Working Mama

It's official guys, I've stepped into the shoes of a working mama. I am now a cashier/fragrance consultant for Sephora. I've only wanted to work here since I started playing around with makeup as a preteen. It was a very long interview/training process and I've finally actually begun work.
Don't worry, my running has still continued. Last week I completed my first ever 10 mile run!! I also PR'd on my 5K and 10K. I've been working at finding a good run/walk interval balance and it has really been improving my times. I also signed up for my half marathon today!! I will be running the Half in Newport, RI in October. I can't believe it!
I've also been crazy busy finishing off the planning of mine and John's vow renewal. We are less than a month away!! Whoa! Right now it's just wincing and handing over the money we owe the vendors. I've still got to go back to NY for one more dress fitting. I also need to finish putting together favors and painting my guest book.
So, I've missed you bloggers, but alas I'm a busy girl. I think I will make a new and awesome return once the vow renewal is over.

-Lindsey

Why Do I Run??

Heather over at Run Like a G! posed a big question on her latest blog post: Why do you run? I figured that I would make my own blog post because the answer just isn't simple. So here goes...

I run because it makes me feel good. There is nothing better than the feeling of accomplishment when you hit your longest milage or you PR (hit a personal record). After every run I feel like a female warrior. I look at pictures of skinny girls in clothing catalogs and think, "I bet I could outrun her."

Victory!!

I run because, hello scenery! Since moving to New England last year I've really enjoyed checking out new places through my runs and races. I've discovered some really cool parts of my home town that I never would have known about had I not run past it. 

My view of the Thames River.

I run because it's a great way to hang out with friends. I've had so much fun on my runs with my friends from here in CT and my friends in NY. It's such an easy way to be able to chat and enjoy an outing at the same time. Running races with my friends from the gym has also been super enjoyable, they are such a great support system!

Lastly, and most importantly: I run to set a good example for my daughter and any children we may have in the future. I want my daughter to understand that exercise is a normal and most times fun activity. That being healthy makes for a happy individual. Some of the most unhappy and unenthusiastic people I know do not workout or treat their bodies well. I'll be at every finish line cheering my daughter on if she chooses to run. I will cheer her on for any type of physical activity she chooses to pursue.

Me and baby girl tearing up the park.

How can you not feel an immense amount of pride and self confidence? I also get to be a proud wife because my husband just finished his THIRD half marathon for 2014. How amazing is that?

Why do you run?

-Lindsey

Healthy Fueling

Something that has come up in conversation A LOT lately is how I fuel my body. There are so many different schools of thought on what's best diet wise. I am part of the school of thought that each individual needs to fuel their body differently.
Here's an easy comparison: A 200 lb man who is a body builder will surely need a higher caloric and protein intake than a 130lb woman who is a dancer. Pretty easy distinction there.
I am a 178 lb woman who runs long distances and works out 5 days per week on average. I need to take in a certain amount of calories to keep going. I really need to take in some good healthy carbs in order to keep going on my high cardio based workouts. So you see, each person needs to customize the way they eat to the way they live.
Here are some things that I've been enjoying in creating a healthier eating style.

1. My Garden- Oh I so love my garden. Husband put a lot of hard work in to build it. We are currently growing 2 types of lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, squash, and various herbs.

2. Nature Box (In no way is this blog endorsed by Nature Box, I just love them). Each month I get a box with 5 full size bags of healthy and delicious snacks. This deters me from even entering the chip/cookie aisles in the grocery store. They're easy to grab for something quick and portable for road trips/play dates. Note: If you are at all interested in trying Nature Box please let me know, I can get you $10 off your first box!! :)

3. Smoothies- I love smoothies so much, they are easy to throw together and take along. You can put any number of things in them based on what type of nutritional value you are looking for. Here is a recipe of mine that's easy and tasty:

Strawberry Mango Coconut Water Smoothie

1 cup of frozen strawberries

1 cup of frozen mangos

2 cups of coconut water

1/4 cup of plain greek yogurt with honey

Put the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. So refreshing and hydrating for a yummy summer treat.

What are your favorite healthy snack hacks? What are your favorite smoothie recipes?

-Lindsey

7 Mile Run Recap

I set out for a run last Friday, a 6 mile run. As I ran down the hill towards the park on the harbor my legs screamed out in pain. Shin splints, I had them. I had only made it 1.65 miles into my run and I sat down at a picnic table wanting to cry. I started my self pity party and walked back to my house. I had finally overdone it, my legs gave in. John immediately got the ice packs and the pain reliever and I put my legs up. It's ok to take a break. Sometimes pushing through the pain just isn't an option.
I still did my cross training with my wonderful trainer and buddies at the gym. My arms and legs are becoming toned and strong. So, it's not all bad.
Today, after a weekend of running rest and relaxation I strapped on my running shoes and readied myself for my first 7 mile run. I was not confident about it at all. I will be honest, it was probably one of my slowest long runs because again my legs were screaming. I ignored it, I pushed on. I got to mile 3.5 and took a quick break for GU gel (ew ew ew, it tasted like warm vanilla pudding. I think I'll stick to Clif shot bloks). I started to run again after much gagging and retching due to the GU treat that I had just had. My leg pain had gone away! I felt a renewed sense of fight and battled on through the second 3.5  leg.
When I got finished I felt amazing. I felt like I had climbed the Everest of running. 9 miles is going to be my big accomplishment, that will be the farthest I've ever run.

