Just What I Needed

As my next half marathon is getting closer and closer and I'm not really doing any decent amount of running because of the issues I'm having with my calves/shins, I've been getting more and more panicked about not having a "good" race.  I put good in quotes because the word "good" is relative and can mean different things to different people.  I had one major goal in the back of my mind for this race - a shiny new PR on a super-hilly course.  Now, maybe that wasn't the wisest goal to set, but up until about 2 months ago, my running was going VERY well and I think I might have been able to accomplish that goal.

But then I got hurt and now even my lungs are rebelling thanks to our early spring and some mild asthma.

source

I've had to revisit my race goals for Sunday.  My goals now are to have fun running with my friends while enjoying the mountain scenery, finish in one piece, and have a Knoxville Half Marathon medal placed around my neck.  This morning, I opened my email to this post from my friend Ellen at Undercover Runner Eats and I had to share it here. (If you don't already follow her - go do it cuz she's all sorts of awesome.)

This was exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you, Ellen.

LLRB 365: 2012 Week 12

How is it possible that we are already 12 weeks into 2012???? We've had ridiculously warm weather here in West Michigan this week so it's felt more like early June than March. I'm spending most of today in the car so today is another drive-by phone blog post.

Sunday
3-18-12
Went to a great Mexican place for dinner & might have had a couple sangria



Monday
3-19-12
Proof of the crazy temps (and this wasn't even the warmest day!)



Tuesday
3-20-12
These shoes were a mistake for my achy calves & I switched them out at lunch.



Wednesday
3-21-12
This is just nuts!



Thursday
3-22-12
Beautiful sunrise through our budding tree.



Friday
3-23-12
Rainy walk in downtown GR while on break from a training.



Saturday
3-24-12
My crazy cat took in a western while we cleaned house.




I can't wait for the pics I'm going to take later today!! What was a highlight from your past week?

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Friday randomness

I'm a total numbers/patterns geek (which is a contradiction since I hate/suck at math) and today a beautiful number surfaced & I managed to notice it!


I might need to buy a Lotto ticket on the way home.

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Gratitude

The all-powerful dictionary know as Google defines "gratitude" as "The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness".

It's no secret (if you've been on my blog lately) that I'm struggling - both with an injury that's keeping me from running and with unhappiness about the fact that all my clothes appear to have shrunk.  However, I know I have so many friends in my corner and for them I am eternally grateful.  They point out the positives (like spaghetti dinner and Black Bear Ale with friends) or they give me a reality check and say "don't make me -_- at you today".

I know I don't show my appreciation for them as much as I should, but I hope they know how much I love and cherish them.

True Confessions: Dedication

On this, the first day of spring, I'm not going to confess about myself. I'm not going to talk about the workouts I did or didn't do, the food I ate, the beers I drank.  Instead, I'm going to confess about someone else.

Today I'm going to confess how proud I am of my son, D.  He's a 14 year old high-school freshman who somehow manages to get up at 5:45 AM three days a week to practice with this group - Jazz I at his high school (D is the only freshman to have made the group - he's the 2nd trombone player from the right in the green tie).



He never complains about getting up early (and gets up 100% on his own - I'm not even awake yet when his dad takes him to school) and he goes to bed at a decent time without issue.  All the practice time and dedication are paying off.  He's first chair in his concert band (which is a mix of all grades) and now wants to form a smaller jazz ensemble with a couple of his friends.  Jazz I competed at Western Michigan University on St. Pat's Day.  They didn't win, but several of the members of the group won awards for their solo performances.  I think they sounded pretty damn good.

Monday Motivation from Yoda

source: Pinterest

This is probably my favorite quote of all time and what I'm going to be carrying with me to get me through the Knoxville Half Marathon in 2 weeks, even if I have to write it on my arm.  I can't just "try" to run this race, even though my training has gone completely out the window over the past few weeks.  I must "do".  

What are you going to "do" today? 

LLRB 365: 2012 Week 11

It's hard to believe we are only in the middle of March. Our weather has been crazy warm - sandals, dresses & shorts have been the norm. Since my computer has been acting up, this week in pictures is being posted from my phone. It never seems as pretty, so I appologize.
Sunday
3-11-12
Beautiful day & I made a new friend on my walk.


Monday
3-12-12
Awesome sky reflected in my mirror after a storm.


Tuesday
3-13-12
SQUEEEE!!!


Wednesday
3-14-12
Happy Pi Day. Sadly, I had no pie. Instead I picked up some new compression sleeves.


Thursday
3-15-12
I heart this app. The coffee helped me get thru my 2nd 11 1/2 hour day at work this week.


Friday
3-16-12
Caught this picture of an awesome Super Cell (I think that's what it is called) that resulted in much thunder, lightening & hail just east of me.


Saturday
3-17-12
Happy St. Patrick's Day. We spent the morning at my son's jazz competition. He wore green :)


I wore green on Saturday, too. Got tons of compliments on the Team Sparkle skirt I wore for my 10 mile training run.


After my run I was so dead that we didn't go celebrate. Instead we went out for Italian. What did you do to celebrate St. Pat's Day?

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