Dam to Dam training schedule

This is my Dam to Dam training schedule, adapted from the half-marathon training schedule on Runner's World. It was supposed to be 9 weeks long, but since we are still finishing up P90X, we changed it to 8 weeks instead. Cole and I will be starting our official running workouts next Monday, April 11th! Hopefully, we can keep up with the schedule with finals coming up.


Here is the updated schedule. Sunday and Thursday (not shown on the table) are both rest days. Wish us luck!

	MON	TUES	WED	FRI	SAT
Wk1 4/10- 4/16	1x1200 PI (400) 2x800 CI (200) 4x200 SI (200)	3-4 miles, or rest	2x2 miles PI (800) + 4x100 S	4 miles + 4x100 S	8-9 miles
Wk2 4/17- 4/23	1x1200 PI (400) 2x800 CI (200) 4x200 SI (200)	2 miles	3 miles PI (800) + 4x100 S	5K race pace	6 miles
Wk3 4/24- 4/30	2x1-mile CI (800) 6x200 SI (200)	3-4 miles, or rest	4 miles PI (800) 1 mile CI + 6x100 S	5 miles + 6x100 S	10 miles
Wk4 5/1- 5/7	2x1-mile CI (800) 6x200 SI (200)	3-4 miles, or rest	4 miles PI (800) 1 mile CI + 6x100 S	5 miles + 6x100 S	11 miles
Wk5 5/8- 5/14	2x [800 SI (400), 400 SI (200) 200 SI (200) 1200 PI]	2 miles	4 miles (incl. 6x1:00 SI) + 4x100 S	10K race pace	8 miles
Wk6 5/15- 5/21	2x1200 CI (600) 4x400 SI (200) 4x200 SI (100)	3-4 miles, or rest	4 miles PI (800) 1x800 CI (400) 2 miles PI	6 miles + 6x100 S	11-12 miles
Wk7 5/22- 5/28	2x1200 CI (600) 4x400 SI (200) 4x200 SI (100)	3-4 miles, or rest	4 miles PI (800) 1x800 CI (400) 2 miles PI	6 miles + 6x100 S	6 miles
Wk8 5/29- 6/4	4x400 CI (200) 2x200 SI (100)	2 miles PI + 4x100 S	2x400 CI (200) 1x 200 SI	3 miles easy	RACE

First (outdoor) run of the year

Friday was my first outdoor run of the year. The weather was beautiful, right around 50 degrees and sunny. Cole and I decided to start out easy by running just 3 miles. Cole wore his Vibram Bikila shoes, and I wore my new Nike Free running shoes. Both of us felt light on our feet, but towards the end my ankles started to hurt-- I think the new shoes are working all sorts of muscles in my lower legs than I'm not used to. Hopefully that gets better. Other than that, the shoes were very comfortable though!

Cole lounging on the deck post-run

Our SHOES!

Post-run victory sip

Since we also did Kenpo today (the P90X version of kickboxing) I was pretty exhausted. I'm going to try running again soon-- maybe Sunday or some time next week. Our official half-marathon running plan starts next Monday!

Summer running

Running counts as travel, right? Well, Cole and I decided to sign up for 2 running races this summer: Dam to Dam and Warrior Dash. Dam to Dam is 20K race (12.4 miles) in Des Moines on June 4th-- I've done it several times before, although not in the past couple years, so I'm excited to do it again! It's a pretty long race, but lots of fun and very rewarding when you finish. There is also tons of food and beer at the end of the race, plus the Des Moines Farmer's Market is right there too! Anyways, we have a 9-week running plan from Runner's World to prepare us for the almost half-marathon distance. More on that later! 


We also signed up for the Warrior Dash, a 3.28 mile race with some crazy obstacles along the way, such as jumping over fire, climbing a cargo net, scrambling through mud under barbed wire, and more. Check out the link above for more info on that race. That one takes place in Channahon, Illinois on June 19th. That's about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Iowa City. After Dam to Dam, hopefully Warrior Dash won't seem too bad!


In other exciting workout-related news, I have 2 pairs of new shoes for working out and running. I plan on continuing to do P90X in my Vibram FiveFingers Bikila LS shoes. The LS just means they have laces, as opposed to the regular Bikila which just have a velcro strap. I have narrow feet so they fit well. They are great for working out! It really feels like you are barefoot, but with a little extra support. I haven't run outside in them yet, but I'd like to start soon. 

