Getting Prepared for Race Day

For some of us, The Pittsburgh Marathon is about 7 days away.  If you're a weirdo like me, then you've already planned and prepared what's going in your race bag, what you'll eat, and what you'll need afterwards.  I've made a list of some essentials on race day.

Outfit
•Shoes
•Socks
•Braces(if needed)
•Bra
•Underwear
•Shorts
•Top
•Long Sleeves(If needed)

•Fanny Pack

•Gels

•Inhaler

•Bib (Most important!!)

Food
•Breakfast
•Something for after the race
•Gels or whatever you use during the race

•Extra Water

In the gym bag

•Change of clothing (everything!)

•Change of shoes
•Instant Ice packs
•Ibprofin
•Extra safty pins
•Foam roller
•Hair Gumbies (hair tie)
•Bobby pins
•First Aid Kit

•Toe nail clippers

•Tweezers

•Deodorant
•Baby wipes (if you're going out after, you'll understand)

•Body Spray

•Bio Freeze, Tigerbalm, ice hot
•Purell
•Headphones
•Music

•Cell phone
•Cell phone and music chargers
•Sunscreen
•Camera

•Money

A lot of things seem like common sense but when you're packing a bag right before race day, you're bound to be nervous. I'm the type of person that will forget something like bobby pins and then have a total mental breakdown the night before when I know very well that there is a Wal*Mart down the street from where I'm staying. 

Usually by the time I'm done running whoever is waiting for me is starving and wants to go eat so I try to pack enough things to keep me from smelling after the race where ever I go. 

I still haven't decided what I'm eating before the race but I did go to Panera before my run the other day. I got my pre race favorite of Chicken Sorrentina Pasta and classic salad with a black iced coffee. This might be my night before food option. 

Are you running Pittsburgh half or full?

What are you favorites to take with you? 

We're All Newbies.

At some point in our lives, most of us (if you've raced) have been new. Your first race is really scary. I want to leave you with things I've seen, done, and heard of to do and don't on race day. 

1.) Don't try anything new: No new shoes, no new gels, no new breakfasts on race day, DO NOT TRY ANYTHING NEW! 

2.) Do your last long run with what you'll be wearing: Test your bra, underwear, shirt, shorts ( make sure they are on the right way) socks, shoes. If you're planning on wearing it, you want to know how it reacts with you long run. I will be contradicting myself here. Since I'm running for the Panera Training Menu, they'll be giving us a shirt that we have to wear. Unfortunately, they haven't given it to us so I can't test it. You want to know what's lose, what's tight, what is chaffing, you don't want to be 6 or 12 miles through and realize something is extremely uncomfortable. Also, make sure your shorts aren't on backwards or with the price tags still on them. (Yup, personal experience) 

3.) If this is your first race: You will fear being picked up by the buggie. If you don't know what that means; races are only a specific amount of time. If you can't finish, a cart picks you up and drops you off at the finish line. I thought that was going to happen to me last year and I feel like that's going to happen this year. I think everyone I talk too thinks that will happen on their first 1/2 or full marathon. Chances are, if you're running, you are able to walk but you probably aren't going to get picked up unless you walk the entire race. 

4.)No one cares how fast you are:  This race is for you. Whether it takes you 2 hours or 6, don't worry about your finish time. Your only goal is to cross the finish line with a smile. 

5.) Don't fear the taper:This is my biggest issue. I was planning on two 20 milers but I only got one in and now have to taper. Taper and know that you will get over the finish line. 

6.) Always use positive thoughts: That's what get your over the finish line. I'm not the best with this but you have to tell yourself you can do it. 

7.) Rest!!!: If something hurts, don't hurt it worse! Chances are, if you're reading my blog, you aren't going to win. TRUST ME. I'm one of the slowest people I know. Rest.Ice.Compression.Elevation. Don't run injured. Take care of yourself. It doesn't say you're weak or a big baby. It says you're smart and want to at least cross the finish line. I see so many people post that they couldn't race on race weekend because they were injured for something that could have been prevented. That's a huge waste of money  and I'm pretty cheap. When you take time to rest, you will come back stronger.

