August run stats

August was a great month of running. I ran a total 144 miles! That is the most miles I have ever run in a month. Before August 2013, I think the most I ran was 120. Last month, I ran 112.

August running thoughts:

• I can consistently run longer distances. I ran 19 times with an average distance of 7.5 miles.
• I am more consistent with my training. Much better than last year.
• My weekly/monthly mileage is increasing and I feel good. I run an average of 36 miles per week.
• I'm ahead of pace on my goal to run 1,000 miles in 2013:

675 miles down, 325 to go ... #1000miles

• I'm still not sure about my marathon pace. 
• I understand that my long runs are supposed to be slow, but I feel that I may be running them too slow. I'm worried that I won't be able to run the pace I need for that long.
• Compression tights are my friend.
• Running on the treadmill isn't really that bad. I am starting to like it.
• I need to increase my protein intake; specifically, immediately following a workout. 
• I have to work on my post-workout nutrient timing. I am not getting what I need within the optimal 30 - 60 minutes.
• My Michael Jackson running playlist is the best playlist ever!
• I am feeling much better now that I no longer drink coffee. People are still EXTRA shocked by this (tell me how you really feel). I thought I needed the caffeine boost every day; especially, before workouts. Turns out, I don't need it after all.
• I have two 20-mile runs coming up in September and I am still not sure how I feel about it *insert blank stare. I know I can get through one, but two?!

How was your month of running? Share your stats (show your pace so I know its real).

-Run

Running in my sleep

I finally dragged myself to the gym this week. Monday was a scheduled off day, so no problem there. Tuesday, I was supposed to do a track workout with the BGR! Indy ladies. But I struggle to make it out there because we meet at 6:30 or 7 and that is too late for me. Lately, I've been getting so tired in the afternoon that the idea of going to the track to run sprints had me feeling like this guy ...

I had every intention of going to meet the ladies at the track, but by 4 o'clock my eyes were burning from being so tired. A little bit defeated, I went home so that I could go to bed and wake up early for a morning run. I did go to bed early, but I only slept for 3 hours. Tha-ree hours?!

I could not go back to sleep after this. I tossed and turned for hours. When my alarm went off at 4:30 for my morning run, there was no way in hell I was getting up. So I changed the alarm and rolled back over. I vowed to myself all day that I was going to run this afternoon. Of course I was ridiculously tired this afternoon, but I was determined to get a run in today. I try not to go more than two days without running. I changed my clothes at the office and drove straight to the gym. I hooked up Breaking Bad on my iPad and settled in for a run.

8 miles later, I am glad that I got a run in, but I HAVE to do something about this sleep. I cannot deal with this much longer.

Y'all got any sleep tips? I need 'em man.

-Run

Marathon Training Crew

It is my distinct pleasure to introduce you to my marathon training crew:

Back row: Brooks Adrenaline 12 and 13
Front: Brooks Pure Flow, Brooks Adrenaline 12

Now all five pairs of shoes aren't absolutely necessary, but I do believe every runner should have three pairs of training shoes: Two pairs to rotate for longer runs and another pair for shorter speed workouts. Read more about why you should rotate your shoes here. 

Some of you may be surprised that I don't wear Nikes. Anyone who knows me, knows how I stan for Nike products. I love Nike gear for their exceptional quality and performance. However, in training for my first two marathons, I realized that I needed a different shoe. I was feeling some knee pain towards the end of my training, but pushed through it. After the marathons were over, I consulted the Runner's World Shoe Finder to think about different shoes. I landed on the Brooks Adrenaline GTS and I love them.  I needed a structured shoe for mild pronation, that also had a decent amount of cushion. The Adrenaline gave me exactly what I needed. 

The jury is still out on the Pure Flow, but I've run a few speed workouts in them. My foot hurt really bad after the last time I wore them so I don't entirely trust them right now. I have no idea if my pain had anything to do with my shoes, but we runners can be a little superstitious; hence, the fifth pair of shoes. I recently bought another pair of Adrenaline (the pink on the front row). What color is that, do you ask? They are aptly named Diva Pink. Indeed.

