Let’s all show a little honesty here. Particularly you early morning exercisers. I’m talking to YOU! Do you really have boundless energy to knock out fantastic workouts in the wee hours of the morning? Do you really? I can tell if you lie. *stare down*

Okay, I believe you…but I know I’m not one of y’all to have early am energy! My weekly workout schedule I organized has me completing a DVD workout at home on Fridays. I much prefer doing my workouts without the worry of roundhouse kicking my daughter or watching my 5 month’s old eyes bug out at the television. So that means I must wake at the butt-crack of dawn to complete my workout before those little eyes awaken. I usually get up at the butt-crack of dawn regardless, but like to ease into my mornings. Feeling a fire in my tush and abs via Physique 57 then jabbing my little heart out with 20 minutes of Turbo Jam I do not classify as easing into my morning.

But I did it. And it felt good to get it out of the way and on with my day. I’ll just need some extra joe in my life on Friday mornings.

Isn’t joe handsome???? We rendezvous every morning and its glorious. Ahem.

Now for that serious dilemma. You should know that when tired, I also tend to exaggerate. I can’t help that all reason leaves me. I also can’t help that I deem dessert a very, very, very important issue. Very. Serious dilemma = what dessert to make and bring to our little shindig get-together with our friends this Sunday?

Typically for the 4th I like to do a traditional fruit sugar cookie cake -

Oh thank goodness my photography has improved. Still not stellar, but better at least!

Buuuutttt….Oreo truffles sound so good to me right now.

They are pretty much one of my favorite desserts, but I fear making them in the heat. I don’t know if they would hold up well. I have only made them during the holiday season, hence the peppermint in the photo.

Peter begs me to make Jess’ triple layer cookies & cream bars again.

So good! But I just brought these to one of our pot lucks. I prefer trying and bringing  new things. New things like Chelsey’s cheesecake bites.

image courtesy of the gorgeous lady herself

Yet I have a feeling a dessert made of cashews and dates would not go over entirely well. Plus, I’m in the mood for sweet that makes your teeth hurt myself. It’s a good pain. Just like lunges and eyebrow waxing.

Yes. I have a serious dilemma on my hands. Because not only does fatigue make me exaggerate…it also make me want to eat them all. 😉

• What sweet treat would you choose? either one here or another you love
• Of Possible Interest: I was the featured mommy today over at mommy blogger Valencia’s site!

When laying out my workout plan for my half marathon training, I knew the workouts I wanted to include in my training. I needed things I enjoy and that will provide the variety of workouts my body needs for optimal function. I planned to include:

• the four runs my training plan calls for (two short, one speed/tempo, one long)
• two to three strength training sessions
• a cycle class (an absolute must since I love them)
• 1-2 cross training elliptical or DVD workouts if time/my body allows
• additional stretching, foam rolling, etc added in after workouts.

I typically shoot for around an hour workout six days per week, with one full day of rest. I knew I could make that work, but did have a slight challenge. When to fit in cycle? Remember – it is a MUST for me!

Knowing Makenzie starts preschool mid-August, I wanted to get a routine established now that will coincide with that schedule change. I don’t want to get in a training groove only to have to rearrange it all six weeks later. I started laying out my plan by spacing out my runs adequately. I didn’t want to end up with three runs back to back or my speed work and long runs too close together. Then, I looked at the class schedule for my gym. The only cycle classes I could attend that wouldn’t interfere with my running and personal schedule were either Mondays at 5;30 am or 5:30 pm – a day I need to do one of my light runs to spread out my runs adequately.

Soooo….it looks like Mondays have become two-a-days! I end up doing just shy of 1.5 hours of workouts on Monday, but compensate by getting shorter, lighter workouts Thursday and Friday in exchange. My schedule ends up looking something like this -

I followed this plan last week and it worked out well. I know my body and one two-a-day a week will certainly be manageable since I’m not adding extra volume overall. I think the toughest adjustment will be running in the afternoon for 20-30 minutes that one day. Sheesh it’s hot out there! Yesterday was my first go at the afternoon summer run. I got in my two miles and poured out 6897098 gallons of sweat. Oh, water, how I love you!

I took on the run with a safety plan of attack. Water. Water. Water. Slow and steady paces. And I would change my plan to hit up the treadmill if it was too unreasonable. At first I thought, “well I could also always do the PM cycle class and run in the morning to avoid the heat”, but that would put me running in the dark by myself. Call me a wuss, but it just doesn’t sit right with me for some reason. Better safe hot than sorry, right? Right!

• Is there a workout you simply HAVE to include in your weekly rotation?
• If you’re a runner, do you feel safe going out in the dark?