Weekly Wrap #8

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

This weekly linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your weekly adventures.  You are encouraged to include anything you did to be active or anything you considered fun.  Please tell us how you amazing women accomplish it all.  You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  See rules here.



Let me quickly remind everyone that you are not required to recap your entire week here on the Weekly Wrap.  Some of us do, as we recap our training.  However, it's entirely up to you whether you do the whole week, the weekend, or just one day...as long as it's something active.  A RACE RECAP (love those!), an active vacation, or your normal fitness routines are all excellent links.  We are not picky!

The Fall Into Fitness Giveaway that I co-hosted with Runaway Bridal Planner ended Sunday at midnight.  Laura R. won the funky arm sleeves I gave away from Gypsy Runner.  Congratulations to Laura!  I truly appreciate all who participated in the hop and those who entered the giveaways. 




Monday is always a rest day and then I granted myself another one on Tuesday.  I was stressing over the fact maybe I shouldn't have run two over-20 milers in this training cycle. 
I decided to be sensible and give my body a little break.  I'm not sure it worked (more on that later).  It wasn't until Wednesday that I went for a run.  It was a very sluggish 5 miles.

I had much more energy on Thursday.  It was a very warm morning but I ran 5 miles @ 9:22 pace, which isn't too bad for me...considering.  When I arrived back at the mailbox and thought to look inside, I found my new Fitbit bling.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Friday was another rest day.  I had planned to make up Tuesday's missed run on Saturday but instead had the opportunity to go to the lake one last time.  Well, OK!  That's a no-brainer.  I figured an hour or so cross training on a ski sounded like a better idea.

The water and air both were about 78 degrees.  That's cool.  After my last ski run, I shook uncontrollably for probably 30 minutes...with a jacket on.  Sadly, I'm calling it a wrap on the skiing for this year.  I've used a wet suit in the past, which has long since dry rotted.  I never thought it helped much anyway.  We celebrated on the way home at our favorite oyster bar...one last time.  




I captured the most amazing images of the sky reflected in the lake with my GoPro on this trip.  I apologize for the video length.  GoPro Studios is enough to make you want to pull your hair out.  I hope you'll take a peek anyway.  And of course, there is southern narration.  Did you know "boat" is a two syllable word?  I have to say, this has been the best summer of skiing in a long time.  The conditions were ideal most every weekend.

See how small a GoPro is?  And it's still in its waterproof case, making it seem bigger.

Sunday I planned to run 12-13 miles but the foot that's been niggling for a while decided not to cooperate.  Prudently (I hope), I stopped at mile 11.  My left foot is just not right.  {Ha ha, get it?  My left foot is not right!}.  Of course, this put me into a tailspin.  A big thanks to Tricia and my sister for talking me down off that ledge.  Admittedly, I still spent Sunday afternoon throwing myself an extravagant pity party and imagining the worst possible scenarios.  I am praying with two more taper weeks, it will be OK by race day.   

It's down to the counting.  I'm Chicago bound in 14 loads of laundry, 10 sleeps, 9 work days, 8 cooked meals, 6 runs (very possibly less), 3 grocery store visits, 1 college football game, 1 box of hair color and 0 other housework.  I hope someone other than me does the silly countdown too?

And that's a wrap!

Tell me something good about your week!

Please, wrap it up with us! 

An InLinkz Link-up

Runfessions (September)

I runfess...

I took out my magic wand and {swoosh} granted myself an extra rest day after my last long marathon training run.  I felt really guilty about it for a good 5 or 10 minutes.  

I was overly worried I had played with fire by running over 20 miles not once, but twice, in this training cycle.  I am a {cough-sputter} older runner, you know.  



I runfess...

This has been happening for the last few weeks...or month...or maybe longer...

I R R I T A B I L I T Y

I don't have pet peeves.

I have whole kennels of irritations.

-- Whoopi Goldberg


Which begs the question... who, pray tell, let the dogs out?

I runfess...

I left my good designated-for-the-marathon shoes outside in the weather instead of on the porch.  Uh-huh, it stormed.  They were soaked.  And now there is a unpleasant sour smell on top of the usual summertime sweat stink.  

