New Loot! + Running Streak

Don't you hate it when life gets in the way of running? Between working nights, teaching morning exercise class, and actually wanting to see my family, running has been getting the shaft lately.

That came to an end Thanksgiving day. I am a proud participant in Runners World's Running Streak. The idea is that you run at least a mile every day between Thanksgiving day and New Years day. Of course, being me, I've been doing the 2.6 mile loop around the neighborhood. And also being me, and needing to sleep, I've skipped...I think two days of running (but made up for it with a six hour shopping excursion)

And now for the loot!

My new shoesises :)

Okay, so I have to talk about the ladies. I have been firmly seated on the 'Name brands do not equal quality.'-thought train. BUT I went shopping on Saturday and found one of these babies for ten dollars:

Mine is blue.

In MY SIZE!!! Hallelujah. And I have to say that the fabric feels so much better than the Target sports bras I've been wearing, and seems to support me a lot better. I am definitely getting more of these.

I also thought these were a bunch of b.s., turns out I was wrong.

This being a foam roller.

You use them to stretch/massage your muscles, and they are amazing. I haven't had such a deep stretch in my hamstrings in a LONG time. Fabulous. I bought a little yellow travel sized one at the Running Room and I liked it so much that I picked up a medium sized one at Target for my exercise students to try. (They also loved it.) Maybe Santa will bring me a large one?

How have your runs been going? Tell me in the comments!

Later lovies!

Day 344

Hmmm...

I don't even know where to start...How about we start with the run recap and then onto the emotional/physical stuff, good? Good.

Run Recap!
Did just under 2 miles at 8 am this morning. With very small hills. Took about 40 minutes. With 2 30 sec breathers after the two bigger-small hills. And the last mile was all uphill.

Is this one of the Hanson brothers?

Annnd...Guess what today was? First day of school! Guess what my neighborhood is full of that I was previously unaware existed? Cute dads! Guess who was out on the sidewalk with their nervous first graders every 3 blocks? Cute dads!

Yes I am happily married. Yet I'm vain/vapid/shallow/what-have-you enough that I need to be the prettiest runner the Cute Dads see on any particular day. Note to self: Wear lipstick tomorrow.

Lies.

Guess what I found out a few weeks ago? The website that lists the mileage of one of the trails I frequently run is a BIG FAT LIE! I thought the loop was 4 laps equals 5 miles (which is what the website says) But being a bit skeptical after a while, I sattelite mapped it on a few different websites and...turns out the loop is only about .5 miles long. Which means that four laps is about TWO FLIPPIN' MILES!!! Sooo disappointed.

Been kind of (very) hard on myself for not being the best runner of all time by now. Why do I have such unattainable/ridiculous standards for myself? Why?! If it was anyone else I'd be like; "Good for you for getting up in the morning and going for a walk." But since its me (and we all know I'm different) I'm like; "You only did two miles after working all night? In the rain? Uphill? Cry me a river. Go do two more sets. Then you can be proud of yourself. Wuss."

Am entertaining the idea of throwing a 'Been running for a year' party. Any ideas?

A confession

I like to think that running is my private little love affair. That it's a big secret that only you and I and the sidewalks know about. It feels like a love affair too. I blush when I think about running, I day dream about it. I get cranky when something prevents me from doing it. I make mix tapes for it. I indulge in a completely selfish way with it. If I could lay in tangled sheets with running on a Sunday afternoon I would. But it's not private. It's very very public. I run in public, I talk to anyone and everyone about it. And by it being public, it affects others. In a big loud way.

