Birthday week!

I'm ashamed to say last week was so busy with BIRTHDAY FESTIVITES and CAKE that I haven't had much time to run! Hehe!

I ran 4 miles Monday! Was only supposed to do 3. I was supposed to run the 4 mile run on Tuesday but I knew I would be taking a girls bridals Tuesday afternoon and I knew I'd get a workout from that like last time! Haha! Great weather....did I mention already that I'm loving it? lol!

Tuesday was a ROUGH and BUSY day at work! I didn't get a lunch break because I had to work through lunch. I barely even got to sit down so I know I got a lot of exercise! I also took a girl's bridals after work! It was HOT outside!

Wednesday after church, my friends threw me a surprise birthday party and because I knew my parents were taking me out for my birthday on Thursday, I was going to get up early and go run at the gym but I didn't get to bed until midnight so that didn't happen!

Friday, we went out of town again for a friends' wedding. In the mean time, we stopped at a running store there so I could check it out and it was really neat! I didn't buy anything though! lol!

I had checked it out to make sure our hotel had a fitness center before I booked it and the website said they did. Well, I was supposed to run 6 miles on Saturday morning....I got up early like usual and made my way to the "FITNESS CENTER". OMG Seriously? I had to walk OUTSIDE the building and around by the pool. then I had to use my key to get into this remote room where I felt like if I turned my back, someone could come in and get me! It was so scary. The room was hot and stuff becuase the air was OFF so I had to turn it on and wait a few minutes. Well, the water fountain was covered in mildew EEWWWW and the treadmill I wanted was broken. So I tried the other treadmill and I think it was the oldest thing I had ever seen! The incline wouldn't go below 1.5 and I'm used to running at a 1. I could have handled that but it was the constant squeaking (it was LOUD) while I was running! I was so mad! I got off and thought maybe I could try the elliptical?? Well, even though it hurts my knees I was willing to try. The tension was SO HIGH I could barely push down on the pedals! Same thing with the other elliptical and I pushed every button I could find and nothing worked! Did I mention that one squeaked too???? So I jumped on the bike that had NO tension by the way and programed it to do intervals which was so easy it's not even funny. I did 6 miles on there which I know is nothing like actually running 6 miles but whatever. I was so mad and disappointed when I left there! I will not be going back!!! I left that as a comment, too. lol! Oh yeah, and they don't have money to update their fitness center but they do have enough money to buy a Westinghouse flatscreen to put in there?!? What????

This morning I got up and went to the gym and got in my 3 miles for the day! Yay!

Achievement

"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."

Steve Prefontaine

Isn't that so true? That's what I love about running...the sense of achievement you feel when you've done something you weren't able to do before! It's such an amazing feeling!!!

Last night I did 3 miles of running and Core Strength training. Tonight is 3.5 miles and Leg Strength training! I'm debating on taking a class at the gym with a friend...we'll see! :0)

5 miles!

This past December, I was really sick and started with a funky breathing pattern and I have no idea where it came from. I'm not exactly sure what it is but I'm attributing it to any of these three things:
1.) Anxiety
2.) Asthma
3.) My birth control pills

So I said that to say, the breathing thing has been holding me back in my running, I know it has. I know I am capable of doing so much more than I've been doing because of the breathing thing. This past week, I had a BEAUTIFUL week...breathing problems were all gone! Wow! I have no idea why...and I made an appointment a few weeks back to see my GP to determine what is going on....anyway.....

On Thursday, I slowed down my pace just a little and I ran THREE MILES without stopping! I've NEVER been able to do that before! I was soooooooooooo excited you just don't even understand! I'm so glad I had a break from the breathing thing because it really boosted my confidence to be able to run those three without stopping!

Then Saturday, I met up with my running group again and it was a 5 mile run. I ran the ENTIRE thing and only stopped at water stations (because it was humid outside) but I felt GREAT and could have kept on going when we were finished!!!!!!! It was such an amazing feeling!

So now hopefully, I'll figure out what is causing all of this breathing mess and get it FIXED cause I want to run like this all the time!!! lol!

Chilled Towels! :0)

Thursday night, I was supposed to run 2.5 miles. Well, after Jason left for work, I took a "nap" thinking maybe I'd sleep an hour and a half max. By the time I woke up, it was DARK outside! I was so mad!!!!! So instead of doing anything about it, I took a shower then went back to sleep! Haha! I woke up Friday morning at 5 a.m. and went to the gym. First time I've EVER done that! lol! But, I got my 2.5 miles in anyway! Yay!


Saturday morning, we were in a hotel in Houston (we had a weekend getaway with some friends) and I got up and ran 4 miles on the treadmill. We stayed at a Hyatt and OMG it was SO nice in their workout room!!!! They had treadmills with digital screens on them...everything was touch screen (increase incline, speed, etc) and the TV was even built into the screen! So as you ran on the treadmill, you could look down and watch TV! lol! It was really neat!!! After the run, they had "chilled towels" in a little fridge for you to use....it was really really nice!!!!! I'd love a treadmill like that. Keep dreaming, sister! Haha!

Ab Ripper IS as painful as it sounds!!

So last night, I strayed away from the usual to do a conditioning workout. I have a Beach Body program that really works all the muscles in your body. I thought I could handle it at level 3/4 since I've been running since January but WOW...it was HARD. I kept up but it was tough! I worked on Cardio, then Sculpt with the bands, then the Ab Ripper. I'm going to be so sore today! Haha! Today is a day off, then back to running again Thursday!

Train Hard Train Smart

Friday night, we had a sleepover at church for my Missionettes kids. It was crazy and they didn't want to fall asleep so I think I got about 3 hours of combined sleep total! I was soooo tired Saturday morning but I made myself get up and go run with my group. We had a five mile run to do. It was SO hot. Coach said it is probably the worst we are going to have. She said the first and second weeks of August are the worst! I survived! It wasn't too bad, just really muggy outside. Then I came home, took a shower, and went to sleep! lol!

After the run, we talked about proper food to eat before a race. It was really helpful! We also talked about training smart to prevent injuries. I'm very excited about January. I can't wait for it to be here! My friend Kim and I talk about it all the time. Since my husband can't come with me in January, my friend Kim is coming instead. She's never been to Disney so I'm SUPER excited to have her along! I think she's going to have a great time!

We've also talked about running the Mardi Gras Half Marathon in New Orleans at the end of February but we'll see about that in the future. I'm not sure yet how I feel about it! lol!

Today is an off day but it's back to running tomorrow!!!