Closing the books for April

I went out for a short recovery run yesterday after school since the weather was cooperating. (If you want to hear a funny story ... ask me what the weather is predicting for Friday, May 2nd, 2008!) The run got cut a bit shorter as my right calf was still tight from my long run. I woke this morning with no soreness and planned to run a nice Fartlek this afternoon. Check. After the run, I was a little sore. I probably did too much mileage in the past week and a half after a week and a half off. Oops. I lifted a bit, focusing on my legs ... and then off to spin I was ... testing out my new cycling shoes!

LoVeD them! It's a completely different world!

Where the heck did April go? I have made the executive decision that I will be cashing in yet another rest day on the last day of April. With that ... the numbers are in for April ...

APRIL OVERALL:
OSN: 5600M ...............goal was 8000M
OCN: 48.07 miles .......goal was 65 miles
ORN: 45.26 miles .......goal was 50 miles

I didn't make any of my goals for the month of April, but I thought this was pretty productive considering the fact that I only worked out 15 days this month. Eeks. That will be different next month .. fo really reals. The weather is getting nicer ... I gots me a new bike ... no excuses! .... and .....

GOALS FOR MAY ...
OSN: 8,000M
OCN: 80 miles
ORN: 60 miles


Finish strong, y'all!


Yesterday's Workout:
ORN: 2.11 miles, 26:12 minutes, 12:25 min/mile

Today's Workout:
ORN: 2.76 miles, 30 minutes, 10:52 min/mile
OCN: 21.87 miles, 57 minutes, 23mph

I did my part!

We all know that the extra $600 us tax-payers are receiving is given to us in hopes that it will boost the economy. That being the money should be spent, not saved, not used to pay off credit cards, etc.

Well, I have had that dollar amount in the back of my mind for a couple months now, knowing exactly how I wanted to SPEND it.

And that is exactly what I did today. I did my part to boost our economy and SPENT it ... before I actually received it, but it's all the same, right?!

What did I spend it ALL on, might you ask?

Well ... here it is!


I paid off the rest of my bike I had on lay-away ....

....and purchased the following:

...clipless pedals, Shimano cycling shoes (which will work for both my bike and spin bike), helmet, bike shorts, under armour cycling socks, gloves, a little pack to fit under my seat (that contains an extra tire, CO2 container, adapter to fill tires, and a tool to put a new tube on my tire), 1 water bottle holder (for now), water bottle, and a Polar monitor. ... as I got a discount on every accessory.

I am in LOVE.

I just need to find a good name for her. Him? Her? He? She?

Now I just spent a good 5 minutes trying to get my shoes into the clipless petals. Struggled a bit, finally got one in, but then couldn't get the damn thing out! I had a small panic attack and quickly was thankful I wasn't out on the road. I will have to practice a bit more before heading out.

I can't wait to joing a riding group that gathers Thursday nights and Sunday mornings at Scheels! They always go the speed and distance that the newest riders are most comfortable with!

The Weekender, Volume 2

Friday night was pretty low key. As much as I wanted to go out and share a few drinks with some friends, I ended up taking an early evening nap, probably almost 2 hours. Geeez, woman! I think I am getting old!

Saturday morning I was up early, filled my tummy with some oatmeal, dressed, peeked outside to see what Mother Nature had blessed us with again, and was soon off to the gym. Damn her. The roads were horrible and not cleared as it was still snowing. It was so deep in some areas that I felt the snow hitting the bottom of my car. Yuck. I barely made it into the parking lot.

The 10-miler. As much as I dreaded getting on the thrillmill for this, it ended up going pretty well. I was able to maintain a R4/W1 method, keeping my running pace right around the 11:15 min/mile. I sweated like a banshee... drank more tha 90 ounces of water, had a handful of sports beans, and drank a good amount of gatorade when I was finished. The last mile was a bit of a challange as my groin muscles felt a bit fatigued, my knees were getting a little sore, and my right calf was tight. I stretched a lot and downed a few ibuprophens before I even left the gym. As soon as I was home I iced my knees for a while and enjoyed a chocolate protein shake. Yummy!