It reminds me of the time I wore my running shoes home on a flight after a half marathon.  I never walk in them -- too stiff.  But, they smelled so bad I just couldn't put them in my carry-on and stink up the entire plane.  I thought I could mask the smell if they were on my feet.  Nope.  I smelled them all the way home, along with everyone else. 



I runfess...

I'm already stalking the Chicago weather.  Did you know The Weather Channel now does a 15 day forecast online?   Yes, I realize it will change 327 times between now and race day, but it gives me hope.  I see nothing close to what I've had to endure all summer.  Yippee!  I'm not sure why I'm bothering because I have no clue what I'll wear!  I've run in the same ratty, baggy shorts since March (not the same pair, I have 4 colors).  I swear if they had a pocket, I'd be sporting them in the marathon.  Alas, I'll try to scrounge around for something cute.

Do you have anything you need to Runfess?

I'm linking up with Marcia today from Marcia's Healthy Slice. 

Please stop by and join in with your Runfessions!

Making Comparisons

You can't compare apples and oranges. 

We've all heard this old saying time and again.

 I think most of us have played the comparison game at certain times.

At least, I have.

The COMPARING Me Thinks:

I don't want to be the bumpy, dimply, rough orange. 
Why can't I be the smooth, pretty, shiny red apple?

I don't want to scrap and fight for every mile and every second off my pace. 
Why can't I glide effortlessly down the street without breaking a sweat?
 
I don't want to feel like my heart is going to explode when I run too fast.
Why can't I run as fast as {insert a variety of names here}?

I don't want to run slower.
Why can't I get a new, shiny PR just like {insert a variety of names here too}?

The REALISTIC Me Knows:

I am the rough, bumpy orange. 
It is the hand I was dealt.  I am what I am.

I am a middle-of-the-packer, not an elite runner.
I do have physical limitations.  I am also aging.

I've proudly earned every drop of sweat I've ever created.
And that heart pounding sensation means I'm alive and pushing my limits.

I'll do what I can with what I've got.
It is counterproductive, stressful, and unrealistic to try and be the apple.

All I can do is work just as hard as the apple does...
 

and be the best damned orange I can be!

Do you play the comparison game?

Are you being the best orange you can be?

I'm linking up with Deb @ Deb Runs for the Wednesday Word.  Thanks, Deb!

Please visit Deb and the other participating bloggers.  It's really fun!

Weekly Wrap # 7

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

This weekly linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your weekly adventures.  You are encouraged to include anything you did to be active or anything you considered fun.  Please tell us how you amazing women accomplish it all.  You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  See rules here.




Monday was my typical rest day.  On a lunchtime trip to Target, I found a new flavor of Zone Perfect Bars.  Has anyone else tried the Cinnamon Roll?  Very yummy!  I love that this bar has 15 grams of protein.  A Zone Bar is my typical second breakfast each day, a few hours after my first one of oatmeal with milk and berries. 

An easy run was on the schedule (I don't follow) for Tuesday.  But the weather was cooler than normal so I wanted to bump up my effort a little and decided on a progressive run to get in a couple miles at a faster pace.  My splits were:  10:00, 10:11 (oops) 9:40, 9:24, 9:05 (average 9:40).  I ran in my new Mizuno Wave Inspire 11 shoes.  My left pinky toe came back singing the blues.  Uh-huh, the toe box is smaller. {Heavy Sigh}

Mizuno, stop changing the shoes!

Wednesday, again the weather was nicer and I didn't want to waste that on the scheduled easy run.  I decided to do another progressive run, this time for 6 miles: 9:57, 9:57, 9:23, 9:34, 9:26, 9:01 (average 9:33). 

Thursday was a rest day and my throat was hurting.  Ugh.  But after 24 hours it was better.  It guess it could have been allergies.  I've had a niggle on the top of my left foot since last weekend.  It doesn't hurt while running, just afterwards.  Yeah, unfortunately I need to be able to walk too. This niggle was making me very nervous about my long run Sunday.

