Three Things Thursday

1. Marathon training has begun!

Monday was Day 1 of my 16-week plan. I used the “Smart Coach” on Runner’s World as an outline. However, I’m already modifying things. Monday was an easy 6-mile run, and I only did 4.2 miles since I was recovering from Saturday night’s 30K. Wednesday was a tempo run (5 miles, with 3 miles at tempo), but instead I did two trail runs (one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday, 3.64 miles each) with an intense effort. I know the long runs are the most important, so I plan on being consistent with that part of the plan. However, I will need to mix things up during the week, especially if I want to improve my trail running.

Now I need to sign up for a marathon! I have my sights set on December 5. I would like to do Las Vegas because I know it is flat and fast, and I think I have a better chance of breaking 4 hours on that course versus White Rock. However, that trip will set us back at least $1,000 (yikes!) and that doesn’t even include our gambling allowances. Cliff is looking at doing the half marathon (reminiscent of 2007 when I did the full and he did the half), so that is a bonus. Plus we can get in more trouble after the race in Vegas and we can see Esther (my “bonus” grandma). And of course, there is a Bret Michaels concert...



2. I took the Certified Fraud Examiner test.

I had 30 days to take all four parts, and I totally rushed it and got it done in 2 days. I know the first three parts were a slam dunk. At that point, I was sick of answering exam questions and practice questions, so I figured I would just get on with the fourth exam (financial transactions). That should have been the easiest for me since I’m a CPA, but some of the sections (like insurance, banking, and healthcare) are topics that I don’t normally have to deal with. I should have reviewed more for that one, but I hopefully pulled off an 80%. I’m hoping to get my scores back very soon. *Fingers crossed*



3. Mi Padre is coming tomorrow!

My dad is coming for a relatively quick visit Friday afternoon – Sunday afternoon. My mom and Esther visited a few months ago for a “girls weekend,” so I invited my dad separately (usually my parents come together). Originally Cliff was going to Ardmore to see his son, but that didn’t workout. So the hubby can enjoy a weekend of doggy play time and eating ;) I think my dad is really coming to Texas to see his grandson, GusGus… but I’ll take it.