Runner's High

Freezing before the race

In Corral 19...way back there!

Almost to the start line

Alright, I'm hooked! :)  I had so much fun today running 13.1 miles in my first half marathon! I ran the 2013 St. Louis Rock and Roll Marathon in downtown St. Louis. The weather was freezing, which I wasn't quite prepared for. I get hot easily and thought I would be fine in my tank. When I realized it wasn't going to warm up past 32 degrees at 10am, I grabbed a long sleeve running top too. It worked out and I shed that layer at the 4 mile mark. I felt really good the entire time. At around mile 5, 8 and 10 I was bothered by my ankle, but I tried to shrug that away mentally. That worked pretty well, because I felt great coming in at mile 12 and 13.

My goal was to run the whole time, and I did it! I really underestimated myself, since I thought I would finish in about 3 hours and instead I completed in 2 and a half hours. YEA! Next time (yes, there will be a next time!) I hope to beat my time and sprint in the last half mile or so (instead of the last 20 yards). I am really excited about this new passion and hope to run more half marathons in the future, which I think is a great sign as to how the race went.

I also realized how many people were there for me and cheering me on and praying for me. That meant so much!! Especially Tom, who got up early, drove me down and managed to follow me with the camera!

Mile 4

The numbers:

• Finished in 2:30:46, which gave me a 11:31 overall split
• My 5K time: 32:54
• My 10 K time: 1:09:30
• My 10 mile time: 1:54:59

The Finish Line

All wrapped up, it was cold afterwards!

With my medal

-

Enjoying the concert by Atlas Genius and ready for lunch!

We'll see where my next Half Marathon leads me!

Been Out for a Run

I have no reason for my lack of posting recently, except that I have been busy RUNNING! I've set a big goal that I have been wanting to attain for awhile. Tomorrow, I will be running my first half marathon! I'm excited and nervous about running the 13.1 miles. I'm trying to psych myself up for it...I know my body can do it...now just my mind needs to get in the game!

A little motivation:

I can't wait to post about how it went!

The 12 Minute Work Out

Tom shared this interesting study with me about how 12 minutes of high intensity workouts, even at a low volume, can reduce cholesterol and fat successfully. The 16 minutes work outs were even better, but still at a manageable time limit.

This is so surprising to me, but refreshing too. In my mind, a workout should be 1-1 1/2 hours long! I know. Ridiculous! But that's what I did in high school and college and I was in great shape (not surprising I guess, considering the time I spent at the gym.) So, now, I feel this pressure to work out for a long time. But you know what happens? I get so overwhelmed by not working out long enough that I just DON'T work out at all. So silly. And not at all healthy.

So, all that to say, I can handle 12 minutes, or even 16 minutes! It is so do-able! Here's my plan I've been following (keep in mind: high intensity):

16 Minutes to Fitness

2 minutes of bosu ball burpees

2 minutes of jump rope

2 minutes of side steps with resistance band

2 minutes of pylometric jacks

2 minutes of push ups

2 minutes of regular burpees

2 minutes of mountain climbers

2 minute plank

Stretch!

Here's my oh-so-fabulous gym I belong to:

Fooled ya! It's my basement and it USUALLY doesn't have wood in the middle of it. 

And guess what? Once I do my 16 minutes, then I wind up stretching and wanting to do more exercises because my adrenaline is going and I feel great. In the end, I'm working out for a solid 30 minutes, which I feel pretty dang good about. [Because let's face it, you only have time for hour and a half work outs when you are in college. I mean, I had to squeeze them in between studying and playing intramural football and hanging out and getting my meals cooked for me and having dance parties and studying and talking and sleeping. Rough life!]

Here's to 12 minutes of fitness!

To Run or Not to Run?!

I think I'm feeling ill. I am *considering* running a half marathon this fall. I could go either way right now.

