Looking Back…Sorta

So I wanted to do a year-in-review today, but I’ve changed my mind. See, the ol’ blog hits the big oh-one on Jan. 15, and I think that’d be a better time for a look back. It’s been quite a year for sure. I started running again, working out, changed jobs, ran a half marathon, training for a full marathon, started writing again, etc.

All of that I’ll go into in a couple of weeks. For now I’ll just wish everyone a happy new year. I hope 2008 was a great year and that next year is even better. Hopefully you had at least half as much fun reading this as I’ve had writing it.

Yesterday was an easy day of two miles with pushups and pullups sprinkled in. I’ll work out this morning before heading to my real work. I might run tomorrow at my parent’s cabin too. It’s all steep hills, which is not especially fun.

That’s it. Happy New Year!

Tuesday Addictions

So tomorrow will be a 2008 review and Thursday will feature a 2009 goals post. Yeah, a bit typical of most blogs, but for me it’s different. I’ve been blogging just under a year and I usually don’t do the resolutions thing. But this year, I think I need them.

I’ll run this evening after work. Mrs. Fitness Geek is slowly healing.

On to the addictions!

1. Marathon training – Sunday’s run felt so great and this Saturday I’m planning on doing a trail run up local Pine Mountain. This is supposed to be my easy week so I’m going to take it slow. It’s only a two mile run, but the elevation will make it more difficult.

2. How I Met Your Mother – We just ordered season three. Can’t wait. Suit up!

3. Falcons – They’re in the playoffs. After one of the worst years for a team ever. Not just seasons, but entire years. Hats off to ‘em.

4. Writing – I’m slowly getting writing done. I need to pick it up.

5. Being Lazy – This is so not a good one to have on the list. I’m working on it though.

6. Butch Walker – Love this guy. Just downloaded one of his latest albums. He’s the former lead singer of the Marvelous 3.

Good Times

Work has been super busy of late, so my blogging and blog reading has been less than I’d like. So here’s a recap that includes a Christmas, a sprained ankle, 10 miles and my new favorite show.

Christmas with the in-laws was great. I always enjoy it, but this year was really fantastic. We spent a day with them, opening presents on Christmas Eve and having a great big lunch Christmas day. Mrs. Fitness Geek’s parents love potatoes and they made 20(!!!) pounds of mashed potatoes that we had to peel. That was a bit time consuming.

The day after Christmas was an event. We decided to hike Pine Mountain here in our hometown made it to the top in record time. Mrs. Fitness Geek decided to break our downhill record by sliding down the mountain on her face. It was not a well thought out plan. She tried to dive down from just south of the summit, but her ankle, knee and hand slowed her down.

She ended up with a bad sprain in her right ankle, a bruised left knee and bruised left hand. And worse, her new workout pants with the pink stripes down the side got ripped. To get her down two other hikers and myself put her on our backs and carried her down to the parking lot.

We headed over to urgent care where once again it was shown why I’m not allowed out in public very often.
The doctor looked her over and said, “We’re going to take some X-Rays, but it looks like you’ve got a sprain from the fall. Is there any risk of pregnancy?”

My response: “Doc, she didn’t fall that way.”

Mrs. Fitness Geek was then taken to get X-rayed, and I’m told they did one on her head to check for brain damage to explain why she’s with me. The findings were inconclusive.

Saturday was spent with a maid’s outfit on watching over Mrs. Fitness Geek. My long run on Saturday was pushed back a day, but when I woke up Sunday it was raining. Pouring. We did get to watch the Falcons win their 11th game of the season and after taking my brother-in-law to the airport, I finally hit the park at 7 p.m. for my long run.

The run went exceptionally well. I did 10 miles in under 90 minutes, averaging 8:30 per mile. I’d throw in my exact time but my watch is in the other room. I develop a pretty wicked (do the kids still say wicked?) blood blister on my left big toe. It’s from my new running form. That’s the bad news. The good news is no ITB pain after my longest run so far.

Oh and we’re totally addicted to How I Met Your Mother. We’ve got the first two seasons on DVD. It’s different to watch a good comedy with a laugh track. And you can’t beat Neil Patrick Harris.

Here’s to hoping for a full week of blogging, blog reading and running. Oh and head over to Mrs. Fitness Geek’s blog for a better account of her fall from grace.

Photo Friday

So, I think everything’s back on track in Fitness Geek land. We had a great time with the in-laws and even saw “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” It’s an easy nomination for best film of the year.

I did get in a nice four miles yesterday, and I think I’ll be ready for tomorrow’s 10 miler.

With the holidays over, my blogging will also be more regular. I hope everybody had a Merry Christmas.

Now, for that photo…

That’s Dizzy enjoying the Hanukkah lights.

Have a great weekend!

Ugh and Quickies

Well my head is full of snot. Ick. Work has been super busy and the cold the last two days has been too much for running. The fact that my head is super congested didn’t and isn’t helping.

