Archive for the ‘Running’ Category

Happy Thursday! As we speak (or as I type, rather), I’m making my second Alpha Bakery Banana Bread of the week. We’re headed to Appleton for a funeral tonight, and Brenton’s family could use some comfort food (don’t we all?!). Unlike my healthified version from Monday, I don’t have any white whole wheat flour or cacao nibs. So I’m making this loaf exactly like my dad and I used to make it, complete with walnuts because every good banana bread needs nuts. Here’s what else I’ve been up to:

1. When it comes to comfort food, there’s nothing higher on my list than a casserole. After writing this article for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, I discovered that you can make a casserole out of pretty much anything (baked mac and cheese, lasagna, even a breakfast strata).

One of the coolest things about researching and writing this article was that I got to interview Bobby Deen! (yes, that was an inaudible squeal) He was the epitome of southern charm and so down to Earth. He has a complete chapter on casseroles and one-dish meals in his new book, “From Mama’s Table to Mine.” I included a recipe for his Mexican Fiesta Casserole, which fed Brenton and I for days (the consequence of making any casserole in a two-person household).

2. I’ve been living in Zensah’s Seamless Power Running Jacket. The fabric is ultra breathable, soft and moisture wicking. You can tell this is a quality fabric as soon as you pick it up (I was introduced to Zensa when I first tried their compression socks). One thing I especially like about this jacket, besides the thumb holes, is the pocket in the back. Most people would use this for a key. I use it for poop bags. #TheLifeOfADogOwner

Source

Giveaway Winner!

Thanks for everyone who entered the Dreamfarm giveaway. The winner is…

Congrats, Tara! Please send your address to Alysha@Shesontherun.com by Saturday, Feb. 23, so I can get your prize out to you asap! If I don’t hear from you by then, I will choose a new winner.

Of Possible Interest:

Restaurants Turn Camera Shy (The New York Times)

10 Terrific Food Documentaries to stream on Netflix Tonight (The Kitchn)

Question: What’s your favorite casserole recipe? (links welcome!)

We survived! The Icebreaker Indoor Marathon Relay that is. Laurie, Karissa, Sarah and I duked it out against 99 other relay teams.

The race didn’t start until 1 pm on Saturday, so I had all morning to drink coffee, clean and hang out with Oliver. The race takes place inside the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee (It looks like a skating rink with a track around it). Here was my race outfit: lucky pink tank top (which I wear for every race), grey capris, Zensa argyle compression socks and Mizuno Wave Inspire 9 sneakers.

My breakfast that morning consisted of coffee and baked oatmeal (which I must really post about sometime. It’s the best!).

I wasn’t hungry enough to eat my banana so I took it along with me to eat between laps. Since we had 4 girls running 26.2 miles, we each ran 4 laps at a time (1.1 miles).

I ended up just eating the Clif Crunch bar and the banana. While constantly running, my appetite went down to zilch.

Go team Buns on the Run!

Laurie and I decompressing before the race.

One thing I didn’t expect was for the track to me so dry. For some reason I wasn’t that thirsty and only drank about 16 oz. of water the whole time I was there.

Our teammates Sarah and Karissa. Karissa loves cats…almost too much!

Laurie bookin’ it.

Between reps we warmed up with the sexiest blankets you’ve ever seen (covered with dog hair no less).

We placed 59th out off 99 teams and finished at 3:40:53 with an average pace of 8:26. I think we did an awesome job considering we switched runners 26 times (and each time we had to swap out an ankle timing chip). Also, we didn’t take ourselves too seriously. Most of us considered this race a workout and didn’t train too hard. This winter I’ve been running only 2x’s per week plus a bunch of strength training and other cardio. So considering that, I was pleased with my performance — and the rest of my team. These ladies did an awesome job and made the whole event worth it!

Although this was a fun race, half marathons are more my style. I’d much rather get the running over with and party at the end! Since we have so many races around Milwaukee, I’d love to run a 10k or two this summer (hopefully with Laurie and Brittney!). I always run my races alone and it is much more fun when you have a friend along.

Question: Do you have a running sweet spot? (i.e. a distance you stick to for races?) I find it hilarious that I’ve run 3 half marathons but only one 5k. I need to add some diversity!

Some things just creep up on you — like getting sick, a messy kitchen or even a race.

That’s how I feel about the Icebreaker Indoor Marathon relay this Saturday. I have not run on a track since high school, nor have I ever ran on a relay team. This coupled with the fact that I haven’t been seriously training means our “Buns on the Run” team (yes, that’s our team name!) is bound for greatness.

Ok, before you think I’ve been eating potato chips couchside all winter, I have been working out a lot. My idea of a fun run is lacing up and bringing Oliver for a 5-miler through the Oak Leaf Trail by our house.

