Monday Make up

I was able to make up yesterday's long run.

My tummy was upset. My stomach has been feeling more queasy and nauseous than usual. I've got to stay away from Fast Food places. But what matters is that I made it out there.

Mile 1 11:09.0
Mile 2 12:25.7
Mile 3 12:06.7
Mile 4 11:40.1
Mile 5 13:04.6
Mile 6 11:30.7
0.16 M 01:49.0

Not one of my best showings but still not horrible considering it is Monday.

Now I'm off to shower and catch up on last night's True Blood.

Night!

August in Review

Can you believe we are already at the end of August?

The weeks and months are moving fast.

I am pleased to report I have accomplished some running improvement over the last month and especially over the last two weeks where I seem to have hit it into OVERDRIVE. I have even been able to check off one of my time goals: Pass the Army PFT Run (Run 2 miles in under 20:30 or avg 5.85 MPH). My next time goal is a sub-30 min 5k (avg 6.2 MPH).
I've been challenged (on the Daily Mile) to run 80 miles in the month of September and I have accepted the challenge :)

In Review - Week of August 24th:

Half Marathon Training Week 1 of 12:

WORKOUT DISTANCE AVG Speed TIMES

On the Run 15.4 Miles 5.48 4

On the Bike 0 Miles N/A 0

In The Water 0 Meters N/A 0


Total Workout Time: 2:49:54

In Review - Month of August:

WORKOUT DISTANCE AVG Speed TIMES

On the Run 74.56 Miles 5.04 18

On the Bike 0 Miles N/A 0

In The Water 0 Meters N/A 0


Total Workout Time: 14:53:48

On deck for this evening:
Make up of yesterday's 6 Mile run.

I've really got to work on my weekend work outs. I haven't figured out how to get them in there. I feel so lazy on weekends and it always gets the week started on the wrong foot with me suffering from the I-was-lazy-blues! Also, I haven't been doing my strength training and I'm feeling it. Need to get back on the strength wagon ;}

Hope everyone is having a happy Monday!

Fantabulistic ... is that even a word?

Last nights run was fantabulistic!

I headed out for a 3 mile run with my co-worker with no reasonable expectations (being that my Co-worker runs are the slowest in my log book) and as we stated out my co-worker teased that I shot out like a blot.

As it turns out my Garmin clocked me hitting 7.0 MPH (that's very fast for me). Heart rate was steady and speed sustained to finish my first mile at:

9:31.6

Woo-Hoo! My first sub-10 minute mile!

The following two miles were not too shabby either: 10:38.6 and 10:48.6 successively.

I can't believe how much speed I've gotten in such a short time.

This morning my knee is a little achy but nothing too serious. I have a run planned this afternoon and tomorrow I am definitely resting from running but I still want to do something active like a P90x session or a bike ride.

Today's run will make the 4th in a row. Granted I'm not running any HUGE distances but I know that I should not continue to do that into the future. The fact that I'm on a runner's high from my improvement isn't helping though ... I want to RUN RUN RUN!

I was perusing an Article called Run less. Run Faster? I am going to look into 3 day a week plans, mostly for the mommy (I REALLY DON'T WANT TO SEE HER GET INJURED) but maybe for me too. Can't hurt to check it out, right?

I leave you with a little flash back :) enjoy!



Have a great FRIDAY!

Thankful Thursday

Thankfully it's Thursday and the weekend is rapidly approaching.

I am so pumped after my last few runs. I'm running faster and longer. Granted I'm not running 5 min miles but my speed is definitely improving.

I'm hoping to average above a 5.0 for this month with a total of 20 runs. Also, just to note, May went down considerably on speed because of my knee injury.

My current PTR is a 5.89 MPH average over 5.4 Miles at the Rickenbacker Bridge which I hope to beat this Sunday on the same course.

Things I am Thankful for:
1 - I am thankful for Morning Back Rubs that wake you up. (Great way to wake up :)
2 - I am thankful that my mom and I are taking control of our fitness/eating habits. (We have stopped eating to make ourselves feel better)
3 - I am thankful that I am turning my work life around a bit. (I am working on thinking positive and it's been working)
4 - I am thankful that I can run. (Hello, my name is Eliza and I am a running addict!)

Today I will be running with my co-worker just to sneak in a 3 miler ;)

Have a Thankful Thursday!

The run I should have had yesterday

Last nights run was cut short when at the half way mark my left foot started to have bad circulation and fall fast asleep (as you can see from the low points at around 2.5M)

This is more like what my run should have looked like yesterday. I even hit 7.0 MPH or close to (something which has started to happen only recently).

I am very excited that my runs are starting to improve.

Also, I'm loving that my heart rate is staying relatively even the whole way. :)

Ok, good night!

Yuk, McDonalds?

Last night's run was ok. I was hoping to do 5 to 6 miles with Mrs. Firemen but half way through my left foot kept falling asleep. Circulation ceased. I felt like I was dragging a giant elephant man type stump. I had to untie my shoe and give it a minute until circulation continued. At first I thought it was my shoe, maybe it's time to retire my New Balance shoes (currently holding an estimated 245 miles) but I loosened them to the point of almost falling off and still it happened again ... and yet again. I ended my run at about 4.1 and called it a day. So for now, I've decided to retire the New Balance shoes as a precautionary measure but will stay very attentive to any further feet issues.

Also during the run, I tested out Tri Berry flavored Gu. I wasn't too hopeful being that the last time I tried Gu it tasted like Strawberry Banana flavored SNOT but I decided I would give it a second shot. This time I was underwhelmed to find that it tasted like Tri Berry flavored SNOT. That stuff makes me gag, although it does provide a noticeable amount of energy. I think I'm going to give some other options a shot and forgo Gu-ing for the time being. Besides, I suspect my current running issues have more to do with hydration than energy for the time being since I'm not running any heavy duty distance as of yet.

After the run, we stayed talking with our friends till late and I didn't end up getting to bed till 1am. What's worse this morning I was straving (being that I can eat solid foods after I run) and I was craving McDonald's of all things! EWWWWW! Thankfully, I weighed myself (and being that I was at the low end of my weight zone) I told myself NO WAY I'm messing this up! made myself a yummy egg white sandwich instead! YAY ME!

Today, my knee woke up a tid bit sore so I am weighing the pros and cons of a 3 mile run verses P90x.

Have a happy hump day everybody!

The Temptation Was Too Great

Well, yesterday the temptation was too great and I skipped my planned P90x workout and watched True Blood as well as some other back logged shows and I simply vegged out!

Sometimes you just gotta do that!

I think next week I will set Monday as a Rest day and switch my Monday Stretch/Stretch to Fridays ... removing the I-wasn't-supposed-to-veg-out-today-guilt factor

Today I was supposed to do a co-worker run but I got an invite to do a run with Ms. Firemen and Mr. Boyfriend is going to ride Bike with Mr. Firemen so I decided that sounded like a much more interesting endeavor.

Interesting as in I always run alot faster when I'm chasing Ms. Firemen instead of my run-the-first-1/2-mile-then-walk-the-rest-of-the-way (i.e. slacking) with my co-worker.

So today's scheduled 3 miler will be switched with tomorrows 5 miler.

During lunch, I ran by Sports Authority to grab some Shot Blocks or Gu Shots since 5 miles is long-ish to me and I was shocked that a pack of shot blocks runs for $3.99 (and contains only 2 servings).

I am so going to have to give this Clif Shot Bloks Clone recipe a try (will keep you posted on results).

Who knew running was such an expensive endeavor!

Also, on the crafty-cooking front. I made a second batch of Granola bars. This time I replaced Light Simple Syrup with homemade Splenda Simple Syrup (1/2 cup of Splenda, 1/2 cup water) and Peanut Butter was replaced by PB2. The batch made less but they truned out really great and the changes brought the calorie count down to the 120s.

Plus, I love the look on people faces when I tell them I MADE the granola bars ;} hehe

Hope your having a good one!

Back to Monday

Well, we're back to Monday and I'm feeling pretty good about the weekend.

Friday: 4.25 M run
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 5 M Run

Sunday was my first run with my Camelbak. I filled it about half way (1-L) but being that it was the first time I used it I only used the water to rinse and spit which in itself improved my run. I was not nearly as thirsty as I've been in the past. Running with it on felt a little strange and I was definitely self conscious but no one really stared and I felt like I was a hard-core runner in training (which helped).

Today my legs are a little sore but I still want to run. My knee is a little sore too so I know I shouldn't. Today is my Strength/Stretch day.

I plan to do my P90x and a short bike ride.

I am starting to feel alot better about my running. I've been holding a consistent 11min mile in my runs (which is an improvement for me from last month). Also, this week marks the beginning of my 12 weeks training for the Half-Marathon (wow, we are 12 weeks out!) which is quite exciting.

