Week 3 of 18: Training for the Flint Hill's 50 and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas!  Hope this post finds you healthy and well.  Several people close to me are dealing with Covid right now and my prayers are with them and their families.  Here are a few pictures from our week of Christmas.  While we didn't have any family with us this year, we did have a fun week and Christmas regardless.

Stella says I love you and you and you.  Keep your fingers crossed that she can keep up this training cycle as we are ramping up.  She seems fine and I hope it stays that way but I am always ready to pull the plug and just take her on shorter runs.  I will probably keep her at 4 runs a week when we scale up to 5 runs eventually.

Boom is always a goober.  While he is a big momma's boy, he is starting to really love cuddling with daddy at night in the recliner. I regularly catch them doing this.  We are addicted to The Crown right now, and while we have watched the current season with Princess Diana, we are going back to the beginning and working our way to present times.  I have always loved British history and this show makes me do lots of research on issues I totally forgot about.

I have little man at the shop with me right now on his Christmas break and he is on creative overload.  If he isn't drawing, he is making Lego creations.  He made a Pikachu with the design just out of his brain the other day and it was amazing.  I didn't get a picture before he destroyed it and made something brand new which was equally amazing and not a character I know.  

Christmas eve brought to you by veggie trays, local cheese, and immediate family i.e. my running partner and her daughter.  Things have been super quiet at the shop, so I worked from home and got cleaning, prepping, and laundry done.  Confession time, I had a tree up with lights, but no ornaments this year. I just haven't had the energy to get all of that out and up.  I kind of like just a pretty real tree with lights honestly.  

Christmas Day was all about the presents, the food, and the rest and relaxation.  Andrew got several Lego sets, so he spent his day building while we watched The Crown and Wonder Woman 84.  Even though all of family is still in Tennessee, we had a great day just hanging out and spending time together.  My hubby really surprised me this year by giving me a new running watch.  I was looking at the Garmin 245 just because some smart watches out smart me.  He saw the Fenix 6 sapphire and it was on sale so he was sold:)  I am not complaining, just may need another master's degree to figure this watch out.  At least I got my watch face fixed.  

There was of course lots of running this week too.  Still on four days a week.  One run in the dark with the goobers, one run on Christmas eve with the same goobers.    We must have some deer on our running route because Boom seems to find every pile of poo they leave.  Gross.  I am also a little gun shy lately as my elbow still hurts so badly, so my runs have been slower.  

Long runs happened on the weekend.  I was tempted to run on Christmas day just because the weather was SOOOOO nice, but resisted the urge and enjoyed being fully lazy for one day in my life (still did two loads of laundry).  We got 12 done on Saturday and I did an 8 miler on Sunday.  

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Robin did my 12 miler with me and Melly ran my 8 miler with me.  I love this weather, cold but not super windy.  I even had to shed a few layers running Sunday thanks to the sun.  

I mean, who would have thought we would be able to have dinner outside on a patio at the end of December?

Just glad it's colder up North so the Eagles are back.  Love seeing them every run!

So here is what we did this week:

M: Rest

Tues: 4

Wed: Rest

Thur: 4

Fri: Rest

Sat: 12

Sun: 8

28 total miles for the week.  I still combined two runs to get  one 4 mile run.  

Hope you had a safe and Merry Christmas!  Looks like the weather may get a little tricky this week, so I may be milling it very soon.  Have a great week!

Week 2 of 18: Training for the Flint Hill's 50 miler

Well, I can't believe it hasn't happened in the 8 + years of running with dogs, but this week it did. First a few pictures and then I will explain :)

Mom went back Monday and Andrew and I were super sad.  We have so much fun when she is here, especially me. I  love nothing more than a beer and a board game or card game or dominoes at night.  Mom always obliges.  That was always my favorite memory growing up, mom getting off work, us having dinner together at the kitchen table, and then no matter how tired she was we would play a game.  Ah, the good old days!  My boys will play every once in a while, but not often enough for me.  

My new moto.  Trying hard to live by this one.  I have real issues trying to be a people pleaser and have everyone like me. I need to stop. I can't control everyone else's emotions and feelings, and I need to let that go.  There are so many big things that I can't do right now because this very issue is holding me back.  

