Just Keep Running

Source: 26.media.tumblr.com via Briana on Pinterest

Spring Break

I am sad to report that during my spring break, my running also took a break. Not only did my running take a break, but obviously my blog and the rest of my schoolwork. Sorry folks, but at least I am back, right?

There are some things that happened before spring break that I forgot to report to you all. The Wednesday before I went home my little and I went run/walking to the lake. We went a record 4.5 miles! I was super happy and proud of us. She picked me up from the airport yesterday and we got right back in to running today. We went to a lake in Columbia, Maryland.

The coolest thing about this lake is that all around the lake they have this weird yet awesome thing called the world trail. There were about 10 stops and each on had a different fitness-related task. There were monkey bars, a balance beam, a chin-up bar, a sit-up station, and many other things that I cannot remember right now. It was AWESOME and I cannot wait to go back :).

In other news, back in school as of tomorrow, full of two assignments and two exams this week, so wish me luck to keep my running up while trying to be an actual student!

More later,
B

Commitment

The last thing I wanted to do today was go to the gym. I didn't feel very well, not sick just a pretty blah kind of day. My housemates were all going to the gym, and were saying "Briana, we are going around 9pm," and in my head I was thinking "that's great but I am not going to the gym." HA. In the end, I decided that I would, in fact, go to the gym.
                

Source: weheartit.com via Briana on Pinterest

See, I simply just HAD to go! I ran 2 miles in 25 minutes, which I was pretty proud of, but I of course stayed on for a total of 30 minutes. I ended up going 2.3 miles in 30 minutes with an average pace of 13:03min/mile, which is not nearly my fastest, but still respectable in my book.

I haven't blogged about running accessories recently, so I feel obligated to tell you about my latest purchase from SweatyBands. I love running with my hair down -- it makes me feel super bad-ass and, to be honest, mildly sexy. Since it has started getting hot outside (something I am also not ok with), I decided to invest in some sweaty bands. These headbands are designed to stick to your hair in order to keep you hair out of your face while you are exercising.

Via Sweatybands.com

I am so excited about this headband, and cannot wait to review it once I receive it in the mail!

All for now,
B

Roommates

I am very fortunate to be housemates with the woman behind the magic of Some Sugar to Make You Sweet. She shares her adventures in baking and cooking anything that is, well, sweet. While it may not be the best thing to be roommates with someone who is constantly offering you sweets, I must say that last week when I ate her Pomegranate Chocolate Cupcake I was pleasantly surprised with how delicious it was. Normally, my favorite part of a cupcake is the frosting, but there was NO frosting on this particular cupcake and I still loved it!

Hopefully I can encourage her to run and she can continue to feed me sweets :)

All for now,
B

Results

Today was the day, I ran outside for the first time, and let me be the first to tell you that it. was. AWESOME. Let me tell you about it. Two of my sorority sisters and I ran 1.5 miles to the lake today without stopping. Not only was this the furthest distance I have ever run without stopping, but this was also done at the fastest pace I had ever run, about 11 minutes/mile. YAY.

Once we got to the lake, I was blown away with how pretty it was.

Isn't it beautiful? Once we got to the lake, we walked around the lake, which was one mile, and then we walked home, which was another mile. We ended up going 3.68 miles in 58 minutes with an average pace of 15:30 minutes/mile. This is awesome because we got to 3.1 miles in 48 minutes, which means that when I run my 5K on April 7th it will be WAY faster than 48 because I know I could've run way more today. SO excited. I also can't wait to go to the lake again, maybe I will even go tomorrow!

Also, my running goals for the week were met today! I have run 10.33 miles so far  this week, and I stretched after every run!

Truth

Source: tarasabo.blogspot.com via Briana on Pinterest

Rookie Mistakes

A few weeks ago, I blogged about how taking ten days off was a giant mistake, well let me tell you, running three days in a row is also a GIANT mistake. With the high of winning my award and the anticipation of my April 1st try on date, I decided to be ambitious and run three days in a row.

 Now, to be honest, this wasn't exactly planned. I ran Monday and Tuesday on purpose, and was totally planning to take Wednesday off, while running Thursday, yoga on Friday, and the big outdoor run on Saturday. Today I was sitting, trying to do my non-blogging homework, and all I could think about was running. I love running. I don't know when that happened, but it did, and I just felt it today, my body nagging at me to go to the gym and run. Who really wants to do homework, right?

