HMT: on to tha next one.

That's right, I'm training again.

If you're new here you may not know that earlier this year I ran my first ever half-marathon. I had a great time, and even after I finished the race and my legs were aching I knew I wanted to run another half. I've been terrible about running since the end of March. But, I've resolved to start training again.

So, last week I started my 12 week training. And, although I have several more weeks than 12 before the half that I want to run, my plan is to jump right in and if I need a little cushion here and there, I have it. And maybe I can talk another novice runner into training with me?? Anyone? Bueller?

What race am I running, you ask?

This one. It's in Tulsa on November 21. Nice and cool running weather, just the way it should be. I haven't signed up ... but that's definitely on my to-do list!

I'm hoping my friend Libby will run it with me. She's having knee issues, but I have a little something up my sleeve to help alleviate her pain. And, no it's not a cortisone shot.

Anyway, so my first week back to training went pretty well. My only issue is that I know I can run 3, 4, 5, 13 miles, but it's getting back on the horse, so the speak, that's difficult. I have to recondition my body to get my runs in. And, let me tell ya, the heat {specifically 94 with a heat index of 108} is not helping.

So, back to the HMT updates, and if anyone wants to join in on the fun, there's only 18 weeks until the big race!

in the heat of the morning.

You guys know that I'm running again, and in keeping with my plan {although, admittedly, I'm way behind on my goal}, I ran on Tuesday morning.

I wasn't able to hit the pavement until about 9:30 and by then it was over 80 degrees.

So, what are the results of a 35 minute workout in the hot morning sun?

This.

What you can't really see is the sweat dripping off of me. What you can see is that I'm not really that good at iPhone self-portraits. Eh, we all have our strengths.

After Tuesday I'm trying my best to get my runs in way earlier. Like maybe 3 am early {kidding ... maybe ...}.

a little of this, a little of that.

I've got a few things on my mind ...

The post I did yesterday on craiglook has me really stressed. I emailed the seller of the chair this morning, and I called one upholstery shop in Norman and asked around some, and it seems like reupholstering the chair would cost around $300 for labor alone. I'd have to find some really cute, cheap fabric.

The thing is, I think the chair is really good looking. I love the tufted back, I love the skirt on the bottom and it's really functional. I mean, it rocks and reclines!

My thought is that we could buy it now for cheap, then a little later we could decide on fabric and then whenever we are "with-child" {ha!} we could send it off to be reupholstered -- thus spreading the cost of the chair over a longer span of time.

I'm sure you guys will be the second to know {husband first, always!} if that chair is snatched up.

_________________

I read Erin's blog from {I think} last week about going to FitLab and figuring out her resting metabolic rate (RMR) and exercising metabolic rate and how she signed up for thedailyplate.com. It all sounded really interesting and, really, kinda fool proof. I mean if you have all of your information, you should be able to keep track of how many calories your taking in each day.

And, since I've been extremely lax about running, I think it might just be a good idea.

So, I signed up and started tracking my calories today. Wooo! And, I might have made a new goal for myself {Because, if I plan to keep working out regularly, I have to have something to work toward.}:

Run 100 miles in June.

ahhhh! maybe i'm crazy!

Please hold me to this. And, as I did with my half-marathon, I'll probably try to keep an active log on here.

I'm starting on Tuesday June 1. And, yes, I realize this means I need to run more than 3 miles a day. {And, I reserve the right to transfer this goal to July if I can't get myself together...}

____________________

This weekend is Memorial Day {uhh, you already knew this right?}. Usually the in-laws have their pool  ready for this holiday, however, they've hit a bit of a snag, and need a new liner {not cheap!}. The new liner is on order, but takes up to 10 business days to be delivered.

So, no pool for MD. Bummer.

What do we have instead?

A few chores around the house, painting a side table, grilling out and drinking fabulous sangria!

