I have been a horrible runner since break!  I am so thankful I ran that 5k because I haven't run since.  The bronchitis took the energy out of me most of this week and with the gym being on a weird schedule and closing early 3 times and closed the entire weekend I wasn't able to use the indoor track.  I wanted to run yesterday and today but it was been way too bitterly cold here (and I heard via facebook that back home is even worse).  I've just been an all around major fail all week/weekend.  I am planning on going to the indoor track tomorrow night to get in at least 3 miles (or more if possible) and then starting training with the group mid-week this week.  I want to make sure I can at least do my 3 miles before attempting the 5 mile runs they are up to now.  I really want to run this half at a good time but I also don't want to injure myself by pushing too hard after taking time off and then getting sick.
  I am also going to try very hard to do more weights, yoga and core exercises on my off running days.  I finally reset my wii balance board so the goal is to get on a regular sleeping schedule again (cross my fingers) and then do yoga in the morning before work and runs 3-4 times a week after work and on weekends.  I am going to start doing the 7.45am Sat morning runs too.  Realistically if I go out on weekends I usually go out on Sat. nights anyway so there's no reason I can't get up for a run on Sat morning then come home and nap for an hour after and then start my day.
  I am happy to say that I have been keeping up on my goal of veggies and fruit on a daily basis.  Even with cooking for myself this week I've managed to have 2 veggies with each meal and if we've had subway at work I've stocked up on the greens in my sandwich - spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, green peppers and can't forget the onions!  I also grab the bag of apples (or fresh fruit from the c-store) when we eat.  Really seems to help me keep the weight off and stay full.  The only downside is this week I've had my exercise appetite but haven't been hitting the gym so I've gained 3 pounds but not worried because I know they'll be gone as soon as I have a week at the gym under my belt.
  And finally, I signed up again this semester for the TU Fit program.  Bought a new battery for my pedometer and am all set to start tomorrow.  That thing really keeps me on track - my goal is 80,000 a week or higher and with my increased runs I should be golden. : )

New Race, New Year

  So the group I am going to start training with is running 5 miles this Saturday... and I'm still not 100% from this bronchitis so I emailed the instructor to ask her what advice she could give to help me catch up with the group.  I can run over 3 miles pretty easily but def. not 5 miles yet - especially sick!  Hopefully she'll be understanding...
  On another note, I picked my next race!  Always exciting - gives me something to look forward to and train for. : )  I've decided to do the local Sweetheart Run.  I posted it on my facebook and Eryn (who I'm training with for the Half Marathon) and her roommate both want to do it as well.  So... I have a feeling we're going to go for the 10k instead of our usual 5k.  I think it's definitely possible - esp. since I know I can run a 5k and it's a month away so I can add at least another mile or 2 to my running by then.  Just means more outside runs because I can only run so many loops on that damn indoor track before I get completely bored out of my mind!  Maybe trying out a few loops around campus might be in order as well as few practice loops at the river. : )  I miss running by the river so much!  Even if it does make it colder due to the wind off the water - it's still nicer scenery than running the neighborhoods in my area.
  I'm also looking for new music to add to my ipod for running.  I tend to go for upbeat music - usually a pop/rap mix.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
  Have a wonderful day and hopefully you are feeling much better than I am and don't get sick! : )

Random

  As I am cleaning my office, I decided to fix my bib wall.

  Pretty excited to add a few more this year - including a Half Marathon in May. : )
  And only I would notice this but the higher my number the better I race.  So odd.  That and the fact that my 2250 and 252 are only 15 seconds in time difference.
  Told you - I'm weird. : )

Happy New Year!

