Let's Talk about FOOD!

Sometimes, I wish I didn't think about food so much! As a distance runner, the hunger pangs I have never die down so I'm constantly eating! Don't get me wrong, I love having the luxury of eating everything I love and never gaining a pound, but it just seems unnatural to eat as much as I do! Last year, I had to really portion. If I didn't, I'd gain weight really quickly. But  the only workouts I was doing at the time were 10 minute circuit training videos. Yeah, they did work, but you couldn't eat more than 1500 calories a day (booo calorie counting!).

I guess I'm just in awe of my own eating habits.

The other ladies will remain anonymous, but this is simply a reflection of how
I eat (and look) on the weekends. This was back in 2009.

I eat about 5-6 meals a day, keeping Sunday - Friday evening pretty healthy (I keep a 1.5 "cheat day"...hah). I start every day with breakfast. It's my favorite meal of the day. Probably since it has the most carbs in it [ Lindsey + Carbs = <3 ]. If I'm starved before noon, I usually have a light snack to hold me over. Then there's lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner, and a bedtime snack. Roughly, I probably take in anywhere from 1,800 to 2,300 a day. Maybe it's too much, maybe it's not enough. Whatever the case, I'm maintaining my weight and I'm a happy gal! I eat as my body tells me and it has worked in my favor for some time now.

But enough about food (it's making me hungry), I am happy I made it to my rest days. This week of running was not my favorite. I completed everything I wanted to, but not how I would have liked to. The days I took off last week from pain and soreness really threw me off my a-game. Then, changing my outdoor surroundings to one spot on a treadmill was not something I'm particularly used to or fond of. Hopefully, next week will seem relatively normal. I am thinking of nothing but my marathon in March. At this point, I'm still thinking I'm on schedule.

*fingers crossed*

PS, I THINK I'M LOSING MY FIRST TOENAIL! It's a big day! Haha!

How many meals do you eat a day?

Do you count your calories?

Does taking days off from running mess up your flow? Does changing your scenery?

Nothing Like a Run in Freezing Rain...

In every effort to avoid road running, I went to my parent's house to use their treadmill.

Family Guy on the computer :)

Now, I'm not sure how old this thing is or if it was necessarily made for distance running, but it felt like I was running on asphalt that was poured on top of concrete. There was absolutely no shock absorbance whatsoever. I also got extremely frustrated with the mileage/speed indicators. They HAD to be off. I felt like I was sprinting when the treadmill showed I was only doing a 10 minute mile. So about 2 miles in (I estimated), I hopped off, nearly calling it quits.

Then...I looked outside.

Yes, I should not be road running. Yes, it was raining. Yes, I was only wearing a short sleeved top and capris in freezing weather... BUT, I ran anyway.  The first mile wasn't so bad, but then came the freezing rain. Now, I've run in several different weather conditions. Rain, snow, hurricanes, 90 degree heat, less than 20 degree temps... but freezing rain, that was new and being inadequately dressed for it, was not helpful. All I could think about was cuddling in the microfiber blanket I just so happened to have in my car once I was done.

...and I did!

Once I left my parents, I came home and threw on a hoodie, sucked down tomato soup and inhaled a grilled PB&J. Mmmm warmth! It won't surprise me though if I end up getting sick from being chilled to the bone.

Tomorrow, I'm probably going to hit the treadmill at the gym, though I truly wanted to avoid this. The gym gets packed after 5 and sometimes it's nearly impossible to get a treadmill. I'm hoping I can beat the rush!

Have you ever impulsively run in bad weather conditions?

Have you ever been under dressed in cold weather conditions? 

Have you ever exposed yourself to the deliciousness of a grilled PB&J sandwich?

Battle Wounds & Upcoming Races

Is it strange that I'm proud of my black toenails and blisters?

In the last few weeks, I've earned 2 black toe nails and a blister the size of my thumb.  I don't look at these eye sores and think "Ew, my feet are horrendous." My feet are actually pretty horrendous, but, it's like a friend mentioned... These injuries are simply battle wounds and they make you a bad ass. Think of it as a hero in a movie, the ones that have scars or wounds on their body. You don't look at them and scoff, "Pfft, sissy!" No. Those are the people you know that have seen it all, lived through it, and continue to fight. And that's what I think when it comes to my feet.

