Archive for January 7th, 2012
January 7, 2012
13.1 Miles: Training Week 2
I have been officially training for my half-marathon for 2 weeks now. You can find a breakdown and introduction to my training program in last weekend’s update: Training Week 1.
I felt good after the first week of training and was ready to kick Week 2′s booty.
Day 5
Monday: January 2, 2012
Training Week 2 started out nice and easy, with a group run at Lake Eola. That seems to be my favorite place to run these days. I’m sure if I lived closer to it I would run there every training day. Since Monday was an observed holiday, Scott and I had a few friends join us.
Besides the temperature dropping down to the 30s what the heck, Florida? it was a nice and easy run in my new Spenco Ploysorb Crosstrainer Insoles.
Miles: 3
Time: 25:22
Speed: 7.1mi/h
Pace: 8:29min/mi
Post-Run Meal:
Since we all had the morning off, we celebrated our run with breakfast at the Breakfast Club downtown. Both Erin and I got The Mediterranean Omelet with egg whites, and I got a side of tomato slices with dry wheat toast.
Day 6
Wednesday: January 4, 2012
Wednesday’s run was another 4-miler. I had bad memories of last Saturday when I was really hot and barely got through it, so we took our run a little earlier this time. Since the weather cooled down a ton, our run around the neighborhood was actually enjoyable and went by pretty quickly.
Can you tell I have a thing for running outside…near lakes? 
Miles: 4
Time: 36:46
Speed: 6.8mi/h
Pace: 8:46min/mi
Post-Run Meal:
 |
|
Taken via Instagram. View my gallery |
Waffles can be healthy and happy. Here I smiled making Kashi Blueberry Whole Grain Waffles smeared with homemade apple butter (gift from a co-worker), topped with sliced banana and sprinkled chia seeds, with a side of Jennie-O Extra Lean Turkey Bacon.
Day 7
Thursday: January 5, 2012
I thought Day 7 was going to be a bit of a challenge, since I had been training at the barre studio all morning. If you haven’t heard of barre yet…you’re missing out. It’s a 54-minute full body workout that stems from yoga, pilates and ballet using light weights, isometric exercises and stretching.
For more info, check out my barre54 Workout post. Thursday was exciting for me because I taught my very first barre warm-up.
I got hungry on the drive home, so I picked up my favorite healthy Subway 6″ and a few hours later I was ready to run.
Miles: 3
Time: 26:15
Speed: 6.8mi/h
Pace: 8:48min/mi
Post-Run Meal:
As soon as I got inside I chugged a DrinkChia! (loved the Mango-Tangerine flavor) while I made a serving of instant oatmeal topped with sliced strawberries, a Morning Star Farms Maple-Flavored Veggie Sausage Patty and a handful of raw, unsalted almonds.
Day 8
Saturday: January 7, 2012
Today I was a lot little nervous about running 5 consecutive miles, but we got through it in a pretty good time. On longer distance runs, I’ve learned to extend my running path, rather than just circling around more times. Today we took a completely new path in our neighborhood that was 2.5 miles there and 2.5 miles home.
New scenery always seems to make the run go by faster.
Before the run, Scott and I fueled up by splitting a large glass of Odwalla Carrot Juice mixed with Farmstand Apple Trop 50 Juice and each had a Cashew Pretzel Zone Perfect Protein Bar.
 |
| I live off of these things… I’m sure you’ll see a lot more of them. |
This drink combo is great together and is light enough to drink before a run.
Miles: 5
Time: 43:53
Speed: 6.8mi/h
Pace: 8:47min/mi
Post-Run Meal:
After the run, I made a huge cop of coffee while scrambling eggbeaters with reduced-fat Colby Jack cheese, heated up a Morning Star Farms Hot & Spicy Veggie Sausage Patty, and toasted two slices of whole wheat bread smeared in what remained of our homemade apple butter.
This breakfast held us over, while getting ready for a weekend.
What I’ve learned this week:
- Running Shoe Insoles are a great idea – for anyone – especially for training long distances.
- It’s important to get nutrients before AND after your run, especially on long distance days.
- Any kind of Carrot and Apple juice (Day 8 pre-run drink) together is fantastic.
- Having a goal to speed up my 3 and 4 mile times by 2 minutes is silly. A goal of maintaining my time or reducing it by :30 is more realistic.
- Changing up your running path can help you get through longer runs.
Goals for next week:
Maintain my 3 mile run to a consistent 25 mins each time.
Get through the 6 mile run next Saturday.
Happy Saturday Everyone!