Like how this picture affects people in a big loud way. *cough* Teaparty *cough*

I never thought I would be here. I remember so vividly looking at the couch to 5k plan on the computer and then quickly closing the window if I heard someone coming down the hall, for fear of ridicule. For fear of the negativity that would come if I spoke up about what I wanted to do.
I remember being out in the breeze on a cool spring day and wondering what it was like to run. Just for the hell of it. But of course I never did. I was too fat/tall/hungover/smoking/etc. I was really good at making excuses to not do what I wanted to do. Truth be told I was afraid of loving it, and then having it taken away. Maybe it's because I was so young and I had so much taken away, but I knew I couldn't bear it, if I loved something innocent for me and all of a sudden I had to push it away so someone else could prove their power over me. I spent so many years being manipulated and not even realizing it.

Now I run for me. This marathon is for me and everything and everyone that I love. I've survived everything else. Now I'm going to thrive during and after a little footrace in October.

Looking forward to tonight!

Not my bathroom sink. Pretty though :)

Have spent the day cleaning the house. There is something cathartic about getting rid of all the dust and grime that accumulates through everyday living. It's like exfoliating for your home. Love it.

What I don't love are two little people who get poo all over the bathroom on accident, cleaning the bathroom, and then spilling the toilet brush water all over the clean bathroom and having to clean it AGAIN. I swear, that bathroom is so clean we're going to cook dinner up there tonight. Jesus (as in exasperation, not as in the picture below.)

Did a Google Image search for 'Sparkly clean' and got the above picture.

Anyway, I think I'm back in the running groove. While doing all this housewifey stuff today I was making a playlist in my head for my run with Louie after the babies go to bed.

The playlist is as follows:
Cold Shoulder- Adele
Rolling in the Deep- Adele
Super Bass- Nicki Minaj
Incredible- Joss Stone
Born this Way- Lady Gaga
Right as Rain- Adele
Rumor Has It-Adele

Yes it is very girlie, but what the hell, so am I.
Later Lovies!

Pulled my head out of my bum

Decided to pull my head out of my ass and take my anxiety meds and go for a run with Louie.

I put on the few pieces of reflective gear I have, coated myself in bugspray, got the dog ready, put on Adeles 'Right as Rain', and off we went.

It was actually really nice to be running in 80 degree weather at 11 pm. No sarcasm. Really it was nice. My legs felt springy and strong. It was pretty awesome. I'm pouring sweat as I type this, and even that feels good.

And Louie found a deer in the front yard! It was a pleasant night for all.

It has been waaay too long...

Oof! Just got back from a jaunt around the neighborhood (yes at 11pm). Ouch. My hips hurt. My shins hurt. My ankle kind of hurts. I'm tired. That was hard. Waaay harder than it should have been.
I finally caved and got some prewrap for my feet.

Using just athletic tape was giving me blisters (which SUCK by the way), I used it tonight and my feet feel really good.

Whilst at the store I saw that they had these:

So I picked one up to try tonight...YUK! It tasted like I was sucking the inside out of a raspberry filled doughnut, without the tasty doughnut part. The texture grossed me out the most, very wet and goopy. Booger-like. The package said to drink water after eating (slurping?) this, and I thought: 'Why not just skip the gel and drink some gangsta'aid?' Its the SAME THING.'

I also got one of these to try tomorrow:

Which is basically the same thing only in gummy form. Perhaps it will be less gross? *Fingers crossed*

On a happier note here are some recipes y'all have been asking for:

GANGSTA-AID
2 packets unsweetened Kool-Aid (flavor is up to you, I like grape)
7 tablespoons sugar (use regular table sugar, not sugar in the raw, it doesn't dissolve well)
1 tablespoon Sea salt (Use sea salt if you have it, it has potassium in it which helps you muscles recover, if you don't have any, just use kosher salt)

Mix, store in a labeled container, add a few tablespoons to your workout water and there you go!

