now i remember

i sat on the couch Saturday night exhausted.

i hadn't done anything beside prep food all day, and it was then that i realized why i slipped out of the habit of eating healthy food and into eating out instead.

the amount of involvement healthy eating takes.

maybe i've gotten lazy. maybe i'm looking for that elusive shortcut but hotdamn... standing in the kitchen all day and only have food prepped for half the week is maddening.

i've been at this long enough to know this bi-weekly prep must become a central part of my life for it to stick and yet i struggle with it. i know, i know.. it's only one day out of my week but it's a weekend day!

i'm back at it...less than 2 months till Florida..

any recommendations for fun, fancy restaurants in the Orlando area for New Years Eve?

Running is a cheap

This is cross-posted at Train with Purpose.

I have to admit, I am always somewhat surprised when I hear newbie runners or non-runners exclaim how expensive running is.

I scratch my head and politely ask, why they think running is expensive.

They end up listing a myriad of reasons, which are true, but as a beginner runner or generally new to fitness. Running is the cheapest sport out there.

You do not need a fancy gym.
You do not need fancy equipment.

You need two, maybe 3 things if your a lady, to run.

A good pair of running shoes, supportive bra for the ladies, and your front door. Your neighborhood is the perfect place to run.

Yes, races, Ipods, compression gear, etc can get expensive but is by no means necessary especially not for a beginner.

So, stop making excuses as to why you can't run, and lace up those sneakers and head out.

truths

Truth: I haven't worked out since Sunday. Maybe today I will get  3 miles in.

Truth: I haven't been watching what I eat. I've been indulging in everything my body is craving.

Truth: I've given myself the week off from everything. Come Monday I'll be back for sure.

Truth: I've been tired, unmotivated, and hungry.

I blame it partially on Michigan weather, it's been rainy, dreary and cold, as well as having over-extended myself.

How are you adjusting to the new weather?

Tommie Copper Compression Sleeves

So I mentioned in my Firsts post that I had tried out the Tommie Copper sleeves so it's probably best I finally do a review, no?
 

I had meant to get it up several weeks back but alas, life got in the way. Or should I say procrastination finally caught up to me.

Anywhoo, Jordan the social media face behind Tommie Copper was a breeze to work with. He was not only prompt in returning my emails, but also helpful. Some other companies could learn a thing or two from him.

Let me state, that these sleeves were sent to me with no strings attached so these thoughts are completely my own! 

First and foremost, I wanted to try out the sleeves because of their price..$24.50. 

At a recent expo, a sleeve seller was charging nearly $30 for 1... who can afford 2 at that price?! I can't.. I work non-profit now! =)

Secondly, they are copper infused which means a few things:

• copper stimulates the immune system to fight infections, repair injured tissues and promote healing
• copper has been shown to neutralize "free-radicals" which can cause severe damage to cells
• copper is necessary for the growth, development, and maintenance of bone, connective tissue, brain, heart, and may other body organs
• if you want to read more about it, check out their FAQ

These are my first pair of sleeves so I really have nothing to compare them too besides my compression socks, which might be unfair..apples to oranges much?

Two things:

1. Sizing, technically according to their size chart, I was a Large but after consulting with Jordan, he suggested I size down to a Medium. I wonder if I should have gone with a small.
2. Relating back to 1, they aren't as tight as I like my socks, but had I started out with them, would this be an issue?

I wore them on two long runs, and despite them being ok for my calves, I felt like my feet were more swollen than usual.

I like them and I'll be re-wearing them, just not for my long runs, I need a little more support in my feet that the sleeves obviously can't give.

Have you tried them?
Do you have a preference...socks or sleeves?

Detroit Free Press Half Marathon Race Recap

howdy folks... it's been way too long! almost a week now if I remember straight...

things have been dandy... i really have no clue where the week went but yeah, it's Tuesday..

the test went swimmingly...until I found out I got an 80 yesterday...not stellar but considering an A- is 87.5 maybe I didn't do that bad, no? i still learned my lesson and tomorrow i'll start studying for the next test, a mere 3 weeks away!

the whole weekend was a blur that centered around the half, and yet it still wasn't as magical as the 1st. I'm planning on traveling everywhere for my races from now on!

the official playlist

I wont bore you with all the morning off stuff, but if i had to do it again, I would totally get a hotel room. Getting up at 4:30 is no fun...although it did beat Disney's 2 AM wake-up call!

Since Rose runs with the 501 group, I was able to chillax with them at the 501's conference room which was sweet since a) it was warm and b) it had toilets although they stunk like port-a-potties from the get-go and even ran out of the toilet paper. Shame on Doubletree for not being better prepared!!

Anywhoo, I was slotted for Corral G but bumped back so that I could start with Rose's group who was in K. I figured that too would prevent me from starting out too fast.

In the end, I think I may have started out too slow...but anyways...

Mile 1: 11:40
Mile 2: 10:49
Mile 3: 11:49

Mile 3 was the middle of the bridge and although they had given us more room to run,  the walkers were everywhere... sometimes even 4 persons wide. I'm thinking a pamphlet needs to be added to walker's bags.

Mile 4: 10:27
Mile 5: 10:18 <-- goal pace
Mile 6: 10:20
Mile 7: 10:34

Once I was over the bridge, I knew it was time to pick up the pace as I wanted to make try to regain some of the time I lost in the first 3 miles.

