the walk of shame.

Wobbled out of bed this morning, with a killer headache, sore calves and a bruised ego. I had completed Crazylegs in 53:39.

So, I can look at it this way. I beat the time I had originally thought I would run it - 55 minutes. But I also let myself down in the sense that I thought I could run that hilly race in under 50. All-in-all, I should just be happy I completed it without any complications. And with my best friend.

The fact that the weather turned out to be gorgeous and fabulous (albeit the wind), I feel that we really lucked out, considering they called for an 80% chance of rain after 9am. As we approached the starting line, Amanda and I are decked out in our long sleeves, iPod garb and enough adrenaline to fill a bus. This was our first road race.

And we're off. Failed miserably at trying to play it cool the first mile and produced an 8.5 minute mile. We approached the gradual incline that is the corner of Lake and Langdon, with Observatory hill in sight and unintentionally boosted our adrenaline to new levels. It's hard to hold that confidence and determination to get up that hill, when people are dropping like flies. Made it half way and for the sake of my wheezing lungs, I too dropped like a fly. The "walk of shame," so-to-speak.

Thankfully, Newton was correct though. What goes up, must come down. With a little gravity, my run could be salvaged - right? That flat, mundane, open space that was Picnic Point, was the hardest part of the race for me. For future races, I must push through that third mile determined.

After that, it was a breeze. Literally. Nothing was more exciting than seeing Camp Randall at the end of Breese Terrace. Produced a crazy fast last mile, turned the corner into the tunnel, high-fived Amanda and we crossed the finish line. Nothing was cooler than seeing thousands of people watching me finish the race. So much adrenaline, I almost threw up. Not kidding.

Such a great feeling completing a race. I had never thought I could run five miles and seeing all of these people competing made me question why it took so long!? I'm ready for my next challenge.

Now where's my free beer?

Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini

So for my next venture into writing... make sure you have a reliable internet source. I know this could be on the list of 540 other things that hindered my blogging ability over the last two months, but more recently - this has been the issue. Thanks, smarty-pants neighbor for locking your internet.

Wednesday, April 27th. 9:22 am.

Never in my wildest dreams could I get up two hours before work and go for a nice five mile run. Go to my favorite neighborhood coffee shop to blog - Different story. So here I am, drinking a scolding cup of Cinnamon Biscotti; little skim, two Sweet-n-Lows. I've already burned my tongue, typed two paragraphs and haven't once talked of my ongoing training for this race that is looming at the end of the week.

Since my last post, which seems to have been forever and a day ago, a lot has changed. For me as a runner and as your average 24 year old.

I have always said when starting to get in shape (last year and the present) that I would be content with running just three miles without stopping. I know to most that doesn't seem difficult, but it's a task for me. I can honestly say, that in these two months of (barely) training for CrazyLegs, if there is one thing I can take away - it's that.

I'll admit, I don't think it was necessary to start training for this 8k - two months in advance, but the challenge just seemed so daunting. And it more or less put my physical health into perspective for me. Taking these pictures and weighing myself more often, opened up a little door in my mind that I need to take better care of myself. That was solidified when I got this wicked virus a few weeks ago. While everyone around me got a hospital visit with their stomach flu cocktail, I walked away practically unscathed with a high fever, no appetite and a stiff back. Had my mother convinced I was suffering from the early signs of Meningitis. (Note to self: Don't joke with your mother about those things. It's not in good taste.) After nearly 50 hours of eating about one and a half crackers and 20 ounces of orange Gatorade, it not only ruined my FAVORITE Gatorade flavor for me, but my poor body lost almost SIX POUNDS! In TWO DAYS?!My feverish and delirious self had to document this. After countless hours spent working out last year, getting wonderful results and in the end only losing 10 pounds - it disgusts me that it took just two days to drop half of what I lost in four months last year. It's comical actually.

Downfalls in the last three weeks. Where do I begin?

• Skinny Caramel Lattes
• M & M's
• Rather LARGE Chocolate Bunnies
• Red Wine with my Sister
• Cinnamon Gelato (I know. Shush.)

