wishing you the best in 2011

Here's to another year of running - may your runs be swift, your recoveries easy, and your heart light.

running workout organizer, part three

This is the third part of my series on my running workout organizer. In part one, I discussed the weekly workout decisions part of the organizer.  In part two, I talked about setting the daily plan.  And in this part, I will provide links to some of my favorite workouts that you can use for your own coaching purposes.

I'd love to have a running coach.  Someone to plan out my workouts, assess my condition for me, tell me what to eat and when.  A coach who could remind me to do my core work, stretch after every run, and how and when to cross-train for maximum benefit.  Not only would this coach be fabulously organized and encyclopedic in his or her knowledge of running, this dream coach would work for free and provide post run massages to my aching muscles.

A girl can dream.

My reality is that I stare my coach in the face every morning.  And my coach isn't very good yet.

But I'm working on my coaching skills.  As a coach, I implemented a two week break from running.  And as my client, I'm actually listening.  (Don't tell my coach - I might sneak in a trail run before the two week period is up...)

In 2011, I hope to bring my coaching skills to a new level using my running workout organizer.  But for my coaching to be effective, I need to have a plan to work from.  If you look at most running plans, you'll be able to see which workouts during the week fit the endurance, strength and speed categories.  You can pull those workouts into your plan for the week, and then fill in the remaining easy runs that give you the mileage target you are looking for.  You could also use a preformulated plan and put it straight into the organizer, and then use the other tools, like self assessing how you feel, to help you keep on target in your training and uncover trouble spots before they get too serious.

Here are some training plans to check out and use in your self-coaching endeavors:

Marathon

• 12 week marathon plan (Brad Hudson & Runner's World - )
• 18 week plan (Pfitzinger - maxes out at 70 mpw)
• 12 week plan (Kevin Beck - Features 3 - 3 week cycles w/3 week taper)
• 18 week plan (Hal Higdon - novice)
• 18 week plan (Hal Higdon - intermediate)
• 18 week plan (Hal Higdon - advanced)
• 30 week plan (Hal Higdon - personal best)

50 Miler

• Runner's World
• Ultra-Marathon Planet
• UltRunR discussion about 50 mile training
• Ultraladies
• 24 week plan (Hal Higdon)

down time

I am officially taking a two week break from running.

I had been planning to finish out 2010 by hitting my 2,010 mileage goal, and then taking two weeks off.  But as Christmas approached and my ankle started hinting that it needed a break, I decided to shuck the mileage goal and go ahead and take the two weeks off now.  It's a natural time to sit back and relax as family pressures demand early morning runs and being away from home.  It's a good time to indulge in treats and remember why eating clean feels so much better.  So I've been doing both.

Rest is incredibly important to running, I am learning.  It can be hard to judge how our body is truly feeling when we run every week.  Long, hard efforts take their toll over time, and if we never give our bodies a chance to repair the damage, we are asking for injury.  My hips and my ankle have all been quietly suggesting that it is time to give it a rest, so that is what I am doing.

I found this excellent article extolling the virtues of taking a two week rest.  And I'll admit, it isn't easy.  I watch my friends' workouts roll by on dailymile, and I think, "I should be out there!"  I drive by a runner on the street, and I am struck with a yearning to join them.  I worry that I'll lose my fitness, gain 5 pounds and forget how to run...but I know this isn't true.  Well, except maybe the 5 pound part, and that's just because I can't put the Christmas cookies down!

But I make peace with it by imagining how much stronger I'll be once I've let my body take the rest it needs.  I imagine how it will feel to put in a hard work out, and how good that first hot shower after a good, long run will feel.  And I'm filled with the desire to run, which may be the most important part of my rest cycle.

Is your body asking for some rest?  When was the last time you took a break from running?

glad tidings and a couple of fun brooks videos

Merry Christmas to you and your family!  Wishing you all the best for the coming year.

Run happy!

running workout organizer, part two

Click here to download the running workout organizer (PDF).  For part one of the explanation, go here.

After you have set your key workouts and done some preliminary planning, it is time to schedule your workouts for the week.

I start with the key workouts and determine which days will work best for what's on the schedule.  You don't want to schedule two hard workouts back to back (unless that is part of the plan, like it might be for ultrarunning), so start with the key ones and work from there.  I put down the details of what I need to do, including pace goals so that I don't have to look those up again.

After I've got the key workouts nailed down, I'll schedule in the easy runs that make up the rest of the weekly mileage.  I try to take one full rest day each week, and I am sure to schedule those.  Personally, I find that if I go over 5 days in a row of running, I start to really feel it, so I try to take a break before that happens.  I'll write down my pace or heart rate goal too - this will help me run easy enough on the easy days so that I don't end up hurting myself by always going too hard.  Writing it down helps by giving me permission to take it easy.

I also put a spot in to think about any possible barriers I could have to getting that workout done so that I can contigency plan.  If I know I'm going to have a busy day with a really short window for running, I'll create a plan of attack in my mind to make sure I get it done.  Just recognizing what is coming helps me tremendously in making sure I get my workout in.

The final bit of the planner is a section to note how it felt.  This is good for going back and analyzing your training and see what is working, as well as what isn't. (Thanks for @marathonmanmatt for the suggestion!)

Whew.  That was a lot of info; I hope it was helpful.  I'll put together one more post with some links to different training plans you can start planning your own training with.

running workout organizer, part one

Okay, so a few days ago I posted the running workout organizer (PDF), but I didn't really explain it, did I?  If you looked at it and sort of scratched your head, let me explain how I use it.  You might still be scratching your head, and that's okay, but at least I tried.

So the idea behind the schedule is to break it down, week by week, and make the adjustments that life requires us to make.  It is all well and good to download the 12 week plan from Runner's World, but you've got to make it fit into your life.  One of my biggest problems with marathon plans is that they don't line up with what I've got to do during any given week.  Sometimes there is no free space on the long run day, or there is a group run I really want to get in that falls on a day planned for rest.  If I'm just glancing at the plan, and it's not working, I tend to just throw it out and make up my own.  And then I end up with all kinds of weird training.

I started by calling it my badass schedule, 'cause it just seems to make me feel like I can do it if I start from the mindset that I'm tough.

I put a space to note what week in the cycle I'm working on.  This helps me make sure that I don't slip in to overtraining by too many hard weeks in a row.  At most you should have three hard weeks with the 4th being recovery - training at about 60 - 70% of total miles with a max of one hard effort.  If my max mileage is 50 miles, then for the recovery week I am running somewhere between 30 and 35 miles.  I can also note if this is a taper week in this space.  The thing is now I'm thinking about where my training should be at while I'm putting my schedule together.

The next part I fill out is actually the key workouts section.  If you break down most training plans, you'll notice that they boil down to endurance runs (long efforts), speedwork (intervals, repeats, etc) and strength (hills mostly).  I am going to be trying out a 12 week marathon plan from Brad Hudson & Runner's World for Vernonia.  This plan is built with just two key workouts and a percentage of weekly mileage planned out; you decide which day and how to structure the non-key workout miles for the rest of the week.  I like the flexibility of the plan, so for my worksheet, I would list the two key workouts here.

In the supports section, I try to map out the things I want to do to support my running - key stretches and core work I don't want to miss.  Again, this gets me thinking about those things I tend to neglect.  By writing it down, I'm much more likely to actually get it done.

For the concerns section, I take a moment to identify anything that is giving me pause in my running.  A tight hip?  Write it down.  Pain by the knee.  Write it down.  By giving it attention, I can better determine whether I might need more rest this week or even go so far as to have it checked out.  For me, sticking blindly to the plan while ignoring what my body is saying leads me right in to injury.  This simple exercise helps me to keep it all in mind.

Finally, I pick out a reward for executing the plan for the week.  It might be something I buy (like Endurosoak - really want to try this out) but more often it will be something like letting myself take a break to watch a chick flick or getting sushi on Friday night.

Once I've got all of those ducks in a row, I'm ready to start planning my week - which I will save for part two.

enablers

"If loving you is wrong, I don't want to be right." - Barbara Mandrell

I had the best run last weekend.

It wasn't anything speedy, or super long, or endowed with perfect form.  Nope.

It was with new running friends.

Now I love my old running friends.  They are fabulous.  They are experienced.  They have more races to their names than I have on my bucket list.  But they think marathons are on the edge of crazy.  So when I say stuff like "I want to run a 50k", they look at me just a wee bit funny.

But the gals yesterday...I think they just might be my enablers.

Some are already signed up for 50 milers.  They think that running the 216 mile Cascade Lakes Relay as an ultra team is a wonderful idea.  One is going to do the TransRockies run next year (another one I'd love to do.)  Another one is a race director. I sat next to a brand new Iron-woman.  It. Was. Awesome.

Running can be a lonely business.  So when you find kindred spirits, it is a wonderful feeling.

I am so grateful for all of the wonderful people I have met through running.

Do you have enablers?  If not, what would that enabler be like?  What would they encourage you to do?

removing the barriers

I excel at finding excuses.  Excuses not to run, to do my core work, to stretch, to eat the right food versus the wrong.  I can talk myself out of the most beneficial actions with great ease.  Because of this, I've had go to battle with my "inner excuser" and figure out how to get out of my own way.

My best tactic?  Figure out what excuse I'll try to use and creating a solution before I even get there.  Here's how I make it work.

Doing my hip work:
I have weak hips, and it has been affecting my running.  I've known that I need to do exercises for them for months.  I finally took my thera-band out of the drawer and tied it to my bedpost.  Every time I walk in to my room, I see it lying on the floor, so I'm reminded that I need to do some work.  I can spend 5 minutes then doing hip & glute adductions, and bam, I've done more hip work than I've done in the last three months.  If I put the bands away, my room will look nicer, but you know what - I won't get the work done.  I've decided that I'd rather have a little bit messier room and strong hips.  Even better, since I'm now thinking about doing core work, I'll throw in some bicycle crunches for the abs.

Eating well:
I don't know about you, but when I get hungry, I tear in to the salty, processed foods with wild abandon because they are ready to go.  I don't have to spend any time prepping them.  I've been working on having crunchy vegetables chopped up and ready to go in little bags instead, or bowls of beans and rice that I can add CafeYumm sauce to.  (I'm totally addicted to this sauce. I put it on everything!!)  For just a few extra minutes of work, I can eliminate one of my biggest excuses for not eating well.

Getting a run in:
You know the days.  When you have to get up before it is light to run because one of the kids is sick or there's a huge day at the office ahead.  On those days I know it will be a struggle, I will go to bed in my running clothes.  I'm already halfway there then, and it is much harder to cook up excuses when you are already dressed.

What ways do you get out of your own way?  Any tricks you use to make sure you do those things you need to?

2011

My 39th year.  Might as well make it a good one.

So 2011 will be the year of the ultra.  I've been thinking about it for well over a year now.  Shortly after I read Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes actually, followed quickly by Running Through the Wall, Ultrarunning: My Story, and To The Edge.  Even watching Running On The Sun didn't quench my desire to see if I had what it takes to go beyond 26.2.

I've got my sights set on the Autumn Leaves 50 miler.  I'd really love a buckle.

I'm also going to revisit the marathon.  Three times, in fact.  Vernonia (April), and then Three Sisters and Vancouver within two weeks of each other to earn my Marathon Maniac.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

If anyone has good advice about how to go about training for such things, please feel free to share.  The name of a good psychiatrist might be in order too :)

because I love ya

While my refrigerator may be an unorganized mess, I like to plan my workouts out in advance.  I put together this weekly planner to help me focus on my running goals, hone in what I need to work on, and to keep an eye on potential problem areas.  We can't all have coaches, but we can serve as our own.

Running workout organizer (PDF)

I'll talk more about the key workouts (speed, strength, and endurance) and some sample workouts you can do to help you in those areas as well as how I use this planner next week.

Run happy this weekend.

friday confessional

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I run a lot and make things like raw oatmeal cookies and kale.

Sometimes.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I bring you my Friday confessional...

1. While I am trying to eat healthy most of the time, I can't resist Frito Lay Cheddar Cheese out of a can with some salty Tostitos chips.  And by not resist, I mean that I can down half a can of that stuff in ten minutes.

2. I'm a fan of the Jersey Shore. You can't make that crap up.  Okay, you can, but why would you?

3. My fridge is a science experiment.  Go for run or clean the fridge.  Um, that's a no brainer.

Yowza.  That feels better.  What about you?  Any confessions you'd like to come clean with?

get out there

If you're struggling to get going in this winter weather, here's a little inspiration to get you moving:

It might be cold, but your heart will be warm.

The miles might be long, but the pain will be short.

"There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people." - Bill Bowerman

Whatever, Bill.  Sometimes it is just too cold.  But you don't have to make today that day.

And finally, my fave video of our dog from a snowfall two years ago:

raw oatmeal cookies

I've mentioned before that I am trying to eat a whole lot healthier.  Lots of whole foods, veggies, whole grains and the like.  I've been checking out vegan recipes like nobody's business, and I even picked up a raw cookbook to see what that was all about.  I'm finding that my tastes are changing, and I'm really excited to be learning more about nutrition and ingredients.

For a girl who survived college on diet Pepsi, "garlic balls" (bits of cooked dough slathered in oil and garlic) and top ramen noodles with jarred spaghetti sauce, this is a big deal.

Now my mom was the original earth mother.  I still remember going to the co-op and buying carob chips, and I didn't taste sour cream or a slurpee until I was 18 years old.  I think I had to rebel against the healthy upbringing, but I am now appreciating the lessons she was teaching us way back then.

This cookie recipe would have been one she would have appreciated back in the day.  Heck, she would probably enjoy it now since she has mostly cut out sugar and gluten.  (Mom - you should try these!) I borrowed the recipe from Greener Eating.

Photo borrowed from Greener Living

 Raw Oatmeal Cookies

• 1.5 to 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 c. pitted dates, chopped
• 1 c. raisins or dried cranberries
• 1 tsp. cinammon

Place oats in glass bowl with cinnamon, stir together until mixed.

Chop dates into a semi-fine mush. (I used my Vita-mix - had to get the speed up to 6 or 7 before they stopped bouncing around enough to actually chop.)

Add dates to oatmeal mixture

Add raisins or cranberries.  I also threw in some walnuts because I didn't quite have 1 cup of cranberries.

Oil your hands with coconut oil, water, or cooking spray and mash together (might take a while).

Once the mixture is a dough like consistency, form them into golf ball size rounds and flatten them into a cookie - or leave them as round little balls. It all tastes the same.

What you end up with is a surprisingly tasty bite of oatmeal and raisin that is sweet enough to satisfy even the worst sugar craving.  The dates are sweet without having too strong a flavor, and the cinnamon helps evoke the cookie dough feeling.  A really yummy way to feel like you are indulging without really eating anything too bad for you. Enjoy!

And now for a little bit of useless information:
I was curious about what the difference between regular rolled oats and instant oats was all about.  Turns out, they are processed the same way, but instant oats are thinner and/or smaller so they cook faster.  That's it - they are both equally healthy.  Steel cut oats, on the hand, are a whole other story...

brooks i.d.

I must confess.

I didn't think I was going to get asked back to the Brooks I.D. program this year.

I've seen some of their runners out there at the races.  My I.D. friend Doug runs a 41 min 10k at 54 years of age. I cheered Jacob Puzey at the Helvetia Half Marathon as he raced neck and neck at mile 10, only to win the race in 1:12:22 - and then to come in 5th at the Seattle Rock n' Roll Marathon two weeks later.  I met Amber Morrison at our meetup before the Portland Marathon, right before she rocked a 2:59:32.  I cheered on @frayedlaces as she ripped up Kona in 11:05 - and let's not even mention the most hardcore Brooks athlete of all - Chrissie Wellington.  Brooks I.D.ers train for national championships and Olympic qualifiers.  What business did I have being in that group? Surely they would realize that I was a poser, a faker, a candlestick maker - and boot me right out of there.

In anticipation of the rejection notice, I had been practicing my reasons for being relieved that I wasn't chosen for the program.  I'll be able to wear what I want, I told my running buddy Ed. You could try out those Kinvaras, I reminded myself. Deep down, though, I was sad that my running just wouldn't be cool enough for them.

But the envelope was sitting in my mailbox today.

Is it possible to fall in love with a company?

I told my husband, "This changes everything."

"Why?" he asked.

Because they asked me back.  By now they know that I am not the fastest runner in their stable.  Not even close.  My fastest pace is the recovery pace of most of their athletes.  But my running has value to them.  I've been afraid to wear the singlet because I'm not that fast.  I didn't want to embarrass them by not finishing at the front of the pack.  Maybe, though, that's the point.  What has impressed me most about the company is that they seem to champion runners of all shapes and sizes, not just the chosen few who look and run like Kara Goucher.  Choosing me to come back this year may be the best proof that Brooks loves all kinds of runners.

I've got to decide now whether I should go back for another year of running for them.  If I say yes, I know that I'll have to wear the singlet in every race I run - even if I'm 15 pounds overweight and running slow.  If I say yes, I'll be saying yes for every runner who wonders if they are worthy of calling themselves runners.  I'll be saying yes for every runner who has piled on extra layers to hide a physique that doesn't match what they see on the cover of Runner's World.  I'll be saying yes for every runner who hates it when a journalist writes an article denigrating plodders.  I'll be saying yes for every runner who sometimes wonders if they should be running at all.

Because if Brooks thinks I am worthy of representing their gear, they really think you are a worthy runner too.

holiday half race report...sorta

“What is the real game? It is a game in which the heart is entertained, the game in which you are entertained. It is the game you will win.”

Today I ran my slowest 1/2 marathon in two years.

I wasn't hurt.  I didn't get sick.  I had plenty of miles under my belt.  Nearly 2,000 for the year, in fact.

I originally planned to run this 1/2 marathon balls out.  Try to PR.  Puke if I had to.

But times, they are a-changin'.

Somewhere along the way, I decided to enjoy the journey.  After the Cascade Lakes Relay this year, I had the great fortune to sit down to dinner with one of my teammates.  She's this tiny little thing who just radiates energy.  She told us about her favorite leg this year, when she just looked over at this lady waiting for her runner, and said, "Wanna race?"  She blazed a trail.  Ran faster than all of us.  "So what are you planning to do next?" I asked her.  "Oh, I don't know," she said, "I just love to run."

I wanna be like that, I thought to myself.

People come in to our lives and show us different ways of being.  Sometimes it is the runner friend so focused on the finish time that they forget to smile and enjoy the people they are with.  Sometimes it is the friend who stops and chats with the team or the volunteer, choosing connections over results.  There is no right or wrong to do this running thing.  You don't have to be the fastest, or PR every time, or refuse to stop at water stations. You can just do your own thing.

This hasn't been the easiest lesson for me to learn.

I like to be fast; I'm not gonna lie.  But I also like to have fun.  So I decided to challenge myself today.  Try to run an easier race.  Chill out when I felt like it.  Stop and wait for a friend at the bathroom.  This is the first time I have ever done this. (Watching people pass - that was not easy to do.)  Give up the notion that the only good race is a PR race.

I started in to old habits early on.  Watched the average pace on my Garmin fall.  Fell in to the trap of thinking that if I could just push, push, push, I could maybe PR.  But then I regrouped.  This was a long race.  And I wanted to experience it.  Glanced out at the city and felt my heart swell with the beauty of the day.  I let myself slow down a bit, let people go.  Chatted with my running buddy.

When I unexpectedly saw one of my favorite people at an aid station, I stopped to give her a hug.  And chatted with her on the way back.  Took a moment to stretch.  Cheered people on.  Smiled at volunteers.

Coming in to the finish, I knew that I was almost 10 minutes slower than my last 1/2.  But I was smiling and happy.  I was excited to find out how my friends did.  I didn't have the review/analyze/criticize bug that I usually have when finishing a race.  And that was its own victory.

This running journey of mine is always evolving.  I don't know where it is leading, but I know that today I took a big step forward by allowing myself to have performance goals that had nothing to do with how fast I was running. Maybe someday I'll be able to look at someone, say "wanna race" and run like the wind...just because I love it.

the best laid plans...

I have a half marathon tomorrow.

When I signed up, I had big plans. I want to PR, I boldly proclaimed.  I started training well, nailing speedwork and putting in the miles.

That was September.

As October became November, my enthusiasm waned.  Running should be fun, I decided, as the months of training wore on.  Solid proof that the ramp up for a solid race needs to be fairly short for me.  I can keep running, but I won't stay motivated.

By last week, I was firmly committed to a fun race and trying to hit my mileage goal for 2010 - which meant lots of miles during my taper - so no taper at all.

But then my youngest got sick on Wednesday.  I eked out a 5 am run, but it went so poorly that I decided to forgo the early morning runs.  She stayed sick.  So here we are on the eve of my race, and I haven't run 4 days.  A solid taper.  Which I didn't want.

That's okay.  'Cause here's the forecast:

If 1 - 2" of rain is that kind of cloud today, how many inches is Sunday bringing??!!!!

Forget a PR.  I'm not that fast of a swimmer.

So really, all the plans that you might feverishly lay before a race don't mean much when the day becomes a swim.  You just gotta do what you can.  And like it.

Happy running.

monument to a marathon ornament

You trained for months, endured countless hardships, and put it all out there on the line for your marathon. Sure, you can hang your medal on the wall (or wear it every day if you so desire) - but what would be cooler than pulling out an ornament every year to celebrate your hard earned achievement?  Every time you decorate can be an opportunity to regale your children and grandchildren with your marathon stories...

Supplies

Paper mache or chipboard ornament in the shape of your choice

Color print of marathon logo (for instructions on saving logos from sites, click here)

Assorted papers for background

Mod-podge

Paintbrush

1. Begin by printing out the logo for your recently completed marathon. You can also cut one out from a race guide or advertisement. Any printed paper will do.

2. Choose a background for the logo.  I worked with cardstock in assorted colors.  I tore small pieces of paper to create the layered look.  You could do a single piece behind, or even use parts of the advertisement to create a funky background.

3. Apply some mod-podge to the base of the ornament, and then place the background pieces on top.  You'll need to apply mod-podge to the top of the papers as well.  It gets stickier as it dries, so you may need to hold the papers flat against the ornament for a bit to get them to stick.

4. Once the background is complete, apply the marathon logo.

5. Let dry completely before hanging.

This technique could apply to any race you've completed.  Add in a finishing time, date, race memories...I like these chipboard ornaments because they are flat, making decoupage that much easier.  However, they didn't have those at Michael's, so I went with what I could find!

how to find and save logos from race websites

Sometimes you want to use a logo from a recent race to post in your blog or to make a fabulous ornament.

But how do you find one easily?

Here's the technique I like to use:

1. Start with a google search.  Look for the race you'd like to find the logo for.  It may be helpful to include the word "logo" in your search, but if one does not come up, you may need to make a more general search.

2. Once the search results come up, click on the "Images" link at the top of the results page.

3. Find the image that you want to use.  (If it is not quite what you need, you can crop the image after you save it with Paint (included with any Windows install) or another photo editor.)

4. Right-click the image and select "Open link in a new tab".

5. Click on "Save image as" and select a path on your computer to save it to.

6. You now have the image on your hard drive for editing or printing.  Open it in a photo viewer to print.

wordplay & other goodness ornaments

Perhaps you have a favorite phrase that gets you through your runs. Or a company that makes the shoes you couldn't run without. A big, audacious goal you want to see into fruition.  Whatever it may be, this is the ornament to make.

Supplies
Plain colored ornaments. I prefer frosted colors, and I picked Boston blue.
Paint pen - any color
Ribbon

1. Pick out something clever, inspiring, witty or obvious to say.
2. Carefully write it on the ornament.
3. Add a ribbon.

Did I really need to give instructions?!!

What would your ideal ornament say?

the boston dreamer ornament

For those that dream of speed, create an ornament that reflects their goal.  I have filled my boston dreamer ornament with blue and yellow (of course!) papers printed with my 3:45 qualifying time.

Supplies
Clear glass ornament
Colored paper or cardstock
Ribbon
Silver paint pen

1. Pre-print sheets of colored paper with the goal time.  I only printed one side, but if you can print both sides so that they line up, the goal time will be more visible. Cut the paper into narrow strips.  You could handwrite the times as well, especially if you have cool scrapbooking handwriting.

2. Fold the strips in half.  Remove the hanger at the top of the ornament and place the strips carefully inside. You may need to shake the strips up a bit to find an arrangement you like.  Put the hanger back onto the ornament.

3. Carefully write "boston dreamer" on the outside of the ornament using the paint pen.

4. Finish the ornament with a ribbon bow to hang.

See, not too tough, is it?  And of course, the technique lends itself to all types of variations.  Favorite phrases, mantras, PR goals...the possibilities are endless.

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

Finally pulled the decorations out last night and let the kids go to town. Their idea of going to town: pulling out all of the decorations and leaving them on the floor for me to set up.  Except for the choice few that they argued over the placement of. Ah, don't you just love Christmas?

Minor rant: Okay, does anyone else get mad when Pandora or the radio plays "The River" by Joni Mitchell as a Christmas song? Just because the lyrics mention Christmas trees does not mean that it is a Christmas song, people. It is one of the saddest, most beautiful songs I know - and it always chokes me up. I do not want to be bummed out when I am listening to Christmas music. Rant over.

Still, I can't help but get excited about the pending holiday.  We should be getting our tree this weekend and decking the yard with our Christmas display.  (Our new neighbors don't know what they are in for - mwahaha.)  While we've got some new characters in the works (like Pigpen!!), here's what our new neighbors will be treated to:

Why yes, they are lucky.

Now that I have Christmas on the brain, I thought I'd start sharing posting my latest projects.  Ornaments.  For runners. Because the choices out there, as Emz pointed out, are pretty much nonexistent.  None of the ones I have created are that tough to make. You can whip them up in no time flat and make yourself a running themed Christmas tree if you'd like. Or make a few for your running friends. 

I'll post them separately over the next few days. If you have a cool Christmas/running themed decoration, please leave a comment with a description or a link. I love this stuff!

a hazy shade of winter

Welcome to the dark days of winter.

I've been struggling lately.  Yesterday's run was terrible.  I don't feel like running, writing, reading...or doing much of anything other than consuming mass quantities of carbs and sleeping.  I must have some bear somewhere in my ancestral line...

When I popped on dailymile this morning, it was immediately clear that I am not the only one who feels this way:

"I suck. I haven't ran all week, today will be my first run of the week. I have a marathon next Saturday that I am not ready for. This should be interesting..."

"TERRIBLE! Right knee flared up on my warm-up laps. I officially feel fat, slow and lethargic. Fully expecting two terrible marathons this weekend."

"Im beat, and I sorta slacked off on this class this morning, not gonna lie. But I got up and went, and that counts for something right?"

Which actually made me feel better. A little.

What I do know is that winter usually starts off this way for me, especially when it is dark and rainy as it has been here for a solid week. In time, I will adjust and start to feel better again.  But it is slow going and full of frustrations.

I would like to run 2,010 miles this year.  At this point, I am at 1,820.78 miles, so I have 189.22 to put in this month.  Which is a lot for a month chock full of holidays.  But it is doable, and I am hoping that setting my mind to this goal will help me battle the bad mood that has descended on me like fog.  Having a goal with a close completion date seems to help me.

Does anyone else have suggestions about how to beat the winter blues?

my cloud

Want to build your own cloud?  Check out Tagul.

I will be returning to posting soon. I hope.  It's been one of THOSE months...