Kicking Negative Nancy's Butt

So last night I went for a run, but instead joined a pity party.  Basically I took about 3 running steps on the treadmill and knew my hamstring wasn't having it.  It was way past that sore pain all the way to that oh my heavens you idiot if you keep running you're going to hurt yourself worse pain.  Since I couldn't run I then had my own personal whine like a brat session on Twitter to all the fabulous people who commiserate with, listen to, and support me.
I whined about:

• How I'd been injured and had to take 3 full months off, had been running again for 2 months and was starting to feel a bit better about myself, and then pulled my hamstring in a rugby game 3 weeks ago. (Crummy luck!)  
• The fact that all this puts me way behind the weekly mileage I am normally at - where I had hoped to start my marathon training.
• My slower than usual running - what used to be 9 or 10 min miles (depending on distance) are now pushing 11 minutes and I am sure the injury has something to do with that.
• Missing out of the first few weeks of marathon training and feeling behind.
• Holding back T, my training partner, who is faster than me when I am healthy and dominating me right now, but patiently waiting while I run very slowly.
• Most of all I whined about how I feel like this is some crazy double edged sword - If I don't run then my distances and times don't improve and I won't be ready for the Marine Corp Marathon, but if I do run when my hamstring is hurting it may never get a chance to heal or even end up worse than it is now.

Cooper River Bridge (Bridges = Hills in Charleston)

So I stewed, felt depressed, and whined all last night and I realized it did me no good.  Feeling sorry for myself doesn't make me run faster or farther, it doesn't help me along in my training, and it sure as heck doesn't make my hamstring feel better.
Forget it - I had to stop with the negativity.  No point in dragging myself down.

I woke up early this morning and left my crappy butt attitude in bed.  

I headed to the Copper River Bridge for a little 6 mile route I planned out, but you know what - it just wasn't happening.  However, instead of being a crab about it I very slowly jogged 2 miles and then sat down and stared at the beautiful scenery for a while. I reminded myself - (I'm all about that positive self talk.  Don't worry it is an inner monologue, not out loud, you know because I don't want people to think I am crazy.) I ran 2 miles this morning and while that wasn't my goal it is more than a lot of people can say.  Plus even though it was hard for me to stop I made a really smart decision to take care of my body.   

Then I went to a barre class I had scheduled.  It was a great decision because it was super low impact with some fabulous stretching.  I am horrible about stretching so this is really beneficial for me.  (I pretty much completed all of my first marathon training without stretching, owning a foam roller, or compression socks, or using any type of fuel, food, or hydration on any long runs.  I know.  Crazy right?  However, that is a story for another blog.)   I felt really good after leaving the class especially because I stay after and stretched my hamstring out for a few extra minutes.  I think I am going to use this pain as a reason/proof that I need to stretch and make it my new goal to stretch and foam roll every night before bed.  

Tonight my mom and I headed out to dinner at this amazing Italian restaurant called Al Di La.  If you are ever in Charleston it is a winner for sure.  For her birthday I bought her two Groupons for dinner for 2 so we could have mother/daughter nights which I enjoy because I consider her one of my best friends. (Mom- when you read this don't let it go to your head!)  Our Groupon started off with an appetizer so we split the cheese plate.  It was so good I totally forgot to take a picture - Whoops!  Cheese distracts me.  

I let myself have a glass of Chianti.  I usually don't drink because I am not a huge fan of liquid calories, I'd rather eat them all in delicious food form.  However, an Italian red sounded amazing.

 Mom's pasta which she enjoyed.....

but my gnocchi was 100 times better (she may disagree).  I LOVE gnocchi!  Instead of stuffing the whole plate in my mouth at warp speed to enjoy these fluffy little balls of heaven I was good and took half of it home.  Hello lunch tomorrow.

Now if you all know anything about me by now, from this crazy blog, you know I love running and I have a killer sweet tooth!  While I am trying to reign my sugar cravings in and eat healthier so I can get in better shape (I think this while help my running) I believe you must enjoy life with the occasional splurge.  This tiramisu was outstanding.  So deliciously decadent that when my mom only had a couple bites I ate more than my fair share, I refused to let any go to waste.  It was so good I would have licked the plate (had the restaurant not been full and people nearby to notice).  

Marathon Training Update Vlog

I'm the little guest post queen today:)  Please go check them out:
A post on conquering my running weakness  (hills & speed -Yikes)

& one on controlling a sweet tooth (which is my constant healthy eating battle)   

Marathon Training Update

(Notice how awesome I look, no makeup nasty sweaty workout hair - Keeping it real for you all.

Rough start, but I'm doing it.  Not clicking as well as I hoped it would.  

Coming back from so much time off is tricky.

Do you have a race coming up?  If so what are you training for and how is it going?
What do you do to stay motivated when it isn't going as well as you had hoped/planned?

Asheville Trip & Vega Contest Results

This weekend T & I drove the 4 hours to Asheville for a day trip.
We ran a 9 mile training run to sight see and then took a 2 hour hike through the Pisgah Forrest.

We also checked out downtown Asheville for a bit and had a yummy late lunch (and some local ice cream) before heading back.

I took my Vega hiking with me to snap a photo for their Get Energized contest.
It starts August 1st and I may be asking you all to help vote.
(I never win anything and it would be cool to try.)

Now it is time for one of you to win though.... 

Congrats Andrea your twitter follow was #16.  I'll be contacting you.
Email backatsquarezero@gmail.com your shipping address
and phone number (for tracking).
Expect a Very Big box of smoothies very soon.

Easily Amused

Don't forget to sign up and win over 60 servings worth of Energizing Smoothies from Vega.

Happy Friday you all...
Just some fun to take you into the weekend.  

A friend sent this to me because she knows how graceful awkward I am.

This could not be truer!

Now, in case you didn't get enough of my Call Me, Maybe (worst singing ever)-

Two Call Me, Maybe videos worth watching:

The top a shout out to our men & women in uniform (thank you for all you do)

The bottom an AMAZING Cookie Monster version. Who doesn't love cookies?

What song is constantly stuck in your head right now?

Would you call me, maybe?

Want Change? Then Change!

Recently I have been hit by a realization - If I want to change the way I perform I have to change the way I workout.  Duh!  Watch me vlog about this realization and what I am doing about it.  

My newest workout Mantra:
If you follow me on Instagram (find me at) @BackatSquare0 you saw this last night after it suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks.

Seriously guys, I am busting it.
This is after doing sprint sets on the treadmill for 30 min.
Then following it up with burpees, squats, lunges, push ups, and kettlebells swings.
Things I didn't even know could hurt... HURT!

I decided to also take this inspiration and apply it to something I'd been thinking about for a while - The Plank a Day Challenge.

I have no core strength (or upper body strength FYI) and thought maybe that is why I have been having back problems.  

This seemed like a great way to push myself to work on my core, something I don't normally do.  I started on Monday and here are days 1-4.  I think at first I was not trying hard enough hence why the numbers were so low.  It is getting harder now so I think the times they will be creeping up very little from here on out.
My goal - 3 min plank by January 1st.  

One of the things that is motivating me most right now is the Twitter #PlankADay group we formed.  We  motivated, encourage, and occasionally tease, and challenge each other.  I am pushing myself even further knowing they are holding my accountable.  Thanks @MomonEmpty @robertwbriggs @mindybobe @runwithkate @FauxRunner @SolanaLeigh and all the others who are encouraging me.

Want to join in the conversation?  

You can encouraging me to plank, share you time with me, gain support through this crazy Twitter group, or just hassle me about how your planks dominate mine.
Find me on Twitter @BackatSquare0

Let me know - Are you interested in the #plankaday challenge?

Also, a friend of mine brought up a great question - What do you consider fitness?  

I just revealed I can run a marathon, but not do a single push up! (embarrassing, working on it)  Am I fit?  

I'd love to know - How do you define fitness?