Breaking News!!! Announcement Time!!!

First things first, the other day I mentioned to The Brunette that it would be awesome if she did a guest post sometime for me and give an outsiders look into what it's like living with a runner... well lo and behold that very night she not only decided to work on said post but decided to go all out and create her own blog! With that I would like to introduce none other than: The Brunette, my incredibly stylish, oh so pretty, roommate who is currently going to school for Interior Design (Read: My apartment looks like a cover shoot for West Elm) I was so touched by her first post and cracked up as she set up a typical morning around the digs. Please take a second and go show her some love as she def deserves it for putting up with my crazy @ss on a daily basis! Luv ya girl!!! :)

Next up...

BIG news. We (B.o.B aka Crazy B & I) mean like, huge. Gigantic. News. Bigger than the Boston Marathon BIG! One might even venture to say... JURASSIC!

We have started another blog. We know that ya’ll; like us, already read 34,569,863,783.2 other blogs. What’s one more right? This new blog will be a tad more risqué and since it shows our real names, please don’t stalk us. We both already have stalkers who don’t appreciate newbies on their turf. You’ve been warned.

This new blog is through Creative Loafing. We may actually even get paid for it. Gasp! By paid, we mean like $5 a week. Maybe. (That should cover a Gu or two) The more you click, the more chances we have of getting paid. And that’s where you come in:

Not only do you get more hilarious hijinks from B.o.B. and the Redhead, you also get a chance to help us pay our bills. Hooray! Hmm. Not enough incentive? Fine. Be that way. Make us buy your love.

Today, we are hosting our first GIVEAWAY! (Read: Bribe)

All you need to do is head over to the new blog (scroll down for the first entry) and come back here and comment about it. That’s it. Simple really. If you want to increase your chances leave us both a comment. I entry per person per blog comment.*

Oh, of course you want to know what your prize is. Since we have a mixed bag of readers we thought that someplace where you could purchase running stuff, books, shoes, magazines, hell you could even get yourself one of these was the best way to go. So your prize is a $25 Gift Card from amazon.com.

Now get going.

Love,
The Redhead** and B.o.B.

*Drawing Sunday, Reveal Monday via random selection

**Redhead Note: Just to clarify, I go by Morgan because it's more fitting my personality and because it eliminates confusion when shouting "Jen" because my mom was so unoriginal in the 80's when she named me Jennifer and I have like 500 friends named Jennifer/Jenny/Jen.

3 Things Thursday

1. I am THANKFUL for all the amazing people and wonderful opportunities that have come into my life since I started writing this blog. I never, EVER, thought that anything would ever come of this blog. I started it as a way to chronicle my training and concurring of the Gasparilla Half Marathon but somewhere along the way, with your support, it has turned into SO MUCH MORE.
   *Stuffs canary back in mouth*
   

   
   

2. Better late than never, I want to thank Kelly over at She Wears a Red Sox Cap for giving me this award:
   
   
   
   The rules are I have to pass it on to 15 other blogs so here goes:
   
   Discom-BOB-ulated Running
   Healthy, HOTT, Housewife
   Tall Girl Running
   Running Spike (I can give this to a guy right?)
   Chocolate Shoestrings
   That Pink Girl
   Steve in a Speedo?! Gross! (Another guy since I'm on a roll)
   Finishing is Winning
   Runner's Rambles
   Pink Pearls & Muddy Sneakers
   Tall Mom on the Run
   Tall Guy Surfing (One more for good measure)
   It's Trickey
   Girl with the Red Hair
   Chic Runner
   

   
   

3. And finally... in lieu of my impending 20 Miler on Saturday I'd like to do a call of arms of sorts... I want you to comment me with a link back to your 20 Miler Recaps... The good, the bad, the ugly... I want to read it all!
   
   
   

Who wears short shorts?

Two weeks back I had a 25% off coupon to Sports Authority, so being the thrifty girl that I am, I booked it into SA the minute the coupon was valid to continue on my never ending quest to find the perfect running shorts. I have issues finding pants/shorts/underwear/bathing suit bottoms/skirts basically anything that has to go on the bottom half of my body. First things first I am only 5'1" in all my glory (and that's on a good day) that being said, understand that I am mere inches away from being midget status. I also have a booty... and hips... and thighs.

I'd decided that for today's shorts excursion that I will try spandex/fitted shorts. So I scour the racks and try on every single solitary fitted short in the ladies department much to the fitting room girls dismay. With each booty revealing pair I squeeze on or have fall off me I get more and more frustrated. Is it really so hard to find a pair of frigging shorts?!?!? The sales girl offers to help me by asking what it is that I am looking for.

Me: "I am looking for a pair of fitted shorts that are wicking, won't ride up and that aren't skanky*."

SG: "By skanky you mean?"

Me: "You know, when I'm running I don't want people seeing underbutt or ones that make me have a camel toe. So they can't be those underwear looking ones but I don't need them going down to my knees either. Do you have anything in between?"

SG: Gasps for air as she attempts to breathe amongst laughing and crying...

So she finds me three pairs that look promising; A pair by Nike, Under Armour and Champion. Being a Nike girl I go with them first, the length is good, the material feels good and fits properly in the front and then I turn around and gaze at the wide expanse that is my booty. I peak my head out the fitting room door...

Me: "Um excuse me but these Nike shorts... are you supposed to wear something over them?"

SG: "Nope you just wear them like that, they've very popular"

So I step out of the room and show her my butt.

Me: "Um are you supposed to be able see that I'm wearing a thong or that my butt hasn't seen the sun in ages?"

SG: "Oh um yeah that's not going to work huh. Let me get you a bigger size"

I try on the next size up. Revealed booty is no longer revealed but the front is so baggy I could easily stuff all my running gear in there. Nike Shorts = FAIL.

