All Those Damn Vampires…..

The title is a line from one of my favorite “cult following” movies “Lost Boys about my favorite place.  Santa Carla = Santa Cruz and it’s filmed in Santa Cruz and particularly on the boardwalk.

Since my last  blog entry “Cleaning My Plate” – I did clean it a bit.

Sadly, I decided to defer my Chicago Marathon entry until next year. I have feelings that range from being a failure to relieved. I just couldn’t find time to run during the week due to long work hours. I wonder if I just used that as an excuse.

And what is worse, I have run not in almost 2 weeks. That does make me feel like a failure. I don’t feel like a runner anymore…except when I see runners. 🙂

However, I do suspect I’ll be running again soon and on the beautiful beaches of Santa Cruz and surrounding areas in California. 🙂

I leave in the morning for a 2 week vacation in my favorite place in the US. My husband is from the area so a few years we went there to visit and I fell in love with that little hippie beach town.

I plan to retire there when it is possible.

We rent a beautiful suite right on the beachfront near the boardwalk. I wake every morning to the barking of sea lions and the ocean waves crashing.

I am still not in a Cali state of mind yet. I can’t clear my mind of all the things that is swimming in my head….work, family, leaving my dogs for a long time….life, I suppose.

I plan on getting another tattoo from my guy (Tim Buonagurio) at “Good Omen” Tattoo to commemorate something that was a far distant dream….completing the Rock n Roll Marathon in St. Louis this past October. My tattoo will look something like the medal..I think.

So very soon, I’ll be on beautiful beaches drinking margaritas; on the boardwalk eating garlic fries and deep fried twinkies; hiking the Redwoods, running on the shore of Monterey Bay and having a relaxing time exploring and hanging out with my husband….who I haven’t seen much in months.

♥~Keep Santa Cruz Weird~♥

Cleaning My Plate

I feel guilty even writing this because my life events are minor compared to others’. Things I am going through seem trivial at the least.

But some recent events and concerns are causing me to inventory the things I am trying to juggle and I think it’s time to take things off my plate.

As I have blogged about, my job has changed. I went from a boring job, micro-managing boss to 12 plus hour a day job, increased projects, sales and high up pressure. I work 12 hours in the plant and another 3 or so hours at home. I’m on call all the time. I am short on supervisors, employees therefore, I am interviewing and hiring at a mad pace but not quick enough to supply our customers: hospitals all over the US and Canada.

In addition to that, I am training for the Chicago marathon in high humidity and temperatures.

I barely see my husband, kids, grandkiddos or dogs. I come home, run, shower and go to bed.

Many times lately I wake up at 2 or so in the morning with my brain firing on all cylinders so I can’t get back to sleep. I have 240 hour of paid time off but can’t take off.

I’m loosing my sweet little brother to cancer.

I had promised Daniel that he could come and spend a week with us in Columbia for his summer vacation and I had to disappoint him on that. I did manage to take off a couple of days and just hang out with Daniel. That was the first time in so many months that I was completely happy and at ease.

Being with Daniel makes me a happy and calm person. I can’t explain it. It always has. It makes me happy just listening to him talk. I learn so much just listening. I don’t do that with others. 🙂

We went on a trip up in the Gateway Arch (his first time), water park, Minions Movie in 3D, History Museum and played Video games and read Harry Potter in bed together at the end of a happy day.

He told me those days was the best days of his life :0) . He is such a little charmer. I spent a little time with Sadie also. She’s the apple of my eye. 🙂 I felt great but sad that it all ended and my stress was to start again.

Kevin and I did get a chance to have a wine and cheese picnic under “our” willow tree in Forest Park and had great seats at the MUNY to see “The Buddy Holly Story.” That was a good weekend…but it had to come to an end.

I went back to work on the following Monday. That Monday night….for the first time in my life, I experienced chest pains and prepared to go to the emergency room.

I have a resting heart rate of 45 but I felt a pain that I had never experienced.

At first the pain was under my breast and I felt a tightening that felt like pressure. I was getting hot in my face. The pain started radiating up my chest, my neck and over my right shoulder and arm. I knew that was something different. I was in my pajamas and Kevin told me to get dressed. He was worried. I got dressed and walked around a bit and it subsided. I felt the tightness subside. I even slept well. Yes, I should have gone to the hospital and if it had not went away, I would have.

