Tuesday, February 11, 2014

The post about running through another snow storm, a good run and a Paleo baking fail

Top left: My snowstorm running photo
Top right: Tanya and I after (what is likely) our 2nd last run together (for a while)
Bottom left: My haul from Tanya! Thanks GF:) Hubby will eat the Clif Bars,
I'll use the Clif Shots during long runs!
Bottom right: This morning's run. FINALLY a decent pace!

  • I have been MIA for a few days. Four to be exact. I have no excuse. Just wasn't feeling much like blogging. Nothing, and I mean nothing exciting happened over the weekend. It was a tad depressing actually. I'll get to that in a bit. I have a whole week of running to talk about first.
  • Last Wednesday I worked from home. We had a pretty substantial storm hit Southern Ontario, and it's a good thing I didn't attempt to go anywhere. All my agency's cars were grounded. Even though we got about a foot of snow, and the bulk of the storm happened in the morning, I had to keep up my hardcore label and head out for a run. I ran 6K through the storm at a pretty slow pace. I had to lift my legs extra high to get through the drifts. It was by far my hardest and most epic run to date. Although I ran a distance I can usually run with ease, the 6K felt like 20 by the time I was done. My body was SORE! I am a glutton for punishment. The very next evening I went to the Mac hill and did 7 hill repeats. My rest day on Friday was much deserved.
  • On Saturday I met Tanya at the Running Room and we headed out (in some pretty cold temps -20C) for what will likely be our second last run together for a while. It is bitter sweet, because although I'm going to miss her terribly, I'm very excited that she is entering a new and exciting chapter in her life. Just in case you're new here, Tanya is my most regular running companion and has been for almost 2 years. We socialize more frequently than we run and she has become an awesome friend and confident. She and her family are moving to Sweden because of her husband's job. She will be back for a month this summer and I plan to head to Stockholm in the fall to run the DN. Stockholm Halvmarathon with her. That is my silver lining. I'm not gonna lie though. My heart is heavy and I'm going to miss her:(
  • I had a tough day on Sunday. I ran a 16K long run and barely remember it. It was like I was in a daze the whole time. I was feeling out of sorts all day. I was really feeling the losses in my life. Tanya's going away party likely had something to do with it. But I was also missing my mother, Finn and others in my life that I hold in my heart. I just wanted to lie in bed all day, but I couldn't. I had a ton of laundry to do, dinner to make, a party to attend and grocery shopping. My saving grace was that I was somewhat busy and by Monday my mood had improved.
  • Now that we have these new laptops for work, I have a mobile office. Unless I have team meeting, supervision with my boss, or a client is meeting me at the office, I have no reason to go in. I worked yesterday and today from home. And by "from home" I mean Starbucks and Second Cup. It works out better for me because I'm much more focused when I'm in public working. If I'm in the office, I get too distracted by co-workers and my day is incredibly non-productive. 
  • Because I was working from home, I got to run after six am this morning. By the time I completed my run, it was actually day light. Spring is on the way:) And I finally had a good run. My pace has been complete shit over the past few weeks. Mainly due to the elements. Snow and ice being the main culprits. But today, I ran a 6:28/K pace. That is my normal pace, and I don't feel like I've run that pace in ages. Definitely a boost to my runner's confidence.
  • Tonight I attempted to make Paleo Pumpkin Loaf. I am on snack for team meeting tomorrow morning. I followed the directions EXACTLY, but it turned out super crumby. Epic fail:( My boss and I are just going to have to forgo the baked good component of snack again. It's okay. I did get some other Paleo acceptable stuff (ie: apples, nuts, carrot sticks...so boring), but everyone else gets my regular home made banana bread which kicks ass!
  • I'm having a bit of a mid-life crisis. I'm contemplating cutting my hair. I'm not sure why. I just started using this Pantene split end repair on it and my hair is the smoothest and softest it's been all winter. I do this though. I'll think I need a change, want to cut my hair, then regret it soon afterwards. What I should do instead, is get my tattoo fixed like I talked about a year ago. It was supposed to be done when I reached goal. That happened a while ago, and it looks no different. Partly due to money, and partly due to me being chicken shit. I may just get my butterfly freshened up, and get a new tattoo on my foot that signifies my running. Or I'll just cut my hair completely off. Decisions, decisions!

Top left: I am awesome:)
Bottom left: Not usually into long beards, but love that guy and his tats.
He looks bad ass which is always a turn on;)
Right: To cut the hair or not to cut the hair. It definitely needs a trim, but I'm
talking about cutting it off completely!