Surviving Nesting Geese

My friend Lynne and I spiced up our last pre-Nike Women's Half marathon run last night with a little goose attack.  Nothing like fighting off an angry goose and surviving to tell the tale without a scratch on you!

What are the tricks of surviving an angry Canadian Goose attack?

This is what one looks like

Obviously, the best option is to avoid the geese and their nesting spots all together.

The problem in our area is - that the nesting geese are everywhere.  A small grass section in the parking lot?  Goose nest.  Any grassy area near any running trail - potential geese spot.

On Tuesday, I ran the Orange Township trail by my house - I ran 3 miles out and back from my house.  The exact same route as Lynne and I intended to run last night.  No angry geese.

Last night, around 1.8 miles in, out of the corner of my eye, I saw flapping wings near Lynne's head.  She turned around and starting running the other way.  I followed her and we both sped up.

Note to everyone reading this - that is the exact WRONG thing to do when a goose is flying at you in attack mode.  It pursued us, vigorously.  I don't care how fast you are, I don't think anyone can outrun an angry flying goose.

Then I recalled all the stuff about standing your ground and being more scary than they are.  I stopped, turned and started yelling at it.  It stopped flying, but kept hissing and occasionally surging forward.  (looking exactly like the picture above).  Lynne took off her water bottle and started squirting/throwing water from her water bottle at it.

For all those reading - sprayed water does not both a Canadian goose.

Her belt removal gave me an idea.  I took off my running jacket and started snapping it at the goose yelling "get," with each snap.  Yes, I channeled my inner Southern.  It worked.  It backed up with each "get!"  It was angrier when we went back towards my house, so I told Lynne to walk behind my back and continue down the trail while I yelled "get," at the goose.  Then, I made a slow measured retreat continuing to snap and yell.

Apparently, this doubles as an effective goose deterrent, who knew?

Once we'd moved far enough down, the goose stayed where it was without the jacket snap and we were able to stop with safety.  I insisted on a picture to prove to our loved ones how we'd survived the ninja goose attack.

We survived!

I'd neglected to stop my Garmin during all this.  Apparently, survival DOES take priority over Garmin data.  HAHAHA!  We've decided to call this section of the run our "combat cross training."  Obviously, we found a different way back to my house.

I have been hissed at by the geese on several runs, but this was the first time I'd ever been attacked.  Since neither one of us got hurt at all, it became a rather funny story.  Both my trainer and my husband just laughed at me.  My trainer even said he would've paid money to see me snapping my jacket at the goose.  BOYS.

Have you ever been attacked by an animal on a run/walk?

What's the strangest animal you've encountered during a workout?  (Back in Alaska, I had many encounters with moose and bears).

Training Tuesday, taper?

Week of April 15-21, 2013:

Current Weight: 155.0 (Up 1.2 lbs since last reported weigh-in.)

Total Lost to date (since September 2011): 65.8 lbs

Waist: 31"  

Hips: 41"

It's been a bit fortuitous that things have worked out so that Training Tuesday hasn't been posted as scheduled, and that when it has been posted, it's been without weight recently.  My weight ballooned up a bit in the last month.  In fact, even though, officially this report shows a gain, I actually have lost 3 lbs since last week.  (aided partially by TTOM).

That makes me happier than balloon tag!

Nonetheless, first week of taper didn't feel like taper at all.  No hint of taper madness!  (Although, I did get rather grouchy at my husband for pushing the cart too slowly at Costco).  I think it's because my taper is mostly coming in the form of shorter long runs, and I've been disguising those shorter runs as races.  HA!

In fact, going into this next training week, I asked my husband if he thought I was "tapering enough."  How do you know if you are tapering enough, really?

So how'd the week actually go?

Monday: Post hike/22 miler rest day

Tuesday: Ran 6 miles (AM), 1 hour strength training with trainer, ran 1.2 miles (PM)

Wednesday: Ran 7 miles, speed work

Thursday:  1 hour of strength training, Ran 7 miles

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: Empire Kids 5K, Ran 5 additional miles

Sunday: Hiked 4 miles with 30 lbs.

Other training stuff?  I tried a new freeze dried meal to test it's suitability for Rainier.  Buffalo Style Chicken.  

We put them in tortillas with a dash of ranch dressing for the sampling.  While, my husband loved it and went back for seconds after eating the rest of mine, I was not a fan.  I will not be carrying Buffalo style chicken on the mountain.

