Running right past February - Page 2

[kerc]

Originally Posted by Geofizz

I'm having chocolate cake tonight to celebrate.

I think we are too -- there's the makings of chocolate cake in the sink. Happy Birthday to Mr. Geofizz who I think shares my birthday.


Revising goals: yes, IMO you can revise goals. But I also view it like I do work --- January can be really productive for me, but May seems to be full of crap I've gotta do and I don't fit it in as well.

[Realrellim]

Happy birthday kerc!

[JayGee]

Gaye ~ your DS goes to bed at 6:30??? In.My.Dreams !!!! Hope the meeting ends early for you.

Welcome lemurmommies! Google "Runners Knee" and see if that sounds like what's going on for you. Knee problems should never be ignored/run through. Trust me. I know .

pumpkinseed ~ speedwork + treadmill = your friend . Given the fact that there is no public track here, I do all speedwork on the treadmill and it's really nice for forcing a pace.

DH just called from work to see if it was still okay for him to go to the Y. Was expecting him home by 6:00pm, but now it looks more like 7:30 . Still, I would never deny him a workout, since he ALWAYS lets me run/bike/swim when I want to. So I brought a big plastic bin of snow into the kitchen and the kids are going NUTS with Playmobil in the snow. I think I stole the idea from a Dingo... .

[kerc]

Originally Posted by JayGee

So I brought a big plastic bin of snow into the kitchen and the kids are going NUTS with Playmobil in the snow. I think I stole the idea from a Dingo... .

perhaps us

My kids begin the bedtime routine at 645 when I'm in charge, bedtime is probably 730-8ish. Otherwise it becomes a 9pm or later bedtime . WHich makes me crazy.

[Realrellim]

Originally Posted by kerc

My kids begin the bedtime routine at 645 when I'm in charge, bedtime is probably 730-8ish. Otherwise it becomes a 9pm or later bedtime . WHich makes me crazy.

9 drives me crazy. Unfortunately, she's never in bed before 8:30 and usually isn't asleep until 8:45 or later. And she's suddenly become very attached to me lying down with her. I'm doing it only because I know it won't always be possible once the baby is here, and apparently because my pregnancy hormones are screaming that she's becoming a big girl really fast and I shouldn't wish away these last couple of months of having an only.

6:30 would require us to eat way earlier though, and DH isn't home until 5:45 or 6 on normal days.

[lemurmommies]

Originally Posted by JayGee

Welcome lemurmommies! Google "Runners Knee" and see if that sounds like what's going on for you. Knee problems should never be ignored/run through. Trust me. I know .

I've done some reading and spoken to the leader of my Learn to Run clinic too, and it seems that what I'm experiencing is "patellofemoral pain." I am doing some strengthening exercises to work on the muscle groups in my legs, which I totally admit are flabby and out of shape and likely contributing to the problem. My knees also seem to hurt less when I am barefoot, so I am going to switch running shoes. I think they might be making things worse.

The pain isn't bad, and actually doesn't hurt while running for the most part, so I am trying to keep my pace slow and keep at it. I know I don't want to injure myself further, but I also don't want to stop altogether and risk losing my momentum.

[memiles]

A drumroll please. I'll wait.



I JUST FINISHED OUR TAXES AND I HAVE ENOUGH TO PAY FOR MIDWIFERY SCHOOL!

I was sweating it. DH made less last year, so when I saw his W-2 I figured we weren't going to get enough back to cover my tuition. However, never underestimate the lovely tax credit for having a child in college! I went up and kissed DSS, he looked horrified until I told him he just gave me midwifery school. Then he said "remember that when you are griping about something I did next time". I love that kid.

We'll even have $1500 left for a big old pantry stock up and savings, plus DH is getting a small year end bonus that I didn't know about until I read about it in the paper (there are advantages to working for the biggest gig in town, publicity for bonuses is one of them).

I can breathe again and it feels GOOD.

[Penelope]

Yay Megan! That's terrific!

Welcome, Lemur!

Happy Birthday, kerc!

Jo, I'd do the 10K and the 15K, myself, unless you think you'll have the childcare juggle again and the 25K is your one, best, closest shot.

Geo, I'd up the goals. I'm impressed w. both your time goal and your distance accomplishment! I should do a 5K this summer - I haven't done one in a while (only 10K and half marathons.) Be nice to get a new or at least a fresh PR.

RR: um, I did yoga. But I'm planning to run T/Th and I should be fine for that plus prep tomorrow.

