Turns out I don't run much without my BFF

My BFF and her hubby adopted a new baby recently. Kind of a big deal. I am thrilled for them. They have added the most adorable baby girl to their family.

BUT - this was a trainwreck for my workout. Turns out I don't run much if no one else is showing up at my house or expecting me to show up at their house to burn some calories at 5 am. I would set the alarm and then snooze and snooze and snooze until I would finally reset it to get up later. My husband loved it (not). One morning he said "Was it too not-rainy for you today?" I really had no excuse.

After three weeks of not running I was really grumpy and really tired all the time. One day at work someone said "Maybe you should have some more coffee." I was not fun to be around.

With the threat of wearing a swimsuit imminently upon me for an upcoming vacation, I finally dragged myself out of bed twice in the morning to go last week. The first day I stepped out I realized it was already somewhat light out. Completely different than just a month before. There was a bright full moon. When I finished the sun was coming up. Already I felt better. The next day I snoozed a little too long so I only went 4 miles instead of 5.5 but felt good to go two days in a row which I rarely do anyway.

These two runs allowed me to get in a longer run on Saturday yesterday. My BFF ran with me for the first three, then she headed back (she is easing back into routine from being gone) while I did some additional miles to get a total of 8 in. It was hot and humid.

So far I've been more awake and in a better mood. Turns out exercise may truly actually make you feel better. Who knew :)

So thank god my BFF is back! I need someone else to hold me accountable for getting up. Plus it's my therapy for the week to chat (and work) it all out.

The trip that wasn't meant to be

I had originally planned to run the Oklahoma City half marathon last weekend. Candi and I had picked this race because of the time of year, it proximity to KC and I also liked it because my friend Molly's parents live there. At the time we signed up Molly had taken up running and planned to run with Candi and I in OKC. I was going to stay an extra night and hang out with Molly, her little girl and Molly's parents.

A few weeks ago Molly called and sadly let me know that she has a back injury and couldn't run. She still hoped to make it to OKC but that her little girl (who is so adorable) has been sick off and on for weeks and really they needed to stay home to get her better. TOTALLY understood. No big deal.

I moved my return flight to be a day earlier, knowing that I didn't need to hang out with her parents without her :)

Then, a week before the race Candi called. The birth mom they were adopting the baby of went into labor. Totally legitimate excuse for not running :)

So, I could have flown to OKC to run a race by myself. But that didn't really sound like much fun. I had just traveled almost constantly for a week, going to Indy for work and then San Antonio with the kids to see my brother so I was exhausted.

Canceled the trip. Great decision. I still feel behind. And tired. Can't seem to get caught up. The race was also delayed by 30 minutes and cold and rainy. Ick. Not sorry I missed that.

And I totally haven't run in more than two weeks. Turns out I'm not a very good runner with out my running buddy.

Hello from Virginia

My view from Chicago to Norfolk.

I'm here for some meetings for work tomorrow. Preparing to travel is always a little hectic. Lots of errands yesterday (Christmas exchanges, groceries, new shoes for the kids) and then this morning I was a laundry machine. I am thankful for good flying weather today. I was even brave and ate lunch before I flew. Ever since I got sick on an airplane 5 years ago I've been cautious to eat anything before flying. That lesson was well learned. twice.

Ate at a delicous seafood restaurant tonight at the tip of a co-worker who used to live here - Catch 31. Yum.

Got to watch Eat, Pray, Love on my iphone during all the wait time that happens during traveling. When you don't have kids it's a lot of time to just sit, think, do nothing, watch a movie. It's kind of weird to not have someone nagging you constantly and only letting you sit for 2 minute increments.

Ran on the treadmill last Thursday for my first run in over a week. I made it about 3.3 miles. Ran Saturday with the group on snow-packed roads. Made it 6 miles. Yesterday I bought some brand new running shoes to begin training in and break in before my upcoming races. I brought the new shoes with me and it just might be what I need right now to spark a slight motivation in getting on a treadmill.

Looking at a very busy week that began with traveling today. Working a full week and then some. Plus our annual work holiday party (that we have in January) this week too. I will definitely need a drink on Friday.

January

These were making me really happy last week.

The snow outside - not so much. Anna had three snow days last week and it is all still on the ground because it is so cold. This has had an impact on my running schedule. I hit the treadmill for 45 minutes last Sunday and 30 minutes last Monday. I haven't run since. It's been a week.

My eating went really well the first week and then just pretty good last week. There were several lunch meetings where I was forced to eat out and not be able to bring food from home. I had a salad each time, which I think is about as good as you can do when eating out.

Then this weekend I really fell off the wagon. I had mexican on Friday night and a philly cheesesteak sandwich on Saturday night. So I HAVE to run. Soon.

Downloading some new iTunes music. Making a new playlist for running. Maybe that will help?

Kansas City Half Marathon

This weekend I ran the Kansas City Half Marathon. I ran this race last year. It is my 3rd consecutive half marathon. I am running one about every six months. I felt great and finished strong. Great weather. Couldn't have asked for a better running buddy and so glad her friend from college also joined us. Great girl time! The only part that sucked was that no one from my family was there to see me cross. My parents were out of town and Kevin had to take Anna to swimming. Oh well. It was pretty crowded. We had trouble finding Candi's hubby afterwards.

Finishing time: 2:27 - That's about 10 minutes faster than the Hospital Hill half marathon in June (which was unbearably hot) and 6 minutes faster than the same race last year.