Link to the guide for Running with Shelter Dog Volunteer Programs
Thursday, January 31, 2013
In Case You Missed It: Shelter Dog Running Guide
In case you missed it, I've been compiling the ultimate shelter dog running program guide. From PA to TX to WA, there are programs around the country to get volunteers out with adoptable shelter dogs. Sometimes the programs are unknown, sometimes they are growing a little too fast but they are out there and committed, passionate people are always needed. Know of a program? Please let me know, I'm working on networking with the individuals that coordinate programs.
Link to the guide for Running with Shelter Dog Volunteer Programs
Link to the guide for Running with Shelter Dog Volunteer Programs
Monday, January 28, 2013
Sandy Hook Elementary Memorial Virtual Half Marathon and 5K
I've been having a hard time getting outdoors to run this winter. I'm not training for anything which means I'll often blow off running or just hit the treadmill for a few miles. This weekend started a bit of the same way. I bailed on a group run on Saturday because the roads were a little snow covered and it was cold.
Several people who normally help with Miles and Mutts were interested in running the Sandy Hook Elementary Virtual Run. A low key tribute run was being put together locally for Sunday. With snow on the ground (which makes our dog running trail very difficult to use!), I decided to forego a mutt run and participate in the tribute run as well.
It was a great cause, to come together and honor those in the terrible tragedy from December. It got me out of the door and I ended up having a great time. It was a much needed change of pace.
I signed up for the 5K but ended up running 8 miles, which is neither a 5K or a half marathon. Whatever, that's how I roll these days. Hot pizza arrived shortly after I stopped so it must have all been planned accordingly.
It was a great neighborhood to run in and good company. I haven't run more than 6 or 7 miles at a time since the JFK 50 miler so I was a bit apprehensive that 13 was a good idea given my current state of running shape.
Virtual runs for the Sandy Hook Memorial run can still take place through Jan. 31st with more information here and on Facebook here.
It was a great neighborhood to run in and good company. I haven't run more than 6 or 7 miles at a time since the JFK 50 miler so I was a bit apprehensive that 13 was a good idea given my current state of running shape.
Virtual runs for the Sandy Hook Memorial run can still take place through Jan. 31st with more information here and on Facebook here.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The Dog Rant
It's obvious I love dogs. I spend time trying to get others to understand the love, recruit people to run with shelter dogs and to spread the word of rescue. I will never claim my dogs are perfectly obedient animals, they are not, but compromise and patience makes it work. Even if they aren't perfect and I'm not a perfect dog owner (no one is), I am still a responsible dog owner (and everyone can be).
I should be able to walk my leashed dog anywhere I choose and not have to deal with other people's loose dogs. Particular dogs, particular breeds are not the issue. But, I am getting quite tired of dealing with loose dogs and lazy, irresponsible owners.
In a two week period, I had the following incidents in my neighborhood:
-A loose black lab puppy runs out while walking my lab mix. My dog snaps at the puppy when it runs up on us. The puppy retreated and the owner finally realized the puppy was no longer in the yard. The owner snatched it up and looked at me like I was the problem. Yes, one of my dogs is dog aggressive but I am not going to not walk my dog. Getting him out and continuing to work on his issues, in a controlled environment, is the only thing that keeps him from getting worse. Your loose dog running around is not a controlled environment.
-A Boston terrier and pug run through electric fence while running with one of my other dogs. The only reason the people have the electric fence (hello, people, need to keep good batteries in the collars for it to work) was after we complained (ok, perhaps slightly threatened) that they needed to keep their dogs in their yard. We've had multiple, repeat issues with these dogs and the people can never 'catch' them when they run out on us.
-A golden retriever type mix runs out of electric fence while running with Hannah. This dog was not dog friendly. This was the first time she came through the fence so I would consider this an accident (I'm guessing another low battery issue) but the owners were no where around. It could have turned very ugly if I had my aggressive dog instead of my passive one. Luckily, we were able to get away and she retreated.
