TGI (Almost) F

I hope you had a lovely Thursday, friends! Mine was a-okay.

It was a pretty darn easy day at work, as my students were completing state-mandated inventory surveys (or something) led by their grade-level counselor. So, I did a lot of grading, lesson planning, blog reading, meal planning, etc.

When the last bell rang, I corralled a bunch of students into my room for an informational meeting for See-Us Run Des Moines. I really, really hope all of the students I invited decide to participate in the program, as I think that they would get so much out of it. Speaking of SRDM, if any of you are in the Des Moines area and would like to participate in pretty much the greatest organization ever, please let me know. (Oh, and no running experience is required.)

After, I headed out on a run with my colleague/friend. He is on my Market to Market Relay team and does not consider himself much of a runner, so I put together a training program for him and said that I would be his running buddy.

Well, it turns out that his running pace and my running pace are quite different. Although, I tried really, really hard to keep up with him as much as possible because, let's face it, I was dressed to impress.

I was huffing and puffing like you wouldn't believe. And, I was sweating like crazy, even though it was somewhat chilly and raining. I pretty much thought I was going to die.

We ran two miles in 21 minutes. I know that that is not fast for most people. For me, however, it was really fast: I generally run that distance in 23-24 minutes.

But, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

After my run, I stretched for all of 30 seconds before speeding to West Des Moines for an appointment. (Hi, Mollie!) I'm pretty sure I was beet-red, dripping sweat, and emitting a lovely odor. (My apologies, Mollie!)

Then, I headed to Whole Foods -- in the middle of a downpour -- to get some random groceries. I had intended to make Pad Thai tonight, but I forgot to thaw chicken, and I didn't have any other sort of meat to make. While at Whole Foods, though, I decided what I really wanted: Paleo Oatmeal and Kale Salad.

So, I grabbed a few necessities and headed home to cook.

Interestingly, I wanted to make Paleo Oatmeal and Kale Salad because I didn't really want to cook tonight. Even more interestingly, those two meals actually involve some cooking. So, by the time I was done cooking and eating, I had to pretty much head straight out the door for yet another See-Us Run Des Moines meeting -- but this time for the adult mentors.

And now, at 8:00, I'm finally home and sitting down. I have a cat by my feet and one on my lap/computer as we speak; I think they missed me.

(Side note: apparently cats really like coconut oil -- or, at least a certain cat of the male variety in my household likes coconut oil. Whenever I cook with coconut oil, I always wipe off the spoon that I use with my finger. I then use that teensy bit as moisturizer, as it is supposed to be super good for your skin. Well, I did the same today after cooking dinner, and while I was waiting for everything to finish and was checking my email at the table, Charlie came over and started licking my arm; he wasn't just licking my arm as a nice little "I love you" gesture but was rather going to town. The more you know.

But for now, let's stop learning random facts about cats. Instead, let's get to the boring bit about the food:

Breakfast:

Today's breakfast was an oldie but a goodie: two scrambled eggs, one chicken sausage, one itty-bitty avocado, some mushrooms, and of course, a jalapeno.

Lunch:

For lunch, I had about one-and-a-half Jalapeno Chicken Burgers with a glob of guacamole. I also munched on apple slices -- half at lunch and half right before my run.

After my run, I ate a Larabar.

Dinner:

I was in the mood for something quick and easy, but as I already mentioned, this wasn't as quick and easy as I originally thought. I made a batch of Carrots 'n' Cake's Paleo Oatmeal (that I Whole30-ified) and a batch of Iowa Girl Eats' Warm Kale Salad.

Apparently my eyes were bigger than my stomach -- or, more likely, I simply forgot how much food I was actually making, as I wasn't super hungry (as has been the usual after runs lately). I ate all of the salad (nom nom nom) but only about one-third of the Paleo Oatmeal.

I hope you all enjoy your Friday! Check back tomorrow for a Five on Friday link-up -- and don't forget to join me and Aly in our very first link-up, Three Thanks.

A Tough Day

T is for Tuesday.

T is for Tough.

This week, T was for a Tough Tuesday -- and it was tough in more ways than one.

First, the day started with the most killer of all killer workouts.  It was an upper-body day at Farrell's, and it was the first week we did "super sets."  Essentially, a super set is when we burn out an entire muscle group all at once.  I promise I'll go into more details later, but it will take an entire post to discuss resistance training and the different techniques we do throughout the ten-week program, so you're just going to have to hold your horses.

