Archive | December, 2011

2012, you sly fox

31 Dec

In case you’re in vacation-mode and confused about what day it is, it’s December 31st.  Tomorrow is the start of the new year.  What the heck?  2012, you sly fox!  You crept up on us!

For a few weeks now, I’ve been cooking up some extra tasty resolutions, otherwise known as goals, to ensure that 2012–in all of it’s even-numbered glory–is as ridiculously awesome as possible.

And here’s the great big question that’s been rolling around in my mind:

What am I wanting to accomplish by this time next year?

First and foremost, I would be lying if I said RUNNING! wasn’t the first thing that popped into my mind.  Obviously, I want to keep running to my heart’s content and under the category of running goals, I plan to…

#1) Enjoy running all year long: This puppy is numero uno because it’s what I want most out of my year.  For those of you who are new here, I love running.

#2) Run 1500 miles.  For 2011, my goal was to run 1200 miles, which I accomplished after a slow start while rebounding from IT Band Syndrome.  For 2012, I’m stepping it up and aiming for 1500 miles (that’s 125 miles/month).

#3) Run down some shiny, new PRs (personal records), specifically in the half and full marathons.  This means…

  • Running a half marathon faster than 1:53:15 (8:39/mile).
  • Running a full marathon faster than 3:59:51 (9:09/mile).

#4) My last (and least favorite) running goal is to… deep breath… Race less.  In 2011, I ran seven full marathons, eight half marathons, and nine other races.  While 24 races per year is awesome sauce for the race junkie in me, it’s not so awesome for the financially responsible adult I sometimes try to be… That, and the race medals are taking over the house and I really don’t like clutter…  So it’s with a heavy heart, that I will be limiting myself to no more than 12 races in 2012.  That’s only one per month, folks!   (*Disclaimer: Races that are free, races for which I win a bib, and races for which my mom registers me, do NOT count towards this 12 race limit!)

Check out my extremely modest race calendar, so far:

  • 01/22/12: Carlsbad Marathon – REGISTERED
  • 03/18/12: LA Marathon – REGISTERED
  • 05/06/12: Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon *Wish list
  • 06/03/12: Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon – REGISTERED

#5) Buy a house: This itty-bitty, teeny-tiny, little goal is a huge factor in my financially responsible change-of-heart.

#6) Practice yoga and/or meditate with hubs, at least once/week… This might be my most challenging goal of all, but it will probably make hubs happiest!

#7) Build my resume: Career-wise, my wheels are a-turnin’.  I’ve already put it out there that I want to start working towards a writing career, so I’m cooking up an action plan, which includes: building my skill sets, getting involved, and (this one was easy) writing more!  This is good news for chicknamedchuck.com.

What do you want out of 2012?

Shout Out on Runner’s World!

29 Dec

Chick Named Chuck got a shout out on today’s Runner’s World Training Daily blog!  Check it out!: http://trainingdaily.runnersworld.com/2011/12/rwrunstreak-all-the-way-across-the-internet/

I’m practically a published author!  Okay, not really (I’m going to vote it doesn’t really count unless I get paid.  Anyone want to pay me?!).  This is super awesome coming the day after I decided I’m really, truly going to start pursuing a career as a freelance author (I’m cooking up a New Year’s Resolution post).  And my guide to life, a.k.a. Runner’s World, is (obviously) on the list of publications to which I want to contribute–especially because my hubs just renewed my subscription for THREE MORE YEARS!

Good things are in store for 2012.  Anyone else feel it?

Just FYI – Today is day #29 of the streak and I’m starting to wonder how in the world I’ll bring myself to break it.

What awesomeness is happening for you today?

Will you be making any New Year’s Resolutions?

Day #27

28 Dec

Today is Day #27 of the streak.  I’m not going to lie, I kind of, sort of, love this challenge way too much.  There’s no hemming and hawing over whether or not to run today.  The answer is already decided.

Yes, Chuck, yes, you will be running today.

All I have to figure out is the when, where, and how far.  And honestly, I haven’t put much thought or strategy into those details.  I’m just running whenever, wherever, and as much as I feel like running at that moment.

As for the reward?  Um, hi, daily runner’s high, I love you!

Yesterday night, hubs and I flew back to San Diego from a way-too-short weekend in my home-sweet-hometown of Cincinnati.  While there, I got in a couple awesome runs with my dad, who is a beast!  He puts his mind to something and does it.  He’s a (much) faster runner than I am and he pushes my limits, but in a good way.  Qualifying for Boston (at the LA Marathon in March) is well within his grasp and I might be more than a tiny bit jealous, but I’m also incredibly stoked for him and get all stoked and emotional just thinking about cheering for him at the Boston Marathon.  It also makes me want to get to the nearest treadmill for some speed intervals ASAP!

