9 Days to NYC Marathon

Well, I'm not in the shape I used to be, but to late now! I do feel reseted, so that is a plus. I'm going to run 14 miles this weekend and that will be the last long run before the race. Looks like I'm in a general corral toward the back, so I don't think I will even start until 10:20 or 10:30. Only bad part about that is I have to get up around 4:30 to get to the race start and I will be tired. The race will never end! :) Did I mention its Nov 1st?

On a brighter note, Matilda if doing fabulous at my house. She is totally potty trained and only had 1 accident, but that was excited and my own fault. I decided to pet her before letting her out when I got home and that put her over the edge. Other than that, she never even had an accident in the house! Levi and Matilda play pretty good and even Nikki enjoys playing with her as well now. She is just adorable. When I get home, she loves tons of pets and cries a bit like a real baby for attention. She is a real joy.

Matilda and her first run

Took Matilda on her first jog this morning. Thought she would get tired....not! We got home and weren't in the house for a minute when she sped across the living room and banged right into Nikki like a battering ram. Nikki didn't look pleased. Then, she ran around the house sprinting a bunch. I thought the 4.5 mile run was not enough! For 5-6 months, she has a lot of energy. I got right in the shower and when I got out, Nikki was hiding in the bathroom with me between the toilet and the wall. At least Matilda was resting peacefully by then on a dog blanket. This girl sure brings life into the house, but she is a chewer for sure. She likes shoes, so I have to really watch her and have my shoes put up and closet door shut. I have too many expensive shoes to allow her to get them for even one bite! Did I say how much I love fostering? This is really fun. Of course, I think I will end up keeping one eventually. How could I not? :)
13 days until the Marathon....wow.
A big shout out to Forrest, today marks 3 years of walking. Don't you think he needs a new walking partner? Jessie Marie has maybe seen her better walking days:)
Go Forrest!

'Close' Date

Well, Pfizer happens to be purchasing Wyeth and today is the close date. Can I say I just want tomorrow to be over? 'Day One' as we call it in IT. There are sooooo many things that we have been working on and now they are all put into action. Working long hours all week because we were just waiting for some approvals and the close date to be announced.
On a better note, I love my foster, Matilda. She is so darn cute and soft. How come I love every foster I get? I want to keep them all. She loves to chew more than other fosters I've had, must be that darn lab in her, so she needs something in her mouth lots, and always something I place there. when she picks her own, it is usually a shoe or something in my 'no' list. I don't think she will get much bigger, maybe 10-15 more pounds which would put her at 40-45 pounds. So small compared to what I'm used to. She figured out how to jump enough to get on the bed last night for the first time and Levi looked at me, then her and showed all his teeth. He was not pleased. It was his only sanctuary until last night. You know how the dog that is the most annoyed is the one the puppy follows everywhere? :) Just Levi's deserved luck.
Well, one more long run this weekend and then full taper until the Marathon. Nov 1st is fast approaching and I don't feel ready, yikes!

3 weeks to the Marathon

I'm counting down my days to the NYC Marathon. I didn't run 20 miles like I was supposed to this weekend, so I will be running one more this coming weekend, only 2 weeks before the race. A little tight, but we'll see. I also got a new foster dog on Saturday and she is just adorable. She is about 5-6 months old and a lab mix. I think she looks mostly like an Australian Cattle Dog (ACD for short). No accidents in 2 days. I think she was mostly potty trained already. Hopefully she will be an easy adoption:)
Take care all

Cold mornings are here

Its been in the 50's in the mornings here now. The good thing is that I haven't need air conditioning or heat for the past month, this is good and will save me $$. I ventured out this weekend and ran 20 miles, ugh. It was not easy at all. My awesome dog Levi made it all the way as well. I'm so proud of him. I left Nikki at home because I can't get her to eat again and so I'm affraid to run her. She is really not eating much now days. I've tried lots of stuff, I wish I had her appetite! The Marathon is fast approaching, so I will run one more 20, in 2 weeks. I am looking forward to the day after the Marathon at this point. I'm getting there, but am not in my best shape. No foster dogs at the moment, but one coming on the 10th of October.
Go Forrest.

