Finished Pilates

I did it. I ran into some technically difficulties with the DVD player, which almost gave me reason to give up. But I finished the video and will probably feel it tomorrow. 4.5 mile run tomorrow!

Cruising Down Training Street

Lots of updates!
I was out of blogging commission last week as I was cruising on the Norwegian Gem with my Mom through the Bahamas. It was fantastic to have a break and regroup a bit.
Here's a quick rundown of my progress recently-
Week Five: I had mentioned in my last post that my Mom would be in town for part of the week, so I was unsure of how successful my training would be. Well, I was right and wrong. I trained 3 days and had success each day. I ran 4 miles, 2 miles and then finished the week with the long 6 mile run. Obviously, I didn't get in as many training days as I should, but I worked out when I could and tried to make the best of it. Also, I think I can count dancing at the West Side Story opening as a half training day, right?
Week Six: I was optimistic about week six because I was on the cruise with my Mom and thought I would have all the time and energy in the world to get back on track. Well, the truth turned out to be less positive. I did train five days, but probably not as intensely as I should be at this point. I took a yoga class on the ship, did a 2 mile run, a 3 mile run and finished off the week with a 45 minute cross training session and a 5.5 mile run when I returned home. To be honest, I was in vacation mode so it was a little more difficult to get motivated. Also, there was a little issue with some sea sickness. The rocking ship didn't bother me too much until I started trying to run. When I was running and the ship was rocking, it got me feeling a little queasy. Hence why a 4 mile run turned into a 3 mile run and another 4 mile run turned into a 2 mile run. But, I did my best which is what this whole process is about for me.
Now that I am starting week seven and officially at the half way point I really need to get going. I am back in NYC now, tying up a few loose ends before I head back to Fargo to work at a performing arts school for the summer. So, I really have nothing but time this week to train and get my apartment packed up, etc. You'd think I'd have no problem staying motivated...and you would be wrong. For some reason, being busy seems to be when I really thrive. Having all day to get my to do list accomplished makes me move much slower than when I have 3 hours to do it. So, it is currently almost 3 pm and I haven't yet done my workout. Today is a pilates work out to serve as my "stretch and strengthen" day after the long run yesterday. After I finish this post, I WILL do it and after I'm done I'll post to prove it. See how I'm talking myself into it here? I guess whatever you need to do to get the job done.

Week Four Updates

As I mentioned before, the beginning of last week was a little difficult due to issues with my soleus but I'm proud to say that I finished the week strong. Saturday I did my 5 mile "long" run and on Sunday I did a little cardio elliptical style and weight trained. I also tried to spend some extra time stretching since I was a little sore after Saturday.
I think week four was almost a success. I didn't get in quite as many training days as I should have, but I tried some new cross training methods and learned how to help my ailing muscle so all things considered, I'm pretty proud of myself.
This week's training schedule is going to be difficult as well. My Mom is coming to town and I have several obstacles to my regular training schedule including an opening for West Side Story, my Aunt's Birthday party and a boarding of a cruise ship. That's right! Mom and I are going on a cruise which will make next week's training schedule more manageable AND more fun because it'll be in the sun. Yes!
This week's schedule so far is as follows-
Monday- 4 mile run
Tuesday- yoga class
Wednesday- try to squeeze in early morning workout of pilates or short run
Thursday- West Side Story opening- does dancing your heart out count as a training day?
Saturday- possible run or cross train depending on ship boarding situation
Sunday- 6 mile run
I know, I know...it's a little haphazard. But, I'm going to do the best I can this week under the circumstances.
Also, a quick fundraising update. I tried to click on my fundraising page link and was sent to my page that included none of the changes I had put together throughout the last few days. So, it looks like a fairly generic page. I'm going to try to fix that in the near future but I'm a little frustrated about the whole thing so I need to just step away for a minute. I'll post when it's back in commission.

First Sports Related Injury and Emotional Yoga Class

Earlier in the week after the weekend workouts I noticed that the lower calf area of my left leg was hurting. It felt kinda tight, but I couldn't seem to stretch it. After a consult with my two personal trainer slash actor friends they helped me figure out and fix the problem- apparently some issues with my soleus muscle. Long story short, I took a few days off running, heated the muscle and learned some new stretches for it. I also decided yoga class would be good for the soleus as well as my entire under stretched body.

