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Here’s my I’m-Not-Actually-Training-For-Anything Training Plan.

It’s just a little something to keep me on track with running throughout January until I leave for my trip. I’ve missed running with a training plan since the marathon!

I put yoga or strength-training on the schedule through January 11, which is when my gym membership expires (sniff, sniff). Then I plan to swim twice a week to use up the sessions I’ve prepaid for at my community pool.

The (shots) on the schedule are not the kind featuring Lil Jon, unfortunately, but rather two more rounds of immunizations. I’ve got Hepatitis A/B and rabies (the most painful one) lined up for tomorrow. Wheeeee!

I scheduled light exercise for a few days after each round of shots since they make me feel all tired and sore. Tomorrow I’ll kick things off with a 4-miler before I head to the travel clinic for my jabs.

For now, I’m resting because of the rainy awfulness outside, and because I’ve got some incredible deliciousness to consume.

Don’t click on that if you’re trying to stick to a healthy eating resolution. Don’t say I didn’t warn you! : )

2011 began with a run — the first 5K I ever ran without walking at all!

Resolution Run 5K and Polar Bear Dive — 1/1/11
31:03 — 10:01 pace

In January, 5K was the farthest I’d ever raced and 5 miles was the farthest I’d ever run at one time.

2011 ended with a run — an amazing sunset 4-miler on my favorite trail to finish the year on a high note.

New Year’s Eve 4-miler — 12/31/11
33:39 — 8:24 pace

Somehow, in between these two runs, I ran 770 miles.

 

I ran my first 10K, 15K and half-marathon (plus another half for good measure). I did a triathlon. And then I ran a mothereffing marathon.

Today I put together a year-end recap for Answering Oliver:

My Top 10 Favorite Experiences of 2011

Can you guess which experience took the #1 spot? I’ll give you a hint.

Oh yeah. This is definitely in the top five best experiences of my life.

I hope you all have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve, whether you’re running, drankin’/partying (my route) or spending a quiet night at home!

See you in 2012!

Welcome to the floor. I’ll be here all day.

Remember when I ran a marathon less than a month ago? Nah, me neither.

Today, FOUR MILES put me on the floor.

I ran with CrossFit Tony again and we both had trouble — him with his knee, me with my lungs and stomach. Looking at the numbers, it was a decent run, but we both felt like crap while running. Neither of us had run since our great 6-miler last Friday.

I’m gonna chalk it up to three things:

1. The six vaccines I received on Tuesday completely wiped me out yesterday, and I may not be back to 100% yet.
2. Margaritas last night. Enough said.
3. I’ve been super-lazy during this holiday season and have lost a good amount of fitness.

Two out of three are completely my fault, so I’m not trying to make excuses. I just miss being able to run far and fast and feel awesome while doing it.

Today I’ll create a fake January training plan for a nonexistent race to get my butt back in gear. Feel free to taunt me if I don’t stick to it!

I feel like Reluctant and/or Brenna will just jump at the chance…

A beautiful little video about running and the power of the human spirit. Makes me want to run.

My arms still hurt from yesterday’s vaccines, and it’s windy and raining like hell outside. I may have written this blog post from my cozy bed:

On Vaccines, Health Risks and Overcoming Fear

Shh. Don’t tell anyone.

This was my morning.

That’s SIX travel shots, people! And I’m not even done! I go back in a week for two more, then again in three weeks for three more.

Luckily, they gave me apple juice. It was delicious. I will resume running when my arms no longer feel like lead due to multiple viruses coursing through them (or something — I’m not a doctor).

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! For more travel-like stuff, check out:

What Santa Brought This Traveler

In it, I reveal which U.S. President Secretary of the Treasury* I have a massive crush on. Hint: The hot one.

*Thanks, Robb. Never was very good with history!

I’ve secretly been afraid that my best running days were behind me thanks to my stupid foot and lackluster post-marathon runs.

But this morning, I had a FANTASTIC run! I met a new running buddy, Tony, at the CrossFit event I went to at Meg’s box last weekend, and we pushed each other during an awesome six-miler.

Tony said he hadn’t run in a month and a half, and I haven’t run farther than five miles (which kind of sucked) since Las Vegas, so this run was quite an achievement for both of us.

We also had a great chat and I think formed the instant friendship that I’ve felt with everyone I run with. Love that.

My lungs were DONE at the end, but my foot felt fine throughout! My preemptive icing yesterday did the trick. My knees and foot are feeling it a little right now, though, so it’s definitely time to ice again.

There is nothing like a good run, people! NOTHING!!!