A funny story about this one was I walked my beagle shorty after it occurred. I wasn't going to go near that house but I saw the dog still running around the neighborhood in the distance. I picked up Kasey (she has a bad leg and cannot walk fast or far) before the dog saw us. A guy was out in his yard and gave me the strangest look as I was power walking by carrying a 35 lb. beagle. The people in my neighborhood already think I'm nuts between all the running and dog walking so this was just icing on a cake.
-While doing a long run, two small terriers run out from a house a few miles into our run. They've run with me before but always turned around to head back home after no more than a mile. I thought they would do the same this time. Three miles later, both dogs were still with us and had an encounter with a loose husky somewhere in there. Surprisingly the husky seemed to stop coming towards them after I yelled. Six miles later one dog finally left us but the other was still going strong and we ended our loop on a fairly busy road. We arrived back at the house and officially had a new running partner. Instead of doing an alternate loop for the second half of our long run, we put a leash on this dog and were going to run him home and repeat the same loop. About 50 yards away from his house, the owners pulled up beside us in a vehicle and claimed the dog. The other arrived home safely but Rascal went for an eight mile run with us. I'm happy both arrived home safely but really wanted to ask why the owners were idiots who just let their dogs run loose when it was obvious that won't stay in their own yard?
The above all happened within 2 weeks. This happens all the time with all different dogs. What I often wonder is if people fail to realize that even if their own dog is friendly and can just run around the neighborhood loose and fancy free, not all others dogs are friendly. This is why there are leash laws. Maybe when they have to break up a dog fight or their own dog is seriously injured, they'll understand but probably not. It comes down to laziness and irresponsibility.
I'm fortunate that none of the incidents I've had resulted in major issues but also admit that one of my dogs has gotten in altercations with other dogs three times. They are not pleasant to witness or attempt to break up. I've also been bitten (none severe but enough to leave scars) three separate times by my own dog trying to avoid an altercation with another dog.
Beyond my own neighborhood, I've had dozens of dogs run out at me while doing long runs. I'm not easily intimated by dogs of any shape or size but these situations are increasingly frustrating when it all comes back to the owner, not the dog, who is the problem. Luckily, none of the incidents involved aggressive dogs but there were a few where I feel if a person was not familiar with how to act around a dog or seemed scared and intimated, they may have been bitten.
Dogs are dogs. If they see a person running or another dog, they are not going to stay in their yard, especially if no one is around to attempt to prevent it.
Why do so many dog owners seem to have a problem understanding this very simple concept?
Any dog horror stories?
I should be able to walk my leashed dog anywhere I choose and not have to deal with other people's loose dogs. Particular dogs, particular breeds are not the issue. But, I am getting quite tired of dealing with loose dogs and lazy, irresponsible owners.
In a two week period, I had the following incidents in my neighborhood:
-A loose black lab puppy runs out while walking my lab mix. My dog snaps at the puppy when it runs up on us. The puppy retreated and the owner finally realized the puppy was no longer in the yard. The owner snatched it up and looked at me like I was the problem. Yes, one of my dogs is dog aggressive but I am not going to not walk my dog. Getting him out and continuing to work on his issues, in a controlled environment, is the only thing that keeps him from getting worse. Your loose dog running around is not a controlled environment.
 |
| He's an angel...unless there's another dog around. |
-A Boston terrier and pug run through electric fence while running with one of my other dogs. The only reason the people have the electric fence (hello, people, need to keep good batteries in the collars for it to work) was after we complained (ok, perhaps slightly threatened) that they needed to keep their dogs in their yard. We've had multiple, repeat issues with these dogs and the people can never 'catch' them when they run out on us.
-A golden retriever type mix runs out of electric fence while running with Hannah. This dog was not dog friendly. This was the first time she came through the fence so I would consider this an accident (I'm guessing another low battery issue) but the owners were no where around. It could have turned very ugly if I had my aggressive dog instead of my passive one. Luckily, we were able to get away and she retreated.