 

8.) You aren't going to sleep the night before: Nope. Try to start to go to sleep at 6pm because you will lay there for a couple hours just thinking. 

9.) Thank your spectators: If there's spouce, parent, friend that drove you or drove to watch you, thank them. They know you appreciate it but while you're running they are standing there. Usually they can't sit so they are standing the entire time. This also goes for the people stopping fourway traffic so they don't hit you. 

10.) Don't think too much and just have fun: After all the training you're going to say this is your last or one and only but chances are, you're going to cross the finish line and if you did it right, you'll be back. The pain is temporary but the feeling is forever. 

11.) You're going to have to pee: ALOT. Nerves, water, more nerves. This is not the time to say,"I'll hold it. I don't have to pee that bad." You do have to pee and you better wait in line because the wait for ports johns on the route is much longer! I usually go a good four times in an hour before a race. I basically come out of the porta potty and get back in line. With that, when you start you'll have to pee again. Hold that one. And don't think about it. It's not a real pee it's a nerve pee. It's goes away by mile 4. 

12.) Practice your "day before": This goes with food and rest. Some take a light run some rest completely. It's up to you. The most important thing to do is practice your food with a long run the next morning. This is where you realize that you're lactose intolerant and can't eat fettachini Alfredo before a long run. If you're lactose intolerant, you know what happens. If not, well, I'll be glad to tell you what happens...you find the nearest porta potty, bathroom, empty wooded area ASAP. if not...yikes. (you don't want to be that runner) 

***AND MY ABSOLUTE NUMBER 1 RULE IS: SLEEP IN YOUR RACE OUTFIT! If you've ever watched Full House then you know you're going to feel like Michelle on her first day of school and just wear your outfit to bed.  (It's okay to not sleep in your running shoes) Then you'll wake up just like Michelle and shout, "I'mmmm ready!"  I do this for a few reasons... Because you're going to be sleepy when you wake up. No one what's to have to think about what they're wearing. Also, you're going to be nervous. Chances are, you're going to be up a while thinking about what is going to happen the next day. You don't want to forget something or not be able to find it.  I sleep in everything other than my bib and shoes. I even keep my hair gumbie on my wrist so I know that I'll have one. 

I love running. I love the community more. I've never seen a community so supportive like the running community. I wish everyone could run just one race to see how great it is. If you're running Pittsburgh, just be comfortable and have fun. 

You know I've been doing the Panera Training Menu. I went on my rest day on Monday to refuel from the weekend. 

And I always forget to ask for the apple. I got the Chicken Tort with a Med Veggie Sandwhich.  I love that I'm working with Panera through the training program because Panera is the only "fast food" restaurant that I got too. It's great quality food and fuels your during training. If you haven't tried the training menu, I would suggest it. Let me know what your favorite item is! 

Do you have any helpful tips for anyone new to racing? 

I am open to any race questions. I've been new. Newer than old and TRUST ME, I've been through basically everything. Ask me on here, Facebook, Twitter, email, Instagram. I don't care. Don't hold back. I want to help you and I'll do my best. 

My first 20 miles ever!

Thursday I was supposed to get 20 miles in. A mile down the road I realized it wasn't going to happen. I couldn't even run back, I had to walk. The pain in my lung was so sharp that it hurt to touch. After falling asleep and it still no going away, I went to the grocery store to get some medicine. I skipped CrossFit that night but went Friday for Open Gym. Open gym is just a day where you can work on things that you need. I took it easy since I knew I would be doing my long run and I didn't want to over exert myself.  

So Saturday, we woke up and Hudson had a hair cut so we walked him through town to his groomer. This was his first hair cut ever. 

That was his before and after. I gave her strict orders of "Do what you have too but don't cut him like a poodle." When he came out we didn't recognize him. We weren't happy with it but I guess there isn't anything we could do. We officially have a poodle. They left his bushy tail. I can't wait for it to grow back.  Adam and I and planed that we would try a new trail in Greensburg, he would golf 9 holes and I would run 20 miles. They were close to each other so it was convenient. As he was changing one of our friends sent us a text and said to go from Connellsville to Ohiopyle and her and out other friend will meet us on the other side and take us back to our car. Adam changed again and since he said that he would ride along side me I promised he could golf the next day and I'd play caddie. 

My 20 mile run

I try to be positive but it was kind of awful. I knew Adam didn't want to be there and that kind of made it worse for me. I did the number 1 rule of what not to do on a long run or race day. Wear something new. I was pretty pumped that I had recently bought a pair of 4" tight running shorts from TJMaxx and want to try them out. Big mistake. They kept riding up for the first mile and a half. That's when Adam asked if the logo was supposed to be in the back. Well, that solved the riding up problem. There was no where to take my pants off to change so I did it out in the open when no one was coming. Then I had the worst calf cramp. Super frustrated that I'm at my first 2 miles and already having problems, I stopped my garmin, stretched and went for a new beginning. Adam wasn't a fan of following me because he was testing his new road bike. It's hard to go slow with a runner on those kind of bikes. He would go ahead and make sure I was still in sight. There was ALOT of walking. Every time I walked he would tell me to keep running so we could get there faster. My legs hurt, my lungs hurt and I was being a baby. Truthfully, I have a bad feeling that I'm going to get picked up by the cart. From mile 10-17 he was my motivator though. These were his favorite lines:

-Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming

-You're making the turn at the Blvd of the Allies. It's all down hill and you can almost see the finish line. Just a little bit more! 

-You got this!

-How are you feeling about that full ironman now?! (That ended in a big ol' two words starting with 'F' and ending in 'it') 

I told him that I hated this and I'm never doing a marathon again. His answer was that I'm going to cross the finish line and say how great it was a sign up for another one. Doubt, but we'll see. 

At mile 17 our friends were waiting for us cheering. I told them to hold on because I still had 3 more miles. I kept going, once again stopping a lot. I almost just gave up at 17 and went home but I finished it off. With my last .25 miles my friend Katrina ran it with me and told me how proud she was of me. That's a best friend. When I finished I yelled, "20 miles, done! I did it and I want beer!" 

Her and our other friend Daneille also brought us snacks and water for on the way home. I was too exhausted to eat. We had a little family game night with  pizza afterwards. 

We love Clue but they changed everything since we were kids. 

During and after my run, everything hurt. The balls of my feet the most though. I went to sleep around 1:30am because I couldn't sleep. I was back up by 3am stayed up watching Three's company until 5:30am. Needless to say, I'm exhausted. I sent my mom a text and asked if I could go to her house for an ice bath. Of course she said yes. 

After we woke up I promised Adam that I appreciated him following me so much that I would be his personal caddie today. I've never played golf and I don't plan on it. So we got everything ready and headed to my moms. 

After my ice bath and hot bath, I started my caddie duties. We walked 9 holes to strech our legs from yesterday. 

My handsome golfer. 

He let me pick the lucky game ball. Her name was Callie and we kept her the whole time! 

He has a bag boy so it wasn't that bad. The hills were rough but we made it. I really enjoyed myself though. I could handle 9 holes,18 probably not. I also learned a lot about golf.  After he finished, we went home and relaxed until our bike ride. 

This was my first treck out on my trek. I was really nervous since I had never riden my bike near other cars. For the most part we stayed on the trail. When we got to the next town, we rode on the roads a little. I got a little more comfortable but not too much. It takes practice, but 11 miles seemed pretty awesome after my 20 mile run yesterday. Half Ironman here I come! 

So that was our weekend full of fitness. It was a quick weekend and I'm ready for a rest day tomorrow. 

Everyone knows that I'm blogging for the Panera Training Menu. I had my new favorite You Pick Two this week. 

The Chicken Sorrentina and Classic Salad with Greek dressing. It fuled me for my weekend workouts and kept me full. If you haven't tried it, I would recommend it. That's becoming my favorite combo. 

How was your weekend. 

We're down to 3 weeks. Hows training? 

10 Wheezy Miles

I held myself accountable and posted on my blog and social media that I was going to get 10 miles in and I did. It wasn't as fast as I wanted but I did it. Today's weather was too beautiful to pass up.

I got to test out my new knee brace because it seems that when I get to mile 5 or 6 it feels awful and makes it hard to keep going. I also got a new pair of shoes that were on sale the other day. 

