10:41am, easy run, 4 miles, 37:33, 9:23 ave pace

9:28, 9:26, 9:24, 9:16

weight - 110.2 - YIKES!! Need to be more careful....

Petey rode his bike while I ran. He saw John-boy running in the park too...that was neat = )

I didn't really want to stop at 4 miles but I haven't decided yet if I'm going to do my long run on Saturday with the Striders or not. So I stayed at 4 miles to give myself enough extra miles at the end of the week in case I decide to get up early and go run at Terry Hershey.

I'm really pleased that my shin continues to be fine. I did feel my vein in my left ankle but it wasn't bad...just enough for me to be aware of it. Not sure why it was hurting anyhow because it didn't hurt after the 25k or the 10k on Saturday so I have no idea what would make it "bruised" now.

I was able to get quite a bit of housework done today...did LOTS of laundry and changed both litter boxes...did the dishes and wiped off the kitchen counters and cleaned the hall bath...we straightened the whole house and Petey vacuumed for me.

Jackie and Gil were coming over for supper so that's why we did more cleaning than usual. We also rode our bikes down to Little Wally's to buy some fresh veggies for the meal.

I made grilled salmon and sea bass with pesto, baked sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli. We had Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches for dessert = )

Jackie and I got the dishes in the sink and put the food away and then worked on our book study. Petey and Gil did their own thing while we were talking.

Now we're heading to bed!

Nice Sunday day of rest = )

We left a bit early for church this morning so I could run in Little Wally's and pick up some sandwiches and a cake for the potluck.

We're up to about 400 AD in our church history class...still as interesting as ever... I don't want it to end!! The message in church was also very good.

Pastor Kevin started going in depth into the differences in interpretation of Romans 7:14 - 25. I thought maybe it wouldn't interest me but I read a few of the notes in my study Bible and it mentioned the difference so I paid better attention = )

The potluck afterwards was great. Not because of the food...although they did have deviled eggs...YUM!!! But the fellowship was so nice...I loved hearing the hum of many conversations going at once and then bursts of laughter from different areas in the room...people enjoying each other's company and having a good time!

We came home and have taken it easy for the entire rest of the day...AWESOME!! Lots of tv watching, loving on the dogs, checking email, holding hands on the couch, just loving being with my Sweety = )

And now, bedtime...and I get to sleep as long as my body wants to in the morning!! Petey said he'd wake me up at 6am...the time he's been waking up...YIKES!! hahaha

It was a beautiful day, in spite of the wind and cold temps. This is us on the way home. We left Buddy at home because he really doesn't like to run or walk anyhow and he's more sensitive to strangers and crowds and strange noises.

It was a good day for the Striders...with John winning 1st overall and Jackie Connelly getting first in her age group and Linda Bailey got 1st...Ryan DiMarco got first in his age group in the 5k (I think it was first) and me getting 2nd in my age group...I think that covers all of us = )

Does the Pizza Man look a little cold to you??? Isn't my park BEAUTIFUL???!!!

7:46am, Hearth & Sole 10k, 6.2 miles, 52:54, 8:30 ave pace, 2nd in age group

8:29, 8:19, 8:31, 8:39, 8:38, 8:38, ??? for final .2 but John was running with me and I was giving it my all...

EDIT: I just figured out my pace for the final .2 was 8:05...thanks to Coach Pizza!!

I accidentally hit the start button on my Garmin as we were walking in the door after jogging home. I didn't discover it until 4 minutes later so the final .2 was messed up.

I do remember that the distance was exactly 6.2 when I stopped the watch at the finish line...thought that was REALLY neat = ) Also, I think that's my correct finish time too but I'm not totally sure. If it bothers me enough, I'll add all the mile times together and see what comes up...

EDIT: it did! hahahaha

We (me, Petey, Piper, Dingo) also jogged 1.15 miles over to the park and then the same back home so my mileage for today is 8.5 miles...and over 28 for the week!

