River to River Relay

I don't know if anyone remembers the relay race that Dan talked me into running...  That race is coming up April 17th, and everyone keeps asking if I am signing up for the STL 1/2 (which coincidently is April 11th), so I figured I better do a little research about this relay that I am running.  

Here is what I found: 

Teams of eight runners compete on an 80-mile course. Each runner completes three sections that range in length from 2.5 to 4 miles. Teams are started in groups every 30 minutes beginning at 6:15am and continuing until the last group is started at 8:45am. The finish line closes at exactly 8:00pm.

The race starts at McGee Hill in LaRue Pine Hills on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River Valley. The course follows country roads (mostly paved but some stretches of gravel) through the Shawnee National Forest to its finish at the Ohio River in Golconda.

Ok, this won't be so bad, right?

Trial Tri

The indoor triathlon we signed up for so long ago is just 19 days away.  Today, we hit the gym at 7am and swam 750 meters in the pool, then moved on to a spin class for 1 hour and then on to a treadmill run.  I only ran 4 miles, but Cody did 5 miles.  I was pretty tired, but at least I know that I will be able to complete the total distance.

Week in Review

We have plans for the weekend to do a "trial run" of the indoor triathlon.  I really need to do each part of the swimming, biking and running on the same day, and in the order that they are at the event.  I plan on being really tired the rest of the weekend afternoon.  


Looking back at my week in review, it really didn't include much exercise.  Not great for what is supposed to be the first week of half marathon training.  


M: My terrible outdoor 3.73 mile run/walk
T: Power Yoga (90 mins)and Abs (about 20 min)
W: Worked 12 hours
T: Worked 12 hours
F: Worked 12 hours


Hope everyone has a good week.  
T

A bad run is better than no run at all...

Yesterday was 44 degrees outside.  Perfect opportunity to try out my Garmin that I got for Christmas.  Since the temps have been so cold here, I haven't been doing much running.  I laced up my shoes and headed to the park for an easy, late afternoon (4 mile) jog.  I am amazed that 3 months ago I ran a marathon, and today I had to walk the last 1.5 miles back to the car.  It really made me appreciate the fitness level that is attained training for an event.  I have 8,000 other excuses for why that run sucked, but I won't indulge you in them today! 
P.S. the loop at the park that I thought was 4 miles is really only 3.73 (per my GPS). 

Half Marathon Training

I haven't decided for sure which half marathon I am going to run this spring, but I thought that maybe I should start a training plan... 
just in case. 

I work best having a more structured training schedule.  I was thinking of doing an intermediate training program since I have built a little more of a running base this year.  

I found this training plan on About.com.  It has 4 days of running/week, with some cross training and speed work involved. 

Good thing, because I don't want to give up my spinning and yoga!

 Half-Marathon Training Schedule for Intermediate Runners

Week	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	CT	30 min tempo	Rest	3 mi	Rest	5 mi	2 mi EZ
2	CT	4 x 400 IW	Rest	3 mi	Rest	6 mi	2.5 mi EZ
3	CT	35 min tempo	2 mi	3 mi	Rest	7 mi	2 mi EZ
4	CT	5 x 400 IW	Rest	4 mi race pace	Rest	7 mi	3 mi EZ
5	CT	35 min tempo	3 mi	3 mi race pace	Rest	8 mi	3 mi EZ
6	CT	6 x 400 IW	3 mi	4 mi race pace	2 mi EZ	Rest	10K race
7	CT	40 min tempo	Rest	4 mi race pace	Rest	9 mi	3 mi EZ
8	CT	6 x 400 IW	3 mi	3 mi race pace	Rest	10 mi	3 mi EZ
9	CT	45 min tempo	3 mi	4 mi race pace	Rest	11 mi	Rest
10	CT	7 x 400 IW	4 mi	3 mi race pace	Rest	12 mi	3 mi EZ
11	CT	45 min tempo	Rest	3 mi race pace	Rest	5 mi	2.5 mi EZ
12	Rest	4 mi	30 min 10K pace	2 mi	Rest	20 min	Race Day!

Green Thumb?

The only plant that I have been able to keep alive for an extended period of time is a cactus.  Naturally, I needed to move on to something more challenging.  I bought these cute little kits to grow my own herbs.  So today, I planted cilantro and parsley (which are the two herbs I use the most while cooking).  Hopefully I will be able to keep them alive!

Sitting Pretty

Here is our new furniture!  I am really excited and it looks so nice in our living room! We knew that we wanted leather, but couldn't find anything that we both agreed on.  This is not quite as structured (square) as we had planned, but it has a really cool stitching around the edges, it is really comfortable, it reclines on both ends.  We decided to get two full size couches instead of a love seat so we had a little more room.  There is a matching chair too, but we didn't get that right now.  We never really sat in the one that we had before, but we can always order one if we change our minds.  

Green Monster

For months I have been reading running blogs, and I found this strange green drink was a common thread.  So, after a few minutes of Googling, I happened upon greenmonstermovement.com.  

Angela, from Green Monster Movement states  "I have noticed a HUGE increase in my energy, along with a decrease in cravings for sweets. My skin has also become more clear and my hair and nails started growing like weeds!"

Here is the recipe I used for my 1st green monster (which was very good by the way!)

2 c. organic baby spinach

1 c. soy milk (can use regular milk)

1 banana

1 tbsp flax seeds (optional)

 ice

Put ingredients in a blender, blend for 1 minute.  Add ice, blend some more.  Enjoy!

3 degrees

Saturday morning we awoke to a chilly morning temp of 3 degrees!  This meant our workout was going to be INDOORS!  We headed to the gym for an 8 am Spin class.  This class is taught by a different instructor than I usually go to, but it was just as challenging.  Following spin, was the dreaded treadmill run. My gym has a "cardio theater" where they play movies, which definitely helps to pass the time.  I ran 6 miles in just over an hour.  The rest of Saturday was spent at home in front of a warm, toasty fire...some house cleaning and lunch/dinner made from remains in my pantry and fridge.  I swear I am going to go grocery shopping soon!

Sunday morning I attended an hour long power yoga class.  I forgot that January means lots of new gym-goers, and this class was packed full!  I am going to have to start getting to the gym earlier if I am going to get a spot!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend and a great start to 2010!

2010!!!

Wow. I just can not believe that we are already into the new year.  We had a great time with our families over the holidays, ate lots of good food, and drank LOTS of wine!

(my tight jeans are reminding me of that today!)

Now, for my New Years Resolutions: 

1. The mandatory eat better, exercise more, lose weight, get in shape (blah, blah, blah).

2. Actually use my checkbook register.  And balance my bank account every week. 

3. Cook more meals at home.  We spend so much $$ going out to eat.  

I am really looking forward to trying out my new toy that I got for Christmas.  Cody gave me a GPS running watch, the Garmin Forerunner 405.  After running my 2nd marathon this fall, I really would like to start to focus on improving my ability to pace.  I am sure there will be another marathon in my future! 

From Garmin.com:

 "With serious training features, Forerunner 405 continuously monitors your time, distance, pace, calories and heart rate (when paired with heart rate monitor). Each run is stored in memory so you can review and analyze the data to see how you've improved. You can even download recorded courses to compete against previous workouts or race a Virtual Partner®. Customize Forerunner’s data screens for instant feedback while you train."

Happy New Year Everyone!