Back to basics

So, the reason I went so long without writing was because of a 2 week work trip.

The very first day there, I woke up with a fever, sore throat and sinus headache, so that kind of put a stop to my training for a couple days. When I got back into it though, I went back to the basics of running - no GPS, no music, I just got up and ran a couple laps around the parking lot till it was time to get ready for work. It was kind of nice to not worry about distance or pace and just focus on going forward. I kept this up for a couple days before I located the gym and hopped on the treadmill to fit in a 6-, 5- and 4-miler.

Now that I'm trying to get back into a routine in a new place, I have been able to log a 10-, 5-, 3-, and 5.5-miler, and I also added an hour of crossfit today. I haven't quite got back up to the mileage I should be, but I don't want to hurt myself with a month left before the marathon.

Between that 5.5-miler and crossfit today though, I'm starving! Starving. I devoured a grilled cheese and salad, then moved on to the hubs' French fries from the Tattooed Moose. Starving.

Guess I will definitely be needing to log more miles tomorrow.

Running success

"I think when you run by someone and there's a thumbs up or encouragement, that's something that I really love. It's a brotherhood, a support and an appreciation for the effort we're all making. I think it's also about living well, living healthy, taking care of ourselves, getting in touch with ourselves, our bodies, our minds. It's a mind-body connection that running helps enhance." - Gene Baur.

I saw a lot of this runner comraderie this weekend on my 16-mile run on the Patuxtent Branch Trail. It's the 'in-the-know' head nod, like you both know why you're out there on a Saturday morning, spending hours running while your friends are still sleeping off their hangovers. It gives you a little boost of encouragement to keep pounding the pavement and finish strong...or at least finish!

I've realized though there are a couple factors that determine how your run is going to go. First, it's about 50 percent how much you've trained. I obviously didn't just decide to run 16 miles one morning, I worked my way up to it. Second, it's about 25 percent how you feel that day. Are you feeling sluggish and heavy and the heat and humidity is bringing you down, while your head feels like it weighs 100 pounds? Well, you're probably not going to be setting any records that day. Finally, it's about 25 percent how you fuel, both before and during the run. No matter how much you've trained or how good you feel when you start, if your body doesn't have the proper fuel to keep it going, you are going to crash. Hard.

I actually had these factors on my side for the most part this past weekend - I felt pretty good going into it, had a molten lava pancake for breakfast, a GU right before I started my run, and I had a Chunky Coconut Cherry Almond Butter Pocket Fuel about 6 miles into it to keep me going. Even though I did need to take walk breaks for the last 4 miles because the humidity was kicking my butt, I was okay with it because I still felt really strong.

It was so tasty, that I may have ripped it open to get every last bit

Afterward, I had a super tasty salad that was a twist on the traditional caprese. Instead of tomato, I used a sweet, juicy peach. Yep. A peach. So, it went like this: peach slice, mozzarella slice, basil leaf, repeat. Then drizzle just a bit of balsamic vinaigrette over the top. It was so tasty that I turned it into a sandwich the next day using Panera Bread Co. Asiago cheese bread. I highly recommend this.

Now, I've already had a bit of a rough start to my running week. I did not sleep well last night so when the alarm went off this morning at 4 a.m., I reset it for 6:30 and went back to sleep. So, I still have a 9-miler hanging over my head. And I'll be honest, I may not be able to fit it in tonight because it is HOT outside. I will do what I can!

 

Weekly mileage:

Monday - 9....ish...maybe

Tuesday - 8

Wednesday - 6

Thursday - 5

Friday - rest

Saturday - 20!

Sunday - 4

Tricks and treats

I had an awesome running week... Until today.

I felt so good Tuesday that I rocked out 8 miles before work, finished my APFT in 16:09 Thursday, and busted out 6.5 miles Friday. I woke up today ready to dominate this 12-miler, but didn't even make it a mile before I knew it wasn't happening. It was hot, humid and allergies made my head feel like it weighed 50 pounds. I kept up a walk/run ratio to force myself to go 6 miles out, but I had no motivation to run on the way back. Oh well, 12 miles is 12 miles, either way.

Looking on the bright side, walking let me focus on the beautiful scenery

Another factor that slowed me down were the hills. I have complained about hills on many occasions, but today I want to talk about how I push through this necessary evil. I know everyone has their own technique, whether it's to walk them, lean into it and sprint, or even go backwards (I've seen it happen!). My (weird) trick is that I look to see how big the hill is and come up with a number I think is high enough to count down from and reach the top. Then I look down and count down with each deep breath and don't allow myself to look up until I've reached zero. This way, I'm focused on my breathing and not the hill itself.

Evil.

 

If you read my 50 random things post, you know that I have a thing about counting and that's why this works so well for me, try it out if you're looking for something new, but going backwards keeps your focus away from the hill too because I'm sure you're trying not to fall.

After my (painful) "run" this morning, I was starving! I made a super tasty pizza using a 90 calorie Flatout wrap, shredded cabbage, Lightlife chicken tenders (a vegetarian staple) and this chipotle salsa that was on fi-yah! Om nom nom nom.

I also have to highlight these new Under Armour running shorts I got this week. Amazing. They are so lightweight and they don't ride up at all. I think I need to get a pair in every color available.

Well here's to hoping my run tomorrow is better than today!

Running schedule for June 24-30

Okay, here is the plan! You know I deviate sometimes though:

Monday - 5.5 miles (done!)
Tuesday - 7 miles
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 2 mile APFT
Friday - 7 miles
Saturday - 12.5 miles
Sunday - 6.1 miles, I signed up for the Hustle N Bustle for the Wounded Warrior Project 10K. They said don't expect a PR because of the hills, but I figure it's for a good cause!

I found an awesome running trail about 15 minutes from where I'm staying right now that I did my 14-miler on this past Saturday and it's where I'll do my 12.5 next weekend. It is 4.5 miles of trail to this lake that has a 1.8 mile paved loop. So, I just run around the lake until I have to head the 4.5 miles back. It's a very nice trail, lots to look at and shady, but there are hills. HILLS!

My nighttime ritual before a long run/race. Sipping some G2. Orange is the best flavor, hands down

I don't know if I've talked about PB2 before, but it is awesome. It's dehydrated peanut butter, so all the oil is removed, then you rehydrate it with water so it's only 45 calories, compared to 180. I love the stuff. I had that smeared on a couple pieces of toast after my run this weekend and it was so tasty!

You need to try it at least once if you love peanut butter as much as me, but hate the calories. Add it to toast, bananas, smoothies, anything!

Not every runner is elite

I think I've said this before, but I want everyone who is thinking about starting to run to know that not everyone can be Kara Goucher, Shalane Flanagan or Ryan Hall. Sometimes you just have to be proud of yourself for getting out of bed in the morning and hitting the pavement/treadmill.

Take me for instance. It takes me 4 hours, 49 minutes and 27 seconds to move my body for 26.2 miles. And yes, that IS running the WHOLE time. And while that time doesn't sound good to a Boston Qualifier (who needs a 3:35 just to be eligible to register at my age) I am so proud of my times that I tattooed them to the back of my leg. I figure, good or bad, they're mine.

It doesn't include my most recent time from April, yet.

No matter what someone's time is though, most runners can share tips, tricks and stories that can relate to everyone. What they eat before (molten lava pancake), during (GU) and after (everything) a long run, how they psyche themselves up for a race, and how much they all enjoy a rest day.

So, while some people were recently talking about how they can run a 10-miler in an hour flat (my PR is 1:31), or do 3 miles at a 6:30 pace (I can't even do a quarter mile at that pace) realize that your running can still inspire someone else. I was doing a 7-mile run the other morning where I did one warmup mile at 11 min, 5 miles at 9:13, then another 11 min cool down mile, and even though it would seem so slow to some people, someone came up to me and said they wished they could run as long as me. I actually inspired someone! Awe *blush*

So, no matter your pace or distance, run on with your bad self!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a 14-mile run with my name on it.

How I started running

I'm taking a 'cross training opportunity' on the stationary bike to also update my blog. Multitasking like a pro.

I wanted to talk about what got me hooked on running in the first place - my first race. First, I'll give you a little background on my running experience prior to that day, which wasn't much.

I had dabbled very sporadically prior to joining the military, while I was in high school. But that really consisted of running a mile every so often, with no real schedule or pattern. I just knew I wanted to lose weight and thought that would help, and it does, if you're a bit more consistent and don't eat like a little piggy in between.

After I joined the military, a mile and a half was my distance because that was what the Air Force said I needed to do. So, I'd go out there and rock those 6 laps around a track and call it a day. Time for breakfast! I dabbled with 2-3 miles at a time when I was in training, but again, not consistently.

For a little over a year, that was where I stayed. I'd go for a run around my neighborhood, or run up to my sister's work to say hi, but usually kept it around 2 miles, and never over 3.

Then the day came, I remember it well. It was in March of 2009 and a friend of mine took me to a local running store, Pacers, so she could get a new pair of shoes. While we were there, a slightly overweight sales associate started talking to us about doing races. Up until that point, the thought had never crossed my mind, but at the time I thought, 'if she can do it, so can I!' Seeing how it's been 4 years since that day and I have seen the backside of every size and shape as they going zooming past me, at the time, I didn't know not to judge someone by how they look on if they're a runner. So, me and my friend looked at her talking about her recent half marathon and were like, 'we can totally do a full marathon.' Just like that. Boy, were we foolish. Two people who had never ran more than 3 miles at a time thinking that it can't possibly be that hard to run a marathon. People do it all the time, right?

Now, I'm talking we wanted to do a full that year. Luckily, that sales associate talked us into starting with a 5k. You know, work your way up. So, we signed up for our first race! I don't remember the name of it, but I know it was in Crystal City, Va. and took place on Mother's Day and I remember I kept thinking, 'where's the finish line?!' And was dead exhausted afterward. I didn't want to do anything else that day except eat and, obviously, brag. At the time, none of my other friends or family were really runners, so naturally I felt superior. But wait a second. Um, a marathon is 23.1 miles longer than what we had just done. Yeah. We realized that our initial goal was a little high. But we stuck with it!

Before our first race

Next, we did a 4 mile twilight run (again, exhaustion, light headedness, and feelings of even more superiority flooded my system), then we did an 8k, and a couple 10k's, including a trail 10k because we didn't realize that was a completely different beast. And while we weren't quite ready for the coveted marathon, I did make the jump into double digits that year and signed up for the Revenge of the Penguins 10-miler. Where is that damn finish line?!

I stagnated there for a year, my weekly mileage being a 10-miler on Mondays, 8 on Wednesday and 6 on Friday. Then da momma made the leap past that mile and a half mandatory run and joined the ranks of recreational runner. I was so happy to have someone else to talk to for hours about running tips and tricks and complaining about logging miles when tired and how much we thought we deserved to eat because, hey, we did a 4 mile run that morning. The usual.

Now, my initial excitement had worn off, so while I did a couple 10k's and the Army 10-miler that year, my mom was just ramping up. She signed up for a winter series to keep her motivated throughout the cold months and the difference between her and me when I started running races, was she signed up for that marathon for the following April, and brought me along for the ride. I was not ready! It came too soon! I think I changed my mind about doing an actual marathon! I'm perfectly happy just riding the 10 mile high! Nope.

We were so stupid. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, especially because our first marathon was a trail marathon. Do not do that to yourself. Take my word for it, I bit that bullet for you.

Now, do you realize how much training goes into a marathon? Let alone a trail marathon?! We didn't. And we also lost interest pretty quick, but that marathon still came, ready or not. I'm not going to explain every race I've ever done, but I will say that one was terrible. It's the same one we just did for the third time a couple months ago because we haven't learned our lesson, but that first year when neither one of us had ever done more than 12ish miles, it broke us. Sun burn, scrapes, blisters so bad we couldn't walk, lost toe nails, the works. And I've never eaten so much food in my life. After the race, I had a bowl of chili, a large Jimmy John's sub, Italian sausage, spaghetti, cheesecake and then I woke up in the middle of the night STARVING, but my sun burn and aching body won out and I stayed in bed. Seriously, we did this race two more times after this and we still haven't learned to train for it. We just do it, then it's like opening day to start training for fall marathons. It's a sickness.

After that frightful experience I did actually sign up for the Marine Corps Marathon that fall and actually trained for it. Novel idea!

We were dead to the world after that first trail marathon

Since then, we've done a handful of races of all distances and had made the decision to throw in the towel on marathons after this past April. Ha! You don't just quit! It's like a drug. You hate it how it feels, you hate how it takes up all your time, but you just can't quit. I jokingly mentioned that we should do a marathon in every state since we've already tackled Kansas and Virginia. Seriously, it was just a joke because we were quitting. So, now we're signed up for Ohio and have Texas, Missouri, Hawaii and Nevada planned out.

During our most recent trail marathon

Before our most recent half marathon

Gotta love it.

It's a vicious cycle

Do you have those days when you're super stressed, or really tired or just plain feel like crap? Then you don't feel like cooking because you want something greasy and bad for you? Then you don't want to workout because you feel so sluggish from eating so bad? Then you feel even crappier?!

 

It is such a vicious cycle and I've been there. Actually, last night, I wanted to jump right into this spin cycle because I had such a bad day. I was dreaming about the lobster grilled cheese I had last week and the dark chocolate covered praline cake with vanilla ice cream. *drool*

 

But I didn't give in! And right now I feel so much better for it. I made some sauteed cabbage and Lightlife Italian style sausage, then a bowl of frozen fruit with fat free cool whip and Hershey's lite chocolate syrup for dessert. Still tasty and I was able to get out of bed this morning and go for a 5 mile run.

I know it can be so hard not to give in to those cravings, but if you can just take a minute and talk yourself out of it, you'll be thanking yourself the next day.

Not All Runs Can Be PRs

Today, I did the Baltimore 10-miler and it won. Even though I did run the whole thing, it kicked my butt and there is no PR to celebrate. I knew before I even hit the first mile marker that today just wasn't my day. I felt sluggish and heavy, it was hot and my bff - hills - came early and often. I had to keep making myself slow down just so I wouldn't burn out before the finish line and my time was on the far end of my goal range that I talked about a couple weeks ago, but that's okay because I really was practically limping from the pain in my calf as I crossed the finish line.

Got a pretty awesome running jacket instead of a shirt

But, I figure 10 miles is still 10 miles, whether you do it fast or slow, so I'm logging that race as training miles.

"It was being a runner that mattered, not how fast or how far I could run. The joy was in the act of running and in the journey, not in the destination. We have a better chance of seeing where we are when we stop trying to get somewhere else," - John Bingham.

Afterward, I made us some nom noms with these Gardein beefless tips that are so delish and the most realistic meatless product I've ever had. I just threw some into a jalapeño-cheddar wrap with tomato-basil hummus, tomatoes and onions. Yummo! I figured I didn't need to feel more like crap after that race by going out to eat.


Nap time!

The Great Equalizer

Today I did the Fountainhead Off Road Half Marathon and I am already feeling it. Tomorrow I am going to be stiifffff.

