I DID IT!!!!... now what?

10 miles... the top of the chart... the pinnacle of the training for the half marathon.

it was this weekend.

As usual, I had 2 photo sessions & a busy weekend & didn't know how I was going to get it in.  Especially with the weather on Saturday being cold & rainy...

But I told my husband I had to try to get it in because I had to know if I could do it.  If I couldn't do 10 miles, I was OK with that, but I would know I wouldn't be prepared for the half marathon in 3 weeks (OH MY GOSH - 3 weeks/?!?!?)

Yep... that's my reaction when I realized it was 2 weeks from this coming Saturday!!!

My husband had to work on Saturday & I figured instead of cleaning the house, why not just give it a try... & I did something I NEVER EVER EVVVEEERRR do - thought I'd do the long run on my treadmill.

I don't care for really long runs on the 'mill because it burns my feet after so long & plus, it's just boring.

BUT... I kept hearing of people using their tablets for entertainment & I just downloaded Frozen on there so I thought, let's give it a try...

I started off actually with Netflix & put on "The Spirit of the Marathon"

A tablet, a bottle water & a Luna bar... ready, set, GO!

Is there any better motivation then that?

& honestly, it wasn't that bad... before I knew it, an hour & a half went by & I felt decent.  I kept to the walk/run training plan of 3 minute walk/1 minute run for the first 4 miles.  Then I thought, I'll push it a bit because on race day, the training is walk 3, run 2 minutes... so I said, I'll change it to walk 3.5/run 1.5 ...

I was doing math in my head for about 5 minutes to see if that would help me gain any time.  Actually it would.  Not a lot, but some... & some is better then none.

I was doing really well until about mile 7... then I was just kapooting out.  I think because I didn't have anything but water & was limited on that - I didn't want to stop & have to go upstairs & refill... which I ended up doing anyways because I felt so bad. 

& my Luna Bar isn't what I normally run with & I think that messed up my stomach...

so mile 7, it was bad... but I refilled my water & got an Arbonne Energy Fizz  to add to it & I went back down to finish the 3 miles.

I put on Frozen at that point to push me through.. singing & Disney can get me through anything - right?

I was feeling it in the end.  My legs were tight, I was nauseated...

But I did it...

& finished right when "Let it Go" was playing..
BONUS!

I felt like such an accomplishment was met...

abet a slow accomplishment, but I did it...

but then I was talking to my husband & I'm like, "now what?"

I always said if I could get through 10 miles, I knew I could do the mini...

But I felt so bad in these 10 miles.  I mean BAD at the end.  Was it just nutrition?  Was it because I was on the treadmill?  I know outdoor environments plus RACE environments makes a difference...

& the kicker.  My back... OH MY GOSH... it was aching so bad in those 10 miles.  So much pressure in my low back.  My knees did great surprisingly ... but my back... It would ache on the walk part, but the pressure was ready to BURST on the run parts.

My low back felt like this could happen if someone put a pin in me...

Now I'm confused what to do...

do I try the race & see how my back does?  Do I push myself to maybe some place my back doesn't want to go?

Do I keep at it & go at this slow pace that is going to leave me with a totally embarrassing time?

I don't know what to do really...

Not to mention, the next 2 weeks before the race, I'm going to be doing a wedding and then out of town for the next weekend at a Christian women's retreat... so I'm not even going to properly be able to tamper.

What to do... what to do...

 

If anything, I felt like a queen for a moment when I hit those double digits... while singing "Let it go"

I'll take a moment like that whenever I can get 'em

Confession Time

Look at me... a badge for my Confessions.. yeehaaawww!!!

So time to get things off my chest... here we go...

* I woke up with my house covered in mud puppy paw prints all throughout the kitchen, living room & hallway... I didn't expect to get a semi yoga workout 5 minutes after I woke up from all the bending & scrubbing.

* I've become spoiled to wanting perfect weather.  The weather has been, to me,  too cold, or too cloudy, too dark, or too windy.  I was on my treadmill yesterday & realized I didn't want to go out because it was too windy & that's when it hit me... I'm a weather snob.  This doesn't fair well if my half marathon isn't on a beautiful 60 degree day.

