Just a quickie

Jeff and I have been in in PA and OH for the past five days, and we have had a blast.  We have had the chance to see family as well as meet some great new friends.  Cedar Point was awesome, well watching Jeff and Tom ride the roller coasters was fun.  I am way to much of a wimp for that.  It was so awesome to meet fellow bloggers and cheer everyone on during the half and full triathlon.  But I am ready to get home and I think this song says it all :)

Some training and a rant

Wow, I am already in week 4 of training.  Honestly, there really isn't a lot to report on weeks 2 and 3.  Except that I am training for a marathon in Hawaii!! And yes, I will mention this every chance I get.  This is a big deal, not only because I am going to Hawaii, and I get to see a great friend who I haven’t seen for years, read her blog here, but I get to do all of this in December!!  And why is going in December a big deal? Well my friends, because for the last 6 years I worked in retail.  Talking about, no, even thinking about leaving to go anywhere away from my store (even the bathroom) in August-January was unthinkable. 

Why August you ask?  Well, that is the start of the Holiday season in retail.  First, there is tax free weekend, which is almost worse than Christmas. 

This isn't even really that bad.

Plus, we were already loading up on fall and holiday shipments. Hiring for the holidays, running get rid of summer crap sales, planning holiday floor sets, having lots of meetings, stressing about numbers, and so much more.  It.was.miserable.

Then before you know it Black Friday arrives.  Oh, do I have some stories about black Friday…………Last year I got to my store at 4am and there was already a line of about 50 people outside of my door, and we didn’t even open until 6:00am.  Or the year I got yelled at because of where a customer had to park in the parking lot.  Believe me lady, I parked a lot further away then you did.  Oh yeah, let’s not forget that during this time period there were plenty of days with extended hours, so we could open early and stay open late for people who treated us oh so nice.  It was the season of joy after all.  My favorite thing about this time of year was people who did last minute shopping, and then yelled at us for being out of sizes.  Yeah, it’s my fault you waited till the 23^rd of December to shop.  I’m telling you, I could go on forever about this topic.  I truly believe that everyone should work retail for a short time period of their life, just to see what is like.  But if you aren’t going to do that, then please read this book.

And then, 12/26 arrives.  Worst.Day.Ever.  Returns, returns, and more returns.  All those amazing sales you had the months and week  before Christmas go right down the drain.  And the holiday spirit is long gone by now.  And just when you think it is over along comes inventory.  This is where you get to count every piece of everything that is left in your store.  It is also where you get to see just how ripped off you got by the people you have to give customer service with a smile too.  These events usually take about 3 weeks of prep work, then an overnight shift to complete.  Awesome times I tell you.

Just a portion of what we had to count.

So anyway, yes, I am super excited that I get to go somewhere in December!!!!  And I might even decorate for Christmas this year.  (That stopped about 3-4 years ago at my house).  I can’t freakin wait!!!

So my numbers for weeks 2 and 3 are:

Week 2:

Total Distance: 27.17 Miles

Total Time: 4:34

Total workouts: 5 (Zero treadmill runs!)

Week 3:

Total Distance: 22.17

Total Time: 4:23

Total workouts: 6 (Zero treadmill runs, 1 cross day of spin)

  I didn't have any treadmill runs, but did wear my IPOD a couple of times to get me through the heat.  And weird enough, both weeks the same song pepped me up:

Week 4 is off to a good start so far.  However I am dreading my 11 mile run planned for Sunday.  Not because of the distance, but because of the temps.  But that is another post…..

Happy Training!

Training time

It's official, no more practice weeks.  I am training for my third AND fourth marathons.  As some of you may know, This year, I am attempting two marathons 4 weeks apart from each other.  I am super nervous about this, as after each of my other two marathons my recovery has been painful and long.  I usually wait a few weeks before I start running 3 miles again, much less 26.2.  But I am also super excited about it.  One reason being that the third marathon is the Honolulu marathon in HAWAII!!!  Not only do I get to run a marathon there, but I get to see my long time friend Deanna-you can check out her blog here  I am so excited!

Week one was pretty uneventful overall.  I was able to wake up and get all my runs done in the morning.  Even the dreaded treadmill run.  There was even one day when it was only 80 degrees at 5:00am.  Maybe we are going to get a cold front.  

Saturday was my treadmill run of the week.  This was my tempo run, which I have to do on the treadmill because I just can't get the pace I need in the heat and humidity outside right now.  It wasn't a bad run, and I felt pretty good at my race pace.  

