First Long Run of Training...DONE!

Since this week was my first official week of training, today called for the first long run of 8 miles.

I had prepared myself for this run all week and thought I was ready until I woke up to 20 degree weather and icy roads.

As much as I REALLLY did not want to run 8 miles on the treadmill, I was willing to suffer in return for comfort and safety....Until I went down to the gym and every. single. treadmill. was taken. I guess everyone had the same idea as me.

I took this as a sign. I ran back up to the apartment, threw on my running tights, my warmest jacket, gloves, and a hat and braved the elements.

Hell, I'm in Denver now, I may as well suck it up and get tough! When in Rome right?

After getting out I was so glad that I had made that decision. Not only did I feel like a feakin bad ass treakin it through the snow, but it turned out to be not as cold as I had imagined it would be. I even had to take off my gloves and a layer half way through the run!

I ended up getting in 8.5 miles in about 1 hour and 10 minutes. I'll take it. Considering I had to seriously slow down through most of the run, because I almost ate concrete at least 5 times. One of those times being right in front of the office of our apartment complex where the cute runner guy works and was sitting at his desk. Damn. So much for being smooth. Good thing I have a boy that loves me even though I am an extreme nerd. :)

In other news, last night was the boy's mom's 60th BIRTHDAY! The whole family went out to dinner and then to Cirque Du Soliel, which was Michael jackson themed. oh yeah!

And what is a 60th birthday without a ginormous birthday hat?

And here is a shot of the whole fam at dinner, love these guys:

It was definitely a fun night! Now I am off to relax and finish up this Broncos game! Tomorrow I start my new teaching job, wish me luck! Im a little nervous!!

In it to win it

New year, new job, new challenge.

Thats right. I finally am going to venture into my career choice (you know that one that I spent about 6 years getting a masters degree in.) I was offered a teaching job last week and will be starting on Monday! I can not wait and I think that its a great step in the right direction.

I also kind of jumped the gun and quit my other job, so I have had sort of a weeks vacation. Which has been perfect because this week I officially started training for marathon #2, with the goal of achieving a BQ this time! Not sure if its possible, but I'm sure as hell gonna try! :)

Here is my week in training thus far:

Monday: Easy run (6 miles, avg. 8:30 pace)

Tuesday: Intervals (20 min warm up at 8:30 pace, then 20 minutes of alternating 1 min=7:30 pace 1 min=8:30 pace, then 20 min cool down at 8:30 pace)

Wednesday: Easy run (5.1 miles at 8:30 pace)

Thursday: Weight training and Easy run (4 miles at 8:30 pace)

Friday: Rest

Tomorrow will be an interval run and Sunday will be my first long run. I am going to play it by ear, but I'm aiming for 8 miles.

So far I am off to a pretty good start. My goal pace for the marathon will be about 8:15-8:30, and my comfortable pace is about 8:30 right now, so I'm feeling pretty good! Hopefully it will continue to improve!!

Another thing I have done with my week off is a little DIY project that I'm quite proud of:

I have been wanting to make one for forever and finally decided to take matters into my own hands. Next project will be one for my race bibs! And if you guys are interested in a tutorial on how to make one yourself let me know and I will post it! Its super easy!

What is everyone doing this weekend? Any race plans?

Spring Training and Racing Schedule

So I know I've been somewhat of a stranger lately. You know that whole grad school, full time job, full time kid..err..boyfriend. Those things take up A LOT of time. Who knew?!
I'm definitely getting the itch to start training again. Too bad the weather here is pretty much going to be below freezing until who knows when, and I FREAKIN hate the treadmill! I did throw on my bad-ass-ness yesterday though and plunge into the freezing weather for a nice little run.
I was worried that my speed may have declined a little, since I'm not officially training right now. But I was pretty surprised with my splits!

• Mile 1: 8:02
• Mile 2: 8:06
• Mile 3: 7:54
• Mile 4: 7:50
• Mile 5: 7:52
• Mile 6: 8:16

Total Miles: 6 in 48:05
Not too bad em, not too bad.


I will say that the one thing that I like about running is cold weather is the gear. Here are some of my favorite things to where when the temperature drops.

Nike Element Jacket. I got mine last year at TJ Maxx for a steal! And it is always my go to jacket when I run in colder weather.

Mizuno Running Tights. These things are the best! They feel like you are hardly wearing anything at all because they move so well, yet they keep me warm and toasting in the CO weather. PLUS they are my favorite color (purple) and the boy says I look like a pro when I wear them!

