Category: Run!

Short is better than none right?

So, not feeling well on Tuesday led into a second rest day on Wednesday. Plus between work and school and then back to work, I felt all over the place and so, so tired. Thursday was a normal day of work followed by school later in the evening. If I was a smart person, I would have run 4 miles in the time between. I had my clothes and shoes in my car. I, however, was not smart and chose to meet the tennis team for dinner at Chipotle. Oops. Didn’t get out of school until 10 or even home until well after. Running at 5 AM this morning on 4 hours of sleep? Yeah not so much. The bed was so warm and comfy 🙂

So, that brings me to 3 days off with no running. You would think that 3 days rest would make me feel invigorated and ready to go, right? Ummm, no. I am still so tired. What gives? I have a race in less than 48 hours and I need to get a run in before then. I generally don’t like going for a run the day before a race (tomorrow), plus that would then be 4 days off. Yuck. It’s not like I’m sick, I just feel super tired and worn out. Not a good combination to start the weekend. 😦

I hate running on Fridays because it usually feels like a longer day and work is generally busier. My last long run was on a Friday but was only because I was on vacation. However, I had my running clothes with me and was going to try and make myself go the gym after work. Yeah, putting on running capris after 3 days of Slacker-dom? Oh what fresh hell is that?!

I didn’t make it to the gym but I did make it to the lake. I was fighting a setting sun as well as Friday fatigue. But anything is better than nothing right? I set out to do 2 laps. That would be around 2.35 miles. Since it was short, I decided to push a little harder. I started out feeling really sluggish but halfway through my legs actually felt pretty good. I wanted more sun. Plus I got to test out my new capris, so far so good, but it was only 2 miles. The weather for this Sunday’s race may be a little warmer that I would like. I can’t decide if I want to wear capris or shorts. Decisions, Decisions.

I am hoping that working the registration/ packet pick up table tomorrow will help get me in gear. I really like watching everything be set up. Plus, it is fun handing out the packets and watching people pick up their bib numbers and chips. The shirts can turn into a bit of hassle with people wanting to changes sizes but it’s still fun.

I love this race; I really do, but it also adds stress. The course is flat and fast and if there was a time to aim for a PR, this would be it. In fact many people try. The course has not changed over the years and it is the only race I have ever run that offers money for the top 3 placers in the 10K and top male/ female in the 5K. Plus 100% of the race entry fees go to charity and you get to choose which charity your entry fee benefits. There are usually 3 charities to choose between.

This is also the only race I have ever run that actually closes the roads. Ever run a half-marathon with a semi coming up behind you? Yeah, it’s a little nerve wracking. The 5K is one loop through downtown and the 10K is two loops. I am nervous about running through the starting/ finish line after the first loop. I know that my Nike app tells me the pace at every mile, but it’s different than seeing the numbers on that big red clock. Hopefully running passed the crowd will be enough of a distraction. Either that or work as a motivation boost!

Anyone have any big plans for the weekend?

Any races or long runs?

Running Uncomfortable

Monday morning rolled around, and I greeted the day with a sore throat. Umm no, I do not have time for that. I have a race in 5 days!

By mid-afternoon Monday, I was feeling better, having a case of the Mondays but better. Leaving work I headed to the lake to get in a few laps. I was aiming for 3.5 miles. I also had another odder goal in mind.

The lake path, dry now :( Where's the rain?! — The lake path, dry now 😦 Where’s the rain?!

I set out to run uncomfortable. Races rarely ever go exactly according to plan, so why not run with random issues on purpose? So I had packed my shortest shorts and a t-shirt to run in. Shorts that ride up drive me bonkers, I spend more time fixing them then running. I also dislike running in sleeves as they irritate my arms. Apparently I have sensitive arms because running used to make them bleed. So now I am very particular about the tank tops I wear. Plus after 13 miles, what started out comfortable can often turn ugly.

I have to admit that the t-shirt served a secondary purpose as well. I was already wearing tiny shorts, a looser shirt made me feel less exposed. Oh, the things we tell ourselves.

Anyways, I set out in uncomfortable clothes with no water for 3.5 miles. My goal was to maintain pace even while dealing with wardrobe mishaps and a warmer day than planned. Was it comfortable? No. There is a very valid reason I don’t run in those shorts. I felt the urge to yank them down every 3 feet. As an added distraction, it turned out that the material was a little slippery and my belt slid around more than usual. The t-shirt actually didn’t suck. All in all though, mission accomplished. Granted, the 10K on Sunday is 2x as long and a lot go wrong in 13 miles. But I feel slightly more prepared for it.

