Energy in a chew?!

Yesterday was my mom's first day not there - she's babysitting my niece two days a week now that my sister-in-law went back to work.  And of course that's the day the phone decides to ring off the hook.  But all in all, it was a decent day.  The weather couldn't make up it's mind - pouring rain then sun and back again.  My mood is really effected by the weather, so I felt tired just from staring at the dark skies all day.  By the time I left work  the sun was starting to break through more and more so I thought there was a chance of a run.  Alas the rain held up, and now I just had to convince myself to get out there!
While grocery shopping this past weekend, I got PowerBar Energy blasts, so I figure it would be the perfect test!  I ate two and waited to feel the extra energy.  I had heard that you should drink extra water when taking these, but I forgot so I started to get a headache.  I downed about 12 oz. of water and felt so much better!  I got dressed and cranked my music up and off I went. My new song, Call Me Maybe - don't judge, came on in the first couple of minutes and I found myself running faster!  It's amazing how a good song pushes you to keep going or pick it up a notch.  What I didn't realize was how hot and humid it actually was, so I was dripping sweat and dying. Maybe I pushed myself too hard in the beginning or maybe it was just the weather, but I cut it short and only did 2.5 miles.  Still happy I went out there, though!

Catch Up

Thursday I convinced my running buddy to come over after work.  She's been having a hard time with motivation lately, so I'm trying to help her out.  We ran two miles, at her pace, and then ended to walking and chit chatting for the two miles home.  I figured, though, that we did something which  was better than nothing.

Saturday I woke up with the intention to run, but after I ate breakfast I realized that I had close to no food in my house.  Needless to say, food shopping won that battle - but I made sure to buy a lot of yummy fruits and veggies.  Then I got ready to head to Brigantine, my family has a shore house there so that's where my mother was.  I spent the afternoon with them, and we went out to dinner.  It would have been nice to stay the night, but I didn't want to have to wake up extra early to make it to my field hockey game in the morning.

Sunday I played indoor field hockey, with some friends I haven't seen in a while (it was so nice to see them and hang out with them again).  I haven't picked up a stick in about six years, so I didn't know how it would go, but as long as I had fun I knew I would be happy.  Our team lost, terribly 11-1, but I did have fun!  I even scored our only goal!!  That's extra awesome, because I think it may have been my first goal ever, in eight years of playing in school - I did play defense.  Oh my, was it a workout though.  I had to play the front and mid and defense positions during the 40 minute game, and we didn't have any subs.  I thought I was going to die once or twice.  I can run, at my slow-ish pace, for miles, but now I see why every says interval training is so great.  Those bursts of spirits killed me.  And just the way your body has to move, pivoting and bending down, uses muscles that I usually don't - my butt is hurting.

I'm so frustrated!!  How do I keep gaining weight?  I eat pretty healthy and I work out.  I just don't understand!  I mean I suppose this weekend I didn't do too well with eating, with mother's day cake and a few other goodies.  But it just stinks to get on the scale in the AM and have it go up - not a good way to start the day!

If you haven't already checked out Bethi's blog, you definitely should!  She's currently having a giveaway of a SPI belt that looks super cute!  It looks small, but it expands to fit your necessities!  I love Minnie Mouse and this belt is red and white polka dots, just like her!  She has the different ways to enter, so go take a look.  She's also a huge inspiration during her journey to running a half marathon!

Tess is also having a giveaway!  Super cute workout shirts that have great motivational sayings!  If you need that extra boost to get you out the door to run or workout, these would sure help!  I think that when you look and feel good, you have an easier time getting out there.  And the best part, is that they custom make shirts if you don't find one you like!!  Esty has surely become my new favorite place to find little treasures!

Middle of the Night

I woke up in the middle of the night and stretched my legs while lying in bed.  Big mistake, apparently.  I don't know what I did, but it felt like my calf muscle was tearing away from the bone, ouch!  I leap out of bed as fast as I could to try and relieve the pain. I did different stretches and it finally went away.  When I stretch it now, it still feels a little sore.  Weird, right?

Morning run success!

Second morning of the year and this one was much better than the last one!  Just getting up early enough to do this is an accomplishment for me.  I decided to walk down my street to warm up my legs, usually I just walk down the driveway.  This definitely helped because my last morning run my legs were hurting.  First mile went GREAT, but mile three was a struggle for some reason.

I can do this.  I can do this.  I CAN DO THIS!!

We Are Family

So this weekend was filled with family.  Saturday I ran errands with my mom and helped her get some food ready for my niece's baptism.  Then I got to babysit my princess for a few hours.  She's the cutest thing in the world.  I am determined to make sure she likes everything Disney.  So I was playing Disney songs and every time Tale As Old As Time came on she just lit up and smiled and laughed! :)  Sunday I got up early and planned on going for a run.  But I got a call from my brother just as I was about to get ready, he asked if I could get the pretzel tray they ordered.  So I told myself I would try going after the party.  Whelp, I feel into a food coma and that idea went out the window.  Back on track today!

I was talking with my cousin.  She and her brother run and they did the Broad Street Run yesterday.  It got me thinking as to what I want my first race to be.  Should I start with a 10K, or just go all out and try a half marathon?  What do you guys think?

Proper Attire

The Pixie Dust faded, just as I thought it would.  The first mile of my run was pretty good, but then I was struggling.  I didn't even do 3 miles!  It could have been the weather - it was about 20 degrees cooler and it had rained earlier in the day.  But at least I went out there, right?!  Nearing the end of my run, I told myself that I had to go to kickboxing, too, since I didn't perform my best.  I knew none of my friends were going, so this was my first solo class at the gym!  It wasn't as bad as I thought - not as much fun and laughing to get my through, but still a good workout.

I never know how to dress properly if it's not warm out.  I tend to put on too many layers.  In my mind I know that I'll get hot a couple minutes into the run, but that hasn't stopped me from throwing on a zip-up.  Half way through my run I get uncomfortable and maybe that affects my performance.  Jeff Galloway has a section of what to wear in different temperatures, I'll have to reread that section and follow it!

Kickboxing

Yesterday I had a lot of energy for kickboxing!  When I'm like that my friends say that I'm on my "gym crack." haha  Looking back I probably should have tried to fit in a short run beforehand.  I didn't sleep too well the night before, so maybe I ate the right foods.  I ate a bigger lunch and a smaller dinner as compared to normal.  I'll definitely be trying this out more in the future.
I love the actual bag work that we do in class, I have made a personal goal to knock over my bag with a round house kick... I'm so close!  My favorite part of the class has when he tells us to put our bags off to the side, though, and we do some type of stations.  Maybe it's because I'm already exhausted and it's a challenge to manifest the energy to do it.  But it feels so rewarding when we start our cool down stretches!  Last night we did different types of burpees, Kettle bells, and abs.  I have to be one of the only people in the class that doesn't mind burpees.

I've been wanting to try out different classes at the gym.  They recently added three classes with a new instructor:  Turbo Interval, Core Conditioning, and Boot Camp.  I feel like I need a friend with me to brave that first time at a new class.  I'm working on my running partner and one other friend, so we'll see!

Do you go to classes at your gym?  If you do, what are you favorites and why?