Scaling back is painful!/November Wrap-up

Long time, no talk--sorry, guys--busy week last week!

So, the last time we chatted--I was running around in circles in my house.  For realsies.

Last week was a mess for running, which in actuality, worked out well, as it was supposed to be a low-mileage week according to my training schedule.  The longest run that week was supposed to be 6 miles on Saturday. No problem, right?  I was planning on doing more then that anyways.

*buzzer sound* WRONG.

Monday, I got 4 in running around like a dipshit in my house.

Tuesday I had ANOTHER dental appointment to see what the heck is going on with my mouth (still don't know--more antibiotics..blah) By the time I got home it was close to 8 and I didn't want my husband to put off dinner any longer, so I decided on a rest day.  Was pretty bummed I couldn't get out there.

Wednesday I did am extremely refreshing  6.35 miles that felt awesome--ran through tons of Christmas light covered homes--I'm such a whore for Christmas lights.  My dad usually "went to town" when we were growing up and decking out our house--so as I run by them, I grade them in my head.  A Christmas Light report card, if you will :)  Folks here in Austin know their shit when it comes to decorating--check out some of these:

This pic does no justice--this house is BANANAS!

I call this the Sicilian house--1)it's got the Italian flag colors 2)I'm sicilian :)

 Love that this neighborhood has such spirit and/or competitiveness to upstage one another ;)

Thursday, another 4 through the neighborhood, but nothing new and awesome to post as far as Christmas lights go.

Friday--I started to wear out.  My co-worker had called out (AGAIN) and I was left by myself to try to finish everything (not really a change, persay).  I was tired, stressed out, and pretty pissed off.  I also had an interview for a possible management position which, I felt, should have been more in depth.  So, a run is what I really wanted by the time I got home. Something to run off the "feel like shit" demons.  I went for 4 and a quarter, and it pretty much blew the entire time. My legs were like 800 pound jello molds (go ahead, picture it, it made me giggle.)  But!! That ended Novemeber---Remember how my goal was 100 miles?  Remember I was worried I wouldn't make it? 

Yeah.....133.74 MILES. Hi, how're ya doin'--My name is Krissy, I'm a badass mo'fo'. 18,000+ calories burned, 5.24 pounds burned running in a month!  

So, back to the original thought here--after my run on Friday night, I started to feel some serious stiffness in my right shoulder and neck.  Tried to take some Aleve and go to sleep.

Saturday....woke up, COULD NOT MOVE.  You wouldn't think just because my one shoulder and neck was stiff and painful that it would affect everything else, but holy shitballs--trying to open the Aleve bottle was quite the task.  I was in the car with my husband and every time he turned or stopped it felt like someone was stabbing at my neck.  By 2 o'clock I couldn't take it anymore and called my doc who prescribed Flexeril (a muscle relaxer).  I was kind of "Meh" about taking something like that, but I needed help.  Honestly, I don't think it did all that much--but I couldn't tell you for sure, because I was in la-la land for the next couple hours either almost falling asleep or staring at nothing.  That night, once I came back down to earth, the hubs took me to Walgreens to get a heating pad.  

That in conjunction with the "I'm walking on sunshine" muscle relaxers really did it.  

Sunday--still a bit sore, but better by leaps and bounds.  I could move my shoulder again, so I was convinced I would be able to do the 5k Reindeer Run I signed up for that evening.  I was in a craptastical mood that morning--I honestly think it's because I didn't do my normal long run on Saturday.  My brain expects the endorphins and was pissy it didn't get anything.  What an addict!  I decided that I would try to do a couple miles to make sure I felt safe enough to run in the dark at the 5k.

2+ miles later, my neck was sore, but bearable--and the run had lifted spirits--and then the pre-race jitters started in.  I would think this being my 5th race--I wouldn't get them anymore, but nay.

I bought a shirt specifically for this 5k: 

If you don't get the reference, we prolly shouldn't be friends.

Hardcore race face.

