Ms.Zippy Here is my 2012

Ms. Zippy asked us to tell her about our 2012.  It seems like an opportunity for a blog post so here goes.

I've used this picture a lot but I love it. Best

free pictures ever!

Best race experience? I have to pick one of my tris and I think I’ll go with my first because it was so much fun and let me enter a whole new world of racing. I made some major mistakes in it but learned from them and went on to do two more last summer.  I am totally hooked and have to figure out how to pay for the ones I want to do in 2013.  Plus I need to leave time to do other things with my summer..............like long awesome bike rides.

If you've followed my blog for more than two minutes 

you've also seen this shot more than once.

Best run? I would say my best runs this year were in Maine running to the Nubble Point Lighthouse.  They are not particularly long runs but everything about them is great. First  I am next to the ocean.  Let me say that again...next to the ocean. I can smell it, see it, hear it......you get it.  The run meets my criteria of being very scenic, more than my minimal distance but not too long and  I do a lot of smiling when I am running there.

As recently as a year ago I would have bet

good money I would never ever have

on a wet suit.

Best new piece of gear? It is my wet suit although this is definitely a love/hate relationship. It was seriously several months before I even opened the package it came in.  It was way past the chance to return it if it didn't fit. Good think it fit......although every time I put it on I was sure this would be the time it WOULDN'T fit.  But once I finally put it on and swam with it I knew buying it had been the right thing for me. It increased my confidence in my tris a ton. It allowed me not to sink and I think it helped me be not the slowest swimmer in the race each time.  (Set the bar low and you will be happy.)

Best piece of running advice you received? The best piece of advice I got was to run fewer days. I used to run 6 days every week and then I lowered it to 5. But last year when I started swimming and then spring came and I was biking there really wasn't enough time to do all the working out I needed to do and live a life. So I shortened the number of days I run to 4 and I haven't changed it since.  It can still be challenging to fit in 4 runs, 3 rides and 2 swims (maximum amount  I do)  when I am working and actually even in the summer at times.  Four runs makes it possible even if not easy.  Plus this is the first fall I haven't been injured! Enough said.

Most inspirational runner?  I am going to cheat and do two runners here.
1.  Super Kate - She is amazing. She never shies away from a challenge but meets them head on and seems game for anything.  She is an integral part of the many teams she joins and I imagine her to be a very fun and inspiring team member. She seems to be as much in love with biking as I am although very different biking than I like including cyclo cross. As I said, this girl will try anything.
2. Christa - I have the fortune of knowing this blogger IRL.  I got to know her first as a colleague and through running have been able to get to know her also as a friend.  Christa lives with cancer each and every day of her life and does it in an amazing fashion.  She helps and supports other cancer survivors.  She lives life to the fullest including running in all kinds of weather.  Christa does many races including lots of half marathons.  Many people who are completely healthy sit home and do nothing and there is Christa always giving it her all. She doesn't complain and is a real hero.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? Out of the box. Never think you are too old to try something new. (not terribly original but it sums up my year)

Runner's World 2013 Marathon Guide

First........

Tonight I didn't get on my bike trainer as planned......

But...

I did swim this morning.

I completed 5 projects on Shutterfly, ordered them and saved more money than I spent through promotions.

Wrote my Christmas letter.

And I will make up the missed training session some time this week.

IN OTHER EXCITING NEWS..........

Did anyone read Runner's World?  Marathon Guide 2013.......... Eight marathons are mentioned and Vermont City Marathon is one of them.  A Fast Race Your Family Will Love!  I have been saying this for quite some time!

The pictures they chose don't even begin to do it justice so I'll add a few of my own from a variety of years. Full disclosure - all the pictures of me are of me doing the relay or half marathon. I have run this marathon twice but couldn't find any pictures.  

Could they possibly be having more fun?

Half way through Jameson and I switch places and I am running with Emily.

You get to run by Lake Champlain.  (warning - there is a 

hill right after this spot!)

Jameson's first marathon - part of it run with me!

Jameson took this picture from the roof of his apartment

I am in pink and black.  

Plenty of water for all.

She is at the END and still having a blast!

Marine Corps Marathon was also mentioned in the Runner's World Article.

As was the Adirondack Marathon (half) at Schroon Lake.

Almost makes me want to do a marathon again......but nope.  Triathlons have my heart now!  

TTT - The Bike Trainer Edition

1. The bike trainer is out of the box.  My husband helped me get it set up last Sunday.  The temperatures were low and there was snow on the road. I can deal with the low temps but not the snowy road. So we got it set up and put it in the mud room for now. That room is a bit cooler which makes it a good spot.  I also figured out how to set up my computer so I can watch a movie. Then I figured out how to set up speakers because I couldn't hear the movie. Then I got my phone to use as a timer. Then I....... and on and on.  I kept finding excuses to get off it and fix something because

I.Could.Not.Believe.How.Boring.It.Was!

