stop and wait? What's a girl to do with herself when she's not the one having the problem?

As I was working with my shoe strings (a feat not as easy as it sounds when I haven't untied nor adjusted them since April), I did feel Elly tug on her leash. But, that's so normal that I didn't even look up.

Then I did. And, she was licking her chops working to get something off of her tongue. Her face was all kinds of happy, so I knew she was trying to eat whatever was in her mouth, not trying to stop from gagging. Having no idea what was in there, not wanting her to accidently gag, and not having any desire to plunge my hand in her mouth to retrieve whatever-it-was, I looked at her and disgustedly said, "Eww! Stop it!" And, the hound immediately spit whatever it was.

It was this:

The girl found part of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And, she was loving it except for the fact that it seemed to, literally, stick to the roof of her mouth. (That she immediately spit it in reaction to me was pretty funny, though.)

Should I mention I felt another with-a-grand-purpose tug again a half mile later only to turn back and see her, on the run, lick part of a bagel?

Should I further mention that, on the way home, Elly chose to lick almost the entire passenger window? Just thought I'd throw that one out there.

I can't say this was Elly's best outing. Between her attempts to carb load on the fly and the multitude of times she ran either sideways or at a 45-degree angle because whatever noise behind her scared the shivers out of her, well, her morning run wasn't one that afforded her much in terms of internal peace nor cleansing!

But, I found a total of 10 cents and didn't trip over her once, so I call that a success! Let's see if we can turn her running frowns upside down tomorrow! I'll check in and let you know!

Change Is Good. Especially Nickels and Dimes. And, Quarters. And, Pennies ...

For the first hour on this Rest Day, all I could think was how thankful I was that I wasn't running and how awful it sounded to do tomorrow.

Once I was finally completely awake, I had a total turn around and cannot wait to start tomorrow with a good, solid run. Funny how things change.

Speaking of change -- although a completely different kind -- I wanted to report the outcome of the recent Food Bank drive. Last Tuesday, our local chapter collected $62,000!! That's 930,000 pounds of food!!!

Holy cannoli. No pun intended.

'Proud to be a part of that while the quest continues tomorrow ...

I'll check in with the update after the morning run!

Unrecognizable, and I Just Don't Care

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 181 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 852.9 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 412.1 Money Found For Food Bank: $.68

Okay, today's run was almost unrecognizable as a run. I suppose having a hearty feast two days ago (that I really wanted) and two subsequent days of rest (that I'm pretty certain I needed) didn't not combine to set my running up for substantial success.

To which I say: OH. WELL.

Elly and I still went, we still had fun, and that's all that really matters.

As of yeterday, I planned a 5 1/2 or 6-mile run for today. But, I simply could not peel myself out of bed early enough to do so. On the fly (or, should I say 'from under my cozy covers'), I changed my mind, altered my expectations and decided the 4 miles on my plan was a good start back! My sweet puppy was happy to go no matter the miles, so we took off determined to clock some miles even if we didn't burn up the roads!

We were distracted a handful of times, which only added to our failure to burn anything up, but it was fun. This was distraction number one:

"Can't take a picture right now, mommy.
Talking. Okay ... and, I want extra belly
rubs ... and, more Dentastix ... and, some
kisses ... and, a new bandana ... and ..."

Much later in the route, the theme continued:

Is there a particular reason she looks more
concerned about the fake tree than she does
about the huge, inflatable Santa?

In between random Christmas stops, we checked out the one drive-thru on route and were disappointed. But, about a half mile later, the bounty began. It started with a single penny (hooray!), and I realized finding 36 cents in two days was a great way to reboot the Food Bank fund. Then, we came to a point in our route where I could turn one way heading home, or, I could turn the other and investigate what is often the most random stretch to find money, but it's also been mighty consistent. I don't get to this stretch very often, so I couldn't resist adding a mile to, hopefully, add to the stash.

Spoiler alert: Ba-da-biiiiing !

That's actually the total stash ... I found the other two pennies where I would have run anyway. It's that I found three dimes strewn along the unplanned route that is notable. And, suhhhhh-weeeeet ! Oh, the pine cone? it was little and cute, and I figured Pit Crew #2 would like it. (And, she did.)
I was happy to head back home, though. I'm not kidding when I say this run could barely be classified as one. But, that's how they sometimes go. With nothing huge on the race calendar right now, I chose to enjoy the freedom of requirement, and just be with my dog.

Just a question ... how, exactly, is ending up with a 5-mile run much different from the planned 5 1/2 or 6? It looks like everything worked out how I wanted in spite of my planning!

By the way, for as much as Elly loves me (and, I know she does), she sure perks up at the very possibility that her gal-pal Juli is approaching. We were on our final stretch when someone was jogging toward us on the other side of the road. Elly's ears went PINNNNNGGG!! (that's all I can think of to describe a sudden perk)...

Her head is cocked toward the runner, but her ears had already
fallen a bit before I got a pic. You get the point, though.

... as she clearly thought it was Juli. And, Elly had a point; the person coming toward us did resemble her. However, that that other runner didn't start waving her hands over her head in a very distract-every-driver-around-awesome-friend kind of way when she saw us, so, I knew Elly was about to suffer a case of mistaken identity. She got over it.

No matter how much our run lacked glory or grace, it was still a great way to start the day. That one after Thanksgiving never feels good, anyway. (Getting things ready for Christmas, however, feels awesome ... check out the lights on our tree:)

Are those diffusers awesome or what ?!

So, happy first day of December!! Even if your month didn't start off perfect, I hope it started off in the right direction! I'll see you tomorrow from Rest Day!