Plan:
Warm up walk: I got to the gym before it opened (on purpose) and did my “warm up” walk outside on Nicolett Mall for about 10 minutes.
Workout:
10 mins of ‘warming up’ running, starting at 4.1mph and building to 4.4mph, somewhere towards the end of this Dungeon Master showed up and was on the treadmill next to me, telling me about her family and Christmas.
5 mins at 5.9mph (which is faster than I’ve ever done this set), 2 mins at 4.4mph
4 mins at 6.0mph, 2 mins at 4.4mph
3 mins at 6.1mph, 2 mins a 4.3mph, Dungeon Master left in the middle of this set to get ready for her class.
2 mins at 6.2mph, 2 mins at 4.3mph
1 mins at 6.4 mph
I ‘cooled down’ from 4.6mph to 4.1mph and had to be off the treadmill in time for my friend’s spin class.
Actual Mileage: My watch, hilariously, says 0.45 miles walking. So I did 3.55 miles on the treadmill for an even 4.0 miles total.
High Points of the workout: My friend talking to me for the first few sets really took my mind off things. Time flew by. I felt like I was working more than normal but enjoying myself.
Struggles of the workout: The last couple sets, I focused on having a fast and even cadence. There was this guy on a treadmill next to me that had the biggest slowest stride I have ever seen. We'll call him stomper-clomper. It was really messing with my rhythm. (No judgements, it was just loud.) I had to stay inside myself and focus on what I was doing.
From the high points, and from the struggles, I learned: Today showed the difference between good distractions and bad distractions! Both are good practice for race day.
Next steps: I went into this workout with a most positive attitude than December workouts. Also more adventurous and curious than December, and that made a big difference.
Bonus: Coach actually texted me to see if the workout was okay, since my last long run was kind of an explosion. That was thoughtful
1.1.20
2019 Books - I started. Then I stopped. Then I started again.
2019 Books
1. 1/2/19 Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer. This is the third in the series that I've read. I wasn't even worried at the end of it when they wiped everyone's minds. I was all 'whatever, there's like five more of these things'
2. 1/7/19 Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins. The more I read, the more I thought "this dude is nuts". I liked the book and how he talked about his life.
3. 1/8/19 Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception. I finished this one today on super long car rides. Almost ready for the next one on a super long drive tomorrow.
4. 1/11/19 Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony. I loved this one because of all the foils for Artemis.
5. 1/15/19 Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox. This one was not my jam. In the beginning Artemis was all "if it happens that means it already happened" so I spent the whole book not being worried and therefore not engaged.
6. and 7. 1/23/19 Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex. I finished this one sometime before today, while I was recovering from the plague. I loved crazy Artemis. Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian also by Eoin Colfer. I finished this one today. I'm kind of meh on the whole series. I loved the first book, and Lost Colony. Some of the other ones were like "ok, let's just get through this". The series was compared to Harry Potter, which is how I think a lot of people found it. Potter I think is one longer story, where as this is a bunch of separate pieces. Potter also had a better 'pay off' at the end, if you will. This ending was the most Meh part of the whole thing.
8. 2/2/19 Emma by Jane Austen. I was so meh about this book that it took me forever to get through. It felt like 'stuff happens' then 'a whole bunch of nothing happens except people we don't like come to town' and then 'everything happens and we all live happily ever after' Emma's Dad reminds me of someone in my own family who also suffers what would be called 'a nervous complaint'.
9. 2/6/19 This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. I absolutely fell into this book when I started it. As I was wrapping it up, I was running on the track at the gym. I felt ridiculous with tears glistening in my eyes, running in circles, listening to how things tied themselves up. Totally worth my time.
10. 2/13/19 the Best of all Possible Worlds
11. 3/5/19 The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Mom would want you to know this book is 40 CDs long. I started 'reading' during this long run on February 18. And I drive a ton for my job. And I 'read' it again during this long run as well as some easier workouts. So, I feel like I read about 10 different books. William Howard Taft is from Cincinnati, and the early parts of the book just made my city come alive for me. I also have Team of Rivals in my cue. I have more long runs coming up, so there's still time.
12. 4/6/19 Becoming by Michelle Obama. I listened to this one primarily on several long runs. I started one long run as she was telling the story with the Cheetah and the tranquilizer dart and I was all what the actual eff am I listening to? It was an odd way to start a run. I loved the story of how she met President Obama. I also adored the story of her learning to play piano and finding middle c. I recommend this one as an audio book in particular because she reads it. Totally worth your time.
13, 14 4/27/19 Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey, obviously both by Jane Austen. I'd read Mansfield Park before and liked it better the second time. Northanger Abbey felt, somehow, incomplete to me. Like she talks to the readers about her heroine a little too much. Just, less polished. I only have a couple Austen works left before I've read them all.
15. 5/12/19 Persausion by Jane Austen. I am now done with her main novels. I may have to listen to this one again. It's hard to imagine liking anything more than Pride and Prejudice, but this one would be totally worth my time. I listened to this one mostly while packing to move. Wild...
16. 5/19/19 Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple. I think I had a recommendation for this one from one of the blogs I read. I listened to the book while packing. And packing. And panicking. And packing. It was a quick easy read and I enjoyed it. I'm interested to see the movie when it comes out later this sumer.
17. 7/2/19 Team of Rivals by Dorris Kearns Goodwin. That 50 book goal is not looking so good this year. Seriously, this book was great. I learned a ton about Lincoln and the Civil War, but also a lot about the supporting characters, and how Lincoln could get everyone to work together.
18. 7/4/19 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I loved this book as much as everyone said I would. In an odd way, it reminds me of Prince of Tides, because the environment is almost like a character in the book.
19. 7/13/19 The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish. This book was both good and hard to read because some of the experiences are really sad. I love the portrayal of the social worker smoking pot with the foster mom. I recommend the audio book on this one because the author reads it herself.
20. Not sure the date? Binti by Nnedi Okorafor. And now I found out this is a series so I have to find the next two novellas.
21. 7/28/19 What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. I absolutely fell into this one. I liked it much better than I remember liking Big Little Lies. Also for this one, I listened to some of this while running on the track, and I'd really missed running and listening to audio books.
22. 8/5/19 The Magicians by Lev Grossman (Book 1). I finished this on the treadmill this morning. Books 2 and 3 await. So far, I can say the parallels to Chronicles of Narnia are obvious and I am loving them.
23. 8/9/19 the Magician King by Lev Grossman. This is book 2 of 3. I'm happy to see some old characters from book 1, and curious about a couple characters that were introduced but not fully explained in this book. On to book 3.
24. 8/12/19 The Magicians Land by Lev Grossman. This is book 3 of 3. In the midst of this, I sorted out how to connect my Alexa Echo to my phone to listen to this book on that speaker at home. Game changer! There were parts of this series I adored and parts that were perhaps more gory or violent than I enjoyed, though I think the writer was ultimately genuine and not sensational in the choices made.
25, 26, and 27 8/30/19 the Xenogenesis Triology by Octavia E Butler. The last book of the trilogy was my favorite. This to me is what the Left Hand of Darkness was to my Pooky Bear. It's such a great look at what it means to be human, and to be male and female, and to be part of a family. Science Fiction sometimes can examine those relationships in ways no other genre can.
28. 9/3/19 Kindred By Octavia Butler. This was my favorite of her books that I've read. I could not put this down, even took it with me on my run yesterday.
29. 9/7/19 Educated by Tara Westover. This is read by the same person who read 'the Great Alone' and a couple others so that was confusing. For serious, I could not put this down and stayed up way too late a couple of nights listening to it. I'm all "literally she's getting a PhD from Cambridge; why is she going back to these crazy people?" Frustrating, but honest and relatable as well. Totally worth your time.
30. 9/13/19 The Fishermen by Chigoze Obioma. Parts of this book were hard but I generally liked it. I've never been to Nigeria, but recalled my time in Malawi, and how people there would in my American mind "give in to foolish superstition". So, it was frustratingly real to the culture as I perceive it.
31. 9/19/19 The Storied Life of AJ Fickry was a recommendation from a friend. It was short and I really liked it.
32. 9/20/19 Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor is one of the few physical books I've read this year. I started it a while ago and I've been picking my way through it ever since. It really helped turn a switch in my mind about running hard and feeling good. We'll see how that helps me in the 10K.
33. 9/21/19 Wonder by RJ Palacio. This was a recommendation from my 11 year old nephew (whose mom pointed out the book is better than the movie). It was a quick read and totally worth my time. The book lacks the big "oomph" moment that the movie has, but it feels more true to life, and equally satisfying. Also, truth, I'm trying to read some shorter ones here. I took a big break after the marathon. (Hello gap from May to July) We'll see if I make it to 50 books this year. If not, a couple of the ones earlier this yeah should really count as several books anyways because they were so long!
34. 9/22/19 Black Klansman by Ron Stallworth. This book was not at all what I expected. I sunk right into it and finished it in a day. It wasn't the touchy-feely "Nazis are bad" experience I thought. It was "this is how the police investigation started, these are the psychological profiles..." etc. In that way, it was much more approachable than the misery that would've been a touchy-feely-nazis-are-bad sob fest.
35. 9/24/19 The Face in the Frost by John Bellairs. This one was mildly entertaining but I won't read it again. It's apparently got a cult following from D&D fans, but I guess I don't get the hype.
36. 9/25/19 37. Scum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Johnson. Apparently Captain Smiley actually works in this format and I think he likes it. Personally, the book reminded me of Extreme Ownership though I don't think a ton of people would've made that connection. Not sure if the author would like that connection or not.
38. 9/29/19 Something Deeply Hidden by Sean M Carroll. I legit have no idea what this book was about. I think I understood the introducing and when they talked about the slit/wave/particle/double slit experiment and almost nothing else. But I held on.
39. 11/29/19 Brief Answers to Big Questions by Stephen Hawking. I listened to this one on a road trip with Mom and Dad. I actually loved it. Also, wow, it's been a while since I read a book, right?
40. 12/5/19 The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. This is my favorite book I've read all year. And maybe since the "Liz keeps reading" project began. This made me feel all of the feelings. And I love how Appalachia and Hill People are portrayed. I love it all.
41. 12/12/19 The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova. I did not understand this was a thriller until it was pretty far into the book. And obviously I devoured the book trying to figure out what the heck was going on.
42. 12/15/19 The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor. Ok, this book is the stuff of nightmares. Most thrillers are like "plot twist" but not just plain creepy.
43. 12/29/19 Lab Girl by Hope Jaren. I loved so many things about this book. I'm freaked out by a few things in this book too. (Hello, bipolar disorder, you are a cruel beast.) The description of showing affection in Minnesota really hits the nail on the head. Not sure if this'll be my last book this ear, or if I'll get one more in.
44. 12/31/19 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. This one is read by the author. It wouldn't have been as good if it were read by anyone else. Part of what made this come alive was the accent and hearing the 'local' pronunciations or words like "Afghan" (which I've been saying wrong in my head forever apparently). It's almost 9pm, so I'm really getting this book in at the wire.
1. 1/2/19 Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer. This is the third in the series that I've read. I wasn't even worried at the end of it when they wiped everyone's minds. I was all 'whatever, there's like five more of these things'
2. 1/7/19 Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins. The more I read, the more I thought "this dude is nuts". I liked the book and how he talked about his life.
3. 1/8/19 Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception. I finished this one today on super long car rides. Almost ready for the next one on a super long drive tomorrow.
