Friday, January 30, 2009

Foto Friday.... and Thank goodness the week is over.

It's Foto Friday again over at NikeMom's blog. I decided to post this picture I took the other day while I was out shoveling the drive way. This is my neighbors tree. I love that it looks like each berry is encased with glass.

This week has sucked, and I am super happy it is about over. The weather in Kentucky has been horrible, with snow and Ice storms. The schools have been closed all week. Yes, you heard me right. ALL FREAKING WEEK. I am going crazy. So each run has been on the treadmill at the Y. I am just happy I was able to get there and get some running in. My next dilemma is about my long run (13 miles) for tomorrow. The roads are covered in snow and ice, and I am not sure I will be able to run out on them. The roads I run are already a bit iffy, with no shoulder. Now with ice and snow covering them I am not sure it will be safe. The temps are at a great number, in the 30's. I might have to get created and run loops around the golf course and neighborhood I live by. We shall see. Have a great Weekend....


RUN FAR!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Roctane

I have been meaning to post about this for some time now. Back in Dec, Devon from, OutsidePR emailed me and asked me if I would like to try some of the new Gu called, Roctane and then blog about it. So here is my post about the Roctane she sent me.


First off.... Thank you, thank you, thank you to Devon for sending me 12 Roctane to try. I was sent 6 Vanilla Orange, and 6 Blueberry Pomegranate. YUM-O to both flavors. (I think those are the only available flavors) I love this stuff. I really felt a difference from Regular GU to Roctane. I have only been taking it for my long runs, and each run has been awesome and I have felt I could run longer and harder. I give Roctane two thumbs up. Since I am not good at interpreting what exactly the difference is or what it is exactly, I just copied and pasted a description I found when I googled Roctane. The only down side is that it is double the price of Regular GU. But I am willing to pay the difference if it means running longer and harder and feeling great while doing it.
If you are already a GU runner, then you will for sure love this stuff.


Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Gel


A difference you can feel


GU Energy Gel is proud to introduce the most advanced energy gel yet, Roctane, designed for the hardest working athletes in sports. Roctane originated as a premium energy gel developed by company founder Dr. William Vaughan to fuel his daughter Laura’s course record at the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run in the Colorado Rockies. Now, after years of testing with thousands of elite athletes training for and competing in the most physically demanding sports in the world, it’s your turn to fuel up like a pro.
******************************************


Roctane takes athletes’ top choice for an energy gel, GU, amplifies the original recipe and then adds new ingredients to boost performance in sustained, high-intensity efforts.


Here’s how it’s done:


We start with GU’s superior 80%/20%mix of complex/simple carbohydrates that provide quick and sustained energy. GU’s original recipe also provides an herbal blend of anti-inflammatory chamomile and stomach calming ginger, along with caffeine to metabolize fat.


From there we increased the amount of Histidine, an essential amino acid, to act as a buffer and slow the energy-sapping lactic acid build-up in muscles.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Runners Commandments

A fellow blogging/runner had this posted on her blog. I thought I would steal it and share it as well. I love them all, but I think I need to print it out and post it on my fridge.

1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.
3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.
4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone.
5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.
6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing.
7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride.
9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.
10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.
11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.
12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.
13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.
14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.
16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.
17. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach.
18. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.
19. Don’t always run alone.
20. Don’t always run with people.
21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it.
22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.
23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing.
24. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast.
25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.
26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.
27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
28. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.
29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.
30. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.
31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.
33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.
34. Don’t try to outrun dogs.
35. Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of shape, or not feeling well.
36. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often.
37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.
38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.
39. Without goals, training has no purpose.
40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.
41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies.
42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.
43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.
44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.
45. “Winning” means different things to different people.
46. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.
47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.
48. Never tell a runner that he or she doesn't look good in tights.
49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.
50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.
51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them.
52. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.
53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Foto Friday.....

It's foto Friday at Adventure seeker.

I hope tomorrow is as nice for my 12 mile run. The hubs is in Nashville till tonight, so I can't squeeze it in today. I am pretty sure my 7 year would freak if I asked her to babysit her 3 year old sister for an hour and a half while I run. Keep your fingers crossed for tomorrow.
* please know that I realize the 7 year old is far to young to be babysitting.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Kids.....

It has been super cold here in my part of Ky, and so I have not run outside for about two weeks. Yesterday was a cool 34, but I thought "The roads are clear and 34 seems warm" So I went out for a 4 mile run. I loved it. It was a bit wet, and I had a few snow flurry's, but all in all it was perfect. I had one dog chase me, and that always pisses me off and makes me run a little faster. Anyways, as I came in the door, my two little girls were sitting at the counter coloring and painting. I was standing there stretching when I heard my 3 year old say with a very disgusted tone, "What is that smell?" I just looked at her for a minute, and realized she was talking about me. I told her she was smelling the cold off of me. She looked at me with wide eyes and said, "No mom, it's sweat and you stink"

Friday, January 16, 2009

Foto Friday

It's Foto Friday over at NikeMom's blog. I decided to share these pictures from Last April. After we got home from Boston, my house had been attacked by these two ladies. I miss my friends from Utah. They are so supportive.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

While at the YMCA today.....

I ran 4 miles on the treadmill in 34 min.

Rocked out 20 min on the Elliptical machine.

Pushed out 15 min of abs.

The best part about being at the YMCA this morning was watching this man with his son. I would guess the son was about 22. It was obvious by watching this boy, that he had some kind of brain injury or maybe born with his slow reactions, and movements. I don't know if he was Mentally handicapped, but you could tell something was a little off. Cute boy. Cute father. And as I watched these two together, my heart just felt so many different things. Sadness, happiness, hurt, pain, Joy, sorrow.... so many feelings that I thought maybe this Father had. In my mind while watching these two, I told myself a little story. (Don't we all do this?)

I was certain this young man had been in some kind of accident. Most likely a car accident. He must of had some kind of brain damage and never recovered 100%. I was telling myself, that this Father loved his son so much, that he was willing to take his boy to the Y and help him with the rowing machine, and then move over to the free weights and help him lift 5lb dumbbells, first to work his biceps, and then over his head to work his shoulders. As I continued to watch them, after telling myself the story, and then watching this father and the way he looked at his son in the eyes with so much love and compassion, and then the way he would touch his son to help him lift and move his body while holding weights, I couldn't help but feel very emotional. They weren't there for more then about 20 min, but I would imagine this little outing was a big one for them. I love my daughters so very much, and if some time down the road of life, anything were to happen to them, I hope I can have as much compassion as this father did for his son.

And to think, I almost didn't go to the YMCA this morning. So happy I did.
* OK, I am not even certain this was a father and son. Again, it was part of the story I told myself.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

I woke up to a thunderstorm.....

I know.

Suck.

I knew the weather was going to be bad today, but I was hoping it would hold off till the afternoon. I had 10 miles in mind for today, so I got up, ate my breakfast and headed to the YMCA to run it out on the ole DREADmill. It really wasn't to bad. I listened to my ipod and watched 'Monk' re-runs on the TV in front of me. (love that show)

I took a GU before I left the house and then at mile 5, I stopped the treadmill, went and peed, came back and took another GU and started back up again. I can't believe I am going to admit this, but I kind of missed my hills.

10 miles on the treadmill: 1:30 min.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Other Runners......

I really want to be one of those bloggers that can write something and post it every day. I struggle with blogging about what does get posted. I have a family blog, and it's a cinch. I blog about my two beautiful little girls, and the adventures of our family. Easy.
I love running. I love so much about it. I love other runners, and the fact that they get it when you tell them you had to Vaseline up before your long run. (since my first marathon in 2002, I have had to do this) Fellow runners, don't think you are disgusting when you talk about "Runners poo". (you know we all get it) Other runners, understand how it feels when you skip a run, or have an injury. (we feel like screaming) Another runner, even if you have never met in person, gets so happy and excited for you to have purchased a pair of running shoes that cost $120, or a new top that fit's great and doesn't rub wrong. (I loves me a new running outfit) Other runners, don't flinch when you tell them the race cost $80, and they don't say, "You have to pay to run? Are you crazy?"
So even though I may not blog everyday, or even have the best topic, or write like I am an English major, I know you don't care, as long as it is about running. I love all the advice we have for each other. Since moving to Ky, I have been running alone. I guess in Utah, I ran most of the time alone, but occasionally I would find someone to run with me. Here in Ky, I don't really even know another person who runs. (not in my little town) So for lonely ole me, my blogging friends are my running partners.
RUN FAR!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The Biggest Loser


The Biggest Loser started again last night. Did any of you watch? It never disappoints me. (except Vicki from last season) This show is so inspiring to me. I struggle with keeping my weight at a normal number. I love to eat, I love my sugar and my Carbs. I have to really focus and think about being good every single day. When my miles are up, I want to eat more. UGH... never ends. Anyways, last nights episode got me all emotional. I was so sad for these people, who had lost hope and just let them selves get so UN-healthy. This season, the contestants are bigger then they ever have been. Some are younger (18) and some are older (63) In fact Jerry, the oldest person to have been on the show, really tugged at my heart strings last night. He is such a cute old man, and you can tell he loves his wife and family so much. After his first workout, which happened to be WITHOUT Bob and Jillian, his blood pressure got so low, that he passed out. Just watching him and his wife, Estella, made me cry. I turned to my hubby and said "Why in the heck am I crying about this?" I have never cried during any other episode, but the entire episode got to me. I really hope they all learn what they need to, not just about being healthy but about who they are and the things about them they need to change to be a success when they leave the ranch. If you have never watched this show, this is the season to start. I am certain it is going to be a great one.


I have decided with my feet acting up, I would take it a little easier on the running for two weeks or so and do more cross training. I don't feel I trained enough, or that my feet are ready for a marathon, so my Feb 15Th marathon is out. I am bummed, cause I am itching to run. I am looking for a March marathon. Any ideas? I am also planning on Country Music Marathon in April.

Monday, January 5, 2009

It's just a little foot pain

Saturdays 10 miler: 88 min, out & back on my favorite super hilly road. I felt pretty good considering all the crap I had eaten last week. But I did have some weird chest achenes going on, and it went on all day. It kind of made me nervous, but I was fine today. Can I whine for a second? Great, thanks...
The tops of both of my feet have been bothering me. Not while I am running, just later while walking around doing regular things, but to the point where I am limping. About 10 months ago, before I ran Boston, I visited with my Podiatrist and he showed me on the x-ray that my right foot has a small stress fracture. It hasn't gotten any worse, but it hasn't gotten any better. Now my left foot is acting up in a slightly different place then the right foot. The pain is on the top of both feet. UGH.... can we never escape pain and achenes? I guess this is something, we choose to deal with when we decide to be a runner. I am just grateful it doesn't hurt while I am running.
I think I just need more of this.