It’s been a lot of the same ol’ over here. I’ve been taking spinning classes and trying to be okay with not getting in major running mileage. I also went to a Zumbathon on Sunday evening. About two songs in I realized that I am not in Zumba shape anymore. haha. It was a good time anyhow (and yay for burning 870 calories). 

I am getting more and more comfortable with spinning. And have very little *ahem* crotch soreness anymore. Major plus. I am also seeing some slimming in my thighs which is reassuring. I’m hoping that once I start running more again I may still be able to spin once a week. It’s a nice change of pace.

It’s been pretty humid in central PA this week so not only has my hair doubled in size but the runs I’ve done have been slow. It’s like running through pea soup! I’m really hoping to squeeze in a long slow run this weekend, I really miss them and their head-clearing properties. I’m also probably going to be doing a memorial day race which will be number 11 of the year!

So that’s what’s been happening. Mostly I’m just psyched that its finally warm around here, even if we did sort of skip “spring.” I’m enjoying wearing flip flops, sun dresses and running in tank tops!

Saturday – 6.2 miles on the treadmill (1:21:20)
Sunday –  EA Active (30 mins)
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – Spinning (45 mins), EA Active (30 mins)
Wednesday – EA Active (30 mins)
Thursday – 3 mile walk/run (49:00), EA Active (30 mins)
Friday – Spinning + Core (45 mins), EA Active (hopefully)

Total miles: 9.2 miles
Total time: 5.6 hrs

The plan for this weekend is to get in EA Active tonight or early tomorrow morning, and then do a mid-length run (8-10 miles or so) on Sunday. Hopefully the gorgeous weather we’ve been having will continue into this weekend. I’m hoping next week I can also squeeze in 2 weekday runs (plus one on the weekend). It was just tough this week for various reasons.

Have a great weekend!

I’ve also been working on my cross training. But I’m having a little problem.

I’m finding it hard not run. and it’s more than a I-love-to-run problem. It’s more of a I MUST RUN ALL THE MILES POSSIBLE EVERY WEEK problem.

When I set a goal, I work towards it, and I achieve it. If it looks like I can’t achieve my A goal, I modify the goal to something I can achieve and achieve it. Failure is not an option in my mind.

This mindset/personality trait is such a double edged sword. I am very committed to my goals, yes. But when I try to take a break from something (like, running…) I find it hard to not still give my 100%, even when I know it is okay.

Most likely, by the time this week is done, I will have taken 2 spinning classes, ran twice and done 4 sessions of EA Active. This is more than okay. I know that, logically. I’m taking a little break from running between training cycles. Mentally, this will be good.

But part of me also hates to see my weekly mileage fall, and hates to see myself hitting the pavement less than four times. 

Which is I guess exactly why I NEED this. To prove to myself that it’s okay not to go balls-to-the-wall in running all the time. 

But man, is it hard.

Saturday – Rest
Sunday –  Pittsburgh Half Marathon (3:17:09)
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – Slow Walk/Run – 2 miles (33 mins)
Wednesday – EA Active (30 mins)
Thursday – Spinning (45 minutes), EA Active (30 mins)
Friday – Slow Walk/Run – 2.2 miles (37 mins)

Total miles: 17.3
Total time: 6.2 hrs

This weekend I want to get in a mid-length run (6 miles or so) to really shake out my legs. It all depends how tired they feel though.

For the next few weeks I’m planning to do EA Active x4s a week (it has some good arm and core work in it), run easy, shortish distances 3xs a week and spin 2xs a week. Hopefully this will give me a little break from running while working on some other areas of my body that I tend to neglect when I’m in full on training.

Have a good weekend!!!

I had pretty realistic expectations for this race. Secretly I would have loved to PR (I mean, who wouldn’t?) and with the weather reports and the course being relatively flat (except for the bridges) I thought it was possible to surprise myself. But honestly, I didn’t do any real training for it. I only had 2 weeks between the Hershey 10k and this race, so the most I managed to squeeze in was a 7 mile run followed by a 5k. I knew I was going to be hurting during and after the race, but I was confident I’d finish.

We got into Pittsburgh on Saturday and after checking into the hotel walked around a bit to find the finish line and head to the expo.I think this is the first time I’ve ever been able to actually walk up to the finish line before a race. It was really cool. Thanks to the kind volunteer who took this photo of my dad and I. I refused to actually step on the finish line or timing mat though. I’m superstitious, what can I say.

We walked to the convention center where the expo was being held. I started getting really excited when we were there, I finally was feeling like I was going to be running a half marathon the next day! We also met up with some friends from North Carolina who happened to be in town for the race. It was completely unplanned but we all happened to be in the same place at the same time and met up. After the expo we grabbed dinner (I got my traditional pasta and Cesar salad) and my dad and I headed to bed for the next day.

