Category: Oiselle


Jul
2019

Weekly Run Down: Not motivated to run and some new running gear

categories: Brooks Running, Oiselle, Running, Running Gear, Weekly Recap, Weekly Run Down

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I don’t know what is going on but this week I had no motivation to run.  I also felt more tired than usual.  I ran 2 days this week (my coach has me running 5 days a week).  I have been massaging my left foot every single day.  It only hurts a little when I get up in the morning but then it feels fine. 

Even Lola felt tired too.  🙂

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I decided not to run the three half marathons (WY, SD, and ND) next month.  No way will I be ready.  The race in New Mexico is still up in the air because my mother’s birthday is September 9th and we have a birthday party for her.  Her party will not be the 7th so most likely it will be the 14th.  

We are still dealing with some issues with my mother’s medical card.  I am so frustrated.  She has County Care which is a managed care organization through Medicaid.   I don’t understand why her coverage changed and why she doesn’t have medical coverage.  County Care only offers long term care.  She was assigned a PCP located downtown and I tried switching her to her current one but couldn’t do it because she has Medicare and that covers her medical  doctor appointments.  At this point, why would she switch her PCP?  Ugh!  Rant over..for now.  Thanks for listening.

On Tuesday I went to see “The Lion King”.  Have you seen it?  I loved it!  I want to see it again, and again, and again.

I may have been banned from ordering from the Brooks website, but that didn’t stop me from ordering these from Zappos.  These are the Ghost 12.  Aren’t they lovely?  I have the Ghost 11 and love them.

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I ordered some new Oiselle gear.  I love the new colors.

Oiselle Gear-19

Oiselle Gear-20

The new tops have a watch window.  Not sure If I like it but we’ll see once I start wearing them.

I emailed my coach and she suggested I take some time off from structured running but definitely go for a run if I feel like it.  She also said not to put any pressure/expectations on me nor worry about pace.  Maybe now the new shoes and gear will motivate me to go out for a run.  🙂

How do you stay motivated?  Is it new shoes?  New gear?  Or simply take some time off?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Jun
2019

Weekly Run Down: Summer school and some flooding along the lakefront

categories: Oiselle, Running, Weekly Run Down

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What a week!  It was my first week of summer school and it went by fast.  I like the schedule.  I start at 8am and get off at 12:15pm.  My last day is Wednesday, July 3rd.  Not bad huh?  Currently I have 12 students and hope I don’t get more.  I have 3 that are so well behaved and pleasant.  However, I have 6 that cannot read.  How is that possible?  Very sad and depressing.  My students will be going to 2nd grade in August.

Monday was 3 miles in the morning.  Great but sweaty run!  After school I did laundry and then and took a nap with Lola.  🙂

Tuesday was 5 miles and it was also a sweaty one.  Great weather for a run!  My sister and nephew flew in from San Antonio and they will be here for a week.  They’re both here to see my mom and other family members and to celebrate his HS graduation.

I was supposed to do a speed workout on Thursday but could not get up in the morning.  I was so tired.  Then I thought maybe I could do it Friday morning.  Nope.  After school on Friday I met a friend for lunch and then came home and took a nap.

https://giphy.com/gifs/cat-gif-tired-this-is-dieting-yVWks4eecteKc

Again with the crazy weather.  While it has been warm in the afternoon, it is a little chilly in the morning and evening.  During the winter I use a blanket to sleep and during the summer a sheet.  Now I get cold at night and need a blanket.  All day Thursday I felt cold and like I was getting sick.  I emailed my coach about missing my Thursday workout and not being up for running 13 miles on Saturday.  She told me to do my best, rest up, and get better.  I felt better on Friday and went to bed that night with the intention of running 13 miles (being positive).

On Saturday I went to the lake instead of The Arboretum.  My sister was having a graduation party for my nephew and she wanted me to be home as early as possible.  Well, I wanted to be home early too for a nap.  🙂

I drank Generation UCAN in the morning and also made my own gel to use on my run.  Elizabeth uses UCAN on her runs and gave me the idea to make a gel.  I used a reusable food pouch to store the gel.  While I like the cranberry raspberry in the liquid format, I was not a big fan of it in the gel format.  It tasted funny.  I also have chocolate and will try that next in a gel (I like it mixed with water).

The weather was perfect!  Marathon training has begun and there were so many people out there.  The last time I ran on the lakefront was 3 weeks ago.  I was surprised to see some parts of the path flooded.  The ducks were enjoying it!

I don’t think I’ve ever run 13 miles while training for a half marathon.  I felt good at the beginning and then slowly got tired.  I was supposed to run 7 miles as a warmup, 4 at marathon pace (10:43) and 2 as a cooldown.  I did not hit the marathon pace.  I tried.  However, I am proud for running 13 miles and felt better at the end than when I ran 10 miles last week.  I had some UCAN gel at 6.5 miles and then again 3 miles later.  The food pouch was so easy to use and I am planning to use it again for future long runs.

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I wore a new Oiselle tank and goodness sake but that thing chafed the heck out of me.  It was painful and so uncomfortable.  There was even some blood on the tank.  I love the look of it and the material but definitely not made for a long and sweaty run.

There was a Color Run Race going on and for some reason I have never been interested in them.  You?  They do look fun though!

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Feb
2019

Tuesday Topics: My cold weather running essentials

categories: Oiselle, Running, Tuesday Topics

For the past week or so, I’ve been in a running funk.  I love working with my coach, Mary, but recently have not been motivated to run.  My last run was 2 weeks ago and I remember that I didn’t want to run but ended up running and ran better than expected. 

The weather has been driving me CRAZY.  Just on Sunday and Monday we got more snow.  

