Alright, alright. I am going now.
Here's a new pic to celebrate my good pals and partners in crime, aka "The Printhethes"... I am Printheth #2 (in the middle)
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Procrastination rears its ugly head
Yes, it is 5:30 PM and I have not done my 11 miles yet. I have been soooo good about procrastinating... until today. I did manage to upload all my recent photos today though- not a total waste.
Alright, alright. I am going now.
Here's a new pic to celebrate my good pals and partners in crime, aka "The Printhethes"... I am Printheth #2 (in the middle)
Alright, alright. I am going now.
Here's a new pic to celebrate my good pals and partners in crime, aka "The Printhethes"... I am Printheth #2 (in the middle)
SUNDAY- feels like homework day!
Let me start by getting something off my chest. I have not run since Thursday. OK? I ran the Turkey Trot 5K (read below if you need to fill in) and have come up with bad excuses to not run since then. After getting off my mid-day hangover from the beer truck, I took Friday to recover only to be persuaded into attending a tailgate party for the BIGGEST football game of the year- USC/Clemson. And I had post-Thanksgiving shopping, OK? Fast forward to Saturday. I had to recover from Friday and watch the game. And clean. OK, I never cleaned. But the Gamecocks did beat Clemson 31-28... so the day was not a total loss.
So, here I am. Sunday. I know I need to get my 11 miles in before the end of the weekend, preferable before 11:59 PM tonight. It is getting up to 71 degrees today here in Charleston- but it sure beats those hot summer nights... of running... :)
I feel better now.
Alrighty- back to normal.
So, I am on the prowl for some fun races to run in the spring. I am gonna shoot for a couple half marathons before taking on the full.
Here are some races on my radar- any feedback is most appreciated. Keep in mind, these are my criteria for picking races:
So- here they are....
So, here I am. Sunday. I know I need to get my 11 miles in before the end of the weekend, preferable before 11:59 PM tonight. It is getting up to 71 degrees today here in Charleston- but it sure beats those hot summer nights... of running... :)
I feel better now.
Alrighty- back to normal.
So, I am on the prowl for some fun races to run in the spring. I am gonna shoot for a couple half marathons before taking on the full.
Here are some races on my radar- any feedback is most appreciated. Keep in mind, these are my criteria for picking races:
- Flat course, preferably downhill
- Fun people
- Pre-race festivities
- Flat
- Post-race festivities
- Flat
- Not a lot of travel time to get to the start line
- Not a lot of travel time to get to the post-race activities
- Fun people
So- here they are....
- Myrtle Beach half -it is close enough to home and FLAT
- 3M half in Austin in Jan- this is starting to seem like a good plan. I can just tack onto a business trip in TX that week (because it is a small state, right?)
- Yuengling Shamrock Run half on St. Pattys- VA Beach
- ING GA Half Marathon- inaugural running- I think it is in March
- KY Derby Festival half- it's in my hometown of Loooooouahvull
Off for my 11 miles... arrivederci!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Turkey Trot.... and the beer truck...
Ahoy fellow runners! Hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving... I sure did.
Good news first. I ran a personal best yesterday- 28:18- 12 seconds better than my Race for the Cure time.
I will admit, I am a little thrown off with running a race on Thursday instead of Saturday- I kept thinking I had THREE weeks til the Kiawah Half when in fact, I only have 2 weeks and a day now. No worries. The beer truck was in full swing. I planned on running the race and heading home to get ready for my family Thanksgiving at my parents.
Plan derailed.
I end up running into many people I work with, old sorority sisters from college, random acquaintances I have met over the years. Ironically, I see all of these people in front of the beer truck. It is almost like the stars, moon, and sun were aligned... just for me! One of my friends was even at the race with 18 of her family members, all wearing "Team Beer Truck" matching T-shirts.
Long story short- we shut the place down. I was singing Christmas carols with a group of folks, including a dude drinking out the beer stein he won for winning his age group. See.... we ARE legit.
It was close to 1 PM when the cops finally shooed us off the property (the race had started at 9 AM and it was a 5K- do the math) and I find myself wobbling down the street in downtown Charleston (maybe this is why it is called a Gobble Wobble) hoping to grab a Starbucks coffee to sober myself up. I finally make it to family thanksgiving in the best of spirits. A couple pieces of turkey, a handful of tylenol, and I officially crashed at 5:00 PM.
Tomorrow? I have another 5K followed by a 7 mile cooldown.... 15 days til KIAWAH!!
Love and all that jazz-
Tiff
Good news first. I ran a personal best yesterday- 28:18- 12 seconds better than my Race for the Cure time.
