Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Random Vacation Thoughts

I love love love being on vacation!  Time to be lazy and enjoy life.

I seem to be a little addicted to NCIS right now. Just finished Season 1 and immediately began Season 2.  I was headed to the big city today but there is a giant snowstorm so I turned around. My husband will be so proud that I made a sensible decision.
This is  a road I only get on when I go 10 or more....
same river - different spot.  Looking up the 
road below.


This morning when I finally got  a 10 MILE RUN in there was rain and snow. For awhile it was snowing heavily and I had to be careful where I put my feet. When I got home I was SOAKED!  The 10 miles were slow but fine.  It is so nice to  be able to get a long run in in the middle of the week!  I have a race on the weekend so didn't want to do it then.

I went swimming yesterday morning and tried some of my new swimming toys.  I don't think I used the swim buoy right but I gave it a shot.  It was nice to have the time and not worry about being done to get to school on time.  I kind of question the time I am putting into this sprint tri already with lots more to come but really I am loving the swimming and would like to be a better swimmer no matter what. I don't see me not swimming on a regular basis even without a tri to train for.

????????????Question???????????

I am also thinking about picking out a half to two.  How do I train for a half and a tri?  In the past I was running 5 or 6 days a week but now it is 4. Is that enough?  If I am following a training plan that calls for 5 days of running do I just pick the one day I think can be left out and call it good?







Jax came back!  Two days after Christmas it is my husband's birthday so Jameson and Jax came back for a birthday supper. I made stuffed manicotti and homemade rolls and it was delicious. We have so many desserts around from Christmas that I didn't do anything new.  Of course the cats were thrilled Jax was back.  They have completely different personalities around him.  The "brave" one hides and the "timid" one - pictured above - stands his ground and hisses.

Before Emily left on Monday we went to my gym and worked out. I actually had a very good run and it was nice to be there with Em.  It was as PACKED as if it was Jan. 1! I couldn't even use "my" treadmill.

We are getting our first real snowstorm.  My husband measured awhile ago (it is still snowing) and we are up to 12 inches. It is beautiful.  I am thankful today is not the day Em is driving back to Washington. That makes me nervous enough without adding a snowstorm into the mix.

I was going to do a "quick" 4 miles in the morning but I guess I'll have to find my Yak Trax first!

23 comments:

Amy @ Juice Boxes + Crayolas said...

I only ever run 3 days a week--any more and I get injured. I think you could totally train for a half and a tri as long as you squeeze those long runs in!

Kate Geisen said...

You know, you have a great base already. Keeping in mind that I know virtually NOTHING, I think I'd stick with the 3 runs a week. One long run, one whatever run, and one where you focus more on speedwork/tempo. Maybe on the speedwork days run the distance called for in the half plan but in intervals targeted towards the 5k distance for the sprint. Does that make any sense? Probably not, but it's what I'd do.

I'm sitting here with no scheduled race til a 15k in late Feb and mighty aimless these days. It's weird. That said, I'm thoroughly enjoying vacation...which I guess is good bc I found out today that, with the exception of a day or so back, my vacation is going to be extended for a week or so bc my son is having surgery.

Ewa said...

Love your winter pictures. Wish we had snow in the Sierras. It seems you guys got all there is this season. :(
I know a lot of runners who manage just fine on 4 days a week. You'll be fine.
Enjoy your beautiful winter.

Jill said...

Ahhh, vacation!! Seems like we've been out for awhile now and go back next Tuesday already.

We have so little snow in the mountains but I did get up to go snowshoeing yesterday, I always think of you when I go adventuring in the snow - beings I don't care for it much and you love it :).

I think you will be just fine doing 4 days/week running. Have you ever read 'Brain Training for Runners'? There's a 1/2 marathon plan in there on 4 days/week.

Hope you guys don't get snowed in!

Michelle said...

Can you believe we have to go back to school on Monday? Sad face here!
I'm not the believer that more (days OR mileage) is better. I really think you have to listen to your body. Quality is always MUCH more important to me than quantity.
Enjoy those last few vacation days! I have enjoyed leisurely runs.