4. 1/11/19 Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony. I loved this one because of all the foils for Artemis.
5. 1/15/19 Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox. This one was not my jam. In the beginning Artemis was all "if it happens that means it already happened" so I spent the whole book not being worried and therefore not engaged.
6. and 7. 1/23/19 Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex. I finished this one sometime before today, while I was recovering from the plague. I loved crazy Artemis. Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian also by Eoin Colfer. I finished this one today. I'm kind of meh on the whole series. I loved the first book, and Lost Colony. Some of the other ones were like "ok, let's just get through this". The series was compared to Harry Potter, which is how I think a lot of people found it. Potter I think is one longer story, where as this is a bunch of separate pieces. Potter also had a better 'pay off' at the end, if you will. This ending was the most Meh part of the whole thing.
8. 2/2/19 Emma by Jane Austen. I was so meh about this book that it took me forever to get through. It felt like 'stuff happens' then 'a whole bunch of nothing happens except people we don't like come to town' and then 'everything happens and we all live happily ever after' Emma's Dad reminds me of someone in my own family who also suffers what would be called 'a nervous complaint'.
9. 2/6/19 This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. I absolutely fell into this book when I started it. As I was wrapping it up, I was running on the track at the gym. I felt ridiculous with tears glistening in my eyes, running in circles, listening to how things tied themselves up. Totally worth my time.
10. 2/13/19 the Best of all Possible Worlds
11. 3/5/19 The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Mom would want you to know this book is 40 CDs long. I started 'reading' during this long run on February 18. And I drive a ton for my job. And I 'read' it again during this long run as well as some easier workouts. So, I feel like I read about 10 different books. William Howard Taft is from Cincinnati, and the early parts of the book just made my city come alive for me. I also have Team of Rivals in my cue. I have more long runs coming up, so there's still time.
12. 4/6/19 Becoming by Michelle Obama. I listened to this one primarily on several long runs. I started one long run as she was telling the story with the Cheetah and the tranquilizer dart and I was all what the actual eff am I listening to? It was an odd way to start a run. I loved the story of how she met President Obama. I also adored the story of her learning to play piano and finding middle c. I recommend this one as an audio book in particular because she reads it. Totally worth your time.
13, 14 4/27/19 Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey, obviously both by Jane Austen. I'd read Mansfield Park before and liked it better the second time. Northanger Abbey felt, somehow, incomplete to me. Like she talks to the readers about her heroine a little too much. Just, less polished. I only have a couple Austen works left before I've read them all.
15. 5/12/19 Persausion by Jane Austen. I am now done with her main novels. I may have to listen to this one again. It's hard to imagine liking anything more than Pride and Prejudice, but this one would be totally worth my time. I listened to this one mostly while packing to move. Wild...
16. 5/19/19 Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple. I think I had a recommendation for this one from one of the blogs I read. I listened to the book while packing. And packing. And panicking. And packing. It was a quick easy read and I enjoyed it. I'm interested to see the movie when it comes out later this sumer.
17. 7/2/19 Team of Rivals by Dorris Kearns Goodwin. That 50 book goal is not looking so good this year. Seriously, this book was great. I learned a ton about Lincoln and the Civil War, but also a lot about the supporting characters, and how Lincoln could get everyone to work together.
18. 7/4/19 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I loved this book as much as everyone said I would. In an odd way, it reminds me of Prince of Tides, because the environment is almost like a character in the book.
19. 7/13/19 The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish. This book was both good and hard to read because some of the experiences are really sad. I love the portrayal of the social worker smoking pot with the foster mom. I recommend the audio book on this one because the author reads it herself.
20. Not sure the date? Binti by Nnedi Okorafor. And now I found out this is a series so I have to find the next two novellas.
21. 7/28/19 What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. I absolutely fell into this one. I liked it much better than I remember liking Big Little Lies. Also for this one, I listened to some of this while running on the track, and I'd really missed running and listening to audio books.
22. 8/5/19 The Magicians by Lev Grossman (Book 1). I finished this on the treadmill this morning. Books 2 and 3 await. So far, I can say the parallels to Chronicles of Narnia are obvious and I am loving them.
23. 8/9/19 the Magician King by Lev Grossman. This is book 2 of 3. I'm happy to see some old characters from book 1, and curious about a couple characters that were introduced but not fully explained in this book. On to book 3.
24. 8/12/19 The Magicians Land by Lev Grossman. This is book 3 of 3. In the midst of this, I sorted out how to connect my Alexa Echo to my phone to listen to this book on that speaker at home. Game changer! There were parts of this series I adored and parts that were perhaps more gory or violent than I enjoyed, though I think the writer was ultimately genuine and not sensational in the choices made.
25, 26, and 27 8/30/19 the Xenogenesis Triology by Octavia E Butler. The last book of the trilogy was my favorite. This to me is what the Left Hand of Darkness was to my Pooky Bear. It's such a great look at what it means to be human, and to be male and female, and to be part of a family. Science Fiction sometimes can examine those relationships in ways no other genre can.
28. 9/3/19 Kindred By Octavia Butler. This was my favorite of her books that I've read. I could not put this down, even took it with me on my run yesterday.
29. 9/7/19 Educated by Tara Westover. This is read by the same person who read 'the Great Alone' and a couple others so that was confusing. For serious, I could not put this down and stayed up way too late a couple of nights listening to it. I'm all "literally she's getting a PhD from Cambridge; why is she going back to these crazy people?" Frustrating, but honest and relatable as well. Totally worth your time.
30. 9/13/19 The Fishermen by Chigoze Obioma. Parts of this book were hard but I generally liked it. I've never been to Nigeria, but recalled my time in Malawi, and how people there would in my American mind "give in to foolish superstition". So, it was frustratingly real to the culture as I perceive it.
