No half-marathons when I need one

The idea came to me the other day as I was lamenting the fact that my spring half marathon plans have done about as well as NBC's coverage of the US vs Canada hockey game. I really want to do a half in March. Last weeks 16 mile run on Saturday really sparked the desire again for me. My first scheduled date was March 20, but I'll be in Michigan and then my fall back date was March 27, but then I was reminded of a long standing previous commitment. It's pretty bleak for my March schedule.

The idea came to me that perhaps there would be a half marathon somewhere near where I will be. Alas, no luck. I did some searching and there are a few in the Chicago area on the 21st, but since we have family plans that day it would mean driving down, racing and driving back. That would then result in my muscles cementing themselves into a permanent seated position.

It looks like I'm out of luck for March. I'll settle for a 13 mile run on the 20th in the East Lansing Area.

Zombie Video Friday

In honor of the fact that it is Friday and the weather has decided to revert back to winter, I feel this video is very fitting. Tomorrow I'm on track for 12-15 miles. It'll depend on how I feel after 12 if I want to tack on another couple miles. Have a great weekend everyone.

How I Discovered my Latest Running Route

Finding new places to run has sometimes been a challenge. I tend to get stuck in a rut and run the same places over and over. Why? Because the idea of driving somewhere to put in 3 or 4 miles seems rather silly and if I ran farther than I would be putting in too many miles for an easy run, etc.. I came across a new route the other day. I look back on it and find it rather amusing.

I was at the dentist office with my kids the other day. I had one child in one area and another on the opposite side. There are some cabinets and x-ray machine that separate the two areas, but I can keep an eye on both. I know the dentist is a runner so I brought up whether or not he is planning on St. George or not. That got us talking about races and the conversation went something like:

Me: "so, doctor xx, are you planning on St. George this year?"

Dr: "Yeah, I'm going to sign up with a team again....now you'll feel a little pinch (saying to my son)...and see how that goes."
Moving now to my daughter.
Dr: "What are your race plans? St. George this year?"

Me: "Things have gotten muddied up a bit lately with some family stuff so my early marathons are out, but definitely fall..maybe I'll enter the lottery for St. George."

Dr: turning to my daughter "Is your mouth starting to numb up?"

Daughter: "I cakkjknn't telklllkll " 

Dr: "Where are you running these days?"

Me: I relay to him my various routes and say something like "it's hard to find new places to run...I feel like I am in a rut."

Dr: "I get that way too..have you run up around the point of the mountain?"

Me: "We've run on the West Side of the Freeway up to the Army Base, is that where you mean?"

Dr:  "No, i've never been on that side. This place is on the east side and starts at the point by the gravel pit and then continues down into the Salt Lake Valley...there are a lot of other trails that connect to it."

Me: "Really? I'll check it out." The dentist turns back and finishes working on my daughter. In the meantime I am pulling out my iphone and shooting off an e-mail to a running friend and then next thing I know we are scheduling a short run for today to check out the trail and then do a long run on Saturday with the group. The run today was fun and different than my usual routine. Today was a good run and it only cost me $50.

And The Winner Is.....

The POM juice giveaway was not the runaway success that I thought it would be, but thank you to those who entered. The winners of the juice are Sara and Adam....

This week my plan is to get in 3 runs. My spring schedule is looking pretty dismal at this point and it's time for me to regroup and change my focus. It may be a spring half marathon season for me and then get a couple marathons in during the fall months. Is it just me or does there seem to be a bunch of new half marathons popping up. I know of 2 new ones within my local area which means either the running bug has hit this area or its hit everywhere.

Quick 3 miles- Changes to My Race Plans

It's been a busy week. I got in a quick 3 mile run this morning just to clear my head and get focused for the day. I am making an executive decision about my upcoming race plans. I originally planned an April marathon, but it just isn't going to happen. In addition, my March half-marathons are out the window. We've had some family issues come up so my half-marathon is being replaced with the marathon drive to Michigan. Combined with another commitment in March and that's two long runs I'll miss. I'll be looking to pick up another marathon before fall.

If you haven't entered the giveaway, scroll down and do so.

