Stats - people read my blog?

Holy cow, there are people all over the world reading this...I need to start being more interesting!

Here are my page views for the month of August:

United States 162

Denmark 11

Canada 9

China 7

Vietnam 3

Australia 1

Who are you people??? Please comment and let me know :)

Getting out of bed in the morning, tricks and tips

This morning I did not want to get out of bed.
I knew that I needed to get up.
I knew that I needed to go for a run.
I knew that at 6:00am it would be the coolest temperatures all day for me to run.
I knew that I would feel better if I got up.

I was all curled up in bed, cuddling with the bf and the dog jumped up to cuddle too. My legs were achy from all the miles that I've been putting on them recently, my tummy was still full from the Indian food feast I had the night before (gave up on dieting), I started to convince myself that running after work would be a better idea because it might be a stressful day...

Then I sat up.

The true secret to getting out of bed in the morning is sitting up. Once you sit up you realize that you're really not as tired as you think you are, and that you are ready to start the day. It will also identify if you are sick and need to return to bed. So the secret to getting up and out of bed in the morning is...sitting up.

Once I sat up and realized I needed to stretch a bit and just go running, it was easy for me to get out of bed. I got dressed and used the couch to crack my back (that has been getting a bit worse recently). Then it was out the door into the 95% humidity and 75 degree pre-sunrise morning. I decided to go further south than usual rather than run south and then more north...this was decided since the wind was coming out of the south and I wanted that resistance in the beginning of the run, not the end.

Mile 1 I went faster than I've been running recently, 9:43 I want to say. Mile 2 I struggled a bit, I'll blame the wind as I was at 10:18 I think. Mile 3 was a weird one because I had just hit mile 2 later than I had planned, thinking that I should have hit it blocks before I did. I began worrying if I had gone far enough or if I was going to need to add extra blocks on at the end. Mile 3 was 10:08 I want to say. Then came Mile 4. The Indian Feast started to make itself known and at the same time, my body wanted to push and feel the strength. I took that as a sign to push myself more than I have been. I now realized that I was going to be really close to the 4 mile mark but perhaps slightly short. I sprinted that last few blocks only to have to turn right before my house for half a block to get the full 4 miles. This of course is only if the garmin was 100% accurate, but I wanted to hear that beep and not short myself. Mile 4 was 9:40 I think. Over all my 4 miles was 39:53 so I may be a bit off with my guesses above, but just shave it off of mile 4 if I am.

Tonight, since this work day is turning interesting, I believe I will walk home and also do some strength. If the bf is out running I may do yoga instead...but I need something other than the run. Tomorrow morning is another run, then off for Thursday and long run Friday this week. Mixing things up to keep them interesting :)

There will be a post in the near future that will not be tagged for half marathon training and will discuss expectations and realizations of my career change and place of work choice...but not today.

Week 4 begins

This morning I opted to change up my schedule and went for a run rather than strength. I'm moving things around this week due to a schedule change at work. 3 mile run was scheduled for today with the new schedule...I went out and did 3.1 slowly. It was very humid out and I was drenched within a block...that plus this weekend was a lot of going out with friends, so I needed to get the remainder of the beer and wine out of my system.

I plan on walking home this evening and potentially doing some strength this evening as well. It all depends on how hot the walk home is. Forecast says 90+ and humid so I may just walk on home and call it a day.

I am feeling much better each time that I go out and run. My weight is going up somehow rather than down, but I feel that things are fitting better. It's only the beginning of week 4 so I need to give myself a break (I realize this) but still...I want to see better results!

I also decided I haven't been having enough carbs post workout, so this morning was a smoothie and a piece of toast. Smoothie = 1 banana, 1/3 cup blueberries, 4 or 5 strawberries, vanilla almond milk and 4 ice cubes. Sooooooo yummy!

I'm going to keep this up and I think if the 6 miler on Friday goes well I will officially sign up for the training.

5 miles again

I feel fantastic! I forgot how you can get into a grove once you get to a longer run. This morning was 5 miles and I was right on my 10 minute pace. It's weird to be back at a 10 minute pace since I was down to a 9 minute pace, but starting from zero again makes that happen.

We had gone out and were out pretty late last night, so this morning I went out a little later than I had hoped. 9:30ish this morning I was out there, sun was bright and hot, but it was fine. Once I got home and had some water I wanted to keep going, so I did my strength workout today as well. My plan is to move the schedule around this week with runs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday.

Also on Friday...crochet class! WAHOO!

Back to running...I've found that the more I do it, the more I love it again, which makes me quite happy.

Now off to enjoy the rest of this summer day.

FAIL

So my knee was bothering me last night, so I slept with it elevated...and that combined with some wine equaled a fail this morning...no run.

I think it's fine though, I'll make up that run tomorrow and then my long run on Saturday. My knee was still achy this morning so I'm listening to my body and taking my break today instead of tomorrow.

3.25 miles tomorrow, 5 miles on Saturday...no problem.

In other news, I am seriously questioning some of the decisions I've made recently...I am enjoying my thought processing and just need to allow myself to continue the path, provided I stay positive.

Cryptic enough for you?

The body speaks, but when to listen?

One thing about being in training is I feel I need to listen to my body more. When I get a "craving" I need to be able to identify if the body is "craving" something or is my mind or heart "wanting" something.

This morning was supposed to be a light 3 mile run. Instead it was a more difficult 3.25 mile run with a sprint or two in there. I need to start doing interval training, body is telling me. I was also supposed to just run today, but instead, I lifted when I got home. I had the energy and my body wanted me to do it. I feel great because of it!

Prior to the lifting this evening though, I had a craving for a glass of red wine. I walked home, lifted, had some water...still craving red wine. I have had two sips so far and my body is reacting, in a happy manor.

So I must need more antioxidants? I'm going to investigate more, but that's my initial gut instinct. Also, I realize I have not had enough fat today so need to have a heavier fat dinner (about 700 calories short too) so a glass of wine and some pizza (and veggies) makes sense to me.

Tomorrow morning is another run...I'll be sure to state how I feel on that one.

Other things to pay attention to. My back, my hips, and my knee. While running my knee sometimes aches a little. I had surgery on this knee in 1999 and every once and a while it acts up. Once I stop running it goes away. Need to keep paying attention to that. My back, upper back is achy but not when running. Lower back (where I had surgery in April) is starting to act up at the beginning of the run, but then goes away within 5 minutes. Continue to monitor. Hips are sore...which I think is just running and not stretching enough...so need to start doing yoga a couple of times a week.

I hope that paying attention, listening and responding to the needs of my body.

A country run, a city run

On Saturday we were up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (da U.P.) visiting the bf's family. It was a great weekend. We got up on Saturday morning and went on a lovely little trail for the 4 mile run. The bf is a faster runner than I am so he pushes me a bit. I was able to keep my pace up and we were pretty even with our pace (9:40, 10:01, 10:03, 9:50) and it was so good to be out in the fresh air running. We saw some wildlife (blue jays, chipmunks, other birds) and just enjoyed being out there.

This morning it was back to my morning running routine. 4 miles for me this morning as well but city run this time. I don't know my splits, but I know that I'm back to being just under a 10 minute pace. This makes me very happy as I like being under the 10 minute marker for some reason, don't know why. The run this morning put me in a great mood and I'm beginning to wonder if I should add some short runs on my "off" days of Monday and Friday. I mean, Monday is strength day and Friday is "off" but I tend to walk home each of those days...but maybe a quick short run in the morning to start off the day...hold off for now.

Tomorrow is 3 or 3.5 I believe and 3 miles on Thursday plus strength...I did do my strength workout yesterday after walking home which helped me feel better. I'm looking forward to the walk home tonight as it really helps me calm down at the end of the day. So tonight...walk home, laundry I believe, and then spending time with the bf.

As an aside, I have listened to the bf and I am eating more...I was not consuming enough to keep up with the training (I was averaging about 1400 daily) so I'm trying to up my intake to 1700 especially on running days. And, I am promising not to measure as much (ok honey) :)

Busy busy busy

Sorry I have not been keeping up to date with the running logs.

My body is achy, it's a good ache, but it's achy. I also found that three days in a row of running when you have not been consistently running, it can make you a little extra achy. Also note don't be a moron like me and then decide to wear heels to work...that's just crazy (especially on fire drill day).

I have been keeping up with running in the morning before work all this week (Tue, Wed, Thur) though I did oversleep a bit this morning (that might have more to do with today being day 10 in a row at work).

Yesterday I felt great on the run and actually ran over. I had a good pace going too (though slow) and just overall felt that things were going great. I had wanted to do yoga post walk home but the bf was working out, and running 4.25 miles in the morning and walking 1.5 miles home after work is enough working out for a day I suppose.

Today, as I mentioned, I overslept slightly. I still went running in the morning and was glad that I did. Today was just 3 miles, and I went about 3.1 (just under). My back is kind of the most achy, my hips a little, but really it's not that bad.

