Fitness Friday: LPGA Final Round #ForeHunger

Until last Sunday, I had no idea how much exercise one could get while watching 18 holes of golf.  As part of the Meijer LPGA Classic 5k, I was given 2 passes to Sunday's final round.  What I didn't realize is the VIP treatment my guest and I were going to receive. (disclaimer: I was given these passes in exchange for participating in the 5k and blogging about my experience)

The event is held in Belmont, Michigan with parking at Rockford High School.  My friend, Kitzie, and I got to the high school in time to pick up our passes and take what I thought would be school buses to Blythefield Country Club.  Nope - they had air conditioned charter buses for all the spectators.  So much nicer than a school bus!

We took the short ride to the course and had time to wander around for a bit before meeting up with my contacts, Annye and Katie.  Right after entering the grounds, we saw these beauties!  There was also a giant Kraft macaroni noodle :)

Kitzie and I made our way to the first hole and watched the first few rounds of golfers tee off.  This was the final round and we were assigned to the 9:10 group (the leaders wouldn't tee off until around 10:00).  I don't really follow women's golf (or men's for that matter) but I did recognize a few names.  It was cool to watch Christie Kerr tee off.

After we met up with Annye and Katie, we were given our special "inside the ropes" passes.  The only give out 3 or 4 pairs of these each day, usually to major sponsors, members of the country club, or contest winners, so we felt very honored to receive them.  What this allowed us to do was to walk the entire 18 holes with 3 of the professional golfers.

Me and Kitzie in front of the clubhouse.

We were assigned to Kim Kaufman from South Dakota, Xi Yu Lin from China, and Ju Young Park of South Korea.  As soon as we were escorted to the first tee, all three golfers came over and introduced themselves.  Even their caddies were extremely friendly and welcoming.  A professional photographer snapped pictures but I have no idea how to get copies of them.  We didn't take any pictures with the athletes (yes - they are very much athletes and so are their caddies!) because once the round started they were all business.

That's Kim in the front talking to Xi Yu and Ju Young is in front of the caddies.

Walking right now the middle of the fairway during the LPGA Classic final round was an incredible experience.  Watching their athleticism and power was a highlight.  We were able to listen to the caddies give their athletes suggestions and we even had access to their refreshments at some of the holes.  I know practically nothing about golf but Kitzie golfs on a regular basis so it was nice to have someone explain things to me.

We spent about 4 1/2 hours with the athletes.  Kitzie had her step counter running on her phone and by the end of the round, we had walked over 13,000 steps or a little over 6 miles!  Yes, with all the hills on the course my legs were TIRED, especially after running a fast 5k the day before.  It was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day for golf and I feel very privileged I got to watch the final round from behind the ropes.

Thank you Meijer, Kraft and the LPGA for a wonderful weekend!

Fitness Friday: and so it begins??

To run the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25k in 2015 wasn't in question when they unveiled the new medal.  Isn't she pretty!?!  Finally, a re-design after using the same medals year after year after year after year....you get the idea.

What's in question is whether I'm ready to start training for another big race.  I got a little burned out training for Detroit but the payback of a nearly 35 minute marathon PR was worth it.  I'm wondering what I could pull off for the 25k in May.  How hard do I want to work?  My PR is a 2:41:33 (10:25 pace) and that was pretty tough.  Think I could go sub 2:30?  That would be around a 9:30 pace.  I think that's probably a big of a stretch carrying the extra weight I have and seriously lacking in speedwork, but May is a long ways off.

I haven't registered yet because there's rumor that they are partnering with another race and that could mean special bling to sign up at the same time, so I'm going to hold off for now.

In any case, the first official "long" run is tomorrow morning.  It's a whopping 5 miles but since I'm still toying with the idea of a winter half, I'm planning to run an extra 3.  Anyone want to join me in 8 frigid miles tomorrow morning?  At least it's not supposed to snow.

Fitness Friday: winter came too early

Grand Rapids, Michigan just broke its 1895 record for the snowiest November on record, and we still have 9 days left.  The last total I saw was 28.5 inches, which is still about 56 inches less than Buffalo, so I guess I can be thankful I don't live there.

Now they are predicting a warm-up this weekend with freezing rain to go on top of all this snow.

I'm really not ready for this.  I'd wave the white flag but I'm afraid no one would see it behind the mounds of white crap we already have.

Fitness Friday: 2015 Race Calendar

As of right now, my 2015 plans are a big, fat question mark.  I'm trying to keep some running fitness up, but currently I'm sick and haven't run more than 5 miles since the marathon about 4 weeks ago.  I don't know if I want to train for another full next year, focus on halfs again, or work on speed for shorter distances.