September already?

I just realized I haven't posted to this site since April, wow. So, I'm going to make an effort to update it more often.
Just for a quick note, since April, I have started fostering dogs for Roger's Rescues and I love it. I'm sure I will soon be the crazy dog lady when I start keeping them. To date though, I have adopted out 2 dogs to happy homes. I also started training for the NYC Marathon and that has not been as successful. I'm struggling with hip pain, and just plain 10 pounds. I will be there running the race, but I will be a pacer for sure and just try to enjoy myself (if that is possible past 20 miles....nothing is joyful).
I'll talk to you soon.

Slow start to the week

Well, I've been sick since Saturday and Monday was the worst. I barely got out of bed. Needless to say, my dogs are bored and ready to walk, but I'm not sure I can even walk up the hill near my place at this point. I am out of bed at least and working today. Big upgrade from yesterday. I have to miss swimming tonight, which I hate it because the class just started last week and I'm already missing an evening. Hopefully I will be back in tip top shape by the end of the week!
Walk on Forrest, I'm looking forward to visiting Ireland someday now.

Ready for the weekend

This has been a long week for me! Busy at work and busy working out. I've been getting in regular walks in the evenings with Levi and Nikki, but my next big step is getting up early to walk them before work. Eventually that will turn into working out in the morning, but baby steps work better for me. I'm doing most workouts at lunchtime and my body is very used to that. I did try a new swimming class Tuesday night. My new gym just started it with a new group, new coach, etc. At first, I didn't think I would like it. She (Beverly) runs it differently than what I'm used to; however, after a bit, I realized that change is good and that I can roll with it. She gave me some good things to work on with my stroke, so I am satisified once again. This will be good for me to be in the pool regularly. I have to pay for the class, so no sense is skipping! The long swim is probably why I'm so tired today. Did sprints with weights yesterday, so nothing yet. Plan to get a few miles in this afternoon when my meetings break and most importantly, a good walk with the dogs as its 60+ out today. Only warm day this week, so we need to take advantage of it!
Take care all

Poor Michigan State

Boy, I was really routing for them, but they just couldn't get a break last night! It was not a good game, depressing! My Dad picked UNC to win the whole thing, so Dad really does know best! Hopefully I can fit in a good run today with the dogs (working from home), they need it and so do I. Also, swim practice starts tonight at my new gym, so I'm going to check it out. I could really use the help in the pool, I haven't been regular at all in the pool. The master class will only be Tuesday night, 7pm, but I can usually get there one other time on my own, so it will really help.
Went to my girlfriends on Saturday and have another pic of my friends, just missing my good friend Anne! I miss her, but maybe next time.
take care all

I miss swimming

This blogger is giving me trouble lately posting. I keep getting errors!
So, back to my latest; I haven't been swimming much and I went last night. Wow, I'm tired and out of shape. I swam 2600 yards and have been hungry and tired ever since. Was a great workout. Now, I need to get some running in today, but we'll see. I have a busy lunch of meetings. My niece started a new blog, very cute that little Logan.
http://olivierlife.blogspot.com

take care all

Monday is not eas to start

Last week went too fast, David was visiting, so the days just flew by. We did keep ourselves busy on the weekends though. On last Saturday, we have my very best friends over for dinner and Mexican was the theme. It was awesome! Jen made the enchilada recipe she got from Frank's Mom and it was so yummy. I made all the salsa's, red, green, and guacamole. Donna brought desert, tres leches. We all ended up having a couple pieces of that because it was also so good. Jen sent wine from her Nappa Valley trip, so we drank and ate very well! Today, its back to work and back to some kind of diet. I have to watch the calories for sure! I didn't work out yet, but walked the dogs 3 miles at lunch anyway (working from home today). I have lots of conference calls today, so keeping busy as usual. Dogs are happy, no changes and I worked from home today, they are enjoying my company.

