Motivation gets you started, habit keeps u going

I'm not feeling well today--I may take the day off...I don't have work or school today so it may just end up being a late running day. I did something to my leg last night at work so it is sort of pinching. Weird, but i"m going to stick it and hope for the best.

Goals for this month--my friend is really into weights and is going to write me up a plan, in turn I'm going to write her up a running plan. She is more into fat burning so that will be weird since I don't care about that and I just like to run the distances.

For this month I'm going to rebuild miles, add in strength training, and figure out my schedule with school and all that fun stuff. 2 days a week I have to be at school a 7:45--which isn't too early but I have to wake up at 6. Which is the time I usually go for a run--so either M, W are going to be my off days or I'm going to be up pretty early on those days. Oh decisions!

6:50pm--yippee...I actually got out to run. My last class got out early so I took it as a sign that I really need to get out there and run.

Everything felt so tight today. It really kinda stunk. I brought the dog with me and he seemed to enjoy it.

I really liked running towards the sun set rather than running away from the sun rise. It was a nice change of pace.

9:45 am 70 degrees

it is a little to hot at this time to run. Or maybe I just don't like the sun. Neither does the dog b/c he was panting!

I sent in money for a 5k on October 24th. Maybe I can beat my old time. Maybe I will win my age division...and maybe I can keep dreaming LOL.

I'm thinking about doing a FULL marathon next summer. By then I will be a college grad and will only be working. So less will be on my plate. I found one in Michigan about 3 hours from me. It is supposedly very hilly and mostly trails. So should I do it? I mean it will be my first so i'm not concerned with time (under 5 would be nice). I don't have any trails to train on around here and there aren't any marathons going on in July or August in my area...I have till December to think on it before the price goes up (oh it is cheap--40 bucks!)

I"m taking another day off. I walked the dogs for 1.5 miles. Just not feeling the running today. Tomorrow I'm going to write up my plan as if I'm going to run that full by next august...I'm gonna throw in a 1/2 too...

I got up at 7 and then went back to bed at 7:30. My sinuses are really messing with me. september is a horrific month for ragweed and what not.

So I closed all the windows and turned on the air. Atleast now all i have is a headache.

I did weights today.

2 planks--one for 45 seconds and one for 30 seconds. I"m going to start doing these every day till I get to 60.

lat pull downs 3 sets of 10-50 lbs

nose breaker-3 sets of 10--24 lbs

dumbell flys on my back--8 lbs in each hand 1 set of 12

50 crunches on exercise ball

There is a full marathon in June that is fairly close to my house. I'm thinking that maybe better to do. I read marathonguide.com and there isn't much of a crowd...I"m not sure if I"m better off with having a bigger crowd or a smaller crowd. Trying to weigh the pros and cons. A lot of the Chicago area races are very crowded and parking is a problem--which is what I don't want to deal with. Take the train to and from there last year was a pain. any who still in the researching a good first marathon process..

7:45 am 65 degrees

Goal--Threshold but it ended up being an Easy run

This was not one of my more speedier work outs but I felt strong--so that is important right?

45 sec plank

Well today is a Holiday--no school (but I will work tonight). Normally I would be at school early so I"m not going to run today b/c I have decided that this week I'm getting on the normal schedule. I may do some weights and stuff...but otherwise I'm just going to suffere through my allergies until I get to work...

Update--30 seconds of side planks each side and 2 15 second regular planks

1:30ish pm 79 degrees Easy long run

I woke up at 6:30 feeling pretty fresh but hungry. So I thought I would eat before I ran. Then the allergy monster hit me...so I took a benadryl and went back to bed. Well then I was drowsy and I had to meet my aunt so I could interview her 5y/o for a class project.

So then I had to wait till 1:30 to run...it was kinda hot...my pace was nice and slow and I used all my water either on my head or drinking it.

I don't like this mid day run only b/c when i got home I had to hurry up and shower and start dinner...I still haven't really eaten...

I'm trying to be more flexible with my runs b/c I know some days I will have to run at night and what not. Tuesdays long runs I will def make a point to wake up and stay awake and just run.

School day--so I did weights when I got home. Lookst like I'm going to have to run Sun, Tues, Thurs, Fri, and Sat. I was trying to keep one day off of running to sleep in or whatever. I think I will be easy on myself...or some nights I may get out of my wednesday class early and be able to run

Here is what I did for weights

Bench press 65 lbs 3 sets of 10

3 sets of 15 each side of lunges

1 set of 15 for cross over lunges

60 crunches on the ball

2 sets of 30 seconds regular plank

1 set each side 45 seconds side planks

6:30 am 62 degrees Easy Run average pace 10:20

I had a hard time getting out this morning--I had some tummy trouble and I know it is due to candy...but I love it so much!

