May into June

May Recap –

I only had two goals for May and I am not sure that I hit either of them.  I wanted to work out 25 days this month and I wanted to open my Roth IRA.  Yeah – I forgot to count the days I worked out.  I got in 17 runs.  There were a couple days that I didn’t run and went out to volleyball/lift/spin.  I think I worked out 20-22 days.  And I didn’t open my IRA.  I know I had enough in savings to cover it, but I was waiting and waiting on my check from EF Tours.  They tried to send it to my apartment and it got returned to them, so they had to resend it to the house.

My total mileage for the month was 75.  It will be after the 6.4k tonight.  Not too bad for no real plan.

Even though I didn’t hit my goals, I had a fun month.  On to June.

June Goals –

I thought I would have lots of free time in June, but the first 3 weekends are completely booked.  Races, volleyball tournament, baby shower/party, and a trip home.  Maybe I will rest in July.

·        Run 85 miles – so much for racing less.  I have 4 races in June.  Bloomin 4 miler (free), National Running Day – 10K (free), Wounded Warrior half marathon, and Glo Stick 6K (IL).

·        500 push-ups – arm strength is something I have been working on.  500 push-ups sounds like a lot, but it is a goal.  It is less than 20 push-ups a night. 

·        500 sit-ups – well, it is swimsuit season

·        Open Roth IRA – one of these days it will happen

Taste Buds

Ever since I started running longer distances (2010), I have started to get in better shape and pay more attention to my health.  I got in really good shape when training for the marathon.  I was eating relatively healthy, but wasn’t paying that much attention to nutrition.  After October I figured I would gain some weight back – with the big running being over and the holidays/food.  In the past 3-6 months I have leaned out even more.  Surprise, surprise – it is when I started cooking and paying attention to the food I was eating.  I used to live on frozen lunches for work, then I cut that down to only having them 2-3 times a week.  Now I don’t even buy them.  I have leaned out even more. 

A lot of the food I eat now is food I would have never touched before.  Two of my favorites that I eat almost daily (avocados and tomatoes) I didn’t eat even 4 years ago.  Then add in the fish/sushi, blueberries, greek yougurt, etc.  It got me to thinking about taste buds.

Did you know that we have around 9,000 - 10,000 taste buds?  There is a difference of opinion on if your taste buds actually change every 7 years.  There are so many theories - one that your taste buds change every 5-7 years during transitional periods, but are pretty much set by 27-30.  Or the theory that your taste buds start wearing out/diminishing around the 40-50 year mark.  A third theory is you can train/reprogram them to ‘get used to’ different foods.  I believe your tastes can change over time, I also believe you can get used to eating different foods.  Greek yogurt was one thing I had to eat a couple different times to get used to the texture and taste.  Now I have it every day for an afternoon snack.  Nutrition is a key component to being healthy.  Just because you workout everyday does not mean you can eat whatever you want.

One of my new favorite quotes: ‘You can’t out train a bad diet’

Side note: my spin instructor tried to kill us last night.  I know it wasn’t just me because two of the regular guys who are pretty serious spinners were struggling as much as me.  It was the hardest spin class we have ever had.

Cleaning up and moving on –

I had a 4 day weekend and got so much done.  Did a lot of shopping and got the rest of the stuff I needed/wanted for the kitchen and got some fun things too!  I also went over to my apartment and finished cleaning it out.  It was kind of a weird feeling.  I had lived in this apartment for 5 years.  It was my first home in Texas, away from everyone and everything I ever knew.  A part of me is going to miss it.  When I walked in, I still expected Munchkin to come running around the corner to greet me.  I love the house and already feel like it is my home.  It feels right, and I know my way around, and I have good running routes (still need to explore the food/bar scene a bit more).  Yet, I am sad to let the apartment go.

Since I did end of signing up for Wounded Warrior, and next weekend is pretty booked, I thought I would try and get in a longer run tomorrow night.  Then I looked at the forecast - 96 degrees.  I think I will skip the long run and just wing the half.  Sounds like a plan!

