6 Weeks To Go

There's 6 weeks to go and here's what in store for this week:

Mon, Mar 7 - Xtrain: 50 min Pilates

Tue, Mar 8 - Xtrain: Pilates, Easy 5 miles

Wed, Mar 9 - 8 miles speed work
Thu, Mar 10 - Xtrain: Yoga or Pilates, Xtrain: Zumba
Fri,  Mar 11 - Xtrain: Pilates, easy 7 mile run

Sat,  Mar 12 - 16-17 miles (weather permitting)

Sun, Mar 13 - Easy 3 miles

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

I did it...all 21 miles - and it was awesome!  Alright, I'll be honest, it wasn't all rainbows and puppy dogs, and I'm pretty sure I shouted the f-word a few times as I skidded across the icy, snow covered sidewalks.

Man, I gotta tell ya, not only was that test of physical strength and endurance, but it was just as much a mental challenge. I don't listen to music when I run, so it's just me, my thoughts, and whatever crappy song gets stuck in my head. Case in point: Eminem's "Love The Way You Lie." And because I only know the first half of the first verse, I sang "Just gonna stand there and watch me burn, but that's alright because I like the way it hurts" over and over and over. Please make it stop!  I've never heard such a victorious sound as that of my Garmin watch alerting me when I finally reached mile 21.  V-i-c-t-o-r-y!

So, that's that.  Time to move on and focus on the next run.  But first things first - recovery!

Here a link to my Garmin-recorded route:

21 miles - count it down!

I have no desire to do a 21-mile run this weekend. It's cold, wet, windy and I flat-out don't want to. Alright, I know what you're thinkin...  "Just suck it up and get out there!"  Yeh, easy for you to say.  :)  Care to join me?

Here it is, the daunting 21-miles that awaits:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4327731

Wish me luck!

Oh Sleep, How I've Missed You

It's a miracle... I actually got the full, recommended 8 hours of sleep last night and then sneaked in a 2-hour nap this afternoon. Oh, sleep... how I've missed you. Having averaged only 5 hours or less of zzzs each night this past week, I've turned into a cranky, frustrated psychopath.  It's reeked havoc on my mood, self-esteem, concentration, and overall productivity.

So, why do they recommend getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night? Oh, there are so many reasons. For example, lack of sleep can lower your immune system and put you at a higher risk of getting catching a cold or virus. Studies have also linked prolonged sleep deprivation to high morality rates. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that "insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, depression and anxiety."  The list goes on and on.

So, to make the most out of your time spent recharging, they suggest the following:

• Maintain regular sleeping hours
• Avoid caffeine 10 hours before going to bed
• Avoid large meals or excessive exercise right before bed
• Create a relaxing sleeping environment that is a comfortable temperature and plenty dark
• Remove all computers, TVs and other electronic devices from the bedroom

Well, on that cheery note, I think I'm going to make it my personal goal to get more sleep - at least 7 hours or more - no matter what.  I challenge you to do that same!

The Week in Review

Another typical week...nothing too exciting to report. Monday, I took the night off of running to do some strength training - pilates in the morning and yoga after work.  I also walked a bit on the treadmill to keep the legs loose.  Tuesday, I ran a kick-ass 9-miler from work to campus. It was chalk full of hills and some speed work. By Wednesday, I was starting to slow down a bit. Lack of sleep and motivation made my 5 miler on the mill seem like eternity.  On Thursday, I went to Zumba after work and fulfilled my cardio for the day. Friday, I squeezed in a quick 5 miler and some pilates before work. But by Friday night, I was in rough shape. The lack of sleep made me quite moody and the questionable leftover food just about did me in. Fortunately, I was able to get a good nights rest Friday night, so that I was up for an 8 mile run and some yoga today. I'm nervous for my big 21 miler tomorrow. Fingers crossed!  I'll be looking forward to seeing Mattie at mile 14.

On the Grid

I finally got a new charger for my Garmin watch, so I'm back on the grid.  Last night, I used my Garmin to track my speed, distance, heart rate, elevation changes, and more.

Here are some details from my run:

Time:	01:12:53
Moving Time:	01:12:21
Elapsed Time:	01:13:38

Avg Pace:	08:05 min/mi
Avg Moving Pace:	08:01 min/mi
Best Pace:	06:17 min/mi

Elevation Gain:	516 ft
Elevation Loss:	703 ft
Min Elevation:	850 ft
Max Elevation:	1,080 ft

Avg HR:	157 bpm
Max HR:	174 bpm

Here's a link to my route with additional information and cool maps/graphs/charts:

I Run for Starbucks

Tonight, I ran a fast 9-miler with an assortment of hills – finishing in just over 1 hour and 10 minutes.  I started out from my work at around 5:50pm, taking Potomac Ave to Odana, then east to Tokay Blvd, north on Midvale, east on Mineral Point, north on Westminster, past Hoyt Park and onto Regent. From there I headed north on Highland to the UW Hospital where I ran into Marty, who had just started her walk home from work.  I’m pretty sure I freaked her out with my verbal diarrhea and overly enthusiastic chatting.  We’ll blame the “runners-high” on that one.  After a brief and awkward exchange of words, I continued on, past the Lakeshore dorms, up the dreaded Observatory Hill, and then down Bascom Hill.  From there I did two loops around the ‘block’, going up the monstrous hill on Charter and then down Bascom again. To top ‘er off, I ran up Bascom two more times, then slowed it down on the way to Starbucks where I met Mattie and was greeted with a piping hot, delicious hot chocolate!  Mmm. 

That's me, enjoy a piping hot, delicious hot chocolate
from Starbucks on State Street

My cool down took us up State Street for a few more blocks to Amy’s Café, where we enjoyed a fast and tasty dinner.  I got a huge chipotle chicken sandwich, of which I could only finish half before reaching that uncomfortably-full state. 

All-in-all, it was a successful, empowering run and worthy of a 'confidence builder' status.

Here's a link to my route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4321644