Too Cold in TX

Yes it is cold and we are all complaining about it. Well not all but most. Aside from the weather I am excited to say I am now gainfully employed at new job and taking some time to be lazy before I start work on the 14th. I should be running more but it is just too cold outside for me. My warm bed wins most mornings. I did venture to the gym today for just a bit. I will most likely be at the gym tomorrow morning as well considering it may be snowing outside. Hope I don't go slip sliding all over the road. All the TX peeps that have no clue how to drive in the winter yuckiness stay safe!

Back Again

So I guess it is time to write a short and sweet update. Thanks to a friend I have decided to attempt blogging again. Life has been busy and ever changing. I have decided to embark on a job search which has proved to be a big learning experience. Things have gone well. Actually better than I expected yet the whole interviewing thing is really rather unnerving. I am in sales and love it but I hate when the interviewer tells me to sell them a pencil. Yuck. I guess that is just one of those questions I will continue to get. Anyway on to running. I have been running with friends around my neighborhood and at the trails in Seabook. Just running for fun and I have no races planned. I think that will most likely be my running life for the time being. Racing will probably take a back seat as it has for the last 2-3 years. Honestly the last real race I had was probably 2007. I was proud of myself for running at the gym the last 2 days and not staying in my warm bed. I have a lingering cough and do not relish the idea of running in 30 degree weather. I think tomorrow will be another gym day. To quote the Starbucks guy this morning, stay warm and classy!

Bridge Runnin' Fool!

It feels good to be back on a running/training schedule. Sunday through Wednesday are gym/treadmill days. I just HATE running in the heat and humidity and will avoid it when possible. I even made it to the Kemah bridge on Thursday morning for a 5 am run. Friday is my day off and Saturday is my long (ish) run. I would like to be able to run the Toughest 10 K in September. This goal really helps keep me focused. Let's hope I can keep it up! After the 10K I will need another focus as I skipped the CHM Half sign up. Maybe the 10 for Texas in October/November.

Marathon Madness

Wow what madness has descended on the runners in Houston over the hometown race going to a lottery system. I used to be a marathoner. I never had much love for the race either. I ran this race for the challenge and I was just a little mad myself for never being satisfied with my times. I ran the Boston marathon and then just lost the fire within to keep pursuing a marathon PR. I am now a less respectable half marathoner. Not that those who run this race are less respectable but somehow I am made to feel this way many times. Anyway I am going to enter the lottery in hopes of running the half marathon. I do not understand the half people that register for the full knowing they are going to switch. I think you just register for the race you are going to run with no switching allowed. Just like life you run the race you are meant to run end of story. So your marathon training does not go as planned then pick another race. So you get injured then pick another race. Other major races do not have a half you can switch to and you just get over it and pick another race. That said if you do not like the lottery then pick another race. Yes I will be disappointed if I don't make the cut, but there are other half marathons and new places to explore.

Another Year Goes By

I am now another year older as of Tuesday. The years seem to be going faster all the time. I used to hate when people said I looked much younger than my age and now it makes my day. Those comments are coming fewer and further between but oh well. Still the same age group (35-39). The funny thing is when I look up race results I still look up 30-34 out of habit. I have been in the new group for over a year and still forget! When I passed thirty I started forgetting my age when people would ask. I notice as I get closer to forty I am starting to remember. I love when my son (he is 8) talks about something far in the future like when he is an adult and he says "mom you won't be around then so don't worry". Kids are great. So hopefully I will get to more races this year and participate in my new and improved age group before I become a masters runner (that's when it gets really tough).

Just Tired

No running for me in the last two days. I have been really tired due to work obligations. The last few days were spent at an expo meeting some really great business contacts and leaving me really exhausted. My job is essentially talking to people all day long and creating customer relationships. I love what I do and can talk plenty (ask anyone that runs with me). My favorite running peeps are those that can run and talk without giving me dirty looks when I want to socialize. What's up with that anyway? I have run with all types: the serious fast types (not talkers), the slower jolly types, the medium speed want to be fast serious types, the medium speed happy to be medium types and the fast but don't get all serious and edgy types. My favorite are those that are happy to be running and happy with where they are. My long run each week is a time to escape the gym and enjoy running outside. My Clear Lake friends are great and many could run circles around me but prefer to slow down a bit and enjoy the company and the run. We look out for each other and slow the pace if someone does not feel good that day. We also share jokes and talk politics (at least we have one other Democrat in the group to agree with me!) Tomorrow morning I will venture out to the trails in Seabrook to meet my friends for a run over the bridge then we will enjoy coffee at the Kemah Boardwalk. I can't think of a better way to start my weekend!

More Gym Days

I have been showing my face everyday during the week at the gym. The speed is getting better and feeling easier. Today was another step up so it was not as easy this morning but you can't stop progress! My long run on Saturday was humid but good friends made the time fly by. I am still only able to complete 7-8 miles which is fine for the summer months. I have given up marathon running for the next few years so this fall the races for me will be 13 miles or less.

On another note:

I was watching the Biggest Loser last week which was a first for me. Does anyone else see this show as a bad idea. I think it is wonderful the participants are getting in shape however aren't they losing a dangerous amount of weight in one week? They are getting encouraged to lose as much as possible from week to week and it just seems really unhealthy and contrary to anything I have ever known about weight loss. Maybe I am missing something but I just watched the whole time thinking one of them would pass out any second. One of the guys even mentioned he could now run at 8.5 mph on the treadmill. I can't even do that! Just seems off to me.