Minneapolis-Star-Tribune-runningkellometers

What is this a picture of? You have 1 guess...

Our neighbor's backyard, taken from our bedroom window. Their backyard is still decorated like a Christmas wonderland! Bright Christmas lights shining in our bedroom, and the moving/interactive inflatables make the dog bark like crazy. Today's date is now January 20th, just as a reminder. I'll start taking bets guessing when they'll take them down. I'm guessing March 13.

Best of luck to any friends and fellow bloggers running the Polar Dash tomorrow! Part of me wants to go and spectate, just to see how things shake out as there has been a lot of controversy about it (doubt it will be as much of a mess as the Hot Chocolate DC--then again not many are). In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't end up signing up. This week is my running group's annual hot chocolate run. We run outside, drink hot chocolate, and eat pancakes. Considering how cold it is going to be, I'm really excited about it.

Tonight Toph and I have a date night planned to a local (and only) Indian restaurant close by that has a dinner buffet. We haven't been in forever and I have an Amazon deal that expires next week. I absolutely love Indian food!

Source

I'm hoping that they have my favorite dish... tomato sauce with cheese (aka shahi paneer). My stomach is growling just thinking about it. Buffet style is pretty much the only way I'll eat Indian food. I like to be adventurous but I don't want to commit to something if I end up not liking it. What are your thoughts on Indian food? Are you adventurous enough to try, if it isn't already a standard favorite?

Yesterday I had fully planned on doing the circuit workout during my lunch break... Until I looked at the clock and it was after 4pm. Things were so crazy busy that I only got up to use the bathroom. Depressing? Yes. But it is only going to get worse as out busy time is not yet underway (I work in investment consulting).

Kilax had a post yesterday talking about coaches. I also spoke with Maggie over the weekend and she had mentioned one of her friends using a coach also. I've been thinking a lot about this lately, although we don't really have the money for it right this second/month. I thought it would be fun to do some research and see if a coach could help me reach some of my 2012 goals. Have any of you used a coach before? What are some pros and cons? How has it worked out for you?

In other news, I finally started reading Hal Higdon's book: Marathon, The Ultimate Training Guide. Maybe it would have made more sense for me to read this before I ran my first marathon last year? Either way, I am totally getting marathon fever. I have too much on my plate in 2012 (cousin's wedding, CFA exam in December) but I def want to run one in 2013... (If I'm not pregnant.) My friend Kate and I have talked about also doing one the year we turn 30, just because it will be a giant milestone of a year. Is it too ambitious to be thinking about 2013 and 2014 goals when I have barely started some of my 2012 goals? One of these marathons, I'm going to try and get into the NYC Marathon lottery. If I don't make it, I'm signing up for Chicago. I might even try to qualify for Boston. It is such a prestigious race, I think I'm going to regret not giving it a try. BUT first marathon goal would be to cross the finish line without puking first. Maybe after that I can think about improving my time. :) Have you already started thinking about goals for 2013 or 2014?

Obligatory marathon finisher photo

Yesterday I went to the gym with Amanda. We were going to run outside but the sidewalks and roads were icy with a layer of snow on top (to dangerously hide the ice). Since this is the exact scenario that caused my fall back in December, we decided to not risk possible injuries. Instead, we tried to find treadmills next to each other... until we realized it is January in a gym. I was tempted to pull an It's Always Sunny and yell really loud across the treadmills to make everyone want to move, but decided against it. (Please tell me you've seen the Thundergun Express episode.)

My legs were a bit tight from the 5k over the weekend so I just wanted to have an easy run. No stress, no competition, just a jog. I kept the treadmill at 9:30 pace and was really comfortable. Biggest Loser was on so it was easy to lose track of the time. I did 3.5 miles and made it home in time to watch the elimination. This show is so interesting to see who gets eliminated and their thought process. And does anyone else think Conda is a huge brat? This season seems to have some folks that are ungrateful for the experience. I mean, you're on The Biggest Loser! So many people would love to be in your shoes, while you're quitting mid week and/or arguing with your trainer regularly! The trainers know what they're doing, obviously!...

When I got home from the gym, I was pretty hungry. Thankfully there was a package waiting for me from Steph at Run For Fun full of Popchips!! (I won a giveaway on her blog!) They are a fantastic snack, and it totally hit the spot. Thanks Steph for hosting such a great giveaway!

Have you ever tried Popchips before?

I've gone back and forth regarding my February 5k. Thanks so much for all of your input! I think I'm going to do the Cupid Chase with Amanda to try and help her reach her PR (that she can totally do). We're aiming for at LEAST 27:55. :) Depending on how I'm feeling afterwards, I MAY try and still do the Valentine's 5k in Valparaiso, IN and try for my own PR. We'll see how I'm feeling and how it goes. That is still a few weekends away so there is time to prepare and decide! Have you ever completed 2 races in 1 weekend? If so, how did it work out for you?

After a hard race and some cross training on Sunday, I took yesterday as a rest day. I'm meeting up with Amanda tonight to do 3 or 4 miles in the hills of Palos. There is a chance of snow but I brought clothes for all sorts of weather conditions so it should be interesting!

I posted little awhile ago about laundry detergent. I'm having a tough time getting the smell of sweat out of my clothes. I've been using All Free & Clear (not because I'm allergic, but because it was on sale). However, my workout clothes were still stinky (like, super stinky) after washing them 2 or 3 times. Based on a friend's suggestion, I tried Arm & Hammer. Not the Oxi Clean stuff, just the regular kind. My clothes smell really fresh, but it just seems to be masking the sweat smell instead of actually getting rid of it. My husband and I don't support Procter & Gamble (because they still test on animals [what decade is this anyways?]) so Tide, Gain, and Wisk are out of the question. I've sent a few emails to smaller companies that have sport-specific wash to see if they can send me some free sample to review and possibly give away! Stay tuned! :) And if you have any suggestions, please please let me know via comments or email!

So, who watched the Bachelor last night? These girls are so catty and some of them are seriously crazy. The concept for this show is just so bonkers to me. But that hasn't stopped me from watching this season!

Since I don't have a new photo, I'm going to recycle an old one.

Have you ever tried vodka infused whipped cream? It is pretty amazing.

Also, thanks so much for all of your votes. It appears that Amanda has the most "likes" on Facebook and will be CARA's Athlete of the month! I couldn't be happier for her!!

And I do have 1 more question for you guys. I'm deciding what my February 5k should be. There are really only 2 options: Warm Your Heart and Cupid Chase. Here is a little summary of each. Which one would you choose??

Warm Your Hear 5k
Sunday, 2/26
$40 Registration
Indoors
Unsure of the course

Cupid Chase 5k
Saturday, 2/11
$35 Registration
Lakefront Path (expected frigid temperatures)
Single loop course

First and foremost, have you voted for Amanda yet? Voting ends today (all you have to do is "like" her photo)!! Please, please help us out!!!

To keep up with my 1 race per month goal, I decided (kind of last minute) that my January race would be the Midwinter Cruise 5k put on by the Park Forest Running Club Pancake Club. It is a local running club and I have heard rave reviews from the previous races. I love small local races with a chance of winning an age group award (winning!) so I had a feeling this would be a good race. I haven't been doing much speed work lately, but I was still aiming for that 22:xx goal!

First off, the SWAG. I showed up race day to register (still only $25-yowzas!) There were some shirts available but only L or XL. In the theme of a "cruise," they passed out leis upon entering the gym and some runners even had Hawaiian shirts over their fleeces. Parking was close to the gym so I was able to drop my stuff off.

I headed out for a pre-race warm up with Maggie, Amanda (TTF), and Aurelia. We ran 1 mile at 10 minute pace to get our bodies warmed up and ready to go. We went to the start line and felt the brisk wind at our backs. It was much colder than I originally thought but I felt I layered properly and would be fine once the race started. (I'm always amazed at the folks that start off a race in shorts even when it is freezing cold. I mean, I'm sure you're going to get warm, but THAT warm?) I started off with Maggie as that worked out well for us at the Dash Into the New Year 5k. We are about the same pace at this point and in the same age group (for the next 8 months anyways).

First mile: 7:26 I was feeling good and thought "If I keep this up, I can meet my goal!" At the first mile marker, someone was there yelling out times (there was no clock). What great race volunteers that will go out there in the freezing cold just to shout out times as runners go by?

Mile 2: 7:37. Well, my goal will not be met unless I totally knock it out of the park for the last mile. Based on how I was feeling, I knew that my 22:xx goal was slipping through my fingers. I hadn't done much speedwork lately, so I had no one to blame but myself. However, Maggie was still ahead/with me so I kept on pushing.

