Running Pop Quiz

I borrowed these questions from some other running blogs I follow - but I thought they were interesting and would be a good way to get to know me a little better!

1. FUEL: Shot Bloks, GU, Energy Chews, Candy or Other?

So far I've only tried a few of these.
Shot Blox by Cliff were my first love, but over time I've realized how HARD they are to chew up while you're struggling to get enough oxygen already. So, I've moved over to their sister product - Cliff Shot Gel. So far, no awful flavors like other brands I've tried, and no stomach issues like I hear so many other runners talk about.  I know the "85% Organic" label only means SO much, but it's comforting to me to know I'm not fueling my run with some odd chemical. 

Ohh! This one has caffeine - even better!

2. Race Length: 5k, 10k, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, Ultra or Other?
As of today, my longest race has been a half marathon. This time tomorrow, my longest race will have been a 30k. Assuming I live through the 30k, I'm almost certain my favorite will remain a half. The amount of training and the challenge are perfect for me, right now. It takes me about 3 miles to get totally warmed up, so 5ks and 10ks leave just a little too much in the tank. But, to be fair to all other distances, had I been asked this question 6 months ago, my answer would have been different. And, I imagine that in a year, my answer will have evolved again. That is the beauty of running - always changing! 

3. Workout Bottoms: Skirts, Running Shorts, Capris, Pants or Other?Totally dependent on the season. We had a BEAUTIFUL and long summer here in the Pacific Northwest, and I was able to run in shorts for about six months. The rest of the year, I usually wear capris (or crops, as Lululemon calls them). I HATE it when people wear pants and they get WET around the bottom (running problem frequent here in the rain). If I ever wear pants, they're tight to my ankle - NEVER loose pants. (I have a thing about stuff moving while I'm running. This make sports bra shopping a VITAL part of a good run for me.)

4. Sports Drink: Gatorade, Powerade, Cytomax, you stick to water when you run or Other?
Yuck. I know, in theory, "sports drinks" are supposed to taste good, but Gatorade and Powerade are gross to me. The only electrolyte drink I like is Nuun (pronounced like noon). This company was the first to separate carbs from electrolytes - therefore eliminating a drink full o'sugar. 

Delicious AND pretty.

5. Running Temperatures: HEAT or COLD?
I tend to prefer the colder temperatures to the hotter. I hate it when you sweat and then it dries on you - making you into a moving saltine cracker. ew. Plus, I love it when the air is cold and crisp, and it burns just a little when you breathe it into your lungs. :)

6. Running Shoe Brands: Saucony, Mizuno, Nike, Brookes, Asics or Other?
I used to buy whatever looked cool and/or was on sale. Now? I will never run in anything besides Mizuno. I bought my first pair about 8 months ago, and they totally changed they way I run, the way I look at running, and basically my life. Suddenly running wasn't something I dreaded. So - my Mizunoa changed my life. And, their awesome colors sure don't hurt!

My favs are Precisions - these are 12s and 13s. The teal shoes are my trail runners.

7. Pre-race meal: Oatmeal, Bagel, Banana, Eggs, Cereal or Other?
I freak out before EVERY single race and totally forget everything I know about what I should eat. Some things I've tried: Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal with almond milk, a Powerbar Harvest Energy bar, a banana and toast, and once I totally freaked out and ate Dots. Oops. (I don't recommend trying that.)

8. Rest Days: 1x per week, 2x per week, never ever ever or Other?
I don't have rest days. I have a workout schedule that includes heavy weight training 5 days a week, and I fill in the blanks depending on my race schedule, work schedule, etc. So, I legitimize it because I don't run everyday, or do cardio everyday. So, I have cardio rest days, and I have weight training rest days. They just don't happen to come on the same day (unless, I'm feeling under the weather and I know I need it - OR if I'm recovering from a day the race previous. I expect to be resting after this 30k).

9. Music: Have to have it or go without it?
Depends on the situation. Long run alone through town? Yes. Trail run with friends? No. Running in dark/dusk? No. In the country backroads where I grew up? Yes. (This is largely because nobody is around to see me dance-running. It's not pretty, but VERY fun.)

