Chika, Chika, what!?

My bike ride home. A
beautiful leisurly ride.
Couldn't ask for better
weather!

I spent my lunch hour
scheduling races, reading
running blogs and
munching on soup and
crackers. Very productive
day!

Day numero uno of official training! I was itching to run all day! Actually, I was so excited about my first official training day, that as soon as I got off work I put on my running swag, through a load of laundry in the washer and hit the road running. Usually I prefer to run at night after dark, but it was such a beautiful day and I was so ready to run that I ended up going right after work at 3:30. At the start of my run I thought I had made a big mistake. It was really bright out, there were people all over the "quad" (which is where the beginning of my run took me by) and it was warmer than I was used to, but a couple miles in I hit my groove and felt really good! I ran 90% on forefoot striking. I'm aready getting used to it, which is great but also kind of a problem, because my old form feels weird, so when my calfs got sore it didn't feel right to heel strike so it was pretty awkward. My calfs are sore, which makes me happy. I ran just a smidge over 3 miles in 33 minutes. I'm pretty happy about that time (even though I'm not supposed to be keeping track of time), as I dropped 8 minutes from Sunday. Hurray! 

My reminder at work to stay positive,
not just during running, but in every
day life by using the "...but it
doesn't matter." Jedi Mind trick

Overall I'm really glad I ran early, because now I am enjoying a resful night after a long bath and a filling dinner and a little "Biggest Loser." Tomorrow will be Day 2 Week 1 (D2W1), and I'll be running 4 miles. This will be the farthest I've run in probably over a year. A little nervous, but ready to hit it and quit it. Still excited, still motivated. 

33 minutes of sweat...

Things I'm working on:                    1. Continuing my foot strike. I did about 90% forefoot today, and it was definitely easier than Sunday.                 2. Arm swing is also getting better, but continuing to work on that. Reminding myself to loosen up when I feel my arms creeping up.

3. Nutrition. I'm not counting calories, but I am contious about eating foods that are going to benefit my running and health. 

Things I am hankful for: 

1. The Biggest Loser, or really any tv show about fitness that can also keep my attention. It makes me want to get up and move. 

DANGER, DANGER! I seriously
can't get enough of this stuff!

2. Beautiful days that make me pat myself on the back for buying a bike and using it to communte between work and home. Great decition, Roz!

Watching Jon Stewart (Daily show)
while stretching after my run.

3. My job, because I get to be creative, work with cool people and still have time to read running blogs. Zero complains.

4. Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate peanut butter. Seriously obsessed.