On Sunday I did my long run, which was only 8 miles this week.  It was hot and humid for this one.  Wow, what a shocker.  Luckily two of my running friends joined me for the run, which is always a nice distraction.  We took it slow, but got it done.  And I got to get my first have to pee in the woods out of the way, which was nice.  I really need to stop drinking coffee before I head out.

Here are the totals for the week

Total Distance: 24:05 Miles

Total Time: 5:03 Hours

Total Workouts: 6 (Only 1 strength training session this week)

Total Treadmill runs: 1

And the song that got me through on the treadmill this week is  Tik Tok by Ke$sha.  Just because it is fun.

Happy Training :)

Marathon Training Week 1, again, Recap

This was the second week of my practice, or warm up to marathon training.  I officially start my training tomorrow, which happens to be a cross training day.  Overall I had an ok week.  I had to switch some of my days around, kind of inadvertently.  Monday I slept in, which is going to be my cross training day.  I was going to go to spin after work, but go stuck late and wouldn't have made the class in time.  Instead I went home and did some laundry and cleaning and had some wine.  Kind of like cross training I guess.

Tuesday and Wednesday I ran outside. Tuesday's run was outside and I didn't really want to go, but  got up and got it done.  Wednesday was five miles and was easier as I met a friend to run.  On Wednesday's we have been meeting at the Lifetime Fitness to run together and it is great motivation to get my butt out of bed.  The worst part about it is getting all my stuff ready the night before, like clothes for work the next day ect.  I have forgotten, let's say.....very important pieces to ones wardrobe for the day and it really sucks.

In my training plan I am suppose to run Tues, Wed, Thurs, off Friday, and then Sat, and Sun.  Well Thursday our alarm didn't go off in time (though I think someone in the house didn't REALLY want to go to swim in the morning) so I ended up taking Thursday as my off day.  We had dinner plans with friends that night, and I really wanted to keep them because I know once I am a few weeks into training that is just going to  be pretty impossible to do.  Well, let's just say there was some wine involved with dinner, so a Friday morning run didn't work out.  However, I was determined to get it done, and we have a treadmill at work that I haven't taken advantage of yet.  Well, now I know why.  I ran at lunch, just a short 3 mile run.  About a mile in I knew it was a bad decision.  I was doing about a 9 minute mile pace and was already sweating profusely.  I didn't want to stop though.  It was bad.  We don't have a shower at work, so I had to towel off and get back to work when I was done.  The other people I work with didn't chat with me as much as they normally would on a Friday afternoon when I got back to my desk.  That is something I will not being doing again unless it is a desperate situation.

On Saturday's we usually get up and meet our run club for our long run.  However this weekend we weren't able to to that.  There was a Spring Tri being held about an hour from us on Sunday that a few people from our Tri club were doing.  And on Saturday there was a Kid's Tri that one of our friend's son was doing.  So Saturday morning we headed out to watch the kids and drop off our club tent for the Sprint the next day.  It was just to hot to do our run outside by the time we got home.  Plus we had to get our weekend nap in.  So we headed to the gym Saturday night to run on the dreaded treadmill.  I had to do a 5 mile tempo run.  The first two miles felt like FOREVER.  However I am learning that after that two mile mark it isn't as bad.  I had to focus on my music a lot to keep me distracted.  Though I did watch the infomercial on the TV in front of me, and am totally convinced I now need a Ninja.  This thing is totally awesome!  Around mile 3 my legs were hurting as I haven't done a true tempo run in a long time.  I was very tempted to slow down the pace, but knew that continuing on with the pace will only make me stronger.  So at mile 4 I bumped up from 8:57 to 8:45 so I could push myself.  And let's face it, so I could get of that thing faster!

Sunday I just didn't have it in me to run.  We got up super early again to go cheer on our friends racing the Sprint.  It was hot and humid out and that just sucked the life out me.  Sometimes I really think spectating is harder than racing!  So overall it was an ok week for training.  Here are my final numbers:

Total Distance: 16 Miles
Total Time: 2:35
Total Workouts: 4 (Ahhh, and 50% of those were on the treadmill!)

And the song that got me through on the treadmill this week is

I plan on doing all my tempo runs on the 'mill until the temps go down a lot.  I want to be consistent with those runs, and I know I won't do it in the humidity.  So that being said, please share.  What songs motivate you and get you moving?

