It’s official..

… morning runs are my new favorite thing! I woke up this morning to my freshly brewed coffee (thank you Mr. Cuisinart), munched on a luna bar, and caught up my running blogs.

Runner’s Rambles: Loved her post this morning about the blogging community. I’ve gained so much inspiration and information from running blogs. If I hadn’t stumbled upon the amazing support that the Healthy Living/Running Blogs showcase I know I would not have had the confidence to start running half marathons and then begin training for my first marathon! Chicago 2011 here I come!

Chic Runner: Chic Runner was the very first running blog that I came across. Danica gave me a whole new outlook on running. Like Danica I spent my middle and high school years racing during track and in sports that used running as punishment. It left me pretty jaded with running. She has one post where she wrote about the run that changed everything for her. She stopped in the middle and thought to herself: “Why do I do this?” She then came to realize that she didn’t have to race every time she ran anymore, she could run as slow as she wanted or as fast as she wanted. Now, whenever I run I run for myself. Whatever speed I feel like that day. If I want to take a break and walk, I do it, because in the end it’s my run and I make the rules.

Ali on the Run: Ali is a relatively new runner and is training for her first marathon while being sponsored by Jack Rabbit Sports. Each runner sponsored by Jack Rabbit is in charge of raising money for a charity. Since Ali has been battling Chron’s disease since she was young she decided she was going to raise money for the Chron’s and Colitis Foundation of America to help find a cure. I always find inspiration in her posts because she talks honestly about her struggles with the disease and can somehow turn the most negative/crummiest day into a positive and uplifting post. I always leave her blog feeling thankful for life and running! I strongly encourage you guys to check out her blog if you haven’t already and donate to her charity!

After I felt thoroughly inspired for the morning I drove over to campus to knock out my 4 mile run and weights session that I had planned for the day.

Here’s how it all went down:

• Mile 0- 1: 9 minute pace
• Mile 1-2: 8:30 pace
• Mile 2-4: 8:45 pace

I then went on to do my weight session which wasn’t too productive. I have a few staple moves that I tend to gravitate to.

A few of these..

Some of these..

And a little bit of this action..

I know it’s lame and while I took a weight lifting class in high school I know squat (no pun intended hehe) about weights. So, I think to fix this problem I’m going to find my way to the book store asap to find this gem that I have read wonderful things about:

Even though my weight session didn’t earn me any bragging rights today I would have to say this mornings run was just lovely. A nice morning jog to set the stage for the rest of my day. 75 degrees with a little breeze. I would take that over the 97 degree afternoon that was in store for later!

Side note: In high school my track coach would get mad at me for running like I was on a “Sunday morning jog” during our 400′s, I told him that “I loved Sunday  morning jogs..”  Clearly I have a competitive spirit

I’ve never been fast or competitive for that matter, nor do I ever plan to be. I run because I love it and I definitely do not think that you have to be competitive or fast to classify yourself a runner. I love to run and I run alot. I wear running clothes and legit running shoes so yea I’m a runner. If nothing else I sure as heck have running feet to prove my dedication and love for the sport! and that my friends is a fact.

So, yep I’m a runner and that’s that.

Do you classify yourself as a runner? Are there certain blogs that you go to when you need to some inspiration? Have you used NRLFW? 

Happy Humpday!!

~Sarah

 

A Mission a Mile

This mornings mission: 7 miles fartlek

Not just any 7 mile fartlek run though, a happy 7 mile “I can’t wait for the morning to come so I can wake up and run” 7 miles.

How did this mission go? Well, I’m going to bring you guys back to the start so we can gather all of the information together to determine if this mission was completed.

Last night’s bed time came around 11 pm after I set my coffee pot time on for 6:15 am so it would be ready for my 6:26 am alarm clock. Why 6:26 am? I felt like I should start my day before 6:30 but 6:20 seems to early.. I also wake up at 6:06 on the days I should wake up at 6:00. Weird? Quite possibly. Don’t judge and just try it. The extra 6 minutes makes a difference. Trust me.

I woke up promptly at 6:26! I hopped out of my bed and into my running clothes that I had laid out the night before. Because once you have your running clothes on there is no turning back. That run is going to happen.

• My favorite running top and shorts from Lucy
• Thorlo running socks
• Brooks Ghost 3 running shoes
• Ipod shuffle
• C9 by Champion sports bra
• My trusty Nathan Water Bottle
• Polar Watch and Foot Pod
• House key!

Grabbed my computer and headed down stairs to drink my coffee that had just finished brewing I firmly believe that programmable coffee makers make for happy mornings and consequently a happier Sarah. If only everyone had a programmable coffee maker.. the world might be a happier place.

Did I just solve the world peace with a programmable coffee maker?

Yes, yes I did.

Anways, along with my perfectly brewed coffee I ate half a luna bar:

and caught up on some of my favorite running blogs for inspiration.

• Runner’s Rambles
• Redhead Runner!

At 8:00 I was right on schedule and headed out the door.

Here’s how the milage went down this mornin:

• Mile 1: 9 minute pace
• Mile 2: 8:30 pace
• Mile 2-2.5: 8 minute pace
• Mile 2.5-3: 8:30 pace
• Mile 3-3.5: run/walk
• Mile 3.5-4.5: 9 minute pace
• Mile 4.5-5: 7:45-8:00 minute pace
• Mile 5-5.5: 8:30 pace
• Mile 5.5-6: 8:45 (uphill)
• Mile 6-6.5: 7:30-8:00 minute pace
• Mile 6.6-7: walk/run

This run was exactly what I needed this morning. I tried something new today with my pre run meal. Normally I go for a full on oats breakfast before a run and this morning I ate half a luna bar and then fueled throughout with water and Gu Chomps:

I ate one at miles 2, 4 and 6. I was worried I would get hungry and start to feel weak during my run but I was happily surprised with how energized and strong I felt throughout!

Another perk to my run? I knew that as soon as I came back I had breakfast waiting for me!

• Vanilla yogurt
• oats
• Cinnamon quaker squares
• 1/2 a banana
• Frozen Cherries
• Chopped apple
• Jif Natural PB (Love)

Oh my goodness this was delicious! Breakfast is my favorite meal and I may or may not love it just as much as running.

I’m sorry, that was a lie. I do love running more. But when running and breakfast are combined into one morning? Whoa ,baby! I was most definitely in my own heaven and  I don’t think anything can bring me down from it.

So, was this mornings mission completed? 

Well, let’s see..

Happy coffee? Yes..

Happy run? YES!

Happy breakfast? Oo yess

Happy morning? Absolutely!

The best part about all of this is now I have my whole day ahead of me. I <3 morning runs

I’ve heard it said that it takes 2 weeks to get a routine set. I love morning runs. I will set a morning routine.

I think I’m getting scary close to finding my happy running place again. Yes, I am very happy about this.

Mission Complete

Are you a morning runner or an afternoon runner? Do you have a pre-run routine? 

Happy Tuesday!

~Sarah

 

 

 

Happy Running

Wow! After my post on Friday about how I felt like I was getting stuck in a running rut I received a lot of great feedback.

It made me realize a few things: 

1.) I started training wayyy too early. I started training for the the Chicago marathon back in May which would give me 5 months of training before the race. What was I thinking? No wonder I’ve been feeling burnt out. Dumb Dumb Sarah

2.) I need to switch up my training plan a bit. I had been using Hal Higdon’s plan which basically has me running 5 days a week with 1 cross training day. I know that I need to 1.) have an active rest day after my long runs 2.) run less and incorporate more cross training during the week.

3.) I totally lost my happy running place. Where did it go? I used to literally go to bed thinking about waking up, lacing up my shoes and knocking out some miles. Granted I wasn’t running 10+ miles, I was doing 5-9 at the most…

So, now that I understand what is going on I just need to “drop back 10 and kick” as my dad would say.. (it’s a football phrase and it means you need to go about things a different way).

Starting on Friday I took the day off of marathon training which turned into a weekend off and ya know what? I feel great! 

While I took the weekend off of marathon training that doesn’t mean I was a complete bum and took the weekend off of exercising. Who do you think I am anyways? I live for activity and don’t do well sitting still..

Friday afternoon was spent here: 

• Devil’s Ice Box Trail Hike: We hiked around for a good 2 hours and while I didn’t track the distance I would say we did a good 4-5 miles (minimum). 

Saturday was spent doing a little of this: 

• Unplanned 20 mile bike ride: Whaaatt?? Yep, 20 miles! It was completely relaxed though. I’m pretty spoiled in my college town because the entire city is connected by trails. So, we hopped onto the trail and about 10 miles later landed downtown and were starving.

Naturally, we refueled with the usual: 

• Red Mango Fro Yo Parfait: Peppermint + Pomegranate fro yo+ strawbs/blueberries/kiwi/blackberries/granola/walnuts = Bliss. Yumzo!

Sunday I woke up to do a short run: 

• From my Daily Mile: 3.6 mi 00:32 08:53 pace

The weather was sooo humid this morning and my run was basically all uphill today. The distance felt good this morning                      though. Morning runs are the best though. Now, what to do with the rest of my Sunday??

             about 23 hours ago

• And continued to spend the rest of my day lounging, catching up on blog reading, grocery shopping :) and making some yummy food! I forgot how much I love to cook. It’s relaxing, rewarding and delicious! I hope I never again fall into the lazy food trap.

Some Recent Eats: 

 

• Jenna’s Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers
• Fancy Hawaiian Pizza from A Cozy Kitchen
• Baked Sweet Potato Fries courtesy of Rhodey Girl Tests

Oh, and this: 

• Cherry Apple Pie: I’ve never made a pie until this weekend and boy am I glad that I did! Pair this little gem with a scoop of your favorite ice cream and you might find yourself in your our own heaven. I know I did! Yumzo. 

So, yes this weekend I did some exercise that I enjoyed (how it should be), ate some amazing food, had fun in the kitchen and overall just relaxed. I deem this a very successful weekend.

Now, I’m on a quest to find my happy running place!

What did you do for exercise this weekend? Did you stick your training plan or venture out and do something different? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Monday Everyone!

~Sarah

Stuck in a Rut..

Has this ever happened to you? You get into a routine and while you get everything done you need to things start to go a little blahh.. 

Ya feel me? 

Here’s an example, actually a few examples.

1.) Marathon training: I’ve been using Hal Higdon’s novice training plan 2 for the last two months. While it’s a great plan I’m starting to get a little burnt out/bored. The longest run I’ve ran to date is 14 miles and with the Chicago marathon in October I think I’m at a pretty good place. My worst fear is to get up to 20 miles by August and then have to keep that base until October. I think I need to pull back a little on my training. Thoughts?

Which is why this weekend I’m going to take it easy. With an 11 mile long run (easy right? hah!) I want to get a few bike rides in and just really enjoy my exercise this weekend. Becky wrote a post this morning about her decision to pull out of her marathon this fall because well, she felt like it. 

This post really struck a cord with me because I know that when I sign up for something, like a marathon, or any race for that matter I get so caught up in my training plan and making sure I’m getting all of my miles in that I forget why I even run. 

I don’t ever want to burn myself out from running. I’m 20 years old after all and I want to grow old with running! I want running to be a part of my life forever.

With that being said. I’m going to take this weekend off from marathon training. Maybe I won’t even run 11 miles. Maybe the most I’ll run is 4? We will just have to see. I’m going to listen to my body and whatever it feels like doing we’ll do. 

2.) Eats: That’s right my meals. My meals, other than breakfast, have been all over the place.. and incredibly boring and well just blehh. This could be another contributing factor to me feeling burnt out lately. I used to love cooking and taking the time to make myself a meal that was worth sitting down to enjoy. Lately, all I’ve been eating is super lame yogurt bowls, leftovers and cereal..

I know you’re getting bored even reading about this! Blahh right? 

Right 

So, here’s the plan I’ve decided on. My usual grocery trip is on Saturdays and  I plan on stocking my kitchen with the essentials to make delicious meals each night of the week. Some will be easy, simple meals and some I want to make something that takes a little more time.

This will be a fun little challenge for me! I plan on posting whatever I make for dinner and then throughout the week we’ll see how I start to feel as I begin to pick back up with my marathon training.

Here’s a few ideas for dishes that I have been dying to try and as you guys as my witness I will make them!

Tomato Basil Cream Pasta: I’ve been craving a good pasta dish lately

Shrimp and Goat Cheese Quesadillas: Jenna posted this recipe months ago and I haven’t stopped thinking about them!

Hawaiian Pizza: I’ve been craving a pineapple pizza like crazy!

Okay, I have 4 more recipes to come up with for this next week. Have any suggestions? 

If you ever find yourself in a rut what do you do to get yourself out of it?