Category: Oiselle

Friday Five 2.0-5 Things I Am Loving

Happy Friday!  Any interesting plans this weekend?  My birthday is on Monday so I have plans on Saturday to get together with my sisters and my brother to celebrate.  Nothing fancy but we will be going to a Thai restaurant for some delicious pad thai and pad see ew.  Yummy!

happybirthdaycake

Next week I work Monday and Tuesday and then will be off the rest of the week.  You bet I am excited.  I will be running a turkey trot on Thursday and planning to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family.  I made a mistake and thought that the shirts were going to be blue.  They’re not.  They will be an ivory/oatmeal color.  It is still a pretty color.  Remember, there is still time to sign up and use code “17BIBRAVE10” to save 10% off all distances.

Art Van Turkey Trot-7

When I started writing this post I did not realize the topic this week was “Giving Thanks”.  I had initially decided to write something related to it for the day after Thanksgiving.  Instead in this post you’ll be reading about some of the few things I am loving.

  • Waves Micro Towel – I’ve been using these for a few years.  They’re fast drying and ultra absorbent.  I use mine to wrap my wet hair after a shower.  They are also perfect to take to the beach or on a trip.  I love that they’re not bulky and come in some cool colors.

Waves Micro Towel 1

  • Oiselle Lightning Layer – Thanks to the time change it is dark in the morning and after work.  I prefer to run after work because I know more people and cars are out there during that time.  My vest makes sure that I am seen.  Well, it is a top and a vest.  I’ve worn it alone with a sports bra during the summer and over a long sleeve top during the fall/winter.
  • iHome Color Changing Bluetooth Speaker – I love listening to music while working in my classroom.  I mainly listen to Amazon Prime and have a few playlists that I like.  I also enjoy Pandora but for some weird reason my school has blocked that site.  With my bluetooth speaker I can listen to whatever I want.  It is easy to set up and has great sound quality.  I love how it changes colors throughout each song.
  • Achievement – Do you want to get paid to be healthy!  Join Achievement, connect your apps, and start earning money.  Use THIS LINK to join and we both get 250 points.  For every 10,000 points you accumulate, you get $10.  I’ve connected it to FitBit, Strava, and Garmin accounts and already made $20.  Seriously, you have NOTHING to lose.
  • Eagle Creek Pack-It Sac Large– I originally bought this after I saw how my friend, Meghann, had neatly packed for our trip to Alaska.  I did not.  I’ve heard great things about their products but until recently had never own any of them.  You can use this to store magazines, computer cords, toiletries, etc.  I use it to take home my papers to grade.  Throughout the day I store the papers inside and make sure to grab it before heading out the door.

Eagle Creek 1.jpg

Any exciting plans this weekend?  What are you loving lately?

I’m linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 2.0.

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Changes and I signed up for the Illinois Marathon!

I live in a two flat building with my older sister.  My younger sister, nephew, and mom lived on the first floor.  This past weekend they moved to a condominium in Palos Heights (about 40 minutes from where I live).  My nephew is a freshman in high school and my sister wanted to live closer to this school.  It is weird coming home and not seeing them here.  Eventually I would like to buy a house for the two of us.  Maybe next year in the Spring.  I guess now I need to limit my Oiselle purchases. I told myself that I will only buy stuff on sale.  🙂  So here is what I got today: Long Rogas in Plum, Heather Grid Dolman, and Portman Pants in Plum.

With the move I inherited a piece of furniture from my mother.  I am pleased that I now have one place to store my running gear.  For now I have my shoes.

I have been running here and there.  I went back to work last week.  I am feeling more overwhelmed and exhausted each day.  I don’t remember feeling like this in previous years.  Last year I was training for the Chicago Marathon (running 6 days a week) and managed to do my runs.  Hopefully in a few weeks things will settle down and I won’t feel too overwhelmed.  Today my students behaved well.  I even got compliments from two teachers telling me that I have a good group of students.  🙂

On Saturday I signed up for the Illinois Marathon on April 28 in Champaign, IL.  I did the marathon relay with some friends in 2015.  Despite the tornado warning/watch (can’t remember what it was), we had a great time and managed to finish the race.  I am actually excited about the marathon next year!

From the Illinois Marathon website: Along with the marathon, there is a 5k, 10k, and half marathon.  Runners who complete the 5K on Friday and then the 10K, half marathon, full marathon, or marathon relay on Saturday will receive a special I-Challenge medal.  This means, in all, you will receive:

  • Two shirts (5K shirt plus the 10K, half marathon, marathon, or marathon relay shirt)
  • Three medals (5K medal plus the 10K, half marathon, marathon, or marathon relay medal as well as an I-Challenge medal [different for each I-Challenge])
  • Bragging rights

The I-Challenges.

  • Full I-Challenge = 5K + marathon
  • Marathon Relay I-Challenge = 5K + marathon relay
  • Half I-Challenge = 5K + half marathon
  • Mini I-Challenge = 5K + 10K

Registration fees are below and will increase after August 31 so make sure to sign up today!
Marathon-$90
Half Marathon-$65
Marathon Relay-$140/team
10K-$35
5K-$30
Full I-Challenge-$120
Marathon Relay I-Challenge-$260/team
Half I-Challenge-$95
Mini I-Challenge-$65

Any race challenges?  I’ve done the Goofy Challenge and Dumble Dare Challenge in 2014.

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

TuesdaysOnTheRun

New shorts and shoes, a deer, and a 10k!

I’ve been adding posts about my Alaska trip to my running cruise page.  You can find the posts HERE on the bottom of the page.  

