Mad Manatees 2015.4 CLOSED (or Poptart/pet pic ticket) (Page 42)

Originally posted by amd723

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk I think I'm finally awake from my turkey coma! HOORAY!! Anybody score any great black friday or cyber monday deals? I really didn't find much. I got the power2max a few months back so I got screwed on that one So I finally decided to get my obligatory MDot tattoo - ssshhh don't tell anyone :D I hope to find lots of race reports - headed there now! Happy DECEMBER!

I didn't score any deals.  Of course, I didn't even look  Mums the word on your MDot tat!!

No go for me as well. We were looking at an action camera and decided it wouldn't get used, so why bother? It was kind of a funny discussion. I think the money will go to a pair of running shoes. 

The Manatee's Evil Plan is working.  Kevin has referred to Zoe as Fluff Muffin.

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk I think I'm finally awake from my turkey coma! HOORAY!! Anybody score any great black friday or cyber monday deals? I really didn't find much. I got the power2max a few months back so I got screwed on that one So I finally decided to get my obligatory MDot tattoo - ssshhh don't tell anyone :D I hope to find lots of race reports - headed there now! Happy DECEMBER!

Tattoo pics??? I love seeing other people's tattoos

Last year my family implemented a "give one, get one" gift philosophy for adults, which I am so grateful for. Only one gift to buy. Done. We decided the stress and financial impact of individually purchasing gifts for each person was not the direction we wanted our family to go, and we would much rather focus on spending time together - it was such a big hit last year that we're doing it again - woohooo!

All that to say I was not frantically shopping for deals - all though I did get on Amazon and ended up buying myself a cookware set for 66% off . I was planning on buying it in February but decided saving $225 was a pretty good reason to pull the trigger a few months early.

Does anyone have boys in their family who are pre-teen/teenagers? Any great gift ideas? We still do normal volume gifts for the kids in my family and there are only two - both boys and ages 11 and 14 - who are not giving any gift ideas whatsoever (bless them, they are trying to be humble and not greedy, I love that)! I've even asked their parents and they are stumped as well.

My 10 year old son is easy to shop for and I've already picked him up a few things.  I find that kids that age can be tough and have a very wide range of interests.  Other than a dog, he wanted upgraded components for his remote control car, a book (Snow Treasure) which is oldie that I loved as a child, a video game, and a kit to build a remote control hydroplane.

What hobbies or interests do the 11 and 14 year olds have?

My parents gave up on trying to figure out what specifically to get folks and they now give gift cards.  Kind of impersonal but it does beat an ugly tie.

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk I think I'm finally awake from my turkey coma! HOORAY!! Anybody score any great black friday or cyber monday deals? I really didn't find much. I got the power2max a few months back so I got screwed on that one So I finally decided to get my obligatory MDot tattoo - ssshhh don't tell anyone :D I hope to find lots of race reports - headed there now! Happy DECEMBER!

Tattoo pics??? I love seeing other people's tattoos

Last year my family implemented a "give one, get one" gift philosophy for adults, which I am so grateful for. Only one gift to buy. Done. We decided the stress and financial impact of individually purchasing gifts for each person was not the direction we wanted our family to go, and we would much rather focus on spending time together - it was such a big hit last year that we're doing it again - woohooo!

All that to say I was not frantically shopping for deals - all though I did get on Amazon and ended up buying myself a cookware set for 66% off . I was planning on buying it in February but decided saving $225 was a pretty good reason to pull the trigger a few months early.

Does anyone have boys in their family who are pre-teen/teenagers? Any great gift ideas? We still do normal volume gifts for the kids in my family and there are only two - both boys and ages 11 and 14 - who are not giving any gift ideas whatsoever (bless them, they are trying to be humble and not greedy, I love that)! I've even asked their parents and they are stumped as well.

Kind of impersonal but it does beat an ugly tie.

They have really specialized hobbies - one is a gymnast and the other is a drummer. But I would never be able to pick out anything either of them really needed for those things, ya know? They aren't gamers, and both are set with i-devices and electronics. Mom said they always like "clothes" but I have visions of them returning anything I buy (I did at their age!) and I did that last year, so maybe a gift card is in order...

I did price hoverboards but they are a bit over my budget

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk I think I'm finally awake from my turkey coma! HOORAY!! Anybody score any great black friday or cyber monday deals? I really didn't find much. I got the power2max a few months back so I got screwed on that one So I finally decided to get my obligatory MDot tattoo - ssshhh don't tell anyone :D I hope to find lots of race reports - headed there now! Happy DECEMBER!

Tattoo pics??? I love seeing other people's tattoos

Last year my family implemented a "give one, get one" gift philosophy for adults, which I am so grateful for. Only one gift to buy. Done. We decided the stress and financial impact of individually purchasing gifts for each person was not the direction we wanted our family to go, and we would much rather focus on spending time together - it was such a big hit last year that we're doing it again - woohooo!

All that to say I was not frantically shopping for deals - all though I did get on Amazon and ended up buying myself a cookware set for 66% off . I was planning on buying it in February but decided saving $225 was a pretty good reason to pull the trigger a few months early.

Does anyone have boys in their family who are pre-teen/teenagers? Any great gift ideas? We still do normal volume gifts for the kids in my family and there are only two - both boys and ages 11 and 14 - who are not giving any gift ideas whatsoever (bless them, they are trying to be humble and not greedy, I love that)! I've even asked their parents and they are stumped as well.

I had mentioned that I am in a funny spot with my training.

This is sort of a bio/explanation so, grab a beer because it might be long. Before I get started, what I am looking for is maybe some direction in what to do about my quality workouts.

Background: I started running at the end of 2011 and found I really enjoyed it. I gradually increased my volume and ran some marathons. From there I joined a club. The club is open to all but is really s a very competitive club, geared towards development of elite athletes and Olympians (I didn't know that at the time.) I am neither. Even though I am neither, it is fantastic to be able to be pushed each week by runners who are much better than I. 

I have always tried to really balance my training with my joy for running. It started to all feel a little too competitive and stuffy so I took a step back. I took the summer off of workouts and did a trail running series and ended up falling in love with trail and mountain running. I did several running mountain ascents as well as a big 100 mile run on the Pacific Crest Trail. Here was my race schedule from the past year (sorry its a cut and past from my training log so it has extraneous details)

Jan 3: 25K Tiger Mountain Loop First trail race in the book! Lots to learn. Not a real race but I was towards the FOP.

Jan 17: Capitol Peak Mega Fat 17 Mile Trail Run Second overall woman, really fun! Lots to learn

Jan 24-25: Mt. St. Helens Ascent

Feb 22: Lord Hill 5 mile 1 Overall Woman, 2nd all

March 7: Lake Samammish Half Marathon 11th Overall Woman, 1:27:49

March 28: Dash Point 10K 9th Overall (men and women) , broke course record

April 11:Squak Mountain 12K 9th Overall, 1st woman course record

April 26: Run Like the Wind 10K 4th Overall, 1st woman 

 May 2: Grand Ridge 5 mile 5th Overall, 1st woman 

June 9 Ravenna 4K 5th Overall, 1st woman 

 June 13-14: Mount Adams Ascent

June 20: Taylor Mountain 5 mile 8th Overall, 1st woman 

July 18: Float Dodger 5K  11th Overall, 2nd woman

 July 25: USATF Mountain Running National Championship 32 Overall Women's US Mountain Runner

Aug 1: Grand Ridge 5m 6th Overall, 1st woman 

Aug 15-16: Pike's Peak Ascent Half Marathon 47th Overall, 10th AG

 PCT-Venture PHOTO TRIP REPORT woah, felt crazy to cross that one out!

Sept 19: Sundodger XC 6K 

Sept 26: Tehela 5k  2nd  2nd Overall, 1st woman course record   Overall Series Win!

Oct 17: Emerald City Open XC 6K   Execution!

Nov 1: USATF PACNW Champtionship XC 6K  Pacing!

Nov 21: Stumptown Cross USATF Regional Champtionship  XC 6K Portland, Oregon Team win, solid running and good end to season. 

So, here I find myself in December having not done a quality workout in oh, 6 moths???? It's partially because work got really busy (in a good way!) and while I continued to prioritize running, it was hard to justify the effort and time it took to battle traffic twice a week to get to practice.  But it was also partly because I didn't necessarily find the joy in working my tail off each and every week with people that I will never in my life dream of being as fast as. I can't stress enough that I appreciate the opportunity but I'm hardly a blip on the radar. If the coach called me and congratulated me on a race I felt like I didn't even deserve the call. I don't think I should feel like that.  And maybe that is 100% on me. And I recognize that and am willing to explore it. But maybe this club is just not a good fit? 

As I plan my next season I have some really exciting stuff coming up, including running another marathon. Something I haven't done in a long while. But my lack of quality workouts has significantly impacted my times and I know that I need them and I prefer to do them with others so I need to find a group.

So, am I being a brat? Should I just suck it up and continue to relish in my opportunity to run with incredible athletes and stick with my current club? Or is the way it makes me feel, constantly inadequate and hardly deserving of time and resources, wrong? Is there a balance? Maybe this is just completely an adjustment I need to make on my own. But I'm just not sure.

What do you guys think?

I had mentioned that I am in a funny spot with my training.

This is sort of a bio/explanation so, grab a beer because it might be long. Before I get started, what I am looking for is maybe some direction in what to do about my quality workouts.

Background: I started running at the end of 2011 and found I really enjoyed it. I gradually increased my volume and ran some marathons. From there I joined a club. The club is open to all but is really s a very competitive club, geared towards development of elite athletes and Olympians (I didn't know that at the time.) I am neither. Even though I am neither, it is fantastic to be able to be pushed each week by runners who are much better than I. 

I have always tried to really balance my training with my joy for running. It started to all feel a little too competitive and stuffy so I took a step back. I took the summer off of workouts and did a trail running series and ended up falling in love with trail and mountain running. I did several running mountain ascents as well as a big 100 mile run on the Pacific Crest Trail. Here was my race schedule from the past year (sorry its a cut and past from my training log so it has extraneous details)

Jan 3: 25K Tiger Mountain Loop First trail race in the book! Lots to learn. Not a real race but I was towards the FOP.

Jan 17: Capitol Peak Mega Fat 17 Mile Trail Run Second overall woman, really fun! Lots to learn

Jan 24-25: Mt. St. Helens Ascent

Feb 22: Lord Hill 5 mile 1 Overall Woman, 2nd all

March 7: Lake Samammish Half Marathon 11th Overall Woman, 1:27:49

March 28: Dash Point 10K 9th Overall (men and women) , broke course record

April 11:Squak Mountain 12K 9th Overall, 1st woman course record

April 26: Run Like the Wind 10K 4th Overall, 1st woman 

 May 2: Grand Ridge 5 mile 5th Overall, 1st woman 

June 9 Ravenna 4K 5th Overall, 1st woman 

 June 13-14: Mount Adams Ascent

June 20: Taylor Mountain 5 mile 8th Overall, 1st woman 

July 18: Float Dodger 5K  11th Overall, 2nd woman

 July 25: USATF Mountain Running National Championship 32 Overall Women's US Mountain Runner

Aug 1: Grand Ridge 5m 6th Overall, 1st woman 

Aug 15-16: Pike's Peak Ascent Half Marathon 47th Overall, 10th AG

 PCT-Venture PHOTO TRIP REPORT woah, felt crazy to cross that one out!

Sept 19: Sundodger XC 6K 

Sept 26: Tehela 5k  2nd  2nd Overall, 1st woman course record   Overall Series Win!

Oct 17: Emerald City Open XC 6K   Execution!

Nov 1: USATF PACNW Champtionship XC 6K  Pacing!

Nov 21: Stumptown Cross USATF Regional Champtionship  XC 6K Portland, Oregon Team win, solid running and good end to season. 

So, here I find myself in December having not done a quality workout in oh, 6 moths???? It's partially because work got really busy (in a good way!) and while I continued to prioritize running, it was hard to justify the effort and time it took to battle traffic twice a week to get to practice.  But it was also partly because I didn't necessarily find the joy in working my tail off each and every week with people that I will never in my life dream of being as fast as. I can't stress enough that I appreciate the opportunity but I'm hardly a blip on the radar. If the coach called me and congratulated me on a race I felt like I didn't even deserve the call. I don't think I should feel like that.  And maybe that is 100% on me. And I recognize that and am willing to explore it. But maybe this club is just not a good fit? 

As I plan my next season I have some really exciting stuff coming up, including running another marathon. Something I haven't done in a long while. But my lack of quality workouts has significantly impacted my times and I know that I need them and I prefer to do them with others so I need to find a group.

So, am I being a brat? Should I just suck it up and continue to relish in my opportunity to run with incredible athletes and stick with my current club? Or is the way it makes me feel, constantly inadequate and hardly deserving of time and resources, wrong? Is there a balance? Maybe this is just completely an adjustment I need to make on my own. But I'm just not sure.

What do you guys think?

My two cents...

I think you feeling inadequate isn't right or wrong it just is. From my point of view (and probably the coaches or they wouldn't call) you are worth the time. But, in training I've found if you force it, it won't last. Maybe seek out a club that fits your situation better. One that still pushes you but you're not the low person on the totem pole. It can't hurt to look.