Who's on your marathon training crew?

-Run

Marathon Training: Week 8 Recap

Last week was a pretty good week of training. It was a step-back week where I slightly reduced my mileage; specifically, the long run. I decided to break away from my training plan a little bit and run every other day, instead of the scheduled Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday.

Monday.
Rest

Tuesday.
I got up early to run a 10-mile tempo at marathon pace. It felt good, even though I had some doubts during the run. I was still feeling a little something in my foot so I iced it after. Side note: getting ready for work after a morning run is a production. I have to wash my hair, sit under the dryer (while icing whatever needs to be iced), curl my hair, get dressed and oh yeah, eat. Thee struggle.

Wednesday.
Rest

Thursday.
Another morning workout. The goal was to run 8 miles, but I got extremely tired around mile 7, but I kept going for a few more minutes until my show ended. Sometimes when I run on the treadmill, I bring my iPad and watch Netflix.  I decided to shut it down at 7.5 because it wasn't worth it to continue to struggle. I stretched and resumed my morning struggle before work.

Beware if I offer you popcorn from this bowl. I put my foot in it. I wash it after every use, but I want you to make an informed decision.

Friday.
No running, but I walked a mile during my lunch break to pick up my packet for the Colts Back to Football 5k.


Saturday.
I got up early to run 6 miles before the 5k. My training plan called for 10 to 12 miles. With the 5k, I knew that I wouldn't get to 12, but because it was a lower volume week, it didn't matter as much. My goal was to run easy for an hour, change into dry clothes (I sweat like crazy), then run over to the race start. That worked out pretty well. I listened to Jerry Seinfeld's comedy album "And I am Telling You For the Last Time" to make sure that I kept the pace slow. His helmet bit is my favorite on the album. Side bar: When I want a break from music I listen to comedy on my long runs. Seinfeld and Chris Rock's Roll with the New are my favs right now. I also like Jim Gaffigan's station on iHeartRadio. After my 6 mile "warm-up," I ran the 5k. Read my race recap here.


Sunday.
My legs were pretty tired and my hamstrings were sore, but I got up anyway to run the Central Canal Tow Path with the Black Girls Run! Indianapolis ladies.  I am really starting to love these Sunday runs. It's a beautiful route with amazing company. A few of the lades also ran the 5k so we were all running on tired legs; however, we made it through 7 miles.

BGR! Indy Sunday Tow Path crew. 

We followed the run with a trip to Starbucks and a bagel at Ripple Bagel & Deli. I had "The Big N." I went home to an ice bath (Gucci Mane burr) and spent the rest of the day lounging in my compression tights.

Individually, it may not seem like a great week of training. Collectively, however, it was an amazing week. I was able to get in two longer tempo runs, I was able to adequately rest and recover, and I learned how it feels to really push through towards a goal.  I'm going to keep on pushing.

-Run

PS. S/O to Eat, Pray, Run DC for the blog post idea.

Sunday List

Things I'm loving this with this week ...

Adobo seasoning with cumin. I have been putting Adobo seasoning on everything and I mean everything: rice, stir fry, eggs, pop corn (awesome!), avocados, tomatoes, chicken, tuna, the list goes on...

Pinterest. When do I not love Pinterest? It's the greatest list of ideas. I have made so many recipes from that site. My favorite boards right now are: Avocados, Pumpkin, Rings, Nutrition and I Want. If you need ideas for my birthday in a few weeks, feel free to find them on my Pinterest page. And Pinterest accidentally built a better search engine than google (according to Buzzfeed).

LinkedIN. I finally updated my profile earlier this month and have been using the site a lot. I like interacting with people on a professional level and building my network. I especially appreciate the various articles posted there. It is a great way to connect, professionally. Thanks to Frank A. for the great advice to start using LinkedIN. Connect with here.

Compression tights. These things are a God send after a hard weekend of running. They help my legs recover much faster than rest alone. My compression tights and Citadel blanket have become a Sunday afternoon routine during marathon training.

-Run

Colts 5K race recap

The Indianapolis Colts Back to Football 5k was the coolest race ever! I had a great time. The NFL Run Series / Colts crew did everything right for this race, starting with the wave start. Pace sings were posted and runners were asked to choose the corral closest to their expected finish time. More importantly, those with strollers and those who planned to walk were asked to line up in the last corral. This is very important because I feel that race directors can be laissez-faire about 5ks and just let the runners/walkers do what they want. In fact, many of the runners with strollers and walkers who get up front do so because they think they are "getting out of the way." Um, no. You are doing the exact opposite. Other things they did right:

• Hosting packet pick-up the day before.
• Including d-tags for timing
• Each runner/walker received a t-shirt and a medal. 

You don't usually see all of these details with a 5K. Kudos to the the race directors for setting this up properly.

I lined up in the 8-minute mile corral, but soon realized that I was with the 7-minute mile runners. It was too late to move. Whoops. Next, someone beautifully sang the National Anthem and we were ready for the 10-second count down.

In that moment, I thought to myself that this is going to be fun. I'm here to run and have a great time. I got up earlier that morning to run an easy 6 miles before the race so I wasn't exactly on fresh legs, but I was definitely warmed up. I am still in the midst of marathon training and since Saturdays are my long runs, I waned to get it in early. In this step-back week, my long run goal was 10-12 miles. I was close.

The horn sounded and we are off. I started my watch as I crossed the timing matt. I didn't want to go out too fast for the first mile. I have a pretty decent kick if I don't do too much too soon. I ran the first mile around 8:30 and it felt great. I thought that I should increase the pace a bit to mile 2, but somewhere around mile 1.4, my GPS watch lost its signal. Miffed by what was going on with my watch, I slowed down. I quickly regrouped, set my watch to view time elapsed and set my focus back on the run. 2 miles in (not sure of the time) I still felt good. At this point, I started to pick up the pace even more. I set my eyes on a runner in front of me to pass. I would catch them, pass them and find a new target. This worked out pretty well for about three quarters of a mile then I started to fade. Whoa. I started feeling every bit of the 6 miles I ran earlier, the only 4 hours of sleep I got the night before and the bright sun beaming down on us.

"I can't stop now," I said to myself. We were nearing the chute to enter the stadium. Who slows down in the home stretch? We turn a corner into a parking lot at Lucas Oil Stadium, less than 100 yes from the field. I catch a glimpse of the 3-mile marker ahead and just go for it. I used the down hill to my advantage and really picked up speed. We ran through the back of the stadium and up the chute to the field. The finish line was near.

Another totally awesome thing about this race was that they set up special timing matts to time each runner in their final 40 yards of the race. Awards go to the top male and top female 40yd dash time. I heard the announcer remind the incoming runners of the 40yd dash challenge and I turned it on full speed. I used all of my sprinter skills to race to the finish line. I can't wait to find out what my 40 time was. My best while a sprinter at Coastal was 4.7. I doubt I did that today, but I felt pretty darn fast coming through the finish. I was so focused on the final 40 that I didn't see my final time. I assume I finished somewhere between 25 and 26 minutes. Not bad. Not bad at all.

The race ended with runners hanging out on the football field.  As I looked up at the stands, I was in awe of how cool this was. What an amazing race!

I finished on the 50!

The medal.

BGR! Indy ladies that ran the 5K

Sweet finisher t-shirt

Colts Cheerleaders

What is your favorite race? Are any of you going to run this 5K in your area?

-Run

My boyfriend is back

NFL football is back! We have been blessed with some decent preseason games and I absolutely cannot wait until the season officially starts. If you know me, you know that I am a huge Washington Redskins Fan.

