Wonky blocks and wonky training

I am trying something way out of my comfort level with sewing.  These wonky blocks are a great way to use scraps, but they are so random, I wasn't sure if I could do it.  I cut out my center pieces and then began randomly sewing the "straws" (that is apparently what they call the skinny strips) around the centers and then you square up the block to whatever size you wish.  I decided 6.5" since that is the template I have. 

I am loving these!!  Even though it is random, which I don't normally like, these are fun.  And I am going to do a border around each block that will add some uniform and cohesiveness to the project.  I am glad I stepped outside of my comfort level with these.  Plus it is a great way to use scraps of my favorite fabrics.

Now onto wonky training... I am not currently in training (about ten days until it starts).  I have, however been trying to do cardio and strength at least five days per week.  It has been going well. I also am stepping outside of my comfort zone with offering a group class each week.  Last week only one person showed, but it was a blast!  we did a killer circuit and three days later my lats still feel it!  

I think it is important to try new things, get a bit uncomfortable.  You may discover/unlock some new potential!

loving the new studio!

I am LOVING the new studio.  and with these arctic temps, the dogs are enjoying it too.  We have been doing obedience sessions in there, playing fetch, hide and seek, etc.  It is way too cold for them to be outside for more than several minutes.  

Now that the studio is complete, i have jumped back on the training wagon and it feels GREAT!  I am a bit sore today, but in a good way.  

Also, I am looking forward to making a few items to wear on our trip to hawaii.  I made a cute swimsuit so far, and beach cover up, and need to finish a cover up for sister in law... but I want to make some skirts and/or dresses.  I hate shorts so probably will skip those.  Any recommendations on tutorials online?

well off to work.  It is crazy that I simply sprint across the yard!! :)  In these temps, i am quite thankful i don't have to get in a frozen vehicle!

i think i should write a book...

Actually, I think I should write two books.  one book about fitness/wellness/etc.  I would like to call it (now please don't be offended), "Moderfuckingration".  This is one is in the works already.  The other day, however, I heard one of the most oxy-moronic (is that a word? eh, I am good at making this sh*t up apparently!) things.  There was a ton of traffic on our street, which is only two blocks long and only a few residences.  I walked outside to see what the dogs were freaking out about and a lady was parking in my drive way and she began walking across the street.  After convincing her (and yes, i had to convince her) that she couldn't park behind MY vehicle in MY driveway to go to a different house's yard sale.  I called my husband to tell him about it and he says, "oh yeah.  The ESTATE SALE AT THE DOUBLE WIDE."  if you don't find the humor/audacity in this quote, then I do not recommend you read the book, or probably either book.  I was cracking up and running for pencil and paper.  This was precious to me.  

Back to the first book:  I am a personal trainer, pilates instructor and massage therapist and I have heard some of the most asinine excuses from people.  Rubbish.  I am working on a book that is readable, doable and about making appropriate life changes.  

The second book I would like to be an entertaining book of anecdotes.  I have had some random, hilarious events in my years and several friends have mentioned that if they weren't present, they wouldn't believe me and I should be working on a book.  I live in a funky, artsy, western, financially diverse town where they have estate sales at double wides.  I can't make this up people!  And I feel as though it should be documented!!  

Hump DAAAAAAY! said the camel

This week training has been great!  Friday after work, hubbee and I ran a pretty hot and sweaty 3.2 miler, then I did my fourteen on saturday.  It was hot and i split it into two but i managed to run two fast 7 milers (sub 8's!). Then sunday Hubbee and I went down to our local park and ran The Bark In The Park.  it is a 5k benefit for our local animal shelter.  Wrigley also attended!  She and I came in second and I won a $25 gift certificate to the Bozeman Running company. (SCORE!!!)  

Wrigley was tired!!

Last night Hubbee, Cuz and I ran over the newly constructed bridge to a new trail.  it was 5.2 miles total and a GREAT run.  There is a quarter mile hill that we ran to and all raced up it, then ran back home. This run was the FARTHEST (furthest?) my Cuz has EVER run!!!  I am so happy to have another convert and since he is living with us for the time being, i have been fortunate enough to have a running buddy!! :)  And the big galloof is FAST!!

It was a gorgeous sight at the top of the hill.  THat is our sleeping giant.  Can you see the indian lying down?  profile of face?  That is also the smoke billowing up from the paradise valley.  There are four fires in our county alone, most counties in the state have some sort of burn occurring, very sad and scary.   

