Miles Miles Everywere!

I need to simplify how I track my miles.

For some reason this year I have too many different places to track my miles!

1. Spreadsheet
2. Garmin Uploads
3. Daily Mile
4. Ticker Updates

I need to simplify this update process.  I just started using Daily Mile and "think" that I like it - but I haven't included all my runs and the total includes my bike rides - so the number there doesn't tie to the ticker, which currently doesn't tie to the spreadsheet, which doesn't tie to the Garmin (but that is because I don't always wear my garmin).

I need to get them all updated and then either establish a process to update them weekly or ditch one of them.

Which one is currently closest to being accurate?

January Race - The Green Bay Packers are in the Super Bowl - Quarter Marathon!

Just got back from a beautiful run with Sophie.  She did the entire 6.6 miles (quarter marathon) with me.  The temp's were great, 32 with low winds.  I ended up taking my little Lucy jacket off and just running in my long sleeve tech shirt, hat, pants and tucked my gloves away.  Stayed pretty comfy.

I had wanted to run a race every month but missed my opportunity in January (there aren't a lot of races around here in January), so I made up my own Quarter Marathon race and Sophie and I ran together.  While it was a pretty slow overall pace, 1hr 6 min  - 10:04 average pace - I am OK with that - I just enjoyed being outside in such nice temp's!   ;-)

Motivation comes from different places . . .

. . .  sometimes fellow bloggers.

Robin, at Running Circles Around the Turtles, HERE - posts a Mindful Monday blog post and this week it was directed at me.  Thanks Robin!

Her simple question on Monday: What's Stopping You?  

My answer:  Nothing - that's right, nothing is stopping me!

I have been taking it easy lately, using work, weather and vacations as excuses.  But I really shouldn't be letting those "things" stop me.  Heck - I am NOT going to let those things stop me.

We have had subzero temp's which makes it pretty hard to run outside - 

so instead of not running , I will ride my bike trainer!   

Sunday evening:  12 miles on the bike trainer

When the weather is warmer, like the last couple of days when the 6 AM temps have been in the 20's - I have been getting out there and running in the morning and "enjoying" the weather!  

Monday morning:  4 mile run

Tuesday morning:  2 mile run

In the evening, if I want to watch TV, like tonight when the State of the Union speech was on TV, 

I rode my bike trainer.   

Tuesday evening:  12 miles on the bike trainer

Sometimes we simply need someone to say or write something that really speaks to us!  

Thanks Robin, for your Mindful Monday posts!  

NO Freeze For Food For Me

I was planning on running in a local 10k this afternoon.  I held out the possibility that I might NOT run - if it was too cold.  Well, even though it was a reasonable temp - I didn't run.  As the saying goes "You regret NOT running - but you NEVER regret running!"  Well I regret not running AND it was rubbed in during the local news broadcast this evening, which had a little video clip and a segment about the run.

So now - why didn't I run?  I could come up with a lot of excuses but have 3 primary reasons.     

It was 10 degrees and with the 10 mile hour winds the wind chill was below zero - but it was pretty sunny.

We signed up Sophie (our golden ret) for a doggie training class and today was the first day.  We were home in time, but I would have had to immediately get changed and leave for the race. 

I just spent $100 on a facial exfoliation on Thursday.  Today is the day that my face usually starts peeling (if you have never had an exfoliation - this is serious peeling).  As I am writing this the peeling hasn't quite started, but my face feels extremely tight and is extremely dry.  The last time I had this done I went for a run and of course sweat formed on my face.  I noticed that my face felt odd.  Well I was quite surprised (horrified) when I got home and looked in the mirror.  The sweat formed on my skin, but it was underneath the surface skin, that was ready to peel and looked like blisters.  It was a mess. 

Because of that I was a little hesitant to run - although it was cold - would I still sweat?  Would the same thing happen to my face? 

Well there you have it - 3 excuses why I didn't run today.  But no matter what the reason - I still regret NOT running.  

Thankfully I have the bike trainer. 

I was hoping to run a race during every month of the year.  There aren't a lot of runs during January in Wisconsin - so I either need to find another run - or run a virtual race.  I'll have to see what I come up with - I still have next weekend.

I ran two mornings this past week and road the bike trainer two mornings.  To be honest I am taking it pretty easy.  Since I am really busy at work and don't usually get home until 7pm - I am NOT stressing out not getting many miles on the road.  There is plenty of the year left.  It actually feels OK to relax, recharge, and refocus because I KNOW I will get the miles in and because I KNOW I LOVE to run.

Big game tomorrow - Packers vs da bears - here's to a Packer victory!  Go Pack Go! 

The Stylish Blogger Award

Thanks to Chelsea at Early Runner for awarding me The Stylish Blogger Award.

Here is how the Award works:

• Make a post + Link back to the person who awarded you this award (done above)
• Share 7 things about yourself
• Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers so we can share the love
• Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won

OK here goes - 7 (hopefully) interesting things about myself.

