Why I run...

When I first moved to Charleston, I was scared. I didn't have family here, my kids where in school full time and hubby worked. I was all by myself. I NEEDED something to do. I had been a previous runner before but always came to a crashing end, either work, kids, just life got in the way. So after getting a part time job 3 days a week, that wasn't going to cut it. I still craved something to fill my void. I missed my family, hubby had work, kids were in school. So in November I tripped and hurt my left foot really bad, I had sprained and tore 3 ligaments, I was off of that foot for 5-6 weeks and on crutches. I couldn't run, much less walk lol. So I was good and let it heal but I said January 1st I was going to start doing the couch to 5k again. So January came and I started. I started up again for 2 reasons. 1. Weight loss and 2. I was bored. So I had a schedule and went to it. I have been going since but now the question has changed to why am I running NOW? Simple two reasons. 1. IN LOVE 2. Release. I have become a massive addict to running. I LOVE every minute, every mile, every good and every bad run. AGAIN IN LOVE!!! 2. Release: HUGE I need to release stress, anger, frustration, but mostly anger. I have found that I have become a angry person. Angry at things in life and running has lesson that feeling of I wanna donkey kick someone in the throat behavior. I think it wouldn't be a good idea and I might end up in jail. So I think running suits me just fine. I know life is hard, I know life isn't fair but I also know that for me and the anger that subsides in me needs a place to go. All that anger disappears when running. All the grief, sorrow and pain is gone. It's me and the road. I started out running to lose weight and now I continue to run for love and for peace. Another blogger asked why do you run? This is my answer now!!

Weekend wrap up and a good run

So off to the shoe store on Saturday to exchange my new shoes and see if the problem still persisted, it did. So I went and tried on the Brooks gts 13s. They felt so good on my feet. I made sure I wore them around for a bit to see if the fit was perfect, it sure was. Just imagine being a princess seeing if Prince Charming had the perfect glass slipper, well now imagine a shoe expert putting on a running shoe, that's how it felt, like a soft, comfy pillow on my foot!! Wonderful and pure bliss. Then it was off to get my haircut with Ms. Emmie. We both were in serious need of a new do. Emmie wanted a bob, which is precious and I need some layers and a trim. I trim came out to being 6 in cut off. I think I seriously had a mini panic attack, but it's growing on me!! I'll show before and after soon. Sunday came around and it was just beautiful. I headed out for LRS of 10 miles. Must say my pace is getting better. My new shoes needed some breakin in and I think 10 was a great start. They felt great and my legs were just truckin along. Managed to pull some major hills and stairs, paying for it now. Then it was home to refresh myself with date day with hubs. We went to see Snitch, ok movie but of course with a actor, man like The Rock he could play a terrible character and still my eyes are glued to the screen. Then home to eat a pork roast my hubby made, so yummy!! But I'm done with the left overs. Monday came way to fast. I wish time would slow down a bit and I wouldn't mind some nice weather. Gesh, Mother Nature sure can't make up her mind.. Anyways my weekend was great. Wonderful time with hubs and sweet Ms. Emmie. Back to the daily grind of work, run, eat, sleep and of course my personal favorite job, being a mother!! Have a wonderful week my loves!!

Awe the joys of trying new running shoes

I get so excited to get a new pair of running shoes. I have been wearing the Ravenna 3 from Brooks for awhile but I have put almost 400 miles on them. I think mama needed a new pair. Well valentines day came around and that's what I asked for. The new Brooks Ravenna 4s came out and I was like a kid in a candy store, so happy. Beautiful colors, new design, I was ready to go get them. So I go on Saturday and I try on those beauties. Well I thought they felt great. I had no problems. Felt good, looked great and off I went to the register so eager to try out my first run in them. So I get them home and start playing around with them. I changed out the laces to the bungee laces and I put the right shoe on and I noticed that the tongue was kinda bothersome. So I took the bungee laces out and put the other original laces in and still bothering me. I tried to do the "runners knot". So I got this morning and laced up and that one right shoe was so uncomfortable. I retied the shoe, I did everything I could but I said screw it, I put on my Ravenna 3s and took off disappointed. So it looks like I will hit up the running store for an exchange or maybe the Brooks gts 13s. They felt good. My point is I love getting new running shoes but I ALWAYS have to do an exchange. It can be so frustrating to find that perfect shoe. I know what kind of runner I am, I know what shoe I need but still I get so upset. So I will either get the same shoe, hoping that it was just the one shoe or another type. Either way I will be running in some new rides come Sunday!!!

You know when you are a runner if...