Got to the hugely unorganized race--lines everywhere, the volunteers had no idea what was going on.  Dude, I just need a number and chip--let me hop over the table and grab 'em!  After getting my bib taped (yes, taped...they had no pins *smacks head*) on and my chip Velcro-ed to my ankle, I farted around for 10 minutes until they told us all to line up.  The air horn went off, and the race volunteers were forcing everyone on to one lane of the CLOSED ROAD--so people were banging into each other all over the place at first, trying to push through and get ahead.  Strollers went at the same time as everyone else, so you can imagine what that was like...in one lane.  Jeez Louise, what a mess!  I swear next year I want to go to the Rotary meeting that sets this up and give my 2-cents.  But when it finally opened up it was nice---SO MANY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS---definitely a fun race, lots of colorful distractions.  :)

By the end of the race, I was feeling awesome, and crossed the line at 28 min!  Woo!  A PR for me!

I'm starting to really take a shine to the 5k, short enough to push myself the entire time. 


And that brings us all the way to today--Yay, for making up blog time.  I'll try to get one more post in before my honeymoon coming up! 

YES, honeymoon!  We got married in July of 2011 and betwixt (like that, right?)  moving to Texas and new jobs it was totally impossible to go at the time.  So, a year and a half after the fact--we are off!  We leave on Friday and then we'll be cruising it up in the Southwestern Caribbean.  I'll try to bring you back a keychain.

The boat has a running track on one of the top decks--so, if I wake up early enough a couple days, I think I'll try to sneak a few miles in--but I don't ever want my hubs to be waiting for me while I'm running on OUR honeymoon, so, like I said--I'm gonna sneak the runs in if I can.  If not, I'm not totally worried about it--we're doing tons of active excursions:  cave swimming, a climb through ancient Mayan ruins, swimming with stingrays, more swimming.  Not for nothing, but I'm sure my legs would love not to run, haha.

Well, that's about the long and short of it--Now looking ahead to Decemeber--I'm trying to come up with a good goal--Between both vacations, I'm not sure if 100 is realistic--actually I'm not even sure 75 is now that I think about it, but I'll stick with 75 and just try to get what I can in.  Plus, there will be lots of walking on both vacations, so here's to trying for that!

Alright, ya'll have a good week, I'll catch you in a few.



Go Fork Yourselves,

Krissy

Dude, I have an indoor track?

Evenin'.  Wanted to get a quick one down tonight!

Last we spoke was Turkey Day--hope your's was all forking fantastic :D HAH!

I took Friday off of running (though, I did walk 4+ miles that day, just because) to....Oh, what did you think I was going to say? Shop??

Get. the. fuck out.   You all should know by now I'm a terrible excuse for a girl.

Mmm, sexy deliciousness...

I've done Black Friday less then a handful of times, and I am all set--totally not worth the hassle in my opinion.   To be fair, I did buy a few things on Amazon.  For myself. Yeah, haha.  I'm really not the selfish--I've already got my family covered, and I decided I needed some cute boots.  Yes, expensive, but they were like..60% off.  If I am gonna shop, I'm going to do it right.  Momma didn't raise no foo'.

Ankle straps + stacked heels = win

Oh, and these prior to that....again on sale!  Strappy heels I thought would look great with a few dresses I have--and some nicer looking jeans.  Plus, doesn't everyone need a pair of black heels? (okay, maybe a little girly there.)  And then some endangered Brooks PureFlows---I bought a men's size 7.5 and it fit perfectly! I wanted that gorgeous blue shoe for the longest time!  See, it all came back to running, relax.

Gorgeous!

So anyways, I ran 10 stupid hilly miles on Saturday--that was something special, for sure.  I haven't done a ton of hills lately, and I know they will improve speed, so that was the motive for that.  It was a great run, too.

After that long one, I took Sunday off--and cleaned my house top-to-bottom, did laundry, and submitted my resume to 8-10 openings I came across.  Time to get my ass in gear with this degree--Way to overqualified and under-appreciated where I'm at.  Enough said.  It's been one day, I realize this, but these people need to get on the ball and call me!

Today, back to work after a wonderful long 4 1/2 days off.  Could have used more, as always.  All day, I planned on coming home to run at least 5 miles today.  After a day that seemed to never end, I walked out of work and noticed some ominous clouds.  Not cool, dude.

They only got darker as I got closer to home.  Then came the lightning!  Then the weather warning!  By the time I rolled into the garage, thunder started to roll.  I went inside and my husband looked at the weather report, then went outside to check things out and said he didn't think I should go.

I tried to go upstairs and get dressed, waiting to see if it would pass, then I started to hear the wind blow.

DAMMIT.

I don't have a treadmill.  I could do a workout video, but--I wanted to run!  I had planned on it!

