5k Race Prep (#Win)

http://justfreakingrun.tumblr.com/post/64669889329

This morning I went out for my 3 mile run to prepare for my 5k next weekend. I went a little later than I wanted to, but luckily it was cloudy, cool, and a little windy! It was beautiful.

I set my timer app for 3 minutes of running and 90 seconds of walking. My first mile was just over 13 minutes. That included a five minute walking warm up. I knew that if I could get my second and third miles under 13 minutes I would be able to complete the distance in less than 40 minutes! I struggled with the 3 minute segments during the second and third miles, but overall came in the 5k distance only 9 seconds over what I hoped to do. But, I still got out there and was only 9 seconds from my goal. I am sure that I can do it next weekend!

Time to get on with my Sunday, a trip to Goodwill and packing/sorting/cleaning.

Happy Saturday Morning (#Win)

Happy Saturday!

This morning my alarm went off at the regular morning run time (yes, even on a Saturday). As I turned it off I saw I had an email. It was a lengthy email from my sweetie! After reading it, I was so energized for my day. I got up, ate half an apple and hit the road.

While getting ready I was trying to decide if I should go out for a 3 miler like I was planning or if I should go for an easier run.  Tuesday was my last run. Wednesday was a rest day, and Thursday I really, really just wanted to sleep in. I had planned to use that day to row at the gym in the afternoon, but then I got a disgusting stomach ache that lasted two days.  But, since I feel asleep finally feeling better last night I knew I should run this morning.

When I finally got out on the road I decided to re-run Week 5, Day 1 (three 5-minute running segments). And, tomorrow I could go out for the longer run. It went well, better than I thought after three days off from running/gym/doing anything. I still have 8 days until my race, I might be able to sneak in one more 3 mile run. I'm really looking forward to my race next weekend!

Good Morning Sunrise (#Win)

No matter what the future holds...

I was awake a few minutes before my alarm went off, but I still snoozed it a few times to give me time to decide what my morning, my day was going to look like.  Yesterday was a really rough day, and I knew I wanted to go for a run today, I just didn't know what I wanted my run to be like.

By the time I was walking down my mostly dark street, in 80 degree weather with 94% humidity, I still hadn't decided. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do a three mile run and really push myself this morning, or if I wanted to do Week 5, Day 1 of my C25K app.  I figured the road would tell me. The road would tell me when I should turn around and go home.

I knew I had to watch my route this morning. No running near lots of trees, grass, or bushes because I came home from yesterday's run with about six bug bites.  I seem to be very allergic to the mosquitoes in North Carolina because I get huge, dark red spots where I get bug bites. They hurt more than they itch. And, they just aren't pretty!

I went out on the main road. First five-minute segment: Win! After slowing down to jump over a ditch to get to the sidewalk, I only had to take one short walk break towards the end. Second five-minute segment: Win! Again, only needing one little walk break (which is usually about 5 breathing cycles: three steps breathing in, two steps breathing out). Towards the end of this segment, I found a really nice place to turn around--so I did. Last five-minute segment: Win! Only two little walk breaks this time.  And, before I knew it, I was almost back to my neighborhood walking home.

It was a good run, and I feel really good about tackling Week 5, Day 1 today.  I forgot until I was back in the house that I thought I might go three miles today instead. But, I had two miles in 26:28 today (I'm usually trying to get my first two miles under 25 minutes), and an overall distance of 2.69 miles. I'm glad I didn't push myself to go the extra distance this morning because I think I would not feel so positive about my morning run today.  I still need to make a trip to the gym today, and go shopping in the city.

Just Go Already (#Win)

This morning, I snoozed my alarm for almost an hour. Then, I got up, checked my notifications on my phone, cuddled with the cat, and tried to find any other reason no to go out for a run this morning.

But then, I just put on my shoes, grabbed my stuff, and was out the door. By then it was too late. I could have just walked this morning, or gone only a mile, or just around the block. But, how much fun is that?