These are my first pair of Soucny's. I've always been a Brooks fan, but these were a pretty big win. 

Here's an update on my asthma. It sucks. Haha I'm not making excuses but with how bad our winter was mixed with how bad this spring is, it's getting hard to train. I'm trying to not let it hold me back but I got to mile 5 and need my inhaler break. I wheeze at CrossFit and I wheeze when I run but today wasn't the best day. Once I took my inhaler I did better on my run but it was still hard to breathe. Last year I could run 13.1 miles at a pace of 10:40. This year I'm lucky to do it at a pace of 12:00. It get extremely frustrating but I keep telling myself the more runs I get in the better it will get. 

This long run was faster than my last long run but on that run I didn't need my inhaler. I'm not going to let myself get down on this run because other than needing my inhaler half way through, it was a comfortable run. 

My chest still hurts and it's hard to breathe but I'll do a breathing treatment before I go to bed. Hudson likes to help with those.  

We put my camelbak on him. Cutest.Dog.Ever 

Have a great Workout Wednesday! 

If you haven't enter my contest yet for a free Spartan Race ENTER HERE!

winner will be announced Sunday. 

Maybe Next Year

So if you've been following me for the past few days then you know that I didn't get through the lottery of the NY Marathon. I didn't think I'd get though on the first shot but I'm still pretty bummed. I was really upset that I waited a day until 7pm when I pretty much knew at 12pm. Oh well, I'll put my application in again next year.  

Now my focus is on the Pgh Marathon and my triathlon coming up in August.  I was planning on just riding my mountain bike but I'm thinking about looking for a road bike. Maybe I'll do a Half Ironman one day. ;) So that's where I'm going to put my focus and training. Maybe I'll do another marathon towards the end of the summer, I haven't decided yet. 

I went to CrossFit today because that always helps with stress,frustration and disappointment. Our warm up started like this: 

3 rounds

10 burpees

10 supermans 

1 minute handstand 

10 pull ups 

3 rounds of 5 rope climb downs

Then the work out 

I got 9 rounds out with 5 lunge steps. Not too shabby I would say..

So I went to Panera the other night. I've had to stay at work late the past few nights so I went to Panera to fuel up before CrossFit the next day. 

I think I've found one if my favorite combinations! I got the classic salad with Greek dressing and the Chicken Sorrentina Pasta.  Panera's You Pick Two is always my favorite. It goes great for the  indecisive mind. 

Did you play the "lottery" for the NY Marathon? Did you get in? 

What summer races do you have planned for this year? 

Training 26.2 with Asthma

I've partnered up with Breathe Pa to do some training blogs. If you haven't checked out their sight, you can do it at www.breathepa.org. 

Background I my Asthma 

If you check out my About Me section, you will see I was a very large child. I always wanted to play sports and be active but I tired out quickly and would just go inside to play video games. I lost the weight going ito highschool, thanks to some bullies that are now twice my size. 

For a few months after highschool I took a break from sports. I started college in July after graduating and once I got into the swing of college and work, I decided to get active again. I started running with my sister and kickboxing. After a few months of being stagnant, I knew something was wrong. I went for a 1 mile run with a friend on a trail and couldn't finish the mile. When we were done I couldn't stop coughing and chocking. I tried to play it off like I was okay but the coughing wouldn't stop over the next few days. One of my other friends told me that they think I have asthma so I need to go get checked out. I thought it was just really bad allergies from the trail. After seeing the doctor, he said that he thinks it's asthma but I'd have to get tests done to confirm it. Unfortunately, I didn't have health insurance so getting those tests done wouldn't be able to happen for about 3-4 years. After needing my inhaler 4 times a day, I had to go back to the doctor. What he gave me wasn't working. He eventually had to put me on Advair twice daily until I could pay for the tests. Advair without insurance isn't cheap. After paying for that for two months I got myself some good insurance and went for the tests. 

It confirmed that I had asthma (as if they didn't believe me) and my pulmonary doctor put me on a few medications to relive it a little bit. 

