Overcome Long Run Boredom!

It's no secret that I enjoy running long distances over shorter ones. There's just something about being out there on the road for a long amount of time and just letting your body feel the run! It always takes me 3-4 miles to get warmed up so I do not enjoy short runs as much.

But...running long distances can get boring at times no matter how much you love it! Here are some ways that I overcome the long run boredom!

• Run With Friends. I rarely run a long run alone. I try to plan my long runs around the times when my running friends are also running. We call it therapy! We run, talk, and laugh! It's my girl time!
• Listen to Music. I only run with music when I'm running solo. I've been known to listen to several movie or television soundtracks....like Frozen, Twilight, and my new favorite, Nashville! I also love listening to praise and worship music while I run. 
• Pray. When I'm running alone I love to take the time and pray to God. I feel closer to Him when I am running in the beautiful world He created. It helps pass the time because it's just like I'm talking to a friend.
• Play Games. My friend Paige introduced me to the Alphabet Game on one of our race road trips. This is a game where you find words or objects that begin with each letter of the alphabet. My boys love playing it in the car. When I'm running long I will find myself playing this game to help keep my mind off the miles. I also like the Counting Game...where I count lightpoles, mailboxes, cracks in the sidewalk, etc.
• Listen to an Audiobook. This is one of my favorite things to do when I am running a long run by myself. It really helps pass the time...and miles...because I am so focused on what is happening in the book instead of how many miles I have left to run. 

These are the things I do to help myself get through those long runs that can be boring! 

QOTD: How do you overcome long run boredom? Any ideas I didn't mention?

Vitacost Be Fit Box Review!

I was excited when Andrew from Vitacost contacted me about reviewing their new Be Fit Boxes that are being released February 1st! I am all about trying new products that help me with my running!

So what is a Be Box? It is a surprise selection of personal care and wellness products from the best natural and organic brands. Each box has products that are valued at $39.99 and you also receive a surprise coupon to use on your next order!

The Be Fit Box is the sports and fitness box and this is the one Andrew sent to me. It arrived in a very pretty red box! Who doesn't like things in shiny red boxes?

And when I opened it up it was full of more goodies than I expected!

• Hydroxycut Gummies. These are weight loss gummies. I can't wait to try them!
• Hyper Shred Thermodynamic Metabolic Activator. These are capsules to help you have more energy, focus, burn fat, and manage weight.
• DukanDiet Oat Bran Bars. These are coconut almond with stevia and my hubby has already claimed them as his own!
• Twinlab Endurance Fuel. There were two packs of these in the box. It's supposed to help with stamina and is the ultimate pre, during, and post-race nutrition.
• Sun Warrior Warrior Blend Raw Protein Vanilla. I can't wait to make a protein smoothie with this after a run!
• Kind Bars. There were two of these in the box...Cranberry Almond and Almond & Coconut. Yes these were the first things to go! So good!

I think this box would be perfect for those that like to try new products but don't want to buy the full product in case they don't like it. I love getting samples of new products and that is basically what these boxes are all about!

If you are interested, head over to Vitacost on February 1st to find out how you can get your very own Be Fit Box!

QOTD: Have you ever tried any of these products? Which one?

Mickey Mouse...Here I Come!!!

I'm being featured on Another Mother Runner today! Check it out! :-)

The time has finally come! Time to run my second full marathon in the most magical place on Earth! Am I excited? Oh yes! Am I nervous? Oh yes!

I'm a little worried about what happened during this long run happening again.

I'm a little worried about not training as well as I did for my first marathon due to my knee issue.

I'm a little worried that the longest training run I ran was 18 miles....and that was about 6 weeks ago.

But you know what? I'm gonna do this! I'm gonna have the time of my life! I'm gonna take lots and lots of pictures to remember this day! And I'm going to be running through all four Disney World Parks with some of my best friends!

So many have asked me if I have any goals for this race. To be honest...my only goal is to finish and have FUN! I don't care if it takes me 7 hours....I'm going to enjoy it!

