Dearth

At least I've been running (somewhat) more frequently than I've been blogging.  I don't know why I've been so lax, both in writing and in reading.  Blog slump?  I guess so.  At least my other slump, alluded to in previous posts, is over.  Them February blaaaahs . . . so much better now with the time change and (perhaps) the light at the end of the winter tunnel is just barely perceptible (I guess so, anyhow; as I type this, we are just getting the first inkling of the "weather pattern" that promises maybe 5 feet of snow by Monday.  What fking light am I talking about??).   Meanwhile, I've been filling my days with lots of skiing, a healthy (if not excessive) amount of running, plus there's some new interests on the horizon.  I've managed to more or less get some of my physicality back, hopefully I can do the same for my blogging!

The running?  I've been following my coach's plan, with my own standard modification.  The "modification" consists mainly of running about 80% of what's prescribed, a percentage that has held steady through 5 years of running.  Underachieve much?  Actually, I had a bit of a slow start with the plan, but am getting more on track every day (I say this having missed -- so far, there's always tomorrow -- this week's long run, as I settle on the couch for the afternoon.  Denial is a way of life!).  I even managed to run (twice!) in Marin, which has been unheard of, and I think that'll be a jumpstart.

The other very cool thing about my running plan and all is that I have been running to a pace, or at least attempting to, which is something my lazy ass has never managed to do before with any consistency.  I'm even doing tempo runs for crying out loud!  Surprisingly, I am actually enjoying this, at least after the fact.  I usually just go out and run, just, whatever pace comes naturally, and on the road that's usually around 12 minutes, or slower even.  Plod plod plod.  Now I'm not laying down any blazing times or anything, but every run I do has some kind of goal pace that I try to stick to.  Reasonable paces that are just challenging enough but not unattainable (thanks, coach!).  This is where it takes some getting used to.  My last tempo (ha ha! me running tempos, hee hee!) run was supposed to be at 10:50, fine, then, run at 10:50, no big whoop, running running along then I look down a minute or so later and damn! I'm running 11:45 or something, I've just naturally slowed down without even knowing it.  I guess the more I run the better I'll get at keeping to a pace, an accurate one.  I've thought about setting Gary's alarm to beep at me if I drop below the prescribed pace, but then it would probably beep at me so much I'd disown it.  I'll just be working on consistency, thanks.

So I would have gotten my long run in yesterday, but halfway through I get a call from Tom asking me to join him and a friend for lunch.  Did I continue running, or go have a tasty Cobb salad?  What do YOU think?

The other interesting thing as of late?  I've been a little bored with yoga lately, and haven't managed a class in a week (or three).  Lots of social stuff, skiing, running, working and other things going on and I've just not been really interested enough to force myself to go, even though I always feel better after I have gone.  Yesterday, a friend brought me along to her CrossFit class and ooooh, I think I've found my new obsession.  Basically, a gym-type place where you come in for an hour class wherein they run you (and a few other folks) through a brisk warm-up, KILLER workout that changes every day, and a bit of a cool down.  The focus is on high-intensity weightlifting, cardio and bodyweight exercises.  There's a lot of personal attention, and modifications for jiggly middle-aged women like myself.  The people in the class are FIT, man, doing pull ups and handstands and all kinds of enviable shit.  Stay tuned, because I think I'm gonna swap yoga for this.  It's pricey, which is why something else has to give.  Unlike, say, a few years ago, I think I can handle this super-intense kind of thing, and am ready for more challenges.  This will provide, in spades!

So, omg, between yesterday's (albeit aborted) run and intense Crossfit class, and today's downhill ski rampage and the freaking blizzard going on outside (things have progressed since I began this post, snow is falling fast and furious, holy shit), any thought I might have had of running today has been shelved.  Honestly, I can barely walk down the stairs without pausing at each step.  My thighs are toast.

Hopefully tomorrow I can catch up with my schedule!