If You Wanna Run Faster Run Faster

I'm having serious issues with having actual work getting in the way of my non professional, non paying running career.  I decided to work on other elements of my running besides high mileage till I can work in some more free time.  

–– I've been working on my running pace by following the If you wanna run faster run faster dumba** plan.  It's totally working.  Almost every time I have to do treadmill miles I start around a 8:30 pace then ekk up my pace slowly or fast depending on how many miles I want to do and my mood.  Ending around a 6:30 pace for a very short time. Usually like a minute.  Then when I've been getting to do outside runs it's like magic.  My average whatever pace for outside was usually around 8:30 now it has dropped to right around 8:00.  Pretty awesome.

–– I've also started lifting weights with regularity.  Right before I ran my 50 miler I was down to no weights.  Then I went back to once a week but meaning to do two a week.  I have managed a 2 a week plan for the past 3 weeks and have noticed a difference.  Starting a 3 a week plan next week.

–– Bought weight lifting gloves.  Totally helping and loving them.

–– Something strange is happening this week.  It looks like I'll have a lot of time to run and run outside. What?!  I finally hit an over 30 mile week today ending with 31 miles.  Next week I'll easily have time for 50 which would probably be a bad idea since my milage has been hovering in the low 20's for the most part.  

–– Started thinking about future races I'd like to sign up for.  Signed up for the Psycho Psummer 50k.  It will be my 3rd year doing it.  

Wall Art

I've been working on adding to my bedroom wall art a piece at a time since Wake up & be awesome went up in January.  It's really coming together now.  Probably belongs in a museum but instead it's in my bedroom where it will be seen by no one.  The picture above just demonstrates my poor iPhone photography skills, looks so much better in person.  If you would like to schedule a viewing let me know.

I'm using different techniques for each of the pieces.  Wake up I did in glitter.  

This one is all Gretchen.  She cut up the cow postcard, taped the fabric scrap to the bottom and added the aladdin sticker.  Then hung it up on the wall herself.  I'm not sure what it represents.

Best things I went old school and broke out the cross stitch.  Felt like I was in 4-H again.  I picked the quote because I think it's funny and true.

Only a fool is just sharpie markers, a little quicker than cross stitch.  I got the quote from Ray Lewis in an Xbox commercial.  I'm not a Lewis fan but I do like the quote.  I mean if anyone knows how to not trip on what's behind him.

Run the mile I stitched on the sewing machine.  It is bright orange thread on gray wool.  I really like how it turned out.  I looked up where it was from,  David Willey, a Runner's World Editor.  I found the quote on pintrest where I find most everything.  Seems like good running/life advice.

I may redo this one.  It is just printed on the computer kinda needs a little more.  Another quote about working hard, I like it.  The quote comes from Vince Lombardi a coach full of great quotes.

Your shorts I may redo as well.  I wrote it out with a Sharpie then stitched over it on the sewing machine.  I went to iron out the fabric and the steam from the iron caused the marker to bleed.  Like, don't like, I don't know.  The quote comes from a Nike ad.  I don't know if this one sounds silly but it's for me and so true.  When I started running I was wearing down to the knee basketball shorts.  Now I wear short shorts, can't have all that excess fabric getting in the way.

Working is Ruining my Running

So I decided I was going to have to suck it up and start working constantly.  I added waitressing to my list of jobs.  I've since decided I'm not a fan.  The job is good it's just really getting in the way of my running.  April was by far my lowest mileage month by far. Under 100 for the month.  Not acceptable, but I'm working on carving out more running time without giving up Gretchen time.

I do work across the street from Liberty Memorial which has lots of these.

Stairs!  Occasionally I have time for a run right after waitressing and run them.  Little perk of the job.

Since I can't run as much as I want I bought myself this to work on that other goal.  Currently only at half a pull up but can do one full chin up.  This is an improvement.  Installed it just 2 days ago so I'm expecting dramatic results soon.

Unrelated but important:

I came home after working all day planing on my usual cheese quesadilla dinner.  I pulled out my last 2 flour tortillas and this unopened bag of shredded cheese.  I made my quesdilla and sat down to eat.  Took one bite and realized one of the 4 cheeses was America.  FYI Kraft pasteurized prepared cheese product is not cheese so don't include it in your 4 cheeses!  Yuck!  Had to throw it out and eat some oatmeal.  This is really the most upsetting thing that happened this month.  American cheese I'm not a fan.