Run Woodstock 2012

I started my official training regimen last week for my very first FULL marathon!  In case you're interested, the race is the Running Fit Run Woodstock which takes place the first weekend of September in Pinckney, MI.  If you're in the area you should stop by!  There are a variety of distances for the more and less practiced runner.  It looks like a blast and I absolutely cannot wait!

So far training has been light, as I technically bumped down my mileage to prevent injuries.  I'm still vegan and going strong (except for the occasional cookie, but who's counting?)  My body feels stronger and I keep reducing my mile time.  I'll keep you all updated!

Ps.  I GRADUATED :D

done.

I'm DONE!!  I cannot even begin to describe to you how absolutely fantastic it feels to be finished with my undergraduate education forever!  Finals were rough, but I made it through and managed my highest semester GPA yet ... well, still waiting on one grade, but things are looking good :)

Updates on going vegan:  I feel fantastic!  Sometimes I do feel a little annoying when telling people I'm vegan now, because they feel the need to make special accommodations (please don't!  I can work my way around meat/cheese dishes!), but other than that I've found my dietary transition to be going smoothly.  My running times have improved already, and I feel more energetic and strong during my runs as well.  I've also re-discovered my love of cooking, which I hope can continue now that I'm no longer in school and have significantly more free time.  Next on my recipe-tackle list is vegan mac n' cheese, which if you know me, you know is one of my all-time favorite foods.  Wish me luck!

Please, if you have any good vegan recipes or tips, pass them along!  I appreciate you in advance!

vegan.

So my dear friend Alina and I have decided to go vegan.  I experimented with the notion for the week following spring break as more of a detox, and found that I felt a lot more energetic and healthy.  I also discovered that by eliminating animal products from my diet, my running improved, and in JUST ONE WEEK!  I was only set on eating vegan for the week following spring break, so I transitioned back to eating omnivorously again afterwards.

I've been feeling weak and sluggish again lately and didn't really make a connection with my diet, I just thought I might be stressed with finals coming up and term papers due.  Today is officially day 2 of my vegan-again lifestyle (strictly dietary -- can't say I could ever give up leather) and I'm already feeling great!  I've always known I am slightly lactose-intolerant, but was never terribly bothered as long as I avoided drinking milk straight or eating it with cereal.  Perhaps the dairy I was eating hidden in foods, such as cheeses put in sauces, skim milk in my coffee, or the cream hidden in my all-time favorite tomato basil bisque, is the secret culprit?  I suppose I shall see.  I'll continue posting my progress, as long as what I'm eating and how I'm running.  Any other vegans out there?

Day 2:

Breakfast -- coffee (black)
Lunch -- Naked brand Green Machine juice, roasted red pepper hummus with pita bread
Dinner -- (Seva's restaurant) Tempeh burger with daiya and basil-cashew pesto and sweet potato fries.
Dessert -- unsweetened applesauce

Run -- 9.2 miles in 84 minutes

two-a-days.

I admit, I've been a little lazy with my running program.  I started with guns blazing, but suffered a severe progress plateau about 2 months in.  My running started getting harder, and my lung capacity seems like it's decreasing.  Ugh.  Yesterday, however, I looked at my calendar and realized that the Detroit Half Marathon is only 2 months and 8 days away.  With school starting soon I know I won't be able to run as much as I'd like, so I've decided to punish myself for being so lazy with two-a-days until I get back into a groove.  Wish me luck!

I am woman.

If you know me, or if you are one of my several loyal followers, you know that I love to run (I am currently training for my first half-marathon)!  I would consider myself a 'runner,' but to me that sounds more like a person who runs tens of miles a day.  I am not that intense, and even if I had the time...who the hell wants to run much more than 10 miles a day, everyday, anyways?

To me, the feeling I get while running is multi-dimensional.  For starters, the flood of endorphins interacting with the opiate receptors of my brain (aka runners' high), is absolutely euphoric!  Also, what better way is there to relieve stress than pounding out the pavement while blaring Eminem?  Thirdly, I love the overwhelming feelings of physical and emotional strength I get from overcoming my screaming muscles and the voice in my head tempting me to stop.  After a great run, I feel like a strong and powerful woman, and that to me, is the the best part about running.