Finally

Well I finally got out there and ran my first run of 2010. Yesterday I was back in my hometown of Berea and decided I needed to get my ass out there, so Viper and I hit the pavement in my hometown neighborhood and off we went. I don't know if it was the excitement of finally getting out or if it was the fear of an old high school classmate seeing me run, but I bounded out at a pace that was more fitting of the Vip and not of me. But in good form I kept going after that first too fast mile (with some encouragement) and completed my short little jaunt around Berea. The strange part of the run - the fog. There was a weird winter fog permeating the streets and it was pretty darn dense. Maybe not being able to see too far ahead of you when running is a good thing? Regardless, I am quite happy that I finally got my ass back into gear. And today? Well... the legs are a bit sore, but it's that "hurt so good" kind of pain.

Now that I've gotten myself going again... what to expect.

Hell if I know. I've been trying to find some inner peace as of late - the stress of thesis deadlines is really starting to get to me and the semester starts this week. With more students than last semester I'm anxious and after a month and some odd days off I'm strangely nervous to get in front of the classroom again. I haven't set any running goals yet because I fear a goal overload. I have teaching goals and thesis goals and graduation goals and health/weight goals... and now running goals?

Seriously. Can a person have too many goals? This zen blog says so, but is that really my only option - one at a time?

So I am soliciting the help of this online community of running crazies. What do you think? Can I make multiple goals for myself without going nuts and short circuiting? How do you handle stress and getting multiple tasks/goals (i.e. thesis, work, running) done? And please remember, I'm one of those annoying perfectionist types. Damn my need to always be awesome.

I'll take all the help I can get!

I just had to post of pic of Dobson the wonder puppy! :-) Four months old and he's nearly 40 pounds!

So Far, So Very Good

I know I've been gone from the blog-o-sphere for a bit, but I warned that such would happen. (See last blog) So, I'm sure all of you have been anxiously wondering what I have been up to. There has been much in the way of Christmas and New Years merriment, but that's not the big news at all. And yes, there is indeed big news....The Viper and I have a new pet. No, it's not a rock - it's a puppy! I have aptly named him Dobson King and he's the cutest 14 week old Old English Sheepdog I have ever seen.



With this new addition life has been pretty crazy, I haven't been much for running lately, but I have been for walking the dog twice a day. That's gotta count for something, right?

As for my thesis, I doubt I'll reach the verbose heights of Mr. Loser's 220 page thesis, but at least I've actually started writing it - HUGE step in the right direction. And Mike, lemme tell you, it feels good to know that there are other Byzantinists out there that know how to use a computer, let alone how to blog on one. I have had nightmares where I'm a tenured professor in the classroom having to ask the students "How do you turn this damn thing on?" in reference to any one of the pieces of technology in the room. Scary.

I am hoping to get my first run of 2010 in soon, but considering the Akron weather forecast, it likely won't happen until the high reaches at least 30. Until then I'll take the puppy walking. :0)

Hibernation

My readers (all 4 of you) this is a post to let you know that I am going into hibernation. The weather in Akron sucks so I will be spending most of my time indoors working on my still yet to be completed thesis. If i do blog, it will like be about middle Byzantine churches and fresco decoration. Anyone out there well versed who would be willing to give a hand? (I'm talking about "provincial"/Rhodian middle Byzantine architecture done under Nicaean rule with a fresco program similar to the churches in Lysi, Cyprus??)


*Sound of crickets chirping.*


I will likely still be running here and there, and most definitely will be yoga-ing as that is one of the few activities that can truly center me. But overall, I fear my blogging will suffer. (Not that I've been so on the ball lately, you know - life and stuff.)

And seriously, any Byzantinists out there - help.....

Real Life...

I have been running, seriously. I just haven't been blogging about it. In the real world I am a master's student and a part-time art history professor. It is the end of the semester and I've been crazy busy working on lectures, writing exams, grading exams and the most dreaded of all - grading papers. My thesis needs to get done and it's being sorely neglected. My "I'll work on it tomorrow" logic is staring to bite me in the ass as I see my deadlines fast approaching.

With Christmas break around the corner I am resolved to dedicate part of every day to thesis work. With this said, I wonder if I can find a balance between running and working? I am hoping I can come up with a kick ass schedule that involves running, thesis-ing and yoga-ing. Wish me luck... I'll get working on it tomorrow...

Happy Turkey Day!

Go for a run tonight or tomorrow morning to stave away the guilt, make it a sweaty one so you don't feel bad about about the second piece of pie with whipped cream. Drink nogs, wines, spirits or beer - whatever your poison. Enjoy the designed gluttony of the day.

