Half Marathon Week 2

It's that time! Monday check in with the past week of training. To start off, I've noticed some tugging and pain in my IT band on the left leg. I'm praying like crazy I'm able to avoid being sidelined by it. If anyone has some sure fire ways of healing it (besides foam rolling it) I'm all ears! I also have shin splints in my right leg, but I believe as I swim more and stretch those muscles, it'll work itself out. I will ice and roll as needed and wear Procompression socks also. Back muscle recovery is coming along. The massage therapist said she was able to feel individual muscles this time instead of one big brick, so that's good progress. I will continue to work on loosening those muscles at home with the theracane I'm borrowing, my Original Worm and utilizing my tens unit between those appointments. I'm anxious to start lifting weights because of the pain I had experienced which finally drove me to the chiropractor in the first place, but I know it's time. I'll admit, I'm also dealing with the "I don't wanna look like a wimp lifting such light weights at the gym" social stigma. I'm vain, just like the next person, but I need to start somewhere and light is where to start.

Monday was swim day!! I actually really look forward to this workout, but it was really cold that day (wind and rain) and getting myself out the door to the gym took some serious effort. I finally made it down there, and of course loved it! The workout this time was 20 sets of swim down, rest 15 sec, kick back, rest 20 sec. I felt pretty strong but noticed that, as with running, when I start to get tired my form slips. Something I really need to clean up for a more streamlined workout. My treat when I'm done? The steam room and the jacuzzi!! My Garmin doesn't track swimming inside of a gym (no satellite pick up) and also doesn't track lap pace very well anyway, but I am able to use it to track time and splits. It took me a little bit to get into that groove and how I wanted to record each split. Once I figured it out (it took three individual workouts, haha) it was perfect! I'm able to go into Garmin Connect and adjust it to a swim workout and leave a note for myself.

Next up, track Tuesday with Brecka! It was our first ladder workout ever. I was both excited to do something different, but also anxious at the speeds we needed to hold. Then there's time conversion. I'm not strong in math at all, so figuring out the time we needed to run a 600 meter and 1200 meter in was a struggle. My rough estimate got us pretty close, so just some minor adjustments need to be made for the future. The workout went as follows 400 @ 2:00, 600 @ 3:02, 800 @ 4:05, 1200 @ 6:13 and then back down again. There was a 400 meter recovery between each split (one lap around the track). I ran most of them, but walked the ones sandwiching the 1200. I was spent. The first part of the workout I was fighting to stay down in the required split time, the back end of the workout I was struggling to stay up. I managed to nail each speed, but what a struggle!! We included the warm up and cool down, something we're  going to be pretty strict about. We don't have another workout like this one in the plan, but it was good to get that experience. It's something I could do just to shake things up when I'm not really training!

Flowers after a rough day!

Emergency hair cut! At 9:00 pm!

Wednesday. Oh Wednesday. I had a chiropractic and massage therapy appt scheduled for Friday, and then we were headed out of town, so I knew I wasn't going to be available for the second cross training day. I decided earlier in the week that I'd do it Wednesday. And then. Life. Work was awful. I'm an aide in the special education program and work mostly in autism. This year I have some "unofficial" kids I help, so I'm really busy! Anyway, I spent the whole morning almost begging the kids to do their work! When I got home, my three sweet children decided to show me just how hard parenting these ages can be! It was NOT a win for the Owens family. By the time I was done dealing with each situation it was nearly 10:00 pm!! Some will say "No Excuses!" But I say, some days, it's okay to throw in the towel and say enough is enough! I ate a chocolate candy bar and sat in a bath of Epsom salts and my sweet husband rubbed out my back and legs! It was more appreciated than he may ever know!

Thursday is tempo day!! I actually kind of like tempo Thursday, and this time I got to run with Brecka, which I won't get to do very often for this run! We were both signed up to run the Girls Run Fast virtual 10k, so we used this run to help knock that out! Our warm up mile was probably a little too slow, but regardless the tempo miles (supposed to be 9:15) were spot on (slightly faster, but that's okay)! Thank goodness for a cool down mile, I was sucking air by the end of that and was grateful for the slower pace!! Phew! I can't wait to get my medal for this race! It's cute!

Friday, of course, unplanned rest day. The chiropractor is always tough (though my adjustment was kinda sub par this time) and massage therapy is NOT the same as a massage at Massage Envy! Holy hurt! I know long term it's going to really help a lot, but it definitely takes my breath away!

