week two.

Days 6-12 mileage (week 2): 30.59 miles

Day 11. friday, january 11. Friday morning Run-A-Latte with Jeff

Ran a few miles from Starbucks with Jeff today. I think one of my favorite things to do is to run and then get hot coffee immediately after. Most of the run, I thought about the coffee. There was just a slight sprinkling of rain on our way back and it was a little chilly. The idea of coffee was all I could think about.

day 11. january 11. post run with my Starbucks.

Day 12. saturday, january 12. It's 70 degrees outside! Today and tomorrow's weather is supposed to be high in the seventies. It's January! I wasted a lot of my day today because I came home from work last night with some mega-shoulder pain between my right shoulder blade and my spine. When I woke up this morning, the pain was pretty bothersome. I figure it's probably from my fall on Wednesday. I fell pretty hard and caught myself with my right hand, so I probably jerked my shoulder, too. Around 3pm, I finally got my gear on and went for a run. I didn't want to, but I ran up Wiggington and back for a little five mile run. I was supposed to run for 70 minutes today, but I'll make it up tomorrow. Good thing about today's run...it was super warm outside. I wore short sleeves and a skirt and it felt like spring!

day 12. january 12. 70 degrees.

Workout Wednesdays

Day 10. Thursday, January 10th.

Yesterday was a bad day. I fell down. It hurt. Today was better because:

1. I couldn't feel as bad as I did last night.
2. A workout was on the calendar for yesterday and I didn't do it, so I would do it today!

I love Workout Wednesdays. Maybe it's because I never ran for a team in high school or college and workouts represent the coached athlete. Maybe it's because I really do like speed and seeing how quickly I can turn my feet over. Maybe it's because the time and the miles pass so swiftly when I do a workout. Maybe it's because I often do them at the track at LC and I pretend like I'm in college on a team and someone actually cares about my performance besides me.

Whatever the reason, I always look forward to a good speed workout. Today really was my first real workout since training for Richmond. Last Wednesday I ran a few intervals on Fort Avenue, but I wasn't that focused and I didn't get my speed down to where I wanted it. It was my first real week back of running.


day 10. january 10. post-workout...compression sox rock.

This week's workout was to run 5x2 minutes a little faster than 5k pace. When I run on the track, I like to break down what my speed should be and then figure out what distance I should be able to run for a given interval.

I warmed up on campus and up Langhorne Lane.

Gregg came over to the track after my warmup to watch.

I started my intervals. It was warm-ish outside for January but I had on long sleeves and compression socks. I love how running on the track instantly warms me up. I start sweating, my breath is labored, more rhythmic. It's the pattern and consistency of the track that I really enjoy. Knowing that each lap or part of a lap is going to be the same if I work hard enough.

I had 3 minutes of recovery between each interval. They flew by. They seemed to go faster than the 2 minutes of actual running.

By the fourth interval, I was hurting a bit. Gregg had gone inside and the only person to look at was a passerby outside the track. The lights weren't even on because school wasn't back in session. It was dark, I was alone, and the night was quiet.

When I'm almost done with a workout, I always try to make the last interval really count.



day 10. january 10. don't stop believing!


Those last two minutes, I pushed harder. Really gave it my all. It hurt, but it felt good at the same time. Hurt so good.

I fell down.

My first blog of 2013 was about a figurative getting back up after falling down.

My third blog of 2013 is about a literal getting back up after falling down.

Day 9. It was Workout Wednesday and Coach sent me some intervals to do on the track. My day at work was really bummin and I was tired and felt overwhelmed about a bunch of things. I was supposed to get off at 2, but worked until 5:15, so instead of going to LC to run on the track, I went home. I got out of my car and found Gregg working on the carport thing he built a few years ago. I looked up at him on the scaffolding,

Will you run with me?

His response: Wednesdays are my day off.

Maybe I'll just wait and run after dinner.

I went inside, went upstairs, opened the freezer, and pulled out some Christmas cookies. I ate four of them. I suppose that was hunger...or possibly just my need to eat emotionally. It had been a hard day.

I decided right after the fourth cookie that I didn't want to wait until late to run. Gregg came inside and he said he'd do a couple (two) miles with me. We suited up in our running clothes, he threw on a headlamp, and we went outside to run two loops around our neighborhood. Just over two miles.

It was really dark and I was thankful he wore the headlamp. He had also insisted on bringing pepper spray because I'm so afraid of dogs, especially Boogie--the evil dog up the street. He's the dog that chased me back in 2010 when I did project3sixfive Round 1. I will forever feel like that dog is out to get me. He barrels across his yard, barking fiercely, his nails hit the asphalt and I can hear him coming toward me...ugh. Not a good memory.

So we pass the house where Boogie lives--no encounter--and continue on. The first mile goes by without any issues. We head back around the block for the second loop and pass Boogie's house again. No dog.

Thank goodness, I think.

