Seeing as I have finals coming up, I’ve just spent 4 hours at the library, and thought that blogging would be a great study break! It took me a long time to realize how much more efficient I am in the library than in my room. Plus, today was really hot and our fan is not working (expert tip-if you kick fans, they may not continue to work), and the library is air-conditioned.
Let me back up. I’m sure all you guys care about is my morning- or rather, kitten pictures! I am sooo excited to be volunteering to care for kittens this summer. Most of them are under 4 weeks old! I will be going once a week, on the 7am shift. But enough of that, here are some pictures! They are all sleeping, so the pictures kind of look like lumps of fur. 
These pictures really don’t capture how tiny they are! Lilly was definitely a lot older when we got her. I think towards the end of the season, I’ll pick up more shifts. I go back to school a lot later than most, so towards the end of the season, they will probably be short of hands. SO EXCITED.
Less exciting is my last (good) brunch of the year!
But then, when is avocado ever boring?
And then my pre-study necessity:
An iced latte was soo perfect. I was really drowsy from a nap, and hot because my room is not air conditioned!
Last night, I did my 4 mile training run. While running, I realized that I really need to make running my priority this summer. By that, I mean, it has to take priority over my other workouts. Last summer when I trained for my 10k, I just tacked the running on to the rest of my other workouts. Most of my training runs were not with fresh legs. However, I can’t really do that this time around, because the mileage is much higher. Running has to be what I do first thing in the morning. If I want a Spin class or yoga recovery, then that’s great. But running needs to come first. The reasons for these thoughts? My legs were pretty much shot on my run. I also decided after the Nike Women’s marathon in October, I want to start training for a 5k PR. To be fair, I’ve only run one actual 5k, and I have run faster than I did that day, but I think it would be a good change of pace. 
5k last year- Santa Run! My time was 25 something….
Also, I have a question for you runners- I love strength training, and am going to continue that through my half training. Do you prefer running the day after lifting while sore, or the day of while tired?
I bring this up because I am quite sore. I really love free weights-almost everything I do, I use the bar for. It is more of a total body workout. For example, I hadn’t done deadlifts much lately, and during those yesterday, my core was definitely getting a workout! And despite doing doing but squats and deadlifts yesterday, my shoulders are SUPER sore. That really is a mystery to me. Maybe from holding up the bar on front squats? Hmm.
Ok, back to studying for me!
Do you cross train? What do you do? What is your schedule like?
25 something? Girl you’re faster than you give yourself credit for! What I do is run 4-5 times a week, lift the other 1-2, and rest or go on a walk 1 day. Running and lifting are so immensely different that it’s really hard to do try and focus on both at the same time. Too much cardio/running eats away at muscle and too much lifting changes muscle mass which may make it harder to run quickly!
Haha I couldn’t run that fast now! Yeah, figuring out a balance between the two will be tough,
Coffee is always necessary 🙂 Good luck with your finals!
Thank you!
The one thing I do NOT miss about college is the all day studying!
Yeah, not so fun!
Lovee all that guacamole 🙂 I have a soft spot for kittens, they are so cute!
I definitely do too!
OH. MY. GOODNESS. LITTLE. KITTEHS. THEY’RE SO FRIGGIN CUTE.
I wish I cross-trained more! I definitely think that when you’re training for something as big as a half, it’s important that you train for what you’re doing (aka, running), but also that you’re giving your muscles enough rest. I don’t think I’d ever run while sore from lifting, because I know I wouldn’t be able to put in all of the effort that I could during my run. What you do is totally up to you, but be careful not to overdo it! Or else you could end up with much more than just sore muscles and lackluster performance. 🙂
You’re definitely right! I think part of my problem is I’m still waiting to fall in love with running, but I love my other activities. I think I’ll have to dial back on other things quite a bit, and go to yoga more!
I completely relate to you on your trying to find the proper balance with running & lifting! I love my leg days with lifting… but I am always too sore to run the next day! or even the next O_o …and am really wanted to strengthen my running / endurance. I’ve only just recently taken up running & it is so satisfying, mind clearing and gives such a sense of accomplishment when you improve; in a far more meaningful way then lifting. I will say…. I also took up yoga about 5 months ago and I can run better than I’ve ever been able to! Tweaked properly I think lifting will definitely be beneficial for improving our running, we’ll just have to find out the proper ratio for our bodies! 🙂
Definitely! And yoga is such a good idea! I’ve skipped my yoga classes since my training began, and that would probably really help!
Oh you should! And you can always do a little routine at home if you can’t find time to make it to classes! I’ve actually never gone to a class (which I’d eventually like to and see what I’m made of ha ha). Hope things are coming together with this union of running and weights 🙂