Friday, I ran 6 slower miles (9:58 average pace).  My foot felt better after this run.  I was highly encouraged about that. 


Saturday we headed to the lake early as we were having people over later.  The lake was simply beautiful, although a little choppy from wind.  The water had already cooled 6 degrees.  You can definitely tell Fall is coming.  I got three long ski runs in, probably more than I needed with my super long run the next day.  After 3-4 hours, we headed home because my in-laws were traveling over, and all of the kids and grand kids would be there.  There was a chaotic house full of people swimming, playing cards, eating party food and watching football {Roll Tide anyway}.  Mrs. Party Pooper called it a day around 10.  I needed an early start for Sunday's run.  It was forecast to be a hot day.

After a quick breakfast of yogurt, I hit the street Sunday morning just before six.  It was a pleasant 66 degrees. I tried not to look at my pace and run easy for the first third and hopefully speed up a little after that, which is my strategy for the marathon.  I looped around my mailbox three times and had a bottle stashed in the woods at one of my U-turn points.

I had 3 GU, 1 banana, 4 salt caps, 32 ounces of Gatorade Endurance and at least that much water.  I began losing the precious shade around mile 15.  At mile 18, I headed to the neighborhood park so I could run the last very warm miles in the shade.   It was 88 degrees when I returned home.

This happened too!  Thanks, Fitbit!

I had no rubbing, no chafing, no cramping, no pain --- nothing.  By no means, however, do I want you to think that running 23 miles felt easy.  It did not.  These long runs have been both a physical and mental challenge for me.

It boils down to putting one foot in front of the other...over and over, even when you think you can't take one more.  {Naturally this puts a song in my head.  Put one foot in front of the other, and then you'll be walking out the door...    Can anyone guess where that song is from?}

After 40 miles this week (a personal record) I am happy to be a resident of Taper Town.  I think I'm as ready as I can be for the Chicago Marathon!

And that's a wrap!

Tell be something fun about your week!

Are you training for something?  How is it going?
 

An InLinkz Link-up

It's That Time (September)

It's That Time of the Month!

Annoyed?

Irritated? 

Ticked Off? 

At Your Wit's End?

I'm co-hosting this monthly link up with my good friend Wendy @ Taking The Long Way Home.   (Please follow Wendy's as she trains to BQ at the Chicago Marathon!)  This link gives you an opportunity to air your grievances!  Get those annoying things off your chest.  We hope you will join us.  The link up will stay open for a week.  You still have plenty of time to join in!  (See rules here.)

Mini deserves attention too!

It's annoying...

I have two dogs that I walk in my neighborhood park.  Would you believe I've had people point and say things like "I like that one! or "The white one is so cute!"  Kids always ask to pet them.  I always oblige and make the dogs sit obediently.  However, usually only one dog gets a pet. 

My heart goes out to the one that gets ignored.  Mini is very intelligent, so sweet and can run like the wind.  I swear she looks into my soul with her beautiful brown eyes.  She was smart enough to wake me from a horrible nightmare just this week.  I greatly appreciated her coming to my rescue!  She "told us" our grandchildren were coming, before our son and DIL could.  You can't hide a pregnancy from Mini.

If you can't say something nice about both of my dogs, then keep it to yourself.  And don't ask to pet them if you can't pet both.  The dog everybody thinks is so adorable is um... dare I say... simpleminded.  Trust me, I say that with lots of love.  He is my special dog.

Please don't judge a dog by it's fur cover.





CSI:  HoHo Investigates.

It's annoying...

There is a house on my daily running route whose garbage can smells like there might be a decaying body inside.  I come very close to gagging every time I go by.  I'm repulsed yet...so very intrigued.  Dare I open the lid?  



It's annoying...

Mizuno Wave Inspires   v. 11

In case you missed it, I'm running the Chicago Marathon in a few weeks.  Since I've registered, I can't tell you how many times I've heard it's the murder capital of the world.  I finally got concerned enough to Google this bit of information and I found Chicago doesn't even rank.  It's not even in the top 30 for goodness sake.  Ugh!  Where do people come up with this stuff?

It's annoying...

