Christmas down...bring on the New Year!

Christmas was good to me this year. I didn't eat as much as I usually do, and I was able to get out and do some running/walking. I had a lot of fun with my family and friends--there were a couple of nights when I probably drank more than I should have. We played some board games and had a great time (thanks to my partner R. for helping me kick some ass at Taboo and letting me drink her tequila!)

I've found some more songs to download:
-Tool's "The Pot" is a great angry song to run to
-Counting Crow's "Mr. Jones" is an oldy but goody
-Alanis Morissette's "Right Through You"

I am headed back to the small town to hang out with the family some more. I'll let you know if I get any more runs in. I did one short run on Christmas day...it was a 1.7 mile run but somehow it got deleted off my iPod so I don't have the stats for that. That was just a fun run :)

3 o'clock run

Aha! I was able to get my lazy butt up and out the door around 3 o'clock for an afternoon jog around the small town of Amite. I love being able to just run wherever I please...when I am in Baton Rouge, I really don't have that freedom, but here in Amite I can go everywhere!

I spent most of my day reading and wrapping Christmas gifts--I am a horrible wrapper and as my dad would say jokingly, I have trouble with the rhymes *cue fake laugh* Finally I decided that I had been in the house too long and needed to get moving so I did.

I started out at the end of my driveway after a short talk with the neighbors then headed off not really knowing which route I would take or where I would end up. I kept an eye/ear on the distance while I was running and when I got around 2 miles I started heading back to the house. I ended up running a totalk of 3.5 miles which I am very pleased with considering it is the holidays for me. This is much better than what I normally would do during a holiday break! Here are my stats:

Distance: 3.49 miles
Time: 31.54 minutes
Pace: 9:06 min/mile
Calories: 363

Short Break

After taking a two day hiatus, I started back slowly...17:00 min/mile pace slow. I am spending the holidays with my folks (which usually means I don't get much running in) but this morning I got up around 7 to take a walk with my mom and the dog. Well the dog really took me for a walk...

It is finally getting chilly down here which is nice after the heat wave we had for a week. I am glad it will be cold for Christmas--hopefully we will be able to light a fire. This morning it was in the 50s which is perfect for being outside! The three of us went for a walk around the nearby neighborhood abd trying to keep the dog in line when she spoted fellow dogs proved to be more of a workout than I thought it would be.

So now I am being lazy hoping that later this afternoon I will have enough initiative to get out for a real run while the weather is satisfactory.

Happy holidays!

Rainy Day Wednesday

When I got off of work today it was pouring down raining. Luckily I had a waterproof windbreaker in my car to wear on my run. I was actually supposed to go swimming this morning before work, but my alarm clock was set for the wrong time so I got up too late. Well, I still got to get wet! The windbreaker was for my iPod because I'm not sure how resistant it is to water and I really didn't want to find out. Has anyone run in the rain with an iPod? I don't have a protective case for it yet--I am hoping Santa will get me one ;)

I never realized how heavy my shoes would be when they are wet. It felt like I had weights around my ankles...but I pulled through and ran all 5.7 miles :-) I was a little worried though because I didn't know what would happen if the chip in my shoe got wet but nothing happend so I guess it is at least moisture resistance which is a plus!

Distance: 5.77 miles
Time: 54:46
Pace: 9:29 min/mile
Calories: 600
Wieght of my wet shoes: 342.6 pounds

I got my paper back...

And I got a B+ :D

I am really happy about this because I swear I thought it was one of the most horrible things that has come from my typing fingers! It was a paper about Oscar Wilde and I refused to write on his homosexuality which was hard because that seems to be what everyone else is writing about so it was hard to find sources to back up my argument! But oh well...I am definitely happy with my B+!!!

Santa snackers...yum!

I wanted to get up early this morning to go running, but I was having this really neat dream about making a good grade on the paper I just wrote, so I decided that I must stay in bed to see what happens. Plus we had Santa Snackers Lunch today at work and I wanted to be sure I had plenty of time to get ready and not look too gross!

