Virtual 5K

Today, I participated in a Virtual 5K to celebrate the birthday of blogger, Runs for Cookies.  It was a great reason to get me into the gym.  No, a training plan is never a great reason.

Since I had missed a scheduled 3 mile run yesterday, I decided to run my 5K on the treadmill and then do 3 miles on the elliptical.

My last couple of times on the treadmill have sucked.  I forgot how hard, mentally, it is to run on that thing.  I use to only run on treadmills when I started!  Now, it's torture.

So, I had to go in with a game plan.  I decided I would run the 5K on the 'random' option in order to feel more like I was outside.  That way, I could increase and decrease the speed as the incline increased and decreased.

I walked for five minutes to warm up and then started my program.  I plugged in 36 minutes for a finish time, since that was my goal time for the race that I had made for myself.

It was a rough run, but better then I have felt lately.  I ran between a 5mph (12:00 min/mile) and a 5.8 (10:34 min/mile).  My first mile was 11:19.  While that is usually a little faster then I do outside, it was way too fast for the treadmill.  I took a walk break after I hit mile 1.  Then, another walk break at 1.5miles.  Then, another one around 2 ish miles.  Mile 2 was a little over 12 min/mile average pace.  I didn't even pay attention to mile 3, but I was getting a little worried that I wouldn't finish in time.  The last two minutes I kicked up the pace and came in right under my goal at 35 min 45 sec!

I was dripping sweat everywhere!  I felt good though.  A bit tired, but strong.  I did another 41 minutes in the cardio cinema watching The Ghost Writer.  I really had no idea what was going on, but I like the idea of watching a movie while I work out so there are no commercials.  I finished with 2.76 miles on the elliptical.

After that, I rushed home to get ready for Craft Night.  It was only going to be Laura and I, but that was okay since I don't see her enough!
I made my version of a stuffed pepper casserole.  It turned out pretty good.  Laura made a pear crisp that was really YUM!

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

3c. cooked rice
2c. spaghetti sauce
1 whole, green pepper, diced
3 mushrooms, diced
1.25c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375.  Mix all ingredients except the cheese together in a bowl.  Spread into a 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle the cheese over the top.  Bake about 40 minutes, or until cheese starts to turn a golden brown around the edges.  Makes 8 servings.

Since I have been doing Weight Watchers, this dish was 5 PP per serving!

I work a short shift tomorrow and then a lot of running around.

Sunday is weigh in day and my 5 mile long run.

What are your weekend running plans?

I Finally Gave In

Last week, I finally gave in and joined the gym.  I love running outside, but it has been getting too cold and icy for me to suck it up anymore!  And, I figured, I have to start tri training soon, so I'll need a pool and spin classes.

Running on the treadmill still sucks, but it's better than wearing 100 layers of clothes and getting frustrated at the weather.  I mean, I live in WI, it's going to get cold.

I am glad that I have the options for classes again.  I have been to a yoga class and felt so much better afterwards.  I also discovered the cardio cinema.  I went today with the plan to see what movie was playing and if it was something I liked I would just use the elliptical instead of running.  Well, they were playing Dark Shadows; the new one with Johnny Depp...a.k.a my future husband.  I would have watched the whole thing, but I had to get to the hospital to visit Melissa and her twins!

Both mommy and babies are doing well and will come home tomorrow!  Let the games begin!

Would you rather run inside or outside in cold weather?

Early Bird

Yesterday morning my alarm went off at 4am.  I quickly shut it off, knowing another alarm was set for 4:30am.  I instantly fell back asleep and when the 4:30 alarm went off, I laid there for a minute debating whether I should go back to sleep or get up.  I actually got up.

I set my alarm so early, because I really had been wanting to check out the new YMCA.  And after my run the night before, I was feeling so great that I wanted to run the next day too and figured why not go to the new gym?

I got up, made coffee and toast and watched some I Love Lucy.  I got dressed and left before 6am!

When I got to the gym there weren't too many people working out.  A couple of people on the treadmill, a couple on the elliptical,  a couple lifting weights.  I had already decided that I was going to run. So I got on one and got started.  I wished they had some treadmills without the TVs on them.  I was listening to my music while running and having that black screen inches from my face was a little annoying.  If it wasn't there I could have watched the swimmers down in the pool or looked outside.

I managed to get to 3 miles before having to give up.  I hate treadmills and I was surprised I made it that far.  I decided to walk around the track a few times that they have circling the outer perimeter of the workout area.  Then I stretched before heading back out.

The sun coming up as I was leaving the gym.

I will probably go to the old Y again when the road construction is all finished.  It's much closer to me.  I'm glad I went to check it out though.  I still want to check out a class called Piloxing, but it's at 5:30am!  Maybe one of these days.

After I got home from the gym, I jumped in the shower right away.  Then I made some vegetables up with rice to use as a fajita mix for lunch that day.  Having to buy my lunch yesterday didn't work out well and I ate WAY too much, so today I made sure to prepare something.  

It has green, yellow, and orange peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and green beans.  I added some chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder for seasoning.  Then put in some rice I had cooked up already.  I ate it on a tortilla with some salsa for lunch.  It was quite yummy.

After work, I was pooped.  I had to change and get ready to go shopping with my friend.  We went down to the Prime Outlets in Pleasant Prairie.  She had a couple of things she wanted to buy and I just love going to check it all out.  I finally found some running shoes I like and after doing some Internet research found that buying them at the Outlet will be cheaper.  

After the Outlet, we stopped at Taco Bell.  I tried the new Cantina Bowl.  It was pretty good, but I think it would be better on a tortilla.  I'm not sure if I would ever get it again.  

I think I will take today as a rest day.  I close at work the next two days, so I think I will just run tomorrow morning.  

Happy Hump Day!