If the shoe fits ...

... run with it!

So today I met up with my mom and had a total Girls Day Out. We had lunch, talked about how her 6 miler went today, shopped for fancy German sugar for tea and ended up at the New Balance store where I got my first pair of "Running" Shoes.

Now that might seem odd to you especially since I've been running "seriously" for over 6 months now. But it turns out that I've never really gone to a specialty store for running shoes ... until today!

I picked up a pair of NB WR1063WB.

They fit terrific!

We also hit Bloomingdale's a got some new Wacoal Sports Bars ... may I say, I am a well endowed girl and they kept everything in the right places without need for a second sports bar on top! A first for me!

I was so stoked when I got home I was glad Mr. Boyfriend wasn't home for our special dinner yet so I grabbed my new gear along with my favorite CW-X Women's Stabilyx 3/4 Tights and my You look funny with your head like that t-shirt and hit the road!

I knew I shouldn't run my scheduled 5 miler because I was starting later than usual AND I was running with new and un-tested gear but I was so excited as soon as I started I knew I was running faster. It felt great but it felt like my feet wanted to move faster than my body could manage.

Run	Mile 1	0:09:25	6.37
Run	Mile 2	0:12:07	4.95
Run	Mile 3	0:11:19	5.30
Run	Mile 4	0:11:01	5.45
Run	Extra	0:03:13	5.41

My first mile I shot out. Second I had to walk a little to catch my breath and then I started running again. I felt like it was easier to keep my pace. It felt good.

I do need to remember I need to take hydration for runs over 3 miles though. I had to stop at the end of mile 3 to grab a drink.

I could have finished but it was much to late and I am hoping to squeeze a 9 miler in tomorrow morning ... if not I will make it up in the afternoon so no worries :)


Now back to your regularly scheduled weekend!

Have a good one!

Rain Check

I just ran 5.25 Miles.

It was the run I was supposed to do yesterday but it was called on the count of rain. When I woke up this morning I wasn't optimistic considering it was raining much harder than yesterday.

But thankfully the clouds parted and I saw my opening.

I wasn't sure if I would do 3 miles, 5 miles or go all the way to 7 miles (which is what I have scheduled for tomorrow) but I threw on my camelbak with about 18oz of water and a ZYM Electrolyte Drink tablet, grabbed my ipod and headed out the door.

Thankfully it was dry enough to run but there were still some wet and slippery patches as I got further into Coral Gables and I started to run on the grass and even on the side of the road in some parts.

I also tested out a new way of running the old route since I was running on the road and had a little more freedom.

The run went smashingly well.

Good energy. No hydration issues. My foot did start to tingle a little at the end of mile 1 and mile 2 but I was able to fend it off with a quick short stretch and keep on going.

As I neared the end of my 4th mile it started to sprinkle which I took as a sign to head home which is just over a mile. Running in the rain was kinda nice. I felt a surge of motivation and finished up the run in good form. Although I don't think I would start a run in the rain it was definitely a nice end to one.

RUN STATS:
Pre-run snack: Publix Sunburst Granola (as I was making my Granola bars ;)
Run Hydration: 18oz of Water in Camelbak with Zym Hydration Tab

Splits:

Mile 1 10:43.0
Mile 2 10:26.1
Mile 3 11:55.0
Mile 4 10:55.4
Mile 5 10:36.3
.25 M 02:44.0

So happy I got out there!

Now off to dinner and JAMMING with friends!

CW-X 5 Miler

Yesterday, I did my first 5 Miler in over a month. My last one was just before the J4★5K (read-between-the-lines: when I had a lot more motivation).

I went for a run with Mrs. Firefighter. I was definitely pushed on both speed and distance. I wore my CW-X Women's Stabilyx 3/4 Tights for a second time and they felt really good.

After the run, my legs felt really great and once I got home and gave them a cold water soak they felt like brand new again. My legs are not tired at all.

Today I have a easy 3 mile jog with my co-worker and tomorrow is bike time.

