April 6th: Manically Productive ;-D

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Little Miss Sunshine State

This morning, I ran 7.4 miles, did groceries for the week, cleaned up the back yard, folded a load of laundry, did some dishes and had my internet serviced by my provider all by 12:30pm….. whoa!!!!

I then managed to head over to the beach and sun bathed for an hour and a half, went to Whole Foods for some vitamins and lunch then stopped by Barnes and Nobel… Did some work, went for a short bike ride, ate dinner with mom then filed my taxes…. now I’m blogging to you!

I’m telling you… running in the morning is like winding me up. I’ve got energy to spare!

I Kept Going…

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Little Miss Sunshine State

I don’t know if I have a cramp or a pulled muscle in my left calf but it HURRRRTTSS…

It started hurting the minute I started running this evening. I stretched and pulled through the pain to keep running because I was doing well and was feeling great otherwise. Although I was happy to have kept going, I’m wondering if it was kind of a stupid move because, to be honest, it now hurts me more. I better not be in too much pain to enjoy my long run this Sunday! Either way, I’ll still keep going during that run too… I’ll rest from running until then.

This evening I drank coconut water for the potassium and took Magnesium in case its a cramp and have massaged it and put on some Biofreeze and took a Turmeric for the inflammation… Wish me luck

April 1st: Well on my way…

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Little Miss Sunshine State

Today was hectic both during and after work… by the time it was 5pm I was so hungry and tired, all I could think to do was eat dinner. I had nothing prepared so when my mom asked me to join her for some lentil soup at her place, I agreed. After a bowl of that fiber- protein-iron-rich-goodness, I felt like a sluggish bump on a log.

As I sat with mom on the patio after dinner, though, all I could think of was going for a run. I was so restless that my mind was going 100 miles an hour thinking about lacing up and hitting the pavement…. I wouldn’t feel right until I did it.

I gave myself a couple hours to digest and headed out just before it got dark. Fastest run in a few months and well under 9 minute miles which is one of the goals I shared being committed to achieving! I’m well on my way 🙂

When Race Season is Over…

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Little Miss Sunshine State

Since my epic race-season finale, I have no other scheduled half marathons in the near future. And, to be honest, there aren’t many (if any at all) to register for in my neck of the woods anyway. They probably won’t start up again until September or October.

Although its been cool and overcast lately, in about a month or so, Florida’s summer weather will kick in and it’ll be unbearably hot and humid by 8am every morning. Rather than start running indoors on a treadmill (the equivalent of Chinese water torture for me) I keep doing my thing outdoors but adjust times to avoid the dangerous conditions.

Here are 5 of my humble off-season tips to help you hit the ground running (pun is completely intended, of course) when you’re able to race again:

You may not have to run as far but don’t stop doing your long-runs. I honestly don’t significantly lower my weekly mileage during off season. Maybe my long-runs will be 8-11 miles while I’m training but only 7-9 when I’m not. No biggie…
Increase your cross-training to strengthen hips, legs and core. (something you can do indoors and in the air conditioning is always a plus.) You want to protect those knees and hips by staying strong!
Sign up for shorter races. They usually organize these year-round. I’ll be doing a 10K in a couple weeks with one of my girlfriends just for fun. It may not be a half but, it keeps you motivated and honest about your conditioning.
Start thinking about your goals. Do you have a specific time goal? Do you want to do a full? Do you need to save money to support your addiction to racing out of town? Start preparing as of now.
Get social. Join a group through your local running store or meetup.com. Knowing that you have people waiting on you to run will keep you honest about getting out there even when its really, REALLY hot out…

I’m doing 7 or 8 tomorrow… 🙂

March 23rd: La Vie en Rose

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Little Miss Sunshine State

Today was just an all around awesome day!… It began with a long-run by the ocean with this view:

Then moved on to brunch and a walk through an art festival with this view:

Then ended with me getting a kick-ass bicycle thats very, very PINK!!!

I TOLD you that I was going to attempt triathlons this season… getting this bike is the first step.

I’m sooooooo excited that I’m seeing life through pink-colored glasses as the French chanteuse Edith Piaf once sang…. but my bike is so kick-ass that I’m channelling more Steven Tyler than Edith 😉

Edith:

Steven:

Bicycles and Sore Butts

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Little Miss Sunshine State

I am proud to say that I have been hard at work running and riding my rinky-dink bicycle lately. I have not missed a work-out except for Tuesday. I was just too tired after coming back so late Monday night from my trip out of town and wanted to give my body a rest.

My daily routine has included either a fast 3 mile run and a short cool-down bike ride OR a 6 mile bike ride and my favorite butt exercise video. I’m feeling good and am SOOO glad that I have begun to do a secondary form of cardio for various reasons:

If I run every day, my knees and hips just don’t feel right. I ache and feel uncomfortable. Cycling has given me something to do in between my running days. Extra cardio and no knee pain? What a concept!
Its helping me strengthen a different set of leg muscles which, i’m sure, will ultimately make me a stronger runner.
Its fun!
Its getting me super psyched about getting a REAL bike and doing a tri!

Despite my excitement, I have one small complaint… MY BUTT HURTS!

You would think that with my Cuban-sized booty, it wouldn’t be a sore as it is but, I’m downright uncomfortable, people. I either need to get a better seat for my bike, wear padded riding shorts or just suck it up and get used to it if I’m going to be making this a new habit!

I will be getting a more efficient bike sooner than later and will hopefully be able to try it out during my spring break! I can’t wait to share THOSE new adventures with you. Until then, I gotta keep movin’!

The Best Type of Diet Shakes!

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Little Miss Sunshine State

The best motivational poster someone was holding up at the Swamp House 1/2 this past weekend read “The best type of Diet Shake is the shake your booty makes when you run!” I had to make a poster of it for the blog, LOL.

Other favorites:

“Don’t run too close behind me. I fartlek when I run.”

“Chuck Norris never ran a 1/2 marathon.”

“Run like you stole something!”

and “Medals last longer than pain.”

What are some of YOUR favorite motivational posters from races you’ve participated in or cheered at? Please share!

March 5th: Massages

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Little Miss Sunshine State

Today I am grateful that I can afford to treat myself every once in a while. Despite feeling remarkably good for having done two half marathons in a row last weekend, I realize that my muscles could use a little loosening up. I have a dull ache in my right sciatic and hip and my calves are still a little stiff. I called a local massage parlor chain and scheduled an appointment for this evening… and am SO glad I did.

I’m just going to cook myself up some soup, paint my nails and head to bed early once I get home, thank you very much

March 2nd: Race #2… Mission Accomplished!

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Little Miss Sunshine State

Well, we both woke up sore and tired at 5:20am this morning but neither of us let on that we thought this might be a bad idea… back to back half marathons in one weekend is pretty crazy.

Since we both put on our brave faces (and really wanted to prove that we could do this) we headed over to the Swamp House Half as planned. It was pretty cold by our standards, around 50 degrees, and our tired muscles and joints were stiff as boards but when the blow horn sounded we were off.

The conversation was good, the company was the best and the adventure was epic. I love my little sister and our crazy antics. It was a fun race and the after party was lively and delicious! Where else do you get unlimited IPA beer and jambalaya included in your race entry?! Oh, and did I mention that they gave us a little swig of beer at mile 12 just to give us the motivational boost we needed to finish? Fun times!