I am still running at least a mile every day. But I am NOT training for anything. It's been a pleasure.
I do have a few 'off season' goals.
Do a back bridge: This was hard at first. Like super hard and stuff. But, I've made progress faster than I expected. With a proper warm up, I can hit a back bridge with good form. Now I'm working on holding it longer or doing more reps or both.
Handstand: This is the skill I probably "kept" the most. One day with Dungeon Master, I was all "hold my beer, I'm gonna try this" and I busted one out directly. I've been doing all my handstands against a wall. I haven't tried one "out in the open". Today I learned that I cannot do a handstand after doing clean and press workout. Oops. I was a little worried I had a concussion but I think I'm good.
Toes to bar: I could barely do toes to bar when I was a gymnast so this may take a while. I also cannot swing on the bar after clean and press.
French braiding my hair: In a surprise update, I have legit left the house with my hair in a french braid more than once. I was inspired by this super long video to really learn how to french braid my hair. I still get bubbles, but I'm loving it.
24.10.19
15.10.19
Cincinnati - October 2019
Run: I got up at the crack of dawn and ran around my neighborhood. In the rain.
Travel: Originally I'd planned to take the bus to the train. But it was raining and I wasn't down for all that so I took a Lyft and had a lovely chat with my driver, Dawn. Then, at the airport I ran into a friend I know from here who also grew up in Cincinnati. We've never had that happen before.
Food: Obviously first thing in Cincinnati we hit up Skyline.
Family: We saw Grandma today and worked a crossword puzzle with her. She seemed okay.
Activities: Blink Cincinnati night 1. I went with Mom, Dad, and several others including my "downstairs mom and dad". I didn't have a great time. There were way too many people, and it was open to traffic. So it was a mess of people and honking cars. I felt like every time I stopped to look at something I was in the way. It was super uncomfortable.
Run: I had a back and forth in the cul de sac by Mom and Dad's.
Food: Mom and I had lunch at a Food Truck. For supper we got pizza from the place by Mom and Dad with the roasted olives. Need I say more?
Family: We had supper with some of my favorite people in Kentucky. Mom and I also saw Grandma for a minute. She was laying down talking to the baby, so we talked about lullabies. And then we sang Puff the Magic Dragon and Grandma went down for her nap with the baby.
Activities: There were multiple screw ups today. All of which I own. First activity was hitting up the Zoo with an old friend and her boys. And I screwed up when we were supposed to meet so Mom and I were late. Then for supper, we went to the wrong house. I felt so bad. Mom and I tried to french braid each other's hair too. That was unsuccessful but at least nobody waited or got hungry because of me.
Run: There's going to be a lot of back and forths in the cul de sac on this post.
Food: We had lunch with a family friend who'd just moved and supper in Dayton with family I wish I got to see more than I do.
Family: I went to Zumba with my cousin's wife. It was a fun class, a lot different from my normal routine. Then we saw a family friend who'd moved and it was good to see her doing so well, and then we saw family in Dayton and I got to hang out with a preschooler which made my day.
Activities: Well, the fun really started when my new neighbor (who does not know me that well) called to see if I was okay because she could hear alarms from my place. I don't know how much I've said about the smoke detectors after I moved, but that noise now gives me panic attacks. So, Captain Smiley came over and uninstalled one that appeared to be malfunctioning, and got them all to be quiet. And I just continued on with the panic attacks for a while. It was not awesome.
Run: Dad has started a run/walk 1 mile program on the days he doesn't golf or tennis. So I asked if he would do his mile in the cul de sac while I did mine. At the end of this run, my streak had gone on for seven complete years.
Food: I celebrated seven years running with seven slices of goetta. We had Taste of Belgium for supper and I gave Josslyn her first Brussels Sprouts.
Family: We saw Grandma for a while but she wasn't feeling so well. I got a bonus day with my cousin/wife/baby. I always have a nice time hanging out with all of them. I'm happy I'm getting to know my wife's cousin too.
