(Half) Marathon Monday #4

To sum up this week's training in one word?

FAIL

I could very easily list all of the things that go in the way of running. And I'm going to do just that - lucky you. I studied all day for a test. I took a test and then got my flu shot, which wiped me out. Clinicals were exhausting. And a girl showed up with active strep. I started a new job (see below for more on that). Friday was an all day simulation lab (AMAZING) following by a much needed girls' night out. Followed by some bad food (TMI?). I worked again at my new job. Felt sick and missed the Blog Elevated conference. I studied, a lot. My community outreach project is taking up a lot more time than I realized.

Week 3

Monday // 3.5 miles // Rest
Tuesday // 2 miles or cross // Pure Barre
Wednesday // 3.5 miles + strength // Rest
Thursday // rest // Pure Barre
Friday // 40 min cross // Rest
Saturday // 5 miles // Pure Barre
Sunday // stretch & strengthen // Rest
Scheduled workout is in gray and actual workout is in pink.  Rest days are orange.

I know, Sheree, I know. [via]

I didn't run at all despite my best intentions. But I learned a few things from this week.

I miss running. I'm sorry, what was that? Did you catch that? I. MISS. RUNNING.  A few months ago, you couldn't pay me enough to run and I hated every step of it. Now, a week off and I miss it.  My legs have felt jumpy all week and I'm looking forward to a nice evening run tomorrow.

Balance makes me feel better. I spent a lot of time working this week but I didn't manage my time well. I took too many breaks and naps which resulted in not enough time to run. Even though I hate getting up, once I'm up I feel good and I'm productive.  So on those days when B gets up early for work but I don't have to be anywhere I need to commit to getting up anyway. Getting my day started early is the best way to fit it all in.

I like being busy. This goes with the point above. I know I've got a lot on my plate right now but I like it that way. When I have a lot of things to manage, I (usually) get started on them right away to begin crossing things off my list. I get a little high when I cross something on my list. If I only have one thing to do, chances are I will jack off all day and still not get it done.

Working makes me happy.  It's a weird feeling to not have a career. I enjoy the routines of work, the challenges of projects, and most of all the interactions with people. My program is a hybrid where we come to campus for tests once a week but all the coursework is online. Most weeks, I only see people (aside from B) at clinical and for a test. That's not a whole lot of action for a social girl like myself. And I take pride in a job well done. Basically, this is a roundabout way of telling you all that I got a job! I've mentioned before that I take Pure Barre classes. They're pretty expensive, and when I had a job, I justified the expense. However, I don't have a job now so I was cutting back on classes drastically and basically only coming in when there was a Living Social deal. Well, it turns out that they were looking for additional help at the front desk at our studio and the position comes with a FREE membership for classes.  This is a win-win situation! I'm be working 2-3 shifts a week for just 2-3 hours at a time. I'll get a small paycheck, I can take classes when I want, and I'll be able to interact with a bunch of lovely ladies on a regular basis.  I could not be happier about this!

[Nov. 2012] At the barre with one of our fabulous instructors when we were both recently engaged!

And a few pics from the weekend for your viewing pleasure:

NICU simulation lab baby. Think I may have found my calling!

Enjoying the Sara Bareilles concert with my BTF.

Not sure which song prompted this, but I love it.

GNO at the Sara Bareilles/One Republic concert!

No so sure about this community project for my psych class...

Finally perfected my at home iced coffee recipe.  Mmmmm!

Handsome nephew and even more handsome fiance enjoying some Blue's Clues. My heart melts!

Hope you all enjoyed your weekends! Here's to a great week of training, maintaining balance, & getting the most out of life!

xoxo,

Cait

Linking up with JustJacq and In the Kitch with Kaara for the Move It! Challenge. You can win a 10 Day Advocare Cleanse and lots of other goodies just by linking up!

And with Ashley at Coffee & Macarons.

 

(Half) Marathon Monday #3

Before we get into the nitty gritty of training, I have some questions for all you athletic, healthy people out there.  How do you fuel when running?

 Do you eat before a run?

If so, what do you eat and how far in advance?

Do you eat while you run?

At what distance did you start eating while you run or carrying water or wearing a hydration belt/vest?

I feel pretty clueless about these things.  They seem to be the details that people don't really get into, but as a new runner, I need to know! And I get the whole listen to your body thing.  The thing is, my body is not and never has been a runner and yet here I am, trying to make it be a runner. So it is screaming and crying and pitching a fit the entire time.  I'm having a hard time deciphering what is my body just whining about being pushed and what is actual hey, give me some water and food you crazy lady!

So really, any advice you have is appreciated. No matter how small or insignificant you may think it is - I want to hear it all!

Shall we see how I did this week?

Week 2

Monday // 3 miles // 3.01 miles (11:24 pace)
Tuesday // 2 miles or cross // Pure Barre
Wednesday // 3 miles + strength // Pure Barre
Thursday // rest // Pure Barre
Friday // 30 min cross // Pure Barre
Saturday // 4 miles // Rest
Sunday // stretch & strengthen // 4.04 miles (12:52 pace)
Scheduled workout is in gray and actual workout is in pink.  Rest days are orange.

Just so you know, I killed that first mile on Monday's run.  Murdered it.  Ran it in 9:17.  Then I almost collapsed and my other 2 miles required short periods of walking (about 1/4 mile each).  But hey-yo, that's a pretty fast mile for me!

After that, my knee was killing me so I ended up taking a few days off running. As you can tell. I made sure to make it to Pure Barre on those days off. Pure Barre is a barre workout that is focuses on strengthening and toning muscle groups to the point of fatigue through small, isometric movements.

You can read more about it here or check out the great review The Southern Wife wrote about her visit to Ballet Physique while in Denver. Both should give you a good idea of what you're getting into with a barre workout. And The Southern Wife is one of my favorite bloggers to follow!

As for Sunday's run, I got it in at midday which is not ideal here in Houston. But I was coming off of an overnight babysitting gig which happens to be near Rice (hello, shaded running path) so I just went for it.  We also do Sunday family dinners every week with B's family so I know I couldn't have run after that.  I was scheduled for 4 miles and ran it in just under 52 minutes. I tried to run negative splits but that didn't happen. Despite making an effort to take the first two miles at a comfortable pace, I was still feeling worn out by the third mile. It was battle of mind over matter just to run that third mile and I ended up walking for a quarter mile once I hit the 3.25 mile mark. I wanted so badly to run the entire 4 miles without stopping to walk but I just couldn't do it. The worst part? After I got in my car and just sat in the A/C for a few minutes I totally felt like I could have finished it without walking.  Ugh!

I promise I wear other running clothes! It just seems like this tank comes up in rotation on my weekend runs. I gotta rep ND all the time {Go Irish!}. And this Tervis tumbler is the bomb. I'm smiling because I finished and because that A/C felt damn god, not because of my pace. Next time I WILL run the whole thing.

 Check in tomorrow for a few extras I'm planning in my race training and later this week for an outfit remix! Hope you all had a restful weekend!

xoxo,

Cait

Linking up with JustJacq and In the Kitch with Kaara for the Move It! Challenge. You can win a 10 Day Advocare Cleanse and lots of other goodies just by linking up!

And with Ashley at Coffee & Macarons