Fleece earwarmers. They have a variety of colors at Wal-mart for $3, not kidding.

I also really like this app from Runner's World. You just give a little info, like the temperature, wind, etc. and they will suggest what to wear for your run. I also read once that you should always dress for 20 degrees warmer when you are running, because that is how much your body temperature goes up. I generally find this to be a good rule of thumb.

As far as training and more races, I have a few cooked up for the spring. So far for sure I'm doing the Colorado Marathon and attempting to get a BQ from this one. Its in May, so come January I'll be training my ass off for that time!

I have a few other races on the agenda, such as a Turkey Trot (of course), a few halfs, and maybe a relay. so stay tuned!


P.S. If any of your girls reading this are from Colorado, or think you may want to join a team for the Wild West Relay, go to the website: www.wildwestrelay.com, check it out, and leave me a comment or send me an email telling me you are interested. I really think it would be awesome to get some bloggers together to do this! Plus you need 12 people on a team, and I just don't know that many people around here that are THAT into running.

Halloween and Football

This weekend was filled with fun "fall" type events. On Saturday I finally decided what I was going to be for Halloween:

Black Swan!!
 
Among my friends were a soccer player, Keith Stone, and a Geisha

Pilot and Keith Stone, again
 

After partying all night for Halloween we woke up the next morning and hiked to Sports Authority Stadium for my very first pro football game
 

Ready for the game!
 
We had amazing seats! 14 rows up from the field!


This was the boy's favorite part...the cheerleaders

Pretty fun weekend, and now its time to get back to work.
Happy Halloween everyone!!
What are you dressing up as?

You guessed it!

After carefully tallying all of the votes and taking into consideration all sides, we have a clear winner...
It was a landslide win for pumpkin #1

Who carved this work of genius you ask?....

Yes, I guess you could say my pumpkin trumped pumpkin #2

On the running front I have been DYING to do another race! I loved all of your suggestions from a couple of posts ago. I looked into some relays and this one seems pretty freakin cool...
 
Its not until August, but that would give me plenty of time to get a team together. Anyone wanna join?!
I also would LOVE to do the Vegas Half Marathon, like ALOT of you are doing. My roommate is actually going to be in Vegas that weekend, so I might just try to make it happen, we will see. 
And now I leave you with the most important question of all....
What in the world should I be for Halloween?!!!

You Be the Judge

Tonight was the second annual pumpkin carving contest between the boy and I. We already went through two rounds of judging..and now its your turn!

So take a look at the two jack-o-lanterns that we whipped up last and tell me which one you like best...

Contestant #1:

Contestant #2:

Ok, make your decision. Contestant #1 or #2. We have a little bit going on to see who will win this round of judging ;) I'll let you know whose is whose after you vote!

First Award on My New Blog

I was pretty pumped when I was browsing through blogs this morning and came across Happy Healthy Runner's blog. This is because she had tagged me in her post to receive this award:

So here is what this award entails, according to Happy Healthy Runner's Post:

1.  Thank the person who gave you the award and provide a link to their post.  CHECK!
2.  Share seven things about yourself.
3.  Award this award to 15 recently discovered blogs

So here it goes, seven things about myself...because I know that you are DYING to know more about me! ;)

1. I have THREE tattoos...where you ask? I'll keep that a surprise for now ;) But one of them does have to do with running.

2. My all time favorite food is toast and jelly. Im not kidding. I could LIVE on this. And I also like to mix up the jelly flavors too. You know. Keep life interesting.

Image found here

3. I am SO ADD that I can barely sit through a movie without wanting to get up. The only movies that can hold my attention for longer than about an hour are scary movies.

4. Speaking of scary movies, Halloween is my all-time favorite holiday. I love the costumes, haunted houses, candy, and carving pumpkins.

Image found here

5. I have never once broken a bone, nope not ever.

6. I only own two pairs of jeans. I never wear them! Its dresses and skirts in the summer and leggings and tights in the winter. Hey, once you get used to the elastic waist, its hard to go back!

7. My family has their own gospel band. Yep. They are called the Harvey's. Google it.

15 Blogs that you should read NOW:

1. Miss Erosion
2. Southern Girl Running
3. Chic Runner
4. The Skipping Pixie
5. Lilly's Running Momma
6. Workout Warrior
7. Cynthia's Adventures
8. Neon Blonde Runner
9. The Health Nut
10. Once Upon A Lime
11. Wealth is Health
12. Bety Bliss
13. Confessions of a Fitness Instructor
14. Blonde Ponytail
15. Mandi with an I

Alright girls! Go for it!!!