It was a texture issue primarily.  I think.  It was bad enough for me that I decided not to make and try the other meal in the above picture that night.

This week, my weekly mileage looks to be the same as usual, although, I've already started out by running and hiking on Monday, which I normally don't do.  Oh, and I'm running a half marathon on Sunday.

For the record, I'm treating the Nike Women's Half Marathon on Sunday as a training run.  My stated intent is to run the first 12 miles at 10:15-10:30 min/mile.  I'm allowed to do whatever I want for the last mile.  It's in DC, so I'm also allowed to stop for pictures if I'm so inclined.  

Yes, I'm traveling to DC this weekend for a kiddo free weekend!  Funny how all my kiddo free weekends seem to be centered on races.  :D

How can you leave this face Mommy?

How was your training this week??

Do you taper before goal races?  Do you usually cut your mid-week miles as well as the long runs?

Anyone with good mountain food suggestions?

Empire Kids 5K Recap

Race: Empire Kids 5K
Distance:  3.1 miles
Date:  April 20, 2013, 9:00am
Finish time:  25:31, 8:14 min/avg
What sets this race apart:  Proceeds benefited Empire Cheer and Dance, my friend was the race coordinator

A few months back, my friend Laura told me about a 5K she was race coordinating.  The race proceeds were going to benefit her kid's cheer program.  Since the race was the first weekend of my taper (on the day I was scheduled to run 12 miles), I hesitated for a while.  In the end, I couldn't pass up the chance to support both my friend and her awesome kid.   The cost of the race was $25 and included a technical race shirt.

After my success at the ORRRC Half Marathon, I got crazy with goals.  Even though I don't ever train for a shorter distance race, I thought - "heck, I can break 25 minutes at a 5K."  Amateur.  :D

Nonetheless, I almost did it, finishing in 25:31.  I was 11th overall, and officially the 3rd female overall.  (On the day of the race, they awarded me the 2nd female overall prize, but based on chip timing, another gal actually beat me by 1 second).  Oh the benefits of smaller family oriented races!  

Me, posing with my loot.

Saturday morning arrived cold and windy for later April in October.  My car thermometer read 35*F when I got to Sharon Woods Metro Park, just a few degrees above freezing.  The weather channel app on my phone said it was "feels like 25*F with the wind chill."  Awesome.  Oh, and there were snowflakes at the race start.

I dallied a bit too much on my way over, so I didn't have time for the full 2 mile warm-up that I'd originally planned.  Instead, I ran 1.2 miles warm-up.  My average pace was 9:30 min/mile, starting slower and finishing faster.  Then I made multiple trips to the potty and visited with my friend's family.  Another bonus to this location??  True flushing toilets!  A small number of them, but with the smaller race size, I never had to wait.

Laura's husband Dave is a much faster runner than I am.  Jokingly, before the race, I asked him if he wanted to pace me to a sub-25 finish.  To my surprise, he agreed promptly!  Of course, he didn't wear his watch though, so it was ultimately up to me to set the pace and he was just going to keep me company.  

We edged towards the front of the group because Dave pointed out all the kids and how we wanted to go fast.  Maybe it's all my other race experiences of NOT being fast, but it made me REALLY nervous being up at the front, like I had something to prove.  Ultimately, that might be why I didn't break 25 minutes.

I really have no business being up here!

I took off at the start like someone 120 people were chasing me.  My watch stats are funny to look at.  For the first 0.3 miles, my pace ranges from a 5:40 min/mile to an 8:12 min/mile as I realized how crazy fast I started.  A little after that, cue heavy breathing.  I was sucking wind from starting WAY TOO fast.  And, I was leading the entire race pack for the first mile.  Say, WHAT???

Then we all started talking about what our goal finish times were.  Does this usually happen at the front of the pack???  I promptly told the guy whose goal was 23 minutes that he should pass me.  I was super conscious of being in front, especially since the entire race was on a paved bike trail with enough room for maybe 5 people to run side by side.  It was also an out and back, so there would have to be room for both sides of the race.

I really struggle with the different mind-set required for a 5K (or any speed work).  I think this is a side effect of being more of an endurance runner in mindset.  I was sucking wind after the too fast start, promptly worried about COMPLETING the run, so I backed off.  It's only 3.1 freaking miles Mandy!!!  Obviously, I need to do more tempo and 5K training runs that are NOT intervals (i.e. where I don't get to stop and recover for a minute before finishing the run) to prove to myself that it is okay to breathe heavily during a fast, short race.

