Weekend Recap + January in Review

I'm giving myself the ol' school bribery tactic with the blog tonight.
Stern/Responsible Jeri: Jeri!  No more HIMYM until you post about this weekend!
Lazy in Love with Marshall Jeri:  But I don't wanna [insert pouty face here].  I'm so close to the end....
S/RJ:  Ugh, maybe I should just let you finish it so you can move. on.
LiLwMJ:  Ha!  Jokes on you, as soon as I finish it N agreed to re-watch it with me.  So THERE.  Neener neener.

Etc.

Obviously Stern/Responsible Jeri won.  Shocking, actually.

Ok so the weekend.  Friday is a rest day, as per usual, as once 5pm hits I don't want to do anything that requires anything other than me:
a) putting on sweats/laying on the couch
b) getting gussied up and playing googly-eyes with the boy.

Friday night was spent celebrating N's quarter of a century birthday (yes, I'm a cougar, NBD).  I've seen the guy a gazillion times since his birthday at the beginning of the month, but I refuse to do a birthday dinner with the very limited dining options in his area.  We feasted on a delectable piece of salmon and a bloody slab of dead cow (take a guess as to which was mine, will you?).  Blech.  After a birthday dessert as big as my face (nom nom), he said the magical words to me, "Wanna watch HIMYM?"  Gaaaaaaaaah.  Keeper, no?

I finally got to the marathon episode that my manager had said I was going to looooooove.  If you haven't seen it yet, please do.

Barney: Here's how you run a marathon. Step 1: You start running. There is no step 2. 

Ok, I'll pause while you watch it.  Done now?  Laughed a lot?  Great.  Moving on.

Saturday my BFFF Sheana came to town for a day of BFFF awesomeness.  We shopped, we ate, we talked boys, you know, the usual things girls do.  During this time, I may have gone to Target and possibly picked up Season 3 of HIMYM.  "My name is Jeri....and I'm an addict....."  As soon as she took off for home, I finished up the last 2 episodes of Season 2 and plopped in Season 3.

Sunday I was rustled out of bed by the gym's treadmill calling my name.  I scoured my apartment for fuel for the long run and came up pretty empty.  I had a piece of cinnamon/sugar toast on nasty bread and about one spoonful of peanut butter straight out of the jar (totally scraping every.last.morsel. off the sides).  After a couple of episodes it was finally off to the gym.

The gym was actually pretty busy for a Sunday afternoon so I kept somewhat entertained.  I had 10 miles to do, and was shooting for a 9 minute pace.  I took a GU (and felt like a total nerd doing so at the GYM on a TREADMILL, the shame....) at mile 4, along with a quick water break, and another water break at 7 miles.  I actually busted out my trusty Nike tank top, so I wasn't a total sweat monster as usual.  Score one Jeri!

I did 10 miles in 1:29:00 for a pace of 8:54.

1. 9:08 2. 9:13 3. 9:13 4. 8:57 5. 8:51 6. 8:59 7. 8:46 8. 8:49 9. 8:40 10. 8:21

I pretty much wanted to murder myself during mile 8, but other than that, it was a great run, and I felt strong throughout.

After a quick shower to wash off the 3 pounds of salt that had built up on my skin (sexy, I know) it was back to the couch and my boyfriend, HIMYM.  N stopped in on his was through town and found me laying on the couch looking all googly-eyed at the television.

N:  You've been laying here all day watching this haven't you?
J:  Nooooooo.  I took a one hour and 29 minute break to run 10 miles.  But yeah, other than that and a short shower, totally been doing this all day.

January in Review
Total Miles:  81.5 which is up from 73.2 from last month (compared to 36.5 in 2009).
Time spent: 11:25:01.  Kind of interesting...in November I ran 1 less mile than this month, but spend a full hour more running.  Just shows the amount of speedwork I've been doing this month.  WHOO!
Total Runs: 14 for an average of 5.82 miles/run.
Highest weekly mileage: 1/4-1/10/10 24 miles 3:29:30
Favorite run: The speedwork session that was 6x800 and 2x400 .
Most hardcore run: The speedwork session that was 1x1600, 2x800, & 4x400 at neck-breaking speeds .  Or close to it.
Favorite Race: None.  Sniffle.

**Season 3 may have been finished before bed Sunday night.  And Season 4 may have been purchased today......

Slacker + Speed

That pretty much sums me up to a T for the past week.  I feel like every post I've written lately has been "oh my, it's been a week since I've posted, blah blah blah!"  Well what do you know...it's been a week since I've posted.  Blah blah blah.

