I really thought by posting about the run earlier, it would make me go in the cold. But it didn't. The sun was nowhere to be found and it was freezing, so I put my run off again for another day. I am starting to feel unprepared for my marathon coming up, since I am skipping so many runs on my schedule. During my half marathon training, the ONLY runs I skipped were about 2-3 when I was sick, other than that I stayed 100% on schedule. Tomorrow is supposed to be 45 degrees and the rest of the week is 45-47 so I am ready TO RUN! YES! I even bought fuel today at REI to prepare for the long runs. I bought 12 different Cliff Bloks in all different flavors, because if you bought 12 or more you save $.40 on each one. I figured I will use them eventually! The man at the store told me the cherry one had the most caffeine. I didn't realize that some of them don't have any caffeine, and I don't really know if it makes a difference or not. All I know is after how sick I got using the Gel during the race, I am ready to try something different. Maybe I can switch it up...
I still worked out today, even though it wasn't a run. I did Jillian Michaels on Exercise TV. She is nuts! I really thought with all the Yoga I have been incorporating I have been getting stronger, but I felt so weak doing her workout. It was a 30 minute workout, then I did 10 minute Ab video. Although it was a good workout, I didn't exactly care for it. I have liked other workouts by different instructors better. I really like when the workouts have a timer on the corner that counts down, and doing a few different ones that are shorter so I don't get bored.
I left early for the Grace Ormonde fashion show so I could stop at REI and Lululemon. I really wanted to buy a strap for my yoga mat, because it drives me crazy since it is so big carrying it around and how it unrolls in the back of my car. I went for the cheaper option of a strap for $12 instead of a bag which was around $28.
The Grace Ormonde event was fun! It was a beautiful set up and the fashion show was fun. I even met Grace! The food was great, the fashion show was fun and it was kind of fun to get out and do something during the week.
Today was a very productive and fun Saturday. Rojo last night was really fun! I started with a Margarita, our table shared a guacamole for an appetizer and my mom and I shared the chicken and steak fajitas. It just opened last Wednesday so the restaurant was crowded, we waited for our table and it took us a good thirty minutes to get our food, but we had great company so it didn't matter. I would definitely go back, although I don't know if I would go for a full Mexican meal. The Guacamole appetizer was very unique, they made it right in front of you, and you watched someone slice the avocados, tomatoes, and everything needed to make it right in front of your table. The food was good, but I think it was a little expensive for traditional Mexican food. I can see my friends going there to the deck in the summer for margaritas and appetizers, but I don't know if I would go back for a sit down dinner!
Pomegranate Margarita
Corzo Silver tequila, pomegranate juice, fresh lime juice, agave nectar and garnished with an orange.
I fell asleep last night at 11 PM, I couldn't even keep my eyes open. I woke up right away at 7:30 AM and contemplated going directly to the gym, but just loved not having to wake up so I didn't. I stayed in bed until about 9 AM then got up and got ready for my easy 2.5 mile run. The sun was shining today, even though it was still pretty cold, it just feels different when the sun is out!
I ran 2.5 miles in 24:45 pace 9'52.
I am VERY dedicated to following my schedule EXACTLY. If it tells me to run at a easy pace, I do it. If it tells me to run 8 miles, I do it! Looking at the two months I can't believe how close it is to the half. I skipped about a week of runs when I was sick, but I didn't skip any long runs- I made up for it. I really can't believe how the time has flown! Although I didn't lose the weight I was hoping to while training, I am definitely stronger. I am a stronger runner, I have a stronger mindset on goals, and have already achieved so much completing a 12 mile run without walking one bit of it. If you would have told my cross country high school self I would be running 13 miles in a few weeks I would have laughed at you.
I was supposed to go to Thai On Main in Royal Oak for lunch today. I was so excited for their drunken noodles! I met a friend from Chicago who was in town and my other friend who is running the race with me. It was closed! I was disappointed but we ended up at Little Tree for sushi and my favorite Philippine fried rice. It had marinated beef, sticky rice, seaweed salad and two eggs on top.
After lunch I went to REI to purchase a few more Cliff Energy Gel Shots and Cliff Shot Bloks. I bought Mocha and Chocolate Cherry. I bought the Blocks in Tropical Punch. They are so squishy! I also bough TYR Soft Silicone Ear Plugs. I have never tried this brand, but these are my favorite kind of ear plugs when they mold to your ears. I really started to enjoy swimming laps in Thailand, where the weather was over 100 degrees and it wasn't possible to run outside with the heat, pollution and traffic. I swim in the summers at my local park, and I love it! I know there is a pool where I am staying in Florida, but I don't know if I will be able to do laps yet.
