Sometimes I'm really an A$$hat

So, I'm emailing with a friend today, talking about how she should just up and run a 5k and how it shouldn't be that difficult. But she's coming back from an injury. That was just diagnosed. About 3 weeks ago. *ahem*

So who is the asshat? Yes, that would be me.

See, I don't understand how people have "couch to 5k" programs. I don't get it.

Wait...WAIT. Don't leave. Let me explain myself.

I have the stupid luxury of either being in great shape or completely delusional. "How is that?", you ask.
I'll just up and run 4 miles the first time out each year, if not more. I'll just lace up my shoes (probably too old), head out the door and run for 40 minutes. Yep, 40. So, really, either I'm completely moronic, OR I am just used to that level of pain. And obviously like it.

Do I think it's bad that people do "couch to 5k" programs? Absolutely not. I am excited whenever someone tells me they have found an appreciation for running, or if not...just trying it. It makes me happy. I love to share with people. I am not an elitist, I am just a sucker for over-exerting myself.

Need I remind you that I spent the better part of 8 months injured or at least in some amount of pain because I slammed myself into training for a Marathon? Nope.

I didn't think so.

On a more random note: I love Blistex "lip medex". Old school love right there. I have it slathered all over the bottom third of my face, like an overzealous kindergartner. Sexy, I know.

Running Update and more Randomosities

I made that word up...no not "running" but "randomosities". You can use it at will. You're welcome.

Currently I am at 16.7 miles this week. With the scheduled 1:50-55 run scheduled for Saturday that will put me close to 30 miles...for some sick reason now...I really want those 13.3. Because 30 seems so nice and tidy. And yes, I'm one of THOSE people. The ones that stare at their garmin and run up and down the block when it says ---.23 or ---.96. I have to have a nice ROUND number. Well, not HAVE, but would reallyreallyREALLY prefer.

Also, my first "race" is 4/28. I'm not sure I'm excited. Last year I PR'ed at 1:50 for this half. And it was with wild abandon. I ran without Garmin, with "feel" and just blew myself away. Blurgh. I don't know if it's that weird unspoken fear of "failure", but I'm afraid for next Saturday. YES. I don't know what is HAPPENING to me.

I have had some sort of evolution. From 2004 in my "I love running and no matter the pace" of 10 min/mile running. To last year's 7:40-8:15 feels good to me...what? I hate that. I totally ruined myself. I have raised my expectations and I am RUINED. You hear me? RUINEEED. *clutching hair and moaning*

But. I will run. And I will conquer. So my goal...to meet last year's PR. And run without a garmin...but sadly I want my splits...I want to know. And this isn't a highly timed course. No mats every mile or 5k. *sigh*

My life is so difficult.

Product Review

Being a lover of Protein and trying to get as much into my diet as palatably possible, *Oh, I like that Alliteration* I wanted to check out the NEW!!!! Nature Valley Protein bars. Now, I am a fan of the chewy ones and especially the crunchy granola bars by Nature Valley, so I figured theses would be a win-win.

They were on sale at Target for $2.99, so I figured that was a nominal fee to try a new bar. With 10 g of protein and 5 g of fiber in a bar with 190 calories, I was thinking it would be a great way to to "treat" myself with good benefits.

Not so. The bar seemed dry, even though it was chewy. Such a weird texture, almost powdery and just not tasty at all. I failed to read the box and was amazed by the "with chocolate FLAVORED chips". The wording is theirs, the capitalization is my own. Chocolate FLAVORED!?! What.

Either way, I think there are better options out there, especially for 190 calories. You can get the Market Pantry version of the Zone bars for $3.99. But they pack 14 g. of protein in there and are much tastier options. PAASSS.

On the running front: 5.7 miles done last night. That puts me over 10 miles this week, and I'm well on my way to my unspoken goal of 20 miles for the week. WHEEE!

Diversifying

So...awkward moments aside, I have slinked back. Somewhat for my own pleasure as obviously no one is reading these blogs.

Do you know how many people have told me I should do makeup blogs, YT videos? A few...not a plethora (I just wanted to use that word here), but a few. So I'm thinking of diversifying this blog.

Yep, cross over, from health/fitness and beauty. Ramblings if you will. Ramble, that is what I do best.

Current Loves:

1. Return to Running-finally I am feeling better. It only took several months for my heel to heal. I'm talking no bone bruise but obviously lots of tendon issues up in therr.

2. Rimmel Kate Moss #14 lipstick. Yes...I went from running to lipstick. It is a perfect shade for me, which is funny because if you see swatches on other people it looks brown, but on me? Perfect.

3. Mary's YT channel. I love following random people and then just clicking when they recommend different YTers and then I find new ones I love. Oh yes...the link : here.

So I suppose I should remind myself to check in here. I will do that.

Back to running: 5 miles on the agenda for the evening. Though I've been lazy lately and TIRED, but we shall see. No joy in running if isn't purely for the love of motion. :)

Taper Madness

Well, I'm not really in the throes of Taper Madness yet, BUT I know I will be in about 10 days.

Why?

Because The Chicago Marathon is merely 3 weeks away. That means 21 days until one of the best days of each year. And what makes it better? My Husband is coming! He didn't attend last year and though I had tons of fun bonding with my Father, I missed my better half. He keeps me grounded, happy and humble. Humble, mostly. ;)

I logged my longest run of the summer/year at 20.23 miles yesterday (who's counting the .23? Oh wait, I am) in 3 hours. It was definitely an awesome run. Started around 45 degrees and I think it actually dropped by the end. When you run that far, you can hit up all parts of town and some of the country too. My dad of course logged 24 miles (show off!!), and 4 hours. So really...I'm more awesome, right?

So now begins the daunting task of resting, less miles and more stretching, good nutrition and mind pumping. I find taper more daunting because your mind/body plays tricks on you. Did that hurt before? What if I'm not good enough? Did I train enough?

I know the answer to that last question. NOPE, I didn't train enough. But what I DID do is make the best of the situation. I listened to my body, took the extra time to ride/cross-train and then got back to the streets when I was ready. THAT, is what I did. I can only trust that I know my body can do this.

Also, I got new shoes last week. Asics Kayanos. Yes, I am spoiled...I had used Brooks Trance series for the last 2 years and they just didn't seem to be wearing well. I'm talking running through to the mid-sole only about 350 miles into the life of my shoes. I hope these Asics do better, they should...they were a pretty penny.

AND, AND I love Bio-Freeze. My knees were mad at me yesterday, might have something to do with the fact that I helped schlep shingles up a ladder yesterday at my BIL's house. Okay, only ONE bundle, but that counts!

*eying the clock* SOMEONE needs to stretch. Ugh.

Slowing Down

Urgh.

Tuesday morning I was out running, and pushed it. Pushed it. I mean that kind of pushing that you don't care how stupid you look, you're RUNNNNING.

And then I was rewarded with the 8:31/avg pace that was shown on my trusty Garmin. And the next day I was also rewarded with twinges of weirdness in my left leg. And my mind went into overdrive. What is that? What about if I move it this way? What about that way? How do I stretch this? Can I find it?

I would prod, poke, stretch, move, and see how I could actually locate where the twinges were coming from. BUT, I could put on my sock, get into the shower and I even managed to mow the lawn (huge hill included) and still walk.

SO?

I am slowing down my friends. (still zero if you're counting...) I read an article about 7 things you should avoid, and I'm pretty sure I've done all of them. So I slowed down this morning...I listened to my body...slow and steady. And really not that slow at all....8.5 miles avg pace of 9:07/mile.

With all luck I will still be able to do my scheduled 17 on Saturday...let us just hope the rain holds off.

WHEE!