First Run, First Indulgences of 2011

I did my first run of 2011, which was also my first long run.  Today's run party consists of Ms. M, Mr. J and me. We did an easy 3.8 mile run with Ms. M.  She is still under the weather but decided to run since she didn't have a fever. Her dedication and perseverance are traits I need to work on.  Then, Mr. J and I continued the run, taking a route that Ms. M suggested.  While running it, I decided to take Mr. J through the cemetery route since it would probably put at around or close to 8 miles.  We chatted about Christmas and New Year, talked about eating our black eyed peas and cornbread, about kids, and resolutions. Mr. J and I talked about half marathon races and he is planning on running his first half this year. He can definitely do it! He also convinced me to start doing strength training and said he definitely thought it helped a great deal with his running.

Random Thoughts (because I had moments of silence when we ran through some gradual inclines)
1. Wear a hat/beanie when running in the cold.
2. Wear your gloves when running in the cold.
3. I conveniently forgot my reflective vest this morning. The truth is, I hate wearing an extra thing. I know it is not safe for running in the dark. I'll do better next time.
4. Why don't sport apparel companies use more reflective strips on their clothing? I mean, a little reflective logo or an 1-inch strip doesn't really do much good.
5. It is tempting to call it a day when I run past my car.
6. Never run back to the car if I want to run longer.  (We ran back to the car and a little beyond it so we'll hit 8 miles today. Honestly, I could have ran at least a mile more. But the car, man, it's like screw being an overachiever and let me just do what's necessary. Next time, I'll run around and extend it just a tad.)

New Year-related Indulgences

The boyfriend and I rang in the new year with a few glasses of wine.  We also ate an ice cream cone from McDonald's. Yes, I love my McDonald's, and I don't care what you think.

A delicious sweet white wine. A gift from a friend.

I had a good new year's day yesterday.  Boyfriend and I tried a new pizza buffet place. We hardly go out  to eat and I'm always excited to eat out with him. It's like a real date-date. :) Pizza was good - it was a thin crust pizza and they have different kinds of specialty pizza.  Everything was fresh and delicious. I didn't eat until I was miserable. I actually stopped when I felt satisfied.

I went and picked a friend up at the airport. After which, we went to a Japanese restaurant and had some sushi, teriyaki chicken, and vegetable tempura. It was delicious and satisfying. Again, I can probably eat MORE but I didn't. We ordered 3 rolls and kept the sushi menu, so if we're still hungry, we can always order more.  We even took leftovers home to the boyfriend.

Popping the Fartlek Cherry

Yes! I completed my first fartlek E.V.E.R! And let me tell you, it was awesome blossom!  I refrained from using "fartlek" on my Facebook status update. I fear. I fear. I fear.
Last week's runs weren't exactly stellar nor inspiring. I usually get inspired after my runs - partly because I surprise myself either with a distance or a pace that was better than what I had expected. Last week was just "blah" - as bland as tepid water running from the faucet. Maybe I am getting a little "bored" with the runs, so I decided to shake things up a little this week and do something that will make me miss running.
Nah ... I am not taking off from running this week. I am just going to do some shorter runs during the week and maybe a faster pace 5 miles or so during the weekend.  I think that will make me want to jump back to doing longer, farther distance after laying low for a week.

So, today, I hopped on the 'mill and took it for a spin. My first fartlek ever! I had the 'mill set to INTERVAL training, and began with caution. Then, I realized it was freaking slow. So I upped the pace. I finally decided to set it on sprints at 9:05/mile pace and recovery runs at 12:00/mile pace. The 12:00/mile pace is a no brainer because that's the pace I feel comfortable and I know I can catch my breath. The 9:05/mile pace was just a pace where I know I will have some difficulty conversing with an actual human being. That's the pace where I have to just breathe in and out and keep my legs going.

It worked! All in all, I completed 3.02 miles in 31:53 minutes. I am stoked.

I will be away for a conference this week and I have packed my running shoes, socks, outfits in my suitcase. I am hoping I will get 2 runs in at the fitness center at the hotel this week - nothing too much, just another fartlek of 3 miles or so. We'll see. I will be with a bunch of colleagues and rooming with two. I don't exactly know how early they wake up or late they go to bed. So, I am going to test the water out. :) Wish me luck!

See, I am inspired after this run and I love this feeling.

Question: How do you juggle running/training when you are not on your "home turf" ????