Just “being”

Far too often, my weekends are jam packed with countless to-do’s….laundry, vacuuming, work-work, etc.  Other than my long runs, I have a hard time disconnecting from the to-do’s and just “being”.  Sunday I got to practice just “being”.

After Scott and I got our respective runs done, Scott had the great idea to head to Salisbury beach.  Beach pizza on a cold Sunday, especially a cold Sunday after an 18 mile long run?  Pick me, pick me!!  We threw Bella in the truck, grabbed hats and mittens, AND Scott’s new camera (I call it Scott’s because he has really been the one figuring out how to use it, etc). 

First stop:  Tripoli’s

I’m pretty sure I ate my weight in pizza and I DIDN’T CARE!!!  After all, I had 18 miles of caloric deficit from Saturday to catch up on.  The last piece I ate was for pure deliciousness – I was full one whole piece before!

After all that pizza, we all rolled out of the truck to play on the beach.  Bella is turning 6 years old this week and still performs a pretty impressive trampoline jump!  I guess if you think you're a puppy, you then act like a puppy...

As we exited the Salisbury Reservation area, the number of cars and camera laden people lining the road told us some cool bird was in town.  So when in Rome…..

Luckily, Scott brought along our “real” camera, so the fact that this snowy owl was perched a good 150 feet away in the salt marsh did not prevent us from getting a few good pictures.

I wonder how long ole snowy owl will sit there looking pretty?  Is he even aware of the attention he’s getting?  Questions I’ll never know the answers to.  It was cool to sit and watch him for awhile (or was it he watching us??), just as it was fun to watch Bella chase the stick over and over again.  Not thinking anything, not multi-tasking on my phone, not worrying about anything….just quietly observing nature at its best.

Owls, dogs….they sure got it right.  Just “being” in the moment, doing what they do.

Happy Snowy Trails

Awoke to a beautiful sunny day.  Of course it’s cold, so I’m not even going to restate the obvious, but the sun certainly makes things better all around.  Bella and I decided to check out the trails and hoped the snowmobiles packed down the snow enough to be able to run (or at least walk) without too much difficulty.

Success!  Snow was packed down, though even with my trail shoes, it was tough going.  No thoughts of speed today; just wanted to move my legs a little after yesterday’s 18 miler.

Bella was in heaven!

I’ve always been a sucker for serene winter/water scenes…

3 miles of running, walking, snowball throwing, and picture taking makes one happy Lisa and one happy Lab!

Do you enjoy playing in the snow?

What I’ve been up to and where I’m headed

Lots of work.  Way too much work.  But there’s also been running.  Maybe not enough, but I’m working on it.  And a few races too.

Two weeks ago, Carrie and I ran the Derry 16 miler.  I had run it a couple of times prior, so was very familiar with the hills/mountains, the weather, and the badass feeling you get when you complete it.  It did not disappoint.  It was one of those single digit days, with a good dose of wind – you know, the kind of wind that completely freezes your face mask so it feels like sandpaper if it moves.  Yes, that kind of wind.  But it’s the race to run if you want to get stronger.

Last weekend, Scott asked to run with me – which I love, but I always worry that my slower pace kills him.  I had had a few “meh” weeks of running, so I was hoping our run would reignite a little fire in me.  It did!  We ran 15 miles, including many hills and at an 8:44 pace!  I got to run one of my favorite hilly courses that I haven’t run in a really long time, because it’s too isolated to run comfortably solo.  We talked and ran our way through 15 miles and I felt great.  Re-ignition complete!

During the week, I worked harder at getting a couple mid-week runs in on the treadmill.  I think that helped my psyche as I prepared to head into my 18 mile solo run this morning.  It was cold and a touch windy – just enough to make it feel colder than it already was.  But I layered up and refused to over think it.  Picked a figure eight course that would bring me back to my house at about mile 10, grabbed a fresh Gatorade, and headed in a different direction to finish up the remaining 8.  Awesome run J

I was extremely pleased with today’s run because of the pace consistency.  And I can easily identify/understand some of the slower miles on the elevation chart...

These longer runs are for what, you ask?  For this little gem next weekend!  I’ve always wanted to take this race for a spin!

Well, maybe that’s not entirely true either.  Because after that is this 20 miler...

And if I’m being completely transparent, there’s also this brand spanking new marathon on the agenda...

And just so things don’t get boring, I’m throwing in this half marathon in for the following week...

The pot of gold at the end of this “race lineup” rainbow?  Ta-daaaaa.....

Taking on this 50K trail race in Maine during Memorial Day weekend!   

So it behooves me to balance this work thing out sooner than later and get my butt on the treadmill, on the roads, on the trails…..wherever it needs to be so I can feel good about my training and about my ultimate experience as I work my way through this winter/spring "line up”!

How are you keeping your winter running exciting??

Slippery Slope

This morning’s walk with Bella had to be a defensive one.  Many who travel my street use it as a means to an end – a connecting road – so they fly.  This morning was NOT the morning for flying.  Bella and I came across a spot where a car clearly rounded the curve too quickly and the ruts in the side of the road told the story of how successful that turned out to be.  We slid across the street (cuz that’s where Bella’s nose take us – back and forth!) and cautiously backed way off when cars did approach.  We arrived home safely but it was confirmation that I would be continuing my bond with my still fairly new treadmill.