We loop around to make the second to last of two turns before we're back on our street. There's a slight downhill toward a stop sign before we turn left onto Chadwick and then make the final left onto Mullbury. As we head toward the stop sign, Gregg is just a little bit ahead of me. I'm thinking, I hope this mile is faster than the first.

And then,

Wham!

I'm falling down, my feet aren't under me, and my right hand is going foward to catch myself. I feel my knee hit the asphalt, then a slight roll and my left hip, elbow, and shoulder are sliding as by body skids to a halt. About 3 feet of skidding to be exact. Mostly on my right palm, where the skin has rolled back to reveal a nice bloody oval.

Gregg runs over as I start to cry. My hand hurts the worst. And my knee. I half raise myself off the ground and then lay back down as Gregg says, don't get up.

I realize my watch is still running. I find enough energy to press stop, but then lay my head back down on the asphalt. Everything hurts. I cry some more. And kind of yell and groan and moan and whine.

We're less than half a mile from our house and I don't want to walk back home. Gregg says we should walk...but I don't want to. So we ran. And I made it home. And the shower hurt. A lot.

I acted like a baby all evening and asked to be waited on. Gregg was very understanding. He did say I need a fragile sticker though. I'm on the mend, but my knee had an awesome bruise on it the next morning and was all swollen, which made day ten's run a little tougher. More on that later.

day 9. january 9. my hand hurts.



my scuffed-up hand.

A little catch-up

Days 1-5 mileage (week 1): 25.66 miles

I've started the year off on the right foot for the most part. I've run 2 miles everyday, not including today, so that's 11 days of running with no major problems or issues. Here's a quick recap.

Day 1. New Year, new goals. Goal was to wake up and participate in the New Year's Fun Run with the Lynchburg Road Runners. Plan foiled when I stayed out too late with Gregg, Chelsie, and Cheyenne on New Year's Eve. No big partying, just late (1:30am) to bed. Ugh. Couldn't wake up to go to the early run, schooled by Cheyenne who went to bed probably later and was still there. Haha. Ran 5 miles in the afternoon from my house to Hawkins Mill Road and back. Good, easy, little-bit-o-hills run.

day 1. january 1. nike spike skull shirt

Day 2. Everyone went back to work and I'm off so there wasn't much to do. Original plan was to go to Holiday Lake and run a loop with Chelsie and some other ladies who are doing the race (no, don't worry, I'm not running HL, just want to see what the loop is like...not interested in this weird ultra thing...jk.) but the plans didn't work out. Wednesdays are usually speedwork days when I've trained for my past two marathons, so Coach gave me a workout and I headed over to LC and ran some intervals on Fort Avenue. They weren't easy, but it is my first speed day in awhile and I'm out-of-shape. It's early, right? At least I was wearing a cute pink sparkly headband!

day 2. january 2. intervals on Fort Ave.

Day 3. It would've been so much more convenient if I woke up and ran this morning, but alas, it's me against my I.Hate.Mornings. self and I didn't win. Ran just under 3.5 miles on the Avenue after work. Had to be back to the store in time for Gregg to pick me up for dinner at Waterstone with Mark from Saucony. Easy run and even better hummus, pita, and veggie dip. I could eat that for my whole meal and skip the pizza. Yummo!



day 3. january 3. i have hummus to eat!

Day 4. Woke up with the early folks for our Run-A-Latte with the RR staff and our Saucony reps. Met Chelsie at the store at 6:30, ran to Starbucks, then met the 7:00 peeps for the rest of the run. Ran just over 8 miles and some were fast, quality miles. Felt strong. Coffee tasted good. Even wore my Skhoop skirt to keep your buns warm when you wear tights. Super cute and fuctional (it was like 25 degrees out when we started!)

day 4. january 4. "ain't no walk in the park."

day 4. january 4. skhoop skirt and Run-A-Latte

day 4. january 4. kylie, kristie, claire, jeff, jeff, and me

Day 5. Gregg ran to the store and met me after work to do 5 miles. He's a super husband. We ran from the store to the bike path, downtown, and then up Cabell Street and Rivermont back to the store. That Cabell Street ain't no joke.

day 5. january 5. running skirts chevrun print

day 5. january 5. NYC 26.2 tank from Firedaughter Clothing on etsy

Day 6. Was able to wake up and meet Chelsie at the normal Sunday run group. It was cold and my legs were tired, so we ran less than 3.5 miles, but we had coffee/hot chocolate after and that tasted good.

day 6. january 6. i'd rather drink coffee than run far today.

Day 7. Today after work is a staff meeting. I had about 2 hours in between work and the meeting, so I drove home and then ran back to work. It's a 7 mile run, and except for Wiggington Road in the dark, I really enjoy that run. Ran in a pair of pink CEP compression socks. They make my legs feel nice. Staff meeting went really well.

day 7. january 7. this USA T&F shirt makes me run faster.

