DNF Reflection

Today, I join Wendy for the A1A expo as we get ready for tomorrow's half. And as I think about tomorrow' race, I can't help but think about last year's race.
I had been suffering from ITBS, but had basically been ignoring it until it became un-ignorable at A1A. The DNF last year was a first for me (and a cold, hard slap of reality about ignoring an injury), and afterward it resulted in taking a long break from running and resuming after nearly 6 weeks away from it. When I think back on this today, I realize how much I have changed, how I am such a different runner.

I feel like I run more consistently than ever now; plus, I run with a greater dedication to a schedule and with a greater knowledge of why I constructed the schedule in that way. I am more consistent with taking the time to stretch and use the foam roller. I run smarter, faster, and more efficiently. True, I'm still not the speediest person out there, but if I look at where I started from and where I am now, there's a huge margin of improvement -- I guess that's what I should see after nearly 3 years of focusing on this running shiz.

So, tomorrow, I know I may not be that fast (Wendy will beat me by a long shot), but I do hope to improve on the half I did 3 weeks ago (but if I don't, I'm not too worried). However, no matter my time, I know I'll run a much better race this year, and while I don't want to label this attempt a "revenge run" because of my failure at last year's race, conquering it will help lay that disappointment over last year's DNF to rest.

Funday Friday

Today, I was back to the grind with classes, but at least it's Friday, so it wasn't too bad.

After work, I went to David's Bridal to have my bridesmaid dress, for the March wedding, fitted. They had to take it in a little on the top, and then had to hack off about 8 inches of the bottom because...well...I'm barely bigger than a smurf so an adult gown is a leeeetle too long for Jess. The finished product should be done in two weeks, and I should be good to go.

The wedding isn't until March 15th (the Ides of March!), but next weekend, I'm flying up to MN for the bachelorette party (woo-hoo!) and while I'm not excited for the cold weather, I am excited to see my friend, the bride, and party down with all the other ladies.

But, this weekend, I have the A1A half to focus on. So, tomorrow, Wendy is meeting me and we're going to the expo together, then she's staying here overnight (Scooter will keep her company in the guest bedroom, I'm sure), and we have the race bright and early on Sunday morning. I think I feel pretty ready. A1A is smaller than Miami, so I'm not nervous about parking and traffic, and now that I've finished a half, I'm just looking to improve on my time, so I feel pretty relaxed about the race on Sunday.

But...I gots to go. We're going to our friends' house for some game playing and beer drinking this evening. Have a good weekend everyone!

Productive "Sick" Day

It was a busy day off, but I got everything on my list done:

• finish laundry? check. even washed all the bedding -- deserves a double check!
• finish reading papers? ch-check.
• play with Scooter? of course, check.
• complete returns and exchanges? check.
• buy hubby's v-day gift? check. even picked up my brother's b-day gift and mailed it off as well -- another double check!
• pick up around the house? check.
• complete scheduled run? check: 3 miles (9:24, 9:09, 9:07 -- total time: 27:41).

Plus, after being so busy at home and at work for the past 6 weeks, it was nice to have a day all to myself. And now, I'm sitting back and chillaxin' ("chilling" + "relaxing") while the hubby prepares our Valentine's dinner. Ahhhh, it was a nice day...

Whimsy Wins out over Reason

Those of you who commented on last night's post with a responsible "Jess, you absolutely need to go to work tomorrow -- faking sick for a day off is bad" were very logical; however, Jess is resilient to logic. Thus, you guessed it, I went with those folks who said, "Go ahead, take the day off, woo-hoo!" Like you really thought I'd go with the "be a good worker" bologna?

So, yup Jerry, I cancelled classes today and I am currently doing the first load of laundry, and I plan on the following list of "to-do" for the rest of my "sick" day:

• finish laundry
• finish reading the papers I brought home with me (and to my credit, I did work on them for 2 hours last night)
• pick up around the house
• play with Scooter (his little Beagle-self is very happy that I'm home for the day)
• do my returns/exchanges at the mall
• find a v-day gift for hubby
• do my scheduled run

That should keep me busy!

Have a good Valentine's Day homies! Give your luh-vers an extra squeeze today!

