Catching Up.

Hello there.

I have been so quiet that I'm not really sure how to just jump back in without sounding like a weirdo who has been pretty bad at blogging lately.

{Nutshell - My Life}

Work, Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years, New Babies (and baby showers), friends/family in town, running, celebrating our 3rd Anniversary, volunteering at my 1st Ironman (whoa), preparing for the Holidays AND thoroughly enjoying them (parties yes please), making new goals, a trip up North to a haunted hotel, marathon training in full effect and eying some more races), running a 10 mile race and a half marathon...which resulted in a new PR, booking some trips (oh boy!) and embarking on one amazing one....life.

So yeah...all that. I won't spend the time going back through the details. I was sick on and off about 3 times over the Holidays which is never ideal but I am 100% now and feel great. My running took a bit of a hit with all that and I am noticing it quite a bit in my speed, endurance and my lung capacity. That's OK, I feel healthy and injury free so I'm content with that.

Coming up...

February 2nd - Desert Classic Half Marathon (training run)
February 17th - IMS Arizona Marathon 

The last few weeks at glance, in numbers:

• 43 miles
• 47 miles
• 34 miles (setback week, whew)
• 46 miles
• Current week (tapering) 12 miles

I am extremely sore today from a couple of new HIIT workouts the past 2 days, so I skipped today's run in lieu of rest so I have 2 full days before my half on Saturday.

Looking forward to:

•  The Phoenix Open this weekend. Party time, excellent.
•  Super Bowl Sunday!
• A night in Sedona to celebrate my Dad's 65th Birthday...it's a surprise, shhh.
• Girls Weekend in San Fran.
• Our FIRST trip to Europe. I.cannot.wait.
• Working on my race calendar and trying a new to me distance, gulp!

How about a mini photo bomb?

What's new with you?

hello there.

You know when you avoid a phone call because it's been so long...and you aren't sure where to start?

Yeah...

I just returned from 6 days in Paradise (the Dominican Republic) and am ready to blog again.

A Post.

I haven't blogged in a really long time. I had a post I was working on and planned on posting a day or two ago recapping my life lately.

But that seemed trite and small considering the events that occurred late last week. So I'll remain silent because really, who cares about what I have been up to?

My prayers are with Newtown...the families, the victims and the loss this sleepy little town has been handed.

Cold Weather Running for Idiots

Living in Arizona, cold weather running isn't really a thought. All those articles that come out in the winter Runner's World magazine and posted throughout the internet during the holidays...they don't really apply.

So you can see my dilemna when I packed my tiny weekend bag to head up to the cabin. I packed some sweats, long sleeves, my cyclying shorts, a pair of running shorts and long sleeve running shirt.

Then this happened on Saturday.

I welcomed this sight....it was beautiful and finally got me into the Holiday mood! I knew a run was not in the books, so I hoped on my trusty bike/trainer combo and spun myself into 45 minutes of sweat induced bliss, all while in the comfort of the indoors. Sunday I woke up to sunshine and melted snow so I talked myself into running a nice easy 5 miles at the local high school track. 35 degrees?

I don't know which was worse...my outfit or the fact that I froze my ass off.

I did my 5 miles and hurried my butt home for a hot bath and a cup of chai tea.

Lesson learned? Oh yes, pack warmer shit.