Unfortunately there was a bachelorette party going on in the room next to us, and those girls were LOUD. I understand a little pre-gaming before hitting the bars but they were yelling, screaming, chanting, laughing, and it STARTED around 10pm. I hated to be a downer but I had to call hotel security on them. I could not sleep and I managed to get a headache – something that never happens to me. They were just so loud. I was glad when they left around midnight. Of course they came back around 2am and woke me up for about 30 minutes but I was able to fall back to sleep pretty easily. So all that being said, not the best night-before-race sleeping conditions.

When the alarm went off I was able to get out of bed pretty easily. I guess it was the adrenaline. After eating my breakfast (cereal + rice milk), I got dressed and my dad and I headed to the start.

Following what happened in Boston we had gotten a few emails from the Pittsburgh Marathon race director that security was going to be heightened. No backpacks were allowed in corrals, corral assignments were going to be strictly enforced, and there were specific runner-only areas (including the start corrals) that you had to show your bib to get into. I expected there to be a little bit of a back up as everyone showed their bib to get where they needed to go. But I have to hand it to the Pittsburgh Marathon team, they handled it all so well. We didn’t have an issue at all. The volunteers were so  knowledgeable. I was so impressed. Considering they had only decided to up the security a few weeks prior, they pulled it together and were completely organized on race day.

Around 7 they started the pre-race stuff with a moment of silence for Boston, followed by the national anthem. It was really powerful. There were 30,000 runners, but you could have heard a pin drop. From there they pumped us up with some music, Ryan Clark (a Steelers) blew the start whistle, and corral by corral we moved up to the start line. We were in corral E so we didn’t cross the start until around 7:30.

I immediately started off too fast, this seems to be a common problem lately. I said bye to my dad (he was feeling great and wanted to go faster). I stopped at the first aid station about a mile in and smeared vasoline between my legs – I had stupidly forgotten to body glide that morning.

In the second mile I took my first walk break. When I ran I was still too fast though, I kept thinking things like “stop going so fast!!!” but my legs just wouldn’t listen.  Unfortunately, that meant the walk breaks became more and more frequent. Around mile 4 I realized that this probably wasn’t a PR day, and made the deliberate decision to enjoy the course and the experience.

The Pittsburgh Half Marathon course is GORGEOUS. First of all, the weather was perfect. I wore a tank top and running skirt and was comfortable, if not a little cold most of the way. I’d much rather be cold than warm though. The course crosses four bridges (I think?), goes through various neighborhoods and under the incline. The on course entertainment is great – there are many organized groups, and  many locals come out to party along the course. My favorite group was an ROTC group that had their hands out for high fives going up on of the hills. Definite motivation to run the whole thing.

In the end, I completed the race in 3:17:10. Far from a PR, but faster than the Disney Half or the first half of the Disney Marathon in January. Considering the whole not training thing though, I will take it.

I really enjoyed my time on the course and found it to be very cathartic as I ran with people with Boston bibs on their back, ran by signs about how tough runners are, and took in my surroundings. When it comes down to it, my finishing time really doesn’t matter because I had a great time out there.

But that PR…I’m coming for it.

Sorry it was quiet here yesterday. I had a great weekend in Pittsburgh with my dad. We had a lot of fun walking around the city on Saturday, and the race was great on Sunday. I didn’t do as well time-wise as I hoped, but once I realized I couldn’t hit my goal I changed my approach to taking in the gorgeous scenery and enjoying myself. I can definitely tell that I wasn’t as trained as I normally am though, I am STILL sore. haha. Anyhow, I’ll have a full race report coming up soon, just have to make some time to get it together.

I went ahead and bought some classes at a local gym so that I can do some spinning, bootcamp, etc. for the next month or two. I had good intentions of getting up at 5 this morning to get to a spinning class, but when I got out of bed my legs and especially my calves felt SO TIGHT. I’m hoping I can make it to bootcamp tomorrow, we will see.

So that’s what’s been going on around here, sorry for the rambling, picture-less post. I’ll have a more interesting race recap up soon!

Enjoy your Tuesday!

I decided half way though the work day yesterday that I was taking today off. It’s nice outside, I didn’t have any meetings today and nothing super pressing that I have to get done. So I’m blogging from the comfort of my couch right now.

Naturally I woke up at 6:30 this morning because I didn’t have to go to work. Why the heck does that happen?! Anyhow, it ment I got to laze around in bed for a while, eat breakfast and runs some errands this morning. 

Before I went anywhere I stopped and treated myself to a Dunkin Donuts ice coffee. I don’t get coffee often but when I do, this is by far my favorite!

Then I stopped by the fabric store to pick up some fabric to cover my work cubicle walls. My friend had the fabulous idea, so I found a nice fabric that will hopefully make my work space feel a little less sterile.

