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Oh my goodness, such a BUSY day...I'm am tired beyond belief. I was up at 4:50 this morning in order to be at work at 5:30, woohoo! I'm always paranoid about not waking up on time for anything important/extra early, so I woke up multiple times in the middle of the night to check to make sure I didn't over sleep. (I used to have nightmares in college that I slept through my organic chemistry exams...since I would study for the entire week beforehand, it would have been devastating if I missed them!) I'm surprisingly awake when I have to be at work at 5:30, but that's probably because you actually do stuff when you show up...brewing coffee, restocking stuff, getting everything ready, so you don't think about how early it is!
We were slow to begin with (not many people show up at 6:45 on a Sunday morning), but then around 8-ish, the flood gates opened! I was literally running back and forth from the kitchen to my tables ALL day. I looked up at the clock and it was suddenly 11 am! Time was FLYING. Business hasn't been this great in a long time, and every Sunday used to be like this so it's awesome to have a day like today. However, running around for nine hours without any time to eat or drink will definitely get the best of you. However, the busier you are, the more $$$ you makes, and let's just say that I did QUITE well today. :)
Naturally when I came home, I decided to eat and then try to get my long run in...It's a cut-back week, so the long run is only 12 miles. (Only? haha.) Anywayyy, I figured I'd go out and then if I was truly tired, I could cut it short. However, I pretty much never cut a run short, especially once I'm out there, sooooo 12 miles it was! It was pretty uneventful until about four miles to go when I suddenly really, really, REALLY had to go to the bathroom. Many runners can relate to that one run where you just HAVE to find a bathroom. Sadly during the winter the random port-a-potties disappear, so I spent the next two miles hoping that someone was outside so I could run up and ask them if I could use their bathroom. Although I had run by tons of people, I guess it was getting closer to dinner time so I didn't see anyone! I finally gave up and headed up to a random house and rang the doorbell. I had to do this once before (in high school), and people are actually quite willing to let you into their house, and for that I am super grateful. There aren't many wooded areas around where I live (too suburban...but I like it), so I couldn't just hide behind a tree.
Soooo now that you've enjoyed that story, let's just say that the run was definitely good overall, except for that little hitch.
Sunday, March 15
12.11 miles in 1:38:45, avg pace of 8:09
I definitely do not recommend serving for nine hours and then running twelve miles, but it's out of the way and hopefully I'll be ready for the coming week...45 miles, which I believe will be a weekly mileage high for me!
My brother headed back to Michigan tonight, and now I'm all set to crawl in bed and pass out. It will be glorious.
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Work today was alright...the restaurant was busy, but I had soooo many tables that sat FOREVER. We usually turn our tables pretty quick because not too many people stick around after breakfast, but my tables were extra chatty today. Which is fine...but when you're two people sitting at my table for six and then only leave me a three dollar tip...I get a bit annoyed. Note to readers: tip your servers well, they will really appreciate it! :)
Busy busy day today! The MARYLAND game was on right when I got home from work, so I watched them have a pretty good battle against Duke. (We flipped back and forth between that game and the Illinois game...although we gave up on the Illinois game once they were officially getting bombed my Purdue...my dad wasn't too happy.) Right when the game was over, I quickly changed and headed out for my run, as my brother is in town and we were headed to dinner right after...it was getting late already! My run was INSANE, however. Check it out:
Saturday, March 14 (Pi Day!!)
9.08 miles in 1:05:42, avg pace of 7:14
Ummmmm I don't know where that came from!! I kept thinking that I felt good but that I should slow down, and I felt like I was slowing down, but then my garmin would beep and my pace was still super fast. Gives me better hope for a good marathon, although it will DEFINITELY be at a slower pace than today...I'm not sure how much longer I could have held it for, although I kept saying that during the run and the miles kept clicking off. I'm probably going to pay for that tomorrow, but it was so nice out (in the 50's!!) and I had lots of energy. I must have ran past at least six cops...I didn't know the downtown area of my city (suburbia!) was going to get crazy for St. Patrick's Day, but I guess the cops weren't going to take any chances.