Pro's

• Shiny, *New* futuristic phone that has more than a radial dial. Uploaded a couple running applications that map my runs, how many calories I burn, etc. I can actually SEE my results when I run outside!
• Started drinking much, MUCH more water in hopes I'm not dehydrated on Saturday. (Says the girl drinking a large coffee.)
• Completed 2.9 miles in 25 minutes. Almost died, but thank you wind for pushing me. That one's all on you.
• Used the "Wicked Virus" as a jump start to my bikini season... diet? That's what we're going to call it.
• Speaking of bikini. That "yellow, polka-dot bikini" song that plays in some weight loss-yogurt/cereal/gimmicky commercial... Well I bought mine in February in hopes it would look great by "Bikini Season." I think so.

Posting my CrazyLegs results next week, but until then... :)

24 days? That can't be right...

A realization was had today. I could not be any less prepared for this little running shindig I have planned on April 30th. Physically. Mentally is another story.

This week was a step in the right direction. Being the non-runner I am, I figured I was helping out my training by increasing my incline on the treadmill. Yeah, that was an amateur mistake. Made perfectly clear when I attempted to run outside for the first time this spring. Don't let the clear skies fool you - it might look like fantastic weather to run in, but you don't experience 20 mph-sustained winds with wind chills, bright sunshine and rolling Wisconsin hills on a rubber conveyor belt. Normally I would never complain of such a gorgeous spring day, but oh my goodness was that an eye opener. Made me realize I hadn't been moving in the direction I had planned with my CrazyLegs "training."

Clearly I was a fooled on that first day of April - By my ego. So to mend what was bruised, I trekked a healthy three miles on the treadmill the next day. I was Freud's dream model that morning and just like that - ego restored.

On the list of downfalls this week:

• Obsessive amounts of caffeine.

• Cranberry Almond scones from Barriques.

• Opening Day at Miller Park. ('nuff said.)

The upward slope:

• Had a monumental hour and a half long massage. Worth every penny.

• Spring decided to show it's pretty little face.

• Drove with the windows down and belted out some tunes this afternoon.

• Met a potential running buddy. Someone who hasn't completed the Chicago Marathon, like my one running partner has. That's also a plus for my ego. (See: Paragraph 2)

• Did a circuit training exercise for 15 minutes that included wind sprints and abs. I regretted that decision the next day. (Kind of like the time I thought 1/10 of a mile in lunges would be a smart move.)

• Spent a few days in the Milwaukee area. Cleared my head. For sanity's sake.

I know all of those perks of the week weren't entirely detrimental to my running ability, but more so for my mental health. Something about that first breath of cool, spring air. An uplifting face-to-face conversation with someone for the first time. Being able to sit down to dinner with my family - all five of us. The sound of your cracked muffler as the bass to your Sara Bareilles' tune. It all makes you put life into perspective.

It was a good week - for "me."

Oh hai.

I'm really good at this blogging thing.

So needless to say, I've hit a bump in the road. Being sick, having to work extra hours to compensate for other managers being "on vacation" and the looming, wintery crap that was last week - I have had little motivation to train for Crazylegs.

This week. I made it to the Princeton Club twice. Putting my grand total of frequencies this month to a whopping TEN. Approximately $4.80 a workout. Can't say I put much effort in to any of those to justify $4.80, but ce la vie.

So hopefully this week will be a little different.

As I sit at the coffee shop, enjoying a beer, the smells of freshly ground coffee and people watching - I am doing a lot of mental preparation for the upcoming week. Tomorrow my goal is at least 2.5 miles on the treadmill with varying speeds and inclines. Mixed in with a few lunges, squats and what not. Since I have been given a modified schedule at work this week, it frees up my mornings more, so I have absolutely NO excuse for not working out this week.

With that said. Cheers. This beer is just helping me carb up for tomorrows run. Right?

Damn You Immune System!

Slight set back this week.

Managed to work out twice, but on Tuesday I came down with an annoying head cold. The kind that is not awful enough to sideline you, but is just lingering around long enough to annoy you.

That's where I'm at - Day 7.

Highlights of my week:
Ran 2.0 miles at a 10 min. pace - WITHOUT STOPPING! HUGE!
Haven't had a piece of bread at work in over a week. Also - HUGE!
Slept for 12+ hours 4x's this week. Yet, somehow... I'm still sick?
Drank a gallon or more of water 3x's this week.

Downfalls:
This tickling sore throat that makes me cough when I breathe.
Only hitting the gym twice.
Cinnamon Gelato (this is an ongoing downfall... I need to curb this craving.)
Mussels et Frites at Jac's Tap House. Mussels were amazing! Frites as well... just not for my bod.

No pics this week. The last thing I care about right now is what I look like in a bikini. I can tell you I maintained my weight - somehow, with all that water I drank?

Taking today off from the gym, drinking a lot of water and letting the new week start tomorrow. 54 days til Crazy Legs! Bit the bullet and signed up! It's official. It's gotta happen!

170.8

So I made it through my first week of training. I'm attempting to get back in the shape I was in last summer. This picture was after six weeks of training last spring. I hoping to not have shot guns like these at the end of six weeks - maybe pistols. ;)

Highlights of this week's workouts:
Did 45 minutes on the Elliptical 3x's this week!
Did a crazy leg workout on Wednesday that put me out of commission on Thursday and Friday.
Held a plank position for almost a minute. WORKIN' THAT CORE!
Realized there are a lot of new faces at the gym. And to some of them - I am new too.
My horoscope from Wednesday. Summed up my awesome day pretty well!

Some down falls this week:
Johnny's Italian Steakhouse.
White Wine.
Pasta.
Sunday Funday.
Cinnamon Gelato.
My overly ambitious need to prove I can still do 1/10 of a mile of lunges.

Since starting this blog, I have been asked if I have a set goal yet? Still thinking about that one. I wish that I was confident in my running ability, but part of me is scared of failure. I have this sports induced asthma that is just like the little devil on my shoulder. The moment I get excited and a rush of adrenaline in me - my asthma comes full force. So I have this fear of getting to the starting line of a local race, adrenaline pumping and having to stop and walk some of the way due to my lack of lung function.

With that being said, I can't let that stop me from trying to complete a race. If I have to walk, crawl or roll over the finish line - so be it.

I'm going to participate in Crazylegs '11!

5'9" 171.4lbs.

As I sat on my couch on an icy cold, Wisconsin Sunday, my best friend texted me that she was going to the gym and asked if I would join her. I reluctantly and lazily replied with "Eh. I'm recovering from a long week, don't think I'm going to leave the apartment in this weather either."

Then it hit me.

What the HELL happened to that girl last year around this time who - regardless of her schedule - found herself in the crowded gym four to five times a week?

So, I understand the circumstances have changed since then. I work during the hours I had usually spent at the gym, I have made excuses for not going late at night (i.e. I'd be up late from the adrenaline) and god knows, I can't exercise in the morning when the sun isn't even up yet!

And then I realize I am just making up excuses and it's time to "Man UP!"

My focus of this blog - Public Humiliation/Motivation.
Okay, maybe not humiliation - I'm not upset with how I look, but I'm holding myself accountable for keeping this blog alive. I'm a pretty muscular girl and would like to thank my high school strength and conditioning teacher for bulking us girls up - cause now my muscles won't disappear. So they might as well look defined!


GOAL:
Cardio - 4x's/week. 30-60 min.
Lifting - 2x's/week. Light Weights/High Reps
Abs - 4x's/week.
Bands/Resistance Training - 2x's/week

I told myself to start off easy. Don't expect results tomorrow morning, but allow your body to adjust to this attempt at getting in shape. So I gave myself 45 minutes to prove I could use the elliptical without stopping!

Since I was little I have had Sports Induced Asthma. Probably half the reason I started playing Goalie in soccer and took up sprinting sports - like Softball. In order to make it through the allotted time frame, I must be smart and not start off so fast.


My next focus will be my diet. I'm too much of a foodie to ignore foods I "shouldn't eat" cause they aren't good for me.

Screw that.

Portion control helped me last year and I stand by that. If I want an Oreo Cookie - I'm going to have an Oreo Cookie! Three actually. I'm sick of watching and reading that you have to have "clean foods" to see good results.

Well, I'm not trying to look like a Victoria's Secret swimsuit model. So I'll eat the cookies they won't eat.

I'm going to drink more water, eat less pasta (which shall be my hardest feat considering my surroundings) and eat more vegetables. Shouldn't be that hard right?

Day 1 - In the books. Help me stay motivated!

:)