Just Checking In

First off, can I just say really? Really? It’s December freaking 4^th! When did that happen? Christmas is a mere 21 days away and Hanukkah starts this weekend. Crazy! I am thinking I should probably buy some Christmas cards soon, huh? This time of year is always so crazy-fewer work days but the same amount of work. How is anyone supposed to relax?

Well, I don’t really have too much new to report. Last week I went to three barre classes; Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, and I ran four times; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. Well technically I ran five times because on Sunday I ran four miles on my own and then a few hours later took part in the Color Me Rad 5K which I jogged (when we could- it was kind of a cluster) with friends. I also got in a short bike ride to/from Saturday’s barre class, a Thai yoga therapy session and attended a Journey Dance class lead by Toni Bergens (founder/creator) herself which was absolutely amazing. It was a busy but fun week.

My running is getting better. I think I am almost back to 100%. This morning’s run (intervals) proved to me I am not quite there yet though. On Sunday, when I did my four miles, I ran the all uphill mile (mile 3) in my best time to date. I think it was 11:44- my first sub-12 min/mile for that one. It was a big achievement for me since I have ran that route quite frequently since we moved to our new place back in September. It may seem like a small victory but after the last month I’ve had it’s the equivalent of moving mountains.

Barre classes are going well too. I like them. They are challenging. They show me how little core and upper body strength I really have which just goes to reaffirm my need to be in a class like that. The class itself is good, the workout is pretty intense but the people there aren’t really welcoming. It’s very weird to feel completely isolated in a room full of people. It’s the first time I have participated in a group class and felt so awkward. But I know that class will really help me strengthen and tone- two things I am in desperate need of- so I will push through.

Since I am taking Saturday barre classes I had to move my long run day to Sundays which means missing out on my Sunday morning group bike ride. This stinks not only because I love to ride but because I love spending the morning with the group. Everyone is super friendly and talkative- it is a very social ride. This past Sunday I timed my run so that I ended up at the meet up spot at 7a so I could say hello to everyone. It was nice seeing them, even if they did make me feel guilty about missing out on the ride. I saw something posted on FB from the San Antonio Bikes group that they are doing a ride this Saturday- a tour of the San Antonio Cultural Arts Westside Murals. It doesn’t start until 11a so I can do both the barre class and the bike tour so I am super excited about that.

I realized that since I will be spending most of my active hours running (alone) or at barre class (feels like I’m alone) and I spend my workday at a desk, on a computer, with very little interaction with others, that it is important to me that I make time for things like group bike rides or Journey Dance/Nia classes where I can be both active and social. If I don’t I could literally spend a whole weekend talking to only my dogs, and Paul/my parents when they call, which is kind of weird.

I guess for me finding my balance includes finding ways to be active socially. Or socially active. One of the two. It would be great if I could find a running partner or group for my long runs. Yeah, I think finding a Sunday morning running group would be great. If you know of any in the greater San Antonio area let me know.

For now, I will just continue on with my half marathon training plan, for 3M in January, and try to build up some muscle strength to help get me ready. I have the SARR Mission 10-Miler coming up on 12/15 and that will really be a good test as to whether or not I can do the 3M half. Fingers crossed. I am so ready to be 100%, injury free again.

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending" ~ Carl Bard

Some pics from Color Me Rad. If you have the opportunity to do a color run I highly recommend it. Super fun!

Half Marathon Recap Video

I will have you know that in this video I refrained from cursing. The video is rated PG. But I did cry. Alot. Sorry. And at one point my voice gets quite shrill. Again, sorry. If after reading this you don't want to watch- I totally understand. ;)

Also, a couple things I forget to say in the video- thanks Mom and Dad! I wish you could have been here. I miss you and can't wait to have you be there for the Philly Marathon in 2013!

And Happy Veterans Day to all of the men and women serving or who have served as well as their families. I am so thankful for your service.

And a big thank you to Paul for being both a member of our armed services as well as my biggest fan and supporter through this whole half marathon training. Love you babe!

As for the race- well, today...

I made sure to thank every Vet and Active military member I came upon.

And high five anybody that had an outstretched arm.

And wave and smile and thank the spectators.

And laugh at all of the amazing signs.

And ask people who could barely walk if they wanted to lean on me for support.

And enjoy every hot, sweaty, painful minute of it. The good and the bad.

Because any day that I can put one foot in front of the other for 13.1 miles makes even the bad times good.

Siclovia- The Rest of It

As you may have read in yesterday's post that I participated in the Siclovia 5K. Siclovia is an event where one of the main streets in San Antonio is shut down to vehicular traffic in order to encourage people to come out and play in the streets.

You can run, bike, rollerblade, skateboard, whatever you want as long as it doesn't involve driving a car. Along the route there are all sorts of activities going on that are free to join in. I saw hoola-hooping, zumba, two guys playing a game kind of like ping pong but using the street instead of a table and giant paddles, there was basketball and dancing, and kids challenges, and a rock climbing wall. It's actually a very fun event.

I saw on the Siclovia Facebook page that 45,000 people attended which is great. I am already looking forward to the next one which is April 7, 2013. Here's hoping it's not quite as cold as it was today.

Here are some pictures I took. I hope this gives you a better idea of what Siclovia is all about.

And if you are in San Antonio, I strongly encourage you to come out to the next event. You won't be sorry.

After the 5K, standing next to the Siclovia route sign

Play in the street

It's probably too hard to see but this man has a small dog who is wearing a hat in his backpack. Kind of crazy

Ronald McDonald handing out apple slices

Two guys playing what I can only describe as street ping pong

Bike parking around some vendor tents

Zumba in the park

Skate/bike ramps

Man on a unicycle....definitely not something I see every day

REI's rock climbing wall

Not the best picture of me but it's the only one I had of us from the day so I'm sharing it with you

Does your community have anything like Siclovia? Have you ever been to an event like this?

That's So Rad!

I love getting daily emails from Groupon, Living Social and the whatnot because some days, like today, they contain a really awesome deal.

Not necessarily from a savings standpoint but from a that-is-so-freaking-cool-I-had-no-idea standpoint.

Disappointed that I missed out on the Austin Color Run (I wasn’t even close to completing the couch to 5K when it took place) and saddened that there is no San Antonio Color Run you can imagine my reaction when an email came through for the San Antonio Color Me Rad 5K.

Image from the Color Me Rad website

What? When? How did I not know about this?  I must tell my friends. I must buy this deal right now.

And that is what I did.

The Groupon offer sold out pretty quickly so I don’t think any of my friends will be joining me for this but I don’t care. I am not about to miss out on all the fun just because I’ll be alone. Nope. No way. I have seen so many pictures from people who have done these runs and they look like so much fun. I just couldn't pass this offer up.

Come December 2^nd I’ll be running through the streets of San Antonio while covered in multi-colored powder. I am so freaking excited!

And I will be sure to bring a disposable camera so I can share the pictures with you!