A Tuesday Freebie!

Today I got something for free that I've wanted for a while.

While searching the storage area at the hospital for our new office space, I came across this...

A bosu ball!!!!!!

I politely asked the guy what it was doing here.  He didn't have a clue.  Then he turned to me and said, "if you want it, take it, it's been here for months and I don't even know what it is"

I turned to him and said, "It is mine!  That's what it is!!!"

Score!

I've been wanting one for our home gym and was too cheap to buy one!!  Those things are expensive!!

So it is residing in my house now.  I feel like I've struck gold!!

Now I need to read up on some exercises!!

4TW5K Race Report!

Yesterday was the race I've been training for like a mad woman!  4 The Wounded 5K is a race I've done for the past four years and I was going to make this year the best time ever!  (and beat the hubby's course record)

This race is one of the TOUGHEST races I do every year.

First of all it's in June, which is very iffy here in Virginia.  It could range from 60-100 degrees easily.

It has two different courses, one trail, one road.  I've always chosen the trail.

It has a very long hill after a very long downhill (you run down first really fast, then turn around and run back up it!!)

Trails freak me out a bit and we had a few rainy days last week and all I kept thinking about was that the trail was going to be muddy and slick (like my last trail race which ended horribly and resulted in a broken bone)

But it's for a good cause.  100% of the proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project, which I've said in the past is a cause near and dear to me.  This year just the participants raised $117,000.  Final numbers will be announced later this week.

So yesterday I woke up and it was a beautiful sunny day around 65 degrees!  Woo Hoo!

I was feeling excited to beat my old PR (27:24) and to beat the hubby's course record (27:01).

Let me tell you...beating a 27:01 on a trail is no joke.  I've been trying to beat him for 2 years!

I brought in an expert for this race (my friend/coach) and she wrote me a training plan to beat him.  Of course her comment was, "You will run fast, but you are crazy and you do crazy races, so hopefully you will beat the hubby"

So I did what she said.  Most days I liked her, on speed work days (Tuesdays) I hated her, like cursed her most of the way...in my head because I had no air left in my lungs to actually say the words.

But then yesterday something happened.

I ran fast.

Really fast.  (For a trail race)

I ran down the hill super fast...like a 7:43 pace.  This is the ONLY consistent mile on road.

Then I turned around and ran up hill only to be met with the trail at the top of the hill.  Ugh.

Every year I run this race I think to myself, "Why in the hell do I subject myself to this pain?'

Then I think to myself of all the soldiers that don't have legs or arms.  Soldiers that have PTSD.  I've never been to war but I'm so thankful for those that do.

Then all the pain goes away.

So I ran.  And I ran hard.  I ran as fast as my legs would let me.  I breathed as deep as my lungs would allow.  And I ran.  I owned that course.  I made it my bitch.

And I won (so I didn't actually win any awards, but I won bragging rights)

I ran a 26:46...ON A TRAIL!!!  I was in beast mode.  An 8:39 pace...on a trail.

My fear of trails have somewhat subsided...for now.

So it's official.

I finally beat the hubby's course PR.

Finally.

Me and the hubby.  Matching shirts...yes.

Steph and I, no matching shirts.

Change is on the horizon

There have been many changes that have occurred in the month of May for me.  One being of course changing jobs.  I'm super stoked about my new job!  So stoked I'm gonna bore you with the story!  Haha!!

Several months ago I approached my boss at the OB/GYN clinic about a full time position.  I knew as soon as I graduated that I wanted to work full time.  I haven't worked full time in years (I know I'm a totally spoiled brat).  After discussion with the hubby about where to work and how to save for retirement, I knew I needed a full time job so I don't have to work until I'm 80.  I want to enjoy my adult years, grandchildren (hopefully) and travel.  The hubby and I are in agreement that we want to enjoy our lives before we cannot take care of ourselves.

After I approached my boss she told me that she really didn't have a full time position.  I was very up front with her and told her I have to find something.  So my journey began with lots of searching with the very limited time I had.  After being turned down by both hospitals "new grad program", I was feeling very discouraged.  I was on one of the hospitals websites and saw a posting for a nurse in the orthopedic clinic.