Just before the turn around, another gal passed me.  After the turn around, I started looking to see how many other girls were close to me.  I saw enough within half a mile that I didn't want to back of on pace any more than I had.  I felt like I'd recovered a bit from the initial surge and was able to pick the pace up.  I still wasn't comfortable actually PUSHING though.  After mile 2 was finished, I told Dave I wasn't going to hit 25 minutes based on current pace.  He looked at me, told me not to give up, and asked if i wanted to push.  I'm ashamed to admit that I gasped out "NO!"  Nonetheless, based on splits, I did speed up.

As we turned the corner for the finish line, I smiled for the camera, but inside I was bummed when I saw the 25:xx on the clock.  I didn't sprint hard at the finish, and that's my major regret.  Lesson learned.  

Dave and I at the Finish line

I tend to be a very goal-oriented runner, and person.  Sub-25 was my only goal for the day.  When I realize a goal may not be met, I tend to back off.  To me, this is a flaw I need to correct.  I need to be mentally stronger than that, and be willing to push as hard as I can for that day, goal or no goal.

My splits are kind of funny too look at:
Mile 1: 8:01
Mile 2: 8:40
Mile 3: 8:02
last bit: 6:55

Regardless of that day's goals, I finished fast enough to be 3rd female overall and won $20 to use at Fleet Feet!!!!  Plus, it was a 2 minute, 7 second PR at the 5K distance!!! So, even though I am now salivating over the idea of that 25 minute mark, I need to embrace the success of the day!  I PR'd and I placed overall!  WOOHOO!

After getting a water and a banana at the finish line, I strapped on my fuel belt, and ran a loop of Sharon Woods with Dave (about 3.8 miles) as cool down.  We hit the hills at about 9:40 min/miles for the first two miles, and got faster as we hit the flatter portions of the loop.  We talked about kids and race goals, and it was a blast.  Always funny when your cool down is more miles than the race itself!

Things I want to work on before running another 5K that I think are still compatible with my love of marathons:
- Do more tempo runs of 3-5 miles in length that are NOT intervals.
- Go longer between drinking water on my training runs.

Where does the water bullet come from?  My shortest runs these days are 6 miles, thus I always wear my fuel belt.  Easy to have keys, water, etc.  Since, I'm wearing it, I'll drink water whenever I want to, even in mile 1.  I wasn't accustomed to waiting to drink water for the entire 5K.  Despite being well hydrated prior to the race, my mouth felt parched.  I'm fairly certain this was just what my body/mind was acustomed to, and an easy problem to fix for the next one.

Yes, I said next one.  I've always thought I didn't like 5Ks, but I am fickle.  I do enjoy the fast and done aspect, and the challenge of how fast can you go.  There will be another shot at that sub-25 minute mark before too long.

Now, what to spend that $20 winnings on.....


Anyone else race this weekend?

Anyone else have a similar issue with your goals changing your view of your race success?

Any 5K veterans out there that can offer some basic tips?

Somber Three Things Thursday/Wednesday

Sometimes it is easier to blog in bullets than in paragraphs.  So apparently, I decided it was Thursday a day early.  A friend pointed out there error, so I added Wednesday to the title.  Oops.

1.  Boston.  I have no words.  I have thought often about writing something about the events that occurred in Boston, about my feelings about it, etc.  The bottom line is that I cannot truly express the feelings in my heart and anything less than that would be superficial.  Being part of the running community and the blogging community makes everything hit closer to home.  I had many friends and friends of friends in Boston for the race and I am very thankful that all of them are okay.  (Including the friend who paced me at Xenia).  Just thinking about Mark and Avery being in those stands, words just cannot describe the feeling.

Last night, I met up with many of my friends in the local running community at our local Fleet Feet.  We talked, we prayed, and we ran some symbolic miles in support of all those in Boston.

Photo Courtesy of Fleet Feet

It wasn't the point, but the news came out, and Avery and I have a cameo at the end.  Here is the clip for those that want to see it.  We are at the end.

Triumph Over Tragedy - WCMH: News, Weather, and Sports for Columbus, Ohio

2.  Training Update:  Last week's training went really well.  Nonetheless, I'm starting to feel the persistent fatigue that comes with the end of the training season.  Thank goodness I am now in taper....with a race every weekend before my main race.