31. 9/19/19 The Storied Life of AJ Fickry was a recommendation from a friend. It was short and I really liked it.
32. 9/20/19 Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor is one of the few physical books I've read this year. I started it a while ago and I've been picking my way through it ever since. It really helped turn a switch in my mind about running hard and feeling good. We'll see how that helps me in the 10K.
33. 9/21/19 Wonder by RJ Palacio. This was a recommendation from my 11 year old nephew (whose mom pointed out the book is better than the movie). It was a quick read and totally worth my time. The book lacks the big "oomph" moment that the movie has, but it feels more true to life, and equally satisfying. Also, truth, I'm trying to read some shorter ones here. I took a big break after the marathon. (Hello gap from May to July) We'll see if I make it to 50 books this year. If not, a couple of the ones earlier this yeah should really count as several books anyways because they were so long!
34. 9/22/19 Black Klansman by Ron Stallworth. This book was not at all what I expected. I sunk right into it and finished it in a day. It wasn't the touchy-feely "Nazis are bad" experience I thought. It was "this is how the police investigation started, these are the psychological profiles..." etc. In that way, it was much more approachable than the misery that would've been a touchy-feely-nazis-are-bad sob fest.
35. 9/24/19 The Face in the Frost by John Bellairs. This one was mildly entertaining but I won't read it again. It's apparently got a cult following from D&D fans, but I guess I don't get the hype.
36. 9/25/19 37. Scum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Johnson. Apparently Captain Smiley actually works in this format and I think he likes it. Personally, the book reminded me of Extreme Ownership though I don't think a ton of people would've made that connection. Not sure if the author would like that connection or not.
38. 9/29/19 Something Deeply Hidden by Sean M Carroll. I legit have no idea what this book was about. I think I understood the introducing and when they talked about the slit/wave/particle/double slit experiment and almost nothing else. But I held on.
39. 11/29/19 Brief Answers to Big Questions by Stephen Hawking. I listened to this one on a road trip with Mom and Dad. I actually loved it. Also, wow, it's been a while since I read a book, right?
40. 12/5/19 The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. This is my favorite book I've read all year. And maybe since the "Liz keeps reading" project began. This made me feel all of the feelings. And I love how Appalachia and Hill People are portrayed. I love it all.
41. 12/12/19 The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova. I did not understand this was a thriller until it was pretty far into the book. And obviously I devoured the book trying to figure out what the heck was going on.
42. 12/15/19 The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor. Ok, this book is the stuff of nightmares. Most thrillers are like "plot twist" but not just plain creepy.
43. 12/29/19 Lab Girl by Hope Jaren. I loved so many things about this book. I'm freaked out by a few things in this book too. (Hello, bipolar disorder, you are a cruel beast.) The description of showing affection in Minnesota really hits the nail on the head. Not sure if this'll be my last book this ear, or if I'll get one more in.
44. 12/31/19 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. This one is read by the author. It wouldn't have been as good if it were read by anyone else. Part of what made this come alive was the accent and hearing the 'local' pronunciations or words like "Afghan" (which I've been saying wrong in my head forever apparently). It's almost 9pm, so I'm really getting this book in at the wire.
Running Conditions in December
Warmest Run: It was really warm in Cincinnati for Christmas. I had several runs in shorts. (Not pictured.)
Coldest Run: There were some negative numbers in the temps, but mostly I was inside on those days. I think 10* was the coldest outside run.
Favorite Run: I did a few runs with Dad in Cincinnati.
Worst conditions outside: There was some ice and some snow. The ice issues right around the school by me, but nothing unmanageable.
Other: First yak trax run of the year. There are a lot more of those over here than I remember at the old place. Perhaps it's because I'm not as bold about running up the middle of the street as I was over there?
Coldest Run: There were some negative numbers in the temps, but mostly I was inside on those days. I think 10* was the coldest outside run.
Favorite Run: I did a few runs with Dad in Cincinnati.
Worst conditions outside: There was some ice and some snow. The ice issues right around the school by me, but nothing unmanageable.
Other: First yak trax run of the year. There are a lot more of those over here than I remember at the old place. Perhaps it's because I'm not as bold about running up the middle of the street as I was over there?
31.12.19
2019 Goals Review
2019 Goals
Running/Fitness
Keep up the running streak: Yes.
Keep lifting weights 3/week: Mostly 2/week.
Valentines Day 5K - race, no taper - Did not run due to weather and ice on the roads.
Flying Pig Full Marathon - race and have all of the fun! Mission accomplished.
Break 30:00 in the 5K - I did not run a 5K this year, so who knows.
Sit on the TCM Course somewhere and cheer the entire time the course is open. Yes.
Volunteer at least once at a race. Yes, Red White and Book.
Nutrition: Let's just say none of this really happened and it's a learning opportunity for 2020.
Blog Goals
Race training posts weekly: Yes.
Meal per day posts written daily, published around each race or similar milestone. No, see nutrition goals.
At least one LinkFest or Before and After Post per month. Um, I have some of these but not a ton.
At least three ‘Running Conditions in…’ posts. Because I love those. For sure.
General Life Goals
Read 50 books this year. Same as the goal last year. I read 62 in 2018, 63 if I finish the second Artemis Fowl book today. I'm currently at 42. I feel like the Taft book and Lincoln both should count for like four or five books. Even though it's not 50, I'm calling this one good.
Learn to French Braid my hair. Continued from 2018. I am surprised to say, mission accomplished mostly in the last month or two of the year!
Money: Use Mint to learn how I spend my money and I can I budget effectively. I wound up not using this app, and the budgeting thing kind of went nuts with buying a house. So this is a no, but I'm fine with it.
Running/Fitness
Keep up the running streak: Yes.
Keep lifting weights 3/week: Mostly 2/week.
Valentines Day 5K - race, no taper - Did not run due to weather and ice on the roads.
