The First Snovember

 

Waking up to snow on a mid November morning is super weird. I was lame and missed out on Monday's good weather, and now we have nothing but cold in our future. Bummer.

I've never liked the cold. So it makes running outside even more difficult. I don't have a membership to a gym and I hate the treadmill, but when you're in training for a race you gotta make sacrifices. And I'll be honest, I haven't done much running this week.

After my weekend away and 11 mile long run, I didn't realize the cold was coming in so quickly. So I lollygagged around on Monday instead of logging some valuable miles.

Annie didn't seem to mind our Monday full of couch snuggling and Netflix watching. But then again she is a dog so she's pretty low maintenance. And she never complains about me re-watching my favorite shows on Netflix. Ahem....How I Met Your Mother, Scandal, Gilmore Girls, House, Criminal Minds, Vampire Diaries....Don't judge me.

Since it was bitter cold yesterday, we started setting up our Christmas window display at work. Very merry for mid-November. I'm waiting for someone to say "It's not even Thanksgiving yet," so I can give them the eye and say we are trying to win a contest for Christmas Window bragging rights.

When I got home to take Annie out, she had to sniff every single fallen leaf in her path. In the 30 degree weather. For 30 minutes. Brrrrrrr. Silly puppy.

So I made some Nutella Hot Chocolate.

 It was pretty chocolaty. In the future, I think I will cut back on the cocoa powder just use Nutella. Because let's face it, Nutella rules.

I have 12 miles on the books for Sunday, and I should get close to 3 miles in on tomorrow's run with my NoBo group. I'm using both as dress rehearsals for race day. Little secret about me: I have to teach myself how to dress for the cold weather every winter. Not kidding. The first few runs I always overdress and freeze. And then I under-dress and start running with the fear of freezing, but it usually works out for the better. You'd think I'd know better after all these years.

From Long Run to Recovery

I've made it to what I would call a milestone this week. I ran 18 miles total for the week. I did two long runs this week due to rain. I'm pretty proud of myself. But Saturday I did a six mile long run. To date, six miles (really 6.1 miles) is the farthest I've ever ran.

It's a really great feeling to know I can still do it. And I'm even more pumped because all the long runs from now on will be milestones in my running life. Each distance will add a mile to the farthest I've ever ran. I'm in uncharted waters people, and I'm thrilled.

Here are my stats from this week's long run:
Distance: 6.0 miles
Time: 1:13:16
Best Pace: 9:13
Average Pace: 12:13
Calories: 693

This long run was super special to me. My mom came up to run with me. I love getting to spend time with her. But running with her is extra special. She is one of the reasons I started running. She is training for the full marathon, and this past week was her recovery week. So she only had to run eight miles.

I'm pleased to report I felt good running the six miles. I was in the zone. Ever since I ran my first 10K back in November, I've loved the distance. 6.1 miles is just enough. I'm not 100 percent sure, but I think I had a negative split on this run. I'm pretty sure I was faster on the last three miles than the first three. Negative splits are super awesome, and I'm pretty proud of that fact.

I'm starting week 4 of training, and it's my first recovery week. Basically I will run 3 miles for each run this week. So my long run will be a 5K. A very important 5K. Asher's race is this weekend. I'm super excited about it. I can't wait to see who all comes out to support her.

On a different note, I was reading a magazine, and I ran across this article.

So much is wrong with this. The article suggested wearing just a sports bra to show off your curves and neon tennis shoes to elongate the legs. I'm not even going to get into their thoughts on underwear. But I turned the page and got the biggest shock of all.

The only time you will find me working out with make-up on is if I run in the evening and I put make-up on that morning. There is no way in hell I would put make-up on before I went to run. No way. I mean that is just ridiculous. Plus waterproof mascara is bad for your lashes. Just saying.

I think the gym is one place where you can get a pass for not looking your best. I mean it's all about sweat. If you still look cute, you didn't work out hard enough. It's all about sweat. Not make-up.

On today's agenda:

• Foam rolling
• Grocery shopping
• Cleaning
• Laundry
• Writing
• Cooking something yummy for dinner

What's on your agenda?

How was your weekend?

The Need for Speed

Morning Everyone! I hope you had a fantastic weekend.

Well I started my week off right. And I can't wait to tell you all about it. But before I do that I need to tell you about my long run last Thursday.

I didn't want to do it, but I did it. The first two and a half miles were awful because I just didn't want to be out there. Once the endorphins kicked in, I was golden, and then I got a side stitch under my right rib cage the last half mile. It. Was. So. Painful. Someone please tell me what's in there causing me so much pain.

Here my stats from last week's long run:
Time: 59:55
Distance: 5.0 miles
Best Pace: 9:53
Average Pace: 11:59
Calories: 584

Yesterday, I set out to do my first outdoor speed work. I've done speed work on a treadmill, but never outside. Lord, help...it was tough.

I laced up my new shoes, and took off for the park. Got to the park...and left my running watch at home. Had to go back. I can't run without that thing.

Here's what I did: I did a nice, easy jog for the first half mile. Then, for every fourth of a mile (that would be one lap around a track), I increased my pace 1-1.5 minutes faster than my normal pace. Then, I would slow down to my normal pace for a fourth of a mile. And I alternated this fast and slow jog for 2 miles. Then I jogged another half mile to cool down. So if my math is correct, that is 3 miles.

Now, let me say this. Speed work outside is not a joke. It's the hardest thing I've ever made myself do. I would think I had sped up, but in reality I was keeping the same pace. It's amazing how your mind can play such tricks.

I set out to do 3 miles, but in the end the heat and speed wore me out.

Here are my stats:
Time: 27:41
Distance: 2.5 miles
Best Pace: 9:12
Average Pace: 11:05
Calories: 294

I'm pretty sure my body burned more calories after I was finished because I was starving. Starving.

I went over to Logan's house, and we made a pretty ridiculous dinner. Grilled pork chops, grilled veggie kabobs with summer squash, zucchini, baby portobello mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, orange bell peppers, grilled pineapple, garlic bread and pecan pie.