I knew it wasn't going to be wildly exciting but I wasn't prepared for just how boring it is. It makes the treadmill seem wildly entertaining.

2.  I always always always want to know my mileage whatever I am doing.  My garmin is my lifesaver when I am running. Before I had it I had driven most of my routes so I knew how far I was running.  I know how many yards I swim and I convert that to miles.  I used to use my Garmin on my bike before I got a bike computer.  I figured I would just use my computer on the trainer.  NOPE. You need a special computer for a trainer.  I am still adjusting to this and trying not to freak out.  I have only used my trainer twice and I went for time instead. I am not going to tell how much time because I don't want you thinking, "Really, AJH, you honestly think that is going to help your bike legs stay in shape." I don't even quite know how to log it as I can't add the miles to my yearly total.  For now I am logging time and going with that.

3.  What do you do to make the bike trainer more bearable?
How do you deal with exercise that doesn't neatly fit into tracking mileage?
What is your least favorite type of exercise that you do?

Santa 5K

The start of the race.....

The Santa 5K is a great race that is not really about racing.  Everyone shows up and I am sure for many people it may be the only race they do all year.  This year there were almost 2000 entrants so it was way too crowded to go fast and get a best time.  Maybe if you are used to those kinds of crowds you figure out a way but I don't know what it is. We did have chips so your time does reflect your time from start to finish.  I forgot to shut off my watch when I finished and the results still aren't up so I don't know how I did. I also didn't look at the clock. I am not even sure if there was a clock.

Heading up Battery Hill you see runners way in the distance.

...at the top  I stopped and turned around to take a pic

of the Santas behind me.

It was fun but next year I am getting a crowd of people to go with me. I don't care if my co workers don't race.  They would enjoy this and my mission will be to get them there.  I did see a couple of running friends I know.........twice! What are the chances of that! You can't exactly tell anyone what you are wearing and to look for you that way.

.......A Santa skirt and fun socks.

The literature says if you don't wear the exact costume they give you they will pull you off the course. That is so not true. I saw some fun variations.  Last year I lost my belt part way through the race and just wore a belt I had this year that worked better than the Santa one.

The meal after may have been the worst post race meal ever.  It was simply eggs, ham, sausages.  Not what I was looking for at all.  Last year they give us fun medals too but no medals either. They didn't spend the money on good food so what was up with that?

Jaxon loves me even dressed as Santa.  He was VERY happy to 

see me.

But if you're disappointed by the meal........go see your cutie Jaxon and you won't care at all!  Perfect ending to a fun race.

I'm Not Giving Up Yet

The bike trainer is still in the box and I am still outside on my bike!  I don't know for how much longer but  today I managed a ride in 35 degree temps with spitting snow!  I had an appt. in Burlington and I decided to bring my bike along and try to ride on the bike path. When I left home, yes it was in the 30s but no it was not snowing. That was a bit of a surprise as I came out of the doctor's office.  Oh well, my plans were made and damn it I was going to ride my bike.

First I drove to Jameson's house to see my sweetie who seemed disappointed I left so quickly after my arrival.

He is looking out the window watching me leave on my bike.

I put on 4 layers on top, my headband, my hard core gloves, my toe warmers and off I went. I thought my legs were going to be cold but they warmed up quickly as they were the only part of me really moving.  My fingers and toes took turns being cold - so nice of them not to both be cold at once - but never too badly.  I felt like if I had had my smart wool gloves inside my gore tex gloves life would have been better.  I was almost alone on the bike path which was great.  

Notice the snow on the ground and think about how hard

core I am!

I couldn't have more clothes on on top and still ride.

Biking is certainly the exercise that rocks my world as I was grinning from ear to ear during most of this ride in spite of the cold. I could say with truth I relished the cold knowing I wouldn't be out in it too long and I could get back to the warmth in a fairly short time if needed.  I'm sure you're all sick of me whining about my stressful year but yesterday was the worst day yet of my teaching career (I keep thinking that day has come but then yet another worst one comes along) and being outside, riding and being in a place I love just made my day. What a nice switch from the day before. My poor dermatologist made the mistake of asking me how my year was going.  It was probably a polite question but he got an earful.  He is probably removing his child from public school as I write this to home school her.  

I was unable to get all the way to the bike bridge as I came to this sign.  I saw a tractor trailer (dump truck variety) coming down the bike path - really? - and did try to go a little farther but when I came to a road closed sign with cranes, dump trucks etc. I turned around and headed back. Truthfully I was beginning to feel the cold so it wasn't the downer it might have been.

