tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74698183571841457822024-03-05T18:10:31.359-05:00Confessions of a Wannabe Runnermolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-73001426851257565432010-06-13T16:18:00.002-04:002010-06-13T16:30:25.013-04:00Wii and MiiWii Fit is obnoxious. If you've ever played it before, you know what I mean. I kindof feeling like I'm working out with Jillian Michaels when I get weighed and haven't lost my weight. Wii is all like, "You didn't reach your goal, did you mollie? Maybe you should aim for something more realistic."<br /><br />Ryan and I use Wii Fit in spurts. Sometimes we'll use it constantly and then sometimes it will remind us that it has been 144 days since it has seen us. So when we finally dusted it off again and used it last week, it was no surprise when it informed both of us that we'd gained some weight. With all of my marathon training, it wasn't really as much as I'd expected. Only 1.5 lbs. I could live with that.<br /><br />We made a deal that we would set our weight loss goals for X amount in 1 month. If we hadn't reached our goal, there would be consequences...any suggestions for what that should be? I think right now we're saying that we can't use our iPhones for a day, which is a pretty big deal considering the new addiction to Angry Birds.<br /><br />To help keep me on track, I'm going to blog my weight loss, or um, weight gain if it happens.molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-35217439984573832562010-06-08T14:13:00.006-04:002010-06-08T14:20:47.233-04:00TransitionsThe Rock n Roll Seattle marathon is less than 3 weeks away. That is so crazy! It got here way too fast. I still need a plane ticket, which are a bit expensive right now, and I'm hoping that the prices will go down soon. Seriously Delta, I'm not flying to Europe, I'm just going across the country!<br /><br />If I survive this marathon and don't suffer any physical or psychological issues, then hopefully running marathons will be my new pastime. In that case, I will continue to update this blog regularly. But in the even that it doesn't, or if I just run out of running related reportee, I'm migrating over to a brand new blog: <a href="http://www.lovethegreenlife.blogspot.com">Love the Green Life</a> (<a href="http://www.lovethegreenlife.blogspot.com">www.lovethegreenlife.blogspot.com</a>)<br />There you will find my quest in the kitchen to simplify all of the complicated vegetarian/vegan recipes that are out there and modify them for us normal people. I'll also review products that I come across, and all around talk about living green. Hopefully you will continue to read my posts, and as always, let me know what you think!molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-60444173891597713502010-05-27T20:32:00.004-04:002010-05-27T20:48:49.274-04:00Holy HiatusThe 2 week wedding/honeymoon hiatus is over and it's back to the real world of running. I can't believe the Seattle marathon is LESS than a month away. Needless to say, I'm a little freaked out! Not only freaked out, but burned out too. This is not the time to lose my motivation, but I am <span style="font-style:italic;">tired</span> of running! I'm tired of thinking about running, feeling guilty about not running, and being nervous about not being able to run enough!<br /><br />So for the rest of this post, I'm not writing about running. I'm going to write about the wedding bubble that I've lived in for the past 2 weeks.<br /><br />The wedding was beautiful, with only a few minor bumps along the way. I guess I mean bumps literally, considering that one of my bridesmaids came down with shingles a few days before the wedding and could not be in it. There was also a minor fire during the ceremony caused by a dripping candleabra that one of my quick thinking bridesmaids had to put out. All in all, it was a perfect day with perfect weather and surrounded by the best family and friends.<br /><br />Due to lack of vacation time, Ryan and I went on a mini 'let's not call this a honeymoon' getaway to Boston. I had high expectations for this city that were mostly based on my obviously defective memory. I'm not saying that Boston isn't a nice city, it is. It's just not one that you should spend more than 2 days in. I remember (or so I think I do) as a teenager visiting the place where the Boston Tea Party occurred. I expertly navigated us around the city to this location (turns out I had the better sense of direction for the entire trip). I can honestly say I've never been more disappointed in a hyped up historical landmark than when I saw Boston's ode to the Tea Party. It was a sign. That was it. A sign that said 'This is where the Tea Party occurred'. It may have given a little history about it, but really, they make you study all of this stuff all through school and that's all they can give? A sign? Where's the boat? Or some sort of re-enactment? Nada. So disappointing. Oh, and Beantown, the Yankees do not suck.molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-82841767008689684092010-05-11T17:34:00.001-04:002010-05-11T17:37:21.247-04:00The End of an EraWell it's official! I'm now Mrs. Bringhurst as far as the state of New York is concerned. Since Ryan and I are New York residents, we had to complete the marriage license process here. Sixty dollars and a quickie ceremony later, we're Mr. and Mrs.