I know I have at least a couple longer races on the distant horizon, plus a race I really hope to travel for, but this is looking like a pretty empty calendar so far.

February 15, 2015 - The Donna Breast Cancer (Half) Marathon in Jacksonville, FL (cautiously optimistic I can work this out since so many of my southern friends are running and it falls on the weekend I have a break from school.)

April 19, 2015 - The Gazelle Girl Half Marathon in Grand Rapids, MI.  I worked the expo last year for Another Mother Runner and then decided at the expo to run the half. I hadn't run more than 7 miles since December, so the half was a tad rough. I'm hoping to plan a bit farther ahead and actually register and train this year.

May 9, 2015 - 5/3 River Bank Run 25k.  This is basically a home-town tradition that I wasn't going to participate in again because it never changes, but they revealed a new medal that is freaking AWESOME, so the bling whore won.

August 2015 - The Fred 200 Mile Relay.  Provided I don't have to move kids to college the same weekend, I'll be back as a member of the Screaming Thunderboxes.

So, 4 races I've identified and none I've registered for.  Pretty lame if you ask me.  Any suggestions of races I should consider?

Fitness Friday: The @shrinkingjeans Holiday Gift Guide for the Runner is coming!

I think many of you know I have this great gig where I get to write about running (or whatever else is on my mind) over at The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans.  Right now, we are gearing up for my favorite post of the year - the 2014 Holiday Gift Guide For the Runner (or non-runner because seriously, you don't need to be a runner to love this stuff).

This week, Lisa and I have given readers a little sneak peak into 3 products that will be featured and ultimately given away when the Gift Guide comes out during the week of Thanksgiving.  So far, we've profiled Momentum Jewelry: Designs that Move You, Armpocket, and New Balance and there is so much more coming.  I have to tell you, it's going to be FREAKING AWESOME!!!

So, go check out The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans.  Make sure you follow us on Twitter and Facebook and subscribe to the blog so you don't miss out.  This is going to be our biggest and best gift guide for the runner EVER!

Fitness Friday: what's next?

After coming off my awesome Detroit Marathon PR, it's hard to think about goal to chase next.

Do I work on increasing strength?  I'm notorious for not seeing lifting programs through to the end.

Do I focus on increasing speed at a shorter distance?  Perhaps that elusive sub-2 half?

Do I get back to focusing on getting my weight back down where it should be?  Because losing 10-15 pounds would really help with all these other ideas.

Or do I set my sights on another marathon?

I know I don't have to decide today, but this "not having a plan" plan really isn't working for me.  I've been on the scale more this week than I probably should be in a month.  

I do have one little race on my schedule for 2015 (although I won't register until after the new year).  This year, the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25k FINALLY revealed a new medal!  They put it up to a community vote and my choice won.  Isn't that one of the prettiest medals ever?!?  For a race that is the 25k National Championship and a huge draw for Michigan and the city of Grand Rapids, it was about time they showcased what GR has to offer on it's medal.  This one will definitely be hanging around my neck come May of 2015.  Anyone want to run it with me?

Fitness Friday: decisions!

Throw away hoodie or arm warmers?

Extra tablets of Nuun or switch to water when those run out?

New extra battery case for my phone (which I haven't run with) or the battery stick that takes up more space but I know will work?

Wear my Fellow Flowers Believe flower on my hat or my bib?

White hat or black hat?

I'm starting to panic a little bit for this weekend and I haven't started packing yet - probably because I'm too scattered.  I still need to get in one more run tonight and then get to packing (or at least set everything out) before tonight's football game.  The last home game for my marching band seniors.  Last night was senior night for my divegirl.

The senior moments this week have been rough.

Probably another reason why I can't seem to make a decision.

Fitness Friday: goals

I haven't posted here what my Detroit Marathon goal happens to be.  I don't know if I will.  Maybe that is fear - if I don't hit it, then I have to come back here and tell everyone I failed.  

In any case, the goal is a big one.  At least for me it is.  This race is going way beyond "finish".  I've worked harder for this race than probably any other race.  I'm hoping I put enough money in the bank for it to accrue some serious interest.  I want a big check next week Sunday.

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I set my marathon goal way back on February 1st when I got together with a bunch of girlfriends for the Fellow Flowers Declare It Day.  At the time, I may have posted something about it, so if you really want to know, you can dig :)

I made a plan - 22 weeks of official marathon training, plus rebuilding my miles after the winter.  I did 5 20 mile training runs (I think that's 4 more than for my first marathon). Speed work.  Tempo runs and intervals. When things got in the way, I moved days around.  I rarely missed a run.

I got to work - Since Declare It Day, I've run 670 miles (and I'll run at least another 15-20 before race day).  I've biked over 400 miles.  I've even swam and lifted.  Stretched and Rolled.  I definitely put in the work.

Stick to it?  Yah, see above.

All that's left is to reach the goal on October 19th.  I'm excited and I'm ready to cash my check.

To my friends running the Chicago Marathon this Sunday - have a great race, enjoy the miles and KICK ASSPHALT!

Fitness Friday: I screwed up my plan

So, it would appear that getting my wisdom tooth out on Wednesday was a bigger deal than I was expecting.  Here it is Friday morning and my face still throbs.

The dentist said I could run tomorrow if I ran with gauze packed in my mouth.  Does running for 3+ hours with a mouth full of gauze that you need to change every 30 minutes sound fun to you?  

Me neither.

So, I've screwed up my plan.  I tried to run my 16 miler on Monday because I was afraid this would happen but I failed.  I only made it 4 miles.  Now I'm out this week's long run and I'm looking at I think 22 miles lost this month from my training plan.  That's a lot of miles.  I'm hoping I can get all my miles in next week because I set a goal this month to hit 100 miles.  Now, I'm going to barely make it if at all.  I know having a 100 mile month isn't the ultimate goal, but the fact I was going to blow it away this month was kind of a big deal.  Only now I won't.

I should have listened when a friend said to postpone this stupid surgery.  I screwed up.

Fitness Friday: a birthday #giveaway

If you know me IRL or are friends with me on Facebook or Twitter, you may have heard a rumor that today is my birthday.  The rumor isn't a rumor - it's true.  I'm 44 years old today.  Happy Birthday to me :)

One of the reasons I exercise and try to eat right is to ensure I keep having birthdays. After all, the best gift we can give to ourselves is the gift of good health. I wrote a bit about that over at The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans today if you're interested. One of my birthday traditions is to run on my birthday.  I didn't want to run today and then do my long run tomorrow, so I moved my long run up a day so I could kill two birds with one stone.

Yes, that says 20 miles :)

Because I love all of you and the encouragement you give me here to do crazy things, like train for a marathon, I want to give one of you a present.  Consider it my birthday gift to you.

Leave a comment telling me one thing you've done this year to improve your health. Tomorrow night I'll choose one comment at random and send you a little something (make sure there's a way for me to contact you)!

Now bring on the gluten free cupcakes!

Friday 5: #rnrchi indecisiveness

This weekend's 18 mile long run will be done in conjunction with the Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon. I've never done a Rock n Roll race so I'm really excited for that piece.

The other 5 miles?  Not so much.

The past couple days have been punctuated by indecisiveness.  It's kind of gone like this..

1.  It's going to be hot so I'm going to wear my usual Athleta running skort.

2.  Every time I wear those skorts I chafe in some nasty areas, so I guess I'll wear capris and suck it up in the heat.

3. If I wear capris, that means I get to sparkle!

Pretty sure this is flat Bari - ignore the unmade bed.

4.  Should I run with music or just have fun with the on-course entertainment?

5. Who am I kidding? I'm not running 18 miles without music.  I even figured out a way to wear my shuffle that doesn't bother me or make my headphones fall out!

Ignore the sweaty post-run nastiness.  Note to self-don't forget the sunscreen.

Are you running Rock n Roll Chicago?  Want to join me for an extra 5 miles at 4:30 am?  Seriously. If you do, message or tweet me and I'll let you know where a few of us are meeting up!

Fitness Friday: Let the Real Training Begin!

It also happens to be the last day of school!

Now, I can start switching my running times to the morning when it isn't so freaking hot.

I also have my first "official" long run of my Detroit Marathon training tomorrow morning.

10 miles!

Once the double digit runs start it's like the "real" training begins.

I'm running this training run a bit differently though.

Tomorrow I'm running back to back races - a 5k and a 10k, with either a mile before the 5k or in between the 2 races (thye are an hour apart so in between is realistic).  That part I haven't decided yet.

Thoughts?  How would you run that?

I'm also struggling with which shoes to wear.  I don't think I can run 10 miles in my Newtons after 5 miles on the TM hurt on Wednesday.  Wear the Newtons for the 5k and Nikes for the 10k?  Just the Nikes?  Am I overthinking this just a tad?

Fitness Friday: National Running Day!

After so many injuries and still not running at 100%, 

on Wednesday, June 4th, I'm going to celebrate running 

Because I Can!

Click here to get your own badge and join me in a few miles on Wednesday!

Why do you run? (or walk, or spin, or zumba, or ...)

Fitness Friday: Race Bling Excitement!

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The bling whore is happy!  I'm earning this medal tomorrow in the 25k Relay.

Then I opened up my email this morning and saw THIS from Rock N Roll Chicago!

Is that not the coolest medal EVER???? I love the Bean :)

Any upcoming races this weekend?