I have to say that I didn't take in as many of the sites as I wish I would have but I was in it to win it and didn't have much time to take look around yet alone snap shots.

coming out of the tunnel, right at 8

Mile 8 was the famous underwater mile, where we take the tunnel to get back in to the USA. Everyone warned me how horrible it was, but I didn't think it was that horrible. The worst complaint would be that 2/3rds of the way through you were hit by heat and wow... hello humidity. The descent and ascent were also a tad misleading as I cruised down but then struggled up and out of it.

Mile 8: per the Garmin 11:50 - per the chip 10:25 

the look that says...i am crazy for doing this!

Seeing Nate and his cousin Josh, a fellow runner!, and his gf Karol there definitely gave me a boost of confidence.

Mile 9: 9:56
Mile 10: 10:10
Mile 11: 10:03

Mile 12, the fatigue kicked in. After an encouraging text from Nate, I took my last Gu and told myself I only had a mile to go.

Mile 12: 10:16
Mile 13: 9:30

Nate was standing right around mile 13.. both pictures still have me looking strong and smiling. That is definitely a plus!!

last .1 mile: 1:07

Total Time: 2:18:49
Average Pace: 10:36

This race was so different from my last one, that I'm already planning my next! I'll post some more thoughts later this week.

trying something new.... eek, the week of a race!

i know you aren't supposed to try anything new the week of a race but....

i don't think this will be too bad...

I'm creating a playlist..I normally stream Pandora but I remember fidgeting with it because no good music was playing.

So...what should I add to my playlist?

I like to end with LMAFO's - Shots, as my last song.
Then maybe some Kate Nash to start out with or even half way through.
Some Lil' Kim.
Eminem because angry music makes me run faster.
Some Diddy and Kanye...

help a sistah out!!!

Detroit Freep Goals

Happy Tuesday peeps!!

With how much dread I went into this week, I can't believe I'm already back but I did receive some happy news re Chemistry yesterday so the weight has already been lifted off my shoulders and I can focus on more important things like my race on Sunday!!

Besides the general antsiness, I'm in such a more relaxed yet focused place than I was back in February gearing up for my first Half.

I'm sure that can be attributed to the fact that I really had no clue what I was getting myself into, what to expect, a hip injury, etc. I went into it with a lot of false pretenses... I expected there to be a lot of camaraderie (hello, it was going to be nothing but women!), the possibility of meeting some bloggers and finishing in a time that was clearly beyond my reach.

It's been with those experiences that I've been quite hesitant throughout this entire training process.

I didn't want to rely on a group that most likely wouldn't be running the race with me. Why would they, they have their own goals to achieve? As do I, which means I need to follow my own plan and not let others influence my training. So I roughed it running by myself.

Despite seeing my speed, I'm fearful to choose a goal which might demand a tad bit more out of me.


I think finishing my first Half at 2:25:42 was a huge, huge disappointment for me. Granted, I never even considered that at 6 AM the humidity would be at nearly 90%! I didn't properly adjust my race plan.

I've been hemming and hawing the past week, do I make my first goal wimpy and vague... Beat my current PR..while ultimately shooting for my 3rd goal which would be run a 2:15?

Or do I woman up and own it, because deep down, I know I can run a 2:15 and make a lofty 3rd goal like run a 2:10 Half?!



Thoughts?

can you feel the excitment tonight

Happy Monday friends!!

Can you feel the love the tonight excitement in the air?

I think it's a mix between the nerves for my Chem exam on Friday and then the Detroit Free Press Marathon on Sunday.

I have 4 days of studying, 3 runs left, and hopefully 2 results that will make have made all this worthwhile.

I may be MIA for the majority of the week, but keep those fingers and toes crossed for a good Chem exam!

Finally Friday

can I get a whoooooo-hooooooo for it being Friday?!

besides a Site Visit I need to do today, the rest of it is being dedicated to Chemistry.

I have my first exam next week and sadly, I have yet to dedicate much time to it at all. I'm rather ashamed but the bf is gone for the weekend on a dude weekend so I plan on becoming one with my dining room.

I've gotten 3 workouts in so far this week and anticapte another 2... a shame considering I've probably undone all the good work by binging.

Why I've binged this week:

1. Stress
2. School stress in particular brings me back to my orignal days of college when I could easily down a lb of M&M's in a study sess
3. Not eating during the day because nothing sounds good!

On that note, I feel like life is finally calming down. At least for a bit.

Plans for the weekend?

overwhelmed

Hello lovelies....how you doin? hope your week has been off to a great start!

Things have been a tad chaotic over here.

Mainly...

• I'm tired
• Unmotivated
• Stressed

Last week was pretty off, I only did 3 workouts...2 runs and 1 strength routine.

I've been craving junk food...indulged in 2 candy bars...a rarity over here. This week I'm swapping out the candy for decaf coffee at night.

I'm officially tapering.

I ran 10 miles on Sunday which just flew by...crazy right?! I'm loving 10 milers right now...Threw in 1 3 mile pace run and hit my targets. I was actually a tad faster but I'll have to make up some time since I'm expecting my first 3 to be slower than goal pace.

Truth is, I'm just trying to keep my shit together these next 11 days, and even reconsidering whether or not I'm going to "race" the Turkey Trot.

That's all I've got..sorry I'm light on posting..school, work, trying to get things rolling with Train with Purpose are just all consuming my time right now.

chat soon!