No room at the inn...

Er, rather, no public restrooms.  Today being the Epiphany Sunday, and therefore the last day of the Christmas season, forgive me a final seasonal reference.  It was one of the first things that popped in my mind as I realized just how unfriendly many of the businesses are on the Broadneck Peninsula.

Last year I recall devoting space in a post to  reminding myself that, because one of my best running buddies was pregnant, that all running routes must contain access to restrooms.  I paid heed to this for all those long runs with her, however I have been less diligent on my own runs. 

Inevitably, a runner from time to time finds desperate need for a restroom during a training run.  That was me today about 2.5 miles into a long run....with no restroom in the vicinity.  There was a strip mall about a mile from where I was, I figured I could find one there.  No way.  Just about every business had a sign out that said "no public restroom"...including the motel.  I was miserable.  Finally I arrived at the McDonald's and have never been so happy to see the golden arches.

Once I was a happy camper again, I still had about 5.5 miles to go in my planned distance.  I had an enjoyable (new) route planned down through Amberley, which abuts some beautiful creek fronts.  The afternoon was warm, the vistas were inspirational and I was ready to get a moving.  The only thing that would have made it a better day would have been a couple of running buddies to share (the good parts) with.  Perhaps I can drag one of them out next week.

All things considered, the run ended on a high note and my ipod reminded me that I really am living, as One Republic says, "The Good Life."  I liked the route, my hamstrings are only moderately crabby and I hit my target miles for the week.  (Incidentally, my math was a bit off yesterday...I don't need 28 miles per week, I need 26 miles per week...so I'm now ahead).  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  9.2
Time:   1:26:58 (average pace of 9:27 per mile)
Location:  Bay Head, College Parkway, Skidmore, Amberley
Feeling:  relieved...after a certain point

Other:  push-ups: 10/3600; squats: 25/3600; sit-ups: 80/12,000

Getting things rolling...

Four days in....that's it, but I'm working to establish the right pacing routine for the year.  Mathematically, I need to lay down about 28 miles per week to hit my yearly mileage target.  That's about sixish miles per week more than last year.  It doesn't seem like much, but it can be challenging if you have a difficult schedule.  Nonetheless, I'm committed.

That's why, today, I went out for six miles on a weekday as opposed to four to five (that and this week is short in the grand scheme of things since the 1st fell on a Tuesday).

I have to say, if you are going to push more out of your weekday run, today was the day to do it.  It was beautiful out.  The sun was shining, the air temperature was a balmy 45 degrees and the roads from Capitol Hill to RFK stadium were nice and quiet.  My legs and lungs were working in concert and my ipod was pumping out motivation through my ear pods.  The road, or rather the sidewalk, was my friend, even though my left hamstring is still a little hinky.

I have to say, it took a lot of strength not to take a picture of an ornamental Woodstock (you know...Snoopy's friend), who seemed to have a little too much fun on New Year's and fell from his perch on a swing near Stanton Park.  Aside from that, I was really left to my own thoughts, which means I had work on my mind this week.  Oh well, still a cleansing effort.

This leaves me with nine more miles to do this weekend.  I can honestly say I'm really looking forward to it.  While I had many 25-30 miles weeks in 2012, they weren't necessary.  Changing the mindset to making them "necessary" is a great adventure...perhaps I can get to 30-35 miles per week.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  6.01
Time:   54:16 (average pace of 9:01 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park, RFK Stadium
Feeling:  the attitude is great...the hamstring okay

New year, some old routines...

When embarking on the new (as in new goals or new adventures), sometimes bringing along parts of the old routine help bridge looking down the tunnel toward the finish line.  It's only the second day of the year, but I'm glad for old routines and old routes to get me through otherwise tough runs. 

The first couple months of running for the yearly goal mileage are always the toughest...early in setting out to meet new goals is the most vulnerable time. It's easy to say "I'm not really too far into this, so I'm not wasting much if I quit now."  Once you've hit, say, the 30% goal, you've just put too much into to stop.  At least that's how it is for me.  Those vulnerable days are when habits and routines help you puch through.

Today was a tough run.  My hamstrings were tight (some old habits and routines - such as not stretching right after a long run like yesterday - are not the good ones to fall back on) and the air was cold and slightly windy.  There was lots to be done and  time is always short.  I could have found a hundred reasons to put off running until I was religated to the treadmill.  Instead I put my big girl panties on and took that first step out the door.

