3 Things Thursday: Insomnia

Yep. I'm wide awake and have been all night. It's almost 4 am. Might as well steal crap off Pinterest (sorry I don't know where these came from) & blog. Warning: f-bombs ahead. Sorry for the language but I'm fucking exhausted.









I've run out of ideas. Probably calling the doctor today for drugs stronger than melatonin since that hasn't done shit.

What do you do when you can't sleep?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Speedwork

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I'm counting on this.

Do you do speedwork?

Wine and Dine Half Training: Week 9

This week turned out to be a bit of a bust.  I shortened my long run way down because I was planning on a 25 mile group bike ride and because of the weather (read torrential downpours and high wind) I didn't ride. I only logged 13 miles this week.  Not the kind of numbers you want to report a month out from your half marathon.  Anyhoo...here's the way the week played out.

Monday 10/8/12 - RUN: 3 mile tempo. 1.5 mile wu/cd at 11:35 pace then 1.5 mile tempo at 9:45 pace.  Massage appointment after school.

Tuesday 10/9/12 - Nothing :( I don't even know why I didn't work out.

Wednesday 10/10/12 - RUN: 6x800 Yassos (plus 1 mile wu/cd).  First time to do 6 of them and I averaged a 9:03 pace. Used the TM at the gym and it seems that surface makes my shin and knee less cranky but is boring as frak. It's pretty cool to see on DailyMile "Bari ran 3 miiles in 27 minutes" even though it's not really true with the 4:30 rests between sets.  I'll still take it though.

Thursday 10/11/12 - XT/Strength - 20 minute core circuit.

Friday 10/12/12 - Rest day. 

Saturday 10/13/12 -  RUN: Long run Saturday and I only ran 6 miles, but I did them at a 10:08 pace in a cold rain.  That should make them count double, right???  The first 4 miles were sub-10 m/m pace, which was clearly really, really stupid.  Kids...this is how NOT to do your long run. Just sayin'. I wanted to just run the middle 2 miles at HM pace and I ended up running the whole thing at my 5k pace. Oops.  I'm also disappointed in myself for not riding in the charity ride I was supposed to do but I really didn't feel comfortable biking 25 miles in the rain and wind. One of these days I'll be a badass on my bike, too, but not less than a month out from my half. I was pretty sure I wasn't going to ride when I set out for my run at 7 am.  I should've added on a couple more running miles but after busting out 6 way too fast miles, I had nothing left. Live and learn, I guess.

Sunday 10/14/12 - XT/Stretching - I found a new YOGA app (I downloaded the free version) and it was pretty good. I had an app awhile back that only showed photos and I'm yoga dumb so the videos in this one were much easier to follow.  Did the level 1 20 minute workout and then finished with 10 minutes of foam rolling.  One of my friends asked which app, so here it is.  I'm going to do a few more of the "free" workouts and if I still like it, I'll drop the $3 for the full version.

So, even though I only logged 13 miles this week (which probably should have been my long run #fail) I at least did a couple easy stretching/toning workouts.  Not ideal, but better than the zero XT sessions I had last week.  Baby steps.

I've already made a contingency plan for tonight's workout. I'm hooking my bike up to a friend's trainer and giving indoor biking a shot.  I'll have no way to determine speed or distance since I don't have a cadence adapter for my new Garmin, but I'll at least shoot for a good hour ride.  On Saturday, I bought cycle shoes on clearance and when pedals go on sale at Thanksgiving, I'll add those to my arsenal.  Still trying to find a trainer on craigslist since those things are so freaking expensive.

This week the rain and wind stopped me on the bike but I had no issues running in it.  Where do you draw the line with training outside in nasty weather?

Motivation Monday: Race Planning

In 7 days I'm participating in my first marathon relay - so excited - and even though it isn't even the end of October, I'm starting to look ahead at 2013 to plan out some races.

