Wagons, runs, and rides

Friday, I fell of the no soda wagon. Over three years without a soda, but one fountain green river and I jumped off the wagon into lime-flavored sugary bliss. I was hoping after that long it wouldn't taste as good as I remembered... But it tasted better!!!

Saturday, I ran another 5k. I felt good for the first mile, but halfway through things went downhill. I felt faint, goosebumps crawling from head to toe, and I was lightheaded. The last half mile, I just told myself to get to the finish where someone would catch me if I passed out.

Thankfully, I did not fall. A super sweet volunteer guided me to a bench and brought me water and a banana. I felt a little better after about 15 minutes,and after waiting around nearly an hour (and chowing down on Cheetos!), I felt ok to drive home.

Seems like it was a mild case of heat exhumation and dehydration. Ugh.

24:06- 5th place female overall, and first in my age group. I was on pace for another fast, possible PR, so I was a bit bummed until I saw how well I placed.

And then I spent an hour in the afternoon driving a clown car. That face was whining in my ear the whole time, while the other two panted and turned the car into a sauna.

This is what happens when you have to take three dogs while the house is being shown. Straight up clown car sauna.

Don't forget to log your miles if you're part of the TdF challenge! Tomorrow is a rest day, so get out and ride today!

Weekend recap: did you do anything fun? 

Race? I found another 5k for next weekend- along the parade route for the county fair! Doesn't that sound fun? Though I'm not too thrilled with a 1:30 start... that means it's going to be HOT.

Ever have heat exhaustion?

Thankful Thursday

A recap of yesterday's run-

I am thankful for a cool tunnel under a busy road. Having that shade was lovely, even if it is only about 25 yds long.

I am thankful for comfortabl shoes and for Pro Compression socks for my tired legs. Yesterday was day 45 for my run streak!

I am thankful for 5 miles. I set out to do 3, and talked myself up to 4 and then 5.

Today, I am thankful that I am only going to run 1 mile for day 46. :)

How to be a streaker

Keep your pants on; we're talking about a run streak today.

Runner's World hosted another run streak. I've tried (and failed) to finish their holiday run streak from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. Something always happened- weather, that feeling of being one run away from injury, or I would simply forget to run.

This time, I did it. I ran every day between Memorial Day and the 4th of July.

The past failed streaks and this successful one have taught me a lot. Here are my tips for completing a run streak for the first time:

1. Back off. Make rest days happen by running easy. Really, really easy. I do most average runs in the 8:30 to 9:30 range, depending on distance, but for easy runs during this streak, I slow down to 11:00/mile. Whatever your normal pace is, back waaaaaay off on rest days so you are still giving your body a break even though you are still running.

2. Shoes!!!

Rotate your shoes. If you don't buy into the studies that say rotating shoes is good for one reason or another, then think of it this way: it's more fun to run in different shoes! Wearing the same shirt gets boring. Rotating shoes gives a small bit of novelty to keep things fresh.

And by fresh I mean your feet. Giving shoes a day off helps delay that nasty funk.

I actually rotate between three pairs, but I can't show the third still because they are from a wear test. It keeps me happy to run in a different pair of shoes as the mood strikes.

3. Race! 

But race smart. Know they probably won't be PRs. Sunburst half marathon was the first Saturday of the streak- and I know I was not rested because of this.

(Tired, but this was a fun race)

However, the super sprint triathlon was three weeks in, and I feel like I had adjusted, maybe even benefited by then from streaking. And the same goes for my 5k PR the last weekend of June.

Having three races kept me motivated to keep training... Plus, I knew I would get my run done on those days!

4. Be patient.  My first attempts at streaking ended quickly. One I made it ten days (ended because of nagging shin aches), another ended day 3 (got sick), and the third time, I forgot to run on the second day. 

Be patient, too, with where you are as a runner. If you just started running this morning, streaking is not the best idea. Give yourself time to build up a fitness base to help avoid injuries.

5. It can get addictive! The #RWrunstreak ended on the 4th of July, but I'm still going. I want to make it to Labor Day now, and then I will reevaluate. Who knows, maybe this streak will stick!

