Plan for the Week

So, on Saturday, I met up with three of my favorite bloggers - OUaL, The Faster Bunny, and Fat Girl/Skinny Body - at the Irvine Farmers Market. You'd think, you know, as a blogger, I'd... I don't know... take a freaking picture or something. Blogger fail.

Last week, I hit everything I had planned...

Monday - Suck Less, 167 push ups, 255 sit ups, 110 tricep dips

Tuesday - sucktastic morning "tempo" run. Goal was 4 miles at 10:40. Actual was 4 miles at 11:43. Fail.

Wednesday - Suck Less, 185 push ups, 289 sit ups, 130 dips, 3:30 plank

Thursday - Scheduled for 4 miles at 10k Pace. Goal: 10:28. Actual: 10:18. Splits: 10:48, 10:26, 10:23, 9:37. Stellar.

Friday - Suck Less, 200 push ups, 317 sit ups, 155 tricep dips. No plank

Sunday - Long slow run. Run Less, Run Faster pace 12:28. Actual - 12:18.

I don't know what happened after my 7 miles Sunday, but I felt "off" the entire rest of the day. Tired, blah, slightly pukey, and - this is really what concerned me - not famished. Hm.

Anyway.... on tap for this week...
Monday - Suck Less
Tuesday - 4x800, with 200 RI, 4 miles total (yikes... this one makes me nervous)
Wednesday - Suck Less
Thursday - 4 miles 10K pace <- this one is gonna be tricky. I have invited people over for dinner.... Why do I do that to myself?!
Friday - Suck Less
Saturday - 10K! Because what else do you do for your birthday? Race. Duh.

Anyone else in OC running City of Cypress 10K/5K this weekend? I know that Canadian is... and possibly Ms. Chacha? (and, PS, check out the "Come Run With Me!" tab up top to see my full race lineup!)

Have a great Monday!

Plan for the Week? Suck less.

I ran once last week.

I mean, at least I made it a hard run - 5 miles, with 9 - 400m intervals, with 100m rest in between. That was pretty rough... as in, not fun.

But that was it. I walked a lot, but nothing logged, and it was slow and meandery, so I'm not counting it.

Moving forward....

This week will hopefully look like this:
Monday: Suck Less
Tuesday: 4 miles, 800m repeats
Wednesday: Suck Less, Yoga
Thursday: 4 miles, 3 miles tempo pace
Friday: Suck Less
Saturday: 7 miles slow

Good times, no?

Florida recap, coming right up. You know you're excited.

So... last week pretty much rocked.

I hit everything I planned to last week -

Monday: Suck Less Program (170 push ups, 283 sit ups, 153 tricep dips, 3 min plank)

Tuesday: RLRF called for 400's... plan was for 400's at 2:24-2:32.... half mile warm up, then...
1 @ 2:26, 2 @ 2:21, 3 @ 2:21, 4 @ 2:22, 5 @ 2:19, with 400 RI in between.

Wednesday: Suck Less Program (185 push ups, 324 sit ups, 179 tricep dips, plank intervals (4 min total))

Thursday: Abs (from laughing at the Bloggy meetup)

Friday: Tempo! .5 warm up, 3 miles @ 10:40, .5 cool down. Actual was 1 - 10:38, 2 - 10:38, 3 - 10:26.

Saturday: Suck Less Program (200 push ups, 379 sit ups, 205 tricep dips, plank intervals (4 min total)), plus 7.75 miles cycling testing out the new shorts (15.5 mph, hilly).

Sunday: Long run - 6 miles @ 12:18 (RLRF called for 12:41)

Phew, right?!

I'm thinking it's about time to re-do my mile time trial and take another look at my training paces... I'm hitting everything with no problem, and feel like it might be too easy.

