Hey Look at Me! I'm Running! + Blog Searches

It's been awhile since I've talked about running here on the ol' running blog.  So perhaps I'll do that.  Last week I started up training again.  I have a short and not-so-sweet 4 week plan to hopefully get me to a 10k PR on the 4th of July.  Because I've taken it pretty darn easy post-Fargooooooooooo, I started my weekly mileage pretty low:  20. 

Last Monday I was the biggest B.A. of SoDak when I did my run in 95 degree temps.  Please keep in mind that this was the temp after I waited for it to cool off.  It was well over 100 degrees for the day, my car told me it was 119 when I was driving home from work, but it's clearly a liar.  However, if there was a thermometer INSIDE my car, it would've been in the 150 range.  G.D. black car.  Yes I sweated through my dress clothes during my 7 minute commute, thanks for asking. 

To be honest, the run wasn't that bad.  Granted it was an easy-paced 3 miles.  But heat....?  It really doesn't suck THAT bad.  I've definitely had cooler temperature runs where I have been much much MUCH sweatier and on the brink of death, but the humidity was only in the 40% range.  It's just so rare that we have heat WITHOUT 90-100% humidity that I didn't realize whom my true foe was.  Humidity.... you suckkkkkkkkk.

I also got in a rockin' 800 meter repeat run, without getting my ass handed to me.  YAYZIES.  Considering it's been roughly 6 weeks since I've done any speed work I was slightly concerned.  Yes it was tough, and yes my heart rate data proved I was working my hiney off, but it was kind of...fun.  ::cough:: masochist! ::cough::

After my warm up, I was able to knock out 3 800s in 3:36, 3:37, and 3:35.

And this weekend I headed up to Minneapolis for a bachelorette party.  I threw my running stuff in my bag with a chuckle.... "ha... yeah... suuuuuuuuuuure I'll run."  But damn it if I didn't get out there for my long run on Sunday after a 2 day bachelorette party bender.  Keep in mind, my long run is a whopping 8 miles currently, but still!  That's the furthest I've run since Fargo. 

I found a super sweet trail near my BFFF's (someone previously asked what this means..... best effing friends forever.... we're dumb and have been calling each other this for a gazillion years now) brother's house.  I loved that the trail had separate lanes for bikers and runners/walkers.  I didn't have to worry about getting mowed down on the path!  Before I knew it I had ran upon Target Field during their game.  Go Twins!

I did 8 miles in 1:15:32 for a pace of 9:27.  And my average heart rate was 3 beats lower than the range I was shooting for.  Double yayzies!

_____________

And for your random enjoyment:  One of the things I love the most about the stats that blogger provides me is the searches people use to find me. I've been compiling some of my faves for a while now, and just had to share with you. Naturally I had to provide commentary as well, so please enjoy.

• 7.2 miles and the puppies are hurting (is this referring to ta-tas or feet?)
• what ze poopnuggets (french poopnuggets are far superior to their American counterparts: the poopnuggets)
• My first 4some story (hey-o! congrats kid!)
• The devils workout (I will probably have some crazy cult seek me out after my mile repeat/devils workout jokes)
• i love wet tees (who doesn't?!?!)
• running tights and camel toe (make that camel toe classy yo!)
• food poisoning from funnel cake (this post was somewhat inconclusive)
• words like yayzies (there aren't any. no substitutes. sorry.)
• will the mankato marathon be hilly? (answer: uh. yes.)
• national conference of bresilian bishops (held biannually, send your entry fee to me.)
• nice hips (what, these creaky old things??? bow chicka bow wow....)
• running in a wet t-shirt.  (yes... it's called massive sweat. And it's hawt.)

A (Wo)Man with a Fall Race Plan + Sometimes Weekly Wishlist

Thanks so much for all your excellent advice on the fall marathon debate.  I've decided to not run a fall marathon.  Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, I know.  I decided that if I did attempt to train for it, and suddenly became way too busy (definitely a possibility) it would be the least of my priorities.  I can't even bring myself to run a 10k or 5k half-assed, so I would be kicking myself if I had to line up for 26.2 miles feeling un-prepared or worse, dropping out entirely.

To calm my sadness over this decision, I went in to race planning OVERDRIVE this weekend.  Next on the agenda is a local 10k on July 4th.  I did the 5k last year, and it was a blast.  There are also local (free!) Monday night 3k and 5k races for the month of June.  Depending on the weather on June 20th and 27th, I may hop in for those as well.