Mile 3: 7:37... It would have been worse had I not pushed super hard the last 1/4 mile. Coming around the last turn, I heard some huffing and puffing behind me and knew someone was approaching. She moved to the small gap between me and Maggie, and I started to panic. "This girl looks like she could be in my age group!" was my first thought. The competitor inside me had to push through and try to catch up to Maggie!

Photo credit: Maggie's husband

Finishing time was 23:33, officially. It was a close one but I ended up coming in 2nd after all, just a few seconds behind Maggie... and 1 or 2 seconds in front of the mystery runner (who ended up being in our age group after all)! It was a great race with some tough competition!


Maggie and I both placed for our age group, her 1st and me 2nd.

Is it too much to compare ourselves to Shalane and Kara?

Source

I mean the resemblances are uncanny. Same running group, friendly competitors, amazing abs... That last one may or may not be true...

Now it is time to focus on cross training, weights, core strengthening, and speed work! 400 repeats, I'm looking at you!

My family stayed over on Friday night and we had a fun night in. I didn't get any running gear, but I did get a sweet Hunger Games shirt that I can't wait to wear to the movie! We just hung around, had some beers, and ate some pizza.

Saturday my running group was getting together for an early morning run but my family didn't leave until later so I wasn't able to go. However, they did leave in time for me to sit and watch the marathon Olympic Trials!!! It was such a great race for both the men and women. I can't wait for London when we'll have one of the strongest Olympic Marathon teams ever! What was your favorite part of the Olympic Trials? My part was when my top 3 fav females crossed the finish line first and qualified!

Even though I missed my early morning run, I headed out after the trials were over. I went for a 4.5 mile run with the pup in a total of 39:18 (8:41 pace).

The dog was a complete and total spaz for most of the run. None of the sidewalks were plowed so we had to run part of the way in the street and she kept stopping in front of me. I was so worried that she was going to get hit by a car!! I now know to take a different route until the snow melts! I was so worried about here, there was tons of stopping and everything else. It made for a very exhausting run, but I was happy to get out there and do it!

After the run, I was pretty hungry. I guess I didn't realize how truly hungry I was until I decided to snack on the unopened veggie tray leftover from the family party.
Yes, I ate all of that myself. Apparently broccoli (the empty slot), tomatoes, and carrots are my preferred vegetables. I do not like those snap peas, they are gross.

I recently received my Five Bamboo yoga pants in the mail that I won for the virtual Christmas Eve 10k. I'm wearing them right now and they are super comfy and it feels like I'm wearing nothing. I will do more of a full product review later, after I have them nice and worn in... and after I get a chance to use the rowing machine while wearing them.

I ran a 5k earlier today, and am still working towards that 22:xx goal! I won 2nd for my age group, and will have a full race recap tomorrow. It is now time for me to finish watching this Lifetime movie that I got sucked into. I keep seeing previews for the Drew Peterson special and Rob Lowe looks super creepy (No worries folks, it is already set to record on DVR).

First things first, have you voted for Amanda yet? Voting closes on Monday! Please do so!!

On Wednesday I attempted to do the circuit workout that I did with Kate LF last week. She read about it in Muscle & Fitness magazine and I think it is a really great workout. It helped/helps me to push through some of those mental barriers of what I am capable to do when it comes to lifting weights. My friend Kate made me a copy of the article and I will try my best to explain the exercises once I know the right terminology to use, haha. It calls for 4 circuits but since I spent about 10 minutes walking around the office fitness center trying to figure out what equipment is the equivalent, I was only able to squeeze in 3 circuits (and the 4th is the hardest). Next time, I know if I get in there and get to work, I'll be able to do all 4 circuits easily. In between each circuit, we do 5 min on the elliptical. This is a nice break from our arms while still moving. I feel like I got some stares, and I was hesitant to pick up the 15 lbers that are in the other section of the weights... but after I did and was able to rock out those curls, it was totally worth it.

My family is coming over tonight to celebrate my birthday so I have been feverishly cleaning the house for the past 2 days. (This floor mat found on Pinterest totally summarizes my feeling towards cleaning.)

That hasn't left much time for running, especially since we received our first winter's snow fall yesterday! I'm hoping to get out there tomorrow after the family leaves to get in some miles in the winter wonderland, if only to test out some of the new birthday running gear! (I know I've already mentioned this a bunch of times but I'm really excited. I'm sure I will take a bunch of pics and turn this into a runner fashion blog for a day.)

Now, it is time for me to have my afternoon snack before quitting time.

Pink Velvet cupcake from Cupcakes for Courage

Happy Friday folks!