Got my strava year in review a tinsy bit early.  I think it must be pulling in biking miles to that total because I don't think I am over 1k yet for running.  Kind of weird that it comes before the year is even over don't ya think?  Still cool to see all the stats.  Even in a much less busy year training and racing wise, I have put in some good work and I am proud. 

We decided to break our weekly runs up into two 4 mile runs.  Since the weather was so nice during the week, we switched out one of our 4 mile runs for a 6 miler that was suppose to happen on Sunday.  Long story short, Friday night we have a Christmas party and Saturday we have a wrestling scrimmage, so I needed to switch for a shorter run on Saturday anyway.  We got our 4 on Tuesday issue free.  Then Thursday happened.  What a shitastic day from the start to the finish.  Lots of issues at work and I just wanted to run the stress off.  Was not even .1 into the run when Boom stopped dead in his tracks right in front of me to eat something on the road.  We have about half of a mile of pavement that we run on to get to the gravel.  Anyway, I guess I wasn't looking down and didn't see him stopped, hit him and somersaulted over him right onto the ground and my elbow and arm took the brunt of the fall.  I also hit my right hip, right knee and got road rash and bruises on my left leg as well.  Of course the dogs went nuts when I hit the ground, Stella started attacking Boom, boom was all about the food, and Robin's dogs were jumping in the mix to figure out what was going on.  Robin meanwhile was trying to dig me out of the pile of dogs and make sure I was okay.  I had a brief moment of severe nausea and adrenalin and had robin check me over to make sure I had no bones sticking out.  Nothing was sticking out and nothing was actively bleeding, so I let the adrenaline carry me on and we did our 6 miler with my arm glued to my side.  I found as long as I didn't bend it, I was okay.  Got home and took a hot shower and then got on ice and I think that really helped everything.  I was super sore the next day for sure, but super blessed that nothing was broken!

I did my long run on Sunday instead of Saturday due to Andrew having a wrestling "scrimmage".  We had originally planned on not doing any tournaments this year because a) all of them were canceling due to Covid b) my main goal this year was to see how he adjusted to the meds and just practice 3 days a week as he has moved up to advance wrestling this year for the whole year.  When I asked him if he wanted to go, he was all in, which honestly shocked me after the year before and his performance anxiety.  The goal was no giving up and we accomplished that.  Yes, he lost every match, but not once did he give up, not even when the kid tripped him, headlocked him, and choked him out.  Yes, he was nervous, and yes I feel like he could do so much more than he does, but our goal was met and I am leaving it at that.  He listened to his coach, he tried to do whatever was asked of him, and he stepped up to the Heavy weight division and wrestled some truly BIG kids.  

I ran post wrestling.  The weather was amazingly nice and I was tempted to get all 10 in but I was super sore and stiff, so got my 4 and called it good.  

George and Gracie were back out on our running route on separate poles this time.  We got 10 miles in and the weather was perfect.  I honestly wish winter would just stay like this.  It hasn't been super cold or super windy on our runs yet, and I am loving it.  I wouldn't mind a couple of snows but make it count!

So here is what we did this week:

M: Rest

Tues: 4

Wed: Rest

Thur: 6

Fri: Rest

Sat: 4

Sun: 10

We were suppose to again do two, 2 mile runs but I combined them to one 4 mile.  Here is what we wer suppose to do.

Mon: Rest

Tues: 2

Wed: 2

Thur: 4

Fri: Rest

Sat: 10

Sun: 6

We got our 24 miles in even if it was re arranged.  We have more week of 4 runs a week before we transition to 5 runs a week.  Have a great week y'all and a Merry Christmas from the Red Aussie Crew and Running with Reds!

 

Week 1 of 18: Training for the Flint Hills 50 miler

 Welcome back to training cycles!  While this first month will ease me back in, I am rested and ready to get back to work.  Amazing what a nice break of running for fun does for you.  Again, I am following a plan from Ultra Trail Ladies that I printed off last year, which is good because their link to make your own plan hasn't been working lately.  I am praying that this race stays live or offers a virtual option to get your buckle, because I seriously can't handle another disappointment on races being canceled. 

Back to the plan, I am running 5 days a week, but for the first few weeks, the weekly daily mileage is SO low that we are combining some days to keep it at 4 days a week running.  I am trying to get one day of speedwork back in by using my favorite speed work work outs of strides or short repeats (think 400s or 800s max). I am a huge fan of strides during runs and post a warm up of around a 1 mile I try and get a 30 second stride in my 4 minute run section.  I still take my 1 minute walk, but I as always try to speed walk and keep that pace under 19 or so minute miles.  

This week called for three 2 mile runs and an 8 and a 6 for my back to back long runs.  I decided to break it up into two 3 mile runs and a 10 and a 4.  I had signed up for my one and only virtual race for the year and it was a 10 miler through Honey Stinger, so I needed to reconfigure the weekend as well. 

 

Our first 3 was on Tuesday.  Stella got a break since she had just gotten a chiropractor adjustment.  Won't be long till Boom starts getting them as well since he is joining us on this training cycle.  

Our second 3 miler was Thursday and we ended in the park with the lights.  It was glorious weather!

My mom also came to visit us to drop off Christmas presents.  We have tried shipping in past years and we have some nightmare stories like the time UPS delivered to the wrong address.  Lucky for us they helped us track it down and the people that received it were trying to find as as well (pre social media days so a little harder).  We had tried to meet up several times and each time COVID got in they way.  This time she came without my much higher risk step dad and we have tried to stay safe as possible.  

We have gone to a couple of restaurants, but at off times so there was no crowd.  We also wear our masks at all times and use hand sanitizer.  I am sure people will still judge us for meeting up and spending time together and I can't change that and will not dwell on it.  I pray that none of us contract the virus, but neither of my parents are staying at home and doing nothing, so they have just as big of a chance of getting the virus at home as they do here with us.  My mom leads a very active life and my step dad is a regular at the local bar even with his myriad of health issues.  

I seriously don't want her to go home.  She is the best grammy ever and andrew dearly loves her. Maybe we will just make her a permanent part of our bubble? 

Got my back to back long runs done but of course I modified them so one wasn't technically a long run.  I also flipped them because Saturday we woke up to rain and mush and I just honestly didn't want to deal with it.  Ah the beauty of flexibility :)  Slept in and mom and I had a Frozen 1 and 2 marathon before I got dressed and got out.  

Got my longer run in on sunday.  This was for my Hive Hustle and I was rewarded with seeing not one, but two eagles for sure and possible four eagles if the other two were juveniles.  Went back out later to see if they were still around and got to see both of them together!!!!!

Both times we were able to either quietly walk (thanks dogs for being quiet for once in your lives) or slowly drive right under them and them not fly off!!!!!  I always have loved winter running but now I love it even more to see these guys on my runs!!!!!

What I was suppose to do:

M: rest day

T: 2 miles

W: 2 miles

TH: 2 miles

F: rest day

ST: 10

SN: 6

What I did:

M: rest day

T: 3 miles

W: rest day

TH: 3 miles

F: rest days

ST: 4

SN: 10

Have a great week Y'all!  Mom is heading back Monday :( so I will be a little sad next week.  Pray she has a safe and easy trip back.  

The last free week!

 It's sentence or two per picture time! Okay just kidding, some pictures may get a smallish paragraph but here you go.

A fellow racing mom found this Etsy shop online and we all got engraved ornaments for our racers.  LOVE IT!

Had to go to town to pick up supplies mid day with the hubby and saw a FB post about a new beer at my favorite brewery/tasting room.  Was going to go get a crowler, but decided to just taste it there.  Winter Warmer is YUMMY!  Pick it up at our newest local tasting room Manhattan Brewing Company.

Had enough sticks in the fire pit and no wind, so fire time it is!  No marshmallows to roast but did drink a very robust Porter by the fire.  Does that count?

Had to make an emergency Target trip for soap which meant a stop at one of our favorite pizza places.  Had the whole place to ourselves for pizza, cheese bricks, and cinnamon knots.  Add in some Shiner cheer in a can and you have perfection.  

Yes I feel this so much right now.  I was doing SOOOO good, down 9 lbs and still loosing and I hit a bit of a skid.  I will get back on the diet train, just need to get through the holidays, my hubby's amazing cooking, and some really good fall/winter beer.

We had two night runs during the week and the full moon made for some spectacular moonrises and skies.  It's so hard to get good picture at night with my Iphone, but I thought Robin's phone got a good one!

