And She [Doesn't] Run

Well, I had a flop streak of about 3 weeks and just as I finished spring term of school and was ready to get back into it, I get injured! No need to describe what happened. It was a combination of clumsiness and well...clumsiness.

I landed myself in the ER, 7 stitches and instructions not to run for a few weeks, for fear that the stitches/laceration will pop open due to the high flex location. Here are a few pictures.

A gash and a half!

At least my legs are looking tan!

 The doc numbed me all up with lidocaine, then the nurse tech (who happened to be a classmate of mine), cleaned it all up. After that, the doctor came in and stitched it all up.

All stitched up!

 Then the tech cleaned the site again and wrapped me all up. This is my foot later that night when I removed the bandage to put a clean one on.

This was this morning or last night...it is looking and feeling much better already!

But...long story short, don't be surprised if you don't see many blog updates for a bit. I guess everyone needs a break sometimes, but it is always frustrating when it is forced!

I Run Because...

I LOVE FEELING STRONG!!!

Why do you run?...

May Totals

Progress: (running mileage):  39.37 this month/ 312.34 year-to-date/Average miles per month: 62.46/ Average miles per week (21 weeks so far this year): 14.8

It was interesting to do a good breakdown of my mileage this year so far. I have not ran in the last 1 1/2 weeks and I'm bailing on my {registered} half marathon this weekend. We have just had some family stuff come up that is more important than running a half marathon this time. It's ironic that I bail on an average of one race each year. It kind of kills me with the registration $ I lose when I back out but hey, life happens. 

So...I'm still on track to run 750 miles this year. I would still like to bump it up to the 1,000 mile mark, but I don't anticipate my schedule slowing down any. I have some major life decisions coming up and no matter what direction I go, I will not gain added recreational time as far as I can see. So, with that in mind, 750 is not bad! 

That being said...I get to run on one of my favorite routes in the whole year tomorrow...the Olympic Discovery Trail-yay!

Watch this YouTube video and you'll see why I love it so much!

June StrideBox Review

Woohoo! This month's StrideBox came! I have decided that I LOVE opening my mailbox to goodies!! It is a highlight of my day for sure ;)

June's StrideBox has a great variety of different products to try. What I appreciate is that they include different categories of products than from May's box too (not always energy gels or protein bars for example).

So the very first thing that popped out at me was the Foot Rubz rubber massage ball. I have wanted to purchase a similar foot massage tool but just haven't gotten around to it. I have already tried it and it is glorious! I would gladly pay my entire monthly StrideBox $15 fee just for the ball.

Other products I'm stoked about are the PowerICE Frozen Electrolyte Ice Bars since I'm a huge fan of popsicles anyway and the weather should be getting warmer!  The Lock Laces look cool to try and almond butter is my favorite lately. I'll have to use the Blue Steel anti-chafe cream on my next long run and there is a new energy/electrolyte bar as well as a hydration mix. It's going to be a great running month with these fun products!

Lastly, StrideBox sends these cool stickers each month. Last month said "Just Keep Running" and this month is "Get Out and Run". I am starting a collection on my school binder for fun motivators.

Praise Be to Coconut Water!

Hydration

First, here is an informative article from USA Track & Field. Read up for your safety!

Proper Hydration for Distance Running- Identifying Individual Fluid Needs

Next, I don't want to discredit good, ol' fashioned water. No matter what other hydration you discover that you find you are in love with, water should ALWAYS be your priority! Then...when you sweat a lot, bring in your electrolyte replacement.

I just wanted to highlight my personal favorite that I have recently discovered (thanks to sales at the grocery stores):

COCONUT WATER!! I am in love with this drink!

This is typically the brand I buy, but I am not partial. The best deal I have found is $1.49 (regular price) for a small container at Trader Joe's

I recently tried coconut water just to try it. I had heard about it and I didn't want to get sucked into a fad so I did some research. Check out this article that compares it to sports drinks like Gatorade:
http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2011/10/coconut_water_compares_favorab.html

What I loved reading about the article was how coconut actually falls short in the category of sodium...because for me, coconut water is a great replacement drink on a daily basis, not for high-intensity performance. The high amounts of other electrolytes, especially potassium make me feel like a million bucks. Maybe it's just placebo effect, but I really don't think so!

Mmmmmm!

I have also tried other flavors but it is important to watch the labels, because sometimes all that you are getting with different flavors is added artificial flavoring. It's best to watch for labels that include fruit puree or fruit juice, and avoid anything that has "artificial" or "flavoring" in the title, in addition to dyes.

The other thing I discovered while doing a little research are these beauties:

Frozen Fruit Bars with...Coconut Water!

I'm thrilled to try these beauties as the weather gets nicer. They have variations with pineapple (my favorite fruit!) or banana. If you visit the website, you can get more information and view nutrition facts as well.

Now the sun just needs to come out...

Overcoming With Ten

Style/Workout: Long Run Turned Longer
Setting/Route:  All over the place...gotta cover 10 miles somehow!
Mileage:  10 miles  
Progress: (running mileage):  10 today/ 39.37 this month/ 312.34 year-to-date
(For May I'm aiming for...75 miles)

Today's run was...awesome. It didn't start out awesome, but it ended awesome and that is what counts. 

On a personal note, my husband drove away today, moving to San Diego. He is being transferred and since I am only halfway through the nursing program here, our kids and I are staying so I can finish (that is the plan thus far). It was a very sad day. We knew it was coming, but now that it is here, a piece of my heart is missing. 

Also, this was day 7-8 of gloomy, overcast/rainy weather here. I'm so sick to my stomach of it. Why would anyone want to live their whole lives here, I wonder? I guess we all forget about the drawn-out, dreary weather when the sun comes back. It is a beautiful, enjoyable place to live when it is sunny and warm (too bad that is not more often!). 

So back to the run...

The first 2 miles only felt ok. My goal was to stay relaxed. That seems to work very well for me. Around mile 3 I still wasn't feeling all that great but I pressed on. Mile 4 I hit my "halfway point" and decided I was feeling better than I thought. It was at this point I decided to go for 10 instead of 8. I only have a week and a half until the Helvetia Half Marathon and I have been having mini-anxiety attacks in my head about my lack of training. Once the marathon was over, I took a good break and did a little here and there. Once May hit, I made up a great training plan but I have not really stuck with it (do I ever?). Anyway, long story short, I decided then and there that if I simply pushed for 2 miles longer I could get my longest long run in and taper from there. Good plan. 

It all panned out well! I had my water bottle with me and I took a few walking breathers and kept working hard. I finished in 1:36:00/9:36 pace. Not bad! The only dangerous thing about pushing from 8-10 miles is that I didn't have any electrolyte supplements or any other fuel with me which is not a great idea. I listened to my body though and it worked out ok. 

For my post-race breakfast/treat, I made a lovely strawberry-banana pancake! Damn the weather, I'm going to try to be happy today :)

3.3 Mile Bonk

Style/Workout: Long Run Turned Short
Setting/Route:  Seaside Neighborhoods
Mileage:  3.3 miles  
Progress: (running mileage):  3.3 today/ 29.37 this month/ 302.34 year-to-date
(For May I'm aiming for...75 miles)

Today's run was kind of a bummer. I set out prepared to run an 8-mile long run but I just wasn't feeling it. The whole 3.3 miles I did run were a struggle.  And...my sciatic nerve was pulsing all the way down my leg the whole time, as well as something going on with my calf on the same side. It just wasn't my day. 

On the plus side, I broke 300 miles today!