A skunk of a good time...

I've run across a lot of animals during my running career.  Deer, horses, fox, squirrels (oh the squirrels), bunnies, fox and so on.  But never skunk.  In fact, I've never seen a skunk living outside a zoo or animal show.  That is until tonight. 

Tonight I decided to do my interval/circuitish type workout on the golf course cart path at Cole Park Commons on Fort Campbell.  I like the trail.  Early early morning or late evening it's deserted.  Just you and nature and lovely views.  It's a golf course made up of rolling hills...lots of hills. 

Anyway, I was just finishing my first of three circuits (1/4 mile jog, 15 reverse lunges, 1/4 mile jog, 30 crunches, 1/4 mile jog, 15 push-ups, 1/4 jog then repeat two more times for a total of 3 miles, 45 reverse lunges, 90 crunches and 45 push-ups) when I looked off to my right and there he was...or she...I can't tell the difference and I wasn't going to get close enough to take a real look.  That skunk looked at me like I ruined his solitary stroll through the golf course (I could say the same about him or her) then scooted across the cart path and kept on going.  I decided to wait until he was well across the path before continuing...just in case.

So yeah, check that one off the bucket list.

On a training note, I'm feeling pretty strong.  That said, I need to start being more mindful about overdoing it.  I've been pushing myself hard and not worrying about recovery and I think it's catching up with me.  Thursday's run was my seventh day in a row without a rest and my calves were locking up.  I took Friday off before my long run on Saturday and everything seemed to shake back out, but I'm in danger of running down that path again if I don't force myself to take a day off early this week to rest.  Today may look light, but I also did a 55 minute pure barre class this morning...so basically my glutes are screaming and my quads were shaking during those reverse lunges tonight.

Moving to a completely different topic, I went on a bit of a shopping spree recently to spruce up my tired running wardrobe. Lucy was having a great sale on tops, so I picked up three, and while I was at it, I grabbed a new running skirt at Lululemon....check it out.  I took it out for a spin on my 14.7 mile long run Saturday (which I normally wouldn't do for a first wearing on a long run, but oh well) and was pleasantly surprised that it didn't ride up, roll up or cause any chafing.  All around, A+ and the same to the Lucy top I paired with the skirt.

New clothes, new animal sitings and overworking aside, I'm starting to feel strong and consistent again and looking forward to the insane fall racing schedule I've set for myself.  Happy trails!!!

Stats:

Total miles:  427.47...starting to chip away at a more consistent and higher rate
Feeling:  Stronger, yet not treating my body well enough

 

May the New Year bring...

...joy, challenge, good running and great memories!

While 2013 was a pretty great year, it ended much differently than it began.  I began the year focused on improving my running, reaching new fitness heights and spending quality time with my family.  I did all those simultaneously for a while, and then God stepped in a decided we were going to have a baby, which slowed things down a bit. 

January through May were banner months for my running.  I got faster, stronger and more courageous.  I ran PRs in the half marathon, 10K, 10 miler and the 1 mile.  I conquered a 50k course that had previously plagued me,  I served as a pacer in a half marathon for the first time.  I finished the Annapolis Striders year "Iron Man," completing all their champ series races for the year.  I trained with some new partners throughout the year.  I directed the Striders Anniversary Run for the fifth year, this time alongside one of my best friends Brie.  I continued racing, and completed a metric marathon 6 months pregnant.  I achieved a lot of what I set out to achieve, but still fell short on the higher goals I set for myself.  Let's recap my running/fitness goals for 2013:

• I will run 1245 miles in 2013...this is 200 more than 2012, and I believe well within my reach. - Baby had a different idea with this goal.  While I continued running throughout the year, I slowed down significantly as my lungs lost real estate and my weight skyrocketed the second half of the year.  I did still hit 1000, which isn't too bad for an overbusy pregnant woman with a family.
• I will reach new time goals for myself - 4:30:00 marathon, 1:50:00 half marathon, 1:22:00 ten miler, 39:30 five miler. - I blew out both my half marathon and ten miler goals.  I didn't get in a marathon or five miler before my running started to change due to the pregnancy, so I'll have to roll those goals over.
• I will pay more attention to strength training and aim to do more than 3600 push-ups, 3600 squats and 12,000 sit-ups in 2013. - This one was pie in the sky.  While I watched my strength training, tracking to this level of detail wasn't really in my dna.  Perhaps this year I can add some metrics using the FitLinxx system at the Y, but I won't be adding a goal like this again.
• I will try to unload one of my other properties in 2013. - Check! 
• I will become a RRCA certified running coach in 2013. - Check!
• As a family, we will seek out and try one new family-friendly activity for the diva in our area each month in 2013. - Check!  And lots of fun...I think as a family we got to add many new great memories to the books.
• As a family, we will learn about and incorporate at least one Chinese tradition into our family traditions in 2013. - Check!  We celebrated the Diva's 4th birthday in Chinese New Year style and hopefully got to share her heritage with some of her friends in the process.

It's always fun and interesting to look back and realize you accomplished more and less than you set out to accomplish, but looking forward can be so much more fun and infinitely more interesting (setting new goals and investing in reaching them).  So let's get started:

• I will run 1245 miles in 2014.  Yep, resetting the clock on this one.  While my due date is late January, meaning I won't start laying down serious miles until late February, I still believe I can hit this one this year.
• I will reach new time goals for myself - 5:55:00 50k, hit a Boston qualifying time in the marathon(3:40:00), 1:45:00 half marathon, 1:20:00 ten miler, 37:30 five miler.
• I will more regularly blog about my running this year.  Got a bit sidelined last year, and realized the blogging helps me, personally, in keeping track of where I am and how I'm doing.
• I will unload my other spare house in 2014.
• As a family, we will continue to seek out at least one new family-friendly activitiy per month.  (Ought to be interesting with an infant.)
• We will continue to learn about Chinese tradition and incorporate one into our family traditions in 2014.
• We will get to know and enjoy having Baby K in the family beginning late January.

So let's get going...I'm out the door to start the year off with the annual resolution run at City Dock!