Motivation gets you started, habit keeps u going

on the ellip and weights

feels hot. I know it is 68 when I started and 73 when I ended but that is still hot.

Good run today. No pain!

I did a mini physical fitness test on myself (navy style) I failed miserabley by my old strength standards. I used to be able to do 100 situps in 2 minutes with time to spare (100 is maxed out) and like 40 pushups. today I gave up at 73 sit ups and 10 man pushups and another 20 girly pushups. I did okay on the run portion. I could have been speedier..but considering the heat I will give myself a break.

i think from now on I will test myself maybe every two weeks. It may give me the motivation to be more consistant with my strength training. It is funny b/c before I used to only do yoga and push ups now I vary my routine a little with weights and my push ups have suffered!

Today is a good day--cap and gown pick up! This saturday is the 1/2 marathon and next saturday is graduation!

South Bend, IN Half Marathon

This was the hottest half I have done. The fact that I made it through (this is my second slowest 1/2) and there were sooo many hills I think I did well. My ITB hurt a normal amount during but hates me now that it had to sit still during the ride home.

Things that did not impress me about this race--

Cheesy medal, IMO the 1/2 started too late--full started at 6, 5k at 7:15 and the 1/2 at 7:30 and then the 10k sometime after that. By the time my bro crossed the finish line for his 1/2 (under 5 hours) he didn't have any bananas or cantaloupe to munch on. Just popsicles and water/gatorade. The water stations were one table long--not good when there are a lot of people that want water! Hills! I didn't expect so many of them and they were steep. And I felt out of shape along with the humidity. The hype is that you are suppose to get your name said as you cross the finish line...Mine wasn't mentioned :( My brothers was though...although mispronounced. There could have been some overhead cover for the shuttle back to the start line. It didn't really rain during the entire race but we got drenched waiting for the bus! The crowd that was there was supportive but far to sparse! And no real music. Wish I had brought my ipod or something.

Things I liked-Very organized for 5 races. Path was clearly marked. I liked the post race snacks--just wish my bro could of had some! Glad there was a bus to get back to my truck! I also liked that this place was so close to a quilt store I just found out about. Also it has yarn! I went and checked it out. I didn't buy b/c I cna't right now but it is always fun to look. Plus they ship and sell online. Some of the runners were funny to over hear and listen too. I got a gu--which was yummy and I normally wouldn't eat one but I did anyway. Why not right?

I did run the last little bit with this lady. I had started the convo by asking if she had ran this one before (she was huffing and puffing a lot!) she said oh yea. I told her I didn't expect so many hills. She said she runs marathons but not this one...she keeps to chicago (nice and flat). She said oh that hill should have been the last one. Then a little bit went by and we turned a corner I turned and yelled LIAR!! LOL. I'm pretty sure she will be in my finishers photo...I think she was near me at the line.

I would not race this race again. Just too big of a PITA to get there (time zone change one hour a head)

Any who I dont have my official times but my AP was a 10 minute mile--which isn't marathon pace or easy pace. It is somewhere in the middle. But all things considered a good effort on my part.

When I got home all hobbly the fiancee spoke up and said, "I think you need to stop running." When he saw my jaw drop he followed up with, "Atleast take a break." with this follow up I more realized he trying to make me not injure myself. I told him that was the plan all along. My next paid for race is in October and that is the Urbanatholon. More for fun than anything. I may do the September 1/2 in Oakbrook, IL. But that I can wait on for registration to see how training goes. I want my under 2 1/2 marathon!

 UPDATE- 791 female finishers, 1636 finishers over all 

I did Shred level 2 awesome!

and walked the doggies...my quads feel like they have been punched..which is a new feeling post 1/2 marathon...must be the hills right?

7:30am run--humid...oh so humid. It takes me a while to get use to this weather. I just realized it was 80 during the 1/2 I ran on Saturday. There were yellow flag conditions and my bro said by the time he was done with his marathon it was on red.

