They Ran Away From Me.....

In case you didn't know, the East Coast got a few inches of snow yesterday. You know what that means....treadmill runs. Boo. 

Tuesday I had 4.5 miles on the agenda. I tried, I really did, but I just wasn't feeling this run. My legs were still sore from this weekend's workouts and I just couldn't find my stride. 

I even turned on some music that was sure to pump me up.

Haha. Don't judge me. 

After 3.5 miles I called it a day. Better luck next time. I was in my sweats and on the couch watching Sex and the City within 15 minutes.

The motivation today was a bit better.  I had a 40 minute tempo run on the training plan.

This was the first song that came on......it was a good sign. :-)

I started at 6.5 mph and went up to 7.6, then came back down.  4.6 miles in 40 minutes. 8:41 pace.

During my run, 2 teenage boys came to the door. When I opened it, and they saw me dripping in sweat, they both looked at me like I was crazy and took a step back. I think they practically ran away.

I guess I did look a little rough.....they should have read my shirt and realized the sweat dripping off my forehead and chin wasn't nasty, it was just me being awesome.

A quick lunch came together right after.

Turkey and avocado, veggies and sweet potatoes. I'm trying to up my carbs these days and see if I feel a difference in my running. 

Butter Lemon Whole Wheat Noodles, baked chicken, and a spinach salad.

I think dinner helped me hit my quota.

When was your last "blah" run?

Do you make an effort to eat more carbohydrates? If so, do you feel a difference?

What's your current favorite song to run to?

Thinking Out Loud

Yesterday was a very exhausting day. It was my only afternoon that I didn't have something to do, and all I wanted to do was rest. I got home and immediately put my sweat pants on, dabbed a little Proactive on the mountain on my chin, grabbed a snack, and hit the couch to read some blogs.

5 minutes later, the boy walks in the door. DAMN IT. Busted. 

Two hours later, I'm in the same exact spot writing this post. It' just going to be one of those nights. At least he's joined me, heated up some leftovers, and turned on some Duck Dynasty. Quality time at it's best. 

My fancy dinner:-)

Anyways, Wednesdays are always my speed work day. The training plan that I'm following called for 8x400s today. I don't have a track nearby, so I hit the treadmill.

1 mile warm up, followed by 8x400s (pace: 7:10-6:50 min/miles), with an active recovery lap between each one (pace: 9:10 min/miles), and a very short cool down (.25 miles - I had planned to do .75 miles but I got bored) for a total of 5 miles. Average pace = 8:24 min/miles.

I actually really love 400s. They really make the time fly and I kind of feel like a bad ass:-)

Although this is probably a little more like it. 

On to the "Thinking out Loud" portion of this post. Recently, I've found that a lot of people around me seem to consider me a member of the "food police" of sorts. While I am work, the following two things happen a number of times a day:

1. People see me eating and comment on it. I don't mean comments like "oh hey, that smells good", I mean comments like "what are you eating NOW?", "are you actually eating again?", etc. 

2. People are eating, and when I walk by, they try to hide their food from me if it's bad, or tell me how good they are eating, etc.

Case in point: My office ordered pizza for everybody last week. While I was walking away with two slices, I started receiving comments such as "You're actually going to eat that?". People seemed surprised that me, as healthy as I seem to be, would indulge in 2 slices of pizza. I shook them off and walked away, but they bothered me. What makes any body think it is there business to comment on what I am eating? especially with negative connoation. Like I shouldn't be allowing myself to have a couple of pieces of pizza because I try to be healthy? 

But it gets better. 

I had actually brought homemade lasagna for lunch that day, having not eaten it I offered it to a woman in my office who had missed the pizza and didn't bring anything to eat. I even offered to plate it and heat it up for her. As I'm in the kitchen, the peanut gallery chimed in again:

Douche Bag: "Didn't I just see you eating?" 

Me: "Yeah."

Douche Bag: "Are you really going to eat that as well?"

