Great Weekend & A Missed Run

I sometimes wish that I lived in the lower 48.  Sometimes I feel very isolated in AK, like I'm missing out on some great things: farmers markets that stretch on for blocks, FOUR seasons that have distinct beginnings and ends, walking well anywhere- hard to do when everything is so spread out.  But this time of year always makes me happy.  The sun is bright and stays up longer and longer each day.  Its still crisp out but you can feel that its getting warmer- the snow starting to melt (even if it freezes back up at night).  It really is a great feeling knowing that Spring is almost here and, with that, summer is right around the corner.  It's a great feeling :). 

We went to our cabin this weekend (it's about 2 hours outside of Anchorage).  It was a beautiful weekend and we were able to do some mini hiking on both Saturday and Sunday.  Coop (our dog) absolutely loves it out there- he gets to play outside, non-stop, for two full days and nothing makes him happier.  It's always hard to leave (I really wish I had taken some pics- I need to get better about that :)).

I missed my scheduled run on Monday.  I have been feeling something (?) in my chest and was worried that I might be coming down with something.  I took it easy Monday and Tuesday and am actually feeling pretty good today.  I will need to make up my run on Thursday which gives me four straight days of running.  This makes me a little nervous since I am still in the building up phase and I worry that four consecutive days might too much?  Well, we'll see- if by Friday I feel exhausted or shin splints or anything else I might lay off and just miss a day.

Happy Hump Day Everyone :)!

Blog?......What Blog?

I am quite obviously an inconsistent blogger.  My intentions are good- I want to be a regular, entertaining, insightful, CONSISTENT blogger but I just can't seem to get there.  I get on everyday and read other blogs (one of my favorite things to do :) ) but then it comes time for me to actually write a post and.....nothing.  I am hoping that over time I will get better and find a routine but until then I'm afraid I may just be a fair weather blogger.

On the running front things are actually going really well!  I am still building a base (it is progressing slower than I would like but it is progressing so I'm OK with that) and once I get done with the 5K training plan- hopefully mid April- I will start my half marathon training.  There are three races that I am looking: See Jane Run in Seattle (July), Big Wild Life Run in Anchorage (August), and Rock n Roll in Vegas (December).  I don't necessarily think I will do all three but am strongly aiming for at least two of them.  As long as I stay on track with my plans than I should be good :).

Today I have a 2 miler planned.  It is getting to be really nice here and I am itching to get outside and run.  The only problem is that it is doing the Spring melt/freeze here and the times of day that I would be able to run are the times when I would be most worried about hitting some ice patches.  It's probably going to be the treadmill for another month but at least I know the end of winter is in sight :).

Happy Friday!

Glad it's the weekend

I have the house to myself this weekend.  R took Cooper and went to our cabin- he's trying to dig out our snow machines for a trip we're taking in a couple of weeks.  There's not much snow down where he's at so I'm not sure what kind of luck he'll have.  All I can say is that I'm glad that I'm not there (it's down around zero this weekend).  I feel like I get a lot done when I am home alone- for example today I had breakfast with my mom, got my oil changed, did the shopping for the week, and got my workout in all before noon.  It was great- very productive feeling :).  My run was so so.  I'm still in the "start over" phase so get a little frustrated at the slow progress.  Overall it felt great though- I'm definitely at a point where I look forward to my runs rather than dread them :).  I am hoping to start a weight training program this week, I really need to focus on weight loss and I think building muscle will help that.  I am now going to open a bottle of wine, pop in some cheesy romantic comedy, and enjoy my solitude.  Have a great weekend!

Is it February Already???

Well, I wish that I could write this post (after soooo long) and say that I have been following through on all of my new year goals and resolutions......but I can't.  January sped by and it was a little too easy for me to slack off on the running while finishing up with school (thank goodness I'm done with that!) and if it wasn't for my wonderful dog needing a lot of walks I don't know if I would have gotten any activity in this last month.  I'm not too bummed- I can't beat myself up too much I mean what's done is done right?  I can just regroup and try and start again...and again.....and again....and, if necessary, again.  I am getting used to this pattern :).

One thing that I would like some advice on (if anyone is still willing to check out this greatly slacking blog :) ) is treadmills.  I am in the market for one and was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on brand, type, whatever other categories there may be?  There are SO many of them that it's a little overwhelming.  I would like to buy new (some friends have not had the greatest luck on purchasing used ones) and my price range caps at $1000 (hoping that is middle of the road).  All suggestions will be very much appreciated.

I am once again restarting my base building phase of training.  I got 42 minutes in today (about 2.42 miles) of walking/running.  If felt pretty good which makes me think that I haven't lost ALL fitness that I had built up in December.  As of this week I am on track and hoping that I can get through the month that way. 

How have you done so far with your New Year Resolutions/Goals now that January is done and gone?