For the first time this season..

I wore shorts on my evening run. See, I hate being cold (I get my hottest after my run is over). I was so excited to see that it was going to be a warm (68 degrees) and sunny day outside after work. 

Look at my face, you can see my excitement!

On weekends, I do what Jason calls my "prison workout".  He calls my workout this because you don't need any special equipment. All you need is a chair and some weights. I worked up a sweat and my legs (and booty) were beat by the time I finished! I loved it! It was so windy outside, I workout inside. 

Because my legs were still so tired, I decided against my ripped class and did an easy 5k outside instead. Since I'm not in real training (just training to keep in shape), I can cancel what I feel like my body can't totally handle and keep it relaxed, when needed. 

Tonight, I'm going to do an easy leg weight workout before my yoga class. My yoga class is so cold, I won't be wearing shorts. In fact, I may be wearing my jacket. 

Is anyone else somewhere where it's shorts weather, or you just hating me right now?  What are you training for right now?

Gift From My Gym

I did not want to go to the gym last night. In my mind, I had other things I could be doing that would be more important. Then, I realized, I'm more important than any of these things. The rush I get after a good workout is always worth putting small things off. I forced myself to go (I still didn't want to go while I was driving).

Since it was a rainy day here (and I didn't want to get wet, by running in the rain), I had 45 minutes to kill before my 6pm spin class. I had something in my mind since the night before. I really wanted to work my arms some more. I hopped right on the row machine. I wanted to see how far I could row in 45 minutes. 

This was my present from the gym last (the small blister on my right hand) night (mostly the row machine). But, I found out that I could row 5340 meters. I just looked up how far that is and it's a little over 3 miles. It's also how high the base camp for climbing Mt. Everest.

At least I know I can row to the base camp! I've always wanted to hike Mt. Everest (like I'd ever have the money to), but I've seen so many documentaries showing how busy it is up there. It's a very small "road", but busy like a freeway. For now, I'll settle to climb Mt. Whitney. At least that's in the US (and California). I'm more likely to do that.  

(right after he proposed. yes, we took our 6 month puppy on a week long backpacking trip with us)

When Jason proposed to me, he did it after we hiked to the top of Castle Peak (on our week long backpacking trip). So, we love hiking that much. So, maybe for our 10 year anniversary (only 2.5 years away), I can talk him into hiking Mt. Whitney...

After I survived the row to the base camp, I made my spin class just in time. I love that class. He always chooses such great songs and knows how to motivate the class. I can't wait until next week!

Are you a hiker or backpacker? We are. We're going for a small (weekend) backpacking trip in July. I'm not sure where yet. 

Do you get blisters on your hands? I usually get them on my feet, but rarely on my hands. 

To Cross Fit or Not to Cross Fit

I had yoga planned, last night. But, when it came time to leave work, I didn't feel like relaxing and staying calm and quiet. I wanted to move around and lift heavy things over my head. So, I got changed at work, like I normally do and headed home. I got my little at home gym set up and went to work. 

If I don't get changed at work, and I head home anyways, I will never get my workout in. I must get changed, so I don't have an excuse for not getting the work done. As soon as I put my things down, I got my foam mat out, my 5 lbs weights and my 10 lbs weights along with my medicine ball out and went to my phone to check out this new app I found (free).

The app was ok. I tried using it to do a core workout, but I already do all those routines. So, for the core, I just stuck to my normal routine. Arms, I have a routine, but I was looking for something new to do. The app was pretty helpful and planned a workout for me. I chose the "toned & trimmed"workout (I had choices of quick & easy, toned & trimmed, long & strong and loaded guns). Next time I'll try the long & strong workout). The "loaded guns"has an exercise called frog stand. I don't think I'm ready to try this at home (and without a spotter).

So, I've been looking for fun and exciting ways to get fit & toned (again). I've been hearing so much about Cross Fit. Has anyone tried it? How do you like it? Is it something you can do at home, or do you have to go to a special gym for that. I have the gyms near by, but I already belong to another gym that doesn't offer anything like Cross Fit. I'm kind of scared to try it, though. It looks so hard!

I found a very beginner's workout online and am thinking about trying it out. I have everything I need to do this on my own at my current gym. I think I may try it sometime next week. The workouts I'm concentrating on are focused around my thighs and up (core and arms area). 

What are your thoughts on Cross Fit?

Booty Workout

I took off all of last week. I wanted to heal completely, my half marathon, before I started working out again. I'm glad I did. I got a lot of things around the house taken care of and caught up on a lot of things, too. I was nice to have that extra 1-2 hours a night. I did realize that I wasn't in such a great mood, as I normally am. 