Day 8. Didn't feel like running that much today. It was kind of windy but not that cold. Got my butt out and did though, but only ran 2.75 miles on the Avenue after work. Saw a man walking his dog while I was running. The dog wanted to chase me, so I swung out off the sidewalk into the street to pass them. I'm not taking any chances with dogs. We all know I'm not a huge fan. Run was fine once I started, but it's just that sometimes it's hard to pick my feet up and say I'm going to run. Other times it's so easy. Brought pizza home for dinner. It was good.


day 8. january 8. this Brooks half-zip makes me feel snuggly

You can't climb back up if you don't first fall down.

The past year has been one of awesome gains, amazing trips, and forever friendships.

My awesome job as manager at Riverside Runners got even awesomer at the beginning of September when we moved our store to a bigger location down the street (affectionately known as "Uptown Riverside Runners") because we were busting at the seams in our old store. How lucky was I to be part of a new page in the RR story--a campaign to inspire movement in our community and everywhere!?

Uptown Riverside Runners, #inspiremovement

I set PRs in almost every distance; from 800m to 26.2 miles and everything in between.

I ran my second and third marathons (Pittsburgh in May and Richmond in November) faster than my first.

I went to Chicago in June all by myself and ran in the Chicago Women's Half. The race started in Grant Park...way cool to run in this big of an event and it be only women. Made for a little more of a competitive edge because everyone I passed was a girl!




Chicago Women's Half, June 2012

In August, I visited my friend Sarah in Oregon. She and I used to teach 2nd grade together in Lynchburg, and then she moved to Oregon in September 2010. I always wanted to visit her and the opportunity to do just that and run Hood to Coast* all came together in 2012! What an awesome experience! The trip was full of memories--from staying in downtown Portland and visiting Adidas HQ and then Nike HQ in Beaverton, to seeing Mount Hood up close and personal, to driving across the state of Oregon in a van with a team of 5 other goofballs who were so much fun, to finishing the race on the beach in Seaside, to driving down the coast with Sarah, Ryan, Abigail, and Hank (including seeing Haystack Rock), to spending several days in Newport where the Knapps had made their home...it was a trip I'll never forget.

*Hood to Coast is a 200-mile relay race from Mt. Hood to Seaside, Oregon. You run the race in legs, with 12 people per team, 2 vans, 6 people in each van, and each person on the team running 3 legs for a total of 36 legs. It's one of the most amazing ways to see part of the state of Oregon.



Starbucks was brewing "Hood to Coast" that morning



Up close and personal with the summit

The girls of Van 1, with Mt. Hood behind

Sarah and I right before my 2nd leg of the race




Most of the team after our finish in Seaside




Hanging on the beach in Seaside

 

Prior to HTC and through July, August, September, and October I was training pretty hard for what would have been my most anticipated marathon experience of my life. I was selected to run in the New York City Marathon through the lottery. I found out in April. I was already training for the Pittsburgh Marathon in May, so I was kind of surprised when I got in (my plan would be that I probably would only want to run one marathon each year). But I trained hard and was very ready for NYC, which was supposed to be the first Sunday in November. Then Hurricane Sandy hit.

Of course, plans changed. While Gregg and I were on our way to NJ to spend the weekend at my brother-in-law's before NYC, the marathon was cancelled (this was Friday) due to all the damage and tragedy from Hurricane Sandy. I was really bummed out, but understood why the city decided to cancel. We tried to make the best of the weekend and helped out with donations of clothes, linens, and shoes that we had brought with us. It was a neat weekend to be in NJ & NYC and spend with our family. We were lucky to have had that experience.

Jackie, me, and Maddie in NYC

Maddie, Gregg, me, Don, Chris, Sarah, and Jackie in Sayreville
 

To make up for all the training and no marathon in NYC, I signed up for Richmond the following weekend (November 10th). I didn't really know what to expect because it had been kind of a crazy weekend in NYC (just exhausting from feeling upset about what happened to NYC with Sandy hitting to feeling upset about the race being cancelled to feeling tired from travelling to not knowing what to run the week in between...) I was also lucky enough to end up with a migraine on Friday morning the day before Richmond. It seriously seemed like no cards were in my favor and that maybe I just shouldn't run a marathon this fall. Then we made it to Richmond Friday night and we had a really good dinner at the Strawberry Street Cafe with my brother-in-law's Aunt Nancy who we were staying with in Richmond, and had a good night's sleep.

When I woke up Saturday before the race, I felt as ready as I could be. And despite all the craziness in getting to this marathon, I was ready. I ran eleven minutes faster in Richmond than I had in Pittsburgh in May. It was a really really exciting and fulfilling and emotional day. I ran with the "NYC 26.2" shirt that I had made by an amazing Etsy artist, Firedaughter, and was supposed to wear in NYC. I felt so much positive energy...so many people who would read my shirt and be happy that I was there to run. It was just a really cool experience. I'm not happy that NYC was cancelled, but I understand. I am happy that I was able to run Richmond.