In other news:

·        It rained in Texas last night, after I watered my yard.  Oh well – I will take all the rain I can get

·        I ate some tomatoes off my plants

·        Racing Thursday night for the kick off of the (White Rock) Dallas Marathon - 6.4K

·        Just like the Sears Tower – you can change the name, but ‘locals’ will always refer to it as the White Rock Marathon (not the Dallas Marathon).

·        Racing Saturday morning - 4 miler

·        Volleyball tournament Saturday

·        I really need to get a couch.  I’m getting sick of the chairs and want to start decorating a bit more

Three things Thursday:

1.      HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!! – celebrating tonight by going for a run and playing some volleyball.  So yeah – typical Thursday.  I have been in a great mood lately.  Everything has been going good.  I feel healthy, my workouts have been going great, the house is coming together and I have a lot of plans coming up.  We had donuts this morning at work for my birthday, then celebrating tonight out at Yucatan, then cookouts and pool parties this weekend.  I did take tomorrow off work – so 4 day weekend for me.  Time to relax, get in some good runs, and do some shopping.  Next week got the Thursday night race 6.4K, a 4 miler Saturday morning and the Save the Boobies volleyball tournament Saturday.  The weekend after that I have a baby shower/pool party Saturday and a half marathon Sunday.  Then the next weekend I head HOME!

2.      I just decided that I am going to run the Wounded Warrior on June 10^th.  That means I have to get in some longer runs this weekend.  I love the fact that I am in good enough shape that I can decide to run a half marathon 2 weeks before the race and still be OK.  I am hoping to get in a 10 mile run this weekend.  I ran this particular race last year and it is the same course as Heels & Hills.  So I have run the course 4 or 5 times.  Hoping to have a good run.

3.      I am still lacking a big picture plan for this summer.  I have tons of small things going on, but I still have nothing big that I am planning for.  I just keep telling myself to relax until the crazy fall running starts, but apparently that is not in my DNA.  I need a plan.

Sprint drills –

So first off, technology is not my friend.  My iPod decided to work for a bit yesterday, but my watch was dead.  By the time I got my watch charged enough to use, my iPod didn’t want to work again (sigh!).

I ran my last 5K at a 7:38 pace; I would love to get that below 7:30.  So I need to do some speed training.

I did a bit of a warm up then learned that the loop outside my house is approximately 0.4 miles long.  Great for interval training (0.5 miles would be better, but I will work with what I can get).  The last side of the loop is slightly up hill (small slope), which is also good for my training.  I kept my pace below 7:30 on the first part of the loop and below 7:45 on the uphill portion.  I would run a loop, get back to my house, have a break and get some water – then it was out for another loop.  I can’t even tell you how many loops I did, but if I had to guess it would be 10, based on my mileage.  I think I can make this loop a good speed training drill.  A track workout without the track.  A guy was outside watering his yard and I kept running by.  He asked me if I needed a cool down, and I told him I definitely would this summer!

Side notes: Aaron sent me this picture of Kyla and Brent and I LOVE it.

I got my check from EF Tours yesterday, which makes me feel better.  Mom said not to go on a wild spending spree.  I think I am going to ignore that advice.  Yes, I plan on doing some responsible things – opening my Roth IRA and putting some back in savings.  I also plan on spending a good chunk of it.  There are several things I have wanted, but never got because I was very diligent (cheap??) trying to save up for a house and then our trip.  I do plan on getting a computer and a good pots/pans/cooking set.  Combined that will not be cheap.  I am also going to get: running shoes, medal hangers, half fanatic visor.  I have a whole ‘fun shopping’ list that whenever I was below monthly budget I would buy something that I wanted off my list.  Most are $20-$40, so nothing huge – just things I want.  I plan on reducing my current list quite a bit.

