11 Miles to Inner Strength

I have come so far!

Yesterday I ran the most I have ever ran, 11.19 miles (and yes the .19 counts). It was a little rough in the beginning. My left leg has been bothering me a bit. My left calf likes to tighten up in the first 2 miles. Then my foot goes numb for a couple miles and then eventually it all goes away. Then when I'm my done my ankle is sore. I guess I shouldn't complain. I think my body may still be adjusting to running so much.

I love the second half of my long runs. It's when the "runners high" kicks in. I feel like I could run forever. Until eventually my body starts telling me it's tired. Then I'm done and the accomplishment is overwhelmingly satisfying. 

I have to keep reminding myself I just ran my first 5K this past March. I can't believe I can run 11  miles now. My past self would have said "I only run if I am being chased." Now I run to reach my 13.1 mile goal and I have found I love the time to myself. I love getting to spend some time outside in the fresh air. I also love to challenge myself and push myself beyond what I have told myself I can do. I have found my strength within.

26 Days until my half. Things are getting real :)

Did I mention I hurt so good today? haha -- And yes I am rocking dorky runners compression socks under my work clothes, shhhh....

Shorter Days

Wow, is it fall already?!

I'm excited that fall is here because I enjoy running in the cooler temps and getting to see the leaves change. However, I do not love the shorter days. As of now the sun is rising around 7am and setting around 7pm here in North Carolina. So what is a full-time working mom to do? I'm not a big fan of running in the dark mostly for safety reasons. I picture scary men or animals chasing me. Especially since I prefer running on the greenways which are not lit and are back in the woods.

I work a 9-5 full-time job so I can usually only run before or after work. My best chance is to run after work since I am not a morning person. Dark mornings make getting up even worse. As the days go on and the sun sets sooner I will need some light for the end of my runs. So I did some research and came across Knuckle Lights.

 Let me tell you these things are great. They are really comfortable to wear and they are easy to turn off and on. They provide a good amount of light. I can use them for running, walking the dog, and camping. You could also put them on your bike to add a quick light.

I got the pink  Knuckle Lights. They are really cute. Installing the batteries was a breeze. There was no need to read directions, which is always nice.

 

Let me know if you have any questions about these cool little lights. :) I may do a follow up video review once I've used them more.

Excuse my appearance, this was after a 5 mile
tempo run that kicked my butt.

 

Princess Challenge Virtual Race Series II Completed

I finished my Princess Challenge Virtual Race Series II.

I vacationed in Cape Cod for a week and did my longest run yet. I did 10 miles with my friend Jess. It was also my first time running with a friend. I really enjoyed it. Running with a friend made the time go by fast. 

We ran the Cape Cod Rail trail. It was nice but I wish we would have seen the ocean from it. We ran the last 2 miles the fastest as we had decided to get Dunkin' Donut ice coffees when we were done. That was some good motivation :)

Ariel 10 Miler

 I ran my Pocahontas 10K on a Monday after work. The weather is getting cooler but it is starting to get darker earlier (always trade offs). In true Pocahontas fashion a buck ran across my path during the run.

Pocahontas 10K

 Sunday I completed my last medal of the series. I had to do 10 miles for my half training. I decided it would be great to earn my Tiara medal at the same time. I am pretty happy with my time. I can definitley tell I am getting stronger. It was a perfect end to the series.

Tiara 10 Miler

 If you have not tried a virtual race, I highly recommend them. They are a lot of fun and usually benefit a good cause :)

Sweaty Bands Rock!

I am a headband girl. I wear them all the time because I hate hair wispies (the new short pieces of hair that grow at your hair line).

The problem with headbands are that they never stay put. Usually I have to wear little clips on the sides to help keep them in place. Even then they usually have to be readjusted throughout the day as they tend to slip back and eventually off my head.

I had heard of Sweaty Bands and was skeptical that they would actually work. I have used many brands that all claim the same thing but always would still slip off. Well I am happy to announce that Sweaty Bands are no joke. They actually work! I wore one on my 6 mile run last night and it stayed put the WHOLE TIME! I didn't have to adjust it once. I wore no clips to keep it in place.

I am super pleased!

I even decided to wear it to work today to see how it would hold up all day. Again it is great. I have not had to adjust it all. My only complaint is that it is a little tight on my head after hours of wear. However, I will take it. I'm guessing over time it will stretch out a bit to your head and not be so tight. I'm just so impressed that it actually stays put. Plus they are so cute. I have already gotten a couple compliments on mine.

The inside has a velvety material that helps keep it in place.

Check out their website. They have a lot of really cute designs. They are a little pricy but if you have tried a million headbands like me then you will know that these are worth it because they actually stay.

I got the Chevron Dots one and I love how cute it is.

10K Week

I remember when I signed up for my fist 10K. The race was in June of this year. Six miles seemed like a crazy distance to me. I had just conquered running a 5K without stopping or walking in March of this year. Since then I have come a long way.

Now I am training for my first half marathon. I would never have guessed I'd be doing this. Yet I have conquered getting over the "I Can't" in my head. Now I just hear "You've Got This!" I Love this new cheerleader voice in my head. She is motivating and strong. I know with her by my side I will conquer 13.1 miles!

I'm in my sixth week of training and the shortest distance I do now is 6 miles (I add the .2 to make it a 10K). I can't believe how much I run now. So far I have ran 116 miles for my training. That is CRAZY!

To add to my training I have signed up for a couple of virtual races to keep it fun. Right now I'm currently working on my five medals for the Princess Challenge Virtual Race Series II . I've been making all the races 10Ks.

On Tuesday I completed my Mulan 10K. I did my run after work. It was a beautiful day. I felt pretty good. For once my left foot was not giving me as much trouble. It got a tiny bit numb but not enough to have to stop and keep adjusting my sock and shoe. I tried new thinner socks and started using a foam roller which I think are helping. I also took an Epson Salt bath on Monday after my 9 miler from Sunday.

Mulan 10K

 On Wednesday I completed my Tiana 10K. I felt great and did it in under an hour. My left foot was a little numb but again was not too bad. I think I'm going to do another Epson Salt bath later today to help with some leg soreness I'm experiencing right now.

Tiana 10K

I run another 10K on Friday and then I do 10 miles on Sunday. I'm excited and nervous for the 10 miler. I will be running it with a friend. I normally run solo. Luckily she told me her pace was between 10-ll minute/mile. So I think I will be able to hang with her. She has done lots of half marathons and even two full marathons. It should be interesting. Not to mention we will be running on Cape Cod, MA. I'm thinking it is going to be a beautiful run! I think I will save my Little Mermaid Virtual for that run.

Stay Tuned!