February Challenge is DONE! Every day this month, I laced up those nifty Nike+ shoes, put NanoMark on alert, and ran. At least 2 miles, every day, but usually I did a little more. Most days I did a minimum of 30 minutes, but there were some longer runs, a half-mary, a few 4, 5 and 6 milers in there. Most were done on the treadmill (Miz T and others), and some were done outside. I swam some days and some days the 2 miles were pretty much all I had.
This came at a perfect time for me. I gave notice to my old job on February 1, and on the last day of this month, I am in a hotel room in the midst of my onboard training for my new job. The constant between the two for me was the running. It's kept me sane and kept me grounded at a very tumultuous time. And I love it for that.
And as much as I'd like to sleep in for the first day of March...I think I'll hit the gym and maybe go for a spin on the exercycle... :)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
because what's a day with no maternal guilt?
So, just to refresh... Elder Child has had a streak of sorts going, where he hasn't missed a day of school because of sickness since, oh, I don't know, kindergarten. So, of course, on the first day of my new traveling schedule, on the same day that Hub is in a totally different timezone, we have a sick child. Gah. He was listless and scratchy-throated yesterday, and today woke up with a headache, sore throat, and general blickyness. So he stayed home and Grandma took him to the doctor. I was worried about strep or the flu, but we're assured it's just a respiratory virus and that he's OK to go back tomorrow. Sure, he's OK. But I'M A MESS!!! Nothing like stress-testing the safety net/support system on the first go-round!
In other news, I now have a new laptop (ooh, pretty, shiny, CLEAN laptop), and a whole slew of new user ids/passwords to remember. I'm all official-like with a new ID badge (have to sign in and out of everywhere in the building, including to get to the cafeteria and the elevators) and I've ordered business cards. Somehow, hitting submit on the order form for the business cards is what made me think, "I'm really doing this."
The flight out last night was fine, even though there were a bunch of folks on my shuttle to the airport that had been trying to get from one end of the country to another unsuccessfully and were having to spend the night in the hotel instead of in their own beds. I tried not to see it as an omen of things to come. *MY* flight was on time and smooth sailing. Except that the security screeners stole my toothpaste. OK, not really, but apparently, I got an extra .6 oz in the tube that made it too big to qualify for carry-on. Bah. And it was a nifty new flavor I'd been wanting to try, too. Instead, I had to buy a tiny little tube of generic Colgate from the hotel shop for a mere $2. But all the rest of my "extra" set of toiletries were nice and new, so I don't have to always unpack things like deodorant, toothbrush, hair gel, etc. Put me back a good $30 at the CVS yesterday stocking up on all that at once, but well worth it since I will be using it quite a bit moving forward.
That is all for now. I have to try to log into the company system via VPN and see if I can get some of my other paperwork done online. Everything is done online at this place -- even the bathrooms had a sign on the door that said if anything needed to be brought to their attention facilities-wise, we should log into a specific site. That kind of cracked me up.
Oh, and I'm 27 for 27 with the run thing. Don't tell Miz T, but the treadmills here are NICE, with the little TV screen embedded in the display. I did part of a Grace Lazenby iTrain audio track, but bailed when she had us pump the incline to 10% rise. Maybe next time. In a bit when I'm done playing online I'll go downstairs and check out the pool.
In other news, I now have a new laptop (ooh, pretty, shiny, CLEAN laptop), and a whole slew of new user ids/passwords to remember. I'm all official-like with a new ID badge (have to sign in and out of everywhere in the building, including to get to the cafeteria and the elevators) and I've ordered business cards. Somehow, hitting submit on the order form for the business cards is what made me think, "I'm really doing this."
The flight out last night was fine, even though there were a bunch of folks on my shuttle to the airport that had been trying to get from one end of the country to another unsuccessfully and were having to spend the night in the hotel instead of in their own beds. I tried not to see it as an omen of things to come. *MY* flight was on time and smooth sailing. Except that the security screeners stole my toothpaste. OK, not really, but apparently, I got an extra .6 oz in the tube that made it too big to qualify for carry-on. Bah. And it was a nifty new flavor I'd been wanting to try, too. Instead, I had to buy a tiny little tube of generic Colgate from the hotel shop for a mere $2. But all the rest of my "extra" set of toiletries were nice and new, so I don't have to always unpack things like deodorant, toothbrush, hair gel, etc. Put me back a good $30 at the CVS yesterday stocking up on all that at once, but well worth it since I will be using it quite a bit moving forward.
