Beach Cruising = Cross-training

Last week: 28 total miles

Sunday: 9 miles

Weather: 85° and huuuumid in Hilton Head , SC

Lots of bike riding on our vacation - our main means of transportation. So much fun! I was happy to get some running miles in there too.

It became apparent that sitting on my butt all day at work really plays havoc with my high-hamstring – it did not bother me the whole time I was active (and not sitting) which made running so much more enjoyable.

The humidity was challenging to run in, but loved the deep sweat, no pressure miles of it all. And after, we went to the beach!

Oh, The Places We Run

Last week: 22 miles
Saturday: 8 miles

We packed it up and met our family for vacation in Hilton Head. I took along some beach reading and a sketch book.

I'm not sure how far I'll get with reading and sketching since our group is pretty active. I had most of the family join me for a run – great to get the group out there. Super humid, but good training weather for my nemisis-half I signed up for on Labor Day – always humid and it kicks my butt every time – maybe not this year.

HAPPY 4th of JULY, y'all !

Cross-training = Golf

Last week: 16 total miles
Saturday: 4.5 miles
Weather: Perfect

All last week I wore a heart monitor for 24/7 which was a pain. I'm glad to be done with that, so now we will wait and see what was up with the irregular heart beat.

My high-hamstring is getting better. It amazes me that there is the ability to run through an injury - if you run properly and not over do it - the injury goes away. I did it with a quad 4 years ago (being patient and running slow was key), PF last year and now the hammy.

The best advise in doing speed work with a pulled high-ham, was to be aware of being upright and not lean into the run – let the speed come from turnover not stride length. The speed workout (8x400s) didn't bother my hamstring like it did last week.

I'm still working on getting my running mojo back though - low miles, not too much pressure on myself to have-to run. So for Father's Day we did a little cross-training and played golf!

That's my dad :)

It was my daughter's first time golfing. She really liked her outfit and was okay with not golfing at all. But, she did golf really well.

Which upset her brother who is a really good golfer, but was having a bad golf game :(

We had a lovely Father's Day!

Spoiled on Mother's Day

Yes, I was completely spoiled on Mother's Day. My husband and kids bought me an awesome pair of Oakley's. I feel so hip now. I ran 5 miles in the sunshine (eyes protected) and came home to a beautiful breakfast of omelets and waffles.

My daughter planted flowers for me in vintage Mason jars - she is a sweetheart!

Later, we went to my folks' house. A perfect Mother's Day with a wonderful, thoughtful, much loved family.

Hello 2011

A big thank you to all my friends and family, and a super special thank you to my parents, my sister Lisa, and Chrissy. You have filled my life with love, friendship, compassion, strength. This past year has been unbelievable!

It doesn't take the beginning of a new year to start fresh, but there is something so positive and promising about it.

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Last year, three things I wanted to accomplish were:

Grow Den10studio

Run a marathon of some sort

Partner with my mom organizing a vintage shop

Here's a little recap:

Den10studio increased its online sales and has art in 6 boutiques.

I ran 2 half marathons and a few shorter ones

My mom and I started Vintage Niche which is up and running and making rent each month (we will shoot for a larger profit this year :)

What I want to accomplish in 2011:

Grow Den10studio, a career as an artist

Run the Chicago Marathon

...and a third? Maybe three isn't the magic number after all. These two are biggies...

What are your goals, resolutions, promises to yourself?

Happy first Monday of 2011. Now let's get to it!

Running Log - Whiteout

Day 14 - 18:

No Running :(

My running schedule is a bit off course. I wasn't feeling myself on Friday and Saturday. And then, very last minute, thanks to the kennel that called me back, we went on a family get-a-way up north. Not to get away from this dreary weather by no means, but just a change of scenery and an indoor pool. The kids had a blast as this is something we rarely do.

This weather puts a deep chill in your bones and plays with your mind a bit, is it noon or 5 pm? Can't tell. Very hard to stay motivated when all you want to do is stay under the covers and watch movies.

Regardless of what time it feels like and how cold I am, my running will continue tomorrow. That's what I keep telling myself...