5 on Friday: Runner Wants

Since half marathon training begins on Monday, I have a whole list of things I NEED.  Well, I guess I don't really need them per se, but I do WANT them. 

{ONE}

New running shoes.

I actually do need these.  For the first time ever, I am going to go get professionally fitted at a running store.  I have no idea what the pros will come up with for me, but in my dreams, these are the shoes I'm lusting after.

Asics GT 1000

Asics GT 2000

Asics Noosa Tri 9

Asics Noosa Tri 8

Asics GT 1170s got me through my very first half marathon, so I would like to try some of these other models out.  I've always been an Asics girl for running shoes, so I have a strong feeling of brand loyalty.  I'm scared the professionals will turn me away from my loves, but they do know whats best for me!

{TWO}

Target C9 sports bras.  To me, these are the most comfortable bras ever!  I have a fairly small chest, so I do not need a ton of support.  If you are more busty, these probably wouldn't be a good fit.  There are so many bright, sassy colors to pick from.  These are my 3 favorites. 

{THREE}

Gu

This is my third year as a runner, and I have yet to try Gu or any other energy aids.  Like any other person, I can get fatigued during my runs, so I think Gu would be beneficial to experiment with.

{FOUR}

Non-booty [compression] shorts

Reebok 7" compression shorts

During summer/warmer temperatures, I like to wear shorts and compression socks.  

Problem 1: my chub rub makes normal shorts ride up which leads to chaff-age.  

Solution 2: compression shorts.  

Problem 2: many compression shorts are only 3", and I'm tall so they are basically booty shorts on me.  Solution 2: I need 6" or longer shorts so said chub rub doesn't chaff.  

Problem 3: 6" or longer compression shorts, that are not black, are really fricken hard to find!!  

Solution 3:  Does any one have recommendations of where I can find longer non-black compression shorts?

{FIVE}

Neon Pro-Compression socks

I already have a quite a few pairs of Pro Compression socks, but these are their current sock of the month so they are 40% off.  I love the color combo, so obviously, I NEED them!

Lent

Lent is upon us!  

I have made the decision to sacrifice my sweet tooth, and give up candy and sweets for the next 40 days.

If you read my last post, #12 in particular, you may be wondering why I am even participating in Lent.  Though I don't believe in God, I am from a Catholic family, and I always participate in Lent.  I will be honest though, and state the fact that I participate only as a benefit to myself, not to honor Jesus' sacrifices for us... 

I'm an asshole, I know.  

Not eating sweets for the next 40 days will be beneficial to my health.  It is also great timing because I start an aggressive 10-week half marathon training plan on Monday.  On Sunday, May 25th, I will be running my first half marathon of the year, and fourth overall.  Nixing the candy and tempting desserts will help me align better eating with my training schedule.   

(order dress: my brother is getting married in October, and I still need to order my bridesmaid dress...oops)

This is my training schedule for March.  My very first run is going to be hill repeats...eek!  This winter, and its frigid (!) temps, have really messed with me, and I have put off training for about as long as I can.  I now only have 10 weeks until the half so I really really need to kick it into high gear.

As you can see via the RunningAhead widget, to the left of this post, I haven't gone on a run since November.  The next 10 weeks will be interesting. 

Finish the Sentence

Whaaaaaat?!  Two posts in one day after nothing for a whole week?!

My last post was a tad blue, so I wanted to follow it up with something fun!  And what's more fun than a "Finish the Sentence" linkup with Jake and Holly?!?!  (I mean, I can think of quite a few things, but the linkup is still a lot of fun!!! :) )

1.  I always pick... the dark beer over light beer.

2.  Look at the size of those... guns.  Says the entire world when I flex.  

3.  I recently learned... Our dryer has a light in it, but I've left the door open after taking the clean clothes      out of it so often that the bulb burnt out.  Like a week after we moved into our house, and we have now been there almost 2 years.  Nick says it not worth replacing because I'll never learn to close it.   I am in total agreement.  Why does there need to be a light in there anyway?!

4.  Only when no one is looking... (excluding Nick) do I take my flipper out.  If you don't know what a flipper is, you're lucky, and have much much better teeth than I do!

5.  I lost my... shit the other day when I was thinking about my old sweet Molly dog, and how she will pass away one day.  I cried like a baby and held her tight...as she fought to get away from her crazy-ass momma.  Then, I told Nick he has to start taking Molly to her vet appointments because if they ever tell me something is wrong with her, I will lose my shit again in the office, and weep. Hard.

6.  I was certain I'd... be a brain surgeon by now, or at least a doctor.  I guess deciding to take the Broad Field Social Studies -sans- teaching certificate - path over Pre-Med tripped me up on that one... 

7.  There is not enough liquor in the world for me to... sing karaoke.

8.  I just finished... chewing an entire pack of gum in one day.  Well, more like 6 hours.  I have this weird thing where I feel like one piece of gum in my moth at a time is not enough, so I pop another one in.  And then another.  And then another.  And then a 5th piece.  Then, it's too much gum so I have to spit it out, and start over.

9.  Why does everyone have to be... hatin' on B'rock Obama all the time?  He's a single person, leading a fucking nation of almost 314 MILLION people.  Cut the guy some goddamn slack.  He can't make everyone happy all the fucking time.  If you can do a better job, you better get your ass in the next presidential race and prove it.