What. A. High.

I'm a lucky gal.



right before the start of Richmond



 

Kevin, me, Felix, Freda, and Jeff--all Lynchburgers!

me, Jeff, and Felix post-race; can you tell I'm stoked?

proud Richmond finisher!

Following the Richmond Marathon, my running plans were semi-slim. I would run the Turkey Trot in New Jersey while we visited Gregg's brother and fam for Thanksgiving. I would run the Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic 5k in Bedford. But other than that, I was kind of on the chill-out and recover plan. After those races, I didn't do much running. Especially in December. In fact, I barely wanted to run. And that is okay...they say it's a day of rest for every mile after a marathon to recover...so I took most of those days and just didn't do much structured running. I wanted to eat cookies and bake and shop and decorate for Christmas. So I did those things and worried less about running.

Then, in December, I felt kind of like I was putting on the pounds. It's funny how we all have our own perceptions of our imperfections. Especially women...and even though I probably didn't gain much weight--if any--I was just not feeling myself. I felt like I hit a really big slump with not running much for 6 or 7 weeks.

So last week, I decided that I had fallen far enough. In 2010, I created this "project3sixfive" blog to chronicle my goal of running every day for a year. I didn't exactly keep up with the blog like I had planned, but I did run every day for over a year (450+ days) and became a much more consistent runner. In 2011 and 2012, I ran and trained and got faster and everything was super.

For 2013, I just felt like I wanted to change my running schemes. So I decided that I wanted to run everyday for a year again. Climb back up from falling down. Jump back on the wagon. Pound the pavement (and maybe some trails with Chels). Run everyday. See where it takes me.

So I'm doing it. I'm back. Watch out 2013. I'm coming for you.

But all of this to say that 2012 was a really great year.

I ran better and faster than I ever have before.

I ran in Richmond, Chicago, Portland, Austin, Pittsburgh, Williamsburg, Lynchburg, Greensburg, Flemington, and from Mount Hood to Seaside, Oregon.

I ran with new friends in 2012 who will be more than just running friends forever.

The second that moves 2012 to 2013 happens quickly. With just a blink of an eye, one year is over, and a new one has begun. New Year's Eve 2012 ended with some gals I could call my sisters. What a difference a year makes...new friends and all.





Me, Cheslie, & Cheyenne: New Year's Eve 2012

Gregg and I on New Year's Eve

Top 10 Marathon Tips

Tips (I could come up with) for Marathoners

(or Things I Think Are Important to Remember in a Marathon)

1. Wear clothes you've run in before. You never know how a funky seam, bunching or shifting, or even a different length in new apparel is going to affect your performance. Wear comfortable clothes you like that aren't smelly.
2. Don't wear brand new shoes. If you've been sporting kicks for 500+ miles, it's probably best to have a newer pair, but if that means getting them the day before the race, skip it. Just wear the old shoes. You want to try to have at least two weeks in the shoes you're using in the marathon
   
   
   
3. Have a hydration plan. If you aren't carrying water with you, then take a look at the marathon's water stops. Plan accordingly. If it's hotter than normal on the day of your race, take more water. Drink from each water stop and throw some water on yourself, too. Also, when drinking from paper cups, pinch the cup to close it off so it doesn't splash, then drink out of the pointy side of the fold.
4. Have a nutrition plan. Find out if the marathon is supplying any kind of energy gels, snacks, etc. If you haven't trained with that stuff, don't try it for the first time at the race. Take your energy gels with you and use those instead.
5. Double-knot your shoelaces.
6. Go to the bathroom before the race. If it's a big city marathon, plan to get in line more than a half hour in advance. You may have to wait for awhile.
7. Lay out your race outfit the night before the race.
8. Charge your Garmin before the race!
9. Make sure you have a friend out on the course who can hold up a silly sign for you. It might just give you the push you will need.
10. Relax and enjoy the work you put in to make this event possible! Have fun!

The Last Longish Run

This past Sunday, I ran an awesome 9 miles in the morning before church. My workout was supposed to be 60-80 minutes easy and then the last 15 minutes push the pace to between 1/2 marathon and 10k pace.

It was 7:15am, Gregg and I started running from Peakland UMC parking lot, ran to Boonsboro Shopping Center parking lot, and met up with 4 other guys from Gregg's running buddies.

I hung with them for another mile, and then stayed loose and slow and they took off ahead.

After about 7 miles, I turned the pace up. I ran at about a 7:35 pace for mile 8, and then dropped a little faster to 7:30 for mile 9.

At about mile 8.5, I saw the guys again...they had run out farther than me, where as I was doubling back on my course, so I hadn't seen them since mile 2.

I heard some encouraging words from a few of the guys:

Lookin' good speedy!

and

Lookin' strong!

I finished back at the Peakland parking lot, where Gregg was waiting for me.

He looked proud. 

It made me feel good that he was standing there waiting for me. The following conversation ensued:

Me: I HAVE to go to the bathroom...maybe in those trees over there.

Gregg: You can't, it's a church.

Me: Let's go to Starbucks, quick.

Gregg: Ok.

Me: Hurry!!!

Gregg and I headed to Starbucks. He ordered the coffee and I headed to the bathroom to (well, you know...)

A local runner girl stopped me after I grabbed my coffee (yes, I washed my hands). She wanted to talk about my workouts. She said she needed to start doing that kind of stuff and wanted to do it with me maybe...I was flattered.

I mean me? The girl who used to be horribly inconsistent? She wanted to run with me?

It was a neat feeling. We talked about doing some workouts on the track and longer runs with tempos in the middle this summer. Granted, we all know I have to take a little time off after this marathon, but I can't wait to get started!

Best part is I have the most amazing running calendar for the upcoming year!

June: Chicago Women's Half Marathon

August: Hood to Coast Relay where I'll get to spend time with my friend Sarah who blogs here.

November: New York City Marathon Are you kidding me? Is this REAL?!

Can't wait to keep you posted!

A long time ago...

in a far away land, a girl who was a hopelessly inconsistent runner began a blog. It was called Project Three Six Five (project3sixfive.blogspot.com) and was to represent her public committment to run everyday for a year.

Well that gal made her goal, ran everyday for a year (2010), and kept right on running into the next year until April 3 (that's 465 days of running!). Then she got sick and had to take 5 days off. That was hard.

During that year of running, she married the best guy she could have ever asked for, had a 5k on her wedding day, and visited Spain and Monaco with her new husband on their honeymoon. She even ran every day on her honeymoon (which was difficult, since she almost ran out of time on that really long day of travelling from Lynchburg to Charlotte to Frankfurt to Malaga by plane and then Malaga to Estepona by rental car...)

That year was a good year...that 2010.

In 2011, she kept running and ran her first marathon in Pittsburgh in May of 2011. That was really fun and hard and exciting and emotional and fulfilling...her parents came to watch and she felt like she really achieved something that day.

 

Then in the rest of 2011, the girl who used to be inconsistent at running, realized she had become pretty consistent and was running faster than ever before. She ran PRs at most of her races in the summer, enjoyed running in some local races on the track, and wore out a lot of shoes.

She ran and ran and sometimes didn't run as much. In the end of 2011 she was a little bored of running, so the fall was a little slower and had not as much running. That was okay. She was happy. She still had super duper husband who always supported her endeavors to hang out with and to love.

Because of the amazing opportunities from her running store job...running girl was in Austin, Texas in December of 2011 for a running trade show. She made friends with a runner dude from Alaska. He was a manager at the running store there (The Skinny Raven)...and he would prove to be a good friend to have made.

That 2011, it was a good year, too.

Then 2012 hit. Running girl was up for a new challenge...she wanted to run another marathon. But this time, she wanted to run faster. Runner dude from Alaska wrote up a plan and gave running girl a nice little Google calendar to sync with her phone. She signed up for the Pittsburgh Marathon again.

This time she would run the marathon to benefit Solemates: the charity program for Girls on the Run. She wanted to raise $500 to help more little girls have the opportunity to do the program. She raised $500 pretty easily. Then she raised $1000. Then she set her goal to $2000 and she passed that goal too. (If you want to see her get to $2500, donate here!)

She had a plan.

In January, running girl started running more again. Then she started doing all kinds of new things she had never done before: tempo runs, hill repeats, intervals, track workouts, ice baths...it was a new kind of adventure and very challenging, but she liked it.

Running girl ran 20 miles in a snowstorm in Greensburg in February.

She swam 2 hours and biked for 1 hour to replace a long run when she was having Achilles problems.

She got a concussion while running on the track one day in April. The lacrosse players were taking down the nets that protect the track from the field. They are held up by big, heavy metal poles. A player had a pole in his hands and was walking toward the track. She was running around the back turn and the player hit her in the jaw with the end of the pole. He was a big dude. The pole was heavy. She was conked out for a few seconds...she went to the doc the next day when something didn't feel right. She was told maybe she shouldn't run the marathon. She had to take 5 days off work. Running girl was worried.

That was a big road block. Running girl had to take some time off running after the concussion. When she came back, she was having some headaches, but she felt better and better.

And then the time came where the marathon was only 5 days away.

Running girl was nervous...but she had lots of things to motivate her for a good day.

She had loving friends who inspired her.

She had an encouraging husband who knew she could do it.

She had super running reps who gave her fun running clothes to wear.

She had amazing people who donated to her campaign for Girls on the Run.

She had parents and family members who were going to come watch her.

She had a workplace that supported her and a boss who allowed her to leave for the weekend.

She had only 8 toenails.

She had a massage that week before the race.

She had a lot of water that week too.

She couldn't wait for the big day: Sunday, May 6th.

She was ready.

I Quit Sweets Cold Turkey

Miles today: 3.5
Miles this week: 3.5
Miles in 2010: the rest of the year + 3.5

Met Austin this morning at the Greek Church to run a few. Forgot that the path would be snowy, but we ran there anyway. We had some solid snow and solid ice patches, and then some completely clear patches. We were getting tired, though, dodging the crunchy parts, so we didn't run very far. Plus it was cold and windy.

The best part about the past two months...I know you're not going to believe this...but I gave up sweets. On Halloween, after eating as much candy from my niece's stash as possible, I decided that the next day, Monday, November 1st, would be a good day to give up sweets.


Gregg said it wasn't possible and that I shouldn't give up all sweets. It would be too much to quit cold turkey.


I disagreed. I knew I had to do it. I had to give up the sweets...all of them.

So on November 1st, I quit eating candy, cakes, cookies...anything that was sweet. And I made it my goal to get to Thanksgiving without a sweet. Then, if I made it to Thanksgiving, I'd be allowed to have sweets on just Thanksgiving Thursday, and then go back to no sweets.

Guess what?


I did it. I made it all the way to T-giving without a sweet. Then, after the Turkey Trot, I marched right into a little chocolate shop in Greensburg, bought some chocolate covered Oreos, strawberries, raspberries, and chocolate Oreo bark, and started my sweets day off right.

When I got home, I had only eaten some of the Oreo bark, so I shared my confections with the fam, and ate a chocolate covered Oreo (or two) throughout the day. After our big Thanksgiving extravaganza, I ate a piece of apple pie, and then said good-night and good-bye again to the sweets of the world.

Since then, I continued on my no-sweets trend into December, with Christmas Day being the only day I would be allowed sweets. I did have a minor mess-up one night at Mi Patron a few weeks ago (I forgot and bought a York peppermint patty by accident and ate it)...but other than that, haven't eaten any sweets. Pretty good, huh?

I'm proud of myself. It's the first time ever in my life I've been able to do it. And it's really really hard.

Kind of like training for a marathon...maybe I'll do one in 2011?!

the Steelers Vs. the Jets

Miles today: 5.4
Miles this week: 28.8
Miles in 2010: a lot

This morning I met Austin and Alexis at Isabella's for the Sunday run. J.C., Jonathan, Gary, and Gregg met and started the run with us.

We headed up Old Boonsboro Road like usual. The girls and I turned around at 2.75 because Alexis' knee was bothering her. The snow on the sidewalks was also still a bit of a pain, so we didn't really want to run too far. We talked a lot about running and our 2011 goals. Mine will be referenced in an upcoming blog.

After we got back to the parking lot, Gregg and I headed home and got ready to meet Austin and her brother at church. We stopped at Starlight afterwards for breakfast, like usual, and then Gregg dropped me off at work (we were open today from 12-5 for special Sunday shopping hours...turned out to be worth it, too!) After work, Gregg and I went to John and Sarah's to watch the Steelers/Jets match-up. That, of course, is a big game in the Cavaliere house. Gregg, being a Jets fan, and me, being a Steelers fan, makes for a pretty good gameday.

Well, we all know the outcome...that the Jets beat the Steelers and that I was pretty bummed. My Facebook status said something like this before the game: Today determines the power in the Cavaliere household. Steelers win, Heather is queen for the rest of 2010. Jets win, Gregg thinks he's king.  
 
Well the Steelers lost. Thanks a lot Steelers. Gregg's been in charge ever since.

Jingle Bell Jog

Miles today: 4.0
Miles this week: 23.4
Miles in 2010: a lot

I've been doing the Jingle Bell Jog for the past 4 or 5 years. It's come to be one of my favorite Christmas time events.

Every year, on the Saturday before Christmas, Riverside Runners hosts this 3-5 mile run at our store.

What started as just about 25 people (Jeff says, I wasn't there) has grown to a 150+ person event. Guests bring baked goods, we provide hot chocolate, Gatorade, and water as well as door prizes, music, and a fully dressed running Santa! It's so fun. The best part is the parade of costumed runners running down the Avenue at 8:30 that morning.

I think my friend Sarah D. said it best: To Heather and all of the runners; It sure made my day to see all of the festive, costumed runners out this morning as I made my way back and forth down the Avenue to the City Market. I wished I had been out there running. Thanks for an unexpected and humorous Christmas Parade!

I met up with my buds Stacey and Austin to run, but since both Austin and I had to work, we only ran 4 of the 5 miles so we could get back to the store.

The event was a huge success...tons of people, lots of cookies, and great door prizes. Jeff even got a bunch of shirts screened to hand out for FREE! to the participants who dressed with holiday cheer.  

running barely a mile so I can go to Mi Patron for the 2nd night in a row

Miles today: 1.6
Miles this week: 19.4
Miles in 2010: I don't know, I stink at recording

Today I ran 1.6 miles really quick so I could meet Gregg, John, and Sarah at Mi Patron.