Hail to the Redskins #HTTR

Funny thing is, when I started watching football (I think I was in middle school) with my dad and my brother, we always watched the Colts and the Cowboys (shhh ... don't tell anyone). That doesn't mean I was a fan, I just learned the game by watching them. Like the son from this 80's PSA: "You alright, I learned it by watching you!"

What was the point of this post? Oh, right. Football. Football is back and to honor this fine institution returning to us, many of the clubs have organized a Back to Football 5k as a part of the NFL Run Series. How awesome is this? It combines two of my favorite things: running and football. The Indianapolis Colts are one of twelve clubs hosting this event with proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association. And this supports a good cause ... I am all about it. 

The run will take place this Saturday, the morning of the Colts vs Browns game. The race course starts and finishes at Lucas Oil Stadium and will take runners and walkers through downtown Indianapolis. The BEST part about this race (as if there isn't enough already) is that the finish line is located inside Lucas Oil Stadium ... on the 50-yard line. So, I get to finish on the 50? Can Andrew Luck throw me a pass as I race to the finish? I'll run a post and take it to the house. Surely Papa Irsay can make that happen.

As you can tell, I am really excited about this race. It should be really fun. I am also happy to be running a race that has nothing to do with marathon training. The miles are ticking up and every workout is important. This weekend, however, I can just go out and have fun. I'm not setting a time goal or attempting to set a 5k PR. I'm just gonna put on the Colts jersey my brother bought me and my Indy 500 tempo shorts and have a good time.

Dedicating this race to my dad who was a huge Indianapolis Colts fan. May he rest in peace.

Who's running with me? Anyone else planning to run a Back to Football 5K in your area? To all my DC peeps, the Redskins are hosting their run on September 7th. Register here. 

-Run

Race pace

Workout of the day (WOD): 10 miles at marathon race pace. My marathon goal is to beat Oprah finish under 04:30:00; that is a consistent 10:18 per mile... for 26 miles, 385 yards. I ran my first marathon in 04:55:00, and because it was the first I had absolutely no time expectations. My goal was to finish on my feet.

Today's mid-week tempo run was designed to help me get a feel of race pace and a feel for sustaining that pace over 26.2 miles (I know its only Tuesday, but every run outside of the weekend long run is usually referred to as a mid-week run).  After two days of rest, I got up early to get after it.

I started with an easy mile, then stopped to stretch. I felt good for the next four miles then started to get a little hungry. I popped in a couple Gatorade chews, took a sip of water and kept it moving. (Side note: I love these Gatorade chews. I swore by them while training for the Chicago Marathon last year and I still do.)

The orange are my fav

Around mile 7, I started to get tired. I knew I could finish, but I didn't expect to feel tired at this point, or at all actually. I wouldn't categorize it as an easy pace, but it wasn't exactly hard either. I was still in the target range on the Borg RPE scale:

As I started to feel uncomfortable, I also started to worry about my pace and my goal. Will I be able to sustain this pace? Is my goal too ambitious? Will I be able to accomplish it? I tried to push these doubts from my mind and not let them get me down. Let's focus on the positives:

• I finished the workout as planned, slightly faster than race pace at an average 10:08 per mile. 
• When I think about it, I probably could have run another 3 miles at that pace.
• But thats only half way. Half way there.

I'm going to have to train hard and find a way to keep this up for the second half of the race. This is going to be harder than I expected; but I am healthy, strong, determined and ready for the challenge. 68 days and counting ...

How is your race training going? Are you on track to meeting your goals?

-Run

PS. Read more about the Beat Oprah marathon goal and other famous Marine Corps Marathon finishers here.

PPS. Did Oprah have abs?

Old man game

Somehow, I have a way of attracting older men. I don't know what it is about me that older men seem to pick up on, but no matter where I go they find me. My good friend MJ gets on me about it all the time. He calls it "old man game."

By old, I mean at least 25 to 30 years my senior. One guy had a daughter older than me. Another was only slightly younger than my dad. Sir, stop. 

