Aaannnd I'm back..

So I definitely took a week off of running/working out. I'm not going to lie, it was nice. I sat mostly on my butt and ate and watched episodes on Hulu. For no reason at all. Typically this is the fight that goes on in my head on a daily basis...

I tend to use work as an excuse not to work out, but this was a whole nother level of laziness. Definitely not in my training plan to hang out for 7 days. But I finally got back to it and went for my longest run yet. 6 miles! eek.

I was so proud when I was done. I didn't feel miserable and my hips weren't too tight. It even rained a little and got dark during the last half, but I still felt pretty good. I guess it also helps that I ran probably as fast as a turtle might, but I'm just glad I had the mental capacity to complete a run that took a little over an hour! This is how I got comforted/congratulated by my pugs.

 They truly are comforting! and here's proof that I really didn't die or feel awful.

I know iPhone cameras are awesome right! oh well I was happy even though I looked kinda gross. PS I love my sweatyband!

This is what I rewarded myself with :)

Tastes sooo good. 

Today we were supposed to go out of town to Florence and Venice for a couple days, but things weren't working out. There's so much I need to do and procrastinate doing. It's okay though they aren't going anymore and the weather's been pretty crappy lately anyways. So I got in a 40 minute crosstraining workout on the bike today. Why is that always easier than running?! 

I'm also happy that I don't have to leave these adorable faces :)

And I Die

I'm doing the Hal Higdon Half Marathon training plan for Novices. Monday's supposed to be stretch and strengthen and I was more than willing to let that day be a "rest" day instead since I had to work. I was busy enough, not sitting toooo much like I can sometimes so I felt justified. Plus my feet have been hurting a lot lately. Mostly the joints of both of my big toes have been achey. The only shoes that don't make it hurt when I walk are my nursing shoes.

So after work on Tuesday I did what I always seem to find an excuse out of, I went for a run. But only because that's what the plan told me to do, and I don't need to get behind in my training, especially since I already feel like crap about how slow I'm going. Walking around the ward for 12 hours is no joke, and I think a lot of the times it's mentally taxing to work out afterwards. Granted I probably could have gone during work. I just don't like to leave my patient's (even if my co-worker is more than capable of watching her for the hour that I need)

(source)

This is all the running I need to do right?!

So I did it. And it sucked. I came home and literally almost passed out after walking up the stairs and then sitting on a chair in my living room. I had to open the door and let the cold air hit me to help me out. I hate that feeling. It's funny you wonder why people would rather be lazy and sit around. When you do something bad for yourself like not work out, the consequences are quiet or slow. When you do something good for yourself like actually work out or eat healthily, you notice the effect immediately. And if you're like me they are not pleasant! 

After that feeling passed I went ahead and passed out for the night. It took me all day today to motivate myself to go again, but at least I didn't feel like passing out and dying after. It was still a crap run though so I'm not looking forward to the 5 miles I have to do tomorrow. Shuffling the training plan to work for me is easier said than done. But I know for a fact that I will NOT want to run the 5 miles on Sunday during or after work. Ah the joys of working all weekend. 36 hours of work in 3 days is probably the least motivating factor for working out.

FTL. For the Lose

After my humiliating, mind blowing, life changing realization about how much I suck on Friday, I wasn't sure I'd ever run again. So my scheduled day of crosstraining on Saturday was more than welcomed. Because I prefer the elliptical over running, I'm probably doing that wrong too! Either way, it was awesome to do something different.

But then I had to go back to running today. We had to do 3.5 miles and a little strength training afterwards. It was not a pretty run. I was severely demotivated and didn't want to do it the entire time. I told Leah I might not be able to run with her because it was so demotivating. Hopefully my mood changes and motivation increases!

I swear this training plan is probably going to kill me. I'm used to working out (running) 3 days a week.  Now I'm working out 6 out of 7 days/week, which can't be bad for me but still! I miss my couch and carbs. But I'm also hoping doing all the workouts suggested will help me get faster. Praying might be more accurate.

For strength training, I have to rely on someone to tell me what to do. Even though I'm mad at the Nike running app, they do have a training center app that I absolutely loved. Which led me to purchasing their Kinect game!

So far I love it! They make you do a little test before compiling a program to follow. You have to make sure you're always lined up well with the Kinect sensor so that all your moves are getting picked up correctly. Having perfect form and being told you don't is highly irritating. I may have yelled at my virtual trainer a few times using some colorful language... This is what you're screen looks like when you're doing the workout. It can really kick your butt!

I probably need to get some more variety in my life. I want to pick up a good yoga DVD and maybe even a Jillian Michaels DVD to scare me into doing some other strength training workouts. I'm just completely useless when it comes to figuring out a routine on my own. Thank goodness there are other people out there who will do it for me! Ah the joys of living overseas and not having a trendy gym or fitness center offering the latest and greatest. Rumor is there was a group of people who got together and taught some Crossfit. I would love to check it out if they ever started meeting again so I'm keeping an eye out. 

Oh and I got the hubs to start working out more too! Hoorayy. Bring it on bikini season. 

Running. I'm doing it wrong.

Sooo I've been running with the Nike+ Running app since the beginning of last August. I love it! I have shown improvement in my time and distance and have not dropped my phone once (a miracle all in itself)! So I trust it. I even ran my PRT (Navy physical fitness test) and received basically the same result that the test coordinators did and that solidified my trust in the app.

All was honky dory until today. My friend Leah and I did our first co-"long run" of our training program for the half marathon. 5 miles is the farthest I've ever run! It was intimidating and I was not excited. Unfortunately, right from the get go our tracking devices were off. She wore a Garmin watch and I did my usual iPhone app. Altogether, our entire run was off by an entire MILE! That's a long way when you're training and relying on a device for a long period of time.

I'm just disappointed. I already knew I was slow. But damn I didn't know I was THAT slow. I'm panicking. I guess I'm just hoping that i can finish this stupid half in April under 3 hours before the sweepers/cleaners come to scoop me up in the mess. Because that's what I will be. This fact has plagued me for 99% of the rest of the day.

I required some of this while I coped with the realization that all my running for the past 6 months is null and void

And then later on that night, I required some of this...

and maybe a glass of this...

Okay maybe I had two. I'm such a freaking light weight that two of those cause me some loopy and tipsyness. This is why I don't drink very often...

The above 2 glasses of wine helped me to buy ohhhh ummm 4 new books on Amazon on how not to suck so much at running. Hopefully it helps. 

Fondue

I had that wonderful bowl of fondue with bread for dipping. and boiled potatoes. And that wasn't the only night, we had almost the exact same thing again the next night at a different restaurant! This was in Geneva, Switzerland. Apparently that's what they're known for and we took full advantage. It's not like the chain "The Melting Pot" that you've seen in the states where you get healthy stuff like vegetables or an apple along with the bread. Delicious!

These aren't such great meals to have when you're supposed to be on the second week of training for a half marathon. I swear we came back from that and I was 10lbs heavier. Worth it.

But now I'm back on track with training. Did all three of my runs so far this week and I'm still dreading my "long run" this Friday. 5 miles will be the farthest I've ever run.My friend Leah and I are running a half marathon in April and my favorite length to run is 3. So yeah. We'll see how it goes.