tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34660894492178731472024-03-13T13:40:25.742-04:00Bananas and ToastLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-52605256037824226902013-03-10T20:18:00.002-04:002013-03-10T20:18:26.997-04:00Training Week #3 of 42<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This week was... challenging to say the least. We've bumped up to 80 hour weeks at work until we file (which is March 25th) and at this point, it's all I can do to work til 1am, crawl home, get in bed, and wake up to get back to work. so I'm making an executive decision that for the next 2 weeks until we file, I will be running only. No cross training, or strength training. 2 weeks will not kill me to lay off the "extras" but trying to do everything on 5 hours of sleep a night might cause me to crack.<br />
<br />
That being said, this week was still a success in my book, although it was a cutback week and those are always easier to do :)<br />
<br />
Monday - Spin Class (as planned)<br />
Tuesday - 5 miles (as planned)<br />
Wednesday - 5 miles (as planned)<br />
Thursday & Friday - unintentional rest days - I worked til 1am both nights and just needed to sleep in the next morning<br />
Saturday - 10.71 miles hills in clermont @ 10:45 pace - super strong! Felt great....<br />
Sunday - 5 miles at... get this.... 8:07 average pace, last mile was sub-8. I'm getting so fast and it's amazing. I know 8 minutes a mile might seem to slow to a lot of you, but for me, that's a 5k pace and I'm super proud of it.<br />
<br />
Some highlights (in pictures) from this week. Oh, AND as soon as freaking busy season is over I will be catching up on blogs (2 weeks!) I feel like a terrible blogger, I barely have time to post my own nonetheless read others eeeeks. I miss catching up.<br />
<br />
Anyway yeah, picture highlights.<br />
<br />
Received Ultrarunning in mail (always motivating) and I posted this pic earlier this week;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLuoc03rKD4/UTqGOrBQhsI/AAAAAAAAEsM/qn0zuLRHnPQ/s1600/blogger-image--1830188190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLuoc03rKD4/UTqGOrBQhsI/AAAAAAAAEsM/qn0zuLRHnPQ/s1600/blogger-image--1830188190.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What I didn't mention was that look near the back of the magazine in an article about Peanut Island...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qni0kzQ4sPU/UT0h1GnVBKI/AAAAAAAAEsY/yTcqnRS68-g/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qni0kzQ4sPU/UT0h1GnVBKI/AAAAAAAAEsY/yTcqnRS68-g/s1600/photo.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Finisher #29 - that's me :) 37 miles baby!!! Yes I was 3rd from last but whatever I finished!!! :D</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1N7F6MBEQ90/UT0iXftLBMI/AAAAAAAAEso/JMWwRXkzK2E/s1600/photo3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1N7F6MBEQ90/UT0iXftLBMI/AAAAAAAAEso/JMWwRXkzK2E/s1600/photo3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Boyfriend and I celebrated one year together by a late-night dinner at Capital Grille (after working all Saturday in the office of course :D) and then spent the night at Peabody hotel! He treats me like a princess...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFzUwiQVEVg/UT0ipdTQB8I/AAAAAAAAEsw/vnkvwuMkI9A/s1600/photo4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFzUwiQVEVg/UT0ipdTQB8I/AAAAAAAAEsw/vnkvwuMkI9A/s1600/photo4.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tried "brown rice" couscous as a pre-long-run meal... it was yummy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-89358797910652451842013-03-08T19:45:00.001-05:002013-03-08T19:45:47.237-05:00In the Mail...Getting this in the mail makes me a happy girl :-) <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XLuoc03rKD4/UTqGOrBQhsI/AAAAAAAAEsI/aHHzoJx1k-4/s640/blogger-image--1830188190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XLuoc03rKD4/UTqGOrBQhsI/AAAAAAAAEsI/aHHzoJx1k-4/s640/blogger-image--1830188190.jpg" /></a></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-78647636762897148592013-03-03T21:11:00.000-05:002013-03-03T21:11:00.077-05:00Training Week #2 of 42<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The "tired" phase is starting to ease into the "wow I can really start seeing results and this is exciting" phase. I felt so strong this week, paces that used to feel like speedwork feel easy. Hills are feeling "natural" to me and spin classes no longer leave me worried that I'm going to fall down the stairs due to my quads giving out on me after. Things are good :)<br />
<br />
Just in time for a cutback week this week! Yayyy I can't wait. 25 miles will be nice.<br />
<br />
Here's how this week went down;<br />
<br />
Monday - Rest<br />Tuesday - 5 Miles - Medium Effort<br />Wednesday - 7 Miles - Medium Effort<br />Thursday - Corework (w/weights) and Lunges (w/weights)<br />Friday - Rest<br />Saturday - Speedwork! 5 miles at 8:30/mile pace<br />Sunday - Hills - Hard Effort - 13 miles at a 10:30/mile pace<br />
<br />
Elevation map from today..... total elevation gain 1,300 feet. Hello San Francisco I'm coming for you!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gObmqiZivtE/UTQCf2s4i4I/AAAAAAAAEr4/O3vF3z7HkxY/s1600/Clermont+3-3-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gObmqiZivtE/UTQCf2s4i4I/AAAAAAAAEr4/O3vF3z7HkxY/s1600/Clermont+3-3-2013.jpg" height="290" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-3053633512992398812013-02-26T08:09:00.000-05:002013-02-26T08:09:24.823-05:00Training Week #1 of 42 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This was week #1 of training for Ancient Oaks 100-mile Endurance Run in December (keep in mind the date hasn't been set yet so the week # may change when it is).<br />
<br />
I feel great, if not really really tired. The week went down like this;<br />
<br />
Monday - 45 min on the elliptical. Training plan said "spin class" but after the half marathon on Sunday, I was wiped so I opted for this instead. The goal is "cardio" so I feel like this was a success. Also added 10 minutes of corework.<br />
<br />
Tuesday - 5 mile run @ 10:10/pace - felt tired, but good to get out there. This is my first real experiment into "active recovery" rather than just taking time off so the transition is definitely.. tiring. Also added 15 minutes of "real" corework with weights this night. I was sore for days - score!<br />
<br />
Wednesday - 7 mile run @ 9:19/pace - started to feel good again and this was a strong run. Surprised myself by realizing that "active recovery" works :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yH7UKZ5VZ-4/USuCddBGEvI/AAAAAAAAEq0/5UQN2rR-A88/s1600/7+Miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yH7UKZ5VZ-4/USuCddBGEvI/AAAAAAAAEq0/5UQN2rR-A88/s1600/7+Miles.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thursday - Spin Class - 'nuff said</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Friday - Rest Day</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Saturday - 10 mile run @ 10:49/mile pace in the Clermont Hills! This run felt so strong and I was so happy with it given that I was sure I was going to feel super tired from the week's workouts. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbbQOnItcE4/USuC-lfNQuI/AAAAAAAAEq8/-XD5LjL5Qwk/s1600/hills-pace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbbQOnItcE4/USuC-lfNQuI/AAAAAAAAEq8/-XD5LjL5Qwk/s1600/hills-pace.jpg" height="320" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p3bvdyWlO_0/USuC_APPa7I/AAAAAAAAErE/cMKpEsBoOm8/s1600/hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p3bvdyWlO_0/USuC_APPa7I/AAAAAAAAErE/cMKpEsBoOm8/s1600/hills.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Check out that elevation! :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sunday - 6 Mile Run at a 9:19/pace. My legs were sore from Saturday, did NOT feel like running. Even talked to a friend to try to get her to tell me it was okay not to run. Thank goodness she told me to go do it. This run felt amazing after the 1st mile. And 9:19 felt easy after yesterday's hills. Score :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7wyneNvJmFk/USuDTmRkBwI/AAAAAAAAErM/8qUIIbE4IQA/s1600/Garmin+Pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7wyneNvJmFk/USuDTmRkBwI/AAAAAAAAErM/8qUIIbE4IQA/s1600/Garmin+Pic.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Overall, it was a great week, strong training week and I'm ready now for week #2. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">284 Days - 19 Hours - 29 Minutes - 12 Seconds Until AO 2013</span></b></div>
</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-12241045421175824232013-02-19T22:48:00.003-05:002013-02-19T22:48:50.925-05:00The first step..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The first step to learning how to train your body to run 100 miles is learning how to train your body to recover, quickly.<br />
<br />
The only way your body (or my body in this case) is going to be able to withstand the constant stress I'm asking it to undergo is teaching it how to recover, quickly, and giving it everything it needs to do so, so that when I wake up the next morning I have the energy and physical ability to get back out there.<br />
<br />
I've never been one to like stretching or foam rolling or ice bathing (well actually I do like ice baths but that's a different story). I'd much rather get home, shower, and go on about my other daily non-running life. The 15 minutes it would take to truly "recover" after a run never seemed like 15 minutes I had to give.<br />
<br />
Now, after my runs, I'm getting to spend nice quality time with these guys;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7oe3muwLvU/USRG1vYNrNI/AAAAAAAAEqI/hwmQt-rf8UI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7oe3muwLvU/USRG1vYNrNI/AAAAAAAAEqI/hwmQt-rf8UI/s1600/photo.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Along with a lot more water (and less diet coke) and some stretching. I was told I have 30 minutes to properly recover from a long run or else I 'lose' the next days' run. I'm trying to keep that in mind. I've got 30 minutes post run to do everything I can to make the next day a success. Each day counts, every mile counts, every step, every minute, every effort counts.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">290 days, 7 hours, 12 minutes and 5 seconds until AO2013.</span></b><br />
<br />
Make it count!<br />
<br />
p.s. I know I'm behind on blogs, I'm sorry! We're in busy season and it's taking everything I have just to work 12-14 hours a day and still get in my runs! I'll catch up this weekend :D<br />
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-7237873324671384962013-02-16T13:26:00.001-05:002013-02-16T13:40:36.700-05:00100 miles<br />
So I may have signed up for a 100 mile race.<br />
<br />
Correction, I definitely submitted my name for entry into the 2013 Ancient Oaks Endurance Run. That’s right, 100 miles. 100 miles over roots/sand/dirt and other lovely things. 100 miles of beautiful green oak trees, turtles, armadillos, and giant banana spiders.<br />
<br />
Ancient Oaks – December 2013.<br />
<br />
To prepare for this endeavor I had a 60 minute phone consultation with an ultra running coach to go over my history and whether or not she thinks it’s even realistic. The result of that phone conversation led me to say, yes, it’s realistic. Not only is it realistic but I’m going for it, 100%. I am going to run 100 miles this December and it’s going to be at the Ancient Oaks 100 in Titusville, Florida.<br />
<br />
There’s so much I want to write about this, but there are two things that struck me in terms of seeming to be of the utmost importance. The first is a reflection and the second is an action.<br />
<br />
The reflection…<br />
<br />
On the phone, the coach asked me why I wanted to run 100 miles. I had a billion reasons in my head but at the moment I couldn’t seem to formulate one. There was nothing concrete, just a knowing of this is what I want to do. But her question spurred me to really think about it over the last week.<br />
<br />
The Umstead 100’s (another 100 miler) website has a guide for first time 100 milers (<a href="http://www.umstead100.org/First%20100.doc">http://www.umstead100.org/First%20100.doc</a>). The guide states the following;<br />
<br />
<i>First, you should examine deep inside of yourself to decide if you have the determination and perseverance necessary to train for and then run a 100 mile race. This is not an undertaking for the faint hearted or those who are not willing to endure pain, suffering and many lonely miles of training. There is no dishonor in simply being a marathoner; less than one percent of all Americans have attained that achievement. Second, do you have the time to commit to the effort? Take the time you devoted to training for a marathon and easily double it. Think of your family, will they support you in this time and energy consuming undertaking? On the plus side, ultra running tends to be a big family undertaking. Many families combine ultra events with family vacations. Third, take on the challenge only for the personal satisfaction you will realize by success, for 99% of ultra runners that is all there is at the attainment of the goal. If you are still with me, you are ready to begin a journey that will culminate in your achieving what will be one of the most satisfying moments you will experience in life. It is an honor that no one can give you. It is an achievement that must be attained the old fashion way; you alone must earn it. </i><br />
<br />
Again, that question of why. After mulling it over for the past 4 days I’ve come to this realization. I am a person of extremes. I like dichotomies. I like being the one who “beat the odds” the one who “shouldn’t have made it”. I’ve gotten into so much trouble in my life doing things that really should have permanently messed up my life, and yet, here I am, with a successful career and a healthy body at 23. It makes no sense. I like that. I like not making sense, in a good way. So I suppose it was only natural when I started running that I’d tend toward the extreme. From 3 weeks after my first run, I had my sights set on a marathon. Before I ever crossed the line of my first marathon I had my sites set on a 50 miler, and before I ever even signed up for my first ultra, I knew that the 100 was where I belonged. It’s strange, almost like being homesick for a place you’ve never lived, but that’s what it’s like. I can’t wait to be “home” when I finish 100 miles in December. That is where I belong. Don’t think this makes any sense? That’s the point :-)<br />
