January 1st, 2009
First post of the new year, I feel so fresh and unfettered.
Last night was lovely, Nick and I declined a couple parties in favor of staying home and cocooning in the new year. I made a really good meal (always hit and miss with me) of roast beef with roasted vegetables. First time I’d ever made roasted vegetables or even bought a parsnip; they came out so wonderfully that it’s our new favorite way to cook veggies.
Later today is a benefit for my friend who got attacked back in mid-November. She’s really had a shitty road back so far, just got out of the hospital last week, then straight into a rehab facility for a few weeks. Great news is her eye is officially ok, she has sight in it after a second operation this week. I think she had 7 operations in all. Anyway, the benefit is at her favorite local bar/restaurant – they’re donating a large chunk of today’s sales to her recovery expenses. Very cool.
But back to the New Year and reviewing the past one: 2008 turned out to be a good year for running improvement, though a couple huge hiccups in training made it an important learning experience as well.
1. My first big sick episode (February). The bronchial/flu mess took me off running for almost 2 weeks, then another few weeks to get back up to speed. If anything like that starts to happen again, I’m getting to a doctor pronto. I could have shortened that incident bigtime had I done that.
2. My first injury (April and May). The whole ankle thing was scary on a couple levels – the fact that it hurt, but more importantly, that it took me a while to get it diagnosed properly so in the meantime I imagined all sorts of terrible things which really messed with my head. As above, if I get injured again, must get to the doc sooner. At least I found a great podiatrist out of it – apres le quack, that is.
So my hope for 2009 is a year of uninterrupted training and solid growth. What are your hopes for 2009? Anything you’d do different than last year? Any wise discoveries made in 2008? I’d love to hear, humor me and post a comment.
Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! WOOHOO!!
Posted in Running
Happy New Year, Flo!
I had a pretty good year, with two decent marathons in it, but mostly a lot of running fun with cool people.
I learned that there’s a lot to learn, but that’s part of the enjoyment. Always something new.
Ditto what Jim said.
I think I learned more in 2008 getting injured and DNS’ing my fall marathon than I did in successfully training & completing my spring marathon (did that make sense?). I really want a 5k & 26.2 PR but will sacrifice them both if I need to back off to stay uninjured.
Here’s hoping we all run 3,000 injury free miles!
i AM PRETTY SURE THAT i HEARD ON THE tv YESTERDAY AM THAT RUNNERS LIVE LONGER AND WITH LESS INJURIES THAN THEIR SEDANTARY COUNTERPARTS.
NICE – too bad this runner doesn’t type better though.
BTW – off the subject – but you all have such vast knowledge – so: Months ago Flo despaired of having a moth infestation. It is now bloody winter and my clothes are being eaten as I write. Someone had what sounded like a fab (if perhaps complicated – ?) solution. Could you post it my way – or email it to me Flo dear?
Otherwise to you all – go well – and really fast – in the new year
Jim, yeah it’s funny how much there is to learn about putting one foot in front of the other. Amazing, actually. Sounds like you had a great year.
Progman, I agree, injury puts a whole ‘nuther perspective on it. C’mon, you’re going to get a dang 5K PR this year, if you ran one for fun you’d end up with a PR. Same with the marathon, though it’s not exactly a throw-a-way PR, you’ll get it if you stay healthy, your fitness is so improved.
Tango girl, my lovely! Long time no communicado. Yes, that study’s out there, also less breast cancer for people who do strenous exercise, that’s another one that came out this year.
As for the moths, I had pantry moths which are quite different from the clothing ones. Hope someone has a tip for you, sweetie.
Hope you and your family, have a happy health, INJURY FREE, prosperous 2009!
Thanks Flyer, I enjoyed your race report. Good job! And of course, wonderful New Year wishes for you and yours, as well.
I have had pantry and clothing infestations. The pantry problem was solved by removing all food that seemed to appeal to moths (seems like a simple conclusion, but it took me forever to identify moth favorites). Now all those foods get stored in the freezer.
As for clothes, I’ve found that a cedar closet does jack shit. So don’t bother looking to cedar for your solution. Moth balls are right out because, well, everything you wear smells like moth balls. The only thing I’ve found that works is to keep my edibles in heavy duty plastic bags, folded multiple times over so the bastards can’t find their way in. It’s a pain to keep your sweaters in plastic bags (and noisy getting dressed in the morning), but that’s what works for me.
Happy New Year, all. I’m so glad to have another year of running, learning and friendship (both virtual and in the flesh) to look forward to.
Also, I’m glad to hear your friend is on the mend, Flo. I was wondering what happened there, but was a little afraid to ask.
Yay Julie, eradicating moths near and far, thanks for the info. Your job for 2009 is to keep on with those he-man running weeks of yours so that I can continue to live vicariously through you. Seriously, may this year bring the expected rewards and much more for all the hard work and miles you’re putting in.
Just saying Happy New Years! I started the year off right with a 5K race and a guiness.
