I forgot how much I appreciate any trip north in late July or anytime in August.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Running at the Lake
In Dallas, there is essentially only one body of water in town, so naturally, runners, walkers and bikers are drawn to it. Luckily for runners, "looping the lake" is a perfect distance -- about 15k or 9.3 miles.
For the first couple years I trained for marathons, I did every single long run at the lake. One loop, two loops, maybe some out and back on a trail leading off the lake if a different distance was required. Always at the lake, starting in the southwest corner.
The year that my life was fairly overwhelming (insane hours at work, rapidly budding romance with my now husband), I was an evening runner, and I met friends out at the lake two nights per week to log our miles. Always at the lake, starting in the middle of the eastern side.
Then I started training with the local program that I run with now and we still run at the lake fairly often. From our usual starting point, going our usual route to the lake, it takes about 4 miles to get there. Sometimes for a weekday 8 or 9 mile run, we run that route to the lake, finish out the distance to the u-turn point at the lake, then head back. And sometimes for long runs on the weekend, we will run all or part of the loop. And when I meet my buddies now to run some extra miles of hills on Fridays, we start at the lake, now on the northwest corner.
Back in 2012, when I was training for the Bataan Memorial Death March marathon, I was going to be competing in the weighted division, which meant doing the marathon with a military regulation weight backpack (at least 35 pounds). I guessed at how long it would take based on past results, and I figured about 8-9 hours was a good guess, so on three separate days in the months leading up to that race, I walked around the lake with my pack (or with my weight vest before I became one with the pack), for 9 hours -- that meant 3 loops of the lake, 27 miles per day. Always at the lake, starting on the northeast corner.
And of course the lake is a very popular race location. There's even one race that's called "The Loop". When I look over my spreadsheet of all the registered road races that I've ever done as an adult residing in Dallas (that number is now up to 146!!!!), about half of them have been at least partially along the lake (71 by my count, including the 2005 White Rock half (though I'm not positive if that course was on the lake at all), but not including the 2011 White Rock marathon relay since my leg wasn't at the lake). When I added that parenthetical, it's a good example -- even our big local marathon was named after the local lake until a couple years ago (since they're trying to make it more "big city" now).
So it's safe to say I have some history with the lake. And I won't even go into non-running time at the lake (renting bikes with my brother to loop the lake, going to concerts at the Arboretum, picnicking and grilling with friends, walking around the Arboretum, etc.).
Given my history with the lake, sometimes I don't really notice or appreciate it. Sometimes I hate it -- bikers going too quickly, the awful smell of the 2 month per year "birdshit zone", the mugginess and bugs that seem to congregate, the water fountains that sometimes don't work in the winter, the two shaky bridges... But usually I'm fairly neutral, somewhat ambivalent toward the lake. But sometimes I love it.
I'm definitely not one to stop for photos while running. But this lake/tree/sunrise was just so beautiful. Too bad my iphone camera isn't so great.
Reminds me how lucky I am to be near this great place to run. It might pale in comparison to the lovely lakes I got to run during the marathon in Minnesota, fabulous Lakeshore Drive by Lake Michigan, or to the awesome scenery that runners in California, Colorado, etc. seem to get on nearly every run. But for Dallas, it's pretty good, and it really is something special that I should appreciate more regularly.
For the first couple years I trained for marathons, I did every single long run at the lake. One loop, two loops, maybe some out and back on a trail leading off the lake if a different distance was required. Always at the lake, starting in the southwest corner.
The year that my life was fairly overwhelming (insane hours at work, rapidly budding romance with my now husband), I was an evening runner, and I met friends out at the lake two nights per week to log our miles. Always at the lake, starting in the middle of the eastern side.
Then I started training with the local program that I run with now and we still run at the lake fairly often. From our usual starting point, going our usual route to the lake, it takes about 4 miles to get there. Sometimes for a weekday 8 or 9 mile run, we run that route to the lake, finish out the distance to the u-turn point at the lake, then head back. And sometimes for long runs on the weekend, we will run all or part of the loop. And when I meet my buddies now to run some extra miles of hills on Fridays, we start at the lake, now on the northwest corner.
Back in 2012, when I was training for the Bataan Memorial Death March marathon, I was going to be competing in the weighted division, which meant doing the marathon with a military regulation weight backpack (at least 35 pounds). I guessed at how long it would take based on past results, and I figured about 8-9 hours was a good guess, so on three separate days in the months leading up to that race, I walked around the lake with my pack (or with my weight vest before I became one with the pack), for 9 hours -- that meant 3 loops of the lake, 27 miles per day. Always at the lake, starting on the northeast corner.