Me, I'll be in the back yard practicing my sprints. Why you may ask? I have one word for you, SHOPPING. Yes, I get up at the crack of dawn to stand in line to save $5.00 on something I don't need. I will be sucked into the spell of the "Free Tote with Purchase" and "Buy One Get One Free" signs. My day will start at 4 a.m., I will shop - go home to loving grandparents who will cook me a fantastic breakfast - then I will go out and shop some more. With my mother at my side no deal will go uncovered and/or unpurchased. This is my vow to you readers: I will shop as though I am running a race, I will go hard, I will aim for the negative split (second half is mall shopping- gotta hit that hard!) and I will PR!

Happy Thanksgiving!

New Kicks = Sore Legs

My enthusiasm for running has increased, so much so that I spent all day Saturday searching for a new pair of running shoes. My old shoes (rest their soles -HA, get it?!) weren't handling the increase in my mileage very well. In fact they were letting me down, more specifically - letting my arches down. They were a simple pair of neutral cushioned Nike running shoes I bought at Kohl's on sale a couple of years ago. They have served me well in my running infancy and have gotten me through two 5k's. But, I knew after the hellacious arch pain I was experiencing that I needed a shoe with more arch support. So, off I went to Aurora Farms! I tried on a few pairs of shoes of various brands, got super pissy with the one shoe salesmen when he wouldn't let me go outside for a quick jaunt, I take it he was not a running enthusiast, definitely not a runner. So finally I decided to do things right and head to Second Sole. Luckily, a friend of mine was working (so I knew I wouldn't get hosed) and I got to business trying on fancy running shoes with good arch support. I ran around the store and outside feeling super cool and finally decided on these beauties:

The Asics GT 2150's! I put them on and they fit like a fancy pair of Italian calfskin driving gloves! Needless to say, after dropping a Benjamin on running shoes I have felt compelled to use them, and so I have.

I have done a few miles here and there, did my first back to back days of running, and needless to say now my legs are very sore. They pain is worth it though, I look at my shoes daily with admiration and have even decided to give them names: Greta and Gerta. I feel if my shoes are in fact two stern German ladies, I'll run harder, faster and further. Makes sense, right?

I'm Awesome

I haven't been running that much. Here and there a mile or two, but that's it. The most I have ever ran is 4 miles and I've done it a few times. This past week I've been stressing out over real life issues. Part-time professorhood depends on courses filling up and I have been shamelessly selling my classes to students as of late. With the holidays fast approaching I've been out shopping (trying to be one of the early shoppers this year) and lamenting the minuscule size of my pocketbook. I still have to finish my master's thesis, and let me tell you- those things don't write themselves! I stress easily and sometimes the thought of getting a run in puts me damn near the edge of a breakdown.

So, at this point you're probably wondering how I have managed to stay sane as it takes very little to pull me down into the depths of craziness. Well, I will tell you: I have these moments of pure resolve. I go into a cave of thoughts (quite literally I don't respond to the outside world) and I find my resolve to, erm, GET SHIT DONE. Well I had one of my cave moments this weekend. I spent all of Friday and Saturday in my mind cave, much to the dismay of the people who interact with me on a daily basis. I came out of the cave on Sunday when I went for my run.

I geared up for a nice Ohio fall day, high near 67 and mostly sunny. Perfect for a run really. I went down to my beloved towpath and thought to myself "You need a challenge missy!" So I ran past the first mile marker, then the second, and then... I KEPT GOING! I thought to myself I could turn around at 3, run back 2 and walk the last as a cool down. And - I did it. I don't run fast and I don't run far, but yesterday I ran 5 miles in 1:00.44. A 12 minute mile pace works for me and lord have mercy, did it ever feel good. (But let's just say, now I know about chafing.) Right at the fifth mile when my body was screaming at me Viper (I have such a hard time calling him that, but yes- a person from my real life) came up behind me with some words of encouragement. He volunteered to finish with me, but he had his Brooks T6 Racers on, and when he does that you know he means business. I told him to go ahead, besides - I truly felt like this needed to be between me and the towpath.

Needless to say I've been out of my mind cave since then and come to a few conclusions about real life and running.

1) I need to run to keep me sane, so I can't dread getting out there or I'll go insane!
2) I need lasik surgery, running in glasses sucks (I can't wear contacts)
3) I need to get back into my yoga practice... it helps keep me sane, too.
4) It's good to have people in your life to help you celebrate your small victories (thanks Viper!)
5) My thesis won't write itself, so people who read this - harass me shamelessly to get it done :-)
6) I ran 5 miles yesterday for the first time, I am awesome.