Consistent Running, Yo-Yo Progress

Does anyone else ever feel like they were on a roll with their running--building mileage, getting a little faster, running more often--but then a few runs come along that just suck? That sentence pretty much sums up my running life. Last year I built up to running 9 miles. I would go out on a Sunday, in the summer, mind you, and bang out 8 miles pretty consistently. I ran my first 10k in November and didn't walk at all. I was quite pleased with this. I fell a little off the wagon in the winter, but then I got back on and hit the treadmill after work and felt like I was really getting faster.

But then this week happened. I struggled to complete 3 and 4 mile runs. Yesterday I ran in a park on a nice little paved trail and where it was relatively flat. I couldn't get it together. My breathing was fine, but legs were just tired. It's like I couldn't make them go. I walked, maybe 3 times. Granted, I walk for 30 seconds (45 max), but it really makes me mad! And my time was just slloooowwwww.

I feel like I constantly read about runners who just started and who are building up massive mileage and slicing minutes off their race times, and I feel like I'm Paula Abdul in "Opposites Attract" (2 steps forward, 2 steps back). I think running isn't a natural thing for me.

Sorry for all the whining, but this has truly bugged me this week. On the upside--it's Friday! I'm so happy I could scream.

Hello 80 Degrees

Living in the Northeast, I forget every year about what it's finally like when it's warm outside. We've been having some 80+ degree days lately, which has been awesome in general, but I was in for quite a shock when I went for a 3-mile jaunt yesterday. I was dripping in sweat and just felt all around HOT. I ended up having to walk. Twice. But never for more than a block. I never got in the zone, so to speak. My zone is when a half mile or mile goes by and I don't even realize how it happened. Let's just say that yesterday, I knew when every .10 mile was happening.

Despite this, I am returning for another 3 mile run tonight. It's also 80+ degrees, but today it's cloudy, so that buys me a little coolness.

Registering is Half the Battle

After talking, talking, talking about running my first half-marathon, I have officially registered for it! The Rock & Roll Half in Philadelphia on Sept. 18. I know that's so far away, but summer is hot and I have this little thing called my wedding in August, which is sucking up a lot of my free time.

I've heard mixed reviews about Rock & Rolls--I know they're super crowded, but I just needed something local and after August 20, and this fit the bill. I printed out this insane training program from Runners World. Not insane as in "difficult" or "tough" but insane in that it's a 25 week training program (hey, I like to be prepared) and I've actually already in week 5.

I would love to hear other people's first half experiences and thoughts on Rock & Roll races in general.

Gone for a Run Giveaway by Tall Mom

I'm sure many of you read Tall Mom on the Run's blog--she was one of the first running blogs I ever started reading! (Yay for a fellow tall woman!)

She has an amazing giveaway going on for some Gone for a Run products. I just checked out a bunch of their gear and I am obsessed with the road I.D. wristband. I have been saying I need an I.D. for about a year now but I keep forgetting to get one. (And since I gave up shopping for Lent, I totally have an excuse for not buying one for 40 days.)

Check out Tall Mom's giveaway and be sure to enter!

30 for 30 Still Kicking

So I know this should have been finished by now, or at least be close to being finished, but I can't seem to keep on track. Today's topic: a place I'd like to move or visit.

So many places come to mind. One thing I've learned lately is that it isn't so much where I'm going to be living, but it's who I'm near. I miss being close to my mom and sister so much, and we've got a 5-year plan to all by in the same city, or at least within a 2-hour drive. Right now my mom is back in Pittsburgh, my sister is in Atlanta and I'm out in the City of Brotherly Love.
My fiance is in the final round of interviews for a job that could place him in Philly, Atlanta, Chicago or Palo Alto. I am up for any of those, but California would be amazing! (Cue O.C. theme song) My sister is planning to move there when her job rotation is up in Atlanta (end of summer) so then we'd just need to get my mom out to the West Coast. Lots of people have told me I'm an East Coast girl and I wouldn't like it anywhere else, but I beg to differ. I've only ever lived in the Northeast so of course I don't if I would embrace another pace of life fully, but I think I am more than open to it.

So I can move anywhere--I just want my family with me. In terms of travel, I want to go everywhere! You name it, I'm willing to visit it. Top on my current list is Australia, Galapagos Islands and Nova Scotia.

A Run and a Ride

Sunday was one of the most athletic days I've had in awhile. I ran 3 miles, but I was slow. I walked twice and felt kinda lame. Then I had my first dog encounter on a run. It was a small dog that was ignoring me but as I passed it, the dog jumped on me while barking and dug its claws into my leg leaving me with a cut and a bruise (bruit? cruise?). Luckily it's claws didn't pierce my new running capris or I might have flipped out on its owner. But I will say that I have noted that people cop out of training small dogs quite often  because they assume they are small and don't cause damage. Not true--train your pets, people. If you're too lazy to do so, then you shouldn't own an animal. (Rant over.)

The best part of the day was the 8.5 mile bike ride my fiance and I did along the River Trail where we live. We both recently got  bikes, so this was our first time debuting them. Biking doesn't even feel like a workout--it's so much fun!

Today is technically my rest day, but I may take the bike out again since it's 84 degrees!

My Day in Bullets

For this 30 for 30, I'm going to list my entire day. I'm sure this will be endlessly fascinating.

• Wake up at 7:20 a.m.; nudge annoying cats to side for 5 more minutes of sleep
• Feed said annoying cats
• Get ready for work (drink coffee, put on make-up, fix hair, get dressed)
• Arrive at work, eat breakfast at my desk while doing social media posts for day (for work, not personally)
• Boss gives me birthday flowers since she is off tomorrow and I find a vase and place them on my desk.
• Work on creating documents for speakers bureau we are developing
• Meeting from 11-noon
• Eat lunch at my desk while grading papers for my teaching gig
• Working on communications team we are creating
• Update work website
• Cupcake and fruit birthday party given by co-workers
• Explain to co-workers why I don't want to turn 30
• Hang birthday card covered in cats on office door (they know me too well)
• Work on constant contact stuff
• See if Modcloth has gotten the scarf I want back in stock (Whoa, this blog post is really showing me for the crazy cat lady I am.)
• Debate purchasing other scarf I want and then see it's out of stock until May 2.
• Write this blog entry now because I am afraid I otherwise won't

So the following bullets have not occured yet, but I assure you they finish out my day:

• Drive home from work
• Feed cats dinner
• Change into cleaning clothes
• Wash running clothes
• Clean bathrooms, kitchen and vacuum (Fiancee was charged with doing the rest of the cleaning this afternoon)
• Grade papers I didn't get to this afternoon
• Shower
• Cry over my last day of being a 20-something.

Back in the Swing of Things

As usual, I have been a bad blogger but I have also been a bad runner. Work has really had me burning the midnight oil, and I've basically been using that as an excuse for not running. Today I told myself excuses were for wimps and that I needed to make running a priority again. I have a plan to run a half marathon in the fall (postponed from an initial spring plan) and I feel good about it.
Training is back on!
Also back on 30 for 30. (It may be like 30 for 60 at this rate.) This entry calls for me to put my ipod on shuffle and list the songs that pop up:


Heal the World by Michael Jackson (Haha, I can see people swaying and singing in my mind.)
Tilt Ya Head Back by Christina Aguilera and Nelly
She Shook Me All Night Long by ACDC
Two Words by Kanye West
Most Girls by Pink
Blue by Eiffel 65 (Why did I download this and continue to store it on my ipod???)
Another Day from the musical Rent
Lord Only Knows by Beck
It Feels Like Christmas from The Muppet Christmas Carol (Best version of the film ever!)
You Spin Me Right Round by Billy Idol

Man, my ipod is hilarious.