This morning I headed into work for a few hours. Blech. I should have kept track of all the extra hours I have spent at school ... it's rediculous.

I had a good brick workout planned for this morning/afternoon. The pool is usually open for a couple hours prior to spin class. Note the word usually. Not today. Damnit! They were cleaning it. I wasn't going to go home just to come back in a couple hours for spin. So I canned the workout entirely. Probably not the best idea but my legs are a little sore, not bad though, from yesterday and I didn't want to run.

So what will I do with the rest of my day? Ah ha! Don't you worry about that! I have brought myself some work home to work on ... and I going to be making a jaunt over at our local Scheels today... check back later for details!

Yesterday's Workout: ORN: 10.20 miles, 2 hours 2 minutes, 11:57 min/mile

Finish Strong, y'all!

What does this mean?

So we got weather advisories posted across the television during Grey's Anatomy last night. We are supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow this evening and into Saturday morning, along with 33mph wind gusts and temps around 32 degrees that really feel like 15-19 degrees. I swear I am living in the buttcrack of the Midwest.

What does this mean? This chica will be doing her long run tomorrow morning ... at the gym ... on the thrillmill. It will be great! *note sarcasm*

I have managed to workout, following my schedule to a "T" without making any changes (which never happens), and get in 5 solid workouts in a row. All this after only working out a handful of times the two weeks prior.

What does this mean? I am taking a rest day today. I am tired. I will take advantage of the cold weather, stay indoors, watch a movie or some sports, finish my book, and try to catch up with y'alls blogs! *smiles*

I might even have myself a cold beer.

Yesterday's Workout:
BRICK
OCN: 8.01 miles, 32 minutes, 15.02 mph
ORN: 2.40 miles, 27 minutes, 11:15 min/mile

Squeezin' in the workouts

I was dragging all day at school today. My eyes were so tired and heaving this morning and my body just felt exhausted. Usually I am pretty good about getting enough sleep and feeling rested. I think my workouts this week (after a week off) have required my body to adjust a bit.

I could have opted for a rest day. But, instead I came home, took an hour nap and then hit the pool. I still have my goals for the month of April that I am trying to keep in mind (and very do-able despite the fact I took 3 days off last week and a week off before then).

I have been racking my brain and constantly changing my workout schedule for this week and next week, attempting to get in a couple long runs. Possibly a 10-miler and then a 11- or 12-miler next weekend. I am sure I am not the only one that would prefer to enjoy a nice long run outside ... rather than on the thrillmill. But, the weather hasn't been as cooperative as I would like. The colder temps are one thing, but the wind? That is a whole 'nother ball game. If anything, I might have to resort to doing a 5 or 6 mile run twice in one day ... on the thrillmill.

Yesterday's Workout:
ORN: 1.25 miles, 13 minutes, 10:24 min/mile
abs, lifted legs
OCN: 18.19 miles, 56 minutes, 19.48 mph

Today's Workout:
OSN: 1600M, 45 minutes, 2:48 min/mile
(a bit better than Monday's swim)

Finish Strong, y'all!

training taking a positive turn

Yesterday's run was about as bad as last wednesday's run. I was instantly over heating and constantly counting down the time. It was miserable. I wanted to be anywhere but on that damn thrillmill. I sucked it up and was off in 30 minutes.

Work this week is going to be crazy as I have a meeting everyday after school, and a variety at that. With that note, I was definitely ready to get my run/swim combo in tonight.

The run.. ... ..felt really good. In sync. Maybe it was because I was wearing these that I purchased on my trip. yeah... that definitely had to be it. I know there were others in that gym jealous of those. You like 'em?!? Come on... some one has to like them!

After a good solid run I had enough time to stretch really good which I have been neglecting for the past couple weeks. I also took advantage of the extra time a got in some ab work, as well as some super lifting on the arms.

Feel the burn.