I had some yum scrambled eggs mixed with tomatoes when I got home..YUMMMY!

6:10am 59 Degrees I love this weather! avg pace 9:42

1: 10:20
2:10:28
3: 8:56
4: 9:09
.75: 9:34

I learned a few things on this run

1. yellow dog will ignore old road kill, but new road kill he will pick up and shake around...ewww!

2. sometimes all you need to do is smack a dog in the face and he will leave your dog alone

3. If I repeat in my head over and over, "I'm not going that fast" I calm down and actually run faster, and my breathing is not labored and I dont get a cramp.

I realized today that I have been equating speed with injury. For example, I saw my watch say 8 something pace (at some point it said 7:30) I started to freak out. kinda of like, I'm going to fast! I may not finish if I keep this pace up, I'm going to hurt myself. I ignored my watch for mile 3 and look how well I did. I watched my watch and freaked out about breathing during mile 4 and look I lost time. My threshold time is 8:55. I even remember thinking these thoughts during my last 1/2 marathon. Miles 2-through maybe 5 9can't remember) were either below 9 or were in that vicinity.

New goal--stop thinking that I can't go fast. Oh and I noticed that when I stopped thinking about running I was running well--I was picking up my feet instead of my knees. I was going faster and loving it...it wasn't till I was like wait--I feel like I'm going waaay to fast where my breathing got off.

Birthday easy run.

I get haircut later (cutting most of it off again), and a wedding after that.

I'm having a hard time at work. The owner fired a lot of the management staff. That I like, and they acted as buffers between me and him. So I'm looking for new work. I'm thinking if I can find atleast something for the holidays I should be good. After that I have student teaching. Then maybe I can get a summer job or something.

Happy Saturday!

Got an early start this morning.  60 degrees. Gorgeous morning. Pink skies and fog...oh and the moon was out.

My feet are still a smidge numb from the shoes...oh well...

I have a busy day ahead of me and I ran over my set time limit for myself--I also ran a mile longer than anticipated.

I get to hang out with my parents for my bday and then hopefully get some sushi with a friend. Some where in there I should do homework and get this stuff laminated for a project.

I'm moving my long runs to Thursdays, since from now on on Tuesdays I will be helping my friend in her 1st grade classroom for an hour or so.

Happy blogging.

7:30 pm  62 degrees

DARK! There are no street lights so therefore there were a lot of car lights blinding the crap out of me! I had a flash light but that didn't help get rid of their light...grrr...yellow dog came with me. I swear I run faster with him. I didn't bring Garmin but I estimate a 9 minute mile or less.

6:30am 50 degrees 10 minute pace

Lat pulldown- 45 lbs one set of 10

Bench press 65 lbs 3 sets of 10

I'm having cramps so I decided to do weights before my run. That was a bad idea. I felt so weak witht he lat pulldown. Then I ran with the yellow dog and he felt like he kept pulling. My shoulders felt so tired. Then the cramps came back...nice cool run...but I felt like poopy.

The the day continues with everything I scanned last night for a project didn't turn out too well...the first time it didn't save...and then the 2nd...well any way I have to scan a third time. Then the power went out for 30 seconds but it messed up the modem for a bit. I just gave up and sat on the couch...all this and it is only 9:30! I wish I could stay home...but i have a class tonight that I can't miss...well back to scanning!

walked dogs 1.5 miles

7:00am- 60 degrees 10 minute pace-Not sure what came over me but I just kept running and running.

Someone flagged me down to ask for directions. It occurred to me that some are better at directions than others. First she wanted to be North of said street but was headed south. and second she was on the street she wanted to be on...Duh..Yeah I know we don't have the best signs around here.

I saw two runners today. One older guy and then a little boy running with his dog. I only see runners around here in the spring and fall time.. Who knows maybe this winter will be different and I will have someone to wave too!

I wrote some whiney stuff yesterday but it didnt' end up saving...I hope this entry does b/c I don't feel like rewriting it.

I applied for a new job--it means less money, but if I canwork mostly during the day I think I would be happier. I think I'm just getting fed up with going to a job at night and missing out on boyfriend and friend time. Everyone I like works during the day and usually not weekends. it is just getting old and I think I am hitting my breaking point.

7:30 am

Easy run that felt exhausting. Ran with yellow dog. :)

6:15 am 64 degrees and humid 11 minute avg pace

I felt like a turtle. i just couldn't get speed today. Could it be that I woke up at 5:45 and left my house by 6:45 and didn't get home till 11:30 pm? Hmmm or the lack of sleep? probably not going to expect much from myself after a day like yesterday.