1.  I was the drum major of my high school band (and can still twirl a baton) and was a "Flag Chick" (that is really what we were called) in college.  I started college as a Music Major (and still play my clarinet) and then switched in my Junior year to Accounting.  

2.  I used to race radio control trucks and sedans - 10th scale - We all had our own trucks and sedans and raced under the name - Team Radio Schaack.  

3.  I love to head out on the lake on windy days with the Jet Ski's and can pretty much keep up with the guys in the family.  

4.  I make a really good Long Island Iced Tea - but usually only make them in the summer.

5.  I am trying to embrace a more minimalistic lifestyle - I know I can't go all the way, or don't actually want to - but I do want to minimize. 

6.  In my house right now - we have 2 MacBook pro's, 2 iMac's and 1 Macbook, and 3 Motorola Droid's and my work Blackberry.  To say that we are internet connected is an understatement.  See item 5!!!! 

7.  I love to have polish on my toes - but HATE it on my finger nails.  But I have never had a professional pedicure - letting other people touch my feet freaks me out.  


Bonus # 8:  I love Housewives of . . . . Beverly Hills / that is my secret!  Don't tell!  

I will follow Chelsea and simply award 7 people.  

Anne from Asthma and the Gift of Running

Heather at Run O'Donnell

Jen from Setting You Free

Julie at Julie's Running Blog

Beth at Running My Own Race

Ewa at Trail to Wellness

Erika at MCM Mama

Next up is to contact everyone on my list and let them know that they have been tagged!

Have a great day

Peace and JOY

Race plans for 2011

Here are my plans for 2011 - at least at this point.  

I liked Kerri's goal, of Running for (My) Life, HERE  -  (I couldn't find the post where she made this comment) of running a race every month of the year.  Thanks for the great idea Kerri - hope to see you at some of these.

Running Events

Freeze for Food 5k - January 22

Valentine's Day 5k - February 12

Shamrock Shuffle 10k - March 13

Black Earth Road Race 10 miler - April 2

Lake Monona 20k - May 7

     or 

Madison Marathon 1/2 marathon - May 29

Komen Race for the Cure 5k - June 4

Wannafest 10 miler - July 30

Madison Mini Marathon - August 20

Zoo Run Run 10k - September 25

Haunted Hustle 1/2 marathon - October 29

Turkey Trot 5k - November 6

Berbee Derby 10k - November 24

Jingle Bell run 10K - December 10

Biking Events

(I need to find a couple more biking events - but for now these are making my list.)  

Bike New York 42 miles - May 1  (a group of us are planning on driving to NY to bike in this event)

Boys and Girls Club Ride 50 miles - July 16

MS 150 bike ride 2 day 75 miles each day - August 6 & 7

Duathlon - FIRST TIME

This is the only one (at this time) that looks like it will fit into my schedule - but will keep my eyes open for others.  

Norski Duathlon - June 11

Scheduling Problems/Decisions -
APRIL:  I have run the Crazy Legs run - a local race supporting UW athletics - for a number of years.  Last year I couldn't run because I had the stress fracture - this year I won't be able to run it again because we will be in New York City, participating in the Ride New York event.  So I had to find another race.  Black Earth Road Race, I think Jamie at Running Diva Mom, HERE, ran this last year. So far it is really the only other April race that works for me.


MAY:  I can't decide whether to run the 20k around Lake Monona or the Madison Marathon 1/2.  I will leave both of them on the schedule - but doubt I will do both.  I will look to the advice of Chelsea, of Early Runner, HERE, because she did both of these last year.

Ski Colorado!

I had planned to post and comment while vacationing in Colorado - but that didn't happen.  Oh well - sometimes things just don't work out like we think they might or should.  But the important thing is we had a great time skiing in Colorado - Sunday evenings flight into Denver was no problem - we picked up the car and headed to Frisco.  We arrived at our hotel around midnight Sunday.  After unpacking we jumped into bed so that we could get up and ski on Monday morning.


Monday:  Breckenridge

 Jan and Charlie bright and early at the parking lot of Breckenridge - getting ready to jump on the gondola and head to the mountain.  

  

Charlie and I on one of the lifts at Breckenridge.

We headed to Breckenridge on Monday.  My friend Jan has a friend, Shelia, who lives in Breckenridge.  We met up with Shelia at the base of the Gondola and headed to the mountain for a day of skiing.  Skiing conditions were wonderful - the top of the mountain was socked in by clouds - so we didn't venture up there - but skied peaks 7, 8 and 9.  We had wanted to make it over to peak 10 - but just didn't have the time and I didn't have the energy.  Plus peak 10 is mainly blacks . . . and I only starting to feel comfy (that is a relative term) on some blacks.  But we had a great day of skiing.  We stayed in town after skiing was finished - walked down main street and ended up eating at a Mexican restaurant.  After eating we headed back to the hotel - sat in the hot tub and headed to bed.