I’m more concerned about getting out there, hitting a certain distance and getting a tan. That’s why I love the half marathon so much (minus the getting a tan part), Once you start talking about mile repeats and the like, I pretty much lose interest. I wonder if there’s a training plan called “going out there and doing my thing”?

In addition to running, I’ve been meeting with  my personal trainer about once a week and doing a lot of cardio (I’m loving the elliptical these days). I also want to get back into doing more classes at my gym. Since I left Xperience fitness, I miss my BodyPump like crazy. Instead I’ve tried their Interval, core and yoga classes.

So the fact that I’ve been varying my workout routine and staying active gives me confidence that I’ll hit our 8-minute mile time on Saturday. I’ve already thought about what I’m going to wear — definitely my Mizuno Wave Inspire 9 and Zensa Compression Socks. I’ll also probably wear my Lululemon capris and a running jacket. It’s supposed to be in the 50s inside at the Pettit National Ice Center where the race is being held.

Before I leave for the day, I wanted to show you my nephew’s latest picture. I visited him this weekend and he just lights up any room he’s in. He’s 10 months old and just took his first steps last week. He also has 7 teeth and loves to eat. He even ate a whole veal parmesan patty the night before…with a banana. At least he can now walk all of his calories off :)

Question: What sneaks up on you?

Besides races, I always feel the holidays sneak up on me…then the sneak away. I can’t believe they’re over for the year!

I’m back live! I hope everyone had an amazing holiday! We spent time up in Appleton visiting Brenton’s family and down in Kenosha with my family. It was Tristan’s first Christmas, so we had a great time opening presents and playing with his new toys. With a few extra days off work, we also had time to work on some Pinterest projects.

For the longest time I’ve wanted to create something that holds my race medals and bibs for my half marathons.

Pinterest Inspiration:

Souce

My version:

This project was very easy. I got the wood from Hobby Lobby for $2.99. Then I painted the wood a slate blue and distressed it with steel wool. I also painted some clothes pins to hold the bibs. Finally, I bought the hangers for the medals at Menards for a buck or two. Voilà! For more race medal hanger ideas, see my running page on Pinterest.

The next project I did was completely girly and I love it! It’s a DIY necklace holder with knobs you would find at Anthrolpologie.

Pinterest Inspiration:

Source

My Version:

Instead of spending $8-12 for Anthropologie knobs, I only spent $2 per knob at Hobby Lobby. This really saved me money on this project. I think the whole necklace hanger cost me about $13 (the wood was scrap but we bought a small container of paint to distress the wood).

Giveaway Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered by 2-year Blogiversary Giveaway for a set of William Bounds Salt and Pepper Mills! The winner is…

Congrats! Please send me your shipping information and phone number to Alysha@Shesontherun.com and I’ll have this sent out to you asap!

Don’t forget! You still have a few days to enter my giveaway for a 1-lb box of Enstrom Toffee!

Question: How was your holiday?! What do you like to do when you have extra time?

I scoured the ads on Thursday with one goal in mind: new running shoes. Most people would just head to Kohl’s for something like this, but the wrong shoes can affect your whole body and even cause injuries. I’ve been to Performance Running Outfitters in Milwaukee and they do a great job fitting runners with shoes that work.

It’s because of them that I got hooked on Brooks Adrenaline. My oldest pair is from my first half marathon in 2010 (the blue ones at the bottom). I got my red ones a year later and then went manly with all-back about 6 months ago.

Although I like Brooks, I figured you could always get something better. Anyways, back to the deals. I’m obsessed with bright shoes and Saucony was offering 20% on their site (which you can still take advantage of through Cyber Monday with code 20HOLIDAY).

I pretty much had my mind made up when I visited Run Away Shoes in Appleton on Friday. I know, I know. You cannot and should not buy a shoes based on looks, but their ads in Runner’s World completely sucked me in (which is surprising considering I work in this industry and know all the tricks).

But after trying on about 9 pairs, I finally broke free of my Brooks addiction. I settled on the Mizuno Wave Inspire 9.

I loved how the Mizuno hugged my heels so they didn’t pop out during runs (which sometimes happened with my Brooks). My feet also felt very secure without the shoe being too bulky.

At first I thought the color was little out there, but the electric blue is growing on me and now I love it. But hot pink with green would be even better (are you listening, Mizuno!?) I bought these on Black Friday at Run Away Shoes in Appleton for $113 with 15% off. I thought this was a pretty good price considering some of their shoes can run up to $140-$150.

Question: Did you buy anything on Black Friday? Are you loyal to any brand of running shoes? And what do you do with your old ones? I’m hoping Pinterest can help me with that last one, but I doubt anyone is crafting with old sneakers.

