A quick update. And it so happens to be Tuesday, as in Tuesday Newsday

Hi.

Remember me?

Of course you do.

I’ve been very busy and stressed. I’ve come to let you know that I still LOVE my blog and this community and all of you! I hate that I have to neglect it currently. In fact, it’s been such a long time that they have changed the look of WordPress.

Here’s what I WANT to post: My FIRST marathon post (it’s 3/4 done), my Tough Mudder Review (YES, last weekend, I did the Colorado Tough Mudder and want to tell you all about it), My Dino Half review, Horsetooth half review and my reply to my Liebster Award.

All those post are coming….eventually.

Here’s what’s going on in Colorado:

-School is almost done!! My last day of classes is July 3rd (15 days!!!) and I will graduate from my personal training school July 12th. However, in leu of that, I’ve had homework assignments, BIG assignments due. It’s been about two or more per week, for the last two weeks, and more due here in the next two weeks as well. I’ve had a few tests and finished up my Performance Enhancement Specialist elective class. (no, there’s nothing to with steroids). Then, of course, a 3 day final exam: Written test and practical tests.

-I’ve been job searching like crazy, partly just to look for a personal training jobs, but also partly due to the fact that my hours got drastically slashed at work and I have been given a sales ultimatum. This has put me in the worst financial crisis I have encountered. It’s scary. But for the record, I absolutely HATE and despise the corporation we all know as Bally Total Fitness. There’s a strong part of me that just wants to rant about that company, but I know that’s not very professional.  All I will say is I highly recommend changing gyms if you do, in fact, supply Bally’s with money once a month. Although, it’s unlikely that any of you need to do this because there is only Ballys in three cities of the United States.

-And that’s about it. I haven’t had too much time for fun. Wait, let me rephrased. It is true, I HAVE NOT had time for fun, but I have made time for a little bit of fun, probably at the cost of my sleep. Possibly. A special friend moved to Colorado recently, so that’s great and have gotten to spend a lot of time with them. In the last few weeks I’ve been to a BBQ Festival, Chalk Art Festival and the People’s Fair.

I miss this world. I will come back to it soon.  As soon as I finished all my homework. In addition, I’ve neglected my friends. So here’s my apology to them: I’m sorry for the delay in text message response, or no response at all. And sorry I decline a majority of hangout invites. I’ll have more free time soon. In the meantime, here’s some recent fun pictures to entertain you:

Pig Races at the Frisco BBQ Festival

Flying Pigs Everywhere at the Frisco BBQ festival!!!

Interesting interactive poster at the People’s fair a few weeks ago

my favorite art at the chalk art festival

My friend taking pictures for the Chalk Art Festival. See her images here

Post Tough Mudder

Pre Tough Mudder

Tuesday Newsday – 5/14 – I’m in Maine!

(I started writing this post on Tuesday, earlier this week…)

Prior to class today, I was really freaking out about my marathon, but after talking to one of the instructors about the marathon she ran recently, I feel I lot better. She had a similar situation that I am about to explain…

Let’s recap the last week of training:

Vermont City Marathon Training Week 16:

Monday: Rest/no kicking boxing. Unfortunately I had to study for my test.

Tuesday: Only 2 miles

Wednesday: 3.5 miles

Thursday: Only half a mile, guys! AHHH. It started raining, raining a lot, on my lunch break at work so I was forced to use the treadmill. I CANNOT stand that thing anymore. Plus, I was super stressed and my chest felt super tight and it was hard to breathe….long, complicated story. Sounds worse than it is….I think.

Friday: 3.75 miles.

Saturday: Rest. With Performance Enhancement Specialist elective at school. (I realize this sounds pretty precarious, as if I’m learning about giving athletes steroids. But really, the PES cert from NASM is all about just training athletes. It’s a great course and I’m learning a lot!)

