Celebrating Earth Day!

When you work in the field of Conservation Education... today happens to be a big day, it's Earth Day!  So I've been celebrating it in two ways.

First, I went out for a run that ended up being a really, really good 6 mile run.  I headed out this morning before the moon set and the sun had rose.  It was a really nice sun rise run.  Overall, the run felt strong and when I got home I just had a feeling of accomplishment.  Plus nothing was hurting yet, a little tight, but nothing screaming.

Even though I killed it on the roads this morning, I was still excited to get out on some of the local waterways and try stand up paddling.

Stand up paddling is rough when you've just run 6 miles and your calves are a bit tight, but I wouldn't say it's hard.  It just takes all different muscles really.  It works on your balance and core muscles with some arm muscles as well.  For the most part you plant your feet on the board and they don't really move.  I did drop to my knees once when I was trying to balance and take pictures at the same time, and that gave me a nice break from the standing.

The paddle was a relaxing break from everything.  We pretty much had the whole waterway to ourselves.  Not too many animals were out, other than some fish, turtles, and birds.  Yet the scenery was breath taking and even though it was an hour, paddling really let us reset ourselves and forget about everything else.  My roommate and I did agree that this was something we needed to keep doing, for the fresh air factor and the relaxation.

Happy Earth Day everyone!  I hope you were able to get outside and enjoy it!

People Say The Nicest Things...

Ever starting my new job, it's been really hard to train for the Princess Half Marathon and keep up with my personal goal of averaging 12 miles a week.  It always feels like my endurance is completely shot and I'm just not in the shape I was at the beginning of the year... which in all honesty I'm probably not.

Still today I was able to hit the road and I had a pretty decent run.  Not my fastest, not my best, but it wasn't my worst either.  It was in the last mile though that I ran into some people I had met last year and they made me feel a lot better about my running.

I had met this couple at a wine dinner at a Walt Disney World restaurant.  They were very nice and we soon found out that we lived in two communities that were side by side.  Now, I had always looked out for them, but had never seen them.  A few months roll by and I stop keeping an eye out.

Then today I see a couple who look oddly familiar and she waves me down.  Sure enough it was the couple from the dinner.  We talked for a bit and as we were leaving the wife tells me "You're running so well, so fast!  You're looking good!"

That was all I needed to hear really.  Personally I know I haven't been running my best or anywhere close to it, but to hear someone compliment me on my running... that makes me feel as though I'm running my best.

That is one of the reasons I always try to thank people, compliment them, or in the least smile.  You never know when something small like that might help change someone's day.  Today it certainly helped my running.

Double Workout!

Growing up a competitive swimmer, doing double practices was something you started doing pretty early on.  One practice before the sun broke the horizon and one where you watched the sun set.  I really haven't done too many double workouts since graduating college (the biggest one was the Wine & Dine Half that I made into a 20 miler), but today I made myself do one.

I had told myself that I was going to run at least 5 miles this morning.  In all actuality, my first mile felt pretty good and I thought it wasn't going to be bad.  Well, then the Mike's Hard Lemonades, chips, and other Super Bowl goodies my roommate and I partook in caught up with me and didn't let me get that much farther.  So yes, I stopped at 2.5 miles.

But I had told myself 5 miles today... and I wasn't going to let myself get by with half of that.  So I rested, hydrated, and got ready to head back out this afternoon.  I actually ran another 3.05 miles this afternoon, giving me a totally of 5.55 miles! So technically I did less, but more... ya I just like to be weird like that.

The Hardest Part of the Holidays...

... Is coming back to real life...

I spent my holidays split with my parents at Disney World and at work.  I was able to run a little bit around the Epcot resorts, which is something I always look forward to doing on my parent's visits.  The running was a bit tough because I was still a tad bit sore from the 13 miler last week and my stomach was more than full from all of the wonderful food we were eating.  I swear, I could almost start another blog all about the great food we were eating.

This morning was my return to "real" life and while it's my day off from work, I knew I had to get some kind of run in.  It took my almost an hour to convince myself to get out of bed and out onto the road, but I eventually did... well, after a quick change of clothes because it was a lot colder than expecting.

Todays run felt pretty good and it always seems that my best runs are the runs that I really don't want to do.  I didn't want to run at all before the 13 miler last week and it was a great run... I didn't want to run today, but I felt really good.  Still, I'm trying to relax a bit and then get a few medium runs in before the marathon.  I do have just about 2.5 weeks left!

So now I have a few holiday pounds to loose again, but it should be easier now that I'm cooking for myself again.  I might be dreaming about some of the dishes we had though for a while...

Double Digits!!

I finally broke that double digit barrier for the first time since the Princess Half Marathon in February.  11 miles down, and I'm definitely thanking the Jeff Galloway plan.  This run/walk plan is helping make the training a bit more enjoyable than me trying to muscle my way through it.  This run was definitely a push, but in all honesty, it felt better than the 9 mile run.

That's not saying that everything was perfect.  I was definitely running up hill in the middle of the run, or at least it felt like that, but I got through it.  After the 8th mile, I definitely hit my stride again and the last few miles actually felt decent.  I was tired and I could tell I need to work on strengthening my quads some more, but I was able to make it.

The sunrise was really pretty though.  I started when the stars were out, the moon was shining and I finished when the sun was out and blaring.  One of these days I'll take a picture of the sunrise and sunset I see on my runs.  Part of my run goes around a lake and sunset and its reflection always takes my breath away (well that, and the huffing and puffing from running).

Determination definitely played a part in my run today.  Instead of me running straight out and back like I did on my 9 miler, I made a few loops around my house and the neighborhoods surrounding me.  This way, I didn't have to hold my water bottle for 11 miles, and I was able to get grapes and Powerade on my stops to help refuel me.  There were some doubts that I would be able to continue my run after coming into the house (Thanks Dad...), but I was definitely able to get back out.  Especially towards the end, I HAD to finish.  There was no option otherwise.

