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Now that summer is around the corner, the temps are heating up, and there are weekends full of races! I enjoyed putting together my list of favorite winter and spring gear... so why not keep the tradition going with summer, eh?

This is a carryover from spring but oh so crucial for summer also. When you're running a race in the morning on some closed streets, you may not have the luxury of shade. Therefore, the only shade you've got, is the one you produce on your head. I like hats better than visors because they keep my hair out of my face and out of the way. Plus, I'm just more of a hat person versus a visor person.


Yeah, sunscreen is something I CANNOT live without in the summer. My skin has two shades, pasty white or lobster red. There is no in between. It has been that way since I was a kid and I have learned my lesson over the years. Going out there without sunscreen isn't worth it. Unless, of course, it is sunnier than you thought and you completely forgot. Like my runner sunburn? Tank top and bra marks... keeping it classy as always. My preferred brand is Up & Up (available exclusively at Target) and I think they have a really great continuous spray sunscreen that has kept my skin pasty white the past few years. :)


Last year I invested in some nice sports bras (of course, the year before I get pregnant and my boobs change forever). I knew I needed an upgrade and I needed to do a better job of keeping "the girls" in place. It took me awhile to find some that I liked, but when I did, it stuck. I won't name brands here, but I will say that a good sports bra is worth the investment.


This seems like something important yet time and time again I've gone out for runs and regretted my shorts decision only a few miles in. Having your favorite brand and type of shorts will really make those longer runs in the heat of the summer (especially if you're marathon training) more enjoyable (if that's at all possible). I have a few brands and types that are my go-tos that are worth doing laundry for. A good pair of shorts really does make a big difference.

During my marathon training way back in 2011, my pace leader taught us that you shouldn't depend on the water stops for all of your water during a race. What if they run out? What if you get cut-off and can't easily get across? I started running with a handheld that summer on the solo mid-week long runs. It got me used to running with something in my hand. During one of the hottest summers on record last year, I wasn't shy to carry that water bottle with me. It came in handy more than a few times. I have had problems with water bottles leaking so I suggest you ask around at your local running group or running store to find out what would work for you. Most are available online through Running Warehouse or your local running or sporting goods store.

6. Death stare for race photographers who try to take a photo of you when you're throwing a huge run tantrum mid-race.


Caption: This is what self-destruction looks like.
This reason is more about what you SHOULDN'T do during a summer race. Talk about one sad runner. And that sports bra is AWFUL (see #3, I'm speaking from experience)... I just wanted an excuse to show this horrible photo from the RNR Half Marathon last year. I was in probably the best shape of my life (having hired a coach to help train me for this race) and completely self destructed when the temps were too hot and things weren't going my way. (Um, who plans a goal race in the middle of the summer when their body historically has not done well in the heat?!) HOWEVER, that training cycle taught me a lot about what I'm capable of doing and pushed me outside my comfort zone. When I'm ready to run another marathon, I know Coach Britt will help me get there. :)

When it was time to sign up for the Chicago Marathon, I made a conscious effort not to sign up. I knew I had this test to study for and I knew it would be hard to fit in all the training miles in addition to studying while also working full time. With how crazy my work schedule sometimes is, there have been some weeks where I've only been able to run 2 days (instead of the Hal-prescribed 4). It has also been one of the hottest summers on record here in Chicago and I dreaded running for 7 or 8 miles and was happy it wasn't 12 or 13. I wasn't jealous of my friends that were training for the marathon this summer. Not one bit.

Taken after an attempted 7 mile tempo run on July 4th

Now that the temps are cooler and work isn't as busy, my thoughts have changed slightly. The "maybes" start creeping in such as... "Maybe I could have made time for the marathon this year." I quickly snap out of it and realize there was/is no way to do it. But that jealousy I didn't have all summer long is now starting to strangely, slightly appear. The thought of running 15, 18, or 20 miles doesn't sound so bad if temps are in the 50s and 60s in the morning. I know I made the right decision, but that doesn't always help out with the mental game. What I have come to realize over these last two years is how important it is to be in the right frame of mind, mentally, for any race. I let my mind get the best of me during the Chicago Marathon and the RNR Half. This fall and winter I'm going to try to change that. It is my mission!

Have you ever not signed up for a race and regretted it later? How do you get in the game mentally before a race? Do you psych yourself out like I do?

I had a bit of an epiphany these last few days. Since Rock N Roll, I decided to take a few days off. I needed a mental break from the heat and the pressure I put on myself. This summer has been hot. The hottest summer in 70 years, to be exact. That doesn't really lend itself to PRs. Therefore, I've decided to take a break from my Garmin.

I depend on it too much. I let it control my workouts. I let it control how I feel about my run. I let it control me. I watched a recent interview with Ryan Hall where he said he's been training for the Olympic Marathon without a Garmin. He's been going by feel and pushing his body without worrying about how fast a particular split was. Coach Britt also did a post recently talking about the unreliability of Garmins and such. I've had some success running without my Garmin in the past, so I know it can be done.

I love my Garmin, don't get me wrong. We have a long history together with lots of great long runs, new distances, and PRs. However, I think it is time for us to spend some time apart. I love running and I want to get out there and remember why I love it. I also know that my Garmin will be there for me when I want/need it again.

And because it is Friday, here are a few GIFs to help visualize how I've felt this summer, and hopefully make you smile.

How I feel while running with my Garmin:

Source

While I feel while running without my Garmin:

Source

P.S. Have you checked out my interview with Dr. Andy Baldwin yet?

I had a really really lofty goal for this race as you all know. I was aiming for 1:45. I put in the work and it was time to see the fruits of my labor. Unfortunately, mother nature had other plans for my PR hopes. I tried my best not to focus on the weather and adjusted my goal to be around 1:50-1:55. After a zombie apocalypse dream the night before, I wasn't off to a great start to the day. I met up with Maggie, Amanda, and Kim to carpool to the city for the race. I could sense that things were warm and humid, but I tried to focus on what I could control--my pace. We parked in a discount $2 lot that is a little bit of a walk to the start so we were late for the pre-race blogger meetup. There were a few other stragglers so we grabbed a quick pic.

L to R: Maggie, Markemmanuel, Kayla and me

Last night I had a run on the schedule of 4 miles. I tried to do some mental focusing getting ready for the race. It was a bit humid yesterday and I came back from my run just a little sweaty...

I'd like to think that I had so much sweat because I was sweating off the nerves and fear that often accompany a goal race. I have worked hard for this. I can do this. It is supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it.

The half marathon course shape is kind of similar to the Chicago Marathon. I'm trying to picture myself at different points in the course, meeting the time I want to meet. I don't want to obsess about the weather, but I definitely have a Plan A, B, and C. I already regret checking Sunday's weather because it is back up to 96. (It was predicted as 90 a few days ago, and read as a predicted 89 degrees in the elevator this morning.) As we can't control the weather, I'm TRYING not to focus on it. :) Last night I did my laundry and have laid out my race day outfit. I'm getting excited. The big day is almost here...


Have you entered my Oiselle London Calling Tee giveaway yet? You have until Monday, July 23rd to enter.

Last week I talked about how I wasn't going to post my whiny entry. Instead, I'm posting this whiny entry today. I hate hot weather. No matter how much I put myself out there and how hard I try, my workouts still suck. I am trying to get acclimated to the heat but it just hasn't been working. I'm getting out there when it's hot out. I'm not running to the treadmill when temps are in the 90s. When it is in the high 70s, why do I still struggle!? Why did I think it was a good idea to plan a goal half marathon to work my butt off for during one of the hottest Chicago summers on record? My goal race is only 6 days away. That means the forecast is out and things are not looking good. Highs in the low 90s. Ugh. (Hopefully that means it will be in the 60s at the start of the race and when we finish, temps will still be in the low 70s. A girl can dream, right?) This is the time when I'm supposed to be focusing on what I've worked towards over the past 12 weeks. I'm supposed to be visualizing myself achieving my goal and where I'll be throughout the course. There isn't time to panic/obsess about the weather. I think I just need to make sure I have a plan B, which is something I didn't have for the Chicago Marathon. Thankfully this race is only a half marathon and not a full. BUT, I've put in the work, I've put in the sweat, and I've even put in the tears. I'm hoping that the sub 1:50 is within my grasp come 7/22. I know that no matter what happens, I'm putting it all out there and giving it all I have...

In other news, I'm back in town from Mall of America where I scored some sweet new running gear with no sales tax. Winning! :) Also, in honor of the Olympics, I'll have a giveaway on the blog tomorrow so stay tuned!

Womens 1500m Semi Final

News flash. It is hot out there, throughout many parts of the midwest. We had a mild winter and are now paying for it with a ruthless summer. The temps and humidity continue to plague workouts and slow our times. But this type of training can make us stronger, if only we're not afraid to get out there (after taking the proper precautions, of course).

Thursday I met up with the FN Runners for an fn hot run.
Even though it was super warm out, we still had a good amount of crazies out there joining me for a run!