Next comes the Under Armor shorts. I pull them on and am instantly horrified. I am rocking so much camel toe and under-butt that not even the next size up could help me! Under Armour Shorts = FAIL.

Finally I pull on the Champion shorts. They fit. In the front. In the back. In the hip. In the length. Can it be? Can it really be??? So being pessimistic I go give it the ol' "Run Test." Yes that's right, I have no shame, I run around stores in shorts I'm contemplating buying to gauge whether or not they ride up. So out of the room I go lapping circles around the area and skipping. Sales girl is about to pee herself she is laughing so hard.

With run test a SUCCESS, I buy my shiny, spandex-y new Champion short-shorts and go home to parade around the house in them. The Brunette doesn't get what all the excitement is about because "they're not even that short." (The Brunette played volleyball in high school and college and is also 5'11" and ALL legs)


With two long runs under their waistband I am happy to report these are my new fav running shorts. They ride up a wee bit at first but once I'm sweaty they stay in place and are good to go. Say hello to my "little" friend...







*If you can rock those short shorts, more power to ya sista! They just look skanky on me!

You SPIN me right round Baby, right round...

So after last week's blind running date with Therese, I voluntarily was convinced to join her in a Spin Class last night. Now let me just first say that I am not a fan of gym's typically speaking; I always feel claustrophobic due to the pushy trainers and staff and quite frankly I love the fresh outdoors... I need wide open spaces... I can't be contained!!! BUT I've always been curious of this spin class phenomenon so I bit the bullet and decided to give it a "spin." (I crack myself up)



Spin class is no joke.


Within minutes I am sweating buckets as my legs still exhausted from the 18 Miler and Universal/Islands of Adventure trip begged and pleaded to be relieved of this torture. I am convinced the teacher was in fact a Nazi general, with each screamed "ADD A GEAR!!!" I looked to Therese for reassurance... Is she serious?!?!?

60 minutes of hell later... we were done and my legs were made of jell-o. I may run a billion miles a week and cross train on my bike but spin class is def not for the faint of heart! Therese you get my hardcore award for that one!

What do ya'll think of Spin classes? Ever tried one? Think they are created by the devil? Love them?

On a not so completely unrelated note, I totally forgot a guy that I went on one date with last year works as a trainer there and upon entering the gym ran into him. Therese got to witness first hand his creep-tacular stop-in-his-tracks-say-Hello-and-stare... for like 2 solid minutes. UNCOMFORTABLE!!! And he wonders why I never went out on another date with him?!?!?

18 Miles!!!

"The Plan":

• Meet Lazy Runner & Capt C @ 8:30 pm

• Begin run @ 9:00 pm

• Estimated finish time: Around 12:00 am
  

I should've known better. When dealing with men it is an almost certainty that two things will happen;

1. They will be late
   
2. Nothing will go according to plan

Although as LR responded to my text questioning "the plan"; "Plan, we don't need no stinking plan..." Why I haven't given myself over to his way of thinking yet escapes us both but I digress.

So after waiting on Capt C to grace us with his presence we finally headed out to Clermont aka Hill Country. I laugh as I survey our motley crew; Capt C & I with our bags of running gear, water, towels, etc... and LR with nothing but his never ending enthusiasm. The conversation out was full of running nerdom; paces, hydrating, race goals and the ever elusive "How does LR manage to run as well as he does without ever disciplining himself enough to train?" How indeed.

Before I know it we turn off the highway into complete and total darkness onto a dirt road. This is where we are running? We take the 10 loop around (at 70 mph!!! I think LR moonlights as a race car driver) and water drop at intervals before parking. The whole time I am thinking to myself: What have I gotten myself in to? The hills we climbed during that loop in the car were HUGE! I mean ya'll talked about your hills this week, or maybe I just noticed it more because I had hills on the brain being nervous about this run, but for real, these hills seemed like mountains to me! But there was no turning back now so it was time to put on my big girl shoes and deal with it.

Before I go further I should probably mention to you that there are no restrooms or porta potties. It was just us and the great outdoors. As I packed my gear that night I had to pack toilet paper... to some of you little hardcore runners out there this means little to you but to me... this was big. I looked at the Brunette and said, "I can't believe I'm packing squares for this run!" I mean I've used mother nature to attend to mother nature before, I grew up on a farm for pete's sakes, but this was different. I'm running with two BOYS and I'm going to have to pop a squat in front of them! I swear with every run my list of "I'd never do THAT!" gets shorter and shorter as I do each thing I said I never would. This run was no exception. First up, peeing in a bush with the guys a few feet away... as.soon.as.we.got.there. Classy.

So a little after 10pm with child's bladder emptied and (my) nerves running high we started the run. It was just us, the open dirt road and darkness for miles around. We started off and the ol' knee was not having it as I struggled to find my stride for the first couple of miles. Capt C kept giving me a hard time about picking up the pace, he's a speedy gonzales, and my pace felt like walking to him. In fact he and LR decided to tease me further by speed walking next to me as I struggled up the inclines. Jerks. Those first 2-3 miles we got a killer view of the Disney fireworks in the distance so that in itself made it worth it.

As we hit the half way mark we stopped and hydrated, peed in some more bushes, popped a Gu and grew weary of "Bubba." I'm still not clear who Bubba was or why we were weary of him but as a lone truck passed us by on the all but abandoned dirt road I began to wonder if the boys were just trying to mess with me. Probably shouldn't have admitted to them that I am scared of the dark huh? Jerks.

Now up to this point we had done a few noteworthy hills, or so I thought, but from here on out the boys informed me we'd get the "real" hills. O.M.G. My legs were on fire! Up and down, up and down, up and down... and all the while the boys are just taking them in stride like it's nothing... racing each other up to the top and then coming back for me. Me, I'm over here sweating like a refugee and pushing myself as hard as I can just to make it up to the top each time. Jerks.

