Three Things Thursday

1. I did an outdoor run today. It was pretty good! Except for the path being all icy. Which is dumb, since it hasn't snowed in over a week. I got to try out FOUR new items I've never used... I'll probably review this more in depth later. But for now:

• Nike ear warmer thing. It's cute. And it kept my ears from freezing off and my headphones from slipping.

• Athleta Hindsight Half Zip top. Now. I don't normally wear long sleeves, but I figured this year I'd try being comfortable and warm. I got this awesome top as a Black Friday special using a gift card from a friend. I absolutely LOVED it. It breathed really well which kept me from getting too hot, yet it felt like air moved through. Never got cold either. Please it had the thumb holes (which I love), and a back zippered pocket. I put my keys in there and NEVER felt them. LOVE. THIS. TOP.

• Adidas Gloves - Touch screen compatible!! I loved these, never took them off. And yes, they worked as promised!

• Newton trail runners. I have had these for over a year. I even forgot my socks, wore this for a 35 minute run. So comfortable, no blisters. I think I will train my outdoor runs wearing these, and possibly race my 100 in them...

2. Field trip for Daisy Girl Scouts to the Butterfly Pavilion. They had the whole exterior decked out with lights... and a Fire Dancer. In 25 degree weather.

3. FINAL GRADES ARE IN!!

Wordless Wednesday

Musings About the Gym (A.K.A. "The Random")

• It's not even January yet and already the gym is getting ridiculously crowded. ALL the treadmills were full when I got there. Luckily, by the time I put my stuff away and came back out, I got a free one. Unfortunately it was not my regular treadmill (yes, I have one that I manage to use 99% of the time).
• Super. Annoying. People. Are. At. The. Gym. (WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE HERE??)
• To my left - Chatty Cathy. She holds up her phone, which is on SPEAKER and spends 19 minutes (walking very slowly) screaming and cackling into the phone.
• To my right - Walking briskly at max incline while holding onto the treadmill for dear life while leaning backwards.
• What is WITH people wandering around naked in the locker room? I don't want to see it. At all. Please stop.
• The woman working in the Kid's Club told me I looked thinner. She said the same thing to me last year. I think I look the same. Compliment?
• I got BRAND NEW Newton's with an insanely good Black Friday sale. I'm fairly certain I bought my last pair last summer... and ran on/off (plus cross trained) with them for... about 18 months. The lugs on these puppies? INSANE. Did my other pair really feel that way?? These had a neon orange lining on the inside. Obnoxious. Love it.

•  Speedwork. Yasso 800's. First half, not bad. Second half... still not so bad, but was in a "light-headed zone." Almost a "squirrel zone."

• Free time and no racing=Race planning. I think I have a few more races to add to my schedule...
• Not really a gym musing, but sorta training related... I had my surgical consult today, and after TWO HOURS of sitting around, I had about a 2 minute evaluation that determined I do, in fact, need to have the lump in my breast removed. The surgery is no big deal, but "high impact" exercise is "discouraged" for 5 days. I asked if I could get around with 3-4 days off running, they seemed to think that would be ok. Crossing my fingers I get in for the first Friday in January and then I *think* I'll still be able to get all my ultra training runs in. (They were booked all December for surgeries).
• TOTALLY not running/gym related. J's birthday is 3 days before Christmas. I have planned/purchased nothing. I am the worst girlfriend ever.

Gym Music Mix

I've pretty much had the same playlist on my iPod for two years. I have a playlist for racing, and one just for working out and the songs don't really overlap. I am SUPER SICK AND TIRED of my gym mix. I find myself skipping songs all the time. I need some music suggestions!! What are the latest and greatest songs out there? Or some oldies but goodies?

Also... thanks for the suggestions about what to do on the treadmill. I did notice that I sing along to my music (but only mouth the lyrics), I play the air drums AND fist pump. Man, I'm awesome.

5 Tips For Achieving FitFluential Balance During the Holidays

I like to think I'm pretty good at balance... Here is how I've survived the last three years:

1. Just because it's the holidays does NOT mean you skip the workouts. JUST DO IT. I've heard EVERY excuse in the books. I got up last Christmas and ran 15 miles in 17 degree weather. Black Friday this year I was up at 3 am to run 24 miles. If it means getting up earlier or going to bed earlier to get a workout in, DO IT.

2. Don't throw your regular eating habits out the window. I know there are tasty temptations around every corner. JUST BECAUSE IT IS CHRISTMAS DOES NOT MEAN YOU EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT. Healthy alternatives are everywhere.

3. I'm human. Sometimes I want that peppermint bark, fudge or peanut brittle. And you know what? I eat it... IN MODERATION. Since I don't buy junk food EVER, the only time I'm ever around it is the holidays. I don't go crazy with it, but I will enjoy some here and there. It's all about balance!

4. Go easy on the alcohol!! Holidays, parties, gatherings with friends and family. We have ALL been there. The key for me is either not drinking at all, or only drinking one or two. After a few years of being on a regular training schedule, it is simply not worth it to drink more than that.

5. SLEEP. As much as possible. Nap if you have to.

Five Things Friday - Short and Sweet

1. Unimpressive Customer Service - Runningskirts

My sister placed her Black Friday order two days after mine and had it last Saturday. It took TWO days of calling, emailing, posting on Twitter and Facebook to get a response from someone. I was informed my orders shipped (yesterday), even though I had confirmations that they shipped last week. Not impressed.

2. Impressive Customer Service - Athleta

I purchased some winter running gear on Black Friday. One of the items I received was sent in the wrong color. Even at 8 pm I was able to get someone on the phone who was able to help me out. After posting on Twitter I even received a personal message apologizing for the error and asking if I still needed help. Awesome.

3. Ultra Training - Success!

Monday - Speedwork (6.46 total miles, fastest 400 @ 1:42)
Wednesday - Easy-ish (4.4 miles)
Thursday - Easy-ish (10.02 miles)
Friday - Mostly easy-ish (24 miles)

Total running miles for the week - just under 45 miles!

In celebration of an awesome week, this is the shirt I'm wearing today

4. Three races registered for this week:

Austin Marathon (yes, the full)
Platte River Half Marathon (local race, did it this year too)
Pittsburgh Half Marathon (Will be excited to see the other B run her first FULL marathon!)

5. Plane tickets obtained to Peru for a STEAL - Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Marathon is definitely happening!!!

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

UNSTOPPABLE - NEW YORK!!

I bought this shirt when I was in NYC for the half marathon this year. You can read about the race here.I am entering the lottery again, although the chances of getting in two years in a row is pretty slim... If I get in, this is probably the outfit I will wear to race in.

Treadmill Running

As you know, I'm pretty much exclusively a treadmill runner. I run, on average, 3-4 days a week. I also do a few other cardio sessions a week of turbo kickboxing. And some cycling (on a stationary bike). But I spend a LOT of time on the treadmill. I bet I'm on one at least 8 hours a week.

What on earth does one DO on the treadmill for that long?? Well, for many years (I'm coming up on EIGHT years of treadmill use!!), just my iPod was enough to keep me occupied. I absolutely LOVE music. But the more I run, the more I listen to music, and my "pump" songs are getting repetitive. I've turned to Netflix streaming (right now I'm watching Numbers)... but that can be tough though when I am doing things like speedwork. I certainly don't want my iPhone flying off the treadmill and shattering.

Mainly, I entertain myself by people-watching. And imaginary racing people:

I might not win in speed, but I always win in endurance. During my 20+ mile runs, I bet at least 6-8 people will use the treadmills near me.

I also talk to myself. A lot. In my head, rarely out loud (because that would be crazy). This happens the most when I'm doing speedwork. I'm absolutely TERRIFIED I'm going to fly off the treadmill or roll my ankle or something when I'm running at a crazy fast pace like 6:15 (9.6 mph) - don't worry I can only keep that up for about... 80 seconds.

Anyway. I will never abandon my beloved treadmill, but I'm interested in something to make it a little less boring. I have never listened to a book or a podcast. Do any of you?

Dear Santa,

A is always wondering why I never have a Christmas list. Well, partly because Christmas isn't really a big deal around here. This will be the 4th Christmas since I got divorced (wow, time FLIES), and A spends the Christmas break with her Dad in Texas. Really all I do is sleep late while she is gone. But this year, sure, I'll make a list. You know, if any of my bloggy friends really feel like they want to get me something this year :D

1. Remember my awesome medal displays? They are full. Which means I am in the market for new ones... All my running buddies rave about the Allied Medal Displays. I think they FREAKING ROCK. I mean, check this out:

Obviously they also have a Half Fanatic one that is more appropriate since I don't run that many full marathons. Although. Hey. Did you know that I already have more than 4 that I plan on running in 2012? It's gonna be an epic year.

2. I want this. A lot. But it is SO much money. I'll probably never own it. But it looks like even someone as camera-dumb as me could take awesome pictures with it.

Also will accept Amazon gift cards in lieu of the super expensive camera... I have been saving them for a while and I'm sure they sell the camera.

