The Two Month Countdown

61 Days To Go

Tomorrow marks the official two month mark for the big day. My excitement continues to grow as I knock out my long runs each week. As I wrapped up Sunday's run I really wanted to do it all over again just to prove I could handle the increased distance. However, the overly rational side of me took over and I realized I must stick to the program and gradually increase. One thing I haven't shared is my huge fear of injury between now and November. Much like my fear of passing out while crossing the street and someone stealing my cutie pie, leaveing me for a speed bump - I also have a small paranoia related to injury. So I stretch, stretch, stretch like a little Olympic gymnast doing her floor routine (pretend with me) and I follow my training program like I follow a recipe when baking. I measure twice, follow each step closely, and curse throughout the process. Much like baking, in the end I have a HUGE mess to clean up (seriously, I'm talking batter on the ceiling light fixture), but I also have great satisfaction in my accomplishment. My house is living proof of this. When I noticed that my sweet baby boy's jammies looked like this after spending a half hour or so playing on the floor before bedtime, I knew it was time to break out the Shark steam mop and quit complaining about being tired. Bad mom!
My run with the hydration belt was a success, but not without a few adjustments which can be expected when adapting to a new piece of gear. First of all, if you have never ran with one of these, be prepared for a tight fit. If you don't cinch it very snugly around your waist, it will bounce. After a little playing with it throughout the first mile though I was able to stabilize it and find a comfortable fit. It was fairly easy to retrieve while running, but being the most uncoordinated person in the world that I am, I always have to stop and walk briskly while I down a few swigs of water. Otherwise, my chin and chest area simply get a refreshing drench and I remain thirsty and discombobulated trying to continue running (and I thought motherhood had allowed me to perfect the art of multi-tasking). One other adjustment for me, which is simply another mind quirk, is that between songs on my Ipod I could hear the water swish while I pounded the pavement and it completely took me out of my zone (like nails on a chalkboard, just one of those things). No big deal though. A little humming to myself while Fergie stepped in for Madonnna and I was just fine. Overall, it was a definite worthwhile investment. And if you are coordinated and non-quirky (aka: normal), then I think it would be a winner for anyone running over 5+ miles. It also has a convenient pouch area where I was able to stash my cell phone and a handful of energy beans. I am thrilled with my purchase and if you are in the market for hydration gear - check out Amphipod. They have a great variety of functional choices and I have my eye on a new Ipod arm band from them next.

Highlight of Last Week: I just ate an insanely good chicken burrito with an avocado ranch sauce from a local hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. While I am posting this on Monday, it totally cancels out the calories I burned during at least one of last week's run - so I am counting it as last week's highlight.

Lesson of Last Week: No matter how much you practice, coordination is not a learned trait. And even though I love to dance, I will never be good at it.

Power Song of last Week: For Your Entertainment by Adam Lambert. Never did I ever think I would be posting an Adam Lambert song as my power song but the beginning of this song just pumps me up. "So hot, out the box, can we pick up the pace? Turn it up, heat it up, I need to be entertained. Push the limit, are you with it, baby don't be afraid. I'm gonna hurt you real good..." Okay, where are my running shoes?

68 Days To Go

68 Days To Go

Where is the time going? Sixty-eight days to go...wowzers. I still remember typing my first post back in the beginning of May for this blog and thinking how long 200 days was. My, my, my, how time flies. Fast-forward 132 days and here I am confirming hotel reservations, choosing my running "attire" for the big day (the important things, y'know), and realizing this is real and I am in this for the long haul. The 13.1 mile LONG haul - run, walk, or crawl.

A bit of bad news I haven't shared yet is that it is looking more and more like I am running this half on my own, minus the team that emerged after I made my announcement I was training for the half. Most of my friends/teammates had to bow out, and not without good reason. Pregnancy, stress fractures, medical school - I suppose they are all legitimate excuses, right? (Smile.) Now, don't get me wrong - I am disappointed, but I had prepared for this. I went it in this challenge alone and I am prepared to finish alone. This is my journey. I am happy to share this journey, but I can't let it go. I'm attached. I'm committed.