I blow up easily and lose my temper at work. Last week I made a couple of employees cry. I went back and apologized. Last Friday, I lost it and cried in front of a couple other managers. That is something I really hate doing.

It is obvious to others that I am not handling things well at this point. My alcohol drinking pattern has changed. I can’t say I’m drinking more but when I drink has changed.

The intense marathon training is another stressor. How can I work long hours and come home and run from 4 to 10 miles per night in the heat during the week and 12, 13, 15 hours on Saturday morning.

I ran 3 miles on Tuesday night and 6 miles in the heat on Wednesday.

At no other time have I run and showered and not felt great…but not that night. I was hurting and sick for the rest of the night. I felt sick and depressed. My hip hurt so bad that I couldn’t sleep because of the Piriformis injury.

I realized that my stress reliever had become part of my stressor. I felt that I no longer liked running.

I am about to go on a 2 week vacation to my favorite place in the US and hang in Santa Cruz, Ca on the beaches in paradise. I can’t even get past today in my head. I am usually excited and making my plans. Airfare, Beach Side Rental and rental car have been booked and paid for…..but I am not looking forward to it.

In part because I can’t bear to leave my 2 baby dogs (Peyton & Eli) in a fucking kennel. How can I vacation with my brother dying and my dogs unhappy, miserable and missing us. They will be so stressed. How can I lay on a damn beach drinking margaritas while all of this back home is happening.

Why did I sign up for the Chicago Marathon….why do I need such a long vacation?

So, I can defer the Chicago Marathon for 1 year. I still have to pay the $180 again next year if I decide to run but I am automatically in. I still haven’t made up my mind but I have not been running since last Wednesday night.

Tonight was supposed to be a training run night but I felt relieved that I was not going to run.

In addition, I found a doggy heaven type place to leave my boys in while I’m on vacation. It has 2 acres of fenced area, a pond, other doggies, a doggy obstacle course, a nice, air-conditioned place to sleep. But it’s twice as expensive as where I normally leave them at $72 plus per night at 10 nights! Ouch! But at this point in my life, money is not a stressor….leaving my babies in a kennel is.

I’m a little worried though, because the I have to take them for an interview on Friday afternoon to see if they have the temperament to stay there. I’m a little worried about my youngest…Eli. He’s got a few little weird, cute issues but he is a sweetie and a spoiled baby. He barks loudly when he gets nervous. He gets along well with other dogs but he will bark a bit at first. Peyton is a perfect dog however, spoiled rotten.

As stupid as it sounds, that also took a load off my mind. Maybe I can enjoy vacation knowing they are having a great time with lots of activities.

So for now, I will likely defer Chicago Marathon. Board my dogs in a Spa fit for dog kings. Go to Santa Cruz and stay barefoot, ass in sand and alcohol in my hand. I’ll make time for a few hikes in the Red Woods, run over the Golden Gate Bridge for the 3rd time, run the beaches daily, eat junky boardwalk food and pray that my brother Jimmy is not in pain and at peace.

Thanks for reading…..

For my old WordPress friends that I miss, please feel free to add me on Charlotte’s Facebook. I am a prolific facebooker. 🙂

(Not Political, Religious or recipes… just life stuff)

Hey, It Didn’t Suck

This was the end of my 4th week of Chicago Marathon training. I completed a 9.5 mile run yesterday in the city streets of St. Louis on July the 4th!

I ate well on Friday and had no alcohol plus I got plenty of rest.

It was an early morning run and the heat or humidity wasn’t that bad. It was my longest run since the half marathon in April. I skipped a 3 mile run this week so I had stressed about this long run for a while knowing that my fitness level had dropped but it didn’t suck, really.

I actually enjoyed most of it until that long incline at mile 6.5. Kevin rode along beside me on his bike and carried water for me. I do not know what I’d do without Kevin. After all he endured with me during marathon training last summer….he said he’d never do it again. But then I got him an expensive bicycle last month for his birthday and he re-considered! 😉

I do carry a hand held Nathan 8 oz but he refilled it for me a few times. I took 3 GU gels with me but only ate 2. I should have eaten the last one because I got slower after that 6 mile and found myself stumping my shoe/toe which means “pick your feet up or face plant. ” So I fixed my running posture and picked my feet up and finished it with relatively no drama.