I finally caved and ordered the latest generation of my running shoe.  I had quite a few of the previous version and figured it was time to move up.  I've never had a green pair before either.  They were so pretty when I opened the box.

Well, after running 5 miles in them, I realized they changed the width of the toe box ever so slightly.  My left pinky toe is going to suffer mightily if I run more than a few miles in these at one time.  Why can't the shoe manufacturers leave well enough alone?

It's time to vent...what's annoying you?

*** WAIT ***       *** HOLD ON ***

It's the last day for the Fall Into Fitness GIVEAWAY! 

Did you enter to win my FUNKY ARM SLEEVES?  The winner will be announced Monday.

An InLinkz Link-up

Proceed with Caution

I don't believe I'm an overly cautious person.  I have PoPo to handle that for me.  He's my expert weather advisor, my cautious boat driver, and our resident lifeguard.  {"Don't run around the pool!"  Ah, if I had a nickel...} 

I slalom at 30 mph on a narrow stick of graphite.  I'm guessing I cut across the water at speeds between 40-45.  I don't think that sounds like an overly cautious person, does it?  But I can throw caution to the wind because I know he is up front being careful enough for the both of us, and everyone else on the lake.  That, and I have my trusty life vest on!


He constantly reminds me to be aware of my surroundings.  I don't feel I need reminding, but it makes him feel better to say it.  Just last night at dinner, I was joking around about the huge spider webs in our yard {what is up with that -- is it this time of year?}.  I said that if I went missing, they should check to see if I had been cocooned up by a big spider over in the side yard. 

Of course PoPo put his usual overly cautious spin on it and said if I went missing I'd be in the back of somebody's van.  And yes, I smarted back, "They couldn't stand my smell."  As much as this aggravates me, it is a good reminder that even though I feel I'm cautious by always running in my neighborhood, you never know who is watching.  He also scolded me reminded me about not running the same route at the same time every day. 

So just this morning on my predawn run, I think he would have been proud.  I remembered our conversation and I was more aware than normal.  I didn't do my usual sleeping during the first few miles.  I did proceed with caution!

 

Are you the cautious one in your family?


Did you enter to win in the Fall Into Fitness Giveaway?


And don't forget this Saturday is...


JOIN US THIS SATURDAY!
THIS IS SUCH AN ENTERTAINING LINK UP!

 

 

I'm linking up with Deb @ Deb Runs for the Wednesday Word.

Please visit Deb and the other participating bloggers.  It's fun!

 

 

 

My Fitbit Story

Dressy Fitbit

Earlier this year, I wanted a Fitbit.  We were headed to Disney and I thought it would be so cool to count my steps as we walked around the parks.  Every time I mentioned this, I would hear comments like "Why in the world do you want that -- you have a Garmin?" or "You run, you know you get enough steps" or "My friend has one and it's counts all these extra steps" and yada yada.

After all the negative comments, I talked myself out of getting one.

Casual Fitbit

Fast forward to Mother's Day...

I found a pink Fitbit nestled in the bottom of a gift bag.  PoPo had paid attention.  I think he likes to buy me electronic gadgets anyway.  It's his go-to thing; something he can relate to and buy easily.   One size fits all!

I decided I would definitely wear a Fitbit but wanted the one with the heart rate monitor.  I swapped it for a Charge HR model with PoPo's blessing.





A 21 mile run earned me this!

As you may know, I'm a poor sleeper.  The females in my family have always struggled.  However, I began sleeping a little better once I got a Fitbit.  Let me see if I can explain...it somehow validated that fact that YES, I CAN SLEEP -- at least some.   And that helped me sleep better.  I know, it sounds weird even to me.

The stats you get are amazing.  The phone app gives you plenty of data, but if you log into your computer you'll get worlds of info.  If I went into all of the features, this post would become the owners manual.  One of the coolest things it does is vibrate when I get a phone call and displays the name of the caller.  Sweet!

I have my Fitbit screen set to show my heart rate when I tap on it.  I love this feature when I run.  I can't wear the chest strap that came with my Garmin!  But with a simple tap on my Fitbit, I can easily see my heart rate.

