First of the season, probably a few more to go...

It was pretty icy last night when I went running, but I found some relatively non-slippery spots and was managing quite well until I had about 5 minutes left...bam!  No real damage, just some scratches and temporary stiffness.  Aaahhhhhh, should have worn the screw shoes...

snow, screws, sponsorship...oh my!

Another boat load of snow today...I'm not sure how much we are supposed to get, but I think we have about 6-8 inches and it looks like it's still coming down pretty good.  We got about 2 feet a week ago, so the snow banks are becoming rather impressive.  School (work) was cancelled today, so I was able to get in most of my running this morning.  Before I got the call, I was up and out of the house so I could do a short run before work, so I just ended up making it a longer run before the roads got too bad.  They were pretty hard to run on by the time I finished, but the screws in the soles of my shoes definitely help.  They are, without a doubt, a winter necessity. 



Some winter essentials: shoes w/screws, super heavy wind-proof
mittens, hot hands, reflective vest & head lamp (not much day
light), and dubs hats.



That and "hot hands" which made my long run yesterday possible.  It was just over 10 degrees yesterday (luckily it was sunny and not windy) and my hands do not last long once it gets that cold.  But, tucking some hot hands in my mittens and changing the mittens half-way through the run kept my hands from being painfully cold.  (My hands get really cold, really easy and I have a really hard time dealing with it...as in, it makes me almost physically ill, not to mention cranky.)  But, despite the cold and snow, I've been fortunate getting in my runs. 

I recently found out that my sponsorship with Hammer Nutrition was renewed...and, not only renewed, but upped.  I was thrilled, especially since I did not race very much last year.  I won the USATF 50K Championship, but outside of some small, local races didn't do too much.  Luckily, they are a great company that was very supportive when I told them I needed to put aside my racing plans and take a few months off to clear up some lingering injuries.  I emailed them and their sponsorship coordinator gave me the thumbs up and even suggested it was probably a wise thing to do.  A company that puts people first and makes great products...I'm okay with that.

balance in boomtown

2011 is off to a busy start.  I'm in the process of jacking up my mileage in preparation for the 50K Championships in early March, while being mindful of balancing it with my other commitments.  That is, in order to be best prepared, I need to run not as much mileage as I possibly can, but run as much mileage as I possibly can while upholding my other commitments, not being useless at my job, and keeping myself healthy...finding the sweet spot of training, as my brother likes to say.  While I know my body can handle a certain work load when training is my #1 priority, I have to discover how much my body can handle when there are other priorities and commitments.  I'm making a lot of time for running, but as is life, there are of course lots of other things requesting my time.

This was my first week incorporating some double runs and testing out my new morning routes.  Last year to maximize sleep and run time on my double days I would wake up and head out the door as quickly as possible to hit the cold pavement.  This year I decided it would be better to spend a little bit more time awake and moving...the old body doesn't always spring out of bed.  But, I need to maximize my time.  So, I've been getting up, driving part-way to work, doing my run, then going to work and cleaning up there.  Plus, the roads on the way to work are better to run on than the one in front of the house...at least in the snowy winter dark.  The doubles are treating me well and I had a good week of workouts.  (I'll try to write more about these, since they are probably more of interest...and I didn't forget that I owe you a training plan.)

Aside from running, teaching is going well.  It's been super busy coming back from break and with a new semester starting in another week, but I'm trying to keep it balanced too.

In the late fall, I inquired and looked into taking on the position of leading the Servant Leader Team of Discipleship at my church and was accepted for the position.  The position is to help coordinate and plan discipleship activities.  Programs such as the nursery, children's church, youth and high school programming, and adult education fall under the auspices of this team.  There are people in place who do a ton of great work for these programs and I"ll hopefully be able to offer support and guidance in this upcoming year.  Right now we are busy with a church-wide study program (r12) that I'm really excited about.  So, this is the other portion I'm balancing with the other two. 

I realized each topic could be split into mind, body, spirit.  Now, as long as I keep them in harmony and, of course, remember which is most critical.  (No, not running.)

Best wishes for a wonderful new year!!