What should I do in Oregon??

Calling all Oregon bloggers! (or anyone who has been to Oregon)

Other than the Haulin Aspen 1/2 Marathon what should I do/see in Oregon while I'm there for 6 days? I leave exactly one week from tomorrow :)

My cousin is going to pick me up from the airport in Portland and then we are free to explore the state! I can't wait b/c I've never been to the West coast at all. Everyone keeps telling me it is gorgeous. I believe them: 

 

Richard Simmons

I have no doubt that my body pump/abs class instructor could win any Richard Simmons look-a-like contest out there.

Work those sparkles, Richard!! source

 

Even though he looks remarkably similar to Richard, he is awesome and he kicks us into shape. I'm still trying to get used to the fact that he only has one volume: screaming. He really doesn't need the microphone, but I don't think anyone would dare take it away from him.

Anyways, I really shouldn't be making fun of him b/c I love him. He called me out in ab class. Literally screamed "This is perfect form, people!" and pointed right at me. It might have just been a pity compliment because my face showed that I was nearing death at the end of abs class, but I don't care. I'll take my moment in the spotlight :)

1. Who is your favorite athlete or DVD workout superstar and why? When I was younger I idolized a lot of female basketball players. I think I had Lisa Leslie and Rebecca Lobo jerseys (very much a tom-boy for a good long portion of my life...I think I wore basketball shorts to high school every day for like 3 months straight during junior year). I also really looked up to Diana Taurasi and Chamique Holdsclaw. They are all such skilled and disciplined women! I'm thankful that my dad took me to Mystics games and kept me interested in such positive role models...p.s. it was his Birthday on Sunday. Blog shout out to my pops! Woop woop! :)

Throwback pic of me and my dad :)

As promised, I'm sticking to the RLRF plan for my marathon and this is week 1. Here's my plan of attack on the world wide web for everyone to see. Hopefully this prevents me from skipping any of the workouts...I've done well so far this week so cross your fingers (toes too if you're really talented, please).

week 1 - monday july 25 to sunday july 31

mon: Abs and spin class

tues: 3 x 1600m at 9:04 pace a.ka. 6.6 speed on treadmill (1 min RI)

wed: Abs and personal training weightlifting / Push ups: 6,6,4,4,max (60 second RI)

thurs: 6 mile run (2 miles easy, 2 miles at 9:37 pace and 2 miles easy)

fri: Rest / Push ups: 6,8,6,6,max (60 second RI)

sat: 13 miles at 11:16 pace

sun: Rest / Push ups: 8,10,7,7,max (60 second RI)

I thought if I made the font really small maybe you wouldn't notice that I'm supposed to run 13 miles on Saturday. No? Dang it.

Happy Running,

 

How to Make yourself Ill.

I'll let you in on a little secret if you want to make yourself ill (to the point where you go home and curl up in bed watching Notting Hill for the 8th time). Just do the following:

• Run a 5k in 98 degree weather (heat index of 104)
• Promptly inhale 2 bananas, 2 bags of Goldfish, and 2 beers.
• Head to Chick-Fil-A and order a chicken sandwich, waffle fries, and a vanilla milkshake. 
• Get on a very hot subway to make your way home.

In all seriousness, it was a really well-organized race and I enjoyed spending time with people from my running group, even if I felt like several times throughout the 3 miles my feet were melting and flames were coming off my face. This was my first night race and it's definitely a different feeling. I mean usually it's brunch and nap time after races...last night it was dinner and bed time. 

The Crystal City Twilighter had computers set up so you could immediately find your race results. Pretty cool!

I doubt I deserved all that post race food for running a 5k at a 9:46 pace, but there is literally a magnet between me and Chick-Fil-A. For real, I once ran 5 miles just to get one of their sandwiches. Read about it here.

1. Have you ever done a night race? Do you like them better than traditional butt-crack-of-dawn races? I liked the night race atmosphere, but I think I'm still a traditional race girl.
2. Do you still watch what you eat or is it no-holds-barred after races? Clearly, I think we all know my answer.


Happy Running, 

Wordless Wednesday

Who am I kidding? I always have words. Prob should start doing Wordy Wednesdays. 

Anyways, it has been ridiculously hot/humid in DC. I know, I know, everyone in the south is probably cursing me right now and thinking I'm a baby because they deal with heat all year long. I don't care. It's supposed to feel like 110 degrees on Friday. I'll cry if I want to. 

This little entrepreneur is capitalizing off the heat wave: 

That is the most legit lemonade stand I've ever seen. I'd bet any amount of money that that little girl has a part time job assembling all her neighbors crap from Ikea. (I love Ikea, but seriously, sometimes you need a masters degree in engineering/chinese to put their stuff together.) Oh, and the lemonade was darn good - that was no Crystal Light. Totally worth the $1.