Training with Asthma

After being on my medication for about two years I've been cleared to train. Here's an idea of my daily medication routine:

Advair: Twice daily 

Asthma/allergy pill: Before bed

Nasanex: Two inhales, each nostril before bed 

Nebulizer: When needed, usually when I'm sick or go on a long run

Albuterol inhaler: as needed 

I initially started my blog to show people that there shouldn't be an excuse as to why you can't exercise while you have asthma. I have friends that try to tell me why they can't, but there's always more reasons as to why you can. Training is hard with a breathing conditions but if you manage it correctly, you'll be okay. As long as I take my medicine and use my inhaler when I need it, then I'm usually okay. 

I have many apps that remind me to take my medicine and tell me what color day it is. Normally on an orange or red day, I stay inside. It's not worth hurting myself. When I run, I go slow. If anyone ever looks at my time you'll know that I'm not the fastest. I could be much faster but I take my time. 

Here's something that I want everyone to know while training with asthma:

1.) Take your time: If you feel like crap and still want to try to go out, then do it but do it safely. If you need to stop, then stop. Walk a little bit. 

2.) You WILL have bad days: There will be days that you can finish a mile. Those days are going to make you wonder if you can do 13 or 26 miles. Bad days happen but you can't let that bring you down. 

3.) You WILL have good days: Those days will make you wonder if your asthma went away. Usually not, but if you're feeling good keep going! 

4.) Take your medicine: It's okay to buy a running pouch solely for your inhaler. I'm a dork like that too. 

5.) Take care of yourself: If your long run was planned but you wake up to 70 degrees and it's a "red day" use "red day" as "rest day". If you're committed you can find a better day to go. 

6.) Know when to take your run: Are you an early morning runner or sunset runner? I'm early morning. I'll get up at 5:30 to watch the sunrise before I watch the sunset. I personally feel like the air quality is always much better in the morning. Running at 2pm usually isn't a good idea when it's 90 degrees out. 

Those are some of my training tips. I have a training schedule set up that I usually go by but I stay flexible. It is completely feasible to train for a marathon with asthma if you take care of yourself. If you have any questions on training or taking care of myself, just ask! 

Are you training with asthma? 

What are your training tips?

Weekly Organization

If you're reading this then you might be training for something. You also might have just came across my blog and are getting started on your journey. Maybe you know me and I've spammed my Facebook page so much with my blog that you're now deciding to break down and read one. Either way, you should know that I'm a little obsessive with organization. I've broken plans with people just so I could clean my house. Sometimes things need to be my way. Sometimes I'm always right...but anyway, I have a weekly goal or idea of where I want to be in workouts for that week. Sometimes it's broad and sometimes it's strict depending on the week. 

Last week I told you about my journal. Well I have to make my little schedule to get to my journal or I'll never get anything accomplished. There are times that I have to type in my phone a little schedule of plans and when I'm going running or to CrossFit. Here's a look at my general schedule:

-3 days CrossFit 

-2 Short runs

-1 Long run

Right now I'm not concerned with tri training. I need to finish 26.2miles first. The swimming and biking start in May. 

On top of that workout schedule I also work a 40hr. week job. I only have fur children so that takes a little pressure off. (Sorry Mom and Kathy I won't have time for kids for a VERY long time) With my job though, I have days where I'm working twelve hours one day, 10 the next, 8 the rest and have to come in on Saturdays. I have kind of a crazy schedule for a desk job. I have to write up a schedule to stay on track of my goals. Most days I have to get up at 5:30am to get my first workout in. Do I make a schedule and then things come up that I can't go further with that schedule? Yes. More often then not. So I make two schedules! Back up plans. You need back up plans. Sometimes you'll take an extra test day. That's okay. Stop beating yourself up. The world doesn't stop turning because you skipped a 5 mile run so you could have dinner with your inlaws. 

Here's an example. This was from a few weeks ago. This is the general list I try to stick with. That week I had a class to make up so there's an extra one on there. I'm pretty sure I missed a day during the week. I probably made it up somewhere but it's just an idea of where I need to be. 

So after my little negative Nancy fun there... In all honesty, I have to make a schedule before my week starts. Whether I stick to it or tweek it happens but it's the only way I stay on my goals.   Next week I'll be working in Morgantown all week so I have no clue on the time I'll be getting home. I'm planning on taking CrossFit and running outfits and if Ipass the CrossFit Box then I'll get my class in. If not, off to the gym I go. 

