To Run or Not to Run

Have you ever had the following internal debate with yourself?

Scene:  Alarm sounds, you look over at the clock and groan
Self 1:  Get up you have to run.
Self 2:  Take a rest day, you don't have to run
Self 1:  You have to run it is on your training schedule
Self 2: You never skip a run. It is ok, you know this is not going to be pretty. Be gentle, you are exhausted. It is ok to skip it
Self 1: That is what you think.

Deep in thought

Proceed to get up, have a crappy run,  feel bad about it, and then feel exhausted for the remainder of the day.

That was me this morning.  I went to bed and woke up exhausted.  I knew I did not have much in me, but I also knew I had 3 miles on the calendar surrounded by some elliptical workouts.  I wanted to blow it off.  I felt run down and not ready to do anything that resembled speed.  But instead I convinced myself that I should run and off I went.  23:19 minutes later I did not regret my decision but I was not proud of it either.  Yes, I got my workout in and that is good and all, but would I have probably benefited more from a few more minutes of sleep or even just some time in front of the TV?  Yup.

I am running, I am happy - right?

When I talked this over with Robin, she mentioned how not every run should be fast and that I probably could have done a recovery run today.   My counter was that I had not run since pacing Aaron on Sunday, so I had not even had my one day of speed for the week (the other days were all cross training).  You see, I will let you in on a little secret - I don't train like most runners.  I don't do recovery runs, I don't run 4-5 days a week, and I don't have specific time targets for each run minus - fast, medium, and slow.  Instead, the PT has me doing recovery, speed, and endurance elliptical workouts as well as PT/weight training along with 2-3 runs per week and all of this generally seems to work well for me and my body type.

Yet, today's run and subsequent conversation still made me think about the importance of listening to my body and slowing down and resting even when it is not scheduled!! I am the first person to take a rest day when it is on the schedule.  But when runs are supposed to happen and when I am supposed to push, I try to push as hard as possible. Today, however, taught me something I already knew, if I am being honest -

Your body knows you best

I need to trust my body and listen to what it is telling me. My body loves to tell me to slow down with a cold.  Case in point, I am always sick during or after big exams and I was sick right before MCM.  This morning, I woke up feeling kind of off.  I had hardly energy.  My body was telling me something and  I did not listen.

But did I truly learn my lesson?  Only time will tell.  Sunday I have 8 miles on tap before Wellness Day fesitives begin.  I know I am supposed to run these at a pace that is a little slower than race pace - maybe 8:10ish.  But I am resolving now to listen to my body.  If I have to skip this run, I NEED to skip this run. If I have to make a slow recovery run, I will make it a slow recovery run.  I WILL listen to my body.  Blog accountability here, right?

Happy Friday!  How do you listen to or honor your body?

Marathon Pump Up Party & Pop Chips Sweepstakes

Admits all the craziness of this week, there was never a doubt in my mind that I would take the time to have a Marathon Pump Up Party with my favorite running buddy.  Having now done so, I am so glad that I did!! Tonight, after work, I took the drive out to Robin's house for what I am now deciding is our 

Traditional Marathon Pump Up Party

Pump Up Parties can and absolutely should include fun outfits (P.S. I am wearing Robin's snowman shirt, too cute, which I again forgot to bring back to her tonight - fail) 

We were supposed to do one of these parties before Marine Corps Marathon f, but Robin wasn't feeling well, and I was being a marathon maniac germ-a-phob, so it did not happen. But tonight worked out perfectly, so Robin just letting you know that I am officially declaring this a tradition.

So, you ask what is a Marathon Pump Up Party?  It varies depending upon how we feel and what we want to do, but it is mainly a chance for us to get together pre-marathon and de-stress, plan, and get each other excited about the events to come.   Tonight was low key, but exactly what we both needed.  It involved dinner with Robin's family and lots of girl talk a.k.a. running talk.  I'm not sure how good of a running buddy I am because even though Robin is the one running and should be relaxing, I went to her house and she cooked and made a delicious meal.  I  did come bearing presents including Luna Bars, all different flavors of Nuun, and Chapstick, so we are even right?

Anyway, Robin made the best meal ever, I bet she is prepared for her marathon now after such a really y good dinner.   To top it off, she made homemade frozen yogurt that rivaled was better than Pinkberry.  She put Cabot Greek Yogurt in the ice-cream machine with sugar and vanilla.  When it was ready, we topped it with fresh strawberries, dark and white chocolate chips, and sprinkles. YUM!  I literally licked my plate clean.  That is appropriate table manners, right? It is ok because we were eating it on the couch.

Ultimately, what more do you need to get pumped up for a marathon besides yummy food, good friends,   and a lot of marathon talk! I know Robin is going to do awesome and represent our Running Buddy Team well.  Go wish her luck - this is her 16th marathon in 5 years!

Robin is going to do great just like the time I told her to run fast in a 5k and she PR'd like woah!

Ok, time to talk SWEEPSTAKES.  Remember I promised you two Sweepstakes this week in honor of Wellness Day? Well, it is time for Sweepstakes # 2, but have you entered Sweepstakes #1 yet?

Also before we do talk about the new sweepstakes, I have to announce the winner from the SUGOI Sweepstakes.  It is Erin.

Erin, you have one week to collect your prize.  Please send me an e-mail within the next week.  If I do not hear from you, I will have to choose someone else.

On to today's Sweepstakes - POPCHIPS.  I have never really given these things a chance, can you believe that?  I tried them once and kind of demised them, so I was excited to get the opportunity to give them a real chance.

I have to warn you, I may be a little biased - Pop chips already has my vote as they are contributing to my Wellness Day by putting samples in the Swag Bag and having samples at the event itself.  Nevertheless, I tried to be objective in my tasting.

Upon opening the package, I found what looked like   a deflated rice cake.  No matter, I did not waste any time and gobbled it right up.  At first, I was not a huge fan.  But after a few moments, I found myself wanting another and another.  In fact, I could really go for some right now.   Ultimately deciding that I did indeed like the taste.  They are unique, but in a good way.  I would recommend trying them out yourself.  I had the Original Ones, and I would love to give the other flavors a go.

After sampling, I investigated Pop Chips a little further.  The background story of how the company began really clicked with my experience of wanting to eat more and more of these little fun snacks.  Apparently, the founds of the company wanted to find a chip that was neither unhealthy like friend potato chips (although I would contend potato chips are not unhealthy, but that is another story) or just baked.   They loved to snack, but needed something besides fried chips or baked ones.  Thus in comes the Popped Chips. Yup, Pop Chips are actually popped!  And of course they did not stop at just Original Flavor, they have tons including BBQ, Sour Cream &  Onion, Sea Salt, and Salt & Vinegar.

The nutrition on these things are amazing.  They are all natural with 0 trans and saturated fats.  You can have 23 of them 120 calories - pretty good bang for your buck if you ask me.

My overall opinion - ultimately maybe not my favorite snack food ever but will I grab these again? Yes.  Do I want to try out the other flavors? You bet.  Do I love the ingredients and nutrition facts? Yes sir.

Now is your chance to win a sampling of Pop Chips.  A lucky winner will receive 12 sample bags of Pop Chips.   And like always just leave a comment to enter.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR POP CHIPS SWEEPSTAKES

Check out the full Terms and Conditions here

Basics:  To enter the sweepstakes for 12 Pop Chips sample bags please just leave a comment on this post, meaning the post that announced the sweepstake.  The comment does not have to be anything in particular.  It will be used so that your name can be entered into the sweepstakes as facilitated by Random.Org.   There is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY or any other type of consideration that must be given to enter this sweepstakes.     By entering a comment, you are entering in the sweepstakes and are thus agreeing to the full terms and conditions outlined here.