I'd set a goal to run 12 races in 2012 and due to events outside of my control, I won't be meeting that goal.  I don't want to set a 13 in 2013 goal because I don't think it would be realistic.  Or I'd just end up doing a bunch of local 5ks to get my races in and they don't have bling. We all know I love my bling. I also did a triathlon this year and want to do more.  There's so much to think about!

The thing is...racing can get expensive. Especially if you travel for races (and this year, with races at Disneyland and Disney World, I've probably tapped out my travel funds for awhile).  So what's a bling whore to do?  Stay local? Limit how many races I run? I've discovered I need a training plan and to not be injured or I slack of HUGE in my training and then gain 15 pounds.

Here's what I have so far.

January 5, 2013 - Yankee Springs Trail Run 10k - Probably a bit insane since a) I've never done a trail race before and b) it's in January in Michigan, but it's close to home and sounds like fun. I'd have no time goals for this, just a fun run through the snowy wilderness.

February 2, 2013 Groundhog Day Half Marathon 13.1 miles. In the snow. I've clearly lost my mind, but this race sounds like an absolute blast.  Seriously - go check out the website, I'll wait. There will also be a 1/6th Marathon the night before and I'd probably do that one too.

March 16, 2013 Irish Jig 5k - This is a local race and I've never run it. Could be fun.

April 13, 2013 Martian Half Marathon (or 10k) - The bling is an alien head. What more do I need to say?

April ??, 2013 Striders Saturday Classic 10 mile - I missed this one this year too, but at least I hadn't paid for it yet.  It's local and cheap, so it's on the schedule. It's also hilly as hell so it might get booted off :)

May 11, 2013 5/3 River Bank Run 25k or 10k - The 25k was my DNS this year due to my injury and missing out on the 35th anniversary bling really hurt.  I'm not sure if I want to try and redeem myself or not. We'll see how the spring goes.

This is as far as I've gotten on the schedule.  Triathlon season starts up here in June and I'd love to complete at least 3 sprints and maybe an Olympic distance this summer but the dates for those won't be up for awhile. The Grand Rapids Triathlon is June 9th, but I don't know if I'd be ready for the first one that early in the season. It will depend on how much I get in the pool and whether Santa brings me a trainer for my bike for Christmas.

I'd love to travel for at least one race this year.  Maybe Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland. Those are all easily drive-able.  The Detroit Marathon goes into Canada, which would be very cool, and is also a short drive for me.

Feel free to weigh in - pick some races you think I could get to next year (keeping in mind the school year is out for travel).    

Fitness Friday: Running Pop Quiz

I found this quiz on Tuesday from Fancy Nancy at Living the Dream and earlier in the week from Michelle at Running with Attitude who linked over from Christine over at Big Dream Runner. I'm all about not needing to think of my own blog topics so I figured I'd play along.  

1. FUEL: Shot Bloks, GU, Energy Chews, Candy or Other?
I'm one of those weirdo runners who try lots of different things (but never something new on race day!).  There are a few flavors of GU I can tolerate (Espresso Love is my favorite and I tried Vanilla for the first time a couple weeks ago and it was pretty good).  If I use GU, I have to take a good 1/2-3/4 of a mile to get it in. If I suck the whole thing down I'll pay dearly.  No fun.  I also LOVE Sport Beans (1-2 every couple miles like a treat) and used Shot Bloks for my triathlon and last weekend's 12 miler.  My complaint with Shot Bloks is that they get stuck in my teeth.  One of these days I'm planning to fuel with Swedish Fish. :)

2. Race Length: 5k, 10k, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, Ultra or Other?
I'm definitely a fan of the 1/2 Marathon because it's a distance you really have to train for but doesn't consume your entire life like marathon training.  5k's are, IMO, harder than distance races because you basically just go balls out until you die, and that's no fun.  I'd still love to post a sub-30 5k in an official race though. Next year, I think I want to focus on more of the middle distance races. 10k to 10 mile.