Here's the recipe {courtesy of our friend, Jim Blevins}:

4 tumblers of red table wine {we use Carlo Rossi}
2 shots Grenadine
8 shots Triple Sec
 1 8oz. tumbler of Orange Juice
All kinds of citrus fruit {we usually use oranges, lemons and limes -- but I know you can use grapes and apples, pretty much any fruit you like}
And, if we're feeling extra fun, a little bit of vodka

Mix it all together, and if you're feeling patient, let it sit all night.

You won't be disappointed!!

I Have a Confession to Make

So, you know how I ran my first half marathon? Yeah, well, I've been basking in pride at accomplishing my goal, that my expensive running shoes haven't touched pavement since March 28.

Whoops!

And, can I also mention that I've been eating like I was during training {minus the actual training}? Do you know what that means? My pre-race flat-ish stomach is no longer flat-ish, so much as rounding back out.

Whoops ... again!

But, J and I have decided that he {we} are going to do the Couch to 5K training.

Our little town does a 4th of July run every year, and we both want to run it. {We want to actually run it, unlike a couple of years ago when we signed up and woke up early the morning of, but J got "scared" because there might be storms...}. J wants to get back in shape and I think I'd like to maybe work on shaving a little time off of my usual pace.

from here

I'd run with Miley and her boyfriend, but they're so much deeper than the average person/couple and their runs are probably way more spiritual than what I'm used to ... {I know, what?!}

Happy Monday friends!

Payoff!

Since this is the only picture I have from this morning's half-marathon {sorry guys, I'm not SkinnyRunner}, I'm posting it with a little recap of the race. 

The gun went off at 8 am, and the girls I was going to run with took off! I knew there was no way I'd be able to keep up that pace, much less get back to my normal one if I ran that fast at the beginning so I lagged back.

I was feeling GREAT until about mile 11. I got a little crampy {I think I'd had too much water/gatorade -- is that even possible, or am I just making an excuse??} and I slowed down for a few, but I knew I didn't have far to go, so I kept pushing it. 

{By the way, my 10 mile time was 4 minutes faster than it was when I did that length training run!}

Then I saw the mile 12 marker and told myself I'd walk for 15-20 seconds. Uhh, then I saw that some of our friends were right next to that marker and there was no way I was going to walk right in front of them! Ha ... so I pushed a little farther and walked for 20 seconds and then picked it up again and ran to the finish. 

I ended up only a couple minutes behind one of the girls I started with and only about 20 seconds behind another one.

All in all, I feel really good about my first half. My time was about 2:07 -- I forgot to stop my Garmin, so I'm not sure what my exact time was, but I definitely pushed it in the end to stay under/at 2:07. 

The time has come

This Sunday is my very first half-marathon.

I've been training for {an absurd} 4 months or so. And, after running 10 miles {and feeling really great during and after}, I guess I'm ready.

I've been taking it easy this week {as my training guide said I should} and I've run a total of 9 miles.

Everyone that I talk to tells me that if I can do ten, I'll be fine. And, I have to say that I'm beyond glad that I'll have other girls to run with to encourage me and push me through the entire 13! Thanks guys! {I wish John could be there -- he has a bachelor party in OKC this weekend}

I know I've mentioned that this course is mostly downhill, but some of my friends have run it recently and said that those hills at the end are kinda killer. Ok, maybe not killer, but they're definitely hills and we'll definitely notice them.

Here's the elevation map of the course:

It's not Mount Everest, but let's be honest: Around mile 8 or 9 I'm not so sure I'll be too excited about climbing a couple hundred feet. And, if I'm being totally honest, I try to avoid hills if at all possible, so this should be interesting. Oh well, it's what I signed up for. 

I have my shoes, my Garmin, my dri-fit socks, my music and my Jelly Belly Energy beans and Gu {which I'm still not sure I'll take}. I plan on taking my camera, which means I'm planning on a race recap, complete with pictures! 

Wish me luck!

Random Thursday

• Do you read The Pioneer Woman's blog? She always has the best looking food on there. I've only ever made a couple of things that she's posted {stuffed mushrooms -- they were a hit!, and quesadillas -- I think she made shrimp, we made chicken}. The recipe I want to try the most is her macaroni and cheese. I am a sucker for mac & cheese. Anytime I see it on a menu, it's automatically one of my sides, or a first course, or desert, or my main meal, or all of the above.

Have you tried it? Or any of her other recipes?

• It's my birthday, which means I have birthday money. I already have a little bit of it earmarked for something I want for our bedroom.

See, I have these nasty {not really, but since I'm now 27 and I've had them since I was 19 or 20, I consider them nasty} plastic drawers that I keep my socks, underthings, pajamas, etc in. While I love that I've had them since living in the sorority house, I think it's time to move up to some grownup furniture.

I found this bookcase on target.com and I've loved it for months. My plan is to use the drawer on the bottom for said underthings and hopefully socks {if they'll fit} and then get some baskets for one or two of the lower shelves. Thus, eliminating the need for my nasty plastic drawers.

• Do you watch Young and the Restless? I've watched this soap for a really long time, but I recently {about a year ago} got back in to it and I DVR it every day. Can I tell you that it's getting gooood! If you don't know anything or don't care about this at all ... you can move on, but if you care, keep reading.

Adam, Victor's son, is in the midst of his life falling apart. All of Genoa City is figuring out all of his lies and misdeeds and he's finally having to answer some questions. And, finally, Sharon and Nick are figuring out that their baby is alive! I hate everything Adam did to all these people, but at the same time I feel bad for him. He loves Sharon, and I think he really wants to do good by her.

Anyway, I know it's a little crazy to be so into this show, but I can't help myself. It's really good, and I can't wait to see what happens with Adam next. And, when will Nick and Sharon figure out that Ashley's baby is actually their baby {conveniently named Faith, also}?

• Word on the street is that after this nice weather we're having this week, we'll be back to cold snaps and more "active" weather. Yes! {not.} I can handle rain -- in fact, I like a rainy day ... when I get to be at home. But if rainy weather comes along with colder temperatures, I'm not really going to be a fan. But, I do like the fact that rain is a sign that Spring is on the way!

What I really want is warm weather, and beers on a patio -- preferably on a day when I don't have to work. Thanks!

• I'm only a little over a week away from my first ever half-marathon. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I'll be running with some friends, and hopefully when we get to the hills {my nemesis ...} they can encourage me and push me through. I'm using my great 10-miler as inspiration for 13.1!!

Random Thursday {on Friday ... again}

As I mentioned last Thursday, things have been so crazy, and I really wanted to do a Random Thursday post yesterday, but it didn't happen. How about a Random Friday? Ok, cool, 'cause I was going to do it no matter what.

• I ran 10 miles yesterday. Yep, 10 miles, in one workout. And, although it took me about 6 minutes longer than I wanted, I'm ecstatic that I did all 10. Also, I felt great the entire run. No problems, not out of breath and my legs were great. After yesterday, I'm getting really excited about my first half-marathon!

Unfortunately, I haven't quite mastered the idea of charging my garmin after every run, so I had to just my iPhone app, Runkeeper. I like the app fine, but I really prefer my garmin -- I just think it's more accurate. Not to self: charge your Garmin after each run.

• I've been to Walgreens and the grocery store a couple times this week, and all of that glorious Easter candy has been calling my name. I was able to resist, until yesterday. I had to pick up a prescription from Walgreens, and I couldn't take it anymore. I had to have a Reese's PB egg. It was amazing, and honestly, I could go for another one now. {Uhh, there are 170 calories in that thing. It was worth it yesterday -- hello, 10 miles! -- but not so sure it should happen again...}

mmmmmmmmm!

