Friday 5: Things I take on a long run

Happy Friday! I think every week should be a short week, and every Monday, a holiday. I kinda like it!
 Today I am linking up again, with Cynthia, Courtney and Mar!

 The topic today is "5 things in my gym bag".
But since I run outside or on my treadmill, and do strength training dvd's at home, I don't go to the gym. So I will list the 5 things I always take with me on my long runs.

1. My handheld Lululemon water bottle and a package of EFS. (Electrolyte Fuel System) This stuff is way better than Gatorade, doesn't hurt my stomach and I can feel the energy! I also love that my bottle has a little pouch where I can stash things!

2. Of course shoes are a given, but I just had to show off my new Mizuno's. I've always wanted a pair, and I finally got the Wave Evo Levita's. They're minimalist, which is my fave kind. I wore them for the first time (yes, the first time ever) at my half marathon last weekend, and they were awesome. No blisters, and my feet felt great the whole time. Ain't they pretty too? ;)

3. Of course I don't bring gel's for my short runs, but always for my long runs. I used to be a GU girl, but have recently switched to Honey Stingers. They go down much easier than GU, and I love the slight honey flavor.

4. My Garmin FR10 and my Ipod shuffle. I love my simple Garmin, it's not all fancy and complicated. It has exactly what I need; time, pace, distance and calories. And of course my Ipod, I have a hard time running without music!

5. Last, and maybe most important, is my Road ID. This is SO important. If you don't have one, GET ONE.

What is something you always take on your long runs?
Anyone running or racing this weekend?
 I don't have a race, but plan on getting a long run in!

Noblesville Mini Marathon recap

Saturday I ran half marathon #7, the Noblesville mini marathon.

This was the inaugural race, and I thought it was excellent! The only annoying part of it for me was they were 20 minutes late in starting the race. I heard that they had trouble with the shuttles dropping off runners, so that caused the delay. Hopefully that'll all be worked out next year, because I will definitely be running this one again! 

Friday evening Jeremy and I drove to Indiana and spent the night with some friends. I wasn't able to pick up my packet Friday, so I woke up extra early on Saturday to do it.
 It was so nice to have a hot chauffeur drive me to the race, so I didn't have to ride the shuttle. :)

 The course was beautiful. It went through a couple neighborhoods and parks. The trails through the parks were shaded and so pretty. We ran through the Potters Bridge too, which was so neat!

Taken from here

I felt good the whole time. I took honey stingers gels at mile 5 and 10. They had SO many water/heed stations too.
I went into this race hoping to PR. My previous PR was 2:25. The whole time I kept telling myself I was going to do it. I did walk a little bit, but I ran most of the time, and felt so good! I was very confidant I was going to do it.
 The last mile I started walking a little bit, and decided to look at my Garmin for the first time, to see where my time was at. I usually don't look at my watch while I'm running (other than to see my pace), because it can discourage me and make me slow down. So I just tell myself I'm doing great, and don't pay attention to my watch.
 But I decided to look at it now, and I'm glad I did. It said 2:22. I knew I was so close, so I decided to sprint to the end. I knew this was going to be a PR!!

 When I crossed the line I thought the clock said 2:22, but I may have seen it wrong.
Official time was 2:24. That's a 1 minute PR.
 A PR is a PR- even if it's a minute, I was elated!! After a year of trying to PR my 5k races, and not being able to, this was WONDERFUL and made me feel so good.

The boys were at their mom's this weekend, so hubby and I got some much needed time alone. We had a romantic picnic and then sat by the water and read books, talked, laughed, listened to the rushing water and I was again reminded of why I married this man. 

 Oh, and yes, I am brunette again. Gotta change things up every now and then, ya know!

What did you do this weekend?

Medal Display Winner and Race Walking

Congrats to Teresa Millstone for winning the medal display from Running on the Wall! 

Last night I went to the University of KY to participate in a clinical research study on running, race walking, and walking. It's a study on how all of those affect the body differently. 
 They had a long runway set up, hooked me up to all kinds of electrodes and I did all 3 exercises while they monitored me. After doing that, I sat on a bench and they had me do different leg exercises to measure the strength of my legs.

I know, I know, the 80's called and wants their headband back.

I do have shorts on, they just turned them into short shorts, and my shirt into a belly shirt- that's why I've blacked it out!
The girl doing the test said this was the only test done like this in the world! She won't be finished with the study until July, so will send me the results then.
 I will definitely share them with you guys when I get them!

