"Snow day"

I'm home today because school was called off.  I'm not saying I'm upset by it.  After all, I just had a day off on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so I could definitely have used another day of rest.  Short weeks always feel much longer than the long ones.  I'll take any day off I can get.  I love my job, but I love my days off even more!

Today I have been farily productive.  Ran 4 miles (yes, on the treadmill), did an hour of P90X, and ate lunch. Now what to do???  What to do...??  I suppose I won't be above getting back into my pajamas and finding a comfortable lounging spot on the couch for the rest of the afternoon.  It is quite frigid outside, so I can't imagine myself getting very fired up about making my way out of my toasty warm house.  I think wool socks, a wool sweater and a heating pad on my lap to keep me nice and warm sounds about right for the rest of the day.  I might even start a fire (in the fireplace, of course).

Oh, and a very sad/strange thing happened at my Weight Watchers meeting on Saturday. I walked in to find out that my meeting leader had died during the week of a massive stroke.  So very sad, as she was only 56 and a really incredible woman.  I was so shocked and saddened.  I've been doing extra well this week in honor of Judy.  It's a solemn reminder that we are just a breath.  Just a passing breeze in the night and one day it'll all be gone. 
And that makes me want to be active and healthy all the more.

Raise your glass and toast to good health and living life to it's fullest.  Cheers!

Happy New Year... 2 weeks later

I wish I were better at keeping my blog current... but we all know about wishes...

Well, 2011 is upon us.  In full swing.  Whether we're ready or not!!

Things have been good.  I joined Weight Watchers again on December 10th last year, and have lost 5.4 pounds over the last 5 weeks.  Progress has been MUCH slower than last time, but I'm kinda making it that way on purpose.  I am not changing every little thing about my diet.  I'm altering here and there and hoping the slower loss results in permanent loss.  It has to be this time!  Plus, it was Christmas and New Years and let's face it: there was LOTS of food that was eaten.  By me.  And I enjoyed every bite!!!!

So far the year is going well.  I have some big goals that I'm wanting to tackle this year.  My schedule of events is growing as I type.  I have so much I want to do, and so little time to get it all in.

I started off the year taking a big leap.  Literally a big leap into the frigid water of Lake Hefner on New Year's Day.  It was frickin' COLD, but since I didn't die, I figured that was a good sign of the great year to come. 

I have big things planned for this year.  Marathon, Ironman, hiking the Grand Canyon again, 20 year high school reunion, and so much more.  Can't wait to see what the year has in store!!!

Carry on!

First frigid run of the winter season

Kona and I headed to Bluff Creek trails today to get some trail time in.  We (well, me) tried running, but the frigid air just burned my lungs to the point that I had to walk.  It was 20 degrees with a wind chill of 9 (and gusts of 22mph) when I left the house. Thankfully, the trails protect you from most of the wind, and it wasn't too bad once we got moving.  

Kona having fun exploring

Kona did a great job today on the trails.  She still struggles to stay out from under my feet when I'm moving, but she's learning.  For the first 2 miles she hardly stayed on the trail at all- darting back and forth from one side to the next smelling anything and everything she could; just taking it all in. She really loved watching the birds and taking off after them.

Taking a time out

We pretty much had the trail to ourselves.  We didn't encounter another person until we were almost done.  After about 2 miles Kona slowed to a walking pace and petty much stayed right by my side for the rest of the trail.  We stopped a couple times to let her catch her breath and to make sure that she was doing OK (and not getting ready to have a seizure).

Found a squirrel tail- and Kona kept picking it up to play with it.  Yuck!

By the time we hit the last section of the trail, the sun was out in full force and it was beginning to warm.  The sun felt good on my skin, and because we were heading mostly south- the strong wind (although somewhat protected from the trees) was at our back.
As we headed out of the trail on the newly cut, yet not quite open final section of the trail, I noticed that someone's driver side window was down.  I thought to myself "why would you leave your window down?"  Upon closer inspection, I discovered that someone had smashed the window of a car parked near mine.  Thieves just suck!

Someone will return from their run to find an unwelcome surprise

It was a great day on the trails.  Once home I jumped in the hot tub for a nice, long soak in the steaming water.  It felt amazing!!!!
Another successful day outside.   Although the weather is not acceptable most days during the winter, this wasn't quite so bad.

run dog run

Took Jimbo (the golden retriever) to Bluff creek earlier this week for a little run.
I'm horribly embarrassed to say that my dog is a jerk.  A really big jerk.  Oh sure, he's sweet at home, but take him out in public and he's a First Class A-Hole. He growls at strangers, snaps at dogs and snarls and bares his angry teeth if anyone or anything comes near him. It's so embarrassing.  I almost hate taking him out.  But I did.

 Jimbo leading the way

We went to Bluff Creek trails to do a short run.  He is really a fantastic trail dog.  Follows the trails perfectly.  Turns where he should.  Doesn't run too far ahead.  Stays out from under my feet.  I actually love to run with him.  I just need to do it when there is no other life forms anywhere near the trail system for us to have a successful adventure.