Sun is shinning today, still cold though

I woke up and it was about 24 degrees. I was hoping that the end of March would bring warmer weather, but not so far. It was supposed to be a high in the 50's, but it was still pretty chilly. I really care about the morning temp as I have to go out with Nikki who can't go on her own yet. We are always trying, but she just won't go without me. She is loyal that one anyway. When I go out there, just to stand there, I often wonder how Forrest has so much energy to go out in the cold so early in the day, even all winter. Forrest may be crazy, but at least he is exercising! I went to spinning last night and dragged David there as well. He was a good sport and is putting up with me and the dogs so far. The week is almost over so I'm sure he is getting ready to be home. I will miss him though.
Today, I worked out at lunch and did 3 miles of sprints, so that gives David a break at home. His challenge today was to walk all 3 dogs, Levi, Nikki and little Maggie that I am dog sitting. It will be the first time he has ever tried to walk more than one dog, so I'll get the update when I return home. Will be intersting.
Oh, did I mention that David got me the 'Kindle'? Boy, do I like reading from that. It's awesome. I had to order a cool holder for it now so that I don't scratch it.
Take care all and catch you another day.
Amy

Spring seems to have a dull start

Boy is it cold in New Jersey. I was hoping for warmer weather to start spring. Thought it would encourage me to get outside running and biking more. Sunday I had a 15K run planned in NYC Central Park. I woke up to 24 degrees, yikes! Long commute into the city, but met up with some friends (Matt, Genine, Steve, and David) to commute into the city. Makes the entire race more fun. I'm really about the social part anyway. I'm not competitive at it and that is only because I'm not great at it. was a somewhat cold run, but was better by 10:30 when the race started. We had Genine as the photographer and her friend Ruth took video. Was so awesome to have them come and do that. Ruth then put together a cool video of it as well, goto http://mooseman08.blogspot.com/ to see the video, second post on 3/22. Pics are also there on the right.
Monday, David and I took the day to hike and went to the Appalachian Trail of hwy 80. Was a great hike and more difficult than I expected. Lots of rocks and water crossings. If the water was any higher, we would have gotten pretty wet and in the mid 30's, that is cold. Now, most importantly, I have no idea how any of old timers back in the day used that trail for anything but hiking. It is certainly not a path for wagons or even horses for that matter. It is soooo rocky, horses wouldn't attempt most of the paths. My dogs were in heaven. There weren't many people out hiking on a Monday, so I let them off leash and they ran up and back the entire time. They probably tripled our distance of around 7 miles. On the way home, the 2 of them curled up together in the back of the blazer and slept hard the entire way home. I don't blame them, they were in and out of the water and running around like crazy. It got so cold toward the end, that when I tried to towel off the dirt and water from their underside, that it froze. They had a million little icicles hanging off them and I couldn't towel it off. The cold probably added to their sleepiness once the car warmed up. Was a good weekend of runs and hikes either way. Back to work today, ugh. I hear there is flooding in Grand Forks and I hope no Lusty's have flooding. Doesn't sound good, river is up 40 feet according to my mother.
Catch you all another day.

Big Loser

So, I joined the biggest loser campaign at work to attempt to knock out the 10 pounds I gained over the winter months. Its not going well. I skipped weigh in this week as I believe I'm up. I actaully feel good and have been eating better, but sometimes the body isn't in the same hurry that I am. I think it will bounce back next week. I did some long runs this week and sprints today. Now, I have to rest Friday and Saturday to prepare for the 15K I have in NYC on Sunday. My time will be slow, due to the 10 pound thing, but it should be fun.

