Going the extra mile

It's a freakin' blizzard out, actually it's more like a blizzurcane, which would be ridiculous snow paired with crazy wind. Amen for the gym! Snagged myself a treadmill in front and got truckin. Only 3 miles today, but I felt so good I went to 4, there's a chance I might be a superstar this week. Mile 2 I upped, yea I know it's not a word, the incline for a mile, my "pretend" hill. All in all it was a great work out, and there was a guy handing out free Silk, that Soy milk, he looked like an uber creep, but it was free so I took one!

It should also be noted that a new gym has sprung up across the street from mine. The LVAC, poo on your acronym, you're so cool with your tvs attached to every workout machine. I take pleasure in the fact that I don't need a tv to keep me on a workout machine, I'm not saying it wouldn't be nice, but I feel like I could kick those tv-watching asses if I had the chance! Although I'm not going to lie, I think the gym is a little less crowded now that they are there and I love that I can always get a machine!

Re-runs of The Office and my couch are calling my name!

Back at it!

Soooooooooo I took a little break, and by little I mean I just didn't do three of my runs!!! (insert shocked face here) First it was work, then broomball, then I got home on Sunday and frankly I just didn't want to leave the apt.....so I didn't.

I did run on Saturday at home in Appleton though and boy was it interesting......I woke up to snow, and not just a little snow, like inches of accumulation. At 7am they had plowed. When I woke again at 10 to actaully go out and run there was another inch of accumulation on the ground....gee thanks. After an extremely draining day on Friday and having skipped runs I knew I had to go out there no matter what. I had planned to do my long 11 miles, BUT given the ridiculous conditions I opted for 6 instead. Although it was weird, it was one of the more enjoyable runs I've had. There was snow everywhere, drivers were looking at my like I had gotten a good dose of crazy for breakfast and the occasional snowblower would nod and smile. I'm not going to lie, I was grateful to the people who actually shoveled their walks. I almost took a spill once ever 10 min, but I think it was worth it, and frankly it made me feel pretty bad ass, I literally saw NO ONE ELSE running, walking a dog, playing in the snow....nothing.....I rule!

So this week I need to get back on the horse if I'm really serious about doing the flying pig (which I'm still not signed up for) opps! Smoothstephy has graciously offered her residence in Oxford for a crash pad for Dave and I, so if I can get back on track this week I think I will be fine.

After a frustrating day at work I thought I'd work it out at spinning. I'm always amazed at how utterly out of shape I am when it comes to anything but running. Spin class is an hour, 10 min in I was ready to get off the bike and feign an injury, or maybe even asthma. I somehow made it through, although I don't think I'll be back to this instructor, I need someone literally yelling at me for an hour to make spinning worthwhile, half the time this guy was just allowing us to "do what you want", well if I was doing what I wanted it would involve a huge bag of chips and an indentation in my couch cushions, so please yell at me so I can be minorly motivated to pedal on this bike going no where for an hour.

Another long week lies ahead.....

Bad Mood Bears

Oooooooooo I'm cranky, ugly ugly mood I'm in. I worked ridiculously all day, stayed late, took work home, am going in early, UGH! I got home so late there was no chance for a workout unless I wanted to skip dinner and get to bed at an insane hour considering I'm getting up so early. So that means I missed 6 miles, and I'm unhappy and bitter. And I'll miss my 3 miles tomorrow night due to broomball. Bah, it's bad mood bears all over the place. I'm just a big blah party right now, but it's ending as I'm heading to bed hoping this bad mood will dissolve into dreamland. Maybe if I dream about running 6 miles that will count??

Smile - We're both idiots

So after racing through the morning at work, I raced back to the city for a doctor appt in the afternoon. I originally wanted to run outside today, and I got home with just enough daylight left (sidenote: I hate running in the dark, and I don't think it's safe, I don't need Johnny Hiding in the Bush to grab me while I'm on a 5 miler and don't have the stamina to out run him) So when I got back I contemplated, oh it would be so nice to go to the heated gym for a quick 3 miles. BUT, I told myself I would run outside if I could......since I hate not doing what I say I will, even if it's only something I said in my head I opted for outside.

I have no clue how cold it was but it was FREEZING. Thankfully on my way out the door I thought to grab a scarf, this was a godsend! I was warm for the most part, although I could have used a few scarves wrapped around my legs. I've run outside in the cold, just not this cold, and snow, and BLACK ICE!?! Who knew right.....I guess it makes sense, I'm just happy I managed to stay on my feet! I will give you one thing though, I saw 10 people, only 10, but we all smiled and nodded at eachother. Gave the obligatory, huh, you're as stupid as me, run on my friend. This sustained me, you don't get that in the summer, there's just too many of us, knowing there were other crazies like me on the trail kept me going...........that is.........until my ipod died It's a good thing this happened when I was only a half mile from home and not close enough to the lake - I probably would have thrown it in, this thing keeps me going, unless it's a race day (I have a strong no music policy for races) I need music, if it hadn't been so cold I perhaps would have started singing to myself.

