Sick...but not with piggy flu

Well, this past week I have been sick, which has made it impossible for me to train! I haven't ran since Saturday, and even then I was starting to get sick which meant that my 6-miler ended up being a measly 4-miler. And I didn't even run the whole time. I tell you what, being sick SUCKS big time. And what sucks even worse is that this Saturday I have a big 14-miler to do. I'm thinking that I am just going to speed walk it, since going the distance walking is better than doing nothing at all, right? It would be suicide to try and run it after not running for a week. What is bad about this flu-like sickness is that it has given me a sore throat and a cough, so I have a strong feeling that even if I tried to run, I would be doubled over coughing before long. Okay, enough with the negative part. Done with the venting.

Come to think of it, there is no positive side to this week. So that is the end of my post. Oh wait...I lost 5 pounds. There is something positive to being sick! Haha!!

Roadblocks

So I haven't given an update on training in awhile, but the most important thing is that I am still goin at it! In fact, this morning I ran my first 10 mile run EVER and it was exhausting! Basically, I feel the same after I hike Havasupai with a 30-pound pack on my back. Same achey feet and everything. But it is so worth it! (speaking of supai, August 6, 7, and 8th! I'm so excited!)

These last couple weeks I've had some issues with energy. In January, I could run 6 miles straight at just over 10 minutes per mile. For some reason, I've slowed down A LOT in the last month or so. It was starting to get really frustrating. A couple weeks ago I set out for a 9-mile run, but I couldn't even go four before I had to admit defeat and walk home. I was so exhausted after just two miles even. Then last saturday I had to do a short 6-mile run, but had to take a walking break in mile ONE! Needless to say, something was going on here. After some discussion earlier this week with Kelsey, she threw out the idea that maybe I was low on iron. It made perfect sense- I wasn't taking vitamins like I should have, and I hadn't had a piece of red meat, literally, in months (you can blame my mom for that one. All we eat is fish and chicken! haha). So I went right to work (knowing I had a 10 mile run that I absolutely had to do) and took a multi-vitamin with iron in it for the last 4 days and ate a ton of spinach. Good thing I like spinach! Well it seems to have worked, because I definitely improved! This morning I was able to run 8 miles before I got too tired and had to walk the last two. But, I did the distance, and I didn't run out of steam at mile 2 like I have been for a month or so. Placebo affect? I don't think so. There was some real energy there this morning, I could feel it.

You know what time I had to wake up this morning so as not to die of heat?

4:30. Woof.

Needless to say, I took a nice 3-hour nap after I got home and showered. Glorious!

Also, Gilbert is beautiful at dawn!

Training so far...

It's been great!

Okay, but I've slacked off. I don't think I've completed a full week of training since I've started, but this week is shaping up to be the best yet! You know why? Because I just bought a 6 month membership to the rec center! I love it! Now I can run on the treadmill or the indoor track instead of in the heat and I can use the weight machines and the bike machines and...it's AWESOME.

Going to the rec center again will be a great thing for my training. Now I can do adequate cross-training, which are activities that do not involve running, on days when I don't run. I can bike outside, now, too! I finally fixed my bike after three months of a flat tire, and this morning I took it for a spin. Still works like a charm!

Something I realized after my first workout at the rec center- I have become extremely slow! I used to be able to do a 10-minute mile way back in January, but now I struggle with even that! How pathetic is this? That is why I am now implementing treadmill running into my routine. Hopefully in a couple weeks I will be back to a 10-minute mile. Also I need to work my abs every day if I am going to be able to run comfortably- all that extra flab around my middle does not help me be faster at all!

So, new training plan:

• Run my weekday runs on the treadmill at the rec center, since they are only 30 to 45 minutes long.
• Continue running my Saturday long runs on the streets. Several hours on a treadmill at a time may be too much for me!
• Work my abs every single weekday, especially after running on the treadmill.
• Stretch after every run. Sometimes I forget.
• Be able to do 15 good push-ups by the end of the month.
• Have at least one strength training day at the rec center, most likely Fridays.
• Don't wear a gray shirt to the rec center when I run (the sweat marks are nasty!)

All in all, even though I am progressing well, I still have a lot of work with regards to speed and simple consistency.

I am still very excited for October 3rd to roll around!!! Only 115 more days!

first 2 weeks

Well, the first two weeks of marathon training are done. Here is what I have learned:

• Even while you're running and obviously busy, the missionaries will still try to ask for references. Sorry Sisters and Elders, I just don't know anybody who needs to hear your message! Keep up the good work, though.
• Arizona weather changes fast. Yesterday I set out in cool, cloudy weather, and came back with a sunburn and near heatstroke. I did have plenty of water though!
• Freestone park is a lifesaver for one reason only- bathrooms.
• I should probably wake up early for my runs from now on. This week of nice weather has spoiled me.
• I am still out of shape. Still. After almost 6 months of running. Oh well. It's getting much better!
• New running shoes make a HUGE difference. Turns out I was wearing a size too small for 5 months. No more injuries for me!
• Training runs throughout the week are just as important as the long run on Saturday, without them I would be dying on the long run!
• If I think that 6 miles is hard now, imagine when I am doing twice that. Or three times that. Or four. What am I getting myself into!?
• Guys like it when I tell them I am training for a marathon. Hahaha!
• Running clears the mind. Really.
• There is so much more, but I don't feel like writing it down...

As I really get into training, I find myself a happier (although tired-er) person. Endorphins are great!

YES! YES! YES!

I got into the St George Marathon!!!

You have no idea how happy I am!

Out of over 10,000 applicants, I am going to be one of the privileged 7,200 who get to line up at the starting line on October 3rd, 2009. The reason I am so excited is because I thought for sure I wouldn't make the lottery. They put my name in a pool with these thousands of people, and it is pure luck on who gets drawn to run. I am so excited. Beyond belief. Now my running has a purpose again!

(This is the logo for the marathon....AH!)

For the next four months or more I will be kicking my butt on the roads. Right now, training is my top priority, although I may need to find a job soon....grrr. Anyway, wish me luck on this crazy venture. I must be crazy, right?

Procrastination...

Yeah, I'll be the first to admit it. I procrastinate in everything! It doesn't matter if it is school or anything else, you can bet it will be done last second or I will be late to something. I call it Alicia standard time, like Mormon standard time only worse. I'm always running late, but what can ya do, you know? Anyway I suppose the reason I bring up this horrible sin called procrastination is because that is what I am doing this very second! I should be studying for two finals tomorrow... economics and math. Boo on both of them. I will be sooo glad when it is one o'clock tomorrow afternoon because that means I am done with the semester!

Speaking of tomorrow...I find out if I got into the St. George marathon.... and seriously it is all I can think about right now. And starting tomorrow evening, the running begins again, whether I get in or not! Running shoes, it has been a lonely life without you these last two weeks. Maybe first I will wash you up since you have mud and dirt and chicken poo on you. Then we will both set out on an adventure together, just the three of us. Me, left shoe, and right shoe. Those beautiful Asics 2130's...

Can you imagine if I really spoke to my shoes like that? Boy, I must be getting lonely...

Tomorrow at one o'clock is my official beginning of SUMMER!

Oh! The suspense!

So I find out this coming Monday if I got into the St George marathon.....

Can it be Monday now, please?

Purty please?

Seriously though, it is so hard to get in and if I do, I shall be the happiest person ever. If I don't.... well then, the opposite will happen. And I won't know what to do with myself! I'm currently in week 2 of my two or three week break from running, but tomorrow I am FINALLY fixing my bike and going for a dang ride. And I will go swimming. And obtain a sexy tan. And find time to do a big english portfolio project. Hmmm.... priorities. 

The parentals are coming home on Saturday! Huzzah! I can't wait to see pictures from their ultra-awesome Europe trip! And maybe gripe and complain about how jealous I am....

Okay this had to be the most random post ever. Are you happy to get a glimpse of my craziness?

MONDAY.