So--this is what I did.  Took my calibrated pedometer and walked around the top floor of my house.  Did the math to see how many rounds it would take to get mileage in (a lot.), and tried my HRM to see if I could get my heart rate up enough to my liking.  Okay, the math was done, the shoes were laced, and my HR could get about 150 or so in a few sprints around or so.

Screw it, I'm running in the house.

My super short track and stair work, baby!

  So, in about 37ish minutes and countless rounds and stair climbs (that's that shitty MS Paint arrow above, haha...), I pulled off 4.1 miles inside my own home by the time dinner was done.

WEATHER BE DAMNED, I WILL RUN! 

Boring as hell, I will say that, but no more then the treadmill (or as many I know call it, the DREADmill...*rimshot*) flat, and I knew the course well ;)

As of today I've hit my November 'Pile on the Miles' goal, and exceeded it.

Original Goal for November: 100 miles
Currently (with 5 days to go!):  119.13 miles

Yeah, take that with a glass of milk--it goes down smooth, kids.

Got another run coming up on Sunday night--get to run a 5k through a whole bunch of Christmas lights and decorations--that should kick me into the Christmas spirit :) If you're around the area, you should TOTALLY do it.

Anyways, I think that's about the long and short of it for the past few days.  Keep on keepin' on--and with love:




Go Fork Yourselves,

Krissy

Good runs, bad runs, and doin' the trot!

Happy Thanksgiving, my people.  I hope you all are lucky enough to spend it with people you love.

I'm spending what we are calling Sheeblissgiving at our best friends' house which includes my hubs, my brother-in-law, our super awesome friends Kyle and Jeannette (who is sick *sad face*) and their kiddos Ember and Kelsey.

My folks are up in NH, and my hubby's folks are over in Germany--we are missing them so! <3

So, last we spoke--I'd done 11 miles, right? Finally took a rest day on Sunday (*pats self on back*) and went back to running on Monday with a great 5 miler, which I called my Trot Test Run!  Did that with an average 9:50 min/mile.
Tuesday and Wednesday I was SO not in the mood.  I mean, I think I THOUGHT I was, but as I went out for both 3+ milers I felt like crap--not so much my legs, but my head wasn't in it and my stomach just felt..like..blech.  Though my average paces were good 9:37 and 9:56/mile--they just weren't fun. 

I was super discouraged--I honestly felt like not going to the Trot in the morning.  I know, right??  I just had hit that wall (probably SHOULD have done that low mileage week last week, but nay.). 

Being completely spent this week, I fell asleep on the couch around 8:30 last night.  Got up again around 11, walked up to bed and passed out until 7 the next morning.  I felt better this morning, and started to get the pre-race jitters.  Gulped my algae tabs, ate a Stinger waffle, and off we went. 

Being that this was my first time at Austin's Turkey Trot, I though, oh an hour and a half ahead of time should be fine.

WRONG

We hit so much traffic--it was crazy.  We were in traffic so long I started to get worried I wouldn't make the race.  Finally we got close enough, we pulled into a Taco Cabana and I told my husband to hold down the fort and I'd be back in an hour.  As I started to very quickly walk up the road to the Trot--I realized this was a FRIGGIN' MADHOUSE.  There were so many people--holy smokes.  I thought maybe I'd be able to spot my Sweat Pink sister/fellow Tweeter Rachel there--but there was NO chance.  As soon as I got there they asked everyone to get in the corrals--which were jam-packed.  Someone I couldn't see sang the National Anthem, and then off we went in waves!  The first two miles were bananas, I kinda had to weave around people back and forth until I had a open area where I could be comfortable.  Once I started to get comfortable..the hills came...

The first one wasn't too bad, cruised up it.  I remember seeing the elevation map a few days ago and I was like..'Is that it?' I couldn't see any more as we turned the corner.  Then I saw what, to me at the time, looked like a 90 degree angle hill.  I wanted to yell, "You're an asshole, hill!"  But I stifled myself with all the kids in strollers around.  A lot of people around me had to stop and walk--and I sooooo wanted to. But, I swear to you, I didn't.  I pushed away the "it's okay to walk" thoughts out of my head and just kept trucking, glad I'd decided to bring my Nathan waterbottle with me.  

