this is what i'm doing on April 28th....

time to get tiffany finisher necklace #2!

I received good news in my inbox today!  And thankfully it's a race right in my backyard this time!

time to bounce

What a way to spend a Saturday morning, acting like a kid and bouncing around on a trampoline.  I took my friends with me to Rebounderz in Sterling, Virginia to use a LivingSocial coupon I had.  I was comforted to see even the friend who runs ultra marathons was winded in the first 5 minutes.  You never realize just how much energy it takes to do a plyometric activity like trampolining.  We were exhausted!  If you live in the D.C. area and plan to go, trust me, 30 minutes is plenty!

breaktime is over!

Boy have I been a lazy bum!  OK, well I have and I haven't.  Fact:  I have not posted since I did the Color Run in October.  Fact:  I have not run an INCH since that morning!  Fact: I haven't been home for all but one weekend since that run.  Fact:  I need to stop building up my excuse bank right now and just call for a do-over.

Seriously, though, life has gotten in the way of health this past month, especially that little pesky thing called work.  I know we all have been in that boat before, so I shouldn't pretend like I'm a unique case.  Regardless, finally I have returned to my balance and am revving this exercise machine back to life!  I don't have any serious vacation plans on the books for the next 4 or more months - for those that know me, their mouths probably just dropped at that statement.  And I don't have any killer weekend trips that are great but ruin you for the next week because they are big bursts of energy that require days of recovery time (essentially my life since mid-October).  Finally!  I am free to establish a routine!  Whoo hoo!

Last week, as a motivational boost, I signed up for a race (Jingle All The Way 8k) and for the Nike Women's Half DC entry lottery.  I will find out about Nike the 2nd week of December, hopefully!  Unlike the San Francisco race, where I signed up as an individual (3 years in a row, BTW) in the lottery and only got in this year, I signed up for DC through a group code (because my company is going to pay for half of the ridiculous $160 entry fee).  I'm a little nervous that signing up with a large group will reduce my chances.  Someone pointed out that if we don't get in, we can just go up to NYC and do the half there around the same time.  Equally as fun, but not quite as convenient.  Another option is the DC Rock N' Roll Half, though I took a look at the course maps and quickly dismissed that snoozefest route!  I need to be visually entertained on long runs -- probably something I should overcome in the near future, if I ever want to really be a good runner.

In addition to running, I'm going to try to restart my 30 day challenge that failed miserably in September, hopefully tonight if I get everything done! Wish me luck!

the color run 5k

What a fun way to spend a Sunday morning.  While all of the go-getters were up the river running in the Army 10 Miler today, my friend and I rode our bikes to Washington D.C.'s National Harbor to participate in The Color Run.  The popularity of mud runs have spawned new ideas to make runs more interesting, especially for those of us who are seeking amusement in the absence of competitive drive.  The most original so far is The Color Run, where you start out in the required white t-shirt and then proceed to get pelted with different color paint powder at every kilometer station.

Tips on surviving the color run:
1. Bring a bandana to put over your mouth during the color stations
2. Bring tissues or something to hide in your pocket during the run so that it escapes the color blasts.  That way if anything gets in your eye, you have something clean to use.
3. Buy a loofah or something that you can use in the shower to exfoliate because the blue paint is stubborn!
4. Wear running shoes that you are planning on replacing in the near future.  Mine have not been invited back into my house because they are covered in paint dust!
5. Find somewhere to stash the personal paint dust bag you got with your packet pickup and get ready to toss it at the finisher party!! (see photo at the top of this post)

Everyone in their clean white shirts at the start

Yellow station

Orange station (missed getting a photo of red before this one)

The final station where I got a pile of blue in my ear!

ready to get colorful

Just got my packet for the Washington DC (sold out) The Color Run 5k fun run! It even came with an individual package of red paint dust!

the finisher necklace unveiling...oh my!

finish line

With firemen and Tiffany & Co. boxes!

lands end lookout

End of the major hill sequence and only 3 miles to go!

dreaded mile 6 hill

5k chocolate break

3 miles at fisherman's wharf

start of the nike san francisco half marathon

Only took 35 minutes to reach the start!

getting ready to run

Blocks and blocks of runners.

a little pre-race pampering

Picking up my race packet and decided I deserved a nice hair day today at the complementary Paul Mitchell hair booth at the NWM Expotique. Nike knows what a girl wants early in the morning!

time to head to the west coast

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go....I'm a leavin' on a jet plane!

Inventory Checklist:

• 3 running outfits - a girl needs options
• 1 long sleeve shirt in case the start is cold
• Body Glide - do not race without it!
• Armband for the tunes on the iPhone (I'm going to be using the Nike+ app during the race)
• Hat and headband - more choices
• Race documents

I'm going to try to post photos from along the route if I can, so stay tuned!

we planned for 4 miles...we went 8

My friend met me in Georgetown this morning at Jack's Boathouse where the Capitol Crescent Trail starts.  This is a great path in DC for runners, walkers, and bikers.  About 2 miles in, you have a choice of continuing on the CC trail (uphill, by the way) to Bethesda, or hopping over to the gravel tow path along the C&O canal.  We opted for the flatter out-and-back route - taking the towpath up to one of the old canal locks before turning around.  In about two weeks, once the leaves have 80% changed into their autumnal beauty, this trail will be absolutely breathtaking!

sailboats, cyclists, and airplanes taking off

Just a typical 3 mile quick run on GW Parkway in DC :-)

and in conclusion...

I got 'em!

Now...I'm off to go do a run.  No time like today to begin training (just kidding).

another view of my future pair of shoes

timing is everything

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, I am practically a poster child for organizing my day around and maximizing my body rhythms!  

Wake up and check social accounts....brain starts to kick in around 10am...strong desire to nap around 2am....get the urge to exercise late afternoon but procrastinate and do it after dinner when I'm more likely to get bored...spend the night on the computer, writing my blogs, wandering around Pinterest, editing photos, designing new things for the house or for my friend's house, organizing the closets, baking cookies, reading an addictive book, etc.  

Lessons learned: (1) don't be ashamed of wanting that nap - every day!, (2) it's not a bad thing that I hate working out in the morning because it's not the ideal time to do it, and (3) I must always do my workout before dinner.

oh la la

Sorry for the lapse in posts...it's been a busy one!  But I saw this from the Nike Women's Half/Marathon page on Facebook today and had to share!  Not sure what the story is, but it definitely looks like a Tiffany & Co blue shoe with white ribbon laces.  Perhaps these are going to be limited edition shoes sold at the race expo?  A girl can dream!  They hinted at an additional photo in the near future, maybe more info too...

way enough!

Nope, that's not me complaining or quitting.  That's the command in crew/rowing that means stop.  Yep, I hit the water tonight in Washington D.C. to sit in a Women's 8 Sweep boat - Seat 4 Portside to be exact - to see what it would be like to return to the sport of rowing after abandoning it in college many, many years ago.  

I was initiated back into the sport with a nice blister on the inside of my thumb on my oar feathering hand.  Surprisingly, it all came back to me pretty quickly, both inside the boat and the procedures outside of the boat getting into and out of the water.  Best improvement over my last experience....thinner oar handles!  Ugh made such a difference!

Now, I shall prepare you for tomorrow's post that describes all the ways I can't move because of sore muscles that haven't been used in awhile.  Goodnight!

a great reason to run

To look good in the new on-trend leather skirt I bought today.  Worn with a pair of cute tights and maybe some booties, I think I've got a great fall staple for my wardrobe going here!

confessions

Yeah, so my future 30-90 day relationship Jillian has been delayed a few more days.  I made the poor decision to invest my time finishing over 1600 pages of reading.  Was it worth it?  Did I need to forgo my workouts to be entertained by print.  Probably not, but I have a habit of not being able to easily put down a book once I start it.  I think I set a record reading 20 books in 16 days back in February.  Yes, I should have not started in the first place knowing this about myself.  Hindsight is 20/20 so they say.  But let's face it, a book is a lot more pleasurable than working out, and you don't have to take a shower after because you stink!  Well anyway, the point is that I finished the 2nd book (3rd one in the series won't come out until next summer probably, so I'm safe!), and now there's still time to get a little training on the elliptical done before bed and after taking the dog for a walk.

Better hop to it because San Francisco and 13.1 miles are only 5 weeks away!

Ugh, I can't end this post yet because it feels like I'm only just making excuses for my procrastination.  There's actually good stuff going on behind the scenes too.  I'm making some changes in my diet that are really having a positive impact.  I have cut out drinking soda, diet soda specifically, and significantly reduced my sugar, cheese, preservatives, and bread intake. And I have to say that I'm tolerating it all really well.  I'm most surprised about the diet soda because that was my primary source of caffeine, but I've been slowly weaning myself off of it these past few months by just not buying a stash for the refrigerator at home. It's only been the past two weeks where I've gone completely without.  The last time I tried to not drink soda was during lent, and that didn't work out so well.  Anyway, that's just a "yea me" moment to offset the poor attempt at rationalizing my laziness!

PS:  The highlighted link above is to my other blog, where you can find out the other stuff I'm up to besides workin' on my fitness.

whoopsie!

I got caught up in the laziness of a three day weekend and totally forgot I was going to start my 30 day challenge.  Guess I'll have to start a little late.  I decided to go with the Jillian Michaels Total Body Revolution because I get really annoyed by the host of P90x, and the thought of spending 30 days straight with him has me running for the hills!  The Jillian Michaels DVDs are actually a 90 day program, so we'll see how well it's going when October 5th hits.

Looking at the calendar included with the DVDs, the kickstart week has two-a-days.  What!  Why didn't I look at the contents of the box before making this choice.  OK, I can do this!  Adding on my running, this should be a super intense month.

today's inspiration for the day

2 for the price of 1

I just saw that Women's Running Magazine is doing a 2 Years for the price of 1 deal that ends on Labor Day.

this race course just in!

Nike just posted the official course for the full and half marathons this October in San Francisco.  I freaked out a little at the elevation when I couldn't zoom in on the map to see that the half gets diverted back to the finish line and doesn't have to do the extra hill.  Whew!  Dodged a bullet on that one.  Looks like the course hasn't changed much.

taking care of the ladies

Pacers Running Store in Alexandria, VA held a Ladies Night tonight, with the help of sponsorship from Nike and Moving Comfort.  All those that attended got to enjoy food and drink along with discounts on apparel and chances to win prizes.  It was also an opportunity to get refitted for sports bras because it's very important to have a good support system!  I love Moving Comfort's line, but I opted to buy a style slightly different from my favorite design to try it out.  Prepare to be tamed ladies!

running with abe, george, frankie delano, and thomas

One of my favorite runs in D.C. is the National Mall and monuments.  It's approximately a 4 mile loop from the Lincoln Memorial, around the Capitol pond and back.  I modified my route today, though, to cover some of the tidal basin monuments because of where I was able to find parking.  I'm still working on my endurance, so it was a run/walk for me.  I need to be careful because I don't want to repeat what happened the last time I pushed myself to do a 10k with little/no training - a story that ended up with weeks of back spasms and sciatic pain resulting in a cortisone shot to the spine.

starting line

half way point

finish line

too much orange and red!

catching some zees.....

I seriously have the worst sleep habits.  It's a perpetual cycle of allowing myself a little nap right before dinner so that I'm then up until 1am or 2am.  Of course, mainlining iced tea tonight at trivia night isn't helping the situation right now.  How does one break this habit??  Especially with the new TV season coming up and all my favorite shows being on late.  So frustrating!

inspiration for the week: reason #390 to be fit

I submitted two suggestions to the owner of this tumbler site this weekend.  We'll see if they make the list!

it sounds like a bingo drawing

But it's not.  It's a vitamin B-12 shot, and I got a big pink dose in my arm today.  That's right.  I have (practically) mainlined Red Bull, well the vitamin part of it anyway, in an attempt to boost my energy.  Not that I'm opposed to napping, but it really disrupts my daily productivity!

check out this week's playlist!

Lots of fun songs with quick beats!

a little sunday crosstraining

Have you ever paddleboarded before?  If not, you should try it!  Very fun.  This is how my experience went:

(1) Here we go!  This is fun!

(2) A little break to learn some tips and tricks

 

(3) Heading to the baby rapids

 (4) Hauling a** back to shore because of thunder and lightning (this was the real workout!)