Yep... I just feel that a numerical goal will help me stay motivated to keep putting in the miles consistently.I ended up having a pretty decent run at Green Lake last night - my hips were pretty tight at the start, but after a few miles everything began to loosen up and feel good. Still, I'm enjoying a nice rest day today!I had my first yoga experience (really my first yoga at all experience) this morning. The class went from 6-7 AM, so I was up by 5:15, which is WAY early for me - but it was a great way to start the morning. I don't handle heat very well, so that was a little uncomfortable at times, but it felt really good, all cleansing and relaxing. And being in a small room full of slim, fit flexible girls wearing next to nothing was good motivation for me to get off my @ss and start being better about my diet, strength training, etc. I'm not sure about this particular yoga place, as it is super nice and also super expensive (one of my friends goes there and can bring along a guest for free every now and then), but it is definitely something that I'd like to try adding to my exercise routine and see how it pays off.Work is still going well - I am always busy and always learning new things, and luckily I seem to have a pretty good memory for this sort of thing. Annnnd tomorrow is payday!
Yep, that's right... only two more days until I get my keys, sign my lease, and move into my new apartment! It is even more exciting now that I have gotten a ton of kitchen stuff (dishes, appliances, kitchen table and chairs, etc) and also furniture to put in it (computer desk, TV stand, TV, couch, nightstand, bookcase). I can't wait to get everything in there and start setting up/decorating! I am bribing the strong men in my life with pizza and beer to help me move the heavy stuff, and bribing my mom and other females with free wine to help me unpack and decorate!
Work related - so far so good here. Still learning new stuff and doing the best I can, which is all I can do, right? I am hoping to switch to a 7:30-4 or something schedule over the summer so I can enjoy more hours of sunlight after work. It is gorgeous out today - I spent my lunch break curled on a bench outside basking in the sunlight.
Running-wise, things are going mostly better. I am getting back on track and adding back in more miles each week. It should get even easier once I am settled in my new place and don't have all the business of moving/commuting/traveling to complicate things. The only issue seems to be that my hips have been stiff and sore lately - I definitely need to get back to the strengthening exercises the PT recommended for me last year. Here is the plan for this week:
M - Off
T - 3 miles
W - 6-7 miles
Th - Yoga
F - 4 miles, swim
S - Off (moving counts as strength training right??)
S - 8-10 miles
Total - 21-24 miles
Just realized I haven't updated my blog in two weeks... whoops! I have been super busy lately and life has been so crazy that I haven't even wanted to think about it, let alone post about it!
Starting with running - aside from a bit of a twisted ankle and lack of motivation issues, I am starting to get back on track. 3 mile tempo run around Green Lake today with DBF and his friends (it is fun to have people to "run" with even thought we were all spread out by the end of the loop) and then a 30 minute swim in the pool at the gym. I am pretty sleepy now, but looking forward to an 8 mile "long run" on the Burke-Gilman at some point tomorrow.
I am moving into my new apartment a week from today and getting the keys next Friday! I have spent more time than I want to think about packing/organizing/looking for furniture etc. But so far I think I have all the basics so it should be fun.
Work has been going great lately, so that's good.
Next race is Valentine's Day 5K at Green Lake, I think I am going to convince DBF to sign up as a team. Will be fun to race again, I feel like I've done nothing in that regard lately. I am off to the Tavern tonight to catch up with some friends and hopefully not do much drinking so I'll be somewhat alive for football/long run/more apartment shopping tomorrow!
Here it is - once again, tentative. More complete with goals, etc!
January
None
February
2/14/10 - Valentine 5K, Olympia (goal - place in AG)
March
3/14/10 - St. Patrick's Day Dash, Seattle (3.4 miles, recovery run)
3/21/10 - Mercer Island 1/2 Marathon, Mercer Island (marathon pace)
April
None
May
5/2/10 - Eugene Marathon, Eugene OR (goal - sub 5:00)
5/16/10 - Beat the Bridge 8K, Seattle (fun run)
June
6/19/10 - Cottage Lake Super Sprint Tri, Woodinville (goal - AG place)
6/26/10 - Seattle Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon, Seattle (goal - sub 2:10)
July
7/18/10 - Seafair Sprint Tri, Seattle (for fun)
7/31/10 - Torchlight 8K, Seattle (goal - 8K pr)
August
8/14/10 - Danskin Sprint Triathlon, Seattle (goal - top 10 AG)
8/28/10 - Lake Sammamish Sprint Tri, Issaquah (? goal TBD?)
September
9/11/10 - Cottage Lake Super Sprint Tri, Woodinville (goal - AG place & PR)
9/26/10 - Black Diamond 1/2 Ironman Triathlon, Enumclaw (goal - finish! sub 7?)
