Workout Wednesday: Running drink/eats

I've had friends ask me what I use/wear when I'm running. I won't cover it all today, but I'll start with a few basics. I don't run with water. I have plenty of friends who love to run with water, but I can't...in fact, I don't drink much water at all when I do long runs. I prefer to hydrate a ton the night before (or if it's an evening run hydrate during the day). I do love Gu. I use both the gels and the chews.

 

It's better if I leave the description of these to the experts: With a blend of carbohydrates, amino acids, antioxidants and electrolytes, GU Chomps energy chews give you something to sink your teeth into while pounding the pavement or hitting the trail.

I will say these are easy on my stomach but they're not as easy to pack as Gu gels (see below).

 

I stole this description from the website: GU Energy Gel Nutritional Supplements maintain blood glucose levels, delays physical and mental fatigue, prevents muscle damage, and aids in recovery.

• Contains 40mg caffeine
• Over 100% of daily allowances of vitamins C and E in every serving
• Comprised of 85% complex carbs and 15% simple sugars
• Formulated with all 3 branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs): leucine, isoleucine, and valine
• Contains histidine which buffers lactic acid accumulation

Espresso is my favorite flavor (though if you're not a big coffee fan, you won't like it) and it gives me a huge boast of energy. If it's a long run, I use both gels and chomps...I plan out when I'll get them and it's my reward for running as far as I have.

 

 

Pre-running, I love a glass of pineapple juice. It's been found to help control blood sugar and it also contains bromelain, which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory that could accelerate muscle repair. It also makes your sweat smell sweet (just added bonus).

 

Y'all, I live for this stuff. There are tons of studies that say cherry juice is as good for inflammation as Motrin or Tylenol. It also makes recovery faster after a race. You can buy it in the capsule form (less calories than the actual juice) but I actually enjoy drinking the juice. Trader Joe's is by far my favorite...if it's too tart for you, mix it with a little water. You can find more info here: http://getfit.jillianmichaels.com/benefits-tart-cherry-juice-1520.html 

 

My last beverage choice is a post-run one. I love a big glass of chocolate milk (Horizon 2% milk and Hershey's syrup) after a run. Chocolate milk is the perfect carb load after you've burned them all off. See more info here: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/chocolate-milk-after-workout/

More to come on my running favs (there's so much to say and I've learned so much in the past few months!). 

Xo,

Workout Wednesday: Running clothes

I know that it's getting colder out and most of my running clothes are summery, but I haven't quite found my favorite winter clothes and you can find the summer ones that I'm posting on sale now that it's colder out. There will definitely be a follow-up to this post when I figure out what I'm wearing in the winter.

Pro Compression Marathon (www.procompression.com) socks are amazing. I swear by these suckers when I'm running farther than a few miles. The website describes these socks as: "Experience maximum benefit with the Marathon full-length, graduated compression sock. Compression technology helps improve blood flow, resulting in better, more consistent performance with less fatigue and faster, more efficient recovery. In addition to improving vascular performance, Marathon compression socks provide support to critical muscles and tendons, helping reduce inflammation and soreness." 

They're pretty much amazing and look pretty darn cool too :)

I'm kind of obsessed with this Under Armour Tech Short Sleeve V-Neck shirt. I have it in several colors and I swear they are the most comfortable running shirts ever. They definitely wick away sweat and keep you nice and cool on a run. I actually bought a ton of Target running shirts when I first started running and will never go back to them after buying this one. You can find it here: http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens-ua-tech-short-sleeve-v-neck/pid1228321-001.

Under Armour Sonic Capris (http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens-ua-sonic-printed-17-capri/pcid1235157-649) are great. I don't love running in capris (I'd much rather run in a pair of shorts, see below) but these are great. I always size down with these because I find that they tend to loosen up as you run. These have a small pocket on the back (perfect size for a Gu) but no pocket in the front if you're looking for something for your phone.

