12 Miles: Done.

Today, after I woke up at 10:15 AM, I sent my Little Buddy off with Grandpa to feed the cows! This gave me the time I needed to get in my 12 mile run.

Mile 1 8:44.96
Mile 2 8:55.75
Mile 3 8:39.31
Mile 4 9:03.08
Mile 5 9:08.71
Mile 6 9:14.91
Mile 7 8:58.00
Mile 8 8:53.03
Mile 9 8:51.82
Mile 10 9:12.15
Mile 11 9:17.74
Mile 12 9:24.33

Total time: 1:48.23

At this pace I could have my sub 2 hour half marathon! Wow!!!! I'm not even training for a sub 2 right now! I guess I am just getting faster without even trying. My focus is endurance and mileage! We will see what happens at my next Half Marathon in March!

It was pretty cool to run on the wide open roads that I used to only drive on. I even had to get out of the way of my old neighbor driving his big ole tractor down the road. I managed to snap a couple of pictures with my iPhone (thanks to my sister for giving me a cool arm band to carry the phone).

This is what I got to look at for 12 miles!

Today I am grateful for:

A good run!

Fun on the farm with the fam!

Phone service on the farm! I remember when I was in college and a trip home meant I was going to be completely out of touch with the world as long as I was there!

6 Miles Treadmill Style

Today I got my six miles in...on the treadmill at my sister's local YMCA. Thank goodness. I wasn't too thrilled to run outside today. The snow is melting but it is still cold and the wind is just plain brutal.

I have left my sister's house and the comforts of The City for the quiet laid back farm. You can read a little bit about the farm HERE. I may or may not skip my three miler tomorrow but Saturday is 12 miles. My mom, gotta love moms, is worried and is already planning to drive along side of me. Great. Can you say annoying. I live in the middle of nowhere and will pass two house, maybe (remember this will be 12 miles) depending on the direction I choose to run. I may have her drive out to my turnaround and give me water but this following me in the car is straight craziness...

Today I am grateful for:
My mom putting my Little Buddy buddy to bed., YAY for grandmas!
Technology on the farm! For the first time we have wireless out here!
The smiles on my Little Buddy's face! He loves spending time with his family.

Captain Obvious!

So apparently when it is cold outside I run faster. Imagine that!

Thanks to my sister I was able to head out for my 3 mile run this afternoon while she watched my Little Buddy, along with her own three Little Buddies. I got dressed and headed out to the snow covered streets. It was COLD. I immediately realized that I had severely underestimated the weather difference between OKC and Seattle. I had forgotten about the bone chilling wind, which does not really exist in Seattle. I spent the first mile wishing I had brought my ear warmer/head band, gloves, jacket, and worn my long tights. I spent the second mile wondering how I am going to make it through my 12 miler this weekend, on my own, and wardrobe-challenged. I spent the third mile wondering why I don't run any faster than I usually do. I know I can I just don't. I started comparing my three milers to Sunday drives. I have no idea why I approach my three milers with such a ho-hum, easy jog attitude but I decided I would run a littler faster because I knew I could, and just see what happened.

What happened shocked me! Cold and snow makes a spoiled Oklahoma born, Pacific Northwest transplant run really fast!!

Mile 1... 9:18.07
Mile 2... 8:28.83
Mile 3... 7:57.95

Total time: 25:48.98
Average pace: 8:35/mile

I like those times!!! Now if I could just continue this for 13.1 miles or even 26.2 (hey, a girl can dream right!? If you can dream it you can achieve it!). We will see what happens tomorrow when I try my six miler.

The forecast for this weekend: snow, wind, arctic blast, slick roads. Brrrrrr!

Today I am grateful for:
A fun fun time with my sister, nieces and Little Buddy at a local science museum for children.
Seeing family that I havent seeen in years! Seriously...years! I love my family.
For a good run today!
Being in Oklahoma....feels good to be home and with my fam. :)
A chance to win some totally neeeeeded Recovery Socks!!! For your chance to win check out Mel-Tall Mom's blog HERE!

Way Busy Day

Today turned out to be WAY busier than anticipated. I wasn't able to get my short run in. Oh well, I can pretend to tell myself I will do it tomorrow, AFTER waking up at 3 AM and flying to the middle of the country. Maybe. It could happen. But did I mention there is snow and ice all over the ground there in the middle of the country? Well, it could happen. I am headed to see my family this week! I finally got my Little Buddy in bed at 9:30(oops!). Now I just have to finish packing. Did I mention it is 10 PM? What have I been doing? I am such a procrastinator! I think I would rather go run my 3 miles now than finish packing. I hate packing. I hate the process of getting out of the house. I feel very negative tonight...shoulda ran. Sigh.

I am not sure yet if I am packing my computer. I will have to wait and see how heavy my carry on is. I kind of hate traveling with my laptop. But I like blogging!!!!

Today I am grateful for:
A good hair day. Seriously, it was a good one.
My friend AN the RB's bday!!!
Getting A LOT of necessary stuff done...even if I still have to pack!
Getting to see the family tomorrow! I haven't seen them since July! Except my mom came out and saw us when we went to Vegas in November. It has been tooooo long!