Dopey Training week 2

HI! How are you guys?  I just wrapped up week 2 of Marathon/Dopey training. I also wrapped up the first three days with my students.  Lets just say I am pooped!!! By the end of day one I went to the copy room to make copies and I just laid on the floor in relief.  I don’t think I could have stood up another minute.  My voice hurt, I was tired!  I was so cranky one day the week I took out our Roku from the TV and threw it at the hubby and told him to go somewhere else and watch TV.  It was probably 6-7 and I wasn’t going to have it!

This weeks training didn’t go as well as I would like but it wasn’t terrible.  I missed one mid week longer run.  My long run was a bit slower but I am not upset about it.  I am training for a 48.6 4 day race.  I am not training to PR.  It was my first week back and I am cutting my self slack.  In the past, I probably would have missed two runs.  I am really thankful to have Abby to report back to, it really motivates me!

Here are the numbers

Dopey Training Week 2:

Monday: Rest day.  I almost got up, then I saw the weather forecast and went back to sleep.

Tuesday: 3.4 miles Pace unknown.  I set out to do 6-7 during lunch at work and my legs just wouldn’t move.  I finally realized they probably hurt so much because I was in heels for 3 hours the night before and I don’t ever wear heels.

Wednesday:Rest day because the thought of waking up early before work and then after work with throbbing feet- no thanks!  

Thursday: Speed work!- 6 miles 11:47 average 2x400 (2:21, 2:18), 2x800 (4:46, 4:46) when I PR’ed my half I was doing these closer to 4:15… 1x1200 (7:12) 1x800 4:38 - because i ran out of time  It looks like my times were a little quicker than last weeks so I will take it.  

Friday: Rest day!- how glorious

Saturday: 9 miles with my amazing team.  I am so thankful for people to run with.  12:15 pace. I think it will take myself a few weeks for my body to get back into the swing of work for the runs to be normal

Sunday: 3.1 12:20 pace- just an easy recovery run-

total (running) miles: 21.5 miles

Overall: I am happy with this week considering it was the first week the students are back.  I really want to try and get some strength training in this week.  There is always room for improvement :)

How did your week go?  What are you proud of?

How do you manage to get in a strength training activity?  I always forget!  I just come home and play with my cats and shove food down my throat.

I am currently raining money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.  If you would like to donate, please click here.  

UncommonGoods review and I am a total dork.

*UncommonGoods reached out to me and provided me with a few free products in exchange for my honest review of their products and services.  While my items were paid for, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

If you have been reading this blog for any amount of time, or follow me on instagram, or just know who I am, you will know a few things about me:

1. I am a teacher and teach social studies. More specifically, government, economics, and history of the Holocaust.
2. I am also knows as the crazy cat lady, and lastly
3. My toothbrush is never near a toilet (GERMS!!!) Ok- we may have never discussed this but you should know this.

When UncommonGoods reached out to me and I went on their website I immediately fell in love.  They offer creative and exciting merchandise and work with suppliers - from artists to small manufacturers - to make their products in a more socially and environmentally responsible manner.  As I was looking though each item there is a blurb about each individual artist.  

They feature products that contain recycled components and have not sold products containing leather, feathers or fur - their goal is to sell no product that harms humans or animals. YAY!!!!

They also created the Better to Give Program in 2001, which allows you to select a non-profit organization to receive a $1 donation from us at checkout with no charge from the customer.  

Ever since listening to Hamilton:The Musical I have become obsessed with the history behind the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  When I saw these on the site I knew these glasses had to be mine!  I found these under the Geek Gift section, and yes, I would think that describes me perfectly.  You can find other Geek gifts here, and these exact cups here.  I have the perfect spot on my desk for these beauties!..

Yarn cats! 

