Day 11

Today has been a frustrating day, although I am trying not to give into the frustration. Once again, I woke up an hour or so before my alarm went off - I haven't had a good night's sleep all week because it is just too hot. Then I tried to get out of bed and realized how freaking sore I am from MXT. Then I weighed myself (which I do every morning) and saw I was heavier than the day before (not by much but it still ticked me off because I have been so diligent). Then Andy woke up not feeling well... sorry babe! But I also still don't feel all that great. We decided to run anyway this morning (which I'm glad we did), but we went without a route, argued over where to go (I was afraid someone from the office would see me out running), and I ended up not being able to keep up once again - which frustrates me because I'm now convinced I will be running 26.2 miles all by myself since I can't go fast enough! Ugh.

So I hopped in the shower to get ready for work. I turned it as cold as it could go and it honestly felt amazing. I thought - there... a nice cold shower to wash away my frustration... now the rest of the day will be good. Wrong. I left the apartment running late for a meeting, only to realize I left my keys on the table... had to go back to get those, now running even later. Then I got an irritating email at work (I get them all the time, but I was already irritated so it didn't help). Then a bug crawled across my desk (he's dead now). And none of that is really that bad, but combined with the fact that it is gray and cloudy outside, and mostly that I have to miss zumba tonight for a stupid front desk meeting... well, it's a frustrating day.

Sorry to be such a downer - in other news, team Liquid Courage got sweet sweet redemption last night, winning 11-5. Take that! I even got to play 2nd base the entire game, which was exciting. And best of all we won the challenge thanks to Jay's skills.

Jay wins the Shot Gun Challenge

Alright, Andy and I are headed to our favorite farmers market to get some fresh produce, and then I'm off to the desk meeting. I have a feeling I'll be rather vocal at it. :)

Total Miles Run: 25.41
Total Weight Change: -5.2

Day 10

Crazy Stripes!

I have to hurry and write this post before my arms no longer work (I'll explain in a bit). This morning Andy and I headed out for another 3 mile run. All of these runs (and other workouts) creates quite a bit of laundry, so this morning's outfit was rather "creative." During a Fleet Feet run two years ago, our pacer said running was not a fashionable sport. I don't think this is quite what he had in mind. 

I didn't map a route, so the strategy was to run in one direction for 1.5 miles, then turn around and run home. We relied on my Garmin to tell us when it was time to turn around, which meant I had to keep up with Andy for the first half. He was so fast - I thought I was going to die, although I'm sure it felt harder than usual because my sore throat is still hanging out and has made friends with a runny nose and headache. Awesome.

It's funny how when you run, things that would never be acceptable all of a sudden don't seem like such a bad idea. Like spitting. Not that I spit all the time when I'm running, but every once in awhile, I do. I almost took it to a new level today (but thankfully did not). My nose was running and I thought, "I should blow my nose... I can just use the bottom of my shirt." Eww! Why would I even consider that!? Oh, but it gets weirder. As I was getting close to home I decided I would have a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, and then thought, "I should put some pulled pork in it... that would be good." Am I pregnant?!? (No Mother I am not, don't worry). You'll be glad to know I ate my oatmeal sans pork this morning, but perhaps that was my bodies way of telling me I needed some protein.

Now onto my "soon to be immobile" arms. This afternoon I tried MXT (Midtown Extreme Training) for the first time, thanks to some motivation by Sarah. It reminded me a lot of Steve's 6am bootcamp that I used to go to back in the day with Emily and Carrie. Only this was bootcamp on crack. After the first 5 minutes I was drenched. I didn't even know it was possible to sweat as much as I did. It was an amazing workout - I definitely want to do it again whenever I can work it into my schedule - but I am about 110% positive that in the next few hours, it will hurt to breathe. Thank you Sarah for getting me there and for still being my friend after witnessing the sweat-fest! :)

Tonight is kickball. Hopefully we won't lose as bad as last week!

Total Miles Run: 21.39
Total Weight Change: -5.4

Day 9

Hi friends. I will keep this short and sweet since it is almost my bedtime and I have some ice cream to eat before then. ;)

I woke up this morning with a sore throat (that has not gone away). I really hope I am not getting sick... Anyway, Andy and I headed out for a three miler this morning. I mapped a relatively shady route (the high today was 97, so shade was necessary). There was even a well-positioned sprinkler that I took full advantage of. I don't know if it was the heat, dry mouth, my sore throat, or what, but I had a severe case of running rabies by the end. Pretty gross.

I spent the rest of my afternoon listening to the RPO Marimba Band in a barn (stupid summer camp for kids). You think 97 degrees is hot outside? Go sit in a barn for awhile. See how you like that. Not to worry though - I kept myself plenty hydrated. :)

Drinking in the barn

Babs - why is there a space shuttle sticker on your water bottle? Good question. You see, I lost about 8,000 Nalgene bottles in college. I'd leave them after a lecture, come back, and they'd be gone. So I bought another one, slapped a space shuttle sticker on it - I've had that thing for 9 years now. No one wants a space shuttle water bottle.

Ok ok because I'm sure your dying to hear about Cardio Hip Hop last night... let's just say I'm whiter than I thought. Alyssa, Anna, Lisa and I still had a good time though. It's always fun to try new things with friends. Especially when you all look ridiculous together. :) Next time I go, I will adopt the name Barbeesha in hopes that it will give me an edge, haha.

Ok, ice cream time!

Total Miles Run: 18.33

Total Weight Change: -5.4

Day 8

Rest Day! Well earned I'd say. But of course I won't rest completely... tonight I'm headed to Cardio Hip Hop. I've only been once before - it is alright but certainly not as fun as zumba. I would probably have a better time if I didn't feel like such a cracker, haha.

Rebecca returned to work today, thank goodness. We threw a 5-pound ball back and forth in my office while she told me about all of her adventures at Bard this last week. After 20 minutes, a 5-pound ball gets heavy!

Other than catching up with Rebecca, the highlight of my day has been purchasing new running shoes!!! In 4-5 business days, a beautiful pair of Brooks Ravenna 3's will be arriving at my door (as long as one of our ghetto neighbors doesn't steal them). Two years ago I was fitted for running shoes at Fleet Feet and ended up with my first pair of Brooks Ravenna's. I haven't strayed since. I think it is especially fitting that a Seattleite would end up with these shoes. Brooks sports is based out of Bothell, WA - just north of Seattle. And the Ravenna neighborhood is located near my old University of Washington stomping grounds.

Burke-Gilman trail - Bothell, WA

Ravenna Area

I'm pretty sure this was meant to be. :)

Day 7

Happy Sunday friends! What a great way to end the first week of official marathon training. This morning Andy, Sarah, and I ran the Jungle Jog 5k - which, for those of you that do not know, goes through the zoo. It's not every day you get to see an emu and polar bear while out for a run! While it was definitely warm and super humid, the sky was thankfully overcast so it was not as hot and miserable as I thought it might be.

My goal was to break a 10:00/mile pace, which meant I'd have to finish in 30:59. My super secret goal was to beat 30:00 total (a 9:39/mile pace or better). I felt like I ran a really smart race - I slowed a little when going uphill so I wouldn't totally wipe myself out, and then tried to take advantage of the downhills - yes friends, once again, another hilly race. I could see the clock at the finish line and knew if I was going to meet my super secret goal I'd have to really book it. According to my trusty Garmin I ran the last tenth of a mile at a 7:45/mile pace and... I did it! I just barely made it in with seconds to spare - 29:57! Woohoo!!!

We look cuter than we smell, lol

Popsicle @ 9:00am - It hit the spot!

I'm never one to pay attention to the age group placing because I am usually waaay down at the bottom of the list, but this time, I was 15th out of 68. Not too shabby! And I keep fast company - Andy came in 10th in his age group in 26:27 (awesome job!) and Sarah channeled her inner cheetah and came in 4th in our age group in 24:41. Holy cow she is fast! 

Andy and I have already planned next weeks runs, and I'm about to head to the grocery store to restock on healthy foods. A very successful week one!

Total Miles Run: 15.3
Total Weight Change: -4.9

Day 6

Long run number one (5 miles) is done! It wasn't the easiest for sure, but it certainly wasn't the worst run I've done. What is so strange is how hard I feel like I'm working - and how slow my pace is! I know the heat has a lot to do with it, but man... to be huffing and puffing and not breaking a 10:00/mile pace is sort of maddening. Thank goodness it will be cooler by the time the marathon rolls around.

Anyway, back to this morning. It was an all out running party - Andy, Anna, Alyssa, and I got a nice early start. The heat didn't seem to bother Andy at all - he shot off and we didn't see him again until the end, so us girls enjoyed our run together, and especially enjoyed the people watering their lawns!

I was in a much better mood at work this morning than normal - thank you "runner's high." Tomorrow is the Jungle Jog 5k, yay! It has been ridiculously hot the past two years I've done this race, and tomorrow's forecast looks like the streak will continue. Tune in tomorrow for a race recap and pics! 

Total Miles Run: 12.2
Total Weight Change: -3.2

Day 5

Running rest day 2! It feels silly to be on day 5 and only have run twice so far, but that's what the program calls for. I'm excited for my first "long run" tomorrow. I put it in quotes because it is only 5 miles. Actually, maybe I should give it a little more credit because it will be 5 miles in blistering heat. I think we're having another 90 degree day tomorrow... Don't worry Nicole - I will get a bracelet to wear for your wedding that will cover up the Garmin tan line I am bound to have by September.

Zumba last night was fun (as always) but even better since Alyssa came. :) THANK YOU ALYS! I promise to stop bugging you now. ;) Since today was rest day 2, I decided to make today zumba day 2 as well. Nothing like having sweaty hair at work!

The reviews are in on the powdered peanut butter - Alyssa: Disgusting. Sarah: "Interesting" w/a funny aftertaste. I really don't think it's that bad, but it is certainly not the real stuff. Oh well, it was worth a try.

And lastly - things on the heel-front are still improving. I wore my homemade Strassburg sock to bed again. Not perfect, but it does seem to help.