Thursday, December 28, 2006

Lazy Days and Late Nights

It's been a lazy few days around here. Sleeping in, both Eric and I working from home, Riley staying up late and getting up later...I guess that's what the holidays are all about!

I woke up yesterday morning around 3 am - Eric was awake too and told me it was snowing. It took me a long time to get back to sleep, so I eventually shut off my alarm and decided to skip the 5:15 hill run. I was pretty sure no one would show up with snow on the ground, and I was right. Once again, I had every intention of running later in the day. If you know me, then you know how that goes. Oh well, it's taper week, right? I talked to Jenny and we decided we'd run today instead.

This morning it was 26 degrees out, and the roads were wet yesterday. That means ice - black ice. Jenny and I decided to meet up at noon at the Y. Noon rolled around, bright, sunny and 37 degrees. We were walking through the parking lot when we heard a shout - we turned around and there was Rob running after us. In shorts and a sleeveless shirt. He'd been running on the indoor track and saw us down in the parking lot and decided he'd like to join us. He dumped some stuff in my car and we took off. Let me describe how Jenny and I were dressed: tights, warm shirts, vests, ear warmers, in my case arm warmers too, and gloves. Then there was Rob. Shorts, sleeveless shirt, no hat, no gloves. We tried to talk him into taking his shirt off too, but he wouldn't go for it. We had a nice run - there were definitely some slippery patches, and we had a long wait at an intersection after a police car went screaming through with lights and siren (after coming to a stop to let the clueless drivers go through). I got to use my Garmin for the second time. I'm still fine-tuning the data displays, but I liked what I had today better than the first day.

Stats: 5.03 miles, 1:03:19, slow average pace of 12:34 (we did spend over a minute at the stop light); and a wonderful 803 calories. My watch shows 618 calories. I should probably figure 700. I thought the rule of thumb was 100 calories per mile? I don't know how either device calculates it, and it really doesn't matter, but it's my favorite number of them all. Especially when it's a big number!

An update on a couple of things: Riley's gift to Heather was an amethyst ring. I don't know the answer to the question of what that means. I think it was just a gift. The cute part is that it's his birthstone, not hers. Did I mention that he asked me to help him shop for it and that I was amazed to see all the sales women (20 and 30 somethings) flirting with my baby? And him flirting back? Oh, my. The second thing is that Sundae, the chocolate-eating chocolate lab is just fine. She never did get sick, though we are seeing some of those candy wrappers now...

13 comments:

Olga said...

Nice to sleep in! And, oh, boy, seeing your boy flirting:)
I guess Rob is alive, although hopefully he won't get sick after that naked run.

Unknown said...

Nothing like a brisk run in mid-30 temps with a lack of clothing to make you feel alive. It's all part of my new toughen up plan.

Wes said...

Too bad I didn't get my comment in before Rob, the wimp! LOL. OK. Your turn. Tell me what numbers you are using, cause I'm still using the defaults. If you got something better, I'd like to try it! As far as calories go, I run 3.4 miles and my garmin says I burn 1000 calories. OMG? OK. I know if I weigh more, I burn more calories. I put 205 in my watch. But that does seem like alot. www.gmap-pedometer.com calculates my calories at 527, so the only thing I can think of is the Garmin is also factoring in elevation??? Who knows? Something to research.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like great holiday times. Be careful out there in the ice in snow. Chicago is warm - its kind of nice. Have a great new year and thanks for the info on the training website - i'm going to check it out.
best of luck with your plan.

D said...

I get so mad when I see the 200 lb guy next to me on the treadmill going half my speed burning double the calories! UGH! (funny)

I remember when my daughter was around 14 - 15 and we'd walk through the mall and grown men would flirt w/her. Yes, she looked older, but no you may not flirt with my daughter!

How sweet that your son asked you to go with him to pick out the gift.

Fabulous job on the running!

Ironayla said...

Regarding the calories that Garmin says you burn, I don't believe them. Especially after using my Polar for so many years. I think if you plan with your person setting in the Garmin software, you will find the "amount of calories" you burned should change.

Glad to hear you are relaxing this time of year :) Hope this weekend goes well for you!

runliarun said...

Rob's ideas on toughening up are a bit radical. A couple of times I ran dressed too lightly in 20 plus degress, and when I got home after 10 miles I broke out in tears, I felt so cold. Call me a wimp, but I'd rather not increase the suffering.

Thomas said...

Next time tell Rob what a wimp he is and that you're going to tell all of us about it.

I wouldn't take any notice of the calories counter. I simply don't believe those gadgets.

Joe said...

Rob's a gorilla...sans the hair. How cool (literally and figuratively) of a run is that.

Great news on the Garmin...I've fiddled a lot with mine over 2 years now and will share more tweaks, if you'd like.

I think your bathroom scales will be more helpful in "calorie counting" than the Garmin, though!!

Sarah said...

I absolutely have to wear a hat and gloves in this weather! Good luck with your marathon this weekend. : )

Anonymous said...

Don't you love the lazy days? I've been enjoying them, too. I just hope I can manage to get back in the swing of things next week. Enjoy the rest of your vacation and your COLD runs!

Dori said...

Good luck with your marathon tommorrow, Michelle! Happy New Year!

Sarah Elaine said...

Hey Michelle,

Just stopping by to say Happy New Year! Have fun with your new Garmin. (The only way I'd let go of mine is if someone pried it out of my cold, dead hands!!)

Best,
Sarah