Ghost Ninja

I got new shooooooes!!!!!!!!!!!  I had to take time off running because I was kicking my own a$$ by running in shoes that didn't fit right.  SOOOoooo, Saturday morning, Matt and I went to the local shoes store and got fitted for some kicks.  I decided to go with a different brand this time, and after my first run in them, I'm noticing a HUGE difference.  

ooooh, sooo prettyyyy

Those are my new Ghost Brooks.  Yes, they do make me run as fast as the wind, and they do make me even MORE cool that I already am :)  JK. But I do love them.  They are super light weight and they have extra cushion for the pushin (not in the naughty way).  I feel like I'm rolling off my toes and not dragging my heels.  I hit the ground soft in the middle of my foot instead of having a heavy heel strike.  I'm really hoping that after a few runs in them to break them in, I'm still completely in love with them.

Today I went for my first run in a week, and we made it a shorty, but pushed hard.  I ran a 7:17 mile bi***es!!!  It was only 2.33 miles, but I felt great running and it's made me excited to get back to it.  

Whelp.  I need to go shower and eat dinner.  Early and long day tomorrow.  

Peace

D

I Work Out!

I joined a gym! I've known that cross-training is vital to getting to my best with running.  I'm not a huge fan of weights, in fact, they kind of scare the shit outta me.  Part of the problem is that I am not comfortable using them in public because I don't want to look like a wuss, or idiot for not knowing what the H-E-doublehockeyssticks I am doing.  I know everyone has a starting point, I just feel like this is one area I'm slacking, big time!


So... I'm going to go to some fun classes with a gal from work, and I'm going to take advantage of the free 30 min intro with a trainer. I'm not bringing in enough dough to be able to pay for a fun trainer, and several reoccurring sessions, so I'll have to take what I can get.  I'm excited to have someone that I can take classes with so I won't feel so silly all alone... I'll someone else to laugh at me :)


So that's the latest.  I'm not going running until I get new shoes, because every time I've run in the last month, my shins and ankles have hurt quite bad.  I'm going to listen to my body and make the changes I need to make in order to keep myself from injury.


Here's to hoping the gym works for me, and that soon, I'll be rocking the weights (I promise that I won't point and laugh at the others that are starting out and totally not knowing what they are doing).


D

Possible worst

I got out to run.  That's about the only positive part of today's attempt.  I can't figure out what's going on, but I feel like every time I go out for a run, I am getting worse and worse.  I'm hurting which means I need to change something, but what? I can't seem to find my breath or feet.  I've been feeling clumsy and heavy.  I know this isn't the first time I've said that, and I do apologize for being repetitive.  I'm extremely frustrated with myself.  I have motivation right now (three pretty big things for myself), and the weather is kind of getting nicer, so it's not like I have to bundle up to run.  I've been eating more protein, and drinking more water.  I'm cutting back on my caffeine (ok, last week not so much, but I NEEDED that boost. What a loooong week).  


So today's run? I ran/walked the smallest of my runs.  It's a 2 mile loop around my 'hood.  Flat.  Nothing challenging about this route at all.  I still struggled.  There were times that I was getting such bad side-aches that I had to walk, and my ankles are hurting, so I really don't want to push too hard when my body is flipping the bird.  WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!?!  


Shouldn't I been getting better?  Shouldn't this be getting easier?  I could really use some positive thinking right now.


D

Shorty

Went for a nice 4.2 mile run today after working 8.5 hrs at work... Not too shabby!  I feel great and after resting for a few days, this run was really good for me.  

these are my AMAZING new racing shorts :)  (don't mind the awkward pose)

beautimus cherry blossom trees on my run 

That's all for now.


I'm still alive.


