Recless.

Up until tonight, I was recless. A play on words dear friends--I had yet to introduce the rec to my beautiful face--and, tonight we finally met. I apologize for my lack of writing lately...I have made some new changes to this whole getting back into shape plan.

First things first, I am keeping a workout and nutritional journal that has my half-marathon training plan laid out for each and every week in it. I am kind of OCD when I want to be or when I get stressed...I feel like it makes me more motivated to look back at a hard copy of how far I've come and how hard I have worked.

Secondly, seeing that I am running for the first time without the help of a knee brace or patella stabilizer...I have decided to take on a  3-Day Half Marathon Training Plan at Runner's World.com 
So, a basic run down...no pun intended...I get injured really easily when it comes to mileage, and I need a lot of cross-training to keep me in shape and injury free. On this plan, I do speedwork on Tuesdays, I do a tempo run on Thursdays, and a long run on either Saturday or Sunday. The days I don't run, I have been biking for 30-40 minutes and hope to alternate that with swimming soon. (If anyone knows how to actually do the strokes, would you go to the pool with me for a day and help a sister out?) And, of course, I get to enjoy a day of rest :)

So for this week, I have biked and tomorrow I have my speed workout of 4x400's at 2 mins 4 seconds with a 20 minute jog before hand, 2 minute recovery jogs between reps and a 10 min cool down. Thursday I have a 3 mile tempo and Saturday I have 6 mile long run. Holla! I am rather pumped, albeit a little intimidated about the 6...I haven't gone for one of those in almost 3 years. I can do this!

I must say working out at the rec is rather motivating. There are a thousand eyes to keep you working hard and pushing yourself. Boom boom boom. I love hearing back from my readers with comments, questions and success stories...feel free to send them to my mailbag (aka facebook inbox) and I will publish some of my favorites (and entirely confidential/anonymous should you wish).

Happy running!
And, cheers to a good first week after spring break!

Morgan

New reasons to move forward = Motivation City

Sarah, Christina, Katie (I think...not 100% sure of that) and I were selected to run in the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon in June! I am SOO excited and its definitely very motivating every time I hit the treadmill. And speaking of which, this weather is almost good enough for me to run outside which I can definitely handle :) Don't get me wrong, I love working out while watching 'Friends' and 'Will and Grace', but there is something amazing about running outside. I love seeing the people, the river and the new scenery. Plus, I think treadmills lie in terms of the distance you actually run or the pace you are running. Haha that's something I need to work out with myself I guess!

I haven't had spring break plans up to this point; but, my friend Krista from lacrosse invited me to Florida via roadtrip! I am going and I am so freakin' excited, I can't wait! As an airline brat my entire life this will be an entirely new experience for me. I AM PUMPED!! And we get to see so much on our way down...yippee! Yes, yes, yes!

 I am realizing how much I have grown in the last year. And, I believe in myself and hold true to that more than I ever have!

So, I've got new reasons to move forward, new reasons to run and I'm making this the best semester I've had yet! Dinner tonight with Als, Thursday Funday, running OUTSIDE with Megs...does it get any better?

Peace, love, and running,

Morgan Elizabeth

Tricky Tuesday

I got a 3-miler, abs, and PT in this morning...go me! The next 24 hours or so will be solely dedicated to class and getting ready for my classes tomorrow. I only have night class today which is really nice when you have a heavy MW schedule. I am extremely excited to keep moving and get on track to being fit again :) And, I will update again very soon.

Love, Peace, and Running,
Morgan

Beautiful

This has been a great last week and a half! Since cutting out gluten from my diet, my symptoms have completely disappeared. Which is really awesome! I need to make an appointment to get the official testing yet, but I'm optimistic that my new diet will alleviate any further problems. Scott and I even indulged in a GF (gluten-free) pizza from Pizza Luce last night. It was more than amazing and I definitely recommend getting "The Wrangler" if you ever go there! Secondly, I made some purchases of GF items including bread, cereal, pretzels, and cookie mix. It's nice feeling a little more normal again :)

Two of my friends and I have registered as a team for the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon on June. If someone is crazy enough to put themselves through a 13.1 mile run and like it, you need a good solid name? Drum roll please....introducing Team WTF (Witness the Fitness)! Go ahead, enjoy it. My mom might not be too keen, but hey, live a little! 5000 people are selected at random through a drawing--fingers crossed we are chosen as a lucky group! I am really pumped about having something to train for again. Its been too long, and I honestly think its too easy to lose interest in anything if you don't have a goal in mind.

