Happy Memorial Day!

First & foremost. Thank you to all those that have served & are serving our country. I come from a family with one grandparent flying B52s in WWII & another grandparent running telecommunications in the Korean war. I am very proud to be from the Red, White, & Blue!

Second, I hope everyone else had a fabulous weekend. Smores, fire, & Bud Light summed up my weekend. Ha! got some working to do on those calories for sure! Paul & I had some good bonding conversations Saturday & Sunday night out by the fire till 3am...everyone was either busy or went home early.

Third, today was such a nice evening & all those home-made cookies I decided I better do something. Leashed up Dallas, stretched & started my Couch-to-5K program. Probably should have turned around at the 'you're half way done' voice but I was just thinking 'eh, what's a little extra walking. Made it through the Day 1 of Week 1 of C25K = 2.14miles at 13.58 a mile. Well, after that we were no where near home. Dallas was wearing out & we had at least 3 good hills in 2.54 miles to go (I didn't know that starting out). 1 hill down & I'm movin pretty good, Dallas is lagging a bit. Then, all the sudden she picks up pace (I have my ear phones in = not hear quiet things), I look to my right & there's this young, sweaty, ripped guy. Smiles & jogs on by. I don't even care to act tough & pick up my pace but apparently my little hussy of a dog wants to show off & gets all perky & jogging... ha! As soon as he's out of sight she's back to the end of the leash. 2 hills later & a third mile to go, I was half tempted to call Paul... Dallas was fighting me on the speed, so I added 30 lunges so she could walk slow. We made it in one piece, her giving me the 'F you' look. So, now I know I can handle the 5 mile jaunt, Dallas on the other hand, at 85 degrees can only go 3 miles.

I would have to say good day for sure! I think Paul & I are even going to sign up for the Color Run in KC on July 1st! I know it's not much time but I have always wanted to do one & it says they're up for ALL types of people. If you would like to join us, please let me know we could be a team... like The Sweaty Balls or ... 5K Virgins or.... ????

4 Legged Friday: Cooper

 This Friday's post is dedicated to Cooper, 

soon to be 3 year old Great Dane.

When I was back at my parents last week I was fortunate enough to get to spend some quality time with Coop.
Cooper youst to live with me but he & Bruiser decided they no longer liked each other. Sooo, my mom always wanted a Dane... He ended up back out at the farm in Boulder county.

This turned out to be great! He is one of the best farm dogs Spring Tree has ever had. He sticks around, even if you go into the barn, there he is waiting for you when you return. 

Cooper also made other four legged friends, Dodger & the piglets.  Dodger is my sisters' 12 year old, blue merle doxin. Looks like a mini Cooper! At first Dodger hated him, but now they are inseparable. He attempts to keep up, but usually ends up riding in the Polaris with mom. I say piglets, but they're actually around 80 pounders. It's amazing & hilarious watching him with the pigs. A couple females have taken to Coop. They will actually 'talk' to & try & play with him. He'll play bow & bark & they'll chase each other. We've tried to get it on film, but he gets distracted by the camera & lays there watching you instead.

Cooper also loves walks. Spring Tree Farms (the parents' official place name) is luckily enough to be located down the road from a llama/alpaca farm. Ah yes! Well, Coop has made some playmates there too... only through the fence & he's the only one 'playing'

The engagement party rolled around, along with the decorating! Cooper loves balloons too: chasing them, pawing at them, & eventually popping them. Well, dad had a helium tank so we of coarse we had to do what anyone would do... attach one to his collar. Ah, the entertainment!

I love that big dope SO much! He's an excellent dog &

I miss him but the farm life was truly meant for him.

update... busy week!

marathon wise, i was kind of slacking for the past week or so. Not happy with myself for that, so i've added more little reminders all over my house. im like one of those crazy post-it ladies. after I got back into gear on sunday, monday i had a sixty five mintue four mile which is ten minutes better than before. that time i took dallas with me, she pooped out around mile three, so i had to play motivator the last mile. she didnt seem to enthuzed by that. tuesday i walked a eighty two mintue five mile, yes im spelling it out b/c im on my phone and for some reason the numbers arnt working. i took cooper on this walk he did alright, got a little hot and i felt bad not having any water for him. so far those are my big distance accomplishments for this week. now, im in colrado untill sunday. going to hang out with the fam and attend a wedding. maybe even get in some boating and walking here.

oh Cooper...

The past two endurance walks... 4 miles. I took the same route I have been taking, over the hills. I also took Cooper with me. Only this time we came across some horses. Now, Cooper does absolutely fine if they are just standing there. However, after about 50yards of just staring at each other, one of the horses gets a wild kick and gets the others running. Cooper thinks it's a game - did I mention he is still ON the leash - he goes running & bouncing in their direction with me attached. Finally, we get past... little turd! As we head back, I had him off the leash, after much coaxing he stayed on the road past the horses, thankfully too, because the owner was out feeding and I don't think she would've been too impressed with a 100ish pound dog chasing her horses.
It took me 75 minutes to do the 4 miles. A little sore, feet hot, a blister...sad I know, but oh well, that's why they call it training. I'm not quiting either!!! - that's what I just keep repeating to myself. This next week I need to stay more on top of my training that's for sure!!!