Christina said...

I love your snow pictures. I just wish we can have some of that over here in the South.

May have to check NCIS out on Netflix. That will help with treadmill running.

Enjoy the last of your break.

Average Woman Runner said...

I love your snow pictures! We tried to find snow today on the mountain pass and it was pouring rain (but we still played in the wet snow cone-like snow). As for tri/running, you can definitely swap a run day for a swim/bike day. If you check out the Furman FIRST plan, they only do 3 days/week running w/ 2 days of bike/swim. I followed it from Feb-June of this year and was quite fit from those 5 days of activity. You just need to make your running days really count.

Char said...

You are so hard-core to run in the snow and the rain. And 10 miles - that's a great effort.

Jax is growing up way too quickly. If only they could stay puppy-sized forever (but with all the things an adult dog can do)

Amy said...

Nice pics! My gym was dead this week - but I am sure it will be packed next week...

Anonymous said...

Is there an over/under of how many days before the gym bound resolutions fall by the wayside?

Fran said...

Jax is absolutely adorable. Love that dog, can't see enough photos of him.

That's a lot of snow Andrea, I don't envy you. All we got so far is rain and wind this winter and I prefer that above snow.

I was walking along my old gym yesterday and it was completely empty but I'm guessing it will be crowded next Monday :)

Fran said...

Oh and with your fitness and running level I think you will be fine training for a half with 4 days of running. When I was training for my half I ran 4 days and that worked well for me. It's not about the quantity but about the quality of your runs.

Kandi said...

I think 4 days/week is enough for a half. I actually only ran 3-4 days/week for my halves and my full and it worked for me.
I love Jax. I know this will sound weird, but I really want to smell his puppy breath! I love it so much. It only sticks around while they are small so it is special.

HappyTrails said...

Have LOTS fun in the snow!! You may new snowshoes instead of Yaks though :) Don't worry about the days as you have a long term base, just make them count. I have run 25k's and half marathon on 2-3 days per week. K runs more days usually, but I can't with my schedule.

christa said...

Zero snow here. Enjoy vacation! Becky and I are doing the New Years Day first run, hope it's warmer than today!

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

There is nothing wrong with a little NCIS addiction. Love that show.

I think you'll be fine running a half while training for a tri. The bike and swim will make up for the missing run day.

Darlene said...

Love the new header! No snow here but it is cold today. I'm no expert but most plans only call for 3 short & one long per week. I know people who only run 3 days (2 longish and one longer) each week. Can't wait to hear about your TRI efforts. I am in total awe. What half are you doing? Feb 19???

Karen said...

I think you should get extra training points for running in the snow. As for the half... You would be fine dropping a day of running in order to get in the swim/bike. The main thing is to keep up with the long runs (in my unprofessional opinion anyhow). Keep enjoying the vacation!

Anonymous said...

Jax is soooo cute!!! What a great grand-doggy! Happy birthday to you husband and hope you are enjoying a beautiful snow day!!

Ana-Maria RunTriLive said...

You are going to be fine with 4 runs. The other 2 would have been easy miles, and the biking and swimming are working your aerobic system just like the easy runs. SO excited for you. Really inspirational to watch. I sent my mom and MIL to your blog to inspire them to get active!
Happy New Year!

Alisa said...

You'll be totally fine with 4 days a week of running, you'll be so well conditioned with all of the other stuff that dropping one day won't be an issue at all. If you're worried about it you can always try a plan like the FIRST plan that is less running but more specific pace running.

JAX is sooooooo CUTE! Jax and Zoey need to meet.

Giorgio said...

Glad you are enjoying the season despite the snowstorm. It seems you're having good runs too!
Happy New Year!

Black Knight said...

Nothing can stop you! Glad you are enjoying the runs despite the bad weather.
I like a lot your "little friends".
4 days a week of running is perfect: I ran my last marathon in 1:46:32 following a plan with 4 days/week.