Yoga Disaster

As you know, I have taken up the P90X baton and have been doing really well. I enjoy the variety of the workouts and seeing other people struggle makes me feel better when I can say "I'm not sweating nearly as much as they are...I must be doing well." I don't allow myself to think about the fact that the people on the DVD are using more weight, more flexible or when the camera isn't on them, they have a person run up and mist them.

On Thursdays, the routine is Yoga. I was very skeptical about Yoga in this series until I got into it. So far, i've seen some increased flexibility and the personal mister person comes over to my house by the middle of the Yoga routine. I generally feel relaxed and calm by the time it is over.

Last night was not one of those nights. I am not clear why the Yoga Gods did not bless me with a good workout, but it wasn't to be. In the movie For Love of the Game, Kevin Costner is a pitcher on what is to be his last season of pro baseball. At the start of every game, he has a little mantra he says and the noise of the crowd disappears and it's just him and the game. Usually by about 10 minutes into my routine I am the same way. The chatter in my mind goes away, my breathing gets regular and the next thing I know it is over. Last night, however the chatter just got louder and louder. The poses got harder and harder and I was becoming more and more agitated. I was even starting to get upset with the people on the DVD. I was like "yeah Tony, I see you only doing the move for 20 seconds and then walking around the check everyone's form. I could hold that pose for 20 for a $##!!! seconds too."

At the one hour ten minute mark, I had had enough. I got the remote and decided that there was no way I was going to do the "crane" move or the scissors or the Yoga belly seven. I kept fast forwarded the DVD until the end....yeah, corpse pose...that's my kind of Yoga. I shut off the DVD walked upstairs, checked my e-mail and went to bed. I'm glad I got in at least an hour of the one and a half hour routine, but a little upset with myself for not finishing the whole thing.

Tomorrow I have a 6-8 mile run scheduled. Have a good Friday everyone.

Giveaway Giveaway Giveaway

I must be hitting the big time now because ladies and gentlemen because we have our first giveaway on this blog. The fabulous folks at POM Wonderful are allowing 2 lucky readers the opportunity to get some of their fabulous POM juice for free.

I just received a new shipment from them in honor of Valentine's day. It's good stuff. Whenever I am in the grocery store, I walk by the POM juice. Sometimes I grab a bottle and sometimes I get lucky and they'll have some on clearance.

Here's how this will work. Get an entry for each of the following:
• Post a comment here (1 entry)
• Post a comment on your blog about this (1 entry- let me know here that you did)
• Post a comment on someone else's blog linking to this site (1 entry...you get to post where you put it)

I think the third one could be a whole lot of fun.

Anyway, I'll do the random drawing on Sunday Feb 14...perfect.

P90X and a little running thrown in for fun

After all these years of having the internet and all the advances in technology, I'm still wondering why someone hasn't come out with the ultimate Spam filter. I can understand when I get an e-mail from a friend inviting me to get a Russian Bride, sell me a new Rolex or to increase my manhood, because my friend's e-mail address got collected. We're now approaching Valentine's day and while my e-mails about Christmas have died down, I'm sure my Valentine ones will increase. If someone could invent a really good spam filter they'd make some serious cash.

In other news, I ran a 10K on Saturday and then I actually ran 4 miles yesterday. I know...so unlike me this year. My history so far in 2010 has been to put off and justify my not running sufficiently long until if I don't run then I either have to move myself down into the "casual runner" category (which in turn will spiral into the "non-runner" or "used to run" status) or I have to actually go out and run.
My P90X is coming along. The goal of doing this was to increase my stamina and core strength so that I avoid any injuries this year. I'm on my 5th week of the 13 week series. Thus far, it has definitely been tough. I started Phase 2 of the three phases on Monday. The intensity level has increased. The problem I am running into is how do I get in my training and do this program. I've decided that I just get to increase the calories coming into me to compensate. After 5 weeks of the program, i've seen some progress. Some areas are seeing definition, a few problem areas have decreased and I am feeling stronger in my legs.
In conjunction with my P90X, I have various supplements that are supposed to be great for pre-workouts and post-workouts. Between the two of them, I probably consume an additional meal and a half in calories each day. If I'm downing that much, why is it that I am never full with one? I could sufficiently down a whole days worth of calories, protein, carbs, etc. and a half hour later be ready for a double double from In n Out? I'm chalking it up to one of the many mysteries of life.