so many favorite things

Working from the head down, these are a few of my favorite things...

If you know me at all, you know that other then running (and maybe my children), I love nothing more then a good book. In fact, if I'm not running, there's a good chance I'm reading. Just recently, I read a sci-fi thriller, Sleeping Giants, by Sylvain Neuvel that I finished in one afternoon and when I turned the last page, I looked up and was desperate to tell everyone just how good it was. I'm terrible at reviewing books - I find it difficult to say more then yay or nay. Thankfully, NPR has a great review on their website, which you should read and then head over to Amazon to buy the book. Trust me, it's a good one.

Moving on...

I'm not sure how I found out about puravida bracelets. I think Facebook algorithmed me and decided that I needed a new obsession. Well, they've got my number because I am completely and totally hooked on these bracelets. They lured me in with a Flamingo clutch that I drooled over and passively aggressively posted to my Mother's Facebook wall until she finally said, "what is it with that bag you keep posting about?" She bought it for me for my birthday and I'm in love. Since then, I've bought another clutch, and got three free bracelets. Speaking of their bracelets - they are fabulous. My biggest issue with bracelets is that they never fit right. I have little wrists and can not stand it when a bracelet sits in that space above your wrist bone. These bracelets are easily adjustable so I can find that perfect spot. They have every color imaginable, braided, flat braided, charms, the options seem endless. It's really taking every ounce of self control I have not to buy EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. I'm already planning (scheming) on how I can get myself a membership to their monthly club so I can get new bracelets in the mail and pretend its Christmas twelve times a year. #lifegoals.

picture courtesy of puravida

 Last but not least...

I don't know about you but I'm a big fan of leggings. I like to sit cross legged without my thighs feeling like their going to explode out of my pants. I tend to stick to basic black because most patterned leggings are for juniors and not attractive on my ample bottom half. Then, I discovered LuLaRue. It was purely by accident. Brenda, a high school friend, became a rep and instead of flooding my newsfeed with buy this or buy that, she simply posted pictures of herself wearing the leggings and living life. She looked so cute and so stinking comfortable, I had to be in the loop. I joined her Facebook group, LuLaRue VIP Closet, and was surprised by the number of people in the group. So many women, so many women in love with LuLaRue. It wasn't until I won a pair in a giveaway that I truly understood. These leggings are soooo soft. and soooo comfortable. Mine are a pattern in a soft pink color. I can't wait for the weather in Northern GA to turn cooler so I can wear them out into the world.

If you like to see what all the fuss is about, head over to Brenda's Facebook Group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/LuLaRoeBrendaLavan/?__mref=message_bubble, and check it out. She often offers giveaways and is having a pop up party tomorrow, Wednesday, August 3rd. You can email her, Brendalavan@gmail.com, with any questions. 

how cute are these? photo courtesy of LuLaRue

previous post: Product Review: Nordic Track 1650

Product Review: Nordic Track 1650 Treadmill

So my husband bought me a treadmill.

A Nordic Track 1650c to be exact. 

I never thought I would say this but I'm kinda in love. It's pretty awesome having a machine in your basement that's always there. Just waiting for you to turn it on and pound out some miles. 

I don't have a magic formula to help you pick the best treadmill for you. My husband is a bit of a tech geek and loves to research things so we subscribe to Consumer Reports. I read and re-read their article on treadmills about 10 times before I decided this little gem was for me. 

The machine itself works like a charm. Smooth ride, easily accessible buttons. There is a tablet holder that my 1st generation iPad fits in perfectly. I use a portable speaker because I like everything, except my kids, to be as loud as possible. 

The console is equipped with iFit, which is this interactive, monthly fee thing that supposedly does really cool things. I do not have iFit but I do have Netflix on my iPad which completes my life.

My only complaint would be that I wish there was a cool down option. When you're finished running you can either slow the pace down to walking or just hit stop. You could also start another workout to cool down but that just seems like too much work after a bunch of treadmill miles.  

     

As a Mom of 3, this treadmill was a HUGE help during my 50k training. I was able to run at night when the kids were in bed or in the mid-morning when the babies were napping. There was no stress about getting my miles in while my husband was traveling. This particular treadmill suits my needs perfectly and I would highly recommend it.  

taking a break does a body good (or in this case a toenail)

Last Wednesday, when I headed out for a run, I couldn't put my shoe on. Who knew that something so small like a toenail could be so painful?