So, today I hit the treadmill for a 3 miler. I swear the most overwhelming feeling with getting back into running is realizing you have to start up again at a pace so painfully slow it kills you a little. But, hey, I'm doing it and every day is a step closer to being in great shape! My stride was really hitting it today, and for the first time in a long time...I felt the burn. Like the burn where your muscles feel like they are on fire and I get a red tint to my skin that itches. I believe it is fair to say, my body is coming back to life. My muscles are on their way back, my heart rate is lower, my flexibility with the help of those at Corepower Yoga is increased and I am really LOVING how I feel! 

Another thing I'm loving is this weather. I know, I'm from Minnesota, what do I know? Well, in the 10-Day forecast the weather is staying above 35 and even peaking over the low 40's a few times. This means (fingers crossed) that spring is well on its way. I am celebrating with a new pair of much needed running shoes and Chipotle tonight! Wooo. I'm ready to tackle mid-terms, so here we go!


Hope you are all doing well! I love your feedback :) Remember to love yourself today, drink green tea and remind those around you how awesome life can be just by carrying a great attitude!


Love, peace and running,
Morgan

Positive thought for the day 

Runners just do it - they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first. ~Author Unknown

Celiac and Lactose...eff.

As I have now gone through my fridge and cabinet and boxed numerous 'no-nos' I should tell you that for the next 2 weeks I will be going without any gluten or lactose (milk) products. I went to the Dr. yesterday and they told me to do this 2 week stint and then come back for another appointment if my symptoms get better.
I am kind of bummed. I guess in the long run this will be a really positive thing if I end up having Celiac Disease or Lactose Intolerance. But, I LIVE for my grandma's cinnamon rolls, I am a champion baker myself, and I always select Hidden Valley Ranch as my condiment of choice.

Do you know how many things have gluten derivatives or milk products in them? A lot. I am in denial .

So folks, I need your help! Do you have any words of wisdom for this gluten, milk-free girl? Do you have any good recipes? Or any good information sources? I know there are several gluten-free bakeries around town...I'll need to check them out, ASAP. I'll get back to that working out thing in a few days...Love you all.

Morgs

Wholly Monday...

My gosh, this last week was longer than the length of the equator. (That's 24,901.5 miles for you science kids.) I had a migraine from last Tuesday evening that wavered back and forth until it came on in full force on Thursday. The madre picked me up from the U, and we headed home with a mission in mind. Picking up the prescription magic that is better known as Imitrex. She ran inside to Walgreens, as I in my nearly comatose state awaited her return in the car. I passed out after locking the car door only to wake up to her anxiously knocking and yelling my name. Apparently that had taken awhile.

So we're finally home in E-town...I slept on Thursday evening from 7:45-9:45 pm, was up for a few and hit the hay again from 11:00 pm  until 12:00 pm Friday. I then followed this up with a dessert course of another 2 hour nap from 3:00-5:00 pm. I may have forgotten an hour or three but at least 15 hours of sleep for one day. Dear Hey Zeus....it was a rough week. My migraine finally went away yesterday. THANK God. Clearly this put a damper on my workouts, although kudos to myself I did make it to yoga on Saturday.

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Remaining healthy and 'health' conscious isn't an attribute I acquired genetically and I want to be in shape for my entire life. Someone I know has been following a great runners diet that I have taken on as my own. I have been getting nauseous/sick every time I eat and am going to get started on some allergy testing tomorrow. My cousing was recently diagnosed with food allergies to apples, cherries, gluten and lactose...my bet is that its simply lactose. Fingers crossed.

