BMB: Week 6 and Ruthie Randoms

Building My Base

 

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Flashback to the OSU 4 miler on Sunday. This was as we were finishing. [Tamara K., Meg, ME, Katie, half of Jen]

Post race. [Tamara K., Meg, ME, Katie, Jen]

This is the last week of BMB. I officially start half marathon/marathon training on Monday!! There is no turning back. I have registered and committed to these races so I must follow through with training. EEEK!


The word "consistency" was on my mind a lot this week.

 

This week has been pretty awesome because I've had a lot of free time (P.S. Still no word about when I'll get to return to work after the car accident). I haven't had to wake up for any 5 a.m. runs, AND I've had the chance to catch up with long lost friends.

 

• 10/24: REST. After tweaking my foot on Saturday, I knew I needed to give my body a day of rest. I was still having some throbbing in my foot but it wasn't as intense. I took James to the zoo, so I did a lot of walking, but I rested from running.
  

  

  jd3 showing off his WPS pride!

• 10/25: 6.21 miles, 9:00/mile; 30 minutes leg/core stability workout. I FINALLY got a run with Jackie. Just like the old days before we met our other amazing runner friends. We really had no agenda so we just ran. Aren't those the best runs?! After our run, she introduced me to this delicious coffee shop in Hilliard. YUMMY!!!
• 10/26: 4 miles, 9:13/mile. I met Amanda at The Y for a little treadmill action. It was really the perfect day for it because it was raining most of the day and sometimes you just aren't in the mood for cold and rainy. I kept it short and easy to make sure I didn't aggravate my foot.
  

  

  Amanda is so fast she's blurry!!

• 10/27: 7.3 miles, 8:51/mile; 15 minutes core/hip workout. Jackie: "Lisa, I need help keeping our pace in the 9s. I'm horrible with pacing." Me: "I got you, girl. I'll pay attention to my watch and make sure I never see an 8 in front." Rrrrright. That lasted two miles before we forgot our agenda. Oops.
  

  

  Trying to cover Jackie's ASSets. I done good.

• 10/28: REST. I already had runs secured for the next three days including Highbanks and a long run with Marion and Jackie. I knew I would need a rest day before conquering those two things. Trying to play it smart with this post baby body! I decided to take my mind off of running by volunteering for packet pickup at Front Runner. Ha!!
• 10/29: 6.21 miles, 9:58/mile. We took it to the mean streets...I mean, trails...of Highbanks. If I'm going to conquer this half marathon in a few weeks, I need to get myself used to hills again. What used to seem so natural, now is SO CHALLENGING!! Highbanks is so beautiful right now. I was excited that I could find a couple of crazies to come along with me.
  

  

  Love this place! P.S. That guy in red was going SO FAST on these hills. It was way too intense. [Kelli, Noemi, ME]

• 10/30: 10.10 miles, 8:53/mile. Hills (and too much wine the night before). OMG. Something that I used to conquer without thought has become one of my biggest challenges (HMM...sounds like a repeat of what I said yesterday!). Between my injury this year and having a baby, I didn't run hills for a long time. They feel so hard to me right now, but I refuse to quit until they become my thang again! I'm not one to back down from a running challenge!! My half marathon in December was described as "moderately hilly." That could mean anything! I'm going to assume the worst and hit those hills hard the next month.
  

  

  So incredibly hot. October 30th and running in a sports bra! [Marion, Jackie, ME]

 

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-Ruthie smiles ALL THE TIME! I love it.

Fun at Ms. Jane's (outfit from Aunt Amanda).

-She continues to be OBSESSED with her "jungle gym."

-My girl is larger and stronger than James ever thought about being! She might be the first female linebacker in the NFL.

Future Razorback (hat made by Aunt Amy when I had James).

-She loves to bounce.

Say whaaaat?! (top from Aunt Marion)

-She has started sucking on her hand and it's the cutest thing.
 

Just a bonus pic of jd3.

Disconnecting + Update + Random Pictures

My silly boys.

What have I been up to since my Thanksgiving 5k? I'm sure all 40 of you are dying to know, and, well, 20 of you probably already know. I'm still running only 26-30 miles per week and on track to meet my 2015 in 2015 goal!

My mommy.

 

Since the race:

• Friday 11/27- 5 miles on my parents' mill, 8:35 average pace. Progressed from 8:57 to 8:20 min/mile. I needed this easy run to loosen up all the tightness from that race. That trail and those hills had my muscles confused!
• Saturday 11/28- 11.14 miles in Winchester, VA, 9:11 average pace. I met the sweet Karen earlier this year when I was visiting my parents. I didn't want to do my long run alone. I decided to hit her up again for this trip. I LOVED running in Winchester again!! It's a beautiful city with unavoidable hills.
• Monday 11/30- 5 miles, 8:40 average pace. Easy treadmill run at the Y. I had a break in the middle of my work day so I'm sure my afternoon patients appreciated my aroma.

James and Grandma making funny faced selfies!

This brought me to the end of November with a total of 124.08 miles. My lowest of the year! Yay! To celebrate my month of taper/recovery/rest, I did my first speed workout today. 6 miles, 8:00 average pace: 2 mile progressive warm up, 1.5 miles @7:30, 3 min recovery, 1 mile @6:57, 3 min recovery, 0.5 miles @6:39, recover to 6 miles. My legs handled it well considering I did Body Pump this morning. I thought for sure my legs would fall off.

 

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"Donut Worry, Be Happy."

 

My health...mental and physical. It's been a mess. As I've mentioned in recent posts, my GERD has exacerbated in full force. My nausea has gotten worse the past week and has not subsided. If I hadn't had my period the day after Indy, I would think I was pregnant. The nausea is unbearable and lasts all day long. At least it's intermittent but I can't identify if anything is helping it to go away.

Dressing up for the occasion?

 

Nausea, pregnancy...this leads me to my mental health. I'm beside myself with this trying to get pregnant thing. It's driving me absolutely crazy. I think about it daily. I analyze everything I feel in my body and wonder if I could be pregnant. I've taken a bazillion tests just to be disappointed a bazillion times. I knew it might take longer the second time around. I mean, we got pregnant with James in the second month of trying. It's been 9 months and I'm mentally done. I want to forget about it and just let it happen when it happens, but my personality doesn't allow for that.

 

I'm a planner. In my mind, I can't plan anything until I know when I'll be pregnant. I can't plan family vacations, races, etc., until I know when a little one will be arriving. I also remember how miserable I was having James in the winter. Sure, I had 10 weeks off of work, but that 10 weeks sucked butt because it was in the middle of an often single digit winter. In my world, I am not allowing that to happen again.

 

As you can assume, my head starts doing math. OK...I have to get pregnant by December which means I'll find out in January and that will give me a baby before October hits. PERFECT! Except that I'm not pregnant yet. Now, in my mind, I have a deadline which, of course, increases the pressure and stress. UGH.

 

As I told my close friends when I shared my struggle, I'm not looking for advice. I know I need to chill out, enjoy it, not care when I get pregnant, God's timing not mine...BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. That all may be true but it's not how my brain works and it doesn't make me feel better.

OBSESSED with lights. I can't wait to take him to Wildlights at the zoo!

Because I'm going nuts with this crap, I've been trying to disconnect myself slightly from Facebook. My goal has always been to put myself out there, be completely honest, and let others know that they aren't alone in their struggles...whether big or small. I don't know if this disconnection will last days, weeks...I'm shocked that I've made it two days with minimal Facebook contact. LOL.

 

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I'll certainly continue to share my joys and struggles with y'all through this baby making process and through my health issues. I did get a phone call from my PCP yesterday stating that they approved a referral to see a specialist for my GERD. I'm expecting to hear from the specialist this week about an appointment! As of know, I'm struggling with nausea and chest pain. It sucks. It hurts. I would love relief but I know others struggle more than me so I'll deal with it and try not to whine too much about it.

 

Highs and Lows- Week 14

I thought this was kinda cool! Cheers to my friends running their big races next weekend!!

Less than one month away from running my fourth marathon!!! CUH-RAY-ZEEE! This was supposed to be my cutback week (in some ways it was) but I ran 3 extra miles on Sunday. I threw in a track workout and some race pace miles into my long run this week to, in the words of Theresa, "make sure I'm still alive."

Me looking "alive" after that run! Ha!

After running 49 miles in 4 days, I felt surprisingly great on my rest day and was ready to rock and roll on Monday. Later in the week, I started my dreaded period...we all know how well that went last time around.

Here are my highs and lows for this week:

 

LOWS:

Nada.

 

 

HIGHS:

• Tour de New Albany. I was in a Westerville funk and needed a new place to run. There are two pretty great chicks that run fast AND live very close to me in New Albany. I met up with Meggie and Allison at the ripe hour of 4:45 a.m. and set off for 8 easy miles. Even though I couldn't see crap, I knew there were some really nice homes I'd like to see in the daylight. We averaged 8:28/mile, didn't get run over, and didn't see any critters. I'd say that's pretty successful.
• Donut Run (6 miles, 8:55 average pace). Thanks to a different Allison for putting together our monthly donut run! I must admit, it's more than a monthly event for me. I go to Schneider's 1-2 times per week when I run in Westerville.
  

  

  My real job ^^^.

  It was nice catching up with Karen and Dani! We got to hear all about Dani's PR on Sunday!!!

• Thursday Track Day. Track workouts are NEVER easy...EVER! I go into them expecting death. Surprisingly, this makes it more tolerable! I always whine to at least one person about how I'm not going to be able to do it. This week, Theresa was the lucky one. The workout was 10 total miles with 2 mile warm up and 8x1200m with 400m recovery. Goal pace for intervals was 7:10-7:15 min/mile. Two weeks ago, we had the same workout minus 2 miles/2 intervals. The workout a couple weeks ago was so tough at the beginning. I was praying this week would feel better...and it did! The 2 mile warm up was just enough to get me going this week. The first 3-4 intervals felt easy and then I started to fatigue. I wanted to stop after 6 but knew I had enough energy to finish. On the last interval, my legs were in the beginning stages of jello. That's when you gotta stop the yappin' and make $h!t happen. I saw a lot of 7:05 on my Garmin throughout the run so I was pretty excited about that! Overall pace for 10 miles was 8:04. The icing on the cake? I was accompanied by a lot of awesome ladies who kick major butt.
  

  

  Loved this pic. This is how I imagine the track when I'm running on it in the dark.

• Long Run on the inclines of Dublin (LOVE MY INCLINES!). Cutback week equals shorter long run. I didn't originally plan to run race pace miles in this week's long run, but Ms. Theresa had to run 22 miles with 10 at race pace...I had to help a sista out! It was sort of a weird run. To accommodate for all of the people we wanted to run with, we started the workout with the race pace miles...NO WARM UP! Oh dear. Not our finest moment. After four fast miles, I told T to keep going and I would keep her in my visual field. After recovering with an 8:19 and an 8:29 mile (and after taking off my jacket cuz it was freaking HOT), I felt ready to speed back up again. I managed to pop (I bet you read that as "poop") out four more speedy miles before meeting up with Dani and Marion. I cooled down with some easy miles and averaged 8:12 for my 14!
  

  

  Missing Marion a.k.a. Fashion Icon. She was so fashionable that Theresa had to copy her entire outfit the following day ;) [me, Theresa, Dani]

• Half Marathon Sunday. So much for cutback week! LOL. I was supposed to do 10 but increased to 13.1 when Jackie said she was coming! I couldn't miss out on time with her. It doesn't happen often lately so it was worth the increase. My intention was to run an 8:45 pace but, not surprisingly, we got out of control. I didn't realize how fast we were running because I felt good. On mile 10, I decided to dial it down a bit so I could enjoy my extra three with Jackie.
  

  

  I show this because, one year ago, Jackie and I ran our hearts out at the Run Like a Girl Half Marathon. I think our time was around 1:50:13. Today, we ran the same thing and it was our easy run. If you want it, you have to chase it and work hard making it happen.
   

  Highlights of the run: gorgeous weather, running by Hoover on Sunbury Road, random Ouija board on the trail (and the demon dogs that put it there...Amber's theory), and the tunnel of dementors that I warded off with the gel I made in potions class. NERD ALERT and HARRY POTTER FAN.
  

  

  The Sunday crew! Missing a few of our favorites. [Theresa, Amber in the back, Jackie, Me, Dani, Karen]

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Random thought in my head:

• I wish they had track meets for adults who aren't elite or professional. Someone needs to make this happen or tell me if it exists.

 

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What's next? Hopefully a mostly easy week. I'm doing my hard track workout on Tuesday and running easy the rest of the week. Sunday is the Columbus Marathon! I'm running the half at 8:20 pace and somehow getting 7 more miles to make 20 miles for the day (my last long run before Indy). My miles for that long run will be broken up but I know I'm ready for Indy so I'm not too concerned about it. I am just completely thrilled to see many of my friends chase their goals next Sunday!!!

I Have Random Thoughts...You Will NOT Gain Any Form of Knowledge From This Post

Things on my mind:

1. DC finish: I was thinking this morning about how lost I felt at the 2014 Nationwide Cbus Marathon. I couldn't find Jackie at the start and freaked out. I also couldn't find her or my family after finishing even though I was standing under the "D" sign (D=Davis!). Apparently it was insanely unorganized compared to past years (I can only speak for two years prior and I remember it being much better then). I vowed not to make the same mistakes again. I have already typed out a directional itinerary of sorts so that me and my girls can meet up and go to the start TOGETHER. We also made plans to meet at the letter 'X' following the race in hopes that it won't be a popular letter to hang out post race.
2. Booty shorts and tanks: The weather is leaning closer to promising for the race. The 10 day forecast for DC is showing 50s up to 61 as race day approaches! There is some rain predicted that Friday but anything can happen in 10 days. Because of this, I've been testing out some warm weather clothes that I haven't used in a long time. Things fit me differently post baby so I'm doing some treadmill workouts in my booty shorts and tanks to see how comfy they would be for racing.
3. My imagination: I think I'm psyching myself out a little with this race approaching. I'm super excited but, because I have a lofty goal, I have some nerves coming into play. I've been extra aware of how my body is feeling the past week or so and I think I'm making up aches and pains. I'll feel these minor things in my body and wonder if it's something more. Psyching myself out!!

How to Entertain Yourself While Running 12 Miles Solo

Sometimes, life happens and you can't do your long run with friends. Although I love my solo runs, I've come to enjoy doing my long run with my girls. It just makes the time go by faster. Yesterday, I set off with a positive attitude but wasn't sure how Ludacris Radio on Pandora was gonna get me through this 12 miler alone.

As I was running, since most of the route was familiar to me, I decided to just soak in my surroundings and enjoy (all while trying to keep that goal pace that is slower than I'm used to running my long runs). From all of that soaking in of my wonderful city of Gahanna, I decided my run was like it's own adventure...like a book. So, to entertain myself, I decided each mile was a different chapter. Each would get its own title to earn significance in my run. Before you knock my weirdness, you should try it! I dare you to go on a long solo run and do the same! :)

 

Without further ado, here are my chapters:

M1 Warm up while mentally preparing for the Morse Rd hill

• I wasn't skurred or anything ;) I just knew it was coming and that I'd be tempted to stop by the taco place instead of running up the hill. So maybe I was mentally preparing not to stop and get food instead.

M2 The Hill

• I like this hill. Sometimes it's hard, sometimes it's easy. Today, moderate. I've never been one to look up elevation charts but I looked up this one last night. It's approx. a 132ft climb over approx. 1.25 miles. Those numbers mean nothing to me but they might to you (and if they mean something, please tell me what that is!).

M3 Finish that hill + Sweet relief

• There is nothing more awesome (actually there are a lot of things more awesome) than the feeling you get after reaching the top of a hill. That feeling your body gets when the ground flattens and you can breathe again.

M4 Have your best running form as you run by Second Sole

• Every time I run by Second Sole (or any other sports place for that matter), I feel the need to straighten up my posture, run with perfect form, and, in general, look awesome...kind of like I try to do when I pass a camera during a race except not look as stupid as I tend to do! Anyone else do that?!

M5 Dodge cars and splash in puddles when they (the cars) don't move

• I was on Johnstown Rd. in this section where it turns into Mill Street. There is no sidewalk until you get to Creekside and the street is curvy. I was being more cautious in this section because of the cars. I was doing a great job of using my agility skills to avoid puddles until one stupid car decided it wasn't going to move over for me (even though there was no other car around). My dang right foot got wet just in time for a gradual uphill section.

M6 I heart Creekside

• My thoughts went as follows: "OH! I could go for a Local Cantina margarita right now; get out of my way person who just left the bar and didn't buy me a drink...if I turn right, I could go to Whit's...but it doesn't open until Monday!! BLAH! No win all the way around. Focus, Lisa. You are half way through this run." Safe to say that I'm random.

M7 T Pain's Booty Wurk aka my fastest mile

• I don't have to elaborate too much here. If you don't know the song, look it up and listen. We do this one in Hip Hop Fitness and it was so hard for me not to stop and do the routine in the middle of Gahanna. So, instead, I decided to run a faster mile. It helped that it was slightly downhill.

M8 Another Mother Runner, a skunk smell, and more hills

• It might not have been a mom, but she looked of mom age...I'd like to think she was a mom cuz I got all excited. Then I smelled a skunk just before we passed each other. She probably thought I had issues based on my face....wait, did she think I smelled like a skunk. Oh well, I need to conquer these shorter steeper hills so I can't worry about that.

M9 Familiar territory

• Kind of a boring mile.

M10 All about gettin' low

• "How low can you go?" asked Luda. I responded by telling him this isn't the mile in which I will show how low I can go. Then the Ying Yang Twins kept pressuring me to "Get Low"...until the sweat drop down...well, you know the rest.

M11 Envision that finish

• ...and look like you're not tired as you pass the fire station (just like when you passed Second Sole)

M12 I can see my house!

• Literally, I could see my house in the distance for most of this mile. I'm not sure if that was motivating or annoying. I do know that I was super happy to be there when I finally arrived. Yay for 12 solo miles on a gorgeous day :)

James Turns 1 Month!

Random:

We sing a song to our little man to the tune of "Baby" by the has-no-form-of-discipline-and-commits-crimes Beiber...we say "Jamesy, Jamesy, Jamesy, OHHH! Jamesy, Jamesy, Jamesy, OHHH!"....you get the idea.

The first month of his life has been so amazingly awesome! I love this little man SO MUCH and can't believe how much fun we are having together (despite the craziness)!  Since I give weekly updates to all of you about his progress and our adventures, I thought that for each month of his life I would write him a letter. I've seen other mothers do this and thought it was a really cute idea.

Dear James (a.k.a. Jamesy, little man, son, Baby Boo),

You have a very schedule oriented mother. I'm obsessed with planners...I buy them whenever I have a good enough reason to do so. Ever since December 14, 2013, my planner revolves around you (and this is not a complaint)! I love you so much, little man, and nothing brings me greater joy than to hang out with you, daddy, Izzie, and Angel.

I went from being clueless when you were born to feeling more confident about providing all of your needs. I used to think it was rubbish but it's so true what they say about motherly instincts. I've read a lot of books and articles on the internet but you are alive and that's what counts ;).

You made my transition into motherhood a lot easier than I could have ever imagined. You consistently eat every 2 to 2 1/2 hours during the day and you go a little longer at night so that mommy can get a little sleep. Bless you child. I remember the first time you slept 4 1/2 hours without waking me. I felt so guilty but quickly learned that it was ok.

After visiting Walmart today, we figured out that you probably weigh around 8 lbs which means you have gained 1 lb and 8 oz since birth! You still seem so tiny but I can tell you have grown. You have long arms and legs and big ole feet...you must be an athlete of some kind.

I love that you are more alert because I have so much fun talking to you. I read you books and passages from the Bible and I know you recognize my voice. I sing to you sometimes but I don't want you to think that's how singing is supposed to sound.

I know you're still too young for toys but I put your jungle gym together today and I could tell you were enjoying all of the new things to look at...I even have a video of you hitting one of the toys with your hand. I could have played with that all day long if you wanted to. I think my fingers are you favorite toy. You love to hold them (which is ok with me because it puts the biggest smile on my face).

This past week, you are making funny noises and you love to move your long arms and legs around. You're my little wiggle worm. When you grow up, I hope you love me as much as I love you. You are such a blessing and I've seriously enjoyed every single moment with you...whether it's been easy or challenging. You make me a better person.

I love you, James,

Mommy



Random Postpartum Thoughts

1. Crying- Obviously, hormones go crazy and YOU WILL CRY. If you didn't do your share of crying, you have no soul (please know that I'm joking but really?!)! For the first few days, I cried every time I tried to go to sleep. I just prayed and cried. It wasn't necessarily a bad cry...it was more like "I can't believe I have the cutest baby in the world," "I don't deserve this precious baby," "I'm afraid I won't be able to figure things out/be a good mom." Then, all of a sudden, I didn't cry anymore. After texting with my friend, Jackie, I think my experience might have something to do with the placenta pills that I'm taking. Jackie said that she noticed a difference in her crying/emotions when she didn't take her pill. I haven't skipped taking my pill and, after talking with Jackie, I'm afraid to do so! I'm hoping that is what's helping to keep my emotions in check :)
2. Belly- I was so concerned with how my previously flat belly was going to look after being pregnant (so stupid, I know, but I'd be lying if I didn't say it was a concern). This is what I imagined: Have you ever watched The Biggest Loser? I imagined my belly looking as if I was 300+ lbs. and had lost 200 of it...that saggy skin look. Boy, was I wrong! After delivering James, it simply looked like I was still pregnant...just not as far along. The only difference is that I felt it jiggle when I walked rather than it being hard like during pregnancy. As the days have gone on, I still have a pudge but it is slowly getting smaller. The fact that it's cookie/holiday season doesn't help things out...50% of my diet the last 2 weeks has been cookies! Now that I can drive (YAY!), I'll be able to go for walks on a daily basis until I can start other cardio activity. I can also slowly start doing other exercise at home like squats, lunges, and maybe even some light abdominal and yoga moves. I'll just listen to my body and see how things go.
3. Trying on pre-pregnancy pants- Kind of wish I had waited for this one! Today, Mr. Boo and I went to Meijer and I wanted to wear some real pants or jeans...so I did it...I tried on some pre-pregnancy jeans! Oy. I'm currently trying to figure out if my hips are going to stay the same size or shrink along with my belly. Honestly, I'm ok with my current hips...I just want to know if there is shopping in my future or if I'll be able to squeeze into those favorite jeans of mine that I love oh so much. I did fit into a pair that is a little stretchier so all hope is not lost. :)
4. Pumping- Please tell me about your pumping experiences the next time I see you or in a message. I just started trying to pump milk yesterday and VERY little came out. I thought it might have been because James was eating every 1 1/2 hours yesterday which is unusual for him. I only tried once yesterday and once so far today. I had better luck today but it still wasn't a whole lot. The pediatrician told me to pump the breast that he feeds from the least after that specific feeding. Does it just take time to establish good pumping? I dunno...guess I need to do some research or contact a lactation consultant.

My Mini Freak-Out Moment + Randoms

Random #1: I decided not to purchase the jogging stroller I mentioned in my last post. After seeing it and talking to the lady, I found out it is a stroller from 20 years ago. I felt it was over-priced for being so outdated. I'd buy it for $10 but I'm sure she wouldn't go for that!

 

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Today, I received a phone call from my doctor. I have his number saved in my phone so I knew it was him when he called. I sort of freaked out because I thought "Why is he calling?! There must be something wrong if he's calling!" When I picked it up, it was one of the office workers asking if I could switch my appointment to a week earlier because my doctor will be on vacation the week of my original appointment. I was so relieved! Now I get to go a week from today for my first abdominal ultrasound! YAY!

 

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Random #2: Mr. Boo and I get Zoombezi Bay passes every year. With a little one growing inside me, I knew I needed to call the nurse to make sure it would be ok to do the water rides. I was so embarrassed to call and ask about it! I sucked it up, called, and received the worst response EVER! The nurse said it wouldn't be wise :( I guess Becca and I will ride through the lazy river while our hubbys ride the rides together!

 

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Random #3: I feel super blessed already in this process. Our parents are buying a lot of the major purchases: crib, car seat, pack-n-play, etc. I know the other bazillion things will add up but it's nice to know the big stuff will be taken care of. I also called my insurance company today and found out that they will cover a breast pump 100% as long as I purchase it through a BCBS DME company! Amazing!

 

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Random #4: Prayers will be accepted for this back pain I've had the last two days. Luckily, it's not debilitating. I was able to work and do Hip Hop Fitness last night...it's just a nuisance.

May Races + Randoms

Random #1: I've been eating cinnamon swirl bagels the last couple of weeks (I'm not a breakfast eater...unless it's for dinner...so I've been forcing myself to eat at least half of a bagel)...but, all of a sudden, they taste disgusting to me. So I switched to blueberry :)

 

Random #2: I take a picture every year on our anniversary with the goal of putting all of them in a photo album. Here is this year's photo (warning: we look beautiful):

 

Ok. May racing...

 

I have two 5k's scheduled for the month of May. On the 18th, I'm doing Race for the Cure. My friend, Selina, asked me to be on her team last year and I had a blast. It was such an emotional experience. I knew I wanted to do it again this year. I can't wait!!!

On the 25th, I'll be in WV visiting my family for Memorial weekend. I'm going to run the Losing to Live 5k at my family's church. Here is a picture from last year's race:

I'm a dork.

 

There is actually a story behind this race. My parents knew I had gotten back into racing and, when I arrived to WV, they told me their church was hosting a 5k that weekend and asked if I'd like to run it. I thought, "Why not?!" I had no expectations or ideas about how it would go. I just figured it was a regular ole 5k. I can't remember my time but it was decent considering the hills (we don't have WV hills here in Ohio). We had to jet out after I ran but, the next day, the race coordinator handed me an award at church. Apparently, I was the female winner! ha. I think I even got 5th overall! Cray cray! I was stunned because, since high school, I've never won a race in my life!

 

Random #3: As of last week, I started a new bed time tradition. Caffeine free tea. This is what I bought this weekend:

 

Random #4: Out of nowhere, last night, our bedroom light came on. Weird. Two possibilities: A ghost. OR we have a remote for the light...I might have accidentally turned it on in my sleep. I'm going with ghost because I was turned away from the remote when it happened.

 

 



Fatigue + Randoms

 

I'm tired...not sleepy but my body is tired! Today will be my first rest day of the week and it feels well deserved. Between Hip Hop on Monday, tennis on Tuesday, tempo run on Wednesday and 4 miles yesterday, I wanna get in a hot tub! I think it was the tennis that got me.

 

Random #1: I made meatballs for the FIRST TIME EVER using THIS recipe. I cut the recipe in half since it was just Mr. Boo and me.

 

Random #2: Our anniversary is next week! 3 years!!!

 

Random #3: Mr. Boo and I have an obsession with Jamaica...particularly the island cocktails. For our anniversary, we are going downtown to have drinks at this Caribbean style restaurant/bar. Yeah, mon!!

 

Finally, Random #4: I'm driving to WV after work next Friday (where my parents live) because my other sister, Ashley, is visiting with her two little ones!!! I get to meet my youngest niece who was born last year :)

 



Hip Hop Fitness Announcement + Randoms

Random #1: I have a new mug and, YES, I'm excited about it! It makes coffee drinking more fun! For future reference, if you ever buy me a mug, make sure it's cute :)

 

Random #2: One of the running blogs I read is MilePosts. In one of her recent posts, she talked about Kind products. I just had to check it out. I bought a bag of the healthy grains (peanut butter) and 2 different bars.

All three are delish!

 

Random #3: I'm reading a book. I RARELY read books. My life group is getting ready to read this book and I am in charge of leading the first session which covers Hosea and Joel. I'm learning so much by reading this!

 

Random #4: I've switched to gummy vitamins! I was getting sick every time I would take my multi-vitamin and my friends gave me some great advice.

 

Final Random: Izzie protects her frisbee by putting her paw on it so no one can take it. It's hilarious to me.

 

M. Nicholson Hip Hop Fitness announcement:

We were informed at last night's session that the next two Mondays will be TWO HOUR SESSIONS!!! I love two hours sessions cuz they kick my butt! SWEAT, SWEAT, SWEAT!!!

 

 

 

 

 



Jello Legs + Randoms

Random #1: I love Whit's Frozen Custard. In fact, I'm going to pause after I finish the next sentence to go and get me a Snickers Whitser. Click my link, find the nearest location, and GO THERE!!!

Today was supposed to be a rest day on my 5k program. I decided to do some strength training. Hopefully I won't be too sore tomorrow...I have to run 6 miles! I love to read various health magazines and tend to tear out the different workouts. I went through my stash and picked out the following workouts.

1. "Build Strength, Fry Fat" from Women's Health Magazine, April 2013. It was a fun and challenging circuit...hence "jello legs." Basically, you do each exercise for 30 seconds without rest between each exercise. After the circuit of 6, you rest one minute...do that 3-4 times (I did three).

Dumbbell Squat and Pushup

Bent-Over Row and Goblet Split-Squat

Pushup-Position Row and Overhead Press

 

They say to use a challenging weight with the suggestion of 12 lbs. I used 15 lbs. for all of them except the overhead press.

 

Random#2: I have to work tomorrow...and it's Saturday. I shouldn't complain...at least I have a sweet job.

 

2. "Blast Your Lower Half" from Women's Health Magazine, March 2012.

Side Leg Raise (a.k.a. hip abduction), Clamshell, Hip Raise (a.k.a. Bridge), Cross-Body Mountain Climber.

The instructions say to do just 5 reps of each exercise on each side (when applicable) but to perform it slowly, taking 10 seconds to do each exercise...2-4 circuits.

 

After doing the first workout, my legs were shaking like crazy while doing the second workout!

 

Random #3: Breakfast for dinner is my favorite meal EVER!



Training Update + Randoms

Random #1: My bracket is sucking...only 20/32 in the 1st (wait...2nd) round.

I've been SO excited about my training this week! Not only did I up my pace for my tempo run and intervals, I did it with minimal to no knee pain! I started the week with a 2 hour Hip Hop Fitness class (I had to take the next day off...2 hours is a lot of hip hop!). I did a 30 minute tempo run on Wednesday and intervals on Friday. I like the interval workout on my current training program. You do 4 minutes at 5k pace followed by 2 minutes at an easy pace. This week, I had to do that cycle four times. The workout includes a one mile warm up and cool down. Because of my recent knee issues, I did a 10 minute warm up and cool down on the elliptical.

Random #2: I had to get up way too early on a Saturday to make Mac-n-cheese for my church's egg hunt...I hope it was worth it when they put it in their mouths!

 (my most recent creamer flavor...Southern Butter Pecan!)

For my final workout this week, I did my "long run." I put that in quotations because the mileage seems so small compared to my marathon training (DUH!). I did a 7 miler! Going into it, I wasn't confident AT ALL.  My back had moderate pain from moving some things around the house last night (getting ready for my family's visit). It was crazy how amazing I felt...especially the first 3-4 miles. I felt fairly tired after that (naturally) but better than I had expected. After I reached 7 miles, I'm pretty sure I did a fist pump or a "cha-ching" move in front of everyone at the gym :)

 

I had a really good stretch session then went home to this:

Ice and thin mint pie!

 

Random #3: Mr. Boo and I met our friend, Jenny, at the dog park (we all brought our dogs, too).