After the run, we headed immediately out to dinner to celebrate my brother officially getting out of the Army. (California Pizza Kitchen! I tried the buffalo chicken pizza...yum!) He went to West Point for four years, then served in the Army for five and a half years (including two tours in Iraq), and then spent 15 months in the Reserves. He's been ruled 40% disabled as a result of his service, as he has trouble breathing with exercise (he was a runner!) and he said something about a head injury. He also received a Purple Heart while in Iraq, as a rocket-propelled grenade hit a building he was in, but he said he was up and running before he realized he had shrapnel in his leg and that his pants were all bloody. I always looked up to him when I was younger, as most of my interests are a result of me liking them because he liked them. Examples: Running, playing the trombone, baking. Although I definitely never had any plans to join the military. The funny part is that on his old myspace profile, under "Heroes" he wrote, "My sister. She does everything I do, but better." Awww. My family is very happy that he is done with his service...I'm not sure my mom (or brother!) could handle another deployment.
Off to bed, working at 5:30 tomorrow morning! Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!
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I was sooooo looking forward to today all week! I was on call at work, and I had plans to sit and watch lots of Gilmore Girls today...no running, no serving, just sitting on my butt...I'm tired, what can I say? "On call" usually means you wake up at 7:30am, call to see if anyone is sick/whatever for the day, find out everyone is coming in, hang up, roll over, and go back to bed. The scene played out a little differently, as I was given the "all clear" at 7:30, but then the phone rang again at 8:00 saying that one of the servers' mom had a stroke so she might leave, she might not leave, I'll know by 10:30. Sooo 10:30 rolls around, and I get called to go into work. I mean, I am totally okay with the fact that she needed to leave to be with her mom, but I have very few days where I'm not on my feet for hours at a time, so I was looking forward to it.
I hope her mom is okay...strokes can be so devastating.
Good run yesterday...I opened at the restaurant in the morning, which means being there at 5:30 in the morning (did I ever mention that I'm not a morning person?), so I was tired when I got home. It took alllllll my motivation to get out the door, but once I did, my legs were go-go-go. I think they just wanted to get the run over with, so this is what I ended up with:
Thursday, March 12
4.1 miles in 30:52, avg pace of 7:32
Told you it was speedy! I'm currently gearing up to watch my TERPS!!! in the ACC tournament. My boyfriend actually headed to Atlanta to watch the games, so I'm really jealous! I was in the marching band and pep band in college, so I used to get to go to the bowl games and tournament games with the teams...I really miss college sometimes!!
Hope everyone has a great weekend planned, and GO TERPS!!!
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Last night it was 60 degrees, and I went out to dinner without even throwing on a jacket. I figured it would be great weather for my run this morning, but oh no no no, mother nature had a different plan up her sleeve. I woke up to a windy 17 degrees ("feels like 2")...what?? I'm totally over this winter thing. We were teased with the 60 degrees, and then the carpet got pulled out from under us. 17 degrees probably would have been okay, but the wind was awful...I had tears in my eyes! But alas, nine miles are over and done with, so life goes on...not that I ever thought it wouldn't.
Wednesday, March 11
9.08 miles in 1:12:14, avg pace of 7:58
My legs are actually kind of sore...I'm assuming leftover from the 17 miles on Monday. They feel pretty good, although a little tired, while running, but when I'm walking around in general they feel kind of tight. I'll throw some stretching in tonight to see if that helps at all.
In other news, I received a random flyer in the mail today, advertising exercise physiology/athletic training/coaching textbooks. I have no clue why it was mailed to me, but the odd part is that I've been thinking about finding some books on exercise physiology or some sort of personal training. I've always been interested in health (I wanted to be a doctor before I decided to go the nursing route), but I think that the key to health is prevention (hence my nutrition interest and therefore degree in dietetics). That is, instead of how we currently deal with disease in America, which is mainly trying to fix the problem after it's too late. I have no clue quite how to combine all my interests or what I actually want to do with them...Public health? Developing wellness programs? Yet to be determined...especially since I secretly want to open an ice cream/cupcake shop. Although I suppose that's not a secret anymore...