And of course the lake is a very popular race location. There's even one race that's called "The Loop". When I look over my spreadsheet of all the registered road races that I've ever done as an adult residing in Dallas (that number is now up to 146!!!!), about half of them have been at least partially along the lake (71 by my count, including the 2005 White Rock half (though I'm not positive if that course was on the lake at all), but not including the 2011 White Rock marathon relay since my leg wasn't at the lake). When I added that parenthetical, it's a good example -- even our big local marathon was named after the local lake until a couple years ago (since they're trying to make it more "big city" now).
So it's safe to say I have some history with the lake. And I won't even go into non-running time at the lake (renting bikes with my brother to loop the lake, going to concerts at the Arboretum, picnicking and grilling with friends, walking around the Arboretum, etc.).
Given my history with the lake, sometimes I don't really notice or appreciate it. Sometimes I hate it -- bikers going too quickly, the awful smell of the 2 month per year "birdshit zone", the mugginess and bugs that seem to congregate, the water fountains that sometimes don't work in the winter, the two shaky bridges... But usually I'm fairly neutral, somewhat ambivalent toward the lake. But sometimes I love it.
I'm definitely not one to stop for photos while running. But this lake/tree/sunrise was just so beautiful. Too bad my iphone camera isn't so great.
Reminds me how lucky I am to be near this great place to run. It might pale in comparison to the lovely lakes I got to run during the marathon in Minnesota, fabulous Lakeshore Drive by Lake Michigan, or to the awesome scenery that runners in California, Colorado, etc. seem to get on nearly every run. But for Dallas, it's pretty good, and it really is something special that I should appreciate more regularly.
Monday, July 29, 2013
FMM: 10 Things that Make Me Happy
My weekend was far busier than usual, and far busier than I like, but it was pretty much filled with fun stuff, so I can't really complain.
Friday night we went to see Before Midnight. I loved the first two movies, the first made in 1994 and the second in about 2003. If there's a fourth, I hope it doesn't take another decade to make.
Saturday was errands during the day (including some running-related purchases I'll have to share later this week, a haircut, and a mani-pedi), then our book club ten year party Saturday night. That was a lot of fun. Several women who'd moved away flew back and we all got to reminisce. When book club started, most people were married without kids. I was one of the few not married. Almost all lawyers, but a few lawyer spouses. Now, ten years later, most have kids, two are divorced, I and another single are married, and there have been tons of job changes. One is now a GC, several in-house, almost none at the original two law firms where we all worked (or a couple husbands worked). Amazing how much change has happened in all our lives in ten years. We also spent lots of time looking back and laughing or groaning about some of the books we read.
Sunday was a long run, 17 miles, which hurt a bit after so much food and drink the night before. But I survived. And I actually felt good enough when I finished to go out for one more mile, brining my total for the day to 18 miles. Most my friends are doing later races than I am, so I figured one extra mile was a good idea. The rest of the morning Sunday was mostly packing for our trip, doing laundry, getting organized for work. We are flying to Pittsburgh Wed morning to see hubby's parents. Last time we will see them before they move to the assisted living facility, so I wonder how it will be emotionally. Then at about 1:00, I went to a running friend's house. She was having a pool party for all the women in our group. Our pace group is mostly guys, so it was nice -- events like that are especially good since women runners sometimes can be very competitive with each other. This was fun but yikes, I felt very intimidated in a bikini around all of them. And what's worse, most of them have had kids! And they still have better abs than I do! Haha, oh well.
Sunday night was early to bed since I had to be awake extra early this morning. I usually ride with a friend to go run on Tuesday mornings, but she can't make it this week, so I need to drive. Since I'm only in the office Mon and Tues this week due to our trip, normally I'd drive to work Monday morning with all my stuff, run home, run to work Tues, and then drive home Tues night. But that would leave me with no car to go meet my friends Tues morning. So the compromise plan was that hubby would bring me to work after boot camp on his way to work. But that meant I had to have all my stuff loaded up and ready to go before boot camp. AND we had to leave for boot camp extra early today since we had a friend joining us to check it out for her first time.
So I was showered and at my desk by 7:30 today, which is kind of nice. So I'm taking a Friend Making Monday work break!
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!
1. Feeling like I am running strong. When I struggle to finish a training run, it shapes my entire outlook, sometimes for days, I feel disappointed, discouraged and weak. But when I have a run like Sunday, I feel like I'm walking on air, kicking ass, and generally unstoppable. And fortunately that feeling lasts for days too!!! In reality, I'm happy I'm healthy, running is a large part of that, but I'm also happy there's no cancer, no brain injury, no broken leg, whatever, to pull me down.