Eligibility Requirements:  To enter this sweepstake you must be over 18 years of age and a United States citizen.  Other restrictions apply.  You can enter by simply leaving a comment on this blog, NO PURCHASE or other consideration is neceessary.   You cannot enter by any other means.

Contact information:  When entering the sweepstakes, please provide a means for the writer of this blog to contact you when the sweepstakes has ended.  You may choose to leave your blog address, twitter handle, email address, or any other means that you are comfortable with and provides a reasonable way for the writer of this blog to contact you.  If you do not want, your contact information put in the comment field, you may e-mail the writer of this blog at 26.2runforfun@gmail.com.  Your contact information will be used so that the writer of this blog may contact you if you win or if the retailer sponsoring the sweepstakes needs to contact you if you win.

Eligibility Requirements:  To enter this sweepstake you must be over 18 years of age and a United States citizen.  Other restrictions apply.  You can enter by simply leaving a comment on this blog, NO PURCHASE or other consideration is neceessary.   You cannot enter by any other means. 

Duration and deadlines:  This sweepstakes starts on Wednesday January 4, 2012 at 10:00  p.m.  and will go to Wednesday January 11, 2012 at 9:00 p.m.  Winner will be announced by Thursday January 12, 2012 at 8 p.m. and will be announced through this blog - Runforfun-stephanie.blogspot.com.  A winner has one week from the announcement of the winner to claim the prize or else a new winner will be chosen (Friday January 20, 2012 after 8 p.m.) .  All prizes will be awarded.  Thus if the winner does not come forward, a new winner will be chosen.

Prize Description: There will be one winner and they will receive 12 sample Pop Chips bag $10.20

Confession - My Google Reader Stresses Me Out!

Have you entered my latest Sweepstakes here (T&C here)?  Are you coming to my Wellness Day this Sunday?

I don't have a lot of time tonight, as you can tell I have been a little busy this week with this little crazy out of control Wellness Day.   In fact, right now I'm writing this blogpost in between work, dinner, and my Sisterhood Board Meeting. My wonderful husband has been nice enough to make dinner so I can blog to you all - thank you Aaron - you are a man of many talents, running, cooking, you name it!

So anyway, today I was trying to take a break from Wellness Day Crazies and enjoy some of the blog posts that I have been that missing out as I  run frantically around trying to get ready for the big day on Sunday.  So you know how this story goes, I sat down at my computer, open the normal posts I liked to read, and then turned to my trustee Google Reader. That is where my wonderful little break turned stressful!

 My Google Reader Was Out Of Control!!! 

Blogs were everywhere and I could not find anything. I did not know which blog was which, it was a MESS!  Not knowing where to turn, I tried to just start at the top and work my way day.  That worked for oh, a moment -  I came across blogs I had not read in a while, blogs that had moved, and just could not find the blogs I wanted.

A few weeks ago, a similar event occurred.  I was overwhelmed by Twitter, Daily Mile, Facebook, Google Reader, and all the other cool ways to stay in touch with your friends that you have never met.  So Aaron suggested that I make folders in my Google Reader, one for each day of the week.   I would only read the blogs for that day - Monday blogs on Monday, Tuesday blogs on Tuesday, etc.  Sure,  I would not get read every blog, every single day,  but it let me keep up with many of them without getting completely and utterly overwhelmed.   It also allowed me to continue going to the blogs I go to every day since I have those memorized anyway.

This seemed like a perfect plan to me.  But fast forward to today and it did not seem to work as well as I had hoped.  I guess my failure was twofold - one I was not honest with myself and two I was not organized enough.  In terms of honesty, when I categorized the blogs, I  felt unjustifiably guilty about deleting some blogs or told myself I would read some blogs eventually and put them in a folder instead of deleting them.  This was a mistake.  It was nothing against these blogs, it was not that I did not like them anymore, but things change, it happens - the blogger might have stopped blogging or we were just not as close or life happened.  I apologize.   Either way, I did not delete them and that was my first problem because it just led to me becoming overwhelmed down the line.