So, in short--the first two miles were the hardest.  Once we were over the major hillage, I started to feel like I was cruising, going back to weaving through folks.  Just before Mile 4, the sun started to really get to me--I was dripping sweat (come to find out it was 80...In November..I love Texas in the fall/winter--just not sunny and 80 for runs!), and I felt a little slow until we hit the last half mile where I could see the finish line across the bridge.  I picked up the pace and huffed it to the finish line.  Another race--done! WOO!  

5.19 miles in 51:02, I can dig that.

Walked back to the car after taking some random picture which I was told will show up online--I'll keep an eye out for that.   


 That all being said--I'm so ready for some turkey, baby.


To close up this post, I'm going to follow suit with others today and give a "What I'm thankful for" list--we all don't take enough time to stop and think about these things, and in the true spirit of the holday--let's get down to it!

1. Trev--my hubby.  Someone who is and has been completely loving and supportive in everything I want to do.  My husband crack me up everyday, and honestly, nothing else we have and nothing else would I do would be worth it without him.  Love, love, love him and I can't wait to go on our honeymoon next month and start our family!
2. My family--my mother, my step-mom, my sister, and brother and my second set of family with my mother and father-in-law and my brother-in-laws.  Again, always so supportive, loving, generous, hilarious---there are far too many adjectives to describe how amazing all these people have been to me, I am so blessed.
3. Friends--Same verse, same as the first.  You all know who you are, but specifically our friend's Kyle and Jeannette who have been so helpful to use in the past few years between moving from New England to Austin--giving us a place to stay when we moved here, letting up leave our crap with them, always offering to watch our dogs when need be, dinners together--You guys rock my sock.
4. Friends (x2) All the amazing people I've met in the past year online, and especially and the running friends I've made online.  You guys rock and it's so fantastic to be able to talk to people with all different goals and vent about 'the bad days'.  Thank you for all the comments and reads on my blog baby.  Keep on truckin', guys--no matter what you're goal is--you are all AMAZING!
5. Our home--both our beautiful new home we were able to buy this summer and where we live.  Austin/Round Rock is such an awesome community, great people, the complete oddness of the area, and the amazing weather.  I hate the cold--and Austin keeps me happy :)  
6.  Running!  This summer I took on running as my main cardio outlet and fell in love with it.  I have a new passion (albeit expensive sometimes, hehe) and although we don't always get along--it is the thing where I can go get in my zen zone and reflect.  It has been unreal how running has not only changed me physically, but mentally as well.  I really feel it centers me, and am so glad I've found it.

With all that being said--again, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!

and..

Go fork yourselves!

Krissy<3 

"I don't feel like running.."

I set my alarm last night and put a Honey Stinger Waffle on my bedside table with my water and didn't really think about my run that I was sure I'd do this morning.  I couldn't decide if I'd stick with my training plan of doing 6 miles today for the whole "scale-back-low-mileage" week of the half-marathon training plan--or if I would go for another 10 ish miles just to keep ahead of myself with my vacations coming up next month.

Needless to say, 6 came around, I awoke with a struggle, ate my waffle, downed some water, peed and went back to bed.  I was like, yeah, I'll get up in a hour. 

I did.  But, then I went right back to sleep.  Got up around 7:30,  yawn--possibly farted, pulled the covers back over myself and passed out again. 

I guess I really needed it, because I had apparently had some conversations with my husband that I DO NOT remember all.  I finally woke up...and physically got up around 9:30.  I got up and just felt "Blech." You know what I mean? Mentally, physically--I just felt like I was a walking jell-o mold. Heavy and jiggly--and a sort of blue flavor.

My husband turned to me and asked if I was okay, to which I said, "Oh, yeah, just beat." Then he offered to make me waffles after I came back from my run.

"I don't really feel like running right now."

He was shocked--and goes "I thought that would NEVER come out of your mouth." 

So, he made me a big ol' waffle, coffee, and I had a grapefruit, too. So good.  Thanks, babe :)

Sometime around 11:30-12 I finally decided I should probably head out.  Downloaded an audiobook on Thomas Jefferson (yep.) Got my Nuun and fish of the Swede variety ready, and took off slowly.  Still didn't settle on a distance, so I just set the ol' Nike+ to Basic and went.  Around mile 2-3 I started to feel a bit better, and when mile 6 came around, I was like.."well, I'm already more then half way there."  I hit 10 before I got back home, and to get home there was another mile--that's what I get for not planning--so again, I said 'fuck it' and ran the rest of the way.