10. #1 reason for running: stress-relief, endorphins, you love to race, so you can eat all the cupcakes you want, weight-loss, love running for social reasons or Other?
Time to think, and a way for me to test myself. I've achieved things through running I never thought I was capable of - but running has made me see that the restrictions I've made for myself are too limiting! Failure, or near failure, may not be as terrible as I once thought it was. 

Half Crazy, Half Awesome

Yes, I believe the title of this blog entry describes me for many many reasons.

For the purpose of this entry, I'm focusing on one part of my crazy/awesome combo. For starters, there's a few people who shall remain nameless in this blog (but know who they are) who deserve a huge thanks for helping me believe that I am capable of running a half marathon distance. My best running buddy, and her sisters, all played major roles in helping me see the light. (THANKS YOU GGUYYYSSSS)

I may able blame them a little for creating a monster.

I ran my first half marathon in May of this year, and then turned around a ran another one two weeks later.

This turned out to be a bad plan. My body wasn't used to that must exertion and quickly revolted by causing all sorts of issues (runner's knee, ankle problems, rage).

However bad that idea may have been, two half marathons in two weeks earns you entry to the elite half marathon club: Half Fanatics. This dues-paying club requires you complete a certain amount of halfs within a certain amount of time, and as you progress through the levels, you can earn different "status'" within the club. The top status you can achieve:

THE SUN          

1. 52 Half Marathons or more within 365 days.

2. 30 Half Marathons in 30 US states, Countries, or Canadian Provinces (any combination) within 365 days.

3. 20 Countries within 365 days. 

I'm not planning on attaining Sun status until I figure out how to get sponsored... 

Since that first halfy in May, I've ran five. This is where the half crazy part comes into play. My last two races were one week apart. (In my defense, the last one was a fund-raiser for soldiers with PTSD, which TOTALLY tugs at my heartstrings. AND, they offered a military discount, which I LOVE).

Photo from the 2011 race.

While I did this because my current training plans require more and more miles every week, and for me, there's nothing quite like the push I give myself in a race (my competitive side can be sort of aggressive sometimes). So, not only did I get to race for a good cause, but it also doubled as a great training run.

My next race is a 30k (that's 18 miles. WTF was I thinking) trail run. I'll hold off writing about this until later because the mere thought of this race is still a little daunting. (Another shout out to my running buddy for getting me into this one...) This will be a PDR for me, and a big jump outside my comfort area. I've come to love my halfys, but I have to remember that for most my life, a half marathon was out of my comfort area, too.

Next up to add to the training regime? Speed work. I feel like I've built up a good endurance base, but would love to have a little "push" for race day. I'm hoping I can find a local track to do some work at next week.

"To give anything less than you best is to sacrifice the gift. " Steve Prefontaine, who was also half crazy.

So maybe I am half crazy. Crazy for running so much? Crazy about half marathons being my "perfect distance"? Crazy for listening to my running buddy when she says, "Hey, we should do this!" Or maybe even crazy about pushing myself just that little bit extra... Yup. I'll own up to every little bit of that. Oh yeah, and usually to the half awesome part, too.

What does your training schedule look like?

Do you train for races or do you prefer to run for recreation?

Are you like my husband who believes if you have to go father than three miles, you should get in a car?

Somethin' is Better Than Nothin'

Seriously, there are days I truly believe it's a miracle I even made it out of bed.

Most days, thankfully that's not the case. But on those days it can be particularly hard to motivate myself to start my workout. So, as many people will say, I make myself start my workout, even when it's the last thing I want to do (read: I'd rather lay down on the couch and watch terrible television).

Here's my thought process. If I just get started, I know I'll finish. Even if I half-ass it though the workout, it's DEFINITELY better than doing nothing.

This = bad.

On these I-don't-feel-motivated days, I also tell myself that if I start my workout and go for ten minutes, but then still don't feel like finishing... I can give up and call it good enough.  (This is particularly bad self-psychology on days when I run ten minutes AWAY from my house... and then decide to quit.)  Oddly enough, I've NEVER decided to quit after ten minutes. I figure I'm already doing it - why waste it!?

Here are some other things I've found help me get started:

1) Play music I like to "dance" to (I say dance in quotes because I'm not sure what I do can really be classified as dancing).

2) Just put on my workout clothes. Sometimes that's enough to get me in the right mind-set.

