Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Potpourri

I think the way my last entry ended was with a prediction for the workout I was going to do that night. I should have known better than to do that because every time I do that, there is no follow through. It's like a weird curse or something. I should start writing what I am NOT going to do and maybe that will be more accurate. I think I ended up lifting some weights and doing a few yoga poses while watching C.S.I. reruns. On Friday, I ran 2 miles: 1 mile straight and on the second mile I did speedwork: 1 lap running fast, 1 lap walking, 1 lap running fast, 1 lap walking. Then I cooled down. I'm mad because I usually write my workouts down so that I can log them but I guess I didn't do that on Friday. Bummer. So I THINK that's what I did...Saturday was a rest day.


Sunday was supposed to be another long run day but that fell through. My dad and Michelle were in town for Easter and we went to John Taylor Park and met up with the family and ate, had an easter egg hunt, played volleyball, and ate again (we REALLY like food). The weather was absolutely perfect: bright and sunny, but cooler (70's) with a nice breeze. I thought I was too old for easter egg hunts but apparently not because I was recruited to be a part of it. Just to make things interesting, the adults decided to partner us up and tie our legs together with jumpropes. This was every bit as difficult/entertaining/embarrassing as one would imagine. I was partnered up with my cousin Matt and I have to say I think we made for a spectacular team. We ran pretty well together. Surprisingly, I didn't fall at all while we were running around. The biggest challenge was navigating among all the trees. Neither of us was very vocal so we'd be heading toward a tree and I'd just start screaming "Tree, tree, tree!!!" (no, he isn't blind or anything, I just tend to panic as opposed to formulating any sort of plan. It's much easier). Of course we'd each try to go on our own side of the tree then we'd feel the other person pulling so we'd each go for the other person's side of the tree and then finally one of us would call a side. We ended up tied for 2nd place with a whopping 7 eggs. Bear in mind there were 5 teams and about 36 eggs hidden. So we didn't do too badly.


Although I didn't do my long run, at least I got some unscheduled cross training in...sort of. The volleyball game was a lot of fun (and just a little intense) and I had no idea until the next day just how many different muscles I jolted to life with my wild sliding, running, spinning, and diving. I could barely walk. It was horrible. I STILL ache. So I guess this is a wake up call that I need to broaden my exercising horizons because there is a whole lot that I'm NOT doing to activate certain muscles. Hmm. Who'da thought?!

I bought a book last week called The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women. It's got to be one of the funniest books I've ever read. If you enjoy running, are training for a marathon (or have ever trained) or just enjoy laugh out loud funny, sarcastic humor, please check into this book. At one point, I was laughing so hard I was on the verge of having an asthmatic reaction. I got all wheezy and had to take a few minutes to catch my breath. I'm probably going to be done with it tonight or tomorrow. It's really fantastic. :)

Here are some pics I took last Saturday. We went to the Safety Harbor pier hoping the manatees would be there. No such luck but I got some nice pics. Sometimes Dave and I ride our bikes to this pier. It's a really beautiful ride and we're so lucky to have the trail so close to home.



4 comments:

Jess said...

26 is a good year to embark on the marathon -- I like the "mile for every year." Have you actually choosen a race yet? Or are you just establishing a base for your training?

Jess said...

I know several runners who have run MCM and have enjoyed it. So that's a good choice, and you have plenty of time to prepare for it.

I trained for 2 marathons (but only completed one -- I was one of the unfortunate victims of Chicago '07 so I didn't finish that 'thon) and I used Higdon for both schedules. His basic plan is really easy to follow and has a good gradual build up.

What you should consider, though, is joining a running group or finding a training partner because those long runs are so much easier to stick to when you have others to join you in the "march of pain"!

Best of luck!

Mrs. Mighton said...

Hi! Just found your blog -- LOVE IT! I will have to check out that book you were talking about, The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women. It sounds hilarious and I've been looking for a good, fun read!

Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to read your blog more -- you are too funny! :-)

*jen* said...

tmac96, I can't find you!! I was going to thank you for your comment and and say hello. How the heck do I email/message you?! Thanks for stopping by. Your comment made my day!! :)

"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."

~Henry Ford