Training starts...

Training starts... tomorrow!

I didn't run yesterday because my toe was still hurting {it has a nasty bruise) and I had to finish watching Orange is the New Black. It was an amazing Netflix series and I was dying to know how it ended, so in two days I spent 13 hours watching Netflix but didn't train once.

Ok, I know that is pathetic and I would've been better just not to share. I did sign up for The Color Run though which should count for something towards my running goal! I am officially signed up for 5 races including the half marathon in 2014. Now back to the training business....

I will post a tutu picture when it's finished!

I was planning on running today BUT it is pouring and chilly. We are going grocery shopping and to get tulle to make a pink tutu instead. That should count towards preparing myself to run. So help me, if I spent as much time running as I spend talking about it or getting ready to do it I would already be in good shape.

Tomorrow is going to be the day! I know it {unless it rains or is too cold}. Who thinks it's a good idea to start training in January? Well, let's just be honest I would have an excuse for any month of the year so what better time than in the New Year? Maybe I should just wait until January 1 to start training, a fresh new year and I will be able to start calculating my miles for the year.

I was going to run today BUT....

I was going to run today! Really, I was!

I had my outfit and ugly shoes ready to go and a plan.

I was going to find a parking area for the PW Parkway Trail OR run through Signal Hill Park {Why is it impossible to Google this?!} ! I had it mostly figured out.

I downloaded MapMyRun last night and got my account set up so I can keep track of just how many miles I run this year! At this rate I may not need the app to keep track for me!

 VS

I also spent an hour on iTunes looking for an audiobook. I put several on my "Wish List" and was going to make a decision this morning. This all sounds promising right?!

I was going to run today BUT...

• Lizzie had to get an inspection so I didn't have a buddy!
• I woke up with a terrible headache and sinus pressure. 
• It was 22 degrees when I wanted to run which is way too cold.
• My brother stopped to visit and I don't see him that often.
• I dropped my iPad on my toe and it is THROBBING.
• I dropped and shattered my iPhone while taking out the trash.

I think I will run tomorrow... if it is warmer and my toe stops hurting, plus my new iPhone will have arrived. Tomorrow might be the day that I start this "training" business.

Running Shoes

Today Lizzie and I went to Pacers Running Store to be fitted for shoes! Who knew finding the perfect running shoe was such a production? We both showed up in high heeled boots and dressed for an afternoon of shopping and lunch rather than a trip to the running store. We will get this running thing down sooner or later! 

First she measured our feet. Then she put some running shoes on us and watched us run around the store and on the tread mill. Let me just tell you about running shoes, they are NOT designed to be fashionable and I learned very quickly that I was NOT going to be purchasing a cute pair of pink shoes like I had in mind. The Pacers girl kept reminding me that comfort and support were more important and so did Lizzie. Guess what color Lizzie's shoes are? Yup, I hate her! She has adorable size 7 feet and got a pair of super cute pink, black and white Nike running shoes! My giant feet have limited selection and I needed a shoe with mild stability so I got a pair of gray and blue Mizuno running shoes. So my shoes aren't cute by any means but they were NOT the most hideous pair in the store BUT I did get a free entry to a Pacers run for purchasing the Mizunos. Now I have no excuse not to go for a run right? I think running around the store counts for today though, maybe I will run tomorrow...

After our shoe shopping we went to Sister's Living Room Cafe (Thai Food) and it was the cutest little restaurant ever with adorable decor! The food was also delicious and really reasonably priced! Lizzie and I had Tom Yum and Tom Ka Soup, Thai Basil Chicken, Drunken Noodles.and Thai Custard!

Then to top the day off look what she gives me?! A whole box of scrumptious cookies! Some running buddy she is!  I WILL run...tomorrow...

Research

I signed up for the half marathon over a week ago  and guess how many times I've run? Just guess! Go ahead. Come on, guess! OK, ok, I haven't been on ONE single run {yet} BUT I have done some research! I found a training schedule and by a, I actually mean more like 47 training schedules.

Training Schedule #1:

Training Schedule #2:

Training Schedule #3:

Ok, you get it! There are 44 more where those came from haha!

I also downloaded a book which is somewhat more for my entertainment than for the actual information. I was drawn to the book by the title of course but also the reviews of how absolutely hilarious Dawn Dias is! If you are a serious runner YOU will not think she is hilarious BUT because I am SO not a serious runner I relate can totally relate! 

So I have a running buddy, 47 training schedules to pick from,  I'm on chapter 4 of the NONRUNNERS Marathon Guide For Women, a Pinterest board of running inspiration, I have a shopping date for running gear tomorrow, I've researched places to run and running groups, I'm signed up for a half marathon and at least 11 other races in the upcoming year and I've not run once. 

Nikki the Runner

If you know me well enough at all the mere title, "Nikki the Runner" made you laugh out loud, I am NOT a runner. I do not even like to run, not even kind of, not even a little. Ok, maybe I like to run a little, teeny, tiny bit but in all actuality for me it's all about the social part, the outfits, and the pictures!

In 2013 I ran 4 races {with 0 training} and had a blast! 

First I did Run or DYE with Katie on a whim. Her friend Lindsey wasn't able to make the race so I was a stand in and this may be where the running obsession started. Katie and I always have a great time together and she has become one of my closest friends so I couldn't let her run alone! Luckily, this wasn't her first run and she was able to show me the ropes with packet pick up and all the ins and outs of races {this is where we learned about plastic bags for cell phones and socks to cover expensive shoes also}! We stood at the start line longer than it took us to actually run the race BUT we had an absolute BLAST! It was a whole day of adventure from the metro ride to lunch and beer afterwards, it was a great experience! As soon as we finished we were looking for our next race! 

Then I did the Color Run, Happiest 5k on the Planet with Kimberly and Eileen! I don't know what I was thinking running with these two, marathon trainers BUT it gave me an extra push to run the whole thing. I won't mention that they ran 18 miles the day before and were not running their personal best BUT I still ran with these two lovely ladies who may also be in part responsible for this running craze. Thanks you two for a little inspiration and maybe a swift kick in the tush!

Race 3 is where I found my running buddy at the Cosmic Run! Katie was supposed to join us but she got sick {and tipsy} so we braved the cold weather without her! This run was supposed to be in DC, and by DC they meant Maryland. I was less than thrilled about this run as I shot {photography} a wedding during the day, ran the 5k at night in MARYLAND (took us over two hours to get there with crummy traffic) and I had another wedding the following day! Lizzie and I had fun despite the chaos and the cold weather and we became running buddies for good!

The last race of 2013 was Jingle All the Way 8k which I was also less than excited about... do you notice a pattern here with me and running?! The only thing that got me signed up for the race was the idea of tutus which also made me less than excited at one point! Race day came after I handmade six tutus and there was rain, sleet and snow!!! We had SO much fun despite the miserable weather and this is where Lizzie and I made the running pact, maybe I can blame it on the cold weather or the "runners high" of finishing 8ks after no training or maybe it was the Dunkin Donuts Red Velvet Latte. Lizzie and I decided that we would like to run a race a month AND train for a half marathon. We are both non runners. 

Each race I was surprised at how easy it was for me to cross the finish line. You see, it's not that I don't like running because I can't do it, actual ability is not the problem, I am just lazy and I get bored running. So this year I set a goal, a race a month and a half marathon. Yup, you read that right, a half marathon. Since I've been able to run the 5ks and an 8k without running a day in between each race I decided that I needed to do something a little more challenging to force myself to train. So I am all signed up for the Diva Dash Half Marathon in Leesburg on September 9th, 2014 and I've talked Lizzie into joining me for the journey! Here is our schedule for the year so far! 

2014 Race List

January 5- Frozen 5k

February 9- Love the RUN Your With 5k (I think!)

March 9- St. Patrick's Day 8k

April- TBD

May 18- Color Run 5k 

June-TBD

July-TBD

August-TBD

September- Diva Dash Half Marathon 13.1 miles

October-TBD

November-TBD

December- Jingle All the Way 8k

Wish me luck, this may be the silliest "resolution" I've had yet!