Challenging Tuesday, 4/18/2018

Trouble is brewing, but I'm on it. My right quadricep is compromised in some way. It hurts just about all the time. I’m working on some rehab. My left foot is giving me some trouble, too. I took yesterday off to try and facilitate some healing. This morning I was supposed to do some strength work at MP-10, but, believe it or not, my watch wasn’t charged. I ended up running easy. As I was walking out the house, I was having trouble putting me key in my pocket. I realized my tights were on inside out. I changed the tights and went back out to realize that I only had one glove on. Really... Tomorrow is a SRD. Thursday, I'm coming back fresh.

I am constantly managing foot problems, especially on my right foot, and I've tweaked my foot rolling technique, recently. Here is a demonstration.

Fueled by Positivity Marathon Pace Thursday, 4/5/2018

Today's Training

Today's training was a beast. I ran 8 at marathon pace with some serious hills, and then 8 easy. Including warm-up, I ran a total of 16.65 miles. The MP run was very difficult. I was running against a headwind for the entire time, and I probably started a little dehydrated. I had Ucan before I started, but I carried an empty handheld that I could fill up after the MP portion, so no water during the run. The 8 easy were extremely difficult. I stopped something like 5 times to give myself a pep talk. I'm at the 60 mile mark for the week and honestly, I'm exhausted.

I lost my super expensive Oakley Commit sunglasses. I bought a cheap pair of Goodr. I can't lie. No matter what anyone says, they don't perform as well as my Oakley's, but they were close. During an easy run, I'm sure they will be just as good.

During the second half of the run, my legs had an overall pain. It felt like the pain you get all over near the end of marathon. The pain wasn't localized. There was no particular injury, just general pain.
My legs are truly unhappy with me. I've got twenty miles to go, including a half this week, so I've got some rehab to do. I soaked in the spa, used the compression unit and used my new roller. I haven't mentioned my medical grade compression unit that I bought off ebay, but I'll get to that soon.

Fueled by Positivity Episode Recommendation

I've recommended a few Fueled by Positivity Episodes, but I think the episode titled Why We Run is my favorite thus far. What I like about the episode is that is isn't deep and theoretical. It is practical. In this episode, people talk about why they run and truths about runners. Nicole said that she started running, because it was the only sport open to her in 6th grade. One of the things that I love about running is that running is sometimes challenging. It is sometimes easy, but if you get out the house, you are a runner. Anyone can run and even compete at the age of 10 or 85. It is a great sport!

Recovery Monday, 4/2/2018

Even though I kept having to make up runs and I always seemed behind, I ended March with good mileage. I ran 266 miles, and I did all of my SOS runs.

Yesterday, I had to wake up very early to get my long run in. I ran 18 miles. My legs felt incredibly heavy. I ran very slow, and there was little fun to be had. I don't know what the problem was. Later that day, we all went hiking and I felt fine.

Hiking

I almost missed this guy in the tree. I think that it is a California Whipsnake (striped racer). I know little about identifying snakes, so I could be wrong. The only snake that I can identify is a rattle snake. I'm not particularly afraid of snakes, but I don't like them a whole lot either.

Today was a recovery run. I ran 11 miles very slowly. this should be my peak week in mileage. We'll see how it goes.

Long Run Thursday, 3/29/2018

trail run

I have trails close to my house, but I normally don't run on trails during the week. I find the downhills to be too hard on my knees. However, it just rained. It is amazing out right now, and it won't last long. To make up some miles, I had to run pretty long yesterday; so I couldn't resist a few miles on the trails.

beet juice

I have been feeling super tired lately, so before I left I juiced a beet.  Beets are supposed to give you energy. I started out on the trails, and promptly got lost, but I had no worries. I could see landmarks the entire time.  I wasn't really lost. It was as beautiful as I anticipated. That was a wonderful run.

I stopped home to change shoes and shirt, have a scoop of Ucan and pick up my handheld (filled with tailwind). I set off for an easy ten. It was fine, but as I've said before, anything over ten miles in training turns into work. I was ready to be done by the time I got home. I logged 14.5 miles on Wednesday.

Usually, I would run my MP on Thursday, but since I ran so long yesterday, I wanted to give my body some recovery time.  I'll do the MP tomorrow. Today, I ran 6 before work at an recovery pace.

