14 miles and I'm off!

Hello blogworld,

This is going to be a quick post, but I have some things to share with you all.

First off, I think I figured out the solution to my running rut. I joined a local women's fitness center that focuses on functional strength, resistant training, and circuits. I'm not sure if I'll be a lifelong member just because it's pretty pricey. I was able to snag a good deal for a month, though, because they have this introductory trial offer going on. My membership includes unlimited use of the facilities, unlimited small group training sessions, a fitness consultation, and three free personal training sessions.

I love suspension training! 

I've gone to a few sessions already, and I love it!

I was actually planning on going today.

My plan was to pop out for a quick three mile run and then go to one of the easier circuit classes the fitness center offers. They offer two different kinds of classes. Both are circuit based, but one moves a lot quicker and has a lot more circuits. The easier one has less circuits and more rest time. Both sessions end with a good foam rolling session. Let me just say, I love the foam roller already!

Anyways, I set off on my run this morning, intending to do three miles. I didn't bring my garmin with me because it's been acting funny lately, and sometimes I don't like wearing it because it makes me feel pressure to keep my pace up.

About twenty five minutes into my run, I decided I wanted to keep running.

So I did.

And then I ran some more.

And some more.

By this time, I knew I wasn't going to go to the class. I would be cutting it close time wise and probably exhausted by the time I got there.

So I kept running.

I took the long road. 

I toyed with the idea in my head of running farther that I ever have before.

I didn't have my garmin, but I ran for about 2 hours and 15 minutes!

I'm guessing I ran over 14 miles. Maybe even 15.

The longest I had run prior to this was 13.1 for my half marathon.

Go me!

I have to say I'm feeling a little blah right now because I didn't have any fuel with me on my run. (I wasn't planning on running that long).

I'm going to go shower, eat lunch (a big one), finish packing, do a bit of shopping and then leave for this place.........

Vegas baby!!!!!

My friend and I are also hitting up some other places, but you'll just have to wait until I get back to find out where : )

What's the farthest you've ever ran?
Do you ever turn a run into a long run on a whim!

Running Rut

Hey everybody! How is everyone?

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit and surviving finals or the final days of work before the holidays!

Despite all the stress of exams, getting ready for my trip to Vegas, and prepping for student teaching, I'm definitely getting into the holiday spirit.

Holiday music is blasting from my car's speakers pretty much whenever I'm driving. It drives my friends insane. I love it, though!

I love the holidays!

Anyways, today I just wanted to quickly talk about how I feel like I'm in a rut with running.

A picture of me from my half marathon

It is well known that running is my go to sport. Running is my exercise form of choice.

I love pounding the pavement, breathing in the early morning air, losing myself in the beat of the music, getting into a rhythm, and enjoying the famous runner's high.

As much as I love running, though, I know it can't be the only form of exercise I participate in. Running everyday burns a person out and doesn't work all of the muscles.

This summer, I had a great relationship with running. I would run about four days a week, weight lift two, and go on a bike ride or rest a day, while occasionally going on a long hike. I was also busy running around with kiddos at summer camp all day long. Although I was very active, I mixed up my exercise activities, never felt burnt out, or in a rut of sorts.

However, since the weather has gotten colder, I find myself running about six days a week. I also do Bikram Yoga about once a week or once every other week.

For example, here is a look at my activity over the past week and a half:

Wednesday: 5 mile run
Thursday: 90 minute Bikram yoga
Friday: 10 mile run
Saturday: 4 mile run with my puppy!
Sunday: 3 mile run
Monday: 6 mile run
Tuesday: 4 mil run
Wednesday: 4 mile run
Thursday (today): 11 mile run


I know I need to change this up, but I'm not sure how. I used to belong to a gym, but with my busy schedule, I had a hard time making time to go or just motivating myself to go. I can use my school's gym, but during the school year, it is always way too crowded, and during breaks, it has very limited hours.

I'm not really sure where I am going here, but I just thought that maybe admitting to myself on this blog that I'm running too much and doing too little cross training and weight lifting is a step in the right direction. I also know I need to force myself to take rest days as well. Tuesdays are usually my rest days, but my schedule has been a little bit different lately, so I haven't been sticking to resting on these days.

Okay, well I'm off to refuel after my long run, head to work, and then finish up a research paper.

One week until Vegas!

How do you get out of a running rut? 
Do you love the holidays?
How do you force yourself to take rest days?