This week....
Monday: Suck Less Program
Tuesday: 4 hot, humid miles in FL
Wednesday: Suck Less Program
Thursday: 4 hot, humid miles in FL, again
Friday: Suck Less
Saturday: 6-7 miles, easy pace

I'm scrapping RLRF's dictated speed and tempo runs next week, in favor of survival.

Happy 4th, all. Be safe!

TTT

Workout yesterday: Suck Less Program - 185 push ups, 324 sit ups, 179 tricep dips, plank intervals (4 min total). I've been cycling through the sets pretty fast - push ups, sit ups, tricep dips, followed by plank. It's exhausting. It gets it done quick, though.

1. I am addicted to Click. Seriously. I have it for dessert sometimes. It's a little bit crazy how much I love this stuff.

You can check their website HERE. That's not a referral link or anything. I just love it.

2. Seriously. Who chooses this!?

3. Last night, #2 says to me, "I want to make an ENTRANCE. I need a smoke machine. And a shovel."

Um....

Why Today is Awesome

1. Last night, I KILLED my tempo run. It was pretty rad. Based on my (estimated) time trial, I was shooting for 10:37. What actually happened - 1/2 mile warm up, 1 mile @ 10:39, 1 mile at 10:15, 1/2 mile cool down.

Now I think I've been underestimating myself. That 2nd mile seemed pretty easy....

But that's not all!

2. Then! I did Suck Less. Total of 185 push ups, 392 sit ups, 143 tricep dips. The H "accidentally" gave me column three of sit ups, instead of column two. Jerk.

But I did them, and it wasn't that awful. Again with the underestimating myself....

Anyway, I *kind of* have some muscle now. Sort of. A little.

3. Also, did you see the Tinker Bell Half Medal!? Hello, giant sparkly twirly thing...


(Yes, I've heard Tinker Bell TWIRLS. How rad is that?!)

4. I saw this on my way to work today....

Really? I think I would pass on hiring you, my friend.

5. Last night, I talked to someone with the local chapter of Team in Training, and Gabby has been selected to be the Honored Teammate for the Orange County/Inland Empire for the winter season! So excited to be working with TNT, and help the Team raise money for LLS.

6. Florida is coming up FAST - 10 days! While I'm not at all excited about the hot, and the humidity (oh dear lord the humidity), I AM excited to see some people I haven't seen in a while... and hopefully eat some real Cuban food. Not that fakey stuff I pretend to make.

7. You know you're a runner when this shows up in your taskbar.......

8. And FINALLY, it's the last day of the work week, and I don't have to be in my office for TWO WHOLE DAYS! Phew. It was getting close to stabbing-o-clock around here.

Plan for the Week

First, what I did last week:

Tuesday - Suck Less Program (total 96 tricep dips, 265 sit ups, 91 pushups, plank intervals (4 min total))
Wednesday - 3 miles, easy-ish pace (until the Goose Attack)
Thursday - Suck Less Program (total 100 push ups, 289 sit ups, 105 tricep dips, plank intervals (4 min total)), yoga at home
Friday - 3 miles, easy pace
Saturday - Suck Less Program (113 tricep dips, 307 sit ups, 130 pushups, plank intervals (4 min total))
Sunday - 4 miles, easy pace
Sunday - testing out for the week on push ups and sit ups (45 push ups, 80 sit ups)

What's missing? Oh, right. Any type of speedwork, at all. Unless you count running away from birds.

I don't know what my damage is, but every time I've run, it feels like I've never run before in my life. And it sucks, and I just can't get my legs to go faster. I thought I'd work in a mile time trial, and it just didn't happen. I mean, I tried, and I seriously felt like I was kicking ass, and then I roll out with a 10:55 mile. BS. I know I am better than that. My legs need to start sucking less, asap. I'm about ready to be done with them.

Of note, there were hills. But that's no excuse.

Anyway.

