Thank You :)

After having an exceptionally crappy day, I found this waiting for me in my mailbox:

An AWESOME gift pack from Julie over at Minnesota Mileage!

The goodie pack included:

• A lovely note :)
• 2 Powerbar Energy Gels in Strawberry Banana
• Pack of Jelly Belly Sports Beans in Fruit Punch
• A Starbucks gift card

So amazing! I am new to the bloggy world, and this is the first thing that was sent to me. If you all are not familiar with Julie, she is a super-speedy bloggy runner who has completed many 5k, 10k and half marathons, but she is now training for her first full marathon! She not only sent this awesome gift pack, but has supported me since the beginning of my blog. Thanks Julie :) 

Not only are the gifts amazing, but the Powerbar Gel is a flavor that I have not tried yet, and I have never had Sports Beans (which I found out my other Step-Sis is working the Sports Beans booth at one of my upcoming races!) Product reviews to come!

Perfect for my 10 miler this week and a new product review!

This is my excited face, haha. I'm a huge dork....

On a running side note, I went for a quick 4 miler and realized that I didnt start my Garmin! Boo! I run with my iPhone and took a call a few minutes into the run.....but I never stopped running. I ended up running my 4 mile loop (with hills) at a 10:00 pace and without stopping and talking the entire time! I might have sounded funny on the phone, but she knew I was running, so I think it was fine. I could have gone faster, but I probably would have run into something or someone while talking and with my headphones in. I also probably had quite a few funny looks in my direction (I probably looked like I was chatting with myself, haha). Oh well, I got the run and the call in!

Happy running and thanks again Julie! :)

Running on Builders Bars!

After reading the article I posted yesterday about the guy who runs on bananas, I keep thinking about the runs I have accomplished lately and trying to figure out which runs were more successful than others and why. I have come to the conclusion that he might be able to run only on bananas, but I could probably run only on Builders Bars!

On all of the runs that I have done lately (hill runs or just regular runs around the neighborhood) my speed and energy level seems to go with how much protein I have had that day. Usually this means if I had a Builder's Bar earlier that day or not. Even just yesterday I ran 6 miles and was completely dragging. I not only ran one of my slowest paces in months (9:45/mile) but I had no protein in my system. Today I had a Builders Bar and ran 5 miles at a 8:55/pace including hills. That is a huge difference!!

I don't think I would go as far as eating ONLY Builders Bars (I would need coffee, GU and Hefeweizen in the mix too!), but one a few hours before a long run seems to give me better results. More on my review of Builder's Bars here.

Is there anything that you HAVE to eat before a long run or race?

Happy running :)

Oh no!

Had a bit of a scare there. I went out for a run today and when I went to turn on my Garmin....nothing. I mean NOTHING happened. Blank screen and I had checked it last night and made sure it was charging.

I tried the power.
I tried the lap/reset button.
I tried plugging it back in to the wall.
I tried plugging it into my computer.

NOTHING.

This went on for about 10 minutes. Then all of a sudden it came back to life. PHEW! I was getting really scared there....and I have never had any problems with it before. I ended up running 7.5 miles and the battery is charged, luckily there were no other problems. Maybe it was just playing tricks on me?? Not funny at all.

Off to finish packing then moving tomorrow. Happy running and Memorial Day weekend!

Month Review: April 2010

April 2010:

       Total Miles: 122.4        
       Average Pace: 9:35/mile        
       Running Time: 19:33:09 
       Yearly Total:  409.8 miles

       Yearly Time Total: 68:03:02
       Blog Posts in April: 11

Woo hoo, new monthly mileage PR! This month included 2 half marathons (Whidbey and Bainbridge), increased mileage, went 39 miles over my monthly goal (83.4 miles/month), increased my yearly mileage by 76.2 of where I should be for my Tall Mom 1,000 + goal, and proudly became Half Fanatic #391.