Skirt Sports Challenge: Funniest Race Pic
The challenge is to post a race pic that you love to hate. I had a great time on the day the photo below was taken and not because I like color runs. I loved running with my son. It was just he and I, and I enjoyed every minute of hanging out with him. This pic represents a fun day, so I can't really hate it, but it is so stinking unflattering.  Ugh...

Color Run

Easy Rainbow Friday, 3/16/2018

Rainbow

I did not run the double yesterday which left me with double the miles to do today. I knew it was going to rain in the afternoon, but I didn't get up when the alarm rang. I really should have because I didn't realize how busy I was going to be. It was quite a challenge fitting in an 11 mile run, but I managed. The rain was fun, but I got it all wrong. I didn't go out with a jacket at first and it poured, so I stopped home for a jacket for the second half of the run. For must of the second half, it didn't rain and the jacket was stiflingly hot. Luckily, it started to rain pretty good for the last couple of miles which cooled me off.  All in all, it was pretty fun. Bonus: after the run, I saw a rainbow.

Challenge:  Jump, Jump, Jump
There is a Skirt Sports challenge to post a jump photo. I told myself that that was one challenge that I wasn't going to do, but I kept seeing great pics; so I decided to give it a try. My kids took turns trying to coach me through the shots. I couldn't stop laughing, because my attempts were so spastic. Now that I have tried and was only moderately successful, the challenge is really on! I can take a crack at it, once a month. I figure that it's like anything else. Practice makes perfect. I'm going to get a great photo one of these days. Until then, I'll have a good time trying. It was fun messing around with the kids.

Saturday Easy Fueled by Positivity, 3/10/2018

I go up early to beat the rain and ran a little over 13 at a slow as molasses pace. I had a bagel, banana and coffee for breakfast, and I felt fine throughout.  That ended another 60 mile week, and I got all of my SOS workouts in this week.

Fueled by Positivity Bi-Monthly Recommendation:

When I’m doing marathon training, I’m constantly looking for inspiration in books and videos. Skirt Tv produces short inspirational videos, in a talk show format, under a category called “Fueled by Positivity.”  This week, I am recommending the Fueled By Positivity – Not Your Grandma’s Instant Coffee.  This episode isn't so much inspirational as it is practical. In it, Nicole DeBoom interviews Alex Hanifin. She is the co-founder of Alpine Start which is a company that makes instant coffee.  I only drink instant coffee on two occasions.  One is when I'm backpacking, and the other is when I'm staying in a hotel room for a race that doesn't have a coffee maker. Though I don't drink a lot of instant coffee, I sure would love to find a yummy tasting one. That was my initial reason for watching the video, to find out more about the coffee. I, definitely, want to give it a try. I just got my rebate check from REI, so I'll get some when I order something and let you know how I like it.

Skirt Tv would like to know the kind of programming you would like to see.  Let them know by completing their What do You Want To See on Skirt Tv Survey.

While you are looking around,

please consider a donation of any amount to Ventura Land Trust.  After the Thomas Fire and subsequent rains, our trails are in desperate need of maintenance and rehabilitation.  VLT is at the forefront of that work.  I’ll be raising money for VLT during my marathon training for Mountains 2 the Beach marathon. I have several signed copies of Running the Edge:  Discovering the Secrets to Better Running and a Better Life. I’ll gladly send one to the next few people who donate to VLT.

Easy Thursday, 3/8/2018

Yesterday was a rest day.  After work, I went to my sons’ track meet. I spent at least four hours shivering. No matter how many layers I wear, I never seem to figure out how to stay warm. I was tired when I got home. I told myself that I was going to get up and run in the morning, but deep down I knew I wouldn’t. Since, I didn’t get up this morning, I decided to save my marathon pace run until tomorrow.  After work, today, I warmed up with some rope jumping, and ran 11 miles at an easy pace.

Friday Easy Run, 3/2/2018

Tortellini & Meatball Soup

Makings for a Juice

Yesterday, I made Tortellini and Meatball Pressure Cooker Soup for dinner.  I got the recipe from Copycat Recipes. My family loves this.  We have it at least twice a month. It has a lot of greens in it, so I, usually, save the stems for a juice.

