On Pace and Being Challenge Crazy

I did not want to go out there in the cold, blustery outdoors to do my 7 miler. I procrastinated long enough until I realized how little time I had to run, shower, and pick up Little Man (5yo) from half-day preschool. So I put on my thermal big girl panties (I don't really have thermal undies) and set out for my run.

Found a nickel and a penny!

The cold pierced through my nose and sure felt like ice picks poking at my head. I'm not 100% recovered from the nasty cold, but it sure felt somewhat refreshing to clear the sinuses.

 

I did the most boring thing ever - traced both sides of the sidewalk of my neighborhood. Amazing to know that there are at least 7 miles of sidewalk in my suburban 'hood. I didn't care about the boring. I didn't want to be too far away from home because I also realized that I didn't bring GU or water.

 

By Mile 2, I knew this run was going to be as slow as molasses so I gave in to the turtle within me. I didn't mind, because I knew I'd be at that fat-burning aerobic zone and with no GU to replenish glycogen, it was the perfect pace!

 

I started to think about pace a lot during this run. I'm not fast at all. I run by feel a lot. Some days I surprise myself that my pace was faster than I thought and then there are other days when I feel so sluggish I might as well walk. I remember when I first started running, I felt like I had to beat my personal best for whatever distance I was running every time I went out there to run. Gosh it was so stressful. There I was, on what's suppose to be a relaxing time away from my hectic life, and I was stressing! Not fun. So whether it's an interval training run or a tempo run, I just go out there and do it. No stress, no expectations. I just try to cover the miles. However, during a race, I do become mindful of my pace especially in the beginning so that I don't fall apart at the last half of the race.

 

My husband thinks I need to be a little bit more competitive with myself. I do when I want to, but for now, I'm so into the full marathon distance, that all I want to do is to keep running so my blood pressure remains normal and to be injury free while doing it. A PR at Shamrock Marathon would be nice, but I'm not too focused on that.

 

More details about my run today HERE.

 

With the new year, I'm sure some of you were enticed by all the fitness challenges all around the blogosphere. I know I am! I'm participating in 4 challenges: Janathon, Moon Joggers, and Plank A Day & Wall Sit on Instagram. I just started Wall Sit today. So far so good.

Wall Sit

First Wall Sit - I wanted to stop earlier, but I couldn't get myself out of that Wall Sit position, lol!

 

Side-planking in my Zensahs while my achilles recovered. 30 seconds each side. I am also loving my new running skirt!

 

By far, my longest plank to date on my forearms. When I collapsed in a heap at the end, I did not want to get up. Wanted to sleep right there on the floor.

 

And now that it's so late, I think I'm done. The End. Good night!

 

Janathon Day 7

Moon Joggers Mileage To Date: 22

Plank A Day: 2:11.7

Wall Sit: 1:10.0

What challenges are you participating in this year?

 

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Plank A Day: Day 3

I'm a day behind in posting, but I did do this yesterday with The Hubs AND in a running skirt, not in PJ's, nor in jeans, lol. 

The Hubs wasn't up to seeing how long we can hold the plank so we planked for 1 min, side planked for 30 seconds, each side.

Is it just me or did this post sound a little kinky?  LOL!!

Wordless Wednesday #1: Dress Rehearsal. Ready For RnR USA Half

Three Things (Plus One) Thursday: Craptastic Photos of My New Running Skirts & Shirts!

I LOVE getting new running clothes.  I admit, I'd rather go out and buy myself a new running skirt than a regular skirt.  I only run in running skirts and for a 10-11 min/miler runner girl like me, I want to at least look cute in my turtle pace.  

Ok, before I share my new purchases, I just want to say that I'm horrible at taking pics of myself.  Not only does it feel weird to take pics of myself, the pics never come out well.  So ignore the dirty mirror....I don't look as tan as these photos show, but at least you can see my new Running Skirts and new C9 Target tech shirts, I hope!

Outfit #1 (below) - This is one of two outfits that I might wear to my next race, the Rock 'N Roll USA Half in DC on St. Patrick's Day.  It doesn't scream Leprechaun green, but it IS a lime green shirt and there is some lime green on the skirt.  I've always wanted this skirt, the Mums Midnight Running Skirt, and I just got around to buying it.  RunningSkirts.com has them on sale now (awesome deal), but I got mine at RunningWarehouse.com for a great deal too!  What do you think?

