The Dirty Snowman

Week 7: Half Marathon Training

Goal Total Miles: 21 miles

Andrea and Frankie - two thumbs up!

Actual Total Miles: 21 miles

That makes two weeks in a row meeting goal miles. That has to be a record, right? 

Each run was faster than the plan suggested - well I think it was. My watch screwed up early in my run on Thursday, so I really don't have any idea of what pace I was running. So much for speed work. After I pouted like a five year old, I got over the fact I couldn't track my pace and just focused on getting in the miles for the day. My MotoActv has an attitude - and it needs an adjustment.

This week's holiday photo bomb is of Andrea and Frankie the Dirty Snowman. This lawn ornament was probably white at one point in its existence, but this guys is a long way from white now. I guess you really can't launder these blowup decorations. Frankie teaches us a valuable lesson about being selective when it comes to choosing the right holiday blowup character for your yard. One day, not to far down the road, Frosty won't be white anymore and you'll either have to trash him or continue to drag him out every year and face the embarrassment of a dirty decoration on your lawn. 

I'm guessing next year, that santa bear will be sporting a nice gray hue. At least Frankie won't be alone.  

Holiday Running

Week 6: Half Marathon Training

Vintage decorations rock!

Goal Total Miles: 20 miles
Actual Total Miles: 20 miles

Right on track. My speed work really helped my 5k time on Saturday - do doubt. I kinda look forward to those mid-week runs on the schedule. However, I really shouldn't make the mistake to run really hard on the day before a long run day. My legs really hated me on Sunday afternoon - and today.

Andrea and I have decided that we are going to take a picture with someone's holiday decorations each week on our long runs. Our first picture is of me in a johnny boat with a snowman circa 1971. What you cannot see is the blue lights they have placed under the boat that represents water when everything is illuminated.

Despite the fact I was sitting next to a snowman, I was sweating like it was July. Where did the winter go?

Cotton Pickin' Cotton Picker!

This is a John Deere Cotton Bailer. 

Week 2: Half Training
Goal Total Miles: 17 miles
Actual Total Miles: 12.5 miles

Yep, that 14.5 miler killed me last Sunday. I wasn't prepared for the distance. I hadn't built up to that distance. I wore my legs out - period. Those extra six miles I ran last week will have to apply to this week. It all counts, right?

Today's long run was interrupted by this cotton bailer. We had to stop our watches and make our way to a church parking lot to let this darn thing pass. If you are dying to know how this thing works, here's a video of one in action - not the same model but it does the same thing. You know you run in the country when a cotton pickin' cotton picker interrupts your run.

Half-Crazy

Yesterday's Run:
6.08 mi/ 57 min

I continue to not get up early enough on long run days to make the weather bearable. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. As much as I complain about the hot weather on my runs, you'd think I'd be up at 5a without fail. I have only myself to blame for the sweltering temps by the second half of my run.

I ran the same route I did last week where I found my running buddy. I now know the farm she belongs to and she wagged her tail at me and gave me a "woof" from her place on their front porch on Sunday. She knew it was too hot to be running too and decided to stay put in the shade. I'm glad to know where she belongs and I'm happy to bring her back to them anytime she decides to go on an adventure with me from here on out.

After my run and a brunch with my hubby, I enjoyed a couple of hours by the pool with the August issue of Runner's World. The focus this month was half-marathons and since I have plans to run at least one in 2013, I read it cover-to-cover. I'll admit, I've done very little research on which training plan I'll use, nor have I looked at the calendar to have a clear picture of when I need to get serious.

I've looked at Jeff Galloway plans, Runner's World plans, the FIRST plan and I have no idea which will work best for me. I guess I have some time to sort it all out and do a little more research and I know there's no one-size-fits-all plan, but boy it would be nice if there were.

Mid-way through my run on Sunday I started to think that I must be insane to believe I could run 13.1 miles. I was struggling to finish four at that point. I'm hoping I can reset my brain to think a bit more positively this week with a few short runs and a Crossfit class or two.