Running Favorites

 

My friend Fallon over at Slacker Runner nominated me to fill out a questionnaire so I thought it could be sort of fun to answer. I don’t want to nominate people, so I’m going to tell you ALL to fill it out! HA!

 

1) Location: Trail, Road, or Indoors?

Road. I am not very stable on a flat surface, never mind running over tree roots and rocks! I don’t like the treadmill so road it is! Fresh air is the best.

 

2) Time of Day: Morning, Noon, or Evening?

I would generally say morning, but I usually end up running in the evening because I can’t wake up as early as I would need to. I like it better because it’s over and done with for the day and I can do whatever I feel like after work. The plus to doing it in the evening is that I might have company!

 

3) Weather: Sunshine, Mild or Hot?

I’m going to go with mild sunshine. I like it to be nice out, but not super hot. Even partly cloudy is nice for a little shade here and there.

 

4) Fuel: Before, After, and sometimes during?

Always before, during depending on how long I’m running and afterwards for recovery. What I have and when I have it all depends on the workout.

 

5) Accessories: Music, Watch & More?

If running outside, I always carry my phone and wear my Garmin. I also carry a handheld water bottle. If indoors, I bring my phone to watch Netflix on the treadmill and a water bottle.

 

6) Rewards: Food, Wine, or …?

Generally, I splurge on food, depending on how hard my workout was. I’m trying to be good though.

 

7) Type of run: Long, tempo, intervals, hill repeats, progression, or recovery/easy?

First of all, I don’t understand what most of those runs are, never mind actually done any. I just run. Slowly. Like a turtle crawling through peanut butter.

 

 

 

 

Advertisement

And Now We Wait…

 

It’s official! I’ve *actually* entered the MCM lottery to run my first full marathon. Holy balls! Now I hold my breath until 3/25. Wish me luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 Day Blog Challenge – Day 13/Face The Music Friday #66

 

#13 – Your earliest memory

I don’t remember a lot from my childhood. I’ve learned in therapy that blocking out bad memories can also block out the good. I have a horrible memory in general though, so that doesn’t really help either.

I guess thinking back, I can remember being kids at our family beach cottage and laying in the bed at the end of the hall that was sort of “my” bed when we stayed there. The beds were really just in the hallway, not an actual bedroom. Anyway, the door that closed between the living room and hallway was glass panes. When we were young and had to go to bed early, my great-grandparents would still be up watching TV. I used to angle that glass door sometimes so I could watch the TV reflection. I’m sure they probably knew what I was up to, but they let me do it anyway.

 

Day 1 and 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12

____________________________________________

 

Saturday – Rest (had too many errands to do before a girls night)

Sunday – 9 miles

Monday – Rest

Tuesday – 3 miles

Wednesday – 6 miles

Thursday – 30 min Yoga

Friday – ?

Training was decent this week. I’m not sure what I’m going to do today yet because my knee is tweaking. I might just do some extra yoga days and get some good stretching and rolling in between now and my next long run Sunday. I pushed hard on Wednesday’s 6 miler and now I’m paying the price.

This week’s song choice is a current favorite of mine. Every time it comes on my playlist I love it and can’t believe I’ve waited so long to use it on the blog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 Day Blog Challenge – Day 6/Face The Music Friday #65

 

#6 – Your 5 senses right now

We all know what the senses are: sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. Let’s get right to it, shall we? (This was based on when I started writing this post on Thursday night)

Sight – the newest issue of Runner’s World on my nightstand

 

I cropped it kind of funny to take out my address label

 

Hearing – my Spotify playlist

 

 

Taste – these amazing roasted chick peas that Tara made

 

 

Touch – the keyboard

 

 

Smell – this awesome Yankee Candle that makes me WISH I was on a Seaside Holiday

 

 

 

 

Day 1 and 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5

__________________________________________________________

So, there is my challenge for today, now here’s my Friday training update: I’m just getting back into the swing of things. Tuesday was my first “official” workout (if you don’t count shoveling snow) since Saturday, 2/21. I’ve had a horrid cold with an awful cough and when it’s in the lungs, there’s no way I’m pushing my body so I rested. And rested some more. And some more. I still have the cough now, but am trying to slowly work my way back. Let me tell you that Tuesday’s run was horrible. I felt like a beginner runner again.