3) Worst case scenario: I set my alarm for 15 minutes and take a power nap. I'll admit, sometimes you just need a little sleep. My suggestion? Fall asleep in your workout clothes :)

What things do you do to get yourself motivated on days you don't feel like getting started?

Does it make a difference what time of day you workout, to be most motivated?

The Commercials-Only Workout Plan

Two things bum me out when the end of summer comes around.

1) The sun rises later and set earlier. This severely cuts into the time I can be safely running or biking outside, and also effects when my body thinks it's bedtime. 

2) All the good TV shows come back. And, then there's the new shows premiering. *sigh*

By itself, #2 would be a good thing. But, with season finales that left me crying, or dying to know what happens next (I might be a little wrapped up in some of my favorite shows...), it's hard to miss out on season premieres. 

So, to solve my problems, I challenged myself to a commercials workout. Here are the rules:

-Every commercial break requires one round of the below listed workout.

-I have to complete each round, no matter how short the commercial is. 

-Form is the most important thing, but this workout is meant to be done quickly.

-Added weights optional.

Here's the workout I made up:

Last night I even spiced it up by throwing in some cycling on my indoor trainer. 

So, there! Problem solved. Now neither the temptation of prime-time television programming, nor the ever-sooner onset of night-time will be able to slow down your workouts!!

What are some of your favorite shows? 

How does your workout schedule change when the season do - or is your schedule season-proofed?

Pre Race Jitters

The night before a race, no matter how big or small, is consistently the worst night of my life.

No matter how well I plan, or how much work I do in advance, I always freak out.

It seems pretty simple when I plan it out. Hydrate, eat good foods, set out my clothes and gear, paint my fast nails, load up my water bottle...

Somehow instead of going to bed at a decent time, and chugging 60 ounces of water, I end up vacuuming inside the closets, reorganizing drawers, or cleaning out the cupboards.

Right now, I'm fighting the urge to clean the house, and instead I set up my bike so I could spin out some nerves while I catch up on some new TV (So far, Guys with Kids is pretty funny. Love Jimmy Fallon!)

Who says printed books won't always be useful!?

I did manage to have a DELICIOUS dinner, courtesy of Trader Joe's and what happens when you go there for ONE thing. I bought their frozen salmon patties, their guacamole/greek yogurt mix, and their corn/flour tortillas (weird combo, I know). I grilled up the salmon patty and made a wrap with the guac and tortilla. So good!

If you like avocados, you gotta try this stuff. Immediately.

Tomorrow, I'm running a half-marathon and I'm attempting to PR with a time less than 1:50. My reach goal is 1:45 because I know it's a flat and fast course, but that means I'd have to run almost :30 faster a mile for most of the race... and I'm a realist.

Cross your fingers for race bling!

I also know it's going to a smaller-than-normal race; I'm thinking there will be less than 500 people there. So... my odds of placing are either super awesome, or super terrible because I'll be again some FAST rangers and army wives. 

What are your pre-race rituals? Do you have a certain dinner before important races or something special you always do? 

UPDATE: PR'ed on the course! Was the sixth woman in my age group, with a 1:46. There were a TON of really talented and fast runners at this event. But, the best part was the band after the run. Called Heavy Left, I believe it's a group of soldiers. The did an awesome rendition of Rock Candy by Montrose, complete with a falsetto chorus. 

Just Jump.

There's something that has been on my to-do list for the majority of the past six years (ok ok, there's like 4 things, but this post is only about one of them). And, in three weeks, I'll be able to cross it off my list.

Yup - I took the plunge and signed up to get my certification in TurboKick. (TurboKick is a format of group fitness, often taught in gyms and community centers, based on kickboxing-style moves with a heavy emphasis on cardio) By itself, it doesn't really sound that scary. BUT, my type A brain is capable of breaking everything down into minuscule and minor details.

So, since I've signed up for the certification class, I've been inadvertently focusing on the scary parts. For example: remembering every move for a 60-minute class, remembering all the moves well enough to properly  communicate each move to a class of expectant students, AND on top of it all, doing all the moves while trying to breathe through a high-intensity cardio class.

NO PRESSURE.

BUT. Then, I have to take a breath, and a step back to look at the bigger picture.

I absolutely LOVE TurboFire (which is the at-home version of this class, by the same trainer, Chalene Johnson). And, memorizing a new set of choreography every few months might not be my strong suit, but I'll never know unless I try right?

