Friday, February 15, 2013

Friday Mishmash

Well, it's finally here - our return trip to Austin, where Jeff will once again be running the half marathon on Sunday.  We learned a couple lessons from last year and are doing things a little differently...tops on the list is that we're staying downtown, just a couple blocks away from the start line.  Which means we won't have to wake up insanely early in order to drive to the race, find a parking garage, and then mill around.  Nope - we'll just mosey over to the start line about 30 minutes before the race, easy as pie.  We're also staying over Sunday night - that way we won't have to frantically get back to the hotel, shower and check out right after the race.  Basically what we're hoping to avoid is the rushing around that comes with out-of-town races.

The weather should be perfect for running - it looks like it'll be around 40 degrees and sunny.  I'll be set for spectating with the hat and cowl that I knitted...the only thing I'm wondering is how well I'll be able to traipse around Austin, considering that I'll be on legs that ran 11 miles the day before.  I think there are two spots fairly close together, where I'll see Jeff at  mile 2 and mile 8, but after that, my plans are to hit up the food trucks (which are supposed to be pretty good) for some hot coffee and breakfast.  And then wait for him to cross the finish line!  Funny, with all the running I've been doing, I still have no desire to run Austin - it's just too many hills for me.  Running 13.1 miles is hard enough; why climb hills too?

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Tomorrow is my last long run before I start tapering for the Armadillo Dash.  We're going to do 11 miles, and to make it interesting, we've changed the route and will be doing most of the run inside a large subdivision.  We usually just run the perimeter, but this way we'll be seeing more houses (and deer - the place is full of deer), and I figure that the new sights might distract us from the fact that we're running ELEVEN FREAKING MILES.  I'll let you know if that works.  Jeff, of course, won't be joining us as he'll be resting his legs for his big race the next day.

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Speaking of running (you'd think this was the Wednesday Workout Update with all the running talk!), my run on Saturday is what I'm doing for Lori's Healthy Heart Weekend - it's a little contest she holds each year to raise awareness of the importance of exercise...and you might win a little prize, too!  It's not too late to sign up - just click here and follow her instructions. 

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OK, last running thing:  yesterday my friend Wendy and I got together and ran our very own Valentine's Day 5K!  It was a gorgeous day for a run - the sun was shining but the temperature was still pretty cool, and we had a good time running and chatting away.  Wendy even had a little surprise swag for me afterward, since it was a 5K:
Sweet!  The glass heart was my "medal" for completing the run. :)
Afterward...great way to start the day!

Thanks for running with me, Wendy!

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Last night I went to my knitting guild meeting, where I got help in fixing my mistake on my Mystery Knit Along (it's a shawl, have I mentioned that?).  Plus I got the next clue for it - I have a month to complete that part before the next clue is released.

I'm working on a couple of small projects, but can't show you pictures yet as they are gifts.  Oh!  Guess what I'll be doing in Austin?  If you said "checking out yarn stores" you would be correct!  I have a list and am hoping to get to at least two of them - hopefully I'll find some cool yarn that I can't live without.

Have a great weekend!

20 comments:

  1. Enjoy your long run. I hope yo do 10. Wendy is a great running friend. Jealous. Can't wait to see the finished shawl.

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  2. I don't blame you for not wanting to run hills. I joke that every race here in ATL is up hill both ways but it's really not a joke because it's true!! My first half marathon will be the Disney Princess half in Feb. Nice flat Orlando!! :)

    Best of luck to Jeff and enjoy the yarn stores!!

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    1. I did a race here (a 5K) that we all swore was uphill the entire way, except for the last .10 to the finish line...and it was an out-and-back, which doesn't seem possible, but it happened!

      Flat Orlando, and a Disney Princess race? You are going to have so much fun with that!

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  3. Have fun in Austin! I'm not sure if I could go to a race and not be dying to run, but I guess if there are tons of hills that might do it. Best of luck to your husband! Sounds like perfect running weather.

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  4. OK, the whole "Austin is hilly" thing is cracking me up. I CANNOT even imagine what Ima do with you if you ever come to visit me. No avoiding hills and I'd bet they're bigger than Austin's.

    Good luck to you on your 11 miler - woot for a carb burn! And good luck to Jeff on his race.

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    1. Actually, Austin IS very hilly - it's in "Hill Country" and surprised me the first time we went there. You'd be shocked...Texas isn't all flat!

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  5. Good luck Jeff! My brother and step-son and his wife don't frequent the food trucks - I see them on t.v. all the time and I can't believe they don't take advantage of them!

    Have a great weekend, love that you are "seasoned" for this race and will enjoy it more without feeling rushed!

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  6. That's some good VDay 5k swag you got there!! That was sweet of her to do that for you.

    Have fun in Austin!

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  7. Love the swag from your friend...how thoughtful. Enjoy Austin!

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  8. Love it that as we get older we at least learn some practical stuff, like how to travel the most conveniently! I'm always so pleased with myself when I make a good plan like you've got for Austin. With all the food truck talk on The Food Network, I'd love to try some too!

    You are a good sport, running ELEVEN miles, when your overall plan is to taper down to 5 mile runs. I hope Lori doesn't give her prize for the hardest workout, because you'd win. And I want to win LOL.

    Yes, you need to check out ALL the yarn shops in Austin. Otherwise, you might miss some VIY (very important yarn.) I'm glad you got your problem fixed at the meeting. You're making me want to do a mystery project. A month seems just the right amount of time to get the next step done.

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    1. VIY made me laugh - I'm hoping to find some good stuff! OK, that made me laugh - I KNOW I will find some good stuff!

      We got the next clue - it's much easier than the first round, which is good, because the width is going to double. Although I hear we will be seeing the harder "p2tog tbl" again at some point. Yikes!

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  9. Has it already been a year since Austin 2012? You are so right about those darn hills!
    You are so smart to stay near the start. Walking to the capitol was a bit chilly last year, but a fun way to see some more of the city.

    I'm so excited for Jeff to run it again this year. What a great race. Can't recommend it enough (and "seeing you" at the finish was pretty awesome too).

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    1. I got the idea of staying near the start after seeing how much you liked it!

      Can't believe it's been a year since we "met" - one of these times we'll actually have to speak! :)

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  10. Have so much fun Shelley! At least you know what to expect from last year!

    And good luck on your run, I bet looking at pretty houses will make the miles go by faster!

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  11. Hi Shelley, this is my first time visiting your blog. From what I read today, it sounds as though you work really hard at following through on your intentions - well done.

    I love how supportive you are and how much support you received in return.

    Happy Friday!

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  12. I love how you are turning the race into a mini weekend getaway! That is fun! Have a wonderful race - you trained well.

    Enjoy your hills. You need to come here and do some :D

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  13. Sounds very ambitious! Have a fun weekend!

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  14. Hope you are having a great weekend in Austin, and go go go Jeff!!!

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  15. By now Jeff has already finished: congratulations Jeff.
    Hope the 2 of you had a great weekend in Austin and that you were able to score some cool yarn.

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