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?

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!