Friday night is the Night Owl Run, and also my aunt and uncle arrive from Florida (said cuz's rents! :)) we are all very close and I am soooo looking forward to their visit.  I am saddened by the smoke and fires, however, since you can't even see our beautiful mountains.

Saturday I am running 15 miles... i need to wake up early and get it done so i will have the full day to spend with the fam, or do it early sunday. 

Hope everyone's training is going well! Off to do some NTC!

EEEEK! it's been awhile... random catch up

I have been super busy.  I am sure most are this time of year.  I was so relieved to have the missoula marathon behind me, but had about 10 days where i took it relatively easy and had to jump back into training for the Smuttynose Marathon in the beginning of October.  We are still moving into the new house and beginning to finalize some details for the new studio.  I have been dreaming of a new space for several years, since I have really outgrown my current space.  However, having this empty space that I can do what I want has been a bit overwhelming.  This past week we made some progress.  The floor plan is dialed in! The flooring is ordered, bathroom items ordered, a tankless on-demand hot water heater ordered, etc.  I will be sure to post before and after pics.  

Also, our house is finally coming together.  The Hubbee has been working out of town during the week, and we have had plans that have taken us out of town almost every weekend, so finally last weekend we were able to make some headway.  I have ordered two new sofas; one for sewing center (it is also a sleep) and a beautiful charcoal gray for our living room.  The living/dining room has been painted, along with trim and I can't wait for the sofa to arrive!

Another random:  my cousin moved to Montana from Florida and he immediately said he wouldn't run... within 2-3 weeks he came on a 3 miler, and he then bought actual running Nikes!  We ran a super speedy 5k last night and he is going to run the Night Owl run (Aug 23--a fantastic festive fundraising event!!!).  Another convert!!! :)

now, back to the training... it has been half-hearted.  i am hitting all the workouts but it was really rough and mentally challenging to get them done... until last week.  Last week was the first run that actually felt good.  finally the bug is back.  i have pretty much been in training for almost a year and a half, so I think i am a bit burnt out.  After October races I am going to switch focus--i will always run, but I am keeping longer races off plan until hopefully the next summer.  The other piece is during the move, we were eating out a lot, and that takes it toll on me.  I have reigned that in and hopefully the feel-good running will continue.

how is everyone elses training?  for what races/events are you training?  Any suggestions of something not to forget to add to studio?

Missoula Mary Training

I am now in the thick of my full marathon training plan.  And I must be honest, last week I was wondering why the hell I registered for this race again.  I have run both the half and the full in Missoula and loved both (eventhough during full i learned that gu and me don't mix at three).  The course is so beautiful, great supports and spectators along the way, a super fun expo, and not to mention our awesome friends live in Missoula and we don't see them often enough.  All last week, however, I had to keep reminding myself of these things.  By Saturday, the day of my 15 miler, I was back in the groove.  I ran part on the tread, part on the path and did 10 pushups each mile just to add variety and because I am walking on the shy side of crazy, apparently.  My runs are finally starting to feel decent again; not feeling like i am new to this activity.  Running has been my thing since I was a child, so i am very familiar with the ebbs and flows and try to just stay on track or mix it up etc. but when it ebbs when you are in the middle of a training plan (and not near the end of it) that is mentally debilitating.  And I was trying to mentally prepare for backing out of a race...

BUT I AM BAAAAAACK!!

I did an 8-9 mile mountain bike ride with the Hubbee and Wrigley on sunday and then ran 7 miles on monday, and was supposed to run 4 today, but I rode my bike 14 and ran 3.3 with the incline at 2 the whole way.  Tomorrow is a track workout and I am stoked for it. the rest of the week is 5, 5, and 3 w/strides and a 5k or 10k race in place of the long run.  EASY PEASY!!  

In case I haven't mentioned this before, I am following a training plan by steve magness from the Nike+ site.  it is an intermediate plan and the longest run is an 18 miler.  This is freaking me out a bit, but also appeals because some of those 20+ runs are just daunting.  This has longer runs during the week, so the total mileage is high, and so far this is working...

I am a little unsure how I go from the full in July to training for the full in October.  I have looked at some Hal Higdon plans for this but am definitely open to ideas/suggestions/other's experiences.