While I am usually sore on resistance days, I was especially hurting after this particular workout.  It was so bad, in fact, that when we were doing cardio between sets, I couldn't even lift my arms to jab, to do jacks, to do anything.

And what makes it even worse is that I did not even get my hair wet in the shower for fear of not being able to lift my arms to wash it.  (You know what I am?  SEXY.)

That's when you know it was a good workout.

After a tough day emotionally (I'll fill you in later...maybe), I had yet another tough workout:

Source

Tuesday was our first race for See-Us Run Des Moines: the fourth annual Grand Blue Mile, a street run that kicks of the Drake Relays.  Nearly half of downtown Des Moines was shut down as more than 8,000 runners headed out for a mile-long race.

While I was sunburned and sweaty last year, this year I was freezing.  It was in the 40s, and the wind was brutal.  I did a tad worse than I did last year, but I beat my 2011 time by 13 seconds.  Considering I haven't been running at all -- and considering I had to halt my running a few times to wait for encourage my 14-year-old running buddy -- I'd say I did fairly well.  My official time was 10:04.

I know it was only a mile run, but it was a mile more than I've been running lately, and it was definitely a faster pace than I am used to -- especially in such frigid temperatures (my lungs hate the cold).  So, I'm happy with the time.

Most of all, though, I'm happy with how it made me feel.  I know I've said before how therapeutic running is, but sometimes I forget that myself.  No matter how crappy a day may be -- for whatever reason -- a good, old-fashioned run will generally make it all go away.  At least for a while.

And that's exactly what happened.

A Running Survey

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I saw this post on Carrots 'n' Cake and thought it might be fun to share with y'all, too -- especially because I'll soon be training for my next big race (half marathon? marathon?) with the kids!

Best Run

For this, I have two answers: my first 15-mile run and Dam to Dam 2012.

My first 15-mile run was not necessarily my best run because it was the first time that I had run that far in my life but rather because it was literally the best my girl Jori and I had run -- ever.  We started at Roosevelt and headed downtown via Ingersoll and ran straight to the fairgrounds and back.  Jori and I ran nearly the entire time (we usually take liberal walk breaks), and we both felt like we could continue the run for a couple more miles.  It was great.

Dam to Dam was the second time that I felt so accomplished.  First, I trained for this race largely on my own.  Sure, I would find a friend to run with every now and again, but it was mostly just me.  Second, it was the second time that I ran nearly the entire time.  Although, as you can see in my race recap, the running ended with 200 meters to go: I got sick.  Still, however, I was so proud of myself.

Three Words that Describe My Running

Therapeutic.

Slow.

Enlightening.

My Go-To Running Outfit

No one ever told me how darn expensive running is.  I guess I thought I could just go out in sweatpants, a tank top, and some tennis shoes and do just fine.  I'm sure I could -- for a mile or so.  But if I want to go on a "real" run, I have some necessities:

Obviously, I need a good pair of running shoes.  If you are even considering running more than a block, please please please go get fitted for a good pair of shoes, talk to someone who actually knows running, and shell out some dough for the ones that will work best for you.  I'm on my second pair of Asics GT2000s (the 2170s, to be exact), and I love them.  I have a lot of foot issues, specifically in regards to tendonitis and residual effects from a horrible sprain, and these minimize those injuries extraordinarily.

In addition to good shoes, I also need good socks to ward away as many blisters as possible.  The best ones I've found so far are from Nike.

I have to wear super-fitted spandex capris and a tank top with as little fabric as possible.  A good sports bra is also a must, but I don't have good recommendations as to amazing big-boob bras, as I'm still trying to find one myself.

I also must have a headband, especially if I'm running a long race.  I buy a new Bondi Band at each expo: iRun, One Hot Mess, Twins (like the baseball team, written in rhinestones), and 26.2.  These are good for a.) keeping the sweat out of my eyes, and b.) keeping my ears warm before a race.

Finally, I need to have my Spibelt, my Garmin, my hand-stamped bracelet and necklace, and a cute pair of bling-y stud earrings.  (Yes, I know I'm crazy.)

Quirky Habit While Running

I never noticed I did this until I was running in northern Illinois one day and passed a woman who gave me a thumbs up.  I was like, what?  Do I look like I'm dying (cuz I'm definitely not running fast...)?

Nope.  Not the case.

Apparently I run with my thumbs up.  It's really important to have relaxed hands, and for me, that means I'm constantly giving people a thumbs-up, I guess.

Oh well.  Better than flippin' 'em the bird.

Morning, Mid-Day, or Evening

I like getting my runs out of the way.  (Wow, sure sounds like I loooooooove running, huh?)  I feel like I don't get much motivation after I bum around, eat breakfast, clean the house, watch TV, etc.  If I'm going to get out there, it'd better be right away.

I Won't Run Outside When It's...

Late at night.

I have no problems running in the dark if it's at 6:00 a.m.  But once 9:00 rolls around, there is no way I'm heading out for a run.  I made this mistake when I was running with some kiddos who were fasting during Ramadan and had no choice but to run (and fuel) after sundown.  We headed out for a 12-mile run, and while I thought I had planned a route that was well-lit, it turns out that Des Moines is pretty much pitch-black (and scary!) after dark.

No way am I doing that again.

Worst Injury -- and How I Got Over It

Well, this would have to be the tendonitis that prohibited me from running the marathon in 2011.  After that glorious 15-mile run, I became quite injured and just could not make the other long runs happen.  I went to a lot of physical therapy, used kinesiotape, ultrasound, and e-stim, and then in the end just had to rest.  A lot.

I Felt Most Like a Badass Mother Runner When...

Mags and I finished the Gladiator Assault Challenge a year ago.

Running more than five miles up and down the ski slopes in Boone, shimmying under barbed wire, climbing cargo nets, scaling slippery embankments, traversing tires and endless trails, and climbing cliffs was so freakin' hard and so freakin' awesome.

I was bloodied, bruised, and battered beyond belief, and all of it was oh, so worth it.

Running Goal for 2013

• Finish Dam to Dam (since it's in seven weeks and I haven't really started training)
• Run two half marathons (Minneapolis and Des Moines)

OR

• Run one half marathon (Minneapolis) and one full marathon (Des Moines)

BUT, I just don't know if I can do that to myself again either physically or mentally.  We'll see.

Next Race Is...

The Glow Run.  My next real race, however, is Dam to Dam.


What are your running goals for this year?  If you enjoyed reading through my survey, answer the questions yourself, link back, and let me know!

My Running Mantra

For See-Us Run Des Moines, we have practice Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  The three weekdays are shorter runs, generally three to four miles, accompanied by strength workouts (hills, squats/lunges, crunches, sprints, etc), and the Saturday run is our long run, gradually building distance until we reach 20 miles, the farthest we will run pre-marathon.  As Dawn Dais says in one of my all-time favorite books, The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and On With Your Training, "Since when do you only train for two-thirds of an athletic event?"

Because of my amazing summer-work schedule, I am able to attend most of the morning practices.  Last week, however, I wasn't able to attend any.  That does not mean that I skipped working out altogether; instead, I had the pleasure of running after summer school - at 1:00 - in 100-degree weather.  Let me tell you how much I was looking forward to those runs.

I cannot tell you how many times I had to repeat my three favorite running mantras:

• I will never regret a workout - this is courtesy of Tina Haupert at Carrots 'n' Cake, probably my all-time favorite blog.  She recently ran her first marathon and continually has great workout routines as well as healthy recipes, and I really appreciate that she is so realistic.  She'll have dessert, and she'll have a cocktail.  It's so refreshing seeing someone to whom I can really relate.  I had to repeat this over and over and over in order to brave the heat to complete my workouts this week.
• My body is stronger than I think it is - honestly, I cannot remember who deserves the credit for this one.  It may be Kristin from Iowa Girl Eats.  I get a lot of my workout inspiration (and recipes!) from her.  Regardless of who the originator is, this quote is so true: our bodies are machines, intended to do hard work; our minds are what prevent us from doing so.  I constantly remind myself of this during workouts.
• I can do anything for two minutes/a fourth of a mile/etc. - I believe my mom is the creator of this gem.  If I'm struggling up a hill or at the end of a race (okay, okay: throughout the entire race), I repeat over and over and over that I can do anything for a short amount of time/distance.  The other day one of my students and I went to the YMCA as opposed to running in a 117-degree heat index, and we ran two miles at a much faster pace than we do on the trails.  I repeatedly had to remind myself that I can do anything - even a really fast anything - for a short amount of time.

You can bet that as I lace up my tennies to run ten miles (yes, TEN MILES) on Saturday, these three mantras will be on "repeat" in my mind.  I can't imagine finishing the run without them!

Speaking of tennies, here are my brand-spankin'-new shoes:

I went to a real-life running store and got fitted for new shoes because of intense pain I'd been having in my shins.  I cannot even begin to tell you how much these have helped; the pain is non-existent (knock on wood).  Thank you, Fitness Sports.

Now if I could just find a sports bra...