 

 

I didn’t do anything on Thursday because snow screwed everything up again with about another 8 inches. I had kind of a down day anyway and just wanted to curl up under the covers. I plan on trying to get in a run after work today so hopefully the week will pick back up again. I really need to get my shit together again. I was on a streak and this being sick really put a damper on things.

I need a song that pumps me up and there’s not really anything more epic than this on my playlist…

E.S. Posthumus – Unstoppable

 

 

 

 

 

Yaktrax Pro Review

 

I don’t like falling. This means I am not a fan of winter. Much like Elsa, the cold never bothered me, it’s more the ice that is my nemesis. I’ll even take a BIT of snow because it’s easier to walk on than ice.

When I say a bit of snow, I mean a light dusting that makes everything look pretty, not the hellish winter that has been thrust upon us by Boreas. I can’t tell you how many workout days were rearranged and my workout for the day was “shoveling”.

 

That’s my house. Behind the mountains of snow that used to be my front yard.

 

That snow pile behind me is almost as tall as me – you can see it level with my ears!

 

Do you see where I’m going with this? My marathon training has gone to the birds. OK, so that might be dramatic. Let’s just say a good portion of it has been run on a treadmill in a very purple gym. What delights me though, was getting to try out the Yaktrax Pro. I was contacted by a marketing company to see if I wanted to check them out and let my blog readers know what I thought about them. Well, I didn’t hesitate – I live in New England! Did I mention I don’t like to fall?

I received my Yaktrax Pro, along with a nice storage bag, spray cleaner and a very thoughtful handwritten note.

 

 

 

Some info straight from the Yaktrax website:

The Yaktrax Pro will instantly give you better traction, confidence and safety on packed snow or ice. Walk, run, or work on slick surfaces with the same stability you’re accustomed to on dry surfaces.

• Spikeless, ultra lightweight design
• 360° of traction with patented skid lock coil system
• Durable natural rubber outer band for flexible fit
• Abrasion resistant 1.4mm steel, shaped coils
• Removable strap ensures secure fit
• Heel tab allows for easy installation and removal

 

Let me tell you, these were super easy to put on. They fit over almost all shoes and easily pulled on over my running shoes.

 

 

 

We have plenty of snow and ice in our neighborhood so I got to try it on a few different surfaces. It’s not recommended to use them on surfaces that are cleared of ice and snow, so I was careful not to go in too many spots that were shoveled out, like our driveway.

I felt totally safe walking over ice or snow. I was fairly timid at first since I didn’t know what to expect, but quickly became confident in my normal stride and then was comfortable enough to run in them. Just walking on ice alone had almost a cheese grater effect (as Tara put it), digging those coils right in.

 

 

 

 

I would 100% recommend these for anyone looking to maintain outside training during harsh winters. Mother Nature won’t know what hit her!

 

Disclaimer:  Even though I was given a free pair of Yaktrax Pro, all opinions in this post are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

Face The Music Friday #64

Saturday – 30 min Yoga

Sunday – 6 miles

Monday – Shoveling snow 1:15

Tuesday – Rest

Wednesday – 30 min Yoga

Thursday – 4 miles + 1 hr kickboxing class

Friday – 3 miles

 

Not the greatest training week at the beginning, but I stepped it up towards the end. I had a minor pity party the first half of the week and a meltdown on Wednesday, but picked myself back up and kept going. Nothing spectacular to speak of.

Now, for the highlight of the week…your World Champion New England Patriots!!! Yeah baby!!! Such an intense, exciting game. I watched at a friend’s house with a few people and we were all standing up for the last 10-15 min of the game screaming at every little thing. It was mayhem. At least when we know we’ve lost, we can still lose like men. That fight that the Seahawks started at the end was just completely unnecessary and only made them look disgraceful. Awesome game. Awesome, awesome game.

Nothing else to speak of, so in honor of our Super Bowl victory, I’m going to share the Imagine Dragons song, Warriors. It’s part of a hype-up video released right before the game and I think they did an awesome job with it. I get goosebumps every time I’ve watched it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Face The Music Friday #63

Saturday – 30 min Yoga

Sunday – 6 miles

Monday – Rest

Tuesday – 2 hours shoveling

Wednesday – Rest

Thursday – 4 miles

Friday – not quite 3 miles

 

Training got fairly messed up by a little thing we like to call “winter in New England” aka Winter Storm Juno. I’m not sure what our official tally was at the end of the blizzard, and it was too hard to judge with all the drifts due to high winds, but I would guess in the neighborhood of 20-24″. Pretty close anyway. So that’s what my week ended up looking like. Still decent and only one missed run.