A funny story about this one was I walked my beagle shorty after it occurred. I wasn't going to go near that house but I saw the dog still running around the neighborhood in the distance. I picked up Kasey (she has a bad leg and cannot walk fast or far) before the dog saw us. A guy was out in his yard and gave me the strangest look as I was power walking by carrying a 35 lb. beagle. The people in my neighborhood already think I'm nuts between all the running and dog walking so this was just icing on a cake.
 |
| My lazy one |
-While doing a long run, two small terriers run out from a house a few miles into our run. They've run with me before but always turned around to head back home after no more than a mile. I thought they would do the same this time. Three miles later, both dogs were still with us and had an encounter with a loose husky somewhere in there. Surprisingly the husky seemed to stop coming towards them after I yelled. Six miles later one dog finally left us but the other was still going strong and we ended our loop on a fairly busy road. We arrived back at the house and officially had a new running partner. Instead of doing an alternate loop for the second half of our long run, we put a leash on this dog and were going to run him home and repeat the same loop. About 50 yards away from his house, the owners pulled up beside us in a vehicle and claimed the dog. The other arrived home safely but Rascal went for an eight mile run with us. I'm happy both arrived home safely but really wanted to ask why the owners were idiots who just let their dogs run loose when it was obvious that won't stay in their own yard?
 |
| The structure in the background is called a fence. It allows the dogs to run around but still stay in the yard. |
The above all happened within 2 weeks. This happens all the time with all different dogs. What I often wonder is if people fail to realize that even if their own dog is friendly and can just run around the neighborhood loose and fancy free, not all others dogs are friendly. This is why there are leash laws. Maybe when they have to break up a dog fight or their own dog is seriously injured, they'll understand but probably not. It comes down to laziness and irresponsibility.
I'm fortunate that none of the incidents I've had resulted in major issues but also admit that one of my dogs has gotten in altercations with other dogs three times. They are not pleasant to witness or attempt to break up. I've also been bitten (none severe but enough to leave scars) three separate times by my own dog trying to avoid an altercation with another dog.
Beyond my own neighborhood, I've had dozens of dogs run out at me while doing long runs. I'm not easily intimated by dogs of any shape or size but these situations are increasingly frustrating when it all comes back to the owner, not the dog, who is the problem. Luckily, none of the incidents involved aggressive dogs but there were a few where I feel if a person was not familiar with how to act around a dog or seemed scared and intimated, they may have been bitten.
Dogs are dogs. If they see a person running or another dog, they are not going to stay in their yard, especially if no one is around to attempt to prevent it.
Why do so many dog owners seem to have a problem understanding this very simple concept?
Any dog horror stories?
Monday, January 14, 2013
Discoveries at Eat, Sleep, Run, Grow
Over the summer, I received a text message from a friend indicating she just read a book that took all the thoughts we'd previously discussed and brought them together. My friend, Brenda, wanted to put together an event targeted to women. It was a great idea so she loaned me the book. Run Like a Girl is a quick read (I will admit I got a little bored towards the end though) and I agreed, it fit perfectly with the concept she was trying to target.
I've been involved in little slivers of the preparation for the Eat, Sleep, Run, Grow event all along. I didn't know the back story on why this event was extremely important until the work was in place to gain the first speaker. Read the website to understand why.
This weekend, it all came together. Brenda (and several others) put her heart, soul, countless hours and endless energy into this event and all along the way, it seemed to keep getting bigger and more involved.
I spent a good chunk of Friday afternoon and evening at the venue with a crew of people stuffing event bags, putting up signs and even chopping up some kiwi for the fruit salsa. I headed home that evening and knew it was going to be a fantastic event. Although attendance numbers were lower than we ultimately wanted, everything else was pulled together even with a few last minute hitches.
I was in charge of registration so I was there early for setup and spent some time back and forth with my table for Miles and Mutts to spread the word to some new people.