I took the yellow dog with me and he really irked me! He was not a very good running partner. He kept running after crap (more than usual) and this stupid white dog that he hates he almost lost it on. He sees him before I do...which tells you how small the little guy is.

Then I cramped again. I haven't had this many issues with cramping since I first started running.

So I was thinking about it today and I always have troubles with the weeks after a race. I usually end up running too much (trying to go back to where I was pre race) or running to little. I'd like to be at 25-30 miles a week and just my usual. My next expected race isn't until September...maybe I will find a 5k somewhere in there to run...but doubtful (really trying to save money for the wedding)

oh and when I got home I did the 30 day Shred level 2. Much harder after a run. My shoulders felt soooo tired.

I walked 1.5 with the dogs and a 20 minute bike ride. Not consecutively. Over all it has been a nice relaxing day. Some knitting, quilting with combo of watching movies and sitting out in the sun while reading.

Too bad I have to go to work!

I walked the dogs in the heat....we are all sweating and panting!

graduation day!

I just got to look at the race photos for the south bend 1/2. And I wonder..why doesn't it look like I'm walking? It is at the finish line--so I know I was not. Grr. Even in my first 1/2 it looked like I was walking. My stride is very small. at least I know I"m a midsole runner... ) an

 here is the link if you want to look

Graduation was great...except me coming home to a broke computer. My uncle came over and installed Window 2007 over vista (yeah!) and it feels like I am starting over. but I did find all of my wedding work so that makes a huge difference in my mood!

Nice progressive run. and then walk with the doggies. Run felt good.

30 day shred level 1 super easy..okay maybe not super...but pretty easy...I slept in a little

5:20am run. Nice and cool so I took advantage and ran 4..then walked the dogs. I couldn't sleep.

I hate my one job and I'm not sure why I stay. Too many inconsistancies and that drives me insane. I hope I remember that with my classroom. I would hate for my students to feel the way I do now.

6:30 am-run then walk with  the dogs. I had a good night at my newest job last night.

FYI-I hate my steakhouse restaurant job (tuesdays and saturdays) and I don't hate the second restaurant job. The second one pays more as was evident last night. I only stay at the first b/c I have been there two years and hate job hoping and would just like to be able to keepthat one on job apps etc.

I am still looking for a new day job and a teaching job...hopefully I find the teachign job first!

push ups and situps

btw--pain free all week!

I did some spring cleaning today. weed pulling, window washing etc.

I'm not going to workout b/c yesterday towards the end of my run I could feel ITB butt pain (not bad) but I'm being precautious. Maybe it was running two days in a row?

At any rate gonna take it easy till work tonight...day 6 of 10 in a row! Muahha

Last night was awesome. There was a huge storm. The new restaurant I work in is off a lake and it was just soooo cool! I should have been a metereorologist or storm chaser.

Any who the addition they added last winter started leaking. I was an opener so they cut us at like 6 is and I was home by 7 with my honey. god works in mysterious ways and I'm glad I got an impromtu date night with my fiancee.

Now I'm gonna watch the rest of the movies we rented and knit.

Oh yeah I ran 3 ish miles. Garmin was dead (adapter was not plugged into the wall, oops!)

Oh did I mention I lost all my student teaching weight? I haven't tried on my skinny jeans recently but weight wise I"m back to normal. Whew!

walked dogs and then ran food at work for 9 hours...

i"m kinda mad in general.

I tried to do the Shred but found I was going through the motions and was bound to hurt myself or it wasn't doing me any good. Stopped after five minutes.