Training
This morning was a little bit colder than I anticipated. The temperature was mild, but because it was so wet out, it felt cold. There was a little bit of a breeze too. As soon as I stepped outside, I turned back to get my gloves.

I got up early, but it took me a while to get out of the house this morning. I knew that I was going to run, and I knew that I was making myself late but I just kept thinking of things to do before I left. I ran 6 easy miles. The run was fine. Not fantastic or anything, but I’m listening to a really entertaining book.

Marathon Pace #Neverdo Friday, 2/23/2018

Prescription Oakley Commit

This morning, I did a marathon pace run of 7:24 miles @ 7:54 pace.  I wore my prescription glasses. I need bifocals, but that doesn't work so well with running glasses. With thick gloves and a handheld, it was too tricky to lift my glasses to actually be able to read the the numbers on the watch. I basically had to guess most of the way. My pace was good, but I thought that I was going faster than I was.

The temperature was cold, but not too bad. It was probably in the low to mid 30s. My hands were fine during the MP run, but my fingers got painfully cold during the 3 miles of easy running. My total miles were just a hair under 11.

Skirt Sports Neverdo Challenge

1st backpacking trip

Skirt Sports has given ambassadors a challenge to post about something that they thought that they would never do. Growing up a city girl, I never saw a mountain growing up. I never hiked. I never camped. I didn't go on nature walks. What a surprise it was for me to discover, when I moved to California, that I love the outdoors. Here is a pic of my fist backpacking trip. A friend and I went out for a few days. We had a great time, and I came home with a lot of stories that are still pretty funny.

Easy Run Thursday, 2/22/2018

Handwarmer DIY

Thursday's would normally be an MP run, but I'm off schedule, so I'll do the MP run tomorrow. I ran 5.5 easy this morning.  I had a big idea to wrap a handwarmer in cloth before sticking it in my mitten. I thought that it would make it last longer and be more comfortable. It was more comfortable, but it was cold in less than an hour.

I might run something really short in the afternoon, so that I can try and salvage a 200 mile month, but maybe not.  I might have too much to do.  We'll see.

Double Wednesday, 2/21/2018

Yesterday, I just wimped out. It was cold and windy, and I didn’t want to run. I could give excuses, but that was what it came down to. I’m nine miles off for the week,  and I missed a hill training. I think I can live without the hills, because I did just race 13 miles of hills two days ago, but I’m making up the mileage today with a double.

Part I

I ran this morning (5 easy miles), and boy was it cold. My fingers were in pain.  I have Raynaud’s, which just means that my fingers and feet get colder than the average person’s.  It was fun, though, because I ran without my watch. No watch = no worries. I love running without a watch, but I rarely do it, because there is usually some goal to be reached, or I need to know my distance. The best thing about doing a double is that at least one of the runs is truly easy. I call an easy run one that I run at an easy pace. It doesn’t have to do with how I actually feel. When I do a double, however, I want to run one of the runs at a pace that feels easy. The only way I can truly do that is to either not wear my watch at all or hide it from myself in some way, so no watch this morning.

I didn't have time for breakfast, but I packed some extra sweet potatoes last night to go along with my regular lunch. I tend to generally not eat enough during the day to fuel afternoon workouts, so planning makes a world of difference.

lunch #2

Part 2

I ran 12.5 miles this afternoon. The weather was a bit cool and windy. I wore a pack loaded with tailwind and carried gloves. Overall, I felt good.

MP and Double Thursday 2/15/2018

I did get my MP run done this morning.  I did not feel as good, nor was it as fast as last week, but I ran almost 6.5 at 7:49. That is good enough.  This afternoon, I will do an easy double.  I'm not sure how long, but something short.  I'll let you know tomorrow what I actually ran.

Today, I have thoughts that are weighing on me. As a public school teacher, it hurts my heart to see how unsafe our schools have become. Another school shooting and people seem to have a complete unwillingness to compromise on gun control.

