Workout:
7.86 miles, 1:23:34 (including 3 min warm up, 3 min cool down)
10.6min/mile
Flat road, some puny hills, and almost got nailed by a middle aged woman in her Tahoe.

Everything almost went as planned. I thought about turning off my alarm, but managed to conquer my inner fatty and got up. I ate a light snack (peanut butter on a pancake - tasty, you should try it!) and had my coffee. I wore my Brooks skirt again (hey, I washed it).

I left about 20-30 minutes later than I normally do and I was running in the sunlight for the majority of the time. Thankfully, it was very overcast and the temperature was in the low 70's, so I didn't feel like I was baking. The humidity was stupid - as usual.

I didn't get hungry in the middle of my run like I did last week. Thanks, Mister Pancake. I continued with the Jeff Galloway program and was doing well until about mile 4.5. I started to feel like I couldn't keep up with the pace anymore. This is 1) a sign of weakness and 2) another indication that training for a full may be a bit ridiculous. The program backed down the pace about 20s/mile and I felt better. Part of my problem was that I was trying to alter my stride a bit and ended up going too fast and getting winded.

Nonetheless, I finished the full work out. When I got home, I stretched, foam rolled, and prophylactically iced. I had some chocolate milk, a bit of water, showered, and then had my greek yogurt breakfast. Shortly afterward, I took a nap because Monster said I should. When I woke up, I felt absolutely terrible.

TERRIBLE. I had no idea why I felt like I did after only running about half a mile more than I ran during last week's long run. I got up, had a snack with the baby, and started drinking water. It wasn't until about 3 hours after that that I even had to pee! Way to go, Kristin.

So, there you have it. I felt like death because I failed to properly rehydrate myself. This is a new phenomenon for me! I usually over hydrate and get a killer headache. Apparently, humidity kills and should not be ignored.

Note to self: A headache is better than the stench of death.

I hope you enjoy this precious cuteness. Monster was getting ready to go to "work" but stopped long enough for a quick iphone pic!

Thirsty Thursday:

This morning's work out -
3 min warm up walk
35 min run
3 min cool down walk

4.04 mile total distance/ 42:11 (including warm up and cool down)
Humidity was relatively low for an August morning, 73 degrees. Great morning for a run!

This was my second day with the Jeff Galloway program. I'm still liking it! The music makes it easy to keep a good, consistent pace. I feel like I can run longer by just taking a brief 40 second walk break every 7 minutes. I felt pretty darn good this morning AND I got to wear a new outfit! The whole outfit was awesome but I absolutely love my new Brooks running skirt - I dare say it's my favorite one to date! The shorts stayed in place (I didn't have to adjust them at all) and it's super flattering. It's husband approved.

Monster is seriously sleeping in this morning - we're going on 2 hours longer than she normally sleeps. I've gotten some house work done, showered and styled my hair, and done a couple of loads of laundry while waiting on her. I guess I successfully wore her out yesterday.

Long run tomorrow! Gotta get thirsty and drink tons of water today. I normally drink about 2 liters a day - so I will aim for at least 3.

Cheers!

Tuesday's Work Out

I started a new program this morning. To be honest, I jumped ahead to week 3 because the long run was closer to where I already am. I didn't want to lose any time and I need to train to at least 10 miles on long run before my half the first weekend of October.

I started the 13.1 Jeff Galloway training program. It's a bit early to really say what I think about it, but it seems ok so far. He's a big proponent of walking between speed elements - really, who can argue with that? He has this almost elevator music-like voice and he chimes in every so often and says something encouraging or gives a bit of advice. The music is paced appropriately for the cadence he's asking you to do - so that helps. The program was like $15 on iTunes - I had a gift card so if I don't like it, I'm not really out any money.

Workout:
3.38 miles, 39:10
This work out was composed of speed elements that undoubtedly made me look like an idiot while trying for the first time.

It was extremely humid - 95% or so and it was around 75 degrees. Needless to say, I welcomed the walk breaks in the work out.

I did find that my quads were pretty spent afterwards - so at least I know I was doing something!

In other news, I have a constant ongoing quest to eat cleaner and minimize my body stature. My recent step has been to drop soda. I started on August 1 and plan on going soda-free for at least 30 days. I'm trying to see if I can tell a difference in energy/bloating/cravings in that period of time. If I lose weight, that will also be a bonus! I'm doing good so far. I've found that I only want a coke when I am at work. I haven't lost any weight so far - in fact it seems like I shot up 3 lb this week. I seem to retain some water during summer training so I don't know if it's related. I feel like I look slimmer though - although I admittedly think it's wishful thinking.

Wednesdays are forced rest days for me. I worked overnight last night and just woke up a bit ago. We have church tonight and it's ridiculously hot outside right now, so outside running is not a welcomed idea. Instead, I'm enjoying some coffee and some good Olympic action.

I am looking forward to my work out tomorrow! I also have some new running clothes coming from Brooks and I'm super excited! I love running clothes - they are so much better than normal clothes. I could spend my entire paycheck on running attire - somehow I think it distracts from the fact that I don't look like a runner at all. If I'm dressed like one, I feel like people will question my abilities a little less. ha!