My friend did my taxes for me and they are all messed up. IN wanted more money and now IL wants A LOT more money. I knew I got too much back. So now I get to spend this rainy day trying to figure out what in the heck she did. Before you say ANYTHING she was an auditor for 20 years and did my taxes just fine last year. We had a deal. She did my taxes for 2 periods I would make her a quilt. Well the quilt hasn't come yet b/c she hasnt picked anything out. And now I'm made. And I bet she won't call me back today.

am I run down? I can't stop yawning. I wanted to run today and tomorrow but I just can't get myself out the door. Is my body holding me back or is it my brain? Is it fear of the ITB? Or is is boredom with these 3 milers? b/c I'm afraid of going any further due to ITB?

Even after taking the dogs for a walk yeterday I didn't want to run. Maybe I will wait for it to rain. For some reason rain makes me happy. And now it is just hot and muggy.

I'm definitely in a running funk. Maybe running this afternoon will be better. I'll keep you posted. I have the next two days off and I'm very happy about it.

The usual--just do it or just go mantras are not working. I went on the internet to look for anew mantra to get me out there. I think I may make a training plan for the chicago Urbanatholon. It is pretty cool looking. I"m already signed up and it is something differnt. It is just sooo far away (four months).

Not being in school is really messing me up. No real schedule or plans.

UPDATE--I RAN.....and feel better...my new mantra--screw it and just do it...Guess what? no pain!

severe weather kept me inside today. I could have ran mid afternoon but I had a really big lunch and decided against it.

6:15 a.m....b/c of the rains last night this morning was nice an cool. It warmed up a bit by the end...but then I was almost done.

I tried Rattletraps 2-3 method of breathing. I could not coordinate my steps with my breath to do even number and odd number exhales to inhales. After much playing around I got it to 3 exhales for 4 inhales. at one point in the run I stopped my pattern and just breathed like I normally do and I got a side stitch. I went back into the pattern and it went away. Coincidence? I think not.

Took the dogs for a 1.25 mile walk

ps I have been running without garmin this week. Seems to have helped..

UPDATE--I am making my training plan for my next 1/2. I am signed up for the Oakbrook 1/2 on Memorial day Sept 6th. That is like 10 weeks away! Yikes! So I'm trying to figure out how to safely get in an 11 or 12 miler before that time frame. Since I felt so super duper before the madison 1/2 last year I went through old training blogs. Man I complain about running a lot. Smack me if I do that okay? I either complain about doing it or I complain about not being able to get a run in. Jeez..I should make up my mind! Mileage wise I did really well last summer and I would like to get back there.

30 day shred level 3 and dog walk. I think I see a bike ride in my future.

sooo sore today from Shred 3(all the lunges and squats kill me!) and from work last night. We grilled out at my aunts--some yum fresh fish they caught last year.

And then went to the fair.

I scheduled out my runs for the next 10 weeks. I"m excited for a fall 1/2...

 I want to do a sub 2 hour 1/2. But after every 1/2 I feel like i'm starting all over again with mileage. So I don't know if I will be able to do it this time (put speed work into my training).

I know how to taper but I don't know how to act after the race. I hope this makes sense. So now next week I will be running only 15 or 18 miles...and I have increased 10 percent each weekish so that I can get atleast one 12 miler in before race day.

I tried to look over my training from Madison (i felt so great during that race). Also, I noticed I was dealing with pains and twinges and not wanting to run durin gthat training as well so I'm trying to keep that all in mind will I train for this one.

I guess in reality it has only been 3 weeks since my last 1/2. I suppose I'm not doing sooo bad. I just didn't think my mileage would be so low. I dunno...maybe I'm crazy!

SIAJDI

Cramps

but I did it.

Day one of official 1/2 marathon training...10 weeks to go! As in a I made myself and actual schedule to follow.

cooler weather makes me happy.

What does not make me happy is coming home after a run to find that the yellow dog chewed up my knitting needles (the good ones) and part of the sweater I was working on. Grrrr...I do not like him right now!

7am run. NIce and cool.

Nice run.

Took dogs for a walk.Yellow dog is really embarrassing me. He really likes to scare other dogs. The other two  could really care less about other dogs. Can't we all just get along? I think he needs the Dog Whipherer!