RUNNING UPDATE:

There are bound to be weeks like this, I'm sure.
Like, the three things that should never happen did happen.

1. I forgot to take my iPod to the gym this last time
2. Shin splints
3. Got a cold

Painfully horrible the three combined.  I didn't realized that I had shin splints until speaking with a good running buddy of mine and I started describing the type of pain I was having.  At first, it was just on my inner calves and then it move to the outer edges and it was very, very painful to bend down.  Uhg.  So, my last go at "running" was actually me on the elliptical.  I "ran" for all I was worth 2.1 miles.  I felt like a serious failure because that little amount only pushed my weekly mileage up to:

8.2

My lowest week in a long time.  It doesn't feel good to have mileage that low and it feels worse to post about it.  But, there isn't really anything I can do about it.  My mileage might be low next week again so my legs can recover.  I don't want to exacerbate the splints making it nearly impossible for me to run.  So, there you have it.  A shamefully low amount of mileage, but I promise it won't stay that way for long.

Silent cheerleaders, you don't have to cheer, I'm giving you the day off.  :(

Raindrops keep falling on my head

Actually, no, since living back East their concept of winter includes this fluffy white stuff called snow.  No more thunderstorms in the middle of winter with a side of flooding...that's Sooo California.  (I do miss that though)
Well, this skirt is a nod to the dark nights laced with snow and the golden sunshine in the early mornings here in PA.
Please, welcome:

The Tier Drop Skirt

Tulle.  Obsessed.  I love tutus!  I've been scouring the internet for good tutorials on how to make one.  I haven't found exactly what I'm looking for but this little skirt satisfied my craving for now.

I've already started my notes for another such skirt.  Dimensions will be a bit different giving it a more full/tutu-ish feel.  

But this skirt was definitely a cutie!

I can't get enough.

So, shoot me.  I'm the mother of the cutest two year old around.  I like playing dress up with her and there are no limits when it comes to making her clothing.  Now, if I could only get better...I sense a theme with all the little skirts I've made so far... hah.  I'll try not to be a one trick pony.
Don't make fun  :)

RUNNING UPDATE:

It may come as a surprise to you, but I did, in fact, beat last week's mileage!

22.2

Felt great.  My last go at the treadmill was 3.7 pushing my mileage up and over the top.  I had an awfully packed weekend and was really worried that I wasn't going to be able to run.  I started fretting a little telling myself that even if I had to run in 20 degree weather I was going to beat my mileage.  But, fortunately, there was just enough time for me.  The gym here closes early on certain days so it was a race against the clock.  Isn't that ALways the case??  Uhg.  Either way, I have to report that I have officially beat my treadmill mental block.  Yesterday, I pounded out a perfect 6.2 miles smiling all the way.  And I'm not kidding when I say that I was smiling.  I turned up the catchiest of tunes and bopped my head around like a weirdo.  A weirdo that knew she was doing something VERY special, like overcoming yet another mental block in running.  I couldn't believe myself, actually.  6.2 miles!  On the treadmill!!  I deserve Trader Joe's pumpkin cupcakes for that one.

Silent cheerleaders.  You really make my day when you cheer.  You kind of look like me.  Mouthing words to a song that no one can hear.  Earbuds crammed into my ears, running on that treadmill lost in my own world.  Let me hear you scream.  Yeah!!

RUNNING UPDATE: Confessions of a runner

Well, a beginning runner. 

Tonight I went to the gym.  Yes.  Tonight.  I didn't get up this morning because I stayed up wayyyy too late.  I'm actually digging going to the gym at night.  First of all, I don't have to get up even before God decides to smile on the earth.  Second, it's not COLD in there!  I think I'm falling in love with it...slowly.  Wait, maybe not, there is nothing like running in the open air.  And when I run outside I don't need the iPod.  For some reason my mind tends to Zen itself out and before I know it I've run to the halfway point.

For me there are a couple of tricks to working out in the gym.  iPod.  Actually, that's the only trick.  I pump my salsa music up so loud I feel like I could run 10 miles without even a gasp.  But then, reality sits in and I'm looking at the bright red 3.63 flickering slowly upward, and wondering if I can even make it to the 5 mile mark I promised myself.  