5K recap –

I think I am getting used to running without music; never thought that day would come.  I ran the Carrollton Trails 5K.  I was just out for a run, no time goal in mind.  I did want to place if possible.  I figured it would be a smaller event, but they had 10 year age groups instead of 5.  I went out pretty fast and had to slow it down a bit.  It ended up being a very flat (slightly downhill), winding course.  I did have to stop and retie one of my shoes.  I still ended with a 2 second PR.  23:39.

They did have to correct the results because originally I was listed as the 4^th overall female and 2^nd in my age group.  One girl who was ahead of me the whole way went back to help her son finish and her results got messed up.  I know she beat me.  So 5^th overall female and 3^rd in my age group.  Either way, I am surprised and happy with my run.  And I got a medal!

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and seeing friends.  Friday we went out for drinks for Jen’s birthday and Saturday I went out for drinks and to the FC Dallas soccer game.  Memorial Day weekend should be pretty relaxing, nothing big planned.  My birthday is Thursday and I am taking Friday off work.  So I will have a 4 day weekend.  The next 3 weekends after that are going to be busy.

Right now I am debating signing up for the Wounded Warrior Half marathon.  I ran this last year and it is right in Las Colinas.  It was the start of my marathon training/benchmark race to see where I stood.  It was also after the Champagne Volleyball tournament, so I ended up getting less than 4 hours of sleep.  It was an OK time for all the factors going into it, but I know I could crush it now.  One of the girls I talked to after the Carrollton Trails 5K is running it, so I might.  Decisions decisions.  I have just over a week until the pricing goes up.  I’ll wait and see how I am looking with my money for the month.

Ideal running weight –

Something that has caught my eye a lot recently is Ideal Running Weight.  Yes, I have heard about it before, but for some reason it is catching my attention lately.  I have lost weight in the past two years, but for some reason recently more and more people have been telling me I am still getting smaller.  Yes, I want to be healthy and look good, but I do not want to get too small.  I do not want to be rail thin.  I know what a healthy weight is for my height and I am there, but what about for my running?

Basis:  Runners will race about two seconds per mile faster for every pound they lose – that statement does have to be in perspective that the runner still has to be a healthy weight and not losing the weight in an unhealthy fashion.  Best way I have heard this put – the less weight you carry around, the more miles per gallon you get from your oxygen.  Carrying a lighter load is also easier on your joints.

There are obviously different theories on calculating ‘ideal running weight.’  Based only on my height, I should be about 135-140 pounds – which is right where I am at.  Using that as a starting point, let’s get into calculating Ideal Running Weight.

First theory -Take a percentage off your healthy weight.  Basic idea: world-class long distance runners should be about 15% lighter than the healthy weight (based solely on height).  Most are at least 10% lighter.  That would put me at 115-120.  Yeah – don’t think so, beside I am not a world class runner nor do I ever wish to be. 

Second theory – Focus on decreasing your body fat percentage – getting to the low end of the healthy scale.  Using a basic BMI calculator on the internet (I know there are limitations – but I am just doing this for a quick-n-easy indication) My BMI is 21.6 – right in the middle of the healthy range.  Say I want to get down to 20 – still healthy, but a bit lower making me faster - I would need to weigh 128 pounds to get a BMI of 20.

Third theory – extremely basic – not even sure if this is for ideal running weight or just weight in general.  Your height in inches x 2.  5’7” person would be 67 x 2 = 134

My thoughts: I am a recreational runner that races for fun.  I would like to get a faster, but am I going to completely alter my life for it – No.  Could I stand to lose a few more pounds – Yes.  Am I happy with the way I feel and look currently – Yes.

Based on a healthy weight for anyone, an ideal weight for running, and what I am happy with via the mirror I am going to set my ideal weight at between 130-135 pounds.

**Side note – when I started typing this, I didn’t plan to set an ideal weight for myself.  That just kind of happened.  Going to roll with it.  Yes, I weigh myself, but I never had a goal weight in the sense of ‘I want to be less than x.’  I knew I was losing weight and I just wanted to be conscious of it.

Today is not Friday?