Now it's time to pack! How cute is the Thai red bull shirt? I bought these in Bangkok for my guy friends and family. I am bringing one to my friend whose Birthday we will be celebrating in Orlando!
I don't know why this lady is talking about a 5k and not saying anything about this being my longest run yet! Whatever.
Today was phenomenal! I went to sleep and woke up knowing today was my 12 mile run. My sister didn't like the idea of running 12 miles with me, so I went to track near my boyfriends house. I almost cried when the guy there told me the track was 16 laps= 1 mile, the one near my sisters was 7 laps=1 mile. I wasn't going to let that ruin my mood though. I had my playlist, my Princess outfit, and my Gel packets all ready for my run!
I ran 12.01 miles in 1 hour 46 minutes and 44 seconds. Pace 8:43.
I am proud of that time. I can definitely run another mile in under 14 minutes to equal my goal of finishing my half marathon in under 2 hours!
My sister didn't like the longer shorts I bought, she didn't think they fit right, so I think I'm going to return those. For $48, I will wait until a short goes on sale. The skirt worked out really well with the Body Glide. My legs don't hurt at all. I noticed my nose kept running so I am going to need to bring tissues. I didn't have a fanny pack (I don't think that is the "cool" word for the running packs) because I am using my dads and he brought it Vegas with him this weekend to go hiking, but the only other thing I will need in my pack is a face wipe, tissue and my phone. I will need my phone to locate my friend after the race! My headband came off around mile 6 and I just threw it to the side, but for the race I will just stick it in my fanny pack, or I might try another one... However, I don't want it to interfere with my Minnie bow!
So I am happy to say, I am officially ready for my race :) I can't believe how fast these 2 months have flown by! I feel great right now. This is the longest I have EVER ran in one setting. I know I have a lot of support going into the race from my family and friends and that feels great too. Everyone has been really supportive answering my questions, and listening to me rant about my runs. When people ask what I've been up to lately though, really it's just been working and running. So, it really has been a big part of my life the last two months (and twelve years).
I am drinking the Premier protein shake right now. I ate a Access bar, a Cliff shot turbo in Chocolate cherry and a GU Energy Gel in Jet Blackberry. I personally liked the Cliff one better. I went through two, and although I have two left I think I'm going to pick up a few more before I head to Florida.
In the beginning of my run, while I was doing my 5 minute warm up walk a lady told me I had great legs and it takes a lot of work to achieve that. She was a lot thinner than me so it was a nice compliment, I didn't know what she was talking about because I already had my headphones but it was amazing how much motivation a nice compliment can give.
During the 10 mile mark my right knee started to hurt a little bit and I actually could feel myself talking to my knee, just telling it to feel better and thank you for carrying me through. As weird as it sounds, it worked and I was able to run through another 2 miles which seemed like nothing.
I am exhausted, and going to a "surprise" Valentine's tonight so first is first- I need to shower.
I had a a Turkey on multigran and a pickle from Potbelly's before and it was really good. It's really cool you can go online and type in exactly what you had to get the Nutritional facts. I am really trying to make healthier choices! I am exhausted, must shower. Must rest. Must take off socks.
I want to try the shorts because they are a little longer, and I want something that won't chafe at all, but not as hot as crops or pants. I am debating between wearing the shorts or a run skirt I previously bought. Nothing was on sale today that I bought, and I saw the skirt I bought a few weeks ago for $50 on sale for $19 so that was annoying. I love getting items on sale at Lululemon, because there is rarely anything great on sale- however I hate it's final sale! I still don't know what I'll wear to the Princess Half Marathon , but I am really excited for a trip to Florida and some nice weather! I can't decide if I want to be Minnie or a Princess for this day! How cute is the bow? I bought it in Tokyo Disney Sea!
I will also most likely wear this headband because it doesn't slip whatsoever!
I also finally caved in and bought a Yoga mat. I bought "The Mat" at lululemon, because the reviews online were much higher than for the regular mat. The regular mat said it was slippery, and since I know I will be starting yoga with my groupon, I wanted a good mat. My goal is to learn the technique enough at the 24 classes I purchased to be able to do videos at home, and this mat can go on carpet- which is what I have in my room. I bought it in light purple, it's heavy and kind of smells weird but I'll see how it is in YOGA!
Today was my EZ run, and 3 miles seemed so short after the 10 yesterday!
I ran my 3 miles EZ run in 29 minutes and 50 seconds.
Today was my last day at the gym I joined on a week pass to use the track, it was fun to run on the track today because it was snowing so hard.
I also got my new CDs in the mail today from Amazon! I can't wait to update my playlist. I will review all of the items I bought, as soon as I use them. Happy weekend!
