Personal Record? Or Personal Best?

In the last week (On September 12) on the Runner's World Magazine Facebook Page they posted this question:

Do you call your fastest time a PR (personal record) or PB (personal best)?

I have to say, the majority of the time I call mine a "personal record" - that way I get to be setting and breaking records! ;) Corny, I know, but it helps get the job done!

That said, I had my own "PR" tonight... Longest run time I've done so far (well, run-walk combo, as well as total run time), AND longest distance. 5.95 mi in 80:20 (or, you know, 6.25mi in 85:25).

I know for some people hitting up 6 miles in an hour and 20 minutes (give or take) is kinda on the slow side - heck, there was a 10K today and this 13-year-old boy took 10th place out of about 4,800 people with a time of 33:50!
Boy, 13, finishes 10th among thousands in downtown Omaha's Corporate Cup
But for me, this is monumental! I know I'm still not even to the halfway point of a half-marathon/21K, and I'm still doing this on a 0% incline on a treadmill, which has been likened to going down a slight hill... But this tells me that I have a shot at doing it! It's still September, Disney's Princess Half Marathon isn't for 5 months... I have a fighting chance, as long as I keep at it pretty consistently.

Note: consistently = more than once every week or two! Haha

We'll definitely have to register in the next week before the price goes up, though. I'm terrified that it will sell out some time soon! I don't know how long registration has been open, but the race is already over half full!

Granted, the website just says it's "51% Full", but that's still over half!


A couple days ago I posted about this lovely thing called fuel. Runner's fuel.
To Gatorade, or Not to Gatorade?
I think that for the most part I'm done with Gatorade. I've ditched the energy chews and the container I had of Lemon-Lime Gatorade powder. I had no qualms about chucking them in the trash. I did, however, keep my packets of Glacier Freeze Gatorade powder. I didn't have any problems with it. Here's hoping that holds up.

I decided to try out coconut water after quite a bit of Google searching... Yup, still not really feeling the taste of coconut-related things. I may just be duking it out with water. In retrospect, I guess that's not such an off or bad thing, as long as I make sure not to over-hydrate, and to take really good care of my body before, during, and after runs. I'd much prefer that to any horrendous stomach cramps that have me curling up in a ball for the next 12+ hours.
I read somewhere that coconut water is far better when it's cold, so I've got the two bottles and one can DH bought me in the fridge. Here's hoping that helps the flavor some.

Fun fact (for anyone who didn't know): Coconut water also comes in flavors! DH bought me a thing of chocolate coconut water. It's not bad, kinda reminded me of chocolate milk, but definitely not what I was expecting. The chocolate aspect still seems kinda weird.

I'm also working on making the switch over to whole-grain pasta. It's unexpectedly tasty. I can't tell if I really remember it being gross, or if this is just a few years of listening to DH complain about the stuff tasting like cardboard... But I had some a week or two ago, and I really really like it! Enough that I wouldn't mind just buying that from now on.

Well, there are definitely some changes afoot... They've been in the works for a while now, but actually seeing a bit of progress feels amazing.

Running + Coconut Water

I posted earlier (at like 1 this morning, as I was about 85% asleep) about my not-so-lovely Gatorade-induced stomach troubles. After doing some Google-searching, I've found a lot of people recommending coconut water.
Now, I'm not much of a fan of coconut-flavors and coconut shavings and all. But I'm really hoping that I like it - or that I can learn to like it. I mean, I DID hear a bunch of good things across the board on it!
So while I was at work DH bought me a regular thing of coconut water and a flavored thing of it. Just two to try out for it. Here's hoping that this doesn't let me down.

