Ba Bum Ba Bum Ba Bum Ba BOOM! The Sound of My Heart Beating

Well I finally got running today. I hadn't been since Monday, so I was feeling pretty down on myself. I've been feeling a lot like Larissa now that I'm back in school. It's just so hard to find time to run because there is always, ALWAYS something else I need to be doing for school. It's only the first week, and I know it's just going to get harder. I am really going to try to keep it up. My goal is 3 times a week, but I think I need to understand that sometimes that's just not going to happen. I can only do so many things at once! I'll definitely be looking to you girls to keep me going.

So today I ran 4k again, like Monday. This time it was a lot harder. I don't know I think my mindset was off, and my iPod wasn't playing songs that were really pumping me up. The first half of the run is pretty consistently at an incline which made it hard. I got tired more quickly. The first half I was kind of grudging about it all, and just feeling kind of funky. Then I stopped to stretch. As I was stretching I had time to collect myself together and get re-pumped. The rest of the run went well and I sprinted the last bit listening to Just Dance.

Okay so here are my thoughts about half-marathons:

Fort Collins Old Town Marathon in Colorado on May 9th: It sounds absolutely incredible! Scenic and gorgeous. The problem for me and Ferretti though is it's right towards the end of school, so I'd have to take a double check at my syllabi and see if it's possible.

Rock 'n Roll Marathon in Seattle on June 26th (This would actually probably be great timing because there will be no school. It's also a place where the weather is usually cool, so we could get away with running it in the summer. Check it out. Seattle is also really awesome (I have more fun ideas if we were to do this).

Another is the Philadelphia Marathon on November 21st. This one is hard because it's so far in advance that I don't know much info about it yet, and also would need to have my school info before registering for this. It looks like a cool city to visit though and the marathon looks pretty cool.

Let me know what you think of these and suggest some of your own!

The music that didn't suck on my iPod today while running was: Do Something by Brit, I'm Ready by Jack's Mannequin, Mr. Brightside, Stronger by Kanye (a little slow, but still kind of inspiring), Race for the Prize by the Flaming Lips, and finally JUST DANCE.

I am going to try to do a short run tomorrow, maybe 1 or 2k.

given to fly.

Confession: After noticing in the window tonight while I was running... i think it's time for a new sports bra. or maybe Double sports bras. 'ya know what i'm sayin??? haha. I hate shopping for them. Can anyone recommend good brand besides Champion? I think I want to switch it up.

I am loving my Zulu socks. If you need some new socks, I'd definitely recommend getting a few pairs of these! They're extremely comfortable and provide just enough cushion.

tonight's 30 min run featured: pearl jam, xavier rudd and lady gaga.

crazy week. crazy weather. no running

Girls,

I have so enjoyed your wonderful running stories and music suggestions! Sadly, I haven't been able to keep up with my running - I ran last Friday afternoon which was nice - but I am doing head start observations from 7am-12 and then have class all afternoon till 7pm - by the time I get home I am starving for dinner and exhausted - I am trying to figure out a way I can easily fit running in - Hopefully not all weeks will be like this! Plus it has been storming here a lot lately - and I decided not to start paying for the gym membership till May when I know I will be able to use it a lot during the summer - that'll save me a couple hundred dollars.

I agree with Mir - would love to talk dates/locals for our 1/2 - then I'd be forced to run! I know that whatever we choose - if I put it on the calendar this far in advance - then I'll work other things around it.

Other good news - a friend here in Auburn - Charlsey - mentioned tonight that she might want to do a half - just out of the blue - so I think we are going to look for some fun ones around here too!

Hopefully I can pull myself together soon - :o) Goal is to run this Saturday when I don't have that 7a-7p schedule.

So excited about our running futures :o)

lost and running.

Ok. so not literally lost and running, but almost. tonight i was running on the track at the Y, and i had just finished lap 15 when "I Still Haven't Found..." by U2 came on (which we all know is MY JAM - Anna will attest to this!). I picked up my pace a little bit, and started singing along in my head really loud... i was groovin - I can't help but get lost in that track when it comes on! Well, after that VIVA came on, and I kept jamming... of course next thing I know, I have lost my lap count for good. This happens to me often and i think it is because once I hear a good song I just get wrapped up in the music and forget about what # I'm on... which is a good/bad thing. I think i might have to start the rubber band counter trick like the little kids do when they walk at the Y. it's silly, but i think that is the only thing that might work :)

so tonight i ran for 30 min and it felt amazing... the last 3 laps i finished with Mimi and she pushed me to sprint my last one. i think i will definitely sleep well tonight! This past Saturday I went to Umstead Park again and ran a new trail there. i want to keep up with going there once a week because it is so nice to be outside there. i have found this one trail that when you get to the end you overlook the airport, and it is beautiful & peaceful. so nice.
Girls - I'm glad each of you are getting out there this week! Hope your runs are good. LA, thank you so much for the running mix. i listened to it while on my run tonight and it was def. full of great songs!

Songs this week: 99 Problems - Jay-Z, MJB da MVP - Mary J Blige, Touch the Sky - Kanye. several from Lil Wayne. Yes, this week has been very urban i know... i love it.

"Push It, Push It Real Good"

Sorry for the Salt 'N Peppa reference. Today was my first day back at school. I kept thinking to myself, "how am I going to keep up with my running schedule?". Well I got out of school and went straight to the gym. I did a class called Energizer CORE, which is 30 minutes of high-intensity abdominal workouts. It was really intense! Afterwards I got on the treadmill and ran 4km! It was definitely a workout where I was pushing myself really hard! I found that by running on the treadmill I ran faster and kept a more consistent pace, which felt good (but not as fun as running outside). I listened to some really good music, which was important because every time I started getting tired a new song would come on and "re-pump" me up (Mir- thanks for that new word!). The last 100 meters of my run I sprint as fast as I can. It's so hard to push for that extra time and run so fast, when I'm so tired, but it always feels so good! I don't know if I'll be able to keep running three times a week, with my current schedule, but if I'm not able to I'll run two days a week and try to run farther. I guess we'll just have to see what happens, but I really hope I can manage to run three times a week!

Music I listened to during the run: Believe by The Bravery, Gimme More by BRIT (MY RUNNING ANTHEM, gets some more spring in my step!), Life is Short, Butterfly Boucher (great, inspiring song), I'm Not Over by Carolina Liar, Viva La Vida (of course!), Saturday Morning by the Eels, Everybody Get Moving by Get Set Go, Do Somethin' BRIT again (great running song!).

Happy running!

Hal Higdon - This Guy is For Real.

Happy Monday to all! I was able to do a workout on Saturday this weekend - the stairmaster baby!! :) Laris- I got your running CD and can't wait to listen! i love good tunes to get pumped up!

I wanted to share this site with you girls. One of my running friends passed this along to me last year when I was training for the 10K. The guy's name is Hal Higdon and he has training workout routines for beginners, moderate, and advanced for 5K, 8K, 10K, halfs and full marathon, etc. His site was really helpful for me last year, because I was able to at least have some type of plan to work off of. I printed off a scheduled routine and felt good every day that I checked something off. My biggest fear with the 10K was that I wouldn't feel prepared and that would leave me mentally nervous and fearful and physically incapable. So having a plan for me was a great start! Everybody does it differently though! So always, whatever works for you. I started really early with the program last year, made some alterations to it, etc. I tried not to get down on myself if a day didn't work out, you just have to brush it off, and get back to your next routine. But i think when we all can best choose a date for the half then one of his programs will be really helpful for me.

Hal Higdon Try going to the Left Navigation bar and clicking on Training Programs

A couple of songs I listened to on Saturday: Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen, Viva La Vida Coldplay, Jay-Z and the Verve's Bittersweet Symphony.

"And I would run 500 miles..."

Happy Friday!
I'm so glad that everyone has had such great workouts this week! No matter where we all start, it is great to get going sooner rather than later! Larissa it sounds like you really were able to overcome an obstacle! Running to the Tea Room and back is a big feat - congrats! The music you listened to is good, thanks for including that in your post! I have a confession to make: I listened to "Break the Ice" by BritBrit too, but not while running... i listened to it all the way to work this a.m. hahahahha. great minds... i tell you!
This week was a success for me too. I stuck to my goal of running a 5k this week! Yesterday I had a really good workout at the Y. I ran 2 miles and walked a mile. Lifted weights also. It was a really good workout. I enjoy going to the Y with Mimi. Even though we don't workout together, it's nice to know that you have your buddy there working out right along side you. I have been finding that I am sleeping really well after my workouts. I am hoping that this will continue... and I will get into a better workout/sleep routine.
Let's keep throwing out ideas about the 1/2 marathon! Tomorrow morning I am heading back over to Umstead State Park to run on the trails there! I'm really excited -- Should be a great day to be outside. Hope each of you have a wonderful weekend! Love!

Downtown Petaluma And Back Again

Feeling On Top of The World Today After My Run!

