70 laps of hell...

The marathon training is not going so well due to the streets still being terrible. Mike and I decided that enough is enough so off to the rec center we went. It was good fun except for the fact that we had to run for 70 minutes around a 0.1 mile lap. We walked about 4 minutes total in that time and did a few cool off laps so that puts us at around 70 laps of hell. The distance is getting to the point where I can feel that my body needs to fuel. I'm in absolute pain by the end of the run and the rest of the day I'm just exhausted. I'm still waiting for this mystical "runners high" to hit. Occasionally I'll feel a bit euphoric but nothing like what I've heard. I can't imagine eating during these runs but that is what the recommendation is. Our short runs are now at 38:30 so we are running just short of 15 miles a week. This is good because that evens out to about 5 runs of 3 miles each except we do it over 3 runs. Friday's run is for 75 minutes so wish us luck.



I've turned into one of those nutty dog people. I was getting very sad at the thought of leaving the Dukes behind while we were away on vacation. It seems so daunting to trust her to someone else's care. We have a great option with our friend being able to house sit but it still just made me sad. My solution: Fly dad out! He knows the Dukes so well and is very good with her routine since he stayed with us for 6 weeks over Christmas. I think I misclassified my dad. He isn't a "goo goo" dog person but rather someone who can appreciate and enjoy dogs without fawning over them. It was shocking for me to discover how much he knows about dogs and their raising. He grew up on a farm and his brother is a dog breeder so I guess that helps. Anyway, the advice he gave us while she was here was great and I even caught him petting her one time so I think it is all good. He will walk her, and feed her, and discipline her very well. Dogs really don't need the amount of affection we give them. Yeah! If she were just a bit older I wouldn't be so paranoid but she will be 5 months when we leave.



She is getting big! She weighed in at 30 lb yesterday at our vet visit. Her ears are growing so big. I think these photos are so funny.

Her ears are so big! As is usual one is up and one is down but the other one started lifting up this weekend.

Here is a picture of us together. As you can see the running has done nothing to erase the double chin I have going. I took some measurements today (since the scale is off limits forever) and my waist and thighs are both 1.5 inches bigger around than where they ideally should be. I'm back on the fit day band wagon for now in hopes that I won't look like a beached whale while on vacation.

As you can also tell from the photo I have not been able to break the couch habit. She is getting to know that she has to be invited up before jumping but she does get over excited and hop up. Okay, enough about mutt dog.

What else is going on? Work is picking up nicely which is great. I've scheduled 3 open houses this weekend to try and catch up given the bad weather. Usually I'm praying that it snows so I don't have to work and now I'm wishing that won't as I really need to get out there else I will be in big trouble later in the year. The assistant, BB, is great and it takes a load off my schedule for now but there is still a ton of training, etc.

BRRR

It's freakin freezing in Denver. What they hey. I'm contemplating not walking the mutt today. She got 3 walks yesterday as Mike and I both walked her when we got home so maybe that will count for today. It's just so bitterly cold it is unbearable.

Here is a picture of mutt dog. She is so big and as is typical her one ear is standing up a bit and the other is completely floppy. We wonder if the other ear will flop up but it's not very likely. She is so big now!

Dukes is learning lot of new tricks. She is trying to master (almost but not yet) roll over and crawl. Below is a sequence of her roll over attempts. She still needs some guidance from the treat.

Starting position

Off we go

Almost there

All done!

She is brilliant I tell you. I hate that stupid carpet and we have decided to get a new one once we move into the new house. Her coat is also changing color on her back which we are not pleased about at all (but we still love her)

Work is buys, busy. I'm trying to host client house warming parties this year. The first one was a "Trading Spaces" party on Saturday. It was fun and neat to see the clients on TV. They redid the basement by putting in this fantastic "sexy lounger/couch" and it worked out great. I set all my goals for the year, etc. and I have no idea how I will reach them (especially with the weather preventing any open house activity). Oh well; I'm going to try and not worry about it.

Aching

It's amazing how out of shape one gets if you just take 2 weeks off. We have not been running consistently for two weeks and it's very apparent. Although we did about 60:10 one week ago trying to eek out just 30 today was a nightmare. Running on snow packed, icy trails doesn't help either.

I've decided that resolutions cannot go into effect on the 1st as it's still a Holiday. In fact, resolutions cannot go into effect until all family members have left as it doesn't make sense to set yourself up for failure.

As far as my goals go I'm going to try and eat less sauce and just try and eat a balanced diet. I think if I could manage the sauce and the candy I would be on my way. It's tough though but I shall try. I'm going to only try and eat sauces that actually come with the meal and not order additional sides of sauce. I'm also going to try and substitute ketchup/bbq/mustard should I need to sauce anything up. AHAHA. This will be a toughie.

The Dukes is doing very well. She is progressing along nicely in all areas but one: walking on the leash. She used to be really good but now she is a devil. It's really important to us she walk with a loose leash but she is in that terrible two stage and just doesn't want to listen. AHAHA. There are way too many distractions outsides and not even chopped up hot dog will do the trick. Little bitch.

Above is a picture of the Dukes demonstrating her latest trick. She is learning to lift either paw on command which can later turn into tricks such as shake, high five, and wave. Very exciting.

This one just cracked up up. She looks like a little rat here. She has gotten much bigger and is almost too heavy to pick up.

Here is the Dukes contemplating her options upon waking up. Where to go?

Shocked

I'm shocked to read that Darrent Williams (Broncos player) was gunned down this morning. The kid had so much talent. It's really unreal. It puts things into perspective.