It was an absolutely beautiful race through the woods and along the water, but oh my. The hills. Oh, the hills. I thought last week's Run For the Dream Half Marathon was rough with it's 'rolling hills,' but those were baby hills compared to this trail race. Seriously, trail running is the great equalizer. No one is immune to wet feet from crossing creeks, hills so steep you almost have to use your hands to help you climb up or just to save yourself from slipping in the shoe-sucking mud. Then the blisters happen because of those factors and when a blister pops open while running, it is the worst feeling. I've considered having my pinky toes removed during my states of delirium after a blister pops during a race. It's that bad. Obviously, no PR was made, but free pizza and diet coke at the finish line put this race pretty high on my favorites list.

I had also checked out a running trail yesterday close to where I'm staying that I think I'll be using quite a bit for my long runs this summer. It, too, ran along the water and gave me lots to look at, which is good because I know there's a 25-miler hiding somewhere in my training plan.

I also have to brag a bit on my hair yesterday. I did a French braid crown that was added to my French braid. Mind blown.

Now, I'll leave you with my running plans for the week:

Monday - 5 miles

Tuesday - 4

Wednesday - 6

Thursday - 4

Friday - rest

Saturday - Baltimore 10-miler!

Sunday - 4

New Adventures

Me and the hubs have been busy in Charleston, SC trying to get the layout for the area for our move here this summer. It's so beautiful here, I can't wait to be leaving Maryland behind and having a whole new area to explore. Oh, and the food, the food down here is to die for. It's going to be hard to stay on track with Weight Watchers here because I want to taste everything! I'll just have to make sure to do it in moderation cuz after three days here I'm already feeling a bit sluggish.

We have been doing pretty good about staying active though. Our first day here we checked out a running group at the gym and trainer definitely pushed us! We did 10 crunches, then ran 100 meters, 10 pushups, ran, crunches, 30 jumping jacks, ran, 20 mountain climbers, ran, jumping jacks, 20 air squats, ran, as many pushups as you could, ran, then did the Frankenstein walk, lunges, side lunges, frog jumps and bear crawl for 100 meters. This was also done while it was still about 80 degrees outside and we had just had a huge sushi dinner (terrible mistake!) So, we were definitely feeling it.

A couple that works out together, stays together

Yesterday, I checked out a yoga class at the gym and it was so relaxing. It was the perfect balance after the workout session we had the night before. Today, we hit up one of the local trails, that ended up being about a mile and a half and also had random workout machines along the way that I couldn't help but play on try.

Just to touch on the food again - sushi? Amazing. Blackened grouper over cheesy grits and asparagus? Amazing. Fresh fried catfish with Mac n cheese and cornbread? Amazing. Needless to say, the food is amazing!

The grouper was the only thing I got a picture of because I dove face first into that catfish and devoured it before I even remembered to take a pic

Army Strong!

Today I took the Army Physical Fitness Test at work and as my workout. This test is to see how many pushups and sit-ups you can do in two minutes each and how fast you can run 2 miles, then you get a score out of 300 (there's also an extended scale, but that gets complicated) based on how many you did. That score can help you with promotions, awards, or maybe just bragging rights. Not to brag or anything, but when I took the test 2 months ago, I did get a 300 with 48 pushups, 80 sit-ups and a 15:30 two-miler (see? Bragging rights) Today, I didn't do as well, with 49 pushups, 73 sit-ups and a 16:55 run. Not my best work, but still okay with it.

Now, I have to mention the coffee situation, because there is none. What?!?!?! Luckily, I planned ahead and bought these Starbucks iced coffee packs that you just pour directly into a water bottle and voila! Instant coffee fix.

It's pretty good and, either way, it's better than nothing.

I also got to wander around in the woods for awhile doing land navigation. It was the perfect weather, nice and cool, and there were some mean hills along the route. Even found a surprise along the way.

Living the Army dream.

Must-go Stew!

You know it's time to go grocery shopping when you're making 'must-go stew.' This was something my mom taught me and it's when you're fridge is getting so bare that everything 'must go' into the pot to make dinner!