This week I have:

Monday: P90x
Tuesday: 3 Mile Run
Wednesday: 4 Mile Run
Thursday: 3 Mile Run
Friday: 2 Mile Run
Saturday: Brick - Bike + 1 Mile Run
Sunday: 6 Mile Run

Have a great week!

Friday Follies

Well, it's been a rough week but thankfully we have arrived at Friday.

Workout Re-Cap:
Monday: Rest (Caught up on True Blood :)
Tuesday: 3 Mile Run
Wednesday: 3 Mile Run (was supposed to do 4 miles though :(
Thursday: 3 Mile Run
Friday: 3 Mile Run (will probably be more of a run/walk) followed by some AB work

I'm also hopeful for this weekend.

Saturday: 2 Mile Run followed by a Bike Ride (My first Brick!)
Sunday: 5 Mile Run

Also, any tips on the "I can't eat solid foods after I run thing"? I am not able to eat anything for hours after I run so I am having a protein shake and skipping dinner. I think I am doing ok on the calorie intake with the protein shake but is that enough?

Anyway in other news: check out this great NUUN Giveaway at Tall Mom on the Run

Have a FABULOUS Friday!

The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

I must admit I have been MIA due to a bad running/workout weekend.

I did go in with go intentions:

Friday: P90x Back & Legs
Saturday: 2 Mile Run
Sunday: 6 Mile Run
Monday: P90x Back & Legs

But, as they say: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions".

Here's how it really went:

Friday: P90x Back & Legs = "I'm hard core. I got this!"
Saturday: "um, our friends are getting together? Forget the run, Let's go!"
Sunday: "Six Miles? You're crazy! I'm hung over and queezy from all that food we ate last night ... 4 miles (half run/half walk) is enough, right?"
Monday: "I'd rather watch True Blood ... and The Colony ... and Fringe"

I didn't beat myself up though ... I had faith in Tuesday. So when it came and I was feeling anti-social I decided that I need to set myself up to succeed instead of muddle through another work out. So I told my co-worker I had something I needed to take care of and that I would be unable to run ... I know it's not nice ... but I knew I needed to run alone.

When I got home ... things weren't looking to good being that it started to pour down rain. Luckily it was just another Miami Sun Shower (not the expected remnants of Hurricane Anna/Bill/whoever that will be passing soon) ... so I hurried up and got dressed to make sure I didn't miss my window.

It felt great albeit that the humidity was so thick it made my breathing heavier than usual. I did have to take a few walk breaks (3 rather than 4 this time) because my heart rate kept shooting way up and becoming uncomfortable (which seems to happen to me alot more I wait more than 48 hours between runs ... anyone know why or is that just me?) but all in all a very good run for me.

It occurred to me that I've been filling up all my running days with runs with other people and I forgot how much I really like to run alone ... I guess the lesson is in all things MODERATION ;)

Have a Happy Hump Day!

Finally Friday ::: SIGH OF RELIEF :::

Today's title totally expresses how I feel today.

I am still sore from Wednesday's 6 miler. It's a dull all-over-your-body sore which feels good but can wear on you.

Yesterday's 3 miler became a .5m jog plus a 2.5 mile walk.

I do admit I pushed a little further than I should have on Wednesday but I think I needed to reach one of those motivational goal points and saying "I did 6 miles" is definitely one of them.

But from now on I will stick to my plan (which doesn't include another 6 miler for another 2 and 1/2 weeks).

Tonight, I want to stick to my new rules:

Rule #1 Do at least 40 minutes of a workout activity EVERYDAY!
Rule #2 Do not allow more than 48 hours to pass between runs.
Rule #3 Drink no more than 12oz of Soda a day.

still fine tuning and adding rules :)


THANK THE LORD, IT'S FRIDAY!

Thankfully Thursday

I'm telling you Thursday could not have come at a better time. I am quite thankful that the weekend is starting to rear it's head and I am quite happy that my running schedule has been spot on.

Yesterday, I did my planned 6 miler. Nothing extraordinary on time ( 1:13:10 ). I ran at my average pace when I run on my own but I did surprise myself that I didn't take many walking breaks (less than yesterday's 3 miler) and I managed to keep my pace pretty consistent through the whole thing. Not terrible for the additional distance considering I haven't done a 6 miler since I trained for the 7 Mile Bridge :)

When I got home I had a one cup of milk with some sugar-free chocolate syrup and got my stretching done and then drank some water to re-hydrate. But time passed and I just wasn't hungry. Being that my runs are in the evening this is quite an inconvenience. I'm not sure what to do. Should I get a protein meal replacement type so I can just have my glass of milk and be done with it? Or is that bad?