After an eternity (or so it felt) of torturous hill climbing we finally rounded it out back at the car. I promptly exited the road and peed in another bush (it's amazing how fast that became a non-issue in front of them) and Capt C called it a day (or night rather). Here's how we ended up for that first leg:

Mile 1: 8:54
Mile 2: 8:56
Mile 3: 8:29
Mile 4: 9:14
Mile 5: 8:50
Mile 6: 9:18
Mile 7: 8:56
Mile 8: 9:29
Mile 9: 9:12
Mile 10: 8:33

The paces are all over the place but given the hills, the terrain and the fact that it was 10-11pm at night I think I did pretty darn good. Honestly I probably wouldn't have been able to pull some of those paces on my own if my competitive side hadn't pushed me to keep up with the boys.

With 8 miles to go it was just LR and I. It was decided that we would do a 4 mile out and back on the easier side of the loop. (Read: There was no way in hell I was going to survive another run of those mountains!) After we refueled and re-hydrated, Capt C took off with the car to drop water at the 4 mark for us and then he was headed off to grab some grub while we finished it up. I ditched my shirt because it was soaking wet and struck another item off my list: Running in only a sports bra. Yup, said I'd never do it... another classy point deducted.

And off we went... just the two of us on a lone dirt road, the stars lighting our path ,the wind refreshingly blowing on my revealed mid drift as delirium started to set in. Let the fun begin.



You know how long run talks take the most random twists? Well try this one on for size; somehow we end up singing a duet of the Tigger song. You know:

" The wonderful thing about Tiggers', is Tigger's a wonderful thing. Their heads are made out of rubber, the bottoms are made out of springs..."

That Tigger song. Which then lead to me busting out the Animaniacs "Countries of the World" song. Yup random fact #457: I can sing almost the entire "Countries of the World" song. A song I memorized when I was like 10. It's very helpful if I'm ever given a pop quiz on geography let me tell you.

Somewhere around mile 13 or so I tell LR how this running at night is causing me to see things, for instance I am convinced that the bushes are cows. To which LR replies, "um that's cause that one is a cow." Which causes me to leap away from the side of the road like it's going to attack me. We both get a good laugh out of that.

After running forever we finally get to mile 14, the turn around and I send LR to find the water Capt C dropped for us while I pee again. Except it's a false alarm. This is the 3rd or 4th false alarm by this point. I was getting frustrated because the urge to pee has been on going for miles now and nothing is happening. Does anyone else ever have this problem? How do you deal with this? Is there a way I can stop this from happening??? SO FRUSTRATING!

Anyway, so after polishing off the bottle in 2.5 seconds we head back towards the car. By this point I am spent. We've been running for over two hours, it's after midnight and those hills kicked my @ss. I was so fatigued that if I looked straight ahead I would get nauseous because the lights in the horizon were bouncing to my foot falls. I was struggling bad. LR noticed this and kept me talking and kept pushing me on;

"Come on you're doing great."

"I'm so proud of you for tackling those hills, you are awesome."

"Only a 5k to go, you do this in your sleep"

So on an so forth. He really helped me push through the next few miles but with one mile to go I was about to loose it. I looked at him and said, "I feel like crying I hurt so bad, I know we're almost there but I feel like I need to walk." To which he replied, "Morgan doesn't cry! Morgan RUNS!" He sure knows how to keep me motivated. I continue to run. A few minutes tick by and I swear I see someone running towards us, this isn't the first time this evening I see things but this time I'm convinced, thinking it must be Capt C coming to meet up with us. It ends up being a sign. This run has got to end soon... and just when I thought I couldn't go any further LR looks at me and says, "and there's the car."

Me: "I JUST RAN 18 MILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Mile 11: 9:18
Mile 12: 9:18
Mile 13: 9:09
Mile 14: 9:20
Mile 15: 8:26
Mile 16: 10:23
Mile 17: 9:39
Mile 18: 9:42

Overall Average Pace for the entire run: 9:09. Finish Time: 1am. You can clearly see I faded fast those last few miles especially Mile 16 but the important part is that I did it. I ran 18 miles.

Capt C woke up from his nap and congratulated us on our finish and helped corral us into the car as we were in full after-run retardation mode and we headed back to O-town. We made a pit stop at a Race Track on the way out and Capt C dared me to announce to the patrons that I had just ran 18 miles. Did I do it? Of course I did. So if you happen to be the guy that I jumped at and announced I had just gotten done running 18 miles, I apologize. I was cracked out on runner's high and I knew not what I was doing. I'm sure he went back to his party with his 12 pack and shared that gem of a story to his fellow drunks... "So this sweaty chick in a sports bra jumps out at me at the store..." Classic.

We get back to my digs and I whipped up one of my famous french toast breakfasts with all the fixings for myself and the boys before calling it a night. Oh what a night.

As I sit here and reread this post I think I've captured it as best as I could but ultimately I don't think I could ever capture how much fun and how completely random that run was. I think it might be my most favorite run yet, although I think that with each week's run, but surely this one will live down in infamy. I mean how often do you decide to run an 18 miler, full of hills, out in Clermont at 10pm on a Friday night? I'm going to go with not that often.

Before I sign off I wanna say thanks to LR for being there for me and helping me through that run, I couldn't have done it without you... you're the best!!!

11 More weeks and 8.2 miles to go til Chicago Marathon!!!

My 15 minutes of Running/Blogging Fame...

I have a feeling I might get a few extra visitors today... YAY! (Click it, go ahead, DO IT!)

Needless to say I am VERY EXCITED! :)

I want to send a huge shout out and thanks to Tom & Runner's Lounge for noticing my little blog and giving me that chance to talk (some more) about that, which I love so much, RUNNING and about my training for the Chicago Marathon! It is an honor and a privilege!

HAPPY FRIDAY! I hope everyone has a FANTABULOUS WEEKEND planned ahead of them!

