running

A DNS, Piriformis Exercises, And Where I’ll Be

June 13, 2014 by Michelle 3 Comments

I was supposed to run a half marathon last Sunday, but after a week full of events (and the inability to pick up the race packet on race day)…

I decided to skip it. Yeah, that’s my first real DNS (Did Not Start). I actually emailed to ask if I could switch my registration to “Virtual” but I never got a response. Oh well.

A part of me was a little bummed, but the other part (the part that got to sleep in) said, “eh – life happens” I ended up going to a spin class instead — which was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. I haven’t been to spin in probably 6 months, so it was nice to change things up. I feel like it kind of “reset” my muscles a little too — or maybe I just used a few muscles that are neglected when I run.

Not neglected? Neon colors.

Actually, a few weeks ago my piriformis started acting up on my left side. It wasn’t like “OMG I AM INJURED!!” but more like “WHY DO I HAVE THIS HUGE KNOT FEELING IN MY ASS???” It mostly bothered me when I was sitting at work, which is pretty much the entire day, so yay. Spinning this weekend really helped as well as this really bizarre exercise that I found while Googling — Neural Flossing. Dr. Google can be dangerous, but sometimes it does have the answers.

1 million views on this dude’s goofy video can’t be wrong!

So, yeah, I started neural flossing every day and that, combined with the cross training, my aches and pains are now minimal. The LAST thing I need is to be injured before marathon training even starts (which is in TWO WEEKS – did I happen to mention that recently?!!).

Oh, in celebration of marathon training starting up – I am taking the next two weekends off from long runs.

If you need me I’ll be at the beach Celebrating Father’s Day…

Partying hard and celebrating getting old(er).

This was from our (for real) 29th birthday. It was only 7 years ago, but DAMN we look young!

I’ll also be neural flossing on the couch, watching the 2^nd season of OITNB.

And every episode (to date) of Downton Abbey.

Lady Violet is a delight.

So, you know, important stuff.

Marathon Training WITHOUT Speedwork

May 7, 2014 by Michelle 18 Comments

I haven’t 100 % fully committed to a marathon plan yet – but there’s one element of my plan that’s been decided: NO SPEEDWORK.

campfireface

But how do you expect to shave 15+ minutes off your PR, Michelle? (my imaginary internet friends are asking)

Good question!

First let me defend my choice… While I really dislike speedwork, it’s not about love or hate… it’s all about my ankles. The peroneal tendonitis in my right ankle to be specific. I can either run higher mileage – or I can do speedwork, but I can’t do both.

I DO think you have to run fast in order to get faster, but I also think I’m capable of running a 4:15 marathon without it.

So what DO I plan to do? (the imaginary internet friends are still skeptical)

*I’ll be running higher mileage than my first marathon, for starters. For Savannah, I peaked at 30-35 miles. That’s really not THAT high. Actually it’s pretty low, although it’s also not horrible for only running 3 times a week. For Chicago, I’m hoping to peak at 50-55 miles and run at least 4 times a week – with one of my mid-week runs between 7-10 miles.

*I’m planning on incorporating Hal Higdeon’s 3/1 Runs into my long runs — where the last quarter of a run (so 4 out of 16, 5 out of 20) I will be running at a faster pace (although not necessarily race pace). I tested this out with my 12-miler this weekend. I ran the last 3 miles at a faster pace and I was surprised I could do it. Apparently I just need to apply myself (nope.. never hear that one before).

*And then of course, I plan on running some runs at marathon pace… if I can tolerate running a 9:30 pace in ridiculous humidity.

*I also plan on running the majority of my runs OUTSIDE. I spent a lot of time on the treadmill during marathon training last time – and I can’t say I enjoyed it or that it was really THAT helpful.

*I’m going to continue to do strength training. While I’d like to do two strength training workouts a week – I will be happy with one. Squats, Kettlebell Swings, and Deadlifts have been ESPECIALLY helpful this past year while I’ve transitioned from postpartum blob into a badassmotherrunner (that’s sarcasm, but I’m serious about the strength workouts) – and I’m not giving those up.