Activities: We did Blink day 2 and this was my favorite night of Blink. It was way less crowded than the first night. I like the park and OTR better because more of the streets are closed. It feels more like a block party and it's fun to just hang out.
Run: One mile in the cul de sac to start year 8.
Food: I had all of the goetta. Not even going to lie.
Family: Mom, Dad, and I hung out and then Mom took me to the airport.
Travel: It was a pretty smooth flight home.
Activities: Olive picked me up at the airport, taught me about ladders (no joke) and helped me replace all of the smoke detectors (not including the one I replaced in July) and then test them all including the one I replaced in July. I only had one phone call with her after she left. I'm calling that a win.
14.10.19
Rice Creek West: Trail Review
In all the free time I have now, with not training for any races, I
decided to check out some trails that have been on my 'to see' list. Right at the top is Rice Creek West - in Anoka Co. Not to be confused with the portions of Rice Creek North in Anoka Co, nor the portions of Rice Creek West and North in Ramsey Co.
Trail: Rice Creek West.
Parking and Logistics I used the Locke Park access to the trail. There's a port o pot, but the plumbed facilities are always locked for some reason. I wanted to try this trail because it's quite close to a work location I frequent. So, even without a place to change at the park, logistics are fine.
Hills: OMG Yes. This is like "let's put a parking lot up here and then let you run down the hill to the creek. And then up the hill to this road..."
Ease of Running: It's a paved trail. The east bound portion of the trail from the dog park was fine except a mighty hill up to the Medtronic campus. The west bound portion of the trail had issues due to new housing and road construction, and then a very old and 'lumpy' part of the trail. (Sorry, I don't know a better word for it.)
Nature: Lots of birds. This trail is beautiful for a hot minute before it starts running next to the road. I was so excited and so bummed.
Will I come back: Maybe for a walk, but not for a run. I'm very 'meh' on this trail. Some parts were amazing, especially down in the woods near the creek. But, for a run, there are too many at grade crossings of very busy roads. Westbound, this crosses University Ave and River Rd at grade, with a signaled crosswalk. Eastbound, this crosses Central Ave, also at grade with a signaled crosswalk. I didn't go east of Central, but there appear to be at grade crossings of Silver Lake Rd, Stinson Blvd and Long Lake Rd. It's not clear if they are signaled or not.
Trail: Rice Creek West.
Parking and Logistics I used the Locke Park access to the trail. There's a port o pot, but the plumbed facilities are always locked for some reason. I wanted to try this trail because it's quite close to a work location I frequent. So, even without a place to change at the park, logistics are fine.
Nature: Lots of birds. This trail is beautiful for a hot minute before it starts running next to the road. I was so excited and so bummed.
8.10.19
TC 10K - the race that wasn't
Day(s) before:
Expo: I don’t know what my issue was, but I was not at all impressed this year. Perhaps I’m just ruined by Cincinnati? The expo was set up differently. (Portrait versus landscape if you know what I mean.) I couldn’t tell if there were fewer vendors or if it just seemed that way due to the set up.
Transportation to/from expo: I thought I was going to bus, but a wardrobe failure on my part meant I drove, parked at the Science Museum, and paid a whopping $1. I’m saying I came out ahead.
Expo SWAG: I’d registered for the 10K so I got my shirt ahead of time, as well as a buff.
Race Day
Start time: Scheduled for 7:15am
Weather: Well, see, here’s where the drama starts. We’d been predicted for some rain, including some heavy rain and lightning. Rain itself was forecasted to start well before the races and last long after.So at 3:53am, the races were all cancelled.
I think they would not have cancelled for this weather on Marathon Sunday. But the Saturday events have sooo many kids, and they are held on the grass/lawns that would’ve basically been swamps. The safety concerns for these races are significantly different than the marathon and 10 Mile. So I’m bummed, but I totally get it too.