At some point, you have to realistically look at your goals and dreams. understand that they'll be hard, and then go at them full-speed.

So, in three weeks, I'll walk into that gym, introduce myself to everyone (does everyone hate those introduction circles as much as I do?), and mentally super-size my courage.

Is there something on your to-do list that scares you? What is holding you back besides your fear?

My Five Favorite Fitness Accessories

It's taken me a long time to accumulate all of my various "fitness"-related accessories. In fact, sometimes my living room looks more like a home gym than a nice place to relax and watch a movie.

It all started innocently enough. I think the first thing I bought was when I moved into my first apartment and it seemed really important to have a yoga ball. I think it served more as an extra chair that it did as a workout tool.

Regardless of all the unused and/or stupid hard-to-use items I've hoarded over the years, there ARE some I think were a good investment.

1.) Foam Roller: These are awesome for so many reasons. Most importantly, they're an important part of me being able to continue running. Like many runners, I've had problems with my IT band. But since I added in rolling out my legs two or three times a week, it hasn't bothered me at all. Best of all? They're cheap. And, if you're resourceful, it's a pretty good ab workout. Here are some pretty good videos about the various areas you can stretch out and massage with a foam roller.

2.) Bosu Ball: This thing has so many uses, and can be added into any already-existing workout.

They can be used this way, or with the ball-side-down for more of a "balancing" element.

For example, if you're doing bicep curls, just standing on a Bosu will engage your core. It requires your legs and core to be a part of the workout, just to keep you standing upright. It's also great for lunges, pushups, and if you're not accident prone careful, plyometrics. You can purchase them on Amazon, sometimes on sale.

3.) Bowflex Select Techs: Probably THE best investment I've made as far as in-home fitness goes (emphasis on the investment part). It's like having 15 sets of weights, ranging from 5 pounds to 50 pounds. Other pros: MAJOR space-savers (they take up less than three square feet if you don't have the rack), the handles aren't huge like some dumbbells can be (which is great for me because my hands aren't very big), and they're easy to change between weights. I know it seems like a lot to pay for some weights, but think about it this way: generally, weights are $1 per pound; a 12 lb. weight is $12. So here's the breakdown: (2x5)+(2x7.5)+(2x10)+(2x12.5)+(2x15)+(2x17.5)+(2x20)+(2x22.5)+(2x25)+(2x30)+(2x35)+(2x40)+(2x45)+(2x50)=$670  If you think about it this way, you're saving 50% compared to how much you would spend if you bought each weight individually. (At least, this is how I legitimized it in my head. Also, I found them on sale somewhere.)

The bad-ass factor also plays a role in how cool I feel when I'm using these. They make five pounds look like  thirty. It's awesome. 

4.) Gymboss: Simple and cheap. Perfect for HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts. This little gadget costs about $20, and is worth every cent (maybe more). It allows you to set two different times, different alarms or a vibrate alert, and the amount of rounds you want to go. So, if you're doing ten rounds of 45 seconds on, 10 seconds rest, three times through, this little gadget lets you preset all that so you don't waste any time resetting the clock or watching a second hand. (Sorry all you cheaters out there that use that time as extra rest - the jig is up.) Also, they come in different colors. Always a plus.

5.) UGI Ball: Last, but not least, this weighted ball is a workout all in itself.

Also comes in different colors, depending on which weight you order. 

Ranging in weight from six to twelve pounds, these balls are designed to help you build strength, stability and endurance. Check out what their website has to say about the UGI ball. It's a perfect weight training addition to your workouts, and also fund to play with when your friends come over to drink beers watch movies. 

What are your favorite fitness-related tools? Or, are you an all-natural (no accessories at all) type of exerciser?

FAST Nails!

Warning to readers: this blog post is all about nail polish. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the girliest blog post ever, this one is about a 9.8. You're been warned.

About six months ago, before my first-ever half marathon, I decided it would be a fantastic idea to paint my nails the most neon and obnoxious color I could find. Why? Because the brighter the nail color, the faster you run (you know, optical illusions and all that... right?).

In case you were wondering, this theory also applies to clothing, shoes, and accessories of any kind. You may choose to wear all black while running, but the minute you slap on a neon green headband, you're bound to set a PR. It's a fact.