Monday:  Post- Half Marathon Rest Day
Tuesday:  Ran 6 miles, 1 hour of foam rolling/strength training with my trainer
Wednesday:  Ran 8 miles, included 8x800m at tempo
Thursday: Ran 6 miles, 1 hour of strength training with trainer
Friday: Rest day
Saturday: Ran 22 miles, 10:24 min/mile avg pace
Sunday:  Hiked 4.4 miles with Avery in the Kelty pack

Avery found hiking exhausting at the end.

3.  My Dog Cassie had her surgery to remove a mast cell tumor yesterday.  She seems to be recovering well, and wants to play as though she doesn't have a gash with stitches up her leg.  I think the hardest part (other than waiting for lab results) will be keeping her from running for 14 days.  I'm getting an extra workout today carrying a 65 lb dog up and down the stairs.

Come on Mom, throw the ball, I won't tell the Dr.

I hope all of you are safe, many hugs to the entire running community.

Mandy

ORRRC Half Marathon Recap

Race: ORRRC Half Marathon
Distance:  13.1 miles
Date:  April 7, 2013, 8:30am
Finish time:  1:58:36, 9:04 min/mile avg
What sets this race apart:  Inexpensive, small town race, good post race eats

The YMCA in Xenia, Ohio is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from my house.  When I heard about a fun half marathon that started there, taking place about a month before my goal marathon, that did race day pick-up, and the price was only $25, I took about half a second to decide to register.

As a nod to having fresh legs, I skipped Wednesday night speed work and decided to consider this race as my speed work for the week.  My somewhat secret pre-race goal was to run the half marathon in under 2 hours for the first time ever.  My belief was that I would need to have a fairly perfect day for this to happen: good weather, strong feeling legs, no tummy issues.

When I woke up that Sunday morning at 5 am, the temperature was already 55*F.  As a comparison, it was "feels like 20*F" for all of my morning runs that week, and the week before, and, well, you get the idea.  The starting temperature was already about 10*F warmer than my personal perfect running temperature, and 30*F warmer than what I'd been training in.  First strike against the perfect day picture I thought I needed.

I had already started psyching myself out the Thursday before saying things like "2 hours is really fast," "this goal is too ambitious," etc.  With the weather, and learning that there were hills on the course, I began mentally considering changing my goal before I even started the drive to the race.  I carpooled with several other ladies out to Xenia early for packet pickup.  With it being my vehicle, and all of us using it as a locker, I wound up not being able to run a warm-up mile as originally intended.  (Strike two against the perfect day?)  

As a result, I was wound up into a little ball of nerves, and probably not the coolest of friends to be around.  HA!  I did a lot of bouncing and knee lifts while waiting for the start to help loosen up my legs.  (And made two trips to the port-a-potties).  I also posed for a group picture with all my friends in Run DMC.

Most of us met through Dailymile!

Three of us from my car, pre-race, the fourth gal is taking the picture.  :)

This was a smallish race, only about 1400 participants, so there were no corrals or anything at the start line.  The race was chip timed though, very nice.  The start was low key and a big mass of people started running.  I tried to play it smart.  Meaning, I tried not to bob and weave to move up in the pack.  I stayed patient, and just gradually worked my way up the pack.  Already though, in my head, I was justifying not getting to my goal pace to beat the 2 hour mark.

The Start - courtesy of Facebook

Enter the amazing Brandon.  He belongs to the same local online running group (RUN DMC) that I do, but we'd never met in person.  

We're in matching shirts!
And no, I wasn't trying to escape him, I think this is a turn in the course...

We both were wearing our Run DMC shirts, so as I came up on him within the first mile, we struck up a conversation.  Somehow it came up that my goal was sub-2 hours, and that he was running Boston the next week.  We started swapping stories, and he took my mind off whether or not I was at the right pace.   Nonetheless, when I did think to check, I was right around 9:10 min/mile average for this stage of the race.

Looking good!

The first 4-5 miles or so of the race were a loop around town, complete with some gentle rolling hills.  A few sprinkles of rain came down during this section, but never enough that I was 100% positive about whether it was sweat or rain.  

We briefly caught up with another RUN DMC gal, Melissa

It was somewhat discouraging when the loop went back by the start/finish line (as in, we actually ran back across it) after about 5 miles.  Luckily, I had a buddy I was chatting with, and lots of friends were cheering and taking pictures to distract me.