Hump Day

The torrential rains ceased late this afternoon and I was able to enjoy my 3 miler in pleasantly cool-after-rain conditions. They weren't the speediest miles, but they sufficed:

1: 9:27
2: 9:34
3: 9:39

Total: 28:41

So...unrelated to running, I really want to take a sick day tomorrow. Not because I feel sick: no, that's silly, but because I don't want to go to work (and I have a whole pile of papers I haven't finished reading). I tried to reason with my husband that I could get a lot done tomorrow if I don't go to work: finish reading those papers, do the laundry, return/exchange a few items at the mall (hubby bought me a new purse for v-day, and while it's real purty, it's a dark brown, and I have a lot of browns in my purse collection, so I was thinking of exchanging it for a black purse), etc. Thus, it's not like I'd be laying on the couch watching all the discs of "The Tudors" that have arrived from Netflix (although, that also sounds like an excellent activity).

However, Jerry says I shouldn't call in sick because I'm not sick and he argues it's wrong for me to fake it in order to get a day off. What do you guys think?

Do I go to work tomorrow like a good girl? Or, do I use a sick day and get some shiz done?

Braving the Elements

Lightning striking near downtown Ft Lauderdale last night: Students were scared that perhaps God was trying to target them :)

Actually, I have had pretty full classes today and yesterday -- despite the "inclement" weather. I've really only been missing a few students out of each class, which is pretty much par for any given day of the week, day or night class. However, this rain the past two days has created quite a tizzy, which is weird, since South Florida is a sub-tropical climate and we get rain on a daily basis for 6 months of the year.

But because it's February and not June, suddenly, no one knows how to drive or venture out into the downpour. One student, who just stopped in my office, said: "I braved the elements to be here"!

I bet everyone who is getting pounded by snow, sleet, and cold temps appreciates that! Maybe later, I too will "brave the elements" and get my run in for the day. Might be hard. It's tempting to just go home, put on a kettle of tea, and watch movies all afternoon -- it is pouring out there.

Not too Much to Report

Houseguests flew home today -- just in time too because we're having cloudy, rainy weather today. Which has led to low student-attendance today, and I've already had 3 students call to see if classes are being held tonight. Granted, there were reports on the news of severe thunderstorms and the possibility of tornadoes in some areas, but really? It's just a rainy day.

Therefore, I'm guessing that my night class this evening will be somewhat sparse in population.

But, I'm glad that Tuesdays are a rest day for me -- tornadoes or no -- me no likey to run in the rain.

Well...I'm off to my class! Should be good times: Any bets on the number in attendance?

Misnomer

Now, this

1: 9:23
2: 9:05
3: 8:49

is a negative split. I don't care how the labeling seems backward, it still feels so much better!

Total Time: 27:19

Weekend Summary with Houseguests:

Drive to the beach with all 6 of us in the car. Endure 45 minutes of kids: "How much longer until we get there?" "Mom, Colby's touching me!" "I'm not touching him; he's touching me!" "Mom, I don't wanna sit here, how come I have to sit here?" "How much longer until we get there?"

Spend several hours baking in the sun, while the 2 boys run back and forth in the waves and do not tire one bit.

Drive back home with all 6 of us in the car and endure another 45 minutes of kids: "How much longer until we get there?" "Mom, Colby's touching me!" "I'm not touching him; he's touching me!" "Mom, I don't wanna sit here, how come I have to sit here?" "How much longer until we get there?"

Repeat on both days.

So...yeah, I'm beat. Between the time in the sun (which means I now look like a cross between a leather handbag and a lobster), and the constant kid-noise, I just want to return to a quiet home and sleep for about a week. But instead, I'm here at school (where there is an entirely different kind of whining to deal with); thankfully, our guests depart tomorrow and we get our house back.

Having kids around for a weekend is the best kind of birth control I can imagine.

Sunday Pics

The past few days have been busy with our houseguests. Yesterday, after my run and haircut, we went to the beach. Thankfully, we did get some fun in the surf and sun before the rain clouds moved in and rained us out. Below, our the nephews and my husband in the water. Later, my husband took the nephews to a local aquarium store (it's a big ass store, so it's cooler than it sounds) to see the sharks and sting rays and the rest of us took advantage of the quiet and took some naps. When they returned, we went out to dinner at Gameworks (like a Dave and Busters -- arcade + restaurant), had dinner and played plenty of games (personally, I rocked the Skee-ball lanes).

Today, I think we're going back to the beach, so hopefully the sun that's out now will stay that way.

Below is the promised haircut pic: I like my new bangs, and wish the SIL ws down here all the time so she could cut my hair! I've lived in FL for almost 4 years and still haven't found a regular hairstylist, but I think that moving to a new state just to cut my hair is not on her list of priorities.

