Friday, December 20, 2013

My Morning Routine

So I am far from a Morning Person. Actually if I could stroll into work around 11 and work my 8 hours I'd be happy. But I try to get things done in the morning to help me survive. Lately life is really hectic. I am coaching swimming at night so I don't get much time to do the little things. Workouts need to be squeezed in. And add in the Holiday rush- URGH! So here is my morning to get me through these crazy times.

I get up after hitting snooze probably a DOZEN times! I set 2 alarms and still hit snooze. Did I mention I am not a Morning Person

When I finally get out of bed I walk into the kitchen and turn on my tea kettle. Get coffee going in my coffee maker. When the water is warm in the tea kettle I get a mug of water and some lemon.

That goes on the sink and I hop in the shower. When I am out of the shower the lemon water is at a temp I can drink. While I finish up my post shower face toner and moisturize.  Its so dry here in the winter I am using coconut oil on my skin and even throwing a little in my hair to help it stay healthy.

While I get dressed sometimes I'll finish laundry or pick up the house. I'll figure out what leftovers are going into work with me for lunch. I make a seltzer in my Soda Stream for the day. Make sure work out clothes are packed. Since I am trying to make it to the gym at lunch or when the weather is decent get outside for a run.

I pour my coffee into my travel mug and the left overs go into the mug after I finish my water to sip on while I do my make up. When I am dressed I will start making my breakfast. Generally its something I can have in the car. Egg white with spinach and cheese sandwich or a smoothie. This way I am getting in protein and some veggies and/or fruit. I have found without protein in the morning I am ravenous!

I take my multi vitamin, probiotic and lately some vitamin D. Do my hair. Throw my lunch and my breakfast in my bag. Throw my TYR workout bag on my back and head out the door, I sip on coffee and my smoothie on my ride or eat my sandwich.

This is how I am getting through the craziness in the morning this time of year! How do you manage?

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Cold Weather Running- My Rules of Thumb

With everyone doing their SPONSORED Holiday Running blogs I thought I'd add a non- sponsored version. Last night a friend and I were talking about how many layers to wear for a cold weather run. Now I am someone that gets warm. We have dipped into the 20s so far this year. Not super cold but cold. Some of my cold weather staples are:

Fleece Lined Gloves
Light acrylic "toss" gloves. The ones they sell for 99 cents at the pharmacy.
Mittens - I find gloves leave my finger tips really cold.
Hat
Ear Band
Cold Weather Base Layer
Light Run Jacket
Fleece Lined Jacket
Full Length Tights
Fleece Lined Tights

When it is in the 30s- I'll opt for tights or capris and light running jacket. Sometimes my toss gloves, since my hands get cold.

When it is in the 20s- I'll opt for tights. A base layer and light running jacket. Usually go with a hat or ear band. Either Fleece Lined Gloves or my mittens.

When it is sub 20- I'll opt for the lined tights. A base layer and fleece lined jacket. Hat and mittens.

Sometimes I'll throw on a running scarf to give me another warm layer if the wind is whipping.

I am thinking it is time to invest in some smart wool running socks. My regular run socks leave my toes cold for the first 30 min or so.

I don't know if I heard this somewhere or made it up- but I always dress for 10 degrees warmer than it really is outside. That way I am cold when I start but okay when I am warmed up and running.

Of course, all of this changes with precipitation and then depending on distance too. But these are some of my general Cold Weather Running ideas.


It was in the 20s and windy this day- mittens, hat, tights, cold gear and light jacket and SCARF :)

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Turkey Day- Trotting and Relaxing

Another Thanksgiving which means another Turkey Trot. For the last few years we have run the local 10k and this year wasn't going to be any different. I had texted my friend and team mate from Luna Chix, Lisa to come out. How many people can  you text at 11pm to come run the next morning at 8 in the freezing cold and they'll actually show up?!  Even though D didn't feel like running when we got up. We hopped in the car and headed to the race.

A couple years ago it was in the 50s on Thanksgiving. This year it was a FRIGID 20 something with 50mph wind gusts. I think it was the howl of the wind that made D not want to go out to run. To be honest I wasn't too excited either. I had spent the last week doing any workout that wasn't swim, bike or run. I had only run 2 miles the week before. This 10k was going to be interesting and COLD! Lisa being from Minnesota thought we were wimps.

We headed to the start line and tried to hide behind cars to block the wind. So much for 8am start time. Come on we are getting really cold. We stood in the mass of humanity singing the national anthem and suddenly before it was over, the group surged. WAIT?! what?! We aren't going to finish the national anthem?

Turkey Trot is the best place to end up with people lined up on the start line that don't belong there. Look if you aren't going to run a sub 20min 5k move back! Walkers just put yourself in the back! It is chip timed. I laughed and told Lisa luckily I am not going for a PR. D buzzed off and we joked that we would see him as he did his second loop.

Miles 1 and 2- 9:09, 8:31
The first part of the course was a lot of dodging the 5k runners that seeded themselves in the wrong spot. And to be honest- I know better I could have saved myself and put myself up closer to the front. The first couple miles were uneventful. A bit slow with all the weaving.

Miles 3-4- 8:51, 8:49
Then we turned the corner the river is to the left and the wind started to howl. It was so bad you couldn't even get enough of a full breath. I pushed but it felt like I was going backwards. Then luckily the second loop takes you out of the wind again for a couple miles.

Miles 5-6- 8:45, 9:11
As we hit the wind again I pulled back on my mittens and my scarf. Looked down at my watch and realized I wasn't going to PR, which wasn't the plan. But I could beat my time from last year which I thought was a 56. The wind literally stopped me in my tracks at one point, in mile 6. As we turned off the wind whipped road Lisa tried to push me. "Come on Juls Don't let me beat you." I just laughed and said WHATEVER! haha

We crossed at 55:50. And my time from last year was a 58:30 so I crushed the course. And even running and chatting with Lisa, being pushed around by the wind, and I ended up 4 min away from my 10k PR. We had fun taking pictures after then headed home.



D and I were planning on having "his" thanksgiving- Dutchgiving. We laid and watched the Macy's parade and hung out with no place to be and no timelines. Got up and watched football and warmed up our turkey pot pies from the local farm. We ate the pot pie and pecan pie and even fell asleep watching football. It was a really nice relaxing holiday! If you have never had a relaxing holiday I highly recommend it. Sitting around with no one else's timeline or stress or pressure was really nice!