Rockin' Ruyle New Year's Eve

Wow, I can't believe that today is the last day of 2009. It's flown by! I've heard a lot of people say what a bad year 2009 has been, but for me, it's been a pretty dang good one. Some highlights: Ran the Boston Marathon, ran a huge PR in the Baltimore marathon, completed 2 half-ironmans, signed up for my first Ironman, bought a house, got a new, great job close to home, enjoyed the summer having my cousin in town, got two sweet adorable basset hounds....and, really I could go on and on. I can only hope that 2010 brings as many great things as 2009 did!

I know you are all wondering what amazing and fun plans Dan and I have for New Year's Eve. Because we are quite the rockstars. Let me tell you what our plans will include: I'm taking off of work early, and we are going to see a movie. Then we'll either grab an early dinner (and by early, I mean like senior citizen early, I do not want to have to wait) at Johnny Carinos or some other type of low key chain restaurant, then we'll go home and hang out with our sweet basset babies and watch football. At 9 pm, I'll make my way to bed and read for an hour, max. I'm pretty certain I will not make it up to the midnight hour, as I have not the past 2 years either.

Why are we so lame you might ask? After all, it is New Years Eve! Well, for the past two years - and, tomorrow will make it three - we have run in the Resolution Run 5k in Round Rock. For me, it's a great way to start off the New Year on the right foot, in a healthy positive environment. The race doesn't start until 11 am, so we can still sleep in a little. And, since I am such a crazy masochist hard worker, I'm going to get there early and run 3-4 miles before the race, so I can get my mileage in for the day.

So, by the time the rest of you all roll out of bed in the morning nursing the worst hangover ever, I'll have already run 7 miles and will be feeling like a rockstar. Not that I'm trying to make you feel guilty or inferior.... :)

I hope everyone has a happy and safe New Year!

Captain Crankypants

Have you ever had one of those days where you want to poke your own eye out rather than speak one more word to the next moron that crosses your path? Or maybe stick a pencil in your ear just to ease the pain of a coworkers annoying voice?

I am wearing my serious cranky pants today. I slept all of about 4 hours last night. Between the hacking, the running nose, the 2 am whining at our bedroom door from Flash, the two dogs running drag races through the house at 4:30 am, and a Husband (love him) that insists on snoring most of the night, I am wiped out.

I am cranky.

I am pissed off.

I am hungry.

I need a nap.

Silver lining to my otherwise ridiculous start to the day is that I did get my workout in this morning - 10 mile run - and, there is only one more day in the work week. Thank you jebus.

Farewell Off-season

Dear Off-season,

I know we didn't get off to a good start. I really wasn't interested in getting to know you and may have ignored you at times. But after a couple months I really started to enjoy you and for the last six weeks or so, you've become rather special to me. Dare I use the word love?

So it is with sadness and a hint of regret that I must end this relationship. It's not personal, our time has simply come to an end. I have a half Ironman in just four months and my first Ironman in six months.

While I'll miss our leisurely weekend mornings, late nights filled with fabulous dinners and drinks, weeks on end without smelling even the slightest hint of chlorine, I know we'll find our way back to each other on June 28 and this time, I promise to embrace you from the start so we can enjoy an even more fulfilling time together.

Until then, I'll be too busy training to even think about you so please don't try to tempt me with thoughts of skipping workouts, sleeping in and eating whatever I want. I'll do a little more of that this week, then I'll be 100% focused on Ironman C'ouer D'Alene. I'm looking forward to this new challenge (as well as fitting into my size 2 jeans again).

Sincerely,

Erin

The Party is Ovaaah

Back to reality. I hope you all had a magnificent holiday! It’s so hard to come back to real life- even the pseudo real life that exists between Xmas and New Years.

As for my Christmas, it was great. Although, I missed getting to see my family this year, we got to spend some time with Dan's family and some quality time with my sweet pups, who I spoiled like crazy!

Here's what I did (and didn't) do over my holiday break.

• I did see quite a few movies. I saw "Everything's Fine", "Up in the Air" and "Precious" in the theaters (all of which I would highly recommend) and watched a few flicks on DVD. The only movie I didn't get around to seeing is "Did you hear about the Morgans?", but I am hoping to see that New Years Day.
  
  
• I didn't work out as much as I would like. I got runs in when I could, but didn't get in any swims or biking last week, despite my good intentions.
  
  
• I read quite a bit, devouring several books. I love to read, but struggle to find the time. It was nice to be able to curl up with some good books.
  
  
• I ate. A LOT. Seriously. This week my goal is to run a lot to get rid of the food baby that I have grown over the past few weeks. I enjoy going to Dallas to see Dan's family, but I always come back feeling like I gained 10 pounds. They like to cook and eat. And, not healthy food either. My best attempt (option) at trying to eat healthy while I was there a plate full of vegetables....which were doused in cheese so I'm thinking they weren't that good for me.
  
  
• I spent quality time with my babies puppies, which was nice. We took several trips to the Bark Park and Petsmart to spoil them with treats. We took long walks, played fetch and curled up on the couch watching TV. I feel super guilty having to go back to work today and leave them. I told Dan I think I would just like to be a stay at home dog Mommy, but that didn't go over too well. Sigh...

Anyway, I'm back at work today and back to a normal training schedule. Dan and I are running in the Resolution Run 5k in Round Rock on New Year's Day. We run it every year, which makes us duds on New Year's Eve. Seriously, I'm lucky if I make it up to 10 pm....there will be no watching the ball drop....