What happened to me on Saturday is why you check and double check what week you just looked at on your plan. I thought I was supposed to do 10 miles. I was a week ahead and really should've only done 9!!! It's only one extra mile, but that extra mile was TOUGH!!! I was in Tucson visiting my parents and did not sleep hardly at all that night. I had a great reason to skip it, and almost did, but knew I needed to get out there. I geared up and left an hour later than planned.

This went uphill forever!!! One of the only sidewalks.

I forgot there are virtually NO SIDEWALKS where I live in Tucson and had to run in the dirt and rocks on the shoulder of the road, BARELY OFF the road! So scary! I kept a keen eye on the traffic ahead of me and took advantage of any breaks where I could run on the street instead. One of the streets was ALL UP HILL! I knew it would be, but I underestimated how it would feel. I was struggling so hard! I knew my pace would slow right away and I was okay with it, but I wasn't prepared for how this would feel. By mile 3 I was walking! I don't see it as a weakness at all. My poor body needed the break. It wasn't much elevation gain truthfully, but it was more than I was used to.

Dirt path to help the mental game!

Honey packets and Cocogo for the win!

I made a quick pit stop at the grocery store and then another at a convenience store down the road. Now I was running on familiar territory from old cross country and track years at this point. I found a dirt path that we used to run down all the time, so I decided to off road it a little bit. I remember it being longer, but it was nice for the mental game that was happening. I came out, fueled up with honey packets and Cocogo, and dug deep to finish up. Those last 4 miles were something else. I started to bring my pace back down, but couldn't keep it. It's okay though. This is where ending at the scheduled 9 miles would've been nice, haha! That 10th was sooo hard, I was running back up a hill to finish, and well, it wasn't pretty.

I'm still very happy with this training program and am looking forward to week three. My goal this week, to attempt to PR my turkey trot on Thursday, and to quite drinking soda and reevaluate how I'm eating to get back on track. Also, I HAVE to get in that second cross training workout! It will happen this week!

How do you recover after a hard week of training?

Half Marathon Training Starts!!

So, I'm going to try something a little different this training cycle while preparing for the Phoenix Half Marathon. I'm going to try and blog about it! This is only my third year running again, and still my first year racing. I've done two half marathons and a few 5k's, a 12k and a 10k. So I'm still learning about what works for me and what doesn't. For my first half marathon I used the Runkeeper app and a training plan it had. It was A LOT of miles and I wound up grounded for three weeks with horrible IT band pain the month before the race. I still made it to the starting line, but I was still injured.

I had been looking into using a different training plan, but didn't know which one. There are so many out there, each promising to get you right where you wanna be. Then one night my best running friend, Brecka, messaged me and said she was pretty sure she's going to use the Run Less Run Faster program to train, and asked what I was going to use.

Now this is a plan I had looked at, but haven't heard much about. I figured, if I use it, we could train together and maybe it would help keep me on track to have a friend to run with and an accountability partner for completing cross training workouts. So I bought the app for my phone, ordered the book from Amazon, set a finish time, and got excited at the prospect of not having to run as much using this program.

Current read. We affectionately call it the "Running Bible" or the "RB".

I haven't quite finished reading the book, I'm almost done, but I LOVE the way training is set up! 3 running days and 2 cross training days. The running days include a track workout, a tempo workout, and a long run, all paces are worked out for you based on your time from a finished race and desired finish time. The cross training for each week has already been planned as well, all you have to decide is which of the two workouts you want to do. There's a lot of information in the book. If you plan to use the program I suggest buying it. Here at Amazon it's cheaper than in the bookstore.

I'm choosing to not disclose my finish time, simply because everyone has some kind of opinion of how fast someone should be able to run. If you follow the same plan, you may be able to figure that out of course.

I have chosen to use the swim as one of my cross training workouts and will alternate between the bike and rowing for the other one. I will also be adding in some strength training to help build muscle and for overall strength and health, even though the plan doesn't necessarily recommend that.

I've just finished week one. I'm starting off injured, which of course isn't ideal, but I know if I listen closely to my body, I should be okay. Monday and Friday will be cross training days, Tuesday track, Thursday tempo and Saturday long run with Wednesday and Sunday as rest days.

Monday's swim workout was actually quite easy. It involved 20 lengths of the pool only kicking with 30sec rest in between. I was a swimmer in a past life, so it really wasn't difficult and made me want to do more, but I'm going to trust the process and follow the plan as closely as I can. In the book it talks about how swimming can loosen the ankles of a runner and help with lower leg power. I also wear short flippers (Finnis Zoomers) which I've read help force your feet to kick the right way. I always wind up with minor shin splints when I start swimming again, I'm hoping that it's just all of the muscles loosening up and the issue will be a short lived one. I also lifted a small circuit of lighter weights for legs that day. I have a hamstring injury (likely tight muscles) and am trying to help strengthen my legs overall. I really miss lifting and am happy to be back in the gym again.

Tuesday was my first track workout and the first workout I was able to do with Brecka! She'd never done speed work like this before so I was pretty excited for her and for our chance to run together!! The workout called for 12 times 400 lengths at 2:00 each and a 90 sec recovery interval. My legs were pretty sore from the previous day's weight lifting, but I managed to nail each one of them at 1:59. We are also doing the required warm up and cool down, which I've never done before, but we're both pretty serious about not getting more, or re, injured!

Wednesday was a rest day, and thank goodness for that! I'm already tired!!

Thursday had me a little worried. The first two miles were to be spent warming up and working your way to your tempo pace. I had not run at any of those paces in a really long time and was anxious at the prospect of having to do so now. What if I bombed it?!! After a quick pep text from Brecka I finally made my way out there to tackle it. Not even a mile in, my Garmin died. That can't be a good sign right? I walked myself home and charged it up just enough to finish the workout. To my surprise, I completely nailed every pace and held the tempos 100% steady! That is a good feeling!
 

Friday was meant to be a cross training day, and I was looking forward to it, but I was having some serious pain in my lower back. I had inadvertently bruised some muscles while trying to roll out my upper back where there's another injury (super tight lats and traps). I decided to rest so I would be ready for the long run on Saturday. It was a good choice. I'll get the second cross training workout this week.

Saturday's run was pretty much perfect! It was amazing weather, a little cold, but not so bad it was uncomfortable, sunny (eventually, we started in the dark) and gorgeous! Brecka and I nailed paces, though a little scattered, and came in under the recommended pace time by 5 sec. Not something we should necessarily do, but GPS is a little wonky on the canal, so we'll make do.

Overall this week's training was pretty much perfect! I loved every minute of it. The sore muscles (not the painful ones), the nerves, the success, the friend! It was great. Some things I still need to work on... adding in upper body lifting. I'm recovering from too tight muscles in my left traps and lats and have been given permission from the chiropractor to start lifting light weights, but to be careful. I will hopefully have another appt this weekend to help work out the knots. I also need to start eating way better. I am not currently eating to perform, and that is not okay. The demands of training means I've got to fuel right. I'm learning, and I'll get there.

If you're still here reading, congrats! That was a lot to go through, haha! Thanks for sticking around and following my journey thus far! I am excited for this training cycle and where I could be in the next 16 weeks! Maybe a PR!

  

Also, are you wondering about the wraps I'm wearing with the positive mantras on them?  Let me tell you about them quickly.  I'll do a separate post about them in further detail, later.  The company is called Momentum Jewelry and the wraps I'm wearing are Motivate Wraps.  I've recently become an ambassador for them, and I couldn't be more excited!!  Right now if you sign up at their website to receive their newsletter (don't worry, they won't spam you), you will receive a 20% coupon code to order from them!!  Sounds like a good deal to me!!  I LOVE my wraps and recently made a huge order.  I've already got in mind the next ones I want for my next order!!  Head over now and get signed up!!

Tuvizo 2 Go Waist Pack

I have been lucky enough to be asked by Tuvizo to ambassador for them. What an honor to be asked by a small company to help get the word out there about their brand! I'm completely humbled by their faith in me.

As you may remember, I mentioned I would be testing out their new 2 go waist pack this week. You may have heard of other sport belts out there. They are of varying sizes and have different styles of pockets. Tuvizo has thrown their hat into the ring with their belt and I can give you an idea of how it works for me!