In good news, this past week I discovered a fitness group called Stroller Strides. Do you have one of these in your area? Okay, I'll be honest, I heard about this group a while back but completely underestimated it. I pictured a group of ladies leisurely strolling around pushing jogging strollers, sipping lattes, with an occasional power walk mom-march weaved in. Not the case. This group focuses on interval training - running from one station to another where resistance training, plyometrics, and body strength conditioning take place before running to the next station. This has been a great addition to my schedule on cross-training and stretch and strengthen training days. Not to mention, I get to enjoy a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico during evening classes and some optimal window shopping at the local outdoor mall during the morning classes. You know how I feel about things that involve shopping!

After this week is over I will be moving on to Week Five in the Hal Higdon training (I have done each week twice before progressing to the next). I keep hoping the Fall weather will arrive early before I get into these 7, 8, 9 (oh, it keeps going) runs that I am staring at in my very near future.

Here's last week's recap:

Highlight of Last Week: Realizing I can not wait any longer - it's time to start shopping for hydration belts or some other means of hydration for long runs. I've hit the milestone where hydration is necessary....and I get to shop!

Lesson of Last Week: Don't underestimate and/or be afraid to give new things a try. If you don't like it, don't do it again. I love the addition of the Stroller Strides classes to my training schedule. I should have tried it sooner.

Power Song of Last Week: Rock That Body by Black Eyed Peas. What can I say? I love me some Black Eyed Peas.

Talk Like A Runner

95 Days To Go

Ninety-five days to go (I am saying this aloud right now), ninety-five days to go. Unreal. This challenge is almost half over and I am in shock that the end (or rather, the start line) is in sight. However, I feel more dedicated now that I have ever been. As always, I work best under pressure and progress most when my back is against the wall. I just keep moving!

I am still following good old Hal's plan. I am officially in week two (did week one and two 2x before moving on to week three). Week Three, which starts next week, is an actual progression since week one and two were duplicates.

On another note, I have been intrigued (and a skosh confused) by the runner chatter I have been exposed to lately. I realized that I need to educate myself a bit on some running terms in an effort to build my runner perception and talk like a runner.

For you seasoned vets, correct me if I am mistaken and feel free to clarify. For my fellow wannabes out there who want to chime in on the running conversations and sound like we are worthy of sporting our Garmin, running skirts, and other sprint-worthy swag, here's what I researched and found.

TEMPO RUN

What I thought this was: A run in which you found that perfect running song to keep you be-bopping and trotting at a 10-minute mile or less pace.

What it actually is: According to Merriam-Webster, this is a run where you run at a steady pace at 70-80% of your max. aerobic capacity. Tempo runs are just past the point where you begin to build up waste product in your legs at a rapid rate during your runs, which is referred to as the lactate-threshold velocity.

My afterthought: Huh? Well, I was close...I think.

INTERVAL PACE

What I thought this was: An opportunity to take a break. Walk a bit, catch your breath, and return to running.

What it actually is: According to best-running-tips.com, interval pace is faster than your lactate-threshold pace. It is a pace which will leave you out of breath. Not quite an all-out attempt, but close.

My afterthought: Sounds dreadful....and like me when I reach the end of my long run every Sunday morning.

RUNNING CADENCE

What I thought this was: A really cool pair of running shoes

What it actually is: according to best-running-tips.com, this is the way you run. Do you run like a gazelle or an elephant? One is more efficient than the other. It refers to footsteps per minute. (There is an entire math equation that goes along with this ,but it's late folks and I just want an idea of what this jibber-jabber means. I'll learn specifics when I start using these terms in a sentence.)

My afterthought: Hmmmm.....I think I may run like an elephant?

Okay, that's it for tonight. Tune in for more 'Talk Like A Runner 101' soon. And chime in if you have some ideas (or some other translation of this greek-speak).

Highlight of Last Week: Hubs is home! Hubs is home! My family is together again.

Lesson of Last Week: School is back in session and taking my usual running route by the elementary school is now more like a game of duck-and-weave between crossing guards, mini-vans, and adorable pint-sized people balancing themselves with their oversized backpacks. Time to explore some new routes.

Power Song of Last Week: I am back to rocking my tried and true Lenny Kravitz Where Are We Runnin? It's too perfectly appropriate.