Training Week 2 Playlist coming soon…
January 7, 2012
Orlando Magic Basketball Game
{what I wore to NBA Basketball.}
Sweater: Marshalls
Scarf: Miley Cirus via Wal-Mart (seriously.)
Skinny Belt: Forever 21 (turned around and looped in back).
Skinny Jeans: Forever 21
Ankle Boots: Forever 21
Bracelets: Aldo
Nails: Sally Hansen Nail Strips in Glitz Blitz
Wristlet: Stein Mart
Lips: MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipglass
*Post: Bittersweet Basketball
January 7, 2012
Bittersweet Basketball
Scott and I went to the Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards game on Wednesday night.
The whole day we were both a tad irritable, and I think it’s because we were nervous about going to our old stomping ground that just so happens to be the Amway Center. Both Scott and I worked for the Magic and spent my four seasons dancing there side by side.
Back in June within the blink of an eye, Scott’s position with the Magic disappeared, leaving me to make one of the hardest decisions of my life: I decided to hang up my dancing boots and not re-try out for the 2011-12 season.
It was the right decision for both me and for our first year of marriage, and it was the only fair thing to do in case we end up moving to new city. We’re trusting in God’s plan for us and know it will all make sense in *2012*.To be honest, I don’t think either of us were ready to go back to see everyone yet, but we both sucked it up and went to the game anyways…
It was bittersweet.
We were a little bitter…and these cupcakes were a lot sweet.
It was completely different being on the other side’s perspective. We have both been a part of Game Nights for the past four years (Scott had been nine), so it was our first time going to a Magic game together as spectators. The basketball was good…although that’s not really what I focused on.At halftime I went with a few other former Magic Dancers to our old locker room and took advantage of the opportunity to take a picture in front of our “cubes” we got ready in.
Part of me wanted to re-arrange the stuff in my cube to how it should be, but I refrained from doing so. Part of me wanted to take a pair of pom poms and sneak into the girls line up ready to go on court, but I refrained from that too.
Instead, I found my dance manager Jeanine and took a picture with her.
Since I didn’t really plan my “retirement” from the team, I never really got my goodbye photos in the locker room and I was taking full advantage of this situation.When I went back out to the floor, I found my assistant manager Cherie and got another goodbye photo with her.
Isn’t she sassy? They’re always stylin’ on the sidelines.It was great running into everyone, catching up and giving hugs. A few people were a little surprised to see us there, but I guess the time had to come sooner or later….
Ready or not – HERE WE ARE!
We came. We saw. We conquered.
Thanks, Danielle for putting up with all of it! 
You know what they say….when life throws you lemons, make lemonade. Knocking off the first few resolutions of our New Year in 2012:
spend more time with friends
be spontaneous
go to a Magic game
Although I may have “hung up my dancing boots” with the Magic, I’m still a source of information and have a lot of advice on what it takes to dance in the NBA. Feel free to contact me with any questions, anytime.
I’ve started writing weekly for a blog based on a book about auditioning for a professional sports team called FullOut: The Series. If you or anyone you know is thinking about trying out for an NBA/NFL dance or cheer team: check out my article on Audition Outfit Fashion.
Questions:
What’s one of your bittersweet moments?
Working on any New Years Resolutions?
January 7, 2012
Out with the Old, Insole the New
Since beginning my half-marathon training a few weeks ago, I have finally equipped myself with a great pair of running shoes to get me through. I have tossed the idea of using running insoles for my shoes back and forth, and finally gave them a try for the first time this week.
*Thank you Dr. Gideon Lewis for providing me with these Spenco PolySorb Crosstrainer Insoles.
At first, I was a bit weary that the insoles might make my shoe a little tighter, but he assured me the insoles would just be replacing my Mizuno Wave soles.
*TIP: Some people insert their insoles on top of the ones that already come in the shoe. If you get a good quality pair fit for training, there’s no need to double up.
Insoles help prevent calluses and blisters, which was one of my concerns with running and average of 20+ miles a week. During my first 3-mile run in them, my feet felt cushioned and I had a comfortable run.
From this side by side comparison, it’s easy to see why.
Plain and simple: insoles provide more thickness, cushion and support.
The insoles that come in your running shoes lack durability and are likely to retain wetness (sweat) and odor. Simply replacing your insoles can extend your running shoe shelf life a few months, depending on how much you use them.
Will I continue using insoles in my shoes?
For the gym: probably not necessary. For half-marathons and training: definitely.
Questions:
- Do you use running shoe insoles? If so, have you tried Spenco?
- What other brands out there compare?
Follow