Here's the first color I used: China Glaze's Japanese Koi (This color just happened to match the brightness-factor of my Nathan waterbottle).

I know, it's hard not to notice the nails and waterbottle, right?

From this race on, FAST nails have become a staple of my pre-race rituals. (Not my toenails though, they've suffered enough from all my running. Perhaps a topic saved for another blog post).

I've passed on my need for FAST nails to my running buddies, including my Ragnar Northwest Passage team members.

Team Fast nails from Ragnar at the end of the race. Pay no attention to the one random man finger on the left. And in the middle there's a paint-less hand, highlighting what can happen when FAST nails meet pre (and post) race jitters. Lack of sleep may have been involved.

Some of my favorite colors are: Japanese Koi - China Glaze, Rich Raspberry - Revlon Colorstay, Pink Voltage - China Glaze, Perky Purple - Essie (I think this color is discontinued), Ride the Waves -China Glaze, and Shine on Crazy Diamond (multicolor glitter) - Orly.

FAST nails from Survivor Mud Run in  June.

For my last race, Over the Narrows Ten Miler, I decided to get a little creative with my nails, so I went multicolored, using blue painter's tape to make a perfect line halfway down my nail.

Japanese Koi and Love's a Beach, both China Glaze.

I love how this little ritual has become something all my running friends do, too. It's been awesome to get on Facebook and see myself tagged in photos of people's brightly painted nails the night before a race!

Do you have any quirky and fun pre-race rituals? Do you have pictures of FAST nails, too? 

If you do FAST nails before your next race, share it here! Maybe we can make FAST nails sweep the nation!!

Friday Favorite: KT Tape Pro

First of all let me say, I would have stopped running long ago if it weren't for this magical, super-powered tape; KT Tape Pro.

It isn't actually magical (Although Magic Tape kind of has a nice ring to it). It is, however, an awesome way for regular, non-physical therapy, stubborn, I'm-not-going-to-stop-running-unless-a-bone-is-broken type of people to power through minor injuries in a safe and self-empowering way.

KT Tape (the KT stands for kinesio therapy) has an awesome website, and lots of videos on YouTube to show you how to properly apply this super-sticky tape for all sorts of afflictions. IT band issues, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, rotator cuff issues, and even jammed fingers all have videos for tape application, allowing you to continue your training, despite muscle or joint pain cause by these problems.

I started using KT Tape earlier this year (2012) when I started having issues with my outer knee, as many runners do. I had recently started adding miles to my runs, and didn't exactly follow the "add 10% at a time" guideline (read: I'm terrible at math and though one more mile a week sounded great to me).

It was pretty debilitating, and as it got worse, I started favoring my other leg, causing a myriad of other problems. So, with the help of lots and lots of Google searches, and my husband's Army Medic knowledge, I deducted the culprit was my IT band (which runs from the top of your hip, all the way down to the lower side of your outer knee). After a brief stint of "resting" (ok ok, i just changed my workouts so there wasn't any high-impact jumping), and a few sessions of acupuncture (which did help, just not fast enough, or cheap enough), I took matters into my own hands.

I bought myself some KT Tape Pro (also available in regular KT Tape - it's a little cheaper, but doesn't stay on as long... and quite frankly didn't look as cool as the Pro version) in neon blue and neon green - because after all, if you're going to have half your leg covered in tape, you better own it and look as bad ass as possible, right? Right.

One application for the IT band.

I tried it out for a run, and it surprised me how much better my leg felt. But, I still wasn't convinced something as easy as tape could be the solution, so I tried another run without the tape. OUCH. That was STUPID another setback, and I had to rest and ice, Again.

After about 4 days with the tape on.

I wouldn't run again without my KT Tape for six months, moving an application along with any little pain I created for myself. My IT band problem went away, and I exchanged it for an ankle issue: another common problem for runners, created by running on the sloped outer side of a road. I KT Taped it up, and again, I was able to get out and continue my training. I've used it for achilles tendon issues on running buddies, a pulled muscle in my foot, and was AMAZED at all the athletes in the London Olympics rocking their KT Tape!

Gotta have all the cool colors, right?