My Vibram Bikila LS shoes

I also have a new pair of Nike Free Run shoes. These are great too-- not exactly like running barefoot, but very light as well! I ran in these the other day for the first time, and they were extremely comfortable. My ankles hurt a little afterwards, but I think the shoes are just working different muscles than I'm used to. 

My custom Nike Free shoes

Between the two races and continuing P90X, it looks like I have my work cut out for me this spring/summer!

Cole in Transit

Back home in Iowa City, Cole has been biking to school lately now that it has been (sort of) nice outside. I'm really proud of him-- he's doing his part to help the environment, and get some exercise and fresh air too. So, props to Cole! 

Ready to bike to school in the AM!

(it's still a little chilly outside)

...And the rest of the week

After a crazy and amazing first few days, it was time to start work. Yes, we went there mainly to do legal service work! The group was split up among 4 different work sites-- I worked with Sylwia and Luke at Health law Advocates of Louisiana. Sylwia and I really enjoyed working with Sara, the HLA director. We had many interesting conversations about health care reform, New Orleans, Katrina, and where to go for lunch. She definitely gave us some great restaurant recommendations! To name a few of our great lunches: Juan's Flying Burrito (best nachos I've ever had), Theo's Pizza, and Italian Pie. I reviewed all my New Orleans restaurant experiences on Yelp, so check those out.

One of the weekday nights, we took a stroll down to Frenchman Street to hit up the jazz bars. There was some great music playing, and the drinks were much cheaper than Bourbon Street! There was even a piano in the women's bathroom.

Alex playing the bathroom piano!

Besides excellent food, the main event of the week was St. Patty's Day on Thursday. Here are a few pictures to sum up the night.

Scott and I wearing St. Patty's underwear 

(we found these at the bar, no idea where they came from)

Liz, Whitney, Sylwia and I

NOLA roomies again-- Kelsey, Liz, Sylwia and I at the bar

Everyone was pretty tired on Friday, our last day, so we had our final group dinner at House of Blues and took it easy that night. The drive back Saturday was also uneventful-- lots of sleeping in the van. I was exhausted and ready to get back home, but also sad to leave so soon! I will definitely take another trip to New Orleans when I get the chance. 

Cajun Encounters

In a haze of hangovers, we managed to wake up the next morning for brunch at Muriel's near Jackson Square. The highlight: BLOODY MARYS with little green beens in them.

Alex has never been so pumped about a green bean. 

Super excited about the bean; Anel's disapproving look.  

Following our delicious brunch (see my yelp review about Muriel's), we headed to the Cajun Encounters swamp tour! Our guide was great and knew just about everything there is to know about swamp plants and wildlife. 

Pre-tour photo op: Whitney, me, Sylwia, Jessie and Alex riding a gator!

Gator coming at us!

He's just a baby gator

Up close and personal with Gary (the Gator)

Gary loves weenies (and marshmallows)

CHOMP!

Shrimpin' boat on the bayou

Quality real estate 

How the swamp people do laundry?

Cajun Playground

More swamp houses

Handicapped boat parking spot!

Actual house boat

Broke-ass house

All in all, a true Louisiana experience. 

First Night on Bourbon Street!

This is the first of a series of posts commemorating the amazing week that was our New Orleans Service Trip (SPRING BREAK 2K11!!!).

After a LONG drive down from Iowa City to New Orleans (16 hours in a van with 9 other awesome law students) we finally arrived at the Maison Dupuy hotel on Saturday night. With not a minute to lose, we got ready and headed out to Bourbon Street. Some of the more notable things: people drinking out in the street (no "open container" laws) and the SMELL. Oh my, the smell. We would later have the foul liquid that runs in the streets (a mixture of vomit, urine, alcohol, and other mysterious substances) described to us as the "party gravy." Ugh.

Anel and I starting the night off right with some LARGE (and expensive) beverages. 

Me and Alex

Alex and Jessie in the smoke-filled bar

Whitney, Sylwia and Anel

NOLA roomies! Me, Liz, Kelsey and Sylwia

Later in the night, we also made it to "the Beach," a bar featuring a mechanical WHALE (as opposed to a bull). Unfortunately, I was too busy dancing and fending away creepers to take any pictures. Props to the girls who rode the whale that night!