Thoughts on Streaking – 43 days and counting.

I’ve been so tired.  The last several months, I’ve been working full time and going to school full time, and trying to find the time to train has been the absolute last thing I wanted to make myself do.  I mentioned in my last post that I’d been streaking for 2 weeks already.  Well, Sunday marked my 6 weeks I promised my friend and now I’ve decided to go through the end of the year and see what happens.

(Me on day 42)

With that, here are some of my thoughts:

1. I am not in better physical shape than I was 6 weeks ago.
2. My mind craves the run.
3. Running when sick sucks, but it is just 12-14 minutes, so I can make it through.
4. Talking friends into doing it with you is the best.
5. Finding a dog friend to run with you is even better.
6. I want to run more.
7. I don’t want to force running more.
8. I can listen to Miranda Lambert’s Vice on repeat.  3 repeats and I’m done with the run.
9. The treadmill can okay for just a mile.
10. I still like cushioned shoes.
11. A shitty sports bra is still shitty for just a mile.
12. Night running is fun.
13. Morning Jenn still can’t be convinced to get out of bed most days.
14. Running “just” a mile IS worth it.

Has anyone else been streaking?  Any benefits you’ve found that you’d like to add?

Hello. It’s me…

Hi friends!  I think it’s time for me to get back in the blogging wagon.  

What’s new? I decided about 6 weeks ago that running was stupid and I didn’t want to do it anymore.  I joined Planet Fitness and worked out a few times, but knew I had a race coming up that I had to do if I wanted the bling (King Crab Challenge).

I survived the race and a couple days later, one of my girlfriends challenged me to a streak.  She said, “Jenn, you are burnt out, but give it six weeks. Just a mile.” Two weeks later and I already see my mind shifting around running.  It’s just ten minutes (well, closer to 12). I use it as a quick stress break.  On my 10 hour days at work, I use it as my mid-day break and it’s great.  

Just 4 more weeks to go. 

I RAN!!

  
Look!  That’s sweat!  From a run!!

It’s been a month since I last ran.  I took my first conscious break since I started running in 2008.  I’m so glad I took the break.  I needed to want to run again.  As of 2 weeks in, I wanted to run again, but I had promised myself that I would take the entire month off just to give my body and mind the break that I believed I would need after running so much last fall.

And now I can say that I’m back!!  I look forward to many more runs.  🙂

Almost. There.

I can’t wait.  I can’t wait to run.  I can’t wait to have a pint of really good beer.  I can’t wait to not have to worry whether or not there is sugar in anything that I buy.

On Monday, I start running again.  This month off has been great.  I got what I wanted: I want to run again.  In the absence of running, I’ve been lifting a few times a week and made it to a few classes.  I’ve found that I do like StrongLifts.  I plan on keeping up with it for 2 more months and then from there finding some other lifting program to supplement my running.  I look forward to figuring out how it helps my running.

As for Whole30, I’m on day 25.  I feel great!  I’ve gotten into a routine.  I’ve made it through social situations without struggling terribly.  I did have a couple days where I felt super snacky, but I managed to eat compliant things.  We also experienced Snowzilla here in DC and I was able to plan around being home-bound with the guidelines set forth by Whole30.

At this point, I’m trying to decide what to do when I finish.  The first weekend we have the Super Bowl, so I’ll indulge a bit there.  But as awesome as I feel, how do I add in the things I’m missing without completely undoing both how I feel and any weight loss that I may have?  Any ideas?

Whole30, Day 10

I only have to do this 2 more times…

Today is day 10 of my second Whole30 and I’m FINALLY feeling pretty awesome.  This morning wasn’t nearly as bad to get out of bed.  The only thing keeping me there was my furnace of a boyfriend and warm covers, not exhaustion.  YAY!

The last 10 days haven’t been as awful as I was expecting.  I was on a major binge throughout December and following Across the Years, I ate all the things and made sure to drink as much as I could handle since I knew I was giving it up for the next 30 days.  Other bloggers and the Whole30 timeline talk about the hangover the first couple days.  I’m not sure if I have a high tolerance for pain, or their writing just describes really well, but the headache would go away after meals.  I think I’m more exhausted from the planning and carrying all my food back and forth to work each day.

Meal planning has by far been the biggest hassle.  I work in two locations and will stay with my boyfriend a couple nights a week, so I’ve been carrying a day or two’s worth of meals everywhere I go.  I try to keep things simple, but I do get tired of eating the same thing each day as well.  I know in the grand scheme of things it’ll be worth it, but I just like to complain.  Maybe silver lining is my arms are getting a good workout??

