29:51

Happy New Year's Eve. Ran with Hollyn at 7:30am - had a new route planned out in my head but realized after 10 minutes that my feet had taken us in the wrong direction on a path that we always do out of habit! Naughty feet. So, we just did a short run. I'd wanted to do about 40 mins, but oh well. Yesterday's run was a bust, 1. because I didn't get out of bed and, 2. because we had winds gusting at 80 - 100mph all night long. Worst sleep ever.

Monday

Went with my running mate, Hollyn, for the FIRST time together in 10 days! It was great to see her again. We took it easy with a 30 min. run - both our hubby's had work so we quit at 7:35am and headed home. We'll rendez-vous again tomorrow and find our groove. 30 mins in the wee hours sure beats 20 mins on the horrid treadmill! We'll do longer runs once the kids are all back in school...8 days from today!

Wild West Relay

Otherwise known as Get Your Ass Over the Pass!
http://www.wildwestrelay.com/

I ran the Portland to Coast/Hood to Coast Relay back in Oregon in '97. It was such a fun event and a great experience for me. I'd love to do the Wild West Relay over the Rockies. If not this year then I'll shoot for next. August '09 is busy one for Sheebs: 20th highschool reunion in Montreal, PQ; Cricket's 5th b.day; friend Kelly's wedding on the 22nd. So we'll see what happens. My #1 goal is Marathon.

Sunny Sunday

Went for a nice 40 min. run this morning. No need for warm hat or gloves. Just a long sleeve shirt and my rei vest, track pants and my son's ipod. Passed a lot of dog walkers (what is the proper etiquette for passing someone on the sidewalk? "Excuse me, please, I need to pass you on the left..." but the time I get it out I've already passed and given them a huge fright with my loud voice.) I might invent a runner's bell that we can ring to pass. Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Ok, so I've decided to start a Union for Runners. I'm calling it Runner's Rights. Does it already exist? Or something like it? I'm mostly interested in making sure *we* runners have our needs met at race events, etc. My number 1 complaint at any race is the port-a-potty situation. Not enough, and ewwwww. So, how about MORE and his/hers instead of unisex? Face it, you guys out there have the luxury of standing up. We Shelias have to sit, and usually on race day it's a nasty mess. SO, I propose PINK port-a-potties for the women. I have mentioned this to friends before and they all think it's a great idea. I'll figure out how to get all of his done. Just give me some time. For now, it's to the shower!

U.D.W.

Under Da Weather.

Woke up after a bad night's sleep involving sore throat spray and ibuprofen. Very tired and weak so won't attempt a run today, will try to conserve my strength by taking my kids to see Marley & Me. Will hopefully feel up tomorrow and get that run in. Back to running w/ my partner on Monday. We've missed our 6:20am runs since the snow/kids vacation started. Looking forward to our daily gossip sessions as well as our workouts.

Windy post-Christmas Run

It's a sunny day - almost 40 degrees...but very windy and I had some strong head-winds for a while which were fun. It looked to passersby like I was running in place pumping my arms...so eventually I turned around after 20 minutes of that and ran back the way I started and finished a good 40:31 minute run. Nick let me borrow his new shuffle which was SO much nicer than my 2003 necklace ipod shuffle not to mention his songs ROCK versus my mellow alternative tunes. It's amazing how much faster I run when I've got Van Halen blasting me up a hill. Love it. I ran with my new running gloves (thanks C & R!) and Jon's new running beanie (thanks C & R!) and was quite warm and flushed when I got home. Did I mention that I love running?

A Christmas Eve-Day Run

What a GREAT run. Outside, 37 degrees...sunshine...no wind. Found my stride after mile 1, but boy was it such a welcome change from running inside on the 'mill. I LOVE running outside! Think I did 4 miles but not too sure. A loop through the park, past the elementary school, by the other park, down the big main road...just enough to keep me energetic enough to get through all the Festivites of this wonderful Christmas Eve. Folks are here, the kids are all excited and bright-eyed. Fondue is almost ready...egg-nogg is flowing. Life is good. Merry Christmas.

