Category Archives: Run

See ya at the finish line!

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The Rockville 10K is almost here!

I’m prepping tonight by sitting on my butt and eating my fav pumpkin protein bars with a pumpkin candle burning alongside trashy TV.

And making my race playlist, of course.

It’s going to be chillier than I thought tomorrow morning.

I’m going to wear long spandex and a dry fit tee under a thin running jacket – but I think I’ll bring a puffy vest and gloves to wear until the start!

I’m feeling:

  • A little nervous about all of the race logistics. As a super type A-er, I’m kind of anxious about figuring out parking and making sure I get to use the porta-potty exactly 12 times prior to the race. But I need to chill out – it will be fine…
  • Lucky that I get to race tomorrow, unlike the NYC marathoners. Read about the controversial decision to cancel the NYC marathon here.

See ya at the finish line!

It Really is a Joke

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This morning I was quite proud of myself because I woke up for The Dreaded Morning Run.

And you know what? It wasn’t that bad. It was pretty much just like running at night – who would’ve thought? 😉  It only took a few minutes of running to get warmed up from the chilly November morning.

It really is a joke how I can’t wake up early for things – I even woke up late for graduation! My family knows it, too. I think they were just as curious as I was to see if I would really wake up.

Tuna’s text:

Yes, I did get up, surprisingly. I think I’m 1/47 this year.

My Mom sent me a link to this article in Shape Magazine:

I think for this to work repeatedly for me I would have to go to bed at about 5:30 pm. So, right when I get home from work. Perf.

My Nana, who I probably get my night-owlness from, e-mailed me, “Reminded me of when I used to run in the mornings (really!). Did 2 miles most mornings, 3 or 5 on Saturdays. I laid out my clothes and shoes the night before, set an alarm, threw on the clothes…..and one morning, I swear, I WOKE up about a block from my house (down near the pool on Forest and Roberts) and wondered how I got there. Even looked down to see if I’d tied my shoes!”

Do you have any early morning running stories? 

If you run in the morning, what time do you usually go to bed the night before?

10-K Goal and the Dreaded Morning Run

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Guess what two things are back this week?

1. Bananas

Solely back because of their cheapness.

2. Running

Dummy me – I got my weeks wrong! Last week was actually week 5, not week 4. This race is soon. 

Unlike my 5-K, I’m not going to make a goal time for the 10-K. The first time you race a new distance, it’s a PR as long as you finish – that should be enough to warrant a celebration in itself. I didn’t have fun during the 5-K because I was so stressed about making my goal time that I went out wayyy to fast, and had to walk a little bit at the end! #lame

My only goal (besides finishing) the 10-K is to run the entire time. No walking allowed! If that means trotting along at a snail’s pace, I’m cool with that.

The weather was gorg on Saturday and I did a 4.25 mi run outside on my favorite trail.

Bambi(es) showed up again.

This is my favorite spot on the trail – it’s like running under a tree canopied cathedral arch.

Since this week is busy with after-work obligations, I don’t really have time to do my runs at night, like I usually do. That means I have no choice but to prepare for:

The Dreaded Morning Run.

I attempt The Dreaded Morning Run at least once a week and always end up snoozing for two hours and waking up even more frazzled (if that’s even possible.)

But now that running is officially back this week, I hereby swear I will do The Dreaded Morning Run.

I hereby swear to:

  • lay out my running clothes tonight
  • go to bed early
  • set my alarm to Gangnam Style
  • get the eff up out of bed

Anyone want to take bets? Kidding……..

How do you wake up for morning runs? It is so hard to get out of my comfy bed!

Me Either

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source

Me either, Honey Boo Boo.

May your weekend be healthy and happy! Though – I fear there may be some dirty eating and drinking on my agenda.

What are your plans for this weekend? I’m going to relax this weekend and hopefully go for a run outside on Saturday!

Ready, go!

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Last night I ventured to my gym for the first time since before Tough Mudder in early September.

Whaaat.

I’ve run outside a few times, but I really want to get back into having the gym as a regular installment in my daily weekly routine. While driving to the gym, I decided to do 4 miles on the treadmill and try for 5 miles if I was feeling good. I need to get back in shape for my 10K on November 4th.

Um…I didn’t realize that when you don’t really run for a month, you pretty much lose your endurance! Welp, looks like I’ve got a lot of work to do in the next 4.5 weeks.

Starting from week 4, mid-week – ready, go!

I huffed and puffed through a 3.1 mi treadmill run and waddled over to my long-lost friend. (Please ignore my sweaty knees.)

Thanks for my new running spandex, Mom!

Oh, how I’ve missed you, foam roller.

After I got a good workout in, I promptly ate an entire bag of gummi bears.

I needed to refuel…

Do you ever take breaks from running? How long does it take you to get back into shape?

Souls, Hearts, and Heaven

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What an awesome weekend.

Though my healthiness level dropped a shit ton, it was totally worth every sip of wine and bite of cake. This weekend was healthy for my soul.

Sorry for the cheesy mention of my soul. I think I’ve been watching too much Long Island Medium. I discovered this show on Sunday and cared to spend my entire Monday night watching every episode and sobbing. Not a good look.