Then, off to the pool. An experience in itself. So, I walk into the pool (of 4 lanes) to find all lanes open but one (yes!) .... and a male life guard. Damnit. I so wanted to let him know that I haven't swam in 2 weeks ... so don't judge me, but make sure I don't choke too much on water. In the far lane was my friend old man river, who I was afraid was going to drown. Poor guy, he's probably more fit than me. Within minutes all lanes were full and the guy to girl ratio was 6 to 1. That has never happened!

'nough said about that.

The swim came and went. What can I say? I really shouldn't take more than a 2 weeks vacation from the pool. Period. Lesson learned, I think.

Finish Strong, y'all.

Yesterday's workout:
ORN: 2.58 miles, 30 minutes, 11:37 min/mile

Today's workout:
ORN: 3.56 miles, 40 minutes, 11:14 min/mile
abs/lifted arms
OSN: 1000M, 30 minutes, 3:00 min/mile (ouch... very slow)

P.S. Tomorrow is Jess Day! You will HAVE to go wish her a big happy birthday!

The Weekender, Volume 1

School related...
When working in special education it's hard to be away from work. Preparing for a sub is more work than being there and you never know how the kids are going to be with the sub, especially with some students that are very needy as well as those who have some behavior issues. But, I think the kids were excited to see me back on Wednesday after my trip. They had a thousand questions for me. However, the kids were definitely pushing my buttons and testing my patience the last three days. I not only had to discuss with a student why a female has every right (and ability) to run for presidency, and how it makes him sound when he says he doesn't like the idea of a female president; I also had to explain the symbolism behind the Swastika he attempted to draw ... asking him to never draw it again. Gotta love fridays.

Triathlon issue....
It just so happens that the next triathlon I was planning on doing, the one in my home town, well ... it's the same weekend as a cousin's graduation party. So, I can either not attend the graduation party and head home to do a triathlon with no family to cheer me on, or go to the graduation party, waiting to do it next year.

Movies...
I will be honest. I don't usually spend a lot of time watching movies because I don't have the attention span or have a tendency to fall asleep during them. Plus, there are usually many games that could be watched on FSN or ESPN. But I did catch a couple this weekend. First, I saw No Country For Old Men. Odd movie. I wasn't too impressed its ending, or lack of. I also watched Alvin and the Chipmunks Movie. That was pretty cute.

Running funk....
Prior to heading to AZ I ran 2 days that week. This week I only ran 2 days. Both runs weren't very enjoyable, and it was extremely hot in the gym. So hot. I thought I was going to die. Besides those runs, I haven't done much of anything else this week. I am not looking forward to my half marathon, and more so, I am not looking forward to the next 4 weeks of training. My last longest run was close to 10 miles and I know I need to get another one in there, if not 2 ... any suggestions?

I hope all those who participated in races this weekend did a great job! I look forward to reading race reports!

Arizona ... the run-down

Good food was eaten, strong drinks were drank, a mountain was climbed, shopping was done, and we took in the the warmth and sunshine every moment we could. Here is a run-down of our wonderful long-weekend in Arizona.

Friday:
After our 7am flight being cancelled, we got reservations for the 11am flight. We woke friday morning to find that our 11am flight was delayed, but were able to catch the 12:00pm flight. Phew. We arrived in AZ around 1:30 their time. Pam, Steph's friend that we were staying with, took us to Tempe and we walked up and down Mill Avenue for a bit and then grabbed a snack and drink at La Bocca. We headed to Mesa, dropped off our bags and got ready for a fun night of food and dancing. We might have "pre-gramed" it a bit.

We joined a few of Pam's friends for dinner and drinks at the Cadillac Ranch. It was pretty good. We were planning on sticking around to ride the mechanical bull and do some line dancing, but it was still too early for that and headed acroos the street to a different location for some drinks and a lot of dancing. Good times were had by all!

Saturday:
After a late night of drinking and dancing, we slept in a bit and then headed to the pool to catch some sun. Steph and I enjoyed our books while Pam was studying her flashcards for her Boards exam. The pool was freakin' freezin. I put my feet in a few times to cool off, and then out of no where, Steph dove in. I thought she had lost her mind. Before I knew it, all three of us were in it cussing like crazy for how cold it was.

