Monthly Archives: February 2009

Goofy for Gasparilla, Part #3

Posted on by Run DMT
5

With a bit of knee pain during my 14 mile run last week, I was very nervous about my performance at the Gasparilla Distance Classic.  Last Sunday, the final 5 miles of my 14 miles were the toughest.  I found myself stretching and walking a lot just to get through it.  After the run, I worried that my knee pain would cause some complications for my 16 mile run the following Sunday.

 

As for my plan for last week, I had all good intentions to increase the number of shorter distance runs by trying to get at 3-4 runs in before Sunday.  I believe my lack of running caused my body to resist the longer runs.  However, last week, the mornings were brutally cold for Florida standards.  I just simply summon the energy to run in 27 degrees.  So, instead of running last week, I added more yoga, kickboxing and some cardio tease.  I hoped the core training and stretching would help improve my performance on Sunday.

 

Oddly enough, Tiffany injured her knee and on Sunday, she couldn’t run farther than 2.5 miles. 

 

At 10 miles, I felt good and no knee pain surfaced. 

 

At 13 miles, I stopped for a Gatorade and banana walking break.  No problems or pain surfaced yet.

 

I finished 16 miles with some muscle discomfort, but at least my knee didn’t buckle!  After my run, I stretched for about 15 minutes and the soreness subsided.  Now my confidence is restored and I feel somewhat ready for Gasparilla!

 

This morning, I ran 4 miles.  Tomorrow, I plan to run 6 miles and 4 miles on Thursday.  This weekend, my family and I are camping and I am hoping to get a couple of short runs through the woods.  I will have to fit my long run on Monday afternoon when we return home. 

 

I have two weekends until the Gasparilla marathon and I am not quite sure what distances to run the next couple of Sundays.  According to Hal’s six week multiple marathon plan, I should run 10 miles this Sunday, but that leaves one more Sunday before the race.  Should I run 18-20 miles this week and run 10-12 next Sunday?   I would really love to hear your advice.

Loyal Commenter: More Than an Electrician

Posted on by Run DMT
7

Today, we continue with the Carnival of Loyal Commenters by spotlighting More Than an Electrician.

 

A parent like me, he understands my pain and also like me, he uses humor to escape the hum-drum reality of his existence.  That wit and humor usually find its way into every comment he leaves here. 

 

He has a warped view on life, which I love.  Perhaps, he was always like that or maybe parenthood changed him, but together it has made him one funny mother!

 

Thank you for making me giggle, MTAE.  Keep them coming!

 

Frisky Fitness

Posted on by Run DMT
6

I’m feeling a little frisky for today’s Five Minutes for Fitness. 

 

Cardio Tease has been draping the Tampa Bay area like a feathery boa.  Carmen Electra catapulted the popularity of cardio tease when she brought sexy strip tease aerobics into the spotlight with her DVDs and her appearance on Ellen.

 

These cardio routines are definitely not your mother’s Jane Fonda’s work-out.  Leg warmers have been replaced with fish-net stockings, however you’ll be happy to know the pelvic lifts and forward hamstring stretches leaving your ass high in the air are still part of the work-out.

 

 

So, show your sexy side and strut your stuff.

 

 

When you’ve mastered the floor routine, take it into the bedroom next.  You have to appreciate any work-out that lets you lie down in bed.

 

Our “Souper” Bowl Party

Posted on by Run DMT
7

 During the cooler weather, soup is a welcomed comfort food, so adding soup to any party is a recipe for comfy fun. 

 

Each year, Allan and I host a soup party during the holidays.  According to our caterer and resident chef (Allan), soup parties are a fairly inexpensive and easy to prepare. 

 

Our soup parties are cherished events for our friends, too.  Weeks before the party, my friends will make requests and drool over the anticipated soups.

 

Since we were in North Carolina during the holidays this year, our soup party was placed on the back burner.  So although there was no “Souper” Holiday party, we orchestrated a “Souper” Bowl Party instead.  Our guests were encouraged to wear their favorite NFL team colors or team shirt.

 

For every soup party, Allan prepares about 4 different soups, which will simmer on the stove all day and the buffet line remains on the stove throughout the party.  We also set up a bar full of beer and wine help to wash it all down.

 

buffet

 

From the stovetop this year, our guests sampled Spicy Sausage and Lentil Soup, Vegetarian Split Pea, Baked Potato Soup and Beef Stew.  Each soup was better than the next, but Beef Stew and Baked Potato were the favorites among friends this year.

 

On the evite, our guests requested karaoke for the entertainment in their replies.  To please our guests but to torture our neighbors, we dusted off the karaoke machine.  Of course, I volunteered to go first to get the party started.  Unfortunately, mixing alcohol with bad singing may have caused a bit of heartburn.  

 

me_karaoke

 

About 40 friends slurped up the pre-game festivities on Saturday night and once again, our soup party was a deliciously fun event!

 

soup-party-collage43

Goofy for Gasparilla, Part 2

Posted on by Run DMT
2

Last week’s training was a complete loss.  With recovering from a stomach bug for two days while still recovering from the Disney marathon, my training really suffered. 

 

Although Tiffany managed to fit in a long Sunday run yesterday, I decided to skip it.  A pre-game party on Saturday night mixed with the Super Bowl on Sunday didn’t leave much room for a long Sunday run for me.

 

I decided to get back into the groove for Gasparilla this morning.  I woke up at 5:00 a.m. and set off for a 14 mile run.  It’s been awhile since I’ve run in the early morning by myself.  I forgot how creepy it is.

 

During my early morning runs, I typically see the same runners, but the darkness and swiftness do not make it easy for conversations.  Since this morning run took a few hours, I noticed a familiar runner at the bus stop with her children.  A bit later, I passed her again walking her dog while her youngest daughter rode her bike. 

 

A friendly smile during the lit morning sky offered an opportunity for a quick chat.

 

“Wow.  You’re still running,”  she greeted me.

 

“Yeah, I’m missed my long Sunday run yesterday and trying to squeeze it in before my daughter leaves for school.”

 

“I am so excited to see a real runner!  I’m a desperately looking for a running partner.  I’m training for Gasparilla marathon.”

 

Since we share the Gasparilla goal, I gave her the details about our Sunday morning running ritual.  As far as I am concerned, anyone who thinks I am a “real” runner is welcome to join our Sunday running group.

 

As for my long run today, it was another pathetic attempt.  First, my Garmin didn’t register my first two miles.  There seemed to be a problem with the satellite connection.   

 

Then, about 10 miles, my left knee kept bothering me.  I found myself walking and stretching a lot just to make it through the run.  My average pace recorded was 11:36.  Total time 2:46:41.

 

Lots of yoga planned for tomorrow to help ease some of this knee pain.  Hopefully, I can still do my shorter runs this week.

And the Run DMT’s Runner Girl winner is…

Posted on by Run DMT
2

Thank you to everyone who left comments, twittered and blogged about the Run DMT’s Runner Girl Giveaway.  With the help of random.org, the winner of the fabulous Runner Girl Grab Bag is…

 

runner-giveaway-screen-shot

…LACEY!  Congratulations, Lacey! :-)  Thanks again to all the participants!denise_40_gawsimplecooltext