Mar 31 2013
67 AntiRecovery Miles

Back to these Sunday things.

Monday: 10.52 miles (8:23 pace) after traveling 10.5 hours on an airplane.  I was really proud of myself for getting that done.
Tuesday: 10.5 miles treadmill
Wednesday: 10.25 treadmill (felt terrible…sluggish)
Thursday: 10.25 miles outdoors (felt terrible again)
Friday: Which led to an off day…the day before a race.
Saturday: Spring Forward 15k (1:04.15) total miles: 17
Sunday: 10 shake out
Total: 67 miles

Running:

The whole week my legs were pretty tired.  Besides the weekend runs, my runs felt not so great.  They were miserable, I just wanted them to be over.  That led to me taking a day off (why I don’t plan rest days…I take them when I need it).

It at least rejuvenated me (that or the fact that it was 50 degrees and sunny at the race).  The 15k went better than expected.  It was a hilly course, I’ll recap it later but from my training week you can obviously tell that I wasn’t fully recovered and wasn’t feeling the greatest.  At least most of these miles were outdoors though.   I had a great time with Laura though and that is all I was really hoping for.  I also won a jar of almond butter…

Recovery:

Why haven’t I been recovering well? 

Any and all of these reasons: my runs the previous week were all on trails, up mountains and chatting (so harder).  I can run 8 miles while not chatting easily, but chatting and running 8 min miles and holding conversation isn’t that easy for me and quite tiring.  My legs were still tired from my half two weeks ago.  My nutrition has been off due to vacation and I haven’t been stretching, massaging and foam rolling.  Yes, most of it is my fault…I’m over it.  I’ll work on that this week when I’m getting back into the swing of things.

All in all, not my best training week but not my worst either.  Worst are injury laden ones.

Next Week: 

The antimotivation train is hard.  I’ve been on it the last week or so.  My body is tired.  I am struggling again being back in Oswego.  (seeing friends and family down south was a tease).  Still like my friends up here though, of course, it was just hard to come back.  Plus the fact that I spent (minus Saturday), Friday and Sunday by myself (no one in the office…no one at home) was somewhat difficult.

Speaking of that since I’m personally struggling right now with reacclamating back up here, I thought I would take this time to just dive back to where I came from.  First, I decided to participate in Mommy Run Fast’s 7 day sugar detox.  I don’t normally have the issue of having too much sugar because I am good with limiting that but I thought I would limit my artificial sweetener intake.  If you know me well, you know I have no issues dumping half a container of splenda, truvia or whatever else into a container of coffee or pancakes.

I think it will be an interesting and difficult week but it has been something I’ve wanted to do since relying on them so heavily after being diagnosed.

Second, I am going to start working and motivating myself for proper recovery.  That means I will stretch, foam roll and ugh (yes) I do need to fork over the 80 dollars for a deep tissue massage.  I know my muscles will thank me.

Third, I’m going to stop feeling sorry for myself.  Yes with the exception of Saturday this weekend was lonely and terrible.  I had almost no face to face human contact on Friday except to sign some forms…almost none on Sunday.  It happens.  People have things to do.  I can’t be hanging out with people solely on my schedule and that’s life.  Is it hard to watch a lot of people celebrating Easter when I’m essentially by myself?  Of course, but that happens when you live alone.  I know this isn’t a forever life choice and I have to get through it.

And of course, Happy Easter.

Questions for you:

How have your workouts been going?

What are your secrets to recovering?

Hollie 19 Comments
Mar 29 2013
Blogging about Blogging

I write this with no target or no one I’m directing this at.  I am merely just collecting all my thoughts about blogging-the good, the bad…the whatever else in between. 

On vacation I did a lot of thinking away from the blog.  I had scheduled a couple of posts and read a few blogs in some downtime I had but other then that…I existed…outside of the blogging world.  Not only existed but I don’t even feel compelled to give you a play by play and daily schedule of what I did…I don’t really share my entire life (shockingly) on social media and I prefer it that way.

I’ve come to realize as I move into another stage of my life, I don’t relate with a lot of bloggers who I used to read very regularly.  I find myself reading a few blogs and just complaining to myself or wanting to offer advice that they don’t want, need or it’s not really my place to say…after all I’m only reading a section of their lives too.

There was a point in my blogging career that I was reading about 30 blogs daily.  (Granted some didn’t post daily but there were upwards of 30 on my reader).  I found myself skimming posts and just wanting to write a comment to get the approval of said blogger.  It got to a point that I was stressed when I couldn’t read blogs.  I would always post blogs because scheduling blogs is easy.  I could write them all on Sunday…have them scheduled for the week and then read blogs and edit them throughout the week.  During that time period, the more peoples blog I commented on…the more that read mine.  I was achieving ultimate blogging status.

My “blogging” was golden…for me at least.

But then I realized or maybe grew up a little bit…if I don’t read the blogs (by read I mean skim) that I have no interest in…I’m saving myself time and I’m saving myself the issue of coming up with things to say that are really forced.  Point blank: Your blog can’t appeal to everyone and that’s fine.  I don’t need to pretend that I enjoy reading something that really just bothers me…or I don’t care about.

As I “grow up” and move into the “real world” I’ve found some blogs that I can’t relate too…

  1. A younger mindset.  I am young and I get that…I’m 22 and that certainly puts me into the younger category of bloggers.  But when you are still in a slightly immature mindset and half the posts are whiney or day to day boyfriend, school and work drama I can’t relate.  You will probably notice I almost never talk about work…day to day issues or drama…you don’t know whose reading and believe me on that one.
  2. Too many giveaways and sponsors.  I love free stuff…but really when every other post is laden with it…it loses its draw.
  3. If all you do is day by day themed posts…marvelous Monday…terrific Tuesday…WIAW…thirsty Thursday…erg you get the point.
  4. Multiple posts daily.   I have a job and a life so will probably only read one. ..Same goes for long posts….(I’ll eat my words for this post).
  5. This shouldn’t bother me but it does and will probably be the first for you to lose me as a reader.  I’m not sure if people realize that when you comment on someone else’s blog..it’s still you.  You can’t post “I hate peanut butter” on your blog and then tell another blogger “oh my lanta, peanut butter is the bomb”…but it works with everything.  Be who you are…don’t make up things on your blog, comments, social media…at least if you are going to lie…streamline it all and be believable.

That being said (and this post is getting wordy) but there are a lot of bloggers I can relate too.  Those who leave mystery to their life, aren’t the first to comment on every single persons post, honest…we all have bad days and bad races, runners, swimmers, even some of you bikers who I enjoy reading dearly.  The 12 blogs I am subscribed too come from all different walks of life: still in college, 30 years old, athletes of all backgrounds, losing weight, gaining weight, overcoming long term injuries, struggling to find a real life job, preparing to get married…met in real life…wish I could meet in real life…wordpress…blogging…tumblr…Those who chat with their readers or offer advice when asked.  (lesson learned: don’t give advice unless someone asks point blank).

But that’s that.

Questions for you:

  1.   How many blogs are you subscribed too?
  2.  What makes a good or not so good blog in your opinion? 
Hollie 63 Comments
Mar 26 2013
Training Blog Somewhat

I didn’t post a training post last week (or the week before) but I highly doubt you noticed.

Monday: Off (recovering from the Shamrock half and flying to Texas)
Tuesday: 10.35 with Tim (8:12 pace)
90 minutes elliptical (Tim had to work and I had nothing else to do)
Wednesday: 10.25 with Tim (8:25 pace)
Thursday: 13.1 (8:35 pace)
Friday: 10.1 (8:16 pace) Hot hot hot.
Saturday: 12.1 (10:34 pace) trail running up a large mountain.
Sunday: 15.5 (8:50 pace)
Monday: 10.51 (8:23 pace) after traveling for 10.5 hours.  Coincidence?

Running:

My running has been pretty easy as of this past week.  Obviously because I was on vacation I wasn’t really stressing about anything (let alone reading blogs and telling you how my running is going).  If I got miles in-good…if I didn’t…well oh well.  Though dating someone who also runs has it’s advantages so I was pretty sure that was game.

Saturday was certainly our hardest run last week.  We ran up a mountain and while 10:34 pace seems “slow” to some…it was the equal of us hauling butt up this mountain. It was really hard stuff and you can’t compare any sort of trail running to road running ever…so don’t.  Was it hard to see 14 minute pace at some points?  Sure…but it was a lot of fun.  I rolled my ankle on a rock at some point which nearly led to tears.  I really think I’m the biggest drama queen running.  Ask Tim…he knows.  I just fear every little thing will lead to injury…mostly because I get bootleg injuries that are caused from weird circumstances.

hiking
Why were we the only ones running up here…

None of my runs were really on road this week.  Tim loves trails (not trails that are paved or flat and easy (I’m looking at you First Landing State Park)  but trails with rocks and going up mountains…) so it was a nice change of pace…and scenery.

Cross training:

Last Tuesday I did 90 minutes of elliptical.  I didn’t have a lot to do…Tim was working and I wanted to stretch my legs with something other than running.  Other then that I haven’t done any cross training in the last week and a half.

**I almost went swimming…we had everything good to go…but then OF COURSE (the one time I was motivated)…the pool was closed for a mechanical issue.

Recovery:

As far as my recovery from Shamrock goes I think it’s going to be a full two weeks before I fully recover.  My legs took a serious beating during the race so I’m not really surprised.  Most of these paces are on the abnormal slow side for me and I didn’t do a tempo run last week and I’m not really sure I’ll do one this week.  All in good recovery though.  I am racing this weekend, but I’m not tapering in the slightest and will run right through it…literally.