Striving to be a Shredhead

104 Days To Go

Just wanted to post a quick wrap-up of last week. It was my second week of the Hal Higdon program and while I am still fighting heat advisories and my infinite lack of sleep syndrome, I'm happy to boast that I finished my week strong. I am, however, especially looking forward to my stretch and strengthen day tomorrow.

I have been using the Jillian Michaels The Shred DVD for my strength training. A few months ago when little monkey was too young to go to the gym with me I was taking a sunset stroll in one my of my favorite therapeutic spots (that's Target, of course) and I strolled through the fitness department as I always do for some inspiration. I picked up the DVD and thought - hey, twenty minutes. I can handle that. Whew! Well, let's just say I was painfully surprised. Don't let that twenty minutes fool you. That Jillian is intense! In that mere 1200 second time span I am panting, grunting, and realizing that I need to vacuum a bit better as I try to distract myself from eating the rug during push-ups. I have yet to complete the workout and not be sore the next day. In even more interesting Shred talk, Run Like A Mother authors recently highlighted a couple of self-proclaimed couple of "Shred Heads" who have documented their loyalty to the uber-aggressive (and obviously effective) tyrant. Their stories were pretty compelling and made me a bit more confident in removing the Yo-Gabba-Gabba DVD that rests rather permanently in my DVD player and pop in The Shred at least a few days a week.

Highlight of the Week: Two days of impending morning thunderstorms made way for a quite delightful breeze to cut through the 90+ degree heat. Oh, and how could I forget, Athena is back!

Lesson of the Week: Baby slobber will ruin your Blackberry. Even when it is your last tool in your arsenal to avoid grocery store meltdowns, don't give in. Another technical devestation on the homefront. Lesson learned.

Power Song of the Week: Hot-n-Fun by N.E.R.D (featuring Nelly Furtado). Download it. You will run.

Next week's training is the same as the first (see "116 Days To Go"). Wish me luck!

What's For Dinner?

107 Days To Go

107 Days to go...in just one week I will officially be leaving the triple digit countdown and entering the world of double-digits. It's beginning to feel less exciting and a bit scary. Is this normal? The second month of my Hal Higdon training is going well thus far, but I am beginning to shake in my boots at the thought of 13.1 miles in approximately three months. My farthest run to date is still only six miles. However, I am going to stick to the program and remain faithful that I will progress steadily in these remaining weeks. We will soon see...

On the weight loss front, I am happy to report I have 10 pounds left before I may actually be able to slip into a pair of my pre-pregnancy jeans! May I possibly be soon saying good-bye to my legging collection? It will be a bittersweet farewell and I have a fond appreciation for those stretchy little suckers that bring it all in and smooth it on out (or give the illusion of doing so). However, as they have been my staple clothing item for the last year, I think I will be just fine saying adios.

As you may know from earlier blog posts, I have been following the Joy Bauer diet outlined in her book Your Inner Skinny that she kindly sent me back in the beginning of this 200-day challenge. I am human and I have had my slip-ups (Oh, sweet Bohemian conch fritters. If you are wrong, I don't want to be right.) Although, for the most part I have followed the plan accordingly. Honestly, it hasn't been hard. I am not depriving myself of any food groups. Bread and cheese still have a very strong presence in my life. However, I have taught myself the importance of portion control and seeking that "full" feeling from healthier choices like veggies and water. There are tons of dinner choices on the plan, but I seem to be a creature of habit and when I find something I like, I stick with it. Five months ago, this was a slice of thick-crust four cheese pizza from the new Italian bistro just down the street from my house . Now it is my turkey burger dinner happily prepared by the always loyal, George Foreman. This consists of a turkey burger with sauteed mushrooms and onions, a slice of low-fat cheddar cheese and topped with baby spinach leaves (which I put on everything). If I'm in a hurry, I skip the sauteed veggies and use salsa instead. Throw it on Mr. Foreman and in about ten minutes, dinner is served! My other staple that I have mentioned in earlier posts is the vegetable stew that I eat with each dinner. I prepare a week's worth or more and then freeze it in individual two-cup portions. Since playing single-mom usually means my nights consist of catching up on grading and housework after the monkey goes to bed (and trying to squeeze at least five hours of sleep in), these easy go-to meals have been a lifesaver...and waist trimmer.

Do you have any go-to healthy meals you rely on?