<br />
So in conclusion, I want to run 100 miles because it doesn’t make any logical sense, and as such, makes perfect sense for me. I can’t wait to reach that realm of the unknown, where your physical strength is gone and by all accounts you shouldn’t be able to go on, and yet you do, because… well… you just do. And you finish, when you shouldn’t, but you do. This is me. This is who I’ve always been, and who I’ll always be, and I like that. No, I love that about myself. <br />
<br />
The action…<br />
<br />
So now that I answered the question of “why” the next most important question is “how”? How does one go from running a marathon (or 37 miles in my case) to 100? Herein lies a lot of questions I have no answer to. My 60 minute phone conversation this past week answered a few of them, the most basic ones but if I were to guess, I’d say I have a very long 10 months in front of me of answering the “how” part. She (the coach) did give me one very good tip however that I’ve already started applying and that will stay with me throughout my training the next 10 months.<br />
<br />
I asked her when I should start training for this thing, how long a typical 100 mile training plan is. Without hesitation she said “tomorrow morning, start tomorrow morning”. I kind of laughed and she responded with “I don’t mean you need to go out and run 100 miles tomorrow, but you need to make that mental switch now. You need start wrapping your head around 100 miles at this point in time, you need to push the envelope in every area of your life. Push yourself longer, and harder than you previously would. You need to get used to being tired, and uncomfortable. You need to develop the grit that will get you through when your body can’t, and that starts now.”<br />
<br />
So, THAT starts now. I have a half marathon tomorrow. Normally that would mean I would take today off. I didn’t…. even though I know I can’t run if I want to perform well tomorrow, I DID do a spin class. And then I threw in 15 minutes of corework after for the hell of it.<br />
<br />
It starts now.....<br />
<br />
And on that note, I changed the background of my phone to this (somewhat of a paraphrase of what she said to me on the phone as well as a little addition of my own, a message to myself)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xutN33kxQLM/UR_OGapOTKI/AAAAAAAAEpc/8IIWh_Qdhws/s1600/Background.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xutN33kxQLM/UR_OGapOTKI/AAAAAAAAEpc/8IIWh_Qdhws/s1600/Background.PNG" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-89419817002830636672013-02-06T08:21:00.002-05:002013-02-06T08:21:34.464-05:00First Attempt at Solo Strength Training (aka review of "iMuscle'" app)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So what's up with me and misleading titles lately? This is absolutely not my FIRST solo attempt but rather first solo attempt in a long time. If you read the last post, you know that the trainer told me to get an iphone app to develop strength routines. I bought the following 4 (yes... 4... I'm indecisive)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OLCmHy3RRUQ/URHEYKKu6WI/AAAAAAAAEnI/HrN3BGm88FE/s1600/IMG_1064.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OLCmHy3RRUQ/URHEYKKu6WI/AAAAAAAAEnI/HrN3BGm88FE/s1600/IMG_1064.PNG" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: left;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
And yes that's my super motivating ultrarunning desktop (no that's definitely not me running, just a nice picture that gets me out of bed in the morning...)<br />
<br />
Right away I figured out that #1 (Fit Builder) costs money PER MONTH so skipping that one for now. Then, the 2nd two looked like they needed a bit of time to learn them and I didn't have that last night when I was planning my workout for this morning. So it led me to try #4 first - 'iMuscle' which surprisingly is the one my trainer said he used (I thought it was something else- I was mistaken).<br />
<br />
I'll try to make this as brief as possible;<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Review - Setting up the Next Morning's Workout: </u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxeX5v9-Nl8/URHE6zWqb1I/AAAAAAAAEnU/OZ3Fh4jZDLQ/s1600/muslces+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxeX5v9-Nl8/URHE6zWqb1I/AAAAAAAAEnU/OZ3Fh4jZDLQ/s1600/muslces+-+1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First Screen is a 3D muscle man that you can turn by swiping your finger - pretty cool. When you click on a body part it zooms in and shows little 'pins' on each individual muscle that you can target - if you click an individual muscle part, it shows exercises that target that muscle....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--DUPAqk4Mtk/URHFLhV2OWI/AAAAAAAAEng/7CpkbY92Uus/s1600/muscles+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--DUPAqk4Mtk/URHFLhV2OWI/AAAAAAAAEng/7CpkbY92Uus/s1600/muscles+-+2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I zoomed in on the Vastus Medalias since that's my "runners knee" muscle that I need to work or else I get the dreaded runners knee! Seriously, if I slack off for even 2 weeks the stupid knee starts to act up. Not surprisingly, a lot of the exercises they show are the same ones my physical therapist had me doing. I suppose this thing is pretty reliable. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sHBCU_ki670/URHFbsii1rI/AAAAAAAAEno/pbFgT8Cvh8w/s1600/exercise+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sHBCU_ki670/URHFbsii1rI/AAAAAAAAEno/pbFgT8Cvh8w/s1600/exercise+-+1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next, once you pick an exercise it gives you a nifty little video showing how to do it (upper left pic up there is a screenshot of the video) and then it'll let you "add to workout" by clicking a button. Once you click that, it gives you options on reps/weight/sides/etc. You can also find out more about the primary and secondary muscles that are targeted with that exercise move, and find a detailed description of how to do it (see all above). Pretty neat, but no frills, easy to understand setup. I did NOT have to read any kind of manual here. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOC6YP8StkQ/URHF0vzybCI/AAAAAAAAEnw/2ENLMj9_OjU/s1600/full+workout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOC6YP8StkQ/URHF0vzybCI/AAAAAAAAEnw/2ENLMj9_OjU/s1600/full+workout.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Within 10 minutes I had set myself up a workout consisting of 13 exercises targeted my legs and core (I'll do upper body some other day :D). Pretty neat, easy to understand. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>The "Workout" Part</u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When you get to the gym, the actual "working out" part is pretty easy... remember the workout we set up earlier? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UZXEBJJdgo/URJXwpPu8TI/AAAAAAAAEow/xqltm-z4FtQ/s1600/IMG_1092.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UZXEBJJdgo/URJXwpPu8TI/AAAAAAAAEow/xqltm-z4FtQ/s1600/IMG_1092.PNG" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The workout helps you keep track of what you need to do by showing the exercises (on the left) as either "to-be-done" or "done" or "active" (in red - see above). You can change the order of the exercises just like you'd change the layout of an iphone - by clicking and holding until they become moveable, and then dragging the exercise to the place you want it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, once you click on an exercise to actually perform it, you see this screen;</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ynwh9Ly4Fa8/URJXh_yZYnI/AAAAAAAAEok/ZjGJHZQpDko/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ynwh9Ly4Fa8/URJXh_yZYnI/AAAAAAAAEok/ZjGJHZQpDko/s1600/photo.PNG" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pretty darn easy, just record your "actual" (note that what you set the workout up as will show as the default but you can change the weights/reps based on what you actual do). Afterward click "done" and that exercise becomes "done" in the workout list. Or.... you can skip the exercise ;-). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Supposedly you can also click on "personal best" above and it'll somehow tell you if you beat your personal best. Obviously I haven't been using this long enough to see if that works but it seems like a pretty cool motivational tool. I know I'll always want to lift more/do more reps :D. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pretty neat!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Overall I like it. Not sure I'm going to move on to the others ones for a while until I get bored of this one. Which, knowing me will be in a month or so. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Do you have a favorite fitness app? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-74058275259540827672013-02-04T07:21:00.001-05:002013-02-04T07:21:18.151-05:00Back in Black<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Not really... but I feel like I'm "back" in my "real" training program finally after taking a month off to recovery from my ultra. This past Saturday was the first long run I've done in a month and it was hard, although not as hard as it could have been. Overall I'm pretty happy with it. I just had to keep telling myself that "Yes, this is supposed to be tough, you haven't run more than 5 miles in a month, you do lose SOME fitness"... I think telling myself that discomfort is normal and expected somehow makes it easier to deal with?<br />
<br />
That being said, it's really time to get cracking on my training. I've been easing into it (nice word for I've been lazy and sleeping in half the time). But no more. Now that it seems I am fully recovered from this ultra, the excuses are gone and it's time to get my butt in motion every day (except one day a week for rest. I'm not asking a lot of myself, just "to move" whatever that means, even if that's just 10 pushups, I'll take it. Something.<br />
<br />
Also... this post is about to turn into a bullet point listing - I don't have a lot of time (it's busy season so I'm working 14 hour days...)<br />
<br />
Also... this morning was the last Monday morning workout with my personal trainer. My business pays part of all fitness expenses up to a certain limit per every 12 months. Well, I hit the limit (but surprise there) so time to trim the fitness expenses until June when I get "reloaded" :D. So that means I get to join a good ol' fashioned gym and actually motivate myself **sigh**<br />
<br />
Also, that being said - my personal trainer recommended getting a fitness strength-training app to act as a "virtual" personal trainer. However, the one he recommended has been discontinued (see here: http://medicalprod.com/ifitness.html) so I'm off to find a new one.... I've done some quick research and can't seem to find one I like enough to purchase. Fitnessbuilder looked cool until I realized it was $10/month... although they do have a free trial. Maybe I'll try it and see if I like it. Anyone use a strength training app they like??<br />
<br />
<br />
Also, going to run the A1A half marathon in two weeks. Gonna run it hard, I'm excited!<br />
<br />
<br />
Lastly -<br />
<br />
133 days.... 19 weeks, 16 long runs (and 2 taper runs)... a half marathon, a whole lot of hills until San Francisco. Getting excited :D</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-48609148111932242502013-01-28T20:48:00.000-05:002013-01-28T20:48:37.732-05:00I PR'ed!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last time I posted, I was worried about my hamstring. Well I was smart, took a few days off and then came back like a frisbee (yes, weird analogy).<br />
<br />
So, the whole point of doing speedwork the last couple weeks was because I wanted to see how fast I was, kind of like a speedcheck. After doing long slow runs the entire past year I want to start focusing on speed again but in order to do that I needed to know where my starting point was. So I picked a local 5k (which happened to be this past Saturday) gave myself 3 weeks to remind my legs how speed felt and then gave it a go!<br />
<br />
And guess what? (I bet you already know since I named the blog post after it...)<br />
<br />
I PR'ed! I haven't done a 5k in 3 years because they simply terrify me, but I did it this past Saturday and here are the official results:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7iz8ys6Zi4/UQcpP4VVYNI/AAAAAAAAEmg/QgwLRj8i-O8/s1600/Finish-Time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7iz8ys6Zi4/UQcpP4VVYNI/AAAAAAAAEmg/QgwLRj8i-O8/s1600/Finish-Time.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
That's 25:03! My last 5k PR was 26:32 in 2009... score!<br />
<br />
I'm a happy girl tonight! Okay time to catch up on other blogs!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-12468912122357123422013-01-19T12:45:00.000-05:002013-01-19T12:45:24.944-05:00Dangit...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
And after such a happy last post about how amazing my speed workout was on Thursday it appears that maybe I pushed it a little too hard... I have what now feels like a tweaked hamstring. I'm going to use the term "tweak" because I have no idea what's wrong with it. Just that it really hurts and I'm not running for a few days.<br />
<br />
I told my boyfriend that I felt like since I spent the last 12 months training for an ultramarathon, and I'm REALLY good at distance (hello 37 miles!) the muscles I need for running at any speed above a super slow, short-strided "stroll" are completely atrophied. So, while I work my way back into fast running it almost feels like learning to run all over again, in the way that muscles are hurting that have never hurt after runs before (at least since the beginning of my running career).<br />
