I Get To Run

Today I received a Runner's World quote that really stuck with me:
"We runners are all a little nutty, but we're good people who just want to enjoy our healthy, primitive challenge. Others may not understand running, but we do, and we cherish it. That's our only message." John J. Kelly, Olympic Marathoner
I consider myself to be a little nutty, and I know for sure my family and friends do as well. Waking up at 4am to knock out 5 miles on the tredmill is not how most of my friends start their day. Taking a hot bath while I eat a frozen protien shake in the tub is not how most of my friends end their day either. I can spend hours lurking running blogs and even longer hours reading running forums. It makes my day to see my Runner's World in my mailbox. Each day I strive for the challenge that fitness and running brings me. I want to try harder, to run longer and stronger. Some days are easy, and then their are days like yesterday when my body just feels like it has given up and the challenge is hard. Each day, I cherish my runs. I am eager to begin and always feel the "high" it gives me afterwords.
I am happy to say that when I think of running I use the words "I get to run today." A few years ago, I learned the hard way how something you love so much can be taken away from you. I really picked up running at the age of 24, just after graduating from collage. Running came so easy for me then. I was pretty thin and had good endurance. 5 mile runs turned easily into 8 miles, then 10 and before you knew it I was running 70 miles a week. I loved every bit of it. I would run countless times around a near by lake, listening to my music and just "thinking." I always asked myself what I would do if I couldnt run. That time came. Running so many miles, and taking on a new full time job while completing my master's degree left me stressed and overworked. I started to notice a huge weight loss, and then came my blood sugar issues. Before every workout session, within 15 minutes my blood sugar would drop massivly and I would need some type of quick sugar. I increased my calories by hundreds quickly to try to solve the problem. Not only did this not help, but I was feeling severly tired. Returning home after class at 5pm I could barely keep my eyes open. I made countless doctor's appointments, and in turn they ran some tests which showed that my blood sugar was severly low and that I also had Mono. Now, when you think of Mono you just think of you being very tired and sore throats. For me, this was not the case. Along with the Mono, came the blurry vision, bowel movement problems, and panic attacks. I have always been healthy, nothing like this had ever happend before to me and I did not know how to deal. Here I was, 24 always having all the energy in the world, and it all being stripped away from me. Getting through work was now my daily challange. If I were to talk a weekend day and walk through the mall, I would feel the effects the next day with swollen glands and a fever. I then became depressed, and the only way I felt I could deal with this is to keep my weight under control, which meant very skinny. As the year continued my health did not improve. The months passed. I would try to go to the gym and ride 20 minutes on the bike which would only set me back with flu like symptoms for weeks. I started to research everything I could about mono and came upon Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I denied it at first, but the more I started watching my symptoms and speaking with my doctors, this was the conclusion.
At some point I decided to get off my butt and stop feeling sorry for myself. I checked out countless books and read many articles about atheletes who had overcome CFS. I started slowly. Slowly meaning 5 minutes on the bike with no resistance every other day. After two week, and no symptoms I bumped it up to 10 minutes and continued until I was up to a half hour on the bike. The more I increased my endurance at a safe level, the more my energy started to return during the day. Of course I still needed my naps after work to get me through the night if I needed to go out later, but I was becoming stronger. Finally, a year and a half later I was able to run again. Since then, it has been a trial and error with me. It has been about 4 years since I first came down with Mono, and I can see a huge improvement. I no longer need naps on the weekends, and I am able to work out daily. Of course, I have bad days and I have good days. I also have been more keen about my nutrition and my weight. I think my body just stopped and said "Chelsea, that is it. This is too much and you are done. No more!"
I will never forget the feeling of having running taken away from me. To this day, it is a constant reminder. When I overtrain, I think it is better to rest then to go back to where I was at that time. So tomorrow morning when I wake up to do my long run, I am going to say to myself like always "I get to run!"
Chelsea

What a Week!!

This puppy thing has turned out to be more work than I have asked for. Don't get me wrong, I am loving every minute with Cooper. For one thing, I am having to wake up about 20 minutes earlier than normal to take him out twice...we have had several accidents in the morning which in result has left me scrubbing the floors. He also likes to eat his potty mats, go figure he won't go on his potty mats but he will eat them. This happens to leave a trail of paper all over my entry way. I am not used to all the shedding or the whimpering. All in all, this is quite the learning experience. Needless to say, everyday this week I have been waiting for the bell to ring so I can run home and see my Cooper.
Some weeks go so fast for me, but at the same time I can just feel mentally drained. This is one of those weeks! I think our whole school is feeling the "no recess," this week. The weather here has been brutal, below 0 degrees almost every morning. It is amazing the type of mood the weather can put you in. With taking care of Cooper at night (hence the taking him out every half hour) I have not got much done grading paper wise. These last couple of days have just kind of felt like a whirlwind all around me.
Today I felt pretty good going into my workout. Completed a 5 miler! I really pushed myself, and I am thinking I might have just a little too hard. I have that exhausted, worn out feeling. My plan called for a 4.5 miler, as you know I am not one to follow plans very well. Learned my lesson, will stick to the plan. I am glad tomorrow is a cross training, give my poor leggers a rest.
I am eargly awaiting the weekend to come. Craig made a special reservation for Valentine's Day on Saturday and my parents are going to watch Cooper for the night so we can be free.
Good news is tomorrow is Friday!