With our marathon relay coming up in January, taking the winter off really isn’t an option. I still try to run 2-3 days a week in addition to other cardio and strength training. This past weekend I ran 3 days in a row (3.5 miles on Friday, 4 on Saturday and 6 on Sunday). This was also to combat going to Wine and Dine Wisconsin. All this running gave me several opportunities to test out these Argyle Compression Socks from Zensah.

What sold me was the pink.

This is my first article of compression clothing. To the non-runner, compression socks just look like funky-colored tube socks. In reality, they’re designed to improve oxygen delivery to your muscles, speeding lactic acid removal and improving muscle efficiency. They are also said to increase recovery after a tough workout or race.

I feel like the witch under the house in the Wizard of Oz.

When you put them on, they’re snug but not too tight. Since I wear a size 9 shoe, I got the medium. The socks fit perfectly.

Side story: Whenever I start putting on any type of running clothing or shoes, Oliver immediately thinks he’s coming with. He starts wagging his tail and whining, which makes it super fun when I’m tying my shoes and his tail is whacking me in the face.

Anyway, since It’s chilly in Wisconsin (we’ve been in the 30s lately), I paired the compression socks with my Lululemon Sun Sprinter Crops, a t-shirt and a technical jacket with thumb holes that Brenton got me for Christmas last year.

What I loved about these compression socks from Zensah was that my calves felt great wearing them, and I didn’t have any pain after running. Ok, you may find this a little gross but I wore then 3 times without washing them and they weren’t sweaty or stinky. In fact, there wasn’t anything I didn’t like about them. Since I’ve suffered with knee pain in the past, I’d be really interested to try compression clothing that covers that area.

Question: Have you ever worn compression clothing? If so, what have you tried?

Disclaimer: I was given this product by Zensah. I was not given it in exchange for a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Thank goodness it’s Thursday. This week has just flown by. And after Sunday’s Half Marathon, my body is feeling as good as new. I thought I felt OK after the race (not too sore), but the 1 1/2 hour car ride back to Milwaukee made me so stiff that I felt like I morphed into an 80-year-old woman.

However, I feel that slowly amping up my activity helped a TON. Here’s what I did this week:

Monday: Walk 30 minutes

Tuesday: Walk 30 minutes in the morning, walk an additional 60 minutes during lunch

Wednesday: 20 minutes on the elliptical, 25 minutes of weight lifting

Thursday (today): 25 minutes on the elliptical, 25 minutes of strength training, 60 minutes of walking during lunch

I also did my fair share of foam rolling and BioFreeze rolling.

Although I have been running for years, I didn’t try BioFreeze until ordering it from Swanson Vitamins about a month ago (They also have a huge selection of vitamins, supplements, organic foods, natural bath/beauty products, eco-friendly cleaners, etc.). Swanson contacted me about trying some of their products. Of course I picked up an assortment of goodies from Bob’s Red Mill, Justin’s Maple Almond Butter and Stevia.

I love the fact that it’s so much cheaper to buy BioFreeze from Swanson’s. It was only $10.32, which is at least $4 cheaper than where I have seen it elsewhere. Basically, it’s a roll-on pain reliever that helps with arthritis, muscle, joint and back pain. Since I can’t walk around with ice packs on my legs at work, this really helped with my pain. It was cool and soothing. I definitely think that this, in combination with foam rolling, light activity and stretching, helped me bounce back quicker after this half marathon. I can’t wait to run on Saturday (it’s supposed to be 69 here and sunny).

Speaking of the race, I decided to reward myself for doing such a great job and beating my 2 hour goal (I finished in 1:59:43).

I was trolling through Lululemon’s “We Made Too Much” section and stumbled on these Sun Sprinter Crops. I figured these would be perfect for fall running because they are form fitting (no flopping pant legs I can trip on). There are also panels of Circle Mesh to keep me cool.

I think the back side may be even cuter than the front. I love the slight details like the zipper in back for my Gu’s (or for Oliver’s poop bag!). Regularly $88, I snagged these babies for $69! I know that is still crazy expensive, but I LOVE the quality of Lululemon (like my Run: Shorty Shorts). I’m still waiting for these to ship to my house, so I’ll give an update to let you guys know how I really like them.

Question: How do you reward yourself after you reach a goal (big or small)? Although I am a total sweets lover, I’ve heard that you should not reward yourself with food. I still do, of course, but not very often. With running especially, I feel like new workout gear or accessories are a great reward because they make me feel good when I’m using them (like my Garmin 305 watch) – unlike a cupcake, in which the effects would be gone after eating it.

Disclaimer: I was given free products by Swanson Vitamins. I was not given them in exchange for a positive review. All opinions are my own.