The first thing I always think, is running. How can this work for me to run? I hate carrying things in my hands as I run (though I do make exceptions for handheld water bottles as long as they work well) so using a waist pack has come in very handy for me. I have one I use regularly, but am always willing to try new things. Tuvizo asked if I'd test it out for them and write an honest review, and of course I said, yes! Send it on out!

***Disclaimer: I received a free pack in exchange for my review. Below are my own honest opinions on the pack.

I've been able to take this out on two different runs. One was a speed workout on the track, and the other was a long run of moderate speed. I also wore it to the gym, because having to carry around your keys, phone, headphones, and anything else (ipod, mp3 players, whatever it is) is annoying having to pick them up from and drop onto the floor, the whole time your there, as you move from one machine to the next. And how many of us have accidentally left keys in the treadmill bottle holder? Well, I guess maybe just me, but I'm sure there's someone else out there who does that stuff from time to time!

Front view

Headphone slot in the back of the pack.

The first thing I noticed right away was the size of the pocket! It's huge, without looking huge! My phone EASILY fit inside of it...along with fuel for the long run, my keys... and I had so much room to spare. Looking for things inside it is not hard, and even with all of that it there, it laid pretty flat against my body for discreet use. I also noticed there is a headphone port in the back of the pack, which I have never seen in a belt before!! I lost my headphones, so I currently don't need that option, but it actually made me pretty excited to see it! The second thing was how stretchy the elastic waist belt part was. The elasticity of the Tuvizo vest is perfect, but I was a little worried about it for the belt and bounce. The third and final thing, is the weight... or the lack of weight!! It is such a light pack!!! I love that!

For the gym, I loved the Tuvizo pack. It was easy to get at everything in it. I used the elliptical without noticing any bounce in the belt and then was able to lift weights with it on. The only machine I had a hard time with was the leg press, I pushed the buckle of the belt into my back, which of course hurt pretty badly. It was the only one I had a problem with though.

Wear it in the front...

...or wear it in the back!!

My first run was a speed workout on the track. It meant I was going to be running as quickly as my legs could take me. It ended up being a pretty long run by the time I was done. I wore the belt low on my hips under my shirts. It bounced quite a bit, even with adjustments, which was a little harder because of the elasticity of the belt. I didn't have too much in it, thankfully. While I noticed the bounce, it wasn't overwhelming and I was able to do my run with little to no hindrance. Later though I noticed a chafe spot on my waist from where the pack had ridden up and I didn't notice. It's not really bad, but you never want gear to chafe.

My second run I took it on was a long run with moderate speed. I started with it loaded up, around my hips, under my shirt again. About a mile in, I could feel it rubbing that same spot so I quickly adjusted it over the top of my shirt and higher on my hips. There was a little less bounce, and no more chafing! So that was a win!!

No flapping extra length straps!  Good thinking Tuvizo!

Adjusting the pack isn't hard and the straps are held down with a small loop so those aren't flapping in the wind, but when I run those move a little. I found myself adjusting them often. While it doesn't really interrupt the run, adjusting gear isn't my favorite thing to do either. I'm not giving up on this pack. I believe it will work well, sometimes it just takes a few extra tries to make it work just right.

While running with this pack is currently causing a small problem for me (I will work with it and update accordingly), it absolutely has a place. I could see this working very well for a cyclist or even someone out for a walk with the same problem of not wanting to hold everything in their hands.

My handsome model, how it fits on a child.

The strap loops don't hold it down on the littles.

Another thing I thought of was HIKING! We hike with our children a few times every year. They have a hydration pack that we pack a few snacks in for them to carry. Well, if they want to get at their snacks while we're walking, we have to stop, take the packs off, dig out their snacks, and then continue on. Then stop again to put everything away. As such, we stop, eat a snack and then continue on after we've put everything away. This waist pack would be an amazing fix to that problem. It's so light there's almost no extra weight for the kids! It's big enough to fit in several small snacks to keep them moving! I've thought about upgrading their packs several times just to give them a little more room, but replacing a hydration pack is expensive. If we were to add the waist pack, it would allow more room for the kids and save us tons of money! It is something for us to consider! (The pack was not made with children in mind, so the extra length of straps will lay to the side of them.)

I remember the last time we hiked, I had been wishing I had brought my other belt I use all the time.  I switch between the use of a camera and my phone camera and it's hard to hold both while hiking. I actually think this Tuvizo pack will work WAY better for my own hiking needs, than the one I generally use for running.

For some runners this pack may be the perfect match (go here to read other reviews). Just because it didn't work for me that way doesn't mean it won't work for you. It's great quality and really looks nice. With so much room, it's the perfect addition to your ride, walk, hike or just day to day if you don't want to carry around a purse. It's discreet enough to wear under a shirt and not draw a lot of attention to if you don't want it to!

Thank you Tuvizo for the opportunity to test it out. I haven't lost hope for it working on the run and will continue to use it making the necessary adjustments needed to try and make it work on the go!

Tuvizo Reflective Vest Review

If you're keeping up with me on Instagram, you may have noticed I've been sporting a highly reflective vest while out on my night runs. The company it's from is called Tuvizo and it's a small family run business whose goal is to help athletes be seen. Whether you're a cyclist or a runner, if you're on the roads or around traffic, Tuvizo should be on your body.

Logo from website

I had been looking at the Tuvizo running vest on Amazon and was planning to get it, I just needed to talk about it with my husband. I couldn't think for the life of me where I had seen the vest or why the name stuck out to me, but it did. Then one day, as I was scrolling through my Instagram feed, I came across the abi_tuvizo account, and it suddenly clicked! I had been following their account, I had seen the vest, and it had stuck out in my mind! I also found out later that my running partner, Brecka, had one! That means we'll be twinning when we get to run together! I mentioned to them I was planning to get one and they reached out to me asking if I'd do an honest review for them in exchange for a vest. Of course I would! All thoughts and opinions here are my own.

Front and Back view from Amazon

When I received the vest I could tell right away it was highly reflective. When it caught the lights in the house, it just glowed! The straps are slightly elastic, but not so much where you loose control of them, I hope that makes sense. I strapped it on that night for a quick (slow) 6 miles through my neighborhood. It took a bit to get the straps just right across my body. I noticed right away it was brushing my neck. I tried to tighten them on the shoulders hoping it would stop the rubbing, but it felt more like squeezing (a gentle hug, not a suffocating squeeze), I did not like that at all! I managed to get them just right, making peace with the slight rub that was happening (it's no longer noticeable, and I've never come home with any kind of rub marks, chafing, or rashes from it. Fit may be different for other wearers, this is just something I noticed on myself). There is also an adjustment around the lower rib cage area. That one was easier to find a good fit. The straps are not hard to move and I was able to do it while running, though I suggest making the adjustments on a slower, more insignificant run instead of one where you're running for pace.

Unboxed. Two colors available. Yellow and Pink.

As I made my way through the neighborhood I noticed right away... people could see me! I run about 3 ft away from the sidewalk, on the road, but drivers were giving me extra room and swinging wide when they would, or I would, come around the corner. That was unexpected. I generally operate on stealth mode in my neighborhood. I like not being seen in there; here and gone before anyone has time to really notice, which can be an advantage in there. It was a bizarre feeling to have people notice me for a change.

I'm not afraid to ask random people random questions, so I stopped a couple people who had seen me running right then and asked what they thought. Here's what they had to say:

Lady from the cul-de-sac: I stopped to talk with her as she got out of the car. I asked how the vest looked as a driver. She said she saw me right away. She wondered why a construction worker was running down the road that late (8:30pm). She said that some of her friends mentioned they've not seen her before coming around a corner when she's running at night. She was gonna stop and ask me about the vest, if I hadn't stopped. She said tell them they did a great job!

Man in the other cul-de-sac: he said he was just walking down the sidewalk and saw me coming. The reflective part wasn't lit up cause he wasn't in a car, but he said he saw the glittery from the pink right away when I was under the street lights.

Friends driving in their van came around the corner a ways down the street, rolled down their window as they passed and shouted "I really like that vest!!" Later I texted to find out more. The wife said she and her husband noticed me right away! The vest was REALLY bright!

Now, I wanted to see just how reflective this Tuvizo vest really was, so I asked my husband to come with me later at night, into the dark corners of the neighborhood and test out the reflectivity of the vest. First I had him take pictures with the flash on in one of the darkest corners, just to see how bright it lit up. Boy were we surprised! I mean really, look at this thing!! My friend joked that I could land an aircraft with it on!! 