*exploding motion with hand*  11 miles.  Hi. How're ya doin'?

So much for not feeling like running, right--not too shabby! ...Not to shabby, Krissy, what the fuck? It's the most you've ever run-STOP!

Cue humming Super Mario theme song.

Needless to say tomorrow is a rest day--which is perfect because the new Nintendo WiiU comes out and my husband and I DEFINITELY ordered one.  Yes, we're late twenties-early thirty--and yes, we are Nintendo whores.  I mean, did you see our wedding cake?  No? 


So, I should have just deposited my paycheck into amazon.com and roadrunnersports.com this week because I am on a running goodies spree.  On Amazon--I order myself a bulk of that Chocolate Outrage Gu (again..the only good one..) and a new elastic chest strap for my Polar HRM.  It came with a medium one like 2 years ago, and since then I've continually cinched it tighter and tighter and I've been at the very end of it for a while--and the sensors just don't make good connection anymore because it's too loose--a good thing, technically, right? 




On RoadRunner I picked up two pairs of Brooks sneaks with a few coupons I had.  Purple PureFlows-- 

 Which if you'll remember were one of the original choices against my current Kinvara's a few months back!  Always wanted to go back for these puppies. 

Then, these were shipped to me on Thursday with ANOTHER coupon--so I went back and grabbed some Day-Glo/Neon/Highlighter Yellow PureConnects.  

Also snatched up a foam roller--which, to be honest, I have no idea what I'm doing with it, but I'm told this will really help with recovery as a sort of massage.  I heard it's a bit uncomfortable, but you know, with the amount I'm running lately and the soreness coming on after that, anything to help besides Advil/Aleve would be nice.

So..this whole running thing has turned out to be a little more pricey then I'd thought--but besides the shoes, I like to think I'm pretty thrifty/bargain searching with everything else.  My feet are one thing I won't cheap out on--they are far too sensitive and blister way too easily, I've done my time in cheaper shoes.  Last winter, I decided that I would never buy shoes that would hurt my feet again.   NAY!


Got another race coming up this week! The 5 miler Turkey Trot here in Austin on Thanksgiving morning! WOO!  This is a much bigger race then last week's, and I've already looked at the results of last year's and already know I have a ZERO chance of placing in anything--which is cool.  I never went into last week's race with placement in mind--it sort of just happened.  Races are just FUN! All the energy--and all for a good cause.  That's what I'm about, baby.  If I get a PR, that's just an added bonus.  I just love to run, baby.   That being said, packet/bib pick-up starts tomorrow--and I know I can wait to go get it--but I'm excited and REALLY want to go get it tomorrow, haha.  We'll see.  Right now in South Austin, the whole F1 Race thing is going down--and I have no idea what kind of impact that's having on the city...I'll try to wait to go after work on Wednesday, I think--we get out early anyways.

I was tweeting these earlier with a fellow SweatPink/GirlsGoneSporty sister Rachel--you think this is cool for a solid 5 miles?

Yes? Maybe? I kind of like the cooked turkey, to be honest.






I kid--I sweat WAY too much (It's really disgusting.) to pull this off for 5 miles, haha.  Maybe.


Lastly--I got my TeamSparkle skirt this week, too:

Decided on blue!  Kind of been on a blue kick, lately--and it looks fabulous blowing in the wind, baby.


Alright, sorry for the novel tonight folks--but as piss poor an excuse for a girl I am on most days--I do have to tell ya'll my running pick-ups!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, people--good luck to all those in races!


Go Fork Yourselves,

Krissy

Powered by Bits? A Review.

Good Evenin' folks.

Hope everyone's week is going well--I had more dental work on Monday (awesome...) but my dentist wanted me to go home take some pain pills and chill since he thought the pain would be pretty harsh when the Novocaine wore off.  Got a doctor's note, and had a lovely rest day.  The pain wasn't all the bad--I'm gonna go ahead and say a stitch in my side sucks a lot more.

This week I'm trying to stick to my training schedule--this week is another 'scaling back' week, AKA 'Krissy, don't run 30 miles this week.'   I start my weeks on Sunday--so, the 5K (NUMBAH #1 20-29 DIVISION--WHAT'S UP, BITCHES!!), Rested Monday, 5.25 yesterday, and 3.2 today.   I feel almost chump-ish for not doing more today. Three miles seems way too short nowadays. 

