I'm not sure how I felt about July. It was a good month in many ways, but I will admit that my running was not great and bordered on non-existent. Following this trend, I crapped out on the last three miles of the month I was supposed to log this evening...because it was raining. I don't have a watch so I rely on my phone which is very much not waterproof. Also I just really don't like the rain. I am going to try to wake up in time to add them back in tomorrow morning.
Not to add to the excuses, but my ankle is worrying me because it has already started to feel puny. Not a good sign this early in training. But thank the good lord for KT Tape! I am going to start taping it for all my long or "fast" (aka fast for me) runs to see if I can't strengthen it up enough to fix the problem!
Good news about August:
-It starts on a Friday...one of the better days in my little opinion
-I am making buttermilk brined cornish game hens for dinner which is a pretty awesome first dinner of the month
-The dog is finally going to finish up his lessons so I don't have to drive 4 hours every Saturday anymore!
-I get to set up all my crazy traveling for the fall. Yay!
-I am moving at the end of the month...no more roomies!
I am sure there are other things I am forgetting, but I am thinking this is going to be a good month :)
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Wait it's only Wednesday?
How is it only Wednesday?! Every day this week has felt forever long and I am beyond ready for 5 o'clock on Friday to just be here already!
I'm 2 for 2 on my scheduled runs for week though, so that's a good feeling. Today I really wasn't feeling the whole running thing (mostly because my heart was set on the napping thing instead) so I basically bribed myself into running.
I went to my favorite trail in the general vicinity to get my miles in. I would run this path every day if it wasn't an hour away!
But if you are ever in Fayetteville, NC definitely check out the Cape Fear River Trail. It's 4 miles and super well marked. I don't know why I love it so much because it actually has some pretty crazy hills for,this area! But the boardwalk at the beginning/end has railings that are perfect for stretching your legs. For reals, I need,to document my post run leg stretching routine. I'm sure it looks absurd but it's quick and pretty much makes my hips love me again after I torture them!
Then I got to go have dinner at Texas Roadhouse, because steak is always a good option and my boyfriend and I have pretty much made that restaurant our go-to. Also this one is next door to a frozen yogurt shop. So that's basically all you need in life!
In other news, I've been fighting yt? ing with WiFi routers lie a maniac this week but finally have things sorted, a least for now, so hopefully life and this blog will get a little less sporadic by the end of the week!
Hope your week is moving faster than mine!
I'm 2 for 2 on my scheduled runs for week though, so that's a good feeling. Today I really wasn't feeling the whole running thing (mostly because my heart was set on the napping thing instead) so I basically bribed myself into running.
I went to my favorite trail in the general vicinity to get my miles in. I would run this path every day if it wasn't an hour away!
But if you are ever in Fayetteville, NC definitely check out the Cape Fear River Trail. It's 4 miles and super well marked. I don't know why I love it so much because it actually has some pretty crazy hills for,this area! But the boardwalk at the beginning/end has railings that are perfect for stretching your legs. For reals, I need,to document my post run leg stretching routine. I'm sure it looks absurd but it's quick and pretty much makes my hips love me again after I torture them!
Then I got to go have dinner at Texas Roadhouse, because steak is always a good option and my boyfriend and I have pretty much made that restaurant our go-to. Also this one is next door to a frozen yogurt shop. So that's basically all you need in life!
In other news, I've been fighting yt? ing with WiFi routers lie a maniac this week but finally have things sorted, a least for now, so hopefully life and this blog will get a little less sporadic by the end of the week!
Hope your week is moving faster than mine!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Are you there groove?
I fell off the wagon. Hard. But I'm here and I'm back to making plans. Which is a great first step I think.
I am a perfectionist and I am competitive. In some ways this is great, but it poses a real challenge other times because if I don't feel like I am meeting my goals I get overwhelmed and burnt out pretty quickly.
So here I am after a rest, ready to create new and more manageable goals!
Besides, I love love love mega planning Monday!
On the food front I have pretty much nothing planned. I am moving soon so I'm really just attempting to live off my pantry stash so I have less to pack and carry.
Running: this week my marathon training plan officially starts! I'm using the Hal Higdon Novice plan. With a few tweaks here and there of course.
The week:
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 3 miles
Wednesday: 5 miles at race pace
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: rest
Saturday: 8 miles
Sunday: cross training
Now for the particulars. I am aiming for a 10 min/mile pace. This might be a little overly optimistic but we will see what happens. I'm going to try it a few times and reevaluate at the end of the month.
Tuesday I am going to keep trying for a 9:30 average pace and Thursday will be more of a recovery run.
