Random things

My sister is getting married in June and I'm one of her bridesmaids. Her colors are black and gold. I think it will look pretty. She decided instead of picking out bridesmaid dresses for us to wear on her wedding day, she is letting us pick our own. We were told that they have to be black and knee length. I figured it would be easy to find a little black dress. I will be heading to the mall in Toledo, Ohio to find my dress. My first stop will be Dillard's and then Macy's. If for some reason they don't have any black dresses, I will stop by a bridal store.

I told my husband of my plans to run a 50K and marathon in 2012. He wasn't surprised. He knew eventually that I would want to move up in distance. I don't know if he knew that there was an actually 50K race (31.07 miles). I'm really getting excited for it. The 50K race that I'm looking at takes place in March in Chicago. I could probably do it this year since I have the mileage in. But I will wait until next year. I will have plenty of time to train for this race and also the marathon.

Racing season is just around the corner. My first 5K, Hot Chocolate Hustle, is only 15 days away. The next weekend is my very first trail run, Frosty Five, and my first half marathon of the year, Glass City Half Marathon is 86 days away. Looking forward to a great 2011 racing season!

Four things

1. Four TV shows that I watch:
Detroit 1-8-7

Blue Bloods

Top Chef

The Vampire Diaries

2. Four things I'm passionate about:
Running

Photography
Reading

Family

3. Four words/phrases I use a lot:
Awesome

GRRR!

Boo

Fudge

4. Four things I've learned in the past:
Keep quiet.

Setting goals is easy. Completing them takes work.

Learning to say 'no'.

I can't do it all and sometimes I need help.

5. Four places I would like to go:

Italy
Eugene, Oregon

New Orleans

Paris

6. Four things I did yesterday

Ran
Read

Photographed a basketball game

Watched basketball on TV

7. Four things I'm looking forward to:

Running three trail races this year

My sister's wedding

Running my first 50K in 2012

Running my first marathon in 2012

8. Four things I love about winter

Quiet mornings

The beauty of it

How happy snow makes my dog Kelly

Knowing that spring is right around the corner

New goals

I have run 90 and 100 miles per week without too many problems. And that got me thinking. Thinking about my next challenge. It was only over the weekend that I decided that its time. I decided that in 2012, I will be running my first marathon and 50K.

It is all because of the comments other runners left for me on dailymile. People asked me if I was training for a marathon or an ultra. I was never really training for them. I just like to run. Comments like those would appear on my workouts over and over. That got me thinking about some new challenges.

I searched for marathon and ultra marathon training guides online. Most of the training guides for the marathon had people running 50 mile weeks. A training plan for a 50K race had them running 30-58 mile weeks. I figured I run that and more, why not give it a shot?

I have said that I don't have the desire to run a marathon. That will change for me. Once I have a goal, I will always try to achieve it. With all of the miles I run now, it will not be hard to kick it up. My husband has been saying to me for the last couple of months, that I will run a marathon. Well, he is right about that. But actually I wanted to run a 50K (31.07 miles) first instead of the marathon. I figured why not do both?

My new goals are out there. I know I will follow through on them. After the Frosty Five trail run is completed on February 12, I will use Sundays do complete long runs of 20 miles or more. I will start my week of running with a long run, but finish the week with an even longer run.

Books read in 2011

As a fan of The Vampire Diaries on the CW, I decided to read the books. I knew the books were written back in the early '90s. I really like these books. The books are really different from the TV, which I like. Some of the things that happen in the book were used in the TV show. But not most of them, along with some of the characters. I think the books stand well on their own and I am glad I am reading them. They are a fun and fast read just like the Sookie Stackhouse series books (True Blood).

Guilty Pleasures, Laurell K. Hamilton

The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton

Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton

The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle, L.J. Smith

Currently Reading: The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith

Up Next: The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall, L.J. Smith

102.7

One of my New Year's goals was to run a 90 and 100 mile week. I can officially check those off of the list. As I have did them in consecutive weeks.

I really didn't plan to have both of those weeks completed yet. I thought I would wait until March or April at least. I don't remember what made me run them already. I figured if I already ran high 80s weeks, what's a couple more miles? It really wasn't hard for me to reach my goals. Instead of running 10 or 11 miles a day, I just kicked it up to 12-16 miles. All it took was 20-30 minutes more to finish them.

