Dear Starbucks,

Extra Hot.

Snow Blows

Today's run was in North Cheyenne Canyon... and I only have one thing to say:
Eff Snow.

Things were great starting out- the weather was clear, it wasn't too chilly- but so help me, my feet just couldn't get a grip on the ground beneath them.

About 30 minutes up Gold Camp, I grew aggravated. As I trudged on, the aggravation grew to to disgust, and by the 1 hour mark, I was having a full-blown tantrum. I felt like I was running in place! If I had desired that feeling, I would've hopped on the treadmill...
But here we were, out in the snow, and I was going to have to deal with it.

Eventually, I just stopped.
I found a sunny place with a good view and just quit running for a few minutes.

Everything was silent and still.

As I looked out over the trees, I realized what a dumb-ass I was being.

I had completely lost focus of what I most enjoy about running- the view. I hadn't been looking around much, but instead was fixated on the ground and how fast I was moving. Tisk-tisk.

So I walked. I forced myself to look around a little, and to stop worrying about my lack of progression up the road. My walking pace wasn't that much slower than my running pace anyways, so I had nothing to lose.

After that, things started looking up.

By the time I turned around and started the journey back, I was willing to give running another chance, and maybe even consider enjoying myself for the last stretch.
My feet were still slipping, but the new perspective and gradual down-hill did wonders for my previously grim mood :)

We made it back to the cars with a round-trip total of 90 minutes.

Sometimes I just have to remember to enjoy the ride... to take in the whole experience. I am so blessed to be where I am and to have such beautiful places within driving (or running) distance...

What I've Been Up To, And A Little Bit About Socks

Yes, I've been MIA in the blogosphere lately. While I may not think this is a big deal, there have been others *cough* John *cough* that ridicule me for not posting more regularly.
So to catch you all up on my running and running-related things these past days, I've compiled a list of "highlights" (if you can even call them that):

1. I've decided to run the "Better Half" Half-marathon on March 20. This will be my first official race of sorts, so we'll see how that goes. I'm sure training for this puppy will inspire many posts so.. stay tuned.

2. I managed to run more this past week than usual (5/7 days). I attribute this to the need to combat stress from just being alive during the Christmas season.

3. I ran on Santa Fe trail for the first time last Saturday with the CRC "Herizons" running group (which consisted of Jess, Jillian, Chelsea, and Linda) It was a bit chilly, and I forgot my hat. This resulted in me having to run with my hair down (for a little ear-insulation), which in turn resulted in me looking like Mufasa from the Lion King for the entire run. Lesson learned.

4. We also did a Christmas light run last Thursday night which was a blast. We started around 7 and got back around 8:30... The huge trees on Wood Ave. were AWESOME- go see them if you can.

5. Last but not least, I must announce that I am indeed the "Sock Lady" at CRC now. If you're confused by this announcement, read this
The sock wall is my canvas, and I am sock Van Gogh.
I think I'll go chop off my ear now.


And there you go. You're all caught-up.

I'll try my best to keep things more current around here from now on... :)

Jill's Cat Wore A Tie

I messed up my foot sledding on Monday.
Boo hoo.

I took most of the week off to think about what I'd done (a running time-out if you will) and decided that today I could come out of the "naughty corner" and try my foot out again.

So far so good...
Aside from a little bit of aching, my foot did fine and I busted out a solid 50 minutes with the girls.

Today's run was from Jill's house along the railroad tracks to Sinton Trail and back.
Not exactly Bear Creek scenery, but the weather was nice, and I got to see a homeless camp. Sweet.

The rest of the morning was spent at Jill's house brunching, talking about our feelings, and participating in a "Secret Santa" gift exchange.

We laughed, we cried, Jane wore knee-high Christmas socks, and Jill's cat wore a tie.

friends+running+dressed up pets+homeless camp+brunchy food+christmas socks+jill's house= Epic Christmas Bonanza

Bear Creek

Recently, I've made the lifestyle choice of ignoring any and all weather prediction. Some may call this reckless, but I don't find that the weatherman is all that accurate... plus I enjoy the added element of mystery in my life.

That being said, I was genuinely surprised when I looked out my window on Sunday morning and found 4 inches of snow covering the yard.
I'm usually excited about snow, but I wasn't feeling too enthusiastic about it this time. Why? Because it was Sunday, the long run day.

This particular time, the run would be at Bear Creek park.
I've been to Bear Creek many times previously for things like picnics and wedding receptions, but events like those were always held in the easily accessible portions of the park. Today's run would take us behind-the-scenes, to places where public access was not so simple and care-free. I was ready... until I saw the snow out my window.

Upon arrival at the Nature Center parking lot, I found myself filled with skepticism. It was 15 degrees, snowing, and we had already been flipped-off by a disgruntled street-jogger (you know who you are).

Against my better judgement, I hopped out of the car.

After greetings and the weekly group picture (thanks to Jillian), we all began our assault on the snowy trail.



Staci and I went out to the dog park and back, deciding that that was enough for the day. It was so beautiful out, and I wasn't nearly as cold as I'd anticipated... but somehow that wasn't enough to persuade me to stay out longer.

Despite the weather, it was one of my favorite runs to date:
gorgeous scenery, lots of laughs, and an obscene hand gesture.

Win-Win-Win.

The Dreadmill

The treadmill isn't something I like to associate with generally.
I get bored and feel like I don't have control of my legs... two things I like to avoid in life.
However, due to the fact that I'm spending the week in a house equipped with a "state of the art" fitness center, I figured just this once I could throw caution to the wind and jump on the ol' rotating belt of fun. After all, I would much rather Mill-it than stare in confusion at the free weights.

I managed to run 5 miles before I was:
A. Tired of running, and
B. Tired of staring at the wall.

I ran without having to deal with the weather, discomfort of asphalt, or the simple inconvenience of actually leaving the house.

Despite all that however, I wasn't too excited about the experience.

Call me old fashioned, but I just like being outside. I like the accomplishment of simply making it from one point to another and being able to visualize how far you've gone. There's something weird to me about running a distance and not moving an inch from where you started...

So will I ever run on a treadmill again? Yes.
Do I silently judge and ridicule those who make the treadmill their primary running outlet? No.

But I will say this: Give me outdoor running any day.
I'll save the treadmill for special occasions when I want to torture myself.

Michelle? Is That You..?

Today, the incline and I got reacquainted.
I woke up 45 minutes before my alarm went off (because apparently hiking the Incline is something my body just cant WAIT to do..) and took a leisurely hour eating breakfast and prancing around my living room excitedly.

All the Herizons women met about 7:30 at the base of the incline, and we got started. I had decided early on that I wasn't going to time myself, as I just wanted to make it to the top in one piece. It'd been a year (or more) since I'd done the incline last, so my expectations were not high.

About halfway through, I was struck with the realization that for the first time EVER I was not gasping for air, and was also kind of enjoying myself?! All of my previous Incline ventures have included wheezing, as well as the general feeling of discomfort. This was a strange (but miraculous) moment for me. Continuing on, I managed to keep a steady pace and arrived at the top feeling strong. It was odd to reach the summit and not feel like throwing up...
Running really paid off for me today.

We made it down Barr pretty quickly, due to the fact that we were sliding half the time. Do they make any shoes that are good for trail running and ice skating? I felt like Michelle Kwan, though her form is infinitely better. Sadly, my triple lutz just isn't what it used to be...


So to sum it up:

-I got up at 5:15 AM

-I hiked the Incline

-I am still alive

-My Triple Lutz is not as good as Michelle Kwan's (but getting there..)

Funning

So here we are.
My "running blog".


I'll write when something actually happens...