Brie Fit

You know, some days I don’t want to work out.  (At least 50% of the time.)

Today I didn’t feel like running.  I got suited up and ready to go, stepped out the door after work, and started running.  After less than .1 mile, I stopped.  It didn’t feel good.  My legs felt heavy and achy.   (I don’t do well running two days in a row, let alone three, even if they’re short.)  So I walked for awhile.  Then I decided to run on the track.  I ran one lap and…nope.  Wasn’t feeling it.

So, I compromised.  Instead of quitting, I cross trained.  Rule #1 of exercise: some activity is better than no activity.

Self-portrait on the elliptical!

I…ellipticaled (what does one do on the elliptical?  It’s not exactly running, or walking) for about 25 minutes before I wanted to tear my hair out with boredom, and jogged back to my car.   Something is better than nothing!

At lunch I went out to get cat food and Milhouse got a new (blue, argyle) collar.  He looks 56% more dignified now.

Do you have any strategies for when it’s hard to get out the door to the gym?

If you know me, you know I don’t give a shit about pumpkin.

Crunchy apples and juicy pears are my fall treats of choice!  I enjoyed my first Honeycrisp of the season today as a snack at work, with a bit of almond butter to keep me full.

Now, I’m not firmly in the “OMG Honeycrisps are the best thing ever” camp, but after eating (okay, biting in and throwing away) five straight mealy, flavorless (but cheap!) Galas, I decided to spring for the good stuff.  And it was good!  I guess you get what you pay for.

Pretty soon I’ll have to make some homemade applesauce.  Mmmm…

After work I did an easy, slow (but hilly) three-miler outside.  Nothing too taxing, but it felt good to get moving on a beautiful day.

In other news, I have begun overanalyzing every single pang in my body.   Random ear pain?  Is totally going to turn into some horrible infection.  Hamstring twinges?  OHMYGOD need to foam roll for half an hour right now.  Zit on face?  It’s probably leprosy.  Welcome to tapering.  Let the paranoia begin.

What’s your favorite fall treat?

Hi guys!

I hope you all had excellent weekends.  I very much enjoyed mine.  I spent Saturday sleeping in, getting a haircut, and baking five dozen muffins.  Sunday was also an excellent day—we did a charity walk for ovarian cancer in memory of Tim’s aunt, watched the Chiefs game, and then spent the evening gambling and having a nice dinner at the casino.  I ended up winning $30!

Alas, today was back to work, far too soon.  But it was a good day!  I am so lucky that I have a job that keeps me busy (but not usually stressed), engaged, and is different from day to day.

I had an interesting conversation with a guy who came in to talk to me, which really put things in perspective for me.  He was an ex-Marine who served four tours of duty in Iraq, and he saw my race bibs pinned to my office corkboard.  He asked if I ran races, and I said yes, and then he asked if I’d ever run a marathon.  I said, “Well, no, but my first is in less than two weeks,” and his response was, “WOW!  I have so much respect for that.  That is a really incredible thing to be doing.  I can’t even imagine how hard that is.”

I felt kind of like a nerd, because, well, I’m just running, whereas this guy risked his life repeatedly for our country.  I definitely did not feel like the bravest person in my office…but it’s still nice to remember that a) most people think running a marathon is really cool and moderately crazy; b) most people appreciate the amount of work that goes into it; and c) not everyone is a super-fit, speedy McGee marathoning blogger.  (Sometimes I lose perspective in the blog world a bit.)

Anyway, after work I tested out a new hydration strategy for race day:

Um, I don’t USUALLY lose things, but in the last month, I’ve managed to lose two kind of important running things—one of my Zensah leg sleeves, and the water bottle that goes with my FuelBelt handheld. 

But on Sunday, at the charity walk, we got these EVEN BIGGER water bottles that (mostly) fit in the same handheld cage.  I will be marathoning with this puppy!

I also officially tested my TNT singlet.  Good news: I love it.  It is loose, non-chafey, and doesn’t ride. 

After work I ran a glorious 4.5 miles in 44 minutes.  I actually wanted to get going, but I know I need to keep my mileage low and slow until race day!  I felt strong and happy and the weather was perfect and nothing hurt.  If only the marathon could be exactly like that, I’d be a happy camper!

In other news, I am wondering if I should set a time goal for the race and/or join a pace team.  I kind of have a (realistic) goal in mind, but I don’t want to set myself up to fail.

What do you think about setting time goals for your first marathon?

TGIF!

(Speaking of which, I realized the other night that I still remember the Tanner home phone number from Full House.  555-2424, in case you’re wondering.)

Anyway. 

After work today I was supposed to get on the treadmill for 12 miles.  But I was nauseous, and sluggish, and after 2.5 miles I said, “You know what?  Not going to happen.”  Two weeks ago I ran 15 miles, and 6 days ago I ran 20, and that’s a lot for my new-to-super-long-distances body.

If there’s one thing I have learned the hard way during marathon training, it’s to listen to your body and not overdo it.  A 12 mile long run+shorter runs is not a stepback week for me.  A week of shorter, easy runs is.  I’m still going to finish.

When I came home, Tim was all excited to show me his first hardcore running casualty!  Verbatim quote: “Can you put this on the blog?”  Of course, Tim.

He had a hangnail on his toe that bled a lot.  My stellar stain removal skills got rid of the stain (peroxide+cold water; don’t ask me how I know this), but his pride remains.

(Side note: on one of our first dates, I successfully washed a chocolate ice cream stain out of one of Tim’s favorite shirts.  I think my stain removal skills are part of the reason he proposed.)

I also got a fun package in the mail today!

Yet another sign that this is real.  It fits well and I’m going to run in it next week to make sure it’s cool chafing-wise.  (Although I’ve never really had chafing issues.)

Happy Friday!  Enjoy your weekend!

Is anyone else looking forward to the weekend as much as I am? 

It’s not that this has been a bad, or particularly long work week, but we have some fun stuff planned with Tim’s family and I’m looking forward to some good old family time.  I’m also getting an overdue haircut and brow wax on Saturday.  I have had some unpleasant PMS-related (I think/hope) lately and need a little relaxation.  I can’t wait!

Now, story time.  About my wonderful, wonderful husband.

I have been in pursuit of the perfect purse for a loooong time.  I have a big work bag, but nothing weekend appropriate that isn’t dirty or falling apart or three years old.  I am picky about purses—I like nice leather ones, in a fun color, with very little riffraff on them.  And then today, I found one! 

But, it was $140 (marked down from $348), and Tim and I are trying to  both save and pay down some stuff.  So I consulted Tim, and he reminded me of our goals, and I was sad.  But then I sent him another (cheaper) purse (that I didn’t really like very much), and he was all “nooo don’t buy it” and when I asked why, he said he was going to buy the one I initially liked for me for a marathon finishing gift and surprise me with it.  Surprise ruined.  Good going, Brie!

And then I felt like a huge douchebag for whining about needing a purse.

(So we bought it anyway tonight.  Good thing, because I think it was the last one!   I can’t wait for it to get here!)

And that is the story of how I got a new purse, and how my husband is awesome.

After work run was WINDY! 

I did it on the track.   I like running on the outdoor track. 

Off to watch fall TV!

What’s your favorite accessory to shop for?  I love purses, but the ones I like are always out of my budget!

Excuse my language, but HOLY SHIT.

  Confirmation ticket.  Chicago Marathon.  My name.  I have a bib number. 

Participant guide.  For me. 

Well, damn.

The marathon is consuming my thoughts pretty much all the time at this point.  Will I do well?  Will I crash and burn?  Will I poop myself?  Will people laugh at the slow girl?  Will I prove Dr. Douche wrong?  Would my dad be proud?

I am constantly obsessing over what the weather will be like, or what I’ll wear, and if I’ll embarrass myself, and a million other things.  Honestly—it’s a lot like wedding planning!  You plan and plan and do tons of work…only for it all to be over after a few short (and hopefully awesome) hours.

In less-scary things, I tried Meghann’s excellent carrots+almond butter combo and liked it today.  I am “meh” about carrots but trying to eat more veggies.  Almond butter makes everything better!

I planned on a run after work BUT I forgot my shoes at home today.  Woe is me.  I’ll run tomorrow instead!

What’s your favorite weird food combo?

Oh, good Lord.

