DC training plan!

It's finally time to reveal the training plan!

 

I'm aware it's small, if you click on it that should fix issues! I think this will work for me. I gradually increase my long runs on Saturday, which will be a good long run day for me. I mix in my days off based on my personal/work schedule, and when I think I will need it from running. I will be doing my at home pilates and at home strength training two days a week as well. As always, you all will get updates of how it is going along the way!

Today is one of my lucky work from home days, so I will be finishing up my work and heading out for a run. I also will become an actual New York resident this afternoon at the DMV! Updates tomorrow :) 

Happy Tuesday!

Inspiration Board

Ok so I'm aware I was supposed to be posting the new training plan yesterday, but I have good reason that I did not! I was busy making my inspiration board! I got the idea from an awesome blogger Gina, who just had a baby so congrats to her!

The idea of the board is to give you some inspiration for any of your resolutions for the year. I thought it was a great idea and definitely wanted to make one for myself. Paul and I went out to staples today and grabbed a whole bunch of stuff to make the boards. Paul decided to do one a little different, but more on that later.

I went through magazines and pictures that depicted my resolutions and goals for the year. It took a little bit of work, but I'm proud of the result!

 

Yay! Inspiration! 

So  little description. Right in the middle is 13.1 and the Rock n Roll DC picture. This will be big for me this year, as I'm hoping it will be my best 1/2 marathon yet. Around it are pictures about running, beach, healthy food, saving money, a picture of Chicago, Home sweet home for a new place, someone stretching/pilates move so that I remember to do both, awesome abs for being healthy, and a nice beach bum. I have yet to figure out where in my room this will go, but some place I can see when I get up in the morning.

Our boards!

Paul's board is one side for goals and another side for accomplishments. It was a great idea and came out really well. Once he accomplishes one of his goals, he'll move it to the other side of the board!

Other than that, I didn't do too much else this weekend. I always love a weekend of just running errands and relaxing. Updated training plan to come tomorrow, and it will actually happen this time haha.

Happy Monday everyone!

65!

65! That is in fact the temperature outside right now, on January 7! I'm sitting outside as I type this post because it is just that nice out.

Proof! 

This was such a treat today, and a huge difference from my freezing Tuesday and Wednesday! I took full advantage of the weather and went for a run this afternoon. Lately I have been running around the nice flat track, and needed to get myself a little out of my comfort zone. Running near the house with some hills was different for me, but what I needed. I did 2 miles at a 10:22 pace, which I was pretty happy with. I got to wear my lulu crops and a light lulu long sleeve shirt that I usually wear under another two layers. I could of easily gone out in shorts and a short sleeve shirt, but it was January so I still was a little worried it could suddenly get freezing. 

After the run I went out back for a little workout. I had big hopes to do the 100 workout today.

It was pretty rough, and I didn't even do the whole thing. I did the 100 jumping jacks, and then jumped down to do the 50 crunches, 40 squats, 30 leg lifts, and 20 more jumping jacks. I decided the 2 miles before this would cover my 10 min run. During the workout it was pretty eye opening as to just how much I need to work out my core. With my new training plan for the DC half marathon, along with my 4 days of running a week I will also add in 1 day of Pilates and another day of strength training. 

I have an actual plan that starts tomorrow until race day that I will post tomorrow, once it's all colored and pretty obviously! Hope you all enjoy the rest of your Saturday! If you all are lucky like me to have a gorgeous day today, go take advantage of it!

A series of unfortunate events

Happy Friday guys! Sorry I've been so MIA for the week. I do have (slightly) good reason for it. After getting ready to start the New Year off right, a series of unfortunate events happened on Tuesday morning. First I had to go back to work. Ok this isn't really unfortunate, or a rare event, but keep in mind I've had a week and a half off. It was a week and a half of sleeping in late...waking up with the dog at 7 am and falling back asleep for 3 hours... A week of not stressing about anything work related either. My 7 am wake up call on Tuesday morning, without being able to go back to sleep for 3 hours, was unfortunate.

Event number two happened immediately after I woke up Tuesday morning. I had a stinging feeling (yes that is my best description) right under my left eye. For those of you that have read the "ridiculous details of Amy's life also known as About Amy," you are aware I have a fear of all things related to eyes. I was a little nervous, but brushed it off that it would go away. (Sneak peak of what's to come...it didn't go away.) I slowly got ready and forgot to stretch. Unfortunate event number 3. I knew at some point I would break my "resolution" and was not crazy to think I would actually go a whole year stretching every morning. Unfortunate event number 4 occurred when I stepped out side. It was actually winter out, at around 15 degrees. I had been so spoiled by 40 degree and 50 degree weather up until then and froze when I went out.

I went on with my unfortunate Tuesday, my eye did in fact get worse, and no running occurred for Tuesday. The week happened to go on like this. The eye thing is annoying, but almost gone. I'm mostly just happy that I don't have to have anything drained and etc. Nobody needs to put anything near my eye! I had no days to go into work late this week, it was a 4 day work week after all, so no running happened. I will be running tomorrow and Sunday to get myself back in the mode.

I have an updated training plan coming tomorrow, oh that would be training for the Rock n Roll DC 1/2 Marathon that I officially am registered for!

Hope you all enjoy your Friday!

2012!

Happy 2012! I hope you all enjoyed a nice NYE. My night was full of Chinese food, Champagne, and Fireworks, an awesome NYE in my opinion. While 2011 was a great year (new job, new state, traveling, running, triathlons and etc.), there is always room for changes in the new year. I made a few resolutions for 2012, both running related and life related. The key was to have some resolutions and goals to make me push myself, but also not to be so lofty and general that I would not follow through.

1.       Run a race for every Holiday 

-I know this seems a little random, but I think it would be fun! 

2.       Run 2 possibly 3 Half-Marathons 

-  I already have 2 planned to do (DC and Chicago), so hopefully I will follow through and maybe even add one in Rhode Island. 

3.       Stretch every morning 

- This has been something I've needed to do for years! I am not flexible at all, and I know it would help improve my running and any other work outs. I know I may not do this every day, but I figure if I get into some sort of pattern it will help my flexibility. I already stretched this morning so I'm still on track so far!

 

4.       Run at least 10 miles every week 

- Hopefully when I am training for races, this will clearly be higher. During the time I am not in training though, I at least will be running 2 miles/5 days a week. 

5.       Run 5k at 9:00-9:30 pace 

-While my larger goals work with distance, I think this goal will help with my speed not only for a 5k. If I am capable of keeping that pace for 5k's, I know eventually I will be able to keep it up for longer races.

6.       Run 10k in under an hour 

- If other resolution for the 5k goal pace works, this goal should work as well.

7.       Take Pilates Class

- I L.O.V.E. pilates! I say every year that I want to take more classes, and I haven't yet. This year I really hope I will be able to take classes more often. Not only do I enjoy it, but it is a great work out and helps with my flexibility.

I also have a weight loss goal, which for now I am keeping too myself. It isn't a crazy out of control one that will never happen though. Hopefully if I follow through with all the above resolutions, the weight loss won't be a problem at all. My other resolutions for life are get an apartment, cook more (or learn how to, same difference), and most others about saving money.

Day one of the new year is done and so far I am off too a good start with stretching and a nice run in awesome weather for January! 

Hope you all had a great Sunday and a good start to the new year!