The Holiday Seasons

This time of the year is typically my favorite, but this year it was not. This year I have a lot of feelings and emotions in my personal life towards some of my family members. I think the biggest issue I have is that I don't speak up for myself. I often times get stepped on and "pushed" into certain things I really don't feel like doing. Not only that, but this constant need to be perfect all the time and say the right thing gets old sometimes. One of my new years resolutions this year is to speak up a little bit more.. Maybe if I did I wouldn't feel so miserable sometimes (plus I think the husband would do a little victory cheer for me if I did). 

Overall Christmas was fine. I ended up getting more gifts than I need, but am so grateful for the love and generosity. It's hard not to think about those children who are disappointed that Santa doesn't come to their house. Sigh.. enough of the sad stuff and the venting, let's talk about happier things... like my workouts :)

Earlier this week I posted about my struggles doing my longer workouts, and although I only did a 6 mile run on Tuesday, I feel like I'm moving in the right direction. Six Mile Total Time = 52:16. My first mile was a 10:00 min/mile warmup (give or take 5 seconds); my second mile was about a 9:00 min/mile and from them on I tried to make the rest of the run a tempo run/negative split. (I pretty much just sped up when I felt good or heard a good beat and slowed down to recover when I needed it). After I was done I felt absolutely great and smiled to myself (not because I'm a psycho lol) because I think I can beat this 2:00 hr half marathon time. I really do; I just have to do it. 

The day before (Monday) I had done a Jillian Michaels DVD workout: No More Trouble Zones and I must say I really liked it. You can actually pick which areas you want to focus on and customize the workout. It was a rest day so I figured a 20 min workout involving my core and total body wouldn't be so bad. I could feel my muscles crying in anguish but ignored them and finished my 3 sections I chose. I must say that I still feel sore lol....Jillian Michaels... seriously kicks my butt every single time lol.....

Today was a cross training day and so I biked. I also ate pretty crappy and figured this low-impact exercise wouldn't make me feel like death lol. I kept a steady and fast cadence for about 40 minutes and called it a day. 

Tomorrow: Four Miles... I think I'll take it nice and easy and enjoy this weather. 

Really Struggling

Training for the ING Marathon has really been a struggle. I've struggled training for other races, but I usually fund my training groove after a couple of weeks. However, it's been several (and I stress several) weeks later, and I still haven't been able to figure out my training groove. Let me tell you a little bit about my struggles....

Lately my long runs have not been running smoothly (hahaha no pun intended) and it has completely sucked. So, when this week my schedule had me running 16 miles I was dreading it. You look at the number 16 and think to yourself - "Holy Crap this is going to take me a while" and you're 100% right. Part of you wants to make it a super slow run, but another part of you wants to get it over with as quickly as possible. The last time I did 16 miles I did it on a cruise ship where 9 laps = 1 mile. About halfway through my run I had to walk every 9th lap. Sounds joyous doesn't it?
Then last Sunday I did 18 miles continuously and I was out of commission for the entire day. So this weekend I figured I would try the run-walk approach at my second attempt at 16 miles. So I set out for my run with the plan of running for a mile and then walking for a 1 minute. I heard this run/walk method works wonders and so I figured it would magically work and I would run/walk 16 miles no problem. WRONG. After the fourth mile I felt like my legs were fatigued. I kept this method up until mile 9. After that it went all downhill from there. The one minute walk turned into 2 minutes, which then turned into walking every 5 minutes. I was discouraged and my legs were on fire. I really questioned whether or not I would be able to do this marathon. 

The last night I tried googling whether or not the run/walk method works for everyone and I stumbled upon this blog post: http://www.runningnoodle.com/2012_10_01_archive.html

This post definitely gave me some inspiration which I needed. I'm going to do this marathon and even though it sucks I'll get through it. Because at the end of the day: "Sometimes the race isn't about what is at the end; it's about the journey.."



Grandpa this is for you...



And Then Life Happens...

I apologize again for not keeping current with my blog. In this new year I am honestly trying to make a better effort with my blogging. I have a good amount of races coming up and I want to take you all along with me :)

Since it's been almost a MONTH (I know!! I can't believe it's been that long either) I will highlight my top 10 workouts/accomplishments/thoughts:

1. Last week's Sandy Hook shooting made me realize how crazy our world is. That day innocence was lost and America was shaken. 

2. On another note, I ran 18 miles last Sunday. That is my longest run EVER. It sucked, I'm not even going to lie lol. I was out of commission for the rest of the day and it made me realize that I will be running/walking the ING marathon. 

3. I signed up for the Fort Lauderdale A1A Half Marathon. This is my race. I will do everything in my power to PR. Wish me luck :)

4. I am walking the Disney Princess Half Marathon with some of my friends. I am so incredibly proud of them (for one of them it's her first half marathon) and want to be there with them when they cross the finish line!

5. I have been running 4 miles in under 32 minutes. I don't think I've ever done it and in the past week I've done it TWICE!! (Maybe those speed workouts are working lol)...

6. I gained 6 pounds on the cruise I went on last week (I've failed to mention my cruise on the blog, but it was for my husband's and I three year anniversary!!!). Even though I worked out every day I still gained weight lol. Damn cruises.

7. It was my three year anniversary last week!!! 12-12-12!!!! I am so incredibly lucky to have a husband that supports me 100%. Who else can deal with the endless races, traveling, and smelly clothes??? 

8. Christmas is just around the CORNER!! This is my favorite time of the year!!!!! Everyone is happy and just generous. So rare nowadays huh?

9. I recently noticed while on my longs run that a lot of the songs I have on my Ipod have the word running it. It's used in different forms, but nonetheless running is mentioned.

10. I've realized the last couple of months that life happens. Sometimes you have to switch up workouts, change the time of day you workout, or just plain run 16 miles on a cruise ship. No matter how crazy life gets, it is up to you to be in control of your workouts. IT's your choice whether you want to workout or not so please no excuses....

That concludes my top 10 workouts/accomplishments/thoughts. From here on out I'll be posting more of my workouts and try to be a little more specific in why I choose these workouts.

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!!
 
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