All in all, it was a great month. The two races were great runs (for being sick and a difficult course) but I'm still chasing that sub 2. I'm thrilled (if you cant tell) to be a Half Fanatic, and I'm hoping that I will continue to race consistently in the future. My average pace was decent for the month, but could be improved.  Hopefully my new shoes will do the trick in May :)

Also, here's a little product review:

Hammer Gel ($1.25/single serving):

Hammer Gel comes in the following delicious flavors: Apple Cinnamon, Banana, Chocolate, Espresso, Montana Huckleberry, Orange, Raspberry, Tropical, and Vanilla.
For over a decade, Hammer Gel has been the benchmark of concentrated carbohydrate energy gel, primarily because of what it doesn't contain - Hammer Gel has no added refined, simple sugars, and no artificial colors or sweeteners.

• Rock solid energy
• Made with real fruit and wholesome ingredients
• Versatile and economical
• Espresso and Tropical contain caffeine.
• Gluten-Free and Vegan Friendly
• Contains no MSG
• Kosher Certified 
• Comes in Gel Packs or 26 Serving Jugs

Hammer Gel was being distributed at the Bainbridge Island Half, so I took a few while running by. I tried the Vanilla gel before one of my runs last week (it was in the beginning of the run, since I was dragging). The gel has no refined sugars, yet it seemed to taste very sweet. The packet is larger than GU, and was a little more difficult to take while running. Overall, the flavor was decent and I would try it again. I did seem to have more energy about 10 minutes after taking the gel. I would still prefer GU, but this was a nice alternative.

Just because I like pictures, here is a view from the run when I took the Hammer Gel:

Also congrats to Tall Mom who BQ'd in her marathon last weekend and to Amanda who ran her first marathon (plus a half marathon a few days later) as well. Congrats ladies :)

Pacing & Product Review

Thursday, April 22: Run 7 in 72 minutes (10:18 pace)

Yesterday I went running with my Step-Sis again on some serious hills....and lets just say I wasn't really ready for that!! We went around her neighborhood, but in the opposite direction as before. Woah nelly, I wasn't ready for the hills! My immune system must be down still, because I wanted to stop at mile 3. By mile 6 I HAD to stop and was covered in goosebumps and thought I was going to fall over. I felt okay as soon as I stopped, but it was rough. Good thing she was pacing me, because we managed a 10:18 pace even though I was dragging. Thanks for getting my butt in gear Step-Sis :)

 Watch for bikers!

Part of the run was on the beautiful and flat Burke-Gilman Trail. I had heard about it before and that it looped through Seattle, but it was awesome! Wide paved paths, tons of trees and flowers and great views of the city and Cascade Mountains. Just watch out for the bikers, they seem to think they rule the trail.

Afterwards we celebrated our run with a delicious Deschutes Twilight beer. If you don't already know, I love beer and anything Twilight related. Pretty much, I can revert back to a 12 year old girl sometimes, and Im not ashamed to admit it. But I degress, that is another blog in and of itself. I think the seasonal brew is subconsciously channeling my favorite vampire because there are sparkles all over the bottle. Lets just say it was delicious and you should try it! If they could make a beer that was Twilight-inspired that you could drink while running I would be in heaven!

I know what you are thinking, and no, my product review was not for beer :) I might have to try that sometime though! For my birthday last month I received this awesome present:

Nike Poly Good Dry-FIT Jacket ($65 or sale for less)

With flattering flat-seam construction and extended ribbing at the hem, sleeve and neck, the Nike® Women's Dri-FIT Jacket is your perfect go-to gym cover-up. This jacket gives you a wider range of motion for extra comfort, while Dri-FIT fabric provides sweat defying power.

Features

• Dri-FIT: This high-performance, microfiber, polyester fabric wicks sweat away from the body and moves it to the fabric surface, where it evaporates. As a result, Dri-FIT fabric helps you stay dry and comfortable
• Full-zip
• Side-slit pockets
• Rib collar, cuffs and hem
• Fabric: Dri-FIT 95% cotton/5% spandex
• Machine wash
• Imported

This jacket is awesome and perfect to wear on cool days or for after long runs. The jacket is fitted but not snug, so it wont cling to you. The material is heavy enough that it drapes nicely and looks great. I got mine in black, but it also came in a bright teal and pink (among other colors Im sure). The jacket also has longer sleeves and longer through the torso, so it wont ride up on you. The neck is also high but larger (a cut Ive never seen before) and looks great while zipped up. See below:

Check out the neckline!

