Eh, the lazy game!

I still need motivation to wake up every morning and tell myself, "I am going to go for a run." I get geeked about signing up for races but don't want to put the training effort in and then when I run with hubby and he has a better time than me by two minutes I tell myself that I am going to train and get better. I don't. I may need to hit up those running groups.

Success sometimes just takes that first step.

Plank Challenger Day 20

Out of the 20 days of the plank challenge I believe I have done it 13 times but there are days where I am doing plank twice.

Today, I did plank twice. The first is the 30 seconds and the second being me pulling out my Chicago Women's mat and doing a side plank with one leg up which I kept falling over.

I have not run since the Bucktown 5k but I want to get back into running. Most days, I get off work and I am so hungry and then I sit there and the weather has been great for running so I should hit that pavement with all I have. Also considering that I still want to sign up for the Monster Dash. (Hot Chocolate Race has been registered for but not the Monster Dash or the Turkey Trot.)

Embrace the plank! Have a great run!

Reflections on Race

Well, the Bucktown 5k. It was a "somewhat" cool morning. I was so prepared!

Or so I thought. I only wore that top. . .

I was burning up in that thing during my run! But, I still managed to run under 11 minutes per mile.

(Hubby's shirt and bib)

(my shirt and bib- note the pink ribbons- for you mom!)

Mom was with us!

Official time- 31:44 (beating out my Chicago Women's 5k time!)

We laughed as we ran the area since this is our neighborhood. I marveled at the neighbors and how they had water, mimosa's, signs of support and just sat on their steps and watched the runners. I grew tired but I only walked for a few seconds before going back to running. I think I may incorporate this into my training. A knowledge of nuggets.

Build endurance! Build knowledge! Learn from each race!

Pre-Race Excitement!

Once again, I am excited. This will make race #5 for this year!

Shamrock Shuffle- March 2012 (1) 8k

Cinco de Miler- May 2012 (2) 8k

Chicago Women's Half Marathon and 5k- June 2012 (3) 5k

Terrapin 5k race and music festival- August 2012 (4)

Now, I am prepping for my last summer race and the beginning of the autumn races. One that is going to be directly on my mother's birthday (note- the Terrapin 5k was a day before my father's birthday.) This race is one I have wanted to run for the past three years and was always scared to. . .The Bucktown 5k. . .

September 16th (5)

I have already paid for the Hot Chocolate race which will be race #7. The Monster Dash in October is the next in line for my money but I think I have a discount code for it. Also, the Santa Dash is in December and if I do that one and the Turkey Trot I will have completed NINE races by the end of 2012. We will see how this will go but back to more immediate info.

Tomorrow, I have to gather up some pink ribbons to put on our shirts for Breast Cancer Awareness. Since mom died of breast cancer and the charity for this is Gilda's Door (cancer charity) we are running this for mom since she is not here to cheer us on.

This race is for you mom! We love you and miss you!

Setting Up and Getting It In Before The Race

The signs are posted and I am getting pumped but one thing is wrong. . . I AM NOT RUNNING!!!! Besides the fact that I just started a job and I have been out an entire week. So, last night I did what I usually do to get me up and running- I pep talked myself. 

You really want to spend more money on races and you can not even get up and train? You are impossible. Apparently, you are rich. I thought we just started a job. Doris from four months ago would not have been like this. She would have forced herself to run. You better get up tomorrow or don't complain about things or feeling tired or any mess like that. GET UP!!! GET UP AND RUN IDIOT!!!

So, this morning I got up started laundry and ran! Boy, did I run!

Morning Run Stats

Distance- 3.39 miles

Time- 35:47

Average Pace- 10:33 min/mile

Calories- 390

Morning Music

Seraphim- Simian Moble Disco

Pass that Dutch- Missy Elliott

No Church in the Wild- Jay Z and Kanye West

In it Together- Human Life

Get Right- Jennifer Lopez

Rocketeer- Far East Movement

Lord Give Me a Sign- DMX

Love Hangover- Diana Ross

Nothing Like a Cool Morning Run

Get Ready, Get Set, Lean Legs!

