Monday, December 22, 2008

The weekend that wasn't

Or at least wasn't anything special to report on. Wifey wimped out on our run saturday. Her mom was watching the kids, so we decided to run together outside rather than go to the gym. I planned the same 13 mile route that I ran last saturday, only we agreed to slow down, monitor the pace a little better, and for me not to run away from her.

Now she did her 18 miles last saturday on the treadmill. I still don't know how. But it was determined that she is not an outside runner. at all. So while she absolutely kicks my tail when running without going anywhere, she prefers walking outside. Actually, the first hill threw off her breathing pattern, and we slowed to walk to reestablish the pattern. and then almost never made it back to a jog. I guess I run with blinders on. I watch the traffic, sure, but I know the landmarks well enough not to be distracted by them. And wifey, as it turns out, likes to stare down the landscapes and discuss the businesses and such.

So our 13 mile route was supposed to be two loops to refill hydration in between. During one of the loops, we circle the high school twice to make the milage even out.

We made it one loop, 5.4 miles, in an hour and 16 minutes. that's pretty slow for a walking pace. I'm not trying to say anything negative here. She had a side stitch that would ramp up every time we tried to pick up the pace. That got pretty limiting. It was also raining. If it wasn't raining, it would have at least been a fun morning outside.

So we went to Atlanta, the holiday party was fine. The food was great, we got to converse with the other drunkards I work with. I had about 6 or 7 glasses of Scotch, and got me a nice little buzz going for the first time in too long. Everyone at the office was amazed at my gravitas for taking on the upcoming b2b half next year, and even more amazed that I got Stu to swim the thing too. His wife is a part owner of the company, and she is taking out more life insurance for him now. Oh, and more people than I thought were expecting me to show up with the mustache and mutton chops still intact. We did have a pretty good laugh about that.

Turns out I was too hungover sunday afternoon for my hopeful bike ride. So I got in a gym workout instead. 4 miles on the elliptical and some weights, about an hour total.

This week I've got to slam those hours out. The holiday travels are going to be crazy, all over freakin south and north carolina. So I've got to bill 5 days worth of work into the 2.5 days i will actually be able to work this week. It's going to be nuts!

12 comments:

Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point said...

awww that sucks that your wifey has trouble with outside running. a lot of people find it challenging because you cant just stop whenever you want (cause you gotta get home!!). keep working with her and i'm sure she'll learn to love the changing scenery.

Unknown said...

I'm not preggers!!! You scared me when you hint that. :)

RBR said...

Whoa. I got stuck at the point where your wife ran 18 miles on a f-ing treadmill??!!

She is either WAY hardcore or WAY insane. The longest I have made it on the treadmill is 8 miles and I thought I would blow my freaking brains out from the boredom.

Maybe dragging her out in the rain and 30 degree weather wasn't the way to make her like outdoor running. I'm just saying...

Wes said...

Running with Dee Dee was always a challenge for me. True, it ends up being more mental. Once I accepted the fact she was going to do 13-14 minute miles, it became easier. LOL...

Amy - the gazelle said...

Treadmill running makes me crazy! I much prefer running outside! Which I can't do right now, because there is so much snow & ice, and no one in this damn town owns a snow shovel (including me).

Glad you had a good time at your party! We did not party Saturday night (see above mentioned snow & ice).

teacherwoman said...

I still can't believe she was able to run out 18 miles on the thrillmill. ouch. I have and will again be doing a lot of training on the treadmill this winter/spring for the may half marathon and can barely stand doing more than 8 miles on that darn thing. Blech.

Sounds like your wifely has a wonderful support system though. I have started to increase the incline on the treadmill to simulate outdoor running as much as I can... I think it helps and it might be worth suggesting to the wifey?!

You mentioned the Beach 2 Battleship half iron...and have me thinking. However, I don't know if I will be able to do this ... just this year. I have only done 1 triathlon and that was an indoor triathlon. Don't worry though... a half iron will definitely be in my future...before turning 30.

Frayed Laces said...

6 or 7 glasses? My, my.... that is inspiring all on its own!

David said...

Man, sounds like this time of year. Plan to keep on track, and everything conspires to steal your plan away. Keep with it, though!

Ryan said...

When I heard you were going to an office party, I was sure there was going to be some genitals photocopied...but sounds pretty tame. Damn though, 6 scotches??? I would be getting touched inappropriately because I would be knocked the hell out.

Happy training!

Steve Stenzel said...

Wait... wait...

She did 18 MILES on a TREADMILL?!?! She's nuts!

Happy Holidays!!

Sarah said...

happy holidays!

Mendy said...

Sorry about last weekend! We had so much Christmas stuff to do, that the weekend slipped away from us without neither of us doing any running/cycling. Soon, very soon, k!

Merry Christmas!!