Outfit #2? Don't mind if I do. :)

Time sure does fly when you work, train and try to just get stuff done! Realizing this is "race" week for me, I figured you all would expect a blog post. But before I get into racing stuff, can I just tell you that I LOVE Bachelor Pad and wish I was writing a Bachelor Pad recap? Seriously, these folks are so entertaining and make me realize just how smart I really am! I find myself scratching my head week after week, trying to figure out how in the hell Kermit the Frog (Kasey from Ali's season) is actually the "brains" of the house. And when I say brains, I use that term very, very loosely. Anyway, the finale is next week and my money is on Michelle & Graham winning. Their strategy for the "Nearly Wed" game was brilliant.

So back to the purpose of the blog. The Chicago Half Marathon RD sent out an email last week urging all participants to wear red, white & blue since the race is on 9/11 and this is the 10 year anniversary. As you all know, I had already purchased a snazzy outfit from Athleta that Keith would be able to spot easily. The added bonus? The lime green shorts & purple top matched my new Asics. Score Score Double Score. I thought about wearing the outfit anyway but then realized I would get another new running outfit out of this so why not? More importantly though, I love the idea of a sea of patriots running towards the finish line! So what did I do? I went up to Luke's Locker in search of some cute shorts. I looked & looked and nothing was just right. Then I came across a pair of shorts I knew I had to have. The next step, find a shirt. Below please find my options. :)

The top looks much more red in the pic. In real life, it's more coral. I realize that description doesn't help the men in my reading audience.

I'm digging the blue. I found that the fabric draped nicely over my shoulders and the color worked magic on my eyes. The bluest eyes in Texas are haunting me tonight. (Name that band)

So yes, I will be sporting red, white & blue shorts that just happen to be the Texas Flag!!!!! Yeeeee haw!

I'm sure you're all expecting a few words about the "race" (another term I'll use loosely). This is more of a C race for me and I'm 100% cool with that. I have a game plan that if executed, will result in negative splits for mama. Since signing up with ORR and finding out Ana would be my coach, I've taken to my new training program like a duck to water. Like Ike to Tina. Like a prom dress to the floor. Ok, maybe that one was bad. I think you get the point though. I've REALLY enjoyed my training the past few weeks and have really enjoyed feeling stronger. I'm so excited to run on Sunday and just want to execute the plan and look forward to my next race.

In other news, Keith has been riding like a man on a mission and is LOVING cycling. On top of that, Emily (his 2nd youngest) is signed up for The Woodlands Marathon while Caitlin (his 2nd oldest) has signed up for The Woodlands Half Marathon. I'm so excited for these ladies to train and have fun races!!! This weekend, we all went running and Hannah even joined us. Let me tell you, getting us all out of the house should've been video taped b/c it would've been a great reality show. I showed up with my stop watch & whistle which really completed the whole experience. What a fun weekend with most of the Chalfant gang.

Well, I'm off now as I have a few more things to do before bed and plan to post again before the big race...maybe. I hope you all had a great Labor Day and enjoy the rest of your week!

Balls off the Treadmill Please!

Can I just tell you I am thoroughly enjoying my new training schedule?!? The swims have been challenging and not boring at all! I’ve been enjoying the cycling more than I ever have before and actually look forward to long rides instead of dreading them. And while I’ve been running slow due to me being back in base training mode and needing to keep the HR low, I’m REALLY enjoying running again. It’s so nice to be eager to open Training Peaks and see what fun my coach has planned for me. Yay!

