Happy Wednesday! Is this week dragging for anyone else? Maybe it’s last week’s short Labor Day holiday, but I feel like it should be Friday afternoon already!
Anyway, I obviously woke up on the wrong side of the bed and went for a run to shake it off.
Breakfast – I’ve been super uninspired for all my meals lately. After talking with Jill and realizing a lot of what I was eating isn’t ideal for someone with thyroid issues I’m just frustrated. Bah. Bah Black Sheep
Anyway, I had half a banana with sunflower seed butter when I got back from my run. Then, I cooked up eggs and had a bowl of this cereal with nf milk.
I’m having another handful now actually 
Mid-morning I finished off the watermelon I bought on Saturday. I think Ben had a piece at some point, but I’m not sure.
Speaking of that guy, he stayed out late last night and I couldn’t go to sleep without him because I came home after Salad Planation and watched a bunch of specials about 9-11. It’s so sad 
So, I stayed up past midnight and am enjoying my second cup of iced coffee sweetened with stevia.
Meet Angela Bizzarri – she is a distance runner formerly from the University of Illinois (class of 2010) and now trains with the Mammoth Track Club. She holds school records in the 1500 and 5000m – you can read all her stats here.
She’s also a Brooks Beast Athlete and I had the opportunity to interview her through my ambassadorship with Brooks. Here’s the interview – enjoy and run happy!
How did you first get into running? What’s your “running story”?
I ran Track and Field in middle school doing the 100m and 100 hurdles, but eventually found my way into the longer distance races. I joined a running club in middle school, which traveled out of state for competitive cross-country and track races. I fell in love with competing and the connection between working harder and running faster. As I have continued running those same key aspects of running has made me to continue to want to pursue the sport. I will always want to see how I can improve, even though it becomes a little less linear as you progress in the sport.
Have you ever had to deal with an injury? What was it? How’d you recover?
Yes, I have dealt with injury throughout my running career. My most recent and persistent injury was plantar fasciitis, which causes heel pain while running. I tried a variety of methods from orthotics, deep massage, stretching, icing, and modalities(such as laser and ultrasound). In the end I found the only way to get rid of it was rest, which means no running and maybe some cross-training if it doesn’t bother then injury. When returning to running, make sure to have a slow buildup back to your normal training routine.
What is your current weekly training routine like?
I am currently in the base phase of my training. This means that my two hard workout sessions in the week include longer aerobic work such as tempo runs and longer intervals with short rest. The other days I complete my weekly running mileage with four more running sessions, one of which is a long run.
How do you fuel your running? What’s a typical day of eating?
In general I try to eat foods that are nutrient dense, meaning they pack a lot of vitamins, mineral and antioxidants. This means I eat more protein, fruits and vegetables then the typical American diet. I also try to eat more frequent smaller meals as it helps me keep my energy levels even throughout the day.
What’s your favorite Brooks shoe? Other piece of gear?
My favorite Brooks Running shoe is the Brooks PureFlow, especially in the dark pink and light blue. The darker color keeps them looking clean even when I run on trails. My all time favorite piece of Brooks running clothing is the Equilibrium Short Sleeve. It’s the perfect cut and fit for the female athlete and comes in many different colors. 
Winner of the RooSport Giveaway is being notified via email.
Question: Got any tips or tricks to get out of the midweek slump?
Bonus question: Why is Wednesday spelled like that?!
I don’t usually hit a wall like this, so I have nothing.
Time out with a nice cup of coffee and a book in a secluded corner of the room, house or cafe!
Happy Hour!! but that’s my answer for anything…
It’s spelled that way b/c someone was drunk and thought it was funny;-0
Wednesday, what day?! See, it’s almost over. And no ideas why it’s spelled so funkily. Maybe the real question is why we pronounce it so sillily.
I totally understand your frustration with the thyroid stuff! Sucks. Hang in there.
When I’m feeling down in the middle of the week, I’ll do something that I never do in the middle of the week. Something I typically do on weekends. Like go out to dinner or a movie or rent a movie and have a glass of wine. Stuff like that ;).
I just got through telling my husband that this seems Luke the longest week ever. Nothing a Mid week fruity cocktail won’t fix!
I love brooks and have been running in them forever. They’re the only shoes that don’t give me massive blisters
I’m glad I’m not the only one in a slump today. I’m heading to the gym after work, hope that helps.
I run in these exact same shoes, the Brooks PureFlow in dark pink. I ran my PR/BQ marathon a few months ago in them. I love them! Go Brooks!
Wednesday is spelled that day because it is named after the god Woden. Woden’s day became Wednesday just like Thor’s day became Thursday.
Why, yes, I am a dorky English teacher.
I thought it was Thursday when I woke-up, so I feel ya’ on the FAIL! It’s been a super-long week already. Wednesday is probably spelled like that to trip you up and make you pay attention to the middle of the week rather than complain about Monday & look forward to Friday??? That’s all I’ve got for that 🙂
This was the best tweet to get! I read your blog and I went to Illinois atf the same time that she was at Illinois! She’s a sweet girl and great example of one of a student athlete. Thank you for interviewing Angela! Mmmm those Brooks are beautiful!
Go to one of your FroYo shops…YUM!
I love BROOKS…best shoes ever!! (Yes, that is just MY opinion) 😉
I find writing down about 10 things I’m grateful for helps pull me out of slump, instead I start feeling all warm and fuzzy about my life and it gives me energy to move forward 🙂
I’m going to do that! Thank you.
I get out in public if I’m having a rough day- or feel like I’m in a slump. It helps being around other people to boost your mood.
I don’t, however, window shop when I’m in a slump. It only makes me more sad that I can’t buy all the pretty things 🙁
I keep wanting to buy Stevia to bake with but it is SO expensive.
Last night I finished the odd bits of wine in the fridge to get over Tuesday, and tonight it’s yoga. Septemeber is such a boring, slow month.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wednesday#Etymology
The English teacher in me can’t help it 🙂
Monica, Nice interview. Nutrient dense and smaller portions more often is a good way to eat, especially for us endurance athletes. This morning I ran in the Brooks Pure Cadence. I like them but I will be racing the Berlin Marathon in Newton Gravity’s. Good job on the mile repeats. We are starting at 6 AM and 7 AM for our last long training run for Long Beach this Saturday. Hope to see you there.
I am planning on going early to beat the heat! I’ll email you…
The University of Illinois only graduates fabulous people. Says she with two degrees from the school. And there must have been something in the salad last night because I couldn’t sleep and had to run off my funk as well.
An oldie but a goodie!!
http://www.nataliedee.com/071311/
This feature makes me so excited because I heart the Brooks Pure Flow too!! 😀
Champagne Wednesday to the Rescue!!
Also, Doing something that makes it feel reminiscent of a weekend helps. We go on a date or cookout when we are feeling the mid-week funks.
Wish I had good advise for you but I can’t get passed my intense desire for some new Brooks shoes…