On Saturday and Sunday, I joined the local running group outside to run. Going from the nice, flat treadmill to snow covered surfaces is a little difficult when you're not used to it. Sure, the snow slowed me down. But I didn't let it get me down. I did the only thing I know how to do: I kept going. I'm not the kind of person just to give up. I really wanted to break 100 miles.

Saturday's 11 mile run in the snow was difficult. Not just because of the snow. I ran routes that had long, inclining hills. I just kept thinking while running the hills, that it will help me get better. Sunday's trail run was one of the hardest things I have ever done. The snow was fluffy. Which made it really hard to run on. The snow covered everything up and I really had to watch out for objects sticking out of the snow. But I really didn't do so hot in that department. I did trip and fall over a root or branch in the ground. It was only then that I was glad for the fluffy snow. My landing was very soft. Besides the snow, the trail has monster hills. We are always running up a hill or down one. With less then a mile to go, the hills were getting to me. My legs were very tired and I really just wanted to stop and walk. I gave myself the opportunity to do it and I didn't. I continued to run. I told myself that I was almost done and I could finish what I started.

I ran 5.6 miles on the trails and my time was much slower then the run from the week before. I know my trail times will always be slower and that is OK. I am working hard and giving it everything I got. I will always continue to do that no matter where I'm running.

Now that I have run over 100 miles in a week, I will go back to running 80/90 mile weeks again. I think I will run 100 miles a week at least once a month. It will help me prepare for all of my upcoming races this year.

Volunteering

Usually in November and December I start looking ahead to the next road racing year. I pick out races that are already announced that I want to do. I found a race in May that I have never done before that I thought would be fun. I did run on the same course back in November and ran a 5K PR. I was going to register for the race soon, but decided to run in the USA 25K Open Championships on Saturday, May 14. The race I was going to enter, For Women Only 5K, is on Sunday, May 15.

Instead of running the For Women Only 5K, I signed up to be a volunteer. I have been running in races since 2003 and this will be the first time I have volunteered for one. I have never been to a road race that I haven't participated in. It will be different to be on the other side. I don't know what I will be doing that morning, but it will remind me of all of the people who donated their time to help make our races possible.

USA 25K Open Championships

On May 14, 2011, I will be running in the USA 25K Open Championships in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The USA 25K race is apart of the Fifth Third River Bank Run. On that Saturday, besides featuring the largest 25K road race in the country, they will also have a 10K, 5K run/walk and Junior races. While the Fifth Third River Bank Run has a 25K race, they also will be hosting the USA 25K Open Championships. As a member of the USATF, I will be participating in the Open Championship run.

I decided to run this race for a couple of reasons. First, because it is part of the USATF National Championships. I think it is neat that any USATF member can participate in the many national championship races around the country. The second reason is that I wanted to do something different. I love running 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons, but now I'm looking a new challenge. A 25K race is just a little longer then a half marathon. It is 15.625 miles. I know that a 25K is very doable and I will be able to run it without changing my training. Even though I run so many miles a week, I don't have the desire yet to run a marathon. Maybe someday, but not right now.

I'm looking forward to the new race distance. I just tried trail running Sunday and liked it. I hope that I like the 25K just as much as the other race distances.

Books read in 2011

Guilty Pleasures, Laurell K. Hamilton

The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton

Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton

Currently Reading: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle, L.J. Smith

Up Next: The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith

Trail running

I did some trail running Sunday with a local group. The only trails I have run are in the summer when I run a 5K on a high school cross country course. But I don't really think that should be considered trail running. OK. Maybe it could. The course runs through a swampy and wooded area with big hills and sand.

The group run on Sunday was a true trail running experience. I couldn't believe how small the trail was. The trail was just wide enough for one person. No side by side running in the woods. I kept thinking, "Do the guys behind me want to pass me?" They did get around me when we ran into a clearing with plenty of room to pass.

Oh my gosh, the hills were huge. I don't think I have ever run up so many hills before. But I have to look at the good side of it; running hills will help me be a better runner. It will make my legs stronger. I was so thankful I bought trail shoes last week. If I didn't have those shoes, I would have fallen on my butt so many times. I loved how the shoes gripped the hills and let me run up them without any problems.

I don't know what was worst with the trail experience, running with many layers of clothing or the snow. The snow was a couple of inches deep, but sometimes it felt deeper then that. I was unsure of what to wear while running. I wore a short shirt wicking shirt; long sleeve wicking shirt; half zip pullover, a jacket, tights, shorts, wind pants and trail running socks. I know when I run the trail this Sunday, skip the shorts. Running with that many layers made me feel bulky. I'm really looking forward to warmer weather.