Tuesday was supposed to be the start of a new volleyball season. I packed my clothes the night before and dug out the Nerd socks. Woke up this morning with the same sore throat, WTF? The pain eased up and went away by midday. However, then my lunch decided not to like me. With a race in 5 days, I chose to bypass volleyball practice. 😦

Tomorrow brings work and work school and then back to work for the monthly meeting. The only miles I will be putting in will be driving. However, maybe that is a good thing with mysterious sore throat. So, as of now, I have not planned my next run. Again, 😦

Coming up, though, my favorite race!!!!! The HOB Fun Run. This will be the 7^th year that I have participated in this race in some form or another. The first 3 years I volunteered at a water table, wondering why anyone in their right mind would be running down the street on a cold Sunday morning. After 3 years watching, I ran it the 4^th year; it was my very first race. I was wearing the shoes my friend C had helped me get for my birthday that year. She was training for the Nike Women’s marathon that year, so she did not run it. I had other friends run it and they all finished ahead of me, but I finished! Last year during the 5K was the first time I broke 30 minutes. This will be my 4^th time running it and my first time running the 10K. I am so excited!!!!! This will also be my second year working the packet pick up the day before.

So rest is on the menu to prepare for an awesome weekend ahead! So I am typing this from my very comfy chair!!

Happy almost Wednesday!!!! Almost halfway to Friday 🙂 Hope everyone is having a good week so far!

My Happy Place

It rained!!!!! Only for a bit and it was more of a mist but it rained! It happened while I was working Saturday, I tried to take a picture but it just looks gray. We’re in the middle of a drought so any rain is exciting. Granted I wasn’t in my home town and it turns out it didn’t get any rain. Driving home in the rain and fog was less exciting. I was behind a car going 40 in a 60, but that was actually ok as I could hardly see the car itself due to the fog.

I arrived home to find new toys in the mail! My new belt had arrived. I had searched numerous web sites and asked fellow bloggers opinions as I was super frustrated by my current hydration belt. After checking things out, RunningFromitAll (awesome blog) recommended iFitness. Duh! They made my basic running belt that I really liked aside from it being too small for longer races. I had forgotten about them. So I checked out their website, turns out they changed their name to Fitletic. After mulling things over, I ordered myself a new belt.

Now this is not a hydration belt. I can order the add on’s for that but I think I am going to try it without. There are 5 water stations in my next half marathon, so I figure between those and a little handheld with Gatorade, I will be ok. At least that is the plan. We’ll see how it works out after the race. It has 2 pockets and some straps for gels, as well as race bib holders. I probably won’t use the bib holders, I tend to wear my belt really low on my hips. My phone does fit much better in this belt as well.

I was torn between the track and the gym for my run, but I really wanted to test out my new belt. The track won. Which is more than fine by me, the track is my “happy place”. I was aiming for between 4-5 miles and was thinking about trying some 800’s. I felt pretty good after my first mile, so I decided to just try and maintain pace as long as I could. I had a larger bottle of water to carry but it was driving me bonkers so I left it on a table by the track.

I hit mile 4 and still felt good, so I kept going. My mother had come with me for this workout and I noticed then that she was doing her sprints. She does those when she nears the end of her workout. I rounded the south curve and hit mile 5, and she was sitting on the table waiting. It was too good of run to quit so I pushed through to a full 10K. Mile 6 was my best mile out of the 6, 9:38 🙂 My overall pace was better than my previous run on the treadmill. But I also love the track now, like I said, it’s a happy place. I hated it in high school, but then I hated running too. I have always been a slacker. I was actually asked a couple times if I wanted to run track back then and I was like “why the heck would I do that?”. I ran the required amount for tennis and softball and that was it. Not a foot more. Now I wish I had maybe given it a shot then, maybe it wouldn’t be so hard now.

Today was a designated Slacker day. I spent the day shopping. Prior to getting healthier and losing weight, I use to say that window shopping was exercise, all that walking up and down the street right? My Nike Fuelband quickly put that theory to rest. Shopping days are actually some of my laziest days. I earn more fuel points at work, and I sit at a desk a lot. Today, I discovered that trying on clothes is a work out, haha! I went to Dick’s to look for a new pair of running capris. I tried on 9 pairs, that was just ridiculous. I ended up going with the Nike Filament Capri, which was funny because they were the pair I liked the least on the rack and based on fabric. Once on, though, they felt awesome. Now to see if they run awesome.

