Mooooo

Yeah...that's the sound my calves are making...lol

No, actually, my calf is doing a lot better...still a little tight, but it withstood a 3.75 mile run yesterday so I think I should be good for Saturday's race.  I am nervous though because I did not reach over 5 miles in my training...My calf straight up stood in the way of that.  So completing a 6.2 mile run may be a challenge, but it's a challenge I am going to face head on!  I have been stretching, icing, heating, compressing.  I am really paying attention to my body and hopefully that helps.

Here is my plan for the rest of the week leading up to the race:

Today-walk, stretching, foam roller
Thursday-30 day shred, shake out run (mile or two)
Friday-Rest
Saturday-Run my tush off

Things I want to remember during race (a letter to myself!?!):

• Those people passing you, let them.  Find your pace, and go with it.  You are running for you, not them.  Do YOUR best.
• Don't start out fast...it will kick you in the pants later.  
• Take in your surroundings.  Enjoy the atmosphere, the people, and the weather (even if it is supposed to be chilly!  eek!)
• Listening to your body.  What hurts?  How does it feel?  How do you feel?  What feels good?
• Dream about the bath and nummy food you are going to eat when you are done!

In other news, I have given up pop...I have been getting my fix with Seagrams Sparkling Seltzer Water..the White Peach is ridic!  Not sweet, of course, but still just refreshing!  And yeah, I occasionally take a sip of my husband's soda, but whatev's...it's no where near as much as I used to drink!

And I think that's about it folks!

Ugh, my legs!

I rested two days, well, I shredded for two days (30 day shredded, that is!), and was able to finally get in a run yesterday. 

During my run, my calf actually felt great.  No tightness or pain, I only wish the weather would have been nicer.  I did a mile indoors at the Y (on the track), and then took it outside for another mile.  The rain ended up holding off though so I wish I would have just gone to the lake. 

I was beyond pumped that my calf was feeling good.  I made sure to stretch before, and after, and drink a lot of water during the day, along with some wonderful green tea.  I am feeling a little tightness today, but no pain.  I am hoping to combat it with some advil, water, and a nice rub down from my mom at the hockey event tonight!  That's right folks, one more weekend of hockey.  It will be long, it will be crazy, but the money will be wonderful, especially since our trip to Alaska is quickly approaching (yep, just did a happy dance at my desk!).  AND, the best part is, this Sunday is supposed to be nice, and we get done at 5, as opposed to 9 last Sunday, so I am hoping I can log my 5 mile run Sunday night!  Wish me luck!

Happy Weekend Peeps!

Ten years...

This is my husband Chaz...oh yeah, and that's me too!  Today is an important day.  It's the day we mark being together for 10 years.  10 wonderful, amazing, and fun years!  I have been with my husband for almost half my life...crazy!  And I wouldn't have it any other way because life has straight up rocked with him by my side.

We have dealt with our fair share of issues.  Long distance for 6 years, lived and had jobs in different areas, and all of that on top of the normal couple flare ups.  Yet for some reason, we rarely focus on the tough parts...they seem nonexistent, because we have so much fun in our day to day lives...we just fit together, and it's awesome!  We love life, and we love each other!  It has been a blast and I am so excited for our future together!

Here's to another lovely 10 years with the love of my life!

I love you babe!

Bummer

The hockey tournament this weekend went well...of course it was long, and tiring, but the money is good, and I enjoy the people! I watched what I ate, for the most part, and even snuck in a late night run Saturday night...kinda wishing I hadn't done that...well, actually really wishing I hadn't.

From the beginning of my run, my calf felt tight, but I just forged ahead, punching out a mile. I could tell me calf was unhappy, but I thought it would stretch out after a quick walk. It didn't, and Sunday I walked around with the tightest muscle cramp. My mom gave me a deep tissue massage...she's kind of a pro at that bizzo. And I have been icing, heating, compressing, and it was feeling much better...so today, when I could tell my body was craving a long run, I thought I would just head out and do it!  In the back of my mind, my calf haunted me, but I had to give it a shot...everything else felt spot on. My calf, however, had other plans. And while it wasn't an intense pain, it was there, and if I learned anything from Saturdays run, it's that I can't push it.  So after one mile tonight, I just threw in the towel.  And I was bummed.  I hate not getting in a run, especially when everything falls into place so nicely (ie. feeling good, good weather, timing).

I know next Saturday when I run my 10k, I will be thankful that I rested, but right now, I'm still kind of beating myself up.  I need to learn that there is a time and place for everything and tonight just wasn't the night for a long run, even though I so wanted it to be.  Wish me luck that after a few days of cross training, I can get back out there an pound the pavement!

Welcome home!

This past weekend in the CO was wonderful.  I had an amazing time with family and the weather was warm and sunny…my favorite kind!  We enjoyed tons of food and I even learned a new game…Bunko….straight up life changing! 

