Author: Fallon @ Slacker Runner

Rambling On- 56

And I finally looked up the number. 😉

Happy Friday!

Have you seen the Old Glory shoes from Brooks? Someone tell me I don’t need these. It’s so hard to resist!

I don’t talk about work much other than to say it was busy, but it has seriously been insane the last few weeks. Like full moon crazy for weeks. What?!?! Why?!?

Do we want to place bets on if I will get up early to run on Saturday? You’d think I would learn but clearly I don’t. I wouldn’t even bet on me at this point.

I recently started rewatching Warehouse 13. I miss cheesy, awesome sci fi shows like that. Where did they all go?

I was social! Well, kind of. Networking is not my strongest skill. Socially awkward over here. But I went to the monthly mixer and was moderately social. It helps that it was small and at a very pretty location.

I was torn between 2 local 5K’s in the next week and then time passed for registration for the first. Oops. But seriously, how is it almost July??? I think I am in such denial about how fast time in flying these days.

Anyone else feel like running has lowered their standards on what is acceptable to wear in public post run??? I used to be pretty put together and now I’ll go around in just run in clothes with sweaty hair, looking haggard. Which might not be so bad if people from high school or elementary school didn’t suddenly decide to be everywhere lately. I’ve be recognized at the random-est times by people I don’t always remember lately. What?? People, I was recognized by someone from the office staff of my elementary school. How??? It’s been decades. Literally.

What are you watching?

Ever get recognized when you least expect it?

Cooling Off

It’s summer in California and that means one thing- me being stupid and running in the heat of the day.

Disclaimer: I received a CoolNet UV+ Headband from Buff as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Could you have guessed that by my track record?

Why I do this so consistently, I don’t know. Maybe I really am a glutton for punishment. However, knowing my proclivity for stupidity, I look for anything to keep me cool while showing off aforementioned stupidity.

Shade is never guaranteed where I run, neither is available water. Don’t get me started on my town’s lack of facilities. So I always run with my pack and water. I layer on sunscreen and wear a trucker hat as well. New to my arsenal is the CoolNet UV Headband from Buff. Dude, where have you been all my life???

I’ve had it for about a month and it’s rarely not on my head if I am running, even when it’s hidden under my hat. I don’t understand how adding an extra layer of material keeps my head cooler but it does. And well, science was never my best subject.😛 An added bonus is that is keeps the sweat from dripping down into my eyes. Yes! I’ve become such a sweater in the last year or so.

Ok, so how does it work?

I’m still not 100% sure what some of those words mean, I won’t lie. All I know is that it works. My head feels cooler and it stops the sweat. Bonus is that it fits my small head without sliding off! I can also verify that it resists odors as I maybe don’t wash mine as often as I should. Oops. But on the bright side, it handled the washing machine like a champ!

You can barely see it under my hat. And this post officially has too many selfies.😂

Plus, it’s super affordable compared to other headbands out there and they have various patterns and styles. But if that wasn’t enough, how about a discount? Go to this link and sign up for their newsletter to save 15%.

How do you stay cool?

Week 25- Whimper

I so wanted the headline to say Nailed It. In fact, after the first 4 days of the week that title was looking pretty good.

The week started with such promise, almost nailed a super challenging tempo, I was hitting the miles, making healthy eating choices, etc, etc. Then my good friend migraine came to visit. He was very uninvited and stayed way too long.

Due to some other plans after work during the week, I had to shuffle some things around in the training plan.

Plan vs Actual

Monday- 1 mile up/down, 5 mile tempo/ Nailed It! Maybe
I was super nervous about this run. I am still not a fan of tempos. Blame it on Hanson’s or maybe I just got too comfortable being a Slacker all these years. I almost bailed but then I told myself to get over it and just run. Oh holy head wind. There were points in this run that I was being pushed backwards. I actually like headwinds but this was ridiculous. 2 of my 5 miles were on pace, 1 was damn close and 2 were 30 seconds slower. So, not exactly what I was supposed to do but it made me feel good about it.

