Running with the dogs.

Today was an Easy Run day!  Those are my normal days, the ones in HR zone 2 in which it's easy, but not that easy.  The dogs behaved like chickens without heads, they were just so excited and since I'm not a morning person, I really wasn't.  I think they just need more exercise, but don't we all.

I'm planning on taking them to walk tomorrow so I can also get in some cross training.  I have two more miles on the bike today and the 50 mi goal is complete.  It'll be my first medal for cycling!  I'm excited, 50 miles is a big deal to me.

I woke up at 5:00 and 5:30 because my son wanted more milk before going back to sleep.  I sleep walked and changed my alarm to 6:30 to get in "another hour" but really, an hour makes no difference.  I was seriously hoping it was raining or super cloudy to skip my run but after 2 minutes of peeking through the blinds, I got ready.

I am proud of my pace, but I am working on getting faster and stronger!

First Month DONE!

I have apparently been training for my half marathon for a month now.  It's more like a month and a half since I restarted my schedule a week or so after I first started it.  ANYWAY, it's going well.  I'm two miles shy of my 50 mi July Goal for US Road Cycling.  I don't know why I thought I had 5 miles left, which I completed today, but I had 7, not 5.  Math.

I ate cake and all the Coke I could drink.  I think I had 4 cans today.  I was feeling so anxious so, of course, let's add caffeine to the mix!  That's a great idea!!  Buzz, buzz.  I'm all wonked out.  Agh, I need to meditate or hit myself with a mallet on the head and pass out.  Let's meditate, that won't hurt.

I also did 10 mins of strength training for the arms/shoulders.  I'm out of shape.  I couldn't complete half of the workouts.  Shame!  I was doing so well.

My kids are amazing to me, they got to swim in the pool and they weren't freaking out or throwing temper tantrums.  I was happy they got to swim because we got home, cleaned them up, changed, and went right to bed.  I threw my dirty running clothes in the washer and am ready for my easy run tomorrow.  Just 35 mins, I'm taking the dogs.  I feel bad that they've been in their crate while I try to regain my home from the dirt monster.  I cleaned and CLEANED today.

I'm pooped, all this "bad" food is upsetting my stomach and draining my energy.  I've been so sleepy, I should call it a night and go to sleep.  I should.

Indoor Cycling

5 miles left!!

I just LOVE seeing that I cover that many miles in 25 minutes... I know, it's probably half of that but it still helps the spirit.  Today was W3D6 of half marathon training and it called for 40 minutes of cross training.  I did 25 on the bike and now on to more yoga.  Tomorrow's Pilates, which I'll probably switch out for weight training and more yoga.  I really need the yoga thing.  Runs are getting longer and yoga just calls me down.  Yoga.  I love that word.

Still no ideas for the tattoo design I'm afraid of getting but will get because I will no longer be afraid.  I know it'll be recognized once I see it, so no biggie.  I'll just keep on Pinteresting!  It's for a good cause.

Anxiety is rising, a new home and only one income is hard on the wallet.  I talked to my sister and she's agreed to watch my kiddos if and when I find a job.  The last time I tried this, with my husband being the morning babysitter, it nearly broke me down.  I missed a lot of moments and first-times when it came to my son.  But they're almost 4 and 2 respectively, I think it may be time.  I am counting on God and the Universe to take my pleas and lead me the right way.  We shall see!

I have a new outlook in life, I feel empowered and relieved.  I was even considering having a third baby b/c I just think it's the right thing to do... weird, I know.  But, I took care of my little nephew and it was just a little too much if I had to handle three kids by myself.  I want to be a patient and loving mom, but sometimes it's hard to stretch myself so thin.  I know things will happen when they'll happen, so I'll just leave it to God.

Kids are cute, but in numbers they're tiring as hell.

MRTT Running Mad Virtual Race!

I really like that medal!

It always amazes me how many wonderful people you find among those suffering.  Running is great, I love it, but it's a pain in the butt most of the time.  I got there at 6:30 to hopefully warm up and get my heart rate up and all... I was too sleepy so I got to enjoy a nice chat with the event's coordinator.  I waited until the rest of the 7 a.m. starters got there and we were on our way!

Too bad I was the only one running the 10K!  I kept straight while most turned left to continue on their 3+ miles.  It was a long quiet run so there was a lot of time to think and think and think.  I don't know why, but this didn't feel like a hard race.  The path was paved, flat, with lots of runners.  It is such a nice area, I wish I could run there e/day.  I don't know how I feel like driving over 10 minutes to get there... especially during the week.  Anyway.