After the 4th of July 10k, my 10 week training will start up for the Sioux Falls half marathon, my goal race for the fall.  This'll be my 7th consecutive year running this race, yayzies!  I hope to run at least one 5k in July and possibly pace the Minnesota Half Marathon in St. Paul in August.  I absolutely loved pacing the Mankato half last year, and really want to do it again.

If all goes as planned, I may have another shot at PR busting in October in Fargo for the Fargo FM half marathon.  Flat course..... chilly weather.... 13.1 miles..... Fargo redemption?  Yes please!

There's a small chance I could be pacing the Mankato half again in lieu of or in addition to the Minnesota half, depending on what happens.  Let me know if you'll be doing any of these races.  Don't you just love a full race schedule?!?!? :D

Buy it here.

omgenius.

omgorgeous

omiwantone.

omwhydidn'tithinkofthis?

I saw this on Aron's blog and need.to.have.it.  Seriously.  KK, half birthday gift?  K sweet.
Naturally after I drafted this blogpost, I saw Megan tweet that she had got a new hoodie in the mail.  And then saw another tweet from Jenn about the same hoodie.  Hoodie TWINSIES.
Sidenote:  Anyone at first glance think this chick looks like me?  Creeps me out whenever I scroll through this post quick.....

Buy it here.

Buy it here.

I'm always on the look out for a great green dress. 

Holy mother of cuteness.  I've had a mini Hello Kitty lovefest lately.  Still debating getting the HK sleep mask from a past post (my current sleep mask is in a dire state).

Buy it here.

I have this weird obsession with hot air balloons. This is so freaking beautiful.

Buy it here.

Extreme Online Shopper

Just call me Extreme Online Shopper, you hear that TLC?  Make a show about MEEEEEEEEEEE!

Ahem.

As some of you may have gathered from my Weekly Wishlists, I have a slight obsession with online shopping.  This obsession is made more humorous by the fact that I have my purchases sent to my work address, because sending them to my apartment causes a whole other errand to run because they will never leave the package.  But I digress.  So the super duper funny part of my online shopping addiction habit is that I'm a credit counselor.  When my packages come in, the receptionist calls me, and then I have to trek my boxes/bags/etc. through the building back to my office. 

My name is Jeri, and I'm the cumpulsive shopper of the office.

Hi Jeri.........

In my defense, I do about 2% of my shopping in actual stores, so I really don't shop all that much (seriously.  especially compared to when I was in college.  uff. da.).  It just looks that way when I get everything delivered to work.  :)

After my recent running shoe scores, I decided to share some tips with you (that you probably all already know, but whatever, just go with it).  I'm always on the hunt for running shoe deals.  Once I find a pair of shoe that I puffy heart love, it's on.  My goal is to stockpile as much as possible to diminish the heartbreak that inevitably occurs with Mizuno/Asics/Saucony go from 6 to 7 and 7 sucks the big one.

For my latest adventure, I knew that the Kinvara II would be coming out shortly, ergo the original Kinvaras should be having a massive closeout almost everywhere.  I google searched for the shoes in 7.5 and sorted by price to find the best deal.  After doing this, I noted whether or not there was a shipping and handling charge, and if so how much.  Then I googled for (website name) coupon code to see if there was anything out there.  Presto change-o, you have your best deal.

For my efforts, I received a pair of turquoise Kinvaras.  Sale priced at $80, Running Warehouse priced at $69.88 (originally $89.99).  On top of the sale price I found a coupon code for 10% off, as well as free shipping.  Boom:  $62.89.  Additional nugget of awesomeness, no sales tax to South Dakota (otherwise .06%).

(Tried on as soon as they arrived at work. Hence the silly dress pant/running shoe look. AKA HAWT)

Next up, Onlineshoes.com was having a Memorial weekend sale.  I found the new Kinvara IIs I've been lusting over priced at $89.95.  20% off coupon code and free shipping (as well as no sales tax) and I had a steal at $71.96.

Gotta love the "natural light" under my office desk.

sexy, no?

Considering my original pair (and current pair) of Kinvaras were $90 (a Christmas gift from my mother who's not a super sleuth online shopper like her offspring), I'd say I did pretty good getting two pairs for ~$130.  Now clearly, not everyone has $100-200 just burning a hole in their pocket, but the credit counselor in me puts aside a little bit of money in to my "running savings account" just for these purchase (along with race fees and race travel expenses) so I always have them at the ready. 

To be honest, these shoes came from a $200 discount I got on my June rent for renewing my lease at my apartment.  Hey-o free money!  (However, if you're truly taking my advice, it would've been wise to put that $200 towards my car loan or my student loans, but hell, you only live once!)

And just for fun, a random convo with Kyle on Monday morning....still cracks me up FYI.
KK:  Are you going to come over after work? I make you FEESH!
Me:  Eh, maybe. I have to run first.
KK:  Oh yeah?  Picking up a new hobby?
Me:  Yeah thinking about it.  I think it's called jogging.... though pronounced yogging.... soft j sound... should be fun!

**Check out I Run Like a Girl's sweet giveaway!**

Things that are more fun than running a marathon...

Hanging out with running friends not while running

Froyo with friends

Booze with friends

Taking hooded-sweatshirt clad pictures with your loverboy

Bonding with your soul mate Miley, (named after the Cyrus, sadly)

Surprise lick attacks

BFFF Weekends

But let's be honest..... I'm already missing the 26.2 a little....

Weekend Recap AKA Always a Runner

After my supercalifragilisticexpealidocious run earlier this week, I ended up not running again.  :/  The next day my hip kind of hurt, and then I opted to hang out with Kyle instead of running the next night.  Saturday brought the return of the i infuction, so I'm basically a professional couch potato professional.

But even though I'm not running, it doesn't mean that running isn't on my mind.

For example,  I went to visit my BFFF this weekend.  When I filled up for gas before leaving town, I reset my odometer.

• From my doorstep to the Centerville exit sign is a marathon.
• From my doorstep to my exit is a 50k.
• Both of these distances I can drive much much much faster than I can run.  ;)
• Irene could have a STELLAR one mile race starting on the east side and going through town (there's a monster hill).
• I would hate to train around Irene because it's so stinkin' hilly.

Today on my way home, I made a pitstop in my hometown because I was having troubles seeing out of my eye.  When I was in high school, a girl had stopped at our house asking for a glass of water, stating that she had just ran from a neighboring town to ours.  I remember being awestruck (keep in mind this was in my distance days... 1 miler, right here....) that she had run that far.  Since I drove the route today, I decided to clock it.  6 miles.  Um.... during marathon training, I'm not sure if I had a single run LESS THAN 6 miles.  It's funny how the perspective changes, huh?  (But to be fair it's a hilly ass 6 miles.)

I decided next time I'm home I'm going to run there and back for fun.  Yes... for fun.  Ha.

But anyway, on to the weekend fun.  Yankton was having their 150th celebration, so I went down to spend it with my BFFF.  Sadly the weekend was cut short due to my stupid eye, but I haven't had that much fun in such a long time.  Sidenote:  BFFF completed her first race EVER last weekend running the Boulder Bolder 10k.  So proud of her.  Maybe I'm attempting to convince her to do a half marathon in September.... just maybe.  ;)

Big head Todd and the Monsters.

I feel like I was misled by the size of Todd's head.

Pretty BFFF.

This is what happens when you have 9 people who need a sober ride home from the bar.

This is what happens when your eye ball has an extreme sensitivity to light and you're taking a pic at night with the flash on.  Ouchies.

Fall Marathon Pros and Cons + Fargo Marathon Race Photos

Last week, my office ex-hubby and I were recapping my marathon and discussing what's next. Prior to Fargo, I had come to terms with the fact that with starting grad school in the fall while still working full time, I was going to have to scale back the running. I thought I'd see how the first semester goes and maybe maybe be able to train for the Green Bay Marathon in the spring if I could balance my life. However, in our conversation, I confessed that I was so bummed in my race in Fargo, that I'd run a race this weekend if my body would allow it (don't worry, I won't/didn't).

Well of course, Tom, being the enabler starts spouting off fall races. While I'd love to run Twin Cities Marathon, there is just too good of a chance for hot and humid weather the beginning of October. And then he mentioned Mankato Marathon.

Well.... shoot.

Time for a good ol' Jeri crafted Pros and Cons list!

Pros

• The race is in late October.  High probability of cool (or even COLD and snowy) weather.  Perfect-o!
• It's far enough after the Sioux Falls half, which was originally my goal race for the fall.
• It's cheap.
• I wouldn't have to train through the whole summer (only about half of it).
• It's semi-close to home. Meaning I could convince my parents and Kyle to come.  (sidenote: while almost in tears at mile 24 of Fargo, I vowed to NEVER run another marathon without massive support on the course. Hah.... drama queen).
• It's far enough out that I can heal, recovery, and repair whatever is wrong with me so it doesn't happen the next go around.
• Without a solid marathon time, Danielle will SURELY beat me in our challenge! ;)

Cons

• I will be working at least 40 hours a week.  Attending classes 6 hours a week.  Studying an unknown amount of hours a week, and training for a marathon takes 7-8 1/2 hours of just running a week (not including stretching, long run prep, ice baths, post long run naps).  Oh and that Kyle guy..... I'd like to see him more than 12 minutes a day.
• Less flexibility in my racing schedule.  I would probably only be able to run the Sioux Falls half in the fall while doing marathon training.
• I will have to train in July and August.  As in, even if I wake up at 4am it's still 85+ degrees and 100% humidity.  :/
• Long runs and long run recovery will surely cut in to my Wild Water West time.  This could be catastrophic.

The jury is still out as of now, but feel free to pipe in with your two cents, especially if you're planning on doing Mankato.  If not, make sure to let me know if you're doing any other super sweet (primarily half marathon) races in the fall in my general area.  If I don't do the Mankato, I'd like to run a half in August, September, and maybe two in October.  :/

And can we talk for a minute about how sweet my running friends are?  When I was originally throwing this idea around, I had asked Danielle to send me a copy of the 12/55 Pfitz training program, because that's what I was toying around with doing.  Imagine my surprise when I get a package from Amazon with the whole g.d. book. Looooooooooooooove you kitten. :)

 

 And now on to some horrendous Fargo Marathon race photos.  I was really bummed.  If you remember, my C goal was to take good race photos if all else went to poo poo.  Well there were very few pictures, and they kind of all sucked.  No money from me this time folks!

Kyle's comment: This must be early in the race. You don't look like you're going to kill someone.

What's that?  Someone took away my birthday??

Saaaaaaaaaaad Panda.

Finish line photo.  Of course they didn't capture the arms in the air exuberance of finishing.  Instead they got me stopping my watch.  Also the left foot kick out.... might you be the stem of my knee hip problems??

May in Review + Recovered Legs

May in Review

Total Miles:  87.6 down from 163.6 last month.  (96.7  miles from May 2010.)
Total Time:  14:05:55 down from 26:03:49  (15:04:50 last May.)
Total Runs: 14 for an average of 6.26 miles/run
Highest weekly mileage:Favorite run: 

5/16/2011 — 5/22/2011:

31.2 Mi

5:12:03

Bike Miles:  8.5.  Look out Lance.
Favorite Jams: Meh, anything that blocked out my internal whining/lamenting/woe is me during the marathon.  ;)
________________
So thanks for all the kind slash OMG GROSSSSSSSSSSs comments on my monster eye infection.  It looks 1000x better, and feels better too.  But it's definitely still messed up.  Oh well.  I have another eye, right?!!?  jk (I take my eye health very seriously...... but $180 for a 15 min eye doc visit and insanely expensive Rx.... I'll wait it out a smidge....)

I'm tentatively following the Hal Higdon post-marathon training program, I say tentatively because my legs have felt like butt hole so I've been pretty conservative with my miles and my pace.  Tuesday I set out for a very windy run expecting to have yet another slog fest.  Color me shocked when my legs felt BACK TO NORMAL.  At one point my "easy" pace was marathon pace (@#$%()#$%@#*($%*#($)%).  Yes.  Drama.  Me.  I knew the wind was at my back for the start of the run, and figured that's why it felt so effortless, but was even more shocked when I turned around and was able to maintain my pace against the wind without it affecting my heart rate too much.  Neato burrito.

For shits and gigs I threw in 4x100 m strides during the final mile to see how the hip/IT bands would take it.  Swimmingly.  HOLY GUACAMOLE, I MIGHT BE RECOVERED!!!  Only took 11 days, but whatev.  And good thing too, because I think I found my next race.  Just a little local 5k, but it's on my 1/2 birthday.  YAYZIES!

Sidenote:  I was telling KK that my 1/2 birthday was coming up and was all excited when it hit me.... crap....... 
J:  At what point do I have to stop celebrating my half birthdays?  [with pouty lip and puppy dog eyes...]
KK:  Definitely NOT 27 1/2!
Just another reason I keep that kid around. :DMost hardcore run: 
Favorite Race: I wish I could say it was the Fargo Marathon where I sub-4 and glitterfarted up the course.  But I didn't.  So I won't.  I did have a pretty g.d. good time at the Avera 10k though, and didn't die on my first 10k ever, and MAYBE even sparked a new favorite race distance.  So there's that, at least.