Got Christmas decorations out (finally).  Tree has been up for many days now, still not decorated.  Oh well.  Dogs got their annual pictures taken.  They got lots and lots of cookies for their time.  

Got 10 miles on Saturday.  We saw our bald eagle friend, but not quick enough to get a picture again dang it!  Also saw a big coyote from a distance running through the field headed towards the river.  

Went to a country store a few small towns over to judge their gingerbread house competition and have lunch from their amazing deli.  They even had a band playing what I felt like was Irish maybe or Scottish music?  I felt like the Riverdancers would be out any minute and I caught myself tapping my toes and wanting to get up and dance a jig.  Hubby said he felt like he was in an episode of Outlander.  

It was super hard to just pick three out of all of the amazing entries, but my winner was the Russian scene with the dog taking second and the candy house getting third.  

Later on one of our little local winery incubators had a release party for a new wine maker.  The grapes were grown just north of here in Westmoreland and the wine was amazing. I am normally a beer drinker, but I appreciate trying new things and this wine was worth the try. Plus, it feels amazing hearing local music outside while sitting by a socially distanced fire pit and drinking a bottle.  Yeah it was a little chilly out, but we had fun and enjoyed not only local music, but very yummy food truck food as well.  I still can't believe we were able to sit outside and not freeze to death on a December night in Kansas.  

Got our Sunday recovery run done on yet another beautiful day.  I think that puts me at 24 miles for the week.  I think I need to do 25 miles a week to break 1000 for the year, a low for me from the past several years but I will take it.  

And to wind up a great week with awesome weather, Hootie showed back up.  I had kind of figured she wasn't coming back this year, but she surprised me this week.  I always know she is back because she makes a huge mess on our sidewalk where she perches.  

Have a great week!  We are suppose to have another week of amazing un winter like weather.  While I am a fan of a good snow, I wouldn't be too sad if we had a mild winter since my training cycle starts next week.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Happy Thanksgiving week y'all!!!!!  Let's just get into it as this will be short and sweet.

We decided not to go to Huntsville to race and that started off our week sad.  The rise in COVID cases in our area and throughout the USA plus the fact that we have had 0 time to work on cars made the decision a little easier.  We will miss everyone terribly and can't wait to see everyone on the live feed racing.  With most classes having between 15 and 25 cars per class, should be awesome racing with lots of lower mains to race out of!

I did get a few runs in during the week.  I didn't think rain was in the forecast, but it hampered by desire to run at the beginning of the week for sure.  We headed out in short sleeves and shorts Tuesday night and got caught in rain and dropping temps on our way back home.  Luckily drowned rat aussies dry pretty quickly.  

Turkey day turned out super nice and we got 6 miles before we had to get back to help. I am part of the deviled egg crew and head of the cleaning crew while my hubby does 99% of the work cooking and making the BEST food ever.  

Since we had no turkey when we decided not to travel, we signed up for one at a local BBQ place, as well as a few sides, just in case we couldn't find everything.  We still found sweat potatoes and my hubby made my favorite chicken and dressing and gravy, and last but not least, cranberry in a can :)

We did our long run on Saturday.  I wanted 12 miles but the excitement of wanting to watch our kiddos race in Huntsville through the various FB live videos won out.  We ran as quick as we could and got 10 and cleaned up super quickly, so we could cheer them on.  I will say here lately, my runs have felt SO good. I think it's partially because I am a for sure winter weather runner, and also because my body likes just running 3 days a week and getting a nice big break from a never ending training cycle.

I decided to run Sunday to try and get back to four runs a week and also to burn off some stress.  I awoke very full of anxiety and kind of sad honestly for missing out on several things lately.  I know I have it much easier than most, other than the full lock down I have been able to live my life pretty much as normal with mask on my face and sanitizer at the ready.  I have nothing to be sad about, but sad can hit anyone no matter where they are or what they are doing.  I tried a major deep cleaning of my house and while I got a lot done that hasn't been done in way to long (thanks race season and training for races), it didn't help my mood.  I went for a nice 4 mile run and while it was super windy, it helped me mentally so much.  I also just got in my car and drove around a bit looking for eagles and talking to my mom.  I came back home with a much clearer head and a much better mindset.  I am glad I could shake the funk and move on.  

Have a great week!!!!!  I am ready for some real winter weather running and I have heard the S word in the forecast!