Finally, I’ve been using Bloglovin for a few years but never actually linked my blog there.  Now that it is getting popular due to google reader closing, it keeps harassing me asking if I blog or want to claim a blog…little do you know bloglovin..it’s like I live a double life…So there.

Questions for you:

Did you race lately?  How did it go?

How have your workouts been going? 

Hollie 24 Comments
Mar 25 2013
Blueberry Pancakes

Blueberry Pancakes

I appreciate a good pancake. Living in New Jersey, home of blueberries, means house of the blueberry pancakes? Right? Blueberry pancakes (or any fruit) or typically easy because most people have blueberries, strawberries, or some fruit in their home. You don’t have to go to 12 grocery stores looking for an ingredient.

As a runner, I like easy, fast, and simple recipes. When I’m done with a run, I want food immediately. That’s why I gravitate towards pancakes. Pancakes are easy and quick.

blueberrypancakes3

 

Blueberry Pancake Recipe:

Stemming from my original basic pancake recipe, these blueberries pancakes are yet another hit when I’m craving pancakes.  Let’s be honest here as children my parents didn’t say “Hey Hollie do you want this paleo protein almond flour with a hint of coconut zest and salmon pancake.”  They said “Hey Hollie, want pancakes…we have blueberries.”

Blueberry Pancake Ingredients: 

2/3 cup flour
1/4 cup sweetener (sugar or an equal cup for cup artificial)
1 tsp baking powder
½ cup milk
1 egg
2 teaspoons oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
½ cup fresh blueberries (or frozen blueberries)

Maple syrup and melted butter

Blueberry Pancakes Directions:

  1. Combine dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
  3. Add liquid until the desired consistency of the blueberry pancakes is achieved.
  4. Add a cup of batter to griddle.
  5. Add blueberries onto the top of the pancake batter and cook on medium to high heat (I use 350 degrees)
  6. Wait until blueberry pancakes begin bubbling and flip.
  7. Once the blueberry pancakes have cooked evenly on both sides and are super fluffy pancakes and golden brown, serve.

blueberrypancakes2

Blueberry pancakes are always a hit no matter the age.

blueberrypancakes

Question for you: What was your favorite pancake as a child? 

Hollie 28 Comments
Mar 21 2013
Training for Real Life

This post was actually inspired by Shannon.  Shannon is by far one of my favorite bloggers and I’m not ashamed in the slightest to say that.  Her blog posts nearly always hit home to me.  The particular post that inspired me today talked about how people/bloggers tend to always be training for something. 

I personally could not agree more with this.  Some people are training for a collegiate race…some are training for a marathon…it seems if someone were to say “I’m training for a 5k” there were would be judgment there.  There shouldn’t be, but I can guarantee you there would be.  I’ve said countless times, nothing really on my radar and instead I get…so why are you running now.

Training to be bffers
Training to be bffers (that’s the Father LOLZ)

One of my biggest pet peeves is that once some decides for themselves that they are indeed a “serious” runner they begin training for a marathon. On the internet (and real life really) you are either a runner training for a marathon or not a runner.  Nothing in between without judgment.  I’ve gotten so much rude commentary and crap for saying I have absolutely no interest in running a marathon.  None.  I don’t need to explain myself, but right now I don’t feel pressured or the least bit excited to run a marathon.  So I’m not going to…maybe some day but not now. 

What is a marathon?
What is a marathon?

Yet it seems like that is not normal in the running community.  Everyone is training for something (as Shannon said).  Here is the thing: you are a runner whether you are training for a 5k, 10k, half, full, college, ultras, tr’s…nothing…gym class…whatever.  If you are running, you are a runner.

As someone who is logging over 70 miles, something that always bothers me is when people say “well I’m not nearly the runner because I’m only logging 5 miles a week…ect”

False. 

adubs and I finishing her first road race. My best friend is also a runner. Did I mention I miss her?
adubs and I finishing her first road race. My best friend is also a runner. Did I mention I miss her?

It doesn’t matter your pace, mileage or anything.  You don’t need to be training for anything to be considered a runner.

Finally if you are training for something and a very intense and rigorously scheduled person that’s great-but just remember that does not mean everyone else is.  We all have our own jives of running, fast or slow, long or show..rundies or basketball shorts…but the thing is…we are all running…training for the Olympics or training for life.

Matt told me real runners don't come to races in Juicy Valour ready to run. I'm once again a fake runner. I warmed up in this jacket once with my hood up.
Matt told me real runners don’t come to races in Juicy Valour ready to run. I’m once again a fake runner. I warmed up in this jacket once with my hood up.
me
Seemed like a good photo to post when talking about what you run in…

Question for you: Are you training? 

Hollie 54 Comments
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