10 Things Thursday

1. I still adore the treadmill. I ran a fabulous 5K on it last night and watched the Rays vs. Red Sox game (Yay, Rays!).

2. Because of my new-found love of the treadmill (and the gym in general), I really want to join one. But, I wonder if it’s worth it. I run with my running group the majority of the time, so I probably wouldn’t use the glorious treadmills that often. I do like having other cardio options and not feeling like heat stroke is eminent, though.

3. I haven’t worn anything besides gym clothes in four days. I also haven’t worn any makeup or done anything to my hair besides piling it up on top of my head. This is what happens when you work remotely by yourself and only go to the gym, take your dog for a walk or go to Target (sorry, people of Target). You’ll be happy to know that I do make the effort to brush my teeth and put on deodorant.

My office look for the last four days.

4. There are many things I miss about working in an office (people, supplies, phone headset), but one of the things I miss the most is a decent chair and desk. This recliner and end table setup I have going on is not doing my back, neck or shoulders any favors. Ouch.

5. Dogs sleep A LOT. I become aware of this when I’m at home all day. Lazy girl does nothing all day. I can barely get her to open her eyes. I will not feel bad when I have to leave for work again (well, feel bad about leaving Chloe …).

You're interrupting my 18-hour nap.

6. My boyfriend stocked up on all my favorites while I’m here visiting.

What more does a girl need?

7.  Are you looking for the best damn race? Well, I suggest you check out the Best Damn Race. It's Feb. 1, 2014, in Safety Harbor, Florida. I ran this race earlier this year, and I had so much damn fun. If you want to join in on the fun (and you should), you can use the code BDRBLOG to save $5 when registering (it's good for July and August).

8. I have some Amazon gift cards saved up, and I realized the best way to spend these is on running shoes! Duh, right? So, I started looking at the Brooks Adrenaline GTS (my love), and I found these beauties ... just not in my size. Now I'm stalking Amazon waiting for my big-foot size to be in stock.

Source

9.  I continually confirm this, but I keep doing it: I hate long car rides. Any drive that takes more than two hours needs to be flown in a jet. So, I'm really looking forward to the 8-hour drive back to Florida. GAH.

10. I adore Twitter and Instagram. If you want to follow me there, I'm behold_turtle.

Do you belong to a gym? What's your favorite piece of equipment? What two favorite items would you want someone to have around if you were visiting? Do you like road trips?

A summer love affair

I have a summer romance. And, it's pretty intense. Well, as intense as things can get between a girl and a treadmill.

Yes, this previous hater of the treadmill, is now having a hot love affair with it.

I'm pretty certain I previously hated it because of my craptastic condo gym. 

I tend to look like I'm near heat stroke and rather irritated in that craptastic place ... maybe those two go together. 

Unfortunately, I didn't escape the heat in the craptastic gym; I walked right into it. As an added bonus, my treadmill would stop mid-run occasionally.

But, running outside in Florida in the summer made me think my love affair with running was over. I debated taking a break from it. I wondered if I'd ever love it again. 

Then, while on vacation, I found a treadmill that didn't stop mid-run in an adequately cooled gym, and I ran my farthest distance ever on a treadmill: 4.5 miles. And, I loved it. And, I realized it wasn't running that I had lost my love for, it was running in the summer.

Currently, I'm visiting South Carolina, and I have access to an incredible gym with beautiful treadmills. And, I'm having a hard time not running endlessly every day. I can't stay away. 

I love you, treadmill (at least until the fall). 

Do you love the treadmill or hate it? How do you cope with summer running? What is your longest distance on the treadmill?

A month in bullet form

Since I disappeared from the blogging world for a month, I'll catch you up on my life in bullet form (it's better that way, trust me):

• I spent a weekend in Savannah. I went on a ghost tour (appropriate since it’s the most haunted city in the US), and for the first time on a ghost tour, I actually got a little scared. I still don't believe in ghosts (I’m waiting for them to prove it to me), but I still like hunting them. I blame those cheesy boys from "Ghost Adventures."

• I spent a long weekend in Biloxi. The area is so pretty, and everyone is so nice. And, I did something amazing: I ran my longest distance ever on a treadmill. The hotel gym had adequate air conditioning, a fan on the treadmill, a TV on the treadmill, and a great view of the pool and gulf (a nice change from my craptastic condo gym).

• My dad visited over the Fourth of July, and we went to five baseball games in five days. We also saw the Rays win five games, including a sweep of the Chicago White Sox. If that wasn’t sweet enough, I also got a batting practice ball and photos with Raymond and DJ Kitty.

• I participated in a two-week boot camp that I adored. I’d still be doing it if it was still happening.
• I did another spin class, and I really, really liked it this time. I think my bike was adjusted just right this time. That, in combination with a fabulous teacher (my sweet and talented friend, Danielle, from running group), made it pretty awesome.
• I tried a hot yoga class for the first time, and I sweat a ridiculous amount. And I wanted to laugh almost the entire time. How in the heck are you supposed to grab your arm if you can’t get a grip due to profuse sweating? I mean, this is a really humorous situation. Apparently, laughing is frowned upon in these establishments, though. But, I went back a second time. And, I’m going to a class tonight. Mainly because I have a Living Social deal for a month of unlimited classes. Well, and I kind of like it. And, I get to see this girl, which makes it awesome.
• After the group fitness adventures, I decided that it’s definitely for me. I love the camaraderie, motivation and encouragement from working out in a group setting. It just makes it more fun.
• I fell in love with this song. Please do not judge my musical taste on this (although you’ve probably lost any hope in me having decent musical taste since I like Justin Bieber). The good news is I know it’s terrible. The bad news is I sing along and car dance the crap out of it. (Note: It could be offensive to some.)

 

• I’ve officially entered into the “eat-all-watermelon” season. Peaches are my favorite fruit, but I crave watermelon, and I want to eat it every day while it's in season. 

Have you been to Savannah? Biloxi? What is your farthest distance on a treadmill? Do you adore mascots as much as me? Tried a boot camp, spin or yoga class? Do you have the urge to giggle at yoga?

Running, I thought I didn't love you

I kind of disappeared for a bit.
 
And, it was partly due to falling out of love with running.

No worries: the love has returned … well, not exactly.

But, I did determine the cause of the no-love feeling: surface of the sun temperatures and 99.9% humidity. Running is really not too much fun at all in those conditions. I get even slower (how is this even possible?), and I feel like any progress I’d made during the past season is completely gone.
 

The evil sun disguising itself as a pretty sunset.

I debated taking a break from running group for the summer. But, then I heard some wise advice from a wise coach: what you’re doing now – even if it’s slower or even if you’re walking – will make you stronger for half marathon training (it begins in August).

So, I’m sticking it out. I’m slow, I’m walking more, but I’m running. And, I’m not letting myself get disappointed with my slower times (most of the time …).

The good news is I’m getting excited for half marathon season (and the costume it entails). Previously, I wondered if I’d ever care about a race again, so this is progress. 

I even started thinking a little bit (not really that much but more than ever before, which wasn’t much) about a marathon. That thought went out the window after Sunday’s craptastic 4-mile run. It was the type of craptastic run that you begin to question why you even run in the first place. If I can’t even run 4 miles comfortably, why bother? Why do I even call myself a runner? Why am I so slow? Why did I ever even minutely think about running a marathon? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

So maybe my hot weather attitude could still use a little more work. But, I’m still running, and that’s what matters.

How do you handle running in the heat? Am I being a big baby?

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?