My Apology to Ms. Fenwick

Dear Ms. Fenwick,

Congratulations on finishing a (hilly) 15K this weekend!  I am so proud of you. 

On a side note, I owe you numerous apologies for my failure to post on the blog, my lackluster attempts at sticking to the "plan" the past few weeks (closings are the beast!) and overall lack of enthusiasm for the upcoming Half. 

To get excited for the next 3 weeks of final training before Nashville, I had a running themed weekend.  First, I joined our friend Bum for a jog through Myers Park.  We have already scheduled a repeat for next weekend.  Second, I bought myself a new pair of running shoes.  Apparently, me and Asics have issues, as this was the second pair that I worn holes in the toes well before their time.  Photos to follow.  Anyway, after some research on my overpronation and low arch (I felt like a runner when I used those terms at the shoe store) I purchased my first pair of Brooks.  They are heaven!  I set out for a short run in them Sunday, expecting to have buyer's remorse.  Next thing you know, I am over an hour in and the next town over.  I kid you not.  Long run, check!

Today was another successful run - I am so back in the game. Next step - picking out amazing outfits for our trip to Nashville!

Anyway, I hope this demonstrates my renewed enthusiasm for FenDoo.  I am super excited to see you in Nashville and will be back to a regular posting schedule. 

Love,
Doo

Off to the Races, Rain or Shine...

St. Patty's fun to keep our spirits up...

Where are we?

Slightly lost in the 'burbs of ATL but having a good time nonetheless...

Rain jackets: Ridiculously-heavy-when-wet.

Pre sweat.

Post sweat-rain.

Extremely impressed by selection of post-race goodies
(note half-eaten banana plus mango-bites' discovery)

Happy Birthday, Biebs.

Race numbers shot, as proof.

Things I Learned from Running in the Rain

Yes...I know.  I have neglected my blog duties.  So there are plenty of updates . . . .

(1) Our First Official Race!

This past weekend, I made the journey to ATL for the Chattahoochee 10K.  My pre-trip travel plans did not include checking the weather so I was unprepared for the cold and rainy race forecast, which put a slight damper in our St. Patty's Day themed race attire (pictures to follow).  Fortunately, Julia's BF Ben let me borrow his "rain jacket" for the race and Julia and I still got plenty of compliments on the knee high socks she acquired from Target for the occasion.  Both of us finished on track for our half marathon goal times, with Julia taking the lead. 

Top 5 Lessons learned: (i) invest in throw-away warm ups when running in cold/wet weather (those people wearing trash bags for the first mile or so did not seem as silly when I was craddling two jackets through the home stretch), (ii) knee high socks tend to cut off circulation, (iii) its a good idea to learn how to work your sports watch correctly, (iv) scout out the race location beforehand (we were a bit directionally challenged the day of) and (v) Mango Bites might be the best thing ever.

Overall, it was a great race and one I wouldn't mind doing again.  Definitely motivation for the 7 weeks left before the half.

(2) Las Vegas Update

Julia and I received big announcement emails about the Las Vegas Marathon today (as did everyone else who has ever participated in the Rock & Roll Marathon Series).  Apparently, the marathon will start at night this year (4:00 PM to be exact) with a 4.5 hour cut off time for finishing.  The entire thing sounds amazing - take a look at stripatnight.com - however, being that it will be our first full marathon, we are a bit hesitant about the 4.5 hour cut off.   We are going to think this over during the next few weeks - our other December option: HAWAII.  Can't be too upset about that substitution!

(3) First "Hill" Run

Tomorrow, my training schedule requires that I do a hill run - 15 min jog, then 4 hill sprints (2 miles up, jog back down), 15 min cool down.  Super exciting! (ok - trying to mentally pep talk myself into believing it will not be as miserable as it sounds).

These things make me happy....

1. Saturday, new running shoes, Asics again, fucshia this time: check. (http://www.phidippides.com/... i highly recommend, fellow Atlantans...)
   
2. Sunday, funday, long-run-day, 5 miles: check.
   
3. Monday night, registration for Chattahoochee Road Runners 10K: check.
4. Tuesday night, faux-race with college-aged, treadmill-neighbor at gym: check. (i find this little trick to be extremely motivating ... what can i say, running brings out my lawyerly, type-A, competitive side like no other...)
   
5. Also Tuesday night, highly-exclusive super-early pre-registration for AJC Peachtree Road Race, courtesy of ATL Track Club membership, check.
   

.....It's all happening, my friends.

February and 70...we'll take it!

Doo and Fen, ready to go; Amos, not ready.

Little cowboy...

Chasing Amos around the kitchen = Warm-up.

Injury #1 of Running Year: Battle of the cankle.

Post-run happiness.

Elation...

New digs.

Joy...

Britt will be featured on next week's episode of "Cribs."

February Cheers!

Wild mushroom mac n' cheese, stuffed hushpuppies, &
cornbread skillet with pecan butter...

Pat Green fun!

WoFenDoo attack...

The only thing harder than our 5-mile run was convincing
a cowboy to loan his hat out for this picture.
Successes all around!

Wave on Wave

This week has been been a long one between Valentines Day (or in my case, Singles Awareness Day), a stressful work week and fighting off the winter illness that is being passed around my office.  However, the thought of Fenwick's (and Amos') upcoming trip to the Queen City helped me push through this week's runs.  Ok, and I had to burn off some Valentines Day chocolate.

With the highly anticipated redneck run quickly approaching,  this week I mixed a long run with some speed work outs.  And much to my surprise, regardless of my lingering cold, all of the runs went pretty well.   I think we are more than ready to face the booty loop on Saturday.  New favorite songs on repeat?  Chris Brown - Look at Me Now, Miguel - Sure Thing and the new country addition, Lover, Lover - Jerrod Niemann. 

The post run celebration?  Champagne (of course), BBQ at a biker bar (only fitting for a redneck run!) and dragging out the cowboy boots for Pat Green.  Obviously, Pat and some other country favorites will be featured on the playlist for Saturday's run.  Apparently, some of our other law school friends want to add a trip to the Gun Show in as well.  Nothing like a weekend in the South!

Young hearts, be free tonight...

I haven't posted in a while....this is because, up until tonight, I haven't had much good news to report from the running front. Getting up at 5:00 a.m. wasn't happening unless I went to bed at 10:00 p.m. sharp. The alternative of running after work was not going well at all. I tried a couple of times. After 10 hours of office-sitting, my body was shocked into aerobic activity and basically rejected the whole thing entirely...

Not so this evening! Something had to change with the way I was carrying out my work days. So, I made a concerted effort today to (a) drinks lots and lots of water, (2) limit the caffeine intake, and (d) eat a sizeable lunch plus afternoon snack around 3:00ish.

And it worked wonders. Tonight's run felt amazing. I'm back in the game!

New idea: making a new playlist timed for each run. 4 miles, 40 minute playlist. It's like the cool-down song is the finish line. I realize it's head game, but hey - whatever works, right?

Favorites from tonight's playlist:
Black Keys - Howlin' for You
Rod Stewart - Young Turks (what a beat!)
Rooney - When Did Your Heart Go Missing?
Avett Brothers - Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise (highly inspirational lyrics)
Bieber: Baby (that's right. i'm only a little bit embarrassed.)

Upcoming: DooFen Do Charlotte. Race #2 of 2011. Old law school pals, running the Booty Loop, Texas country, the perfect chance to wear my cowboy boots, and honoring our past presidents...

Can't think of a better way to spend the weekend.