I cannot describe to you how much I love these shorts. They are my absolute favorite and I feel like I own them in every.single.color. Seriously! I bought these Under Armour Get Set Go Shorts (http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens-ua-get-set-go-shorts/pcid1236477-440) on whim because I didn't want to wear super short and tight shorts. These shorts are short, but aren't so tight that you feel like you need to pull them down during a run. I seriously try to justify wearing these as often as I can (if it's 40 degrees or more, I'm in shorts). I really don't love running in capris/pants because I love these shorts that much. In fact, I ran the half (that started out at 40 degrees) in these shorts.

Finally, my all time favorite shoes are these Mizuno Wave Elixir (http://www.zappos.com/mizuno-wave-elixir-8-electric-lime-punch-anthracite?ef_id=UPWUiwAAR-mtVAwH:20131212141757:s) shoes. They are lightweight and insanely comfortable. They're good for me because I have narrow heels and they don't slip and slide. The website describes them as: "Dominate the asphalt with the Mizuno® Wave Elixir 8 running shoe. Underfoot comfort and control are delivered by a combination of Dynamotion Fit and a light-weight midsole that will not disappoint. With these key features, your feet experience less stress, great stability and optimal energy return, keeping you one step ahead of the competition. The X-10™ carbon rubber outsole maintains steady contact with the road throughout your run."

We have a great running store in town that watches how you run and then helps you choose the best shoe depending on many different factors. Remember that when you're buying running shoes that everyone runs differently.

Here's to lots of fun runs!

Xo,

Wednesday Workouts: I like to move it move it...

Running? What is this ridiculousness?  Oh, gosh, I can't even imagine myself running a year ago. I'm pretty sure the only running I would have done was out of complete necessity. Now running is a complete necessity. I can't imagine my life without running. This is how I felt about dance and I felt this emptiness when I stopped dancing. I wouldn't say that hole from dancing is filled because I don't think it ever will be. You see, when you dance for so long and become so passionate about something, you will always feel empty when you think about that thing. Gosh I miss dancing...but that's besides the point.

Y'all this quote from www.runnersworld.com is so me. I still don't know if I would consider myself a runner. My best friend told me after I ran the half marathon, that if I kept running after that, then I was a runner. So...I guess I'm a runner :) I can't begin to explain to you how much I hated running before I started running...hated, loathed...wanted to vomit every time I thought about running. Running was one of those things that I was never good at. It uses totally different muscles than dance and just seemed so boring. And then I started. I realized that it wasn't about being good at it, but it was about disciplining yourself, competing with yourself and telling yourself that you can do it.

My husband thinks I'm crazy, but when you run 'long' distances, you have these crazy conversations in your head. Like when I was running the half marathon, I got really emotional around mile 10 (I had never run farther than 10 miles). I had to literally tell myself over and over that I couldn't get emotional, that I still had 3 more miles to go (I probably used way more profanities than that). I also have these "I think I can, I think I can" moments in my head. I think I can run farther, I think I can run faster...and then it becomes "I know I can."

Running has become therapeutic to me. I find that I have become happier with myself since I started running (I'm not saying that I was this awfully depressed person before). I have found that I am capable of a lot for than I ever thought possible (I know that's cheesy, but it's so true). I'll be the first to tell you that I don't think running is hard (per se). As a dancer, I think dance is way harder (go ahead and throw tomatoes at me). Dance requires way more skills than running. I am 100% positive that marathon runners and elite runners have skills...but it's a little different than dance ;). I guess what I'm saying is that I never thought I would be able to run farther than 2 miles (I never had run farther than 2 miles) and my body proved to me that I could do it. After so many horrible injuries in my life, I never thought I would be able to cross the finish line after running 13.1 miles, but I did.

Cheers to many more runs (and lots more blog posts on running).

Xo,

Sunday Snapshots

My hope is that is on Sundays, I can summarize the week/weekend in photos so that you can have a sneak peek into my life.