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I didn’t do much running last week.  19.46 miles to be exact.  

Five miles on Monday wearing new Oiselle shorts.  My favorite shorts and I have about 15 pairs.

RoadtoBQ114

On Wednesday I did a speed workout (1M Warm Up; 12×1 min @95% effort w/1 min jog rest; and 1M Cool Down).  It was easier than expected and I was actually smiling throughout the run.

A friend of mine posted on Instagram her mileage for July and mentioned that her race was in 5 weeks.  She is doing the 50k while I do the marathon.  THAT COMPLETELY FREAKED ME OUT!  I don’t feel ready.  I don’t remember feeling like this last year and my training was MORE intense.  

Saturday’s 4 mile run went well.  I saw my former coach and I mentioned how I had been feeling (not motivated, no longer want to do marathon, and how I don’t want to run anymore).  I told her that I had 16 miles on Sunday and was going to see how I did/felt before making a decision on whether or not to run the marathon.  Well, Sunday came and I managed to run 6 miles.  There is no way I would feel ready in 4 weeks.  I was feeling so many emotions but the two that topped the list were FAILURE and EMBARRASSMENT.  I also felt like a fool and a loser.  Here I am going on and on about training for a marathon and hoping to eventually get a BQ, etc, etc., and I am already quitting.  Who does that?

violin

No marathon for me next month.  I still want to run the Boston Marathon but for now will focus on strength training and swimming.  I still plan to run but just for fun.  I signed up to run the Run Mag Mile (10k for me) on September 9 and the Chicago Half Marathon and 5k (5k for me) on September 24. 

I saw this deer on Sunday morning and it made me smile.

RoadtoBQ115

I got these new Brooks Launch 3.

Brooks Launch 3

And two pairs of the Launch 4.  I know, I have a problem, and need an intervention. Help!

Brooks Launch 4
 
Sign up today to run the Run Mag Mile with me on September 9.  Use  code “BibRaveMM17” for a BONUS water bottle!  Check out the hoodie and the 10k medal. I’ve never done this race and am looking forward to it!

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

TuesdaysOnTheRun

Friday Five 2.0-Five Things Friday

I cannot believe it is already Friday!  And to think that we are halfway through the month.  I am kind of excited and looking forward to another school.  

I had an exciting week filled with good news and some fun and new running products.

  1. I woke up Monday morning to find out I wa selected to be a BibRave Pro Ambassador.  

BibRAVE Pro

2. As an Ambassador, I have the chance to run the Chicago Half Marathon and 5k on September 24th (I signed up for the 5k).  I would have signed up for the half marathon but I am running on marathon on September 3rd and I don’t think I’ll be ready for a half marathon.  

If you would like to sign up, use BRCHI17 to get $15 off the half and $10 off the 5K.

2017 Chicago Half and 5k

3. Do you cringe when you see your running photos?  I knew I was an underpronator but seeing pictures is just something else.  I was worried that I was wearing the wrong shoes but my friends at Fleet Feet confirmed that I have the right shoes.

Underpronation

4. I love my Oiselle tops and purchased 8 new tops (and some new shorts).  They’re gorgeous!  And I love running shoes so I bought the new Revel from Brooks.  I am supposed to get them today and can’t wait to run in them.  I’ve read that they’re similar to the Launch which are the shoes I use.

There is a summer sale going on right now.  You save 30% off already marked down stuff. Check it out!

Brooks Revel 1

Brooks Revel 2

5.  Do you want to get paid to be healthy!  Join Achievemint, connect apps, and start earning money. Use THIS LINK to join and we both get 250 points.  For every 10,000 points you accumulate, you get $10.  I’ve connected it to FitBit, Strava, and Garmin accounts and already made $10.  Seriously, you have NOTHING to lose.

Achievement

I’m linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 2.0.

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Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th

This morning I ran the Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th.  This was my 5th year running it.  It is also one of my favorite races.

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 1
Source:  www.athlinks.com

I woke up early, made coffee and ate a Clif Bar and left my house around 6am.  The race started at 7:15.  I like to get there early so I can find parking.  So far I’ve been able to park in the same spot/area as in previous years.  I got my bib and tshirt.  The shirt is actually nice!

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 2

I met up with a few of the Oiselle crew for a picture.  

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 3

Finally it was time to run.  The course is not flat.  It isn’t horrible but any little incline tires me out.  🙂

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 4

As usual, I started too fast.  When will I ever learn?  My first mile was my fastest and then it went downhill.  However, I surprised myself because my last mile was my second fastest.  

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 6

It wasn’t too hot but it was very sunny.  I remember at one point I just got very hot and had to stop for a bit. There was plenty of water stations and I drank water at every single one.  There weren’t too many people out there but those that were there were WONDERFUL.    They cheered and encouraged us throughout the way.

With less than a quarter mile to go I could see the finish line.  However, there was an incline. I did my best to run instead of walk.  Nothing wrong with that but I wanted to see if I could do it.  And I did!  I was running next to a woman and I somehow got a burst of energy and ended up passing her up.

My official time is 42:37.  I knew I was not going to PR and I did have fun running this race.

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 5

I was looking at my pictures from previous races and I have worn the same socks.  Also, I have worn running clothes in the same colors to go with the 4th of July theme.

This day is extra special to me.  It was in 1978 that my mother along with my siblings arrived here from Mexico.  I’ve been living in this country for 39 years.

How will you be celebrating today?  My two sisters and I will be heading over to my cousin’s house to eat, laugh, and have a great time.

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun