It's Official

I just registered for the Eugene Marathon. I am committed to this now. No turning back. Also registered my little princess for the kids marathon. We'll start recording her mileage in Jan (I believe). I'm excited and am looking forward to a stronger performance this time around.

It seemed I was plagued with injuries last time... first Plantars Faciitis in my left heel which prevented me from training for about 3 weeks... then falling HARD during the Dirty Dozen trail run in early Sept. (my thigh still hurts from that fall when bumped just the right way and it occasionally itches - healing I presume).

This time around, I'm going to train not only harder, but hopefully smarter as well. I think I have decided to go with the FIRST training plan (with occasional modifications as necessary). A friend who I met a few months ago has been running with me on Thr and to my delight, she is a former professional! She registered for Eugene as well so we will be training together. :)

Stay tuned for further developments. :)

Swimming Miles & Running Miles

I've been reading Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger. A great resource of training advice. It includes training plans for 5K through the marathon at 3 different levels (25 miles per week / under 40 mpw / 60+ mpw). Each plan prescribes 3-4 runs per week and then allows flexibility (recovery runs or crosstraining) to reach the required distance for the week.

As I am prone to injury, I can't run everyday. It is also difficult for me to run everyday (especially this time of year) as I generally push the kiddos in the stroller (not an easy accomplishment in slush, packed snow & ice). I was intrigued that crosstraining could be 'counted' for running mileage (yes - I know it isn't the same due to body position, impact on joints, etc.) but the book didn't provide a conversion.

