Give Me Electricity or Give Me Death!

Holy power outage! There was a crazy huge storm Monday evening that rendered my poor block without power for thirty six grueling hours. Lesson learned-- the Amish life is not for me.

The brick workout on Sunday was a bear, but honestly better than I thought it would be. I didn't feel like I could go forever, but I didn't feel like I was going to keel over, either. I biked 25 miles in the two hours and ran six in the 45 minutes-- essentially the distances of the actual race! It felt really good to DO them-- now I know that it is a possibility, as long as nothing exciting goes down with the swim!

I was pretty tuckered out Sunday evening, though, then worked a thrilling twelve hour shift Monday. So, I decided to take Monday off of training for two reasons: 1) I was exhausted, and 2) as I walked home from the train, the insane storm hit and tornado sirens sung me home. I think had I gone out for a run at that point, I would have crossed the line of 'hardcore' into pure stupidity. When I realized there was no power when I finally (barely) made it home I just went straight to bed-- had to get up early for work again in the morning. When I did wake up, there was still no power. When I got home-- still no power!! I get SO CRANKY when there's no power! Woke up again this morning and still-- NO POWER! Finally at like 10:30 this morning the electricity gods (aka ComEd) shined upon my building and restored life to all appliances and lights.

Tonight we had a track workout that I honestly had to motivate myself to get to. Again, had it not been for the group of people I was training with, I probably would have bailed! All in all I am glad I went but wish that I didn't need such frequent attitude adjustments and mental motivational sessions. We started with a ten minute warm up jog. Then did 4x100 'build ups' where you build up speed for 100m, then jog 100, build up 100, jog 100, until you've built up four times. Then we did 2x200 sprints with a 200 recovery in between. So we'd sprint a 200 then recover 2000, sprint a 200 then recover a 200. THEN-- 400 (1 lap) 'fast' with a 400 recovery. THEN-- 800 'fast' with a 400 recovery. We ended with another 4x100 build up and a 1x200 sprint and frosted the cake with a 10 minute cool down. Speed has never been my forte so this wasn't my favorite workout, but I was glad that it was shorter sets because as soon as I'd get in the mindset of 'this blows' it'd be over and we'd start a new one. So it worked out.

Afterwards I went to the grocery store to replace my produce that spoiled with the lack of power. Grr!

The fundraising deadline was Monday. My Microbiology professor, a friend from college who's dad passed away from cancer, and my dad's boss are the most recent to donate. Great work! I am so proud of everyone who has contributed to LLS in some way shape or form. Honestly, it is so exciting! In our weekly update email, we were informed that the Chicago team has raised over $145,000 for LLS! PHENOMENAL!!! You all played a part in that, so please celebrate in that victory. The grand total we raised is $1,640 (three checks are still being processed, so the website still says $1,465). I am so proud of my fundraising team! This is such a great victory in my eyes as it will enable LLS to take leaps and bounds towards a cure. Absolutely brilliant work my friends! Thank you so much for all your support.

If you did not get around to donating, it's not too late! LLS is ALWAYS in need of donations to fund their research. Here's how it works: Because I fell short of the $2,000 commitment, I get to make up the difference. However, if donations come in within 30 days of the race, I can be reimbursed. Does that make sense? So technically, we still have $360 to raise! Continue to donate!!! =)

Saturday's group training consists of 'mini bricks' where we bike for 20 minutes, run for 15 minutes then repeat that twice to total 60 minutes of biking and 45 minutes of running. Unfortunately I will be working on Saturday so I won't get to do this one with the group, but plan on doing it on my own. Exciting times, for sure.