So with the hot temps, I’ve been forced to venture inside for some of my runs and even my last “long” run. It’s so much easier to control HR on the treadmill (with the AC) and I find I’m able to control my pace much more. While I’ve never LOVED treadmill running, I don’t mind doing it on occasion. I mean, not much can go wrong. Or so I thought. On my long run this past weekend, I was in a zone. I had my iPod on (playing Run DMC and Salt n Pepa of course) and was just enjoying the workout. All of a sudden, I lunge forward, nearly hitting the machine. What the heck? The treadmill sort of started to jerk a bit and so I slammed the giant red STOP button. I literally stood there and scratched my head. What just happened? When I lunged forward I thought MAYBE I tripped as I’m not exactly the most graceful person. But no, that wasn’t it. I started the treadmill, keeping my legs off the belt and just watching. Everything was moving as it should. I thought I could hear someone talking so I pulled one of the earbuds out and turned around to find some dumb lady saying, “Oh, I did that”. At the 24 off Kuykendahl, there is an area behind the treadmills where you can use exercise balls and what not. She was standing behind the railing, reaching for her GIANT BLACK EXERCISE BALL that was next to my treadmill. Being I actually have a brain, I started to put two & two together and figured something happened where the ball that should’ve been on the ground became airborne, sailed over the railing and struck my treadmill, causing the belt to stick and me to lunge forward. I got pissed. I looked at her square in the eye and told her she needed to be more careful b/c she was going to hurt someone if she didn’t learn how to control that ball. She said, “I said I’m sorry. Geez.” Oh hell no. She then had the audacity to ask me to hand her the ball. I looked at her and said, “Are you kidding me”. Her response, “No”, made me even more angry. I got off the machine and shoved the ball to her chest and reminded her to be careful and then vigorously shook my head back & forth as I thought that would adequately convey how annoyed I was. She kept talking so as she looked at me, I put the earbuds back in and got back on the treadmill. I’m sorry but if you are too stupid to control the stability ball, you shouldn’t exercise (or procreate for that matter).

In other news, the Chicago Half Marathon is quickly approaching which means, so is the Houston Oly. Woo hoo. Because my new uniform order is not here yet, I decided I would go ahead and buy a cute outfit for the Chicago Half. I mean, if I’m not going to PR, I should at least look cute. Here’s a pic of my outfit which is bright enough for not only Keith, but the legally blind to see. I’m praying my Outrival race gear comes in so I can sport the new team colors for the Houston Oly. That would be swell. Have I mentioned I love the red & black colors? I spent most of my high school years at James Logan High in Union City, California and it just so happened they had the same colors and I LOVE them!

Well, that's all I've got folks. This post has been sitting in draft for several days. Just call me slacker!

Workouts - 2, Jenny - 1

Well, I certainly didn't think I would be blogging again so soon yet here I am! As you know, I was super excited to get started with my new training schedule this week. While I had been updating Training Peaks myself even though I didn't have a coach, it's not like I HAD to do anything. I mean, I was the boss of me (for once). My run last night was like starting over as it was time to start on the foundation again. The whole concept of slowing down in order to go faster is still a little foreign to me but I'm a (somewhat) trusting individual and so here I am again. What an embarrassing run that was! I can't take ALL the responsiblity for the slower pace. I mean, running in Houston this time of year isn't all that different than running on the surface of the sun. And on top of that, I didn't exactly hydrate the way I should have during the day yesterday. Either way, scoreboard to the workout. Nada for JJ.

Tuesday brought two workouts. For the purpose of this blog, let's just focus on the swim. Trust me when I tell you my cycling workout on the trainer was nailed. Ok, so back to the swim. I was very excited when I saw my main set. 4 sets of 4x100 at various speeds. Hmm, easy enough. I mean, this would be way better than my 30x100 prior to IMTX. Ha! Jenny said a funny. So let me just say that the workout kicked my rear just a bit. Once again, I really didn't hold myself to too many interval workouts the past couple of months. Don't get me wrong, I pushed myself from time to time but for the most part, I was just exercising. I finished my workout a little short of breath but feeling good that I stuck to the plan. Regardless of my good attitude, the workout one. Point 2 for you.

The old Jenny would dwell on "bad" workouts and think of all the reasons why it could've (should've) been better. Not the new Jenny. Despite the fact both workouts were tough and somewhat disappointing, I had fun. Yes, as bad a day today was, I enjoyed being in the water and working out with a purpose.

Let's see if this chipper attitude hangs in for the rest of the week!