Eating Healthier

Ok so I've been a vegetarian for about five years and a weekday vegan since I got back to school this semester. I'm still figuring things out, but my body hasn't totally been agreeing with me (I've mostly been bloated, stomach aches, and even a pretty bad cold a week ago). I'm going to put a twist on my habits that will also hopefully benefit my running. Here goes nothing:
1. Three meals a day - no exceptions (aka brunch is not a real thing)
2. Three vegetarian meals per weekend (as opposed to the whole weekend being vegetarian)
3. No Repeats!!! (No having the same thing twice in one day)
4. Drink water at all meals
5. Drink four full water bottles per day (not including meals, 20oz each)
6. One dessert with one meal/day, this includes chips
7. One snack per day - make it clean (fruit, etc.)
8. No cell phone during meals
9. No cell phone after 11pm (for my own sanity)

So we shall see how it goes. Also, Africa. My school has this program where you can apply for a grant for your sophomore year to basically do anything. I'm in the process of applying and using it to do mission work in Africa over winter break (there's a back story) but I'm really really really hoping I get it. I'm also pumped about the astronomy class they're offering next year. Oh, and that math test, I know I messed one thing up but I have to wait all the way till Monday to find out what I got :(

The picture that apparently killed my phone this morning 

First Tempo Run....

So today I had a 2 mile tempo run on the schedule with an easy mile before and an easy mile after. I managed to actually hit my easy pace (11:24, out of 11:30) and my first tempo mile was close to perfect (9:47, out of 9:49). Then I slowed down to take a sunrise picture, my phone decided it was too cold, and then it died. I was legitimately so sad. I tried to push myself to keep pace for what I thought was a mile and then tried to change back to my easy pace, but who knows how my times were. It was every frustrating but I guess it happens. I have more to write today about eating but I also have a math test so I shall be back to talk to you about that later. Also, Africa.

Math time!

First Day of Speedwork

Today was my first time doing any sort of speed work, so I didn't really know what to expect. I got up about a half hour early to do abs in my dorm hallway (I used to do abs arms legs on Tuesday/Thursday) and then headed over to the gym. I normally like the indoor track but today it was SO HOT, I've been running in sub 40 degree weather for months so this was rough. My work out was a a lap warm up jog (oh, and our track is 1/10 a mile) and then 3x800m at "race pace". I'm really bad at this whole pacing thing so I decided to just go for it and as long as it ended under race pace I would just try and go faster each week. My times were ~4:09, 4:12, 4:15 (average 4:12) and that's a little over an 8 minute/mile pace. I was surprised it was that fast...I guess I have a pretty solid base to build some endurance off of. I did a 2 lap recovery in between each and then finished off with arms and legs.

I was pretty proud, but I'm kind of nervous for my first tempo run tomorrow...that should be interesting.

Running and Maxi Dresses

So today (day 3) I ran a much faster 3 miles...even though I'm supposed to be going "easy" on these runs it's just so hard! My splits were 10:11, 9:48, and 10:17. I was really dying at the end though, but my average pace still ended up being 10:09 so that's good. Also, my second mile felt the easiest...maybe it's just the way the road is? I didn't have the nice negative splits that I did on Monday but it felt pretty good anyways.

Random, but I love maxi dresses. I only have one but I'm obsessed and am wearing it for the first time all winter, even though it's only 30 here. I matched it with a cardigan and some boots. I was going to upload a picture but so. much. work.

Also, for those of you who don't know (even though I'm pretty sure no one is reading this) I've been a vegetarian for like 5 years and since the beginning of this semester I've also been a weekday vegan. It's awesome! I have soooo much energy. If anyone is interested in hearing more about that let me know!

Hasta luego!

Holly

Pilobolus and other beautiful things

Ok so first off, I am a dancer by definition. Dance is my first and truest love. Yesterday Pilobolus came and gave a master class at my college, did a performance and then a Q&A for us dancers. I have no words. They are all so perfect. I don't exactly understand why I haven't seen them yet. I've never taken a better master class and I think this was my all time favorite dance performance. Jacob's Pillow...you need these people. I wish I could do their summer workshops but I'll be at camp all summer.

My with Ben and Shawn after the Q&A (They  taught the master class)

Next order of business, day two of my training was my usual strength day: arms abs and legs. Also, I think I convinced one of my friends from home to start running! Her goal is going to be the 5k the same day that I do the 10k. I sent her the same training plan that I sent my family. I'm super excited.

