1.03.2011

Christmas trees, bikes and running

They don't all go to together : )

Christmas trees - Growing up, my mom always kept up our tree for a long time, at least till the end of January. It makes sense to me because it is nice to see it and brings a smile. I've tried to keep ours up as long as possible in recent years and usually can't wait to put it up. This year I'm ready to get it down already. I want the space back and all the Christmas stuff to be put away.  I've already seen some trees out on the curb. How long do you keep up your tree? Ours is fake so I don't have to worry about it drying out.

Bikes - I have a mountain bike and for the 2 triathlons that I signed up for this spring/summer, I want to use a road bike. I don't want to buy one of these just yet and hear they are expensive. Do you think I could borrow or find one on Craig's List for the tris? What would you do?

Running - opportunities abound! I think that I will meet my goals of running with people for 2011. I'm very committed to it. On Saturday I sent out an email to my master's swim team seeing if anyone could run with me on Sunday morning at a trail nearby mid-morning. Most of the clubs meet at 8am and it is much easier for me to feed Kara, put her down for a nap and then go.  A friend in my lane agreed to run with me. It was great! She led the way and ran an even paced 8 miles with average of 8:38. It felt like I was pushing it a little but I needed to be pushed!  When I ran with my sister just a week ago, we did the same course and I led the pace and finished 8 minutes slower at the end.

When I sent out the email, I had other responses telling me about group runs and I ended up on a list for a couple of local clubs. Tomorrow there is a hill workout in the morning about 15 minutes away. I'm thinking of going, but my only fear is the darkness and tripping from not being able to see. Do you run in the dark?  Maybe I should get one of those head lamps?  I'm really psyched to have people to run with!

Happy New Year!

15 comments:

  1. In our house everything comes down New Years Day. That was what my Mom always did and I have just followed suit, however my hubby would keep it up until Valentine's Day if we had a fake tree!!

    It sounds like you have some great leads on running with people. That is one of my goals this year. We live in a completely new place and I think it would be a good way to meet new people. I get so nervous though running with people I don't know. Oh and I'm not so great running in the dark since I have night blindness and a terrible case of the scaredy pants!

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  2. we take our tree down on new years day. mostly because i have the time to do it. if i don't do it then, we'll get too busy when we get back to work and it will stay up forever.

    i got a great deal on my road bike. i looked on craigslist and ebay but when it came down to it, i felt more comfortable paying a little more and having a person walk me through it, fit me, etc.

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  3. Our tree is living, so it comes down usually New Year's Eve/Day or a couple after that. This year is was New Year's Eve. We also had the plastic tree growing up but I can't remember when we took it down. I've only run in the dark a couple of times and then only b/c there were going to be other people out and about for safety. Obviously this doesn't apply here, so have fun - try it and see if you do need some added light. ll the group running sounds fun! I know what you mean about being pushed - I did a long run with a friend 10 years younger than me a couple of months ago and it was awesome, even if I was a little zonked at the end! Happy New Year!

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  4. We have a fake tree and for some reason I could wait to take it down. I typically love to have it up as long as possible but this year it went up 2 weeks later and come down a week earlier. With kids we need the space.

    That is great that you have connected with a couple of groups. I would love to find some groups in my area

    I started a bootcamp today and we ran outside at 5am and it made me a little nervous since I could not see and there are some ice patched I think I am going to invvest in a headlamp... I dont think they are too bad...

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  5. Very cool about the running groups! I'm going to start looking for some trail groups in Wissahickon - when it comes down to it, I just prefer running with other people.

    As for the road bike, I would totally lend you mine, but it's still in a box post-Ironman :) If you have someone you can borrow from, I might go that route until you decide whether you're really into it.

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  6. Happy new year!

    I have a headlamp and really like it. It makes my dark runs doable.

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  7. So glad you found running groups. Working out with others makes all the difference! We always took our tree down on New Years day growing up. I still do it here. This year I really wanted a clean fresh start to the year.

    Happy New Year!

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  8. Happy New Year! I usually take my Christmas tree down the weekend after the 1st of the year.

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  9. I got my bike on craigslist (although I knew the person selling it). They have tons of great deals on used one! Just go to a bike store and figure out what size you need first :)

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  10. We put our tree away on New Year's Day. It was sad to put it away, but the house suddenly feels a lot bigger without it!

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  11. Our tree will come down tomorrow as it is Al's last day of hol. We bought a fake tree this year as I could just not do needles with Murray and all his clobber!

    Great about the running buddies - LOVE running with my buddies and v excited about getting out tomorrow with them while Al's still off.

    Totally understand why you prefer to feed Kara and then go out!!!!

    Dark timke running scares me too. If I ever want to do a longer ultra I'll need to get over being a big girl's blouse though! LOL!

    Happy New year to you.

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  12. We took our tree down this past weekend and it was earlier than we ever do. I don't know why, but I just didn't want to look at it any more! :)

    Hey I have a Felt tri bike that I'm looking to sell. It was my first tri bike and it's in perfect condition. I have it on my trainer right now, but am getting a new bike this spring and want to make sure my first love goes to someone who's just starting out. I know you didn't want to buy one, but I wanted to throw it out there. I don't know how tall you are or anything, but I could give you the details if you are interested! :)

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  13. I took the tree down the day after new years. i couldnt stand looking at it another day. the house feels less cluttered and more open- just the way i like it! :)

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  14. We've been taking our tree down on Christmas night or the next day the last couple of years. I love decorating for Christmas, but after a month of having it up, I'm ready for the clean and simple look back :-)

    That is great on the running!

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  15. I also have a fake tree, & two years ago I left it up until April.

    Oops.

    This year, I already have all my decorations & tree down & put away. YAY!

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