On tap for this week...
Today - Suck Less Program
Tuesday - 3 miles, speedwork (no, for real this time)
Wednesday - Suck Less, yoga
Thursday - 3 miles, tempo (again, for real, really)
Friday - Suck Less
Saturday - 5 miles, easy

Current Racing Delimma of the Week
I know I said I wanted to run the Operation Jack half in December. But I'm kinda playing with the idea of... not. I volunteered last year, and had a blast. I think I'm leaning towards volunteering again this year.

And this is my crazy reasoning....

I am already registered for half's in September, October, December, January, and February. What's missing from this picture? November... and I can't find a November race that I'm inclined to do. If I *could*, I'd register and hit all six months consecutively, because I'm a crazy person that way. (But not as crazy as this girl...).

But since I haven't...

WWYD? Any great (California) half's that I don't know about?

PS - Cupcake recipe, coming up.

PSS - I just double checked my splits, and there's something off with the app I was using... 'cause it really looks like it was just over a 9 minute mile. That sounds far more likely.

I guess I need a Garmin...

It's baaaaaaack

Hey, I'm not ignoring other blogs. I just can't comment for some reason on a bunch. It's pissing me off. I have things to say, blogger, don't try to thwart me!

Plan for the Week!

I'm back to Half training, starting this week. Exciting, right?

This week, we've got....
Monday - Suck Less (man. this still sucks. seriously.)
Tuesday - 3 easy miles
Wednesday - Suck Less, yoga (hahahahaa)
Thursday - 3 easy, with a 1 mile time trial thrown in to figure out my pacing for the rest of my schedule
Friday - Suck Less
Saturday - 4 miles easy

Last week, I ran 3 miles Thursday, and 3.73 Saturday. Thursday was rough. It was seriously like I had never run before in.my.life. Saturday was less suck, but slower. I can tell I've lost *some* speed (if you can call 10:30 pace... speed?), but it'll come. Plus, 3 days Sucking Less. And stretching.

Right?

For this training cycle, I'm doing a modified Run Less, Run Faster program - 3 runs a week, with 1 track, 1 tempo, and 1 long. Last training cycle, my long runs were ONLY easy pace. This is going to be more challenging, there's all types of speed stuff involved. We'll see how that goes. I will probably switch out a couple track runs for hills, because I like hills, and the long runs may go back to easy pace. I really love running when I'm just meandering and being slow. I'd hate to lose that by just focusing on the speed.

I've added a tab up top there ^^ with my race schedule.

PS, winner for the 200th post giveaway was comment # 25 - TMB from Racing with Babes! If you don't know who T is (how is that possible? do you live under a rock?), she's pretty much a super woman. Go check her out, and support her fundraising for Grass Roots Soccer. Congrats, I'll shoot you an email today!

Happy Monday!

I have nothing witty

So, when last I blogged, I was in a funk.

I'm still in a funk.

I'm not even sure why, there's nothing going on. I'm just... bleh.

Bleeeehhhhh.

Oh well. Life goes on, right?

Anyway.

I started running again last week, and it was pretty glorious. 2 miles Thursday, and 2.5 Sunday. Sunday's run was followed by 30 minutes on the Bike of Boredom.... which was interesting. I don't think I like the bike any better than I did before, but it was somehow more gratifying knowing I did it because I wanted to, not because I felt stuck with it. I added hills, because, why wouldn't I...

This might have backfired, though, because now I'm eyeing tri's like it's my job. I probably should swim, first.

The PT gave me full clearance to start training this week, ramping up my miles and speed using the stupid normal 10% rule. So, I can race this weekend's 5K (Corona del Mar Scenic 5K, if anyone local is interested. Cute, small race, with a gourmet food tent at the end - win!). #1 is pretty psyched to race - as she said, she's expecting to DOMINATE. I checked out the age group results from last year, and she's got a good chance of placing.


Regarding Gabby. Thanks, everyone, for the kind thoughs, prayers, and emails. She's doing MUCH better right now - easily worn out, but in really good spirits. She's, like, relentless in her good spirits, and I should take some lessons.