The city streets were quiet and it was a beautiful day. I never get tired of running toward the Gateway Arch in the early morning as the sun rises. I also always enjoy running around Busch Stadium…the home of my Cardinals.

After I finished, I showered, walked the dogs and Kevin and I headed to Busch Stadium to catch an afternoon game. We won!

I can say that after that, I was tired and my legs felt heavy and sore. Kevin and I went to dinner, walked the dogs again and went back to the apartment and crashed while everyone else celebrated!

The dogs get scared often when we stay in our apartment in St. Louis when they hear firetrucks, fireworks and gunshots! haha (jk) We could hear the fireworks loudly last night and were glad we stayed home with our big babies. 🙂

My son and daughter in law and kiddies were all tired so we didn’t see them that night. I always love having Daniel spend the night but it is more of an ordeal when Sadie stays too. So it was ok, I was so tired.

We did miss “Kool and the Gang” in Forest Park. Kevin and I would really have liked to seen that but they came on at 9pm. I was snoozing by then!

So Kevin and I went and got our little kiddies this morning and took them to the City Garden for some exercise, water play and brunch. As always…that makes my heart feel happy.

I’m back home in Columbia dreading this work week ahead. I did hire an assistant for the summer but I am having to train her which makes it even worse…but will be great after she is trained.

Big corporate bosses in town again this week plus audits.

I’ll try hard to get all my training runs in but it’s going to be a hot and humid week! I’ve always got the treadmill which I hate.

~Congratulations USA Women’s Soccer “World Cup Champions”~

Running on Empty

I thought it was about time to get on here and update again.

My life is so busy that all my free time at work dwindled away to nothing. I try to peek in every now and then but there are always interruptions.

My new job role is keeping me busy and that’s not all that bad. I get up at 4:45am and get home at 6:00pm or after. That gives me time to feed the dogs, feed myself, do my training run, shower and go to bed.

My dogs and husband barely recognize me anymore. This new work situation couldn’t have come at a worse time with the marathon training ongoing.

I was so tired that I left work early yesterday which is very unusual for me. I came home. Took a shower. Put on pajamas and took a nap. It was my training rest day…so I really rested. I felt much better this morning.

I am into my 4th week of training for the Chicago Marathon. I am a bit frustrated with myself for letting my fitness level drop. I struggle now with 7 or 8 miles so this should be interesting! 🙂

I finally took the time to book my hotel in Chicago for 3 nights and that hit the bank account for $1000! We are staying at the Hyatt Regency Chicago near the start of the marathon in Grant’s Park. I’m nervous and excited.

Training will further be a challenge because we have 2 weeks booked in Santa Cruz, CA in August….which falls when there are long runs scheduled. I can’t see myself getting out of bed early or getting my butt off the beach to do that 18 mile run. I’ll have find a way to work around that. I usually run a lot there so I will do the same. Beach running is heaven. 🙂 I will also do a trail run in the Redwoods so I will make do.

I’m not as excited about vacation as I should be. I still don’t know what will happen with my brother. He is getting worse but he is still pain free. I want him to live as long as he wants to. I already miss him.

And, I really hate leaving Peyton and Eli for 2 weeks. To me, it’s like dropping off my kids to stay in a kennel for 2 weeks. I wish I had better options…I really wish I could take them. If we drove, we could.

Anyway……I do dream of vacation in Santa Cruz so I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.

I need to start designing my next tattoo that I plan on getting when I get there. My guy (Tim) is the greatest and has done all my tattoos. This one will be about my marathon and maybe the St. Louis Arch or skyline in it somewhere.

Last weekend, I ran the “Macklind Mile” – St. Louis’ fastest mile and I was almost a minute slower than last year. Shame. Daniel ran the quarter mile. I love it when he enjoys running. He got a ribbon and medal so he was proud.