After a while in the sun, we made a nice lunch of shrimp and pasta. It was delish. We spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready and headed to Scottsdale. We did a bit of shopping in Old Town, and then headed to the Roaring Fork Restaurant for dinner. I give it two thumbs up. We enjoyed dinner on the open patio. It had been a while since I had had a burger so I just HAD to order the "Big Ass Burger" ... just so I could say that! Ha!

After dinner we did a bit of shopping and then headed to Suede for a drink or two. I loved the atmosphere, the drinks were awesome, and the music was fun. We didn't stay out too late or drink too much because we had to get up early to go hiking.






Sunday:
We woke up, had a breakfast of raspberry-chocolate-chip pancakes with fresh strawberries on the side. Mmmm. We made cold meat sandwiches and packed them with the rest of the strawberries, some chips, and bottled water.

We were ready to attempt the Superstion Mountain. It's so hard to explain what it was like to hike this Mountain, but I will try my best.









We started at the foothills and even though it appeared to be flat, there was a gradual incline for what seemed like a very long time. Then, before we knew it we were on all four climbing or trying to catch ourselves from falling.









It was invigorating.

We stopped to eat our lunch in the shade and enjoyed this view....We only went a bit further up, and after about 1.5 hours of hiking, we turned around as it was starting to get hot. We probably only made it 3/4 of the way up, probably not even that much. There were times where we were climbing up that I wonderful how in the world I was going to get myself back down. Sure enough, on the way down, I found myself sitting my butt down on a boulder and using my arms to get myself down. It was such a great experience.

... Coming back down ...

After hiking we were all very thirsty, thinking we should have brought more water. We stopped on our way back through Apache Junction and I picked up a powerade while they grabbed a couple slushies... I had to admit, I enjoyed the frozen coke/cherry much more than the powerade.

When we returned to Mesa, we headed over to Pam's boyfriend's place. We wanted to take a dip in a pool that was probably a bit warmer. It felt so good, but didn't last long. We were hungry and headed back to shower before dinner. We ended up eating dinner at a nice sports bar and grill, BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse. Steph and I each got a calzone and shared them. Very good. The four of us shared the cookies and cream pazookie afterwards. I will have to admit, it was the best desert I had all weekend!

We toured Mesa a bit more that night, and in the process of deciding what to do, we headed to RA Sushi in Dana Park for a cocktail. Before we knew it, Pam ordered sushi, as it was reverse happy hour and we all were eating ... again. But, this was the second time I have ever had sushi and kind of enjoyed it!

Monday:
I woke up and was very sore from hiking. Not like the sore you get from running or biking, a competely different kind of sore. But, I was cool with it because I knew I had worked muscles I haven't probably worked in a long time.

Pam had school today but left her car with us. It's amazing how easy it is to navigate in AZ with their grid system and what not. Steph and I went back to Dana Park, enjoyed a cool coffee drink, some shopping in the morning, lunch with Pam and her boyfriend, some more shopping (mostly window), and headed to Tempe and walked up and down Mill Ave. .... doing a bit more shopping. Once Pam was home from school we headed out to do some serious purse shopping in Chandler (no luck for me). Afterwards, we grabbed a late dinner at Kona Grill. This was a fusion restaurant, american and japanese. I liked it a lot and would highly recommend it!


We finished off the night with desert at RA Sushi back in Mesa. We shared the cinnamon tempura ice cream. It was so delish!


Tuesday:
Our last morning in AZ. Steph's friend had school and was gone in the morning before we woke up. We were up at about 7am and took advantage of the nice weather before it was time to leave. We grabbed the tennis rackets and a couple balls and headed to the court. The weather was gorgeous, probably about 75 degrees. I forgot to bring my camera out with us and thought I would come back to take some pics. There were a few lemon trees next to the court. I had almost mistaken the lemons on the ground for tennis balls.

It wasn't too long after our short "volleying" of the tennis ball that we were packed and heading to the airport. The trip came and went all so fast. We were truly fortunate to have such a wonderful friend to stay with and show us a good time.

I can't wait to head back! Next time I plan to stay longer, and I WILL conquer the Superstition Mountain!