So in the end I made it, a little over 3 miles, outside though, so that counts for more - right?!

I should have worked for a bank...

Seriously, people who work for banks and schools around here, they get EVERY day off. Oh, it's the former president's wife's second cousins birthday, lets take the day off! I however do not get these little gems off, I sat in a cubicle all day cursing half the city. It took me 25 min to get home - and it was snowing - WHAT? At a minimum it is normally 40 min, but half the traffic was home enjoying MLK day - bogus I tell you!

However, since I got home so fast I had plenty of time for a crosstraining work out. I haven't had enough time to read lately so I grabbed the book and headed to the gym. I went sans music, which is weird for me but I wanted to concentrate on the book. I looked at the time like every 5 min, I wished I was running, alas 30 min on the bike, I suppose it was good for me. I also did some more weight work on my arms. This is such a joke, I mean I'm miserably weak, 10 lbs and I barely made it through 2 sets, apparently I need to keep this up! Also the girl on the mat next to me had on the shortest shorts imaginable, I mean running shorts are short, but she might as well have had on bikini bottoms, ew, put that away!

I do love protein

Sooooo I took Thursday and Friday off - technically I was only supposed to take Friday but I'm on an undefeated broomball team on Thursday nights and I'm the goalie who yells the whole time - they couldn't possibly survive without me. If you're curious we did win, one more game until we are the coveted season winners - BOO YA! Then of course in celebration we hit of Uberstein, always a good - er bad choice. Needless to say I was a tad tired on Friday......

Last night Dave took me to Brazzaz for my birthday (yea me)! It was very nice and I honestly think I may have eaten the eqivalent of a small horse. I'm not joking, the meat just kept coming, and it looked so good.....if you know me, you know the one thing I'm not, is shy about eating ridiculous amounts of food. But I may have taken the cake last night - I would be willing to bet it's the most I ever ate in one sitting, and I'm not sorry, infact, I think I'm awesome :)

Remember how I said maybe I would be as sweet as the Packers and run outside on Sat, hahahahaha what a jokester I am! It's not cold, it's effing cold, and since I value all 10 fingers and toes I wisely opted for the gym. I even made it there before lunch. I did my long run today instead of Sunday because let's face it, after tonights bar party celebrating my birthday, I just might not be able to run tomorrow. But lucky for me, this week went back down to only 6 miles. I felt ok for the treadmill, but I do wish it had been about 20 degrees warmer so I could have hit the pavement.

I hit up itunes this morning for some new running grooves and I'm disappointed, furiated infact, couldn't find "Murder on the Dancefloor" anywhere. This tune ROCKS, itunes is missing out, and I'm annoyed - boo on you itunes!

So tonight's my party, I wisely picked a bar right across the street from La Bamba, becuase let's face it, who doesn't want a birthday burrito.........told you I could eat!

Hmmm I don't get it....

So when I viewed the blog at work half of it was in a different font and the other half was in the right font, now, at home it's all the same........I think blogger is playing tricks on me because I'm a newbie! I'll get you yet blogger just you wait!

So it was 5 tonight, and I didn't know if I should go to the gym or not. My lower back has been giving me a lot of problems all day when I'm just sitting thanks to "the man" but I sacked up and headed to the gym. The even weirder thing is it doesn't hurt while I'm running, is this good, bad, who knows.

So back up to just getting to the gym and I'm in the locker room, let me explain something, I don't talk to people at the gym, I think most people don't talk to anyone, I'm here to work out and leave, not to make friends. So this girl looks at me and goes "look at you all matchy matchy." Ummmmm is this a compliment, are you making fun of me, are you checking me out??? Also, she said this while my ass was up in the air and I was tying my shoes, WHAT? I gave her a goofy grin and simply said "uh yea", I don't think I was mean, but what should I say, "Yea don't you like to match when you go the the gym, I just got my nails done too" then giggle or some crap. Whatever, truth of the matter is I wear actual running clothes and some of them happen to match, I wear what's clean and doesn't smell, that's it, end of story. WEIRD

So then I proceeded to 5 miles, which really went ok all things considering. But I got to mile 4.5 and a new guy showed up on my left. Normally whatever, I will admit I check how fast the people next to me are going but that's just my competitive nature. But this dude walks up and I swear to you he had dipped himself in spearmint minutes before walking on the treadmill. EW, it was intoxicating. Bravo to you buddy for having fresh breath but seriously did you need to rub it on your body??