PROS:
-force me to stay in shape/get in shape
-I set a goal to do this last spring and should follow through
-accomplish a bucket list item

CONS:

-really, do I need to say anything here!? I used the word marathon, that should be enough.
-extensive amount of time it takes to train
-I would have to run a lot.
-expensive [my main justification, because let's be honest--those other cons are just excuses]

We'll see. I mean, I should just go for it, right? Now or never! My feet hurt already.

This is what I'm considering: St Louis Rock and Roll Marathon

I'll keep you posted!

Summer Bucket List

Each summer I make a list of all my to-do's of what I need and should accomplish for the summer. Sometimes most of the time I don't finish everything. For a to-do-list-loving-person like me, that calls for some serious disappointment, but I try to not get toO hung up on it. My list usually morphs as the summer goes and items come up or disappear. What is on my list this summer?

Summer Bucket List:

 Make a special memory gift for my niece's 18^th birthday
Paint back door blue
Lose 10 pounds...aka work out and eat healthy
 Watch all 9 seasons of The Office
 See The Great Gatsby at the movie theater  Just saw it today, it was fabulous!

 Scrapbook/make photo albums for:

o  Yellowstone Vacacation (3 years ago)

o  DR vacation (2 years ago)

o  Pictures from our House (home improvement projects, etc.)

 See The Bling Ring 

 Go to the zoo
 Organize the basement

 Simplify clothes

 Read 3 books:

               o  Finish Sense and Sensibilty

               o  Memoir I ordered: Waiting For Daisy

               o  the first Harry Potter book (I've never read them!)

 Go to a [free] concert: Josh Turner

   

     I counted yesterday that I have 8 weeks left of summer...it goes so fast! Hopefully I can do all this, and more!  

Already Reminiscing

Yes. I'm back to reminisce about my students whom I miss. Already. You would too if you knew how cute and smart and sweet and kind and creative they are!!

We made this video during the last of school together. It's a "brain break" or, I heard recently, a "Brain Booster", which really is a more accurate description. Each day we take a few minutes as we transition from Language Arts to Math to move--get energy out, wake up a bit, get our minds going--and then quickly settle back down into our work. It works like a charm! I had a very energetic group this year, and they truly benefited from our brain breaks. In fact, if we skipped it on accident, we all felt it! Plus, it promotes being active and healthy! Bonus!

They each had an opportunity to choreograph their own dance move. Then, we learned everyone's move and performed. It was the best day! 

Enjoy!

I'm rather fond of walking...

I realized I think more clearly when I walk. Walking the dog is my therapy. It used to be running, but I’ve gotten a bit out of shape and, let's be honest: more lazy. And, in my defense, this is better for the dog. Always thinking of Maggie, really! 

Walking and thinking and listening to this song does a body and soul good. I just wish I could write while walking and thinking, because my thoughts are always so much more coherent and organized and well put when they are in my head then. Oh well, sorry! 

I recently watched one of my all-time favorite movies, Pride and Prejudice, and it reminded me of Lizzie: “I’m rather fond of walking.” Sometimes I wish I lived in a place and time where walking for hours was just life, true to need and reality. I think I might be a healthier and happier person.

Recipe: Bran Muffins

I'm trying really hard to make good choices [first grade teacher lingo] when it comes to healthy eating. I love food, but I don't love gaining weight from all the yummy eating!  So, I'm trying to commit to cooking and creating some healthy recipes. My inspiration came from a muffin mix from the back of a Baker's Corner (shout out to Aldi!) Dry Milk container, and then I make some adaptations. Here is my FIRST ever self-created healthy recipe:

Apple Bran Muffins 

(Let's be honest, bran just sounds disgusting, doesn't it? I was pleasantly surprised!) 

Ingredients:

1 cup wheat flour

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1 cup applesauce

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup instant nonfat dry milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 large egg

2 cups bran cereal

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or use paper liners. Combine all ingredients, except bran, into a bowl and mix well. Add the bran and stir until moistened. Spoon into prepared muffin cups, filling 2/3 full.

Bake for 12-15 minutes to until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm.

Served  best warm with a *little* bit of butter. Cheers to healthy eating! Any ideas for further substitutions?