Runners LOVE Vizslas

It's been way too long since I last posted! I've just been so super busy with grad school, work and my puppy. I figure now is better than never! It's about 9:30 PM and I have to wake up at 5:00 AM tomorrow morning, so I should probably be sleeping, but I'm not tired... Anyways, in this post I'll talk (write) about last weekend's Duathlon and then my preparation for 20 MILES tomorrow at the Road Runner Akron Marathon. 

Good thing Gary took pics, since this guy got in the way of my professional finish photo!

BLAKE! Needless to say, he beat me. :)

Last weekend was the Portage Lakes Triathlon and Duathlon. Blake and I competed in the Sprint Duathlon, which was a 5K run (3.1 miles), 12-mile bike, followed by another 5K run. It was not AS BAD as I thought it would be! It was pretty chilly in the morning, but I felt pretty good overall during the race. My overall time was 1:52:15. My first 5K was 26:56, 12-mile bike was 55:57 and my last 5K was 26:35... Not the best, but I didn't want to burn out, even though I felt like I could have pushed myself harder afterwards. I think I'm going to do more duathlons and actually train for them next year. They're a lot of fun!

On another note. We also met Miles' brother's owners at the Duathlon! One of them was competing in the triathlon. Runners LOVE vizslas! Here are some pictures of my little pup. Well, he's not so little anymore, about to be 14 weeks on Monday! Can't wait until he can start running with me. Dexter's (Miles' brother) owners said they've already starting running a couple miles with him. I tried running a little with Miles that same day, but he kept getting in front of me and whining. May take a few more tries. I'm also going to check with the vet on Monday first to see if it's alright if I start running him. Don't want my baby getting hurt, he's got a lot of training and races ahead of him!

Well, tomorrow is the Road Runner Akron Marathon! I'll be running in a relay with Blake, his dad Gary and two other people. Blake and I will be starting at the beginning and running to the last leg of the race to 19 miles, run an extra half mile and then run back and get on the bus to ride to the finish! I'm thinking (hoping) it'll be somewhat easier running with thousands of other people for 20 miles than just the two of us. It'll keep our minds of the pain! :)
Here is my preparation check list for a big race like this:
1. Dinner - Whole wheat pizza with broccoli and green pepper, with some almonds on the side.
2. Prepare breakfast - PowerBar and Gatorade!
3. Set out clothes and have bib by them
4. Put sensor on shoes.
5. Go to bed early (ehh, not happening!)
6. Set alarm for 5:00 AM (BLAH!)
7. Ice lower back for 20 minutes
8. Lay in bed and visualize how I want the race to go. Mentally go through the run and prepare myself for the ups and downs.
9. SLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP

About to go complete steps 7-9 now! I'll try to post again tomorrow on how the 20 miles went.

Stay fit my friends!:)

Labor Day 5K: PRing and Missing the Power of Speed

1st Place Women 20-29!

Today was the Aurora Labor Day 5K at Sunny Lake Park. I not only finished first in the women's 20-29 age group, but also PRed! I ran about a 23:30 5K, a whole minute faster than my time last year at this race! Considering I haven't done ANY speed work at all, that's pretty damn good! My first mile was a 7:30 minute mile. I felt really good too, especially the first mile. The last mile though, I started to get a little tired and slowed down a bit.  But, I think taking a rest day yesterday was a good idea. My legs felt pretty fresh for the first couple miles. Blake was about two minutes ahead of me and his younger brother, Ian, was right behind me pretty much the whole time. I encouraged him the last half mile or so and then.... The last 200 meters the little booger sprinted past me towards the finish! -lol-

Adding on to my 10 + medals. :)

That's alright though, I'm just proud of myself for PRing! I've been running like 24-25 minute 5Ks lately because I don't train for shorter distances and I just run at a comfortable pace. But, after this marathon I'm training for SPEED! I never thought I'd say this, but I actually miss speed work! I used to despise it, but it's so worth it! My goal is to place in the top three overall women - and I know I can do it too! The lady who placed third overall today ran a 22:49! I hope to finish in 21-something at my next 5K, which won't be for a long time since it's already September...

