39 days to go (still...)

I am a happy girl!

Last night I remembered my parents have camelbacks from when we went to the Grand Canyan AGES ago! They are old and the tubing is moldy, but I apparently I can go to any REI store and simply replace the tubing! Hopefully that'll be way cheaper than buying a waistpack and more comfortable to run in.

Pics to come when I make the mighty transition Saturday!!

39 days to go (uhh we have 6 weeks...)

89 degrees.

Feels like 90 degrees.

Nice breeze, but still sunny and hot!

Got in a very slow 5.3 miles starting at Gravelly Point Park. It was nice to get outside and I was feeling good even though I had to stop a few times. I was happy to get out there, especially because it's only 90 degrees and not 100! It took me about an hour or a little over an hour, but I blame that on walking a bit.

On a different topic - I think it's worth noting that playing Stop while trainging for the Half Marathon is not a good idea because things like this happen that can very easily hinder any sort of training...

You can't see how bad it actually looks, but my ankle is all types of bruised and swollen.

44 days to go (running playlist!)

I think the heat really took it out of me this week.

After my disapointing run on tuesday I decided to use my cross day to take a kickboxing class at the gym that TOTALLY kicked my ass. It was a really fun class and I felt great doing it, but couldn't move my arms/shoulders the next day. And today for that matter. So I skipped my run last night and I'll take my rest day tonight and then run again Saturday and Sunday. Hope to make 6-7 on both days!!

Anyway - I FINALLY made a running playlist and thought I'd share some of the songs I listen to while running. Maybe you will find something you like listening to also!

It's random and extensive, but I'll spare you and only liste a few...

Spoon - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
The Dirty Heads - Check the Level
Rihanna - Breakin' Dishes
Christina Aguilera - Candyman
Hot Chelle Rae - I like to Dance
Robyn - Dancing on my own
Cascada - Everytime We Touch
Jason Derulo - Ridin' Solo
Pitbull - Krazy
Buckcherry - Crazy Bitch
Ashlee Simpson - L.O.V.E

46 days to go

Yesterday I went to a fantastic yoga class at the gym. It was an hour long vinyasa flow class that totally stretched me out and made me feel awesome and relaxed.

It's amazing how much your mood can change in a day.

See that diet coke over there? That's dinner for tonight because my stomach is not very happy with me. I was supposed to have a 4.5 mile run tonight, which I DID, but not very well....

That with a combination of heat and disapointment is giving me a killer headache and stomach ache.

I ran with Sara tonight and had to stop 3 times during the run. Granted, it was super hot out, probably about 100+ degrees, but I still didn't feel very good about my performance.

I was struggling a lot and I was really disapointed in myself considering how amped I was to get outside and run. My legs felt like lead and jelly at the same time.

Sara ran great though and kept up a super good pace. She kept back tracking to check up on me and then would continue on my way and I know she was trying to be nice, but it really just made me feel awful and a few times I was pretty close to tears.

I finished the 4.5 miles in just about 50 minutes, but I didn't feel particularly good about it. I'm also really super sore and not really looking forward to working out tomorrow. It's a cross day or short run. I think I might try and take the 6am body pump class. We'll see if I actually wake up this time.

Anyway, I hope Thursdays run is better than this one. The weather is only supposed to get hotter so that sucks considering I want to stop running in the gym! It's another 4.5 mile day. Ugh. I kind of can't wait until the rest day Friday...

48 days

I haven't run since Wednesday of last week and I kind of feel like a cow. Philly was a lot of fun and we did a lot of walking around, but I also did a lot of eating crap so I think this week I need to step up my game.

Until next time!

52 days

So I had my 'cross' day last night...it was supposed to be '2 m run or cross' so I chose a 1 mile run AND cross. I did the elliptical for 30 min (2.53 miles) and didn't really feel the burn. Recently I've come to realize that I don't really like working out when it doesn't make me sweat because I don't feel like I'm getting a work out! So after that I did a short 1 mile run on the treadmill and headed home.

I didn't feel all that great about this workout to be honest. I didn't push myself because I wanted to get up this morning and run, which of course didn't happen because I am severly opposed to waking up at 5:30 so of course I got up and reset my alarm.

Unfortunately, I can't run after work today (which was my origional plan!) because my best friend wants to get on the road relatively early for our Philadelphia vacay. Ugh.

Looks like this week I'll only get a few work-outs in which is INCREDIBLY disapointing because I feel like I've been trying really hard to train for this half marathon. I really hope we come home at a decent hour on Sunday so I can get in a workout then.

54 days still

I wish I got a better picture of my beautiful veggie burger that I made myself tonight for dinner, but this is the best I could come up with using my iphone!

After a scorcher of a 4 mi run in the gym tonight I decided to make myself a veggie burger with lots of veggies (spinach, onions, and sprouts), some cheese, and mustard.  I had some blue corn tortilla chips with it and a huge glass of water. All in all, I would say it was a very successful run and dinner!

54 days left (that's less than 2 months....)

I just decided I'm going to start posting my daily diet on this sucker as well in hopes that it will possibly get better or I will get some tips on what to eat to get my body going while running. With that being said this mornings breakfast consisted of a banana (eaten in the car on the way to work!), coffee, and a chobani pineapple yogurt. Yum!

Yesterday marked week 6 of the HH training schedule and last night was supposed to be a Stretch & Strengthen day. I kind of took that day as a "I'm going to make delicious vegetable soft taco's with low fat sour cream, whole wheat tortillas, steamed veggies, avocado, and cheddar cheese and watch the Bachelorette and THINK about maybe stretching". So, that is what I did.

Tonight I have a 4 mile run which will most likely happen in the gym because of the heat advisory around DC. I don't know if I'm happy about these short runs on the training schedule or if I'm worried I'm not going to be prepared for the Half. I think a little of both. Either way I'm getting more nervous about the half as the day gets closer!

OH! Also, I forgot to report back on my Clif Builders bar! It was pretty delicious. It was just sweet and heavy enough to carry me through my workout without being tired or too full. Although, I will say I have to eat further in advance than I did because I ran with a stomach cramp. Ick! But! I liked it so much that I bought 2 more!

There are only 8 grams of fat in each and 20 grams of protein, which is perfect for this pescatarian because I have a problem getting protein into my diet. I suggest picking one up because for a suppliment bar, they are pretty yummy!

55 days left

I'm terrible at blogging, things, like life, always get in the way and I never seem to find enough time to sit down and blog.

My first week doing HH's training schedule went swimingly. I did 4 mi Friday, 40 min cardio Saturday, and 6 miles sunday. Sunday was total TORTURE because I got up at 7:30am and got over to the gym only to find out the gym didn't open until 8am so I had to wait outside in the heat for 15 minutes when I DIDN'T WANT TO BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. In the end I somehow pushed out 6 miles, even if I had to stop once or twice. I also rewarded myself by going to the Capitol Skyline pool party in DC and ran into this D-list actress...


Tara Reid

This week in training might proove to be a little difficult. I can bang out my runs during the week, but I'm going to be in Philly this weekend on vacation and will not have time to run. At least both Friday & Saturday call for rest, but I'm kinda bummed to be missing out Sunday.

Tonight I'm supposed to do stretch and strengthen, but I don't really want to do anything. Maybe I will see if there are any classes I can take at the gym later in the night because I'm supposed to pick up the dog so I won't even get home till after 7pm. Wish me luck!

58 days

So - I'm a bad little runner. I definately turned in my running sneakers last night for a pair of flipflops, a few too many mojitos & fish tacos. FOR SHAME, ALLISON! I expected 2 of my good friends to be announcing they were getting engaged so I skipped the run to make sure I was there for....well...an announcement that wasn't ever made! I felt stupid, but it was still nice to be able to get 10+ friends all together all the same time!

I'm going to make up my 4m run tonight, do some crosstraining tomorrow, and finish off the week with a 6 miler on sunday before hitting up the Capitol Skyline pool party.

Oh! I'm also going to try out the Clif Builders bar tonight. I hope it doesn't taste like sand.

60 days to go (day 2 of hh schedule)

Today marks day 2 of the Hal Higdon half marathon schedule and so far so good! Last night I ran 4 miles in the gym in 37 min and tonight I biked 6 miles in the gym in 30 minutes. Not bad at all! After the gym today I was pretty ravenous so I stopped at Whole Foods on the way home to pick up dinner and some snacks.

I bought a these bad boys on the right because I was inspired by the blog Eat, Live, Run, and mainly because I've realized as I start to push for longer distances I will need something to keep me going. I haven't really tried any of these for that purpose yet, but I'll report later on if they actually do anything!

I think the Clif Builder's bar is the only one that will proove any results and quite honestly....I only bought the Lemon Zest Luna because they are delicious. Shame!

Anyway, tomorrow I have a gym date with Marisa at 6am in hopes I'll be able to run my 4 miles and stretch a bit and then meet people for happy hour after work.

We will see how it goes! Until next time!

61 dyas to go

Not a long post this morning, but wanted to say the Half Marathon schedule starts today...and with all the drinking and eating I did this past 4th of July weekend it couldn't have come at a better time!

Wish me luck on my 4 miles today!