Checking in...

September seems to be flying right by...

I thought I'd take a few minutes to check-in on my Sept goals. Will I be successful?

• Find a job. Truth be told, I really need to re-focus on this. I've let it slide this past week. The thing is, I had a great interview last week, went in for a drug screen the next day. Now, I'm waiting to hear back about the results. I'm very hopeful. :-)
• Run 60 miles. I think I'm on track for this. As of today, I've run 29 miles. I don't see any reason why I won't be able to pump out the rest. Unless my knee decides to have other plans. It's been bothering me the past several days. In fact, I skipped my Wed run to see if it would help. Hopefully my 7mile run goes well tomorrow.
• Incorporate more yoga and stretching and strength training. I've been pretty good about doing some yoga after each run. I still need to work a bit harder at the strength training, though. I've not been terrible but can definitely be better. ;-)
• Participate in NaBloPoMo, Fitness Writing Challenge, and #Runnerdphotoaday. I think I've only missed one day of blogging so far! but, there were a couple days that I posted more than once... I think I've missed a couple days of the photo challenge, too. Still, I'm very pleased with my progress so far with these challenges.

All in all, it's shaping up to be a pretty decent month. *fingers crossed* for some good news on the job front.

Today, Fitness Cheerleader asks us about our 5 favorite vegetables.

When it comes to veggies, I am BORING! My favorites are probably carrots, celery, bell peppers, soybeans edamame (much less boring, right?), and cucumbers. 

Like I said, BORRRRRING!

I wish I liked fancier veggies, but simply, I don't know what to do with them. ;-)

How are your September goals coming along?
What are your favorite veggies?

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Fitness Friday + A Bucket List

Before arriving in Vegas, Miss Sallie was my favorite go-to running partner. She would get so excited when she'd see me getting dressed for a run - jumping up and down, wagging her tail, begging to hear those words, "Do you wanna go for a run?" For her, running was like little doggie heaven! She always looks like she is having a blast, complete with a big smile on her face.

Unfortunately, it's been way too hot in Vegas to take her out with me. She always looks so sad when she sees me getting dressed for a run, but the cement and asphalt would burn her little tootsies. :-(

It's starting to cool off now! So, when I went for a run this morning and saw it was only in the low 80s, I decided it was time she came with me.

Is it time to go? IS IT TIME TO GO??

She had so much fun! We ran for 3 miles. She was such a good girl while out - never straying too far from me, but still detouring to run through any grass we came across. She just trotted along, smiling as she went. She did start lagging about the last mile, so 3 miles was probably pushing it for her first Vegas run. She'll probably be tired now for the next few days!

I've normally been running to the Strip, but it gets too crowded, so we went a completely different route today. We ran down the less traveled roads and stumbled upon a neat park. We just ran by it today, but I'm looking forward to going back soon.

All-in-all, this was a very fun run this morning - despite feeling some slight pain in my knee. Ugh! I thought I was over that. Boooo.....


Today, the Fitness Cheerleader asks us to share our fitness bucket list. Here's mine.

1. Run a half marathon (or marathon if I start feeling ambitious again someday) on every continent except Antarctica. I haven't contemplated this enough to know which races I'd like to run. If you know of any must-do races around the world, please let me know.
   


2. Qualify for membership in Half Fanatics. There are 9 different levels. Here is how you qualify for the lowest:

   NEPTUNE

   1. 2 Half Marathons within a 16 day time frame.

   2. 3 Half Marathons within a 90 day time frame.

   
   
3. Run 12 Half marathons in a calendar year. This would put me at the Saturn level of the Half Fanatics.
   


4. Attend a yoga retreat somewhere beautiful. I wouldn't mind doing this many times, of course.
   


5. Hike/Explore ancient ruins in Central and South America. Most particularly, I would love to visit Teotihuacan.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Take a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Like in the movie The Way. If you haven't see the movie, I definitely recommend it.
   
   
   
   
7. Tour the U.S. via bicycle. Can you even imagine the beauty you'd experience while not in a car or train or plane? Going slower speeds on less traveled roads?
   