Must-go stew changes every time, and really, as long as you have some kind of broth, some veggies and maybe a starch, you are good to go. I was lucky enough to have some seafood broth, red wine, half an onion, 3 potatoes, half a bag of peas and carrots and a scoop of couscous. Voila! There's dinner (and lunch for the next day).

Lunch today was absolutely amazing. Me and the hubs went out to eat (again, we're getting low on food at the house. I swear I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow!) and it was such a beautiful day that we were able to sit outside by the water in Old Town Alexandria. We went to a place called Chadwick's, that we used to frequent for brunch quite often, and I had a drool worthy sandwich. I had smoked mozzarella cheese on a ciabatta roll with an artichoke and olive spread with onion rings on the side. Don't let anyone tell you that it would be hard to be a fat vegetarian, because it's not. The sandwich originally came with meat on it, but I asked if they would be able to do it without and the waiter recommended extra mozzarella instead. Yes, please!

Look at that spread oozing out! Yummo!

It was nice to get out today, too, because it's been rainy and gloomy here the last couple of days, so I haven't left the house much. But I took this as an opportunity to get a little dolled up:

Now, I haven't worked out yet today, but I swear I will.  Monday, my 6 mile run was so hard! I wanted to quit, but I just slowed it down instead and pulled through it. Whew! But yesterday, I switched up my workout and ran my 7-miler because a friend came and ran with me and I never say no to a buddy run. It was even raining and we still did all 7 miles, including hills! So, today, when I workout, I will do my weight workout.

Which, by the way, that weight training is starting to pay-off. I can now do a pullup! It's still with my palms facing me, so I know it doesn't fully count, but I'm one step closer to being able to do one with palms facing away! 

Lazy Sunday

The drive-in was a good time last night, but with getting home at 3am, it is making for a very lazy Sunday. Which, there are no complaints here with that.

The hubs even made me breakfast in bed (hash), while I snuggled with the kitten and read my Kindle. Who would have it any other way?

Looking forward, my workout plan for the week is, hopefully, this:

Monday - 6 miles
Tuesday - speed, weights
Wednesday - 7 miles
Thursday - speed, weights
Friday - 8 miles
Saturday - 3 miles
Sunday - rest

Now, get back to bed!

I do what I wanna do

I went and bought the free weights so that I could do my weight lifting routine at home and not have to deal with people at the gym (check out the workout routine here, and why I don't want to deal with people here). Of course, then I got distracted for about 6 hours before getting back to the workout, BUT I did do it. And I also ran my 5 miles last night and I have been drinking water like I said I would. Slowly but surely!

So, if you haven't checked out banana ice cream, you should. (recipe post) It's pretty amazing. I tried a couple of experiments the last couple nights because I was out of bananas (blasphemy!) and here's what I came up with:

Frozen Strawberries - no
Frozen Mango - kinda

The strawberries turned into the grainy ice pellets like the bananas, but then they never smoothed out afterward. Of course, I still ate it and it was still good, but it was more of a italian ice or sorbet consistency instead of ice cream like the bananas.

The mango was kind of a mix between the two - not quite as creamy as the banana, but less grainy than the strawberries. I'm going to try cherries next. Wish me luck.

So, I've been a bit scatter brained since I've been home (all of 4 days) and can't get on a schedule. Every time I try to do something, I get distracted.

Here are just a couple examples:

I took my cat outside to play in the sunshine

I lounged on my hammock and read a book on my Kindle

I asked kitten to workout for me, but she wouldn't.

I found some pretty lipstick and proceeded to play dress-up

Eventually, I did get my act together enough to workout and make some dinner. Tonight, we're having fish and chips! 