As I wear it, people often ask me what it's for. It's sort of hard to describe, other than saying, "It's MAGIC TAPE!!", but usually try to describe it like this: When elastic is put on an item of clothing, it's stretched out to a certain point (50%, 75%, etc), and then attached to the material. Then, as the elastic is allowed to do what it naturally does, it bunches the material together. The tape, very simply, works in the same manner. It's stretched out as you apply it to the problem muscle or joint, allowing the strain or pressure on the area to be hugely reduced, giving it the support to heal or correct.

Today, my legs are KT Tape free, but I know I would never have been able to log so many training and race miles without this magic tape. If you're experiencing any sort of training-related continued soreness, strains or discomfort, check out kttape.com and see if there's an application for what ails you. 

Do you have a training-related issue you're experiencing, or something you've overcome? How are you/did you deal with it? Have you used KT Tape before?

Fitting It In.

Sometimes, life gets just a little bit out of control. Going on vacations, work trips, and sometimes just the regular day-to-day responsibilities can SERIOUSLY get in the way of fitting in a workout. ESPECIALLY when your workout requires two hours of the day!

This weekend, I was away from home for the whole weekend, which meant I knew I was going to miss out on my regular long training run on Saturday. Upon realizing this, I freaked out packed up my workout DVDs and figured it would be okay to substitute a HIIT workout from TurboFire on Saturday, and then squeeze in a workout when I got home on Sunday. My workouts keep me sane, so I knew I needed to do a workout to make it through the weekend, and HIIT 25 fit the bill perfectly.

Love this saying - because I never know what to say when people ask, "Are you a runner?"

Sidenote: to all you busy moms out there - you are truly amazing. I was babysitting all weekend, and the thought of either having to take two little boys (4 and 6.5) with me, or forfeit my long run was enough to make me tear up like they did when I told them we weren't having chocolate-covered-raisins for breakfast.

What do you mean, you can't read the instructions on the microwave popcorn bag?

Thank goodness I got up before the kids and worked out. Otherwise I may have had to make them play tag (aka, do shuttle runs and fartletks) with me.

Moving my long run to a week day is where I really get hung up. I know I need to do it before work, because that's when I focus best, but it is SO hard to get up before the sun when you're used to doing a long run with so many conveniences.

Long runs on the weekend are perfect for me because there's less traffic, I can start at 7 or 8 (or even 9! who cares!), and there's less pressure for me to finish in a certain time because I have somewhere to be. In my area, there's even a few places that close down vehicle access so runners and bikers can use the whole road.

Besides running, I do most of my regular workout at home. So, they're travel-friendly,

How do you fit in a workout when you're super busy, out of town, or if you missed a day? Any tips from those of you who run longer runs during the week?

What's your "race style"?

I ran the Lake Union 10k yesterday in Seattle. It was a perfect run morning: cool weather, beautiful course, less than 1,100 runners (I think because the paved course around the lake isn't very wide). The race started at 7:30 and I was meeting up with some running friends, so, living an hour South meant my alarm clock went off incredibly early (4:30).

A view of Lake Union from the South end.

Side rant: I always worry too much about what I eat for breakfast the day of a race. I haven't yet made a majorly regrettable breakfast choice - but I've read enough running blogs that I'm overly concerned about some sort of emergency happening during a race (read: needing to poop). At least when you're up three hours before a race, you've got plenty of time to stand in line at the porta-potty.

Back to the topic at hand:

There are SO many different ways people approach race days. Some choose a goal time to try and beat, while others don't worry about their completion time. What do you do?

I recently purchased a Garmin 910xt and it's really changed the way I run races. It allows me to see my pace, my heart rate, and will let me compare my times for each mile ran (among the million other things it also does). This handy tool really lets me see how I'm doing, in real time, and lets me know how much harder I can push myself. I always try to beat whatever my previous time running that length was, and my Garmin helps me keep from starting out with a pace I can't maintain over the course of the run. 

Another tactic I've adopted during races, is to find someone with a pace a few seconds faster than mine, and follow them throughout the race. Sometimes this ends up with a long game of leap-frogging some poor stranger. Other times, I just find someone ahead of me with bright clothing on, and try to keep within eyesight.

For this race - I started out with (what felt like) a super fast pace. But, after a mile in, my watch told me I was right on track for my regular race pace (which is always faster than my training-run pace). After I wove through the pack to where my pace was, I found a guy in front of me with bight blue Mizuno Precisions on, and was able to creeper stalk  draft him the whole race. I was feeling pretty good during a few places and smoked this poor stranger up the hills, but then he came right back and passed me on the straightaways. (I should take that as a training tip, probably... but I'll choose to focus on the fact that I run strong hills.)

After the race, I made sure to find the guy and thank him for being my pacer. He was nice, and laughed as he said, "Yeah, I noticed you on those hills, you did well". (Which I think translated into: "You chicked me twice, but then I caught up... so they get cancelled out, right?). He finished REALLY strong; probably a good 15 seconds ahead of me, even though I sprinted the last 100 yards of the race, just to try and get those seconds down. 

I looped back around to a point before the finish line, so I could cheer on my running buddies, and here's where I got to thinking... What are these people's plans of attack? Some people looked like they hadn't just ran six miles, while others were pushing it so hard I was afraid they were going to miss the turn off for the finishline. 

It was pretty obvious that some runners were trying to beat a time, while still more seemed to be taking their time and enjoying their surroundings a little more. (Also, I was standing near the camera guy, and it was HILARIOUS to see the ridiculous things people were doing for their photos. I saw people with the look of death on their faces, covered in sweat, all of a sudden flash a HUGE smile, do an air jack, and yell, "WOOHOO" for this camera guy - and then immediately go back to exhausted-runner. It was hysterical!)

From this, to Richard Simmons, in 1 second flat.

Do you know what kind of "race style" you have? 

I like to treat races as endurance training runs: a way to get in some speedwork, and push myself a little harder than I so when I'm just competing with myself. And, it's the best time for me to PR. Less distractions, more competition (I'm just a LITTLE competitive. Like 10 steps behind Monica from Friends, competitive...)

So tell me what your plan of attack? Beat everyone? Don't be last? Beat a personal time, or within a certain time limit? 

Do you have a plan of attack for the camera guy? Mine? Avoid him at all costs... running directly behind someone else is not out of the question. 

Friday Favorite #1

Well since this is the first Friday of my blog, I thought I would liven things up a big, and give myself a weekly topic to write about. So, each Friday I'll pick out a favorite of mine: gear, workouts, food, etc. And, I hope you'll share your favorites, too!

Today's favorite? One of my favorite run routes.

Chamber Creek Properties - Pierce County, WA

After a week of anticipated hotter-than-normal days here in the Pacific Northwest, my friend convinced me to get up and run in the morning on Wednesday (which I only do sometimes because of my work schedule) so I wouldn't have to work out in the heat of the afternoon. (Here in the PNW, 85 is pretty much considered blisteringly hot. It's embarrassing.)

I set out my clothes the night before, and mentally prepared myself for an early alarm.

You should know I'm a self-described morning person. Some might say I'm obnoxious a little too chipper in the morning hours, especially when there's exercise involved.

There's just something about how peaceful everything is early in the morning when the world seems to be moving just a little slower, don't you agree? (Non morning people, keep your comments to yourselves.)

This is where I have to add in that I started my run with a laugh because the exact person who talked me into  getting up early for a run? Sent me a text message that said "OKAY, I'LL GO BACK TO BED!!"

Don't worry, she got up and ran despite her bed trying to trap her.

Here's the view from where I ran:

This is Chambers Creek Golf Course (the 2015 location of the U.S. Open Championship) and the Chambers Creek Properties in University Place.

It's the PERFECT training route for all levels of runners. There's a paved path that runs around the golf course, a giant meadow, and through some forested area. If you take the longest loop around, it's a perfect 5k (although it feels much longer!).

The route has some significant hills on both sides; one side is three large switchbacks, and the other side in multiple smaller switchbacks with rolling (and sometimes really steep) hills through shady trees.

Here's an actual map of the route.

Chambers is NO exception when it comes to the early-morning peacefulness. It's next to Puget Sound, has a train track that runs nearby, and most of the regular users have a good understanding of trail etiquette.

The view from the top.

This course is ALWAYS challenging to me, no matter how many miles I've logged recently. The hills are KILLER, no matter which direction you decide to go around it.


Do you have a favorite place to run? Somewhere peaceful? Or maybe it's your favorite because it's super convenient to get to?

Gym Class Personalities

Let me preface this by saying, I don't generally incorporate at-the-gym classes into my workout schedule these days, especially during the summer when it's just too nice not to be outside. But, I've been getting a little bored of my regular schedule lately, and it's warmer out right now than my preferred running temperature (I know, I know... I'l get over it). Also, this particular class just happened to be scheduled during my lunchtime, so it doubled as an escape from the hellish document I had been working on all morning.

If only the document I was working on looked this easy to fix.

Anyhow, back to the story.

It's been awhile since I've been to a gym class, so I checked with the front desk to make sure there was actually one happening. Naturally, the front desk gal had no clue (not to knock front desk people, because I've been there, too). So after she looked it up and assured me there was a class, I headed through the weight area (I hate walking through there... AVOID EYE CONTACT) and up the stairs to the studio.

The thing I love most about mid-day classes, is that I can get lost pre-class wondering what all the people (read: women) there do for a living. I'd imagine many of them were on a lunch break, but this particular class seemed to have a fair amount of women whose life-partners obviously "bring home the bacon", allowing them to do whatever they want during the day (including, but not limited to, wearing too much makeup to the gym).

There were a few college-aged girls, and about a dozen "older" women (for lack of a better age gauge) who looked a little feeble, but sure enough, powered through the class like it was easier than a game of bridge.

Pretty sure the ladies in my class could easily do this. In their cute workout skirts.

As a mentioned before, no men. Not sure if that's because it was a "Body Works plus Abs" class, or maybe the time, but this was an all-women event.

I always try to get in somewhere in the middle of the room so only half the people in the class have to witness my mess-ups, and there was a huge spot to the left of the room left open. RED FLAG. Well, at least I should have realized this was a red flag.

This would probably be a good time to tell you I have a few pet peeves when it comes to gym classes. One, being the instructor that assumes you know everything before class, and doesn't bother to tell you what the hell a "leg lift pull kick switch" means (don't worry, I bought the Step Class for Dummies since that experience). This instructor was nice enough to come introduce herself and welcome me to the class; I was impressed.

My second pet peeve are the people who talk through the class, in a manner that makes it hard to hear the instructor, and yet at the same time, making the rest of the class feel alienated from whatever they're talking about, because they're not actually talking loud enough to be able to make out the words.

(They were also the ladies who appeared to be wealthy via their spouses. Surprised? Didn't think so.)

Another pet peeve I have is poor form. I definitely understand there's a lot of reasons for this. One being, that the instructor is so distracted by the chatty-Cathys, she doesn't notice. But, I also think poor form breeds pain, which means that person isn't going to keep coming back to this class. :(

The lady to my right was doing rows and dead lifts with a back more rounded out than a freaked out black cat decoration on Halloween.

This is an exact drawing of that woman.Except she had weights. And no whiskers.

I DESPERATELY wanted to say something to her, because it was obvious she was struggling with the moves, but I've also learned most people aren't super receptive to suggestions made by some other participant in the class, unfortunately.

So, besides the fact I could practically hear her back and spine screaming for help (perhaps I could have if those RUDE women hadn't been chatting about handbags shoes makeup application God-knows-what), the class was a great workout.

I really like the instructor. She was high energy, positive, and pushed us just a few reps beyond where you really wanted to stop. The music was also a super plus for me - I struggle in classes where the music is flat - but she had a great mix of danced-up music from sometime in the early 80's. The ladies behind me (no, not the chatty ones) kept singing, and it put a huge smile on my face.

They were working really hard, too.

All in all? Great class. I woke up this morning with a sore chest, and I could feel it in my back, too.

Now, going back and reading through this entry, I realize I sound a little judgy. That's not really fair of me, because those ladies who were incessantly talking over the instructor could have had a SUPER good reason for it. Like, they were planning their daughter's wedding, or they are joint owners in a business and they were making up their annual budget. Who knows.

But for a 60 minute class? Either don't be rude to the instructor, and the people newer to a class setting, OR talk loud enough to include everyone!

Do you go to classes at your gym? What are the "personalities" you always see there?

The profusely sweaty guy? The woman with too little clothes and too much makeup? The person who leaves 25 minutes early? Chatty-Cathys?

Comment below and add your gym personality experiences!