Category: Slacker

Short is better than none right?

So, not feeling well on Tuesday led into a second rest day on Wednesday. Plus between work and school and then back to work, I felt all over the place and so, so tired. Thursday was a normal day of work followed by school later in the evening. If I was a smart person, I would have run 4 miles in the time between. I had my clothes and shoes in my car. I, however, was not smart and chose to meet the tennis team for dinner at Chipotle. Oops. Didn’t get out of school until 10 or even home until well after. Running at 5 AM this morning on 4 hours of sleep? Yeah not so much. The bed was so warm and comfy 🙂

So, that brings me to 3 days off with no running. You would think that 3 days rest would make me feel invigorated and ready to go, right? Ummm, no. I am still so tired. What gives? I have a race in less than 48 hours and I need to get a run in before then. I generally don’t like going for a run the day before a race (tomorrow), plus that would then be 4 days off. Yuck. It’s not like I’m sick, I just feel super tired and worn out. Not a good combination to start the weekend. 😦

I hate running on Fridays because it usually feels like a longer day and work is generally busier. My last long run was on a Friday but was only because I was on vacation. However, I had my running clothes with me and was going to try and make myself go the gym after work. Yeah, putting on running capris after 3 days of Slacker-dom? Oh what fresh hell is that?!

I didn’t make it to the gym but I did make it to the lake. I was fighting a setting sun as well as Friday fatigue. But anything is better than nothing right? I set out to do 2 laps. That would be around 2.35 miles. Since it was short, I decided to push a little harder. I started out feeling really sluggish but halfway through my legs actually felt pretty good. I wanted more sun. Plus I got to test out my new capris, so far so good, but it was only 2 miles. The weather for this Sunday’s race may be a little warmer that I would like. I can’t decide if I want to wear capris or shorts. Decisions, Decisions.

I am hoping that working the registration/ packet pick up table tomorrow will help get me in gear. I really like watching everything be set up. Plus, it is fun handing out the packets and watching people pick up their bib numbers and chips. The shirts can turn into a bit of hassle with people wanting to changes sizes but it’s still fun.

I love this race; I really do, but it also adds stress. The course is flat and fast and if there was a time to aim for a PR, this would be it. In fact many people try. The course has not changed over the years and it is the only race I have ever run that offers money for the top 3 placers in the 10K and top male/ female in the 5K. Plus 100% of the race entry fees go to charity and you get to choose which charity your entry fee benefits. There are usually 3 charities to choose between.

This is also the only race I have ever run that actually closes the roads. Ever run a half-marathon with a semi coming up behind you? Yeah, it’s a little nerve wracking. The 5K is one loop through downtown and the 10K is two loops. I am nervous about running through the starting/ finish line after the first loop. I know that my Nike app tells me the pace at every mile, but it’s different than seeing the numbers on that big red clock. Hopefully running passed the crowd will be enough of a distraction. Either that or work as a motivation boost!

Anyone have any big plans for the weekend?

Any races or long runs?

My Happy Place

It rained!!!!! Only for a bit and it was more of a mist but it rained! It happened while I was working Saturday, I tried to take a picture but it just looks gray. We’re in the middle of a drought so any rain is exciting. Granted I wasn’t in my home town and it turns out it didn’t get any rain. Driving home in the rain and fog was less exciting. I was behind a car going 40 in a 60, but that was actually ok as I could hardly see the car itself due to the fog.

I arrived home to find new toys in the mail! My new belt had arrived. I had searched numerous web sites and asked fellow bloggers opinions as I was super frustrated by my current hydration belt. After checking things out, RunningFromitAll (awesome blog) recommended iFitness. Duh! They made my basic running belt that I really liked aside from it being too small for longer races. I had forgotten about them. So I checked out their website, turns out they changed their name to Fitletic. After mulling things over, I ordered myself a new belt.

Now this is not a hydration belt. I can order the add on’s for that but I think I am going to try it without. There are 5 water stations in my next half marathon, so I figure between those and a little handheld with Gatorade, I will be ok. At least that is the plan. We’ll see how it works out after the race. It has 2 pockets and some straps for gels, as well as race bib holders. I probably won’t use the bib holders, I tend to wear my belt really low on my hips. My phone does fit much better in this belt as well.

I was torn between the track and the gym for my run, but I really wanted to test out my new belt. The track won. Which is more than fine by me, the track is my “happy place”. I was aiming for between 4-5 miles and was thinking about trying some 800’s. I felt pretty good after my first mile, so I decided to just try and maintain pace as long as I could. I had a larger bottle of water to carry but it was driving me bonkers so I left it on a table by the track.

I hit mile 4 and still felt good, so I kept going. My mother had come with me for this workout and I noticed then that she was doing her sprints. She does those when she nears the end of her workout. I rounded the south curve and hit mile 5, and she was sitting on the table waiting. It was too good of run to quit so I pushed through to a full 10K. Mile 6 was my best mile out of the 6, 9:38 🙂 My overall pace was better than my previous run on the treadmill. But I also love the track now, like I said, it’s a happy place. I hated it in high school, but then I hated running too. I have always been a slacker. I was actually asked a couple times if I wanted to run track back then and I was like “why the heck would I do that?”. I ran the required amount for tennis and softball and that was it. Not a foot more. Now I wish I had maybe given it a shot then, maybe it wouldn’t be so hard now.

Today was a designated Slacker day. I spent the day shopping. Prior to getting healthier and losing weight, I use to say that window shopping was exercise, all that walking up and down the street right? My Nike Fuelband quickly put that theory to rest. Shopping days are actually some of my laziest days. I earn more fuel points at work, and I sit at a desk a lot. Today, I discovered that trying on clothes is a work out, haha! I went to Dick’s to look for a new pair of running capris. I tried on 9 pairs, that was just ridiculous. I ended up going with the Nike Filament Capri, which was funny because they were the pair I liked the least on the rack and based on fabric. Once on, though, they felt awesome. Now to see if they run awesome.

I also picked up some new work clothes for a steal 🙂 and ate some yummy food. I picked up a few things to finish the mini room makeover, but still haven’t been able to get the headboard to work. All in all, a very good Slacker Sunday.

So yummy, I snacked a bit first :) — So yummy, I snacked a bit first 🙂

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend and kicked ass in any races 🙂

Easy Sunday

After Friday’s treadmill 10, I stopped by the desk on the way out and upgraded my gym membership. Now, this might seem a little odd as I hadn’t been to the gym since February. However I could upgrade for free right now and the upgrade meant I could bring a guest for free anytime I wanted. So today I headed back to the gym with my mom in tow.

We checked in and headed for the treadmills. I took her through the basics and she was off! She was planning on walking 4 miles on the treadmill before checking out the other equipment. She had a couple of minor mishaps on the treadmill before settling in. She pulled the emergency stop out twice, oops! That’s why I don’t use that thing. She also almost ran into the front of it, I do that all the time! I told her that just meant she could go faster. 🙂

From the second I started running, I could feel how tired my legs were. I think I maybe could have used another rest day. Since I had already run my 3x this week, I had no real plan for today. I ran an very easy 3 and then walked just shy of another mile. Then my mom was like “let’s check out the ellipticals!”. Yeah, ellipticals and I don’t always get along. I can hardly ever get them to stop! But I gave it a shot. Meanwhile, she was just powering it away on her machine. Took me almost 11 minutes to complete a mile, yeah that was it for me. My legs were so tired, not really sore, just tired. Plus, by now I am far enough into training that my toenails are talking back to me.

ilovetorun.org | RUNNING CAN BE GIVEN — Ahhh, the joys of running 🙂

I think I created a monster; she already wants to go back to the gym!

Slacker Saturday yesterday was pretty nice, I can’t complain. I was able to pick up a new quilt as well, so bring on the mini renovation 😉 I was super excited until I hit a little snag today. That lovely headboard that I bought on Friday? Yeah, it’s too big, by 5 inches. Crap!!!! So even though I still have to figure that out, I could make some of the changes.

I guess she approves :) — I guess she approves 🙂

As of today, I am exactly 2 weeks from my 10k and 4 weeks out from my half marathon. Eeeek! And now it’s back to work tomorrow which bites but its ok too. There’s a 3 day weekend (race weekendJ ) in October and then I have a full week vacation in November to look forward to 🙂

Anyone else sharing in the toenail troubles?

Hope everyone had an amazing weekend!

Shine On !!!!!

Happy Saturday everyone! Thanks again to BayRunner Jamie for the nomination for the Shine On Award 🙂 The rules are as follows:

1. Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you.

2. Acknowledge that blogger on your blog, and link back.

3. Share seven random, interesting things about yourself.

4. Nominate up to 15 bloggers for the Shine On Award, provide a link to their blogs in your post, and notify them on their blogs

5. Copy and paste the award somewhere on your blog

Numbers 1 and 2 done, so here goes #3:

Seven Random Things

1. I watch too much TV, I really do. Netflix and I get along great. It’s very helpful for marathon sessions of Doctor Who or Supernatural. Or whatever else strikes my fancy.

2. I’m a natural blonde who dyes my hair darker. I currently have a couple shades going on, blonde, red and brown.

3. I love Diet Coke and can’t stand coffee. Drink way too much Diet Coke, but I’m working on that.

4. I have posted Harry Potter fan fiction online.

5. I love to read, a lot.

6. I put on foundation and mascara before every race, it may be ridiculous, but it’s part of my race ritual.

7. I am in my early 30’s, and on my 9^th car.

Ok, that was hard! Now on to the fun part, the blogs that I would like to nominate for the Shine On Award are:

AttemptedRunner

Run, Hemingway Run!

The Princess and the Jog

I Sweat Pretty

eatbreatherun

Move Eat Create

I chose ones that I really like to read and that I don’t think have been nominated before. If I am wrong, I am sorry!!!

This also made me realize that I need to read more! If you haven’t read any of these, you should check them out.

Since, I am working on having a nice Slacker Saturday, I think I will work on finding more blogs to read. You can never have too much inspiration right?

Hope everyone is having an awesome day!

Oh, vacation…

I have been on vacation for the last two days. I had planned to run a couple miles Wednesday after work; however after leaving “work school” I was so tired. And I still had to drive home. I was supposed to meet my mom for a run/ walk but wanted to cancel so badly, but was gonna tough it out. I made it back home and found out that my mom wasn’t feeling it either. Yay for a rest day!

Thursday was my first vacation day. I had originally taken the time off because I wanted to head up to Sacramento to attend Aftershock, but wasn’t able to make that work out. 😦 If anyone who reads this is there, I am so jealous! But a 4 day weekend is still pretty awesome, right? I spent Thursday running errands (boo- DMV) and catching up on school. After not having to commute to work, I really did not want to drive to school, but I did. What do you know the teacher was late and the alarm in the nearby chem lab went off every 5 minutes for the next 2 hours. Ugh, really? Thankfully, the teacher couldn’t take it either and we were able to leave early.

Today rolled around and I should have gotten out of bed and done my long run before it hit triple digits but I didn’t. Instead I slept in, went to lunch with my parents and did a little antique shopping with my mom. I have been looking for a headboard for years now, but never found one that I liked and was in my price range. Wandered into a booth today and one was leaning up against a wall. Blue-gray in color, good, right bed size, check, and the price? Steal of the day-under $50? Sold!!!!

Since it was still around 100 outside, and the first home football game was tonight, I decided not to run around my neighborhood. The stadium is within walking distance of my house, so Friday nights often mean crazy traffic and crazier drivers. So what the heck, I went to the gym. Haven’t been since February, oops.

Walked into the gym and was confused. When did it turn into the Biggest Loser gym? I was waiting for Jillian Michaels to come out and start yelling at me to run faster. Hmmm, guess I missed a remodel in the last 7 months. So I got on a shiny new treadmill (way too many buttons) and started running. 10 miles later, I still hate treadmills. And I am a little over the movie Hancock, it was playing on one of the numerous TV’s when I got there and then it started over. No!!!!!!

But, long run done!!!! Also while I was on the treadmill, I had a little notification from Word press pop up. I was nominated for a Shine On Award! Talk about a great pick me up when running 🙂

I was nominated by BayRunner Jamie, who has a really great blog, if you haven’t checked it out, head on over and catch up! Since I am still trying to figure this whole blogging thing out, I need to read more on what I need to do now so that will follow soon in another post. But thanks for shout-out BayRunner Jamie!

Tomorrow I am looking forward to being as much of a Slacker as possible. Is it sad that I really like this shirt?

Hope everyone has a great weekend ahead, either great plans or just good general lazing around. 🙂