Running to Inspiration

Today was not a great day to be outside running. I am not complaining about the snow. I can run in the white snow even when it is blowing in my face.

I am talking about the frigid temps. The temps this morning for our weekly temps had the wind chills near zero. We have spoiled this winter with the awesome temps. I can not complain about it. In fact, I have been enjoying it. Unfortunately, the result is that my body does not acclimate very well when the colder temps come back overnight without the usual SLLLLLLOOOOOWWW adjustment. It is literate shock to my system. Plus add having cold weather-induced asthma and recovering from starting my week with the 24-hour flu from HELL, it is not pretty. PERIOD!

Thus in short, I chose to run on the treadmill over running outside. I honestly don't mind it. In fact, I had a good reason to run inside - the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon. So I did my 8 miles on the treadmill while watching the men and women compete for the six spots on the Olympic team.

The experience was completely inspiring. During the first 6 miles of my run, I was completely inspired and pleasantly distracted by Meb, Kara, Deena, Ryan, and the others. It helped me to continue on during my run and do well. I watched their cadence as they ran and as I ran on the treadmill. It was exciting to watch them cross the finish line. It was heartbreaking to see those who missed their opportunity to get on the team.

Now I have 8 miles done and written on the wall. I am looking forward to getting back outside to do it again next week.

A Cold, Rainy, Windy 6 miler...

...but I still managed to get it to done easily.

Mile 1 9:33
Mile 2 9:30
Mile 3 9:26
Mile 4 9:25
Mile 5 9:13
Mile 6 9:08

How's those apples?

Day 4 of Josh and I freezing

...inside of our very cold apartment. There is escape from the cold inside or outside. Brr! I just want my heat back on....NOW!

It's TOO damn cold out!!

In fact, it did not reach ABOVE zero today. NADA!! It was really damn cold. All I could think about while I was in the car was thought of somewhere warm....like the tropics or Hawaii. Ahhhhhh. (Daydreaming over...reality BITES!)

Well, this morning I decided to get up early and drive over the TNT Kick-off party to support the new and returning TNT people getting ready for the Spring/Summer season events. While I was there, I saw Mike, who's the new assistant coach for the Triathon team getting ready for the Lifetime Fitness Tri in July, and said "Hello!" I think I might shocked when I called him by his blogger nickname, but it was good thing I wore my Firefly sweatshirt today under my TNT stuff. I also saw old running coaches, a few former teammate and fellow alumni, and a few more people that I knew there. It was very fun and inspirating to attend another Kick-off event. It has only been 3 weeks since the half-marathon. I had to hold back my tears when I watched the father of one of the honorees speak. She's only 4 years old now so it really hit me hard because she's my youngest daughter's age. After all of the speeches, I left because I only came for support and not signed up for an event. I headed to the grocery store to stock up on food. I really HATE shopping during the day especially on a Saturday. I prefer the night after 11:00 PM at the grocery store. SO quiet and you can actually walk through the aisle without ramming into people.

After I headed home, I sat out at home for about an hour or so before getting ready for work..and staying warm. This is one of those days where I am SO happy to be working at a fixed desk in the Minneapolis campus vs. in the St. Paul and running around building to building in the cold. Ahhhhhhh! How relaxing! But I have piled the list of people who I really feel sorry for in this AWFUL cold weather.

1. Mailman (especially the ones that walk through routes in the cities)
2. Firemen (I have vivid memories of my dad coming home after fire calls in this type of cold. Brrrrr!)
3. Police Officers (If you get caught speeding or under the influence today in this cold and they have to get out of their warm car, YOU WILL GET A TICKET! It's an unwritten LEO rule. Do not pass go and THEY will collect $200. Trust me! Sorry!)
4. Utility workers
5. Security Officers (especially if they have go hourly exterior patrols. Brrrrrr!)
6. Doormen at fancy hotel or nice condos (Please tip him for braving the weather!)
7. Highway Helper People (They are really doing a service to help you out when you are stranded.)
8. Tow Truck Guys (Having to jumpstart all of those cars in this cold. I do not envy them one bit!)
9. EMS driver and Paramedics (They have to drive this, go in and out of buildings to help people...that's enough!)

On a happy note, I am SO thrilled that my Colorado Buffs WON today against a high ranked team, Oklahoma State, by 12 POINTS. We were up by 33 at the half, but cut the lead a little bit. It was a nailbiter at the end, but WE WON! There is hope in the world. I hope this lasts! Air Force Falcons also SLAMMED Wyoming today by 45 points. It's a good sports day in Colorado. But PLEASE do NOT ask about the Avs...trust me! **sigh**

Tommorow's the BIG GAME. Still do not know what I am doing yet. Will wait and see.

Another cross-training day...

....and then two rest days after that. It's mostly due to the upcoming messy weather we are getting and to rest my right quad due to a HUGE knot causing me lots of discomfort. The stretching is not helping at all. Lots of ice and heat. I might walk carefully to the clubhouse at my apartment complex and sit my legs in the hot tub for a little bit tommorow - nothing else. I just hope the roads are not too bad the next two days. I still have to drive in the crap (the white stuff). But, it looks like I will not be alone in this - Chicago, St. Louis, and everyone else in the upper midwest will be hit. I am just thankful that I am not in Denver today. The difficulties and struggles of today are but the price we must pay for the accomplishments and victories of tomorrow. - William J.H. Boetcker Today's work-out 40 minutes - Eliptical machine 3.99 miles 459 calories burned 10:01/mile - I HATE slowing down....ugh!

Another awesome cross-training day!

It's TOO damn cold outside to run or do anything. Cross-training works for me! Today's Work-out 40 minutes - Eliptical machine 4.18 miles 477 calories burned 9:34/mile - I am a SPEED demon...or just a fast Firefly! :D

It's too cold here...

...and I want someone to turn the heat back on...NOW! It is not fun running in this weather. Besides, the Metrodome for some indoor running. There's no escape from it. Well, thank goodness for some cross-training...indoors. Today's work-out 45 minutes - Elipitical machine 529 calories burned 4.61 miles 9:45/mile