I went to the rec center when I got off work to use the track to calibrate my new Nike+ thingy. I usually despise running around a track (especially this one because it's only 200 meters around) because I have such a hard time keeping count of the laps that I complete--so if I want to run 3 miles I have to run....hmmm let's see there are 8 laps to a mile times 3 that equals 24 laps!!!! I can't count that high while I am running; I have too much other stuff on my mind. I try to break it down to sets of eight but I just get confused :(

Anyway, I did a half mile to calibrate the new toy and then did 2 more miles. Here are my stats...

Distance: 2.02 miles
Time: 17:28
Pace: 8:38 min/mi
Calories: 210
Times I got confused about which lap I was on: zero--because the damn thing talks to me and tells me how far I've gone and how much I have left to do :D

I can also track my progress and set goals for myself on the Nike website. I have officially set a goal for myself:
---80 miles in the next 3 weeks
hmmm??? I think I can do more than that but because it is my first goal, I will start small. Also I don't like goals too much...it means I have to make a commitment and I don't particularly like commitments.

One more week :D

That means I have one more week to finish up my Christmas shopping which is unsettling because I don't think the crowds are going to thin out...oh well.

I went for an early morning swim for about an hour--I wanted to go running but my stomach was not being nice so I thought swimming would be better. But tomorrow morning I am definitely hitting the pavement or treadmill depending upon sunrise...no running in the dark for me thank you!

I've been downloading some new songs for my iPod. I wanted some songs that would be really good to run with...slow songs just don't cut it. I've already downloaded some Kasabian songs (really love these guys!) and Kill Hannah's "Lips Like Morphine" I am currently looking for some more running songs...if you have any suggestions please let me know!!

This is a picture from the morning on the 5 mile race...it was foggy and somewhat chilly at 6:30 in the morning. The race went around this lake and one more to the left. I had more pictures but they came out really dark...too bad :(

Bad day for a run!

All you people out there who go running after a night of partying are crazy!! Last night I went to a Christmas party at a friend's house, drank lots of Natty Light, and got home sometime around 2 or 3 in the morning. Because I just got my new toy, I was determined to wake up early and go running to try it out. Well, it was humanly impossible for me to get out of bed any earlier than 9:00 and couldn't even get myself out the door until 10:30.

The whole run sucked ass! My calves were sore from yesterday race, my stomach was cramping up (i guess because I was so dehydrated from the beer), my nose was running all over my face...I'm sure I was not the most attractive person running this morning! However, I was determined to complete my run no matter what (I only felt this way because I was so eager to log some miles on my new nike+ thingy). I had to take a short walking break in the middle because I could have sworn I felt a shin splint coming on...I am a baby I know! I was walking so slow two really old people passed me up so I decided to pick up my pace and just do an easy jog. Well of course my easy jog was probably about the same pace as the afore mentioned old ones and I was still suffering! Nonetheless this is what my iPod told me at the end of my run (and it literally told me through my headphones...neat!)

Distance: 5.99 (i mean really?)
Time: 54:55 (i don't think the distance is accurate)
Pace: 9:09 min/mi
Calories: 624 (how many beers is that? Not enough)

I don't think this information is right...I walked (slowly) for a good 5 minutes. There is no way I could have run 6 miles in that time. I think I have to calibrate it to make it more accurate. We'll see!

Race Day!!

I ran my 5 mile race today, and I couldn't be more pleased with my time--somewhere around 45 mins. This may be slow to some of you guys, but for me it's great (considering a usually run a 10 min mile on a good day). Yay!

When I first got there (6:45 am), I was so nervous because all the other runners looked like "serious" runners. They were all wearing official running gear and doing special warm up drills. I just stood there and watched in my not-so-fancy shorts and t-shirt. I usually don't stretch until after a run, but this morning I felt out of the loop so I did some generic non-effective stretches.

The race was both a 5 mile and a 10 mile race and the organization putting it on was offering a big 1st place reward for both races--I didn't care about the money, I just wanted to finish the darn thing in what I think is a decent time (which I did...yay again!).

During the run I was getting excited because I was passing all these people who I thought looked like pretty speedy runners. But then I got worried because I thought I wasn't pacing myself...so you can imagine the thoughts and emotions I was experiencing! During the last mile and a half I started having sharp pains in my chest when I was inhaling, but I was determined to not slow down or stop. I am not sure what this was...anyone ever experience this sensation? Anyway I ran through it and made a strong finish :D! I have some pictures but I am waiting for them to be emailed to me...as soon as I get them I will post the pictures and my official time!

