Tempo

Last night I got off work about two hours later than planned, so my 2:30-hour run wasn't possible. Instead, I ran an hour at tempo pace (12:00 minutes miles for me) on the hilliest route I've got. My legs felt like jello at the end! I'll be getting that long run in on Wednesday instead.

I also did the first half of my grocery shopping yesterday. I usually go to two stores: Kroger and local co-op. At the co-op, I buy all our meat, which is locally and organically raised, fresh bread, and sometime items that are on sale that would be cheaper than Kroger. Last night's buy: chicken sausage, frozen shoe string fries, ground turkey, and bacon.

Today I'm working, heading to the grocery, and then hope to get in a quick run. It was almost 40 here yesterday, and it seemed like everyone in town was out running or walking.

Where do you grocery shop?

Let me control the things I can . ..

Like meal planning. I know I should go into the grocery store with a plan, but to be honest, I usually don't, and end up either buying less than healthy choices, or not having what I need to be able to easily cook all week. However, I have a plan for the trip this weekend, to make sure I have everything we'll need for dinners. I'll try to photograph and share winning recipes with you. Here's what we'll be eating:

Friday: eat out night
Saturday: Southwestern Egg Rolls - recipe from The Sweets Life blog
Sunday: Barbeque Chicken Pizza
Monday: Black bean enchildas
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Pasta with spinach and chicken sausage
Thursday: Turkey burgers

Do you meal plan?

My workouts have been good this week. Monday I went to yoga, Tuesday I ran and lifted, Wednesday I did some speedwork and ab work, and last night I lifted and did aqua zumba. Is anyone else freaking out that Princess is less than a month away? I still have two long runs left . . .but I still feel a little under-prepared. Hopefully tomorrow's long run goes smoothly.

Melting Down

I promise I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Things got suddenly crazy on all fronts: work, home, general mental health, and I'm spending some time facing some hard choices that I've been avoiding making. I'll be back soon with running and exercise (which I am still doing daily) and will be back to reading all your adventures, too.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Happy Sunday all! I did a quick workout after church this morning, and set a new PB in the amount of weight I can squat for 10 reps: 100 pounds! I've added two pages the blog: one with my goals, and one to share all my meatless Monday ideas. I spent a good three years as a vegetarian, so I have a special love for veggie-based meals. I have work and homework to do tonight (with a 5 hour turn around between when I get off tonight and when I go back in tomorrow!).

What are your Sunday night plans?

Also, this playoff weekend leaves me with no teams to root for - I am a fan of the 1.Colts, 2. Giants, 3. Lions. Anyone want to sell me on their team of choice?

Working 9 to 5

Or more like noon to nine . . . anyway, this is the first of several weekends I'll be working in a row. This post will be a bit of rambling mess, and for that I apologize in advance.
Last night, I did hard set of 4 x 400s at 1-mile pace with a 2 mile warm up, followed by wings and basketball game watching.
I was able to get in a long-ish indoor run this morning (not quite to planned length, but I'm okay with that) since the temperature here at 8:00am was 8. By the time I left the at 10:45, it was  . .  16. Miserable cold. I then got some laundry and grocery shopping done before I had to leave for work.
I have my first homework assignment this week as well, which just seems strange. I don't mind school, but the idea of "having" to read something is such a distant memory. (Anyone an expert on the Jacobson v. Mass Supreme Court Case?)
I also bought part of my outfit for Princess - you'll have to wait and see it!

What are you weekend plans?

The Plan

I freaked myself out this morning when I realized:

 - Princess is 5 weekends from now.
 - I've still got 3 really long runs to do
 - I have no idea what I'm going to wear during either the 5k or the half
 - I still need to make a packing list, a trip schedule, and get the dog's boarding reservations made
-  Said trip is the week before midterms which matters now since I am *in school*
 - I am still heavier than I'd to be at the rqace

I needed a guiding force for my workout for the next month, to make sure I do everything I "should be" to get ready. Here is the master plan:

Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
22-Jan	23-Jan	24-Jan	25-Jan	26-Jan	27-Jan	28-Jan
2:15 run	3 mile run	3 mile run	40 min XT	Spinning	Aqua Zumba	45 min XT or off
		School	School	Lift	2 miles
29-Jan	30-Jan	31-Jan	1-Feb	2-Feb	3-Feb	4-Feb
2:30 run	3 mile run	3 mile run	40 min XT	Zumba	Aqua Zumba	45 min XT or off
		School	School	Lift	2 miles
5-Feb	6-Feb	7-Feb	8-Feb	9-Feb	10-Feb	11-Feb
2:45 run	3 mile run	3 mile run	40 min XT	Spinning	Aqua Zumba	45 min XT or off
		School	School	Lift	2 miles
12-Feb	13-Feb	14-Feb	15-Feb	16-Feb	17-Feb	18-Feb
2:00 run	3 mile run	3 mile run	40 min XT	Spinning	Aqua Zumba	45 min XT or off
		School	School	Lift	2 miles
19-Feb	20-Feb	21-Feb	22-Feb	23-Feb	24-Feb	25-Feb
1:45 run	3 mile run	3 mile run	40 min XT	Packing Day!	Aqua Zumba	Rest
		School	School		1 mile	Travel Day
26-Feb	27-Feb
3.1 Race	Princess

Seeing it on "paper" makes it seem much more doable. How do you get ready for races?

Honesty (and possible overshare)

I have IBS (irritable bowl syndrome). It started around April of last year, and symptoms are triggered mostly by stress, though it seems to randomly occur as well. It used to serisouly impact my running (during a time that I was super stressed and generally unhappy, leading to more symptoms leading to more stress). I figured I may not be the only one who has tummy issues with running, and in "honor" of some current digestitve issues, though I'd share some of my tips.

1. Hydrate. Tummy issues cause a lot of water loss, and dehydration and running are not good bedfellows
2. Be careful trying new fuel/drinks during runs. I've learned that Clif Shots are not my friend. Try new things either during indoor runs or on a route with bathroom stops
3. Learn where the "good" bathrooms are. For me, a good bathroom is clean, and feels safe. My usual stops include the public library, various buildings at the local college campus, local parks, the Y, and grocery stores. I try to avoid gas stations if possible.
4. Keep spare running shorts/capris in the car. Trust me.

In other news, I made the BEST oatmeal ever today. Oatmeal is one food that I have been envious of since I started reading other women's blogs - they seem to make delisicous combinations and really enjoy it, and mine tastes like glue. I typically use equal amounts of skim milk and water, put everything in a tupperware before I leave for work, and heat up mid morning.
Here was the winning mix:
1/3 cup oats
1/2 cup vanilla soy milk
1 banana
1ish tablespoon of natural pb - I use the grind-your-own kind
small handful of mini chocolate chips, maybe twenty-five

The soy milk changed everything - the texture, the way the toppings incoporated. It was just great - It's been about 5 hours and I'm still not hungry!What do you put in your oats? I really like pumkpin in mine as well.