D

long time

So I know it's been a while since I've been on here.  I haven't even been reading my regular blogs :/  So how have you all been?  These last few weeks have been kind of crazy.  Matt's grandma passed away right before Easter, and the next day he found out that he passed his board exams (HUGE relief).  I was working extra hours at work, and most of my shifts were starting at 3:30, or 4 am so by the time I got home, I was exhausted.  Not to mention that I basically worked 18 days straight. Last week we had to drive down the PDX (about 2.5 hrs) to meed out caterer for the wedding, and drive back in one afternoon, the same afternoon that Matt's car decided to not work properly.  THEN... (pause for dramatic effect)  WE BOTH HAD A WHOLE WEEKEND OFF!!!!!!!!!!  It was AMAZING!!!!!  AND the weather was beautiful!  We got to go to Seattle and spoil my beautiful niece, and then Matt spoiled me by taking me on a picnic and getting a pedicure :)  Such a well deserved weekend.  Then we ran.


I've kind of stepped back on my running, which means I stepped off of my writing, like a negative draws down a negative.  But, I'm back!  I think I needed to take a break and relax when I had the chance, otherwise I was going to run myself into the ground, and then keep going.  

See, blue skies!

Matt and I have also decided that no-matter-what, we are going to do something active each night/morning.  Whether it is biking, walking, RUNNING, or even going to the gym, which we ARE going to join.  Matt's started doing the P90X, which I refuse to do, but I do know that I need to work on my core, and do more (read: any) cross training.  Any ideas?


Whelp, I'm going to sign-off, I just wanted to re-cap.

my prettied-up summer toes :)

D

Woot!

My baby sister FINALLY agreed to run the You Go Girl half with me!!!!!!  I'm SO excited for this race!!!!  Two reasons: First and foremost, I get to run it with TWO of my sisters!!!  This will be their first half marathons, and I'm so very excited for them to have that feeling of finishing such a HUGE accomplishment!  Not that they don't already have huge accomplishments and succeed at so much in their lives, but running 13.1 miles... that's something different.  


Second: This will be my second half.


I'm going to make sure that we have matching running outfits (well, Andi and I will... Heather is a Husky, so that won't work).  I convinced Matt to help me get WSU Cougar running shorts and tanks for the run for Andi and I.  We'll have to find some Husky crap for Heather to wear.  I love her dearly, but wrong team...

Silly Heather <3

See!  Hard core Cougars!!!!!!

Anyway...  So I've taken a few days off of running because when I pushed myself last time, it felt really good, but left me exhausted for two days.  I was super grumpy yesterday and I've just felt really off lately.  Last night I got some very much needed sleep and woke up feeling rested for the first time in a few weeks.  I'm still going to skip my run today, but tomorrow after work I think I'll be back.  I'm tired of feeling disappointed with how I ran.  I had a nice talk with a friend who made me realize that I'm not eating enough protein, and not listening to my body telling me I'm too tired to push the way I've been pushing.  So I listened, and am working on my nutritional intake, and drinking more water, and not pushing my body when it telling me to slow the Ef down.

So that's all for now.  I think I'm going to get new running shoes soon.  That makes me excited as well :)

D

Tirppin, and Stumblin...

So I went for a short "run" the day after my 10K, and only made it about 1.5 miles.  I walked the rest of the 3 mile loop because I was just plain pooped (I didn't poop, I WAS pooped).  I didn't run yesterday because I worked all day, and frankly, I'm exhausted.  I've worked 8 days in a row (I worked both of my days off because a co-worker has the flu).  Today, somehow, I had a burst of energy at work, and still had it when I got home, so I rushed into my running gear and went for a run.  


Welll, I couldn't find my concentration.  I felt super clumsy and heavy-footed.  I figured I'd just had too much coffee today and would eventually warm up.  Nope.  The entire run I was struggling.  At one point I decided to make it a nice slow run, stretch out, relax... Nope.  My body kept pushing (I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that I have an AMAZING running playlist and new running socks that are oh-so cushy).  So I decided to push it, heavy feet and all.  I added a small, but steep hill and put my distance at 4 miles today.  I had to stop once to catch my breath because I got a side-ache.  


Why do we have runs like this?  Where you WANT to go out and run, and you are totally in that zone, but as soon as you hit the pavement, you feel off?  

Happy feet in their new socks :)

Oh well, at least I got out there today, and I feel pretty damn good even tho I struggled with my run.


