I run happy.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Hello Marathon, Hello Whales, Hello Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Southern California finally feels like Christmas! The Santa Ana winds are blowing a colder wind at odd times of the day(like during my speed workouts along the coast)and the California Gray Whales are making their way to Scammon's Lagoon in Mexico.  BS, my trusty running partner/husband and I,  received a WHALE SPOUTING show at sunset on Wednesday night and I was jumping up and down along the cliffs as I spotted the water sprays over six times!
I love whales.
I love sunsets.
I love running.
I love my running partner.
Enough said about that.

Only 3 weeks and some odd days until the Carlsbad Marathon! 
This training has been a mix of the ooh's and aah's...
**a long, long base phase of slow, slow long runs
**a lot of hills run at various paces that have both killed me and made me stronger.
Have you tried running up hill for 60 mins?
In Southern California?  On the coast?
(witch cackle inserted here...bahhhhaaaahaaaa)
More hill sprints, bounds and 1 min. repeats.
**a lot of marathon pace long runs which I've only just started so I hope they kick in and stick for the race!

OOOh and ahhh all I want,  it's RACE DAY that counts and I'm feeling like I can keep myself happy and feeling confident if I keep up with the rest of the workouts for the next two weeks and then sigh that ultimate ahhhh...for taper.  I'm ready for that.

Goals?
To start and finish injury free!
Be strong!
Be happy!

I can do that...

Finally,  I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and my thoughts and hugs go out to each one of you this season.
Meg

The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes. Cultivating a close, warm-hearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. This helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the ultimate source of success in life.
The Dali Lama




19 comments:

  1. i want more hills darn it! Guess we'll see where we move next, I could get my wish.

    Glad to hear training is going well, you are a much quieter blogger now :)

    Merry Christmas!

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  2. Hills? Speedwork? Long runs? What are those? I ran twice this week, once for 3 miles and once for 5...and part of that 5 I walked. I hope they hold that plane for me Sunday night cuz it's gonna take me an awful long time. Anyhoo, I am very happy to hear the running is going well, you WILL do so great. I'm so excited to see you and your sweet smile!

    Merry Christmas, Megsie! Big hugs to you and BS!

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  3. Seeing the whales must have been magical. That is NOT something I seeo n my runs.

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  4. Merry Christmas to you!

    I'm not ready for Carlsbad, but it's still my favorite. See you there!

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  5. Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is awesome. Lucky you seeing the whales. Hill workouts for an hour - you can have that, I'll pass.

    Merry Christmas

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  6. We have so many hills I have to work hard just to avoid them for an easy run! (especially now:)

    Thank you so much for you support and comments over the last several months. I'm so glad the blogoshere brought us together! have a great Christmas meg! xoxo

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  7. What an awesome experience to see the whales.

    Merry Christmas sweet Meg, it's been a pleasure following your blog this year

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  8. a whale spouting! that would be too cool. merry christmas meg to you and your family!! i truly enjoy having you as a friend and blog-buddy :)

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  9. Happy Christmas. Unfortunately, the cool temps didn't last for us this holiday weekend. Well, it wouldn't be a San Diego Christmas if you couldn't decide between slacks and shorts, now would it.

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  10. Well, we had a light Christmas snow, but certainly NO whale spoutings, DARN! Thank you for sharing that photo, as I LOVED it... have never seen such a thing & you know how I love nature things :-)

    You want hills? Come visit me in NH & I'll give you all the hills your little heart can handle ;-)

    Enjoy your holiday break. Happy training, happy tapering & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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  11. Wonderful whales! I'm hoping to see lots of whales in Hawaii next month. How wonderful to see them as part of your everyday life. No wonder people love living in California. Your training is going great and I'm excited for you and your upcoming race!

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  12. What a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas, Meg! I am glad you have not gotten too close to the edge this year :)..

    I like reading about your training for Carlsbad. I am taking a slow easy build up approach this time too, hoping I don't peak to early or force an injury. I am just getting into the 2 quality days a week and one will be the long run- maybe some MP this time. Unless I change my mind! I am determined not to get sidelined. Better undertrained than overspent on race day.
    So glad to hear from you. Hope you are enjoying your vacation!

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  13. OMG best header pic ever! Now those are some serious guns!
    yes! I'll be in Carlsbad! Cannot wait to see you, it's been far too long since Boston so many moons ago!
    Not sure how fit or fast I'll be but I'll have fun!
    Belated Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  14. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Meg! Wishing you and BS a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012.

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  15. I've been woefully absent from the Internets, but hoping you and yours had a wonderful Christmas. Hopefully, we'll be able to meet up before Carlsbad! (I'm doing the 1/2)

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