Tuesday:  Loveland
Tuesday we headed over to Loveland Ski Area, which is basically built on top of the mountain that the Eisenhower tunnel is built through.  The ski resort is the second highest resort in Colorado with the peak at 13,000 and a drop of 2,400 feet.  It was a cold day with temperatures in the teens and fairly windy conditions.  The wind probably wasn't that bad - but when you are on top of a mountain - even a little breeze feels strong.  We had a good day of skiing at Loveland.  We probably won't go back to Loveland - the runs aren't that long and you are above the tree line for much of the mountain.  But is was still a good day of skiing.  When we were done - we headed back through the tunnel and stopped at a local bar and met up with Shelia for appetizers and a couple of beers.

The mountain top, which is just beyond the trees is where we are headed.  

Charlie and Jan at Loveland Ski Area

Wednesday:  Vail
Wednesday morning Jan's friend Shelia picked us up at the hotel and we headed to Vail.  Vail is a huge resort at 5,300 acres.  We headed to the back bowls and skied there most of the morning and early afternoon.  We didn't stop for lunch until after 1:30 and then headed back to the front side of the mountain and skied there the rest of the day. In my opinion, Vail isn't really built with snow boarders in mind - to move to the back bowls and from peak to peak, there are a lot of traverse area's which make using a snow board a real pain.  Although my son likes the runs - moving around the mountain is a pain in the butt.   

Charlie, Shelia and Jan at Cloud Nine in Blue Sky basin. 

When we were done we walked back through Vail village, stopping at The George, which is a local restaurant for Apres - drinks and food never tasted as good as after a day of skiing.   


Thursday and Friday:  Copper 
Thursday and Friday we skied at Copper Mountain.  My son and I had never been there and we LOVED it.  It was a great resort - the conditions were wonderful.  We had two days of low 30's and sunshine . . . so it was GREAT.  

Jan, Shelia and me at Copper - Check out that blue sky!

Both Shelia and her hubby Andy skied with us during both days.  On Friday, Andy and Shelia took my son Charlie on a mountain tour, down double blacks and through trees and into area's that only the regulars know about.  At times they were outside of the boundaries, leaving the marked "in bound" skiing areas.  Charlie loved it and got to ski through tons of unmarked powder.  This is well beyond my abilities. 

Charlie and I at Copper

Jan and I skied some runs on the front side and eventually met up with them at the end of the day.  It was SO nice being with people that really knew the mountain.  When we were done on Thursday we stopped on the hill at Jack's for a couple of drinks.  
  

Andy, Jan, me, Shelia and Charlie enjoying a beer or two after skiing!  

On Friday we headed back to Denver and then had an early flight home Saturday morning.  When I got home I took the dog out on the frozen lake to play catch - she had a great time slipping and sliding.  I was exhausted and did some laundry and basically vegged out for the rest of the day.  Sleep in my bed felt so good. 
Tomorrow I am back to work and will be running in the morning.  Looking forward to going to the Hood to Coast movie on Tuesday evening with a group of runners from Madison - 


Peace and Joy to all!


P.S.  2 of my items on my list of 55 things to do during my 55th year involved skiing.  
#9  - Ski at 5 different ski resorts during my winter ski trip - didn't quite happen.  While we DID ski all 5 days - we only skied at 4 different resorts.  Since the year has only begun - I just might still hit this later in the year.   
#14 - Ski 55,000 vertical feet during our ski vacation.  Yup - we certainly did that.  On Wednesday at Vail we hit our high of 18,500 vertical feet (Shelia has a pass that tracks all of her runs - so I used that number for Wed and estimated the other days based on my garmin and phone app's.)  My estimate is that we skied well over 80,000 vertical feet over 5 days.  


LOVE LOVE Colorado.

Colorado here we come!

Tomorrow we are heading to Colorado for a week of skiing.  YAHOO!!!!!
My youngest son Charlie and Jan, a girl friend of mine will be flying out tomorrow evening.  My oldest son, Joe and his girlfriend will not be joining us as this winter.  He started his first full time job in October and hasn't "earned" any vacation days yet.  I will miss his presence - he is an organizer and ALWAYS knows his way around the mountains.  Oh well - without him, it does force me to pay more attention to the trail maps.  ;-)
We were going to drive to Colorado and then at the last minute decided to try and price some airline tickets using Priceline.  As it turned out, we got a pretty decent price - only problem is we are not flying out of Madison until 7:30PM, getting into Denver at 9PM.  We then have to pick up a car and drive up to Frisco, which is close to 2 hours from the airport.  It will be a long evening and the funny thing is that we will get there at approximately the same time as if we had driven - but we won't have to be in the car for 16+ hours.  Priority number 1 for tomorrow afternoon will be to take a nap - something I am not real good at - but something that will make skiing on Monday possible.

Charlie and I last year!

We watched the Badgers play in the Rose Bowl - it was a disappointing game.  I hope that the Packers will be more successful tomorrow afternoon when they play the Bears.  

I will be posting short updates and some photo's from Colorado!