Next I had him drop me off in the back corner of a cul-de-sac and drive down the road, flip around, and come towards me, then call as soon as he could see the vest in the headlights. I stood at the end, hoping no one would come out and ask me what I was doing, haha! After he called I ran to where he was, measuring the distance with my Garmin. A quarter of a mile,  .25!!! WOW!!! I mean, that seems pretty far to me! He said if I was bigger it would probably be further, but the surface area is limited on a person's body.

I think my favorite experience was on my 16 miler. The later it got (I was running on main surface roads most of this run), the more anxious I got. Could people really see me? I had forgotten my lights... I soon noticed drivers signaling to their passengers and making "suspender-like" gestures that would suggest they were talking about me! If there wasn't a passenger, I'd watch their gaze go from staring forward out of the windshield at a light, to tracking me as I passed. That has never happened to me before. Yeah. They saw me alright!

I was so impressed with the Tuvizo vest. It's light, it's easy to manage, as far as adjustment goes. I'll be able to fit it around my hydration pack and any winter clothing I have to wear. Even for you colder weather folks (because AZ only gets so cold) putting this around a couple of layers is going to be no problem. I think what I love most is that it's not a jacket. They call it a vest, but it's really more like suspenders. It doesn't flop around like I've seen reflective vests do. It pretty much just stays put.

I've taken this vest out for different lengths and speeds as well, a really long run, some short runs, slow runs, medium speed, and as fast as my legs can take me. No problems with any of them. No chafing, no rashes, no flopping, nothing. I will admit, I was skeptical, but it was the perfect match for me. This has easily become an essential running item. I run mostly in the dark, either early mornings on the weekend, or dusk/evening runs, it's going to be really nice to be seen. I like it so much, I plan to outfit my children with some as well. Now that it's getting darker earlier and staying dark later, I would highly recommend checking out Tuvizo reflective vests! Head to their website where they'll link you to their Amazon post. Your safety is worth the very small investment that these vests are!

Cocogo Review and Discount Code

I finally got around to adding my Cocogo Ambassador badge to the blog!  Check it out to the right of the page! If you click on it, you'll go to their website where you can order if you'd like. Use code RUNLIKETHEWINDED at checkout to save 20% through the end of Oct.

Ambassador Swag delivery day!

What is Cocogo exactly?  It's an all natural sports drink (though I also use it to also flavor my water when I want something a little different).  It's made with Coconut water and flash dried fruit bits.  It comes in three flavors; Lemon Lime, Grape, Raspberry Passion Fruit.  I love all three, but Grape is my favorite!  Because it's a natural drink, I don't mind sharing with my children (my boys beg me every single day for some!)  It comes in easy 'to go' sticks making using it on the run so easy.  I had it with me when I was running my second half marathon ever.  It was right at the beginning of our hot Arizona summer and it was already so warm!  I kept Cocogo flowing in my water bottle and stopped at the aide stations for water cups, and despite the heat, finished just 4 min off from my first half marathon!!  I know Cocogo helped keep me going that day!

Race day Flat Runner. 3 packets of Cocogo to get through this race!

I was introduced to Cocogo just a little over a year ago after a run meet up with a local running group.  It had been used as a giveaway and from there it was shared with anyone who wanted to try it.  I came home, added a stick of Raspberry Passion Fruit to my water...and from that moment on, I was hooked.

I got really lucky and won a box in a giveaway just a few months after that and boy was I in heaven!  I rationed that out, saving it for my hardest running workouts, knowing I wouldn't be able to purchase any for a few months.

It was a very good mail day!

During one of the holidays I was able to take advantage of a free shipping offer and finally bought a couple of boxes.  I knew right away I wanted to be able to represent Cocogo as an ambassador.  There's nothing like enjoying a product so much that you want to be able to share that with everyone.  I talk to everyone about Cocogo and how much I love it.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent them and support a product I believe in.

Mailman decided to cram it into my mailbox.. seriously!

What sets Cocogo apart from other drinks for me?  It's got a smooth light flavor.  I have tried a few other hydration products available for athletes, and I like them a couple of them, but they've been an acquired taste for me.  Some are fizzy which causes all kinds of problems while I'm running.  I have discovered this past year that I have a very sensitive stomach and can't use strong products while running long, far or fast!

 

There was no acquired taste for Cocogo for me.  I liked it right away! It has never ever caused a problem for me.  I've never felt sick after drinking it out on a run, I've never come home with stomach cramps.  My stomach never feels bloated.  I'm so thankful I was given a chance to try this drink.  I'm glad I'm able to incorporate it into my current half marathon training, gym workouts, swim workouts, hiking with the family, and general just sipping on when I want more than just regular water.

