Testing...Testing...Testing...No, I am not speaking into a microphone!

New Products...yippee, that means I went shopping. But guess what, I didn't even have to use my own money. While in NorCal for Thanksgiving, we went to Sports Authority and my yummee bought me some early Xmas presents. I am so spoiled!!! I also got to go out on the trails for about 10 mins. tonight. 10 mins., huh?? It wasn't that the fact that it was 36*. It was because the new light my g-friend gave me wasn't quite bright enough for the pitch black trails. It was muddy and hard to avoid the big puddles, or should I say mini lakes, when I can barely see 2 feet in front of me. I think the light would be great for streets with lights, but that's a big NO WAY on the trails. So yep, I lasted 10 mins. and came back. At least I got to get a brief preview of my new Scarpa trail shoes.

Nike Dri-Fit Running Long Pants $65
These are not capris or tights. They are long pants that fit snug around the butt, legs, thighs, and have a slight flair at the bottom. They have a little insulation on the inside for cold weather as well as a right-above-the-rear pocket for holding keys, ID, gels, etc. And I have to say considering the cold temps outside and the fact  I didn't really get really warmed up due to my short jaunt, I thought they worked really well. I can definitely see how these would be great for cold weather, wicking sweat, but not overheat you! I have a pair of Under Armor Cold Gear tights that I normally run in. But, these pant-like running bottoms make me feel less exposed...in the sense, that when I wear the tights, it's like I am saying "hey, look at my tight arse, so smooth and ROUND". I will be trying out the Nike running pants at my next 10K trail race on 12/11 and will keep you posted on how they perform. So, bring on the blizzard....before or after as long as it isn't during!

Under Armor Heat Gear Full Coverage High Impact C Support Bra $44.99
Tried it on in Sports Authority and thought...wow, this will definitely hold the girls. But once I got home and put it on again, I found that it rode a little high up underneath the arm pits which really concerns me in regards to chaffing. Keep in mind I am a linebacker up top. I have very large German shoulders and don't lack in the ta-ta department. I am not abnormally obese (just mildly so the Fed. Gov. says) and can fit into a size medium to XL shirt depending on the fit. But I have trouble buttoning shirts and always need to make sure there is ample shoulder room. Hey, it makes for great cleavage though! So as I stood in my room and waved my arms front to back as if I was running, I thought "oh no, I just don't think this is going to do". I could probably wear it to do simple gym exercises and strength training, possibly pilates, but running long distance...don't think so. So it's back to my old Under Armor bra that is almost a year old. It's sanitized (yep, I have that setting on my washing machine) and ready for Vegas.

Under Armor Arctic Headband $14.99
Ok, it's funny to say but I really didn't have a good, warm headband for running. I had my Buff, which is really used for taming the wild mess during motorcycle rides, so this was much needed. Big fancy explanation, insert here: Signature Moisture Transport System to wick moisture, keep dry, and body temperature consistent in any condition. Oooohhhh, fancy talk. It has micro fleece fabric, pink, of course. Fits over the ears and lined with the heatgear fabric that does all that cool stuff above. Me likey it cuz if there is one thing a runner doesn't like, at least this runner, is cold ears!

Scarpa Trail Running Shoes (A HUGE THANKS to TrailRunning Magazine) Free
Day 1: Again, only a very brief jog due to lack of light...it was pitch dark!! Upon first putting them on, I noticed the instep area around the tongue/laces seemed a little bulky to me, on the inside of the shoe. Now my feet are probably one of the few non-fat places on my body, so I am not sure how these would fit for someone with a high instep. It didn't seem like they had a lot of room for someone with a wide foot either. But hey, they might come in wide widths. I like my trail shoes 1/2 to a full size bigger than my normal shoes to allow for the ups and downs of the trail so I don't get the dreaded "black toe". These seemed a little snug, but it was my first jog and haven't broke them in yet. However, the tread was really grippy. Just walking on my kitchen tile floor, they made this cool gripping sound...I don't know how to explain it, but I could definitely tell I had good footing on the run, even in the slimy mud. I didn't get a big glob of mud stuck to the bottom of my shoe that weighed me down. As a matter of fact, I hardly had any mud on the bottom of the shoe at all after coming in my front door. The transfer from pavement/dirt/mud/dirt/pavement was seamless. I was able to go up a small hill of rocks and snow to see how they performed and the shoe felt stable and solid. If you are looking for a minimal trail shoe though, this is not it. I did roll my ankle slightly, although that is just because I am a klutz by nature, and not a feature of the shoes. It scared the "dickens" out of me since I have the LV RockNRoll 1/2 Marathon on Sunday and just walked after that in fear that I would take myself out of the game if I kept tempting fate. But it was good to get out on the trail in familiar territory with the Bitch. She enjoyed it as well, since I am pretty sure she hadn't been out since the DST change.

