How to make a long week better...

It's been a long week, but a did a run this morning doing my 3 miler in just 32 minutes (4 minutes less than normal!) I was dealing with a headache the whole day. The great news is I made it, although I figured I probably would. So to cap off long week I...


Had a beer...


Bought myself a small present...



And now I'm getting ready to go see Celia!!! And I get to meet her husband and baby! Isn't it great to get to see a friend that you've haven't seen in almost 5 years, and the even better part is that we'll just pick up where we left off. I'm renting a car and hitting the highway! I'll fill you in on Sunday. Have a great weekend!

Hump Day!

It's hump day...and it been a very long week. And unfortunately I think the next two days are going to be long too.

I plan to start tomorrow off with a great strength training session, then it's off to work where the trainees will be taking a test. Then it's back to covering the class material. I've actually been getting a little more involved in the 'instructing' aspect than was originally expected, but I'm taking it all in stride and know that it will benefit me in the long run.

Previously I would say that I wasn't much into public speaking, but I'm growing more comfortable each day. I do have some points when I start to speak fast, but I've been working on it this week. Mostly I just need to relax!

Anyone have any good advice for public speaking? Do you like being up in front of large groups? I know I have teacher friends that think nothing of it, but was it always that way?

I'm official...

I'm officially training for the 2010 Buffalo Marathon & Half-marathon!!! Well, okay I've been training since January, but my training t-shirt that came with registering just arrived at the house yesterday. Matt was kind enough to open it and take a picture. The bad news it is too big for me to actually wear when training, but maybe Matt can wear it as he cheers from the side of the race course.

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Onto working out, I got up this morning at 4:45am to do my strength training, but wasn't quite feeling it. So I made a deal with myself to get up, get dressed, and do 15 minutes of my routine and then go from there. After about 15/20 minutes I just mentally wasn't in it so I decided to call it done for the day.

So feeling a little guilty this evening (and enticed by the nice weather) I decided to head out on the streets of Dallas for a little walk. Well I got outside and decided to run- and ran 2.5 miles out to the West End area of Dallas then turned around and headed back to the hotel. I had a great run out to my turn around point (2.5 miles in 22:55 min), but ended up being slower on the way back (2.5 miles 35:45 min). Overall I ended up with an average 11:57 min/mile, which made me happy!

Strength training tomorrow morning!

Seamless...

It appears that since I've reached nine consecutive miles of running, I've been experiencing some discomfort. Something that can be fixed by investing in seamless, moisture wicking fabrics.

Yesterday after completing my nine miles I noticed that I had some bad skin reactions to my workout:

1- Around my collar bone the seam caused chaffing and redness- I can still feel the bums!

2- On my chest I've also broken out from the rubbing of my sports bra and just having a sweaty shirt on for almost two hours.

3- The oddest injury was to a few of my toes. The seam on my socks has been rubbing and irritating the cuticle area of my toes.

So I guess it means that it is time to invest in my running gear!!!

My shopping list:

1- Running shirt/tank made of sweat wicking fabric without seamless. I need at least one for my long runs, but I think at least two would be better.

2- A new sports bra, again made of sweat wicking fabrics. (I know you didn't really need to know about my sports bras, but at the same time you do.)

3- Seamless socks to keep my tootsies happy.


Basically I need seamless, sweat wicking products. I plan to find a running store here in Texas and see what I can get. I plan to rent a car this weekend to visit a friend so I'll have to make sure to find something in my travels.

Any good products you'd like to suggest?

Where am I?

It's the second day of spring, and I thought I was in Dallas when I went to bed last night- but now I'm not so sure. This morning I had planned to hit the streets and running trails in Dallas to do my 9 miles, but at 30 degrees and snow I did not have appropriate cold weather gear. I was stuck on the hotel treadmill. I guess it doesn't really matter because I got the distance done- but I would have liked to see some sights in Dallas.

Maybe if it warms up I can try again. Next weekend though I will down near Fort Hood, so I guess I can try to run around there.

Food Temptation Everywhere...

Thursday and Friday were busy days. We were over at our main training site finishing our prep work and meeting the newbies. The temptations at the new site are out of control.

To start the site has set up a beverage center that is stocked all day. They provide the choice of coffee, hot teas, iced tea, many types of soda, and bottled water. I've been sticking with a cup of black coffee in the morning, then water the rest of the day.



If you think that sounds pretty good, then you'll love the foods they provide. Mid-morning they put out some type of danish, croissant, or breakfast bread. Then mid-afternoon out comes some type of sweet/salty snack- the last couple days we saw a cooler full of ice cream bars, chips & salsa, 3 types of popcorn with boxes to fill, and luckily an assortment of fruit. So far I've only taken advantage of the fruit- and I've managed to stay away from the rest because I bring healthy snacks with me.

The hotel I'm staying at offers free breakfast each morning so I usually grab a yogurt and piece of fruit that I take with me to the training class.

Let's just say there is no shortage of food around here.

I must confess...

It's the end of day three here in Dallas, and I must confess I haven't gotten in any of my strength training yet. And I miss it!!!

Unfortunately at the end of the day, we are still kind of working through dinner. It is a little more casual talk, but at the same time there are some important topics I should be around for- so I haven't made it to the gym at night. I guess it is good that I'm getting up for my runs before work!

Tomorrow's plan is to get my strength training in at 5:00am, since I only run four days a week. So here's the modified plan as it appears to be working itself out:

Sunday: Long Runs w/ strength training (completed in the morning or afternoon)
Monday: 3 mile run (5am on the treadmill)
Tuesday: Strength Training (5am in hotel gym)
Wednesday: 5 mile run (5am on the treadmill)
Thursday: Strength Training (5am in the hotel)
Friday: 3 mile run (5am on the treadmill)
Saturday: Rest & Relaxation

How does that sound? I figure I might as well get up at the same time everyday so my body's clock doesn't get confused. On weekends I don't plan to get up at 5am, but I'm guessing my body will wake me up by 6 or so. I'll have to let you know how it works for me.

Have a great night!