Now, before I further disgust you with my blister fetish, I will talk about today's run :) .

I was lucky to hit the trail today. I had a half day of work and the weather was perfect. Initially, I planned for 5 miles, which is typical for a Monday, but ended up hitting 7. My time was not so great, but I've not been concerned with it so much lately. I just want the distance. I'm hopeful I'll be between 13 and 15 this weekend.

Once I complete my marathon run, then I'll challenge myself with time. This past year has kept distance as the focus. It would be nice if I could improve my times on those distances. Then, participating in races will be even more exciting. I plan on doing quite a few of them this year actually. I'm officially registered for 2 (a 10k at Hershey Park and a half in Frederick) and there's a half in Hershey I'm waiting for registration to open up on. I've seen a few more listings for runs I could do. The Color Run is one I'm currently debating. But money is always a concern.

Oh, if I had all the money in the world, I'd do every race around. They are so much fun! So not only do I want American Eagle & Under Armour gift cards for my birthdays and Christmas, throw in some money for these runs! Please :)

What do you think of running blisters? Do you think of them as battle wounds like I do?

What races are you looking to participate in this year?

Does the cost of a race determine whether you are participating or not?

Awesome Outfit, Ice Baths, and Books!

Good afternoon, my lovely runners!

First and foremost, I loved my color combo today.

This was actually taken after my run, hence the exhaustion in my face

I happen to think that green and pink go very well together.

Secondly, I am happy to announce that I was able to do 10 miles on the treadmill today without stopping! I couldn't be happier! I just may be able stay on schedule with the proposed marathon date of March 15th. I'm hoping I will be up to 15 miles next Sunday and if so, I would say that the marathon is full steam ahead. Though, I'm not trying to push myself beyond my body's limit right now. If it says stop or slow down, I've been very open to doing what it wants me to do. That's not something I was so good at in the past.

After the run today, I took my very first ice bath.

It wasn't exactly the typical ice bath you'd normally see someone sit themselves in (give me a break, it was my first attempt), but I was limited on ice and time to make ice. I actually liked it though! The scariest part was actually stepping in and sitting down. Once I was past that, the rest was easy peasy. I plan on doing these after my 15+ mile runs. Hopefully I will see the benefits of it.

To add to injury prevention methods, I ordered a running book that I hope will be of help, Chi Running. I read great reviews, so let's hope this will help! I also ordered Run Less, Run Faster. After my marathon, I really need to focus on my speed. My times don't suck, but if I really want to be a true competitor, I need to speed up my pace by a minute or so. What I ordered is listed below! Including NEW SHOES!!!



Anyway, tomorrow is a half day at work for me, which means I'll have time to head to the trail! I really wanted to do trail today, but I wasn't sure if my hip was going to be bi-polar. Since it will be a short run, I shouldn't have a problem. Then I get to go to the Outback! Wooo!

Do you have any book recommendations for running?

Have you ever taken an ice bath? Would you ever consider it?

Mission Accomplished!

I ran 7 miles! Though, it wasn't the best 7 miles I've ever done in my life, it FELT like it was.

Prior to the run, I did some hip strengthening, which I feel should now be a daily routine. Strong hips will help prevent future injuries like what I've dealt with already.

Like my slippers?

I also decided to relace my shoes to see if changing it up will assist with my feet falling asleep. It definitely freed up some space!

I'm rethinking my love of these Asics. I'm not sure if I like them anymore. The numbness may not be a result of them, but it just left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm currently looking at some Mizuno's and Saucony's. Maybe another pair of Brook's.





I did 3 sessions on the treadmill (hopefully one of the last at the gym!). I ran for a solid 3 miles before I felt like my hip had endured enough at once. I walked it out for 5 minutes, then started running for another 2.5 miles, walked another 5 minutes, then ended with 1.5. As for pain, there was some. Though, when it became apparent, that's when I stopped and walked. Once the the discomfort dissipated, I ran again. During this run, I learned that I favor my left hip (the one I currently have issues with), probably a result of my cambered road runs. Explains more about the injury.


After finishing, I went to my mom's. She showed me a hip stretch video that I did a few moves to. Felt lovely! I will make the effort of including some of these moves in my post-run stretch.

Tomorrow, I'm going to attempt 10 miles. Probably quite similar to today's run with 3 or more sessions to complete the mileage without hurting myself. Hopefully it works out!

Post injury, how do you get back into running?

What is your favorite running shoe? Brand/Model

Do you have a must-do strengthening/stretching exercise? 

Reasons Why I Need a Treadmill

Shortly after my last post, Peter helped me purchase a brand new treadmill!

We got the Nordic Track C900

Now, for someone that would chose to run in Hurricane Sandy as opposed to their parent's treadmill, you'd probably doubt that they would truly be excited. Yet, I'm jumping up and down inside. Having my own treadmill gives me more opportunities to run and less hassle!

10 Reasons Why I Need A Treadmill....

1. I'll never have to run in snow again. I hate snow and cold. I had to rearrange my whole schedule to still get my miles in. Hell if I was driving through treacherous conditions to go to the gym!
2. I won't have to spend time running next to strangers. I hated when they would use the treadmill right next to me and look at my stats when there are 298734892734 other empty treadmills they could use. I can feel your body heat!!! Go awaaay!
3. I will never have to use gas just to run at the gym, which is 20+ minutes away.
4. I won't have to be fearful of summer temperatures. If it's too hot or too humid, I won't have to sacrifice miles or my health! Same goes for winter.
5. I won't have to deal with road camber! No more IT Band problems caused by that!
6. I will save my joints by avoiding the road and sticking with the treadmill on days I can't drive out to the trail.
7. I can run any time of the day! Or night! I really dislike night running, especially in the winter (haven't yet done so in the warmer months), but now, I could wait till 11 at night if I wanted to run.
8. I can prop my laptop in front of the treadmill, catch up on shows or watch movies!!! 
9. More quality time with Peter! The treadmill will be in the office, which he spends a great deal of time in after work.
10. I LOVE RUNNING! Runners need treadmills

My Butt is Getting Special Treatment

I'm so uncomfortable right now! It's not even directly associated with the pain itself! It's situating myself with having ice packs or a heating pad on. I'm having to maneuver my body in different laying or sitting positions just to feel somewhat comfortable. I've moved about 3 times since starting this post just to reach a point of tolerance. 

Heating up my butt

My hand has also really never left my backside. Nothing has felt more relieving than pushing my thumb into the trouble area (right along side my butt and hip). I've read that this could be in relation to my sciatic nerve. Perhaps it's the nerve itself or inflammation of the Piriformis muscle that passes over the nerve. I don't want to assume anything. Though if the pain remains through Monday, I guess I'll have nothing more to do than to call my doctor.

One thing I do know for sure though is that I'm giving up road running for a while. I'm not saying that has caused my issues, but it's definitely not helped. Cambered roads, hard surfaces... I'm sure it's not only ruining my running form, but every joint in my legs and hips. For some time, I'm sticking with a treadmill or a trail.

Hopefully sooner than later. I'm feeling like an obtuse piece of lard.

Quarter Life Crisis, Sleepy Feet, and Sore Butt!

I am really having a rough time with my age this year. Although,  I don't consider 24 to be "old", I'm having difficulty adjusting to being an adult. In December, my boyfriend and I bought our first house. Prior to doing so, I was just a kid living in my parent's basement.  It was a pretty awesome basement though!

Needless to say, moving into a house was a huge transition for me. Financially, I'm fine. I just see owning a house as a huge entrance into adulthood. 

On top of that, my body functionality has changed. I can't stay up late, I can't sleep in. I need caffeine like it's going out of style. 

Now, I don't think I should put all the blame on age. I am exerting more energy than I ever have with running. That and I have a house to maintain. However, when I try to picture myself with a house and running when I was 21, I think I would've had tons more energy than I do now.

Ugh, and my skin is just...different. It's dry (even when I moisturize 9327498237 times a day) and the winkles in my forehead are becoming pretty pronounced. I wish I didn't care so much. I can't change the fact that I'm growing up.

But what does a 24, going on 25 year old get themselves for a quarter life crisis?

I'm thinking a treadmill.Though, there's one big factor getting in the way....MONEY! I know I won't have an issue if I do a "Bill Me Later" type of deal. I'm pretty much halfway there already. I just find it difficult to commit to big purchases. I do need this though. After today's run, I know I need one now more than ever...

As some of you may know, I took a load off because of tightness and soreness in my leg after a 20 mile run. I foam rolled, took anti-inflammatory pills, iced and cross trained. My leg felt fine. So I decided to test it with a 5 mile run today. 

