Mish-Mash Monday

Last night I was asleep by 11.  This morning I woke up before my alarm.  It was still dark and I wondered what time it was.  I didn't have a watch on and went to find my glasses.  Once I found them, put them on and found a clock, I saw that it was 2:45 a.m.  I thought that it was around 6 or so!

Good idea, Zooey. Good idea.

I knew I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep in bed between Kevin's loud breathing and my cat's bed-hogging, I decided to just go lay on the couch.  I turned the T.V. on I Love Lucy and fell asleep until I heard the Golden Girls on around 7.

Chillin'

I had off today, so I laid around most of the morning, drank some coffee, crocheted, and made a list of some things I needed at the grocery store.  I finally headed out at about noon.

A couple of hours later, I went for a walk with Melissa and her posse (aka her 3 children).  It was so nice out!  It was a bit windy by the lake, which is where she lives, but the way back was better since the wind was behind us.  We ended up walking almost 3 miles.

The bottom of my foot was still sore this morning, but I popped a couple of ibuprofen and iced it for about half an hour before I went walking. It wasn't sore during or after either.  Now though, it is a bit sore to walk on.  I wish I knew what the deal was, but I just have to hope that with ice and rest it will get better.  Too bad it won't get too much rest since I literally run around for 8 hours at work.  I will have to assess it after my run tomorrow.  I may have to take some time off from running.

Happy Monday!

Yeah, I'm Famous

Source

I've mentioned that I read books by Joanne Fluke.  They are murder mysteries and the main character owns a cookie shop.  The books are filled with recipes.  They aren't just cookie recipes, but also main meals, breads, cakes, etc.  I've made several different ones and they have all been excellent.

If readers make a recipe, they can submit a photo of it along with where or why they made that certain recipe and they will put the picture up on their website.

I had submitted my Butterscotch Bonanza Bars recipe.  I just got an email from the webmaster that my picture is up!  I was so excited!  Maybe, too excited.  I'm a dork that way.

The pictures of the recipes are here.  The picture I submitted was this one.

So if you want my autograph, I will totally understand!

Happy Monday!

Easy Breezy

Today was my long run.  I'm on week 8 of Hal's Intermediate Half Plan, so my long run today was for 10 miles.  Yeah, I call him Hal.  We're cool like that.

The weather was pretty nice.  Not too windy and not too cold.  And the sun was out off and on.

Becky and I ran a reverse route than what we have done before.  This resulted in having to run up some pretty big hills.

Oh, Ryan

The first hill was right away.  I asked Becky if we could walk.  If Gosling were waiting for me at the top, I probably would have kept going.  Almost to the top we hear someone say, "Why are you guys walking?"  We turn and see Becky's boyfriend driving by.  Too bad we didn't keep running.  We would have looked pretty hard core.

The second hill we had to climb was right by the lake.  Halfway up I asked if we could walk again.  We were still in the first 3 miles and I was being lazy.

10 miles done!

The rest of the run went well. Neither of us were really in a hurry and were able to keep a comfortable pace.  We walked a couple of times to take some shot blocks/GUs.

We didn't start listening to music until about 3 miles left.  We put in our headphones and ran home.  We really sped up at the end and it felt good.

After I got home and took my shoes off, I noticed a really strong pain on the bottom of my foot.  It's on the heel, but right before the arch, so towards the middle.  I remembered that I had noticed it this morning, but didn't think anything about it.  Now, I can barely walk!  I have to hobble around in my slippers.  I have no idea what happened especially since I haven't ran since Thursday.  I'm going to try some ice and hope for the best.

Happy Running!

Waking Up to Sunshine

It's been a long and emotional week for many following the Boston Marathon bombing and the explosions in Texas.

I, like many, was glued to the T.V. yesterday as soon as I got home from work.  The wave of relief and sadness that washed over me when they finally had the second bomber in custody was overwhelming.  Hopefully justice will prevail and this will help bring closure to the many victims.  

It's been hard to think about anything else and blogging seemed pointless.    What could I say that hadn't already been said more eloquently by someone else?

The past week has been dreary, cold, windy, rainy, AND snowy.  This morning I woke up to beautiful sunshine and birds chirping.  It puts me in a better mood and makes me a bit more optimistic and happy.

Here's a couple of adorable pictures that always make me smile.

Source couldn't be found anymore, but I saw it on Pinterest (where else?)

Source

Source

May your weekend be filled with smiles and sunshine!

Race Shirt

I met Becky for our run today.  I wore a race shirt in honor of the Marathon victims.

The weather was a bit chilly by the time we left.  We took a hillier route than normal which was a bit rough after Sunday's long run.  The run felt good overall though.  It was therapeutic to get out and pound the pavement.  I've said it before and I'll say it again; running is very cleansing for me.

I wore my calf sleeves for the first time that Laura got me from Pro Compression for my birthday.  I like these a lot more than the full socks.  If I get another pair, I will definitely just get the sleeves again.

I was off Monday and got some cleaning done.  I finally have cleaned off my dresser.   It's the place I throw everything and just let it pile up.  I had to take a picture to prove that it was clean at one time.

Did you run today?

Pray

The Boston Marathon was rocked by explosions leaving many victims.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all who were affected.

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Running in the Wind

I had to work at the crack of dawn today.  I'm glad I don't have to do that too often.  Getting up at 4 in the morning is a little rough!

I tried to go to bed at a reasonable time.  I didn't want to be too exhausted for my long run today.  I was probably asleep before 11, so I felt pretty good today.

I met Becky at 3:15.  We had 9 miles on the schedule for today.  It was pretty windy out, but sunny and NOT raining for once even though it snowed this morning.

Weather according to my Garmin.

As we headed out, I could tell the wind was at our backs, pushing us on.  I was dreading the run home, because we would be running into it if we went back the same way.  Thankfully, Becky is smart about that kind of stuff and had a route planned out.

The worst part was when we were headed east towards the Lake.  The wind was icy cold and took our breath away!  I had to put my hood up on my sweatshirt to keep warm.

The rest of the run wasn't bad.  We walked twice.  The first time was at the halfway mark for a potty break.  Somehow I forgot to pause my watch, or I double hit the stop button, because when I thought I hit start and was running, it was stopped.  I noticed when Becky's watch beeped and I glanced down at my watch.  I was only off by about .15, so I decided to just run the extra minute.  I knew it would be all down hill anyway.

The second time we walked was about a mile and a half before the end.  Becky was getting some soreness and so was I.  Walking a minute or so really helped.  It also helped to know we were so close to finishing.

The last half mile we really pushed ahead.  After the last hill climb it is all down hill and so fun to run down!

I was starving by the time we were done.  I had three Clif Shot Blocks on the run, but my stomach started growling around mile 6.  I scarfed down a Greek yogurt as soon as I got in and drank some water.  Then I stretched right away.  I was so tempted to just hop in the shower, but I never stretch enough when I do that.

I was surprised how good I felt and still feel afterwards.  I haven't run that far since December and was a little nervous about it.  Next week is ten miles!  Only a few more weeks until my half! Can't wait for number 5!

Oh, and a side note, you will be relieved to know I am finally washing my Nike sweatshirt that I wear on practically every run.  I figured it's time.  It's probably been a couple of weeks...or so...an emphasis on the "or so".

Happy Running!

Is anyone watching the Boston Marathon tomorrow?  I am going to try and remember to!