I also bought some Nike Dri-Fit shorts$19.98(reg. $25.00) on sale, that I will be trying out tomorrow on the treadmill. Some Under Armor AllSeason Semi-Fitted low rise capri fit bottoms $24.97(reg. $44.99) for pilates and fall/spring training. I also got a pair of Under Armor Protect the House cutey patooty sweat capri bottoms $24.97 (reg. $44.99)...just cause they are pink and HELLO, did I mention cute!

I will try and post pictures once I can get on the runway for proper modeling. Yeah, no, not!!

So, Bones in Motion on my Blackberry along with Pandora just isn't cutting it. It is just too cumbersome. So I have reverted back to my Garmin 305 and the IPOD shuffle. I sat down last night for about 2 hours going through songs and making a playlist that I think will keep me pumped during the race on Sunday. I contacted Garmin today for a replacement battery option and for $79 they will send me a new refurbished Garmin.  But I won't be able to send it to them and get the new one back before Sunday so I will make sure to charge it the night before and let it find satellites well before the 7am start time. I figure this option is better than paying $200 - $350 for a new one. Plus I would like to spend the extra money on a heart monitor and foot pod.

I haven't yet done a review of the Turkey Trot and my vegan Thanksgiving fixings as I have to get the pics off my phone, but that will be my next post! Let me just say, it was a frickin' fabulous run!! Definitely prepped me for the feel-good 1/2 marathon in my future!

Ta ta for now....
PS>Totally looking forward to going to Fashion Show Mall in Vegas...they have Forever 21 and a Lululemon store....Just sayin'

Why oh why...do we torture ourselves! and the Free Shoes

The fear, the doubt, all the voices that tell me over and over again that I am crazy. I hear other runners talk about it, but I am not really considered a runner....at least in my eyes. It's called OBSESSION!! Obsessed with races, pace, PR's, all the things that make up the sport of running. I guess it's a good thing that I can now understand runner's terminology such as 3x1600 at 10K pace!! Or when they talk about strider's or other crazy ways of improving time. I have read about fueling properly, hydrating, and have come to learn about my pre and post race body habits. To try and steady the idea that "my body" is going to run a long way...just because! No one is chasing me, at least not to hurt or arrest me! Nope, it's the simple mental acknowledgement...I DID IT!! But it doesn't stop there...oh, no! You become obsessed with finding another race to run in, a running group to share stories and learn from, or a partner to share the pain with. Although I have yet to actually run with any groups or another person (due to my own fear of having to keep up), I signed up to run my very first 1/2 marathon. I also signed up to run a trail series of races throughout the winter months. After that, it's only a couple of months until the Rock N River, where I hope to run my first marathon. So, the torture will continue. There will be voices of doubt, encouragement, eagerness, nervousness...and I am sure one voice that makes the "bluhhhhaaahhhh" sound, when I will be throwing up. But hey, it's a personal journey I guess. Although everyone is competing in a race...it's really a race against time...in every way imaginable!!

On a very happy, OMG, note: I totally got picked to test out some trail shoes by TrailRunning Magazine. They are called Scarpa Corsa Trail Shoes. I get to test and keep them as long as I send back the questionnaire. I NEVER WIN ANYTHING...so I kinda feel like a wi(e)nner!! I currently have a pair of Salomon's. I have loved them from the moment I hit the trail. But hey, having another pair, considering how expensive they are, is always a great thing, righto!! To bad, I won't get them before this Saturday's Trail Race of 4 miles, but there are plenty of trail runs to test them on...so, no worries!!

