Marshmallows and Biceps

We were 'strugglin today, yo. It was technically warmer than the last run, but still chilllly! Christina busted out her new UnderArmor hat but was bundled up like a puffy marshmallow (which, BTW, we ate some later at the Chili cook off.) I mastered the kitchen timer and Christina punched my arm and commented on how hard it was. She claims she hit a button. I say it was my bulging bicep. Running makes for rock hard biceps, right? Meanwhile, I have quite the stretching routine b/c I like to be Safety Sally and prevent injury. I hope I'm not the turd that busts an ankle shuffling through the neighborhood...

Slow Moving

Today was PAIIINFUL... for some reason, LJ and I agreed that we were feeling a little rough today for some reason. We did 2 min run/2 min walk, and each time we had to gear up to run, I was huffing after 20 seconds. Crazy.

On another note... I bundled up today in preparation for the freezing cold. Apparently I bundled up too much, because towards the end of my run, I had to take off my gloves and my hat. I was actually sweaty! I need to figure out a good balance for this whole cold weather gear.

Our coach is in Canada... we're a hot (um, cold) mess

We miss our running coach, LP! Today we complained the entire run b/c we couldn't feel certain body parts. I also couldn't handle the kitchen timer (which was handed to me after Christina had a wardrobe malfunction and her pants string disappeared...) I got excited when a snowflake came down but then realized it just made my exposed skin sting worse.

After coming inside and having fogged glasses (my excuse) I accidentally called a shoe store (Champs), thinking it was a bar, and asked if it was a smoke-free establishment. The worker said "Um, yes. We're smoke free because we are a shoe store in the mall..."

The rest of the eve CY and I scoured online stores in search of the perfect underlined pair of moisture wicking, windproof running pants. Meanwhile, I'm loving my UnderArmor cold gear blue hat!

Frozen Asses

Never had my ass felt so cold as during our run today. I mean, seriously. It was really cold (31 degrees) which to a Canadian, may seem like a balmy day. But don't forget, I was just in Georgia last weekend where it was 74 degrees when I left. Anyway, as we were running/walking, I realized that my ass was numb. As were my thighs, face, hands... but I did notice that about halfway through, snot was running down my face and my lungs started to burn from the cold.

I blame myself. I was foolish-- I wore what I normally wear when there are usually 10 additional degrees in the air. Running tights, t-shirt, adidas moisture wicking shell, Columbia fleece, cheap target gloves, and a cheap Wal-Mart ear cover-- this doesn't work in the cold weather, my friends.

So guess where I am going tomorrow? That's right... Dick's Sporting Goods... to load up on the cold weather running gear! I'll post a pic a soon as I have my new stuff. Until then... happy running!

Beer, Pineapples, and the rugged Mitten of MI

99cent beer and food in a pineapple. Eve before run #2 of week 2. Last night was also our first official Michigan snow and little flakeletts are coming down now. We are so rugged!!!

Back in the Cold!

....and I'm back! In Michigan, that is. Can't lie, I did no physical activity while in Georgia for Thanksgiving. The most activity I had was fighting through the crowds at Target in the early morning of Black Friday. Painful and ridiculous, but I scored a $9 Dirt Devil electric broom/vaccuum that I didn't need-- ended up giving it to my mom.

Anyway, we ran two days ago around campus. It was actually pretty good-- we are on Week 2, so that meant we ran for 1.5 minutes and then walked for 2 minutes at a time. It was a little brisk outside, but we bundled up (well, LJ and I did) and went on our way.

As I was running, I realized how GREAT it felt-- that my body was working for me and it just felt good to be outside and how happy I felt. This is good inspiration to keep doing it!

Until next time... happy running!

Get off the Gravy Boat

Another rock solid post from LJ:

Day 1 also involved Christina doing a Paula Dean gravy train dance while stretching. Later in the eve, Arbor Mist and pan au chocolate were consumed. We know how to train in style.

On Behalf of LJ

So, here is a post from LJ because I did a poor job of explaining how to make this all happen and poor thing wound up in the comments section!

Day 2: I saw a dog and wanted to steal it for our jog. Leanne said no. We glided through a disc golf course nearby that apparently also doubles as bovine party grounds for Spartan Cows. We shimmied under a locked fence, hopped over pine cones, and then had garlic bread. Mmm. Bread.

Day 2

We're down a member today. Christina is basking in the warm glow of the Savannah weather while LJ and I freeze our buns off here in MI. At least it's sunny! We're heading out for Day 2 of the run program and we're hoping all goes smoothly. We do have some technical kinks to work out: my watch battery is dead so we're running with my kitchen timer. It's a little bulky and inconvenient but what works for cupcakes must work for fitness, right?

La-Z-Girl vs. La-Z-Boy

What's a La-Z-Girl you ask? There are multiple possibilities:

1. a girl who is lazy
2. a girl who can't run fast because "she's like an easy chair with feet"
3. a girl who is a PhD student, stressed out, loves to snack, and is at risk of becoming obese to the point of having to be lifted out of her home by firemen with a crane (this may describe some of us more than others, namely me.)

We're 3 girls at a 'large, mid-west, land grant institution' pursuing PhD's and looking to fight flab, relieve stress, get fit.

Today marked the first of many running sessions in preparation for the Polar Bear 5K on Jan. 31st and so far, so good. I hate running. LJ has a busted up ankle, and CY is afraid of wildlife. This should be interesting. Oh, and the other two HATE cold. HATE IT. Not sure why we chose an outdoor activity scheduled in late-January as our goal but it is what it is.

Wish us luck!