There was no running yesterday. I didn't get to bed early enough on Sunday night. I didn't even pretend I might get it done in the evening, although the thought did cross my mind several times.
I was preoccupied with rearranging my office last night and ended up going to bed super late again. But I told my son before he went to bed that I was going to get up and run in the morning. I felt like telling him would make it so. Since I went too bed late, I changed my alarm from 5 to 6 and wouldn't you know my son came in at 5:45 to let me know that I didn't run. Oh ho, I said, I am getting up at 6:00. And even though I didn't want to, I did it. I ran 5K in about 34 minutes. Slow and steady. My cable receiver wasn't working so there was no yoga to be had. Boo! I will hopefully get that worked out later and then will be able to do a quick yoga workout while my son is at soccer practice tonight.
If there's practice, that is. Can I just say this is the crappiest spring on record?! We woke up to snow again this morning! Last night's baseball game was cancelled, that's the 2nd one. We're going to have so many make up games it's not even funny! And I just plain need the sun! Luckily we had a nice weekend, but we're back to rain, snow and sleet this week. Right now the forecast for Sunday is sunny and 60 degrees. I will take that for racing weather. I do not plan to attend the event if it's pouring rain or snowing. It's just not that big of a deal to me. My parents have done Bloomsday for more than 25 years in a row so they will be there regardless of Mother Nature's jokes, but I'm sorry to say that I won't.
I posted recently about gadgets and running and I do love me some gadgets! How did I ever live without a Garmin? Since then I have been thinking about running with music, which I love, but I started wondering if I can run without music. And would I like it? I didn't dare try that on the treadmill last week, but on Friday's run, I headed outside without my iPod. And do you know what? I really loved it! First, I could hear everything around me and I felt more relaxed not worrying about someone or some animal sneaking up on me. Second, I loved hearing the birds! This spring has been so awful with rain and snow and cold that I am starting to feel like a hermit crab holed up inside my shell (house). It was really, really nice to get outside and hear nature, hear my feet hitting the pavement, and hear my own (heavy) breathing.
This morning, I headed down to the mill with my iPod. I started my easy run listening to my usual running playlist which contains songs by Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Pink, Nickelback, Rick Springfield (yes, I said it) and Maroon 5 among others. Long about .8 miles into it, I was just annoyed with the music so I parked my iPod on the console and finished out my 3.1 miles sans music. Honestly, running on the treadmill without music was something I didn't think I could ever do, but I did it, and I enjoyed it.
This brings me to my "race" on Sunday. I am considering running sans music. Or at least planning to--I can always stow my headphones in my running belt just in case (I'll already have my phone). I keep wondering if I'll be able to do it, run 7.46 miles without stopping, so I don't know if planning to leave my music behind is a good idea or not. I still have a few days and a couple more runs to think about it. I can tell you though, the thought of one less thing to worry about when I go running, makes me feel a little free. And that is so weird because just a couple weeks ago I was convinced that music was a necessary running partner. And maybe it is, but perhaps we just need to "take some time". Perhaps I just need more solitude right now.
I can't tell you how excited I am for the Bloomsday Expo! I haven't been to a race expo before and I can't wait to pick up some new stuff! One thing I'm on the hunt for is a new running belt. I need something that doesn't bounce and has an element of water resistance. I'm have my eye on the ones from iFitness and they'll have a booth at the expo--I just hope they have the purple ones, or the black with purple! I am also possibly in the market for a handheld water bottle. While I do love my hydration belt, I am kind of ready to part ways with it and give a handheld a try. Not positive on this one, though. I also plan to pick up some new running socks. I don't really need anything else, but it will be fun to look around anyway.
Do you love race expos? Do you use a running belt? Have you ever used a handheld water bottle?
Showing posts with label Garmin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garmin. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
My Thoughts on Running with Shoes & Gadgets
Today, Linzi was asking opinions on running "naked" (i.e. without gadgets and shoes) as is the philosphy of author and runner Chris McDougall. I started writing a huge comment to her blog post when I realized I've wanted to blog about this one myself.