It’s dark purple with a light purple pattern. I’ll be sure to share it once I get it all up!

After the fabric store I ran to the grocery store. I actually really loved going in the morning. I took my time and didn’t feel rushed because the store was relatively empty. 

I stopped by subway to pick up lunch (carb loading!), and now I’m relaxing at home. Gotta love a nice day off!

I’m not going to do a formal friday fitness recap today since I really didn’t do too much this week since I’m trying to rest up for sunday. A few miles monday, a few walking miles Tuesday and some abs n arms yesterday. That’s it!

Honestly, I think I’m still in disbelief that I’m running 13.1 in two days. I’m not nervous at all, which I’m not sure is because I’ve done so many at this point, or because I’m not taking it seriously enough. Maybe it’s okay not to be all nervous? haha. I’m overanalyzing, clearly. 

Anyhow, I have been hydrating and trying to get in more carbs than normal so I’m good and ready. I’m sure going to the expo tomorrow will help me get pumped up for race day!

Have a good weekend guys!

I’ve been taking it super easy this week to let my legs rest up for race day on Sunday. Monday I did 3 slow miles, and then yesterday I did this 35-minute walking workout from The Fitnessista. I’ve also been using my Stick daily, hoping to keep my calves feeling good.

Not to mention hydrating a ton. It’s so annoying to have to constantly have to sprint to the bathroom at the end of my work meetings though! ha.

I’m taking a rest day today and tomorrow I’m going to do some arms and abs, and then its nothing until Sunday.

I’ve also started to think about what I want to do after the race from an exercise perspective. I don’t have another half until September, so that gives me about two months between Sunday and when I have to start training again. I can also tell that I’m getting a little bored with running. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but I’m definitely feeling a little burnt out, and taking some time to take it easy will help me feel a little rejuvenated I think. In addition, I’m sort of Zumba-ed out for now but want to start up again in the fall, and kickboxing is on a break until September as well. So that means I have a few open months where I could really do whatever I want.

A commenter suggested a bootcamp class, and I love that idea! As luck would have it, a groupon came out yesterday for 10 classes for $40 at a local gym. What a steal! I looked at their schedule and they have spinning and bootcamp classes in the mornings at 5:45, so I could easily drive their to take the class, drive home, shower and get ready and still get to work on time! So I’m thinking I may try to do a couple of these classes a week plus 1 or 2 easy runs during the week and a longer weekend run.

I have to admit though, the idea of taking a spin class and a bootcamp class kind of freaks me out. I took a spin class before (but only once) and still have no idea how to adjust the bike and how it should be adjusted for me. And bootcamp, man, it just sort of freaks me out.  But I guess I should just get over it huh?

I’m planning to drink plenty of Gatorade and water this week so that I’m well hydrated for Sundays half marathon. I can’t believe this race came up so fast and I really cannot believe this will be my NINTH half marathon. Wow. 

The hubby and I finished spring cleaning our basement this weekend. Hopefully cleaning out the closets and garage won’t be nearly as large of a task! We did find some fun things though.

I fully admit that I was OBSESSED with the boy bands back in the 90s. KTBSPA! hahaha.

Somehow I acquired SHIRTS for my cats too. Gelsey wasn’t having any of it, but Geisha was willing to posed for a photo. 

Then I promptly threw it in the trash.

We came across a lot of stuff and purged a ton (I think we threw out 8 bags of trash last week and maybe have 6 in our garage already his week, plus a ton of stuff going to Goodwill and other charities). Our basement looks so clean and organized now it, is awesome. 

I got in an easy seven miles on Saturday. My legs felt tired though. I’m going to take it REAL easy this week (I just did 2 miles this morning) so that my legs feel really fresh on race day.

Have a good Monday!

I didn’t get in the 4 running days this week that I hoped to get in. My legs felt pretty tired on Tuesday so I decided to take an unplanned rest day. Kickboxing is also over for the summer so I need to figure out what I’m going to do to fill that void. I’m thinking on focusing on my arms and core through the 30 day shred and EA Active but those don’t add up to the 60 minutes of intense cardio that I get from kickboxing. So we will see. It’ll be nice to have a change of pace for a little bit though.

Saturday – Rest
Sunday –  7 Mile Run + Beaver Stadium Run 5k (2:23:xx total)
Monday – 3 easy miles on the treadmill (38:19)
Tuesday – Unplanned Rest
Wednesday – EA Active Arms & Abs (30 mins)
Thursday – 4 hard miles on the treadmill (48:37)
Friday – Rest

Total miles: 17
Total time: 4.3 hrs

This weekend I’m planning to take it easy as I start to taper for the Half next weekend. I want to get in an easy 8 miler tomorrow or Sunday (hopefully tomorrow), but other than that it’s going to be rest rest rest!

Have a good weekend!