For the 'chips' I cut up two potatoes into little wedges and sprinkled a bunch of spices on them. Whatever you like is what you should coat them with:

I went with rosemary, basil, oregeno, chives, italian seasoning and garlic salt

Next, lay them on a baking pan, give them a spritz of oil and put them in the oven at 350 for about 40 minutes. They may take longer, so just keep checking them about every 5 minutes after the 40 minute mark:

My hubby made the fish, but that just consisted of coating some cod in bread crumbs and baking it in the oven for about 30 minutes, then turning on the broiler to crisp it up a bit:

Gym rant and new goals

So, I know one of the reasons why I don't like lifting weights, weight rooms are ridiculous. I went there today hoping to do my little weight routine (check it out here), but it ended up getting cut short because there was a lot of judgement going on, from both sides. First, I cannot stand the guys who are all pumped up and high fiving each other after every rep. Really? Second, don't watch me workout! I do not want your 'advice' on how I could do it better or that my workout has no focus. How about you FOCUS on your own workout. Third, I don't know where to stand. I always feel like I'm in someone's way. So, I left. I did most of the workout (just not bench press, modified pull up and then I did the negative resistance when I got home), but I was very uncomfortable there. I'm seriously tempted to go buy my own free weights...hm, food for thought.

Speaking of food! I have to tell you what I had for lunch - a vegetarian Reuben! *swoon*

My mom taught me this substitution on one of my favorite sandwiches from those days when I ate meat (has it really almost been 4 months?!). Now mine had some modifications today because I used what I had, but I'm going to teach you how to make it the right way.

Vegetarian Reuben
(10 weight watchers points)

You'll need:
-Meatless lunch meat. Any kind is fine, my favorite is Lightlife turkey or bologna, but I used hickory smoked tofurky today and it was just as tasty
-sauerkraut
-laughing cow light swiss wedge. I only had the queso fresco & chipotle kind, but you want to use swiss if you want it more authentic
-Bolthouse Thousand Island Yogurt dressing. I didn't have any today because I just got home and haven't been to the grocery store, so I did without, but I recommend using it to get the true taste of a reuben
-Bread

1.  Gather all your supplies and pop your bread in the toaster
2. Smear the laughing cow on one side of the bread
3. Top with sauerkraut
4. Top with thousand island dressing
5. Top with lunch meat
6. Dig in!

I like to add some tomatoes and lettuce to mine just to boost up the veggie intake, feel free to make any modifications based on what you have available.

**Instead of toasting the bread, you could assemble the sandwich first then give it a press on a panini press, but I made it the lazy/quicker/cleaner way.

I had my sandwich with some Special K Sweet & Salty Popcorn Chips. Delish! It's kind of like a mix between a tortilla chip and popcorn and you get 28 of them for 3 weight watcher points! I thought they were going to taste like those bland rice cake things, but these are really good.

So, the whole reason I started this blog was because I read an article in Runner's World that talked about how it can keep you motivated if you express your goals. I figured that if I write them out instead of just keeping them in my head, that I will be more likely to work toward them, even if no one reads it. Here goes:

-Short term goal - Drink more water. I don't think I'm ready to cut back on coffee and diet soda, but I'm going to try to drink at least one of my camelbak water bottles a day for the next week, then reassess from there.
-Middle goal - 7:00 min mile. I did my last graded 2 mile run for the Army in 15:29, so about 7:45 miles. I'd like to get the 1 mile down to 7 minutes and see how it helps my graded 2 miles
-Long term goal - Sub 2 hour half marathon. The last half marathon I did was in October 2011 and it was 2:07. I've still been doing races since then - 5k's, 10k's, marathons - but I haven't done a competitive half since then (Disney Princess Half Marathon doesn't count!). I'd like to be below 2 hours by the end of June. I'm going to try to sign up for one next month to see where I'm at and then train accordingly.

They are out in the world now, even if just for me to come back and check on.

Hopefully, my workout schedule for this week will play out like this:
Tuesday - 5 mile run
Wednesday - Weight lift, speed
Thursday - 6 mile run
Friday - Weight lift, speed
Saturday - 7 mile run
Sunday - rest

Now, I need to go buy those free weights so I make sure my weight lifting gets done this week!