10 Things You Didn’t Know About Me

Posted by hellyontherun in Not Running Related, Uncategorized and tagged with 10 Things I Hate About You, Coca-cola, Not Running Related, Personal, Random December 11, 2013

So it was a rare late morning/early afternoon and I had roughly about 20 minutes of alone time (both kids were napping) before my son would wake.

During these sporadic moments, I try and catch up on reading whether it’s with a book or a magazine. I typically avoid the television during my alone time but something told me to look at the channel guide—and then I saw it: 10 Things I Hate About You was on.

I can’t resist a Joseph Gordon-Levitt movie, especially a vintage one so I settled back on my couch and hoped my kids would let me watch a good chunk of it.

Evidently, I’m not embarrassed to admit this is one of favorite movies. It’s silly, it’s fun, it’s a good no need for deep thinking movie, and it inspired today’s post : )

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Me

Spanish was my first language growing up but I was an English major in college and am now an English teacher. Being bilingual rocks!
My brother and I were born in the same year, he in January and me in December. Clearly, I was an oops baby.
My favorite book is Where The Red Fern Grows and I cry every time I read it and I’ve read it too many times to count.
There were 600+ people at my wedding
.
I once danced Michael Jackson’s Thriller in front of hundreds of people.The dance class at my high school sometimes asks teachers to perform at assemblies and for Homecoming this was the dance of choice. I couldn’t pass up this amazing opportunity. Seriously, the perks of being a teacher.
My husband and I love basketball so much we chose our wedding day, October 23, in honor of Michael Jordan and also because it was before the NBA basketball season started.

Also, I love that I met Bill Simmons who started as a basketball/sports blogger and is now a commentator for ESPN.
I hate water. As in the ocean, lakes, swimming pool… I don’t like that I can’t see what my feet are touching and thinking about all the people that have been in the pool I’m considering getting into grosses me out. I would never want a house with a pool either because it’s too much maintenance and I’m lazy for those types of things.
I had (have?) a serious soda addiction. I would drink about a 6 pack a day and in college it was that plus a few Big Gulps.Coca Cola. Don’t even think about offering me a Pepsi.
I like Meatloaf. Not the food.
I’ve written before that I’m an oxymoron in so many ways. I’m old school and am very reluctant when it comes to new technology. I’m always the last one to buy whatever was “in” and then never learn to use it to its full capacity nor care. But, technology fascinates me.

–What is one interesting thing about you or that you’ve done?

–Do you share any of my idiosyncrasies?

Hot Chocolate 15K Re-Cap

Posted by hellyontherun in 15k, Race, Running and tagged with Chocolate, Cold Weather, Hot Chocolate, Pace, Personal Record, Race, Running December 9, 2013

First off, we’re in need of another YAAAY!!!!

I knew it was going to be a cold one (I have to add the “for Arizona” disclaimer) and it certainly was. I expected it and went prepared with the works: long running pants, long sleeved shirt, running jacket, those ear cover thingys, and gloves. You’d think I was running in Antarctica but I didn’t care—I hate being cold.

Pre-Race: Do I look cold?

I had a feeling I’d start stripping during the race and I did; the gloves came off at mile 3 and the jacket at mile 4.

After my watch beeped away the first mile, I saw I had done a good warm up at 9:27. I decided then and there that I was going to shoot for sub 9:30 the entire way. And…..I did it!!

Here are my splits (I love them!):

1-9:27
2-9:02
3-9:11
4-9:16
5-9:16
6-9:17
7-9:05
8-9:18
9-9:07

As I was running and seeing that I actually was completing each mile under 9:30 I couldn’t help but think of how far I’ve come. I felt like I was seeing all of the hard work from the past couple of months right in front of me. Sometimes it’s hard to think that it will pay off but it does, it truly does. I had been a 10 minute miler for such a long time you couldn’t convince me that I’d be running a race with sub 9:30 miles.

When I crossed the finish line and saw that I had finished at 1hr 25 min tears welled up in my eyes I was so ecstatic. My goal had been to finish under 1:30 and to have done it with time to spare made me so happy. You couldn’t erase the smile from my face crossing that finish line. It never went away all day.

To top it off, well, you know what else was waiting for me at the finish line…..chocolate!!! After I collected myself as best I could, I walked over to redeem my mug of hot and melted chocolate. I’m a bit particular when it comes to chocolate but I definitely give this race’s two thumbs up! Perfect Sunday!

Have you seen your training pay off?

Are you a chocolate lover?

P.S. It was another no music race and I must say, I’m digging the silence.

Week Four Marathon Training Recap

Posted by hellyontherun in Race, Running, Uncategorized and tagged with Hot Chocolate, Marathon Training, Running, Training December 8, 2013

Brrrr!!! We had a cold front here in Arizona this week (still happening as I write) and I know that while I may be freezing my buns here, it’s waaaaay colder in other parts of the United States (and world).

Nevertheless, the miles keep piling. Sunday was a cross train day so I hopped on a bike at the gym—hadn’t done that in a while—and went at it for 6 miles. I also continued my Runner’s World Streak by running an easy mile on the treadmill. I missed the bike and definitely plan on incorporating it more in my training.

Monday was hill day. This week called for an extra mile so I did a slow and steady climb instead of a high intensity one like last week. This was smart as I was definitely whooped by the end.

Tuesday I wanted to take it easy as I was starting to feel the effects of the mileage increase but then this happened

My blood was seriously pumping because of the 7 sighting, I threw in an abs video on YouTube at home later for good measure : )

Wednesday was speed day at the track. For some reason, I’m always looking forward to this day of the week. I think it’s something about being around other runners that motivates me. I don’t know what it is but I can def feel myself getting faster 

Thursday was a tempo run back on the treadmill. Boy, oh boy, did I feel my leg on this run. I’ve mentioned in a previous blog but if you missed it, I visited a doctor about shin splints. After discussing it with him, the pain is really more on my left leg which led my doctor to think it’s more of a stress fracture than shin related. I’ve got an MRI scheduled for my left leg on Wednesday and I’m hoping, hoping, hoping it’s not bad news. I could definitely feel the pain at the start of my 5 mile run that day though which makes me really nervous.

Friday was a rest day—except for one streak mile and quick visit to the Hot Chocolate 15k Expo. Yep! My next race I am running for chocolate. You’ll absolutely get a re-cap of it on Monday.

Today, Saturday, is typically my long run day but I’ve got my Hot Chocolate 15K race tomorrow morning. So, one streak mile it was.

16 total running miles, 6 biking miles. Overall, a very good week with some fun surprises and a few red signs. Next week will be a big week with my race tomorrow and that appointment Wednesday. I’ll be keeping you posted.

Before I go, here’s a fun family photo for you from this week : )

My daughter showing me her fridge artwork ❤

How was your workout week? Are you affected by weather conditions in your area?

Have you ran a Hot Chocolate race? How was it?!?