Lonely ol' me and the heavy breather

Once again tried to get in a long run...didn't work out as planned. Started at 4:30pm and figured "let's see where the trail takes me". Well, it took me up the Hill, very rocky terrain, to a lake, sagebrush, through barb wire, a farm field, then back to the ol' running route. Barely 5 miles of up and down trail running and because I wasn't quite sure where I was, had to stop a few times to get my bearings. By the time I got out onto the main road, dark was quickly approaching....to the point, where I had to call my yummee to come and get me and the Bitch. I wasn't too far from home, but the socks I had been wearing with my trail shoes were making it feel like I was getting a blister on the side of my foot. That's a huge no no...my feet are precious to me...and the biggest fear I have with being a runner is blisters, black toes, and no toenails! GASP!!!!
I love where I live, but with the huge mountains to my west, 2 things happen when the sun goes behind them:
1) It gets cold quick!! Really quick! It goes from me sweating my arse off in compression socks, shorts, and a long sleeve to freezing frickin' cold!!! Like a 10-15 degree temperature drop lickety-split.
2) It gets dark early! I was really hoping to get in 9 miles and thought I had plenty of time. But even at 4:30 the sun was just barely above the mountains. So by 6:00 when the sun goes down on the coast, dark is only 10 to 15 minutes away.
I am not a fast runner at all and it takes a couple of miles for me to warm up, get into a good rhythm, and feel good about picking up the pace. The trail was extremely rocky and uneven and the last thing I want was to sprain an ankle or knee or whatever... It was slower going than I wanted. I have decided trying to do long runs during the week may not happen unless I can do it on a treadmill or I will just have to find a way to fit it in on the weekend. There is a running group that normally starts at 7am Saturday mornings. I cherish my snuggle time with the yummee and I just feel there isn't something quite right about a person getting out of a warm bed to go run that early...but I WILL SACRIFICE! Besides, after reading a couple of other blogs, I think it might be beneficial to run with a group. Especially a group with a faster pace than mine. The group should help me with improving my time and with endurance! I have to say it's lonely some times when it's just me. It's just me training...It's just me at the races...My family is there and all, but it's just me running. My kids are too young to do long runs (according to reports it's not good for their growing bodies) and my yummee absolutely hates running. He hates anything cardio...his motto is MORE WEIGHT...grunt, grunt!! He is very cavemanish in that way. Although as he gets older, he fits cardio into the first 20 minutes of his work outs. He has found, running or the eliptical, is the easiest way to keep "Buddha belly" from appearing. He has promised to do a 5K with me, but not during the cold seasons. Which can be 3 seasons out of the year here. So sometimes when I am at a race and all the group runners are all gung-ho and cheering and hugging each other...I feel left out! It's intimidating and it just oozes sorority! Like you are just not special unless you are in their group! I like my alone time, but 1 day a week can't hurt.
Another thing about living where I do, I feel left out of all the cool stores and races that people get to go to living in urban areas. We don't have a lululemon warehouse full of deals...NOPE, if I want it I have to buy it online at crazy prices. We don't have really good choices of places to eat healthy...NOPE, we literally have less than 10 choices of restaurants in my town, and none of them are on the healthy side. We don't have races seaside at sunset during winter...NOPE, but on the plus side, they just started a winter trail series. Ironically, the motto for the race is "Be Bold, Run in the Cold"!! Don't get me wrong, we have tons of outdoor activities and beautiful lakes and trails and it never gets boring. Snowboarding, waterskiing, camping, hiking, swimming...we definitely have tons to do and a gorgeous place to do them in. But to live here and enjoy those things means you pay higher prices for EVERYTHING and don't have a lot of options for places to shop or eat. So reviews of products, races, places, etc...I cherish them! It can make decisions a lot easier for the committee. Don't get me wrong, they still ho-humm and can be wishy-washy, but if I can back it up with a good/bad review, the decision can be a little easier to justify.

