Beauty POSTTTT!

Huh.  I thought I would post yesterday (Wednesday), but I actually ran out of time during the day.  Yes, that is possible.

But imagine my excitement when my Julep Maven box arrived today.  Okay, so everyone talks mad hype about Glossybox (uk), My glam, Birchbox, Beauty Tubes, etc.  But I really just like nailpolish.  And honestly, you get GOOD stuff with these boxes.  No "surprise" samples, or repeats like face wash, or expired masks, or repackaged stuffs.  Nope...just good old fingernail polish.

WHEE!  So basically receiving this box reminded me that I needed to share some recent faves.  Mostly, but not ALL beauty related.

1.  Physician's Formula Eye Booster liquid liner.  OMG y'all, this marker is AHMAZING.  I have tried L'Oreal's lineur intense (sp?), Napoleon Perdis' liner, NYX, but nothing compares to black liquid ink liner that is Physician's Formula.  Surprised, right? Me too.  But I have been religiously using this stuff about 4 times a week for probably 3 months now and I STILL love it.  It provides a pretty rigid line, that doesn't flake, transfer or fade throughout a full 12+hour day of wear.  I'm not the best at winged liner, but even my hair chick commented on how she loved it.  And she uses the much more expensive L'ancome Artliner.  So there.  Pick one up!

Not my photo:  Courtesy of Beautyscribble-

 

2.  Rescue Beauty Lounge polish-yes it is PRICEY$$$.  I'm talking $20/bottle, up from $18 a bottle.  But if you want some of the more unique shades that you won't find on all your friends (*ahem* CG's For Audrey), then RBL is your polish.  Just look around and you'll find tons of blogs that pay homage to this lovely little cult brand.  And the best part?  If you buy a limited edition polish, you hardly see them come around again. So you feel like you own your private little gem.  $20?  Worth it.  In my opinion, of course.

Image courtesy of AllLacquredUp.  The very lemminged "aqua lilly" which is as you guessed it, SOLD OUT. 

*side note*-if you want some of newly released polish, get on their mailing list and pre-buy your polish

3.  Blistex Lip Medex.  Like Carmex, but not ugly in a yellow/puke container.  You'll thank me.  But only if you like that mentholated feeling on your lips.  Which I do.

***Non-Beauty***

1.  Buckwheat.  I seriously have a hankering for this stuff.  It is technically a seed but I eat it every morning in some kind of porridge mixed with all things tropical and happiness in my stomach.  It keeps me sustained for well over 2+ hours and that is pretty good for me.  I'm a machine...I need fuel.

2.  The Library.  Oh man, I've been a reading MACHINE lately.  So much so, that Mr. O was upset with me for shirking housely duties in order to read.  WHAT?  I couldn't help it.  Sookie Stackhouse was needing to be read.  Yes, I read the entire True Blood series.  There are so many books I am waiting on to come out this year.  Gurgh.

Speaking of favorites...all of them.  What are some of yours?

VIC-TORY!!

*flails arms*  Cheer with me, people...

So...I did it!  I beat my PR from last year.  I made it...and didn't die.  BONUS!

I think I reviewed this race last year, but I'm going to again, because I can.  Suck it up, Buttercup.

The Drake Relays on the Roads race features an 8k and a Half Marathon.  This year there were 2500 total entrants into the race, and I swear most of these entrants are in GOOD shape.  I'm not sure if it is the fact that it is around the Drake Relays or that it's a college town.  But the average finishing pace for the Half was 1:56 or something.  Cuh-RAZY.  It makes me feel average...which is actually pretty good if I think about it.

The only thing that has changed for this race this year was the packet pick-up.  Normally there is a large pick-up on Friday afternoon/evening, but this year they changed it because they provided tickets to events and wanted people to pick up packets on Wednesday and Thursday as well as Saturday.  Also, the venue they used in previous pick-ups was not available, so I think that factored in heavily.  It was annoying picking up packets on Saturday, ONLY because it was not well organized.  That was my only beef with this race.

Course:

The course is heavily, hills.  But now that I look at the map, I feel crazy.  Because there are only two large hills, or even marked hills in the course.  But those hills seem to be a doozy.  There is tons of shade, with great neighborhoods to watch and people at most turns.

Course map:
HERE!!

Miles 1-5 always fly by for me in this race, I feel good, ready to run...

Miles 6-10 are always the worst...the neighborhoods are more spread out and spectators are hard to find.  The ones you do find are amazing-friendly and always cheering.

Miles 10-13 are the miles where you double back up the hill you went out on.  A gradual incline to decline that is well traveled with great traffic control provided by some cute cops (just sayin').

Home stretch:  You know where you start, so you're counting down the blocks...and you can seeeeee the finish, but it seems miles away...and then...PEOPLE everywhere...all along the gates.  Which helps IMMENSELY.  I can't say if I heard just one person yell, but it seems to be a wave of sound that propels you to a good finish.

1:48:56 baby!!



See...I finished....me and my giant legs...again.  :)  I don't mind...they get me where I'm a-going.

The best part about this Half?  THE PRICE.  I think it runs about $45 with fees.  And you get a tech shirt AND socks.  Hello?  Rock on!

The next day my quads were KILLING me...but I will live.

This week?  So far I've been LAZY..no runs.  But I think I'll fire up the 'mill and get something done tonight.  We shall see.

Also...I have some "beauty related" items I will be talking about soon.  REAL soon.

Blog love

I thought about titling this Blog Lovin', but isn't that something else?  Urrrr, I'm not so savvy at this.  Also..."titling" looks funny.  I think you can see what I'm talking about.  *ahembewbs*

It's so funny how cyclical I become.  The winter is beautybeautybeauty, and then the spring arrives, the sun comes out and I'm all "runrunrunrunrunrun".  So predictable.

Also, since I titled (heee) Blog love, I figured I would talk about some of the blogs I love.  I mostly love speedy women...yes I am bias.  For some reason I love speedy, self-deprecating women. Or just a few. 

http://eatdrinkandbemeiri She is hilarious.  Makes seriously funny faces and can always make you feel like you need to lift heavy things to be a "real" woman.

The always famous skinnyrunner.com, who just finished some ridiculous trial and tribulations in the form of race, race, ragnar, race.  Makes me feel like a little sniveling baby. 

The young and rambunctious http://fueledbylolz.com/ who is also speedy, and very cute.  Takes me back to my college days...when I wasn't speedy...but I WAS rambunctious.  *side eye*

Last but not least is my love for http://www.hungryrunnergirl.com/ who is currently pregnant (super cute) and still so fast.  JEALOUS<<<right here.

In the spring I seem to rediscover these blogs...fall back in love and follow them like stalkers.  I suppose you could consider that a second job? 

Nail Obsessed

This won't really be running related.  But I am obsessed with nail polish.  I'm talking STALKERAZZI here.

When I know something new is coming out I will stalk stalk stalk all blogs, to see the swatches and then place orders or drool over pictures and plan out shopping trips.  I need some sort of program for withdrawals.  It's always "I'll stop buying once this launches"...and then...something new...and I wantwantwant.

But I'm currently on a buying ban, and I still want to buy.  Nope, I have to save for 'adult' items such as vacation or home improvement items.  BORING.  But necessary.

On to the running.  I did get my 30 miles last week.  Posted a nice 13.8 on Saturday in 35~ish weather.  I'm in my shorts, turtleneck, tshirt and head/hand cover and everyone else is bundled like it's 10 below.  No thanks...I will keep my legs free and easy.  I was happy to have the roads mostly to myself.  Minus the wayward smashed raccoon.  Poor guy...ick.

So race day is approaching...5 days from today.  The worst part?  They aren't allowing any packet pickup on Friday, which means we'll have to pick up our packet on Saturday morning.  STOOPID.

Whatever, I'm still gonna smoke it. I am not sure of my goal yet...I'll re-assess as the day gets closer.  Which makes my stomach flop.  Ish.

Whether Weather should affect your plans?

You like what I did there?  No.  Well, huh.

So...weather here in the midwest is a BIG topic of conversation.  This would be like the micro-brew conversation to Portlanders (I'm making this up and trying to be relevant and worldly---just go with it).  Yes, so weather is literally the opening and ending to most conversations.  Whether you're a stranger or a good friend.  WEATHER.  It is a four letter word here.

So in March we had some 80 degree days.  And now?  Now...it's cold a rainy.  I throw a big W.T.F. to that.  Whatever.  I will work with it.  But tomorrow, am, it will be a balmy 34 degrees.  I am one of those people that once I stop wearing running pants, I don't want to put them back on.  Yes, I still wear bottoms, but I want my legs freeeee.  I want to feel the wind on my parts...not those parts. 

So, I will most likely be THAT girl, with the cherry-red legs tomorrow, in shorts...while everyone else is wearing pants, and sweatshirts AND jackets.  And I'll be in shorts...because I am that hardheaded.  And dumb. 

The end. 

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.