I Love/Hate Speed work and I LOVE hot chocolate and a few other things.

Today I ran a TOUGH 7 miles of speed work starting at 3:55 this morning!  I hestiated as I pushed START on the TM (yep. . . still too cold to run outside!) because I knew it would be a long tough 7 miles.  It kicked my ASS!  I hate it while I'm in the process, but I LOVE it when I'm done.  There is a reason they call it speed "work" . . . . it is SO much work.  I am sure I will benefit from the extra efforts. . . . but it is tough.

Sometimes when I'm feeling like giving up during a challengeing run, I think about blasting some good music on my iPod and running towards the finish line at my next marathon.  I LOVE that feeling of finishing a marathon and having a hard run behind me.


I also love spinning.  Years ago I would have never given spin a shot. . . . because people came out of that class dripping in sweat.  Why on earth would I want to subject myself to that pain and misery.  Now I'm always chasing that high of a good workout and sweating it out so I'm trying to get to spin class 2x/week to cross train.  Sometimes work gets in the way, but I try my best.  I always feel so good when I'm done.

I forgot to pack socks in my gym bag. . . . so I had to wear this non-athletic, super warm socks to spin!  Better than missing!

Another motivator to run a lot for me is food & of course Hot Chocolate.  We had a Snoman Day at work today.  We had a hot chocolate bar and whipped cream fondue bar.  (AMAZE-FEST!), as well as hot soup in bread bowls for lunch.  YES. . . . . I love Acuity!  I was happy to have my 7 miles of speed work done before all this glorious calories.

Oh YES!  A hot chocolate with a few dallops of whipped cream to boost my productivity!

We also had a snowman building contest at work.  Since my territory is Arizona, our team decided to do an Arizona Snowman.  And what goes better with melted snow in Arizona?  TEQUILLA!

                                                  Doing Shots with Señor De La Nieve at work!

It's hard to believe we are in full swing of marathon & 50k training.  It feels like we just started (which is good because we have a long ways to go!)  The weather has really challenged us this year.  It's mind over matter on the dreadmill.  It's not easy, but we're getting it done one way or another.  I honestly can't wait for a tad warmer weather so we don't have to run on the treadmill and we also don't have to dress in a million heavy layers.  After running this much in the cold weather, running in shorts/t-shirt weather should be a treat and offer a bit of ease in running.

Keep up the tough work throughout the cold winter!  It will pay off!

~Brooke~