Jul
2018

ZOOMA Half Marathon Training Recap, Week 9

categories: Half Marathon Training, Hansons Training, Running, Weekly Recap

ZOOMA Half Marathon-1

I am excited to be training for the ZOOMA Half Marathon on September 15.  I am also excited to share that I will train using the Hansons Half Marathon Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. 

Week #9, July 23-29

M Ran 5.00 miles
T OFF
W Ran 7.10 miles
TH Ran 4.00 miles
F Ran 6.00 miles
S Ran 4.00 miles
S Ran 6.50 miles

Monday was another early wake up call to run.  Felt great and was able to get negative splits!

Wednesday’s workout was 5×1000 with 400s recovery and 1.5 miles warmup and cooldown.  I was disappointed because I did not hit the pace I was supposed to.  

ZOOMA Half Marathon-41.jpg

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday runs were 4, 6, and 4 miles again.  The weather was decent which made the runs enjoyable.  Some days you can do negative splits and some days you don’t.  🙂

Sunday’s run was 3×2 miles with 800m recovery and 1.5 miles warmup and cooldown for a total of 10 miles.  I went out early to enjoy the cooler temperature.  I was planning to do this by the lake by decided to do this close to home.  This run did not go well and I stopped at 6.5 miles.  I was frustrated.  I wasn’t hitting the paces I was supposed to and instead just decided to run whatever pace I could.  Then I got too hot and tired.  Then my left foot began to bother me.  I stopped and just walked home. 

Some days you have good runs and some days you don’t.  Oh well.  I can’t be too hard on myself since I am still doing pretty good with training for the ZOOMA Great Lakes Half Marathon.

Total mileage for the week: 32.60 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  215.11 miles
Total mileage for the year: 666.46 miles 

Here’s how training has gone so far:
Week 1 and 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8


Jul
2018

Random Thoughts Thursday 30

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

• I finished reading another John Grisham book.  Another great book as usual but also sad as it mentions some things that happened in the South.  I won’t mention it here but I think you can get the idea.

John Grishham-Sycamore Row.jpg

• RnR Chicago was this past weekend.  It is usually HOT and HUMID on race day.  This year it was mostly humid with a lot of rain.  Oh man, I would have been miserable out there.  I don’t mind a little rain for a short amount of time but it was pouring out there.  

• A few months ago I applied for a Starbucks Reward Credit Card.  The first time I used it, I got 250 stars (enough for 2 free drinks).  Then when I spent $500, I was rewarded with 2500 stars (enough for 20 drinks).  Yep, I am happy!  The only thing is that these expire in February.  I should be able to use them all up, right?  🙂  From now on, I will receive 1 star per $1 spent on Starbucks Card load and 1 star per $4 spent on all other purchases.  I will use this mainly for Starbucks purchases as I use my Southwest credit card for everything else.

• Remember that time I wrote about a parking ticket that I received but that it was a mistake?  I got a letter letting me know that the ticket has been paid.  Umm, I didn’t pay for it but instead contested it.  Oh well, I won’t say anything else about it because at least I do not have to pay.  

Parking Violation Notice-1.jpg


Jul
2018

NuGo Egg White Protein Bars Review

categories: Ambassador, BibRave Pro, Product Review, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

Disclaimer:  I received NuGo Egg White Protein Bars to review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews. 

Thanks to BibRave I was afforded the opportunity to try out a new to me product – NuGo Egg White Protein Bars.  I had never heard of this product till a few months ago.  I received a mixed box with 12 bars in 4 flavors: Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Maple Pecan, Blueberry, and Peanut Butter.

When I first received my box, I couldn’t decide on a flavor and finally picked Dark Chocolate Sea Salt.  It was delicious!  I shared with my sister and she also agreed that it was good.

So what’s so great about these protein bars?  
• They’re made with real fruits and nuts.
• They’re non-GMO and 180-200 calories.
• They’re certified gluten-free and OU Kosher Pareve.
• Each bar has 12-14g of protein with no soy or dairy!

I don’t exactly have the healthiest eating habits but whenever I can, I try to not always eat junk food.  I actually felt good eating these protein bars because I knew this was better than eating a hamburger, pizza, or a hot dog.  Don’t get me wrong, occasionally I do eat hamburgers, pizza, and hot dogs but I am trying to cut down.  🙂 

Each bar is chewy like a candy bar.  I would enjoy one with a cup of coffee.  They’re tasty and easy on my stomach.  They’re also perfect for post-workout needs as it is a great protein option for fueling your body. 

I am not a big fan of Blueberry nor Peanut Butter and surprised that these were also very good.

NuGo Egg Protein Bars-4

My favorite one is definitely the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt.  I like that this was just what I need to satisfy my chocolate craving.

NuGo Egg Protein Bars-8.jpg

If you’d like to try NuGo Egg White Protein Bars use code: “BIBRAVE” for 15% OFF at www.nugonutrition.com.  You can choose a single flavor, or try the variety pack.  This discount is good until August 3rd.

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

TuesdaysOnTheRun


Jul
2018

ZOOMA Half Marathon Training Recap, Week 8

categories: Half Marathon Training, Hansons Training, Running, Weekly Recap

ZOOMA Half Marathon-1

I am excited to be training for the ZOOMA Half Marathon on September 15.  I am also excited to share that I will train using the Hansons Half Marathon Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. 

Week #8, July 16-22

M Ran 4.00 miles
T Ran 7.75 miles
W Ran 4.00 miles
TH Ran 6.00 miles
F Ran 10.00 miles
S Ran 4.00 miles
S OFF

Wow, what a week!  I made some changes due to family stuff and the RnR Chicago on Sunday (I didn’t run but was a spectator).  I was determined not to miss any runs this week.  I didn’t!  🙂

Ran 4 miles on Monday and then went to see “The Incredibles 2”.  A good movie!  My favorite part was the scene with the raccoon.

Tuesdays are my days off but I moved my runs to be off on Sunday to spectate the RnR Chicago.  I did 10 x 400.  It was a tough workout and I didn’t not hit any of my paces.  I was hot and tired (my own fault).   There are some pretty flowers by the airport.

My sister is in town with her husband and daughter.  We went out to eat with another sister and my mother.   IHOP was celebrating their 60th anniversary so they were offering 3 short stacks for 60 cents.  My niece and I shared Mexican Tres Leches Pancakes and Belgian Dark Chocolate Mousse Pancakes.

Wednesday was 4 miles, Thursday 6 miles, Friday 10 miles, and Saturday 4 miles.  I went out too late on Thursday to run 6 miles and it was a mistake.  I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea to run in the middle of a HOT day.  I did my long run on Friday and it was tough too.  The last time I ran 10 miles was in May for the Solder Field 10 Mile.

ZOOMA Half Marathon-37

Later that evening I went to Fleet Feet South Loop to see Kathrine Switzer.  🙂

Kathrine Switzer-9.jpg

It rained for most of the morning on Sunday.  I felt bad for the runners.

Overall it was a good week.  I did all of my runs and don’t think I’ve ever run for 6 straight days.  That was exhausting!

Total mileage for the week: 35.77 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  182.50 miles
Total mileage for the year: 633.86 miles 

Here’s how training has gone so far:
Week 1 and 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7


Jul
2018

Random Thoughts Thursday 29

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

• I mentioned that I have several credit cards but ended up closing most of them.  One of those cards is a Sam’s Club credit card.  I rarely use it.  I use it as a membership card.  One time I used it at the gas station but must have forgotten to use another one to pay.  A few weeks later I closed my account.  Last week I received an email letting me know that payment was due.  I was surprised because I did not know I had a balance.  Well, imagine my surprise when I logged in my account and not only did I owe $23.48 for gas but I also owed a late fee and interest charges (total almost $50).  I did a quick chat session with an agent and he was able to waive the late fee and interest charges.  My balance was was again $23.48 and you bet I paid right away.  Whew!

• I am a big fan of Amazon and think it is funny how much the prices go up and down for some items.  On Thursday I ordered a pair of the Oiselle Women Moto Lesley Tights for $9.32.  These are great for running in the winter.  I know, I know, it is still summer but that is a good price for those tights.  I cancelled the order (stupid reason and now regret it).  The next day the same tights were $88.  Damn! I was mad at myself for cancelling the order.

• Recently I signed up for Billie, Women Shave Club.  It is $9 for the starter kit.  You get a Billie handle, the mag(net)ic holder and two 5-blade razor cartridges.  So far I’ve used it once and like it.  I am going to use it a few more times before writing a review.

Billie Shave Club-2

• IHOP recently celebrated their 60th Anniversary.  To celebrate, they were offering 3 short stacks for 60 cents.  My family and I got there around 9am and it was very crowded.  We were there for about 2 hours and when we left, not only was it still crowded, but there were a lot of people waiting in line.

IHOP-1

• Which door would you choose?  I would choose #2.

Which door

• Finished reading this book and loved it.  It will help me understand my students a lot better.