Category: Slacker

I blame it on the gum, or lack there of…

If I had known how icky today’s run was going to be, I would have whined a hell of lot less about Monday’s 10 minute miles. Seriously, I need to go back in time and stuff a sock in it.

Work today was crazy, but then again the 1^st always is, so I can’t really use that as an excuse. But I want to! After 2 days of being a Slacker, I was ready to run, so I decided to throw some hills into my run. But again, I can’t use that as an excuse. I was just sloooooow. I had a new playlist ready to go and my new Yurbuds, (still liking them by the way, but that cord is freaky long). As I was running, I noticed that my new tunes sounded like the Supernatural soundtrack 🙂 I even ran past a cemetery. But even AC/DC couldn’t speed me up 😦

Today’s run was just all wonky. It was just shy of 90 and I didn’t take water. Stupid move #1. I was half a mile into my run when I realized I forgot my gum. Stupid move #2. I don’t know about anyone else but I have to chew gum when I run. It helps me feel less thirsty and just makes the run seem easier. I realize that it’s all in my head, but I wanted that piece of gum!! I pushed through for 4.5 miles but I was just done.

30 Day Squat Challenge — Done and Done 🙂

So on July 30 I successfully completed a squat challenge. It started you at 50 on the first day and by the end of the 30 days, you completed 250. I found it on Pinterest, but I know that it can be found on other sites as well. While part of me thinks it may have helped my running, I am not sure that I like the other effects. Of course I wanted to tone my legs, but now I can’t decide if they are toned or scary, hehe. I am not really happy with how my clothes are fitting right now and the only thing I changed was adding the squats. Eeergh!!!!

I had previously tried to complete both a push-up challenge and a plank challenge in June but failed both about 12 days in. Again, found them both on Pinterest I am trying to step up my cross training and strength training because I know that I should but it is so hard for me to follow through. I have numerous dvd’s as well, but rarely ever use them. In fact the last time I used one; it was a Spartacus workout and it hurt to walk for days after that 😦 Sad I know. I tried downloading the Nike Training App to my phone, but it requires more space than I can spare on my phone. I have no idea what is taking up so much space, seriously what the hell is other?

I think I will try the push up challenge again in August, not sure about the plank. The idea of building up to 5 minutes is intimidating as hell. I have tried looking for another interesting one to complete but so far nothing has jumped out me 😦 Anyone else have ideas or challenges to share?

Run, Run, Run!!!!!

So Sundays planned day of rest turned into a 4.5 mile trail run/walk. This was after a yummy lunch and a little shopping 🙂 While shopping I picked up a pair Yurbuds. I could never find a pair of earbuds that didn’t hurt in some way, so I thought I would step up the money and see if it was worth it. Worn them twice so far, and have to say, pretty nice.

I told myself I was going to take it easy on the trail run, and I did half the time, I ran the other half. It was a very pretty trail. Could have done without the snake that decided to say hi, I think we equally scared each other! I may have to do this again sometime.

After running on Saturday and the trail on Sunday, I really should have taken a rest day today but I was so close! After the trail, I noticed that my Nike+ app said 997.1 miles. I was almost at 1000!!! I wanted to hit that number so bad, so I went for a run after work. Figured I would force myself to go easy for 3 laps of the park. The weather was good except for the backside of the lake, the wind was ridiculous! And of course, I was running into it 😦

So my ankle was not feeling so great and I was tired, so I was actually taking it easy. As I’m running, I’m telling myself that my slow today is still faster than when I first started running and this time last year and at least I was getting in a workout. Of course, while I’m trying some motivational self-talk, what happens? A freakin’ turbo comes flying past me, leaving me in the dust. Gee, thanks dude, did you miss my inner pep talk?! Seriously, he was fast, and more power to him, I was just envious.

But Turbo-Man aside, I hit 1000 miles!!! Hell Yeah, Little happy dance.
🙂

Now if only the average pace was more reflective of the past year, hehe.

Tomorrow is definitely going to be a rest day and since I work later than usual on Wednesday; that will probably be a slacker day. I’ll get running again on Thursday.

Anyone else have any turbos on their runs?

I run, why can’t I do this?!

Apparently working in a town that rarely gets above 72 has killed my heat resistance. Living in a town that averages triple digits in the summer makes that a problem. Today’s workout was only around 90, but holy hotness I was dying.

Hit the track with the intention of doing 5 miles. Ha! I maintained race pace for 2 miles, then did some speed work for the remaining 2 miles, completing only 4. I think I finally started to notice a difference in my running after 27 days of squats. Running the straights, I felt like my legs were working more efficiently even if the heat was kicking my butt. Of the course, the breeze didn’t pick until I was done running. After running, I decided the grass looked nice and comfy 🙂

So my mother was there too, having absolutely no problems with the heat. Then she spends most of her time in it, she’s the tennis coach. Before we left, she challenged me to do some ins and outs? Umm, do what now? So we went over near the tennis courts, where I saw ladders painted on the ground. I got it now.

So she demonstrated. I thought, “sure no problem”. Ha!! I couldn’t even complete one. So it’s an in then out pattern with each foot, so 1-2 in, 3-4 out, repeat. I kept turning it into hopscotch! She does it 5 more times and I fail every time. I thought I was somewhat coordinated, apparently not 😦 It was a good thing no one else was around, because the more I messed up, the more colorful and vocal I became.

New goal, complete these damn ladders. Will attempt it again next weekend, fingers crossed! Anyone else have problems with these or is it just me?

Slow but rewarding

It’s only Thursday but this week has felt like a month. Back to work on Monday with a little run. Volleyball playoffs were on Tuesday. Class final due on Wednesday (seriously I must have been insane to take a course in the summer), work today with a run after. And through it all, my ankle has been making its presence known. I am now also 25 days in that squat challenge.

Playoffs on Tuesday were, umm yeah. Well, we made the playoffs, maybe we should leave it there. Haha, we came in fourth. The better part of the night was $1 tacos and $2 beers with the team afterwards 🙂

Today was just an “ugh” day. Nothing wrong, just in a funk. Ever had one of those? Left work for my run and was dragging. Met my friend at the park and was happy to see the jogging stroller. Yeah! A reason to go slow! Plus her baby is so stinkin’ cute, its impossible to stay cranky.

I am kind of an all or nothing kind of person. I am either running or I am a total slacker. I spent so much time trying to get faster and working on my speed that I have troubles going out easy when something hurts, so the stroller was awesome. 2 slower laps with them and 1 faster after. Today may have been slow but it was still 3.5 miles. And jogging strollers are harder to push (better workout, hehe) when the tires are low on air. The thing is brand new; do they all lose air like that? Finished my 220 squats and am done, woo hoo!

Tomorrow may be Friday but for now, I am in my comfy chair with a fan on, and an ice pack on my ankle. I have a snack of chips and salsa, oh and a nice cold, homemade margarita. With real fruit!

Back on track?

Can you be back on track if it’s only been one day? After choosing to take another rest day yesterday, stupid ankle, I hit the park after work. Today was also my first day back to work so bring on the heels too! Wore my lowest pair as they are still more support than my tiny little flats. Too bad I can’t wear running shoes to work 🙂

Leaving work, I was so tired. Today was such a Monday, plus the first day back is never stress free. I had planned to meet my friend at the park for a few laps. However her work day was just as crazy as mine, so she wasn’t able to make it 😦

After 3 days off my plan was to go slow and walk when my ankle hurt. I also planned on only 2 laps. It would be just under 2.5 miles, small but I figured it would be a good test. Those 3 days off felt like forever once I started out. I was so sloooooooow. Which was the plan but it still irritated me. Maybe I should have run this without my GPS, but where’s the fun in that?

2 laps turned into 3, all still slow. Slow but steady with some walk breaks. I can feel my ankle, it’s not as bad as it was but it’s not exactly happy. So after tomorrow’s volleyball finals, I have decided to push my Wednesday run back to Thursday to give it a little more time.

On a funnier note, I had mentioned previously that there was a section of the park path that reeked. Today when I ran passed that section the first time; I noticed a sign but didn’t stop to read it. After the second pass, I busted up laughing and on the third pass, I stopped to take a picture. Guess I wasn’t the only one who thought it smelled 🙂