Flying Pig Full Marathon - race and have all of the fun! Mission accomplished.
Break 30:00 in the 5K - I did not run a 5K this year, so who knows.
Sit on the TCM Course somewhere and cheer the entire time the course is open. Yes.
Volunteer at least once at a race. Yes, Red White and Book.
Nutrition: Let's just say none of this really happened and it's a learning opportunity for 2020.
Blog Goals
Race training posts weekly: Yes.
Meal per day posts written daily, published around each race or similar milestone. No, see nutrition goals.
At least one LinkFest or Before and After Post per month. Um, I have some of these but not a ton.
At least three ‘Running Conditions in…’ posts. Because I love those. For sure.
General Life Goals
Read 50 books this year. Same as the goal last year. I read 62 in 2018, 63 if I finish the second Artemis Fowl book today. I'm currently at 42. I feel like the Taft book and Lincoln both should count for like four or five books. Even though it's not 50, I'm calling this one good.
Learn to French Braid my hair. Continued from 2018. I am surprised to say, mission accomplished mostly in the last month or two of the year!
Money: Use Mint to learn how I spend my money and I can I budget effectively. I wound up not using this app, and the budgeting thing kind of went nuts with buying a house. So this is a no, but I'm fine with it.
2019: Year of Running
To review the year's races:
Valentines Day 5K: Did not run due to ice on roads and it's too damn cold.
Flying Pig:Yes!
Women Run the Cities: Did not cheer and my friend did not run due to hypothermia concerns.
Red White and Boom: Volunteer duties complete, and I enjoyed myself.
Cosmic 5K: Cancelled due to lightning/weather
TC 10K: Cancelled due to weather
TC Marathon: Cheered around mile 3.
Best race experience: Flying Pig Marathon because that was literally a bucket list race for me and several people went out of their way to make it a special weekend for me.
Best run: Any time I was running a mile with my dad. Made my life the first time that happened!
Best new piece of running gear: I'm loving my new Vivoactive 3 watch that I got on black Friday special. It's smaller and has more features than my old watch.
Best running advice I received this year: Keep going outside and using the space.
Most inspirational runner: I've been loving all the stuff Gwen Jorgenson has put on social media about her training. Honorable mentions to Eliud Kipchoge and Mary Cain. It's also been amazing to watch Hungry Runner Girl marathon training journey this year and I appreciate her openness about the highs and the lows.
Favorite picture from a run or race this year: I mean...
Race experience I would repeat in a heartbeat: I loved cheering on TCM Sunday. Just, like, "I am done, let me celebrate someone else". I don't know if I'll do this a ton, because I also love running the 10 mile and then cheering for the marathon runners. Choices.
If I could sum up the year in a couple of words, they would be: Keep going outside!
Valentines Day 5K: Did not run due to ice on roads and it's too damn cold.
Flying Pig:Yes!
Women Run the Cities: Did not cheer and my friend did not run due to hypothermia concerns.
Red White and Boom: Volunteer duties complete, and I enjoyed myself.
Cosmic 5K: Cancelled due to lightning/weather
TC 10K: Cancelled due to weather
TC Marathon: Cheered around mile 3.
Best race experience: Flying Pig Marathon because that was literally a bucket list race for me and several people went out of their way to make it a special weekend for me.
Best new piece of running gear: I'm loving my new Vivoactive 3 watch that I got on black Friday special. It's smaller and has more features than my old watch.
Best running advice I received this year: Keep going outside and using the space.
Most inspirational runner: I've been loving all the stuff Gwen Jorgenson has put on social media about her training. Honorable mentions to Eliud Kipchoge and Mary Cain. It's also been amazing to watch Hungry Runner Girl marathon training journey this year and I appreciate her openness about the highs and the lows.
Race experience I would repeat in a heartbeat: I loved cheering on TCM Sunday. Just, like, "I am done, let me celebrate someone else". I don't know if I'll do this a ton, because I also love running the 10 mile and then cheering for the marathon runners. Choices.
If I could sum up the year in a couple of words, they would be: Keep going outside!
30.12.19
Long Run Saturday
Plan: About six miles, just run and have fun
Actual Mileage: 6.07 miles
Route: Along the Rush Creek trail.
Weather: Started off around 20*, got a bit warmer as I was out there. Humid and very little wind.
Wardrobe: Sweat pants, sweat shirt, buff as a hat, gloves, wool socks
High Points of the workout: That fifth mile was pretty fast!
Struggles of the workout: Footing in the ice/snow crust.
From the high points, I learned: This was fun to just push a little bit, not caring about pace but not wanting to go to slow either
From the struggles, I learned: Focus on form. And safety. Focus on safety too!
Next steps: I owe myself an easy 3 miles, hopefully to happen tomorrow.
Bonus: Strava says I set several PRs on segments on this run, so that's fun!
Actual Mileage: 6.07 miles
Route: Along the Rush Creek trail.
Weather: Started off around 20*, got a bit warmer as I was out there. Humid and very little wind.
Wardrobe: Sweat pants, sweat shirt, buff as a hat, gloves, wool socks
High Points of the workout: That fifth mile was pretty fast!
Struggles of the workout: Footing in the ice/snow crust.
From the high points, I learned: This was fun to just push a little bit, not caring about pace but not wanting to go to slow either
From the struggles, I learned: Focus on form. And safety. Focus on safety too!
Next steps: I owe myself an easy 3 miles, hopefully to happen tomorrow.
Bonus: Strava says I set several PRs on segments on this run, so that's fun!
Get in Gear 10K - 19 Weeks to Go
Sunday planned: Run 1 miles Long run
Sunday actual: 6 miles long run in the morning, 2+ miles bonus walk with Dungeon Master in the afternoon.
From today, I learned: Today was literally outrunning a headache. But I also ran 'harder' than I'd normally do a long run, but not 'race hard' so that was a lot of fun.