I stopped to take a few pictures on a section that is for runners/walkers but since no one was out today I didn't think it mattered.  I got back to Jameson's house and did take Jaxon for a short walk. So a great bike ride and some time with my little buddy made AJH a happy lady!

If you ever do the VCM you will be very happy here as you are almost

done and you will have many many spectators cheering you on!

Two Different Runs - Jaxon Style

My two runs this weekend were VERY different than usual  all due to this guy.

Jameson is off to NYC and he asked us to babysit the grand dog.  This is the first time Jaxon has come to stay on his own so I wasn't sure what to expect. The cats were less than thrilled. Things calmed down but Jaxon did spend time in the kennel. I took him for rides to get him out of the house and other various things. Saturday I planned to take a run with him and Jameson said he could easily go 4 miles.  Perfect!

So off we went. We went down the driveway and went left although we didn't go too far because Jaxon refused to go too close to two yapping dogs.  That was okay because I wanted to stay on the dirt road and it goes farther in the other direction. So we turned around and headed past our house and kept going.  The next time he refused to move was when we were going by the chickens. He didn't like them at all and I actually had to carry him.  Once by though I set him down and we were once again on our way.  

I could tell he wasn't thrilled with the cows we went by either but it was mostly a tail tucked between his legs and  a hurrying by, not a have to carry. 

 Then we headed down the steep hill which I usually only go a short ways down. But Jaxon was eagerly moving forward so onward we went.  I thought I would be in trouble once we had to go back up as this was one seriously steep hill but he headed right up it, past the scary dogs (hitched but scary) and back toward the cows.  He went by although still not thrilled. 

 He is such a city dog!  The chickens were quiet so no problems there and before we knew it we were back home with 4 miles done.  He was exhausted and went to sleep right away so the cats were thrilled.

Then came Sunday.  I waited for it to  warm up some and off we went. Well we went a VERY short ways when he refused to budge. So we turned around and went past the house when again, he refused to move. I wasn't sure if it was the cold or he just didn't want to do the whole damn run thing again!  But we went back home and I took him off the leash.

Then I proceeded to run 4 miles around my yard!  Yup!  4 miles around my yard. Jaxon chased me and "let me" throw a stick for him and generally was quite happy with this arrangement.  I would head down the driveway at times and out to the edge of the road but he would wait at the top of the hill. No way was he coming down the driveway and going on any run with me again.

Waiting patiently at the top of the hill

So I did get in my 4 miles each day but it was not fast and it looked like no other run I ever did. I don't think I would do well on trails as I even found running around my yard a bit of a challenge.  I also had to dodge horse poop and frozen bumps which didn't help at all.  

But now Jaxon has gone home and I miss him!  Who ever knew I could love a little  dog so much?

Thankful

First and foremost I am thankful for my family.  I was sad this year to not have everyone here but we'll all be together for Christmas.  I see so many sad family situations every day that it makes me appreciate my family all the more.

I am thankful for all my friends both real and virtual.  Friends make every work day so much better.  Friends are great to bike with. Friends are fun to run and race with.  Friends are good listeners when a good listener is needed.  Virtual friends (that would be you) are great at listening to all the running, biking, swimming stuff that bores other to tears.  You get it!  You appreciate and applaud my victories such as completing that first scary triathlon.  And some of my virtual friends have become real friends!

......a friend who goes to races with me even though

she doesn't race.......

.....a friend to run and race with.......

.....a friend to bike with who is every bit as passionate about

biking as I am.......

.....supportive virtual friends who have become real friends.......

.....a friend who comes to watch me race in the pouring rain on a cold

day even though she is injured.  No longer a virtual friend but just a friend!.......

I am thankful I have a job.  Yes, it is stressful at the moment but it has no always (ever) been like this and it does pay the bills.  I am hopeful things will get better.

.....hmmm if I start riding my bike around school that will get

rid of some of the stress.......

I am thankful for my bike. There is no doubt it is my favorite thing I own which is why I was having such a fit when it was headed for the water!  It brings me many many hours of pleasure!  

I am thankful for the state I live in.  It is scenic for all those runs and rides.  It has all 4 seasons (usually) which I love.  It doesn't have poisonous snakes. Need I say more?

I am thankful to be able to travel even for short trips to visit friends, do races and enjoy other parts of our great country.

I am thankful for many more things but I will stop here.  Oops one last thing.......I am thankful for my 3 yellow cats and of course Jaxon whom will be visiting for the weekend. Let's see how the cats like that!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!