I DO believe in Springtime, I do, I DO!!!!

I love the overcast days :D  Today the choir I sing with is singing in two different churches today.  I love to sing and I love to sing for others.  Today should be a fun day.  I am going to give away all of the hand dipped chocolates we made last weekend today. ;D  I've got to get rid of them.  Tonight is also the fist night of the Advent.  Davids family calls it Lichtlein.  The Advent is a European tradition where the family gathers for songs and treats the four Sundays preceding Christmas.  We have a special candle holder from Germany that we light.  One candle the 4th Sunday away, 2 the 3rd Sunday away, 3 candles the 2nd Sunday away and 4 lit candles means the Christ Child will be coming that week.  We drink Pero and eat Stollen (a very special German Christmas bread).  The bread alone takes several days to make.  We love to make it but only give it to friends of  ours who REALLY like it.

Anyway- I hope ya'll have a great Sunday.  I'd better get ready for church.

1:09, ave 13:49, best 9:47, Laps-14:16, 14:13, 13:51, 13:25, 12:59

The goal was negative splits, and I did that, I was just hoping for a bit speedier.  The run felt very sluggish and tired.  Oh well. 

Have a GREAT day!  I am off to save the world! ;D

I felt pretty tired today.  I am not really crazy about these cold temperatures, but I am really freaked out to know that the snow will be flying soon, but worse than that...it will be sticking to the ground!!!  Eeek!!!!!

1:08, ave 13:36, best 8:41, Laps- 14:00, 14:10, 13:57, 13:01, 12:49

53:40, ave 13:25, best 10:12, Laps-13:25,13:37, 13:17, 12:02

I am still pretty pooped.  My left calf is bugging a bit.  I am guessing that the antibiotic they put me on has zapped me a bit.  It binds with vitamins and minerals, so I am guessing I am a bit low in that area and it will take some time to rebuid my stores.

I am getting my hair done to day and I am thinking I may just go dark for fun.  I have never done that and I am feeling a little adventuresome!

What are the chances that the weather will stay this "runner friendly?"  I feel like I am running on borrowed time :D

43:41, ave 10:54, best 7:17, Laps- 13:23(.75), 10:25, 10:10, 9:38, 11:58(.25)

By chance, did you check out those splits?  I have been planning on doing a tempo run once a week and I ACTUALLY did it today!  (Being sick really put a wrench in the works!)  I have never done a tempo run alone.  I had to conjure the Master Michelle's Running Spirit to get it done.... AND I DID!!! :)

Oh- I forgot to mention how it felt.  The warm up was TERRIBLE!!!  I was talking myself out of the tempo the WHOLE .75 mi.  Then I just went for it.  The first mile was OK.  I felt OK and like I could do it.  Mile 1 was net up hill, with rolling hils.  Mile two was Ok but would have liked to slow down. MIle two was net down hill, but rolling hills.  Those little uphill portions were really mentally tough.  I had to keep telling myself that it was alright and that I could do it.  I wasn't overly tired, but still would have liked to stop.  Mile three was net down hill with a .17 very down hill (this was in my warm up- yuck).  This would be where the 7:17mm came from.  I definately wanted to stop for most of mile three, but I kept hearing Michelle's words in my head and they kept me going.  I was very surprised how fast my warm down was because it felt SO SLOW!!!  Over all I feel really good about the run.  I ate a hard boiled egg about 45 minutes before the run and it caused me no problems.  I am wanting to keep my tempo runs at the same pace, but increasing the distance.  In the future they will probably be on a 5 or 6 mile day.  I think the mental strengh they give me is greater than any physical benifit they may have.  My left calf was really whiny during the warm up and pulsed/twinged about 4-5 times during the run.

Kim and I had a lazy flat 4 miler today.

55:17, ave 13:10, best 10:15, Laps-13:22(.63), 14:01, 12:51, 12:48, 12:40(.5)

1:54:53, ave 12:46, best 7:12, Laps- 12:58, 12:37, 12:47, 12:23, 13:00(uphill), 12:27, 12:36, 11:25, 12:08

This was a very surprising and NICE run!  It was great.  It felt great and I am super excited.  I ranmy 4 mole route, came home had a potty stop and some gatorade and then Kim met me and we ran our five mile route.  There was about a 3-4 minute stop at home.

Nicklaus came to our home last night.  The kids put their shoes out by the front door before bed last night.  While they slept, St. Nicklaus came and left chocolate coins, candy canes and a new version of the Night Before Christmas.  He left the boys little nutcrackers and the girls got Christmas knee highs.  I love German holiday traditions!

Have a great day!!!  XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO!!!