Monday planned: Quality run
Monday actual: 4.28 miles easy, outside in the sunshine and snow crust.
From today, I learned: Coach told me not to do my hard run today, since I'd just done long run yesterday and that was good advice. It synced with the weather this week, so I got outside today and will head inside on Wednesday when it's cooler.
Tuesday planned: Run 1 miles, Tuesday weights
Tuesday actual: 1.18 miles outside in the morning. Tuesday weights and bonus abs in the afternoon.
From today, I learned: Mentally, running in the morning and weights in the afternoon is so much better than "save the whole workout for later"
Wednesday planned: 4 miles, easy
Wednesday actual: Quality workout on the treadmill.
From today, I learned: This was fun but I was properly intimidated by the workout ahead of time.
Thursday planned: Run 1 miles, Thursday weights
Thursday actual: 1.18 miles, no weights.
From today, I learned: Life and scheduling is taking priorities.
Friday planned: 3 miles, easy
Friday actual: 1.18 miles in the morning
From today, I learned: Skipped the easy 3 in favor of watching the new Star Wars.
Saturday planned: 5 miles long run
Saturday actual: 6.07 miles along Rush Creek.
From today, I learned: Strava says I haven't been here since July, and before that not since March. This does feel like a "winter place" for me.
Sunday actual: 6 miles long run in the morning, 2+ miles bonus walk with Dungeon Master in the afternoon.
From today, I learned: Today was literally outrunning a headache. But I also ran 'harder' than I'd normally do a long run, but not 'race hard' so that was a lot of fun.
Monday planned: Quality run
Monday actual: 4.28 miles easy, outside in the sunshine and snow crust.
From today, I learned: Coach told me not to do my hard run today, since I'd just done long run yesterday and that was good advice. It synced with the weather this week, so I got outside today and will head inside on Wednesday when it's cooler.
Tuesday planned: Run 1 miles, Tuesday weights
Tuesday actual: 1.18 miles outside in the morning. Tuesday weights and bonus abs in the afternoon.
From today, I learned: Mentally, running in the morning and weights in the afternoon is so much better than "save the whole workout for later"
Wednesday planned: 4 miles, easy
Wednesday actual: Quality workout on the treadmill.
From today, I learned: This was fun but I was properly intimidated by the workout ahead of time.
Thursday planned: Run 1 miles, Thursday weights
Thursday actual: 1.18 miles, no weights.
From today, I learned: Life and scheduling is taking priorities.
Friday planned: 3 miles, easy
Friday actual: 1.18 miles in the morning
From today, I learned: Skipped the easy 3 in favor of watching the new Star Wars.
Saturday planned: 5 miles long run
Saturday actual: 6.07 miles along Rush Creek.
From today, I learned: Strava says I haven't been here since July, and before that not since March. This does feel like a "winter place" for me.
19.12.19
Quality Miles Wednesday: on the treadmill
Plan: 54321 workout
Actual Mileage:
1 mile walking, total. 3 miles of running.
Dynamic stretches and 10 mins of walking on the treadmill.
Running: 10 mins “warm up” running at 4.1-4.3 mph
5 mins 5.8mph 2mins 4.2mph
4 mins 6.0 mph 2mins 4.2mph
3 mins 6.1 mph 2mins 4.2mph
2 mins 6.2 mph 2mins 4.2mph
1 mins 6.3 mph
Cool down from 4.4 - 4.1mph
10 mins of walking cool down.
Route: Treadmill
Weather: Freezing too cold outside
High Points of the workout: I “settled in” to the longer intervals. Where they felt hard, but like I had a good rhythm. I could’ve kept going at those speeds, though I was fine with the rests.
Struggles of the workout: Getting out of bed and getting the workout started?
From the high points, I learned: Focus on form a rhythm. Nice confidence builder.
From the struggles, I learned: Don’t think about the workouts ahead of time? Maybe I should do this for race day too?
Next steps: I’ve finally given this workout the respect it deserves. Even though it
looks like “oh, it’s only a few minutes, I can do that” it’s a hard
workout.
I think being purposeful about the warm up, and including walking before
the running really helped me. Even though I was ready to start the
‘work’ and get it over with, I’m glad I took my time and built up to it.
I felt really solid when I got moving.
Bonus: I'm sitting on my couch having tacos.
1 mile walking, total. 3 miles of running.
Dynamic stretches and 10 mins of walking on the treadmill.
Running: 10 mins “warm up” running at 4.1-4.3 mph
5 mins 5.8mph 2mins 4.2mph
4 mins 6.0 mph 2mins 4.2mph
3 mins 6.1 mph 2mins 4.2mph
2 mins 6.2 mph 2mins 4.2mph
1 mins 6.3 mph
Cool down from 4.4 - 4.1mph
10 mins of walking cool down.
Route: Treadmill
High Points of the workout: I “settled in” to the longer intervals. Where they felt hard, but like I had a good rhythm. I could’ve kept going at those speeds, though I was fine with the rests.
Struggles of the workout: Getting out of bed and getting the workout started?
From the high points, I learned: Focus on form a rhythm. Nice confidence builder.
From the struggles, I learned: Don’t think about the workouts ahead of time? Maybe I should do this for race day too?
Bonus: I'm sitting on my couch having tacos.
15.12.19
Get in Gear 10K - 20 Weeks to Go
Sunday actual: 3.3 miles outside. Bonus leg day.
From today, I learned: It's icy but not super bad outside. We get snow tonight, so I'm getting out while I can.
Monday actual: 1.2 miles in the snow. In Yak Trax.
From today, I learned: I needed the yak trax for reals today.
Tuesday actual: 1.2 miles on the treadmill. Tuesday weights accomplished.
From today, I learned: I learned things about my watch and lifting weights. The treadmill run was actually kind of nice too.