It was not a pleasant run. 

I came home crying. My feet had gone numb and my butt cramped up (not sure if that was from leg issues or soreness from Jillian Michaels). It began about 2.5 miles in. I was able to "deal with it" up till about 4 miles. Then I was just running to get home quicker. I have no idea what had happened. This seemed completely unrelated to what was going on prior to taking these days off. So, I'm taking a few more days off. If there's no change by the weekend, I'm scheduling a doctor's appointment.

Did you ever have a quarter-life crisis? Did you buy anything?

As you age, what are you most concerned about?

 

Update From the Bike

I’m being good! I’m currently at the gym perched on a stationary bike. The plan was actually to go biking on the trail, but it was way too windy for that. Can’t say that remaining indoors is my favorite thing. Especially when it’s at the gym and I have to suffer at the sight of so many runners on the treadmills behind me. But I’ll be back to running in no time!

A half hour into biking, I tried switching to the elliptical, but that didn’t feel good at all. So I’m back to biking. This will probably will be my cross training activity for the week. I may try biking outside after work tomorrow. Then on Tuesday, since we are looking at snow at ice, I’ll probably use my parent’s treadmill for a walk.

I’ll probably take a 3 day rest after Tuesday. Hopefully that’s all I’ll need and I can go back to marathon training on Saturday.

Speaking of marathons, I finally have the money for the Frederick Running Festival! I’ll be able to do my first organized half! It’s all because someone was willing to by my fitness pole! I can use half of that money for the run and start saving the other half for a treadmill. I desperately need one for the summer. Even though I hate treadmills, it’s better than subjecting myself to heat exhaustion.
But I hope you all are having a great day! I’m definitely doing better than what I thought! Though, because I’m not actually running, I may not do so much updating this week. I’ll explain why laterrr!

Have a good one!

Unhappy IT Band

I did it. I managed to piss off my IT Band. So no running. It’s not intense. But a week away from running will have to commence now. I would never forgive myself if I completely destroyed my marathon training. I will have to deal with this. I can’t try to push myself to run, or I my IT Band will probably subject me to pain and restrict me from running for a lot longer. So one week.

I will TRY to cross-train all week. Biking, elliptical, walking, abs, and weight lifting. On top of that, foam rolling like crazy, icing, and building strength in my hips to prevent this from EVER happening again. I’ve already began the foam rolling and hip strengthening exercises.

Tomorrow, I’m picking up my bike from my parents and will attempt a 20 mile ride. As for the remainder of the week, I’ll use my parents treadmill for speed walking, and maybe hit up the gym for elliptical work. I will still have 2 complete rest days.

Now, because of my emotional breakdown running yesterday (in denial about having to stop running for a week), I failed to update my blog. The run itself was not bad! It actually felt really good. It wasn’t until I came home and sat on my butt for an hour that the tightness really kicked in.

I still want to show you the pictures from the run because it was lovely out!

Welcome to Dam #4 on the C&O Canal.

I was afraid to get any closer!

Wish me a speedy recovery this week, runners!

Do you go into denial about injuries? How do you mentally get through it?

Do you change your diet? Have you ever gained weight?

What cross-training sports do you participate in? Or do you still run?

Valentine's Day Eve & Pain :(

I really did not want to take a rest day, but my hip has been sore all day. I’m trying to think of it as an over-worked employee (we’ve all been there). You curse and complain about doing so much and not getting paid enough. You need a mental health day. That’s what my hip is saying. I’m giving it an early weekend. Though, I’m hoping it will feel up to a short run on Friday.

As for this evening, since I wasn’t busy, I was able to grocery shop and cook a semi-good dinner (new recipe, followed the book… I’ll know better next time). Then, due to excitement and lack of patience, Peter and I exchanged Valentine’s Day gifts.

First, I got Peter Ravens slippers that matched mine.

I also got him The Dark Knight Trilogy on Blu-Ray since he is a HUGE Batman fan. For me, Peter got me chocolates and eye makeup. But the best gift was….

When your boyfriend buys you stuff for running distance, you know it’s love! This bad boy will join me on those 15+ mile runs.

Anyway, wish me a speedy recovery over these next few rest days! Hope you all have a Happy Valentine’s Day! Oh, and PLEASE give me your shoe suggestions (last post).

When you have pain or injury, what do you do to recover? Do you rest or lessen miles?

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

What is your favorite running shoe?

Shoes!

Now that I’ve returned my super small Brook’s, I’m having a hard time determining whether to get another pair of those or not. Money is an issue and Asics seem friendly on the wallet. I need trail shoes. I thought I’d get more use out of them than road running shoes. Any brand/style suggestions?

I wish I could write more at this time. But I’m so exhausted! I finally took the time to take down our Christmas decorations after my run today (better late than never, right?).

So please, answer me this…

What is your favorite brand of running shoe? Does it work solely for trail?

Rest Day? Pfft!

Maybe I should’ve. Maybe I shouldn’t have. BUT….

It was too nice and gorgeous out to rest today! Screw the fact that I did 20 miles yesterday. It was in the 50s this evening! And it may snow heavily this weekend. So *blows raspberry*. I needed to run.

I only did 5 miles. A slooooow 5 miles. I really wasn’t trying to kill myself. I actually felt good. Surprisingly, no aches or pains. All that I seemed to suffer from in yesterday’s run was a blood blister on my big toe and that’s nothing!

I don’t plan on doing anything over 10 miles in the next week. Nor am I trying to do anything up in the 20s again till next month. I want to try 26.2 on my runiversary…March 16th. That’s when I’ll also get my running tattoo! Details later!

That’s all I have for now! I will leave you to ponder the following questions!

Do you run on days you should probably rest? Like after a 20+ mile run?

Do you do anything special on your runiversary? Do you know what yours is?

Do you have any running tats? If so, what do you have (don’t worry, not trying to copy)?

I AM A MACHINE!

Today, I am extremely proud to announce that…

I DID IT!

Before you say anything, I did make it to marker 101, which would complete the full 20 mile run. However, I was so anxious to return home and rest, that I forgot to take a picture at the marker. So I settled for one at 100. Seriously though, I did make it to 20 miles!!! :)

Prior to going, I made sure I had a good breakfast, which was a cinnamon raisin bagel with jelly and an egg & cheese omelet. I included peppers and onions in the omelet as well. It was yum! I also scarfed down a Gatorade to start the hydration process.

I started my journey at a quick pace, so I was continuously having to remind myself, “take your time!” I wanted to take off, but with 20 miles ahead of me, it didn’t matter my pace. I ultimately wanted to finish and with ease…not exhaustion or pain.

I packed 2 snacks for the run. I carried a Nature Valley Granola Bar and some Pretzel M&Ms. I pulled out the bar around the 8th mile and started chomping away. I didn’t realize how difficult it was to eat and run. No wonder many opt for gels or tiny pieces of candy. I thought the bar was enough though. Didn’t ever pull out the M&Ms.

I started crying at mile 10. The halfway point was a celebration for me.

Then, during my last stretch and seeing Peter at the end, I was shocked. I was still running at a decent pace. I wasn’t crawling or wanting to finally quit. I passed by mile 20 with no issues at all. I realized that I could have made it a remaining 6.2 miles to round it off to a marathon. Though, I don’t intend on trying that till next month. Or maybe even a month after.

Right now, I’m going to celebrate this victory. The future is looking bright, but I want to live in this moment for now. I have completed another 2013 goal for myself. I couldn’t be happier. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, 2013 is looking to be an AMAZING year!

Do you get emotional on runs? Have you ever cried?

How do you eat before you run? What & How much do you bring on the run?

How do you celebrate completing your longest distance?

Lacking Confidence

Here come the nerves! I am trying to avoid negative thoughts, but it’s been very difficult to keep the faith. I want to make it to 20 miles so bad tomorrow! I have my clothes already out, my snacks packed, and Gatorade in the freezer, but I can’t help but feel completely unprepared. I really want to fight for this and make it to my goal, but I’ve had trouble believing in myself in the past and it’s really coming through now.

I keep telling myself, that I can take it as slow as I need to, just as long as I make it to that final mile marker. Peter will be there waiting for me with a smile on. He will be able to celebrate my victory with me. And food will taste amazing afterwards!

Peter keeps encouraging me, letting me know that I can do this. He and my father had a conversation about it today. They both seem to think I could not only do the 20 miles with ease, but they think I could do the JFK 50. I can’t even think about that distance right now! I don’t even think I will prepare for something like that until next year. I’m just worried about a marathon distance at this point.