Right, get on with it Krissy--PRODUCT REVIEW!

To start, these comments and opinions are mine and mine alone--EnergyBits were sent to me to try and review without any promise of payment, just my honest thoughts on this product--just want to make all that clear.  Onward!

Friday, I came home to find a package with samples of EnergyBits in my mailbox.

So...what are these green little do-dads?  They are 100% organically grown spirulina algae.  Algae??  Yes!  EnergyBits are said to:

• Increase Energy 
• Increase Endurance
• Increase Mental Vitality
• Be a High Protein Snack
• Curb Hunger 
• Be a Meal Replacement
• Balance Blood Sugar
• Lower Blood Pressure
• Reduce Fatigue 

The thing to remember about EnergyBits is that this algae is actually a food--not a supplement.  Spirulina algae is the most protein dense food out there--64% of the algae IS PROTEIN.  The United Nations has said that Spirulina algae is THE most nutritious food on earth.  Each EnergyBit (slightly bigger then a tic-tac, I'd say) is one calorie, and the suggested serving size is 30 bits before any workout, if you're feeling tired and need a boost, or needing a quick filling snack.  You can either chew or swallow the bits, it'll work no matter how you ingest it.  I suggest swallowing.  I tried chewing one and it was stuck in molars--I had to scrape it out with a plastic fork(it worked..) so I could get the rest of ONE bit down.  The taste wasn't terrible--but it's not something I would order in a restaurant, for sure--but yes, swallowing seemed to be far more efficient.

I decided I would try them for both my runs that weekend.  I had planned at 10 mile run on Saturday, woke up downed 30 EnergyBits followed by a Honey Stinger Waffle and then got ready to roll (much later then usual).  The first 20 or so minutes were rough, but out of nowhere I got a burst of focus and energy and felt like I powered through the rest of my long run--I actually ended up going 10.5 miles, and felt like I could have done more--seriously.  My pace on a long run was the best it's ever been for my FIRST double digit mileage run--9:30/mile--I didn't think I was even going that quickly!  The only thing different were the EnergyBits addition.

That Sunday (usually a rest day--oops) I had signed up for a 5K a few weeks back.  Got up early, popped another 30 bits with some water chased with coffee (I thought maybe they would melt and dissolve and get absorbed quicker with hot coffee...scientific here.) and off we went.  As you all know I was nearly shitting my pants I was so nervous--but after the first half-mile I got in a good groove and had a 8ish min/ mile during Mile 1, a 7ish min/mile for Mile 2, and finished 24th overall and FIRST (how're ya doing, awww yeaaaah.) in my female age division.  No joke.

Now, I only got to try these twice--but from what I can tell EnergyBits and spirulina algae are the real deal.  I really did feel quite the difference in my runs and my energy level during them. 

In short:

Pros:  Increased energy and focus, increased endurance, easy to swallow bits

Cons: Chewing them was not a good experience, swallowing 30 with water definitely made my belly bloat a bit (but I'm a pus when it comes to swallowing pills--PTSD from a penicillin tab in my youth--I remember specifically!)  and lastly--the cost of the bits is a BIT MUCH *rimshot*.

The last one is a big one for me....1,000 bits will run you $115--If you only use the bits once a day it's about a month's worth of bits.  That's roughly 11 cents a bit.  Yes, there are coupon codes--but eventually you're still going to pay quite a bit of money for 'em.    I'm a new homeowner and I just graduated--so I'm paying some crazy-ass student loan bills--on top of all the other bills I have--and $100+ dollars is a kind of a lot--even for something like this that works.  I just can't justify it--and I'm a big proponent of "you don't have to spend a shit-ton of money to be healthy." 

So, EnergyBits--while a great product, and what I felt worked (but like I said, I only tried them twice)--but there are other organic Spirulina algae products out there where a month's worth of the product will cost you less then half of what EnergyBits cost.  I really enjoyed talking with the folks over at EnergyBits--they were all super knowledgeable about EnergyBits--and that's always refreshing--when people marketing the product have passion behind it.   

Like I said, though, right now--this chick just can't afford to be #PoweredByBits.

Thank you for the chance to sample the Bits, though guys--I really appreciate it!