EVERYTHING COOKIES
(Or as I call them, 'Vitamin Energy Discs')
Wet Ingredients:
1 cup pecans
1 cup soft butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
3 large eggs
Splash vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch salt
2 cups oats

The Other Bits:
1 cup dried fruit (I like cherries, cranberries, chopped figs, raisins, blueberries, etc.)
1 cup shredded coconut
1 more cup dried fruit (Think outside the box! Papaya, mango, apricot, pineapple, strawberry, etc.)
1 cup chocolate chips (white, milk, dark-up to you)

Cream together (mix well) the wet ingiridients, stir the dry into the wet, stir the other stuff into the wet+dry mixture, roll dough into golf ball sized bits, put onto baking sheet, bake at 375 for about ten minutes. Let cool a little bit on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack/waxed paper to cool completely.

I keep trying to double this recipe and freeze half, but they barely make it a day in my house.

Note: this is a GREAT way to use up little bits of dried fruit or nuts you have lying around the house, don't be shy about adding or subtracting things!

Day 208

What I could use right about now :)

Just got back inside from doing 4 miles in 33 minutes. I actually got to turn my brain off and just move my body. It was pretty stellar.

I have a confession to make. When I run on the trail I don't just run. I dance too. And mouth the words to the music I'm listening to, and occasionally sing along. I wonder if I didn't do all that extra movement if I could run faster? Hmmm...

Anyway, freezing rain is falling from the sky today, very pretty to look at, and the first three miles were nice, I even remembered to put on a hat and mittens. By the last mile I was pretty wet and I realized that 'water resistant nylon jacket' does not equal 'water proof nylon jacket'. I then spent about ten minutes in my car thawing out before I could drive home. (That's okay though, it gave me a little while to polish off the bag of dried peaches that were languishing sadly in the car.)

Happy runs lovelies!

Day 204

Not what I got. What I want really badly though.

Rest day. Which is good because freezing rain is falling from the sky today.

Decided to take my son on a compression sock hunting expedition. After going to two different stores and coming up with zilch, I had a stroke of genius and remembered that diabetics wear compression socks, and where do diabetics go to get them? The pharmacy!

We ran into the pharmacy, found the socks, got my son a toy truck for being so good on our expedition, and ran home so I could try out my nifty socks.

Got home, tore into the package to discover...one sock. Yeah. Compression socks do not come in pairs.

Live and learn.

Day 205

Very cold and snowy out here today. Yes snow in April, welcome to MN.

Finally worked up the energy to get dressed, get the dog, and go for a quick jaunt around the neighborhood. It was great/sucked. Funny how running is like that, huh?

It was great because it felt wonderful being outside, running, with Louie (the dog). It sucked because it was cold, WINDY, my muscles felt very tight, and it felt like it took a lot more energy to run the neighborhood loop than it takes me to run six miles on the trail. Which has me freaked out, because what if I haven't really been running six miles? What if the website and the mile markers are wrong? What if I look like a total douche at my first race? That would suck.

So I'm thinking about doing this:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_4/130.shtml

A little nervous actually. Ok a lot nervous. What if it all goes wrong? What if I cant do it? Why am I even trying to do this? It's just running.

asodivn invsodkauergrhfodicjkvnbghfturioKDESAxj that's what is going on in my head. That and how I want popcorn and artificial cheese right about now.

Day 202

Ah-mazing. That's how I feel. Actually that's a lie, I feel sore, tired, hungry, and amazing.

Went down to the trail, it was looking grey and drizzly, so naturally I was excited to have the trail to myself. What, me scrap a run because of a little rain and a flooded river? Mmmm...no.

Once I got into my groove I felt like I could go forever! Today I saw pretty white flowers by the side of the path, a muskrat, a cardinal, a stream with water so clear I could see the sand on the bottom, and a man on a bicycle who zoomed past me and scared the milk out of me. I shreiked, he shreiked back. I saw a gnome sized red clapboard house and a very cute little bridge. And a train. I'll have to charge my camera battery and take some pictures tomorrow.

I decided to run farther than I ran yesterday, and it wasn't until I saw what looked like an ice rink full of sand that I realized that I ran all the way to the edge of town! I was feeling very proud and a little apprehensive, I knew I had to get all the way back to the car in time to drive home so that Hubby could take the car to school.