I should be a photographer, I know....

Anyways, its an awesome jacket. I'm having trouble finding it now online, but if you google "Nike Womens Poly Good Dry-Fit Jacket" you should find it. Thanks Little Bro for the present :)

Im off to run in the lovely Sea-town rain. Happy running :)

Nike Jacket image from here

Sprinting Sisters

**Well, jogging would be more accurate, but sprinting just sounded so much better :)

 Step-Sis and I before the Seattle Half '09

Yesterday I went for a 6 miler with my awesome Step-Sister. We ran all along Greenlake and the surrounding areas. If you ever get a chance to run around the lake, do it! Its fairly flat, beautiful and has great sidewalks so you wont bust your ankles. We took it a bit farther on one of her favorite routes and included a few long (but not too steep) hills.

Greenlake and surrounding area

It is seriously an awesome run. You not only go past the lake, but there is a zoo too! Where else can you run and have the possibility to hear lions, tigers and bears? (And probably chickens, but that's beside the point!!)

Still feeling sick and drained of energy. I have the Bainbridge Island Half this weekend, which is supposed to be much more difficult than the Mercer Half or the Seattle Half, so I am not thinking I can get my long-awaited sub-2 half. You never know, but I'm dragging in my 6 mile runs. I'll be sure to not take any cold medicine for this one though!

Also, has anyone read this book?

My Step-Sis started reading the Complete Book of Women's Running by Dagny Scott Barrios and has highly recommended it. I flipped through a few of the pages so far, and it looks to have a ton of useful tips, stories and information. Anyone read this or know of another great running book?

Happy running :)

Robert Cheruiyot (KEN)

Product Review Time!!

Taking a break from running yesterday....still really sore from the Koko Crater hike. No sense in injuring myself a week out from the Whidbey Half! Over the weekend I took a trip to Sports Authority in Downtown Honolulu and it was awesome. I don't believe I have been to a SA before, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a wide selection of gear for running and working out. Not only was there a variety of shoes, but they also were WELL stocked in some of my favorite brands (Under Armour, Nike, Adidas, Champion, etc). Even better was that SA had a ton in both Men's, Women's and Kids wear. Here are a few goodies I picked up:

Nike Pro Women's Sports Bras  ($28)

LOVE THEM!!!

No matter what your workout, whenever you're working up a sweat the Nike Pro Women's Training Bra gives you a dynamic essential with a revised body shape for outstanding support along with technical seams and fabric for maximum performance comfort. 

• Dri-FIT fabric to wick sweat away and help keep you dry and comfortable
• Compression fit
• Swoosh design trademark at center chest
• Flat seam construction to help minimize chafing
• Fabric: Dri-FIT 85% polyester/15% spandex
• Machine wash
• Imported

Im not going to lie, I havent bought a new sportsbra in over 2 years. I always buy new tops, shoes, pants, etc, but I HATE buying sports bras. The last new one I bought (and then returned) zipped up the front and left me with a scar from where the zipper rubbed a hole in my skin. Not pretty, and no, Im not showing pics :)

Anyways, these sports bras are awesome. The fabric is easy on your skin, and the elastic around the ribcage didnt seem to irritate me while running (and sweating, ew) in the heat. I will be SURE to pick up more of these in the future. Also, the colors are really cute!


Under Armour Women's Catalyst T ($29.99)

The Cornerstone of the UA Green Collection: Recycled Bottles Become Performance Fabrics.

• Performance Fabrics made from Recycled Plastic Bottles.
• Signature HeatGear® moisture transport system keeps you cool and dry.
• Lightweight, durable high-gauge knit fabric provides maximum comfort against the skin.
• Raglan sleeves elminate shoulder seam abrasion points.
• ArmourBlock™ technology prevents the growth of odor-causing microbes.
• UPF 50+ protects against the sun's harmful rays.
• Semi-Fitted (fits closely, contoured to the body).
• 100% Recycled Polyester (excluding trims).
• Imported.

