friday five: five things i love about...

Hey guys! It's that time again - Friday Five! I am linking up with the lovely ladies of DC for Friday Five: Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed up for What?, and Mar at Mar on the Run. This week's theme is "Five Things I Love About...". I have chosen to write about blogging.

1. It keeps me accountable. I started the blog to keep detailed notes on how training was going, injuries that might be plaguing me, and goals I wanted to set. By making these things known public (especially training and nutrition goals), it's really helped to keep me motivated and on point. Though of course there are slip ups, generally I've been much better about sticking to my schedule and goals.

2. Making new blends. Who knew I'd 'meet' so many awesome folks that also blog about running, racing, nutrition, etc.? It's great getting to know other folks that have a passion for the same things – I hope to meet many of them in real life sometime :)

3. It helps me keep track of how certain workouts went – if there were pains I can see when they started, what aggravated them, etc. It's great being able to go back and check out, in more detail than is in my Nike or Garmin account, how training went and whether I had any aches or pains that were bothering me. It's sort of like a public journal that can help with training, and I really enjoy that. 

4. A great way to remember races (and be able to reference when next year's comes around again). I don't always have the best memory. Being able to go back and reference a race and how it all went, what the aid stations, bathrooms, and course were like, how I was feeling during the race, what type of fuel I took and when, is all very helpful for when I have questions about said race. I love keeping track of all of these things and being able to reference at a later point in time.

5. The support from others. In a way, I'm still pretty new to the whole running thing, and I often have questions. It's so great to be able to pose them to all of the wonderful runners out there and get helpful feedback. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, I'm really glad I started the blog and have gotten involved with the community. It's also great to get the support, motivation, and inspiration from others, especially if things aren't going as well as I'd hope. It's just such a lovely group of people!

I appreciate all of you! Your own training stories, woes, and triumphs really help others out, and the support and information I gain from you all is quite a gift, so thank you!

How about you – if you are a blogger, what's one or two things you love about it?

Thanks to Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for hosting! Make sure to check out their "Friday Five" posts (direct links above in first paragraph) and link up if you are joining in on the fun. Don't forget to read/comment on some of the other link ups – there are always so many great ones!

friday five: what's new

On Fridays, I link up with the lovely DC Trifecta ladies for Friday Five: Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed up for What?, and Mar at Mar on the Run. This week's theme is "What's New".

1. I tried out Pure Barre for the first time this week. It was crazy intense, and I felt completely out of shape! If I had the money, I would go a couple times of week - I could really feel the burn. The class really worked my muscles – everywhere! You can read how the class went here.

2. Lollapalooza weekend is here! I can not believe that it is August already! I am super pumped for 3 days of awesome music. My schedule is jam packed with some pretty rockin' bands, and other than possible rain in the forecast, looks like it'll be perfect weather (knock on wood... it's usually about 100 degrees with 100% humidity, plus at least one big storm every year making the festival grounds a real mess). Anyone else headed there?

3. Heel inserts have arrived. As some of you may know, I've been having some issues with my arches being in pain. I ordered some heel inserts that are supposed to be pretty good at alleviating such pain. I wore them all day today, and though they felt a bit odd (I'm sure I'll get used to them), I did notice that they made my feet feel better. Here's hoping they continue to do so, and the pain subsides completely. I plan on being the girl in gym shoes all weekend, even though I usually like to wear my Toms at Lollapalooza. I really think it's necessary to have some good cushion and support over the weekend, especially since I'm starting off with pain before it even begins haha. 

4. I've become obsessed with American Ninja Warrior. I just enjoy the show so much! I love it when I see regular joe's do well. You know, the kind that have jobs like animation artist that means they aren't in the gym 24-7, such as some of the trainers. Not that that's not ok, I just feel like they have to work a bit harder to squeeze in the time for training. Either way, all of those men and women are awesome–super talented to be able to do any of the obstacles! I don't think I'd make any of them... especially since so many require upper body strength. I really liked the navy dude with the therapy dog on this week's episode, and I find myself getting super excited for the folks that make it far/to the end, and bummed when they don't.

5. It's another weekend of no races. Can you believe it? My schedule was so race heavy for a while there, it seems so weird not to have anything. Not that there wasn't a race this weekend I wanted to do, but having gotten a 3-day pass for Lollapalooza, I didn't think my body could handle any more beatdowns. It's crazy how exhausting this festival is, especially the older I get (not to mention all of the running back and forth in order to see all of the bands you want to see). Last year I went two days (unable to get the 3-day like I wanted... you used to be able to wait a few days prior to buying, but just like runDisney events, tickets began to sell like hotcakes and they sell out in hours, if not sooner)—so I did Lolla on Friday, a packet pick-up in the city Saturday, Biggest Loser 5k Sunday, and then Lolla Sunday afternoon. Saturday night I ended up with food poisoning (being up all night was no fun) so Sunday was pretty rough, but I wouldn't let myself not do the race or miss the festival. All was well after taking a nap after the race and drinking some ginger ale ;) I just got a later start for Lolla than I had intended. 

BONUS: A little something extra for you. I started reading 'Doctor Sleep' this week, which is the sequel to Stephen King's 'The Shining'. Great reads, if anyone is interested.

Any shows or sports you get super into when watching on tv (as in cheering and clapping)? Do you love concerts, too? Tell me one thing you have going on this weekend :)

Thanks to Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for hosting! Make sure to check out their "Friday Five" posts (I'm on the train using the Blogger app to edit my original draft and can't figure out how to add links to their direct link up pages... I'll add them when I'm at a computer, but you can click above links to get to their pages) and link up if you are joining in, and then check out some of the other link up posts – so many great ones to choose from!

friday five: five things in my gym bag

I'm linking up again with the DC gals for the Friday Five: Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed up for What?, and Mar at Mar on the Run. The theme for this week is five things in my gym bag. I don't belong to a gym anymore, but these are things that I bring with me when I do trail runs. Without further ado....

1. Sunscreen – I know this is a little weird, since most people's gym bags are for indoor activities, but since I'm going off of an outdoor activity, it makes sense for me. I have very fair skin that, honestly, begins to burn the instant it hits sunlight. So, for me, sunscreen is a must (plus, it's a important to use to help prevent things like skin cancer and early aging). I'm on the hunt for the perfect sports sunscreen, but have tried Coppertone Continuous Sport Spray and Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Spray. They were ok, but I'd love to find one that doesn't give me that greasy feeling. I don't remember for the Coppertone one, but I didn't like that after spraying the Neutrogena you then had to also wipe it in. I get you want even coverage, but if I wasn't near soap and water to wash my hands, then I am very likely to get it in my eyes, which burns (I rub my eyes a lot, and tend to forget that I shouldn't). Also, I like to have as few steps as possible. I've heard good things about Banana Boat, so I'm going to try that next. I also use the sunscreen sticks for my face and ears.

2. iPhone with Yurbuds – I need me some music when I'm running, and I love the Yurbuds Inspire Pro for Women. They stay in my ear, and I like being able to control the volume and skip songs via the 3-button dry mic. I've tried using Siri as well with the mic, but she never seems to be able to translate what I'm saying into text very well, but that's a Siri problem, not the earphones.

3. Water Bottle – I'm very particular about water bottles. I really love my Camelbak Eddy and Eddie Bauer Freezer water bottles. I don't use the freezer core on the EB often, but if I'll be out for a long time in the summer heat, I add it in. It's a great one to keep in the car for when I'm done, because it's still cold. I also love that both are 'no-spill', so they can be tipped upside down without make a mess. Another bonus is they both have nice tops with loops that I like to carry them by (with a finger or two). Sometimes my teeth start to hurt from having to bite the Camelbak, which is why the EB one is great – just a sip straw!

4. Chapstick - this is a must! I hate dry lips. For working out I use Chapsitck moisturizer (I don't like using the scented/'flavor' ones when I exercise, but love them for everyday use. EOS is my recent favorite).

5. Body/Face Wipes – After a sweaty, dusty trail run, I like to wipe down before having to get in the car and drive home. For the face, I really like the Simple brand wipes. I've tried both the Cleansing Facial Wipes and the Radiance Cleansing Wipes and liked them both. For body (which needs a bit more oomph than the face wipes provide), I've found that Action Wipes work really well.

There you have it! There's plenty of other things I bring/like to have in my 'gym' bag, but these are a few of my essentials (you know, other than the obvious—shoes, shirt, shorts, bra, socks, GPS watch is always a must, so include it with the shoes list haha).

What's in your gym bag? What are your must-haves? Anything unusual?

Thanks to Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for hosting! Make sure to check out their "Friday Five" posts and link up if you are joining in!

friday five: five places i'd love to run

This is my first Friday Five linkup with the ladies at Eat Pray Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?. The Friday Five topic? Five places you'd love to run. 

It's so hard to choose just 5 locations, when there are SO many beautiful ones to choose from. I'm going to stick with US locales, but if I were to go international, my wish list includes these places: Florence, Rome, London, Paris, and Greece. In general, I think running through cities is a great way to get in some sight-seeing along with some exercise :)

Five places in the US that I'd love to run (in no particular order):

1. Boston. Even though I've been to Boston (back in my Irish Dancing days), I haven't returned in my adult years, and would love to enjoy the city during a run. I'm pretty sure I'll never be fast enough to quality for the Boston Marathon, and have doubts that I could raise enough money to fundraise and run for charity. However, I'd be cool with just going for a run and exploring the city. 

Boston montage

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2. New York. I've never been to the Big Apple, but it's on my wish list. And if I ever get a chance to go, you just know I have to go for a run in Central Park!

Panoramic view of Central Park from Rockefeller Center.

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3. Napa Valley. That Zooma Napa Valley half marathon looks like a great girls weekend (and heck - my husband would love it, too!). Running a half marathon past vineyards with mountain scenery, and then hitting up some of the best winery tasting rooms in the country? Yes, please. I pretty much love any running event that includes wine in the description.

ZOOMA Napa Valley Medal

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4. San Diego. This is another place I have been to already, but again, pre-running days. I just adored this city, and would love to run along the ocean in the nearly perfect temperatures they have year-round. Also, California has a lot of breweries I would enjoy visiting. I also loved the zoo... is running allowed in there, or do they have any races through it? — that would be a lot of fun. 

Here I am at the San Diego Zoo, circa 2006

5. Washington, D.C. I was there when I was pretty young and didn't get in any sight seeing (how disappointing, I know). Planning a racecation that includes either the Cherry Blossom 10-miler or the Nike Women's Half Marathon would be a ton of fun. Not to mention getting a Tiffany's necklace for the Nike race would be pretty sweet. And then, of course, spending a few extra days to get in all of the sight-seeing.

 

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Whew! That was hard to choose only five! I secretly have a desire to travel to all 50 states, and would just love it if I could also check off a race in each one as well. Two birds, one stone... right? ;)

Thanks to Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia for hosting! Be sure to check out their five choices they posted on their blogs (just click their name/link), along with the other linkups! Ladies – please let me know if I committed any faux pas for the linkup. Hopefully I followed all of the rules :)