2. Anticipating our trip to Europe in September. And knowing that our 2014 trip (current plan is Dubai, India and Nepal or Seychelles) is going to be just as exciting. A book that I read last year said that a big element of what makes people happy is anticipating an event. Well, that's certainly true for me and travel!
3. Having lots of family and friend events on the horizon. Going to PA to visit in the in-laws this week, having my brother come to visit in two weeks, going back to KC for my high school reunion in less than a month, and lots of stuff with friends at home before then! The female half of our neighbor couple is back in Dallas so as soon as we get back from PA, I'm looking forward to lots of time with her, particularly working on a few projects around the house and chatting while we do them.
4. The puzzle that I started working on this weekend and will get to finish when we get back from PA. It's only 500 or 750 pieces but it will be tough -- a whole bunch of penguins! It will hopefully take my mind off temps that will regularly be over 100 when we get back.
5. My job! I just unloaded about 15 cases, a couple of which I didn't like, on a new attorney, and this morning I sent my one and only report that was due, so I'm the most caught up I've been in months, if not years. And I can't wait to do many of the tasks that are on my agenda today! One of the single things that made the biggest difference in my happiness in the last 5 years was probably changing jobs to something that I love.
6. Having company for my running commute home tonight. My buddy from accounting will join me for the first couple miles. It means my pace will be slower, but that's great news for my legs, and great for more conversation. It's fun to have someone to gossip with.
7. A mild summer. Running in Dallas in the summer is never much fun, but this summer is probably the mildest I've ever experienced here. Some years by the start of August, we've had over a month of days at 100 or higher. So far this year, we're at less than 10. And I think I'm going to be enjoying even more amazing weather when we get to Pennsylvania on Wednesday -- that will feel so refreshing. I hate winter running, having to decide how many layers to wear, feeling like I can't get warm, etc. And running in extreme heat is no picnic either, but this summer is working out very well for me.
8. Our house. We just had our carpets cleaned and with the upcoming trip, things feel very organized and clean. I am not a super-organized person by nature, so having our house in this organized state makes me feel so good. It is much more relaxing to be home (though having a puzzle in progress on the table makes it a little less relaxing!).
9. Is it bad to say The Bachelorette? The season finale starts tonight I think (and I think it's two parts). It's such terrible tv, but sometimes it's so much fun to watch. I don't know where they are on tonight's episode, but it's someplace beachy that looks very pretty.
10. Of course my sweet husband. He's been swamped with work and lately it's even occupying his mind a lot when he's not at work, primarily because he has a big project due in mid-August that is very separate from his day-to-day work. But he's planning on taking a complete break from it starting on Wed. when we go to see his parents, and so even though I'll have to work while in PA, it will be nice to have more quality time together. More walks holding hands, more sitting really close on the couch, more meals together, more stolen kisses when his parents aren't looking...
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Take time to get to know someone new this week, leave a few comments and come back and link up in the comments. Happy Monday!
Sunday night was early to bed since I had to be awake extra early this morning. I usually ride with a friend to go run on Tuesday mornings, but she can't make it this week, so I need to drive. Since I'm only in the office Mon and Tues this week due to our trip, normally I'd drive to work Monday morning with all my stuff, run home, run to work Tues, and then drive home Tues night. But that would leave me with no car to go meet my friends Tues morning. So the compromise plan was that hubby would bring me to work after boot camp on his way to work. But that meant I had to have all my stuff loaded up and ready to go before boot camp. AND we had to leave for boot camp extra early today since we had a friend joining us to check it out for her first time.
So I was showered and at my desk by 7:30 today, which is kind of nice. So I'm taking a Friend Making Monday work break!
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!
Ten Things That Make Me Happy
2. Anticipating our trip to Europe in September. And knowing that our 2014 trip (current plan is Dubai, India and Nepal or Seychelles) is going to be just as exciting. A book that I read last year said that a big element of what makes people happy is anticipating an event. Well, that's certainly true for me and travel!
3. Having lots of family and friend events on the horizon. Going to PA to visit in the in-laws this week, having my brother come to visit in two weeks, going back to KC for my high school reunion in less than a month, and lots of stuff with friends at home before then! The female half of our neighbor couple is back in Dallas so as soon as we get back from PA, I'm looking forward to lots of time with her, particularly working on a few projects around the house and chatting while we do them.
