3 Miles at 93 Degrees

After biting the bullet and signing up for the 2011 Wine and Dine Half Marathon in October, I decided to start the training again. Some days, it's just so hot in central Florida to run during the day. I can't wait until night because I've been working 5 A.M. shifts, so I basically go to bed by 8 or 9 P.M. Lame. I seriously feel old some days because of my bedtime schedule.

Yesterday, I ran approximately 3.0 miles in the scorching 93 degree heat. The pace was around 14 mph, which was completely fine considering the heat. It felt like 9 miles. I'm hydrating and ready for a 3.5 mile run tomorrow in the even more scorching heat.

Maybe I can brave the treadmill because any more than 5 miles in that heat will most certainly be death for me.

I'll keep my eye on the prize!

Neglected Blog

So I feel bad for neglecting this blog. I haven't forgotten about it. It's still on my high priority to-do list, but with my new role at Disney, I have new sacrifices. That means I wake up around 4:00 a.m. every day and work until 1:30 p.m., and head home exhausted. I am not giving up running. I know I'll have more time when I finally get adjusted to this. Plus, we were forced to get new slip-resistant shoes for the kitchen, so breaking in shoes hurts my legs. My old shoes were finally broken in, and I had to trade them in for these uncomfortable ones.

I wanted to share a few new iPhone and Android apps for those who are getting into 'life changes' (formerly known as diets) and working out.

1. Fooducate: Scan your food at the grocery store. The application will 'rate' the food from A - F based on its nutritional content. I went through everything & scanned things that I thought were pretty healthy for you. Come to find out - it's not so healthy for me. Not that I'll throw away food, but I'll think twice when I buy it from the grocery store next time. It's free from the App Store, so get yours now.
2. Runkeeper: Haven't gotten a chance to use it since I just downloaded it for free from the App Store. It keeps track of your runs with your iPhone using the GPS. I'm excited to try it out.

As soon as pay day comes around this Thursday, I'm going to be buying those Vibram Five Fingers.

The First Two Miles

The past few days have been pretty hectic. I started my running and just did a light two mile run down International Drive. Worst. Mistake. Ever. For one, I realize that people don't look out for pedestrians on International Drive. Secondly, nor do they use turn signals. My boyfriend suggested I just make a right and head down to another major road and then make a turn around. I just mapquest-ed it, and it's about 1.55 mile each way, giving me a nice 5K (3.1 mile) distance.

I'm just apprehensive about running on roads without sidewalks. I tend to be clumsy, and I wouldn't want to hurt myself a few miles away from home. Thank goodness for technology. I'd at least have my iPhone to call people with - that is, if it's not dying.

247 days until race day.

New Playlist

For anyone who knows me, I'm completely content with playing the same music on my iPod over and over again. But the time has come...

Help me pick out new music! So, all I'm asking is for you to post your favorite song here. Easy, right? Well, I'm completely clueless about music today - simply because I listen to Pandora more than the radio because I have no idea what stations to listen to in Orlando.

A Testament to Perseverance

You know that saying if you fall, get up and try again? Well, I truly believe in it. Some people fall earlier in life. Some people hit a bump in their ideal path. Others are lucky to not have to deal with tripping until later in life. Well, if I've learned anything, it's to keep trying and trying again. If it's something you really want to do, don't let anything stop you.

Yesterday, my father politely reminded me that this is double the mileage of the half marathon. (Thanks, dad! I think I knew that signing up for it.) At least he said he'll pray for me and to train hard. (Thanks, I'll need all the prayers I can get.) Anyway, I wanted to publicly congratulate my wonderful and loving boyfriend in getting into his Masters of Hospitality Management program. I know he will do great things.

Today, I decided that tomorrow marks the beginning of my running, and I can't procrastinate anymore. It's still really hot out here, but at least if I can get my run done in the morning (around 7:00 a.m.), I'd be better off for it. So here's to an early morning run as far as my ill-prepared legs can take me.

I LOVE Inspiration Mail

As many of you know, working out and running is all mental. Gold's Gym had a quote on the door: "The hardest part is getting there." I actually enjoy working out at the gym, but unfortunately, I'm not going to be here so long, so I won't sign up for a gym membership until I move in August.

The best part of blogging/social networking is having someone notice that you're doing something big. I haven't been blogging a while, but I have been trying to keep track of my races and running on Facebook. Well, I didn't think anyone really noticed, but today I opened up my Facebook messages to get this awesome note from a friend:

hey vanessa, long time no talk! this is going to sound ridiculously cheesy, but i think it's really great (and sooo inspirational) that you are doing the disney marathon. i noticed on facebook all the running you did last year and i decided that my new years resolution for this year would be to start running too. another one of my friends attempted the half marathon at the beginning of january and unfortunately was unable to keep up with the time requirements and was pulled from the race. so i made it my goal to help her and be able to finish the half marathon in january 2012.

ANYWAY what that long drawn out pointless story was attempting to say is that i know you'll be able to do it! you have really motivated me to run. i just wanted you to know that :)

my friend and i are doing the wine and dine half marathon relay race because she's still embarrassed about being pulled from the half marathon. but hopefully i'll see you that weekend! and hopefully i'll be able to reach my half marathon goal in january. but i am so jealous of your drive and motivation, and again, i know all the hard work will pay off for you

The great part of running is having friends to run with. A lot of my friends don't run, which is a downside for me. So when the going gets tough, I like to think of Finding Nemo.

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming. Swimming, swimming." - Dory

Anyway, the next time a friend is training for a goal, do them a favor and show them that you support them. Who knows? You just might make their day! (;

Bumper Stickers - Motivation

- OR -

Which bumper sticker should I buy for my marathon? Yes. I am going to buy a nice bumper sticker as incentive to put on my car. I did it for the half marathon and clipped it to my monthly calendar as a motivation that there was an upcoming race worthy of being trained for. I have the bumper sticker on the right (except with 13.1) that's already on my car. But I thought that the tiara princess one would be a nice addition to my car. I already like the color pink, so it's not a color issue. It's just a design issue. Which one would you pick?

I'm beginning my diet again. More healthy carbs for lunch and none for dinner, since I'll plan on doing my running mid-afternoon, early evening. However, if I can't manage that (on certain days), I'll have to do late night runs on the treadmill (dislike). I'm almost feeling up to running again - mainly I'm waiting for my congestion to clear up before I actually start running.

I'm happy to report that I've been soda-free for almost 45 days. I originally gave it up for Easter, but I decided not to drink it anymore because I tend to over-drink soda, which has way too much sugar instead. Doesn't mean that I won't have a sweet tea (with more water than tea) every once in a while.