Music Monday: Do What U Want

Artist: Lady Gaga, featuring R. Kelly
Title: Do What U Want
Fave Line: "I feel good, I walk alone, But then I trip upon myself and I fall. I, I stand up, and them I'm okay."--just like a normal run day for me!

Miles logged: 0.0

Sprinting

I've been living in the city of Richardson, and have been paying School District taxes for nearly 8 years, which I've always seen as a complete waste. I do not have children and never plan to, so I really have no use for the public school system, until today. No, I am not pregnant. I discovered that the track at the local high school is open for public use. I've been thinking about running sprints ever since my failed attempt to beat a T-Rex a few weeks ago.

I've never really done any serious training outside of my long runs and maybe some hill work. I've worked on speed a little on the treadmill, but some days it takes every ounce of energy I have just to press start on the stupid thing. Sprints have never even been part of my vocabulary. I'm a long distance runner, and a slow one at that. But I run for the love of running, not because I'm going to win any races.

With my newfound motivation in mind, I ran down to the high school, just over 2 miles away, to get in some time on the track. I really didn't have much of a plan, just visions of Usain Bolt dancing in my head. I actually have no idea how to run sprints and I've only had my Garmin long enough to figure out how to start and stop it, so you can imagine how well this went for me today.

It took me about 10 minutes to finally find the entrance to the field. Thankfully there was a sign confirming that it was open to the public, because I doubt I could have passed for a kid half my age. I love the feel of a track, slightly bouncy under my feet. I haven't been on a real track since I was in middle school and barely knocking out a mile in under 15 minutes for the President's Physical Fitness Challenge.

I dropped off my camel on a bench and walked up to the starting line. Then I ran a mile; not quite the speedwork I had planned. So I started over and ran back and forth between the markings for the 100m. I'm pretty sure that I'm the slowest sprinter ever, but we can never confirm that since I can't figure out how to use "laps" on my Garmin.

Miles logged: 7.0

Merry Belated Christmas

It's been a busy few weeks of holiday parties and family gatherings and very little running. It hasn't all been bad. I've enjoyed the all of the food (maybe indulged a little too much), visiting new places, time with family, and even managed a few days of vacation (and haven't worked too much during them). 

For my office Christmas party, we were at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, which I've been wanting to visit since it opened earlier this year. I ate, drank, and was merry. I also raced both a cheetah and a T-rex, many times, and each race ended with me getting eaten. 

Here's a video of me, running ridiculously slow, in a party dress, losing to a T-rex.

The gym in my building finally opened. I made it down for a tour, but haven't tried it for a workout yet. I also tried a new gym (once), that's on my way home that will be a nice alternative as well. Now for the hard part, getting back into my normal routine.

My husband gave me these to wear at my next race! Hope you like the view!

Eddie photo-bombed me

Miles logged: 8.1

Music Monday: Holiday Edition

Artist: Olivia Olson (from my 2nd fave Christmas movie, Love Actually)
Title: All I Want for Christmas is You
Fave Line: "I just want you for my own, More than you could ever know"

Miles logged: 0.0

Graze Box

Subscription boxes are the latest craze, and I've finally given in and ordered my own. A few weeks ago, I received a code to "join" Graze.com, an all natural snack box subscription. I love to snack, so I figured what the heck! 

I just received my first box and I'm so excited! The subscription that I have arrives every 2 weeks, with 4 different snacks in it. The packaging is very well done and the snacks look fabulous. You can also select from over 90 different snack options on their website. If something doesn't suit your tastes, you can tell them not to send it to you, ever. A Graze nibble box only costs $6, and shipping is free!

Graze is an invitation only service, so if you'd like to try it, I invite you to use my "friendcode", SOMMER7GE, to sign up. Graze works with small suppliers who provide top ingredients and it appears that they are hesitant to grow too quickly, which is a pretty smart business plan.

Turn me over before you open or you'll make a mess

My yummy snacks!

Miles logged: 0.0

New Beginnings

The New Year hasn't arrived yet, but I'm doing my best to recommit myself to running. It's been miserably cold winter in Dallas so far and with the ice and cold temps, I haven't gotten in a long run in close to a month. This past weekend, we went to NYC to celebrate my birthday. It was also freaking cold there!

In addition, my company has recently moved offices and now my super convenient gym is no longer super convenient. There is a gym in our new building, but it just opened today and I haven't had a chance to check it out yet.

So, I tried out a new 24 Hour Fitness that is in my way home. It's on the way, but I had to sit in traffic for 30 mins to get there, which wasn't so bad. I ate my energy bar in the car on the way and got angry enough at the stupid drivers that I had some angst to pound out on the treadmill. This new gym is quite nice. I think it used to be a grocery store or something. The space is huge, with rooms for classes, a pool, and racquetball courts. I was impressed with how clean it was. Too bad it is the same crappy equipment that needs service...

Miles logged: 3.0

Music Monday: On Top of The World

Artist: Imagine Dragons
Title: On Top of The World
Fave Line: "And I know it's hard when you're falling down; And it's a long way up when you hit the ground; Get up  now, get up, get up now."

Miles logged: 0.0

Rock 'n Roll Discount--Today Only

For all of you Rock 'n Rollers out there, make sure to take advantage of this deal!

Miles logged: 0.0

Music Monday: My Body

Artist: Young the Giant

Title: My Body
Fave Line: "My body tells me no, But I won't quit, 'Cause I want more"

Miles logged: 0.0 

Christmas Gifts for your Favorite Runner

It's been a frigid winter in Dallas already, and winter hasn't even ethnically arrived yet. We've been iced in for 2 days (work was cancelled on Friday) with temps below freezing.

My poor oak tree

They cancelled the Dallas marathon that was scheduled for today. I feel terrible for the runners, but there is no way that there would have been a safe course for them.

The extended time at home has allowed me to clean the house, do laundry, and get me in the holiday spirit. I've put up and decorated the Christmas Palm tree, so it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Year of Run household.

While I had hoped to get some Christmas shopping done this weekend, instead I made this list of Christmas gift ideas for the runner in your life.

1. Socks
I know, they seem like no big deal; really, how many pairs of socks do you own? But new socks are the best! There are a million different ones to choose from, but my personal faves are Feetures! light cushion, no show tab. And they come in a variety of colors.

2. Hats

From the bottom of the body to the top! Since I am so sensitive to sun, but can't run in the dark since I fall down all the time, hats are my savior. I have 3 white ones (I know, I really branch out) and have recently gotten hooked on the visor. Definitely is cooler on those hot summer days!

3. Headphones
I go through headphones like crazy. I sweat on them until they short out, drop them in the driveway and run them over, lose them, you get the point. A couple of years ago, I bought Yurbuds at an expo and I still love them. They fit inside your ear and you can't yank them out on accident. The company sells much fancier options now, but mine just fit over your standard earbuds, so I can continue using them when the headphones go out. These are a little difficult to gift since you have to have your ear measured...but gift cards are always nice! I've also become a fan of the new Apple earbuds (come in the box when you buy the iPhone 5s). I have relatively small ears and the standard earbuds have always hurt my ears after a while. The Apple earbuds fit nicely and don't bother my ears.

4. Garmin GPS Watch
I was a little late to the game on the GPS watch, but now that I have one, I would recommend it for even the most junior runner. I used the mapmyrun app on my iPhone for 3 years. And it worked OK, except for really long runs (18+ miles) and anywhere there were tall buildings. I always ran the same trail, so I knew where my mile markers were. However, the smartphone apps aren't all that accurate. So I decided I wanted a Garmin. My husband bought me the Garmin Forerunner 210 for my birthday and I absolutely love it. I can glance down at any time and see my pace, distance, and time elapsed. There are a ton of different models that Garmin sells, at varying price points--a must have for the runner in your life.

5. Sports Drinks/Snacks
I'm sure I've blogged about my undeniable love for Zipfizz before. Zipfizz has no added sugar, a crapload of B12 (it's also an amazing cure for a hangover because of this), and great taste. I always run with Zipfizz in my camel, so I run through a case pretty quickly. Orange is my favorite flavor, followed by Citrus (which I just discovered at the Malibu Marathon expo). These would be great for stocking stuffers.

Also, any type of energy bars would fit in a stocking nicely as well. I've been eating a lot of the Clif Mojo bars, Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut is my fave. And a friend recently turned me on to That's It bars. Each bar contains 2 fruits and is 100 calories. I don't know how they do it, but they are delicious! Highly nutritious and highly recommended!

There's the short list for Christmas gifts for the runner in your life. Let me just make one plea--no tech shirts. I have so many from the races I've run that tech shirts are taking over my dresser. I'm sure I'm not the only runner with this problem!

Happy shopping!

Miles logged; 0.0

I'm a Streaker!

No, not like Frank the Tank, like Mark Covert. I have an official running streak going, with 3 straight days of running! After publishing my blog yesterday, I laced up my aqua socks (they don't actually have laces, but saying that I slipped on my shoes doesn't sound like a hard core runner), and went for a run.  And I managed to make it to the gym for a short run after work today. I've been running for 3 years (almost exactly) and have never run more than 2 days in a row before. 

Now I have a 3-day running streak behind me! To not string my readers on in suspense, I want to let you know that the streak will end today. I have plans to go to a Mavs game tomorrow night and basketball wins over the gym!

Miles logged: 3.0

Music Monday: The Monster

Artist: Eminem, featuring Rihanna
Title: The Monster
Fave Line: "Somebody once told me to seize the moment and don't squander it, cause you never know when it could be over tomorrow."

Miles logged: 0.0

I'm a Primadonna

I've realized that I'm a bit of a primadonna. Those of you that know me well are rolling your eyes and asking yourselves, she really didn't know this? As it relates to running, I have to have perfect conditions or I will talk myself out of going. Which is what has happened this entire holiday weekend. It's been cold in the mornings, really cold. Who likes running with tons of layers and ear coverings? Not me. Every morning this week, I've gotten up, considered running, decided to wait until it was warmer in the day, and then got distracted by something and never made it out the door. 4 days off in a row, and I've only managed to run one of them so far. Pretty pathetic, right?

Miles logged: 9.25