I just ask to please keep me in your thoughts tomorrow. Throw me every good vibe you can. I really could use it!!!

Anyway!
Today I ran a good 7 miles on the trail. I finally broke in the Brook’s Grit and they felt lovely!

I’ve never bought shoes specifically for trail running and I’m glad I did. There’s definitely a huge difference in how shoes for trail and for road are designed! I can see why people love the Brook’s brand as well. They are wonderful! Though, I am still favoring my Asics at this time.

My run was also beautiful today. The sun was out and the temperature was a bit warmer than what I have been running in. I couldn’t resist taking a picture by the river.

That’s right, I run in Coach sunglasses because I’m crazy!

I’m hoping for great weather tomorrow. If it’s just as lovely, I know that will help! Just wish me lots of luck!!! I’ll inform you of my run tomorrow!

Night, runners!

Do you have trouble believing in yourself prior to a race or a big run?

Does encouragement from others help get you through a difficult race/run?

Do you prefer road or trail running?

Everything is looking good for Sunday!

Route…Check

Weather…Check

20 miles is still in the schedule!!!!

Way too excited! Prepping by carbing it up!

Meet My New Asics

I finally did it. I finally sucked it up and wore a pair of my new shoes.

Say hello to my Asics!

My first run in them was an absolute dream! My feet didn’t fall asleep like they recently have been. I’m not sure if it had been because my old Nike’s were worn beyond 500 miles, or maybe I had the laces too tight. Either way, the Asics did not give me similar problems that my Nike’s did. They were very roomy for my giant hobbit feet, even though the size measurements were the same as my NIke’s. I’m not sure if that means Nike’s run small or Asics run big. In the end, it doesn’t matter. I love my Asics!  Nothing sucks more than to have an uncomfortable run and today’s definitely did not suck.

To be honest, I’m not too happy with my color choice. I’m normally Plain Jane when it comes to shoes [as you can see, that does not apply to my socks], but now, I think I’d like really flashy shoes. My Brook’s are somewhat flashy. Unfortunately, I have to return a pair of them. The shoes I got for the road, although my normal size, hurt my toes so bad. The ones I got for trail, they were perfect when I tried them on! Same size. So I have no clue what’s with that, but I’m gonna send the tight shoes back and order up a size.

As for my run today, it was just as great as yesterday’s [better if you factor in the new shoes]. My times were about 2 minutes better than what I normally see. It’s not a PR, but definitely an improvement from where I’ve been falling these past few weeks.

Now I’m ready for my rest days! Gotta prep for my planned 20 miles! Pray that I will be triumphant in completing this journey!

Have a good week, runners!

What do you look for in a new running shoe?

Do you go for flashy or plain shoes? Does it even matter?

Are you preparing for an important run?

C&O Canal Trail Running

Good evening, runners & those just passing by!

I am sensing amazing weather in the near future and that means I’ll be running nonstop. Peter is worried he will never see me again, which, he has every reason to be. Haha!

All I wanna do is push my limits and see what my body can really do. I feel like I’m restricting myself right now. I know I am capable of so much more. But with limited daylight and bipolar weather, my runs are ultimately punished. It’s not that I can’t subject myself to the elements or the dark. I have the clothing and night gear, but safety is my concern. I’m not familiar with this area. I’ve only lived in this neighborhood for about 2 months. I don’t know the people or the drivers. I used to live on a farm with my parents. Our neighbors where our immediate family. We didn’t have a lot of traffic on those streets. Now, I live on a main route. Once the time changes and the weather improves, I’ll have enough time to journey out to the canal as I do on the weekends. No cars. No asphalt. Just me, the river, and a few others passing by on bikes, walks, and runs.

I am so blessed to have the canal. Miles and miles of beauty. You have the Potomac River on one side of you, and on the other, trees, farmland, and historical landmarks. It’s very difficult for me to not stop and explore. If you are ever passing through MD, near the Potomac, GO TO THE CANAL. It’s 180+ miles. You are bound to love it, whether you are a biker, runner, or hiker.

I plan on doing my first 20 mile run and marathon on the canal. I have my landmarks and mile markers figured out. The only thing I’m worried about is a portion of my path now gets flooded for minimal amounts of rain. I’m hoping the rain we get on Friday will not affect my 20 mile plans or I will have to turn back. But let’s keep a positive outlook!