Good dog- follow that trail

We mostly ran, but stopped to take some sniff breaks and get off the trail as mountain bikers came flying by.  Just after this picture was taken, we saw a deer up ahead.  I didn't have him on the leash at the time, and suddenly became very worried that the retriever in him would be retrieving a deer for mommy to have.  I needn't have worried, though.  He stopped, sniffed, looked back at me, then just keep on going. 

We even stopped for a picture together- he was not too thrilled

All in all, it was a grand adventure.  I would love to take him out more often, but he really needs to be socialized better before I will to be completely comfortable taking him out in public.  Until then, we'll just stick to the path less traveled.

Girls Gone Wild (err...hiking)

Alison and I hit the trails today for some hiking fun while the boys went and rode their mountain bikes.  We headed south of Norman, OK to Lake Thunderbird- Clearbay Trail.  This is a fabulous area of the metro area.  The trails are super long (16 miles total) with lots of climbing and descending.  Well, lots by Oklahoma standards, that is. 

The sky sure was pretty with all those wispy clouds floating around

Alison and I before the hike began

 Before we took off, the boys got on their bikes and readied themselves for 3 hours of some tough riding.

We hit the trail about 12:30 and boy were we glad that we decided to go for some trail hiking instead of some other activity that didn't allow the trees to block the wind for us.  Wind was out of the south at about 30 mph.  Eek!  We sure felt the breeze, even in the trees, and although it provided a nice breeze to keep us cool, we sure didn't mind using the trees as a little windblock. 

Alison 'on the trail'

 So the trails aren't exactly what you would call "pretty" this time of year.  The leaves are all dead (what leaves are still on the trees) except for the occasional pine tree in the woods.  We didn't see one creature out there either- believe it or not.  Not one squirrel, not one deer, not even one little bug.  I suppose even they decided it wasn't the best day for being out and about.

We finished our hike in about 2.5 hours.  We didn't go very far, just took it at a casual pace (Alison *is* 7 months pregnant after all- even tho you would never know it by the size of her teeny belly or the stamina she still has).  We made it about 6 miles.  We enjoyed every minute of it.  Great times that must be had again sometime soon!!!

Good times!

Meet Kona

Here is our newest addition to our family.  5 year old Kona.

Her name is Kona- named after the place where we would both like to race one day (Hawaii Ironman World Championships).  In the triathlon world, when you mention the word Kona- everyone knows what you're talking about.  "You went to Kona" doesn't  mean you vacationed there- it means you raced there. 

I adopted her from the Oklahoma City animal shelter.  We lost Max in late September, and after our Golden, Jimbo, was showing major signs of depression we thought he needed a pal.  I went to the shelter and picked her out.  She was sick with heartworms, but I knew we could help rehab her.  She had the sweetest face, and just called out to me to take her home.  Bonus for us October was half-price adoption month, so I was able to take home a pup who was spayed, treated for heartworm and given her shots for only $25.  OKC is a kill shelter, so I felt much better about going there instead of a no-kill rescue.  At least I know I saved a life. 

Jimbo absolutely hated her for the first couple weeks.  Would growl, snap and bite at her.  He's gradually coming around.  They have even been seen playing together in the backyard, and once he helped her escape from her little dog run that she had to be kept in during her heartworm recuperation period.  They're not like peas and carrots just yet, but I'm hopeful.

I can't wait to take her out running with me.  I think she'll be a great running partner.  She came to us already knowing some commands, and she's a quick learner. 
We're very blessed to have such a sweet dog in our care!

 Kona in the car on the way home from the shelter, but after a bath at the dog wash.

Reflections on my 24 Hour run- last month

Well it's been a month since my 24 Hour race, and I'm just now getting around to telling you about it.  I suppose I've been... busy??  Nope- that's not it.  I've been lazy.  Yup- that's it!

It was a LOT of fun.  Putting it into a well-written story is useless.  All the memories are there, they just exist in short little bits and pieces.  Here are some of those pieces:

**morning started  out rough with my newly adopted dog having a seizure and me not knowing what it was.  Took her to the emergency vet and was subsequently late for the start of the race (well, made it just as the gun went off).
**first 5-6 laps were slow and lethargic.  Couldn't get my mind into the race with the worrying over the dog.  Super Steph went home to get Kona and brought her to the race.  Love my friend!
**Day was windy, but not in the trees on the trail.  Weather was perfect!
**walked all throughout the day.  Stopped and rested at each lap (and petted Kona).
**sun went down and I went on.  Took two 1.5 hour naps throughout the night.  Got VERY cold overnight and had to layer a LOT.
**blisters on the balls of both feet caused me to have to stop much sooner than I was ready to.  Had to call it quits at 6 am with 20 laps in (40 miles total).  Nothing else on my body hurt, but the balls of my feet.  I was devastated to have to stop, but I had no choice.  The last lap took me 1:20 to complete (2 miles).  I had no choice.
**it was the most fun I've ever had (maybe except Ironman).  I will do it again next year.  I will make it much further next year.

I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.