I gotta fly to St. Somewhere; I'm close to bodily harm

Louisville is now the Third Circle of Hell.

Snow storm + ice storm + more snow = ARE YOU KIDDING ME??

You always meet someone who has relocated from Michigan or Minnesota or some other northern territory and they always give you the old "Oh, you think this is snow?!" business and I always just want to smack them in the head.

And then there's the "People in Kentucky don't know how to drive when it snows!" and to this I say, "Yes, and I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE."

If there is any snow on the roads you can bet I'm not driving in it. I drive an SUV, sure, but my SUV has rear-wheel drive which spells certain death in this weather. Why would an SUV have rear-wheel drive? So I can tow my boat. If I had one.

Needless to say, our gym has been closed for a week. So I've been putting in time on the good ol' exercise bike. Bleh.

Stay the course, young woman

AMAZING progress in the "diet" department. I'm sorry I doubted you Diet-Gods, but I hope this continues. Even after I destroyed a plate of cheese grits yesterday, I still managed to end up on top.

Weekly Wrap Up:

Monday: 5 mi elipitical + weight training
Tuesday: 3 mi
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 3 mi + weight training
Friday: 5x400 at 5k pace
Saturday: 3 mi
Sunday: 5 mi

Runnin' Song of the Week: "Rock Me In" -- Britney! Britney! BRIT-BRIT!!!

Gym Pet Peeve of the Week: Getting my treadmill Deebo'd.

Hubs' Inspirational Thought of the Week: "Just get your water beforehand." (On avoiding treadmill theft)

You know you talk about running too much when...

...your spouse has a dream about it.

So Hubs had this AWESOME dream that I was running in a race downtown. This race took place exclusively through office buildings.

I was the favorite to win (remember this was a dream) and I was kind of a big deal. Hubs said that after the race was underway, he overheard some of my competitors hatching a diabolical scheme to DQ me from the race.

He went to meet me at the last "checkpoint" and he saw at giant banner that read "MUST FINISH RACE WITH BRITTANY SPANIEL" and then he realized that they purposely withheld this little race rule in an effort to get me DQ'd! OH NOES!!!

So Super-Hubs springs into action and drives all the way home (giving up a "really good" parking spot) and grabs Gracie Lou (our spaniel) and drives back. It takes him 11 minutes to get home and 11 minutes to get back (I love obscure dream details).

He jogs alongside of me with Gracie and says "You have to finish the race with Gracie! Just trust me and do it!" I scream at him for a while, and then agree. When I see the sign I apologize for doubting him.

I eventually win the race, with Gracie in tow:

I can haz negative splitz!

Um. What?

Tuesday marks the third time I've had my treadmill "stolen" at the gym. See, I will often climb onto the 'mill and no sooner than I start trotting along I realize that my water bottle is empty...so, I disembark and hustle over the water fountain.

Three times THREE TIMES I've returned to find someone on my treadmill, with my magazine (my actual subscription that I drag along from home), my car keys and my freakin' ipod sitting right in front of them.

The first time it happened the thief was a really old dude who didn't even acknowledge me as I retrieved my stuff from the little treadmill cups. The second time it was a middle-aged woman who apologized profusely. Each of those times I simply jumped on another treadmill.

But Tuesday, there were no other treadmills. And this time my treadmill was ganked by a PERSONAL TRAINER at the gym and his client. And my jacket was hanging over the front of the dang thing (my futile attempt to say "HEY! BE RIGHT BACK!").

I stomped over. He saw me coming: "We're just doing a quick 2 minutes!"

bb: "But my stuff is there...can I get my stuff?"
Idiot: "Just a quick two minutes!"
bb: "Can I get my iPod and keys real quick?"
Idiot: "Just a quick two!"

In his defense, he claimed that he thought my jacket belonged to a fellow trainer, thus rendering the treadmill fair game.

I think I'm perfectly within the bounds of gym etiquette-- it's not like I'm "saving" a treadmill for myself while I hit up the free weights. And I'm literally only gone for 15 seconds. Also, I actually RUN on the treadmill, so I kind of need it.

