no smoking on the running trail

1. i saw a man last week smoking on the running trail - and he really made me mad

2. I did great last weekend - ran Friday-Mon - didn't get any runs in Tues-Fri this week -

3. After my run on Monday I did a whole song of lunges - most of the time I am not sore after a run - but the lunges KILLED me - ladies I could barely bend down to get to the toilet - I walked like I had something stuck up my rear end - but it felt really good. I am thinking that I am going to keep doing those at least once a week (hard to believe I did them after 3 hours of lax practice and in the middle of sprints in my younger days) - anyway I think they'll help make me stronger - lately I feel like my legs way a ton when I run

4. Ran today in the cold cold cold - I only saw two other runners out on the trails - but it was nice

Looking forward to a sunny slightly warmer run tomorrow and hopefully Monday.

Who uses the Nike thing where it tells you your mileage? Do you have to wear Nikes to use it? I'd like to have something like that letting me know how much I am running.

Anyway - You guys really inspire me - and keep me hitting the roads!

Love,

Larissa

4 MILES!

Girls - I ran 4 miles today :)

Needless to say I am very proud of myself and very excited that I have pushed through and reached this mile marker. My race is in 1 month, so knowing that I can atleast run the 4 miles puts me at ease a little bit. This month I will work on getting better on my time - and try to push it up to 6 miles.

I was able to run outside in the sunshine today and I def. think that helped me keep going. It was a beautiful North Carolina day. I have used the Nike+ website to map out some routes around my neighborhood, so I went and picked one to try out. It had a few big hills, but I ran them, didn't walk! My head kept telling me to stop - so I had to keep telling myself that I was fine and to just keep going. I need to work on the mental aspect of my runs - I hate it.

Hope y'all are doing well this weekend! Any good stories?

Music: Nothin' On You - B.o.B., and the Killers :) thanks anna for the inspiration. i love their first album.

Smile Like You Mean It

Last night I got out to do a 2 mile run which felt pretty good! It was a super short workout (that's all I had time to do) but I'm glad I was able to find the time to get something done!

Have any of you ever ran with small weights before? I've seen people do this - either put weights on their calfs or carry small ones in their hands. I'm thinking maybe instead of weights I could do something more like what Fred is doing....just a thought.

Happy Running to you all this weekend!

Musica: The Killers. love them.

"I like the way you work it ... no diggity."

so after being sick all last week, this week i have gotten back into the swing of things - slowly.
tonight was a 2.5 mile run. i was going super slow, so I'm hoping that this weekend I can bump it back up to 4 miles. we shall see.
does anyone have any good ab exercises to share? mimi and i have been doing some with a 4lb. medicine ball, but id like to see what other ways we could use the ball in the routine. please share if you have any good ideas!

music tonight: telephone - lady gaga, uprising - muse, knock you down - keri hilson & kanye west, this is how we do it - montell jordan, no diggity - blackstreet.

A weekend of spring

Boy what good weather can do for your desire to run. So, yesterday I wrote that I'd be doing the 10 min runs - today I went to the park with the longer trail and ran instead for 20 minutes - I am realizing that the 10min runs will come into use when I am so tired or don't have time - just to make sure I get out there and at least do something. Otherwise - I am going to stick to running about 2-2.5 miles until I feel like my body has that down again and it becomes natural.

I am feeling again that running gives me energy - but I am really trying not to think about school while I run - that is hard! I keep thinking about multiple regression and relationship beliefs - and urgh so today I really made an effort to think about other things but it kept seeping in.

Anyway - so grateful for this great weather - makes me wish I could run 8 miles so that I could just stay out there in the sun! Hope everyone else is enjoying some lighter weather as well!

Running Machine

One more run to add to the list today. I ran two miles. I was sore from yesterday's long run so I took it at an easy pace. My left knee is really sore and my right calf muscle. I'm a little worried about my knee since I've had a lot of injuries on it in the past. I'm considering going to a sports store and having them watch me run to see if the shoes I'm running in are good for me. Have any of you ever done that? I think I'm going to take tomorrow off and maybe run again on Monday. We'll see. Just as precaution I'm going to RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) today and tomorrow when I'm studying. Maybe not the compression part I don't think it's totally necessary but we'll see!

Tracey Anderson

So I was just catching up reading Gwyneth's blog... I've gotten behind lately, and I found this post.
It's amazing and I can't wait to try it out once I feel better! It looks like I won't be able to move my arms the next day, but it sounds like its a good work out. I also like the fact that she isn't pairing any weights with the routine. Simply using your own bodies resistance. Try it out - looks fun ... who knows... those moves might make their way out on the dancefloor! haha.

I ran! I ran! :o)

So, I have been the total slacker of the group - with weather, not having easy gym access, travel and school - I am just full of excuses :o)

But I got home from work today and was exhausted - I had 4 options

1. Do school work (NO)

2. Go to the grocery store (eh)

3. Nap (looking good)

4. Run (but I am so tired!)

It is 60 degrees here today and I hate to waste a beautiful afternoon - so I decided that I'd go to the running trail with my ipod but just walk briskly since I was tired. Well, I got there and realized I didn't have my ipod (which hasn't really been working anyway) and on top of that - it was a little too chilly for just walking - so I changed plans - and I decided that I'd just run for 10 minutes. I know you guys are all breaking 3 miles but I think I need to take things back to make the running more manageable for where I am right now - so I ran 5 out and 5 back - a little over 1 mile - and then I just did 50 quick crunches. I think that I am going to keep running my 10 minutes for the next week and then move it up to 15 and so on - I can always run for 10 minutes - you can do anything for 10 minutes - so it helps erase all of my excuses of no time/tired etc. - plus the weather is supposed to be great this weekend and I find that to be a great motivator!

So - here is to the mighty 10 minute run :o)

Love,

lkf

Procrastination Through Running

When I get tired, I remember the girl who used to be able to run forever as long as she had a soccer ball with her. In the moments when I just want to stop and not do this running thing anymore I remember the athlete I used to be and how much I miss being that person. Running like we have been and setting goals for ourselves has inspired me so much to reconnect with that girl.

Well procrastinating by running has been really helping me to meet my running goals!

Yesterday after Head Start I went to the gym. I started off by running 1 mile as fast as I could. I had a hot guy next to me running so that was an additional motivator! I ran a mile in 7 minutes. Then I went and did some weights and ab work, stretched and got back on the treadmill and ran another mile. I was pretty tired after all that so my second mile was a little sluggish.

Today I ran 6.5k just over 4 miles! I totally agree with Mir that pushing past 3 miles has been really hard. So I forced myself to take the opportunity to do it today! It was hard! I started off running well, but the route I mapped out for myself was pretty hilly (kind of unavoidable where I live) and I struggled when I got to the hills. I told myself when I got tired on the hills that it was okay to stop and walk twice for 100 meters as long as I actually ran a full 4 miles. It turned out that I was tired so I did stop and walk twice. I didn't need to walk for long before I got running again, though and ended up running a little over 4 miles and walking abut 125 meters. I am really proud of myself for pushing through and forcing myself to JUST DO IT!

The Dancer

I got to yoga twice this week despite the snow and cold - woohoo! On Tuesday we did some sweet core building which was great for the abs, I felt it the next morning! haha! And a highlight from Thursday's session for me was "The Dancer." It's one of my favorite poses! it practices balance, form, flexibility, and c'mon...it's called the Dancer...who wouldn't like that one?! Here's a picture of it - although I don't think I do it as well as Wonder Woman above, but ya gotta strive for something! (I also don't make a circle with my thumb and index like she does - I just try to hold on and not fall over ha!). Hope you girls have a great weekend! Happy Running!

Fun Run

Today I ran 5k (3 miles). The sun was out (it has been out all weekend) and it was the perfect early spring running day! I have Rhianna (1st CCI dog) with me because Julie's son is in the hospital right now, so I took her with me. She's such a good dog to run with! It was nice because it's better for dogs to continue at a faster pace so it helped me keep a faster and steadier pace. It was also fun not to run by myself and have something else to focus on rather than just me me me and run run run. I felt the best I have since we've started this running business. I was really running, not jogging, which was nice. It was my fastest pace yet (according to my Nike+). You were right Miranda, it is good to take the time for it, even with very busy schedules. Today was a day that was a little less busy than the others, so I took the time to take a little run. And I felt great.

Musakkkk: Figure It Out - Maroon 5, Hollywood - Madonna, I Have you to thank - Gavin DeGraw, Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games - Of Montreal, Thank You - The Little Heroes

This music was way different than my usual running music, but it was kind of a nice change. They are good just carryin' on songs if that makes sense!

In the Red

I walked up to the indoor track tonight at the gym, turned on my ipod only to realize that the battery was "in the red." I thought to myself, "oh no, this isn't going to be good. i need my music!" Well I was able to run 2 miles tonight and my ipod lasted the whole time, much to my surprise! :) My first mile was a total breeze, again much to my surprise! And the second wasn't bad at all. It felt good to get back on the track! Although my back is kind of hurting at the present moment, which I'm concerned about. I think I might have subconsciously ran faster than normal because I was worried my ipod was going to shut off on me at any second...funny, but now i'm sore! I took an advil when I got home. Do any of you know any good back stretches? Share if you do, I'd love to know. I'm glad the pod lasted tonight. Hope you all have a good week!

Music: Dave Matthew's Funny the Way it Is, This Town - OAR, Hoedown Throwdown - Miley Cyrus (yes, I know...), Starlight - Muse

Another 3.5 miles this morning! So exciting! I also did weights and abs with Mimi.