<br />
So, I'm hoping that once all the muscles in my legs take turns at being tweaked, then they will all be strong and "okay with fast running" again and I'll be fine. So fine hamstring, your turn, go ahead and hurt and I'll be back on the roads in a few days. **sigh**</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-63603696510770958012013-01-17T08:34:00.001-05:002013-01-17T08:35:04.043-05:00Recap on some Speedwork Lately (Happy Post)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In other news, based on my current speedwork results I am "on track" to PR at my next marathon LOL. I'm not sure how accurate these things are but I plugged in my 4miler time from today and it's predicting a 4:43 marathon based on my current shape;<br />
<br />
today's run;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Remember a few days ago I wrote a post about how much I hated speedwork? That was the day I did the following run;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QaXiUIfepbI/UPNaKEdL4mI/AAAAAAAAElA/QB9z2H_4q98/s1600/daily+mile+printout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QaXiUIfepbI/UPNaKEdL4mI/AAAAAAAAElA/QB9z2H_4q98/s1600/daily+mile+printout.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
When I plugged that time into the McMillan Race Predictor;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8_AeoYfpPk/UPNaO9aWJkI/AAAAAAAAElI/0tlZeXzVKhY/s1600/race+predictions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8_AeoYfpPk/UPNaO9aWJkI/AAAAAAAAElI/0tlZeXzVKhY/s640/race+predictions.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On that day my thought was "I need to factor in the hills in San Francisco (those have to add at least 10 minutes right?) and that'll put me around 4:53 which is still a PR (barely). I'd be happy if I broke the 5 hour barrier though given the hills in San Fran." - literally... that's what I wrote in my training journal...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then today I just got back from this run;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdz46HhBXnE/UPf6_yUY1FI/AAAAAAAAElw/C3vx2VDnI3Q/s1600/4+miler+fast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdz46HhBXnE/UPf6_yUY1FI/AAAAAAAAElw/C3vx2VDnI3Q/s1600/4+miler+fast.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was really fun and I enjoyed it... that's right, I really enjoyed it. I think the key was I had a small snack before I started running so I wasn't so tired and miserable "pushing it". I need to remember that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I plugged THIS run into the McMillan running calculator and got this;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lw760DWuSug/UPf7RD1ceZI/AAAAAAAAEl4/XxqpTeSYsDw/s1600/new+mcmillan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lw760DWuSug/UPf7RD1ceZI/AAAAAAAAEl4/XxqpTeSYsDw/s1600/new+mcmillan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not much to say here other than this makes me really happy :D. I dont' want to get too excited about PR's and such since my race is super hilly in June. BUT I do want to get excited for getting my speed back regardless of how my marathon goes. I've spent the last 6 months running the speed that refrigerated peanut butter slides (very slow). It's a nice change and it makes me happy. That's all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wahoooo talk about a runner's high!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh and one more thing, I know Paula over at http://eatwatchrun.com/ is a Bassnectar fan, but seriously, this is my favorite band to run to.... here's a fun one from the CD I was listening to today, anyone listen to this stuff too??</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HbhmpKCnVoY" width="480"></iframe>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-26216539101082569812013-01-15T20:05:00.002-05:002013-01-15T20:05:44.953-05:00Training Plan Week 1 - Recap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AlwLeO6BRxIEdEh1UWZEYWR5dlQ1UmY3bWtNcWN3MlE&output=html&widget=true" width="600"></iframe><br />
<br />
Overall I'm pretty darn happy with it. I think the first couple weeks I'm just going to have to be flexible because my body is getting into the "exercising every day routine" and that's certainly not normal for me. SO, until that is normal I can expect some aches and pains. And at this point in training, I'm going to give my body any rest it needs (within reason) to get myself to being able to exercise every day.<br />
<br />
How are all your weeks going?<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-82944162120410259542013-01-13T19:45:00.002-05:002013-01-13T19:45:34.815-05:00The problem with speedwork...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The title of this post is "The Problem with Speedwork", however, to be fair I should have probably named it "MY Problem with speedwork". Speedwork in itself is not a bad thing, and a quick google search will result in thousands of hits touting its benefit. However, I have a problem with it.<br />
<br />
My problem is not that it makes me feel like I'm going to puke (although I have to admit that's certainly not an alluring trait of the sport) but rather my problem is related to the nature of speedwork itself. For me, the success of a speedwork session is highly dependent on "factors". These factors range in type from the weather, to what I ate in the last 5 hours to the amount of sleep I've accomplished and/or how tired my legs feel based on previous workouts earlier in the week. These are just a few factors and it feels like there are hundreds more. If any of these factors are adverse on a particular speedwork run, I can't succeed (hit my pace or length of run). My legs won't physically turn over that fast, or I can't breathe, or I cramp up so bad I'm bent over. Yes I can "push through" those things and finish a run, but when you're aiming for speedwork, "Just finishing" doesn't equate to success in my brain.<br />
<br />
Compare this to "long-slow-distance" ("LSD") runs. While I'm sure it's not the case for everyone, for me the success of an LSD run is based on very few factors. Those factors are a.) whether or not I'm injured, b.) whether or not I become injured during the run and c.) whether I have severe gastro-intestinal distress on the run (although this factor is becoming less important as I've learned to just get over having to use the restroom in the middle of a run). But, the point is, as long as I'm not flat-out injured, I can finish an LSD up to 24 miles any given day. Finishing an LSD is not dependent on the weather (if the weather is adverse I just slow down), or how tired I am (again, just slow down), or what I've eaten (find a bathroom if necessary) or how tired my legs feel (I just push through it). Therefore, finishing and LSD (success) is dependent on very few factors.<br />
<br />
I guess the conclusion here is that I am success-driven. I love the feeling of being able to succeed at anything I do, and when the success of something I am aiming to do is dependent on what seems like a million and one factors, many of which are out of my control, it frustrates me. And THAT'S my problem with speedwork.<br />
<br />
However, on the flipside, when all those factors DO align and I have a fast race, PR, or even just hit a pace I haven't hit in a long time during a training run, the joy I feel from that is far beyond the joy I feel when I "just finish". So, because of that I will keep chasing the perfect alignment of factors, and in the meantime try to limit my grumbling about the training that gets me there :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qfXitfDJq1s/UPNVG1ux3PI/AAAAAAAAEkY/5aBUPqjaz5g/s1600/iStock_000017385727Medium-632x421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qfXitfDJq1s/UPNVG1ux3PI/AAAAAAAAEkY/5aBUPqjaz5g/s1600/iStock_000017385727Medium-632x421.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-38647618045643877922013-01-08T19:56:00.002-05:002013-01-10T08:18:29.551-05:00Frequency - Intensity - Duration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Before I begin I have to admit I can't actually take credit for this blog post. My boyfriend came up with the idea last week and for some reason it stuck with me (perhaps he IS smart! -just kidding he's brilliant).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, he told me that there are three pillars of training;</div>
<div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Frequency</li>
<li>Intensity</li>
<li>Duration</li>
</ol>
Over the past year, I've nailed #3... I can "run" for hours (the term 'run' here is used loosely as an all-encompassing group of exercise that generally relates to running/walking/fast walking/meandering/chatting at water coolers). However, those 4 hours runs are neither intense nor are they frequent. Rather, I would "run" at a rate that would not leave me sweaty, out of breath, or red-in-the-face but rather looking like I hadn't run at all. And then, after I "ran" my 24 miles, I wouldn't run for another week. So, no frequency either.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq2gTZXzz_8/UOy-p4ItTRI/AAAAAAAAEjo/UGoRn9RwT3U/s1600/6a00d8341c5dea53ef0154344a21a9970c-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq2gTZXzz_8/UOy-p4ItTRI/AAAAAAAAEjo/UGoRn9RwT3U/s1600/6a00d8341c5dea53ef0154344a21a9970c-800wi.jpg" height="264" width="320" /></a></div>
This new training program and new year is all about consistency, strength, and speed. However, as it is commonly accepted that putting too many goals out there at one time makes it hard to achieve success, my boyfriend suggested that I try increase one of the pillars that I am lacking at any given time, before moving on to the next one. He suggested that since I already had the "duration" pillar down pat, perhaps I should move on to frequency since my main goal is to perform consistent workouts. I want to be working out 6 times/week (see previous post with training schedule <a href="http://bananasandtoast.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-plan-for-san-francisco.html">here</a>).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SVcWGueUALE/UOy-5q70FaI/AAAAAAAAEjw/1y56U7kj0Fg/s1600/calendar-days-crossed-off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SVcWGueUALE/UOy-5q70FaI/AAAAAAAAEjw/1y56U7kj0Fg/s1600/calendar-days-crossed-off.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
So, here's to increasing frequency! I'm going to focus this week on just getting the workouts in that I'd planned (i.e. run when I say I'm going to run, spin when I say I'm going to spin, etc) and not worry too much about the intensity/speed of such workouts. That doesn't mean I'm going to be unnecessarily slow, or that I'm not going to try to pick up the pace every now and then, but it's not what i'm focusing on. I need to learn how to be consistent. Steady and consistent.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>What's your best "pillar" of training? What's your biggest area for improvement? </b></div>
</div>
</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-57704688918037137022013-01-08T11:51:00.000-05:002013-01-08T11:51:51.669-05:00One Year Check-Up - Stats!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><u>Jason King - Awesome!</u></b><br />
<div>
I started with my personal trainer (Jason King - Signature Fitness in Orlando) a year ago. Quick shout out to Jason - he's awesome and I'd recommend him if you need a low stress trainer.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xL2Nh00gIJY/UOq9_ZjkAFI/AAAAAAAAEi8/ysa7Thl4nYk/s1600/jason+king+fitness.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xL2Nh00gIJY/UOq9_ZjkAFI/AAAAAAAAEi8/ysa7Thl4nYk/s1600/jason+king+fitness.bmp" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Measurements!</u></b></div>
<div>
Anyway, we took measurements and all that fun stuff a year and a half ago (November 2011) and I was 119 pounds and 18.6% body fat. We did measurements again today (a year later) and I'm 113 pounds and 18.6% body fat. He told me that 18.6% is really good but of course, being an auditor I decided to do some research on my own.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My research resulted in the the following;</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jlq3OA6PdR4/UOq7dWJfqXI/AAAAAAAAEiY/q6MED4Ww7BI/s1600/body+fat+percentage.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jlq3OA6PdR4/UOq7dWJfqXI/AAAAAAAAEiY/q6MED4Ww7BI/s1600/body+fat+percentage.bmp" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
By this chart I am considered in the "Athlete" range (pretty appropriate I think :D)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fhXwYjn1NxE/UOq7dRzX4TI/AAAAAAAAEic/uNmaez1eLwk/s1600/body+fat+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fhXwYjn1NxE/UOq7dRzX4TI/AAAAAAAAEic/uNmaez1eLwk/s1600/body+fat+2.bmp" height="262" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
By this chart i'm considered "Lean" (I'm 23 years old)...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>My own conclusion? </u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Given his conclusion and my own research I'm pretty darn happy where I am! Kinda stinks I've lost muscle mass (given that my body fat% is the same but I'm 6 pounds lighter) than a year and a half ago. However, given the increased mileage I'm thinking that's to be expected. We (Jason and I) chatted a bit about what I could do to gain some of the muscle mass back and it would really take some conscious effort on my part to increase my calories and gain weight, which, I'm not sure I really want to do. So... I'm going to focus on maintaining and perhaps building my strength and just letting my weight fall where it will. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>Not weighing myself? </u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maddy over at "Maddy Runs" (<a href="http://www.maddyruns.com/">http://www.maddyruns.com</a>/) had this great idea of not weighing ourselves in 2013. I jumped on the bandwagon immediately because weighing myself obsessively has been a problem in the past. I threw out my scale last week (Thanks Maddy!) and haven't had any impulses to go buy a new one yet, and that makes me pretty happy. Although I was weighed at the personal trainer's office, I don't consider this a "failed" goal because it wasn't me weighing myself and it was for legitimate purposes (having a baseline for 2013 and measuring body fat). I'm excited to see the peace of mind that will result from not being tied to a scale every morning :D.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope you all are having a great week!</div>
