B210K Week 2 Day 3

First things first... I signed up for my very first race today and am so excited and a little bit nervous because I have no idea what to expect and I am running it alone!!  Yikes!  It's the Sea Rim Striders 21st annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day morning!  Here's my 1st racing bib and technical t-shirt :)

Today I completed B210K week 2 day 3 after a total downpour and cool front came through.  The rain was finally over when I ventured out around 4:00, and it was cool and breezy... a nice day for a run in the park.  I am definitely addicted to the runner's high.  I am getting a little nervous about next week with the time/distance increase, but I'm sure I'll handle it better than I think.

I finally was able to get into the doctor yesterday to have my wrist looked at.  It has been bothering me for a week.  Really sore and achy and then after I weight lifted last Thursday it was sharp pains all through my thumb and wrist.  My dr was closed Friday so I just sucked it up and toughed it out through the weekend with the help of an ace bandage, extra strength bengay and a big bottle of Advil.  Found out it's tendonitis + a torn ligament... OUCH!  But it should start getting better now that I have this beautiful contraption.....  I miss weight lifting already.

Happy running ya'll!!

B210K Week 2 Day 2

Quick update.... apparently I was too lazy to blog yesterday when I actually completed my B210K week 2 day 2 run so here it is now.  My husband and I went to my aunt and uncle's for a day of wedding crafts, and grilling, but my arm is really messed up and I'm in quite a bit of pain.  I am not sure if I tore something, sprained or pulled something or if I have a hairline fracture in my right wrist.  I am going to the dr. tomorrow to get it checked out.  As of now, I'm just wearing and arm brace, using Bengay, and eating advil like candy.  Hopefully they can get me all fixed up tomorrow.

Anyway, needless to say, I wasn't much help on the craft front this weekend so I decided to go for a run in their neighborhood while everybody else glued, spray painted and glittered up everything for my sister's wedding.  I do have to say I felt better afterwards and had less pain.  In total I ran 45 minutes with a warm up and cool down walk and 1 minute walk intervals thrown in every 15 minutes.  So the total workout was 57 minutes.... not bad.

Hopefully my arm isn't hurt too badly, I miss weight training my upper body already.  Gotta finish up day 3 ASAP so I can start on week 3!!  Happy running everybody :)

I want this cute pink running hat...it has a zipper on the side to store your car key or gels when you run!  Plus it's made with a sweat wicking band on the inside!  Genius

B210K Week 1 Day 2

I completed week 1 day 2 of B210K yesterday but apparently I was too lazy to write the blog for it until today...  The workout consisted of a 5 minute warm up walk, 10 minute run with a 1 minute walk interval (repeat 4 more times) and finished up with a 5 minute cool down.  So it was another workout with a lot of runs!  I am really enjoying pushing my limit and pushing past the pain.  As soon as it's over, I know it was totally worth it.  I feel energized and happy.  The aches and pains are just part of running but it's never a let down... it's always worth it in the end.

Today, Tuesday, was just a weight training day for me because the weather was so bad.  I went to the gym to train and I just can't bring myself to run for a solid hour on a treadmill now that I am used to running outside in parks.  It's just too boring and I get way too stir crazy.  If it was only a 30 minute run, I could grit and bear the treadmill, but not a whole hour.  The weight training went well.  I have increased my weights for upper body by 10 pounds and my legs are insanely strong as always.  I love how weight training is helping prevent normal running injuries that happen.  I'm hoping to prevent as many as possible for as long as possible.  

This is a new product I have started using and LOVE!  I am not a huge fan of butter to start with, but I do like it on fresh baked rolls every once in awhile.  For the most part, I skip it though.  It's too greasy... it is right up there with fried food for me... just not a fan, never have been.  Always have and will order grilled chicken over fried.  But whenever I want a little butter... this is what I will use now!  It's made with olive oil and has way less saturated fat than the other real stuff lol.  Just wanted to pass it along!

B210K Week 1 Day 1

Today was my very first day of my new running program Bridge to 10K.  Week 1 Day 1 consisted of a 5 minute warm up walk followed by a 10 minute run interval and 1 minute walk interval (repeated 4 times) and finished up with a 5 minute cool down.  This was definitely more challenging than Couch to 5K was...  In total, I ran 50 minutes almost straight because 1 minute walk intervals go by extremely fast! Each week gets progressively longer just like the C25K program did.  The workouts vary from 50-75 minutes per day 3 days a week and you cross train or weight lift on the other other days and have 2 days of rest.  So basically Monday, Wednesday & Friday are my run days with Tuesdays and Thursdays reserved for weight training and I'll take weekends off for now.  Today is Wednesday so I will do day 2 and 3 on Thursday and Friday this week since I started late.  B210K is only 6 weeks long and culminates with running a 10K (6.2 miles).

Once B210K is finished, I will be doing the Hal Higdon 1/2 marathon training program which lasts 12 weeks and will finish the week of The Gusher Marathon with race day on that Saturday!  The timing worked out perfectly!  I can't be more excited about that.  I am really happy that I found a park with a beautiful trail that I really love to run.  It beats the treadmill any day... and helps me adjust to wind resistance and uneven paths.  After finishing 5K training last week, (9 weeks long) I had lost a total of 23 pounds and gains a ton of muscle tone!  I am looking forward to seeing how my body changes over the next 6 weeks of 10K training.

I am posting a picture of the delicious green smoothie that I posted the recipe for a couple blogs ago... so good and so healthy!