So, not only do my students know me as the crazy cat lady, Joey (cat pictured below) has his own instagram. His momma forgets to add pictures but him and Tiggy were excited "they" were on our new glasses.  This would have been the perfect gift for me, or really anything with cats!  The link above labeled "warm cats" links to those specific cups, but for more gift ideas click here, here, and here for kids gifts.

Mommy, these are now mine.

 The last thing I ordered from UncommonGods was a phone sanitizer. With the sweat from running, germs from being around students or other people, I can only imagine how dirty my phone is.  I once watched a special on TV and it told me the particles from the toilet when flushed can fly up to 25 feet, and ever since them I have never kept my toothbrush out or near a toilet. If we go away for a weekend I make sure to always keep it in my toiletry bad.  Once at work my toilet fell into the toilet and the first thing I did was run back to my room and took alcohol wipes and wiped it up (Note:  I had NOT gone to the bathroom yet.  When I saw the phone sanitizer I knew it had to be mine.  When Behn has to go to the bathroom, the phone is always in there with him.

Cleaning my phone! Germ Free

Honestly, when I first went on this site I wanted everything.  Behn almost got barbecue golfers set, but he told me he didn't need it.  

I love their anniversary stuff.  Being just 3 months away from our 1 year anniversary I almost purchased a sign for our bedroom since we just painted it.  

When I was done placing my order I loved that I was able to chose what charity I wanted the company to donate to.  The website is user friendly and I am sure that you can find gifts or anyone for any price range

Have you found any cool sites lately you think I should try out?

Dopey Training Week 1 Recap

HI! How are you guys?  I just wrapped up week 1 of Marathon/Dopey training.  I also wrapped up my first (official) week back at school.  The students start Wednesday so I still have a few things to do around the classroom.  I received a fun package from Uncommon goods so I was able to geek out for a few minutes and sanitize my phone.  I will have a review about their site later this week.  

Such a nerd!!

This weeks training went surprisingly well.  3x before work I was able to run and I am hoping to continue that even with the earlier start time once the students come back.  Instead of having to be home by 7am to shower and be out of the house by 7:30, next Wednesday I will have to be out of the house by 6:30.  One the weather starts cooling down and the feels like is not more than 108 degrees I can start running in the evening.

Dopey Training Week 1:

Monday: Easy day consisted of a 2.5 mile slow hot walk :) then 21 day fix pilates. I thought it was necessary to not set an alarm for my last official day off.  Totally worth it

Tuesday: 6.5 mile 12:16 pace. Tuesdays are normally tempo, but I thought it was more important to note trip over my feet at 0’dark thirty.  

Wednesday: 3 mile recovery run- 11:50 pace- I was super happy that I negative split that run

Thursday: Speed Work 7 miles 2x400, 2x800, 2x1200 with same revery in-between ( except for the 1200 because I was beat!  overall pace 11:42

Friday: Rest day!- how glorious

Saturday: Long Run with Team.  8 miles 11:55ish pace and negative split

does the view get any better?

Sunday: 3 mile recovery 12:33 pace.  I was surprised how sore my legs were.

total (running) miles: 27.5 

1 strength training day.

How did your week go?

I had to come home on Thursday and take a nap.  I also wish I would have gotten a true tempo run it but I am till very happy with how this week went.

July Stats and Thoughts

To be honest, I am very sad for July to end.  It means it is time to go back to work for good.  I went back three half days last week and teachers officially go back August 2.  Students are back August 10, sorry Behn- the crankiness begins.

While I have a few extra minutes here are a few things about July.

Beth, I hope it is ok but I stole this format from you :) - I need some creativity.

Run 93ish- This is pretty high for me these days.

Strength & Conditioning 8 Orange Theory Classes

Races Wesley Chapel Fast 5k - death by 5k

Current Reads Well, before school started I picked up Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow and Ionly got through about 80 pages…#fail 

Current Obsession Oreo Krispie Treats! To die for.  I actually ONLY ate a tiny piece.

Current Song Anything on the Hamilton Soundtrack- I never used to run with music, then I heard this soundtrack

Current Need More time off before work

Current Triumph Painting our bedroom.  I am not artsy fartsy at all andI did the whole room!  It was a pain measuring 40 inches up around the whole room so we can do the bottom half gray. 

Current Bain of My Existence Humidity! It is so hard to see your paces drop so much but I know it will pay off come fall.  Breathing in this is just ridiculous.

Current Goal make it through the first few weeks of school and not have my training slack off.  Also, fundraising!!!

You know your cool when your shirt says "We the People"

Current Indulgence Twistee treat Ice Cream

Current Blessings My cats..They are such good boys.

Current Excitement The Olympics!!! - I just cancelled our cable, anyone know how to watch it with a roku, k Thanks!

What are you proud of for the month of July?  Do you have any August goals?

I ran a 5k and didn't die!

Stop, Vomit, Pass out, Die.. 

Every single thought went through my head at mile 2.2

I HATE the 5k

This past Tuesday I decided to run the Wesley Chapel Fast 5k.  It was a small, cheap, and local.   This event happens every other Tuesdays in Wesley Chapel right across from the new Outlets.  I still have yet to go to the outlets.  The start is right across the street and is a 1(ish) mile loop that you do almost 3x.  I actually really likes the course because you are never alone.  It started promptly at 7:45 pm.

I had a 25 minute tempo run that morning but I decided to be lazy and sleep in so I know I had to go.  I left my house a little after 6:15 and made my way up North a little.  I got there around 7, used the Chik-fil-A restroom and went for my 1 mile warm up.  The warm up was surprisingly ‘fast” for me these days.  I did it around 11:40 ish.

I walked over to the site of the start and the race directer approached me and we chatted for a few minutes.  Gave him my payment then met up with Lindsay who I was talking to about going.  We met through Team in Training and is running and is training for her first full.  I am not so secretly hoping she runs 26.2 miles with me at Disney!

 I was very happy to see her there since it was such a small race.  There were no bibs, everyone just new each others names.

In my head I knew I wanted to negative spilt, I had my mile goals in my head.  I wanted to hit 11:00, 10:30 10:00.

I didn't take any pictures so I figured I would add these random Pictures

As soon as the horn went off, so were we.  All 10 or so of us :)

Those times went right out the door.  Lindsay and I ran the first 2 miles together, or I should say she ran them with me.  We were able to hold on to a conversation so I didn’t think I was going too fast.  I looked down at my watch after the first .25 and saw 9:30 and knew I had to go slower so I attempted to slow down.  I was finally able to get my first mile to a 10:12.  Mile 2 was about a 10:20 and then shit hit the fan.

I told Lindsay she didn’t have to wait for me, a little after mile 2 I put my water bottle down, I dropped it, went back to pick it up.  I was a mess.  I was dying!  I didn’t think I could keep running.  I was trying to keep the pace as close to 11 as possible, I didn’t want to positive split but I did.  I slowed it down telling myself since I technically did a way too fast tempo I can do the rest as a cool down.  I wanted to walk so bad, I seriously thought I was going to vomit everywhere.  I finally made it to the finish line and thought I was going to pass out.  

I finished in 33:!3- I tell myself a 10:30 pace should not be hard and then I remember I live in Florida in the middle of summer.  The weather was nice, it was cool in the low 80s.

I am most proud that I didn’t I've up, I didn't walk.  My last 5k- over a year ago I walked 2x- I am also pretty sure I finished that race 3 minutes or so faster.

At the finish there was nice ice cold water and cold wash clothes.  It was wonderful!

Hi human- please open the window so I can stare at nothing.

If the race started earlier I would 100% do this race again.  I go back to work next week and a 7:45 start is just too late for me when school starts.  If you are in the area, I would run this.  Everyone is so friendly.  There is a cash prize for the first 2 males and females.  I places top 5 in the women- There were 5 women.. HAHA!! and I was the last one to finish.  I knew going in I would be the last to finish and I still went- Getting my brain game in order!!