I've had some weird  running "symptoms":

Bloody shoe- Sometimes in the middle of a long run I feel like my shoe is filling up with blood. I don't know why it would be, but I can't shake the feeling. It never really is though.

Phantom Blister- Usually under my right big toe I'm certain that there's bound to be a monster of a blister forming when I end my run. Not so, it's never there.

GU Gel almost barfing-I downed a vanilla GU gel today at mile 3.5 and I immediately spent the next 2 minutes retching and gagging on the side of the road. It was probably a very attractive sight.

The "This is my Jam" running push- Sometimes my iPhone plays a really ridiculous song, and it almost always comes during the last 1-2 miles of my run. Some favorites "Magic Dance"-The Labyrinth Soundtrack "Work Bitch"-Britney Spears and really any 80s classic rock anthems.

What are some odd running symptoms you've dealt with?

-Lindsey

26 Years of Crazy

Hey Guyssss! So since we last spoke/wrote/read? I am another year older. I had a fabulous birthday filled with well wishes and relaxing fun. John and Evie woke me up with awesome gifts.

This is the print he bought me, I fell in love with it in a Gallery in Mystic. 

I was also given the gift of a tattoo which I have yet to get. I'm going to be using a trusted tattoo artist that's tattooed family and friends up in NY.

Chat Noir is going to grace my shoulder. He's always turned up since I met my husband, we're always noticing him showing up in silly places and he makes me smile.

My friend Liz also came up for the weekend so we could have some much needed girl time. I also got to run the Color In Motion 5K up in Hartford this weekend. That was really awesome! Although, I was a little bothered that it wasn't timed. It was really cool to run with my friends from the gym that I go to here.

I had to run home and really scrub because that color really stuck. I still have blue armpits. It looks like I put a smurf in a head lock. I had my final interview at Sephora that afternoon as well, thankfully I wore long sleeves so they couldn't see my blue. 

This week I'm up to 6 miles of running fun. My first 6 miler was a bit painful due to the really hot weather and poor route judgement. Another happy thing is that I started doing Drill Fit classes with the new trainer Shawna. She is really awesome about pushing us outside of our comfort zones while making sure that we stay safe. Last night's class was all about squats so my booty is totally sore. Tonight is my interval training. I'm essentially doing 6 days a week of workouts, and it feels pretty awesome.

What are your summer plans?

-Lindsey

Half Training Update :)

Helloooo! I've been away for a bit due to the craziness that has been my life lately. I've been getting the house cleaned up and we've been doing yardwork. I had job interviews this week at Sephora (only my favorite store in the world). Also just normal day to day busy stuff.
I am now on week 4 of training, aka my 5 mile week. I cannot lie, I was a bit intimidated this Saturday leading up to the first run. I almost psyched myself out, just the distance seemed far, but I powered through. Today I did my second 5 miler and it felt great! I got to mile 4 and found myself thinking "That's it?". Of course, this was after I hit a crazy hill at mile 3, by crazy I mean feeling like you're walking up a 90 degree angle.
I have found my peace with running, and it feels great. It's like an hour long meditation with me, my music, and the road. Speaking of music, do you have any good recommendations for running songs? I cannot run without my music, I tried and I overthink everything.
Here are the things I currently love about running:
-Being outdoors
-Getting my Vitamin D
-Jamming out to my favorite songs
-The runner's high I get after I'm done
-icing my shins post run
-My super awesome workout wardrobe

What do you love most about running/your current workout routine?

Half Marathon Training Starts...NOW!

I dived into half marathon training this week, and I have to say that I'm pretty excited. That amazing loving husband 'o' mine got me the training gear I'd been lusting after for Mother's Day.

My new Soleus GPS watch and my FitBit Zip

I LOVE my new gadgets, they do exactly what I need them to without a huge fuss. Hubs did his research when it came to the GPS watch, I compared it to my NikePlus Running app and the Nike app was off by .30 mi on distance. Whoa. The FitBit is like a cute pedometer that tracks my active and not so active movements, it also syncs up to an app on my iphone and I can plug in caloric intakes based on my goals.

Yeah, my watch is motivational and I enjoy it.

I named my FitBit Marshmallow, she has a striking resemblance to a tamogotchi.

Let's get into what my training schedule looks like for the next few months until race day. (September 14th! Aka Amanda's Birthday). OH! Bonus, my friend Amanda and her husband Sean are going to join us for this awesome half marathon. Here is the training schedule for this week:

Saturday- 2 miles (23:47)

Sunday-Rest Day

Monday-2 miles (22:49)

Tuesday- 1.5 mile interval training (16:00)

Wednesday-2 mile Hill Training (tomorrow)

Thursday-Gym Night-Dawn's Class

Friday-2 miles

Saturday-3 miles

Basically, I will be bumping my mileage up one mile per week. I will be running 5 out of 7 days of the week. I'm making it a point to not push myself too crazy to avoid injury, I'm also icing sore muscles in the evening. At some point soon I'm going to be buying a foam roller too. 

I haven't decided whether or not I'll be taking any supplement type things prior to or after runs. Once I get into my longer runs I will definitely be partaking in protein shakes. I also plan on doing some kind of GU gel for energy in the midst of the longer runs to get my body accustomed. 

What are your tried and true running tips? What are your goals?

-Lindsey