The Final Countdown

Hello!! How are you?? I mean really, how are you? Unless we are Facebook or real world friends, I have no idea how most of you have been the past week or so. The new 550 items in my Google Reader are proof. However, my lack of attention does not mean I don't love you. I have just been busy making memories. Yet the holidays are winding down, so my mind has been zeroing in on the year ahead, especially when it comes to my running.

With 2010 just hours away, I decided to put my goals in writing. And what better place to solidify my running goals than here?

2010 Running Goals

• Run 1,000 miles
• Run a 4:30 marathon
• Set new 5K and 10K PRs
• Update my running blog at least twice a week

The key to checking each item off my list is smaller weekly goals; I also think success will be more likely if I make myself accountable on here. If I feel like I have someone (you) checking up on me, I am much more motivated.

My first weekly goal is to get a run in tomorrow. I can't think of a better way to start the new year and to start off on the right track to reaching my goals.

So what are your goals (running or otherwise) for 2010?

Jingle Bells - The Half Marathon Version

Dashing through the snow,
On a thirteen (.1) mile run.
O'er the hills we go,
Racing is so fun.
As my iPod plays,
Helping miles pass,
Oh what fun it is to run,
I hope I'm not in last.

Running fast, running far,
Running all the way.
I can see the finish line,
Just half a mile away.

Jack Frosting

I'm really not a slacker with the once a week posts. I am just thinking of you and how busy you must be this time of year wrapping presents, finishing up last minute work projects, spending hours working on your Christmas cards, spending time with friends, shopping for those impossible people, getting together with family to make gingerbread houses ...

Ummm, ok, maybe that is me. But I am going to pretend my once weekly posts are a favor to you anyway.

By the way, there has also been some running in there. Not a ton, but I think I might actually stick to my training plan this week. I had a short run yesterday and there is speedwork on the schedule tomorrow and a longer run later Friday or Saturday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that one to be an outside run. How I love running in the cold!! Seriously.

And now, since I also need to update my family blog while my girls are sleeping, I will wrap with a bullet point list of some of the things that have made me smile lately. Hopefully at least one of them will do the same for you.

• Getting my Christmas card from Tall Mom Mel. Even the envelope made me smile. Mel has given me a nickname, Runner Barbie, that makes me smile every time I see it. I don't think anyone has ever given me a nickname before (other than Candi when I was younger), and I love it! Even if I am not even close to being a Barbie.



• Bundling up my girls to play in the snow and watching my little girl go sledding for the first time.



• Hearing my 3-year-old talk about Jack Frosting.



• Ordering a cute new hat and arm warmers for running. Pics to come.

And last but not least, you won't have to wait another week to get a new post from me. Due to the postive response the singing runner received, she will be back with a new song tomorrow.

The 12 Days of Running

On my twelfth day of running, I realized this runner needs...


Fog free sunglasses
Body glide for chafing
Nice, ripe bananas
Smart wool for my toesies
The Stick for my ouchies
Garmin to keep me going
GU to fill my tummy
Perrrrr-fectttt new shoooooes
A great playlist
Gatorade
Recovery socks
And a marathon medal for me

I could do this every day until Christmas (but I promise I won't) and not run out of things for the list!

Blogger's Block

Between the holidays and my recent blogger's block (aka writer's block), I haven't checked in via my blog in over a week! I have been wandering around all of your blogs though, in hopes of getting some writing and running motivation and inspiration. I think it is starting to work. Now I just need a few more hours in the day. Last week was crazy as far as finding time to run. I went to bed every night thinking, "I have to run tomorrow." So without much running to report, I will share my upcoming running plans instead.

As part of the runner series to get guaranteed entry into the St. George Marathon, I have to run two of nine designated races. I was originally going to run a half marathon and a 10k, but I decided to run a 5k on January 23 instead of one of the others. I haven't run a 5k in a long time, so I am going to really focus on speedwork and shorter runs until my marathon training starts on Janury 11. I am doing the FIRST training program for my marathon. More on that later...

So with a new week underway, the 5k training plan begins. Today's plan is a speedwork run on the treadmill. I'll let you know how it goes.

And I will leave you with a glimpse of two of the best things that have been keeping me so busy...