I will admit, I am a little thrown off with running a race on Thursday instead of Saturday- I kept thinking I had THREE weeks til the Kiawah Half when in fact, I only have 2 weeks and a day now. No worries. The beer truck was in full swing. I planned on running the race and heading home to get ready for my family Thanksgiving at my parents.
Plan derailed.
I end up running into many people I work with, old sorority sisters from college, random acquaintances I have met over the years. Ironically, I see all of these people in front of the beer truck. It is almost like the stars, moon, and sun were aligned... just for me! One of my friends was even at the race with 18 of her family members, all wearing "Team Beer Truck" matching T-shirts.
Long story short- we shut the place down. I was singing Christmas carols with a group of folks, including a dude drinking out the beer stein he won for winning his age group. See.... we ARE legit.
It was close to 1 PM when the cops finally shooed us off the property (the race had started at 9 AM and it was a 5K- do the math) and I find myself wobbling down the street in downtown Charleston (maybe this is why it is called a Gobble Wobble) hoping to grab a Starbucks coffee to sober myself up. I finally make it to family thanksgiving in the best of spirits. A couple pieces of turkey, a handful of tylenol, and I officially crashed at 5:00 PM.
Tomorrow? I have another 5K followed by a 7 mile cooldown.... 15 days til KIAWAH!!
Love and all that jazz-
Tiff
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Back in the US of A... and I'm still running...
Whilst I did not run 4x like I vowed to do while in Europe (I only managed to get 3 good runs in although the routes through Hyde Park and by Buckingham were lovely), I did really focus on working my right bicep muscle lifting pints of Grolsch to my mouth on a daily basis. Tsk tsk, Tiff!! I got home late last night- totally zonked out from the time change. Hence, I gave myself yesterday off from running and woke up early this morning to go. And by early, I mean 2 AM (7 AM UK time)
Well... today I punished myself. I ran the bridge today. The Cooper River Bridge. Our beautiful new suspension bridge. http://www.cooperriverbridge.org/ I went 9 miles.... a haaaaard 9 miles.... I live below sea level. There is a reason why I signed up for the Kiawah Half Marathon. It is FLAT. See, the hard part about running the Cooper River Bridge (or any bridge for that matter) is that you are either running up or down. There is no middle ground. The bridge spans 6 miles. That means a lot of uphilling running. Now I know why I save my bridge runs for times when I feel I need punishment. Alas, I am still alive. Hurray!
And for good measure- let me just say how much of a genius that I am in the kitchen. I made grilled lemon and pepper chicken over a salad tonight. For dessert, a pumpkin smoothie.
Tiffany's Pumpkin Smoothie
Ingredients
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon sweetner (I use Splenda)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Blend in a blender with ice. Throw a little Cool Whip on top to garnish.
Enjoy!
Well... today I punished myself. I ran the bridge today. The Cooper River Bridge. Our beautiful new suspension bridge. http://www.cooperriverbridge.org/ I went 9 miles.... a haaaaard 9 miles.... I live below sea level. There is a reason why I signed up for the Kiawah Half Marathon. It is FLAT. See, the hard part about running the Cooper River Bridge (or any bridge for that matter) is that you are either running up or down. There is no middle ground. The bridge spans 6 miles. That means a lot of uphilling running. Now I know why I save my bridge runs for times when I feel I need punishment. Alas, I am still alive. Hurray!
And for good measure- let me just say how much of a genius that I am in the kitchen. I made grilled lemon and pepper chicken over a salad tonight. For dessert, a pumpkin smoothie.
Tiffany's Pumpkin Smoothie
Ingredients
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon sweetner (I use Splenda)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Blend in a blender with ice. Throw a little Cool Whip on top to garnish.
Enjoy!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Cheeri-o! Tiff is off to England....
Heading out tomorrow to England and France for a work trip. Yes, I have the coolestestest job in the whole world. Don't be jealous if your job sucks :)
After trips to Chicago and Atlanta this week, I am finally home for 10 hours to sleep and get ready. I also need to get my long run in tomorrow morning before flying out- 8 miles for those counting.
YAHOOOOOO
Time for a few random thoughts:
Ever tried those Quaker's Smores granola bars? OH MY GAWWW... they are so good. I think I ate like 48 of them tonight which I am chalking up to be fuel for tomorrow's run.
I pulled out a business suit from my closet tonight to pack. While trying it on to see if my butt will fit into it (thank you to the running gods for making my butt smaller- it fits!) I noticed the salesclerk LEFT THE SECURITY TAG THINGY on it. What a pain. I have to take it to the store tomorrow so it can be removed. And of course... I have thrown the receipt away- I bought it last year. Wonder if the suit will still fit after the granola bars settle in.... interesting thought.
Chickfila diet lemonade was sent to Earth directly from the gods above.
Britney and K Fed were never meant to be. Kinda like me ever winning a race. Some things just will never happen.
Ever notice the overall theme of cooking shows changes throughout the year? We start the year off on Food Network with New Year's Resolutions, everyone eat HEALTHY!!! That takes us through the summer months with a little hiatus from healthy for Labor Day, 4th of July, and Memorial Day (might have mixed those up- I always remembered Memorial Day comes first because it is the opposite of the alphabet- random Tiffany fact) and then come Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas- the cooking shows get DOWNRIGHT raunchy- health-consciousness is kicked to the wayside for full fat dishes and butter-laden biscuits (can you tell I am watching Paula Deen right now?) Just an observation....
I am starting to realize how long the list of things I need to do tomorrow before leaving really is. I am the world's biggest procrastinator... but it always gets done!!!
Cheers!
Tiff E.
After trips to Chicago and Atlanta this week, I am finally home for 10 hours to sleep and get ready. I also need to get my long run in tomorrow morning before flying out- 8 miles for those counting.
YAHOOOOOO
Time for a few random thoughts:
Ever tried those Quaker's Smores granola bars? OH MY GAWWW... they are so good. I think I ate like 48 of them tonight which I am chalking up to be fuel for tomorrow's run.
I pulled out a business suit from my closet tonight to pack. While trying it on to see if my butt will fit into it (thank you to the running gods for making my butt smaller- it fits!) I noticed the salesclerk LEFT THE SECURITY TAG THINGY on it. What a pain. I have to take it to the store tomorrow so it can be removed. And of course... I have thrown the receipt away- I bought it last year. Wonder if the suit will still fit after the granola bars settle in.... interesting thought.
Chickfila diet lemonade was sent to Earth directly from the gods above.
Britney and K Fed were never meant to be. Kinda like me ever winning a race. Some things just will never happen.
Ever notice the overall theme of cooking shows changes throughout the year? We start the year off on Food Network with New Year's Resolutions, everyone eat HEALTHY!!! That takes us through the summer months with a little hiatus from healthy for Labor Day, 4th of July, and Memorial Day (might have mixed those up- I always remembered Memorial Day comes first because it is the opposite of the alphabet- random Tiffany fact) and then come Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas- the cooking shows get DOWNRIGHT raunchy- health-consciousness is kicked to the wayside for full fat dishes and butter-laden biscuits (can you tell I am watching Paula Deen right now?) Just an observation....
I am starting to realize how long the list of things I need to do tomorrow before leaving really is. I am the world's biggest procrastinator... but it always gets done!!!
Cheers!
Tiff E.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
A Tiffany Epiphany
Very seldom do I have a full blown Tiffany Epiphany. Sure... I try to incorporate the world "epiphany" frequently into my daily conversations as it is the only word that truly rhymes with my first name... but this one was pretty big.
I have never really considered myself a runner. God did not mold me into a runner when he created me. I think he pictured me best as a basketball player, recreational volleyball player, perhaps even a competitive ping pong player. But a runner... no... no... no...
I run. I love to run. People seem astounded that I choose to run- without someone forcing me to do it or having to be chased by a wild bear or something. I run because (after 5 months) it feels good while I am running. It feels good after I run. I find my day goes by a lot better when I start it out with a run.
Truth be told.... I actually ran cross country for two years in high school. I ran because my high school basketball coach was also the cross country coach and it helped to keep me in shape in the off-season. I never thought I was a runner back then. My PR was a 17:47 4K (2.5 miles for you confused folks) and a 5K in just under 22 minutes. At the time, I was also running as the 5th runner on the Varsity Cross Country team as a freshman. I remember thinking I was so slow and I just looked so odd out there... never thinking I, Tiffany, was indeed a runner.
Fast forward 13 years (yeah, I am young OK?)
26 years old and I am celebrating like a madwoman running a 5K in 28 and a half minutes. I consider myself a runner now. It feels good to be part of a community of people that share this love, even though our paces are all over the chart. I have a pace chart hanging on my wall at work. I read it over and over and analyze my progress. I love my Garmin "geek-o-meter" (thanks, John). Somehow, I believe that ONE DAY I might actually run the Boston Marathon. I may have to wait until I am 70 years to qualify... but damnnit... I can do it. I don't mind almost permanently giving up my 2 AM Friday nights out... in lieu of an early (earlier) tuck-in for my long run in the morning. I don't worry about blowing off my run tonight to have a glass of wine tonight with friends because I know I will be back at it tomorrow.
Yes, I am a runner now. Guilty as charged... and I love it!!!
I have never really considered myself a runner. God did not mold me into a runner when he created me. I think he pictured me best as a basketball player, recreational volleyball player, perhaps even a competitive ping pong player. But a runner... no... no... no...
I run. I love to run. People seem astounded that I choose to run- without someone forcing me to do it or having to be chased by a wild bear or something. I run because (after 5 months) it feels good while I am running. It feels good after I run. I find my day goes by a lot better when I start it out with a run.
Truth be told.... I actually ran cross country for two years in high school. I ran because my high school basketball coach was also the cross country coach and it helped to keep me in shape in the off-season. I never thought I was a runner back then. My PR was a 17:47 4K (2.5 miles for you confused folks) and a 5K in just under 22 minutes. At the time, I was also running as the 5th runner on the Varsity Cross Country team as a freshman. I remember thinking I was so slow and I just looked so odd out there... never thinking I, Tiffany, was indeed a runner.
Fast forward 13 years (yeah, I am young OK?)
26 years old and I am celebrating like a madwoman running a 5K in 28 and a half minutes. I consider myself a runner now. It feels good to be part of a community of people that share this love, even though our paces are all over the chart. I have a pace chart hanging on my wall at work. I read it over and over and analyze my progress. I love my Garmin "geek-o-meter" (thanks, John). Somehow, I believe that ONE DAY I might actually run the Boston Marathon. I may have to wait until I am 70 years to qualify... but damnnit... I can do it. I don't mind almost permanently giving up my 2 AM Friday nights out... in lieu of an early (earlier) tuck-in for my long run in the morning. I don't worry about blowing off my run tonight to have a glass of wine tonight with friends because I know I will be back at it tomorrow.
Yes, I am a runner now. Guilty as charged... and I love it!!!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
I was r-r-r-running....
Brrr.... it was cold this morning for the James Island Connector 10K. I have not run a 10K race since last spring so I KNEW I could blow away my old time of 1:17... and I did!!! I ran it in 1:03!!!! Yiiiipppppeee!!! The morning was cold and windy and the course involved quite a few hills (hey, it is a connector over a river... makes sense, eh?) I was kicking butt on the first 5K with the wind on my side- and then I made the turn. Eeeekk... wind blowing against me, cold, and hills, hills, hills. I am blaming this for the 3 minutes extra tacked on my time... however, new goal.... A sub-60 minute 10K.
FIVE WEEKS TIL THE HALF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Race for the Cure update.... I kicked butt!!!
So, I was shooting for a sub-30 minute 5K this morning. In the last 3 months, my 5K time has dropped from 33:40 to 30:30 to...
28:30 this morning!!!!!
YAHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I totally credit my new Garmin on my improved time. I could analyze my pace, chip time, and also run against my "virtual partner" who I totally killed in the race.
Damn, I feel good.
28:30 this morning!!!!!
YAHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I totally credit my new Garmin on my improved time. I could analyze my pace, chip time, and also run against my "virtual partner" who I totally killed in the race.
Damn, I feel good.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Online shopping addiction + Newfound running addiction=
http://www.garmin.com/products/forerunner301/
OF COURSE I needed a heart rate monitor and GPS on a watch to monitor my running.... the coolest part if how you can download your race routes to the internet through Google Earth and analyze mile splits, elevation, heart rate, etc.
I cannot WAIT til it arrives tomorrow!!! I feel like a little kid before Christmas :)
OF COURSE I needed a heart rate monitor and GPS on a watch to monitor my running.... the coolest part if how you can download your race routes to the internet through Google Earth and analyze mile splits, elevation, heart rate, etc.
I cannot WAIT til it arrives tomorrow!!! I feel like a little kid before Christmas :)
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Less than 2 months til the half...
So, I ran 8 miles this morning. EIGHT. I am skipping a little ahead of my training schedule to fit in a 5K race next weekend (Race for the Cure) and I feel strong.
Bad note- it was 47 degrees this morning when I started running. I am longing for the 90 degree days here. Grass is always greener, eh?
8 weeks til Kiawah!
Bad note- it was 47 degrees this morning when I started running. I am longing for the 90 degree days here. Grass is always greener, eh?
8 weeks til Kiawah!
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