I miss seeing a faster pace but I really enjoyed not feeling like death at the end of the run.  My heart rate stayed at 144, right at the zone!  I am going to have a great night of sleep, 6 miles take a toll on a chubby body.  It won't be chubby for long, though!

It seems that I may complete the half marathon within 3 hours.  I don't know how I feel about that since I've never ran that long or far.  I think it's time for food, I was hungry the whole race.  It's a bad idea to not eat anything before running 6 miles.  I will have to remember that.

Dying Bear.

Not to exaggerate, but I was infected by The Plague.  The Little Bear got it first and then I did, while my Gummy Bear waited until I was half dead to start feeling sick.  It was great.  We were all sneezing and farting.  Snot was everywhere, our eyes were red and itchy, throats were hugging by themselves... UGH.  But, the important thing, my mother came over to nurse us.  While SHE WAS SICK.  In fact, she came over and cooked/cleaned/pushed me around all while she battled her own plague.

My mother is the most amazing woman ever.  I mean, I don't know how she does it.  She's ol'school.  Oh, and her hair was as curly/bouncy as ever.  The fever made her flush in a girly fashion and she was matching from head to toe.  I mean, I feel like I had pus coming out of my eyes and my hair was half straight, a quarter balding, and the rest curly.  My nose was flaky and I stank of death.  I... admire my mother.

Anyway, thanks to her care, I finally felt good enough and could breathe enough to go out for a run.  I skipped yoga, pilates and yesterday's steady run.  I did 30 something minutes outside at 81* and took my dogs.  B/c everyone should suffer.

"How are you going to run if you can't breathe?" - The Hubby (silly hubby)

I'm so glad I made it home.  I took a shower and cleaned off the remaining virus/cold/flakes of my almost dead body and I think we made it!

I think we have finally crossed the line and we're all OK.  Dear God, I'm a whimp but I already knew that.  Now you do, too.

Hell in the morning.

Lighter and lighter with every step!

GOD.  Seriously, I felt like there was a ghost on my back and I was running with it.  I felt so heavy and just out of it.  My heart rate was at 140 most of the time, but I could've sworn it was at 2,000.  I think my body is tired.  Tomorrow'll be just walking and since I only have 12 miles for my 50 mi goal for July (riding bike), I'll put that off until the end of the month.

I'm pooped!  I was also really hungry yesterday, like a hunger monster of appetite.  Yep.  I think I needed it more than the rest, b/c I couldn't fall asleep until 12.  I woke up at 6:30 and left by 6:42.  Today was a toughie.

Speed work!

Today was intervals day, YAY!  I see now why people dislike speed work.  I thought it'd be fun, running all out and being like, "YEAH, people.  I RUUUUNNNN."  Nope, it was more like, "DEAR GOD, please forgive me for thinking I could run at all.  Ever."

It rained and normally, that'd been awesome, but my iphone was out of its $90 waterproof cover that we purchased for our phones so I had to run back to my car like the angry hipster I've become.  *sigh*  It didn't get wet but it didn't help the overall feeling of disappointment from today's run.  I woke up and only got out of bed b/c of the Wake N' Shake alarm.  Thank goodness for that app! (hipster, me).

I managed to do 2/5 intervals but didn't manage to get my heart rate to the level it called for.  I have recalculated my HR zones (again!) and realized I may have thought I was a bigger badass than I really am.  They're changed and I've also changed the schedule so that the training plan ends on the day it's supposed to, race day.  It just makes sense.

It's important to pay attention to signs of overtraining, injuries are mood killers.  I think I may have been close to one or something b/c I felt like shit these past few days.  Let's see how this goes!

WHY am I awake??

What a stupid question, but I kept asking myself when I woke up at 6 a.m. today to go for a run.  The other day, here in beautiful Houston, it was 100% humidity by 7:15 and that run was hell.  I want to enjoy my runs, not dehydrate into a raisin.  I woke up and only stayed awake b/c I changed the setting to my Wake N' Shake alarm to the second level.  I had to get up and hide in the bathroom b/c I couldn't shake it enough to stop it.  I was awake.

It took me 15 minutes to leave the house, which is a bad record since I'm usually out in 10 and at the park by 15.  Anyway, then my heart rate strap stopped working and I didn't know if I'd died or if its battery had died.  I'd just changed it the other day!  I guess I used an old battery, why I keep old/used up batteries is beyond me.  Ask the hoarder in me.

I kept running b/c dammit, I was awake and I'd be damned if I went back home after all that shaking.  It was my first "long" run in the training plan, only 35 minutes but still.  It was running.  I started jogging and I knew I was feeling too great but well, I ended up covering around the same distance I usually do.  The pace was 12:44 min/mi.  Not too bad!  I'm kidding, it's awful but it's my fault for not being disciplined enough.  Ugh, shut up.