  I just finished adding up my total mileage since I started keeping track the first week of May.  I'm happy to say that I've run over 200 miles!  That's not including all the miles before I started keeping track.  Such an accomplishment!
  I did end up running the New Years Eve race.  That in itself was a feat!  I went to the bar with friends to celebrate and had set my alarm to remind myself to leave about 45min in time for the race.  As I left the bar in my heels and a dress, I quickly realized I left my sneakers at Joey's apartment when we were getting ready to go out.  Thankfully I live very close to the bar we were at so I very dangerously threw on my pants and sped back to my apartment to get my extra old sneakers that sit in the back of my closet.  I literally ran from my car to the back door in my strapless dress and running pants in bare feet, threw on the sneakers, socks and a sports bra and ran back to my car to put on my shirts and hoodies.  I drove quickly back to the race site and Stephen called me as I was pulling into a spot to wish me a Happy New Year (I'm an hour behind him).  As I quickly talked to him on the phone I realized I couldn't find my number bib.  I knew they wouldn't let me race without it and probably wouldn't believe me that I had already registered.  I searched the car for another 5 minutes after I got off the phone and finally found it under the car seat.  At this point I had about 10 minutes before the race started so I headed up to find the starting point.
  I was so stressed which is never a good way to start a race, but I had my mind set - I wanted to run a sub-30 and run the entire race.  This goal doesn't seem that bad since my last race was sub-28 however I hadn't run in almost 2 weeks at this point and I knew this course was hard - it was the same one as the Skirt Chaser's in September - when I did a 36.18.
  I ran my heart out and realized half way through that I wasn't going to hit sub-30 but I was ok with that.  I could tell because they started setting off fireworks at midnight and I hadn't hit the half way mark at that point yet.  I kicked it up a notch and pushed myself a little harder and kept setting my sites on people ahead of me to pass out and push myself harder.
  I'm happy to say that despite 2 weeks off, I did pretty well.  I finished the race at 31.20 and ran the entire race.  As I returned to my friends they all made sure to let me know that although I didn't make the time goal I wanted, I beat my last time on that track by 5 minutes and I was one of the crazy people who chose to run in 26 degrees while most were inside drinking and enjoying life.  My results were 60 out of 247 (women only), 7 out of 29 (my age group), 199 of 520 (overall) and 7 of 40 (weight placement).  With those stats, definitely one of my better races.
  I've been doing a lot of thinking about what I want my goals for running and exercising to be this year.  I feel like I've come so far in so many ways but I still have a long way to go before I'm where I want to be.  I hate making "new years resolutions" but instead, after talking to a friend a few days ago, I'm making goals for my health in 2011.
  - I will run a half marathon on May 1, 2011.  Current goal is as close to 2.30 as possible.
  - I will continue train at least 3-4 times a week with the training group as well as my running class.
  - I will go to the gym to cross train at least 1-2 times a week.
  - I will start doing yoga or piyo at least 1 - 2 times a week to gain a more sculpted body.
  - I will continue to eat veggies at least once a day 5 days a week.
  - I will give up diet coke for lent again and not start drinking it once I give it up.
  - I will drink at least 50 oz of water a day to keep my body hydrated and keep me healthy.
  - Finally, I will do my best to keep myself as healthy and happy as possible.

Christmas Get Away

  So I've been very blessed this year - the ability to travel as much as I have in the past 3 months is such a gift as well as the fact that I've got a job that allows me that ability and friends who are willing to take care of my apartment while I'm gone.
  This month I met up with my mother for our yearly vacation together.  We decided on Charleston and could not have asked for a better city to visit!  The city was so welcoming and friendly despite the drop in temperature.  We learned so much about the history of the town and the slave trade in Charleston.
  If you are lucky enough to hit up the city, please make sure to go on one of the carriage rides (we had Patrick as our host) and the Pub tour (with John) - both were full of interesting stories and tales of the town.  The Pub tour was nice because we got to try some new bars in town, eat some great snacks and see what the town had to offer.  We also were told tales of the "dark side" of Charleston and its history of speakeasies and brothels.
  Charleston is also a great city to run in - not that I would know.  I was told not to run over my vacation so I, for once, listened.  I didn't pack any of my items because I knew if I did, I would use them.  Let me tell you, watching at least 5 to 10 runners a day go by you is really hard when that's what you want to do more than anything.  But, I was good and will reward myself with a run either the night I return or on Wednesday when I wake up.
  I even had a nightmare last night that I put on all my gear and couldn't run more than a half mile.  I was so upset in the dream and of course it got me nervous.  I know my mind is playing tricks on me but I'm still nervous about the time off.  We'll see how the rest did for my running I guess in a few days.
  Hope everyone had a great christmas as wellC.

Jessica's first 5k!

