Day 14102, & it is another scorcher...

So, it's freaking hot!

I hate summer in the South. There's no getting around it. OK, well, I didn't hate the last 2 summers so much. This one though? It just started and its been nearly 100 for the last four days. And, I probably would have hated the last couple of summers, too, had I been running much back then.

I picked the wrong week to start marathon training (and to quit sniffing glue.)

Anyway, I have 143 days to get ready for the Malibu Marathon. 20 weeks. Most of these weeks? Summertime weeks. Awesome...

Last week was a training FAIL. I started strong but I lost steam after sleeping past 6 one morning and missing the window of tolerable opportunity. I know, I sound like a wimp. Whatever! I can tolerate heat, some humidity, and glaring sun. I just don't like to have to tolerate all three at the same time. It's a lot like tolerating Reid, Pelosi, and Obama at the same time. Impossible! But if we just had to put up with two of them, I could probably deal. Anyway, mornings allow me to at least avoid the sun.

Yeah, so I overslept. I missed it and when I let the dog out it felt like I was opening an oven. Correction: it felt like a giant jacuzzi was emptying out all over me. Hot and wet. Gross...

What to do? Well, I did what anyone would. I joined the gym. The Y to be exact. And let me tell you, that shit ain't cheap. Quite a price to pay for a little shut eye. Sigh...

I needed to do it anyway. I need cross training options and now I have them. I haven't been in a gym in 2 years. I haven't been on a treadmill in over 2. But elliptical machines? Bikes? Yoga classes? Yeah, I need them; though, I have to say I really haven't missed the treadmill or the gym. Oh well...

I am now in need of a revised training plan. I'm thinking of going with an every other day run/gym routine, but it won't give me the miles I want. Oh, speaking of miles, I found someone doing the Hanson Brothers' Plan. A motivating read, and someone else gets to be the guinea pig...

That pretty much sums up a dull start to training.

Week one: 25.15 miles, five days
Week two: 26.12 miles, six days
Week three: 29.24 miles, six days
Week four: 19.83 miles, three days Boo!

This week, so far, I've gotten in 8.something miles and a really strong gym day today that included bike, elliptical, stairclimber, along with calf, glute, hamstring, and quad weights.

Tomorrow, I think I might be sore...

Day 13573, & I know that I suck...

So, my blog is probably reader-less now.  I deserve nothing more.

I am actually quite upset that I have failed to record all that has happened over the last few months.  Honestly, I have accomplished so much.  Sadly, day by day, it all seemed so trivial.  And, as the recurring thread of my blog, the running, has been non-existent, I haven't had the driver that I need to write.

All said, the restaurant is indeed open.  We opened it on Dec 16th, after a VERY rough test run on the 15th.  Slow and steady will hopefully win the race.  Hopefully, slow is the crucial ingredient of that phrase.

Otherwise, I have little to report.  I have not run since November.  I have not exercised since November.  I am sooooo out of shape.  I can tell my endurance is crap.  I can tell I will have trouble with my first run.

I will be elliptical-ing next week in the AM to ease back into running.  I will hate it.  I will do it, begrudgingly.

I still want to run the CMM full at the end of April.  I will definitely be good for the half, but I don't want to run a crowded half.  I need to do the full.  We'll see.  Training will be a bitch.  I will need to be back up to 20 mile weeks by the first week of February.  Very little time left.

Speaking of very little time, I am going to try Charlie's training method.  Elliptical, bike, and StairMaster.  I recognize the importance of cross training.  I just have no interest in it.  I do, however, find some appeal in the idea that I can do this in the AM at the gym, quickly, each AM.  After all, if the restaurant is open, I am there.  This leaves me only Mondays and Saturdays for any runs of consequence.  With only a day between them, this means 1 long run per week.

Again, we'll see...

I am sorry about abandoning the blog.  I will try to pick it back up.

Later, bitches!

Day 13230, & I finally hit my target.

Well, again with the pictures...Apparently, the "server" is "busy" and I should "try again later..."  Yeah, cause that has really been working out well for me...

Anyway, I was, again, going to try to post some lovely, civilized photos from the GTC soiree last evening.  But, Google says no.  566.00 a share, my ass!  No wonder the price is falling...

Well, work was dull today.  It was a rainy, gross day and I venture to guess that much of Nashvegas was hung over today.  All that makes for a fairly slow lunch.

I went to the gym after work.  4 miles in 45 minutes, running and walking.  The exciting part?  My heart rate.  I stayed under 170.  This is good, since I don't want to die on a treadmill.  There is NOTHING glamorous about that kind of demise.

Finished with 25 minutes of core work.  It is like a vacation, compared to the running.

Also exciting is that my left calf and right hamstring are not so sore.  In fact, today it is the bottom of my feet.  I guess that eventually I will have made my entire lower body sore at some point.  Then, there will not be anything new to break in.

My weight, by the way, is the same.  Damn you, beer!

Tomorrow, PT in the AM, then an "off day"

Maybe I will give the dogs a bath...

Seems easy enough...

Day 13224, not so bad really...

Ah, there is nothing better than a day off.  One day, I hope to have one.

So, I was off today.  You should know that when I say "off," what I mean is that I:

a: do not have to get dressed in clothes that require dry cleaning or professional laundering.

b: do not have to smile, be gracious, or otherwise fake to people that I would otherwise not give the time of day to. (Keeping in mind that I do love many of my peeps.  It is just unfortunate that the few can ruin one's experience of enjoying the many)

"Off" does not mean that I stay away from work, ignore the business, or otherwise have a relaxed, enjoyable day.

So, I went in search of all that food cost money I mentioned on Day 13223.  3 hours later, and with blurred vision from looking at a month's worth of invoice prices, I am pleased to announce that I found a mere $70.00.  Now, who here thinks I would go through all this for 70.00 of money on paper?  Those who said "I do," clearly do not have the slightest idea of who I am.

Anyway, as it stands, we are out a few Ks and I guess it might be time for a price increase.  There is nothing I hate more...

"Off" also does not mean sit at home and relax.

Today was PT at 8am.  Upper body day.  I have to say, I impress myself...

I am not sure which I like most, upper or lower.  I do know what I hate of each:

Upper: Assisted pull ups and dips.  Don't know why, but that machine is mean.  I guess I should just appreciate the word "Assisted" in this scenario.  It could be worse...

Lower: Squats, and these ridiculous jump squats that PT has decided will make me a much stronger skier.  I doubt the validity of this exercise.  I think she just wants me to look silly.

After my frivolous attempt at finding food on a spreadsheet, I went and bought some new runnin' sneakers (i love the word sneakers.)  Then, like a kid, I went back to the gym to test drive my new sneakers.  2.25 miles in 20 minutes.  Who the hell knew??? Up till now, I only wished I had strong legs so that I could do the triple axle just like Sasha Cohen (only without the falling.)  Now, I see that I have a chance at being just like Jaime Sommers (We can rebuild her...)

Yea, me!

So, at the end of the day, I guess that it is important to be able to look back and feel a sense of accomplishment.  And, throw a few beers in at the end and you have got a good day...