Tuesday, February 21, 2012

A New Week

In light of starting fresh this week, I took a rest day on Sunday. Yesterday I decided to run 3 easy miles after the tough hilly and long run on Saturday. I met up with my friend Ryan and we ran 3 miles on the trail. I wanted to take it easy since I think I'm starting to get a cold and my legs felt a bit sluggish. The mile splits were 9:56, 9:45, 9:11. Not really consistent but it was nice to just run super easy. The pup came with us too which always makes for an interesting run! The first 1/2 mile is always the hardest because she forgets that we don't all-out sprint the whole time!
Pepper and I after our run

I was happy to start off the week this way since today I'm going to jump back into my speedwork this week! I have a month until the Shamrock Shuffle 8k where I hope to break 40:00. I'm going to attempt some 400m repeats since they worked well for me before. I don't want to push to do too much since it is my first time doing speedwork in several weeks. We'll see how it goes!

I know religion is something that I don't really talk about on here (besides CCD), but I wanted to briefly talk about Lent. It starts tomorrow and I'm not sure yet what I'll be giving up. Last year I gave up treats (cookies, candy, desserts, cake, etc.) and the year before I gave up pizza (which was a lot easier than I thought it would be). I don't really drink much pop anyways, but I know giving up treats again would be really hard. However, I know I can do it already and I'm looking for a new challenge. What are things that you've given up for Lent? If you're not Catholic, has your family still participated? Do tell!

Also, I have signed up for my 4th half marathon of the year. Due to a schweet Schwaggle deal, I signed up for the Wisconsin Dells Half Marathon. The Kates and I are turning it into a girls weekend trip and I'm pretty pumped about it. I've never been to Wisconsin Dells before and I've never run in Wisconsin before so it should be fun! Have you made a destination race into a vacation, or found a race while on vacation?

12 comments:

  1. I probably should have read this before i took a random guess at what lent is on my blog! I think i am going to try and run the shamrock shuffle in 42:00. Me and my lofty, lofty goals....

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  2. It just means that great minds think alike. That is the only explanation I can think of?! 42:00 is a great goal! I got 40:49 back in 2009 so I'm trying to break that mark. I got so close before, hopefully I can do it again! :)

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  3. awwww you and Pepper are the cutest :) and congrats on committing to yet another marathion!!!!

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  4. Thanks! Pepper sure does to go for a run. We call her Fozzie Bear due to her fur and funny face! :) I'm excited for this next half marathon! It should be FUN!

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  5. I'm not really a practicing Catholic anymore, but I do like giving something up for Lent. Something about the idea of sacrifice, even without the religious aspect of it, is interesting to me. Anyway, I think this year I might give up sweets and other "junk" food. I've done it in the past, and it's hard, but I know I can do it. I might cheat on Sundays though. One year I gave up meat (I think my freshman year of college) and it wasn't that hard because I discovered I love veggie burgers. Giving up sweets is harder, but overall a healthier thing to give up (which I know isn't the point, the point is sacrifice, not using it as an excuse to improve my diet, but I'm not a practicing Catholic, and I figure there are worse things I can do ... )

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  6. That sounds like a great idea. Catholics are allowed to cheat on Sundays, technically, but I wasn't allowed to do that when I was younger. Even now I don't like to do that. Maybe I'll give up sweets again. That would force me to eat more vegetables, which I need to incorporate anyways!

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  7. I am giving up BOOZE for Lent! It's going to be difficult but I know it is something that will be difficult and also beneficial for me! My fiancé is doing it too so that helps. Last year I gave up beer, the year before that I gave up tabloids (totally cured me of my magazine buying addition!) and as a kid I would always give up pop or chocolate. It's a tradition I enjoy and I think is a good reminder that I have willpower!

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  8. Ditto what Maggie said - I am not practicing either but like this reminder to be more, well, mindful. How about going vegan? It could be a fun challenge that I could help you with! I am thinking (also like Maggie) about no sweets/junk.

    Yay for your 4th HM! I almost always try to find races when I travel. I am going to IA in March for my dad's retirement and I will race my PR 5K course!

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  9. It is nice that you'll have someone to share in your sacrifice. Hopefully that will make it easier and more worthwhile. :)

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  10. Hmm, I am intrigued at the thought of going vegan. THAT would certainly be a challenge! Best of luck on your IA 5k!

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  11. Just found your blog - I am a Chicago runner, too! For Lent, I have given up the obligatory chocolate a few times, and once gave up dining out. It was actually not very difficult for me since I prefer to cook, but it did require some extra planning for those very busy times.

    I've never done a runcation, but I have a whole race wish list and I track the states and locations that I've run in! Anytime I go someplace I always look up potential local races. =)

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  12. I wish I liked to cook more. My husband is definitely the chef in our relationship. :)

    This will be my 2nd runcation (counting Grand Rapids as my 1st). How many states have you run in?

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