I also picked up some new work clothes for a steal 🙂 and ate some yummy food. I picked up a few things to finish the mini room makeover, but still haven’t been able to get the headboard to work. All in all, a very good Slacker Sunday.

So yummy, I snacked a bit first :) — So yummy, I snacked a bit first 🙂

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend and kicked ass in any races 🙂

Shoe Talks

Let’s talk about shoes. So I am currently wearing Mizuno Wave Inspire 9 and I have been since December. As of today they have 386 miles on them. I love these shoes and of course they are introducing a new model in November. But I love this style!!!! I really should replace them now, but I do not want to break in a new pair before my half marathon in 3 weeks. And I have been using that excuse for the last 2 months.

I have also held off because every time I buy a new pair of shoes, the shin splints that I use to suffer from every day always make a reappearance. Why can’t they just stay gone? Since there is a new updated version about to hit stores, I think that I will see if I can find mine on clearance anywhere. Fingers crossed! But then again, the new ones do look pretty.

I really do love these shoes. Prior to these Mizuno’s, I had only ever run in Brooks. Actually my previous two pairs were both Brooks Ravenna. While I had never had any problems with them, I wasn’t dead set on them. So after Christmas last year, I headed out on a shoe hunt. My shoes always seem to need to be replaced around Christmas or my birthday. I have managed to not have to pay for a pair of shoes yet. Yay for presents! Changing to Mizuno was a jump because it was a different brand, I went down a size and they were a different support level. Yikes! I was nervous when I first started wearing them. But they have been awesome. I am sad to see the wear on them. I have also set 3 PR’s in them, so maybe I am a little emotionally attached to them. J

Speaking of shoes, I wore my boots to the chamber mixer on Thursday and it occurred to me that they probably have almost as many miles on them as my running shoes. Slower miles for sure but they got me through a crazy time back at the beginning of the year. I had just transferred locations for work and we were going through something like a merger. We had crazy hours and did lots of running around, and these shoes were my go to. Got me through the day, didn’t hurt and kept my legs warm! Sadly, they too are in need of replacing. I hate replacing shoes, you never know if the new ones will be as comfortable as the nice old, worn in ones. And breaking them in always takes time. Plus, I have a hard time finding boots that actually fit my calves. Ahhh, the joys of being a runner 🙂

Yep, I wear knee socks :) — Yep, I wear knee socks 🙂

Thursday was busy but good, and Friday has come and gone. Bring on the weekend running! I now have 8 days until my 10K, and possible 5K, so I would really like to get in some decent miles this weekend. I also have some shows that I would love to catch up on, Slacker style in my comfy chair. And maybe some good food along the way. All that after I get off work that is.

Anyone else have a pair of shoes that they just don’t want to let go of?

Hope everyone had a good Friday and if you are racing this weekend, good luck!!

Not so bad…

Today is shaping up to be a busy one. It started with a dentist appointment this morning. I am not a fan of dentists; I think I would rather go barefoot across some Legos, first. I went to the appointment with no pain, and now my jaw hurts. 😦 And that chair just aggravated my neck.

No More Sorting or Stepping On Legos Thanks to Box4Blox (Giveaway) | 5 Minutes for Mom

Still left for the day, I have work, then a chamber mixer, and finally followed by school. If I am lucky I will be home by 10:30. So no run planned for today. Tomorrow’s not looking so good either as it is always a long day at work. Plus, I work this Saturday for a partial day. Well, crap.

So last night, I gave into my mother (aka new gym junkie) and we went back to the gym. I was still feeling discouraged so I had a goal of 4 miles, however long it took me. After a quick warm up, I upped the pace of the treadmill and started running. I figured since it was the treadmill, I would try a quicker pace just to see if I could hold it for any decent amount of time. After all it’s easy to slow down on a treadmill. I finished 4.11 miles in 40 minutes which is closer to where I need to be come race day but it was a very erratic 4 miles. It also included 3 walking breaks. After that 4, I walked another 1 waiting for Mom to finish her workout. I didn’t feel like using any of the other equipment. We then went for frozen yogurt, orange-vanilla, so yummy! 🙂

So while it was better than it has been, I don’t think I can maintain it. Plus it was on a treadmill not a road, so that makes it harder to duplicate. Now, my upcoming 10K is flat, but my half marathon is not. I would like to get in some miles at the track this weekend before next weeks race.

In other news, I updated my phone to iOs 7, very odd. Not sure about it yet.

Hope everyone is having a good week!