Distance: 2.75 miles
Start time: 6 pm
Run Duration: 30 minutes
Average Pace: 10.9 minutes/mile
Temperature: Climate controlled...comfortable
Humidity: comfortable
Location: Houston, TX
I wanted to get in one more run. I'm supposed to do an easy run this week, 30 minutes. Blah...
Running's not easy anymore. I'm tired of running. January 17th can't come soon enough.
I'm throwing a party tonight and I had a couple hours between cooking and putting my pretty on. I ran. OK, it's done.
Oh, just one thing. Whoever invented the zipper-in-the-back-of-the-dress thing should be punished. Severely. Single gals suffer.
Tomorrow is a new year. My guests are on the way. Happy happy, people!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Top Five Quotes From 2009
I didn’t pay for any of these. About three years ago (when I started taking the task of writing as seriously as I’ve ever taken the task of writing), I began offering people five dollars for phrases and sentences that I anticipated stealing and working into my own words later on. I figured if I paid for the words of others it wouldn’t be actual plagiarism, or at least I’d tell my word-victims that it wasn’t stealing and then I’d be off Scot-free.
About three years ago, people actually took my money. I think I doled out about forty bucks over several months and then friends and family started reading my stuff and stopped taking my money. I don’t know if they thought I was that good and they were happy to be part of something grand or if they thought I was that awful and they felt sorry for me. I offered cash as recently as last week. It was declined.
Here are some words that stood out for me this year.
#5. “I don’t care what you think. We’ll save money and it will look just fine if we only paint the front of the trailer and leave the sides alone.” Overheard at the next table at breakfast – Carnival Ecstasy Halloween Cruise.
#4. “Hello, I’m Satan.” Same cruise. The guy had a great Halloween costume and persona going. An entire cruise ship seemed to be enticed by him. Unfortunately his name was really Tim. He was from Dickenson and he wasn’t quite as fascinating in his cargo shorts and flipflops.
#3. “It’s four ten-to-twelve hour days. Of course you’ll be working on your days off, too. That’s a given.” Let’s just say we’re “living in difficult economic times”. D’oh! That’s three and a half quotes!
#2. “Drop a deuce! You can do it!” Trivial Pursuit with my family was hilarious as my Dad kept trying to get the guys to roll a two.
#1. ***“I love you.”
Please feel free to add your own. I’m not paying for them. I’d just like to read them.
***Did you expect me to expand on this? Not here, not now.
About three years ago, people actually took my money. I think I doled out about forty bucks over several months and then friends and family started reading my stuff and stopped taking my money. I don’t know if they thought I was that good and they were happy to be part of something grand or if they thought I was that awful and they felt sorry for me. I offered cash as recently as last week. It was declined.
Here are some words that stood out for me this year.
#5. “I don’t care what you think. We’ll save money and it will look just fine if we only paint the front of the trailer and leave the sides alone.” Overheard at the next table at breakfast – Carnival Ecstasy Halloween Cruise.
#4. “Hello, I’m Satan.” Same cruise. The guy had a great Halloween costume and persona going. An entire cruise ship seemed to be enticed by him. Unfortunately his name was really Tim. He was from Dickenson and he wasn’t quite as fascinating in his cargo shorts and flipflops.
#3. “It’s four ten-to-twelve hour days. Of course you’ll be working on your days off, too. That’s a given.” Let’s just say we’re “living in difficult economic times”. D’oh! That’s three and a half quotes!
#2. “Drop a deuce! You can do it!” Trivial Pursuit with my family was hilarious as my Dad kept trying to get the guys to roll a two.
#1. ***“I love you.”
Please feel free to add your own. I’m not paying for them. I’d just like to read them.
***Did you expect me to expand on this? Not here, not now.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
5 Mile Tuesday
Distance: 5 miles
Start time: 5:30 am
Run Duration: 56 minutes
Average Pace: 11.2 minutes/mile
Temperature: Climate controlled...comfortable
Humidity: comfortable
Location: Houston, TX
Oh, this fitness facility is much better! First time at my new place. Nice treadmills (as treadmills go, I'm still not a fan), clean carpets, individual televisions with audio jacks so I can listen to what I want to (CNN not FOX). I like it!
It would have been nice to go to the park this morning, but it's only 36 degrees out and it's supposed to start drizzling. Not the pleasant run I had in mind. I'll try to get that one in later in the week. The big run is just around the corner in mid-January. I was thinking of buying some new shoes and thought, nah...I'll just let these get me through.
I hope all who read this have a great day. Lately I've learned that many more read than I knew. To all you stealth readers, thanks for giving me a glance once in awhile. To those who comment, thanks for stoking the fires of my ego. :)
Start time: 5:30 am
Run Duration: 56 minutes
Average Pace: 11.2 minutes/mile
Temperature: Climate controlled...comfortable
Humidity: comfortable
Location: Houston, TX
Oh, this fitness facility is much better! First time at my new place. Nice treadmills (as treadmills go, I'm still not a fan), clean carpets, individual televisions with audio jacks so I can listen to what I want to (CNN not FOX). I like it!
It would have been nice to go to the park this morning, but it's only 36 degrees out and it's supposed to start drizzling. Not the pleasant run I had in mind. I'll try to get that one in later in the week. The big run is just around the corner in mid-January. I was thinking of buying some new shoes and thought, nah...I'll just let these get me through.
I hope all who read this have a great day. Lately I've learned that many more read than I knew. To all you stealth readers, thanks for giving me a glance once in awhile. To those who comment, thanks for stoking the fires of my ego. :)
Monday, December 28, 2009
This Is Training?
12/24/09
Distance: 4.8 miles
Start time: 5:00 am
Run Duration: 52 minutes
Average Pace: 10.8 minutes/mile
Temperature: Climate controlled...comfortable
Humidity: comfortable
Location: Hotel Lucia, Portland, OR
12/25/09
Distance: 3 miles
Start time: 6:00 am
Run Duration: 30 minutes
Average Pace: 10 minutes/mile
Temperature: Climate controlled...comfortable
Humidity: comfortable
Location: Hotel Lucia, Portland, OR
I returned to Houston after midnight last night. Long flight from Portland after almost 5 days of fantastic family time. I say "almost" because travel gobbled up part of those days, but our family knows how to eek out every bit of together-time.
My daughter met me at the airport Wednesday and we were off, enjoying a quick bite to eat, a little thriftshop browsing and then I checked in at the Hotel Lucia, a lovely boutique hotel in Portland. My father also stayed there so he and I were able to hang out a bit while were resting up or waiting for others to come to town. My son and his fiance were caught in the massive storm that stalled air traffic for an entire day. Our family simply postponed Christmas dinner and ate at midnight on the 25th when the weary travelers arrived. (It was a delicious dinner, by the way.)
I managed to get miles in, on the treadmill. I'd hoped to run near the river in Portland, but it was quite cold with highs in the 30's and I had no clue as to my directions there. I was sure I'd get lost and end up as a popsicle in running shoes. Better to stick with the perfectly adequate fitness center at the hotel.
Good thing I put in the miles. In addition to the wonderful meals my daughter cooked, AND a brunch out with the family, yesterday morning we all went to Voodoo Doughnuts. I'm pretty sure a Maple Bacon Log doesn't sit on the training tables of most serious athletes. Maybe my diet was lacking a bit while I was in Portland. The love I felt and the laughter more than made up for it. I'm certain of that.
Lifting up gratitude for my family.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Beginning
My friend Matt said I'm amazing. I prefer to say I'm motivated. My new place is put together. Moved in on Wednesday. Pictures hung today. I have a large blank wall that is begging for art. Make that ART. I have a piece in mind, but I've spent way too much money lately. I'm about to spend more as Christmas approaches this week. The artist I've discovered isn't going anywhere - that I know of. She'll be around. She's good, about to make her mark and I want to snag something while she's still an investment.
I can't stand to live in disarray. I'm sure the desire to be settled springs from living in a chaotic household as a child. My brothers and I spent a good deal of the time raising ourselves. It wasn't anyone's fault, it just was the way it was. Our mom had to work and in those days it wasn't unusual for children to be home alone, no matter how young. At least that's the way we knew it. If one of us fell ill, we took care of it. If an injury occured, we damned well better take care of it. Disruptions in routine weren't appreciated. We became quite good at settling things down - for each other. I've learned (as an adult) that I don't need to handle every little disaster that comes along - especially for other people, but I still get antsy and uncomfortable around chaos. I'm afraid I'll get in some sort of trouble. Pathologic? Probably. I make it work.
I'm very happy that I've made this new place work. It's not the townhouse I wanted. No way I'm going to purchase when I have no idea if bonus is coming. Times are tough, or so I keep hearing. This is, however, a very nice place for me to be.
My friend Matt (and my other friends) keep telling me I deserve it. They say I've worked very hard and I should spend the money on a place that makes me comfortable, that reflects my sense of self. Well, I've certainly done that. Here's to being comfortable. Cheers!
I can't stand to live in disarray. I'm sure the desire to be settled springs from living in a chaotic household as a child. My brothers and I spent a good deal of the time raising ourselves. It wasn't anyone's fault, it just was the way it was. Our mom had to work and in those days it wasn't unusual for children to be home alone, no matter how young. At least that's the way we knew it. If one of us fell ill, we took care of it. If an injury occured, we damned well better take care of it. Disruptions in routine weren't appreciated. We became quite good at settling things down - for each other. I've learned (as an adult) that I don't need to handle every little disaster that comes along - especially for other people, but I still get antsy and uncomfortable around chaos. I'm afraid I'll get in some sort of trouble. Pathologic? Probably. I make it work.
I'm very happy that I've made this new place work. It's not the townhouse I wanted. No way I'm going to purchase when I have no idea if bonus is coming. Times are tough, or so I keep hearing. This is, however, a very nice place for me to be.
My friend Matt (and my other friends) keep telling me I deserve it. They say I've worked very hard and I should spend the money on a place that makes me comfortable, that reflects my sense of self. Well, I've certainly done that. Here's to being comfortable. Cheers!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Grit
Distance: 4 miles
Start time: 5:47 am
Run Duration: 38 minutes
Average Pace: 9.5 minutes/mile
Temperature: 47
Humidity: 96%
Location: Memorial Park, Houston, TX
I'm feeling a need to push on. I'm not sure where it's coming from or why it's there, I just know it is.
I woke at 5am, no alarm. I'd slept fairly soundly. I'm still sore but I feel better when I move. I went to the park and I ran.
The half-marathon is now less than a month away. I think I can do this. It's not going to be easy. I guess it shouldn't be.
Start time: 5:47 am
Run Duration: 38 minutes
Average Pace: 9.5 minutes/mile
Temperature: 47
Humidity: 96%
Location: Memorial Park, Houston, TX
I'm feeling a need to push on. I'm not sure where it's coming from or why it's there, I just know it is.
I woke at 5am, no alarm. I'd slept fairly soundly. I'm still sore but I feel better when I move. I went to the park and I ran.
The half-marathon is now less than a month away. I think I can do this. It's not going to be easy. I guess it shouldn't be.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
File This One Under Faith
Distance: 8 miles
Start time: 6:43 am
Run Duration: 86 minutes
Average Pace: 10.75 minutes/mile
Temperature: 45
Humidity: 50%
Location: Memorial Park, Houston, TX
Sometimes I have to believe - in myself, in circumstance, in others, in whatever faith tells me to believe in.
Today I am hurting so bad physically. My lower back has moved past ache into the type of pain that has me reaching not for Advil but for Arthrotec. I haven't used that prescription since I had a chostochondritis that sent me to the doctor about a year ago. I'm stifling groans as I bend and my knees protest the movement. Movement. That's what this is all about. I'm unpacking boxes. I'm bending, reaching, stretching, straining. It's great exercise, but it's different exercise and my body is telling me so.
This weekend's training schedule called for an 8 mile run. Holy baby Jesus sleeping in the manger with wise men watching and bringing gifts! How could I possibly do this?
Faith.
I believed that I could. I told myself I would set a pace at about 11 minutes/mile and get out there and do it. I did it. I feel less stiff. I'm ready to tackle the rest of these boxes. Or at least 1 or 2 of them.
Today I'm lifting up gratitude for belief in myself. (I'm not sure I can lift anything else.)
Start time: 6:43 am
Run Duration: 86 minutes
Average Pace: 10.75 minutes/mile
Temperature: 45
Humidity: 50%
Location: Memorial Park, Houston, TX
Sometimes I have to believe - in myself, in circumstance, in others, in whatever faith tells me to believe in.
Today I am hurting so bad physically. My lower back has moved past ache into the type of pain that has me reaching not for Advil but for Arthrotec. I haven't used that prescription since I had a chostochondritis that sent me to the doctor about a year ago. I'm stifling groans as I bend and my knees protest the movement. Movement. That's what this is all about. I'm unpacking boxes. I'm bending, reaching, stretching, straining. It's great exercise, but it's different exercise and my body is telling me so.
This weekend's training schedule called for an 8 mile run. Holy baby Jesus sleeping in the manger with wise men watching and bringing gifts! How could I possibly do this?
Faith.
I believed that I could. I told myself I would set a pace at about 11 minutes/mile and get out there and do it. I did it. I feel less stiff. I'm ready to tackle the rest of these boxes. Or at least 1 or 2 of them.
Today I'm lifting up gratitude for belief in myself. (I'm not sure I can lift anything else.)
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