That is all for now. I have to try to log into the company system via VPN and see if I can get some of my other paperwork done online. Everything is done online at this place -- even the bathrooms had a sign on the door that said if anything needed to be brought to their attention facilities-wise, we should log into a specific site. That kind of cracked me up.
Oh, and I'm 27 for 27 with the run thing. Don't tell Miz T, but the treadmills here are NICE, with the little TV screen embedded in the display. I did part of a Grace Lazenby iTrain audio track, but bailed when she had us pump the incline to 10% rise. Maybe next time. In a bit when I'm done playing online I'll go downstairs and check out the pool.
Monday, February 26, 2007
today is the first day...
of the rest of my life... isn't that how it goes.
Lessee -- got the boys sent off to school, met the Elder Child for lunch (actually, he just wanted me to join him at the book fair to buy a monster/mythical creatures book for him), and delivered clothes and lunch supplies to Grandma's house for both of them for tomorrow and Wednesday. Oh, did I leave out that on the day of my very first trip that Hub had to go out of town too?? Yep, because turning my life upside down wasn't enough -- we had to start this adventure with a bang and make it as complicated as possible! But, like I said, the support system is in place, and it's being tested for sure on its maiden voyage. Hub gets back into town tomorrow night, but it will be way past when the boys should be in bed, so we're just having them stay over that night too.
I set up the webcam on this side, and set the boy up w/an email and Yahoo ID so we can see each other. I set all the security/privacy options as high as possible, so that I'm the only one they can see. I'm excited to get my PC and hook up my end of it, but that will have to wait until tomorrow night.
I still need to pack, but I did stop and get all my toiletries and such in the acceptable sizes, along with my see-through zippy bags so security can paw through everything. It's supposed to be cold in VA, so I'm having to decide what to wear that looks professional and yet keeps me warm. Not much to choose from, unfortunately. And while I get a lump sum payment from my old job for all my accrued unused vacation time that I was going to partly use for a new wardrobe, that won't arrive until the end of March (!!!), so no chance to get anything yet. What I have in the closet will have to do for now.
Oh, and before I go... I'm now 26 for 26 with the running. I did a quick 2 miles last night around the block, and then today I hopped on the TM for another 2 miles while I watched the wenches on the View talk about the Oscars and give Angela Lansbury a complex. Fascinating, that show. Anyhoo, I should go find the other suitcase now and attempt to pack -- I've got to head to the airport in another couple of hours. toodles.
***NOTE**** Still FREAKING out about the tri entry, BTW. Eeeep!
Lessee -- got the boys sent off to school, met the Elder Child for lunch (actually, he just wanted me to join him at the book fair to buy a monster/mythical creatures book for him), and delivered clothes and lunch supplies to Grandma's house for both of them for tomorrow and Wednesday. Oh, did I leave out that on the day of my very first trip that Hub had to go out of town too?? Yep, because turning my life upside down wasn't enough -- we had to start this adventure with a bang and make it as complicated as possible! But, like I said, the support system is in place, and it's being tested for sure on its maiden voyage. Hub gets back into town tomorrow night, but it will be way past when the boys should be in bed, so we're just having them stay over that night too.
I set up the webcam on this side, and set the boy up w/an email and Yahoo ID so we can see each other. I set all the security/privacy options as high as possible, so that I'm the only one they can see. I'm excited to get my PC and hook up my end of it, but that will have to wait until tomorrow night.
I still need to pack, but I did stop and get all my toiletries and such in the acceptable sizes, along with my see-through zippy bags so security can paw through everything. It's supposed to be cold in VA, so I'm having to decide what to wear that looks professional and yet keeps me warm. Not much to choose from, unfortunately. And while I get a lump sum payment from my old job for all my accrued unused vacation time that I was going to partly use for a new wardrobe, that won't arrive until the end of March (!!!), so no chance to get anything yet. What I have in the closet will have to do for now.
