Christmas, then a change of direction for the blog...i promise

1/1/08- Spencer’s first Holiday Season

AFTER THIS ENTRY THE DIRECTION AND NOT SO RIVETING DIRECTION OF THIS BLOG WILL CHANGE. But since this entry is already written…here it is:

Run- The weather has been absolutely insane in Appleton (we are home for the holidays). A blizzard started as a rainstorm and changed to a snowstorm with 50 MPH winds. On Saturday I got out to Bouboltz Nature Preserve for a great but soggy snowshoe run. It was the first run on my new Atlas Dual Trac running snowshoes. They are fantastic; better than the older version than I rented. Sunday morning came with a overbearing mix of snow and wind. Emily and I hit the basement for a workout. I replicated much of the work that I did at Core Fitness and managed to do some serious damage to myself. I had a great 45 minute workout and I feel it today!

After getting back to Madison on Christmas night my running holiday began. I began following my scheduled plan for the Kettle 100. This week was a 37 mile week, which I completed all but 7 miles of on snow shoes. Sunday the 30th I gave myself one of the hardest runs I’ve ever had. I ran 15 miles on snowshoes through thick powder for much of it. The running snowshoes are not designed for powder at all. They have a very small footprint and sink quickly into powder; this made for an ass-kicking workout. At the 45-minute mark, with a LONG run left, I decided it would be fun to follow a great summer trail that crosses a ravine. In I went…both feet went through the ice and into shin deep ice water. After pulling myself out and taking a second to regroup, I decided that I had to keep going and hope it wouldn’t get too cold. I ended up with an incredible run that felt more like a race than a Sunday long training run. Monday came with that soreness that feels so good. I did an hour of yoga for the first time in quite a while and it felt terrific!
New Years day, Sarah N dragged me out for my four miler…and with that ends break. My running now, if it is going to happen like it has to, will be at 4:30 in the morning.Yuck!

12/22/07- Snowshoes (heavy wet snow, trails) 45 minutes
12/23/07- Core, leg workout, 45 minutes

Holidays-

As a student, the thought of the holiday break was enough to drive me out of my skin. With any luck there was ample snow on the ground and much sledding would be done over break! I knew that I didn’t have to worry about schoolwork or teachers for two whole weeks. This, I can assure you, pales in comparison to the abundant joy and elation experienced this year, my first year as a teacher. Knowing that I don’t have to make Nick or Martha (all names with ALWAYS be false) get back on task or stop batting each other around for two whole weeks…I can’t even explainJ My first big chunk of the year is under my belt and I am feeling great! Somehow I picked the perfect gig for me. But I’m on break right now and don’t really feel like talking about teaching. So, onto the boy.

Spencer’s first Holiday Season-

This break was made perfect because of Emily and Spencer. In two weeks I have been able to put Spencer down for every nap but one, feed him sweet potatoes and avocados everyday, and play with him to no end.

Instead of continuing to add to this entry, I will post it now (1/5/08) and begin a new entry. The direction of this blog needs to change. I’m bored writing it, I can’t imagine how fun it is to read.