These old men swoop in and are relentless in their pursuit. Unlike younger men, or men my age, they absolutely do not take no for an answer. Take this guy that I met at the movie theatre on Saturday afternoon...

He refused to leave me alone. I tried to be nice so as not to hurt grandpa's feelings, but he would not go away. 

Him: "I have a phone. You have a phone. Let me call you sometime. We can talk on the phone." 

Me: "I'm not interested."

Him: "you'll change your mind. Why don't you give me your number for when you change your mind." 

Me: "No, I won't."

Him: "you sure you won't change your mind? I think you will change your mind. Give me your number. Ill call you." 

Me: "No. I won't change my mind"

Him: "I'm not married. Never been married. I got my own apartment. I'm not rich. No, I wouldn't say I was rich. But I have a phone. I'll call you."

Me: *blank stare o_____o

This is what I get for being on time. I was just minding my business, waiting to meet a friend for an afternoon movie. She was running late, so that left pop pop with his grand opportunity to try to score with a young woman. What in the entire hell was this? Why am I such an old man magnet? Whatever it is that I am doing, please let me know so that I can immediately cease and desist because this can't be life. 

SMH ...

-Run

PS, his shirt reads: "it's mandatory to grow old. It's optional to grow up." 

PPS, there aren't enough side-eyes in the world for this foolishness. 

Today

Today was a lazy day. It was a compression tights, Citadel blanket, Chinese food and Netflix kind of day.

That is all. 

-Run

Running and dreaming

I got out early this morning for a 15-mile training run. My foot felt much better after a few days of rest. a little ibuprofen and lots of ice. Lots of ice. I ran an easy 3.5 miles yesterday to see how it feels. My goal was to run 5 miles, but since my foot felt okay, I decided to shut it down early so that I could finish my Saturday long run as scheduled. It worked and it was awesome.

77 miles already this month. Woot!

The amazing part of my run this morning was that I was able to breeze right through it (well, at least the first ten miles). How, do you ask? I had a dream. During the run, I recognized that this dream could very well come true. And soon. It was beautiful. I got more and more excited with each step (I had to check myself around mile 8 because I was going too fast). I don't want to elaborate more than that right now, but I cannot wait to tell you guys about it. Amazing things are happening right now.

How was your weekend long run? Solve any of the world's problems or your own?

-Run

Love does.

My favorite song right now is Brandon Heath's latest Love Does



He wrote the song to honor a friend, author Bob Goff. Goff is the founder and CEO of Restore International, a non-profit addressing the injustices committed against children around the world. Read more about why Brandon Heath wrote the song over at KLove.

I love this song for its simple, yet powerful lyrics:

This one goes out to the world changer
Shining your light in the face of danger.
Oh, tell us what you know.  

You're a saint, you're a son, you're a promise keeper.
Bottom of the well still digging down deeper.
Oh, how far you gonna go?" 

Chasing down hope.
Moving on dreams.
Taking that path.
Maybe it'll lead you home.
Maybe it won't.

For those of us who fight every day, in our own way, to make a difference in this world. This song is for you. This song gives hope and confirmation that small efforts create powerful change. This path you've taken, the things you try in hopes that one day you will truly make a difference, may look like they aren't leading you anywhere. Maybe it will. Maybe it won't, but love knows every step. Love knows every good thought. Even if no one else ever sees. Even when you feel like your small contribution doesn't matter. Know that it does. Because, Love does.

Nobody knows why your heart is broken
Nobody cries while your prayers are going up
But, Love does 

Nobody walks on the road you're paving
Nobody sees all the souls you're saving
Oh, but Love does
Love does.

Keep going. Every drop you make is counted and multiplied. It may not be visible to you now, but eventually you will see how every good thing makes a difference. Maybe you won't, but that is why we have faith. That is why we believe. Because, Love does.

You are a renegade
You're an outlaw of Love's crusade
And they don't know who you are
They don't know
They don't know
But, Love does
I'm telling you, Love does

In whatever you do, in whatever you are going through know this:

Somebody knows
Somebody cries
Somebody feels
Love does. 

