Run in the Sun

Miles today: 5.75

Miles this week: 21.7
Miles in 2010: 238.3

Today made me feel like the kids in this picture. I LOVE sunny, warm days, Vitamin D, and a good afternoon run. I love running in the afternoon better than any other time of day...way better than morning and some better than evening.

Anyway, I only had to work until 3:00 today, which was awesome because I never have afternoons off. I dressed for a run, left work, and headed over to Lynchburg College to run. I ran my Sandusky Loop from the summer with Stacey. Missed her while I was running, but at least I felt good this time.

Last time I ran this loop was in January after I fell and busted up my knee. It hurt really bad and felt like it was going to explode, so I'm glad that's over with. I ran pretty smooth, felt strong coming up Fort Avenue and even up Greenwood Drive and Thomas Road.

Speaking of busting up my knee. It's definitely a good thing that wedding dresses are long. Otherwise, I'd have a big nasty scar to cover up for this wedding. Gross.

After my run, I did some shopping and then headed home so that Gregg and I could go to my sister's for mom's spaghetti. YUMM-O!

Dinner was super delish. I kind of miss sitting at my mom's dinner table to enjoy her cooking. It was good to have her in Lynchburg.

Oh, I've been trying to do the reader question alert thing, but not that many people respond. Am I really that boring? Here's today's question:

READER QUESTION ALERT!!!

If Gregg and I have a free "Gregg and Heather 5K" the morning of our wedding, would it be neat to invite anyone to come, even if they're not invited to the wedding? Would you come, readers?

Yo, write me a comment, ok?

Home from the Hubbub

Miles today: 1.1

Miles this week: 1.1

Miles in 2010: 197.1

Gregg had a quick business trip to make to Bethesda, MD...so I decided to go with him. We drove up yesterday afternoon and arrived around 5:30pm. Gregg had work to do at one of the AREVA buildings, so I took some work with me and just hung out til he finished.

After he was done, we went to Benihana, a Japanese steakhouse, for dinner. Here, the chef comes to your teppanyaki table (where you're seated with other guests) and cooks your food in front of you. Yum, YUM, YUM! We ate til we almost popped and enjoyed flaming onion volcanoes and shrimp tails flying into the chef's hat. My favorite trick by far was when he took an uncooked egg, spun it on the grill, flipped it in the air with his spatula and kept tossing it up and down like a ping pong ball (without breaking it while it still spun) and then flipped it one more time and caught it in his pocket.

Gregg ordered filet and I got chicken. The chicken-fried rice is also made right in front of you. So good! I had a california roll for an appetizer. I wouldn't know how to enjoy sushi if I hadn't gone to LA with Sarah a few years ago to visit my friend Mikey. We had real LA sushi and I learned the wasabi/ginger rules of eating sushi. It was so good.

Today, my plan was to head down to the Capital Crescent Trail, but after Gregg left for work, I just lazed around the hotel and got complimentary breakfast. I dressed for running, but I never actually made it out the door...and soon it was time for lunch. Gregg came back and we went to a little deli, the Hampden-Cafe that made EXCELLENT sandwiches. Now, even though we were in fancy schmancy Bethesda, I did think the food was a little overpriced...but it was still really good, so I guess was worth it.

After lunch, Gregg went back to work and I shopped around Bethesda a little...I hit the National Jean Company, and a cute store called Sassanova. I stopped in RnJ Sports, just to see what kind of running shoes they had, but I was honestly unimpressed with the store. It wasn't very nice inside. Gregg and I met back up around 2:30 and went back to the hotel to get the Cadillac DTS that he rented so that we could drive through DC and then head home.

The second part of my running plan today was to drive to DC, park somewhere, and run around to all the monuments with Gregg. However, when we got to DC, it was 4:00pm, there were NO places to park, and we drove around in a million circles trying to find somewhere to stop...and on top of that it was raining and yucky outside. Bless his heart, Gregg tried so hard to find a place so we could run, but it just didn't happen, so we ended up leaving and heading home.

We stopped in Gainesville so I could check out The Running Store, and then ate dinner at Panera. We finally got back on the road and headed to Lynchburg. We didn't get home until almost 10, and by this time, I wasn't too into running...but I needed to get a mile in, so I laced up and headed outside with Gregg.

We ran my neighborhood loop kind of fast and got back inside. I was tired from a long day!

bridesmaid bonanza

Miles today: 1.1

Miles this week: 16.2

Miles in 2010: 162.7

I know I'm really behind on my blogs and today is actually Tuesday and I'm blogging about Saturday, but I promise I'll be all caught up by tomorrow (Wednesday) night.

