A Bug in Your Mouth is Not Protein, It's Gross!

Boy, busy week last week...I completed all of my runs and workouts, just haven't had the time to blog about it...I resolve to get better at updating more frequently.

So, today while running a bug flew in my mouth...EWW...a BIG ONE...but THANK GOD I didn't CHOMP DOWN on my gum...I spit it out as fast as it flew in...I highly recommend the "in through your nose, out through your mouth" breathing technique! I think I learned my lesson!

Last week was great! Finished the week with 11.5 miles and the long run was surprisingly not so dreadful. I mean, yes Steph and I are still in the "building the running base" stage so we are still on walk/runs....but we finished 6 miles in 70 minutes 40 seconds...I was proud of that! Around mile 4.5 my hip started really bothering me...but...then it subsided a little and I was able to finish. We ran the Seaside Park/Seaside Heights boardwalk...yep...the same place MTV's Jersey Shore is taped. Lucky for us there was no sight of a camera crew or fist pumpers!

I was kinda nervous about the hip thing...since I already have had hip issues in the past and since today is week 3, I need to do everything I can to prevent injury! So, as much as it KILLS ME I am foam rolling my glutes, hamstrings, quads, IT band, hips, and calves....I'm rolling my feet over a tennis ball and that kills me too...but after the torture I actually feel better. Yesterday I did an hour and 15 minutes of yoga, and I met with the chiropractor today. I'm hoping between all of that PLUS the occasional deep tissue massage I will avoid injury...or at least keep it to a minimum.

The last little (well, not so little) detail I have to get under better control is my nutrition. Without a written plan, like my workouts, it's hard (not to mention horrible) to "wing it" when it comes to my meals. I do have a book called Sports Nutrition for the Endurance Athlete that I just started reading that I know will help me plan out what foods I should and shouldn't be eating pre and post workout...especially when my runs become longer. I feel pretty confident that once I have my "clean" meal plan and vitamins/supplements WRITTEN DOWN my training will be taken to the next level.Tomorrow it's a little weight training and Zumba...but for now I'm going to kick up my feet and relax for the night....

Long Run - 4 miles - I feel great!

So, the plan for today was to run 60 minutes or 4 miles (which ever came first.) I am still on a walk/run program so I wasn't sure which would come first. I was on my own today, no running partner, so I found a park near me that had a 1 mile path. I figured all I had to do is run my stop watch so I knew when to switch from walking to running and if I finished 4 laps before 60 minutes I would be done. I was pleasantly surprised to finish 4 miles in 46 minutes 50 seconds!

The first mile was tough. I didn't really warm up besides my 2 minute walk so my run was more a jog the first lap. My heels were feeling a pull so I made note that maybe a longer warm up would help loosen that up faster and also make sure to do some foot, ankle, and calf stretches regularly and of course after my run.

By the end of the second mile I felt awesome. My run was getting faster and I feel like the 2 minute walk was plenty of time to recover before I had to
run again.

Even though I didn't get out to run until almost 10am the temperature was comfortable and there was a nice breeze the whole time.

After my run I walked a little more around the park and did some stretches....came home and downed some Rehydrate before I got in the shower. After the shower I rolled each foot over a tennis ball to massage out the band that goes under my foot and up through my heel and Achilles tendon. Then I used "The Stick" on my quads and hamstrings, then did the DREADED foam roller over my quads, hammies, and IT band. (As much as it hurts, it does feel better afterwards.)




Check out my new headband thanks to the awesome website: Sweaty Bands. They have tons of great designs and I highly recommend checking it out! I already bought 3 (I think it might be my new addiction!)

Tomorrow I plan to hit up a pilates class for a little strength and more stretching.

Can't wait until my new running shorts come in the mail...maybe today?

Enjoy your weekend!