Somebody walks
Somebody sees
Somebody knows
Love does.

-Run

No mas

I stopped drinking coffee.  *Insert dramatic pause for shock and awe ...

Are you done? No? Ok. I'll wait.

I have been an avid coffee drinker since my second year of grad school, but for a long time I have wanted to give up drinking it. The main reason was because I hated feeling like a slave to it. I mean I could barely function before I had my morning cup of coffee. A morning cup (by cup, I mean at least 16 oz) soon turned into a late morning cup, then an afternoon cup. No mas!

I know this is hard to hear from a gold card-carrying member of he Green Cup Mafia. In fact, when I attempted to stop drinking coffee in the past, I got no support from family and friends. Everyone was like: "You?!" "You won't be able to do it." "blah blah, negative comment, blah blah blah." Let this be a lesson in "be careful who you share your dreams with." So this time around, I didn't tell anyone. I just went for it on my own. Amazing what you can do with determination and positivity.

The other reasons I stopped drinking coffee were:

• I put an inordinate amount of sugar and cream in my coffee. I was that person who had coffee with their sugar. So not drinking coffee was also a way to reduce my sugar intake.
• Green tea has antioxidants and other nutrients. Coffee does not. Coffee is not bad for you, necessarily (well, not unless you were adding the cream and sugar I was adding). See other benefits of green tea:

• Ultimately, I was consuming wayyyy too much caffeine. I think it contributed to my sleep issues. I've slept amazingly this week. Perhaps the significant reduction in caffeine contributed to that.

Now I will still retain my membership in the Green Cup Mafia, but my cup will now contain green tea. I have plenty o' mugs to choose from.

Starbucks peach green tea, unsweetened, is my new fav. I haven't had coffee in about three weeks and I don't want it anymore.

Give us free!

-Run

Running pains

I'm feeling a pain in my foot and I don't know what happened. I felt fine during my 7 mile run yesterday, but started feeling a little bit of soreness on the inside of my left ankle a few hours later. I just dismissed it and went to bed. I felt it a little more this morning and again dismissed it. I packed my gym bag for a run later and went to work as usual. As the day went on, I started to feel a little bit more pain and by the end of the work day, I decided that its best not to run today. I came home and iced it and watched some videos on Runner's World to try to figure out what's wrong.

Its not quite achilles tendinitis




or plantar fasciitis



It kind of feels somewhere in between the two. I feel pain on the inside of my ankle and sometimes in the heel too.

I feel pain around the tendon and fascia, but not actually on them. I have no idea what is going on, but I'm going to ice it, take an anti-inflammatory and rest a day or two.

I'll definitely be in soft shoe at work the rest of this week and maybe next.  I'm praying this doesn't keep me from running too long.

Anybody know what this is? or felt this kind of pain from running? Help!

-Run

Tuesday List: My Netflix Queue

Netflix is the best $7.99 I spend each month. I watch it so much that I seriously contemplated getting rid of my cable (but decided that as long as I live in this god-awful city, I should probably keep it). Here are the shows I love:

Orange is the New Black

I finished this show in about a week. I actually miss those girls. I cannot wait until season 2. Check out this NPR interview with creator/writer/producer Jenji Kohan, titled "Piper was my Trojan Horse."

Their Facebook page is pretty awesome too.











House of Cards

Another Netflix original series produced by Kevin Spacey. This show is about the dirty politics that happen in on Capitol Hill. I finished it in 3 weeks. The writing is incredible in this series and the cast delivers it effortlessly. I felt like I was back in DC. Note to self: find that hole in the wall rib shack during my next visit. The main character, played by Kevin Spacey, is from South Carolina and went to the Citadel (or The Sentinel as they portray it in the show).




Mad Men

I finished all five seasons in roughly a month. I am making myself finish another show before I purchase season 6, which is not yet available on Netflix. Oh, Don Draper, you are a great man, but a terrible husband.