Blah blah blah

So I ran yesterday...could only do 20 minutes on the treadmill. I just couldn't take it. I did some hard hills at top speed but couldn't wait to get off the machine. I spent about 10 minutes doing some circuit training and free weights. I'm just not a "gym" person...

Today is a GORGEOUS sunny day, piercing blue sky...but so so cold. I hope to go for my first outside run in almsot 2 weeks later on today if it gets above 10 degrees. I miss scenery and solitude.

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Sunday, Bitter Sunday

It's so cold today (again!) must be in the 20's but the wind-chill is bitter. I managed to get to the gym for my treadmill rendez-vous today. I was at a Christmas party until 12:30am last night so was feeling very sluggish going into the workout. But I ran for 30 - doing intervals and hills. Stretched out after with some downdog, triangle, and side-angle as well as a bit of core work. Then I had to go to the store...the real work-out. ON MY WALLET.

A brief history of Sheebs

Sheebs.

My mangled nick-name. When I was younger my family called me The Queen of Sheba...because of my Ethiopian birthright and supposed "Royal" behavior. When I first started posting on-line I used the name Sheba...but then my dad got a dog and named HER Sheba...so I changed my username to Sheebs. Come to find out that my Uncle Hike always figured my nickname was Sheba because of the obvious: SH.auna E.lizabeth B.owcutt A.nderson. Now that's Karma. So, Sheebs. That's me. SH.auna E.lizabeth E.volving B.owcutt Sistah.

Cross Country Running...

...on the Treadmill. So, today I chose the Performance option and was given a nice CC spread. Lots of hills (incline at 3, 5, 7, 9) running 5 mins each incline. I decided to remove the annoying belt clip as I kept hitting it and pausing the computer which was VERY frustrating...and I have to say that I've become bitterly disappointed with my Saucony shoes. They're only a month old (my old ones lasted me 7 months godbless'em) and the craftsmanship (in China) is so crappy - the tongue of the right shoe has a big seam that makes the material bunch up and dig into the very tender part of the top of my foot where my ankle attaches to my foot. It kills when I run - feels like I have a sharp rock pressing into my foot and it sometimes give such a sharp pain that I momentarily lose my balance and my stride. I have to stop and readjust my laces frequently so I can ease up on the pain. I like my laces to really cinch down so I have more stability, but because of the junky tongue I have to losen the laces so much I feel like I'm running in clogs. I'm so mad that I spent $100 for these crappy shoes when I know the materials cost $5 and the labor was $0.35...I'm going to give my Runner's Roost store a piece of my mind next time I'm in there. Maybe I should just contact Saucony and tell them that their shoes are compromising my running exshperiensh.

Week of Dec 14th

Ok, so the treadmill this week...ugh...been doing 30 - 35 minute runs w/ lots of intervals and incline at 5.5. That's all I can tolerate. My ipod is my lifesaver. But, note to self: get some new tunes..soon. I hate the heat of the gym, I break out in hives everytime I sweat. But, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to run inside when it's snowing and icy and minus 24 outside. I shouldn't complain. I prefer to run outdoors...can't wait for spring/summer!!

Running History

I first discovered running when I lived in Tawa, New Zealand. I was in Std. 4 (5th grade) and Mrs. Dibble organised a Track Meet amongst the local schools. It was a cross-country race, and quite to my surprise I found that I could run - and fast! So, I fell in love. It wasn't until 8th grade living in Kinshasa, Zaire that I discovered my sprinting ability...and I used to run the 50 and 100 yard dash and win almost every time. I eventually tried the 1 mile run and won that as well. When I went to college I ran for fun/exercise and have been running ever since. I find that it helps to clear my head, gives me energy, makes me feel amazing. I heart running.

Bonjour

Welcome to my RunningBlog. I hope this motivates you. I hope this motivates me! I run almost daily...but have to get creative with the weather in N. Colorado - so I've been on the treadmill at the Gym a lot lately...awful. HATE it. However, I will not give up or quit. And I will try to keep a daily journal of my successes and failures. 2009 will hopefully be the year of the Marathon for me as I've only done 2 half marathons to date and a handful of 5 and 10k's and duathlons. Got to step it up a notch.