I met and overcame my first road block today. I set up a running schedule for myself to run at least 5k this week (starting modestly). I'd already had run 3k. Last night I went out with my friends from CSPP (grad school) for my friend Rachelle's birthday. We went to and italian restaurant in North Beach (SF's Little Italy) and then out to a bar, then back to our friend Tara's house to play a huge Taboo game and drink some more. We were up all night. We had a huge group of people and it was SO much fun. I shared my homemade limoncello with everybody which everybody was really excited about.

HOWEVER. This morning when I woke up in SF I was SO tired, and kind of hungover. We all had to get up early to go to this practicum fair where we have mini interviews with representatives from various clinics, agencies, hospitals, etc.. for our clinical training for next year. It was like SPEED DATING! So intense. So I got home this afternoon and was SO tired and just wanted to throw in the towel and hang out and read or watch a movie. I just did not want to run for the life of me! I gave myself a little time to relax and thought of our blog and what we're all doing together. I realized I needed to run. And even more that I wanted to run... sort of. So I forced myself into my running clothes and strapped on my little nike+ sportband and off I went!

I ran down to Tea Room (SO EXCITING THAT YOU ALL KNOW WHERE THAT IS!), then did a big loop of downtown and went back to my house. I ran 3k! It felt so good! I had kind of been dragging in my other runs, but on this one everything came together and while I was running I wasn't thinking "oh when is this going to end", I was jus totally enjoying myself! I am so glad I ran. I can honestly say that if we weren't doing this blog, I probably would have just made an excuse for myself and said, "oh I'll just run later" - which usually means no run. So I know it's kind of silly and it's not that big of a run or anything, but I'm just so glad that I was able to get motivated because I knew I needed to write on the blog. So, thanks girls!

Music I ran to today: 4 Minutes by Madonna & JT, Galvanize by Chemical Brothers (on the running mix I sent out to ya'll!), The Adventure by Angels and Airwaves, It's Five! by Architecture in Helsinki, Break the Ice (BRIT BRIT), and Outta My Head by Ashley Simpson!

I met my goal of running 3 times this week and exceeded my goal of running 5k!

Ready or Not Here I Come - Embracing the Blogging World

Hi Girls!

Ready or not here I come to the blogging world!!

I love your enthusiasm and all of these ideas! I would love to run a half with you girls~ I share the same sentiments as what everyone has been saying, it would be a fantastic goal and doing it with you three would be so wonderful! Last year my new years resolution was to run the Cleveland 10K, part of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. It was a really challenging experience but I was so happy I did it. There's nothing like setting a goal, working hard, and seeing it through! It's very rewarding.

I think this blog is a great way to stay in touch, talk about workouts and creative ideas, share photos, etc.

Anyways, I got a chance to do a little working-out this week. I got to the gym twice. After reading Mir's email to us about this all, that day I ran a mile! which seemed like 6 because I haven't ran in forever! but it's all about building up endurance. I also did some elliptical work and I went to Yoga this week as well. I would highly suggest trying out a weekly Yoga practice. I've been doing it for a couple of years now, not very consistently, but it's a fantastic way to stretch out your body, build your core, sharpen your concentration, and strengthen your spine. You feel like you have a whole new back once you're done!

Feel the excitement....the double thumbs up (a.k.a. two thumbs up) is a great way to show the enthusiasm via blog!

U.S. Marathon & Half Marathon Schedule

http://www.fleastcoastrunners.com/Marathon_Schedule.html

Never Give Up On The Good Times - YES THE SPICE GIRLS

So there is one glitch to this planning of a 1/2 marathon in the fall. I don't know about Larissa, but for me because I'm in school it will be almost impossible for me to get away to somewhere in the fall, especially because I will be starting my very intense practicum which will most likely have some weekend hours. I could do a half in the summer, or in the winter... Could we look at those times instead?

So now to my Spice Girls title. I LOVE listening to this when I run. It makes me run so fast! Some of the other songs are good to, like Stop. Good running songs make so much of a difference for me. I think we should all share songs we like to run/work-out to.

I have become a TERRIBLE runner! I've always been a sprinter, so it takes a lot for me to get back into long distance running shape because it doesn't come as naturally for me. So everyday I walk Duke between 1-2 miles. If it's a day that I'm running I usually run first then walk him as a cool down. On Monday I ran 2k. It was nighttime and it was foggy and cold. I loved running at night. It was so peaceful and quiet. Yesterday I went to the gym and did a class I've been taking called Body Conditioning. It is SO intense! It's all cardio and weights and there is no stopping the whole class. After that I was really really tired but I forced myself to run 1k at more of a sprinter's pace. It was a great little intense workout. Today I don't think I'll be running because I have to go into the city, but tomorrow I am planning on going to Pilates after my practicum and running 3k.

