W8

Week 8 of marathon training is in the books, folks!

This pic has no business being here, but it’s pretty and I took it during Thursday’s run.

Week 8 Stats:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Tabata Class (30 min), Muscle Tech Class (60 min)
Wednesday: 2.5mi treadmill run, Cardio Cross Train Class (45 min)
Thursday: 3.25 mil lake front run
Friday: Rest
Saturday: BIG10K  (official results: 1:01:41, 9:56 min/mi)
Sunday: 6 mi (4mi run, 2mi walk)
TOTAL: 17.95 miles

I’ll just go ahead and say it… I need to step up my training.  My half assed mid-week runs need to go.  The terrible heat has finally left Chicago, so I have no excuse not to run outside. The plan going forward is to just do ONE gym class at week (probably Monday nights) and run on the remaining days.

While I didn’t plan on crushing the 10K this weekend, I didn’t expect  “racing” 6.2 miles at a 9:50+ pace would be so hard.  In my defense, the course was ridiculously crowded. Those of you who ran it and/or train along Chicago’s lake path know how terrible it is to have a down and back course that shares the same path.  We literally had to run 2 by 2.

Course may be PACKED, but the view is the die for!

Regardless, the race was a real eye opener for me.  I’m about to head into week 9, the halfway point, and I feel like I haven’t done shit in the last 8 weeks… and that mentality has to change.  And the only way it can/will change will me for me to start really kicking my own ass into gear in the next 9 weeks. I don’t want to feel like I could have done more once October 7th rolls around.

Even though my time sucked at the 10K, it was still a lot of fun.  I love the Big 10 so much (nerd alert), so naturally, I had a blast being around other Big 10/running enthusiasts!  The race was also a lot of run because I ran with Hanna!  Running is SO MUCH MORE FUN when you have someone to keep you motivated!

Molly, me, Hanna: Post race. Sweaty and beautiful!

I also met up with an old pal, Brutus.

He almost wouldn’t have me bc of my Illini shirt. I assured him “I am one of you”.

You may also notice that sweet shirt that I’m wearing. You’re also probably asking yourself, “How can I cut up an old shirt so that I may be as cool as Liz?!”  I hate to say it (because I hate when I hear others say it), but I saw the idea on Pinterest via Rachel at  her blog, Dollars, Sense and More. If you know me, at all, you know I have negative creative skillz.  Hell, I can hardly sign my name neatly or hang up pictures 0r fold clothes or wrap presents.  So needless to say, cutting up at t-shirt (as easy as it is) was hard for me.  It took me 5 tries to get the final product.  Good thing I’m a t-shirt hoarder… I “practiced” on old, ridiculous sorority, intramural sports or Illini shirts.  Final product was still sub-par, but I think it’s the best I’ll ever do.

I cannot control my excitement that I was finally able to master the tshirt destruction! I will say though, that back looks cute!

Oh and I had some help….

My little helper.

Post race, I had my celebratory beer and headed home.  But not before waiting in line to get an Illini foam finger.  I waited in line and they were all out. Wah!! Each team had a tent, which was pretty cool.  Not going to lie, it got me pumped for football season!!

I-L-L… I-N-I!!!!!

Oh and even the packet pick up, at Fleet Feet, was exciting for me.  Big Ten junkie here.

Rows and rows of Big 10 shirts! Easily  Amused.

Other than the race, I’ve literally done nothing all weekend.  I’ve pretty much been a hermit.  And I’d like to say that I feel like a huge nerd for not doing anything, but I don’t. It felt amazing to watch the Olympics all day and night.  Plus, like an old lady, I went to bed at 9:30 last night and slept 12 whole hours!!!  Pulled myself out of bed around 10 and took myself out to the lake for some miles. It was so nice out!

See? It’s nice out. I have provided you with this sweet self pic as proof.

Not kidding, this morning was awesome here in Chicago.  Days like this make me realize I’m not even close to thinking about moving out of this city.

And a little collage of pics I took tody, brought to you by my new fav iPhone app!

And as I’ve been typing this, I’ve decided I need some ice cream… so I will leave you in favor of getting a sundae of some sort. 

WAIT! NOT YET!  I forgot to add my dog and cat of the week! And here they are: Lizzy and Flo!

This is Lizzy! She is obv cool because we share the same name! Shes a 3mo old American Blue Heeler. You should go adopt her!

“Excuse me, Flo?” (Dumb and Dumber reference). Flo is 1 yr old and looks like she wants to be your best friend!

I hope these little fellas will encourage you to donate to my marathon charity, Team Anti-Cruelty! My donation page can be found here!  Thank you all! And a HUGE thank you to everyone who has already contributed to help the lil animals!

And NOW I’ll sign off!  Here’s to week 9!!!!

Motivation brought to you by Fleet Feet and Nike.