March was an interesting month. It was half dominated by my indoor triathlon (doing an ironman over the course of a month...which I finished!! woo!).  The other half was spent in Europe doing an international commercial arbitration competition. I only ran twice but I'm surprised I even did that! Anyway, my review of March reflects these two things.  

March Stats: 

Total Distance: 41.94 miles

Total Time: 7.31 hours

Average Pace: 10'12"

Compared to February, I ran only 11 times as opposed to 14 times, but I still only ran 4 less miles. So I am definitely increasing my mileage.  My pace slowed down a bit, but that is probably because I take a slower pace doing my long runs.   My goal for April is to get back in the 9 min mile arena for my average pace :)

10k training: Week 10

As much as I want to share my life with you all, I have to keep this short and sweet today because I am a busy traveling lady. Week 10 was a little hectic but I managed to finish my indoor triathlon and do most of my runs. All-in-all, week 10 felt really good and made me feel more confident about the 10k in April. 

Week in review:

Monday

Did Tuesday's workout pretty much. I cycled for 13.68 miles at the gym. 

Tues

Did Monday's workout. Ran 3.12 mi at a 10'00" pace on the gym treadmill. Then did the spin bike for 10.3 miles (which goes much faster than the other gym bikes btw!)

Wednesday

Went to spin class for 1 hour. Let me just give a standing ovation to anyone who is crazy enough to do that more than once a year. I was D Y I N G. DYING DYING GAH! It was so hard! 21.4 miles biking in 1 hour. 

Thursday

Thursday was interesting.  I signed up for something called "Run with the dogs" (I hope to write more about it soon), but basically, once or twice per month a group of runners takes out the dogs at the humane society for a 2-4 miles run.   Thursday was the training day and I had a lot of fun meeting everyone. Unfortunately, we didn't get to actually go out for the run yet, so no puppy run time.  I did end up just running around the area afterward and actually ran into my boyfriend (who was also running lol!).  I did 3 miles at about a 9'20" pace, and then did a few striders. 

Friday

Nothing!

Saturday

Was supposed to do a long run but had no time--I was also not in the mindset.  Saturday I was traveling from Champaign --> Chicago --> Zurich --> Budapest and I was all anxious about making sure I was packed and ready to go .My head was in the clouds!  I did manage to get on the treadmill for a few minutes and do a 2.6 mi run. 

Sunday

Jet lag, sleeping, drinking wine, and more sleeping!

Earth, Wind and Fiyaaa 5k

Someone once told me to never write words with extra letters attached (see above: fiyaaa) and I made the conscious decision to ignore them.  I want you all to know that I am singing my title to you, like Alicia Keys in Girl on Fire. Can you hear me?  Okay, I am done singing now.  So, I ran the Earth, Wind, Fire 5k this weekend and am here to report back about it!  It was my first officially timed race where there were actually medals for the winners (not that I got a medal..ha!). But that made it more exciting for me than the un-timed fun runs I've done so far. I wish they had a Miss Congeniality award because I totally would have won that. 

The race was on campus and there were around 215 people participating, so it wasn't a huge race.  It was about 38 degrees F and not too windy, so colder than I'd like not too bad.  The race was a 1.55 mile loop that we did twice.

Racers starting out.  My friends and I started in the back of the pack so as to not intimidate everyone around us ;)

This is my friend Jen and me at the almost-halfway point.  I saw the photographer so I tried to make it look like I was running strong.  Turns out I just looked goofy.  At least I was smiling--not looking bad enough to make it to the Seriously Ugly Race Pics site. Thank goodness. I know most people are hyper critical of themselves, but now looking at these pictures, I'm pretty sure I get a triple chin when I run. C'est la vie.

 Although I have run a 5k in 27 minutes on my own training runs, I have been struggling the past few weeks with endurance and energy, so my goal for this race was under 30 minutes.  I was averaging around 9:30-9:40 minute miles.  I sprinted the last 0.1 so that I could make my time.  I finished at 29'29".  Not as fast as I'd like, but I have to keep remembering b a b y  s t e p s.  I have my whole life to get faster. 

Accidentally turned off my Garmin so my 4th lap is all funky. 