In comparison to my GPS watch (yes, I run wearing both), I've found if I run slowly or take short steps it is pretty accurate with mileage.  If I am racing or running a faster pace, the Fitbit's mileage is often short.  Of course, there are the fun challenges you can do with your friends.  You also earn badges as you reach certain milestones.  That's a nice touch.

Do you wear a fitness tracker?

 

If you have a Fitbit, I'd like to be your friend!



***   WAIT   ***   WAIT   ***

It's almost That Time of the Month!

The MOST ENTERTAINING linkup around is back this Saturday!




ONE MORE THING...

Have you entered my giveaway yet?

CLICK HERE

 

 

I'm joining the Tuesdays on the Run link up! 

Thanks to our hosts:

 Ericka @ MCM Mama Runs,

April @ Run the great wide somewhere

 Patty @ My no-guilt life!

Weekly Wrap # 6

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

This weekly linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your weekly adventures.  You are encouraged to include anything you did to be active or anything you considered fun.  Please tell us how you amazing women accomplish it all.  You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  See rules here.




This week's schedule was different because of the Labor Day holiday and the 10k race I was thinking about running Saturday.  What is usually a rest day on Monday instead was a water skiing day, the second one of the long holiday weekend.  I'm not complaining at all!  It will come to a sad, screeching halt very soon.  PoPo grilled delicious bacon wrapped filets to celebrate the holiday.

Appropriately, Tuesday's run was a 5 mile recovery run.  I was feeling the fatigue of running 21 miles on Sunday sandwiched between two days of skiing.

My iPhone has started taking almost colorless pictures!

Wednesday was a rest day and Thursday I ran 8 miles at a muggy 10:11 pace.  This was such a steamy morning.  {Per Aerosmith...It's the same old story, same old song and dance, my friend.}  Friday was switched to a rest day because the 10k was on Saturday. 

Saturday it was 71 degrees with 87% humidity when I got out of the car at the race to benefit Family Guidance Centers.  Although a tad better, the air still felt really sticky.  I debated about running this all week.  I know my 5k and 10k paces are off (I'm trying hard not to dwell on that!) but I felt I should get back into racing mode.  I wanted to work on pacing, particularly not going out too fast, and going through water stops as quickly as possible.  I've never been very good at that.

I treated the 10k as a training run at marathon race pace.  I ran pretty steady the whole race, except the last uphill mile cost me some time.  My 9:41 pace was enough to win Female Grand Masters.  {Ahem--most people ran in the 5k!}  The route took us through beautiful residential areas complete with duck ponds and I can't complain about the race direction or amenities.  I just have mixed emotions about my results.  Don't misunderstand,  I would be ecstatic to run that pace in the Chicago Marathon.  But this was only a 10k and it alarmed me how tough that 6th mile felt.  Have I done enough?  Am I kidding myself by thinking "It's just the summer weather"?

My buddies Beth (center) and Chris (right).  Chris just ran the Kauai half in Hawaii and placed 2nd in age group!

This was a cutback week on the training plan I don't really follow.  The weather changed during the night and I was able to sleep late Sunday morning.  I ran 12 miles but didn't start until 7:30 and it was a delightful 58 degrees!  I had a few niggles during this run.  My left knee was tight and I had to stop and stretch a couple of times.  It felt OK by the end.  I also had a mild side stitch after one of my mailbox pit stops but thankfully it didn't last.  After I got home, the top of my left foot started hurting.  {Are you kidding me -- insert meltdown here.}

In summary, I ran 31 miles this week.  The weather should be better in the mornings this coming week.  I hope I can work on pace a couple of times, but at this point there's not much time left.  I have one more extra long run next weekend and then I begin a gradual taper.  Ready or not...

And that's a wrap!

Tell me something about your week!

And we'd love you to also WRAP IT UP WITH US.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway in the Fall Into Fitness Giveaway Hop!

An InLinkz Link-up

Fall Into Fitness Giveaway Hop

It's time for the Fall Into Fitness Giveaway Hop!