I remember the first time I was in training for anything I just didn't know the best approach and just went running for 30-45 minutes a day. I think I skipped a few days, but just went most days. I'm glad I know now to only go about 4 days a week for runs, especially when you haven't been consistent. I will admit, now that I'm back into a routine of running, I can see myself returning to a 5 or 6 days a week running habit...there are worse things in life.

Post this half marathon I already know I'm running my normal Turkey Trot, but the 5 or the 10k...that is now that question. And the other question...do I run the 16 miler in January? I'm going to be wondering that after the half though, no reason to worry now.

Things that I'm realizing as training is happening:
I need more running clothes
- new and more sports bras
- more running capri pants (I'm not big into shorts)
- more socks that work well
- more headbands

If I keep going with what I have, I need to do laundry weekly and sometimes I like going every other week. I also believe that I will need more winter running clothes since, well, I think I'm hooked on running again kids :)

I do want to go for a long bike ride, but that will have to wait until next weekend as we're going way up north this weekend. I can't wait for a 4 mile run out in the country, that just makes me so happy.

Anyway...must look into new clothes, continue to push forward with my am workouts...and I still have to walk home tonight and the lift (run & strength day). I'm really happy with my decision so far, over a week later!

Magical sheets

Never underestimate the magical power of clean sheets. I forget about that magic quite frequently and the bf and I do not change our sheets nearly enough. I think one should change sheets weekly, but I don't think we've been keeping up with that goal.

I believe it is because of our wonderful clean sheets that I was able to have a great nights sleep. I woke up once around 4:30 and told myself 90 more minutes before it was time to wake up and go for a run. When the alarm clock went off, I felt rested!

I was out the door for my run by 6:20 and did a nice little stretch and warm up, then off for about 3 miles. The weather was amazing. 70 degrees, sun was not pounding down yet, wind out of the west (so I went in that direction first) I'd say about 10-15mph but it felt refreshing. I did get hung up at a couple of lights and jogged in place but kept the garmin going. My total time was just under 32 minutes and total mileage 3.1 miles. I do believe that I was closer to being under 31 minutes, but will say I was at a 10:15 pace for the time being.

I am getting more confident in my runs and know that my pace will return eventually, but right now it is about endurance and consistency. I do prefer morning runs to evening runs because the air feels cleaner and there is less traffic (foot and car) so it is more enjoyable and less judgmental.

I am hopeful to do my 4 mile run tomorrow morning as well. I think something that will help is trying to fix the calorie issue I'm having right now. Yesterday was a major fail...I was at about 600 calories until 9 at night. The thing is, I'm eating lots of good food, they are just very low in calories. I also knew that we were having frozen pizza for dinner so I may have been trying to save up for that. Regardless, laundry took longer than expected so dinner was not until 9, and then I really wasn't hungry but ate my slices anyway. I think that if I eat better during the day today and earlier and healthier dinner tonight, I will have more energy for the 4 miler in the morning tomorrow.

I am really happy with my progress so far and hope to continue with this optimism. The bf and I have decided to go away this weekend so this weekend's run will be in the country, that makes me very happy as well!

Cross training

I will admit, I was a bit lazy yesterday with my cross training. I opted just for bike commuting and since I had bike commuted the day before with my "long" run, I felt some rest was ok. This morning I woke up feeling much more sore, now I'm doing a bit better though.

Today's planned workout is the normal walk home followed by some strength training. I'm debating doing some of the strength training at work since I just found a new "10 minute office workout" that sounds interesting, and well I've been at work a long time today.

I am excited that today is Monday though since last week I couldn't start thinking about the weekend. Today is Monday and today is pretty much over...Friday I get to leave early and go on a quick weekend trip away...thus lots to look forward to.

I am very ADHD with this post, so I think that's a sign to stop. Tomorrow we return to running so I plan to have a better post tomorrow...perhaps I'll even run before work!

Basic stats

I haven't run multiple times in a week for a while. So running 3x in one week is awesome...total of 10 miles this week, it's a good start and it makes me happy :)h

Returning to training

It's funny to think about my life. One of the things I had mentioned recently was how I wanted to redefine myself and identify the things that I enjoy. Earlier this week an advertisement came up for a half marathon on Halloween. I have not been running consistently in a while and I even wondered if I was still passionate about it. The moment I saw that half marathon I decided I'm running it.

Funny how was I have a goal in mind, nothing will hold me back. It's been in the 90s with a heat index in the 100s and I've been going running. My body is slightly stiff and sore at the end of the run, and the next day, but I need to walk a lot at my job including doing stairs. By the end of the day, my body doesn't hurt anymore.