Jason was out all day with some friends, on Saturday. So, I decided to take advantage of the quiet time and great weather (70s with a lot of sun, yes, you can hate me). I did a 90 minute booty/back thigh workout. I never, ever workout those areas, so this was the first time. 

These were my tools: a chair, mat and a medicine ball (6 lbs). I did use a wall, too (but I think everyone has at least one of those). 

This workout was a doozy. I will be adding it to my Saturday (after my run date) routine. Sunday morning, I was in a world of stiffness!! I haven't been that sore in so long!! I always sit in the kneeling position, and I couldn't!

Sunday was St. Patty's day!! I always try to make something out of the ordinary for at least one meal. So, I did some research and found bangers and mash. Little did I realize (until I started cooking), it's just sausage, and mashed potatoes with an onion gravy. I used this recipe, but I added a little milk to the potatoes and some flour to the gravy. The gravy was just way too watery, so I thickened it up just a tad, but it helped. Our beer was too dark to try to make it green. Oh well (really, I was just too lazy).

Dessert was green sugar cookies. Most normal people would make green four leaf clovers. But, after I made the dough and poured out my huge collection of cookie cutters, I realized it didn't come with a four leaf clover cutter. It has a football helmet and a hand and a foot, but not a four leaf clover. What crazy person put this thing together? I guess that's why it was on sale. Oh well. They were still yummy, no matter what shape they were in (I made stars, circles and butterflies).

Yesterday was another nice day in NorCal. I went for a very short and easy 2 1/2 mile run around my local park. It felt so good after not running for a week and after my killer workout on Saturday. It was just what I needed to stretch out before my ripped class. I love this class!! My instructor is pregnant and I will miss her dearly while she is out. I have a few months until that is here, though. 

I''m still a little sore. But, tonight, I have leg weight on the schedule followed by a very much needed yoga class. I can't wait to get stretched out!!

Did you do anything for St. Patty's Day? What is your favorite gym class? Do you take a yoga class? If so, what kind? My yoga class is your ordinary yoga class. 

(Headwind) Luck Half Marathon

Every time I run a half marathon, I set up a practice run 2 weeks prior. I wear what I plan on wearing during the race. I eat what I plan on eating during the race. So, 2 weeks ago, I had my outfit planned. 

I had been checking the weather all week (as us runners normally do before a big race). It was suppose to be 40 (at the start) and a high of 69 (way after I finished) and sunny. The Lucky Race was in Davis, Ca (about 20 minutes away, without any traffic). So, I picked up my bib and shirt race day morning. 

I had plenty of sleep (I think I fell asleep about 9:30 the night before) and was ready to go. I was nervous, because I hadn't run this distance (for a timed race) in over a year. I hadn't trained as hard for this race, as I did for my first one (I wasn't in the gym 4 hours a day 6 days a week, but I did get my best time for that race). 40 degrees is cold first thing in the morning. 

I have run in the rain, sprinkling rain, hail, sun and dark skies. But, I have never trained in heavy winds. I should have trained for a super windy race, but I didn't. About 4 miles into the race, the course took us along the side of the freeway (with a chain link fence to separate us and the cars). It had already been a windy race, nothing I couldn't handle. But that wind and then add the freeway wind (for about 2 miles). We got a little break when we went over the freeway, just to head back. Which meant, another 2 more miles in the heavy wind. Ugh! I should have trained for windy, but I never though of it. 

At about mile 6, they were handing out water, Gatorade, banana slices, oranges and chocolate GU. I hadn't practiced with GU for this race. I practiced with Gatorade chews (which worked perfect). After last year's race, where I got food poisoning, I was afraid to try anything I hadn't practiced with. I took it just in case. I then started eating my chews I had brought with me. It helped and gave me the energy I needed. 

I was able to deal with the rest of the freeway wind. We made our way around this beautiful park and I started feeling like my tank was empty. That's when I took out the GU. I've had GU before (I just didn't train for this race with it). I ate half of it and kept going.  With 2 miles left of the race, I ate the rest of it. 

I made my way across the finish line at 2:41:46 (official time). I didn't make my first or second goal, but I did make my 3rd (and most important. I crossed the finish line with a smile of my face and un-injured!

I was smiling the entire time (ok maybe not all of it, I didn't want any bugs in my teeth). Here I come, crossing the finish line, to get another medal to add to my collection. 

I did it (with little training, but I did it)!!

After the race, we had some errands to run. As soon as I got home, I took a shower, to wash off all the salt. Then, I put on my compression calf sleeves, fixed a pb&j sandwich and poured a couple glasses of green monster juice and settled in on the couch. 

I wanted to take a nap, (because we had plans with some friends, to celebrate, that night) but I just couldn't do it. I laid there watching tv (which usually puts me to sleep) and I read some, too. But, my mind was wide awake. I would get up every once in a while, so I wouldn't get stiff and I would stretch. I'm so glad I did! It made a huge difference!

I kept my sleeves on while we went out to dinner. I enjoyed my well earned onion rings, club sandwich and my hoppy beer!!

This bib is now on my board with the others and my medal is hung up in place, with the others. I can't wait until I earn my next medal (nothing on the schedule, yet). 

Anyone else race this weekend? What races do you have coming up? Do you run the full distance before race day?

Getting Ready for Race Day

First off, I promised Jason I would ask you guys: Do you ever fix this: 2 pieces of toast with a fried egg in the middle? I hate fried eggs, so this has always been so gross for me. Anyone else eat this, or is he just weird?

Scoutie has been enjoying my gym bag during my taper time. Yes, I am that lazy that my gym bag stays by the front door,so my cat can lay on it. She always makes a bed out it. No matter what's on top (like my water bottle and shoes). 

I'm getting ready for race day (on Saturday morning). 

I'm going to be wearing my lucky blue Nike capris, black Champion tank and gray/orange Champion sports bra. I will also have my mp3 player, Nathan water bottle with my Gatorade chews (fruit punch) and my Garmin.

My goals for this is are pretty simple:

A Goal: Finish 2:15 or sooner

B Goal: Finish 2:30 or sooner

C Goal: Just have fun and cross the finish line un-injured

I'm picking up my packet on race day, so that's why it's not pictured. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I know I"ll do well, but I'm always afraid I won't accomplish any pf my goals. That's always in the back of my head. I know my body and mind can accomplish the things I set for it and I will have fun on Saturday.

Wish me luck!

Anyone else racing?

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

For California, it's a little chilly here (nothing compared to anywhere else, though). So, cold, rainy weather calls for some soup. 

I love chicken pot pies, they're one of my favorite cold weather dishes. So, I found a recipe that combined the pot pie and soup. I made chicken pot pie soup. Perfect! It needed a lot of things cut up and took some time. Luckily, Jason was able to help me and make dinner prep seem like nothing. 

What seemed like nothing, and my dinner was ready. Poof, magic and dinner had appeared in front of me. ready to be inhaled. This recipe will defiantly become one of my favorite to make during the cold weather season. 

I'm so excited! Time change is this weekend. I also glad it's the day after my race, so I don't show up an hour late. 

Anyone else racing this weekend? I'm running in the lucky 13 half marathon on Saturday. If you're local, stop by and say hi!

The Good (Bad) Food

I am a normal person. I like to eat whatever I want. I may not always chose the most healthy items to eat, but I try to make them from scratch. I like to know what is in my foods. If I buy the foods, I prefer to be able to pronounce everything in it. I'm kind of weird like that. 

The other week, I made (for the first time ever!!) my own cheesecake. 

When I have cheesecake, it must have some sort of chocolate involved. I don't like plain cheesecake, even with the fruit toppings. It can have a ton of chocolate drizzle on top and then I'll eat it. 

I used this recipe and it was so easy to make (I even made the crust, too). One of the benefits to making your own cheesecake is that you can see exactly what is in it. That's also a down side, because after seeing how much cream cheese (I know, I know, it is cheesecake) is used, I didn't eat nearly as much as I would have if I bought it. 

I'm still on taper time, but I do get small workouts in, like my ripped class. It was so difficult last night and I sweat so much! Loved it!

Do you prefer to make your own things or buy them? Anyone else out there tapering with me?

Long Time & Taper Time

I needed a break from blogging. I was tired of taking pictures of everything around me, instead of enjoying everything around me. I have been living and enjoying every minute. Just because I haven't been blogging doesn't mean I haven't been running. I've been enjoying the sunny, warm weather here in California. I work about 2 minutes from a trail and I've been hopping on that right after work. I can't wait until the time change next week, so it stays lighter later. 

I've been eating, but not as well as I should be. We went to a place that claimed they had giant burgers. They had yummy burgers, but heavy on the mayo. They were ok, but not worth another trip. 

I have my next half marathon next weekend. So, that means I'm on taper (aka crazy time). This also means that I did my last long run (13.1 miles) last weekend. My route was one from my old neighborhood. I parked at the old apartment, ran to the park (by my work), around that park and met up with my weekend running friend.

I'm glad I had her meet me at the park, for the second, and last loop around (she drove me back to my car). I was running out of water and the water fountains were frozen over (which means, no water for a thirsty Shelly). She had plenty of water and kept my mind off of how far I had already run.

Don't get me wrong, it was a difficult run. I hadn't run this far in over a year, and my training has been very skim. I can't wait for the race and I know I will enjoy myself no matter what. 

How far do you run for your last run? I always run the full distance of the race 2 weeks prior (in case I get injured, I have time to heal).