Yes, I know what you're thinking...is Heather obsessed with Mexican?

Welp, the answer is...yes. I am obsessed with Mexican food. I actually have been ordering the same thing from any Mexican restaurant forever...it used to be La Carreta...and I would always get 3 soft tacos (beef) with a side of sour cream and pico de gallo. Ask Sarah she would vouch for me. That's what I always got. Then, for awhile, I changed to three crunchy tacos.

Well, ever since the Ten Miler, when we out to Mi Patron with our friends, the Kellehers, and I learned about a dish (shown above) called Tampico Special, that's all I want. And I kind of want to eat it a lot.

Gregg and I both know it's not good to eat out a lot.

#1: it's expensive.
#2: it's not that healthy.

But we both really like Mexican at Mi Patron, and Mi Patron has brought Mexican to a whole new level.

So anyway, I ran a mile and a half or so after work tonight because I wanted to get done fast, it was cold, and I knew it was a Mexican night. (Yes, I know...we had Mexican last night...)

After my run, I met everyone at Mi Patron and ordered my usual (split it with Gregg).

I think I may know why I've really enjoyed Mexican the past few months...I'll talk more about it in a later blog, but it may have something to do with giving up sweets after Halloween.

snow day

Miles today: 3.04
Miles this week: 17.8
Miles in 2010: a lot


Well, I didn't think it was going to snow. The weathermen (who are never right) kept saying we could get anywhere from an inch to 12...I didn't believe any of it. So when I went to bed last night, my expecations were none for snow.

I woke up at 6 with Gregg getting ready for work, asked if there was snow, heard there wasn't, and went back to sleep. At 7, before he left for work, he mentioned that it had started to snow.

Still thinking nothing more would come of it, I kept sleeping. At 8, when I got up, there was snow on the ground. I figured I'd run later when there was more snow, so I started to work on my blog (from last week) and tried to answer some of my 300-something unanswered emails.

When I looked outside again at 9am, the snow was coming down harder. I gave Jeff a call to see if the store was going to open, and he said that we were going to open, but that I could tell everyone else to stay home and that I just needed to come in when I could...no rush.

So, I got ready, cleaned off my car, still expecting minimal snow on the roads, and ventured off. When I made it out of my neighborhood fairly easy, I knew everything else would be fine. When I got to Wiggington the story was different. Jeff called a little after ten while I was on my way to work and said to go home, the roads were too bad. I quickly saw why. My car kept sliding off the road almost into ditches. I knew I needed to turn around, but my car kept going off the road and there was nowhere to turn around. I thought Gregg was going to have to drag me out of a ditch, but I found a turn-around spot, headed back home, and cuddled up under the covers to get warm.

All day, I tried really hard to meet Stacey for a run. We were going to try to run ten miles (5 to meet each other, then 5 back to my house) but I was just too tired and too much of a bum and hoping that Gregg would come home from work early.

Gregg didn't come home early, and I procrastinated my run until about 4:30. I finally got dressed and headed outside to run and started slipping all over the place. I ran in my Saucony ProGrid Razors (waterproof boot running shoes) and by the time I hit Wiggington, the road was slushy instead of slippery, so I was glad I had those on. My run was a short 3 mile trek, but it was hard on my legs because snow running is always harder than dry running. When I got home, I showered and then begged Gregg to drive me to Mi Patron for dinner (where I'm currently obsessed with the Tampico Special: chicken, rice, and cheese sauce served with tortilla chips...YUMMO!). We headed to dinner, stopped at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for coffee for the Keurig, and then headed home. I wasn't very productive today, but it felt good to have a day to myself.

Po Fo Run

Miles today: 5.6
Miles this week: 14.7
Miles in 2010: a lot

Austin and I met in Wyndhurst to run the Poplar Forest Loop (or as some folks I know call it: the Heather Loop). We start at the Jamerson YMCA, head up Enterprise Drive, take a left on Homestead to Bateman Bridge Road, then continue down BB to the back entrance (gravel road) of Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest.

We run across the Poplar Forest campus, make a left onto Poplar Forest Road, then a right on Wellington, a right on Crossway, straight onto Rainbow Forest Drive to Laxton, and then a left back to Enterprise Drive.

The run is super hilly, with one big hill going up Enterprise at the beginning, one on Homestead, a big hill at Poplar Forest, and a big climb up Laxton Road in Rainbow Forest.

It's tough, but it's a great run and I love showing it to people. Austin and I had a great time (and there weren't any dogs which made it nice.

Destination Running

Miles today: 4.35
Miles this week: 9.1
Miles in 2010: a lot

Tonight was the last meeting of the Lynchburg Road Runners for 2010. As tradition dictates, once again we voted for new officers and discussed ideas for the upcoming year.

It has become my semi-tradition to run to the LRR club meeting at Monte Carlo's each month. So, my good bud Austin (I told you I'd talk about her a lot) dropped off her car at the restaurant and met me at the store so that we could run together to the meeting.

