There's Nothing Like...

an awesome run

to put you in a good mood!

This is "runner's high clip art" from Google Images, I'm that random.  (source)

I don't know what it is, but lately my runs have not been giving me that amazing, accomplished, I'm awesome feeling.  Of course not every run is going to do that, but I've been in a bit of a rut, having a bunch of these so-so runs for the past couple weeks.

It's not fair, I just want to go for a decent run!!!  (source)

Let me back up a little bit.  I have some ideas of what could be contributing to my lack luster runs.  Numero uno being NJ humidity and heat!  I am so not used to these running conditions.  By the end of a 5 mile run I'm all sweated out, with no energy left to give.  Not a good feeling when I was going out for easy 10-milers at the beach the last few weeks I was in San Diego!

Lovely, just lovely. (source)

Number two would be not fueling properly.  I'm on a new schedule, currently unemployed and I'm not about to wake up at 5 a.m. if I don't have to.  So if I eat dinner at 7, go to bed and wake up at 7 (I actually wake up later!)  that's 12 hours with no food and although I may have some glycogen stores in my body, it's not enough if I'm planning longer than a 2 mile run.  No wonder I'm hitting a "wall" at the end of a 5 mile run and cutting runs short!

Everything I've ever learned about fueling properly, I learned from this book. It gives you the science of how to fuel your body, must read! ::wink, wink::  (source)

And finally, I'm playing on a co-ed softball league with Shane and some friends.  Although it's not the MOST physically demanding, I know my body just isn't used to that all out short running to bases with little warm up and softball in general.  And I got knocked in the shin with a bouncy ball, ow!


Okay so now that I've identified possible problem areas, let's fast forward to Monday's run.  

(source)

Serious awesome-sauce!  It was like everything was just right.  It actually started off with me being lazy.  I was so discouraged with my past few runs I didn't even want to go outside and attempt another one.  So I made myself my usual b-fast, made some coffee and chilled out for about 45 minutes.  But then I started to get antsy and bargained with myself to go for an easy paced 4.5 miles.

As I stepped outside I noticed something was missing.  The humidity!  It was a gorgeous day, not too hot, and it didn't feel like I was wearing a wet blanket!  Well I started out along my usual route and after about a mile I really started to find my running groove.  I felt rested, fueled, and wasn't a sweaty mess!


As I approached the turn around spot for 4.5 miles I told myself, "Go ahead.  Go a little further today.  What's up this road anyway?"  As this is my boyfriend's neck of the woods (we're literally in the woods) I genuinely didn't know what was beyond my turn-around.  So I went for it.  And it was fantastic!  It was a great route with lots of tree cover and flat, flat, flat!


I payed attention to time, knowing I shouldn't go more than 8 miles since I didn't want to increase my mileage too fast.  So I headed for home and even had the energy to sprint as soon as the house was in sight.

Ahhh, running bliss.  Monday's run truly boosted back my confidence and I'm looking forward to getting out and hitting the road.  I  have some races in mind for fall and a running goal that I want to share so I push myself to achieve it.  I'm not officially in training mode yet, right now I'm just running and building a base for when training begins in a few weeks!


Have you ever found yourself in a running (or any type of workout) funk?  What did it take to get you out of it?

When do you run?  Do you always eat a pre-workout meal or snack?

In a Nutshell

Hi there blog-a-boos!  Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!  I've been taking pictures of my eats all day (minus one banana; I was ravenous and needed it at that moment!), so stay tuned for my very first What I Ate Wednesday, otherwise known as WIAW!

Shane and I have been keeping pretty busy here in NJ.  I'll give you a quick recap...in a nutshell! Over this past couple weeks Shane has been working all over the tri-state area, training for his new job and I've been applying like crazy for a teaching job in the fall/summer employment.

Since I can't apply to jobs all day, I've been walking to the lake that is literally right around the corner. 

This picture was taken on my first visit to the lake.  Quiet, serene, peaceful.

 Today however there was an abundance of teenage boys, I think because a lot of the schools had 1/2 days due to the extremely hot temperatures.  Oh joy.

 Although a lake beach is not my first choice, I feel very lucky to have the option!

A few days ago I took Shane's niece, Natalie, to the lake.  Of course that meant I had to go in deeper than my knees.  I kept on my flip flops and slowly made my way in.  Can you tell I'm not into the whole swimming in lakes?  They sort of gross me out, but I'm getting better!

The next step is to buy water shoes that don't fall off.  And dunking my head under the water.  Then if I'm really brave, practice open water swimming since I MIGHT be doing a sprint distance triathlon at the end of the summer.

Oh I didn't tell you?  That's because I'm not officially signed up, don't have a bike, and have a fear of swimming in bodies of water besides pools.  Hm, I have the desire but don't know if I will actually go through with it this summer.

I've also been RUNNING in my new neighborhood.  With no job I've been waking up sort of early, and only because I need to beat the heat.

My runs have not been stellar lately.  I just can't seem to get myself out of this funk.  I think it's a combination of lower motivation, not used to heat/humidity, and my muscles have been tight lately!  So I've been doing some yoga in my makeshift yoga studio ;)  

There's been some trivia nights.  Our team lost.  And I can't say the name of the team since a bunch of 12 (I mean 25) year old boys thought it would be funny to prank the announcer with a very dirty name when pronounced. 

But my outfit was a win; cute right?  Classy bathroom shot, SkinnyRunner style.

And there's been softball!  Shane and I are on a co-ed softball league.  We signed up while we were still in San Diego and so we missed 3 games, but I'm glad we've started up!

 I haven't played softball since gym in high school.  I kid you not.  It's just not my thang.  But I'm having so much fun!

I've actually been making contact with the ball, getting on bases, and even scored a run last night!

Shane's not trying to ruin the picture, he's only saying hi!

Have a fabulous night, my sweet potatoes are about ready to come out of the oven.