Running: Now What?

Now what?

A few weeks ago I ran my first half marathon.

Since then I’ve been on a mile a day challenge.

AH!

After that?

Here is my race schedule for the year (I’ll keep updating it).

For my happy girl half I trained my way.

I made my own 12 week training program.  And followed it by my lonesome.

And with the support of my blog friends.  Both training and observing

Now What?

I’m seriously considering joining a training program at the local running store.

I think this will

1.  Make running new and exciting for me.

2.  Motivate me to stick to my schedule.

3.  Help me reach my goal of a sub 2 hour half marathon.

4.  Be a healthy social outlet + new running buddies.

5.  Figure out this “foam rolling” thing.

ALL awesome reasons.

I’ve been skeptical of people with running “coaches” and this would be a “coach” but for me it would be motivation and learning.  Fun, not work.

I think work when I think “coaches”.

Gallaghers is where I’ve been fitted for my shoes and where I bought my Garmin.  They have always been extremely helpful and informative.

Not to mention I bought my awesome super colorful shorts from them (see blog heading pictures).

Love them!

What do you think of “coaches”?

Does that make me too serious of a runner?  I don’t want to lose the fun in running.   But I think I’ll improve more with better support.

How much support do you get with your running?

Quick Update, Hope I don’t die!

YAY!

Tomorrow I’m rafting a new river and am beyond excited.

It’s a class II – III+ which is the same rating the river I normally raft is.

Only I’ve never done this one!

I’m sure I’ll wear my life jacket more than normal (I am not a fan of the life jacket).

Monster is so smooth in his new life jacket.

He will be wearing his jacket 100% of the time.  He can’t swim for anything!

Keep the puppy alive!

We are rafting the McKenzie River from Finn Rock to Helfrich Boat Landing.  I’ve linked all I know about this run for any one interested.

I live right next to the Santiam River and raft from Packsaddle to Mill City A LOT.

I’m a rafting freak.  Same way I’m a skiing freak.

EVERY WEEKEND

If you’re in the Salem direction and want to raft.  Call me (or message) I will take you.  I’d love to take you!

This trip also completes an item on my 29 by 29 list.  (I need to update this list.  I’ve accomplished quite a bit!)

Short post, I’m going to attempt to catch up on READING my favorite blogs.

How did your week go?

Do you like rivers?  Rafting?

Want to come rafting with me?

Blasting My Awesome

Running with music.

I love it!

I am also semi ashamed/not really of my bad taste in music.

Semi am, because I know I get made fun of often for my girlie/nerdy/whateva music.

But because I know MANY other people (I hope ) have similar tastes as mine.

I’m sharing some of my FAVORITE RUNNING MUSIC!

Do you like ANY of my songs?

I won’t cry if you don’t.

What are your favorite running songs?

Are you more hardcore than me?

Planning Ahead for a Healthy Week

Dear World,

This week I will be attending a work conference all week long.

Have you ever starved at a conference?

Or did it include donuts?  Soda?  Meals?

This one will.

I know.  I ordered the food.

I also made sure a salad is included with EVERY SINGLE MEAL.

I’m sure the room of burger and pizza loving men will love this.

I’m going to start every morning with a delicious, healthy smoothie on my drive.

THEN COMPLETELY SKIP ALL DONUTS!

Completely.

Once again I have a surplus of bananas = (frozen bananas + frozen strawberries + oatmeal + coconut milk) x Magic Bullet

Sorry for the complex mathematical equations.

Then pick the healthy options for lunch and dinner.  Paired with the magic of portion control I should do just fine.

36 Day Challenge!

I’m going to run before work every day.  30 minutes, should be about three miles.  I may be running naked so I don’t stress out about my slow morning pace.

 

Thesis:

Healthy Week = (Eating Smart + Morning Jogs) x5

Do you think I can prove my thesis this week?

Do you like math?

You can tell by my advanced formulas and awesome thesis I do

How do you plan on staying healthy this week?

Do you do extra planning when you know circumstances will make it more difficult to make healthy choices?

What’s your goal for the week?

New Facebook Page!

Happy Weekend!

I started out my weekend with a quick mile then B timed a plank for me.

…I’m not going to tell you how long it lasted.  I have room for improvement.

New Page!

I am just stopping to check in and share my new facebook page with you all!

I am planning on sharing motivational quotes, pictures, recipes, fitness and weight loss ideas.

…so not boring, wordy blog posts but different fun stuff!

Follow along!

Do you have a FB page for your blog?

Do you spend more time on FB or blogging?  Pinterest?

THE INTERNET IS SO ADDICTING!!!  Lets go outside!

Foodie Friday: Mason Jar Salad

Finally! I’ve been hinting at my lunch prep all week!

I would have shared earlier but I only cooked once this week!

I love Mason Jar Salads and decided to make 5 for the week.

I was semi worried my lettuce wouldn’t hold up, but no worries it’s looking great!

…and tasty fresh!

Ingredients:

5 mason jars
7.5 oz chicken
Canned chiles
Can of corn
Can of pinto beans
Salsa
Greek yogurt, plain I used about a Tbsp/jar
1/2 sweet onion
Head of lettuce

I started with chicken I used 1.5 oz for the salad. I just started weighing chicken and was pleasantly surprised with how much chicken I got for 1.5 oz.

Chiles through yogurt

Onions, must have.

Top with lettuce!

Today’s salad!

Planning my last bite.

Weird?

As I’ve mentioned before. I used to just eat the toppings.

Now I eat my lettuce first (filling, healthy).

And finish with the toppings!

Trying to get a little of the best stuff for a grand finale!

Smart?

I think so.

My salads were 200 calories of health.

Assemble yours how you like them!

Have you tried the mason jar salad?

What’s better? Lettuce or toppings?

Do you have any quirky eating habits?

Busy Lady, Cakes, Dogs and Work

1. I am way behind on the blogs I read. I’m still a loyal follower…but it’s been hit or miss.

2. Work is hectic.  Next week I have a conference that we’ve been preparing for all year.  So I may be behind for another week.

Monster Park Date

Recently Monster’s park play has been limited by leashes.

Today we finally got a dog park date with Abby.

Pink Cake!

I was supposed to make a gender revel cake today…but somebody ruined the surprise.

So a pink cake it is!

36 Day Challenge

I am sticking to my goals, the weekdays are easy!

But I’d like to see more running than walking!

3 miles down (walking/parking) now off to Zumba!

And Kat fixed my flops!

Does your work have busy seasons or slow seasons?

What’s your favorite summer activity?