After the race I bought new running shoes--along with the Nike+ Sports Kit. It's a chip that goes in my shoe and it transfers data wirelessly to my iPod. Anyone ever use this or having any comments? I am pretty excited about being able to track my running progress!

another break day?

yeah yeah i know i am a lazy bastard, but my dad took me to lunch right before i went running...so of course i decided that today i would rest some more :D However, all was not lost because I took my dog for a brisk walk on the trail that I mentioned earlier. The photos below are from my walk today. Roux and I had great fun...although I had to keep her on a leash most of the way because there is a highway near the trail.

The beginning of the trail

A little further in...

The first pond on the right

One of two sandbars

Path into the trees

The hill going down to the river

Roux playing in the river

I found this when I got back to the trail head...whoops!

Yesterday...break day

Well really I didn't need a break I just had company over when I got off work, so I didn't have time to run. I was really bummed out afterwards and thought about running in the dark, but I decided that it would be safer to just stay in. I figured that I would put in extra miles today.

So today I am going to my parents' house to drop off some Christmas gifts. I will do my run over there. I like running over there much more than here in Baton Rouge because it's a small town and there isn't as much traffic. Plus there is this really cool trail that leads to the river that I like to run on. However, i don't know if I'll get to run on it because we've had some rain, and the trail gets really muddy and nasty after a rain. I'll have to find a camera to take with me so I can take a few photo to show you guys what it is like.

Also the weather has been pretty nice down here. The high has been in the 70s all week--which is another reason why I was bummed yesterday afternoon. Next week it is supposed to get dog cold...I hate running in the cold :(

Quick dip in the pool

Went for a 45 minute swim this a.m. I just started swimming on a regular basis recently and I can feel myself getting stronger in the water. I think swimming is a great way to let my running muscles rest while I still work the rest of my body...and it gets my heart rate up!

After my swim I sat in the sauna for about 5 minutes to dry off. I was thinking how great it would be if Louisiana was the type of place that had hot and dry summers instead of hot and humid. Oh well I guess I'll have to move after i graduate...any suggestions?

I'm really looking forward to my five mile race saturday! I just hope it's not going to be one of those bad runs where the first mile feels like five. Oh well wish me luck :D!!!

Beatin' the sun

I got kind of a late start this evening. Got off of work and went straight to the lakes, but got caught on the phone. Note to self: Don't pick up phone before run!
Another note to self: Don't forget your watch...idiot!

I was a little sketched out towards the end of the run. I don't mind running at night (in fact I love it when I am back home) but running in a city notorious for serial killers and the D.C. sniper...ummm yeah I think you get the point. Nevertheless, it made me pick up my pace quite a bit.

I wanted to run around both lakes but cut it short because of the no light issue. Right around the middle I started having stomach cramps...to get rid of them I tightened my stomach muscles and leaned onto that side (I read in a magazine that this is supposed to help)...they went away so I guess it worked. I probably looked bonkers doing it though.

Stats:
Miles: 4.o miles
Time: 37 minutes
Avg. Pace: 9:25/mile
Music: Bush
Third Eye Blind
Janis Joplin
Thoughts: Why the hell are all these street lamps off?
Serial Killers: 0...whew! :D

Sean Payton is my hero!

I went for a quick 30 minute swim this morning. Wanted to chill out (or should I say bake) in the sauna but it was O of O. My calves are really sore, but I don't mind. I like the soreness; it lets me know that my muscles are getting stronger. I don't think I will run this afternoon because I want to give my calves plenty of time to heal. I am running in the Goldenfliers 5 miler this Saturday so I definitely want to be recovered for that run--it will be my first run over 5K.



Oh yeah I am totally pumped from the Saints' win last night! Even if they lose in the first round of the playoffs, I will still be extremely proud of them! I can't believe they have come so far with such a young team.

GEAUX SAINTS!