This morning I ran Week 4 Day 3, which is going to be the last time I run the Week 4 program.  I'm still struggling a little bit with the second five-minute running segment. But, it is time to move on to Week 5. The first day of Week 5 is three five-minute running segments, then it jumps up to eight minutes on the second and third days. Yikes!

Even splits today too! Mile 1 12:53, Mile 2 12:54

Now, I have to decide when I am going to hit the gym today. Should I go now before I shower? Should I get my grocery shopping and food prep done and go later in the afternoon? Should I skip it today? Nahhh! I'll go now--it's arms day today! 

Sunday Morning Race Prep (#Win)

Why yes, I did run this morning! It was hot. It was humid. It was light outside. But, I ran!

I snoozed my alarm this morning a few times, and it was 530 when I finally got out of bed. I checked the weather, and I am really surprised that I wasn't scared off by the 80 degree weather with 91% humidity! I didn't run yesterday -- so I really wanted to make sure that I got a run in today.

I decided that this weekend I was going to run a 5k distance in preparation for my race in 13 days! I ran Week 4 Day 3 of my C25K app and then when I got to the cool down time, I went back to Week 2 Day 3 to finish out the distance. From the first three minute running segment I didn't think that I was going to make it. I felt slow and sluggish.

But, I kept going after those first three minutes, and the new route really helped me to keep going.  I stopped to take a quick selfie when I passed by the cemetery in the downtown area. The downtown area was more not-flat than I thought. But, I made it the whole 3.1 miles and then I walked the rest of the way home.

A run was a great decision this morning, especially since I got about 6,000 steps just from my run when I had half of that for the whole day yesterday!

Last Day of Work (#Win)

On my last day of work I got up on time to run. This is the last time this school year that I will have to be up during the 4 o'clock hour for anything. I could have slept in until 6am, but I didn't. I got up to run. That wasn't much of a challenge unless I wanted to: a) run on the treadmill at the gym again, or b) not run at all today. But the real challenge is going to be continuing to get up during that time when I don't have any place else to be after my morning run. Tomorrow, will be a challenge because it is Saturday. But come Monday, I will no longer have obligations to be anywhere at a specific time. I will just have to remember that my running shoes will miss me and that I have to go on a morning run to make them happy!  It has to be a morning run because in the evening the bugs will likely eat me alive! Yuck!

This morning, I reran Week 4, Day 2 on C25K. I felt that I needed more practice on the road to get through the full five minutes before increasing to 8 minutes.  I think that two years ago when I first started running and using the C25K app I also struggled to complete Week 4. I think that is because not only are the running segments getting longer, but the walk breaks in between are getting shorter.  But, I do like that the longer running segments and the shorter walking segments are giving me faster mile times! This morning, my first mile was 12:47 and my second mile 13:12. I had a little more walking in the second mile, but overall I am happy with the mile times this morning.  I felt really slow during the first mile until I heard my mile time--Woohoo! I was able to make it through both three minute and five minute running segments this morning but did need a couple of walk breaks for 5 breathing cycles. I took two new streets today and enjoyed looking at something new.

Now, with a race coming up in 15 days, I have  to make a decision about my training. I have been going only about 2 miles on my morning runs but keeping with the program on the C25K app.  Should I stick with that program, or should I add more distance on at the end of the runs? Or, should I just start running 3 miles on my morning runs?  I know that I can do the full distance on race day, but how I get there on race day I am not sure about.  Maybe tomorrow I will run 3 miles with my timer set for intervals and only go that distance one more time before the race while I continue on with the C25K program.  Decisions, decisions.

Speaking of Picking Races...

http://bit.ly/1JYvrnj

After my post last night I started looking online for a race in my area that would be coming up in the next couple of weeks. A 5k was really what I was looking for, and I found one. A good one!

Me & Flat Matt in Kitty Hawk, NC
at the First Flight 5k. April 2015

It's a Run For The Warriors event in New Bern, North Carolina. I registered for it this morning and I am so excited to finally have a race that I am working towards! It will give me a lot more motivation to get out on the roads when I am done working for the school year. I love that it is for a great cause too! I started a fundraising page with them to raise $50 for the Hope For The Warriors group -- but I really hope to raise more than that!  The money does not go towards my race registration, but I did donate an additional $15 after I paid my entrance fee.  I'm excited that I will get to wear my mini Flat-Matt again at this race!