So...the race...I'd already decided that it was too windy to have any chance of a PR. Then, because part of the course was flooded, we had to do the 5k course twice and had to turn around at a cone in the middle of the road 3 different times.

That means that you almost come to a complete stop, for my non-running readers, and that adds seconds to your total time...also not conducive to running your best time.

I'd planned on and hoped for an 8:15 average pace...I'd run an 8:19 average pace for 6.6 miles at the half marathon relay a couple weeks ago on a hilly course and figured I could do at least a little bit better this morning.

Started out slower, tried to pick it up and run my goal pace in that 2nd mile, realized how hungry I was in the 3rd mile... just felt like I was running on empty for the rest of the race.

In fact, after looking at the splits, I'm surprised I hung on that well in that 5th and 6th mile! Sure was neat to have John come back and run with me for the last mile... and to hear that he was 1st overall in the race!!

We had to hang out for awhile, waiting for the awards. We were FREEZING!!! I think that windchill must've been in the 30's for sure. We were warming our hands up on the dogs...Petey was holding Dingo on his lap, he was SO desperate for some added warmth!

It sure felt good to get a hot shower after getting home. I just stood under the water for awhile, getting nice and warm all the way into my core = )

We went over to the folks' for some leftover pizza and then Faithy came back here with us and she and I left a little bit later to pick up Miss Cleo and go to Alexis' wedding shower.

I was looking forward to playing some fun games but we didn't have any today... instead they had 3 of the ladies give a short lesson or devotional on something to do with marriage.

It was very good but I missed the games...the cake was really good though, so that kinda makes up for it...hahahahaha

We dropped Miss Cleo off and then came home...just hung out here, checking email, watching some TV, until John-boy got here with the Chipotle and movie.

We watched "Run For Your Life" tonight. A*W*E*S*O*M*E movie!!! It's the story of Fred Lebow, the creator and director of the New York City Marathon for many years... until he died of brain cancer in 1994.

This is one movie I might like to add to the library, if I ever get the opportunity. I'd like to watch it again and have the closed captioning on since I missed some of the dialogue.

Anyhow, a fun ending to a fun day. I know I shouldn't be disappointed with my race this morning...I just raced that 25k 6 days ago...VERY windy...I didn't eat enough beforehand...BUT...I am disappointed. I guess that will increase my anticipation of the upcoming Turkey Trot 10k = )

Good night, Houston and the world!!

Pre-race rest day. I have no idea how things are going to go tomorrow. I'm not sore from the 25k and I feel like I've had plenty of rest since then but I feel like it could go either way or somewhere in between!

Today was fairly quiet. We spent some time together, watching movies, but I also got a good bit of housekeeping done...some laundry...and then pizza night tonight. I have one load of clothes hanging on the line but I still have quite a bit more laundry to do.

It's supposed to turn windy and colder tomorrow...maybe I can get a few more loads dry by tomorrow night. Not sure if the wind will be a factor for the race or not...not sure when it's supposed to START getting windy. That's alot of nots! hahaha

I'm going to spend a bit of time with the dogs and then get to bed very early tonight. I don't have to get up that early in the morning since I'll be running over to the race start...just a bit over a mile away...good warm-up = )

But I woke up tired this morning and have kinda been dragging all day and I'm tired right now so the extra rest will be good for me.

Oh yeah...pizza night report...
- pepperoni and sausage with 1/4 mushroom added
- cheese pizza on garlic spread with 1/2 mushroom
- spinach alfredo pizza
- roasted red potato and rosemary chicken

It was nice having Petey there and my sister came too...nephew John Chase was on his way home from A & M but he didn't make it in time. And when he got home, he was so tired that he decided to just stay in for the evening.

9:21am, easy run w/PT, 2.25 miles, 25:55, 11:32 ave pace
9:46, 13:40, 9:59 - last .25

Petey was quite sore after running yesterday so we took it easier today and did more walking. He likes to totally run that first mile, take it easy in the middle and then finish strong and fast at the end = )

Our day was really different because we discovered our phone, internet and U-verse TV service were all out. I was able to check email on my great new phone, but it was just weird not coming in here to take breaks in between tackling a task on my chore list.

