In search of comfort food last night, I honestly thought the combination of beer and tomato soup was a great idea. Hindsight is 20-20. Apparently, when combined in such quantities, the two cause vomit-like tendencies by mid-sleep. I never actually threw up (thank god), but I’d wager I lost about two hours of quality rest. Oh well. When the alarm went off at 5:00 am, I contemplated ignoring it in order to reclaim 45 minutes or so of sleep. But, I thought, “Tomato-tomato (or, as my Italian friends say, mezza-mezz). I probably won’t feel that much more rested if I stay here, in this cozy warm bed, god damnit.” So I got up, cursed a few more times and braved the cold. It was nice to be back on my regular route, where I know the mileage and can anticipate the hills. But my performance and my overall time was slightly diminished by what I’m now calling the tomato soup incident.

Run time: 5 minute warm-up, 15 minute run
Total distance: 1.7 miles
Total time: 20:00 minutes

 

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I love cupcakes. I get excited every time a new cupcake shop opens in DC. In fact, I went to Hello Cupcake everyday for an entire week once. For lunch. Anyway, I fear the burst of the cupcake bubble and try to do my part to keep local cupcake businesses in the black. This is all background information to explain why today, as I was manning a trade show booth for eight long hours, I managed to eat about, oh, five cupcakes. Granted, they were small. And I also only ate the icing. That makes it ok, right? Because it was just sugar. And maybe butter? Actually, I don’t really know what’s in icing. All I know is I’m feeling very guilty at the moment, and although tomorrow was supposed to be a rest day, I’m thinking it might best to work off the pound of goo that is now churning in my stomach.

Run time: 5 minute warm-up, 20 minute run
Total distance: 2.0 miles
Total time: 25:00 minutes

 

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When runners’ guides invented rest days, I’m not sure they intended for us to go all out, eating and drinking everything in sight. As if, “I’m not running today, therefore I deserve to not only not run, but also eat twice as much as I normally do.” Well, that seems to be my philosophy, and, right now, I’m totally ok with that. Today is the start of the Labor Day weekend, and my office got out at noon. I used the extra few hours to buy a few groceries and make J and the fam a lasagna. Being totally modest, I have to say it was DE-licious. And after a healthy portion, half a bottle of wine, and a Peroni, I’m feeling pretty good. I might regret all this tomorrow morning, but, right now, I feel completely deserving of my indulgent rest day. And I refuse to stress about getting through the run tomorrow. Next on the agenda is the couch, a movie, possibly another Peroni and, as the name “rest day” suggests, some good, um, rest.

My commitment to my schedule continues. I attempted five-minute intervals on Saturday morning. Thankfully, I made it through, cheating on only two of the five-minute spurts. It was a painfully humid day here in Maryland, so I didn’t beat myself up too much about it. But my overall time actually increased again, which was perhaps more painful than the humidity that day (fine print: I despise failing). Afterward, J and I decided to do some math because A) we are dorks, and B) I was not thrilled with my performance that day. Our conclusion: I always walk for five minutes to warm up, so, although my total time was 28:52, that essentially means that in 23:52 I am probably covering about 2.4 miles (if I walk .25 mile in the first five minutes). That’s about a 10-minute mile. Ugh. I repeat, ugh. Maybe when I get through this interval phase, I’ll start to feel better about my time.

Interval: 5 minute run, 1 minute walk
Total distance: 2.7 miles
Total time: 28:52 minutes

Sunday was my optional rest day. After seeing a late movie at the drive-in the night before, and with a strong craving for a Bloody Mary, I decided to take myself up on the offer. And boy did I ever. We ended up in Baltimore at an awesome restaurant on the water called Pizzazz Tuscan Grille. I had my Bloody Mary, two Morettis, some calamari, bruschetta, a salad and penne with clam sauce. Plus I tried some pizza. Oh, and I almost forgot about the peanut butter and chocolate cake. Damn it.

I went for my second three-minute interval run today, after using yesterday as a rest day (and a wine tasting day – it was part of J’s birthday celebration). Everyone says rest days are essential, but I found that I lost a part of my groove. I made it back out this morning, feeling well-rested and ready. It could’ve been the heat, it could’ve been the copious amount of wine consumed the day before. But, regardless, I was dying out there. The 2.7 miles at my new three-minute interval pace seemed like eternity. I returned home feeling slightly nauseous and dizzy. I couldn’t stop thinking about the Wayne’s World quote, “If you have to spew, spew into this.” My “this” would have been my tshirt sleeve. I was that close. But here I am, a few meals and another bottle of wine later, feeling better… but nervous about how I’ll do tomorrow.

Interval: 3 minute run, 1 minute walk
Total distance: 2.7 miles
Total time: N/A (not recording this yet)

I’ve decided that Beer is not a supportive partner in a healthy running routine. Beer claims to be your friend, but the reality is he is trying to derail your morning schedule. I discovered this over the weekend when I traveled to Boston to visit with J’s family (and J of course). Motivated from a great first week of running, I brought my new shoes and all of my accessories on my trip. I figured, nice hotel = fitness facility = run. But my “good friend” Beer had other plans in mind. He convinced me to have a great time and sleep as much as I possibly could before our drive back on Sunday. Unlike my karaoke night the week before, he was in full force this time. And, alas, I had no choice. I fear if I am serious about this routine of mine, I must say no to Beer – or at least reduce the amount of nights I invite him out on the town.

Six cups of coffee and a sugar-free Redbull later, I finally made it through the day yesterday. The night before last, I decided it was a good idea to go out for some karaoke and a few beers. I don’t regret it for a second. But four hours of sleep, followed by my morning run, made yesterday pretty tough. I don’t remember the last time I was that tired. The August humidity probably didn’t help matters, but you know what? I’m proud of myself. I made it through the run, the day, and even a few errands last night after work. Sleep never felt so good. And this morning’s run was that much better. Of course, I’m still doing my one-minute intervals, but feeling healthy.

Interval: 1 minute run, 1 minute walk
Total distance: 2.7 miles
Total time: N/A (not recording this yet)