Category Archives: Running Gear

‘Twas the Night Before Race Day

Posted in Clean Eating, Food, Music, Race, Recipes, Run, Running Gear by

and all through the apartment….

Just kidding.

Kind of. I am being a slight weirdo and over-analyzing/over-preparing/being over-excited about tomorrow. But just because it’s my first race! Well, my first “distance” running race. I know it’s not a big deal, and you probably think I’m a nutcase.

But it’s so fun to pretend that I am an actual runner; that I’ll actually get to do a race recap and actually get to be part of the running world for a morning!

I stuck with my Runner’s World/Insightful Friend via her Personal Trainer race week plan this week.

1.) Hydrate and Fuel

I did some research on how much water I should be drinking per day since I was having dehydration issues.

Livestrong.com told me:

“MayoClinic.com suggests that drinking about 2,000 mL (2 qts.) of water a day is adequate, since food sources also contribute some water to each person’s diet. Another guideline from the Institute of Medicine is that men drink about 3000 mL (3 qts.) daily and women 2200 mL (http://www.livestrong.com/article/527779-how-many-milliliters-of-water-should-you-drink-a-day/#ixzz1xtqMEXOP).

To test out my hydration intake, I kept track of exactly how much water I drank on Wednesday.

– 5 camelbaks of water = 750 mL each
– 4 cups of water = 500 mL each

Total water consumed on Wednesday: 5,750 mL

Ok, I think I’m drinking enough water now.

I took a healthy snack to Book Club Thursday night for all of us gals to munch on.

And made a delish chocolate peanut butter smoothie for a snack this afternoon.

CNG’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Ingredients
– Skim Milk
– Ice Cubes
– Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
– Cocoa Powder
– Unsweetened & Unsalted Organic Peanut Butter

Directions
Mix 1 cup of skim milk, 4 ice cubes, 1 scoop of protein power, 1 heaping teaspoon of cocoa powder, and 1/3 cup of peanut butter in a blender on SMOOTHIE setting.

*****

2.) 3 mile run outside in the heat.

It actually wasn’t too hot out, but I was glad to run outside again anyway. The weather for tomorrow morning is supposed to be around 70 degrees, so I should be just fine!

This run was my last-run-before-my-first-race-last-renewal-of-confidence-run.

It was great. My headphones worked, nothing hurt, and I ran it in 30:37.  My under 30 minute goal for tomorrow may be attainable!

Though either way, I have to remind myself that it doesn’t really matter. I’m only racing against myself. I’m going to try not to put unnecessary pressure on myself for no reason.

*****

I picked up my race packet last night at Pacer’s in Silver Spring.

I’m glad I don’t have to worry about registering in the morning.

I’m racing! I have a number!

I was stressing out what to do with my stuff during the run. I didn’t want to bring my iPhone with me and check it in the bag check, just since you never know what could happen. So instead, I decided to shell out $24 for a cool fanny pack racing pouch. Now I don’t have to worry about my phone since I can keep it on me! I’m also going to take my ID, some cash, my metro card, and some chapstick.

And don’t worry, I’m not so ridiculous that I think I need to use shot bloks for a 5K. I just wanted to buy them! I will probably try them out on my long run next week.

I’ve got my playlist all set. There will be praying to the running gods to keep my headphones working. Hopefully I will make my goal time so that Tubthumping will be playing as I cross the finish line.

I am currently sticking my quads with my vacuum cleaner hose because I don’t own a stick.

Don’t judge me.

Now let’s just hope I wake up!

Overdose

Posted in Clean Eating, Food, Music, Run, Running Gear, Yoga by

Since my hip felt better after a late night yoga sesh on Tuesday night, I worked all day Wednesday on mentally preparing myself for my longest ever long run.

I fueled with some healthy eats for lunch that were surprisingly filling.

And had a late afternoon snack full of caffeine and fiber that I later regretted. I’m thinking I should lay off the fiber before long runs in the future. ‘Nough said.

Afternoon snack.

My goal for the night was a 7 miler – which was unknown territory. Unknown territory is usually rather nerve racking.

Wish me luck, I may never return.

My thoughts on any and every run always proceed in the following fashion:

0.00 – 1.00 Miles: “Ok, I’m kind of tired. I would rather be on the couch.”
1.00 – 3.00 Miles: “This is awesome! Amazing! I love running! I am so fit.”
3.00 – 4.00 Miles: “Is it time to stop yet? Maybe I should shorten my mileage.”
4:00 – 5.00 Miles: “I hate my life. No, I can do this. Ahhh! Pain!!! No, you can do this.”
5:00+ Miles: “Dying. I am officially dying. I hope I don’t puke or faint.”

Guess when my headphones stopped working? Uh huh, that’s right, mile 4.35. FML.

Seriously, running gods? Are you trying to jinx me? And on National Running Day, too.

Well they didn’t actually stop working, the volume just cut down really low and I couldn’t turn it back up. BTDubs, my biggest pet peeve is music playing juuuust low enough that I can kind of hear it but can’t hear it. I think my headphones secretly knew that. What an ornery old b*tch. (Umm, the headphones, not me. Duh.)

Luckily, I brought my iPhone to the treadmill with me, so I yanked my sweaty headphones out of my iPod shuffle and shoved ’em into my iPhone. No luck. Bruno Mars was still very softly crooning in my ear rather than shouting and me through dank beats to keep on going.

That was confirmation that the headphones were the malfunctioning piece of equipment. I think I sweated them out. Like, sweated so much on them (most likely build up from the past 5 sweaty months) that they broke.

I had no other choice but to rip them out of my ears and practice my mad pouting skills.

Recap: I was forced to do my longest run ever while running without headphones for the first time.

Before running today I couldn’t fathom those cray cray girls that don’t need any kind of musical aid to finish a run.

After running today, I can’t imagine ever running without musical aid again.

Running without music was so weird. I can see how people could do it with the adrenaline of a race, or maybe if you’re so in shape that you don’t need the motivation of sound to keep you going. Or maybe it’s just the musician in me that makes music a current necessity for me. Maybe I’ll experiment with running without music in the future, but for now, I need my iPod. Kthanks.

Moral of the rant: I completed my 7 miles, even with a big (for me) handicap thrown my way at the hardest part of the run.

I’m patting myself on the back right now, if you can’t tell.

After stretching for a nice 15 minutes, I headed next door to Rodman’s to grab a $0.99 piece of heaven.

Refuel success.

I continued my dramatic smart recovery with some frozen H20 love.

Better safe than sorry.

I went to bed freezing even though I was snuggled in my over-sized wool sweater.

But I keep waking up, all night long, tossing and turning in my sweat soaked sheets. (TMI?)

Huh? I felt like I had a fever or something! I woke up feeling so sticky and hot.

I hoped I didn’t push myself to hard. Am I dying? Am I not ready for longer mileage (for me!!!) like I thought I was? Maybe I’m not built to be a distance runner if my body is rebelling like this.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/397180-night-sweats-after-exercising/ 

Oh. It’s normal.

I know this girl says all sweat is good sweat, but I already completed my daily sweat! Sweat overdose.  I guess I got a BOGO?

I hope I don’t have to wash my sheets and duvet after every long run. Hopefully my body will adjust.

*****

However, I did enjoy the fact that when I weighed myself this morning, I met my 20 lb weight loss mark after clean eating and running for the past 5 months!

Maybe that extra sweat wasn’t so bad after all.

I took a rest day today, complete with a glass of Shiraz and some dark chocolate.

Next up: 3.1 mile run tomorrow.

8 days until my first race!!!!!

Do you ever run without music? Teach me your ways.

Do you ever get night sweats after long runs?

Skorts and Bic Bands Galore

Posted in Run, Running Gear by

I motion for all weekends to be three-day weekends.

All in favor, say “Yay.” All opposed…..oh right, NO ONE IS OPPOSED.

This weekend was very much needed. There was definitely some “dirty-eating” going on, according to Tuna. But I also did get my run on (twice) annnnd made some clutch purchases at the local lululemon Marshall’s.

I’ve been itchin’ to get my hands on some skorts ever since I realized my Nike tempo shorts are getting too big.

They are size XL from my boot days and constantly give me thigh wedgies. So. annoying. I have a a pair of black spandex-y shorts, but still get self conscious when there is someone is on the elliptical behind my (yes, MY) treadmill. And being self-conscious about your hammy jiggle should be the last thing on your mind while pushing through your long run, am I right?

I was pumped to find this black Avia skort for $12.99 at Marshall’s – you get the non-wedgie-prone shorty short, but sweat wicking fabric to cover your bum.

To go along with my new found love of spinning I needed some sweat-proof workout tops. I found a great one in periwinkle on clearance for $9.99.

I wore it with my skort to the gym yesterday and I was all like:

I am also super excited about the new bic band I ordered.

Minnie Sparkle Gunmetal. Prettttyyyyy.

Mal gave me one for my birthday and I am obsessed.

Can you tell how excited I am?

I wear it pretty much three out of four times I run. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I am starting to notice that the check-in girl @ Crunch looks at my bic band every time I swipe in. I don’t want to be known as the girl that wears the same sweat-stained sparkly purple bic band every time she goes to the gym. Though I would love to be known as the alternating between two colors sparkly bic band girl.

*****

Since I have alumni a cappella rehizzy this eve, I have to have my Tuesday rest day today (since I’m sure as hell not waking up one moment before my eighth snooze). I used to love having rest days since they were an excuse to sit on the couch and watch reality shows TV. But now, I really wish I could pause time, get a long run in, shower, and theeeen go to rehearsal. There are not enough hours in the day, people.

Can’t wait to run (or spin?) tomorrow after work. I would go to spin, but ONLY if I make it to the gym without rushing and speeding through traffic. I HATE rushing. If I don’t make it by 6:30pm, I’ll play on the treadmill instead. If I do run tomorrow, I’m doing 5 miles. Telling you guys makes me feel like I’ve gotta hold myself to it!

What is your favorite running accessory? Is there something you absolutely cannot run without?

Are you a morning or evening runner?