Questions for you...

I have been keeping a list of questions related to running my half-marathon this November. I've searched online and read what the "pros" have to say, but I'm really interested in finding out what other runners like myself do when training for half and full marthons. If you want to answer any or all of these questions for me, I'd be so thankful for your wisdom. Just leave your answers in the comment section, please and number them for me. I am going to answer them with what I am currently doing. Here goes:

1. Do you train for races outside, inside on a treadmill, or both?

• Lately, due to weather, I have been training inside on the treadmill. I want to run outside more when it cools down some.

2. Do you buy new shoes for a big race and then break them in a few weeks prior or stick with what you've trained in?

• My only experience with this was last years half, and I wore the shoes I trained in. Had no problems, but I walked pretty much the whole thing.

3. Do you pay attention to, or track your heart rate during runs?

• I am very interested in doing this. I am buying a Garmin with a heart rate monitor. I want to learn how to monitor this and use it to my advantage during training. 

4. The only hills I have really run for this training are on my treadmill. A 10% incline was like death for me. How do you train for hills?

• At 10% on my treadmill, I can only run for like a minute. In my neighborhood, there are some pretty big hills, but most are short and quick. I typically have to slow down and even walk sometimes.  I am working on hills on the treadmill 1 day a week. 

5. Do you cross train? What kind of activities do you do?

• I walk, do elliptical and fitness videos for strength. I would like to bike and swim more. Just too hard with a little one. 

Last one, I promise!

6. What is your favorite piece of running gear/clothing/shoes?

• I love my Brooks Ariel's. I am sure I would love my Garmin if I had one!

Thanks for answering my silly questions. I appreciate it!

Motivation on a Monday

I need some motivation to go run and do day 5 (week 1) of Ripped in 30. It all sounded so great last night at 2:00 in the morning. I could have ran for miles without any problem. Why didn't I get up and just run? Probably because I had to get up early this morning for a play date for the little one. I did get up and quietly roll the garbage cans and recycling out to the street because the dear hubs forgot to put them out again. Thanks, honey for contributing to my insomnia. As if your snoring doesn't do enough for that...

Yesterday was a eat every carb in sight and lay around, a.k.a. rest day. We had a church picnic, complete with canoeing in the 100 degree, 100% humidity weather. So needless to say, I ate a lot of broccoli salads, potatoes and cake. And then there was my husband's grandma's 94th birthday party. With Kentucky Fried Chicken. And cake, again. Other than getting up to refill my plate and a little rowing on the canoe, I was a big lump of lazy yesterday. At least I got some cute pictures.

Today's weather is even worse. It feels like it's about 5 degrees cooler than hell outside right now. We have another "excessive heat warning", so there is no chance I will be running outside today or tonight. I need to run, but not bad enough to die doing it. So my treadmill will be my best friend again today, like so many hot (and cold) days before.  I hope it is not as hot where you are...

Facelift and a Good Run

I changed the header to add a little bit of more of me. My running shoes (sanity-Brooks Ariel) and obviously, my sweet tea. I started to change the background, colors, etc. but decided to let it be for now. You will find that I like to change things up from time to time. I'm still experimenting with this whole blogging thing, so please bare with me!

I got a good 2 mile run in tonight. I tried to work on keeping the same pace as long as I could and not taking so many walk breaks or "stop and stretch" breaks. It went really well and I felt good after the first mile. Why is it the first mile is always the hardest?? So that was my sanity for the day...

As for the sweet tea, I did indulge in a gargantuan small sweet tea from Chick-fil-a. I should be a spokesperson for Chick-fil-a and McAllister's, as much as I talk about their food and sweet tea! Classy, I know, but when you live on a budget, you take what you can get!! Maybe one day when all the debts are paid off, hubby and I can begin to enjoy some finer dining experiences. Our city does have some great local restaurants. We just don't spend a lot of our money eating out. Hense, the weekly Chick-fil-a and McAllister's visits! At least both places have healthier choices for those of us that choose to order them (ahem...most of the time, me, but less often, the hubby).

Where is your favorite "cheap" place to eat healthy?