Life in the Slow Lane

I suppose something about my life should force me to slow down; I just wish it wasn't running. As I have been trying to add mileage, my foot is giving me trouble again. A little over a week ago I was ready to give up and just not run anymore. But then something happened. I took a week off and the foot felt better. So, on Wednesday afternoon, I did a short slow run of 2 miles. Foot felt fine. So today I did a short show run of 2.5 miles. Foot is a little sore, but I would be willing to bet tomorrow it will feel fine. In between, I am riding my bike on Dan's new bike trainer, which rocks, by the way.

Anyway, as I was running today, I was thinking about what I've learned from this stupid plantar fasciitis thing. I have learned to slow it down. I'm not that fast anyway, so I might as well slow down if that is what will prevent injury. What difference does it make if I am running a 9 minute mile or an 11 minute mile? Nobody cares but me, and if they do, they don't have enough going on in their own lives.

So, I am slowing down, and I am enjoying the runs more again. Running only 2-3 times per week is also making me appreciate the runs more. Today was beautiful! Sunny and in the high 40s. Perfect running weather (ok, I would have liked warmer, but I'm not going to complain considering the winter we have had).

I am still planning on Pikes this year, but I am not going to push the speed. It isn't helping me and it's making my foot worse anyway. I am going to slow down and enjoy the run!

Happy trails!

Changes

So our whole itinerary for Spain has changed since the last time I blogged. We decided that we were trying to do too much, I decided the Pyrenees weren't as necessary as I thought, and mom decided she really wants to see Paris. So, here is the new plan.

Day 1 Arrive in Madrid/ Alcala de Henares
Day 2 Madrid/ Alcala
Day 3 Fly to Barcelona
Day 4 Barcelona
Day 5 Barcelona
Day 6 Fly to Paris
Day 7 Paris
Day 8 Paris
Day 9 back to Madrid
Day 10 Go home!

I am completely obsessed with Barcelona at this point. I am especially obsessed with all of the Gaudi architecture we are going to see. To check out some of it, click here and here. I am fascinated by Casa Battlo, which is going to be within walking distance of our hotel!!! Paris will definitely be cool too, but I just feel like Barcelona is my kind of city. We have all of our flights booked and accommodation booked in both Alcala and Barcelona. Paris is almost booked... we are staying in an apartment rather than a hotel there and we are just waiting to hear back from the owner. It's a place my friend stayed in, so I know it will be perfect! It is literally 1 block from the Louvre, so I really hope it works out.

Update

Me = So lame about blogging lately.

I just haven't had any time. I am now into my second admin class. I really like this one so far. It is about student conduct. If you know me at all, you know I am fascinated with behavior so it's a good one for me to be in. Right now, I am geeking out on Colorado student conduct law for a paper I have due tomorrow. I need to focus and just get it done.

Noah and Dan and Japhy are still wonderful. Dan really helps out when I have to work on school stuff and Noah is really a constant joy! Today he showed me the sign language for "beautiful," and after I praised him for it, he said, "because you are beautiful, Mommy." I had tears in my eyes....

Work is calming down. We have been down 4 people for about 2 months now which means more work for everyone. But we only have one more position to fill at this point, so things are getting much better. I got to be on the interview committee for 2 of the positions, which was a good experience for me. I did that a few times at my previous job, but it is good experience for whatever my next move might be.

My foot is getting better too. I am finally at 3 miles, 3 times per week. That may not sound like much, but I could barely run a mile 2 months ago without my foot feeling like I wanted to cut it off, so I am happy with that. One of Noah's friend's moms (who is a serious runner... like she has done Pikes 4 times) suggested that I do the St. Patrick's 7K in Denver with her, and I am considering it. I am so excited to be able to run races again, but let's face it, I've lost some fitness. The good news is that I've been watching what I eat, and I am down 5 lbs. since New Years (I had gained a little), so that should lessen the pounding my foot is taking.

Planning to Spain trip had gotten to be too stressful for me, so I let it go for a while. We have our plane tickets, so one way or another, we will be there! :)

That's all for now! Yay, Olympics are on! Go US!!!

Finally an Itinerary!!!

I think we finally have our itinerary for our trip to see Amanda! It will probably look something like this:

Day 1: Alcala de Henares/ Madrid, Spain
Day 2: Alcala de henares/ Madrid
Day 3: Barcelona, Spain
Day 4: Barcelona
Day 5: The Pyrenees (and I am going hiking, yeah!), Spain, and maybe over the border into France since one of the hotels we are considering is only 8 miles from the border
Day 6: The Pyrenees
Day 7: Rome, Italy
Day 8: Rome, Italy
Day 9: Madrid
Day 10: Return home

I can't wait!!!

Bone Tired

I am that ridiculous kind of tired today where your whole body just hurts, ya know? But it was worth it. Dan took me to Boulder for the KU-CU game last night. It was great! We dropped Noah off with my friend Kristi and then drove to Boulder for some sushi (and sake for me!). Then we parked and walked over to the stadium. It was nuts and there were tons of Jayhawk fans there, some with signs that said things like "Welcome to Allen Field House West." I was so freakin' excited to be there.

The game started off great, with KU leading by lots. But by halftime, CU was challenging their lead. In the second half, they closed the gap and with one minute to go, CU actually took the lead. I was freaking out. There was no reason that the #1 team in the country was having such a hard time with the third to lowest ranked team in the Big 12. I think it was kind of a "let down" game after struggling with #13 K-State in Manhattan last weekend. And they were pretty clearly struggling with the altitude, especially Aldrich.

Anyway, at the end of regulation it was tied, and then KU got it together in overtime and won! It was so much fun and so great to be able to see the Jayhawks in person. Thanks Dan! Best present ever!!!

One Down, Eleven to Go

I am done with my first course towards my degree in Educational Administration. That means I have 11 left. I can't wait to have it all done. Should be just over a year, especially if I double up on classes this summer. My next class starts Sunday which means no homework for a whole week!!!