A New Edition

So here is he is officially, Cooper! Craig and I picked him up Friday night and I can't keep my hands off of him. He has been such a joy to have around the apartment. He is still in the works of being potty trained and taking walks using a leash. He does not like to be forced to go anywhere, he likes going where he wants to go so the leash is horrible for him. During the day he will go with Craig and then be dropped back off with me at home. I am already awaiting his presence tonight.

Well one thing for sure is that the weekends always just zoom by. Saturday Craig had to go into work early, so I was up as well and knocked out my 7 miler for my long run. A year ago, I never ever thought I would hit 7 miles again, and I completed it! Each week as my milage gets longer I become more and more excited. I am wondering though if I need to slow my long mile pace down a bit. I am running it at the same pace I run my weekly shorter runs.

The rest of the afternoon was spent by Craig puppy sitting while I went and got more blonde added into my hair. Saturday night we went out for dinner and stopped in a local bar for some wine and came home and crashed with Cooper.

As I was doing my morning run this morning I heard the news caster say "Happy Monday." I thought to myself, hmmm what is happy about Monday. I started brainstorming to myself what I like about each day of the week and this is what I came up with.

Monday: Always have so much energy when returning to the gym after a lazy Sunday ...feels so good to bust out a good workout bright and early Monday morning.

Tuesday: Right now on Tuesdays I get to enjoy Teen Mom on MTV-one of my horrible vices...for my half marthon schedule Tuesdays are always my short sprint runs!!

Wednesday: Hump day, we made it half-way through the week! Usually my official rest day of the week as well so no getting up at 4am to workout.

Thursday: I always feel like Thursday I can spend a little extra time staying up at night because Fridays I dont always feel like I have to be so "mentally" prepared for teaching. Hey and it is one day closer to Friday!

Fridays: Well we have Badger Sprit days on Fridays, so we wear all blue...I engage in my "Extra" diet coke in the afternoon for making it through the week, Coffee talks at Scooters with my Mom after school

Saturdays: Sleep in and enjoy my oatmeal before a long run, allow myself as much Diet coke as I want because heck its the weekend! Usually a night involving family or friends and wine of some sort :)

Sunday: My day to do absolutly nothing,go to church, close the blinds and relax, grade papers, eat, and watch all my horible reality shows ha!

Back to the Grind

So today finally, it was back to work. It felt good again to get into a routine. I did keep myself pretty busy yesterday. Wednesday is usually an off rest day for me when it comes to working out. When I am busy teaching during the week, I always make sure I get one good rest day in. Since I was out of school and out of my mind with cabin fever, I hit the gym. I did some light elliptical work for 30 minutes and an easy bike ride for 15. Well I also figured I would give a shot with some different ab work. So I flipped on the P90x ab ribber. Holy Bejeezers! I made it about 3/4 through the workout and ready to throw up. My stomach killed with insane pain. Needless to say I woke up this morning with a sore neck and sore back, plus an annoying pain whenever I cough....I can't believe my abs are that out of shape!

This mornings workout was a nice steady 4.5 mile run. I kept an easy pace at 6.0 and finished the last 1/2 mile at 6.4. I have to say, once it gets nicer outside I am going to try to push myself to get out there and run more. I think my body has to get used to more hills. Although, I hate leaving my great old tredmill that is hooked up to my fav music stations ever morning :(

So tomorrow is the big day...PUPPY IS COMING HOME. Craig and I went puppy shopping yesterday, and I finally realized how much of a responsibility this is going to be. I mean yes, I admit I can be quite blonde sometimes and here I am amazed that I have to shampoo it, clean its teeth, etc. I know, I know but I am so excited...I am needed the extra responsibility in my life right now. Sometimes I tend to focus on just me, my work, my workouts, my time. I think that is why I was single for so long before Craig came along, I always just wanted to do things on my time and never wanted to consider anyone else into that equation. Well I am learning to get better at it!
Tomorrow is Friday!! Man I can tell you the weeks fly when you put in three days as oppossed to five!
Chels

Some of my Healthy Must Haves!!
Protien Shakes and Rice Cakes

Overnight Oats with Yogurt
Emerald Cinnamon Roast Nuts

Muscle Gauge Protien Powder, espically Cake Batter and Peanut Butter!

Sugar Free Syrup

Of course PEANUT BUTTER!!

So yes another Snow Day here in Nebraska. Usually I love snow days, but the more we get near the end of the year, the more annoying they tend to become. Here are the reasons why:
1. The more snow days we have, the more days we have ended on to the end of the year

2. When 8 year olds do not have a consistent full week of school for over a month it is hard to keep them in routine

3. I have to redo my lesson plans numerous times per week

4. I would much rather have a day off when the sun is shinning and I can go out and about rather then being cooped up inside all day

So as you can see, I would much rather be in school right now but oh well, I think I can manage.

Here are some of my workout rehaps from the past few days:

Saturday (Long Run) 6.5 miles on the Tredmill-AWESOME run!! I was very impressed with myself, the last mile I was able to keep it at a 6.4 mile pace. The best thing is that my body recovered very well from this run.

Monday: 4.5 miler on the Tredmill-legs felt great! 10 minute cool down on the stationary bike along with a 20 minute upper body chest and shoulder workout.

Today: 3 miler, 2 miler on elliptical 20 minute lower body/back weight workout

Literally, with all the snow on the ground, by the time I scrape off my car, get to the gym, change out of my boots and into my running shoes, workout, then scrape my car off again, stop off at the store to grab some ice for a protien shake and make a protien shake along with eating it, it was already NOON! Half of my morning just flew by.

I am taking the snow day in and getting things accomplished on my list to do. I cleaned my bathrooms-UCK, paid rent from my already empty bank account :(, made the boyfriend some oatmeal raison cookies, and now I am blogging and trying to force myself to grade the pile of papers awaiting me.

Up above you can see I posted some of my all time healthiest faves. These are some of the things I pretty much use daily in my kitchen. I have yet to find a better priced protien powder then Muscle Gauge, and I have also yet to find a flavor I dislike from them. Also, I eat my yogurt and oats daily...I always try to change up my breakfast routine but I always come back to my yummy, creamy oats. It sticks to my stomach like glue.
Well I could go on forever, but I must move on to accomplishing some work!

Chels :)

Going Back to School...in a year!

What a day it has been! Sometimes at the end of the day, literally I could just crash for the night. Getting up to workout early, teaching eight year olds all day, by the time 3:00 hits I am ready to call it a night!
So I have applied to a grad program and I found out today that I got accepted! The program is pretty much awesome, I would take some courses in the summer, one in the fall, one in the spring, and then some more courses the following summer. The nicest deal about this package is that it is completly paid for and this would raise my pay. WAHOO! The only downer is that the program does not start until the summer of 2012. I just had my hopes on returning to school this summer, but I will take what I can get :)
Well I made it up bright and early to hit the gym today:
4 miler on tredmill-pace about 6.1-6.4 completed in 40 minutes (yes I am a slow 10 minute miler!)
10 minute cool down on bike followed by a moderate upper body workout of bis and tris
I will have to say that I did lift legs on Tuesday and noticed that I was still sore today which complicated my run. I have a desire to go "balls to the wall," when it comes to both running and lifting. I am now reconsidering my training schedule and thinking this might work starting next week:
Monday: Run (4 miles as scheduled on my plan) plus high rep lighter shoulders and chest
Tuesday: Run (intervals-3 miles) lower body lift high rep lighter
Wednesday-cross train on bike and P90x ab ripper (have yet to try this, boyfriend just ordered it!)
Thursday-Run (4 miles) full body light workout
Friday-rest
Saturday-long run
Sunday-rest

As you can see I like to have my weekends free, and I get done with my long run Saturday morning so I have the day to spend with my boyfriend and friends. I can never really commit to much on Sunday, sometimes I can fit in a workout but this is rarely true. I am still young and like to have a little fun on Saturday nights! I am going to try this next week, as of now I am taking off Wednesday and have been lifting on Fridays, but this leaves me a little off for my long runs on Saturday.
I can say one thing, I am not good with training plans, I think it is the idea of committing to something that scares that heck out of me lol.
In other aspects of my life, my boyfriend Craig surprised me with getting a puppy. We are going to look at them tonight, and I will for sure post some pics of these cute little darlings. They will not be ready until V-day, perfect gift, and they are Golden Retrivers, which I love!
I spose I should grade some papers, I am hoping to get some pics of some of my meals up here soon :)
Chels

Back to Blogging

So I have poorly left my blog due to me getting lazy, but along with the new year I have had so many random thoughts and goals buzzing through my head, I figured I would start up my blog once again.
I have decided to commit myself to the Lincoln Half Marathon in May. I am excited and scared all at the same time. Excited because I am back into running and my longest run has been a 6 miler last Sunday. Scared because I have such an addictive personality that I tend to overdo any training schedule that is given to me.
This time around, I am determined to do this correctly, listen to my body and make it to the half. Currently I am running 3-4 times a week and lifting at most three times per week. I know that I am going to have to downsize my lifting once my running kicks into gear.
I am so ready for Spring so I can get outdoors and get some good runs in that way. I have forgotten how good it feels to get a good run in and the rush you feel afterwords.
Well I will be in touch with meals, moves thoughts!