These are the sort of things that make me think I should just sack up and run in the dark and the cold. I also have a kick ass running song of the week: Shiny Toy Guns - Le Disco If you haven't heard this song you should, I could be ready to crawl and this song picks me up like I just slept for 24 hours - STELLAR! Off to ice the back - Cheesehead OUT!

Pain free!

Finally, I actually felt great running tonight! Only 3 miles, but I felt so stellar I kicked it up to 3.5! (and considering I think the treadmill is a liar that was probably a wise choice) No back, knee or arch pain to speak of, perhaps my body is finally settling in to training again! I do however need to do a better job of hydrating, I barely drank one bottle today, yikes, no good! I also did one mile with the treadmill elevated......this is hilarious to me because I'm trying to convince myself that if I do that it will be like I'm training on hills...............deep inside I know this is a HUGE lie, but I'm going to keep believin'

So this weekend it's supposed to be like 2, maybe even colder than 2 - I can't decide if I should try to brave the cold or not. I think running outside is best for training and good for my head (also I get to use my awesome Garmin, thank-you Santa *wink*), and I don't want to miss it if I don't have to, but that's pretty darn cold.....at least I have a few days to mull it over.

On the other hand the Packers won't have an option to play indoors on Sunday, perhaps this is a sign........

It's like Christmas all over again!

What the crap!!!!!!! Last night posting I was so sad, blogger wouldn't let me use exclamation points....and I said to myself, I'm not sure this relationship will work out, exclamation points are my life! So tonight I said screw you blogger I'm trying again and now they show up! Hurray it's a Pre-Birthday miracle!

Let this be a lesson to all - Never give up on your hopes of overly excited writing!!!!!

I'd be ok with the 50s....

I was so close to not going to the gym. It's cold again, go figure, it is January after all, and it was snowing! (But it was like 50 last week, we were so spoiled!) So after arriving home, later than normal no less, the thought of venturing outside to walk down the street, yes it is that close, to the gym was unmentionable. BUT I accidently left my cell in the parked car, CRAP, now I had to go out to save it from the fridgid Chicago night, and since I'm heading out CRAP again I might as well go to the gym.

Mondays are crosstraining, and if history proves anything I'm not so great at crosstraining, unless of course watching Friends reruns counts somehow.....no? Why not? I hit up the bike for 10 miles, THANK GOD they had a recent People I could read. I need celebrity gossip to distract me from all that sweating and the fact that I'd like to quit after 5 min. Then, feeling especially daring I thought I'd try weights. I don't even remember the last time I thought about weights. I picked up 8 lbers which may have been a mistake, but I didn't want to seem uber-puny! After doing 2 sets of 12 reps of 3 types of exercises my arms felt like jello, I'm lucky the weights made it back to thier home....Cross training session numero uno DONZO, only like 17 more to go.......

I took the Christmas decor down finally - yea yea save your reminders that we are halfway through January, the thing is though I have no where to put my "baby" tree! So now it's standing naked in the corner all sad with no ornaments.....if I don't find some space soon I'm just going to dress it for Valentines day so it's not so dang depressing!

Ready, set, go!

Hmmm that seemed a bit too easy, I think I created the blog in less than a min......hopefully that means I did it correctly. Since most people reading this, ie: friends and family, know what I'm doing I'll make this explanation quick....after running 3 marathons I've decided to rule the world...er I mean make my way to Boston. It's likely this could take years, but hopefully this blog will highlight my triumphs and pitfalls and I'm sure every so often you'll get a rant from me as well :)

So currently I'm in training for the Flying Pig. For those that don't know, it's a "rolling hills" marathon, so I'm not expecting a PR or a BQ, just a good time and hopefully some runners in pig costumes, ha. Training started Jan 1 and frankly I've been pretty terrible only 2 weeks in. The cold and back pain have done nothing for my motivation.

Today was my long run, 9 miles, with relatively decent weather I donned my winter gear and hit the trail. Today was the first run I carried my Camelback on, and either I am the biggest water snot in Chicago or no one else is running as far as me, and I'm not so stupid as to assume that.....but NO ONE else had water. WHAT? Anything over an hour requires a water supply for this chica and since the city rips out the bubblers in the winter I will continue to be the sole chick stopping for the occassional water break. And not that they would, but if someone ever asked for a swig, no way, carry your own water, look as super cool as I do. With all the back pain I had last week I was scared for this run, but it went surprisingly well. The wind was a bit biting on the way back but then again it is January. I think I jumped into a hot shower within minutes of being home, I don't know how people do this all week long and in the dark....I'll be hiding out at the gym for the rest of the week, hurray for treadmills.

Phew my first official blog down, I feel so grown up....or nerdy....whatever. An ugly Monday tomorrow, let's hope it flies by.