I also have to make time to stop at Panera now a days. This week I was pretty busy but was a little hungry and needed something to hold me over until dinner shortly after. I've never had a smoothie so I thought I would try one. The straws are huge!

I got the Fat Free Superfruit Power Smoothie. It was really good. The smoothie was bigger than most drinks I buy and other than a brain freeze on a freezing day, it was super filling. 

Do you plan your workouts ahead of time? 

Do you always stay well on track?

 

The Importance of Meal Prepping

Sometimes I think meal prepping is my favorite day. I usually do my meal prep on Sunday. I'll figure out what I'm going to be hungry for, go get groceries, and start prepping. I'm also extremely lazy when it comes to cooking. I like to meal prep for the week because then I don't have to think about cooking every day, it's done incase I'm running late, and I never have excuses for not eating healthy during a busy week. 

I keep my meal prepping extremely simple. Like I said, I'm lazy and really don't feel like cooking all day. It's Sunday so I like to try to spend time with my husband and little fur famiy. So, here's a little idea of what my meal prepping looks like. 

Breakfast:

-Hard boiled eggs 

-Banana 

-Orange

-Oatmeal 

Hard boiled eggs are usually my favorite because they're so easy to make. 

Lunch/Dinner:

-Chicken

-Rice, quinoa

-Vegertables

-Fruit 

Here's how this week added up:

Breakfast: 2 hard boile eggs and an apple 

Lunch: Cottage cheese and an orange 

Dinner: Broccoli slaw w/diced tomatoes and chickpeas 

Confession: I also added 3 bagels, a chicken quesidilla for dinner, Olive Garden for lunch one day and dinner with my family. (These were different days people I can't eat that much in one day) 

Really? I'm not upset. I was, but I am still tweeking my meal preps. If you look at my pictures, I didn't prep enough food so I was still hungry by the time I got home from running or CrossFit. I have a long run planned this weekend so I'm not too upset. Over the years I've had to tell mysel that it's okay if I make a few bad decisions as long as it doesn't become a habit. 

With that being said, one of my lunch additions was a panera whole grain bagel. 

It was very good dipped in my cottage cheese. (I'm a weirdo, I know) I didn't toast it or anything but I was full until after my CrossFit class that night.

 I actually use to work at a bagel bakery in college so bagels aren't my first choice to eat, but I think Panera's might be my favorite. 

Who meal preps?

Do you sometimes not prep enough food and make a few bad decisions? 

Running and CrossFit are my favorites.

Through my childhood- teen years I've played a lot of spots. I've pretty much tried everything except running. Weird... But, recently I was thinking about why I love running and CrossFit. I started CrossFit on June 15,2013 so not even a year ago. I've been running for the past 6 years and I like that because it's my alone time. I usually shut my phone off for my long runs so I don't feel obligated to check it. I swear, I can go all week without a single phone call and the second I get to the park to run, my phone blows up with text messages, phone calls, Facebook posts, tweets to me etc... I usually know someone couldn't get a hold of me when my sister shows up at the park to interrupt my run.  That's happened quit a few times. Anyways, I was thinking about every sport that I've played and why they didn't add up to CrossFit. Here's what I've come up with: 

Ballet/lyrical/dance/gymnastics: This was my longest sport. I started dance and gymnastics when I was 4 or 5? and graduated after 13 years there. I lived the sport but what kept me was my instructors. The students were nice but they all had their own cliques.  They weren't the first ones to care if you hit a "pr" or got technique that you've never done. Actually, they were kind of stuck up. 

 Soccer/Softball: Soccer and baseball are probably my two favorite sports. I started soccer when I was 8 quit until I was 12 and started back up until I graduated. Let's be honest here, I wasn't that great. I lost a lot of confidence when I would ask for help but the coach wouldn't help me. It wasn't a sport where everyone got a chance to play. I spent most of my time on the bench. The other players really didn't care if you played or not but if they didn't play then all he'll would break loose. 