Sunday: Disaster hit. So…… I went out for my last long run. It was supposed to be a 20 miler. Since it was also mother’s day, I had driven up to Longmont the night before to hangout with my mom. There’s a lake near her house and we figure out that I needed to lap the lake 5 times plus the two and from her house; that would be 20 miles. I woke up early, AGAIN, and made my way outside. It was already in the upper 60′s at 6am, so it made for a lovely day. But then I felt the pain. Not sharp, but not comfortable either. My left knee and left hip were hurting. Causing me to limp. My right arch was also hurting. Not sure which happened first or if one stated and then due to a compensation in my stride, the rest of my pains started. After my second lap around the lake, I stopped to walk a little while I forced down a GU (blueberry flavored this time and still disgusting). I chased it with water and started running again. Still painful. I tried to concentrate on my form, but nothing was helping. (In regards to it being Mother’s day, I did take my mommy to the Wild Life Animal Sanctuary..it was wonderful!)

Needless to say, I was freaking out after that; wondering if I could even do my marathon. I ran a total of 12 -13 miles that day and other than the hip and knee and arch issue, I felt great – plenty of energy, felt fine cardiovascularly. Just tight and sore.

(Cut to Saturday, as I sit in my hotel in Maine, resting before the Sugarloaf 15k)

I was freaking out all week, talking to anyone and everyone that knew anything about running. I’m still doing my marathon, there’s no question about that. I’m going to take it easy. My goal is just to finish. And I think I can. Since that attempted long run day, I’ve been taking it easy, to recover as fully as I can. Even easier than a normal taper. I have run a little; short, easy runs just to get my heart rate up and on my feet. They have resulted in me feeling just tight and heavy. I have done cross training like kickboxing and stuff as well. Mind over matter.

I will ask you to reserve any comments this time…unless it’s to tell me I’m doing just fine! It will freak me out way to much to hear anything other than, “you’ll do fine.” I’m confident I’ll do fine, and that’s all I need to know right now.

And also, for the record, I think anyone who says tapering is hard is certifiably nuts. I’m so happy it’s shorter runs!!!!! I mean, it could be my over trained, under slept self that is biased. But bring on the taper!

So, back to the present. I am laying on my bed at the Spillover Motel in Stratton, Maine which is about a 15 min drive from where I need to be tomorrow at 6:30 am. Tomorrow will be my recovery test run.

I’ve picked up my packet, ate some spaghetti, and laid out my clothes. I’m about to hop in the shower and then tuck myself in. I think this will be one of my most prepared races I’ve run in a loooong while.

Also, there’s still time to get me your favorite workout jams for me to put on my running play list!

I WANT YOUR MUSICAL MOTIVATION!!!!

HELLO Everyone!!

I’ve seen others in the past do workout music posts but I’ve never done one which is surprising because daily musical accompany is a very important part of my life!

What I mean by this is that I LOVE MUSIC! I know most people do, but music is a one of my biggest hobbies. Although, I, myself, am not musically talented (I did play the flute in middle school before I switched to being a jock); I wish I was; I really, really do. But I’m not. Since I’m not, I try to incorparate others’ art forms into my life as much as possible.

I go to concerts as much as I can (mostly when my budget allows). In fact, I live for live music. I will even go to shows where I don’t know the bands just to watch live music. When I find a band I enjoy, I love to see them live, becuase that’s where you really see someone in their element – playing their instrument or singing – and see their passion for the music. Concerts are how you tell if a band is good.

I also listen to music as much as I possible can. At home, in the car, at work. If I’m allowed to have the radio or my iPOD on, it WILL be on.

I also RUN to music! I can’t run without it – I am one of those runners… Some runners love to hear the sounds of nature or their feet hitting the pavement. I prefer not to hear those clunky things strike the hard ground (although, my exception is trails. I’ll typically keep one ear bud in when in the woods or on trails running to hear the sounds of nature).

I typically NEED to run with music to keep myself motivated/distracted. I’ll run to the beat, sing (or dance) along to the song. (Yes, I said dance….picture that!). Music really helps me get through those long runs or PR in my races. Never underestimate the power of a song. Not just when it comes to running. Music helps me get through life – sometimes a song writer or band can put into words exactly what you’re feeling better than you can.

I wont bore you with a list of my favorite bands; besides, you probably haven’t heard of most of them, or wouldn’t try listening.. (Believe it of not, but metal/screamo is one of my favorite genres).

Here’s what I want from YOU: I would absolutely LOVE one or two of your favorite workout or running songs!