The Runners Diet:

• Lean protein 
• Chicken, Tuna, Turkey and Salmon
• Nuts (I have chosen Walnuts due to their high-protein/low-fat content)
• Organic Eggs (not necessarily healthy, but packed with Omega-3)
• Vegetables
• Lots of colors
• Sweet Potatoes (currently out-of-season but searching for them anyway)
• Yams are a current good subsitute...a little higher in sugars but packed with nutrients.
• Drawbacks of not being the real deal? May remind you too much of that Thanksgiving dish your grandma makes that you take out of obligation every year
• Fruits
• Fruits high in potassium, Vitamin-D, and anti-oxidants
• Low Carbs
• Temporarily less carbs to build muscle
• I have a storage of carbs already
• Dairy
• Seeking calcium in the form of Organic Soy Milk (I prefer Silk Vanilla)

Morgan's Leaning Out & Building Strength Diet


Breakfast (circa 7:30 am)

• 2 organic eggs
• 1 slice rye bread
• 1 T Butter 

Lunch (circa 12:00 pm)

• 4 oz. of meat
• 2 C salad greens 
• Veggies: broccoli/ cauliflower/ pepper/ cucumber/ olives/ carrots AND 1/2 C of fruit
• 1/4 C nuts or sweet potato

Dinner (circa 6:00 pm)

• 4 oz. of meat
• Veggies, rice, or sweet potato
• Olive Oil or Butter

Snacks (mid-morning, mid-day and after dinner--9:30 am, 3:30 pm, and 7:30 pm)

• 3 slices of deli meat (Applegate or other natural/organic brands), 1/2 C of fruit, and 3 T of cream cheese
• Protein Shake 
• Cottage cheese, 1/2 C fruit, and nuts
• Protein Bar (not too sure about what to buy yet)
• Berries and Cream
• 1/2 an apple and real PB (there is a TRUE difference...no hydrogenated oils and it tastes 1000x's better. The drawback? It has to be refrigerated.)

Supplemental

• Green Tea ( I love the Yogi brand) 1-3x's a day
• Vanilla Organic Soy Milk
• A Nalgene full of water (You myst if you want to keep things flowing (no details please) with all of that protein!
• Extra fruit anytime

This day has been dragging on which means that its wholly Monday. I just finished dinner as I was writing you all and now I'm going to hit the treadmill for a bit. Kudos to my accomplice, Michael J. Magnus on his very own endeavors. Last week was kind of a drag for both of us, but like Tim Brewster...You (pun intended) aren't giving up quite yet. Thanks, Tim...you make us dream.

I will be back sooner than the time between this and last.
Happy Monday, everyone!

Morgan

Tomorrow it begins...

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I officially gave in to the luxuries of brownies, a mimosa, guacamole, and chicken strips today. It was, after all, the party celebrating my 2 cousins who recently turned 5 this week.

And this marks the day before D-day which will be more than your high school history books could have offered. I'm reconstructing the way I lead my life so that I can fully become a runner again. For me, this is all more than just becoming a runner again. Its learning to let go, eat well, focus on the things that truly matter and really push what I've got.

Before I make any lofty goals, I am going to make some simple changes this week...
-8 hours of sleep each night
-Homework and reading completed beforehand
-No drinking or coffee
-Yoga 5 x's this week
-Avoiding deep fried foods and mac n' cheese. (damn.)

On a more disturbing note the high school days of tight spandex and motivating speeches that treaded off the lips of Mr. Graham are coming back to life...I searched the Eagan Cross Country website for our old running plans. The EXCEL 250 June plan begins tomorrow. I wish Coach King could be there. Too bad I can't have the smiley Kruegers positivity to push me forward...hahaha that was rude. But, necessary.

Current Stats:
Height: 5'6"
Resting HR: 62
Mile pace: Unknown

It had to happen sometime...

Four years ago, I was running sub 6 miles without a whole lot of effort. I was an all-state athlete in women's lacrosse and my abs did themselves. 6 pack? Yes.

Today...six pack? No. Line down the middle? No. Grief? Yes. For the time I spent at Luther, I put in miles and miles during the summer to run on the cross-country team...only magically to end up injured in the first few weeks of practice before every season. Maybe I have made excuses for myself as to why I haven't kept up with it, who knows. What I do know is that I want to get back into shape.

Michael and I are planning our course of action. He himself has made some of the same goals, and we're treading this together before we end up on peopleofwalmart.com. As former high school runners we dread the occasional run in with other alum who run around town with their shirts off because they themselves are putting in 40 mile weeks (with abs to show for it).

We bid you adieu, Applebees. Your half priced apps were truly a delight.

First step? Starting yoga on Monday...

This all makes me another resurrected runner...

-Morgan Elizabeth