a week of mental games

So I’ve spent the last three days

fireworks watching

galaxy saving

elephant flying

NOMMING

NOMMING SOME MORE

monkeying around

elephant watching

giraffe gazing

but in between all that fun, i spend a lot of time fighting during my runs. I feel really weird admitting this, but I’ve been having a major fat month. I have indeed gained a few pounds, and I am not comfortable in my favorite clothes, including my running clothes. I’ve spent most of my runs this week focusing way too much on the negativity in my head instead of relishing in the hard work. It was EXHAUSTING, and I didn’t feel better immediately after, like I usually do. Last night, I went on a practice long run with two goals: to run the whole time and to finish 5 miles, no matter how slow. and i did. and it was SO enjoyable to jam to my own music, enjoy the sunset, and not think about how i looked and only check in to make sure my physical body (not my emotional body) felt fine. I am SO looking forward to my first training run on Marathonfest tomorrow and to keep working hard to get these few pounds off.

Ever had a crazy mental game week?

sunday musings

weekly training
Monday: 4 mile run – race with an armadillo; 100 Pushups Challenge Day 1
Tuesday: bikram yoga with bff R (her first yoga class EVER)
Wednesday: evening easy run and pushups day 2
Thursday: rest
Friday: pushups day 3 and interesting treadmill tempo worked out (complained on twitter…yadda yadda yadda)
Saturday: walked a mile around the World Showcase, blood orange margarita in hand? (that counts for cardio AND strength, right?)
Sunday: 4 mile fartlek run

I’m starting to get nervous about marathon training, which I like to think is a good thing. It lets me know that I’m taking it seriously and it is a big deal to me. My knee is flaring up, so it was back to running with the brace on, and I’m icing and typing right now (what a multitasker). But all of my forseeable Saturdays remaining for 2012 will be spent in the long run. Ahhh, mental prep.

I spent some time doing some Pinterest cooking this week as well, making freezer/make ahead meals, and I couldn’t be gladder I did. I have breakfast burritos, cilantro lime and bean burrito (a mix of this and this), and oatmeal cookie pancakes on hand. Really simple, and really minimal time commitment for me. I think I will probably do this every other week, since I don’t terribly mind eating the same thing over and over again. If I had been thinking, I would have taken photos. Instead, you just have to trust me that my mushroom, spinach, veggie crumble, egg and cheese breakfast burrito is PRETTY awesome.

Summer Running Streak starts tomorrow! Are you gonna be streaking with us?

100 days to Disneyland!

I could NOT be more excited that today marks 100 days to the Disneyland Half Marathon!

yesssssssss cannot wait for California sunshine and SNACKS

I’ve only completed two half marathons, and just this year, but it is, thus far, my favorite distance. I’m also extremely interested in seeing the logistics of a race at Disneyland. Though the majority of it will be run in Anaheim proper, I think that running through the parks will be just as magical. I did sign up for the family 5k in the same weekend as a shakeout run, and it goes through the parks only. I do have an A time goal of sub-2 hours with a coworker, and depending on training this summer, I’ll set my B and C goals closer to the race. Mostly, I can’t wait to race 13.1 and to be in California/on the West Coast again!

Have you run the Disneyland half? Do you want to run a runDisney race?

are we there yeti?

So…I’ve had a really weird slump balancing running and life recently and have had a really discouraging time sticking to my training schedule. nothing like a 5k this weekend to really spice up the routine! (also the realization that my marathon training officially starts in less than a month! YIKES!) Saturday will be the 5th runDisney Expedition Everest Challenge, and I can’t wait for an obstacle course/scavenger hunt and a compass medal to show for it.

Have totally been talking up my teammate R of Team Ready for the Yeti all week, but have felt blah about actually running myself, until today. Came home after work to my final piece of the running outfits, the TEAM SPARKLE SKIRTS! Had to put it on IMMEDIATELY and do the above photoshoot/fashion show. It took roommate A convincing me to go to Pinkberry and Starbucks to soothe some caramel cravings to take it off at all. Got back home (after salted caramel froyo bliss topped with blueberries, mango, and chocolate covered pretzels and a half-caf caramel macchiato…we know how to party) and put it right back on. am HIGHLY anticipating my morning run…heck, might even take off tonight! i have been a little wary of the night run in my neighborhood since my last one in early february where i took off for a nice 4 mile out and back, and the whole way back watched a police chopper circling my apartment complex. a sight to inspire speed and optimism for sure.

All this to say, I am COMPLETELY ready for the yeti (minus shirt decorating) and will have fun little race nerves…and all week to think of more yeti puns.

my favorite thus far, THANKS, PINTEREST.

did you have an enjoyable sunday funday? crush it in any races? eat amazing food? taper week celebrations?