Themed Three Thursday

Last night the common number to my "training" was 3. Monday, I was supposed to do my endurance walk, only after my chiropractic appointment I was just too sore to race pace 3 miles. Tuesday, I was also too sore. Wednesday, had a headache all day, would've walked but slacked off. Finally, Thursday I had my follow-up chiro appt. Not so much fun (whole different story), but I HAD to do my walk! At 7:58pm I headed North with Cooper. Warmed up, tried a fast pace, up hill. My feet felt hot, and if anyone knows the cure or tips please share. I get a mile and half out, turn around, let Cooper off his leash, and head back. Kind of got a side ache; which is sad, but just kept truckin. Cooper was doing really well too! Finally, get back to the house, 53 minutes! Then I grabbed the other two dogs and took the 3 down the road about a third of a mile for a cool down. After putting them in the house I did 3 sets of push ups and 3 sets of lunges. Once inside I was mixin up some banana bread, it called for 3 bananas. I used 5! Yum! And then for dinner we watched prison break; disc 3. Finally retired for the evening. Hopefully, I'll get the pace picked up, but for those of you who think it sounds easy, try it...up hill too :) who knows what was up with all the threes.....

1 Week Down!

I have been meaning to write sooner this week, just didn't get around to it. This weeks "training" was pretty easy... 30 minute walks and today a 3 mile walk - which I will do tonight when it's not so hot out. Covered 2 miles in the 30 minute jaunts. Also learned only one dog accompanies me, Dallas, and she has to be off leash. I don't know if she'll be able to keep it up once the miles increase, she gets pretty worn out towards the end :(. I also had 2 gym days with weights, lunges, sit-ups, & everyone's favorite... the push up!

I came back from my first walk telling Jorge, "well, I had a 16 minute mile!...that's a 7 hour marathon or so." He replied, "well, we better get you an old man with a walker to be your walking buddy!" Great advice ;) My dad's advice... "you'll have to get Jorge driving next to you drinking beer." Dunno how exactly that's supposed to help me... but that's my family for ya.

I did finally retire my Nike maxair livestrongs :( it was about time, my toe was beginning to pop out and the bottom was being held on with super glue. Being located in Kansas, that doesn't leave me many Running/Walking/Outdoorsy..."Bouldery" stores to go to for some real good shoes. After roaming around the mall (which I hate doing with no money), I ran into a friend of mine who informed me about Great Plains Running Company Luckily, it was only a few blocks away. Told the salesman what I do and what my goal was... after all I was also looking for work shoes too. He hooked me up with a pair of Nikes and a pair of Mizunos and of coarse some insoles. They had a bunch of stuff, I'll probably be visiting them quite a bit as the M-day (marathon day) gets closer. Next, came breaking them in. The Nikes are strictly for work and the Mizunos are my walking shoe. The Nikes are a little tight, but I'm hoping they'll be okay. The Mizs are a great shoe. However, my feet seem to be always hot. I don't know if it's just me or what. I even have those coolmax beathable socks. Otherwise...So far, So good. I just hate breaking in shoes!

Yesterday, I visited the much needed chiropractor, Dr. Cortner in Manhattan. It was my first time seeing him, so paperwork! ;) He seems nice and like he knows his stuff. In the morning he took Xrays. Afternoon I came back and his adjustment was like, "wham, bam, thank-you mam!" I go back on Wednesday to go over my rads and discuss what's next. Apparently, my back is all screwy up around my neck and lower back, which could explain my penguin walk or all my headaches. It better be worth it because I am one sore lady today!!!

A Challange....

So, I was clearing off my kitchen table (I'm a pile person) and came across some old printed out work-out sheets. The third one read, "YOU CAN DO IT, You can walk a MARATHON!" Those words kind of sank in a little bit. As the cleaning went on, I kept glancing over at the papers. Thought to myself, " you know alicia, you've been wanting/needing a physical challenge to help you get back into shape. And you know rugby just isn't in the cards anymore..." Once I finally wiped down the entire table I sat. Pondered. Picked up the papers and decided "YES I CAN, what the hell right?!" The next day at work that's all I could think about was marathon this & marathon that. Now, I'm not familiar at all with the whole jogging/walking world. The closest I have come is sprints & Indian runs in practice, chasing an opposing rugger for the tackle, and having the road closed by my parents house in Colorado for some Boulder-athon. Back then we were the ones tipping over the porta-potties the night before ;).
I called Jorge on my lunch break, threw the idea at him and asked if he would be my coach... per say. He said "Alicia, you can do anything you put your mind to, and heck yeah I'll boss you around.... take off your clothes and get to bed!" Yup, that's my coach ;)...and my numero uno supporter!
After that I began researching, I never realized there was so much to think about and preparations to take! First, I needed a date. I wanted something around the 20 week range (that's how long I'll need to train). Second, it has to be close...enough. Third, it has to be legit. I found two, one in Overland park, KS and one in Tulsa, OK. After checking them out I'm going for November 21st, 2010 The Williams Route 66 Marathon! Plus a couple days ahead there's the Fall Classic hog show in Duncan, OK that I would like to attend too!
I now have my training plan all put together. Reading "The Complete Guide to Marathon Walking," by Dave McGovern. Started my walking ... yesterday. A whopping 2.1 miles in 39 minutes... yes horrible, but there's an explanation (excuse), I took Cooper & Dallas. Big mistake!!! Next time either no dogs or just Dallas - she doesn't stop at everything or tangle me up. I would also like to add I will mainly be walking from my house and we are in a hole so I have hills in either direction. I guess it will add to the training! One other thing I would like to add is I am starting this overweight, out of my normal shape, and recovering from last years Achilles tendon issues. So ... BRING IT ON!
Well, just have to talk to my physician otherwise it's a go!!!
I will keep you updated through the training and of course on other random notes ;) oh, and if you have any tips don't hesitate!