Migraines Mondays & Temperate Tuesdays

BAD NEWS: I haven't been feeling too great for the last 24 hours or so. I had a MILD migraine (i.e. Level 3 migraine on my migraine scale). It is my regular monthly migraine (the one I get every month right before my visit from Mother Nature).

GOOD NEWS: I have officially pretty much reduced my migraines from 4 out of 7 days a week (i.e. 180 days a year ... i.e. 15 days a month ... i.e. every other day) to 1 day a month and I no longer have Excruciatingly-Painful-persistent-hot-flashes-can-not-stand-light-or-sound-nausea/vomiting-crying-from-pain-Need-to-go-to-the-Hospital-Migraines (i.e. Level 10 migraine on my migraine scale)

That being said, my little Level 3 did knock me off my workout plan yesterday, POOH!

I was totally lazy and ended up having Pizza for dinner and Publix Moose Tracks Ice Cream for dessert (i.e. creamy chocolate ice cream with scrumptious peanut butter cups and rich Moose Tracks Fudge) making yesterday a total Eating Healthy and Light FAIL!?!

But I did do something good!

While I lazily watched TV and Facebooked and toyed on the computer, I noted the price had gone considerably down on the Garmin Forerunner 305 (probably due to the Garmin Forerunner 310XT which is waterproof).

So, I went ahead and ordered it as my Christmas Present to Myself!?!

I do admit I am a bit of Stat-Lover! It keeps me motivated and getting out there regardless of the fact that they aren't the most impressive STATS ... they are MY STATS and I LOVE THEM!

I also promised myself I needed to start taking my paces more seriously and working on some speed is going to be my next FOCUS!

So, this morning I drowsily opened my eyes to check the time to see if I could squeeze in another 5 minutes before the alarm rang and WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT: I WAS LATE!!!!

Alarm was set for 5:15 ... Alarm clock read 6:05! YIKES!

But instead of rolling over and getting another hour of sleep, I jumped up and rushed out the door!

Score 1 for me!

It was a beautiful TEMPERATE morning: 69° degrees with 93% humidity.

Today's run was a recovery run so I decide to keep it easy.

Mile 1: 0:12:19
Mile 2: 0:12:50
Mile 3: 0:13:25
Mile 4: 0:12:06
Extra: 0:05:18

I didn't get into it until another runner passed me as I started Mile 4 ... she wasn't the first one of the day ... but she made me realize I could run faster and that I was just being ... well ... LAZY!

I realized I need to focus more and push my body!

I haven't run a Great-Outstanding-Wanna-Puke run in ... well .... AGES!

I know that doesn't sound attractive but it's how I know I've run my all!

I realized haven't been pushing myself and just let myself run COMFORTABLY which is probably ABSOLUTELY why I have been slowing down the more I run!

Final stats:

Distance: 4.45
Time: 0:55:59
Pace: 12:35

Lesson learned: I can't just let my body decide my speed, I need to keep my head in the game!

Today I plan to do a DOUBLE-UP!

Don't worry it probably won't become a habit! But because I ran in the AM I am going to do some of my Strength Training to make up at least a little part of yesterday's workout ;)

Happy Tuesday!

Notes on my 18 Miler

Today I would like to do a re-cap of my 18 miler (mostly for my own posterity and incase I need to review my long run strategies at a later date)

Pre-Run Meal: 1/3 cup of Apple Juice & Spirulina and half of a PBJ on Potato Bread.

I used my 2 liter (64 ounce) camel back with Orange Gatorade. I was concerned about the calories being that I am going on nice long run and burning about 1600 calories but then I did the math and the Gatorade would be 400 calories and the 4 shot blocks would be another 132 calories that I would be in taking through it so I figured it would be ok. (Yes, this is the stuff I think about while I run).

