LOST: Have you seen...

my running mojo? Because it is MIA. And it makes me sad.

Took all i had to get out there last night and the run was tough. I don't know what my deal has been lately, but it's been more of a chore to run lately.

Anyone else get in the running slumps?

Slow & Steady

So on my run last night - i was totally passed by a girl my age. It's not a big deal, i know i am slow, being passed doesn't bother me. But when i ran into her again, she was barely breaking a sweat while i was hufifng & puffing. Obviously she is in much better shape than i am, but it got me to thinking:

Will i always be slow?

I'm not sure I will ever be a "fast" runner. I read all your blogs about having 7, 8, 9 minute miles and i am so impressed. I just don't think I will ever get there.

When you started out running, were you slow? Or did it just come natural to you?

St. Pat's!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Hope everyone is wearing their green - really wishing i would have taken today off work so i could celebrate my Irish roots. Oh well, guess there is always next year...

Found a perfect spot to start my speedwork. It's exactly 1/4 of a mile - headed out there yesterday after work to try it out. Ran the first part at a faster than normal pace and then jogged comfortably back. But on my second try, i had to slow down half-way as i was huffing & puffing.

I was a bit discouraged, but i just have to remind myself that "practice makes perfect"! I am one of those people that if i'm not perfect on the first try, i want to give up. Working to overcome that. :)

I'll head back out on Thursday to try it again. For those of you that do speedwork, how often do you do it? I was thinking 2 or 3 times a week?

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

My permanent Irish pride:

I'm back?

Sorry i haven't been posting as of late...this crazy thing life gets in the way, and well. You know how it goes.

Sad to report my running has been lackluster. Although i did have a really good 2-mile run yesterday. Did some "Melissa" speedwork and finished in 22:30. Pretty decent for me!

I have Pat's Run coming up in a month...it's a 4.2 mile race, as Pat's number was 42 when he played at ASU. It's a pretty big race and I am excited for it.  I'm going to make myself a "training" schedule - i seem to be more persistant with my runs when i have them mapped out for the week.

So, i was reading an article in our local newspaper about a new Hot Yoga studio that is opening up at the end of this month. They have a special going on & i convinced two of my friends to come with me to try it out.

I am excited/nervous!! I've never even taken a yoga class before, only done it on DVDs. I will probably a.)pass out from the heat and b.) die laughing at myself.

Julia did a great post today about tips for beginners. Anyone else tried this before?

Doubt this will be me...

Almost the weekend

Has this been an extremely long week for anyone else? Gracious.

1. I've lost my running partner. :( Tom re-injured his hamstring last night and is out for soccer and running. I feel bad for him because he lives & breathes soccer. He just got back into playing again (from the first hamstring incident) and then he goes and injures it again. Anyone have any advice on this injury, besides RICE?

2. Best of luck to everyone with a race this weekend! Especially Katye - she is running the Disney Princess Half! Lucky girl. :)

3. Going to be a busy next couple of months. I have a couple friends coming in town the end of this month & we are going to catch a Cubs spring training game - SO much fun. Then in April, i will be moving out of my apartment & into a house with Tom. (Spency finally gets a backyard!) Beginning of May i am going to Vegas and another friend is coming to visit over Memorial Day weekend. Whew! Gotta fit some running in there, too. ;) (Pat's Run - April 18!)


This picture cracks me up - could i be any more cheesy? But i wanted to show you my "hunting" shirt i run in. No one can miss me with this sucker!

Ohhh My.

Has anyone tried the Shamrock Shake at McDonald's?? I recently discovered this frothy creation and feel it is my Irish duty to try one!

Of course, this thing is like over 1,000 calories - which i do NOT need by any means. But perhaps if i go on a long run this weekend, i will reward myself with (less than half) of this (hopefully tasty) treat.

IRISH ROLL-CALL! Any followers out there (besides Katye!) that claim Irish as their heritage?