On another note, I've been trying to help a local guy in my county find his lost German Shepherd, Duke. He is 9 mos old and has been lost now over 5 weeks. When Nikki was lost, it was a nightmare and felt like forever. She was gone 1 month exactly, but Duke is still running. He was seen again 2 days ago, but is almost wild now. He is chasing deer like mad. In the meantime, a female German Shepherd was found running lose (we caught that one) and the shelter kept it for 7 days, no one picked it up, so Duke's owner took it in. He is somewhat like me, wanted her to have a good home. He named her Dutchess so now when Duke comes home someday, he will have Duke and Dutchess:) I have my fingers crossed that he can find and catch Duke.

I found out also that 2 wolf-hybrids are lose here as well. This has only been 3 days and they have already killed a dog. Of course, they are in the Cokesbury road area, which is where I found Pink/Elsa and took her in from. I have my eyes open and need to be careful, that is only a few miles from my house and they can really travel. Nikki ended up almost 30 miles away from me! What is it with New Jersey and loose German Shepherds? (and shepherd/wolf hybrids I guess as well).

Take care all

Forrest and his next Journey

Please check out Forrest's blog at http://walkforrestwalk.blogspot.com/ if you haven't already. I am so proud of him! He is walking every day and mapping a fictitious journey across America and documenting it along the way. I love reading the bits of information he writes down. So, I'm voting for Forrest to next come to the East coast! First of all, I live in NJ, that is reason one. Second, the rich history of the east coast, settlers, appilation trail, Erie canal, boston tea party, and the list goes on! Train4tris can't wait and Levi and Nikki will be out on the trail with me at times to cheer Forrest on. NYC Marathon could also be on the route to visit and you could do the Marathon route. Sounds like sooo much fun!
As for me, ran 9 miles on Sunday, sprints of Monday plus 1 hour spinning class, short 3 miles on Tuesday, and easy 2 miles on Wednesday with weight training. I am really trying to get back into shape (well I have shape, its just too big:)). I gained 10 pounds over winter and have to trim it back off. Joined biggest loser at work, so have lost 2 pounds in 2 weeks. I have to really watch what I eat because that is my problem. Have to thin down for the NYC Marathon!
good luck to Forrest in selecting his next endevor and my fingers are crossed for East Coast to be the selection!
Walk on Forrest...

Wind Patrol

Boy is it windy today in NJ! up to 60 mph according to the news. I haven't walked the dogs for sure. They don't want to be outside much at all anyway. Nikki is scared out of her mind and I have to work hard to get her out there to go to the bathroom. I knew it was trouble when both dogs wouldn't leave the bathroom when I was in the shower this morning. Scary stuff! the biggest thing that has happened in my yard is that my large outdoor dog kennel was lofted by the wind and moved. that thing is so heavy, I can't move it back. I need my neighbor to help. It's a 12x12 and 2 heavy dog houses are lag bolted to it. The entire thing is moved about 10 feet and the dog houses to boot, dragged with it. I am leaving for Michigan early Saturday morning and there may not be time to fix it back. Guess it will have to wait. Dogs are coming with anyway and I am focussing on all the quilting I need to do and finish.
No running today, I'm beat from yesterday. Yesterday I ran a hard 6 miles at lunch on the hills that i'm not in shape for and then went to 1 hour spinning class. I did a 'butts and guts' class at lunch and my tummy is tired.

Work from home

Boy do I love working from home! I try to do it once a week now that I changed jobs and love my boss. It will be right about the time that I have gotten comfortable with my new job that things will change. This is inevitable. It is almost 70 here in Jersey today! Crazy, but I'll take it. Dogs and I ran outside at lunch and did 6 miles. It was tough for sure, hills and all and my 10 pounds from winter. We survived, but the dogs are totally beat. The heat really does them in. When its cold, they run and run forever and never seem to tire, even once I get home. Today's temp has them as flat as they can be, barely moving, only to breath at this point. I feel their pain today:) working hard now, meetings all day. Hope to eat light, but we'll see. When the hunger kicks in, its all over for me. Its supposed to thunder storm here tonight, feels like spring for sure.
I'm trying to be regular, I on a good start anyway.

