3 things to do before I die and I am heading to Denver

1st things 1st

I was tagged on Anne's blog - Asthma and the Gift of Running to list three things I want to do before I die.

This is really tough - because I really do live in the moment - or at least in the one month or less range. ;-)

Here goes:

1. Move to Colorado or Wyoming - I would like to do this after I retire. Some place with snow - but slightly more moderate winter temperatures.
2. Vacation in Mexico for a month at a time. I would love to have a house in Zihuatanejo and simply relax.
3. Run 9 minute miles in 1/2 marathon - or a 5 k or any run.

Vail and BeaverCreek - Here I come!!!

Yesterday I was trying to decide what to do regarding vacationing in Vail by myself - or changing my return flight. I have a conference in Denver on Thurs & Fri this week. My plan was to extend my stay and ski with a friend - but my friend had a death in the family so she will not be able to join me. So I had to decide whether to stick with my original plan or to come home immediately after the conference.

I decided to stick to my original plans. And I am excited. Can you say four days to myself. I am going to drive up to the ski resorts on Friday after the conference. Ski and/or hang out and/or relax for four days (Sat - Tues) and then return to Wisconsin Wed. The more I think about it . . . the more excited I am about the prospect of doing what I want . . . when I want. And if that is doing nothing . . . that will be OK.

Yahoo!!!!!

Shirt that I won from One More Mile

Better late than never.

A couple of weeks ago I won a giveaway on Shelly's blog - It's Just One Foot in Front of the Other. The shirt arrived and I had promised pictures - but just got around to it today. The shirt was from One More Mile and I love it. I ran 3 miles this morning with Sophie and got warm enough that I took my jacket off for a while. I didn't run into anyone - but if I had - I know they would have LOVED it also. In case you can't read the message - I know - not the best pic's.

The front says

Sorry, I've Got to Run

(with my Dog)

and the back says

Leash and Collar . . . $14.95

Running Shoes . . . $90.00

Running with my Best Friend . . . Priceless

My husband and I bought snowshoes this afternoon and we just got back from a hike through the woods with the dog. It was beautiful. We found some public DNR land near Token Creek -- which is a little stream that we kayak down in the summer. The land is snow covered and with the freezing temps around here - it is very crunchy. It is easy to break through the snow - so walking in snowshoes makes it easier. This was our first time using snowshoes . . . pretty fun. A couple of times I nearly tripped because I stepped on the outside edge of one of the shoes with my other shoe. It takes a little getting use to - but I liked it. We loved the land - no one was out there and Sophie could come. The land is very marshy - so it might be too wet to walk on during the spring and even into the summer - winter just might be the only time to comfortably walk around - but we will have to give it a try again in the summer. I am realizing as I am writing this - that I should have taken my camera. ;-(

Peace

what to do . . . what to do . . . what to do

So I am heading to Denver for a conference on Wednesday. After the conference is finished on Friday afternoon, my plan was to drive up into the mountains and spend some extra days out there skiing. A friend of mine was going to fly in to Colorado and we were going to meet up after I was finished on Friday. We were then going to ski Saturday thru Tuesday and return to Madison on Wed. Feb. 10th.

My friend called me this morning and her father passed away last evening. I am very sorry for my friend's loss. Her parents were down south over the winter - but the funeral will be in Indiana. So there are a lot of travel issues and she is not sure about the arrangements. She obviously won't be able to come with me skiing.

I now need to figure out what I am going to do.

My choices are:

1. Stick with the plan - and ski by myself. Vail and Steamboat offer ski with resort ambassadors for individuals over 50 - so I could take advantage of that. Spend some time alone - do what I want - when I want - eat what I want - when I want - shop or do whatever I want. But I would be alone and although a couple days sound great - this would be 4 days of skiing by myself.

2. Since I am flying out through work - my airfare is covered by my company. I could see if there is a penalty for changing the return time and if not - or if it isn't very expensive I would cover the reschedule fee and simply fly back after the conference on Friday.