Wish me luck! :)

A Pretty Awesome Running Playlist (If I Do Say So Myself) ;)

I figure I may as well jump on the bandwagon of "Running Playlist" ideas/lists. After all, each one is somewhat different, and I have my own ideas/preferences for what to put on a playlist. Besides, you know what they say about opinions being like... Well, you get the point ;)

So here are some of the songs from my very own running playlist, in alphabetical order by title! (I figured doing them all might be kinda overwhelming, haha). I think they each have something that makes them special, whether it's the beat or the words/overall message of the song. Here's hoping this inspires/encourages you, or maybe just gives you new song to rock out to! :)

• "According to You" by Orianthi
• "Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz

• "B.O.B." by OutKast
• "Beat It" by Michael Jackson
• "Blow" by Ke$ha
• "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga"

• "Can't Be Tamed" by Miley Cyrus
• "Can't Hold Us Down" by Christina Aguilera
• "Circus" by Britney Spears

• "Disturbia" by Rihanna
• "Don't Stop the Music" by Rihanna

• "The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga
• "Evacuate the Dancefloor" by Cascada
• "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor

• "Feel Good Inc" by Gorillaz
• "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera
• "The Fighter" by Gym Class Heroes
• "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins

• "Girlfriend (Remix)" by Avril Lavigne and Lil' Mama
• "Good Girls Go Bad" by Cobra Starship

• "I Do Not Hook Up" by Kelly Clarkson
• "I Like It Like That" by Hot Chelle Rae
• "I'm On a Roll" by Stefano
• "It Girl" by Jason Derülo
• "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi

• "Judas" by Lady Gaga
• "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga
• "Just That Girl" by Drew Seeley (Another Cinderella Story soundtrack)

• "Ladies Choice" by Zac Efron (Hairspray soundtrack)
• "Livin' On a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
• "Lose Yourself" by Eminem
• "Love Drunk" by Boys Like Girls
• "Love Shack" by The B-52's

• "Makes Me Monder" by Maroon 5
• "Maniac" by Michael Sembello

• "Never Again" by Kelly Clarkson
• "New Classic" by Drew Seeley and Selena Gomez (Another Cinderella Story soundtrack)

• ""Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO

• "Raise Your Glass" by Pink
• "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele
• "Run and Tell That" by Elijah Kelley (Hairspray soundtrack)

• "Shots" by LMFAO and Lil Jon
• "Shut Up and Drive" by Rihanna
• "Sing" by My Chemical Romance
• "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson
• "Starships" by Nicki Minaj
• "Starstrukk" by 3OH!3 and Katy Perry

• "Takin' Care of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
• "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" by Selena Gomez
• "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" by Fall Out Boy
• "Thnks Fr The Mmrs" by Fall Out Boy
• "Tik Tok" by Ke$ha
• "Tonight Tonight" by Hot Chelle Rae
• "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba

• "Uprising" by Muse

• "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham!
• "We R Who We R" by Ke$ha
• "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction
• "Where Are We Runnin'?" by Lenny Kravitz

• "You Can't Stop the Beat" (Hairspray soundtrack)

Enjoy!

To Gatorade, or Not to Gatorade?

I believe that bodies should be taken care of. A little indulgence isn't the end of the world, but bodies should be taken care of. I'm trying to accomplish this by running, but I also want to work to accomplish it by better fueling my body.

If you hasn't guessed by the title, I use Gatorade. I don't use obscene amounts of it, but I do use it. After a run that I ended with some far-from-pleasant stomach cramping, I decided to Google it and see if I'm the only one with this issue.

Well, it turns out that I am NOT. If you Google Gatorade and stomach cramps, you get a LOOOOOT of results.

I can't tell if it's the pre-workout energy or the powdered drink mix for during the workout. I don't know. I would, however, like to know what recipes there are for doing this myself. Suggestions are helpful and would be greatly appreciated :)

I am... Working to Achieve Balance

Has anybody noticed that the blog looks a little different? :)

It's been an interesting week.
It's been an interesting couple of months, actually, but definitely an interesting week. Starting my second-to-last semester of grad school has gone a whole lot smoother than I initially expected it to. Classes aren't super crazy (or crazy at all, for that matter). My only concern has been making sure that I have time for me.

Right now I'm doing my first internship with an agency's homeless program, and I definitely don't regret my decision. I've learned so much in the last 3-4 weeks, even though I'm definitely still a newbie. Working with the homeless population has certainly been an eye-opener. In February I was doing desk work at a university's GED program, an a number of people would come in and give me the same phone number... Eventually I realized it was the number to a homeless shelter not far from there. Even so, I never knew where it was. I'd heard of a few shelters in the area, but I'd never been in them. Heck, I'd never even seen them or really knew where they were! So it's been a great experience. At least so far.