How I Met Your Mother

I watched a few episodes of this show in the nail salon, of all places. The nail tech loved the show and literally stopped doing my nails to laugh at Barney's antics. He recommended that I watch it from the beginning, so I did. I really like Lilly, Marshall, Ted and even Barney. I've finished 2 of 7 seasons so far.








Breaking Bad

This show gets so much hype on twitter that I had to add it to my queue.  I didn't love it right away like the other shows on this list, but it is growing on me. I am half way through season 2 and I am interested to know whats going to happen with the science teacher and his screwball protege.






And I am watching these shows again, from the beginning ...

Law & Order

I have been a fan of Law & Order for years, but I really only started watching it in the early 2000s. This show started in 1990. The first (and best) spin-off, Law & Order: SVU actually started on my birthday 8 years later. Its interesting to see how graphics have changed in the last 20-something years as well as get a glimpse into what was going on culturally, at the time. Like in episode 3 where a man is helping men with AIDS kill themselves before they wither away and before their families find out that they are gay. In 1990, we had no idea about HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and we didn't have a full grasp on the spread of the disease. My how far we've come.

In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate, yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories.

CSI: Miami
I miss this show, but I understand why it didn't last. The writing was obvious and over-the-top. And why can't Horatio Caine ever square his shoulders toward the person he is talking to? He's always standing to the side and looking slightly over one shoulder with sun glasses in hand.

"There's a shoot out in the ER."

Numb3rs

I love the relationships among the two brothers and their dad in this show. And I can totally geek out on the data.










What's in your Neflix queue? What shows do you love right now?

-Run

Pillow Talk

This evening, I did this yoga workout from Runner's World called Pillow Talk: Gentle yoga to restore weary muscles. It is a series of gentle yoga poses using a stack of pillows or soft blankets. After running 21 miles this weekend (14 on Saturday, 7 Sunday), my body really needed a gentle stretch. Especially, after a rather painful bout of foam rolling yesterday.

Oh how glorious was this workout. I stacked four pillows on the floor of my bedroom and held each pose for at least five breaths. I feel so relaxed and calm. During the stretches, I came up with an amazing idea (that I'm not willing to share yet). I even grabbed the domain to keep it safe from someone else snatching it up. Its amazing what a calm, clear mind can accomplish.

I am going to make it a daily routine to do these gentle exercises before bed. It may even help me sleep better or help me devise a plan to save the world (from what, I am not quite sure).

Check it out for yourself here.

Namaste

-Run

It is time

Running shoes and tattoos

I read an article on Runner's World, by way of Pinterest, titled: 41 Awesome Running-Inspired Tattoos. I'm not much of a tattoo person (except for that unfortunate moment when I wanted to get a Mariah Carey rainbow butterfly tattoo. Thank God I didn't make that mistake), but I like to look at tattoos and find out what inspired the person to get that particular ink. I was even more interested in these running-inspired tattoos (though all of them are not overtly about running). Some are very detailed ...

inspiring ...  

cute ...

... while others are down right weird.

I mean, what does Steve Buscemi have to do with running? But who am I to judge what inspires another runner. We are all a little bit crazy to do what we do. To pound the pavement day after day, running to reach a goal only we can fully appreciate.

Only two tattoos into the slide show and I saw this one:

It stopped me in my tracks. I really like it and I am considering getting it. I never wanted a tattoo until I saw this one. However, my dilemma (as a tattoo virgin) is this: Where do I put it?

• Ankle?
• Achilles? (that sounds ridiculously painful)
• My friend has one on her foot that I really love (Hey Spicy!)
• The girl in the picture has it on her shoulder
• Inside of my wrist?
• Thigh?
• Calf?
• _________?

I need help from my runner friends and non-runners alike. What do you think about this tattoo and where should I put it? My birthday is coming up next month and this would be a great way to celebrate it.


-Run