Hi there! Runner's World Run Streak

Yes, I am still here.  Yes, I have been running (kind of).  No, I have not been blogging! I am back though!

Anyway, more on my first ever running streak!  Officially, I completed 35 days because I couldn't run until July 4th (I had to go out of town on June 30), but I ran every single day!!!! I took the week out of town as a rest week, and boy were my legs ready.  My brain was very confused when it did not have to find time to run on July 1st!  I ran every single day of June! Crazy!  I went into the streak knowing that I would not be able to finish it the last few days, but I am still very happy with my results!  It was definitely the motivation I needed to run frequently, even during the hot summer months.  I will absolutely do this again, especially if there is a race I need to rebound from, whether it be a race that didn't go so well (I am looking at you Diva's Half Marathon) or if I just need some motivation to keep running after my goal races.

How I felt some days!

Did I think it drastically improved my training? / Do I think I should do this more often?
Not exactly.  While I was running everyday, some of my runs got replaced with one-milers just because I was tired- so my mileage was kept about the same, it was just spread out over the week with no rest days.  I am glad I did this, however, because I am going to follow the Hanson's Half-Marathon plan so upping the number of days running was useful.

I should be making Olympic teams in no time!

Rain Rain Go Away and Rambling

Will it ever stop raining?!  This is getting pretty ridiculous.  Everyday that I have wanted to go on a decent run I have been stopped by the rain!  Today I really wanted to get about an hour of running in, but I only did a mile because it was thundering and lightninging.  <---- That is a word.  I promise.  Good news: when you are running and trying not to get struck by lightning and/ or wet you run a LOT faster, even especially on an easy run.

Boo!

Before anyone goes safety-conscious on the whole lightning thing, I did count between lightning and thunder before I left the house and it was 25 sec apart.  The recommended time is 30 seconds, according to Rob Fowler, so I thought I was ok.  More good news: I didn't even see lightning on my run!

I suppose I could have gotten on the elliptical when I got home, but I was hungry!!!  Speaking of which, I might start WIAW (What I ate Wednesday) soon, but today's eating was at the opposite end of anything I want to share, and my stomach can feel it now.  Think pizza, mac 'n cheese, soda.  I am pretty sure the only veggies I ate all day were pea puffs from Trader Joe's and I am pretty sure those have about the same nutritional value as a potato chip.  I feel super sluggish now.  Lesson learned: if you want to work out, you must eat nutritiously!


Enough ramblings from me: [runner] Texas Senator Wendy Davis can talk for 13 hours on the same topic!  Regardless of political opinion, that is impressive.  The Mizunos must have helped!

Nice Mizunos

Would you rather?

This is a series of "Would you rather?" questions that I found on Olive to Run and I thought they would be perfect so y'all could get to know me better as a runner.

1. Would you rather run a 5K or a marathon?

I have never run a marathon before, and I probably won't run one for at least two more years, but I prefer longer distances any day.  I am definitely not a natural runner, but I have had much more success increasing my endurance rather than my speed.  I would definitely pick a half-marathon, which I have run, over a 5K.

I would love to run a race in DC one day.

2. Would you rather run in the heat of summer or the icy winter?

I like the warm summer much more than the cold winter.  My success in fall races over spring races can attest to this because I despise training in the cold so I have a much more substantial training base from the summer than from the winter.

3. Would you rather have new running shoes or a new running outfit?

I would much rather have a new pair of running shoes.  I am pretty picky about my running clothes, but if absolutely necessary, I would go for a run in (gasp) a cotton t-shirt and plain old athletic shorts.  Shoes are what keep me safe from injury and I use the same pair over many runs in a row so I would prefer a new pair of shoes over running clothes.

My running shoes from oldest ---> newest.  There are a couple of  pairs missing.  I think they one of those pairs is in my car!? The ones on the right I only have 40 miles on, but I really like my new Brooks Launch shoes so far.

4. Would you rather run alone or in a group?

I would rather run alone.  My long runs can sometimes get lonely, but I like being able to move around the time and pace of runs (although it would help to have somebody to hold me accountable).  I do love the race atmosphere with a bajillion people around me though.

5. Would you rather run next to someone in a race who tries to talk to you constantly or someone who breathes heavy and grunts?

I would rather have someone talk to me.  I love talking, especially during long races.  During my first half marathon, I don't even remember 5 of the miles because I was talking to someone.

6. Would you rather run a race because of the convenience (location, price, travel) or the swag?

I love me some swag, but ultimately if a race is convenient I am more likely to do it.  I would love to run some major half-marathons and eventually marathons (I love big races), but they are just so far away that it isn't realistic, however I am hoping to travel to go run the Princess Half-Marathon at Disney in February.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

7. Would you rather run a race with a group of friends or by yourself?

I would rather run it by myself.  I wouldn't mind sharing the race weekend with friends, but I want to run the actual race by myself.  I also would not mind running with a friend if they needed support (pacing, moral support, ect.), but I don't want to run a goal race with other people.

8. Would you rather run a PR but result in an injury or finish strong and miss a PR?

I would take finishing strong without a PR because there will be other races to run to get that PR, but I don't want to have to sit out of running for an extended period of time.

I would love to have had a PR that day, but I was sick so I didn't want to push it  (and I don't think I could have pushed it much more).

9. Would you rather eat a big meal the night before or a big meal after a race?

Big meal after a race.  I will eat a pretty good amount the night before a race, but I am careful not to eat too much so I don't run into GI problems (no pun intended).  After a race, I will eat EVERYTHING in sight.  On the way back from my last half-marathon, I just wanted to stop at every food establishment between the race and my house where my grandmother was making shrimp and grits.

10. Would you rather be chased by a swarm of bees or a pack of dogs?

I would rather be chased by a pack of dogs.  Big dogs, for the most part, don't scare me.  I have grown up with one so, unless unusually vicious, I would rather deal with dogs.  Bee stings are painful.  Enough said.

The dog on my left is ancient, but I love her to death.  I don't think she will be doing much chasing.  The one on the right will probably chase you, but won't attack you.

Favorite Things Friday

1. Stacy's Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips- they bring a flavor party to my mouth! YUM!  You should try them out some time because they are definitely one of my favorite snack foods.


2. Pita Chips with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus- both were on sale this week at Harris Teeter, so of course I had to buy some.  It is so good!

3. Chobani Flips- I had my first one this week.  It was the Key Lime Crumble, and it tasted just like Key Lime Pie.  I can't wait to try the others because I have heard that the almond and chocolate one is very good.

4. Long Days- morning and evening runs in the light!!!

5. Nuun- I got my first box today, and it is perfect.  I was so excited that I drank my first bottle while swimming/ running today only 15 minutes after I received the box.  I ordered pink lemonade, and it is yummy without being overly sweet so I can drink it while I am working out and not want to gag.

Run for Boston

So this week has been crazy, but good news for y'all: I have scheduled posts for this week! As in, they are in the little scheduler feature that Blogspot has!

On Sunday, April 21st, I did the Charleston Run for Boston.  It was an amazing event that was very uniting.  Runners from all over the tri-county area came out.  It all started with the organizer doing a group run with some of her friends, and it turned out to have (600-1000?) runners running it.  It was crazy awesome.  Of course I forgot to bring my phone to take pictures, but luckily some of the organizers of the Charleston Marathon were able to take some pictures.

The organizer talking to the runners before the race.

Runners finishing the race.  Most everybody that finished stayed at the finish line until every single person finished the run.

Runners cheering on finishers at the finish.

The course was a 5K, but I had an 8 mile run scheduled so I ran 4 miles right before the start, the race, and a mile after the race.  Great run!