Somebody Call 911

A few weeks ago, I had a meeting with my runner girls (and guys) to discuss Ragnar - Wasatch Back.

We had so much fun with the Great River Relay that we decided to do a new Ragnar relay. A destination Ragnar. Utah, baby.

Up to this point, I hadn't been running.

(Yes, I took five month off from running)

(No, the Couch to 5k didn't stick)

So we were talking about the relay, talking about which legs we wanted to run, and working out details. And it all made me incredibly happy.

As I was driving home, I felt myself glowing. I was SO EXCITED to run. I just had a feeling that I was going to be FAST this year. The Fire? It was back. Frickin' Finally.

So I went out for a run. My goal: Run three miles without stopping.

Funny how goals can go from "run three marathons in three weeks" to "run three miles" in such a short time frame. :)

So I went out there, ready to be FAST.

(Fire burning, fire burning on the dance floor running path!)

I ran 3 miles without stopping...at 11:19 pace.

HELLO, reality! Am I SMOKIN' FAST? Not even close.

Speed will come later.

Auto-Lock Can Kiss My Ass

I think I have mentioned my complete paranoia about the tires on my car. Yes? Yes? Yes? It is not unfounded.

Well, a few weeks ago, I went out to my car, ready to head to the office. I thought one of my tires looked a little low.

I hopped in the car with purse and all my work stuff, put the key in the ignition...and decided that it would probably be a good idea to check the tire pressure before I went anywhere.

So I got out my trusty tire pressure gauge, got out of the car, unscrewed the tire cap...

<beep>

Fuck.

That beep? That one you just heard? That was my car locking itself.

VWs have this "handy" feature where if you unlock your car but don't start it within 30ish seconds, it automatically locks itself. WTF??

So there I was, standing outside my car. I could see the keys in the ignition, but had no way to get them.

I should mention that I only have one set of keys.

Fuck fuck fuck.

Well, I guess I'll call AAA.

Nope, phone is in the purse. Purse is locked in the car.

Guess I'll head back into my apartment. I'll IM Mom and she can call AAA.

Can't get into the apartment, keys are in the ignition.

At least I can wait in the lobby.

Remind me again HOW you will get into the building without keys?

GAAAAAAAAH.

So I grumpily marched back the building. Luckily, my building has an intercom system, so I was able to talk to the building manager. She buzzed me in, but I had to wait around for the maintenance guy to let me into my actual apartment. And it was smooth sailing form there - I IMed with Mom, she called roadside assistance, and all was well.

I hate my car.

Does anyone know how to disable auto-locking? Because I'm inches from going Office Space on my car.

Hello Ladies

I finally, FINALLY can talk about running again.

Because I ran. Twice.

Last week.

Two Times In One Week! It's a miracle!!

So yes, I announced a few weeks ago that I was going to embark on a couch-to-5k journey...and then I promptly...didn't run.

I was sick. I had a cold for 2.5 weeks. That's 18 days. It's a long time to feel like ass, and I was so exhausted that I just didn't have it in me to hit the treadmill.

Enough complaining.

I finally started feeling better...and I bought new shoes (which may be the real reason I started running.

Introducing...

Newtons.

The Lady Isaac.


Hello, Ladies

(I'll admit that I'd hoped that I'd end up with an atrociously bright pair...but I ended up with ones that are surprisingly tame for Newtons)

Ever since I started kettlebells last year, I began hearing more about how working out barefoot was good for you (proprioception is my new favorite word). And then Asics had the nerve to make the toe box in the Nimbus 11s GIGANTIC and I was officially out of love with them. Since I was going to stray from my faithful Nimbii anyway, I decided to employ the "go big or go home" motto. Since I was making a change, I was going to make a big change.

So, yes. Newtons. I've taken them for two runs (or walk/runs, if I'm being honest) and I like them so far. I'm feeling it in weird never-before-used muscles...and am sore in different places.

But I like them. I like running. I like watching the Olympics on the treadmill. Biathlon? YUM.

Kill the Car

I was driving home from work on Tuesday.

Chug...Chug...Clank...Clank...Whir Whir Whir...

*BEEEEEP* Check Alternator!

*BEEEEEP* Airbag no worky!

*BEEEEEP* Power steering is for sissies!

*BEEeeeeee...

Car. Is. Dead.

(No Battery Power = No Hazard Flashers. Safety third!)

On the highway.

During a snowstorm.

While wearing a dress and tights and heels.

(Do you know what's cold? Being stuck in a car that has no heat while wearing a dress and tights.)

Needless to say, Miss Puff-N-Chug is back in the hospital. She needs a new water pump, $erpentine belt, power $teering pump...

Is it ethical to euthanize a car??

Couch Potato

Turns out, No Running = No Blogging.

And when I say No Running, I mean NO RUNNING. I got the new Garmin for Christmas, and thought that would kickstart my motivation.

Turns out? Not so much. I ran on December 26th...and then on January 10th...and then on...

Oh, right. NEVER AGAIN.

And it's February. A brand new month. So I think I need a brand new plan. A fun plan. An easy plan.

So I am going to do...

(drumroll)

(...)

(...)

(...)

A couch to 5k plan.

Yes, really.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I could totally bust out a 5k right now.

(And by "totally" I mean "maybe")

I wouldn't be PRing or anything crazy, but I could carry my out-of-shape ass across 3.1 miles.

Right?

RIGHT??

So maybe I couldn't. I guess it's a good thing that week one starts a little something like this:

Walk 4:30
Run :30
Repeat 7 times

Oh yeah, baby. I'm going back to basics. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to run for 30 seconds. :)

I think some new running shoes are in order.

Preciousss

I got the ultimate triathlon gift for Christmas.

No, not a tri bike.

I revise my statement.

I got the almost ultimate triathlon gift for Christmas.

The Garmin Forerunner 310XT.



I've been doodling "Allison and Forerunner 310XT" surrounded by puffy hearts on my trapper keeper ever since.

Because I am in looooooove.

I opened it at Christmas and immediately put it on. It didn't matter that I wasn't running. I tracked my family's game of Cranium.

I wore it to bed. Resting heart rate is important, yo.

I wore it the next day. Gray and orange went really well with my red sweater. I wouldn't take it off. I couldn't take it off. Which is how my new Garmin got named.

My PRECIOUSSS.

Then...I wore it for a run. The first thing I noticed? IT VIBRATES. When you turn it on. At each mile. No need to annoy your running partners with beeping.

And it tracks your heart rate with a graph!

And it's pretty! I love the orange and gray.

And it lets you switch from one sport to the next by simply hitting the lap button. Switching from family gaming to sleeping to running (the Christmas triathlon) was a breeze. :)

Meow-y Christmas

You know you have too much time on your hands when...your pets buy each other Christmas presents.

(My God, am I really going to admit to the Interwebs that I am "that girl"??)

(Yes)

Roxie only had one thing on her Christmas list this year. A jet pack.

Akos doesn't have that kind of cash, but he's a thoughtful dog, so he got her some rubbery catnip filled mice. And a Jonas Brothers Christmas card.

Roxie thinks Kevin is sooooo dreamy.



Akos wanted peanut butter...but Roxie got him a bag of Chocolate. Dark Chocolate.

She's meeting with her therapist this weekend to discuss her anger issues and her passive aggressive tendencies.

Happy Holidays!