Like last year, I decided to run a route so I could deliver some Christmas cards to friends in the neighborhood. But because we are having a cold snap (it was -4 C when I left) I thought I would skip the one person who lives a lot further out, and keep it to about a nice half hour, which is what I was thinking I could stand in this cold!
So all bundled up, with my fluorescent backpack for the cards, I started out. At first, I felt terribly cold, mostly my feet, but as I got going it was fine, I was dressed warm enough. If it weren't for my calf which started to hurt towards the turn around, I think I would have run longer and gotten that last card delivered (I had it with me just in case). I didn't have my ipod with me (didn't think it would feel good to have headphones in my ears with a hat and scarf jammed on them) and it was amazingly quiet and peaceful. This with the gray and frosty surroundings, made for a relaxing winter run of just over 4 kilometers and 30 minutes.
And that last card? I guess it will be going in the mail!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Very Briefly
Just a very quick post, as I have to leave soon to pick up my son from school...went to the gym this morning and ran 34 minutes on the treadmill and my calf was okay. It still feels tight but not terrible like yesterday. It might have been the extreme cold yesterday and not really being warmed up. Today I was well warmed up in spite of the cold temps - biked to school and to the gym - and of course, it was nice and toasty warm at the gym. I kept the pace nice and easy and stretched it out very thoroughly afterwards. And I'm using my Oxyflex, Mom!
Just looked online at the Corrida course - instead of repeating one 4K loop twice this year, there is one big loop for the 8K. There are going to be a couple of mean hills on it, and it looks long - but it will be fun to run in some other parts of Leuven we've never run in before. Just hope the weather is decent!
Just looked online at the Corrida course - instead of repeating one 4K loop twice this year, there is one big loop for the 8K. There are going to be a couple of mean hills on it, and it looks long - but it will be fun to run in some other parts of Leuven we've never run in before. Just hope the weather is decent!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Congratulations Jenny!
I've been wondering all day...and I just found out that Jenny ran a 3:41 time in her marathon today in Dallas - WOW, I am impressed and proud! Great job, Jenny!
By the look of the pictures it was misty in Dallas but Jenny was in shorts and a tank so it can't have been that cold. By contrast, here it was freezing, but sunny. We got out to the lake but had to cut our run a bit shorter than we wanted when I got a killer leg cramp in my left calf. With the Corrida in just two weeks I am a little worried. I must make sure I stretch enough and run enough easy mileage the next 13 days, and hopefully it will be okay.
By the look of the pictures it was misty in Dallas but Jenny was in shorts and a tank so it can't have been that cold. By contrast, here it was freezing, but sunny. We got out to the lake but had to cut our run a bit shorter than we wanted when I got a killer leg cramp in my left calf. With the Corrida in just two weeks I am a little worried. I must make sure I stretch enough and run enough easy mileage the next 13 days, and hopefully it will be okay.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Just another day at the gym...
No, I didn't trip and fall! Just went and did a Matt Roberts workout and spoke to three of my gym friends. Those of us who are moms are busy being supportive for our kids in secondary school who have exams right now, and going to the gym in the morning before they come home at noon is about the only down time we get. You would think you would be able to get a lot done hanging out at home with studious kids but for some strange reason you just don't. I'm glad I got my Christmas cards done and a translation I promised to do, but I wouldn't want anyone to see how the house looks right now...
So maybe I should have stayed home this morning to clean but it felt much better to run, lift some weights and get on the elliptical. Oh yeah, and commisserate with my gym friends. No one to talk to when you stay at home and clean, is there?
So maybe I should have stayed home this morning to clean but it felt much better to run, lift some weights and get on the elliptical. Oh yeah, and commisserate with my gym friends. No one to talk to when you stay at home and clean, is there?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Lost & Found
Was anyone else intrigued by the article in the latest Runner's World about the man who finds all that money on his runs? I have never found any cash on my runs, I think Belgians are too careful with their money to leave it lying around on the street, but today I for some reason (probably that article) started paying attention to what was on the ground. Besides a lot of trash, dog poo and beer cans, I also saw:
- half a cucumber wrapped in plastic
- a child's blue mitten
- a black haired wig
- a slice of salami
Go figure. I did have a great run actually, out and back to Carpetland, which is just shy of 7 km. My first run outside since coming back from California, but today the weather is just about as perfect as you can get here in the winter: 12° celsius (which actually feels just right once you get going), not too windy, not too rainy (just a few drops here and there). The only thing missing was some sunshine. It was actually a great 50 minutes and now I feel good about doing the Corrida later this month, it should go fine.
Happy Sunday!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Interested?
If you are interested in seeing what the workshops I do with my friend Linda are like, take a peek at our blog: http://natuurlijkevenwicht.blogspot.com/ We took some pictures this time, and as you can see, it was a lot of fun! We made four recipes with the group, the energy bars (I shared that recipe here), waffles with dried apricots and pumpkin, corn muffins with sweet potato, and healthy brownies. The participants also went home with a 22 page recipe and information booklet, and all the extra goodies.
Now it's time to coddle my children since they will all three be studying for exams this weekend. I am planning to make some date bars (a new recipe I got from my mom which I plan to healthy up a bit - if it turns out good I will share it with you).
Now it's time to coddle my children since they will all three be studying for exams this weekend. I am planning to make some date bars (a new recipe I got from my mom which I plan to healthy up a bit - if it turns out good I will share it with you).
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Ups and downs
Lily just left a comment that she wished she could tap into my energy - she was feeling the winter doldrums. Honestly, today, I wish I could too! My energy really flows with ups and downs, I have always wished I could have a more consistent pattern of energy. But it is not to be, and I have to learn to accept it and go with my own personal energy flow, and not feel too bummed on those inevitable days when I just don't have it.
Yesterday was our last workshop, in the morning, and by the time it was done, I was wiped. We ended up doing 5 workshops for a total of about 50 participants, and they all went really well. But it is amazingly draining. So I didn't do very much the rest of the day, except for the usual running of the house and taking care of the kids. This morning I had to go do an errand at the telephone office, which means waiting in line for a long time, getting a long explanantion about how to get wireless internet installed in our home, biking home with a big heavy box full of modems and cables (you should have seen me balancing it!), and then opening the box to find the lady never mentioned that if you have an alarm (we do) that the technicians have to come and do the installation for you. So then I had to phone and was told they will call me to make an appointment, next week sometime.
And honestly, every last drop of energy I still had is now gone!
But tomorrow is another day, and I plan to go to Zumba class (and hopefully NOT fall on my butt) and be a bit perkier than today.
PS: Kilax is giving away a signed copy of Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer at her blog - this is a book I really want to read, and hopefully go to see the author speak at a MO lecture in Gent in January. Check it out!
Yesterday was our last workshop, in the morning, and by the time it was done, I was wiped. We ended up doing 5 workshops for a total of about 50 participants, and they all went really well. But it is amazingly draining. So I didn't do very much the rest of the day, except for the usual running of the house and taking care of the kids. This morning I had to go do an errand at the telephone office, which means waiting in line for a long time, getting a long explanantion about how to get wireless internet installed in our home, biking home with a big heavy box full of modems and cables (you should have seen me balancing it!), and then opening the box to find the lady never mentioned that if you have an alarm (we do) that the technicians have to come and do the installation for you. So then I had to phone and was told they will call me to make an appointment, next week sometime.
And honestly, every last drop of energy I still had is now gone!
But tomorrow is another day, and I plan to go to Zumba class (and hopefully NOT fall on my butt) and be a bit perkier than today.
PS: Kilax is giving away a signed copy of Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer at her blog - this is a book I really want to read, and hopefully go to see the author speak at a MO lecture in Gent in January. Check it out!
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