Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a very eventful Thanksgiving. On Wednesday, we only had one more item to cook when I got the news that my Mother had slipped on the frost covered stairs and took a serious fall. She dislocated her leg and broke her fibula (ouch). So we ended up having a lot more cooking to do! Thank goodness she was alright and came home from the hospital that night. She will be returning on Tuesday for surgery. We were all the more thankful for the health of our family.

We enjoyed a wonderful vegan Thanksgiving - tofurky, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots and turnips, sweet potatoes, and buttercup squash. Delicious!

Kurt and I did the Turkey Trot 5k in Amherst. It was very slick. We woke up with it snowing at our house. Unfortunately, it was raining in Amherst so the roads got a nice coat of ice. With the image of my mother in our minds, we really took it easy and held back.

Kurt: 20:47 (he place first in his age division)
Terry: 31:06

On Saturday we had Thanksgiving Dinner - Take 2! We again cooked up a storm and headed over to Donna and Ken's house for food, fun, and merriment. We played football, ate until we were full, celebrated Judy's birthday, and then had a terrific game of Trivial Pursuit.

This morning, Kurt and I continued with our training schedule. We ran a 12 mile loop in Francestown. We were both using the run/walk method. I ended up taking about 9 minutes off of my time without much effort. Our legs did start tightening up around mile 10 so we are going to have to work on that.

And now, it is snowing! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....

It is all about the stuff!

Our new cloths arrived on Monday night. I was so excited that I wanted to go try out my new warmth right away! Unfortunately, it was raining and I did not want to get my new cloths dirty. We did not run yesterday either because of the pouring rain. Today, however, we will be getting out for a 45 - 60 minute run. Can't wait to put on my new coat!!!!! Gloves!!!!!! Headband!!!!!! Thank goodness for thermafleece :-)

Also, last Friday night we brewed beer with Donna, Ken, and Derek. We grabbed the spent grains after our brew fest. Over the weekend I made a delicious (vegan) spent grain bread. Yum-yum! I am making a couple more loaves now for our Thanksgiving feast. Dark and delicious!

Brrrrr...

As Kurt and I continue to train for the half marathon in February, I am finding a new appreciation for ear warmers, gloves, and warm coats. We (I) froze today. We did a track work out at ConVal HS in Peterborough. The problem is that the track is located at the top of a hill and is windy ALL the time - today being no exception. So at the time that we were doing our track work out, it was a balmy 27 degrees F with a wind of 8 to 9 mph. BRRRR!!!!

I ordered Kurt and I some wind and water resistant coats that will be coming in tomorrow. But for now, I am going to curl under a very big blanket and try to warm up!

Today's Workout:
5 minute walk
10 minute jog
Kurt: 7 x 800 (each 800 in 3 minutes and 25 seconds)
Terry: 5 x 800 (each 800 in 4 minutes and 45 seconds)
with a 1:30 minute walk in between each
10 minute jog
5 minute walk

Vegan Living!

I forgot to mention that it is our 1 year anniversary for becoming vegan. After being vegetarian for 18 years I made the small leap to vegan last year. Happy 1 year anniversary!!! Yippee for green footsteps!

Running Away....

It has been a very long time since I posted an entry on our blog. In fact, I have not posted an entry since I began running. Yup, running. My friends Aimee and Jenny got me started into what is now an addiction. So far I have run several 5K, a few 10K, and a 1/2 marathon. Not bad for beginning in April.

These are a few of the pictures of Kurt and I at the Maple Leaf 1/2 Marathon in Manchester, VT. For my picture, it was around mile 9 and I had just come up a 2-mile long hill. I think that I was praying for it to be over by then.

Our most recent race was the Jack London 10K trail race in Nashua, NH. Cold and beautiful!

At least here I have learned to SMILE whenever I see a camera.










Here is a recap of our year, my first year of running and Kurt's continued strength and improvement.
Races:
Run For Hope, Souhegan High School 4.3 miles
Terry: (time: unknown)
June 5th, Hollis Apple Country Fast 5K
Kurt - 20:35 (pace 6.39)
Terry - 37:54 (pace 12.14)
June 14th, Market Square Day 10K
Kurt - 46:14 (pace 7.27)
Terry - 1:12:40 (pace 11:42)
July 27, Beaver Brook Summer 5K
Kurt - 17:07 (pace 6.35)
Terry - 26:07 (pace 10.03)
September 1, Francestown 5 (5k)
Kurt - 20:38 (pace 6.39)
Terry - 31:36 (pace 10.10)

A BUNCH of summer sizzler races, courtesy of Dave Birse - Thank you!

And, the pinnacle of the year ~
September 6, Maple Leaf Half Marathon
Kurt - 1:36:23 (pace 7.23)
Terry - 2:31:37 (pace 11.35)
September 27, Monadnock Wellness 5k
Kurt - 20:06 (pace 6.28)
Terry - 30:26 (pace 9.47)
October 4th, Applefest Half Relay
Kurt - (6.7 miles) 43:24 (pace 7.05)
Terry - (6.4 miles) 1:06:23 (pace 10.22)
October 19th, Saratoga National Bank Cross Country Classic 5K
Kurt - 19:34 (pace 6.17)
Terry - 29:52 (pace 9.36)
November 1st, Jack London Cross Country 10K
Kurt - 42:04 (pace 6.47)
Terry - 1:07: 58 (pace 10.57)

Currently, we are training for a 1/2 marathon in February, the Half at the Hamptons. It is part of the run for beer series. We were looking for something to keep us motivated during the winter months. I am also trying out the Jeff Galloway program of running. This is where I am running for 5 minutes and walking for 1 minute. I have seen a definite improvement in my breathing, recovery, and time. I will keep you posted.