Fabulous Father's Day Weekend

I had a great weekend. I got up early Saturday morning and got my 6 miles in. I was really feeling it though, because Friday (my typical rest day) I did 3 workout classes.

I woke up Friday in a funk and knew I needed to hit the gym if I wanted to be a normal person. I did one class and then decided to stay for Zumba b/c I thought that would perk me up and make me feel better. After that I thought, still not feeling great so I will stay for one more. Boy did I pay the price during my Saturday run! I was actually still feeling it today during my 3 miles. I did roll my feet on a tennis ball this morning and it did seem to help quite a bit.

Saturday ended great though b/c I got to go to a really nice wedding with my husband. It was nice to get all dressed up, travel together minus our daughter, dance, eat, talk. The simple things. Sunday morning we slept in later than we can remember doing in years!!! We picked up our daughter from Grandma's and had a fun filled day. I love those simple days when not a lot happens but you just soak up and enjoy life!

It is raining right now and I am dreaming about cake and coffee. So I will sign off for now and go get some coffee out of the break room, too bad there is no cake!

What is wrong with me

I just haven't been feeling up to working out much at all. Yesterday my dad wanted some help getting my mom some jewelry and that sounded like a totally suitable reason for abandoning my bodyfit class (which I typically love).

This morning I only had to run 3 miles but I struggled through it until the last 1/2 mile. I just didn't want to get up. I had a headache I feel swollen from the heat. I just feel yuck. However, once I pushed through. I actually had a decent time and a good run. There was a pretty nice breeze when I would run west. That actually made me smile because in a few weeks I will be in FL! I know it will be very hot and humid on my runs there, but the ocean breeze will make it all okay!

How has your training been going? What do you do when you get in a slump?

Running??? Not so much..

With my hubby out of town last week and catching my daughter's cold I was pretty much out for the count. I only ran two times the whole week! I did manage to get in five miles Saturday though. I realized that running has really become more therapeutic than I realized. Here all this time I have thought I just have to do this to stay fit physically. I had no idea what it was doing for my stress level! I felt so easily aggravated and irritated last week. This one has started off much better though! I ran in the muggy humidity this morning and am feeling back to normal.

I also got an awesome new CD to run with. It is a Women of Faith Worship CD. It had a much better beat than I thought it would honestly. It really kept me fired up on my morning run. I love when I can start my morning with a run, a clear my mind, be uplifted by all the beauty that surrounds me, get home with immense thankfulness for the beautiful faces that are waiting for me, and head to the shower with a bold bodied wonderful smelling coffee in tow!

The Bounty

Yesterday was a great day! I had to run 3 miles and was semi forced to do it on the "dreadmill". I really pushed myself though and did a 5K in 36minutes. I was quite pleased. I was dripping wet. I hate that the gym always feels like hot stale air!

I jumped off the treadmill ran to my car and hightailed it across town to pick up the bounty! We got 1/4 an Angus hormone and antibiotic free cow! I am so excited to try the fresh healthy meat and all the different cuts. Yesterday was also the first day of our summer CSA so we got loads of wonderful organic produce including fresh strawberries!!!

Last night for dinner I had a salad made with spinach and spring greens, pea sprouts, corn, black beans, red onion, tomato, edamame, cilantro, and 100 cal pack of cheese, with a squeeze lime juice salad. I also indulged in a 110 everything bagel with a triangle of laughing cow cheese. It was amazing!!!

This morning after my 5 miler I had amazing oats! Oats made with water and 1T of skim. A dollop of fat free cool whip, fresh peach slices, and a sprinkle of brown sugar. This will likely be a summer staple meal. It was so filling and so delicious. Kind of tasted like peach pie or cobbler for breakfast!!!

What do you like to eat for breakfast? Pre-run or Post? What are your thoughts on refueling during a run? Do you use just water, just sports drinks, or a mix? Someone recently told me they only drink sports drinks. 8oz /2 miles. Seemed like a ton to me....thoughts?

Up to Speed

Last weekend was a nice long three day weekend! I got a five mile run in with my mom on Saturday. It was nice to run out in Amish country. The Amish were so kind to move their horse and buggies out of our way so we could run on the wide shoulder. I just felt like that was so nice of them to risk the road for us. We could've easily swung out into the road for a minute after all we were running on their turf!

We were able to get in a lot of family time this weekend and some sun and pool time too! It is nice to have a sun tan finally! I have some crazy lines though. 2 different swimsuit lines, plus lines from my socks, running shorts, and racer back shirts.

My daughter got a cold this weekend which stinks. I am getting less sleep than normal being up with her. So I could really feel the results of that yesterday during my bodyfit class. It seemed a lot harder than usual. I am sure a weekend full of eating brats and ice cream didn't help.

I have to run this evening because it was storming this morning. I actually don't mind running in the rain, but I prefer to not start in a thunderstorm. It is okay if it starts while I am out there though. I realize that is kind of odd!

Today is an exciting day. I get to pickup my antibiotic hormone free cow today! I also get my first summer crops from the CSA. Yeah for fresh food!!!

Amphipod Review

I purchased the Amphipod RunLite 2+. I have had the opportunity to use it the last three days in the 80 + weather. The first day I only ran 3 miles and it was a lot less bouncy than I expected. I also had it on the tightest that day. I would venture to say it was probably too tight because I was getting cramps, granted I was having female issues anyhow, but nevertheless.

The second day I wore it during my 6 mile run and this time I took my phone along. The first day I was afraid that it would just be added weight I wasn't used to. However, it really didn't seem bulky or heavy at all. I really loved that my phone fit in the pouch and it is a double pouch so I also carried my license and a GU (which I didn't use). I was glad to know all that would fit though. Especially since I have an iPhone so it is typically longer than most cell phones. It was really nice to carry it for once along with some identification. It gave me a sense of safety. This run was extremely hot and humid so another pro was that one of the water bottles hit me right in my lower back and felt like an ice pack during my run. I really liked that. I also have an iPod shuffle and it clipped on really easily. Now that I think about it I guess I could have used my phone for music since I was finally carrying it...I digress.

The third day was the hottest of them all! It was horribly hard to get my 5 miles in. I even got burnt. I was so pleased to have it during this run. I used the squirt bottles several times to give myself a good soak in the face and swollen hands. However, some cons did occur during this run. I was so out of energy I was having a hard time snapping the bottles in and out of the belt. In one part of my run a bottle fell off and I didn't realize it for a few paces so I had to run back and retrieve it. I also have a bruise on my hip from where I was apparently pulling a little hard. The bottles supposedly have a wide open mouth, however, ice cubes out of a standard ice cube tray don't fit.

Some additional pros:

The bottles can go horizontally or vertically. I haven't tried horizontal yet, but I have to believe that would make the belt even more comfortable. I am very happy with vertical placement though. This belt comes in sizes 1,2, and 3. Or fits all. I chose the fits all and I am so glad I did. You can tighten or loosen it quite a bit. Originally I thought I'd want it way down on my hips but I actually feel most comfortable with it at my natural waist while running. On the cool down when I am walking it seems a little awkward that my arms are brushing against it so I just loosen it up a bit and lower it. I also think this will be great if I continue to shed some pounds, which isn't likely with the way I have been eating. It will also be great for after baby #2. No I am not pregnant yet but have every hope and intention of trying after the Chicago Marathon.

So that pretty much sums up the review. I am thrilled with the product! It's not perfect but it works for me and the $28 I invested.

Running Store Sale = Happiness

Do you ever go somewhere totally knowing what you are going to be purchasing but all the sudden you have an arm full of stuff you didn't intend on? Well that is what happened to me when I went to the ladies night sale at our local running store. Three Rivers Running Company isn't a mega store to begin with, but I was shocked when I pulled up 30 minutes after the designated start of the sale and there were no parking spots. Once I got inside to my surprise the whole store was swarming with women!

All of the sudden the crazy shopper in me came out and I felt like there were deals to be had that I couldn't possibly take the chance on missing. I walked out of the store $100 poorer. But I am now the proud owner of a pretty green Nike long sleeve running shirt, 2 new pairs of running shorts, a pair of balega socks, a new sports bra, one Gu, and best of all an amphipod runlite hydration belt (review to come).

I ran 3.25 last night. It was my easy run day. It didn't feel so easy with cramps and 90 degree weather. However, I did have a strong sense of accomplishment when I was done. I certainly could have kept going too. That is always a good feeling!

Today was BodyFit part 3! That class is so stinkin' rewarding. Today we used the body bar quite a bit. I had never used one before. There always that thing you see in the gym that looks interesting but you don't dare pick up and take the risk of looking like a fool. So it was nice to actually learn some moves with it. We really worked our core and legs today. I am so glad I am seeing the results of this class already in my runs. What do you do for core and strength training? How about cross training days?