Originally posted by lisac957

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk I think I'm finally awake from my turkey coma! HOORAY!! Anybody score any great black friday or cyber monday deals? I really didn't find much. I got the power2max a few months back so I got screwed on that one So I finally decided to get my obligatory MDot tattoo - ssshhh don't tell anyone :D I hope to find lots of race reports - headed there now! Happy DECEMBER!

Tattoo pics??? I love seeing other people's tattoos

Last year my family implemented a "give one, get one" gift philosophy for adults, which I am so grateful for. Only one gift to buy. Done. We decided the stress and financial impact of individually purchasing gifts for each person was not the direction we wanted our family to go, and we would much rather focus on spending time together - it was such a big hit last year that we're doing it again - woohooo!

All that to say I was not frantically shopping for deals - all though I did get on Amazon and ended up buying myself a cookware set for 66% off . I was planning on buying it in February but decided saving $225 was a pretty good reason to pull the trigger a few months early.

Does anyone have boys in their family who are pre-teen/teenagers? Any great gift ideas? We still do normal volume gifts for the kids in my family and there are only two - both boys and ages 11 and 14 - who are not giving any gift ideas whatsoever (bless them, they are trying to be humble and not greedy, I love that)! I've even asked their parents and they are stumped as well.

We do that with our exchange too. Draw names. Unfortunately this year we got the drunk BIL and the loser boyfriend along with my dad and a niece.

So any ideas for a loser-won't-get-a-job-because-he's-a-rockstar-baby-daddy-boyfriend would be appreciated. DS1 suggested a kick in the azz and DS2 suggested an application for the Army (note: not Navy). We were thinking a family membership (with my beautiful niece and the kids) to the Denver Aquarium. He probably wouldn't like it but the niece and kids would. And quite frankly I don't care what he likes  

Originally posted by lisac957

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk I think I'm finally awake from my turkey coma! HOORAY!! Anybody score any great black friday or cyber monday deals? I really didn't find much. I got the power2max a few months back so I got screwed on that one So I finally decided to get my obligatory MDot tattoo - ssshhh don't tell anyone :D I hope to find lots of race reports - headed there now! Happy DECEMBER!

Tattoo pics??? I love seeing other people's tattoos

Last year my family implemented a "give one, get one" gift philosophy for adults, which I am so grateful for. Only one gift to buy. Done. We decided the stress and financial impact of individually purchasing gifts for each person was not the direction we wanted our family to go, and we would much rather focus on spending time together - it was such a big hit last year that we're doing it again - woohooo!

All that to say I was not frantically shopping for deals - all though I did get on Amazon and ended up buying myself a cookware set for 66% off . I was planning on buying it in February but decided saving $225 was a pretty good reason to pull the trigger a few months early.

Does anyone have boys in their family who are pre-teen/teenagers? Any great gift ideas? We still do normal volume gifts for the kids in my family and there are only two - both boys and ages 11 and 14 - who are not giving any gift ideas whatsoever (bless them, they are trying to be humble and not greedy, I love that)! I've even asked their parents and they are stumped as well.

We do that with our exchange too. Draw names. Unfortunately this year we got the drunk BIL and the loser boyfriend along with my dad and a niece.

So any ideas for a loser-won't-get-a-job-because-he's-a-rockstar-baby-daddy-boyfriend would be appreciated. DS1 suggested a kick in the azz and DS2 suggested an application for the Army (note: not Navy). We were thinking a family membership (with my beautiful niece and the kids) to the Denver Aquarium. He probably wouldn't like it but the niece and kids would. And quite frankly I don't care what he likes  

I had mentioned that I am in a funny spot with my training.

This is sort of a bio/explanation so, grab a beer because it might be long. Before I get started, what I am looking for is maybe some direction in what to do about my quality workouts.

Background: I started running at the end of 2011 and found I really enjoyed it. I gradually increased my volume and ran some marathons. From there I joined a club. The club is open to all but is really s a very competitive club, geared towards development of elite athletes and Olympians (I didn't know that at the time.) I am neither. Even though I am neither, it is fantastic to be able to be pushed each week by runners who are much better than I. 

I have always tried to really balance my training with my joy for running. It started to all feel a little too competitive and stuffy so I took a step back. I took the summer off of workouts and did a trail running series and ended up falling in love with trail and mountain running. I did several running mountain ascents as well as a big 100 mile run on the Pacific Crest Trail. Here was my race schedule from the past year (sorry its a cut and past from my training log so it has extraneous details)

Jan 3: 25K Tiger Mountain Loop First trail race in the book! Lots to learn. Not a real race but I was towards the FOP.