Wednesday actual: Quality workout accomplished. On the treadmill.
From today, I learned: Always better to get these done straight away in the morning.
Thursday actual: 3.1 miles in yak trax trying to run off a bad mood. Bonus leg day.
From today, I learned: This turned out to be a nice run, and did largely help with my mood. It snowed and was lousy in the morning, hence the yak trax.
Friday actual: 1.18 miles after the snow.
From today, I learned: Ugh.
Saturday actual: 1.18 miles. I had a head ache and I puked when I was done.
From today, I learned: Sometimes, we can save the long run for tomorrow.
14.12.19
Quality Miles Monday (on Wednesday)
Plan: The good old 3/2 workout.
Actual Mileage: 0.5 miles warm up. 4 miles of workout.
Route: Treadmill
Weather: It was -6* outside, so, yeah.
High Points of the workout: I told my coach the best part of this workout was getting done. Not that I hated, but that I was proud of myself for getting through.
Also, I used 4.4 mph for my 'rest' interval, which is faster than I used the last training cycle so maybe that's why I was so tired?
Struggles of the workout: I almost pooped my pants. Sigh I mean, it was a hard workout. The hardest part was getting up and getting it going.
From the high points, I learned: Keep moving.
From the struggles, I learned: Start moving!
Next steps: This was a good early workout, nice confidence builder.
Bonus: I am still learning the details with my fancy new watch.
Actual Mileage: 0.5 miles warm up. 4 miles of workout.
Route: Treadmill
Weather: It was -6* outside, so, yeah.
High Points of the workout: I told my coach the best part of this workout was getting done. Not that I hated, but that I was proud of myself for getting through.
Also, I used 4.4 mph for my 'rest' interval, which is faster than I used the last training cycle so maybe that's why I was so tired?
Struggles of the workout: I almost pooped my pants. Sigh I mean, it was a hard workout. The hardest part was getting up and getting it going.
From the high points, I learned: Keep moving.
From the struggles, I learned: Start moving!
Next steps: This was a good early workout, nice confidence builder.
Bonus: I am still learning the details with my fancy new watch.
8.12.19
Get in Gear 10K - 21 Weeks to Go
Since I failed so hard at actually racing a 10K in 2019, I decided to make my first goal race for 2020 the Get in Gear 10K. This has the ulterior motive of preventing me from training crazy distances in the winter weather like last year. Since I've been doing basically nothing, this will be a long build up.
Sunday planned: Run 1 mile
Sunday actual: 1.2 miles in the snow. First yak trax run of the year.
From today, I learned: This was mostly about observing plowing patterns in the new neighborhood. Park board did good. Other things were more hit and miss and I was glad for the yak trax.
Monday planned: Run 3 miles
Monday actual: 3.66 miles in the snow. Bonus leg day
From today, I learned: I may need to head inside for a bit. The paths weren't unbearable, but probably worth trying to find a treadmill for a minute. Leg day wore me out. I'm out of shape. Sigh.
Tuesday planned: Run 1 mile; Tuesday weights
Tuesday actual: No weights. Because being a good friend is always more important. Run 1.2 miles in the snow in yak trax.
From today, I learned: I actually told Captain Smiley "if I'm not back in 30 minutes, I've fallen on my ass, come find me"
Wednesday planned: Run 3 miles
Wednesday actual: 3 miles on the treadmill. At the crack of dawn, but I was listening to a new book and loving it.
From today, I learned: I need to plan my mornings better. I was a bit rushed to get to the right place at the right time after my run.
Thursday planned: Run 1 mile, Thursday weights
Thursday actual: 1.2 miles on the treadmill. Tuesday weights on Thursday. Just go with it. Bonus abs.
From today, I learned: I was sacked out at the end of this. I was so tired from work and working out when I got home...
Friday planned: Run 3 miles
Friday actual: 4.28 miles around the marsh while I was finishing 'The Giver of Stars'
From today, I learned: Like, no, I will not stop running until this book is done. Also, I wore my vest again, because I was cold before I even left the house. That vest is the best thing ever.
Saturday planned: Run 4 miles
Saturday actual: 3 miles, plus half mile cool down walk. Leg exercises.
From today, I learned: I got a new watch and this thing is going to have a bit of a learning curve.
Sunday actual: 1.2 miles in the snow. First yak trax run of the year.
From today, I learned: This was mostly about observing plowing patterns in the new neighborhood. Park board did good. Other things were more hit and miss and I was glad for the yak trax.
Monday actual: 3.66 miles in the snow. Bonus leg day
From today, I learned: I may need to head inside for a bit. The paths weren't unbearable, but probably worth trying to find a treadmill for a minute. Leg day wore me out. I'm out of shape. Sigh.
Tuesday actual: No weights. Because being a good friend is always more important. Run 1.2 miles in the snow in yak trax.
From today, I learned: I actually told Captain Smiley "if I'm not back in 30 minutes, I've fallen on my ass, come find me"
Wednesday actual: 3 miles on the treadmill. At the crack of dawn, but I was listening to a new book and loving it.
From today, I learned: I need to plan my mornings better. I was a bit rushed to get to the right place at the right time after my run.
Thursday actual: 1.2 miles on the treadmill. Tuesday weights on Thursday. Just go with it. Bonus abs.
From today, I learned: I was sacked out at the end of this. I was so tired from work and working out when I got home...
Friday actual: 4.28 miles around the marsh while I was finishing 'The Giver of Stars'
From today, I learned: Like, no, I will not stop running until this book is done. Also, I wore my vest again, because I was cold before I even left the house. That vest is the best thing ever.
Saturday planned: Run 4 miles
Saturday actual: 3 miles, plus half mile cool down walk. Leg exercises.
From today, I learned: I got a new watch and this thing is going to have a bit of a learning curve.
