Capitol 10 K Race Report

Guess what?

I have a new PR for the 10 k!!!!

My previous personal record was 1:01:06. So I was quite pleased with this race, even though I thought a PR would be tricky. First of all, this race is has a lot more hills than the course that corresponds to my best time. Also, there was about 18,000 people walking/running in this race. It was a gorgeous day, so no one seemed to stay home. Last year, it rained and it was a lot less crowded. Finally, I overslept and woke up at 8:30 when the timed run (my race time) started at 8:45. What the heck!!! Luckily, Bryan was there to save the day. He got me to the race and it started late. I was able to squeeze through the gate and start with the timed runners. whew. In the morning rush, I left my watch at home and forgot to glance at the starting time... so I spaztically ran the whole 10k. I tried to run fast because I felt I was running slow then I would slow down because my hamstrings got tight and then speed up.. it was not a consistent pace.. I guess if I want to PR, I should show up late and forget my watch. Anyways, it was a great day for a run and I am super pleased with my time.

New Layout!

I found this layout online at

http://www.bloggerblogtemplates.com/2009/03/magazeen-blogger-template.html

and edited it!

I hope you like!

update:: I think the comment links work now! Thanks Mica!

Zilker Park Kite Festival

Just a bit ago, I went to the Zilker Park Kite Festival. It was wonderful. The weather was great and perfect for kite flying. At the park, lots of people were flying kites. By the way, most of these photos are courtesy of Bryan. He is becoming quite the photographer! 

I also enjoyed heaven on earth (aka funnel cake). sooo good. I think I need to find a state fair or circus STAT so that I get another one.... yum.

We also stumbled upon a band that was just enjoying the afternoon. Have I mentioned how much I love this town?

The camera that Bryan is wearing did not take these photos. Who knew flying a kite could be so much fun?

I hope you enjoy these photos!!!

ps. I will recap spring break 09 soon! 

Completed Books 2008

:: the pact - jodi picoult
:: naked - david sedaris
:: love the one you're with - emily giffin
:: nineteen minutes - jodi picoult
:: my sister's keeper - jodi picoult
:: certain girls - jennifer weiner
:: the secret lives of bees - sue monk kidd
:: the history of love - nicole krauss
:: shear abandon - penny vincenzi
:: water for elephants - sara gruen
:: the memory keeper's daughter - kim edwards
:: what is the what - dave eggers
:: the friday night knitting club - kate jacobs
:: goodnight nobody - jennifer weiner

Brrr.

It's cold outside! Last weekend it was 80 and now its..

Brr. So I did not run this morning. I am still hoping to convince myself that it is a good idea and I should go run... we'll see how that goes. I doesn't say above, but its raining off and on, it is very gross out.

I would like to welcome some new readers. Bryan tipped off a few of my closest friends about the blog a while ago... I thought they would read it once and move on.. I found out that is not the case. I have been bookmarked, so Hello Ladies! In your honor, a photo.

Chelsea, Coatney, Kallie, Me, Taylor

Last weekend, we got together and celebrated Kallie's last night of freedom... her bachelorette party. I was a wonderful time. Lots of great food, drinks, chats, and more. It was awesome.

Then I was swamped with school and therefore, no blog posting. But I am back! I still have a paper due but I can take a little break... which reminds me, I am searching for a new template. I will have this super boring one until I get a new one.

Workouts
Friday: run 2.8 miles
Sunday: 45 spin + 45 yoga
Monday: weights + swim class
Tuesday: run 2.2 miles outside + 3.8 miles treadmill
Wednesday: swim class

Biggest Loser nonsense: I am so sad Mandi went home. She was my favorite! Also, I think that Ron can't loose the same amount of weight as everyone else and will continue to bring down the blue team... its sad but true. I just hope blue team can win next time... so sad. As you can tell, I am still really addicted to that show. My run on Tuesday was split into 2 so that I could watch some of the show while I ran. I had a lot of work to do and didn't want to waste 2 hours on the Biggest Loser, so I ran during it. Also, I Jillian's 30 day Shred from Netflix.. maybe I will do that today!

TGIF

Last night, I made this Smashed Chickpea Salad by Smitten Kitchen. I love the Smitten Kitchen blog because there are wonderful recipes and fabulous pictures (like the one below). I used pita bread to eat the salad and added a roasted red pepper to my "sandwich". I also neglected the tahini suggestion.