18 Miler here I come...

3 Things Thursday

1. This morning's 5 miler was rough. While I struggled through it I pondered what some of you might do to mentally overcome a tough run. Does Frayed Laces envision Super-Ultra-Mega-Thon victory? (Is there a Super-Ultra-Mega-Thon?) Does Spike envision outrunning Nitmos in a 5k? What imaginary carrot do you dangle in front of yourself to push through those tough ones????





2. After last week's wildly successful long run with Lazy Runner I've finally convinced him to commit to doing the rest of my long runs with me from now until the Marathon! YAY! *Cue Band* *Cue Confetti* So in keeping with his mission to break me out of my "running rut" (or so he thinks) this week's 18 miler will be done out in Clermont aka Hill Country and on real live, actual trails. I'm a little nervous about this, once again I am risking life, limb and fate to LR aka "he who stirs everything up" and he has made things further interesting by making this a NIGHT run... on Friday! So that's an 18 Miler, at night, on Friday, on trails in Hill Country. Oh the adventures we shall have... Stay tuned for that run recap!
   
   
3. With a good nights sleep after what is sure to be a crazy long run, I am left with a Saturday wide open... what's a girl to do??? I'll tell you what... Islands of Adventure with my beloved Rixy!!! This is the long delayed, much anticipated trip to IOA! I'm so excited!!!
   

And that is your 3 Things Thursday for this week.

You run here often?

This morning I had a blind date.

A blind running date.

So this morning rather than fall out of bed, throw on whatever running gear was at the top of my drawer and stumble out the door, I got up a few minutes early, made sure I matched (should I wear the outfit on my blog header so she recognizes me?) and actually looked in the mirror when I put up my hair. I even did an extra swipe of deodorant just to make sure I stayed fresh. (Not that I ever stink or anything...) As I drove over to where we agreed to meet my mind filled with "what ifs"...

What if... she didn't show?

What if... my knee bothered me really bad and I couldn't run at all?

What if... she thought I wasn't very cool and didn't ever want to run with me again?

What if... "she" was really a "he" who was a deranged killer who wanted to chop me up into bits and feed me to his poodle? (Hey I'm just saying, you never know... her blog IS a food blog, although I've never noticed her post anything about being a cannibal...)

After arriving at the agreed location I found myself a lone car on the street but shortly there after a car pulled up a safe distance from me... it was a girl. Was it her? I waited a few minutes... checked my phone... thought to myself, "Maybe I should get out and stretch, make myself look like I'm getting ready to run..." (Yes I'm weird, I thought we've established this... but seriously, I don't know how these things work!?!?) So I got out and started stretching, looking but not staring down at said car. She gets out, starts doing the same... after a few minutes of this I decide to wander her way... and lo and behold it is her. We both giggle at our own apprehension of the situation and admit we weren't sure what was the non-creepy way to approach each other. I mean it is the butt crack of dawn and all...

Almost immediately I laughed at myself for being so nervous, I mean it was none other than the Fabulous Therese over at Healthy, HOTT, Housewife, and she was just as fab in person as she is on her blog. The next 3.5 miles flew by with easy conversation and laughs over being nerdy bloggers and trying to be healthy and active in this party city. Before I knew it the run was over and it was time to part ways and start our day, I wish every run was like that.

Thanks for a great run this morning Therese! I'm def looking forward to next week's run. Yay for new running friends! I'm also happy to report that the ol' legs are feeling fine. I had a 6 miler slotted for today but decided I should ease back into the training schedule after the week hiatus. It was a rough start but once we found a nice easy stride it was smooth sailing til the end!

I hope ya'll have a great day today, Happy Hump Day! The weekend is in sight!

12 More Weeks Til the Chicago Marathon

Before I get started here, I think everyone needs to take a moment to check out the race reports and congratulate:

B.O.B (aka Crazy B) on her very first Biathlon

and

Denise on her first Ultra!!!

B did this Biathlon on a whim at the last moment and ended up having a blast and I have been following Denise for months now as she's put her heart and soul into training for this Ultra. Her race report is an emotional roller coaster and amazingly inspiring. I'm so excited for both of them and think they both deserve mad props!!!

I also want to take a quick second and thank everyone for the advice, support and plethora of comments on my last few posts, ya'll are nothing short of awesome! It's great to know I'm not alone in the boob-loss department (all the comments were hilarious, especially the guys') and the injury is making progress with all the stretches, strengthening sessions and Mr. Foam Roller dates... I will also be making an appointment with a different Orthopedic, a sports Orthopedic, where I feel certain the PT will be knowledgeable of Marathon Distance.

As for the remainder of my weekend after the Sweet 16, I'll be honest, I was EXHAUSTED. I napped a ton on Saturday but actually made it out for 2 whole drinks with the Roomies. I even got all gussied up and wore heels *gasp*!!! Yesterday I xtrained by biking over to my friend Ebs' new digs to help her get situated and move some stuff. After she was settled I headed out and we both noticed how menacing the sky was looking, she offered to take my bike and I home but I told her I'd be fine, what's a little rain? About 5 minutes after I left her house the skies opened up around me and I was DRENCHED... all.the.way.home. At least I wasn't hot right? For whatever reason people gawked at me like I was the strangest sight ever... I mean, what's so weird about a chick in a running skirt hauling ass on a bike in a torrential downpour? I didn't get it, I mean we live in Orlando, have you seen some of the strange things that go on around here? But I digress... Anyway, when I got home I was a drowned rat and apparently smelled like one too as the Blonde and the Brunette informed me I needed a shower STAT. Apparently they didn't get the memo that I never stink, I always smell like roses...

This week I'm back on the training schedule again, but I've decided to tweak it just a bit so that I go into it easy after coming off a week of straight xtraining and no running (except that whole 16 miler...)

Did I mention that it's only 12 more weeks til Chicago??? Did you hear that Spike???

12 MORE WEEKS!!! AHHH!!!

Sweet 16

As in I have boldy run further than I have ever run before! Sweet 16 success is MINE!!!

If any of you happened to be driving down Colonial at 8:30 am this morning and noticed a crazy redhead screaming "Wonderful Day" by O.A.R. with her arms out the window of Lola the Corolla I apologize. But what can I say... today was a wonderful day. And a fantastic run!

I know I said no running this week, and just so you know I've been diligently doing my strengthening exercises, stretches and torture sessions with Mr. Foam Roller and I xtrained all week, but I just could not give up my long run. I L-O-V-E my long runs. So when Lazy Runner asked me if I wanted to run this morning I said "Hell's to the Yizzay"

But here's the best part: Lazy Runner mapped out the run... sent me the link... it made absolutely no sense at all... and I agreed to put my trust and fate in his hands... and I lived to tell about it. I am still in awe myself. So there I was completely out of my element, not in control, having no idea where I'm going, where the rest stops are, rocking some sweet new shorts (that I'll have to tell ya'll about another time) and I gotta tell ya, it ended up being the most amazingly beautiful run EVER. He had us start in Baldwin Park near my baby, the Cady Way Trail, and from there we were off through some of the most breathtaking neighborhoods I have ever seen. LR even amazed me by hiding water at intervals so I wouldn't end up dehydrated in a ditch somewhere. We made a friend along the way and spent miles 4 - 7 chatting with a really nice guy who debated health care issues with LR. (That is far to heavy of a discussion for me that early in the morning. I'm more of the "oh look at that pretty house... is that something shiny... I love running...") We also tackled some actual hills and ran through a sprinkler or two...

There was a point when we ran through "The Isle of Sicily" where the sun was breaking on the horizon on a lake with some of the most beautiful houses, landscaping, etc I have ever seen all around and I was soooooooooooooooo sad I didn't have my camera on me. We even saw Carrot Top's house. Random I know. LOL!

At the 14 mile mark I left LR at the car with a Smartwater, G2 and a Clif bar and finished my quest: The elusive 16 miler.

I won't lie, I struggled at the end, yes my knee was bothering me and yes I probably should've stopped when LR did , but I couldn't. I knew I had it in me and I was on a mission. When I saw that lovely number roll over on my Nike+ I was the happiest little redhead running around. I JUST RAN 16 MILES!!!

I hope ya'll have fantabulous weekends!

3 Things Thursday

1. This whole "rest" aka "xtrain only" thing I got going on this week sucks big you know what. I want to run. (Insert mean, grumpy face here.)


2. Remember when I volunteered for the Watermelon 5k on July 4th? Well not only was it a wonderful and humbling experience but I also made a new friend. A new running friend. :) We got together last and this past Wednesday and I am so thankful she came into my life! New Runner Friend (which she shall be called until I give her a better name) is such a sweetheart and I think this is the beginning of a great friendship (and not just for running either!) YAY! We don't really run together per say (she does Galloway) but just knowing I have someone close by is comforting not to mention I have no excuse not to get up and run (not that I ever try to find one) because we have a date. A running date. With me being on mandatory rest this week I still met up with her yesterday and instead of running we just walked (briskly) and talked, she didn't mind at all that I needed to walk because of my injury, she was just glad we were out there moving!


3. Speaking of the nagging injury, I finally bit the bullet and cashed in that referral to the Orthopedic from Dr. Knows-It-All-And-Refuses-To-Listen-To-Me for an appointment with a physical therapist. I gave her this scenario of my issues; I have dull, annoying, been running on it for so long it doesn't really bother me pain here and here and severe, I want to scream and punch babies pain here:
   
   Long story short I most def have ITB issues, I've strained a ligament, I have severe overusage, my hips are too wide, my knees bow in, my achilles is not stretched out enough and... seriously she basically told me I was a hot mess. She gave me lots of stretches to do, new ways to use my torture device, Mr. Foam Roller, and put some electrical devices on me and did an ultrasound thingy and lots of other voo-doo that should help me on my road to recovery. She also told me I was stubborn but admired my honesty. (This was after I told her point blank if she expected me to actually rest for more than a week or two she was kidding herself... I have a marathon to run in 12 1/2 weeks!!!) Then she asked me how far a marathon was... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Where fore art thou Boobs?

Attention Runner Ladies: There is a serious epidemic* occurring which could be personally affecting you; "Runner Boob Loss" DUN-DUN-DUN!!!

(*Please Note: This is a serious discussion. Please stifle all giggles til the end of the post...)

Since you began running has your cup failed to runneth over? As your training progressed did you find that your chest, or chest plate rather, resembles that of a prepubescent 12 year old boy? Have you found yourself creeping into the little girls department at Target to try on sports bras because you fail to fill a big girl bra? Do you find yourself wondering if doing the "We must, we must increase our bust" flexes could actually increase your bust? Do you experience boob envy while working out at the gym with non-runner girls? If so you are a part of what I believe to be a widespread epidemic of diminishing proportions: Runner Boob Loss.

So I pose the question... how is it that by running I have lost my boobs? Someone, anyone, PLEASE educate me as to the scientific reason why they are retreating at such an accelerated rate that I am resembling a prepubescent boy? I mean don't get me wrong, I was never particularly well endowed in the boobage department to begin with, but seriously... Where the hell did my boobs go? Can someone please explain this phenomenon to me?!?! But please, spare me the old "boobs are fat and fat is the first thing to go" because for the record, my chunky monkey @$$ has an endless supply of fat and it most certainly hasn't gone anywhere. So I beg of you, explain this to me. Explain to me how running with my LEGS (that are connected to my Chunky Monkey @$$) made my BOOBS (which are not connected to either) disappear??? I mean call me crazy but I for one would like to rock an actual cleavage that wasn't thanks in part to a Wonder Bra and/or Victoria's Dirty Little Secret. And not that I see any "action" these days, but when I do, I don't want the guy to be disappointed/shocked by the chicken cutlets/water balloons/socks/shoulder pads* that I have stuffed into my bra.