3. If I can change my return flight for a reasonable price - maybe return on Monday and simply ski on Saturday and Sunday. That way I could ski for a couple of days.

There is always a chance that we could reschedule another trip out west a little later in the winter - but that might be difficult.

what to do . . . what to do . . . what to do???

Truth be told Thursday

It has been too cold for me to run outside the last few days. I was outside for my morning run with my dog on Monday and Tuesday - but haven't gone out the last couple mornings.

Truth be told . . .

I am simply using the temperature as an excuse. There have been plenty of times that I have run in colder temp's.

So the question is why am I

veg'ing out . . .

making excuses . . .

hitting the snooze button . . .

feeling lazy . . .

why or why????

This is especially hard to admit considering all of the inspirational blogs that I read.

Everyone is so committed . . .

running with little ones in joggers . . .

running tempo runs . . .

running hills . . .

signing up for marathons . . .

and I am being lazy.

Well all I can say is . . .

Tomorrow is another day - and I hope to be out there tomorrow morning running - no matter what the temperature.

Peace

Cancer Sucks . . .

Sorry for the off topic subject . . . but someone from work died over the weekend.

I have got to tell you . . . Cancer SUCKS . . .

She isn't someone that I was necessarily friends with - but I would see her in the stair case a fair amount. Both of us always take the stairs instead of the elevator. We didn't work together - she was in the Administrative Support area and I work in Accounting. But she was always very friendly and kind.

It doesn't care who you are . . . Cancer SUCKS . . .

When I found out that she had died over the weekend - I was thinking that I "know" that I saw her in the office . . . not that long ago. As it turned out - she was diagnosed with breast cancer in November - it had already metastasized and was growing rapidly. She only survived for a couple of months.

Two short months . . . Cancer SUCKS . . .

As I mentioned in one of my first blog posts - I was diagnosed with breast cancer a little over 5 years ago. My cancer was staged as III B. Her cancer was staged at Stage IV which is metastatic - so I am just about as close to metastatic as you can get . . . to be accurate - there is a stage III C. But my III B is about as close as I EVER want to come to metastatic.

I consider myself VERY lucky. I don't ask WHY . . . I simply enjoy every day and always think that "this might be the best day of my life". Really I do!!!

But whenever I hear about someone else getting cancer or in this case dying from cancer so quickly - IT STOPS me in my tracks.

And I want to scream . . . CANCER SUCKS . . .

AND I want answers . . . REAL answers . . .

Didn't she notice something?

Anything?

Wasn't there some indicator that something was wrong?

How can cancer grow to that extent and not be detected?

I want a cure.

I need answers . . . But I know that there are no real answers.

If there were answers . . . well . . . then I would know

why . . .

and how . . .

what caused it . . .

will it come back . . .

is so, when . . .

Maybe Cancer wouldn't suck if we had answers.

Until then . . . CANCER SUCKS . . .

How do you keep up with the blogs that you follow?

I have been thinking about this a lot lately.

How do you all keep up with all the blogs?

Do you read one and make comments . . . or read many and then pick and choose the ones that you will return to leave a comment?

How do you fit it into your day?

I have been very picky about the number of blogs I follow - I don't want to follow to many and feel like I can't keep up with them. Just doesn't seem like there is enough time in the day.

It isn't appropriate to check the blogs that I follow while at work. So that leaves me with the evenings. I work full time and usually don't get home until 6:30. By the time I make and / or eat dinner and clean up, it can be 8:00. Add laundry and taking the dog for a walk and I just don't have the time I would like.

AND for those of you with young children, playing, helping with homework, giving baths and getting the little ones to bed . . . the whole evening is already gone by the time you have any time to yourself.

??????? HOW DO YOU DO IT??????

