Looking like winter

It's that time of year when I either need a goal or accept the fact that I am going to be a big, lazy slacker! The cold weather has worked it's way into our neck of the woods - well, cold is relative, but it's been in the 30's the last couple mornings when it's time for me to run. I have opted out of them. It's not that I can't run in 30 degree temps - I can, but it's also been damp, dark, and dreary. If there was a goal I would still push myself out the door, but sans goal I feel it's in my best interest to stay in the comfort of my warm and cozy home doing core or strength training. I also have another 'excuse' though - I leave for Ireland in 2 days so I am trying my best to NOT get sick. Regardless, my last run was Saturday and today is Tuesday! Not too mention, because of the Ireland trip we had Thanksgiving with the family on Sunday - so, no running and lots of eating - the scales would not be my friend right now. I think I'll claim I'm trying to increase my insulation so as not to get too cold on the Emerald Isles.

Tonight though, I will run. I don't have time to run (I need to do laundry, pack, visit grandpa, pay bills, etc.), but I have a friend to run with and it's a priority. It will help to calm me and I will be more productive afterwards - that's my theory anyway. Do not tell me otherwise! ;-)

It will probably be a 4 mile run on the treadmill, but that's fine with me. I have a SWAT (southwest area triathletes) meeting tonight at 7pm so I will take what I can get. This may mean I am still throwing clothes in a pack as my ride is pulling out of the driveway on Thursday morning, but it's a chance I"m going to take!

So, my task at hand is to come up with a goal by the time I get back from Ireland. Possibly a spring marathon?? Maybe an adventure race?? We shall see.

Back to running, biking, and crashing

I finished Chicago and headed straight to Atlanta for work (just outside actually in Monroe, GA). That week I was able to make myself run a couple miles on Wednesday (I was very sore in my quads due to lack of training pre-marathon!!). Thursday I ran 3 and it felt better.

The following Sunday I decided to go for a chill bike ride with the man and the niece & nephews on my new cross bike - this seemed like a great idea to help aid my recovery! It was smooth sailing going out. We got to the park and the kids wanted to play around a bit so I thought I would play around myself on my bike. I was riding loops on the asphalt around the area of the park where they were playing - just working through the gears - checking everything out. Next thing I know I'm on the ground. All we can really figure happened is my pedal came out (I was clipped in), possibly on the down stroke, I still brought my left knee up and probably hit it on the handle bars since it's bruised on the inside. Hitting the handle bars with my knee jerked me enough to cause a crash. I landed on my head and rear. I remember thinking I heard my cell phone sliding across the pavement, but later realizing it had been my helmet (the cell phone was still stashed safely in the pocket). I hit hard enough to crack the helmet (let this be a warning to all you who don't wear yours for chill rides - I had mine on as a good example to the kiddos and I am so glad I did!!). I had a tear or two, then shook it off before the kids were cognizant of what had even happened. I had yelled loud enough (unintentionally) when I fell to get the man's attention so he helped me up and helped me put the pedal back on the bike and make some minor adjustments so I could ride home.

I thought all was well until day 2 - I woke up with terrible pain in my neck - ended up visiting the doctor - getting a couple pain meds & a muscle relaxer and taking a couple days off work. The main thing was that I felt it stunted my marathon recovery - it's hard to run when your neck and back hurt.

I finally got back into some mileage the next weekend with 8 miles - they were slow, but felt better.

The weekend after that I had friends along - 1 runner and 3 bikers - we did 8-1/2 miles at a 9:08 min/mile pace - it felt great - this weather was awesome!!

The next weekend (last weekend) I had friends again - 2 runners and 3 bikers - also 30 mph head winds, but we ran 9 miles at a little over 9 min/mile pace - the weather was still great!

I followed that up Sunday riding with the boys - 62 miles on road bikes - they kicked my butt, but it was good for me. I need to push it more.

My body felt it all so I took Monday off.

Tuesday I did a 20 mile ride before work (again with the boys), then went for a walk with a friend after work.

Yesterday I did a 4 mile run after work in the dark - it was cool, and nice - alone and no Garmin - a little refreshing!

Who knows what today will hold?? :-)

Run on!