Me: (In the bitchiest tone possible) "Why yes, I did, WHAT IS IT TO YOU?"

Douche Bag: (Shocked and surprised) "Nothing." (Looks at the ground)

Woooo Buddy, was I mad as ever.

What makes people think that I give a shit what they are eating? What makes people think they have a right to comment on the things that I choose to eat? or how often I eat? Why must they tell me their food choices? 

Because honestly, I don't care. 

What sort of speed work do you do? On the track or treadmill? 

Do you have the same issues because of your "healthy" lifestyle? 

Success Taste a Little Bit Like Vomit.

Tuesday evening I found myself in one of those moods. I was exhausted and tired and didn't want to do much. The game plan: Pick up Kaitlyn, go home and clean while she finishes her homework, eat dinner (in the crock pot), go to karate, come home for the bath/bed routine and be in bed by 8:30.

We got home and dinner in the crock pot was NOT done. From there the plan feel apart. We went out to eat (unnecessarily spending $ to consume too many calories, my favorite), followed by a walk to Rita's (insert same bitching here), allowing us to get home late and rush to karate. Were the teacher was late. It was a grouchy evening, that's for sure, but this pretty much made my night....

She got her outfit!! She is even more excited to be doing karate now! and even though we were 20 minutes late getting to bed because she wouldn't start practicing her punches, I'm not grouchy about it:-)

I vowed to make Wednesday happier. The key to this is (in my food-loving opinion) is to start with a good breakfast!

Quinoa, fresh tomato, 2 scrambled eggs, avocado, and red roasted pepper and garlic hummus. Drowned in Cholula post-picture. Damn good meal. Let's get this day started.

Instead of completing a workout during work yesterday, baby girl and I got one in together after we got home.  

Somebody got a brand new "Big Girl" bike so is more than excited when I offer a bike ride instead of an evening in. PS - The tires on that thing are CRAZY thick. It's an ass-kicking bike.

My training plan called for 9 x 400s. So we ran up to the school near our house and I did a lap around the track to warm up. Stretched for 5-10 minutes (let's be honest, probably more like 5....I suck at committing to it) then lined up.

Here are what they looked like:

1:39

1:40

1:38

1:35

1:40

1:40

1:44

1:37 <---Jimmy Eat World's "Pain"

1:35 <---Papa Roach's "To Be Loved"

I'm not going to front. This was a HARD workout. I only increased the speed by 5-10 seconds per lap and did one more than last time but when I finished I knew I was going to feel it today. My legs and chest were screaming and uncomfortable those last couple laps. During the last 400 I actually felt vomit start to rise.....So I know I was pushing it.

My only thing to work on is the recovery time. I went in thinking that I would only rest 45 seconds between 400s. HA! That lasted for only one time. Then it was more like 2 minutes. Crazy how fast time flies when you can't breathe:-)

Two very sweaty, hot, tired girls.

We made the 1 mile run/bike home and I whipped us up a quick dinner.

I know that doesn't look that appetizing but let me tell you, Kaitlyn and I pretty much fought over those roasted brussel sprouts. The beans are a lentil/and black bean mixture on brown rice.

I was pretty damn sore when I woke up today. My hammies felt like I had rocks in them. I rolled with the stick a bit this morning and made myself promise to take it easy. 4 easy miles, about an 8:45 pace with one circuit of weights. Assisted pull-ups, assisted dips, and the leg press. 12 reps, 3 sets, lots of stretching in between.

Friday Monkey

My current workouts are based around Hal Higdons Intermediate 10K Training plan. The plan calls for a 5K race in the middle of it. This means that there is only one more week until my first race since I broke my foot. I'm realllly anxious but trying not to get too excited. While I am shooting for a certain time, I'm not going to push through any pain in that foot.