Here’s some of what I’ve been eating:

• Breakfast:
  • Eggs and potatoes (both white and sweet)
• Lunch and Dinner:
  • Chicken, roasted vegetables, with a jalapeno dip found on the Whole30 Recipes Instagram page
  • Ground beef made like taco meat
  • Salmon salad (w/ homemade mayo; I left my ingredients out overnight and made it using the stick blender.  Definitely easy!)
  • Spaghetti squash with a tomato sauce and ground turkey

I definitely need to work on my pre- and post-workout meals.  I haven’t been consistent with them.  That can be a goal for my next couple days.  🙂

Books, Pie, and Goals

Eventually I’ll get around to writing a fall catch-up post and Across The Years race report, but for now, I know I can get some goals set-up for the new year.

I have two major goals I want to accomplish that have nothing to do with running, but will definitely be a fun experience.

1. Read 13 non-school related books.  Last year I made the goal to read 26 books and I didn’t do it.  I thought one every two weeks was manageable, but I fell off track in May.  13.  I can do 13. I also found this challenge on Facebook that can help me pick my books:  
2. Bake one pie per month.  I love pie.  I want to make my pies perfect. By making a pie a month, I’ll be able to practice my pie crust and try different seasonal recipes.  Let me know if you want a piece.   

My running goals right now are zilch.  I really don’t want to run (so much for a running blog, eh?).  I think doing so many marathons this fall burnt me out and I need to figure out how to get some mojo back.  As such, my running goal for January is to not run at all.  Zip. Zilch. Nada. I’m hoping that by the end of the month, I’ll miss running and WANT to go out for a run.

That said, I am going to workout.  I started StrongLifts 5×5 today in an effort to get a more balanced body composition.  It is only five different exercises that is split into two workouts.  You lift 3 times a week.  What I like about it is the workout shouldn’t take more than 30-45 minutes.  I also plan on trying some different classes at the gym 2-3 times a week (hello Zumba and kickboxing!).

I’m also looking at my food this month.  A couple years ago, I tried the Whole30.  I explain it as a very strict Paleo plan (no grains, legumes, dairy, alcohol or added sugars).  When I did it before, it felt great.  I was eating lots of fruits and vegetables.  I had amazing energy.  I didn’t drink.  I lost weight.  Then it was over.  And I started back on some bad habits.

This time around, I hoping to keep some of the habits that the Whole30 taught me.  I like that it’s 3 meals a day, no snacking.  I like that it emphasizes whole foods and home cooking.  I’m looking forward to having a reason to say that I’m not drinking.  I also just need to stop eating all those treats that people bring into work.

So, those January goals:

1. No running
2. Work out 5 times a week: 3 StrongLift workouts, 2-3 classes or cardio.
3. Whole30: No exceptions. (I know you’re wondering about that pie…I’m making one to give away :))

What about you?  2016 goals?  January goals?

Terrible Me

I am a terrible blogger!  Despite having a plan and being motivated, I lost it right away.  

Let’s see if we can do this again. 

Forgive me?  Here’s a picture of my cats as a consolation prize:  

 
Fall update and plan for the new year is forthcoming!

Weekly Recap 6/29-7/5

Peak week for training done!  Didn’t quite go as planned, but I did get my long run in and now I can rest.

Monday: 

AM: 5 miles with the group.  Didn’t start off well because I was late due to not understanding how to use the U-lock for my bike.  I just need to sit down and practice opening and closing it over and over.  Run felt kinda sluggish and it was a one of those that I just got done.

Tuesday: 

Noon: yoga nidra.  I just love this class.  It’s a nice break mid-day.

Wednesday: 

AM: 7.01 miles with the group.  Actually felt pretty good.  7 seems to be my sweet mileage right now.  Did a 10 minute core yoga video off of Runner’s World.

PM: 3.5 miles with Christina in Columbia Heights.  It was great to run an old route with an old friend. We went to eat Dominican food after and it took all I had to not inhale it all and make myself sick.  I couldn’t get sick of beans and rice!

Thursday:

Noon: alignment yoga.  Another class I can’t get enough of.  🙂

Friday: 

AM:  Long run day!  20.02 miles.  Honestly didn’t have my heart in it.  Didn’t prep as well the night before, got up an hour later than usual.  Had about 2276 pep talks through the run: “just get it done, Jenn,  once it’s done you get to rest and taper.”  It sucked.  It was hot.  I was miserable.  But I finished.  Did a 20 min recovery yoga video from Runner’s World.

Met up with friends later for drinks in Alexandria.  If you ever got to Blackwall Hitch, try their “Dirty Hitch”.  Possibly one of the best Martinis I’ve had.

Saturday: 

Just got up for work and got all red, white, and blue for the holiday.  I earned the name Lady Liberty at some point during the night.  Does anyone else love the Fourth??  I also did a couple sun salutations at work to get my yoga in.  🙂

I also love to make pie and accepted this challenge:

 This is not my pie.  Mine will be apple pie.  😉

Sunday: 

Does hangover recovery count as a workout?

Total: 35.53 miles, 155 min of yoga.

I missed on my July goals last week,  but I can always pick up where I went off.  I skipped my run and yoga on Sunday, and I definitely drank way more than intended most days of the week.