My job is eating my life again, already, and it's only gonna get worse. Sigh. Ooops, must go make dinner - such fun after the 10hr not-finished workday. Sigh.

Yay for the Feb thread!

[mommajb]

Geo - your training is going to really take off with so much accountability/so many running partners! I think you want to run the Columbus Marathon this fall and I think your goal time is 3:45. I think I know somebody that will run with you. I don't even know what m/m pace that is of the top of my head.

memiles - yea! for college tuition.

I'd run what I can afford financially and childcare-wise and dh goodwill-wise.

JayGee, is there a link for the 5K? I'll have to look at the plan and see how I am feeling. I am registered for the Flying Pig half on May 2 but said that if I was switching to the full if I did my last two long runs. Now I am putting it off until Feb 15th just to make sure I have all my ducks in a row.

bedtime: 8:00 and dh does it.

[1jooj]

Penelope, I think you mean Nick... We really ARE NOT the same person. But I'd probably do the same. 10K is a nice distance, and 15K would be something nice to do, too.

memiles, that is GREAT news! It looks like our taxes will get me a water softener and plane tickets, if that's what we decide to do. Otherwise, water softener, pay off my car, and maybe get dh a tractor or big tiller. My car will be paid off this spring one way or t'other.

But it would be me using that tiller, if dh is really in Kuwait all of May. I just wish they'd send him to France, Turkey, Portugal...he's suggesting I go along to Kuwait. I feel a little bad being so totally not interested in going. But I can shop here if I want to, yk? And I don't like shopping.

Speaking of, I tried on jeans at St. Vinnie's. I'm not ready. But I got some cool coffee mugs.

[babybugmama]

Wow Geo - 3:45 for a full, that would be awesome! Hey I know I'll be looking to do some long runs come fall, when is the Columbus? Would you be willing to do some traveling for a long run rp? I dunno about 9-9:30 pace though for +10 miles.

mommajb...anyone near me? Especially as fall rolls around I'm gonna need some help!

I can't afford to really do any offical 1/2's before the Goofy - that was just too darned expensive. Although there is a 1/2 and full in april that's cheap in my neck of the woods if anyone is interested.

Goals - keep stretching well, try to get more consistent with 5 runs per week, accepting the occasional miss. Working toward 15 mile long runs with goal month of June (really just adding a mile or so a month until then), then start amping up to full length, with a few runs where I do a longish run on saturday and an even longer run on sunday to get a sense of what it's like and what kind of fueling/hydration issues I may experience.

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by mommajb

JayGee, is there a link for the 5K? I'll have to look at the plan and see how I am feeling. I am registered for the Flying Pig half on May 2 but said that if I was switching to the full if I did my last two long runs. Now I am putting it off until Feb 15th just to make sure I have all my ducks in a row.

Here you go!

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by pumpkinseed

(gasp-actually a running question from me!)

geo-do you do your speedwork on a track or do you incorporate it into your daily runs? this is something i struggle with-i feel like i just don't get the speed unless i do "serious" track workouts. when i try to incorporate them into my daily runs-i don't get speedier as a result. What speed work do you (or any of you) do that isn't on a track (since i can't do that anymore w. the kids...)

We've run our normal route: First 2 miles as normal, then 12 sets of "run faster until we get to that tree," recover jogging, pick another target and start again. Each interval is maybe 150-200 yards. We aim to make the last 2-3 all out, with no extra speed to be had.

This coming Wednesday though, we're going to do the track since we're really at 3 different speeds for the speed work.

Originally Posted by mommajb

Geo - your training is going to really take off with so much accountability/so many running partners! I think you want to run the Columbus Marathon this fall and I think your goal time is 3:45. I think I know somebody that will run with you. I don't even know what m/m pace that is of the top of my head.

: I'm holding steady -- no interest in running a marathon. I did a half once, and I might do another one that's less crowded if I get to hang out with a bunch of you, but I have little desire to do the 35000 people half again.

Offer always stands to cheer on dingos at mile 21!

Originally Posted by babybugmama

Wow Geo - 3:45 for a full, that would be awesome! Hey I know I'll be looking to do some long runs come fall, when is the Columbus? Would you be willing to do some traveling for a long run rp? I dunno about 9-9:30 pace though for +10 miles.

: Now *that* I'd love to do. 10 miles at this point is a stretch for me, but I can do 8 now at ~10 m.m. I'd totally swap the driving to do some of those. Or is there a rails to trails half way between us? London?

