How Low Can You Go?

I’m throwing you guys for a loop here.

You ready?

I only ran three days this week. Oh my god. Someone call the loony bin because I went off the  deep end.

Or maybe not.

I’ve been in a bit of a running funk lately. All my runs suck. I feel slow and, yeah, I was slow for my own terms. I was running seven minute miles or more (less?) and I barely wanted to run farther than a mile.

I obviously needed a break from running since I have been running 50+ mile weeks for a month. My mind wanted to continue, but my body didn’t. Then my mind started to concur with my body.

So, I ran three times this week. I’ll probably run about the same next week too and I’ll see where I should go from there. Also, my big toe area has been feeling odd. I don’t know. I have too many problems.

Active rest is so important. I was feeling sluggish and I thought it was just me. It wasn’t my body, I thought. I believed I was just a huge failure. Then, I read this article. “With all this talk about running, it’s easy to forget about weight training and core work. Summer is a great time to gain strength and work on weaknesses. Even if you can’t get to a gym or weight room, there are plenty of exercises that can be done at home—chair dips, push-ups, stair step-ups, squat jumps, etc. Pair two leg or arm exercises with two ab exercises and do three sets of each. Or choose six exercises and do two circuits of everything. “

I still weight trained three times this week, but I just added in the elliptical, a strength class, and  spin class.

It’s funny how not running as much caused my appetite to spike. I feel so hungry all the time now. It could be the weight lifting though. I have been adding more weights and the next day I feel it.

So enough blah blah blah. Here’s my week in review:

August 29th through September 4th

Monday: Hour elliptical + 45 minute RIPPED class (strength training, plyo, and abs)
Tuesday: 12.25 mile run @ 6:59 pace (fastest pace – 6:36)
Wednesday: 7.78 miles @  6.59 pace (fastest pace – 6.40) + Weights

Thursday: Approximately 9.60 miles @ 6.51 pace (I forgot to start my Garmin at one point.)
Friday:  Elliptical + weights

Saturday: Spin class + elliptical
Sunday: Weights + spin class

Total mileage: Approximately 29.

Yeah, that’s a huge difference from fifty. It almost frightens me.

I plan on running tomorrow and I hope it goes well.

Honorable eats:

Peppermint cake
Salmon cakes and Indian rice
Oat bran muffin + custard
Tofu + tamale
Peanut butter cheesecake

In case you missed it:

• My view on salads.
• Recovery Running.
• My second WIAW.

“If you train your mind for running, everything else will be easy.”
                                  –Amby Burfoot 

TGIW

Ello, mates!

Is anyone else’s wordpress reader not working? Mine isn’t showing any blogs. Boo. 

You know how some people cannot run unless there are headphones in their ear blasting Kesha or Rage Against the Machine?

I am not one of the people.

Due to my running funk, I decided to run hills with some music hoping that would motivate me to blast off.

Yeah, I got a headache.

Apparently, Pink and I don’t mix while running. No offense, Pink. I love ya, girl.

However, if I’m just chilling on the elliptical or pumping some iron, I need music. Otherwise, I get bored insanely fast. Just like in spin class. If the instructor is not up to par (cough, cough), the music better be good. If not, I’ll leave.

Currently, here’s my playlist:

I listen to a lot of comedy when I workout. I’m that weirdo who laughs out loud on the elliptical. It’s because I find The View hilarious. (Although I do love The View.)

That’s just a sample. Hopefully that give you guys some new tunes.

So, let’s get this party started again with WIAW (or Tuesday. Whateva.)

Pre-breakfast:

Breakfast:

Egg white omelette, tuna, chocolate almond milk,  banana

I haven’t been that hungry for breakfast, to be honest. I’m not hungry because I get home from work at 9:30 and eat dinner as well as a whole cake. Well, not a whole cake, but it feels like it. My food baby is then produced. 

Insert 12 mile run and cool down on the elliptical.

I decided to run my favorite running path in the hopes that it would take me out of my funk. It worked a bit. I really enjoyed my run for once. I didn’t check my pace though. It could have been definitely really slow despite the fact that I thought I was running quicker than Kara Goucher. 

Also, the weather was perfect!

In the past two weeks, the weather in the morning has been in the 80′s. I’m not use to that. Today it was rather cloudy.

I saw this driving home after my run. I was really jealous. Damn you, Hood to Coast runners. I would have given a lung to run it.

Insert five-minute shower and ten minutes of getting dressed.

Lunch:

  Greek yogurt + peanut butter + cereal + Luna bar + apple + grapes + vanilla protein powder + dates

Insert appointment with Marine recruiter.

I went to the Marine’s office today to talk with my recruiter about jobs. I decided I am going to re-take my ASVAB test to receive a higher technical score because I am interested in air traffic control. I also really like food services, but I don’t know how much I will enjoy it. I think I will, but air traffic control seems rather awesome.

