Christmas Holiday Runs

Well, I'm a bit behind on my run blogs, but as the saying goes, 'tis the season to be busy, fa la la la la la la la la!'

On Wednesday, December 20, I ran 4 miles out in some great weather. Then wasn't able to run until Christmas Eve. I was able to get in 5 great Christmas miles! I felt really good.

Today looks wonderful! I'm hoping to get in 4 miles.

Running and Just Logging

Today I had a good 4 mile run. It was another beautiful, sunny day with temperatures in the 50's. I listened to running lectures on my ipod. I think my marathon motivation has been sidelined by all the Christmas hustle and bustle and the recent testing I had done. I'm pondering what the doctor has suggested. Just not sure about it all. But I did enjoy my run and love seeing my ponytail bounce around when I glanced at my shadow. It nearly stayed with me the whole run except when I ran under the shadow of trees.

I did get a little shot in the arm when a fellow runner told me he ran 8 miles yesterday! I've got some catching up to do!

Running and Just Logging

Yesterday I ran 4 miles. It was a good run. I listened to ipod music the whole time. I'm feeling a bit on the meloncholy side, so I'll just log my mileage.

Running and Right Things

Well, good-bye snow and ice and hello sun and 60 something degree December weather! Yesterday I got in a wonderful 4 mile run in this lovely weather! It's amazing weather - such unexpected drastic and extreme changes! I think it's supposed to stick around awhile which means I won't be stuck inside on the treadmill! Yeah!

I survived my recent procedure and the doctor told me what may be the cause of my GI running issue. She recommended another procedure and so I'm going to have to make another decision soon. But I'm going to wait until after the holidays are over. It's just too much to think about right now.

Anyway, I was glad to have that checked off my list. It was the right thing to do even if I would have rather skipped it. Sometimes you just have to do the things you don't want to do. But then after, you're glad you did them because after all, they usually are the right things!

Running and Obstacle #3 & #4

Who would ever think that Christmas and all it's festivities, decorating, card-writing, gift-buying, etc... could interfere with marathon training? Me! All these extra things seem to be snatching up my run time! But on Saturday, somehow among the Christmas choir concerts and piano recitals and shopping for gifts for a Christmas party the very next day - I managed to sneak in a 4 mile run outside!

The weather had warmed up a bit (into the 40's) and the snow was beginning to finally do some melting. I still had to run on the road in some places as opposed to the sidewalk, but I think by the end of this week, the sidewalks should be clear of all snow. It is supposed to be in the 40's all week long.

I will be unable to run again until Wednesday or Thursday. I am hoping I can run on Wednesday but we'll have to see how I feel. Obstacle #4 is a procedure the doctor ordered for me. It is scheluded tomorrow and requires fasting for a couple of days. I'm not sure how energetic I'll feel on Wednesday, so I may have to wait until Thursday to run. I had a sneaky suspicion that the doctor would schedule this test for me and I was right. Hopefully it will provide useful info as to this GI running issue of mine I've had off and on since I trained for the half marathon two April's ago. I do believe it's necessary and will be a very good indicator as to whether or not I will register for a full marathon. I am going to be hopeful.

And if I don't feel up to running on Wednesday, it may be the perfect chance to at least get some more Christmas shopping in!

Running in the White

PTL! Yesterday I finally ran outside again. It has been an entire week and so I was thrilled to be running outdoors surrounded by all the beautiful white snow. Most of my course was cleared but there were some sections of the bicycle lane and the side walk that were completely covered and I found myself having to run out on the road. I got in my 4 mile run and enjoyed the white scenery.

The temperature was just nearly 40 degrees which went to my advantage and every now and then the sun would pop out. I felt okay, but a little bogged down by all the layers I was wearing. I was happy to have finished though my pace wasn't what it normally is and surprisingly still worked up quite a sweat.

A couple of the things I wanted to accomplish last week didn't get done. I'm going to try and get those things done soon - confirming my training plan and convert the physical tips of the training lectures into some spiritual inspiration. I am finding that motivation and inspiration is going to be very important and necessary during the next 5 months. I was recently very encouraged by a dear friend who managed to get a PR and break the 4 hour marathon barrier at the recent St. Judes Marathon in Memphis! Stories like this spur me on! Just like the "cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 11! The stories they tell, the circumstances in which they prevailed! If they can, why can't I!

Running and Questionable Cross Training

Okay, here's a question for all you runners -- Does snow shoveling count as cross training? After the snow and ice I shoveled a few days ago, I heartily proclaim, "You better believe it does!"

So this past Friday, I definitely got in some cross training and by the next day felt the effects all over - my back, my neck, and my arms! I was too sore and too tired to run on Saturday. I bet I could have pushed myself, but it just wasn't in me. The next day, Sunday, was completely full of activities so I didn't run until yesterday, which was Monday. Once again I ran 3 miles on the treadmill. It actually was easier than last Thursday. I felt pretty good. I am hoping that by Wednesday, I can run outside.

And for more of this kind of cross training, I'd rather not! Give me a pool, give me a bike, give me a weight bench, but for goodness sake, don't give me snow, especially not ice, or the shovel to clear either of them away!