I texted my coach, and then a few friends who’d had races scheduled as well. Then I want back to sleep for a bit. Around 10am, I went to the gym to run my mile, and then I walked a 5K with Dungeon Master She was at least as bummed as I was.
Wardrobe
Transportation to start line:
Route:
Plan/Goals:
Execution:
Nutrition:
Results:
From today, I learned: This is really the biggest ‘first world problem’ right? As soon as things happened, friends started reaching out. Or when I let people know, they were bummed for me. I told Dungeon Master, ‘we can’t get richer than having good friends’. So, this stings, but I’m trying to focus on all the things that are going right for me including my health, a job I love, a safe and warm place to live, and phenomenal friendships.
Also, the main comment I saw on TCM Facebook page was “at least the marathon people can still run their race, I’d feel really bad if it was them” and that’s exactly how I feel. I’ve only run one race this year and it was the full Marathon.
SWAG: I did get the shirt already, and they will give medals away next week apparently.
Remember for next time: I’m going to put this here. A few people were all “you even paid a coach”. I have not regretted that once. Even if I didn’t get to race, I learned a lot from working with a coach. I learned about how weeks and workouts are structured. I learned to push myself. And I learned my mind is as important as anything else in training. I feel like the race was going to be putting all those things together to “see” the final result, but my body enjoyed the benefits of the work, even without the race.
Bonus: Instead of running a race, I did the following:
Ran my mile
Walked a 5K with Dungeon Master.
Practiced handstands (my winter fitness goal). I was nervous but I nailed a handstand on the first try!
Practice bridges (my winter fitness goal also). I do not have perfect form, but I did get into one.
Had lunch with a few awesome people.
Had a beer with Captain Smiley
Made cheering signs for the marathon tomorrow.
Expo: I don’t know what my issue was, but I was not at all impressed this year. Perhaps I’m just ruined by Cincinnati? The expo was set up differently. (Portrait versus landscape if you know what I mean.) I couldn’t tell if there were fewer vendors or if it just seemed that way due to the set up.
Transportation to/from expo: I thought I was going to bus, but a wardrobe failure on my part meant I drove, parked at the Science Museum, and paid a whopping $1. I’m saying I came out ahead.
Expo SWAG: I’d registered for the 10K so I got my shirt ahead of time, as well as a buff.
Race Day
Start time: Scheduled for 7:15am
Weather: Well, see, here’s where the drama starts. We’d been predicted for some rain, including some heavy rain and lightning. Rain itself was forecasted to start well before the races and last long after.So at 3:53am, the races were all cancelled.
I think they would not have cancelled for this weather on Marathon Sunday. But the Saturday events have sooo many kids, and they are held on the grass/lawns that would’ve basically been swamps. The safety concerns for these races are significantly different than the marathon and 10 Mile. So I’m bummed, but I totally get it too.
I texted my coach, and then a few friends who’d had races scheduled as well. Then I want back to sleep for a bit. Around 10am, I went to the gym to run my mile, and then I walked a 5K with Dungeon Master She was at least as bummed as I was.
From today, I learned: This is really the biggest ‘first world problem’ right? As soon as things happened, friends started reaching out. Or when I let people know, they were bummed for me. I told Dungeon Master, ‘we can’t get richer than having good friends’. So, this stings, but I’m trying to focus on all the things that are going right for me including my health, a job I love, a safe and warm place to live, and phenomenal friendships.
Also, the main comment I saw on TCM Facebook page was “at least the marathon people can still run their race, I’d feel really bad if it was them” and that’s exactly how I feel. I’ve only run one race this year and it was the full Marathon.
SWAG: I did get the shirt already, and they will give medals away next week apparently.
Remember for next time: I’m going to put this here. A few people were all “you even paid a coach”. I have not regretted that once. Even if I didn’t get to race, I learned a lot from working with a coach. I learned about how weeks and workouts are structured. I learned to push myself. And I learned my mind is as important as anything else in training. I feel like the race was going to be putting all those things together to “see” the final result, but my body enjoyed the benefits of the work, even without the race.