Too Many Meetings

I haven't even looked or gone outside today. Been so busy with work. I walked to the gym (through the parking garage in the basement) and did pilates, but that was it. No running, nothing. I plan to goto spin class tonight at 7, so that will have to cover my cardio for today. I think its int he low 40's and rainy today, but again, wouldn't know. I looked at MI temps and boy to they look warm. I was on calls with St Louis today and they reported 70! Can't even believe that. Crazy. Oh, one more thing, called the vet and my tests are not back on Nikki. So, no verdict to date on her little sickness. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Still Slow

I just can't keep up with Forrest. The sun gives me motivation and we just haven't seen enough of it. NJ keeps getting ice storms and the ice takes several days above 40 to melt, so it was 54 on Sunday, I went out with the dogs to hit the trail that is usually melted and of course, it was not. Ice was so thick and then with the temp, the was a good layer of water on top of the ice which make it even worse! So, long runs have not been good for me lately. Sticking to my lunch workouts and spinning once a week at my new gym.
Now, I have been sewing like crazy, so I'm 10 pounds heavier and 5 quilts to boot! hehe...I am getting lots of quilt tops done so when I come to MI next week, I can use the quilter in my Mom's house to finish them! I will be sewing most of the week. Then, off to visit my good friend David in Holland for the last part of the week.
I will get back to 30 miles a week, I swear...even if it kills me:)

Slow but steady...

I am not in my regular habbit of posting, but I will get there. Have been busy at work, but am attempting to keep working out. I ran 3 miles and swam 1/2 hour yesterday. Only an hour, but better than nothing. Today I have lunch time meetings, so I will try to squeeze in a workout before lunch. I am trying to get up for Spinning class at my new gym, but I have to be there by 5:45 and that is the problem. I have to get up by 5-5:15 to get all the dog stuff done in time. I will try again Friday morning.
Now, outside of workout and eating; I have arranged for sewing classes for alterations. Its just a teacher and me (a local woman I met at the quilt store and I talked her into giving me lessons). She currently works for a drama department for a school and makes all the costumes. She is going to teach me patterns for skirts, shirts, etc and putting in a zipper. Should be interesting. We start tonight for 2 hours.
tootaloo!

small workout, but a start

I'm back to work today, first time in 2 weeks for me to be onsite at Pfizer. I admit, since my boss in in NYC and my clients are in St Louis, it makes it harder to come into the office. I can work from home when necessary; however, it just seems more 'necessary' now that I can:) I went to the gym, but didn't have much time, so I ran 1.5 miles and did the pilates class for 45 min. Talked some of the trainers into starting a competition at Pfizer similar to biggest loser. I haven't ever watched that show, but tonight starts a new season and all my friends love that show; so, I'm a follower, so I'm following and starting the new season at least watching. We'll see if the diets and workout rub off on me:)

Stil waiting for German Shepherd Rescue to do my home visit and approve me as a foster. We'll see. In the meantime, I put up an outdoor 12x12 kennel and Levi figured out how to get out already, he broke the wire twisties that hold the chain link onto the bottom pole. He is quite a dog. Can't hold him. At least he doesn't run away, he just doesn't want to be in the pen:)

New Years Resolution

budget, budget, budget. its going to be all about the budget. I am back to work, back online and hopefully spending less. I could spend more time working out and walking the dogs and less time shopping...hehe...yep, that is going to be me. Not like I shop that much, but no shopping would work best. I joined a new gym today, I'm so excited. I'm moving away from the pool I used to swim in to a closer and much nicer facility. This one has spin class too, so I can't wait! I can't workout until I get my doctor approval (yes, once you see a cardiologist, you need the sign off to join any gyms). I tested the pool out at the gym today with a guest pass and loved it. No coach, but only 5 min from my house instead of 1/2 hour. Well worth it. watched Oprah today...she is back on the wagon and I think I should join her! here's hopin'!