Less then a mile to go, the group leader ran with me. He asked me what I thought about trail running. I said I liked it and it was just like running cross country. I told him I kept thinking, "Don't twist your ankles." I didn't. I wore both of my ankle braces to make sure of that. I'm glad that I decided to run with the group. Trail running is fun, difficult and challenging. I'm going to enjoy running the trails and trail races this year.

Fitness profile

Back in December, I was featured in our newspaper's health magazine. The fitness profile was about me losing 80 pounds over the course of a year.

Since the magazine has come out, many people have been talking to me about it. I have heard from so many of them that I'm an inspiration to them. My fitness profile has made them want to better themselves and lose weight also. If my story can help others, I think it is great.

Soon the complements will die down and stop, but that is alright with me. I will continue to run and eat better. I hope that the people that I inspired will keep up with what they start and reach their goal like I did.

Read the article.

Left photo: Christmas 2009 with my husband, Mike

Right photo by Lad Strayer: November 2010

Books read in 2011

Guilty Pleasures, Laurell K. Hamilton

Currently Reading: The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton

Up Next: Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton

Nike Cross Nationals IV

Books read in 2010 - final count

Final Count: 105

Favorite Books of the Year: The Kids Are All Right: A Memoir, Speak, Dirty Sexy Politics,Wintergirls, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire

Least Favorite Book of the Year: Get Capone

1. Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
2. Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
3. American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
4. Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
5. A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
6. John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
7. Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
8. First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
9. The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
10. Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
11. Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
12. The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
13. Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
14. Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
15. The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
16. Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
17. Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
18. Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
19. Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
20. From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
21. After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
22. The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
23. Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
24. The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
25. The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
26. The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
27. The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
28. The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
29. The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
30. The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
31. The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
32. The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
33. The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
34. The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene
35. The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
36. The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene
37. Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene
38. Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene
39. The Witch Tree Symbol, Carolyn Keene
40. The Hidden Window Mystery, Carolyn Keene
41. The Haunted Showboat, Carolyn Keene
42. The Secret of the Golden Pavilion, Carolyn Keene
43. The Clue in the Old Stagecoach, Carolyn Keene
44. The Moonstone Castle Mystery, Carolyn Keene
45. The Mystery of the 99 Steps, Carolyn Keene
46. The Invisible Intruder, Carolyn Keene
47. The Secret of Mirror Bay, Carolyn Keene
48. Mystery of the Glowing Eye, Carolyn Keene
49. The Secret of the Forgotten City, Carolyn Keene
50. The Strange Message in the Parchment, Carolyn Keene
51. The Mystery of Crocodile Island, Carolyn Keene
52. Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris
53. Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris
54. Club Dead, Charlaine Harris
55. Dead to the World, Charlaine Harris
56. Dead as a Doornail, Charlaine Harris
57. Definitely Dead, Charlaine Harris
58. All Together Dead, Charlaine Harris
59. From Dead to Worse, Charlaine Harris
60. Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris
61. Dead in the Family, Charlaine Harris
62. In The Valley of the Kings: Howard Carter and the Mystery of King Tutankhamen's Tomb, Daniel Heyerson
63. Mystery of the Fire Dragon, Carolyn Keene
64. The Thirteenth Pearl, Carolyn Keene
65. The Triple Hoax, Carolyn Keene
66. The Flying Saucer Mystery, Carolyn Keene
67. Dark Lover: Black Dagger Brotherhood, J. R. Ward
68. Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City, Nelson Johnson
69. Puppetmaster: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover, Richard Hack
70. Get Capone, Jonathan Eig
71. Lady Bird, Jan Jarboe Russell
72. In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents they Protect, Ronald Kessler
73. The Kids Are All Right: A Memoir, Diana Welch, Liz Welch, Amanda Welch & Dan Welch
74. The Kennedy Imprisonment, Garry Wills
75. The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen
76. Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman, Sam Wasson
77. Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson
78. Dirty Sexy Politics, Meghan McCain
79. Wintergirls, Laurie Halse Anderson
80. Nothing But a Smile, Steve Amick
81. If I Stay, Gayle Forman
82. Listen, Rene Gutteridge
83. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Seth Grahame-Smith
84. 13 1/2, Nevada Barr
85. Shanghai Girls, Lisa See
86. Breach of Trust, DiAnn Mills
87. A Million Little Pieces, James Frey
88. Absolute Power, David Baldacci
89. Drowning Ruth, Christina Schwarz
90. Lady Killer, Lisa Scottoline
91. Daddy's Girl, Lisa Scottoline
92. Sworn to Protect, DiAnn Mills
93. Devil's Corner, Lisa Scottoline
94. Look Again, Lisa Scottoline
95. Moment of Truth, Lisa Scottoline
96. Courting Trouble, Lisa Scottoline
97. Decision Points, George W. Bush
98. Pursuit of Justice, DiAnn Mills
99. True Blue, David Baldacci
100. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Steig Larsson
101. The Girl Who Played With Fire, Steig Larsson
102. Lover External:Black Dagger Brotherhood, J.R. Ward
103. Lover Awakened: Black Dagger Brotherhood, J.R. Ward
104. Lover Revealed: Black Dagger Brotherhood, J.R. Ward
105. Lover Revealed, J.R. Ward