It's not a very long list, but it is quite ambitious. Isn't that what a bucket list should be, after all?


What did you do for Fitness Friday?
What's on your Fitness Bucket List?
Have you ever raced on a different continent?
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This was my first time linking up with Fitness Friday. Click the button to see who else is celebrating fitness today.

I'm a Total Sucker + Sept Goals

Even if it's not something I need or want or sometimes even like, if it's free - I WANT IT!

Yeah, I'm a total sucker for that 4-letter word.

If you're a Google fan and own an Android operated phone, you probably already know about Google Music. Well, did you know every day they feature at least one free song of the day? I've gotten some rather unusual great songs!

For today's run, I set my phone to randomly choose songs from the whole library, which led to an very interesting (read: very fun) run.

I'll do a full write-up on the run later, but as a teaser, let me just say - No knee discomfort though it is bothering me now. No shin pain. No hammie tightness. Plus fun times dodging the tourists on the Strip. Oh yeah, and LOTS of stairs and escalators.

I stopped midway to snap a pic of me at the Brooklyn Bridge the small one in Vegas bonus points if you can name the movie?

I even attempted an outdoors vlog during my cool down. Problem: It was really windy, which means lots of crackly feedback. Maybe I'll attempt to re-record the audio. Stay tuned.

******
I'm not really a huge goal maker, but as the final day of the August's Writing Challenge, I figure why not make a couple goals for Sept?

• First and foremost, FIND A JOB! I realize this is somewhat out of my control, but I need to focus and re-double my efforts. Time is ticking. I do have an interview on Monday. Yay!
• Run 60 miles. That's just like 13-15 miles a week. Totally do-able, right?
• Incorporate more yoga and stretching and strength training.
• And a couple of challenges. I think I'll try to creatively combine Fitness Cheerleader's Sept Writing Challenge with NaBloPoMo Sept Theme: Eye. Should be a challenge to combine the two challenges. I'm also hoping to join Candace by posting a picture every day on Instagram, Twitter, and/or FB. 

What are your goals for Sept? Will you be joining in on any of these challenges?
Do you ever randomly download free music?
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Race Day Warm-Up

If you're following my training calendar, you might know I will be running the Get Lucky! half marathon on Saturday. Imagine my excitement when finding an article at Fitness Magazine with tips for race day!

And then I read the article. And chuckled a little.

It wasn't bad advice, just a little impractical.

The following three stretches are what they suggest doing 45-55 minutes before the race. If you click on any of the following pictures, you'll be redirected to the page on Fitness Magazine with a description of the stretch.

Three problems, I see with these were:

1) Obviously these were not meant for races in March or most months in Minnesota. NO way will I be lying on the ground. outside.

2) Who carries a yoga strap or towel with them to a race? It does give modifications for without the strap, but still...

3) Perhaps I'm running the wrong races, but there are usually so many people there it would be difficult to find a proper place to do these stretches - even if I were going to lie on the ground.

Still, I guess it is good advice. I can modify the stretches to not lie on the ground or use any equipment. Plus, I did like what they suggest for 10 min pre-race.

So, we'll see if I do any of this come race day morning. :-)

As for the race, I'll be sporting a cute St Paddy's Day outfit - hat, hoodie, shorts, and over-the-knee socks. None of it exactly matches, but I think that helps make the outfit. It's likely it will be in the 50s, so it's likely I'll be slightly overdressed. At least I'll look good. :-)

Honestly, I think I'm more excited about the outfit than I am the actual race.

My goals for the race are simply.

1) FINISH.

2) Do NOT Die.

3) Take it at an easy pace and don't further aggravate my knee.

Simple, right?

My last run was 7+ miles with only minor discomfort in my knee, so I think I should be okay.

Of course, positive thoughts are always more than welcome, though.

What is your pre-race routine? Any plans to celebrate St Patrick's Day?

Happy New Year!

I really intended on writing this post yesterday, but it took much longer to re-design my blog than I'd intended.

Without further ado ...

Let me introduce you to ...

Enjoying the Course

An Average Girl's Journey Through Life

I'll still be posting many of the same types of posts, but the emphasis of my blog will really be focused more on running and maintaing a healthier lifestyle. I have lots of work to do in this regards, so hopefully blogging about being healthy will help motivate me to becoming healthier.

I hope you all had a lovely ringing in of the New Year!

In true New Year's fashion, I'm setting a few resolutions.

Run 600+ miles. This shouldn't be too difficult. It's an average of 50 miles a month, and with training for a marathon, I should be able to do this relatively easily (I hope).

Read 12+ books. I really want to read more, so I'm making it a resolution this year and putting a specific number on it. I'd like at least 6 of these books to be history, geography, or education related. This is only 1 book a month, but I didn't want to make it much more than that. I'm just not sure how much free time I'll have from Feb - May with student teaching and marathon training.

Be a better blogger. I'd really like to improve my blogging skills and get my name/story out there. I've also created a Facebook page and Twitter account. Feel free to follow me there as well. I'm hoping to incorporate some reviews / giveaways (I already have something exciting in the works). Mostly, though, I'll be sharing running progress, marathon training, race reports, motivating pictures / stories, an occasional book review, updates on student teaching, and well, anything else that strikes my fancy. If you have any suggestions on what you'd like to see, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I think that 3 is good. Manageable.

Happy New Year!

What's in a Name?

Well, a lot. I think.

A name draws you in.
A name entices you to read.
Am I right?

I want to take my blog to the next level.

I started this blog way back in 2006.
Without a niche.
Just a place for me to share some of my random thoughts.

More than five years and a few hundred posts later, I feel like I need to change it up a bit.
I'll still share randomness that goes on in my life, but I'd like to focus more on my running/fitness goals. Of course, that's kind of been the focus for quite some time now.

Perhaps a name change is in order?

I've been wracking my brain for the past week or so trying to come up with something creative and fun. Here are a few ideas I'm considering. I'd love to hear what you think.

Middle of the Road Gal

I'm average and that's OKAY

(too whiny? too political sounding?)

Don't Get Excited

Just an average girl running through life

Keep Your Shoes Laced

You never know what's coming next

Running Poppycock

Enjoying the Course

An average runner's journey

What do you think? Which is your favorite or do they all stink? Do you have any suggestions?

#HBBC, Week 2 Recap

Did you notice the button over in my right sidebar? I kind of threw it up there without any explanation, but I joined up with the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge 2011. I'm new to it this year and signed-up a little late, so I don't qualify for any of the fun final prizes. Still, I thought it would be a good way to challenge myself through the holiday season.

Here's how I can earn points each week:

1 Point per mile (run/walk)
1 Point per 3 miles biked
1 Point per 20 minutes of weight lifting, Pilates, yoga, stretching or abs
1 Point per 15 minutes of low impact cardio (i.e. low impact aerobics, easy biking, skiing, skating, water aerobics, snow shoeing)
1 Point per 10 minutes of high impact cardio (i.e.spinning, kickboxing, lap swimming)
1 Per day where you reach a minimum of 7 servings of fruits and veggies (here are details on what is a serving)

I'd like to do a brief recap here each week. Since I missed week 1, here's a recap from both weeks.

Week 1

11/19: 0 points

• Studied all day for MTLE on Monday morning

11/20: 0 points

• Same as Saturday

11/21: 5 points

• Weights - 20 min
• Elliptical/Stairmaster - 30min

11/22: 0 points

• No real good reason. :(

11/23: 1.1 points

• Walked 1.1 mile

11/24: 4 points

• Walked 1 mile - had to pick up / drop off the car
• Turkey Day 5K - ran with a friend from high school. So. Much. Fun! (and crazy crowded)

11/25: 2 points

• Ran 2 miles

Week 1 Total: 12.1
Challenge Total: 12.1

Week 2
11/26: 0 points

• Skipped my run. Went to a wine tasting with my stepmom, sister, and brother's girlfriend. Well worth it. :)

11/27: 7.25 points

• Ran 7.25 miles - Very pleasant run spent listening to the radio. Quite enjoyable, in fact.

11/28: 0 points

• I can't even remember what happened this day.