</div>
</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-23600309164662030352013-01-06T20:54:00.002-05:002013-01-06T20:54:28.790-05:00Bedtime? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
First order of business, my training schedule starts tomorrow - I'm excited!<br />
<br />
Other order of business - in planning out what "busy season" (or the time during the year anyone in public accounting basically disappears from the world January-April) I realized that if I'm going to be able to stick with my fitness goals and not lose my mind I'm going to have to be really careful about where my time goes.<br />
<br />
That being said, I'm going to focus on being meticulous about sleeping. If I'm home and it's bedtime, that means turn the computer off, put the magazines/books down and go to sleep. I'm too easily swayed into wasting hours at night because I'm so zoned out.<br />
<br />
So, when possible (i.e. when work isn't requiring that I sit there until midnight - which they sometimes do) I need to follow the following schedule;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_2k0R9M0n0/UOZeIvolwkI/AAAAAAAAEhg/niYlN1gHZBY/s1600/sleep+schedule.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_2k0R9M0n0/UOZeIvolwkI/AAAAAAAAEhg/niYlN1gHZBY/s1600/sleep+schedule.bmp" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This will average me 7.286 hours per night over a 7 day period. Now, for those nights we work late, I'll just have to figure those out as they come, but I think this is a pretty good guideline for now. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyone else have a better way to manage sleep than making elementary-type sleep schedules LOL?</div>
</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-74680601476142705252013-01-04T10:39:00.005-05:002013-01-04T10:39:32.000-05:00"The Plan" For San Francisco!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here it is, in all it's glory! (starts on Monday!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tMUZiqUbTo/UOXb_msX5_I/AAAAAAAAEgw/-f3FF14cF2M/s1600/Plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tMUZiqUbTo/UOXb_msX5_I/AAAAAAAAEgw/-f3FF14cF2M/s1600/Plan.jpg" height="402" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mondays - Strength Training! Legs & Core (I might throw in some upper body every now and then but not **really** planning on it ;D)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tuesdays - 6 miles Speed/Track. 6 miles may not be far but these are going to be quality, high intensity workouts. I've relied on doing long slow workouts too long!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wednesdays - Spin Class. Time to practice some crosstraining</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thursdays - 6 miles Tempo/Hills. Again, only 6 but it's going to be QUALITY.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Friday - Glorious Rest Day!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Saturdays - Long Run. I'm going to go ahead and let myself go slow on those "long long" ones (see pink highlighted) but I'm not going to use the recovery weeks to meander around the streets. Again, this season is about speed and strength so the 10 milers are going to be pace runs! Also going to do these long runs on "hills" whenever possible (remember I live in Florida lol)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sundays - 4 mile recovery runs. Easy, meandering, just like I've been doing the past year and a half :D</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you want to see a comparison in terms of weekly mileage, here is what i've been doing (see pink box) vs. what i want to do. The average weekly mileage for each 23 week period is actually quite comparable, but instead of doing a 43 mile week and then a 3 mile week, I'm going to be consistent... I think this will help me reach my goals. Keep in mind most of my miles the last 23 weeks have been very, very slow. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xzJBbYeUR2M/UOXc_805YNI/AAAAAAAAEg8/swUbAlfKH6M/s1600/graph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xzJBbYeUR2M/UOXc_805YNI/AAAAAAAAEg8/swUbAlfKH6M/s1600/graph.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm coming for you Golden Gate Bridge!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(picture taken December 2012)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8N-GdI-utno/UOb3f3NmacI/AAAAAAAAEh4/KDyMNiWhTEQ/s1600/IMG_9743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8N-GdI-utno/UOb3f3NmacI/AAAAAAAAEh4/KDyMNiWhTEQ/s1600/IMG_9743.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-43145738293871377622013-01-03T13:41:00.002-05:002013-01-03T13:43:45.454-05:00Where the heck did I go??? (Year and Half Recap!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm back... took a year and a half (almost) off from this blog and well, any kind of structured running altogether I think I really just got burnt out with training schedules and a little after my last post I had some pretty serious injuries that left me wondering if "it" was worth it (it meaning running). But, a year and a half later, rejuvenated and call it a New Years Resolution or just coming to my senses, I spent all yesterday writing down a plan, deciding on some major races for the upcoming year committing myself to a "consistent" training schedule. By that I mean, I HAVE been running, and quite a bit, but nothing consistent. I'll run 20 miles on a Saturday and then not run for a week, and then run a few 6 milers, run another 18, then stop for another week. The random running has been awesome, but it's not getting me to my goal. But, before I go into my 2013 goals I think I have a little explaining to do!<br />
<br />
So, I checked my last post, and saw it was September 2011 (also I apologize for all the non-working picture links in my old posts, I deleted the album associated with this blog in a tiff about 6 months ago but instead of going through and deleting all the non-working images I decided to be lazy and explain it here).<br />
<br />
Since September 2011, here's what happened (trying to be as brief as possible)<br />
<br />
October 2011 - strained my groin while training for the Savannah, Georgia marathon in November 2011. Reason: Over-training and stubbornness Also, I wasn't sticking with a schedule other than "run as much as I can whenever I can" ..pretty obvious in hindsight.<br />
<br />
BUT... in November 2011 I ran the Savannah Marathon despite not having run the previous 7 weeks due to the groin strain I mentioned above. Given these factors, the race went really well!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6aB2rvYqgs/UOXAoCIF8eI/AAAAAAAAES0/CY5G_G78IVA/s1600/308677_2343524501791_1060324208_32239523_324427580_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6aB2rvYqgs/UOXAoCIF8eI/AAAAAAAAES0/CY5G_G78IVA/s400/308677_2343524501791_1060324208_32239523_324427580_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQHEssVELpM/UOXM91GDjJI/AAAAAAAAEdI/1mYAZF0Wpww/s1600/IMG_8513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQHEssVELpM/UOXM91GDjJI/AAAAAAAAEdI/1mYAZF0Wpww/s400/IMG_8513.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then I was feeling SO good I decided to go run 2 days later and... tore my peroneal tendon. Now, it's debateable whether I really tore it during the marathon and just didn't know because everything hurt so bad or if I tore it 2 days later on a 3 miler... nobody will ever know. Long story short...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
December 2011 - Surgery to repair torn peroneal tendon after waiting 6 weeks for it to calm down on it's own</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-no running for 6 weeks-</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
During this non-running time I volunteered at an ultramarathon and completely fell in LOVE with the community... December 4, 2011 I committed to running an ultramarathon in 2012 (more on that later :D)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
January-Feburary 2012 - slow return to running. Moved to the slower run/walk marathon training group and slowly gained strength again in my ankle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
March 2012 - Kept running, building strength, met a really awesome boy named Steve (more on that later :D)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
April 2012 - Big Sur! - I was terrified of this race since I signed up for it almost a year earlier and I was not expecting to tear a tendon 5 months prior. However, I finished, it was awesome, and I truly fell in love with the California coast. This race made me 99% sure I'm going to move to California. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5Hk-cP3NHE/UOXCtD9NkvI/AAAAAAAAETM/5WFVP9WNass/s1600/719785-1012-0032s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5Hk-cP3NHE/UOXCtD9NkvI/AAAAAAAAETM/5WFVP9WNass/s400/719785-1012-0032s.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOxDhKM2ee0/UOXCukMi0kI/AAAAAAAAETU/e9nDWYyN1AQ/s1600/719776-1014-0031s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOxDhKM2ee0/UOXCukMi0kI/AAAAAAAAETU/e9nDWYyN1AQ/s400/719776-1014-0031s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H2SRIdFPEgk/UOXNE861mpI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/UfdwJ2s8lbI/s1600/IMG_8508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H2SRIdFPEgk/UOXNE861mpI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/UfdwJ2s8lbI/s400/IMG_8508.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And some pics of Monterrey (georgous!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtzdivjNurI/UOXC983h_oI/AAAAAAAAETc/FVhFLKln-0A/s1600/IMG_1366-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtzdivjNurI/UOXC983h_oI/AAAAAAAAETc/FVhFLKln-0A/s320/IMG_1366-2.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--PUt5bhcLGQ/UOXDJ_5X_gI/AAAAAAAAETs/RgWcNOBJ_y8/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--PUt5bhcLGQ/UOXDJ_5X_gI/AAAAAAAAETs/RgWcNOBJ_y8/s320/IMG_3339.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GBJcZGSVYWY/UOXDOKpQZBI/AAAAAAAAET0/K60QZXSK-6w/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GBJcZGSVYWY/UOXDOKpQZBI/AAAAAAAAET0/K60QZXSK-6w/s320/IMG_3354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1uygAV2YoQ/UOXDT_3bqWI/AAAAAAAAEUA/dRjIgelkKQ8/s1600/IMG_3355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1uygAV2YoQ/UOXDT_3bqWI/AAAAAAAAEUA/dRjIgelkKQ8/s320/IMG_3355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCMB11HzW-k/UOXDXkrI4uI/AAAAAAAAEUI/33bKh8LIvlY/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCMB11HzW-k/UOXDXkrI4uI/AAAAAAAAEUI/33bKh8LIvlY/s320/IMG_3378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wLkWHbL4e2U/UOXD0Ft18wI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/PRn4RpQSvwM/s1600/IMG_3380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wLkWHbL4e2U/UOXD0Ft18wI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/PRn4RpQSvwM/s320/IMG_3380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJHtSlu9nYw/UOXD37v-OqI/AAAAAAAAEUY/p3ULUseNUVw/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJHtSlu9nYw/UOXD37v-OqI/AAAAAAAAEUY/p3ULUseNUVw/s320/IMG_3388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vSaRnvX1gw8/UOXD7388VyI/AAAAAAAAEUg/8jzOm98T0Qc/s1600/IMG_3389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vSaRnvX1gw8/UOXD7388VyI/AAAAAAAAEUg/8jzOm98T0Qc/s320/IMG_3389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxBLZrtnWTk/UOXD_1j8rUI/AAAAAAAAEUw/jlDD-on_-Z4/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxBLZrtnWTk/UOXD_1j8rUI/AAAAAAAAEUw/jlDD-on_-Z4/s320/IMG_3390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8dsty41Y3s/UOXEEM9oXYI/AAAAAAAAEU4/chUrqtFy3-U/s1600/IMG_3394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8dsty41Y3s/UOXEEM9oXYI/AAAAAAAAEU4/chUrqtFy3-U/s320/IMG_3394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jco6-t51GCQ/UOXDAiiYSPI/AAAAAAAAETk/fRYtrtxHNp0/s1600/IMG_1373-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jco6-t51GCQ/UOXDAiiYSPI/AAAAAAAAETk/fRYtrtxHNp0/s320/IMG_1373-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