Source: runningandbeautifulabs.tumblr.com via Briana on Pinterest

I also stumbled upon this lovely sign, so I gave in and went to the gym and attempted to run. It was not pretty. I did a mere 2 miles in 31 minutes. I only ran for 6 of those minutes, and walked the rest, although I did walk 6 or so minutes at a 10 degree incline. All in all, I am proud of myself, but let me tell you - my legs hurt. And not just a normal hurt, a burning hurt! Needless to say, I will be taking tomorrow, Thursday, off from the gym. Friday, I still plan on doing yoga, and Saturday I will run outside!

We will see how this goes, as I have a day full of meetings on Friday and fully intend on cooking dinner for my boyfriend, which is a rarity.

Happy Hump Day,
B

The Great Outdoors

I am afraid to run outside, and no, I am not kidding you. There are just so many things to be afraid of. Let me show you...

Via Concreteplayground.com.au

Via AdvancedFootTexas.com

         

                      Via FunandEducational.com

Now let me explain them to you. What happens if I pass out in the middle of the road and no one finds me for a really long time? I don't have a good enough body to run outside in just a sports bra and short shorts... will people judge me if I run outside in real clothes? What if I get hit by a car and something horrible happens to me? 

There are many reasons why I am afraid of running outside, but these are just a few. 

Now, there are also many reasons why I want to start running outside, don't worry, I will show you those too...

                      

                                         Via http://rusticlifestyle.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/pinecrest1.jpg

via cdn.sheknows.com

The first picture is the lake 1 mile from my camp that I attend every sumer. It has always been my dream to run to the lake, and this August, I WILL! The second picture is just of a young, confident woman just running along in nature. I just really want to be able to do that. 

So, the point of me telling you all of this is I am running outside, for the first time, on Saturday! My goal is to run to the lake, walk around the lake, and walk home. Now sorry readers, I am not going to tell you exactly where I am going for privacy's sake, but I'll let you know how it goes, maybe I'll even take a picture. 

More next time, 

B

Total Sorority Move

I am very disappointed to report that I did not successfully meet my running goals last week. I only made it to the gym once, with a mere 2.2 miles. I could blame it on many things, including my 4 day trip to New York and working Tuesday night, but I won't. I didn't meet my goals, and am determined to start doing better, that skirt is depending on it!

I may not have mentioned this before, but I am in a sorority on campus. Every Monday at our weekly chapter meeting, spirit awards are given out based on different things; wellness, style, and mvp. It has been my goal, since I started my running and this blog, to win the wellness award, and today I WON IT! Now let me really explain to you what this award is...

Via cubsox.com

Now, quite literally, this award is a sweat-headband and sweat-armband with our sorority letters written on them in sharpie, but I will wear them with pride for the next week!

I have gotten in the habit of going to the gym after meeting on Monday nights, and it has been surprisingly consistent for the last 4 weeks. Tonight, I was able to run 2.3 miles in 30 minutes, which once again broke my record for fastest run! It was a pace of 13:03 minutes per mile, or an average speed of 4.6 on the treadmill. In addition, I lifted weights for 30 minutes after my run, which made me feel super empowered. Yay! 

Today, something else made me proud of myself today. I was in a pretty bad mood all day, and normally when I am in a bad mood I eat some junk food....

Via icecreamjournal.turkeyhill.com

And boy, do I love ice cream! But today, I resisted the urge; instead of emotional eating a bunch of sugar, I went to the gym and exercised! That is something I have never done before, I guess my good habits are really starting to rub off on me. 

More reasons why I wish I had my own kitchen? I found Kalyn's Kitchen. This is another great resource to find healthy and delicious looking recipes. She has this really cool Recipe for Grilled Zucchini Pizza Slices, now who wouldn't want to eat that? Definitely on my list. 

via KalynsKitchen.com

Running Goals for the Week:

Run 10 miles 

Stretch after every run

Drink 80 ounces of water a day

That's all for now, 

B

Wise Words

Source: bellamumma.com via Briana on Pinterest