The slippery conditions haven’t been solely claimed by the weather.  This week has become a slippery slope where all things that were normal and necessary for a functioning Lisa slipped off the slope completely.  I traveled for work this week, spending a longer than usual period of time in VT and away from my little family.  My normal.  It was a good trip and I love VT, so no real complaints.  But I was on-the-go for what felt like 24x7.

Focusing on the positive:

• I love VT!
• It’s always great to see my VT teammates live and in person – they’re great!
• The meetings I participated in went really well and were very productive.
• The career fair we held in our Waterbury location drew a good crowd and logistically, went very well.
• Enjoyed a couple of really nice dinners with our team.

What I wish had been different:

• One evening of “nothing” would’ve rejuvenated me.
• I definitely did not sleep enough.
• Even one run on the hotel treadmill would’ve been enough to feel like I took care of myself.  With zero miles logged, I felt robbed by the end of the week.
• Because of changed business plans, my hotel (which at first was the perfect location) was a good 45 mins drive from where I needed to be – on 3 occasions.  Back and forth.  Ugh.
• I had to have company on this trip.  It didn’t make sense for 2 of us to drive separately, but boy, it was a challenge being connected at the hip for 4 days, including the ride to and from VT.
• Next time I decide to wear a white top, I will NOT attempt to drink hot cocoa.  Yes, THAT happened.  Just before the career fair meant I walked around all evening with a hot cocoa dribble stain down the front of my cute white top.  Curses.

So today I decided the slippery slope was over.  I got on my treadmill and dialed up a 5 miler (iFit course: Monterey, CA).  And then, after realizing I was feeling a lot better, dialed up another 3.5 miler (iFit course:  Venice, Italy).  Before I knew it, I had run myself right off of the slippery slope, logging 8.5 miles, and feeling very much in control again.

View from my run in Venice (via iFit)

It’s so hard to stop the avalanche once things start feeling crazy.  As my week progressed and I continued to not run, to not take care of myself, to not take the time I needed…. it just snowballed.  It’s like when you eat your weight in Cap’n Crunch cereal (hypothetically speaking of course) on Saturday, so you decide “Well, I’ve already ruined my diet for the weekend, so why not eat a gallon of ice cream too!”.  It’s gravity.  Once you start down that slippery slope, it’s very difficult to pull yourself out of the way of the ensuing avalanche of bad decisions or whatnot. 

Running is funny though; it has a way of immediately stopping that avalanche.  I told myself “I’ll go nice and slow and see how I feel”.  8.5 miles later, I had shaken off all the weight I was carrying from my personal avalanche and was moving forward with a new day.

I might even treat myself to a nap so I can stay up for the Patriots game tonight.  Or not.  Either way, I’m in control again J

To my friends in warmer climates...

Walking stick?  Toothpick for some giant?  Saber tooth from a far-away time?  No…..

Scott - Icicle Model Extraordinaire

Ginormous icicle formerly hanging from our back roof!  Here are the rest of the buggers….

Welcome to New England in January!

My Christmas season in (mostly) pictures

Scott and Me

Mom and Me

Good friend Martyn

Niece Kristin’s first Christmas engaged to Alex

Our dessert table, courtesy of mom’s homemade goodies

All Bella wants for Christmas is her Kong!

Couldn’t get good pictures, but nothing like brightening up the season by supporting my favorite 8 year old Caitlyn at her dance recital!

Meaningful gift from a friend

[**SISU is a Finnish term loosely translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity... SISU is about taking action against the odds and displaying courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity. (Wiki)]

Mosaic Christmas tree (3-D) made by Mom’s artistic and loving hands.  Many of the gems come from my grandmother’s jewelry and my mother-in-law’s china.  Priceless!

Some homemade goodness (3 different pastas!) made for us by niece Erin – this carbo-loading MUST have a magic PR cooked into it!

Our new treadmill!  We had already talked about getting a treadmill, but I hadn’t had time to research to find which treadmill was best for us.  The best part of this gift is that Scott surprised me with doing the research, purchasing, AND setting it up!  I love the treadmill, but I love the surprise and thoughtfulness the most!!!

Happy MerryThon Half & Jingle Bell Half – two holiday half marathons celebrated with old and new friends.  What’s better than a hot cocoa stop at mile 10?

I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season!  And here’s to a fun, exciting, healthy, PR kind of New Year – where there are hot cocoa stops just when you need them!!!

Friends don’t let friends drink and….

….register for races!

We know that alcohol often fills us with courage to do or say things we may not normally do or say.  Race registration can sometimes fall into this category.  Many a gingerbread martini or glass of pinot grigio have contributed to a more aggressive than usual list of upcoming races.

So today, I find myself registered for at least 8 races (with the possibility of a 9^th Fat Ass run) that will carry me through May.  And it’s in partial thanks to alcohol.  That and the fact that registering for races is fun and addicting!   

Between working my butt off, getting ready for the holidays, and registering for all these races, I haven’t devoted much time to writing lately.  I do miss it and you!  I’m sure this list of races will provide great content for race reports and other running adventures to share with you. 

Who else is filling up their calendars with races?