[cornflake girl]

kerc - happy birthday!!!

RM - woot for pain free running!

nemesis - I'd bet the Vibe is a good car because it's the same as the Toyota Matrix, right? I've always lurved my Toyota's despite the hot mess they seem to be in right now.

geo - re: your goals - I think it depends on your personality. I'm the type that gets really upset and feels like a complete failure if I don't hit my goals. If you're like me it's probably better to keep it reasonable, if not then go for the aggressive goal, after all you've got nothing to lose. From your numbers it sounds like you're ready for a sub-27 min 5k now.

jenlove - we just have a cheapie Krups but it's been perfect for the occasional mocha.

lemur - welcome!

memiles - what a relief that refund must be!

re: bedtime - 7:00 for the little and 8:00 for the big. You'd think one of the advantages of homeschooling is that kids don't have to be in bed so early, but my kids are roosters and wake up at the same time everyday regardless of what time they went to bed. DH is at work during bedtime so it's my job by default. It's fine now that they're older but it was pure hell with a baby and a toddler. I shudder just to remember that whole mad rush to get dinner made & cleaned up and kids ready and into bed when one was a velcro toddler (hated to leave my side and needed me to lay with her until she fell asleep) and the other was a babe who couldn't be put down and who refused to nurse to sleep. Ah, 'the days are long and the years are short' ~ wise dingo proverb.

[LaLaLaLa]

Originally Posted by JayGee

So I brought a big plastic bin of snow into the kitchen and the kids are going NUTS with Playmobil in the snow. I think I stole the idea from a Dingo... .

We did that last week, before the thaw that melted down most of the snow. I hope your kids enjoyed it as much as mine did; we spent an hour or so marching those Playmobil guys through the snow, having them skate on little ice rinks I'd made from saucers, and performing daring rescues as they got buried in the snow. Cleanup was super-easy, too.

So... sinus infection? After a day of unbearable pain across my jaw that makes it feel like I need all of my molars pulled, I consulted Dr. Google and am now thinking maybe sinus infection. Those are easily treatable, right? I need some hope that my misery is close to its end, especially since I have a LOT to do this week, with DS's birthday next Sunday and DD's class Valentine stuff coming up. Ugh, this is, like, the worst time for me to be sick.

Okay, won't monopolize the thread anymore with my non-running rambling.

[grnmtnmama]

Happy birthday Kerc!

My ds is in bed and asleep at 6:45 on a school night. A bit later on the weekend. Up at 6:15ish.

So sorry this is all about me, but I need to mope. I was feeling funny all day today and after my last meeting got body aches and chills. I think I've got some sort of stomach virus, I feel rotten . Hopefully it will clear up in time to do well this weekend.

[eksmom]

Happy Birthday kerc!!

I have no RR to report unless you count running up and down the stairs in the middle of the night to do laundry. DD threw up in bed Thursday night (tomato soup), lost her 1st tooth in her sleep Saturday night and left a big bloodstain on the sheet, and threw up in bed again last night (tomato soup, again, which is now banned from her diet for a while). DS is having a billion poopy diapers and they are the nasty green variety, so I'm trying to keep the diaper laundry going too. I had really really wanted to go to the gym on Friday but I got to work late and stayed until almost 9 PM and by then it was too late. Then Sat. we got 10-12 inches of snow. My job, sick kids, and gobs of snow are eating me alive. Apparently our region has gotten more snow so far this winter than Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, etc. We are supposed to get some type of winter weather tomorrow, and another big one on Friday - one early report I heard was anywhere from 20 inches to over 3 feet... boggles the mind. If that happens I am going to have to figure out the distance for the living room-kitchen-sunroom loop in my house a la Geo and get my runs in that way.

[tjsmama]

memiles~ Congrats!

lala~I'm infamous for not recognizing sinus infections until way late in the game. I fought one off for about three months last year with the neti pot until I gave in and went to the doctor. Two doses of antibiotics later (literally, two pills) and I was feeling MILES better and kicking myself that I didn't go in sooner.

gmm~ Feel better!


re:bedtime...Yeah, by 6:30. We usually start bedtime routine around 6 or very shortly thereafter. It used to be between 7:30 and 8, but when he dropped the nap last fall, I moved it up. He doesn't always fall asleep right away, but he's generally out by 7:15 or so. He still really needs the nap, but will very rarely take it. It just starts getting ugly if he stays up late (relatively speaking, of course, b/c we all know how mellow my kid is). Case in point, we got home tonight at 9, and had a complete and total meltdown because he didn't want to go potty before bed. Sigh.