I'm done with my paper...YAY :D

Ok so I kind of felt like this before I started my paper (which feels like a year ago), but I definitely did not use a paper writing service...haha! Now I can go on my date...any takers?!

Go Saints!!!!

Got home sort of late so no swimming for me! However, I had a great time with the folks. We went Christmas shopping, saw a movie (Deja Vu-it's good I recommend it), and had dinner at a road house :D Poppy and Opie are the two best things in my life...I LOVE THOSE TWO!

Going to watch the Saints now and pray they don't embarrass themselves...aaahhh we'll see.

What season is it?

Went for a quick 2 miler today. It was hot as heck outside and it is almost mid-December. Well, I guess that is what you get for living in Louisiana. The Rents are coming over this afternoon, so I decided to do a quick run instead of the swim I had planned for today. I love my parents to death, and it always makes me happy when they visit :D

I think I may still try to swim this evening--that is if I have time to. The Rec Center is only open for a little while so I have to find time to squeeze my swim in.

Stats:
Miles: 2
Time: 17:51
Avg Time: 8:8 min/mi
Songs: You Oughta Know-Alanis Morissette
Bush
I Can't Fight This Feeling - The Eagles
Thoughts: What my name would be if I could change it; Dream about old school friend making me miss my flight to D.C.

Midnight cuteness

Came across this little dude while avoiding my paper...I miss my puppy Roux!!!

The sweet smell of fumes

Got kind of a late start this morning, but I got out nonetheless. I ran to the levee and back which is probably not the best run in the red stick. I sucked truck fumes and mcdonald's grease the whole way there and back...hmmm :/

It was a little nippy when I first got started but half way to my destination my arms started sweating underneath my yellow sweater. I didn't feel like dealing with the hassel of stripping down so I just left it on and suffered.

So I ran for about 42 minutes which roughly equals 4.0-4.5 miles (yeah I am a slow runner) but I ran a nice easy pace so I really enjoyed it. My calves are a little sore from yesterday, but I'll probably recover soon. I may do some Xtraining tomorrow to help with that.

Anywho, I am off to work on my paper (hopefully I can get it done tonight). If anyone has any suggestion as to how to keep my dang nose from running all over the place please let me know! :D

Some random picture that I drew today at work...i hate that class. I guess this is my payback. Oh well!

Last Day of Class

So today was the official last day of class--although I really only had one class to go to. I took my performance final today in jogging. We ran a timed mile...and I beat my original time by almost a minute! :D But I am sad because there will be no more jogging class (miss my mallory and anna) and I will actually have to take the initiative to run on my own :(

Well, hopefully I won't be too lazy over my break--right now I am going to take a short running break (at least until finals are done) hehe.

See ya around the lakes guys!

Take my hand...I am Beowoulf

This semester is slowly coming to an end, and I have a policy that I never do anything during finals week unless it is school related (this would mean that I don't run). However, since I am taking a jogging class I will be able to do some running.

My performance final is tomorrow, and basically all I have to do is run a timed mile. Now I hate running for time--I am more of an endurance runner--but sometimes you have to do what you don't like. I have to run the mile faster than what I ran it at the beginning of the semester (8:33). I know, I know this is slow geez get off my back, but again I'm not one for the clock.

So yesterday I took the written part of the final (can we say easy cheesy lemon squeezy?). It was about different types of running injuries and the food pyramid. Well, I've never really had any running related injury--except for that runner's knee thing I had a while back--and I usually try not to eat anything at all if possible so I had to do some studying. But luckily the test was a breeze!

Well fellow runners wish me luck on my timed mile!!!

And thus the cold came...

Woke up this morning and thought I would freeze my bajookas off! Even though my apartment is about the size of a large closet, it doesn't seem able to stay very warm. Louisiana is notorious for sporadic and indeterminable weather patterns, but today doesn't feel like a deep south kind of day...brrrr!
I had high hopes for my jogging today, but this cold weather makes me want to sleep and eat. I was going to try to run after work (I even put warm jogging clothes in my car and every thing) but of course I forgot to throw in a sweater so it looks like no running for me today...unless I go back to my apartment, get a sweater and then fight traffic on campus. NOPE! Well, maybe I'll have a burning desire to run when I get home--haha!