My signature item during cool weather is a pair of arm sleeves; and the funkier the better.  They are just right when there's a little frost on the pumpkin.  I'll wear them during our mild winters too if the temps aren't too frigid.  If Chicago is a little chilly, you'll definitely see me sporting a pair.

I've never liked running in a shirt with sleeves, but I absolutely love running in arm sleeves!  Hoping you might like them too, I'm giving away a pair of your choosing from Gypsy Runner.  There are quite a few funky patterns to select from as well as solid colors.  

You may have seen the nice folks from Gypsy Runner at a race expo.  They travel all over!  I've bought skirts, arm sleeves, car decals, headbands, and yep --- even a running dress.

Enter below using Rafflecopter, but hurry!  This giveaway closes at midnight on 9/20.

Please visit each participating blogger by hopping through the links listed at the bottom.

You have multiple chances to win, win, win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Five Reasons Why

Friday September 11th is the last day for bloggers to join and participate in the Fall Into Fitness Giveaway Hop hosted by Runaway Bridal Planner and yours truly. 

We would be absolutely thrilled if you would join us.  Remember: FRIDAY is the LAST DAY --- but you have until midnight.  Heck, that's plenty of time!

Personally, I have participated in two of these giveaway hops.  The increase in my page views, comments and new followers was tremendous.  I had a great overall experience both times!


In keeping with Friday Five, here are five reasons why I think you should join this giveaway hop:

1.  It's so EASY.  Just press >> HERE << and add your blog name to the list.  Could it be any easier?

2.  Your give away item only has to be valued at TEN dollars (or more).  A gift card is perfectly OK. 

3.  It's a wonderful way to CONNECT with new-to-you bloggers.  You might just find a friend for life.

4.  It's FUN,  Who doesn't enjoy new readers and followers?  After all, we are bloggers!  Isn't that the goal?

5.  You have multiple chances to WIN too, just like any reader would.

So what are you waiting for?

If you decide not to join, we'll certainly miss you! 
I hope you'll at least return on the 14th and enter to win!

Have you ever participated in a giveaway hop? 

I'm linking up with the lovely ladies of the DC Trifecta.

Please visit their blogs and other participating bloggers!

Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC,

Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?!

Mar from Mar on the Run!.

Carefree Highway

Carefree highway, let me slip away on you

Carefree highway, you seen better days

The morning after blues, from my head down to my shoes

Carefree highway, let me slip away, slip away on you

-- Gordon Lightfoot

I do not consider myself a carefree person.  I have been The Worrier all my life.  There is a deep line between my eyes glaring back at me from the mirror like a battle scar of anxiety.  I've planned, I've budgeted, I've obsessed, I've fretted, I've lost sleep, I've overthought, I've worried...over everything.

And running?  Well, I worry about that too.  Is this the right pace?  What if I get injured?  Am I running too much?  Too little?  Is this training plan working?  Is my nutrition in order?  Should I do more cross training?  Will it matter if I run one more mile?  Do I need new shoes?  Should I weight train?  I need more sleep!

Ah, but there are moments.  Creating a curtain of spray across a beautiful shimmering body of water.  I'm carefree.  Seeing the sky's reflection in the lake as I cut across.  I'm carefree.  Having cool air pump into my lungs on an early morning run.  I'm carefree.  Running almost effortlessly with a seemingly weightless body.  I'm carefree.  Relaxing on the beach in the late afternoon after watching my family play all day.  I'm carefree.  Swinging on my back porch and enjoying the chaos in my backyard.  I'm carefree.

I guess that's what it's all about...the moments.  Carefree highway, let me slip away, slip away on you.

Are you a worrier or are you carefree?

I'm linking up with Deb @ Deb Runs for the Wednesday Word.

Please visit Deb and the other participating bloggers.  It's fun!

Runner Pet Peeves

RUNNER PET PEEVES

Loud Breather

At some of our local races, we have a very Loud Breather.  He sounds like a freight train.  Even over my music with earphones in, I can hear him -- chug-a, chug-a, chug-a.  It messes up my cadence and I end up sprinting just to get away.  That's not a good idea at the start of a race.




This bib was atrocious (and it's folded up at the bottom). 