Anyway, after I got home, I was greeted by Mr. Boyfriend and he noted that he crossed off one of my To-Dos from my task list on Google ... it was: Learn to Ride a Bike. I hadn't realized it (and I have a long way to go yet) but I did learn. It made me extra happy (like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae).

I've got alot to be thankful for!

Wishing you a thankful day!

Wacky Wednesday

I woke up in arguably the best mood I have woken up to in a while.

The alarm rang and once swatted into snooze mode, I rolled over and started dancing in side my head like a total goof! It felt great.

I do believe I may have been still riding high from the endorphins from last nights run. We ended up going later than expected (a lot later on my watch, which runs fast and slightly askew). But it did turn out to be a great run. I was open and honest as BOB and Julia suggested and I told my co-worker I HAD TO RUN. She understood.

I didn't break any records. I took 4 walking breaks (with a self imposed limit of no more than 1:00 minute) and an average time of 38:16 (12ish minute mile). But to me is was a great run!

Unfortunately, as is usual when I start later than I expect: I forgot to stretch afterward leaving quite sore (even now) ... but its a good sore.

Today, I have my run with Mrs. Firemen (who pushes me to run alot faster :) and we have 6 miles penciled in :) I am excited!

Have a Hump-a-rific day!

T minus 173 and counting

Yesterday, I got through my workout but enthusiasm was definitely lacking. I did my P90x Legs & Back and Half of the AB Ripper before the DVD crapped out and I took that as a sign I was done for the night. I just wasn't in the mood to do anything other than what I had penciled in.

Today, I am in the mood to do something other than what I have planned.

Today's planned workout is going for a run with my co-worker ... which would be fine ... except that I want to run ... I NEEEEED TO RUN! ... not run for 30 secs then walk for 10 min and so on and so forth until we eeek out 3 miles.

What happens on my co-worker runs is: We start with go intentions and my co-worker runs out too fast in the beginning getting her heart rate all outta wack for a quarter mile and then she struggles the next 5 minutes to get it back in control and then she runs out again. I've suggested she run slower for a longer period (with which our boss and running guru conquered) but she insists that she can't run slower. I don't know if she's just being difficult of if it a geniune need for physical fitness (or a genuine concern she should get checked out by a doctor ... which everytime I mention she refuses to acknowledge).

Today I think I am just going to run my run (which is not very fast to begin with) and hope she comes along with me for what she can ... I need to run MY RUN!

No more of these crappy, I am waiting for someone else so it's ok (giving me an excuse to not do my best or push myself!)

I have been whining about the scale being stuck at the same weight for the last 2 YEARS more than usual lately and I will not fool myself into thinking ... "well, any workout is a good workout, right!" ... well, it's NOT!

T-173* to the ING Miami and counting!

I want to feel like I've run actaully ... not like I've trained half-assed and did just enough to get by! I want to TRAIN and not think about my weight and feel like I'm accomplishing something!

Watch out marathon ... HERE I COME!!!!

Wishing everyone a happy tuesday!


*173 is Eli upside down and my favorite 3 digit number :)

Them Weekends!

The take too long to visit and always leave too soon!

I don't know what was going on with me this weekend but I did absolutely nothing but lounge and be lazy. I think I have had too many of these weekends of late. But I'm not giving up.

You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face. -- Gatorade ad

Today I have cross training planed and a visit with mom.

UPDATE -- Great quote I found today on Discom-BOB-ulated Running

"You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into a positive, effective, unstoppable determination." - Ralph Marston

Wishing everyone a great week!

Fabulous Friday

I don't care that I went to sleep late last night or that I had to come to work today (which is getting increasingly hard) or that my "Index Toe" nail has been hurting since my Co-Worker Run on Tuesday ... I don't care!?!

Why you may ask?

Because IT'S FRIDAY!

Oh, and because last night on my run with Mrs. Fireman I ran 4 miles at a 10:27 pace, a rather consistent 10:27 pace.



Considering I don't normally run that fast ... I think that is a major improvement!

I think running with a Buddy was an excellent idea!?!

Today I have another Co-Worker Run and I am very much looking forward to it :)

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Thankful Thursday

Well, yesterday I ended up heading to my mom's house to get some things done and ended-up watching "Deja Vu" and just hanging out. We had a very nice time :)

I had every intention of going for a ride on my bike and even lugged the darn thing all the way over there but it just did not happen.