• I love shoes {honestly, who doesn't?} and I would really love a pair of fabulous shoes! Any would do -- Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Chloe, Giuseppe Zanotti ... I could go on. Here are a couple of the Loubs I'm crushing on {honestly, if I'm paying that much for shoes, I just want a classic pair that will last me forever. I can go crazy on the second pair.}

Nude Patent Platform {$625}

Black Crescent-toe Pump {$695}

There are many other pairs that I love, but these are the only two I had the patience to post the picture, name and price. For more from the CL classic line, go here. 

• John's brother and I were talking last night, and we figured out that there's something going on every weekend until the end of April. I'm talking birthdays, half-marathons, trip places, Easter and other things I can't think of right now. Anyway, times are crazy, but I'm glad we're entering Spring!! Bring on the warm weather and eating on patios!

HMT: Update

I'm on my last week of half workouts before I'm supposed to run the race. And, since the Ardmore race is about four weeks away, I'm doing really well.

I ran 9 miles this weekend, and I'm so proud of my pace and ability to finish!

I had plans to do my long run on Sunday {as usual}, but the weathermen were preaching all-day rain, so I had to do a quick change of plans and run on Saturday. I'm really glad I did. Even though it didn't rain all day, it was definitely colder on Sunday and the wind was a little fiercer.

Anyway, onto how my run went.

I ate the Jelly Belly energy beans before my run {like usual}. I love those! I think they work really well. I can feel the energy they give me before I even hit the pavement. By about mile 6.5 or so, I thought I'd try a Gu. I've been really hesitant to try these because I have a serious issue with food texture and the fact that they're gels worried me.

So, I stopped {and stopped my Garmin thankyouverymuch} and opened the Gu. I sucked down half of the berry flavored Gu and I almost gave it all back. It took all that I had to keep it down.

Although I had issues with the texture, it tasted fine and it definitely helped out my energy and was probably a big help in getting me through all 9 miles.

I've been taking a water bottle with me on my long runs, too. I'm really trying to get used to eating and drinking while I run, because I know I'll need to do that during the actual race.

So, I finished 9 and I couldn't have been much happier with my pace and time. I kept my pace at 9:20 {which I haven't really been able to do on my long runs recently -- I usually slow down when I get past 5 miles}, so I think I have the Gu to thank for that. And I'm thinking if I can keep my pace at 9:20 during the actual race, I can run a sub-2 hour half. Yes! But, this half isn't about time or pace, it's about finishing. I have a goal of running a half-marathon and as long as I cross the finish line, no matter my time, I will have accomplished my goal.

Anyway, I have a 10 miler this weekend, and then I think, since I still have a couple weeks until the race, I'm going to try to get as close to 13 as possible.

HMT: Update

Last Sunday was my 5 mile run. I had run 5 miles on the treadmill {during our coldsnap} and thought there wouldn't be a problem doing it outside.

Oh boy... Turns out I had a problem. I was at probably 4.25 miles and my legs just wouldn't go anymore. I had to stop and walk for a couple minutes. And, even though I walked some, I ended up finishing my 5 miles strong. But, the fact that I had to walk really hit me hard.

If I have to walk when I'm doing a 5 mile run, how am I ever going to be able to finish 13?

I did my training all week {4 on Tuesday, 2 on Wednesday and 4 on Friday} and I knew that I had 6 mile run coming up today.

Well, on Friday for my 4-miler, I tried a little trick I saw on a running website. At about 2.5 or 3 miles, I popped a peppermint in my mouth and I had the.best.run! I was ecstatic! I know four miles isn't really that much, but after being so bummed about my 5 miles on Sunday, this was awesome!

So, today, I had my 6-miler slated.

We went to a {super fun} 30th birthday party last night, and I was a little worried that my 2 glasses of sangria and beer drinking was going to hinder my run.

NOPE!! I ate some energy beans {I tried the fruit punch flavor} about 30 minutes before and put another pack of them in my pocket {along with my trusty peppermint}. Again, when I was around 2.5 miles in, I popped in my peppermint and I really got into a rhythm!