<br /><br />Now we have a 15 hour car drive home to Kentucky to get ready for the actual ceremony and reception. Can't wait to get home and celebrate!molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-40593159957247748502010-05-11T10:11:00.004-04:002010-05-11T10:21:41.133-04:00Are we done yet?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOYyFG_BNnqcy8vXW8AjCQmk72h717LqB4MAh43FDmHMCxkAEmQhEBHaKQ7ZoTdBvMCP3VI94664hJQ2Ux3XD4yP0NR1KkmFk3eR6_BAfTnYpgxZsXjknBxDRJ3T17I2FJuBIcga6buMc/s1600/monument.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOYyFG_BNnqcy8vXW8AjCQmk72h717LqB4MAh43FDmHMCxkAEmQhEBHaKQ7ZoTdBvMCP3VI94664hJQ2Ux3XD4yP0NR1KkmFk3eR6_BAfTnYpgxZsXjknBxDRJ3T17I2FJuBIcga6buMc/s320/monument.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470017092535132626" /></a><br />Do you know how many muscles you have in your lower body? I do, because every single one of mine hurt, really really bad after my 16 mile run on Sunday. My feet hurt, my calves hurt, my thighs hurt, my hip hurt (just the left one. It's quirky like that) and oh yes, my back hurt. My lower body completely declared war after what I put it through.<br /><br />What I put it through was a very cold, very windy run up and down the Hudson River. I chose to run there because it was a new area that was plenty big. I should've known when I left for the run that it was a bad idea. It was only 48 degrees out, and do you know that it drops like 30 degrees when you get by the water? And the wind. Oh the wind. It was awful. At one point I had to turn around and go back because I literally couldn't breathe from the wind hitting me in the face.<br /><br />I guess the positive part of this story is that I did it. I finished. It took me running up and down and the same area over and over again to get the last 3 miles finished, but I did it.<br />I saw some pretty cool stuff too like this monument for Soldiers and Sailors. It set up a hill and I got to run up a bunch of steps and feel like Rocky at the top. Then I ran around it and back down. It's those types of perks that get you through the run.molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-75035676137964460802010-05-06T22:06:00.002-04:002010-05-06T22:15:08.808-04:00Ode to Edy'sMy allergies have officially taken control of my upper body. My nose itches, I can't stop sneezing and I want to claw my eyes out. It all started when I decided to have a nice relaxing lunch in the park for an hour and read my nook. During that time those allergies took control and have not let go, even with the help of my Eye Allergy Visine drops. Needless to say, this made my run in the park not as easy as intended.<br /><br />For some reason I'm having difficulty getting motivated for these shorts runs. They just seem so...boring.<br /><br />And can I just say that after all of this running, after over 100 miles in the past couple of months, I still don't feel like I'm any more toned or in shape? Sure I can run a decent distance, but based on visuals alone, it doesn't seem like much has changed. I know that my friend Edy's has something to do with it. And probably my lack of strength training. I just thought that burning 1,200 calories during a running session would leave me a bit more svelte. Also, what bride to be in her right mind eats bagels with loads of cream cheese a week before her wedding when she's due to slip into a very fitted wedding dress? That would be me. I try to bargain with myself that my body needs these carbs for all the running that I'm doing. I think that's the devil part of my brain talking. Honestly, I'd probably be happy if Ryan would throw out the Edy's Limited Edition Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie ice cream that's been residing in our freezer for the past couple of weeks. But then I'd probably be really sad, because that's some super good ice cream.molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-6846234324706612382010-05-04T14:04:00.001-04:002010-05-04T14:05:44.955-04:00Camelbak or Hydration Belt?Question for anyone that does distance running: Which is preferable for hydration? A Camelbak or belt? I personally don't think either look that great, but I'm going to have to stop relying on buying water from a vendor in the park each time I'm thirsty.<br /><br />Thoughts?molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-86903188215943825252010-05-04T11:00:00.002-04:002010-05-04T11:17:16.147-04:0014 miles and Counting...Remember last week when I was writing about how awesome my long run was? Yeah well, this long run, this 14 mile long run, was not so much fun. For one thing, New York was experiencing a record high on Saturday. Even though I left early, it was already at 78 degrees by 9. Mile 1 was bad. Mile 2 was worse. By mile 3.5 I had to call Megan, hoping to be yelled at to stop whining and start running. However, I think 6:30 am was a little too early for her to start yelling, but I did get her blessing to walk some of it.<br /><br />After about mile 5 I started to feel better. The miles started to get a little easier. In fact, without even realizing it, I ran all the way to the end of Central Park at 110th street. Then I kept running all the way across the park and then all the way back down. I managed to find my running trail too. It is such a crazy, chaotic trail. It looks like someone with severe ADD just started throwing out random trails all over the place. On the one hand it's great because it keeps you guessing where you're going. On the other hand, I end up having no idea where I'm at.