I want to compile my friends’, families’, bloggers’ favorite pump up/motivation songs and put them on my iPOD for my BIG DAY. I am traveling to Burlington, Vermont by myself (the first part of my trip I’ll be with friends for that wedding I’m in) but after that, I’m running my first marathon without in person support.

I’m ok with that, but I have a feeling it will get to me on race day. SO, I think this would be a fantastic idea to put songs that you all send me and I’ll know that when that song plays it was from “so and so.” It will be like I’m running with all of you!!

And I mean EVERYONE! Don’t you DARE leave this page without posting one or two of your favorite musical motivations!

 

It doesn’t even have to be that fast faced – there’s plenty of time along my 26.2 miles for just plain great songs – I just want your favorite songs to listen to while running or working out!

To start you off, here are a couple of my recent favorite running jams (although they change quite often):

Imagine Dragons – “On Top of the World“

Awolnation – “Burn it Down” This is actually one of my favorites for right near the finish line!

Of Mice and Men (one of their more “mellow” jams) – “Let Live “

and Fall Out Boy – “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark” My newest favorite!

 

Tuesday Newsday – 5/7 – FREAKING OUT!

I CANNOT focus on anything right now! I have so much to do and I can’t figure out how to organize for 5 seconds to put a priority list together.

I just had a test yesterday, and a dozen other homework assignments in the works. Allthewhile, booking hotels and otherwise planning my trip and making sure everything is in order for both my friend’s wedding and my runs. Also, I’m so far behind on blogging it’s ridiculous – and the sad part is I’d rather be blogging and in this world than at school or work.

When I’m at work, all I can think about is my upcoming trip and school and training with no way to work on that stuff there – one of the most frustrating feelings in the world, when half the time I’m just standing there, checking people into the gym.

And my trip is in like 10 days away! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!! (On top of me being super nervous for my marathon).

I’m also pretty sure this post is going to be super dis-combobulated (I’m not making up words now, am I?) and will probably be super hard to read.

Also, I’ve been periodically catching up on blog reading, so don’t be suprised if you see a “like” from me on a post from two months ago.

Let’s get down to business:

Week 15 of Marathon Training: I really didn’t run much last week at all. Crap.

Monday: Rest.

Tuesday: 5 miles due, only got in 3.2 miles in.

Wednesday: supposed to do 5 miles again….I chose kickboxing. I’m telling you guys, that’s how frustrated my job makes me…I choose to punch and kick things over running. The instructor does make sure I do a lot of running specific joint actions to ensure I’m not wasting my training time. He’s actually a great trainer!

Thursday: No running. Not sure why. Just none.

Friday: None..but on purpose because I had a race the following day.

Saturday: Dino Half in Vernal, UT (Post to come shortly) (Hopefully).

Sunday: Recovery. I drank beer. (And studied looked at my notes). BUT it was for a good cause! Here’s the gist: Beyond Gear had a fundraiser to raise money. Here’s the mission statement (taken straight from the website):

“BEYONDgear is an outdoor lifestyle brand that utilizes the power of adventure to create positive impact in at-risk communities. Every purchase of BEYONDgear jewelry and apparel gives an adventure experience to an at-risk youth. BEYONDgear was initially founded in support of the Centro de Escalada Urbana (CEU), a climbing school for at-risk youth in the favelas (slums) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.”

It actually turned out to be a great experience. I had some tasty beer. Hung out with friends. I got to talk a lot about climbing (something I’m still a beginner at, but want to get more involved in SOOOOOO BAD) and talked a lot about running (something I always talk about anyway). Made some great career/job connections. Won an electrolyte water mix – perfect for runners! Got a chalk bag (now I just need climbing shoes!) Did I mention there was beer? Delicious beer from Avery Brewing Company in Boulder, CO.

To learn more about Beyond Gear, click HERE. To check out Avery Brewing Company click HERE.

Anyway, Total Miles for Week 15: a measly 16 miles : (

And now that I’ve updated you on marathon training, I can resume freaking out while planning my trip and doing homework (I’m actually currently in class while writing/posting this, multitasking like a champion. I also have millions of tabs open on my computer screen).