Thursday Thoughts

Yeah, I know. I'm a little late on this post today. But I've been really busy. I swear! Details in a later post.

Here's the rules in case you forgot. I'll ask a question and then you answer and ask a question of your own. Then the next person will answer that question. Easy enough? Let's get started.

What did you get for Christmas (or other holidays you may have celebrated)?

The Year in Review 2006

What’s the last week of December about if we can’t reflect on the past year? Yep, well, this entry is all about the highlights of 2006.

New Job: I started a new job the first of the year after having been laid off from my previous position I held for four years. I was a bit worried starting this new job as this was a career shift for me, but truth be told, this is the first job I have really enjoyed. I don’t grumble so much when I get out of bed in the morning. (Right, Dave?)


Boston Marathon: I came into this year’s Boston Marathon very well trained. I decided to follow the Pfitzinger 55/12 plan which meant a lot more miles than I was previously used to. But, to my surprise, I was able to follow the plan pretty closely. And it paid off. Not only did I accomplish running a full marathon without stopping for a walking break or even to walk through a water stop, I was able to re-qualify for Boston in Boston.

Coaches Dream: I have been coaching track for five years now and 2006 was the most successful year ever. Not only did we win our fourth out of five league championship, I had two runners make it all the way to States. They are now running in college.

Summer Vacation: This past summer Dave and I traveled to Dana Point, California for a little exploring and R&R. The trip started rocky as our flight was delayed several hours, spilling water all over my crotch (Nice!), and not bringing the address for our condo and having to wake my aunt and uncle up in the middle of the night. But, after those ordeals we found the trip to be fantastic. We spent a day at Joshua Tree National Park where we did quite a bit of hiking (in 100+ degree temperatures) and attended a star gazing. We also spent a day hiking up San Jacinto where we summited at 10,800 feet. Besides those two adventures and catching an Angels-Rex Sox games, we hung out with family and friends. What a great vacation this was.








Reach the Beach Relay: This was my third consecutive year that I have run as part of the Profile Deluxe team for the Reach the Beach Relay. This is also the fastest team that I’ve ever run on too. We finished 17th out of 300. Of all the years I’ve done this race, this year I had the most fun.




Chicago Marathon: Being that my last three out of four marathons were 3:39, 3:39 and 3:40, the goal for this marathon was simple: break 3:39. Again I followed the Pfitzinger plan, although I had a little more trouble getting all the miles in than I did for Boston. At the starting line I did not feel prepared, but I set out conservatively and just kept rolling. In the end, I did PR with a 3:35:05 and finished another marathon without walking. And the real joy of this marathon—seeing Bono from U2 at the airport.



What will 2007 bring? That’s a very good question.

On the running front…there’s the Boston Marathon again in April. And in 2007 it’s on my birthday. Who’s gonna buy me a drink after the race? I’m sure there will be another fall marathon, but at this point it hasn’t been decided which one. I would really like to try to qualify for NYC Marathon, but I am not sure I’m willing to dedicate that much time to training only to fall short. I could just enter the lottery! As of right now, I am planning to run with the team again for the Reach the Beach Relay if my team is planning on racing again.

Also in the works for 2007….I am going to become an aunt again. My sister is expecting a baby boy in early May. Dave and I will be celebrating our fifth anniversary in September and hopefully it will include a trip to Italy (if our lazy bums ever get around to planning it). Although I said 2006 was the last year, I have signed on again to coach high school track. I just love those kids too much to walk away. Nothing out of the ordinary to come in 2007, but I think it’s going to be a great year.

Thursday Thoughts

Here we go. I ask a question; the next person answers it and then asks a question. The second commenter answers the first commenter's question and then asks their own. And so on....

What present do you really want to get this holiday season?

I Heart May

Wait a second! It's December 18th! And yet, still warm enough to wear shorts during a run.

Policy Change

Maybe you've noticed, maybe not, but I am going to start moderating comments. This is how it will work...

You make a comment and then a notification is sent to me saying a comment has been made and then I have the choice to post that comment or not.

Please do not let this deter you from making comments. I love the comments and most likely I will still be posting all of them. It's just that this blog is my opportunity to be creative and talk about the events of my life and sometimes I feel that the comments are not necessarily about my posts or my adventures but someone else's opportunity to speak their own mine about their own "stuff." Yeah, I know that sentence didn't make a whole lot of sense. Here's what it boils down to...I want to be in control of my blog and moderating comments is the way I'm going to do it.

I hope you will continue to visit and keep the comments coming!

Thursday Thoughts--The New Edition

The remix version of Thursday Thoughts went so well last week, I think I might make it a permanent fixture. So again today, I'll ask one question and then the next person to comment answers it and then asks their own question. The second person to comment will answer the first commenter's question and then ask a question of his/her own. Pretty simple.

Let's get started.

What is your favorite quote from a movie?

To Flip or Not To Flip

I started taking swim lessons when I was six months old and took them every year until I was 12. Needless to say, I can swim pretty well. And I love to swim. But, I have never mastered the art of the flipturn. Funny enough, I can do a flipturn when I'm backstroking, but I just can't figure it out with the front crawl.

Yesterday I tried a flipturn on my first pass. Not only did I get water up my nose, which usually doesn't happen, I completely missed the wall.

How many of you flipturn when you are swimming laps? If you do flipturn, what are some suggestions that you might be able to give for those of us who struggle with the flipturn?

Isn't this just awesome?!

Rosy Cheeks

I'll admit it; I'm kinda a girly-girl. My favorite color is pink, I love pretty dresses and shoes, I spend a lot of time and money on my hair, and I never leave the house without putting on makeup. And I would consider myself a pretty good girly-girl not just a wannabe. But I must be doing something wrong. On Saturday I was at a holiday party and a guy friend asked me if I was wind burnt. Um, no. That's blush, you idiot! Thanks for pointing that out.

Thursday Thoughts--The Remix

I've been having a hard time coming up with 5 thoughtful questions every week. Last week I thought I did a good job, but they must have been "too hard" because hardly anyone answered them. This is the plan for this week. I'm going to ask one question. Then the first person who comments will answer that one question then ask one question of their own. The next person who answer the commenters question and then ask a question of their own. Get it? You answer a question; you ask a question. Pretty simple.

Here we go....

Where is one place you'd rather be right now?

Send a Message!

Hey Internet! Send a message today to the boy, Dave. He turns 30 today!