Lulu's Challenge... rise from the ashes

Happy April Fool's Day!

Six miles in the am. Tried to "push" it a bit the last few miles. Ran negative splits as usual.

This one was tough. I set out to run at 5am and Bubbles had other ideas. Where can I put 30 minutes of "dancing" with a baby at 5am into the log? Are those cross-training miles? She finally went back to sleep, and so did I. I was writing today, so I went out and ran in the middle of the day. It was quite hot. I made it and that is all that matters!

Six in the am. Did two 13 minute tempo runs which made the first half of the last mile difficult. But I got it done. Thank God for the Rocky Theme and Gloria Gainer's "I will survive" on the Ipod.

This is horrible! Twice today I have gotten dressed to go running only to look out the window and see... LIGHTNING! Rain, I can run in, but lightning is another story. I even have my hat on to protect me from the rain (or attract lightning). I am very sad; there will be no run today. I may try to run twice tomorrow. I've got to turn the computer off; the lightning is ridiculous.

Bubbles has been sick (hence no run last Sat). Tomorrow we go to the doc. She had her MMR shot about 10 days ago, so I thought the fever was from that. We are in day 4 of the fever -- so it is not MMR related apparently. I've had about 4 hours of sleep, and it is not looking too good for tonight!

I simply could not run today. I am exhausted. It turns out that Bubbles got one of the viruses from the MMR shot she had almost two weeks ago. I took her to the doc today. My thinking is: if she reacted this bad to a little bit of intenuated virus, she really needed the vaccine as she would be very sensitive to the virus.

Life is getting better. She is very pleasant even when she is sick. We read lots of books and in the afternoon she felt good enough to "help" Mommy make coconut macaroons. She loves to cook with us. She stands on the step stool and stirs and pours in the measured ingredients. If my husband were to read this (and he won't) he would be surprised to read that I actually measured something when I was cooking. When he really likes what I have made, he's frustrated because I never measure anything and often can't remember what I have thrown into the dish. With Bubbles, I have to set a good example so I measure for now. Honey was shocked and pleased when he saw the macaroons. He LOVES coconut.

Whew! I got the run in today. I was very tired and really had to focus that last mile. I didn't walk even though I wanted to. It was a relatively slow run, but not easy.

Hey, hey. I made it six miles this morning. I had to talk myself out of taking a leisurely stroll periodically. I made it running non-stop. Right now that is a struggle for me. I am still having lower leg issues but I am really tired right now. So I just keep plugging along until it gets better. It will! (it better!)

Five slow, but not easy miles. Mentally I pushed but physically not. Got it done. I am still tired. I have to be at work very late tonight. I hope to rest on the weekend.

Woohoo! I ran seven miles this morning! It felt great. I even threw in a fast mile around #6. I had my PT work on my lower leg and that work along with the exercises seems to be making it better. I am very happy with my miles this week. Some days I just had to push mentally to get it done. I will try to get more sleep next week.

First three miles with Bubbles, then she wanted to get out and run around so I took her home. The last three on my own. Of course, after pushing the stroller, I felt like I was flying.

Felt strong today! Yea!

So I set out to do a leisurely 7 mile run at 9pm at night. I am running along at 3 miles and a minpin chases me. I yell "go away" a few times, and we go our separate ways. About 100 yards later I run by this lady who has her van stopped on the side of the road, and I hear her taping something (I can't see her; I can just hear her). She comes out from behind the van as I run past and gives me this giant smile. At first I was wondering if she was putting signs up for the dog, and I almost asked her. But then I decided that someone looking for their dog would not be smiling and would have asked me. So I run this loop in the adjoining neighborhood and when I come out, the dog is coming in and chases me again. Both times this is less than 100 yards from that lady and her sign. So this time, I run close to the sign and look. The first word I see is "LOST." Good Lord!! Then next thing I read is Mini Pincher. Duh! Why didn't she ask me!?!?!?!? So I tear down the sign and book it home (notice the threshold mile -- that was unintentional). I call the number which is a cell phone and NOBODY ANSWERS. I leave a detailed message about where I saw the dog. That poor dog sure has a STUPID owner. If your looking for your dog, you ask people out and about in the neighborhood, and YOU ANSWER YOUR PHONE! I feel sorry for the dog. I went out and ran another 1.6 miles to finish the whole 7 miles.