I finished my 6 miles and jogged for another 3-5 minutes!

This is so exciting for me and I really think that I'm on my way to figuring out what will work best for my on my long runs!

Running: A Pro/Con

I know this blog has been a bit running-obsessed recently, but what can I say. I'm training for a half-marathon, what else should I be focused on?? Yes, you guessed it, nothing.

So, in honor of my newest obsession, I'm doing a bit of a pro/con of running.

Without further ado, here's my list.

PROS:
•It's a killer workout. I ran 4 miles this morning and burned around 400 calories! Talk about killer
•When done in the morning, it really gets my metabolism going {hello extra snacks!}. I love being able to sneak in a few extras when I know I've done my workout.
•The feeling of accomplishing a long run at a great pace is like nothing else! I feel so proud of myself when I can check off my daily training.

CONS:
•It's a killer workout. While running x amount of miles sounds easy, it's infinitely harder than anyone thinks. On Sunday I was doing my 5 mile long-run and after running for what I felt like was a significant amount of time, I checked my Garmin. I'd only run 2.75 miles. I thought for sure I'd run 3.5 miles. That was a bit of a setback. But, perseverance won out, and I finished my 5 miles.
•My feet are not for faint of heart. Yeah, running's great and all, but I couldn't consciously wear open-toed shoes. I'd love to get a pedicure, but honestly, who wants to deal with the running aftermath that are my feet?
•The cold weather. Ok, so that's not really a con of running. But, getting out there and running my allotted distance is tough enough, but throw in morning temperatures in the 20s, with even colder wind chills and getting out of bed to run in that? Tough.

All in all, I think the pros definitley outweight the cons and maybe that's why I'm crazy and have decided to run two halves! I'm committed and plan on doing my 6-mile long run on Sunday.

HMT: Update

Let me tell ya, last week was not my best training effort. Despite my own personal guilt, I think {it's true, I can't really remember} I only ran on Tuesday.

I told myself I'd run. I even took my workout gear to Dallas so I could hop on one of the treadmills that LT's apartment complex offers, but nope. Didn't happen.

So, this week, I know I need to get back on the training train {ha!}, but the weather doesn't seem to want to cooperate. As trusty Gary England said tonight on the news, the Arctic barn door is open {I know, what?} and won't shut until at least Sunday.

The low tomorrow morning? 20ish, with a windchill of 6...ish. Wednesday morning is pretty much the same, but Thursday...oh Thursday. This is when it gets really interesting.

See, Thursday has decided to throw us a little high of, oh, around 18. And I think, I think, the winds are going to be in the 30 mph range. Suuuhhhweeet!

So, what does all this meteorology talk mean? It means my training has moved from morning outdoor workouts to their evil stepsister of afternoon inside workouts. It always seems to happen that when I have to wait until 4:30 or 5 to get on the treadmill, I'm way less likely to do it. Ugh!

Wish me luck. I hope the damn barn door shuts. And soon. Thank you.

HMT: Update

Today was my second time to step up my distance.

I haven't been the best at keeping up with my training since Blizzard '09 hit OK just before Christmas. I told myself I would definitely run on Thursday...that didn't happen. I told myself I would definitely run on Friday...that didn't happen. And then I told myself that I would for sure do pilates for my cross-training on Saturday...that didn't happen. {Noticing a pattern here??}

So, my 5-miler was scheduled for today. I wasn't going to let that slip by, so I hit the treadmill. I would have certainly preferred to try my hand at 5 miles outside, but the snow/ice was really cramping my style.

I ran with Real Housewives of NYC on the tv, which provided enough distraction that I didn't even see my distance until 4.5 miles. Yes! I made the full 5 and I couldn't be more proud {well, I could if I'd ran outside, but that didn't happen, so I'm proud of my 5 treadmill miles}.