3. Workout Bottoms: Skirts, Running Shorts, Capris, Pants or Other?
Because of where I live, this ranges from longish Nike shorts (because chub rub is the devil and there isn't enough body glide on the planet to prevent it - believe me, I've tried) to capris to winter running tights.  I have a running skirt but the shorts underneath are too short for my taste so I never wear it. For bigger races, I'm usually sporting a Team Sparkle skirt over my shorts/capris :)
 
4. Sports Drink: Gatorade, Powerade, Cytomax, you stick to water when you run or Other?
I alternate between water and Nuun.  For races, I'll carry Nuun in both water bottles on my belt because I know I can get water on the course. If I'm only going for an hour or less, I'll just use water. I hate all sports drinks - or rather they hate me.
 
5. Running Temperatures: HEAT or COLD?
I'll run in pretty much any weather (in Michigan you have to) but my ideal temperature would be just a little bit chilly - like around 50 degrees - with clouds and no wind.

6. Running Shoe Brands: Saucony, Mizuno, Nike, Brookes, Asics or Other?
I've worn Asics GT2170s (or whatever the previous numbers were) for as long as I can remember. I just heard they've redesigned them this year and are now calling them the GT2000.  I'm not sure whether to be excited or horrified.  The good news? They come in some really loud colors now and I've always wanted running shoes that can be seen from space!
 
7. Pre-race meal: Oatmeal, Bagel, Banana, Eggs, Cereal or Other?
My pre-race meal is always a little bit of coffee and 1/2 a bowl of oatmeal with butter and brown sugar.  (Note to self: pack oatmeal for Disney). 

8. Rest Days: 1x per week, 2x per week, never ever ever or Other?
Right now, my training schedule has 1 rest day (before the long run), 3 running days (tempo, 800s, long run), and 3 cross training days.  Sadly, only the rest day and running days are being followed.

9. Music: Have to have it or go without it?
I'm definitely in the "have to have it" camp.  I find my head is not somewhere I want to be on my runs. The music I run to varies a lot though. The only rules are that it can't be sad or too slow. One of these days, I should post a running playlist.

10. #1 reason for running: stress-relief, endorphins, you love to race, so you can eat all the cupcakes you want, weight-loss, love running for social reasons or Other? 
Can I just say "all of the above"?  I definitely need the stress-relieve and sense of accomplishment.  I also love to race for the bling. 

Feel free to copy the questions from me if you want to play too - just let me know you did so I can read your answers!

Thankful Thursday: Speedwork

Today I'm giving thanks for speedwork.  Ok, now before y'all think I'm completely nuts, let me explain.  Bullet points might work for this.

• Speedwork does, in fact, make you faster and stronger.
• Speedwork makes you feel like a badass.  When I started doing Yasso 800s 2 months ago, the thought of doing 2 of them at a 9mm pace was laughable.  Yesterday I did 6. And I didn't die.

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• You can do speedwork almost anywhere.  The track, on a treadmill, or in loops around your neighborhood. I haven't tried them on the track yet because it's football season and the high school track is a little busy after school, but I really like running the 1/2 mile loop in my neighborhood - even if my neighbors think I'm a bit insane.
• When you tweet about your speedwork, Bart Yasso might actually tweet you back. :)

That tweet totally made my morning. I joke that I'm a real runner now because Bart Yasso tweeted me, but really I've been a badass mother runner all along. 

Who would you love to get a tweet from? Have you ever received a tweet from someone "famous"?

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Discipline

On Saturday, I wanted nothing to do with my planned long run.  The weather was crappy, I was frustrated at the outcome of my daughter's diving meet, it was already 1 in the afternoon when we'd gotten home and I wasn't properly fueled.  You get the idea. I had it in my head that the run was going to completely suck before I'd even laced up my shoes.

Then someone reminded me that athletes don't always want to do their workouts but they do them anyway.  This person was 100% correct (and called me an athlete which was pretty cool).  If I hadn't gone for my run, I'd have missed this:

12 miles of some of the prettiest trees God and Michigan had to offer.  Getting out there required discipline that I don't always have.  I needed some serious encouragement on Saturday, but I'm blessed to have people in my life to nudge me in the right direction.