Sunday...

The Sunday has finally arrived that has that "Sunday" feeling. Meaning, tomorrow I go back to work. I have been out of work the past 3 weeks while living in Orlando, running the half marathon and trying to pursue my dream to work for Disney. I slept at my sister's last night and we went to see "The Adjustment Bureau". I do NOT recommend this movie, it was one of the worst movies I have seen in the theatre in a long time. I really couldn't wait until it was over, I was bored and fidgety.

We went to California Pizza Kitchen at Partridge Creek for lunch with my entire family, and it was a blast. We stayed from about 12:30 PM-2:30 PM, just catching up since I have been in Orlando and my dad has been traveling. I love eating out with my parents, because we usually order a few different things which means I get to try it all! It really has scarred me, because whenever I go out without them I never know what to order and want to try multiple items!

After lunch, my sister and I met Natalie at Lifetime Fitness. Lifetime is impressive, they have a huge pool, mini restaurant, kid care, basketball courts, and a lot of different cardio machines. My hip was bothering me, not hurting, just bothering- so I decided not to run today but take advantage of cardio machines. I did 15 minutes on the "Arc Trainer" (my favorite), 15 minutes on the "Stepmill" and 30 minutes on the Stationary Bike. I didn't know the names of all of these, so I looked them up on a website that explains them called "Ask the Trainer".  The stepmill was a challenge! It was basically climbing stairs, but going nowhere. It was fun to have "workout buddies"! Guess what, I am actually sore today from my Exercise TV workout yesterday!

Here is a new tune for your Sunday evening, I LOVE it! "Chairlift- Bruises" Enjoy!

Running with music?

I came across this "Running Debate- Running With Music" article via twitter, and it immediately intrigued me.

There are a lot of things I love about running. I love how I can think about everything and nothing at the same time on a run. I am a "running with music" person. However, people often make fun of my music choices on a run. I love to listen to anything from techno to country, to slow music on a run. It really depends on my mood, however this was more when I wasn't training. Since training, more upbeat pump me up music has been on my ipod, but this article really made me think about trying to run without a beat in my head.

I have a friend from highs school, where our friendship revolves around running. He is an amazing athlete, and usually places in marathons. I am considering joining the running club he is involved in, however since high school running has been such a independent thing for me, I'm a little nervous to see how it would be with other people! I love the outdoors, I don't love the gym. With running, I can lace up my tennis shoes be out the door and back in a hour- whereas the gym is a process. Driving there, lockers, people, the whole process doesn't compare to a run. Anyways, my friend has often talked about running without music, and how it's the way to go. While I've tried this, this article makes me want to try it again- just to listen to the way my body feels and what really goes through my head during a run. This was a "con" in the article;

CON One big problem is that listening to music can remove you from the other sounds that running produces, such as breathing and footstrike, which are essential cues... Eventually, you can lose a sense of what might be truly motivating to you, such as the energized feeling you get on the run.

What do I think about when I run? A friend of mine in college once said "I don't think anyone would need to see a psychiatrist if they could learn to run".  I laughed, and think about that statement once in a while. What I really enjoyed about training, is my thoughts would often envision the finish line. Or how excited I was for the actual race, and running under my goal time. Before that I usually just think about what is going on in my life. While that sounds serious, sometimes it is. Sometimes it's not! Sometime's it's just thinking about what I have to do for the day, other times it's thinking about my next move. I remember before moving to Bangkok, my runs would revolve around trying to envision what Thailand would look like, if I'd be lonely, would I make friends? All of these thoughts, yet none could prepare me for the reality of moving to a different country by myself all the way around the world. The reality was better! Running has traveled the world with me, and has been a constant passion in my world of change. 

Interesting. This is definitely an article worth checking out. It's a little cold to lace up today, there is fresh snow on the ground, and it's in the 30's. I am craving Yoga today at Yoga Shelter, and also considering checking out some ExerciseTV workouts. They are free on my comcast (at least most of them), and I have to be creative since I am no longer a member at my local gym. I also want to research "intermediate" half marathon training today, since I am officially NOT a beginner anymore! I will also take a look at marathon training to see what exactly I am getting myself into.

I also need to unpack from my 18 days in Orlando, write a few follow up e-mails, and organize my life to prepare for a new week. 

The snowstorm is coming!?!?!

It is supposed to snow 15 inches tonight in Michigan! Will work be cancelled is the big question? It's supposed to be a blizzard and people are really making a big deal out of this storm... I just hope people are safe, and don't go on the road unless it's NECESSARY!