That all being said--how much are you willing to FORK over (hah!) for your specialty nutritional needs (i.e: organic foods, gels, bars, gummies, ect. ect.)?

That's all for this review!

How is everyone doing on Pile on the Miles??  To date I'm at 58.68 Miles logged over halfway to my 100 mile goal--I think I got this people!

Sleep tight, ya'll and...

Go Fork Yourselves,

Krissy

I WAS #1

...in my female age division---BUT STILL!!  WOOOOO!

Names blocked to protect the SMOKED competitors.  Sorry, lady, but you should have brought some utensils to eat my DUST.

That's all--I just happened to find that out right now, and wanted to share :)


Go Fork Yourselves!

Krissy aka A RUNNING GODDESS!

Drop me a 10 spot! Then 3 more!

Evenin' peeps.

First, I've got a winner for the Nathan QuickDraw and Swedish Fish Giveaway!  Melissa K of San Diego, CA.  Congrats Melissa, I hope you enjoy your bottle and delicious fish :)

Yesterday, I pulled a running milestone--my first ever double-digit run.  A 10 miler!  A 10.5 MILER no less.  I wanted to get up early and do it, miss the sun and traffic at all the intersections--but that didn't happen.  I just wasn't feeling it.  Around 11, I finally got my ass in gear.  Which was dumb, because it was now sunny, and a ton more people were out and about--oh well.  I did a far flatter road run then I usually do--a few good hills, but nothing crazy with a nice downhill to back it up.  The first few miles were kind of horrendous. I felt slow, and just "blah" in general, but somewhere around mile 4 or 5 and when Incubus and Motley Crue (don't judge me) came on the iPod I started getting into a nice groove, by the time I got home I actually felt pretty good.  I came in, chucked my shoes in the closet, ripped on my capris and sat my ass in our freezing pool in my skivvies.  My legs LOVED it--and though uncomfortable at first, the rest of me settled in to sit and soak my torn up legs.  That along with my chocolate milk led to a much easier recovery, and less soreness all the way around.

Yummy...

And my pace was fuckin' 9:31/mile--sub 10? Over ten miles? Are you kidding?  Awesome!

Considering I burned off 1200+ calories and the fact that I scheduled a 5k for the Sunday directly after my long run (Sorta dumb, sometimes.), My husband and I decided that we would make his mom's FAMOUS 'Special Meal' for dinner.  Mac and cheese (it's still carbs with the cheese, so shut it ;)  )  cut up hotdogs and peas.  I did lessen the caloric hit with using Hebrew National's 97% Fat Free hot dogs--45 calories a dog vs. 140-300 calorie regular dog?  Yeah, it's still good, too.


I know some people have issues with Hot-doggery, and I get it--so I would suggest chicken breast as well--taste really good in there, too--just more time consuming cooking it prior to the macaroni. 

So, yeah, make the mac and cheese, stir in the peas and hot dog--dinner.  It's really good--comfort food--I eat it with chopsticks so that I don't shovel it down too quickly.  Next time I'll try to remember to take a picture.  That plus James Bond (the last one--Quantum of Solace, I think?) since we're going to see the new one this evening, made for a relaxing evening.

This morning I work up and my right hip felt out of whack.  Great, first 'official' running race ever and I'm busted up.  Popped 4 ibuprofen and just kept stretching around the house with my coffee until we left.

Can I just tell you how nervous I was?  It was silly--I think I almost convinced myself I couldn't do it--I've never "RUN" run a race before.  I walked/ran a 5k once like a few years ago, and I run by myself a lot but this was, like--my first real deal run.  Timed!  My husband was like, "Krissy, you ran 10 friggin' miles yesterday...you got 3!" 

Okay, sure. 

So, to the starting line I went, and I started to get giddy waiting--the National Anthem was played and then the air horn went off and we all took off.  I think my nervousness was getting the best of me, I felt kind of jittery that first half mile.

Dude, so nervous.

 

Then I hit mile one--8:10!  Are you joking?  I've never done an 8 min/mile  must have been the nerves and coffee.  Mile 2? Was at 15:30--Yeah, 7:20 minutes later--a new PR I'm not sure I'll ever achieve again, haha.

The last mile seemed like it took forever--they threw in a route with a bunch of hills, and I was just like, " Oh, you bitches."  Then some crazy wind right in the face. 