Also, drop by Julia's for a great Endurance Sports Nutrition Book Giveaway

Happy Tuesday!

Thankful Thursday

I woke up a little cranky today. It's the end of the month and bills are coming due but I came to realize that even though the bank is broke when all the bills are paid ... the bills are ALL PAID ... and in this economy that is definitely something to be thankful for!

But I digress.

Last night, I piled my bicycle onto my car and after work headed over to my mom's place for some quality time (i.e. I needed to do laundry and my mom and I have dinner together and watch a little NCIS while we're at it :). We are Abby Sciuto fans because I went through a very similar Goth Phase a little over a year ago ... Yes, I went through my Goth Phase at 29 years old, I'm a late bloomer ;} hehe

Mom picked up some Taco Salads at Taco Bell because she wasn't feeling up to any actual cooking (pictured here)

It's actually not as bad as it looks as long as you don't eat the shell. I was able to refrain and had only a little piece (I was actually quite proud of my restraint ... in the past I would not have hesitated to eat the whole thing!)

For dessert, I had a half a cup of Butter Pecan Frozen Yogurt ... again, I was proud of my restraint because I didn't go back for seconds.

Also, I did not feel guilty about this splurge because we had dinner quite early and I was able to rest up and get my bike ride in as planned ... no challenge sets but my bike ride definitely got me sweating.

During lunch, I ran to Walmart and purchased a Helmet and a "comfort" cover for the bike seat and boy did it make a difference. I did 4 laps which covers about .27M each in the golf course near my mom's house for a total of 2.17M. I also did another 6 or so laps of about .1M as a warm-up to get my "bike legs on" (but who's counting) for a grand total of just over 3 Miles. Today, I have no booty soreness ... that "comfort" cover works ;)

It was a relatively straight course with mild curves so I practiced my turning and breaking. I did almost hit a very nice lady who warned me she was passing on my right ... so of course my bike takes on a life of it's own and vears in that very direction missing her by only a foot or two ... I felt so embarassed ;\ But that just means I need more pracitce.

On to my Thankful Thursday List:

1. I am so thankful that I can ride a bicycle.
2. I am thankful that there is enough money in the bank to pay the bills (although I wish there was a little more in there!)
3. I am thankful for Mom's Laundromat, Diner and Dinner Theater ;}
   

Remember to be try to be thankful even if you're not really feeling it ... once you give it some thought your mood and gratefulness will change ... I'm not cranky any more ;}

Have a Thankful Thursday!

Finally Friday

Well, it's finally Friday here in sunny South Florida and I've got rest day down on my training schedule and for once I'm going to take it.

Yesterday's run was good.

I did 3 miles with two of my co-workers and we managed to run about half of the time. I know that when I run alone I can run the whole way ... but so far we haven't managed to do a full 3 mile run as a group yet. I really don't know exactly how good or bad the run really was because my Garmin screen was blank when I got it out my gym bag. I know we are still building up ... but that also means I need to make up for some of the lacking running time.

My race training really doesn't start until 8/24/09 but I do need to log 15 miles a week minimum and I want them to be quality miles. I plan to schedule my easier runs on my group running days and put some heavier runs on the days I run alone to balance it out.

Also, I started to toy with the Nike + running page. I like the Mini Me Avatar that you create to personalize your running stats it's uber-cute ... but I don't think that justifies me getting the Nike + equipment.

I do need a new Ipod Nano or Touch (due to the incident) but I can't justify buying it right now being that I have my Garmin (which is again fully functional). The screen was blank because the battery slipped out after my changing escapade but I got it working again.

Today's plans include dinner with the Future-In-Laws and a possible JAM ... we will see where the evening takes us :)

Happy Friday!

Thankful Is as Thankful Does

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

- Frederick Keonig

Today is Thankful Thursday and boy do I have some things to be thankful for!

1. I am thankful that I have enough technical prowess to change the battery on my Garmin Forerunner 50.

Let me tell you, it was no easy feat!

There is a reason that the Forerunner Manual says to take it to a professional ... and now I know what it is .... but I digress ... let me begin at the beginning.

