I took 2nd.

I had originally planned on getting my 10 mile long run in Thursday morning, so I wouldn't have to do a long run while I went to MinneSNOWta to visit the boy.  The weather report looked treacherous for the weekend, so I said screw it, and thought it would give me something to do during the weekend other than wallow.  Well, what do you know, the weather report appeared to clear up Thursday night, leaving me to do 10 miles out of town.  To be honest, I tend to not do my long runs when I go visit him.  Running for an hour and a half just doesn't sound appealing in comparison to super sweet fun hang out time, right?  I sent him an email making him promise to force me to go running no matter WHAT.  And if I didn't, than I was grounding myself from visiting him until the marathon.  Yeah, that's right, I'm a stern disciplinarian!

Luckily (ok not luckily at all, let's be honest) he had to work for a chunk of Saturday.  After wrapping up the rest of Season 4 of HIMYM I decided it was time to run.  Weather report:  14*F.  Wind chill (aka feels like):  A witch's titty.  Haha, sorry, always wanted to use that expression.  Snow falling, wind gusts in the mid-teens.  Road report, mostly packed down snowy/slick/crap.  Awesome.  I put on as much clothes as I could without making it physically impossible to move and I set out to run the town.  Literally.  Twice.  Literally.  After one lap around the town (seriously) I knew I was going to be lucky if I made it two laps, which would equate to about 6 miles.  The snow was falling on my bare face (definitely need a sweet ninja mask asap) melting b/c I'm so HOT (ow ow!) then painfully freezing to me.  Um...ouch?  Also, I had barely eaten any food (b/c I don't learn my lesson, ever) and I forgot to bring a GU (Gah! No GU!  GRR!)

My mile times were surprisingly faster than I had thought they would be based on the slick terrain.  Last time I ran with my Yaktrax I had estimated that my pace was around 10 mm.  All my miles came in under 10 mm (which was my goal).  You can definitely tell which miles were mostly snow/ice, and which ones I ran on clear road.

I did 7 miles in 1:07:10 for a pace of 9:36.
1. 9:25
2. 9:25
3. 9:47
4. 9:43
5. 9:48
6. 9:18
7. 9:41

Saturday night there was talk of heading to the gym to play some basketball before the Superbowl started on Sunday.  I knew there was a treadmill somewhere in the school, so I had planned to run my remaining 3 miles (primarily just to make sure my weekly mileage was where it was supposed to be prior to starting MARATHON TRAINING!!!!).  There was also a wager placed.  First Nick suggested that we play a game of one on one.  Now just to give you some visual, I am 5'5.5".  If I'm LUCKY, Nick is 6'5" slouching.  Basketball is not necessarily an ideal match up.  Instead he bet me that he could run the length of the basketball court before I could make it to the free throw line.  (The guy is surprisingly fast and had one of the fastest 40 yard times on his football team back in the day.  He still likes to brag that he can beat almost anyone in a 40 yard footrace......*cough* show off *cough*....)  What's that?  I still brag about *my* glory days?  Well touche.

After my 3 miles in --I kid you not-- 95+* temps (is this a sauna or a weight room, holy hell?!?!?!) pace: slow to keep from death, it was race time.

Suddenly someone didn't seem nearly as confident.  I told him I didn't want to do his "wussy" race, I wanted to do a legit race to the endline.  And then I got scared trying to figure out what the odds were that I would pull a muscle or injure myself right before I start MARATHON TRAINING!!!!   I stretched out a bit more just to be on the safe side and decided it was ON!  It was over in a flash (twss) and I WON!  Ok, I didn't.  But he only beat me by about a stride (my stride not his).  I honestly cannot tell you the last time I ran that fast.  I miss sprinting oh so much. :(  So I didn't win, but I guess technically I was the Women's Overall Winner, plus I technically won my AG as well.  Where the heck is my trophy?!?!? :D

Also, just looked back on my blog, and I realized that I didn't post about my last super awesome speed workout from Thursday night.  So let's go back in time for a moment and review that (don't you wish I posted more than 1-2/week so we wouldn't have this long run on post?  me too.)

I did a mile warm up, followed by 1600m, 2 x 800 m, 4 x 400 m.  I ended up with 4 miles in 31:17 for a pace of 7:50.  After each interval I walked for ~.1.

Warmup	1 Mi	9:39	9:39	9:39
Interval	1 Mi	7:35	17:14	7:35
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:36	20:50	7:12
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:36	24:26	7:12
Interval	0.25 Mi	1:36	26:02	6:24
Interval	0.25 Mi	1:36	27:38	6:24
Interval	0.25 Mi	1:36	29:14	6:24
Interval	0.25 Mi	1:35	30:49	6:20

Yay speedy legs.  No wonder I almost won our footrace. :p   I told him I'm going to do some intense speedwork and that he'd better be ready for the re-match.

I'll leave you with some fun pictures from work on Friday.  It was Jersey Day in the office.  My office husband and I decided that we would wear our Favre jerseys so we'd be super cool (he's a big Jets fan).  Little did we know another chica in the office was wearing a Vikes Favre jersey.  I love seeing all the #4 love.


Tom & Jeri.  Yes.  I think they hired him just for the comic appeal of our names together.

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. ;)

Easy Run + Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day

This morning I had 6 easy miles to complete. After tossing and turning all night long, I was ready to get out of bed when Taylor's alarm went off at 4:45am. Of course than I dawdled, even though my goal was to complete the run before the sun came up. Grr. I was finally out the door. The temp said it was 53 degrees but 90% humidity, so I figured I would be a-ok in a tank and shorts. WRONG. Holy brrr....I was freezing!!!

Normally I stop at the one mile point of my easy runs to stretch out my muscles, they were so frozen that I didn't even bother until the 3 mile turn around point. Of course after stretching for a couple of minutes, what sweat I did have worked up had frozen even more. It was at the turn around point that I realized I could see my breath. Oy, I'm an idiot. Need to remember to start packing some shirts with SLEEVES for the (apparently) frigid mornings we will soon be embarking on. The one cool thing about starting off in the dark, was that I couldn't see my Garmin at all, so I truly ran by feel. And even more exciting is that my "easy" run by feel is pretty stinkin' close to my "easy" pace that I'm supposed to be doing. Umm...exactly on if you look at my time from today.

I did 6 miles in 57:57 for a pace of 9:40. Yup. The exact pace my training program says I'm supposed to be completing easy runs at. Craziness. My splits were not so even, but I blame that on the frozen state that my legs were in for the first 3 miles, and the frozen state my arms were in for the whole thing. Man oh man did I ever wish I had some of those sweet arm warmer sleeve things that some of you folks are sporting. Christmas present? Hint hint Tay. :) (pink or blue por favor) :D

1. 9:52
2. 9:58
3. 9:51:
4. 9:34
5. 9:28
6. 9:12



In other news, I'm pretty bummed that my boyfriend Brett is going to be sporting purple and gold this year. I could handle him as a Jet, not so much as a Vike. I am looking for a crew to come with me to the Monday Night game in Minnesota, so all is not lost.

And in OTHER crappy news, I won't be attending the Blink 182 concert in Minneapolis tonight. WAAAAAAH!!! If you were a follower from the beginning (which is none of you :p no one cared until I started writing about running) you'd know that I LOVE BLINK 182, and almost peed myself when they announced they were getting back together. For a few hours today, I actually thought I was going to make an impromptu trip, but that has been shot down now also. What a bummer of a day!!!

To make myself happy, I was going to challenge myself with a 5 miler this evening on top of my 6 miles from this morning. Plus it would rotate the schedule a bit leaving me with a rest day before my long 12 miler on Saturday morning. BUT NO. We have to go to dinner at an ungodly hour post-work, and will inevitably end up sitting around not eating for 2 hours, thus ruining my plans for a post-dinner run too. Anyone else want to jump on my pity party because it's about to take off full steam!!!

Ok, what I truly need is to go home and do some yoga. Today is Day 5.

Bitchfest 09 is now over. Please feel free to go about your day. :) But not before you go to X-Country2's page to check out her sweet giveaway.