Today I ran in 4-tons of non-running gear

Today I was planning to run on the treadmill after dropping off my little one at preschool so I wasn't dressed for a run. The plan was to go home, change then run. When I was driving home, I decided to man up and deal with the wind so I pulled into the parking lot of my old standby, the lake. One good thing about running around a lake where once around only adds up to a mile: lots of constant direction changing so the wind is never a major factor for long. Blowing right into your face? Bear with it because in about 45 seconds, you'll turn a corner and it will be sideways wind. So that was the good part. The bad? Since I was only supposed to be dropping off Quinn, I was in my big, giant, full of fluff (read: warm) sweats, a long sleeve cotton shirt (which I know know is too tight in the sleeves to run in - am I the only one who gets beyond annoyed when fabric is bunched up in your arm were you bend it?) a really thick fleece pull over then my cool new Nike windbreaker on top of that. So staying warm certainly wasn't an issue. What was an issue was the fact that I was weighted down by all that crap! I swear I felt 15 pounds heavier than normal. I ran around the lake twice, got bored so ran through the surrounding neighborhood for 2.5 miles then one more time around the lake for a total of 5.5 very heavy (but warm!) miles. I'm glad I finally got past the fear of wind I have developed and got out there. It felt good to run outside again. Although, I have a question. Is it possible that all this treadmill running has changed my posture? I found that my back was really aching! When I'd pay attention to my posture, I felt like I was way more upright than I usually am outside. I think maybe I'm standing up straighter on the treadmill. Hmmmm....

slouch

So I freaked out about the weather and jumped on the treadmill for my long run yesterday morning. The winds were crazy, we had rain and hail and it was just plain nasty. I can be a bit of an impulse decision maker type person which is why I just assumed that what I saw yesterday morning was what was to be for the rest of the weekend. Today, it was cold, not doubt about that, but the winds died down and the sun was about as bright as could be. So imagine my feeling of schmuckyness when I was out and about today running random errands and saw no less than 150 runners. They were everywhere!! I can only equate it to when you think you might be pregnant (sorry guys) and you are really hoping you are (although I would suppose this would work even more so if you were hoping you were not!) and all you see are pregnant women? Do you know what I'm talking about? So there they were - out by the bazillions. All bundled up and wearing big fat smiles running their asses off. I had to keep reminding myself that it was ok that I wasn't running today since I ran 9 yesterday and I'm trying to be smart given this stupid pain and that I shouldn't be running no matter what the sun is doing but damn! It sucked seeing them all out today!! I really hope the sun is out again tomorrow since I can now run in the evenings again!

I have absolutely nothing exciting to say today. We have been under a "gail force winds" warning all day, the rain had gone from light rain, to pouring to full on hail so I was forced to hit the treadmill. If 9 miles on the treadmill doesn't bore the words right out of you, nothing will.

I can't believe it's time to set the clocks ahead an hour this weekend. That must mean spring is upon us! Which also must mean it's time to get serious about the training! I've been running and doing some cross training, but it's easy to put the spring schedule in the back of your mind when the weather is crappy, the days are short and the couch is so much more comfortable.
I got back on the bandwagon last night with a great upper body workout followed by some core work on the stability ball with the medicine ball which, and this may make me a freak, I really love. There is something about the combination of the stability ball and medicine ball that makes you feel like you are doing so much more and getting results so much quicker. I did a bunch of step-ups too which I hate. But anyway.

Then today, in trying to stick with the 3-short runs, 1-long run per week plan, ran 5 miles on the treadmill. I'll admit that it was really hard for me to stop because I'm so used to pushing myself assuming that I wont get another run in for a few days. I ran 8 on Sunday so I'm going to try and get 2 more shorts in this week and then up my weekend to 9 on either Saturday or Sunday.

And what makes me really feel like I'm back on schedule wasn't the stuff last night or the run today, it's the smoothie I made after the run. Last summer, I'd always reward myself with a homemade smoothie after my runs. I made one today and forgot just how much I love them!

My recipe is simple but really delicious!
1 6-ounce container Light & Fit Vanilla Yogurt (60 cals, 7g sugar, 5g protein)
1 banana
4 strawberries
splash of milk
1 small squeeze of honey
ice
Yum! I'm no nutritionist so if someone thinks this is a bad idea, let me know, but other than the natural sugars from the strawberries and the fact that bananas can be high in calories, I don't see how this can be a bad thing. I should probably be eating a chicken sandwich on whole grain bread with veggies, but hey, it's still breakfast time!

It feels good to be excited about the upcoming spring schedule - obviously the half marathon is the biggie, but there are so many great races out there that I wasn't even aware of last year. I'm trying to get myself organized today then I'll have my calendar complete.

Deal of the Century

Running gear can be crazy expensive. I have been in need of a good wind-breaker type jacket for these days were the temps are up, but the winds are still pretty crazy. I haven't caved yet because the prices have put me off. Well, I hit the jackpot yesterday when, on a total whim, I walked into TJ-Maxx. I found a fantastic Nike jacket there that fit perfectly and had the oh-so-sweet price of $12.99. Retail price? $90.00!!!! Yahoo! It's the Nike Fit Storm Clima-Fit. I'm pretty excited about that deal. Puts more money into my shoe fund....for when I finally decide to make that purchase!

Hello, My Name is Renae and I'm Afraid of Running Stores.

The Washington Post had a good article on running shoes today. they mentioned Potomac River Running (the running store for super cool, real runners) several times even showing a photo of their treadmill test. I need new running shoes desperately. I go onto Potomac River Running's site often and think about going but never do it. instead, I hate to admit, I grab shoes anywhere else: Costco have Addias this month? Sold to the girl who is scared of a real running store (which most likely explains my knee and ankle pain). Just thinking about walking into a running store like PRR gives me the shivers. I'm terrified they'll laugh at me. I feel like the uncool girl trying to sit down at the popular kids lunch table. Surly they'll look me up and down, start laughing and say "Seriously? You are not a runner!" And then even if I manage to convince them that I'm trying to be a runner and they let me in, what if I fall off the treadmill during "The Test". Yikes!! I'm getting hives over this. I know, this is beyond stupid. I need a partner to go with. It's always easier to get laughed at if you have a friend with you. Maybe I'll recruit my husband to help me get through the door. They wont laugh at him....and even if they do, he wont care. However it happens, I need to do it soon so that I can get used to new shoes before May! I'm such a dork.

Starting the Spring Race Season with the Fam!

I'm having a good time checking out all the upcoming races and filling out my calendar. The first race of the year for me will be a fun one because I'm getting the entire family involved. It's a 5-mile race for Children's Hospital but there is also a 1-mile fun run/walk. My husband and two boys are participating in the fun run and I also recruited my mother-in-law and my father-in-law! How fun is that? I'm pretty excited because I'm the only runner in my family so this is a fun way to get them involved in my obsession....I mean hobby! The race is next Saturday so I'm hoping the weather warms up quick. If it's nice out, everyone will have a much better time!