On Sunday, I ran in the St. Louis Pride 5k and had a decent race. It was a fun time and the same as all runs except more colorful. 🙂

I’m eating healthy during the week but on the weekend, this train comes off the rail…well, it does on Saturday. Maybe I do that because it’s a long run day and I feel I deserve it!

My hip is much better and I am running pain free….knock wood.

I still enjoy spending time with Daniel and Sadie. I always make time for that.

 

I have a 9 mile run on Saturday morning and then Kevin and I are going to a Cardinals game. Will  hang with my family after that.

I hope everyone enjoys their family on this 4th of July.

~Happy Independence Day~

Chicago….Here I Come???

Sunday kicked off my 18 week training for the Chicago Marathon. And I kicked it off with a 10 mile bike ride with Kevin. I could have ridden 20 miles.

Monday was a rest day after a long work day.

And it was 92 degrees today so I took my 3 miles on the treadmill watching “Criminal Minds.” I worked up a great sweat but I was worn out afterwards.

I’m ashamed to admit but I am no where near marathon training ready. I struggle through a 3 mile run right now. But I’m determined. I still suffer a little bit from a piriformis muscle issue but it is getting better. I am getting much better with before and after running maintenance by using my add-a-day and foam roller. I also am making an effort to stretch more. I want to train smart this time with plenty of cross-training which I did not do the last time.

So, it begins and just when the temps are hitting 90s! Kevin and I have a “Race for the Cure” 5k this coming Saturday and running with the team “St. Louis Blues.” It is always one of my favorite and for a great cause. I am always so inspired at this event.

My diet is gravitating more toward vegetarian but it’ s more pescatarian (vegetarians that eat fish). I don’t think I could ever go vegan because I just love Sushi..plus swordfish, trout, shellfish and especially crawfish. I’m getting weird in my old age.

The other day driving to work…I passed a 18 wheeler packed full of baby pigs. They were looking around with excitement like they were going somewhere fun. One even made eye contact with me. It reminded my of my boys (Peyton and Eli) when they get in the car for a ride. Something came over me and I cried. I’m not sure I can every eat pork again. I never eat much meat anyway but that bothered me in a profound way. I don’t judge others…but I don’t think I can eat those cute little guys anymore.

I booked our yearly vacation to Santa Cruz and area. And it hits during some of the long runs. I love beach running but I don’t see me running 16, 18 miles! I want to sit on the beach and drink, dammit! 🙂 Plus hike the redwoods. I always get plenty of exercise there so I think I can juggle my running schedule around and make it work. I will be retiring there if I live long enough! It’s my dream place to live.

My work is getting busier with new responsibilities. My days are often 12 hours and when I get home, I’m beat.

I haven’t seen my cute little kiddies in 2 weeks so that is never good for me. We will be there this coming weekend and the next is Daniel’s 8th birthday.

A few weeks ago we took the kids strawberry picking. Kevin and I started our 2nd batch of “2 Brown Dogs” strawberry wine after picking about 25 lbs of beautiful strawberries.

Stay tuned for more complaining about training in the summer.

“Bring on the Windy City Marathon”

A Pain in the Piriformis

I haven’t blogged in so long that I almost forgot my address. 🙂

My work life has taken on so many twists and turns that I haven’t had a chance to even check in. I miss doing that. (I did most of my blogging at work…so don’t tell.) 🙂

Blogging along with running has always been my therapy.

And holy cow I could use the therapy! 🙂

My brother is getting worse but still hanging on. He barely wants to communicate with us and I understand and respect his wishes. I think the morphine is helping his pain and I’m thankful for that. I miss his voice and his funny, big laugh. I already miss him. I wish I were closer so I could help his girlfriend and him…I feel so much guilt over that. I live about 8 or 9 hours away.

My sister lives a few hours away from him and she wanted to go and help him but his girlfriend and he nixed that. She called me crying that he didn’t want her to come and help. My other brother tries to call but no answer. They really don’t want company. I’m not in his position so I don’t know what I’d do. I know he loves us. I think he just doesn’t want us to see him like that. I have to respect it.

My boss (Tall Poppy) who I have no respect quit under the tremendous pressure we are under due to product growth and plant issues. I can’t say that I was happy or sad.

With all the outside intrusion we are already receiving at work, it’s about to get worse. I’m good with that and I’ll stay busy with projects.

I’m still enjoying my rich personal life with my devoted and awesome husband, my precious grand-kids and their parents. 🙂

I have a new hair cut and color but going back to my dark color ASAP!

We went to see a Rush concert for the 7^th or 8^th time! I love them but my husband is like a teenager at their concerts.

My dogs give me peace of mind like no other thing can.

Today is Peyton’s 6^th birthday and sadly he is having hip issues. We knew this was coming and he has a Vet appointment this afternoon and on his birthday! Hamburger treats tonight for both of my sweet beasts.

Mad Max – Fury Road is on tap tonight at the movies. I’ve been a Mad Max fan since I was in my early 20s. I watch the others regularly.

I’m eating healthy most of the time and losing a few pounds which makes me very happy.

I’m drinking my own strawberry wine watching the birds in my park-like backyard as I type.

In a little over a week, I begin my training for the Chicago Marathon. Training is hell….the marathon is a piece of cake compared to that! 🙂 It’s a more aggressive training that I had the last time and frankly, I am in worse shape.

I’ve got a butt issue!

A few months ago, I noticed a butt muscle that felt pulled or strained. It didn’t interfere with my running so I didn’t pay that much attention. I even ran a half marathon and PRd it with the butt issue.

I admit that I am not a person who does the proper care and maintenance and especially for a woman of my age who only a few years ago weighed 300 lbs and started running.

I don’t stretch properly. I don’t roll my muscles properly. I don’t get massages. I don’t do yoga. I don’t cross train. I just run and that (I have found) is not a good thing. I’m an idiot…apparently! 🙂

The nagging butt muscle started causing my left leg to hurt….knee first and then left foot. For the first time in 20+ years, I’m seeing a chiropractor. I chose one who runs and is a triathlete. I even told him when I first saw him…”If you tell me to stop running, I’ll find another” 🙂 He said he would never tell anyone to give up on running and he would help me get pain free and run that Chicago Marathon like a boss!

So….i’ve seen him 3 or 4 times.

The pain would get better….I’d run and feel good….and then it would return with a vengeance. I don’t take medicine but the pain has been so bad that a few times I took some pain meds that I still have left over from my plastic surgery from Dec 2013.

I have a common ailment and especially with distance runners: piriformis syndrome. The sciatic nerve runs behind the muscle and in some cases in between the muscles of your butt. The piriformis runs diagonal across your butt cheeks.

Piriformis Syndrome:

Piriformis Syndrome is a condition where the Piriformis muscle that attaches your hip to your pelvis becomes tight and inflamed, and traps your Sciatic nerve, which in turn inflames the nerve. The result is that your hip, glutes and your butt are very tight, you have pain in your lower back and butt, and you can have pins-and-needles and numbness down the outside of your leg, knee and even down into your foot (that path of the Sciatic nerve). Pirifromis Syndrome can be the result of over-training, either too much running, or too much quality running (speed). And as we know, speed kills.

So if that muscle is not properly stretched or taken care of, it gets rigid and inflexible. It presses against the sciatic nerve. That causes pain down your leg and affects your foot.

The sitting that I am have been doing more of at work is making it worse.

Hello! Wake up call to me.

I’m on Facebook asking runner friends from around the world how to fix that. I’m only getting minor relief from the chiropractor. But the stretches he is teaching me is going well. The one piece of advice that has given me seemingly remarkable (fingers crossed) results is the foam roller which I have dozens of but didn’t use!

I not only roll that butt muscle but also calves, hammies, quads etc every night a couple of times. (the entire leg affects the piriformis and vice versa)

The last couple days…..I am feeling cautiously optimistic!

In addition, I used my small add-a-day massager and sit on it at work and while I’m driving. I can feel a difference!

If any of the blogging runners who still follow my blog after I’ve been gone so long….plus give me your remedies for the Piriformis Syndrome.

Peyton got a clean bill of health on his check up except for a strained ligament. And he has to go on a 900 calorie diet to lose about 6 lbs. 😦

I’m truly looking forward to structured training again. I’m happier doing that. I’m an idiot! 🙂

I will hopefully be blogging more coming up because I do like to chronical my training. It means so much to me to read other’s training also.

In addition, I miss all my WP friends that I have made. I will be catching up on your blogs soon!

“Remember Why We Celebrate Memorial Day”

God Bless our Men and Women that sacrificed everything and those who are willing to put their lives in harm’s way.  They should have our utmost respect and gratitude.

 

A Fallen Runner

I’m making excuses of course but I feel not so much  like a runner anymore…..except for when I see runners out and then my heart tells me I am. This morning I saw a group of runners….in the dark…in the rain *sigh*

I still run but mostly on the weekend. Last weekend while in St. Louis, I ran 3.2 miles on Saturday and felt like I could have run forever.

On Sunday morning, Kevin and I ran in a charity event “Boots and Badges” benefiting the children  of fallen Police Officers, Firemen and EMTs.

I ran in the Blue for Police “Badges” and Kevin ran in the Red for Firemen “Boots.” I didn’t run a personal best but I came very close and that 3.1 miles had many looong inclines. We had a great time and it was a fun and happy crowd.

I felt like the ole runner in me had kicked in….but then came work (long hours) and a bout with serious conjunctivitis that hit me like something I haven’t experienced. I am a bit better today but not much. At least I can see! haha

I have all but left the blog world….and the running world. I miss being an obsessed runner! I will do a long run this weekend and maybe get in runs next week. I have Half Marathon April 12 “Go! St. Louis” and I am sure it will be a struggle. But I deserve it.

I’ll still enjoy the Runner’s Expo the day before. That’s the only reason I run anyway…for the stuff!

So, my life is busy but good. My brother is still hanging in there with good spirits…but he is getting worse. I have come to terms with the fact that I will say goodbye to my little brother soon. The world will be a worse place without….i’ve no doubt. But for now I wish him comfort and love.

I’m not a religious person….but at times like these…I wish I were. But I say prayers just in case.

Work is busy….and the truth is, I am liking it. I am involved in many projects as the leader so I stay busy and keep my teams busy. My days are long.

I get home and kiss on my dogs…..and Kevin 🙂

I eat healthy for the most part. I get to spend time with my cute little grandkiddies. St. Louis Blues Hockey is winding down a bit and my fingers are still crossed for the Stanley Cup. I put some red in my hair! 🙂

My St. Louis Cardinals are about to begin the season…that always makes me just a little bit happier when the Birds fly back up North! 🙂

I’m a slacker on reading my friends blogs. I have all intentions of checking in and then I don’t.

I’m in a running stall……I thought good weather would help but it hasn’t.

I registered for the lottery in the “Chicago Marathon” slotted for October. If by chance I could get in…that will be a kick in my runner’s shorts! I have heard that it is easier to get in the Chicago Marathon by lottery. I’ll know May 28. If I don’t, I’ll find another marathon.

I miss training for the marathon. I am jealous of those who are. I think that still makes me a runner.

“They say the breaks even up in the long run, and the trick is to be a long-distance runner.” ~ Chuck Knox, LA Rams                          

A Picture is Worth Everything

I finally took a day off of work  on Friday so I could have a long weekend and I was sick the entire weekend and even worse today. I haven’t really been sick in over a year so it figures.

But that didn’t stop me from having an awesome weekend.

I ate oysters and had a pint at the Broadway Oyster Bar.

Jewels of the Gulf

I devoured Voodoo Shrimp at The Broadway Oyster Bar

Voodoo Shrimp at Broadway Oyster Bar

I had a romantic dinner with my hubby and had a delicious Pumpkin Gnoocchi at Taste in St. Louis

Pumpkin Gnocchi from Taste of St. Louis

I ran 5 awesome miles through the downtown streets in the St. Louis St. Patrick’s Day run with my favorite man along with 13,000 other runners!

I dressed up and went to the Fabulous Fox Theatre to see the Phantom of the Opera. I’ve only seen it 6 or 7 times.

Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis

I spend another wonderful afternoon with Daniel and Sadie.

Playing Chess

I enjoyed the warm weather in a city that I love.

I played with my boys (Peyton and Eli)

When we got back to Columbia Sunday afternoon from my long weekend in the Lou, I ran 3.2 more miles on the MKT in 75 degree weather! 🙂

Someone at work told me that they could never keep up with me even when I am sick. I told them “I agree” 🙂  🙂

But all that had to end because I had to go in Monday morning to make a living!

“Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold pint and another one!”

♣Happy St. Patrick’s Day!♣

Let’s Get Physical

Back in the 80’s, I was an exercise fanatic. I worked out and I particularly loved aerobics. Step aerobics was my favorite.

I was always fond of a particular step that I used back then and last week I found it on Ebay and ordered it! I was like a 20-year-old again wearing a leotard, headband and leg warmers. 🙂

It was called the “Super Step.” The person instructing on the video was Brenda Dygraf. I recently watched the video on YouTube and I remember every step! And it is so 80s. 🙂

Eli and Superstep

I am a runner training for a half marathon in April but I really need to incorporate other types of exercise in my routine.

I hate yoga….there I said it! I’ve tried them, pilates, PiYo and I just can’t or won’t stay committed to it. I was thinking that maybe I need to take a yoga class and that might teach me but I’m shy and very uncoordinated.

I can run for 5 hours but I can’t bend down and tie my shoes so I need to do other things for overall fitness.

I kept to my training schedule this week despite not being able to run outside. I have become treadmill soft and that worries me because I have a St. Patrick’s Day 5 miler in St. Louis in a couple of weeks and that might be a challenge!

And after my “Super Step” arrived yesterday, of course I had to try it out. And I burned 150 calories in 20 minutes so not bad….but I guess I strained a ligament in my ankle and had pain all night! I guess I forgot that I wasn’t in my 20’s anymore when I was doing the step aerobics.

After some sleep and an ice pack, my ankle seems fine. I ran 47 minutes on my treadmill doing intervals and fartleks and then I did a 30 minute routine on the Super Step.

There are great step aerobic workouts on youtube so I found a more modern one and “got physical.”

Kevin and I got grocery and went downtown and ate Thai food…one of my favorites.

Phad Thai from Bangkok Gardens

I came home, got in pajamas and have been laying around with my puppies all afternoon and night. That’s always a good place for me.

Lazy, Spoiled Asses (Peyton and Eli)

 

 ~RIP Leonard Nimoy ~ Live Long and Prosper~

Sometimes I Fartlek, Sometimes I Just Fart

I’m approaching this winter funk with a different attitude as of this morning.

I’m going to stop whining and using excuses and do what I can to beat these winter blues.

Below is a great article to help with those long runs on the treadmill.

 “7 Tips for Running Long on the Treadmill“

Yesterday was a 45 minute fartlek run. That totally wears me out to the point of exhaustion! 🙂 That word still makes me laugh a little.

Fartleks are a bit harder on the treadmill because you have to take time to change speeds up and down but it’s doable. I got as high as 6.8 mph.

I heard an instructor on Kevin’s spinning video say “You can do ANYTHING for 30 seconds.” She’s right so I went 60 seconds at a time. 🙂 I’d drop it down, drop the heart rate…back up. Then repeat at varying speeds and times.

My husband does laugh at me because it does seem I pass gas quiet a bit while running on that treadmill. He spins and sweats, I run and fart. Did I mention I am a bean and fruit eater!

Today was week 9, day 7 of Half Marathon training and I spent 93.22 minutes on that treadmill! The first 70 minutes was spent in Zone 2 running. Which is my favorite..of course! haha  And then the last 20 minutes spend in Z4 threshold. That was hard after 70 minutes in the top of Z2.

I burned 821 calories.

Tomorrow is Pilates and rest.

I walked the dogs. I ran. I cleaned house. I did 2 loads of laundry.

Kevin is making glazed salmon, asparagus and sweet potatoes for dinner.

I miss Daniel and Sadie terribly. I haven’t seen them in a few weeks. Daniel is sick today with a fever. I really miss being in Daniel’s life day-to-day like the old days when he lived right up the street.

If the weather gets a little better, I’ll go see them next weekend.

It did feel good to stay home in Columbia with Kevin and my dogs this weekend.

Now, back at those long days at work. It comes too soon.

Time/life flies….

I’m re-charged…..bring it on!