[Pet Photo Challenge] Week 4: Grey

Grey is the color of January. Sometimes it's white, but mostly it's just grey, and that's the way you start to feel on the inside, being stuck in the house because it's too cold or too icy. Sure, El Nino is giving us some bit of reprieve here and there, but that just leads to rain, which is more grey. Bleh!

The upside to all this time indoors is you have to create your own fun! This week I took this picture of Henri, then turned it greyscale to go with out theme this week. I tend to have a hard time with his picture in black and white. His colors are just such are part of who he is to me, right down to his brown nose, that I have a hard time feeling like a black and white picture really captures who he is. That's the theme though and I do still like this picture...I might like it more in color...

Is your January as grey as ours? What do you do when it's grey outside?

Pushing Through

A little slower than yesterday, but considering how my body feels, I'm still calling that good. 

It might be time for new running shoes again. Yesterday, my previously injured ankle was hurting and today it's my foot, similar to the way it used to feel after I was injured. I am pushing myself pretty hard. I was already sore before I ran and then I ran and did T25 right after, yesterday and today. I can see why my legs are sore. I think it's just moved down into my foot and ankle. That's okay. I will have a day of rest tomorrow as I'm going to have a scope to try to figure out why I feel sick all the time. Maybe that will be enough of a break because it's supposed to be in the 50's this weekend and who wants to skip running in that? Well, it might rain so, I guess we will see.

Runs this year: 12

Miles run this year: 36

Some Motivation Required

It's been awhile...yet again. Darn ice and windchill! Darn living on the edge of town where you get nothing but wind.

Henri knew we were going on a run today. I came home from work and he jumped on me! I mean, literally, I walked in the door and he was there waiting, tail wagging, ready to go. He was so excited! I guess he could tell from being outside throughout the day that the temps were a little higher, I don't know, but he was ready to go! As much as I wanted to go, my muscles were stiff and sore from other workouts in our "downtime". These are the times it's good to have a dog attached to you, to keep you moving, to keep you motivated. Despite what my muscles were telling me, we had some pretty good miles. Then I came home and did some lunges and squats so we'll see how tomorrow goes. Oops. Henri, be ready to bring the motivation!

Runs this year: 11

Miles run this year: 33

Cheer Us On

We finally made it out for a run today! I knew our sidewalks were not cleared around the neighborhood so we drove out to the park to run around a bit. 

We were making our second loop around and passing a lot of people we had earlier past. One said, "Wow! You're making good time!" I appreciated it as I definitely didn't feel like we were making good time and really, we weren't. It just seemed that way because we were running and they were walking. Seriously though, more random cheering sections would be awesome! Can you even imagine how motivational that would be?

Runs this year: 10
Miles run this year: 30

[Pet Photo Challenge] Week 3: Cold

As you have noticed by the lack of blog posts, Henri and I have not been out for a run lately. That is because we are having bouts of bitter cold and now snow. Don't get me wrong, I am okay with snow, especially since I see no point in cold, especially bitter cold, if there is no snow. Sure, it makes it hard to run when the sidewalks are not shoveled, but we'll figure that out. I have a plan for that, I just need it to not be SO COLD!

As it turns out, "cold" is our photo theme for the week. Maybe this weather is all my fault! Sorry!!! Henri has needed some exercise, being stuck inside for days now due to negative windchills. We made a trip to the dog park so he could stretch his legs. We were the only ones there the entire hour or so we were there. He loves this weather! 

What do you and your pet do when it gets cold? Let's see it! Link up your blog below or use the hashtag #petphotochallenge2016 wherever it is you like to share!

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Have I mentioned how much I love running in the cold? Yeah, I guess I have.

Yesterday, I got off work early, which worked out as we got to take advantage of the break in the rain. It was pretty windy as the cold front was coming in, making a more challenging run, but our speed turned out to be okay which is what matters when I'm trying to wear Henri out.