So I turned around and ran back. I started to get a little winded and tired when I had about a mile left, so I started doing the 'I'll just run to that post. Okay to that other post. Just to that tree. Just to the top of this little hill.' That's when I said 'fuck it, I'm running out of this bitch.' (Bitch being the woods/trail to the parking lot) When I got to the parking lot, I figured I might as well run to the car, when I got to the car I figured I might as well run a lap around it. So I did. :)

I think I might be an accidental ultra runner. (How totally bitchin' would that be?)

What's in my (car) running bag?

Yes, I have a specific bag that goes in the car that has all of my summer running essentials. First off let me say that I would looove to be able to run to where I want to run and then run home, but I'm not there yet...workin' on it though :)

This is my bag.

I have re-purposed my gym bag to be my car bag because we're poor. And I think Hubby would tweak a little if I brought home another bag. Ooh! maybe I'll ask for one for mothers day...

This is what goes in my bag:

Running shoes, obviously.
While out shopping for sneakers to wear to work, my mother-in-law asked why I didn't use my running shoes for work. Running shoes are for running and ONLY running. Knowledge is power.


The second most important thing.

Sadly the athletic tape in my bag is not pink. It's white, but maybe one day.


Because I can't tear athletic tape for the life of me.



My new toy. :D


For those esp. sweaty runs.
Just put a scoop into the full water bottle, give it a shake and life is good.
Dirty Secret: You can make your own sports drink mix. More on that in a another post.


Pasquale.
My constant running companion.
Dirty Secret: I started listening to music while I ran to cover up the sound of me huffing and puffing. I figured that if I couldn't hear myself I wouldn't be able to freak myself out with my labored breathing and quit too early. (This worked really well for me.)


My lips get chapped while I run and it drives me CRAZY. I slather this on pre- and post-run.
Dirty Secret: You can use Chapstick (or Vaseline/Blistex/Carmex etc.) to put on the tip of your nose and the apples of your cheeks to keep your face from getting chapped by the wind/cold while running. Works like a charm.


I use these to wipe the ick off my skin before it dries and I turn into a pimple monster.
Works pretty well.


Car snack. Tastes like summer. Mmm...


Because sometimes a girl needs more than fruit.
Dirty Secret: You can make your own nutrition bars. More on that in another post.

Things that SHOULD be in my running bag but are not:

Okay, you caught me.
I did my errands after my run and before I could go home and change...
So, yes, I did wear my running shoes to Target today. I'm sorry! It wont happen again.



The bugs are starting to come out. I was not prepared.

And lastly:

I know. I did a horrible horrible thing. I was out in the sun without sunscreen.
(But it felt sooo good.)
I will be stocking up tomorrow :)

Get packed and go for a run lovelies!

Running Inspiration

This is one of my favorite inspirational things, it's from a Nike advertising campaign, and I just love it:

You pretended the snooze button didn’t exist. You dragged your butt out of bed while others slept. While others ate their pancakes you had a feast of protein, glucose and electrolytes. You double-knotted. You left the porch light on and locked the door behind you.

You ran 5Ks, 10Ks, 26.2 miles. Some days more, some days less. You rewarded a long run with a short run. And a short run with a long run. Rain tried to slow you. Sun tried to microwave you. Snow made you feel like a warrior.

You cramped. You bonked. You paid no mind to comfort. On weekends. On holidays. You made excuses to keep going. Questioned yourself. Played mind games. Put your heart before your knees. Listened to your breathing. Sweat sunscreen into your eyes. Worked on your farmer’s tan.

You hit the wall. You went through it. You decided to be man about it. You decided to be woman about it. Finished what you started. Proved what you were made of. Just kept putting mile after mile on your interval odometer. For 25 years, you ran. And we ran with you. How much farther will we go? As far as you willl.
And now for some random quotes:

"If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it."
-Priscilla Welch

"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."
--John Bingham

"Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'" - Peter Maher

"There are clubs you can't belong to, neighborhoods you can't live in, schools you can't get into, but the roads are always open." - Nike

And now my ultimate favorite (it's in big font for a reason)

"Those who say that I will lose and am finished will have to run over my body to beat me."
- Said Aouita

Day 201

Got up this morning, went down to Cannon Valley Trail for the first time, ran 4 miles in about 40 minutes. Felt AMAZING. The sun on my shoulders, the birdies chirping, Joss Stone on the Zune, and my new toy around my hips, it was just awesome.

What wasn't awesome was that the bottom of my right foot was really tight and I couldn't stretch it enough to get it to relax. About halfway through my run I figured out that it was the athletic tape on my foot that was pulling my muscles. After I took off the tape my ankle felt a little less supported but my foot felt so much better. I finished my run strong (ie at a pretty quick pace at the end)

Hope everyone goes out for a run on this be-a-utiful day!

Later lovies!

Extra postie!

Sooo excited to be running again that I had to do a few things today. I left the kids with Hubby and went to the local sporting goods store with the intention of ONLY WINDOW SHOPPING. Then I saw the most wonderful thing...

I think I heard angels singing

Sport tape in every color imaginable!!! Purple? Green? Yes! HOT PINK???!!! DAMN SKIPPY! I was so excited, and then I saw that it was 4 dollars a roll...seeing as I now go through about half a roll on every run...I think I'll reserve the colored tape purchase for special occasions. (They also had every color of prewrap imaginable, but since we're broke I've given up prewrap. *sigh* The sacrifices made for the hobbies we love, lol)

I then meandered to the waterbottle section, hoping to find a waist hydration pack (more on what this is later), this particular store didn't have what I wanted but I did see...

...was pink pepper spray! I wonder if it's made with pink peppercorns? I decided to get this because:
A) My grandmother thinks it's a good idea to carry pepper spray with me while I run.
B) I'm not so worried about human attackers. I'm more worried about the four legged kind. Esp. if I'm out on a trail run. Pepper spray works on woodland creatures trying to eat me, yes?

and
C) It was on sale. I think it was a sign.

Then I went across the street to Target, I was on a mission...

And now for the most exciting part!!! Remember earlier when I said that I think I need to push more fluids? Yeah I came up with that while on my run today and dying of thirst and thinking 'Man I really should just buy that waist pack I've been drooling over late at night on the internet.' So I did.

Ta-Da!

This is a 'waist hydration pack' (Not to be confused with a 'hydration belt'. I'll get to that one in a minute, be patient.)

Things I like about it:
1) The bottle is at an angle and I can easily reach behind me to get it and put it back.
2) It's got a little zippered pocket that I can put my Zune, pepper spray, and keys in.
3) It's simple and small!

I am almost too excited to use this. I'm planning on going on a trail run tomorrow morning...I don't know if that'll pan out or not...

Now I think it'd be fun to do a wish list/other fun/weird running items, so, in no particular order:

This is a 'Hydration Belt':

This is used for longer runs, it has little holsters you can get so that you can add up to four bottles (I think) and that schnazzy pouch is for energy gels, keys, etc. This is totally on my wish list and has been since I started running. See how the bottles are curved so they don't jab you while you run? Isn't that genius?!

This is a 'Barefoot Running Shoe':

(Small rant ahead) Isn't the WHOLE POINT of barefoot running to actually run barefoot?
Whatever, I digress. This is a funky shoe for people with too much money. It's basically just the sole of a shoe molded to mimic a foot. Cool, yes. Useful? Maybe. Needed? No.

Okay fine. To be fair, I think that these are pretty cool. If they were just marketed as running shoes. But the whole concept of the 'barefoot running shoe' is what throws me off.

On my wishlist? Maybe. If a pair fell in my lap I'd try them. Actually the more I think about it I wonder how these would work on the beach? Or a dirt path...Hmmm...