Blah. I feel very blah. I applied for the dailymile team and didn't make it, which I shouldn't be that disappointed about, but am. My 10pm dinner (frozen pizza ) fell apart in the oven (!), and even though I rescued it and ate it, I'm still starving and can't.stop.eating. My dvr is having major issues and keeps freezing up, which means I have to reboot it, which takes about 10 minutes every time. One of my pull-out shelves in the kitchen broke and I don't know if there's a cheap fix...home depot didn't have replacement brackets. I tried calling the Lands End department at Sears earlier and gave up after (no joke) around 50 rings. I really need to go to bed, but have to wait at least 45 minutes for the load of laundry in the washer to finish, because otherwise DS will not have anything to wear tomorrow. Oh, and my foot hurts. No, not the one that's been hurting, that one's fine. The OTHER one hurts. In the same place.

Ok, I'm done whining now. Really. I swear. For now, anyway.

[Mel38]

I hope you had a great birthday, Kerc, and a new year full of health & happiness.

Lemur and welcome!

Originally Posted by Geofizz

Any thoughts on revising goals for 2010? My goal was 750 miles and a sub-27 minute 5k. I ran 93 miles in January, most of which were 9-9:30 miles. I seem to gain about 5 seconds for each speed work out I do, so both goals look like something I can meet pretty easily. Better to keep the goal very reasonable and hittable, or up the goal to something that will take work to shoot for but might not make?

Personally, I'd raise my goal if I was having awesome results like that!

Originally Posted by JenLove

PS ~ Espresso machine mamas - what kind do you have? Any recs?

We had a Saeco for years that was great. It had to be refurbished once, and after that, we sent it to my dad who has also been using it for a couple of years since then. Now we have a Spidem, and it is basically the same thing as the Saeco, just a cheaper brand. I believe it cost around 600$ ... maybe you can find a refurbished one for less.

Originally Posted by Nickarolaberry

So...do I do the 15K at Gasparilla (1 hr. away) on Feb. 28th or try for a 25K (15 miles) earlier in the month...in the state park adjacent to my house? (which really, is kinda stupid, considering I'm training for a half marathon...which is less distance.) Hmmm.

There is a 10K the week before the 25K in the same park.



Back to your regularly scheduled program...

Hmm, yeah, maybe the 10k in the park then your 15k on 2/28? Just to have more of a build-up ...

Arg, Eksmom, I'm so sorry to hear about all the night-time laundry emergencies! That's the pits. I hope she's feeling better soon. And DS, too. Sounds like you might be house-bound for a couple days, but I hope you have some quiet moments, too.

Memiles: Awesome !! I'm so jealous of all you guys finishing your taxes. I have got to get in gear and get to work on that.

La4 - sounds just like a sinus infection to me. I also feel the pain in my molars. Try hot compresses on your face, inhaling steam and a neti pot, if you can get anything up in there. Otherwise, there's always abx...

Me, no FM today. I'm draggin', feeling the affects of AF on my psyche. Worried about my oldest DD's school situation, whether our choice to come to Germany was ... wrong. Not for us as a family - I think we are doing pretty well, all things considered - but so far, all I am getting is strange looks from the schools back in the states. On top of the homeschooling, what are they going to think about her very average grades from the school here? I can hear it now - What - only a C average? She doesn't belong in our school! She can't do AP classes... blah blah blah. I think it's time for me to just let the decisions happen, not get too involved, and then see how things go when we get there. Worrying about this is getting to be an obsession for me and I must.let.go.

[Runningmommy]

I'm in bed, coffee on the night stand, yorkie snuggling by my side, new SUPER AWESOME jammies (sale: bottoms half off, and top was 2.50!!), an hour before the kids get up, fully rested. Trying to talk myself into working out. Hmmm, decisions decisions.

What got me out of bed an hour before my alarm?? Pouring water noise from the bathroom in our room (our room is t.i.n.y., I mean just enough room to walk around our bed). I call out in the dark if dh is in there (why would he be in the dark but I didn't want to get out of bed and completely wake up). So, out of bed to find that there is water pouring out of the light fixture in the shower.

Dh had turned on the sink faucet in the upstairs bathroom, and gotten in the shower. ?? About two nights ago, he turned on the sink faucet downstairs bathroom, washed his face and walked away leaving it on. ?? Wow, poor guy!