 

It seems like E and I make a trip to Chick-fil-A (www.chickfila.com) every Monday. We enjoy our "date" and meeting other kids on the playground. E is still scared to go all the way up to the slide, but he made it a lot farther this trip than others. We always end our trip with Ice Dream!

 

My quick, but super fun story on this pic: E and I went to Marshall's (www.marshalls.com), E saw Spiderman and Hulk and wanted them so bad, but we told him that he had to wait on Santa to give them to him. Fast forward to Tuesday night (my grandma always comes over to my parents' house for dinner) and low and behold, she had a Spiderman and Hulk to give him. They weren't the same ones as the one in the store, but he had no idea and was in love!

It was COLD on Friday, but this little boy does not like to wear a jacket. I was totally mom of the year (sense the sarcasm) by letting him play outside without a jacket on (in the sprinkling rain). I was pretty much just proud that he had shoes on (I hate shoes and never wore shoes as a kid...it's a wonder I'm not sick all the time).

After coming in from the cold, E and our dog Milly (E calls her Yabby) curled up in my lap. Sometimes I wonder if they'll ever learn about personal space, but other times I cherish the fact that they want to snuggle so much. The only times it drives me nuts is after a long run or when I'm typing on my laptop (hence E is literally attached at my hip right now, trying to kiss me).

 

Saturday morning was a 5K for a friend from high school that lost her life way too soon. I ran my own 5k at home (since I couldn't make it to the race) and ran my fastest 3.01 so far!

During the UGA v. Auburn game, E thought it'd be fun to play the piano...let's just say his lovely music would have probably been better than watching the game :)

So just a few photos to catch up on our week :)

Xo,

Well, it's been awhile...

So, I started a blog 2 years ago and I'm just now getting back into it...I've been busy, what can I say?! And, I thought, do people really want to read what I write? Well, maybe they won't want to, but maybe they will. I consider myself pretty funny, but how do I write sarcastically? Or do I? I guess I feel guilted into blogging too. I work in PR and Social Media is a huge part of that...and I don't blog! I've been researching blogs for work (academic ones, not fun pretty ones) and realized that I really should blog. And so here goes...

Let's catch up...well let me introduce myself since I never did that in the first place. I'm a Southern girl living in the same town I grew up in, I have a 2.5 year old boy, I've been married 6 years, I work part-time in public relations/event planning and I spend most of my day running around like a chicken with her head cut off. Whew! That was almost a run-on sentence! What else? I like clothes and accessories a lot...and high heels and painted fingernails, but I'm a tomboy at heart- give me dirt and football games (with a good beer) and I'm a happy camper.

Other important things...running...it's my new addiction. I started running in June as a way to complete a Junior League shift (I know, such a slacker) and then had a pretty good ankle injury. I'm not a patient person and waiting to heal was not the easiest thing. I threw myself straight back into running and ran a 15K in September and my first Half Marathon in October. Let me explain that I was NOT a runner before. In fact, I used to bribe my PE teachers into not making me run. And forget those endurance tests in high school, because I was a dancer I opted out. Running became my alone time at first...when you have a 2.5 year old, things are rarely quiet and those voices in your head rarely get to speak. I run by myself. I run because I can push myself harder than I want to (I actually spend most of my time saying 'push harder'). I run because I WILL eat that extra slice of cake and drink another beer. I run because let's be honest, my abs haven't looked like this since I was 15 years old.

So I see this blog as a place to write about the things I care about: family, event planning, running, cooking  and fashion. If you find my incredibly boring, don't tell me, just stop reading.

I haven't thought about how the blog will be broken up (should I have done this first?) but I'll figure that out as I go. I follow so many amazing bloggers www.sweetsouthernprep.com, www.pinkpreppylillylover.blogspot.com, www.kappaprep.com and www.anneandbradley.blogspot.com to name my favorites that I don't know how I'll even begin to write as well as they do.

Xo,