Wish I would have followed suit with your willpower to stay home last night. Ugh, I will NEVER learn. I had to take the day off AGAIN from running today. Two days in one week, doesn’t usually happen. But……..I will run on Sunday now, which is usually a day off.
My goal is to listen to my body more this year. One day or a few days off is better than months off. Listen, Heidi listen!
I wish all fellow runners lots of PR’s and an injury free 2009!
My husband is joing a gym with me tomorrow, now that is scary! I usually go somewhere else, but I’m going to switch so I can accompany him. I’m so excited that is is showing some interest in actually working out. It is also only two blocks from our house, so that will be nice.
Good Luck to all the runners this year!!! I hope everyone meets their running and personal goals! Flo, I am looking forward to more great posts on your running quests. The humor that you bring makes me laugh every day. Of course, everyone at work thinks I am insane but what the heck. I am a runner so I probably am insane!!!!
This year I am going to get a 2 hour 1/2 marathon and a 4 hour marathon. I am going to run injury-free and I am going to eat healthier. Though, I too am staying away from the Kashi!!!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
Roasting vegetables is definitely the way to go! Do you like Brussels sprouts? ‘Cuz they are the BEST when roasted. If they’re small I’ll roast them whole, otherwise I cut them in half. Toss with some extra virgin olive oil, salt & pepper and roast at 425 for 20-30 minutes, or until tender and the outer leaves are browned & crispy. YUM!
Flo, The benefit sounds awesome. I really hope for better things for your friend and her family. Your paces have really picked up. I just got a chance to read back. Wow, 8:30 averages. I will be anxious to see your time in the Lehigh Half. Sounds like you have really gleened good information from your experiences. Since this running stuff is still so new I am going to stick with what has been working. I AM trying to figure out when you should start looking at the next (aggressive) goal. I hope 2009 brings awesome running and life experiences to you! Happy New Year!
Bruce, funny race, drinking and running at the same time. You’re so talented!
Heidi, great goal for the year – listening to your body more. Congrats on the new gym membership, two blocks from home is so luxurious. And yay on your man getting into the act.
Christi, your goals sound wonderful, you grab that Half and Full and show them who’s boss! 2009 promises to be a great year for PR joy, I can feel it.
Betsy (aka Marathon Freak), YES on brussel sprouts, they’re my second fave veggie behind broccoli. I will definitely be following your instructions, sounds soooo yummy.
Jackie, you’ve had a great year, missy, makes sense to stick with what works since that’s what’s reaping you the rewards. Can’t wait to hear more of your racing and training exploits throughout the year.
One more comment just to say a blanket Thank You to everybody. You guys are always so uplifting and positive and complimentary and I don’t always thank you for that outright. Love rays going your way… Bzzzz Bzzzz
Happy New Year, Flo!
I was hoping that your friend was having a better recovery, but rest assured it would have been much harder for her if she didn’t have such great friends like you (and one or more at the restaurant).
As far as looking back at 2008? Well, for me it was the Year of Marathon Training. Numbers 1 and 2. I wish I could point to exactly what allowed me to shave off that 30 minutes from the first to the second, but it’s hard to say, considering I Pfitz’d for both of them. Perhaps, like Squirrel so famously said in his “Are you afraid to be fast?” thread, it was a mental thing, and I really just needed to overcome my fear of the marathon.
Oh, and I’m a major MAJOR roasted veggie fan. If you’re into it, throwing a little bacon (chopped up) in with the veggies takes them to a whole ‘nother level. Have you roasted shallots, too?
Mmmm…bacon. Sounds like a great addition, though maybe after the weightloss fun has stabilized.
Will add shallots to the list, too. Food aside, you had a great year Barb and you have a LOT of speed in you. I’m expecting some eye-popping PRs for you in 2009, moreso that you expect yourself, because I think you’re right about the mental leash. Wonderful to hear you’re freeing yourself of that. Can’t wait to track you in Boston!
Speaking of new things in 2009, I took the plunge and started a blog. Not much to look at yet, but yes, those are my toes at the top of the page.
Mmmm… bacon (Barb is a very wise woman!)
My most recent fav is roasted cauliflower with tahini sauce. For the sauce, I roast several garlic cloves until tender (I think I used 7 of them!), then mash them up with about 1/4 cup of tahini. Add the juice of 1 small lemon and salt to taste. Then whisk in some hot water until you reach the desired consistency (I like it thicker for drizzling over veggies, but it also makes a great salad dressing, which I prefer I bit more liquidy).
Enjoy! (I could bathe in this stuff)
Congrats Jim! One of us, one of us, one of… I got to leave you your first comment.
Betsy, more yum. I haven’t gone shopping since I posted this (else I would have followed your suggestions), so yesterday I roasted asparagus and mushrooms that I already had in the fridge. Mmmmmm.
Beatcha! I should win a prize.
How did that happen? I didn’t see yours there. Ah, the time is screwed up, he must have changed the standard time after I posted.