Not fast, not slow, but one foot in front of the other and after a half mile or so I was glad I didn't make an excuse to skip my daily one on one time.  The streets of one of my most regular routes were quiet and comfortable, mucle memory kicked in and - though the hamstring never loosened up...must hit the icy hot tonight - I got it done. 

Tomorrow (or the next day) will feel as awesome as January 1...they can't all feel great.  Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles:  3.81
Time:   33:52 (average pace of 8:53 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  one of these days I will get a hamstring transplant...in the meantime, muscle tightness feels just like old times

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

Ringing in the new year...

Let's be honest, 2012 rocked and I'm determined to make 2013 even better!  But before we get to goal setting for 2013, I've got some recapping to do in order to close the books, once and for all, on 2012.

First, let's talk about December.  I haven't blogged in December. Not once.  It's not because I didn't run.  In fact I'll get to that in a second.  It's because my blog served the purpose I set out for it in January of 2012 - to log my running goal to hitting 1000 miles.  Anything beyond that was just icing on the cake.  So tonight I'm writing one last post to recap the year and set the stage for 2013 when I will launch back into blogging with gusto and new goals to track.

As far as running goes December was a bit of a rest month.  Over the course of the past year I've pushed off giving my body a real break to heal injuries and refocus my mind.  So that's what I've been doing.  While running a few miles in the process - almost 46 to be exact (low mileage, I know).  

Though low in numbers, the December miles came with a few high points.  It started with a great run with friends through Annapolis to see our Christmas tree all decorated for the holidays and to spend some quality time on the playground with kids and the camera.

December also was great for getting out and viewing the Christmas decorations all around Washington, specifically Capitol Hill.  I fancied myself a judge of sorts, looking for the best decorated houses - or at least good decorating features.  I found a few that were good enough to stop and take a photo of.  Some gave me new ideas for my own decorating and others gave me ideas of what to avoid.

Then came the real icing on the cake...a new 5 mile PR at the 2012 Celtic Solstice 5 mile run in Baltimore.  My previous PR was 42:19 set in November 2011.  Now I'll be chasing 40:38 for the next year!  I wouldn't have been able to have hit that time without my CS sidekick - Sophia - who prefaced the race with "I'm not feeling great today...so we'll have to go slow."  I think we both really surprised ourselves when the race finally started and it just felt right.  There's nothing you can't do when you've got motivation and good friends.

Who can complain finishing off a year that way?  Not this lady. 

So here's how 2012 went...I set out to run 1000 miles (check in the box November 2012), to complete my second master's degree (check in the box April 2012) and sell one of my two rental properties (didn't happen...just too much going on to put the necessary effort into it...so I'll roll that one over to 2013).  Not just icing....but cherries (GREAT BIG CHERRIES)...was a goal I didn't set at the beginning of the year because you can't predict these things...but I became the mother of a gorgeous, smart little girl from China (a journey we've been working on since 2007).  She's been running with me since August, and I think she'll be a big part of my running in 2013. 

Now to looking forward....here's what I want to reach for in 2013:

• I will run 1245 miles in 2013...this is 200 more than 2012, and I believe well within my reach.
• 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 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.
• I will try to unload one of my other properties in 2013.
• I will become a RRCA certified running coach in 2013.
• As a family, we will seek out and try one new family-friendly activity for the diva in our area each month in 2013.
• As a family, we will learn about and incorporate at least one Chinese tradition into our family traditions in 2013.

One last entry on the ticker - check out those miles - before resetting it in 2013!!!

Spiking the football...

My end zone dance looks a bit like Ickey Woods, but who the heck cares...I hit 1000 miles today!  Slam dunk!  Goal!  Move over second rate college quarterbacks, I'm taking home the Heisman this year.  Did I get a little too carried away?  I don't think so, after all I took down my new year's resolution a whole month early.

It wasn't easy today, that's for sure.  Due to a crazy work schedule, I lost two days of running this week.  Getting home from work after midnight and getting back up at 5am meant I was tired to begin with.  It took a lot of drive to get out the door and put in enough miles to cross the finish line, but the pull to claim victory over one month earlier than I calculated as doable last January was greater than the exhaustion...and the blisters forming on my feet.