*And finally… I’m going to live every week like it’s shark week. Duh.

sharkweek

I will probably be getting up earlier than ever. I predict I will be hungry 24/7. I already know I’m going to be tired — but when I cross the finish line at Chicago (regardless of a PR or not – but definitely a PR) I know it’s going to be worth it!

And if it DOESN’T work? At least now I’ll know — and the next time I train I’ll focus on speedwork — but not mileage. You never know until you try, right?

Have you trained without speedwork?

Do you have imaginary friends?

What’s your favorite {upbeat} song right now? I need some new music.

#RunWithMe

April 29, 2014 by Michelle 10 Comments

It’s hard to believe, but I started running 4 years ago. L was E’s age and *shocker* she wasn’t sleeping through the night. I was tired and struggling to squeeze in exercise. I wanted to find a workout that required as little prep time as possible , including driving to and from the gym – and I knew I could run. I couldn’t necessarily run FAR, but I knew my body could handle at least 5-6 miles. Around that time, Paula mentioned to me that she was signing up to run Disney’s Inaugural Wine and Dine Half. There was food AND wine after a half? Sign me up! The rest is history… or at the very least documented on this blog.

Why am I reminding you of this? Tribesports asked me to spread the word about their awesome #RunWithMe campaign. They are trying to spread their LOVE and grow their brand.

I picked 5 pictures that I thought represented what running means to me – and they turned it into a gif.

RWM_red

So obviously to ME running means sweaty selfies, PR bell kissing, the Garmin, Jazz Hands, and the Running BFF.

They can also do the same for you. Check out their page - it has instructions on it explaining how anyone can have their own #RunWithMe story made up. While’ll you’re there — take a quick survey about the companies newest clothing products that are going to be hitting their website soon (2-in-1 shorts for men and sports bras for women).

And this just isn’t a post about creating gifs! Tribesports was also kind enough to send me a pair of their new 2-in-1 shorts and Performance Tech Tee to test out.

While I haven’t worn the 2-in-1 shorts yet, I really LOVED their Tee. It was crazy lightweight, breathed in the right places, and was the perfect length. I actually wish they had this tee in multiple colors (maybe some orange, pink, and purple? :)).

I felt compelled to pose like this. At least you can see that the shirt doesn’t ride even when you look stupid.

They would be PERFECT for my summer marathon training (I know I keep bringing it up, what seriously what as I thinking training in the middle of the summer in Florida??).

In five words, what does running mean to you? Even if you don’t run, I bet you can find five words to describe it.

**In full disclosure, Tribesports created the GIF and sent me their products, but the opinions and stupid poses are my very own.**

This Post Is Full Of Excuses

April 27, 2014 by Michelle 14 Comments

I typically do my long runs on Sundays, but this weekend I’m full of excuses. I was READY to do 10-12 miles today. I went to bed at 10 (TEN!). My clothes were waiting, my gear was laid out, and my alarm was set. But then a little thing called Evan kept waking up and by the 4th wakeup (which included a wardrobe change) at 5am (I was planning on getting up at 6), I decided to throw in the towel and sleep.

Sidenote: We definitely believe in tough love when it comes to sleep, and we have done plenty of crying it out (even last night). I think being sick, combined with with worst diaper rash on the planet (thanks antibiotics!), gearing up to walk (!!!) and kicking off another leap has him all out of sorts. In fact, I’m writing this right now as he refuses to nap despite being exhausted!

So yeah. I got up at 7:45 and by then it was already too hot to run. It’s been in the 90s here, because… Florida. All morning I contemplated running at night vs. running on the treadmill. Truthfully? I didn’t want to do either. So in the end, I decided to change up my running this week and NOT do a long run. I KNOW! I AM LIVING LIFE ON THE EDGE. Instead, I’m going to see how I do running consecutive days. I usually only run 3 days a week. Not for any particular reason. So, I’m changing it up.

TodayI ran a “quick” 4-miler (8:10 pace) on the treadmill (that was like TORTURE) and squeezed in a 20 minute workout that surprisingly kicked my ass. I was running short on time, but I assure you that you don’t need a lot of time to have a workout make you insanely sweat, turn you into jelly, and exhaust you.

*I’m not a personal trainer, so I won’t tell you what weights to use but I use 12lbs and 15lbs*

So the rest of the week? The plan is to run 5 miles Monday, 7 miles Wednesday, 3 miles on Thursday, and 3 miles on Friday (with my bootcamp class on Saturday).

And if I write about it on the internet, it will happen.

flowers

How often do you run? Does if help you to run more or less during a week (aka – what am I missing out on here)?

Life Lately

April 23, 2014 by Michelle 14 Comments

I feel like I’ve taken a blog sabbatical because I don’t have time to write most days. Then on the days I do have time, I sit down and think “where do I start?” It probably goes without saying that life has been busy. Three kids, a job, a running problem, and who knows what else…

PopnLock

Yes, it’s true I’ve been practicing my popping and locking skillz.

So what’s going on with me? Would it be weird if I said nothing? I guess that would be a lie, because I’m not sitting around every day staring out into space. Or am I?

Life lately…

I’m running about 20 miles a week – and planning to hike it up to 24 miles a week starting May. I still need to decide what to do about marathon training. Hire a coach? Bribe people to run with me? I’m still undecided. Can someone just decide FOR me? It would be easier if Dan didn’t have to work on Saturdays, but as of now he does and I can only do my long runs on Sundays. At least the views have been pretty…

The run was not pretty, but the view was. #summeriscoming #sohumid

I’m ALMOST done with pumping. Woo-hoo! It’s oddly bittersweet, but exciting all at the same time. I seriously cannot wait to WEAR WHATEVER I WANT TO WORK AGAIN!

Evan decided to freak me out this weekend by spiking a 103.7 degree fever and getting diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia. Ironically, he stopped coughing about 2 days before all of this happened. All of this has prompted me to ask — Why don’t they make you take medical exams before you have children??

I got to meet the very lovely Anouk and her adorable family last week while they were visiting Disney (from Luxembourg!).

Not only did I get to meet @captainookie and her amazing family tonight, but I got to take a selfie with her.

Our kids had so much fun together and proved that dancing (at a bowling alley!) is in fact the universal language.

I’m not sleeping enough. I tried out the Sleep Cycle app for a few weeks and it really didn’t do anything for me except prove that I go to bed too late, wake up too often, and average about 6 hours of sleep a night — with 60% sleep quality. I’ll sleep again someday, right?

I made the mistake of not going to the dentist for like 4 (maybe 5?) years. Yeah, that turned into 2 deep cleanings (aka – where they scrape the crap out of your teeth), a filling that needed to be fixed, and a crown. Lesson learned.

bridesmaidsteeth

I’m starting to plan E’s first birthday. WAAAAH. I don’t WANNA! I am excited to see him eat cake, but this year just flew by waaaaay too fast. Oh, and the day after E’s first birthday is Kindergarten registration for L. I need to stock up on tissues.

Flashing that charm. He knows how to work it.

I’ve been reading… I’m not going to say A LOT of books, but there are a few I feel I need to review: The Interestings, Park and Eleanor, Red Rising, and The Light Between Oceans. Hopefully I’ll get around to that post soon

Yesterday marked 17 years of Dan and me. Sometimes I forget how long we’ve been together and how young (18) were when we started dating. Crazy. This is the first picture I have of us – on my 19th birthday.

04-03-2007 08;43;21PM

And finally, these kids… I love ‘em.

Happy Easter! Christos Anesti!

So, maybe I’ll get back into the blogging/writing groove. I miss being able to complain online to my imaginary internet (and sometimes real-life) friends.

Admit it, you’ve missed my (mostly) pointless posts? Or maybe not.