The big plan for this evening is to go check out my new place! Tuesday will probably be date night. Then the rest of the week should be uneventful until I head to Raleigh again Saturday morning for Hanks last lesson then watching racing Saturday night in Rockingham.
My biggest accomplishment this past weekend was (sorta) teaching Hank to take a selfie.
It's a work in progress.
Hope you have a wonderful Monday!
I am a perfectionist and I am competitive. In some ways this is great, but it poses a real challenge other times because if I don't feel like I am meeting my goals I get overwhelmed and burnt out pretty quickly.
So here I am after a rest, ready to create new and more manageable goals!
Besides, I love love love mega planning Monday!
On the food front I have pretty much nothing planned. I am moving soon so I'm really just attempting to live off my pantry stash so I have less to pack and carry.
Running: this week my marathon training plan officially starts! I'm using the Hal Higdon Novice plan. With a few tweaks here and there of course.
The week:
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 3 miles
Wednesday: 5 miles at race pace
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: rest
Saturday: 8 miles
Sunday: cross training
Now for the particulars. I am aiming for a 10 min/mile pace. This might be a little overly optimistic but we will see what happens. I'm going to try it a few times and reevaluate at the end of the month.
Tuesday I am going to keep trying for a 9:30 average pace and Thursday will be more of a recovery run.
The big plan for this evening is to go check out my new place! Tuesday will probably be date night. Then the rest of the week should be uneventful until I head to Raleigh again Saturday morning for Hanks last lesson then watching racing Saturday night in Rockingham.
My biggest accomplishment this past weekend was (sorta) teaching Hank to take a selfie.
Hope you have a wonderful Monday!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Battling the Runnning Blahs
I'll admit I go through phases - I will go for periods of time where I never want to stop running and it is the thing that makes me happiest in the world, but there are also times when I don't want to run and I can't talk myself into lacing up. I've been in one of those slumps lately but I think I am finally overcoming it!
So today I've got ten things that help me get back to running happy. (If you have awesome advice please share!)
1) Take a day off from life.
Remember last week when I had a mommy-doggy day with Hank? That was a big step in the right direction for me. It was a no pressure day just hanging out with the best four-legged friend I could ask for. It helped me get my mind back in a better place.
2) Run somewhere new or somewhere special.
I went for a run in Tampa and had a great time seeing new things and running through different challenges. Then this weekend I went back and ran part of one of the trails I used to run all the time but will never stop inspiring me. (No pictures because it started pouring buckets!) Both places made running feel more like a special adventure and less like a chore
3) New clothes/shoes
I like pretty things, it's no secret. I also think shopping is fun. And I just feel more motivated to go for a run when I have something new to wear. It's scientifically proven...or something like that.
The shoes are not new, but the skirt is. And I love love love wearing it so that gives me a little extra push to get out the door (and to do laundry lol).
4) Evaluate your goals and expectations
Many times when I am in a slump it is because I have set my expectations way too high and I get overwhelmed with trying to accomplish things. Despite having never run a marathon I somehow mentally went from wanting to just finish my first to wanting to finish in less than four hours. As great as it is to have goals, I was trying to progress way faster than what I could reasonably expect.
5) Set new goals if you need to
Expecting to suddenly be able to run several 8 minute miles in a row was doing nothing good for my confidence or motivation so I knew something needed to change. I've started setting smaller and more reasonable goals for my weekly runs that I can easily monitor and change as needed. I set goals for a gradual progression rather than a super-human leap in skill level.
6) Make a new playlist
Although I am slowly learning to appreciate running without headphones, I am very much a music lover and a new playlist can make a world of difference. I get sick of songs and my tastes change (sometimes rapidly) so it's great to give the playlist an overhaul. I use Spoitfy and love it to bits because it is so easy to change things up in your playlist (for free because you aren't buying all the dang songs!) or use a premade playlist. I tried out the Bollywood Workout one the other day and it was so much fun and totally different from my usual.
7) Sign up for some fun races
As soon as my work schedule for the fall is set I am signing up for a half marathon series and a Halloween 5k in Transylvania County. It's ok to be jealous...but the better option is to come run with me :)
I love running in races so this is an awesome way to get my motivation back.
8) Bring back the "star chart"
You know when you were little and you had a list of chores to do and when you did them you got a star and after so many stars you got a prize? Ok my family didn't do that and we just had to do our chores or get in trouble...but I'm borrowing the concept here. I am not above bribing myself to complete my runs. For example, this week if I do all my morning runs I am taking myself to a yoga/spin/barre class. I don't go often due to distance and cost so it's a fun reward and healthier than ice cream (which, ok, I eat all the time not as a reward).
9) Find some friendly competition
I love using the Nike + running app because it shows you how you are doing compared to your friends. I am competitive in a majorly huge way and will do anything to beat my friends at this game (or any game really) so it is awesome motivation to get at least a few miles in.
10) Don't run.
In the past when I have been in a slump, I let myself stop going for runs but kept going for walks. The secret was to always dress like I was going for a run though. I did this day after day until I finally just felt like running. If I have tried everything and still can't find the willpower to want to run I will resort to this. While it might feel like giving up, it has always brought back my love of running over time.
So today I've got ten things that help me get back to running happy. (If you have awesome advice please share!)
1) Take a day off from life.
Remember last week when I had a mommy-doggy day with Hank? That was a big step in the right direction for me. It was a no pressure day just hanging out with the best four-legged friend I could ask for. It helped me get my mind back in a better place.
2) Run somewhere new or somewhere special.
I went for a run in Tampa and had a great time seeing new things and running through different challenges. Then this weekend I went back and ran part of one of the trails I used to run all the time but will never stop inspiring me. (No pictures because it started pouring buckets!) Both places made running feel more like a special adventure and less like a chore
3) New clothes/shoes
I like pretty things, it's no secret. I also think shopping is fun. And I just feel more motivated to go for a run when I have something new to wear. It's scientifically proven...or something like that.
4) Evaluate your goals and expectations
Many times when I am in a slump it is because I have set my expectations way too high and I get overwhelmed with trying to accomplish things. Despite having never run a marathon I somehow mentally went from wanting to just finish my first to wanting to finish in less than four hours. As great as it is to have goals, I was trying to progress way faster than what I could reasonably expect.
5) Set new goals if you need to
Expecting to suddenly be able to run several 8 minute miles in a row was doing nothing good for my confidence or motivation so I knew something needed to change. I've started setting smaller and more reasonable goals for my weekly runs that I can easily monitor and change as needed. I set goals for a gradual progression rather than a super-human leap in skill level.
6) Make a new playlist
Although I am slowly learning to appreciate running without headphones, I am very much a music lover and a new playlist can make a world of difference. I get sick of songs and my tastes change (sometimes rapidly) so it's great to give the playlist an overhaul. I use Spoitfy and love it to bits because it is so easy to change things up in your playlist (for free because you aren't buying all the dang songs!) or use a premade playlist. I tried out the Bollywood Workout one the other day and it was so much fun and totally different from my usual.
7) Sign up for some fun races
As soon as my work schedule for the fall is set I am signing up for a half marathon series and a Halloween 5k in Transylvania County. It's ok to be jealous...but the better option is to come run with me :)
I love running in races so this is an awesome way to get my motivation back.
8) Bring back the "star chart"
You know when you were little and you had a list of chores to do and when you did them you got a star and after so many stars you got a prize? Ok my family didn't do that and we just had to do our chores or get in trouble...but I'm borrowing the concept here. I am not above bribing myself to complete my runs. For example, this week if I do all my morning runs I am taking myself to a yoga/spin/barre class. I don't go often due to distance and cost so it's a fun reward and healthier than ice cream (which, ok, I eat all the time not as a reward).
9) Find some friendly competition
I love using the Nike + running app because it shows you how you are doing compared to your friends. I am competitive in a majorly huge way and will do anything to beat my friends at this game (or any game really) so it is awesome motivation to get at least a few miles in.
10) Don't run.
In the past when I have been in a slump, I let myself stop going for runs but kept going for walks. The secret was to always dress like I was going for a run though. I did this day after day until I finally just felt like running. If I have tried everything and still can't find the willpower to want to run I will resort to this. While it might feel like giving up, it has always brought back my love of running over time.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Missing the Mountains Monday
This weekend was exactly what I needed. I will go ahead and confess that I totally skipped out of my long run, but I cross trained like a champ. I also ran about two miles because I wanted to for the first time in a very long time. Yay for kicking the slump in the face...finally.
I went for long walks up and down mountains every day and I have to admit that my legs on booty are still feeling it! I also rode four horses in two days. This would not have been a big deal about 3 years ago, but now I am out of shape and don't have the same muscles I used to.
If you go to Brevard, NC you have to go to Dolly's for ice cream and Julies for breakfast. It's a rule. Also Pescado's (which I missed out on this time!) and Jet's Pizza (which I grabbed for the drive home and ate today for breakfast and dinner). There are more too..so if you are going to Brevard hit me up. I will give you the very thorough list of awesome things to see and do :)
I also got to hang out with Duchess (the cat) and Luigi (the goat). They are pretty cool critters.
I even got to see one of my old campers and it almost made me cry...or maybe it did a tiny bit.
Now I'm back home and I have to confess I already miss the mountains terribly. The weather down here stinks...and can literally make you stink! I have been sweating from the moment I walked out the door this morning. I think the heat index was around 105 today. I got to give two campus tours and two barn tours, so I was walking around in the heat for nearly five hours. Super fun.
Now that I am back, it is time to plan for the rest of the week!
Food
Tomorrow night I have to cook a real dinner so I am thinking maybe stuffed peppers. Wednesday is work travel so that is a mystery...except I know I will be searching out a Dunkin Donuts for iced coffee because I am addicted! Friday is a picnic/BBQ at work for lunch and boyfriend is insisting on a date night. So I didn't cook anything ahead this week. I have muesli and almond milk, turkey sandwiches in pita, and leftover pizza to get me through.
Workouts
Monday: Rest (which turned into walking about 4 miles in hot hot hot weather by the way!)
Tuesday: 3 miles, goal of 9:30 per mile
Wednesday: 5 miles, goal of 10:30 per mile
Thursday: 3 miles, goal of 10:00 per mile
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 12 miles, long and easy
Sunday: Cross training (TBD)
Saturday and Sunday will probably be switched because the dog has a lesson at 11 which means leaving the house by 8:30.
My goal is to do my run in the morning every day this week. Wednesday it is going to be necessary since I will be away until late and totally exhausted when I get home I am imagining.
Now it's off to SweetFrog to round out my nutritious pizza dinner haha.
I went for long walks up and down mountains every day and I have to admit that my legs on booty are still feeling it! I also rode four horses in two days. This would not have been a big deal about 3 years ago, but now I am out of shape and don't have the same muscles I used to.
One of the ponies (ignore my super profesh riding with a halter abilities) and part of the driveway I walked)
Of course I refueled with awesome food.
I also got to hang out with Duchess (the cat) and Luigi (the goat). They are pretty cool critters.
I even got to see one of my old campers and it almost made me cry...or maybe it did a tiny bit.
Now I'm back home and I have to confess I already miss the mountains terribly. The weather down here stinks...and can literally make you stink! I have been sweating from the moment I walked out the door this morning. I think the heat index was around 105 today. I got to give two campus tours and two barn tours, so I was walking around in the heat for nearly five hours. Super fun.
Now that I am back, it is time to plan for the rest of the week!
Food
Tomorrow night I have to cook a real dinner so I am thinking maybe stuffed peppers. Wednesday is work travel so that is a mystery...except I know I will be searching out a Dunkin Donuts for iced coffee because I am addicted! Friday is a picnic/BBQ at work for lunch and boyfriend is insisting on a date night. So I didn't cook anything ahead this week. I have muesli and almond milk, turkey sandwiches in pita, and leftover pizza to get me through.
Workouts
Monday: Rest (which turned into walking about 4 miles in hot hot hot weather by the way!)
Tuesday: 3 miles, goal of 9:30 per mile
Wednesday: 5 miles, goal of 10:30 per mile
Thursday: 3 miles, goal of 10:00 per mile
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 12 miles, long and easy
Sunday: Cross training (TBD)
Saturday and Sunday will probably be switched because the dog has a lesson at 11 which means leaving the house by 8:30.
My goal is to do my run in the morning every day this week. Wednesday it is going to be necessary since I will be away until late and totally exhausted when I get home I am imagining.
Now it's off to SweetFrog to round out my nutritious pizza dinner haha.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Banishing Boring
So I've realized my life is a little bland. I live in a really small town so when I'm not traveling I am pretty much either at home or working. I run the same routes every week. I tend to eat the same foo all week.
Probably the most exciting thing to happen in the last couple days was our plumbing getting repaired last night. Never underestimate the joy of running water.
Warning, this is about to go from whiney to existential. Watch out.
Now I really just started typing this out without a clue where I was headed with it. Then I remembered my old theory that there really aren't boring things, just boring people. I realized I had let myself become boring and that I had started accepting boring. Not good y'all.
So I'm starting the 100 happy days challenge. I need to remind myself that good stuff happens every day and that I need to appreciate it instead of always chasing something bigger and better!
Tonight I'm headed to the mountains for work and play, so I should have an easy time getting started!
Probably the most exciting thing to happen in the last couple days was our plumbing getting repaired last night. Never underestimate the joy of running water.
Warning, this is about to go from whiney to existential. Watch out.
Now I really just started typing this out without a clue where I was headed with it. Then I remembered my old theory that there really aren't boring things, just boring people. I realized I had let myself become boring and that I had started accepting boring. Not good y'all.
So I'm starting the 100 happy days challenge. I need to remind myself that good stuff happens every day and that I need to appreciate it instead of always chasing something bigger and better!
Tonight I'm headed to the mountains for work and play, so I should have an easy time getting started!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Ten Things Tuesday: slackers edition
I'm back! Life got a little (ok a lot) hectic and I've been running in probably a million circles while still managing to avoid my planned runs. Yikes! So today's ten things are split in half. Five things making life crazy and five things I've been doing instead of running.
1) Our WiFi router croaked in one of the bajilion thunderstorms we had. No internet is no fun.
2) Our plumbing is also not working and keeps getting worse instead of better. It started with the washing machine "draining" all over the dining room. The the kitchen sink was on the fritz. Showers have worked (albeit very slowly) until this morning. Pre-workday run was canceled when I woke up and saw this
Makes you want to jump right in right? Anyways the plumber is supposed to come today. Of course they were supposed to come Thursday as well.
3) It has been hot as all get out and humid to boot. I'm very much not a morning person, but by the time I get off work the heat index is over 100 and I'm ready to,lay in bed and do nothing.
4) On that note, I did a ton of campus tours last week and I'm going to go ahead and count all that walking in the heat as cross training lol.
5) And last for the making life crazy things is the fact that I have been mentally burnt out. I just don't want to get out the door for a run. It's been a battle but I think this will be my rebound week.
6) (aka part 2, #1) I've been traveling! The boyfriend and I went to see his dad in the Tampa, FL area for the 4th of July and had a blast. Lots of hours in the car and one the beach, but it was a great change of pace and scenery.
The run was hot but fantastic and the view was incredible. Then I went and soaked in some sun for the rest of the day!
7) I'm planning more travel! This weekend I am heading to the mountains of NC for a tiny bit of work and lots of fun time. I have already planned a running route to see of the 6 major waterfalls in the DuPont forrest...and a lake swim to finish it out! Follow me on instagram@ seejessrun711 for picture updates throughout the weekend!
8) Hank and I had a great "mommy-doggy day" yesterday. He had a lesson then,we explored Raleigh, went to the dog park, picked out some new treats and a toy at petsmart, and met dad for dinner at Moe's.
1) Our WiFi router croaked in one of the bajilion thunderstorms we had. No internet is no fun.
2) Our plumbing is also not working and keeps getting worse instead of better. It started with the washing machine "draining" all over the dining room. The the kitchen sink was on the fritz. Showers have worked (albeit very slowly) until this morning. Pre-workday run was canceled when I woke up and saw this
3) It has been hot as all get out and humid to boot. I'm very much not a morning person, but by the time I get off work the heat index is over 100 and I'm ready to,lay in bed and do nothing.
4) On that note, I did a ton of campus tours last week and I'm going to go ahead and count all that walking in the heat as cross training lol.
5) And last for the making life crazy things is the fact that I have been mentally burnt out. I just don't want to get out the door for a run. It's been a battle but I think this will be my rebound week.
6) (aka part 2, #1) I've been traveling! The boyfriend and I went to see his dad in the Tampa, FL area for the 4th of July and had a blast. Lots of hours in the car and one the beach, but it was a great change of pace and scenery.
7) I'm planning more travel! This weekend I am heading to the mountains of NC for a tiny bit of work and lots of fun time. I have already planned a running route to see of the 6 major waterfalls in the DuPont forrest...and a lake swim to finish it out! Follow me on instagram@ seejessrun711 for picture updates throughout the weekend!
8) Hank and I had a great "mommy-doggy day" yesterday. He had a lesson then,we explored Raleigh, went to the dog park, picked out some new treats and a toy at petsmart, and met dad for dinner at Moe's.
We practiced our new "place" command and took some selfies in the car. Because we are cool like that.
9) I'm knitting a sweater and dreaming of colder weather. Actually my roommate runs the a.c. high enough that I might need it indoors before the fall even gets here!
It's gotten bigger since that picture but still isn't super interesting. The fun part is still to come.
10) And finally, I've been eating a ton of frozen yogurt!
As much as I love SweetFrog here in NC, we found a place called yogurt mountain in Clearwater and it is my favorite of all the frozen yogurt places I've been to.
And that's ten! So glad I've finally made it through a post and I am hoping the success will carry over to running this evening!
Hope you had an amazing holiday weekend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)