I had a dr's appointment at lunch and then we walked down to mail a box at the post office. I really wanted to work on the laundry but the weather wasn't cooperating. I did all the normal chores though.

Tonight was our Strider meeting. Every November we have a special speaker come... last night was Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton. WOW...I think she blew us all away with her presence and story!!!

I'm VERY much looking forward to reading her book and checking out her website... now that we have internet again = )

It was a late night so I'm looking forward to bed...

Tuesday, 11th....

Another rest day from running...soreness is MUCH better...pretty much gone!

Went to Bible study this morning...we did the next to the last chapter in our book and then celebrated Miss Sandra's birthday. The group was especially fun because Margie's mom was here visiting...always wonderful to get to hang out with her!

Since we were going to be hanging out with Faithy and John for the evening, Faithy and I just went to our own homes for the afternoon. I didn't do much...just enjoyed being with my sweety = )

John and Faithy came over about 4:30 and we left to go to Judith and Loren Neufeld's house to see their orchids, eat some Filipino food and meet their daughter, Sharon. It was a most interesting and lively evening!

We got home late and were so tired, decided to just hit the hay.

Wednesday, 12th...

9:53am, easy run w/PT, 2.25 miles, 23:06, 10:16 ave pace

9:45, 10:13, 12:31 (last .25, walked some)

Petey did SO well running this morning! He hasn't run for awhile but managed to run 2 miles without stopping to walk. We walked just a bit right after the 2 mile point and then ran the rest of the way home.

I had no soreness at all running and things felt good. We'll do the same thing in the morning...well, I'll do the same thing...not sure if Petey will join me again or not = )

The sad part was seeing all the water and flooding in the park, what with the upcoming race on Saturday morning. It might be ok if we don't get anymore rain until then but I know there's some rain in the forecast...we'll see...

I made waffles for breakfast and we watched some TV and then went out to the post office, HEB and stopped in at mom's. Her freezer needed a bit of maintenance that Petey was able to do for her.

I did pooper duty and frisbee play and porch paws when we got home...hung out with Petey...watched some more TV. That's about it for the day!

Moderately sore today...more than I would expect. But John said he's quite sore also, so that makes me feel better. And knowing that I put in a good, hard effort makes me glad.

I'll take tomorrow as a rest day also...good thing since the weather is looking pretty nasty through Thursday! I'll see how much soreness I have on Wednesday and decide what to do then.

I signed up for the 10k in Bear Creek Park on Saturday morning...I'm figuring that if we get as much rain as they say, it's gonna be flooded over there. We'll see!

I also signed up for the Turkey Trot 10k on Thanksgiving...that's my current 10k PR race from 2006...50:05...sure would love to break 50 minutes!

Petey made it home this morning...SOOOOO great to see him again! He's sitting here next to me, at his own desk = )

My adopted dad, Mr. Huskey, was in town for a convention so we stopped in at his hotel and saw him for a few mintues at lunch time and then headed down for some shopping at Costco.

We ate lunch down there and then my stomach started hurting again. We came home, put stuff away and then I layed down to rest and sleep. Petey worked on the computers while I was napping.

Dad Huskey was free this evening so I drove over and picked him up while Petey was at home, doing some cleaning. We had yummy grilled salmon with pesto, brown rice, Asian veggies and my homemade applesauce.

It was great getting to catch up on all the news with Dad and Mom and their family. I'm glad he was able to see our house here too. I'd gone over to their house in Nashville in May of 2007 to help them unpack and move in so I knew what their house looked like and now he can describe to Mom what our place looks like.

My stomach started hurting again after eating supper. I'm guessing that it and my intestines just got very irritated during the race yesterday and it might take a bit for things to settle down. If I was eating a clear liquid diet, that would probably be better and less painful...

So now bed...tomorrow will be another busy day.