For some reason, one of my favorite ways to run this year has become running to a destination. Running to LRRC meetings and running to Lowe's in Madison Heights were two of my destination runs. I like the feeling of running somewhere and having gotten there by foot. It's kind of fulfilling...like walking to the store when you live in the city, or getting around without a car for awhile.

Anyway, Austin and I got in a little over 4 miles and then I headed into the meeting and she headed home.

Austin's Home

Miles today: 4.75
Miles this week: 4.75
Miles in 2010: the rest of the year before today + 4.75

Austin came home from school for Christmas this weekend and I didn't get to see her until tonight. Isn't it appropriate that our first get-together would be meeting in front of Riverside Runners for a run?

We met around 6:30 after I finished at work. I had changed in the basement, so when I came upstairs, Rachel, Claire, and Austin were all near the front desk chatting.

They turned around to say hey to me and as they did, I think they all said in unison, are you crazy!?

See, the thing was, I forgot tights or pants when I left the house this morning and all I had grabbed was a pair of shorts. Now, the weather outside has been pretty frightful, and today/tonight was no different. In fact, earlier, when I had opened the front door to grab the mail, the icy wind blew in and rattled all the clothes on the racks and almost knocked me over.

I knew it was going to be cold. I just didn't feel like going all the way home to get tights. Austin asked, are you sure? I don't mind. But I said I'd brave the cold with my legs hanging out of my shorts and that I would be fine.

We got our stuff together, opened the front door, and I felt that cold, icy wind again. It was like I had nothing on my bottom at all. Oh well, I knew I'd warm up.

Austin and I ran our usual: out Rivermont to Peakland, down Peakland to the end and then back to the store. By the time we got to the First Christian Church, my legs were numb and I couldn't feel the icy wind anymore. On top of that, just being with Austin and having someone to run with made the time go by quickly and the weather was almost out of mind. It was convenient, too, because in the past year of running I've acquired a great pain in my right heel/achilles/calf...some kind of bursitis or achilles tendonitis or both...so the icy wind also numbed my heel and I could run hard and what felt like fast (Austin is faster than me). I'm looking forward to running with her through the end of Project 3-6-5 (she'll be home until almost the end of the year!) Yipee!

the weather was horrible and we were lazy

Miles today: 1.15
Miles this week: 22.9
Miles in 2010: yipes

My plan was to run a good 6 miles this morning. That didn't happen. We woke up to a drizzly/rainy/ugly/gray/cloudy/foggy morning. We didn't run.

Then we got ready for church and picked up my niece, Ella, who we babysat this morning. We took her to church with us, went to Market on Main for brunch, then back home.

Gregg didn't feel good when we got home so we spent the day being lazy, reading the paper, and doing nothing.

I didn't run until about 8:00 in the evening, and by this time I didn't want to run at all. So I suited up for the good ole Mullbury Mile and ran around the neighborhood. Just to get that mile in.

sometimes your run just feels awful

Miles today: 4.05
Miles this week: 21.8
Miles in 2010: a lot

I worked at the store today, and then afterwards went for a run. I ran from the store through Riverside Park and then down to the Baptist Hospital and back to the store.

My run was really crappy.

I felt like I was running with a load of bricks inside. Maybe that was cause we had Pizza Hut pan pizza for lunch at the store. Not sure.

But let me just say this...

I am very thankful for the side entrance to the VBH on Oak Lane. It's near the chapel in the front of the hospital. Anyway, that bathroom has come in handy on more than one occasion.

On another note, tonight after my run, Gregg and I went to the AREVA Christmas party. That's us. I look like a man.

5 months

Miles today: 2.0
Miles this week: 17.7
Miles in 2010: someday I'll know

5 months ago today, Gregg and I tied the knot. Half the reason that the blog fell apart in March and just came back now...but a good reason if any. Today was super cold out and we were going to celebrate our 5 month landmark with a night at Mi Patron, our new favorite Mexican restaurant (yes, way better than La Carreta) with our friends, John and Sarah, but of course I didn't fit my run in before work, so at 6, I still needed to run.

Ended up staying at work until 7:15ish talking with Jeff, so I didn't get to run until 7:30. Oops. Anyway, the wind was so strong and the temperature was in the 20s, so I ran a short 2-mile up and back on Rivermont, then hurried off to Mi Patron to meet Gregg, John, and Sarah.

Now, this may not be my wife-iest feature...but I definitely tend to do things (i.e. go grocery shopping, out to dinner, to friends' houses) after running after work because I don't want to take the time to go home and shower. Today was one of these occasions. Right after my run I parked in a space outside of Mi patron, changed in the car, and then met everyone inside. No make-up, no new deoderant...just me on our 5 month anniversary. Super romantic, huh?

Anyway, I wanted to post a few pics from our wedding that make me smile big. Here goes: