Thursday, August 20, 2015

Be Right Back!

Hey y'all! You may have noticed that I haven't been posting much here or on social media the past few days. It's Welcome Week at the university I work for and that means all hands on deck and looooong work days! Yesterday, I helped a bunch of new students move in and this weekend, I'm managing a couple of events designed to get new students acclimated to their new home.

Moving in all the essentials!


I promise to get back to regular blogging/social media posting by the end of the month. It's a crazy time until then. But despite the busy schedule, I have been making time to workout and run and actually have a twilight race this weekend at the university.

So, keep being awesome and I'll catch up here at the end of the month! See you soon! :-)


Thursday, August 13, 2015

Race Recap & Review: Wildwoods Beach n' Boardwalk 5k

During our vacation in Cape May last month, Matthew and I ran the Wildwoods Beach n' Boardwalk 5k. We had been looking for a race to complete while we were on vacation and this one was just a few miles north from where we were staying.

Sunday morning, July 4th, we arrived at the Wildwoods Convention Center and paid the $15 required to park. We could have tried to find free parking, but it was just easier to park right at the start and not have to worry about searching for a parking spot.

We signed up for this race ahead of time online so the packet pick up process was fairly easy. It was an overcast and humid morning- not the best kind of weather for running.

Before the race, the organizers had us gather for a group photo. We had a moment of silence to honor all of our service men and women and then the race started. After a quick little jaunt on the boardwalk, we headed out onto the beach.

Photo credit: Wildwoods Wall

Now, this race was advertised as running on the boardwalk AND on the beach. However, almost 100% pf the course was on the packed sand on the beach. If you've ever run on sand before, then you know that it's not the easiest thing in the world. Couple that with some crazy headwind and you've got the recipe for a slower than usual pace. But Matthew and I plugged away at the miles, reaching the turn around point, and then heading back towards the finish line.

The looooooooong stretch out to the beach.

Windy and overcast.

I swear, there is an organized race happening here... not just random people on the beach!

Matthew and I crossed the finish line somewhere around 37 minutes. I don't know the official time and it hasn't been posted so we'll go with 37ish minutes. After the race, we hung around because they were giving out awards to the best dressed/most patriotic family, child, and adult. There were only a few adults dressed up so I figured I might have a shot at an award. But, it wasn't my day. The guy that won best dressed in the adult category wore an American flag shirt, a pair of American flag shorts, and a pair of American flag socks. I felt like at least my cape should have gotten me a few extra points ;-)

Sad day for Wonder Woman.

Overall, this was a fun start to our fourth of July holiday. Running on the beach during a race is a unique and challenging experience and you should definitely try it out the next time you visit the shore. And if you happen to be racing on July 4th, make sure to pack your patriotic wear. Even if you don't win the costume contest, it's still fun to dress up. :-)






Have you ever raced/ran on the beach before? Do you like running in the sand?




Monday, August 10, 2015

Accountability Monday: 8/10/2015

Good morning and happy 10th of August! :-)

My week was filled with lots of workouts and lots of watermelon. Seriously, I think I've eaten at least three a week since June. That's probably why I can't seem to lose any weight! Ha!

Let's get right into last week's recap!

Training:
Monday- 30 minutes on the stationary bike, 7.13 miles
Tuesday- 3.57 miles, 47:51, 13:23 pace
Wednesday- Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30- week two workout
Thursday- 3.24 miles with Jen, 35:35, 10:59 pace
Friday- 1 mile on my mom's treadmill, 12:37
Saturday- 5.24 miles with Sara, 1:10:07, 13:23 pace

12.05 total miles

This was the first week in a while that I have run four times. And all four runs were vastly different. Tuesday's run was AWFUL. Terrible. Horrid. Thursday's run was great- Jen paces a bit quicker than me and it was a challenge to keep up with her! Maybe if we keep running together some of her speed will rub off on me!

Friday's mile was supposed to be outside. I was staying at my mom's house and about 10 pm, I wanted to get in a quick mile to reach my target of earning seven Activity Points for the day. I started running through her neighborhood and a big dog started barking and running towards me, stopping at the end of its yard. I got freaked out and called my stepdad to come pick me up. I think the dog had an electric fence holding it back, but I was still terrified that it would run through the fence and come after me. And of course, this was the one time I wasn't running with mace. So I went home and ended up running a mile on mom's treadmill instead. I was still pretty shaken up about my encounter with the dog though. Some of my blogger friends have had some nasty run-ins with dogs lately and it's made me a little more jumpy than usual. 

Saturday I got to run with an old friend from college. We had a great run and even better conversation! It is so wonderfully distracting to run with a friend- the miles just fly by :-)

Food find:
Last month while Matthew and I were in Cape May, NJ, we visited the Cape May Peanut Butter Company. After tasting some samples, we brought home some of the butterscotch and hazelnut peanut butter. Oh sweet Jesus, this peanut butter is divine! 

I have been trying to make the butterscotch last but it's so hard because it's so good! It is amazing with apples, crackers, marshmallow fluff, etc. I have no idea how much fat or how many calories it contains but what I can do is tell you how awesome it tastes. 


"Mom! What do you have up there?! Can I have some?!"

Weight:
146.0 as of 8/5/15
-1 from last week

So that's how it goes, gain two pounds; lose one. At this point, I'm just hanging onto this roller coaster for dear life! I know if I just keep working out, eating well, and drinking water, I'll maintain.

Non-Scale Victory:
Yesterday was day 21 of reaching my goal of seven Activity Points per day! I started wearing an Active Link (like a fitbit but for Weight Watchers) in November and my previously-held longest streak of hitting goal every day was 10 days. I'd love to do it for a full 30 days and then compare how I feel, what I weigh, how my clothes are fitting, etc. to what it was before I was actively trying to reach goal every day.



Are you frightened by dogs you don't know when you're running? How do you stay safe?




Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Tips from Jeff Galloway: Summer Running


I don't know about you, but it has been HOT in my part of the world for the last few weeks. While I love the warmer weather, it isn't the best environment for running- in fact, it can be harmful to your health. I wrote about a scare I had last year with the heat and some of my personal tips for running during the summer months.

As a Galloway Blogger, I received this timely email last week and am happy to share it with you today. Happy summer running! :-)



Dealing With the Heat

Training through the summer can not only be grueling, but down right dangerous.  Here are some tips to train safely and as comfortable as possible in the hot summer months.
 
Slow down by 30 sec/mile (20 sec/km) for every 5F temperature increase above 55-60F ( every 2.5C above 14C)
 
When the temperature is over 70F (21C) you may take a 5 minute “cold shower break” every 25-30 minutes to keep cool.
 
Try to complete your run before the sun rises above the horizon.
 
More frequent walk breaks during hot weather can lower body temperature increase.  If you used to run 3 minutes between walk breaks, run only 90 seconds (walk 30 seconds) at 70F (21C) and at 80F (26C) drop to 60 sec run/30 sec walk or 30/30
 
When you start to heat up more than normal, take a longer walk in a mall or indoor AC building
 
Pick shady courses on hot days.
 
Don’t wear a hat!  Pour water over your head
 
Have an indoor alternative—treadmill, etc
 
Run in the deep end of the pool, using a flotation belt
ANOTHER AMAZING LAKE TAHOE RETREAT!
We stay at the beautiful and comfortable Squaw Valley Lodge. Lodge amenities include indoor and outdoor hot tubs, swimming, tennis, sauna and fitness room. Week camp began Thursday, July 23th.  Weekend camp began Friday, July 24th at 5PM. Both camps began with an easy run to get acquainted.  The morning breakfasts were followed by clinics by Jeff and his guests. Seminar topics include Running Injury Free, Nutrition, Speed work, Goal setting, Shoe selection, Pool running, and Running form / analysis.
After lunch, our guests shopped, went sightseeing, sunned by the pool, or joined the group for a scenic hike, T-shirt swap, bike ride, river raft ride, etc. The group gathered again in the evenings for dinner onsite or at one of the nearby restaurants and after-dinner relaxing.

You can learn more about the various Jeff Galloway Retreats athttp://www.jeffgalloway.com/retreats/.
 


 

MAKE YOUR NOMINATION FOR THE MARATHON FOTO/ROAD RACE MANAGEMENT LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Make your nomination today!

In conjunction with the Road Race Management Race Directors' Meeting, Road Race Management and MarathonFoto will again honor an individual who has made a major difference in the sport with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is for contributions to the sport of long distance running over the course of a lifetime. Nominees, who may be either living or deceased, should have made major contributions to the sport in more than one area, for example as an administrator, elite athlete, promoter of the sport, or innovator as an event director or vendor.

"We are seeking to honor a 'sport changer'...a person who really made a difference," says Phil Stewart, RRM editor and publisher.
Nominations from the public are being solicited and will close on August 31, 2015.

A ten-person committee will choose the winner to be announced November 6 at the Race Race Management Race Directors' Keynote dinner in Hollywood, FL.

Make your nomination now!
 

Monday, August 3, 2015

Accountability Monday: 8/3/2015

Good morning!

Big news this week- I bought a wedding dress! My mom and future mother-in-law spent the day with me on Saturday as I tried on dresses at a couple of stores. It was so much fun! Honestly, it was the best day. I tried on lots of gowns and didn't have a negative thought about my body ALL DAY! I truthfully stood in front of the mirror and just smiled. Typically, I immediately pick out all my flaws and focus on the negative- especially when looking at myself in a large three-sided mirror. But this weekend it didn't happen; I was happy with what I saw. It was the most amazing feeling. I ended up getting a dress that I adore and can't wait to wear it when Matthew and I get married :-)


I can't believe I'll be a bride!

Training:
Tuesday- 2.09 mile run with negative splits: 10:23, 10:02, 7:37 (last .09)
Thursday- 2.25 mile run with negative splits: 11:02, 10:32, 10:18 (last .25)
Friday- 30 minute walk
Saturday- 1 mile run: 10:47
Sunday- 40 minute walk

Each of my runs this week was completed using 45/30 second intervals. It is amazing to see how my average pace has improved by using this shortened interval. While using 1/1 or 2/1, I was averaging 11-12 minute miles. Now, almost all of my training runs have been between 10 and 10:45 minute miles.

Love seeing negative splits!


Food Find:
Surprise, surprise- it's Skinnytaste again this week! I baked her Insanely Good Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins and yup, they were insanely good :-)

Before and after.

Weight:

147.0 as of 7/29/15
+2 from last week

This past week, I did everything "right:" I tracked everything I ate, earned at least seven Activity Points every day, I didn't use any of my extra 49 weekly PPV's. In theory, I should have lost weight. But sometimes it doesn't work out that way. That scale is a jerk, I tell ya! Luckily, it's just one piece of feedback- I am proud of how I did last week, no matter what the scale says.

Non-Scale Victory:
Instead of driving to the grocery store (just about a mile from my house) one night last week, I walked to the store, bought a watermelon, and walked home using the fruit as a barbell! I did bicep curls and overhead presses with the watermelon all the way home. Which did earn me a few car horn honks!

"I carried a watermelon!" Bonus points for you if you get the reference :-)


Have you ever "done everything right" but still didn't see results? Tell me about it in the comments!