And then some of Alcatraz/San Fran (fell in love with this city too - this just seems like a year of love huh :D)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DFHZUSGGv9c/UOXGMCl85aI/AAAAAAAAEVM/YlEcTWK3EZM/s1600/IMG_4030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DFHZUSGGv9c/UOXGMCl85aI/AAAAAAAAEVM/YlEcTWK3EZM/s320/IMG_4030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TdYW-6hYxyI/UOXGQWkidwI/AAAAAAAAEVU/9AvVbHVZiUY/s1600/IMG_4035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TdYW-6hYxyI/UOXGQWkidwI/AAAAAAAAEVU/9AvVbHVZiUY/s320/IMG_4035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V1Sy5wVlO5Q/UOXGTQndiyI/AAAAAAAAEVc/O7s7fVDdmWM/s1600/IMG_4042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V1Sy5wVlO5Q/UOXGTQndiyI/AAAAAAAAEVc/O7s7fVDdmWM/s320/IMG_4042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THlmWav1O8Q/UOXGVv8PBPI/AAAAAAAAEVo/AgvhuWSieB0/s1600/IMG_4091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THlmWav1O8Q/UOXGVv8PBPI/AAAAAAAAEVo/AgvhuWSieB0/s320/IMG_4091.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzd3W-bZKkk/UOXGaQwPRsI/AAAAAAAAEV0/EH9ZdSt_eyE/s1600/IMG_4106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzd3W-bZKkk/UOXGaQwPRsI/AAAAAAAAEV0/EH9ZdSt_eyE/s320/IMG_4106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFyx_cEWWqg/UOXGd59QOcI/AAAAAAAAEWA/6c0sXX5TV-M/s1600/IMG_4119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFyx_cEWWqg/UOXGd59QOcI/AAAAAAAAEWA/6c0sXX5TV-M/s320/IMG_4119.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73muFtp3ty8/UOXGf0Dzn-I/AAAAAAAAEWM/bc9ZWP4VyW4/s1600/IMG_4132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73muFtp3ty8/UOXGf0Dzn-I/AAAAAAAAEWM/bc9ZWP4VyW4/s320/IMG_4132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mQpAxnG4Uc4/UOXGi7I1twI/AAAAAAAAEWU/IQ9bE9mVXDo/s1600/IMG_3763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mQpAxnG4Uc4/UOXGi7I1twI/AAAAAAAAEWU/IQ9bE9mVXDo/s320/IMG_3763.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XME7nuGkHGY/UOXGmCXo1vI/AAAAAAAAEWg/K5Q5oWpMWjA/s1600/IMG_3767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XME7nuGkHGY/UOXGmCXo1vI/AAAAAAAAEWg/K5Q5oWpMWjA/s320/IMG_3767.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7tNWh26-TIs/UOXGpjLhw2I/AAAAAAAAEWo/p3qH9ku6VDI/s1600/IMG_3773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7tNWh26-TIs/UOXGpjLhw2I/AAAAAAAAEWo/p3qH9ku6VDI/s320/IMG_3773.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNNVnmSH15M/UOXGxujOd0I/AAAAAAAAEW0/MJXLggFL8ho/s1600/IMG_3794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNNVnmSH15M/UOXGxujOd0I/AAAAAAAAEW0/MJXLggFL8ho/s320/IMG_3794.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E90VC_8hTDo/UOXG0h4gpXI/AAAAAAAAEXE/WKtvutzhEzY/s1600/IMG_3796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E90VC_8hTDo/UOXG0h4gpXI/AAAAAAAAEXE/WKtvutzhEzY/s320/IMG_3796.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rqELXhTI9VU/UOXG3JgS3CI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/SunIRcDn-4M/s1600/IMG_3834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rqELXhTI9VU/UOXG3JgS3CI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/SunIRcDn-4M/s320/IMG_3834.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MvFUmAYgKIM/UOXG5Xpu83I/AAAAAAAAEXY/8LyH59Q0sVc/s1600/IMG_3844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MvFUmAYgKIM/UOXG5Xpu83I/AAAAAAAAEXY/8LyH59Q0sVc/s320/IMG_3844.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VuLx3EdYZqA/UOXHA8t4E8I/AAAAAAAAEXg/QpenSbrkfPk/s1600/IMG_3871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VuLx3EdYZqA/UOXHA8t4E8I/AAAAAAAAEXg/QpenSbrkfPk/s320/IMG_3871.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1io8LC9YXE/UOXHE_p0qdI/AAAAAAAAEXo/lHdkcYuyQOU/s1600/IMG_3935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1io8LC9YXE/UOXHE_p0qdI/AAAAAAAAEXo/lHdkcYuyQOU/s320/IMG_3935.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ip0vKefR3iQ/UOXHIsYUICI/AAAAAAAAEXw/jgXJ2FvtFIM/s1600/IMG_3940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ip0vKefR3iQ/UOXHIsYUICI/AAAAAAAAEXw/jgXJ2FvtFIM/s320/IMG_3940.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
May 2012-September 2012 - Not much going on here, just running, relaxing, "kinda" training for the Chicago Marathon (very random not structured) and picked up a photography habit!<br />
<br />
Oh except.. I forgot a major milestone here...<br />
<br />
July 2012 - Turned 23 and decided to SIGN UP FOR AN ULTRAMARATHON! I decided on Peanut Island 24 hour in West Palm Beach. That way I could just run as far as my body could handle in 24 hours without having to worry about cutoffs. I decided 50 miles would be my goal and started training!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZyDFb5M70c/UOXHeQQLU7I/AAAAAAAAEX4/bj9U-py40Tg/s1600/peanut-island-24-round-the-island-races-350x255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZyDFb5M70c/UOXHeQQLU7I/AAAAAAAAEX4/bj9U-py40Tg/s320/peanut-island-24-round-the-island-races-350x255.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.peanutisland24.com/">http://www.peanutisland24.com/</a></div>
<br />
October 2012 - Chicago Marathon! Since I had decided in July to start training for Peanut Island my training for Chicago was mostly REALLY slow long distance runs and so Chicago was alright, I felt okay but man I was slow and I didn't really "go for it" because I saw it as a training run. (hence why I want to run it again in 2013 - see goals for 2013 later)<br />
<br />
But, it went well;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zRxRsJckESg/UOXHrjZEXUI/AAAAAAAAEYA/cK6-iVUv8OQ/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zRxRsJckESg/UOXHrjZEXUI/AAAAAAAAEYA/cK6-iVUv8OQ/s320/IMG_0394.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rox18gTkvwU/UOXH0M5HEqI/AAAAAAAAEYI/ybZrKDzQL0A/s1600/723180-1155-0011s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rox18gTkvwU/UOXH0M5HEqI/AAAAAAAAEYI/ybZrKDzQL0A/s320/723180-1155-0011s.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbEB0aouCy0/UOXH1gmw3YI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/DQD9pxhnSuY/s1600/723208-1095-0049s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbEB0aouCy0/UOXH1gmw3YI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/DQD9pxhnSuY/s320/723208-1095-0049s.JPG" width="307" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqgWmJ9Hww0/UOXH3aJ2wNI/AAAAAAAAEYY/B3sxqVlvbEM/s1600/723227-1035-0042s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqgWmJ9Hww0/UOXH3aJ2wNI/AAAAAAAAEYY/B3sxqVlvbEM/s320/723227-1035-0042s.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z164HPjviVg/UOXH4k_lz8I/AAAAAAAAEYg/N6LAgnVN1tQ/s1600/723233-1012-0013s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z164HPjviVg/UOXH4k_lz8I/AAAAAAAAEYg/N6LAgnVN1tQ/s320/723233-1012-0013s.JPG" width="215" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zoQlskLMZg/UOXH5vfTeuI/AAAAAAAAEYo/XOIX2Xj_s6o/s1600/723233-1012-0016s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zoQlskLMZg/UOXH5vfTeuI/AAAAAAAAEYo/XOIX2Xj_s6o/s320/723233-1012-0016s.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4W-LRjPgM88/UOXH6i2Tg9I/AAAAAAAAEYw/AwzDTN_2CSo/s1600/723233-1012-0018s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4W-LRjPgM88/UOXH6i2Tg9I/AAAAAAAAEYw/AwzDTN_2CSo/s320/723233-1012-0018s.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPy6RQa4b84/UOXH8OzlkXI/AAAAAAAAEY4/kt3NY5QUDNU/s1600/723448-1173-0003s2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPy6RQa4b84/UOXH8OzlkXI/AAAAAAAAEY4/kt3NY5QUDNU/s320/723448-1173-0003s2.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aUYEbrYZ85Y/UOXIEnH8qCI/AAAAAAAAEZE/YmR7pG4qAAk/s1600/IMG_0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aUYEbrYZ85Y/UOXIEnH8qCI/AAAAAAAAEZE/YmR7pG4qAAk/s320/IMG_0656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KgxjVAduOQw/UOXNMowmQII/AAAAAAAAEdY/An3Dp0KWDCc/s1600/IMG_8512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KgxjVAduOQw/UOXNMowmQII/AAAAAAAAEdY/An3Dp0KWDCc/s400/IMG_8512.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FyisGIyGSsY/UOXIM6sV3RI/AAAAAAAAEZM/GH8OKmw74us/s1600/00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FyisGIyGSsY/UOXIM6sV3RI/AAAAAAAAEZM/GH8OKmw74us/s320/00.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IoUWZgX2yHo/UOXIO1KujHI/AAAAAAAAEZU/z6DIH2bs_5g/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IoUWZgX2yHo/UOXIO1KujHI/AAAAAAAAEZU/z6DIH2bs_5g/s320/IMG_0421.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpTE7rpfktE/UOXIRUPfLHI/AAAAAAAAEZc/Nm7lS0E86tw/s1600/IMG_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpTE7rpfktE/UOXIRUPfLHI/AAAAAAAAEZc/Nm7lS0E86tw/s320/IMG_0426.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMr_l8uh_VU/UOXITpErVcI/AAAAAAAAEZk/R-gptCWcMXk/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMr_l8uh_VU/UOXITpErVcI/AAAAAAAAEZk/R-gptCWcMXk/s320/IMG_0475.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNuzmxXb9xQ/UOXIWAiRe7I/AAAAAAAAEZs/lstNERSVvac/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNuzmxXb9xQ/UOXIWAiRe7I/AAAAAAAAEZs/lstNERSVvac/s320/IMG_0485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrVsO0roEqc/UOXIYnZbuoI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/mpO9dd1F7vE/s1600/IMG_0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrVsO0roEqc/UOXIYnZbuoI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/mpO9dd1F7vE/s320/IMG_0496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Also in October 2012 (big month)<br />
<br />
-got baptized!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOBJJWYIlI8/UOXKPyERWNI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/m43rGqoLucU/s1600/IMG_0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOBJJWYIlI8/UOXKPyERWNI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/m43rGqoLucU/s320/IMG_0749.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mhr-8YE7iw/UOXKSZ6_2FI/AAAAAAAAEaY/PfQyHNfQk20/s1600/Isaac+Baptism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mhr-8YE7iw/UOXKSZ6_2FI/AAAAAAAAEaY/PfQyHNfQk20/s320/Isaac+Baptism.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WH8k7lCvaag/UOXKT19snJI/AAAAAAAAEag/looZhcr1eS4/s1600/Steve+and+I+on+ledge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WH8k7lCvaag/UOXKT19snJI/AAAAAAAAEag/looZhcr1eS4/s400/Steve+and+I+on+ledge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Me and the boyfriend :D</div>
<br />
<br />
-Carved pumpkins<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HLWb6LSSMwE/UOXK5Jhf3XI/AAAAAAAAEaw/cm2rYhj-LPI/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HLWb6LSSMwE/UOXK5Jhf3XI/AAAAAAAAEaw/cm2rYhj-LPI/s320/IMG_0723.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxuSmbAGy7o/UOXK58eXX6I/AAAAAAAAEa4/rEd2yLCi8qw/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxuSmbAGy7o/UOXK58eXX6I/AAAAAAAAEa4/rEd2yLCi8qw/s320/IMG_0740.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2jAJykhAZCc/UOXLADkHmgI/AAAAAAAAEbA/cN_N8f4ToGU/s1600/Finished+Products.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2jAJykhAZCc/UOXLADkHmgI/AAAAAAAAEbA/cN_N8f4ToGU/s320/Finished+Products.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3qT7zKE8IQ4/UOXLEPSRZ0I/AAAAAAAAEbQ/NusG4DAAF0E/s1600/Me+with+pumpkin+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3qT7zKE8IQ4/UOXLEPSRZ0I/AAAAAAAAEbQ/NusG4DAAF0E/s320/Me+with+pumpkin+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8eZOWxyqY4/UOXLIxZoH8I/AAAAAAAAEbY/dXQyruJ-2No/s1600/Tree+Pumpkin+Finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8eZOWxyqY4/UOXLIxZoH8I/AAAAAAAAEbY/dXQyruJ-2No/s320/Tree+Pumpkin+Finished.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
November 2012: This month was filled with volunteering, fun and relaxation and hanging with the family. Oh and I randomly decided to run a marathon since I was still training for my ultramarathon (kinda lol) and I had the 'marathon base' in me. So I ran a slow one...<br />
<br />
NiceServe 2012 (Volunteer Event - I led a team)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9i6GzOnktIA/UOXLwPHNz2I/AAAAAAAAEbg/V5w-Jyc3kko/s1600/IMG_7938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9i6GzOnktIA/UOXLwPHNz2I/AAAAAAAAEbg/V5w-Jyc3kko/s320/IMG_7938.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHWaEe4TrAc/UOXLy5V5HPI/AAAAAAAAEbo/-v7S3Bm6dwg/s1600/IMG_8030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHWaEe4TrAc/UOXLy5V5HPI/AAAAAAAAEbo/-v7S3Bm6dwg/s320/IMG_8030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XGC6NaN7V9g/UOXMbVwwBLI/AAAAAAAAEbw/bjhd5l8aXi0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XGC6NaN7V9g/UOXMbVwwBLI/AAAAAAAAEbw/bjhd5l8aXi0/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROjmRw0qb1U/UOXMcHewF4I/AAAAAAAAEb4/j3NovdLKkUE/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROjmRw0qb1U/UOXMcHewF4I/AAAAAAAAEb4/j3NovdLKkUE/s320/2.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tABwVLvyk3M/UOXMc5qEpyI/AAAAAAAAEcA/fgAtj7ClVjY/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tABwVLvyk3M/UOXMc5qEpyI/AAAAAAAAEcA/fgAtj7ClVjY/s320/3.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyegpNn4kTA/UOXMdsGzxgI/AAAAAAAAEcE/XKCYlZo5znM/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyegpNn4kTA/UOXMdsGzxgI/AAAAAAAAEcE/XKCYlZo5znM/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Space Coast 2012<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMtTFTPBSS0/UOXMkR9MHGI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/_GceNPZqvzs/s1600/724855-1036-0026s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMtTFTPBSS0/UOXMkR9MHGI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/_GceNPZqvzs/s320/724855-1036-0026s.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-XVBLj9b4c/UOXMmS2iLmI/AAAAAAAAEcY/QLXkX6TJWNo/s1600/724860-1019-0020s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-XVBLj9b4c/UOXMmS2iLmI/AAAAAAAAEcY/QLXkX6TJWNo/s320/724860-1019-0020s.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g9cMAaeo_ug/UOXMoZ39ftI/AAAAAAAAEcg/XNQqZ6PLhYg/s1600/724861-1041-0001s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g9cMAaeo_ug/UOXMoZ39ftI/AAAAAAAAEcg/XNQqZ6PLhYg/s320/724861-1041-0001s.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WPyzXPmrCJo/UOXMqOL8s2I/AAAAAAAAEco/x7GPbxrTo48/s1600/724867-1088-0043s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WPyzXPmrCJo/UOXMqOL8s2I/AAAAAAAAEco/x7GPbxrTo48/s320/724867-1088-0043s.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FSFQQUgz80Y/UOXMs3gNj0I/AAAAAAAAEc0/o8AZoncxUAI/s1600/IMG_8507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FSFQQUgz80Y/UOXMs3gNj0I/AAAAAAAAEc0/o8AZoncxUAI/s400/IMG_8507.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNxi53ggu24/UOXMuUZJ3eI/AAAAAAAAEc8/AC6kcxctmpw/s1600/Me+(3)-cropped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNxi53ggu24/UOXMuUZJ3eI/AAAAAAAAEc8/AC6kcxctmpw/s320/Me+(3)-cropped.JPG" width="252" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And then gorged myself on Thanksgiving day food<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_kNFHBiOGU/UOXNdcYBPqI/AAAAAAAAEdk/oCv3HzcuVbA/s1600/IMG_8418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_kNFHBiOGU/UOXNdcYBPqI/AAAAAAAAEdk/oCv3HzcuVbA/s320/IMG_8418.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5OZfjRXtaYg/UOXNhDR6v-I/AAAAAAAAEds/3SXFWJ41PWs/s1600/IMG_8422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5OZfjRXtaYg/UOXNhDR6v-I/AAAAAAAAEds/3SXFWJ41PWs/s320/IMG_8422.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xq_o8uU0Bv0/UOXNkoU_XJI/AAAAAAAAEd0/sciyEp9zeQw/s1600/IMG_8424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xq_o8uU0Bv0/UOXNkoU_XJI/AAAAAAAAEd0/sciyEp9zeQw/s320/IMG_8424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pmbNLig-M2g/UOXNooQAf6I/AAAAAAAAEeA/z5TNZtUkYgA/s1600/IMG_8433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pmbNLig-M2g/UOXNooQAf6I/AAAAAAAAEeA/z5TNZtUkYgA/s320/IMG_8433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7URitgVTMw/UOXNsvazJbI/AAAAAAAAEeM/cCIHi-ishPk/s1600/IMG_8434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7URitgVTMw/UOXNsvazJbI/AAAAAAAAEeM/cCIHi-ishPk/s320/IMG_8434.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2VRam6DpNHg/UOXNwfqZGPI/AAAAAAAAEeY/4URjd4vblpE/s1600/IMG_8445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2VRam6DpNHg/UOXNwfqZGPI/AAAAAAAAEeY/4URjd4vblpE/s320/IMG_8445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Twt3AZiLyw0/UOXNzKSezjI/AAAAAAAAEeg/D4kUDLJHYsg/s1600/IMG_8455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Twt3AZiLyw0/UOXNzKSezjI/AAAAAAAAEeg/D4kUDLJHYsg/s320/IMG_8455.JPG" width="216" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HvSI0SBDLQ/UOXN3kvefgI/AAAAAAAAEeo/ReEtoLYhKj8/s1600/IMG_8468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HvSI0SBDLQ/UOXN3kvefgI/AAAAAAAAEeo/ReEtoLYhKj8/s320/IMG_8468.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kNtLfuunpik/UOXPtE9vTsI/AAAAAAAAEf8/sXwZnLdAnCI/s1600/IMG_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kNtLfuunpik/UOXPtE9vTsI/AAAAAAAAEf8/sXwZnLdAnCI/s320/IMG_0807.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-24WbNJHM3e0/UOXQThqhj3I/AAAAAAAAEgQ/_uPYDyzoDr4/s1600/IMG_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-24WbNJHM3e0/UOXQThqhj3I/AAAAAAAAEgQ/_uPYDyzoDr4/s320/IMG_0808.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ex0AaPIlA2g/UOXQU6Ap_zI/AAAAAAAAEgY/xcwkMQ1LEJI/s1600/IMG_0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ex0AaPIlA2g/UOXQU6Ap_zI/AAAAAAAAEgY/xcwkMQ1LEJI/s640/IMG_0809.JPG" width="472" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