I didn't run this morning because the thunder woke me up about ten minutes before my alarm was supposed to go off.  I already decided that I would run in the rain if the streets weren't flooded because I would have enough time to wash my hair before work. But running in a thunderstorm? Nope! So, I stayed in bed for another half an hour before getting up to enjoy some coffee and some Netflix before work.  And, after a half-day at work today I went to the gym.  I ran Week 4, Day 2 on C25K and I was able to run through both the three-minute and five-minute segments.  After my run I did my legs workout and had a little trouble with the glutes machine and the leg press aggravating my IT band.  But, on my treadmill run I didn't have much pain. Hopefully that means that tomorrow I won't have any pain.

I'm running tomorrow morning as long as it isn't thundering and lightning! Otherwise I will have to run at the gym again. Only a half-day of work left this school year!

Picking races

Two years ago when I started running and set my goal to complete a half marathon I wanted to pick a special race to be the culmination of all my training. Something special that I would remember not only as my first half marathon but for the race itself. My mom, who began training shortly after I did, and I picked the women's half marathon in San Diego, California in late February 2014. We picked this run for its beautiful location and that it was a women's event.

Along the way there were races that helped me keep up with my distance training. First a series of runs with the city of Yuma that were 10k distances. And, my most favorite run, which surprisingly was a really fun distance, the 15k (9.3 miles) Hot Chocolate run in Scottsdale, Arizona. We tried to pick unique races in that they offered something different than most other races. At the Aloha race in Mission Bay San Diego we got race medals made of wood. At the Hot Chocolate run we got quarter-zip pullover tech hoodies and chocolate fondue with delicious dipping goodies at the end. Most races we've gotten something special, generally medals and shirts (tech shirts are more highly prized than cotton t-shirts). 

These shorter races play an important role in race training. They helped me keep up with my distances. In most cases the race was the first time I ran that distance (this is true for all races that were not a 5k distance). And, it prepared me for race day, which all the training has been preparing for. It is nice to know what to expect in regards to gear check, starting line jitters, finding your support team at the finish line, etc.

I'm looking forward to signing up and running some races and finding that perfect culmination race that I will be working towards. I would love to run the Hot Chocolate 15k again this year! I will have to start looking around for some local 5k runs with awesome race swag to get me through summer training until the move.

Oh No, No, No, No, No!

http://bit.ly/1elF9TK

Oh no, no, no!  I am not getting IT Band pain. I am not getting IT Band pain. I am NOT getting IT Band pain! Nope! Nope! NOPE! It didn't really notice it hurting on my run this morning, but I noticed it as the day passed. Maybe it has been hurting for a week and was masked by the other muscle pains. Now that I am finally getting over the "fire-quads" I am noticing this.

This morning I was able to run the three minute segments, and run for three minutes of the five minute segments. I just need more practice going the full five minutes. I will get there--I know it. But, if I keep having injuries pop up already it is going to be tougher to get there.  It was otherwise a beautiful run this morning. The sun was already rising and I didn't need my armband lights. I went down two new streets today which both were kind of woodsy. The humidity was not so stupid this morning--it was only in the low 70s and it didn't feel too bad.

Today after work I went to the gym. I didn't want to go, because I was exhausted. I really, really wanted to go home and crash on the couch for an hour. But, I know that my afternoon naps really interfere with my quality of sleep at night and with three more teacher workdays left I really don't want to feel so tired.  But, after a chest/back workout with abs and some yoga I came home feeling great!  I ate a little dinner and kept myself busy. It was so much easier to keep from falling asleep after the gym than if I would have come right home.

Tomorrow is my favorite day of the week: Restday. No run and no trip to the gym, no matter how much I will need it at the end of the day.

Monday Runday (#NotAWinNotALoss)

Humidity is stupid. Stupid!