In any case, I did a medium-long run of 11 miles yesterday, where I planned to keep my pace at 9:25-9:40/mile.  However, I felt good and kept pushing my pace a little faster, a little faster, a little faster, and ultimately averaged 8:48/mile for the whole run, which is fast for me!  Most surprising was that I felt really good holding a pace of 8:20-8:50/mile and it gave me a big boost of confidence.  Moral of the story: I need to keep pushing my limits, with or without dad’s presence.

In other awesome news, one of my good friends, who’s adamant about the fact that he “hates running,” just told me his goal is to run 1000 miles in 2012.  Super rad!

And a girlfriend, who just rocked her first half marathon earlier this month is already looking ahead to her next halfie.  Loving it!

chick named Chuck’s Wish List

19 Dec

Along with world peace and a cure for cancer… I have a few other (consumerist) items on my wish list.  And with 8 nights of Hanukkah and 12 days of Christmas, there’s just enough time to get everything I want… Right, hubby?

Why do I hear crickets…?

Running Shoes: Asics released the spiffy new GT-2170s, which means the 2011 model–the GT-2160s–are on sale and it’s time to stock up!

Running Log: This may come as a shock, but I’m a huge fan of planning, making lists, and keeping track of stuff, especially when it comes to running data… So, it’d be nice to have one awesome place for all of that awesomeness.

Runner’s World Magazine: This is pretty much the holy grail of running publications and along with all the ‘just because’ cards from my mom, it’s one of the only reasons I actually bother checking the mail.

Once A Runner: A Novel by John L. Parker – Supposedly, this is “one of the most beloved sports novels ever written.”  I love a good read and a good read about running is icing on my gluten-free cake!

12 Month Wall Calendar by Runner’s World (for at home).  We’ve gotten these in the past and they have gorgeous pictures, plus major marathons and races are already listed each month!

Daily/Box Calendar, also by Runner’s World (for at work).  I’ve never had one of these billygoats, but some extra, daily run-inspiration?  Yes, please!

SIGG Aluminum Water Bottle, 1.0 Liter or larger, please!  I drink A LOT of water.  And it’ll make my mom super happy to know I’ve stopped drinking out of plastic bottles.

Water Resistant Running Jacket: I’ve had my eye on this North Face Torpedo Jacket.  After running 4 of 12 marathons in the rain, I think I’ve earned some proper rain gear.

Yoga DVD: This one is geared towards athletes, including “pose adjustments to help athletes overcome sport-specific tightness.”

A Lifetime Supply of GU!  My top 3 favorite flavors are: Vanilla Bean, Espresso Love, and Chocolate Outrage.  And I’d love to try the newest flavor: Peanut Butter.

Gym Bag: Gaiam makes an ‘Everything Fits Recycled Gym Bag’ that looks pretty rad.

Running Capris like these Lululemon Run Inspire Crops:

Running Shorts (with a zipper pocket for GU, keys, etc.), like these Lululemon Turbo Run Shorts:

A New Purse!  Hubby thinks it’s hilarious that these purses are called “hobos.”

Non-Running Shoes: I want some TOMS!

MacBook Air: Jared’s old MacBook is starting to poop out and we’ll be needing a new laptop soon.  We haven’t shopped around at all, but this looks super-duper amazing awesome… I want!

And while we’re dreaming big… I would also like an iPad:

A Lexus GS Hybrid and chauffeur!

My dream house:

And so many other things…

When you’re at a loss for words

19 Dec

Steal someone else’s…

“Happiness is a form of courage.”

It’s as true and as simple as that.  Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.  And eventually, I’ll find my words again.  In the meantime, I’ll just keep running.

WE’RE GOING STREAKING!

1 Dec

I love, love, love a fresh start.  A clean slate.  A brand new day.  A brand new MONTH!  It’s so full of potential and promise and unclaimed awesomeness (can you imagine how psyched I’ll be for the new YEAR?)!

As an all-things-running-obsessed runner who’s stuck in front of a computer Monday through Friday, 10am to 7pm, I spend a lot of time perusing the holy grail of running, a.k.a. RunnersWorld.com.  Welp, I spent last week in Chicago, far, far away from a computer and missed out on this post about the Inaugural Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak.  Over 100 runners made the following pledge: Starting on Thanksgiving and continuing through New Year’s Day, I will run at least a mile every day.

Um, hi, I love this junk, but I missed the memo and haven’t been onboard!  In fact, I’ve been sick with “the crud” and I’ve been too busy whining and taking antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, Sudafed, nasal spray, and Tylenol to lace up sneaks and go for a run.

Anyhow, I may be a week late, but I’m stealing that running streak idea and I’m streaking my way right out of 2011!

In the words of Frank in Old School: "WE'RE GOING STREAKING!!!!"

Starting on December 1 and continuing through New Year’s Day, I will run at least a mile (and up to 26.2 miles!) every day.  And I will Own Every Mile.

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