Planned day off. I traveled all day for work.

Slow, easy run. The theme of this morning's run was: Just keep going. It was hard for me. I wanted so badly to go back to bed. And then it was effort to run slow. I got it done.

Five easy miles that were easy. Felt like a different body from yesterday morning. I got my lower legs scraped today. Should make tomorrow's run interesting.

Eight miles. They felt great! Calves were sore and tight the first few miles, but I knew they would get better. The last three miles were completely enjoyable. I am finally getting back in shape!

Planned rest day. Honey's B'day.

Six in the morning. Felt good especially the last three. Yesterday, I got my husband a Wii for his birthday. I wasn't sure I would like it, but it wasn't my gift. It turns out the Sports Pac was so fun! Now my arms are really sore from spending the afternoon boxing, playing tennis, bowling, and playing baseball! It is crazy. I pre-ordered the WiiFit that is a balance board that comes with all kinds of stuff. It is coming in May. I am pretty excited about it. Who knew?

I am really proud of my friend Turena who ran in the Olympic Trials yesterday. She came in 6th. Her goal was the top ten. So since she didn't make the team (which I wished for her), that is exactly the place I wished for her because fourth and fifth are just too close to the top three to be happy. She PR'ed, and I know she is happy. I can't wait to talk with her and hear all about it. Hopefully, I'll see her tomorrow. Here is a video http://www.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?do=videos&pg=1&event_id=70&video_id=2767. She appears at the front of the second pack closest to the camera at about 40 seconds into the video. She is wearing a blue top and black bottoms. She runs very straight up and down (almost leaning back). Then she crosses the finish line in sixth waving to the crowd at 1:21 or so.

Thunder + Lightning = no running

I struggled through (or should I say Slogged through) six miles this morning. I think I need to get more and higher quality sleep. I will try to get better about getting in bed earlier.

Ran three more this evening with Bubbles. This is to make up for the lightning workout that didn't happen yesterday.

Ran 5 in the am. Tried to run again in the evening and my left foot would have no part of it. I see the pt again tomorrow. Hopefully he can fix it.

Wow, sick, sick, sick. I thought I could go to bed for a few hours and then run later. Oh no, it got worse. My husband had minor tummy trouble yesterday but this is much worse than that. I cannot eat. I didn't eat more than 400 calories today. If I don't eat, I cannot run!

Still sick. I have no energy. I thought if I could eat one good meal today, I could run. No dice.

I cannot shake this tired feeling. I know why, I cannot eat. My stomach is a mess. I am down a couple of pounds since Friday. I tried to eat three good meals today so I could run tonight. Each meal consisted of a maximum of eight bites. No running for me.

Yea! I got to run with Bubbles in the hills. The hills were very hard. I ate ok today, but not great. However, I got the chills today during the run. When I came home, I couldn't eat. Honey is now ill and has the chills. I've been home for more than two hours and have drank some watered out cranberry juice -- that is it! This sucks. I am still running in the morning.

Got is a run this evening. I was determined to do it. I did not sit down this evening because I was so tired. Honey is super sick, and Bubbles screamed for 1.5 hours last night. She rarely does that so I figured she must have had a tummy ache given what has been going on with the adults in the house. I did what I could to soothe her. At about 11:30 pm she asked (in words and sign language) for a banana. She ate 3/4 of it (a lot for her) and was quite happy afterward. She ate some ice, and then I asked her if she wanted to sleep with Mommy and she shook her head yes and laid it on my shoulder. Granted during all this, I intended to be sleeping. But other than my distress at her pain, I really enjoyed holding her and soothing her. I know I won't be able to do it forever and just want to cherish the moments I have to do it with her. I always think when she cries or laughs how badly we wanted her for so long and that those sound are music to my ears.

Got 6 miles in very early this morning. It is how I prefer to put in the miles, in the morning. Honey is still sick but tried to go to work to day. I should have an easier evening tonight and will try to get to bed early. Bubbles ended up in bed with me last night. I was sleeping too soundly to enjoy it though!