This morning's run was neither a win nor a loss. I had a migraine from yesterday and my legs were still a little sore.  I still set out to run Week 4, Day 2 on the C25K app knowing that I struggled with it yesterday. I was hoping that the run would kill my headache -- but it didn't. I did my best on my morning run, but I just couldn't do it. I'll try again tomorrow. Hopefully, tomorrow's humidity will be less stupid than this morning's humidity. It was 73 degrees already with 95% humidity (look at my frizzy hair).  After my run it was time to head in to work for the first of five teacher workdays.

The only good thing the workday was useful for was getting in my steps for the day!  I had about 4,000+ steps today from my two mile run this morning, but as I am sitting down to write this post, I have over 12,000 steps with about two hours left until bedtime.  Last year, on the first Monday after the last day of school I had only 5,254 steps which also included a two mile run. Hopefully I can keep my steps up this whole week!

Small spoon for size!

After work I had to cook and prepare food that I didn't do over the weekend. I went grocery shopping later than I usually do and therefore I got a later start to my cooking/food prep. All I did yesterday was wash grapes. Lazy. Today when I got home I made a Greek pasta salad for lunches this week (I left out the added sugar, the bell peppers and the olives--yuck!), and I chopped these five massive carrots that I got at the Cedar Point Open Air Market on Sunday. "Holy veggie, Batman!"  And, only $2 for all five!  They chopped up nicely and I can't wait to have them this week with my carrot and pineapple smoothies (this week I am adding some plain Greek yogurt to the smoothies to thicken them up). Yummmm!  Since I didn't do any cooking this weekend I will be making either eggplant patties tomorrow for a few dinners, or Summer Vegetable Tian with yellow squash from a co-worker's garden and fresh grated Parmesan instead of "Italian blend cheese." Maybe, towards the weekend I will have breakfast for dinner and make some yummy Pear Pancakes with yogurt and honey!

Tomorrow is the End Of The Year Potluck luncheon at school, so surely a run in the morning and the gym for a good workout after work!

Ouch! Sunday Morning Run!

This morning I didn't wake up as early as I wanted, but when I did finally get out of bed I went for a run. My legs are still sore, but had this crazy idea that maybe a run would stretch out my sore muscles and help me feel better. Ha ha ha! Yesterday I had a hot bath with Epsom salt and a few times I rolled my quads on the foam roller. Ouch--that hurt, but in a good way. But, nothing works like magic.

Even though I was sore, I still decided I would tackle Week 4 Day 1 this morning. Week 4 is a 3 minute run, then a 5 minute run twice repeated. I made it through the first 3 minute segment, but had to take walk breaks during the rest. I expected that, my legs hurt. But still, I got out there this morning, in the damn sunshine! It was hot, 82 degrees with 85% humidity. There was a nice breeze, but it wasn't very helpful in drying all the sweat on my skin.  This is why I love running so early in the morning. The darkness at least gives the illusion that it is cooler out. No one can see my red, sun-warmed skin, and I am not constantly concerned with having forgotten to put on sunscreen before I left the house. The best part: I run alone.

http://bit.ly/1GG1UOg

While out on my run this morning I saw some other women out running.  There were four of them. I passed them on my way out of the neighborhood while I was still on the 5 minute walking warm-up. Then, again as I was walking during the 5 minute cool down as I was on my way home.  They were running all together in laps up and down the street (I passed the house that one of them lived at with four water bottles stashed under the mailbox at the curb).

I judged them for not leaving their street and taking in the sights and sounds of the world outside their neighborhood (I saw three cats this morning, and a few huge bugs flying around, an egret, and a squashed snake in the road). I judged them as they ran/jogged next to each other chatting. And, I felt judged by them too.  Because each time I saw them I was walking. I had the aires of a runner (the tech hat and clothing, my armband and fancy headphones, my handheld water bottle) but that each time I saw the group I was walking.  They didn't see me pushing myself through the muscle soreness in my legs, they didn't see me run an 11-minute mile (which is really good for me!). I had to remind myself that I was out running this morning for me. And they were out running this morning for whatever reason they each had.

