My long run this weekend is scheduled for a whooping 16 miles, the longest to date. I was just starting to think about my route for the upcoming weekend when my cousin and husband re-alerted me to the 5K that is happening in my town this weekend. I had heard about this race previously but had pretty much decided there was no way I was going to be able to take part in this given my training schedule....
Well, I guess I succumb to peer pressure. And when I say peer pressure that pretty much means pressure from myself, because the more I looked at this race the more I knew I wanted to do it. Apparently this is my town's day. It is called "Insert Town Name Here Day" and there are tons of celebratory events for the day starting with the 5K. To make matters more enticing, my wonderful cousin and her boyfriend are running it. Come on, how can I miss that?!?! Really, I am sucker for cheap races that give shirts, what more can you ask for. Plus on top of it all I have NEVER done a 5k, believe it or not. So what is a gal to do?!? You guessed it, I signed myself up this morning, without even a seconds thought (ok I lied, I made my husband talk it out with me, for like 2 seconds, that's all I promise).
So where does this leave me? Well, I have to 16 miles on Saturday still (it just won't go away) and I also have to do a 5K. In all honesty, I would love to really race this 5K. I know I have it in me. But my sights are bigger and much longer for this training cycle. So I don't think that is in the cards for this "marathoner to be." Instead, I have been trying to think of a plan that will allow me to do both.. I have heard some excellent suggestions but I think I might stick with the go 13 miles and then do the last 3 in the race. If I am feeling really bad, hopefully the crowd and my cousin can carry me and if I am feeling good I will keep at the pace I was going out for the other miles.
This might be an awful plan. I don't know. I have never been one to tack on to a race, usually if I am racing it is the race I have been seriously training for. This would just be kind of a run that happens to be a race as well. Hmph. I don't know, so many races, so little time.
How about all of you, have you ever encountered this problem? What do you do?
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Great Pizza Incident of 2011 a.k.a Temper Tantrum
Dear My Wonderful Husband,
I am sorry I freaked out at you, called you, hung up on you, called you back, yelled at you and called you back pleading with you to let me apologize. I love you, I am sorry.
Your ever fateful, loving wife.
Yup, thats right, you got the gist of it, tonight I came home and I was bit less than pleasant. It started out ok, I got home and went to the fridge. After a late day at work, a long weekend, and a 45 minute traffic car ride that should have taken only 15 minutes I was psyched to get home and enjoy my left over Whole Foods pizza, TV and the blogs. Sounds pretty good right? So like I said all was going well until I opened the fridge and realized that my pizza was no where to be found, that's right, you guessed it - my husband, fairly innocently took the pizza, thinking that I had taken other pieces for lunch.
Now, instead of being cool, calm and collected about this, I chose to, like the big girl I am, throw a hissy fit. I pretty much acted as if I was five and did not get the pony I wanted on my birthday. I don't know how my husband puts up with me sometimes. This was not my best moment....
But after I calmed down and decided to get some food in me quick, life seemed a little more rationale. And after apologizing profusely, I began to think about where such an outburst might have come from. Hungry - check; tired - check; a little stressed - check; recouping from illness - check....Hmm seems to make sense now, huh? I have become pretty good at keeping myself, my needs and my emotions in check, but I guess somewhere in the last 24 hours they got the best of me and my poor husband got the brunt of it in the "Great Pizza Incident of 2011."
So I did what any girl would do and came graveling back. I am sorry again honey, I know you are living with a five year old sometimes, but I did do all the laundry this weekend, does that help...At these points I have learned, there is not much to do about the past except learn from it, apologize when needed, and move on.
Here is hoping tomorrow is a bit smoother.
Someone else please tell me I am not the only sometimes crazy 5 year old out there?!?
I am sorry I freaked out at you, called you, hung up on you, called you back, yelled at you and called you back pleading with you to let me apologize. I love you, I am sorry.
Your ever fateful, loving wife.
Yup, thats right, you got the gist of it, tonight I came home and I was bit less than pleasant. It started out ok, I got home and went to the fridge. After a late day at work, a long weekend, and a 45 minute traffic car ride that should have taken only 15 minutes I was psyched to get home and enjoy my left over Whole Foods pizza, TV and the blogs. Sounds pretty good right? So like I said all was going well until I opened the fridge and realized that my pizza was no where to be found, that's right, you guessed it - my husband, fairly innocently took the pizza, thinking that I had taken other pieces for lunch.
Now, instead of being cool, calm and collected about this, I chose to, like the big girl I am, throw a hissy fit. I pretty much acted as if I was five and did not get the pony I wanted on my birthday. I don't know how my husband puts up with me sometimes. This was not my best moment....
But after I calmed down and decided to get some food in me quick, life seemed a little more rationale. And after apologizing profusely, I began to think about where such an outburst might have come from. Hungry - check; tired - check; a little stressed - check; recouping from illness - check....Hmm seems to make sense now, huh? I have become pretty good at keeping myself, my needs and my emotions in check, but I guess somewhere in the last 24 hours they got the best of me and my poor husband got the brunt of it in the "Great Pizza Incident of 2011."
So I did what any girl would do and came graveling back. I am sorry again honey, I know you are living with a five year old sometimes, but I did do all the laundry this weekend, does that help...At these points I have learned, there is not much to do about the past except learn from it, apologize when needed, and move on.
Here is hoping tomorrow is a bit smoother.
Someone else please tell me I am not the only sometimes crazy 5 year old out there?!?
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Empowering
Have you entered my giveaway yet? One last day to do so. Also anyone interested in a Marines Corp Marathon Number (no not mine!!)? I have a friend who can't do it, I would love for some other wonderful runner to join in the fun.
Anyway, I am going to stick with my one word theme posts for now. Yesterday, I wrote about commitment right before I went out to my 12 miles. Coming off of that run, I was talking to Aaron about how it went and the word that popped into my mind was empowering. That is how I would describe yesterday's run, empowering. And as I think more about it and the word and the meaning behind empowerment, it makes me smile wide, my eyes fill up a bit, and shiver a little too because yesterday was one of those runs that just makes me stand a little taller, a little stronger and think I am committed, I am strong, and I AM going to see you at the finish line 26.2.
Now, I am not saying yesterday was perfect. Because it was not. I did not peel off the miles at record pace. I did not PR. I did not PDR. I was not pain free. But something magical happened on that run, I am not sure if it was the great conversation or the feeling of fall, but it just left me wide eyed, bushy tailed and smiling from ear to ear jumping to go back for more (remind me of this next weekend when I say I am scared of 16). I am even grinning as I write this alone at my desk like the dork I am.
So what did happen yesterday? I woke up bright and early at 5 a.m. and I was still sick. I could hardly breathe and had a bit of a headache. But I was determined and committed to kick out this run. It absolutely helped that I knew my friend was waiting for me and I could not let her down (yay for running buddy accountability - Jess I am using your phrase and shamelessly stealing it because I love it). Besides that, I could not let myself down. I don't know what it is but ever since the coach wrote out my schedule, I have had an incessant need to check off each workout completing them to the best of my ability. So I sucked it up and off I went.
When we started out it was a bit chilly and we were being "responsible" runners keeping it at a nice pace, as I am learning the importance of slow long rungs. Before I knew it, we were 4 miles in and time for a water break. Now, lately, my runs have been full of stopping - stopping to rest, stopping to walk, stopping to fix my shoes - but yesterday I only stopped to drink twice. This made me ecstatic. From there, we hit two more miles before it was time to turn around. I could not believe it, the miles were flying and for being sick and talking I felt great. My foot was bothering me, of course, but soo much better than last week and it was manageable. SCORE! We picked it up as we turned around moving our pace closer to the faster end of the scale, exactly what I was hoping for, ending 12 miles with no trouble at 1:44:00 with two water breaks included so maybe even an 1:42:00 if I am being generous.
Yes I was ready to be done, yes I was tired, and yes I wondered how I could make it to 26.2 if I was already in this state. But I knew when I stopped that I felt good. I wanted to just run over and give my running friend a nice big high five, but it was our first running date so I was trying not to be too weird. After I drank some nuun (I know Liz, but long story promise to post on this), took an ice bath (two bags is the key) and dressed for temple with my dress and compression socks and shorts AND sneakers (totally legit for temple). And I walked away like I had just gotten out of bed. I was not exhausted, I was not dehydrated, I was not lying on the bathroom floor. BUT I was invigorated. I was empowered!!!