*Don't judge.

So... anyone got any answers for me? Any probing research/articles/documentaries into why my boobs ran away? Better yet does anyone else have any hilarious boobage-loss stories to make me feel better about myself? :)

Have you ever experienced boob-loss due to running?

• Yes, I too am a card carrying member of the Itty-Bitty-Titty-Committee and feel your pain.




• No, I have ample bosom and laugh in your general direction.




• Unsure, I have just begun running/training.

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Fantabulous 14(.5)

First things first: 13 MORE WEEKS TIL CHICAGO MARATHON!!!

(I had to get that out of the way so I wouldn't forget this week. )

As ya'll know, I trekked over to B.o.B's neck of the woods to run with her and the BRA on Saturday morning. After a grueling 2 hour drive (an hour of which was spent in O-town going NOWHERE) I finally arrived at my destination with enough time to eat the naked noodles B lovingly bought me (You know your friend is a runner when... she buys you the noodles she knows you eat so you don't have to bring your own), pet Lloyd the attack terrier, enjoy a bit of small talk, ice the knee and then hit the hay promptly at 9pm.

It was a restless night for the both of us, non to surprising on my end, but I felt bad for B, and before we knew it, it was 4:30 am... UGH. Time to rise and shine!

Before I go any further, I just gotta say that I love when B and I run together. First off, because we've done a few runs together, we have a pretty established system worked out between us from beginning to end... or start to finish... or from pre-run dinner to wake up to run to after run breakfast. You get the idea. Both being creatures of habit we've picked up on each other's routines and accomodate each other in what seems to come as second nature... it's like we share one mind! *Cue eerie music. It cracks me up!

Anyway, we headed over to the meet up spot and I FINALLY got to meet the BRA, or most of them anyway... what a great, hard core, hilarious group of people! I've been so excited to meet everyone as B talks about them all the time and I was not disappointed (well except I didn't get to meet Caribbean Steve). There they were at 5:30 am, wide awake, warming up, chatting like it's perfectly normal to be wide awake going for a run at this time. The camaraderie was immediate and they welcomed me to the run with open arms. I couldn't wait to run with a "pack."

So off we went and almost immediately I was in pain with the knee. I had a rough week last week so I went into this run with no expectations and I forewarned B of this from the get go. I wanted to push to 16 but in all actual reality I was going to be happy if I even made it a mile. I was in that much pain. Well as I suspected the knee pain was excruciating and a mile or so into the run I felt certain I wasn't going to make it. We started off on a decent loop and I begged the car key off B and told her I was just going to continue doing the loop so I wouldn't get caught out in no man's land 10 miles into the run and have to limp/ambulance ride back, plus I didn't want to mess up anyone else's run so when they went straight I turned left and so it went...

By the time I got to the car I was feeling better so I kept going... and going... and going... the further I went the better I felt... I just kept looping around and lapping the other runners/bikers that were also doing the loop. Before I knew it I was on mile 12 and ran back into B. Not only was the knee perfectly fine but I also had tried a caffeinated Gu for the first time and all systems were go there as well. I was having a great frigging run... I was sooooooooooo confused. I mean I'm not going to complain but I am at a loss over how I went from imminent doom to frolicking in the fields. I ended up at 14.5 miles for the day at a 9:30 pace overall and although I look back and wish I would've pushed it out to 16, it was probably for the best I didn't.

After some idle chit chat we headed over to Panera for breakfast and then home to clean up before meeting back up with everyone at the beach for a picnic. I got to meet the infamous, redhead luving, Coach Tom (who kept me wildly entertained for a good portion of the day) and the rest of the crew that hadn't made it out for the run. All in all it was a great day spent with a great group of people and I can't wait to come back and run with everyone again!



After some fun in the sun I headed back to O-town for a home cooked dinner by Beaker Luv's mommy who's in town for Baby RJ... she made Pot Roast with all the fixings in my honor. It was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo yummy! Mmmm... oh how I miss a real home cooked meal. After dinner I was going to go out for drinks with friends but I was so frigging tired that I ended up in bed, watching a chick flick when I had this text exchange with B:

B - 12:09 am - I am lame. Going home now.

Me - 12:10 am - Never ended up out. Watching movie in bed. I win.

B - 12:10 am - Awesome we rule.

Me - 12:10 am - That we do. Eat ur heart out party animals.

You know you and your friend are runner nerds when... you applaud each other's lameness.

Yesterday I took it easy, rode my bike to brunch and back and then went on a crazy shopping spree to finish decorating the bathroom. Now here we are at week 13 of training for Chicago... and with how last week played out I have decided that it is in my best interest to take it easy this week, rest and xtrain only, so there will be little to no running for this redhead. I'm already itching to run but honestly my body needs a break before I end up not being able to run Chicago or cause myself permanent damage. I don't really want to get into the specifics but let's just say last week I was thisclose to giving up and that is unacceptable. I do not give up. No pain, No gain. So I will take a break, rest up and come back stronger than ever. Because in 13 more weeks I am going to run through this finish line...

More Free Stuff!

Take a second and go congratulate Marlene over at Mission to a(nother) Marathon for her 500th post and for her amazing journey to get fit! So inspirational! While you're there you can also get in the running for a grab bag of running goodies! YAY!

Today's excitement is also fueled by my impending trip to the West Coast to visit B.o.B tonight! YAY! We're starring in another running adventure tomorrow morning and I'm soooooooooooo excited to meet all her BRA peeps. Stay tuned for the run report sometime this weekend of which I'm sure will have some hilarious hijinks. TGIF!!!

3 Things Thursday (including a Blog Award! Yay!)

1. The Foam Roller: I was introduced to this torturous device last week by Betsy over at Track Shack and then the "Coach" aka Triathlon Boy gave me his to use... If you've never tried one of these, you should. It hurts like all h*ll but it's really helping with my ITB issues.
   