December 2012: This month was again filled with fun and family and the boyfriend (Steve!). We went to Tahoe for Christmas and I learned how to ski. Surprisingly I took no pictures on this trip I think I was too cold. I did take a pic at Christmas dinner though! Aww aren't we cute lol<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkOBpp-dFNs/UOXPrc3b7bI/AAAAAAAAEf0/qr1NYYlWor0/s1600/IMG_9713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkOBpp-dFNs/UOXPrc3b7bI/AAAAAAAAEf0/qr1NYYlWor0/s400/IMG_9713.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
At the end of the month I had my ultramarathon. Training had not gone how I wanted it to partially due to being sick, injury scares, etc but really mostly due to my own inconsistency. I decided in January 2012 that my goal for 2012 would be to not get injured due to the surgery I had in December 2011. I met that goal but I think i swung too far the opposite direction and became TOO relaxed in my training. Nonetheless I DID complete my ultramarathon. I didn't get my 50 miles but I made it 37, which is 6 miles farther than a 50k (31 miles). So, I'm officially an ultrarunner and I'm happy :D.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSS_HT_hUJ8/UOXOKT0XkzI/AAAAAAAAEe0/1EA9B_IIL9U/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSS_HT_hUJ8/UOXOKT0XkzI/AAAAAAAAEe0/1EA9B_IIL9U/s320/IMG_0959.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
pic of the trail around the island</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gFl1fObEnA/UOXOLHm8SwI/AAAAAAAAEe8/KP7rJ1TljRI/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gFl1fObEnA/UOXOLHm8SwI/AAAAAAAAEe8/KP7rJ1TljRI/s640/IMG_0960.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
me holding my medal after 37 miles!</div>
<br />
<br />
However, running that race made me realize that I really need to focus and make a solid decision to build strength as a runner if I want to keep doing things like this. So, that leads to ....<br />
<br />
2013 Running Goals:<br />
<br />
2013 is going to be all about speed and strength. I've signed up for the San Francisco marathon (big thanks to Muddy Runner [<a href="http://muddyrunner.blogspot.com/">http://muddyrunner.blogspot.com</a>] for encouraging me to go for it). This is a hilly race and I'm going to need all the help I can get if I'm going to be successful at it. To meet that goal I'm going to commit to a real honest-to-God training cycle including a real *gasp* base building period! No more random running marathons just because "I can" and meandering around the course, I'm going for it. The next 6 weeks is going to be all about short-distance speed (I'm even going to run a few 5ks!). And then come February, serious training for San Francisco starts and I'm committed!<br />
<br />
Then, I'd like to redeem myself at the Chicago marathon. That marathon was just TOO perfect to treat it as a training run. I loved the experience and for the first time in my life I want to repeat a marathon (never thought i'd say that). So, come February I'll be one of the first on the entrants list!<br />
<br />
So in short - <u><b>2013 Goals:</b></u><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>January 2013 - Complete 1-2 5k's and focus on building speed in anticipating for Training</li>
<li>February 2013 - Complete A1A Half Marathon (really try) and see where I am speed-wise and adjust training</li>
<li>June 2013 - San Francisco Marathon!</li>
<li>October 2013 - Chicago Marathon!</li>
<li>Winter 2013 - 50 miler (haven't decided which one yet :D).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
And, that's it folks!<br />
<br />
I can't wait to go read up on everyone I've neglected the past year and a half (sorry!)<br />
<br />
Oh and a few more of the boyfriend and I, because I love him...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGK6S6tcwSk/UOXOnswP0hI/AAAAAAAAEfY/TbvBB0l30-k/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGK6S6tcwSk/UOXOnswP0hI/AAAAAAAAEfY/TbvBB0l30-k/s320/IMG_0877.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6LuMIvYRUg/UOXOoewQ9_I/AAAAAAAAEfc/sjy7ce34xyM/s1600/IMG_0878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6LuMIvYRUg/UOXOoewQ9_I/AAAAAAAAEfc/sjy7ce34xyM/s320/IMG_0878.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-49507731489271229042011-09-06T12:42:00.000-04:002011-09-06T12:42:02.338-04:00Vacation Ramblings Part I: Phoenix, AZ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Ahhh vacation has been great. I've been doing a whole lot of nothing which is how I like it... I actually picked up a book I liked in middle school only to realize it now has a sequal and a third one on the way on Sept 27th! So of course i picked up the first and the sequel and am now working my way through them;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DvsVurqYmkg/TmZI0lSksXI/AAAAAAAADMQ/-4wUAuN1KUI/s1600/reading+a+book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DvsVurqYmkg/TmZI0lSksXI/AAAAAAAADMQ/-4wUAuN1KUI/s320/reading+a+book.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The series is;<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gBMrh7TuSWk/TmZLdqalq1I/AAAAAAAADMY/0mgGO635tD8/s1600/abarat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gBMrh7TuSWk/TmZLdqalq1I/AAAAAAAADMY/0mgGO635tD8/s320/abarat.jpg" width="210px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"Abarat" by Clive Barker. Totally recommend it!<br />
<br />
In addition to reading novels and eating myself silly, I've also been running. Yesterday was really really rough because it was freaking 92* at 4:30am! Phoenix is nuts. I have a feeling running in Hell would feel pretty similar. Yesterday's run since it was so hot was just done on flats, around the block...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xYGA8Pz7PJo/TmZMEAKmh2I/AAAAAAAADMc/_5v2IM2FxnA/s1600/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xYGA8Pz7PJo/TmZMEAKmh2I/AAAAAAAADMc/_5v2IM2FxnA/s320/map.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a6eymxzzAQI/TmZMRRHxWcI/AAAAAAAADMg/U0rIR6jCwZE/s1600/splits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a6eymxzzAQI/TmZMRRHxWcI/AAAAAAAADMg/U0rIR6jCwZE/s320/splits.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Not a bad pace at all for me considering it was 92 **!!! And then today dad took his mountain bike out so that we could go explore "the papagos". Papagos are like giant sand dunes except they are actually made of rock. They are pretty neat and the ones near my dad's house in Phoenix have mountain biking trails all around them (which are pretty awesome to run :D)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovEnB20zqR8/TmZMq8zUWQI/AAAAAAAADMk/eIrBO06mYfU/s1600/IMG_0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovEnB20zqR8/TmZMq8zUWQI/AAAAAAAADMk/eIrBO06mYfU/s640/IMG_0443.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
This is a picture of the park we ran in and here is information about the actual run!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rk0yg5Bzwpk/TmZM_u4yLAI/AAAAAAAADMo/WXOoPWgQEj8/s1600/hillsplits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rk0yg5Bzwpk/TmZM_u4yLAI/AAAAAAAADMo/WXOoPWgQEj8/s320/hillsplits.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Again not bad considering the hills :D Check out this elevation map! I did a nice couple hill repeats on a super steep part near the end....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYEFrqu337Q/TmZNO1F1XDI/AAAAAAAADMs/DIbBdmH3FsU/s1600/hillselevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYEFrqu337Q/TmZNO1F1XDI/AAAAAAAADMs/DIbBdmH3FsU/s640/hillselevation.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
All in all this vacation has been great so far, looking forward to some more relaxing and more running once I head back home to sticky Orlando!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-22131576668875151082011-09-01T20:50:00.000-04:002011-09-01T20:50:23.532-04:00Vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So as of right now I am OFFICIALLY on my "18 day" vacation. I start work again on the 19th of September. I'm so excited.<br />
<br />
What am I going to do???<br />
<br />
I think I will start the first couple days with 2 half marathons in 3 days... one tomorrow morning and one Sunday morning and during these I will try out.......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" closure_uid_xvwrny="179" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGL-FLEGLTo/TmAlOUs98CI/AAAAAAAADLo/0nTL5GO_ezs/s1600/299299_2132710991585_1060324208_32065553_2666876_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGL-FLEGLTo/TmAlOUs98CI/AAAAAAAADLo/0nTL5GO_ezs/s400/299299_2132710991585_1060324208_32065553_2666876_n.jpg" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div closure_uid_xvwrny="272"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">Look! I won Gu from Mallory at <a href="http://mwrun6.blogspot.com/">Sit for your job. Run for your life.</a></div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">She is pretty freaking neat!</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">Then I'll probably do a lot of this....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F8FQmCPM8Fw/TmAln3lkfII/AAAAAAAADLs/l_NMZ5nsees/s1600/running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F8FQmCPM8Fw/TmAln3lkfII/AAAAAAAADLs/l_NMZ5nsees/s320/running.jpg" width="300px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">(Running) Except i'll be in......</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8Fqjy6U2yY/TmAmCsomnxI/AAAAAAAADLw/BBMMxnZzmFA/s1600/Phoenix-General8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8Fqjy6U2yY/TmAmCsomnxI/AAAAAAAADLw/BBMMxnZzmFA/s400/Phoenix-General8.jpg" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">Phoenix Arizona for the first 6 days ... and yes I totally plan on running some of those "mountain things" lol</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">I will also be doing a lot of;</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IiICvrdfAfs/TmAmaDwE-eI/AAAAAAAADL0/LqeTnwZwVck/s1600/sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IiICvrdfAfs/TmAmaDwE-eI/AAAAAAAADL0/LqeTnwZwVck/s320/sleeping.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">And eating some great foods!</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gZ1VJ79GJE/TmAmmyvVwCI/AAAAAAAADL4/l7jrvBRQJJE/s1600/good+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gZ1VJ79GJE/TmAmmyvVwCI/AAAAAAAADL4/l7jrvBRQJJE/s320/good+food.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">And drinking lots of this;</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yjxk-83eZk8/TmAm2Bq-9xI/AAAAAAAADL8/YqkM34k5k2U/s1600/water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yjxk-83eZk8/TmAm2Bq-9xI/AAAAAAAADL8/YqkM34k5k2U/s320/water.jpg" width="293px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">I really want to make this vacation about 'rejuvination' and 'loving my body' before our 'busy season' picks up again in October (and doesn't end until April of next year!)</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">But in addition to just being healthy I will also engage in the following;</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">Excessive tv watching and snack munching;</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7qjMrU9Yzz8/TmAnfNbMT8I/AAAAAAAADMA/LlAPxoq1bBo/s1600/Excessive-watching-of-TV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7qjMrU9Yzz8/TmAnfNbMT8I/AAAAAAAADMA/LlAPxoq1bBo/s320/Excessive-watching-of-TV.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">Reading useless fiction novels (such as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Endless-Love-Scott-Spencer/dp/0880016280">Endless Love by Scott Spencer</a></div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bijsz-lfuqs/TmAnvi9y9BI/AAAAAAAADME/HrlJ0DGWpnI/s1600/reading-book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bijsz-lfuqs/TmAnvi9y9BI/AAAAAAAADME/HrlJ0DGWpnI/s320/reading-book.jpg" width="305px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">Eating some of these;</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ESrkKfBMZI8/TmAoH7dQcGI/AAAAAAAADMI/Xzlnc-hWfIo/s1600/cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ESrkKfBMZI8/TmAoH7dQcGI/AAAAAAAADMI/Xzlnc-hWfIo/s320/cupcake.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273">and mainly just enjoying life. Time to reap the benefits of having a job that gives you 5 weeks of vacation right off the bat. I DID earn it though that's for dang sure!</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xvwrny="273"><br />