<br /><br />I felt so good once the run was over. I had successfully run farther than I've ever run in my entire life. My legs hurt, my feet hurt, my back hurt, but it was such a huge accomplishment for me. I can't wait to tackle the 16 miles this weekend.molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-12556042086582933852010-04-30T12:49:00.002-04:002010-04-30T12:53:47.353-04:00Just a Friendly ReminderI'm officially in the process of becoming a Bringhurst! I guess technically I've been in this process since last July when Ryan proposed, but yesterday we went to City Hall to apply for a marriage license. We will go back in 2 weeks to make it official, then off to Kentucky for the actually ceremony. I'm getting so excited.<br /><br />I'm actually excited for my 14 mile run this weekend. I know it sounds crazy, but I'm starting to prefer these long runs over the short ones. They are more satisfying. I'm hoping that it will rain again this weekend so that it's cool and the ground is wet. It's more fun to run in!<br /><br />Just as a reminder, I'm still working towards my $500 goal for Joints in Motion. I'm going to steal a line from the panhandlers that I listen to on the subway everyday and say that 'every penny, nickel, dime, or quarter will help', but I prefer bills! Actually, I will take anything that you're willing to donate and it really does go for a great cause. I'm also pretty sure it's tax deductible so you can stick it to Uncle Sam come next April.<br /><br /><a href="http://PNWJointsInMotion.kintera.org/wannaberunner">http://PNWJointsInMotion.kintera.org/wannaberunner</a>molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-34758107141499475832010-04-26T21:05:00.003-04:002010-04-26T21:18:51.220-04:00Rainy run and super sore musclesIn preparation for my big run of 12 miles yesterday, I updated my workout playlist. A few songs that I could no longer tolerate got removed and replaced with some new ones. I added Empire State of Mind, and Mercy, which coincidentally is what I'm begging for now because of all of my extremely sore muscles.<br /><br />It was raining yesterday and initially I was really dreading it. About a mile into it I thought there was absolutely no way I was going to be able to accomplish it. But then I decided to go off my normal loop and run all new paths in the park. It helped to distract me because I never knew what I was going to see next or where I would end up. With each declaration from my iPhone that another mile had been completed, I got a little more motivated, and little more confident. <br /><br />Since it was a rainy day, there weren't hardly any food vendors out in the park. Usually there's one every few feet, but they were very scarce. I came upon one at mile 3, but wasn't thirsty yet, so I didn't stop. Once I reached mile 6 though, I was ready for my Poland Spring, but worried because there were no vendors in site. My run was now all about navigating my self back to the vendor I had seen earlier. Finally, after an extra mile of running, I found him. Water has never tasted so good.<br /><br />This run was a great time for me to reflect on things because I was spending so much time with just myself. I ran past a group of high school students that looked like they were on a school trip. It made me think back to the first time I got to come to New York, my senior year of high school. Made me think about how I fell in love with the place, posing in front of limos pretending they were mine and buy NYPD sweatshirts. It really made me feel proud, because I had loved this place so much and it was my goal to get here and I did. I found a great job, a great apartment, and I have a great soon to be husband, so life worked out pretty well for me so far. That reminder to myself, that I'm a strong person that accomplishes what I set out for, may just give me the extra confidence I need to finish my training strong and finish this marathon.<br /><br />I'm proud of myself and I don't feel intimidated as much by the goal I have in front of me.molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-84326428420025488762010-04-23T22:22:00.009-04:002010-04-23T22:43:13.668-04:00America's Got TalentI won't be so melodramatic to say that the NFL Draft ruins my life, but wow is it boring.<br /><br />The night started on the right path. Ryan and I left work early (!) and hustled home. We had tickets to go see a taping of America's Got Talent and had to be there by 6:00. I was able to convince Ryan to take the dogs out so that I could scarf down a delicious sandwich. Ryan was his hokey pokey self and took forever to get ready (and I thought I had ADD...). Anyways, so we're dressed in our TV appropriate attire and rush out the door, hop into a cab, and are on our way. Except in New York, traffic doesn't always move at the speed you want it to. After 15 minutes we had gone 6 blocks and wasted 10 bucks, still 16 blocks from where we needed to be. We decided to walk it. My TV appropriate attire included 4.5 inch stilettos that were NOT made for walking 16 blocks at a swift pace. By the time we made it to our destination, the bottoms of my feet were raw and felt on fire. They hurt so bad that I had to continually shift my weight back and forth from each, resulting in what looked like a pee-pee dance. <br /><br />We took our place in a line that wrapped down 34th street, up 9th avenue, and back across 35th street. There we stood for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, then finally an hour. After that much time and only being halfway there, I called mercy and we took a cab back home. $20, an hour, and super sore feet later we returned back home where the NFL Draft was promptly turned on, except this time it was Ryan that was confined to the bedroom forced to watch it streaming online. Then somewhere along the way I ran out of DVR shows and ran into plenty of boredom. I have to be constantly entertained or I fall asleep, which is what happened. When I woke up, NFL Draft was back on the big screen. We will be at Radio City itself bright and early tomorrow morning to watch the third round of the draft. My money says that I'll last 2 hours before calling it a day. (I have just been informed that we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow and that I should go asleep. I don't know why. I don't have to be that coherent to read my Nook during the draft. I learned this move from my mother who is notorious for taking books with her to all of the baseball games she goes to with my dad.)<br /><br />I hope that my feet heal by tomorrow for my big run. I'm not sure that Sharon Osbourne and all of America's talent was worth all of that.<br /><br />PS- I did get a run in last night at 10:00 when I took my dogs out. Between the 2 of them, we did 4.57 miles!molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-18823596804354034152010-04-22T21:39:00.002-04:002010-04-22T21:57:52.328-04:00A Little Lesson About City LifeFor those of you that have never lived in an apartment building, I envy you. You probably run around your house, loving all of your extra space, maybe even doing cartwheels in your living room just because you can. I on the other hand, live in a shoe box. Yes, I chose to live in this rather expensive shoe box, and now I get all of the joys that go with it. Case in point: I am currently confined to the bedroom because tonight is the NFL Draft, as well as tomorrow and apparently Saturday. I've been forced to watch the finale of 16 and Pregnant on my laptop because our DVR is commandeered by Ryan for the evening.<br /><br />I believe that New York apartments were built with absolutely no insulation to drown out the noise of your neighbors. In Brooklyn we had neighbors that I lovingly deemed the 'wife beater' because nearly every night you felt like you were in their living room, as the man screamed and screamed. If physical violence ever took place, I'm not completely sure, but I was closer to it than I cared to be. Oh ghetto of Brooklyn, how I miss you!<br /><br />Then there's our apartment in the city. Most of the people in the building are fairly quiet, minus the birds that chirp loudly by the stairs and the person that plays the piano (how do you even get a piano into an old apartment building like this?). I'm too scared to even do exercises on my Wii for fear of sounding like I'm coming through the ceiling, let alone practice a musical instrument. <br /><br />Anyways, I'm laying here in the bedroom, trying to watch my favorite teen shows, and all I can hear is our neighbor. And I'm not saying I just hear him yell. I can hear him <span style="font-style:italic;">sneeze</span>. I'm pretty sure I could even hear him yawn. Most of the time he's not too bad and keeps to him self, but every now and then he has a um, lady friend, that stays for DAYS. I haven't completely decided where she comes from and what her relationship is with said neighbor because I was pretty convinced he wasn't really interested in girls. I don't have the best gaydar ever, but he's sending off some strong vibes. Back to the woman; she is the LOUDEST talker ever, which is even louder through paper thin walls. And when she's in town, they always fight. Like one time when she screamed at him that she 'boils her blood for him'. Ryan and I are still trying to figure that one out. <br /><br />I think the lesson here for everyone is that if you live in an apartment building, more than likely your neighbor can hear you. And you never know, that neighbor could be blogging about you....molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-87886119263878010112010-04-22T09:53:00.004-04:002010-04-22T10:02:00.645-04:00Rise and Run!Yesterday was a beautiful rainy evening in New York. I didn't care though. Somebody (me) had gotten up early yesterday morning and finished their 4 mile run BEFORE work. Yep, one small victory for me. It felt so good too. I kept thinking all day, 'I've already done my run'. I didn't have to worry about fitting it in last night.<br /><br />There was unfortunately no repeat of that this morning. I guess I'll be out this evening doing my 6 miles. I would really love it if I could get into the groove of getting up early. I've even read about some people that sleep in their running clothes so that they can just get up and go. I'm not sure that I'm quite there yet, but it does sound tempting. Anything to make getting out of bed a little easier.<br /><br />People seem to believe in my ability to finish this race, which is super motivating to me. I got another awesome donation, so I'm up to $140. I really appreciate all of it and hope that I can make my goal of $500. Joints in Motion is such a great cause!