Today I went to pilates, as promised! Although I had 1 more starbucks this week then I said I would, I really didn't have to pay any money since it was on my "personal gold card"....and by gold card, I mean the one "the place with the green straw or now red cup" sent me for being such a valuable customer. It's just a reload card, gold, with my name on it, and it's so worth the bennies to have it. The card still had money on it, so no extra money came out of my bank account. Unfortunately, the "heavy breather" was at class too. I think she goes to the noon class every day. If you have ever done pilates or yoga there is a certain way to breathe. She feels it necessary to breathe very. VERY. loudly. In, out, huff, puff....it's very NOT relaxing. For me, pilates, although a really good work out, is relaxing time for me. It's done on a reformer machine. So I close my eyes and feel my muscles stretching and straining while using resistance. It's awesome...but it's a very quiet place, and the heavy breathing seems to get louder and louder. It reminds me of E. A. Poe's "The Tell Tale Heart"...and it drives me insane. I know, W.E.I.R.D.O! Today wasn't as bad, but I am seriously considering an earlier or later class if work will allow it. I dread every time I walk in and see the "heavy breather"...and that's no fun!!
So tonight I am going to hit the gym for some good ol' plyometrics/strength training something-or-other....and then dinner with the mums and familia before her and her yummee go off to Cabo. Oh...jealousy is rearing it's ugly head!! I so love Cabo....next year, I promise!

Elections are finally over!! Oh, and I almost lost my truck key!

Got in a short 4.8 mile run last night. It didn't exactly go as planned, but at least I still did it!

THANK GOODNESS, elections are over! No more phone calls or commercials! I am really hoping all of the signs get taken down like they are supposed to.

So Skinnyrunner reviewed a SPIbelt at http://skinnyrunner.com/2010/11/03/belt-it-up-baby/! I was super excited to hear she liked it and that it didn't move. It's so funny she happened to review this particular product since as I was stopping at an unnamed, look very carefully and make sure there is no one around, potty spot....MY TRUCK KEY FELL OUT OF MY ARMBAND!! Not only does my phone have to stick out of the armband just for me to be able to touch the screen (it reacts to the heat from my finger), but I had put the key in with it since I didn't have any pockets...and it fell out! Thank goodness I hadn't gotten to far before I realized it! I went right back to said potty spot, and there it was! I have some other belt at home, but I have yet to use it. It has water bottles in it as well, so I guess I should at least use it during my long runs for hydration and see how much my bladder hates me!

Have to go work on my gfriends computer tonight. She lives in an awesome hilly section of town so I am hoping to have enough time to get some hills in!! Hmmm...just a thought...if I can get in the 9 miler tomorrow, should I be running grueling hills the night before????

So, I chose beer, football, and baseball over working out!

That's right, I didn't workout last night!
1) Football was on! So what that it was the Colts and the Texans...it's still football! (Cowboys fan here)
2) World Series Game 5 was on between the Giants and the Rangers. Giants won!!! (NY Yankees fan here)
3) I really wanted a beer. Even if it is MGD 64...it's still beer!
4) I was really torn as to what to do anyway. I had sucked on Saturday at my 5 miler and was kind of down about it. I knew I was needing to gear up for my 9 mile run and didn't want to do anything to throw my body into shock, such as the new Kettleball program, so...I made an executive decision to just do nothing.

So I brought all my running stuff to work today and have decided directly after work (so I don't have an excuse about it getting too dark) I will be running the 9 miles. I haven't mapped it yet, but I will probably run the same route from Saturday's race and just loop it. It will help me get some road running in and since there is a moderate incline it will help with hill endurance as well.

Wish me luck!

Chillin' in my Emus and the Ookies

Don't get me wrong, I luvs me some ho-heels. The higher the better, but not so great for the legs before a long run. I have been wanting a pair of UGG's for a year now. I had asked for a pair for Xmas, and I mean specifically asked "hey yummee, I want a pair of Ugg's for Xmas." Do you think that's what I got? Uh, no! He got me a sissy bar for the motorcycle...his motorcycle. Now, for long rides it's really great to have. But I have been riding 4 years without one...I could have waited longer! Anywho's, this past weekend as I was picking up my race packet from a local store, they had Emu's. And a really cute pair with buttons on the back, not just the boring ol' pull on boots. I tried them on and "WOW", I am not sure my feet will ever want to shoe my pretty toes in a pair of ho-heels again. Real sheepskin, water resitant, and a better sole so you don't feel like you are standing on a flat hard floor. But what sold me...they are about $100 cheaper than UGG brand, plus I got 20% off that day since I was a registered racer. Bammmmm! And here they are in all their glory...

Yep, that's my foot! I am at work and although I have my ho-heels under my desk for when I need to speak with customers, these are what I wear when I am just plugging away. I am hoping they will help with the cramping in my lower legs. They are super duper comfy!!!
OK, so not last weekend but the weekend before was my cousin's wedding. We traveled through the mountains, the woods, and the fields....

see i wasn't lying...

It was a beautiful weekend that ended horribly...cuz I came home sick. I got in a 2.5 mile run/walk on Saturday (run/walk because our adopted foster niece went with and was having medical issues) and then was planning on taking a rest on Sunday and running 9 miles on Monday. That did not happen at all! I knew on the way home on Sunday, something wasn't right. I got the ookies!! I slept pretty much all day Monday and part of the day on Tuesday. Barely ate, drank lots of tea, drank Theraflu for night time sleep, and by Wednesday went back to work. I still wasn't feeling 100% but had to get stuff done. Can't just lay around in bed all day getting waited on hand and foot (even if it was nice...kids and yummee are all so nice when mom's sick)!! So Wednesday I took the Bitch out for a jaunt and still felt really exhausted. And that is no fun for someone who already struggles to run in the first place. Thursday I am feeling much better and decided to have a breakfast burrito, so I pull up to "the unnamed establishment" and order 2...1 for me, 1 for yummee! I drop his off to him and head on up to my desk and chow down! About an hour later, not feeling so great! Oh goddess....what is inside me?? Ewwweeee, my stomach does not feel good. Yep, the cute girl at "unnamed establishment" poisoned me! I am sure of it! She said she liked my hair, but what she was really saying was "ha ha ha...you'll pay for this later"!!! So I tried to make it through work but just couldn't and called yummee who promptly took me home. Luckily, no workee for us on Friday as it was a good ol' holiday! So no run on Thursday...still feeling the "burritto remnants" on Friday, no run....

To Saturday mornings 8K....Got plenty of rest, ate 2 pieces of sprouted whole wheat bread with almond butter and bananas. My yummee even got up at 5am to go and get Starbucks so I would have enough time to drink it and feel good for the race (you know, bathroom time)!! But as excited I was about running my 3rd race, I just felt ookie! It wasn't raining, as the never get it right weatherman predicted. I had on compression socks with my under armor winter pants, shorts, a long sleeve and a short sleeve over that. I used my buff for a head band to keep my ears warm and the sweat from running into my eyes...all in all it was a great morning for a run. But the race started almost 20 minutes late and then the 2 programs on my phone were giving me problems and by the time it started I felt frazzled and tight. I was trying to keep positive, but to be honest...it sucked. The whole thing! The way I felt, the intimidation...it took me in and spit me out! 57 minutes...yep, not at all what I had hoped for. The greatest part of the race was my familia and friends at the end rooting me on! As embarassing as they are, I love them!!

So instead of totally submitting to the pressure of sucking, I will learn from this....
1) Need to run on the road more. I normally trail or treadmill run.
2) Work on speed when running shorter miles. I have been concentrating so hard on running longer that it actually hurt my short run timing.
3) Get more compression socks, but in cute colors! Those things saved me on the gradual incline...no cramping.
4) Hydrate! Got a stitch in my side that just wouldn't go away. But I tried to stay positive by running like Phoebe to keep loose and concentrated on just letting my lower half flop one foot in front of the other.
5) Do more hill work.
6) Strength training...Kettleball work out to increase my strength!

7) Stay positive no matter what and don't quit!! Although I didn't quit, sometimes you get that urge when things aren't going your way. That's life in every aspect, isn't it??

So now what...I am feeling a ton better! Hydrated like crazy this past weekend and am planning on getting in my 9 mile long run tomorrow night. Tonight, hmmmmmm...5 min. warm up, 25 mins. push it pace, and then I think some Kettleballs. But I don't want to be too sore to long run tomorrow!! What to do, what to do??

PS> Thank you committee members...although you have been active lately, you have been letting me asleep! But can we decide on whether or not we are going to run in the Las Vegas RnR 1/2...I got plans to make and people to tell...that is all!