Perspective

Jackass came in this morning with the usual Monday morning banter. Of course, he asked about my race this weekend. I said I thought it started at 10 it started at 9. And like with anything he pull some Seinfeld reference! Yep, you guessed it Jean-Paul!!

Jean-Paul The Marathon Runner

Friends just put things into perspective, don’t they?

I’m still incredibly bummed to miss race 2 of a 5 race series and be out of the running for having competed in all of them like I did last year. Now I will put the race START time on the calendar also and be more diligent about checking the start time BEFORE I go to bed.

So to answer the question, Will she break a running rule? Nope! No race no new stuff. Although I am going to look for the Run Yaktrax for trail running. Those look a little better for running and I’ll run in them before attempting a race.

I did have a nice, yet slow, 6 mile run and followed that up with a trip to the beach with Hubb and 3 of the 4 dogs. The beach was nice, not too many people, we missed the get up and go for a walk on the beach crowd and were early for the let’s go for a walk on the beach after lunch crowd. Don’t worry too much about the one left home alone. He had a special treat, going hiking with me, which he LOVES his ‘mommy and me time’ plus I let him wander and he just likes to be doing something. He was a little disgruntled that Hubb was joining us. The look on his face when I had him get into the truck was one of “Really? Do we have to bring HIM with us?” We went out to a local trail where Hubb could work on some things with his mountain bike and Gizmo and I could hike. Gizzy was happy when Hubb took off in one direction and we went in another.

The trails were nice with a fresh covering of snow to clean everything up.  The hunters were out so we donned our orange!



Safety Dog!!

Sincerely,
Beth, who will be writing the START times on the calendar!

Sandy Hook 5K

My run this morning was going to be a quick one, or rather a short one  I was going to a get together to meet a friends baby and had a limited amount of time. I determined two steps out the door this would be my Sandy Hook 5K Virtual Race.  I needed motivation and something to think about.  I'm still not at 100%, I hope that the three weeks from start to finish for 'the crud' holds true.  This gave me goal mileage as I really didn't have a plan.  I reflected back on the tragedy and a friend who experienced the NIU shootings, first hand, and knew two of the students killed.  I wonder how those children are going to be able to deal with this as they grow up.  Hearing what my friend, as an adult, deals with nearly 5 years post the shooting I cannot imagine how children will manage.

The race is put on by Mena Shaw racing.  If your interested check it out lasts until the end of the month!   The proceeds go to the SW CT United Way Sandy Hook School Support Fund. I think this is wonderful.  There is a race in Newton, CT on the 19th of January check it out here.  I'll be running the Phoenix Rock n' Roll Marathon in Arizona, so this was a great option for me!!

I had to pay a lot of attention to the sidewalks.  Krikies people shovel your damn walks!!!  So there was some times I needed to run in the street. Oh well. Live and learn some people shovel some people don't, those of you who do:  Thanks!  Love ya!

Tomorrow is race two of Off Rhode Racing Fourth Season series.  It is a beach and trail run, in Narragansett RI, beautiful course on the ocean!  The race director posted that the snow is nearly gone however it is icy, additionally snow is expected and temps won't be going much above 25F; so you may want to arrive early and check things out to determine appropriate footwear and clothing.

Knowing what I experienced this a.m. and knowing that a trail doesn't offer as much latitude, hell ANY latitude, in avoiding things I had no idea what to do.  Last year we really didn't have a true winter, there was little snow and what snow we had was gone in a day.  One of my running buddies posted that she had an 11 mile trail run and it was icier than she expected and wasn't prepared.  I asked what she did  She said YaxTrax!  I scurried out to the local sporting goods store hoping they had these things.  They did!!  So this will give me a little more security for tomorrows race.   Yes, yes I know I am violating a sacred running rule "nothing new".

I'll run that and then put in another 10 later in the day.  I have to get in some mileage for this Marathon.  Definitely won't and shouldn't get in 20 miles tomorrow, too close to the race to risk injury.

My stats for the Sandy Hook race aren't great, it is so much easier to push when you are racing WITH people (see Frosty 5K stats) 

Frosty 5K Stats, the competitiveness comes out! (this was day 11 of  'the crud')

Sincerely, 

Beth, looking forward to the trail race tomorrow, and will do a warm up lap with the YaxTrax so technically won't be violating any sacred running rules.

Detox Friday?

Heidi's last Yoga session was 12/28.  I was down for the count with "the crud" and missed it.  I am quite sad about this....

Tonight was the new Friday night format:    Ashtanga Vinyasa with Meditation with Prati

Being a 'Child of the Universe' as I was aptly named by a special spirit I went into this with an open mind.  I LOVE Heidi. I get attached to people and over the last how many months have gotten very attached to and used to my Friday night Detox Yoga with Heidi and the rest of the Friday Night Yoga Chickens....  What was I goigng to experience with Prati?

Prati was new and different.  A true Ashtanga Vinyasa class, very different than a Detox class.  Not sure I have the right amount of energy for an Ashtanga class on a Friday night, but will stick with it to see how it works out.  One never knows.  Prati was a hands on instructor which I like and appreciate.  Adjusting you into the position appropriately and explaining the proper form.

I'll give it a few more Fridays, for now I'm ok with the change and can adapt.  I will miss Heidi, no doubt..

Sincerely
Beth, experiencing the new with an open mind