Week in Review and Looking forward to 2012

I guess technically I am officially training for marathon #2. I don't have a training plan written down or anything, but I'm not good at following stuff anyways. I am going to increase my mileage and cut back every 4th week. I'm going to get in 3-4 20 milers and hopefully do speedwork once or twice.  To me, that sounds like a plan! 

Saturday was my first trail run ever! I met up with my wonderful running group and off we went for 10 miles around Kennesaw Mountain.  The first mile I was terrified, it was narrow, rocky, leafy, and steep. I was sure I was going to break a bone.  It got a lot better after that and I had a ton of fun.  It was a totally different experience than I'm used to.  Most of my running is on the treadmill, I set up my Google map and off I go.  The treadmill automatically adjusts incline and decline and I zone out.  It was really a change to pay attention to where I was running and not trip on a rock or branch.  The weather was perfect too.

So far December has been a good month both running-wise and other.  I would say I'm 60% done with my Christmas shopping #winning
Were heading to Florida for Christmas and won't be able to take all of the kids gifts down so I'm trying to be mindful of that and buy some smaller "stocking stuffer" items too.
I have no idea what to get hubby. None. 

I'm looking forward to some fun and festive activities with the kids this weekend.

What are your plans?

What do I buy for my spouse?  P.S. he has no interest or hobbies, makes it even tougher! Seriously.

Cold November Rain

I thought it was going to snow a couple of days ago, but no dice.
Oh well... I'm sure there is plenty of time for that.  What there isn't time for, apparently, is blogging!
No Thankgiving thankfulness post. No gobble job 10k race recap.  No pictures. Nope nothing!
I smell a new year's resolution in the making.



In the meantime I did run a 10k on Thanksgiving.  The course was a double loop of the 5k there were 2 hills (so technically 4).  My lungs started burning .02 seconds after I started running.  It was rough, I thought I was going to cough up a lung or that blood was pooling in my lungs.  Yep, I'm dramatic.
Anyways other than being insanely uncomfortable for the whole race, I finished in 51.10.  My goal was 50 min. After the race I came home, started the Thanksgiving cooking and somehow contracted some sort of food poisoning/stomach flu that kept me from eating Thanksgiving dinner and more importantly Thanksgiving dessert. Boo :(

I got a good amount of Christmas shopping done over the weekend and it's Dec 1! Where does the time go!
I had a fantastic run on Tuesday 5 miles sub 40 min (that's been my goal for awhile)!
And, a really crappy run yesterday.

All in all November was a good month.  Busy busy like the beaver's say!
I'm sure December will be much of the same.  I'm excited to go home for Christmas and be with my family.  I'm trying to enjoy Christmas shopping and not stress about it.  Although I had  big fat fail at Toys R Us yesterday.
I'm having a great time running and feeling good.  Except for a spot on my left calf. 

I really truly have no real complaints.  This year has been unimaginably good. Really and truly better than I could have even hoped for.  I hope for more of the same!

I'm jealous of everyone going to Vegas!  I can't wait for the stories and race recaps!
Annnnnnd now that it's December it's time to start baking cookies!
Recipes to follow...