And....I'm going to earn this fabulous 20th anniversary medal!!!

source

I want to say thank you to all of you for your awesome words of encouragement during this training! You guys are so awesome!!!!

I have some awesome guest posts lined up for you from some awesome bloggers for the next few days! Please give them lots of love!

As for me...I'm going to go do this again!

I will be tweeting and posting pictures on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtag #WDWMarathon so make sure you are following me!

Now...it's time to pack!!! I'm leaving tomorrow...and haven't packed a single thing! Eeek!!!!

QOTD: Do you pack days before you leave on a trip or wait until the last minute?

Fitness Friday...I'm Back!!!

This week was awesome run wise for me!!! I am BACK!!! Yay!!! No knee pain whatsoever!!! It feels great to be back into my running routine! Just in time for my Disney marathon...which is in 9 days!!!!!!!!!! :-)

Here are my workouts this week:

• Saturday- #plankaday 1:13, 10 mile run in 1:50:50 average pace 11:04- This run was super cold and windy! But it felt great...no knee pain and I ran the entire time!!! Fingers are crossed that my endurance is coming back!!! :-)

• Sunday- #plankaday 1:00

• Monday- #plankaday 1:11

• Tuesday- #plankaday 1:00, Resolution Run 5K in 31:37 average pace 10:10- This run was super hot! The temps were in the 70s and it was muggy and humid. Quite a difference from my long run on Saturday! Crazy weather here on the Gulf Coast!!!

• Wednesday- #plankaday 1:30

• Thursday- #plankaday 1:01, 3.11 mile treadmill run in 36:23 average pace 11:42 (why do I always run slower on the treadmill???)- I chose to run at the gym because it was super cold and raining. I don't mind running in the rain usually but with the marathon only 9 days away I did not want to risk getting sick.

• Friday- #plankaday 1:00

I am super proud of my week! Because I got THREE runs in! Do you know how long it's been since I was able to run that much? Since the knee thing I've only been doing long runs and resting the rest of the week to make sure the knee was good for the next long run! It felt great to be back into my running routine this week!!!

Tomorrow I have my last taper run before the marathon. I'm running 8 miles. This is also starting my next Sole2Soul Sisters half marathon training group for the Seaside Half Marathon! I can't wait to train these ladies again!!!

I cannot believe the marathon is almost here!!! I'm so excited!!!

It's been a great start to 2013!!!

QOTD: How has your first week of 2013 been?

Resolution Run 2013!

Today is back to reality for everyone. The boys went back to school, the hubby went back to work, and I am home trying to get everything back in order from the holidays. And hopefully I will get more sub jobs. I don't have any scheduled for this week but have one day scheduled for next week. But I am not complaining....we had a very blessed holiday!!! I hate it's over!

I started my running resolutions yesterday! I ran the Resolution Run 5K to start the 13 in 2013 and 5 by the 5th Virtual Race Series!

Do you know how long it's been since I ran a short run? Since my knee issue, I have been focusing on only long runs for marathon training. I wanted to make sure the knee was rested enough to run long each weekend. So I forgo the short runs. Yes I know I have said that I hate short runs (and I still do) but I also missed running more than once each week. So I was pretty excited about getting out there yesterday!

When I stepped outside it was hot and muggy feeling. The day before it was cold. But yesterday the high was in the 70's! I was excited about wearing a short sleeve shirt and no tights under my skirt! It's the little things, right?!

The run started off great. Of course, I started a little fast...but that's pretty normal for me on short runs. I think my body knows it's a short run and just wants to get it over with. I kept having to slow myself down. And then the wind started. It was soooo windy and the first half of the run I was running against 15 mph winds. That's hard!!! Not to mention I was sweating like crazy! Like beads of sweat falling down my face. I haven't sweated that hard in a while. I kinda loved it lol!

I reached my turn around point and the wind was at my back. I was happy to be out there but hating the short run. It always takes me 3-4 miles to ever warm up during a long run so that's why I hate these short runs so much. My legs never get into a groove. But I kept reminding myself how 2013 was going to be my year for running and I needed to get this done! Finally I reached 3.1 and I was so happy!