My second mistake was making a "catch all category."  I had categories for every day of the week but also had a catch all category to read whenever.  This was a mistake. There were too many blogs that ended up here, I would put new blogs in here, I could not find anything in this folder, and things got lost in the  Google Reader.  Sigh, I'm exhausted just writing this lease

Ultimately today I ended up feeling quite overwhelmed.  I tried to read a few random blogs, but that did not work.  Then I tried to go through my days of the week folders, but it was still too cluttered with blogs I no longer read or did not recognize.  I eventually gave up and went back to Twitter - much more manageable, right?

 Does anyone feel like this your Google Reader stresses you out?  Considering, that the fire alarm just went off in my house, I know who is stressed out! Actually I just ran downstairs and Aaron is cooking up a storm he is woking stir fried vegetables, tofu, edamame, and making veggie egg rolls! I should be stressed out more often.

Okay, back to the point! What am I going to do about this Google Reader situation? Blogs are supposed be fun, like running!  They are not supposed to be stressful, thus I am resolving to try to organize my system again. After the Wellness Day, when my life is back to normal, you know, before I take on some other big project, it is time for Spring Cleaning a.k.a. reorganize my Google Reader.

Steph and Aaron's Google Reader Organization Guide

1. Create folders
2. Label each folder a day of the week Monday through Sunday
3. Go through each blog in your Google Reader and be honest! Decide which ones you want to read and which ones you are no longer reading. For the ones, you are longer reading, delete them, unfortunately.
4.  Place each blog in a day of the week. Decide which day of the week you have the most time to read blogs and put the majority of blogs in those folders.
5. Be easy on yourself and do not stress.  If you can't keep up, don't freak out.  Know they will be there tomorrow or the next day.
6. When you find a new blog that you like, put it in a "day of the week" folder, no catch all category.
7. Try to check in with your Google Reader ever  regularly and do some "cleaning."

So there you have it folks, this may be a little controversial, but it is the best plan that I can think of for now that will make me a happy, less stressed, well organized blogger.

Am I alone out there? Does your Google Reader stress you out? Do you have any tips?

My Big Event & Vitalsox Compression Sweepstakes

Thank you all for your wonderful comments on Aaron's post. He did an amazing job and it was an honor to to run with him, I see more runs in his future, and he is out to win, but more on that later. For now, we have to get down to business, because this is a very important, busy week!! No better way than to start off the first week of the year with an event this Sunday that I have been preparing for since July.   It has been like preparing for  a marathon.  So while Robin runs a marathon this Sunday (go wish her luck), I will be taking on my own type of marathon event, well...sorta....

Ok this is totally my new favorite shirt - check out the store here

So what am I talking about?? Well have you noticed this new button on the side of my blog...

This button is for my Wellness Day that I am putting on this Sunday January 8th for anyone who wishes to attend at my temple in Lexington, Massachusetts. 

 Like many things, this event started out small, but it quickly grew and grew.

This used to be my office, now it is the landing zone for all things Wellness Day  including...

this...

and this...

and this...

If you have not  heard me go on and on about this Wellness Day yet, let me recap it quickly here. I modeled this day after a race expo because well, I'm a runner and why not.   The day will go as follows: you will arrive at the event and receive a goodie bag free of coupons and samples including discounts for Vitalsox, Tommie Copper, an anti-chafe stick from Ever Stride, two weeks of classes as Endurance Pilates and Yoga, 2 day pass to Lexington Fitness Club, 15% discount at the Lexington Running Company, samples of Pretzel Crisps, Pop Chips, and Hint Water, discount cards for Bondi Bands, and much much more.  During the event, you will have the chance to interact with over 25 different vendors including a nutritionist, yoga instructor, Pilates instructor, chiropractor, acupuncturist, midwife, genetic counselor, and more.  Presentations and demos will take place throughout the day from Juice Pus+, Whole Foods Market Woburn, Personal Trainer, massage therapist, chinese medicine, to name a few.

