Sometimes, Running Means Being Uncomfortable

My Fitbit and I are taking some time apart. Ok, so the battery died the last time we were at the lake house, and I didn't have my charger with me. And then I just never bothered to charge it when we got home.

Let's be honest, I'm marathon training, I really don't need to worry about if I'm getting enough activity during the day.

I got a new RunnerBox (I subscribe on my own) the other day - it was so jam-packed that it didn't all fit in the box!

They always have a good quote inside.

And holy cow  - check out all these goodies!

I haven't broken into anything yet, though I did give the little massager (is it just me or does it look like a sheriff's star?) a test run.

Buddy was in charge of cleaning out a peanut butter jar for me.

I think it's safe to say he enjoyed himself!

His tongue doesn't quite reach all the way to the bottom, despite his best efforts.

Tom built a fire pit on Friday.

Naturally we had to try it out.

I've had a few easy 5 milers this week that have gotten progressively faster as my body has recovered from last weekend's long run. Today's run was supposed to be an 8 mile goal pace run. I was actually a little nervous about this run because my pace has not been where I want it to be lately.

I was in the middle of putting this run off until this evening when I decided to just get it done. This was after I had 3 cups of coffee and 2 english muffins. I downed a GU right before I headed out the door just for good measure. Apparently, stuffing myself was the way to go, because my run went surprisingly well.

The mantra for the run was "get comfortable with being uncomfortable." The marathon isn't going to be easy, but that's part of the challenge of running it!

I wanted to hit around a 9:00 pace for my 8 miles, and I ended up running an 8:52 average! I really needed a great run like this for a confidence boost, and I was really excited when I got home.

I have a "short" 13 miles on the plan for tomorrow - I'm kind of a big fan of this cutback week.

How has your running been lately? Are you training for anything?

Yard Work and a RunnerBox

One thing I will say about our yard - any work makes a big difference.

The yard right by the street was lined in pricker bushes. They suck. There were also some giant bushes and a little tree blocking the front of the house.

After a long afternoon of work, it now looks like this:

It's starting to look like an actual house! I love how much more open it is now. Some of those bushes on the right will be coming out too. And just wait until the fence is up - it's going to be so cute!

I actually managed to do some Piyo this afternoon - I know, I'm proud of me too :)

I also got my first RunnerBox in months (I stopped it for a while when I wasn't working), and had fun looking through it.

I love new snacks!

I'll let you know if there are any stand out winners in the box.

And Buddy wanted you to know that he is a lap dog, even if he doesn't really fit.

I'm Smart Like That

Hi! How's your Monday treating you?

Don't hate me, but I slept in. Not working makes it so you don't hate Mondays. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll be back on the Monday-hating bandwagon again soon.

It was sunny out today, so Buddy was busy following the sun around the house. Usually he lays down behind this curtain, but was confused since it was open today.

I feel like everyone updates their blogs on Monday, I had TONS to read this morning!

It took me forever to get moving today, but I finally hit the basement for a couple of miles.

I used my run as a warm-up and spent some time on Gigabody doing the Ballet Body workout again. It's a good mix of strength training and stretching, neither of which I normally do. I'm pretty much constantly saying I should do something other than run and then I just go running.

I'm smart like that.

How have I never tried a Quest bar before?

Tom got me a special holiday RunnerBox for Christmas, and there was a Quest bar in it. I have read several blogs that go on and on about how wonderful they are, but haven't ever tried them - until today.

This cookies and cream Quest bar might be the best protein bar ever. To the point where I may actually make a trip down to GNC to pick some up.

I was really sad when it was gone, and I was happy to see that it isn't full of strange chemicals and things. Apparently people also cook things with Quest bars. Seems like a lot of work when it's so delicious on its own.

In an effort to make the dog less stressed, we decided to run the self-clean function on the oven. Hopefully that will make the smoke alarm chill out - time will tell.

Have you had Quest bars before? Other favorite protein bars?

NYC Half Marathon Lottery and Primal Sport Mud

Last month, I threw my name in for the NYC Half Marathon lottery. I'm nowhere near fast enough for a guaranteed entry, so running with a charity or the lottery are my only options. Since I don't really have time to be fundraising for a charity while I change careers and move, for this year, the lottery was my only option.

The drawing was today, and I went back and forth about whether I wanted to get in or not. I didn't really want to spend $128, but it would be a really fun race. If I ran the NYC Half, then I wouldn't run the Sleepy Hollow Half again - they're a week apart, and I'm not quite that crazy yet.

I finally got the email a little before 7pm - my name didn't get picked.