What is your favorite race distance?   The Half marathon

What is your most hated race distance? The 5k

So what's next?

So what’s next?

DOPEY 2017!

Since my last marathon in December of 2014, I really haven’t done much in terms of races.  I got burnt out. I was doing race after race because I was in shape. I was using the races as long runs, and apparently trying to run all the miles!  Gasparilla, as fun as it was, was probably the tipping point of races; 2 days- almost 30 miles.  I was tired and I took about a year off of running, completely. I was loving Orange Theory Fitness and on my wedding day I felt happy and confident.  

Post OTF Bod :) 

I ran two half marathons last season and didn’t hit my goals.  I trained well, I just don’t think my body is where it used to be.  My expectations were high, the conditions weren't perfect, eh, life happens. Last year as my first time not training for a marathon since my first one in 2011.

Post Goofy Stuggle in 2014- Ready for it again

I am finally ready to train for a marathon again! This marathon is a little different than my last one.  Not only is it a marathon over a weekend, I am also taking on the 5k, 10k, half marathon, and then the marathon.

I keep getting the question, “Why would you do that to yourself?”

I am doing it to help raise funds for the leukemia and Lymphoma society.  (<--- Click to DONATE)  One day I will be luckily enough not to have to run to raise money, but to run because there is a cure for ALL cancer.

Post Goofy Stuggle

I am also doing it for me.  I needed a “fun” race to get into without a time goal.  I have to love running without a time goal because if I do not hit that time goal, I beat myself up too much and that is not what running should be about. The niche of team in training is like no other.  I cannot wait to get back out there with my team!

One of my proudest accomplishments- Goofy!

I have been working with Abby trying to get my speed back and base building!  I am excited for the official start of training later this month!

What has been the most fun race you have run?

Mine was definitely Goofy in 2013 (or whenever that was)

What did you do for the Holiday Weekend?
We went up to Jacksonville for the day then stayed local on Monday.  We have a scaredy cat!

United NYC Half Marathon training recap and goal

Hey there!

It certainly has been some time since I updated this little thing on my training but I head to New York in just a day and figured I should turn on this rusty old computer.  When I first started training for the UnitedNYC Half I thought I was update the blog regularly with how my training is going, but honestly, I blame my computer.  My computer is old and slow and a pain to work with.  I need a new one.  I also need a new car, work clothes, a cell phone, to pay off my mortgage, pay off my students loans; so a computer is not high on the priority list.  But running the NYC Half Marathon is :)

Here is how training went. 
For not running consistently for about 8 months before I started training, I think I did a damn good job.  I did miss about 5 workouts here or there which I am not proud of but life gets in the way and that’s the truth.  Some days I had to bring my cats to the vet or I worked late, some days I went home and laid in bed. One time I was at work ready to get changed for work, I took my work pants off to put my running shorts off then put my work pants back on because I was tired and didn’t want to go.  Yup, pathetic but the truth.

Yay, I almost hit a 100 mile month...ALMOST

Most of my runs were pretty decent there were a few I was disappointed with.  I enjoyed the long runs, except for 1.  I am calling that a win!  My tempo miles were not as fast as I would have liked them to be but my body just isn’t there yet.  I did a few strength training day, again, not as many as I would have likes but certainly more than I have done in the past.  I also managed to gain 5-6 pounds because potato chips and watching TV because more important that walking and grading.  My highest weekly mileage was 30 and lowest was 13.5 (FAIL!!)  I managed to be put on steroids twice this training cycle and the first time my paces were so fast I thought I had a PR in me, little did I realize it was just the steroids.

My TNT girls

Who I ran with. 

The first half of the training plan I ran alone for my long runs, they were short enough I didn’t have to put water out and my scheduled allowed me to even get some runs done on a Thursday or a Friday.  Most Sunday recovery runs Behn joined in with me so it was nice to have some time to spend with him.  For the second part I joined Team in Training and was able to run with my girls!  It was a nice change of pace.  

Behn I headed out for 2 miles.  It was in the 50s and this is how different we dress.

What I listened to:

I don’t normally run with music or anything but if it was a long or recovery run I would sometimes pop on serial season two.  If I wanted to get out of my head I would jab out to Miley Cyrus or Taylor Swift. 

My tempo runs I didn’t listen to anything except for my heavy uncontrolled breathing (sorry Coach).  

I ran one race while training for the NYC Half.  I ran the Orlando Best Damn Race 10k and really enjoyed it.  This was a peak week for me and my legs were toast.  I managed to go 1:03:29 and was very happy with that.  I secretly wanted to PR or go a little faster but I am OK with that!  My current PR is 1:02: with some change, I forgot already!

So thats how my training went :)

I have a few goals I am going to share.  These are very loose goals because this is my first half marathon in well over a year.  I have no idea where my half fitness is, in terms of racing.  Obviously I would Love a shiny new PR but thats not what I am aiming for.  Besides having fun and running through my favorite place in the World, Times Square, I want to see where my half fitness is.

Finished BDR 10K

Ideally, Here is what I would like to see and here are by A, B, C Goals:

A Goal: 2:15

B Goal 2:18 (This would be a coarse PR, I think)

C Goal - Keeping an 11:00 pace or better and not die :)

How do you determine your goals for race day?

Anyone know of any way to make my Macbook Pro faster?

NYC Half Marathon training week 2

Slow down! Slow down! TIME

I swear, I can’t catch my breath!  It’s already the last week of the semester and the stress of students testing is ridiculous.   I want them to do amazing (Why don't some students care if they do well?)- I need AP students :)

Just wanted to show my pinterest fail 

We are already in the second week of the new year and I just completed my second week of half marathon training.  Wasn't yesterday just Thanksgiving?

This week of NYC Half Marathon training went surprisingly well.

Many days this week the weather was nice.  I was also put on steroids last week and I was told I may have kick ass workouts while I was on them, yea, I believe that to be true!  

I didn’t know how this week would go with being back to work and staying up way to long creating review games, etc. for my students.  By Wednesday, I was in bed with the lights out at 7:45.  Unfortunately I was not sleep till 9 but hey, I will take it!

To keep it short, here is how this week went

Monday: 4 miles, two at tempo.  9:42, 9:29- I am hoping this isn’t JUST because of the roids

Wednesday: 3 mile recovery

Thursday:  7 mile long run @ 11:20 pace - I am so tired I was so surprised by this.  (Shark week also came the next day, TMI- which could be why this was a faster paced run for me)

Saturday: 3 mile recovery with Behn

Sunday: 2.7  I was surprised I made it that far.  It was miserable!  This Florida humidity is truly killing me slowly!

Thats how my week went, how was your week?

This week my students test and we start getting ready for 150 new students in my classes! WooHoo!

This week I also hope to start making plans to go to NY to run this race.  Anyone else plan on being there?

Oh, and happy half birthday to me!

Welcome Toby!

Just three weeks ago we welcomed this handsome child into our lives~

Hi, I am Toby!

If you don't follow me on social media (you should) you would see that I am the crazy cat lady!

One day while changing the name on my drivers license after work I decided it was smart for me to wonder down the block into the local animal shelter.  That was either a stupid or a smart decision.  I wouldn't call myself an animal lover but I would call myself a little crazy.

At the Vet, i am such a good boy.

I am not sure what made me decide to go there, maybe it was the fact that I believed Joey needed a friend, but I went in and looked at the kitties and puppies.  Yup, worst idea EVER!  I want them all and knew that wasn't possible.  I played with one cat that I fell in love with, it actually wasn't Toby.