Now that I have my Garmin, I'm kinda chomping at the bit to get outside and work with it! Maybe by next Sunday {and my next 5-miler} I'll have dry roads to run on!

Looks like I'm really on my way to running that half-marathon!!

HMT: Update

I'm on week 4 of my HM training, and I think things are going swimmingly runningly {not funny? sorry}. I've done the first two weeks of the training twice each, and I'll do my final 4-mile long run this Sunday.

I have to say that I'm a bit nervous about upping my distance, but I know I can do it. Everytime I mention to other runners that I'm going to run a half, they are so encouraging, and let me tell ya...it goes a long way.

With the weather turning much colder {especially in the last few days...} and the winds picking up {seriously, Oklahoma, what is WITH the winds?} running outside isn't really my favorite daily activity. But, I'm thinking I'll have to just suck it up and do it, since I'm potentially pushing up my the date of my first official half.

No, I'm not creating my own Montgomery-sponsored race, I'm really thinking about doing a run before the OKC Memorial.

Some friends of ours live in Ardmore, and there's a 5k, half and full-mary from the Arbuckle mountains into Ardmore. Uhh, I checked out the course for the race, and it's mostly straight and mostly downhill {perfect for my first half, doncha think?}. Anyway, it'd be fun to run with friends, spend the weekend with friends, and accomplish my first half...with friends {didn't see that one coming, did ya?}.

Interested in a fabulous March run from the Arbuckles into Ardmore? Go here. Not interested? Go here or here or here.

Half-Marathon Training (HMT): Week 1

My first week of training for a half-marathon has come and gone, not without a bit of stress and blood, sweat and tears.

My plan is to do my week 1 training twice, since Thanksgiving would be in the middle of week 2 (and, let's be honest, Austin is entirely too hilly for my fragile week 2 status). So, for my first week, my long run was 4 miles. I know it's not some cross-country trek, but it's longest I've ever run outside and I was definitely nervous.

But, it went great! I ran my first mile on the track behind our house, then my usual 3 mile route. I think I went a little (uhh...like .2) farther than 4 miles! And, by the end, I kind of felt like I had more energy to run further. Bring on the 13.1 now!

The only thing I need to work on is my "stretch & strengthening" and my choices of cross-training activities. My only option at this point is walking, but I'd like to get a bike to do some of them. We'll see...my parents have some old bikes at home, but is it worth it to refurbish one of those or would it be better to buy a new one?

I'll get back to you on that one. And, I'll keep you posted my training!

Christmas on the run

It's no secret that I'm into running, and I'm really working on getting myself more training-friendly.

With Christmas around the corner {no, seriously, it's sooner than you think...no...seriously}, I've found a few things that would make this whole running thing a little easier {well not so much easier, as keep me a little better informed/dryer/warmer}.

This is a Garmin wristwatch, and I found it on amazon.com (here) for $148 (but I'm not sure how long that low low price will last. It's regularly $299) Can I just say that I had no idea these kinds of things existed. Sure, I knew you could have a Garmin for your car, but a watch? This would make tracking mileage much easier than timing myself and then hopping in my car to watch my odometer while I drive the course I just ran. Who knew!

There are cheaper ones available, but if I'm going to go for it, I may as well, go for it.

I already have one of these in purple and I love it! I seriously have to wash it all.the.time since it's my favorite one to wear. It's from Target, and since we all love Target {including me} and their fab sales, you know this one will be cheap. Right now you can find them for $16.99

Then there are these cute side-tie capri running tights. I'd probably prefer some long pants {with the weather on its way to being cold}, but I found these on sale at nordstrom.com for $32.90.

Here are a couple of examples of what I'm looking for in running tights. These aren't on sale, and I know I could find some cheaper ones {I'm a bit lazy today}, but I like UnderArmour ones a lot. Both are from nordstrom.com and the UA ones are $59.99 and the Nike ones are $50.

There you have it...a couple things that could really enhance my running, as well as my half-marathon goal.