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!!