Tomorrow starts the real thing!  18 weeks until Hawaii!!

Marathon Training Week 1 Recap

Week 1 of marathon training is on the books. Actually, it is an unofficial week.  I chose an 18 week plan, which officially starts August 8^th, but I was getting antsy.  I did week one last week, and will do it for one more week before I officially start.  Plus, I figure this will get me into the training grove.  And I do way better with structure.  I am not a wing it kind of person.  Doing this also gives me a chance to see if I want to move the plan around.  I plan on following the plan, but I am not sure if I am going to keep the days the same or move them around.  As of right now I am suppose to be doing cross training on Monday, run Tues, Wed, Thursday, off on Friday, a tempo run on Saturday and my long run on Sunday.  Overall I like this set up.  Jeff has his off days on Friday too, so we might actually get to see each other.  However, right now in this heat the thought of going on a long run without a group isn’t too appealing.  I changed the days around a little last week, but this week I am going to try follow them exactly and see how it goes.

Numbers for the week:

Total distance: 24.78

Total Time: 5:17

Total Workouts: 6 (I did one weight training session this week.)

Not bad for "week 1"

  

I did one treadmill run this week, which was suppose to be 3 miles, but I did 3.1.  I just felt more accomplished that way.  My outside runs sucked, mostly because of the heat.  No, not even the heat, because of the humidity.  Running in pea soup just isn't fun, but I now it is making me stronger. ( Hopefully one of my marathons will have cool weather, and from what I have read, that is probably going to be Houston).  The other suckage was due to women's issues.............which really SUCKED, but it is what it is.

Also I want to thank everyone who weighed in on my is running 20 miles enough question.  Pretty much everybody  thinks it seems to be based on reading and or experience.  Since I am doing 2 marathon's 4 weeks apart for the first time I am going to follow the plan I picked and have faith that it will work for for me.

Finally, when I started running I could not take a step with my IPOD.  However, since the Houston marathon last year I have barely used it at all.  Except on the treadmill.  I still need a distraction on the treadmill.  For my treadmill run this past week I thought for sure I had 3 miles in.  When I looked down I had 1.57 miles.  UGGGG.  I am going to have to get used to at least one TM run a week though, b/c until it cools down outside I am going to have to do my tempo runs inside.  So the song that got me thru this week was Foo Fighters "Best of You"  Because I need to give my best this training season, and on the treadmill.

Happy Training!

Is 20 Enough?

This week I am finishing my first, but unofficial week of marathon training.  Recap post to come.  I have decided to go with Hal Higdon's Intermediate 1 program.  One reason I chose this program is because it has two 20 miles runs scheduled, and this year I am attempting to run two full marathon's a month apart from each other.

Yesterday on my "long" run of the week, 9 miles, I was running with the coordinator of our run club.  She also happens to be a level II USAT coach.  She is not coaching us in run club, she just coordinates the runs.  We started talking and my training plan came up.  The short story is, she believes that running only 20 miles is not enough for marathon training and thinks I should run more.  From all the reading and talking to other runners that I have done and I think 20 is enough.  Less risk of injury and you aren't running your race pace, so you are out there a little longer.

But her comments did get me thinking.  Should I try running more than 20 in these training runs.  I have a while to go before I am faced with this, but want to be prepared when the time comes.  I am hoping (knock on wood) that I am healthy for both of these races.  My first marathon I had tendinitis in my right knee and it started hurting 2 miles into the race.  My second one, I had bronchitis.  So my goal this time is to not just finish, but to have much better times.  I would like to run 4:15:00 this year, for at least one of the races.  Knee year I did a 5 hour(not to mention it was Austin, which is a very hilly place to be running with and injured knee), and bronchitis year I did a 4:40.

So I am asking you guys what you have done and think?  Is 20 miles enough?

Weaknesses

Overall I think having a healthy lifestyle means having strength.  Not necessarily physical strength, but the strength  to stay committed to what activity you are passionate about.  The strength to go to bed early, wake up early, skip social events, make the right nutrition decisions.  You get the picture.  And lately I have been letting my weaknesses overcome these strengths.  Lately I can't seem to pass up:

Ice cream

Wine

Candy

Sleeping in

Extra snacks when I don't need them and justify that they are healthy, ie almonds.

Pizza (though it is whole wheat crust)

I had no problem passing these things up before and can't figure out what is going on!!!

I gotta get out of this rut!  So what are your weaknesses?  How do you overcome them?