I saw this shirt on the rack and knew I would love it immediately. Not only does it have a great fit (semi-fitted in medium works for me, and isnt tight) but the fabric is my favorite Heat Gear, which keeps me cool (and I wear through the winter if it isnt too cold).

I also learned that UA Green on the tag means that they are recycled from old plastic bottles. So not only does it fit well but you can feel good about wearing it!

Under Armour Tech Shortsleeved T ($19.99)

Also shown are the Nike Hero Mesh Shorts ($25) and my review here

The Essential Under Armour T.

• Updated style and fit, with a Feminine crossover v-neck, and longer body length.
• UA Tech™ fabric moves moisture away from your body keeping you cool, dry, and comfortable with a soft, cotton-like feel for total comfort.
• Raglan sleeve construction allows for total mobility and a full range of motion, while eliminating shoulder seam abrasion points.
• Moisture Transfer System keeps you Dry and Comfortable.
• 95% Polyester/ 5% Elastane.
• Imported

This UA shirt is awesome too. Unlike the Catalyst T, this shirt feels more like a cotton blend than tech fabric. The fit is awesome (loose, but I still got a medium) and super comfortable. While running it wicked away the sweat and didnt ride up. Not going to lie, I love the grey and v-neck combo! I pretty much love everything UA!!

Off to run tonight. The heat is much more bearable if you run near sunset or early in the morning (I prefer sunset or later). Hopefully the run will have a sunset like this:

Trust me when I say that my iPhone doesn't do it justice :) 

Monday I ran 2 on the dreadmill, then did another 3 in the neighborhood. My time was 5 miles in 53:31 minutes, but I didn't have to stop, which was a relief.  I was HORRIBLY sore from the Koko Crater hike on Sunday, and Im limping around today. Its amazing that I was fine and not sore at all after the half marathon, yet one hour long hike will do my legs in! Ill know to stay away from stair-climbers before any of the next races :)

 Happy running :)

Prep run and Expo

The past few days have been crazy. Due to some unforseen events, I only ran once on Friday, even though I was DYING to try my new Garmin out earlier. Sometimes its just not in the cards....

Somehow it was 60 degrees when I went out on my run. Little Bro joined me for the run out in West Seattle. I was eager to use the Garmin, and he was excited for me to take another funny picture of him (see picture above).

After quickly locating satellites, we were off. I was surprised at how lightweight the Garmin was, and I didnt mind running with it on my wrist. After a few hundred feet I looked at the stats and was surprised to see that the mileage was calculating almost every second! The pace was also constantly changing, so I am guessing that its accurate to every few seconds. I had no idea that it had that capability!! My mind was blown!

The run went well, and I finished in 54:30 for 6 miles (9:05 pace). I have had too much going on to actually plug the Garmin into my computer and load the new program, so my time splits will have to wait until after the race on Sunday. Now only if I can go that fast at the Mercer....

On the run I also tried Luna Moon Energy Chews in Pomegranate. I was feeling low on energy, so I actually had a few chews on the car ride over before running (since I wasnt running that far, there was no need for energy later). The chews tasted great, although a bit more salty than normal gummy candy. I liked the consistency too (not too soft, but pretty sticky). Im not exactly sure how much energy I actually got from the chews, but I might have them as a snack in the future!

Today I went to the Mercer Half Expo, but unfortunately I didn't run into any of you bloggers! The expo was decent enough and well organized, but I was expecting more booths or freebies to try. The Seattle Half Expo had discount running shoes and more brands represented (then again it was a MUCH larger race). I guess I will have to wait until after the run for the freebies.