To be honest, tonight I had a little bit of trouble.  I was tired.  My muscles were a little sleepy.  They didn't have the kick they usually do.  I wonder if it's because I ran 5 miles the night before??  I don't know.  In spite of my desire to quit at 4 miles and then at 4.5, I didn't.  Felt good to go all the way to my goal. 

5.1 -- bringing my total mileage for this week up to:

13.4

Oh, yeah, I can TOTALLY hit 20 + miles this week.  Nada prob.  I finished this evenings workout with 10 minutes of stretching, 130 abs and 60 arm reps.

Silent cheerleaders? Show me some love.

RUNNING UPDATE:

It's a nice number.  I wish I could have logged more but this last week's mileage came up to a total of:

20.7

Getting up at 5am just isn't early enough, I suppose.  It takes me a good hour to get rolling in the morning and then I have the short drive to the gym...and still, time is ticking away ever unforgiving.  

It's a race against the clock for me.  I have to run as far as I can, as quickly as I can in just under an hour.  But on a treadmill!!!  Those things just don't work for me people.  The farthest I've run on the treadmill, so far, was 5.1 miles.  And even then, around 3.5 miles I was getting a little loopy looking longingly at the bright red STOP button.  I kept swallowing my irritation down until my stomach was about to burst.  But I didn't stop. 

So, I figure since I leaped over that 5 mile hurdle...a 6 miler is in my future?  Near future?  I hope.  Of course, it will have to be on the weekend when I don't have to race back to the house so my husband can leave for work...  

Here is my promise to you all.  This week my mileage will be more than last week.  I promise.  I don't know by how much.  But I am going to put my best foot forward in this (o. puns..)

Where are all my silent cheerleaders?

O!  And in preparation for the summer months when I can get up at 5am and not have to worry about driving to the gym because itssocoldIcan'tfeelmyspleen outside, I bought this!

RUNNING UPDATE:

Got up at 5:30 this morning.  Groaned and rolled over.  Fell out of bed around 6.  Up and out by 6:45.  I did something new this morning.  I went to the gym.  I've never had a gym membership and I've never gone to the gym out here.  But drastic times, drastic measures.  It's COLD and snowy.  The roads weren't even cleared and it snowed quit a bit overnight.  But, I brought my grand total mileage up to:

15.6 miles

I ran 4.3 today.  I hate treadmills.  They bother me.  It doesn't feel like I've gone anywhere for the past 45 minutes.  How boring is that?  But I have to do this.  The treadmill is my friend.  While the weather is being torturous I still have to keep my goal in sight.

Running outdoors makes everything go by so much quicker and it doesn't feel like I've run 5 or 6 or 7 miles.  It's awesome.  Plus, I've discovered that gyms make me ill.  For some reason, I start getting clammy and nauseous.  You don't have to say it...I know.  weird, right? I almost had to stop running at 3.5 miles because I felt sea sick or something.  But I finished out strong raised the incline to 3.5 and pounded out those last 3/10 of a mile.  (when I do run on a treadmill, I make sure the incline is set at 3 and then I raise it and lower it during my workout to challenge my muscles.)

Tomorrow, I am taking my long run.  I hope the weather is nice, because I don't want to do 8 miles on a treadmill.

RUNNING UPDATE

11.3 miles this week.   This year...

A little low, but I am working with the time I have.  Because it's winter the mornings are very dark and very, very cold.  I could get up earlier but I'm not comfortable running around here in the pitch of morning.  No street lights.

I am happy, however, that my goal of running at least 20 miles this week is very achievable.   I have upped my abs to 135 instead 120.  Feels good.  My body is getting stronger and I can feel my muscles strengthening around my lower back.   My lower back is my arch nemesis and if I don't watch it, it will get me good.

Met two ladies this morning while on my chilly run.  They were walking their dogs; and there is nothing better than running up a hill with "Good luck!" and "Good for you" 's following my back.  It made me smile and my run so much better.  Having support, even if from complete strangers, is very empowering.