NWSF: Week 1

From my experience I do a crap job at creating and following my own running plans. So I did some research and decided to go with the half marathon plan on my RunKeeper app.  I already record my workouts on here, so it just made sence to have all of the information in one place. It's also nice because it has all 76 workouts already set up in my activity calendar so I don't have to worry about not knowing what comes next.

Monday is my running off day, which also happens to be leg day at the gym. So naturally I upped some of my weight, you know, because that's always a good day before your first 5 mile run in wayyyy too long. Luckily the run went well. The next hurdle was the fact that I was going on vacation the day of the second run.

So here is the breakdown of week 1.

1: 5 slow miles - they were exactly that. It started to sprinkle half way through, so I'll take that as a good omen of new beginnings.

2: 3 slow miles with a few fast (:20) slow (2:00) intervals at the end - This was a hard one because I was having a lot of IT band issues. It took longer than normal because I had to mix in walking to relieve the pain. After some foam rolling, ice, and rest, it felt a lot better.

3: 5 slow miles - Not too bad once I got in the zone. The best part? No IT band pain! But I made sure to roll & ice to prevent it from coming back.

4: 5 slow miles - yeah....I managed to squeeze out 2.39. My legs were beat from all of the walking we had been doing the last two days and I lost the mental battle

5: 7 miles at 9:20-10 pace - After a 5 hour drive home, grocery shopping, and beginning meal prep, I headed out to log some miles. It wasn't pretty, but I finished. Thank you 71% humidity for almost killing me.

Nike Women's

 I ran the Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon 4 years ago as part of Team In Training.

Last year I was ready to return to San Fran...but didn't win the lottery drawing.

But this year? I won the drawing and will be 1 of the 30,000 runners! And by win I mean they drew my name and then I paid them a nice sum of money in order to put my body through a semi torturous process because I somehow think this is fun?

I'm still sticking with the 1/2 because I am more of a one and done marathoner, so I knocked that out 8 years ago and realized long distance isn't my thang (and my knees agree).

Anyway. I was checking my email about every 5 min on June 28 (the day the runners were notified). And finally I got the email during lunch. I was afraid to open because I didn't want to read a rejection, but I was also afraid to be accepted in because I haven't been consistently running since my IT band issue that sidelined me in January.

So I read it. Twice. Then threw my hands up in Victory. Then read it again out of fear that I was having a Zoolander moment and Hansel had really won instead of me. (Ugh, not again!).

I teared up a little because I was so excited and filled with joy (and terror at the memory of those hills) that I got in.

So I spent the weekend researching training plans, revising my current workout schedule, and mentally preparing for what the next 16 weeks will entail.

I have a time goal in mind, given that my body avoids injury, and I know this will be hard, but I am ready!

On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

B initiated Mean Girls day at work. That's normal right? Like, all late 20somethings are doing that...right? Just us? ok, cool.

So she sent an email to our best girls to spread the word. There were only 3 participants.

These girls must not have seen the movie since they didn't take this seriously.

"You can't sit with us!"

Taffan tried to pass off her red shirt as pink since it's in the same color family. Ummm, no.
Marina had barley visible pink on her dress. Doesn't count.
Kate pained her nails pink. Although it was a lovely shade it didn't qualify.

Should we be concerned with how much I enjoyed telling people they couldn't sit with us? Probably. I guess I'm just a mean girl at heart.

Don't worry it wasn't enforced because this isn't high school.

Jk. We are really nice!

I'm On A Boat

Yes, I am living in 2010 (or whenever that song came out).

The contract team celebrated Team Of The Year with a Friday afternoon boat party!

I was thrilled that Ryan invited me to join because I contribute to the team, but in a non sales way.

We started out the day with 2 hours of work because you don't become the best by slacking off! Then we hit up brunch that included bottomless mimosas.

You know it's going to be a crazy day when Bob starts his toast with "This is to gunpowder and pussy." What can I say, I work with an interesting bunch. Life is never boring.

After loads of laughs and delish food, and Derbear informing us that he booked a boat that was covered...and we couldn't get in the water (seriously, who put this fool in charge?) we headed back to work to change and board the party bus.

Wine before noon. Who am I?

Once aboard the boat it was confirmed that there really was a pole. Right about now I was a little suspicious that I might really have been invited to be the entertainment. Great. I hope they at least brought some dollars! (spoiler, they didn't).

Photo from B

The whole day was basically a dance party with flip cup and beer pong mixed in.

One of my co-workers tried to challenge me to a pole off. I was a little nervous since he has more experience than I do, but I basically dominated. This is mainly because 1. I do have skill, 2. he tried to do a side mount thing that he hasn't done in years, and basically face planted. That was the funniest thing that happened all day.

I did a few more tricks and got pretty good reviews. I was pretty nervous about how they'd look because I haven't really poled for anyone outside of the girls at the studio, so I'm really glad I didn't eff it up!

Because Taff and I know how to keep it profesh.

Derbear's family lives on the bay, so he said that we could go over there for pool and sun time since the boat didn't include those things. Finally!

Bob attempted to throw me in (I really didn't want to mess with wet hair), but failed. I basically went stiff as a board and started pulling my weight towards the ground and he couldn't carry me that well. That was a much better tactic than the nut punch I almost went with.

Words can not explain what's happening here. 

The day was pretty fun...minus the ride back.  When your co-workers start dry humping, it's time for me to call it a day. When we got back to the city we dropped most everyone off at the bar,  but I skipped that and went to dinner then rented some movies. Because I'm obviously super cool.

Even though these guys are on my nerves 99% of the time, and I'm appalled by a lot of the things that I experience with them outside of work...I really do love them.

Look Sexy On The Count Of Three

Remember  that time when I first started taking pole classes and they asked me why I was doing it and I said it was to uncover my inner sex kitten? (Or something similar, yet a little over the top?)

Well, I don't feel that I've mastered it. 

In my last level we would do exercises where we had to dance facing the mirror while flirting with ourselves. I would say that I'm a decent flirt, but it's more of a natural thing, not like "1,2,3, flirt!" I don't think I ooze sex appeal (which is fine), but when the opportunity for boudoir pictures at the studio came up, I figured "Why not?" 

I decided to wear what I typically wear for pole so that I wouldn't feel completely awkward prancing around in my underwear while a stranger plays paparazzi.

Funny thing: So I got my makeup done (figured a profesh would know what would show up best on film) and as I was leaving one of the ladies told me to have a good prom. Great. I look like a baby prostitute...emphasis on the baby part.

I showed up early to stretch (we did some stuff on the pole), warm up, and have some of this:

just a bit

Overall the experience was fantastic. Lindsey was fantastic! She did a great job directing me because, honestly, I think I really suck at photos, and I never know what to do with my face, or my body...much like in real life. Just ask anyone that's talked to me about how I can't seem to control my expressions.

I liked them so much that I may now have one of them framed on my nightstand. Yes, I am in love with myself - thanks for asking.

I figure I should share at least one, so here ya go!