Apparently, I am always stupid happy to see my friends.  :)

After we recrossed the start line area, we had to run across about 5 yards of grass to cross onto the paved bike trail that made up the majority of the course.  The great part about this making up the majority of the course, was that it made it fairly easy to run the course accurately.  I tend to fail at running tangents, so this was great news for me!  It did make passing a little more difficult, especially when people ran in packs, but the size of the race helped reduce this issue.
Miles 1-5 splits: 9:13, 9:05, 9:16, 9:00, 9:06

Miles 6 and 7 were essentially a long gradual uphill.  I actually felt really good here up until the very end of the long uphill.  Still, I kept chatting with Brandon and continuously thanking him for staying with me.  Somewhere in here I talked about the need for me to hydrate more with the heat and how my asthma tended to act up whenever I got dehydrated.  He commented on my asthma and I explained how much better it was since I started running.  Cue strange running guy.  A guy just in front of us, slowed down a bit to start explaining to me how much better my life would be if I could cut dairy completely out of my diet.  Dude, so not the time to push crazy diets!
Miles 6-8 splits: 8:54, 8:59, 8:59

We turned the corner to more uphill and wind in our face.  This was my first true indicator of how awesome a pacing partner Brandon was.  As if he could read my mind, he started talking about how awesome this wind would feel when we turned around and it was at our backs propelling us along to a nice steady downhill.  (The course was an out and back).  He also told me his stories about his first couple attempts to qualify for Boston.  This is when we started seeing many more runners on their return from the out and back.  My favorite part of an out and back (especially in race where I know at least 50 people running it) is being able to say hi and cheer those on the opposite side of the trail.  

Mentally, I started struggling more after the turn around.  It didn't feel like the wind was really at my back, and it was slightly uphill.  I felt slightly winded and could tell I hadn't been drinking enough.  I took a GU and looked for my friends on the other side of the trail for more inspiration.

Then, we turned the corner for the part I'd been looking forward to mentally, the part that should be slightly downhill for a couple of miles.  We turned this corner directly into a 20 mph headwind.  Mentally, this was just devastating.  The hydration was bothering me too, so I actually came to a stop at the last two aide station to make sure I got more than a sip of the watered down Gatorade.  Again, Brandon showed himself to be the PERFECT pacing buddy, he stopped with me, and always had the right thing to say when I needed it.

Just as we passed mile 10, he said "only a 5K" to go.  Mentally, I thought "longest *&$%# 5K ever."  I confessed to Brandon that I was struggling mentally with this headwind, trying to keep the same pace, and trying to breath all at the same time.  I asked him nicely demanded that he tell me a story.  Without missing a beat, he told me a story about entering a lottery to do this awesome hike.  He continued to tell me stories for 3 miles.  Did I mention that we'd never spoken to each other before this race?
Miles 9-12 splits: 9:08, 9:21, 8:59, 9:02

In the last mile, he edged just a step ahead of me, subtly urging me to keep pushing.  We passed the grass part and were on the streets again.  I almost didn't need a watch, because he told me where we were, and when we had only 0.2 miles to go.  I glanced at my time, and thought, "I have to push, I am so close, I can't miss it".  Somehow, I pulled out a bit more speed.  (A few seconds later, I did worry that I pulled out too much, too soon.)  And, like the perfect pacer he was, Brandon commented on it immediately, "you've got quite a kick there!"
Mile 13 and last 0.14 splits: 8:34, 7:18

Coming around the corner to the finish chute!

Did I mention that Brandon was running as a bandit for this race?  He checked with the race people and made sure as long as he didn't interfere with the finish chute that it was okay.  He just wanted the fun group run experience for his last long miles before Boston.  As a result, he pulled aside just before the finish chute and watched me sprint in.  He met me on the other side.  I'm not going to lie, I totally gave him a BIG hug.

Definitely under 2 hours!

As I ran past the finish line, I saw the official clock time said 1:59:xx.  Thus, I knew there was no way I had missed my sub 2 hours goal.  My official chip time was 1:58:36.  

After I got my medal and had my overly clingy moment giving Brandon a celebratory thank you hug, we went to the front of the finish chute and joined some friends being cheerleaders.  We cheered in the many others we knew running that day.  It was awesome.

I really don't think I would have hit my goal that day without Brandon.  He kept me from walking when, mentally, I wanted to.  I'm not sure I can express or explain my feelings of gratitude for everything he did to help me on the course.  He banked some serious good karma for when he runs Boston in a few days!