I do love the tech shirt for this race though! After driving through Mercer Island, I am hoping that the race isnt too tough...it did look fairly hilly! Here are the goals for tomorrow's race:

• Standard goal: 
• To not stop during the race
• To beat my Seattle Half time (2:16:59)
•  Realistic goal:
• To run in 10:00 miles (2:10:00)
•  Super-secret goal:
• To run in 1:59:59

I don't know how likely my super-secret goal is since that is close to what I have been running on, but I run on flat ground. Hills are a whole different race! As long as I PR and stay uninjured Ill be happy! I cant wait to meet some of you tomorrow.....Good luck! 

YES YES YES YES!!

First, thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday!!

I officially have the best boyfriend in the world. Last night I opened my birthday present and saw this:

A Garmin Forerunner 305! Yipppeeey! I am so excited! I know we discuss running a lot, but I guess he must have known that I have been wanting one. Probably had something to do with my complaining whining annoyance of mapping/pegging my course after each run to find my average pace. Guess I wont need to do that any longer! I can run free!

Review will come in the next week or so, but I cant WAIT to get out there and try this! Yes, its a little large on your wrist, but its extremely light. Also, the larger display will be easy to read while running.

I am so excited, I even brought it with me to work just to look at :) Thanks JJ for being an awesome boyfriend and supporting me in running!! I cant wait to try it during the Mercer Half this weekend!

Also, my Body Glide arrived yesterday as well. I can already hear the snickering happening so, yes, I bought myself lube for my birthday. I am REALLY hoping this stuff works and doesn't stain clothing. From what I've read it does work, and if not, I can always go back to using my tape:

Too bad I'm supposed to be resting this week before the half, all I want to do is try the new gear!!

Happy running and let me know if you have any tips or tricks for Garmin Forerunners! Hopefully I can figure it out before this weekend...

Birthday Run

So today is my birthday :) I decided to take the day off and relax. I went for a 9.4 mile run in 1 hour 29 minutes (9:29/miles!) The plan was to go at a slow and steady pace, but I somehow managed a decent time. The weather is perfect for a birthday run....61 degrees and sunny!

I couldn't believe how warm it was! Knowing the weather was nice, I wore my new Nike Hero Mesh Shorts that my little bro got me for my bday. I usually run in capris or something covering my legs since I am not a fan of the Nike Tempo shorts that everyone else seems to love. The difference is the cut and that the Nike Hero's are made of mesh. I love them!!

I wore these over a pair of leggings for the St Pats Dash yesterday, and just the running shorts today on my run. Not only do they fit me perfectly, but the shorts DON'T RIDE UP!! The mesh seems to move with me and doesn't crawl up my waist or legs. Not only that, but they are super comfortable and have other really cute colors. I might have to buy another pair in orange or purple tomorrow! (Nordstrom carries them in the stores, but I didn't see them online). Thanks little bro! :) I finally have a pair of shorts that work for me!

Also during the run I tried one of the GU Espresso Love gels that my mom bought me:

Ive mentioned before that I tried the Vanilla and Chocolate flavors years ago, but not this one. I have heard rave reviews but Im still skeptical on a coffee flavored gel mid-run. I took the gel at mile 6 today and it was DELICIOUS! Not only was the consistency much better than the Powerbar Gels or Clif Gels, but it was the perfect not-too-runny and not-too-thick. The flavor was also great! By mile 9 I was feeling great and didn't have an upset stomach!

Pros:

• Great flavor
• Perfect consistency
• Good amount (1.1 oz, which is smaller than the other gels)
• Didnt make me thirsty or full 
• NOT SALTY!!

Cons: 

• No litter leash

Let me tell you right now, I will NOT be buying the Powerbar Gel or Clif Gels from now on, unless there is a dire emergency. This product (IMO) was far superior to the competition. On taste alone it exceeded my expectations! I could even use this as a snack (I have quite the sweet tooth). Yes, that is how much I liked these!!

 Cant you tell I'm excited??

Hope the reviews helped. I am so excited that I received 2 AWESOME products from the fam on my birthday! Now I'm off to finish my favorite mocha and read my book. Then off to dinner at my favorite Tom Douglas Restaurant, Ettas. Get the salmon dish....you can thank me later. (For all you PNW'ers, take advantage of the 3 for $30 deals all month!)