I hope people in the area can attend.  The cost is $5 and I think and hope it is going to be a blast.  But if I am being honest, I am scared to death that no one comes, so please please come. I promise it will be fun!

I am currently still doing a Sweepstakes for Sugoi  here (who will also be donating to the Wellness Day Raffle)  and you still have until 9 p.m. on Tuesday January 3rd to enter but I wanted to start this Sweepstakes  in honor of my Wellness Day.  In fact, this week we will have two Sweepstakes from two great vendors at my Wellness Day.

Today, I want to introduce you to Vitalsox.  I first found out about this company at the Marine Corps Marathon Expo and quickly fell in love with them.   When I came across their booth, I could not help but stop in a) they had compression socks; b) they were pink; and c) they had Trivitals.

If you are wondering, these are Trivitals.  They are compression sleeves from your ankle up to your knee

Before Marine Corps Marathon, I had never heard of Vitalsox, but I am so happy that I found them. They are actually an Italian company and I have always had lots of luck with Italian shoes so I knew I had to give them a chance.  Once again, the Italians did not disappoint...they know how to do it right...

See I love Italy :)

To find out a little more about Vitalsox, I checked out their website.  Here is what I found out:

Vitalsox® is a high-tech brand of socks and underwear made in Italy by Arcos S.p.A., a dynamic Italian producer of wear, underwear, socks and accessories for all kind of sports, work, leisure, fashion and healthcare. Vitalsox® socks are perfectly suited for sportsmen (for racing or recovery), for enthusiasts of court and open air sports, and are ideal as everyday high-quality socks.  Made with the most advanced materials such as Silver DryStat™, and using Arcos’ patents on graduated compression, Vitalsox® products offer a unique sense of "feetness" (freshness, comfort and well being with an upmost sense of protection from external bacterial agents).  Vitalsox® offers also a unique series of high-comfort travel and everyday underwear made of Silver DryStat™ and manufactured with seamless technology, characterized by the unique property of washing and drying extremely fast. 

The more I read, the more I liked.  It was like this company was catering to me. They offered everything I needed - arm warmers, recovery socks, running socks, performance socks, and Trivitals.  Each item serves a different purpose and seems to work just right.    For instance, right now, I am lounging in the recovery socks, which are perfect for stimulating blood circulation, getting oxygen to the muscles, and reducing lactic acid buildup. Tomorrow, I will switch to their running sock, which are perfect for running in.  They do all the great things that my other socks do, ward off blisters, moisture wicking, but they also seem to just give that extra amount of support that I am constantly looking for in a basic short sock.  I've also grown to love my arm warmers - they are moisture wicking, warm, and stylish, if you ask me.

I know this is a lot to take in, let me try to break it up a little more:

Recovery Socks:   These socks are comfortable and they do the job in helping me recover quicker by increasing circulation, getting oxygen to the muscles, and providing the support I need for my ankles after a long run. my ankle.  My biggest gripe, is that they are too long which is more a byproduct of me being short.  I also feel that they are pretty tight at the top where the sock ends, I wish they was a little more give there. But all in all, I love them and plus did I mention they are only $35, super reasonable!!

I recover in my sweatpants (from my senior year in high school).  What other way is there?

Trivital: I love these! Once I found the right size, I couldn't get enough of them. I wore them right after the marathon and right before the marathon. I love that I didn't have to have something over my toes but that I received the compression that I needed around my ankle. The hardest part about them was that they were too tight to begin with, but that seemed to be a sizing issue, which the company kindly helped me with. Once I got the right size,  I was in heaven. If you have problems with your toes and blisters but you also want compression socks, these are definitely a fantastic solution.

You wear Trivitals under your PJs, right?

Arm warmers:  I know, I have been rocking a lot of our warmers lately. I guess I'm kind of warming up to them in general. I really like these because they are super soft,  really comfortable, and keep me warm.  When I wore them however, once I was hot, I wanted them off, they felt kind of itchy and tight at the top of my arms.  I left them on to test them out and they actually got better and were great with the dri-fit quality. When I took them off no chaffing, thanks to Everstride.   There is not much more to ask for in an arm warmer.

