Harder,Faster,Stronger,Longer

TRAINING! Is getting serious now! Just to make sure everyone is aware, I don't have a clue what I am doing and everything I learn, write, say I have either googled or found it off Runnersworld.com, active.com or some other form of article online. ( or someone's twitter... Point bein I am no where near an expert so take my advice with light light consideration!


This year I am really set on actually trying to gain some knowledge from what I do and them maybe I wont look like such a goofball as I run through Bend. My favorite tex was from a friend the other day "I just say you running down Galveston, is everything ok?" Apparently I looked like I was crying. 


Yesterday I got home from work and was all set on just going to the gym where it was WARM and using the elliptical or the treadmill but my room mate Matt was like "no no lets go run outside!" It was freezing so I put up a good fight but he eventually won. I am a push over for healthy outside running in fresh air so it didn't take much but I was really dreading it thinking I was going to die since I had little fuel and no motivation. Turns out I had more in me then I thought. We went on a 11.5K loop run that starts out up hill for about 5K then down then up again. My legs felt GREAT I even did some speed work with my new speed workout song Right on Time -Skrillex. Matt kept up so well I was so proud of him and we finished in just over an hour. 


I wanted to place out some goals for this race season and for this year. I need to focus some of my energy on something and I have decided to make it my running. Otherwise I think I would go crazy trying to decide what I want to do with my life and how nothings really falling into place. 


I want to be strong, faster, and I want to be able to go longer and harder then the years before. I want to start forcing myself beyond my threshold and actually getting some PR's on a regular basis. I also know that I am a baby and the slightest injury causes me to back off and slow down. So I will also focus on preventing injury through other workouts. 


So I found this article ass to grass that has a pretty easy workout that I should be able to follow. Also like my previous post said I have taken on Crossfit. I still really like it and love that its challenging me to use muscles that I don't normally. My goal is to do 10 pull ups on my own, right now I can almost do 1. The thing I like most about this article is not only do I want to own the outfit of the guy in the videos but that there are videos to follow. 


After our run Matt and I went to Sushi! YUM!

Spring has SPRUNG an so has my ATTITUDE!

My attitude and my motivation are DRAMATICALLY altered when there is nice weather. I instantly feel the need to release all this pent up energy that has been trapped inside me all winter long. Not that I didnt do plenty of winter activities but there is just something about the warmer weather that really gets my jets going! 


Last night as I procrastinated doing my physics homework I set in motion a plan to actually make a plan of my racing schedule this spring. There are so many fun and challenging races coming up that I always get all excited and either plans intertwine or money is scarce. This year will be different because this year I will be well prepared. 


Here is a list of races I MUST do this year!


Horse Butte 10 Miler April 7th 
Light of hope 10K April 22nd 
Sisters half marathon April 29th
Happy Girls Half May 27th 
Dirty Half Marathon June 10th 




Some I WANT to do this year


Peterson Ride Ramble April 15th  20 miler
Duel in Duathalon June 2nd 
Three Sisters marathon June 9th 


Obviously this list snt entirely managable but i feel crazy enough to try!!! Keep reading! lets see how many I can knock off my list... and this is only up until June


I am also on a team for the CASCADE LAKES RELY!


First of all in case you are wondering where I get all my info its top secret and I wont tell you.. jk I use Footzone and Fleet Feet both are running stores in Bend Oregon that have websites with all the local race schedules and event info posted on them. 





I saw this video and plan on making it part of every morning...
http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/How-to-Get-a-Flat-Stomach.htm?cmp=17-2-2243

Crossfit

This week I started something new... Crossfit. I was in a bit of a plateau with running, I just felt bored. I was also making excuses to not run like reading one more chapter of The Hunger Games (if you have not read it yet I highly recommend it! Just make sure you dont have finals coming up or deadlines to meet!) or learning to cook. 
The place is called Inner Rage and I am pretty much addicted! It took 4 days of extreme soreness before I took a break. Every day there is one hour of intense muscle group work. By the end of my first week I couldnt really move. My favorite workout so far was the one were the rope was involved. We are challenged to try and climb up a rope to the ceiling, I was determined to do it but wasn't able to get more then half way. I will one day make it to the top of that thing! 
I ran a race and got PR this last Saturday! It was called the Grin and Bear it 10K. I woke up feeling amazing and excited. This is the first one I have ran this season and I am so excited for race season that I was almost bursting through the seams! I walked down the the Les Schwab ampitheatre and got my awesome tech tee and that i was running with one of my physical therapy buddies Eric Runnels. Here is a photo! 

Shut Up + Run: Shut Up, Punk!

Shut Up + Run: Shut Up, Punk!