My training this week has looked like this:
Monday: 3 mile run + strength  (45 minute Chiseled Physique class)
Tuesday: 4 mile run + 45 minute yoga class
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 4 mile run
Friday: Cross Training (45 min interval spin class)
Saturday: 40 minute tempo run
Sunday: 6 mile run

This time my tempo run went a little bit better. I was able to gradually build up speed. My first mile was 8:35, the second was 8:15. I only have one mile markers on the path I run, and my Nike App is not too accurate, so I simply picked up the speed for three minutes then turned around at the 20 min mark and ran back to mile marker two (getting there at 22:40 so my pace back was faster). Then I attempted to take it back down. ...I hit another 8:30 mile, but the last one was 8:20. Not too shabby for a tempo run but it should have been more like 8:40.

Today's 6 miles were a bit different. I ran with NO music or time keeping device. My daughter was biking next to me the entire way and the weather was a perfect 65 degrees and sunny. We had a great time and I was ok with not knowing my pace or having music blaring in my ears. The happiest thing though, was seeing her bike an entire 6 miles and how proud she was of herself!

Along with these workouts, I had an amazing weekend in Maryland with my boyfriend and our kids.

Friday afternoon called for a little monkey business....

 I'm not going to lie. For a wine with a twist top (that's what you get when you said your Bud Light loving boyfriend to grab the booze...JK) It was pretty damn tasty.

Especially with some grilled pork tenderloin, a baked sweet potato and grilled asparagus.....

Saturday morning we headed out for some Fall Festivities at Bowles Farm.

The biggest corn maize EVER! I'm sure of it. This is the view from one of the lookout bridges. It was my first time doing a corn maize and the four of us ROCKED it. I would say it took us about 45 minutes, but I read that it takes people 1-2 hours.

Then we played in a straw pit and a corn box!

The kids got to pet some animals, ride a train and in a "barrel ride". It was $10 a person well spent.

One the way home we stopped and grabbed a pumpkin because I have been dying to bake one!

Chopped, peeled and roasted with brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. Life Changing. I'm telling you.

I'm attempting to roast the seeds tonight! We'll see how it goes! 

Running Repeats for the First Time

I was anxious for my Saturday workout. 8 x 400 at 5K Pace. Not only does
speed work scare the crap out of me but I don't know what my "5K pace
is". The only 5K I have raced was over 2 years ago and I have made vast
improvements since then. At that time I got 25:11, for a pace of 8:06
per mile.

Not knowing where to really shot for I decided to just run the first 400
at a pace I believed I could maintain for all 8 laps and see what it was
at. I left my house, with my daughter biking next to me, and we made the
1 mile trip to the middle school near our house. Upon arriving, I
stretched for 10 minutes and turned on my iPod, trying to get into it
mentally.

As I set off for my first 400 I felt slow. Seriously sluggish (maybe it
was all the beer tasting from the night before....oops!). I looked down
at my step watch as I stepped across the line was pleasantly surprised
to see a 1:45. For starting out conservatively, I was really impressed.
I grabbed a swig of my water and lined up for the next one.....again,
about a 1:47:-)

I ran all eight between 1:44 and 1:48! (Unfortunately, I was keeping
track under "notes" on my iPhone and forgot to save it but I still know
the range). As I ran back to the house (don't worry, I remembered
Kaitlyn!) I thought about how tired I wasn't. While I'm happy with the
fact I had a feeling for my pace, I want more! I want to feel like I
gave all that I could.

For the next one, my goal is to decrease time between the laps. Maybe to
30 seconds? I didn't measure it this time but I will the next time. I
don't think I want to go faster right away. My hip (prone to injury) was
a bit sore that night.

I'm more excited about running than I have been since I did my marathon
last March. It is a wonderful feeling!

Failed Attempt at a Tempo Run and Desserts

Saturday's tempo run was.....well it happened. Seeing as though this was my first tempo run and I don't have a reliable way to track my pace while running I had to kind of just feel it out.

**Side note: I have the Nike App built into my iPod. It's very weird how it works. If I hit it while I am running it will tell me my pace, distance and time. The only kicker is the pace is NEVER right while I am running. It will say "6:45" one second (way too fast for me) and anywhere from 20:00 to 55:00. It is always right at the end of my workout though when it tells me my average pace. I just use the time and go to mapmyrun.com to verify the distance. Always right.

So I started slow and I think I nailed the first mile around 9:00, which is what I wanted. Then I started my gradual increase. I don't think I was too gradual. I burnt myself out by the 17 minute mark. I took a couple minute stretch break and went back too it. I started out faster than usual and went to a slower pace, but it was reallllly hard for me to not finish strong. It's just kind of what I do. I'll need to learn how to do this.

After the run, it was time for the fun! (rhyming IS cool)

I went to Kerfuffle with my family and friends.

Tailgating ensued. (We are on the DC101 website!)

While we were enjoying the tunes of Anberlin, Garbage, Sublime and The Offspring my brother got THIS for me.

Now I will die happy.

Sunday morning I woke up NOT in any condition to run. Little too much Bud Light and no water for 10 hours Saturday night. As I replenished my levels I got my legs going by walking to the Farmer's Market.

Check out the awesome colors. I love Fall.

 

I got a few things there (Okra! First time ever and I'm excited to try it) then walked to the grocery store and got a few more things for a day of baking/cooking.

Black bean soup. Looks like crap but it was delicious. I even used the dry beans and soaked beforehand, then let it cook for 4 hours. So domesticated.

I made my sister this pistachio cake with honey butter cream icing. Most labor intensive cake I have ever made and it was just alright....I made Chili Brownies too. Also mediocre.

During the midst of all the domesticated behavior I went on a 4 mile trail run. It was absolutely amazing! SUPER hilly and according to the Nike App I kept the same pace I do while running on the road. This just proves that I have SO much more in me than I really use. I need to push my body longer and further.

Shaking the Boredom: Fartleks!

This week has been awesome workout wise!

Monday I took Chiseled Physique. The instructor really switched it out by breaking out the stability balls and free weights. I am the LEAST balanced person out there. Wow. I hope we get to do that more often!

Monday is a running day. Heat doesn't usually get to me. In fact, I usually love it because I am so cold all the time. Monday afternoon I found myself grouchy and decided to go across the street to the gym and get on a treadmill. I did 4 miles and while I felt good, I found myself mentally not in the game. I feel as though my "mental stamina" is more gone than my physical stamina since I was forced to take that 3 month break. Has anybody else experienced this??

Tuesday I did 20 minutes of intervals on the elliptical then went to a 45 minute Yoga class. Just when I thought I was doing pretty well, she says "go to eagle pose"....A what??

                                                        


Needless to say this is NOT a picture of me. I could do no such move! It is a lot harder to put your hands together like that then you'd think. My shoulders weren't having it....and my balance, well we already know about that! Oh well, just something to work towards!

Wednesday class = Spinning!! Love it!! I felt completely drained and tired and in one of those "I don't see this happening" moods. I went and the mood changed the second I got there. I really pushed myself and sweat more than I have in any spin class. To top it off, Wednesday is a running day, so I headed to the track after work. (A certain little girl was supposed to join me but decided she wanted to play with her cousins, so I went solo.) This was my best running workout since getting back in the game. First I did 1.5 miles around the track. SO BORING. So then I took it off road. I ran around all the fields a couple of times (Nothing like a bit of running on grass to make you appreciate a nice, smooth track), around the school and the parking lots and back to the track. Another 1.5 miles. To finish it off I decided to play with a bit of light speed work. I did another 2 miles, this time picking up the pace on the straight aways on the track. It felt awesome and was what I really needed to shake the boredom I felt during the first part of my run.

By the end of it all, I was exhausted.

I went to go pick up Kaitlyn afterwards and my mom had made dinner. SCORE! Brown rice with chicken and lentils! Just the wholesome, delicious meal I needed after an intense double-workout day.

Around 8:30 I passed out while Kaitlyn was reading me her book for the night.......slept like a baby:-)

Does anybody elses children put THEM to bed while they're reading??