Monday was a break day for me.  I had intended to run 4 or 5 miles, but that just didn’t happen.  I ran 2, then did laundry, emptied a few more boxes and watered the lawn.  Yesterday was definitely not a break day.  I went to the gym and ran 2 miles, did Body Pump (lifting) from 5:30-6:30, and spin class from 6:30-7:30.  Again, I am feeling good.  I felt better lifting, went up on weights and didn’t have to stop a single exercise mid-set.  Even did most of the push-up on my toes (as opposed to knees).  Then – ran home for about 30 minutes to eat and headed out to Yucatan to sub for a 3s team.  Two games - at 8:50 and 9:40.  Definitely a full evening of activity! 

3s is definitely a lot more fun than 4s.  More movement, more action and I get to do more than just stand at the net.  We played the top 2 teams in the 3s league and did fairly well.  The first team was mad that we took 2 out of 3.  The second game we lost all three, but played pretty well.  Those guys were quick and did good covering the court. 

Stayed out and had a few drinks and had an interesting conversation about Chia seeds.  One of the bartenders has been taking them for about 2 years.  My mom mentioned them to me one day and after that I have been hearing more and more.  I think I am going to have to test them out and see what I think.  They are pretty much tasteless so you can add them to anything.  They absorb liquid (water, juice, Gatorade) and keep you feeling full.  They also apparently help with cravings.  I’m just not 100% sure what to do with them once I get them.  I am thinking of adding them to my morning oatmeal and maybe to some juice or even just water.  Report to come later.

The sad part of the story is that I thought today was Friday.  I have only been playing volleyball on Thursdays.  So play volleyball, go home, sleep, and ta-da it’s Friday!  I was very sad when I realized it was only Wednesday.  Epic disappointment!

Weekend Results -

The Five and Dime 10M went fantastic.  It had rained the entire day before.  It was a cool morning, but not too much humidity.  The race was out at White Rock and was a loop around the lake.  When we first started there was a little section of out and back, less than a mile into the race.  A guy was counting people and at the turnaround, I was the 9^th female.  I was working on not going out too fast.  I wasn’t sure how I would do considering the half marathon the weekend before wasn’t my best run and I still had no music.  I was running right along, hanging back and ended up running the first 7 miles pretty much along side this one girl and this older guy.  After about 7 I was feeling strong.  I took a gel at that point because I knew we were finishing on the ‘hilly side’ of the lake.  My pace never really dropped and my breathing was just fine.  At mile 8, I am still with the older guy when he asks how old I am.  He basically said that he was OK with him dropping back from me since he has almost 20 years on me.  Yes, I did beat him.  I felt good the whole time (even the uphill parts) and was most excited about feeling healthy.  I wasn’t really sure how many people I passed, but figured I didn’t get passed so I should have an age group award. I was on pace and feeling good for a 1:50 if I was running a half marathon.

Hung around afterwards, had some pizza and beer and talked to a lot of people.  They finally posted results and I was happy to see how well I did compared to everyone else.  I definitely could have gone faster at the end, but I just cruised on in.  I talked to the girl I ran the first 7 miles with, and she ended up second in our age group.

Then it was home to relax before the Champagne Volleyball tournament.  My legs were a bit tight from the running and then sitting, so volleyball was OK.  The best part of the tournament was seeing people I haven’t seen in a long time (the non-Thursday night players).  Normally by September/October I am over volleyball (playing from March to November gets old).  I’m already at that point and it is only May.  It could be a very long summer out there.  At the end of every year, I say I am done, or I am at least going to skip the first session next year to shorten the season, but every year I end up back out there.  I would rather be running, but I force myself to go out there for the social aspect of it.

I am completely addicted – to running races

This year I decided I was going to cut back on the number of races.  I ran a ton in preparation for the Chicago marathon.  I needed the races to ensure that I would not wimp out on the mileage.  I was doing good at the beginning of the year holding back, not so much anymore.  I had 2 races planned for May and I signed up for two more this week (5K and 6.4K mentioned yesterday).  They were cheap and should be fun.  Now I am in full –Sign up for half marathons- mode. 

I mentioned I am signing up the 4 Seasons Challenge.  There is also a New Year’s Double down here that is super popular.  They have half & full marathons on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.  You can run a combination if you want.  I have signed up for the New Year’s double half marathons!!!  I figure it will be a good final training runs before Goofy.  At least that is my rational for running them.  And because I REALLY want to.  It is a 6.55 mile loops that you run (twice for the half).  It is up in Allen, TX – which is definitely driveable, but I am thinking of getting a hotel room in order to be able to celebrate the New Year. 

Looking at my race calendar for 2013 – what the heck am I thinking?  From Dec 31 – Jan 13 I will be running 3 half marathons and a full.  And I have stuff planned for February and March already.  I will be in damn good shape this winter.

On a different note – I am feeling healthy again.  I know a couple days ago I said I didn’t think it was my iron levels, but the more I look back on it, the more I think it might have been my bad blood.  I wasn’t overly strict on taking my pills, but the second I started to feel weak a couple weeks ago, I was OCD on taking them.  However I was also eating a lot of cereal.  Milk binds to the iron and doesn’t let it absorb into the blood stream.  The last two half marathons I have ran, knocked me out.  I needed a nap.  At first, the Big D I chalked up to the weather conditions.  Humid at first and rain the last 5+ miles.  I just figure that is why I needed a 3 hour nap afterwards.  It was after that I started to feel week and exhausted all the time.  I took a nap after Heels and Hills and based on my run there was no reason I should have needed it. Yes, it was 80%+ humidity and I did have to work at that half, however based on my effort and my time, I should have been fine.  Cleaning up my eating and being very diligent with my pills, I have felt great all week.  Tuesday was an awesome workout and so was yesterday. 

This weekend consists of the Five and Dime – 10M and the Champagne volleyball tournament.  Saturday will be busy!

Three Things Thursday –

1 – Racing schedule – I am signing up for the 4 Seasons Challenge.  Mellew productions puts it on - they sponsor a half marathon in each of the 4 seasons.  If you run them all consecutively, you get an extra medal at the end.  It is all about the BLING.  I ran the spring one (Big D), but wasn’t going to start the challenge this year because the summer one was when we were supposed to be in Europe.  Since that is cancelled I am just going to go ahead and do the challenge now.  It also saves me from the possibility that I will miss next summer’s half due to my cousin’s wedding.  Not sure if they have a date, but they were planning August.

Summer – hottest half (Aug); Fall – Tyler Rose (Oct); Winter – Texas half (Feb).

I also signed up for a 5K and a 6.4k this month.  I know, I know – I said I wouldn’t be paying for these smaller races anymore unless it was a cool one I wanted to do.  The 5K was only $10, and it is not too far away and looks like a nice little run.  The 6.4k race was only $15.  Yes, that is an interesting distance for a race, but it is the kickoff party for the White Rock marathon and it is sponsored by Miller 64 (6.4 – get it?).  It is the day before registration for the marathon opens.  They are having a post race party (with Miller 64) and are giving raffling off entries for the marathon and half.  This is definitely a shorter race that I have no problem paying for and really think will be a lot of fun.  Only problem – it is on Thursday, so I am skipping volleyball.  $25 for both races and I think you get a shirt at both and beer at the second.  Looks like my racing calendar has more races than I intended for the year….opps J!!!!

2 – My iPod – got delivered today!  I miss running with music.  It is the orange iPod shuffle.  I am still going to have to wait a bit until I get a computer and iTunes to actually put music on it, but oh well.  I’m excited.  It’s tiny, it’s orange, and it’s cute.

3 – For the past several months I have been trying to make better food decisions.  Yes, I still eat out at times, yes I still drink at times, and yes I still snack; but overall I am trying to be healthy 90%+ of the time.  I have completely gotten away from frozen lunches and cook at least twice a week.  Two other changes that I noticed made a big difference in my health is giving up pop and switching to smaller plates. 

*Giving up pop - I used to have a pop every morning at work.  Rarely would I have 2 a day and rarely would I have pop on the weekends, but I needed it to get going for work.  Now I have a cup of coffee.  I do put in a bit of creamer and sugar.  Two things with that – I can control how much I put in and I have slowly been reducing the amount. 

*Switching to smaller plates – that is something I have read in magazines and online in tips to lose weight.  Over time I started noticing that I am one of those people guilty of filling the plate.  There is room on the plate, there is good food in front of me – fill’er up.  My eyes are bigger than my stomach.  Switching to a smaller plate you still get the good food and you still get the satisfaction of a full plate.  It really seems to help me.

Wordless Wednesday –

Again, not sure what the title means, but a lot of bloggers use it, so I am being cool too!

So I was in a bit of a funk for a bit, past 2-3 weeks.  I wasn’t feeling good physically – not sick, just tired, I wasn’t sleeping good, and I just didn’t want to do anything.  I didn’t want to go out to volleyball, I went there not in a good mood, I didn’t have much fun, and didn’t want to be around people.  Same thing on Saturday – I just wasn’t feeling it.  Since I started running more and more I have been very diligent about taking my iron pills.  Recently, when I was tired I was OCD about taking the pills – and even increased from at least 2 pills a day to 3.  That didn’t help, so I don’t think that was it. 

Sunday after the half marathon I felt better mentally, but I was still exhausted physically.  This week I started taking 20-30 minute walks on my lunch break to get away from my desk and give my mind a break.  Plus, it is pretty by the lake.  Monday I pretty much took the evening off and last night I didn’t go to my lifting class or spin class.  I went to the gym and got in a good workout (4 mile run, 20 minute stairs, and lifted arms), but doing that instead of the classes got me home 2 hours earlier.  Watered the lawn, cooked dinner and lunch for today and relaxed.  The past two nights, I have slept great and my workout yesterday felt good.  Solid run, stair machine kicked my a$$ in a good way, and I felt my arms got a good workout – 4 machines at 3 sets of 10. 

I also got a bit off track on my eating, I wasn’t eating bad, just not as good as I had been previously.  I was eating too much candy at work.  I made meat and veggies with brown rice on Monday and turkey burgers last night.  That will be most of my meals this week.  I have almost 100% given up pop – I have one cup of coffee in the morning.  Still not great, but I control the amount of sugar I put in it.  Been being diligent about getting enough water the past 2 days.

Not sure what was going on the past few weeks, but I think it was a combination of things going on in life, doing too much, and not eating all that good.  All of that lead to not sleeping, and me being in a funk.  Research states it takes anywhere from 21-66 days to make a habit, yet it only takes 1 day to get out of a habit – doesn’t seem fair. 

Back to feeling good!

Weekend Recap – it’s a long one.

Saturday morning started with me working the Rock N Roll 5M and 10M run out at white rock lake.  I was a course monitor on the 5 mile course.  Basically I stand there and make sure no one misses the turn.  I have to say, people that miss turns on courses are not very smart.  There is an arrow on the road, orange cones making the turn and signage (big red arrow) all pointing you in the right direction.  I just talk to the runners as they go by.  There is also always a cop there directing traffic, so I don’t have to deal with mad neighborhood residents that can’t get to their houses.  I had a pretty cool cop who was fun to work with.  The last few runners are going by and we hear over the radio that some lady just showed up and wanted to start the race.  This is AN HOUR after the race started.  They were going to let her run the 5M course.  The 5M and the 10M courses were completely different routes.  So everyone was going to have to stay an extra hour because this lady got there so late?  Thankfully the sergeant got on the radio and said he was not going to hold all of his people just for one runner that couldn’t get there on time.  But it did delay everything else for me that day.  Got a bit behind schedule.

