treadmill, dreadmill, treadmill

It makes me throw up a little in my mouth to post this.
I have run 4 days straight on the treadmill.
Our weather has been horribly cold and windy.  No one wants to run outside in that business.
UGH.
Day 34: 3 miles on the treadmill.  Managed to do a little speedwork
Day 35:  3 miles on the treadmill.  Managed to do a little strength training.  And couldn't get up off the toilet  the next day.
Day 36:  3.5 miles on the treadmill.  Managed to motivate my running class a little
Day 37: 2 miles on the treadmill. Managed not to cry.

Don't hate me but Saturday I am going to Mexico.
To.Run.Outside.

Until tomorrow, run happy friends!

Running on the road

The next couple of days brought me running on the road in Salt Lake City, UT. I was there for a buying show. 

Day 31- 3 miles in a city I have never run in. After a few minutes and a few unsure steps, I gained ground and confidence as I toured the downtown area of SLC on foot. I stumbled upon this and stopped in awe (and in true tourism style shot a few pics)

Day 32: I woke up for an early run before our ski adventure with friends from work. 4.5 miles where my friend Maryellen kept me company on the phone (yes. I ran and talked on the phone. Sometimes u need a little motivation). Here was part of the view 

And then I stepped out of my comfort zone and skied:

(No that is not me snow plowing. But so what if it was! Lol!)

Day 33: back home and totally unmotivated to run after a long day of travel. But I laced up and headed into the wind and got 2 miles done. And then ate pizza and drank beer. 

Until tomorrow, run happy friends!

Didn't want to do it...

But I did it!

Day 29-running 102 class and the brave and daring showed up for a 4 mile run of Indians through the snowy and windy streets of Dewitt. -4 was real feel when we left. Did I mention we could be a little off our rockers?

Day 30 brings me to my basement at 3:55 am to run on the 'mill before heading out on an airplane for a work trip to Salt Lake City. I seriously doubted myself here but it really wasn't that bad! I don't think I have ever been up this early to workout in my life! Not even in my Loyola College rowing days!!!

Until tomorrow run happy friends!

i am here! i swear!

the next few weeks are going to be a challenge.  to say the least.
now don't be feeling too sorry for me.  i worked hard last week (#winter sale at playmakers) but still have gotten my runs in.  the rest of this week includes travel to salt lake city and runs (literally) on the road in a strange place on a weird schedule.  the challenge starts tomorrow when i have to get a run in before meeting my co-workers at 5:30am.  i am staged and ready to go.  until then here is a recap of what went on since i last wrote:

Day 26:  a solo peaceful 5ish miles out in dewitt 

Day 27: some more miles (4ish) out and back around town.  i caught the sun peek out at me through the trees.  and then it was gone.

Day 28: forced 2.25 miles on the treadmill.  my only source of entertainment was quizzing Sam on his spelling words and then watching him play Madden on xBox.  yawn.  bore.

And gearing up for a snow windy cold run with my run class in this arctic chill in a few hours. Dual post tomorrow to follow!

Until (early) tomorrow morning run happy and warm friends!

for meg

thinking lots about Meg Cross Menzies,  a wife and mom of 3 kids that was hit by a car on her Monday morning run.  the same Monday morning run lots of us do every week.  except she isn't around to talk about it anymore. she can't complain about the cold.  she can't dread the upcoming long distance.  she can't bitch about her tight IT band, her throbbing knee, or being tired.

it breaks my heart because it could have been any of us.  I can't explain why I am so moved by this. perhaps it is because I imagine myself in Meg's shoes.  literally.  alarm clock blares against the still air of a sleepy house.  stumble to pull up my tights.  lace up my saucanys. slam half a cup of steaming coffee.  strap on obnoxious headlamp. tip toe  in the dark morning, careful not to disturb 2 little boys and 1 big boy. trailed by a silly yellow dog across the wood floors. 

gingerly open and shut the front door.  launch out into the dark.  headlamp illuminates the still frozen road.  feel the chill in the air against my cheeks.  one foot in front of the other.  run.  run.  run.

I don't know if that is how meg started out her run, but that is usually how mine starts. 

but how sad that she didn't get to throw her front door open and kick off her wet, snowy shoes on the door mat after a satisfying 4 mile loop.  how sad that she didn't get to peel off her sweat soaked mittens and her hat, feeling as if steam is coming off her head. 
how sad that she didn't get to be greeted by her silly yellow dog, annoying her for breakfast.  how sad that she couldn't throw her garmin back on it's charger, microwave her leftover coffee, make her kids lunches, and get on with her day.

Meg, I didn't know you, but my heart breaks. 

today we run for you.  5 miles through the retreat center (where else?)  in the snow, sharing stories, laughs and silence.  

 everyday is a gift. until tomorrow, run happy (and grateful) friends.

day 24 footsteps into falling snow

seriously could it snow anymore?  I mean, come on! 
but it was still, it was beautiful,

and it was 5 miles. 

just thankful that I am able to put one foot in front of the other and run.

until tomorrow, run happy friends :)

And then there were two

Day 23 dreadmill run had an even more captive audience ....

3 miles and glad it's done!

Until tomorrow run happy friends!