Happy Running :)

All fell into place....

Well, finally everything went right and fell into place for my long run this weekend. Ill recap and review:

On Friday I wanted to get my mileage up for the week since I was too busy to put a few miles in. I decided to go on an easy 6 mile run at roughly a 9:30/mile pace. It felt great! I actually had to stop myself from continuing on, which is an awesome feeling. Since I was planning a 12 miler the next day, I made sure to eat a Builder's Bar (Peanut Butter) and a salad for dinner to supplement my protein. Somehow I think I run better if I don't carbo load, or at least not through pasta or grains. Protein and veggies work me (or at least at half marathon mileage, Ive never gone for more than that).

 Sunny Seattle! 

Image from here

On Saturday I woke up to an AMAZING sunny 60 degree day in Seattle. Is it summer yet?? I had another Builder Bar and waited about 2 hours before setting out on my long run. I felt fine for the first 3 miles and was really excited when I didn't want to die at mile 3. At this point I considered the run a success already! At this point I saw 2 interesting things: a Cadillac that was raised higher than a pickup truck and painted bright red and yellow, and a guy on a Segway. These things absolutely crack me up. I tried to get a picture but it was horribly blurry. If any of you have seen Arrested Development, you'll know what I mean!

Other interesting things was a group of guys yelling out the window of their SUV videotaping everyone (still not sure why) and half of a starfish that I almost stepped on THREE TIMES during my run (I passed one part of the run multiple times, and I'll spare you the visual...)

 Just passing mile 6 I was still feeling strong, but I decided to try out the Clif Shots Gel in Razz. I cant stand the idea of running with a fuel belt (or fanny pack type thing around my waist) so I held the gel in my hot little hands while running. Aside from the temperature, here is my review:

Pros:

• Handy "litter leash" keeps the top part of the package together so you don't rip it off and leave the top on the ground. The litter leash has a perforated part that easily allows you to fold the top part back so you can get at the gel on the run.
• Different flavor, but not too bad. Didn't especially taste like raspberry
• It didn't make me gag while taking it
• Consistency was okay, and easy to slurp while mid-run

Con:

• Salty!

Overall, the gel wasn't that bad. The litter leash was a handy feature and kept the packaging together until I ran past a garbage can. Consistency was fine, but it was pretty salty for a berry flavor. Maybe I'm not used to the energy gel, but it was really salty! Not unbearable, and I was able to continue running without feeling sick. I think Ill try another flavor, but I wouldn't write off Clif Gel altogether.

Miles 6-9 were strong and consistent. I had no problem keeping up my 10:00/mile pace, but I didn't feel like I could make my legs move faster. I was hoping to pick it up a bit, but it just wasn't in the cards. I have a feeling my 6 miler from the night before made my pace slower. The good thing was that I kept moving and didn't feel sick from the energy gel! I didn't feel like I had a "burst" of energy, but it did keep me going without feeling depleted.

At mile 9 I took my PowerBar Gel Vanilla:

Pros:

• Decent vanilla, but not too bad.
• It didn't make me gag while taking it
• Consistency was thinner than the Clif Razz, and still easy to slurp while mid-run

Con:

• Also salty!
• There was no litter leash on this product, so when you rip the top off, you are left with two pieces of packaging to carry while running. Annoying if you don't want to litter (and I didn't!)

This gel really wasn't too bad. I didn't necessarily NEED to take a second one, but I thought I would try it anyways. The vanilla was a bit thinner than the Razz, but it was still easy to take while running. Even though I haven't had GU in years, I remember it having a better vanilla flavor than PowerBar Gel. I still would buy this product again though! I can see why the recommend drinking a few gulps of water after taking the gel though, they are salty!!

The last 3.4 miles were not so bad, but I still felt that I could not pick up the pace. I have to note that I wasn't dragging and I didn't feel sick from the 2 gels. After I finished the run I was able to walk a bit, stretch and not feel like I needed to lay down and pass out. Later that night my legs felt pretty good, and I was not nearly as sore as the Seattle Half (lets just say I couldn't walk normally for DAYS!) 