 

Want to try it for yourself?  Head over to cocogo.com and don't forget to use code RUNLIKETHEWINDED at checkout to save 20% until the end of Oct!!  I'd love your feedback, let me know what you think of it!!

Cocogo mail day is one of my favorite mail days!

What the Heck is Challengeville?

So...what's the big whoop about these silly little e-certificates that show up all over Instagram and sometimes on Facebook? Why would someone ever run 48, 93.3, 150, 200+ miles just to earn an intangible award? Why do runners have a mileage ticker at the end of their instagram post with the weird #oldguyrunning hashtag?

Graphic from Old Guy Running

Well, I'll tell you what it means to me, and likely what it means for a handful or more of the Challengeville participants. 

I'm a little more than a recreational runner. I don't just put on some Target running shoes and head out the door for a jaunt around the neighborhood. I love me some gear! I love reading people's reviews about their favorite running/compression socks, why they can't live without their GPS/heart rate watch and strap, their opinions on the very best hydration system, whether it be a handheld bottle, a fuel belt, the perfect hydration pack, or just hiding water bottles in discreet locations. I read about their preferred fuel and hydration sources...  the list of these options could go on forever!! I read about shorts and tanks....and shoes, oh my goodness the shoes! And then I shop. I buy what I've decided is the very best for me! I use training plans to give me some direction... long runs, short runs, speed work, whatever the case may be. There is some very dedicated planning to the type of running I do.

But, on the same coin, I'm not an avid racer. This past year I've been blessed with opportunities to run a handful of races. I've enjoyed them, and I'll always race some of my favorites or hit up a bucket list race, or try out a new one with a friend for fun, but as far as chasing down some serious time goals and earning all the bling... I don't think that's for me. That may change down the road, but for now, 5 or so races in a calendar year may be just about right!

That's where Challengeville comes into play.

Graphic from Old Guy Running

I heard about this freaking awesome group over a year ago while following a girl on Instagram. She was logging 150 miles for the title of Bigfoot! It was amazing to watch, and I wanted in on this. I started stalking the hashtags used and uncovered this wonderful community of runners just plugging away on the streets, trails, track, and treadmills trying to "claim their fame" in the form of an e-certificate. I'll admit, I thought it was a bit goofy at first and I considered not doing it, or at least not posting the cert when I was done. I chose the Tinman challenge first. 93.3 miles for the month and aiming for an even 100. I was sure I could do it, my training plan mileage suggested, it was in the bag with a little dedication. At the time I was training for a race I wasn't even sure I'd be able to do, but just in case, I was going to work for it.

The last day of July rolled around and I had spent nearly every other morning running the streets of my neighborhood and the local high school track and I chased down my first Tinman and locked in my 100 miles. Holy. Crap. I did it!!! I have never been so proud of myself as I was in that moment. Then I understood the draw to these little certificates that are lovingly generated by Old Guy Running himself. He is proud of his program, and he should be.

Each certificate I've been able to earn and July 2015 mileage goal met... and June goal failed!

See, Challengeville isn't about speed or crowds, although you can make it about that. It's not necessarily about PRs and tec shirts and medals (though maybe one day a component of this may be included =D). Challengeville was created to be better for yourself, push yourself, drive yourself. Do something maybe you've never done before. It's perfect for the recreational runner just looking for the motivation to push themselves out the door each day. It's perfect for the racer, who will be running the miles anyway, so may as well reward yourself during the months leading up to the big day. It's also perfect for someone like me, who dabbles a little in the racing scene, but enjoys a challenge that makes me better for just me (and let's be real, it's FREE!) I almost enjoy a mileage challenge better than a PR goal.

Graphic from Old Guy Running

In Challengeville I can run a 17:00 mile if I want/need to and plug away, not worrying about being the very last person coming into the finish. There won't be any police cars behind me and clean up crews picking up the course as I determinedly make my way to the finish of my goal. Racers and walkers alike, tend to finish the "race" within the same days as one another. In Challengeville I can also be the fastest runner that ever lived, and the end success, I would imagine, still feels the same. I consider myself a "middle of the pack" runner and I'm elated at the completion of each challenge!

