2011 World Car of the Year - Nissan Leaf

Over the weekend I was able to bring home the new Leaf; Nissan's all-electric vehicle.  I have to say, this car is pretty cool!  With a 100-mile driving range, I was able to go to the gym and get home - about 42 miles - on Friday after work with plenty of electricity to spare.  However, I was home for the night, so I just plugged her in so she would be ready for Saturday.



It is seriously this easy - Plug this end into the car and the other end into your home outlet.  If you have ever used a countertop fryer, charged your cell phone or iPad, you have essentially done the exact same steps as what is required to charge your car...your car!  And the car only charged for about 3 1/2 hours because it was only 1/2 empty.

I was able to place the car on a timer so that it was cool when I was ready to take off on Saturday to do my shopping, and with four doors it made it very easy to get my purchases in and out of the car.  Another awesome change that is happening is the EV charging infrastructure that is coming to the valley.  It was very easy to find a place to charge while away from home. 

If you haven't had the opportunity to check the new Nissan Leaf out yet, be open minded and do so.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Weekend Recap

(me in back - pink shirt and black skirt)

Well...Saturday's race was difficult.  I can't think of any better word.  With 90 degrees and 50% humidity, I honestly thought my chest was going to cave in.  What didn't help was that I did not wear my Garmin (I was worried about the water), so I had no real indication of how bad it really was, so I believe it was a lot of mental stuff going on as well.  However, many people commented on the temperature and the lack of "splash zones" (and the water stations had very warm water), so I don't think that I am just being a sissy.  Well, maybe I am.  So, all I can do is learn from this experience.  What I have learned is that I need to learn to run in this heat.  I will start off with one mile, then progress from there.  I have a race in the middle of August with Tyler, and I must be prepared.  I will overcome this.

3.1 in 26:58!

I did it...I really did it tonight, but I just had to.  I had not ran in weeks, and I kept telling myself that I needed to prove to myself that I hadn't lost what I had worked so hard to reach last month.  I proved to myself tonight that I am strong, I am capable, and that I don't have to ever ever settle!

Back on the Wagon

I have decided...I am really really bad at this.  :-)

I had a nice chat with Tiffany, though, the other day and we both agreed that this really is the only way that types like us can hold ourselves accountable.  I have two months and I really REALLY need to get going.  I was lucky last year with my last 1/2 marathon.  I don't want to be lucky this year...I want to be ready.

Lots going on in my life...school, work, trying to be a wife, trying to be a part-time mother when the kids are here, and TRYING to enjoy life (just a little).  I have done especially good with my grades in school at the expense of everything else, and I wish I had the same discipline with running as I did with school.  I guess my outlook is that school is only temporary and I know that I will be able to devote all my time to things like that when I am done...because honestly, what else will I have? :-)

I hope that you stick around...I PROMISE I will really try and make this work this time.  I need this...and I need you, my friends and family, with the support and encouragement that you have always shown.  I love each and every one of you so much.

So...here it goes!

Much love | Livie