Since I am doing a snow dance and anticipating a day off work tomorrow, I switched my "rest" day from today to tomorrow and went to the gym to do my 5 miles today.

I ran 5 miles at 44 min 07 seconds. 8.47 min miles

When I was finished running, a random man on the track said "good job, you were my motivator". It was nice to hear that from a stranger! Before my ran I drank a Melaleuca Access Shake.

Here is the description:

• Patented nutrition that turns fat into fuel
• • Energizes your workout
  • Offers endurance with less fatigue and soreness

They also come in bars. I can definitely tell the difference if I have a bar/ shake or if I don't energy wise. I use all Melaleuca products, from hand wash to shampoo/ conditioner, vitamins and fitness products. 

A few weeks ago Living Social  had a great deal for Amazon, buy $10 and get a $20 credit. I bought it, and purchased two CD's for my half marathon. I usually don't buy CD's, instead I download music off Itunes, however I remember really liking both of these CD's while working out. I hope my taste hasn't changed too much, which it usually doesn't when it comes to music, but these are the CD's I bought...

and

Here is the playlist:

Source Presents Hip Hop Hits 2
1. Still Not a Player
2. Money Ain't a Thang
3. Money, Power & Respect
4. Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby)
5. Do for Love
6. Hope I Don't Go Back
7. Party Ain't a Party
8. Turn It Up (Remix)/Fire It Up
9. Get at Me Dog
10. Still a G Thang
11. It's Alright
12. What'cha Gonna Do?
13. Horse & Carriage
14. N.O.R.E.
15. I Got the Hook Up
16. Luv 2 Luv U [Remix]
17. 4, 3, 2, 1
18. Gone Till November

Dance Party (Like it's 2003)

1. I Don't Want U - Wide Life

2. I Never Knew (Mike Rizzo Global Dance Mix) - Gloria Gaynor

3. It Just Won't Do - Tim Deluxe featuring Sam Obernik

4. Milky - Just the Way You Are

5. Safe From Harm - Narcotic Thrust featuring Yvonne John Lewis

6. I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Roxane

7. Back 4 the Morning - Neja

8. Tears (Dezrock Radio Mix) - Rockell

9. No One's Gonna Change You - Reina

10. Rainy Day - Renee Stakey

11. Heaven - DJ Sammy & Yanou featuring Do

12. Take Me Away (Into the Night) - 4Strings

13. The Theme - Jurgen Vries

14. Something - Lasgo

15. Reason - Ian Van Dahl

16. Come(Into My Dream) - Foggy

I am always looking for new music when I run. I like to listen to ANYTHING, and by that I mean ANYTHING. I listen to all different genres, depending on my mood mostly. I really like to listen to songs I just like in general, but need to switch it up a lot so I don't get bored. Let me repeat that, I need to switch it up A LOT.

Today I ate toast with sliced chicken and avocado for breakfast at around 6:50 AM. I ate 5 cherries for a snack around 9 AM. I ate lunch a little earlier today around 11 AM and it was a sliced chicken, avocado and mustard sandwich and a few slices of mango, and a small chocolate cookie. Around 2 PM I had a access shake before working out. I was really hungry after my workout so I came home and ate a tomato with salt and balsamic vinegar, and a slice of cheese. 

My little cousins are coming over for dinner and we are having shrimp lobster sauce and rice, a Chinese dish my dad makes. 

Unless I make up any recipes, which I doubt I will as of now- I don't really see a point on posting pictures of the food I eat on here, unless it's really special! I am currently living with my parents, so I am not creating any recipes, rather eating what is in the house. My dad is really into fitness as well, he has completed a few half marathons by running/walking them. He ran a 10k with me in the summer at the Detroit Zoo which was a blast, and offered free access to the Zoo after the run. My dad likes the races, but doesn't really like the training process! He does a lot of the OnDemand workouts throughout the week, and sometimes I will join him for them. My mom and dad are currently counting sugar on labels, something I would be willing to try, however like I have stated my main goal is to be able to eat anything I want, in proportion and knowing how to fuel myself properly for the amount of running I do.

So, will this blizzard take place? I guess we will see! Today my legs were a little sore and hurt in my shins, which I hope are not shin splints because I used to get them in high school (I think from wearing the wrong shoes) and I can't think of anything worse as a runner! Does anyone have any cure for them?

Hopefully I won't be going anywhere tomorrow, and just enjoying a SNOW DAY!