Monday night football=busy bar.

Yesterday I got to meet my 1st grade class that I will be working with this semester. I'm pretty excited. The teacher is pretty uptight. Not judging just thought it was interesting. I have two other teacher students in there with me and we all wondered if she chilled if the children would chill as well. I do like that she signs to the students. I took a class about 9 years ago so a lot is coming back.

Oh and today I get to go read or something to my friends 1st grade class!

7pm 66 degrees

1: 9:30
2: 8:59
3: 8:44
.04: 9:50

Nice quick run in my new ST3's...

questions going through my head when the alarm went off...and actually I was asking myself them last night when I was preparing for my long run (getting my fuel belt together and clothes out)

1. Why am I doing these long runs?
2. The only races I have are 5k's
3. The very earliest long race I would have is maybe a 10 miler in April
4. Why not take a break?
5. what is the point?

So I skipped my long run today. I have been slacking on weights so I did

2 sets of 15 nose breakers 24 lbs
3 sets of 13 bench press 65 lbs
50 crunches on the ball
2 sets of 15 hammer curls per arm 12 lbs (I need to get some heavier dumbells)

The closer it comes to decision time about the full marathon the less I want to run. So that means I'm not ready to do it right? Or should I just jump in feet first? My brother isn't running. he said he will start back up again when he moves back to Illinois (Oct). I know that I have to think in terms of that I will be on my own. I know my SO will be there but he will be at the sidelines cheering...and not running.

My brother finally signed up for the forum--say hello to him Jeremy09

6am run

I figured something out this morning. If I switch my shoes up my feet hurt and my shins hurt. Wedndesday in my new ST3's my shins hurt...but I ignored it.

Today my mizuno's hurt my feet..and they have never done that. so i'm going to take the new ST3's and put them away for now and use my mizuno's till they die. This happened before in my other brooks...so it was a good idea but no more rotating shoes...just hurts too much..my feet cramp up.

Speedy McSpeedster

7:30am I ran a mile to Fleet Feet Sports and a mile back afterwards. This is my first fun run, but i"m counting it as a race because I ran it like one. The actual race was short by .15 miles...but here are my garmin splits

1: 10:05
2: 8:47
3: 8:48
4: 8:29
5: 9:31

Oh and I"m naming my runs now. I stole the idea from a girl on Ravelry. I think the 3 middle miles mayb VO2 max miles...not sure so I kept them at threshold miles. I can't find my run off of the VO2 miles for VDOT 36...I think that is where I"m at...any who

I had a yum lunch-cucumbers with lemon and salt, homemade salsa with tostitos with hint of jalepeno, tomato, roast beef sandwich.

Happy running all!

ah yes 11 hours of sleep. the weather is so chilly it was hard not to stay in bed till 930...it was also hard to get out an run. And was so concerned with bringing my ipod that I forgot my garmin...but atleast I remembered the dog...

I started listening to a podcast called Wormwood. Pretty good if you like hokey mysteries.

Brisk Jaunt

I was up at 5:40 am. And out the door by about 6. 49 degrees! I still wore shorts and brought my flash light. It really isn't bright enough. Good think I ordered a head lamp it will be by next week...I hope. I started bringing my IPOD with me. I listened to an episode of Wormwood and some NPR Wait Wait don't tell me. I didn't get all of the jokes but the ones I did get were funny. I"m trying to listen to the news more often. Oh and while I walked the dogs I did a Coffee Break Spanish lesson. It was mostly review but I am determined to be fluent...I hate how they teach it is in school sometimes...Any who it is getting fun b/c I can talk more with the cooks at work.

I felt strong today.

1: 10:22
2:10:26
3: 10:05
4:9:48
5: 9:28 (MP!)
6: 9:49
I run my easy miles to fast...not that i'm complaining..I"m considering myself a VDOT 36 so my easy miles should be at 11 minute mile...on my bad days i run that--but then I feel like a slug...so I think 10:30 is a good easy pace...MP is 9:30 and Threshold is 8:55...my supposeded easy pace is the only one that feels too slow...

any who I better shower and get going...i get to play with my friends 1st grade class this morning!

I hate my stomach and I have no butt

6:45 pm 52 degrees average pace 9:46

I will not run anymore with the dog and no head lamp. We almost died! Okay not really but if there had been a car in the street at the exact moment where my dog either saw something or got scared b/c he went the opposite way I wanted him to we would have been dead...headlamp should be here by Monday. I guess I will wake up early tomorrow eat breakfast and then do homework and wait for the sun to come up to do my run. I think I'm really pushing my luck with runing in the dark with inadequate lighting.

60 second plank

30 second side plank each side

30 seconds of bicycle crunches