Jill at Finishing Is Winning did a Monday Brain Exchange about giveaways this week. I am a huge fan of free stuff. I'm also not what I would consider "lucky." I usually don't enter many givaways, but there are a few I will go for. I also agree with Jill that if there are too many hoops to jump through, I usually won't enter.
Here's what I'll jump at:
1. Bondi Bands
2. Road IDs
3. Sweet running gear (clothing)
And wouldn't you know it.....AJH at Age Groups Rock is hosting a giveaway!!!!!!! And it's Bondi Bands!!!! And it's an easy entry!!!
I became addicted to Bondi Bands when Katye was hosting her fundraiser. Now, I'm really looking forward to winning a few.
Click on over to Age Groups Rock and check out the giveaway!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Another Run
I finally made it out for my long run today. It was supposed to be 7 but I only made 6. Even though I'm short a mile, I am freakin' stoked about the 6 miles :) I actually ran the whole 6 miles! And I felt awesome when I finished. Big thanks to my sisters-in-law for keeping me going.
We're bringing our running shoes to Florida :)
We're bringing our running shoes to Florida :)
Friday, June 25, 2010
Take that Lazy Monster!
So....after a lazy start to my week, I've managed to turn it around. Total of 10.44 miles logged this week!
The bus may stop here though. The SIL is getting married tomorrow and we're busy all day long. Hopefully we won't have had too much fun on Saturday and can get a long run in on Sunday (evening?) to get back on schedule. Otherwise, my goal is to run the long one on Monday.
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
* Anyone know any good IT band stretches? I think mine is starting to act up :( Any websites with good how-to guides to stretching that thing?*
The bus may stop here though. The SIL is getting married tomorrow and we're busy all day long. Hopefully we won't have had too much fun on Saturday and can get a long run in on Sunday (evening?) to get back on schedule. Otherwise, my goal is to run the long one on Monday.
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
* Anyone know any good IT band stretches? I think mine is starting to act up :( Any websites with good how-to guides to stretching that thing?*
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Om Nom Nom
Like Cookie Monster chowing down the chocolate chippers, I have been consumed by the Lazy Monster.
Surprised??? Not me.
The bachelorette party on Saturday was amazing! I kinda wish someone had though about that for my party.....oh well. (The pole dancing lessons I had were fantastic)...Anyway.....I did not have a ton to drink and was perfectly capable of running on Sunday morning. However, my dad came home on Saturday and was planning a visit to his parents Sunday morning. I haven't seen my dad (because he's a pilot for a stupid company that makes him live in Mississippi for too many days in a row) for a couple of weeks and I hadn't seen my grandparents since Christmas. Yikes! I figured it was time to make a trip over there. After driving half way to Chicago, and spending a rather long Father's Day with my dad and grandparents, I didn't make it home until after 7PM. Oops!
That should have made me reschedule things for Monday right? Wrong. After my Dr. appointment I just wasn't feeling it. My husband came home around noon and we headed off to a "Summer Solstice Party" at which I did have a little too much to drink.....Oops! It was after 7 PM when we returned home and we just made it in the door before another thunderstorm hit.
Did I reschedule this for Tuesday? Nope. Cleaned for my mom's parents and went to the mall. Then took a nap and went to a baseball game. Yeah.....
The storms here have been crazy for the past few days. They have displayed dangerously beautiful lightning and close to 70 mph winds. Some have produced hail and even a few tornadoes. Luckily, the tornadoes have missed us. But the rest has made things rather scary around here. I can't really use those as an excuse because they've all been evening or after midnight storms. But I'm taking those watches seriously for the next few days.
I did, however, plan to run this morning. But what did I wake up to? Yup, another thunder storm. It was passing quickly, but we're still under a watch for the next hour. I think I'll make it out today though. Fingers crossed!
Long story short, I have been very lazy, but have no intention of letting that ruin my training.
*****Update*****
I got dressed just after publishing this post and went out for a run. 6 miles. The furthest I've ever run. Ever! I ran the the first 3 miles and didn't stop. I took a short walk break after mile 3. Ran mile 4. And then ran/walked (more run than walk) the last 2. My knees and left hip started to bother me at the end. I've noticed that this happens at the end of long runs. I really need to concentrate on my strength training.
My time wasn't fantastic, but I did it! Take that Lazy Monster!
Surprised??? Not me.
The bachelorette party on Saturday was amazing! I kinda wish someone had though about that for my party.....oh well. (The pole dancing lessons I had were fantastic)...Anyway.....I did not have a ton to drink and was perfectly capable of running on Sunday morning. However, my dad came home on Saturday and was planning a visit to his parents Sunday morning. I haven't seen my dad (because he's a pilot for a stupid company that makes him live in Mississippi for too many days in a row) for a couple of weeks and I hadn't seen my grandparents since Christmas. Yikes! I figured it was time to make a trip over there. After driving half way to Chicago, and spending a rather long Father's Day with my dad and grandparents, I didn't make it home until after 7PM. Oops!
That should have made me reschedule things for Monday right? Wrong. After my Dr. appointment I just wasn't feeling it. My husband came home around noon and we headed off to a "Summer Solstice Party" at which I did have a little too much to drink.....Oops! It was after 7 PM when we returned home and we just made it in the door before another thunderstorm hit.
Did I reschedule this for Tuesday? Nope. Cleaned for my mom's parents and went to the mall. Then took a nap and went to a baseball game. Yeah.....
The storms here have been crazy for the past few days. They have displayed dangerously beautiful lightning and close to 70 mph winds. Some have produced hail and even a few tornadoes. Luckily, the tornadoes have missed us. But the rest has made things rather scary around here. I can't really use those as an excuse because they've all been evening or after midnight storms. But I'm taking those watches seriously for the next few days.
I did, however, plan to run this morning. But what did I wake up to? Yup, another thunder storm. It was passing quickly, but we're still under a watch for the next hour. I think I'll make it out today though. Fingers crossed!
Long story short, I have been very lazy, but have no intention of letting that ruin my training.
*****Update*****
I got dressed just after publishing this post and went out for a run. 6 miles. The furthest I've ever run. Ever! I ran the the first 3 miles and didn't stop. I took a short walk break after mile 3. Ran mile 4. And then ran/walked (more run than walk) the last 2. My knees and left hip started to bother me at the end. I've noticed that this happens at the end of long runs. I really need to concentrate on my strength training.
My time wasn't fantastic, but I did it! Take that Lazy Monster!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Half Marathon Training: Week One
Holy cow! That was a lot of moving and shaking for me this week. I am so ready for my "rest day" tomorrow. It might not be much of a rest because I'm heading to an all-day bachelorette party.
Next week I need to focus on my strength training. I ignored that note on my training schedule this week. I will also be swimming again. My sister-in-law, who is also doing the half with me, is my new running partner.....for a while anyway. She's getting married next Saturday and it's her bachelorette party tomorrow. They aren't planning to move away any time soon, but he's an Army guy, so there really are no plans until the Government tells them what they're doing.
I will be stretching and relaxing today. I'm not sore, just tired. But I still want this....so it's worth it!
PS.....anyone else out there watch So You Think You Can Dance? My favorite is Kent. He's just too cute! I also like Alex.....he's amazing!
Next week I need to focus on my strength training. I ignored that note on my training schedule this week. I will also be swimming again. My sister-in-law, who is also doing the half with me, is my new running partner.....for a while anyway. She's getting married next Saturday and it's her bachelorette party tomorrow. They aren't planning to move away any time soon, but he's an Army guy, so there really are no plans until the Government tells them what they're doing.
I will be stretching and relaxing today. I'm not sore, just tired. But I still want this....so it's worth it!
PS.....anyone else out there watch So You Think You Can Dance? My favorite is Kent. He's just too cute! I also like Alex.....he's amazing!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Splish Splash
Today was my first day of cross training. What did I do? I found myself a pool! And adult swim didn't cost as much as I thought! I really don't swim well, but I did my best. 30 minutes of splashing and floundering. It felt great! I know that if I keep practicing, I'll be a better swimmer by the end of the summer.
Tomorrow I'm scheduled to run 4 miles. I'm hoping to take my sister-in-law with me. Hopefully she doesn't bail on me!
I'm feeling really good about my training so far. I haven't hit any sort of high milage, so that might change my outlook once I get there.
Keep those fingers crossed for me!
Tomorrow I'm scheduled to run 4 miles. I'm hoping to take my sister-in-law with me. Hopefully she doesn't bail on me!
I'm feeling really good about my training so far. I haven't hit any sort of high milage, so that might change my outlook once I get there.
Keep those fingers crossed for me!
Friday, June 11, 2010
The Plan
Alright, I spent a good part of my afternoon on this, and I think I'm ready.
I will be picking up at week 5 of Hal Higdon's plan. I've already run 4 miles and the next thing on the list is 5. I switched the Sunday 6-miler in his plan for 5 miles this week and moved the 6-miler to next Sunday instead of a 5-K race...because there isn't a 5K I can run next week. My goal is to keep my long runs on Sundays that increase by 1 mile each week, just like his plan says. That's ok, right?
Now, I understand the shorter runs throughout the week. I understand the resting and the stretching. My only trouble area will be the cross training. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know we've had this conversation before. I need some cross training advice! What do you do to cross train?
Here are my cross training options right now:
Ok. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to help me find some cross training options. I also have the attention span of a 5-year-old. So these 60-minute cross training sessions are going to be brutal. It doesn't have to be 60 minutes of the same thing does it?
Oh my goodness.....I just remembered the monster that lives in my basement! He might be the answer I've been looking for! I'll have to post about him another time.
I will be picking up at week 5 of Hal Higdon's plan. I've already run 4 miles and the next thing on the list is 5. I switched the Sunday 6-miler in his plan for 5 miles this week and moved the 6-miler to next Sunday instead of a 5-K race...because there isn't a 5K I can run next week. My goal is to keep my long runs on Sundays that increase by 1 mile each week, just like his plan says. That's ok, right?
Now, I understand the shorter runs throughout the week. I understand the resting and the stretching. My only trouble area will be the cross training. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know we've had this conversation before. I need some cross training advice! What do you do to cross train?
Here are my cross training options right now:
- my bike
- walking my dog
- workout DVDs
- Wii Fit (probably doesn't count)
- a public, outdoor, summer-only pool (I swim like a rock. But I can do it.)
- A resistance band, yoga mat, balance ball, and 2lbs weights
Ok. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to help me find some cross training options. I also have the attention span of a 5-year-old. So these 60-minute cross training sessions are going to be brutal. It doesn't have to be 60 minutes of the same thing does it?
Oh my goodness.....I just remembered the monster that lives in my basement! He might be the answer I've been looking for! I'll have to post about him another time.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Rock N' Roll
It's official. I just registered for MY FIRST HALF MARATHON!!!!!
I'm pretty sure I'm nuts. I've missed the boat on Hal's plan to get myself prepped for this thing properly, but I'm going to try to bust my butt to get on track some how.
I need advice here. What the hell have I gotten myself into? (besides debt...damn this race is expensive! If I don't finish, I will be pissed.)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
New pants
I took myself to Target today and bought a pair of fitted capris. I also bought a shirt off the clearance rack. Love that!
I have been super depressed about running lately. I haven't wanted to get up a go. I haven't even wanted to read about it. When my husband comes home from a run, I won't let him tell me how far he went or I'll get jealous...even more jealous than I already am that he had the motivation to run and I, instead, let the couch eat my butt. I can't even bring myself to celebrate his success or anyone else's running success because I'm so upset with my lack of motivation.