3. Totally impractical. I work for a roofing company and wear jeans and a hoodie to work everyday. However, I am currently in school going for my BA in Criminal Justice and would like to think that I will eventually have a job again that requires some degree of professionalism. I think these are the cutest ever.

4. This sweatshirt. If anyone comes across it EVER, in a small or medium, BUY IT FOR ME. Please. I will pay you back. I found it, bought it, then got the message it was out of stock and for over 6 weeks I have been searching and searching and cannot find it anywhere. Le sigh.

5. I heart this skirt from Team Sparkle. I was hoping to get one in time to run the New Year's Double half marathon on December 31, but I'm short on cash. Size XS, Fuchsia, please :D

6. A Lululemon skirt. I will never shell out the cash for them since I've never personally worn one, but they are adorable and I have seen lots of them during races.

See? I'm not that hard to shop for.

Happy Holidays!!!

Long Run Friday

Ultra training had a ridiculously long run scheduled. RLRF had me running 15 miles at MP+10 (10:34). So... I sorta did that.

Goal - Run 26(.2) - Can't stop at 26 as a runner. Can't. Pace mostly unimportant, but I did want to run the first 15ish at the RLRF pace. Mostly succeeded.
Actual - 26.2 @ 10:45 (4:41:52 total). Only I think 7 seconds off from what I ran RnR Denver in a few months ago. The first 14.1 I did on the treadmill at the gym, but then I needed to come home to take A to school. The last 12.1 were done in the basement inferno. THOSE miles were INSANELY hard.

Longest treadmill run. Longest training run. Probably top ten of longest runs (including races) I've ever done.

Breakfast - Mini Luna bar (White Chocolate Macadamia), banana, Sbux light double shot (those things that come in the tiny cans).

Of note:
1. Peanut Butter GU is FABULOUS. I had one of those, a nearly expired Plain GU, a Powerade Chocolate Gel, two packs of GU chomps (one citrus, one watermelon). Two bottles of water, one with Nuun (mixed berry), one without. One Powerade Zero (fruit punch), and a diet Coke. The diet Coke was NOT as agreeable as the diet wild cherry Pepsi I had last week. Cause a MAJOR side ache the last few miles. At least i was dumb enough to drink it at the end.
2. Outfit change - 1 (I. SWEAT. A. LOT). Well, I was wearing a tank at the gym (My "I Run So I Don't Kill People" one), stripped down to just the sports bra at home, and DID change that. I wore my Nike capri running tights, no skirt. (Also no body glide, and no chafing anywhere).
3. Towels used - 4 (See above, about sweating)
4. Pounds lost - 3.6 (Yikes... I need to watch this)

Thoughts on this run?

• 18-20 miles on the treadmill is not bad. Longer than that is a bit rough. Not sure how well I would succeed at these if I was trying to run solo outside...
• Also, it is WEIRD "hiding" my training. L thinks running a 100 miler is the dumbest idea I have ever had, and the rest of my family is pretty much agrees with that. J won't say it's a dumb idea, but thinks I'll hate it. So my solution so far is to downplay training. Any suggestions? I've never come across this... my family is usually pretty supportive.

My two other runs this week went perfect. Speedwork on Monday was glorious, and my 6 miler on Wednesday went off without a hitch. Loving this program so far, especially in combination with RLRF.

Happy Friday!

November Numbers

Miles Run - 150.86. Probably close to the most training miles I've ever run in a month (usually I have a LOT more miles of racing). I did mostly the RLRF program, although I started my own (adapted from Fast Cory) ultra marathon training last week. Excited on that.
Races Run - 3 (2 half marathons, 1 5k)
PR's Set - Close to the slowest 5k I've ever run. But, really, zero.
Minutes of Plank -  112. I missed 2 days of planks. Still at 4 minute sets. They are still tough, so I will keep time the same for December.

Other Random

• Today, December 1, is the 4 year anniversary of the last time I smoked a cigarette. I'm REALLY proud of that. That means that I have NOT smoked 29,000+ cigarettes. Instead, I have run over 3,800 miles. Not sure which number amazes me more.
• The Peanut Butter GU I ordered in October finally showed up today. I'll try it during my long run tomorrow.

• It snowed today. I really hate snow. And there is still like 5 months left of winter. That makes me gloomy.
• I got the bill in the mail today for my mammogram and biopsy. Sigh. I have insurance I purchase on my own and a high deductible plan. Just my tests are running me over $900. That probably means I'll have to cancel the Edinburgh Marathon since it's the only trip I haven't booked any travel for :(

• This was my last week of classes. I have finals next week. Crossing my fingers for all A's...