Next time (oh, and there will be a next time) I'm going to slide up next to the culprit, fire up my ipod and jog in place. Pretend like nothing is amiss. Maybe I'll turn to face them. Even better.

The gauntlet has been thrown down...

...and it smells like fajitas!

After the honeymoon, Hubs and I conceded to the fact that we would have to wait many, many years to have a vacation like that one. And then we conceded to the fact that ANY vacation would be hard to come by until I graduate from law school and make a dent in paying back my loans.

Well, that line of thought lasted about seven months, because we booked a Mexican cruise this morning. We just couldn't stop ourselves. It's snowing outside, and I get to go on a cruise in May. YESSSSSSSSSSS.

Now race-training will merge with bathing-suit training-- this certainly ups the stakes. I'm not going to ever be a "competitive" runner, but I will have to squeeze into a bikini in a few short months. That means hitting the gym more (often two times a day) and really sticking to the stupid non-diet diet. But, aaaaaaaaaaah Mexico. Ay ay ay!

Training schedule for tonight:

• 3 miles
• Weight training: legs, core (boo bathing-suit training)

AY AY AY!

The "D" Word

Trying a new "diet" that's not really a diet. I don't do diets. For six months leading up to the wedding I just tried to be reasonable with what I ate. I lost ten lbs., and then promptly regained it and then some in the 6 weeks after the honeymoon thanks to my LSAT study regime (no running, just logic games and chocolate).

I decided to take a cue from Hubs. He knows exactly how to fuel his body for his very manly form of exercise (weightlifting, light cardio, more weightlifting, perfecting the Ahhhhnold accent followed by strenuous weightlifting).

So with his help I am now keeping close tabs on what I eat, and trying to balance it 50%-25%-25% (carbs, protein, fat). So far, so good. I'm not as hungry as I usually am and I'm not burnt out either...maybe I'm on to something!

In other news, I can't wait for Spring. Hell, I can't wait for the temperature to creep above 30 degrees. My winter-running attire makes me look like a homeless person.

Poor Brucey

Still reveling, thank you very much.

What can I say?

Jodie scored 54 points against the Vols last night. He straight smacked them out of their stupid, ill-fitting head bands.

That is all.

Tyler Perry presents...

...a fairly unproductive weekend (as far as running is concerned).

I started a new training plan this past week and I won't bore you with the details. Pretty standard-upping-the-mileage type program, except yesterday I totally punked out on my long run and opted for some time on the elliptical and a Barry Pepper/Christian Bale film-fest with CC and RCP (no, there is no correlation between the two actors but it was MY MOVIE MARATHON so I do what I want).

When you get up the idea to have a movie marathon with your best friends featuring your favorite actors, it helps if your favorite actor isn't as obscure as Barry Pepper, but CC and RCP suffered through it like champs. FriiiiiieeeeeendSHIP!

Weekly Wrap Up:
Monday: 3 mi (crosstrain)
Tuesday: 5 mi
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 4 mi
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 4 mi
Sunday: 3 mi (crosstrain)

If you are flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit

Let's muse a while, shall we?

I used to be good at something. It took me 12 years, but I became pretty darn good at what I did. I started on a varsity team since I was 13. I won three state championships and my college team went to the play-offs two years in a row. I played on an all-star team or two. I made girls cry (by accident...most of the time).

I talked so much trash because I always felt like I could back it up. This is not something I reflect on fondly; but I think it's just evidence of my confidence in my game. Man, I loved it.

Look at me now...a new "sport" and a complete neophyte. All I've known all my life in the realm of competition has been my team and now...it's just me! Competing against myself! Mind = BLOWN.

I'm frustrated that I'm not the best I can be RIGHT NOW. This is so irrational, but what can I say? I'm impatient. This line of reasoning was pretty helpful in the gym last night, as I used it to push myself to run my scheduled 4 miles at a more respectable pace (that will remain unpublished because it's still obscenely slow).

A little tidbit: During pre-season conditioning, we would run 4 miles, 4 days a week at a 7:45 min. pace. I know I still have that in me.

Resolutions

Running Resolutions:

1. Uh...improve? If I keep training I don't think I can't improve, right? That's sound logic.
2. Run an out of town race-- this one is already in the works! ROAD TRIP!!!
3. Bundle up and ditch the treadmill more.
4. Hit the weights more.

Non-running Resolutions (because you care):

1. Treat law school like a 9-5 job; maintain sanity. I start in August (after two years of big girl working) and I think this will be the key to my success.
2. Cherish my last months at work. I'm really going to miss my job and my coworkers.
3. Start muay thai! I've been wanting to do it for years, but I just never found the time. Sometimes you just gotta get kicked in the face for a good time.
4. Get. Back. To. The. Island. Make Jimmy proud. This one may take longer than a year.

I Drank the Kool-Aid

And bought a hydration belt. It's actually more of a fanny-pack. Either way, I kind of feel like a complete tool when I wear it, but it puts me at ease to have my phone while running down those backroads.

I also got the new Beyonce CD. And the new Britney too. Complete. Tool.

Weekly Wrap Up:
Monday: 4 mi
Tuesday: 3 mi (crosstrain)
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Hangover Classic 10 Miler
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 5 mi (run/walk/hobble)
Sunday: 3 mi (crosstrain)

Runnin' Song of the Week: "Diva"- Beyonce (if there was any doubt)

Gym/Race Pet Peeve of the Week: The legit speedwalker and the pepaws and memaws who kept passing me (told you I was slow)

Hubs' Inspirational Thought of the Week: "You're about to have, essentially, two hours of personal time...what are you going to do?" (Before the start of the 10 miler)

5 Minutes and 43 Seconds of Genius

This post has nothing to do with running and everything to do with the genius that is SOULJA BOY(tellem).



CC brought this to my attention. I expect that I will be talking this way for a very long time...especially when clients call at work.

"HEY! YOU THERE! I SEE YOU OVER THERE!"

What Hurts Today - Jan. 2nd

My stupid left calf hurts today. AGAIN.

Thanks for the pictures, RCP! Here I am, hungover after 10 miles of the Hangover Classic.

Race Report: Hangover Classic 10-Miler

Happy New Year!

Today I celebrated with my very first distance race: a 10-miler through the River City. There were 600 other runners to help me along the way and, I must say, I think I am hooked.

The temp was, how do you say, uh...brisk. I think something like 18 degrees this morning. But I layered up as best as I could: tights, cold gear pants, tee shirt, long-sleeve tee shirt and fleece zip up that I snatched at Wal- Mart for $7.00.

I tried my hardest not to get caught up with the "racers," and the fact that I finished the race is a testament to this. I kept it slow and steady, like just like my blog mascot in the top left.

The course was flat and cut through a really charming part of the city. At the 5 mile marker I encounter perhaps the worst smell I've ever experienced thanks to the friendly neighborhood slaughterhouse. That was interesting. Everything was gravy until mile 7, when the course turned down the "final" stretch: a long, straight shot adjacent to the river although void of any views of the river. This was the hardest (mentally), and I walked on and off here. Just a few steps at a time; probably less than .25 mile all together.

Hubs, my parents and my best buddies CC and RCP met me at the finish line and I was SO FREAKIN HAPPY to see them! They are all-star friends and I love them for sitting in the cold just to see little of me lumber across the finish. CC told me they all kept warm by quietly ridiculing strangely dressed runners. I said "ME TOO!"

Not once did my stomach act up and I never felt like my lungs were struggling. My legs were doing really, really well too (until I started to walk). I can honestly say I felt much better immeadiatley after this race than I did at the end of my 5k. So now I can honestly say that 3.1 is "just not my distance." Booyah.

AND I finished in 1:53:something, which completely blows my mind. Under 2 hours? I can't believe I pulled that off with my pace! I am pumped!

Pictures to come...and probably some weird things I saw as I remember them...