Close Runner

And then there are Close Runners.  People, it's a small race and there is plenty of room to spread out.  Why do you feel the need to be within my personal zone?  Hey, I'm slinging sweat like a ditch digger here.  You might want to back off.


Bib Failure

Please race directors, don't make your bibs so big and stiff that they feel cumbersome.  I don't want to feel like I'm eating lobster.  I'm short waisted, so if your stiff paper bib takes up my entire midsection, it's very aggravating.  That snap, crackle and pop gets to me after 2 hours or so.

 

Whiny Winners

And then there are the Whiny Winners.  They'll kick my butt down the street and then tell me about how SLOW they were, what hurts, how tired they are, how sick they've been, yada yada.  I get it.  My body hurts too.  But if I'm lucky enough to run faster than someone, I'm not going to tell them how awful I just ran.  It's disrespectful. You should keep that to yourself, act like you did your best, and accept your award gracefully.  Then, you can go home and blog about how bad you were.  {Wink-Wink}

 

What's one of your Runner Pet Peeves?

I'm joining the Tuesdays on the Run link up! 

Thanks to our hosts:

 Ericka @ MCM Mama Runs,

April @ Run the great wide somewhere

 Patty @ My no-guilt life!

Weekly Wrap #5

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

This weekly linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your weekly adventures.  You are encouraged to include anything you did to be active or anything you considered fun.  Please tell us how you amazing women accomplish it all.  You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  See rules here.

We know it's Labor Day,

and that's OK.

So feel free to link up

on Tuesday!

Monday is almost always a rest day, whether I'm training or not.  Transitioning back to work is a workout in itself.  My sister flew home and I always hate to see her leave.  Tuesday I ran 6 miles at an easy recovery pace of 10:20.  There was a beautiful bright moon when I started out and an incredible sunrise a little later.

Wednesday morning, I did not want to get out of bed.  I planned to do between 6-7 miles at race pace, even though there were only 5 on the training plan I don't really follow.  I felt so zapped that the scheduled 5 was all I could do.  My pace was 9:30.  It was all I had.  Heat and humidity really suck the life right out of me and I was just about at my breaking point.

Thursday was an appreciated rest day.  Friday morning, again, I didn't want to get up.  Guess what?  I did!  I always do.  I ran 5 miles at a 10:10 pace.  I still felt exhausted and another step closer to my breaking point.

Saturday was the usual lake day, the one thing I will miss dearly when the weather changes.  We got a very late start and had to dodge storms but I got three runs in.  I'm still experimenting with my GoPro and this time wore it on my head instead of my vest.  When PoPo gave it to me, he included a head strap thinking I would want to run and film a race that way.   Umm....no thanks.  But it came in handy for water skiing.

Here are two very short clips.  Tell me something I say in the first clip and I'll give you a virtual cookie!  I apologize in advance for the foul language in the second clip.  I'm ticked that we had to make a really sharp turn!  But I found it quite funny that I forgot all about the heavy camera on my head!  We ate Mexican on the way home complete with a large Italian Margarita {yes at the Mexican restaurant!}.  Naturally, we watched football when we got home.  Roll Tide Roll.





Well, the day to hit 20 miles in my Chicago Marathon training had finally come.  Honestly, I had been dreading it all week because I was tired and the weather...blech.  I made myself get up Sunday at 5:30.  It was as warm and muggy as predicted.  I ate a small banana and most of a yogurt and headed out.  I decided not to pay much attention to my watch and mentally divided the run into three 7 mile segments for a total of 21 miles.  I was determined to find the positives in this run no matter what happened.  But, I didn't have to search for them because... IT.WAS.GREAT.

The thought of the plunge and a huge cup of coffee were the two things that kept me going!

I am the world's worst about deciding the outcome of something before I do it.  Why do I psych myself out like that?  Every time I turned toward the east, I felt the nicest breeze and that helped so much!  I ate 4 GU Roctanes, took 5 SaltSick capsules, drank 34 ounces of Gatorade Endurance, and drank 34-48 ounces of water.  The last few miles were pretty tough as it was in the mid 80s by that point and I was losing the shade.  No cramps, no chafing, no pain, no nausea = no problem.

