Snow intervals...kinda?

Well, I'm happy to say that this Stella may have finally gotten her groove back!  I've had 3 fantastic runs in a row.  Guess I finally beat whatever crud was lingering in my body and lungs.  Now, to look at my average pace of my recent runs, you'd surely think I was crazy.  11:00 minute miles, I mean...come on!  But running on snowy surfaces is a whole new ballgame for me.  Add a crazy dingo to the mix (who suddenly thinks he has to pee on any barren patch of white snow) and my pace is slower than slow.  BUT....I'm focusing on how great I feel!  I felt so great yesterday that whenever I came upon clear pavement....I sprinted!  Now those patches were few and far between and I don't think I've fully extended my legs while running for over a week, so my legs were like what the heck....but I did it.  I wonder if it's just me who has a mutated stride when running in snow?  Anyway, I'm sure glad to have some good runs under my belt (or double layers of winter running pants) because training for my 2 halfs starts next week.  Yippee!!  Reading all the recent marathon recaps has really given me the itch to start training again.

My Weight Watchers adventure is also on track.  I officially re-signed up last Saturday (although I had been following the plan since 1/1/10).  I lost almost 6 pounds before my first official weigh-in, so I'm not expecting a big loss this week....but this also feels GOOD.  To see the numbers finally going down and not up is nice!  Darn that marathon training.  Actually, I've decided the lack of weight training during my race training is what sends my metabolism in the crapper.  It's the only way that I can figure out that I would GAIN weight during my training cycles.  It's the only variable (unless I subconsciously get up and eat at night...which is entirely possible given my love of food).  My "vain" goal for 2010 is to be in bikini shape by this summer.  I know I shouldn't care how I look and that I should just focus on my "health", but it's kind of a challenge for me.  I haven't worn a bikini since I was (practically anorexic) 18 years old.  I just hope I can stick to my WW plan when my mileage starts getting up there.  More on that to come, I'm sure!