Twelve In Twelve 2014: Disappointed

This may sound stupid...and you may want to shake me and tell me to quit acting like a brat...but I have to get this off my chest....

Rock the Parkway was awful...I hated almost every second of it. I didn't get that feeling of absolute euphoria or pride that I usually get when I cross a finish line. I felt defeated, angry, and disappointed.

When I first signed up for the half, my goal was just to finish. Then as my training progressed I knew that not only could I finish, but I could finish in under 2 hours....then 2 weeks before my race I went out and ran 12.5 miles in 1 hour and 45 minutes and let me tell you it felt great. I was absolutely SURE I was going to quite literally ROCK the Parkway and completely blow away my goal of under 2 hours. I felt so confident and sure of myself going into the race....

Spoiler alert...I did NOT rock that parkway...yes...I finished...and I even finished under 2 hours (1:54) and I should be proud of that...and I am...in a way... but I just can't help but be a little disappointed in how felt during and after the race. I struggled big time. If there had been an "exit here, and no one will ever know" I would have most definitely taken it.

Things just didn't work out the way I planned...I'm not sure if it was the heat/humidity (it was about 30 degrees warmer than any of the long training runs I had done up until this point), the wind (a million miles per hour), or just a plain ol' bad run.

I have talked to several others who also ran last weekend and they have all said the same thing...that this was a tough race. I even talked to someone who ran it last year and she said it was MUCH harder this time around due to the heat and wind. While it makes me feel better to find out that I am not the only one that felt that way...I still can't seem to shake this funk I am in. This was my first half marathon...something I never thought I would/could do...I am supposed to feel good about it and I just don't.

Luckily...or unluckily...I have another half marathon in 9 days and while I am absolutely dreading all 13.1 miles, I am looking forward to a great race and getting out of this slump. I am crossing my fingers that I get all those feelings I usually get when I cross the finish line. I just have to keep reminding myself that it definitely can't be any worse ;)

Twelve in Twelve 2014: March

Why yes, I am awake at 5:00 AM posting on my blog...and yes...I have already been awake for an hour and a half lying in bed desperately trying to fall asleep...clearly it didn't work. Lately, I just haven't been tired...that is until 2pm rolls around and I want to crawl under my desk and take a nap. 

While lying in bed thinking about a million different things...I decided that I might as well be productive. It is now April 10th and I have yet to post my March blog. I was so smug in January and February because I didn't procrastinate and had my blogs posted right away...this month is different. In my defense my half is coming up (2 more days!!!) and I had my best friend's out of town wedding and my mom's 50th birthday (wow, she is old!) so needless to say I have been busy...and having this post completed by April 10th is a win in my books :)

Something that was not a win for me this month was tracking my running...plain and simple, I got lazy. I forgot to take pictures of the treadmill (which was luckily only a few times this month) and my Garmin. I did however, ALWAYS log my runs in RunKeeper. I could have taken a screen shot of each individual run to create my collages...but like I said, I am lazy. 

I know you all wait on the edge of your seat for me to post the details of my run...I know, I know, it's riveting stuff :) Sorry for the lack of effort this month, but I have a feeling no one is all that disappointed!

Here are my weekly runs/mileage totals. My weekly mileage has been pretty consistent, which was the plan (that I totally winged/wunged/wanged?) Basically when it came to a training plan I decided I would wing it (why isn't there a past tense version of this word? Is there and I am just not aware of it?) I had looked and looked for a good training plan for 3 half marathons back to back, but basically there wasn't one. My plan was to get my weekly long run up to around 10 about a month before my first race and keep it there. I thought it would mimic what I would be doing in April and May with the halves. I guess only time will tell if it was a good idea :)

This week I ran with the Olathe Run Club for the first time. After my first group run in February, I knew I just had to try and get my long runs in with a group. This long run was definitely interesting because I showed up (alone, knowing no one) and before I knew it the group leader just said "Alright, let's go!" and everyone headed off. I had no clue where we were going, how far we were going, where to turn around...basically I was lost. I ended up running with a group that was around my pace and I figured I could just turn around whenever I needed to. Unfortunately, my Garmin hadn't had time to find satellite so I was clueless to how far we had actually run. At one point this guy and I started chatting and discussing what we were training for etc. and I decided that it was probably time to ask him how far everyone was running...he said "8 out, and 8 back...16 total" I nearly died...that was when I asked him how far we had gone already (4ish) and asked him to let me know when we got to 5 so I could turn around. By the time we got to 5 we were in the middle of nowhere on a gravel road and I was a little hesitant to head back on my own...I mean, there could be deer out at this time of the morning (yes, I have an irrational fear of deer...it's weird, I get that) Luckily, there were a few other people in the group that were doing a shorter run as well so they turned back around the same time as me. (Thank goodness there would be someone there to save me from the deer!!!) 

This week was another Rock The Parkway "Sunday Runday" group run. I ended up running with a 70 year old man who was training for the Boston Marathon. This was going to be his 15 marathon in the last 20 years. Needless to say I was impressed!! 

This  was race week...and my Goose's bachelorette party. You know I am serious about this racing thing when I don't get to sleep until 1am and then still get up Sunday morning to go run at 7 am in the sleet. When I finished my run my jacket was completely covered in ice and my  hair had icicles in it. That's either dedication or stupidity right there. 

This week I had taken a break from my long run on the previous weekend due to some nagging foot pain. I was convinced I either had tendinitis in my toe or a stress fracture...while reading a few hundred different things about both ailments I decided resting was my best option. Luckily, the pain was neither of those things (or a week off was just what the doctor ordered) because the following Sunday on my long run I was able to run 12.5 miles with zero pain!!! 

Here is my last run of March (the way I set up my weeks is weird, I know, it's just what is easiest for me when calculating my monthly totals. This month I also decided to try out RunKeeper Elite. RunKeeper is free for the basics, but I was curious to see what the Elite option was. It's pretty cool because you can compare your mileage/speed/pace etc from month to month, but I don't know that it is something I will renew... The free version works just fine :)

Alright, now on to the race. I had originally signed up for this race with my Goose. She was going to run her very first 5k, however a few weeks into her training she was having some foot pain (those darn feet) and after a trip to the doctor she was told she couldn't run for awhile and that she would get to wear a really cool boot (which I personally think is payback for all the jokes she made about my boot in college!)

We were both really disappointed that she couldn't run (but don't worry...there is always this fall!) I contemplated talking someone else into running with my, but then I decided that I was going to make this race a challenge. I wanted to see how fast I could run a 5k and see if I could get a PR. 

This was a giant mistake...especially since this course was HILLY!!! I took off and ran my first 2 miles at lightning speed (okay, okay, maybe like 7:15 miles...but that is still pretty fast!) and then hit mile 3....the hill from hell. Seriously...I felt like I was running straight up and down...I couldn't have been going much faster than a brisk walk. It was torture...pure torture!!! I immediately regretting my sprint session for the 2 miles prior to this. Usuallly when I get to the finish line I am so excited and the runner's high takes over that I sprint across the finish line...nope, not this time...It was all I could do not to stop and lay in the fetal position and yell for a medic (not really, i'm being slightly dramatic here...surprise surprise!)

Since I had run this race alone (and AJ was out of town, so I didn't have my fan club with me) I limped across the finish line, grabbed my finishers medal and high-tailed it out of there!! 

I stole this photo from visitKC's instagram page...isn't it gorgeous?!! Makes me wish I had slowed down and just enjoyed this run and downtown KC. 

Since my fan club wasn't in attendance, I didn't have anyone to take an awkward picture of me before or after the race. Good thing selfies exist :) 

I know I made the race sounds like a total disaster, but honestly it wasn't. I PR'd in my 5k, finished 4th in my age group and came in 98th overall out of 1,417 runners. All in all I would say the day wasn't terrible :) All I know is that I will be signing up for another (flatter) 5k this year and trying to beat that time! Can you tell I am slightly competitive? ;)

Guess what...guess who hit 200 miles this month?!? That's right...this girl!!! We all know what that means (or maybe you don't...maybe I am the only one counting down the miles until my rewards)

Reward time!!! 

I have been lusting after one of these puppies for awhile now, but just couldn't bring myself to spend the money. Between having to reward myself (HAVING TO) I decided that since I will be turning 30 this year it is probably a good time to start a good skin care regimen. If you don't have a Clairsonic yet, shame on you. This thing is pure gold...I love, love, love the way it makes my skin feel and look! Best decision I have ever made! I loved it so much I decided to get one for my mom for her birthday as well. Gotta keep the old lady looking young ;)

Next up....ROCK THE PARKWAY! (2 days, 1 hour, and 6 mins till race day...insert panic attack!)

Twelve in Twelve 2014: H2O

Who came up with the rule that you have to drink 8 glasses of water each day? That is confusing to me...8 glasses? What size of glasses are they talking about? What happens if I use the water fountain at school or the gym? How the hell do I keep track of this?  8 glasses is such an arbitrary number and not solid enough information for me. 