* Watched 2 more documentaries on food & nutrition & how it affects your health & has even cured cancer in some people.  Also seen how people have lost their jobs & are shunned in the medical field if you say they believe nutrition cures cancer.  Why is this not looked into more & on the news every night?  I don't understand. the CURE FOR CANCER people! Isn't it worth checking out?... but I get it... medicine is a zillion dollar business in America. Sad.

* I've watched too much Scandal because now I'm afraid someone is going to give me something that causes cancer because I just made that statement above.

* The documentaries I watched are called "The Beautiful Truth" & "The Gerson Miracle" - both can be found on Netflix AND they're also on youTube... they are similar though & have some of the same clips & people in them.  & I'll warn you, some parts are a snooze fest, but if you can get past those cheesy parts, then you'll hear some eye opening info.

* A big part of that Gerson Method is a coffee enema ... you read that right.

I think I made this face when they said I had to put coffee WHERE??????

* I need to find some uplifting documentary to watch next & not one that makes me want to move to some remote island with an organic farm.

* People are mean & stupid.  Did you see where Self magazine tried to make two ladies feel stupid about running in tutu's... #TutuGate as I call it :) ... did a little thing about how the craze of wearing tutu's makes people think they run faster?... only to find out she's running with Brain Cancer (hello...the friend's running bib said, "Die Tumor Die")... I'm sure Self Magazine feel like idiots...

I love BOTH of their outfits & think they look INCREDIBLE

Link to that story is right HERE

* I've never ran in a tutu before & now I want one for every run I do in my life.  Suck it Self!

* Let my jealousy of everyone registered for the Avenger's RunDisney race begin....

* Speaking of Run Disney races... I don't see how people afford all of them. Those babies are pricey - not to mention the air fare to get there & hotels & all that come with Disney.  But if my husband didn't remind me of our bills, I'd pay for every one of them too...

* Brought one of my Edamame bags to work for lunch... it filled me up pretty good too - & only 150 calories for lunch?   I need to get to Sam's Club & get some more.

* I've got to get in 10 miles this weekend.  It'll be a test. If I can get it in, I'm going to do my next half marathon.  If I don't make it, then I know I'm not going to be prepared & I'll probably skip it.  The true test lies this weekend... I'll confess, I'm nervous.  Anxious to see how it goes.

* Our downtown area that is full of walkers, runners, families - it's been on national news because of teen crowds coming & picking & bullying & beating up on people.  Like SWARMS of ruly teenagers.  So sad when it makes you nervous to go to a part of town that is built for running.

* Which reminds me... Walking Dead finale Sunday! YAHOO!!!

Anything you need to get off your chest?

Yoga with dogs....& a touch of Darth vadar.. what?

I tried a new work out yesterday...

it was the "Happy Fitness March" challenge... try something new.

Wednesday is usually my yoga day & I thought, I'll try one of those yoga work outs that my friend talks about all the time.  That's something new.

First of all - HOLY YOGA COW.  That sucker was HARD!!!!  Its called "Yoga for Weight Loss - 40 minute Fat Burning yoga Workout" by Yoga with Adriene.

It wasn't so much a 'fat burning' as 40 minutes later, my heart rate monitor said I only burned 160 calories... disappointing... but mercy, my body was shaking & doing everything to tell me, "Don't ever do that again"...

which means we'll be doing that again.

It worked more on the core then any other yoga I've ever done... something I need desperately.... & a LOT of planks & holds with the upper body... something else I really need.

Truth be told - I need it all.  I find in these things I have zippo, zero, nada strength.

I sent my friend a message that recommended these videos to me & I told her that I now realize my body is made up of nothing but 'blob'... that has to be the case.

how I feel during yoga

Here I am doing the work out... Notice anything?

Yeah... Harvey was laying on me the whole time...

if he wasn't laying ON me, he was doing this...

I know its blurry, but that's what you get when my abs are shaking from slowly dying

I had to laugh because I had to keep getting into downward dog & then I look around my mat & this is what I see...

A whole new level of what "Downward Dog" means...

& don't despair ... Zoe was up on the couch watching me too.

I just wonder if my breathing freaked them out... after all, I sounded like Darth Vadar with all the deep breaths I had to take to make it through the work out.  My dogs were worried for me.

You really can find anything on the internet

I need to make a work out on how to work out around dogs... it makes it interesting...

My 28th Million Dollar Idea!

Run This Year April Challenge

Y'all know I love posting challenges on here.