I crossed the finish line at 28:00 and change--beating a little challenge to myself of a 30 min 5k.  Nice!  24th overall in the race and 2nd in my age division--WHAT?! WHAT!?  I was so stoked I did a little celebration "WOO!" (no one else did, because apparently they aren't that awesome) at the finish line--my husband caught me.

 

After that I got me a little bit of banana, water, and Gatorade--good times--farted around a little, played with some doggies (it was Run for the Rovers bluedogrescue.com--so dog adoptions!), and then I was ready to go home and shower!

Farting around, looking like hell.



Me and the hubs-super stoked, throwing up the deuces

All in all--it was SO FUN, and now that I've popped my "running-the-whole race" cherry, I hope the nervousness will subside next time! 

After this--we went to our favorite Sunday spot--Café 620 here in Round Rock and got me some pancakes.  YES.

You know what the BEST part of today was, my husband said to me in the car ride to the race, "You know you're really inspiring me to get some jogging going."  Oh, man, doing some fun races with the hubby would be awesome :) <3


Alright folks, hope you all had/are having a fantabulous weekend--can't wait to see Skyfall at the Alamo Drafthouse tonight--If you're ever in Austin go see a movie there--I can't go anywhere else now, I'm completely spoiled.


With love and smelly socks,

Go Fork Yourselves,

<3 Krissy

Well, this week sucks.

WHA WHA--Debbie Downer, right?  Sorry, guys.

I AM EXHAUSTED--this week at work, THREE DAYS MIND YOU have been hell.  Last week I was by myself in our office, caring for patients, scheduling, calling patients, answering all calls, preparing all types of specimens, verifying insurances, taking payments--everything, dude.   Then, along again Monday and Tuesday.  Just ridiculous.  I am so tired, I feel like someone took the wind out of my sails--to use that ol' chestnut.

Today, I had to go to the dentist *shudder* because I have been suffering some serious mouth pain.  Turns out the last dentist I went to didn't seal up my filling correctly, so the cavity still grew underneath said filling.  Now I need a root canal.  Fucking awesome.  Booked that for Friday morning to get that done with as soon as I possibly can, because holy mother, my jaw is KILLING ME.   Antibiotics and pain pills to get me through.

UGH.  With a side of  BLECH.

Being the optimist (shut your dirty mouth, I am) I am, all this aggravation and and pain has done wonders in my running world--After Saturday's 9 miler, I was thinking Sunday would be an off day.  Then I saw the Run4Nyc.com link and decided to do the 5K for it.   Monday was causing me to be in a god-awful mood, so before talking to anyone after work, I ran--planned for 4, went 5+--nice!  Same deal on Tuesday, went for 4, and today I figured I'd squeeze in something before going to our friends' house to babysit to try and bring down my mouth pain naturally for a bit--so I went a little over 3.    And, yes, 3 miles was enough to get those endorphins kicking and really did help with pain for a bit--even though it was a really shitty feeling run. On all these runs my paces are getting better, even though I've felt slower--which is weird, right? I'm getting a bad read on myself!  No matter, it's kind of amazing how all this is panning out this week.

17.25 Miles already this week and I've still got a few days and a long run to go.  This will be a solid mileage week, people.

Found out on Monday that I've been picked as both a FitApproach.com's Sweat Pink Ambassador, as well as a GirlsGoneSporty.com Ambassador.  Seriously! Check out my new badges in the sidebar.  Totally psyched!  I've been working on all my profile stuff for both sites tonight (since I finally had the chance to sit down and do so), and hope that I'll be able to reach out to even more folks.  Even if I can only inspire ONE, I'll be overjoyed.  Helping people is my 'thing' and want to do as much as I can while I'm around (way to be morbid, Krissy...).

Got all my goodies from Amazon that I mentioned in my last post, and I'll let you know more about them when I can properly use them for my long run on Saturday--give you the low-down, although so far, the Headsweats hat is pretty great--no more sweat in my eyeballs, yay!

Signed up for another race or two, which you can check out here.

Think that's about it for tonight--this post was some serious brain vomit.  Sorry if it's all over the place--this is my brain right now!

How's everyone doing on the Pile On The Miles?  Currently at 31.38 Miles of the 100 pledged.  So far, so good--it's only November 7th, after all.


Alright people, let get through the get of this week, huh?


Go Fork Yourselves,

Krissy<3