Back to "Normal"

I felt there hasn't been too much to say these past few weeks, so I haven't posted in awhile.  We're finally getting back into the swing of things after the holidays.  I feel like we're back on a schedule now, and that's pretty tough (what...you want me to work a full week??).  Good thing I had today off for another quick break.  :)

A lot of people (my husband and son, for example) like to sleep in on those days when work and school are not dictating our wake-up times.  I, personally, like to get up just a little later than I normally would (come on...I'm not going to get up at 4:15 on my day off...I'm not that weird), and enjoy doing something different than the normal routine.  I don't HAVE to immediately get dressed and go running or HAVE to put on work clothes.  I can make a cup of hot chocolate, sit and relax, or whatever before starting the day.  That, in my opinion, is the best part of a day off.  Of course, I did HAVE to go running today, if for no other reason than to work off my frustration with the Packers game yesterday.  So hard to watch!!  I had to self-medicate with this after the game.  

Yeah, I don't take these losses very well. 

Running on a day off means I can run in the daylight!  I can actually enjoy the scenery.  Some pictures from today's run:

FINALLY!  We got some snow...desperately need the moisture in this area. 

I've been running again pretty consistently for over two (2) weeks, now.  I've felt great and, for the most part, pain-free.  Right now, they're mostly shorter, slower runs.  I don't even look at my Garmin.  I do plan on working more on my speed, but I'm just trying to get back into it at this point.  Now that my mileage isn't at marathon-training distances, I have time when I finish my runs to get some ab / core work in.  HATE this!  I've never been disciplined when it came to these types of workouts, but I realize it will help with my running (and in defining creating ab muscles), so I try to work it in at least three times a week.  I've started self-torturing myself with "planks".  If you don't know what they are, keep it that way!!  They are not fun (unless you're my family who has fun watching me try to do them)!!!  I also do crunch variations and all that other stuff....blah!  

Looking at some races I might enter in the first half of the year.  I'll probably try this one (in Sacramento):

My husband is looking at maybe hand-cycling in this marathon,

the Windermere Marathon in Spokane, WA, so I might do the half there, as well.

We're waiting to see how everything pans out as far as scheduling. 

Hope everyone's new year is starting out well!  Have a great week.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  (2 Cor. 5:17)