Bonus: Instead of running a race, I did the following:
Ran my mile
Walked a 5K with Dungeon Master.
Practiced handstands (my winter fitness goal). I was nervous but I nailed a handstand on the first try!
Practice bridges (my winter fitness goal also). I do not have perfect form, but I did get into one.
Had lunch with a few awesome people.
Had a beer with Captain Smiley
Made cheering signs for the marathon tomorrow.
7.10.19
TCM: Cheer Report
One of my 2019 goals was to cheer for the marathon runners, from the first wheeler to the last runner. So, instead of a race report, this is a cheer report.
Start time: Marathon wheelers start at 7:55am, runners start at 8am. The first wheeler came by around 8:05am, and the runners around 8:15 or 8:20am.
Weather: The runners today had glorious weather. It started around 50*, and got a bit warmer as time went on.
Wardrobe:
Tops: Long johns, t-shirt, wool sweater, sweat shirt
Bottoms: Long johns, sweat pants, wool socks
Other: Xero boots
Wish I had: I hat and gloves. Yes for 50*.
Transportation: Dungeon Master drove us. We took Van White over to south Mpls.
Route Location: We were around mile 3.5, just before the course turns onto Lake of the Isles. Dungeon Master and I had a bonus location after mile 18 with Olive for a bit. Because I told her things would feel different at mile 18.
Plan/Goals: Cheer from the first to the last person!
Execution: Mission completed. I made signs and everything.
Nutrition: This watch party is legit. We had Isles Bun & Coffee 'puppy dog tails' which means 'cinnamon twists'. So I got my donuts while watching the race!
Start time: Marathon wheelers start at 7:55am, runners start at 8am. The first wheeler came by around 8:05am, and the runners around 8:15 or 8:20am.
Weather: The runners today had glorious weather. It started around 50*, and got a bit warmer as time went on.
Tops: Long johns, t-shirt, wool sweater, sweat shirt
Bottoms: Long johns, sweat pants, wool socks
Other: Xero boots
Wish I had: I hat and gloves. Yes for 50*.
Transportation: Dungeon Master drove us. We took Van White over to south Mpls.
Plan/Goals: Cheer from the first to the last person!
Execution: Mission completed. I made signs and everything.
6.10.19
TC 10K - Race Week
Sunday actual: 1.18 miles.
From today, I learned: Don't trust weather channel. It totally rained.
Monday actual: 4.52 miles in the 85* heat with about 90% humidity. I wish I were joking.
From today, I learned: I got to check out a new trail. I was on the Western Portion of the Luce Line Trail for a couple miles of out and back.
Tuesday planned: Run 1 miles. No weights!
Tuesday actual: 1.19 miles in the morning before work.
From today, I learned: This was a day the run just needed to happen first thing.
Wednesday planned: 3 miles easy
Wednesday actual: 3.29 miles in the morning
From today, I learned: It's cold. What am I going to wear on race day if it's like this?
Thursday planned: 3 miles easy. No weights!
Thursday actual: 1.19 miles in the morning before a super long day of work.
From today, I learned: I passed a lady walking her dog who had the same safety vest as me, and then I saw her again so we must use opposite routes.
Friday actual: 1.2 miles in the afternoon after picking up my bib and gear.
From today, I learned: Go in my body and stay out of my mind!
Saturday actual: Race cancelled at 3:53am due to massive rain and potential for lightning and thunder.
From today, I learned: This one definitely stings. This is the ultimate first world problem right? The moment this happened my friends reached out to pick me up. I feel like I can't get richer than having beautiful friendships so I'm over here county my blessings while also feeling slightly bummed.
Tomorrow the Dungeon Master and I are cheering for the marathon, and I have my signs ready!
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