Thankfully, the cold front didn't seem to blow in as hard as originally forecasted because while today is somewhat chilly, we never got ice or snow and the wind died down, making it another good day for a run. My legs are still tired from several days ago, so I still feel like I'm struggling to get up to speed. It's supposed to be really windy tomorrow so we'll take a rest day and see what happens going into the next week.

Runs this year: 9

Miles run this year: 27

[Pet Photo Challenge] Week 2: Cuddle

The past week has been nothing but rain and cold (and I mean bitter cold, negative windchill cold). That makes for perfect weather for some cuddling with your fuzzy buddy!

Henri isn't much of a cuddler. He has those moments though, when he just wants some attention (and it has nothing to do with food, surprisingly enough!) and he rolls onto his back and just lies there until you come and get him. How could I ever resist?!

Do you have a total cuddle-buddy or does yours only cuddle when they want to? Can't wait to see your pictures!

No Pain, No Gain

You know those runs when your quads feel like they are going to rip out of your legs? First of all, ew. Second of all, ow! Yeah, that was today. Luckily, it was so cold, my legs were pretty numb for the first 2 miles. I'm just kidding. It wasn't that cold, especially compared to the negative wind chills that it has been the past few days.

There was someone else crazy enough to be running in this chill today. They were running with their dog, too! Henri and this nice Weimaraner sniffed each other briefly. The Weimaraner was running off leash until they saw us. I'm glad the owner put him on his leash as we got closer. Henri wasn't too bothered by their introduction, though there were several places he wished he could run off and mark as we went in the direction they had come from. I think they live in the subdivision across from us so maybe we will see them again soon.

I'm going to sew up the holes in my thighs and not move for awhile.

Runs this year: 7

Miles run this year: 21

Two More Down

Not ones to waste a 50 degree day in January, Henri and I took our chances with a run today, despite the overcast skies. We made it through without a drizzle! We were running into the wind for a good stretch and I wasn't feeling the best, so it wasn't a fast one, but we got one in there, nonetheless. The weather forecast keeps changing. We might not get another run for several days due to rain (snow?) and negative wind chill.

Speaking of fast, I was on a time crunch on Wednesday, but really wanted to run so I rushed around between appointments so we could get out. I had exactly 35 minutes. I run three apps when we run. I start the WalkForADog app so money gets donated to the shelter Henri came from. It tracks the distance, the route and the time. It has average MPH, but it isn't really very helpful. I always start it first because it's really not important how accurate it is. Then I start my fitbit app. This used to be it, but since I had issues with the accuracy of my miles, I started using MapMyRun as a back up. So I don't count of the fitbit app for accuracy, that's why it gets started second. Then I start MapMyRun, this way, it's information is the most accurate to the actual run. Well, wouldn't you know that both of those apps were freezing and crashing and I just did not have time for that. We had to go out without it, but I wasn't really concerned. I figured it was just going to be another run, just like any other run. Well, apparently the shortened amount of time I had to run really had me pushing. It felt fast, faster than I think we've ever run before. I've felt fast and sometimes it turns out to not really be that fast or I've felt slow and it didn't turn out to be that slow after all. I don't have any apps to back it up, but I think we were fast. I stopped WalkForADog at 30.30. Considering I start it first then get the other apps going, while I didn't get them going, I did try so, I know it was running when we weren't moving. We had to have run under 9 minute miles, I just can't prove it. Really, I just want to prove it to myself. I guess it will have to wait for another day.

You know that if the apps had been working, I wouldn't have been able to move that fast and I probably would have taken the full 35 minutes because I was wanting to go fast.

Runs this year: 6

Miles run this year: 18

[Pet Photo Challenge] Week 1: Pet

My idea was for the first photo in our Pet Photo Challenge to serve as an introduction to the pet(s) that you will feature in your photos. We will see and get to know each others pets well throughout the next year. Who is your pet?

This is Henri. He's my boy! He was adopted as a puppy from a shelter where he was born. He will be four this year. We have spent many, many hours at the dog park and many, many miles running to wear him out on a daily basis. He loves to play with toys, especially if he can tear them up. He enjoys fetch and is obsessed with burrow toys. I'm obsessed with him.

