These are some of my favorite songs to run to:
Best Warm Up: Britney Spears- My Perogative
Best Tempo Run: Robert Randolph & The Family Band- Ain’t Nothing Wrong with That
Best for Uphill: Beyonce- Run the World
Best Cross the Finish Line: DJ Khaled ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dog, Rick Ross- All I do is Win
Best Cool Down: Pearl Jam- Just Breathe
Today’s run felt like I was in slow motion. It was like the dream I have where I’m being chased by bad guys running at normal pace and I run away like I have cemented shoes.
I may have gotten off to a late start and I don’t think I’ve been hydrating myself enough during the week. I ate a banana with a forkful of almond butter. Bananas eaten with a fork taste more like a meal. Another issue was that I felt really thirsty and I didn’t take my water bottle with me because I was carrying my giant iPod Touch (the iPod shuffle wasn’t charged). I stayed dehydrated for the sake of vanity.
I walked a few times for about 30 seconds each time. I don’t know why but I always feel like I’m cheating myself out of a successful workout. I didn’t charge my Garmin and I left the house with only 25% battery life. It died at mile 4 but I know I ran an extra mile because I’ve gone that route before.
never fully charged Garmin
I was planning on having my second breakfast but 10:00 seems too late since lunch is only about 2 hours away. Now I’m sipping on some iced coffee with a scoop of vanilla whey protein. I wouldn’t exactly call it delicious.
I feel like I just had my first “bad mom” moment today. I may have made mistakes in the last few months we have had Penny and her puppy training, but this one feels the worst. I have taken Penny on a total of two runs, I think James has taken her on one. All runs were less than two miles. Penny enjoys the short run and sometimes it can tire her out and we can avoid the nighttime-crazy-time.
I wish I did a little more research before getting Penny too active. Apparently, dogs shouldn’t run until they are about a year old. Penny is only 4 1/2 months, a long way off. To make it even worse, Golden Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia. Maybe the fact that she’s only 25% Golden Retriever, she could have the chance to miss that gene. We walk every day and we’ll continue to walk a few times a day. Exercise is important to prevent hip dysplasia but too much can also cause it. Just like people, even dogs need good things in moderation.
Last night may have very well been a rest day. I didn’t get home from work until about 6:30 and James said he ate too much to go running. I grabbed a few pretzels and sat on the couch for awhile and watched tv. I don’t know what came over me but about 30 minutes later I figured I’ll just go for a run by myself, maybe I’ll take Penny.
We only went about 2 miles total. I know she’s only 4 1/2 months old but she really likes to jog. One of the best tips about running with a dog is to make sure they do their business before you really get running. James said Penny already went in the backyard when he got home so I figured she wouldn’t need to go again. She peed during our warm up and then we picked up the pace. About 4 blocks into the run, Penny did exactly what I was afraid would happen. Of course I picked it up (I don’t want to be that neighbor) but I had to hold onto it for about 10 minutes until I found a trash can. It was a really awkward addition to our little running club. One mile into our run, Penny started to slow down. I wasn’t going to force her into doing something she didn’t want to do so we took it easy going up a big hill and Penny took a lot of rest breaks.
Oh Marmaduke.
So two miles done, easy pace. I can’t wait for Penny to get a little bit older, then we can go on longer runs. The quarter marathon is in a little over 3 weeks. I hope we’re ready!
Today on my modified half marathon training schedule, I was scheduled to do some sort of cross training. I chose Jillian Michaels’ Yoga Meltdown (not to be confused with the Stock Market’s meltdown) this morning because I knew I would get a good stretch and tone my muscles in a short 30 minutes. My Mom gave me a yoga mat for by birthday from Lululemon that I was dying to try out this morning (maybe that was my motivation to get up at 6am today?). I think its amazing that in less than half an hour I can get so sweaty during yoga that I usually slip around the mat. With my new yoga mat, I stayed completely in place. There were no concerns of slipping and snapping my neck in sweat. My only concern was that the squeaking on the tire-like mat would be too distracting during a public class. But I don’t really care that much and I love it! After a few hours my shoulders and abdominal muscles have that satisfying soreness to them that really make me feel like I’m getting a good work out.
The family came over today to celebrate my 28th birthday. We had grilled chicken wraps and corn salad with tomatoes and basil along with mango black bean salsa. My favorite part was the pink flamingo birthday cake my mom made me. It really was a perfect birthday. Thanks for a wonderful day!
one of my favorite birthday cakes
My intentions were to get up early, eat something light and let it digest before my run. I got up a little later than expected (6:30am) and got ready to go on my first long run. It was starting to get hotter out so I contemplated just running on an empty stomach. But then I remembered, training my stomach for the half marathon is just as important as training my legs. If my only goal for this race is to not poop my pants, I need to start early in the training program to adjust to eating before a run.
I finished 3 miles and came back home exhausted from the heat.
Goofy Runner and Goofy Puppy
I made a smoothie after the run (Odwalla mango juice, Chobani Champions, strawberries and added a scoop of protein). I felt full all day to the point I never got hungry. I don’t like not feeling hungry because then I just eat anyways because the clock tells me too. Sunday is a rest day (and my birthday) since I’m adjusting my long runs to Saturdays.
An unplanned rest day today since I was doing wedding stuff after work and didn’t get a run in this morning. The training plan will be back in full force tomorrow.
Penny woke me up at 6am this morning when she was barking at squirrels out of the living room window. I took her out to do her business and then I took her for a short run around the neighborhood. It was beginning to rain but it was only a little sprinkle; it felt like nature’s air conditioning. It was still dark out and we stayed on streets with big trees to keep us dry. I’m so surprised at how well behaved Penny was during the run. She stayed at my pace and we still stopped at each corner to sit. The only time we almost had a bad incident was when she found a bunny sprinting across a yard and Penny thought she should chase her. I nearly broke my neck!
When it started pouring rain we ran a little faster until we got to the hill. Penny was so good the whole time but I think she has a bit of a competitive streak. Penny thought this was a real race and was weaving in front of her competition (me) to throw them off the trail.
We totaled 2 miles but I don’t know how long it took since I didn’t have my watch. I ate a raisin bread toast, a Chobani Champions greek yogurt and a banana with almond butter. I’m trying to increase my protein intake during training.
This morning I signed up for The Emerald City Quarter Marathon on September 4th. James said he would sign up. I hope he does because I don’t think my furry running partner is eligible for competition yet.
Today was a rest day. I didn’t necessarily plan it to be a rest day but I figured since I lifted weights yesterday, I’d need a day of recovery. Tomorrow I plan to run again to get back on the training track.
I turned today from a day of rest to a day of eating…junk. I started the day with the intentions of drinking a lot of water and eating how I want to feel. But after one trip to McDonald’s (double cheeseburger, fries, apple dippers, chocolate milk) and another to Jersey Mike’s (mini club sub…and I ate the whole thing), I figured a trip to Dairy Queen for a mini Nutter Butter Blizzard was a good idea. But after thinking about all the junk I ate today, I feel sad and sluggish. I don’t think its an issue of quantity eaten, but an issue of quality eaten. I ate junk, I feel like junk. Tomorrow is a new day. I plan to get back on track and start running and yoga again.