I like being all matchie matchie it is fun :)

Yay for taking pictures of yourself pre-workout at 5 a.m.

So let's talk sweepstakes shall we? Vitalsox gave me a number of samples to give out.  I have Recovery Socks (2 mediums); Trivitals (XS, M, L); Arm Warmer (M-L) to give away.  

Regardless of whether you win, all this month you can go and buy your pair and use this discount code to get $10 off.  The best part about this is that Vitalsox is so reasonably priced already that after this discount code you will pay $25 for a pair of Compression Socks - that is crazy!!!! Here is the code:  RS1BL1TS.  You can purchase them here.

Everyone coming to the Wellness Day will be getting one of these!

Like always, to enter to win, just leave me a comment.  Here are so more specifics:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR VITALSOX SWEEPSTAKES

Check out the full Terms and Conditions here

Basics:  To enter the sweepstakes for Vitalsox recovery socks, Trivitals, and Arm warmers please just leave a comment on this post, meaning the post that announced the sweepstake.  The comment does not have to be anything in particular.  It will be used so that your name can be entered into the sweepstakes as facilitated by Random.Org.   There is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY or any other type of consideration that must be given to enter this sweepstakes.     By entering a comment, you are entering in the sweepstakes and are thus agreeing to the full terms and conditions outlined here.

Eligibility Requirements:  To enter this sweepstake you must be over 18 years of age and a United States citizen.  Other restrictions apply.  You can enter by simply leaving a comment on this blog, NO PURCHASE or other consideration is neceessary.   You cannot enter by any other means.

Contact information:  When entering the sweepstakes, please provide a means for the writer of this blog to contact you when the sweepstakes has ended.  You may choose to leave your blog address, twitter handle, email address, or any other means that you are comfortable with and provides a reasonable way for the writer of this blog to contact you.  If you do not want, your contact information put in the comment field, you may e-mail the writer of this blog at 26.2runforfun@gmail.com.  Your contact information will be used so that the writer of this blog may contact you if you win or if the retailer sponsoring the sweepstakes needs to contact you if you win.

Eligibility Requirements:  To enter this sweepstake you must be over 18 years of age and a United States citizen.  Other restrictions apply.  You can enter by simply leaving a comment on this blog, NO PURCHASE or other consideration is neceessary.   You cannot enter by any other means. 

Duration and deadlines:  This sweepstakes starts on Monday January 2, 2012 at 10:00  p.m.  and will go to Monday January 9, 2012 at 9:00 p.m.  Winner will be announced by Thursday January 12, 2012 at 8 p.m. and will be announced through this blog - Runforfun-stephanie.blogspot.com.  A winner has one week from the announcement of the winner to claim the prize or else a new winner will be chosen (Thursday January 19, 2012 after 8 p.m.) .  All prizes will be awarded.  Thus if the winner does not come forward, a new winner will be chosen.

Prize Description: There are multiple prizes for this Sweepstakes including a pair of recovery socks ($35) (2 winners), arm warmers ($20) (one winner), and trivitals ($28) (three winners).

Aaron's Followup - 5K Complete. I tolerate running!

With a week to go before my first ever 5K, I went out for a pre-race tuneup compliments of my physical therapist - 10 minute walk, 15 minute run, 10 minute walk.  Not only was it my first outdoor run in years, but it was also the longest I had run since I was in college.  Who would run more than 1 mile at a time, right?

Shorts in 30 degrees?  No sweat for a hockey player!

So off I went with my new playlist and proceeded to adhere to the game plan.  The first 10 minutes of running was easier than in my previous post, but the last 5 was tough.  Same issue as before - tired legs and poor conditioning.  Somehow, I got through it and was about 3 minutes into the last leg when I realized that I had only 1/2 a mile to go before hitting the coveted 3.1 mile marker.  With that, I threw out the rest of the walk and ran the rest of the way to complete an unofficial 5K in 39:34.  To say I was gassed would be an understatement, but 39:34 was pretty damn good when I walked 15 minutes and never set out to finish a 5K when I started.

That day, I thought it over and decided that I could lower that time to 35 minutes.  The problem, though, is that my plan required me to push that single running interval to 2 miles in 21 minutes followed by a short walking interval to recoup for a final push for the last 3/4 of a mile.  No sweat!  Unfortunately, my legs didn't feel as good over the next few days and I was all-around tired.  New Year's Eve, the eve of the big race, I went to bed early.  I needed every ounce of energy I could muster for the big day.

Disclaimer: photo documentation was highly lacking.  That's the problem with having both you and your wife run a race together.

Steph and I woke up this morning, put on our new "Crazy Bitch" gear, and headed over to the race.

These came out much better than initially pictured.  Plenty for sale here!

I was focused on my plan.  Steph, on the other hand, went a bit crazy with excitement, even rubbing my belly for good luck (for the first time ever).  The horn went off and we spent a minute or two wading through the crowd to get to the start line.  I rarely feel claustrophobic but things were tight in there.  Everything went off without a hitch, and we were on our way.

Thankfully, Steph decided to forgo this race and spent her time making sure I stuck to the plan.  It was incredibly difficult to keep pace when we were getting passed by a ton of people.  Regardless, things were going alright until I spotted a hill on the course!  I hadn't done hill training before, so it felt like it'd be a huge challenge.  Keeping Steph's mantra in mind, we passed people on the uphill and took it slow on the downhill.  Eventually, we hit the first mile marker at about a 10:30 pace.  Things were going well.  I wasn't out of breath and my legs felt good.  At one point, I had visions of me running the whole race without stopping.

Five or six minutes later, I had to push myself to complete the 2nd mile.  I was huffing and puffing; my legs felt wobbly; and I wanted to stop because I was tired.  For some reason, Steph thought it was the perfect time to take pictures!  Somehow, I pushed through that wall and hit the 2nd mile marker in 21 minutes!  I hit my goal exactly as I had set out to do.  I could finally stop and recuperate before my final push.

Smile for the camera!

Within 2 minutes, my breathing stabilized and I was ready to run again.  Steph and I kicked it up and started passing people left and right.  I was going to make 35 minutes and do it with speed!  Within 2 minutes, though, my legs were just too tired to keep up that pace and I was left with two speeds - slower run or walk.  On several occasions, walking seemed like the better option, but Steph kept me going all the way to the finish.  33:04!

I was so exhausted, I barely noticed that someone was taking my picture as I crossed the finish line.  I felt like crap and, according to Steph, looked like it too.  I can't wait to see that picture.  But I exceeded my expectations and was able to walk away from the race instead of riding in an ambulance.

The medal doubles as a wine stopper.  Pretty sweet.

After cooling down, I told Steph that I have my eyes set on the Super 5K and any other race that has a "linemen" or "clydesdale" division.  Her response - "I knew you'd be hooked!"  I might not hate running as much as I did a few months ago, but at least now, I tolerate it!

Four finishers within 5 minutes.  Not bad for sticking together.

Eleven Races for 2011

Have you checked out my arm warmer review and sweepstakes here?

As this year officially comes to a close, there are many events and accomplishments to look back upon.  Sure, we bought a house, spent our first full years at new jobs, joined a wonderful temple and community, and made some great friends.  But clearly, the only real accomplishments I want to discuss are my running and my blogging, because, really, what else is there ...

OK, the other things are important too.  But let's talk running.

In the beginning of August 2010, I fully intended to run my first marathon that October.  For many reasons, that goal was not achieved.  In fact, in mid-August, I put on my running shoes, went for a nine mile run, and then did not run again for over two months.  That was extremely difficult to do and was not the least bit of fun.  I vowed to make 2011 a better year, but it was not going to be easy.  I needed to recondition my body and get back into running shape while honoring myself physically and mentally.  Thus, my first official race was not until Memorial Day weekend.  I would like to say that my debut was all that I intended it to be, but I think this picture says it all.

My IT band and I had a fight!

Good thing I have an amazing physical therapist, who whipped me right back into shape.  Only two weeks later, I showed my IT band who's boss.

Remember this?  It was the day I started to tolerate squirrels.

It should've been all good from there, but it became the summer of shoes.

Note: all of these were eventually returned.

As fate would have it, I inevitably went back to the shoes I've always worn just in time for my Garmin to fail as I stood at the starting line for the Falmouth Road Race.

Are we there yet?

No matter.  Fall was quickly approaching and, with only three races under my belt and the big "M" yet to come, it was time to kick things into high gear.  From then on, we rocked the race circuit.  Starting out on the right foot by placing at a local 5K, I proceeded to carry that momentum through to a scorcher of a race across all of Long Beach Island.  From there, I took on the wind of the Bay State half marathon to get ready for the big day in Washington DC.

Push it!

Soaking wet at LBI.

Start of the race.  I'm way too happy here.

Three years in the making, it was finally my day to rock negative splits and throw caution to the wind.  It was all I ever dreamed it would be and as I crossed the finish line, Liz asked me if I'd do it again.  I screamed, "Hell Yeah!"

Oh hello, there, NJ Marathon!  So glad I signed up for you today.  I'll be seeing you in May.

After Marine Corps, I was officially hooked and what better way to recover from a big race than to run four more races to finish off the year.

Turkey Trot!

Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon!

Winter Classic!

Home for the Holidays Virtual 10K!  Note how I'm wearing the same shirt two weeks in a row!

So there you have it folks.  Eleven races in 2011!  So let's kick off the new year right, starting with a New Year's Day run with my favorite guy!

What was your favorite race of 2011?  How are you ringing in the new year?

From Selfish to Selfless Running

Have you checked out the results of the Virtual 10K here as well as my Sugoi arm warmer sweepstakes here?


This Sunday I will begin the New Year right.  For the first day of the year, I will, you guessed, it run a 5K. Except this 5K will be different than any race I have ever been in.  This will be the first race I fully intend not to race on my own behalf.  I hate to admit this, but in many ways running is a selfish sport for me.  It can sometimes be all about me... ok, most of the time, it's all about me.  Before a race, I have to pick a certain dinner that will agree with my stomach, I have to wake up at a certain time, and I have to be somewhere at a certain moment.  I drag my selfless husband along and beg him to help me with my race day needs.  He does so willingly.  For the past three years, I have repeated this ritual multiple times.

Aaron supporting me at one my first races

Meanwhile, Aaron has enjoyed his own sporting activities in the form of hockey.  He does this on his own time, never once asking me to lace up his skates or hold his water and change of clothes for after a game.  Looking at this now, I can't say it's my proudest moment.  I try to be a loving, supportive wife, but there is always room for improvement.  Aaron has shown nothing but kindness and has been completely supportive of my running career.

Lots of love and kindness!

On Sunday, Aaron will begin his own running career and it is now my turn to step up to the plate, stop asking so much, and start giving back.  Instead of worrying about my time goals for this race or whether my iPod has the perfect playlist, I will be focusing on him and his goals.  I will attempt to do whatever he needs to kick ass and get across the finish line.  On Sunday, I will wear the "I <3 MY CRAZY BITCH" shirt.

Insert shameless plug here

Now no one said this was going to be easy.  It has been suggested by some of my favorite cousins that I will inevitably get separated from Aaron during the race because I will get too excited and competitive and want to see if maybe I can set a new PR for the new year.  I don't think this is necessarily an easy thing to go into a race and know I won't be "racing" it.  And I am not perfect.  But ultimately, dare I say it, some things or some people are just more important than a shiny PR or running altogether for that matter.

So this Sunday, I will gladly put my husband first and cherish something new from running and racing - the opportunity to do something I love with the man I love.

Does anybody have any good tips for a first time pacer?  Happy New Year!