I found this about two months ago on pinterest from DomesticMama's Blog. Here is her website, she is like super mom and super wife: http://thedomesticmama.com/

So, we all know that I created this website to see the highs and lows of my little running and racing career for this year. You also know I have not been posting much since I have gotten a little lazy. After last weekend, I went on a trip with friends to Wisconsin Dells and I was the only one with a one piece. 

(instagram photo)

I look homely as opposed to the three lovelies that surrounded me. I then got an e-mail from the Chicago Women's Half Marathon and 5k with pictures of me approaching the finish line. Now, these pictures never come out good for me. I have to stop and make a crazy yet funny pose just so I can have some control because they take the picture of me in those races and I seriously look in pain. I look like the big girl who just decided last minute that I am going to run this race. Plus, we all know I am not too keen on Summer races but I did them to make a point and BGR! makes signing up for races addictive. My kingdom for some running races right? Well, those pictures made me look like someone split the photo. On the top, I was lean and fit. On the bottom- thick gal. I notice it when I do yoga in the studios in Lincoln Park and Bucktown as I seem to be the thickest. When lying on our stomachs I can not lie my arms flat because of my large breasts. I am self conscious about things that are honestly considered gifts. I did not look fat when running. . . I really look like a runner with large breasts and a huge, shelf-worthy, bottom. My stomach is not the problem (anymore) so what is a girl to do? 

I honestly took a good look at my hips, thighs and rear. I actually would like dancer legs as opposed to clydesdale horse legs. My rear is actually lifted and I notice when I am not on my squats it looks a little kicked in. When I am in squat and lunge mode, my rear is lifted and sculpted. I begin to look at myself in the mirror more with just panties on and am pleased. So, September I have been working on planks for anywhere from 30-40 seconds every morning before breakfast which has been helping. I am noticing my flatter stomach. I am getting ready for the Bucktown 5k but I am thinking I want to do the Monster Dash in October so I have to get not only runner ready but costume ready which is a challenge all in itself. So, here is one of the trainning sessions that will be interviewed.

found on pinterest- of course

The thing is, I need something quick since my mornings will be filled with running. September will be the last month that I will have to do three mile runs unless I am running in a group. I have to go four and eventually five miles. I also found a workout to do for four weeks in the magazine Oxygen (Feb 2012) It encourages circuit trainning. So, if I don't use some of these. . . I can def add them in my Sculpt class! I have one person who comes in so I want to give her her money's worth.

Oh yeah, I am currently working in a Rehabilitation facility for pre and post orthopedic surgery. So, lets see how this will pan out. Will I have the motivation to go the distance? Or will I just cash in that groupon to Core Power Yoga and get back into Yoga Sculpt after work? Only time will tell. . .

Embrace the workout to embrace running.

Plank Challenge post 1

So, I have just enough time to post on here about my September Plank Challenge. I have missed I think one day but other than that, I have been keeping up. So far, it has taken very little time since it is 30 seconds. Today I did 40 seconds instead.

Tomorrow, running. Plank will either be before or after.

join me in the plank challenge

Run before travel

Before the rain, before the last minute trip to Wisconsin Dells, before the "stomach pains" I ran. I did a very short run of 2.5 miles before the packing and rain hit. I felt good about it all day and I still had energy the rest of the day to do some serious sightseeing.

I became a little adventurous and listened to Pandora instead of the music I have downloaded on my phone. It was a fun run adventure! I listened to Micheal Jackson, Stevie Wonder, DeBarge and then switched the channel to hear Pitbull, David Guetta and Nikki Minaj.

The next time I take a road trip, I am doing yoga during and making sure to take time out and run before packing!

( note to self- I should have packed my shoes and some running gear because there were massive hills and turf out there. But, I had no space to fit anything else. Grrr!)

Travelling will be an excuse to run.