Oh, and before I go... I'm now 26 for 26 with the running. I did a quick 2 miles last night around the block, and then today I hopped on the TM for another 2 miles while I watched the wenches on the View talk about the Oscars and give Angela Lansbury a complex. Fascinating, that show. Anyhoo, I should go find the other suitcase now and attempt to pack -- I've got to head to the airport in another couple of hours. toodles.
***NOTE**** Still FREAKING out about the tri entry, BTW. Eeeep!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Ho-LEE Crap!
This email is to confirm that your registration has been received and processed. A charge from ONLINE REGISTRATION for this transaction will appear on your monthly statement. Please contact us at info@timberlinetiming.com with any questions.
Um, yeah, I have one question --- WHAT THE HELL HAVE I DONE???
Self-linkage
Because I don't want to lose the recipe for jambalaya I made for last night's dinner club. That is all.
Oh, and I think I'm allergic to laundry. Really. Honest. Or housework in general!
No running yet, but I plan to hit the streets later this afternoon for a little 2-miler to recover from yesterday. I had a bit of tightness above the right knee last night but woke up the morning right as rain and rarin' to go again.
Oh, and I think I'm allergic to laundry. Really. Honest. Or housework in general!
No running yet, but I plan to hit the streets later this afternoon for a little 2-miler to recover from yesterday. I had a bit of tightness above the right knee last night but woke up the morning right as rain and rarin' to go again.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Random Notes
it's amazing how much fun you can have once you decide that you aren't going to PR, so you may as well settle back, enjoy the day, and just savor the adventure. There were a lot of hills on the course today, mixed with some wicked winds (but not as bad as forecast, thankfully), and a nice mix of sun and overcast. Temps were about mid-60s, and I was fore-sighted enough to ditch the long-sleeved tech shirt at the car so I didn't have to jack with it the whole morning. A short-sleeved tee and my brand new crop tights I picked up at the (lame) expo yesterday were perfect (BTW, LOVE the new crop tights -- they make me look just like the girl in the catalogue -NOT).
Anyhoo, except for the wind, and the hills, and the freakin' brick roadway at miles 9-10, it was a
lovely course and a lovely day for a half. I knew by about mile 6 (10:40/mile or so) that this was not a PR day -- my half-PR being set on this exact course three years ago, when I clocked a vicious 2:09 and change -- so I adjusted the attitude and just had fun. I chatted with folks (just to be sure none were like Nytro, I made sure they didn't mind being chatted up before proceeding), thanked the officers and race volunteers profusely, and made sure to high-five all the little kids cheering on the side of the course. I stopped entirely for about two minutes at the half/marathon split, cheering on the full course runners as they turned toward another part of Fort Worth and we headed back to downtown. The course marshall was concerned because i was just standing there waiting for the next marathoner, and he wanted to be sure I knew which way to go. I told him I knew where I wasn't going, and that was toward the full course!
The last two miles were dreadful, mostly because by then we'd spent a few miles pounding downhill on bricks, and then were hit with a few more gradual uphills. There was one point turning toward the finish where the wind was in this vortex created by the buildings downtown, and you could hardly make forward progress. It was pretty laughable, and had I been on track for any kind of record, would have made me very angry, but since I was just out there for the mileage and the bling, I just pretended to be a mime anyhoo. I crossed in 2:22 and change gun time, but I know I was about two minutes behind when I hit the timing mats at the start. They should have chip time posted online sometime today.
All in all, it was a fun run, if not a bit challenging, and oh, yeah, I got the bling, with a great ol' big Longhorn on the front. Rock me!