I'm still trying to find my place with the agency as an intern, though. My direct hours (far more important than my indirect, in part because that means I'll have to communicate with clients and in part because they're MUCH harder to come by) aren't coming as easily as I thought. What I was initially (not talking in sessions) didn't work for obtaining hours. But talking in session didn't work because the doctors didn't like it! But instead of telling me they told someone else to tell me... It's like "Gee, thanks a lot...".
I'm afraid I may have to do some program hopping to get my hours in... At the same time, I really hope I do. They've got classes there to teach the clients different things, from mental illness and stress management to healthy cooking, exercise, and movies. I would love the opportunity to be part of that. It would be amazing to have the chance to lead a class.

With two jobs, an internship, and three classes (one of which is for my internship) I'm learning the importance of being able to balance and prioritize. And taking my vitamins. My very first week at my internship site I was getting over a cold. It was pretty miserable, especially with the sneezing and nose running. I definitely want to take precautions against that, because being sick isn't exactly fun.

So my plans/goals did balancing my life right now?
- take my dang vitamins
- hand sanitizer is a wonderful thing
- don't sell myself short on sleep. 4-5 hours just doesn't cut it. At all.
- stick with the running. It may take time, but it's good for me when done appropriately :) and it's a pretty good self-esteem boost when I do better than I ever have.
- definitely have my homework done before class. Nothing like spacing on homework to add stress to life, huh?

Sounds like a plan to me! I started working on it a while ago, but let Operation Balance continue!

I want to be the best me that I can be.

Rude? Hypocritical? Insecure? Or just Irrational and Tired?

I work to not judge people.
What I mean is, you judge people (and other things) on a daily basis - making judgments on who to trust, what to eat, whether or not to touch the hot stove that's burned you before... You make judgments daily!

What I'm struggling with at this moment (or at least I was for the last two nights when I ran) is the negative kind. It feels a bit shameful to say it out loud, but it's true.

For the last two nights, about halfway through my workout, this couple(?) has been coming in. An older couple, with the man using a bike and the (overweight) woman on the treadmill next to me.

Hold up. If you have seen any of my other posts, you know that I tend to ramble a bit. Bear with me, please.

Now, I should say that when I run, I listen to music. Otherwise just running on the treadmill can get tiresome VERY quickly - especially when you're already tired! I have running headphones, but I don't use them because they're uncomfortable. I dream of the day when I can try out some Bluetooth headphones (well, earbuds) for running! So when I'm alone or with someone I know, I play my music out loud. No big deal.

So the last two workouts have consisted of 40-50 minutes of running, and 12-20 minutes of walking. So totaling 52 minutes the first night, and 70 minutes last night. They've been coming in when I've got about 15-25 minutes of *running* left (which also means about 10-15 minutes of walking, so about half 20-30 minutes left of my workout).

Ok, so the couple walks in, and because of the rules (and what I like to think of as common courtesy - they might not like my music or even want to hear any music!) I pause my music. I continue trying to get about 20-30 more minutes of my done without keeling over or just giving up. I've done too much to just give up!

But then I start getting irritated.

I know I don't own the fitness room. I don't have time blocked out where I'm going to use it and only I can be the one in there (plus or minus the hubs or a friend).
Anyway, but I start getting irritated. Here I am, sweating my ass off, trying to improve and do good for myself. I'm at a slight incline, because apparently it helps you prep more for running outside.
And you just come on in, hop on the treadmill, appear to be expecting me to get off the treadmill some time soon so your partner can use it, and you can't even look at me? I try to offer you a smile, but you just ignore me!

I get it, not everybody goes to the fitness room (or a gym, or other kind of exercise facility) to be social, or even remotely friendly. Especially not at 11-11:30 at night!
And (this being my own personal experience, not saying it's what this woman is thinking/feeling) I get that it can be intimidating being next to someone who is on the same machine and is absolutely killing it. Even more so when they appear to be in good shape. I saw this guy who always used to use the Stair Climber machine thingy for for 20-30 minutes - and the intensity was CRANKED, and he appeared to be in ridiculously good shape. We're talking RIPPED.
When I run, my legs make me look like a "gym rat". The rest of me might not look like it, but my leg muscles are something I'm proud of. For the most part they're pretty well-toned. And I drip sweat like a beast.