2. Amidst all the madness of the past couple of days in the life of this Redhead Running I completely forgot to do my weekly countdown to Chicago. That being said: 14 MORE WEEKS TIL CHICAGO MARATHON!!! (Technically more like 13 3/4 but hey, who's counting...)
   
3. Amber over at Girl with the Red Hair honored me with this award:

To accept this award, I am supposed to list 7 traits about myself and then pass the award onto 7 other bloggers who deserve recognition for the personality they share through their blog. Here goes:

1. I am a HUGE creature of habit... as hard as I try to be spontaneous my OCD usually wins over. Lazy Runner is on a mission to break me of this with my running but we'll see how that works out for him...

2. I am easily excitable, almost to a fault. Ask anyone who knows me or just read a few blog posts... I get excited about EVERYTHING! I just love being excited about things. I make it a point to find things every week to be excited about... and usually it's the little things because it's the little things in life, after all, that really matter!

3. I can't swim... or rather I have absolutely no form. My "swimming" consists of either doggy paddling like a champ and or flailing around the pool like an idiot. Have I mentioned I plan to participate in my first Tri in September? Yeah... can everyone stay on me about learning how to swim before then?

4. In going along with #1, the older I get the more set in my ways I become. Typically this is a standard occurrence for everyone but being single for what seems like forever sometimes I get scared that I might be TOO set in my ways... as in I might scare off some great guy that comes my way because I'm too stubborn to lighten up.(By the way... that was not a pity party either, just a statement)

5. I wear my heart on my sleeve and am unable to hide my emotions. It's a double edged sword... while most times people enjoy my lightheartedness and excitability (see #2), other times, like when I'm upset, the whole world knows it.

6. I have this horrible habit of talking to myself... all the time! Last summer I had a lady notice me talking to myself and informed me that talking to yourself meant that you would end up senile later in life. Sh*t. Add to that the fact that in conversations with people two things always happen. 1) I immediately forget their name and 2) I spell random words they say in my head. I'm f*cked.

7. I'm the only person I know who's had a level of intoxication named after her. Thankfully Morgan doesn't get "Morganed" anymore. Just another perk to add to the "Why Running is good for you" list... no more binge drinking.

The lucky 7 to receive this award next shall be:

Discom-BOB-ulated Running
Running Journal

Finishing is Winning
Chocolate Shoestrings

Brandi's Blurbs
Healthy, HOTT, Housewife
The Weigh I am

Can't wait to read what everyone else has to say about themselves!

Free Food! Yay!

Thanks to Reese for blogging about the give away over at Feed Me I'm Cranky for a $40 Whole Foods GC!!! I need me some free food!!! :)

Volunteer!

Early Saturday morning, long before the crazy 12 mile downtown adventure B.o.B. & I had, I volunteered to help out at the Watermelon 5k in Mead Gardens.

I did this for a few reasons;

1. I couldn't run the race because I didn't want to push myself too hard with a 12 miler planned for the evening and ITB issues.

2. I still wanted to be apart of the event even though I couldn't run the race.

3. I've been wanting to "give back" for awhile now and what better race to volunteer for than my one year anniversary of running!

So, after getting with Betsy over at Track Shack I was ready to experience my first 5k on the "other side" of the watering hole...

Have you ever volunteered for a race? Better yet have you ever really looked around at the other racers at a race and took inventory of all the different types of people? Prior to this I am guilty of getting to a race, being all hopped up with adrenaline and chatting with friends before I took off on a quest to PR.

This year's Watermelon 5k had 3,400 race participants and they came in all shapes, sizes, colors, ages, handicaps, you name it. I was blown away at the magnitude of runners out there... I witnessed at least 5 blind people being led through the race either running (tied up to another runner) walking (with a guide and/or guide dog) and even one guy who was not only blind but had no legs, driving one of those little hand propelled carts while someone biked along side and told him when to turn!

To say that I walked away from the experience humbled would be putting it mildly. I think every runner out there should take the time to volunteer at a local 5k not only to experience the race from the "other side" (I've always thanked volunteers, but I now have a whole new respect) but to witness first hand the amazing people that actually get out there and run. Far too often we take for granted that we can just wake up and enjoy a good run... for some people it's just not that easy.

4th of July - 12 Miler - Oh what a Night (Run)

Saturday July 4th at approximately 6:30 PM, B.o.B and I synchronized our Garmin & Nike+ (respectively) and began our adventurous jaunt around Downtown Orlando...

Commence Randomness.

Immediately we had our first bum sighting or rather bum fighting, at Lake Lucerne as we tried to capture a pic heading into the city (Check my new blog header!!! Yup that's me... Redhead Running...)

(I think this is a great shot but B thinks she has a big head)

After a few candids we were on our way only to get a random shout by a passer by...

"RED SHIRT!" That was it. Just to confirm, B was in fact wearing a red shirt.

As we wound through a scenic little path and came up to enter the downtown district I realized my mapping skills missed a very important detail and we had to do a little detour through a gravel parking lot to get back on track. I informed B it was a little off roading to mix things up... cuz I totally meant to do that...

Heading down Orange Avenue, the main thorough way of Downtown Orlando we endured a plethora of looks, shouts and the inevitable cat call. I tried to convince B that we must look hot running, she confirmed we did look hot... and sweaty. (Touche!)

Because it was the 4th of July the city was all but closed off around the Lake Eola area so I took advantage of this and mapped out most of our run so that we could run in the middle of the street and essentially have the city to ourselves. At one point we pretended that all the crowds with their mouths a gap, staring at us as we ran by were not gathering for the fireworks but were in fact cheering us in... hey... we gotta keep ourselves entertained right?