Perfect Pacing Buddies

The post race food was inside the YMCA.  They had three different soups, apples, bananas, small containers of peanut butter, cookies, every kind of soda imaginable.  Awesome.  Just awesome.

At the end of the day?  Fun with friends, a new friend for life, a medal, a shirt, great post-race food, and a KICK ASS new half marathon PR, all for the low, low price of $25.  Worth every penny.

I repeat, "Awesome.  Just awesome."

Sub Two!!!

I promise a full recap is coming as soon as I can sit calmly and write it out....but wanted to shout this from the rooftops for those that maybe haven't heard yet.....

Remember that sub two hour half marathon goal I dreamed about after running the Santa Hustle???

I DID IT YESTERDAY!

Paper posted preliminary results!

I did it even though the conditions weren't perfect!

Happy doesn't really cover it.

Brandon helped me through the tough parts....so I'm all smiles!

Funny that it happened THIS weekend.  It occurred to me the night before the race.  One year ago, on this weekend, I ran my first half marathon post-Avery.  My goal for that race?  Sub 2:30.

Again.  Happy doesn't really cover it.

More to come later!

Training, OCD and Wine

Tuesday Thursday Training Update

Yeah, I'm a bit of an internet slacker lately.  Obvious much?

Last week's training was vastly impacted by my trainer kicking my a$$ at strength training Tuesday morning. I switched out speed work for miles on Wednesday, and was recovered enough to still run my 20 mile run on Saturday.  With Easter, I took Sunday off.  Plus, my ankle and foot tendons were tight on Sunday, so I would have taken the day off anyway.

What she means is that she took the day off to play fun games with me.

Here's how the week went:
Monday: Rest day
Tuesday: 6 mile recovery run, 1 hour strength training, leg focus
Wednesday:  6 mile sore run, 9:50 min/mile avg
Thursday: 6 mile sore run, 1 hour strength training, arm focus
Friday: Rest day - sore
Saturday: Ran 20.2 miles, 10:27 min/mile avg
Sunday: Rest Day

I made a delicious Easter dinner on Sunday, surprised Avery with an egg hunt and an Easter basket.  She gave the choir and brass ensemble at church a standing, cheering ovation, which entertained most of those sitting near us.

They all live for my applause

This week has been going easier on the training front, my trainer didn't kick my a$$.
I've also been coming up with fun cold weather solutions for Avery's cabin fever.

Tuesday we went to the book store and played in the kids' book section until the mall opened.  Then she enjoyed the mall playground until she tried take a nap on the bench next to it.

This is MY kind of hill work.

Wednesday, we joined Sarah and Charlotte for a trip to COSI.  We bypassed all the exhibits and went straight to the kid play zone.  We played for a couple hours, and discovered that Avery has learned a few fun habits from Mommy and Daddy.  I really wish I'd videoed this orderly sequence.  Since we started in the play area, all the scooter toys were lined up in a row.  First Avery played with the purple one...put it back....then the green one....put it back....then the...

Next you play with the blue one...

You put the blue scooter back in it's spot...

Now the red one...

Her orderly progression through scooters stopped when another kid ran up and grabbed the purple scooter. Then she tried to take both the green and blue one at once to prohibit any more disruption of the orderly progression.  HAHAHA!  If it is wrong to laugh at my child playing with toys in an orderly fashion, I don't want to be right.

I spent last night on a Mom's Night out to dinner...and got typsy on a couple of glasses of wine.  That's right, if I didn't like fancier wines, I'd be a cheap date.  HA!  I actually skipped my morning run this morning as result.  "Feels like 20*F" when I feel slightly hungover from 2.5 glasses of wine just wasn't happening.  Luckily, my running wife agreed to the cancellation.  Of course, Avery doesn't believe in sleeping in past 6:15 am, so my reprieve was short lived.   The current plan is to run after nap.  The plan is that I will load the kiddo into the jogging stroller, run to a park about 2.5 miles away and let her play, then run back home.  If the weather stays as promised.

How else did I slack this week?  I did all of the runs for the Jellybean virtual races and the Running with Spatulas virtual race....and reported NONE of them to the virtual race sites.  I think this is my problem with virtual racing...I'm too lazy.   HA.  If you can figure that one out...

How as your training week???

Anyone else being an internet slacker?  (I guess you won't be commenting if you are...ha)

What's the best way you've slacked in the last week?