New Beginnings

August 26,2015 my husband and I closed on our very first house in a very new town. We're only about 15 miles away from our family but it's still new to us.

 

After our move a very good high school friend moved back home and we trained for the Columbus Marathon together.  Unfortunately, after Columbus I haven't done much. The holidays hit, I taught classes and went to CrossFit but neglected running. Recently, we've been hit with some unexpected bills and I had to quit my beloved crossfit to save spend extra dough. 

In the effort to get back at marathon training I found a running group in my town. A lifetime membership cost $20. Lifetime! :) That's a huge commitment. I'm very nervous to start running with a new group when I don't know anyone but I'm ready for the challenge. I'll be updating you guys more frquently as I get ready to run Pittsburgh Half and become a bigger part of this group. My half marathon goal is to finish in 2:20:00 or earlier. Very doable. I'm looking forward to training for Pittsburgh 2016! 

My first long run of the season & a mini trip

Hi friends! I hope you had a great weekend and aren't too exhausted from daylight savings time.  

I got my first long run in for half marathon training on Saturday. 

It was still chilly here but warmer than usual and was actually considered warm even though there was snow on the ground? Yeah, that. I'll be honest, I didn't really feel like it. I did and I didn't but with a few motivational tweets I went for it. 8 miles done. Just in time for the sun to set. 

Every year I try to do my first long run at the only place I trained for my very first half marathon. It was the park where I told my sister that I wanted to run a at least a half marathon because I'd never be able to do one if those fulls..until last May, of course. So every training season starts back at the same park where I started for just good luck. 

It wasn't the best run but it was a start. My legs were heavy until mile 5 but I only needed my inhaler twice. How many times I need my inhaler is usually how I rate a run. More than 4 times during a half is never good. 

After my run I went home to decide on a spur of the moment decision to drive to Columbus Sunday morning to go to the Arnold Sports Festival. I think my husband was just sick of me saying how much I wanted to go. As much as we didn't want to leave Hudson, we knew it was a worse idea to try to take him. Since we were only leaving him for the same amount of time that we would for a work day, we let him know the cat was in charge and gave him a few extra kisses before we were on our way. 

While we were gone he stayed home to catch up on his sleep that he lost the night before. 

 

Sunday: wake up at 5:00a.m. Leave by 6a.m.

Then we stopped in Washington, PA at one of our new favorite places. (thanks Katrina)  

Tim Horton's! 

After a 3 hour drive, Adam sleeping, and my singing, we made it to Columbus! 

We walked around for about two hours and watched a few shows before we started to head home. It was such a great experience but I wish we could have stayed longer. 

Adam and I decided that next year we'll definitely plan a better trip than deciding Saturday afternoon that we were going to leave Sunday morning. 

 

Running Partners

Happy Monday! Let's talk running partners. When I started running, I ran solo. I had no friends that ran. Ever. At all. Nope. So I would get up and go alone. Not the safest idea that I've ever had because I run anytime from 5:30a.m. To 10:00 p.m. So far I've never had any close calls. 

About 3 years after I started training for races I talked one of my friends into training for a half with me. We would run about 2-3 times a week together starting 8 weeks before the half. She was the only person I had ever known to actually be about my speed. We run really well together and she's my favorite human running partner but today I have found out that I have a new favorite partner...

Cabin fever is killing the two of us right now. Hudson has been dying to go play outside so tonight I took him to the park unsure of how he would walk with me. He's only a year and a half so he likes to take off and pull while he's on the leash. Much to my surprise did so well! We walked a mile together with some running to see how he would do. I really think I've found my favorite partner. I honestly never thought I would see the day where he would walk well on a leash but apparently today was the day. I'm so proud of my little four legged runner. 

Do you have a favorite running partner? 

**Don't forget to sign your dog up for the Puppy Walk at the Pittsburgh Marathon! Go to www.pittsburghmarathon.com to sign them up! 

Long Runs and Best Friends

We are down to less than 25 days to the next half marathon. Every summer I make training plans that I really don't stick to. It's hard with two jobs and juggling a house while still having 4 other fitness hobbies. 

I told Katrina we were going to get our 8 miles in and we did. We weren't going to but we did it. We actually fueled it with chocolate pie and beer because we weren't really planning on going. (Don't try that at home) Somehow it became our best run! Haha

We ran 8 miles with a 10:38 pace. Not too shabby I thought. I just bought my new watch and this was our first run with it. I didn't know how it worked and through the entire run it said that we had a 12 minute pace or more so when we finished well under 11 we were thrilled! 

