Weekend Joys

We had a great weekend and I'm proud to say that I'm slowly getting back on the health train!

We had some friends from Chicago here for the weekend, so we were a little more exciting than normal. We still went to our personal training session on Saturday morning. Keith kicked my butt (almost literally). My wonderful husband asked that we do legs and it was a pain in the butt (this is literal).

That evening/afternoon, we went to Jack's BBQ in downtown Nashville. I had never actually eaten there, but we had had them cater several things at work so I had had their food. I'm not a big bar-b-que person, and I don't think I ever will be. But I enjoyed my naked smoked turkey and mac and cheese!

Our next stop was Bridgestone Arena to see the Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks. 

We are still loyal Blackhawks fans and thankfully, they pulled out the win! It makes being a displaced fan much easier when your team beats the home team. Plus it was fun to see all the bars on Broadway flying Blackhawks flags!

I intended on going running on Sunday morning, but our dog needed to get out of the apartment (to maintain the sanity of everyone there). So we went on a long two mile walk instead. I tried running with him, but I'm just waaaay too fast for him :) Even though he disrupted my running plans, he's just so darn cute: 

Exhibit A:

I also think he really hates me sometimes. This picture is one of those times.

So here's my plan for this week: 

Monday: 2 Mile run after work (hopefully before dark)

Tuesday: Strength Training (arm day) and Hip Hop Cycle

Wednesday: 2 Mile run before work (or after if I can't get up :P)

Thursday: Strength Training (leg day) and Hip Hop Cycle

Friday: 2 Mile run before work and Strength Training after work

Saturday: Personal Training 

Sunday: 4.5-5 Mile run early morning, possibly a yoga session if I have time

Looking forward to the last quite week before Christmas!

Favorite sports team?

           -Easy, Denver Broncos!

If you like BBQ, which city has the best (I know it isn't Nashville)?

My 2015 Race Schedule (so far)

Yesterday's workout summary:

• Ran 2 miles (very slow, but felt good)
• An hour of Hip Hop Cycle
• Kind of did strength training while wandering the gym

Anyway, I'm getting really excited for my 2015 Race Schedule so I thought I'd share it with you before 2015 even happens! I'll just preface by saying I'm a planner and like things to be all planned out so that's why I have this all planned already. Also-I like the cheap race entries when you enter early.

January

          Not currently signed up for any races, but considering running the Fleet Feet Resolution Run on the 3rd. 

February

          

          Hot Chocolate 15k on the 14th (Happy Valentines Day!). I ran the 5k last year and loved it. So I'm upping the stakes and running the 15k this year. Bonus- my husband will be running the 5k!

           Also will be starting a Speed Sessions Training through Fleet Feet this month once a week. Hopefully getting a bit quicker :)

March

          Rock N Roll USA on the 14th. I love Washington DC and am so excited to run there! (well, we're driving there, but running once I get there)

April

          The big one. COUNTRY MUSIC MARATHON on the 25th. So excited to conquer all 26.2 miles of it!

May

           Not sure yet. I want to take a break after the marathon, but not sure how long will work for me. Last year I ran the Home Run 4 Miler with the Nashville Sounds and hopefully they do that again this year!

June

           Still going to be playing it by ear. But I'd love to run the Franklin Half on the 6th. We'll see.

July

            Music City Fourth of July 10k. Ran this race last year and loved it, so I have to do it again!

            Rock N Roll Chicago Half Marathon on the 19th. I've considered doing this race for a long time (since I'm from Chicago), but I think I'm finally going to take the plunge.

August

             I might run the "It's Just a 10K" again here in Nashville on the 22nd.

September

               It hasn't been announced yet, but I'd love to run the Women's Running Half Marathon again!

October

              Rock N Roll St. Louis Half Marathon. It's fairly close and seems fun. I don't really need any other reasons.

November

             Rock N Roll Savannah Half Marathon. Again, close and fun. Still not sure on this one though.

December

            Nothing planned. Who knows, I may be starting another marathon training cycle ;P

Do you plan your races way in advance, or am I just weird?

Anyone else running any of these?

Running on the Cheap

So not all of us are professional runners or have sponsor-ships or get any money from running. In fact, most of us have to pay to run and it can really drain a wallet. My husband and I try to keep everything as cheap as possible so I try to do the same with my running. Here are several of my ideas for saving money while running all you want!

1. Sign up for races the day registration opens (or other deals). Races are expensive, especially when you get into halves and fulls. I usually try to sign up as soon as registration opens because that's usually when it's cheapest. I also Google race discounts and other promo codes. Every once in a while, they will have promotions and I try to get in on those as well. You can also run for charity, which will sometimes cover your race entry fees. It usually involves raising money for the sponsored charity.
2. Two words: Walmart and Target. They have workout tees, long sleeve workout tees, light hoodies, and even jackets similar to North Face for waaaaay less. I will give you this caveat, they do wear out a lot faster than the more pricey stuff. I have had to stitch up several holes and such, but money wise I think I still come out on top.
3. Rewards programs. I usually try to not skimp on shoes. So I tend to pay full price and try to make them last longer (not always a good strategy). However, I try to buy from places that have good rewards programs. Fleet Feet around here has a great program where if you spend a certain amount, you get a credit on your account. I also shop at Dick's Sporting Goods because their ScoreCard program is very good as well.