I was thinking it would be a good idea for us to make group goals that we want to meet and share our individual weekly/monthly or long-term goals. I think it's a better way for us to keep each other accountable and to encourage each other. What do y'all think?

Happy running!

1/2 Marathon

So ladies....I am thinking we should all do some web browsing and look up various 1/2 marathons for the fall. I think if we pick one and commit then we'll really be able to do this! Plus then we'll now how far out we'll actually need to start doing long runs - and we can all get on the same training schedule - but we wouldn't need to be doing that till the summer! So we have plenty of time! I just know that once we sign up - we're in and we have to do it! :o)

So I didn't get to run yesterday because I had class from 9 am - 6:30 pm :/ but I did get to go to the dog park on Monday with the dog I was watching for a friend. We for 20 min - I am not sure of the exact distance because the mile markers are odd - or I am odd and haven't figured them out. Anyway - getting back into running has been an adjustment to me - two miles used to be my "off" day - but now that is about how much I run - I am going to stick with running 20 min for awhile and just get a base back -- but I know I'll need to increase soon!

I am thinking of getting a gym membership. It is $50 a month - there is a free gym at the school but it looks like a jail, there are never any girls there, it smells and it is dirty. aka not very encouraging to work out. My friend Abby is a member at a gym that has great classes, and equipment that you type a code into and it tracks your progress/tells you what to be lifting and if youre doing the lift correctly - it sounds wonderful. Best of all they have a lap pool! So hopefully I could train for triathlons again too! I really miss the pool - actually, if any of you have pool access, you may want to try swimming laps once a week! It is a great break from the pounding of running - but still a really great workout! I have some old swim workouts from my Team in Training days that I can post later!

Love you all and happy running! ps send me the running mix!!

Mr. Brightside

yes. this is the first song on my Run Forest RUN! mix. and i always thinking of dancing all over Italy to this song. we were obsessed, and so were they.
So today was a great day! Walked 1.5 miles after work with my boss Susan, then went to the Y and ran 1.5 miles and walked another 1/2 mile. Then elliptical for 20 min. backwards and forwards. Stretched. Feel so GOOD!
Yay Larissa & Anna for both working out yesterday! keep it up :)

Lost and Running.

Ladies. This is a dream come true for me! I can not tell y'all how excited I am for this journey that we are all (hopefully) going to commit to! La - thank you so much for setting up this blog, I could not figure it out for the life of me yesterday! This is a great way for us all to stay in the loop with one another - i think it will be a great outlet for us. I just can't express how happy I am about the possibility of running a half marathon with y'all :) Currently, I am looking at 1/2's that are in the fall of 2010. I know that if I had a goal that I was working towards after I finish training for my 4mile run, that I would work harder to accomplish my goal. I think we should run one somewhere fun, and possibly somewhere that we have never been... almost like a destination run! I'll post some possibilities once I gather them together, and then we can take a vote! Does that sound good?
I just want to tell y'all that this has always been a dream of mine, one that I never thought I would be able to turn into reality. All throughout high school I was always the last one to finish our 3 mile runs for soccer. They could always count on me to bring up the rear - I never let them down. Because I was not a quitter, and very committed to my team, I never gave up. Even when I felt like I literally could not move another inch after running stadium stairs, I kept going. I hoped that my determination and follow through would pay off on the field, and that people would notice that even though I couldn't run fast, I was still a valuable team member. I always hoped that someday I would be able to run 3 miles+ with ease like my other teammates. I guess I just accepted the fact that I was a big girl, and that running may not be for me. Secretly, I always wished that it was. I felt like it was always the one thing that held me back, but now I feel like it is going to take me to new levels! I have such excitement now that I am working towards the Tarheel 10miler! I am pumped to workout and train for this, and I am excited about the journey that this commitment is taking me on. With it comes a life change, one that I hope to carry out physically and mentally. Anyway... I am so thrilled that we are all excited about doing this and that we are going to help hold each other accountable. I think this is a blessing in disguise for me - y'all are going to help me so much!!! This blog is going to be awesome! Yay! xo

"Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can."
-Lowell Thomas

Running/Exercise "Team" Blog

I love what we were e-mailing about! I think we should definitely all share a blog. I thought the nike+ blog would work, but I guess it only works for people who have the nike sportband or other nike+ technology. So We can do this. I think it's a great idea to have running dates and even just set goals we can reach together or support each other in our individual goals. What do you think?