Mish Mash

I'm still trying to change up my running somewhat but the weather is making that tricky.  We have had so much ice, ice, ice!  I can handle the cold. I can handle rain. But rain and ice......no thanks. So last Saturday I went to the gym in the first time in maybe forever.  It was long run day.  Could I do it?  I had planned on 8 on my new wonderful route but that wasn't to be.  So I went in with the attitude that yes, I could run 8 miles on a treadmill.  I warmed up and off I went.  I upped the intensity every song and before I knew it I had gone 5 1/2 miles and was now running the pace I run for my speed work.  I stopped to use the bathroom (one of the great things about the gym). When I came back I had lost some of my mojo and what had been pleasant and easy became hard. I started backing down the pace for each song but it wasn't happening as fast as I wanted.  Of course I could have just changed it but I had a plan and I wasn't changing it.  I hadn't taken any walk breaks but it was time now.  With a couple of walk breaks and knowing it would end at some point I did make it to 8.  I actually made it to 9+ but I RAN 8.  That is my maximum run on the TM. Will it stay that way? Who knows?  I seem to be having some fun changing it up on the treadmill these days.

icy driveway, reading at the gym 

Sunday I decided to change up my swimming. When I sprained my ankle last year I did a lot of swimming and went to the Edge in Burlington a lot.  It's fun to use a different pool at a different time of day.  When I go there I can follow the swim with a hot tub time with a good book.  Heaven!  Then a visit to Jameson and Jaxon.  A very successful change!

As the week has gone on.......more treadmill.  I am really hoping to get out this weekend. In fact I WILL get out this weekend!

We did some fun science experiments at school this week.........so not about running but it's hard to write about running on the treadmill too much!  Boring!  So here are my kids working ever so hard......no faces so I feel fine putting these on here!

How many drops of water do you think a penny can hold?  You might be surprised!

One last thing but not a small thing at all. Today I lost a very dear friend to cancer. She fought the hard fight but unfortunately didn't win it. Sharon was a colleague and a friend.  She was a quiet person but willing to try most things.  I did a fair amount of traveling with Sharon. She was also willing to join me in a few races even though she didn't really like racing.  She was always ready to go on a bike ride and other fun adventures.  Sharon was the least judgmental person I know.  The world has lost a very special woman.  

Racing with me and some of my other favorite people.

Rocking our tutus at last year's Making Strides Against Cancer

Easily my favorite shot - in a tacky t shirt shot.

Enjoying a glass of wine on our deck in the Outer Banks.

Life brings unexpected tragedies.  Enjoy each and every day.  Trite but true.