A Runner’s Happy Hour

This last Thursday night, a few of the Chicago runners got together for our version of  happy hour.

That awkward moment where we all get together for a picture and really aren’t sure what to do with our arms…

ZOOMA-Style.

As a kick-off and a little meet and greet, ZOOMA and Muscle Milk got together to spoil us rotten.

There was yoga for those who were feeling energetic and bendy.I’m not so great with the yoga. Nor do I really enjoy it.

So, while they were doing that, I was doing this:And this:ZOOMA totally treated us to a mini spa night.ZOOMA Blue!

It was a great way to meet the rest of the Great Lakes Ambassadors and some other Chicago running ladies. We mostly just stood around and had conversations that included words like “PR” and “pace time” and “this heat is killing my training plan”.

You know. Regular chit chat.

After a couple of hours of girl talk, I made my home with all my awesome free stuff.

Ironically, the Muscle Milk could have easily been drank after lugging a whole case of it up and down stairs at the el station and walking home.I also have new workout gear! My personal favorite may just be the shirt that says “I’m bringing sexy back”.

Because I am. Obviously.

Now I’m that much more excited to be a part of such a great series.

Now excuse me. I have to go run now.

Happy weekend!

If you want to check some of the girls out, definitely go check them out HERE.

We’re all different. We run different distances for different reasons. And do different things.

But we’ve got this common goal now. And we’re gonna do it. Together.

Go Team!

Thursday Randoms

As the title (and the name of my blog) suggests, it’s going to be just that.  Hold on tight and try not to get lost. 

I’m glad you guys liked some of the tips for not overdoing the sweets last night.  I was somewhat nervous about posting it since diet choices/lifestyles can be such a personal and sometimes touchy subject.

New google search terms that people used to get to my blog that are worth mentioning:

What are the seats like at second city?  I assume you mean the Second City Theater.  I can answer that for you.  It’s tight seating and cabaret-style.  Please don’t let this deter you from going.  It’s a great time and they’re nonstop hilarious.  You’re welcome.

Saw Russell Brand walking down the street. I’m sort of  jealous of you mystery google-search-person…

Bug Went Up Nose.  I’m sorry.  That sucks.  I’ve been there.  We actually had the debate a few months ago here on the blog.  That’s still not as bad as having a bug fly into your eye.  I promise you.

It’s Friday Bitches.  Sounds like someone’s pretty excited.  One more day… woot woot.

Ok, enough of that and moving on…

Lunch yesterday was spent at a nearby grocery store.  We were having a meeting that included pizza and adult beverages and I was more than happy to make the beer run because it gave me an excuse to get out of the office for a bit.  So I got out and tacked it on to the end of my lunch. Didn’t mind a bit!  The grocery store next to me has a seating area for all of us lunchers who need to escape, so I hit up the salad bar and settled down there for some down time.I’m still working through the book I won from Leah a few weeks ago in a giveaway.  I really do like it so far- but I’m still only a little over half way through it…

The salad bar is an issue that Low also just discussed.  The grocery store salad bar is a definite step up (and considerably cheaper) than the one in the cafeteria in my office building.  My fav salad bars are the ones that include more than just “standards”- you know what they are- wilting lettuce, cauliflower, croutons, tomatoes, suspicious-looking pasta salad… 

I was considerably happy with my salad today.  Some of that had to do with the fact that I had the sense to buy a bottle of salad dressing beforehand.  Everything offered at the bar is cream-based except for olive oil.  And I’m not a huge fan of just oil.  So that was a good idea on my part.  Also, I never get my carrots.  And check it out!  They’re so cute hanging out in the corner…   Finally, sometimes I like onions.  Red onions in particular.  Take note- please make sure to have an adequate amount of gum after eating said red onions.  Don’t be that person… (this has been my public service announcement of the week)

My only thing is that they have a crappy selection of containers.  I had to fill my, for lack of a better word, TUB with salad and make sure to not go overboard at the same time.  I have no idea how people can fill and then eat the entire thing.  Whew!

Ok- I’m feeling goofy, so do we have any really good salad bar horror stories? 

I ran last night.  Yes.  Yes I did.  As you may have read yesterday, I was a little nervous.  The shins are throwing some fits and we’re having issues coming to an understanding.  Not so much an understanding, but a realization of who’s boss up in here.  I wore my new shoes and let me just say- running in those babies is like running on the clouds.  Wonderfulness.  Hey Fleet Feet dude- I don’t remember your name, but you ROCK.  I may love you.  Just a little. No restraining order necessary.  Promise.

Anyways, I got lost for a minute there… So I ran three miles.  And then I slowed down and walked to feel out the situation at hand.  I felt ok.  Not winded at all.  But, most importantly, the leg felt ok.  So I breezed through another mile and called it a night.  This morning I feel fine.  We’re still being diligent about icing and listening to the legs.  But I’m hoping this means I’m in the clear. 

Happy Thursday everyone!  I’ve got a day of work and then am picking up my friends at the airport!  I still have to work tomorrow, but having visitors here will hopefully make it go by quickly!    See ya later!

Overpronation

Thank you so much for all the advice about shin splints.  Like I said, it’s really never been a painful issue, just an “off” feeling setting in.  And I’m glad that I’ve had the common sense to chill out a few days and even move my long run day as to not press the issue.

Sounds like more stretching and ice will be involved in my regular routine…

That being said… I made the decision to do the long run yesterday.  I’m just going to throw that out there…

I hesitated a bit in the morning.  I really couldn’t decide what to do.  Everything felt ok.  It felt better than the 3-4 previous days.  So I decided just to go to the trail.  And told myself if I had any issues, I’d just walk the rest of the loop that I was on, and maybe go do the bike or elliptical for a little low impact workout.

I had  no issues!  And ran the whole 9 miles I had set out to do.  Now, before you think I’m completely up the wall nuts, I will say I did take a few extended breaks for water and walking around to make sure everything was still “doing ok”.  The only thing that made the last mile and a half really hard for me (and I seriously had an argument in my head about if I should finish it) was because it was starting to get ridiculously hot and because I had taken walk breaks, it had only extended my run that much further into warmer temps.  Ick.

Final stats?  (breaks not included)  9 miles at an 8:38 pace.  Like I said, usually, I just keep the time going because I take super short water breaks, but had stopped my Nike+ this time because the breaks were much longer.  Either way, I’m happy with it.  And I made sure to ice myself down after I got home.  :)  So far we’re all good and back in business…  I’m just being really good at icing down after workouts now just to be safe.  Yea!

I also ran some errands.  Which included a trip to Fleet Feet!  I have been due for a new pair of shoes and was yet to get my stride analyzed and be properly fitted.  And since I want to make sure to have enough time to break them in before the half marathon, I figured this was as good of a day as any to go.

They are just AWESOME at the store.  The guy helping me was so nice and answered every little dumb question I had.  After having me put on a pair of test shoes and jog a little, he concluded I was with a good number of runners who overpronate, which basically means the feet roll a little too much inward when I take a step. Any other overpronaters out there?  Holla’!  So to neutralize the issue, we looked for a shoe with moderate support.  He also asked me what kind of running I do, how often, etc.  After trying on about four pair, I came out with these bad boys:I wish there’d be more of a selection of styles/colors (because I’m girly like that).  But they’re comfy.  And as long as they do their job, you won’t here any complaints from me!

Speaking of Fleet Feet, I’m actually doing a race they’re sponsoring next week:

I’m running the 10k- which will be my second one this month.  Since I just recently did the Frontier Days 10k Stampede, I’m hoping I’ll have a better feel for the race going into it.  Plus it’s going to be much bigger, so I’m pretty excited about it!  Friends are going to be here this weekend (no worries- they knew I was doing the race before they scheduled the visit) and I’m hoping that we’ll get to go out for a fun breakfast afterwards if they decide to come along to spectate.  Because, let’s face it, going out to breakfast after a race is half the fun!

Happy Monday, everyone!  Let’s do this thing!