When to throw it out the window

So for this upcoming race, I've decided to throw my training plan out the window, kind of. I originally wanted to run a couple races before Robie to help give me my grand number of 14 races. I will not be running the two races before Robie. Robie Creek is a beast and I want to make sure I have fresh legs. I got injured the last time I raced extreme hills and I want to make sure that doesn't happen again.

For Christmas I got The Runners World Big Book of Marathon and Half Marathon Training. I have almost read all of it and it was really helpful in learning and understanding the fundamentals of running. This is where I picked my training plan to start with, and they have some really good ones in here.

Like I said before, I am switching out speed for hills, but I am also going to play with the mileage. My body hasn't really been eased into running high mileage per week. I've decided that I will keep my shorter runs between 3 and 4 miles. My weekly mileage for this first race will range from 14 miles (last weeks mileage), and the highest will be in a couple weeks with 23 miles. I am working on/doing research on what I should be doing between my races, as June and July are looking pretty busy.

I love following training plans, but I end up getting a little obsessive and negative when I miss a work out. This does nothing for the training process, and quite frankly it makes me not want to race. I will be setting up mini goals each week which will have my workouts I need to complete. There will be no days or dates tied to the workouts. That way I've still planned workouts but still have wiggle room for when life happens. Here's what this week looks like:

Know what else I throw out the window?! Matching socks! I hate that part of the laundry, so I got into this nasty habit of throwing them in bags so I can sort them later. Sunday I caved - they were overflowing, and I realized I needed to stop being a lazy housewife. I matched as many as I could, and downsized to a small bags one for me and one for MMR :)

I have some serious spanish homework and a Papa Murphys Pizza calling my name (thank goodness for college coupons and pennies in the couch cushions because I did not want to cook tonight). Adios!

Baked goods with your motivation monday

Happy Monday! I hope you have a great start to the week. I am really excited it's March, that means we are one more month closer to summer, and it's officially spring in 18 days. That means I can start to wear anything other than boots, right?! And maybe get a run in when it's not wintery conditions?!

Last night I baked some PB&J muffins. I had some bananas that were starting to turn so I decided to use them. These muffins smell and taste just like you are eating a PB&J sandwich. Good thing the recipe made so many, MMR and I are already fighting over them.

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Weekly dose of motivation. These quotes I found really speak to the type of week I want to have:

 The theme of this week. My long run was so hard yesterday it really reminded me that I need to be 100% dedicated or I will be doing double the work.

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School and work has been keeping me pretty busy lately. Every time I finish something, I think of another something to do. Running and working out is my time for me.

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It's so easy to live in the past. This week I'm going to try and remember that each day is new, and to have a grateful heart. 

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This is something I have started reminding myself when my  workouts get tough. The hardest battle is your mind. When I am running and my legs start to get uncomfortable I just keep reminding myself of my goals and its a little easier to push through.

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What are some of your Monday routines?

Coffee/breakfast/me time, work, school, gym, nighttime festivities - AKA hang out with MMR and work on homework.

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Napping on Saturday - I very rarely take naps. It gave me the motivation to work out.

What is your goal for the week?

Get all the laundry done, I have about 6 loads or so left. I hate when I let it pile up. Complete a full weeks worth of work outs. Three runs, yoga, and cross training.

It's all about being random

So this one is going to be all over the place. I had quite the productive day today. I made some money, gained some knowledge and pumped those endorphins. On my 4 miler today I thought about how AWESOME the month of February is going to be and it starts in just 3 days.

The Super Bowl is Sunday in case you have been under that rock. Growing up I use to BEG my parents to let me stay up through half-time. One thing I love about living on the West Coast, the game is on so much earlier! Then after the Superbowl its the OLYMPICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know if you know this, but I am OBSESSED with the Olympics.  For the summer game I brought my laptop to work so I could stream the events. GO TEAM USA!!

I had 4 miles in the training plan today and I really wanted to run outside, but mother nature had different plans. It started snowing sometime during class and it felt like the tempuratures dropped 10 degrees. What I'm actually trying to say is that I am a wuss and moved my run to the treadmill. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and as always it was worth it. I wore my favorite crops ever today. I wish I had gotten them in every color especially because some of the went on sale.

It kinda looks like I got punched in the face but I didn't I was just really warm and walking out of the gym.

Yesterday I forgot to post a progress shot from my bathroom. Here are the before pictures, and then after of the one wall. I bought both canvases from Home Goods a long time ago. I have the frames hung on the other wall but I need to run to pick up the pictures I ordered.  Considering they've been ready since Sunday afternoon I will need to pick those up tomorrow!

Now I'm off to do the dishes and get some sleep, I have another long busy day tomorrow - Unit then!! 

How to Set Goals With a Dose of Motivation

Oh Monday - the brightside of Monday's are that it is the beginning of a whole new week.

This week is going to be another busy one, we both have a couple tests, and we are getting out of town this weekend.

Since time change on Sunday it now gets dark around 4:30. That is so early!! I honestly think this is the only complaint I have of living here. It makes the days seem so short, but then so long when it's only 8:00 and it looks like the middle of the night.

This morning I felt very discouraged. I had a not so good run last night, and this morning my heel just really really ached.  I'm frustrated because I know I need to take it easier this week, but I just don't really want to. I just felt defeated. I am terrible at running on the treadmill. I woke up this morning to almost 3 inches of snow (dramatic I know). I just started thinking ahead of how long winter is going to be and how hard and unfun running will become for me if I have to spend all 32 weeks of winter running on a treadmill. Enter in my goals for the week:

I picked these goals because always having a positive outlook on life/week/situation makes it easier. My running goal is staying on track because I think taking 4 out of my 5 runs this week on the pavement/gravel that I am use to should really help, including my long run. No more long runs on the treadmill. I also need need need to get all my laundry done. It is my least favorite chore and has been backed up for weeks now.

That is the only time this week I am going to get down on myself. Negative thinking can really derail you. On the positive side I am thankful for the seasons. This one is kinda cheesy so grab some chips, or a tissue. For me the seasons bring change, refreshment, and excitement. I am the type of person that loves subtle changes in short increments. Winter brings the Holiday's (my first and second favorite), new activities - I love skiing - the end of the year. Each season has something to look forward too! Seeing as winter made it's appearance I'm looking forward to what the season has to offer.

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What are your goals for the week?!