A little note about race walking; I had never done that before, until a couple days ago! Honestly, I didn't know exactly what it was until I looked it up. Once I saw it, I remembered seeing people race walking before. In fact, I remember when a race walker beat me at the Chicago marathon!!
It's definitely a very interesting looking sport! 

With race walking, you have to have one foot touching the ground at all times, and when your leg touches the ground, it needs to be perfectly straight. Some race walkers can do less than 7 minute miles. Walking.
 I race walked a few days ago, just to get the hang of it, and it takes some skillz!

Have you ever participated in a clinical study?
Ever race walked before?

A long run and late Mothers Day

Saturday was a wonderful day! Why, you ask?
Because I went on a long run for the first time since before my ultra! So it's been over a month. I've still been running, but just short runs. 
It was absolutely amazing. I think I would rather run than just about anything in the world. 

 

I found this beautiful new (to me) park. 10 miles in 2:00. Which means I could do a half in 2:35, which is my average pace. But that gives me hope that for Saturday's half, maybe, possibly I'll PR. I'm always faster in races than on my own, so it's a possibility!
After my run, I came home and went on a 4 mile walk with a friend, so I got lots of running/walking in this weekend!

Sunday my sisters, brothers and I took my Mom out for Mothers Day. She is an amazing woman!! (We were missing one sister, who lives in WI.)

My twinnie (you know, the incredible baker) is 3rd from the right.
The sister in the turquoise sweater got engaged this weekend!!)

I adore my Mamma!

After lunch, we all walked over to Baskin Robbins for some ice cream. See, ice cream addiction runs in the fam. I am NOT joking.

Funny story, Sunday morning I was having a bad hair day. Like, really bad. I was about to shave my head and wear my wig. For realz.
I thought hmmm...I wonder if I could find an 'easy' updo tutorial on You Tube. Sure enough, I found this. It was super easy and I did it! It's not quite as pretty as hers, but I didn't think it was too bad for my first time. And I got compliments on it too!

Tonight I'm going to the University of KY to be a guinea pig participate in a clinical research study on the difference in running, race walking and walking. I'm sure I'll be hooked up to all kinds of wires, and they'll look at how the body reacts differently to everything. I'm really looking forward to it. You know I'll be sharing the results with you guys!

Tomorrow I'll be drawing a winner for my Medal Display giveaway!

What did you do this weekend?

5 Reasons To...

Happy Friday!

For the first time, today I am linking up with Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia for Five Reasons To...

These are my five reasons to...run a marathon!

1. Inspire people
When someone finds out you're training for a marathon, they'll always ask why. (Usually while making a "you're crazy" face.)

 

But they they'll become fascinated by it and you'll see you have inspired them to try something that they might not have tried otherwise!

2. It makes you happy!

Runners high is a term given to the feeling of euphoria that is induced by distance running. Sometimes I'll feel like I've been hit by a truck, but when it's all over, that high hits and I feel so good. I go from saying I'm never running again, to immediately looking for another race to sign up for!

3. Making new friends
I have made some of the best running friends ever. The running community is unlike any other. Spending time with supportive, happy, inspirational people is such a blessing!

4. Travel

Running the Tri States marathon with my friend Clarinda

I've been able to travel so much more as a runner, then I ever would've if I wasn't a runner. When you're running through a new city (or desert), your perspective on it is so different than if you were just a tourist.

5. Sense of accomplishment
When you finish a marathon, you feel like there's nothing you can't do. The pain and struggles you went through don't compare to the pure joy you feel when crossing that finish line. It doesn't matter if you finish last, you're still a marathoner! 


There are SO many more reasons. Tell me one of your reasons!

Running on the Wall Medal Display GIVEAWAY

I have an awesome giveaway for you guys today!

I was recently contacted by Running on the Wall  about reviewing their medal display. I was really excited about it, because my current medal display is overflowing, and I desperately needed a new one!

The store was created by a husband and wife who are both runners. They sell everything a runner could want. Running awards, bib holders, medal holders, t shirts, arm warmers, and SO much more! 
 They have so many medal holders to choose from, in many different colors, and you can even customize your own message for it. The colors are bright and vibrant, and they are excellent quality.

 They come with everything you need to display all your race medals, and are super easy to put together. They each come with an installation and hanging kit, and are as easy as hanging a picture frame.

I will be giving away the medal holder pictured below to one lucky visitor!
Enter the Rafflecopter, ends on May 20th. US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Photo Dump

Happy Friday, lovelies!

  I've never done a photo dump, but there is no time like the present! So, here ya go, just some random pics from my phone this week.

Dinner with my beautiful little sister!

 The Twinnie does it again. This is a Petit Four. Strawberry cream cheese pound cake with buttercream icing. Get ready for a taste of heaven. I am not kidding.

 See, I do more than just run. I play basketball with my stepson. Mostly so he can laugh at me and tell me how I'm doing it all wrong!

I FINALLY got a new phone. No more worries about a battery that only lasts 10 minutes, and dies before I even start a run.

 Pic from the IT100. I have no idea what I'm doing/saying/singing! Haha!

And finally...

Now, pick up your phone, look through the photos, and tell me about a random one on there!

Not yet, but soon!

You guys might remember that almost all of last year I was trying to get a sub 30 5k.
I tried here.
And here.
And here.
And here. (I know no one has time to reread all those, just showing you that I tried all year and came SO close!)
Well, yesterday I had a chance to get it again. I ran the Great Cupcake 5k race at Keeneland, in Lexington.

The race started at 4 p.m., and it was 79 degrees! So it was a little toasty roasty.
Since training for my 100 miler, I hadn't done any speed work or worked on my speed at all. So, I guess the odd's weren't exactly in my favor, but I was still going to try!

 We got started at 4, and there were a few good hills, and it was HOT.
I ended up finishing in 33:19. Not even close to my PR or a sub 30. I was very disappointed, but I'm more determined than ever to get that stupid thing!! And when I do, I'm pretty sure I will die of happiness.

I got to run with my girl, Julie again! Saturday she ran a half marathon in Indy, so I was super excited that she wanted to run the 5k on Sunday with me. 

 The proceeds from this race goes to Sweet Blessings, which is an organization that provides birthday cakes to children in poverty or with terminal illnesses. What an awesome cause to run for! 
 So that was my main reason for running, but a close second? Free ice cream and cupcakes! I can do without cupcakes, but ice cream?? That's all I need to know.

The line was LONG

My friends convinced me that it was ok to go back for 2nd's on ice cream. I made sure there was no one else in line though. Yep, my addiction is real. 

I don't have anymore 5k races planned, but I plan on working on my speed at the track for the next couple months and then finding another one. I will get this!!

 How was your weekend? What did you do?

Now that it's over...

Happy Friday!

I'm feeling all back to normal now. Still fighting a sinus infection, but I am walking normally again. Also the massively huge blister I had on my heel is going down. (I'll spare you the pic, you're welcome) For my ultra marathon (I just like how that sounds), I wore Injini socks. The best socks known to mankind. I also slathered every toe in Aquaphor. So my feet did great, except for getting blisters on the heels of both feet. Apparently my shoes were not meant for long distance, although they were trail shoes. I could feel the blisters early on, but I just had to set aside the pain, and keep running.

 In all of my reading on 100 mile ultra's, I read a bunch of recommendations for EFS (Electrolyte Fuel System) drink. It has all 5 of the needed electrolytes and no fructose. I loved it! I had no cramping or stomach problems at all. The flavor was great too. I ordered the packets, that way I could just add a packet to my handheld water bottle, that I would refill at aid stations. 

 I carried my GU's with me, and would take one of those every hour to hour and a half.
 At my Carmel Marathon a couple weeks ago, Amanda brought me some sour patch gummies. She said they were magic, and would really help me towards the end of the race. She was right!! I started taking a few of them around mile 20, and until the end of the race, and they really helped!
 So I stocked up on the magic candy for my ultra. There came a point where if I had to take one more GU, I knew I would throw up. Sour patch gummies to the rescue! They were awesome. The aide stations also had lots of food, everything you can imagine. I honestly didn't eat much, because I really wasn't hungry. But I know how important fueling your body is, so I would force myself to eat, I knew I needed it. 

Now that it's all over, it's a strange feeling not having anything to train for now. I kinda like it! Now I get to run just because I love to, not because I'm forced to. I can run 5 miles, or 25 miles- whatever I want to do.

Up next for me is a 5k race on Sunday, the Great Cake Race, in Lexington. This is for an awesome organization that donates birthday cakes to children living in poverty or facing a life threatening illness. Plus they have free cupcakes AND Blue Bell ice cream. You know there's no way I could turn that down!
 And then will be the Noblesville Mini on May 24, and then the Indy Womens half, on June 7. I am going to start working on my speed, so am going to do all I can to PR at both of these races. I want to get faster!

 What's your next race?