I’d like to work out this afternoon before heading to the in-laws, but we’ll see. I’m going running tomorrow no matter what.

I’ve got Hanukkah photos I’ll try and post tomorrow night. The cats are big into candles and fire. Should I be worried?

I need medicine.

Our new dryer arrived yesterday. People keep asking if it was an early gift to ourselves. No, our last one just crapped out at a  bad time.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Week 4 Marathon Review

The Falcons made the playoffs! The Falcons made the playoffs! The experts predicted they would win two games this year. They have won 10. Most said they would be 32nd out of 32 teams this year. They are the fifth seed in the NFC.

Never stop believing.

Before I say more, my apologies to Denise. I thought I had her on the ol’ blog roll, but alas she had been neglected. Until now. But there she is, so visit her early, visit her often.

Week 4 was…eventful. A crazy week of work plus a day of travel plus three days of rain equaled an odd running schedule. I did get in a five miler and nine miler on Sunday. I’d wanted four runs, but it just didn’t work out.

However, my nine was quite good and it appears I’ve finally defeated the ITB pain. This week’s long run is 10 and I’ll be doing some great hill work with it.We head to Mrs. Fitness Geek’s parent’s house later this week for Christmas, and I do plan to run there as I did last week. I’m starting to really feel on track now for the marathon.

Did I mention the Falons making the playoffs?

Remember Me?

Yeah, it’s been a while. I’ve been as erratic as the weather. Actually, the weather has been very stable: rainy. I was supposed to do my long run yesterday, but it poured all day. This morning was better. Except for the wind.

It was so windy…

How wind was it?

It was so windy I couldn’t hear my iPod at numerous points during the run. This was my nine mile day and I was really happy with the results. I was pretty surprised when I finished with an 82:21 time. Granted, it was at the park that has only two hills, but I felt awesome at the end and I did  battlet the wind on most miles.

We’re heading to my parent’s place today for a Hanukkah party. I’ll do my best to blog more.

Oh, check out Leverage if you haven’t already. A top notch show.

TIART – Year in Review

So I was planning on saving this topic for another week or so, but those crazy kids at the Runner’s Lounge made it this week’s TIART. The year in review in 52 words or less. Annnnnnd away we go:

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I don’t know. I’ve tried writing this four times. I did some things right, but plenty wrong. I was successful in some ventures, but have failed at so much. The best I can do is keep trying. I’m going to set goals for 09. And reach them.

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I’d like to go for a run tonight after work, but it’ll depend on the weather. It’s not supposed to rain, but you never know since it’s so overcast right now. My first long run of the training program is Saturday, a 9-miler.

The Braves were this close to resigning Furcal. Looks like the deal fell through at the last minute. Next season is going to be a long one if they don’t sign some talent very soon.

Eh…

We’re in Tennessee last night and today for a mini-vacation as my brother-in-law is graduating from nursing school. I got up this morning and hit the road around 8, hoping for five miles in the ridiculously hilly area. The weather was…not good.

It rained most of yesterday and this morning was quite overcast when I left the house. But the rain held through my turnaround spot and I was hoping I’d get home in a decent time. I didn’t and the rains came. It poured. I got my shirt off quickly and wrapped it around my phone, but I knew it wouldn’t make much difference with the watery onslaught. Luckily some litterer had tossed a plastic cup on the side of the road and dropped my wrapped phone inside it.

The rain continued and the hills that had been all downhill on the way out were now uphill. I hate gravity sometimes.

The run ended up being 6.4 miles according to Mapmyrun, and although my time wasn’t great, I felt good afterward and managed a negative split by 52 seconds. I also don’t think my heartrate ever got too high either, which was my goal anyway, not time.

I’m hoping to get my 300 workout in tonight, even if it’s a late night. Last night I was taking photos at the nurse pinning and missed a great photo opp: I had my long lens on, but the little girl in front of me was picking her nose, looking at her treasure and then tasting it. I know, ick. But it was pretty funny too.

We’re about to head off to the local giant used bookstore. There’s no chance I don’t come home with at least two new books!

Tuesday Addictions

I was supposed to do a light run this morning, but I have to head into work early. I’m off tomorrow for my brother-in-law’s graduation, but I plan on running 5 up there tomorrow. On to the Addictions!

1. The Falcons – They are so close to the playoffs. What a season it’s been. Even if they don’t make the playoffs, they’ve already done more this year than anyone expected.

2. Marathon Training – It’s been going great, and I’m looking forward to Saturday’s 9-miler.

3. Gifts – I finished my shopping for Mrs. Fitness Geek. I think she’s going to love what I got her.

4. Lost – I keep seeing the promos. And I cannot wait.

5. Parties – After our successful redneck wine tasting party, we’re next planning a season finale Office party with special party favors.

6. My 300 workout – It’s kicking my butt. But in a good way. It’s on the schedule for tomorrow night.