Anyhoo, except for the wind, and the hills, and the freakin' brick roadway at miles 9-10, it was a
lovely course and a lovely day for a half. I knew by about mile 6 (10:40/mile or so) that this was not a PR day -- my half-PR being set on this exact course three years ago, when I clocked a vicious 2:09 and change -- so I adjusted the attitude and just had fun. I chatted with folks (just to be sure none were like Nytro, I made sure they didn't mind being chatted up before proceeding), thanked the officers and race volunteers profusely, and made sure to high-five all the little kids cheering on the side of the course. I stopped entirely for about two minutes at the half/marathon split, cheering on the full course runners as they turned toward another part of Fort Worth and we headed back to downtown. The course marshall was concerned because i was just standing there waiting for the next marathoner, and he wanted to be sure I knew which way to go. I told him I knew where I wasn't going, and that was toward the full course!
The last two miles were dreadful, mostly because by then we'd spent a few miles pounding downhill on bricks, and then were hit with a few more gradual uphills. There was one point turning toward the finish where the wind was in this vortex created by the buildings downtown, and you could hardly make forward progress. It was pretty laughable, and had I been on track for any kind of record, would have made me very angry, but since I was just out there for the mileage and the bling, I just pretended to be a mime anyhoo. I crossed in 2:22 and change gun time, but I know I was about two minutes behind when I hit the timing mats at the start. They should have chip time posted online sometime today.
All in all, it was a fun run, if not a bit challenging, and oh, yeah, I got the bling, with a great ol' big Longhorn on the front. Rock me!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Big Sigh
of relief. I am done with the old job. It wasn't as hard to walk out this afternoon as I thought. I left on very good terms and I'm certain that I'll keep the relationship with my friends from that part of my life moving forward. Even though the last 18 months or so there haven't been what I would have hoped for, doesn't everything we go through shape us and meld us into what we are? Whether we know it at the time, even if we recognize it and choose to overlook it, all the experiences in our lives help build us into our current state of mind and state of being. And for that, we have to be grateful.
And I am. Especially for never having to drive into the morning AND afternoon sun on my daily commute!
ORN -- 2.5 easy, slow miles on the TM. It's misty and blicky outside, and there are supposed to be some wicked storms moving through the area overnight. I hope they clear up before race time. Gun goes off at 7:30, and if all goes well, I'll be crossing the half-marathon finish line and collecting me some new bling by 9:45. Cheers!
And I am. Especially for never having to drive into the morning AND afternoon sun on my daily commute!
ORN -- 2.5 easy, slow miles on the TM. It's misty and blicky outside, and there are supposed to be some wicked storms moving through the area overnight. I hope they clear up before race time. Gun goes off at 7:30, and if all goes well, I'll be crossing the half-marathon finish line and collecting me some new bling by 9:45. Cheers!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
real quick!
- 21 for 21! Yippee!
- 3 miles on the TM this morning, still a little too cold outside in the AMs
- My work friends rock my world. They had a fab party for me and I got all kinds of go-away schwag, like a groovy new bag, a set of webcams, and a great album of way-back machine photos.
- I'll miss my friends at work probably more than I can know.
- I still see my really bestest work friends, even though only two of them still work with me (for another three days, at least!).
- Tomorrow I pack up my office. Sigh.
Monday, February 19, 2007
quick update
i don't know if it was the Claritin, or tucking in early (and bailing on the last 4 miles -- ahem), or what, but I woke up this morning fresh as a daisy and ready for my last week at the office. I'm bummed about not hitting my mileage goal for last week, but I think it's for the best.
I just got done with a quick 2 miles and change around the block... OUTSIDE! which means that I'm 19 for 19 with the Run Every Day in February challenge. Go me!
By this time next week, I'll be checking into my hotel in VA getting ready for my first day at my new job! You can let me know when it's officially acceptable to begin the freak out, OK? I'll just be over here. Um, yeah, thanks!
That's all for now. Got to get to bed now so I don't get a relapse of whatever yucky bug I had yesterday. Cheers!
I just got done with a quick 2 miles and change around the block... OUTSIDE! which means that I'm 19 for 19 with the Run Every Day in February challenge. Go me!
By this time next week, I'll be checking into my hotel in VA getting ready for my first day at my new job! You can let me know when it's officially acceptable to begin the freak out, OK? I'll just be over here. Um, yeah, thanks!
That's all for now. Got to get to bed now so I don't get a relapse of whatever yucky bug I had yesterday. Cheers!
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