11/29: 3.9 points

• Ran 3.9 miles of hills on the treadmill. Was very tough!

11/30: 2.1 points

• Ran 2.1 miles outside. The weather has been so pleasant!

12/1: 2 points

• Cycled for 30 min. Slowly. While attempting to read. Not very successfully.

12/3: 4 points

• Ran 4 miles on the treadmill. Attempted speedwork.

Week 2 Total: 19.25
Challenge Total: 34.35

Where I'm really falling short is the fruits/veggies part of the challenge. I really struggle to eat nutritiously. Hopefully this will improve once school is finished, but right now it would be a real challenge for me to even eat 3 servings a day, let alone 7. That seems like an incredible amount to me.

What tips do you have for incorporating fruits/vegs into your diet? How are you battling the heaviest eating season of the year?

Yikes!

Day 6

I'm so not looking forward to this week. Yes, I know that Monday is nearly over. Well, the work day at least. I have so much to do this week!

I can't believe that my Pedal & Paddle weekend is already this coming weekend. Friday afternoon, I'll be heading up north for a weekend enjoying the outdoors. I'm super excited.

BUT!

Before I can go, I have to ...

Study for, and take, a final
Do Laundry
Pack
Schedule some blog posts

Hopefully get in a bike ride

Get a pre-weekend massage

(I think I'll be needing a post-weekend massage as well)

Which means it will be a very busy week!

But, the reward at the end will make it all worth it!

Provided I can make it through the week.

Successfully.

******

Just a a follow-up note on my post from Saturday. I did go back on Sunday for the 2nd pool session. I did feel a lot more comfortable in the pool, but I still didn't do all the exercises. In fact, I mostly hung out in the shallow end by myself just getting used to being surrounded by water and using the regulator. I did push my boundaries and felt good about it! I have a lot of practicing to do, but luckily, I also have a very patient, understanding husband that will encourage and help me. Not this week, though. Way too much else going on.

Goal Update

I know you've all been on the edge of your seats wondering if I achieved my fitness goal for the month of April.

Well, I DID IT!!!

Sadly, with very disappointing results:

Weight: 148.6 → 150.4
Body Fat %: 39.7 → 39.6
BMI: 25.1 → 25.4
Muscle %: 25 → 25.4

Actually, now that I write it down like that, it doesn't seem too bad. I gained a little weight but also muscle. :)

The most depressing was that it turns out we can't really afford even a small shopping spree right now. Boooo!!!

May's goal is to exercise 5-6 days per week, including two days in the weight room.
I should make a food goal, but I'll save that for June. ;)

On a slightly different note - Only SIX weeks until my Pedal 'n Paddle weekend!!! I'm getting excited.

Today's Goals (if I write them here, perhaps I'll accomplish them)

Today is going to be a busy day!


I need to...

• Get some work done for my Educational Research class. 
• Finish my Human Geography paper and submit it. 
• Do laundry. 
• Clean the house. (Home teachers are coming over tonight.) 
• Bake cookies. 
• Go visiting teaching.

No time for napping today!

  

It's only 8AM. I can choose to be productive today.

A New Start

One of the things that I've really enjoyed about being a student again was the flexibility that I have with my sleep. I don't have to set an alarm! I can get up whenever I wake up! I can stay up late and sleep in late!

This past weekend, I came to an epiphany that maybe this isn't the best thing in the world.

I have way too much studying and other things to do in a day that I rarely accomplish all of my goals. This does not lead to positive feelings of self-worth.

So...

This week, I decide to try out something new. My dog, Sallie, generally wakes me up several times throughout the night. I can't give in to her all the time, so I choose to ignore her until after 6am - breakfast time. I used to barely open my eyes, turn on as few lights as possible, quickly put her food in her dish, and crawl back into bed. This week, I decided I'd try staying up after I feed her. Today's my first day; I stayed up WAY too late Sunday night in order to start this new habit Monday morning. :-)

Right now, my eyes are feeling quite heavy, but I'm hopeful of my day. After doing a little blogging, I plan to get my exercising out of the way before Jeff wakes up. That should wake me up and give me the boost to do what I need to do today, right?!