Welcome to Boston

Random Friday Facts

2012-02-24T09:02:00.000-05:00

1. I like to make up songs about normal every day things, and then sing them when that thing comes up in conversation. My best lyrical masterpieces are about pancakes (pretty pancakes, to be exact) and vacation. 2. I'm on a kick to drink more tea. It's day 6. I've had tea once. 3. As the tall girl is also in training mode, the quantity of sports nutrition in our house has doubled. With random

On Perspective

2012-02-23T11:30:00.001-05:00

The word perspective has been used in my world a whole lot during the past 24 hours. Mostly it's been in the context of running injuries and racing, with the actual definition (according to Merriam-Webster) being, "the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance." At the same time as these conversations were taking place in our never-ending mafia e-mail chain, I was

Three Things Thursday: On Blogging, The Home Stretch, and Good Friends

2012-02-16T11:15:00.001-05:00

1. I haven't blogged in almost a week. It's not for lack of trying (or things to say) as I have 3 unfinished posts just sitting in my drafts. I just can't seem to finish them though, mostly because as I've gone back to read what I've written, they feel disjointed and now even out of date. Does that matter? Should I still push publish anyway? Maybe, but maybe not. The more I've thought about it

Random Friday Facts

2012-02-10T10:50:00.000-05:00

1. I hate the anticipation of being cold. Sometimes it takes me 10 minutes to get out of my warm, heat-blasting car after a workout, and I usually stand under the hot water in the shower forever, just willing myself to turn off the water. Of course, it's never as cold as I think it will be. 2. Nigel loves me the most, and Abe loves the tall girl the most. I'm pretty sure that's how we love them

1200s

2012-02-07T19:38:00.002-05:00

I have a thing for 1200s. Like a serious thing. I love them. I mean, they're like the perfect mix of endurance and speed - not so long that you're having to slow down a lot but not so short that you're having to go crazy fast. Perfect. I even suggested a 1200 drinking game to Liz tonight but she turned me down. So, imagine my sheer giddiness, and out-loud exclamation, when I opened Coach's

Monday Morning Musings

2012-02-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

THAT IS ALL.

Random Friday Facts

2012-02-03T09:39:00.000-05:00

1. I only like dark roast coffee. In fact, the more dark and bold the better. 2. I say, "but it's the principle of the thing!" waaaay more often than I should. 3. Sometimes, my favorite thing in the world is melted bright orange american cheese. I'll eat it in a grilled cheese sandwich, egg and cheese sandwich, off the tin foil once it melts off the sandwich, however really. 4. I really like

Three Things Thursday: More On Fueling, Run Form Progress, and The Boys

2012-02-02T09:23:00.000-05:00

1. I know I said on Tuesday that my inability to refuel properly wasn't impacting my running. Well, today it did. Of course. I met these girls plus another teammate for an easy 8-20ish (just kidding, it was really 8-10 but Liz professed her love for the moving end target). Coach has us doing a marathon pace 4, 3, 2, 1 this weekend and wanted us to taper, i.e. no tempo run on Thursday or Friday.

Calories, Calories

2012-01-31T17:04:00.002-05:00

Remember that scene at the wedding in Steel Magnolias (yes, I'm serious) where Dolly Parton goes to grab some cake and one of her frenemies says "calories, calories," followed by Dolly mockingly saying it back? Right. We'll lately, I've been saying that in my head followed by these words said in a rawr voice: GIVE ME MORE. I know this is a good problem to have, and I'm really not trying to be

Non-Race Race Recap: NYRR Manhattan Half Marathon

2012-01-23T09:48:00.001-05:00

When I initially signed up for this race, I thought that there was a small chance I might actually race it. As I got into my training for National though, and struggled with my initial ramp-up, I realized that I couldn’t afford a whole week of post-race recovery. New plan: Do the race as a progression long run, hitting splits similar to any long run I’d do on any weekend. Beth had a heart rate

Three Things Thursday: (Not) Racing, Training and Dehydrating

2012-01-19T09:37:00.000-05:00

1. I'm running the Manhattan Half Marathon this weekend. When I say running, I really mean running, not racing. I wasn't sure what I would want to do when I initially signed up with these two, but given how close we are to National, I think taking it as a regular long run will be best for my overall schedule. Still, I am SO EXCITED to be racing back on my old stomping grounds. Despite growing up

Random Friday Facts

2012-01-13T10:03:00.000-05:00

1. I haven't done an RFF this year, at least I don't think I have? 2. I discovered the other day that the little creamer cups that don't have to be refrigerated really should be refrigerated. I had 3 cups of coffee yesterday because it tasted so good. 3. I really like to rock out in the car. I get busted by the guy next to me at least twice a day. 4. When I get stressed, I tend to stomp around

Three Things Thursday: My Hip, Push-ups and Getting Busted Dancing In The Car

2012-01-12T09:11:00.000-05:00

1. My hip feels great! +1 for my expert fuel belt irritation diagnosis. It's now put away never to be seen again. Fortunately by Tuesday morning, it was as though nothing had happened. I went to my chiro anyway for some serious ART treatment. I yelled and squirmed all over the table like I had no pain tolerance. Holy crap it was intense. While it was no longer hurting when I walked/ran, the

Wordless Wednesday: Shoes!

2012-01-11T10:23:00.000-05:00

These came today! Sadly, they're also going back today because I'm an idiot and ordered the wrong size. I wear a 7.5 in everything, except for the Pegs where I take an 8. This is the 2nd shoe order I've done in 4 months where I've made this mistake. Good thing the 8s were still available and on sale!

Monday Morning Musings

2012-01-09T08:34:00.006-05:00

Fuel belts are stupid. I used to be able to run with mine no problem, but putting it on this weekend for the first time since late in my Eugene training was a good reminder of why I stopped using it all together. I usually wear it on my hips v. up on my stomach. As someone who has had stomach issues in the past, I've always figured that avoiding something pushing into my gut is probably a good

Monday Morning Musings (on Tuesday)

2012-01-03T08:56:00.001-05:00

I'm back at work today after a glorious week and a half break. I actually worked a little during the time-off, but it was exciting work like organizing our new office so I didn't mind one bit. I might have had too much fun with the label maker. You'll have to come by the office and see for yourself though. I also got to spend a lot of time with the tall girl and the boys, and my family both in DC

Year In Review: 2011

2011-12-29T09:42:00.001-05:00

In a word, 2011 was fun, and invigorating, and transformative, and fast. OK, so I can't pick just one word. I went into the year injured and uncertain, and came out with too many shiny new PRs to count plus a whole lot of confidence and understanding of myself as a runner. To say that it was a great year is an understatement. Some smart doctors finally fixed my butt. I cross- and strength

Three Things Thursday

2011-12-22T09:21:00.000-05:00

1. My office is technically closed from yesterday through the new year. It's an incredible benefit that really lets everyone disconnect, and travel during the holidays without having to take any vacation days. As we usually stay in town, this is my one time of the year to truly relax. It's long enough that I can get stuff done at home, celebrate the holiday and still have plenty of time to sack

Ode to The Boys...

2011-12-20T08:39:00.001-05:00

One and two years ago this week we brought Abe and Nigel home. For Nigel, we had gone to the Lost Dog adoption event intending to bring home a different floppy-eared ball of cuteness, but when we met her, we knew it wasn't right. We did one more lap of the store before leaving and saw this quiet, well-mannered beagle mix sitting for treats in one of the aisles. Yes, Nigel was once quiet and

Monday Morning Musings

2011-12-19T09:52:00.002-05:00

It occurred to me after my long run yesterday that our bodies let us do some pretty amazing things. The run felt really good for the most part, with some fatigue kicking in the last 4ish miles of the 10-12. Still, we pushed it into high gear for the final stretch, running a 7:20 last mile. It was HARD. Like probably too hard. What amazed me most though is that I had done my first tempo since

Random Friday Facts + VegaSport Giveaway Winner!

2011-12-16T08:44:00.001-05:00

I was going to wait until the end of the post to announce the winner, but since I kept it a secret all through our track workout this morning (and I'm really excited about it!), I'll put it right up front. Random.org picked #1, which means Liz is taking home the Recovery Accelerator! No need to send me your address. I'll bring it to the long run on Sunday. And now, without further delay, RFF:

Three Things Thursday: The National Marathon Training Edition

2011-12-15T09:08:00.000-05:00

1. This week officially started my ramp-up for the National Marathon. I know it's really called the USA Marathon, but I don't think I'll drop the hometown race name anytime soon. It has felt amazing to be back at workouts and in some kind of routine again. I'm pretty sure I timed it just right, giving myself a month of do-whatever-I-want (including a lot of rest, beer/wine, holiday treats and a

Vega Sport Review + Giveaway

2011-12-12T11:41:00.001-05:00

I was pretty excited when I got the e-mail from Vega asking if I would be part of a group of athletes testing and reviewing their Vega Sport line of products. I'd heard about it from Liz so was already intrigued, but hadn't wanted to incur the expense of full-size products just to see if I liked it. Also, note to all, Liz knows a lot about nutrition and supplements. The fact that she was

Race Recap: Key West Sprint Triathlon

2011-12-06T08:36:00.002-05:00

Team Amazing Day killed the inaugural Key West Triathlon last year with a win in the Oly Relay category and a 2nd AG award in the Sprint. This year, we rotated one slot to the right and sought to do it again. For me, having done the run last year, this meant my first sprint triathlon. Coming off a hard half-marathon season this fall in which I did no swimming or biking, I did a 15 + 16 mile ride

Three Things Thursday: The Key West Goals Post

2011-12-01T08:23:00.000-05:00

1. Even though this race is more about the trip than the race itself, I do have goals! The first of which is to have a kick ass time in Key West with the mafia and our wives, and our good friends hosting us in Miami on the way. The definition of kick ass is as follows, in a very particular order: a. Margaritas, and lots of them, hopefully in our bellies and not on the floor. b. Gorgeous