 BUT WAIT

There's more to Challengeville than a mileage goal. It's the community. I mentioned within the hashtags lies one of the most supportive online running communities you'll ever find. Within these hashtags I have found friendships that I hold dear. Comradeship of like minded people after the same goals as me, though we may get there differently. They have acted as my mentors, my guides, my friends, and my family for more than a year. They have given to me more than I will ever be able to pay back. I hope to inspire people the way they have inspired me. Long before I joined Run Eat Tweet AZ, before I met up with Aravaipa trail running group, before I finally agreed to an MRTT run, and before I was paired up with my sweet buddy Jaylee through the I Run 4 Michael program, I had Challengeville. They were my very first running family.

Graphic from Old Guy Running

Would you like to join this amazing group on instagram? Would you like to see just how far you can take your goals? Do you just need a little more motivation to get you moving? I promise you, you won't regret this decision. You won't regret this goal. Even if you don't complete it (heaven knows how many months I didn't quite get done in time) there's still more benefits to joining than not. So in the words of my friend Barto, Old Guy Running, "How much can you run in a month?"

Are you just not a runner, or you're not quite there yet? No problem, walk those miles with pride. The distance is the same whether you walk it or run it. Just get up, get out, and move! Go check out the website, look at the challenges, look through the hashtags, sign up for September! I think you'll be glad that you did!

Graphic from Old Guy Running

Clif Bar Organic Energy Food Review

As a Chief Running Officer for my run group Run Eat Tweet AZ, I had the opportunity to try out Clif Bar Company organic energy food pouches.

All of these opinions are my own.

I apparently have a very sensitive stomach when it comes to running fuel. I haven't found much yet that doesn't make it upset, so I was pretty excited to give these a try and see how they worked for me.

There are 4 flavors available and I received 2 of each. The fruit ones are smaller than the other two, but with both sizes, you need to have a reasonable sized pocket to put them in to take on a run with you. I'm injured so I've been running shorter loops in order to come home and stop running if I needed to, so I never had to carry one with me.

The first one I tried was the Banana Mango with Coconut. I was running in the heat of the Arizona morning sun at 10:00! Not my smartest plan. I looped home every 2 miles, and thankfully I did so I was able to refill my water. I was trying to decide what kind of fuel I was going to use, the sun was sapping everything out of me and I new I needed something. I remembered I had the food pouches in the fridge, so I pulled out the Banana Mango with Coconut to fuel up. It was so good! It hit the spot big time, nice and cold with a light flavor. I only used half and figured I'd finish the other half after my next loop home. I started off for another two miles. After the first mile I felt a little discomfort in my stomach, but figured it was probably just the heat getting to me. I looped home and finished off the pouch and then went back out for my last mile. Overall I enjoyed that one. I ended with a little discomfort, but I really think that all had more to do with the heat. I'd probably have no problem using this flavor on a regular basis.

The next one I tried was the Pizza Margherita. I had just come home from a double workout, a quick 800 meters in the pool and a 5 mile run. I reached for this pouch thinking it would be a perfect end to the workout. This flavor just wasn't for me.

The next week I was up extra early for a morning run. I did a similar run, 2 miles, pit stop at home, then back out and so on. This time I took out the Banana Beet with Ginger pouch. I really enjoyed this one too. I was anxious about the beet flavor, but it was pretty good. It was a slightly stronger flavor, so for me it wouldn't work as a mid run fuel, but it would be great for a post run. This is my situation, but take a look at the other CRO reviews, because they may have a different take. Like I said before, my stomach is very sensitive while running and doesn't respond well to very much.

The last one I tried was the Sweet Potato with Sea Salt flavor. I had just come back from a 7 mile run and was starving! While I was getting breakfast ready I pulled out the sweet potato pouch and gave it a try. Again, just not a flavor for me, a little too salty I think and not quite my taste.

I'm glad I got a chance to try all the flavors. It helped me figure out which ones would possibly work for my pre/mid/post run fuel. Overall I'm pleased with the product. It's easy to pack and easy to store. I love that it's resealable for later use. The fruit ones were definitely my favorite and I could probably use one of them post run/workout and the other mid run!

Would you like to try Clif Bar Organic energy food pouches for yourself? Head over to Run Eat Tweet AZ Facebook page to enter to win. Good Luck!