She rocked this look to Open House for 1 & 2. They were less than amused, and wouldn't walk within 20 feet of us. Swim goggles? I don't even know....

OH! And, the best non-kid related news, ever. I FOUND THE DRESS! The one I was bummed about missing out on from Ann Taylor...

And it was on clearance, for $35 (down from $90!). And just as glorious as I remembered.

Phew.

What's on tap for June?

I'm starting training for Disneyland, shortly. I've got a 10K in July, that I want to do well in, so I'll be doing some speed work. I've got the Suck Less Program, that I've gotten back on track on the last few weeks. And, this cycling business. We'll see if that continues.

My Internet BFF is getting induced today - can't wait to meet Shady Baby! Her and her husband met online, the same message board where I met her, and secretly got married a year ago, then had a second wedding with her family and friends a few months later... Me and kidlets were the only guests at wedding #1 (recap here), and spent the evening after lounging in a hot tub and eating pizza and drinking beer. I couldn't at all have asked for a better friend, and I'm super stoked for them. Especially since this baby is keeping someone else up at night.

We followed that up with our first camping trip ever... Recap HERE.

Where were YOU a year ago?

Thursday Three...

1. I had a billion people over for dinner last night, and had a grand time...

We ate tacos

And made silly faces

And devoured marshmallows...

Creepy microwaved ones, too

I'm not even sure what's happening here...

And Gabby acted like she had never seen a watch before. "What does it DO??"

There may have been some talk about how I'm beating people on our next 5K. Which looks possible, since I'm the only one currently running any miles, at all :D.

2. Gabby has a visit to the infusion center today for a transfusion (maybe) and chemo (definitely). She's had kind of an off few weeks - she's tired, walking weird, generally not really being herself. Ick.

3. This was my day Wednesday:
Yoga: 6am.
Home/dressing for work: 7am.
Traffic: 7:30-8:30.
Work: 8:30-5:30 (skipped lunch, and ate at my desk).
Traffic: 5:30-6:30.
Cooking: 6:30-7:30.
Eating, laughing, loudness: 7:30-9:30.
Cleaning: 9:30-10.
Suck Less Program: 10-11.

Too much fun crammed into one day.

My Super Pink Giveaway ends tomorrow night! Enter HERE!


And, check this out: Follow this mother!

Weekly recap

Last week? Was apparently the week of sucking more. (TWSS)

I did hit all of my miles. After consistently running 11:30-12 min miles for months, my two 5-milers were well under 11. My long run... well.

The first half was perfect. I was comfortably running the pace I'd like to keep for the PCRF half. Then we turned around, and were running into the sun, and I fell apart.

It was a million degrees, no shade, and the sun was relentless. And my pace dropped from 11-min miles to 12-12:30.

It. was. so. hot. and. miserable.

I test-ran my outfit for race day, and it worked, so there's that?

Then yesterday, threw in another 1.15 miles to hit my highest mileage week ever.

I did ZERO cross training. No Suck Less Program. No yoga. Nothing. I was exhausted all week, and just couldn't get it together.

Oh well. Moving on...
Monday: Suck Less Program
Tuesday: 4 mile tempo
Wednesday: Yoga, Suck Less Program
Thursday: 4 miles speed work
Friday: Suck Less Program
Saturday: 6 miles (Hellooooo, taper!)
Sunday: rest

*****************

Anyway, like all of you, I'm watching the Boston Marathon today... This Desiree chick is killing it.

April Suck Less Challenge, week 2

What's the Suck Less Challenge? Link HERE!

Check-in time!

Hit all of my scheduled days last week! How'd you do?

For some perspective, these are 6 week programs, and I've been doing them for 5 weeks now. However, because I *STILL* have crapola's worth of core and upper body strength, I just completed week 4 of sit ups and push ups. I've repeated a few weeks.

And that's totally cool! That's the best thing about this program, for me, is that it's super flexible. I like flexible.

Anyway, I was on week 4 for sit ups and push ups, and week 5 for squats, so I was scheduled for an exhaustion test this weekend, in all three.

Results: 51 sit ups 33 push ups 200 squats!!!!

Woot!

So, I get to move on to week 5 for sit ups and push ups (woo hoo?). Squats, I'm going to continue to do with The H (he's on week 6 now), but adding some small hand weights. Adventure is my middle name.

And, check this out! They've added a One Fifty Dips workout to the party!

My initial test for these puppies was a sad, lonely little 4. Ouch. So, I'll be adding these to the mix.

Can't wait to see how you all did! Have a great week!

Monday should learn to be better

Last Week Recap...
Hit all of my scheduled miles (17).
Swapped out hills for speed work and it was SO FUN.
3 days of the Suck Less Program
Here's a shocker... I WENT TO YOGA!! It's a Mind/Body for Runners class for the PCRF VIP (ie, Fundraiser) team at a local 24 Hour, at 6am Wednesday. It's really a great class. It's just so freaking early. But I did it. Finally.

The Good
My Thursday Run was SO AWESOME. I posted about this last week, but I'm still stoked about it.
The yoga class felt GOOD. My hamstrings have been tight, and they were TIRED after this.
I know Adidas isn't a big player in the running world, but they are one of the sponsors for PCRF's VIP team, and they've hooked us up with some shoes once we hit a certain fundraising goal. I've been wearing them for my shorter runs during the week, and... so far I love them. Plus, it's an excellent compiment to a grey running skirt I picked up for cheap a few weeks ago.
I've COMPLETED THE SQUATS CHALLENGE! Last night was exhaustion test night, and I did all 200 squats. Done! Next up: Adding hand weights. Hm.
#2 beat The H in Rock Band or something. More than once. She's a pro.

And, I'm a baker genius. Mint Chocolate Cupcakes. These were seriously maybe the BEST cupcake I've ever had, ever.

Obviously decorating is not my strong suit, but... at least they TASTE good.

The Bad
My Tuesday run was pretty crap-tastic, for no real reason. Just.. bleh.
My Long Run sucked hard. It was 40* when I was getting ready, and overcast, so I dressed for that. By the time I was about 3 miles in, it was BLAZING SUN and 55*. I was sweating. A lot. And by 7 miles, it was overcast and breezy again, and now I'm sweaty, wet, and COLD. Eff you, weather.
My pace was also too fast. I was about 50 sec faster than my long run pace should have been. That included a 5 minute break to walk slowly and text The H about how stupid and miserable it was. I just wanted to be DONE.
The training run goes directly past my house. I can literally see where I live, and it took everything in me not to just walk home.

What's on tap for this week?
Monday: Suck Less Program
Tuesday: 5 mile tempo
Wednesday: Yoga (maybe?), Suck Less Program
Thursday: 5 mile hills
Friday: Suck Less Program
Saturday: 10 miles sloooow

TTT, I'm exhausted edition

1. Yesterday, I managed to drag myself out of bed at too effing early o'clock, and get to Mind/Body for Runners at 24 Hour. I love the class. I love the stretching - it's a mixture of yoga and pilates, for... runners. It's great. But it's. so. early. *yawn*

2. #1, previously known as my "good" child, has snapped. I think all the stress from the last several months has just caught up with her, and she's damn unpleasant. I'm trying really hard to be understanding, but balancing that with assuring her that disrespect and rudeness are not allowed, ever. It's exhausting. *yawn*

3. Last night I was scheduled for a round of the Suck Less Program. It was SO HARD last night, and I couldn't figure out why it was kicking my butt so hard. Then I added up how many crunches, push ups, and squats I did.

259 squats, 170 crunches, 113 pushups.

No wonder I was exhausted, head to toe. *Yawn*

Is anyone else having issues with Blogger?! It keeps unformatting my posts. Not cute for the exhausted mind!

April Suck Less Challenge!

So, here's the scoop. The Suck Less Program was born HERE... I have zero core or upper body strength, and have wanted to fit in cross training, but basically, I have zero discipline or drive. I'd been meaning to start these programs, and decided to toss them all together, creating a simple, structured program, that works my problem areas, in a clear, concise manner. Basically, it was something spelled out for me, that I didn't have to think about. I am a fan of non-thinking.

How does it work?

Super easy. Go to these websites, and take your initial test...
Two Hundred Sit Ups
Two Hundred Squats
One Hundred Push Ups

There are pretty clear directions on the websites - you'll take that number from your initial test, and use it to determine which week/column you fall into.

The program calls for 3 work outs a week, with at least one rest day in between. I happen to do mine on Monday, Wedensday, and Friday OR Saturday - just depends on my schedule. I run on the alternate days, that's just what works for me.

After I'm done with my sit ups, squats, and push ups, I do plank. Nothing super hard core, I just do it and hold it for as long as I feel I can THAT DAY. Some days, it's 25 seconds, some days it's over a minute.

That's it!

3 days a week. 4 weeks. Better arms, better core, better bum, better quads.

If you can already do 200 squats, 200 sit ups, and 100 push ups? You could probably kick my ass. Congratulations on already being awesome! Feel free to snag and use that picture up there! I'll post a check in once a week.

Good luck!

Last week was....

AWESOME.

Again, I didn't do yoga, but instead foam rolled and got a massage. I should do yoga. It's free.

I used my "Magic Mile" time to determine my training run paces, and stuck to them like glue. My "easy" run Tuesday was negative splits (fun!). I did some treadmill intervals Thursday that were less fun, but challenging and kept me engaged. However... I think I took it TOO easy. I think my "Magic Mile" was done under the wrong circumstances - I wasn't feuled properly, I didn't warm up, and I picked a hilly route. I think I can do better. So, this week's easy run Tuesday will incorporate another "Magic Mile".

My long run Saturday was 8.5 miles with the PCRF training group, and nothing short of magical. Perfect. The best run you can imagine. No, seriously.

Plan for this week: Monday: Suck Less Program Tuesday: 4 mile tempo Wednesday: Suck Less Program, Yoga (hahaaa) Thursday: 4 mile speed work Friday: Suck Less Program Saturday: 9 miles with PCRF

Oh. PS. I had my highest mileage week ever last week. 20.6 miles.

SUCK LESS PROGRAM UPDATE
Week 4, complete!

So, the Suck Less Program is a combination of the Two Hundred Sit Ups, Two Hundred Squats, One Hundred Push Ups, and plank.

The programs call for an initial test, before you start, to determine your specific routine. My initial test was pretty ugly:

Sit Ups - 17
Push Ups - 3
Squats - 27

Ouch.

After week 2, you test again to determine how you continue in the program.
Sit Ups - 27
Push Ups - 10
Squats - 70

Better!

And, the results after testing out following week four?
Sit Ups - 40
Push Ups - 27
Squats - 125

You know that's right.

Anyway, the deal is, three times a week, following a set schedule of push ups, sit ups, and squats, then I add a minute of plank. At the end of the program, you should be able to do 200 squats, 200 sit ups, and 100 push ups in one shot.

4 weeks, three days a week.

Who's in?!

March Rewind, and a whine

I'm a poet, you see how I made that rhyme?

So, March was interesting. I took a "rest" week following the Princess Half, and took another 10 days off due to The Ankle. Despite missing half of the month (!!), I ended up with 44 miles run, out of 71 scheduled.

But, the last two weeks of runs have been GOOD. I've felt great, and strong, and am getting a handle on this pacing business. I added some speed work and hill training, and rocked both. So, I'll take it.

I'm scheduled for 66.5 in April, which includes a week of taper before the PCRF Cinco De Mayo half on May 1.