Today at work, I spent an hour icing a new body part: my right index finger, which I smashed in the corner of a very heavy file drawer.  I am not a wuss, but it hurt so bad I nearly passed out!  My finger is all tingly and bruised and throbbing and warm and it hurts to type and mouse click.  

So, if you’re keeping score at home, the official tally now is four black toenails and one black fingernail.

I ran 3 miles in 29:40 after work and it felt pretty good—I’m consciously taking things very slow and very conservative until Chicago!  I have the rest of my life to work on speed, and the last thing I want to do right now is push something too hard and reinjure myself.

Anyway, for obvious reasons, I don’t feel much like typing, and my stomach hurts, so that’s all for now!

What’s the stupidest injury you’ve ever had?  I broke two toes racing my sister to the bathroom when I was 21!

Part of the fun of training for a marathon is that I never quite know how I’m going to feel the morning after a long run.

Last week’s 15 miler left me feeling pretty stiff and sore.  I attribute this to two things: old shoes and no ice bath.  (Okay, and the fact that it was my first long run in over a month.)  All day I felt like my hips were on fire, and walking hurt like crazy!

Yesterday afternoon, after my 20 miler, I was feeling, well, like I’d run 20 miles. (Tired, hungry, a bit delirious.)   My body felt tired, but not really sore.  Oddly enough, my only issue was with my left knee, which felt unusually sore, stiff, and somewhat swollen.  (My right also felt a little bit off, but not as bad.)  I never have knee trouble, so this was odd for me, but I iced several times over the course of the afternoon and evening.

Frozen veggies are the best for icing because they form so well to your body!  Corn is my favorite, because it’s the smallest and molds the best to your shape, but I used it in a salad.  (Ha!)

Anyway, last night we went out to a fantastic dinner, and my knees were killing me on the way back to the car.  I iced again and went to sleep.

But yes.  This morning?  I feel FABULOUS.  My muscles are a bit sore, and I knew I was in need of some serious foam rolling.

I busted out my trusty foam roller and rolled around on the floor for awhile.  I don’t really do specific exercises or anything on it; I just roll around on what hurts.  Today I paid extra attention to my hips, glutes, and hamstrings. 

My knee feels better, but I’m icing it just to be safe.  I also have a case of voracious runger—I am hungry about every 2 hours, no matter how much I eat and drink!  Since my run, I’ve ingested..

Post-run lunch: Chobani pineapple Greek yogurt, 1 serving plain pasta

Snack: Small bowl Kashi GoLean Crunch with 1% milk

Dinner: shared small cheese plate, goat cheese gnocchi (holy delicious), apple crisp

…

Breakfast: Kashi GoLean Crunch with 1% milk

Lunch: Chipotle burrito bowl (rice, beans, chicken, salsa, cheese)

Snack: Apple with peanut butter

I’m still undecided what to have for dinner, since I’m on my own tonight!

Anyway, I’m happy I feel so good today!  This is, hopefully, a sign that I’m more ready for race day than I think I am. 

I also spent my afternoon watching the excellent documentary, Spirit of the Marathon, on Netflix Watch Instantly, and cried like a baby at the end.

This is all beginning to feel real.  For so long I’ve been plagued by pain and injuries and self-doubt, but I’m finally starting to envision myself crossing that finish line.  I’m actually getting a little excited (and nervous)!

What’s your favorite dinner-for-one solution?

Today, I ran 20 miles.  (Whoa.)

Let me first start by saying that I set my alarm for 6:30 and snoozed until about 7:15.  I didn’t start running until 8:15 or so.  I am not a morning person, and sometimes, I feel like I SHOULD be, like long runs can’t be done after a reasonable amount of sleep.   Rest assured that that is NOT true—unless you are trying to beat insane heat, long runs can be done whenever.

Anyway.  I decided to tackle 20 today by doing 4 5 mile segments.  4 5-mile runs sounds so much easier to me!

For my first five, I headed out and ran around some beautiful gardens with fountains and other pretty things going on.  I put this section strategically first, because the hills in the area are killer and I wanted to do them on fresh legs.  (My iPhone camera was on the fritz today, so my picture documentation isn’t great.)  I tried to take a picture of something pretty, and got this instead:

(By the way—wore my new shoes.  The New Balance 759s are essentially a slightly updated version of my old 758s, but they feel exactly the same (though more cushiony, and with different laces) as the758s did.  Hooray!)

Stats for the first five:

Then I took a quick bathroom break, refilled my water bottle, took a Gu, and hit the treadmill for five miles.  Easy peasy.

Then, I went outside to the track to run 5 miles.  This didn’t work out quite as well as planned, as a soccer game was about  to start and I felt weird.  So, I went back inside to the treadmill after 3.5/5 miles were complete.

For the last segment, I ran 6.5 miles on the treadmill, split into segments of 4.5 miles-Gatorade refill-2 miles.   iPhone was not working, so I don’t have pictures!  By my math: 5+5+3.5+4.5+2=20!

Here is what I listened to:

1. 2 episodes of the Eric & Kathy Mix Morning Show podcast
2. 3 episodes of Kidd Kraddick in the Morning podcast
3. 1 episode of the Savage Love podcast
4. 2 episodes of the Talking TV with Ryan & Ryan podcast
5. 1 episode of Top Chef
6. some music

Here is what I consumed:

1. 32 oz. of Lemon-lime Gatorade (sometimes mixed with water, sometimes not—I’d estimate I took in about 56 oz. of fluids total)
2. 1 Vanilla Bean Gu at mile 5
3. 1 Chocolate Outrage Gu at mile 10
4. 1/2 pack of Sharkies immediately post-run

(I should have had another Gu at mile 15, but it didn’t sound appetizing.  Need to force feed one to myself next time. 1 Gu every 5 miles seems to work well for me.)

Time-wise, I was not fast.  I would estimate that I ran 80% of the time and walked 20% of the time.  That is fine with me.  Finishing is what matters, and if today’s run is any indication, I will not get swept away on the slow bus.

Here is what 20 miles looks like.  Be glad you don’t have smell-o-vision.

Post-run, I ice bathed (it feels SO good post-run and really helps recovery!), hot showered (to combat the smelly thing), and ate some Greek yogurt and plain pasta.  (My stomach was a little sour—not too bad, but I didn’t want anything too crazy.)

Anyway, although this was not a fun way to spend a Saturday morning, I feel infinitely more confident about my ability to finish this marathon in 3 weeks and shove it in Dr. Douche’s face.

Tonight Tim and I are using a Groupon for a fancy dinner at Room 39.  I can’t wait!

What’s the worst you’ve ever smelled?

Goodbye, first pair of shoes that didn’t cause me horrible blisters! 

Hello, new shoes!

Today I went back to my favorite local running store to pick up one of the two pairs of shoes they’d ordered for me to try.  My old pair was the New Balance 758s, and these are the new, updated 759s.  They feel pretty good.  (I also tried on the more expensive and supposedly higher quality 1024s and thought they felt kind of flimsy!)  I’m planning another long run tomorrow morning; we’ll see how these hold up!

Anyway, I’ve totally enjoyed my day off.  It was exactly what I needed!

I am not ashamed to admit that I slept until 10:30.  So many blogs I read extol the virtues of listening to your body when it comes to eating and exercising…but bounce out of bed at 6 am.  Not me, thanks.  My body says sleep in and dadgum, I will let it!

I did laundry, had some eggs for lunch, and decided to have a GMIAB (Green Monster In A Bowl) for a snack because I have been incredibly hungry all day.

This included frozen strawberries, frozen bananas, a generous handful of spinach, Simply Orange Pineapple juice, and a sprinkle of coconut.  Yum!

    I also made garlicky, herby pizza dough in the bread machine…

…and got some cuddle time in with my favorite interspecies lovers.

As for tomorrow…I’m shooting for a long long run—18-20 miles is my goal.  I was thinking about doing a local long training run, but have decided against it because a) it’s hilly, and I don’t need to throw in another element to mess up my shins and b) I can save $25 by doing it myself.  My plan is to get up early, drive to my work/gym area, and split the run into 5 mile segments—5 miles on the outdoor track, 5 miles running around town, 5 on the treadmill, et cetera.  Hopefully it works!  Eeek!

What’s your favorite smoothie?