Tag Archives: running

two minutes, fifteen seconds.

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So today Ellen, Jeff, and I completed our 80s-themed 5k.

It was Ellen and Jeff’s first competitive race, and my second, and we all managed personal bests! For me, I ran two minutes, fifteen seconds faster than my race last year with my sister. For that race, I trained for five and a half weeks, taking nearly two weeks off during training for when I was traveling across country with Corelyn.

This year, I trained for eight weeks, missing only one training day, despite making two cross-country trips during those eight weeks. (And, it should be noted, that running and I took a break between the two trainings – I ran maybe five times between the two trainings.)

I think my dedication to racing paid off, and gave me the desire to (gulp! I never thought I’d say this) run another race! Even though it was 85 degrees when we finished and we were all hot, exhausted, and sweaty, we all managed to discuss another race (maybe in the spring?) before heading home.

The race being 80s themed helped – lots of people dressed up, ready to race in tutus and leotards and pink tights. It also helped to have two novice runners with me instead of one experience runner (sorry Nik, but you’re a speed-demon) and it helped that instead of 40 degrees and sleeting, it was 80 degrees, sunny, with a slight breeze. And, there was no looping — one large loop (instead of 2.5 smaller ones at the Ann Arbor race.)

Here we are at the finish of the race!

I had a blast running with Ellen and Jeff, and know they had fun too — and I am proud of myself for running in sub-40, and beating my time from last race AND last weekend when I ran my practice 5k around the course at the Rose Bowl.

Here are the medals we got at the finish!

Next up, maybe we’ll run an 8k or 10k…the sky’s the limit, folks! Until then, I am spending the rest of the day preparing for an amazing long weekend, proud that our team finished strong.

 

she’s an uptown, get-around anything goes girl.

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5gts, Matchbox Twenty new-album style.

1. North comes out on September 4. Pre-ordered.

2. Pie contest plans in the works. Lemon-chocolate pie, here I come.

3. Fed 80 homeless men and women last night at a dinner sponsored by work. My job is pretty awesome, and partnering with PATH was cool, too. We planned the menu, cooked, and served, and it was a great feeling to know that we were helping!

4. 5k on Saturday morning. Practice 5k two minutes faster than my previous 5k. Here’s to bigger, better races.

5. Beach Day on Monday. Summer may be coming to a close, but we’re not going down without a fight.

29 days.

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I had a long post in my mind for yesterday about all I have to do for my sister’s wedding, about how nervous I am, yadda yadda. About the need for a pedicure and my gross nail to fall off and a diet to start and a tan to even.

Alas, I fell ill, instead, and spent the afternoon on the couch wondering why summer colds exist at all.

Now, 29 days to go, I’m back at it. Things to do include get my dress back, make sure it fits, double check the list with my sister (all the lists, that is), write my speech, make sure the shoes I have will work, and generally prep myself for this day.

I am also starting a diet that will help me feel great for the big day. Things to cut? Unnecessary sugars, carbs, and most things I don’t “need.” Like the milk chocolate covered raisins at my desk, or the extra helping of pasta because it’s not enough to save for leftovers, or the handful of lentil curls because that apple wasn’t enough…

I think that a healthy diet and some delving into P90x with Jeff (we got a copy and have to start! We must) or at LEAST getting back to three times a week work outs with yoga, running, biking, and hiking, I should be in good “shape” by the time the wedding rolls around. Pun intended.

Now I’m off to make a massive to do list so by the time Nikki gets back from Montana I have something to show for myself…

Here’s to 29 days until these two tie the knot.

Cat used my flower bed as a litter box. I’m gonna kill it, if I find it.

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This is what my neighbor said to me as I walked by his apartment building this morning. (And contrary to what I’ve said in the past about meeting my older neighbors in the street, I was actually running early, if you can believe it.)

It was pretty hilarious, and I did all I could from laughing out loud.

I have found in the past few weeks that as I have started running outside, I have become more familiar with my neighborhood, and extended neighbors. Although I am still waiting on a route that doesn’t include a million lights (the much needed break while waiting for a light to change is doing nothing for my endurance) I am enjoying the path. I basically run to the gym, and back, which is about 1.6 miles, and is a hilarious thing, if you think about it. Running to the gym. But it’s been cool enough out to do so, so I am counting my blessings before I am punished by 90 degrees and have to hop on a treadmill.

The running, by the way, is going. I run a little further each time, and want to kill myself a little less. I have tried to mix up my iPod mix, but I need a little help (mixes? suggestions? anyone? hello?) and I also have tried to make sure I actually stretch before I leave so I don’t get halfway and have to embarrassingly have to stop and stretch in front of the police station that is about halfway. So, we’re working on it. Feet have been hurting less, although I tell you I don’t understand how one person can sweat that much. Also, Nikki, the headbands you gave me are magical, and I can’t believe I lived without them.

In other news, last night I had a salad for dinner that was giant, in the biggest Tupperware I own, because “losing weight for weddings” is officially on. No dressing, just veggies, nuts, and fruit. I am on this diet for the duration. Minus Thursday, when I plan on eating the rest of the cupcakes that Mary and Rebecca made, because I can because calories don’t count on the day of your birth.

Tonight we’re back to yoga, since Sunday yoga was canceled due to the gym reflooring it’s classroom. In the next few weeks, I’ll be venturing to a new yoga studio that I bought a GroupOn to, so we’ll see how that goes.

Crow, here I come. What are you up to?

 

 

Boy turns to girl and says I love you so

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Hello, chicks. This week is off to a running start, if I do say so myself. Last night I got home, read a little of our book club book, and then went running with Jeff. We did intervals, the third week of this program (four week program) I found to help me run a mile straight. It is a 20 minute interval, where you run for 3 minutes, walk for 2, and repeat it four times. Next weeks intervals are 4 minute run, followed by 1 minute walks. We ended up running about a mile and a half (with the walking in there, too) which was good, and I managed to keep myself paced so I actually could run all of those 3 minute intervals. I plan on trying it again tonight before I make blueberry scones with M, and B.

After the run we headed to Ralph’s, and I became one of those people I always used to hate and simultaneously envy: someone who goes to the grocery store AFTER THEIR RUN before they head home, in gym clothes, sneakers, an iPod strewn around their neck, nothing on them except a credit card and the Ralph’s keychain rewards card. That was Jeff and I, though, and I walked around Ralph’s trying to find the ingredients I needed to make a quiche for my co-worker/yoga partner/Glee confidant’s birthday. We found what we needed, and headed home for dinner and quiche making.

Tonight, it’s on to berry scones with M and B, followed by book club tomorrow. Thursday is for yoga, and Friday brings a three day weekend. And what could be better?