The Big Thaw

It's been a brutal winter this year for training, running, heck-- living! I hate to admit it, but I haven't ran since the middle of January. I'm not sure if it's been the lack of sunlight, the bitter and crazy cold deep freeze temperatures, my age (I gained another year in February- ha!) or just the fact that once I've made it from my office to home-- I'm cold, I'm tired and I just want to rest on the sofa with a warm blanket and cuddle with my little furry friends.

I've noticed as the temperatures get warmer and the days longer, there have been more of my fellow running kin-folk hitting the streets and I'm insanely jealous that when I finally do head back out-- I'm going to be out of shape and need to start with walking again. What a vicious cycle! I was hopeful that the first race which I had planned on doing this year (the Run the Bluegrass Half-Marathon in Lexington, KY) would motivate me to keep going through the cold months, but it hasn't. Boo for not running! :-)

All is not lost, however, there is a race March 29th that will help support another passion of mine-- animals. It's only a 5K so not too difficult and I think I can pull that short of a race out in no time. At least, I think that right now as I sit contemplating running next door for another cookie. What is it with me and these cookies?!

Anyway, that's it for now-- see you on the trail!

Frozen in Place

First and foremost, happy new year to everyone. I can't believe that it's the new year already! I've been pretty lax this holiday season. Sadly, I think I've managed to get out and run between Christmas and today a whole total of 5 times which is pretty darn pathetic, but kind of par for the course with the weather that we've been having.
This screen shot says it all about the first week in January. I went out for my New Year's Day run and was enjoying the sunshine reflecting off of the newly fallen snow and then just a few short days later, I'm waiting and watching with absolute fear that the pipes won't freeze and my little goldfish pond stays liquid enough to allow the fish to survive. I had this crazy idea that I'd like to go out in the insane cold and run, but stepping out onto my back step to let the dogs out during the cold spell had me retreating back into the house-- coughing from the cold.
I've been far too eager to put on the insulation from the cold too-- I had a craving the other night for cookies so I end up visiting my neighborhood Aldi and purchasing a tray of the vanilla/chocolate crème filled ones. Yeah, within a week's time over half is gone.  I don't know what it is with this weather-- I want to just retreat back into my home after a day of work and put on the comfy pants (the ones with the elastic so I won't notice what the cookies are doing to me), the fuzzy slippers and just set and vegetate in front of the tube until it's time to go to bed.
I'm signed up for the Indianapolis Mini Marathon in May and have paid my fee for the Air Force 10K in September so I know I need to get my rear moving and just get the training started. Perhaps that will be my resolution for next week...after one more cookie, of course!
See you out on the trail!