Snow day!

Not really - just a snowy work day. I wasn't brave enough to venture out running on the ice this morning, so I instead took a 20-minute ab class (and learned I have no core strength) at the Y and proceded to run on the hated 'mill. I made a promise myself: if I could go 70 minutes with no walk breaks, an all-running PR by 5 minutes, then I could quit before making it to the 90 minute mark. I was able to keep race pace for the first 45 minutes, then slowed down, but I made it! Thank goodness for my Ipod!

I have a question for all you: I am starting classes again Monday, as post-graduate student. I feel like I have been out of student mode for FOREVER. What do need to buy/do to get ready? I know I need my laptop, but beyond that I feel clueless. How do you get ready for the first day?

Weekly Weigh-in

I'll be weighing in on Fridays - I like seeing progress of how my week has gone, since I'm more likely to  fall off the healthy wagon during the week than the weekend.

Last night, I ran two miles in 23:00, and then took a 45 minute Aqua Zumba class. I am seriously sore today - the water's resistance makes for a much harder workout than I've ever had in a regular aerobics class.

I am working this weekend, but will hopefully get in my long run tomorrow and take a yoga class, and then get a short run in Sunday. I also need to do my meal planning for next week.

180.5 is my new number. Not too shabby.

What are your weekend plans?

Skirts

Last nights run didn't happen. I got off work about three hours later than planned, so I instead went home, did some lunges, squats, and about an half hour of time with the exercise band doing arm work. Hopefully I'll get a good run in tonight.

I have a question for you ladies: do you run in running skirts? I am trying to figure out what to wear for the half and the 5k at Princess, and while a skirt sounds fun, would they work for those of us who fight "chub rub"? Would I be better off with one with ones shorts underneath vs. the briefs that some of them come with?

What is your preferred bottom to run in? I love the Nike Pacer shorts and any brand of capri tights.

Busy week!

Yesterday after work I went to the orthopedist (all is well!), ran 2.98 miles in 29:00 minutes, and then began the process of registering for classes. Yup, I am officially going back to school this semester. Yay for me. (Or not. Kind of dreading this, actually) Tonight, I have few things to finish booking for the trip for Princess, then hope to get in a run and a class at the Y.

The exciting thing? All our dining reservations are made! Here's how the week looks:
F: Dinner at Cape May Cafe
S: Lunch at Coral Reef (1st time to eat there), Dinner at Shutters at Carribean Beach
S: Lunch at San Angel Inn (1st time to eat there, Dinner at  . . . CINDERELLA'S CASTLE. Finally got reservations for this! I am 5-year-old-kid exciting about eating here.
M: Breakfast at Tusker House, Dinner at Narcosoosee's

What is a dream restaurant for you?

Meatless Monday and Status Photos

Last night, I did 30 minutes on stair machine and lifted weights. Then went home and made this for dinner for myself and the husband:

That, friends, is a black bean burger, a new recipe for me. For 2011, I have given the husband no choice we have decided to go meatless on Mondays. I was a veg for most of college, so for me this is easy, and a good way to get more variety into our diet. I pared the burger (easiest thing to make ever:  mix one can of black beans, drained, two TBS panko bread crumbs, cumin, salt, and hot sauce. Mash with potato masher. Shape into patties, cook for 10-ish minutes in pan sprayed with cooking spray) with some swiss, a sandwich thin, some steak sauce, and sweet potato fries. Super good dinner.

Inspired by the fabulous Sara at the Running in Pink Project, I'm going to post some "starting out" progress photos, with the goal of updating them monthly. I'm a little embarrased by these, so please be kind. Fyi, my hair is all clipped back in front - it's really cute when done! Ok enough insecurity.  Here's how I'm beginning 2011.

Here's me in Oct 2009, right after I started running:

Granted, that outfit is way more flattering than the shorty-shorts and tank. I'm about 195 here.
How do you track your progress?

Week 1 Plans

My second run of the new year was much better than my first: 7.26 miles in 1:21 minutes. One thing I learned about running today: before you plan your routes based on bathrooms to use at the 1-hour mark (please tell me I'm not the only one who does this?) make sure the handy bathroom in the city park that you relyed on all fall hasn't been closed for the winter. Because then you will be grumpy, and have to add a quarter of a mile to your run to hit up a seedy gas station. The run itself felt good though, and my shin is only a little grumpy.

Here are my workouts planned for the week:
Monday:XT, lift
Tuesday: 50 minute run
Wednesday:  hot power yoga, 3 miles
Thursday: 3ish mile group run
Friday: XT, lift
Saturday: 3 miles

Total weekly mileage: around 21 miles

What's your weekly mileage?

Race Plans for 2011

I began today with a 3.5 mile run/walk done on way too little sleep. We rang in the New Year watching TV with the dogs, but midnight is still a late night for me! My three days off turned into only two, so I ended up working today. I began to plan my races for 2011:
 

			Register By	Overnight?
26-Feb	Royal Family 5K	Disney		Y
27-Feb	Princess Half	Disney		Y
26-Mar	Sam Costa Half	Carmel, IN	1-Feb	N
4-Apr	IU Mini	Bloomington, IN	1-Mar	N
7-May	Seymour Half	Seymour, IN	1-Apr	N
21-May	Geist Half	Indianapolis	1-Mar	M
27-Jun	Bean Blossom	Martinsville, IN	30-May	N
July/August?
3-Sep	Women's Half Marathon	Indy	30-Apr	Y
15-Oct	Indianapolis Marathon	Indy	31-Jul	Y
5-Nov	Monumental Marathon		18-Aug	Y
Dec ?

I'm only two halves short from my goal of 11 - I'd like to do a race in July (maybe combined with a vacation for Husband's birthday) and in December. Ideally, I'd want to do St. Jude's Half Marathon then, but it depends on some work/money related things if that will be possible. The green races are ones I plan on "racing" for PRs, the others are either challenging courses or races I'd rather do for fun. I haven't picked a target fall race yet.

Any recommendations for July races? Where are you racining in 11?