After the speakers, demos and vendors, there was a Chi running workshop. I skipped out on the workshop (thought I'm sure it was wonderful) to help tear down and clean up. Also, I was pretty tired! It had been a long two days. Brenda and I had a quick chat about the day and what we thought went well and what our favorite parts were. Judging on the feedback we received from others, it seems what I personally took away from the day and found the most meaningful was quite different from the majority.
When I finally had a chance to process my thoughts on the way home, it all fell into place on why.
EAT
Everything in the event was great but the presentation I found the least impressive and didn't leave me with thoughts swirling in my head, was the Empowered Eating presentation. However, Diane Carbonell, author of 150 Pounds Gone Forever and blogger at Fit To The Finish seemed to come across to many others as the highlight of the day and the best of the three main, featured speakers.
Her story is certainly inspiring and impressive. A woman who gained a large amount of weight, had the turning point (hers was a moment on the scale at a doctor's office), committed to a lifestyle change for life to eat healthy, in moderation and incorporate exercise in a completely realistic, effective way.
I suppose the reason this presentation left me underwhelmed was it's a story I've heard so many times before. It's also my story, I've been there, I've done that to some extent. While I never had a huge amount of weight to lose, I was overweight by 50+ pounds. 2002/2003 was my highest weight and I was puffy to say the least. Holding this kitten, I looked more like I was eyeing him up as a snack.
In the winter of 2003, I had my turning point. It happened while shopping in a department store and I decided that day, I would get rid of the weight for real, for good and make the change - not the half-ass 'change' I'd tried before, the real change. It was also time to be happy. While I won't say it was easy, I can't say it was that hard either.
I tracked what I ate loosely but really just learned about portion sizes, calories, fat content and basic overall nutrition. I started exercising moderately, though always in the privacy of my own home, it would be far too embarrassing to be in the presence of others. It worked because I actually committed to it, changing my mindset and slowly the weight came off over the course of a year to where I've maintained what I am today.
While that process has led me to where I am today, the process was still about losing the weight. I exercised to burn calories for several years. Exercise was OK but I can't say it really did anything for my mind other than giving me the peace to know it helped in my prevention of becoming fat again. I had a more confidence but I was still the shy girl I always was.
SLEEP
Where I am today is someone who is running herself a little ragged because I have too many ideas in my head and too much I want to do, personally and professionally. Sometimes I have difficulty accepting that I cannot do absolutely everything I want at this exact moment. I'm constantly thinking the grass is always greener on the other side and want to do more, go bigger, and test my limits. Over the past few years where I found my love for running, I have gained a confidence in knowing that basically anything is possible and at times, I think this has created a monster. Running a 50 miler sounds like a good idea, I know I can do it if I put in the work so I'll sign up for a 50 mile race. With the things I want, I go full force yet with other things I may not want, I fight with pretty strong resistance. This is where I struggle in my professional life currently. I am basically fighting with it constantly because there is so much outside of work that I want.
Therefore, the presentation from Eat, Sleep, Run, Grow where I felt I took the most away was Mina Samuels' discussion on balance.
RUN
I fell in love with the sport of running for 2 reasons.
First, I was reeled in by the concept of goal and accomplishment. Running my first 5 mile race that felt so incredibly difficult is what really, really hooked me. That was the furthest I'd ever run and I survived and actually felt I achieved something greater than burning calories. I pushed myself in a different way and I liked it. Exercise finally had a purpose beyond a calorie burn and cloud nine felt pretty freaking fantastic.
From there, I continued to push my limits and kept going further and further. With each one, I thought that was it, I couldn't push myself any more. Yet, each time, I could and realized it was my mind controlling much of the process. Suddenly, everything clicked.
Along the way, I discovered something else and the second reason I love running. It's the euphoric state I find when hitting the road or a trail, getting lost in my own thoughts, dreaming and feeling calm and at peace, something I often struggle with when not in motion. I suppose that's why I also greatly enjoyed Robyn Humphrey's presentation of Moving Meditation.
GROW
I walked a way from the event with a sense that I can find a way to balance my current pursuits better than I have been. After being majorly burnt out at the end of 2012, I am happy to say running and I are getting along again in 2013 and running can help keep me balanced if I do not let it take over. While I'm loosely tracking the miles I'm running in 2013, I haven't updated a spreadsheet and I can't tell you how many miles I ran last week. I can't tell you the last time I turned on my Garmin either. I can say that Cinnamon (one of the M&M dogs) and I had a wonderful run yesterday and I was smiling the entire time. The idea of Eat, Sleep, Run, Grow means something to me yet something entirely different to someone else but I believe we can all learn the most from the topic of 'Grow'.
What would Eat, Sleep, Run, Grow mean to you?
I've been involved in little slivers of the preparation for the Eat, Sleep, Run, Grow event all along. I didn't know the back story on why this event was extremely important until the work was in place to gain the first speaker. Read the website to understand why.
This weekend, it all came together. Brenda (and several others) put her heart, soul, countless hours and endless energy into this event and all along the way, it seemed to keep getting bigger and more involved.
I spent a good chunk of Friday afternoon and evening at the venue with a crew of people stuffing event bags, putting up signs and even chopping up some kiwi for the fruit salsa. I headed home that evening and knew it was going to be a fantastic event. Although attendance numbers were lower than we ultimately wanted, everything else was pulled together even with a few last minute hitches.
I was in charge of registration so I was there early for setup and spent some time back and forth with my table for Miles and Mutts to spread the word to some new people.
After the speakers, demos and vendors, there was a Chi running workshop. I skipped out on the workshop (thought I'm sure it was wonderful) to help tear down and clean up. Also, I was pretty tired! It had been a long two days. Brenda and I had a quick chat about the day and what we thought went well and what our favorite parts were. Judging on the feedback we received from others, it seems what I personally took away from the day and found the most meaningful was quite different from the majority.
When I finally had a chance to process my thoughts on the way home, it all fell into place on why.
EAT
Everything in the event was great but the presentation I found the least impressive and didn't leave me with thoughts swirling in my head, was the Empowered Eating presentation. However, Diane Carbonell, author of 150 Pounds Gone Forever and blogger at Fit To The Finish seemed to come across to many others as the highlight of the day and the best of the three main, featured speakers.
Her story is certainly inspiring and impressive. A woman who gained a large amount of weight, had the turning point (hers was a moment on the scale at a doctor's office), committed to a lifestyle change for life to eat healthy, in moderation and incorporate exercise in a completely realistic, effective way.
I suppose the reason this presentation left me underwhelmed was it's a story I've heard so many times before. It's also my story, I've been there, I've done that to some extent. While I never had a huge amount of weight to lose, I was overweight by 50+ pounds. 2002/2003 was my highest weight and I was puffy to say the least. Holding this kitten, I looked more like I was eyeing him up as a snack.
In the winter of 2003, I had my turning point. It happened while shopping in a department store and I decided that day, I would get rid of the weight for real, for good and make the change - not the half-ass 'change' I'd tried before, the real change. It was also time to be happy. While I won't say it was easy, I can't say it was that hard either.
I tracked what I ate loosely but really just learned about portion sizes, calories, fat content and basic overall nutrition. I started exercising moderately, though always in the privacy of my own home, it would be far too embarrassing to be in the presence of others. It worked because I actually committed to it, changing my mindset and slowly the weight came off over the course of a year to where I've maintained what I am today.
While that process has led me to where I am today, the process was still about losing the weight. I exercised to burn calories for several years. Exercise was OK but I can't say it really did anything for my mind other than giving me the peace to know it helped in my prevention of becoming fat again. I had a more confidence but I was still the shy girl I always was.
SLEEP
Where I am today is someone who is running herself a little ragged because I have too many ideas in my head and too much I want to do, personally and professionally. Sometimes I have difficulty accepting that I cannot do absolutely everything I want at this exact moment. I'm constantly thinking the grass is always greener on the other side and want to do more, go bigger, and test my limits. Over the past few years where I found my love for running, I have gained a confidence in knowing that basically anything is possible and at times, I think this has created a monster. Running a 50 miler sounds like a good idea, I know I can do it if I put in the work so I'll sign up for a 50 mile race. With the things I want, I go full force yet with other things I may not want, I fight with pretty strong resistance. This is where I struggle in my professional life currently. I am basically fighting with it constantly because there is so much outside of work that I want.
Therefore, the presentation from Eat, Sleep, Run, Grow where I felt I took the most away was Mina Samuels' discussion on balance.
RUN
I fell in love with the sport of running for 2 reasons.
First, I was reeled in by the concept of goal and accomplishment. Running my first 5 mile race that felt so incredibly difficult is what really, really hooked me. That was the furthest I'd ever run and I survived and actually felt I achieved something greater than burning calories. I pushed myself in a different way and I liked it. Exercise finally had a purpose beyond a calorie burn and cloud nine felt pretty freaking fantastic.
 |
| First 5 miler - overdressed for winter running and lots of cotton, the horror! |
Along the way, I discovered something else and the second reason I love running. It's the euphoric state I find when hitting the road or a trail, getting lost in my own thoughts, dreaming and feeling calm and at peace, something I often struggle with when not in motion. I suppose that's why I also greatly enjoyed Robyn Humphrey's presentation of Moving Meditation.
GROW
I walked a way from the event with a sense that I can find a way to balance my current pursuits better than I have been. After being majorly burnt out at the end of 2012, I am happy to say running and I are getting along again in 2013 and running can help keep me balanced if I do not let it take over. While I'm loosely tracking the miles I'm running in 2013, I haven't updated a spreadsheet and I can't tell you how many miles I ran last week. I can't tell you the last time I turned on my Garmin either. I can say that Cinnamon (one of the M&M dogs) and I had a wonderful run yesterday and I was smiling the entire time. The idea of Eat, Sleep, Run, Grow means something to me yet something entirely different to someone else but I believe we can all learn the most from the topic of 'Grow'.
What would Eat, Sleep, Run, Grow mean to you?
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Medal Upgrade
For Christmas, my husband built a new shelf in my office to hold race medals, pictures and other race stuff. This blog is all me all the time, however, it wasn't enough. I needed a shrine to myself.
Behold:
He wanted to put framed pictures across the top. I put a few up there but it's just really weird to have a bunch of pictures of myself around so there won't be any more. Sort of odd since all I do on here is talk about myself and post pictures of myself, isn't it?
This setup is a definite upgrade from my previous medal display. It was classy. I had an old school bulletin board that I had spray painted black and all the medals hung on the right side of the board. It was getting to the point where it had a bit of a lean to it. And, yes, that's a picture of a cat on the bulletin board too. My office is classy. It is part childhood room decor and part kennel but slowly being upgraded to fit more with the rest of our house.
I chose two race bibs to put in the frames. One of the first questions Kevin asked was why I didn't put the JFK one up there. It's the one big race he went to, from start to finish, and the longest I've run but my answer was simple. I'm not proud of that race.
On the other hand, looking back at those medals as I put them on the new hooks, I realized I only really have memories attached to a couple of them and it's not just the 'good' or 'fun' races. It's the worst of the worst and the best of the best. That's where the memories reside. My first marathon as a high point. my worst half marathon which greatly humbled me. There's Highlands Sky (no medal related to that but the bib is one of the ones on top) and then then another low at JFK 50 where I definitely learned a lot about myself. So, I guess I'll take the good with the bad and remember them all for what they were and learn from the journey as a whole.
Behold:
He wanted to put framed pictures across the top. I put a few up there but it's just really weird to have a bunch of pictures of myself around so there won't be any more. Sort of odd since all I do on here is talk about myself and post pictures of myself, isn't it?
This setup is a definite upgrade from my previous medal display. It was classy. I had an old school bulletin board that I had spray painted black and all the medals hung on the right side of the board. It was getting to the point where it had a bit of a lean to it. And, yes, that's a picture of a cat on the bulletin board too. My office is classy. It is part childhood room decor and part kennel but slowly being upgraded to fit more with the rest of our house.
I chose two race bibs to put in the frames. One of the first questions Kevin asked was why I didn't put the JFK one up there. It's the one big race he went to, from start to finish, and the longest I've run but my answer was simple. I'm not proud of that race.
On the other hand, looking back at those medals as I put them on the new hooks, I realized I only really have memories attached to a couple of them and it's not just the 'good' or 'fun' races. It's the worst of the worst and the best of the best. That's where the memories reside. My first marathon as a high point. my worst half marathon which greatly humbled me. There's Highlands Sky (no medal related to that but the bib is one of the ones on top) and then then another low at JFK 50 where I definitely learned a lot about myself. So, I guess I'll take the good with the bad and remember them all for what they were and learn from the journey as a whole.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Eat Sleep Run Grow
Live within driving distance to Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA? There's a great event happening this Saturday that I'm thrilled to be part of with some very close friends, Eat Sleep Run Grow.
Many of us have the idea that we can save the world one small piece at a time and will do our part to spend our lives chipping away at that idea little by little. We want to do something with our lives that is meaningful and help others. That's the purpose of this event. Inspire one person to find whatever it is that can help them with their confidence. For me, it was running, but there are many other activities out there that can do the same thing.
National speakers, including Mina Samuels, author of 'Run Like a Girl', Diane Carbonell, author of '150 Pounds Gone Forever', and Robyn Humphrey of Zen Impact Fitness will be doing presentations. There will also be demos of Zumba, yoga, self defense and a cooking panel. Additionally, many local healthy living vendors will be at the expo.
The expo is where I'll be along with helping with setup the night before, running registration and running around everyone in between to make this day great.
I spent some time this weekend getting some final things together for the Miles and Mutts table for the event Most of my evenings this week will be spent doing more preparations.
Like both Eat Sleep Run Grow on Facebook and Miles and Mutts on Facebook.
National speakers, including Mina Samuels, author of 'Run Like a Girl', Diane Carbonell, author of '150 Pounds Gone Forever', and Robyn Humphrey of Zen Impact Fitness will be doing presentations. There will also be demos of Zumba, yoga, self defense and a cooking panel. Additionally, many local healthy living vendors will be at the expo.
The expo is where I'll be along with helping with setup the night before, running registration and running around everyone in between to make this day great.
I spent some time this weekend getting some final things together for the Miles and Mutts table for the event Most of my evenings this week will be spent doing more preparations.
Like both Eat Sleep Run Grow on Facebook and Miles and Mutts on Facebook.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Lack of Plans for the New Year
It's the new year. Every blog you read is full of all the new goals and plans for the year and normally I'd have my whole year planned out as well. However, for the first time since getting hooked on running in 2010, I do not have an entire map. I've signed up for zero races. I've let multiple 'early-registration' deadlines of 'maybe' races slip by me.
I may run a marathon in the spring, I probably won't. I'll probably run a half-marathon or two, I might not.
For 2013, there's only one the schedule right now. I'll register for the Baltimore marathon in the very near future. Why Baltimore? Anyone who has read this blog long enough knows that large, city races aren't my thing but there's a good reason.
Shortly after Baltimore last year, my husband came home one day and said he wanted to run the Baltimore half marathon as his first half-marathon. He wanted a long term goal (he's run several 5Ks and one 5 miler) so enter the fall 2013 plan. He still won't run with me but Baltimore half for him and Baltimore marathon for me is the plan.
For 2012, I met my final 2012 miles in 2012 goal I mentioned in December, but the last miles were anything but exciting. Most of them were on the treadmill and were just to run miles for the numbers and get a sweat going.
I was much stronger in the first half of 2012 compared to the second when I stupidly switched to all running all the time. Coincidentally, that's always when things started to go downhill in preparing for fall races. I'm pretty sure there's a lesson in there so I'm getting back into a routine that isn't running all the time. I also gained weight when I switched to my all running all the time routine. Again, maybe another lesson in there. Or, maybe I just need to keep my head out of the pantry. Kasey needs to learn that particular lesson:
The other reason for a lack of 2013 plan is to be able to dedicate more time to Miles and Mutts. The goal for 2013 is to double the dogs, volunteers and miles.
By the end of the year in 2012, 20 runners covered 673 miles with 26 dogs. 9 of the dogs in our running pack were adopted. So, for the mathematically challenged, next year we'll aim for 50+ dogs, 40+ runners and at least 1400 miles. To do this means more time dedicated to it. More time to be available, more time to schedule, more time to plan ways to get people out there.
Since running a whole bunch of miles just for myself takes time, the mutts stuff happens mostly on the weekends and races occur on the weekends, well, planning a bunch of races to run has taken a back seat. Either that, or find a way to get rid of my pesky job. Somehow, I do not foresee that happening.
Of course, I can't say there aren't a few things going on in my head as far as fitness goals so I have something to track. I'll still aim for the following:
-Run at least 1000 miles
-PR in the half
-PR in the marathon
-Increase the ratio of dog running miles to solo miles (in 2012, 536 of the 2012 miles I ran had a dog by my side).
-Do some sort of cross-training/non-running workout at least 2x/week
I may run a marathon in the spring, I probably won't. I'll probably run a half-marathon or two, I might not.
For 2013, there's only one the schedule right now. I'll register for the Baltimore marathon in the very near future. Why Baltimore? Anyone who has read this blog long enough knows that large, city races aren't my thing but there's a good reason.
Shortly after Baltimore last year, my husband came home one day and said he wanted to run the Baltimore half marathon as his first half-marathon. He wanted a long term goal (he's run several 5Ks and one 5 miler) so enter the fall 2013 plan. He still won't run with me but Baltimore half for him and Baltimore marathon for me is the plan.
For 2012, I met my final 2012 miles in 2012 goal I mentioned in December, but the last miles were anything but exciting. Most of them were on the treadmill and were just to run miles for the numbers and get a sweat going.
I was much stronger in the first half of 2012 compared to the second when I stupidly switched to all running all the time. Coincidentally, that's always when things started to go downhill in preparing for fall races. I'm pretty sure there's a lesson in there so I'm getting back into a routine that isn't running all the time. I also gained weight when I switched to my all running all the time routine. Again, maybe another lesson in there. Or, maybe I just need to keep my head out of the pantry. Kasey needs to learn that particular lesson:
The other reason for a lack of 2013 plan is to be able to dedicate more time to Miles and Mutts. The goal for 2013 is to double the dogs, volunteers and miles.
By the end of the year in 2012, 20 runners covered 673 miles with 26 dogs. 9 of the dogs in our running pack were adopted. So, for the mathematically challenged, next year we'll aim for 50+ dogs, 40+ runners and at least 1400 miles. To do this means more time dedicated to it. More time to be available, more time to schedule, more time to plan ways to get people out there.
Since running a whole bunch of miles just for myself takes time, the mutts stuff happens mostly on the weekends and races occur on the weekends, well, planning a bunch of races to run has taken a back seat. Either that, or find a way to get rid of my pesky job. Somehow, I do not foresee that happening.
Of course, I can't say there aren't a few things going on in my head as far as fitness goals so I have something to track. I'll still aim for the following:
-Run at least 1000 miles
-PR in the half
-PR in the marathon
-Increase the ratio of dog running miles to solo miles (in 2012, 536 of the 2012 miles I ran had a dog by my side).
-Do some sort of cross-training/non-running workout at least 2x/week
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