  I have to say that by far, this was one of my favorite runs ever.  I was very nervous beforehand - for many reasons.  First being when we signed up for the race, the guy at Fleet Feet told us the weather man was saying it was going to be 25 degrees!!  My last race was 36 degrees and sleet but for some reason 25 degrees made me very nervous.
  The second issue was figuring out who was driving who and where to meet and all that. 
  My third fear was that I was going to push Jessica too hard during the run and she was going to get frustrated with me or tell me to go ahead (which I would but I wouldn't have any music).
  These fears played themselves out slightly in the nightmare I had the night before the race.  I woke up at 6.30am and fell back asleep into a dream where Jess and I decided to go shopping before the race.  As we were getting dressed to race we could hear them calling to line up on the starting line from my window (not possible) and I started to get upset because we were going to miss the gun and didn't have our chips yet to mark our time.
  Thankfully only one fear was realized - we didn't get to meet up with Erica and Eryn until after the race but they had one another so it was all good. : )
  I went through my usual ritual of putting everything out the night before so I was ready and prepared when I got up.  Forgive my bra being out on the internet. : /

  Had to have my good luck hoodie - Gettysburg College.  It was the best purchase I made when I was down visiting my friend Michael a few years ago.  I wear that thing just about every run!  I also made sure to wear my blister-free socks - they are like 2 socks sewn together. I love them!
  I told Joey and Jessica I would drive so we all met outside of my apartment at 8.30am.  The race started at 9.30am and I wanted them to fully experience the pre-run festivities.  Jessica also passed out her operation beautiful signs for us then.  I made one for her that said "I am a strong, beautiful woman who is running her f1st 5k. I am so proud of myself and my friends running today."
  I made her sign special because I wanted to let everyone know that she was achieving a goal she had set and doubted at times.  I knew the community well enough to know that some people would come up and congratulate her but what she received was beyond what I had ever expected or imagined!
  When we arrived we were walking around with our signs on our backs. She was already getting smiles and congrats.  One woman came up to her and told her she also read the blog and asked to take a photo of Jessica and Joey's signs.  Then throughout the race - from the line up to the end, people were coming up to her, patting her on the back, telling her "great job!" and saying how awesome it was she was running her first race and wishing her luck.  It made me love the community even more for that support of a new runner!
  Jessica and I planned before the race that I wasn't going to time myself this race - since it was her race, I would run with her and just be there to support her.  Funny thing was, I think I was more nervous about it than she was.  She set a goal of sub-45 and wanted to run a few minutes and then walk as little as possible while not pushing herself too hard. 
  The gun went off and Jessica, her friend Michael, his dog Rosie and I were off!  Joey went ahead of us as she had set a sub-40 goal for herself.  We started with a great pace and managed to make it mostly up the first hill before we needed a serious walking break.
  I didn't realize how many hills we would have on the race but she handled them with grace and didn't complain once!  The worst one was into a park I didn't even know existed even though I drive the road all the time.  We jogged part, walked part and ran part of it.  As we ran down the other side of the hilly park we passed a news camera.  Both Michael and I started screaming "it's her first 5k!!" so I'm sure we didn't get on the news. ha ha ha
  By the time we finished the park I realized we'd already hit past the half way point (made me love lolli-pop races more!!) and Michael asked Jess where she stood on a scale of 1-10 (10 being I could run 20 more miles and 1 being I want to die right now) and she was at a 4.5 - 5.  That made me so proud!!  A few months ago - she would not have been able to say that.  She has come so far!!
  We told her our goal for her was to run from 32nd to 35th and cross the finish line - about a half mile - straight.  We both knew she would be tired but could do it.  And she did - as we entered the last leg and started running through the people Michael and I again started screaming "she's finishing her first 5k!!" and others were screaming back.  It was such a great experience.
  Jessica, Michael and I crossed at sub-40!!  I had to tease her - she beat my first 5k score (41:14, 13:17 pace) by a good couple of minutes and I was older than her and had been running just as long!  As we stood in line to get food and find out how Erica and Eryn had done people once again started coming up and congratulating her about running her first race and teasing her about "catching the running bug" and having to race again.  I hope she does - I told her I'd like her to run either in April or the Full Moon race in May with me!
  These are photos Michael took of us after the race with Erica's camera.  I need to get a camera to take while I run - some of the view were amazing - the droves of people ahead of us running up hills - the outfits - I wish I'd taken photos of all of it!!

Erica and Eryn.  Eryn is my summer running buddy.

 Me and my girls holding our operation beautiful signs

 Jessica and Michael

 Me, Joey and Jessica - their first 5k in Tulsa!!

 All the ladies together! We kicked butt!

Jessica, Michael and Rosie.  They were a big help/support while we ran!