Hump day

Well it is Wed. - better known as Hump Day. I have been running on the treadmill each day this week. 3 miles - 30 minutes - 10 minute pace. Trying to up the pace for at least 1/2 mile every night. This should help me with my turn over rate. I have also been running 2 miles in the morning with my dog Sophie. I know that this isn't that much -- but I recently have only been running in the morning - so that added 3 miles per day has made my ankles pretty tired. Yup - not my legs just my ankles. Oh well - might simply walk with the dog tomorrow morning especially since I have circuit training class after work - and it really kicks butt. I need that -

Last week I got a cold - feeling much better this week. Wow it is always sooooo good to be over a cold. It really wears on you.

Don't have any stories / comments / concerns.

Oh - I forgot - I got my One more Mile shirt in the mail today from the give away on Shelly's blog. Pictures to come this week end. It is a really cute shirt - short sleeves - so for now I will need a shirt underneath.

Enjoy Life

Peace

Runny nose update

Short Post

Yup - I have a cold - feel pretty tired.

Work was OK - took Day quil - but it is now 8 PM and I am feeling tired and pooped.

I went to Yoga at lunch and ran 3 miles on the treadmill after work. I am pretty happy with myself - because it would have been way to easy to skip out. While I was in Yoga and running I felt really good. But now the nose will not stop.

Going to bed

Stay well out there

Linda

Sniffle - Sneeze - Sore Throat - The Common Cold

Dang . . . I woke up yesterday morning with the beginning of a cold. Nothing serious - just the common cold. But Dang - I am a very healthy individual and it totally sucks when I get a cold. I sat in several meetings last week at work with individuals coughing, sneezing and looking pretty bad . . . all the time thinking . . . please keep your germs to yourself. But that didn't happen.

Year end is also a VERY busy time at work. I am the Sr. Director of the Accounting department and we are in the process of closing the books for the year and getting ready for the external auditors to arrive. I went in yesterday and worked for 8 hours - not feeling real good . . . but I am very happy to have gotten a lot of my review work done. There are so many things going on during the normal work day that I can't get much analysis done . . . by working yesterday, I feel ahead of the game . . . and that makes me very happy.

On the running front - nothing for yesterday . . . and it doesn't look like it will happen today. I will get out there with my dog for a walk. I find it best to take easy when I have a cold. Nothing that a little hot apple cider and spiced rum won't fix. ;-)

The week ahead:

I am going to start to increase my morning mileage.

My yoga class starts this week.

I also signed up for a fitness class at the company's fitness center . . . it is suppose to be using the various equipment at the fitness center in a station format.

I also signed up for the Elliptical machine three nights after work.

Well on my way to increasing my fitness and losing 10 pounds. Yay!!!!

Stay Warm (forecast is for warmer temps)

Peace

Linda

I won - I won - oh did I mention I won

I entered a give away on Shelly's blog - It's Just One Foot in Front of the Other . . . great blog . . . and I won . . . yes I won. I get to select an item from One More Mile's website! They have very clever shirts and running apparel. I am very excited - first give away I entered. It must be a sign - 2010 is going to be a good year.

Will it be one of these . .

OR - one of the other designs . . . I will make sure that I take a picture of what I select.

EXERCISE: As far as exercise - spent 30 minutes on the Elliptical machine after work. The time went by really fast. Three of us reserved the machines at the company's fitness center at 5:00. I was on the Elliptical and my friends, Kelly and Nikki were on the treadmills. Time does go pretty fast with friends. It is kind of funny - I am a solo runner, except for my dog, Sophie. I really like to use my running time as "my time" and simply let my mind wonder. I cherish the alone time, - but the treadmill (dreadmill) or elliptical are so boring.

PEACE - and Thanks to Shelly

Linda

Running in freezing temps

It has been pretty cold here lately. I can't believe I was complaining about 20 degree temps about a month ago. It was 4 degrees when I left the house this morning. I was actually quite comfy. My head/hair was wet when I got home from my 4 mile run. Two miles with my dog, Sophie and two miles without her. I run around our neighborhood, which is exactly a 2 mile loop - so I simply dropped off the dog and ran the loop a second time.

