Hot and Sticky

So the only good thing about yesterday mornings two-hour meeting, was that the rest of the day went by pretty quickly.  Also right after I posted, I received this email from the Cherry Blossom organization.

Training for the Race

We are pleased to offer two training options to help everyone prepare for the race – the free Virtual Training Program, presented by New Balance; and our in-person training program hosted by Potomac River Running and supported by New Balance.

Our Free Virtual Training Program

Developed by Coach Kirt West and running legend Bill Rodgers, our Virtual Training program offers three levels this year — beginning, intermediate, and advanced. The 10-week program, which has helped thousands for runners prepare for the 10 mile over the years, starts on Monday, January 24. Participants in the Virtual Training program will receive a daily email with a suggested workout for that day plus a weekly overview. If you did not sign up for this program when you registered, you can still sign up by visiting: http://www.cherryblossom.org/theraces/vt.php. New sign-ups will be taken until February 1. The program will be closed to new sign-ups after this date, although runners already enrolled will be able to switch from one program to the other.

Why yes, thank you, I will sign up for a free virtual training program.  Now I don’t have to make my own, hooray!  In order to get myself into training shape, I’ve been gradually trying to up my mileage at the gym.  Last night I did about 3.6 miles, in what felt like an Amazon Rainforest.  I don’t know what the problem is at my gym, but the temperature is absurdly warm.  Yesterday, the afternoon high was about 50 degrees, so it was even warmer than usual.  Not only is it hot in there, but the air is heavy and humid.  Even with the built in fan on the treadmill blowing in my face I was having trouble breathing and sweating like a monster.  This could be a problem for any run longer than 4 miles in the future.  Le sigh.  I followed up the 3.6 mile run with another mile on the elliptical and called it a night.

Tonight I am meeting my bff Jill out for some drinks, because we have a lot to catch up on!  It is just plain ridiculous that I have been living in VA for two months and haven’t had a chance to see her yet, and now it looks like she’s going to be leaving DC :(.  Jill was my college roommate senior year, so who knows how many drinks “a few” will turn into, because silly things tend to happen when we get together.

As expected, this snow “storm” arriving tonight is only supposed to drop an inch or two on the ground.  Just enough to make the terrified southern drivers of DC and VA freak out, and my road rage to erupt.  Also, I heard on the news this morning that people in DC spend more time in traffic than anyone else in the country.  Congrats to us!  Anywho, happy Thursday!  Is it really not the weekend yet?

 

Eye Candy Wednesday

So I think I’ve mentioned it before, but my two roommates are realllllly huge Capitals fans.  As in they make sure they look good to go to the grocery store because the Caps training facility is across the street, and you just never know.  Well actually I do that too, there’s some really good-looking men in our grocery store.  Anyway, since moving in with them I’ve watched more hockey games than probably ever before in my life.  Being from Philadelphia I cheer for the Flyers, but I don’t sit on my couch watching every game.  There is some Flyers/Caps rivalry though since they are both in the Eastern conference, so I of course bought myself a Flyers t-shirt just to annoy the roommates.  At least we can agree on one thing, to hate the Penguins.  Last night however I found myself again on the couch watching a Caps game, and cheering for them.  It took me by surprise, and I instantly shut up because I promised to not become a Caps fan.  I do have to give something to the roommates though, they picked a team with some damn good-looking individuals to love.

 

Brooks Laich

Mike Green

 

Either way, if it comes down to a Caps/Flyers playoff situation, I’ll be cheering for the Flyers don’t worry.  Ok, moving on.  I made it to the gym again last night, and did a relatively quick (for me) 2 miles and then cooled down with 15 minutes on the elliptical.  I followed up with some strength training, because I am determined to work that back into my schedule.  I did some biceps and triceps, followed by push-ups on an upside down bosu ball, and planks.  On my first plank, I was determined to hold it for a minute, and good lord did I forget how hard that was.  Second time around was only 30 seconds, haha.  Today I feel good and somewhat sore, which is fine for me because I was missing that feeling.

Tonight will most likely be a rest day, as it is Wednesday and the usuals will all be at happy hour tonight.  As of right now I’m planning on going, but we’ll see how tired/social I’m feeling at the end of the day.  Have a great one!

Rookie Mistake

Well I made it to the gym last night, and just as I expected I’ve lost a significant amount of endurance.  Also, imagine my disappointment when I went to turn my iPod on and it was completely dead.  Luckily, the LA Fitness down here is brand new and has those fancy treadmills that you can hook your iPod up to, and I was still able to listen to some music.  I managed to pull out a 3 mile run at about 9:30 pace and then 20 minutes on the elliptical for a nice 50 minute cardio session.  I’m somewhat annoyed at myself for letting all the work I did for my half slip away, but at least I have three months to get it back.

After the gym I made the rookie mistake of going grocery shopping, after not eating since lunch and starving for dinner.  Let’s just say my bill was a little higher than normal, and I have no idea what some of my random purchases were about.  Also, I looked ridiculous in my dress coat, running shorts and tank top.  No wonder I got some strange looks.

Yes, I am in the Macaroni and Cheese aisle.  What I told you I was hungry and made some random purchases, like bunny shaped macaroni.  After an hour of meandering up and down aisles, I finally made it out of the grocery store and got home only to have every single bag rip as I was taking them out of my car.  Let’s just say there was some cursing, and the jumbo pack of toilet paper may have gotten dropped kicked up to the front porch.

I finally settled down with some dinner and wine just in time for The Craigslist Killer to start on Lifetime.  Don’t judge me, I’d been looking forward to it for a while.  Honestly, it was a little disappointing.  Although I’ll probably have even more trust issues with men now, because it was still pretty creepy.  Next one I’m looking forward to is about Amanda Knox and the murder in Italy.  Yes I’m a geek, and I don’t care.

The plan is to head to the gym again after work today, so hopefully I make it there.  As long as traffic is relatively light I think I’ll be able to convince myself, although it is Tuesday so anything could happen.  Catch ya later!