Jan 17: Capitol Peak Mega Fat 17 Mile Trail Run Second overall woman, really fun! Lots to learn

Jan 24-25: Mt. St. Helens Ascent

Feb 22: Lord Hill 5 mile 1 Overall Woman, 2nd all

March 7: Lake Samammish Half Marathon 11th Overall Woman, 1:27:49

March 28: Dash Point 10K 9th Overall (men and women) , broke course record

April 11:Squak Mountain 12K 9th Overall, 1st woman course record

April 26: Run Like the Wind 10K 4th Overall, 1st woman 

 May 2: Grand Ridge 5 mile 5th Overall, 1st woman 

June 9 Ravenna 4K 5th Overall, 1st woman 

 June 13-14: Mount Adams Ascent

June 20: Taylor Mountain 5 mile 8th Overall, 1st woman 

July 18: Float Dodger 5K  11th Overall, 2nd woman

 July 25: USATF Mountain Running National Championship 32 Overall Women's US Mountain Runner

Aug 1: Grand Ridge 5m 6th Overall, 1st woman 

Aug 15-16: Pike's Peak Ascent Half Marathon 47th Overall, 10th AG

 PCT-Venture PHOTO TRIP REPORT woah, felt crazy to cross that one out!

Sept 19: Sundodger XC 6K 

Sept 26: Tehela 5k  2nd  2nd Overall, 1st woman course record   Overall Series Win!

Oct 17: Emerald City Open XC 6K   Execution!

Nov 1: USATF PACNW Champtionship XC 6K  Pacing!

Nov 21: Stumptown Cross USATF Regional Champtionship  XC 6K Portland, Oregon Team win, solid running and good end to season. 

So, here I find myself in December having not done a quality workout in oh, 6 moths???? It's partially because work got really busy (in a good way!) and while I continued to prioritize running, it was hard to justify the effort and time it took to battle traffic twice a week to get to practice.  But it was also partly because I didn't necessarily find the joy in working my tail off each and every week with people that I will never in my life dream of being as fast as. I can't stress enough that I appreciate the opportunity but I'm hardly a blip on the radar. If the coach called me and congratulated me on a race I felt like I didn't even deserve the call. I don't think I should feel like that.  And maybe that is 100% on me. And I recognize that and am willing to explore it. But maybe this club is just not a good fit? 

As I plan my next season I have some really exciting stuff coming up, including running another marathon. Something I haven't done in a long while. But my lack of quality workouts has significantly impacted my times and I know that I need them and I prefer to do them with others so I need to find a group.

So, am I being a brat? Should I just suck it up and continue to relish in my opportunity to run with incredible athletes and stick with my current club? Or is the way it makes me feel, constantly inadequate and hardly deserving of time and resources, wrong? Is there a balance? Maybe this is just completely an adjustment I need to make on my own. But I'm just not sure.

What do you guys think?

Originally posted by lisac957

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk I think I'm finally awake from my turkey coma! HOORAY!! Anybody score any great black friday or cyber monday deals? I really didn't find much. I got the power2max a few months back so I got screwed on that one So I finally decided to get my obligatory MDot tattoo - ssshhh don't tell anyone :D I hope to find lots of race reports - headed there now! Happy DECEMBER!

Tattoo pics??? I love seeing other people's tattoos

Last year my family implemented a "give one, get one" gift philosophy for adults, which I am so grateful for. Only one gift to buy. Done. We decided the stress and financial impact of individually purchasing gifts for each person was not the direction we wanted our family to go, and we would much rather focus on spending time together - it was such a big hit last year that we're doing it again - woohooo!

All that to say I was not frantically shopping for deals - all though I did get on Amazon and ended up buying myself a cookware set for 66% off . I was planning on buying it in February but decided saving $225 was a pretty good reason to pull the trigger a few months early.

Does anyone have boys in their family who are pre-teen/teenagers? Any great gift ideas? We still do normal volume gifts for the kids in my family and there are only two - both boys and ages 11 and 14 - who are not giving any gift ideas whatsoever (bless them, they are trying to be humble and not greedy, I love that)! I've even asked their parents and they are stumped as well.

We do that with our exchange too. Draw names. Unfortunately this year we got the drunk BIL and the loser boyfriend along with my dad and a niece.

So any ideas for a loser-won't-get-a-job-because-he's-a-rockstar-baby-daddy-boyfriend would be appreciated. DS1 suggested a kick in the azz and DS2 suggested an application for the Army (note: not Navy). We were thinking a family membership (with my beautiful niece and the kids) to the Denver Aquarium. He probably wouldn't like it but the niece and kids would. And quite frankly I don't care what he likes