Lastly, a Scooter pic:
He's been so busy running around, playing, and wrestling with the boys, that sometimes he just crashes. Too bad the kids have yet to do something similiar. Seriously, I'm pretty sure if you squeezed out the juice of a little boy, you'd uncover the ultimate substance for energy drinks!

9 on the 9th

Considering how many stops we made this morning, our time wasn't too shabby, but I don't think either Wendy or I will be winning this thing!

1: 9:48
2: 10:52 (had to stop and wait for the bridge the first time)
3: 9:41
4: 12:28 (I had to make a restroom stop)
5: 9:38
6: 11:03 (had to walk for a bit)
7: 9:44
8: 14:01 (had to stop and wait for the bridge on the way back -- this time for much longer)
9: 9:45

Total Time: 1:37:05

Otherwise, our miles were pretty consistent at a 9:45 pace and it was a good run.

When I got home, Jerry was just finishing up breakfast for everyone, so I got to come in and sit down to a nice breakfast, and then after I showered, my SIL (who is a hair stylist) gave both Jerry and I hair cuts. I'll post a picture of mine tomorrow -- it's the return of the bangs! -- but for now, I have to skedaddle.

Thanks to Wendy for running with me this morning (I'm sure that on her own, she would have had a much faster "race" today) and I hope everyone else did well with their own "9 on the 9th"!

First Thing Friday

Marcy asked yesterday: "Didn't you just have houseguests?"

Yes, yes, we did. But Florida is a popular destination this time of year and our family and friends often want to take advantage of the escape Florida offers them as they tire of winter, so even though we just had my MIL and FIL stay with us for a week, we have more family arriving today. This time, they're only staying for 4 days, but because there will be 4, instead of 2, and 2 of those guests are children, I imagine it will feel like a long visit (I'm picturing it as being very loud in our house -- good thing I have a full bottle of Excedrin Migraine in the medicine cabinet :).

It is nice to have family come and visit -- I just wish they could space it out a little better. Anyhoo, they arrive late this afternoon, so I knew I wouldn't get a run in this evening; thus, I got up and did my 3 miles this morning. And I am so not a morning runner! I got it done and out of the way for the day, but that's about the best thing I can say about it; otherwise, I felt slow, tired, and bogged down by the humidity. Blech.

Tomorrow I will escape from the house for a bit in the dawn's early light and meet up with Wendy, who was gracious enough to be my partner for tomorrow's "9 on the 9th." I''ll report on it afterward, and I'll look forward to everyone else's reports as well -- so have fun with it!

The Rest of the Day

After the "chocolate shotgun" experience this morning, everything else about the today was like buttah. I had classes and then came home and cleaned the house very thoroughly -- we have houseguests arriving tomorrow (my sister-in-law + her husband + their 2 boys; it's gonna = a house full for the next 4 days!) -- and then I went for a 6 miler.

1: 9:35
2: 9:23
3: 9:37
4: 9:49
5: 10:03
6: 9:57

Total Time: 58:25

So, my times tonight forced me to contemplate: If running the second half of your run faster than the first is a "negative" split, is running the second half slower than the first a "positive" split? Makes it sound like a good thing, doesn't it?

Close Call

I could also label this post "The Revenge of Chipotle" -- either way -- this morning's ride to work was dicey.

For those who have been long time readers, you know how I have some prescribed "poop stops" on my ride to work -- a Starbucks, a gas station, and a Publix -- these are places deemed clean enough and located strategically that should I feel the need to crap on the way to work in the morning, I can pull in and feel okay about myself. Long time readers also know that one of my greatest fears is to crap my pants, and with good reason.

So, as you know from the post below, I decided to skip an evening run last night and opted for Chipotle instead. I assume it's the combo of Mexican spices and black beans that really get the system moving, but I also suspect Chipotle employees of injecting laxatives into my burrito, because I swear that after I eat that food, my pooper is like a slip 'n slide for the next two days.

This morning, after I had my first cup of coffee, and before showering, I was able to drop a deuce -- ideal timing -- and I figured I had the "Chipotle" dump for the day.

I was wrong.

On the way to school, my guts started to feel distinctly uncomfortable. But I'm the sort who, optimally, would like to try and hold it until I can safely get to work, so I passed up my first two options: Starbucks and the gas station. Now, the last option, the Publix, is a bit farther apart than the other two and it is, unfortunately, after the busiest light on my route. So, of course, after I have passed my first two options, the situation clearly becomes more dire and in order to focus, I have to shut off NPR and blast the AC (because I get real hot when I'm holding in an explosive poo).

At the dreaded light, I hit the red -- duh, because Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humor and thinks the game of will-Jess-crap-herself? is hilarious. While waiting and praying for the light to turn green, I seriously thought that I was gonna have another terrible situation on my hands, but while thoughts of calling in sick to work (because I'd shit myself) were swirling through my brain, the light miraculously turned green, I sped into the Publix parking lot (nearly running a woman down who didn't have the sense to get the fuck outta my way!), and then sprinted into the bathroom.

All I can tell you is that it was sting-y, and the relief was like heaven.

Clearly, this was the running-gods' way of making me pay for choosing that cursed burrito over my run last night. Sorry, running-gods. I swear this morning's situation was punishment enough, and I promise to be penitent this evening and get my scheduled run in!

Running vs. Burrito

I was feeling rather sluggish this afternoon when I got home from class, and still wasn't feeling too enthused about an evening run when the time came around. I knew that I felt obligated to run, but I just plain didn't feel like going -- so I was kinda bitching and moaning (to myself) as I started to get out my running clothes...but then, I was literally saved by the bell!

Erin called. She had just gotten done at the prego doctor, and she was near Chipotle -- did I want to join her for a burrito?

Does anyone say "no" to a Chipotle burrito? If they do, I don't want to know them.

Of course, I said yes and stuffed my running clothes back in the drawer. Granted, eating a 1,200 calorie burrito instead of getting out there for a run may not be the best choice in terms of running; however, I believe in two things:

1. Sometimes, it's okay to skip a run. I try not to skip too many, so this makes the occasional missed run alright.

2. It's always better to make people, not running, a priority in life. I think it is just as healthy for me to enjoy a relaxing dinner and some laughs with my friend as it is to get a run in.

So, I missed my run today. Which is coolio -- would've been "junk miles" to me anyway since I would just be running to run -- and tomorrow I'll get my scheduled run in and I don't think the legs will mind the extra day of rest.

Super Tuesday

...or, Fat Tuesday.

However, neither "fat" nor "super" really apply to my day today. I will certainly listen to the results of "Super Tuesday" but even for me -- someone who loves to observe politics -- this political year has already become exhausting and it's only February; and I'm not religious nor am I in New Orleans, so Mardi Gras doesn't really apply to me either.

Although trust me, I would much rather be spending the evening throwing back whisky shooters and showing people my hooters than being slogged down in class all day -- heck, I'd probably rather be a ballot counter in California (wait, no, let me subtract that comment -- I would NOT like to have that job today) than to be slogged down in class. Because? Classes are busy right now, yo!

Which is why...you'll have to be satisfied by the worthless jibber-jabber above to suffice as today's post because I have to get back to work. I have two batches of essays I need to finish reading and a mountain of other tasks for this week.

This is exactly the kind of work I need a trained moneky for. Or, an army of trained monkeys for. Or, gnomes, house elves, children -- some kind of trained minion to do my bidding.

New Shoes

It's been a busy day, but I did make time for a 4 miler with my new "silver bullets" and it went well. New shoes are always a bit...weird...at first. I mean, the old ones are so molded to my feet that slipping into new ones always feels stiff and awkward at first, but after the first mile this evening, they felt good and I could tell the difference in fresh cushioning.

1: 9:39
2: 9:43
3: 9:35
4: 9:29

Total Time: 38:27

Now, I have to skedaddle because we're meeting with "our people" for our tax preparation this evening. Cross your fingers for a swawesome tax return!

New Shoes and A Challenge

One detail I forgot to include in yesterday's race report was that I did not run in new shoes. For those devoted readers who remeber that I mentioned on Friday that I was going to get new shoes, I did not lie -- I did go, I just didn't get the shoes on Friday.

Because my feet are smurf-sized, the store was out of my size (they only carry about one munchkin size per store) so they had to call one of the other stores, who did have it in stock, and have it sent over on Saturday, after the race. So I ran the race in an old pair of shoes, which is probably best anyway, and then picked up my new pair. And man, they are purty!

Brooks changed the colors on them and now they are silver and periwinkle (when I oohed and ahhed over them in the store and remarked on their new color, my husband asked "WTF is 'periwinkle'?"). I haven't had a chance to take them out for a spin yet because today is a rest day, but tomorrow, you can bet that I'm excited to lace those "bullets" (b/c they're silver, I'm naturally gonna call them the "bullets") on and test 'em out.

I tried to post a picture of them on here -- so everyone could admire their beauty -- but Blogger is being a be-atch and I'm having some issues wih uploading pics. So, I'm sorry, you'll have to do without a visual for the "bullets."