I remember that last year while training for the Illinois Marathon, I did almost all of my runs outside.  Some days were cold, some were snowy, and some were both.  Regardless, I was out there.  I made sure to have the right gear in order to survive outside that long in those weather conditions.

Below is the gear I use to run during the cold weather.  Yes, pretty much everything is Oiselle gear.  🙂

• Wazzie Wool Baselayer –   I have 4 of these tops.  They’re made of merino wool so they keep me warm, absorbs and wicks sweat, and is water repellant.  Plus, I love that I can wear this top a few times and it doesn’t smell.  

• Vim Jacket –   I have one in black but am waiting for the yellow one to go on sale (that color is perfect for running when it is dark).  This jacket is lightweight, breathable, and water repellant.  It has kept me warm when paired with the wazzie wool baselayer.  If I ever get too warm, I can tuck it into the pocket and carry it with the strap.

• Flyout Jacket – I love that it is insulated and has a weather-resistant shell in the front which provides protection from the wind.  I own two of these jackets (in blue and in black), but also wear them on non-running days when it is cool enough for just a jacket.

Oiselle Gear-12

• Super Puff Mittens – These are no longer available online but these mittens keep my hands very warm because of the Polartec Alpha™ insulation and weather-resistant sheet (similar to the flyout jacket).  I have one pair and am hoping they’re available again so I can get another pair.

• Power Stretch Running Beanie – This is similar to the Trailheads Women’s Running Ponytail Hat.  It is insulated, soft, and covers my ears.  My favorite thing about it is the opening for my ponytail.  

• Tights – I wear the Moto Lesley Tights and the Classic Lesley Tights.  They’re both fleece lined but the Moto tights are thicker and warmer for colder days.  

• Wazzie Wool Gaiter – Same material as the baselayer.  Perfect for windy days!  I also use one from BibRave (not wool material).

• Smartwool Women’s PhD Run Ultra Light Micro Socks – I actually wear these year round.  They keep my feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  I also like the crew socks during the winter to cover up my ankles.

Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are your cold weather running essentials?  You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!



Feb
2019

Tuesday Topics: What I love about running

categories: Oiselle, Running, Running Gear, Tuesday Topics

What’s not to love about running?  Well right now the only thing I am not loving is the weather.  I am sorry but I cannot stop complaining about it.  Snow, cold, deep freeze, more snow, and ice storm is what we have been dealing with here in the midwest.  I know I can use the treadmill but that does get boring after a while.  

Last week I wasn’t feeling well and had to skip a few of my runs.  I’ve been tired and sometimes had an achy body.  My coach told me to sleep and get some rest.  I am feeling better and will attempt to run today.

Before I talk about today’s topic, let me show you the activity I did with my kids yesterday.  We did a 3D Hot Air Balloon Card.  It was so much fun!  Below is the video and pictures of the finished product.

https://iheartcraftythings.com/3d-hot-air-balloon-card.html

Now let me tell why I do love running.  🙂

• The gear –  I love treating myself to new gear.  It makes me happy and gets me excited to go running.  About 99% of my gear is from Oiselle.  During the warm wear you can find me running in the long rogas.  I have 24 pairs of the long rogas (and 5 of the regular rogas) and always get excited when I get another pair.

• Traveling to different states – I love travelling to various states to run a half marathon.  I’m at state #39 and this year I will be traveling to DE, MT, SC, and MI. 

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• FREE and easy to do – All you need is good running gear and the proper shoes and off you go!  No never know once you lace up where running may lead you.

• My time – Running is my alone time.  I usually run in the morning and it is the perfect time to clear my head and get ready for the day.

Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What do you love about running?  You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!



Jul
2018

Elmhurst 4 on the 4th Race Recap

categories: Oiselle, Race Recap, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

On Wednesday I ran one of my favorite races in the Chicago area – Elmhurst 4 on the 4th.  I’ve run this race since 2013 and have always had a great time.  I like the price, the distance, and the location.  It is very easy to get there and I always find parking..FREE parking.

I left later than usual and even thought I didn’t park in my usual spot, I still managed to park close to the start line.  Then I got my bib and met the Oiselle girls for a picture.

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Let’s go back to my bib.  I gave the volunteer my name and she found it on the roster.  I remember hearing the number 24 or something like that.  Once I got my bib, I didn’t look at it and just went to meet up with the Oiselle girls.  I have a Fitletic belt and use the toggles for my bib.  Again, I did not look at it.

I talked to Heather and Kathleen for a few minutes and then we lined up.  It was already sunny and HOT.

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This race is not a big race but there are a few people cheering for you.  There is just something about running in a small town for a race.  I knew I wasn’t going to get a PR.  I started off too fast and then paid for it at the end.  Still, I don’t think it was too bad.

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I did walk a few times because I also got too hot.  I didn’t have a visor with me because that morning I checked the weather report and it was supposed to be overcast.  Luckily there was some shade and that helped.

This course has a few hills.  Not too many but the worst one is right before the finish line.  I know this but I curse every single time.  🙂

At the finish line, I got a water bottle and an ice cold washcloth to cool me down.  I was sweating a lot.

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.I walked for a bit to cool down before going home.

In my car is when I had a feeling that something was wrong with my bib number.  I remember hearing the number 24 but not 25.  I just wanted to get home to shower and eat.  I knew there was nothing I could do about it so I decided to handle it at home.

Yep, I got the wrong bib.  Once the results were available on Athlinks,  I couldn’t find my name but did find my results with the bib number I used to run the race.

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I emailed the race director right away and explained the situation.  After a few emails back and forth, the problem was resolved.  

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I also checked Kim’s name and she was given a new bib number to run.  Glad that worked out too.

I highly recommend this race to everyone.  It is always fun and the perfect way to start off the holiday.

Linking up with Marcia, Patti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun