1635 - I am excited to go to Yoga tonight.  Even though I am a little sore from Saturday, I feel very flexible today...overall my flexibility has really improved.  Even when I'm not in Yoga, I can forward fold with my legs locked and put my palms on the ground.  I couldn't even get the tips of my fingers past my toes 4 months ago.  I'm happy about this.  I think the increased flexibility has played a big part in my "return to Q-ness" lately.  My speed has come back and my recovery time has decreased.  Sure I've trained better, but Yoga is a part of that better training. 

1110 - I did a Race Report for the FL Marathon. 
CLICK HERE!

0815 - Today should be a quiet day at work, although I have a lot to get done.  But at least that will be possible since I won't have my entire team walking in my office every five minutes to ask me if I'm done yet.  
            Yoga tonight...definitely needed this week since my little incident yesterday.  Knees are a bit sore from trying to run backwards while being pushed by a moving car.  Yes, I thought of filing a complaint or pressing charges or whatever, but that would mean I'd have to stop running.  I can't train or race while involved in a lawsuit so I might as well just keep doing what I'm doing.  If I'd fallen or she didn't stop, then I'd be all over it.

0935 - Late first posting today!  Busy at work trying to get everything done before the holiday weekend!  I'm really glad 2009 is almost over, this has been a very trying year.  Hopefully 2010 will bring some enjoyment.
           Not a hugely schedule-heavy day today, just have to run a 3 miler at lunch and then a nice relaxing evening at home with Bri tonight.  I'm still sticking to my "don't get all wrapped up in your diet" attitude til the end of the year.  Trying to stay away from the really bad stuff, but I'm waiting til 1/1/2010 to get back to clean eating, supplements, and CrossFit.  It'll be more rewarding.  And I will be able to take before/after pics again! :)
 

0840 - Spin class for me this morning...and then breakfast with Bri.  My legs are good...back is slightly sore yet, but better than yesterday.  I will write my RR for the marathon later today too. 

2300 - So...we saw 2012.  It was good in the effects category...story was good for the first hour and a half, but then it just got very far-fetched.  Still...a good sci-fi flick.  It was pure entertainment, definitely not something believable.  Good disaster movies like Dante's Peak and Twister (movies on a less universal scale) definitely have more fear factor as they are localized.  Stuff like 2012, The Day After Tomorrow, Volcano, Armageddon, and Independence Day are great for BIGNESS, but lack that believability because they're so huge.  Although, one of my favorite end-of-the-world flicks is The Core...which technically, is quite believable given our tampering with the Earth's inner workings.  I think they need to make a movie about Cern's LHC where they really do create a black hole which threatens to envelop the Earth.  Plausible, though unlikely...it'd be a good story.  And nerds like me would definitely get into it.

0815 - Other than a little Achilles tightness and the hip soreness I've been feeling for two weeks, I'm surprisingly fine this morning.  I figured I'd be hurting ALOT today because of the difficulty level of yesterday's race.  I think my performance yesterday was based mostly on the fact that I wasn't trying to go hard...my attitude toward the race allowed me to not worry about how far up in the standings I was.  In the last 6 miles, when I saw I could take some overall positions, I went for it.  I think this needs to be my race strategy from now on. It seems to work for me!
               Today will be nothing but a rest day.  I have some cleaning and some more decorating to do as well.  Brian and I will put up the Christmas Tree in the bedroom.  And then tonight is date night.  Dinner at our favorite Latin restaurant, and then a movie...either Avatar or 2012.  Not sure which one yet.

Here's the profile of the race.  I am amazed that the turnaround was the lowest point...but I'm not surprised since after the turnaround it was all uphill til the end of the lap.  OUCH...this race hurt...but I think I'd do it again!

2150 - I can't believe I'm still awake after only getting 4 hours of sleep, being up since 0430, and running a marathon.  But that's about to change...I am gonna hit the sack very soon.  My body is tired...I will sleep like a baby tonight!

0440 - Not very happy this morning as the next door neighbors had a party so loud last night that I had to call the cops.  They didn't quiet down til after midnight when I finally fell asleep.  I even had to use ear plugs, and that STILL didn't keep the noise to where it didn't keep me awake.  I WILL take a nap some time today.  At least I slept well the other night, which was the important night for sleeping. 
           I have no goal today, just to go out and do the miles.  This is a hilly course, I need to be aware of my surroundings and my effort level!

1315 - Another rest day today...tomorrow's race is gonna be a challenge.  I've heard it's mostly hills.  Clermont is a pretty hilly town, so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how it affects me.  It's gonna be chilly, so that's good...I like running when it's chilly better than in the heat.  FREEZING isn't good, but 45-55 degrees I like alot.  The forecast says 52 for a low in Clermont tomorrow morning.

Another Christmas Cat picture for your enjoyment.  This one was from last night.  All three of them were under the tree, snuggling...they get along so well.

0830 - My body is sore today.  3 straight days of running, then a long yoga session last night...I'm tired!  So instead of running my final 3 mile taper run today, I'm gonna take today off.  Tomorrow is an off day anyway, so I'll have two days of rest before Saturday's marathon.  My lower back is hurting, probably due to the hip misalignment I'm dealing with.  But I'm going to see my chiropractor on Monday so hopefully he'll fix me like he always does.
               I saw this today on my way to work...damn I love an Audi R8!!