Also, they moved my shipment date to November 7th. I guess I am okay with that. I need to fit in more studying time and memorization of ranks. 

My time management is alright, but I just need to prioritize my time. Reading Hunger Games and watching It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia need to go on the back burner.

Snacks:

 Sugar free oatmeal raisin cookie
Three shot Americano  

Dinner:

 Tamale x2 + zucchinni + onion rings
Goat cheese + pepper pizza x2

Dessert:

Happy Wednesday, ya’ll!

“It’s very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners.  Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit.” - George Sheehan

Gettin’ Wild

Thank you so much for all your supportive comments on my thoughts about college and the Air Force. All and all, I am really leaning towards the Air Force. As soon as I have a day off from work, I am scheduling an appointment with a recruiter. Just like I think the Air Force isn’t for everyone, I don’t think college is for everyone either.

Let’s get down to business.

Yesterday was my second half marathon, but my first half marathon for a trail race. It was the Wildwood Trail Run. It was actually the same course as the Forest Park 20k I did so I was familiar with the path.

Since I knew it was the same course, I gave myself a goal of beating my previous time. My previous time was 1:36:41. In this case, the seconds matter because I PR by 18 seconds. I was rather disappointed that I didn’t at least do a minute better, but I realized that I started off way too fast. I was so wrapped up in the competition aspect that I didn’t even enjoy my surroundings. I was also so focused on pushing through my soreness from lifting weights the other day that I was afraid to slow down. I just kept pushing it. I felt super fast, but I don’t think I was going that quickly as I felt. It’s funny how that works.

Whatever, whatever.

My final time was 1:36:23.

I came in second place out of 167 people.

I was first in my age group and first woman.

Of course, I’m pleased with my results. Second place isn’t terrible even if it was out of 167 people. It was just one of those races that I wasn’t entirely pumped up for. I listened to some music before hand to get my fired up, but I was just so focused on picking people out from the crowd and telling myself I would beat them.

In actuality, I was a mixed bag of emotions Saturday morning. I was panicky, thrilled, and apprehensive all at once.

               

In the end though, I got my medal and I did set a new record for women on the course for the half marathon. Holla at your girl.

Just adding it to my collection.

That wasn’t a boast or anything.

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My appetite is slowly coming back. I somewhat did an experiment that Racing Weight recommended, which I will have a review of soon. In the past two days, I have been starving constantly hence eating sweet onion rings from Burgerville at ten at night. 

Have I stepped on the scale? Yeah…

I’m just telling myself it’s muscle. I mean, it really should be. My pants fit the same.

Who cares? I shouldn’t.

Whatever. Moving on to my new obsession:
So good and it says it helps skin, nails, and hair. I need that. Desperately.

In other news, here’s my week in review first starting with eats:

 Tamales w/ eggplant (good mix I know)
Dinner @ work. Tofu + snap peas + swiss chard + tuna casserole

Dinner @ work again. Tuna + asparagus + rice + potato ball of cheese

Workout review of 25th – 31st:

Monday: 10.01 miles @ 6:42 average pace (hills)
Tuesday: 9.06 miles @ 6:53 average pace
Wednesday: 7.46 miles @ 7:03 average pace (easy run)
Thursday: 10.21 miles @ 6:49 average pace (longer than expected. I got lost.)
Friday: Easy day of upper body weights
Saturday: Race! 13.1 miles @ 6:59 average pace
Sunday: Weights and spin class

Total Mileage: 49.93

I failed at upping my mileage once again. I just want to be in the 50‘s. I’m almost there. I either need to get speedier or go longer. I’ll aim for both.

Enjoy August!

By the way, just out of curiosity, how many of you would enjoy book reviews on normal books? By normal books I mean books not associated with running.

“Second place is not a defeat. It is a stimulation to get better. It makes you even more determined.” - Carlos Lopes

Food Baby

I feel like I have a permanent food baby just hanging out in my stomach. Doing this move helps me stretch out the food baby in my belly.

 I’m telling you. Heidi and I would be best friends.

I feel like my thighs are getting bigger.

I don’t like what I see in the mirror so I avoid it at all cost. I wish I knew why I am having this sudden negativity towards myself. However, unlike the past, I am not restricting at all. I still eat and I am eating more. I just started reading The New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women and I do love it. I find all the information very interesting and helpful. I’m only on page 45 though, but still. I cheated by looking through the book. It made me very nervous about not getting a period. Then it is making me question how much I eat. Is it enough? Even more despite my permanent food baby? It’s making me uncomfortable. Then, of course, I notice other blogger’s WIAW and I’m like, “Jeez, I guess I’m not eating oatmeal three times a day for every meal so I must be fat.”

The New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women simply makes me question my lifestyle as well as nutrition. I love it though. You should definitely expect a solid review once I finish it. I started talking to my mom about it on the phone, but she’s like, “Just way until I get back home.” I haven’t talked to anyone today since I’m home alone. I talked to my pets. That’s about it. I’m nuts. My mom is going to get home and I am going to yap my head off.

I won’t mention how much money I have spent on groceries though. Seriously. I have been to several grocery stores in a two days time. A girl has to eat!

Anyway, wasn’t I talking about books?

Another book I need to start reading is Kara’s!

Why yes, that is her autograph. When I met her a few months ago, her book sold out so I couldn’t get her autograph. I put my name on a list though, which ensured me a copy when the bookstore got more in and then Kara actually came back to sign them. Holla.

Originally, I wasn’t going to get her book. It seemed like a mediocre running book. I’ll give it a try though.

So, let’s review.

I have spent money on food…

 My dinner tonight

Cheese+pepper quesadilla with roasted veggies in pesto and kale 

…more money spent on fruit….

and of course books.

How could I forget my other recent purchase?

They are the same as my other Adidas; just a different color. Why change what’s working? Besides, I got them for cheap. I love a deal.

And I love free cupcakes from work.

Free cupcakes that go in a semi empty peanut butter jar with cottage cheese.

As you can tell, I am trying to be positive and upbeat. Being by myself with no one to talk to is not helping. Nevertheless, having Pandora comedy on full blast in my house just to fill the silence helps. Don’t get me wrong, I love silence. I don’t run with music for that reason. I can handle being alone, but after a few hours, I need to talk. I need to tell someone that my car still smells badly probably because I ate a burrito two days ago and that my sweaty sports bra is making me cold. I would not do well as a silent monk.

Questions:
- How do you get out of a ‘funk’?
- What are some awesome purchases you have made recently? 

 

Learn to run when feeling the pain: then push harder. 
William Sigei

Weather Envy

Despite the rain, my last two runs have been great. I ran about 10 miles or so today in the rain and I didn’t mind that much. Yesterday I ran in the rain and I felt really good.

But really now? I am sick of the rain. It’s June, Portland!
 All of you that have nice weather, send it my way. Please and thank you.
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Tuesday’s workout: Over an hour run and about 15 minutes on the elliptical

I began my run at 8 AM and got to school a little bit after 9:30 because I had to take my math exam at 10:30. I bet everyone enjoyed my soaking, sweaty self.

The exam went fairly well I think. It took me an hour and a half compared to last time when it took me two hours (and I didn’t even finish). I have a B in the class so I don’t care that much.

“I like to crack the jokes now and again, but it’s only because I struggle with math.” – Tina Fey

Afterwards I was starving so I decided to hit up the food carts! If you don’t know, Portland has a lot of food carts. I’m sure we are known for our food carts. Watch the  Cooking Channel sometime. Eat St. has an episode or two on food carts. Have you ever been to one?

I ended up going to this German food cart. I totally forget the name, but it has been featured in GQ Magazine and is voted the 6th best food cart in the U.S.

I got the eggplant sandwich that had romaine lettuce, red pepper spread, and parsley on ciabatta bread. The thing was bigger than my head.

Update on weight: I weighed myself on Tuesday. I’m not at square one anymore. It’s more like I am at square one plus another square. That doesn’t make any sense, but I don’t feel like saying my weight because people get all doctor-y and tell me facts.

I do not believe in BMI facts, etc. If I feel healthy, maybe I am at the ‘right’ weight. I don’t think I am just yet though. I do feel hell of a lot better, nonetheless. I am eating more. Perhaps not enough, but I feel better even though the scale isn’t going up. I just want to let everyone know that I eat! I just do not eat enough. I do not starve myself either.

Currently, I want to let go of some of my fear foods. I have let go of many in the past several months, but I still have some like: coffee, French toast, waffles, pancakes, protein bars that have more than xxx calories, and some other foods. Why can’t I drink iced coffee when I am craving it? I just don’t want to drink my calories. I don’t know why.

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Wednesday’s workout: 45 minutes of weight and over an hour run that equaled about 10+ miles.

I feel so good about lifting once again. I have gotten a bit stronger. I can squat about 45 pounds and I have increased on most of my weights. I know, 45 pounds is like nothing compared to a lot of you, but my legs feel it. I love it.

By the way, if anyone knows of any websites or blogs that offer some great weight lifting workouts, hit me up!

I was starving after my workout so I was going to hit up the food carts, but I saw the Portland food market was open.

I bought a vegetarian tamale. Best thing ever! I don’t even know what a tamale is, but I want more more more more.

I hope everyone is enjoying their week so far! I have graduation rehearsal tomorrow plus a track workout. Saturday is my graduation. Huzzah! I am somewhat dreading it because I’m nervous about not being able to run. I’ll wake up at five if I have to. I don’t care. Call me crazy.

Has anyone seen the Twitter picture LeAnn Rimes posted?

Do you think she is too skinny? Everyone seems to think so. Honestly, I don’t think she is overly thin. I think she looks damn good… just really thin. She could be healthy for all we know.