On a whim I applied.

Within two days I received an email from the hiring manager wanting to interview me.  I emailed her back immediately to be sure she was fully aware I was in nursing school and could not work until June.  Her response?  "I still want to meet you"

I interviewed for the job April 1st (April Fool's!!).

I was there for almost two hours.  I met all the staff and doctors.  I also met the doctor that I would work with if I was hired.  She's a beautiful blonde doctor from Texas.  We clicked immediately.  Then she asked if I had any experience in sports ortho.  I asked if she meant professional or personal.  She said either, so I told her about my experience with my hand injury.  After my story she raised her right hand...and made a fist.  She broke the exact same finger...on the exact same hand.  How ironic.  I was like "NO WAY!!!"

I left that day feeling like they may offer me the job.  Two weeks later I received an email with the official offer.  Since it's with the hospital it takes a while to go through the chain of command.

I'm super excited about this new chapter in my life as an RN (NCLEX pending) at the sports orthopedic clinic.  I've always been interested in sports medicine (obviously).  Not only will I be in the clinic, I will also be her OR (operating room) nurse meaning I'll assist with all her surgeries.  I'm getting the best of both worlds, clinic hours, no holidays, no weekends, AND OR time!!!

I often say "everything happens for a reason".  In this case I feel like I was meant to apply and get this job.  I was turned down for the hospital floor jobs because this one was the one meant for me.  Although I did shed some tears when I didn't even get an interview for the PICU or NICU, I know now why I didn't get those jobs.

I just hope it's as awesome as it is in my head right now.


Do you believe in fate?  

I sure do!

Yes, I'm still alive...

So the last time I posted was April 13...wow, so much has happened.

Even fellow blogger Heather checked up on me!  <-----  How sweet is that????

I needed to take a break from all things that were considered "fun".  Blogging was one of them.  I was so deep into school that I really didn't have ANY time to take off and read anyones blog.  That made me kinda sad that I didn't have time to sit down and read anything that wasn't related to nursing.  But guess what?????  I'M DONE!!!  I GRADUATED!!!

But so much has happened in the past month that I need to do a quick update with full details to follow!!

Here are a few things that have happened...

I went to a baseball game with my family on Easter!  We saw the Cardinals (our fav!!) play the Nats in D.C.  The Cards lost but we still had a blast!  The last time I went to a baseball game I was preggo with the boy!  <----  Long time ago!!!!

I had a job interview last month, and they loved me (I mean, what's NOT to love???) and offered me a full time position!!!  It's gong to be a great opportunity for me.  It's in sports orthopedic clinic!!!  This is one of the fields I've always been interested in and starting next week I get to start!!  It's days only, Monday-Friday, and I get some operating room time with my doctor!!  What?!?!  I'm so stoked!!!

Oh and I graduated nursing school!!!  What?!?!  Yup!  I did it!  Soon I'll be taking the NCLEX exam to officially get my Registered Nursing license!!!  Can't wait!

The hubby and I just got back from a week long vacation with my bestie and her hubby in Punta Cana!  We had a blast!!

While we were there I celebrated my 35th birthday!!  Nothing like spending my birthday in a foreign country drinking Mai Tai's on the beach!!!

I'm still training for my 5K that is actually next Saturday, so there was no shortage of running while I was on a  "break"!

So that's all for now, I'm sure there is more, but now I must read all the things that have happened to y'all!!!

Did y'all miss me???

Training Week 2

So this is my second week training for the 5K in June.  This week was good, the weather was nice so it made it much more enjoyable!

Monday:
Run:  Rest!
Fun to start off the week with a rest day!
Squats:  80

Tuesday:
Run:  Speed Work!
          Warm up:  15 min @10:17 pace
           Easy:  5 min @10:00 pace
           Fast:  7 min @8:37 pace
           Easy:  5 min @9:44 pace
           Cool down:  10 min @9:38 pace
           Total:  4.33 miles
64 degrees, 10mph winds, 31% humidity
Row:   1285m / 6 min

Wednesday:
Run:  Easy 4.35 miles @10:51 pace
50 degrees, 4mph winds, 54% humidity
Squats:  100!