The masses at Lake Eola

Because Central Blvd conveniently runs centrally through the downtown district I took advantage of having a few friends that work over at City Fish restaurant and mapped it to where we could take advantage of their restroom facilities. Mind you there were porta-potties everywhere for the taking but when you have a guaranteed facility with toilets that flush and sinks that wash sweaty hands and faces... not to mention friends that'll give you ice water... you jump on it. B and I violated their bathrooms with our sweaty @sses not once but twice. Thank you City Fish for the hospitality! (By the way... this place is super yummy! MMMMmmm)

As the sun began to set we headed out of the city (my plan to catch the fireworks mid run didn't workout quite as planned, we didn't get held up in the route nearly as much as I thought we would) and into the Delaney Park area. I was really starting to feel the run as we were heading into the home stretch (miles 10 - 12) and surprise, surprise I had to pee (again) so as we looped a few times around Lake Davis I begged a pit stop of B over to 903 Mills aka Mills Market... big shout out to them for letting me and my child's bladder use the facilities and for giving us some water... but only after this exchange:

903 Guy: "Why are you girls running on the 4th of July???"

B: "Why NOT!??!"

903 Guy: - "Very true... Have fun!"

That Crazy B... she tells it like it is!

After that we wrapped up the run... B finished it out strong and I limped it in singing "Slow motion for me, slow motion for me" but all in all it was a most enjoyable, random adventure indeed! I called The Brunette to meet us with the reinforcements (aka Water, Gatorade, Banana's and sparklers) and what luck that a group of fabulously gay guys were happening by at the exact time we realized we didn't have a lighter for said Sparklers. An exchange of sparklers for fire later there we all were, one big sweaty, happy gathering on the side of the street celebrating our nations birth!

(I look like I'm doing some sort of jig here but really we're trying to show you our wrist rockers)

After we recovered a bit...

(Implementing the I.C.E. method here...)

and freshened up from our run we headed out to grab the most deliciously naughty dinner ever... glorious, glorious pizza...

MMMmmm

and if all that weren't enough... our night ended with a chick rocking a pair of red shorts that exclaimed "I LOVE CUNT" across her @ss walking by our table... God I love living in Orlando.

To read Crazy B's version of our run go here.

FYI: Running induces Labor!

Last October I convinced my best friend, Beaker Luv and her hubs to run the UCF - U Can Finish 2 & 5 Miler with me. They ran the 2 together and I tackled the 5. The next day I got a phone call from them saying that they'd no longer be able to run any races with me because they were expecting...

Fast forward to Saturday... they were out on a "Death March" aka trying to walk the long over-due RJ out when a rain storm came through the park... Beaker Luv ran as fast as she could to the car... commence contractions!!! Yesterday after I raced up to the hospital, they giggled to each other as they told me what brought on labor. The Hubs fired up the video camera and showed me a video he caught of her in the back yard running laps after they got home from the park. She didn't know he was filming so the look of sheer determination of a 10 month pregnant - week over-due Beaker Luv running back and forth thru their backyard was priceless! I don't think I laughed so hard in my life! Many, many hours and an unplanned C-Section later... meet baby RJ... my beautiful, perfect, amazing 8 lbs, 21 in, "nephew":

Everyone is doing great and Mommy & Daddy have already decided that RJ will probably grow up to be a runner and his favorite "Aunt" will be the one to take him running...

I'll have the 4th of July Run Recap a little later, but I just had to blog about this first! Hope ya'll understand! I hope everyone had an amazing holiday weekend, I know I did!

3 Things Thursday

Today's 3 Things Thursday is brought to you by the song "Downtown" by Petula Clark:

..the lights are much brighter there,

you can forget all your troubles,

forget all your cares

and go Downtown,

things'll be great when you're Downtown,

no finer place for sure, Downtown,

everything's waiting for you (Downtown)

1. Well, I am all settled in at the new digs DOWNTOWN and I LUV, LUV, LUV it!!! The move itself wasn't so great, pouring down rain is NOT ideal moving conditions, but it did manage to stop long enough for me to transport over my bed. Today I'm looking like I had a rough night working the O.B.T. (O-town's infamous hooker hotspot) and I'm sore as all get up from moving over-sized, heavy, awkward boxes/furniture/etc... But the mere 3 minute drive to work is well worth it. Love is... new digs!
   


2. Speaking of being sore, let me tell you about my suspected ITB issue. I've done the research and all signs point to my ITB as being the culprit to my nagging knee-ish pain. I had to take yesterday off to give it a rest after all the hard work I put it through. (Read: If it's already bothering you don't move heavy stuff and make it worse!!!) I've been using the tried and true R.I.C.E. method in hopes of recovering by...
   


3. Saturday... and not just because it's the celebartion of the birth of our Nation or the fact that it's my ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF RUNNING either. See, due to the uncooperating knee-ish/ITB issues I have had to forgo my planned anniversary run of the Watermelon 5k. Instead, I will be volunteering at Water Stop #2. I still really wanted to be apart of this event so I got ahold of Betsy over at Track Shack and she helped me get set up as a volunteer. I'm really excited... Track Shack has been a big part of my running journey... it's long over due that I give a little something back. So if you're running the 5k, make sure to give me a shout out when you pass by Water Stop #2, I'll be the little redhead that wishes she were running... :)
   
   
   And even more exciting that that, following the volunteering stint, B.o.B and I have cooked up a devilishly adventurous, crazy, NIGHT run!!! She's in town for a mutal friend's 3rd of July BBQ/Party and we were just going to do our long run together Sunday morning at the usual spot... but after thinking on it I decided I didn't want to miss out on all the fireworks and celebrations of the 4th so I came up with the plan to run downtown that night! Neither of us have ever done a long run at night or during holiday festivities such as these. I am so stoked! It's sure to be a very random, fun filled adventure and we've already decided to tote the camera's to document it all for you! We're running Downtown...

4th of July Fireworks at Lake Eola, Downtown Orlando