Ever do a run streak? Cycling streak? Old-school no clothes streak? I keep my streaking fully clothed. You're welcome.

PS- It's not too late to enter the challenge!

TdF

I did a short ride today- just riding to return a red box movie- but I'm grinning like an idiot because I finished with a 25mph sprint in which I PASSED A TRUCK! 

The first stage of the Tour de France finished in dramatic fashion this morning. I won't spoil it in case anyone has it saved to view later, but I will say the whole family was loud in our house.

(Log your miles here for the challenge)

Tomorrow, I plan to ride at least 12 miles. The route is fun because I'll be riding into Michigan and back. It's silly but oh-so-fun to ride across the state line... even though I only live a few miles from it!

How was your holiday?

Long weekends like this: Party all weekend or catch up on sleep? I solidified my old lady status by being in pjs by 5 pm yesterday.

4th of July Five

1. Five years ago today, I married this guy. Best decision ever.

2. He bought me 2 pairs of Skora running shoes for our anniversary. Yep, he's definitely a keeper.

3. We celebrated on Tuesday because he works all weekend.

(the dress still fits, but I have better arm definition now.)

4. Prudence and I wear the same size. I guess it's true when they say dogs and owners tend to look alike. We are both barrel-chested.

5. In case you missed it, I'm hosting a challenge. Check it out, if you haven't yet.

Happy 4th of July!!! Did you run a race? Celebrate? 

Le Tour de France Challenge

Who wants a challenge?

Le Tour de France starts this Saturday, July 5, and runs through the 27th. Why not challenge yourself with a little cycling, too?

The rules:

1. Sign up HERE. It's completely free, and 100% on the honor system. Don't lie about your mileage, please- winners will be drawn at random, so it won't help. 

2. Use the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway. Or not. But you have to be in it to win it.

3. Beginning Saturday, log your culmulative miles during each section of le Tour (July 5-14, 6-20, and 20-27). Mileage from Tour rest days will not count! The idea is that we are symbolically riding with them, like a personal Tour de Wherever-you-live. Get it? Again, this is on the honor system. Please don't lie. Your pants might catch on fire.

4. During the last week, ride one time trial- any distance! Just pick a route and ride hard, then report your time and distance so we can see what a rockstar you are (we are all rock stars, but seeing it in print makes it official).

At the end, I will draw two random winners: one for a $10 iTunes gift card, and the other for a cycling- themed bracelet! Winner will be chosen at random using Rafflecopter on July 28 and notified via email. You must respond within 48 hours to claim your prize or it will be forfeit, and a new winner will be drawn. 

Remember to enter the giveaway here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(NOTE: international entries are welcome, but will only be eligible for the bracelet. Sorry, not my rules- The iTunes gift card can only be used in the States)

So, what do you say? Are you in? Then SIGN UP NOW!

If there are any problems with the spreadsheet, please let me know... and be patient. This is my first time using one! Thanks.

This challenge is a last-minute creation of my own. There is no sponsorship nor endorsement by any other parties. I felt like challenging myself, and thought maybe there would be at least two other crazies. All prizes have been furnished by yours truly. All bragging rights will be your own.

Storm sirens

The Husbeast stayed up lat last night... And then woke me at 1am because the storm sirens were wailing.

So we woke my mom, and the three of us took all three dogs to the basement, where we watched some of the ugliest radar I've seen in a long time.... Or at least since July 10 last year when that tree fell on our old house!

"Please may I crawl into your lap?" She ended up there.

Thankfully, no damage in our area. Just an hour of sleep lost. I'll take that trade any day.

Do you have a storm plan? YOU SHOULD!!! Keep a small bag with essentials (first aid kit, bottled water, flashlight), and either put it in a designated shelter area in your home (like a basement or a windowless room).

If you were about to seek shelter, what would you grab? The Husbeast grabbed his wine; I grabbed my jewelry box and iPad, and my mother carried her iPad and Kindle to the basement. I guess that shows our priorities! LOL

On a happier note, anyone racing for the 4th? Or today for Canada Day? Neither for me. But that's ok.