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I had a late night last night! I decided I wanted to try to make some homemade bread, so I went and got all the ingredients for a whole wheat honey bread. It was pretty simple to make, but I really had no clue what I was doing! I never knew if the bread rose enough or not, so I just kept waiting a little bit longer. I was tired from my long run, but I watched some Gilmore Girls while I was waiting, even though it was 11pm! I finally popped the bread into the oven just before midnight, so I wasn't up to snacking when the bread finished...but I had something to look forward to this morning! This is what I ended up with:
Like I said, I'm not sure it really rose that well, so it's pretty dense, but it tastes quite good! You can see that I had a little snack from the slice I cut off, and I also had a slice for breakfast. (With some peanut butter and banana, of course!) I think that it was good for my first attempt!
Other exciting news...
I woke up to my phone ringing, which was confusing because I thought it was my alarm (makes the same sound!). I saw that the number was a Philadelphia area code, so I got really excited because I figured it was a hospital calling me! My "just woke up" voice is pretty terrible, so I tried my hardest to sound like I'd been awake for hours (...even though it was 8:45 in the morning), and I think it worked! I have an interview set up for late next week!
Definitely excited about a job prospect...for those nurses out there, it's on a medical/surgical floor, and it's for the evening shift. Does anyone work the evening shift? The nurses I talked to during clinicals said they loved their job and the people they work with, but really don't like the evening shift because they don't have a social life at all (the floor I was on hired a lot of young nurses in their 20's). The plus side to evening shift is that you get to sleep like a normal person...and I could get my runs in before work! But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Run today! My legs were a little stiff this morning, but I was excited about my early morning (it's a relative term!) job excitement.
Tuesday, March 10
4.05 miles in 33:48, avg pace of 8:20
I did some crunches and a few upper body weights...I remember how they used to help when I did them on a more regular basis, so hopefully I can stick with it. My weight lifting knowledge is a result of watching other runners lift during high school cross country/track, so I kind of make it up as I go...
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Rainy, rainy weekend here in Chicagoland, but today was beautiful! I had an eight mile run on Saturday, which I planned to do after work. It wasn't raining when I left work, nor when I ate lunch when I got home, nor while my lunch was digesting. However, the second I pulled on my running gear to head out the door, it started POURING. Fantastic. I delayed my run for about ten minutes, and the rain slowed down, so I headed out in the cold rain. It wasn't bad at all once I got going, but my mom said I looked like a wet dog when I returned...haha. Ended up being an awesome run, however!
Saturday, March 7
8.05 miles in 1:01:34, avg pace of 7:39
The run had a progression-y feel to it, and the last three miles hovered around 7:20 miles. Maybe I should run in the rain more often?
I moved my long run for the week ahead a day to Monday, as I served on Sunday...no way was I going to do 17 miles after serving for seven hours! Ended up working out great because it was a calm, sunny 33 degrees when I headed out this morning. I actually dragged my butt out of bed at 6:30 this morning (quite a feat if you know my ability to sleep until 10:30 on any given day) and hit the road by 7:30.
One part of running that I've been trying to work on is just taking one mile at a time. I changed my Garmin screen so that I can see my estimated lap pace, lap distance, and lap time ("lap" = mile). This really helps with taking one mile at a time, as I never look at my watch and think, "Oh my goodness I've been running for an hour and a half!" Instead, I just think, "Halfway through this mile!" In my head I know I've run seven, eight, nine, etc miles, but it's easier to get through the runs mentally if I concentrate on the mile I'm running. It's really been working for me!
Today was another experiment in nutrition. I dropped off two PowerBar Gels (vanilla and tangerine) and some Clif Shot Bloks (strawberry) at the 5 mile, 10 mile, and 14.5 mile mark (conveniently the same location...I'm good at planning) so I could try them out. After today's run, it is safe to say that it is not the taste of the gels that bothers me, but the consistency. Just can't do it. I got through about 1/3 of the vanilla gel at the 5 mile mark and called it quits. At the ten mile mark, I decided to go with the Shot Bloks, but they were super solid because they'd been sitting the cold for so long. I sucked on one for awhile until I could chew it a little, but then I gave up on those after one because I didn't want to sit around forever. At 14.5 miles, I just sipped on some water because I felt like I had enough in the tank to get me home. However, I know I'd definitely be hitting empty if I tried another nine miles once I got home...that would be problematic come race day.
I'm pondering going for a gummy bear/gatorade combination. Has anyone tried this? Obviously people ran marathons before all the gels, chews, and energy drinks were invented.
