I don’t know if it’s the gray sky, the rain, the wind, or the colder temps that’s got my motivation in the dumps…  But, I didn’t run today like I should have…  I had to do some grocery shopping this morning, and by the time I did that, got home, and unpacked everything, I just didn’t feel like getting back out there to run…  I know I said I would run tomorrow, but I just remembered that I have a “breakfast” to go to in the morning.  If I don’t go, my 6 year old will be upset with me…  I can’t go after that, because school will then let out (only a 1/2 day tomorrow).  So, running outside is a no go tomorrow.  I do want to run!  I just don’t want to on the TM…  I guess I will just have to suck it up and fire up the old TM tomorrow when we all get home…  10 miles will be a stretch on that machine, but I’ll have my little TV down there, and daytime TV…   I just have to remember to put it on an incline most of the run to mimic running outside…

Work is going great.  I am really enjoying it!  I can’t wait until my 90 day period is up and I can then take advantage of the tuition reimebursement…  I want to get back in the “classroom” again…  Even if I take online courses, this old woman would like to learn new things!!!

We have no major plans for Christmas…  I’m looking forward to my children’s reactions to all their gifts!  They will be beyond happy!  I’m sending my hubby to Cali in Janurary as his present…  I may try to find him something little for him to open on Christmas morning…   His mom will be flying into town the day after Christmas.  He’s gotten the day off, and that is great news as I have to work Christmas Day night…  So, I’ll be able to come home and take a nap, and be somewhat refreshed by the time they get home from the airport.

Well, that’s about all I have to say…  Not very exciting, but that’s my life! 

To be running in the type of weather I did today…  It was a windy 37* for the first 4 miles.  I felt pretty good, until I hit my 2 mile mark.  My calf muscles were killing me, so I stopped for about 30 seconds, stretched, and drank some water.  By the time I hit 3.5 miles, it was raining.  At least I was warmed up, so the cold rain didn’t bother me.  The .5 mile back to my starting point, I had a discussion with myself.  To go another 2 miles or not.  I told myself, let’s at least do another mile, make it worth my time for getting out in this crappy weather.  When I got to the .5 marker (where I should have turned around) I decided to continue on, to make today’s run 6 miles.  I only saw one other person running today.  I had to laugh to myself b/c I’m out there with ear warmers, a jacket (with a shirt underneath) my running pants, socks and shoes.  This lady had the whole enchilada going on.  Hat, ear covers, balaklava, mittens, jacket, pants, shoes, etc…  Looked like she was out to face some serious snow or something!

I realized today just how much I love running.  It is “my” thing I do.  I don’t share it with my husband.  My kids don’t run, and I run by myself most of the time.  Today I ran without my iPod and it was freeing in a way.  It was just me, the wind, the rain, and the sound of my footfalls.  About as relaxing as you can get.  Last night, I had a hard time going to sleep because my mind was whirling with thoughts of my 1/2 marathon coming up, and my revenge on CMM in April.  How can these 2 events creep into my head and steal my sleep?  Why?  I honestly should stop thinking about it and get a life, huh?

Sucks…  That about sums it up!!

Well, another working week!    Only 3 nights this week, and that was enough…  Next week will be easy for me…  I work Sunday night, am off Monday, then have orientation Tuesday during the day…  And that’s it! 

Yesterday was a nice run with my mom.  I’m so proud of her!  We finally have her up to 8 miles!!  And another good thing is that she feels confident enough to send in her registration for the Mercedes 1/2 Marathon!!  Even though my mom is a bit slower than I am, I plan on crossing that finish line with her come Februrary!  It’s very important to me to have my mom finish yet another 1/2 marathon.  She is, after all, my inspiration for running!  I grew up at the park, pretty much!  It seems I was always waiting for my mom to finish up a run…  Now, I run at that same park I used to play at while waiting for her to run.  Unfortunately, times have changed, and I’m not able to bring my kids to this park and have them play while I run.  Just not safe enough to leave them alone.  But, I digress…  My mom hasn’t been running much over the past, well, say 10 years?   Almost 2 years ago, she posed the question of running another marathon.  That’s the only reason I ran CMM the first time around.   Becuase I made a promise to myself and to my mom that I would run the marathon.  My mom wasn’t able to run that marathon with me, but to be able to get her to run a 1/2 marathon is just as good!  Plus, she plans on running the last 10K of CMM coming up in April…

Nothing new is going on in my life…  I can’t believe that I’ve been employed for 3 weeks already!  Boy time really flies!  No running for me today, but I’m back at it tomorrow! 

Have a great week!