After the race was the award ceremony.  I try not to feel this way, but I get a tad jealous of those girls who win their age group awards.  I sound like a bitter old whiner but I used to be fast back in the day (albeit at shorter distances in track).  My body looks the same, but it isn't the same because I am much slower.  I just hope that one day I can get back some of that speed that I feel I have lost over the past..gah...8 years?  There is a chance that I won't get it back though even with more experience, and I need to be happy with whatever pace I find myself at.

As far as what I wore, I was really proud of my selection as far as layering.  I wore my nike running tights, a lululemon cool racerback, my target c9 running mittens, my lululemon "what the fluff" earwarmers, and then a very thin avia long sleeved tech shirt.  I also wore my new running shoes and they felt great! (Same pair as before but I think pink put some extra pep in my step). 

Did you run any races this weekend? 

Do you ever turn into the green-eyed monster when you are around a group of runners much faster than yourself? 

I'm doing an ironman...nbd

It actually IS no big deal. I'm doing an "ironman" over the course of a month as a part of my gym's triathlon challenge.  So, in 30 days, I have to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26 miles. 

(I even got this nifty piece of paper to fill out my miles, old school style). 

It was not until starting this triathlon challenge that I realized how much I hateeeeee riding the indoor bike.  I've never done a spin class, is that different?

I took the above picture yesterday.  Obviously, I'm highly lacking in the bike miles department.  So today, my friend had the bright idea that I bike alongside him during his long run, and then afterward, I run the rest of the way for my long run (this will hereafter be referred to as "worst idea ever.")  So what ended up happening was me riding on my mountain bike for 18.6 miles with a million layers on and it being 24 degrees outside.  I wanted to kill everyone.  And afterward, I had to do the run home because there was no way I would do another inch on the bike, and we were exactly 5 miles from home. I h-a-d t-o d-o i-t.  When we got home, I was so pooped I could have collapsed. How do people seriously do that on a regular basis? Gahhh

Honestly, the worst part might have been the pain I endured from that dang bike seat.  The bike seat was so hard and skinny and jammed in places that should never be jammed. I have bruises in places that shouldn't be bruised! I think I need to get a cushioned seat cover AND those special biking shorts with the padding.  Today was just not okay!

I learned recently that today's workout is referred to as a "brick." Bricks are pretty much where you do two different types of workouts back-to-back (e.g. biking/running; swimming/biking, etc.).  While I intend to do more brick workouts, I don't think I will be doing ones this intense in the future! Hope you all had a good weekend, time for me to pass out!

10k Training: Week 7

Another busyyyy week! No time for blogging although I've had a million things to say (not really, but at least a few thoughts).  At least this time I did do all of my runs from my training plan.

Week 7 in review:

Monday

Scheduled: 3 mile easy run

Ran: 4.84 mi @ 10'15" pace. 

I did more than scheduled because I never did the long run last week so I wanted to get it done ASAP!

Tuesday

Scheduled: Easy C/T or off

Did: Cardio H2O class + Will Power & Grace Class (Squats/Planks) For a total of 2 hours worth of classes at the gym.  I know squats and planks are good for you but that class kills me and my knees. :P

Wednesday

Scheduled: Hills + 10 minutes easy

Did: Ran 3 miles on the track with Jen.  3.15 miles @ 9'36" pace

Thursday

Scheduled: 3 miles easy

Did: Nothing!

Friday

Scheduled: nothing

Did: Hills workout. 

5 minute warmup, 15 minute on the incline mode on the treadmill with 400m on and 400m off, 10 minute cooldown.  

Ended up being 3.15 miles @ 10'10" pace

Saturday

Scheduled: 5 mile long run

Did: nothing!

Sunday

Scheduled: C/T or off

Did: 5 miles on the treadmill! It was tough. ended up being 5.01 mi @ 10'05" pace.  So glad I reached that goal though, 5 miles was looming over me like an unattainable goal.   Maybe I succeeded because I bought myself my 5-mile present a week early? :)  I will do a post with my new purchases as soon as I get a chance. 

10k Training: Week 6

Ahhh... only ran twice this week.  Week six was a bad week and the first time I've missed any of my runs from the 10k training plan.   I got sick at the beginning of the week, and honestly, I'm still feeling it a week later! I feel a lot better but I still have sinus and throat issues.  I also had an arbitration competition in Chicago this weekend so I was swamped with that. Thus, less running and no blogging.  

Week 6 in review: 

Monday

Scheduled: 30 minutes running

Ran: Nothing. I did my long run the day before and wanted to take a day off. 