4. The puzzle that I started working on this weekend and will get to finish when we get back from PA. It's only 500 or 750 pieces but it will be tough -- a whole bunch of penguins! It will hopefully take my mind off temps that will regularly be over 100 when we get back.
5. My job! I just unloaded about 15 cases, a couple of which I didn't like, on a new attorney, and this morning I sent my one and only report that was due, so I'm the most caught up I've been in months, if not years. And I can't wait to do many of the tasks that are on my agenda today! One of the single things that made the biggest difference in my happiness in the last 5 years was probably changing jobs to something that I love.
6. Having company for my running commute home tonight. My buddy from accounting will join me for the first couple miles. It means my pace will be slower, but that's great news for my legs, and great for more conversation. It's fun to have someone to gossip with.
7. A mild summer. Running in Dallas in the summer is never much fun, but this summer is probably the mildest I've ever experienced here. Some years by the start of August, we've had over a month of days at 100 or higher. So far this year, we're at less than 10. And I think I'm going to be enjoying even more amazing weather when we get to Pennsylvania on Wednesday -- that will feel so refreshing. I hate winter running, having to decide how many layers to wear, feeling like I can't get warm, etc. And running in extreme heat is no picnic either, but this summer is working out very well for me.
8. Our house. We just had our carpets cleaned and with the upcoming trip, things feel very organized and clean. I am not a super-organized person by nature, so having our house in this organized state makes me feel so good. It is much more relaxing to be home (though having a puzzle in progress on the table makes it a little less relaxing!).
9. Is it bad to say The Bachelorette? The season finale starts tonight I think (and I think it's two parts). It's such terrible tv, but sometimes it's so much fun to watch. I don't know where they are on tonight's episode, but it's someplace beachy that looks very pretty.
10. Of course my sweet husband. He's been swamped with work and lately it's even occupying his mind a lot when he's not at work, primarily because he has a big project due in mid-August that is very separate from his day-to-day work. But he's planning on taking a complete break from it starting on Wed. when we go to see his parents, and so even though I'll have to work while in PA, it will be nice to have more quality time together. More walks holding hands, more sitting really close on the couch, more meals together, more stolen kisses when his parents aren't looking...
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Take time to get to know someone new this week, leave a few comments and come back and link up in the comments. Happy Monday!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Treasured Necklace
Recently, I came across this post on a blog I read regularly, Rantings of an Insecure Chubby Girl. At the end of the post, she showed off some cool running penants she'd gotten in the mail and was wearing on a necklace.
I'm not sure why I didn't post about this before (well, I do know why, after the holidays always seems crazy and busy), but I thought I'd do a special post about one of my favorite recent Christmas gifts.
For Christmas 2011, my folks (really, my mom, I know this gift was 100% her doing), gave me this necklace:
Hopefully those pictures turn out. If not, it's 3 little pieces of metal hanging from a single loop on a necklace. One says "Run", one says "26.2", and one says "Boston." On the back of the Boston one, it has my name and it says 4/18/11, which was the day I ran the Boston marathon after years of thinking of the race and attempting to qualify.
My mom runs too and has always been one of my biggest fans. She knew how much my BQ meant to me and she was actually at the race where it happened -- the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. That race has both the marathon distance and a 10 mile race, and she and my husband had both run the 10 miler (while my brother and his wife, my cousin, and some friends) also ran the marathon. So she saw me shortly after I crossed the line and knew that I'd (finally) done it. And since I always go home for Christmas, she was also there for Christmas of 2010 when my husband gave me a running book and plane tickets for us to go to Boston.
It's one of my favorite pieces of jewelry and I'm wearing it more frequently these days as I try to stay focused on the goal at hand -- my dream PR in Berlin on September 29.
I'm not sure why I didn't post about this before (well, I do know why, after the holidays always seems crazy and busy), but I thought I'd do a special post about one of my favorite recent Christmas gifts.
For Christmas 2011, my folks (really, my mom, I know this gift was 100% her doing), gave me this necklace:
My mom runs too and has always been one of my biggest fans. She knew how much my BQ meant to me and she was actually at the race where it happened -- the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. That race has both the marathon distance and a 10 mile race, and she and my husband had both run the 10 miler (while my brother and his wife, my cousin, and some friends) also ran the marathon. So she saw me shortly after I crossed the line and knew that I'd (finally) done it. And since I always go home for Christmas, she was also there for Christmas of 2010 when my husband gave me a running book and plane tickets for us to go to Boston.
It's one of my favorite pieces of jewelry and I'm wearing it more frequently these days as I try to stay focused on the goal at hand -- my dream PR in Berlin on September 29.
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