It seems fitting to put to bed the goal around the city that has played such an influential role in many running firsts for me...Though several years ago, it's still the first city in which I ran a 10 miler and a marathon...several since both those.  It's also provided me with the routes to shed my stress through running when life becomes too much.  On this particular run I headed for some familiar sites and some new pavement.  From Stanton Park, to Lincoln Park, to RFK Stadium, to Eastern Market, past many Smithsonian museums - dodging a gazillion tourists - to the Washington Monument and finishing up near the US Capitol, it was a beautiful day, beautiful weather, and the run felt awesome.  To cap it off, I finished while Colbie Caillat's "Brighter than the Sun" was blasting through the ipod....kindof perfect.

As I was running, and knowing I was going to pass this milestone, I began thinking about what I learned over the past 11 months of pushing myself out the door on days I couldn't wait to run, and days I needed a bit more motivation than seemed to be available to me.  This really was a journey of self-discovery.  Here are just some of things I learned this year, the good, the bad and the ones that need more work:

• I am capable.  Capable of setting a goal and figuring out what I needed to do to finish it.
• I am strong.  Strong enough in body to muscle through the weak days and strong enough in mind to push myself when necessary.
• I am committed.  Committed to making sure I know the value of goals.  Committed to keeping myself fit in mind and body.  Committed to setting a positive example for my family and friends, but most importantly my daughter.
• I am crazy.  Yes, I am willing to do some things that others deem crazy - crazy distances, crazy times of day for runs, crazy to get up and go out for a jog in a blizzard.  I am crazy to ignore injuries in pursuit of goals, when those injuries could become so much worse.
• I am sensitive, but bullet proof.  I am sensitive enough to get my back up when people flippantly say to me "1000 miles?  I bet I've done that.  That's pretty easy."  But bullet proof because I've learned to let the silly comments of others roll off.
• I am self-conscious.  I have body image issues and I recognize it.  It's hard to listen when a friend tells me I look strong, when inside I'm telling myself I need to lose 15 more pounds and tone up this and that muscle group.
• I am thankful.  Thankful for my own perseverence.  Thankful for all those who helped me throughout the year by putting in the miles with me and always willing to provide moral support.
• I am blessed.  Blessed with good health.  Blessed with great friends and blessed with great family.
• I am awesome.

Who knows what I'll be able to achieve in the next month, but I'm looking forward to it. Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  11.02
Time:   1:39:46 (average pace of 9:03 per mile)
Location:  all about the greater Capitol Hill neighborhood
Feeling:  VICTORY!!!

Jingle all the way...

US Botanical Gardens all lit up for the holidays

NOTE:  There were no live jingle bells engaged in this evenings activities...that will wait for closer to Christmas.

There is something special about that first evening run after the Christmas lights begin to deck the halls - or the outside facades - of the homes and building around Capitol Hill.  It's fun, festive and provides new interest while circling the streets in my mad pursuit for miles and fitness. 

Tonight was that night.  First of all, I had to run tonight.  Just absolutely had to.  It's a super busy week, which means my runs because that much more important to break up the stress.  Today I didn't get a lunch break, so by 3pm I was emailing my husband saying I was going to go insane if I didn't run after work...would he be okay with the diva.  Check.  Not sure what I would have done if the answer had been no.

After I finally broke the chains from my desk, I headed out across the East front of the Capitol.  It was cold and I was stiff, so it was a slow start (and end if I'm honest).  Since it was dark and (a) we've established I'm clumsy after dark and (b) you don't want to head into the darker neighborhoods...just in case...I decided to stick very close to the Capitol and engage in circles.  Really more like a figure eight.  I'm glad I did.  My first circle took me around to the West front of the Capitol building and the lovely view of the Botanical Gardens all lit up for the holiday.  It's strange, I've been in DC for more than a dozen year but never visited the Botanical Gardens.  The lights make me want to go, and I bet the diva would love it.

My second loop came back across the East front and then headed down Independence Avenue toward 3rd Street SE, up East Capitol toward Lincoln Park, back down East Capitol and across the front of the Capitol building back to where my car was snuggly parked behind the Russell Building.  Thank you to the festive residents along East Capitol.  I love your style and spirit and hope more will join you.  While none of you sported the grotesque displays of blow up figures or plastic Christmas lawn ornaments (thank you and thank you), your lights provided a delightful tour of an otherwise too familiar route at this point.

I never quite warmed up enough to greally get moving on this run.  That's okay, it was about stress rather than speed or other training accomplishments.  It was also fun to see the first of the holiday decorations and I can't wait to see more.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.35
Time:   32:38 (average pace of 9:44 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill
Feeling:  holiday cheery