Many of the bloggers that I follow are from much warmer climates. Like so many things in life (philosophical moment . . . not really somewhere I go very often) I believe it is all relative. Some people run in hot humid weather - some people run in frigid temps - some of us get a little of both. But in any case our bodies are amazing instruments and adapt quite well.

Our weather forecast is for snow, which should be starting tonight and continuing until tomorrow evening. We are suppose to get 5 inches of snow - so there will likely be in a couple of inches on the ground for tomorrows run. The good news is that the temps are suppose to be in the mid-teens.

On a RESOLUTION note: I have signed up to take the Tall Mom challenge and run 1000+++ miles this year. I am pretty excited - it always helps to keep the motivation going.

Peace

Stay warm

Linda

New Year Resolutions

I have been thinking about this for weeks. I still don't know what I am going to resolve for 2010. How can it be this hard to figure out what I want to do. I have been in a real funk lately - pretty much since I came back from Colorado. I pretty much need someone to kick me in the butt to get me out of this funk.

I have been reading many comments from others about their resolutions . . . maybe something will simply hit my heart and I will be able to commit.

blahhhhhhhh

Possible resolutions

Lose weight - 10 pounds - as a result of Breast cancer surgery and radiation I have lymphedema and losing 10 pounds would help my arm, I think. It would also make my running easier. I currently weigh 136 - I am 5'5" and am 54 years old.

Run 1,000 miles - sounds good - but I would really have to commit to increasing my running

Relax and smell the roses more. I tend to work 10 hours a day - I know that my husband would like me to cut back - but that is really hard, because I have a lot of responsibilities and this is a really busy time.

Work on individual qualities: Patience and compassion to name a couple.

Increase my speed: I tend to run between a 9 and 10 minute mile - not very fast, I should probably work on increasing my speed.

PEACE

Linda

First time for everything: This is the first time I have linked to another blog - Shelly is offering a great giveaway!! - Please check it out Ms. ShellyRM's blog.

Ski trip to Colorado

I have just not felt like writing about our ski trip - don't know why - just haven't had it in me. So, I will simply keep this brief - we had a Great time. How could you have anything other than a great time skiing for 5 days in Colorado.

Pic's at the right:

Joe, Chelsea and Charlie waiting for equipment at Denver

Charlie, Joe and Chelsea at the base at Beaver Creek, waiting for fresh baked chocolate cookies

My son Charlie and me

Charlie, Chelsea and me

My son Joe (orange jacket) with his girlfriend Chelsea.

Friday - 12/18 - We skied at Beaver Creek - had a great day. No new snow - but the conditions were fine. Weather was sunny and quite comfy. Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies at 3:00 at the base tasted sooooo good. Something about skiing in the fresh air and then getting to munch on fresh cookies . . . it is hard to describe.

Saturday - Skied at Vail. The back bowls were not opened yet, but we still had fun.

Sunday - got up and drove up to Steamboat, which is where we stayed for the rest of the trip. First day of skiing was great. Again, no new snow and some of the mountain was not yet opened - but I love Steamboat.

Monday - took off - shopped and had lunch downtown - usually we eat on the mountain. This was a first for us.

Tuesday - more of the mountain was open. Some of my favorite runs - Heavenly Daze and Buddy's runs were in great shape in the AM.

Wednesday - more skiing at Steamboat. Fresh snow and it continued to snow all day. We got to watch the Olympic trials for Moguls - awesome. These people really fly down the run.

Thursday - got up and drove back to Denver for our flight back into Milwaukee. We got home just after midnight.

Great trip - I took my garmin - we skiied about 20 miles a day and traveled over 19,000 vertical feet.

I am so lucky - because I will be returning to Colorado in early Feb. to attend a conference and will be extending my stay by 5 days to ski with a friend. I am one lucky camper. ;-)

Peace

Linda