My first race for 13 in 2013 was done!!! And my 1st race for 5 by the 5th was done!!! Yay!!!

I'm so glad I ran yesterday! It was the perfect way to start off the new year!!! Like I said...2013 is going to be EPIC!!!

QOTD: Did you run or workout on New Year's Day?

Fitness Friday...FINALLY a Fabulous RUN!

I had company for 4 days this week due to Christmas. So getting in workouts was difficult. Once again, I kept up my planks every day but didn't get in anything else. I DID run my long run for marathon training and it was FABULOUS!!! I will tell you more about that in a bit!

Here are my workouts for the week:

• Saturday- #plankaday 1:00

• Sunday- #plankaday 1:10

• Monday- #plankaday 1:00

• Tuesday- #plankaday 1:01

• Wednesday- #plankaday 1:30

• Thursday- #plankaday 1:03

• Friday- #plankaday 1:00

With the new year coming I am definitely going to make some new goals for my workouts. I need to do more than just planks and running.

Speaking of running....my marathon is in TWO WEEKS!!!! I'm super excited and nervous. I know this race is all about having fun since it is a Disney race but I still want to do well. My knee is feeling so much better and I hope it continues to feel that way. Dr. Justin saw me yesterday and said the knee looks great! He doesn't want to see me for two weeks...unless I feel any inkling of pain than he wants me to see him immediately. So my next appointment with him is a few days before the marathon. He will make sure the knee is doing well and will tape it up for me for the race.

Remember my last long run that was a super fail for me? Well I was really nervous about this week's long run of 10 miles. Would I be able to run? Would I have any endurance? To tell you the truth...I woke up the day I was supposed to run dreading it. I NEVER dread my long runs because they are usually my favorite. But that long run fail blew my confidence. I knew I had to do it and get it done.

The weather was cold and windy. It's usually tough to run in wind. I bundled up and headed out. There were four of us running...me, Gina, Paige, and Sally. We started running and so far so good. I didn't feel too tired and my knee felt great. We talked and laughed and before I knew it we had run almost 4 miles and were at our first water stop! Yay! Last long run I couldn't even run a full 2 miles and here I was already at 4! That was a good sign. After water we kept running. And I started getting into my groove. And running felt great again!!!!! I was even in the front of the pack! We made it to our second water stop at mile 8 and I was feeling awesome! A few of the girls needed to use the restroom but I had to keep going because I was subbing that afternoon and needed to get home in time to get a shower. The last 2 miles it was only me and Gina running. But I finished and I finished STRONG!!! No walking at all during this run!!!! Yay!!!!!! I am so happy and finally feel like this marathon will be successful!!!

Thanks so much to Gina who ran with me this entire run! She kept me going and going strong!

 

I was proud I finally had a fabulous RUN!!! I also wore my Swiftwick socks for the first time during a long run...loved them!!!

I am so happy I had such a good run! Tomorrow I am running 10 miles again...and next weekend will be 8...and the next weekend is the MARATHON!!! I'm hoping the next 2 long runs will be just as great!

QOTD: Were you able to get in your normal workouts this week despite it being Christmas?

2012 Running Review!

I have been thinking about reviewing my running for 2012 for awhile. Then my friend Miss Zippy asked for us to tell her all about our 2012 and gave us questions to get us started. Perfect! I used her questions and added in some of my own!

• Best race experience? This would have to be the Gulf Coast Half Marathon on Pensacola Beach! I PRed by 3 minutes in very hot, humid, and windy weather! Everyone else was complaining about how hard this race was but for me it was just my day! I had a great race!

• Worst race experience? I hate to say it was this race because it was the first year of a local race but the It's About the Shirt Half Marathon was my worst race experience. It was raining horribly, the course was super tough and hilly, it was hot, they didn't block off the roads so we had cars weaving in and out of the runners, the route was too long (13.84 miles), and my calves were killing me from a super hard workout that week. 

