Running roundup

Usually my bullet point posts are just a bunch of randomness thrown together that really don't relate at all. I'm quite proud of this post because all of the bullets relate to running. This is a first for me.

• If you're a runner and looking for a movie to see tonight, check out "Spirit of the Marathon II." It will be showing in more than 600 US theaters on Wednesday, June 12, at 7 p.m. (Check to see if it's showing in your city here.) Unfortunately, I have a prior commitment and can't attend, but I think it would be incredible for motivation (which I seem to be lacking lately with the hot, humid weather and no races on the calendar until October).

• Do you donate your running shoes after you're done putting miles on them? If not, you should! And, one way to do that is via Kindrunner.com. For each pair of shoes purchased at Kindrunner.com, one pair of worn shoes can be returned for a $10 Kindness Cash Rewards credit. It can redeemed immediately or collected and used together at a later time. The company's global shoe donation partnerships with Soles4Souls and The MORE Foundation Group ensures that your shoes go directly to someone who needs them.
• Pro Compression neon socks are the socks of the month and are available for 40% off with the code NEON. Offer is good through June 30 or while supplies last.

I'm thinking about these fun socks!

• Because of thunderstorms (and my fear of them), I've been in the craptastic gym a few times lately. You may remember this place as being extremely hot with minimal air movement. Unfortunately, it has not changed.

 

• But, it has gotten even crappier. One of the only things that I used to like about the craptastic gym was the TV. I didn't feel bad about watching craptastic TV (hello, all celeb-reality shows) as long as I was working out. Well, now the TV doesn't work. I didn't realize this the first few times I went, and I'd struggle with it for 10 minutes before deciding it wasn't going to work. To entertain myself, I listened to music on my phone (without ear buds so it didn't sound that great, but it was better than nothing). This is a song I am LOVING in general, but it's also fun to run to (if you're stuck in a craptastically hot gym with no air movement and no entertainment).
  
  

Are you going to see "Spirit of the Marathon II"? Have you seen "Spirit of the Marathon"? Do you donate your old running shoes? Do you have compression socks? Do you like to watch TV in the gym?

I rock at randomness

Too bad randomness doesn't have any usefulness that I know of; I could rock it (whatever "it" may be). 

• Note to self: even though you are attracted to a good deal, do not buy any more 99-cent Kindle books. It is super frustrating to have the main character’s name change from “Sidney” to “Sydney” repeatedly. 
• I recently started a boot camp, and I was so nervous before I started. Of course, as soon as I got there and started doing it, I fell in love. Although I do fear sneezes now … holy pain in the abs! 
• I also recently became addicted to grapefruit sparkling water (or pamplesmousse as La Croix calls it). I absolutely adore bubbles, and I usually drink it in the form of Diet Dr. Pepper. I realize drinking large quantities of Diet Dr. Pepper probably isn’t the best thing, so I’m so happy to find an acceptable substitute. Not that I’ll ever give up Diet Dr. Pepper for good. I’ll love you always and forever, Diet Dr. Pepper. 

I like your bubbles, La Croix. (source)

 

• Another thing I love: Kansas State University. I've loved it as long as I can remember because I’ve loved purple as long as I can remember. I also have a long-term love affair with Charlie Sheen. He doesn’t know it, but I have loved him for 18 years. So, imagine my happiness when I saw this on Anger Management.
  
  

In Kansas State purple, complete with the mascot name on the jersey.

• Although it’s a fairly new love affair, my heart is full for running. Yesterday was National Running Day, and it always makes me think about how running has improved my life. Thanks to running, I’m healthier, fueling my competitive drive, seeing new places and meeting wonderful new faces. Running peeps are some pretty awesome peeps, and I’m so happy to call many my friends.
  
  

 

• I’m heading to Savannah, Georgia, this weekend for the first time. What do I need to see and do?

Ever get suckered into buying a cheap Kindle book? If no, don’t. Do you like sparkling water? What’s your favorite flavor? Do you have a love affair with a drink, color, university, actor or running?

Season 2: recap

No half marathons on the schedule until October. It makes me kind of sad until I attempt to run in temperatures that rival the surface of the sun.

Since I’m not able to run nearly as far now (thanks, Florida heat), I’m just going to reminisce about this season of half marathons.

This was my second training cycle for half marathons. I was completely new to running the first season (2011-2012) and was happy just to finish. My first season only consisted of two races:

• Women’s Half Marathon: 2:48:26
• Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Petersburg Half Marathon: 2:33:39

I was completely disappointed in my first attempt, and I’m pretty surprised I kept running after it. It was pretty miserable (mainly because of the heat that isn’t supposed to be around in November), but I felt like I redeemed myself at the Rock ‘n’ Roll race. That was the race I knew I had in me. That’s the way it was supposed to happen. 

So, looking to this season, I knew I couldn’t have a 15-minute personal record (PR) each time, but I wondered if I could hit 2:25. I never publicly proclaimed this goal, but I thought I could do it.

• Halloween Halfathon:2:42:48
• Women’s Half Marathon: 2:45:33
• Holiday Halfathon: 2:41:10

(At this point, I really wondered if 2:33 was a fluke. I wondered if I’d ever see the 2:30s again.)

• Clearwater Halfathon: 2:38:29

(I started feeling more confident after this difficult course, and I felt like a PR was in my future.)

• Carnival Classic Half Marathon: 2:30:54

(I decided to do this race while on a high from the previous race. As in, sitting down right after the race and registering on my phone. Hello, PR!)

• Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon: 2:33:54
• Florida Beach Halfathon: 2:31:44
• Iron Girl Half Marathon: 2:48:35

So, 2:25 didn’t happen. Even 2:2X didn’t happen. While I’m a little disappointed, I still see lots of things to be happy about:

• I ran eight half marathons!
• I’m confident in my running abilities. I don’t worry about finishing anymore. I know I can.
• I even got pretty confident about being able to finish in the 2:30s by the end of the season (aside from the hot, nasty Iron Girl incident).
• I came up with some pretty rockin’ costumes for races.
  
  

• I fell even more in love with the half marathon distance. It’s my favorite, always and forever.
• Oh, and even though these aren’t half marathons, I did run and PR these distances during this training cycle: 5K (by 3:11) and 10K (by 1:21)).

So, now what?

Well, I have a break until August when half marathon training begins again. But, it’s not a break from running – just a break from running the longer distances. I’m sticking with my training group (last year I took a break from it, and while I continued running on my own, I just don’t push myself enough; I felt like I had to start over again when I picked back up in August). And, I’m adding in some new things to shake things up: boot camp (eek!) and yoga (eek!). 

Do you set race goals? Do you publicly proclaim your goals? How did you do this season? What do you do in the off season to prepare for races? Have you done a boot camp? Yoga?