While I might not be looking forward to a week of teacher workdays this week, I do get to arrive at work a little bit later than usual so I can still "sleep in" a little bit and get a run in before work.  Monday I will have to cook after work for a potluck on Tuesday so I won't be going to the gym tomorrow.  I am hoping that my legs get better quickly and I can get back to my new routine soon.

It's Not Swagger...

http://etsy.me/1MRO5ve

It looks like I should be wearing this tank top today instead of my Boston Red Sox tank top! Geez! What happened this week?

Looking back on my week, I went for three runs for a total of 6.34 miles, rowed twice at the gym for a total of 45 minutes (7,693 meters), and over three workouts at the new gym worked out my whole body (back/chest, arms, and legs) including abs each day and my new cool down yoga routine. And, I have taken over 55,300 steps (that's 79% of my weekly goal of 70,000 steps from Sunday to Saturday). So, why am I so ridiculously sore? Why?

Last October.

Yesterday I didn't run. I was too tired and already starting to feel sore when my alarm went off at 4am. But, I did stop at the gym after work which included only 15 minutes on the rowing machine (which didn't hurt at all), arms with free-weights and some machines, abs, and yoga. Today I am walking like a baby giraffe trying to stand up for the first time. Yikes!

I guess I am taking a break this weekend. Trying to let my body heal so that I can hit the road again on Monday morning before the first of FIVE teacher workdays.  I'll start off with Week 4, Day 1 of C25K which includes 5 minute running segments!

One More Day!

This morning, I woke up on time, only snoozing my alarm once for 3 minutes. I was quick to get dressed and get all my gear ready.

Then, I sat on the couch to put my shoes on. And then I just sat. Deciding if I really wanted to go out this morning.  Deciding if I would rather just make a cup of coffee and turn on the TV. Deciding if I could conjure up a migraine so I could stay home from work. Deciding...

But, then I got up from the couch and got out of the front door. And it was a good thing that I did. I had such a lazy day at school today, and my entire day would have been even more lazy if I hadn't run. Friday is the last day of school for the students and there is still state standardized testing happening on campus. So my students are just hanging out watching movies or playing card games.  It was a long day and a lot of sitting around. So, I am glad that I decided to go for my run this morning.

Now, I just have to try to have those same positive feelings about going to the gym today when I am finally able to leave work. This morning I decided that I would do the swagger leg day workout today, but make it easy so I wouldn't be too sore for a run tomorrow! I'm so tired and worn out from doing nothing at work that I don't want to go to the gym, but I know I will feel better and be more energized if I do go. Besides, I need to try out my new cool-down yoga routine that I put together yesterday.

Time to suck it up and get to the gym. Too bad I left my gym bag in the car or I could kill the last ten minutes by changing!

Today is... REST DAY!

Today is rest day.

And, I surely need it after the last few days.  It was really hard not to pack my gym bag this morning and to bring it with me "just in case" I had another day like yesterday. But, I resisted. My body really needs one day to recover from my workout yesterday (double at the gym on top of a morning run). I can feel it in my arms today from rowing and my hips are a little tender after I have been sitting for a long time.  But, so far today hasn't been as awful and stressful like yesterday. If it takes a turn for the worse in the next 3 1/2 hours, maybe I will indulge in a little retail therapy instead of food/laziness therapy; because endorphin therapy is not an option today.

Don't forget, rest days are an important part of training too!

It's ONLY Tuesday (#Win)

I don't even want to know what my day would be like today if I didn't get up to run. It was a good run and I was able to run (slowly) for the full three-minute segments both times!  I think I am going to repeat Week 3 Day 3 again before moving on to the next week on C25K which has five-minute segments.  Initially I was thinking I would repeat all three days of Week 3, but I think just one more time will be enough.

This morning, I also started off with a one minute plank before my run and when I got home I did a second one.  Penny loved it because I was down on the floor and she thought that it was a good time to rub her furry face all over my sweaty, drippy face and shoulders. But, it was soon over (it was only one minute after all). I decided that a towel on the rug is perfect for my arms and my feet on the hardwood with my shoes already on is perfect!