Anyway, back to the run! I felt awesome for pretty much the entire run, except for when my shoulder would randomly cramp, but better my shoulder than my diaphragm or calves! Like I said earlier, I concentrated on the mile I was on, and the miles just flew by. Here's what I ended up with:
Monday, March 9
17.21 miles in 2:18:48, avg pace of 8:04
Splits: 8:20, 8:20, 8:10, 7:53, 8:14, 8:06, 8:12, 8:09, 8:08, 8:05, 8:03, 7:58, 8:01, 7:52, 7:55, 7:53, 7:44, 1:37 (7:36)
Once I got home, I didn't have time to be tired because I had to shower, eat, and get ready for work. I only worked for about 1.5 hours, but the health inspector showed up during lunch, which always makes for an interesting time. (In case you didn't know....restaurants don't always do everything according to health code...oops?). I was tired when I got home, and my legs are little stiff, so I've been drinking plenty of water and stretching randomly.
Currently making my first attempt at home baked bread...it's currently rising, and hopefully I'll have some good bread for toast in the morning!
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I am love love LOVING the warm weather!! It's currently in the 60's, so I'm rocking the flip flops and no jacket or anything!! Some people ask why anyone would want to endure a Chicago winter year after year...It's because the cold makes spring absolutely GLORIOUS and the summers pure bliss. Really, Chicago has the best summers ever.
The Fleetwood Mac concert was really fun last night! I wasn't actually sure if I would recognize any songs, but I ended up knowing two or three, so that was pretty exciting. It was really funny to watch all the people my parents' age rocking out and everything. Although I think it's more fun to go see a concert where I know more than a song or two, I enjoy live music so it was definitely a good evening.
Today's run! I actually got my butt out of bed before ten (I know, I know...what a rough life I lead...) and did my four miles. My legs were SOOO tired for the first two miles...I don't know if it was a matter of them just not being "awake" yet, or if I'm still feeling the effects of being sick earlier this week. My stomach doesn't feel funny anymore, so that's a good sign, and I've been making sure to hydrate myself.
Friday, March 6
4.03 miles in 33:11, avg pace of 8:13
I'm watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (from earlier in the year) on youtube. It makes me wish my legs were at least a little bit longer! I come in at a completely average 5'4 1/2" (average height of the American woman...so you can't call me short!), and I always wanted to be 5'6". I don't think that's ever going to happen without surgical intervention. I want longer legs not only for aesthetic reasons (although that wouldn't hurt!), but all the pants I ever try on are way too long! I suppose I'll deal, haha.
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It was in the 50's today!! So amazing. People were outside walking their dogs, playing basketball, walking around...fantastic! It's nice to see another human face out there while I'm running. I ran by the high school (I run by it a lot...it's about a quarter of a mile from my house), and some high schoolers were coming back from lunch (open campus for upperclassmen!), and some guys yelled, "Good form!!" out the window at me. I've never had that yelled at me before, and there's a chance they don't actually know anything about good running form, but I'll take any compliment I can get, so yay. Other odd things I've heard while running:
- A little girl at a park once said, "Daddy, why is she running?" Good question, sometimes I wonder myself!
- I run by a Montessori school sometimes, and during an 18-miler, the teachers were taking the kids out for a walk. So when I ran by, the teachers were like, "Look children, do you see what she's doing? She's exercising!! It's one way to help keep you healthy!" I was tempted to say that I just ran 12 miles and had 6 to go, but I refrained.
- Three men (I'd guess 40-50's) were running, and as I ran by, I believe they were talking about how one of their wives had started toning up and now has a firm butt. I think I heard it correctly...haha.
Any good stories about things yelled at you or things overheard while running? I bet there's some good ones out there!
Run for today! My stomach still feels a little off, although I can't put my finger on what it is. Took the run a little easy as a result.
Thursday, March 5
8.06 miles in 1:05:31, avg pace of 8:08
My mom informed me when she got home from work that she got Fleetwood Mac tickets from a coworker, and she wanted to know if I would go with her I don't know anything about Fleetwood Mac, but I guess I'll learn quick since the concert is tonight! My mom's excited, so it should be good!