I am protesting running in this heat so I'm either going to the gym to run on the god forsaken treadmill or going swimming. Yesterday I went swimming. I found out I suck at swimming. I did 3 laps, got winded and thought sitting out in the sun and taking pictures of myself would be a better choice. ha. Don't worry, I got back in and did a few more laps...maybe.

Straw hair, bug eyes, and zits. That's a good look for you, Sam. NOT.

Happy Running Swimming, 

 

Good Intentions

I try really hard...

and then this happens...

I need to run 5 miles just to un-do this. Holy crap.

Damn you, Godiva. Umm, it had strawberries in it. Healthy, right??

Maybe signing up for another marathon will help keep me on track? Yup, that's right...never thought I'd say this again but I'll be running 26.2 miles this fall! I'm really excited about the Outer Banks Marathon. My best friend Erin is doing this one with me just like Nashville so I'm pumped about that...everyone say a little prayer to the Boston gods that she qualifies :)

I'm not embarrassed about my first marathon time or anything, but I just have this need to redeem myself. I just know that I can do better. Many bloggers recommend setting three goals so here goes:
a) finish the race
b) finish with a PR (under 5:14)
c) finish under 4:45


I know I said I was following the RLRF plan for a half marathon this September, but I haven't been sticking to it :( I'm switching over to the RLRF plan for a full marathon and I'm definitely sticking to it. I think posting the plan for my weekly work-outs will help keep me accountable. My race schedule is getting ridiculously full. I'm psyched for this fall! :)


1. What keeps you motivated with your training schedule? Do you have to sign up for a ridiculous number of races like me? 
2. Are you good at controlling your cravings? I seem to have no self control. I can't just have a bite, I have to eat the whole chocolate bar! :( Help me.


Happy Running (and healthy eating),

When you grow up...

Ladies...when you grow up, leave college, and enter the real world, a lot of things will change. 

You need to know what a 401k is, how an HMO differs from a PPO, why April 15th matters so much, and many other mundane life necessities. However, the most important thing to hit you in the real world is that there will not be a room full of 4 guys down the hall who you can run and get when you need to kill one of these:

Welcome to the real world, Biotch. So gross.

You're gonna need about half a can of Raid and a heavy shoe for that sucker.

In other news, I went for a hot sweaty run last night. Hill repeats = drenched in sweat.

For real, what age does acne stop?

When your shirt is two different colors you had a good work out. Sorry I'm ADD and forgot to look up.

I know many of you have been dreaming of the day you would see a picture of me struggling to do one push-up. You're welcome. And yes, those are 6 pairs of cowboy boots lined up behind me. Be jealous.

What is one thing you miss about college? I miss getting ready to go out with my girlfriends. Doing our hair and make-up together while taking shots of Burnetts and dancing to Pitbull songs was fun.

I'm really dedicated to not being dedicated

Sometimes I sign up for too many "just for fun" races and I end up forgetting about them. I got really excited about a $17 5k race on groupon and snagged it with my new friend Radina last month. Then I promptly forgot that it was today so I went out to a bar last night and ate large amounts of BBQ and drank too many beers until 1:00 am. I found myself picking out a race outfit at 1:30 in the morning, half-drunk and wondering if there was anyone else in the world who had ever found themselves in such a dumb situation. "To get up at 5:30 AM on a Saturday morning hungover, or not?" That is the question. 

Regardless of whether you think I'm super dedicated for still going to the race, or not dedicated to racing at all since I chose Miller Light over Gatorade, it doesn't change the fact that somehow, by a slight miracle no doubt, I managed to finish tied for 24th out of 211 people with a 24:41. HAHAHA. WTF?! Ah, if only that was an official course and I could count that as a P.R. My nike ipod definitely said it was 2.5 miles, not 3.1. Regardless, I think maybe I should throw everything I know out the window.

Follow a training plan? Nope.
Get a full night's sleep? No way.
Fuel up on beer, ribs, and corn pudding? Sure, why not. 

Waiting for the bus at 5:45 am. Told you I was going to wear earrings the next time I ran.

Live Reggae band at the race...love the steel drums (not so much when you've got a hang over though)

We found a really cute dog while waiting for the start

Don't worry - I'm not about to stab Radina with that fork...we have watermelon in that tupperware. P.S. - She did awesome and got a new PR!

At this point I really shouldn't be judging anyone, but a post-race cigarette? Really?

That was the weirdest post-race food I've ever had at 9 am. Jerk chicken and Rice. It was pretty good though.

1. Have you ever surprised yourself by doing well when you weren't even trying?
2. What are your absolute necessities for having a good race? I thought super healthy eating the few days before a race was mine, but apparently not.
3. What is the best post-race food you've ever had?


P.S. - Sorry I haven't blogged in a long time. It had something to do with having too much fun on a lake with friends.

Happy Running,

Thought you would enjoy this...

HaHa. Happy 4th of July! I'm off to Georgia to celebrate this nation's independence on a lake, with a beer in each hand.

What are your plans for the weekend?