<br /><br /><a href="http://PNWJointsInMotion.kintera.org/wannaberunner">http://PNWJointsInMotion.kintera.org/wannaberunner</a><br /><br />I have work to do now (I guess that's what they're paying me for here). Have a great day!molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-44484219185056270032010-04-20T12:48:00.005-04:002010-04-20T12:55:42.704-04:00Big Week!Last week was crazy. I was at home in Louisville wrapping up the never ending wedding details, while also enjoying my 2 bridal showers and bachelorette party. It was a great week, but I felt perpetually exhausted, mostly due to my ever existent insomnia. Oh insomnia, how I hate you. You make it so difficult to get through the days, and force me to lay there in boredom at night as the minutes tick by... <br /><br />Because of all of that, I only got about 10 of my 24 miles in last week. Not so great. But as the ever optimistic person that I am, this will be a better week. Yesterday I was still in recuperation mode, so no running for me. But after 2 sound nights of sleep, I feel more confident that I will complete my 4 mile run tonight.<br /><br />I got another awesome donation for Joints in Motion! That puts me up to $90- only $410 more to reach my goal. If you'd like to help this great cause and give me more motivation to get running, click on the link below.<br /><br /><a href="http://PNWJointsInMotion.kintera.org/wannaberunner">http://PNWJointsInMotion.kintera.org/wannaberunner</a>molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-64462871055268206052010-04-14T08:53:00.008-04:002010-04-14T09:18:34.940-04:00Joints in MotionOne of my goals for running this marathon (in addition to actually making it across the finish line alive) was to also raise money for a charity. I wanted to find one that meant something to me, so when I came across Joints in Motion, I felt like it was a good fit.<br /><br />Joints in Motion (JIM) is part of the Arthritis Foundation. It is the athletic program that raises money for awareness to fight arthritis. I chose JIM because of my grandfather, Bop (the loving nickname that my brother gave him). I always knew Bop as someone that was so loving and caring with a great sense of humor. He was the kind of person that would do anything for you. In his later years, he developed really bad arthritis, especially in his hands, that was very painful and uncomfortable for him. I remember that even through all of that, he was still sitting there with a big smile on his face. He never seemed to let anything get him down.<br /><br />A few years ago, I was told that I had rheumatoid arthritis in my knee. Luckily right now it's not too bad, although every now and then it will get a little painful. <br /><br />I want to run this race for Bop and help to raise money for Joints in Motion in honor of him. My goal is $500.00<br />I got my first donation last night from my loving finace, who I wish could have known Bop.<br /><br />If you're interested in helping, everything is greatly appreciated. Please click on the link below. I will also probably start posting this link in most of my blog posts to keep the momentum going.<br /><br />Donation site: <a href="http://PNWJointsInMotion.kintera.org/wannaberunner">http://PNWJointsInMotion.kintera.org/wannaberunner</a><br /><br />If you'd like to check out more about Joints in Motion, see the link below:<br /><a href="http://www.arthritis.org/chapters/pacific-northwest/joints-in-motion.php">http://www.arthritis.org/chapters/pacific-northwest/joints-in-motion.php</a>molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-27492294576757749902010-04-13T13:21:00.003-04:002010-04-13T13:48:49.858-04:00Today's Run: Part OneToday, I found out how mailmen felt. I'm in Kentucky this week staying at my parent's house. I went out for my run today thinking how nice it would be to run in a neighborhood and not fight any people or traffic. What I didn't think about was a few of the other obstacles that I might endure:<br /><br />1- It's hot. Not New York hot, but Kentucky hot, which is a whole other beast of its own. The air is humid and I immediately found it next to impossible to breathe. Also, when checking the weather, I saw that it was a pleasant 73 degrees so I felt that it was still a nice temperature to run in. Not so much. That leads me to point #2.<br /><br />2- Neighborhoods (at least my parent's) have no sidewalks, only super hot, sun reflective black top. This makes the pleasant 73 degrees now a blazing 100 (that's what if felt like as I was running).<br /><br />3- Cities have lots of dogs. Dogs are everywhere. However, dogs in cities are on leashes. Dogs in neighborhoods are not. There were 2 Cujo's locked up behind a gate that were not pleased with me being in their territory, followed by another dog that trying to decide if I was a threat or not. Luckily, he decided that I wasn't and ran back to his house.<br /><br />Needless to say, this run attempt was a no-go. Now I know to only venture out either early in the morning or in the evening. I will try again this evening.molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-29159712103552788402010-04-12T21:07:00.002-04:002010-04-12T21:21:36.499-04:00Busy WeekIt has been such a busy week that I haven't taken the time to post that I should have. I had a wedding to go to and then my bridal shower (which was so fun!). I've also been running wedding errands, so it's been busy busy.<br /><br />I'm going to be completely honest right now and say that I didn't get my 10 mile run in this weekend (don't yell, Megan). I feel really bad about it, but with all of the stuff going on, there was just no time to do it.<br /><br />I flew into Louisville on Friday night. Anyone that knows me knows that I'm highly claustrophobic, especially on airplanes. As I'm boarding the plane, I realize my good fortune that I'm in the single 'A' aisle which is great because then I don't have to share. Also, my 'carry on' is fully beyond the plane regulated size and I'm hoping to discreetly shove it under the seat without any pushback from the flight attendants.<br />As I'm making my way back, I notice that I don't seem to be getting any closer to my seat the farther that I go. Then I see it, seat 18 A, right by the bathroom. And yes, it was as awful as you would think it would be. On the itty bitty plane in the itty bitty seat sitting smack dab next to the super disgusting bathroom. I swear I've never seen so many people have to use the bathroom <em>before</em> the flight. I had to place a scarf over my face and wait for my drugs to kick in. Which they did big time....and they continued to work for quite a while after the plane landed... There was no way I was getting up early after all of that.<br /><br />Tomorrow is a new day though, and I fully intend to get up bright and early, or at least somewhat early and do a slightly longer regular week run. I'm thinking somewhere in the 5-6 mile range. Since I'm staying with my parents this week, I get to take advantage of running in their neighborhood, which has plenty of hills. I think it will fully help to prepare me for the Seattle hills.<br /><br />If you don't see miles posted up here by tomorrow afternoon, I fully invite you to yell at me.molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-61474986548799411452010-04-05T09:10:00.001-04:002010-04-05T09:10:50.291-04:00Cured<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CMKJ9002%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C02%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; 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panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Yesterday was a really busy day so I didn’t get around to posting.<span style=""> </span>Ryan and I had a great brunch, did a little shopping, and took the dogs to the dog park.<span style=""> </span>I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter/Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Yesterday was also a great day because I was FINALLY feeling better for the first time in a week.<span style=""> </span>I had my 8 mile run to finish yesterday and there couldn’t have been a more perfect day weather-wise to do it.<span style=""> </span>I ran to the park, as usual, and made it back up again to the beautiful reservoir, except this time I made it all the way around.<span style=""> </span>At about 3 miles into it I was feeling a little tired.<span style=""> </span>I don’t think I had eaten enough before setting out and was feeling fatigued.<span style=""> </span>Luckily I had packed some Block Shots (or whatever they’re called) so I ate a few of those.<span style=""> </span>4 miles into it I was feeling better.<span style=""> </span>Halfway there!<span style=""> </span>For these longer runs, I think I’m going to have to invest in one of those water bottle belt things.<span style=""> </span>I think they look kindof funny on, but I would’ve killed for some water through my run.<span style=""> </span>I know it’s going to be very important to stay hydrated for my upcoming long runs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Anyways, happy Monday.<span style=""> </span>This post was a bit boring.<span style=""> </span>Hopefully I’ll have something more interesting soon!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Oh- did anyone watch the first baseball game of the season?<span style=""> </span>Poor Yankees.<span style=""> </span>I’m so excited though because I have tickets to see the Yankees play the Red Sox again next month!<o:p></o:p></span></p> molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-13706235781227642632010-04-03T10:33:00.002-04:002010-04-03T10:45:40.141-04:00Week 4This has been a pesky little cold, refusing to go down without a fight, which pretty much sabotaged my week 4 of training. Even though I work for a hospital, I really don't like going to the doctor. However, after a week of sniffles, sneezing, and coughing, I may give in and go today.<br /><br />The weather was so nice yesterday that I went on my first run in 8 days. I didn't want to push myself too much, so I just did a little over 3 miles with a decent pace of 9.05. <br /><br />I'm going to take a break today, and then do my long run of 8 miles tomorrow. I'm hoping to do it in the park, but with it being Easter, I'm afraid it'll be super crowded.<br /><br />Happy Easter tomorrow!molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-21592998559791962692010-03-30T16:58:00.003-04:002010-03-30T17:12:05.725-04:00Running MeditationI've been out of commission for a few days because I got a cold. I could feel it coming on Friday night when my throat started to hurt. By the time I woke up on Saturday, it was full blown sickness. Not fun. Because of that I missed my long run of 7 miles this past weekend. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to do it, but I'm going to continue on with week 4 of my training. <br /><br />I didn't go to work yesterday or today because I didn't want to spread my cold. Unfortunately I work in close quarters with 4 other people, so it seems like our colds are always being passed around. Being at home so much was fun at first, but now I'm starting to go stir crazy, and to top it off, it's been raining straight for the past 2 days. <br /><br />Colds are a tricky illness because for the most part, they're all in your head. The congestion, itchy eyes, sore throat; it's all upstairs, leaving my body feeling mostly ok. I've been wandering around the apartment in search for something to do. I've finished a couple of magazines (one from June 2009!) and tried doing some weight training with my kettle bell, all to still end up restless. My inability to be still is even more apparent on days like today. I went over to my bookshelf to find a book to read, even though I'm currently reading like 6 at a time. What's interesting is that almost all of my books have little bookmarks in them at random places throughout, mostly at the beginning, because I very rarely ever finish a book that I've started in one sitting. I'll read it, put it back, and pick it back up again a few months later.<br /><br />I think this inability to do one thing at a time is why running has been so challenging for me. When I'm out by myself, I have no choice but to continue the run. Even if I were to choose to stop running, I'd still have to get myself home...by running. Running forces me to focus on how I'm feeling during the run, focus on my thoughts, focus on my goals. Maybe I can turn this constant mind racing into some sort of running meditation.<br />It's a really nice change for me, and I hope that with my continued training, I can apply this approach to meditation during my other day to day activities. <br /><br />Now if only the rain would ease up a bit so I could get out of this apartment!molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-36500462062055595322010-03-26T22:05:00.002-04:002010-03-26T22:14:12.003-04:00Food RevolutionTonight's post is dedicated to the new show, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. I just finished the first episode and am getting ready to start the second one. I love it. Jamie is visiting different towns in the US and looking at the foods that our families are eating and what is being served to kids at school. What you eat that you think is chicken is probably not really chicken, or as the show points out, may not even really be mashed potatoes. Take a look at some of the ingredients in the food that you eat. The general rule of thumb is that if you can't pronounce it, you probably shouldn't consume it.<br /><br />I've been fixated on nutrition and whole eating since I gave up meat almost 3 years ago. Ever since then I've read countless books on the effects of the standard American diet on our bodies. It's amazing to learn about what is in some of the foods that our FDA has approved and recommends. If you feel sick constantly or have chronic pain, take a look at your diet. Mine has improved quite a bit over the past few years, since cutting out all meat products and milk and replacing with whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts.<br /><br />I'll get off my soap box now, but I suggest you check out the show. It comes on Fridays on ABC at 8. Here's a link to the website. Check it out. <br /><a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/jamie-olivers-food-revolution">http://abc.go.com/shows/jamie-olivers-food-revolution</a>molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-78785664175823971912010-03-25T21:08:00.003-04:002010-03-25T21:21:25.652-04:00I love hockeyI didn't do my 4 mile run yesterday because (there's always a good reason, right?) Ryan and I decided to get tickets to the NY Rangers hockey game. I just discovered hockey this year and I love it. I live in an overly sports saturated household. They are always on and I almost always never care to watch. But hockey...hockey is a whole other story. <br /><br />Reason why I love hockey:<br />- It's super fast paced, which meshes well with my undiagnosed ADD. I'm unable to sit still and not do anything else. Even right now I'm watching a DVR'd episode of Survivor and typing this.<br /><br />-There aren't many rules, and the rules they do have are pretty self explanatory. It's not like football where it takes like 8 hours to run a few feet. It's not constantly stop and go.<br /><br />-The players are generally pretty hot. Have you seen Erik Christensen? Or Sean Avery?<br /><br />- They fight. How crazy is that? At my first hockey game I was shocked that this was not only allowed, but encouraged. Crazy! <br /><br />Since I didn't run last night, I did it tonight. Not too bad. I'm getting more comfortable with it. I'm going to have to try to fit in my 3 mile run tomorrow.<br /><br />One last note- GO CATS!!!molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-68649351023858285672010-03-23T21:48:00.002-04:002010-03-23T22:01:34.470-04:00A Little Running AdviceRemember when your mom warned you not to swim until 30 minutes after you ate? Well that should apply to running too.