I am a little nervous today. I have another run with Mrs. Fireman today. A 6-miler. I can definitely do it ... I maxed out at 8 miles during my 7 Mile Bridge Training ... but I'm having a little trouble reconciling two long (long-for-me) runs in one week. We did 5.5 miles on Monday, then I did 3.35 on Tuesday and Rested yesterday ... is it good to go all out after a rest day? Should I not be running such long distances yet?

Oi, I'm so confused!

Right now I feel like the only way for me to improve my speed is to run with other people and push my self to run with them. I know intervals and Yasso-400s are best for speed but they are just not going to happen right now. I'm new at this running game (even though I've been running off and on ... mostly-off ... for over 10 years. I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing :(

I've never followed a running plan and my 7 mile bridge training consisted of me running every day I didn't have a personal trainer session (PT was Monday and Friday) .

I have to sit down and give this some more thought!

Have a Thankful Thursday!

I Made Granola Bars!

I was a little bored today so I played a bit online and I found this recipe No-Bake Rice Krispies Peanut Butter Granola Bars so I went out and bought the supplies, including a bag of trail mix which included Cranberries, Raisins, Peanuts, Chocolate Chips and Almonds to make it special. Then I Made Granola Bars.


WOW! They came out YUMMERS!

And super duper easy! I was done in 15 minutes or so.

Now I can start playing with the ingredients to make it a little lighter and even healthier ;)

These amounts are estimates:

Calories 178
Total Fat 7g
Trans Fat 0g
Sodium 61mg
Total Carbohydrate 26g
Dietary Fiber 2g
Sugars 14g
Protein 4g

This was my first eating healthier endeavor and I was quite pleasantly surprised!

It made my day!

CW-X 5 Miler

Yesterday, I did my first 5 Miler in over a month. My last one was just before the J4★5K (read-between-the-lines: when I had a lot more motivation).

I went for a run with Mrs. Firefighter. I was definitely pushed on both speed and distance. I wore my CW-X Women's Stabilyx 3/4 Tights for a second time and they felt really good.

After the run, my legs felt really great and once I got home and gave them a cold water soak they felt like brand new again. My legs are not tired at all.

Today I have a easy 3 mile jog with my co-worker and tomorrow is bike time.

Also, drop by Julia's for a great Endurance Sports Nutrition Book Giveaway

Happy Tuesday!

Crab Rangoon, Pad Thai and a 3 Mile Run

Last night, Mr. Boyfriend and I decided to be adventurous and make a new dish we had never made before. We had been watching Paula Dean (wonderful cook but not a great role model for healthy eating) and she made a relatively simple, relatively healthy seaming Pork Pad Thai.

So I headed out to the Asian Market and picked up a bunch of ingredients neither I nor Mr. Boyfriend had ever tried before and we got to cooking. I also found wonton wrappers and decided I'd give some Crab Rangoon a try.

I do admit the Crab Rangoon came out really good ... but being that it's basically fried dough filled with crab I should probably only do it on *VERY* special occasions.

Also, the Pad Thai came out good too ... tasted very light because I used 1/10th of what the recipe required (being that the required Fish Sauce has 1060mg of Sodium which I didn't notice till I got home).

Afterward, I felt so disgusting that I had to go for a run. I decided to do my Saturday run because I didn't do it Saturday. I was thinking of passing on running Sunday all together because I am doing my long run today with my friend who's a Fire Fighter (i.e. Ultra Fit) and I didn't want to be too worn out for it (i.e. not be able to keep up) Yes, I do think that to be utter nonsense and just me being L.A.Z.Y.!

Also, decided I should take my knew CW-X Women's Stabilyx 3/4 Tights for a test drive. The run was actually pretty great ... I ran faster than I have before but at times I felt like the pants were making my legs heavier (not sure if that was just in my head though, will keep you posted). After the run I gave my legs a cold rinse (since I'm not really running long enough for an full on ICE BATH I just sit with some cold water running over my legs for about 10 minutes and it leave my legs feeling brand new) and they did feel kinda terrific (as if I hadn't run at all) which could mean I need to up my distance too.

What's worse is that I ended up waking up at 3am with a terrible migraine. I don't know if to chalk it up to my terrible weekend eating habits or some particular new-to-me ingredient in the Pad Thai but I am feeling ubber bad physically and mentally today!

I seem to have the consistent working out in order ... it's my eating habits I can't seem to get in control of. I am debating joining Weight Watchers (online) for the 87th time. I do seem to get results when I do follow it (we'll duh!) I just don't know what to do anymore!

Le Sigh!

Well, it's Monday, time to start Fresh, right?