I've also heard that you should take your body weight divide it by 2 and drink that many ounces of water...again, this brings up a very important question...which weight are you talking about? My driver's license weight (from when I was 18), the weight from the doctor's office (which is too high because I had clothes on...duh) or the weight from my cheap scale from Walt-Mart...so many questions!!!

When I started this New Year's resolution I decided it was time to cut Pepsi (my addiction) and really focus on drinking more water. Like I said before I have read so many different things about much water I should drink, and I got so many different answers that I decided to give up on having the "scientific" answer and kind of just go with what I feel my body needs. I am always thirsty (sort of like the hunger problem I have) so I always have to have a water bottle with me. My favorite water bottle is my Camelbak.

Seriously...best.water.bottle.ever! I like that it is easy for me to keep track of how much I drink when I use this. I tend to drink a whole one before I go to work...then I drink one before my plan time (about 2 hours) then I drink 1 between then and the end of the work day (4hours) and then another before I go to bed at night. So all in all I drink around 100 ounces a day...which is more than the "8 glasses" or "half my weight" in ounces...but I sweat a lot...I mean we are talking major sweaty Betty here...so I lose more water during a day than most people...especially on a long run...so I imagine my body doesn't hate the extra ounces :)

 

Even Miss Finley is obsessed with her Camelbak :)

People are always talking about all of the great benefits of water...and while all of those things sound wonderful...how come no one talks about what it will REALLY be like if you drink that much water?

The amount of times I almost pee my pants in a day, is disturbing. I no longer casually think "Oh, I need to use the restroom" it has become "HOLY HELL, GET ME TO A BATHROOM RIGHT NOW!" Contrary to what Adam Sandler wants us to believe...it is NOT cool to pee your pants :)

You may think I am exaggerating...but trust me, I am not! Being a teacher makes this "issue" a little more complicated...what happens when I am in the midst of molding the minds of the future of America you ask?

I do have to admit though...sometimes I run out of my classroom while pleading with my students "to please be good" at the same time I am threatening them by saying "I can hear you from the bathroom" because I just can't hold it. Hopefully, one of these days my bladder will stretch out and my body will get used to the massive amounts of water I consume...but until then I will count myself lucky that I haven't peed my pants....yet ;)

Twelve in Twelve 2014: February aka Hoth

February hasn't been ideal for running...I have spent more hours than I thought humanly possible on a treadmill. While I haven't shown the "dreadmill" much love in the past...I have been really grateful for this torture device this month. Running outdoors was nearly impossible for the majority of the month.

White, white, and more white...this was my walk to the gym pretty much all month.

While I found a new appreciation for the treadmill this month...I did get awfully tired of this view

I can't even...4 snow days already this school year and it's looking like there could be more! 

This "polar vortex" made my training more difficult...but I am proud to say I didn't give up! I spent more time on the treadmill than I would like and I sprinkled in a little more cross-training...which affected my weekly mileage...but kept me from losing my mind :)

This is the week that I learned that the treadmill automatically turns off after an hour...that is HIGHLY inconvenient, especially when my weekly long run has to be done on the treadmill. 

This is the week I surpassed my longest distance EVER! Yep...I have never run more than 7.5 miles at a time. Before this New Year's Resolution and signing up for the half marathons I only had only run for fun/ stress relief and never had a reason to run more than 7.5. 

This is the week I learned that watching "Girls" on the treadmill at the gym is a very poor decision...some of the scenes are a little uh....graphic? Needless to say I will be choosing a different show to watch while running at the gym :) This was also the week of February's race...luckily the weather wasn't too awful!

This was the week of my very first (and definitely not last) group run! I finally got to do my long run outside and with a big group of people running the same distance. Who knew that a group run could be so motivating...I'm sure lots of people do/did...I was just late to that game I suppose :)

Total miles for February: 72.34 

Total for 2014 so far: 153.34

Race #2: The Sweetheart Run

February's race was extra special because not only did I get to run it with my "sweetheart" but it was AJ's very first race EVER! 

Luckily, we had a snow free weekend with higher than average temperatures (it was a whopping 30 degrees and there was ice and snow all over the sidewalks) We were also lucky that they had the Ritz Charles open so we could hang out in there before/after the race. 

Here we are for the 3 seconds at the beginning of the race where we ran together...shortly after this picture, AJ decided that he was going to sprint the whole damn thing. I let him go...because I knew I would catch him eventually when he decided that a 7 min mile pace for 3.12 miles was not a great decision for someone who had only run a handful of times in preparation for this race. A few minutes into the race he came to his senses and slowed down...good thing too...because shortly after, we hit a pretty tough hill :)

Finish line pictures are so flattering...and the only reason I am posting this one is to show off the INCREDIBLE time in which AJ finished his first race! I am SO proud of him...since he hadn't trained much I had expected to have to stop and walk or slow our pace down toward the end, but he was a trooper and pushed through to the end! 

Remember how I said finish line photos weren't flattering...I wonder how this guy feels about his finish line photo? When I was browsing through the photos looking for ours, I came across this and seriously couldn't stop laughing for like 20 minutes. Is it a little bit mean to laugh at this guy's misfortune...yes...but seriously, it was a 5k and look at his time...I have a feeling he just had a little bit too much fun the night before...so I would say I am allowed to laugh! Also, if you look above at our finish line photo, you can still see the poor guy laying there! I'm sure there are those of you out there saying "Wow Heather, you are so mean" but in all seriousness...the guy is fine now :)

Like I have said before the best part of a race is breakfast afterward! I think AJ got a little hungry waiting on our food though ;) 

One last thing before I go...I had to make a change to my first 100 mile reward. I know I said I was going treat myself to red Hunter rain-boots...well, let me just tell you that was a major fail. Apparently, Hunter rain-boots are meant for people just a little bit taller than I am. When I tried them on they hit mid-knee and made it nearly impossible to walk normally. The salesperson then suggested the kids sizes...which was great, but they didn't have the size I needed in the color I wanted.

 I spent weeks looking online and trying to figure out a way to get those boots on my feet...unfortunately, it just wasn't meant to be. They were/are sold out EVERYWHERE! That was when I decided I would just get a different pair. 

 I couldn't find any red ones that I liked, but I did find a really cute pair in gray. The best part of these boots is they were a third of the price and allowed me to spend the rest of that money I planned on spending on my rain-boots on clothes ;)

Alright...that's a wrap on February and next up is the Big 12 5k on March 15th! 

Twelve in Twelve 2014: I'm on a diet...

I'm on a diet....

It's called "Eating all of the foods ALL of the time"

This shirt basically says it all...I feel this way ALL OF THE TIME!

This "diet" is relentless and not something I have any control over. As my weekly mileage continues to increase so does my insatiable appetite. When I tell you that "I am hungry" that is a severe understatement...starving or famished come closer to expressing the feelings I have, but they still don't even cut it.

Naturally your body tries to replace the calories that you burn during exercise, and let me tell you... after a 10 mile run and burning a measly 1,100 calories, my body takes this task seriously!! I'm usually not all that hungry directly after a run...it's usually a few hours later that my body goes into starvation mode (dramatic right?) and that is when it happens...I want to eat EVERY.SINGLE.THING in sight! One night I even contemplated eating grated Parmesan cheese while we waited (impatiently) for the waiter to deliver our food. (I told you this was serious!)

On top of running 12 races this year I have also decided I should  take a look at what I am eating and  make healthier choices...I'm asking a  lot of my body, so it's important to fuel it correctly. This means cutting down on sugars, fast food, soda, and unhealthy snack foods...which is tough when a sudden pang of hunger strikes! Luckily, I have found some tricks and foods that keep my hunger at bay...and keep me from devouring the all the unhealthy foods!

Breakfast

Thanks to an impromptu Costco trip with one of my co-workers I discovered this amazing deliciousness! Not only are these little sandwiches tasty, but they are filled with protein and keep me full all morning. Another perk is  that they are VERY similar to my one true love...a McDonald's sausage biscuit with egg. This has made cutting out that little morning delight a little bit easier. My breakfasts don't vary much ever, because I literally go to bed at night counting down the seconds until I can wake up and eat one of these bad boys...I'm not sure I will EVER get tired of them, but if I do, I will probably go back to my chocolate, peanut butter, and banana protein shakes.

Snacks

I HAVE to have snacks throughout the day...it's not an option. If I didn't it is very likely that I would steal one of my third-grader's snacks or even resort to the occasional glue stick...not really...but maybe ;) 

My snacks all have one thing in common...protein! Protein is a blessing for my appetite and for my students...because nobody wants to see Ms. Walter hangry ;)

For snacks, I've tried several different protein bars and this one is by far my favorite. Not only does it have the most protein, but it has very little sugar and it doesn't taste like poo...it actually tastes like a delicious candy bar. I usually pair this with a banana and it will keep me comfortable until lunch time.

Another favorite snack of mine is peanut butter toast topped with a couple of scoops of cottage cheese...I know what you are thinking...it sounds terrible...but it's not...I promise! This snack is one the most filling snacks I have found and the contrast between the warm toast and cold cottage cheese is magical...trust me...TRY IT!

By the end of the work day I am in DIRE need of another snack- here I go again with the drama...but I need you all to know how serious this is ;) I usually try to make this something light, because I do most of my running or working out after work and I can't do that on a full stomach...or empty stomach for that matter. My favorite lately has been almonds mixed with Brookside's dark chocolate covered fruit. (I have convinced myself that this is a really "healthy" snack because of the anti-oxidants in the dark chocolate and the fruit) But seriously, these dark chocolate covered fruits are a-mazing!!!

Sometimes if I am not up for a snack in the afternoon or I have a longer run planned I will skip the snack altogether and have one of my other favorite things in the entire world!! Arbonne Energy Fizz Sticks! All you do is add one of these packets to a bottle of water and viola...delicousness!!Seriously...these things are so yummy and do wonders for my afternoon "slump"

I am not one for energy drinks and since I completely mostly gave up soda....although, I sure would love a Pepsi right now...these help to curb that craving along with being a great pre-workout. They aren't marketed as a "pre-workout" supplement...but they are exactly what I need. Since I hardly ever drink caffeine anything with extra caffeine (like a pre-workout supplement) makes me jittery! These do not...these give me just the right amount of oompf to get through my day and keep me from driving right past the gym and heading right to my comfy couch ;)

While I have been doing a pretty good job making better food choices I do have to admit...I have an ice cream addiction...I love it...I want to eat it ALL OF THE TIME! While I am trying to cut out a lot of the "extra" sugars I still occasionally (or maybe nightly) indulge in a bit of ice cream. AJ and I used to do "Ice Cream Sundays" and we would only eat ice cream on Sundays. However, when winter hit, neither of us wanted to get out in the cold to get ice cream, so we started buying it at the grocery store...and let me tell you...if there is ice cream in the freezer...I am going to eat it :)

I have never been one to watch what I eat...or go on a diet...but lately paying attention to the food that I eat has become really important to me...not the amount (which is still kind of important...because like I said...I need ALL THE FOODS) but more so what foods I choose. I have noticed a change in how I feel before, during, and after runs or workouts and it's definitely a good change. I have more energy and I don't feel nearly as sluggish. Although the scale hasn't shown a change...my pants don't feel as tight and Idon't have any issues getting dressed in the morning...it's probably all in my head but I don't have those dreaded "fat days" nearly as often as I used to ;)

Twelve In Twelve 2014: Rewarding Myself

When looking at a long-term goal it is important to make small goals along the way. It is also mandatory that you reward yourself for accomplishing those smaller goals. (I totally made that up by the way...did you believe me?) I'm sure there isn't a "rule" per say that you have to reward yourself for accomplishing goals...but when looking at my own goal for this year knowing that I will get rewards along the way makes things a lot more fun :)

My ultimate goal is to run 12 races in 12 months...but along with that I set a goal for myself that I would run 1,000 miles total in 2014.

On top of 1,000 seeming like a whole heck of a lot of miles...12 months is way to long to wait for a reward, so I decided that I would break my 1,000 miles into 100 mile segments and reward myself for every 100 miles that I run.

 

After reaching my first milestone of 100 miles yesterday, I started to think about what I wanted to do for myself...I didn't want my reward to be food or something I would buy myself regularly, so I decided that I would buy myself something ridiculous....and by ridiculous, I mean something that I would NEVER allow myself to purchase normally. Something I either find too expensive or something that I don't think is a practical way to spend my money on. I figure this plan is a win-win...not only will it keep me motivated, but I will also get new things along the way!! (And we all know this girl loves to shop!!!)

For this first 100 miles I know exactly what I want my reward to be....

Seriously...I'm IN LOVE!! I have been lusting after these puppies for a few months, but I just couldn't justify paying $140 for a pair of red rain boots! I mean how often would I wear them (EVERY DAY!!) and how practical are they?? (VERY)

So after telling myself no for months I have decided this is my first reward...a pair of red rain boots... that I totally don't need...but I really, really want and totally deserve ;)

 

I'm already on the lookout for mile 200's reward...I may or may not have a shopping problem ;)