Thursday:
Run:  Rest!
Squats:  105

Friday:
Run:  Fast 3 miles @8:49 pace
Splits:  8:47
            8:59
            8:41
74 degrees, 9mph winds, 31% humidity
Yes, I realize that they are supposed to be negative splits.  In my defense, the second mile was uphill.  
Row:  1065m / 5 min
Squats:  110

Saturday:  Rest!!

Sunday:
Run:  5.07 miles @9:53 pace
64 degrees, 6mph winds, 64% humidity
Squats:  130!

Total mileage:
Run:  16.8 miles
Row:  2350 m / 1.5 miles
Squats:  525!

Speed work day was difficult for me.  I had an awful clinical day and was needing some relief.  My "cool down" wasn't actually a cool down.  I hit my goal pace easily and it was mostly uphill.  It is difficult for me to slow down to a 10:xx after I run an 8:xx.  It was also super windy, and that made it tough for sure!  I've discussed pace issues with Coach L and we are going to do some adjusting for next time.

I ran in very different temps this week all with different humidities and wind.  I can say that Sunday's long run in the 64% humidity was harder for me, I knew when I walked out it just felt hot!  It was actually the same temperature on Tuesday for speed work and it felt so much hotter on Sunday!
 
I'm almost half way through the 30 day squat challenge!  My quads have been sore the past two days!!

After my 5 mile run today I totally chafed.  Between the boobs.  Ugh.  I've worn this bra before, and it did it last time, but no where near the extent of today.  I won't wear it to run again, it'll just be my "bra around town when I don't need a 'real bra'" bra.

Right between the boobies

I also got my hair done this week!  Ahh!!!

I think I'm picking up a frequency here!

This is what I have been studying...I don't even know how to pronounce most of the words!

All I know is you don't want it!

After my "fast" run, I had my most favorite lunch!!

How was your week?  Is it warming up where you are?  
I'm gonna have to pull out the running skirts!

Training Week 1

So this is obviously not my first training week, but it's my first in a while.  I have 9 weeks until my race in June so I count this as one.

Coach L has made me a plan to be faster, which I'm super stoked about.  She is a fellow nursing school buddy and in her spare time runs super fast and wins races and stuff.  When she said something about making a training plan for herself I said, "hey, make me one of those, I'll do what ever you tell me"  So she did.  To be quite honest, I like her doing it for me.  I'm easy, I'll do what you say, just give me the plan. 

She makes me start on Monday, which is different for me, but I'm cool with it.

Monday:  Run:  Recovery Run / 24:00 / 2.3 miles @ 10:27 pace 

                          Felt great, easy peasy.  It was windy and cool, but loved not having a distance, just time

                Row:  1087m / 5:00

Tuesday:  Run:  Speed Work!  

                          Warm up 15-20 min @ 10:35 pace         

                          5 x 400 @ 8:00 pace (or as close as I can get)                                       

                          400 recovery @ 10:30

                          10 min cool down @10:40               

                          Total: 5 miles

                          This was awesome, the weather was great!  Around 60 when I took off, windy

                Row:  1093m / 5:00

                Squats:  50  <------  30 Day Squat Challenge begins!!

Wednesday:  Run:  Rest day!

                              Totally took a 3 hour nap!  Hahaha

                     Squats:  55

Thursday:  Run:  Easy / 3 miles @ 9:50 pace

                           75 and sunny with a little rain to cool me off!  I felt naked with a tank on!

                  Row:  1095m / 5:00

                  Squats:  60

Friday:  Run:  Rest

             Squats:  Rest

Saturday:  Run:  Easy / 3 miles @ 9:50 pace
                          This was a great run, super nice weather, and a quick out and back

                 Row:  1092m / 5:00

                 Squats:  70

Sunday:  Run:  Easy / 5 miles @ 9:59 pace
                        First long solo run in a while since Stephanie was sickly.  Legs felt tired too.

