Tiny little post

I have workshops tonight and tomorrow so I have been busy all day getting the house ready for our participants...I wouldn't let myself blog until I got everything squared away! But I did get to the gym right when it opened at 9 and got my New Rules workout in: weights and HIIT on the treadmill. It was hard but went well. I am starting to feel more "welcome" in the back room with the barbells - I guess the regulars are getting used to me...or wait, could it be that I am turning into a regular??? This week I will finish level 4 and move on to level 5 next week, which I plan to finish before my trip to Florida in November. Hope you all are well and I will be back on Wednesday or Thursday once my workshops are done!

3 Mistakes

I had 16 on my schedule today and it was absolutely perfect fall running weather - I even put my new favorite running shorts on one more time and started out full of enthusiasm. Unfortunately I made three big mistakes that ended up making this kind of a tough run by the end.

My first mistake was not charging up my Garmin the night before. Shortly into my run it told me it had a low battery and by kilometer 11 it died on me. Bummer but not major because I did know where I still needed to run to get the full 16. I noticed, though, in the short time I have had it, how dependent (addicted) I have already become! It really sucked not to have that instant pace feedback and I have to admit, after it shut off I took a lot of walk breaks. But the two other mistakes I made were also responsible for that:

Mistake number two was being way too active yesterday - I did two separate bike trips for errands in the morning and then walked downtown with my kids in the afternoon. Mistake number three was waiting til kilometer 8 and 53 minutes into my run before taking my first gel. Add these two mistakes together and you get REALLY TIRED LEGS! I was just pooped and it was quite a struggle, both mentally and physically to keep going.

I did take another gel, I took lots of walk breaks, I briefly considered calling my husband to come and pick me up...but I did make it in the end. When I walked in the door, my youngest immediately said, "You look tired Mom!" - which is exactly how I felt.

So the whole purpose of mistakes is to learn something and the purpose of training runs is to learn this stuff before the big day. I am going to be more diligent about charging up my Garmin and Ipod on Saturday evening, I am going to be more careful about resting my legs on the next few Saturdays when I have lots of kilometers on the schedule, and I am going to replot my usual route so I hit the water fountain a lot sooner and more than once, so I can take my gels in earlier. So it certainly wasn't a waste of a run. And I did get a lot of sunshine and Vitamin D on my legs! And at least my Ipod didn't die on me...

Picture my run...

Yes, you can get a Stella before 10 am here in Leuven. Unfortunately for me, that's not considered appropriate pre-run feuling so I had to pass on by...it was a gorgeous sunny morning and I decided to take my camera with me on my run today.





This hill is my nemesis and the place where all my "hill runs" start...somehow it doesn't look so bad on the picture...






Popeye says I'm doing a great job - thumbs up! Hey, since when did he switch from spinach to ice cream?

Scary ice cream boy isn't worried - how long will it take him to eat himself to the bottom of that cone? Oh the things you can ponder while out on a run...

This is where the run gets really pretty - fields, country lanes and lots of cows - is that where they get the milk to make the ice cream?

I love those paths that go through the fields...

The fall sunshine filtered through the trees is lovely...

My goal for the end of the run was to pass by the bakery to get a pastry photo for Mom...but first say a little prayer of thanks at the Buddhist temple for such a great day!

All in all it was a wonderful run. Garmin says 7.67 kilometers in 55 minutes, average pace 7:10 per kilometer and 581 calories burned! A bit slow maybe because of all the stopping to take pictures but lots of fun. What more can you ask for?

PS: this last picture is why I don't carry money with me when I run - ha ha!

Unexpected R & R

My youngest son and I both had stomach aches in the middle of the night last night which kept us awake and had us feeling groggy this morning. I'm thinking it's a little tummy virus. So we are taking a "personal day" together, drinking cammomile tea with honey, and getting lots of rest. No school for him, no interval run for me. Just some rest and relaxation. Which is sometimes just what the doctor ordered.

Important Reminder for Runners

If you read my mom's blog, you will already have seen her post about the runner in Dallas that was killed when she got hit by a cyclist trying to pass her on the trail. It's so tragic - she had her earbuds in and didn't hear the cyclist coming up behind her... A sad reminder for all of us to be very careful when running with music.

I'm just about to head out for an easy run around the neighborhood and I know I will be thinking of this woman and her loved ones as I go. Also the person on the bike who must be devastated as well.

Be safe, everyone.

No inspiration!

Do you ever have that, no inspiration to write? I've just been catching up on everyone's blogs and procrastinating on updating my own...

Yesterday was busy: a visit to my doctor for thyroid follow up, a delicious vegan lunch and great conversation at my friend Christine's house, taking two of my boys to the orthodontist after school and then it was time to throw together some dinner. We stopped at the store close to the university dorms which was a big mistake because it was so busy - full of students stocking up on junk food!

Today it was the gym: a weight workout followed by at HIIT run. Annick and I were next to each other on the treadmills, both needing to do about the same amount of time and I was glad she was there to spur me on - I just might have pooped out otherwise...

Biked back home and did some laundry, housework - and now it's already time to go pick up my youngest from school. Just where the heck does the time go???

Absolutely gorgeous day & awesome long run!

Wow! I just had the greatest run! The weather was perfect, sunny and bright with all the beautiful fall colors sparkling through the trees. I wore my new shorts again and was plenty warm with just a short sleeve shirt.

Stefaan started out with me but turned back home after the first 4 kilometers because he just wasn't into doing the 15 I had on my schedule. I looped around past the abbey and into the path through the corn fields for a bit before arriving at the park with the big lake where I took a quick water break and a gel. Then continued on - I had to watch out in a few spots where the chestnut trees are busy dropping their chestnuts on the path, which makes it a bit dangerous. Did two loops around the lake and then returned back the way I came, enjoying it all the way. I didn't even mind when my Ipod's battery died when I still had 4 kilometers to go - I was having too much fun!



When I got home my oldest son had a surprise for me - a Reeses peanut butter cup! What a treat after a long run - I definitely think I earned it.

We just had lunch and in a bit we are expected at a surprise party for our neighbors who are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary - and you couldn't ask for better weather for a party.

I hope it's sunny where you are and that you have a great Sunday!