Suck Less Program was AWESOME. I test out on Saturday, so I'll have an update next week on my progress, but... It's significant. :D Jess at Blonde Ponytail/ suggested a Suck Less Challenge - any takers? I'll organize for April starting Monday if there's interest!

Scheduled for 11 Suck Less Program workouts in March, and hit all 11.

*****

Anyone in OC or LA not already registered for the PCRF Cinco De Mayo half/5K, there's a fab deal on Plum District for half off of the 5K registration! Link HERE.

******

And, anyone in OC/San Diego free this weekend, check out this run for a great cause... Operation Jack/Autism Awareness Day at the ACT! Today for Military Families 5k/10k. If you can't participate, consider donating! Link HERE.

**warning. whining ahead**

I posted earlier this week about my spring break plans. Or lack of. I checked with our case manager at the hospital to see what she thought of our plans (basically if they were approved), or if she had any suggestions.

And the list of things that she DENIED was like... never ending.

No beach. No ocean. No camping. No Yosemite. No Sequoia. No boats. No Catalina.

Our basic rule of thumb is, we have to stay close, for hospital access.

I don't know why that didn't even occur to me. I mean, what would I even do if Gab had a fever and we're hanging out in the middle of the giant trees?

Then I felt like the crappiest parent EVER. I mean, we were sent home with a BOOK on how to care for her, what to watch for. There's a list of things that we need to be aware of, that lead to immediate hospitalization. As much as I might like to, I can't just treck off with them to the middle of the woods for a weekend.

It's like I forgot what is happening.

She has leukemia. She doesn't have a cold. It's not going to get better because she had a couple of treatments. It's... leukemia.

And that point was drilled home yesterday following her clinic visit.

Her treatments this cycle were going to be progressively increased at each visit - provided her counts were high enough. And she's responded really well to everything so far.

Except this visit. This visit, her counts are a little low. She couldn't get the upped dosage. Her ANC (link HERE for explanation of what that is) went down, significantly.

I've been very careful to NOT compare her to other kids, to not freak out about what if's. I suppose that's very easy to do, when comparatively, her treatment has been smooth sailing, and she's responded astoundingly well to all of it. And it still mostly is, there's nothing super alarming going on, but... that tiny bump.

We're not out of the woods. We can't do whatever we want. Life's not... normal.

So. Looks like San Diego Zoo. As a day trip, 'cause... I refuse to pay full price for a hotel and don't want to risk Hotwiring something we can't use "in case".

Le Sigh.

“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”

Last week, the plan got tweaked a little. Mainly because I hate the elliptical and have totally zero motivation to touch it. So, instead, I tried an easy 1.75 miles on Thursday, and it was fine! Then 3.25 on Saturday, and also fine!!! And, then, 5.25 on Sunday, and MAGIC!! I'm doing a lot of stretching, and icing, and foam rolling, but so far, so good. The Ankle gets a little fiesty occassionally, but nothing over a 4/10, and nothing I can't run through. Awesome. Plus, the hiking was cancelled because of ridiculous weather this weekend. Hello, SoCal, it's SPRING. Keep up.

Speaking of, seriously, did you SEE that mess that was the LA Marathon?! Holy crow. The folks that ran that, and the spectators and volunteers that participated... wow. Impressive. I nearly didn't run Sunday because I'd have to jog over to the gym in the rain/wind. I can't even imagine running in that for 26.2 miles.

Which got me thinking...

What DO you do if you've paid a small fortune in registration (LA was $145) and the weather is ridiculous? It's no secret that I'm a giant wuss about the weather. I don't like it too hot, too sunny, too windy, too wet, too cloudy, too cold...

Anyway.

The Suck Less Program seems to be working! When I took the initial test HERE, I was at 17 crunches, 3 push ups, 27 squats.
Yesterday, after week 2, I was at 27 crunches, 10 Push ups, 70 squats (!!!).

Plan for this week:
Monday - Suck Less Program
Tuesday - 5 mile easy run
Wednesday - Yoga, Suck Less Program
Thursday - 4 mile tempo run (yikes!)
Friday - Suck Less Program
Saturday - 8 mile easy run

And Saturday will mark the completion of my first marathon - of the Cupcake variety.

I swear, it's like this happens once a week....

Plan for this week:
Monday: Suck Less Program
Tuesday: Ellipti-madness - 45 minutes
Wednesday: Yoga, Suck Less Program
Thursday: Ellipti-madness - 45 minutes
Friday: Suck Less Program
Saturday: Ginormously long hike, like, 8 jillion miles. Or, maybe 10. Hopefully.
Sunday: Rest

What's missing from my half-marathon running plan?

Oh, that's right. Running.

The Ankle is still being a punk. I didn't run last week *unless you count the .25 glorious miles on the running store treadmill while I tested some new shoes*. It's still being crafty, and randomly sends shooting pain into my foot while I'm walking innocently through Disneyland. That's not cute, Ankle.

After doing some intense Google-Fu, I've pretty much narrowed down The Ankle situation as Peroneal Tendonitis. And looks like rest and an ankle strengthening program is the way to go.

Curse you, Ankle!

So, I'm icing. And stretching. And not running. I'll rest it again this week. And see what happens.

Last week, I hit all of my plan - Suck Less Program, 3x's; ellipticalled in place of running, 2x's; and I counted 3 hours of Disneyland Friday, 5 hours walking around Dana Point Saturday, and 5 hours at Disneyland Sunday as my Saturday elliptical.

Anyway. Saturday night, I walked out of a running store having spent more on a single pair of shoes (+ orthotics) there than I ever have, in my entire life, INCLUDING my penchant for Coach and Michael Kors. Madness.

Bye, bye Brooks....
But boy, are they pretty... and PINK!

And, someday, maybe I'll even run again and use them.

**********

Is it normal to be jealous of your 12 year old?

Yesterday, #1 ran her first 3 mile "training" run with The H. 3 miles, 28 minutes.

It's like she's a natural. I was a little jealous.

Then, this morning, I packed up #1... and dropped her and her friend off in Dana Point, to take a boat here.... to spend a week. On an island.

Yep. I'm jealous.

Monday... why why why are you here already?

So, I'm a copy-cat and am totally lifting (Just) Trying is for Little Girls weekly recap and preview.

Last week, I took as mostly a recovery week from the Princess Half (have I mentioned that yet, how I ran my first half marathon? Did you miss my recap?). I ran a torturous 2 miles on Thursday, and a slooooow 4.25 on Saturday with PCRF. I also took the initial tests for 200 sit ups, 100 pushups, and 200 squats.

I know I have zero core or upper body strength, so it didn't surprise me at how craptastic those numbers were (17 and 3, respectively)... and 27 squats. Yikes. The 6 week program is 3 days a week, with specific reps each day. I'll call this my "Suck Less Program". Oh, plus a minute of plank. I hate plank. Worst.corework.ever.

Sunday, I traded in my Brooks for my Salomon trail runners... which, funny enough, I've never run in. But, we did an easy 5 miles at Caspers Wilderness Park. It was a beautiful day to hit some trails... I always forget how much I like this park, but... Man, I really do. Plus, I was super excited to find that the inclines that totally beat me up a year ago when I was here last, did not even wind me at all!! Yay, cardiovascular fitness!

Guh.

I think this is a lie. I've never seen lions here....

Um...

For this week, I'm back to my regular schedule for the PCRF Cinco De Mayo half in May...
Monday: Suck Less Program
Tuesday: 4 mile tempo run (um...)
Wednesday: Yoga, Suck Less Program
Thursday: 3 mile run
Friday: Suck Less Program
Satuday: PCRF group run, 7 miles easy
Sunday: Rest

I've been eyeballing some trail runs, as well... Just some short ones!

What's on tap for you guys this week?