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It was in the 40's here today!! It's supposed to continue through the weekend into the 50's, which is AMAZING. Can't wait for spring and especially SUMMER. I wore shorts today, which is fantastic. First run after the vomit attack this weekend...my stomach still feels a little off, but nothing major so I just took it easy. I was more worried about being dehydrated and/or feeling the residual effects of not eating as much the past couple days...but it ended up being just fine.
Wednesday, March 4
4.04 miles in 34:00, avg pace of 8:25
I ran past my high school today, and both the guys' and girls' track teams were out on the track. They were doing plyometrics all over the track and stretching using the fences and everything, and I was reminded of my high school track (and cross country!) days. I really miss running with a team!! We always ran in two lines, side-by-side, and most of the time people had their same position in the pack, which is funny since we all went the same pace except for workouts and such. Also, at least for me, running speed workouts is much easier when you have someone else telling what to do, when to start/stop, how far you're going, and when you have people who are doing them with me. Granted, I don't actually do so-called "speed workouts" myself, but when I've tried to start them in the past, I've lacked motivation.
I also wonder what the high schoolers (or any other runners, actually) think when I run by them. Do I look slow? Fast? Like I shouldn't be wearing tights? haha...kidding! As a side note, I do notice that cars are much more likely to honk during the summer when I tend to run sans shirt. Hmmmmmm.
If anyone wants to prepare for the sh(r)edding of the eight million winter layers you've worn for the past few months, you can head over to Oh She Glows for her giveaway of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred DVD!
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This weekend was good turned TERRIBLE. I had an awesome run on Saturday...8 miles, it was in the 20's, felt pretty good outside. I ran a little bit of a different route, which is always nice for a change in scenery. I don't have many routes for my long runs, so I actually have a create new ones in order to mix it up a bit. My pace was fantastic, and I never felt tired...even despite the fact that I ran after work! So good.
Saturday, February 28th
8.08 miles in 59:51, avg pace of 7:25
Like I said, fantastic! I think it was a combination of being a good running day and some pent up emotions. I'm extremely frustrated with this whole job situation (or lack thereof), so running was a good outlet.
Sunday I had planned my long run, as I wasn't supposed to work, but on Saturday they asked me if I could be "on call" in case one of the other servers couldn't come in. Of course I said yes since the only way for me to make money is to work! Anyway, I got a call on Sunday morning, and I ended up having to go in. No big deal, I just figured I'd do my run after work...being tired would simulate marathon-type circumstances!
Work was AMAZING on Sunday...I don't remember the last time we were so busy, which means $$$!! The day had a really good flow and I was only overwhelmed once (four of my tables got sat at the same time...hard to be in four places at the same time!). I started feeling kind of funny with about an hour to go, but I figured I was just hungry since I hadn't eaten since before work. However, about fifteen minutes before I left, I felt AWFUL. As in, I needed to get out of there as soon as possible so I wouldn't get sick in the restaurant.
I finished up all my closing stuff and drove home...pulled up to my house and then proceeded to vomit on the front lawn. (TMI?) I couldn't make it inside! I continued to vomit, feel more nauseated than I've ever felt in my entire life, and spike a 103 degree fever for the remainder of the day. Lo and behold, no sixteen mile run for me.
My mom is an art teacher at the elementary school about a half a mile from our house, and she said that kids at school had something just like I was having, and it's one of those 24 hour type things. I don't remember doing this, but I apparently asked to be taken to the hospital at least three times...I like to think I don't complain much when it comes to pain/being sick, but I was really, really miserable. I told my mom that if this is what morning sickness is like, then I'm never having children. (She said it's not nearly that bad...she obviously wants grandkids.)
I spent Monday on the couch watching daytime television (terrible!) and Gilmore Girls, as walking from my bed to the couch made me dizzy. My temperature came back down to normal, and I managed to eat some normal food for dinner. I went into work today for about two hours, and I figured I would see how that went before deciding on running today since I really haven't eaten much in the past two days. I felt a little weak after work, so I decided to play it safe and take one more day off of running, but I should be back at it tomorrow.
It kind of bothers me that I missed the sixteen mile long run this weekend, but in the long run (haha!), I will be just fine for the marathon since I don't plan on making a habit of puking my guts out every weekend! I'll just follow the schedule as usual and put this down as extra rest. Unless anyone has any better ideas that they would be willing to share...
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