Friday's Letters

Dear Stella (our dog), it is not necessary to wake up to go outside six times overnight.  You have all day to explore...

Dear random man on the street, even if you think you are just being friendly, following me while I am running to try to strike up a conversation is not cool.  In fact it's a little creepy....k...thanks.

Dear Fall TV, please start now.

Dear Advocare, I am LOVING the new VO2 Prime bar.  Best pre-workout snack ever!

Dear foam roller, you are my best friend these days...thank you!

Dear Target, why must you have such cute things that I have to have on sale this week...not helping my budgeting efforts!

Confessions of a Slow Runner

Last night was my hardest run yet and my average pace was 11:02.  In the world of running and especially running blogs, that is pretty slow.  But that run kicked my booty.  And I am seeing marked progress.

I love reading running blogs.  They give me motivation and ideas to keep training.  They help me to set goals and help me out the door when I don't feel like running and would rather be watching a movie with a glass of wine and some dark chocolate.

I have decided that right now my pace is exactly where I should be.  I am going to keep running, keep training, and keep improving.  I'm ok with that...it is enough for now.  I'm not going to let other people's faster paces and longer distances get me down...I'm just going to let them get me out the door.

I also find motivation in my new favorite shirt!  Hey, I'll take it where I can get it!

How do you keep yourself motivated to train?

Plans for the Week

Monday: 3 mile run + Strength Training
Tuesday: 4 mile run
Wednesday: 40 minute tempo run + Strength Training
Thursday: 6 mile run
Friday: REST
Saturday: Hike & Pilates
Sunday: America's Finest City 5K Run

Supplements: Advocare Spark, Catalyst, O2 Gold, Arginine Extreme, Nighttime Recovery, Omegaplex

Meals: Egg Whites, Chicken, Lots of Veggies, Berries, Rice...it's a week to eat clean and recover from vacation eats!

Image from here

Have a great Monday!

First Track Workout

It was a beautiful night for a run.  I jogged the easy half-mile to the local track for my very first track workout.  My training plan (Hal Higdon Intermediate 10K) called for 8 x 400m at 5K pace.

I had no clue what that meant.  I googled.  I read this article.  And this one.  This one too.

I figured even if I did it wrong...I would still be running.  So that's what I did.  I ran.  8 x 400m.  If we are being honest I am pretty sure it was slower than my 5K pace.

But I did it.  My first track workout!  Did you try anything new today?

Image Source

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Today I'm linking up with this kind of love...

I'm loving...

this C9 Champion High Impact Sports Bra from Target.  It may even beat my beloved lululemon ta-ta tamer...and at half the price!

this blender bottle...I am loving the new design!  And I am loving it filled with...

this electrolyte drink.  It is so good!  I think it tastes like some sort of delicious version of Cactus Cooler.  It is good motivation to finish my run knowing I have this waiting for me.

this breakfast cookie covered in almond butter.  It isn't the cleanest breakfast, but it sure is quick and delicious!

What are you loving today?

Races I Am Training For

I like to have a plan.  Having a goal and a training plan motivates me to keep going.  And paying for race registrations is also a huge motivator to keep getting out there and running even when it is hard.  Here is my race calendar for the next couple of months:

America's Finest City (I'll be running the 5K)

Girls On the Go (I'll be running the 10K...love that medal, so fun!)

Surf City 10 (I'll be running the 10 mile...ramping up!)

Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend (I'm running the 5K, the 10K, and the half...AAAHH!)

Lots of fun races ahead.  Currently I am following Hal Higdon's Intermediate 10K Training Program.  That will take me up to the 10K Girls on the Go Run.  After that race I will be starting a half marathon training program.  Any suggestions?

How do you motivate yourself to workout?

Building Up After Burnout

So I started running when I have never felt so tired.  With a three year old who never naps and an eight month old whose sleep at night is less than ideal, I was starting to get major mommy burnout.  So I decided it was time to figure out how to "recharge."

Image from RiverImprints

When I am outside running, I feel strong.  Even when I am tired, I always come back from a run recharged and feeling great.  Granted, I am not a speedy runner.  Heck, I don't even run the whole time...there is definitely some walking mixed in...but everyday I am getting stronger...