I am a gun owner. I support everyone’s right to protect their home, but we can’t bury our heads in the sand.  We have to pass rigorous tests to get a driver’s license, but you can buy a gun without the slightest knowledge of how to use, clean or properly store it. Can’t we  agree that gun ownership is a right protected by the 2nd  amendment, but that, in an orderly, civil society, gun ownership must be regulated by at the very least common sense laws. For examples, a thorough background check should be completed before someone is allowed to buy a gun, no matter how long it takes to complete. You wait two months for your passport, why can’t you wait to purchase a gun? Some guns should be illegal to own? The AR-15 should be outlawed for public use or ownership. If you want to protect your home, I guarantee you that a shotgun will do the trick.

It is so sad that this is what we have come to… If we can do nothing else, can we not ban the AR-15?

Double Tuesday, 2/13/2018

I ran a double today, starting with 3.25 easy this morning.  After work, I ran .75 on the TM before heading to the track where I ran (6) 800.  I wanted to run them all under 3:30. Most were on pace. The recoveries were all a little long, but all the recovery laps were under 4:00.

The intervals were difficult.  Saturday ended a 52 mile week, Sunday I ran 14, Monday 11, and today a double.  I think I'm just worn out.

Easy Miles Friday, 2/9/2018

Finally, I have made up my miles and even made up the interval workout that I missed. I ran 10.5 miles today.  I started the run with seven 800s.  I was supposed to do six, but my fifth was a fail.  I was going uphill and couldn't keep the pace, so I did a 7th to make up for it.  My goal pace on a track would be 3:30, but I wasn't on a track.  I created a workout for my garmin to alternate .5 miles intervals with .25 mile recoveries.  One interval was a complete fail.  I gave up. Four were under 3:30.  One was 3:32, and the last was 3:35. My recoveries weren't too long, and I'm satisfied with the paces. 

I didn't have much to eat for lunch.  I did have a scoop of Ucan before I left, but I know it wasn't enough. I packed some tailwind, but I struggled for the 5 easy miles home. Those easy miles were tough, I'm looking forward to a no pressure trail run tomorrow.

Marathon Pace Double Thursday, 2/8/2018

I had a great run this morning.  Finally, a successful MP run!  The weather was perfect and no wind.  I was well rested, and the pace was perfect: 6.3 miles at 7:47. I had a scoop of Ucan, warmed up for 1/2 mile on the TM and did a .86 mile cool-down, after the MP run.  I need to do a double to catch up my mileage.  I'm hopeful that I can get it done.  I'll update this post if the double happens.

UPDATE:
I ran 7.25 at a recovery.  I'm still behind, but the double is complete!

Cascade Skirt Sports Running Skirt Review

Last Saturday, I ran a half marathon in my new Cascade Skirt Sports Running Skirt.  I was very excited to get this skirt, because the style was something that I had never seen before.  The skirt is fairly short and has a flat waistband with two layers of ruffles. The Cascade, also, features 5.5" compression shorts underneath with two large pockets and a music port.

Of course, one of the most important things about a skirt is how much you like the style.  I immediately liked the look of the layered ruffles and slightly longer short.  Although the skirt has two layers of ruffles, the poly/spandex material is extremely light.  The shorts stayed put for all 13.1 miles, and there was no chaffing whatsoever.

I will wear this skirt again and again, but I do wish that it had a drawstring. The waistband didn't quite stay put the way I would have liked, but that was solved pretty quickly with a fold over.

If you would like to try the Cascade or any other Skirt Sports item, use my discount code for 15% off a full priced item:  825Sign

Happy Running!

Easy Tuesday, 2/6/2018

When you are trying to make up 9 miles in two days, it can really be a grind.  I skipped my workout Monday, so that put me 9 miles behind. On Monday I ran 10.5, so today, I needed to run 15 miles including VO2max intervals....good grief.  Why in the world did I put myself in that position?

The alarm rang early, and up I popped pretty easily for a 9.35 easy before work.  I had a scoop of Ucan before and eggs and toast after.  I felt pretty good at first, but I was dragging at the end.  I packed a double lunch to try and fuel for intervals after work.  I had a dehydration headache all day.

When I got home, I was all set to get those intervals and catch up, but the plan was derailed by a family emergency.  There are a whole lot of things more important than training, and, today, one of those things took precedent.  I'm still behind six miles, and I missed my intervals.  Tomorrow is a scheduled rest day, but I still haven't decided if I will run at all or take the day off.

Review Easy Monday, 2/5/2018

Sunday was supposed to be an easy day of 9 miles, and I did exactly nothing.  How in the heck am I supposed to make up 9 miles.  I guess I can't, but it was Super Bowl Sunday...I just didn't feel like running, and I haven't a good excuse.  I'll try to get it together and do a double on Tuesday.

I had nothing for lunch, and I came home and gorged on junk food.   My 10.5 mile run was fueled with potato chips, tortilla chips & salsa. Let's not forget the vitamin water. Despite my ridiculous fueling strategy, the run was fine, and it resulted in two reviews.

First, I finished an audio-book: Light Falls: Space, Time, and an Obsession of Einstein by Brian Greene
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a very short audio-book that attempts to make Einstein's theories accessible to a layman. In truth, I didn't understand anymore about Einstein's theories than before I read the book, but I did enjoy listening. The narration was good, and the historical anecdotes were very interesting. It's a good book, but hardly amazing. It only scratches the surface of Einstein on any level: academic, professional or personal. I do think that anyone who reads this will have an idea if they want to seek out another book about Einstein. Be warned though, Einstein was a pretty terrible husband and father, so if you want to keep him on a pedestal, stop now.

View all my reviews

Second, I got a chance to tryout my plan for the Nathan SpeedDraw Plus Insulated Flask (18oz.).

I have been trying to figure out a way to carry my obnoxiously big phone.  My master plan was to pack tailwind powder in a pocket, carry the phone in its pocket, but put no water in the flask.  When I hit a water fountain around the halfway mark, I filled up the flask with water and added the tailwind.

The verdict is mixed. Without water, it's perfect.  With water it is very heavy. I can carry this on an easy run or recovery run, but never on a more difficult workout. I'm one step closer to fixing my phone problem.

Easy Friday, February 2, 1018

What's Up Today?
Today, 5 easy was on the schedule, but I decided to take the day off entirely.  That will blow my 50 mile week, but my right knee hurts.  I'm running a hilly, half tomorrow, so I think some rest is more important than a 50 mile week.

Giveaway News:
There are comments that I can see, but aren't showing up on the blog.  It seems like this isn't too uncommon of a problem, but I don't know how to fix it.  If you can't see your comment, chances are that I can see it, and you will still be included in the drawing. If you have a concern, please, reach out and I will take a look and confirm your entry.

Its a Challenge!
In honor of the Skirts Sports Giveaway, its all things Skirts Sports this week.  Ambassadors have been challenged to write an Ode to our first Skirt Sports product. I haven't written a poem since grammar school and this one is questionable, but it was fun thinking about my first Skirt Sports running skirt.

I had to dig deep for this throw back pick of me in my first Skirt Sports running skirt.  Looking at that pic prompted the memories of how difficult a race that was.  It was a 5K, but, seriously, if I could have somehow run to my car without going back to the start, I would have.  It was hilly and hot, but I was so proud of myself when I finished.  I really felt cute in that skirt, too.  I still love that Wonder Girl top.  It is very soft.  That pic was taken in 2010.

Recipe of a Skirt (a haiku)

A cup of delight,

Mixed with a hint of pizzazz,

To make skirts so nice.

Marathon Pace Thursday, 1/1/2018

After Tuesday’s great run, I was expecting another fabulous run, today. I felt good mentally, but my pace was slow.  My legs were heavy and not completely recovered.  I’m giving myself the month of January to get my marathon pace where it needs to be, or I will readjust the goal. I think that I can do it.  Last week my pace was good.  This route that I’m doing pretty harsh, but Mountains 2 the Beach starts with a climb for the first few miles.  I did a little over 10 altogether.  I warmed up on the TM for 1/2 mile.  The first 6 was at a 7:59.

I ran 1.3 easy, but I was going so slow that I figured it would take me too long to get home, so I did another mile interval at MP.  Again, I did not really get up to MP.  The pace was 7:58, but I was really working hard.  I had over a mile to go to get home and it was tough. 

I have a half on Saturday, so I'd like to take tomorrow off.  I need four more miles to make 50 for the week (including the half).  Maybe I'll run a double this evening.  That really sounds terrible, but I might do it.