Replace "gangsta rap" with "Boston-Irish punk" and this is me!

By the time I left work today... I knew I needed a workout so bad or I was just going to go home and eat cheese and chocolate chips while I veg on the couch watching Friends until it was time to go to bed. I am completely over this week (and the remaining 8 days I have left of work) and I knew that going to the gym wouldn't fix it, but it would at least improve the rest of my day and help me sleep better tonight.  First, I rowed for 30 minutes for 4,952 meters, and then I worked out for 30 minutes (which included abs and yoga stretching). I came home feeling much better! I had my new meal invention of broiler egg tacos and some red grapes for dessert! Ok, and I still watched a little bit of Friends on Netflix.

I win, Tuesday!
You might have tried to beat me--but you can't, sucka!

Broiler Tacos:
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray. Place 2 or 3 corn tortillas on the pan and place in oven on rack one notch below the highest the rack will go. Cook for two minutes. Remove rack from oven, turn tortillas over and cook for one minute. Then, put shredded cheese on tortillas and cook again for 1 minute standing close to smell if the tortillas burn.  Scramble eggs on stovetop or use any other taco filling you prefer. After cheese has melted on tortillas add toppings. Enjoy.

Deer Are Scary As Shit! (#Win)

Deer are scary at 4:30 am when they are scared and running down the street right where the one streetlight on my route is out! Yikes! I've seen one other deer while out on my morning runs recently but it was in an area where the running deer was back-lit and I could kind of tell what it was doing. But, this morning it just took off across the street in front of me and I couldn't really see where it was or where it was planning to go. I could just hear her hooves on the asphalt and could tell she didn't know where she was going to go to get away from this crazy human running down the middle of the street.

This was barely two minutes away from home and I was still walking for my warm up. I was ready to turn around and just go home. That is all I needed today - some crazy wild animal attack or something. Nope. I was not going to be that person on the local news. I guess it was more spooky than it was scary.

inspirinquotes.tumblr.com

But, luckily the rest of my run was completely uneventful.  I ran on the main road again this morning, but not all the way to the fire station like yesterday. I didn't have any extra time for extra distance this morning.  It was my second try at the three minute running segments. It was a little easier than yesterday, but not much!  I might be repeating week three of the C25K app next week to increase my stamina.  The weather was cool this morning and the humidity low which made it all so much better than Saturday's run.

Today, after work I have to stop at the library and pick up my inter-library loan (The Third Plate, by Dan Barber), the post office to pick up 1 cent stamps (because frackin' postage went up again on postcards), and then to the gym for my "fitness orientation" with the trainer. No rowing today---I'm still healing. 

It's Cooking Day!

Processing strawberries.

One of the most challenging aspects of whole food eating is food prep and meal planning!  I usually spend my Sundays cooking some food for the week and prepping the other produce that will be used later in the week. This. Takes. Forever!

Hummus.

I have recently decided that I am no longer going to buy prepackaged produce. This adds more items that need to be prepped on the weekend.  Spinach and kale need to have stems removed, be hand washed, and dried. Carrots need to be peeled and cut in to easier to eat pieces. Berries, grapes, and apples need to be washed and dried and properly stored for the upcoming week.  While this makes it much easier during the week to just grab an apple and a bag of grapes to throw in my lunch because I already know it is clean; it does add to all the things that need to get done each weekend.

Meal planning is another struggle.  I usually sit on a weekend morning with my "Food: Whole & Healthy" Pinterest board open on my computer and browse through recipes while I enjoy a hot cup of coffee. What might sound delicious and easy might not actually be what I want to eat on Tuesday or Wednesday during the week.  This is also troublesome because if something comes up at work and I have to stay late, or I spend some additional time at the gym (or go to the gym in the first place) I might not have time to cook when I get home. Lunches are easy--I make something carb-based on the weekend that will last me through the week. But, dinners are so much harder to plan. Recently, I ate quesadillas almost every night for a week for dinner because they were so quick and easy to make and I really didn't "feel" like making and eating the cauliflower and mushroom casserole that I had initially planned to make.

