Run/Ice Skating!

12/22/12

Well, the Myans were wrong, the world didn't end!!!! =) That means my butt has to get up and run out in the freezing cold! It was 11 degrees this morning and there was still plenty of ice and snow everywhere. Bob drove up to Champaign so we could run out at the Lake of the Woods in Mahomet. It was his first time out there, and I think he really enjoyed it. I wasn't kidding when I said there are a lot of hills!

The run began on the 3 mile bike trail, we had to skate the first 0.1 because it was PURE ice downhill, that was scary! I wanted to make sure I didn't fall or hurt myself, so I was very careful. The rest of the bike trail was off and on ice, it was more like a trail run, because I was totally focused on the ground and where my feet were in proximity of ice. After we made it through the bike trail, we ran a couple miles through the Mahomet neighborhood. We didn't really know where we were going so there were a few dead ends we just did a circle in, haha!

Bob and I got back on the bike trail at 5 miles and did the same thing back with avoiding ice and busting our butts! We finished the run with 2 miles down to the high school and through some random neighborhood. Bob was nice enough to let me try out some of these hand warmers that you put inside your gloves. They were AMAZING!!!! My hands don't really get too cold, but it was nice to be able to grip on something that was warm. =) I also carried a small water bottle to help keep me hydrated on the long run along with a few electrolyte capsules. I believe that really is helping me get through some of my long workouts, because I just sweat so much!

Well, after everything was said and done, we finished a 10.10 mile run in 1:27 minutes. I was soaked in frozen sweat, but it honestly wasn't that bad! I wore plenty of clothes and the hand warmers and water bottle saved me! I would definitely consider doing it again, just NEVER by myself. I am motivated, but I don't know that I am THAT motivated. Bob was proud of me, I was even up and awake before he called me at 7am! =) Thanks again for meeting me for a kick butt run!!!!! Now its time to relax and get a good nights rest. I am pretty sore all over from being tensing up from the cold. GOOD NIGHT!

PINK </3 COLD

Ryan and I working out!

12/17/12

Today I was feeling like a major fatty after all the delicious snacks and food from the ugly Christmas sweater party at my house on Saturday! I am so happy everyone could come and had a BLAST!!!!!!! So tonight I actually was able to convince Ryan to come workout with me at Planet Fitness! =) I told him he could even watch a movie on his new phone that he loves while he biked or did the elliptical machine. We agreed on 45 minutes of working out. I finished 7 miles on the bike and 3 miles on the dreadmill. I really appreciate him supporting me and coming to the gym, even though I know its not his favorite thing in the world! Hopefully, he had so much fun he will want to do it again soon. Working out with other people is a lot more enjoyable, especially with the one you love! <3

PINK <3 RYAN RAUCH

PS: I was accepted for the Income Development Coordinator at the American Cancer Society!!!!!!!!!!! I have been so blessed this year!!!!!!!!!  What a great way to end 2012!!!! =)

Having NO fear!

12/13/12

Tonight was a big night for me with swimming... Marvin was putting my body to the test! He showed up a little late and I told myself, I'm starting this so I can get it over with! We began the swim with a 500 warm up, Yay I made it! Then we did 2 x 250, 1 x 150 kick, 2 x 250, 1 x 150 pull, and then a 200 cool down! I completed a full 2,000!!!!!!!!! I honestly felt really great for the first time ever while swimming. I did each workout without stopping! I told Marvin, I could actually feel my body moving with the water and not struggling to fight against it. Once again, I am so thankful for Marvin's help and all the time we are able to spend together swimming. For the first time, I am feeling confident about swimming 2.4 miles!!!!!!!! =D