Tuesday- 1.5 miles/ 1.56 miles + yoga
Oh, yeah I was feeing yesterday’s miles. I kept things super slow and easy. Then I did a yoga video when I was home.

Wednesday- 1.5 miles/ 1.6 miles
The schedule flip put 2 easy days back to back but I think I needed. My legs were still feeling the speed workout. That said this was a peppy 1.6 miles.

Thursday- 2 miles up/down, 4x 800 at 5K pace/ Nailed it! Well, almost
Another run I wasn’t exactly feeling. However I just went out and ran. I took the wrong freeway onramp so I ended up doing these repeats in home town on the streets. 3 of my repeats were on pace and was 1 was a minute slower. Oops. The slower one was the second one and at that moment I didn’t think I was going to finish the workout. But I did.

Friday- 1.5 miles/ Nothing
This day was crazy at work and I felt the beginnings of headache move in around 4 and grow worse over the last few hours. I decided to skip the run hoping rest would make it go away.

Saturday- 8 miles/ Migraine
The migraine was in full force when my alarm went off, I went back to bed. I made it out for a few errands but wound up taking a seriously long nap.

Sunday- Rest/ Migraine
Funny how a migraine doesn’t feel very restful.

13.4 miles for the week. Not even close to what was planned.

How was your week?

Run To The Music- 11

I was going to a Rambling On for today but I got distracted by YouTube.

My last Run to the Music was the beginning of January and prior to that was just before Big Sur in April 2018. I don’t do this very often. Possibly because I can listen to the same thing for a very long time. Actually since I realized that an Amazon Prime comes with streaming music too I have been branching out more than I used to.

However, I always come back to Shinedown. I’ve loved this band since Sound of Madness back in 2003 ish. Actually Sound of Madness might be my ringtone still. One thing about just upgrading your iPhone every year is that those settings just roll over. And my phone is on silent 95% of the time. This isn’t the first time they’ve made the blog or Instagram.

This isn’t even the song I meant to share at the beginning of this post. But I fell down a hole of videos and spent some time there. This also isn’t even the original version of the song but I think it’s better than the original. And it’s something we could all stand to hear sometimes.

Get Up

Definitely a different vibe than Monsters which is what I went looking for on YouTube. But I can listen to this song on repeat for days. It helps that I have 3 versions. And if I ever manage to face the pain and get that tattoo I’ve wanted- I have a feeling one of their lyrics will be my second. Yes, I was born in the 80’s and I know that is cheesy.

What are you listening to these days?

Taking It Back

Oh hey San Jose, can we try again?

Disclaimer: I received an entry into Rock n Roll San Jose as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Yep, I’m heading back to Rock n Roll San Jose in October. I feel like last years sciatica pain colored a course and crowds I would have appreciated in a not great shade.

San Jose has an impressive amount of cheer leaders out there cheering for you along the way. They did an amazing job by the way. They were the only thing that got a smile on my face by the last 6 miles. There were some neighborhoods that looked amazing in the back half of the race and I regret not taking pictures now. Running through San Pedro Square was awesome. And if there is a photographer there this year as well, I swear I am going to smile this time.

Now, about the flatness. This race is pancake flat. Seriously. It’s touted as the fastest half in California. Well, for most runners. For me? Well, I just want to finish under 2:25- doesn’t sound like much but I have never finished a flat course fast. Never. Even back when I was so much fitter and faster than I am now. 🙂 Flat is my nemesis- it’s time for flat to lose. I just want to enjoy myself and not finish a flat race course saying ouch.

Also, I will finally earn the Cali Combo medal. My first year running Rock n Roll races I only ran one in California- you had to run 3 to earn the Cali Combo medal. Last year I did run 3 races in Cali (San Diego, San Jose, LA) but they didn’t offer a Cali Combo medal. Boo. But—- they brought it back this year and now you only have to run 2 Rock n Roll races. Yay!!

Want to run with me???
Use code 19RNRBRP16 to save $16 on the half!