We have a family friend who set records in high school as a cross country runner--he graduated in 1989. He had the nation's top high school time in the 3200m at 8:50 and the 1600m at 4:04 in 1989. He's running Boston next week for the first time. He runs without any gadgets and can't fathom why they'd be needed. I understand this as he started running without any of that. I think it's great that he continues with only the basics: clothes and shoes and maybe a regular watch. (He also doesn't go barefoot.) In fact, on his last long training run he ran for "right around two hours and he figured about 20 miles". Seriously, I'm impressed that he doesn't need to know the stats exactly.
My experience with running started with gadgets and I love them! I've come to rely on them and I don't think this is a bad thing at all. I let my Garmin (used to be Nike+) tell me when I'm done running unless I feel great and have more time. I'll keep going if I do. And no matter what, watching the miles add up gives me such a rush! Seeing my pace decrease, also fabulous! As for my ipod, music is definitely my running partner. Music helps me escape while running, while doing housework, while driving. A good run always includes good music for keeping my mind occupied. A great beat keeps my legs moving faster, too.
Either way, gadgets or no gadgets, I think you can create good or bad running habits. If seeing your pace drives you faster, awesome! If seeing your pace makes you frustrated, feel bad and depressed, not awesome. If your iPod assists you and helps keep you pounding out those miles, great! If you cannot possibly run without an iPod, maybe not so great since batteries do fail sometimes. I don't see these things as distractions but as helpful aids in keeping me on track and motivated to run more, faster, longer, farther.
I will also never be a barefoot runner. I know some argue the point that our feet were designed to run barefoot, our feet were not designed to run with shoes. True dat. However, I don't think our feet were designed to run on concrete or asphalt. Broken glass? Not that either. If we went around barefoot all the time, building up the strength in our feet and toughing up the skin, then it would make perfect sense that you'd also run barefoot. But I cannot imagine why you would take off your shoes at the time you're putting your feet through the most trauma. We've evolved into wearing shoes and our feet have adapted accordingly. I'm sorry, but I will keep my shoes, thank you.
There will always be someone with the newest and greatest idea for running or whatever else. Everyone is free to do what works for them, but my running life involves gadgets and shoes and for that I make no apologies. We live in an age of awesome technology, why not take advantage? If people always used the argument, "We weren't made to do this or that", we wouldn't have things like lights and electricity, let alone GPS watches and MP3 players. The world is constantly changing and advances in technology will keep coming. I plan to embrace those advances and use them to my advantage whenever I can.
And besides, it's a great way to add more purple to my life!
We have a family friend who set records in high school as a cross country runner--he graduated in 1989. He had the nation's top high school time in the 3200m at 8:50 and the 1600m at 4:04 in 1989. He's running Boston next week for the first time. He runs without any gadgets and can't fathom why they'd be needed. I understand this as he started running without any of that. I think it's great that he continues with only the basics: clothes and shoes and maybe a regular watch. (He also doesn't go barefoot.) In fact, on his last long training run he ran for "right around two hours and he figured about 20 miles". Seriously, I'm impressed that he doesn't need to know the stats exactly.
My experience with running started with gadgets and I love them! I've come to rely on them and I don't think this is a bad thing at all. I let my Garmin (used to be Nike+) tell me when I'm done running unless I feel great and have more time. I'll keep going if I do. And no matter what, watching the miles add up gives me such a rush! Seeing my pace decrease, also fabulous! As for my ipod, music is definitely my running partner. Music helps me escape while running, while doing housework, while driving. A good run always includes good music for keeping my mind occupied. A great beat keeps my legs moving faster, too.