</div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-1766818372945044762011-08-31T20:33:00.001-04:002011-08-31T20:33:47.300-04:00August Recap and Thoughts of the Future<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So August... was a pretty awesome month! Ending with 4... days of rest haha. I'll run tomorrow, I promise!<br />
<br />
So... recap!<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115"><strong>Miles Ran</strong> - 141 (+4 from July, or 3% increase)</div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115"><strong>Strength Training Sessions</strong> - 2 ... yes... that's TWO. No wonder my knee is aching. Time to get back to those dang physical therapy exercises!</div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115"><strong>Unplanned Rest Days:</strong> 2 (missed a 10 miler early in the month and an 8 miler yesterday)</div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">Other Highlights:</div><ul><li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">First Back-to-Back Long Run (10 miles both days) - felt great!</div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">18 miler and a 20 miler, both were good</div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115"><div closure_uid_ticxwq="90">Hit my all time high for weekly (40mpw) and monthly (141mpm) running mileage (even WITH missing those 2 days)</div></div></li>
<li closure_uid_xew3oq="124"><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">Did day ONE of the 100 pushup challenge hahahahaha... yeah I guses I wasn't that dedicated.</div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">Fitness Goals For September:</div><ul><li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">Strength Train 4x/month (Mondays?) - Including Pushup Challenge</div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">Yoga 4x/month (Sundays?)</div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">Miles ~ 152</div></li>
<li closure_uid_xew3oq="125"><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">First 15k Ever (Sept 24th)</div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">Other Goals For September:</div><ul><li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">Use my vacation as a time to really focus on my body - and treating it healthily. </div></li>
<ul><li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">Focusing on Fruits/Veggies</div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">Focusing on "whole foods" as much as possible</div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115">Focusing on WATER</div></li>
</ul></ul><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115"><div closure_uid_xew3oq="130">Don't know why it's so hard for me to drink water. When I really focus on drinking more water for at least 2-3 days I notice SUCH a difference, I become less bloated, and I just feel miles better. **sigh** If only I could keep up with it!</div><div closure_uid_xew3oq="130"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xew3oq="130">I'll leave you with this... my favorite running song right now. Listen to it, you'll want to go run :D</div></div><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_xew3oq="115"><br />
</div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oqEopr57SaY?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-28391474730327945962011-08-31T17:42:00.000-04:002011-08-31T17:42:31.229-04:00Eh....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I haven't run in .... **counting** 4 days and may not run tomorrow. Work has been absolutely nuts to the point where I am doing nothing but waking up, working, coming home, working and going to sleep and repeating whole process. So, I decided for the sake of my own health taking a few days off isn't going to kill me.<br />
<br />
This is all worth it though because I have a EIGHTEEN DAY vacation from work starting Friday and I plan to make the best of it by filling it with... absolutely nothing :). Oh, and a bit of running too (a BIG bit of running).<br />
<br />
So... yes I miss you running but I will see you again very soon. Absence makes the heart grow fonder...<br />
<br />
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-78892163295373797392011-08-28T13:39:00.002-04:002011-08-28T13:42:50.072-04:0020 Miles and Thoughts on Long Runs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">So I ran 20 miles yesterday. It was pretty cool. I actually wasn't all that worried about the run beforehand or during it. Despite the 80*+ weather and killer humidity I never felt "bad" during the run. Never wanted to quit. Actually had a lot of fun since I was running with two people who had never done a 20 mile training run before! It was neat to experience your 'first time' again through someone else's eyes...</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">I just can't believe how far I've come. These long distance runs (18+ miles) really do seem to just be a matter of experience. I did a quick lookback of where I came from with these long runs and it was actually pretty neat...</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">My first 18 miler...</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88VpDrW0xGU/Tlp6YJ8tVCI/AAAAAAAADLI/FtfFszfW5Ds/s1600/first.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88VpDrW0xGU/Tlp6YJ8tVCI/AAAAAAAADLI/FtfFszfW5Ds/s640/first.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">I remember I had a panic attack and had to walk more than a mile of this run. I think the only reason I wrote "I feel super :D" on my dailymile is I was trying to convince myself that. The truth is I injured my knee on this run and it completely knocked out my first marathon (which was supposed to be the Chicago marathon on 10-10-10). Instead of running a marathon on 10-10-10 I was in bed crying. Not cool. That didn't make me like the number 18 very much...</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">Second 18 Miler...</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vH7Rs-WWefA/Tlp60XirytI/AAAAAAAADLM/VQspvcVnhiw/s1600/second.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vH7Rs-WWefA/Tlp60XirytI/AAAAAAAADLM/VQspvcVnhiw/s640/second.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><div closure_uid_azf3ic="92">This one was miles better than the first one and more than 6 months later (training for ANOTHER first marathon. Although I had a weird foot cramping thing going on and I was super worried about being an idiot and hurting myself AGAIN. I was hoping it was not deja-vu from the last 18 miler. Good news is that it wasn't. My foot was just cramping. Massage and ice and it was fine in a few days...</div></div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">First 20 miler (ended up being 21 due to different route)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CcXiEN8NPHg/Tlp7Ny3xLTI/AAAAAAAADLQ/XJhaeIQ3Phk/s1600/third.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CcXiEN8NPHg/Tlp7Ny3xLTI/AAAAAAAADLQ/XJhaeIQ3Phk/s640/third.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">This run was probably one of the best runs of my life. I felt strong the entire time, had no real aches/pains/issues like the other long runs, and I just felt amazing. I wish I had just had this as my 'long run' before the marathon because i would have gone into the marathon with a hell of a lot more confidence. Instead.... I did another 20+ miler....</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">First 22 Miler...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oql7RU6UoFo/Tlp7salhHmI/AAAAAAAADLU/Sx7qJ7XLZ1o/s1600/fourth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oql7RU6UoFo/Tlp7salhHmI/AAAAAAAADLU/Sx7qJ7XLZ1o/s640/fourth.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><div closure_uid_azf3ic="90"><div closure_uid_c0tyo9="90">Turns out i sprained my calf on mile 2 of this one. Mile TWO and I still ran 20 more. This is Lauren being hard headed and stubborn. It really did feel like deja vu with the my first 18 miler because just like i felt myself injure my knee in the 18 miler and still finished when I shoudln't have, I FELT my calf strain but didn't stop. This resulted in 2 weeks of complete rest within the month before my marathon and really killed my confidence. TWO weeks off.... however. I still finished my marathon in good spirits :D So, for those of you who have to take time off, it doesn't stop your ability to finish!</div></div></div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">"Last' Long Run before marathon</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WnKu23llPZs/Tlp8Ze_OZaI/AAAAAAAADLY/0bf4VwI5uhs/s1600/taper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WnKu23llPZs/Tlp8Ze_OZaI/AAAAAAAADLY/0bf4VwI5uhs/s640/taper.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">This was my last long run before my taper for my first marathon and it was joyous simply because a.) my calf had healed remarkedly and b.) I got to taper after this ;). I was super tired because i did this coming off 2 weeks of complete rest, but happy everything was good :D</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">So all in all I'm glad these long distance runs are getting easier. It's been a rocky road. I've learned...</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">1. Pack plenty of food</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">2. If you feel a sharp pain, stop... there's always another long run</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">3. Some long runs just suck, some don't. Be thankful for both becuase the crappy ones make you realize how awesome the non-crappy ones are.</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_iz7kqu="111">That's all :)</div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-86426331496121258002011-08-25T20:44:00.000-04:002011-08-25T20:44:42.815-04:00I Need Your Input! Marathon Bucket List!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">While trying to keep my mind of my impending 20 miler in less than 48 hours, I made my "marathon bucket list". I want to know... what am I missing?? What's on YOUR list?? <br />
<br />
Oh and I plan on doing individual "race research posts" on each of these to explain WHY it's on my list. It may take a really long time to write them all but... I think it'll be fun. I love research projects!<br />
<br />
<div closure_uid_aiefga="158" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 474px;"><colgroup><col width="141"><col width="92"><col width="80"><col width="60"><col width="33"><col width="68"></colgroup><tbody closure_uid_aiefga="160">
<tr closure_uid_aiefga="152" height="17"><td height="17" width="141"><br />
<div closure_uid_aiefga="151"><strong><span style="color: purple;">Name</span></strong></div></td><td width="92"><strong><br />
<span style="color: purple;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple;">State</span></strong></td><td width="80"><strong><br />
<span style="color: purple;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple;">Month</span></strong></td><td width="60"><strong><br />
<span style="color: purple;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple;">Season</span></strong></td><td width="33"><strong><br />
<span style="color: purple;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple;">Year</span></strong></td><td width="68"><strong><br />
<span style="color: purple;"></span></strong><br />
<div closure_uid_aiefga="153"><strong><span style="color: purple;">Status</span></strong></div></td></tr>
<tr closure_uid_aiefga="164" height="17"><td height="17"><br />
<strike>Chicagoland Spring Marathon</strike></td><td><strike><br />
</strike><br />
<strike>Illinois</strike></td><td closure_uid_aiefga="161"><strike><br />
</strike><br />
<strike>May</strike></td><td><strike><br />
</strike><br />
<strike>Spring</strike></td><td><strike><br />
</strike><br />
<strike>2011</strike></td><td><strike><br />
</strike><br />
<div closure_uid_aiefga="162"><strike>Done</strike></div></td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
<span closure_uid_aiefga="174" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Savannah Rock N' Roll</span></td><td><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Georgia</span></td><td><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">November</span></td><td closure_uid_aiefga="157"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Fall</span></td><td><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">2011</span></td><td><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Registered</span></td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Big Sur</span></td><td><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">California</span></td><td><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">April </span></td><td><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Spring</span></td><td><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">2012</span></td><td><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<div closure_uid_aiefga="159"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Registered</span></div></td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
Bataan Memorial Death March</td><td><br />
New Mexico</td><td><br />
March</td><td><br />
Spring</td><td><br />
?</td><td closure_uid_aiefga="173"><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
Napa Valley</td><td><br />
California</td><td><br />
March</td><td><br />
Spring</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
Fargo Marathon</td><td><br />
North Dakota</td><td><br />
May</td><td><br />
Spring</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
Ogden Marathon</td><td><br />
Utah</td><td><br />
May</td><td><br />
Spring</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17" width="141"><br />
Run the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon </td><td width="92"><br />
Washington</td><td><br />
June</td><td><br />
Summer</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
Lake Placid Marathon</td><td><br />
New York</td><td><br />
June</td><td><br />
Summer</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
San Diego Marathon</td><td><br />
California</td><td><br />
June</td><td><br />
Summer</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17" width="141"><br />
Missoula Marathon</td><td><br />
Montana</td><td><br />
July</td><td><br />
Summer</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17" width="141"><br />
Pikes Peak Marathon</td><td width="92"><br />
Colorado</td><td><br />
August</td><td><br />
Summer</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
Chicago Marathon</td><td><br />
Illinois</td><td><br />
October</td><td><br />
Fall</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
Marine Corps Marathon</td><td><br />
Washington DC</td><td><br />
October</td><td><br />
Fall</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
St. George Marathon</td><td><br />
Utah</td><td><br />
October</td><td><br />
Fall</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17" width="141"><br />
Wineglass Marathon</td><td><br />
New York</td><td><br />
October</td><td><br />
Fall</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17" width="141"><br />
Mount Desert Island Marathon</td><td><br />
Maine</td><td><br />
October</td><td><br />
Fall</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
Newport Rhode Island</td><td><br />
Rhode Island</td><td><br />
October</td><td><br />
Fall</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
Steamtown</td><td><br />
Pennslyvania</td><td><br />
October</td><td><br />
Fall</td><td><br />
?</td><td><div closure_uid_aiefga="163"><br />
</div>?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
TWIN CITIES</td><td><br />
Minnesota</td><td><br />
October</td><td><br />
Fall</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
New York City Marathon</td><td><br />
New York</td><td><br />
November</td><td><br />
Fall</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
<tr height="17"><td height="17"><br />
Philadelphia</td><td><br />
Pennslyvania</td><td><br />
November</td><td><br />
Fall</td><td><br />
?</td><td><br />
?</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div closure_uid_aiefga="181" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_aiefga="181" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_aiefga="191" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Oh and some eye candy! One photo from each race!</div><div closure_uid_aiefga="191" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_aiefga="191" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_aiefga="181" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="181" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEkl-4YP7-8/Tlbqnu480VI/AAAAAAAADJs/_BpH1BXk5po/s1600/amica+-+rhode+island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEkl-4YP7-8/Tlbqnu480VI/AAAAAAAADJs/_BpH1BXk5po/s1600/amica+-+rhode+island.jpg" /></a></div><div closure_uid_aiefga="181" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on">Amica Marathon - Newport, Rhode Island</div><div closure_uid_aiefga="181" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="206" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-di65e3VrRQM/TlbqsywA8zI/AAAAAAAADJw/TKp03Xwkei0/s1600/bataan+memorial+death+march.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-di65e3VrRQM/TlbqsywA8zI/AAAAAAAADJw/TKp03Xwkei0/s320/bataan+memorial+death+march.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="206" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="206" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bataan Memorial Death March</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="206" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="206" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYMfz3Di-uU/Tlbq0jd4EuI/AAAAAAAADJ0/KbEgt8oZy0s/s1600/Big+Sur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYMfz3Di-uU/Tlbq0jd4EuI/AAAAAAAADJ0/KbEgt8oZy0s/s320/Big+Sur.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Big Sur</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QSdZmKpWjQ/Tlbq4eIwwcI/AAAAAAAADJ4/pmS-rVmo4fg/s1600/Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QSdZmKpWjQ/Tlbq4eIwwcI/AAAAAAAADJ4/pmS-rVmo4fg/s320/Chicago.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div closure_uid_aiefga="317" style="text-align: center;">Chicago Marathon</div><div closure_uid_aiefga="319"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZT6nHcxBOw/Tlbq7hUeADI/AAAAAAAADJ8/YoVTqWXrqz4/s1600/chicagoland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZT6nHcxBOw/Tlbq7hUeADI/AAAAAAAADJ8/YoVTqWXrqz4/s320/chicagoland.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div closure_uid_aiefga="315" style="text-align: center;">Chicagoland Spring Marathon</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qsmD7A5vWJ0/Tlbq_-3h4KI/AAAAAAAADKA/axxDzK7hgv0/s1600/fargo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qsmD7A5vWJ0/Tlbq_-3h4KI/AAAAAAAADKA/axxDzK7hgv0/s320/fargo.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fargo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="249" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Wr72RxpG9o/TlbrDDu4mAI/AAAAAAAADKE/7EtA5FnKt00/s1600/lake+placid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Wr72RxpG9o/TlbrDDu4mAI/AAAAAAAADKE/7EtA5FnKt00/s320/lake+placid.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="249" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lake Placid</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="249" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="251" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AP-OrqOirok/TlbrF1d5qBI/AAAAAAAADKI/20fE6JbrTo0/s1600/marine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AP-OrqOirok/TlbrF1d5qBI/AAAAAAAADKI/20fE6JbrTo0/s320/marine.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="251" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marine Corps</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="251" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="271" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RpVwUoSVRI/TlbrOkxHw7I/AAAAAAAADKQ/-WazTQyiOBs/s1600/mt+desert+island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RpVwUoSVRI/TlbrOkxHw7I/AAAAAAAADKQ/-WazTQyiOBs/s320/mt+desert+island.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="271" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mt. Desert Island</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="271" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="253" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CqL1IZDnXcw/TlbrLOdQvuI/AAAAAAAADKM/eI_vSxLpSLY/s1600/MissoulaMarathon.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CqL1IZDnXcw/TlbrLOdQvuI/AAAAAAAADKM/eI_vSxLpSLY/s320/MissoulaMarathon.bmp" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="253" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Missoula Marathon</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="253" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="253" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="275" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TMCBRMFzDTE/TlbrTAGUu_I/AAAAAAAADKU/hme-jf0tmhw/s1600/napa+valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TMCBRMFzDTE/TlbrTAGUu_I/AAAAAAAADKU/hme-jf0tmhw/s320/napa+valley.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="275" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Napa Valley</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="275" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="275" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="277" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_bYvOtgSl2w/TlbrVvY-kUI/AAAAAAAADKY/Bbx1AkaUUyQ/s1600/NYC+Marathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_bYvOtgSl2w/TlbrVvY-kUI/AAAAAAAADKY/Bbx1AkaUUyQ/s320/NYC+Marathon.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="277" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">NYC Marathon</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="277" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="277" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="279" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJH_DGBIAtA/TlbrafQT5WI/AAAAAAAADKc/r9XqlyKLTII/s1600/ogden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJH_DGBIAtA/TlbrafQT5WI/AAAAAAAADKc/r9XqlyKLTII/s320/ogden.jpg" width="222px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="279" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ogden Marathon</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="279" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="281" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYnoegyAYzk/Tlbrdps9vvI/AAAAAAAADKg/iHU4gzYXvt0/s1600/philly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYnoegyAYzk/Tlbrdps9vvI/AAAAAAAADKg/iHU4gzYXvt0/s320/philly.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="281" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Philadelphia Marathon</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="281" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="281" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="283" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7DE6me1CH1c/TlbrhrZvUBI/AAAAAAAADKk/oA7-JihcDzg/s1600/PikesPeak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7DE6me1CH1c/TlbrhrZvUBI/AAAAAAAADKk/oA7-JihcDzg/s320/PikesPeak.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="283" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pikes Peak</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="283" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="283" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="285" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvs-Pnuvsas/TlbrlBcjFSI/AAAAAAAADKo/xVQ7y1-oo9s/s1600/san+diego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvs-Pnuvsas/TlbrlBcjFSI/AAAAAAAADKo/xVQ7y1-oo9s/s320/san+diego.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="285" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">San Diego Rock n Roll</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="285" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="287" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwKAwAmwEd4/TlbrouMTXrI/AAAAAAAADKs/iL5N9jWQ9C4/s1600/savannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="60px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwKAwAmwEd4/TlbrouMTXrI/AAAAAAAADKs/iL5N9jWQ9C4/s320/savannah.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="287" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Savannah Rock N Roll</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="287" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="289" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7mKoGSI-3M/TlbrvHyf0nI/AAAAAAAADKw/aixS9_CBB_0/s1600/seattle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7mKoGSI-3M/TlbrvHyf0nI/AAAAAAAADKw/aixS9_CBB_0/s320/seattle.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="289" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seattle Rock N Roll</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="289" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="289" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="307" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sosZpTD26gQ/Tlbry5f0LPI/AAAAAAAADK0/_s7Egbj0ICs/s1600/st+george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sosZpTD26gQ/Tlbry5f0LPI/AAAAAAAADK0/_s7Egbj0ICs/s320/st+george.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="307" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. George </div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="307" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="307" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="309" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKmpAFzixkw/Tlbr3mfnxtI/AAAAAAAADK4/ghW7CaTufYk/s1600/steamtown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKmpAFzixkw/Tlbr3mfnxtI/AAAAAAAADK4/ghW7CaTufYk/s320/steamtown.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="309" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steamtown</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="309" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="309" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="311" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bB27Fue_YTA/Tlbr6m3K64I/AAAAAAAADK8/TgSTvL_d9io/s1600/twincities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bB27Fue_YTA/Tlbr6m3K64I/AAAAAAAADK8/TgSTvL_d9io/s320/twincities.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="311" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Twin Cities</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="311" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="311" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="314" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOd3teRgYJM/TlbsB4O56xI/AAAAAAAADLA/up2f4yEuCpg/s1600/wineglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOd3teRgYJM/TlbsB4O56xI/AAAAAAAADLA/up2f4yEuCpg/s320/wineglass.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="314" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wineglass</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="314" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="314" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="314" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoy!</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_aiefga="253" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_aiefga="181" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"></div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3466089449217873147.post-52387033363457737452011-08-11T13:07:00.000-04:002011-08-11T13:07:25.670-04:00OMG fixed my comment leaving problem!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So the last couple weeks, half the time I tried to leavea c omment on a blog i got some weird error about how I wasn't authenticated to leave the comment which was weird since I've never had the problem before.<br />
<br />
Anyway googled it and found an answer and now I can leave commments on other's blogs! Oh, and in case you tried to leave a comment here and got the same error, it should fix MY posts as well. **sigh** I should have googled earlier...<br />
<br />
<div closure_uid_geq4qd="119">If you're having the problem, go here to fix it;</div><br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=7be4562c722b8120&hl=en">http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=7be4562c722b8120&hl=en</a><br />
<br />
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051001544778172019noreply@blogger.com0