Movies watched in 2010 - final count

• Final Count: 40
  
  Favorite Movies: Black Swan, Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps & You Kill Me
• Favorite Documentary: Eleven Minutes
  
  Least Favorite Movie: The Hangover
  
  So bad that it was laughable: For the second year in a row: any of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 movies.
  
  

1. A Woman's Face (1941)
2. Absolute Power (1997)
3. Black Swan (2010)
4. Deception (1946)
5. Eleven Minutes (2008)
6. Family Guy Presents: Something Something Dark Side (2009)
7. Grey Gardens (1975)
8. Grey Gardens (2009) TV
9. Inside Daisy Clover (1965)
10. John Wayne: American Legend (2007)
11. MST3K: Final Justice (1985) TV
12. MST3K: First Spaceship on Venus (1960) TV
13. MST3K: Future War (1997) TV
14. MST3K: Hercules Unchained (1959) TV
15. MST3K: Mad Monster (1942) TV
16. MST3K: Monster a-Go Go (1965) TV
17. MST3K: Mr. B's Lost Shorts (1993) TV
18. MST3K: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) TV
19. MST3K: Soultaker (1990) TV
20. MST3K: Swamp Women/Swamp Diamonds (1955) TV
21. MST3K: The Clonus Horror (1979) TV
22. MST3K: The Rebel Set (1959) TV
23. MST3K: The Starfighters (1964) TV
24. Phantom of the Opera (1943)
25. Play Misty for Me (1971)
26. Psycho (1960)
27. Reunion in France (1942)
28. Sabrina (1954)
29. Shutter Island (2010)
30. Speak (2004)
31. The Hangover (2009)
32. The High Commissioner (1968)
33. The Invisible Man (1933)
34. The Killer that Stalked New York (1950)
35. The War Zone: Eva Braun: Hitler's Mistress (2005)
36. Unsolved History: Death of Princess Diana (2004)
37. Vertigo (1958)
38. Wall Street (1987)
39. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
40. You Kill Me (2007)

New Year's goals

1. Run over 2800 miles - I had a great running year in 2010. My final mileage count was 2764.6. I want to continue to run 80 mile weeks. I hope to push myself and increase to 90 or 100 mile week(s) during the year. Maybe hit that mark a couple of times over the year.

2. Lose a few more pounds - Over the Christmas season I gained a few pounds. I want to lose those and lose the remaining 8 pounds. I would like to reach my goal weight this year. I missed it in 2010 but I still had a great year losing 80 pounds. To help lose weight, I'm going to limit my baking to once a month. I loved the cakes, breads and muffins I made last year. Having them less and not always having them in the fridge will be good for me.

3. Continue reading - Last year I read 105 books. Quite of few of them were young adult novels that weren't very long. I'm not going to write a certain number of books I want to read because it really doesn't matter. I know I will at least pick up a book and read every day this year. That is good enough for me.

4. Shoot photos for myself - I have this on my list every year. Somehow I never complete it. I want to photograph the things that I enjoy more:cemeteries, cemetery statues, decaying structures/industry and graffiti. I really need to complete this goal this year. I will be participating in a group gallery show at my Alma mater in November. I want many photos to choose from to include in the show.

5. Run a new race - I tend to run the same 5K, 10K and half marathon races every year. I would like to break out of my comfort zone and run a new race in the state of Michigan this year. When I say different I mean that the race could be in a different city or maybe a trail race. I think it is time to try something new in the race department and have fun doing it.