Because of the Sun

Leaving the house this morning, I smiled. It was noticeably lighter outside. Snow was melting off the roof making puddles on the driveway. It was "warm". Did I even hear a chirping bird?

My heart tried to convince me that these were sure signs of an early Spring. However, my brain knows that a) I'm in Michigan, and b) It's January. Spring, and signs of this lovely season are a long way off. The little flitter of hope was nice, though.

After some gray, rainy moments throughout the day, the sun shone clearly when I left school at 4pm. It was 40 degrees warmer than it was one week ago. I was sure it'd be a good day for a run. Outside. Finally.
(Please note that my last outdoor run was New Years Day. Outside. In South Carolina.)

Forty degrees warmer means it was actually 40F. Not warm. Not even warm(ish). I'm a wuss. My fingers were frozen long after the run was over. Even after a hot shower I was shivering. Yes, I have run in colder weather and worse conditions. I'm just not ready for it yet. However, starting next week I don't have a choice.

Remember this moment of time when I was excited about life and running and I decided it would be a great idea to register for a marathon? Well, my training schedule begins next Sunday and I do not want to be the woman crying from boredom whilst running away the miles on the treadmill.

Time for this little (well, "big and strong" some say!) to grow up, pull herself together, and get out and run!

Happy New Year. V Style!

What better way to spend January 1, 2014?!

• Very fun 5k race in the morning! 
• Craigslist search uncovered a $5 joyous treasure.  
• Chick-fil-A lunch with free icecream!
• Pogosticking all around Charleston, SC -  for the rest of the day and night.

We were extremely popular!

Money Motivates

I can currently do random 5k runs here and there. In fact I was supposed to do one this past Saturday, but a series of events kept me from doing this. Thursday I did a 5k trial run, just to be sure my body still knew what running was - it did.

My motivation to run is about as high as my motivation to pay any bill that lands in my mail box. Both, if not followed through, have their respective consequences.

I want to run. I liked running when I did. Getting to that point again is my goal.

This may have been a rash and stupid move, but today I registered for a half-marathon at the end of September. Um, yes, I already registered and yes, September 2011. It's a 5k times 4 and a half. Two hours of running.

I haven't done two hours straight of anything in a long time - apart from sleeping and sitting on a computer chair. (Not necessarily sleep on the computer chair...)

So if you have nothing else to do on September 24th and find yourself in the Holland area, come have a pleasant amble along the Lakeshore, grab a corn dog and enjoy the show!! One of us should :)

Last Saturday of April 2011

07.00


09.00

12.30

14.00



17.00

19.00

20.00

22.30

Sleighbell Shuffle

I'm not ecstatic about it, but knowingly and unknowingly I've gotten on a number of e-mail distribution lists. It's easy to delete the unwanted ones (98%), so I remain subscribed and appreciate the helpful 2% which do come along.

One of these e-mails was announcing the "Sleighbell Shuffle" a 5k run through the wintry streets of Grandville in subzero temperatures at night. Tell me, who WOULDN'T jump at this opportunity?!

I convinced an equally crazy colleague of mine to join, so we planned to

1. meet up at the start of the race
2. obtain our free jingle bells to tie on our laces
3. donate old winter coats for the local woman's shelter, thus obtaining raffle tickets
4. run 5k
5. feast on eggnog and cookies following the race
6. possibly win something at the raffle

We are quite a team. I accomplished numbers 2, 3 and 6. She accomplished 4 and 5. A very important step is number 1 and this you will be quick to notice both my running partner and I bypassed. Through a series of humourous (to me at least!) events, she ended up running the 5k and I was left behind inside the warm school.

Thirty minutes or so later as the runners came through the school doors, winded and cold, I was shocked to see her. She equally to see me. We shared our stories, which made sense as to how we missed each other when notes were compared and I thought was simply hilarious - my partner, not quite as much.

In the end we did jog about half a mile following her run to sing a Christmas carol to another colleague (and kin) who lives on the route and had kept an eye out for us amidst those who ran, but texted to say they didn't see us for some reason... hmm.

Oh yeah, number 6! This was my prize, which is perhaps a bit unfair since I was the only one present who didn't run...

It's a heart rate monitor - for serious athletes - those who actually do things to make their heart rates go above sedentary.

Back on Track

Or at least on the treadmill. Yep, I'm attempting to start my running regime again. There's a 5K coming up soon (!), which a friend and I will be running together. I had high hopes of possibly a marathon this autumn, but my body is far from agreeing to this idea. Maybe next year!

Nonetheless, I've found an interesting, long-winded web-blog article for those who enjoy a bit if wind in the hair, sweat on the brow and blisters on the feet.This photo is from almost exactly a year ago in Prague, after completing a 5K night run through the city. A few wonderful fans came along for the fun and a nice meal together following the trek.

Out of Retirement

You will remember me from the infamous Jubilee Jog through Prague and the fascinating web-blog which traced the tears and triumphs of my training for the Prague Half-Marathon last March 2009.

Since then, I've:
- turned 30 years old
- found I'm no longer allergic to cats
- applied for two visas for the Czech Republic
- had two teeth extracted
- seen the musical Sound of Music one and a quarter times
- ran a 5k through Prague at night
- learned to appreciate padded biking shorts
- gotten a tattoo
- begun losing regularly at card and board games
- been told will soon be an aunt for the second time

Just think of all the stories you've missed! Now because we all like to snoop into each others' lives, I've decided to give you full permission to sneak onto this page and read about my eventful and uneventful days without needing to feel a hint of guilt.

Enjoy!














Oh, and Mom, I'm joking about the tattoo!!!