30.11.19
Thanksgiving 2019
This year's turkey day was different than most. I flew home. I spent less time in Indiana but more time with Ohio and Kentucky relatives. It's all a blur.
Sunday: I woke up and ran at the crack of dawn. Then I actually took the bus to the train to the airport. Where I stood in line for possibly one minute before waltzing through security and heading on to my flight. Delta moved my seat, which sounds good because I got Comfort Plus. I also got sat next to the smelliest person in life, so I was taking advantage of the free alcohol in my new seat. In Ohio, we hit up Skyline, tried to see Grandma, did the Krohn, and ended the day with family. It made my life when I heard Dad telling Mom "watch this. Siri, turn on my flashlight" which he'd learned from me earlier in the night.
Monday: I did not wake up quite as early. I ran, then headed over with Dad to see Grandma. She was okay. It was a short but positive visit. For lunch, we went to "the place where the toothpick scene in Rain Man was filmed" and met an old friend. We ate and then talked for ever, as is normal. On the way home, Mom and I had a sight seeing adventure in Eden Park and I re-lived the trauma of mile seven of the marathon. In the evening, we went to Kentucky to see some of my most favorite people in the world.
Tuesday: I got up, ran, and went to see Grandma on my own. Mom was working and Dad was golfing. I had a real adventure and took Grandma to church. We made it through the whole rosary but not much of the mass. We did leave without making a scene though, so there's that. In the afternoon, we got Mom a new iPhone. She kind of likes it but she was pretty freaked out at the time. Evening entertainment was seeing 2 Pianos 4 Hands at the playhouse.
Wednesday: Dad ran with me today. We had a brunch of goetta and eggs and then got on the road to Indiana. I drove because I am the only one who remembers the way including what to do at the roundabout. Ever tried operating your parents car in 35mph cross winds for three hours? It was rough. Family trickled in through the evening and we had a nice time visiting.
Thursday: I got up and ran my 'turkey trot' which was much shorter than in other years. But so worth it. When I got back to the house, Dad was ready to go on his run which we did together. I had him run for 10 seconds and walk for 20 the whole time. I took a couple different walks during the day/night as well. The main meal was lovely as always. The gravy was so good I wanted to drink it.
Friday: I did my own run, about 3 miles, and then did Dad's workout with him. Running with Dad is everything. We did a bit of black Friday shopping. I got one of those magnetic vent phone mount things. I want to love it but it screws with my wireless charging so I have emotions. We had second Thanksgiving which for me was "what can I put Gravy on now?" Then I drove home.
Saturday: I really did get up at the crack of dawn today. And ran in the rain. Mom was all 'so your day's not starting off the best?' and I was like 'It's not a snow storm. My body is strong and healthy and I had fun out there. But now I'm wet' I honestly had no idea if my flight would even take off today, given the rain in Ohio and the snow here, but everything was on time. I took an Uber home, went to the store, and then enjoyed a day of sloth. In theory I'm doing a Whole 20 tomorrow. We'll see if that takes!
Sunday: I woke up and ran at the crack of dawn. Then I actually took the bus to the train to the airport. Where I stood in line for possibly one minute before waltzing through security and heading on to my flight. Delta moved my seat, which sounds good because I got Comfort Plus. I also got sat next to the smelliest person in life, so I was taking advantage of the free alcohol in my new seat. In Ohio, we hit up Skyline, tried to see Grandma, did the Krohn, and ended the day with family. It made my life when I heard Dad telling Mom "watch this. Siri, turn on my flashlight" which he'd learned from me earlier in the night.
Monday: I did not wake up quite as early. I ran, then headed over with Dad to see Grandma. She was okay. It was a short but positive visit. For lunch, we went to "the place where the toothpick scene in Rain Man was filmed" and met an old friend. We ate and then talked for ever, as is normal. On the way home, Mom and I had a sight seeing adventure in Eden Park and I re-lived the trauma of mile seven of the marathon. In the evening, we went to Kentucky to see some of my most favorite people in the world.
Tuesday: I got up, ran, and went to see Grandma on my own. Mom was working and Dad was golfing. I had a real adventure and took Grandma to church. We made it through the whole rosary but not much of the mass. We did leave without making a scene though, so there's that. In the afternoon, we got Mom a new iPhone. She kind of likes it but she was pretty freaked out at the time. Evening entertainment was seeing 2 Pianos 4 Hands at the playhouse.
Wednesday: Dad ran with me today. We had a brunch of goetta and eggs and then got on the road to Indiana. I drove because I am the only one who remembers the way including what to do at the roundabout. Ever tried operating your parents car in 35mph cross winds for three hours? It was rough. Family trickled in through the evening and we had a nice time visiting.
Thursday: I got up and ran my 'turkey trot' which was much shorter than in other years. But so worth it. When I got back to the house, Dad was ready to go on his run which we did together. I had him run for 10 seconds and walk for 20 the whole time. I took a couple different walks during the day/night as well. The main meal was lovely as always. The gravy was so good I wanted to drink it.
Friday: I did my own run, about 3 miles, and then did Dad's workout with him. Running with Dad is everything. We did a bit of black Friday shopping. I got one of those magnetic vent phone mount things. I want to love it but it screws with my wireless charging so I have emotions. We had second Thanksgiving which for me was "what can I put Gravy on now?" Then I drove home.
Saturday: I really did get up at the crack of dawn today. And ran in the rain. Mom was all 'so your day's not starting off the best?' and I was like 'It's not a snow storm. My body is strong and healthy and I had fun out there. But now I'm wet' I honestly had no idea if my flight would even take off today, given the rain in Ohio and the snow here, but everything was on time. I took an Uber home, went to the store, and then enjoyed a day of sloth. In theory I'm doing a Whole 20 tomorrow. We'll see if that takes!
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