  All in all it was a great race.  I am so proud of everyone - they all did a great job with their times and pace!  I can't wait now for my New Years race!!  I am not shooting for sub-28 but I would like to hit my usual mark around 30mins and not walk.  We'll see. : )

  Thank you again Jessica, Joey, Erica and Eryn for running with me this race!  It made it even more special.  My only regret is that we didn't get a photo of Jess crossing the finish line - we'll have to do that next race! ; )

 

Lucky 105

  So this is my 105th post since I started blogging.  For some odd reason, 105 is one of my "lucky numbers" - probably because it's the only locker I remember having in high school and I have a slight (ha ha) obsession with the number 5.
  Anyway, this post is going to be filled with many photos and lots of exciting updates/news so prepare yourself. : )
  First, I have to say that this week is only half done and I have already ran 8.75 miles!  I am so excited/proud about this fact.  I haven't been so good about my 10mile a week goal and when this week is finished, I will hit 12 miles (thanks to the race).  I'm so excited about that prospect!
  I ran 3.5 with Eryn on Monday, 2 with Phoebe last night and 2.25 with my instructor today.  Then we met up with Jess and ran another mile with her.  I am taking tomorrow and Friday off so I will be ready for my race on Saturday.
  I'm super excited about the race this weekend - I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do it.  Last week I pushed myself really hard and almost ended up getting hurt.  I arrived back in town on Monday, ran 3 miles straight on Tuesday night and then did 2 miles for class.  I went to do another mile with Jess and the insides of both of my calves got charlie horses while we were running.  I tried to run them out, figuring they'd stretch out, but instead they started rolling around and cramping horribly.  Horrible pain - to the point I had to stop and walk a little bit (which I never do anymore).  I tried running another lap but couldn't do it and ended up giving up for the day.  I put IcyHot on them (couldn't find my Mineral Ice) and the next day they were still bad.
  I had a formal that night so rather than be a smart person and wear flats (which hurt my feet horribly), I wore very high heels.  But, thanks to my running and Zumba, you can see my legs are looking very nice! ha ha

  The walk across campus was long but I made it. : )  And the shoes were removed after a little over an hour - mostly because they were giving me blisters and I can't run with blisters.  It was a huge change from formal last year - by close to 20lbs.  I appreciated all the sweet comments from everyone that night.

  Tonights excitement was registering for my next 5k.  This one is even more exciting than all the others because I am running with one of my RA's and one of my former residents.  Jess, my RA, has been running with me every Wednesday since August.  She has lost weight, gone from a half lap on the track to five straight laps and has come a long way in a short time.  I am so proud of her!

  We decided that the Jingle Bell 5k would be a good testing point for her.  She has set her goal for sub 45 which is going to be good for her.  Possibly a little challenging, depending on how much she walks, but I know she'll do wonderfully.  I told her when I ran my first 5k I was right around mid-44 so that's a good time.  I did mine with a ton of hills too so we'll see.  It will be her first PR and a good starting point.  Her next goal will be running an entire 5k.  Took me a year so we'll see if it takes her less.

  This is my first long-sleeve t-shirt race.  I may actually wear it on race day - a first for me.  We'll see how cold it is.  I'm figuring I'll wear the same outfit I did for my last race - tank, t-shirt and hoodie combo.  Seems to work good during cold months - keeps me warm but not overheating.

  We got some fun goodies in our bag too.  Jess hasn't seen them yet, but here's the shirt:

  Sorry - I will have to go in later and arrange it so it's right side up.  My cell doesn't do that. : (

  My lucky number for this race...

  Jess will be 1086 so if you are in or at the race, cheer for us!!

  The best surprise in the bag...

  Oh yeah! We got a cowbell! ha ha I love Oklahoma!!  We found this along with our little jingle bells for our shoes.  I am going to return a favor to Jess for this race and make her an Operation Beautiful sign for her back when we race.  In return, she is making me a new one (my last one is laminated and hanging in the center of all my race bibs on the wall in my office) as well as making one for Eryn and her roommate Erica to wear if they would like to do so.
  My last bit of news... a big congrats to my friend Sarah (the beautiful blonde to my right in the photo - I'm center).

  Sarah has officially started a couch to a 5k program (similar to mine) and is on her way to becoming healthier, happier and a stronger runner! I am so happy for her and we're already making plans to run in the mornings when we travel together this summer.  May sound silly to some, but I've learned from others that there's nothing like getting to see a city by running a few miles each morning.  You really get a different outlook on life in that area.  I can't wait!  I know Sarah and she will give it her all and be up to my mileage in no time!  Maybe I can even get her to blog about her thoughts/struggles/achievements. ; )  We'll see.