How is everyone else's training going?

Does everyone love the updates to the Nike+ gps app? i do--i did have a glitch and had to delete and re-install but I LOVE the updates--no more ending workout by mistake! aha!!!!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic week!

Exciting News!

It may not be THAT exciting.  Definitely not as exciting as some of the Nike news, etc.  It is, however, something for me to look forward to.  Sunny (@itsallaboutme) and I are going to Big Sky the weekend before Christmas to meet Tony Horton.  I must admit, i did my first P90x video yesterday.  Kenpo--and I survived.  I didn't really sweat, but I am not much of a sweater (???) and today I feel as though my shoulders are dead.  

And I LOVE it! :)

Sunny is a HUGE fan of Tony (ya, I'm going with the first name basis) and this has put a fire under her butt!!  i am hoping I can keep up--she has turned into a maniac.  I love it though--it is a fun way to stay motivated through this cold dreary time we seem to be having.

I am pumped to meet this amazing athlete for sure.  I am also psyched to go to the fondue restaurant at Big Sky!!! I love Big Sky--it is a phenomenal ski area/resort with so much going on and festivities and it is only 1.5 hours away.  They opened this restaurant two seasons ago and I have been dying to go.  Sunny is a bit nervous about how this food will affect our workouts--I'm willing to risk it! 

I have NO IDEA what I need to bring/wear/etc.  There is a meet and greet friday with some sort of lecture I believe.  Should I bring a notebook? dress up for meet and greet? do I need my own mat?  I wish that when you registered they had a "what to pack" list.  When I become a famous fitness guru I will definitely provide that info. *wink*

Anyone else going to this event?  Or have you been to something similar?

Oh--I almost forgot!  I am a featured runner on Doug's blog!!!!  
check that post out here: http://www.dougcassaro.com/2012/11/runners-spotlight-meet-elizabeth-rehmer.html

Tolerating the Taper

This week was a plummet to the miles.  I had a lot of yoga to do , NTC and minimal running.  A 6 mile tempo run and and 18 miler long run.  I loved the yoga and NTC but it was mentally a bit odd to not run very much.  Sunday I was registered for the Bozeman Half Marathon and took at least two minutes off my time from the half last month. I did it in 1:48:??.  And it was a blast.  I just wanted to work on pacing and it went really great.  This event is very well organized and efficient.  Last year was the first year and I took at least 6 minutes off my time from last year.

The sunglasses, although not in a color I would choose normally, are great for running.  They don't move, they weigh next to nothing and the lens is great in a variety of light. LOVE 'EM! They are Nike miler sunglasses.

Sunny came over to cheer me on and take photos--THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT SUNNY!!--and then we went on a sewing supply shopping spree.  I have several projects in the works and am working on several christmas presents. more will be revealed on that later.

This week the taper continues.  A five miler yesterday, 6 at race pace today, and a 15 miler on saturday.  Lots of NTC and yoga. It has been ridiculously smokey here.  we lucked out sunday am and had decent air quality but by noon you couldn't see the mountains again.  Yesterday when I was loading up my car for work it was ashing outside like snow.  It is very sad and depressing.

I always have struggled with the taper.  It is a mental struggle.  When training you want to push yourself and hit all the targeted workouts and then you begin this downward slide to allow one's body to heal--one side of my brain gets this--the other not so much.  I panic a bit, thinking, "gee, maybe this taper is too long? will i lose fitness in this time frame?"  I just have to keep reassuring myself about the healing process within the muscles so I can push myself hard on race day.

We are in the homestretch of this race training for fall 2012--and I have so enjoyed the ride.  I am now becoming quite excited about the Chicago Marathon and super excited for the whole experience in San Francisco.  The Nike Womens Marathon looks like a stellar event. I am looking forward to the expo, our gorgeous hotel, seeing the city while racing, and of course meeting my #SistersInNike.  I am already wondering what the heck to pack... workout stuff obviously, but then what else will we be doing? hmmm...

busy busy busy/training/night owl run etc.