Today is also Miles' 10-week birthday!! YAY! In a little less than six months he'll be running with me. :) Can't wait!

Well, off to take a shower and relax. Have a Happy Labor Day, everyone! :)

My little trophy showcase. Everything from 5Ks to Duathlons. 

Happy 10-Week Birthday, Miles!! :)

Seven More Weeks to go!

Whew... Eighteen miles down this morning! Only seven more weeks until the BIG day! I can't believe how fast this training/summer has gone by... I start my first week of graduate school this upcoming week - YIKES! Excited/nervous at the same time. But, I've already posted about that, so I won't bore you with the details. :)

Anyways, this week was pretty good running-wise. I did five miles on Monday and Tuesday, with a full body strength training workout after the run on Tuesday. Rest on Wednesday, ran eight miles on Thursday and then another rest day on Friday.

Dinner!

Blake and I were going to run yesterday (Saturday) morning, but we decided to have Miles sleep in his cage since he's been sleeping with me in my bed every night. Not a good idea... he cried ALLLLLLLLLLL night. He may have slept for three to four hours at the most, which also means I only got about three to four hours of sleep on and off. I felt dead the next day... So, instead of dragging myself out to run, I took another rest day! I've actually taken three rest days this week. One was on Wednesday, Friday and then Saturday. I felt pretty good this morning though. We ran the same place as last week - the trail at Silver Springs in Stow. My stomach felt a little yucky when we first got there... The night before I had lemon-pepper chicken, whole-wheat organic macaroni and cheese and green beans for dinner. For a snack I had some Triscuits last night and then this morning about 30 minutes before the run I ate a Luna Bar. I think it may have been the Triscuits. Maybe I'll try having yogurt or something the night before.

Around mile 17 is when I started to feel it. I just wanted to be done! I was also getting a little hungry. But, I finished! We ran 18 miles in about three hours and nine minutes. Not bad considering we walked up some big hills and stopped a couple times to drink. Overall, the run was pretty good. I didn't feel as good as I did last weekend, but not too bad either.

After our run I drank some low-fat chocolate milk. :)

Well, this week is another 5-8-5 week and then a 13-mile run during the weekend. Not too bad!

Have a happy Sunday! :)

New Puppy + Marathon Training = Zzzzzzzz

Noah, Mile and I!

 Long time, no blog! Sorry about that, I've been quite busy with my new puppy lately. :) He's the best and so adorable! I love my little puppy so much. :) Now that I got that out there, even though I love him he's still a pain! Last week the most sleep I got during the night was FOUR hours. Maybe to some people that's about average, not for me and normal-functioning people. I need my eight hours of sleep! Surprisingly though, I've been alright. I still get up in the mornings to go on my early-morning runs. My mom is up early in the morning, so while she's drinking her coffee and stuff she watches him for me. But once 9:00 PM hits I just want to crash!

This probably goes against what every dog owner has ever said, but I can't wait until Miles is a grown dog. That way, 1.) He won't (hopefully) pee/poop in the house. 2.) Sleep most of the night. 3.) No more teething... 4.) DOG PARK! 5.) He can run with me. Don't get me wrong, I love being able to pick him up and how tiny he is. I feel as though he gets better every day though. He's not a bad puppy at all, just a normal, happy puppy. :)

Awww... Miles. :)

Anyways... Blake and I ran 13.1 miles Sunday at the same place I ran with the Grunt Girls. TOO. MANY. HILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLS!! It's odd, I ran 15 miles last week and felt fine. But, this week, 13.1 was tough! Blake even had to stop at mile 12. Maybe running in the same hilly location two weeks in a row wasn't the greatest idea? Oh well, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger! :) Speaking about killing... Next weekend is a 17-mile run. The furthest I've ever ran has been 15 miles, so this will be interesting. Remember, I stopped after week nine of training last year for the Cleveland Marathon and only made it up to 15 miles. So, once I complete this week, with the 17-mile run on Sunday, I'm going to treat myself to something! Not sure what yet, nothing too spectacular though, I'd still have 9.2 miles to a full marathon!

Tomorrow is a four-mile run, Wednesday is 8 miles and then Thursday 4 miles. Then of course the big 1-7 on Sunday. I'll keep you all up to date on how that one goes. Hopefully puppy let's me sleep some more this week. :)

Long Runs and Chocolate Milk

Ahhh yes... It's that time of week again, SUNDAY! This morning was a 15-mile run at the Bedford Reservation through the Cleveland Metroparks. I had two awesome ladies to accompany on the run too! It would have been a tough run to go on without some company!

Running and picture taking!

The run was supposed to start at 8:00 AM, but I got there about 30-40 minutes early so I could get four miles in before the other girls got there because the plan was to run 10 today, but mine was 15. It was a great path! I think I'm going to be running at this spot a lot more! It was kind of like Sunny Lake's little fitness area, but they had different fitness spots through out the course. They consisted of poles and such to do pull-ups and push-ups and stuff. The path was also nicely paved and had a divided line like a road. I took a couple pictures on my phone during my four-mile run. I brought it with me so I knew how close I was to 8:00 AM. Once the other two ladies arrived we went the opposite way I went to do 10.

Bedford Reservation

This weekend's long run was nothing like last weekend's, and it was even longer! Last weekend's 14-mile run was brutal! Blake and I also ran it at 11 or 12, so it was pretty damn hot out! This time the sun was barely out at all and the path was pretty shady for the most part. There was also a nice breeze. The night before I had whole wheat pasta with tomato sauce, some mixed veggies and crumbled up a Boca Burger in. NOM! I had a yogurt and banana as a snack later too. This morning I wasn't too hungry so I just drank a little over eight ounces of Gatorade and was ready to go! Christa seemed to be surprised that I don't take any kind of gels or anything. I think I'm going to start though... I drank water the whole 15 miles, but no other type of energy/electrolytes and carb replenishment.

Afterwards though I had, wait for it.... CHOCOLATE MILK! For those of you who have known me for quite some time know that I DO NOT eat any type of junk food... No cookies, candy, hamburgers, hot dogs, bacon, white bread/pasta, especially chocolate. I just started making my own whole-wheat pizza and that was  BIG step. But, chocolate milk? That's just crazy talk! I honestly can't even tell you when the last time I had chocolate was... It's been YEARS! I started restricting my diet back when I had my eating disorder when I was 11 years old and it got worse when I was in high school. I mean, I wouldn't even eat potatoes or yogurt because I thought they were too fattening! It all has to do with my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Anorexia... I say I'm recovered, but it's always there in the back of my mind trying to sneak back into my life. I still am obsessed with eating "healthy," but there's nothing wrong with having some chocolate or cake here and there. All in moderation. I just need to get myself to start believing it. But, I'm getting there, slowly but surely. Who know, maybe I'll have some cake on my wedding day?! :)

On the car ride back home I was debating on even drinking it... I was thinking about my meal to eat after the run last night... I kept thinking, is that too much protein? Is that TOO many calories? Then, I just tell myself to get over it and do something good for my body! Running 15 miles is tough and my body deserved some calories and protein! I didn't drink a whole thing of chocolate milk, a little less than eight ounces. But that was a BIG step for me! And I'm proud of me... :)

Anyways, back to chocolate milk! It's been proven to be a great muscle recovery beverage because of it's protein to carbohydrate ratio. A study from James Madison University found that drinking low-fat chocolate milk after a rigorous workout provides "superior muscle recovery compared to a high-carbohydrate recovery beverage with the same amount of calories." Check out the article in Medical News Today!