This weekend will be 11 miles. Then we will go back to 8 and then to 6. Then race weekend in Jamestown,NY. I am so excited to see where one of my best friends grew up. 

I'm so glad that I found a great running partner that is close in speed with me. This is the first time that I've had someone to train with and I love it. 

Do you have any races coming up?

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? 

Goals and disappointments.

This all started yesterday morning. I went to CrossFit and the workout wasn't that tough but I still got sharp pains in my right lung. This happened last year when I was running too. Then, around 3:30pm I got a migraine so awful that I laid down to go to sleep. I drink 1/2 gallon of water or more a day so I knew I wasn't dehydrated.  I had plans to go running with my friend from work so I wanted my headache to go away ASAP. I fell asleep and when I woke back up it was still there. My chest was tight all day but I took my inhaler and went anyway. When we got back my head ache was still there and it was still hard to breathe. I honestly just ignored it because wheather I run 1 mile or 15 I still feel like crap usually when I'm done. Two miles with Katrina didn't give me a reason to use my inhaler again since I used it not even an hour before. So we had dinner, and some wine and hung out for a whole before she went home. I went to bed but I couldn't sleep. I woke up this morning and my chest was still bothering me but I ignored it. 

Well, I've been planning for a while to get my 20 mile run in today. I woke up, ate breakfast and started to get my stuff together for my run. I did my breathing treatment that I always do before I go on my long runs. I sent my family members a text of what I was wearing just in case I went missing. (I get a little paranoid when I'm out alone)  Just after a mile I had to walk back. A MILE! I was in pain, frustrated, and annoyed. It's these runs that I have to tell myself don't always happen and I can do it. As much as I tried to keep going, I couldn't. 20 miles wouldn't happen today. I went home with sharp pains in my right lung. I couldn't move from my couch for a couple hours. When I finally got off of the couch I went upstairs and fell asleep for two hours. Two days in a row I've fallen asleep. I don't know what's wrong but my chest didn't feel right. When I woke up it felt like something was sitting on my chest. I've googled this so many times that Google is ready to answer back and tell me that he doesn't have an answer. 

I'm very muscusy when I run. I spit and blow my nose a lot.(Sorry if you are eating while reading this) I don't know if it's my allergies but that's what happens. I've talked to my pulmonary doctor about this pain but he tells me that it's a bronchospasm. When I went for chest X-rays, they found a black spot on my lung but nothing came back on my CT scan. The doctor said that by mile 4 it should go away. The problem is getting to mile 4. 

Here's what happens: I get an extremely sharp pain on my lower lung in my right side, just under my rib cage. I've tried everything from not eating dairy, nut butters, anything that might give me an allergic reaction. It hasn't helped. 

So if anyone reading this is a doctor and wants to tell me what's wrong..go for it! 

This was me all ready for my run. 

This is my breathing treatment. I've done this twice today and my inhaler once. I still feel yucky. 

These ended up being my last resort. I still feel awful and I missed CrossFit today. I hate when that happens but I an make the days up. I need to take care of me. So when Adam got home we went to Panera so I could get dinner because I didn't  feel like cooking. 

Not too fun. Just chicken noodle soup. I started to feel sick after I took mucinex without food. ( Don't try that at home) I will make it to CrossFit tomorrow. It's open gym to practice so I don't have to do anything too intense. I love going to CrossFit and hate when I don't feel well enought to go so I'm doing whatever I can to make it there so I can go on my long run this weekend since it's going to be nice out. I love that Panera always has a variety to always go with what you're hungry for. 

What keeps you from your favorite workouts or runs? 

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. 

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? 

My week in workouts.

This New Year's I recently started tracking my progress. I track my progress in workouts everyday so I know how many miles I've gotten in and how many workouts I've done. I'm obsessive about organization so every color means something different. 

Purple(my favorite): Running

Green: CrossFit

Blue: Swimming

Red: Biking/Spin

Black: Lifting or a rest day 

My week in workouts: 

Monday 3/3/14: REST

Tuesday 3/4/14: (CrossFit) Diane- 21•15•9 Deadlift (115#) Handstand push-up

Wednesday 3/5/14: (CrossFit) 15 minute clock- 1 min. Max Squats 2 min. Double Unders 3 min. push-ups 4 min.Superman 5 min. Pull ups

Thursday 3/6/14: 5 mile run

Friday 3/7/14: (CrossFit) 14.2 10 overhead squats (35#) 10 chest 2 bar

12 OH Squats 12 c2b 14 OH Squats 14c2b 

Saturday 3/8/1: 10 mile run

Wrap up: 3 CrossFit workouts, 15 miles running, 2 rest days 

Do you track your workouts? 

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?! 

Fourth of July festivities.

This past weekend was my first 4 day weekend ever! It was so nice. I made sure that I kept my weekend full and tried to eat as healthy as I could. I still ate a little more sweets than usual but it was a wonderful weekend. It was so nice to have a break and relax for once. Here was my weekend start:

Wednesday night

CrossFit class was brutal! I think any workout including bear crawls are my least favorite. 

Thursday

I ran 3 miles with one of my childhood friends on the bike trail. Afterwards I went to my family's house for a picnic to swim and relax. 

Friday

Adam and I went and walked around the local arts festival for about three hours. It's wrapped around two lakes so when we go we always make sure to walk around at least once. I've never timed it but I've been told if you go around it the "right" way, it's 3 miles. Later on in the evening we had friends over for a cookout. 

Saturday

Adam and I met some of our friends and went to my first farmer's market! It was great! I bought fresh green beans, 2 loaves of bread, almond butter, and Adam bought a cupcake for himself. Afterwards, we pick up our dryer (it was a gift from our wedding shower. We just never got around to getting it) Later, we went swimming at our family's house again. 

Sunday

Sunday wasn't a great day. My asthma was acting up and I needed to do two breathing treatments. (Not fun!) I met my sister for coffee and finished my thank you cards from my wedding shower. After spending close to 4 hours with my sister, I went home and Adam and I wrote out our wedding invitations. 

I had a wonderful weekend, minus the lung issues. I was defiantly ready to go back to work Monday morning though. I ate a little more than I probably should have and some extra sweets but guess what?! I didn't get fat or lose my muscle. It doesn't hurt to take a break and eat what you want. It was a nice break but I'm glad to be back into my normal swing of things and routine. 

Fun fact:

My favorite "festival food" are gyros. I could eat them every day and not get sick of them.

What's your favorite holiday or festival food? 

It's time to speak.

This is one of those tragedies where you'll never forget where you were when you found out about what happened. Monday April 15, 2013 I was in the produce section of Walmart. I got a text from one of my best friends from San Francisco asking if I was there. Jokingly, not knowing what happened, I answered back, "Hell no haha I was trying to watch it on TV but then realized I didn't have the channel. " He then explained to me what happened and told me his CEO was there but had already finished and was safe.
You'll never forget where you were or what you were doing. I was in shock, I didn't know what to do or say. As I got on twitter, I saw a ton of posts of people trying to retweet where other runners were to make sure they were safe.

I've never seen so much support from a group of people. I'm proud to be a runner. From Yesterday until May 5, is "Runners united to remember" it's a Facebook group where every run is dedicated to the Boston Marathon and you log your miles. I celebrated with my last long run before the half marathon with a half marathon. Even though I needed my inhaler about 4 times, this was the first time that I wasn't concerned about not being about to breathe or worrying about the pain in my legs. I didn't check my watch every 5 minutes and I wasn't wishing it was over. I just ran. I let my mind drift off and went. It didn't matter what time I finished in because I was doing it for Boston.

It was also a day to wear your race shirt or blue and yellow for the marathon. I don't have many shirts because a few of the races I've done don't give shirts. I chose my turkey trot shirt where I PRed my 5k time that also had yellow in it.

Sunday Baby Biathlon

So lately I've been in a funk. Actually, since Easter. I ran my first half marathon the day before and then did a two mile walk on Easter Sunday. After that, I spent almost a whole week being a waste of life. I pretty much took off until Friday from running and the gym. I guess my body need to rest? I took on most of the Easter candy that I had received so we don't have to worry about that anymore.
I decided that I needed to get back at it on Friday with a walk to the park and then a run. That was a total fail. I walked to the park and my calves were in so much pain that after a 1.17 mile walk I needed a ride home. Afterwards I went to the gym to lift and a half mile on the elliptical. I still wasn't feeling like myself so I took Saturday off since I had to work night shift and I would be on my feet.
Sunday morning, I decided that I would get up and take on a little 2 mile run and a bike ride. Today turned out much better. I call it a "baby biathlon". It was just a 2 mile run and a 9.26 mile bike ride but it's still better than what I was doing lat week.
My goal by Friday is to accomplish a 14 mile run. Since I ran a half last week, I think that it's completely doable.