I Probably Should Make My Blog Public again

I took some pictures on Saturday of our loads of snow to do a visual blog entry.  I've been waiting to log my miles till I could upload the photos, and my computer is not cooperating.  So I guess I'll just log my miles.  Maybe I'll have pictures for you tomorrow.

Our streets were snow covered till Sunday because my town does not believe in salting (and not because they love the environment).  The roads finally cleared after the temperature got above freezing.  So I'm able to get outside. Yay. 

I have decided to make some changes in my workout routine since I'm feeling, I don't know, blah.  I woke up at 5 and did Shred level 2.  But I ran at my usual time.

I wasn't sure how much I wanted to run, so I just played it by ear.  It was frigid.  11 degrees, colder (hovering around 0) with the windchill.  The only part of me that was cold was my shoulders, and I don't even know why.  I felt pretty good once I got warm. 

This was the first time in many months that my run was mostly done with the sun still out.  Probably the last mile or so the sun had set fully.  I like when the days get longer :)

4 easy miles.  I find that when I run outside in the cold, my shoulders hurt later.  I think my shoulders feel like it's their job to keep my neck and ears warmer...

In the am I woke up and did the Shred level 2.

In the pm, I broke down and went to the gym.  Just paid for a one day membership because I'm not planning on doing it again.  It's supposed to get to 40 this weekend, so I'm hoping the snow will melt.

I did most of the run at 9:13 pace, but I picked up the pace periodically.

It was very hot in there, though.  My treadmill had one of those fans on it, but it didn't help at all.

Sad story:  Eli's baby sitter brought her dog in to be spayed today.  The dog died during the procedure.  The vet doesn't really know why.  She was a beautiful yellow lab.  I felt so sad for Eli's sitter because she was crying when she told me.  She didn't explain it to Eli because she wasn't sure how to, so we talked about it when we got home.  Poor doggie.

Last night I took the boys and went to our school's annual battle of the bands.  It was really great to see many of my students put themselves and their talents out there.  I don't know who won the battle because I took the boys home before it ended to get them in bed at a reasonable time, but I hope it was my favorite act.  

To explain this properly, I have to give a little back story (forgive me).  Our school has a significant Asian population (mostly from Korea).  A lot of the Asian students do not participate regularly in extra curriculars, although that is changing a little.  Most of the students that we have are pretty traditional--they don't mess around when it comes to academics.  However, one of my students this year is a Korean boy.  He is not your typical Asian.  He's huge.  He plays football.  Although he hangs out with the other Koreans, he is also pretty popular.  He doesn't like school too much. 

But man, can that boy sing!  My favorite band was headed by him with 3 other Korean boys playing drums, bass and guitar (he played guitar too).  And they were a Christian band, singing praise songs.  It's rare when you see a high school crowd go wild over a Christian band, but this one did.  When their second song ended, there was a moment's pause, and out filed 10 choir members (in robes) from stage left and a violinist, viola(ist?) and cellist from stage right.  I don't even remember what song they sang, but it was very moving. 

Really all the kids that performed last night did such a wonderful job.  It's nice to see kids directing their energy into something positive.

Anyway, onto the running.  I'm glad I got over 7 miles today.  It felt good.  My average pace was just slightly under 9 minutes and it felt easy.  I guess now I'm building and sorta enjoying running again.  It helped that it was about 30 by the time I got out.  Isn't it sad that 30 is warm?  It was windy (weather says between 10 and 15 mph) but I only felt it when I was heading west.