Like I said, today I rest. Like God, I too need a day off, plus it's Super Bowl Sunday! The one day of the year my husband and I watch sports, so this afternoon we're headed to a friend's house for a party: lots of beer, food, and commercials (sorry, "football").

But, tomorrow, I am back to the miles. Eric challenged me to a February mile-off to see who can rack up the most miles in the month, and anyone who wants to join the challenge can feel free to be a part of it -- be forewarned that we're aready 3 days into the month -- but Wendy? You can't participate. Anyone who runs 173 miles in a month is gonna smoke us in this kind of challenge, so I'm sorry, you'll just have to sit back and observe the mortals and their mileage.

28:17

That's right folks, I have a new 5K PR! I beat my old PR, 28:28, by 11 seconds this morning on a 5K course that is not easy.

See, here in South Florida, most running surfaces are flat. Flat. Flat. Flat. Except for...bridges. Those are our hills, and this race has not one, but two bridges on the course, and one of them (the steeper of the two) is right at the 3 mile marker. It's just cruel.

Anyway...I don't want to skip to the end and ruin it for you.

The weather was cool and cloudy this morning -- exactly how I like a race day to dawn -- and the race registration, start, etc were very smooth, and there were only about 500 runners so the crowd was small. A quarter mile into the race, we came upon the first bridge, and I knew it was there, so I just paced myself one step at a time up and over and it wasn't too bad. After that, the majority of the course wraps through residential neighorhoods in downtown Ft. Lauderdale and these houses are beautiful to look at, so I enjoyed the scenery and just kept pluggin along.

I was pushing myself, certainly, but there's a difference in feeling -- some days, you're pushing yourself and that push really feels exhausting; but other days, you push yourself and it just feels good. Today was the latter feeling, which is really encouraging because I've worked hard in the past few months to make my short race-pace 9-9:20/mile, and to be running that and feeling so good is a huge difference for me. So, as I approached that wicked bridge at the end, I felt pretty strong; I glanced down at the Garmin and knew that my time was petty solid but because I don't do hills regularly, I also knew that it could throw my whole race off.

As I started up the incline, I just gave it all I had, and I managed to maintain my pace (but I was really working hard to do so); once I reached the top of the bridge, I just had the decline, which leads straight into the finish, so I let the decline do most of the work as I breezed through the finish and the clocked ticked off 28:17.

I think that had the course been flat, today might have been a day for a 28:00, or maybe even sub-28:00 5K, but that's wondering for a different day. Right now, I'm just pleased that I beat my previous PR. Now, I guess 28:17 will become the new time to beat.

Splits:
1: 8:59
2: 9:09
3: 9:07
.1: 1:01

Total Time: 28:17!

Thinking of Tomorrow

I think today after class I'm gonna stop by my local running store and get a new pair of shoes. I've been alternating between 2 pairs that have about equal mileage on them and I think both are ready to be retired. I've been buying the Brooks Adreneline for more than 2 years now, so the trip to the running store should be quick -- I don't even try them on anymore.

Then, I'm not sure if I'll run tonight or not: part of me wants to (just to get that first Feb mileage underway) but then I also think it might be wise to save the legs for tomorrow's 5K (but then again, a 5K is short so my legs don't really need "saving" for that).

Tomorrow's Rotary 5K is kinda special to me in the way that the Turkey Trot is also near and dear. See, the Rotary 5K was the first race I ran here in Florida, and I remember that year it was so cold we could see our breath. The following year, it was raining and the race was in the afternoon, and last year? I didn't run it last year -- I was sick. So, I'm glad to be able to run it tomorrow.

Having the HM last weekend and the 5K this weekend has me thinking about the difference in races. Clearly, longer races like a marathon, or HM, are difficult because of the distance. A 5K is a very different matter -- the distance isn't the issue; it's speed that is first and foremost for most runners in a 5K. Thus, the 5K poses a different kind of difficulty for me: with a long race, my primary concern is just finishing. Sure, I have a timeframe in mind, but really, I just want to finish. With the 5K, I know I can go the distance, but I have to go the distance quickly and that means running as best I can for 3.1 miles straight. It takes a different kind of physical exertion and mental competence to do this.

I am, of course, still hoping to beat my 5K PR of 28:28 (which is now starting to feel like a mythical time), and if I can run like I did on Wednesday, then I think I will; however, I am realistic and I know that every single day is a different running day and all I can do is put forth my best and hope the effort pays off.