The first night, this woman and I finished up around the same time. I said something like "Well, I guess it's time for bed, huh?"
Ignored.
I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she didn't hear me. She had headphones in. Maybe she thought I was talking to myself. Or maybe she just didn't want to look at me. I would've offered up something like "Hey, good workout! ::smile::" - she had been huffing and puffing a bit earlier while walking/doing a light jog.

The second night... I just contemplated keeping my music playing. I mean, if they can't hear me (or pretend not to hear me), what's the big damn deal?! Hearing music makes my workout easier. I mean, they came in when I was already working out. Why should I tailor my workout to them?

Or... Why should they tailor their workout to me?
Or... What if they WERE tailoring their workout to me?
Maybe I should think on it some more. I mean, it's not like we've had a conversation, so I clearly don't even know them!

Basically, this whole thing makes me wonder what kind of person I am. Granted, I know I'm not as nice when I'm hot, sweaty, tired, and STILL have 20+ minutes left to go.

Looks like I'll be buying those Bluetooth headphones sooner than I thought. I've been thinking about it for months anyway...

I am... Nothing If Not Determined.

I can't even begin to say just how tired I am. Although I am taking a moment to evaluate if it's a "good" tired or a "bad" tired. Let me explain.

I ran again last night. W10D1 of the 10k Runner iPhone app. Just over five miles total (including approx. 20 minutes of walking, give or take about 2 minutes). 20 minutes of walking (plus about 2 extra minutes) and 50 minutes of running (... MINUS about 2 minutes. Oi)

I have NEVER gotten to five miles at one time when doing straight running or a run/walk combination. EVER.

Well, at least not that I'm aware of :) Sure there were the days in school where we had to do 2-3 laps before band, and doing the miles in from elementary school on up for PE and doing the mile for ROTC. Then there were the days in the months between high school and college where hitting the gym daily or nearly every day got me able to run at least a decent distance (probably half a mile to a mile) at one time.

It was a huge accomplishment, and I felt, well... Badass. Amazing. Awesome.
Horribly sweaty and smelly, exhausted, annoyed (that's another story!), and desperate for a shower, but definitely awesome.

And then I got up 4 hours later for a full day of work photographing little kids. What the heck was I thinking?? Well... That there wouldn't be an afternoon class, but there were two that we didn't know about. But the kids were good. The staff was wonderful. And I want a nap like you wouldn't believe :)

I'm contemplating running today - a short one. Or maybe using the stationary bike or going for a walk.

It's ridiculous how much this Nike+ SportWatch GPS watch can motivate me. I hope it doesn't wear off when I get used to it... Although the whole thing of a sweaty wrist... Not that attractive. LOL.

Goal: Disney Princess Half Marathon in February 2013.
I don't know if I'll be able to 13.1 miles, but I won't know until I try.

I am... Making a change

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten."

I don't know who originally said that, or when I first heard it, but I know when I first *remember* hearing it. I was a freshman in high school and, of all the people to say it, I heard it from my choir director. And let's be clear: such a statement goes with more than just learning how to read the music and sing what's on the page correctly.

Becoming a runner hasn't been the easiest journey ever. It was easy enough to make the decision that it was something that I wanted to do, and having it as a goal that I want to keep is pretty simple... But often the consistency just fails me.

I also realize that I, like many people, tend to do better when supported by others, and especially when I have the opportunity to run (or exercise in general) with somebody else. Often that's what's missing - not the support, but having someone there who's along for the ride (and hopefully enjoying it). Of course, I have yet to transition to running outdoors. I'm sure that a change of scenery would be good, but I'm just not to that point yet.

That said, I did make a change regarding getting a small piece of gear that will help encourage me, and keep track of what I'm doing in addition to the app(s) that I use for training as far as the run-walk-run progression.