Swimming: I swam for 8 years before Jr. High. I loved it, but I had to chose between swimming and soccer. Terrible idea. I was also "the fat kid" so I probably wasn't that good. 

Kickboxing: Kickboxing was my cross training to running. I loved it but you couldn't go at your pace and it stopped becoming challenging after high school.  At one point the class was full of age of 65+ and the next week it would be full of children. That's fine but our classes were so full that you could nearly get your workout in. 

I think that wraps everything up. So back to why I love running and CrossFit. 

Running: You don't need to relay on anyone. You put your headphones on or listen to you breathing and your good to go. There's no bench to sit on unless you're tiered. You are your own team mate. Whether you're first or last, someone will always be cheering you on. And if not, you'll have your thighs. 

CrossFit: At the CrossFit Box that I go too, we have two coaches. Anytime you need help with form, they are there to help without judging or being annoyed. I've also never felt so welcome in a sport. Everyone is your friend and will help and cheer you on. You can be fat, thin, fit, skinny, as long as you put out the effort in and try(without cheating) then you'll learn something. 

If you've never tried CrossFit, try it. I hope you love it. 

Last night, one of my bestfriends came home to visit. We went to Panera to grab something to eat and I had lent and my long run today in mind.  I always forget to ask for the apple when I go instead of extra bread. 

Last night I tried the "You pick two" again. I love the "You pick two" because you can always try something new. I also love that panera puts the calorie content beside everything. I stopped being a calorie counter but it's nice to know when I'm eating. I ordered half Mac n' Cheese and half of a Tuna Salad Sandwhich. That was the first time I had either. They were both great. Maybe a little too much bread but it filled me up for my long run this morning. 

Today's goal is a 10 mile run. I ran 5 the other day so I'm going to work on my long run today. It's supposed to be almost 50 degrees, so that's exciting! 

What's your longest run this weekend?

Treadmill Thoughts.

If any of you know me then you know I hate the treadmill. Actually, it takes a lot to get me on there but when I do, then I get stuff done. It might be slow and I might stop a lot because I think it get shin splints but I get stuff done. 

Tonight's run got done. I told myself I was going to do it and I did. I was miserable the entire time. (No need to lie) I am an absolute complainer when I'm on the dreadmill. Soooo to make it fun, I want to let you know about what goes on in my head (or "Missieland" as one of my longest best friends would call it.)

Missieland 

1.) I go to the gym in hopes to watch The Big Bang Theory or Two and a half men reruns. 

2.) I never get gassy until someone shows up beside me. 

3.) Contemplating my triathlon training for August, I've concluded that the swimming comes first because of you drown then you don't have to waste your time on biking and running. You just cut your loses at the swimming. 

4.) Now I'm not sure if I want to go the Pgh Tri in August. That's my birthday/anniversary/ best month ever. I don't want to die then...

5.) I'm pretty sure the girl beside me doesn't appreciate me blowing my nose into my sleeve while running. At least I did it on the other side...

6.) I wonder how fast I can make this go before I trip on my face and go flying back... If it didn't hurt so bad it would probably be hilarious. Who trips on a treadmill?! Let's keep this thing slow to make sure that doesn't happen. 

7.) Wow five miles is further than I thought...

8.) I guess this is how hamsters feel sometimes..

9.) Am I done yet?! Only two miles left..I can do this....

After I finished that fun extravaganza I had to shower and run errends. By this time it was close to 8pm and I was starving. Luckily, Panera is right beside the gym that I go too. Since it was so late and I was going home to get to sleep, I didn't want to eat anything heavy. I decided to go with the Chicken Hummus Power Bowl. 

The first thing I noticed was their packaging. I had to drive about 20 minutes home and you know SW Pa is full of potholes. It with stood the test of my driving and the potholes! That doesn't happen often...

It was full of spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and chicken. They added lemon juice over top of it. The bowl was really light and filled me up before I went to sleep. I would defiantly eat this before working out too. It's light enough that you won't get sick before a gym session. 

*At a lot of Panera Stores this bowl is not located on the menu yet, but if you ask for it, they'll usually have it. 

This is my little blogging helper. He needs my kisses. 

It's Friday, friends! What are your weekend workouts?!