I wanted to start running at my regular pace like on Friday (I'm not very fast and I really perfer not to slow down anymore than I have to) but I knew it would probably be better if I didn't and I guess my body agreed and my run went something like this:

Mile 1	0:12:13	4.91
Mile 2	0:12:31	4.79
Mile 3	0:13:06	4.58
Mile 4	0:12:51	4.67
Mile 5	0:13:02	4.60
Mile 6	0:13:27	4.46
Mile 7	0:12:20	4.86 *
Mile 8	0:12:23	4.85
Mile 9	0:13:51	4.33
Mile 10	0:12:46	4.70
Mile 11	0:13:12	4.55
Mile 12	0:12:40	4.74
Mile 13	0:13:08	4.57
Mile 14	0:12:27	4.82
Mile 15	0:12:48	4.69
Mile 16	0:12:53	4.66
Mile 17	0:12:28	4.81
Mile 18	0:13:00	4.62
Extra	0:00:20	3.60

* Stopped the clock for potty break.

I tried to keep my Garmin at about 4.8 and after the first 6 or 7 or so miles started using a walk-run method. My watch was set to beap at a 5:1 ration but I tended to skip every other walk break giving me a 12:1 walk ratio instead.

For the first time, I experienced HUNGER on a run. At about mile 10 my stomach was rumbling as if I hadn't eaten in days. I started to use the shot bloks more frequently at this point (I had only had 1 up to this point) so I started having a portion of one ( i cut mine in fours to make them bite sized) every half mile or so.

I also feel like maybe I was over hydrating because towards the end my stomach felt sloshy but when I got home, Mr. Boyfriend did his PALENESS inspection and I got the seal of approval. I was happy to earn since I didn't get it on my 15 miler, he said I looked pale and tired and I had dark bags under my eyes, but not this time. I think HYDRATION was the KEY!

In Review - Week of November 30th:

Full Marathon Training Week 10 of 18:

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
	36.93 Miles	4.82	4
	0 Miles	N/A	0
	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 07:47:12
Total Running Time: 10:07:17

I was so happy when I got my Daily Mile Weekly Training Report.

I was at the top of the leader board this week! It was my first time :)

I no longer have any doubts about being able to complete the FULL MARATHON! My 18 miler got me hyped up! I CAN SO DO THIS! :)

Next thing to work on is improving that time ;)

Happy Monday!

Weekend Debriefing

I started off the weekend getting my 5 miler in before partaking in any festivities. It went really well.

Distance: 5.15 miles
Time: 1:00:00
Pace: 11:39

Finally a sub-12 min run. I hadn't been able to get sub-12 since the 13.1 Fort Lauderdale almost 3 weeks ago.

Then Mr. Boyfriend and I headed up for a well earned evening out to listen to some live music and spend some time with friends.

I pushed my Saturday 16 miler to Sunday because I knew we'd be getting home late ... and I was right ;}

Saturday slipped away in languid restful glory watching way too much TV and Taco Bell for dinner.

I tired to do a little core work but after trying a repeat of this core workout, I only got through the first set.

I was able to get to sleep early and up at 5am to find absolutely perfect long run weather. For me that now is: 61 degrees, 91% humidity, and overcast.

I set out for my longest run to date: 16 Miles.

I was worried, afraid and doubtful but I set out anyway and was holding my planned pace steady until at about 6 miles I got a rumbly in my tumbly and took the turn back home to use the rest room. I was afraid I would be cut short and end up with something in the 7 mile range.

Oh, Pooh!

But restroom break and a refill on my Camelbak later, I was out again.

I started running the same path all over again but this time after finishing it I ended up above and beyond what I was hoping for!

Finally tally:

Distance: 18.02 miles
Time: 3:51:02
Pace: 12:49

I have slain the 16 mile monster and the 18 mile monster with one shot and within my pace range! Yay me!

Hope everyone enjoys what's left of the weekend!

Two for Two Hundread

Well, Hello There, Mr. 200th Post!

When I started this blog I could not fathom ever seeing you but 10 months (or so) later ... here we are!

We've seen many things over the last 200 posts from a weekend in Austin to romp across the 7 Mile Bridge to learning how to ride a bicycle in your 30s to signing of for a FULL 26.2 MARATHON to the start of making a replica of Lafayette's Afghan to completing a half marathon and keeping up with my friends to running with a stranger and actually enjoying it (geesh, that was a mouth full ;)

Who knew!

So what do I have planned over the next 100 posts you ask?