PINK <3 CONFIDENCE

Fiber + Running = No Bueno

12/11/12

Well, tonight was definitely the "shitty-est" (if that is a word) run EVER!!!!!!! I met with Bob this evening to get a 6 mile run in, and I even brought my new handy water belt to test out. I asked if the belt made me look stupid. Well, I guess if you have to ask, you already know the answer, HAHA! We agreed upon running out on the bike trail since it was getting really dark. As we started running, I knew I was going to have to make my usual "pit stop" at the port-a-potty... I was about 20 feet away, and unfortunate circumstances happen and I was unable to make it to the potty! Disgusting, embarassing, and humiliating. Facts are facts! I had WAYYYYY too much fiber today. Cereal, fiber/protein water, a fiber bar, and apple... BAD DECISIONS! Oh well, Bob had a great laugh, I have a hilarious story, and I ended the night having Villa Pizza with Alisha's parents and grandpa! Yumm!!! What a memorable 3 mile run!  =)

PINK </3 FIBER

12/12/12

What a cool date?? All 12s. We won't be seeing anything like that again in our lifetime. Well, after last nights unfortunate circumstance, I woke up with clean clothes thanks to Alisha's mom, Lynn. I met Bob at the Y for spinning class, which was pretty intense! There were some major hills in that workout! After the spinning class, I felt really crummy about cutting the run short with Bob so I made myself go run out in the cold for 4 miles. =)  I felt great and this week I ran 17 miles! Whoop whoop!

PINK <3 REDEMPTION

Super Swimmer!

12/10/12

Today is my only day off this week, YAY to Mondays!! Originally, Marvin and I planned on swimming at 8 am, but since he had to study for finals we pushed it to 3:30 this afternoon. We began the swim with a 350 warm up, split up into 50m. After the warm up, we discussed starting next week getting a base line for my 1000m time and working from that. I decided, okay, now is the time! I really need to quit being a baby and push it with this swimming! I thought swimming 5 - 200m would be a great way to start pushing myself. The first 3 I was over exerting and expending too much effort trying to swim fast and get it over with! LOL. Marvin explained that was not the best way to do it, unless I was an Olympic Speed swimmer. He said, "You need to swim like Alicia". That made sense to me! 

The last two 200m I decided to slow down my pace significantly and be able to complete the 200m without stopping after 50m for a couple breaths. I was able to complete the last two without feeling exhausted and gasping for air when I was finished. I felt strong and accomplished! After a few minutes of rest and chatting we decided to finish off the 75 minute workout with a 250 cool down. I did what I did during the last two and I was able to complete the cool down without stopping! I touched each wall and turned right around! I was so happy and proud! We completed 1600m tonight! My longest swim so far!

I have come such a long way with my swimming. I cannot thank Marvin enough for all of the countless hours he has spent with me in the chlorine. =) I look forward to being able to swim 2.4 miles effortlessly! He is great a great teacher and pushes me to the limit. Thanks Marvy! I am exhausted, it has been a long day off. Night night all!!

PINK <3 HARD WORK

Running in the rain!

12/9/12

I woke up around 7 am this morning to meet Michael at Meadowbrook Park for a 10 mile run. When I woke up it was chilly and rainy. Michael didn't know I'm not really a big fan of mornings, cold, and rain, but I sucked it up! =) I was in a panic for about 20 minutes because I thought I had lost my new gps watch. I was tearing apart my house hunting for it, praying I didn't wash it in my bag. Finally, I decided I would check in my car when I got to the park. Luckily it was in my trunk from my run with Bob on Tuesday.

 Before the run, I downed a whole wheat bagel with honey and a coffee goo, YUCK! I was full of energy though, which was great. Michael and I began the run with a 2 mile loop around the park. When we got back to where the car was, I took two of the electrolyte capsules and a few big gulps of water to stay hydrated for the rest of the run. I told Michael, now that I have started taking those about 30 minutes into my workouts, I am able workout without crashing. The run today and the run with Bob on Tuesday wasn't cake but I would say it was pie. =) I used up the rest of them today, so I am going to purchase a bigger container this week at Body n Sole. Plus I need to look around for a gift for our Santa party on Saturday! I look forward to seeing everyone and hope that everyone has an awesome time! That reminds me... Lots of cleaning this week to prepare! BOO! Oh well, it will be worth it.

Thanks again Michael for the great run this morning. I definitely would not have been able to force myself out of bed when it was still dark and rainy outside if it wasn't for you saying "running, rain or shine"! =)

PINK <3 RUNNING FRIENDS

Precious Moments In Life

12/4/2012

On Tuesday afternoon I drove down to Mattoon to meet up with Bob for a quick evening run. He was feeling pretty sore still from the half marathon in Mephis, TN for St. Jude. I can only imagine how inspiring and exciting that run was for everyone! =) I was feeling really great during the run, because I have not been focusing on running that much this month. We ran 6 miles in 50 minutes at an average pace of 8.2 minutes per mile. I am so happy for the nice weather - I definitely worked up a sweat! 

Before I left town, I stopped by Body n Sole to purchase some more energy gels and I also picked up some electrolyte replacement pills. During intense workouts I sweat so much I know I am loosing water and electrolytes too fast. I end up becoming very dizzy and faint, which is not a good feeling. I am hoping that I will be able to take these during my long/intense workouts to help enhance my performance. =) 

I spent the evening at my mom's house. We had a delicious "last supper" at the Stadium before her big Gastric Bypass surgery in the morning. It was wonderful spending some quality time with just her and I. We snuggled in her king size bed with the little doggies and a cat that really liked me. We ate milk duds, watched MIB3, and laughed really hard at some of the photos we took during out photo shoot. I am so happy she is finally able to have this surgery and I look forward to she and I being able to complete our first 5k together! <3 you Maw!!!!!!

12/5/2012

Today was an AMAZING day!!!!!! I am truly so blessed and thankful for everything that has happened today! First of all, my mother had her gastric bypass surgery this morning and after 5 1/2 hours of a long surgery she is finally in recovery! SUCCESS! My brother, sister, and I ended up not going because my mom really wanted to find out the gender of my sister's baby. Jessie had her appointment today at 3pm, and I was so honored to be a part of this experience. It was something I can definitely say I have never been a part of. The sonogram was so detailed: we were able to see the nose, lips, eyes, arms, hands, feet, legs, spine, rib cage, umbilical chord, and we even saw the little one open its mouth and yawn! She even started drinking the amniotic fluid for nutrients, it looked like it was chewing gum! SO PRECIOUS! =) During the appointment we found the answer to what we have been anxiously waiting, the gender.... IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!! =D =D Finally, I received another email confirming a face to face interview with the American Cancer Society tomorrow! I have been waiting so patiently and I honestly feel like this is my time. I am a hard worker and I deserve a job to prove myself and begin a career!

On a workout note, I woke up this morning at 5 am to attend Bob's spinning class! Whew, I hate waking up early, I was definitely out of it! The class was great, I was pushing myself really hard and I am definitely feeling it now. After spinning, we decided to complete an intense ab workout. It is so funny watching Bob struggle with something, because usually he is the one kicking my ass! =D Girl power! I am very thankful for meeting him and his family, they are wonderful people! 

PINK <3 PRAYERS ANSWERED

Indoor Cycling

12/3/12

WHEW!!!! Indoor cycling sure is fun, but it is also hard work! Nick, Tara, and I completed a 50 minute indoor biking video that was pretty tough. It was the same one as the first video we did a few weeks ago. I told Tara, "I remember sweating a lot during this video". She found out I was right! Haha.

I haven't completed any races in a few weeks, so I am going to research to see if there are any coming up that I might be able to squeeze in last minute. I am honestly going through some racing withdrawls. =)

Also, Nick was kind enough to let me borrow a pair of his handle bars for his bike, so I am hoping to get those on and try them out this week. I think my mom might be buying me some for Christmas, so that will definitely help my back out during those long bike rides! Thanks, Mom, Love you!

PINK <3 BIKING