Guns blazing...

The best way to get going on reaching a goal is to dive right in and get your hands dirty...or feet in my case.  Not one to sit still and let a good morning - and the opportunity to hang with friends - pass me by, I was excited to join in the Annapolis Striders tradition of taking over the streets of Annapolis for a run on New Year's Day :)

Now, most of the fun run runners didn't hit the streets until 9am, but I'm so ready to get started on my miles this year that I hit the road at 8am.  Those earlier miles through the Naval Academy were made great because I was joined by one of my neighbors, Kristen.  I've never run with Kristen before.  I'll be honest, she's fast and sort of intimidates me, so I was afraid to slow her down too much.  I'm glad we ran together though.  She was a great partner, and I'd love to spend more time running with her this coming year.  It was a great morning for a run...as we passed through the Naval Academy, there were so many others out and all with a ready smile and a "Happy New Year".

The melee of the 9am run was charging.  So many great friends were out for the run I'm not sure who was still at home.  To top it off, the group of a couple hundred runners literally took over the streets of Annapolis...sorry drivers.  I spent this second part to my new year run with none other than my favorite running buddy and best friend - Brie - which seems like a fitting start to the year.  We also ran with Erin, who is another amazingly fit and motivational runner.  It was a nice even pace as we headed over the Naval Academy bridge and down toward Jonas Green Park to leap up and tap the cake shaped balloon hung from a road sign.  It was a wonderful 45 minutes of girl chat, waving to friends as you pass them and stretching the legs in a much needed run.

After the run, we went to Starbucks to refuel the right way - grande skim gingerbread latter, hold the whip - with Lara, Gloria, Jen, Jen and Brie for more girl talk with the greatest running crew this side of the Mississippi.  All in all, this is the way to get going on a goal.  If the rest of the year is anything like today, it will be a great adventure.

Stats -
Miles:  4.82 (with Kristen) + 4.4 (with Brie and Erin)
Time:   45:24 (average pace of 9:25 per mile) + 46:42 (average pace of 10:36 per mile)
Location:  Annapolis, starting at CIty Dock and including the Naval Academy
Feeling:  my muscles are well-rested and ready for 2013...good call taking December easy

Other:  I haven't completed any of the strength work yet, but as I do it will be added here as cumulatives rather than as a day by day "this is how many I did today".  Here's how it will go:  push-ups: 0/3600; squats: 0/3600; sit-ups: 0/12,000

Lighting the night...

Earlier this year one of our neighbors, Kaitlyn, lost the fight against a lymphoma.  Around the same time, our next door neighbor's 7-year old granddaughter, Sophia, was diagnosed with leukemia.  Whether you've been touched by someone affected by the diseases or not, its hard not to wish for the discovery of a cure for these cancers, particularly for the victims whose time ends far too soon. 

That's why, when our neighbors invited us to join them for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk we absolutely said yes.  Yes, we would walk with Team Kaitlyn.  Even the diva went out to walk in support of the Dzurneys and in memory of Kaitlyn (she also got a balloon...which she loves).

The walk started at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and snaked down toward city dock before returning to the stadium.  While a somber occasion, it also was a great and joyful coming together of families and communities to raise money for research.  The atmosphere was celebratory, and a bit raucous if you were close to that large group of younger children. 

Above all, it was inspirational.  The rainbow of ballons told the story.  Gold stood for the courage of the grieving families.  Red stood for the strength of the survivors and white stood for the hope displayed by the patients currently battling cancer. There was no sense of defeat in the crowd...only a great commitment to find a cure.

 

Thank you to the Dzurney family for inviting us to join you in walking in Kaitlyn's memory.  She was a strong force that made a real impact in such a short period of time. 

Stats -
Miles:  4.3 (plus 2.75 for the Light the Night Walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma)
Time:   38:32 (average pace of 8:38 per mile..no time on the second half)
Location:  Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and Downtown Annapolis
Feeling:  there's nothing more humbling than running for a cure

Ducks and goals...

I love Sunday mornings.  Especially Sunday mornings that begin with a friend who enjoys the same things I do...stretching the legs and spending time with our kids.  This morning Brie and I started bright and early with the kids in tow...rather in the lead resting comfortably in their respective jogging strollers.  The plan?  Head down to city dock, feed the ducks and return in time to get a shower and drive to Sunday School.