Here's the snapshot:

256C?  I mean, it felt like I burned 1,000.

I got attacked by a bug and I frrrreaked the f-out.  I hate nature sometimes, but I'll be back!

Running with a Psycho

Well, the relaxing 4th of July run I had planned went to hell when my dog started growling and barking at the other runners.  Awesome.  That's how you make friends, by bringing your angry dog!  I think it's funny that I found out how scary my dog can be to strangers.  She's like 2 ft tall, 20+ lbs.  Come on, now.

Anyway, I did manage to catch up on some half marathon talk and gave my card to one of the lovely ladies so we could run together.  I say that's a win!  I want to meet new people that like the things I do and doesn't question me for waking me up so early to run.  It's my goal.

Also..  I signed up for my first official marathon!!  I mean, HALF marathon.  I'm not ready to do a full one, yet.  It'll be in at the end of October when my training plan ends.  I have 5 days between the end of the plan and the actual race, I'm glad there's some wiggle room.  I also got $15 off by signing up early, so that's a win!  I'll get a finisher's medal and a tech shirt.  Plus, bragging rights.  I'm very excited!!

The goal for today's run was to stay in zone 2 (HR: 115-135) for 30 minutes.  It was an ok attempt.  MJ kept pulling on her leash since we usually run faster but it was annoying and I had to keep slowing down and up.  ALSO, we walked through half a block of sprinklers.  COLD water in your face and white t-shirt?  Yes, please.

The average HR came out to 130 but here, picture:

Moms RUN This Town, Run.

We took a picture at the beginning and I just hope my hair didn't ruin it.  It's in between stages right now and it looks cra-cra.  I'm happy I got up on time, I hate missing out on runs.  Tomorrow's bike/strength training.  I also hope to get a short walk in the morning with the dogs.  They need it, both are running around like crazy chickens.

4th of July RUN!

So, I belong to this nifty club of moms who run.  Moms RUN This Town, to be exact.  We're doing a 6:15 a.m. run tomorrow and since I'm not sleeping b/c all of the excitement, I'm updating this ol'thing.

I went for a walk twice today, it seems my legs need the slow movement and my mind the calming view.   I took my dog MJ and we headed out to the same park by my parents' house.  We walked for almost an hour and then another 20 minutes later in the evening.  It was nice.

I saw the updates on FB on the winners for this weekend's race and damn.  I'd have to run a 19:55.0 5K in order to beat the fastest lady!!  That's insanely fast for my 10:45-12:00 min mile!!!  I mean, !!!!!!!

But, there's dreaming, right?  How cool would it be to have a medal for actually placing?  Not that I don't love my "I participated and sweat my butt off" medal... but one with a "1" on it would be super fucking amazing.

I can dream.  And work on being faster.  I've already looked up a training plan, but it recommends being able to run 5-6 miles on the go without dying.  I can work on that.  I can already run 30 steady minutes so I'm almost there.  I just have to build up to that mileage carefully, which is a problem b/c I seem to want to GO-GO-GO!  I have to wait.  I fear my knee will act up again.  I need to walk more and try pilates once again.  I only tried it once.  I may do that instead of the 20 minute ride I have plan for the end of the week.

I have a 50 mi goal for biking this July and I'm here as of today:

Pretty cool!

I'll be receiving June's medal for covering 75 mi total (biking/walking/running).  Pretty awesome medal, I'll take a picture of me wearing it like a dork.  Time to sleep!  Have to be up by 5 so I can start driving by 5:45.

July Goals!

I feel so proud of myself for actually getting my ass out of bed at 7:00 a.m. today!  It was the damned Wake N Shake alarm that got the job done, but I shook that phone like I was choking it.  Today was biking, cross training, b/c having your knee hurt like you're an old lady is no fun.  I went to the park by my parents' house, the trail, by the school.  Anyway, I went.

My mom had been awake for a couple of hours (crazy, I know) and wanted to chat.  I handled a couple of grunts and she wished me luck on my ride.  I'm still a little scared of turns, but I can deal with straight paths all day long.  I ended up with this:

CT - Bike

I am working on a June Goal of biking 50 miles and hope I can ride 3X a week.  I don't want to push myself, but it's hard to know what's pushing and what's actually working my ass off.  We shall see.  

I also took this picture and enjoyed the view during my little butt break.  I need a new seat!

Pretty weather.

I really enjoyed the ride, though my butt could have stayed at home.  It's sore.