All in all, it was really successful! I will probably follow this regimen for the Mercer Half in 2 weeks (aside from the 6 miler the night before). I cant decide if I will run with the gel during that race, or just take the flavors that are available during the run at water-stops. I will probably take a gel around mile 7 and 10 in the real race, not mile 6 and 9 as I did for this run. I'm pretty excited that this run finally was successful and my longest non-race run to date!!! :)

Happy running :)

TGIF!

Wow, what a busy week. Not much to blog about because was only able to run 2 nights this week :( Anxious to get a few miles in, I ran an easy 6 miles. I was pretty exhausted from the week leading up to the run, but the run ended up energizing me. I felt like I could have done a few more! Since my 12 miler is scheduled for tomorrow,  I decided to end my run at 6 (9:30/pace).

Since I had a pretty tough 11 miler last weekend, I wanted to prepare and make sure that I could have the best run tomorrow. Since egg whites were not the best to start off my run last time, I went to the store to get something I knew would keep me full, but without that "full" feeling:

 

I made a quick run to Safeway and luckily the Clif Peanut Butter Builder's Bars were on sale. I have tried MANY protein bars, and this one is my favorite (Cookies & Cream is also yummy, Vanilla Almond is quite sweet and I wouldn't recommend it before a run). Not only is the texture pretty good for a protein bar (the PB one has a nougaty texture covering the rice crispy part, covered in chocolate) but the 20 grams of protein actually keeps you full. At 270 calories and all of that protein, its pretty tasty. Also, I usually forget I'm eating a protein bar when I'm eating it! Nutrition facts found here (PS - it also does not have the hydrogenated oils that some other bars have. The fat is only from the peanut butter and natural oils!)

I'm planning on having half to a full Builder's bar at least an hour before my long run, then try a energy gel (Powerbar or Clif) during the run. Hopefully this will give me the energy I need to have a nice LONG run, and not sucking air and wanting to crawl after 3 miles. I have a feeling this run will be much more successful than the last one!

Details to come....its supposed to be 65 degrees tomorrow in Seattle! Perfect for a run :)

Month Review: February 2010

Wow, such a busy past few days! I planned on taking 2 days off from running after my 11 miler, but work has been busy and it turned into 3 days. I did have extra time to create a new layout for my blog! I know it doesn't look like much, but I actually changed the CODE and made my own! I am self-taught and basically figured it out line by line and slowly changing each background, font, sidebar, banner, footer, etc. I have to say, I'm pretty proud of my work, and its completely original :) You wont find this template on blogger anywhere else!! Okay, Ill stop now because its that time again.....month review!

February 2010:

       Total Miles: 95.4
       Running Time: 15:01:03
       Average Pace: 9:44/mile
       Yearly Total: 180.7 miles

       Yearly Time Total: 28:44:05
       Blog Posts in Feb: 17

Seriously, where did February go? February has been a great running month for me, I surpassed my monthly running goal (83.4 miles/month to reach over 1000 miles in 2010) and I am ahead for the year! I am really pleased with this and that I was able to add additional miles without getting injured (knock on wood!!). I also was able to slowly decrease my time per mile on the dreadmill. Now that I am running around 9:00 miles I am closer to my goal for the half marathon! Ill take anything I can get on the dreaded dreadmill...

Sarah 2, Dreadmill 0

The only negative part of February was my awful 11 miler last Saturday. Being completely drained and not having your body respond the way you want is really frusterating. I am glad that I have a 12 miler this weekened and a few more weeks before the Mercer Half to change my pre-long run nutrition and plan. The mileage was accomplished in a decent time, but I want to run and achieve my time goal for the long runs!

First goal in achieving success on long runs is to have some form of fuel on the long runs. I have heard of Shot Bloks and other chewable bites that you take mid-run, but honestly, I would probably choke if I tried to eat while running! Not a good thing. I have had GU in the past (not while running) so I think that can work on my stomach and not make me sick. Luckily, I noticed while at QFC that they carry energy gel products!!

QFC not only carries an excellent selection of protein bars and powder, but they also have energy gels and chewables. I decided to buy the following flavors and brands for my 11 miler this weekend:

 

 Clif Shot Energy Gel in Razz 

 

Powerbar Gel in Vanilla

Like the colorful background? Yeah, I was getting creative on my coffee break today at work :) Im really excited to run this weekend and have a successful long run. Hopefully having more of a base and being well hydrated before the run AND energy gels during the run will do the trick.

What is your favorite mid-run energy booster??

Im off to put a few in on the treadmill. Have a great night!

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Reviews (Zella & UA)

I have to admit I have an addiction. If there are cute workout clothes to buy, I usually end up buying them on the spot. Don't get me wrong, it needs to be the right fit and materials, but if its on sale, you can bet that I will probably be buying it on the spot! I couldn't help myself when I found these two little gems:

Zella Favorite Capri Pants (Black):

Okay, sorry for the grainy picture, but I felt like modeling them :) The Zella pants are amazing and feel like butter against your skin (cliche, but its true!) I know some of you cannot run in longer pants, but these do not ride up and keep your legs warm but not overheated. The capri might seem strange, but it is the perfect weight and coverage for running in 40-60 degree Pacific Northwest weather. The material doesn't bunch, so you can easily wear this on your long runs. Here are the product stats:

Wide waistband tops straight-leg capris cut from a smooth, stretchy knit.

• Approx. inseam: 20".
• Polyester/spandex; machine wash.
• By Zella; imported.
• Women's Active.

Also, I think they are pretty flattering on everyone Ive seen them on. You can find them here at Nordstrom for around $48. (Note that I am wearing the Zella Favorite Capris, which I bought on sale of course, for around $15! I think they were mismarked, but the link above is a very similar pair at the regular price.) I heard that these are usually compared to LuluLemon's workout pants, but these are much less expensive. I haven't tried the LuluLemon ones strictly because I like the price of these babies and they work for me and my addiction to workout gear.

Under Armour Reversible Cool/Warm Pullover (True Pink/Rosewood)

I found this Under Armour shirt at Nordstrom on sale as well! It ended up being around $25 instead of the regular $49.99 price! I was looking for something girly and pink for the Love Em or Leave Em Valentine's Dash last week, and this was a perfect find! I have been really impressed with my other Under Armour products, and this is no exception!

The Reversible Cool/Warm Pullover has a snug fit (not a super tight base layer, but somewhat in-between, UA calls it "fitted" so I got a larger size) and is reverisble. Both sides of the shirt have different tech fabrics, one being 

 

Both sides and colors of the Reversible Pullover 

(ha, I cant get the photos to go the right way!!)

I have run wearing both sides of the shirt against my skin, and it actually seems to make a difference. While on the Love Em or Leave Em 5k, I ran with the "Stay Warm" side against my skin, and it was almost too warm! Other times I have run with the "Stay Cool" side and it seems to be perfect. I have also been layering this with other shirts to stay warm while outside. The material is nice against your skin, and doesn't ride up too much (the shirt is tighter than others that I wear, which does cause a little bit of riding up in the waist). It really was perfect with a shirt over it! And I really liked the colors.

Here are the stats:

All-season exercise top reverses for effective moisture control and core-temperature maintenance in any weather.

• Approx. length from shoulder: 25".
• Polyester/elastane; machine wash.
• By Under Armour; imported.
• Women's Active.

All in all, both were great finds on sale! You really can never have too many clothes. I would recommend both to anyone! Especially the capris. Just for another picture, here are the professional pictures from the Love Em or Leave Em race last week (grainy beacuse I downloaded them from their website...I dont want to pay for them!!)

 

Not the best pictures, but at least you can see the capris and the new shirt! And hey, the pictures were free!

So, question is: What is your favorite deal you've found??

Happy running...I'm planning on 5-6 miles tonight!

www.nordstrom.com