Today was the Queen of Hearts Poker Fun Run, so I woke up early to ice all the cupcakes I made last night. When I was done, I probably made almost 100 cupcakes. Pretty good for last minute.

We set up for the run at the Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church, who graciously offered us one of the nicest rooms in the church to begin and end our event. They were so giving!

The event went off without a hitch and everyone seemed to really enjoy running and playing poker at the same time. The grand prizes were gift cards to the store and two pairs of free Mizuno shoes.

After the run, I headed to the store to work. We got pretty busy and Patterson stopped by to chat. I just love when out-of-towners come home. I love to see them! Pat had to run 21 miles this afternoon, so he was about to go out for that run. I kind of can't imagine doing 21 miles just for training. Maybe someday.

I left work around 4:15 and picked up Austin to head to Roanoke to pick out her bridesmaid's dress. Stacey met us at David's Bridal and I think Austin had fun trying on the dresses and picking one out. Seeing bridesmaids and wedding stuff makes me so pumped for the wedding! I can't wait.

I didn't get home until almost 8:30pm, and I was starving, but I still hadn't run...so Gregg, my constant encouragement, pushed me off the couch and I went out for my mile run. I know I've been a little lazy this week, but I just have been sore in a couple places and really tired. I think week 6 of training must be a "hump week."

Mile was cold and blustery and I didn't want to do it, but once I was out there, it felt good. Of all things, when I got back to my driveway and went to push stop on my watch, I saw that I had never pressed start, which kind of ticked me off because I think that was my fastest mile around the neighborhood ever. Ugh. Oh well. Got the run in.

Gregg and I went to Wendy's after that...not a wise choice since it was almost ten...but I was so hungry and everything was closing, so I had a spicy chicken sandwich. I'll probably pay for it in the morning.

a much needed day off

Miles today: 5.54

Miles this week: 10.7

Miles in 2010: 157.3

today I had the day off from the store. I worked six days in a row last week and put in almost 50 hours (on top of the fact that I'm running everyday)...so you can imagine I needed a day off besides Sunday.

anyway...I started off the day by waking up early and eating Pillsbury cream cheese cinnmon rolls (get coupons here) that Gregg made. he's the best for making breakfast for me in the morning.

I fell back asleep and woke up an hour later and spent an ungodly amount of time surfing Facebook and my favorite blogs...but that's okay, because it was my day off.

Headed out to yoga at noon and had a super class with Christine. Yoga is very relaxing and invigorating.

I. LOVE. YOGA.

Since it was my day off, I felt like I wanted to do things I never get to do, so I headed to the J. Crew outlet store in Wyndhurst and did a little shopping. They were having a 30% off sale (which ends Saturday, February 13)...where I found a few great deals, including a mint green wool scarf for $11.50. yipee! and a very fabulous necklace (seen below). I don't know when I will wear this, but I'm pretty pumped about my necklace.

After my J. Crew trip, I went to Chick-fil-a for a free chicken sandwich (via coupon) for lunch. I know, you're probably thinking that I don't eat very healthy, but I usually do, and this was just my day off, so it was like a special treat.

I stopped by the mall after lunch and found a cute pair of Nine West flats for $20 from Macy's...for which I had a gift card, so I didn't pay anything at all!

After the trip to the mall, I had to go pick up Gregg at work for our 2nd pre-marital counseling sesh with Anne at Lynchburg College. I can't tell you how much I absolutely love going to see Anne. She's really good for Gregg and I. She has excellent things to say, is a super listener, and gives us both insight into how each other functions as people...it's funny what we learn about each other at our meetings. I love the time we spend there.

Finally, around 6:30, I got my run in. Gregg and I met Jeff at the Starbucks in Boonsboro and did a 5 point something mile loop around the neighborhood behind Old Boonsboro Road and out Peakland and back. It was a solid run...super cold, and mostly icy (i.e. dangerous), but a good run nonetheless.

After the run, Jeff came over and lifted in the basement gym. I had to give Gregg and Jeff a few pointers about their weight lifting...unfortunately, they still have old ways of doing things from the 80s and 90s...so after muscle-girl Heather got through with those two knuckleheads, they had improved on form and technique.

I'm probably going to be sore tomorrow from all this activity...but it's good for me and I'm not pushing too hard, so that's okay.

See you on the run!