It was chilly, there's no denying that.  But it was a nice change.  That crisp morning air just lends a little something to the aura of Annapolis in the early hours before the whole city wakes up and tourists flood the streets.  The quiet is also conducive to sharing all the gossip that must be shared.

The run downtown was kind of slow (umm, yeah, actually the whole run was kind of slow).  Both Brie and I are aching...her knee my hamstring.  But we are bad ass and just keep going.    And somewhere along this path I hit the 800 mile mark.  That's right folks, 80% of the way towards logging 1000 miles this year.   That just feels awesome.

When we got down to city dock and Brie pulled the bread out from under her stroller the kids were ecstatic.  I don't remember ducks being so thrillling when I was three, but they must have been.  Ducks fed, we continued down city dock, alternately racing the kids and carrying them (well me carrying the diva).  Brie also spent time telling B what was special about the Bear and the Bull, two almost ancient sailboats that are still in operation.  All in all it was a success...and then we had to hightail it back to Brie's so the diva and I didn't miss Sunday School.

I thank every opportunity to run with friends, particularly my BRB.  It makes the solo runs and the races easier later on.  In particular, its made my goals easier to envision this year.  All's well.  Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles:  5.42 (plus 2.34 walk with the diva to get her ready for her first race)
Time:   1:05:48 (average pace of 12:08 per mile)
Location:  Annapolis, City Dock
Feeling:  hamstring is pinching again

Adding to the jogging pleasure...

I have been looking forward to today's run for several days.  Why?  Well, today Brie and I switched up the routine and took along the kids.  Yep, my second run with the jogging stroller (see more on the jogging stroller saga below) and the added pleasure of new running partners, or rather spectators.  All around an enjoyable effort.


We started out a little late, but since the weather was cooler than it has been, it actually wasn't an issue.  We headed downtown toward City Dock and the playground on Newman Street.  This is a really cool playground if you have kids.  It's got just about everything you could imagine for the kids.  The diva still enjoys swings and slides over most other playground elements, but she is curious about tunnels.

After the playground, we headed over to City Dock to feed the ducks...feeding frenzy doesn't quite do justice to the melee in ego alley.  And took in the farmer's market to buy some great heirloom tomatoes to make BLTs for lunch (also got some zucchini to make bread, but that will have to wait a couple days).

Following the downtown events, we headed back up to Franklin Street - quieter and more shade covered than West Street, and then shimmied over to Poplar Trail.  I don't want you to get the idea that this was an easy run.  No way, I'm no where near accustomed to a jogging stroller, but it was great fun...especially with new jogging partners.  We ended with one smily boy and one rather tuckered out little girl.  I hope these two will grow up to be great friends...there mamas certainly are.

Now for the jogging stroller drama....wellnot so much drama as just determining that I really dislike my jogging stroller.  Sure its heavy, the combined weight with the diva means I'm pushing around 60 pounds.  That's not a big deal.  What I don't like is that I have no maneuverability, which is crummy on windy trails.  The seat sits too far back, so the diva has to lean forward to see around her.  And that means if we hit a bump her head is bumped against the unpadded side rails.  All in all, sucky.  So what's the solution?  I researched jogging strollers and reviews and will be the proud owner of the Joovy Zoom 360 by the end of the week.  I should have improved maneuverability, good suspension, better seat position...and a cup holder for me :)  I'll be sure to review the stroller after using it.

Finally, I logged this morning's run only to discover I was 0.07 miles from hitting my target for the week.  So what did I do?  I went out and ran a couple more miles.  It was warmer than this morning, and certainly less shade covered running the cloverleaf in Chesapeake Preserve, but felt decent and got the job done.

I'm hoping for more opportunities to get outside this week, as opposed to my treadmill running of the past two, though this will mean time with the dreaded Baby Trend jogging stroller.  Perhaps I can find a long straight road.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  6.11 in the morning, 2.26 in the afternoon
Time:  Not sure about the morning (forgot the watch) but the afternoon was 19:20 (average 8:33)
Location:  All around Annapolis & Chesapeake Preserve
Feeling:  Hot and sweaty, but the muscles were working well