My gear is waiting for tomorrow morning:

Unexpected Day Off

So, today didn't turn out as I had hoped. I worked all weekend (as usual) and even went to bed at a reasonable time last night.

When my alarm went off at 5:10, I hit snooze. No big deal. When I finally tried to get up at about 5:20, my whole body ached. Ached. Like the kind of ache when you are coming down with something. I couldn't breathe through my nose, either.

I decided that this was my body's way of telling me to take a day off. I obliged.

I have been fighting off some sinus thing for several days, and I guess it decided to hit me this morning. I didn't really start to feel decent until late this afternoon. As I type this, my husband is out pushing the Monster in the jogging stroller in the heat. I decided to stay behind, cook dinner, and enjoy some peace and quiet.

In the morning, I will be starting the 13.1 Jeff Galloway program. I got this nifty ap and I hope that I like it. I would really like to get below 2 hours on my 13.1 time. I have two scheduled this fall - two chances to really move that PR time!

I am going to admit now that I have training ADD and I tend to change my approach frequently.

Anyway, I could choose to be grumpy because I missed my work out this morning. I could choose to let it affect my self image. I'm not going to let that happen. I'm glad I've learned to listen to my body and take a day off when it's really needed.

Cheers!

Friday's Goodness

Here's an owl that I saw while running this AM! He let me stop and take his picture and then flew away. I'm just glad he didn't screech at me and try to peck out my eyes.

Here's the sunrise about 40 minutes later. Not too shabby.


Run:
6.3 miles, 1:03:37
Mizuno Wave Riders
Mostly flat, great new running play list on Songza (Drop-A-Beat Workout)

I stayed up too late watching the Olympics again. I think that's why my legs felt like they weighed about 30 lbs each and like I was dragging them behind me the whole way. The humidity did not help, but I think it was mostly my sleepiness. I spent some time stretching and foam rolling when I got home - my IT bands get a bit irritated with flat, road running. As of this afternoon, they're still feeling decent and my heel is barely bothering me.

I would have run a little longer but a) I left late because I couldn't wake up this morning - somehow it took me 30 minutes to drink my coffee and b) because I thought I was going to have to knock on some stranger's door so they could let me use their bathroom. Yes, apparently my slow coffee intake took longer to take effect this morning and it hit me at about... mile 4. This predicament is probably responsible for 1 liter of the sweat I shed this morning. This kind of "emergency" has not happened to me for quite some time. My last experience of this magnitude was in the 2011 Georgia Publix Half and was responsible for about 15 minutes of my time that year. Good times.

I don't think you can call yourself a runner until you've had to deal with almost messing your pants. Just saying.

Thursday's Goodness

Treadmill Dreadmill Workout:
30 minutes, 20% incline
1.608 miles, 1569 vertical feet climbed

I'm no Olympian.

I allowed myself to "sleep in" this morning. The hubs had to leave earlier than normal this morning and it was just not feasible for me to get up at 4am to run outside. So, I slept in, watched a little Olympic goodness on the Today Show from the comfort of my bed, and got up when Monster woke up around 8am. When she took her morning nap, I did a quick work out on the dreadmill.

It might have been quick, but it was HARD. I think my heart rate was at an unsafe level. I would rather run outside in a hail storm, honestly. BUT, I was really glad that I did it when it was over.

We got a dreadmill as a combined Christmas gift this past year and it has been awesome! It's nice to have an option for a work out while the baby is sleeping - and I love that I was able to drop my gym membership. The hubs did not want to get a treadmill with an automatic incline (he thinks they break quicker) - so we got one that has two options - 10% grade or 20% grade. It's a little ridiculous at times. However, it provides me some uphill training opportunity that I would not otherwise get due to my geographical location. It's pretty flat around here and I'm kind of a wimp about hills - this leads to me busting myself in some way anytime I do a race with a brutal course. I have a hilly 13.1 coming up in October so I hope to go into ATL and run its hilly goodness once Monster goes to Mom's Morning Out again.

I originally had my long run scheduled for this morning - but I had to reschedule. I plan on doing it tomorrow! I have to be flexible so that the hubs can get to work when he needs to for meetings, etc.

I need to mention that my Olympic stalking has really interfered with my bedtime this week! NBC has totally ruined my life (ok ok.. that's dramatic) with the way they save the good stuff for prime time (9pm-12a). Hey, NBC, PEOPLE HAVE JOBS! PEOPLE NEED TO SLEEP! Give me a break. I think I will break down and get DVR before the next Olympic games. I will probably hold out though, because that's what they want from me!

OH, does anyone have any information/guidance on a Garmin training watch? I need want one and would welcome any guidance!

Tuesday's Run:

I'm posting this on Wednesday - but since I'm still awake (at work) it still feels like Tuesday to me!

3.2 miles, 29.19:

1st mile - 9'53" (wow, slow)
2nd mile - 8'39"
3rd mile - 8'57"

I was working on speed a bit this morning. It was drizzling and felt more humid than the Weather Channel said it was. It was another sunrise run for me! I think I'm turning into a morning person.

Month recap:
I have actually enjoyed getting up early to run! I ran a total of 49.62 miles in July. Not bad, considering I was in Wales for about 1/3 of that time and worked my usual hectic schedule. It's not great, either. Is it fall yet?