Last week was so much better training wise than the week before.  I did not set myself up for failure and woke at 4 am to prep breakfast, have a coffee then meet Britton at 6 for our 17 miler.  We did not run fast (as we are not supposed to do so) but we had quite a successful long run!  "aaaahhhaaaaa" angels singing.  Had an awesome raft trip with Hubbee and some now new friends which made for great recovery and a great rest day sunday.  I was so relieved when i woke on sunday that I had completed the long run because it was SOOOOOO smokey.  It would have been miserable to run in that.
Monday I ran seven, yesterday NTC which was super fun--but my shoulders are  tired from runs/rowing/ntc and today I have a 6 mile tempo.  I am looking forward to it except that it will be on treadmill.  it is still so smokey here and we can't even see mountains or neighbors houses.  it is eerie, like we live in cloudy Kansas.  blecht.

This Friday night is our FOURTH annual NIGHT OWL RUN.  THis is a GOOOOOOOOOOD time!  For one's entry they receive a great tee, a pint glass, candy, glow in the dark bling, a bbq post race and beer to put in the pint glass.  Also chances for some AWESOME prizes.  We don't just do 1/2/3.  we do those, but then we do random: like 16, 22, etc., traveled the furthest, best owl costume, and first to register.  Families can come and eat for free with their running member.  And to top it off we give two scholarships and donate to a different charity every year.  It is a scenic four mile course done at 7 at night :)

Saturday is my 20 miler... I am looking forward to it.  I felt so much better post 17 and didn't need a nap like i did after the 15 miler so i know what to do for success!! 

I am also very excited because I ordered some stuff off the Nike clearance site and it should be delivered today!!  I ordered a tee with a foam finger!!! and some new sneaks to try.  THose of you that know me, know I have an obse--er collection of foam fingers (and now foam claw from CUBS!) so i had to have this tee.

I have not had this much fun training for a marathon.  I have to give my thanks to marie purvis (@NikeGetFit) and the @Nikewomen for a) this amazing opportunity and b) for connecting me with women that are doing what I am doing.  My #SistersInNike (@TiaraBeth, @superwomankw, @nerissa_ann, @RenewedFitness and in spirit @marlyw) Normally I am plugging away at this alone. I don't have friends that want to run these distances, etc. So being able to motivate one another, seek advice, etc it has brought my training to a new level.  And I feel as though i have training partners for life!! This is a lifestyle to all of us and that is why I think we will remain united.  For that, I am so grateful.  

On this note i have to give a shout out to @itsallaboutme00 . she is getting on this NTC and NikeFuel bus!!!  she had an epoch first day with her band yesterday and I know it is the beginning of more remarkable feats to come!!

New Running Mantra

This past weekend in the training for Chicago full/NWM1/2 I had a 13 miler--went great--1:46:01.  And it felt like an easy breezy pace.  On Saturday am I had a four miler to do and the #TwitterRoadRace which is a virtual 5k that i ran in 23:19 for a woman's win!! 2nd time female winner--but this time was slower than last--i was running in awful weather last time and wanted it to be over.  this saturday was GORGEOUS and the mountains looked beautiful with sun rising, moon still up, etc.  Although my pup, Wrigley was letting some inner cujo out the first half mile, and we had to stop a lot during that stretch, we still made decent time.  We had a wedding saturday, hence me changing the long run to friday.  Wedding was fantastic, seeing distant relative's of hubbee's was great.  And the couple were soooooo adorable--bride was stunning and seems so sweet. "Welcome to Team Rehmer, Sara!"

sunday was a rest day, which i loved!! :) we floated and had a bbq at hubbee's 'rents house. Monday I was to do a 4 mile tempo--however we are suffering some awful air conditions due to wildfires and I had a headache/sore throat so I did it yesterday.  It was great! warm up mile 9:13, 1st tempo mile 7:57, 2nd 7:42, 3rd 7:30, 4th 7:19, cool down 8:57.  it all felt great and I felt as though i could have eeked out one more tempo mile... 
not as fast as the last tempo but there was an added mile. I also had a 45 min NTC to do yesterday, "fast and fierce" one of my faves so I did that in the am.  And we lost another softball game.  it will be over next week thank god!!! Today I have a 5 miler and thur is NTC and fri is yoga.  I am thoroughly enjoying being in training and really seeing/feeling the results.

so the new running mantra came to me while running my tempo run last night:

Creating A New Comfort Level!!!

When I was running and thought maybe i should take the speed down a bit I realized what exactly was happening with my body.  And I worked in some of the bikram yoga breathing--in and out through the nose--and I found a comfort zone at this new pace.  It worked wonders! :)