• Best run? The 18 miler I ran in November. This was one of those runs where I felt like I could continue running at the end. Yeah. That almost never happens!

• Worst run? The 20 miler I attempted just a few weeks ago. I just never got into my groove and walked more than I ran. And then I ended up not even finishing the run. If you know me then you know that never happens....I never give up!

• Most memorable running experience? Running my very first marathon in March!!!! I will never forget how hard it was...or the accomplishment and emotions I felt at the end.

• Favorite running challenge? The Runner's World Run Streak this summer! I ran every single day for 38 days! I still can't believe I did it without getting injured!

• Best new piece of gear? Compression socks! I started wearing these during marathon training and they really do help! 

• Best piece of running advice you received? That it doesn't matter how fast you are...what matters is that you are doing it! 

• Running setbacks? The knee injury that occurred on my wonderful 18 miler in November. I got it checked out and it luckily wasn't serious but it set me back in marathon training. 

• Most inspirational runner? Wow. This one is super hard to answer because I know so many inspirational runners. I have tons of blogger friends that inspire me each and every day. And I have tons of runner friends that I train with that inspire me too. I am going to have to say that my friend Katrina inspired me tremendously this year. Katrina ran a half marathon (that super hilly and long course I named in my worst race) and she was 36 weeks pregnant! She is amazing! She never gave up running no matter how hard it was. Her baby was born on Halloween and she is already back to running...she even ran 6 miles a few weeks ago! Such an inspiration!

• If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? Blessed. Happy. Successful. All because of Jesus!

I feel like it's been a pretty successful year of running! I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store for me with my running!

QOTD: Pick one of the questions above and tell me your answer in the comments!

Fitness Friday...Sick time

Thanks again for all of your encouraging words regarding my horrible long run last weekend! I have the BEST readers and you all know how to make me feel so much better!

A lot of you said that since I was developing a cold that it probably contributed to my run being so bad. Well I will just tell you that the cold has been in full force this week! I haven't been able to breathe well through my nose and have been sneezing and coughing like crazy. I think today I am on the downside of it but it hasn't been fun.

Here are my basically non-existant workouts this week. I didn't feel like doing much this week and I think my body was trying to tell me to rest. So I did just that.

• Saturday- #plankaday 1:00, 18 mile run/walk

• Sunday- #plankaday 1:30

• Monday- #plankaday 1:10

• Tuesday- #plankaday 2:00

• Wednesday- #plankaday 1:04 

• Thursday- #plankaday 1:30

• Friday- #plankaday 1:00, 10 mile run

So nothing spectacular this week. It was even hard planking with a stopped up nose. But I did it! I cannot wait to get back to running more! Today I am running 10 miles...it's taper time for the marathon! But this 10 miles scares me a little since last weekend's run was so bad. Hopefully it will be a great run!

The knee is feeling so much better. And at my appointment this week with Dr. Justin he lowered my treatment to just once a week instead of twice a week since the knee is making great progress! Yay! Now I've just got to stay injury free for this marathon...and all the other races I have planned for 2013!!! 

Some other exciting news! You all know how much I LOVE my running skirts, right? Well I have a discount code to share with you that will save you 15% off your order!!! The code is "roadrunnerskirt" and it never expires so you can use it as often as you'd like!! If you're like me you get a new skirt fairly often so this code will come in handy!!! And just in case you forget the code...it's on the sidebar on the running skirts logo! ;-)

QOTD: What awesome workout did you do this week?

Long Run FAIL

This past Saturday was my last long run for Disney Marathon training. 22 miles was on the schedule but my plan was to run only 20 since I've been recovering from this knee injury. The last really long run I've done was 18 miles...and that's the run the knee starting hurting on. I took a complete week off and then ran 10 miles the following week...and the knee was still hurting. So I decided to go see a chiropractor (which was the best decision!) and he advised me to take the next two weeks off from running. That resulted in me missing my scheduled 20 miler... but I was still able to run the Woman's Half Marathon the next weekend. And although the half wasn't my best, I still ran and felt pretty good.

So my last long run for training was upon me and I thought I could do it no problem. Yes I may have to walk some but that's ok. In fact, Dr. Justin told me to run/walk it. I was just happy to be able to hit the pavement.

My friends I am training with decided we would walk the first and last mile and run 20. That worked out perfect for me since I had only planned on running 20 anyway.

The first mile we walked...and even that seemed hard to me. Then it was time to run. I stayed at my normal long run pace...between 11:30-12:00 minute miles. And by mile 2...I had to take a walk break! Not because of my knee....because I had zero energy! I felt like I couldn't keep going. WHAT??? At mile 2??? I had a LONG way to go! 18 miles in fact!

And that's how the next 10 miles went for me. I would run a little and then I would have to stop and walk. I felt horrible because some of my friends stopped with me and I hate holding anyone back. But the only reason I would start running again was when she said, "Ok let's run now." She basically had to push me into running again.

The best part of this run...the gorgeous sunrise I got to see!!!

Around mile 12 we had a few more girls meeting us to run the last miles with us. This is where things got super bad for me. My angels for the day were Kay and her dog Cody. Kay said they would walk some with me. We walked about a mile and a half and then started running for half a mile before we stopped for water. After that water stop (at about mile 14) I never ran again. I couldn't make myself. I had absolutely no energy to run...and I was even having a hard time walking. But Kay and Cody stayed with me the entire run...she gave up her run to walk with me!!! What an awesome person and friend!!!

I kept telling myself I needed to get in the miles...even if they were just walking miles. Every part of my body was aching. My hips were hurting, the backs of my quads were hurting, and my feet were killing me. I just wanted to quit right then and there. What was wrong with me? Why was I having such a hard time with this run? Or walk rather? I knew taking time off for my knee would hurt my endurance a little but never did I think it would hurt it this bad. And last week at the half marathon I was able to run!

One of the other girls, Shelbie, told us she was going to run back to her car. I told her we would be walking the route...and if she didn't mind would she PLEASE pick me up in her car and give me a ride home? That's how hard this was for me. NEVER have I quit a run but I just didn't think I was going to make it. Kay and I made it to mile 18 and then Shelbie pulled up. I didn't hesitate. I jumped in her car. We drove about a mile or two and came upon the other ladies training for the marathon. They were walking too...and they said this run was super hard. We asked if they wanted a ride but they turned us down and were determined to finish. That's usually me...but for some reason...I didn't have it in me. I couldn't finish.

I got home and my hubby was a little surprised to see me. He was like, "You're done already?" Yeah. That started the waterworks. I started boohooing and told him I didn't finish. I only made it 18 miles and most of it I walked. He (being the awesome hubby he is) told me I did great considering I had taken time off and was injured. But I was still devastated. I felt like a failure. I had a goal of 20 miles and I couldn't do it. FAIL.

And the doubts began. Would I be able to run this marathon in 4 weeks? Would my endurance come back? Could I even walk the marathon if needed since I couldn't walk the 20 miles today?

And I got mad. My training was going great until this knee issue. My 18 miler was one of my best runs but then my knee started hurting. Why? This was my dream race...26.2 miles in the most magical place on earth. Why was this happening to me???

After crying and having my pity party I felt a little better. I am still determined to run this marathon. It will most likely be my last marathon but I am going to do it. Nothing can stop me. Because "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I'm not sure why He's allowing me to be injured and my runs to be lousy but there's a reason. I am going to try to stay positive and be a light for Him.

I woke up Sunday (the day after the run) with a sore throat and stuffy nose. And I had a Christmas musical to sing in that morning. I still sang but had to cough quite a bit during songs. Maybe that is one of the reasons I did so poorly on the run. Because I was getting a cold.

I'll never know. But I'm hoping the next run will be great!

QOTD: Have you ever had a run like this? Do you think I will be able to run this marathon on January 13th?