Either way, gadgets or no gadgets, I think you can create good or bad running habits. If seeing your pace drives you faster, awesome! If seeing your pace makes you frustrated, feel bad and depressed, not awesome. If your iPod assists you and helps keep you pounding out those miles, great! If you cannot possibly run without an iPod, maybe not so great since batteries do fail sometimes. I don't see these things as distractions but as helpful aids in keeping me on track and motivated to run more, faster, longer, farther.
I will also never be a barefoot runner. I know some argue the point that our feet were designed to run barefoot, our feet were not designed to run with shoes. True dat. However, I don't think our feet were designed to run on concrete or asphalt. Broken glass? Not that either. If we went around barefoot all the time, building up the strength in our feet and toughing up the skin, then it would make perfect sense that you'd also run barefoot. But I cannot imagine why you would take off your shoes at the time you're putting your feet through the most trauma. We've evolved into wearing shoes and our feet have adapted accordingly. I'm sorry, but I will keep my shoes, thank you.
There will always be someone with the newest and greatest idea for running or whatever else. Everyone is free to do what works for them, but my running life involves gadgets and shoes and for that I make no apologies. We live in an age of awesome technology, why not take advantage? If people always used the argument, "We weren't made to do this or that", we wouldn't have things like lights and electricity, let alone GPS watches and MP3 players. The world is constantly changing and advances in technology will keep coming. I plan to embrace those advances and use them to my advantage whenever I can.
And besides, it's a great way to add more purple to my life!
Friday, March 25, 2011
I'm sorry, I'm one of those people!
Today I did one of those things that I thought I'd never do. I returned a used but perfectly good product just because I found it cheaper elsewhere!!
Did anyone see or take advantage of Amazon's Garmin deal the other day? I did!
I know, I know, I'm one of those people!
I promptly snatched one up, used my awesome Amazon Prime membership to have it shipped overnight for $3.99, and had it in my hot little hands yesterday!
This afternoon I returned the Garmin 405CX to Costco. I felt remorse, I still do. Especially when they attached the "non-saleable" tag to it. But a $50 savings is a $50 savings. That is how much I save by getting the Garmin 405 from Amazon. I lose the calorie calculation feature, but I have zero plans to use the heart rate monitor anyway so it's not a big deal to me at all.
I know Costco has their satisfaction guarantee for a reason, but I still feel badly for taking advantage of it. I heard about a lady once who bought grass seed from Costco, planted it, then brought the empty bags back the next year for a refund because she didn't like the look of the grass! I'm not as bad as that, right?!
Anyway, new black Garmin will also be known as Forrest and we'll just pretend blue Forrest never existed.
Have you ever returned a used product because you found a better deal? Did you feel remorse?
Ps. Don't forget to enter my Chobani giveaway!
Did anyone see or take advantage of Amazon's Garmin deal the other day? I did!
I know, I know, I'm one of those people!
I promptly snatched one up, used my awesome Amazon Prime membership to have it shipped overnight for $3.99, and had it in my hot little hands yesterday!
This afternoon I returned the Garmin 405CX to Costco. I felt remorse, I still do. Especially when they attached the "non-saleable" tag to it. But a $50 savings is a $50 savings. That is how much I save by getting the Garmin 405 from Amazon. I lose the calorie calculation feature, but I have zero plans to use the heart rate monitor anyway so it's not a big deal to me at all.
I know Costco has their satisfaction guarantee for a reason, but I still feel badly for taking advantage of it. I heard about a lady once who bought grass seed from Costco, planted it, then brought the empty bags back the next year for a refund because she didn't like the look of the grass! I'm not as bad as that, right?!
Anyway, new black Garmin will also be known as Forrest and we'll just pretend blue Forrest never existed.
Have you ever returned a used product because you found a better deal? Did you feel remorse?
Ps. Don't forget to enter my Chobani giveaway!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Awesome Garmin Deal at Amazon
Amazon has an awesome Gold Box Deal today. Check it out!
This is an awesome deal on the Garmin 405!!
This is an awesome deal on the Garmin 405!!
Friday, March 18, 2011
I Shook my Shamrock
Aneta at My Running Bucket and Linzi at Beyond Destination 26.2 are hosting the Shake Your Shamrock Virtual Run this weekend.
The rules are as follows:
- Sign Up
- Wear Green during the Virtual run
- Run the distance of 7k (4.35 miles) or 13k (8.08 miles)
- Complete your run between March 17th - 20th.
- Report back to both with your finishing time by Sunday March 20th at 6:00 p.m.
- Optional: Send in a picture of you in your green outfit with finishing times for us to post on our blogs!
I have to tell you, folks, this was almost a DNF! First, if it wasn't for Forrest, I probably would have ran on the treadmill because lately it's been easier on my legs, but since I must justify this hundreds of dollars purchase, I headed outside instead.
I felt so sluggish and tired during this entire run and I actually ended up running 5k and walking 2k. I have not walked that much on a run in a long time. I am really not sure why I ended up with such a horrible run today, I can only assume it was because 1) I hadn't mapped out a 7k course so I was kind of running blind which I hate when I have a distance goal, and 2) running outside is just plain hard for me! I actually feel like I did last year when I started running outside after completing Couch to 5k. My breathing was wrong, my legs hurt, my ears were cold, my music sucked, the wind was too strong. You name it, I can complain about it.
At any rate, I completed the distance and did not log a DNF even though I felt like giving up at 5k. My stats and photo are below. Thank you Aneta and Linzi for hosting the virtual run. I am glad to have gotten out there even though it was not the best of times!
Distance 4.38 (yeah I couldn't remember if it was 4.35 or 4.38 so I did 4.38 to be safe)
Time 52:44
First 5k completed in 33:07
The last 2k completed very slowly
PS. How do you like my hat? It's new. I can't decided if I like running in a hat, but it will be great if it's raining. Today it wasn't raining. Today I did not like wearing a hat. :-) Maybe the hat was what was weighing me down today. Ha!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Meet Forrest
Today Forrest and I headed out for our inaugural run and it was awesome! Not the run itself because that actually sucked; it was cold and my legs weren't into it. But I signed up for 30 minutes and that is what I aimed to complete. I will write a more complete review of Forrest and its features another time, but for now I will tell you that being able to view the stats right there on my wrist was just awesome! And knowing the distance was accurate and the pace was current was just wonderful and kept me going even when I wanted to quit! Thanks, Forrest!
I'm sure it's obvious how I came up with Forrest's name, isn't it? Okay, it wasn't obvious to my husband so maybe it isn't as abvious as I think. I'll explain. It's a Forerunner so the first name I thought of was Forrest, cuz you know, they both start with the same three letters. Well, when I hear the name Forrest the first thing that comes to mind is "Run, Forrest, Run!" And well, that sounded perfect to me. So Forrest was born and you know, "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what yer gonna git."
Friday, March 4, 2011
Fastest Run EVER
I just wanted to announce today that I ran my fastest 5K ever last night! I completed it in 31:18! I wish I could say that it was easy, but it was really hard for me--my legs just don't go that fast! And my lungs, they could barely keep up! I nearly gave up the run about 2.8 miles, but kept screaming at myself to DIG!! It felt great when I was done--well, once I caught my breath anyway.
I have to work today (on my day off) so I had to put my usual Friday morning run off until this evening. I am planning another 5K, only a really easy one this time. I have been slacking so much on running I don't want to push too much this week on my first week back on schedule. I also plan an easy 30 minute run this weekend although I might change it to a walk depending on how my legs feel.
I might have bought myself a Garmin 405cx last night. I'm still deciding whether to admit it or not. ;-)
I have to work today (on my day off) so I had to put my usual Friday morning run off until this evening. I am planning another 5K, only a really easy one this time. I have been slacking so much on running I don't want to push too much this week on my first week back on schedule. I also plan an easy 30 minute run this weekend although I might change it to a walk depending on how my legs feel.
I might have bought myself a Garmin 405cx last night. I'm still deciding whether to admit it or not. ;-)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
I don't need a Garmin, I don't need a Garmin!
As of this morning I am a solid 16 pounds from my goal weight. 16 pounds! That is nothing at all! I can do it, I can feel it.
I have had an awesome week with regard to eating. I have not been super hungry, I've been using the daily points only, and I have even discovered a new breakfast: overnight almond oats.
Overnight Almond Oats
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Cinnamon
Mix together the above ingredients and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, microwave the oats for around 2 minutes. Top the cooked oatmeal with the following:
1 sliced banana
Additional cinnamon
1 packet of Sugar in the Raw
A sprinkle of nutmeg
OMG, this is a wonderful way to start the day! I have switched to having this in the morning and my favorite breakfast for lunch instead. Mmmmm!
For some reason, running an all time low amount of miles for February has me thinking I need a Garmin GPS watch. I know you can see the logic in this too. I have researched these watches a lot and I really, really want one. But I don't need one. Nike+ has been good enough for me up to this point, why shouldn't it continue to be? I'm sure it's just as accurate when calculating zero miles as a GPS anyway.
Does this happen to any of you? You decide you want something and then you become obsessed with it and then convince yourself you must have it? This happens to me more often than I like to admit. Sometimes I derive too much happiness from material things! I used to be a bit of a compulsive shopper, especially when it came to new hobbies. Learned to crochet? Let's buy a truckload of yarn. Started scrapbooking? Why not buy every piece of paper and kit in the store? Like to rubber stamp? Everyone needs hundreds of stamp sets, don't they? I have resisted the urge to buy every gadget and piece of clothing for running many times over the past year. I know I don't need all that "stuff" to get the job done, but for some reason I WANT it anyway.
This reminds me of a shirt slogan I saw while "window web shopping" over the weekend. "If you see me collapse, please pause my Garmin." Ha ha ha ha, that's one of the best I've seen.
I'm curious to hear from you all. How do you calculate and keep track of your mileage? Do you have a hi-tech gadget like a Garmin? Nike+? A car odometer or treadmill readout? Do you keep track?
I have had an awesome week with regard to eating. I have not been super hungry, I've been using the daily points only, and I have even discovered a new breakfast: overnight almond oats.
Overnight Almond Oats
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Cinnamon
Mix together the above ingredients and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, microwave the oats for around 2 minutes. Top the cooked oatmeal with the following:
1 sliced banana
Additional cinnamon
1 packet of Sugar in the Raw
A sprinkle of nutmeg
OMG, this is a wonderful way to start the day! I have switched to having this in the morning and my favorite breakfast for lunch instead. Mmmmm!
For some reason, running an all time low amount of miles for February has me thinking I need a Garmin GPS watch. I know you can see the logic in this too. I have researched these watches a lot and I really, really want one. But I don't need one. Nike+ has been good enough for me up to this point, why shouldn't it continue to be? I'm sure it's just as accurate when calculating zero miles as a GPS anyway.
Does this happen to any of you? You decide you want something and then you become obsessed with it and then convince yourself you must have it? This happens to me more often than I like to admit. Sometimes I derive too much happiness from material things! I used to be a bit of a compulsive shopper, especially when it came to new hobbies. Learned to crochet? Let's buy a truckload of yarn. Started scrapbooking? Why not buy every piece of paper and kit in the store? Like to rubber stamp? Everyone needs hundreds of stamp sets, don't they? I have resisted the urge to buy every gadget and piece of clothing for running many times over the past year. I know I don't need all that "stuff" to get the job done, but for some reason I WANT it anyway.
This reminds me of a shirt slogan I saw while "window web shopping" over the weekend. "If you see me collapse, please pause my Garmin." Ha ha ha ha, that's one of the best I've seen.
I'm curious to hear from you all. How do you calculate and keep track of your mileage? Do you have a hi-tech gadget like a Garmin? Nike+? A car odometer or treadmill readout? Do you keep track?
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