Greek-style quinoa patties

So, with this in mind, I planned for the stress and tiredness of the last week of school that includes standardized state testing. I got local eggs from the open-air market for some egg tacos for those nights I am short on time. Today I will be preparing veggies for my garden breakfast smoothie (apples, cucumbers, broccoli, celery), I will be making pesto from scratch, zucchini noodles, hummus from my mom's amazing recipe, and Greek-style quinoa patties with tzatziki sauce. I also have to wash and chop strawberries, wash grapes, and cut carrots for the hummus.

And... I still have to do laundry!

How Did I...? (#Win)

This morning, I snoozed my alarm 13 times before I finally turned it off and just went back to sleep. I was going to get up at 6am this morning for my run, which would still have been about 9 hours of sleep since I went to bed on time last night. I fell asleep quickly and slept well through the night! I knew I would make up for this week's lost sleep when the weekend finally arrived. But, I would rather have had that sleep all throughout this really difficult week.  I finally rolled out of bed about 8:30 am. I had the last no-bake energy ball and a few sips of water, sent a "good morning" email to my sweetie, and then got dressed for my run. I was out the door about 9:15am.

Here in my small coastal town in North Carolina, the sun is shining it's 73 degrees, the humidity is in the 70s, and the wind is kicking up. And, that's the reason I like running early in the morning. No sun. Generally, less wind. And while the humidity is higher, it is cooler and a more welcome feeling.

This morning, I set out to run Week 3, Day 1 of my C25K app. It was 90 seconds of running then 3 minutes of running repeated twice. I did it! But, the 3 minute segments were tough! I took about 10 seconds as a break during the first one. The second one needed a few 10 second walk breaks to get through.

This had me wondering: How did I complete a half marathon only six weeks ago?

In mid-April I completed the Flying Pirate half marathon in Kitty Hawk, NC. I struggled to train for the event, but I still did it because I knew I wouldn't have the opportunity to do this particular event again in the near future. I had amazing support, and I knew what to expect since I had completed two half marathons before. I wasn't fast, and I was really sore for a few days after the run--but I'd completed it. Somehow this morning, it hit me that I probably shouldn't have been able to do that half marathon.

I've never thought of myself as a fast runner. And, that's one of the challenges of being a runner: You cannot (and should not) compare yourself to others. So, while I cannot even get through a 5k, or a 3 minute running segment on a morning run without taking a walk break, I can complete a distance of 13.1 miles (which in April, spanned three cities on the Outer Banks). This morning I struggled with running for 3 minutes straight, but in April I struggled with running for 90 seconds toward the end of my run. I guess it is all relative.

Until last week I hadn't run since the event in April. Now, I am basically starting over. And that's okay.

Adventures in Crosstraining

Today I stopped at the gym to spend some time with the rowing machine. I only rowed for ten minutes the other day and I have since watched a few videos about form and I wanted to try it. Today, I had a five minute warm up concentrating on maintaining my strokes at 26 per minute. Then, I set my timer for 60 seconds of work and 30 seconds of rest. About half way through I worked through every other rest break. I worked on concentrating on strokes per minute and my form. My neck/shoulders were already a little tender when I started; but now my butt hurts, my hands hurt (I really need padded gloves), and my back hurts a little under my shoulder blades on both sides. Yikes! This is going to be a tough weekend!

A run tomorrow and Sunday will be a real rest day--sleeping in and everything! Monday I meet with the trainer for my "fitness orientation" at my new gym and my first attempt on the TRX equipment.

Get Up & Go (#Win)

Sometimes, you just have to get up and go! No thinking about it, no checking the weather or Facebook, or wrangling the cat for eye drops--just go!

That's what I did this morning, and it was probably the only reason I was able to make it out for my run this morning. I really wanted to stay in bed, I really wanted to cuddle with the cat. I really wanted to get out and run so there was something exciting that would happen in my day. And, I really didn't want to have to run at the hot gym again this afternoon!

This morning, I was surprised that I had 14 minute miles (includes my walking for a warm-up and cool down) but that I had almost even splits for my mile times! Wow!  I wasn't even trying, but the splits were only a second off (mile 1: 14:06, mile 2: 14:07).

Gym today after work, I'm going to work on rowing! Yes, my new gym actually has rowing machines! I'm planning on trying workout 1 in my booklet of worksheets. I  would like to incorporate rowing in to my cross-training routine.

Happy Friday!

Rainy morning

This morning, after a full night of sleep (except for when the cat woke me up barfing) I got up to run, and it was raining!

Now, I love the rain -- but a run in this morning's rain could have lead to disaster! My neighborhood doesn't have sidewalks, and barely has enough streetlights for me to run in the dark early mornings before work. I was worried about running in the dark rain and water-filled streets this morning.

But, after my day today, I am really wishing I would have gone on my run this morning. It would have broken up the monotony of NC standardized End-of-Grade and Final Exam testing.  I am being trying to be positive about having so much time at work to read my really, really interesting book; but the sitting around with bored, restless middle school students is really starting to wear on me.  I'm really looking forward to going to the gym after work, but am also reconsidering it because I am lacking so much energy and I just want to go home and veg out and do nothing until I get to come back to work and do it all again tomorrow. I can't meet the trainer today for my fitness orientation, so I think a run is in order, as well as a trial on the rowing machine.

Fast Morning (#Win)

I need to start sleeping better at night! I fell asleep quickly last night, but woke up quite a few times during the night. One of those times was from a bad dream - and I was too nervous to go back to sleep right away because I didn't want to go back to the same dream.  I was happy when my alarm went off and it was time to get up and run!  I thought I might be a little tired on my run because I ran yesterday afternoon after work, but I think I was more tired from not sleeping well.  This is not a great start to establishing my new habit!

But, I got up and ran this morning. Week 2, day 2 of my C25K app. I was spending too much time in my head this morning thinking about what I was going to say on my post about my run this morning. Worrying about what a good title for the post would be. Wondering why my Endomondo map/stats will not post to the blog. And, thinking about all the things that I have to get done today at work. Wow! I was surprised when my first mile was 13 minutes and my second mile 12 minutes!  Nice! I haven't had mile times like that in a while.  I just hope that I am able to keep it up - especially if I get back to sleeping better at night.

Tonight: Cooking!
Tomorrow: Sleeping in, and "fitness orientation" at the new gym!

Why I Skipped My Run This Morning

It was 4:01 am and my alarm was playing the Marine Corps Hymn. But there was a problem; I had been up for almost an hour! An hour already!  How was I going to get up and run, and get to work for the first day of state testing, and then hit up my new gym for the first time after school? I just couldn't do it. I decided to take the extra hour and try to get a little more sleep.  I compromised: I ran at the gym after work. That way, I still got my run in for today and I still went to the gym.

State testing wasn't all that awful today. It wasn't great, but it wasn't awful. After a bit of running around this morning trying to figure out where everyone was supposed to go I got settled in to the testing routine and tested two more kids than I was actually scheduled for. I was tired during testing, but not so exhausted I couldn't function. I was glad to use my opportunity to go to the gym for my day's run.  I would likely have skipped it because I was too tired already.

It is tough starting at a new gym! Where are the locker rooms again? Which treadmill do I want to use? How do I get the treadmill started? What's the WiFi password? There's no 4g in here?! It was a little overwhelming. I had a quiet run on the dreadmill because I don't have any music stored on my phone and I didn't notice there was no cell service until I was already started on the treadmill and didn't want to leave it to go ask about WiFi at the front desk.  But, lesson learned. I asked at the desk on the way out for the WiFi password and I am all set for next time!

I am glad to be back to the gym. And, with only a few weeks of work left it should be easy to get in my gym days during the week, then I will have plenty of time for working out once school is over!

Tomorrow I am trying again for a 4:30 am morning run and no gym after work. Tuesday I am scheduled to make Caramelized Cauliflower and Mushroom Casserole based on a recipe from Mike at The Iron You. Recipe and results tomorrow!