Ready as Ever....

I'm going going back back to Cali, Cali.

Yup. 9 days and it's Rock 'n' Roll San Jose (how the eff did I get roped into running another RnR).

Oh yeah.

This little pixie was planning on running it with me, only I'll be running solo due to some old injuries that have popped up in little Gio's knees. I'm bummed yes, but taking care of her body is #1. She says she is excited to cheer me on. She's crazy. This is small for a RnR event, only about 12k runners (include mini marathon) so I am pretty happy that it will be slightly less of a clusterfuck that RnR tends to be. I'm more excited to eat, drink and be merry with my frayonds - the race is just the icing on the cake.

I busted out my last long run this morning. I had a 5:15am wake up call so I could get it done before work and because my weekend is jammed pack (and I want to drink wine tonight, for reals). I ran 12 miles. It was non-eventful. A little tight in my right hip, as usual. It was a reasonable pace and the weather made it a quick and painless run.

My week should end with 36 miles and 3 days of HEAVY weights. I feel good about that. 

Do I feel ready? Yes. Am I going to PR? I sure hope so....but I won't be upset if I don't. I don't feel like I have the speed to do it, hopefully I'll surprise myself.

And hopefully the course is flat. And the weather is cold.

Gio tells me "pack shorts or a dress for the day and a sweater at night".

RIGHT. Did you forget where I am from? That's full on winter for me.

Off to work for a few hours, stuff my face and hopefully have 2 FULL says off. Psh. (um hello pizza party tonight and Dback game tomorrow)

Anyone doing anything SUPER fun this weekend?

Tri-ing

I was a cheerleader today.

I shoved GU down his throat, lathered him up in sunscreen and sent him off, yelling my loudest.

So proud.

Hills = Make You or Break You

Hello from the Mountains!

Yesterday was spent soaking up the weather....I actually wore sweats and long sleeves!

 I had 11 miles on my schedule for this weekend's long run and naturally I hydrated with 3 beers yesterday and a tasty chicken burger.

A vision of running and health right there.

When I run up North I typically run the same route each time, out of comfort and because the roads are very confusing and winding up here.  Knowing me I would get lost. But running down the Highway is boring, so I decided to take a different road for part of my usual run. I knew what I was getting into this morning and I was actually excited.

Hills will make you or break you. 

Today, they made me. I walked a few, but that's OK. I felt good, strong and confident. And it was fun...I actually said "WEEEEEEEEEEE" while running down a really big one. (ya know, because I ran UP it on the way out)

I think my right arm is sore from all the waving I did to the passing cars. I got a lot of honks, waves and thumb ups. People are super nice here. Or they just think I'm weird - not a lot of runners up here. 

Change of scenery. Solid idea.

I came back and took myself through a decent all-over weight circuit and know we are off to Oktoberfest, that should be interesting!

Planning Ahead

I am a planner. Known fact.

Ask my husband. Ask my family. Ask my best friends.

I always have been. I like lists, I like whiteboards, I like notepads and love me a good sexy spreadsheet.

I put my menu for the week on a white board in my kitchen.

I track my running schedule and workouts on a color coded spreadsheet.

It's kind of like my inner nerd peeking out....but just a little.

So the point of this post is planning ahead...you see, I have the rest of my year etched out. Not to a "t". Not my meals, or my work schedules, or every daily task, but I have lots of weekends planned, races scheduled, parties and sporting events to attend.

And the Holidays....oh Lordy how I love the Holidays.

I asked Wade if I could put up my Halloween decorations last week. It didn't fly. He told me I was ridiculous however, I prefer spirited.

My reasoning? I like having things to look forward to. Vacations, great weekends ahead, dinners with friends, it makes me happy and gives me an extra boost in the mornings knowing fun things are just ahead.

A few things I am really looking forward to the next 2 months...

{September}

• The return of Fall. (Holiday decor, slightly cooler temp, Pumpkin Lattes from Starbucks)
• Wade's FIRST Triathlon! 
• Our house is being painted and new bedroom furniture.

{October}

• San Francisco (San Jose Rock 'n' Roll)
• Cactus ChaCha
• Pacing my buddy Trent at his 100 mile Ultra
• The birth of my best friends baby!!!!
• Halloween (decorations go up the 1st of October)

Are you planners? What are YOU looking forward to this Fall?