brief training update

But at least it's an actual training update. We wrapped up all of the holiday stuff yesterday with great fanfare and returned home to Raleigh. The highlight was after stopping for dinner at Cracker Barrel on the drive home, Ella finished her meal with the announcement that "I'm full" and threw a biscuit randomly. Then in the car, before we even got back on the highway, she asked for a snack! You just finished dinner 30 seconds ago child. I don't think so.

I had today off of work as well though, so it was really nice to have the day to regroup, clean up some, and get in a nice run. Umstead 100 training is going pretty well. I took some rest time this month but I'm still getting plenty of miles in. My left hip and right knee are still inflamed and problematic, this is the same problem that sidelined me in the spring so I think I need to seek some help with my running mechanics to fix that. Got any recommendations? I think I also need a referral for a nutritionist. Carrying way too much body fat, even for the offseason.

Today I got out on the roads for an easy 10 miler to the Capital and back. It was smooth, felt great, and had pretty good conditions. It was raining all morning so I needed to stick to the roads. There was some construction going on downtown so traffic was problematic and I had to go a few blocks out of the way. So the graphic above isn't quite accurate, it was coffee run beer. But overall this was a quality day of training and I feel ready to go for it again tomorrow.

Holidays Approacheth

Believe it or not, I do still have some actual health/nutrition/training content rolling around in my head. Eventually it will make it out of there. But until then it's only pictures of my family and our strange and holiday activities.

First came thanksgiving! That's how far behind I am, haven't even posted thanksgiving pictures yet. We had a fun but whirlwind road trip, first to Neena's house at the lake then to Saluda for turkey with Kelley's family. Then off to Greenville for a few nights with my folks, and I didn't get any pictures there. Then we made it back to Raleigh in time to get together for more turkey with Kelley's dad's family on that Sunday afternoon.  Roll 'em!

The rare Kaileigh and Matt sighting

K photobombing us

Shirley said she hates seeing her picture show up online, so....

We also had the Holiday Express again this year already at Pullen Park. This time, it was quite obvious that our kids were the oldest ones there. They still had a good time, and we got some good shots, but I thought it was hilarious that nobody else was even close to their age.

Evil Genius meets Reindeer

So glad to have a beard again, it was cold out there

On the trail with Ella

All four of us riding the train

love this one

they are my idiots

So with all of that holiday fun, how could we not be ready for a great exciting Christmas season? We're ready. This is going to be great.

November Rain

Actually November was a lot of fun this year! Here's the breakdown

Swim: 4400 yards, 2 swims
Bike: nada, goose egg
Run: 162.2 miles, 18 runs, 1 Marathon
Strength: 4 times
Yoga: 10 times

Actually, I thought I swam more than twice. Hard swim or triathlon training is not as important right now, as the 100 miler training plan is in full swing. In fact, I think 162 miles is a new record for me! One of my goals for the year is to get in a 170 mile month, and it looks like that's going to be December. So close this time! I did enjoy a great week in the hot yoga studio as well as plenty of time on the mat at home, but I could always use more yoga time.

I really stuck with the 100 training plan very closely until the weekend before thanksgiving. A cold hit my sinuses pretty hard, and the planned 14 miler that sunday turned into only 2 miles. Then over the holiday I missed two more runs. But overall the plan is working out really well, I feel great now, and knocking down the plan feels like I'm really actually going to be prepared for the Umstead 100.

The one marathon I did in November was the Lower Potomac River Run in Maryland. Great race, tons of fun, nice trail. Lots of other good stuff going on too. The kids took a karate class and loved it, we got to visit my family in SC and had a wonderful time (Thanksgiving post still to come).

The bad is still with my weight. I'm still about 10 lbs heavier than I should be for this much training and it is going to catch up to me eventually. But after turning 40 the pounds just don't shake off like they used to. ugh.  I'll figure it out eventually.

Spike playing video games on Ella's head

silly bearded dragon

Ready to chop stuff

Family picture with Santa

They got balloon animals! A princess crown and a pirate sword that looks like a brown penis

And for the record, we did get a ton of rain this November in NC.