The storm also caused a cancellation of one of my appts, but I had one this morning. Not gonna talk about those other than to say today was a tough one. Not much else going on either. Staying busy, trying to keep to a schedule around the appts so it’ll be a simple transition back to work when I return.

Yesterday was Tara’s 30th birthday. We celebrated last weekend with friends, had dinner out last night with her boss and will be having dinner tonight with her parents.

I’m excited about the Super Bowl on Sunday and watching my Patriots play with some good friends.

This week’s song…

Have To Drive – Amanda Palmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Face The Music Friday #62: The One With All The Training

Oh, hey. Hi there. Remember me?

First, let’s get the training out of the way. I’m not gonna use the usual format because there are too many missed weeks to type up, so here’s a screenshot of this month. Not too shabby if I say so myself.

 

 

Things are going well so far with the running. I can definitely tell my yoga is helping so I’m glad I’ve stuck with it. Running 4 days a week has been tough, but manageable so far. I’ve stuck almost religiously with the plan I’m following with the exception of skipping one long run day to catch up on some rest and skipping my Thursday run this week because my hips were really sore from doing a double workout on Tuesday. I still did yoga in it’s place, so I’ll call it a win.

Let’s move on and be a little more serious. I want to thank my blogger friends who have left comments checking in on me. It makes the interwebs feel a little smaller and it’s nice to know people notice when you’re not around.

Depression and anxiety are a nasty duo. One or the other is bad enough on it’s own. It’s not been a good few months. Every day is a struggle to just get out of bed. I think my training hasn’t suffered only because it’s one thing I can control. I have people to be accountable to as well.

 

 

 

On the plus side, I have an amazing network of friends (who really are family) keeping my head above water. I’m entering into more intensive therapy while taking a leave of absence from work for a short time. I’ve even gone back on medication to help level me out. It’s been a long while since I’ve taken anything and am hoping this will only be temporary.

 

 

Since I’ve missed so many weeks of blogging, I owe you a few songs. These are some of my obsessions lately. Music is a huge part of helping me feel better. Headphones in, volume up, turn off the whirlwind.

 

Robert Delong – Long Way Down

 

 

Fitz & The Tantrums – Fools Gold

 

 

Yelawolf – Till It’s Gone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Face The Music Friday #61

Saturday – 2.5 hour hike

Sunday – 4 miles

Monday – Rest

Tuesday – 2 miles

Wednesday – 30 min Yoga

Thursday – 3 miles

Friday – 2 miles

 

So…I made it through Christmas. My first one without celebrating with family. I celebrated with my friends instead.

We celebrated Festivus on Tuesday complete with the airing of grievances (with the pole!) and feats of strength. Christmas Eve was spent with Tara’s family and then that night and Christmas day were spent with our besties (thanks guys).

I got some nice gifts, including some very useful workout stuff. I had gotten Tara two tickets to Celtic Women and that was a big hit as well. I even managed to keep it a secret the last 3 months since I bought them! If you know me, you know I’m horrible with surprises because I just want people to open their stuff right away so this was a major win.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and enjoyed time with those that matter most. Here is this week’s song choice…

Corner – Allie Moss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Face The Music Friday #60

 

This week has been a really tough one. Let’s get the training update out of the way:

Saturday – 30 min yoga

Sunday – 4 miles

Monday – Rest

Tuesday – 3 miles

Wednesday – 30 min yoga

Thursday – 2 miles

Friday – 3 miles

As for the week, well, a gigantic step was taken in the interest of getting better, of moving forward with my life. This is not some place that I need to share what choice was made, suffice it to say that it was very difficult and will take a little while to sink in what’s been done. It’s very positive at the same time.

I’m hoping this step, along with others I am taking, will take me to a better place. Having this training to focus on is helping. Having the accountability to have to answer for why I would miss a workout is enough to keep me going. Having this gigantic goal – it’s all good.

Tomorrow is the Unleashed Christmas party and I can’t wait. I need the fun, the frivolity, the friends. I’m on vacation all next week and I’m very excited not to have to go to work. I plan on lots of fun stuff with friends whenever possible, keeping up with my workouts and who knows what for the holiday. Normally I’m a planner, but I’m going to try to just enjoy playing it by ear and see what happens.

Here’s your song for this week…

K.Flay – Get It Right