The driving wasn’t too bad…I am an expert at sleeping in the car, and I had packed a book, some movies, and knitting.  I didn’t eat too bad….but I didn’t eat too good.  I got home and after relishing in my welcome home gift,

I headed straight to the bathroom where I stripped down and started the mission I would like to refer to as, “Try to make it look and feel like you did not just spend over 30 hours in the car over the span of the last four days”.  Yes, TMI, but seriously, I have never been that eager to just rid myself of everything related to a road trip.  I even got down to the knitty gritty, removing my chipped nail polish and replacing it with a fresh, clear color…it’s the little things! 

Again this week I needed to put in some crazy hours but it looks like I will be taking a little bit of vacation...can't sweat the small stuff.  In the end, it's all worth it, and that's what matters!  Even ditching out of work early yesterday only to go home and nap!  lol...but even with my week being travel and work crazy, I have been productive!  Not much by way of working out but I am making headway with my class, did some cleaning and organizing, and I am tracking what I am eating.  I am feeling pretty good, with a good amount of sleep, so really can't complain. 

This weekend I have a hockey tournament all weekend, and it gets to be a long weekend, only to be repeated next weekend but I have already planned to not go into work until 9:30 on Monday and Monday night I will take in a movie with my friend to make it ubber relaxing!  Seriously, probably the best plan I have come up with for combating stress!  Allow for recovery and plan something to look forward to!  Done and done!

Tonight I am running the lakes...hoping for a nice run that just comes easily...sometimes they can be a pain, and sometimes they just rock!  Hoping to Rock it!

Long hours for now

This week has been ubber crazy.  We are headed to the CO for Easter, and to see my grandpa, who is not doing to well, so I have been cramming in my hours at work.  I will successfully get in all 40 hours, and still have tomorrow off...but it has come with some sacrifices...more on that later! 

I am glad I crammed in all 40 hours this week because next week, I would have to do it all over again, with having Monday off, but to top that off, I am out early next Friday because next weekend starts the two weekends in a row crazy fest that is Select Hockey weekends...I love them; I love the hockey, the great players, getting to see familiar faces from the hockey world, but the two weekends are completely and utterly draining!  And I have to be on my A game because the weekend after, I run a 10k.  AND, nothing like adding school back into the mix next week too!  So if I have to take any vacation, I am going to do it next week...but hopefully it's not too much...I want to be able to take in some camping this summer, and of course, there is my trip to Alaska, so here's to hoping I can pace the vacation I take...and hopefully have enough to cover all my dreams and desires!  lol

But this week has been out the door by 7, and not back in the door till after 7.  Add to that packing, laundry, and the little hints of exercise I was able to fit in and you've got one hell of a week.  Prior to this week I was following a running schedule to a T, and I fricken loved it, but I am going to have to do some serious make up runs in the CO and next week, I am back on that training plan!  I am not going to let that be sacrificed next week! 

I just love hitting the pavement and honestly, it keeps me sane, relaxed, what have you! I am glad that prior to this crazy week I did get in a 4.5 mile run with under 12 minutes miles!  That's huge for me!  Distance, and a decent pace!  The final breakout was 11:39 minute miles!  I'm cool with that.  And thank gosh, cause it probs helped fuel me through this past week. 

The added running and working out has been making me feel marvelous.  My clothes are fitting better, my face is looking less puffy, and I just feel good.  "Crazy week", as I'll formally name it, took a toll on my healthy eating, but not in a super bad way, and I can reign myself back in!  I weigh in weekly, not necessarily for the number, but to keep myself on track...the number can motivate, but it also can make me crabby...luckily I have gotten better and tuning into my own body and how I feel....I don't dread the weigh in as much as I used to.  I have learned to except a number if it is bad and work hard to change it the next week. 

A little weigh in tip:  I weigh in once a week, and that's about as often as I ever want to make a date with my scale!  I have a little sign taped to my mirror and every Tuesday night, I move it to the middle so I remember to weigh in on Wednesday morning...I am not a morning person so trust me, this is also necessary to keep on track!  

So I am headed off to the CO tonight, road tripping with the padres and my brother.  The hubby is staying home to work...I will miss him but I am sure he will enjoy some peaceful time at home!  So I get to feel like a teenager, road tripping with the fam again...in all serious, sometimes it feels weird being a 26 year old married lady road tripping with the padres...not in a bad way, just a weird way.  I don't know about you but around my peers and husband, I feel like an adult, but still sometimes feel like a kid around my parents...I wonder if that ever goes away, not like it matters...just a thought!  I have packed some good snacks (mostly healthy!!!:) and some good books!  Here's to safe travels for all those traveling this Easter weekend!

Congratulations to my hubby...

While I was busy finishing up finals, so was my husband.  And I missed even mentioning it on here because I just spent that weekend in a big brain fart...my brain had been overworked and it was toast...as you can see by this miss.  But that's no excuse, so I owe him one...maybe an ice cold beer...maybe a few ice cold beers!

With that being said, Congrats to you, my wonderful husband.  You have worked so hard to get here, and I know it has not been easy, but you did it, and I am proud of you!  You are such a smart, strong individual and I know you can do anything you put your mind to!  I know you will do so much with your life; you are such a gem, and an interesting individual...I just know you are destined to show the world that!

Congrats, I owe you a beer, and I love you with everything I have!