L to R: Maggie, me, Amanda, Genevieve (+2 munchkins), Jill, Michelle, Keith, Susan

Yes, Maggie and I ran in sports bras. It was so hot and gross, we just didn't care. Plus, it was kind of a delayed response to Kelly the Culinarian's Sports Bra Challenge. We ran it slow, we ran it steady, we completed our run on a hot day and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. (This run was meant to be a recovery run after my mile repeat workout earlier in the week, so there wasn't a planned pace anyways.)

On Saturday, I had a long run scheduled for 13 miles. 7 miles at an easy pace, 4 miles at half marathon goal pace, 2 miles cool down. Prepping for my long run the day before, I made sure I had plenty of fluids (trying to learn from my mistakes). Even though temperatures were warm and it was humid, I headed out and tried to do my best in the heat. To be honest, the first 9 miles weren't bad. I felt my body was doing ok in the heat. Something I haven't felt before and it felt good. I picked it up at mile 7 as planned but came into a snag at the water stop at mile 10. I had trouble getting into my groove again and the heat was starting to wear me out. Miles 11 and 12 at "goal pace" didn't really workout so well, but that's okay. I did my best considering the conditions. I feel like I'm coming around to acclimating in this weather. I'm liking the feeling. This weekend is a similar workout and I'm going go try it again. The best I can do at this point is try! At least I'm going out there and giving it a try instead of staying in on the treadmill. Plus, I don't think I could do 14 miles on the treadmill and live to tell the tale. I would die of boredom (not joking).

In an attempt at trying to be "healthier" I bought some good groceries this week to make actual recipes and real lunches. Last night I made corn cakes that were super easy and super delicious. By themselves they were kind of bland, but the toppings helped make them great! The recipe can be found here. I didn't include green onion since Toph and I both don't like it, and we added tomatoes on top afterwards (I didn't want to mix them in and have it be too wet.) We also thought avocados would go great on top, if you had some available. The goat cheese definitely made the dish though. So good!

Thanks Pinterest!

P.S. Have you entered my SpiBelt Raffle yet??

Today is my goal 5k for the summer. The temperatures the past few days in the evenings have been beautiful (low to mid 70s with a cool breeze). Of course today, on race day, temperatures are expected to be in the low 80s by the time the gun goes off. I'm going to try not to stress about the heat. I did a 10 mile progressive run when it was in the high 70s/low 80s (but the sun had set) and I did a 6 mile "run" when it was 97 degrees so have done some things to prepare for the heat. Am I ready to run a 5k at PR pace when it is 82 degrees out? I don't know, but I'm certainly going to try. If it doesn't work out, I won't be crushed. That's the thing about 5ks, there are always a million of them. I can work towards one on a later date (there are a few on my radar in August and September). I am super excited that my coach will out there to spectate and cheer. I know I'm going to have a fun time, regardless of what the clock says. If you plan on being there, meet up with us!!

Yesterday I ran 5 miles around my neighborhood and almost got attacked by a vicious chihuahua. Yes, you read the dog breed right. This thing was growling, barking, and snarling at me. Thankfully I was able to keep it at bay, shielding my left shin with the bottom of my right shoe. Why do people have their dogs outside and not on a leash? I've had this scenario happen a couple times. Luckily I'm a dog person and try my best to remain calm, but people have to get their ish together. Now, speaking of dogs, I thought I would post this amazing photo my husband's uncle took of our pup.

I mean, I know our dog is adorable but I really, really love this photo. Would it be creepy for me to get this printed in an 8x10 to hang on our living room wall? I didn't think so either. :)

Over the weekend I was at Toph's family cottage in Michigan. We spend a lot of time there in the summer and we kicked things off with a great Memorial Day weekend. I ran a race on Saturday, but that recap will be coming tomorrow.

The temps on Saturday were absolutely beautiful. Not too hot, slightly cool with a breeze. Overcast but still pretty humid. It was a nice day for a race. 24 hours later on Sunday, temps were in the mid-high 90s for most of the day, well into the evening. I had a 6 mile run on the schedule and I kept delaying it on Sunday in hopes that things would cool down. Wanting to be done in time for dinner, I headed out around 4:00 and the temp was at 97 degrees.

I knew my body wouldn't like the temps so I decided to take it slow and easy. The first 2 miles weren't so bad, but those miles were mostly in the shade. Miles 4 and 5 were mostly in the sun so I was happy when mile 6 was mostly shade again. My body is definitely not yet used to the heat, but I don't want to be afraid of it this summer. I let the heat get the best of me last year because I was afraid of it. I hid from it, ran on the treadmill, ran as much as I could to get away from it. On race day, it could be warm, and I need to be ready. Get ready summer! I'm coming for you! What are your thoughts on running in the heat? Mag Mile Runner did a great post about this last week here.