Just another week

It's been a pretty solid week so far. My legs were talking to me all day Monday, practically begged me not to crosstrain, so what did I do, broke out the Gliding video. Now, I'm not a huge fan of workout videos but this particular video was recommended when I was in therapy for my ACL so I figure it has to be good right?? Also, a day later I can't even get out of a chair from all the squats you do during it so that's probably a good indication.

As a side note, I would never say I've been so confused by daylight savings time in my life. On my drive home Monday night I actually asked my mom what time it was, I thought I left work too early (I had not changed the clock in my car yet) It's funktified my whole week and I can't imagine why, it's never happened before...

Today was beautiful. I didn't wear a hat or mittens at lunch, there were runners on the trail as I flew down LSD, signs that perhaps spring is ready to make an appearance here and there. I was looking forward to perhaps my first outdoor weeknight run, but alas it wasn't meant to be....

I hold a pretty strict "you can't start a run in the dark" policy in Chicago. I'm ok if I'm ending a run around dusk but I just don't think it's safe for me and my headphones to chance it. I don't particularly want to be headline news, unless of course I've done something superbly awesome :) I had to take care of some apt papers after work so that meant hitting the gym, bugger!

Stretching today felt like a gift from God, my muscles were thrilled with me. I ran a pretty easy paced 5 miles, but still managed to stay strong in the end.

Ooooo new running song of the week - I like this song so much I even lip-synced while I was running - I'm positive I looked insane, but when you've spent as much time as me on a treadmill lately you'll do anything to make yourself smile - I Don't Wanna be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem) - Good Charlotte, check it out, love a good tune!

The barker is back.....

What a week of training it was!! Monday had me skipping crosstraining to get all my runs in as I knew I would need a night off for an appt. I ran an easy 4 miles but found I was in extreme pain on Tuesday. My right arch has major issues, it was so painful it was even bothering me in ugly flat work shoes, who knew! I have never had problems with my arches and really this was only one as it just hurt on my right foot. Troublesome let me tell you.

Not wanting to skip my run Tuesday night I ventured to the orthotics aisle in Walgreens and purchased arch supports, which by the way are not cheap. I figured I should wear them in both as it might be weird if they were only in one shoe. They helped tremendously, leaps and bounds, it was still a little painful but I could tell they helped. This is an interesting dilemma to me though. In the past I have NEVER run this much on the treadmill, could that be the source of this? I've never had arch issues before?? Or is it really all downhill once you hit 25.....just kidding.

Thursday was a quick 3 miles so I could get home for lost, and low and behold the barker is back at the gym. This guy's grunts and noises could rival Sharapova, no lie. He lifts weights, and I haven't seen him at the gym in months but he made his reappearance on Thursday and boy did I hear about it heh heh. I suppose I understand that perhaps that makes him get the extra umph to get the weights up, but c'mon aren't you mildly embarassed that the whole gym is listening to your barking/grunting/you name it weird noises? And if I was your wife, I don't think I'd be caught dead at the gym with you making all those animalesque noises....

I only had 9 miles to do for the weekend and thankfully I did on Sat as it is arctic temps out today! I ran a little earlier and it felt like there were a million people on the trail, which was nice to see. I fought for the first 1.5 miles to get my Camelback to cooperate, it was extremely obnoxious stopping to adjust every like 3 min, but eventually I showed it who was boss! On my last half mile back I passed a guy who gave me the biggest goofiest grin ever. He must have known me, I however had no clue who he was, and if he didn't know me perhaps he was smiling at my ridiculous get-up. The weekend miles pretty much steadily increase from here on out, so there's not much to look forward to in that department - although maybe if I just grunted every half mile or so that would give me the motivation to go the extra mile.......

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!