10.  It's very rare when I... do not have a book with me.  I'm an uber bookworm, and always carry a book in my purse, or take one in the car if the ride is going to be longer than 10 minutes.  It's a problem...for others if they plan on having a conversation with me. 

11.  If I were a dog... I would probably be obese because I would just sleep in the sunshine all day, everyday.

12.  I don't believe... in God. GASP!

A Rough Week

Hello everyone.  Sorry I've been quiet this week, but it's been kind of a shitty one.  

Two of Nick's grandparents are having a rough time.  

His paternal grandmother fell on the ice last weekend and broke her hip.  As you can imagine she's been in a lot of pain, but to make it even worse, she had a heart attack the following day after her fall.  She is doing a lot better now, but looks awful and hurts a lot.  We went to visit her, and even though she was out of it because of pain meds, it really brightened her day to see us.  

Nick's maternal grandfather is also going through some tough stuff.  Doctors found cancer in the tube that connects his kidney to his bladder.  Originally, they thought they would just be able to remove the affected kidney and tube, and that would hopefully be the end.

Unfortunately, this other kidney isn't functioning at 100% on its own so they cannot remove the one near the cancerous mass.

Yesterday, he had an appointment at the UW Hospital to discuss treatment options and the likelihood of starting chemo.  Nick has not yet talked him to hear how the appointment yet, but will be calling him this weekend to get an update.  Nick did go visit those grandparents last weekend when he first heard the news.  Though his grandparents are stressed and a little scared, his grandpa seems ready for whatever the future brings him.

On top of these sad family issues, I have started a new oral contraceptive because I was having issue with the one I was on.  The new one has a higher dose of hormones, which my doctor thinks will help with the past issues, so I have felt like a maniac the last two weeks as my body adjusts.

 I have binged more than a few times this week.  I have eaten more candy this week, than I have eaten in all of 2014 so far.  Yesterday, I had a York Peppermint Patty and then an hour later, I had a Dove bar.  Oh, and don't forget the ice cream I had before bed...that was topped with whipped cream...

Anywho...my goal this week is to just relax, and reset.

Next week is a new week, and it WILL be better. 

What I Ate & WIW

Two link ups today!

Numero uno

I just weighed in on Monday to see the result of the 7 Day Slim Down challenge, but I want to get back into the habit of stepping on the scale on my normal weigh-in day: Wednesday.

This morning, to my delight, I am down another 1.4lbs!

172.4

I have very high hopes to be in the 60's next week.

Numero dos

I decided to join this link up for the first time to give you a glance of what I have been eating lately. As you read above, I mentioned a 7 Day Slim Down challenge. I realized that I haven't really said anything about what I have been eating, so some of you may think I did some fad diet, or some weird drastic challenge, or have only been eating grapefruit. That is actually as far from the truth as it can be!  
I have been eating A LOT, but it is a lot of really good-for-you stuff.  The link-up icon is perfect because of the Love Your Veggies Month tie-in.  That's what I have been eating the most of, veggies.  Lots and lots of veggies.  And, I have been eating 5 times a day.  For example, this is what I have eaten/will be eating today.
Breakfast - 6am Pre-breakfast 6oz lukewarm water with half squeezed lemon juice & pinch of sea salt
Oatmeal 1/4 C steel cut oats prepared with 1/2 C water 1t brown sugar 1/4 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Egg White Scrambler 6 diced grape tomatoes 2 large diced mushrooms 1 large handful of spinach 3 egg whites all sauteed in 1/2 T extra virgin olive oil
1 C coffee with 1/2 T homemade flavored creamer
Snack #1 - 10am 1 T Justin's Vanilla almond butter 2 celery stalks
Lunch - 12:30pm 1 serving of turkey stew leftover from dinner last night (Includes lean ground turkey, carrots, mushrooms, celery, stewed tomatoes, sweet potatoes, onion, parsley, garlic powder, and basil.)
Snack #2 - 3pm 1 apple 1 low-fat string cheese stick
Dinner - 6pm Stove Top Chicken 4oz chicken sauteed with carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, celery, onion, and garlic powder served over quinoa
There you have it.  Lots of veggies and protein to keep me full.  The times I have listed are not exact.  I don't drop what I am doing to go eat, I just try to space my eating to around those times.
Breakfast is usually nearly the same with a few change-ups.  Sometimes it is a veggie & quinoa pilaf with 1 whole over easy egg on top.  Or on the days I do not eat the oatmeal, I will add 2oz of lean turkey to the scrambler. 
Most days, I actually have an apple and a big salad for lunch with 3-4oz diced chicken breast, spinach, cucumber, mushrooms, and tomato, and homemade Dijon dressing. 
My other go-to snacks have been Greek yogurt, raw zucchini & hummus, carrots & 2 oz nitrate free deli meat. 
Other dinner options have included salmon or turkey and lots of veggies.
As for beverages, it has mostly just been water.  I also have my coffee every morning, but switched to making my own creamer instead of buying from the store.  Herbal teas have also been helpful in conquering sweets cravings.  Oh, and I've been treating myself to some wine this week, but only 6oz or less per serving :)
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at  loeffelholz34@gmail.com
Have a happy hump day!