How Do You Pin your Run Happy?

Ever imagined what it would be like to go on a Brooks $500 shopping spree? That fantasy could become reality if you enter and win the Brooks Pin Your Run Happy contest. Brooks is looking to fill up their Run Happy board on Pinterest, and needs your help. 

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow Brooks Running on Pinterest and Like Brooks on Facebook.

2. Create a personal Run Happy board on your Pinterest account and fill it with the things that inspire you to run (be sure to include your favorite Brooks shoe or clothing).

3. Submit your board (click on this link), and tell Brooks why your board means Run Happy.

Be creative and have fun! :) Brooks will choose a winner in May.*

Are you on Pinterest? You can follow me, and my Run Happy board here.

*I have not been compensated by Brooks for this post. Click on this link for official rules.

A New Chapter and Countdown to Chicago

       Next Saturday will be my last day at work. After a planning, budgeting, and long talks with my hubby..We decided that after 14 years of me taking care of critically ill people, it's time for me to change directions in my career. I've been working weekend shifts only (for the most part), for over 6 years, and it's always 12 hours+ each shift. Not to mention I work day and night shifts, and have done this for over 10 years. This type of career takes a toll on your family life, but most importantly, your body. Down the road, I would rather a career path that is out of the ICU, and with more of a focus on wellness and health promotion. As this chapter of my life comes to a close, I look forward to what the next chapter brings. :)
       Now that I will have more time for my running/training, I have Chicago on my mind. The 2012 Chicago Marathon, that is. As of today, I have 26 weeks from yesterday to train, and (hopefully) smash my marathon PR (3:28:04). I know it's definitely not going to be easy, but, getting my long runs in on the weekends, will be a lot more realistic. This has always been a challenge with my work schedule.
        Another race on my mind is the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Super Spartan Race in August, here in Northern VA. This will be my first Spartan, and if it's one area that I need a lot of work, it's my upper body strength. This race is all about obstacles, and 8 miles of getting over, across, and under them. Let's just say...Boot camp here I come! If you have ever done a Spartan Race, let me know how you trained for it, and any advice you could pass along.
        Best of luck to all of my running friends/blog followers, and everyone else running the Boston Marathon 1 week from today. Be sure to take it all in, and enjoy every mile.. It's an AMAZING experience. :)
You've put in countless hours of training, not only for Boston itself, but, to get that BQ. Good luck!!! I'll be following as many of you as I can on Twitter/Facebook next Monday.

Anyone running Chicago? What's your Fall marathon?
       
       

2012 Brooks Run Happy (TM) Tour is Coming!!

Last September, I had the amazing opportunity to take part in Brooks' Calvacade of Curiosities Tour during their stop here in Northern Virginia. Check out my blog post here to read all about it. :)
Brooks just released the 2012 dates for the tour and based on my experience, you don't want to miss it!!!

What is the Brooks Calvacade of Curiosities? 

Free running gait analysis by Brooks staff (now with ipad and digital analysis)- if you've ever wondered which Brooks shoe is the right match for you, this is the perfect way to find out!

An Arcade of Oddities "museum" displaying running wonders from around the world

Free contests and really cool prizes! (Last year, one of the contests was for a free entry to any Rock and Roll Marathon of your choice anywhere in the U.S).

This is definitely something you won't want to miss. Tour dates are listed through July. Further dates are TBA. 

If you are going to be at any of the Rock and Roll Marathon/Half Marathons throughout the country, look for the Brooks custom double-decker British bus at the race expos. 

***The Brooks Calvacade of Curiosities will be at the Rock and Roll USA Marathon/Half Marathon Expo 3/15-3/16 in Washington, D.C. ***

Location: D.C. Armory

               2400 E. Capitol St.

               Washington, D.C.

                (3/15)12p-7p

                (3/16)10a-7p

Don't miss out!! :)

2012 Run Happy(TM) Tour dates- click on this link




*Run Happy(TM) is a registered trademark of Brooks Sports, INC.

"If You are Going to Win any Battle...You have to do One Thing"...

I've been doing a lot better since my previous post. Two weeks ago, my weekly mileage was 18 miles. Last week, I did 31 miles total for the week. I worked both Saturday and Sunday (12hr. shifts each day). Even though I was exhausted yesterday, I managed 3 miles on the treadmill. I didn't want to push it too hard, since I knew today was going to be a much higher mileage day. 

Mentally, I think I'm finally almost back to where I need to be. I came across this great quote by the late Gen. George S. Patton:


Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired. When you were younger the mind could make you dance all night, and the body was never tired. You've always got to make the mind take over and keep going.

-George S. Patton

I make sure to remind myself of this quote every day. Life, not just running, is all about not letting the body tell the mind what to do. I see this so often, especially being a nurse. 


Today, I started my run earlier than usual- to make sure that I had plenty of time to get 9 miles in before having to be back home to get my son from the bus stop. It was a "balmy" 33 degrees when I started- fortunately, the sun was bright and the sky was clear. 


To keep me comfortable for my run, I chose my Thermal Equilibrium long sleeve shirt, along with my Silver Bullet jacket (check out my review on this SUPERB jacket here), as well as my Women's Infinity tight, Women's Infinity Beanie, and HVAC gloves (all by Brooks, of course :)). Today's shoe choice was Brooks Adrenaline 12's. I've been rotating with my PureCadence (hoping to be in to these full time by May for the marathon). 


The first few miles are warm up miles, then, I can tell I start settling in.. I've found, it is so important to not let the distance be the enemy. Being outside, enjoying the cool air, the warm sunshine, it's part of what makes running so enjoyable. Focusing on how many things I need to get done like grocery shopping, bills, checking emails, and that laundry that just never seems to end, will just cause the run to be miserable. Those things won't be going anywhere- that's what the rest of the day is for. :) 


So, how did I do? Here's Mr.Garmin:

Splits: 8:29, 8:10, 8:16, 8:21, 8:34, 8:36, 8:37, 8:40, 8:17






Today is week 10, day 2 of my training plan. There's just a little over 8 and a half weeks left until the marathon. Will I be ready? Will my body be ready for 26.2 miles again? I'm going to do my best. I haven't run that distance since Boston Marathon last year. 


I must remember the words of Gen. Patton. "You've always got to make the mind take over and keep going". 

A very happy me after this morning's run

Where I've Been...And It's Not Running

This is my first blog post since January 20th. Let's just say, I'm just a "tad" behind.... Anyway, things have not just been busy, they've been down right crazy!! Lot's of traveling, working weekends, and trying to keep up with  day to day things at home. LIFE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING in recent weeks. Two weekends in a row of traveling out of state for my daughter's cheer competitions. The best past was not getting home until midnight (Saturday before last), and knowing that I had to get up for work 5 hours later to then pull a 12-14 hour shift. By the following Monday, I was flat out EXHAUSTED! Running was not exactly the first thing on my mind, since I felt like that is all I had been doing!

When I get stressed, I tend to procrastinate. When I procrastinate, my running gets affected. I keep trying to tell  myself not to let this happen, but, it does. Once I push my run to the end of the day, most likely, my "window of opportunity" is gone. This went on for almost 2 weeks. The result is anger, frustration, motivation down the drain, and, self esteem=gone. :( Not to mention, when I'm stressed, I don't eat, sleep, or function well. Just ask my husband who was literally telling me yesterday- "Please go run tomorrow. I think it will help you feel better."

During the week, I only have a few hours to do things when both kids are at school. Where I live, kindergarten is half-day. My son is home by 11:00am. This really puts a damper in not only my running schedule, but, getting errands done and/or going to the gym. By the time he gets home, it's time to start lunch, do laundry, and think about getting his homework done. My daughter has practice a minimum of 2 hours twice a week, not including the 20 mins. each direction for traveling to her gym. As you can see... couple this with working as an ICU nurse 12hrs on the weekends, doing day/night rotation- I'm a tired mommy!

Today, I headed out to my neighborhood fitness center for a few treadmill miles. Was kind of hoping to get 4 miles in, but, only had time for 3. Going to try to for a few more miles this afternoon..

I found this on Pinterest today:

'Nough said. ;)


Have you been sticking to your run plan? How do you keep from procrastinating?

Gear Review: Brooks Wanganui Cabrio Mitten

Winter is in full swing here in Virginia. I really don't like the cold, but, after living in South Florida four years during college, I do enjoy the change of seasons. During my outdoor training runs, I've been wearing my Brooks Wanganui Cabrio mittens. I usually start out with the fold over mitten part covering my fingers, and once I'm warmed up, flip that part over to the finger-less gloves.

The Look:

There's a magnetic fold-over closure, which helps keep the mitten part from flopping back. The thumb has a part you can fold back, which is especially useful when using an mp3 player. 

The Feel: 

Made out of 92% moisture-transfer polyester/ 8% LYCRA spandex. 

Sizing: 

S/M or L/XL.

Fit: 

Fitted. (However, still have enough room for fingers to move easily).

Color:

Black

I love my pair, and have been using them for almost all of my outdoor training runs. 

For ordering info, check out: Brooksrunning.com. 

*This gear review is a view of my own thoughts and opinions. I was not compensated by Brooks Sports for this review. 

Remember this...

If someone ever has doubted you, or, if you have ever doubted yourself..... Remember this: