Snow Queen

One thing you can always count on in Kansas is unpredictable weather. On Monday it was 70 degrees and I was out in the yard in shorts and a tee shirt. Yesterday it snowed and today's high is 14 degrees with the windchill bringing us down to a lonely little 3.

My run on Monday was perfect, yesterday- not so much! I had a 5 miler on the schedule and I burned my brains to pieces running all 5 on the treadmill. I feel like time literally stands still when I'm on the treadmill! I broke up my run last night with a back & arms circuit every 1.5 miles but I was still crazy bored.


I started the morning with these poor souls getting stuck in my front yard. I'm not going to lie, it was entertaining to watch them. I felt like a bad neighbor because I did not go out to offer to help but it's not like I had chains and a two ton truck hiding in the garage- just me and my dirty laundry hiding out here.

Oatmeal + protein power + coconut + raisins + cinnamon. So delicious and totally perfect for a snowy morning!

I spent the afternoon over at my parent's house, or more accurately, out in the fields with the little siblings. We had a blast making snow angels, throwing snowballs and making snow caves. It was cold and I think I left 2 or 3 fingers frozen solid beneath a snow drift! 

I know  a lot of people hate driving in snow, but it has never really bothered me. I won't go out of my way to get out in the yuck but I'm not going to let it stop me from getting where I'm going. So far I've never had a bad experience in the snow while driving, probably because I drive like my Grandma; except I wear my seat belt!

Have you ever wrecked because of snow?

What is your favorite things to do in the snow?

Something Sweet.

My sweet tooth has been and will probably always be my biggest battle. I just need that teeny little kick of sweetness!
Last night I had the strongest craving for something sweet after supper. I kept ignoring it but it just wouldn't go away.
I had some Dove dark chocolates left over from a Christmas gift so I melted two of them with just a dab of coconut oil. I sliced up a banana, dipped it in the chocolate and sprinkled it with unsweetened shredded coconut. Popped these cuties in the freezer for about 10 minutes..........so totally delicious! There is nothing better than dark chocolate and coconut!! The banana was totally tasty addition.


Super perfect snack.

Do you prefer;

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

Green or yellow bananas?

Eight Thoughts and Eight Miles.

Marathon Training Week #4- DONE!

So far I have been blessed with awesome weekend weather which makes my long runs so much nicer. I was going to say easier, but who am I kidding! 'easy' does not belong in the same sentence as running.

1. Realistic expectations are important. When I started out on my long run I told myself "no goal time. Just get in the 8 miles and you win." In my constant desire to improve, I never run without a goal-- PR time, negative splits, or avoiding my repeated face plants. Saturday was warm, but WINDY-- 25-30 mph. It's not rocket science that when it's that windy, chances are you are going to run just a tad slower. Letting myself off the hook, running for the sheer enjoyment of it and not stressing about the time made for a much happier run.

2. I got chased by some sheep. This was a first. I've been chased by dogs, cats, cows and humans but never sheep. You may call me Bo-Peep.

3. Did I mention it was windy? Just a little bit.

4. I can talk on the phone, text, drink coffee, read the newspaper and laugh at the same time, but I cannot run and open a package at the same time. I swear it took me 1/2 a mile to get the GU Chomps open. I tried the Blueberry/Pomegranate flavor and they were worth the work to get open. I didn't really feel like fuel was necessary for an 8 mile run, but I really want to get my stomach comfortable with mid-race fueling. I ate the chomps at mile 4.

5. Wearing insulated running leggings in 60 degree weather is dumb. Check the temperature before you bundle up next time silly face!!

6. To my neighbors-- your homemade BBQ smelled heavenly. It took all my will power to not run up your front steps and straight into your kitchen. "Hey neighbor, can I borrow a cup of sugar....oh nevermind I'll just settle for that tray of ribs." I can't decide if it was your barking dog that scared me off or the fact that I live in KS and you probably own a gun and would shoot me if I ran into your kitchen.   

7. I pretty much am addicted to trees. I have a hard time concentrating on my running when there are trees in the vicinity. I love looking at them, taking pointless pictures of them and imagining how each tree looks during different seasons.

8. NO bloody foot this run!! I was scared to take off my shoes when I was finished because I was scared of what I might find. My foot was in perfect condition post-run. Yay!

Weekend Long Run.

Almost 60 degrees in north east Kansas yesterday! I broke out my shorts for my run, which was a bit premature since it was back down to a high of 32 today.
I had just enough daylight after a work and funeral to get in my long run. I had 7 miles on the schedule and I took a new route to distract me.


I ran a new route yesterday and this one was hilly. I always forget how much I love hills! They add so much challenge and excitement to my runs.

 

When I got home from my run I was feeling really great- no pain or soreness anywhere, so I was shocked when I pulled off my shoes!

 The entire inside of my shoe was also bloody! I couldn't believe it because my foot was not hurting at all, but I was scared to take off my sock and see what in the world was wrong with my toes! After inspecting them, there is no broken skin, no blisters, no bruising, absolutely no sign of any reason for bleeding! It's kind of freaking me out! I still have no idea why it was bloody- it's not like a ran through a puddle of blood on my run!


Marathon Training Week #3- DONE!

Town Miles

I finally had a good run this week! Still at a silly slow turtle pace, but it was a definite improvement on my record for the month! I hit up 4 relatively easy miles after work before it got dark. It was warm out but as the sun started to go down it got chilly pretty fast!!
I ran in town since I was short on daylight and needed to take advantage of it immediately. I love running in town because there is so much more to look at. I counted 7 people running on treadmills in their houses. That comment makes me sound like a stalker, but I promise I'm just observant!


I was just under 40 minutes for 4 miles, and I definitely want to start increasing my speed and seeing some smaller numbers for my miles. I know this means speed work, and I hate speed work.
Speed work lovers, what is your secret?!?

 

After work I also ran to the grocery store to restock my fridge. I scored big time with some great sales on produce. They usually have a cart full of discounted produce because it's discolored, slightly bruised, or the packaging is damaged. This girl has no shame in emptying the entire 'sale cart' into my cart!! I will buy pretty much any fruit, except strawberries and plums.

I love grocery shopping, it always put me in a great mood!

 Today was a rest day, and sometime this weekend I'm scheduled to get in a long run. It's shaping up to be a long, crazy weekend, so we'll see if I make it outside before dark, or if I have to suffer the misery of the treadmill!

Who has a long run this weekend? Outside or the treadmill?

Running Rut.

2013 is off to incredibly rocky start in the running department! The minute I made the decision to begin training for the marathon, my running loves turned to running woes. My goodness- there have been no easy runs this year! I have been fighting tooth and nail to lace up and get in my miles.

I find this incredibly odd, because nothing makes me love running more than a goal does. A new distance, a new PR- once I set my sights, it's a cake walk. I'm super excited for this marathon and working towards this big goal and huge accomplishment in my life.

Ruts happen- some runs are bad runs. They hurt, they make us question ourselves, they throw our expectations and perspectives into a tail-spin. But our runs keep us going, give us hope, end the swirling craziness of life and keep our feet on the ground.   

I'm not giving up, and everyday I'm grateful for the opportunity to put one foot in front of the other and let such a small, simple experience like running completely and 100% change me and propel me forward in life.

Running Rut? What's your best tip to busting through the running blues?

The Kids are coming to town.

2013 is off to a great start- my sister & her family are moving back to the area! They have been living about 3 hours away, which is not close enough to spoil her little kiddos to my heart's content!
Last week my sister was down to look at a couple rentals so she dropped a few of them off at my house for a little bit! They stopped in after naps so it was time for a quick snack. Or maybe I just want to be the #1 favorite Aunt and food is an easy way to catapult myself to that distinction. :)


I told Philip to smile, but on second thought; your face matches Aunt Tabitha's face perfectly!! :) 

Sarah refused to smile, but she put that pickle away like nobody's business!

They'll be moving in a few weeks and these cuties are going to be just 2 miles away! I see lots of sleep overs and play dates ahead!! They may get sick of me since I can literally run to their house. :)

What is your favorite activity to do with your nieces & nephews?

26.2

Training for my 1/2 marathon taught me so, so much. I learned so much about myself, about hard work and about accomplishment. I loved training for my 1/2 because I was so focused. I knew that the hard work was worth it because it would enable me to acheive something so great and important to me.

Since my 1/2, I've been 'goal-less' in a way, not working towards any specific goal, except, of course to just be awesome. I miss the drive and energy that my training had this fall, and I'm ready to get some zeal back!

As I mentioned the other day, I'm super excited to announce my new training plan..............

Marathon here I come!!  

 

Since my 1/2 marathon, I have been flirting with the idea of running a marathon, but I didn't want to feel pressured. In a lot of ways, it just felt like 'the next step' for me as a runner, but I was pretty overwhelmed by the idea of trying to attempt such a huge accomplishment. I wanted to give myself space to run it when I was ready, not when I felt like I was supposed to.
But- if your dreams don't scare you- you aren't dreaming big enough!!
I got bit by the bug big time during the month of December! I suppose it didn't help that I've been reading a ton of blogs with first-time marathoners who either crossed the finish line in the last six weeks, or will cross the finish line very soon.
I am ready to train hard and run my tail off!

I will be running the Garmin Marathon In the Land of Oz on April 20th!

Introducing...........

Curly Pink Runner.

 

Something I've thought a lot about this month is my blog and how it reflects who I am in real life. I wanted to edit my blog a little bit to be more accurate to who I am in real life. While I love it, I don't feel like it totally represent the real me.

In keeping with the theme of a "New Year", I'm giving the blog a little make-over, including a new name.

Living Like Lizzie was a catchy name that came to me when I initially started blogging, but it doesn't really say who I am, or what I do.

I tossed around a couple new names,

Pink Girl Eating

Pink Girl in Earrings

Pink Girl Crying

Smiley Pink Chick

Scarcasm and Running Shoes.

But......who am I? What do I do?

I run. I have curly hair. I live in pink.

Viola!! :)

My last run of 2012.

I ended my year the only way I know now how to have a good time- running!! :)
Last week I was reveiwing my running stats and realized that I was closing in on 600 miles for the year of 2012! I decided to make sure I hit that number- it's a big one and I'm proud of it!!
I worked a midnight shift, so when my shift ended, I laced up and hit the track. I was tired and definitely wanted to just go home and bury myself in bed, but I made myself get my push on and get in my final miles! I did a killer leg workout yesterday so my legs were sore, tired, dead ;I don't even have a word for it.  I had to fight for every mile! I was sorely tempted to call it quits at mile 3 and 4, but I pushed on to #6!!
600 miles in 2012!!!

new running leggings......super warm.

frozen face.

It was a slow run because the track had multiple places where it was snow-covered and pretty slippery!
Ironically enough, my run today was one of the toughest runs of my year. It wasn't a good run, but it reminded me again of how amazing running is- it's these bad runs that make the good runs good!

2012 has been a big year for my little legs-- I began the year unable to run even 1/2 mile without stopping. This morning I was 6 miles on the day before breakfast. 600 miles has made me a better me, because I chose to become the person that I want to be.
Running has taught me so much and I'm grateful for the good, the bad and the ugly of this fabulous sport.
Here's to 2013 and many happy, healthy running adventures!!