• New Years in Miami (a photo shoot :)
• Finishing up that Afghan
  
• The ING Miami Marathon
• Possibly a trip to the PR (Puerto Rico) to visit the family
  
• The 13.1 Miami Beach
  
• Completion of the 100 Push-up / 200 Sit-up / 200 Squat Challenge
  

Speaking of which, I finally got started and completed Week 3: Day 1 yesterday as part of my Strength Training Session (the first in 45 days)

The session of went like this:

Used: 8 Pound Weights

Skipped the starters and went straight for the meat!

Exercise
Push-Ups W3:L3:D1
Sit-Ups W3:L3:D1
Squats W3:L3:D1
Tricep Push Down
Hammer Curls
Shoulder Press
Dips
Bicep Curls
Chest Flys
Dead Lift Squats
Side Leg Lifts
Bent Knee Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Leg Lifts
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Bicycle Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Calf Raise Squats


I am not sore per se but this morning I did have a faint memory in my muscles that I had worked out. I'm wondering if I need to up the intensity a little bit or switch up some exercises? (any tips?)

Today I have an easy 5 miler on deck and a fun evening out with friends which is causing me to push my 16 miler to Sunday.

I'm actually getting excited about my long run this week! Who knew?

Happy Friday!

Black Toe Nails and Blisters and Calluses, oh my!

**WARNING**
This might get gross!
**WARNING**

So my feet look like a carnival of foot issues!

I am currently suffering from two toe nails in the process of falling off (one with blood, one without), a recurring blister on my pinky toe that have graduated to a blood blister and a strange kind of cork-screw calluses on the side of my toe (is that even possible) along with the regular calluses all over the place!

I am wondering if after two months (approx 170 miles logged) of running my shoes no longer fit right?

Is that possible?

Since my Post-Half-marathon-Slow-Down (two weeks ago) my foot issues have quadrupled!?!

Why don't I go get a pedicure, you ask?

Because the poor woman will freak the hell out at the sight of my feet! They never understand WHY I RUN! I have a sneaking suspicion they don't believe that I run (because in their heads Chubby Chicks aren't Runners) and they are silently thinking I am some sort of S&M Foot Demolishing Menace!

I didn't have this many issues before?

I've also developed a recurring hip-pinch which seems to be easily cured by a foam rolling session post run.

I know I am not stretching nearly enough!

I wonder if all this is happening because of my slow down?

Which I also know is happening because I have stopped my cross-training which was highly beneficial in that it's what was keeping my knees and other body parts from aching!

Hmmm ... Better get moving all increasing cross-training and stretching!

Or we will have more repeats of last night:

Distance: 8.12 miles
Time: 1:46:02
Pace: 13:02

Why do I keep seeing Slow Poke Ramirez (Speedy Gonzalez' Slower Cousin) in my head!

Happy Thursday!

Ok, I get it!

So, last night I had dinner with one of my Running Buddies (i.e. my mom) and I was telling her how demoralized I was after the Half and how hard it was to get motivated for this full marathon. I admitted that as I looked at my training schedule I was starting to fear the miles. She gave me a pep talk and told me it would not be a defeat to wait and do the marathon a little later when I felt more ready.

It didn't really help but I know she's right.

When I got home and chilled out for the evening, I got a call from her to change the channel because the Biggest Loser was on. Not being a avid watcher I was not too interested until she told me they were running a marathon this episode. (Read Episode Recap here)

A sign!

I watched the final four Biggest Loser candidates and shared in their trials and tribulations through the 26.2 mile course. I got so inspired I started doing squats during the show! It renewed my Marathon Motivation!

I'm excited about today's run and tomorrows and the following one!

It was definitely something I needed to see!

I finally get what the hype is about! I am a Biggest Loser convert :)

Getting Back in the Swing

So, yesterday's run didn't totally suck.

It went something like:

Mile one: My legs were cramping and knotting to no end
Mile two: I felt like I couldn't breathe
Mile three: Slow but Steady
Mile four: I like to run!
Mile five: I missed running, why did I ever stop!

So, I am getting back into the swing of it.

and here are last months stats:

In Review - Month of November

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
	102.79 Miles	5.04	16
	0 Miles	N/A	0
	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 20:41:46

Happy Tuesday!