Ahhh….Another Week Long Hiatus

I’m really getting good at this awful blogger thing, aren’t I?

I finally did it! I signed up for a summer swimming pass at a local pool. I’m planning on going 3-4 days a week to swim laps. I haven’t really ever been a swimmer — but I took lessons when I was younger. I’m determined to re-teach myself how to swim. And I’m so excited to beat my summer exercise slump with a cool way to exercise!

Since I ended my running streak I’ve only ran 4 days. I’ve been slacking, I know it. Exercise, food, pretty much life in general. Today is going to start my 40 Days of Straight Runnin’ Streak – and I’m going to make it!

So just to make things clear — and to hold myself accountable – I will be running at least 1.5 miles every single day (and also doing yoga and swimming and walking), so I had better be closer to my goal weight by June 28 (which just happens to be my birthday, perfect timing!) by then. It’ll be like a little birthday present if I make it all 40 days. My IT band is rested and I have my stretches planned out…ready, set, run!

The Dreaded Day of Rest (and other ramblings)

I made it 35 days without taking a day off from running. 35 stinkin’ days!!

102.5 miles.

it felt so good for so long!

…and then, two days ago, my knees felt stiff and sore in the morning. so I only ran 1.5 miles. and walked 4. that might have been a little over kill. probably shouldn’t have walked 4.

…and then, yesterday, both my knees felt stiff and sore all day long. so I only ran 2 miles in the morning. and limited my walking.

…and then, today, both my knees felt stiff, and my right knee felt sore. so i took a day off running (eeek!) it’s killing me. not literally. but close.

i feel like i’m doing something wrong. but i know i’d rather restart my running streak then injure myself. after some poking, prodding, stretching, and pulling, my M.D. in training hubby told me it’s likely my IT band. and also possibly anserine bursitis. so i’m going to whip out the ol’ yoga mat and do some stretching tonight. and take it easy. avoid the treadmill that’s calling out my name. ignore the voice that will be telling me to run tomorrow morning. and hopefully feel well enough tomorrow evening or monday to run. and then see how far i can go this round!

rest up now….

…’cause we’re gonna be out there at it again real soon!

happy running everyone!

Day 30 of 30 Days of Straight Runnin’ has come and gone…and I’m still going!

First things first — did anyone even see my last blog post? I posted it from my parents iPad when I was away, and it had 0 likes and 0 comments, which is abnormal. Usually at least one of y’all like it! Can you let me know in the comments if it showed up in your feed? I didn’t think it was a particularly bad post…but maybe my brain wasn’t functioning right up North!

Life is movin’ right along here. I’m currently on Day 34 of running. I managed to run every single day while I was away for the (long) weekend (5 days)– this was the first time I have ever traveled and exercised every single day! It gives me great hope for our trip at the end of May. It’s also good I did run every day, since I ate a little something like this:

Frisco’s  Salad

I also walked downtown Annapolis with my Dad all day Friday, which was super fun, a great place to visit, and a great work out!

A beautiful day in Annapolis

…and then I got to come home to my trail-lovin’ pup! We’ve already been on two runs and a walk at a new park. I’m spoiling him because I feel so bad about leaving him alone with his Dad for the weekend!

I’d like to spend a minute talking about Running. It’s just become this awesome part of my life. Doing it everyday has made it a a part of me, rather then something I add onto my day. It’s my routine. It’s literally the same as brushing my teeth. I think, okay, when I do I want to fit this in today? In the morning? Run on the treadmill at my lunch break? An evening jog at dusk? Okay, okay, so brushing my teeth is a more scheduled part of my day, morning and night, but you get the point… 

I think I’ve fallen in love with running. I love doing it everyday. I can’t imagine skipping a day (I’m sure I will eventually, but for now we’ll act like I’ll do this run-everyday-thing forever). It’s my time to think, my time to listen to music or watch old TV shows (if I’m running alone or on the treadmill), and half of my days it’s my time with my baby dog (that we treat like a baby). I get to not only exercise myself but I get to give Cal some great exercise too! It’s just turning out to be the best thing I’ve ever challenged myself to do. I am so happy I did this. I am so happy I’m still going.

I encourage y’all to do this as well if you’re in a running slump! Take 20-40 minutes out of each day and just run.

Enjoy the time alone.

Enjoy the time working your muscles.

Enjoy the time to think.

You won’t regret it! =)

A Great Start to a Weekend Away + The April Miles Blues

I’ve been falling into the Bad Blogger role again. Posts have been sparse, weight loss have been stagnant, and my mind has been elsewhere. Sorry! I’ve said it before, but I will be better.

I am still running everyday. I’m still really enjoying it. Today will mark the end of Week 4 (Day 28). Tomorrow will begin Week 5 (Day 29). I was super proud when April ended and I had ran 82 miles in the month! ….then, I felt inadequate.

I was reading another bloggers post about how she ran everyday in April, too, and how she completed over 150 miles. And I thought….what does my little 82 mile accomplishment mean? nothing! Not a freakin’ thing! I was so upset with myself, that I had let such a tiny number mean so much to me…

…but you know what? I realized on the next days’ run that it does mean something. it means a lot. It’s a distance PR for me in one month. It meant 25 days of running without one day off. It meant achieving something I had once thought impossible. It meant something. It meant a lot. It meant everything.

Running is the best sport. If you are not super fast, if you’re not overly competitive…it’s one of the only sports where you are competing with only yourself. All I want to do is beat my time PR’s and my distance PR’s. I don’t want to run the fastest marathon ever. I don’t want to run the longest distance in history. I just want to set goals for myself and beat them. I want to do what I’ve never done before. The other runners out there are just my teammates. My comrades. My coaches. My pacers. My friends. These goals may be based on what I’ve seen other people do before….but they are still my goals.They will be my accomplishments. So it doesn’t matter if another running blogger posts about her 150+ miles in a month. That is her accomplishment and I should be able to be happy for her without being disappointed in myself.

running is my sport.

and I’m getting better every single day

—–

Yesterday I flew to Maryland for a long weekend. I’ll be traveling to Pennsylvania on Saturday for a wedding of a high school friend — and to visit my long distance best friend! I’m so excited to catch up with my family and friends, but even more excited at the prospect of running every single daywhile away. I’ve never accomplished that before.

Yesterday started off on a great foot when I got off my super-delayed flight (hour and a half of sitting on the plane at the gate and they gave us a crappy cup of coffee…thanks Delta!) arrived at my parents house, and went for a quick run. I pretty much immediately laced up my sneakers after touring their new townhouse. It was a great start to the weekend. It was a great start to the new running, traveling me!

I’ve got my trail mix, nuts, dried fruit and fiber granola bars packed. I’ve already completed one meal with a spinach salad and crab cake (photos will be added in next week!) ordered. I can do this. I can be healthy. I can continue my lifestyle changes while away.

Since the sun rises so early here (it woke me up at 6:15!!), I’m going to finishh drinking my coffee and water and head out for 4 more miles before heading to Annapolis (which I’ve never been to) for the day with my Dad!

Happy Friday! Enjoy a beautiful weekend if you live in the Maryland/PA region. I know I will!

Day 21 of 28 Days of Straight Runnin’ Complete!

As most of y’all know, I’ve been running every day since April 6th.

Today I completed Day 21 (that’s right — 3 straight weeks!) and I have MORE than survived … I think I’ve become a better runner because of it!

Most days are only 2-3 miles, but occasionally I’ll throw in a 4, 5, or more. Saturdays are my long run days, so those are at least 5. I have officially passed the 70-miles-in-a-month mark and am set to pass 80 miles before the month is over. I feel great, running is not a drag anymore, and it’s more about when I’ll run then wether or not I will run. Running shorter distances definitely keeps me interested and motivated — how can I NOT find time for a 20 minute run every day? It’s only 20 minutes! If I don’t think I’ll have time later, I take Calvin on a 20-30 minute run, because let’s be honest, I walk him that long at least twice a day anyway. It’s all about fitting it in — and having a dog that can run 2-3 miles makes it so, so easy.

The only negative I can find is that I am doing so much laundry it’s driving me crazy. BUT, it’s worth it. And I have wearing work out clothes twice. So stinky!

I’ve still got some minor fatigue issues, but I think they’re getting better.

I’m pretty sure the two bed hogs I live with have something to do with this issue!

I’m still a tiny bit obsessed with my phone app that lets me alter pictures

I’ve still been sucking with my diet (working on it), and still haven’t lost anymore weight (double working on it), but I’m happy with my accomplishments this month and can’t wait to see how long I can keep this up!

Big News: This week I started using an exercise ball instead of my desk chair! Right now it’s only in 20 minute segments to prevent injury and soreness, but next week I plan to move to 30 minute segments. I have not fallen off yet, and I’m only bounced on it like a little kid minimally….

after looking at this photo, I’m wondering if I should spend a little more time cleaning my desk and a little less time blogging…

I’m a sloucher by nature. I slouch all the time. I sit cross legged in my desk chair a lot and lean forward. I lean back in the chair. Pretty much, I do anything I can do not be sitting up straight. And this ball changes that. It makes me focus on keeping my back straight. I makes me focus on balance. It is the right now choice for me, but you can decide for yourself. There are plenty of articles on the web about this, here are just a few:

• NY Times
  
• LifeHacker (a bloggers take)
• NBC News

And I am still working on Scoby’s Zero to 100 Push Ups – I’m on Phase 2, and can currently do 6-7 knee push-ups x 5 sets. Those things are freakin’ hard. One day I’ll do my real push-ups!

Now…for a sweet Friday treat!

I’ve been dying to jump on the Black Bean Brownie Bandwagon for a while now..and I’ve finally given in! And I’m so glad I did! These brownies are gluten free and great. They’re fudgey and sweet. I am in love!

Black Bean Brownies

adapted from Minimalist Baker (I LOVE HER RECIPES – but they are in no way low sugar, FYI)

Makes 14-18 brownie bites

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 large eggs
• 3 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 3/4 cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 heaping coconut palm sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (or other type)
• Optional Toppings: chopped Walnuts, pecans chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Generously grease a 12-count regular size muffin tin.
3. Puree black beans through baking powder in a food processor for about 3 minutes, scraping down sides, you want this very smooth!
4. Stir in chocolate chips and pour batter into cupcake pan. Fill about 1/3-1/2 of the way full (makes about 16 brownies). Sprinkle on additional toppings.
5. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
6. Let them cool 30 minutes, then remove from pan and cool entirely before refrigerating or freezing (they are so good frozen!)
7. Store in an airtight container for a few days, or freeze for longer storage.

A vegan alternative recipe can be found at MINIMALIST BAKER.

Nutrition: I wrote down the nutrition somewhere for this recipe and I lost it. I will get back to you on this!

These are a-maz-ing!! Enjoy!

Happy Friday & Happy Running!

 

Short runs + day 18 of 21 Days of Straight Runnin’

Well, I didn’t complete my long run(s) this weekend. I did run, just not nearly as far as I had planned. It was a very busy weekend with little time and little energy to spare!

Saturday I woke up super early (4:30AM!) to volunteer at the Big Squeeze 5K. It was a really well organized, fun race to volunteer for. I got some sweet left over swag (free stuffits for your shoes, dove deodorant samples), dominos pizza, gatorade, lemonade, some gluten-free muffin samples (which were amazing!), a volunteer shirt and a free race shirt! And since there was a family fair following the race, of course I came home with kettle corn!

After being on my feet for about 5 hours, I was in no mood for a long run. I decided to only do 4 very slow, painful miles on the treadmill and call it a night. I have never felt so exhausted during (or after) such a short run! I’m pretty sure (and hopeful) that it was just the combination of an early wake-up and 5 hours of standing (which I’m not used to).

Yesterday I ran my usual 2.2 mile route (with a little extra thrown in) with my running partner in crime, Calvin. I finally timed us and I’m glad I did! We run way faster then I thought! I normally assume we run ~12 minute mile, but we did 2.3 miles at a 10:36 pace on Sunday!  That even includes stops for bathroom breaks, and calming sessions after squirrel-freakouts.

squir·rel  /ˈskwər(ə)l/

Noun

An agile tree-dwelling rodent (Sciurus and other genera, family Sciuridae) with a bushy tail, typically feeding on nuts and seeds. Possessing the ability to turn a coonhound mix into a crazy, hunting beast in a few seconds flat. Enjoys taunting dogs on leashes, especially when they are wearing prong collars that prevent them from pulling hard. AKA JERKS.

ANYWAY, 4 miles Saturday + 2.3 on Sunday = 6.3 miles this weekend….compared to the 13 miles that I was hoping to get in. A little less then half.

This has lead me to consider the possibility of backing off my long runs and focusing on working out everyday (I’m really enjoying daily runs!), cross training (joining a local pool in May! can’t wait to re-learn how to swim!), losing the rest of my weight, perfecting my diet, and enjoying my runs. I have yet to sign up for my June Half Marathon. I’m thinking of downgrading to a 10K in June, and running my next half in November (which I’m already signed up for). I’m really enjoying my daily short runs compared to my 3-4x a week 4+ mile runs.

Something to think about!

Springtime = Playtime!

Tonight’s 2.5 mile run is going to complete Day 18 of 21 Days of Straight Runnin’ (it just keeps getting longer, I’m hooked)! I’m really, really loving my everyday runs, even the hard ones. I have not regretted one run I’ve completed. I’m up to just over 60 miles for the month of April, which is more than I have run in a month since January!!  I think THAT is some crazy stuff! All these short runs really do add up to some awesome mileage!

My knee was hurting a tiny, tiny bit when going up a steep hill on yesterday’s run, so I’ll keep an eye on it. If it hurts for more then a few days in a row I will definitely take a day off. No injuries for this girl! I’m on too great of a roll!

It’s going to be very hard to keep up my daily runs in May since I’ll be traveling 2 out of 4 weekends, but I’m going to try my hardest.

Today begins another stretch of bland (focusing on nutrition only, not flavor) eating. I’ve had another few days of mess-ups, and really, really need to get this weight off! I was hoping to be done losing my weight by June, but there is just no way that will be happening. I’m shooting for the end of the summer now.

Life. Goes. On.

Happy Monday & Happy Running!

Dove Real Beauty Sketches…a beautiful thing!

“we spend a lot of time as women analyzing and trying to fix the things that aren’t quite right, and we should spend more time appreciating the things that we do like”

nice job, Dove. nice job.

thanks Cat’sCityLife (http://catscitylife.com/) for sharing this video in a way that made me want to SEE it, and not just see it….