Dear Flash

Dear Flash,

Thank you so much for waking me up the past few mornings at 3am, especially this morning since it is Saturday. Even though you're still amazed that I come home every evening, you still have the uncanny ability to know when I plan on sleeping in. Not only that, but you don't even need me to let you go outside to pee since you have a dog door at your disposal. Instead, you woke me up with your incessant whining to let me know that I was sleeping SOUNDLY in your spot. Let me tell you something Flash, when I rescued you from the animal shelter a few months ago, this was not what I had in mind. You've been a great dog, but this has to stop.

P.S. - I'll be sending you my Starbucks bill for the past 4 mornings. I took the liberty of ordering caffe americanos....double shot no less. I think it's the least you could do for me.

P.P.S. - I'll be sure to return the favor, too. I'll interrupt you when you're licking the spot where your nuts used to be.

Sincerely,

Your Master

You can call me Scrooge...

I've found out that the office Christmas shindig is optional, not mandatory as I thought. And, I've decided to skip it in favor of my regularly scheduled swim at the Rec Center. And, afterwards I will eat my nice, healthy packed lunch from home. Go ahead. Call me Scrooge. Or the Grinch. I deserve both titles.

I forgot to post last week's totals. They are nothing impressive, but I am hoping this week will be better.

Run- 47.60 miles
Swim- 3,400 yds

Bah Humbug,
Erin

The Office Christmas Party: It's Back.

Tomorrow is our Office Christmas Party. If you haven't read my post about what fun I had at the Office Thanksgiving Party, well, it's a few posts back. No fear, I have drawn up my best holiday excuse as to why I will be unable to attend the festivities, which sadly conflicts with my previously planned lunch time activities:

Dear Party Planners,
I negligibly regret that I will be unable to attend your beautifully appointed holiday social. I will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and thus dependent on you to fill me in on all of the festive doings. Once the holidays are past, I hope to have you over for a belated glass of egg nog and spend some time pouring over party photos and admiring everyone in their holiday finery. Please give my warmest regards to the party guests, and tell them I will sing a holiday diddy dedicated especially to them. My best wishes for a peachy and keen holiday.

Hugs and Kisses,
Erin

Think this will work?

Tuesday Tidbits

I'm going to be doing the bullet thingy today, because, well, it's easier and I'm busy.

• Why I am so busy you ask? Because my husband is in Vegas and I am a full-time working single mother of two crazy human babies dogs. It's hard work because they are a bit spoiled high maintenance pups who need to be checked on several times a day so they do not tear the house apart. Not to mention the weather has been crappy, so I can't leave them outside.

• Usually Dan stays up late with the dogs, and I get up early with them. They don't require much sleep at night and will let you know when they are ready to get up. So, when they went to sleep last night at 8 pm, I was right behind them. They were ready to rock and roll at 4:30 am this morning. And, yes, I got up with them. I did feel a sense of accomplishment however. I was up at 4:30, ran 11.5 miles, feed the dogs, walked them showered and was at work by 8:00 am. Of course now I'm ready to fall head first into my computer I'm so tired.

• I ran the Decker Challenge Half-Marathon (Austin Distance Challenge Race #3) on Sunday. The weather was kinda crappy (rain), and I felt like I could have ran better (1:38:29), but I ran well enough to hang on to my lead in the Challenge. And, I placed 2nd in my age group, so I'll take it.

• Last weeks totals: Run: 62.76 miles / Swam: 6,950 yards (in the pool 4 times. That's fab for me so I am going to toot my own horn. Toot, toot.)

• I do not have anymore races scheduled for 2009. So sad. But, it's been a great year. I'm so thankful for my health and the ability to get out there and do what I love. I'll kick off 2010 with the Resolution Run, a 5K on Jan. 1. What better way to start off the New Year!!

• Dan will be back tomorrow evening. Thank goodness.

That's all for now!

Good luck?

Hello, folks. This morning I stepped in dog poop TWICE BAREFOOT while trying to get my dogs out in the yard to pee before I went for a run. It was 5 a.m. It was dark. I did not see the poo either time. Good morning to me!

To tell you the truth, I feared that stepping in poop not once, but twice, was a sure omen that my day was destined to be crappy (no pun intended).

But, much to my pleasant surprise, it's actually been a great day! I had a great run this morning - the best one I've had in the past week - followed by an awesome swim at lunch (maybe even the best swim ever since I usually get lapped by the 80 yr woman breast stroking next to me). Work has been fabulous as well - I finally got a route for the Cupid's Chase (race I'm in charge of) approved and have been super duper full of energy and productive all day.

My friends, I have to admit I think stepping in dog poop may have actually been a good luck charm?! Perhaps I'll try it again tomorrow.

Post-Thanksgiving Musings

First - last weeks totals:
Swim:
1700.00 Yd

Run:
61.35 Mi

So, I'm in a stupor today, trying to get some headway into several work projects, all whilst trying to maintain my sanity and fight the urge to yak every time I see food. I, like many others (just tell me you did the same so I can feel better about myself) gorged myself on delicious Thanksgiving treats all weekend, and now I feel like the most disgusting human on the face of the planet. Needless to say, Ironman training could not start any sooner...

Although my total running mileage was high last week, I had a crappy training week. I felt like doo doo on pretty much every run last week, which was frustrating. I'm cutting my run mileage back this week so that I have fresh legs for the Decker Half Marathon on Sunday. The course is brutal (read: hilly), so I need to make sure I don't over do it this week in training.

My big goal this week is to be consistent with my swimming - get in a swim every day during lunch this work week. I was doing really well with my swimming, but over the past few months it has fallen to the wayside. Le, sigh...

I do have good news though - I got a bike trainer! It was an early birthday present from my folks (thanks Mom & Dad), and I can't wait to put it to use.

That's all I've got. Have a great week!