Let's Do This

So it's official, I am running the Princess Half Marathon in February! I registered yesterday during early registration. I am so nervous but very excited. I have been wanting to run the Princess Half since I found out about it. I can't wait to run it and hopefully make some new running friends. I know I have a long way to go with my training but here's what I'm working on.

I'm following a running program for a 5k right now and once that's done I'll move onto a 10k program so I will be good to go when the training program for the half marathon starts in October. My running days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. This will help me out during the half training because those days are also the running days for that training program.

I am doing so weight lifting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I will be focussing on specific body groups each day. Arms one day, legs another and back and core on the last day. This will also help me out during my running, plus it's also good for losing the baby weight and really getting into shape! This was something that I didn't keep up with very well last time. I will definitely try to keep it up so I can have a better race.

I am also trying to eat better. I'm just trying to keep everything in moderation. I've been looking on Pinterest to find new recipes to try too. Maybe once I try a few I will write a post about that.

What are you training for? Any good recipes you want to share?

Friday Fun

I'm getting back to the Friday Fun posts! These posts are to let you know what is coming up for me in the next week. This is the first Friday fun post since having the baby.

We don't really have too much going on next week. I'm planning on getting in 3 runs next week and 3 gym visits. If I can't get to the gym I will be doing some at home workouts.

Next weekend is the 4th of July so I am hoping to go to some local fireworks but we'll see how that goes because I don't want to keep the baby up too long and I'm afraid that she'll be scared of the loud noise. I don't know if the noise would bother her or not because she doesn't mind planes flying over the house and those can get pretty loud.

Early registration for the Princess Half Marathon opens on Tuesday so I am hoping to register. This is a big commitment because I will need to train while also caring for Baby K. I already know that Phil will be a great motivator for me so that will help me big time.

I also have a doctor's appointment next week so that will be fun.

Other than that we have nothing else going on. Hopefully I can get some long walks in with the baby and maybe some pool time. 

What do you have planned in the week coming up?

Running Rant

Like I mentioned in my last post, I hope to sign up for the Princess Half Marathon next week during early registration. I will need to step up my running and training game so I will be able to run this race. I want to train better than I ever have, and that will be a little more difficult with the baby now, but my husband is so supportive so I don't think it will be a big problem.

Training wise I usually use an app on my phone that will tell me when to run and when to walk. Since getting a new phone in April I noticed that the app doesn't work now which is a bummer because I have been used to the particular app for the last few years. Last night while scrolling through the app store I noticed that Jeff Galloway has running apps! I was so happy because the  training programs on Run Disney are designed by Jeff Galloway. What better way to train than by using his app. Since I am starting all over again with running since being pregnant I decided to download the 5k app to try it out. As long as it goes well I will download the half marathon app to really step up my game and I'll try to keep you all posted as to what I think of the app.

Another thing that has me worried about training for a half marathon in February is that I will need to run some, or all, of the runs at the end of the training on a treadmill. I live in the northeast and there is no way that I'm going for a run in freezing temperatures in December and January. The treadmill and I don't always get along but if I have built up a good running base this summer and fall I'm hoping that I should be all set to run on the treadmill in the colder months.

I think that sums it up for this week's Running Rant. Let me know if you found any good run training apps or if you've tried the Jeff Galloway app and what you think of it. Do you dislike treadmill running as much as me?

Life After Baby

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I would do an update post and then get back on the blogging horse.

So, Baby K was born on May 6th and totally changed our lives and we are so in love with her. The labor and delivery were relatively easy, can I say that without sounding like someone you want to punch? LOL After two days in the hospital we were home and trying to figure out life with one more person in the mix. I have to say, we have been doing pretty well.

I had my postpartum appointment today and I can start running and going to the gym again! I am so happy that I decided to go for a run this afternoon in 90 degree weather. That's not something that I normally would do but I couldn't hold back my excitement.

Here's what I learned on my run today:
1. I missed it so much
2. I'm much slower, but I have confidence that I will get my speed back
3. I am definitely signing up for the Princess Half Marathon in Disney World.

Since we are DVC members I will hopefully be able to sign up during early registration next week, but if not I will try during the regular registration in a few weeks. I honestly can't wait to really start training for another race. I know that I am really crazy by deciding to run a half marathon 9 months after having a baby, but I know it will help keep me sane because I'll have me time to think and get all the stress out.

I am also really excited to be going back to Disney World, as log as I register for the race successfully. We went last May and haven't been back since and we had been going twice a year so to only go once last year and no trips this year is tough.

On another note, I have discussed on here before that we were thinking about relocating to Florida and it looks like we might actually be doing it. We don't have all the details firmed up yet but we are getting closer to deciding. This would be such a big change for us so we are really taking this seriously and weighing all our options.

So that's all I have for today, but since I am going to be home for another 5 weeks I hope to start posting more and to get on a regular schedule. See you soon!

What were you excited to start doing again after you had your baby? Any good training programs or apps you recommend?

How Did I Get Here?

This morning was a rough one. It's one that I've had before and I'm sure I'll have it again. I am feeling so incredibly unfit it's not even funny. My pants are tight, and my mood is terrible. This is the point that I was in a few years ago when I started running. I started running for a change in my workouts and found out how much I enjoy it. The problem is that I got too comfortable running and I started slacking. Running six days a week slowly changed to five, then four, then three and so on. It got to the point where I was going weeks without running.

Now, I've gone the whole winter without running, or going to the gym for that matter, and I wonder why I'm feeling this way. This is my fault and it's something that I need to overcome with my workouts. I need to be held accountable! 

This blog will be taking a different turn as I go through this self-discovery journey through my workouts. I know that I will have good days and bad but starting now I need to hold myself accountable for everything that I do. I've come to realize that I am a much happier person when I get my act together and workout.

Here comes the new me!

Back in the Swing

I am such a bad runner! I have been slacking pretty much since the Wine and Dine Half and I am not happy. I haven't even been going to the gym. Sometimes life just gets too crazy and work takes over, at least that what I tell myself to feel better about doing NOTHING! 

I think that I just needed a break after all that training for the half. I am now ready to turn it up and learn how to run just to run and not just to train for races. This has always been something that I've struggled with. I tend to sign up for a race and then train, train, train and once the race is over I slack until I have to start training for the next race.

This will be something that I will work on so I can become more of the runner that I want to be.  I just want to run for the pure joy of running, because I really do love it.

So far this week I have run twice! So happy with myself. I did a treadmill run yesterday and then I braved the cold New England air for a run after work today. Also got to use my Garmin watch that was a Christmas gift and I loved it!

What are some of your tips to run and not just train for races?

Running Update

So I have been severely lacking on my blogging!!

I have been busy training for the half marathon like crazy!!  Tomorrow will be my 11 mile run.  I can't even believe that I will be attempting it.  It will be the farthest that I have gone.  Ever.  It's unbelievable to me.  This has been a long journey for me and I can't believe that race day is almost here.

I also have some new running swag that I got this week.  I stopped buy my local running shop and picked up a new pair of running shoes.  I have always been a Nike girl but I thought that I should try something new.  I am so happy that I decided to go and speak to a professional.  I found out that I have been wearing the WRONG size shoe!!  Can you believe it??  I have been having some foot pain and had assumed that it was because I had increased my milage, but now I know it was because of my shoes.  By the way I ended up getting a pair of Brooks and I love them!!
I also put in an order on Sunday at running skirts.com.  I ended up getting a red athletic skirt, with white polka dots, and a pair of green compression socks.  They are so cute and I will be making more purchases from them.  I placed the order on Sunday and I received the package on Thursday.  Such fast shipping!

So wish me luck on the long run tomorrow!

30 Day Challenge- Update

So, I began my 30 day challenge on Tuesday and I have been going strong for 6 days!  Here's what I've done so far:
Planks:
Day 1: 20 seconds
Day 2: 20 seconds
Day 3: 30 seconds
Day 4: 30 seconds
Day 5: 40 seconds
Day 6: Rest

Squats:
Day 1: 30
Day 2: 50
Day 3: 75
Day 4: 60
Day 5: Rest
Day 6: 60

Pushups:
Day 1: 5
Day 2: 5
Day 3: 5
Day 4: 7
Day 5: 10
Day 6: 10

I also got back on my running schedule, after a week off.  I ran 4.05 miles on Saturday and 3.88 miles today.  Hopefully this week continues to be great!

Foam Rolling Joy

So, since this morning was too hot to run I decided it would be nice to do some core work and foam roll.
New to foam rolling?  I was a few months ago and now I can't imagine my routine without it.  Foam rolling is basically a really nice deep tissue massage for your muscles.  You use a foam roller, which you can find at any sports store, and you roll your body over it slowly.  It looks sort of like a bigger pool noodle but is firmer than one.
I only use it on my legs so I don't know how well it works for arms.  I like to use it after my runs and when my legs are feeling tight.  It's really good at loosening my muscles and my legs are so happy afterward.
I was having really bad IT Band pain while running and walking and after about two weeks using the roller I had no pain.
My roller came with a list of stretches that you can do but you can also find some by searching the internet or my favorite site, Pinterest!
A word of caution though, the first few times you use it, it really hurts.  I like to tell people that so they aren't surprised by it.  I am really glad that someone told me because I would have stopped using the roller and wasted my $30.00.  It does get better though.  The more you use it the better you feel.

Go check it out and let me know how it works for you!

Hazy, Hot and Humid

I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only active person that hates the phrase "Hazy, Hot and Humid".  For me, when I hear that I just want to lock myself in the air conditioned house and not come out until fall.
But when you're training for a race you have to brave the elements and get outside.  I woke up a little earlier than I normally would have just so I could run before going to work and before it got crazy hot today.
I must say, it still was hot but I pushed through.  My workout today was 52 minutes long and I ending up going 4.33 miles.  Not bad if I do say so myself!
My next running workout will be 54 minutes long and will have a lot more running.
I use a run training app on my phone that tells me when to run and when to walk so I can build my running base up.  It's working really good because I've never gotten this far into the program before.  I usually give up and start running on my own, but I figured that I needed to be prepared a little better this time around.

Happy Running!!!

It's Training Time

Hi all!!  I'm Kara and this is my first ever blog post!  I am going to start using this blog to talk about my running and we will see where it goes from there.
A few months ago I signed up for my very first half marathon (eeeekkk)!  I am so nervous but I thought if I could talk about my experience training then maybe it wouldn't be that bad.
The race is in November and it's in my favorite place, Disney World!!  It's the Wine and Dine Half Marathon.  I will be running the race by myself but my husband will be waiting at the finish line, as will a large drink! ;)  I thought that if I were going to finally run a half marathon the best place to start would be Disney World.
I made it my resolution this year that I would run a half marathon because each year my distances have been getting longer.  Starting from my very first 5k back in 2010 I have run a total of 5 5ks and 3 10ks. My only issue is that once I sign up for the race my training tends to fall by the wayside but I try so hard to be better.  This race is different because it will be my first race where you have to finish in a certain amount of time.  I want to finish this race and I want to try and run the whole thing!
Currently we are having a heat wave up here in the Northeast so the running has been a little slower for me.  I've had two days off but I will need to run tomorrow morning so I don't get too far behind.  Let's hope all goes well in the morning and I can get my running butt out the door!!