Did some of the other things I had to do, went home to make the veggie pizza for the Little’s Cinco de Mayo party.  Skipped the one crawfish boil and just went straight out to the Little’s.  Thought my GPS was going to send me to Montana or something because I had no idea what way it was taking me.  Finally got there and just relaxed the rest of the afternoon.  I sat in the pool for a bit and watched a ton of volleyball.  I didn’t really feel like playing, didn’t really feel like drinking, so I just sat around and watched.  I have been so physically and mentally wore out that I just wanted to sit there.  It was exactly what I needed.  Left at a decent time to get home and go to bed.

Slept like shit that night, got up Sunday morning and it was off to the half marathon.  I have run this course several times and it starts right across the street from my work.  I park in my work parking garage and just walk on down.  Apparently there was some confusion with the whole parking thing, that when I got to my garage it was a cluster – f.  You go up the entry ramp and turn to the right, however there is a gate there that you need a key card.  Everyone was getting stuck and there was a long line, so people couldn’t turn around.  At this point, I am extremely annoyed with everything.  I finally get to the top, where I can turn right and there is a guy stuck there telling me I can’t come through.  He was trying to be helpful so people would quit trying to get in.  I told him I worked in the building and that I could get through.  He pulled up to the first gate, apparently thinking I was going to let him in.  I pulled to the second gate and went on through.  The guy was pretty mad that I didn’t let him in to park.  I told him I wasn’t going to, because you need to use the key card to get out.  He would have been stuck.

On to the race – Heels and Hills.  It is a women dominated race with pink medals and the men that are pacers are in running skirts.  A very relaxed atmosphere.  At 7AM it was 72 degrees with 81% humidity.  Ick.  Not a good race, and my iPod, the POS that it is, didn’t work at all!!!!  I have already ordered a new one this morning.  Meaning I have to go and get a computer and figure out how to work iTunes.  It was a pretty rough run for me.  I did start to feel better mentally, but physically I was spent.  Thankfully it is a very flat course and I know it well.  By mile 7, my goal was to hang back and just finish under 2 hours.  At every mile marker I walked a bit and tried to get my iPod to turn on.  Stupid iPod.  I finished in 1:59:01.  One of my worst times in a while, but I was happy with it.  That was exactly what I was going for.  Got my medal, got some food and got out of there.  Finished 6^th in my age group, so I guess everyone kind of bonked out. 

Went home and relaxed for a bit, took about a half hour nap, got up and had a running gel.  That gave me some energy so I got some cleaning and stuff done.  I am thinking of skipping lifting and spinning tomorrow night.  I am just plain worn out.

Three things Thursday –

1.   Europe is officially cancelled and we are supposed to get a FULL refund.  I am bummed about not going to Europe, but am glad they decided to give us all our money back.  I don’t like people messing with my money and already had a letter drafted that I was ready to send to everyone at EF Tours that I could find.  Gotta love the internet.  I will get to Amsterdam and France one day.  Along with Ireland and anywhere I want to go.  I do plan on traveling tons of places.  I am really looking to run a marathon somewhere (Rock N Roll is international).

**Now the big question, what to do with the money.  First things first, open a Roth IRA.  I have been thinking of doing it for years, but didn’t want to take the money out of savings at the time.  Now that the house is settled and I am comfortable with my money, no excuses.  Second, buy a computer and new iPod.  My iPod is crapping out hard core and I will definitely need music for all my fall running. I am not going to break down and get the internet yet, but that may be in the future as well. Third – add some back into the savings account.  I’m good with where I am at right now, but a little cushion always helps!  Makes me less stressed out.  Finally, time to make some plans for this summer and plan my vacation time.  Things I would like to do: sign up for the 4 seasons challenge, plan another trip home late summer, early fall, plan a trip somewhere else for fun.

2.   May is birthday month –

I always like May.  The weather is getting great, people are having cookouts and barbeques, time to get a tan, sports are in full swing, and it’s my birthday.  I’m not big on having parties or going out for my birthday, but I am really thankful for it and all the people in my life.  This year it happens to be on a Thursday, so I will have fun out at Volleyball.  I have so much planned this month - running a couple of races (getting some bling), volunteering at a race, volleyball tournaments start up, Cinco de Mayo parties, and good times to be had.

3.   Texan vs Midwesterner –

I love Texas and I love being down here.  I do claim to be a Texan most of the time.  However, there are a few times I claim to be a Midwesterner.  I will never give up my Chicago sports teams or the Big Ten, and I can drive in snow.  There is one Texas/Southern thing I will never get used to, Crawfish Boils.  OMG – Crawfish (or mudbugs) are disgusting.  I tend to think of them as lobster meets roach like things you eat.  They are ugly to look at, it takes work to eat them, and you get little meat.  I had heard of crawfish boils since the year I moved down here, but managed to avoid them until last year.  I tried my first crawfish last year at a work event.  I was none to impressed, but I gave it the old college try.  Ick!!!  This comes up because I have two crawfish boils this week.  One tonight for work and one on Saturday.  This midwestern girl will not be eating any mudbugs!  Southerners are weird. :)

 

May Goals and random thoughts –

This month I am doing my goals slightly different.  I was reading a blog and they talk about their number goal.  300 in 365.  Her goal is to workout 300 days this year.  I like to make my goals monthly vs yearly – it makes it a bit more realistic for me and I can adjust them as things come up.  For May, I want to workout 25 days this month.  Whether it be: running, lifting, spinning, biking, or volleyball.

·        Workout 25 days

·        Open Roth IRA (if Europe gets cancelled) – I know I won’t get the money back right away, but I should have enough to cover everything and it will help knowing I will be getting this money.

Random thoughts:

·        My iPod is crapping out, forcing me to run without music A LOT (dislike)

·        I have tiny tomatoes growing in my pots!!!!!

·        Ready for Cinco de Mayo and the busy weekend ahead

·        Love Greek yogurt.  Learning with any yogurt, get the plain and add your own berries.  Approximately 6g sugar for plain vs 16+g sugar for flavored (depending on brand)

·        Finally got all my first bills for the house.  Feel better knowing what to expect.

·        First mortgage payment today

·        Final apartment payment today

·        Need a couch

·        Signed up for another insurance exam. 

·        Trying to decide what my next goal/event is.  Goofy is too far off.  I need something going on in my life right now…

April Goals Recap –

·        Run 85 miles – let’s try this again – success – 86 miles.  Just made it.  Been doing more frequent and shorter distances.  I definitely don’t feel ready for the half marathon I have on Sunday, but I am just out to enjoy the run that day.  Besides, it is the day after Cinco de Mayo - let's just say I won't be in top form.

·        Big D – under 1:55 – let’s see if RNR – Dallas was a fluke. - I can honestly say RNR Dallas was not a fluke.  Ran the Lincoln Presidential half marathon in 1:50:27.  Big D wasn’t quite under 1:55 (1:56:26) but I am happy with it for how I felt that day.

·        House – get it 95% put together.  At least have final big pieces picked out – couch, patio furniture, pots/pans, corner kitchen table – epic fail.  I have most of the little stuff that I need/want, and I actually went to three furniture stores this weekend, but ugggg!  I hate sales people- they are annoying.  I know it is there job and all and they work off of commission, but all they do is make me shut down.  Hopefully I will have a couch by the end of the year.  I’m getting tired of the chairs/floor.  I want to stretch out on something comfy.

·        Only eat frozen meals twice per week MAX - Doing great with this.  I have been cooking more and more.  Made this bowtie pasta dish that my sister makes.  Pasta, peppers, squash, zucchini, and tomatoes.  Also, made the kabobs without the bob aka – no stick.  Grilled everything up and had some of it over brown rice.  I also made the chicken, avocado, strawberry salad; and cooked some vegetables.  Currently finishing up the roast I made.  I don’t even buy frozen meals any more.  I should probably keep 1 or 2 in the freezer just in case.

Overall a pretty good April.  Still have a long way to go on the house, but I am loving it.