The wedding I went to this weekend took place at Prospect Hill, a bed and breakfast on an old plantation in Central Virginia.

The whole inn had a really antique-y feel to it and the trees/rolling fields were gorgeous. It looked like something out of The Notebook. My bridesmaid BFF (Strobes) and I stayed in the Overton Room.

I am a terrible blogger and forgot to take pictures of everything – alright, I forgot to take pictures of anything. I was busy having too much fun!

On Friday night after the rehearsal dinner, we went into Charlottesville and hung out at all of our old stompin’ grounds, including my favorite place in the world at 2:30am: Christian’s Pizza.

I used to have mad skills at getting free pizza.

Please help me decide: is it sad or amazing that all of the staff at the late night pizza joint remember me by name and give me hugs two years after graduating?

I go back and forth.

For breakfast all weekend we had Bodos galore, Southern grits with cheese, and homemade waffles with cranberries and walnuts. Typing this is making me hungry.

I promise to have more pictures eventually of the wedding once I force other wedding-goers to share theirs with me!

The bride was beautiful, the reception was full of shenanigans, and my heart is full of love!

OK, seriously…no more Long Island Medium for me.

A Weekend Away

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Four-day weekend for me! Woo hoo!

I’m headed down to central Virginia today for the weekend. One of my best friends is getting married! It’s going to be a fun time catching up with girlfriends, getting pampered, and celebrating.

Eating and drinking gluttonously is most certainly going to accompany the celebrating. I’m going to relax and enjoy eating everything in my sight this weekend, but I’m also arriving stocked with healthy goodies so that I shovel them into my mouth as opposed to seven Bodos bagels.

A cooler is a must-have in order to clean eat on the go. I’m stocking up my cooler and bringing:

Have a great weekend!

Do you have any plans this weekend? What are you up to?

My Next Race

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I’ve taken a bit of a break from running and working out since the Tough Mudder.

Actually, the last time I went to the gym was before Tough Mudder! Sorry, Crunch membership – I need to make you worth the 40 bucks a month. Perhaps I will utilize you more in October.

But I’m not too upset that I’ve been wasting away my gym membership. I really did need a break from running, just as much mentally as I did physically. When I was training for the Tough Mudder, working out was a priority. I felt like I had to go to the gym, which did have its pros and cons.

It was certainly nice to be more toned and fueled by daily endorphins! At the same time,  trying to squeeze in the gym was also stressful. I would feel guilty if I didn’t get the “right” workout in, and would often force myself to go to the gym on Friday afternoons (ughh).

I do want to get back into a routine though – no big training plan, just running regularly when I can. I definitely feel better when I run a few times a week.

How do I stay motivated when I don’t have an event or race to work towards?

I don’t.

That meant it was time to sign up for a race!

I decided that no, I didn’t need new work pants, I needed to run the Rockville 10K.

Since I’m working on building distance, and not speed, I figured I would give a 10K a shot.

Want to run it with me?

How long to you usually take to recover after races?

Do you need to have something to work towards to maintain your running routine? 

The Best Run

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Yesterday I ran for the first time since Tough Mudder! Since I’ve been sick and itchy, I’ve taken it easy for a week and a half to fully recover.

Though I’m starting to miss my gym a little bit, I wanted to take advantage of the gorgeous fall weather we’ve been having lately and run on my favorite paved trail after work.

The last time I ran outside was heinous, and I was a little scared that I would be really out of shape, especially with taking a week or so off after Tough Mudder. I set out to do an easy 3 or 4 miles without my watch, just to get back in the running groove a bit.

The run was glorious.

Hi deer!

I missed running! Even though I basically cursed it’s existence throughout the Tough Mudder, it was refreshing to trot along an treat my body to a calm run.

It was the first time I ever ran outside with my Merrell sneaks! They felt amazing outside – light and free, almost like I was running in my socks! So far these shoes have been an awesome purchase.

Since I ran on the treadmill at Crunch all summer, I completely forgot how much better running is outside. It’s much more therapeutic and it was so nice to just be by myself for a little awhile and daydream while I ran. The crisp, clean air smelled like fresh cut grass. Mmmm.

The end of my little jaunt was the best.

Once I rounded the last corner, I bumped into the beautiful September sunset!

Sorry treadmill, I think I’m going to have to break up with you until winter.

Do you usually run outside or on the treadmill?

Have you ever seen deer or other animals on a run?

Butterflies

Posted in Clean Eating, Food, Race, Run, Tough Mudder by

All’s quiet over here!

I’m trying my best to relax after a long week at work – I had a 12 hour day yesterday! Good timing to be exhausted for Tough Mudder day. But I napped this afternoon, so I think I’ll be fine sleep wise.

But seriously. Terrified.

I’m all packed and ready to go. I was a good girl tonight and had a simple, healthy dinner of good fuel.

Brown rice with edamame and leftover Thai peanut sauce.

My brain is all over the place with questions. Can I really do this? Do I have everything I need? Will my contacts survive? What if I didn’t train enough?

I just keep telling myself to relax, don’t think about the obstacles too much (especially the arctic enema), and to just have fun. That’s what it’s all about.

Off to bed early! I’ve got butterflies in my stomach. Hopefully my brain will shut off soon.

Do you ever get pre-race/event jitters?