I have been following this blog for some time now and I don't believe I have ever mentioned it! I love the honesty and hilariousness of this author as well as her dedication to running! History really got me because I made it one of my new years resolutions to stand up to people more, not just let gossip happen an not to just fall in line with crap talk! So you go read this an follow her it's totally worth the laugh and the knowledge!

Snow and Running

Don't mix well in my book.This photo is of my night run up by the college, it started to snow so hard and by the time I turned around my tracks where almost covered with snow again!  I love running outside and dont mind the cold at all but I need to seriously update my snow running gear. This year has been very warm and there has been hardly any snow fall until this last week, we have gotten several inches in just a few days and my gear ( since its been warm) was good enough. 


I looked up a few articles cold weather running and 8 great tips for running in cold weather were great ones. Both with emphasis on proper attire. 


 There are several things I need:
New Shoes I dont have the best luck with shoes. I tend to find a pair I like and literally run them to pieces! I have some Nike elite's that I love and have had for about 6 months now. I also love my Saucony trail shoes, which I have also had for 6 months. Both shoes have holes where my pinky toes has decided to poke out.There is not much I can do in the shoe size department to fix this constantly reoccurring problem I have tried a size bigger and hated the way my foot flopped around inside. I have tried wider models but have yet to really solve the problem. Here are some winter shoes I would love to try as well as a great running shoe review from Runnersworld.com 


GlovesI have been using some gloves I got at like Target or something for 2$ and they are just cotton or something
Jacket? I am not big on wearing a Jacket because I get too hot anyway, I will wear my long sleeve asics and my 2XU compression long sleeve and they seem to keep me warm enough. If its raining/snowing/windy I throw on my North Face wind breaker but its so light and has not insulation. 
PantsAsics pants or Nike womens tights? Personally I am more of a tights girl but sometimes I think that extra insulaton from the warm air space created from pants might be helpful. 
Socks- you can never get enough, I never ever have enough! 
Yak Tracks?how about some of these babys? huh? Yes I want them... I would love to find out if they are comfortable to run in or if they mess with your stability. You can get them ar REI for super cheap like 20 bucks! HERE


Head Light is iPhone light good enough?I have been using the flashlight app on my iPhone and therefore using the fact that I need a light to bring my iphone on my runs and if by chance someone calls or tex messages for even facebooks me while running, well I might as well answer since I have my phone. This cycle must be broken! 
Hatthis one has a pony tail hole... hmm.... 


See there are a lot of winter clothing items that I need and must have! Too bad I work way to much and still have no money to spend on such items but a girl can dream right?


Until next time, I am going to go to class and enjoy the 20 degree weather, 5 inches plus of snow and 20 mph wind gusts, YAY!

Class, Work, More Work, More Class, Gym?

Everyone is busy, everyone has those days or weeks where its just impossible to get anything actually done. Well I have hit a period where I actually dont have enough time in a day to actually work out! Devastating I know! Whats happening is that I am currently working at Rebound Physical Therapy over on the Eastside of Bend. Its about 4 miles from my house which is an easy morning run (or evening or even both). Since I dont have a car I have been using my bike or my legs to get there and back for the past 6 months now. Just this last week I was able to make a move from the Eastside to the Westside which is get this...6 blocks from my house!


This move has been a miracle or well at least it will be. I am currently helping out with both the east and the west clinics until the east hires someone. Add my 2 classes to this factor and its a tornado of days for me. On average I have class early in the am then I work for 4 hours on the east side and about 4 hours over on the westside. then I have class again and if I have time/energy I try to go to the gym but its been more often then not I choose my bed and am in it by 7pm. So when do I do my homework? at 530am thats when!


More updates on this later on as I get this blog going. Its a task to get back into it but as I get more time in my days it will get easier! 

Running Like Never Before

So since running is my main mode of transportation to and from work/school I have been doing tons of it and logging in some serious hours. I get in about 6 miles a day and I am trying to do at least one off day with one 13 mile day and surprising enough I have had more energy in the last few weeks then in the last month!
My long term goal is to get my ultra marathon in this year. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to start training? Any plans to follow or running log favorites? Let me know!
I also started eating the chai seed with almond milk. I got the idea from the "Born to Run" book. If you have not read it you should, it got me really motivated to do long distance trail running. Which brings me to my next piece of news..... I GOT ON A TEAM!!!


What's that mean? I made it on a team for the Cascade lakes rely in August! The Cascade Lakes Relay runs through the day and night with 36 continuous legs from 2.5 - 8.7 miles on  diverse terrain Oregon. Running teams consist of 7-12 runners, with each team completing 216.6 miles from Diamond Lake Resort to NorthWest Crossing in Bend, OR. I am very excited to be doing this its definitely on my bucket list of races right up there with the Eugene and Portland Marathons!