2008 Family Christmas Photo

Nike+ 2008 Review

As of Dec 23, here are my Nike+ totals. Not wonderful, but better than nothing. Also to take into consideration, this is since 8/6 when I first purchased the Nike+ Sportband.

White Rock Marathon 2008 - Brinks Trailblazers

Phwew.

Why do I always wait last minute to do Christmas shopping? And this year I waited the latest! I went tonight. I still have to buy dad's gift and a little extra something for Jeremy, but I plan on doing it online and just stopping by the store and picking it up - seems pretty easy. I am ready to have some time off work and to hang out with the family. We'll be going to Wichita Falls this year - Wednesday thru Friday.

And in other news... an update from my last blog entry which was technically Dec 9 but that wasnt much of an entry -- so, since Nov 21 (the Rock N Roll San Antonio):

December 9 was my last class of the first semester of grad school. I am happy to report that I recevied all A's! It was encouraging to do so well in my first semster to build some confidence and ease back into school. I have a feeling that other semesters wont be as easy. In this first semester I took Value Based Leadership, Project and Team Management, and Economic & Competitive Strategy - for a total of 7 hours and a total 3.957 GPA. Yea! Next Semester (to begin in mid/late January) and I will be taking Value Based Marketing and Management of Operations. Fun Stuff. I really do enjoy it but man it's a lot of work.

On December 12, I found out that I have a new boss at work. I am sad that Kevin will no longer be my boss, but I met the new guy (hired from outside the company) and I think it is going to be a good thing. But of course, I'll still miss Kevin, who took another position in the company, so I'll still see him around.

December 14 was the White Rock Marathon. I didnt do so well. On December 10 I went to Dr Heerwagen, an orthopedic, to have a look at my knee since it has LOTS of pain after long runs. Turns out it is ok - it may have a SLIGHT miniscus tear but only an expensive MRI would show that and as long as it isnt popping or giving out, I should be ok. For the race, Rachael and I had already discussed that if I was hindering her time and was dragging her down, then she could go ahead - no hard feelings. I think she is naturally faster than I am, and she doesnt deal with the mental battle of running as I do. In mile 6, I was having plenty of trouble with my foot (which is an old injury/problem and is probably causing the problem in my knee with over-compensation) so I told her to go on. However, it was such a quick decision that we didnt really think about how I had all her insurance info, chapstick, and GU in my belt. I had stopped to get some feeling back in my foot (which I am going to the dr for in January) and when I started running again, my knee gave out - and that really scared me after the dr said to be watching for that. So the last 6 miles were kind of scary and a little hard for me with my foot acting up so much. I finished at 2:43 - at least it was under 3 hours. Bummer though. Congrats to the other Brinks Trailblazers that ran! We had quite a few!

My Asics Cumulus 10's were nearing their 300 miles so I bought some new shoes. I went into Lukes Locker with my Cumulus 10's on my feet and my Cumulus 9's in my hand. I know they are the same shoe, but the 10's feel different. I told the guy that I was ready to try another shoe - so he started to show me other Asics, but I told him I wouldnt mind going with another brand, but that I wasnt keen on Nikes. And guess what I walked out with -- NIKES! They were so comfy and felt really good on the treadmill. The good thing about them is that I can now put my Nike+ pod in my shoe instead of taped to the top. So thats good. I did find it funny that the sales guy looked at the treads on my 10's and asked what sport I played in High School. Soccer. He said he would guess a sprinter of some sort - which includes soccer - because all the tread on the forefoot of the shoe is completely worn, but the heel is near perfect. All I do is run in the shoes - I dont ever wear my current running shoes on the street for casual wear. (They get demoted from runners to casual to yard shoes). I know when I run I land in the midsole, not the heel, and progress to pushing off from the toe, but my 9's didnt show the wear as much as the 10's. Curious. I havent had a chance to run in my new Nike's but I cant wait. May not be until Wednesday though.

I think that's about all the updates I have for now.

If I dont talk to you again, Have a MERRY CHIRSTMAS!

Christmas Cards!