Well, that sucked

Lincoln Half Marathon Training W11, D2. Strength 6X1M with 400 recovery.

The wheels completely fell off on this run. I don’t even know what happened to me. It was quite warm today, (72 degrees!) sunny, and a bit windy, and my quads were killing me. I know the treadmill hasn’t done me any favors in terms of strengthening my quads. Ugh. But this run was absolute crap. I’m glad tomorrow is a rest day.

I am happy to report that I did not feel scared on today’s run! Thanks for all of your concern. I really appreciate it!

Other than today’s crappy run, things are actually pretty great around here! 🙂

Hope they are for you all as well friends!!

Monday-Runday!

Easy 5 and I ran outside after work! A much better run than yesterday!
Hey two-o-nine, I finally connected my Garmin to my computer!! I’m still trying to figure out how to build my workouts in there…baby steps!
However! Please note my NEGATIVE SPLITS from my run tonight!!!
I love, love, love this running shirt. I do run this body.
This forecast is PERFECTION. I’m in my happy place. Sunshine and warm temperatures put me in such a good mood.
As I was walking home for my cool-down, I was texting Brooke and walking. I managed to a). run into a low-hanging tree branch with my ponytail, and b). barely avoided a large puddle that formed from melting snow piles. Way to go, Mel, way to go. Sheesh. I’m a klutz.
A scary moment tonight: I like to run along major streets as I’ve done too many stories on women who have gotten assaulted on Lincoln’s trails. Call me paranoid, I say I’m just being careful and going where the people are. Anyway–this truck drove next to me, quite slowly. The 2 men inside whistled at me, and made kissey noises. Normally that wouldn’t freak me out, but it felt almost aggressive. They were quite close to me (less than 5 feet away!) and were going slow enough that I could see their faces very well. My instincts kicked in and I turned the corner away from them and started running again. Not cool, dudes. Not cool at all.

Have a great week Friends!

Sunday Scenes

My Long 12 turned into a long 10.37. The wind was soul-crushing and even though I tried to do this run in 2 parts, it was still awful and cut short. Whatever, dude. I’ll get ‘em next time. The 2nd picture shows a bit of how windy it was–those flags were pretty much standing straight out the entire time.
My big brother fixed my bumper! Shaniqua (that’s my car’s name; she’s a Ford Escort) no longer looks like a Dinosaur took a bite out of her booty.
My 3 nephews decided it would be fun to all pile on Emmie (that’s me!) Those kids are the best. Combined they weigh less than I’ve lost, weight-wise, but they felt incredibly heavy. Weird how that works out, huh?
Tomorrow we are celebrating my co-worker’s 50th birthday and we’re bringing treats, so I made my famous Banana Bread.
Fun Melissa Fact: Whenever I bake, I wear an apron. I’m awesome at spilling things on myself while I’m baking. I should probably wear it while cooking too! My mom got me this apron for Christmas. It’s from Hawaii and has a cute, flouncy little skirt. I dig it.

I hope you all have a fantastic week ahead friends!!

Lincoln Half Marathon training W10, D6 easy 5. Target 12:05-12:55, actual 11:40.

It’s really hard to run slow when it is this gorgeous outside! Fantastic run, great day, happy Melissa.

I’m home for the weekend so my brother can fix the bumper on my car. There’s a lot of puppy snuggles, nephew cuddles, and family time. I need this.

Have a great weekend friends!

Stuff and fluff

I’m in week 10 of the Hanson’s Half Plan. 4 Tempo miles were run before work this morning. Nothing too exciting to report about this week’s runs except that I’m at 18/40 miles for the week.
I got a call from another sponsor this morning and they committed to $3,500, up $1k from last year. I was pretty excited, and then about 30 minutes later, the phone rang again. It was a brand new sponsor, who told me he was so excited to talk about sponsorship that he couldn’t wait to call me! He committed to at least $5000, but would like to leave his options open to adjusting that level to $10,000 as the year goes on. Um, yes please!?
So then I totaled my committed levels and I’m at $35,500/$50,000. BOOM. Feels good. Feels real good.

I’m having dinner with a college girl friend tonight. We lived next door to each other our freshman year and have been friends ever since. She has lacked some direction in her life and next month she will join the Air Force. I’m proud of her, but don’t think I could do that!
In other news, I made an effort with my appearance today and couldn’t quite put a finger on who I reminded myself of:

And then it hit me:

Minnie Freakin’ Mouse! (Minus the yellow shoes and hair bow!)

Halloween Costume ideas?!?!

Happy Friday Eve everyone!

