Bemidji Marathon Day Outfit

I've become a bit obsessed with Oiselle running clothes over the last half year. I've already shouted from the rooftops about my love of the Mac Rogas, and then they keep rolling out adorable green items that I just have to have. #teamgreen

Running companies, if you make it in green, I'll probably have to buy it. FYI.

For my marathon in October, I'm planning to wear the Mac Rogas. I currently have them in yellow, navy, and black. Probably excessive, but I seriously wear them for 85% of my runs. Yes, my washer and dryer are working overtime. They released two new colors and I want both. I've found the medium fits my shape slightly better than the smalls (all those glute exercises are really doing the trick on my booty!) so I need at least ONE of them for the race. Boring black just won't cut it for 26.2 miles.

I'm leaning toward the pinker version....

Thoughts?

Also, I was planning to wear the green flyte tank that I'm obsessed with, but THEN Oiselle posted about the Birds of a Feather tank in aspen. NEED.

I'm a firm believer that training for a marathon deserves a new marathon day outfit. And I plan to have an adorable outfit when I cross the finish line to break a 4+ year old marathon PR.

**I was in no way compensated for this post, and pay for all my Oiselle gear at full price unless I snag a coupon code for a weekend sale through their email campaigns.**

The Whiny Runner

If you know me IRL, you'll know that I've been a little not-myself when it comes to running.  Glitter and Sunshine?  Where?  Just call me the Whiny Runner, bestie to The Angry Runner.  Saturday I gorged on all things fatty and salty.  And then napped.  And then was boggled when my marathon pace run didn't go so swell.  (Perhaps I should change to The Dumb Runner....)

Saturday night I was lamenting to KK and confessed that I was seriously considering dropping from the full to the half in Fargo.  Up to this point I had 4 failed long runs (sucky 14 miler, 16 turned to 6 on the TM and 10 at super mondo slow pace, 18 that ended in my eating shit hardcore, and a 20 miler that I just plain didn't do.)  Yeah.  I distinctly remember saying last weekend that if it was cold and/or snowy and/or windy next weekend, that I would gladly hang up my running shoes and embrace a life of sedentary bliss.  Saturday's forecast:  High of 30.  20 mph wind gusts.  Wind chill: hope you aren't too fond of the skin on yo' face!

I told him that I was over running.  I've had one strong run in roughly the last 4 months, and it has become a chore to get myself out the door (heyo, I'm dr. suess!).  He let me vent and then in unison we said, "but it's probably just the weather..." (precious level: 17, jk).  I decided that whatever the weather was on Sunday at least I wouldn't be running on snow/slushy/ice hybrid as I had previous long runs.  I even planned out a running route I was excited about.... it was creepy.  It was cold, but I've run in much colder.  It was windy, but I've done much windier (when it was much colder...ick).  And it was hilly (which is typically not my cup o' tea).  But it was kind of awesome.

I wanted to run ~9:45 pace for the 16 miles, and I didn't want to see a mile above 10 even for the super mondo hills.  No joke, I hit every major hill in town except one.  I started the run in to the wind and it suckkkkked, but then I had it out of the way for the next 8-9 miles.  Neat!  I set a PR in snot rockets blown, including one that took up residence on my cheek.  Which I didn't notice....for quite some time.  Ooooh!  Maybe I'll be The Sexy Runner.  Hey hey hey!

I did 16 miles in 2:33:58 for a pace of 9:37.

The first 4 miles and last 1 were flat as a 12 y.r. Jerbear so I didn't map the elevation on those, but look at those HILLS!  My legs are still shaking their fists (?) at me for that route.  Hills make heros!

And maybe some of the gentle persuasion towards running the full occurred via retail therapy this weekend.....  See I can justify buying something new for marathons because it's a lot of darn work.  Half marathons?  No new outfit for you!  And I just couldn't pass up these super sweet Brooks shorts in my favorite color of green.  And I quickly realized they'd be the perfect match for the green tank top my green sister Nikki got me last fall.  (FYI: when looking at this photo, I realize this outfit is only missing my high school home town name before it looks like my track uniform.... bahahahahha...)