I can't wait to meet your fuzzy friends! You are welcome to link up your blog post here or use other social media to participate in the challenge. See you next week!

An InLinkz Link-up

Meant To Be

Henri and I had a really good run today. I was disappointed we didn't get to go yesterday, but I was feeling nauseous and dizzy. Those are not really symptoms to have while running, especially the latter. I wasn't sure today was going to happen either after fasting for my doctors appointment, waking up with a headache that I couldn't take anything for because of my fasting and then experiencing more nausea because I couldn't take my medicine for that either. Well, no answers from the doctors appointment, but I felt almost immediately better after I was able to take medicine and eat.

While the wind was pretty cold, the sun was out and it was warm. It was probably 34 degrees so, not too bad. The wind is what I was worried about and it seemed to have died down after I got off work. It's like we were meant to go on a run! The weather cooperated, my body healed enough for me to push through and we ran one of the best paces we've ran in awhile. I'm really mad at that piece of debris and lay in the middle of the sidewalk, causing Henri some concern. If it hadn't been there we would have broke a nine minute mile! 

Runs this year: 4

Miles run this year: 12

Worry Less, Run More

I don't know what happened to the sun and warmer weather, but it was gloomy and windy and a little chilly today. Despite that, we had a good run. There is something about the swinging of your ponytail to keep you motivated and moving.

I got this shirt at The Color Run this fall. I almost bought it beforehand, so I was happy when they threw it out. Since it seems like "Worry Less, Run More" has been a pretty good theme for me most of the past year, more and more so lately, even for Henri, I thought it was appropriate.

Henri doesn't seem to have gotten the memo. He has been very serious today. Maybe he needs a few more runs to shake his worries away.

Runs this year: 3

Miles run this year: 9

Trip To The Park

I might have been a little over zealous to attempt a run at this park when I wasn't feeling the best, but really, when am I feeling the best anymore? I just wanted to enjoy the sunshine and a little scenery so we drove out and did another 3 miles in sunny 37 degree weather.

Worth it!

Runs this year: 2

Miles run this year: 6

Pet Photo Challenge

Last year, I participated in the 52 Snapshots of Life Photo Challenge, hosted by The Lazy Pit Bull. I enjoyed it so much that I decided I did not want to stop and to keep it going into the year 2016. I created my own photo challenge!

Here is how it works:

1. Take the prompt from the list and use it as inspiration for your photo. There are 52, one for each week of the year. How you interpret each word is completely up to you! That's the fun part!

2. Share your photo on facebook, twitter, instagram (anywhere!) using the hashtag #petphotochallenge2016, that way we can all share and enjoy eachothers pet photos! Oh wait! That's the fun part! Who doesn't love a feed full of pet photos?

I will be posting a photo here every Thursday and give you a chance to link up with me and other bloggers. Don't have a blog? That's okay. You're still invited to participate! I tried to make it both dog and cat friendly - sorry birds, lizards and guinea pigs! I'd still love it if you participated, you just get a little extra "challenge".

Share this with all your pet loving friends! Let's make 2016 a little happier with tons of pictures of our pets!

Week 1 post coming Thursday!

Happy New Year

Well, we made it to 2016. Here we are, looking out at an entire year of us. What will this year bring? One thing I know and look forward to is, of course, running with Henri. We kicked the new year off with a cool 3 miler in 29 degree weather. Not bad for the first day of January in Central Illinois!

This year, I'm going to keep a running total (Ha, ha! Running total!! I crack myself up!) after each run so I can see how many miles we have run at the end of the year so, you will see that at the bottom of each blog post.

What are your New Years resolutions or, if you don't like to make those, what are your goals for 2016? I have decided mine is to take a vacation and to make sure I take more time for myself...just in case that is the root of my current health problems. Maybe a Dog-cation in February? We will see!

Runs this year: 1

Miles run this year: 3