Waking Up...Not Just Hard To Do--It Plain Old SUCKS.

So, starting at 5 am this lovely Tuesday morning, my alarm started going off. Snooze, snooze, snooze until 5:30. Then I finally convinced myself it would feel better overall if I bit the bullet and went for a run before work. Thank GOD I laid out my clothes the night before, everything down to the socks and iPod arm band....makes it so much simpler to not make excuses with yourself.

Today's training called for 3 miles, so 3 miles is what I did (3.07 to be exact). I have been using the Map My Run app because I haven't bought, or should I say decided upon, a running watch yet. My total run took 25:17, a time I feel really proud of and makes me even more motivated to get up early tomorrow :)

I am going to have to go to Whole Food tonight because my breakfast was a mish mash of things in the house. That's always what gets you, lack of preparedness leads to nibbling on things you don't even want!

I started pre run with a handful of cashews, whole non salted from Whole Foods. Post run I made a bowl of oatmeal with just water (140 calories). However, an hour later I felt hungry...probably a combo of my fast run and also my late night Yoga Sculpting before bed...so I cut an Ezekiel wrap in half and put natural Earth Balance brand peanut butter on it...nom  nom nom.

When I got to work I had a hot coffee with half a creamer (we went through McDonald's drive thru this AM and they don't have skim milk--however, if you really don't want cream, you can buy a kids sized 2 percent milk chug and add it to your coffee--I usually do this but I was getting a ride with friends and wanted to minimize difficulties). I also had a Kashi coconut and chocolate bar (130 cals).

I always need a little something "indulgent" with my coffee.

All in all, a good morning. My jeans should feel like they did in no time...I hope :) PS..If you are looking for a jam to get you running faster, "Trip to Your Heart" off of Britney's latest CD is great...I just let my whole Britney playlist go this morning and look at that time :)

First Long Run

Last Saturday was the first morning of the CARA (http://www.cararuns.org/) Marathon Training Program.

This will be the first marathon I have ever entered and trained for. In fact, the farthest distance I have ever run is about 8 miles. I am in good shape, work out anywhere from 5-7 days a week and incorporate hot yoga and the Five Factor Fitness plan into my workout regiment. This, however, is going to take my routine to a while other level.

We meet every Saturday to do the week "Long Run" at Monroe Harbor at 545 am. I ran with the 10:30 pace group this past weekend, but will be moving to the 10:00 this upcoming weekend--more on that later.

The run was 6 miles--CARA uses the Hal Higdon Marathon training schedule, one of the best in the field. It seemed fairly easy, although it was kind of misting and chilly...but 6 miles felt good...however, remind me I said this when I get to 15...or even 9!

I am running for a charity, to raise money for Team PAWS Chicago, an awesome no-kill shelter here in the Chicago land area. I love animals and if I could I would open a sanctuary...however...I cannot, so this is the next best thing :)

My friend Meghan is running with me and this is also her first experience training for and running a Marathon. We are scurrrred but I know we can do it.

This blog is going to journal our next 18 weeks of getting into shape, training both mentally and physically, for the hardest physical feat either of us has ever attempted. Get excited. Oh, and I will probably write  a little bit about my social life, my food journey and also my Weimaraner, Koukla.

Thanks for reading and please, never hesitate to leave comments, dialogue is everything people!