Tuesday, August 27, 2013

No Motivation

Lately I have been feeling like I shouldn't have signed up for this half marathon in October. I have been running since Jan until now. I feel like I am honestly burnt out of running which is odd because I love running, but I guess I don't love it as much as I thought?

I went from one 12 week program to another 12 week program. I am only week 7 and I can tell you right now I am so close to throwing in the towel, but I can't and won't. Why? Because I have so many people pulling for me. I really don't want to disappoint.

It's really bad that I am actually looking forward to taking a "break" from running afterwards. I'll continue to run but it won't be more than 4 miles if that. I need time to relax and not worry about having to run.

I really wish I knew what was going through my head. I just know something needs to spark or its going to be a long 13.1 miles..

Monday, August 26, 2013

Half Marathon Training Recap: Week 6

Wow, I have made it to the halfway mark. It's hard to believe I have done 6 weeks already. I am going to be running my first half marathon before I know it.

Monday:

Today I started week 2 of T25 Cardio. I have to say I pushed myself harder today then I did last week. I am so happy to know I didn't have to go to the modifier as much. :)

Tuesday:

Woke up not really in the mood to run, but since I had a double work out today I had to get up and get it over with. So I decided I would switch it up a bit and go to the gym and run on the TM. I felt great running. I ended up finishing my 4 mile run in 34 min and 58 seconds.

After my run I came home to do my Total Body Circuit work out. I have to say even though my whole body was tired I pushed through it. I can't say I completely nailed it but I can't say I barely made it. I am sort of in the middle.

Wednesday:

Woke up to rain...blah. I could have ran at the gym but since I only needed to 2 miles I decided I would just do my cross training instead. Today's work out was Speed 1.0. I have to say I nailed it. :)

Thursday:

I woke up not feeling too hot, but knew I really needed to try and get my run in. Since it was already warm out I decided I would just go back to the gym and run my 4 miles on the treadmill. I felt sluggish on my run. I am starting to think getting to bed late and waking up early is catching up with me. :-\ Time to change up the sleeping schedule.

After my run I came home to immediately get started on my T25 Cardio. I got 15 min into the work out and really seriously thought about turning it off. I kept on going though. Sometimes you just have to tell the little voice in your head to shut up. :)

Later in the evening I went to the Big Peach Suwanee group run. I had originally planned to only do 3 miles but once I was on the course I decided to push it to 4 miles. It was a great slow run through puddles. :)

Friday:

I was suppose to do my 2 T25 work outs, but I only got one in. :( I did Ab Intervals. I didn't feel as awkward doing it this week. I guess I am slowly getting the moves down. I really hated not doing the other but seeing how I really worked out the day before I felt like my legs needed a break.

Saturday:

Rest day! :)

Sunday:

I wish I could say I ran but I didn't. Ended up moving furniture around that took up a good bit of the day. By the time I wanted to go run I ended up taking a nap because of my head hurting. I'll try to make it up sometime this next week.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Half Marathon Training Recap: Week 5

I knew from the beginning that this week would be a challenge and here is why...

Monday:

Instead of going to the gym I started day 1 of T25 Cardio. I was expecting this work out to kick my butt but it didn't. Since I have been doing lunges and squats since June the leg work outs in this weren't too bad. I can't even imagine what I would have felt like afterwards if I hadn't been working on my legs for a few months.

Tuesday:

I woke up tired. I wasn't sore in the legs which is always a good thing. It took all I had to drag my butt out the door to get to running. I had 4 miles planned but as soon as I got to 3 miles I cut my run short. My legs felt really tired. I guess I will be running the mile I didn't do later this week.

As soon as I got in the house I put my ProCompression socks on and my cross trainers. I was ready to get day 2 of T25 over with. I am not going to lie I wanted to puke in Speed 1.0. I haven't felt like that since Pure Cardio in Insanity. I can't say I "nailed it" today. I wanted to quit but since it was only 25 minutes long I kept on going.

Wednesday:

I decided I would just do XTing today. I did day 3 of T25 - Total Body Circuit. It kicked my butt. I definitely walked away sweating after just working out for 25 minutes.

Thursday:

I was going back and forth with myself about where to run. I get bored with the same thing every week, but I also wasn't in the mood to take on some hills. Decisions decisions. I finally decided I would just take on the hills. I am glad I did! It was a perfect morning for it. Low 60s. I couldn't have asked for better weather. I can tell my legs are getting stronger and stronger.

After running I came home to do my T25 - AB intervals. Loved working on my core. I was honestly dreading 25 minutes of just core stuff, but it ended up going by fast.

In the evening, I decided I would go for a quick 2 mile run in the neighborhood since it felt amazing.

Friday:

Normally this would be my off day, but since I am doing T25 5 days a week I decided I would just move my off day to Saturday.

Friday was a 2 part work out for a total of 50 minutes. If you aren't able to do it all right away you can break it up. I decided I would just knock both of them out of the way. I didn't want to have to do them over the weekend.

I decided I would start off with the Cardio first. I knew I was going to be able to do that without a problem since I basically nailed it on Monday. After I finished it, I took a 5 minute break before putting Lower Focus in. OMG! That had to be the longest 25 minutes of my life. I definitely worked my lower half. My legs were screaming at me. My favorite part was the 3 minute cool down/stretch. I needed it after all that.

Saturday:

I switched things up AGAIN. Since my birthday is Sunday, I decided I would just go ahead and get my 6 mile run in at the gym (it was raining and I just didn't want to run outside). I ended up doing a 10K to finish my Happy 10K virtual race. Legs felt great during and after. I was able to do my 10K in at 54 minutes. I am hoping to eventually beat my current PR


Sunday:

Finally my off day. Since it is my birthday I am going to take the time to relax and enjoy it. Oh and I will cheat a little. I can't pass up a cupcake or two on my birthday. :)

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Light Up the Corner's Recap

This event was suppose to take place May 4th, 2013 but due to really bad rain that day they had to postpone it until August 10th.

I have been excited about running in this event since I signed up for it back in July. Maybe it was because it was at night? Or maybe it was because I knew this route really well? Or maybe it was both. :)

The event took place at The Forum in Peachtree Corner's. The proceeds from the event go to benefit the less unfortunate children and families in the Peachtree Corner's community.

Two events took place the 1K Twilight Run and the 4 Mile Run. I participated in the 4 mile run. And since it was a night event, they had the race route lite up with blinking lights. They also handed out glow sticks for us to wear or hold while running on the course. For the crafty ones, they had a contest at the end for the "glowiest" person and team.

I got to the Forum at around 6:30 just to make sure I was able to park somewhat close to the start/finish. I immediately went to get my shirt and number.Good I went right away because when Brandi got there they didn't have anymore small or medium shirts. Most races I have done pre-registered participates get their shirts before race day registration participates.





Not too long after I got there Brandi arrived so I went to meet up with her before heading on over to the start. Brandi decided she was going to do a costume for this race and was determined she was going to win this contest..


Any guesses on what she is suppose to be??? Oh, and check out those socks!!



Brandi was a very popular person once she got into her costume. She had so many people coming up asking for a picture with her. 

Jen and her brother arrived sometime after 8 to see us off. :) Thanks again Jen for coming.



Race got started at 9. It was a little crowded at first, but once we were on the main road I was able to move around people and get into a comfortable pace. I remembered after I was on the main road that I have the RoadID app so I quickly sent Mike a text with a link so he could see where I was and when to expect me to come running to the finish. 

It started to rain on us for a little bit. Thankfully it didn't last long. It was just enough to cool you off.

Before I knew it was I was back at the Forum. I made the final turn and started to pick up some speed. Since I normally sprint at the end I waited until I was down the hill before giving it all I had.


My official time 35:02. :)

I made my way around the crowd to where Jen and Mike were standing. Brandi told us when to expect her since she was planning on walking the entire thing due to her costume.

Brandi crossed a little after an hour. We met up with her and made our way to the glowiest contest because after all we wanted to see Brandi win.

And of course...Brandi won!  :) Congrats girl!

We stayed around to listen for the winners of each age group. I had already decided that I didn't place, but I was wrong. I placed second in my age group!!!


I got a coffee mug, a small trophy, and 2 coupons. Not what I was expecting but hey, I will take it.

Oh and of course we had to get a picture of the winners...


If they do this run again next year (and I am sure they will), I will for sure sign up for it. I had an absolute blast running it.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Half Marathon Training Recap: Week 4

After coming back from vacation on Sunday I wasn't sure how I was going to do this week. I had to get back into the swing of things with work and also my training.

Monday:

I woke up feeling completely exhausted still. I did a few push ups and sit ups just to do something even if it wasn't what I was suppose to do.

Tuesday:

I went for my 3.5 mile run. I decided I would hit the hilly part of the neighborhood just to do something a little different. I was doing fine until my neighbors dog decided to chase me when I was going out of the neighborhood. I had to stop running and walk a different way just to stop the dog from chasing me. My run went down hill from there. I felt very sluggish after that.

Wednesday:

I was going to go on my 2 mile run, but I woke up with a migraine and decided I really didn't want to make it worse trying to run. Since I have a 4 mile race on Saturday night so I might run the 2 miles that morning or on Sunday morning.

Thursday:

I decided I wanted to switch things up so I went to Little Mulberry Park in Auburn, GA to get a hill workout in. One loop around the lake is 2.2 miles. I decided once I got all the way around that I would go back the way I came then turn around when I got close to 3 miles. I probably could have ran the rest of it, but I wasn't wanting to push it too much.

I ended up running another 3 miles in the evening with the Big Peach Suwanee group. I love when I am able to make it. Running with others is so motivational to me. :)

Friday:

Rest day and carb overloading day!

Saturday:

Since my training schedule has me scheduled for a 5 mile this weekend and I am doing a 4 mile race later, I decided I would get up first thing in the morning and run a fast 1 mile. I knew since I have been doubling up my run days anyways that I wouldn't be tired come 9 PM.

My race went great! I honestly wish I still lived in that area so I could train there. It ended up raining a little bit on the course, but I didn't mind since it felt kind of refreshing. I ended up finishing around 35 minutes. I am not sure on the official time. I also ended up placing 2nd in my age group!

I'll have a race recap up sometime this week so be on the look out for that.

Sunday:

Since I wasn't able to run my 2 miles on Wednesday, I got out in the AM to run the 2 miles. My legs honestly didn't want to move at all. I got it done though! :-D


Week 4 is now complete. Next week is going to be a test, but I am ready to take it on full force. :)

Monday, August 5, 2013

FrogFuel Winner!

Many thanks to everyone who entered my first giveaway. I hope to have another sometime in the future.


 The winner is....


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Jen, I will be contacting you soon to get your information to send over to the frog fuel people.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Half Marathon Training Recap: Week 3

Crazy how I am already on week 3 of my half marathon training. :) With the way time is flying by, I will be at 12 weeks in no time.

As I mentioned in my previous recap post, I was on vacation for half of this week which meant I had to switch up my running just a tad bit. But it also meant no cross training for me. :(

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Monday: 

Since I had to work all day on Monday, I wasn't able to get to the gym to do a full work out I decided that my ab work out was the only thing I was going to get done. I still feel bad, but I did something even if it wasn't what I had wanted to do.

Tuesday:

Since I had a 3.5 mile run scheduled, I decided I would take advantage of the cooler morning and get out there before work. Loved it! At around 2.7, I stopped by my house to grab the dog so she could finish out the last leg of my run. She really hasn't ran in over a year. She did great even though if she slowed me down some. I am hoping to get her out there more often for my smaller runs since she enjoys it.

After my run I came in to do my ab work out. This was suppose to be my rest day for that, but since I was going to be traveling on Wednesday I decided to get it over it.

Wednesday:

I got a 2 mile run before packing up the car and heading to the beach! :)

Thursday:

I woke up at 6 AM central  to go for a run on the beach. My plan was to run 3.5 miles, but when I turned around I noticed I was getting a blister on my right foot. I ran back to the condo but decided that I was done. I did a little over 2 miles.

Friday:

Off day aka spend all my time on the beach!!! :)

Saturday:

I had originally planned to let this day be my long run day but I decided that I would skip running. I instead went for a walk on the beach. Very relaxing.

Sunday:

Did nothing since it was travel day.


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Week 3 is over with! I didn't do great but I will get back into it this week. I am also looking to get back into Insanity along with running. Or maybe T25. Either way I am going to be tired and sore.

Here is to a new week of training. Oh, and I have a race on Saturday. 4 mile night run. I am so excited about it!