The week so far (humid nightmare)

It's Friday, and I hope you're getting down.

This week had it's challenging moments, but I've made it.

Tuesday's 4 miler was Charles Barkley Turrble. 

First, my Garmin refused to turn on, so that was fun. I had to use my MapMyRun app on my phone. It's nice that I have that second option, but it's not my favorite by far. I like to be able to see where I'm at simply by glancing down, and with my phone in my SpiBelt it's just a hassle to unzip and check. Speaking of my SpiBelt, 95% of the time I wear it, I can't even tell it's there. This was not one of those times. For some reason it was bouncing around and being uncomfortable. In fact, "uncomfortable" was just how I'd describe this run. The temperature wasn't too bad from what I remember, but the humidity was soul-destroying. I had to WALK TWICE between miles 2 and 3. Luckily I made it back home about 5 minutes before the monster storm dump that Arizona got to live through this week.

Two bright spots of the run:  

• Even with babyish walk breaks, I got 4.06 miles in at a 10:41/mi pace. Right at pace time for my 2:20 half goal. YAAAAAAAAAAS.

• Monday afternoon I had a surprise waiting for me in the mail from my WonderTwin Ashley! My very own Yogitoes Hband! And all I have to say is, it held up PERFECTLY in my disgusting, sweaty humidityfest run. It didn't slip at all! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

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wuv

 
Wednesday's speedy treadmill run didn't start off so speedy. Apparently I run way too close to the "emergency stop" bar and I accidentally pressed it. THREE. TIMES. Would you like to know how mad I was? I'm not sure I can describe to you without unleashing the hate of a thousand firey suns. (Hyperbole is one of my strengths.) I ended up going the 5K in 30:27, a 9:49/mi pace. Fast for me! It's just so much easier to run on the treadmill, but so much more BOOOOOORING. Ended with some upper body weights in the weight room. And yes, the weight-hogger was in there and yes, she was wearing pink and white UFC workout clothes. So she's got that going for her.

Yesterday's yoga was of course wonderful. We held some loooooong poses. Will my quads ever not melt and be on fire when I'm holding Warrior?

Today was redemption for the earlier "meh" runs this week. I felt amazing. I took a new route and watched the sun rise over the McDowell's. The clouds were pink cotton candy. It was humid, but cool enough to where it wasn't as debilitating as Tuesday. I had to use MapMyRun again (really praying my Garmin is ready to go tomorrow for my 7-miler) and just estimated where to turn around for my out and back 5K. I turned at exactly 1.5 miles out. Perfect! I ended 3.11 with 10:41, 9:53 and 9:57 splits, for a 10:11 average. I actually thought "aw man, that's it for this morning?" once I got home, which NEVER happens. I wrapped up with some core work.

Like I said, tomorrow's 7-miler is what's on deck for me. Here's to an early wake-up call and negative splits! And no rain, please baby Jesus.

 

New Kicks

Happy Tuesday!

 

(Hello, comfs)

I found an amazing deal (to the tune of $70 off) on these Brooks PureCadance 2's this past weekend. I'd been coming to terms with the fact that my trusty Mizuno Wave Creation 13's weren't going to last me through another season of training and upcoming race. The moment I put these bad boys on I knew I was bringing them home. They're incredibly comfortable, and fit snugly but not tightly around my entire foot, along with good arch support. I was a little nervous leaving for this morning's 5K run. The toe box of the Wave Creation's is super roomy and made of a breathable/meshy material, while these new sneaks seemed a bit more "constructed" and like they wouldn't move around as much.

The second I took off, I knew I didn't have to worry about a thing. These are so comfortable. I never thought I lacked support in the Wave Creations, but it made such a difference in actually running. I'm going to wear the Brooks for my shorter week-day runs for a while and slowly transition away from the Mizunos on my long runs, just to make sure the Brooks are broken in. Three cheers for running shoe deals.

The run itself felt good. In case you were wondering, 5:45 a.m. in late July in Arizona is a leetle too late to take off for a run, even a shortie like this morning's. I want to start getting in at least one outside run a week, since a treadmill with a personal fan blowing cool air directly on my face isn't exactly like out running in nature. My first two miles felt great, clocking in at 10:12 and 10:11, respectively. (I can hear people laughing at this being a "faster" time, but lay off. Fast FOR ME!) I had to stop and re-tie a shoe at the turnaround, and then when I was running back the rising sun was directly in my face. Being blinded + higher temps = 10:48 3rd mile. I clocked the whole 3.1 miles at 32:10. As soon as I clicked the "Pause" button on my Garmin, I saw the black triangle of death, signaling that all the run's data was lost. NOOOOOOOOOO! I'm not sure why my Garmin has been acting up lately, but it makes me a little Hulk-Smash-Angry. I've researched how to do a hard reset on it and just need to bite the bullet and try that out. I could also use MapMyRun to live track my runs, but their mileage always seemed a little wonky. (Adding about .15 more miles than the actual distance.)

At any rate, a successful Tuesday morning! Does anyone have recommendations on women's running sunglasses that 1) don't look like they're circa Top Gun with sweet mirrored lenses and 2) don't cost as much as a baby on the black market?