Well, almost two months in and I hit a different kind of first for 2012:
My first crappy run.
Sure, we've had cold temps and less than desirable weather to run in thus far in 2012. But until yesterday, I hadn't realized how lucky I'd been to not have a truly. craptastic. run.
Several factors went into this relatively unsuccessful run.
1) I did an hour-long vinyasa yoga class the night before. The class focused on the shoulders and hamstrings with lots of twisting and bending. From the get-go of yesterday's run, every pendulum swing of my shoulders was a distraction. Pain. Pain. Pain. Luckily, not hurt-pain, just sore-pain. But pain, nonetheless.
2) It was 75°F with nearly 15 MPH wind gusts yesterday. In February.
3) I'm still testing my new shoes. I'm not going to lie - the transition has been tough. I don't feel like I can run fast in them. I know the mechanics are completely different and it will take time to acclimate. However, I was so discouraged by the way I was feeling yesterday - both with the way my feet were striking the ground and the feeling in my legs as I moved - that I found a bargain deal on some Ravenna 2's. The jury is still out, but I think I'm going to feel like my PureFlows will be for short runs, my (more stable and predictable) Ravenna 2's for long runs.
The warm winds of yesterday ushered in some pretty significant rain clouds today and as I type, sheets are still strike the window. Tomorrow the gang plans to run in our first 5K of 2012 in downtown Goldsboro. Here's hoping there's not a wash out!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Envy
Through the interconnectedness that is the web, I have recently found my way to longest acres and have enjoyed peeking into Kate's life amidst animals and pastures through her words and photos.
Her post today, detailing their next brave undertaking, inspires both awe and envy.
She is truly seeing life for all of its opportunities.
2012 has started off extremely well - and I do feel it is unfolding as an auspicious year - but sometimes I wonder. Sometimes I see myself walking the perimeter of my life's land, running my hands along the familiar and worn fence posts of the boundaries my experiences have staked, looking out beyond, wondering if I am brave enough to leave the metaphorical homestead.
During a recent strategic planning meeting at my work, we watched a video that has lit a fire, burning all of the cobwebs from my brain:
Kate has found her Why.
I'm still trying to find mine.
Her post today, detailing their next brave undertaking, inspires both awe and envy.
She is truly seeing life for all of its opportunities.
2012 has started off extremely well - and I do feel it is unfolding as an auspicious year - but sometimes I wonder. Sometimes I see myself walking the perimeter of my life's land, running my hands along the familiar and worn fence posts of the boundaries my experiences have staked, looking out beyond, wondering if I am brave enough to leave the metaphorical homestead.
During a recent strategic planning meeting at my work, we watched a video that has lit a fire, burning all of the cobwebs from my brain:
Kate has found her Why.
I'm still trying to find mine.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Front Room Transformation Day 9: Bamboo Floor Extravaganza!!!
I still can't believe they did it all in one day, but they did.
Yesterday, with a lot of help from friends, 450 square feet of bamboo flooring was installed in our home.
It is oh. so. pretty.
Lesson learned in the Year of Firsts: maneuvering around doors sucks, as it is by far the most time consuming part of the process. Luckily, Robert and David were pros.
Without further ado....
Yesterday, with a lot of help from friends, 450 square feet of bamboo flooring was installed in our home.
It is oh. so. pretty.
Lesson learned in the Year of Firsts: maneuvering around doors sucks, as it is by far the most time consuming part of the process. Luckily, Robert and David were pros.
Without further ado....
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Miscellaneous
We've got shoes! We've got bamboo flooring! (And apparently some trim to fix...)
Last Thursday I received my package from Brooks. Last Saturday, David helped James unload the boxes of bamboo into our front room.
The excitement is building. This Saturday, with the help of some friends, we hope to knock out the bulk of the process.
James and I aren't big Valentine's Day people. But we still spent some time together, running.
Wishing everyone love and happiness today.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Front Room Transformation Day 8: Carpet, be gone!
After a bit of a lazy rainy morning, James and I set out to tackle the most labor intensive part prior to laying the floors themselves:
Taking up the existing carpet. And now, for your viewing pleasure....
We worked like dogs, but it was completely worth it. Four hours later, we have all of the carpets and pads stripped, tack strips removed, and staples pried up. Admittedly, the disco floor is still there, but our minds are still recuperating from the mere shock of its existence.
If they were actual tiles, we would consider keeping some, if not all of them for kitschy vintage flare; sadly, they are vinyl (and vinyl in poor shape, at that) and that's just tacky.
Taking up the existing carpet. And now, for your viewing pleasure....
 |
| Sweetpea, our little kitty |
 |
| Now you see it... |
 | |
| ...now you don't. |
 |
| We got this system down pat... |
 | ||
| ....what the HELL is that??!! |
 |
| All we can say is THANK GOD IT DOESN'T GO ALL THE WAY DOWN THE HALL. |
We worked like dogs, but it was completely worth it. Four hours later, we have all of the carpets and pads stripped, tack strips removed, and staples pried up. Admittedly, the disco floor is still there, but our minds are still recuperating from the mere shock of its existence.
If they were actual tiles, we would consider keeping some, if not all of them for kitschy vintage flare; sadly, they are vinyl (and vinyl in poor shape, at that) and that's just tacky.
Progress
I am a grinning fool.
The two big events of the week:
1) On Thursday, we ordered our bamboo flooring (!)
Pushing the "Submit" button online was a lot harder than I thought. I kept putting off ordering the materials until finally, after staring at the two items in my cart for nearly a week, my fear of sacrificing some savings won out over my fear of committing to such a large purchase. Surprisingly, the simple act of pushing the button was harder than the daunting task of ripping up the carpet. Which, yes, we will begin today.
2) Yesterday, I ran a half marathon PR at 1:57:05 (!)
Under calm, sunny skies, our little running gang headed to the second annual Goldsboro Heart & Sole Half Marathon put on in Walnut Creek to benefit the local YMCA.
What a race!
It was a cold morning but completely free of the clouds we all feared (last year's race was freezing, pouring rain, and windy). My stomach was churning (why? I know not) and my toes were numb (note to self: walking through frost-laden grass is bound to get your mesh uppers and, consequently, socks damp) but the excitement was palpable in crowd, which was equal parts locals to out-of-townees. A couple of the folks from Raleigh Running Outfitters were there sporting their orange singlets and we were there with some logos of our own.
At the pre-race meeting, the organizer informed us that there had been some last minute changes to the course, to avoid having participants cross traffic. (When I was recounting this to my mother, she thought she remembered an accident not too long ago - she was right.) While undoubtedly the right decision, I found myself frustrated that I didn't know what course the new route would follow.
Despite the two previous long runs being mostly for naught (we ran maybe 15% of what we covered during those runs), I still hit my goals (even surpassed them) and busted out a full sprint as I came into the final turn. All in all, I not only shaved more than two minutes off my time but I averaged less than a 9:00/mile! (Sadly, I forgot to hit the stop button on my Garmin for nearly a full minute afterwards, so my stats aren't quite the same.)
Even more exciting was the progress both the men made at this race. Out of 175 finishers, David came in 20th (3rd in his age group) and James close behind at 34th (2nd in his age group). They both came in under 1:40!
All in all, it was an awesome experience for a hometown race, one that I think we all look forward to running again.
As a postscript, I will be hanging up my Brooks Ravenna's after this race; I look forward to the arrival of my new Brooks PureFlow!
The two big events of the week:
1) On Thursday, we ordered our bamboo flooring (!)
Pushing the "Submit" button online was a lot harder than I thought. I kept putting off ordering the materials until finally, after staring at the two items in my cart for nearly a week, my fear of sacrificing some savings won out over my fear of committing to such a large purchase. Surprisingly, the simple act of pushing the button was harder than the daunting task of ripping up the carpet. Which, yes, we will begin today.
2) Yesterday, I ran a half marathon PR at 1:57:05 (!)
Under calm, sunny skies, our little running gang headed to the second annual Goldsboro Heart & Sole Half Marathon put on in Walnut Creek to benefit the local YMCA.
What a race!
It was a cold morning but completely free of the clouds we all feared (last year's race was freezing, pouring rain, and windy). My stomach was churning (why? I know not) and my toes were numb (note to self: walking through frost-laden grass is bound to get your mesh uppers and, consequently, socks damp) but the excitement was palpable in crowd, which was equal parts locals to out-of-townees. A couple of the folks from Raleigh Running Outfitters were there sporting their orange singlets and we were there with some logos of our own.
Despite the two previous long runs being mostly for naught (we ran maybe 15% of what we covered during those runs), I still hit my goals (even surpassed them) and busted out a full sprint as I came into the final turn. All in all, I not only shaved more than two minutes off my time but I averaged less than a 9:00/mile! (Sadly, I forgot to hit the stop button on my Garmin for nearly a full minute afterwards, so my stats aren't quite the same.)
Even more exciting was the progress both the men made at this race. Out of 175 finishers, David came in 20th (3rd in his age group) and James close behind at 34th (2nd in his age group). They both came in under 1:40!
All in all, it was an awesome experience for a hometown race, one that I think we all look forward to running again.
As a postscript, I will be hanging up my Brooks Ravenna's after this race; I look forward to the arrival of my new Brooks PureFlow!
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