<br />I thought an hour would be sufficient time to wait after enjoying leftover homemade vegetable enchiladas before running. I was grossly mistaken.<br />It all started well and good. I set my Nike app to a 5K and headed towards the park. About 2K into it (how far is that anyways?), the feeling hit. I won't go into detail about what the feeling was, but it wasn't a good one. I found myself on the far side of the park praying for a pedicab to pull up next to me and peddle me home. You know I had to feel bad to actually want a pedicab.<br />I had no choice but to start walking, so I did for about .5K. I started feeling a little better so I gave running a try again. Then pain. Then a little bit of running. Then lots of pain. I ended up walking almost the entire remaining 2 miles.<br />Lesson learned. Eat light or just don't do it.molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-56674367019669226462010-03-22T21:15:00.006-04:002010-03-22T21:39:51.601-04:00Powersong<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2vX4GgNbuNEuVgJBRSCIkD6dr-IrewXIUWAn_1xsgPbpw9pJlcb5r0J3bc_LJ_q7itGyhwNotLQ5hsEX5A_ILUFekR3pF1nvQQxIpMiB8Xe9w0La0J1JpMYep4kU3mgC6RAOgnVP0pHK/s1600-h/reservoir.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2vX4GgNbuNEuVgJBRSCIkD6dr-IrewXIUWAn_1xsgPbpw9pJlcb5r0J3bc_LJ_q7itGyhwNotLQ5hsEX5A_ILUFekR3pF1nvQQxIpMiB8Xe9w0La0J1JpMYep4kU3mgC6RAOgnVP0pHK/s320/reservoir.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451637980628641218" border="0" /></a><br />This weekend was my 6 mile run. I'm still in week 2 of my training so that it finishes exactly in time with race day. I finally took the time to sync all of my music from my old iPhone to my new one. Not having to run to Lifehouse's depressing ballads anymore is a plus. I made what I think is a pretty kick-butt workout mix. I think I've always been pretty good at making awesome mixes like road trip mixes and spring break mixes. I think I even gave Ryan a mixed CD when we first started dating, which I'm pretty sure he loves. Here are some of the songs that I added:<br /><br />-Womanizer- Britney Spears (actually any Britney will do)<br />-Just Dance- Lady Gaga (most Gaga will do too)<br />-Shake It- Metrostation<br />-Tik Tok- Kesha<br /><br />The Nike app lets you choose a Powersong. This is a song that you push to play whenever you feel like death is imminent and nothing will get you going other than that one song. So what did I pick? The Glee anthem, Single Ladies by Beyonce. It's just so catchy. And every time that I hear it I think about that hilarious episode of Glee and the football players. So good.<br /><br />Anyways, the Nike app also has this great feature where you can set a custom distance for your run, and then it will tell you at every mile interval how far you've gone and how much further you've got to go. Sure beats pulling the iPhone out every 5 minutes to check my distance!<br /><br />Since my run was a little longer this weekend, I decided to try a new route. I ended up by the Reservoir in Central Park. It's so beautiful there, and about 5 degrees cooler since you're right on the water. The loop around has got to be like 8 miles or something and I wasn't about to attempt that this weekend, so I went for about 2 miles and then looped back out.<br /><br />On a final note, I set my personal best pace at an 8:12 minute average mile. While out in the park, I was even passing people. I should mention that these people were walking, but that's not the point. The point is that I <span style="font-style: italic;">wasn't</span> walking, so basically I rock.<br /><br />Got any song suggestions to add to my playlist? Mine are getting a little tired, but since I don't listen to the radio, I don't ever hear new music.molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469818357184145782.post-43877043483158608402010-03-18T07:07:00.005-04:002010-03-18T07:40:19.875-04:00WeaklingThis is an early morning post. These will not happen often. I happen to be up this early and coherent already because I have a work thing in which I'm forced to go to earlier than my usual time. This makes me want to send a hate note to Daylight Savings Time. I had been doing better lately because the sun was actually up when my alarm ripped me from sleep. No such luck this morning. Do you know how much more difficult that made it for me to get up? Yeah, not a pretty picture. My mind has been taxed with all of the mental motivation I've been putting it through: C'mon mind, let's finish these miles, it'll be fun. Or, don't eat that extra bite of delicious chocolate, let's eat a carrot. See how exhausting that can be? Not much left to motivate me to get out of bed.<br /><br />Yesterday I had 4 miles to run, in which I ran 3.75. I slacked off on the remaining 1/4 mile because I could feel something not so right in my ankle. Ugh. It's feeling better today. I'm going to look into some strength training exercises for it.<br /><br />Basically what I think my lower body is continuing to tell me is that it's super weak. I guess I need to work on that. <br /><br />I have 3 miles to run tonight and then woohoo, one day off until my long run Saturday!molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786333431380153704noreply@blogger.com0