Embarrassing Photo Friday

I was debating whether to post this picture or not. I took it last Wednesday before my outdoor run when the temperature was about 30F.

Yesterday Lacey posted about matching outfits and feeling self conscious! Well I usually don't even look in the mirror before I head out for a run because I don't want to see what I actually look like.

Important things to notice in the picture:
1. Yes that is my bathroom.
2. I am wearing a reflective vest - I wear this pretty much every time I run so that cars can see me.
3. I honestly hate my hips - I hate how they stick out and I especially hate how they look in spandex. I have always had wide hips and no matter how much running I do, I can't seem to lose the little stuff on the sides there.


Previously I also posted what I looked like before a morning run so you can check that out too!

And that is my Embarrassing Photo Friday! Hope everyone has a great day and good weekend!!

Three Things Thursday

1. January is almost over and I could not be more excited for February! The winter OLYMPICS are coming! I LOVE the Olympics! I am starting to clear out the DVR so I can record every possible minute of it! If you are as Olympic-addicted as me check out Girl with the Red hair's Olympic Torch Relay post today!!

2. Yesterday, by the end of the day I just needed to leave work and get out for a run! I planned a longer route (5.5 miles) that I hadn't run before! The good parts = the sun shining and my legs felt good. The bad parts = it was cold and there was a lot of traffic.

3. I can't even think of a third thing to write...nothing exciting at all...so leave a comment and let me know what is exciting about your day today!

Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Workouts and TBL

I am really enjoying not being on a training plan. My favorite part of running is being able to pick the workouts by how I am feeling that day. If I feel like running fast I do; If I feel like running slow then I do that. I am apprehensive about going back on a training plan because last time I pushed too hard and had the hip problem for most of summer 2009.

Although my running schedule is not exactly the same each week I do try to go to yoga on Mondays and Spin class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have noticed that my IT band pain is almost vanished since regularly going to these classes. Yesterday morning I ran on the treadmill and did feel some IT band pain so I am trying to run outside unless its icy or a blizzard!

And if you are looking for a good hip stretch try this yoga pose: Fire log.

Are there workouts or XT that you do every week? Do you like being on a training plan or being able to pick your workout day to day??

***

And now my Biggest loser thoughts because seriously this season is out of control!!

1. I think the red team is lying! Melissa is totally playing the game! She is so bossy to her husband and everyone else!

2. The green team has such a sense of entitlement! They need a lot of help mentally! Who tells their daughter not to cry??!!

3. Best quote was when Andrea from the Black team said: "You know that when you are doing the last workout with one trainer that there's another trainer hiding around a tree." (or something like that!)

What are your thoughts on TBL? Love it or hate it?

Yay its Wednesday!!

The Rundown

The Weekend rundown -

Friday
After work on Friday I hurried home and changed into my running clothes. The sun was out but it was still a little bit chilly. I headed to the high school track and warmed up with 3 laps then started in the ladder workout that Marlene suggested.

200m (38 secs), 400m (1:29), 600m (2:22), 800m (3:15), 600m (2:22), 400m (1:27), 200m (39 secs)

By the time I got to the first 600m I wanted to quit. I just felt slow and cold and was not looking forward to the 800. I tried to run the 600s and 800 at about 45 seconds for each 200m. I also tried to run the second half of this workout faster than the first. Both of those didn't exactly work out the way I planned but I was able to get the run done. I really just enjoy running 400m repeats.

Saturday
I woke up and was out the door by 8am for a slow 5.3 mile run. It was super cold (21F) but sunny and I just jogged along and didn't worry about time. When I got back I quickly got ready to head to my massage. I had never been to this massage place before but the woman was amazing and so sweet! She did my legs, feet, arms and worked on my shoulders (turns out I have identical knots on both sides of my shoulders). The knots didn't come out totally but they feel a lot better. I bought some of those thermacare heating pad thingies to use to try and break the knots up even more.

Sunday
I woke up and made waffles and enjoyed my day off from exercising. I watched the football games and saw Brett Favre lose which was really sad : (

Monday Morning
Woke up this morning to rain but super warm temperature! The thermometer said 55 degrees so I headed out for a 4 mile run. My legs do NOT like hills in the morning and basically any route I take involves at least 2 hills! So I just chugged along and tried not to step in any puddles! It was a great way to start the week!

Tonight I am going to yoga. I feel like this week is going to be super busy!

Hope you had a great weekend too! Happy Monday!

Happy TGIF!

So yesterday I am sitting at work, it was about 10am, and BAM I get hit with this KILLER headache. I took an Excedrin and drank water like it was my job but nothing helped! I even went and got a 3 musketeers bar from the vending machine after lunch. Nothing seemed to work!

When I got home I took 800mg of Ibuprofen and went to meet up with my friends Kaylie and Lisa at the gym for spin class. We spent a few minutes before class chatting away (girl time = just what I needed) and stretching and before I knew it, my headache was gone.

Spin class KILLED me though. We had a substitute teacher and she worked us so hard! My quads were dying! I decided to sleep in this morning and run my track workout after work since its supposed to be sunny and nice (sorry treadmill, I am sure I'll see you next week)!

Tomorrow Brian has scheduled a massage for me. I have had a serious knot in my right shoulder for about 3 months now and it is bothering me so much that I can't sleep on that side. I can pick between a deep tissue or Swedish massage. I have had a massage before (a Swedish one I think) about two years ago. I was thinking about getting a deep tissue one? Has anyone had one these - I heard they can be painful??

Just in case I can't move after my massage, I'll be running tomorrow morning.

Hope everyone has a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!!

Three Things Thursday: The Long Edition

1. I made it outside yesterday afternoon for a run. I haven't really done any "tempo" running and I really don't know what my "tempo" is right now but I wanted to try. I ran a little too fast and by the end my hip flexor was aching really bad.

4.5 miles/34:14/7:29 pace

Tomorrow I am going to attempt another treadmill interval workout...any suggestions??


2. Where have all the good books gone??! I spent an hour and a half at the library last Sunday and every single book that I wanted was checked out!


3. Lisa at Early Morning Run and Aron at runner's rambles tagged me to list 10 things that make me happy and tag 10 people!

#10 - A beautiful sunset

#9 - Chocolate cake or basically any desserts!

#8 - Playing college basketball (I know its in the past but it still brings a smile to my face to think that I actually played)

#7 - Spring Tulips!

#6 - My cat, Itsy, who we had to put to sleep after having her for 18 years back in October

#5 - My best friends from college who I played basketball with

#5 - Running with my best friend from high school!

#4 - Running track! I just love running intervals!

#3 and #2 - Brian. I have known him for 4 years, dating him for 2 years and he is absolutely amazing!

#1 - My family!

There is so much more that makes me happy, especially blogging!

Now I tag these 10 people:
1. Anna Banana
2. Marlene
3. Molly
4. Amber
5. Lacey
6. Morgan
7. Run Kera Run
8. Aneta
9. Lisa
10. Chelsea


Happy Thursday!!

Moving On

The drama at the Morning Runner apartment compound continues:

I talked to my roommate last night (as many of you suggested!) and turns out that she is "probably definitely" going to buy a house (her exact words) so I should probably start looking for a roommate. Well that is all I needed to hear and now I am on the hunt for a new roomy. Thanks so much for all the comments - reading them made me feel 110% better!

I did have trouble sleeping last night because I was just unsettled about life changing and so when my alarm went off at 5am I welcomed the morning run! It had snowed last night and there was about an inch on the ground. It was so peaceful and quiet out as I made the first tracks on the sidewalks and side streets! I couldn't have asked for a better way to start my day!

In other random news about my life - I watched the movie Bride Wars last night! Who out there has seen it? Come on - Admit it!! I loved every minute of this chick-flick girly movie especially since I love Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson! And the best part of the movie for me...Anne running and Kate power walking! And there is your Girly Morning Runner moment for the day! Hope everyone has a fabulous Tuesday!!

Getting Personal

I usually don't talk about my personal life on this blog too much but recently I have been over stressed and feel the need to share.

First some background. I have a roommate (a girl) who I knew in college, graduated before me and works for the same company as I do but in a different group. So we live together, we aren't best friends but we have some things in common and we get along fairly well.

So recently she has mentioned to me that she has started to look for a house. But she has not mentioned if she will actually be buying a house or renewing the apartment lease with me for another year in June. I just feel really up in the air about everything and I am totally in the dark. I mean its not easy finding a girl roommate/apartment mate especially one that I get along with and can live with.

I know that I need to confront her and ask her what the deal is...but I thought the polite thing would be for her to let me know. I feel like she has just left me hanging because I assumed we would be living together for another year.

So that's what has been plaguing me for the last week...and running has been my de-stresser for sure!

Saturday I met up with my co-worker for a nice slow run. Then Sunday I headed out for a 5 miler and had very little pain in my knees or hips! It is nice to see that my body is getting used to the longer distances!

Still no races on my schedule...but I may be checking out a race calender today if I get some free time at work.