 

Outfit #2 (below) - Another outfit that I could wear to my St. Patrick's Day RnR Half.  Same shirt and the skirt is from RunningSkirts.com, the Azure Dot Running Skirt, another favorite skirt that I was so happy to discover on sale.  What do you think of this one compared to Outfit #1 above?  My favorite black Zensah sleeves are kinda harsh against these spring colors, but I need to wear them for my races. 

Outfit #3 (below) - C9 tech shirts from Targets rule!  Not only were they $9- a piece, they're comfortable too!  I scored this shirt right after I bought the skirts and I couldn't believe how well the colors go.  I have horrible Photoshopping skills, so the shirt color is a little off, but trust me, it matches the blue on the skirt.  LOVE bargains!

Outfit #4 (below) - I call this my Barney shirt, another awesome find from Target.  I love bright colors and this shirt, again....how can I refuse when it goes so well with my Mums Midnight Running Skirt?  The color is a little more Barney than I wanted it to be - I think the skirt has more of a Violet color than this Barney color, but they complement each other well, I think.  I love matching inexpensive tops to not-so-inexpensive bottoms and vice versa....and I love how versatile this Mums Midnight skirt is!  I can create 5 outfits out of this skirt (purple, blue, lime green, black, and gray shirts to go with it!).  It's my new favorite skirt!  

So there you have it, my girly girl Three Things (plus one) Thursday of my new spring-y and summer-y running outfits.  :P  I can picture The Hubs just rolling his eyes at this post, hahaha!!

I could use some feedback....what do you think for St. Patty's RnR Half in DC - Outfit #1 or #2?  Have you bought new running clothes lately?  Or any new running gear?  Please share!!



(Note:  I bought these items myself.  I was not compensated in any way by RunningSkirts.com, Target, Zensah, or RunningWarehouse.com to write this post.  All opinions are my own)

Three Things Thursday: All I Want For Mother's Day....

The hubs and the boys already gave me an early Mother's Day gift - the gift of letting me race this Mother's Day weekend.  This Saturday, I am running the Manassas Runway 10K - it's an inaugural race on the airport runway!  How cool is that?!!  No hills, flat, AND I just found out last week they give out medals to all finishers!

I'm excited, a little nervous (because of the pressure I have deep down on myself to PR), but I couldn't ask for a better Mother's Day gift - it was a race that the hubs wanted to run too (he hasn't run a 10K race yet), but in the end let me do it since it is Mother's Day weekend after all.

So I'm all set for Mother's Day....but I was daydreaming this morning and thought, ohhhh....I wouldn't mind having THESE too....lol!

Garmin 210

1.  GARMIN 210.  I feel like I'm not worthy of one yet since I'm not really working on speed yet, just piling on the mileage, but oh what a neat gadget!  Love that with a quick glance, I know what my instantaneous pace is and how many miles I've covered so far.  LOVE!!

2.  Running Outfits:  Running Skirts and matching RunLove Compression Socks.  OK, I know that's 4 things but I couldn't decide which one I liked best.  I run in nothing else but running skirts and these skirts are just a few of my favorites...oh and I want all 4 of those socks.  :D

3.  Water-resistant Spi-belt.  For those less than 1 hour runs.  I have an arm-band but prefer putting my cell phone in a pocket or a pack and I've been wanting one of these since they're so light, not bulky, AND water-resistant.  (UPDATE: In light of Katie's comment below, ok, I wouldn't mind having a Fuel Belt too with the water bottles for those more than 1 hour runs (thanks, girl!) - I don't know which kind yet, not sure how many bottles I'd want, and I would like one with a pouch for cell, GU, etc.!)  :)

So that's my Three Things (more like  7 I guess) for Thursday.  A mom can dream, right?  Well if not for Mother's Day, birthday, Christmas....Do any of you have any of the above?  What do you think of them?

Another Chance to Skirt!

You know that I skirt and love to skirt.  It is the only thing I will wear when I run, even in cooler temps, because you can always layer under it with capris or tights.  They're also a lot of fun to wear!

Thanks to Mom Vs. Marathon who posted this on her Facebook page, there is another chance to win a running (or athletic or tri-) skirt from Runningskirts.com!  Head over to Long Legs On the Loose's blog and read more about how you can win a running skirt! 

Good luck!

I Skirt. Do You Skirt or Want to Skirt?

I only run in skirts.  I love the freedom it gives me, no fabric riding up the front and the back.  Skirts make me feel more girly and flirty.

Do you skirt or want to skirt?  Head over to the Setting You Free blog to win a running skirt!  Hurry!  Deadline for a chance to win is 11:59EST tonight!