Finally, #smashthehalf was revealed by RunDisney today. This November there is going to be an Avengers themed half marathon at Disneyland in California...check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=869854523040511

http://www.rundisney.com/blog/articles/avengers-half-marathon-runners-assemble-02-25-2014/?src=rdfb

Officially Started Training

Today I officially started my training plan for my 10k in May. Today was as easy (11:30/mile) 3 miles, but I'm still getting used to pacing and so my average pace ended up being 10:52/mile. I have to learn to take the easy runs easy so I can do the hard runs!

Also, apparently RunDisney will be announcing a race...tomorrow! Stay tuned, I'll have all the latest information for you! #smashthehalf

10 MILES!!

So, I was super pumped about finding a new trail for my long run today. It was only going to be three miles but in honor of the Enchanted 10k this weekend in Disney I decided to go for 6.2 and ended up with 10! My previous longest run was 8 miles so I was pretty proud.

I did end up stopping around mile 3.5 to look around this adorable antique shop (I'm obsessed) but was only there for a couple minutes and I stopped for a 2 minute pit stop around mile 7 (small bladder probs). Other wise my average pace was 11:41/mile. Much slower than normal, but hey it was a big distance for me! I was also proud of my phone for staying alive, it was at 30% at mile 7 but didn't die until right after I finished. I really should invest in something with a better battery life.

Anyways my splits were (I'm not sure why they did them every two miles)
2 mi: 10:50
4 mi: 11:52
6 mi: 12:10
8 mi: 11:55
10 mi : 11:17

Also: anyone with mapmyrun, why does it always make your last partial mile so long? I ran 10.02 and it factored a 13:12/mile into my average for it...I'm confused.

So. many. hills. Virginia is known for rolling hills and this course was no exception, the entire thing was hills, either up or down, no flats. Also it was just such a beautiful day. If my phone wasn't going to die I would have taken more photos.

Anyways, that's all...I'm exhausted

Goals and Warmer Weather

Goal wise, I'm training to run a sub 60 minute 10k in May. I found a training plan that officially starts on Monday. I started running this past fall/summer with almost a 14 minute mile. I hovered around 12 minutes in later fall with a run-walk-run strategy. Once I switched to just running I hit a solid 11-11:30/mile. Currently I'm hovering between 11/10:30 on my long runs though I've been adding some speed work. I ran a mile on the treadmill last night at my goal pace (9:39) and my the first mile of my short run was 9:51 this morning, the second .7 was 10:18. Tomorrow is my long run (that I'm so pumped for) so I won't be focusing on time, but I'm super happy to be seeing progress!

Anyways it's supposed to be 65 tomorrow for my long run and I'm ecstatic. I've been running in 0-40 degree (F) weather all winter and while last week was low 50s, 60s means just a t-shirt. I also decided that I'm going to take my run off campus. That should be interesting because I'll have to take a stretch of highway.

SO today is Friday, which means I can eat vegetarian (instead of vegan) after I finish classes for the day, but I might just wait until dinner. I'm feeling pretty good right now.

Finally, good luck to all the RunDisney Princesses this weekend! I know the Royal Family 5k is done...so congrats to everyone who completed that!

Also, Olympics. Not fun in college. I don't have a TV so I have to watch the NBC replays which you can't pause or fast forward when you're 2 hours in to women's figure skating and the website crashes and makes you start over. I got really frustrated and after avoiding the news all day I just gave up and looked at the results.

~Holly

Run Run Run!

So I've been running as an outlet since I got to college in September. I've always wanted to be a "runner" but couldn't do more than a mile. Now I do 6 miles every other week. I get up in the mornings and run before class. It's hard when it's cold but the sunrise is so pretty and the campus is beautiful AND I have so much more energy during the day. Next week I start my training plan for a memorial day 10K, my goal is to run a sub 60 minute race. I've never raced before and my current pace is around 11:00/mile, so I've got some work to do. I'm hoping to run a couple 5Ks down here at school before that race, but transportation is kind of an issue so we shall see.

My long term goal is the 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon. It's almost exactly a year out, but if I'm going to do it I want to do it right. I also convinced my family to start training for the Enchanted 10K so we can all run it together. Running my first half would be so much more fun with my family around!

Hold on for the ride!!!