               Row:  1083m / 5:00

               Squats:  75

Total Mileage:

Run:  18.6 miles

Row:  5450 meters / 3.4 miles

Squats: 310

I haven't done speed work in a looooooooong time.  It was kinda nice to program the workout into the Garmin and go.  I used to do speed work on the treadmill or track.  L says to do it on the road, it'll simulate what the race will be like.  I couldn't agree more.  It was much nicer to do it on the road, it seemed less tedious.  Speed work has never been a favorite, but doing it just on my route made it much easier to tolerate!  Also this is the first time I actually did a "warm up" and "cool down".  When I'm on the treadmill or track I just want to get it over with.  Being outside on the road made it much easier, and I really enjoyed the cool down!!

I like my "easy" runs.  When I asked her how fast those should be she said, "run as slow or as fast as you want, just go by feel"  I like that!

Those don't last for long, unless it's a recovery run after a long run or speed work.  Oh well, I'll take it!

I'm still doing the squat challenge.  I'm sore.  But in the places I wanna be (chub rubs!!).  With each squat I think, "tight ass, here I come!!!"

Rowing.  Yeah, I still don't like it, but I do it.  I need it.  We have an understanding, I put in the time, Killer will give me the arms I want.  I will commit to doing it for 5 minutes after every run.  Next week I'll give him 6 minutes.

After all of my hard work this week I deserved one of these...

Yay for hot pink toes!!

Then Coach L came over Saturday and I played with this new hair thing that makes cool wavy hair...

I totally bought L's from her!

How was your week?  

Are you doing the "30 Squat Challenge" with me?  

I totally recruited the peeps where I get therapy on my hand to do it with me!!  

Accountability

I feel the need to throw it all out there from now until mid May.  This way I am accountable for my actions, which help motivate me.

I have a rather awesome month ahead in May:

Mother's Day!!

I'll graduate nursing school!!  

My parents are coming to SEE me graduate nursing school!!

I'm going on a rather awesome vacation with the besty and her hubby!!  

My birthday WHILE I'm on vacation!!

Now which one is more exciting?  I honestly don't know.  I feel as though I deserve them all, and I love that they are all happening in one month!!

So since all of these awesome things are coming up, I feel the need to look awesome, because there will be LOTS of pics the entire month!!  

So what do I need to do?  Well I need to get my ass in gear.  For realz.  I've been pretty de-motivated for the past month.  March sucked to be quite honest.  The weather was crappy (it seriously snowed 3 times at least 6 inches!), I haven't been the normal "awesome" nursing student, and well I just have felt grumpy and had no motivation.

What did I do about it?  

I started taking a multivitamin and other vitamins for starters.  I felt better, not as tired all the time.  

And well, that's about it.

So from here until vacation, I'm gonna post my workouts from each week.  And I'm gonna start the "30 Day Squat Challenge" on April 1st.  

After dinner with my running buddy last night, we've decided we should to do the "Squat Challenge" since we need to "lift" our asses.  I don't have many options right now since the hand is still in therapy and I've only been cleared to run, bike, row, and any other workout that doesn't require me to use my hand much.  So squats are perfect.  

So who's up for the challenge?  It's only 30 days of squats! 

If you'd like to join us, here is the schedule:

I'm totally going to take a pic of day one and then of day 30 to compare.  I'm kinda excited.  

Okay, not really.  Mostly because I know that my legs are gonna hurt so bad I won't be able to sit on the toilet like normal.  You know what I'm talking about... you kinda like a hover over until you finally line up then you drop it like it's hot and hope you don't miss.

So that's the plan for the next 30 days.  I also have a friend that is making me a running plan to better my 5K time.  She is a super fast runner who in her spare time coaches people and love to make training plans...all while she is in nursing school!!  Where does she find the time??  

So April should be fun!  I hope to run more since hopefully since it is April, it'll be warmer!!

Are you up for the challenge?  Have you ever done a 30 day challenge?