Week Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1 n/a n/a 3 m 3m+ st rest 4 xt
2 st 3m 4m 3m+ st rest 4 xt
3 st 4m 3m 3.5m+ st rest 5 xt
4 st 3m 4m 4m+st rest 6 xt
5 4m st 4m 3m+st 5m rest rest
6 st 4m 3m 4.5m rest 8m xt
7 st 4.5m 3m 4.5m+st rest 10m xt
8 st 5m 3m 4m+st rest 8m xt
9 st 5m 5m rest 12m rest 5m?
10 hike 4m 5m 4m+st rest 10m xt
11 st 5m 3m 5m+st rest 8m xt
12 st 4m 3m 2m rest rest Half Marathon

Interesting how I have two weddings that I'm going to during the middle of training. Also keep in mind that in addition to this, I walk 1.45 miles home every weekday, and on the weekends I ride my bike around town and to work (when working the weekends).

I am trying to get up earlier in the morning to complete my runs, but I am having a difficult time doing that. Since my job is approximately one mile from the lakefront, it's quite easy to run to the lake, run around there for a bit and return to work to get my bag and then walk home. I did try walking home as my warm-up one day and then running, that was not so good. Running first and then the walk home as a cool down is much better, especially in this heat.

I do think it's interesting that I have not run a long distance since 2008. I ran the Soldier Field 10 Miler, Memorial Day Weekend, 2008. I pretty much stopped training when I started Graduate School in September 2007, but I guess I was able to train a bit for the 10 miler. Looking back on my racing schedule since I started Graduate School, it's pretty sad.

2006
March - Wacky 5k
April - Shamrock Shuffle 8k
May - Bike the Drive
June - Run for the Zoo 10k
July - Race to Taste 5k
July - Danskin Sprint Triathlon
October - Bucktown 5k
October - Chicago Marathon
November - Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 10k

2007 (before Graduate School) - pretty much a race per month
January - Boston Prep 16 miler
March - Wacky 5k
March - Shamrock Shuffle 8k
April - Spirit of St Louis Half Marathon
April - Ravenswood 5k
June - Subaru Sprint Triathlon
July - Nike Rock n Roll 8k
August - Chicago Half Marathon
September - Bucktown 5k
October - Comer Kids 5k
November - Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 10k
December - Jingle Bell 5k

2008 was a good year for racing too...but I had a few life changes go on so running helped distract me:
January - Derry 16 miler
March - Wacky 5k
March - Shamrock Shuffle 8k
April - NEIU 5k
April - Wrigley 5k
April - Ravenswood 5k
May - Soldier Field 10 miler
August - Nike Human Race 10k
October - Bucktown 5k
November - Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 5k

2009 is when it fell apart between the accident and school being too tough:
March - Wacky 5k
March - Shamrock Shuffle 8k
October - Bucktown 5k
November - Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 5k

2010 I did not race. I was working full time+, interning 20 hours a week, and in school. No time for racing. So now I have time again. I am working my 40 hours a week and walking home each day, but I needed more. I ride my bike on the weekends and do DVDs at home, but needed more. Why not just go for the half? So that is what I'm doing...and I think it's going to be a fun journey and hope you enjoy me discussing it on here.

Totals

Day 1
Bands/DJs seen/heard = 11
Guess at miles walked = 5
Miles rode = 11

Day 2
Bands/DJs seen/heard = 12
Miles walked = 6.25

Day 3
Bands/DJs seen/heard = 8
Miles walked = 7

Totals
Bands/DJs seen/heard = 31
Miles walked (approximate) = 18.25
Miles rode = 11

What does all of this mean? Awesome weekend :)

Day 3 - lolla + best quotes overheard

What an amazing day. We started off being lazy and just relaxing and got down to Lolla around 2:45, our latest day getting there yet.

Lineup:
Freelance Whales - awesome, awesome
Violent Soho - so much fun
Frightened Rabbit - awesome, awesome
Erykah Badu
Wolfmother
Cypress Hill
Soundgarden - amazing

So the first three bands were all new. I loved those first three bands...so incredibly much. We stayed down for the next 3 so we could have good seats for Soundgarden. Don't get me wrong, I was excited to experience Erykah Badu, see Wolfmother, and Cypress Hill was fun, but the longest hour ever.

Soundgarden was the best though. I saw them at Lolla once before, 1996...but passed out from the heat (I was really, really close to the stage when it happened too). So tonight, that was NOT going to happen. The first hour of the set, we stayed in our seats, each taking a turn to take pictures closer up. Then we decided to go close...like 50 yards or less from the stage. It was AWESOME. I felt like Chris could see me. This of course helped us with our post show plans (see down below).

I also was able to get an amazing organic cotton dress for $25 (normally $60) so that was pretty cool too.

Quotes (from today):
"Everyone keeps forgetting things because of all of the drugs, but NOT ME!"
"See, white people do it too"

Post show:
We have ended the night by watching Singles...one of the best soundtracks in the history of movies. Especially post seeing Soundgarden and remembering the 90s...ahhh the grunge days.

Overall, this was a great Lollapalooza. We found some great new bands (the three above, plus Jukebox the Ghost and Gogol Bordello), got to see some bands I really wanted to see (Neon Trees, Lady Gaga, Green Day, Social Distortion, The Black Keys, Jimmy Cliff) and a few others that were cool too. This years staycation still gets two thumbs up....now to finish up watching Singles.

Lollapalooza, Day 2

I think that once you turn 30 your body really does change. It's day 2 of Lollapalooza and my body aches more than I remember it aching last year. I've drank less alcohol, more water, rested a bit more, but I have been walking a hell of a lot.

The bf and I bought a pedometer today just to see...6.25 miles of walking to train for Lolla, walking around Lolla, and walking from Lolla back to the train.

We started the day by cleaning up the house and then running errands. My suggestion to those who go to Lolla in the future, just keep the day for Lolla, nothing else. Also, we're happy we did not ride today, one day was enough...this year :)

Today's lineup included some of the best shows I've seen, perhaps ever.

• Blues Traveler
• The Verve Pipe (on the kids stage playing their family friendly music) :)
• Stars
• The XX
• PerryEtty vs. Chris Cox - dj set
• Gogol Bordello - AWESOME show!!! Danced so hard had so much fun
• AFI
• Social Distortion - again, freaking sweet
• Kaskade - dj set
• Slightly Stoopid - nice find
• Green Day - a-freaking-mazing...but we had to split up the set. The really get into the show, bring up fans, fireworks, just freaking awesome
• Phoenix - good times

Yup, that's 12...12...we walked a bunch, danced lots, but did manage to sit a bit as well. A great day, though tiring.

I am sorry that we missed out on a wedding shower and a bachelor and bachelorette party...but we've been planning for Lolla since last years Lolla.

Tomorrow will be another long day, thankfully we both took Monday off to relax. More to come tomorrow!

Day one - Lollapalooza

Today was a great day. This is the 3rd year in a row that I've gone to Lolla. I really enjoy going and spending time with the bf and meeting up with other friends who are there.

We decided to ride our bikes this year. Not all three days, but at least for today. The bike valet was great and I really appreciate the fact that the Active Transportation Alliance does this! Entrance was great and easy this year, a north entrance! The bf and I rode down last night to get our 3 day pass bracelets so easy entry.

We started off by going to Jukebox the Ghost, a band that reminds me of Ben Folds Five...nice. We then looked around a bit. Purchased our lolla gear and over to Green Street. Renewed my Active Transportation Alliance membership and we were able to hear American Bang a little. Then we headed to the kids stage and were able to see Rocknoceros. They were fun.

Next was get some food since neither of us had eaten...we opted for a cheeseburger today. Then over to the South stages and met up with a few groups of friends. Devo, who put on a great show. We stayed until Whip It was played, then headed back north. About mid range, we stopped to listen to Semi Precious Weapons and that was followed by the one show I was really looking forward to seeing...Neon Trees. OMG I was excited for that show. I was pretty close and once the show started realized I could have been closer. It was great though.

It was now time to go further north. For those of you who don't know, Grant Park is about a mile long, and we do a lot of walking back and forth. So yes, further north now for The Black Keys and for Jimmy Cliff. Wow, just wow. The bf and I just really relaxed during most of that. We hadn't sat much and with the riding and walking, a bit of relaxation was in order.

Once we were about halfway through the Jimmy Cliff set, we headed back south again. We made it there to hear Chromeo for a few songs, but mostly just observed all the people around us. Then it was time...Lady Gaga! She puts on an incredible show, really, really incredible. We did have to leave a bit early since the bike valet was closing at 1030 and 300 bikes were able to be valeted there, so yes, left slightly early.

On the walk back north, we passed Perry's stage and were able to hear 2ManyDJs spin and then passed by The Strokes but mostly we were just walking towards our bikes.

The ride home was mostly non-eventful. Of course, we were at our block, I moved over the lane to make the left, and I had plenty of time. A car came flying up behind me and beeped at me. The car was in a big rush to get to the red light. That freaked me out a little, but thankfully we were at our street. So then we got home and just relaxed.

I love this weekend. The bf and I consider it our "staycation" each year. It's just fantastic. We really get to enjoy the city and each other, so yay :)

Now, it's time for bed :)