Sunday-Runday-Funday

Long 10 miler on the treadmill. This run was awesome! I was in the zone and had such a good run. I needed this to be a decent run–the past 8 or so had pretty much been crap. 10 miles on the treadmill messes with your head, but it was good today.
Walk the Moon’s “Shut up and Dance” was put on repeat for much of the last 2 miles. I know this-incredible-journey knows how perfect that song is to run to! 🙂
I love that shirt I’m wearing. That’s the outline of the state of Nebraska for those who may not know. I got it at the Lincoln Marathon Expo last year.
Then I went shopping and found the above dress on sale, regularly $75, on sale with another 60% off. I got it for $26!!! It fit so perfectly I HAD to buy it. For our conference this year, we’re having a Golden Anniversary Gala with Formal attire/black tie invited. I think this will fit the bill?
I got mail today! I am impressed with the United States Postal Service. Sunday Delivery is a thing? That’s cool. I ordered a new phone case on Friday via Amazon Prime and it arrived this afternoon. I’m a fan.
Look at those steps, baby! I earned a “Trail Badge” for my efforts of hitting 30k steps in one day.

I’m currently planted on the couch, soaking up the last moments of the weekend. Here’s to a great week ahead friends!!

This is why Melissa can’t have nice things.

While I was running tonight I picked up my phone to skip the song it was playing and managed to get tangled in my headphone cord. The phone fell and the case broke in the same spot where it broke a few months ago. My dad had superglued it so I know it’s fixable. I’m just irritated with myself. Get it together! Sheesh.

4 tempo miles tonight. I think this is W9, D4? I’m getting there. May is coming. This training may kill me before then, but we shall see.

Happy Friday eve friends!

When the treadmill time resets, you know you’ve been on it too long.

Long 10 mile run today. 11:46/mile pace. This was a mental game for the first 5 or so miles. Then my mind went into my happy place and I forgot I was running. I’m guessing that’s the runner’s high? Whatever it was, it was nice to zone out and just run.

And boom. Top of the Fitbit leaderboard. 20,000+ steps in a day will do that for you!

I hope you all have a happy and enjoyable Valentine’s day! 😉

Thursday Things

3 Tempo Miles this morning. All the sweat. Is it weird that I actually enjoy the SOS runs in the Hanson’s plan? Then I guess I’m weird. Shrugs. Whatever.
Today’s Notes from the Universe was spot on, like usual:

“When you love who you are, Melissa, you become much more lovable.
Not that that’s why I love you.
Love you,
The Universe”

My next door neighbors are moving soon. Their son is the one that we pay to mow the lawn and scoop the snow. What am I going to do when he’s no longer there?!?!
As I’m looking into my housing options when our lease is up I’m actually contemplating buying a house!! I have a lot of research to do first, but it is an option. Adulting, yo.
My bestie and her husband have decided to try to get pregnant. This changes EVERYTHING! I’m happy for them, but mildly freaked out at the same time.
I am involved in an exciting race against time with the post office and my migraine medicine running out. I have 2 Topomax left and the drugs are scheduled to be delivered on Saturday—the day I run out! Fingers crossed they arrive on time!
I help my church make our announcement videos that air during services each week. I’m usually behind the scenes, helping with the scripts or camera work. But, as I’ve told you guys, I do voice-over work on a freelance basis and spent 10+ years in TV News so I can read a Teleprompter fairly well. So last night I was the “talent” in the video and my shtick was to do it in one take—which I TOTALLY did. Nailed it. Mic drop. I’ll post here if you guys want to see the final product (and hear me!)

That’s all I got. Have a fantastic Thursday Friends!

Lincoln Half Marathon W7, D2. 8X600 AKA: Speed Work Baby!

I’m tired and everything hurts.

Ok, so maybe that’s an exaggeration. But I am tired and sore. My legs are fatigued after running 34 miles in the past 6 days.

This morning I miscalculated my mileage and thought I had to run a total of 9 miles, instead of the 7 miles I actually had to run. So I was pleasantly surprised to be done with my run by 6am. I had gotten up and on the treadmill by 4:30am, hence the exhaustion.

Tomorrow is a rest day. My poor, tired legs need it. two-o-nine told me to get Tart Cherry juice to help with the tired legs. I know she and runningforbiscuits swear by the stuff. So I hit Trader Joe’s after work for that and other groceries, including tonight’s dinner (and lunch tomorrow!) sushi!! I’ve been craving that stuff for a few days now. And after walking by the flowers I decided I needed some to brighten up my house. No Valentine?? No problem!! I’ll give myself flowers, thankyouverymuch!

I’m spending a quiet night with Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Mindy and Danny tonight! (New Girl and The Mindy Project!!)

Happy Tuesday Friends!