So far, we've had some mile challenges, some crazy burpee challenge that I was so far from finishing ... but hey, I try...
& we're finishing up the fun one The Happy Fit Mama put for March - I've had fun on Instagram with that one & have followed a lot more people & have had more followers connect with me over it.... Unite in fun fitness!

Now, a new one for April is starting...

#RTYAprilChallenge

& the fun thing - they're giving out prizes.  When you enter & share your photos on social media, with the right hashtags (I can't say that without thinking of Justin Timberlake & Jimmy Fallon now)

.....your name goes in for random drawings.  FUN!

Be sure to stop by Jill's Blog to see all the details & to see her awesome blog...

April is just around the corner... amazing...

Marathon Challenge

My name is Rebecca Jo & I am a documentary addict...

I love them.. can't ever get enough of them.

I think that's why I love Netflix so much.  It's a great place to get them delivered to your home, or streaming on your computer & you feel smarter at the end of it.  You know something about real life. You feel connected to real people.

I particularly love any that has to do with health, fitness, & running. 

I mean, we've all seen "Forks over Knives"... "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead"... "Food Inc"... "Spirit of the Marathon"

This documentary alone probably boosted Juicer Sales 150%

If you haven't ... then what's wrong with you... go change your life!

It was thanks to Food Inc. that I quite my Diet Coke obsession...

See - documentaries matter.

I thought I'd seen all the ones on running, but am anxiously awaiting for "Spirit of the Marathon II" to come out... & then I ran across this one...

Marathon Challenge...

It's actually put on by NOVA - & was put on Public access TV.  Its a short one, but a good one.

It takes 12 people, ordinary people, with ordinary lives & trains them for the Boston Marathon.

BOSTON people!!!  The Holy Grail of Marathons...

There are people who running comes naturally for, there are people who have injuries & health issues, there are people who are doing it for emotional reasons, & there is a lady who is doing it to loose weight & get healthier...

I thought it was me on the screen....

This is Betsy... she even has red hair!

They test each of the people before the challenge starts & that's where we get info to learn from.  How muscles work, how oxygen works, how the heart pumps during a run, how much VO2 someone uses... all interesting stuff if you love running.

There is one guy on here that never works out - he owns a business & is constantly traveling & sitting in offices all day.  His VO2 level?  Like an Olympic athlete.  & then someone like Betsy who worked out all the time at home anyways, her level was awful & they even had to clear her for the challenge due to some heart issues they found in the testing.

How crazy is it that bodies are so alike, but so different...

Some people are naturally made to run... they're built for it...

I especially see how people's bodies are different when Betsy, even getting up to 10-15 mile runs, she still wasn't loosing weight.

HELLO!  Its me - I'm telling you....

But they explain that as well.

So race day comes... & 12 people line up...

Here they are on Race Day... Team Nova!

I don't care if I don't know you... I will always cry along with you & celebrate with you at Race stories.

Every person crossed the finish line at different times.

Some sailed through with no problem... others had injuries that nagged them & caused them to come in over 6 hours.... the oldest, a lady at 60 years old was the last...

but she did it!!!!

They ALL DID IT!!!

I cried at every single one of them crossing the finish line... the joy on their face... the accomplishment...

I never tire of watching people succeed on a running course...

if you have Netflix, check it out. It's under an hour to watch & will give you chills as you root your new friends on....

Long Distances?

So I'll never get off my training schedule again... it messed my world up.

Well, I guess it did work for one instance - Friday was beautiful & I had to do what would normally be my Thursday run on that date.

It was in the 70's... OH MY GOSH... we got one day of beauty, because its now cold & a chance of snow tonight... so I'm glad I did get to get out on Friday for a nice little trek.

Like I mentioned before, I'm trying different places so I don't have to do the hills on my back.  I went to the local park this time & with 70 degrees, you can bet it was full of families hanging out & a ton of dog walkers.  I even had ducks cross my path & not the least bit afraid of me coming right up to them.

My weekend got all messed up because I was supposed to do 8 miles on Saturday or Sunday... but Saturday?  I was doing this...

Getting shot with Super man Guns by my 2 little Grandsons...

& getting to meet our 3rd & taking lots of pictures of him...

My hubby with Will - G-Babe #3

 So Saturday was a day full of travel & a lot of car sickness... & a lot of loving on cute little boys...