I'm torn between the "Boo! I never win anything!" feeling and being completely ok with it. It's not a race I've been dreaming about for years or anything like that, and this way I'll be able to run the Sleepy Hollow Half with my Saturday morning crew.

My ankle was a little tight this morning.

Ok, it kind of hurt. I've been careful with it today, lots of ankle rotations.

Naturally, as a runner, I had to see if it hurt when I ran (we're smart like that). It didn't. I ran a rather pleasant 3.5 miles at an 8:29 pace.

And then I iced my ankle.

Then I remembered this Primal Sport Mud that I got in a RunnerBox a couple of months ago. It seemed as good a time as any to give it a try.

The directions say to put on a layer of mud, cover it with plastic wrap, and keep warm/heat for 20 minutes before you rinse it off.

Fortunately, I found my awesome corn-filled heat pad the other day. Perfect timing.

My ankle does feel more relaxed now, though that could just be from the heating pad. I guess we'll see how it feels after a few days of mudding.

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The cold makes us faster

I am super tired today. But I did it to myself, so I shouldn't whine. I stayed up too late (doing nothing) last night and was up at 6:45 to get ready to meet up with the group for our run.

Buddy thought it was too early and went back to bed after I gave him breakfast.

 I actually wore a long sleeved shirt under my running jacket this week (usually it's just a tank top). I did not run in my slippers.

It was a chilly one this morning. Really chilly.

Apparently the cold made us faster, we finished our usual 6.6 mile run at an 8:53 pace - on the leaf-covered trails.

I was very happy to sit down with a hot cup of coffee when I got home.

I tried these chips from my RunnerBox today. I have zero idea how they managed to get 21 grams of protein in there.

They were really good, but somehow oddly extra crunchy. I would probably buy them if I saw them at the store. 

This afternoon we had some group hang out on the couch time. Buddy was pretty excited. And by excited, I mean he slept the whole time.

A cuddling Buddy is a happy Buddy.

Health insurance and a new RunnerBox

I was very responsible this morning. I spent a ridiculous amount of time figuring out my health insurance for next year. It really shouldn't have taken that long, since all I wanted to do was renew the plan I already had, but that's health insurance for you.

Then I did a little running. Since I'm not working right now I feel like it's extra lazy if I don't run.

I got a treat in the mail!

It always comes in a padded envelope, but this time it had extra goodies that didn't fit inside.

I'm excited to try some new snacks, plus I never turn down lip balm! I'm really intrigued by those protein chips - that bag has 21 grams of protein!

I almost bought that root beer GU the other day at REI, but couldn't decide if it would be good or not - now I get to find out!

How did they know I love purple?

I may have a charm on the way to replace the cardboard "what motivates you" - it's going to say "Run and be happy." :) Apparently I was very suggestible this afternoon. If you're feeling suggestible you can check out all their jewelry HERE.

I really enjoy the RunnerBox more when it's mostly snacky things - I dig food.

That makes it good for you

Hooray, it's Friday!

I'm really excited for this week to be over. I'm hoping that I manage to catch up on some sleep this weekend and I'm really looking forward to my group run in the morning. It is seriously one of the highlights of my week, even if it does get in the way of sleeping in on Saturdays.

I got a new RunnerBox today.

I always love the quotes they put inside the box.

The goodies:

I'm really interested to try out the Sunscreen Bands, though they may have been more helpful a few months ago.

And this somehow missed the group picture.

I've never heard of sport mud before, so I'm curious to try it out.

It is fun to work my way through everything, and I usually manage to make my treats last close to the next shipment (they come every two months).

I took this picture of Buddy early this morning. I feel like I would make the same face if someone was taking my picture before 6am.

Since Tom has been taking care of dinner all week, I tackled some dishes when I got home and made some red curry for dinner. I even remembered to cook the rice this time.

There's a ridiculous amount of spinach and broccoli in this, so that makes it good for you :)

Time for some relaxing, and maybe some ice cream.

That's how you know you're a runner

Yesterday was free of entertaining things to tell you about. I was at work from 7-6:15. It was long. We had pizza for dinner, it was delicious.

I did manage to put up a new bulletin board.

I am incapable of taking a level picture.

I also set up our new sensory bin. I really want to add some more things to it, but I'm not sure what yet. Our theme this month is the circus!

This morning I was up bright and early to meet up with the group. It was raining, which apparently scared some people off, because there were only 8 of us today. The weather was actually pretty nice for running, we are in the trees a lot, so there was just the right amount of rain to keep us cool.

We did our usual 6.51 miles in 1:02:59.

We talked a little about cross training today, and I mentioned that I'm really bad about cross training, because I get the "I could be running right now" feeling. They laughed and said, "That's how you know you're a runner."

I tried this protein brownie from my RunnerBox when I got home.

Flavor-wise, it was a good chocolate flavor with less of a peanut butter taste than the name implies. Texture-wise, it was very much a protein bar. Nothing I would go out of my way to find again, but pretty good overall.

We don't have anything planned for the rest of the day, just the way I like it! :)

A slow day, a good run, and Buddy

Today feels like Thursday, I'm not sure why.

Work was absolutely crawling. I hate days like that.

After work I did a little snacking before my run. I tried this fruit/veggie leather from my RunnerBox.

It was really good! Tom tried it and said it was "like a pumpkin pie and an apple pie had a baby." If I ever see these at the store I will not hesitate to buy them.

Then it was off to the basement for an easy 3 miles. It was one of those wonderful runs where you feel great and really strong. I needed that today.

I bought Buddy a new toy yesterday.

He already broke it. But he loves it (he loves all rope toys), so we're trying to see if we can fix it so he's not just ripping string out of the middle of it.

He's kind of a weirdo.

Time is funny

Some days I feel like there are not enough hours in the day - I hardly get anything done. Other days I get so much done that I don't know how I can be so lazy on other days. Time is funny like that.

After work today I kept my cleaning momentum going and cleaned our other bathroom. It is much smaller than the upstairs, so it didn't take very long.

Then I was off to the basement for an easy 4 miles. I actually had to stop myself from trying to finish the run as fast as I could. I know that I can't do every run as fast as possible or I am just asking for an injury.

I tried this packet of EBOOST (from my RunnerBox) after work today. I was really dragging when I got home from work, and it definitely gave me a little extra...boost, for lack of a better word.

It was really tart. Really tart. So if you're looking for something sweet, this isn't it. I really liked it though! The energy in EBOOST comes from green tea and it is also gluten-free and soy-free if you worry about that sort of thing. For some reason, the last little bit in the glass tasted a bit metallic, which is the only bad thing I have to say about it.

Dinner tonight was a rather tasty sandwich of bacon, eggs, avocado and tomato. It could have used some greenery, arugula would have been nice, but I didn't want to go to the store.

This little guy was right by my face when I took Buddy out earlier.

My coffee mug broke yesterday. The seal popped off the lid, along with some sketchy build-up.

I realized I have been using this mug for over 6 years (and it was free). I guess it's time for a new one!

Snacks and cleaning house

I actually managed my time well this morning, so Buddy got to take a longer stroll than usual before I left for work.

He was on a mission to smell everything.

I really don't like cleaning. I don't know many people who do, but that means when the mood strikes, I have to go with it.

At some point today I decided I was going to clean our upstairs bathroom. Like, really clean it. I spent over an hour (probably pushing two hours) and now think I can safely claim the cleanest bathroom in town. 

It's really nice.

Is it weird that I think I would rather clean the bathroom than do the dishes?

I managed to remember to bring a snack to work today. I always forget how hungry I am the day after a long run. This bar from my RunnerBox was a really good idea. And as far as protein bars go, it was pretty tasty!

And this somehow made its way into my basket at the store. Oops. :)

It's a good thing I run. 

That time I ran 12 miles without my headphones

It is basically impossible for me to get out the door early on Sundays. Even though I was up at 7, I didn't make it out to the trails until 9. Oh well.

I wore my new shorts and fuel belt again today, I'm really liking both of them!

I finally got to the trails, went to turn on my headphones (they're bluetooth) and discovered that the battery was dead. Rather than drive home, I decided to do as many miles as I could mentally handle and then finish up my run at home on the treadmill if necessary.

My run ended up being an exercise in mental toughness, but I managed to finish the 12 miles @ 10:36 pace. Most of the time I had the last song that was playing in the car stuck in my head, with occasional thoughts like "this trail can't be uphill all the time, it has to end eventually."

Back at home I did my traditionally thrilling Sunday activities: laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, etc.

Buddy refused to come in from the back deck, so I closed the door on him. There's nothing he hates more than being left behind. (Look how big my tomato plant is getting!)

I tried these on my run today:

I got them in my RunnerBox yesterday - they're kind of weird. They are little pellets that sort of melt in your mouth, and they are very salty. Once you get past the saltiness, the flavor isn't bad, and they seemed to do their job.

For the record: they do not stay in their little bag if you put them back in your fuel belt and run a while. I ended up with Electro-Bite powder all over my phone and the inside of my fuel belt. Awesome.