Here is another delicious post run healthy smoothie recipe that I tried today!  It's especially good for morning runs and an extra energy boost!  Here's the recipe, enjoy:

Crunchy Coffee Smoothie


4 ounces chilled coffee 
4 ounces fat-free milk 
1 banana (preferably frozen), sliced 
2 tablespoons whole almonds 
2 teaspoons natural cocoa powder


(161 calories, 23 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 3 g protein, and 8 g fat.)


Happy Running ya'll!

My LAST C25K Workout!!! (Week 9 Day 3)

I can NOT believe today is the last day of my Couch to 5K running program, but it is... it is over, I finished it!  I feel a little sad, a lot happy, overjoyed, excited, amazed and so proud of finishing the 9 weeks and bettering my health.  I also feel excited, antsy, nervous and ready to start my Bridge to 10K running program next week!  I can't wait for the new challenge which will last 6 weeks and then 1/2 marathon training will be for 12 weeks followed by The Gusher 1/2 Marathon race this spring!  All I can imagine are new and even better, more fit and healthy changes to my life and lifestyle.

As far as C25K goes, it is the absolute best thing I have ever done for myself.  This gave me a healthy way to get in shape and healthy physically and mentally.  It truly does become a way to meditate, zone out or de-stress.  It also makes you want to eat healthier....  It made me crave fruits, veggies and whole grains and I firmly believe it's because it's what your body need for fuel to run.  I can't imagine not running and hope to be able to do so injury free for many years to come.  Hopefully this will be my healthy example for my future children and something we can eventually do together and bond over.

For anyone considering an exercise program or change, I would definitely say do this.... other than a good pair of shoes, it's free and you can run anywhere, anytime.  What's better than that?  A healthy and affordable exercise program!  Thanks for all the support throughout this journey.  Now, on to the 10K!!  Bring it!

Happy Running everybody!

C25K: Week 9 Day 2

Week 9 Day 2 happened tonight at my new favorite park to run in.  It is really pretty and peaceful with plenty of trails and is very well maintained.  I am pretty sure I will be logging plenty of miles there.  Especially during the summertime when it gets really warm since it's covered with trees and shade.  It is definitely more of a challenge running outside with wind resistance and different temperatures everyday.  I am going to start training more outside for sure to have me more prepared, adjusted and adapted to running outside before my race in the spring.  Plus nature is so much more relaxing...feels like a form of meditation to me.  I love that my mind can wander and all my stress melts away.  I can't believe how far I have come in 9 weeks and I can't wait to keep moving forward and training hard.  My last C25K workout is this week!  Insane... only 1 more to go.

Here's a picture of the new running spot!

Happy Running Ya'll!

C25K: Week 9 Day 1

Day 1 of week 9 (the last week) of C25K was today and it's bittersweet...  I'm excited that I have almost reached my goal of completing this running program, but sad that it's almost over.  After this week, I will be moving on to half marathon training and am pretty nervous!  Today was a 5 minute warm up, 30 minutes consecutive running followed by a 5 minute cool down.  At the end of the run, I felt amazing and like I could keep going.  So, I left the treadmill and headed to the park with my sister (who started C25K today!) to run some more.  Tomorrow is a weight training day for me at the gym...  I am convinced that this is helping to strengthen my body and prevent running injuries.

As far as new food ideas, I finally put my Magic Bullet to good use and made the most delicious green smoothie ever!  I have noticed after longer runs, I am not in the mood to eat big meals, so this helps me get more fruits and veggies in my diet because even if i'm not hungry I can gulp it down real fast lol.  Here's the recipe:

1/2 C. 100% Carrot Juice
1 Kiwi, sliced
1/2 Banana (I like it frozen because the smoothie is colder)
1/2 Granny Smith Apple, Sliced
1 C. Fresh Spinach

Blend until smooth!!  I love how much fruit and veggies are in 1 glass of a "made at home" smoothie... so much better than the ones you buy somewhere that are just full of sugars and fruit juices which are basically just sugars.  You can also add a little vanilla yogurt or a teaspoon of raw honey to sweeten this up a little more if you need it.

The best and most natural Carrot Juice I have found.... tastes really fresh too:

C25K Week 8 Day 2

Today was day 2 of week 8 and I can NOT believe that I only have 4 workouts left in the C25K training program!  The past couple of months have flown by and I can see so many changes in my body now.  I definitely want to keep going and improving on my running skills.  I love this sport.  All you need is a good pair of running shoes and you're set.  What other sport can say that?  My endurance level is also so much better.  I can run 28 minutes as of now and not feel winded!  I felt miserable after 1 minute running intervals in the beginning, so yes, this program totally works.  My legs are amazing now too and i love that.  The only issue I am having is my legs start to feel tight in the last 5 minutes of my run interval even with stretching.... so I have to figure out a way to prevent this.  Other than that, i feel awesome and so energized!  The runner's high is definitely worth any pain or discomfort during the run.  Besides, pain is weakness leaving the body, right? :)  As soon as I finish up this program, I will be moving on to 1/2 marathon training and all of the new challenges that come along with that... excitement and nervousness.

One last thing.... my friend introduced me to this product.  I told my husband about it last night and of course he went out and bought me some.  <3 him!  Any girl with boobs knows, that your arms can get chaffed from rubbing against the seams of your sports bra.  This stuff is a lifesaver.  Just a tip for any fellow runners... good on arms, legs, feet (to prevent blisters), anywhere that has friction!

HAPPY RUNNING EVERYBODY!