Anyway, enough of my ramblings! Have a good night!

If you had all the time in the world, would you run more or would you keep training the same as you have?

Do you have a great place to run? If so, where?

If an obstacle gets in the way of your normal running path, what do you do?

2013 is Proving To Be a Great Year!

Oh my god! I am so happy with the outcome of the Super Bowl! I’m so proud to be from the state of Maryland!

Our first Super Bowl Party in our new home was very successful too! We had a handful of friends over and had more than enough food to feed a small village. Peter and I made some Flacco-Roni & Cheese, Pitta Bagel Bites, Buffa-Lewis Chicken Dip, and Ray Rice Krispie Treats. Our friends brought some Veggie Pizza with pig skins (bacon) and muddy buddies.

Halftime with some of my favorite ladies!

Post win!

It was definitely a great time!

Now, prior to the game, I did a shorter run, only 7 miles. I thought keeping my strength for the game was more important ;-) ! Also, I had completed the 16 mile run the day prior, so it was all good. Yet, because I ate enough to feed a family of 4, I ran 7 instead of the normal 5 I do on Mondays.

During my run, I was completely in my mind. All I was thinking about was making it to 20 miles, then 26.2. I figured the route I’d take, the snacks I’d bring (Peanut M&Ms, or maybe the Pretzel kind, or both!), and Peter meeting me at the final mile marker for a victory kiss. I hope to do the 20 miles on Saturday. And if I can do that, 26.2 will be my goal prior to my birthday (May 27th). I figured if I didn’t do the marathon by the end of May, I probably wouldn’t be able to till September/October, when the weather isn’t so hot.

Only time will tell!

Did you watch the Super Bowl? If so, who did you want to win?

What’s your favorite Super Bowl food?

Did you run more miles to work off extra calories you took in?

Do you fantasize about future runs?

Just saw your post on Raynaud's phenomenon and I've always had a similar problem ever since I was a kid. I'd develop numbness in all of my fingers (no feeling whatsoever) after about 30 minutes in 20-30 F weather; that's with TWO pairs of gloves on including both windstopper and mid-weight fleece. What did help for me was layer one or two run mitts on top of a pair of lighter-weight liner gloves. Check out the Saucony Run Mitten on 6pm and running warehouse if you don't have a pair. Might help

I just did get a pair of fleece UA gloves. I was wearing JUST liners this winter. So I am going to put the liners on underneath. Hopefully it will help! I hate it when my fingers go numb!

Thanks :)

Icicles & PRs

It was FREEZING today! 18 degrees! Yet, I was determined to get a PR. I won’t be able to run too long tomorrow since I would like to save some energy for the Super Bowl (GO RAVENS #52!!!). So today, I a long one…16.13 miles. Prior to this PR, my longest distance was 15.8. Glad to hit that mile mark. Next week, I want to pay closer attention on time. I’m aiming for 3 hours for running. I actually wanted to do that today, but I was pressed for time. Had my first modeling shoot :) . More on that in a future blog post. 

On my run today, I layered majorly. For once, I felt I dressed well! I was not too hot or too cold. I also chose to wear the face mask again. I’m really thankful that I bought it! It works really well! I also included the SPIBelt, so I was able to bring both my cell and a snack!

This was actually the first run I ever brought a snack with me (Nature Valley Peanut Butter Granola Bar). I will NEVER do another long run without one again. I never felt so energized up to the very end! I recommend bringing something to munch on when you run 10+ miles. Completely worth it!

I still haven’t broke out any of my new shoes. I hate getting new shoes dirty! I’m contemplating on waiting till the nice weather comes about or at least till we don’t have salt, snow or mud all over the place. I’m a loser. I need to retire these NIke’s so bad! They are shot!

Anywho, time for some drinks tonight! It’s Super Bowl Eve and I’m celebrating! Tomorrow is going to be insane!

I will leave you with some pictures of the trail I frequent.

McMahon’s Mill

The trail must have flooded the day I ran in the downpour. Made for a nice obstacle course.

 
Icicles!!!

Have a good night, runners!

Question time!
Have you PR’ed recently?

Do you bring snacks on long runs? What do you eat?

Do you have a difficult time parting with old shoes and switching to new?