This recipe was

a) yummy
b) easy
c) cheap
d) mayo free

aka a winner in my book! Enjoy!

photo by: Smitten Kitchen.

Workout Summary:
Monday: weights + swim class
Tuesday: run/walk (treadmill) 3.4 miles + abs + push ups
Wednesday: swim class
Thursday: spinning 1 hr

Workout Details:

• I saw DARA TORRES, you may remember her from the Olympics, in the locker room after my swim class on Wednesday.... there is a swimming competition at my college (University of Texas at Austin) this weekend.
  
• Tuesday, I ran while watching part of the The Biggest Loser and I included sprints and added incline. It was good. I am starting to really like the treadmill for runs <>
• I can not believe The Biggest Loser is 2 hrs and NBC has the nerve to put "to be continued" at the end. I was furious... and I can't wait for Tuesday to roll around..
• I slept through weights on Wednesday morning.. oops.

Also, I am so excited for the weekend. TGIF.

BPA... say what?

I don't know about you.. but I do not support buying disposable water bottles. It is a waste of money and resources. If you don't agree, watch Flow. So I use a reusable water bottle... but there is a BPA Controversy... check out

The Health Nut

She is giving away a Nalgene BPA free water bottle and did research on the harm of BPA!

weekend, dont leave me!

I would like the weekend to stay. I do not want next week to start. I have a lot of working out, school work, and job hunting to do by Friday. Next weekend, my friend is having her bachelorette party so nothing productive will be happening.. 

Anyways, I want to finish posting my workouts for this week..

Thursday: rest

Friday: run/walk intervals (treadmill) 40 min + 10 min stair master

Saturday: 40 min yoga + pushups

Sunday: run 6 miles + core + pushups

I am terrible at pushups. I am trying to incorporate them.. and then when I get a little better, I might attempt the 100 push up challenge. Trust me, I am not there yet.

I am pleased with my efforts this week and hoping for greatness next week too. Also, I spent a lot of time outside today at a kite festival (pictures and post some day).. and my face is on fire. How did I forget sunscreen... sigh. fyi, my 6 miles today were to get to the festival. It was great to run to a destination. Bryan met me there and drove me home... I also ate part of a funnel cake. delicious. too bad it cancelled out the 6 miles... maybe I should have ran home too?

Chocolate to die for...

I realize this post is super late... better now then never?

This Valentine's Day, Bryan surprised me with the best present I have ever received on 2/14. He did so good, that I am not sure how he will top himself next year. He presented me with this..

This might seem like an ordinary box of chocolates... but it is not. This chocolate is to die for... as the saying goes.. 

The box included dark and milk chocolate truffles, a chocolate covered cherry, orange and lemon rind, white chocolate goodness... these are ridiculously amazing chocolates. I have been savoring each one..  

Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland and Coffee (of Austin)

Fitting Back In

On Monday, I came across a fitness blog that I had not seen before. There are tons of blogs out there and you never know if you will relate to the blog. I started reading blogs because they are inspiring. I love reading about someone else's journey. It is also really encouraging to see their success. Anyways, so this new (to me) blog was really inspirational... She weighed 136 in September and now weighs 114! Check it out, if you are interested.. there are great before / after photos.

http://fittingbackin.blogspot.com/

So then I started thinking about my weight loss and got really annoyed. Basically, I have been maintaining my weight for the past 3 months. Granted, this is great and all, but I would prefer to lose weight (who wouldn't?). I think I just need to kick up my workouts a notch and try to eat really healthy when I drink. At this time in my life, I am unwilling to sacrife all adult beverages.. so I just try to eat really good and workout on those days. Like most women, I want to lose some weight before swimsuit season!

My workouts so far this week:

Monday: weights / swim class (1550 yds)
Tuesday: 10 min stair master / 50 min spin class
Wednesday: weights / swimming (1200 yds) / 15 min core

So far so good...

Also, I updated my upcoming races (seen to your right). I love having goals so that I am working out for something. I have a reason. Then, I am less likely to bail and take a nap instead. I am excited to run in a 2nd half marathon and also 2 10Ks. I want to set a new PR in at least one of those 3 races.

Austin Botanical Gardens

Awhile ago, Bryan (the boyfriend) and I took his parents to the Austin Botanical Gardens. These pictures were taken mainly by him, but I suggested photos. There was an orchid festival going on which was crazy! I had no idea orchids were so expensive. Orchid growers were selling plants for $50 that hadn't even bloomed yet! Here are few of my favorite ones..

Then we walked around the gardens, but there was little in bloom. It was February... But this flower was wild! 

There was also this adorable owl... I love owls, fake ones only (screen printed on tshirts, little owl bank, paintings of owls... etc)

Also, a picture of Bryan and me.. I really like this one. :)

I FINISHED!

I finished the half marathon!!! whoo hooo! I was really pleased with the whole experience and I beat my goal time!!! Here is a picture before the race with my brother and mom. They decided to come down from Dallas to watch me run and the boyfriend was also there to watch me. I was awesome to have fans!
and after the race....

I just loved it. Should I sign up for one in April???

So a little recap of the 13.1 miles:

• mile 1: very crowded and I was getting slightly emotional. I kept thinking about how I would feel when I finished, and that I would probably cry. I saw a group of 3 runners with the following shirts, "Cancer Survivor," "Running with My Dad who Survived Cancer," and "Running with a Cancer Survivor." Very moving. I also saw a woman with a tag saying "I run for everyone who hated gym class!"
• I decided I would stalk the 4:30 marathon pacer (10:18) and then try to run faster at the end... but after 3 miles of stalking, I decided that I could run faster...
• running faster lasted until about mile 9 and then BOOM marathon pacer guy is about to pass me... this is why you PACE yourself.
• So miles 1-7 were all good, nothing too exciting. 3 girl friends from school running were in the full and just a little behind me. I got to see their boyfriends (on bikes) a few times so that was nice. I also saw the girls before the race which was great.
  
• miles 8-9 were kinda slow for no real reason.. well I was tired. This is when the pace guy caught up to me.
  
• the course split at mile 10 and then I picked back up my pace.
  
• there were 2 HUGE hills, one at mile 11 and mile 12. I ran up the hills and then at the peak, I literally felt like I was in a dead stop I was so tired.. but then the downhill was there and I just kept running..
• the finish was AWESOME! my really good friend and my roommate (also sisters) volunteered to hand out medals. So when I finished, they gave me my medal!
  
• Also, I am really happy with my time!

Finish Time: 2:13:57 (10:13 pace)

photo tuesday?

I just came across this! I loved it. Enjoy!

exhausted.

All day long, I have been exhausted. I drank coffee, a chai tea, and a coke zero but I was not revived. I decided to take a rest day and bail on my 3 mile run. Hmm... I also ran 11 miles on Saturday!!! Go me! It was my longest run to date and honestly, it went pretty good. 

total time: 1:53:49 (avg pace - 10:20!!!)

woo hoo! I was very pleased with the time. I will not bore you with my split times. They didn't have a trend, if that matters. I wasn't too sore either. I feel more prepared for my half marathon (2/15). It is so soon! I am starting to get really excited. :)

I also finished a book! I read Loving Frank by Nancy Horan and really enjoyed it. I checked it out from the Austin Public Library. Yay free books! This photo was borrowed from Amazon..

The book tells the story of an affair involving Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick. It is a true story and occurs in the early 1900's. Divorce wasn't exactly common back then.. There is a lot of women's rights, women's roles, the purpose of love, and architecture stories / info intertwined with the affair. It is also the authors debut novel. I liked it. 

Sunday, I rested. Monday, I lifted weights, went to swimming class, and went to a 1:15 not hot yoga class.. maybe that's why I am exhausted?

check out this giveaway!

Chic Runner is giving away this awesome book. Check it out!

Friday!

Let me recap my workouts... I haven't posted since Monday... oops.

Tuesday: 3 miles on the treadmill while watching the Biggest Loser.. 3 TVs away from the TV in front of me.. Luckily, I did not have a creak in my neck.

Wednesday: weight training (25 min) + swim class + 20 min yoga for runners from yogadownload I loved it. They have a lot of 20 minute classes for FREE. I like FREE.

Thursday: 2.5 miles on trail.. (9:48 / 10:00 / 5:10 = 24:58) terrible run. my foot hurt, my ipod died, i was cold and therefore my 5 mile run became 2.5 miles.

Friday: REST!

Tomorrow I am scheduled for 11 miles and I am pretty excited.

In other news, go listen to This American Life. I just realized you can stream episodes. Yesterday, I listened to Switched at Birth while I was working at school. It was really interesting.

le tired

I had my first swim class at UT today. I wanted to take Swimming: Triathlon and it was cancelled so I am stuck in Swimming: Conditioning. For some odd and wacko reason, my workout buddy / office mate (who is also in the swim class) decided to lift weights before swimming. We never lift weights and we don't wake up early. So miraculously, we got to school at 815 and lifted weights / went to swim class. The first class went okay, but I am the 2nd worse swimmer. You have to be able to swim a 50 (meter/yard?) in 50 seconds. 

My time: 52 seconds. 

The coach said I had good breathing technique and I just needed to work on strength so I could stay in the class. Yippee. I know I am the 2nd because he told the worst student, "I can tell you aren't comfortable in the pool. Have you ever been taken a swimming class before?" All day long, I was tired. Sleepy tired. Lots of coffee, a chocolate santa and a coke zero helped.. but did not cure the sleepiness.

But when I got home tonight,  I wanted to make some blueberry muffins. I have made them before. Delicious! 

Third Annual Chili Cold Blood Chili Cook Off

Yesterday, the boyfriend and I went to the Third Annual Chili Cold Blood Chili Cook Off at Jo's Coffee on South Congress. There was a chili contest and live music in a parking lot. It was very Austin-y and let me just say again, I love this city! The headlining band was Chili Cold Blood. We got there kinda late and missed the Chili Cook Off. However, we were still able to order frito chili pies. YUM. I also sampled a vegetarian chili. As you can see from the photos, we were quite happy. 

The band, Chili Cold Blood, was pretty good. Their outfits were also awesome.

just do it.

Nike.. how I love you. Today, I ran 8.5 miles with the help of my lovely ipod. A new playlist can really do wonders. I would list it but I basically added my last 8 lists to make a jumbo playlist. So I had 8 miles on my "schedule" and at about 7.5 miles I decided to run 8.5. I thought about next week and decided I should run 11 instead of 10 (my original plan) and jumping from 8.5 to 11 is just 2.5 miles. This week I jumped from 6 to 8.5, also 2.5 miles. I've got a plan, kinda. The run went better than expected. My splits are

1) 9:38
2) 9:47
3) 9:39
4) 10:13
5) 10:17
6) 10:24
7) 10:24
8) 11:00
.5) 5:36

total: 1:27:01

I was really pleased with the first 3 miles and also happy with the next 4. The last mile, I was just getting tired and my ankle was starting to hurt. At first, the weather was not the best. It was about 45, which is cold, and a surprise since yesterday it was 75. My hands were frozen for the first mile but after that, I felt okay. I warmed up and didn't mind the weather. I also ate some chewy things (much like the clif shot blocks). I threw away the wrapper and can't find the name online. They were delicious. They were cherry flavored with honey and all natural. I will go back to REI to buy some more and I will let you know!

I am starting to get really excited for the half marthon... :)

MIA

Whew. Apparently, I have been missing in action! The last time I posted was Sunday... I guess I have been busy. I think a bullet list is in order.

• School started, reminding my adviser that work should be getting done
• Presidential Inauguration, amazing! I am very excited to see what happens.
  
• I found Podcasts, check out This American Life
  
• LOST. soooo much happened in the premiere. It was pure madness.
  
• Biggest Loser. OMG, I was shocked. I could not believe they kept Joelle. Also, I feel sorry for Bob. Detroit did not look like a walk in the park...

Also, I worked out a few times.

Monday, I went to hot yoga for 90 minutes. It was as sweatastic as usual.

Tuesday, I ran around my neighborhood for 37 minutes to ensure that I would run 3.5miles. I figure I usually run about 10:00-10:30 but when I don't know where the next mile marker is located, I tend to be on the slower side. I found some great hills so I was pleased with the workout. I need to learn the streets better (I just moved there...) so I can gmap-pedometer the route.

Wednesday, REST! Yippeee!

Thursday, I ran 4 miles at Town Lake. Since that trail has mile markers, I have splits and I am quite pleased with these times.

1) 10:00
2) 10:01
3) 10:03
4) 10:34
total: 40:38

Tonight, I am going to a hot yoga class. I am dreading it.. but I know once I go I will be happy I went...

Have a great Friday!!!