Tuesday

Scheduled: Easy C/T or Off

Did: Ran 3.14 mi @ 8:38 pace. 

As shown by my splits, below, I ran two miles, then walked a lap, and then ran/walked my last mile. It shows a fast pace but that's because I was really hustling when I ran and tried to speed walk when I had to walk!

Wednesday

Scheduled: Speed workout, 2 x 1 mile

Ran: Nothing. Went to zumba instead :) It was throwback 90's zumba and I loveddd it. 

Thursday

Scheduled: 30 minutes easy

Ran: Did the speed workout scheduled for Wed.  I did a 400m warmup at 11'50"/mi; 1600m @ 8'53"/mi; 400m walk @ 14'/mi; 1600m @ 8'55"/mi and 800m walk/run @ 9'/mi.  Total, 3.02 miles at 9:38 pace. 

Friday

Nothingggg

Saturday

Nothing. Went to Chicago and did the competition.  Maybe I'll say that I did some hardcore walking around the city in high heels haha ;) 

Sunday

Nothing. Still sick and figured it was in my best interest to rest.  I am back in the game now though!

Friday climbing & good eats

I love rock climbing. My roommate and I try to go as often as we can at the local gym and I was able to do a guided rock climbing lesson in Boulder this past summer.

(Obligatory Colorado Pics)

Climbing in Boulder

I finally went out and bought the gear so I don't have to keep renting at the gym. So on a boring Friday night I decided to get my climb on. I climbed until my arms got sore, and then I decided to do an ACTUAL easy run on the treadmill since I was already at the gym.  I only did two miles, but I had run the past two days before and didn't want to overdo it on these beginner legs.  I am supposed to do my long run today but I might wait to do it tomorrow so my legs are a bit more refreshed. Before I left the gym, I made sure to get in a good ab workout because I have been slacking a bit on the Abs by April Challenge! I did some planks and hand to toe crunches. Feeling it today!!

After the gym, a friend and I did some cooking. We made apple & bacon stuffed pork chops.  I found the recipe here. It was kind of a pain to make because I had never stuffed meat before, but it turned out delicious.  There were a ton of spices and they meshed together perfectly. Even though it was not a five-minute dish, you need to try it if you eat meat because it was that good.  We also substituted the bacon with turkey bacon and the goat cheese with feta.  

Then of course we had to wash it down with some dried cherry chocolate chip cookies and a big glass of milk.  Good thing I did not go to school to be a food photographer, btw.

10k Training Report: Week 4

Another week down and I have stuck to the 10k training plan.  I was kind of dreading writing this post today because all I have done lately is write posts reviewing my training...zzzz ;)

Without further ado, this is how the week went:

Monday
Prescribed: Easy run for 25 mins
Ran: 2.63 miles outside in 26 minutes (9'54" pace).  This run was horrible very interesting because I had just eaten two large enchiladas and then realized that I had to get a run in. So I ran with a belly full of Mexican food.  It didn't sit well.  It was also a bit hard to breath because it was so foggy and warm! Crazy weather here in Illinois.  Funny thing, I wore regular mascara and when I was done with my run, I looked like I was having a nervous breakdown with mascara all over my eyes.
(Took this lovely picture here after cleaning up the mascara. Still have some dew hair from the fog)

Tuesday

Prescribed: Easy cross train
Did: Jillian Michael's 6-week sixpack.  You are supposed to do it 5x a week (aka 30 times total).  At this rate, I will have a 6 pack in 30 weeks.  Also, have I ever mentioned that I hate burpees? Well if I haven't, let's take notice here. I hate burpees.

Wednesday
Prescribed: 3 miles + 4-5 striders, speed workout
Ran: 3.09 miles at an 8:16 pace (took a break in between miles 2 and 3). I didn't exactly follow the workout but I did complete the 3 miles and did go for speed. Got my new Garmin 210 watch! (WOO, will review it later).  I also did a one-hour fitness class, "deep water exercise." It was pretty much water running and water weights in the deep end. Fun, but the water got kind of cold toward the end.

Thursday
Prescribed: 25 minutes easy
Ran: 2.63 at a 9'32" pace on the apartment treadmill.  It may be the case that I was running a bit slower. I was using my Garmin footpod.  The pace felt comfortable to me, and being the out of shape person I am, I am not convinced I can comfortably run that fast in an "easy" run. Who knows!

Friday
Off!!!

Saturday
Prescribed: 4 mile long run at easy pace
Ran: 4.25 miles in 41:34 (9'46" pace). Wanted to do a little extra since next week is 4.5.  The treadmill said I was going about 40 seconds slower per mile, but I used the footpod time because I always find treadmills to be off a bit. Also, the footpod was pretty spot on during my indoor track run. Anyone else have input on this?

Sunday
Homework allll dayyyy + Superbowl.  Also, I made Neon Blonde Runner's cake batter dip for the Superbowl and it was a big hit!  It was delish and I will be making a second batch this week.  I keep telling myself that the greek yogurt makes it a great source of protein.....

January Running in Review

I'm happy to say that I got back into the swing of things running in January after a few weeks off due to law school finals and the holidays.  I also started adding extra running days because I signed up for a 10k with my friends and started a 10k training plan.  I just looked back at my review of running from November 2012, when I started running, and I already see some good improvement.  In my November review, I mentioned that I was frustrated because I was feeling slow and out of shape.  I still feel kind of slow and out of shape, but I feel less out of shape than I did last month, and so I am happy to see that improvement!

January Stats:

Total Distance: 47.23 miles

Total Time: 7hrs 56mins

Average Pace: 10'06" /mi

I ran over twice as much this month than last month because I was so busy last month.  I still think I have done a decent job of not increasing my mileage too quickly: I stop when I've met my time or distance even if I feel like I could go a bit more.  I have also been trying to keep my body feeling good by using my foam roller when I get a chance and wearing a knee brace sometimes if I think I might be doing a run that would irritate my weak ol' knees. 

My goals for next month are to just stay on track with my 10k running plan and stay injury free.  I am happy with my pace, but if I improve at all in speed that will just be a pleasant surprise.  I have been doing "speed" workouts on Wednesdays, which surprisingly I think have helped me! (As well as cross training for some strength). 

Riddle Run 4-Miler Recap

On Saturday I joined a bunch of other crazy runners and did the Riddle Run, which is a January trail fun run put on by a local family.  I think the term "fun run" is used quite loosely seeing as I don't think I can ever truly have fun in sub freezing temperatures.  I kid, I kid. It was a good time! It was also my first race/run that was over a 5k.  The Riddle Run involves a 4-mile trail loop. You can do as many loops as you want, but technically, you get a DNF unless you complete 7 loops--or 28 miles.  Obviously, I DNF'd (but felt like a champ!!).  I ended up with a time of about 41:00 with a pace of 10'06".  I'm proud of the pace, especially because it was a snowy freezing trail run!

Early morning and freezing pre-race photo. My boyfriend's mom ran with me and stuck to doing only one loop. 

My boyfriend ran the whole thing. He's a machine! 

The best part about Riddle Run is that every participant gets a cream-filled cupcake when they are done. It was out of this world delicious.

I changed and waited for the BF to finish his 28 miles. It was freezing outside but fun to hang out with the other runners. All in all, it was a great time and I can't wait to sign up for my next race :)

10k Training Report: Week 3

I'm sticking with my 10k training plan and have successfully completed week three.  Week three was pretty interesting because it upped the ante for running time and distance compared to weeks one and two.  Week three called for:

This is how it went:

Monday: 

Prescribed: 25 minutes "easy" 

Ran: 25 minutes, not so easy, but FUN, at the gym with my friends Sarah and Jen who are doing the 10k with me. 

Tuesday:
Prescribed: Easy cross train or off.
Did: 40 minute easy Cardio H2O class (my new favorite class, its so easy but so fun), AND a hardcore 1-hr core class after that where we did squats and planks until I thought I was going to die. I was SO SORE.

Wednesday:
Prescribed: 30 minutes running + 3-4 striders.
Ran: 30 minute at unknown pace or distance. Approximately 3 miles. (My friend also used her Nike+ and ours were .25 mile off each so that was kind of curious).  Three 100-meter striders.

Thursday
Prescribed: 25 mins
Ran/Did: Cardio H2O class again. Then did some running at a different gym.  Ran two 8-minute miles, did a total of about 2.6 miles.

Friday:
Prescribed: OFF
Did: NOTHING!

Saturday:
Prescribed: 4 mile long run.
Did: 4 mile trail run as part of fun run/race. Details to come! Average pace: 10:06.

Sunday:
Prescribed: Optional Cross Train
Doing: NOTHING. Homework all day!

In reflection of my week, I feel like I have improved from week 1, where running one mile was getting to be pretty tiring after taking a few weeks off due to finals.  I think after 16 weeks of this training plan, I will hopefully be more than ready for a 10k! :)

Game-Changing Run

Sooo today was weird. Weird in a good way though.  I went to the gym to run on the track, and I brought my handy phone with Nike+ app. I started running at a pace that felt pretty fast for me. Not sprinting or anything but not my normal jog.  My phone told me that I was running at a 10:44/mi pace.  I didn't feel like I was going at that pace, but I have learned not to question how slow I am. After one minute, when I had done a bit over one lap on the track, my phone said that I had run 0.09 miles.  I thought that was a little weird because the track is a 200 meter (0.125 mile) track, so I kept a vague watch on how many laps and how long they took.  Each lap took me pretty much one minute.  After running for 8 minutes, then, I had done 8 laps.  This is what my phone said: 

(See my phone battery? Sucks)

Not wanting to believe that my phone could be so off, I decided to go for another mile at that pace. I used my Nike+ app but decided to just count the laps and use the gym clock timer. 

Amazed that I could run a mile in 8 minutes and confused at how off my Nike+ app really was, I asked someone who worked at the gym if the track was actually 200 meters. Yep.  And I know how to count, I did 8. So today, I ran two 8-minute miles! I can't believe it.  I know for some, this is super slow. But for me, I am just so happy!! I used to run much faster than that in high school, but since I've picked up running this year, I've been stuck in 10-min-mile land (good place, don't get me wrong).  I think knowing that I can run faster than a 10 min mile is going to help me motivate myself to get in better shape so that I can sustain that pace for longer than one mile.  I'm still happy with my goal of running the 10k in April at or around a 10 minute mile pace, but this gives me a little more confidence that I can maybe be faster in the months and years ahead. 

(PROOF!)

(You have not seen icky until you have seen me after a Cardio H2O class and running)

My Signature Smoothie

I love smoothies.  Because I have such a sweet tooth and because I sometimes tend to be lazy when it comes to getting my servings of fruit, I find that smoothies are a healthy way for me to get all of my nutrients.  I will admit that I am a little bit picky about my smoothies....there has to be a full banana in there and I am not a huge fan of artificial flavoring  (I know, shocker) or too much ice.  Besides the smoothies that I make myself, I really love the Starbucks orange-mango smoothie.  They add protein so it is a great post-workout drink.  I'm sure there are some artificial flavors in it but its not overpowering or sticky-gooey tasting if that makes sense. 

This here is my tried and true recipe for my signature breakfast/post workout/dessert delicious and nutritious banana-orange-strawberry smoothie.  

Ingredients: 

**1 large banana

**3-4 strawberries

**5 ice cubes

**container-sized portion of yogurt
(any flavor yogurt but I prefer plain, vanilla, blueberry, or peach) 

**1/3 cup orange juice

Step 1: Put whole banana (the browner the better) and 3-4 cut up strawberries in the blender. 

Step 2: Add about 5 large ice cubes and a container of yogurt.  

Step 3: Pour about 1/3 cup of orange juice over the ingredients. Blend. 

 Step 4: Enjoy!

On the bright side...

Complainer Alert (If you don't want to see me complaining, skip down to paragraph 2) Went out for a run this morning and I was just not feeling it. I was so wiped out. I started walking after six minutes, and then did a walk/run for the rest of it.  I probably ran 2/3 of the total distance.  My legs felt like lead, and breathing was difficult.  The weather has been great here the past few days, but I guess I forgot that means I don't have to wear long-sleeves and two layers.  So all in all I felt like crap and wanted to end my run about 5 minutes in. 

On the bright side, I continued the run and sucked it up.  I pushed through the crappy feeling and told myself that I would just walk when I needed to.  This led to me going my farthest distance "running" yet (3.26 mi).  I don't feel totally smug about that considering how much I walked, but still, its nice to see an increase in the numbers.  Especially with my goal of running farther this month. 

I guess the motto"fake it 'til you make it" really applies to me. I am going to have to push through it and walk/run a bit as I get myself in shape to be a better runner!  How do you push through the hard days? Any tips?