Fat + Run = Bad

This definitely helps explain why my running has been sucking, and why an easy 6.0 pace feels like DEATH.  Oh because did I mention?  Those 5 lbs I gained in the week before the Half Marathon are still here, meaning they are not due to water retention or PMS or any of that sugar (sugar = sh*t <= my 22 year old roomie gave me that one).  It's just what it is - 5 extra pounds.

Pissed is an understatement.

{source: here}

Half-Marathon Playlist

I've been meaning to blog about running songs, but I just kept forgetting. Once I saw a comment asking what I listened to during the Half, I knew I had to share, ESPECIALLY because I discovered my newest love, Justin Bieber, just before the Half when I saw him perform on the Grammy's with Jaden Smith.  Bieber's "Baby" was blaring in my ears when I crossed the finish line, and I will never forget it!

It's a bizarre selection of songs, I know, but the night before I left for Austin, this just seemed right.  I have a much longer list of "run" music, but I decided to cut out ones I knew I would skip. 

My absolute fave pump-me-up songs from this list?  Dog Days Are Over, Battlefield, Firework, Oh No, Let It Out, Commander, and Only Girl in the World.  


P.S. If you don't have the new Girl Talk album, you MUST DOWNLOAD IMMEDIATELY (it's free!).  It's the best workout music ever.

1, 2, 3...

(as in Britney...)  Last night at work, I repeatedly told myself that no matter how late I got out, I would go to the gym and run.  I even called my gym to see what time they close to make sure that I could get there AND had dinner so I couldn't complain of being hungry and therefore not going.  Luckily, I got out relatively early (at least for this week - 7:30), raced out home, changed, and excitedly headed out.  I was so unbelievably excited for a chance to run that I almost forgot to feel fear that because I hadn't run in an entire WEEK, it wouldn't go so well.   I hopped on my favorite treadmill and I swear, the first 1.5 miles felt like I was floating.  It felt so good, so easy, so normal.  Of course, after that, I felt a side stitch flaring up and decided that I cannot eat for at least a good 2 hours before running or it will hurt me.  Nonetheless, I completed the 3 miles with flying colors and felt like a new woman.  Note to self: When in doubt, run.

I also set up my Garmin last night so that it will be ready to go for my weekend long run in Central Park.  Central Park (supposedly) has an entire road system conducive to training (markers, lots of water fountains, etc.).  I snagged this map off the NYRR website and plan to follow their 4-mile route.

My friend David is having his birthday party on Saturday night, and since I want to enjoy myself, I think I'm going to do my run on Saturday instead of Sunday.  The hardest part of training (at least what I think will be the hardest part) will be saying "no" to social outings, ESPECIALLY on the weekend.  When I trained for a Half in college, I often skipped my long run in lieu of something fun, and that was a very, very bad idea.  I'm not saying I have to follow this training to the letter, but I want to follow it as closely as possible.  Here's my training guide btw (which begins the Monday after Thanksgiving!):

I plan to blog a LOT about my training once it officially stops, so I apologize to those of you who don't care.  I'm doing it partially for my readers who are interested and partially for me to stay motivated.  Now it's time to refill my coffee cup and head to work!  LOVEYOUMISSYOUMEANITBYE!!

2.20.11

{photo: we heart it}

So... I did something kind of impulsive yesterday.

I am taking Fit for Fall to a whole new level.

I signed up to run the half marathon in Austin next February.

February 20, 2011, to be exact.

And I'm kind of freaking out about it.

But truthfully, I am stoked.  I missed out on doing a half once, and it's always bugged me.  And I figured, well, why not go back to Austin and do one?  I was planning a trip to Austin early next year anyhow.  I apparently only need 12 weeks to train.  And even though I can barely run 4 miles right now, surely I can figure out how to run 13.1 by February...

RIGHT?

So I signed up.  Then I went to the gym and proceeded to have the WORST run of my life.  I ate hummus and pita about 20 min before doing it, and I hope they are the culprit b/c OW.  Every step hurt, and I got the worst side cramp of my life.

But I am MOVING ON!  I am following Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training guide, and I am getting myself one of these bad boys as soon as I get paid (I know - it's majorly uggo).  I am excited/terrified/worried, but it is all good, my friends.  I have the most ah-mazing support system - YOU guys (love your tweets!!), my roomies (soooo supportive, so "you can do it!!", and Roomie Trois is going to help me strength train), my friends (a few of which have run half marathons themselves).

I am a lucky gal.  

Oh and my family?  Well, I know they'll support me, but I also know what their responses will be.  My Mom and Dad will say, "Really?  You're going to try... again?  What if you injure yourself??  It's not good for you!"

Ma Soeur (and this IS, in fact, how she responded): "Girl, you crazy!"

I AM crazy.

And we'll run for our lives...

[The above is a lyric from my fave Snow Patrol song - Run.  I highly suggest you download it immediately if you've never heard of it!]

I've been thinking a lot about my running lately.  It's been a SLOW process...  When I was 21, picking up running was challenging, but doable.  I quickly made my way to running 5ks on a regular basis, and the farthest I got in my half-marathon training was an 8-mile run.  EIGHT MILES.  In all honesty, I can't believe my body ever did that.  And I remember that run like it was yesterday!  It was done at the TCU gym (where my ex-boyfriend went to college), and I watched TV the entire time, haha.  When I got back to the dorm, my then-boyfriend said, "I CANNOT believe you just ran 8 miles."  My thoughts exactly... but I did it.

Do I think I'll ever be able to run 8 miles again?  Honestly, I've no idea.  I'm not going to try either, at least not right now.  I'm taking things very slowly.  My 27-year old body does not like the idea of running too far too soon too fast, so I'm not letting it.  That being said, I do like having goals and have considered following a 10k training plan.  We'll see...  for now, I'm just taking it day by day.

Psst!  Check out my new kicks!  

As soon as I got news of my job offer, I immediately headed to JackRabbit, a store devoted to running.  (Running shoes were #1 on my list of "Post-Offer Purchases."  Yes, I made a list.)  They take their time with shoe fittings!  The guy who helped me was super nice.  I explained that I was trying to ease my way back into running after a 5-year hiatus.  He had me run on a treadmill while he observed and recorded my gait.  Apparently, I'm a stable runner - holler!  Then we tried on a bunch of shoes, and he had me run on the treadmill in each one.  Finally, I decided between 2 pairs: Brooks and Asics.  I went with the Asics (more specifically, the Asics Gel Cumulus 12) - they are roomier in the toe and tighter in the heel, which I like.  Plus, my former pair of running shoes are Asics as well so I figured it was a safe choice.  The shorts are also new - I needed a pair that had a place to hold my keys since I was sick of doing this.    They are ADIDAS and dark fuchsia - I love 'em!

One thing I've noticed is that as much as I love running outside, I get UBER thirsty whilst doing it, especially as I increase my speed and distance.  I asked my fellow tweeters for suggestions/advice, and they were so helpful!  One option was to run in loops so I could keep a water bottle somewhere, but because I run along the West Side Highway, that's not really an option.  Another option I considered was to bring cash and purchase a bottle of water from one of the vendors along the road, but I hate the idea of buying a plastic water bottle.  Yet another option would be to get a gadget, like a water belt.  But I hate the idea of something being around my waist - I fear it will slide down and/or pull down my shorts - no bueno!  In the end, I decided to try the Camelbak.  It's gotten great reviews, it was on sale, and it's PINK!  What's not to love?  I felt kinda silly buying such a "hardcore" item, seeing as I'm a completely novice runner, but eh... whatevs.  If I want to run outside, I've got to have water!

I've also noticed that I need rest days between my runs, which is surprisingly hard to do.  Now that I'm actually excited about my runs, I want to do them every day.  Not good.  My endurance significantly decreases on the 2nd of the 2 back-to-back days.

Are you a runner?  How long did it take you to easily run 3 miles?  5 miles?  8 miles?  26.2 miles??  Any advice/suggestions for a novice runner?

Solo Scene from Le Weekend

I went out both Friday and Saturday nights and spent all of Saturday walking around the Lower East Side, but per my usual, I failed to take any pics.  Instead, I decided to snap a photo of my sneaks before heading out for another run along the Hudson (despite my shuffle dying 10 min into it, this run was even better than the first!).  It takes 2 keys (sometimes 4!) to get into my apartment, and since I made the mistake of cutting out the key holder in my Nike running shorts (it annoyed the crap outta me), I decided to lace my keys up in my sneaks.  Special, eh?  (I'm in desperate need of new running shoes btw...)

All my keys have "covers" that I purchased at either Forever 21 or Urban Outfitters.  When you have 4 apartment keys, you need a way to quickly distinguish one from another.  My roomies think I'm a trip... I think I'm smart.  :)

I had a crazy/awesome/productive/unexpected Sunday!!  Waking up was a bit painful (maybe one beer too many last night?), but I agreed to go volunteer at a conference with my friend David at noon so I was up early enough to pick up a grande soy misto before walking to meet him.  After a couple of hours, we parted ways, and I went home, changed, and headed out for my run!  Post-run I took a shower, ate lunch/dinner (eating at 3:30 really messes you up) and got ready to visit a new church with my friend Ryan.  Sermon was GREAT, music was terrible.  :(  Sometimes I forget how lucky I was to have the Austin Stone.  In any case, I felt good about my Sunday.  Instead of lazing about in bed complaining of a hangover, I volunteered, went for a run, and went to church.  Hurray!

How was your weekend?? 

I Heart Running

Running. 101. is. incredible. No seriously. I hate running, abhor everything about it. I got into it once in my life, but it still hurt like hell. BUT, something is magical about running groups in that they make the whole running part not suck as much. Amazing! I left work in a foul mood yesterday b/c I had to deal with some really crappy crap that came up at the end of the day. 1.5 hours later, and i was high on life. Last night we ran to a nearby middle school and then did speed drills on their track. Sounds not fun, right? But it was good! I've never pushed myself so hard! And even when my heart threatened to literally burst out of my chest, it felt good. I don't know what's going on here.

Also? I'm getting a little competitive. I always assumed I'd be the slowest, fattest runner in the group. But actually, I'm one of the most athletic. How did that happen?! I gotta tell ya, it's encouraging and only makes me want to do better. I am also loving the emphasis on correct form - tres important. Now I just need to get some new running shoes + socks + bras. Ce n'est pas cheap... But I'm hoping a certain Mother of mine takes pity on moi (and my budget) and buys them for me. :) (MOM IF YOU'RE READING THIS, I LOVE YOU!!!)

And today I plan on going to yoga for the first time in weeks. Because with all this running comes insanely tight hips. I think yoga is the perfect balance to running. What about you current runners and yogis? Do you think the two complement each other?