This morning when I woke up still sick as a dog, this feeling from yesterday still filled my body. I had a yearning desire to check that next box. An hour on the elliptical later, I could beam with pride as I checked that box. One more step closer to 26.2, watch out Mr., I am coming!!!
How was everyone's weekend? I have so much to catch up on, hope it went well.
Btw I am so behind, here are some great pictures from last weekend!
Anyway, I am going to stick with my one word theme posts for now. Yesterday, I wrote about commitment right before I went out to my 12 miles. Coming off of that run, I was talking to Aaron about how it went and the word that popped into my mind was empowering. That is how I would describe yesterday's run, empowering. And as I think more about it and the word and the meaning behind empowerment, it makes me smile wide, my eyes fill up a bit, and shiver a little too because yesterday was one of those runs that just makes me stand a little taller, a little stronger and think I am committed, I am strong, and I AM going to see you at the finish line 26.2.
Now, I am not saying yesterday was perfect. Because it was not. I did not peel off the miles at record pace. I did not PR. I did not PDR. I was not pain free. But something magical happened on that run, I am not sure if it was the great conversation or the feeling of fall, but it just left me wide eyed, bushy tailed and smiling from ear to ear jumping to go back for more (remind me of this next weekend when I say I am scared of 16). I am even grinning as I write this alone at my desk like the dork I am.
So what did happen yesterday? I woke up bright and early at 5 a.m. and I was still sick. I could hardly breathe and had a bit of a headache. But I was determined and committed to kick out this run. It absolutely helped that I knew my friend was waiting for me and I could not let her down (yay for running buddy accountability - Jess I am using your phrase and shamelessly stealing it because I love it). Besides that, I could not let myself down. I don't know what it is but ever since the coach wrote out my schedule, I have had an incessant need to check off each workout completing them to the best of my ability. So I sucked it up and off I went.
When we started out it was a bit chilly and we were being "responsible" runners keeping it at a nice pace, as I am learning the importance of slow long rungs. Before I knew it, we were 4 miles in and time for a water break. Now, lately, my runs have been full of stopping - stopping to rest, stopping to walk, stopping to fix my shoes - but yesterday I only stopped to drink twice. This made me ecstatic. From there, we hit two more miles before it was time to turn around. I could not believe it, the miles were flying and for being sick and talking I felt great. My foot was bothering me, of course, but soo much better than last week and it was manageable. SCORE! We picked it up as we turned around moving our pace closer to the faster end of the scale, exactly what I was hoping for, ending 12 miles with no trouble at 1:44:00 with two water breaks included so maybe even an 1:42:00 if I am being generous.
Yes I was ready to be done, yes I was tired, and yes I wondered how I could make it to 26.2 if I was already in this state. But I knew when I stopped that I felt good. I wanted to just run over and give my running friend a nice big high five, but it was our first running date so I was trying not to be too weird. After I drank some nuun (I know Liz, but long story promise to post on this), took an ice bath (two bags is the key) and dressed for temple with my dress and compression socks and shorts AND sneakers (totally legit for temple). And I walked away like I had just gotten out of bed. I was not exhausted, I was not dehydrated, I was not lying on the bathroom floor. BUT I was invigorated. I was empowered!!!
This morning when I woke up still sick as a dog, this feeling from yesterday still filled my body. I had a yearning desire to check that next box. An hour on the elliptical later, I could beam with pride as I checked that box. One more step closer to 26.2, watch out Mr., I am coming!!!
How was everyone's weekend? I have so much to catch up on, hope it went well.
Btw I am so behind, here are some great pictures from last weekend!
Liz is amazing and took some awesome pictures from her bike! zoom in to see my crazy faces!
Erin & I post 15 miler!
If you have not checked out these ladies, you really need to, they are amazing!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Committed
A wonderful lady recently did a post on how she decided to commit herself to 26.2. Today seemed like a good day, an hour before my long run to talk about my commitment to the marathon as well.
Once upon a time, I ran for weight loss. Sure racing was nice. But it was just an add on. To me the purpose was to keep the pounds at bay. I am not saying that is the wrong thing to do, but it was not a right fit for me at the time. However, somewhere down the line, something clicked and I went from running for weight loss to running to train but from an "exercise conscious person" to an athlete. And my perspective on life began to change. Instead of saying I needed to get my run in in order not to gain weight, it became I needed to get my run in, in order to be the best I can be on race day. As opposed to worrying about not eating too much before, during, and after runs to keep "unneeded" calories at bay, it became how can I best fuel myself to optimize my performance. And with this transformation something special, something real happened, I began to enjoy my running. I began to see it as a truly, amazing healthy wonderful goal. I became a runner (now I am not saying again that if you run to lose weight you are not a runner, this is just how it was for me).
Today, my mind set is different, my training plans have changed, and how I look at the world is brighter. I am more excited, more energetic, and more committed than ever to 26.2! I am an athlete and I am on a mission. I have a race and on race day I want to go out there and do my best. I have been waiting for my time to tackle 26.2 for over 3 years now and I have finally entered the mindset where it is possible. It is my goal and it is my dream and I WILL accomplish it.
While many of you runners (for race goals or weight loss) may relate to this, other non-runners can not. As this girl noted very profoundly, you don't get why I say no to the extra glass of wine or refuse to go out on a Friday night or why I willingly step into an ice bath. And you surely cannot understand why I am up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday morning when I am sick and with a stuffy nose. But here I am today trying to battle a cold but determined to get in my training run. Yes, the rest of the day might be shot and yes I might be exhausted and all stuffed up (wonderful I know) but I am also an athlete on a mission. A mission to complete 26.2 and that is pretty high up there on those list of priorities. So while I don't necessarily endorse running and being sick at the same time is the best thing ever, I am weighing my options and choosing to go for it and hope for the best. Because I am committed to 26.2!!!
Eekkk time to get ready!! Hope everyone has a wonderful run! How do you commit to 26.2 or your race of choice?
Once upon a time, I ran for weight loss. Sure racing was nice. But it was just an add on. To me the purpose was to keep the pounds at bay. I am not saying that is the wrong thing to do, but it was not a right fit for me at the time. However, somewhere down the line, something clicked and I went from running for weight loss to running to train but from an "exercise conscious person" to an athlete. And my perspective on life began to change. Instead of saying I needed to get my run in in order not to gain weight, it became I needed to get my run in, in order to be the best I can be on race day. As opposed to worrying about not eating too much before, during, and after runs to keep "unneeded" calories at bay, it became how can I best fuel myself to optimize my performance. And with this transformation something special, something real happened, I began to enjoy my running. I began to see it as a truly, amazing healthy wonderful goal. I became a runner (now I am not saying again that if you run to lose weight you are not a runner, this is just how it was for me).
Today, my mind set is different, my training plans have changed, and how I look at the world is brighter. I am more excited, more energetic, and more committed than ever to 26.2! I am an athlete and I am on a mission. I have a race and on race day I want to go out there and do my best. I have been waiting for my time to tackle 26.2 for over 3 years now and I have finally entered the mindset where it is possible. It is my goal and it is my dream and I WILL accomplish it.
While many of you runners (for race goals or weight loss) may relate to this, other non-runners can not. As this girl noted very profoundly, you don't get why I say no to the extra glass of wine or refuse to go out on a Friday night or why I willingly step into an ice bath. And you surely cannot understand why I am up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday morning when I am sick and with a stuffy nose. But here I am today trying to battle a cold but determined to get in my training run. Yes, the rest of the day might be shot and yes I might be exhausted and all stuffed up (wonderful I know) but I am also an athlete on a mission. A mission to complete 26.2 and that is pretty high up there on those list of priorities. So while I don't necessarily endorse running and being sick at the same time is the best thing ever, I am weighing my options and choosing to go for it and hope for the best. Because I am committed to 26.2!!!
Eekkk time to get ready!! Hope everyone has a wonderful run! How do you commit to 26.2 or your race of choice?
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Chicken Soup for the Soul
This morning most of us on the East Coast woke up to pouring rain. I promptly ignored my alarm clock until my husband slightly nudged me reminding me it was my favorite time of day, 5 a.m. Even though I only had a 3 mile run and was doing so on the treadmill to save time, I knew I had to get going. Since Aaron has been battling a cold, there was a lot to do before work at 8:45 a.m. It is these days where I do choose to forgo the TV or books on tape and just blast the music during the run to clear my head.
Before I knew it, "rest" time was over and I was off to battle the day. Our place needed massive cleaning and I did not want to leave it for my husband so I set to work doing dishes, collecting the trash, and then bringing it down to the end of our way too long driveway in the pouring rain. By 7:45, I was cold and wet and ready to hang in the towel and get ready for work, but before I could do so I had to help my husband. He needed some chicken soup. Didn't you know chicken soup cures all?
Now, we have been sampling many of chicken soups in the past two days while we battle this cold. From Whole Foods to our local farmers to instant nothing is doing the trick. And honestly, we were both too busy and tired to just roll up our sleeves and make it on our own. Unfortunately, with each soup came disappointment. Nothing compared to Aaron's mother's Jewish Chicken Soup that used to smell up the home before Friday night dinner paired with matzah balls and challah. This stuff was life saving. I remember the first time I had it, sitting at a 4 hour long Passover Seder with Aaron's family. It must have been 9 at night, we still had not gotten to the eating part of the Seder and I was sooo sick, but trying my hardest to stay with it. It was then that Aaron's mom snuck me a mug of her soup. It was like coming back to life.
While Aaron's mom has since sadly past away, she is by no means forgotten. I talk to her often (no I am not crazy) and am often visiting with her through dreams and meaningful songs. But one of my favorite ways to visit with her is through the food that she cooked, the recipes she wrote down for me, and the moments we shared. So when I had extra time, due to a short workday today, I knew the only thing to help my hubby was a visit from mom or the next best thing, her soup. We set to work making it - I tried to get him to sit down but he could not help himself. Luckily one of the wonders of this soup is the prep is like 10 minutes literally. And before we knew it, it was in the pot and the house was smelling of Debbi's soup.
Now I can't say Aaron is 100% better from the soup but he is absolutely getting there and you better believe I credit much of it towards the soup. I don't know, there is just something special about it. Regardless, you might all think I am a little nuts, but it also just so important and meaningful for me to take moments to "visit" with those you can no longer truly speak with, especially those who I consider to be a second mother, and hopefully this combined with the soup will kick this cold's ass and we will be ready tomorrow for a new day.
Do you have any special recipes like this or do you all think I am pretty much insane...don't answer that ;)
Before I knew it, "rest" time was over and I was off to battle the day. Our place needed massive cleaning and I did not want to leave it for my husband so I set to work doing dishes, collecting the trash, and then bringing it down to the end of our way too long driveway in the pouring rain. By 7:45, I was cold and wet and ready to hang in the towel and get ready for work, but before I could do so I had to help my husband. He needed some chicken soup. Didn't you know chicken soup cures all?
Now, we have been sampling many of chicken soups in the past two days while we battle this cold. From Whole Foods to our local farmers to instant nothing is doing the trick. And honestly, we were both too busy and tired to just roll up our sleeves and make it on our own. Unfortunately, with each soup came disappointment. Nothing compared to Aaron's mother's Jewish Chicken Soup that used to smell up the home before Friday night dinner paired with matzah balls and challah. This stuff was life saving. I remember the first time I had it, sitting at a 4 hour long Passover Seder with Aaron's family. It must have been 9 at night, we still had not gotten to the eating part of the Seder and I was sooo sick, but trying my hardest to stay with it. It was then that Aaron's mom snuck me a mug of her soup. It was like coming back to life.
While Aaron's mom has since sadly past away, she is by no means forgotten. I talk to her often (no I am not crazy) and am often visiting with her through dreams and meaningful songs. But one of my favorite ways to visit with her is through the food that she cooked, the recipes she wrote down for me, and the moments we shared. So when I had extra time, due to a short workday today, I knew the only thing to help my hubby was a visit from mom or the next best thing, her soup. We set to work making it - I tried to get him to sit down but he could not help himself. Luckily one of the wonders of this soup is the prep is like 10 minutes literally. And before we knew it, it was in the pot and the house was smelling of Debbi's soup.
Now I can't say Aaron is 100% better from the soup but he is absolutely getting there and you better believe I credit much of it towards the soup. I don't know, there is just something special about it. Regardless, you might all think I am a little nuts, but it also just so important and meaningful for me to take moments to "visit" with those you can no longer truly speak with, especially those who I consider to be a second mother, and hopefully this combined with the soup will kick this cold's ass and we will be ready tomorrow for a new day.
My mother-in-law and I finding my wedding dress
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Steph's Summer of Shoes - Why Finding the Right Shoe is Like Finding the Right Guy
Have you checked out my giveaway? Thanks so much everyone for your comments, I have been soaking them all up. I might have to do a post on everyone's comments because there is a ton of great information!!!
Well, we are post Labor Day. Summer has come and gone! Can you believe it? Some may be sad to see it go but my husband and I are excited. Excited that we don't have another school year to look forward (sorry for rubbing it in if you do), but instead can now officially be 100% School Free! Even better, it is Fall, the best season of them all (more to come on this throughout the next few months). This Fall I am looking forward to my first marathon in D.C., running an 18-miler race and tacking on an extra two miles with this lady, cheering and running with people at the Philly marathon, running a 1/2 in Las Vegas, being a bridesmaid in a wedding, hosting a fabulous October 15th party (more on this later), cheering on people at the NYCM, taking my grandparents leaf "peeping," motivational speaking, visiting this lady's farm...just to name a few things!!! The Fall will end with this event - can't get much better. Wow!! I am tired, excited and thrilled!
BUT before looking forward, we must look back. This summer was amazing, but it was not always easy. You may or may not have heard that I have been having some shoe problems this summer...
So lets break it down, why in the world is finding the right shoe like finding the right guy?!? Here we go...
Once upon a time, I was in love with a pair of shoes, the Trance 8s. I can't say that it was love at first sight. I tried them on, I thought about it, I took them around the block and then decided they were a good fit. We had some good times, we had some bad times. But then those damn Trances turned on me, just when I was breaking them in, getting them to do things my way, just as I liked them, our relationship went sour. I searched for a better verison of what I liked in the Trance 8s and found the Trance 9s. BINGO! Trance 9s had it all, except there was something missing, isn't that always the case? A part of me still yearned for the Trance 8s. It was their inserts. No problem, I know how to whip my shoes into shape and took the inserts from a pair of Ghosts and put them into the Trance 9s - best of both worlds.
Life was good. I was in love again, me and the Trance 9s went everywhere together - to Vegas, to the Cape, EVERYWHERE! They even celebrated my first win with me. But alas, it was too good to be true, they too turned on me and we no longer fit, they were worn out, old news. I needed something new and shiny something that could meet all my needs.
I asked my friends to match me up. They told me I had been looking in all the wrong places. I did not need a stability "guy," I needed a neutral one. Ask any of the experts they said. So I did, and they introduced me to new shoes. Pretty ones, comfy ones. At first glance, I loved each and every one of them. Things could not get better. I had my pick of the litter, or so I thought.
I took them home one by one, and we fought. I tried to make them see it my way, and they did not. We fought more.
I tried to mold them, it did not work. I was just not a neutral kind of girl. Hmph.
Well, the grass is always greener right? It did not take long for me to come crawling back. I wanted my Trances. I missed the Stability, the comfort, the feeling of being at home. I went looking. The Trances were nowhere to be found! They had found someone else. I had lost my chances, looking for something else, when I had all I needed at home, I was alone. Until one day, I saw not one, but five lonely pairs of Trances in a Close-Out sale. I begged for them to take me back, I pleaded. They drove a hard, costly bargain. But in the end, they admitted we were right for each other!! I was sooo happy and nervous and excited. Would we still be a good fit? Would they do for me what they used to do? Would they punish me for leaving them once? Would I recover from my past summer's jaunt - I had been pretty burned from the other shoes, and still not feeling so good if I am honest. Would they accept another pair of inserts and allow me to mold them once more? Once they arrived, I put them on. And did not know, it was still so nerve-racking.
We have been back together for over a month now. The Trances were like coming home, back to an old friend. They even let me put in the old inserts and willingly allowed me to mold them.
Ultimately, it had been the Trance 9s all along. Yes, I have battle wounds and am still working to get back up to 100% but the Trances have been patient with me and are with me all of the way. I know they will be with me on race day, never failing, always stable, those beautiful blues.
Btw, I do have a ton of extra random shoes, discarded, those guys were not for me, if anyone needs some extra ones I have a few pairs that need good matches.
So that is it. My love affair with shoes. I will never be unfaithful again, I promise.
Do you ever have a love affair with your shoes? Am I just weird (don't answer that)?!? Maybe, if you care enough and my husband says ok, you will hear about how I truly found my special guy another time..
Well, we are post Labor Day. Summer has come and gone! Can you believe it? Some may be sad to see it go but my husband and I are excited. Excited that we don't have another school year to look forward (sorry for rubbing it in if you do), but instead can now officially be 100% School Free! Even better, it is Fall, the best season of them all (more to come on this throughout the next few months). This Fall I am looking forward to my first marathon in D.C., running an 18-miler race and tacking on an extra two miles with this lady, cheering and running with people at the Philly marathon, running a 1/2 in Las Vegas, being a bridesmaid in a wedding, hosting a fabulous October 15th party (more on this later), cheering on people at the NYCM, taking my grandparents leaf "peeping," motivational speaking, visiting this lady's farm...just to name a few things!!! The Fall will end with this event - can't get much better. Wow!! I am tired, excited and thrilled!
BUT before looking forward, we must look back. This summer was amazing, but it was not always easy. You may or may not have heard that I have been having some shoe problems this summer...
So lets break it down, why in the world is finding the right shoe like finding the right guy?!? Here we go...
Once upon a time, I was in love with a pair of shoes, the Trance 8s. I can't say that it was love at first sight. I tried them on, I thought about it, I took them around the block and then decided they were a good fit. We had some good times, we had some bad times. But then those damn Trances turned on me, just when I was breaking them in, getting them to do things my way, just as I liked them, our relationship went sour. I searched for a better verison of what I liked in the Trance 8s and found the Trance 9s. BINGO! Trance 9s had it all, except there was something missing, isn't that always the case? A part of me still yearned for the Trance 8s. It was their inserts. No problem, I know how to whip my shoes into shape and took the inserts from a pair of Ghosts and put them into the Trance 9s - best of both worlds.
Life was good. I was in love again, me and the Trance 9s went everywhere together - to Vegas, to the Cape, EVERYWHERE! They even celebrated my first win with me. But alas, it was too good to be true, they too turned on me and we no longer fit, they were worn out, old news. I needed something new and shiny something that could meet all my needs.
I asked my friends to match me up. They told me I had been looking in all the wrong places. I did not need a stability "guy," I needed a neutral one. Ask any of the experts they said. So I did, and they introduced me to new shoes. Pretty ones, comfy ones. At first glance, I loved each and every one of them. Things could not get better. I had my pick of the litter, or so I thought.
I took them home one by one, and we fought. I tried to make them see it my way, and they did not. We fought more.
I tried to mold them, it did not work. I was just not a neutral kind of girl. Hmph.
Well, the grass is always greener right? It did not take long for me to come crawling back. I wanted my Trances. I missed the Stability, the comfort, the feeling of being at home. I went looking. The Trances were nowhere to be found! They had found someone else. I had lost my chances, looking for something else, when I had all I needed at home, I was alone. Until one day, I saw not one, but five lonely pairs of Trances in a Close-Out sale. I begged for them to take me back, I pleaded. They drove a hard, costly bargain. But in the end, they admitted we were right for each other!! I was sooo happy and nervous and excited. Would we still be a good fit? Would they do for me what they used to do? Would they punish me for leaving them once? Would I recover from my past summer's jaunt - I had been pretty burned from the other shoes, and still not feeling so good if I am honest. Would they accept another pair of inserts and allow me to mold them once more? Once they arrived, I put them on. And did not know, it was still so nerve-racking.
We have been back together for over a month now. The Trances were like coming home, back to an old friend. They even let me put in the old inserts and willingly allowed me to mold them.
Ultimately, it had been the Trance 9s all along. Yes, I have battle wounds and am still working to get back up to 100% but the Trances have been patient with me and are with me all of the way. I know they will be with me on race day, never failing, always stable, those beautiful blues.
Btw, I do have a ton of extra random shoes, discarded, those guys were not for me, if anyone needs some extra ones I have a few pairs that need good matches.
So that is it. My love affair with shoes. I will never be unfaithful again, I promise.
Do you ever have a love affair with your shoes? Am I just weird (don't answer that)?!? Maybe, if you care enough and my husband says ok, you will hear about how I truly found my special guy another time..
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Questions for Those Wiser Than Moi & Allied Medal Display Giveaway
I actually had a whole different post coming up for today but I could not help myself as I wanted to get other people's thoughts and opinions who are much wiser than me like you all! We are 2 days post 15 miles and I guess I am still feeling it, not that it was an easy run to begin with I remind you, give me a break lol. My ankle is doing ok which is good but today's five miles was still pretty hard. I kept lowering the speed and while overall it was not too bad, my legs were not having anything to do with me and my running. Plus, even though I am chugging water and some nuun I absolutely think I am still dehydrated from poor hydration during the past two works outs (even though Liz did an awesome job of filling me up with water). To add things to the pile, last week I went for a massage and we found a nice big knot in my right hammy. The massage therapist worked on it a ton but I think it hurts more now than before. Eeeekkk.
I have been running competitively for about 3 years and I am only a week into hardcore marathon training as the coach calls it and can you already tell my mind is spinning!! I guess that leads to the wiser people noted in the title of the post. I need help my fellow readers! Tell me what you think? You all always have such wise and thoughtful suggestions and I would love to hear them
1) How do you recover from your long run/do you feel it in your workouts the next few days. How do you deal with it?
2) How is the best way to stay on top of hydration during your runs? This sounds like a silly question, I try to drink a ton but it is just soo hard!
3) What is your vote on the hammy...do I allow the massage therapist to work it today, or give it the week off and work it again the next week or never again?
I can use your help! But all this is not for nothing I promise, that's right you know it, Giveaway time. I am so psyched about this giveaway because I love love this thing. It is an Allied Medal Display. I am sure you have all heard of this before. But if not and you are wondering what to do with all your hard-earned medals this thing is the answer. It allows you to display your medals with pride by hanging them on your customize medal rack. You can put any saying on it! They already have awesome ones like "Marathon" "Always Earned, Never Given" or do your own like mine, "Stephanator," my coach's nickname for me It does NOT get better than this. I don't have a ton to say about this thing, because it speaks for itself. It is an athlete's dream allowing you to really show off all that you have done. You NEED one of these, I am telling you ;)
I have been running competitively for about 3 years and I am only a week into hardcore marathon training as the coach calls it and can you already tell my mind is spinning!! I guess that leads to the wiser people noted in the title of the post. I need help my fellow readers! Tell me what you think? You all always have such wise and thoughtful suggestions and I would love to hear them
1) How do you recover from your long run/do you feel it in your workouts the next few days. How do you deal with it?
2) How is the best way to stay on top of hydration during your runs? This sounds like a silly question, I try to drink a ton but it is just soo hard!
3) What is your vote on the hammy...do I allow the massage therapist to work it today, or give it the week off and work it again the next week or never again?
I can use your help! But all this is not for nothing I promise, that's right you know it, Giveaway time. I am so psyched about this giveaway because I love love this thing. It is an Allied Medal Display. I am sure you have all heard of this before. But if not and you are wondering what to do with all your hard-earned medals this thing is the answer. It allows you to display your medals with pride by hanging them on your customize medal rack. You can put any saying on it! They already have awesome ones like "Marathon" "Always Earned, Never Given" or do your own like mine, "Stephanator," my coach's nickname for me It does NOT get better than this. I don't have a ton to say about this thing, because it speaks for itself. It is an athlete's dream allowing you to really show off all that you have done. You NEED one of these, I am telling you ;)
Anyway how do you win this?
1) You must be a follower of my blog (mandatory)
2) Tweet about this giveaway: "I want to win an allied medal display from @26runforfun2 http://tinyurl.com/3d6vg59:
3) Answer one of the three questions, or all noted above (1 entry per each)
4) Like Allied on Facebook and tell them I sent you (1 entry)
You know the rules, one comment per each entry please. This giveaway will last to next Tuesday! In the meantime, can't wait to hear from all of you! Sorry for the quick post, crazy day. Can't wait to catch up with everyone, have a wonderful week in the meantime.
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