A Quickie, But A Goodie

My plan was to get a nice kickboxing workout in this morning and then relax till this evening when I have a Fantasy Football draft.  But alas, I ended up doing more.  I got a nice little 2 mile run in before kickboxing.

It was just enough to get warmed up and get any lactic acid or tightness in my legs to loosen up.  In all honesty, it's been one of my best feeling runs recently.  I think my newest shoes are finally on the verge of being completely broken in and I'm just feeling stronger.

It's also nice that the weather is finally cooling down.  I was able to wear my capris running pants and it wasn't too hot.  It was still early, but it would have already been hot and humid at that time a month ago.  I love my winter running gear so that's just exciting for me. 

So now I'm feeling good, ready to rest up and be prepared for this fantasy football draft tonight!

I Can Run Faster

This week I ran over 13 miles, which actually felt pretty good.  I ran 4 days, with 3 shorter days and then one longer day.  Today was one of those short days where I only ran 2 miles, but it ended up being a speed workout, which in all honesty was a complete fluke.  I was planning to focus on endurance since that's been hurting the last few runs, but the heat drained me pretty quickly and I was surprised about a half mile in to find I was running at a pretty decent speed.

Now I've been in a comfort zone for my running at around a 9:15 pace (during the running part and then sub-16 min when walking during my longer runs/lazy days).  I've been running this pace most of the year with a few quicker intervals thrown in here and there.  Well today, I ran my 2 miles completely sub-9 min miles.  I was pretty excited since this is the fastest I've run yet.

It's amazing how you can get into grooves without thinking about and then magically one day you realize, "oh!  I can run faster" or "I can work out harder!"  It was a nice wake up call; and I do mean nice.  It was inspiring and motivational to see that I could run at these speeds when I previously thought I had a nice pace and wasn't really going to worry about making them any faster.  While I might not be running the half marathon or full marathon with 8-something minute miles, it could happen a bit farther down the road if I can help it.

Another reason it was a nice surprise is because I've had a tough time with non-athletes and non-runners this week understanding the level of commitment I do put into my runs.  While I may not be in the same competitive zone that I was with swimming, I still put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into my runs.  Quite a few of the friends I've made in the last year don't understand why I got to bed early the night before a long run or why I don't have so many drinks at a restaurant.  Luckily I do have those who do understand (my friends from work were surprisingly understandable last night when I bailed from a party early), and I do see the rewards of my efforts.  Plus, I know those who really support me and my commitments and those people are in a whole other level of friendship to me (and family of course).

On The Road Again

I was able to get back outside and run again today.  I didn't feel 100%, but I really wasn't expecting too.  I could still feel the fatigue and dehydration that I've been fighting since my flu, but it is getting better, and that's what I'm excited about.  Maybe now I can finally get back into a routine and get some work done!

While today's run was a short one (only 2.45 miles), it was also a hot run.  The sun was already coming up and I definitely felt it.  It's going to get harder and harder to beat the sunrise during the summer, or even wait till sunset since it sets so late in the evening.  It's looking like I might have to wake up early and get in the miles I can and then wait for cooler temperatures before really getting serious about my long runs for the marathon training (I still think I'm crazy for signing up for a marathon).

I don't know if it's summer or old habits trying to re-emerge, but after my runs I've been craving a smoothie, particularly a Jamba Juice.  Those who have gone to Jamba, I'm sure you understand how amazing they are after a workout or on a hot day.  I cannot tell you how often I went growing up and now I don't have any.  Funny enough, they don't have any in Florida, or at least close to Orlando.  Of course, I think this sucks because I'm severely missing them.  Fortunately, I'm already planning at least 1 trip to a Jamba while I'm home in a few weeks.  Still... I wish I could get my Matcha Green Tea Blast, or a Strawberry's Wild, or if I feel like indulging a Chocolate Covered Strawberry (it's on their secret menu...).

Knowing When To Stop

I fell asleep early last night which made me wake up early this morning... Ya, I should have seen that coming, but it was all for the better.

I ended up running 7.56 miles this morning and it felt good... until about 7.25-ish.  That's when my legs died and my motivation plummeted.  The way I was feeling, I knew it was better to stop and finish the last .5 mile home walking than pushing it, completely dying, and possibly getting injured.

I think that's one of the most important things.  We're always pushing ourselves to go faster and farther, but we also need to know when it's time to stop.  If you go too hard or fall the chances of hurting do become a reality.  I believe that the constant self evaluation is key to knowing if you're good to continue or if you need to stop.

I had that issue during my first few half marathons where I ended up getting shin splints and I think it's a reason an ankle injury bothered me for so long.  Luckily, I had some amazing coaches and trainers who helped me get back on track.  Now I'm always monitoring how I'm feeling and if I can keep going.  Usually, I know it's just a wall or my body not wanting to work and I keep pushing.  Today was just a whole new feeling and I put on the brakes...

There are definitely times I wish I had listened to my body in the past, but we learn by making mistakes, right?

10 Miles... Check!

My weekly goal is to run at least 10 miles a week.  Most weeks, it's hard because I'm running around my work schedule, but I have been getting my 10 miles done each week... well, except one week, but I'm catching back up to that week.

Considering I've had 2 days off this week, I decided to get my 10 miles done as soon as possible.  I had my 7 mile run yesterday and today I finished with 3 more miles!  It was more of a recovery run than anything, but I still got out there, still got my run in.

Who knows, I might get another few miles in before this week is over, but we'll see.  It will just go towards the one week when I wasn't able to run...