The nail that I damaged during the 50k has gotten worse and worse over the last few weeks. Primarily because my toddler steps on it EVERY single time he comes near me. Steps on it, grabs it, pulls on it. It has gotten got to the point where I automatically pull my foot away and screech, "MY TOE!" every time he comes near me. I'm raising well-adjusted children.

I managed to run through the pain for a few days, but by the middle of last week it was clear that I was headed for trouble. The base of my toe was red and painful to touch. There was clearly fluid building up and shoving that poor thing into a pair of sock and sneakers wasn't helping.  

I needed to take a break.

That night, I asked my husband at least 10 times if he thought I should take a break. I repeatedly asked him to look at my toe (true love) and tell me what he thought. Finally, his mouth said, "Yes, you should take a break" and his eyes said, "enough already woman."

So, I did it. I voluntarily stopped running for 5 days. FIVE WHOLE DAYS.

and I didn't even cry.

It's one of the best decisions I've made in a long time.

Today, I put on a pair of socks and NO PAIN. Then I put on a brand spanking new pair of Montrails that my Dad bought me for my birthday and NO PAIN.

Then I drove to one of my favorite trails and ran 4 wonderful miles - NO PAIN.

Marathon training for the Carolina Marathon starts today and I am so thankful I was smart enough to give my toe time to heal.

Sometimes, as runners, we take running through an injury, or pushing through pain and exhaustion as a badge of honor. At times this is necessary, other times it is not. I don't know about you, but I'm in this for the long haul, and if that means taking a break, then that's what I'm going to do. Besides, I'm a real big fan of toenails.

previous post: Race Report: Another Dam 50k

Race Report: Another Dam 50k

Guess what?

I AM AN ULTRA MARATHONER!

That's right people. This little lady ran 31 miles, at one time, on purpose, and survived.

It was amazing.

I'm still in a state of disbelief that it actually happened. Did I really do that? Was that me running through those woods? Up hills and down root-and-rock-filled single-track paths?

The thing is... it was me. I did it. I accomplished something I wouldn't have dared to dream of a few years ago. I ran and completed an ultra marathon and I loved every stinking minute of it.

The race was comprised of 4 loops, each loop about 7.9 miles long. Some of it was trail, some asphalt. There was even a grassy field portion that I ran the first time and was like "nah, I'll walk it" the next three times. Surprisingly, I nailed the trail portions. No falls, although there were a few trips and a particularly nasty rock that destroyed any hope for a normal big toenail.

By the end of loop 3, I was exhausted. It started to rain, and I went into loop 4 giving myself permission to walk any of it or all of it if needed. Looking back, I realize I didn't eat enough during loop 3. My GPS was behind and I had been eating based on miles rather then time. So, at the start of loop 4, I walked a little bit while shoveling gummy bears into my mouth. The sugar hit my blood stream and I ran the rest of the loop with no problem. There I was, running through the woods in the rain. It's quite loud in the woods while its raining. It's also quite peaceful and downright calming. There was no wall, no moment where I thought "I can't do this".  

I finished well under my goal time and was surprised to find my kids, my husband, my best friend, and her two children waiting for me at the finish. They even had signs! It was wonderful.

I spent the rest of the day, and most of the next, in a suspended euphoric state. And the best part is I wasn't even hurting that badly! I could walk! Go up and downstairs (somewhat awkwardly, but still I could do it)!

Overall, it was a great experience and I might as well be honest and say I'm hooked. Trails. Ultras. I'm in. I want more. And I really want to see how much farther I can go. 12-hour run? Gulp. 50 miles? I'm not sure where this journey is going to take me but I'm sure its going to involve my husband sighing and asking, "Where is this race again?"

previous post: 50k training: losing and moving

50k training: losing and moving

I've written and rewritten this post a dozen times. The last three weeks have been... challenging.

The day my husband left to go visit his parents, his mother had a debilitating seizure that signaled the beginning of the end. A week later, she died.

That night I ran 6 miles. Because that's what a runner does when she's hurting - she runs. 

My mother-in-law was not a runner. In fact, I'm pretty sure she thought I was completely, totally, and utterly insane but she never said a word. She would anxiously wait for me to come home from a late night run at the beach - I could visibly see her relax when I walked into the house - but she would never tell me not to go. She never gave an opinion unless it was asked for. She made my favorite foods when we came to visit and could whip up mittens for a winter run in a heartbeat. 

She loved me.

She accepted me, 100%, for who I am. She allowed me to have my bratty, immature moments and still loved me. She saw me lose my patience with her son and still loved me. We laughed over the cuteness and silliness of my kids and cried in each other's arms when our visits were over. 

I've been grieving and mourning for her, for our relationship, for months now, since they discovered the brain tumors that eventually claimed her life. Deep down, I'm half convinced I signed up for the 50k to have something to focus on. A goal to work towards to help me ignore, forget, and deny the reality of losing someone I love.   

I'm not sure how non-runners cope with life. If I couldn't run, I'm not sure what I would do. The treadmill sitting in my basement has been a lifeline during these last few weeks. Late night runs after the kids were in bed. Mid-morning runs after the kids were at school. Even with the funeral chaos and aftermath, I was still able to get in all my miles.

She would have been upset if she thought I was missing miles because of her. So I won't. I will keep running even though I am tired; I will keep running towards the finish line of that 50k - because I know when I do, she will relax and give me that warm smile I so desperately miss. 

Week 9

6, 4, 4, trails, 16

50k training: weeks 4 & 5

It's hard to believe that I'm only 5 weeks into this new adventure.

Week 4 was tough. On Friday, I ran the trail by my house twice and oh boy was it hard. My legs were dead going into Saturday's 16 miler. The first few miles went something like this : "this sucks", "why am I doing this?", "a 50k? really Lauren?", "I'm never going to finish this freaking race", "This is never going to happen".

The thing is, I had these SAME exact thoughts the first time I trained for a half and then again a year later when I trained for my first full marathon. The SAME doubts, fears, and worries. Every time I did a long run, I would count the amount of miles left to reach the race distance and I would totally panic.

So I went into week 5 feeling pretty defeated. On Tuesday, I shut my alarm off and went back to sleep. Of course, I now have a treadmill in my basement so after I dropped people off at school and put people down for naps, I put on Fuller House and cried and laughed through 6 miles.

My knee has been barking a little lately so I skipped trails on Friday and has a MUCH better run on Saturday. Getting up at 3:50 a.m. to run 18 miles sucks any way you look at it but I got it done and didn't feel like garbage afterwards.

My husband left today to visit his parents, so this week will be a "Let's Celebrate the Treadmill" week. All I'm going to say is thank goodness for Netflix.

Week 6

4, 4, 4, trails, 20

previous post: Product Review: Flip Belt

Product Review: Flip Belt

 I didn't know I needed this until I got one. 

photo courtesy of Flip Belt 

Say hello to your new best friend: the Flip Belt.

Seriously, if you run with stuff, you need this belt.

It holds giant smart phones, keys, money - anything you might need to take with you while on a run.

And in comes in so many colors! So many pretty colors. 

So, not only is it pretty but it's practical. 

Per their website: 

How is FlipBelt Different?

WEAR IT HOW YOU WANT IT.

You can turn it so that the pockets are facing outwards for easy access or turn it inwards to safeguard your items. There’s no right or wrong way to wear a FlipBelt (well, we wouldn’t recommend it for headgear), so you can customize it to your liking.

IT WON'T BUDGE.

Many of our customers have agreed with us when we say that the FlipBelt stays where you want it. That’s important when you’re moving fast. So go ahead—do some jumping jacks. Climb a mountain. Bike down a mountain trail. Your stuff will stay put no matter what you’re doing with a FlipBelt.

BE LIGHT ON YOUR FEET.

Other belts and pouches have their own heft. Some people complain that armbands, which are fairly heavy, makes activities a little bit lopsided. The FlipBelt, made of micro-poly and lycra, is a featherweight in comparison.

STRETCH IT TO FIT.

The material used for our belt is super stretchy, so you can comfortably fit a gigantic iPhone 6+ inside, along with all your other necessities!

All of it is true. every. single. word.

I have used it twice so far and am quite satisfied with this nifty little thing. The first time I used it, I had to adjust it a few times to find a comfortable spot but once I did - it was golden. Being able to run with my phone, something I never do, made me feel safer while running on a somewhat secluded trail. Being able to carry money with me to make a pit stop at the supermarket while out on a run was great. I love knowing that my car key was safe and sound and not at the mercy of a flimsy pocket.  

It's not just for running. It would be perfect for the gym or for running errands. 

It really is kind of perfect.

So, what are you waiting for? Go get one! 

You won't regret it.

previous post: 50k training: weeks 2 & 3