So I went to yoga class last night. I've done lots of yoga before so I pretty much know the drill and poses. That doesn't mean I'm good at them, but I know them.

At the beginning of class I was feeling confident and excited. This continued for awhile and then the "shaky muscles because they aren't used to this kind of movement" thing set in. It felt good at first because it was evident I was challenging myself. But then I started getting frustrated and upset and at one point during child's pose I started tearing up a little. A little melodramatic tear hit my yoga mat as my head was down stretching my back. I felt like I was in some Lifetime original movie. It was...weird. I've never gotten so upset about yoga class. I have however gotten upset at the final episode of "Boy Meets World", an avocado that wasn't ripe when I wanted it to be, hangar indents in the shirt I want to wear that day and several other seemingly silly things. I'm a compartmentalizer. I totally bottle up emotions about things that then manifest themselves in other areas.

Apparently yoga class is my new sappy long distance commercial. Who knew?

Check out My Fundraising Page

Are you reading this? Well, how about you look a little to your right and click on my fundraising page for the American Cancer Society. I'm trying to raise money for ACS while training for the half marathon. It's a double effort to reach a personal goal of mine, while honoring my Dad. Click on the page, read my story and consider supporting me!

Jen

Running Fever

I am starting to understand why people get hooked on this running stuff. Did you hear that noise? It is the noise of pig's wings flapping because pigs officially fly now.
Lets get this straight in case I haven't mentioned it before. I am NOT a runner, nor am I particularly athletic person. But, somehow I've found some new love of running. Weird.
Don't get me wrong, around mile 4 of my 5 mile "long" run last week I didn't feel that way. But, the more I train, the quicker pace I achieve and the stronger I feel which makes me want to continue.
Last week's training went quite well. I had to shift around slightly due to a last minute ticket offer to Hair on Broadway and a networking happy hour, but I did get 5 workouts in including two 3.5 mile runs, a weight training day, a cross training day and the 5 mile long run.
Last night I did a 3.5 mile run and plan to do another 3.5 mile run, some yoga, a weight training day and another 5 mile run.
Yay!

No Judgement Please

I've decided to reward my efforts with some new songs for my running mix. Last week I downloaded "Hot and Cold" by Katy Perry, "Live your Life" by TI and Rhianna, "Circus" by Britney Spears and the entire Rascal Flatts most recent album, "Still Feels Good".
This week I chose-
1. Lost Without U- Robin Thicke (a good stretching song)
2. Burnin' Up- The Jonas Brothers3
3. My Life Would Suck Without You- Kelly Clarkson

I'm pretty happy with the purchases. I try to test them out but sitting on the couch while listening to the 30 second clip on iTunes and pumping my arms to simulate running. It's not really helpful at all, but good for a laugh.
And just to clarify, I am 27 years old and did just download a Jonas Brothers song. What? It's catchy!

And look! I'm learning how to upload images!

Week Three

First off, I'm happy to report I stuck to my week one training schedule. I did my long run Friday, did pilates (my version of "stretch and strengthen") Saturday and used Sunday as a rest day.
I'm using the Hal Higdon Half Marathon Training Schedule by the way. I checked out several, but this one was recommended to me by two friends who have completed the half marathon before and survived, so it must be effective. I'm currently on week 3 of the program.
I'm a little up in the air on this week's training schedule. I've been doing my long runs on Friday lately and the schedule suggests having an easy day before that in order to conserve energy for the long run which throws the week off. I'll likely change my long run day to a weekend day in the next few weeks, but for now Friday has worked best.
So far this week's training schedule is as follows-
Monday- 3.5 mile run (done!)
Tuesday- weight/ strength training
Wed- 2 or 3 mile run
Thursday- Yoga
Friday- 5 miles
Saturday- Stretch and Strengthen (pilates perhaps?)
Sunday- Rest

I may change this slightly. I'm trying to make sure to get in yoga on Thursday. My muscles are really tight in general, so I think some yoga would be beneficial. I've been trying to spend extra time stretching after every run, but it's not even close to the benefits yoga will provide for me. But, I also want to make sure to get in the miles I'm supposed to run this week so I think an easier 2 or 3 mile run on Wednesday will be good.
I guess the first few weeks of training will be figuring out what works best for me.