running

Vacation-palooza

May 9, 2012 by Kristy 16 Comments

What a week.

The whole 9-to-5 thing got really busy (bad) and coaching got busy (very good).

Enter vacation-palooza. Next week kicks off the first of 2 vacations we have lined up: Kauai then Paris/London. Considering they are 2 weeks apart makes for a fun and stressful month.

My running shoes will be in tow for both vacations but I’m not stressing about getting in the miles. We’ll be on our feet most days anyway hiking around Kauai and exploring Paris/London on foot.

That’s all I got, folks – short and sweet today! I may post from Kauai or unplug from blogging. We’ll see.

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!

Starbucks Rewards
Even if you only go to Starbucks once in awhile, you need to sign up for their rewards program. I limit myself to 3 visits per week and I get a free drink card in the mail all the time. Within the past 2 weeks I got 2 free drinks! And they have this nifty little app for your phone so you don’t have to carry around a rewards card. It’s the little things…

More lululemon love…
Walking into lululemon for me is similar to a 20-mile endorphin rush. I may be the best dressed runner but I dress for work like a hobo. Shopping for running clothes always trumps shopping for any other clothes. My newest lulu addiction is the Stride Jacket. I haven’t used it for running yet (it may be a bit heavy); more of an all-round hoodie. So warm and toasty.

A blogger’s dream
Matt got me a little something for Valentine’s Day and it may borderline on life-changing (for a blogger at least). A wireless memory card! No more using an annoying cord to transfer your pictures! Your pictures transfer from your camera right to your computer (organized into date-based folders…eek!).

Peanut Butter Cheerios
These are good. But is anything that contains PB bad?!

Do you prefer to shop for running clothes over regular clothes?

Do you use a wireless memory card? Do you agree that it would make blogging so much easier?

Thirty-five

February 8, 2012 by Kristy 27 Comments

Today is my 35^th birthday! Go on, you can say it, damn that’s old! It does sound old!

A few tidbits about my birthday…

It always snows! When I was 6 we had a huge blizzard and everyone had to come to my party on sled (a perk of growing up in the city is that sledding to someone’s house was actually feasible). And on my 29^th birthday another blizzard hit but thankfully we were still able to schlep to the bars in the snow.
I was born at 6:28AM. I think there is this silly correlation between time of birth and whether you’re a morning person or a night owl. I’m very much a morning person.
I love celebrating my birthday (and other people’s birthdays too). I hate when people refer to it as just another day…

A few weeks ago I was driving home from work and it hit me that I was turning 35. I don’t feel 35 (but what does 35 feel like anyway?). I feel much younger than that. Sidenote: I don’t have kids. I’ve been told they make you feel older so I’ll take that into consideration. Running consistently for the past 10 years has to be the reason. Chalk that up as reason #742,831 to run!

Other things I’ve noticed or love about my need to run…

I hardly get sick. I used to be plagued with frequent colds and now I get a cold once in a blue moon.
I love how running makes my heart strong (and my resting heart rate low). When I read Matt Long’s book, The Long Run, I distinctly remember reading about how strong his heart was and how that was a huge factor in his survival.
Running keeps me sane and focused. It really is cheaper than therapy.
Running has become as routine as brushing my teeth. I need to do it.

Today I will celebrate turning 35 with a short fun run after work, followed by pizza and beer. I did receive a running-related T-shirt from my brother and sister-in-law. Hmm, the guy on the left sounds a bit like me!

What time of day were you born? Is my correlation correct?

What changes about yourself have you noticed since you started running?

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24, 2011 by Kristy 10 Comments

This morning I did my own version of a Turkey Trot – 6 miles with a super tight hamstring. So yes, I definitely was trotting. I left my Garmin at home and instead just enjoyed being outside on a beautiful morning. I thought about what I’m thankful for, big and small, and noticed 2 distinct groupings: people and running. Here goes…

My family: they are wonderful and healthy. I won’t get to spend today with them but I will see my parents next weekend.

My in-laws: Matt is the youngest of seven so there’s lots of them! I have never met such nice, genuine, and welcoming people.

Matt: see above about in-laws; the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

My friends: I’ve been friends with some for 25+ years (eek!); others surprise you at Mile 25 of a marathon.

Hawk: every day he makes us laugh.

Qualifying for Boston: 9/11/11 was the second best day of my life.

Running: it has changed my life and I cannot imagine my life without it.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Bloggers That Inspire

August 24, 2011 by Kristy 17 Comments

8/24/11
7 miles easy / no Garmin

During my long run on Sunday, I was thinking about all the blogs that I read (mentally going through my Google Reader) and how inspiring many of these bloggers are. Long run = lots of time to think. Anyhow, I thought it would make a great post: bloggers that inspire (me). Let’s spread some blogger love…

Kara and Alyssa
These girls are ultramarathoners. They are both currently training for a 50-miler (yes, you read that correctly – not 50K – because they have been there, done that – but 50 miles). That’s like finishing a marathon and then turning around and running back to the start line. Impressive. I have to mention that Kara has a 1-year old and does two-a-days to get her miles in while Alyssa dabbles in triathlons on the weekends. I definitely see ultras in my future and I would love to run one with these ladies!

Jen
Jen’s blog was one of the first I ever read and PBR is still one of my favorites. Jen is a yoga teacher, BodyPump instructor, and newly crowned certified personal trainer. Her teaching schedule each week makes me dizzy and yet she still finds time to fit in her own workouts. Oh…and she has amazing arms! I keeping thinking that if I go to a BodyPump class (and then be consistent with it – that’s key), my arms will look like hers!

Cindi
I feel like Cindi is my running twin, except that she logs an impressive amount of miles. For her last marathon, she logged 70 mile weeks! 70 miles?! And throw in a pilates class or two. She also works full-time and has 2 kids. Impressive.

Lauren
Lauren has a marathon PR I can only dream about (3:18). In addition to being a super speedy runner, Lauren writes great blog posts. I have serious creative writing envy every time I read her posts. And she’s running the Hood to Coast relay this weekend with Team Nuun (her team name is After-NUUN DeLight)!

Rachel
Rachel had a baby 2 months ago and is already signed up for her first half marathon post-baby (if fact, she’s already training). Not only did Rachel run throughout her entire pregnancy, she ran 2-5Ks right before she gave birth (as in, the week of). She’s also a Girls On The Run coach. Impressive!

Which bloggers inspire you? Make sure you leave the name of their blog (and URL) so we can all check them out!

What I Think Thursday

August 3, 2011 by Kristy 14 Comments

When I run, my mind tends to calm down and just be at peace. All day long my mind thinks, analyzes, debates, goes crazy (!) but as soon as I begin running all that noise is gone. This is probably (besides the endorphin addiction) my favorite thing about running. Of course, if something is bothering me I will think about it during a run but for the most part my mind is free to roam.

So what do I think about when I run? Well, there’s the peace and quiet I described above and also lots of random thoughts. These random thoughts pop in quickly and leave just as quickly. Susan did a post a few weeks ago about what she thinks about on a run. I thought the post was genius and decided to steal the idea!

Do people think I run fast or slow?
Do I look funny when I run?
Damn, I need to pick it up.
Slow down, this supposed to be an easy run.
I can’t wait for chocolate milk.
I can’t wait for a Miller Lite.
Shot Blok time!
I don’t feel like going to work.
Can’t I just coach full-time?
Eww, I run into cobwebs all the time.
I hate bikers.
I know they are supposed to be called cyclists. Whatever.
Damn, it’s hot.
I wonder if people think I sweat too much for a girl.
This hill sucks.
Where should Matt and I travel to next?
We need milk.
Is it OK to walk into the grocery store to buy milk all gross and sweaty?
Fatigue is your friend.
Wow, that person is running fast.
Should I get highlights?
I think I can qualify for Boston.**
I need to qualify for Boston.**
Boston, Boston, Boston!!**

**These thoughts occupy a lot of miles 🙂

Are you a deep thinker when you run? Or are you more of a random thinker like me? What do you think about?