Running Fuel

I find it highly amusing that the topic of today's "Tuesday Topics Link Up" is all about how you fuel for a run.

Why is this funny, you may ask? Well, let me replay my Friday evening.

9:00 p.m. - Hey Jason, you wanna watch that Bird Box movie on Netflix? Sure.
11 p.m. - Movie is over and I'm SO WIRED because I don't do suspenseful or horror movies. I think I'm about to lose my mind.
Midnight - Still can't sleep. Hey, let's work on trying to transfer all 100,000 pictures from my iphone to my computer. No time like the present, right? (But for real...it's like 24,000 pictures. Anyone else feel me?!)
1 a.m. - If I don't go to bed, I'm seriously not going to wake up for my long run in the morning (and not waking up was seriously not an option)
2 a.m. - Barely asleep, I heard the sound of Brayden crying because he wanted "momma's bed". Alright, kid...come in momma's bed.
4:30 a.m. - The toddler was giggling in his sleep. Giggling. It was cute but 4:30 a.m.? Really? His giggling got him transferred right back into his own bed.
6 a.m. - A crazy freak storm moved through the area. Every time it thundered (happened at least three times), I JUMPED out of bed like the Bird Box ghost was headed my way.

Needless to say, it was not a productive night of sleep. Oh yes, and Brayden's monitor decided to have a sporadic connection which then caused the machine to annoyingly beep and beep and beep. It got itself turned off on two separate occasions during the night.

So, when my alarm went off at 7:15 a.m., the rain had just passed and I was ready to just get my long run over with.

What did my sleep deprived foggy brain have me do? I got dressed, grabbed a bottle of water, then headed out the door.

It was around mile 4 of my 10 mile run that I realized I didn't eat breakfast. Not even a typical pre-run bar or a banana. (Totally NOT in my norm...like at all.)

When I started getting light headed at mile 9, I realized I also didn't have any gels, GU, chomps, sports beans, not a single thing on me.

What. In. The. World.

Y'all, I've been a runner for 10 years now. I've run 6 marathons and 30+ half marathons and definitely know better. What possessed me to forgo any and all nutrition, food, gels, or gatorade at the least?! 

I'm not sure I know the answer, but the breakfast Jason had waiting on me when I returned home was everything I'd ever dreamed of!

All I can say is, I blame it on the Bird Box. Thanks, Sandra. 

Join Kookyrunnerand Zenaida every Tuesday for the Tuesday Topics Linkup!

Global Running Day

Hi there friends and happy Tuesday!

Off topic for a second (well, sort of)...if you missed it on instagram, I did something brand new (to me) yesterday. This was totally out of my comfort zone as I'm not one to just go forward into something alone, not knowing what's going on. Well, our Orangetheory is doing a soft opening this week, and since I joined back in March I knew I had to go check it all out!
 

Y'all. I was slightly nervous but those nerves went away super fast. I walked in, there were lots of people milling around (most of them were alone and didn't know anyone, either), I was greeted with smiles and everyone was super helpful...and the workout was...AMAZING! That was seriously hands down one of the best workouts I've ever done. As they say, I drank the kool aid and I'm not looking back! :)

SO, tomorrow is Global Running Day, where people all over the world take part in a run of some sort - any distance, any time of the day. It encourages everyone to get out and get moving! This is a great day for novice runners or beginners alike - you don't have to create a lofty goal, just get out and run!

Also, I've seen a lot of race organizations host extra special Global Running Day discounts for their race events, so keep an eye out for those! Rock n Roll is one who has hosted great specials in the past for sure!

A local running group is hosting a run tomorrow, but it always seems to fall on days when I have to bring Brayden. Six pm heat down here in Southwest Louisiana plus a toddler in a dark stroller do not get along well at all...oh well, maybe next time!

I don't have a solid plan for my run, but it will take place sometime tomorrow! :)

How are you celebrating Global Running Day? Have you ever tried Orangetheory and if so, what did you think? 

It's the Tuesdays on the run link up with Erika, Marcia and Patty!

2017 Goals

With a new year comes a fresh slate with new opportunities. I've never ever been a fan of resolutions, but I do like to set goals for myself. While thinking about goals for today's Friday Five topic, I came up with several that I would like to set for 2017.

Organize and throw away/donate

Oh my gosh. Ever since we found out we were pregnant, we had to cram eight years of our lives into one less room (to make room for Brayden). I am a very sentimental person, so I often hold onto things I shouldn't necessarily hold on to. My goal for the next few months is to take my house room by room and completely organize and donate/sell/throw away the "clutter" I don't need. I also have an ebay box, so I need to post those items online to sell. We've been looking at houses for a while now (over a year) and just haven't found anything we loved. However, I know that one day we will, so my new motto is this - would I take the time to pack this item in a box and move it to a new home? If not, then bye...it has to go. This will help me stay focused on the task at hand.


Train properly for a race/stick to a training plan

As you know, my running group will cease to exist after Saturday (tomorrow). Sad face. After having been a member of the group for 8 years, this will be a huge change for me. However, I have a few races on my horizon and want to stick with a training plan so I can effectively train and complete the races without injury. My running buddy Heather still wants to keep training as well so I know this will help with my motivation!


Pay closer attention to my food intake

This one is self explanatory. I was doing really well in the months leading up to Christmas but now that's all been erased. I need to get back on track and stay at my pre-baby weight state! 


Enjoy my family

Time is something we all wish we had more of. Spending time with my family is something that is very precious to me and I want to enjoy the time we have together without distractions. As a full time working mom, I take the time I have to spend with my fast-growing baby very seriously and I want to cherish and enjoy it.


Be more contentious of money

There are times when I order something online or purchase an item simply because I want it. This year, I want to be more aware of why/where/how I'm spending my money. Is it something I truly need? If not, then I won't make the purchase. As I mentioned before, we are looking at purchasing a house in the near future and I would like to have a decent amount saved up before that time.

What are your goals for 2017?



Today, I'm linking up for the Friday Five!

Join the Friday Five 2.0 Linkup at Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness!