Running at 6,062 feet

One of the first days here I decided to head out on a run to see how bad the elevation was going to affect me. I made it 0.71 miles before being completely out of breath and calling it quits.

Today (6 days later) I managed to do 2 miles at just below 10min/mile pace ( a little slower than usual for me) feeling quite comfortable. I’m not sure if the improvement to my lung function at this altitude is coming quickly or slowly because I really have nothing to compare it to, but feeling improvement is encouraging.

 

Total mileage this week was 7 miles, average pace was around 10min/mile.

 

There are many nice parks here to run at. I’ve explored two and have coined Lion’s Park as my favorite.

1 lap is a little over 1.5 miles and the paved path is relatively flat. There are always other runners/bikers out which is always nice.  Cheyenne actually has a nice paved bike trail that goes around the whole city. I really want to get a bike soon .

The weather in the morning has been absolutely gorgeous.  The sun rises between 5 and 5:30 AM which is a foreign concept to someone who has lived on the east coast her whole life. It’s about 60 degrees and breezy in the morning and the temperature gets up to the mid 80′s during the day. The temperature creeps back down in the evening and we typically open our windows around 7 and let the cool breeze come it.  The sun sets at the normal time- around 8:30 or so.

I really thought the early sunrise would bother me but the more I think about it, it’s wonderful for early morning runs. I never have to worry about not being visible to cars!

My goal for next week is to run 10 miles total and to work up to a “long run” of 3 miles.

I also start work Monday! Wohoo! I’m pretty excited about it!

My new home

After a long 3 days of driving across the country, Matt and I finally made it to our new home in Wyoming.

I have run 3 times. The first time was 0.70 miles, the second was 2.0 miles with several walk breaks, and the third was 1 mile with 1 walk break.  Cheyenne is over 6,000 feet in altitude and my lungs can definitely feel the difference! Not being able to run the distances that I am used to running is really frustrating. It makes me feel weak and out of shape. I know it takes time for more red blood cells to form but I’m not a patient person.

 

I’ll be back with pictures in the next post.

Wyoming in Pictures

 

 

 

 

 

Blog fail

So the 2 of you including my fiance consistent readers of my blog are probably wondering where my June race is. Well, I’m not doing one. I know, I know. I’m supposed to do a race each month.  Truth is I have been so busy with the position I got offered that I really haven’t had time to train for a race. I completed a four mile run on Monday which is the first time I have run more than three in probably a month. So for June, I’m declaring my Treadmill PR my “race” because I did race, with myself.

Wednesday we are flying to Wyoming to find a place to live. We already have something in the works that I am hoping will workout because the house is beautiful and right near my work.

 

Anyways, since apparently it’s rainy season in Florida this week I have parked my butt on the couch (other than packing and going to the gym), watching the Casey Anthony trial.

Side note: Does anyone else have a dog that refuses to go out when the ground is wet? I have to carry Alfy (The tan one) down the road far enough to put her down so she won’t run right back to the house. Ridiculous.

Big Announcement

I’m pregnant…

 

JUST KIDDING!!!

The big announcement is that I accepted a position in WYOMING!  How crazy is that?  I will be moving almost across country. I am flying out in two weeks to find a place to live and meet my co-workers! Can’t wait!

So what does a girl do when she finds out she officially has a job?  She goes shopping!

I hit up a few places that were having some great deals: Loft, NY and Company, Express

Here’s what I got:

Dress is from Loft on sale, necklace is from NY & co. not on sale. I also got a cover-up type sweater from old navy for this but the picture came out really blurry.  And while we’re at it. I got another shirt and a pair of running shorts from old navy, too.  Old navy running shorts are my absolute favorite!!! I have never chafed in them and, to me, they are 50xs better than Nike Tempo. Go try them out!

Skirt is from Loft on sale, shirt is from NY & co. on sale. This is my favorite outfit. I feel professional and sexy

Skirt is from express on sale for $16!!! Shirt is from NY & co. on sale.

 

What do you think? What’s your favorite professional piece of clothing?  

Side note: No, I will not be wearing my hair like this when I go to work. Yes, I realize it looks like crap.

Foodgasm

I just got done eating this and I had to blog about it right away. Sorry no pictures. I got 3/4s of the way through then though I should blog about it.

 

Guac Turkey Bacon Cheeseburger

Makes 2 servings

Need:

6 oz lean ground turkey

onion (diced)- add however much you want.

1/2 tomato diced

1 packet of wholly guac 100 calorie snacks

cayenne pepper

extra lean Jennie-O turkey bacon

2 slices  cheddar cheese

lettuce

cooking spray

 

To make:

Mix ground turkey, diced tomato, diced onion, and cayenne pepper.

Form 2 burgers from the mix

Spray pan with cooking spray, turn to med-high heat, cook burgers

Cook bacon to crispy in the microwave

Prepare lettuce (this will be the “buns” for the burgers) by adding 1/2 of the guac packet and a slice of cheddar cheese

Put bacon and turkey burger on cheese and cover with other peice of lettuce.

Enjoy

Calories per serving: Approximately 360

Killing time in Key West…wait..What?

Yesterday at 4:30 AM Matt and I began our trek to Key West. Matt had to come here for work so I decided to tag along to lay on a beach.

The weather was beautiful and surprisingly cooler and less humid than Tampa.

The water was also amazing. Very clear and the perfect temperature.

After spending a little too much time in the sun (I fell asleep and my back got burnt ) I moved under a palm for shade.

It eventually started raining, then pouring, and I was stuck on the beach without anywhere to go .

I ended up intruding on a group of 50-something year olds who had rented a covered pick-nick area.  Hopefully they didn’t mind. I had my camera and phone with me and couldn’t afford to let them get wet. After about 10 minutes of downpour Matt finally got off of work and picked me up.

We checked into our hotel and got ready for dinner.

We originally planned to go to Crabby Dicks but our cab driver informed us that they closed so he recommended Conch Republic Seafood Restaurant.  Matt really wanted raw oysters and I don’t eat seafood so I had a burger.

I had a pina colada with my meal.

After dinner we decided to explore the island.

I unfortunately got sick from dinner. Side note: it amazes me that Matt can eat raw seafood and not get sick yet I eat possibly the most common food in America and get sick.

Today I’m taking it easy and enjoying the random things in Key West before Matt gets off work. Then we’re heading to Miami for a couple of hours then home. I miss my pugs so much.

The most random thing about Key West: Roosters. Everywhere.

Have you taken any vacations lately? Where is your favorite vacation spot?  

I have to say mine was Italy. We went to all of the major areas: Florence, Venice, Rome, Cecilia. I’d have to say my favorites were all but Rome. We actually passed by a park where police were surrounding a body. A teenager had apparently OD’d on heroin and still had the tourniquet on her arm. Ew.