Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas!














Although with 73 degree-temps and clear, blue skies, it doesn't feel like Christmas.
walked around today in a tee-shirt and shorts, and ran 4-5 miles in a sports bra and skirt, feeling vaguely unsettled.

I admit it: I miss snow. Will these Washingtonian tendencies linger a few years from now, when we're firmly ensconced in SoCal life?

Here's a photo of E., my 89-year-old grandmother, and me, taken yesterday after brunch here. I don't often get to see her, although she now only lives a half-hour away, so it was really nice that she could get together.

Long run: As you know, I've been feeling bleeeaaahh about running lately. Saturday was no exception. I took 21st Century Mom's advice, and dialed it back on my long run. Instead of running 20 miles, as scheduled, I ran 16 miles.

And I did it completely unplugged: No watch, no Garmin, and no iPod. I just wanted to run, however slowly it would take me, without any added stressors of checking my per-mile pace.

And boy, did it take me awhile. Roughly 2:30 to 2:35, according to my kitchen clock. And after checking g-maps pedometer online, I found that I only ran 15.3 miles.
Sigh. Not that it matters :-).

Another rude awakening: Oh, and remember how surprised I was that I felt so good running 800's the other day? Well, I just checked my speed chart workout. And I was running them too slowly. At least 9 seconds slower per repetition. I should have been clocking 3:30 to 3:36/800. Gaaahhh!

OK, enough with the browbeating. I really should wear a hairshirt.

My Christmas present to myself: A chill pill.

Have a Happy Holidays, y'all.

8 comments:

  1. Weather: welcome to my world. Promise, you'll get used to it.

    Grandma. Priceless. Stay in touch.

    Running naked. Good for the Bex soul. Stop measuring! If you're going to brow beat, wear the Garmin.

    Funkadelia. Not worth keeping. Try regifting it quickly.

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  2. so what exactly are you saying about a hairshirt????

    merry christmas!

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  3. I'd take the chill pill over the hairshirt. Merry Christmas Bex!

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  4. Chill pill is a great gift to yourself. I'm flattered that you took my advice and I predict that you will soon feel strong a great about running again because you took it easy. Easy can be very good for building strength.

    Merry Christmas!

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  5. I too resisted the warm Christmas as first, but after 24 years here, I wouldn't have it any other way.

    Your Grandma is adorable.

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  6. Congrats on the un-plugged run. I'm on a crusade to get people to unplug the Garmins and just run how they feel; however, even I haven't been able to give up my sports watch.

    Great pic of your Grand Mother. It brought back fabulous memories of my grand mother. Thanks for sharing and enjoy every moment you can with her.

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  7. A chill pill - I love it! :)

    89 looks pretty good to me -- according to the beautiful example here on your blog!

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