So tonight was the first time in what seems like forever (since early January) that I felt like myself running again. I went downhill after taking 2 weeks off and then hurting my foot but tonight, Eryn and I came back!  We planned on a 2 mile run doing as much as possible to prepare for our 5k next weekend (moved from this Sat).  We had a good 11.5min/mile pace to begin with.  Then, we hit 2 miles straight with an 11 min/mile pace.  We talked briefly about taking a quick walking lap but decided we were in a zone and kept pushing.  We ran our 3rd mile at a 10.30 min/mile pace with the last lap under 1 min.  She had no ankle pain and my foot had a slight pain but only from walking, not from running.
  I had a slight runner's high, which I miss so freaking much!  More than anything, the happiness of completing 3 miles... and feeling like I could have done at least another 1/2 mile was such a great (and missed) feeling.  I'm so ready to do the race next week.  We're shooting for running the entire thing as long as Eryn's knee doesn't start hurting during the race.
  I also got a nice compliment today.  One of my co-workers staff said she could tell I've been putting some long hours in at the gym and that it was definitely paying off.  That made my day - I know that most days I can see the changes happening to my body - my legs, stomach, etc. but it's always nice to know that others see it as well.  We have been spending at least 1 to 1.5 hours each night doing weights, running, strength exercises.  I love it!
  And finally, as a treat for all of my hard work, we went to Whole Foods!!  I haven't been there since the summer so I bought myself a yummy salad for dinner along with a garlic knot and some broccoli salad.

  I also ended up buying some chicken, potatoes and crunch almond cabbage for dinner on Sat night since I don't have any Vday weekend plans (oh the pain of being a single person! ha ha).
  Tonight really made me feel so much better about falling so behind. I feel like with some more effort and pushing, I'll be back up to 4 miles by March and ready for a 10k in no time!!

Back on track!

  Today was the first time I felt like myself running again and it was such a wonderful feeling!
  Eryn and I have been bumping up our workouts and end up spending about an hour to an hour and a half at the gym 5-6 times a week.  I'm excited because I'm finally seeing results and it feels so good!  My goal is to have my arms more toned for SYR in April and to look good when I do the Underwear Run 5k in May.
  Yes, I am going to do the Underwear Run. ha ha  I figure a sports bra and a pair of boxer-ish shorts I have are good for that.  And really, when else will I have the chance to run downtown in my undies? ha ha
  But back to tonight - Eryn bought a pair of those 5-finger shoes and wanted to test them out on the track.  It def gave us a different run.  I feel like we were both faster than usual and more relaxed, which was great.  And they didn't seem to bother her knee as much so it allowed us to run a mile and a half straight.  She didn't want to push it so she went to bike for 20 minutes after.  I wanted to run more so I decided to do some treadmill time because as much as I hate them, they are good to help me set and maintain a speed I used to be at.
  I used one of the newer styles - it has slats instead of a flat track, and I realized tonight, much easier to run on.  I didn't get tired, didn't feel pain in my knees and really enjoyed the run.  I did a 6mph run (around 10min/mile) and got 1.5 in as well as walking .25 to cool down.  We then went back to the track to walk around to cool down followed by our usual weight exercises.
  I was so proud of myself for hitting 3 miles - it's been a long time since I've been able to do that.  Too long, sadly!  But after tonight I know that I'm ready for my 5k on the 19th and will kick butt!!  And... I have another 5k the following Tuesday for a conference I'm going to! ha ha I'm insane. : )

Snow, snow and more snow!

  The past week has been absolutely crazy!  If you haven't heard, the mid-west has been hit with the storm that the East Coast experienced a few weeks ago.  Our little university has been closed since Monday evening due to the 14 inches we received of white stuff on the ground.  Between the constant snow/ice over the past few days it's been hard to escape the apartment.  Well, that and the fact that my back door is closed thanks to a giant snow drift that goes half way up the door.
  Thankfully we consider the Fitness Center to be essential staff and it has been open from 10am - 6pm each day!  And even more thankful for Eryn who has gone with me every day.  If it weren't for her energy I honestly probably wouldn't have taken more than 1,000 steps a day (I usually average between 12,000 - 15,000 a day). I hate snow - it makes me not want to do anything and it traps me for days in my house!  I know how to drive in snow because I'm from the Northeast and we got snowed in all the time but people in Oklahoma... don't understand how to drive in snow so it becomes very dangerous at times like this!
  But on the bright side, I'm slowly progressing with my running.  Eryn's knee has been growing a little stronger it seems and we made it to just over 2 miles today.  I've been pushing as close to 2 miles every day this week and today I got 2.25.  And the best part - today I didn't have a headache afterwards!  Made me feel so much better!
  After our 1.5hour workout I walked across campus (about a half mile) to get dinner with Jessica.  I was famished!!  I had turkey, mashed potatoes, squash, green beans and broccoli, a wheat roll and 3 slices of honey dew.  It was the best dinner ever - well worth the walk in 18 degree weather!
  I'm trying to really work out the tightness in my legs I'm feeling this week. I bought a foam roller the other weekend for just over $16 at Fleet Feet downtown and I love it.  For those who don't know, this is a foam roller:

  You can do a ton of exercises with it - some examples can be found at http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/flexibilityandstretching/ss/FoamRoller.htm.  A picture example of what I tend to do after a workout is:

  I was taught how to use it by one of my girls and it has been a wonderful addition to my post-workout routine!  It really helps me stretch and my muscles to relax after a hard workout and run. If you haven't tried one out yet - you really should!
  In other news, due to the massive amount of snow we've received and are expected to receive over next week, our race has been postponed until the 19th.  I have to look at my schedule to make sure I'm not on duty and I don't have anything going on.  They want to make sure all the snow and ice has melted so we have a clear path.  I'm pretty excited - Eryn said she looked at the course (I never do before a race) and it seemed pretty flat.  I haven't had a flat course in what seems like forever so it will be nice to not have any major hills. : )
  Well, it's almost 1am here so I'm off to get some sleep!