Crazy Weather

The weather here in Missouri is always a little crazy and today was no exception. My sister and I decided to get our long run done today because the high temperature was going to be in the 60's. Yep, you read that right. There was snow and ice on the ground at the beginning of the week, 60s today and dropping back into the 20s for tomorrow.
There was a storm that came through the night and another storm due to come through in the afternoon so we were going to get out in between. My sister wanted to do 10-11 miles and I wanted to stay in the 6-8 range so we decided she would run over to the park near me and I would run over and meet her there. First loop was uneventful. It was humid but we were happy to be out in short sleeves with none of the cumbersome winter gear. Second loop the tornado sirens alarmed. We were under a tornado warning. The skies still looked fine and there were a lot of people running so we kept going. Stopped at a water fountain, noticed the skies getting a little darker so I called my husband to ask if we should head home. Of course, he had PBS on for the kids and said we'd be fine to keep going.
So, we continued around the park. As we turned at the far end we heard some thunder so we were starting to think we would just run back to my house. There are many old trees in that park and you definitely don't want to be there if there is lightening. We were pretty close to the turn to go toward my house when my husband called and said, "yeah, you might want to come home, the storm is coming pretty quickly." Good, decision made for us. Luckily, we got to my house before the storm hit and my sister's boyfriend picked her up. My sister ran 8.5 miles and I ran a little over 7 so we were happy to have gotten that much done.
Come to find out a tornado had actually touched down a little further west. Which I didn't realize until we were driving over to my friend's house about an hour later. The streets were blocked for downed power lines. The stoplights were dark. There were news crews and utility trucks. Thankfully, no lives were lost but there are many without homes tonight.
So wishing everyone a happy, healthy and safe new year. I know I will be happily ringing in the new year at home this year. No plans, just me and the hubby,a bottle of wine streaming a Netflix movie. Cheers!
Happy New Year!

Christmas Rewind

We had a very busy Christmas here. First, there was the Christmas Eve run in the snow. We had a family gathering on Christmas Eve that went late into the night. It included about fifty family members so everyone had a great time. Christmas Day we opened presents at home followed by brunch at my parents' house. That was followed by a five hour drive for Christmas dinner at my in-laws.

Our barista

Christmas Day drive

Oh, but we weren't done yet. After spending the night there we got back on the road. Lunch at Shakespeare's to let the girls out of the car. Then back to my parents for sledding, dinner and finally home. So it was a whirlwind weekend. Going back to work on Monday was rough but I think we are finally recovering and getting back on schedule.

I received some awesome winter running gifts by the way. I'll be sharing that in another post:)
Hope everyone had a great holiday.  Looking forward to a great 2011!

Do Not Try This at Home

I got out today for a run with my sister.  She is running a 10 mile race next weekend, just as a training run  but she was hoping to get in 8 miles today.  I haven't run all week but I figured I could eek out 6 or so and then I could run/walk the last part.  I think I've mentioned before we live near each other and just run 1.5 miles each to meet for our run, do the middle miles together, and then run home.

Really didn't feel too bad for the first 6 miles.  My sister only moved this fall so we don't have any set loops yet.  She wears her Garmin and we set forth.  So we ran one loop of a nearby park then added on little bit more, then a little more.  We weren't quite thinking when we decided to add on a liitle more because we still had to run back.  My quad started to be a little angry with me so I decided to take a little walk break, that is when she looked at the Garmin and it had 6.3 or  so on it. We weren't anywhere near the end.   By time we got back to start, she had 8 miles on her Garmin and I still had a 1.5 miles to get home. So I  sucked it up and ran/walked the remainder.  I had a couple dollars with me so I bought some gatorade at the market on the way home. Not the smartest run.

Feeling a bit stiff and sore now so I am trying to recover.  Will be using this

and stretching, use heat,ice, ibuprofen. whatever it takes.  Hopefully I will feel better in the morning so I can get in a few runs this week.

So, has anyone else gotten lost,  gone out too far before you realized it?

Snow and Ice

Winter has settled in early here. We got snow this past weekend. Not very much, just enough to make getting around difficult. I went out for a run Sunday and saw two accidents in the three blocks it takes for me to run to the park. I tried to run at the park but the path was snow and ice covered and there were strong wind gusts. I cut it short and hoped for better weather. Ha! Wind chill advisory on Monday and Tuesday followed by a nice glaze of ice over everything Wednesday and school was cancelled for Thursday.

I have been sneaking in DVD workouts but haven't made it up to the y to use a treadmill. It is supposed to finally get above freezing here this weekend so I already have a run planed with my sister for Sunday. Who knew how much a pair of yak-tracks would come in handy this early? Maybe I should hope Santa leaves me a pair if this weather continues. Or a treadmill...

Anyway, that is my brief weekly update. It is cold and icy so the kids and I are enjoying some indoor fun.  I am off to work tonight, I skipped the dvd workout tonight in lieu of drinking coffee getting this post done.  I already got a call from work that census is high so I figured I would sit on my butt while I
can.  I have 8 hours of tugging on patients being on my feet ahead of me.

Happy weekend!

Try this again

I tried making a post earlier but somehow deleted it, I guess.  I was reflecting on my day.  I woke up super crabby,shocking probably because I slept on the couch.  The baby just wasn't cooperating with sleeping, my husband finally got her to sleep in our bed, but she wouldn't sleep if she saw me. Go figure.

Anyway, I banged my knee into the corner of the coffee table yesterday and it was still hurting when I woke. up.  I was hoping to meet my running group for a run.  Thankfully, after I started running it didn't bother me.  We had a good run followed by coffee for me and  a bagel for baby.  We had a great time visiting with the group.  I felt relaxed and rejuvenated by time I got home.  I don't know why I am such a slacker, I usually feel better after I run.  I think it is that I am just too tired to start.  Getting  me and the kids dressed(bundled) for the cold and out the door seems like such a chore. Especially when I have both of them.  I just need to suck it up and get out the door.
 I am super tired, the laundry is in the dryer so I am off to bed, while I can......

Three Things Thursday

1. I had a work meeting/ holiday party today for work.  We have a new scale/body fat analyzer we had to learn to use.  It not only tells you your body fat % *yikes*,  it also tells you how much weight to lose and gives some other specifics.  So, now I have in black and white that I need to lose 15 pounds.  Ugh, thanks for the uplifting holiday party.  In my defense, we ate breakfast right before we weighed and I was in jeans.    That has to count for something. Right?

2. Finally got caught up on sleep.  I was awake for 40 hours (minus a three hour nap) from Monday through Tuesday.   I actually got eight hours of sleep last night!  which leads me to...

3. I got in a very short run this evening before dinner.  Only 2.5 miles but better than nothing and I felt good.