It was a good trade for my long run...

But when I was down in Nashville talking with Julie, we got talking about a half marathon in the area during the early Fall.  I had asked her if she may be interested in doing it.  We had this good conversation then about long distances.  She said that every time she's tried to train for a half marathon, something happens... some sort of injury, some sort of reoccurring pain, always SOMETHING.. & she said, "I just don't think my body is made for long distances"

Now, Julie is a great runner.  She has amazing 5k & 10k times...

But she's right... we started talking about my past few half marathons & the things that happen EVERY TIME.  I can count on a knee injury 2-3 weeks before the race... I can count on low back pain extremely severe right before a race... I can count on my bicep tendonitis being miserable by the time I'm up to 8-10 miles (that's another topic I need to talk about)...

Is it possible that long distances aren't made for everyone?

or is it just something that happens to everyone & you just push past it?

I guess a challenge doesn't come without challenges... but when is it too much?

Got me thinking...

& yeah, I almost ran on Sunday, but had church & then an appointment with my next Bride I'm shooting in 2 weeks... plus, the car sickness just whipped me down for the weekend...

so a lost weekend... thumbs down
But I got to kiss a baby nose... thumbs up
& I'm going to attempt 10 miles this weekend... thumbs just waiting to see which direction to go...

How was your weekend?

Are long distances hard on you?

What's your favorite distance to run?

Confession Friday...

 

Another week... more stuff to get off my chest

 

My confessions for the week:

* I need to make my own "Confession" button or something. I'm tired of having to look up this Pretty Little Liars GIF every week.  I'll add that to my list of 3,289 other things I need to do.

* I've changed my running schedule around because of the weather.  It has me ALL messed up. My long run is now going to be Sunday & the weather is going to be cold & yucky... putting me on the treadmill, which I HATE for long runs. Running Karma?

* We have yet to hook up our Xbox Kinect that we got at CHRISTMAS... hello Mr. Time - where have you gone? ... but I have bought the Zumba work out & the Nike Kinect Training workout... now, if only I could use them...

I can't wait to get this baby going!!!

* Seeing lots of running peeps that are pregnant ... & its embarrassing that their running times with baby bumps are still faster then mine.

* I love seeing baby bumps though... so dang cute...

* My food baby bump is NOT cute though.

* I've done well with the Girl Scout Cookie thing. We now have 2 boxes in the house & I've only had 5 cookies total... still  a lot left in those boxes.  Still trying to ignore them.

* I'm trying to stay away from the hills on my road for my back's sake... but I don't have anywhere close to run unless I drive about 10-15 minutes away.  So I've been taking to running in loops around the local school's parking lot.  Can you say BOORRRIINNNNGGGG???????  ... but at least my back says "Thanks"

I may actually do this on a loop or two

* I downloaded a new app this morning "Water Your Body" - I drink water all day long but wanted to really see how much I really take in ... now its just remembering to log in when I drink... because I drink all day long.

Not mine... mine shows my weight on it
Aint NO ONE gonna see that!

* I also pee all day long...constantly... Add in all that water with a 42 yr old bladder?  yeah - I must know where bathrooms are at all times.

* The latest Women's Running Magazine came in this week.  My favorite magazine I look forward to reading.

* Tried out the Happy Herbivore pepper fajitas last night... turned out pretty darn good. That was the first time I cooked peppers using only water & not oil & it worked out well.

* I'm trying to make smoothies without protein powder lately & now they just taste sorta plain & yucky without the flavoring of the powder.  Any suggestions on how to make it yummy?  I have a friend that uses Nesquick or chocolate powder but I wanted a more healthy alternative.  Is there such a thing?

Anything you need to get off your chest today?

 

Do you have the Kinect workout goodies?

What do you use in your smoothie?

What's your favorite magazine?

 

5 Useful Tips for a Stress-Free Destination marathon (Guest Post)

I'm excited because I have a guest post today from a pretty cool lady I've just met.  Her name is Arianna & her link is at the bottom of the post.  Stop by & tell her hey & be sure to leave a comment on all the awesome information she's sharing with us.

My dream one day is to get to Disney & do the Princess Half Marathon... or ANY Disney race at this point.  (Avenger Half Marathon is pretty high up on the list as well)... so I love having this info & will be bookmarking it for the day I make the big trip.  I love that Arianna even included tips about having a fur-baby... she's speaking to my heart now!

Enjoy everyone!!!

_______________________________________________

5 Useful Tips for a Stress-Free Destination Race

 

Over the last year, I’ve challenged myself by entering a number of races, some of which required travel. It’s been a great motivator for my fitness, as well as an excuse to get out of town now and then. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that there are some unique factors to consider when preparing for a destination race – things you wouldn’t necessarily think about for other kinds of travel. With the proper planning, you can ensure that you’ll be ready and stress-free on race day!

 

Pick the Right Hotel

Finding the right sleeping accommodations is critical. Don’t just go for any hotel in town. Instead, endeavor to find one close to the race – ideally within easy walking distance. Races usually start pretty early, and you won’t want to waste much energy navigating traffic in your unfamiliar surroundings. Plus, race day is hectic and busy, so finding a parking spot can be difficult. A navigation app is extremely helpful but ultimately, the best scenario is waking up and walking right out to the starting line.

 

Eat Well

For an athletic event, it’s important to plan your food appropriately. Before the race, avoid restaurants as much as possible. Bringing your own food is ideal, since it’s risky to introduce new or exotic foods into your system. You never know how your body will react! Plus, if you bring your own food, you can ensure you’ll have the right amount of carbs to fuel you for the race. Eat a plain and familiar meal the night before, and carbo-load in the morning.  Bagels and bananas travel well, so they’re a great staple for race day. This list of carb-heavy recipes is useful if you have the opportunity to cook.

 

Follow the Forecast

In the days leading up to your journey, make sure you pay attention to the weather forecast. This will be useful for traveling, as you will need to factor in more driving time for bad weather. But more importantly, you’ll need to pack the right running apparel for race day. Even if the forecast looks clear, it’s smart to bring running clothes for cooler weather and precipitation. If there’s anything I’ve learned from destination races, it’s that the weather can be unpredictable and thin layers are always a great idea. Make sure you’re prepared for the worst!

 

Plan for your Furry Friends

As with any trip, make sure you arrange care for your pets in advance. I’ve found that races can be overwhelming for dogs, but I prefer to travel with my dog. Last year, we brought along our Lab, Brodie, to Philadelphia for the Feel the Love 5k. Finding a pet sitter or kennel located in the race town is a great option. Crowds can sometimes be extremely overwhelming for a dog of any size. That way, you can enjoy the race weekend with your whole family, and focus on getting thru your first few miles without stressing about your dog tearing apart the hotel room.

 

See the Sights

One of the best parts of a destination race is the excuse to do some sightseeing. Depending on your travel schedule, consider taking time after the race to experience the local scenery. This mini-vacation is a wonderful reward for completing the race, and an added perk for any family members who accompany you. I’ve also taken to documenting my races in a scrapbook. It’s really satisfying to look back on my progress through photos, and the snapshots taken of each town add a nice personal element.

 

With the right preparation, destination races are fun, rewarding, and motivating. Just be sure to take all the factors into consideration as you plan for the big day. Your hard work will pay off and guarantee that the experience is one you remember fondly!

 

Arianna is a full-time mom and a fashion-lover, world traveler, animal lover, and family woman extraordinaire. She loves to cook and bake, travel to new places, share great fashion finds, and spend time doing crafts and projects at home with her kids. She’s got a crazy busy life, but she wouldn’t have it any other way! Follow her blog at http://ariannaknowsbest.blogspot.com/ !

Even when I try... I still screw up...

I went out at lunch today. 

It's not something I normally do, but when it warms up, its good for me to breath fresh air & not stay in my stuffy office.  Staying in during the winter is enough to drive me a tad bit crazy.

Lunch has been sort of an issue for me lately.  I'm trying this Diet Bet thing - needing to loose 9 lbs by the beginning of April & I'm really watching calories & tracking everything.  (Thank you MyFitnessPal)

Lunch seems to hold a lot of calories for me.

I tried the frozen food thing, but the sodium in those things are ridiculous.

I've tried bringing things from home, but its still adding up quickly.  I've been packing up some cheese sandwiches & pretzels or Baked Lays or something to eat along with it.  I'm a vegetarian but I'm not the one who can just bring salads every day or munch on carrots & feel full & make it through the day.

I'm already grumpy enough in my office - I don't need a rumbling growling belly to add to it.

Usually when I run out, I head to 2 places - Subway or Jimmy Johns - both for their vegetarian sandwiches.

Today, I thought, I'll run to the grocery & get a salad.  It'll be good for me, lots of veggies, something different & it'll be good for my calories.

I load up... the green GREEN lettuce, not iceberg... add in some carrots, some mushrooms, a little bit of hard boiled egg for protein, some olive for salt... (Mmmm, I love salt)... & a little bit of sunflower seeds. 

Dressing is usually something I hassle over because I hate bottled dressing unless its an all natural kind... but this grocery has zippo selection of natural food choices, so I just went with what they had on the bar & got some low calorie ranch... & even used it sparingly because I know its still full of junk.

I get out in my car & chomp away & think, let me go ahead & enter this in MyFitnessPal (is it one word or do you just spell it out?... I don't ever know)...

When I figured it up, I thought I was going to upchuck that salad right back up ....

It came up to nearly 600 calories....

SAY WHAT?

I'm sad now because of stupid lettuce

Man... I get so frustrated when I try & still screw up....

& from there, I just want to say, "forget it" & go in & buy a dozen of the Cadbury eggs that are calling my name.

No... no... no... no....

But... I hang in there.  Plan on working out tonight with a run & burning some calories off & just keep on trying...

what else can you do.

Still a lot of miles....

8 miles...

No - not the Eminem movie...

I see them saying, RUN RUN RUN
Thanks Eminem

That's what I mentioned on here before was what was called for my Long run training this weekend...
& my problem being my time schedule.

it was no joke, I was busy from the time I got up to the setting of the sun where I literally went to bed with wet hair & my eyes felt like they had cement on them.

I was going to get up early, as some of you suggested, & get in the miles, but we were going to go see my niece play her last season basketball game.

Turns out, breakfast took a turn on both me & the Hubs & let's just say, thank goodness we have separate bathrooms to dash too.

There was no going to the game... even more so, no headed out for running... no way...

But thankfully *THANK YOU JESUS* my stomach eased up & I was heading out the door in the afternoon for my photo session.

That's always a good decent walk.. & it was a gorgeous GORGEOUS day...

I got home & started uploading pictures & while that was processing, I went out back with my dogs.  It was just so beautiful & I thought, I'll be so mad at myself if I don't get the miles in...

So I head in, change & put on my new shoes & I'm out the door...

I did have intentions of getting as far as I could. The plan was hopefully 6-7 miles.  On my road, I have to do weird routes to get anything more then that...

But before I knew it, I turned around & the sun was setting.  I honestly didn't pay any attention to what time it was when I left.  Not to mention, half our clocks are still an hour behind.  Don't judge... we're the people who just got our Christmas tree down this weekend.  (seriously... you'd see it if you follow me on Instagram)

Now, I live in a country road with no lights, no sidewalks, tree lines streets that makes everything 20% darker.. & I'm out there with black pants on, a dark green shirt & dark shoes... no reflectors... nothing light on... I'm screwed...

this is how I felt running in the dark streets with the trees

not to mention, the temperature dropped like dramatically. I kept feeling these horribly cold winds coming in...
which by the way, the warm air?  Gone... poof... it snowed the next day...

But I was still going... until my Prince came to rescue me in his Ford F-150 Truck...

Ricky came pulling up next to me & said, "THE MOON IS OUT!"... yeah... I noticed that...

He said he didn't even see me on the road until he was right up on me in my dark clothes so he made me get in the car with him & he drove me home.

I was ok with that.

In the end, I only got in 5.5 miles, BUT, at the end of the day with all the walking, I got in over 10 miles...

that's gotta count for something - right?

How was your weekend?
Get a good long run in?
Was the weather warm one day... or even BOTH?  Does that happen in places?

These are my confessions....

 

 

 

Confession Time!  I've missed last week... doesn't mean I'm short on things ... It just means I forgot to do it...

 

I guess that could be my first confession of the week...

 

here's some others

 

* Score 1 for me - I've eaten ZERO Girl Scout Cookies this year.  The lady I need to pick them up from hasn't been at church the past few weeks so I haven't them in my home yet.  This may change.  But it'd be cool if I could keep this confession for the whole year.

 

* I can't say the same thing for Taco Bell Apple Empanada's ... they are amazing & I have to resist pulling in & ordering them every day.  (Apple Pie is my all time favorite dessert)

 

* I ran in a park the other day where no one was at... totally empty... & with the trees dead & grass dead, it gave a creepy atmosphere.  I've watched too much Walking Dead lately because I kept looking out for Walkers to come after me.

 

 

* I love long running leggings... they cover my fat from jiggling where I don't have to see it.

 

* I have 40 lbs. heavier right now then when I ran my last half marathon... dang, that's embarrassing.  No wonder my knee & low back hurt when I run.

 

* I'm overwhelmed with life lately.... feel like I have a line of people expecting things from me & I can't keep up anymore.  I'm letting my own life fall apart while I try to do for everyone else. 

 

* Edamame has become my favorite go-to-quick-eat at home this week. I think I could eat it every night.

 

 

 

* I REALLY am getting in a run-funk ... Not looking forward to it, it feels like a hassle, dreading it.  I know I'll get the love of it back again, but right now, its just blah. 

 

* I think I really need Spring to get here... & STAY!

 

* I love my new Brooks Ravenna 4... but I'm not a big fan of the color of them.  I'm not a 'dark shoe' kinda person.  I feel like I have to always wear black shorts or leggings now.

 

* I normally always wear black shorts or leggings anyways.

 

What is on your mind you need to confess?

 

 

Do I need to break up with you long run?

We're at that time in my half marathon training where its getting serious.

After all, the race is in 6 weeks... unbelievable...

But my long runs are getting longer... at least for me.

I'm up to having to do 8, 9 or 10 miles over the next few weeks.  I know some people can whip that out like its nothing. 

Our local 10K was just ran & the women's winner did it in like 33 minutes... are you kidding me?  I'd probably still be able to see the START line behind me if I turned around at that point.

I'm slow... I mean SSSLLLLOOOWWWWWWW...

So 8, 9, or 10 miles - it takes me awhile.

My problem?  I'm a photographer & my photo season starts up this weekend.  Which means my days are getting ready to be full... on top of already being full... & that's without running.

So I'm in a situation I don't know how to handle...

I'm even looking at my calendar & thinking that this is going to be near impossible & I just need to give up the idea of this race... but then that ticks me off... & I bounce back & forth...

Do I run early & chance being tight & sore for another 3-4 mile walk with photography clients, trying to cover my moans & groans of pain?
Do I run late when I've finished sessions & know I have pictures waiting to be edited & my house needs to be cleaned... & my the other 1,000 things I need to do is on my mind?

Or is it possible to break up the long miles?

Is that beneficial?  I'm really wondering.

I was thinking, this weekend, I need to do 8 miles.  My sessions start in the afternoon.  Can I run maybe 4 or 5 in the morning - something my body is easily used to... & then get in a 5k at night.  I don't mind doing a 5k on the treadmill at night.

I don't know if that is something that would work or not - & I mean by keeping me ready for race day.  Does that help with endurance if its broken up?

yes Long run, I may have to....

I'm going to try & figure this all out...

Time is not on my side

Taking it to the streets.... maybe...

Tuesday was my cross training day.

I also had a hair appointment so I didn't get home until later, but when I did get home, we were still experiencing the best day of the year.  A day in the 70's...

WHAT?  Those really exist? ... Apparently they do...

& usually on my cross training days, I head down into the basement & pull out one of my many DVD's ... or VHS's if I want to go old school. (You'd be amazed at how many VHS work out tapes I have... & yes, most have leg warmers on the instructors)

I couldn't make myself go down in the basement with this weather.

I wanted to soak up every last bit of it...

so what do I do?

I grabbed my computer, my work out mat & my weights & headed to my back porch.

There goes my hair I just had straightened

Then I was bummed because I found out Windows 8 doesn't play dvd's on the computer.

WHAT?  What kind of stupid is Windows 8?

I remembered some of the things I 'pinned' on Pinterest & some of them were video work outs on Pop Sugar.

I pulled up a 40 minute Metabolism Booster work out on the computer & got to it ...

right there on my patio...

& it was AWESOME....

Beautiful weather, nice winds, dogs running all around me...

My work out mat

Since then, I've had friends tell me about good work outs on You Tube...

I've become a convert...

you never know where I'll be working out next....

(& for the record, its now 34 degrees & snow flurries all around... great...)