Internal Conversation

Here's how my internal conversation went this morning when my alarm went off at 5am.

"Ok, Meagan. You got this! Get up!"

"Meh... ok, but give me like 1 more minute just to lay here."

"Deal."

"Ok, maybe I don't got this. Do I HAVE to go to the gym?"

"Well, you COULD go to the 6pm Spinning instead."

"Oh! I could! Yeah. That sounds good."

"But, will you really go? Plus, then you won't be home til 7:30pm and you hate that."

"Yeah... maybe I just should just skip the gym today."

"But yesterday you skipped!"

"Yeaaaaah... I so don't care."

"Ok. Deal. No gym."

{5 minutes pass with me just laying there telling myself it was OK and I could go back to sleep, but really just continuing to argue with myself.}

"Ok... FINE. I'll get up and go. You suck."

"Agreed."

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And, so I went. I 100% did NOT want to go. No part of me wanted to do strength. No part of me wanted to get up. No part of me wanted to sweat.

But, I did.

5:30am Strength Class and 20 minutes on the elliptical.

Feels good to be done. I'll even admit... I'm SEMI-glad I went.

Remind me about this tomorrow when my alarm goes off again at 5am.

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Weekly Workout Recap (5/13-5/19)

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Weekly Workout Recap (5/13-5/19):
Monday, 5.13.13: 6 miles & 15 minutes elliptical & 40 minute run/walk intervals
Tuesday, 5.14.13: Signature Strength & 15 minutes elliptical
Wednesday, 5.15.13: 6 mile walk with Sadie
Thursday, 5.16.13: Spinning
Friday, 5.17.13: Spinning & 2 miles
Saturday, 5.18.13: None {out of town for a wedding}
Sunday, 5.19.13: 4 mile walk with Sadie and Hubs {out of town for a wedding}



This was a WEIRD week. I was out of the office sick on Wednesday, so definitely didn't feel up to a workout, but did manage to get two 3-mile walks with Sadie in, totaling to 6 miles on my feet that day, which while it's not RUNNING, it's still covering the distance. I'll take it. I really only ran twice last week... making a grand total of EIGHT miles for the week. LAME, I know. It's just that weird in-between weather here right now... too hot to run outside, but they haven't turned the AC on in the gym, so it's even hotter inside. And, I'm a BABY in the heat. PLUS, I was out of town all weekend for one of my BFF's weddings, which took WAY priority over any sort of workout. So, it is what it is. Not my best week. Not my worst week, either. Still got 2 spinning classes, a signature strength class, a solid run, and 2 long walks in. I'll take it.

5am, 10K, Wicked and Mother's Day

Guess who got up at 5am and made it to the gym both today and yesterday?!?!? THIS KID!!! Yup, that's right! 2 morning workouts in a row! Am I getting my groove back?? Maybe. We'll see. Too early to tell.

Anyway- Monday was 6 miles on the treadmill (while watching the season finale of Revenge... Nolan!! Whaaat?!?!? Noooo!! Love it!!!) and 15 minutes on the elliptical. Today was Signature Strength and then 15 minutes on the elliptical. Yep, not only am I back on the 5am train, but I even went to Signature Strength class today. WOAH. I'm on a roll.

So, we'll see how long this "roll" lasts. This week my work-gym is closed (we're officially in summer at the college I work for so every year the gym closes for 1 week in the summer to do maintenance and such), so I kinda have that "if you don't get up you won't get a workout in" mentality, which always helps me peel my ass outta bed.

BUT-- I did manage to get a workout in Monday during my lunch hour too! The girl from work that I'm helping with the Couch25K program and I went outside and did our intervals around campus! We covered 2.3ish miles in 35 minutes. She's rocking it! I'm so proud of her!!

Anyway-- so, yeah. Workouts have actually been happening. Solid workouts, even. Feels great! Hopefully I keep this up! We'll see... :)

In other news, this weekend was a whirlwind. Friday night the Hubs and I drove up to Grand Rapids, Michigan (about 2.25 hours away). We stayed with some friends, ate some pizza, and crashed early to prep for the Fifth Third River Bank Run. So, Saturday we were up WAAAAY too early to race! I was signed up for the 25K, but as everyone else in our group ended up doing the 10K, I decided to drop down and just run for fun.

My friend, K, and I celebrating our 10K! It was her very first 10K and she CRUSHED her goal and kicked some serious butt. SO proud of you, K!!!!

I ran easy and finished in 55:41 for about 8:58 min/miles. I was 1322 out of 4190.

 

 

The race was a lot of fun, though chilly! Darn mother nature! It was like 40*. IN MAY. Not ok. Not ok at all. Anyway- the race was a blast.

 

I won't do a full recap, as I've done one before (see it here) and it was essentially the same race, just several miles shorter. I love this race and would highly suggest it to anyone! Only bummer with the 10K is you don't get a medal. BUMMER! I did get a pin, though, so I guess that's something.

 

 

Anyway- after the race we headed back to shower and such and then headed out for a quick lunch before the Hubs and I drove home (aka: the Hubs drove while I napped in the passenger seat). We had to rush back because we had tickets to see Wicked that night!

The show was amazing! Such great music and an amazing set and cast. LOVED it!

The show, while great, was a bit long. It didn't get out til past 11, which is WAAAAAY past my bedtime. I was exhausted from the race and the late night. So, I immediately crashed after we got home. 11pm and I am SPENT. I know, I'm so lame.

 

Sunday we were up early again to take Sadie for a quick walk before heading to Chicago (about 2 hours away) for a Mother's Day celebration. Great way to end the weekend: family, fun, and food! I ate my weight in delicious foods and the napped again in the car on the way back. Poor Hubs! Always stuck driving. He's OK with it... he'd rather me be asleep so he can listen to sports radio than me be awake and force him to listen to Katy Perry and flip the radio stations every 2 minutes. (Not that I would EVER do that)

 

Phew! I'm exhausted again just recapping everything. Hope you had a great weekend too! 

 

 

Weekly Workout Recap (5/6-5/12)

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Weekly Workout Recap (5/6-5/12):
Monday, 5.6.13: 60 minutes elliptical
Tuesday, 5.7.13: 8-Minute Arms & 4 mile walk with Sadie and Hubs
Wednesday, 5.8.13: Spinning & 40 minutes run/walk intervals
Thursday, 5.9.13: 8-Minute Arms & 40 minute run/walk intervals
Friday, 5.10.13: 30 minutes run/walk intervals & 35 minute elliptical
Saturday, 5.11.13: 5/3 River Bank 10K Race
Sunday, 5.12.13: Rest Day (1 mile walk w/ Sadie)

Totals for Week (4/29-5/5):
6.2 Miles Run

5 Miles Walked
100 Minutes Elliptical
110 Minutes Run/Walk Intervals

1 Spinning Class

Yeaaaaah. So, about this week. Just wasn't happening. Nothing else really to say. I legit didn't run a single mile all week til the 10K Race Saturday. It was a busy week and I wasn't sleeping great so getting up at 5am just wasn't happening. It certainly wasn't ideal, but I did still manage to do SOMETHING most days. Meh. It is what it is. Next week'll be better.

Kalamazoo Half Marathon Race Recap

So, it's totally normal to have a friend text you the day before a half marathon and offer you a free bib, right?

 

No? Just me?? Amy registered for the KZoo half forever ago, but sadly she wasn't feeling great and couldn't run. Well, if you know me you know I couldn't very well say no so after some schedule re-arranging and a WAAAAAY to early alarm wake up call, I was off to Kalamazoo, Michigan to run the Kalamazoo Half Marathon.

Like I said-- WAY too early for the WEEKEND.

I got to Kalamazoo after about an hour and twenty minutes with plenty of time to grab my free bib (thanks again, Amy!!) and head to the start line.

I had to park about 1/2 a mile away, but it was easy to find. The porta potty lines weren't crazy long and before I knew it I was in line near the 2:00 pace group and we were off!

 

At the start line...

The race was overall pretty good, though it looks like I basically fell apart at the end (spoiler: I only kinda did). I stuck with the 2:00 pace group for the first 8 miles with no real problems. My legs were noticeably heavy and still sore from all those damn walking lunges I did earlier that week, but beyond that I felt pretty good.

Mile 1: 9:05

Mile 2: 8:49

Mile 3: 9:00

 

 

 

Mile 4: 9:03

Mile 5: 9:03

Mile 6: 9:02

Mile 7: 8:58

Mile 8: 9:01 (took a few sports beans here)

Then, the 2nd half of the race hit. And, the elevation and hills REALLY hit.

Yeah, about that hill. WOWZA. And, it didn't get any easier from there. I recovered a bit at mile 10, but my legs were pretty shot and the ENTIRE UPHILL second half did not help. I tried to hang on to the 2:00 pace group, but just couldn't.

Mile 9: 9:38 (huuuuuuuge hill... uggggh)

Mile 10: 9:28 (took a freezer pop from the crowd here)

Mile 11: 9:32

Mile 12: 9:51

 

Mile 13: 9:41

Mile .18: 1:40

 

 

Hand of heart finish for Boston

 

Official Time: 2:02:02

 

So, I let the 2:00 pace group go on and ran MY race. I was comfortable, but my legs were crazy heavy and sore.

 

I crossed the finish line and it read 2:02:02, which is my official time (forgot to turn the Garmin off forever after I crossed. Whoops.) but I don't really think that's 100% accurate as there's NO WAY I crossed the start line right at 0:00 on the clock. I think my time was likely more like 2:01:40ish. But, whatever. What does a few seconds matter. Obviously I'm not breaking world records over here. Though, I did break a PR (with no real training and a last minute race) so that's pretty sweet.

 

I could have been pissy with myself for kinda losing it at the end, but given the hills and the complete uphill finish and my lack of "training" I was 100% OK with the race. In fact, I'm REALLY proud I managed to stay so consistent (though totally different "consistent" the first and second halfs). One thing I wasn't SUPER happy with was my fueling. I really need to figure out what works for me and be more intentional about fueling during 10+ runs. Bleah. Working on it.

 

The race was fun! Super organized. Good crowd support. CRAZY hilly course, but had I actually looked at the elevation chart before hand I would have known that. I'd definitely run it again!

 

Thanks again for the free bib, Amy!! Sorry you were sick and couldn't run. Glad I could PR in your honor! :)

 

Weekly Workout Recap (4/29-5/5)

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Weekly Workout Recap (4/29-5/5):
Monday, 4.29.13: 6 miles & 10 minutes elliptical & 2 mile walk with Sadie and Hubs & 8-Minute Arms
Tuesday, 4.30.13: 50 minute elliptical & 8-Minute Arms & 3 mile walk with Sadie and Hubs
Wednesday, 5.1.13: 8-Minute Arms & 5 miles & 3 mile walk with Sadie and Hubs
Thursday, 5.2.13: 8-Minute Arms & 3 mile walk & random plank/lunges/wall-sits workout & 4 mile walk with Sadie and Hubs
Friday, 5.3.13: 60 minute Spinning class & 15 minutes elliptical
Saturday, 5.4.13: 2 mile walk w/ Sadie and Hubs (Rest Day)
Sunday, 5.5.13: 13.1 miles (Kalamazoo Half Marathon) and 5.5 mile walk w/ Sadie and Hubs

Totals for Week (4/29-5/5):
24.1 Miles Run

19.5 Miles Walked

1 Spinning Class

25 minutes of elliptical
1 Day Random Workout
4 8-Minute Arms

1 Rest Day


This week was kinda odd. Decided last minute to do the KZoo Half on Sunday, so that was a nice way to get a long run in. Walked a TON this week, as the weather was gorgeous. Definitely haven't been running as much as usual lately, but still getting miles in. Trying to keep it up to 25ish/week on average, which I was pretty close to this week.

15 Thing Friday

1. Someone buy me these pants please?

I'm LOVING green right now and I love this length and fit. Now, on me-- they'd fit nothing like that, but let's not focus on the details.


2. While we're talking clothes, can someone please tell me who is buying this?

Ann Taylor Loft, I usually love you. But, WHO is spending $50 for this? My grandma? Who?!?!


3. Haha. This article. Still laughing.

4. Song obsession of the moment:

This song isn't new, but it's been popping up on my Pandora more and more lately and at first I was just kind MEH on it, but lately I've been loving it.


5. Fav celebrity look of the week:

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No one normal or non-famous could ever pull this off. But, somehow-- it more than works on Zoe Saldana. It's crazy and daring, but she pulls it off. Girl looks killer. 


6. NO WAY!

I'm totally guilty of f-ing up many that appear on this list.


7. I'm OBSESSED with graham crackers right now.

We normally don't have them, but I used them in a recipe for a dessert I made for a thing a few weeks ago and earlier this week I broke back into them and MAN! SO good!  Simple and classic. I forget how tasty they are! YUM!! It'll be a sad, sad day when the box is empty (aka: later tonight because I'll eat like 30 of them tonight).


8. When I saw this email in my inbox I knew I was in trouble.

When the words "I knew it" come from the Hubs, I can pretty much guarantee it has something to do with food. Specifically, pizza or cheeseburgers.

So, like a good wife, I opened the email and clicked on the link and sure enough...

I will never hear the end of this.


9. Am I the only person on the planet who's not racing to the theater to see IronMan 3 this weekend? I mean... I want to see it... kinda. As in, I will see it... but, whenever. Not like OPENING WEEKEND OR THE WHOLE WORLD WILL END. Our local theatres are showing it like every 15 minutes. Where are these people even coming from to fill these theaters? Mind blown.

10. I'm working an SAT exam again Saturday morning. AKA: Sit and watch kids panic like crazy while reading blogs on the iPad. Poor kids. They sure get the bum end of that stick.


11. Speaking of movies... I can't wait til this comes out:

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Still not like race the the theater on opening night excited, but excited. You know I want to see a movie when I'm willing to fork over full ticket price to see it and not wait til the cheap theater. I'd pay the full price for this one.


12. BIG pat on my own back for actually getting my ass outta bed and to the gym this morning. I'd forgotten what 5am looked like. It's still dark, in case you were wondering.


13. How good does this look?

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Mexican-type food is just SOOO good. This looks YUMMY and pretty easy too. Double bonus: not a ton of ingredients and most I likely already have in my house. Maybe a meal to try over the weekend? We'll see.


14. The Hubs got me fro yo last night after we took Sadie for a 4 mile walk.

Seriously. Best Hubs ever.


15. Yup. This.

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