4. Ebay. I have just started utilizing this tool for running. If there is something from a more expensive brand that I really need want, I go to Ebay and see if I can find an older model or slightly used one for cheaper.
5. I'd also like to shout out the group on Facebook that I have found that has been a lifesaver. "Fitness Clothes and Equipment, Buy, Sell, Swap" is wonderful! It's a bunch of really nice people and most are very easy to work with. Obviously, you take the risk into your own hands with this one that you may not be getting what you see. But I've never had an issue!
5. Joint gym membership. My husband and I both go to Gold's Gym. With their Platinum plan, we pay for one membership and then we can have a "permanent guest" on our membership. So essentially we get two for the price of one. We are able to do the same for personal training. These two things still are not "cheap" but we get a better price than we would separately.

Whoever said running is a cheap sport has never actually gotten into running. It could suck you dry if you don't watch it. I hope this will help someone!

How do you save money on running gear/races?

Hitting it Hard!

I accomplished my goal for last night! Two mile run and a Hip Hop Cycle class. Needless to say, I was tired, but that's my favorite kind of tired :) This was me:

I'll start with the run:

I felt like I was going much faster than what it ended up being, but I'm alright with that. It was dark so I felt kind of adventurous. Plus I knew I had somewhere to be, so that motivated me to stick to a pace.

That leads me to Hip Hop Cycle. I had been going to this three times a week between the half marathon and the Stupid Ankle. It is essentially a spin class, but with hip hop dance moves incorporated into it. It is so much fun, but also one of the more difficult classes I have ever done. It uses your entire body and it is very high-paced. It definitely helps my stamina and endurance, but also my speed. Because we are moving our legs so quickly in this class, I think it helps me learn how to move them quicker while running.

It was a wonderful day of health and I hope to continue that trend today. I've got a strength training session on the schedule for today.

Soreness

I didn't share this yet, but here's my run from Sunday:

Yes it's very slow. Here are my excuses (I always have some):

1. It was crazy windy!
2. I had had a very busy weekend and I was ready to sleep all day
3. I hadn't actually run since Tuesday

Yeah, I know, not good excuses. But I'm proud that I got in 4 miles, no matter how long it took. I also went to the gym right afterward and did my strength training. I was very proud that I did both things I was supposed to. I even got in three strength training sessions during a holiday week.

That being said, yesterday and even today a little, I am very sore. It reminds me how I'm not where I was two months ago. I need to work up to that before I get to do these things without soreness. I'm going to stick with my 2 mile runs during the week and a 4 miler on the weekend until that feels good or until marathon training starts. Also, I'm making my return to Hip Hop Cycle tonight so we'll see how that goes. Going to try to also get in a 2 mile run and a strength training session as well.

This article from Runner's World reminded me how running brings out the best in people:

Sportsmanship Captured at NCAA Cross Country Championships

We have all felt the pains of the run, but because we have all felt it we can support each other to get past it!

What is the first thing you do for sore muscles?

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Thanksgiving 2014

This was my first Thanksgiving away from my family and making the food myself! I woke up early in the morning and I volunteered at the Music City Thanksgiving 4/8 Miler which was awesome! It also let my husband and mother-in-law have a nice breakfast on their own.
I went home and got to cooking! Here's how it all turned out:

I'm not cool enough to decorate the table, but the food turned out good! We had turkey breast, sour cream mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans, and jello. Not pictured: apple crisp and pumpkin pie for dessert. 

Blog world, I'd like to introduce you to our dog, Wrigley. He's a long-haired chihuahua and about 7 months old. He enjoyed the turkey a little too much and fell into his own turkey coma.

At least he looks happy :)

Then we sat around in food comas and watched football. It was a good day! I am very thankful for many things, but here is what tops the list:

1. My family. Both my little family (me and Brad) and extended family. I'm glad I've got supportive people around me.

2. My faith. I'm very thankful for a God who listens when I call and has offered me eternal life

3. My friends. I'm thankful for making new friends in this new city we are living in and to be able to lean on them.

4. My running. I'm thankful that I have the ability to run, but also that I have found it as an outlet. It provides a goal to strive for and a way to process life.

5. My job. It's not always my favorite, but I am very thankful for it. There are very few people who get a job that pays well right after graduation. Can't take that for granted.

6. My husband. He is extremely hard-working and loyal. I am thankful for him and I am thankful that he handles me at my worst and still loves me. (just ask him about the post-half marathon blues mixed with a sprained ankle, he sees my WORST)

Finally, I'm thankful for everyone who cares enough to read my random thoughts. I appreciate you taking time out of your day to try to understand me. 

Now, onto the Christmas season!

The Other Side of the Water Table

I'd like to write a post appreciating the volunteers that show up at every race. I feel like they are wildly unappreciated and unrecognized.

I spent my Thanksgiving morning volunteering at the Music City Thanksgiving 4/8 Miler put on by What Do You Run For Event Management. Full disclosure: they were offering a free race entry to a future race to anyone who volunteered. It was not just my good-will that got me out there in the cold. However, I found that it was very fun and rewarding!

Pretty good water table if I do say so myself

We were the only water stop and the 8 milers looped past us twice. It was very fun to cheer the runners on and to encourage those that were struggling. It was great when we were the lifeline to a runner, because I know how that feels.

On the other hand, I found out how it feels to be the "non-runner".  There were several runners (not many) who were downright rude. I'm not noticing this to get pity, but to change my own behaviors. For instance, a breathless "thank you" goes a long way. We had to get up early and stand in the blowing cold for three hours just to give them water. Now I understand that runners are tired, but so was I!

Thank you to everyone who ran the race, it was an awesome experience for me! I would love to volunteer for more races (not even for free race entries). Thank you to all the race volunteers that I have not appreciated nearly enough. I would like to challenge all you running bloggers to try volunteering for a race. I promise it will be rewarding and eye-opening.

I'll post about the rest of Thanksgiving later today :)