Well, that's it for now. Getting my puppy Miles tomorrow! So excited! MANY pictures will be posted. :)

P.S. New motto - Stay HEALTHY my friends! ;-)

Anticipation...

So, I have a lot to anticipate for in the next couple of weeks and all this anticipation boosts my anxiety, which in turn means constant stomach aches, like the ones I get before a race which also means frequent stops to the restroom. =-/ BUT, they're all good things to be anticipating about!

These are the two male puppies I get to choose from. :)

One, I'm getting my puppy Miles next week Monday!! Eeee!! I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. I'm nervous because of the time commitment to taking care of a puppy. I know it sounds stupid, but as much as I'm going to love my puppy, I don't want him cutting into my training... I'm afraid when I get up in the morning he'll want to be with me and be sad when I leave - but hopefully he'll just stay asleep! I won't be able to run with him until he's between 6-12 months old to avoid any fractures while he's growing.

Two, I'm waiting to hear back from a graduate assistantship I had an interview for yesterday. It would be with the Financial Aid office at Kent State and, if I get it, I'd start next Wednesday! The next couple of weeks before school starts they'd have me working 40-hour weeks. I don't think I've EVER worked that much! But, that just means more mula! Not only would they be paying my tuition, but during the summer I'd get paid more than I'm making now! Plus a stipend every month during the school year. :)

Three, I start graduate school in THREE weeks! YIKES! I'm VERY excited about learning more about my future career in Public Health, but also nervous because I don't know what to expect with the workload. I've heard from a lot of graduate students that your exercise kind of gets set aside... I don't think that will happen with me, but it may be tougher to get the motivation to run on top of working, going to school, studying and taking care of my puppy... At least this time around I'll be commuting from home and not packing up and moving two hours away in BG!

And four.... Next week is the half-way point to my marathon training program! YAY! BUT, the last time I signed up for a marathon, the Cleveland Marathon last year, I gave up after the half-way point, week nine... Well, next week is week nine and I plan to stick with the program! This weekend I'll be running 15 miles, which is also the farthest distance I ran when training for the Cleveland... Luckily, the weekend after the 15-mile run is a half-marathon and then the week after that is 16 miles. My last training program had me running 15 miles one weekend and then 16 the next. I just felt burned out and lost all motivation... NOT THIS TIME! I've got TONS of support and I REALLY want to do this. :)

So, there's really nothing BAD that I'm anticipating, just a whole bunch of exciting things coming up!

Well, today is a REST day! I think I'm going to take advantage of it too! My quads have been really sore these past couple of days, so I think they deserve a little R&R. Not too sure what I'm going to do tomorrow, it's supposed to rain all day... I'm planning on saving my 15-mile run for Sunday with the Grunt Girls, but most of them are running 10 miles... May just do it Saturday if the weather is nice in the AM.

Have a happy Friday everyone! :)

I Love Sundays!

Hello! Today is my favorite day of the week - SUNDAY! It may seem like an odd day to be one's favorite, but to me it's the most relaxing one of them all. Sundays are usually my long-run days, which also makes it my favorite. Some people probably don't look forward to Sundays because it's the day before the work week starts again and they feel as though they HAVE to go to church. Well, my church includes a pair of running shoes, iPod and the road. I feel as though God would want you to be doing something good for your body and mind, not just sitting around for an hour or so. But, that's just me. :)

So far today is a great Sunday. Got up around 6:30 AM to go on an 11-mile run with Blake at Silver Springs. The sun was out, it was in the 70's and there was a slight breeze. There were plenty of other runners, bikers and walkers out on the trail this morning too. I felt great the first 8-9 miles, then my hamstrings started to get sore. I haven't ran more than eight miles since May, so it was definitely a little bit of a challenge today. We ran between a 9:30-10 minute mile pace. It's not the fastest, but hey, we weren't racing. Just trying to get that 11 miles in. I also took some Creatine afterwords to see if it will help me with recovery since my legs are usually sore for a while after a long run.

After our run this morning I met up with a good friend, Dani, at Panera. I'm so glad we met at BGSU last year. She's such a great person and friend, and not to mention a fellow-runner. I really hope we become life-long friends. :)

In a little bit Blake and I are taking Noah and Max up to the Dog Park in Stow. Then grocery shopping later and probably relaxing and taking a nap. See, what a great Sunday! I got a lot of my favorite things in one day! Running, spending time with Blake, friends, dogs, NAPS, and food! YAY! Grocery shopping really isn't a chore to me - I kind of enjoy it in a strange way. Tonight I need to prepare more for tomorrow as well. My teacher/coach from high school asked me to come speak to his cross country girls tomorrow at 4:00. I'm really excited! I mean it's pretty much my future career - health promotion - and not to mention with my favorite subject: RUNNING! :) I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

Well, off to the Dog Park I go! Have a great Sunday and stay fit my friends!

July 4th 5Ks and My Future Running Buddy

Just got back from the Tree City 5K Run for United Way of Portage County in Kent with Blake and his Dad, Gary. Boy, was it a hot one! The race started at 7:00 PM and we had to get there by 5:30 PM for a bus to take us from the finish line to the starting line at Dix Stadium at Kent State. I was supposed to run six miles today, according to my training plan. But, according to my body, five miles was good enough. I ran two miles about an hour before the race around the stadium, it may or may not have been a good idea. All I know is that I felt like shit during the race!

I'm not a night runner, I'm an early morning runner. I would have much rather had the race at 7 AM than PM...Adjusting my meal schedule was kind of hectic and I don't think I planned it out too well... I woke up this morning around 8ish and decided not to eat until around 11 am so I wouldn't be starving before the race and have like a snack or something later. That didn't work out too well. Blake and I went to Pulp for a wrap and smoothies around 11:30 this morning (I got an Anna Banana smoothie and an Asian Chicken wrap on wheat - NOM NOM), went to the Post Office (I'll explain why later) and then went home. At around 4:30 this evening we had PB&J's and I had some yogurt and a banana... I think the yogurt wasn't the smartest idea, or maybe just the meal itself... I kept getting cramps during the race and towards the last mile, I felt sick to my stomach. I mean, it was also around 80 degrees and humid so that may have played a role in it as well. I did, however, run a 24:32. Which isn't too bad considering all the hills through Kent's campus, the heat and my stomach. That's around an eight-minute mile pace. I also placed second in my age group. The awards weren't the greatest, a glass that says Age Group Winner on the back... What ever happened to giving out trophies or medals? At my last Duathlon in Twinsburg they gave me a picture frame for placing first... I just want a trophy, damn it! :)

My 2nd Place "trophy"

Anyways... Back to why I went to the post office today. If you've been keeping up with my recent Facebook posts you'd know that I'm getting my vizsla! I found a breeder in Hillboro, Ohio (about three hours from Streetsboro) who just had a litter about two weeks ago. I already contacted the breeder by phone and e-mail. She asks for a $100 deposit, so that's what I went to the Post Office for. I'm so excited! The pups aren't champion-line because the breeder doesn't have time to do shows and raises them more as family dogs, so they're cheaper than most breeder sell them for. I'll hopefully be getting a male puppy and name him Miles. For obvious reasons. :) If not, I'll get a female and name her Autumn. Either way, I'll have my vizsla and be so happy. The puppies won't be available until August 12, so it gives me some time to prepare for the little guy (or girl). I'm a little nervous, especially since I'll be starting graduate school here on August 29 at KSU and I may become overwhelmed with everything, but it'll all be worth it. :)

One of these lil' guys will be mine! 

Monday is the Fourth of July! That means the Aurora Fourth of July 5K Fun Run in the AM. :) Speaking of the fourth... Blake's neighbors are setting off fireworks and I haven't even showered yet! Better ready before I miss the whole show!

Have a SAFE and HAPPY Fourth of July Weekend!

Today I Don't Feel Like Doing Anything... Nothing At All...

Happy Friday! It's almost 7:00 PM and I haven't melted yet because I haven't ran or worked out. Hallelujah! As I mentioned in a previous post, I HATE rest days. But, today was an exception. I got up early to go into work early this morning and decided not to do my P90X Plyometrics as planned. I got out a little later than usual from work too. I had it set in my head that I was going to workout right when I got home - I was even somewhat annoyed when my boss asked me to stay later because I was thinking, "Dude, are you kidding me? Don't you know that I was planning on doing P90X soon? GRRR..." But, I soon got over it, extra money - yes please! :)

Instead of working out when I got home, I headed to me bed and took a nearly TWO-HOUR nap! It was pretty amazing... Much more refreshing than an hour of jumping around, at least today anyways.

This is a BIG accomplishment for me. If I say I'm going to do a workout, I do it and maybe that's not always the best for my body. Sometimes my body just needs a rest. Not only did I run yesterday, but I did strength training and went on a nice long hike with a good friend. I'm still struggling with that "voice" in my head from my eating disorder trying to tell me to not eat, to workout more, but I've learned to ignore it. So, maybe to some people missing a workout day is no big deal, it is the usual and working out is something to celebrate. For me it's the opposite. It's still a little hard to swallow that I didn't workout today, but I didn't do it and I'm sticking by my guns! Go me!

Eating my whole-wheat pizza with green peppers and broccoli now. NOM NOM! Blake is too, but his has pepperoni, lots of pepperoni, on it.

Noah wants some too!

Nom Nom

Well, that's it for today... Tomorrow morning is a 7-mile run. It's supposed to be a nice 70-degree day out tomorrow, can't wait! =-)

Stay Fit my Friends!

Colleen

Dogs, Iron-Mans and Morning Runs

Good Morning! Just got done with a three-mile run and some core work. So happy it didn't storm this morning like it said it was suppose to. I would have ran no matter what (except for if it were storming REALLY bad and there were tornadoes), but it was nice. Legs are still a little sore/tight. I think I may do some plyometrics on Friday to see if that helps.

Blake and his beagle fox-terrier mix, Max, ran with me this morning. A lot of tugging and pulling, stopping to poop, pee and just sniff... Beagles are NOT good running dogs... I actually am not a big fan of beagles period, but that's a whole other story.

Vizsla running

What is the best running dog? The Vizsla of course! They are also one of the more beautiful dogs, in my opinion. I want one SOOOO bad, but I don't have the money for a $1,000 dog right now. Not only are they great running dogs, but they're known for hunting and as the "smell-good" dog, because even when they're wet they don't smell! They are hypoallergenic because they do not shed and have such a short coat. They're also very lovable and great family dogs. I hope to adopt one by next summer. My other favorite dogs are Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Great Danes, Labrador Retrievers, and Huskies. Yes, I LOVE big dogs. The bigger the better and all the more lovable. :)

Beautiful Vizslas!

Vizsla puppy =-D

#2 Fav. Dog - Rhodesian Ridgeback! Notice the  ridge down their back?

#3 Fav. Dog - Great Dane! So big and cuddly!

# 4 Fav. Dog - Siberian Husky! 

#5 Fav. Dog - Labrador Retriever. This is my late dog Junior. He was the BEST dog EVER! RIP Junior. <3 

Another update... I think my next goal after the marathon will be a Half Ironman! That is a 1.2-mile swim followed by a 56-mile  bike and ending with a 13.1 (half marathon) run. It's definitely a tough one, but I think it would be super fun to train for and to say that I've done. I think the swimming would be the toughest to train for, at least for me. I'm really not a swimmer. It'll be quite a challenge!

Well, that's it for now. Got to get ready for work... BLAH!

Stay Fit my friends!

Colleen