I posted previously that I'd purchased the Motorola MOTOACTV. Well, in the end it really wasn't the watch for me. It just didn't feel... Right. So last night, after owning the MOTOACTV for less than a day, I returned it. I ended up getting the Nike+ SportWatch GPS, and this is a transition that I am MUCH happier with. I'm glad I decided to change it up, and I am super excited to use it!

Plan: Running after work today. It may very well end up being a solo run, but if this is a change I want to make for myself then I need to hold myself accountable, huh?

Here's to making a change!

(and yes, this is my wonderfully bright Nike+ SportWatch GPS, with a horribly wrong date/time that I finally got set up correctly!)

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten."

Hmm...

It's been long enough that I just accidentally deleted an old post. Crap-ola. Anyone have a clue if these things can be retrieved somehow, or is that not possible?

Darn :-/

I am... A Runner.

It's been far too long since I've posted, so I figured I'd post about some changes in my life :)
I can't for the life of me remember if I talked about getting into running before, but I have finally, well, *gotten* into running! It's a very new and exciting change for me, as I was always the kid who said she couldn't run. I was slow, I was out of breath, I just couldn't do more than a quick jog or sprint...

But I'm happy to say that, with the help of the 5k Runner iPhone app (HeavyDuty Apps) I have gotten to the point where I can do a 5k. I may be slow as hell (approx. a 13-minute mile) but I can be consistent at my speed. I may not be too happy with myself at the end of such a run, but I'm amazed with myself and super excited. And proud. And happy. Exhausted, but feeling awesome.

Next month DH and I will do the Jones Bros. 5K-ake Challenge... You have to eat a mini cupcake every mile before they let you continue! Am I a freak for being excited for this? Haha

And now I'm continuing on through their 10k program (6.2 miles) and then I'll continue through the 21k program (13.1 miles AKA a half marathon).
I'm training with one of my best friends for Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend. It's the weekend of February 23 next year (2013). And I'm excited.

Nervous and terrified, because what if I don't finish? What about everybody else, when most of the people have probably been running longer than I have (6-7 months)? What if I'm the slowest?

There's a whole lot of concern there, but I'm chucking it off of my list with a few simple things:
1) I want to do this run. Absolutely.
2) I want to dress up for this run. Yes, I said dress up for it. I'm totally going to dress up as a Disney princess (Tiana, who else? She's awesome!) and my friend and running mate will be Belle... Now if only our other friend would do it... She could be Rapunzel! Lol
3) I want to be able to say I can do it. Too many people spend their time doubting others, and that's part of it. But mostly I want to prove it to myself. To say that I can do it, and know that I'm RIGHT. Sure, it'd be nice to impress other people... But I didn't make this change in my life to impress others. I made it for ME :)

That said, I've got plenty of time to train for the half... I'm just striving for some consistency.

Last night DH and I went to Best Buy and I actually got a GPS running watch. It was a somewhat terrifying commitment to make ($150 for a watch?!) but one that I knew I wanted to make. I ended up with the Motorola MOTOACTVotoactv, which was on sale for $100 off.
Yes, you read that right.

However, after much debating, I think I may exchange it for the Nike+ GPS SportWatch. They're both great and they both have pros and cons, but I'm concerned about battery life. I've read numerous reviews that say the MOTOACTV is amazing, but that the battery drains quickly. It's not waterproof - not like I'll be running in the rain NOW, and I definitely don't plan to go swimming in it, but some races go on rain or shine. That concerns me, and makes me wonder about the stability of it when it comes to sweat.

I may be female, but when I get running for a long period of time, I SWEAT. No shame, but I don't want to have to worry about that.

It's amazing that this thing comes with a music player, but it's a music player I don't need. I just need a watch with GPS that can track my runs.

And then the vanity aspect... I've always preferred smaller watches. Don't get me wrong, it's an awesome watch... But now I'm thinking it may not be for me.

Both watches have a heart rate monitor and count calories, and can work indoors and out... And like running, I want to make sure I make the best choice for me.
So today? I'm going to test out this watch, wear it and test the comfort...

And see if this watch really makes me tick.

Pun intended ;)

(included is a shot of my new Motorola MOTOACTV)