October
Date TBD - Dawg Dash 10k?
TBD - 1/2 Marathon
November
11/28/10 - Seattle Marathon, Seattle (fun run)
December
Date TBD - Jingle Bell Run 5K
I suppose I will start with the good news first!
- I am now a member of the downtown 24 Hour Fitness! DBF and I went for a tour last night and it seems like they have lots of cardio, decent class options, and a four lane pool that wasn't too crowded even at peak hours! Plus, it's only $29 a month which is pretty good as far as gym memberships downtown with a pool go! We are planning on going for our first workout there after work tomorrow, which for me will probably be swimming and/or yoga and/or spinning!
- Even bigger news - I have a new apartment! There was one that I'd had my eye on for a while but I wasn't sure if they'd have anything available or have any specials going on when I am ready to move out (Feb. 1), but they have a one bedroom available then and it's a pretty good deal - $695 a month + $75 for parking, but free utilities for the whole lease and half off the first three month's rent. It is pretty big, too, and it's a cute apartment. It's on the second floor in a secure building on 3rd and Mercer, so lower Queen Anne/Belltown-ish. I filled out the application and passed the credit check and turned in my deposit check today! Now I just have to find a couch at some point so I won't be living in a totally empty apartment come February... haha! It'll be nice to just be so much closer to everything (except my mom - but I will still be close enough to visit!).
- Now for a slightly annoying update (to me and probably to you who are tired of hearing about it) - the present that I ordered online for best friend still hasn't been shipped yet and I ordered it 3 weeks ago today. *sigh* I am thinking I will just have to suck it up and get him something else as a late Christmas present (speaking of which, I haven't actually gotten DBF's presents yet, although I know what I am getting him!)... it just makes me mad. The first time I e-mailed them she wrote back (last week) and said they were shipping it that week, and when I e-mailed them this week there was no response.
- And now for a sad update... send thoughts and prayers to my friend Tricia - she went into labor and gave birth at 27 weeks and the baby was born with complications and passed away two days after her birth. :( It is a very sad situation so please send Tricia and her family and baby Rachel your love!
Ok, now I am off to grab Mom's birthday present (sheesh, I keep getting behind on the whole presents deal) and then to dinner with them, and then to the gym!
This is the week that I am finally going to decide which gym in Seattle to belong to. I have narrowed it down to two that look fairly decent, cheap, and convenient, and (the big thing) have pools. I have gotten trial memberships at each of them and plan to at least swim at each of them at some point this week. Hoping I'll end up with one that is decent and convenient!
As far as running goes, this is going to be a busy week with Mom's birthday on Wednesday and Grandma's birthday on Friday, so I am going to have to be creative to fit everything in! I am very determined, though, as the Eugene Marathon was 4 months from Saturday! Yikes. Somehow I thought it was more than just a training plan away!
Work is still going well - I am learning quickly and taking on more responsibilities. It is funny how much more quickly the day goes by when we are busy!
I can't believe it's 2010 already! Just popping in to wish everyone a great one! I am looking forward to (hopefully) lots of running and relaxing this weekend and I am bound and determined to get in lots of mileage in the coming weeks and months!
New Year's Eve was fun but fairly uneventful, which is making today a lot more pleasant than New Years Day in years past ;) I actually managed to sleep in until 11 today, which was lovely!
Then we had a yummy french toast and bacon brunch, and since then I've just been watching football and gone on my first run of 2010! It was one of those great runs where you just get thinking about things, barely notice you're running, and don't really want to stop! It was only a 4 miler, but it is a good start!
In other bright news - Ohio State is winning the Rose Bowl 26-17 in the fourth quarter! That is a very pleasant surprise as I was expecting the Zeroes to win by a lot and then not shut up about it for the next few years. Fingers crossed that the Bucks manage to finish strong!
I am heading out in a bit for dinner with a few old friends from high school, so that should be fun. Since this is a New Year's post, here are a few of my resolutions:
1. Be more consistent exercise-wise (running mostly, but also swimming, biking, and strength training) and eat healthier on a regular basis
2. Learn to ski
3. Continue working hard and learning everything I can at my job so I am in a good position to be promoted if and when the opportunity comes along
4. Get better at saving money!
5. Be nicer and more thoughtful to others
Of course, that's not very specific or an all-inclusive list, just a few things I'd like to focus on! Hoping to get a few more runs in on Saturday and Sunday (I am thinking 3 tomorrow and 6-7 on Sunday) and also hoping to see best friend before he goes on vacation to Arizona!