I ran 37 miles this week and the dreaded 20+ miler was NO BIG DEAL.  I wish everyone a Happy Labor Day.  We will head back to the lake again {SQUEE} and plan to grill steaks afterwards.  I only hope I have enough energy to put my ski on. 

And that's a wrap!

Tell me something about your week!

What are your Labor Day plans?

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An InLinkz Link-up

Coffee Talk (September)

It's Saturday morning.  Let's settle in, sip on a mug of coffee (with pumpkin spice creamer) and chat!

Over Coffee...

I'd tell you how we are big college football fans.  {Roll Tide Roll}  It's finally GAME DAY.  Although it is peacefully quiet right now, the noise level will be deafening at our house later this evening.  That's OK.  I'm used to all the Recliner Coaching.

I would ask you to share your favorite easy game day recipe with me too.  A few of our standbys are Sausage Balls, Hot Spinach and Cheese Dip, Redneck Caviar, Wings, and Veggie Tray -- simply for it's counteracting properties to the aforementioned artery clogging foods.  So many temptations, so few weeks.



Over Coffee...

I would be happy to just sit and listen to all of you talk because...I'm tired.  I've always been a poor sleeper.  It is hereditary.  But, I was really hoping that marathon training would just knock me right out every night.  No such luck.  It seems the more tired I am, the more restless I am.  That has always been evident on Sunday nights after my long run.  It's pretty disturbing when I wake up and Fitbit reports that I was restless 34 times.  Yikes.  The one thing that gets me back to sleep quicker than anything else is the King game Alpha Betty.  Does anyone else play that?

What's up HoHo?

Over Coffee...

I'd tell you about my bunny friend.  Several of our neighborhood streets dead end at the edge of the woods where I'm required to U-turn on my runs.  A rabbit greets me most mornings right at dawn in one particular location.  I almost got his picture the other day but it was too dark and he hopped away while I fiddled with my phone.

Eventually I will get him...it's become a challenge.  It gives me something to look forward to on each loop.  Because, you know -- at this point I'll take any distraction I can get.  I've been running in this sweltering summer weather since APRIL.  I am so over it!

Back to the bunny.  I call him Bugs, even though he is brown, does not walk on two legs, doesn't say What's Up Doc and certainly doesn't have the swagger of the real Bugs.  That would be an impossible role to fill.

That's all folks!

What is your favorite football food?

What would you tell me over coffee?

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Got2Run4Me

FitnessMomWineCountry 

ConfessionsOfAMotherRunner

 

Five Fall Races

Five Fall Races  (maybe)

Chicago Marathon -- October 11

Boom.  There it is!  The Granddaddy.  Chi-Town.
The one I've been training for all hellacious summer.
I think I can,  I think I can,  I think I can...

Virtual Faster Than Boo 10k -- October 29 to 31

My sister really liked our first virtual race. 
If she has recovered from her knee procedure, we will run this.
I may get some local gals to run with me.   A Halloween event...with candy!

Capitol 10 Miler  --  November 7

This is a new race that starts and ends at the State Capitol. 
The inaugural race was last year while I was at a very warm out-of-town half.  
In hindsight, maybe I should have stayed home -- yep!

Harvest 5k -- November 14

I've run this local 5k a few times.  The awards are the cutest tiny tractors.
There are so many country songs I could throw in here as a reference!
Obviously, big wind = big hair

Panama City Beach Half Marathon  --  December 5

This race has been renamed from the old Run for the Redfish. 
I've participated 3 times and it's a favorite.  It's flat and along the coast. 
Hey, it's at the beach and the after party is at Margaritaville -- Hello?



Do you like to repeat races or prefer running something new?

I'm linking up with the lovely ladies of the DC Trifecta.

Please visit their blogs and other participating bloggers!

Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC,

Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?!

Mar from Mar on the Run!.

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HAVE YOU LINKED TO THE GIVEAWAY HOP?  
BLOGGERS, YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!

PLEASE JOIN BEFORE 9/11.
THE GIVEAWAYS BEGIN 9/14.