I checked with Coach Bob today and he said that you could multiply your swimming distance by 4 to get an equivalent running distance. So, in an average swim practice if I cover 1600 meters... that would be roughly 4 miles. Sweet!

~~~

I haven't really selected a training plan just yet. The 3 I am considering are:
* SMART Coach (the plan generated by the Runners World website)
* FIRST to the Finish
* Pfitz Marathon Schedule A or Schedule B (maybe a hybrid of the 2?)

Anyone have any thoughts regarding choosing a training plan? For my first marathon, I started out with "FIRST Marathon" but midway through, I switched to a hybrid of SMART and FIRST... doing whatever of the 2 intrigued me most, seemed most doable/enjoyable.

Mr & Mrs Kris Kringle

This is a complete scraplift of Gina Miller's Santa '06 layout. I wish I could create collage style layouts like this one. My layouts are always so simple... generally just 2-3 differents patterns of paper and one coordinated element. I really need to break out of my box.

Christmas Meme

No one ever tags me with these things.... I, admittedly, borrowed it from another.

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Egg Nog!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Mrs. Santa (that would be MOI!) wraps the presents and then asks Santa to deliver them to our front door. The kids run to the door when they hear the sleigh bells and Santa's knock.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope.

5. When do you put your decorations up? The week after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Lefse and a little lutefisk just for traditions sake.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Christmas Eve with my extended family at our home... Santa knocking on our door.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I remember one year questioning it, and from then on, I knew.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We typically celebrate Christmas with my family the weekend preceding Christmas. We play games and enjoy appetizers or finger foods (always featuring traditional Norwegian dishes - lutefish, smoked salmon, and lefse) throughout the day. In the evening, we exchange gifts. Santa will stop by and leave presents on the front porch.

Christmas Eve (or thereabouts), we drive to my husband's parents. My father-in-law prepares Prime Rib for dinner on Christmas Eve. Occasionally, Santa visits in full regalia. My hubby and I open gifts from Santa with the kids traditionally, on Christmas morning with his parents. We then spend the afternoon with my aunts, uncles, and cousins at my mother's sister's home.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? I put some old Christmas music on and put up the tree in the living room. We have an artificial tree and the kids help me by handing me the branches and we build it together. We then adorn it with white lights and all the ornaments we have collected over the years. When we are on vacation, I always buy an ornament to commemorate our trip. Others have been received as gifts from friends, colleagues, and white elephant exhanges. As the kids are getting older now, they are beginning to make ornaments as well. So, in the years to come, our ornament collection will continue to to grow.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it... although, this year, I'm hoping it doesn't interfere with marathon training (not the snow so much but the melting, packed ice that follows).

12. Can you ice skate? Tried it a few times as a child. Frequently fell on my butt but I can manage to get around the pond/rink.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? As a girl, I remember one year Santa brought me a Barbie Townhouse - it had an elevator and everything! Mom and Dad must have been in touch with Santa because that same year, they gave me tons of Barbie clothes and 2 new dolls. (DD will be receiving a Barbie Dreamhouse from Santa this year - I wish I had pictures of my townhouse to share with her.) As an adult, my hubby is an awesome Santa. I'm not really a jewelry sort of girl - I'm more practical - but he gave me a gold gecko pendant one year that I cherish. Last year, he gave me a Wacom and an iPod (he uses the iPod more than I, however).

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Spending special times with my family. Watching the spirit of Christmas live through my children warms my heart more than you'll know.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Grandma's apple pie.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Gathering at my in-laws on Christmas Eve.

17. What tops your tree? A circle of white star lights.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Definitely giving.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? This year it is "Here Comes Santa Claus" - it is fun to watch my daughters behavior change as soon as I start to sing it. :) I'm always humming "Jingle Bells" (all year!) but it isn't really a favorite. I like "Silent Night".

20. Candy canes? Yes!

21. Favorite Christmas movie? Sleepless in Seattle (I know, not really a Christmas movie)

22. What do you leave for Santa? Chocolate Chip Cookies, a glass of milk, and some apples for his reindeer.

A Knock on the Door

Favorite Holiday Memory from my Childhood ~ CHBM Carnival #12

The oldest of three children, I grew up in a small town on the coast. Our two-story home was located along the marsh and was heated by an Earthstove with a pipe chimney approximately 12 inches in diameter. I have many fond memories of growing up in that home, but the one that stands out the most is that of Christmas Eve. Like most American families, I looked forward to Santa’s arrival. However, I soon realized that our family celebration was a little different.

As each day passed, I would sit near the stove. I couldn’t fathom how Santa could manage to squeeze through such a small chimney, regardless of how many cookies I might leave to entice him. Early on, my parents assured me that Santa would still be able to visit us, despite his large belly.

To make the holiday special for my brothers and I, my parents invited my grandparents and several aunts and uncles over for dinner on Christmas Eve. We would enjoy a Christmas dinner of finger foods and hors-de-vors with a few Norwegian specialties, most memorably Smoked Salmon, Lutefisk and Lefse. After dinner, we would convene around the Christmas tree and my Uncle Les would play the role of Santa Claus as he passed out the gifts.

What made my family different, I discovered, was that the “real Santa” arrived at our house early on the eve of Christmas, always as we were immersed in the pleasures of opening gifts. In addition, he didn’t slip down the chimney, as described in the popular Night Before Christmas tale, but his sleigh and eight tiny reindeer would land in our front yard. Santa would then walk up to our front door and knock. My brothers and I would jump up as quickly as possible and run to the door, Santa’s sleigh bells jingling as my grandfather slid his chair out of the way. Each year, we were too late to catch more than brief glimpse; however, he always left our special gifts on the porch with a tag that read, “With much love, Santa”.

Many years have now passed since then. Our family has grown and my brothers and I now have children of our own. My husband and I live in a modest home with a gas furnance. As the Christmas season approaches, it is my hope that I will be able to continue this tradition with my children.

Entered in the March Write-Away Contest at Scribbit. 7th Mar 2007

Swimming with Coach Bob

I haven't run since last Tues but I have managed to get a few days of swimming in. On Mon, the focus was on endurance and I learned that I have room for improvement.

warmup (arrived early so I had lots of time):
600 m
400 m kicking w/ fins
drill:
600 m - it was supposed to be 700 m, but I got lapped by everyone in my lane (nearly twice, so I gave in when they were resting)
500 m
300 m
100 m
-----
2500 m

Today, the focus was medley.

warmup:
500 m
200 m kicking w/ fins
drill:
100 m IM
4x25 fly (I did breast stroke since I fail miserably when I attempt the butterfly)
100 m IM
4x50 back (I love this stroke)
100 m IM
4x75 breast (however, I think I did only 2 because Coach Bob had me get out and watch the others' form - he gave me a few pointers and I gave it a go - apparantly whatever I WAS doing was not right - but now I can't seem to get it together - I struggled and finally put some combination of arms, legs, glide together in the end... at least I was laughing through the whole thing)
4x100 free (I had time only for 1 before I had to go get the kiddos - the Kids Corner closes at 1:00)
-----
1550 meters

It is great to get individual attention from Bob. He is so knowledgeable and provides so much encouragement and suggestions for improvement. I enjoy the commaderie that is developing amongst myself and the other swimmers in my lane.

I have been giving some thought to potentially participating in some Masters Swim competitions. I don't have a clue how they work though. Are they organized by level of experience? I'm such a novice - I wouldn't want to embarrass myself.

I really need to add flexibility (Pilates) and strength training to my regime ... but I haven't yet. I am really been taking it easy. Not stressing too much about whether I miss a workout. This will change, though, come January. I'll need to refocus then and really concentrate on my training plan so that I can improve my marathon time. :)

The Race That Didn't Happen

I am so bummed ... angry ... frustrated! I signed up for the Jingle Bell 5K a few weeks ago and was really looking forward to today's race. It would have been my first official 5K in a long time and I was hoping for a PR ... could feel it in my bones that it would happen.

Needless to say, I didn't even arrive at the start line. My first (and hopefully last DNS).

DH asked me early this morning what the plan for the day was. I told him I needed to meet a friend at the start downtown at 11:30 to get my bib. DDs fun run w/ Santa was to start at 11:40. My race was to begin ten minutes later from the same point. The Christmas parade would start at noon... I would still be running when the race started but I planned to meet him & the kids in front of the Taj Palace (DDs favorite restaurant) when I finished... where they would be watching the parade.

He decided to meet a friend at 11:15. He informed me of this about 9:30 and I figured that would be fine... actually, it was probably a good idea to get downtown sooner as parking can be rather difficult.

About 15 minutes before 11:00... DH is sitting at the computer converting his CDs to MP3s. I sit down and wait. Figuring in my head that I shouldn't have to say anything. He is always so on top of time and usually is hurrying me along. Finally, at 11:00, I say, "We need to get going." He replies, "Okay. Let me finish this last CD (he later informed me he didn't do it... just stuck the CD in the drive and left)." I immediately got the kids and went to the garage to put on our shoes and load up the car. He joined us in the midst of this... put on his own shoes and warmed up the car.

I check the time as we get on the main road... it is already 11:15. We don't get downtown until 11:28 and parking is miserable. I finally say, "I'm going to have to jump out and meet my friend. She is running too and won't be able to stay at our 'meeting spot' with my stuff." We argue a little... he starts in about my poor planning. In an effort to avoid the conversation, I agree and admit all guilt. "Let's not argue... let's just find a spot to park." As we move farther away from downtown, I finally say, "I need to get out. Please meet me at the Palace when you get parked."

Now... I don't have my cell phone. I discovered before we left that my batteries were completely dead so I had to leave it on the kitchen counter charging.

I find my friend with no trouble... she helps me with my bib. I proceed to the Palace. DH isn't there. I wait a few moments. I decide to go in, borrow their phone, and give him a call. When he answers, he is yelling at me... telling me where he is (which by his description I can not decipher - he said he was by the courthouse and 3rd street but I know the courthouse isn't anywhere near 3rd... the courthouse is downtown!).

I ask that he not yell. He tells me he is yelling because he can't hear well. We've both had head colds all week and his ears are plugged. I know he probably can't hear. I try to stay calm. "Okay," I say, "I need you to meet me at the start (and I tell him the street names)." He replies, "I'll do my best."

I return to the start. I can't find him. I keep looking. After a few moments, I finally find him and I proceed to walk towards him. Cool. Things are finally looking up.

I run over and drap the race goody bags onto DS's stroller. DH says, "Oh, great. Now I get to carry all this stuff, too." (Did he say 'stuff' or was it 'crap' - I don't recall exactly.) I firmly reply, "Please. I don't want to hear anything else negative." I pin DD's bib onto her shirt and I then inform DH that her race ends at Starbucks. Please go there and meet me as I have to come right back here. We begin to walk to the starting line just as her race begins. We are probably 20 feet from the start so we start running. She is off. I turn to ask an official, "Will I have time to get back here after the fun run?" He says, "Yes."

Now - I could've done 2 things here. 1) Had DH run with DD and just meet them after my race as originally planned. 2) Run with DD as I did and then walked her back to meet DH at the start after she finished her race.

SIDE STORY: DD did so well! She ran the entire way and passed many of the other little runners that had started ahead of her. She nearly caught up with Santa (who led the race) with under 20 feet to go. She is fast! I am looking forward to seeing what she can do in the future. She is already talking about the kid's marathon (1 mile at a time) that is associated with the Eugene Marathon I'm training for in April. You go, girl!


Instead... we waited for a few minutes at Starbucks. DD got her finisher's goodies (a water bottle, hot cocoa and a cookie). We waited. We started to walk back thinking we'd meet up with him halfway. After a block, I still hadn't found him and as the sidewalks are crowded with people, I think I could have easily missed him. I borrow a woman's cell phone and try to call. He doesn't answer. We walk another block. Still no DH. I borrow another cell phone. He answers... he says, "I am in front of Starbucks. Is her race done already?" "Yes," I reply. "We've even had time for cocoa and a cookie. You're in front of Starbucks, now?" He responds, "Well, I'm across the street."

NO WONDER!! Now, please correct me if I'm wrong, but across the street (when the streets are crowded w/ people) isn't the same as being in front of a particular store, right?

"Stay there! I'm bringing DD to you."

I find him and turn to run back to the start but discover the lead runners are already here! I didn't have time. The race had already started.

I was livid. Then when I discovered that he had met up with his friend... I was even more angry... it appeared (from the outside) that he was more concerned with meeting up with him than making sure that I got to run my race. This makes 2 races I didn't get to run, now. The 'Turkey Trot' on Thanksgiving mornning (albeit it wasn't an official race, but a club gathering fun run) and now the 'Jingle Bell 5K'.

I did a short sprint out to the city park to cool off... returned a few minutes later to enjoy the parade. A great parade! :)

Called my my mom to vent. Called a friend to vent. Now, I'm venting here. I've cooled off now. I need a long run, though. Hopefully, tomorrow.