I wish I could say my absence was HIMYM-related, but sadly, I cannot.  I've only watched two episodes this week  But even better, it was Mr. Nimbus related.  Ha.  I really dig calling him that.

But to back up.  Last Thursday I had an intense speed work session on tap.  A mile warm up, 6x800 and 2x400, with a 1/2 mile cool down.  I had my time ranges for the speed work sticky noted to the treadmill and off I went.  Have I mentioned how much I like to run fast?  Oh... I have?  Sorry.  Just thought I'd throw it out there.  :)  The run was... Legen....wait for it!  ......dary. (In Barney's words).

I ended up with 5.15 miles in 39:04 for a pace of 7:36.  Bam!  After each 800 interval I walked for .15 miles (roughly 3 minutes) and .1 after the 400's.  Uff da.  I kicked my own @$$!

Warm up	1 Mi	9:38	9:38	9:38
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:29	13:07	6:58
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:33	16:40	7:06
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:33	20:13	7:06
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:32	23:45	7:04
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:32	27:17	7:04
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:33	30:50	7:06
Interval	0.25 Mi	1:33	32:23	6:12
Interval	0.4 Mi	2:13	34:36	5:33
Cool down	0.5 Mi	4:28	39:04	8:56

I had every intention of getting in a 10 mile long run over the weekend, as the weather was going to be bad, so I wasn't going to get to see the boy [insert pouty face here].  Superhero to the rescue decided he'd come get me and bring me back home with him since he drives a big bad truck that fears no ice/snow/wind storms.  He's hands down my favorite road trip partner and we jammed out/sang at the top of our lungs/drum soloed it up for the drive.  You gotta love when your face hurts from smiling so much.  Too mushy?  So sorry.  :)

Saturday morning I had plans to hit the school gym's treadmill for my run, but sleeping in then napping sounded so much better.  Maybe Sunday will work.  Naaaaaaaw.  Doesn't sound like much fun Sunday either.  SLACKER.

Sunday night was spent watching the much anticipated Vikings v. Saints NFC Championship game.  Now if you've been following along at ALL at home, I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE Packers fan.  Huge.  I'm also a very BIG Brett Favre fan.  Packers fan first, Favre fan second.  N is a HUGE HUGE HUGE Vikings fan (not cool). I think we've had text message wars during every vikes v. pack match up for the past 9 years or so.*  Anyway, I decided I could cheer for Brett during the game since my boys were out.  I didn't want the Vikings to win, mind you, but I wouldn't mind if Brett got another shot at a Superbowl.  The photo to the left is one of the images that was sent to me at work on Friday.  Yes.  He wore this to work.  Most of his co-workers were also sporting the purple and gold gear (he works in MN).  Ok, so you all know the result of the game, so I'll move on from there.  [I hate purple and gold SO much, but he kinda makes it look good.  A-hole.]

What's that?  You want to see how cute *I* look in *MY* Favre jersey?  Well I can't deny my readers THAT, can I?!?!?  Nope.  This photo was snapped at a Packers v. Lions game fall of 2006 moments after Brett ran about 5 feet away from me. You will never see me look happier.  Guaranteed.


Monday I was snowed in and unable to get back home, so guess who didn't run again?  Answer:  Me.  Tuesday same deal.  I think I need to get the boy running with me otherwise we're never going to be able to spend 5 consecutive days together. :p

Wednesday I was finally back to my homeland and was going to kick my fresh-as-a-daisy legs into gear.  I planned to do a 7 mile tempo run.  1 mile warm up and 6 miles at 8:28 pace.  The last 2 miles were a s-t-r-u-g-g-l-e, I don't think I had eaten enough, my legs felt fine keeping with the pace I just felt pooped.

I did the 7 miles in 59:46 for a pace of 8:33.  My tempo pace was 8:22.  Hmmm....maybe I should sign up for a 10k!  One of my resolutions is to try a new race distance......it's a possibility!  [And then I immediately remember how much I *hate* 6 mile runs, and I'm brought back to earth.]

1. 9:33 (warm up)
2. 8:22
3. 8:25
4. 8:27
5. 8:22
6. 8:22
7. 8:11 

Tonight I did a boring 4 easy miles.  My legs were tiiiiiiiiight.  They only seemed to loosen up the last mile when I bumped up the speed a smidge out of boredom.  I did the 4 miles in 38:16 for a pace of 9:34.
1. 9:34
2. 9:40
3. 9:40
4. 9:11 

OHMYGOD.  I forgot to mention.  The highlight of my weekend (only slightly kidding here) was the most amazing salmon I have *EVER* eaten in my life.  Holy wow.  I seriously have dreams about it.  And it was coupled with the most amazing and luxurious sweet potato with brown sugar dancing on top of it.  In the word of you foodies out there:  foodgasm.  Gah.

I'm really going to try not to be such a Sucky McSuckerson on updating my bloggy.  I will be doing some hardcore convincing that the boy gets wifi at his (hopefully) new home so I can be a little more connected when I'm out in La-La-Land. :D

Ok, now I'm going to go make out with some HIMYM episodes.  I've missssssed you loverface(s)!

*There was serious controversy at two of his work events once word got out that I was an (ahem) Packers fan.  "How does that even work?!?!!?" We just avoid each other on Sundays, and occasional Mondays.  No biggie. ;)

I'm in love.....

....with Marshall Eriksen.  For serious kids.  Swooooooon.
I've pretty much spent every waking hour that I haven't been at work watching the first season of How I Met Your Mother.  I want to break up him and Lily and have him all for myself.

So I guess that's my explanation for my lack of blogging.  I'm sure you understand my fictional love affair, and will forgive accordingly.  Luckily, I have been running (and then immediately running [ok driving] home from the gym to watch more HIMYM, oftentimes still in my sweaty gross gym clothes).  Yes, my name is Jeri.  And I have a problem.

Thursday morning I got up early to go him up the gym for my long run of 8 miles.  I knew I was heading out of town for the boy's work Christmas party, and didn't want to try to trudge through the snow mountains of Minn. for 8 miles.  Treadmill it is.  Suit Treadmill UP!

I did the 8 miles in 1:11:25 for a pace of 8:56.  If you guys were chastising me for not fueling on last week's long run, you will not be impressed with this week.  Since I woke up late, I actually went and ran on a completely empty stomach.  But, I did manage to stop and drink water a lot more sporadically, and that did the trick.  I also had a Luna bar sitting on the treadmill ledge in case I needed a bite.  It's just really hard for me to eat before a run because my stomach is so darn temperamental.

1. 9:09
2. 9:08
3. 9:05
4. 9:04
5. 8:50
6. 8:56
7. 8:42
8. 8:28

After trying to drag Mr. Nimbus (as Slomohusky has affectionately coined N) out on a run bright and early Saturday morning, I was pointed in the direction of the door, and kindly asked to be quiet when I came back so he could catch up on his beauty sleep (may or may not have been his exact words....)

I grabbed my new YAKTRAX, threw on some warm clothes, and grabbed my Garmin.  Except it froze.  I called home to have my mom do a google search to see how to reset it, but no success.  No garmin?  No watch?  No set running route in this town?  What the heck did I do before technology!?!?  I checked the time on the oven clock before I went out the door and decided to run the parameter of the town.

The yaktrax worked great.  Most of the roads were still pretty snowy, slightly melty, and icy.  I had a little bit of sliding, but no slipping, so a total success in my book.  Want to know what wasn't a success?  The effing wind.  Oh wind, how I have not missed your absence while spending the last month in the gym.  (Btw, this was my first run outside since my Dallas HM...uh ya, I'm a wuss!)  I made it back without getting lost, and was surprised that I had been out for about 35-40 minutes.  I had estimated at about 20-25.  Sweet judge of time, Jerbear.  I immediately hopped online to map out my route:  3.3 miles.  I stopped once to stretch about 5 minutes in to the run, and a couple of times to take off and put back on the yaktrax (there was a stretch that was completely clear, SCORE!).  I probably ran somewhere between 9:30-10 minute miles.

And I'll leave you with some of the weekend's fun times......

We didn't leave the house dressed alike but someone spilled a drink on his white sweater.  So there you have it.*

The newlyweds and I.  I like Joel because he smiles with ALL of his teeth like I do.

Kelli and I with our pretty coats.

*There may have been an additional matching moment evening when I showed up in a grey striped thermal shirt to rival his grey striped thermal shirt.  Neither would give in and change, so we were that couple for Friday night.  Fortunately, no cameras were around to document it's awesomeness.