It's so funny to me now that I am a full blown runner what I ask for in terms of gifts. So here are a couple of things I ask for in regards to gifts.

1. When I am asked what I would like for Christmas I always say gift cards. I do not use my gift cards to go buy regular, cute winter, summer, spring or fall clothes. Oh no, I ask for them for running attire. I have more running clothes then regular everyday outfits.

2. When it's a anniversary and I am asked by hubby what I would like, it's not diamonds. It's not kitchen items or even a Victorias secrets bra and pantie set, nope it's something running related.

3. This past Christmas, all I asked for was running stuff lol. Which included a bondi band. LOVE!! My mother even got me a license plate cover that reads My other car is a pair of running shoes. Yes true!! Still love that gift mom;)

4. And last, this past valentines day I wanted, well really needed a new pair of running shoes. I had put well over 300 miles on my Brooks Ravenna 3s. Well well to my surprise the 4s came out and just in time. Off to the shoe store I went and purchased these beauties. I am not a purple girl at all, but the lime green sucked me in.

I can't wait to try these babies out. They are so sweet looking but it's not always about looks right? ;)

Tomorrow is LRS and supposed to be freezing. I'm sure I will freeze my ass off but I want to get out and run!! I even tried a new lacing technique. AND who knew there were 50000 ways to tie shoes for runners. Gesh I had to get on YouTube just to learn how to tie a damn shoe. Oh the running things in life.

Well good night my peeps!! Have a great Sunday!!!

Valentines Day, chocolate and a great run!!

I love valentines day but I love it more since running. It's the saying "will run for food" that I guess makes for a better run. I had been struggling with my runs lately due to my hr monitor. I just decided that I was done with it. I stopped wearing it the last couple of runs and I have to admit it was amazing to be able to run without that distraction. So my run today was full off love!! I was trotting along, looked at my garmin and much to my surprise my pace was 9:05. Holy shit bombs that was crazy. I couldn't believe how great I felt. Finished my run and got ready for the daily grind at work. I love my coworkers. They are my second family here in Charleston. Don't get me wrong we have our days but I love them dearly. They are so kind that I got presents. I LOVE GIFTS. Speaking of gifts. I entered a contest. Yes of course a running contest about a product I LOVE called Bondi band. I got one for Xmas from the hubs. Hat can been seen in half pics. Well after sending in 3 pics, I was chosen as the winner. Yeah I know me! I NEVER thought I would win a contest with so many other runners. But they picked me to be on their website and 5 free, yes FREE bondi bands.. So excited. I chose sayings like Run Bitch Run, I run like a girl and Marathon Mama. That's the headband to give me motivation to try a full.

So great day and better night. Hubby gave me the best gift ever, a runners outfit isn't complete until she has new shoes on her feet!! Ready to go shopping. Happy valentines day to all my friends and family...

What did you get for valentines day?

Don't you know I have a run schedule

So tomorrow is recovery run from LRS, but I have a meeting at work that I must attend. So I either make up the run by doing Wednesday, Thursday and Friday or just get in 3 days or do a little run on Saturday morning. Who knows. I am a such by the book person. I have to have order in my life or I feel like my plate is too full. I hate having to juggle events, runs, schedules. I don't like change or missing anything. For instance I think I have missed 3-4 whole days of work since Oct 2011. Yeah I know, shit I surprised myself. But at least I will get my planks and push-ups in. I do have to say that I am very blessed that I don't have to be at work till 9:30 and that gives me time to do what I love.. RUN RUN RUN!!!

Heart rate training, pace, time and bla bla bla

About 6 months ago I started reading up on HRT. I read the benefits of it during your runs. So I decided I would try it out. Before I started wearing the monitor I would run for 3 mile then stop cause I had exhausted myself. Well after figuring out my HR and trying like hell to follow it I was surprised that if I stayed in that zone, I could run until 6 miles then 10 then 13.1 lol. I could go run that distance without walking or stopping. I loved it. My pace was becoming amazing, my time was quicker. I loved it and each week I got better and better. BUT then I would have days like today where my HR was too high. On my long runs, I need to be around 160-166 I think. But I don't know if it was weather, my legs felt heavy, a little anger before. I just couldn't make it through all 10 miles without stopping to take my jacket to the car, getting some texts, enjoy a view or just to get my HR down. Today was a hard run. I mean mentally HARD. I said a lot of fucks and other horrible words. But I finished. But sometimes when I run such a hard run, mentally or physical I am bummed. I LOVE the feel of a good run. It leaves me feeling powerful. I guess when it's hard I feel weak. That's it, when I can't push through a hard run I feel weak. How can I feel that when I've competed a half? Oh well, maybe I should stop wearing the monitor and just enjoy the run. Enjoy the run without worrying about pace, HR and time. Time to really put running into perspective. Enjoy a run not worry. Stop being in a competition with myself!!!

Any words of wisdom??

Who knew??

Who knew this drink would cause me to spend half my day in the bathroom ( not in a good way). I thought it was good but not after a hard run. I'll stick to coffee and good ole plain water!!!

I'm a nasty runner!!!

I am, I swear. I do things while running that I usually don't do in public. So I'll start with a nasty habit I ALWAYS do while running but never in public. I spit. I'm not talking about a spit here or there. It's a full on spit fest. I probably spit about 30 times while running. I do it while cars are passing and I think to myself "if these people see me spit what do they think"? But I try to hide my spit. But spitting has huge disadvantages. For one when a man pees he must piss in the wind because why? Well you know why, same for spit. You must always spit in the wind. If not the spit will fly up and hit you in the face, eyes and ponytail. Two, I have had some nasty spits that have actually came back into my mouth, yes I swear I said that. Its like a spit sling shot. That will jump right back into my mouth. Gross but what can you do? NASTY I tell ya. I have no idea why I only do it when I run. My other nasty thing I do is fart. Yes I mean FART. Yes I toot in public but something about running and gas traveling down and out makes it free smoothly and loud. I really feel bad when I run by someone and they are in my path. But I know a lot of runners that fart while running. FWR ( fart while running). So there it is. I am a nasty runner who farts and spits?

Question:

Do you spit while running?
What is your nasty while running?

Long run Sunday and Superbowl, oh my!!

Love/loath long run Sundays. I look forward them but I also know the affects after as well. So lets start with what I love about LRS (long run Sundays) !!! I love that I don't have to be rushed.. During the week when I run, I feel rushed so I can get ready for work. I love sleeping in on LRS, having my coffee and eating my toast and out the door I go. I love how the night before I can figure out new and different routes.. Some work and some don't. The night before, I think about my past LRS mileage and see what I can do, if I should add too or take a little break. Find out what the weather is going to be and decide what I should wear. Going into today's run I didn't know what I wanted to do, I looked at my run keeper and decided I didn't need to scale it down so I opted for 14 miles.. Yep, I thought what the hell I just did a half, I can do 14. Well , well, well, not all pretty perfect. Can' have awesome ass runs all the time. It was all smooth, good running grove until about mile 8. I have been having some nagging right ankle pain near my ankle bone, just during my last 2 runs. Not too bad but I had to stop and do some stretches and tighten my bungee laces. Which after that it was fine. I think I need my shoes tightened. So off I go and decided that at mile 10 I needed a GU to get through the next 4 miles. The wind was starting to make it hard considering I was running right dead smack into it. Which I can say the last 4 miles were consumed with some major fbombs and motherfers lol.. So I grab my  GU out of my shweaty sports bra, drink that nasty shit done, do some more stretches and proceed to finish this bitch. I was ready to be done, but shit if I have a mileage in mind I am going to do come hell or hell lol.. So trucking along hit mile 13 and I can feel everything getting sore. I was thirsty, I stunk like someone who hasn't showered in 3 weeks and I think the GU was kicking in if you know what I mean ;). Well I stop, yes I stopped and stretched and just thought OK, if you don't do this its going to mess up your whole Sunday, you have a goal, don't quit. I put my big girl panties on and started up again. As I am starting back up I pass a man who is smoking a cig after church service, I think really dude? Cant even get a couple of blocks away and light up? GESH. So I pass him and sure as shit he blows a huge puff of smoke in my direction ( not good to inhale when running). So I keep it moving, thinking damn is it 14 yet, no, yet? No. Damn I look down and my Garmin says 14 miles. THANK GOD I was done.. To my car I shall go and drink this down as fast as I could.... Kinda looks like a commercial, I didn't mean to do that ;)!!!
 AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..
 Feeling much better!!! Then come home to take a cold/hot shower. Break out the Perform (which is gel for sore muscles) and Ibuprofen and ice packs. I am beyond tired, sore and ready for pj's lol.. During this time I am thinking "Really?  I do this to myself" and I say "yes I do". I will know by Tuesday I will be ready for another round of mileage and then the process starts all over again. I LOVE THAT FEELING. I love being sore, it does something in my head, makes me feel like, well shit I did work my ass off... Now I am sitting here watching the Superbowl, which I am only excited really to see Beyonce, gnawed on some wings from Wing Stop then I am going to indulge on these babies!!