How did your training go?

Baltimore Women’s Classic Race Report (better late than never, right?)

First, let me say I LOVE THIS RACE!  I did it in 2014 with two friends from work and really wanted to do it again this year.  I also love country music, so when I found out that Miranda, Blake, AND Carrie were going to be at a festival together, I really wanted to do the festival.  Problem is, they both fell on the same weekend.  I told my friends that I was going to skip out on the race.  Boo-hoo.  Fast forward a couple months and the concert plans fell through. While it sucked that I’d miss out on an awesome concert, I was excited I could do the race!

Now, I’m not a 5K runner.  I haven’t run one fast in several years, and I definitely prefer long distances.  Because I’m in the midst of ultra-training, I figured I’d just go and have fun with my girlfriends and spend time in Charm City.  As another exclamation: I LOVE BALTIMORE!  Granted, I’ve always been there for races, to spend time with friends, or a Ravens game, but for some reason, I just feel at home in Baltimore.  Maybe someday I’ll move there.

Saturday night I took the train up after work and stayed with my friend just outside of downtown.  We had the perfect pre-race dinner of Royal Farms fried chicken and potato wedges.  We put on a movie and both promptly fell asleep.

The next morning, we were up at 6:30 to drive downtown.  Parking was super simple with Panda Parking and we just had to walk about half a mile to the start.  It was a beautiful morning!  The cloud formations were beautiful over the harbor.

Once we got to Rash Field, we met up with another friend and dropped our bags at bag check.  The new friend asked us if bag check was secure, and we both said “Of course it’s secure!  It’s just in boxes, but it’s fine; been doing this for years!”

The three of us made our way up to the start line and found our pace signs.  With such a large race, they were really vocal about lining up with your pace group and I think for the most part, people did.  I had two goals for the race: 1. have fun; and 2. run a little faster than I usually do.  Pre-race photo:

Mile 1: 10:51

A slight uphill for about half of this mile, also the most crowded.

Mile 2: 10:29

Downhill and turns!  Still felt great.  Mile markers were matching my Garmin.

Mile 3: 9:43

This mile also had some more downhill.  I started to push the pace here both because of the downhill and the end.  This mile passes the start line and then does a small out and back before turning onto the harbor.

Mile .19: 9:02

The last portion was right along the water.  I pushed as hard as I could to finish up.  About 10 yards from the end, I ran into my friend!  We crossed the line together and gathered our goodies: water, medals, and roses.

We walked around the finish festival as we waited for our other friend to finish.  We ate some great watermelon and got a free picture at the New Balance photo booth, then went to get my bag.  Now, out of all my years racing, I’ve never lost my bag.  The poor lady couldn’t find my bag in the right box and I started kicking myself for being cocky about how safe the bag check was…I went back to look for my bag and finally found it in different box.  I have a bunch of tags from other races, so my guess is that it was in a box according to one of those numbers, not my BWC number.  Phew!

 After the race, we made our way over to Blue Moon Cafe.  If you are ever in Baltimore, please eat there!  It’s incredible.  Just know that it’s a long wait to get in (potentially hours).  Karma was on our side, though and we were sat at our table in 20 minutes.  WHAT??  I ate the Sweet Baby Jesus and we shared a Captain Crunch French Toast.  Nom, nom…

All in all it was just a good day.  I hit both my goals and had a good time with friends.  I’m looking forward to doing the race again next year, and the year after that, and the year after that…

Happy Running!

July Goals

Something I would like to work on is making goals, making plans to reach those goals, and doing my own personal analysis after I reach those goals.  If I fail to reach them, what do I need to change?  My approach?  Make a more reasonable goal?

I love Excel spreadsheets and I’ve found that I am very rewarded by checking off the boxes.  I managed to give up eating candy in the candy dish at work by checking off each day.  I made it through 2 months before I stopped checking the boxes and now it’s been another 2 months without tracking and I’m still not eating the candy!

Here’s what I have planned for July:

1. Goal: Join in on the #yogaeverydamnday movement (on Instagram). Even if I just do one sun salutation, or fall asleep to a yoga nidra meditation, I will do yoga each day this month.
   1. Plan: Continue to go to 2-3 classes per week.  Add in videos other days.  Will track minutes of yoga each day in my sheet.
2. Goal: Remain consistent with my running as I run my peak week and taper for the Endless Summer 6 Hour. This means at least 4 days per week.
   1. Plan: 3 days a week with my run group and a weekend long run.  This one shouldn’t be too hard to follow.  🙂
3. Goal: Track my drinking habits.  I barely drank last month as per doctor’s orders and while he cleared me to drink, I felt great!
   1. Plan: Look at each week and plan which days I will be drinking (happy hours, concerts, etc.).  Using my chart, track the number of drinks each week.  Plan on 2 or less if I choose to drink.

I’ll check in with these goals with each weekly recap and do a full analysis at the end of the month.

Any July goals for you?