Today the goal was to ride at least 10 miles because we are waiting on some crazy weather to come out way. We are under a tornado watch but I was pretty sure I could get in 10 miles. As soon as I got about a quarter mile from the apartment, the sky opened up and it started to rain. Get ready to see some crazy weather tonight!

I am at my parents this weekend for my first triathlon of the year! Tonight TJ and I went for a bike ride. We couldn't go far because it was getting dark and I dont trust drivers out here... particularly on a Friday night! Tomorrow I head out to Inside-Out Sports to get my packet for the race! Very excited!

Today's Mantra: Stay calm!

So yesterday morning we realized that our hotel is 2 blocks from where the Boston Marathon terrorist was found laying half dead in a man's boat. I jumped on Google Earth and mapped out my run for the day. I had to see this house with my own eyes. I have to say that in someways I was disappointed. Im not sure what I expected, but it was just so.... normal. It had been almost a year since the bombing and you would have never known you were on a road that was the scene of a national story. It looks like Anytown, USA. But I have to say that Im pretty sure the homeowner has a bigger boat than he did a year ago! The rest of the run was nice... I got to check out the downtown area and scope out some places dinner. (Afterwards I am totally going to Starbucks... It's right down the street from us! Thank you Starbucks app!)

It has been difficult getting used to having to rely on public transportation. Since it is the weekend, the buses are on a difference schedule and the people here continue to be rude. I am ready to go home at this point because the people are crazy and I can't take the congestion. I am however excited that the Boston Marathon is tomorrow! After spending a good chunk of time at the expo yesterday (I met Dean Karnazes!!) we are ready to call it an early night so that we can be well rested for tomorrow. We will be getting up at 5am to take a taxi to the finish area. Here goes!

Workout Summary:

Total Distance: 6.01 miles
Total Time: 1:09:17
Average Pace: 11:32 (WTF?  Oh well...)

Today's Mantra: Breathe....

Welcome to Boston! I am in town for the Boston Marathon. I am not running, but Tyler is. We arrived on Friday mid morning and it has been quite a trip so far. The hotel is more expensive than it was supposed to be, we are very far from downtown, public transportation is a nightmare, and the people are rude. That is the trip so far n a nutshell. Oh well, gotta press on! Thank goodness for Google Maps or we would be so damn lost. My training will be taking a little bit of a hit which is unfortunate because I have a race next week. I had to rearrange my week so that I could get most of my workouts in. By leaving Friday morning I am missing a key swim workout but as long as I can get to the pool for master swim on Wednesday I hope to stay on track.

Today Tyler and I ran the greenway here in Watertown. The greenway is short, but it's nice to be running somewhere else. You cross the Charles River twice and at one point you can see people in the river rowing. It immediately got me thinking about the Winklevoss brothers from the movie "The Social Network" It was really neat to see that people really take this sport seriously! It was also a nice change of scenery. Im pretty sure our greeenway in Greenville is pretty well flooded in parts. If I am ever in Boston again, this is something I would like to try out...

I am now off to spending the day at the Boston Expo and who knows what else is in store today...

Workout Summary:

Total Distance: 3.72 miles
Total Time: 40:07
Average Pace: 10:48

I really wish that picture was of my birthday cupcakes, but it is not... Today I did not run... I mean, I am 32 now so I need to give my poor body a break right?? Instead it was Starbucks and time with Tyler and Justus... and.... a new friend! Today we officially adopted a new shelter buddy. His name is Bud and he is the sweetest! Well, second to Justus, but very close! We got him from the Pitt County Animal Shelter where we volunteer. I have seen him a few times before, but something happened on Thursday where I decided that I needed him. On Friday, Tyler and I went to see if he would get along with Justus and lets just say Justus was not having it. I was upset and in tears by the time we left. I was crushed and feeling so low. On Saturday, Stephanie met me at the shelter for a retrial (haha) and Justus did much better. We took the dogs to the park where they got to lose some energy and Justus was able to lose some attitude. I took some time to decide if this was what we really wanted to do, and ultimately decided before the end of the day that Bud was coming home with me. We got to have a "trial weekend" and by Sunday we were in love with him. He loves to cuddle, and has moved in with no issues. He is even house broken. How lucky are we?? Today I went by to sign paperwork and made it official. It is very fitting that today is my birthday... a new chapter, and a new friend. I knew 2014 was going to be special!

Today's long run started out so well and then it all went to hell quick. The temperature spiked quickly and even though I was running with music (which I dont normally do) and even that got to a point where it didnt help. Agh.... I dont want to talk about it. Last run as a 31 year old... Tomorrow starts a whole new chapter!

Workout Summary:

Total Distance: 5.0 miles
Total Time: 56:14
Average Pace: 11:14 (agh, barf)

Today's Mantra: Good bye 31!

In all honestly I do not remember this workout. I am posting this very late... but at least I can post the map!




Workout Summary:

Total Distance: 10.62 miles
Total Time: 46.01
Average Pace: 13.8 mph
Top Speed:  35.5 mph (holy crap!)

I am bummed that I missed my pool workout tonight, but I have a good reason. I have been up since 4:30am to prepare for a school field trip to the North Carolina Zoo. Yes, we brought 70+ students 3 hours across the state for a once in a lifetime trip to the zoo. It was amazing! I am thankful to have the experience and I am happy these kids got to see something amazing! We arrived back at school at 6:30pm but my last student was not picked up until just after 7pm. I was so tired that all I wanted to do was go to bed. It will be days before I feel "back to normal"... Whatever that is!

Today's Mantra: Live like a kid!

Today's workout was a fartlek... I know, sounds funny, but it translates to "speed play" and it's usually a hard workout! I started out with a warmup and then did intervals that had me running fast with some recovery time in between hard efforts. I am writing this workout late, so I cannot recall the exact details of the workout. Im a slacker...

Workout Summary:

Total Distance: 4.5 miles
Total Time: 46:37
Average Pace: 10:22

Today I met Stephanie for a bike ride. We decided we need a Tour de Pitt County event! Pitt county is really beautiful if you get out of the city... We saw all sorts of farm animals and wildlife. We saw 7 deer at one point and that was pretty neat!

When we got back to her house she mentioned she wanted to walk/run a mile loop that she has from her house. I was able to keep about a ten minute mile right off the bike which still surprises me. The bike ride was about 19.4 miles and the run was 1.56 miles. Ill take it!

Tomorrow it's back to the pool!

Workout Summary - Bike
Total Distance: 19.07 miles
Total Time: 1:12:09
Average Speed: 15.9 mph
Top Speed: 20.5 mph

Workout Summary - Run
Total Distance: 2.00 miles
Total Time: 19.41
Average Pace: 9:51

Today's Mantra: Time heals... Eventually.