HAPPY MONDAY!! (and for an even happier Monday head over to Happy Runner Giveaways for a chance to win a Bondi Band!)

It's FRIDAY!!!

This week sure has flown by and I have just not had enough time to sit down and dedicate to blogging.

I have been running. Since it has been warmer I was able to get outside Wednesday for 3.6 miles at 7:26 min/mile pace then Thursday morning I got up again and took another route for 3.6 miles at 8:33 min/mile pace. I felt really slow in the morning plus my headlight died so it was a slow dark run! Has anyone else done double runs like this and just felt slow?

Tomorrow I am meeting my co-worker who I ran with before and we are going to pound out some miles together.

Going back to the snowshoe thing - this weekend there is a snowshoe 5k race at a local park. I will not be participating BUT my cousin will be. I may go and check this out because it really does sound very interesting!

Well there is really nothing else interesting going on in my life. It has been a very mundane week for me, busy but mundane! I am way behind on reading blogs but hopefully today I will catch up!

Hope everyone has a great Friday and enjoys the weekend!!!

Snowshoeing!

Yesterday I went snowshoeing with Brian and some close friends! I know some of you may not be familiar with snowshoeing so check out wiki for some info HERE! Basically you just strap these things to your feet and walk around on the snow! They allow you to walk in the snow and not sink like you would if you were just walking in snow with boots. My parents bought theirs from L.L. Bean and I love them. I am even thinking of asking for some for my birthday!

We headed to a local park and just trekked around the woods! There were some steep up and down hills but it was a lot of fun! We spent a little over an hour outside - it was really cold, about 6F when we started but it was beautiful!!

Brian and I just starting out on our hike!

The guys being silly!

The Hill we climbed up!

The view from the top of the hill before we climbed/slide down!

This morning I went to the gym and did 400m repeats on the treadmill. I didn't want to go too fast right off the bat and then fall off the treadmill so I started off around 6:58 min/mile pace and increased the pace for each following repeat. Then I looked online this morning and found this cool website/calculator thing that helps to convert your pace to actual time that you ran for a certain distance. It has a lot of options and I am not sure how accurate it actually is but I know that a lot of us are running inside and hoped this could help! I also found this treadmill pace chart that helps to shows your pace with a certain incline!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Happy Monday!

Fabulous Friday!

This week has been hectic to say the least. I am so glad that it is Friday!

Tuesday I hit the gym in the morning for a nice little stair climber workout! I pumped out 30 minutes on that thing and my legs were feeling it! Then I decided to do some weight lifting! After work I met up with some girls for a spin class! My legs were hating me and Wednesday I woke up really sore!

I finally got outside for a run yesterday. I left work a little bit early and hit the road around 4pm. I went into the local neighborhoods and just cruised around. It was a very enjoyable 5.4 miles which was exactly what I needed! We have been pelted with snow since the new year and yesterday was the first day that it DIDN'T snow! It is hard getting outside for a run because it is either blizzarding out or the sidewalks are all covered with slush or snow.

For the weekend I have some fun plans! Brian and I are meeting up with some friends to go snow shoeing! I will be sure to post pictures of this fun adventure! Last year I went snow shoeing with my dog and you can check out that post HERE!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend and GOOD LUCK to all the racers!!

2010 Resolutions and Goals

I have been contemplating what I want 2010 to mean to me. My first real year of complete running, running on my time. There is so much possibility in the days that lay ahead in this year. But there is one thing - I have had little desire for racing recently. I haven't even thought about running any races this year except my usual Boilermaker 15k in July. Its a hard feeling to describe especially since I have spent the last 13 years of my life training for something at all times. I honestly don't know what to do next. For the first time in my life since I was 10 I have nothing to train for and maybe I need to go without racing for a while....

And so here are my resolutions and goals (minus a racing calender):

2010 Resolutions:

1. My mom gave me a five year diary for Christmas. Each day has 5 lines that can be filled with short thoughts. I want to write in it each day just like my mom has been doing since before I was born. Last year I tried to do a gratitude journal and I failed but I think this is a more manageable goal for me.

2. Be more patient and understanding. Enough said there.


2010 Goals:

1. Build up mileage and run 1010 miles in 2010. I have wanted to run 1000 miles in a year for a while now.

2. Make sure I enjoy running and that it doesn't become a chore.


So there it is - short and sweet. I thought making a few goals/resolutions would be the best way to start out this year. Once it becomes more clear to me what I want to accomplish then I will add more goals!

Happy (late) New Year!!