I'm feeling really great and so energized!

Girls - with all the stress of work from Grad School, don't forget to take some time out for yourself! Running or any exercise would be a great way to relieve some of that stress and frustration! Let me know how you are doing!

xo

Mir

feeling good.

7 miles! so exciting! i ran another 3.5+ miles tonight and really felt good! i hit a groove and just kept on going and going... :) runs are def. getting a little easier each time.
i'm really looking forward to my workouts, and i like that i have a routine down now.

i think i just needed to push past 3 miles ... i was sort of hitting a wall, thinking that i couldn't get past 3 - but now that i have done it consistently i feel more energized about pushing past it each time.

how have y'all done this week? happy valentines day :)

car is dead, but legs are not !!!

yes, it's true... "the Bird" has lived all of 15 lives and now it is finally dead. good thing i've taken up running :) hopefully i will be able to get by with borrowing cars until we can figure out what my options are! This weekend I ran 2.5 miles and also cross-trained. Tonight i ran 3 miles! Good thing Mimi was with me at the Y because I needed her the last 3 laps. I am sick so it was a little more difficult but I'm glad I pushed through and finished.

Hoping to run 3 miles again this week. Then next week I will go up to 3.5.

I'm still looking at 1/2's... :) Hope you girls have some fun runs this week!

Hey girls!

Sorry I haven't been blogging - honestly - I haven't been running either :o(

My job which is supposed to be only 20 hours a week has been taking about 35 a week - and then going to class and getting work done on top of that takes from 7a-7p most days. I am thinking that I am going to need to start doing early morning runs - which I don't mind too much - but it has been in the 30s here these past few weeks - and I don't have the gym membership yet - so I just am weak and can't take the cold. These past few days have been busy with Lia here visiting - we have driven 6+ hours each day visiting different colleges - we just visited one in Birmingham yesterday that I really liked but we'll see what she ends up liking - she is also looking into 2 in VA (So mir you'd have to be her adopted sister then!)

Anyway - I definitely still want to do the half! And I know that once we pick one and sign up - and I am totally committed - I'll be better about getting out there - no matter weather or work/school load and run. Sorry I am so stinky right now!

Happy Super Bowl!

Love,

Larissa

4.5K- Struggling The Whole Way

Well I went out for my run today. I just couldn't get into it though. It was really warm and sunny out and maybe I'm just not used to running in that weather? I also had on a heavy pair of sweat pants that kind of made me feel like I was dragging. Honestly after my last run, I just felt so disappointed. I ended up walking in a few parts, so the total distance I covered was close to 5.5k, but I only ran 4.5. I was just so tired. My stomach kind of hurt, my sports bra was too tight, the music was bad, nothing seemed to be going my way!

Hopefully the next run goes better, and that ya'll are had better runs than me this weekend.

XO Gossip Girls.

5.6K! Whoop There It Is!

Tonight I ran 5.6k. I thought it would be hard, and not fun like the last long run I went on. It wasn't at all! I mean I was working hard, but I was in a groove and running so well. The music I was listening to was just great! I think that makes such a big difference. It's so interesting how energy changes so much depending on what day I run. This run was harder, more hills and longer than all the others but I just felt great. I kept thinking about running with you girls and wanting to be able to run that far!

Music from the run: Onto the Next One (Jay-Z), Single Ladies, Live Your Life, Empire State of Mind, Disturbia, People Have A Way (Matt Pond PA) THIS SONG IS GREAT TO RUN TO, Bonafied Lovin', What You Know (TI), Seven Nation Army! (great list of songs, all of them were just totally amazing).

Anna and Larissa: Haven't heard from you girls on here in a while. I hope all is well. It's okay if you haven't had a chance to run, but it's still nice to read your words! I hope you're both still into the idea of running the half!

Choctaw Hayride

tonight: elliptical & light run. all while listening to some new mountain music. (yes... believe it or not there is a difference between mountain music & country music!)
girls -- you would love this playlist... it consists of all the upbeat mtn. music you would dance to at a square dance in little switzerland. i might just have to burn you a copy. it really was fun to workout to!
(photo: wish i had one on my computer of Ferretti dancing with the pony-tailed Caller at a square dance in Little Switzerland, but this one will have to suffice :)

you'll never guess...

today's run went very well! i woke up early and went to the Y for a morning run. The Y was almost completely empty, except for a couple of faithfuls... so the track was all mine and I loved it. It's so nice when it is not crowded. I ran for 3.5 miles! I hit a groove and just kept my pace - i was so relaxed afterwards. I think that I had a lot of built up energy that I needed to get out...
This weekend we had about 6 inches of snow! I wasn't able to get out and run because of the snow and ice, so I was itching to get out today. The snow was beautiful - it's still lingering so I only worked half a day today.
My goal for the week is to run 3 days and cross-train the others. I would like to make it to 3 miles each run.