I love belly rubs

This cat was just brought to the shelter that morning to be released back out because he was feral.  This cat was so loving!  I made Behn meet me at the Shelter on Wednesday incase he was going to be released Thursday, unfortunately when the cat looked at another cat he would hiss.  We didn't know if this was due to stress being in the small cages with so much other activity or because that was him.  We knew we couldn't take the chance with Joey, Behn found a similar (very handsome cat) that we took out and loved on.  This cat's name was Toby.  

When I was thinking about getting another cat I knew I wanted to name it either Toby or Boe because I think it goes with Joey.  Once I was his name I knew we had to get it, and yup he is the newest member of the family.

Joey wasn't immediately a fan of Toby but now they

I may have hip dysphasia but I can get up here! Hi Foot

yea, mom and I are bestie now

are best buddies!!! I know I will blog more about these cuties soon but our family is complete, for now, until I make another trip to the animal rescue.

Clearly up to no good

I've also filled out the paperwork to volunteer but I haven't heard back yet.

Also,

Adopt don't shop.  I promise you I will judge you if you shop, I just won't say anything to your face!

Have you ever adopted a pet?  Have you ever volunteered at a pet rescue?

Why I hired a Run Coach

Hi there!  How was everyones weekend, mine was too short of course and it was depressing knowing it was time to go back to work :(

On Saturday I posted how I was accepted and and mow training for the NYC half Marathon and hired a run coach.

At first I wasn’t sure if I wanted to apply for this, if I was chosen that would mean an added expense this year of flying up, possibly getting a hotel room (I love love love staying with my family but this time I would be with a friend), the endless shopping and eating in New York.  It also meant training again for a half marathon.  

Ever since February I really haven’t enjoyed running.  It began to be a task, the weather was getting warm, and I was burnt out.  Instead I joined orange theory fitness because I liked the way it made me feel, it pushed me outside my comfort zone and I wanted to tone up for the wedding and the cruise.  I lived for going to classes, seeing if I can get my heart rate into the orange zone, how high can I get my calories?.  

I decided to give it a go and once my friend Diana and I were notified we had gotten into the race she contacted our old team in training coach for a plan, she sent that to me and we were ready to go because she is also training for New Orleans half marathon (GO DIANA!)  I know myself and I know I am not accountable. If someone isn’t checking up on me, if I don’t have specific workouts, and paces to hit; it isn’t going to get done and I slack of.  I need specifics, its just me and it's how I work.

I have been reading Abby’s blog for a long time now and followed her running journey, her ups and her downs and it resonated with me.  Abby is very relatable, at least from reading her blog.  I knew she was getting certified to be a run coach and knew she would be the perfect fit for me.  

I was also too scared to ask Coach Steve to make me a plan and coach me again, I feel like I have let him down by not following a plan he made for me when I was supposed to run a race in October.  I didn’t have to heart to run it, I wasn’t prepared, and I knew it wouldn’t make me happy.  I also need some coddling right now.  And, I didn’t want to disappoint him. I also didn’t want to feel obligated to run with a specific group for long runs or speed work.

Abby and I spoke, I sent her my info and the next day she had a plan for me!  I am super excited to start and in my opinion, I rocked the first week!  I love how quickly everything went.  

This is me "stretching" at Disney

Side note, this is why I can't play those games on your phone that need another partner, I can't wait!  

I can’t remember the last time I trained for a stand alone half marathon so running less than 20 miles a week is so weird!  I don’t plan to PR this half marathon because I am not in PR shape, but if I do, hey!!! I definitely plan to use this race to see where I am physically. I want to do Dopey in 2017 (It has been a goal since it was announced)  and after Dopey I hope I can PR having all those extra miles on my legs. - I guess I should start saving.

Here’s to 2016!!!

One Joey picture for good measure!

I will certainly keep you all updated with my training, I am the worst at remembering to take pictures so they may be sparse and hopefully I won’t be too boring!