Today, again, I decided to suck it up and go for it. Between the rain clouds I put on my new running gear and got in a quick 2 miles. (I just have to say that I love saying "quick 2 miles." I feel like a real runner when I say that) Anyway, as I was finishing up it started to rain harder. Talk about catching the window of opportunity. I am glad I did it. I'm also glad I bought those capris! I look hot!
Let's hope I can get another run in tomorrow and the next day. Then maybe we'll try for the 5K on Saturday :)
I have been super depressed about running lately. I haven't wanted to get up a go. I haven't even wanted to read about it. When my husband comes home from a run, I won't let him tell me how far he went or I'll get jealous...even more jealous than I already am that he had the motivation to run and I, instead, let the couch eat my butt. I can't even bring myself to celebrate his success or anyone else's running success because I'm so upset with my lack of motivation.
Today, again, I decided to suck it up and go for it. Between the rain clouds I put on my new running gear and got in a quick 2 miles. (I just have to say that I love saying "quick 2 miles." I feel like a real runner when I say that) Anyway, as I was finishing up it started to rain harder. Talk about catching the window of opportunity. I am glad I did it. I'm also glad I bought those capris! I look hot!
Let's hope I can get another run in tomorrow and the next day. Then maybe we'll try for the 5K on Saturday :)
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Still here
Hello! I'm pretty sure you haven't been worried, but just in case you have....I'm still here :)
It's been crazy around here. School is wrapping up and I've spent all week boxing up books and posters. I did manage to put the final report cards together before the last day of school....which has never happened before. I'm always the teacher printing the report cards 30 minutes before the students walk in the door! But magically I got my buisiness together this year. Which is surprising considering all that's been going on. I'm going in to school again today to finish boxing up my stuff. Yay! I'm just as excited for summer as my students are!
Last weekend I headed out to Virginia for a friend's wedding and ever since I've got back I've felt terrible. I haven't tried to run in over a week because I don't think I'll make it more than a mile before I'll need to find some bushes. If this continues into next week I'm going to get it checked out. The wedding was beautiful and I even got to check out Colonial Williamsburg while I was there. But all that walking and not eating normal has sent my system into a panic. Here's hoping I can get back into it soon.
***Update on my temper tantrum run. After I told my husband what happened, bought me a present while I was out of town. I came home to find one of those water-bag-backpack-things. Now I won't have to worry about balancing a water bottle in my hands anymore! I have always wanted one of these things and I really hope it works out. Has anyone used one of these things before? How well do they work for running?
The 5k I was planning to run on June 12th might be a scratch....I haven't registered for it yet, so I won't be upset about the money. But I will be upset about not being able to run it. I still have a week to see if I can make it though.
Expect some sort of running related post from me soon....I hope! Happy running!
It's been crazy around here. School is wrapping up and I've spent all week boxing up books and posters. I did manage to put the final report cards together before the last day of school....which has never happened before. I'm always the teacher printing the report cards 30 minutes before the students walk in the door! But magically I got my buisiness together this year. Which is surprising considering all that's been going on. I'm going in to school again today to finish boxing up my stuff. Yay! I'm just as excited for summer as my students are!
Last weekend I headed out to Virginia for a friend's wedding and ever since I've got back I've felt terrible. I haven't tried to run in over a week because I don't think I'll make it more than a mile before I'll need to find some bushes. If this continues into next week I'm going to get it checked out. The wedding was beautiful and I even got to check out Colonial Williamsburg while I was there. But all that walking and not eating normal has sent my system into a panic. Here's hoping I can get back into it soon.
***Update on my temper tantrum run. After I told my husband what happened, bought me a present while I was out of town. I came home to find one of those water-bag-backpack-things. Now I won't have to worry about balancing a water bottle in my hands anymore! I have always wanted one of these things and I really hope it works out. Has anyone used one of these things before? How well do they work for running?
The 5k I was planning to run on June 12th might be a scratch....I haven't registered for it yet, so I won't be upset about the money. But I will be upset about not being able to run it. I still have a week to see if I can make it though.
Expect some sort of running related post from me soon....I hope! Happy running!
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