Schedule Change: 8 Mile Tuesday

So, my work schedule has changed a little bit for the next month. I'm working weekends and have off Monday and Tuesday. My changing work schedule kind of messes with my training schedule. Working weekends means no long runs on Saturdays which also means no long runs with my running group. A month and a half away from the marathon...great (said with an incredibly sarcastic tone). I don't adapt well to change, but I'm going to do my best to figure it all out. I'm trying not to be pessimistic, but the thought of running a 20 miler solo sucks!

Ok, ok, enough complaining and rambling...back to my original point of this post. I normally run, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, with a longish midweek run on Wednesday and a long long run on Saturday. I'm trying to stick to the same plan, but with subtle changes. Like today for instance, I'm running 8 miles on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. So there's one positive to having off on a Tuesday, I don't have to run 8 miles before going to work. Extra sleep! Yes!

And I got to watch the sunrise during my run instead of running in the darkness.

AND, I got to eat IHOP afterwards too! Sooooo rungry! Yay for food!

 

Sometimes, I have to remind myself of the positives, even when I'm tired, stressed, and anxious about my training. I have 6 1/2 weeks left, and sometimes I find it hard to deviate from my original plan. In the end, I know it won't matter if I do my long run on a Saturday, or a Monday as long as I get it done. The main thing is consistency and a positive attitude.

                                 "Always look on the bright side of life" Monty Python style.

 

So laugh, dance, smile, and sing! Happy running!

P.S. I love Spamalot!

 

In the Long (Long) Run

It's long long run day! Let's face it, any run over 10 miles deserves 2 longs. The schedule called for 16 miles today. Once again I met with the LexRunLadies in Midway to run the Iron Horse Half Marathon course. I started early and got in a couple miles before meeting Krissie and some of the other Ladies. It was a great way to start my weekend. Midway is a very scenic place to run. I love running by all the horse farms and I love the smell of alfalfa hay in the morning. It takes me back to the good old days.

 

I think I ran mile 13 at least 2 or 3 times. It started feeling a little bit like "The Run Song That Never Ends". It went on and my friends. Sometimes you think of the craziest things during the long long runs. I must do my best thinking out on the road!

 

I plan to lounge around the rest of the day...maybe get some froyo. Mmmm, froyo. Ok, gotta go! Have a great weekend friends!

Iced Coffee And Chocolate Milk

Today I was up at 4:30 am to attempt 8 miles before work. I was highly skeptical about completing the entire run, but I did it! The whole 8 miles! Woo Hoo! Today was one of those days that I amazed myself! I was kind of slow and it was hot and miserable the whole way, but I did it anyway.

Chocolate milk has become part of my post run recovery regimen. It's my reward for getting through a tough workout. Yummy! Check out Got Chocolate Milk? for all the ways chocolate milk helps your body recover post work out.

My early morning wake up call left me extremely tired the rest of the day. My best friend, iced coffee, was there to save from passing out at work. Where would I be without my caffeine?

Back to Work Blahs

The first day back to work after being on vacation was rough. Not only was I super tired from driving all day, but I had this awful headache when I woke up. I spent the day dreaming about being back on vacation, so that kind of killed my productivity. I had planned on doing some yoga after work, but I just wasn't feeing it; and ended up going to bed early.
Fast forward to this morning and the feeling of normality has returned. Up at 4:30 am and a 4 mile run under my belt to start the day before work. I had to run sans GPS watch this morning since the battery was dead (grumpy face) and I used the Nike+ app on my phone instead. I ran in a familiar route so I would know the approximate distances either way. The phone app was a lot different than my watch would normally read, so I didn't stop at 4 Nike+ app miles and I ran to where I would normally hit 4 miles. It felt good to get out there after 2 days of inactivity. I've got a big week coming up, 32 miles on the schedule including an 8 mile run tomorrow morning and a 16 mile run coming up on Saturday.
I don't really have anything else for you today. I need another vacation! I think I'll be in bed early tonight again. I need as much sleep as I can get!

Oh, I do have this for all you wanna be runners out there. Here is a beginner couch to 5k program from Monica at Run, Eat, Repeat. This is my favorite running blog by far!

Up North: Vacation Recap

This past week of vacation was great. It was nice to be off of work for a week and to spend time with my family. I don't get to see my parents and sisters very often, so it's really a blessing to spend this time with them.

We stayed at a cottage on Clear Lake in Minocqua, WI. Minocqua itself is a very touristy city, but the place that we stayed is very secluded. In fact, we basically had the lake to ourselves for most of the week!

I had 29 miles on the schedule this week and I completed all of them including my longest run yet, a 15 miler. I was able to go to bed early and sleep in most days, which was fantastic! Going back to work is going to be rough...may need to set a few extra alarms! The best part of the training was being able to run on the trails in the shade, with lower temps and zero humidity. 

Sadly, my week is already over, and I definitely have no desire to go back to work in the morning. Yuck! 

I leave you with a picture summary of my vacation.

 

Clear Lake

 

 

  Black Bear Bar

Pizza Fry, delicious!

Baking cookies

Bearskin Trail, Minocqua, WI

Post Run Fudge

 

Making fudge

And Iced Coffee

Campfire time!

 

Fishing

                                    Bald Eagle

 

                                   Bald Eagle snatching fish out of the water.

                                    Sisters

 

                          Boat Rides

 

Prairie Trail, Fond du Lac, WI

 Lakeside Park, Fond du Lac, WI

 

   One last vacation drink!

 

Can't wait till next year!

Vacation

My vacation officially began Saturday morning. Up at 4:00 am, and on the road by 5:00. It's about a 9 hour drive (530 miles) from my house to my parents home in Wisconsin. The drive itself was uneventful. I always say a prayer of thanks when we pull in their driveway. 

This is the view of Lake Winnebago from the back patio. I love this tree, it's so awesome!

We met my Dad and Vickee for dinner at Backyard Grill and Bar.

I got the prime rib and a baked potato. Yummy!

After our meal, we went back to the house and I headed to bed early. 

10 mile run Sunday morning. I love running back home!  Here's some pics from my run:

Sunrise!

Taycheedah Trail

Lighthouse at Lakeside Park!

After my run, we got cleaned up and hopped right back in the car to get to our real destination. 

Up North, here we come!

Enough With the Humidity Already

So, I really wish that small furry creatures would stop jumping out and scaring me on my early morning runs. In the last few days I've been startled by several bunnies, cats, and an opossum. This morning, I jumped when a bunny shot in front of me. Yesterday, I screamed loudly like a little girl when a cat suddenly jumped in my path. Well, I think it was a cat. It was so dark, I'm not really sure what it was. I'm really thinking I need to invest in a pair of knuckle lights so I can see while running in the dark.
                                    Really, who wants to run into this on a dark street!?

Not to sound like a broken record, but it was so humid again this morning. It's like a slap in the face when you get out the door. I made it through my 4 miles this morning and felt awful about all 4 of them. Mile 4 was the best since it started raining and it felt a little better. So far I've gotten in 13 of 24 miles this week and I'm so glad is a rest day.

I always think of the movie "Throw Mama From the Train" when I run in humid weather.
 "The night was sultry". Ok, ok, I run in the morning, but you get the idea.

 

One more work day till vacation!