Fitness Friday: how do I fuel and how do I celebrate?

So, if you've seen any of my other posts this week, you know that I've been re-vamping my eating to be paleo-ish.  I've cut grains, most sugars, and dairy.  This has worked great this week - as of this morning I've lost just over 6 pounds since Monday.  Don't flip, I'm sure at least 5 pounds of that is water.

Now I have a huge issue though.  All my usual pre-long run/pre-race meals are off limits.  

Gone is my ability to eat my usual chicken parmesean on Friday nights.  This is also one of my family's favorite meals, so my guess is I'll be cooking it for them and then eating plain chicken and a sweet potato or something while they enjoy this.

Gone is going out with friends after the race to celebrate.  I also usually have a beer the night before a race and now I can't have that either.  I know I'm whining about stupid shit, but it kind of pisses me off and this is exactly why I didn't want to go paleo in the first place.  One of my friends suggested chips/salsa and cider instead of beer, but those aren't exactly healthy alternatives (and technically, corn chips are also off limits because they are a grain).

Corey is coming in next week Friday and mentioned going out Friday night and then after the 5/3 River Bank Run race on Saturday.  I have no idea where we will go or what I'll be able to eat/drink when we get there.  It kind of takes the fun out of a weekend with friends.  

I'm not really looking for suggestions because I got a ton of them on FB.  Most included brown rice (also not allowed) or rice noodles (not allowed).  I'm hoping that my dinner tonight of plain chicken and a sweet potato helps me get through 10 miles tomorrow morning.  If not, I'm pretty much screwed for race day next week.

Fitness Friday: make a plan

I've seen this come across a few Instagrams and felt it was steal-worthy.


Applies to more than just fitness.

What do you want?

Fitness Friday: swim product I love!

A few weeks ago, Beth over at Discom-BOB-ulated Running posted about the issue of Triathlon Skin.  She's a badass when it comes to triathlon and the chick really knows her stuff.  Anyhoo, she talked about the itchy, dry skin some of us get when we swim a couple times a week.  I have been DYING after my pool swims (seriously, I wonder if I'm allergic to the chemicals but I have no where else to swim so I'm stuck).  Beth suggested these products from TriSwim.  

I ordered the body wash and lotion from Amazon and ZOMG MY SKIN DOESN'T ITCH!!! The products also smell amazing and help get rid of that nasty chlorine smell that tends to stick around no matter how long you shower.  I'll be ordering the shampoo and conditioner next.  

(I haven't been asked to review this product and no one gave it to me for free.  I just love it and wanted to share in case any of my readers have the same pool-skin issues I do.)

Fitness Friday: spring is coming!

I've forgotten how to dress - I was too warm!

Yesterday I skipped my planned workout to run 3 glorious miles outside.  I highly recommend you all do that from time to time.  I might even do this again on Saturday.
Just keep in mind, 3 hilly miles outside will leave you much more sore than 3 TM miles.  Oy vey.
Any fun plans this weekend?  
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fitness Friday: perception vs reality

With all my dumb injuries lately, I've been forced to resort to other forms of exercise. Then I go and hurt my neck and bitch because I can't turn my head swimming so my friend, Tami, sent me this on FB yesterday.  It couldn't possibly be more accurate. 

The reason why I never go anywhere after a swim:

And because the weather is still a total bi*ch:

Hopefully I'm looking more like the picture on top when I go for my run later today.

Happy Friday, people! What's on your agenda this weekend?

Fitness Friday: Spring Break Fun! #anothermotherrunner

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Do you know the wonderful Mother Runners behind Another Mother Runner, Sarah and Dimity?  If not, you MUST go follow their blog, find them on Twitter, visit on Facebook, etc, etc.  You get the idea.  I've loved their podcasts, used elements of their Train Like a Mother plans for a couple of my races and their support to the Mother Runner community is outstanding.  Plus, they're pretty freaking funny.

These lovely ladies have asked me to help out at a couple race expos this year for AMR and I couldn't be more excited.  If you are running the Gazelle Girl Half Marathon or 5k in Grand Rapids, Michigan this April, you must stop by their booth and say "hi" to me.  I'll let you know where I'm going to be for the 2nd expo once the details are ironed out.

When I saw their Another Mother Runner 2014 Party Schedule, I about fell out of my chair.  They are going to be in Charleston, SC while I'm there for spring break!!! I actually get to meet these two the week before Gazelle Girl - it really must be fate!

So, if you are in the Charleston area, please sign up to attend the party on April 8th.  I'd love to meet even more awesome Mother Runners.  Also, if you know of any great running routes there, I need to get in a few training runs because it looks like I'm going to be running a half marathon this summer!  More on that later :)

Happy Friday, friends!  

Cheers!