Favorite song of my run?  "Drunk Girl" by Something Corporate.  


G'night Yall




D

10k

Well hello there :)


So today was my 10K for the Jelly Bean Race.  Matt and I ran this one together and I was nervous.  I haven't done 6 miles in quite a while (I've done 5, but for some reason the term 10K freaks me out).  Well, it was a lot easier than I anticipated, and the sun was out and WARM!  It was AMAZING!!!  I am loving this spring weather!  


I'm happy also that I can comfortably run 6 miles.  I can now step-up my game and push myself harder.  


Here are some photos from today's run (ok, well actually after the run... I don't like using my phone and stopping during my run).

First time in the sunshine (that bright, warm ball in the sky) for a while.  :)

My running partner and fiance (he didn't want me to take his picture)

Me running away

Enjoy!  Happy Spring Everyone :D

I must have had my Frosted Flakes, 'cause I feel GRRRRREAT!!!

So today I went for a short, hill-filled run with T.  I like running with her because I'm competitive and I feel that if I'm running "against" her, I will push myself harder.  Well today as we ran (and yes, we walked some, that hill is HUGE)  She commented that she sees me as mentally stronger than she is.  Anyone that knows me knows that I find this to be one of the BEST compliments ever!  I don't think she even knows.  I've always been a part of leadership positions, and I've always wanted to know that I have an affect on people, in a positive way.  Well, knowing that someone sees me as mentally strong, especially concerning something I am so passionate about.  So yeah, I am feeling pretty awesome right now.


After my run, I went for a nice walk with my best friend who is visiting me right now.  I was able to stop to get coffee and this made my already feel-good morning even better!  I didn't know that it was possible.  


Anyway, I DID run today, and tomorrow I think Matt and I are going to do the 10K for the Jelly Bean run.  


I LOVE RUNNING!!!!!!!!


D


PS:  Oh yeah, AND I was voted Partner of the month at work!  

This is the board they made for me :)

It's What I Do

So I'm sitting here reading blogs trying to convince myself this foggy 35 degrees is ideal for running.  My friend tried to convince me this is "perfect" running weather.  Yeesh!

So I'm signed up to run the Jelly Bean Run 5K today with my friend T from work.  We are meeting in an hour, and I will post pics after the run.

Meanwhile, you should check this out.  It's a Champion sports bra give-a-way.  My favorite blogger, Shut Up + Run, is doing a give-a-way, so ya'll should check it out (and read her blog because it's always good).

I'll update this when my run is over.

This is my pre-run picture

Until then
Peace.


So here are the pics from the 5K we did this morning.  We kept it a nice easy pace since we've both been bad about running, but we did finish in 34 min.

We are at the half-way point

Ugh.

Yes, it's been a while since I've written.  Thankfully, it has not been that long since I've run!  I haven't been as good as I'd like, but I'm still out there.  I haven't given up.  This week I am planning on running in the Jelly Bean run, and 5K and a 10K.  I may be pushing a little hard, but I need to pull myself back up.  My last few runs have been in the rain, and even tho I ran hard, and got some distance in, I still feel disappointed.  Like maybe I should have run further.  I know compared to a half, 4.5 miles is nothing, but in general it's not a bad distance!  Even knowing how hard I ran, and how tired I was after my run, I don't understand why I'm so disappointed with the distance... Any thoughts?


My sister-in-law is running the You Go Girl half with me, and I think I've convinced my little sister to join as well.  This should be a lot of fun!


I'm missing FL an awful lot lately (more than usual), and when I'm feeling down, I lose the drive to run.  Hopefully this will be kicked outta me with running this week.  I was going through some photos last night getting ready to print some for my Partner of the Month (woohoo!) board, and came across my WDW half photos.  SIGH.  That day was one of the BEST days of my life.  For realz. I felt SO awesome after crossing that finish line.  I ran the whole thing (my best before that race was 8 miles), and I still had energy after!  Matt said that he would do it with me next time... I'm hoping maybe 2013?


Well, I just wanted to check-in.


D