My Garmin Forerunner 50 has been flashing low battery for the last couple of days, something that I suspect comes from me leaving it in my gym bag on multiple occasions, where it turns on (by it's own shear will) and logs for 37 hours (it's happened more than once) hence I was not surprised when the LOW BATT sign came up on the screen.

I decided I should do a little research and quickly found some very detailed instructions HERE.

I was illated.

It seemed very do-able and I have great detailed instructions. So after work (and my run) I went grabbed a fresh battery and the screwdrivers I would require and got to making the change.

I got to step 8 and thought I was home free ... until it says to go back to step 6.

Oh, boy was that a PAIN IN MY RUMPUS!!!!

You have to get the battery in just right ... "sliding it in from the lower right to the upper left so it presses against the leaf spring and then set down into the battery case" ... suddenly the battery became a Mexican Jumping Bean.

Then you have to get the clear plastic to stay in place while you then have to slide the clip in ... "the end with the small opening goes in first at the lower left (7:30 position in the diagram to the left) and then the larger end is pressed down and in at the upper right to latch it in place" .... it would not get in there! After much frustration, I decided to bend it slightly with my tweezers to get it to spring a bit before getting it in.

To make matters worse, the entire thing had come out of the plastic casing during step 4 and when I got it in I didn't realize I had put it in upside down until after I had screwed on all 4 screws ... ERGHHH!

Then when I get the screws off again and get it out ... it all springs apart and I had to start all over again ... DOUBLE ERGHHHH!

This time everything came together with alot less trouble ... I guess the 87 times I had tried before were great practice and the battery grew out of it's Mexican Jumping Bean Phase ... and I was able to get it in, back in the plastic casing and the backing screwed on with minor trouble (that is what I had been hoping for since the beginning) ... so it is DO-ABLE.

Once I got it all back together I felt like McGuyver ;} hehe

Tip: When you do this make sure you have your patience with you ... you will need it but it is something you can do yourself.

2. I am thankful that we are at two and a half weeks!

BOY, is Mr. Boyfriend doing terrific! He quit smoking 18 days ago and he is doing great! He's a brand new person! He's feeling great, so much more positive and I even think our relationship is improving ... THAT SMOKE-DETER STUFF IS OUT OF THIS WORLD!?!?!

3. I am thankful that I get over things quickly!

Sunshine was broken into this Monday. (Sunshine is my Yellow FJ Cruiser ... yes, I named my car Sunshine!?! You got a problem with that?)

We're actually not sure how or at what time that evening it was broken into and the only real casualty was my Ipod Classic (I still have my Ipod Nano for my runs) but I still went through the formality of closing my bank account because I am pretty sure there was a check book in my car that I can't find now.

I've gone through the five stages:

1. Denial: I thought Mr. Boyfriend had left my car AWFULLY messy the night before when he borrowed it. My car couldn't have been broken into!?!

2. Anger: UNBELEIVEABLE! THEY BROKE INTO MY CAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE!

3. Bargaining: This one came out more as feeling violated and how I would protect myself.

4. Depression: I MISS MY IPOD!?!?

5. Acceptance: Now I can get the IPOD Nano or IPOD Touch and get the Nike + package :}

I do tend to let things get to me more than most ... but thankfully I get over things quickly.

Onward and upward :)

Yesterday's run was ok. I did my first Hills workout ... 3XHills. I did a mile "warm-up" before going on to do my newly acquired Hill. It measures a .25 mi (.125mi up and .125mi down ... the OCD part of me loves the exactitude of it). I did it 3 times and then looped back to the beginning as a "cool-down" ending with 2.75 mi in 36:59 ... not great but not horrible considering it was quite hot.

I also tested out my new Mission Fast Drying SPF 30+ Sunscreen Spray and Mission Pomegranate SPF15 Lip Balmer. The Lip Balm tastes and feels great on my lips and the Sunscreen smells really good and was SUPER easy to apply. I felt really protected during my run and (it merit's saying again) it was quite HOT!

Today, I'm supposed to go out for a group run. I've invited 5 of my co-workers. Let's see how it goes :)

Be thankful each and every day!

Twisted Tuesday

I so did not want to get up this morning.

Mr. Boyfriend had to push my out of bed and to make matters worse through out the day I've been getting major cravings for chocolate! I guess it's Mother Nature's Gift time and I'm just not feeling right!

Anyway, today I have another Buddy Run with my co-worker .. and again I am thankful for it because if she wasn't coming I wouldn't be going :\

I've been lounging most of the afternoon trying to get my mood better so I was reading the blogs of my cohorts and getting some laughs from all your wonderful blogs (thanks to you all :) and I ran across Chocolate Shoestrings review of CW-X running tights named My knees love CW-X: A running tights review. Well, I was convinced and did a little research and promptly ordered a pair.

My own review will be coming soon :)

Have a great day!

Garmin Forerunner 50: Perfect For This Beginner

I am a gadget girl.

I love bells and whistles and all the data I can get (which explains how this English Major ended up working as a Techno-geek at a software company).

So when I started running, I absolutely coveted one of those nifty watches that logged your heart rate, speed, distance and all sorts of other great information.

But I made myself wait.

I wanted to be sure it was not another one of my whims that would get used two or three times and then end up at the nether region of some box to be found a year from now and discarded.

So I waited ... until I got the running bug and decided it was worth the investment.

So I bought a Timex Ironman heart rate monitor and I liked it.

It told me how many calories I burned and how long I ran from which I could figure out my average pace but it wasn't one of those nifty watches that told you how far you ran or gave you a break down of how fast you ran each mile.

But I honestly thought those watches were too expensive and only for "REAL" runners.

I keep hoping and wishing ... but I didn't think of myself as a real runner. I'm chubby (my subconscious screamed: "Not a REAL RUNNER"), Slow (It screamed again: "Not a REAL RUNNER"), and only run two or three times a week (Again it ROARED: "Not a REAL RUNNER").

Then I ran the 7 Mile Bridge Race and I realized: If I want to be a runner I just have to think of myself as a runner! There are no requirements but to run. You don't have to run fast or every single day ... all you have to do is RUN!

So I ordered my Garmin Forerunner 50 Workout Sports Watch w/ Heart Monitor + Foot Pod

I was so excited.

When I got it I wanted to use it that same day!

But ... I don't like reading instructions ... so when I got it I was pleased to find that it was quite simple to use and figure out.

It's first use was slightly tainted by the fact that I could not pair the Footpod originally which I later found to be due to a dead battery. I suspect this is due to the fact that the Footpod is activated based on motion and shipping is not exactly a stationary process. (I googled the issue and found that it is quite common to experience this out of the box).

So I had to wait.

The next day though, I got a fresh battery into it and the footpod worked perfectly.

But I realized that to see my pace and distance I had to keep using the buttons and toggle back and forth ... I hated that!

I loathed it honestly!

So almost as soon as I got it I started to covet the Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS-Enabled Sports Watch with Heart Rate Monitor (Black) but it was too expensive and I'd already invested alot of money and wasn't seeing rewards yet.

I kept using the Garmin Forerunner 50 and actually started to like all the features and breakdowns and started to realize I was running faster and faster (Something that was not as easy to tell using the combined time but rather using the breakdown of each mile).

The faster I ran the more I wanted to run.

Sometimes I would run just because I had the Forerunner not because I really wanted to ... and some of those runs have been my best to date.

But something was still missing.

Then came that fateful day when I was googling around (something I do to pass the time) and I decided to see if there was any way to change the display to see the distance and pace at the same time and BAM! I found it!

I just had to play with the display features and I got exactly what I wanted.

You can have the display show almost any combination you want of: heart rate, pace, distance, cadance, time, lap time, etc etc.

I am in love with this thing.

It is easy to use and perfect for beginners but robust enough to provide features for more experienced runners ... and plus it's very affordable.

It's definitely something I recommend!