Upcoming Races

1) Gazelle Girl Half Marathon - April 19, Grand Rapids Michigan

I'm excited for this! One of my good friends ran it two years ago and really enjoyed it! I'm excited for it -- plus I have 3 friends running it. It will be my first "all-girl race" which I'm also excited about -- gotta love girl power (def. putting some spice girls on the playlist for this one!)

swag:

half marathon tee on the right! 

and charm on the left! (source for both: gazelle girl fb)

2) Fifth Third Riverbank Run 25K - May 9, Grand Rapids Michigan

My very first 25K! I think that there's a chance this will be my "goldilocks distance." I love halfs, hate fulls, but always feel like I can go a bit longer on  the half marathons. So I think 25K (which works out to ~15 miles) will be perfect.

Plus, by running both of these races, I'm gonna get this bad boy:

looooove great medals :)

So that's the racing agenda. In terms of training, I'm trying to squeeze in long runs on the weekends, and my mile-a-day for lent is keeping my running endurance up as well. I did 7 last weekend, am looking forward to 8 or 9 this weekend, and then there's a few more weekends to go before gazelle girl!

Santa Hustle Half Marathon - Indy 2014

On December 21, 2014, I ran my 5^th half marathon. It was the Santa Hustle in Indianapolis.

A friend had been wanting to do a Santa Run for ages, and this one worked in time, and was only a 3ish hour drive away – totally do-able. So we signed up for a race that gave us santa beards and santa hats and we ran like santa flies his sleigh.

I didn’t do much in particular to train for this. I ran a few long-ish runs on the weekends (6-8 miles or so), and ran a 15K on Thanksgiving at the turkey trot, but there was no 10 miler before the half marathon. Which worked out just fine, but wasn’t really what I had initially planned. 10 miles would have been nice a weekend or two before. My calves might no have been screaming at me for 3 days after if I had done the ten miler. But you know, whatever.

I was planning on doing packet pick-up the morning of, but my friends who stayed at a hotel right across from the start picked up my goodies for me. The packet included: bib, dry-fit sweatshirt, santa hat, santa beard.

The sweatshirts ran INCREDIBLY SMALL. I ended up swapping out my women's medium for a women's large. Luckily, it wasn't an issue at all to get the bigger size.

I warmed up inside the hotel until about 10 minutes before the race, and then headed across the street for the start. 

I didn't bring my camera, so sadly no pictures, but the course was pretty nice. It started out in a state park in downtown Indy, and then traveled through the "downtown" area. The course was fairly flat, and the only uphills were very do-able short stretches that I ran up -- definitely nothing that necessitated walking.

Water stations were appropriately placed along the course, and there were a good number of port-a-potties available. Lucky for me, I didn't need them at all this race. 

Right around mile 13, I caught up with my fellow runners -- it was one of their first half's and he was suffering major cramps, so I decided to wait it out -- this was always a "just for fun" kind of race for me, so It was fine with me to stop and rest and leisurely take that last bit of the race in. 

The finish was almost at the start, and finished up going over the river again.

Final Time: 2:06.04. Not a PR, but not too far off from my previous halfs. (and only 13 minutes slower than my PR -- aka 1min/mile slower). Not too shabby at all. 

The medals were pretty big and substantial. Always a nice surprise.

Post-race refreshments included bottled water, bananas, granola bars, and a few other things I didn't bother with.

 I was just interested in seeing miss Maizey at the finish. And everyone had the sweetest things to say about the adorable pup. So all was right in the world. 

Trivium Racing Growler Gallop 10-miler Recap

Yesterday I ran the Growler Gallop 10 Miler sponsored by Atwater Brewery in Detroit.

 

I was excited about the race going into it – 10 Miles is a new distance for me (aka automatic PR), I love any race that gives you beer afterwards, and the course went through Belle Isle, which was where the Cocoa Classic half in the spring’s course went too.

 

I did packet pick up on Race Day. The race didn’t start until 4PM, so I arrived around 3, picked up my packet which was easy and quick, and then returned the hoodie we received to my car. Parking was very convenient – there was a secured lot right next to the start of the race where parking was available for $5.My hoodie was a little large (I got a medium and they were unisex sizing), but I was able to exchange it for the last small after the race.

 

Port-a-potties were adequate until many of the 5K runners showed up and then the line became incredibly long. I used the bathroom about 40 minutes before the race, but happened to chug water on the way in and ultimately had to pee again by the start of the race but didn’t think I’d have time before the race started. I just assumed I’d use a bathroom on the course. (spoiler alert: BAD CHOICE). The race started on time and the start was not overly congested. If anything, we were moving backwards to avoid being at the start.

 

The race course went down the riverwalk along the Detroit River. It had a lot of curves, right from the go, but it wasn’t too bad. There was a water stop a little after mile 1, which seemed a little silly, but I guess there weren’t a ton of convenient spots for them. I didn’t get water due to that bladder issues I already talked about. There weren’t any port-a-potties at that water stop, so I kept going.

 

 I considered stopping at both a gas station and a wendys that we passed while going down Jefferson, but assumed once on belle isle there'd be port-a-potties along the course.

I was wrong again. Finally, around mile 3 there was a public "comfort station" with bathrooms. There was some sort of event going on though, and the woman's bathroom had a long long line. I ended up using a family restroom that didn't lock and luckily no one walked in on me.

The rest of the course traveled all the way around the island. It felt long - I think it must have been much longer than the last race I did on belle isle, because a lot of it didn't look familiar as well. There was another water stop around mile 5? (had to look this up to confirm).

As the course went along, I saw a few clusters of port-a-potties, but I'm pretty sure they weren't placed by the race organizers, and instead were placed by the state, who now owns belle isle. 

I stopped again for a bathroom break at mile 7, where there was a comfort station right next to the course. but I was still running off the course to get to the bathroom, which is really just frustrating. 

There was a water stop at mile 9, which was the same water stop as mile 1. I'm still not sure how I feel about that stop. I did stop and get water, and walk for a bit while I chugged it down. That probably gave me enough power to push through the last mile, finish hard, and chick a guy :) but I also may have powered through without the water stop and finished faster.

Overall, the ten miles were hard but good, and the race was generally fun. 

At the finish we got medals, and then walked over to the starting area for post-race food and beer. They provided pizza, which I am always a fan of, snack sized bags of chips, doritos, cheetos, etc., bananas, oranges (my other favorite post race food), water and of course beer. 

My final time was 1:33.08 (9:19/mile). I can only imagine what it would have been without the various bathroom stops though. 

Also they said there would be gu/gels on the course and there definitely was not. this doesnt really bother me because I always bring salted caramel gu myself, but I'm sure people relied on that. 

My final gripe with the race is that when I signed up, the swag package included: a long sleeve shirt

a finisher's glass

a medal (for 10 miler's only)

2 free beers.

And in actuality, the swag package included:

a hoodie

a medal

2 free beers.

I understand they're a new race, and they probably didn't anticipate all the costs, but even as of a few days before the race, the website still stated they were giving out a finisher's glass, and a long-sleeve. The hoodie is great, but I like getting what I sign up for. Also its clear that they originally intended medals only for the longer race participants and then made it for everyone which is fine, but the price differential shouldnt be just for the increased length of the course. 

So here's my overall analysis

Pros: course, free beer, medal, distance (10 miles is unique -- not too far not too short)

Cons: TOTAL LACK OF PORT-A-POTTIES ON THE COURSE (and too few at the start). did not receive swag promised. also said there would be gels/gu and there wasn't. 

Paczki Run

On Saturday I ran the Paczki Run in Hamtramck, MI. It was so much fun! I was running with a few friends, not for time, mostly just to get a the paczki and the beer guaranteed at the end.

Oh, but I guess I should address something first - what is a paczki?

box of paczki

Only the most delicious fattening almost donut ever. It's a polish pastry that is basically a filled donut, but so much better than a regular filled donut. they're consumed before ash wednesday in polish-heavy places like detroit, and i love them.

So I was happy to run 3.1 miles for one. and for beer.

Packet's were simple -- bibs, a race map, and t-shirt colors based on paczki flavors -- so custard, plum, raspberry, and lemon.

I went with plum.

The polar vortex decided to be less vicious, and we were running in some high 20s temps.

The run was just around the Hamtramck neighborhoods. No difficulty finding turns, and the course distance was quite accurate. So yay's all around.

And afterward, just like we were promised, we got beer and paczki. Its an awesome thing.

ALSO! this is my 100th post. pretty fitting that a 75% polish girl like me is writing about the run where they give out a traditionally polish pastry at the end. kind of love it.

Happy Fat Tuesday!

What is the best themed run you've seen? 

Marathon Training Weeks #6 and 7

we can blame the blog absence on the presence of my boyfriend for a week and a half. I can also blame my shoddy running schedule keeping on him.

but regardless, the running has been a little sporadic, and shoddy, but i have no more crazy trips planned for the next few weeks, and a bunch of races on the schedule. so i'm sticking to it, here on out.

so, Marathon Training Week #6

Monday - spin. 50 minutes. the usual, nothing spectacular here.
Tuesday - AM run. The problem with being two weeks behind on a training recap. you dont remember what your runs are like. so let's just throw down some garmin numbers and call it good. It apparently was fast though? 5 miles/8:08
Wednesday - yoga. 60 minutes
Thursday - travel day/off. traveled to see the boo! watched awesome fireworks! slept in a tent! good times all around.
Friday - 2 miles. lame, i know. cut short because i was having body issues. 2 miles/8:54
Saturday - the rest of friday's intended 4-5 miler. this short run was followed by a large smoothie and new running tops and gu because i intelligently forgot to pack running tops, and didnt feel like doing a long run in a cotton tee. 3.25 miles/8:34
Sunday - 8ish mile long run. no garmin. just me and michigan state's (ick) campus. in all honesty though, east lansing isn't bad. I have a way of finding paths along the water, and this was no different. ran along the cedar river, encountered ducks, swans, herons, and other runners. oh and this run-inspired graffiti.

are you saying its a good thing I didn't run with my garmin?

Total: 18 miles

Marathon Training Week #7

Monday - OFF
Tuesday - these were hot sticky high humidity miles. I didn't bring water, and stopped just about every mile for water. 6 miles/8:42
Wednesday - OFF
Thursday - double header. just shy of 3 miles run, and 60 minutes of yoga.  2.88 miles/8:37
Friday - evening speedwork. last week I really struggled with garmin functionality. I hit start/stop instead of lap, and then there was no first yasso recorded. oh well. 4.5 miles/8:21 
Saturday  - OFF
Sunday - Home miles. 12 on the Ann Arbor stomping grounds. Arb, to huron river trail, and back. these were good miles, except for that part around mile 5 when I stopped in a clearing and got ATTACKED by bugs. It was absurd, and I was freaking the eff out because I didn't know what kind of bugs they were or what they were going to do to me. Turns out they were going to bite me UNDER MY BRA. wtf bugs. you suck. 12 miles/9:00

Total: 24 miles

6 steps to successful morning running

6 steps to Successful Morning Running

1. go to bed early

I know, the 10PM bed hour makes you feel like you're 70. But it is so much easier to wake up in the morning when you've had a full night of sleep, and it makes your run better. so just do it.

2. get together all your running things

this is something that has foiled runs for me. Take this morning for example. I knew I needed my handy ipod shuffle, Elle Woods, for my run.

So I pulled it out of its basket-full of electronics home. And then buried it in my bed, so I was searching for it for 10 minutes this morning. and then leaving one of the silicon earbud thingies in my bed so i had to go back for it. WASTE OF TIME LAUREN.

3. prep for the next day
breakfast, lunch, outfit.

When these things are figured out the night before, getting ready in the morning is infinitely easier. I'm not always so great at this, but it definitely helps.

4. go to bed in your running clothes

not only are most running clothes super comfy, but they also are nice to not have to figure out in the dark in the morning.

you're probably sensing a trend by this point. One of the keys to morning run success is allowing myself to sleep in as late as possible and be as efficient with time as possible.

5. snack before your run (or don't)

some mornings I don't need/want a snack and other times I do. Do what works best for you, and don't feel like there's and fast rule on this one. because there isn't.

6. run

And then get out there and run. Know that you are out there getting your heartrate up before the day even really begins. Enjoy the sun coming up, the cool breeze, and the joy of running!

tuesday morning run scenes

that gorgeous lake

Running Playlist #1

Because I'm in love with pretty much every popular song right now, I thought I'd share my running playlist.



Also important things to note:

1. Don't skip runs. Even if sleep sounds much better and according to your phone its raining outside but when you look out the window you know its not, don't do it. because the world will conspire against you and even though you updated your ipod shuffle with awesome music, the next morning you will wake up at 5:30 ready to run, and it will just STORM until you have to go to work.

So yeah, just don't do it. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything.

2. Running skirts are the cutest invention. yup, wearing the running skirt right now and i pretty much want to wear it everywhere. I'm sold.

3. this playlist makes me super happy because I'm a huge nerd: i heart guts playlist Yes, a playlist all about your organs. :)

4. bloglovin'. Do it. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Marathon Training Week #4

Monday – spin with the chi roomie! The same studio, same instructor, same jam. Forgot my HRM which I was bummed about. Because of that fact I don’t think I pushed as hard as I normally did. Plus my legs were sore from paddleboarding + a 6 miler. Still a great spin class overall. 50 min spin. 

Tuesday – Run 5. This was my first chi evening run and I LOVELOVELOVED it. The weather worked out in my favor to allow me a relatively cool evening run. I was speedy and pushed it hard. It was just a really fantastic, feel-good run. 5 miles/8:01 pace 

Wednesday – yoga with a different instructor and a different class format. I took Core Power 2 with Lindsey H and really enjoyed it. She had us do a flow sequence with a block between our thighs at the beginning to really focus on our legs. And it was so hard but so awesome. I also got to attempt crow, the one pose I’m most proud to accomplish. I’ve still got it. 60 min yoga.

Thursday – Thursday was a yasso morning. Did 3. The last one was quite a bit slower (unlike my consistent 3:40’s last week), but I’ll take it anyway. The first two were faster, so that is awesome. A good morning push-yourself run. 4.38 miles/3:35/3:33/3:49

Friday – afternoon run in ann arbor. I went back to Michigan for the weekend, and snuck in this run in between a conference call and evening plans with friends. It was hot and humid, so I told myself I could go as slow as I wanted, just run 3 miles. And I did. And it wasn't even that slow. 3 miles/8:15 pace

Saturday – OFF

Sunday – LR 10-miler at home. Went home Saturday evening, so the long run was in Dearborn. Took the Rouge River Trail to Hines Drive and then looped back. This was a weird, but totally satisfying run. It took me until mile 3 for my shins not to bother me. I was pretty much plodding along, which I think might have been part of the problem. I told myself I could go slow, because my long runs have been pretty fast, and I’m working off a cutback week. But I think I just went TOO slow. Around mile 3 I settled into the grove, and pulled off those negative splits. I managed to run without stopping (I think…) for the first 5.3, which was also a great thing.

Took my gu at that 5.3, and then headed back. No stomach troubles, all good.

The best part about this run was that every single person I passed said good morning, or smiled, or gave the nod. It was a morning of running camaraderie and I loved it. Too often in Ann Arbor and Chicago runners don’t acknowledge each other, and I don’t really get it. Maybe it’s the small neighborhood thing, maybe it’s the older runner crowd, I don’t really know. But it definitely made this long run a feel-good run. 10 miles/9:06 pace

Why I love running (lately)

There have been quite a few motivating factors for running lately.

1. Carbs

I lovelovelove carbs. I could never go to the carb-free diet route. If there is bread in front of me, I will eat it. I don't discriminate against carbs. Bread, Cupcakes, Cake, pasta - i love it all. And running gives me a reason to consume it all. and so I shall.

Examples:

bread and cupcake dessert from a recent wedding

One of my most recent carb-fests was making a raspberry-rhubarb tart.

kind of disastrous looking, but so delicious. (realizing i need to work on my food photog) recipe here

Today's carb fest was this bread from Little Goat Bread in the French Market (so much self control necessary to prevent myself from going here ALL THE TIME). It is bacon gouda. say it with me, oh my freaking lord.

2. Lake Michigan

lake at dusk

I'm realizing more and more each day how much I adore the great lakes. and When I have views like this when I'm running. How can you resist? I always get the biggest grin on my face when I run far enough that I can see the lake. It is awesome.

3. running clothes

lululemon pace setter in pizzazz

I finally caved and bought a running skirt. It's orange. It matches my shoes. It could not possibly arrive faster.


4. Speedwork

I've been doing yasso 800's and seeing 7-something pace for half a mile is like the most exciting thing in the world. I think it's going to make me a better and a stronger runner. and that makes me so excited.



what makes you love running? or what makes you love what you love?

Marathon Training Week #3

Monday - 50 min spin. pushed it hard. the spin studio has one of those "leaderboards" where you can compare your effort to other people in the class, and my competitive streak kicked in and I wanted to be the best. I ended up around 3rd or 4th. Pretty happy with that.

Tuesday - 5 miles, AM run. Felt a little dehydrated, but got her done. 8:20 miles.

post five miler breakfast

Wednesday - hot yoga. This almost didn't happen. I came home, was starving, subsequently ate too much, and it was storming like crazy. But I put on my rain boats and goretex jacket, and headed out into the rain. Walked the mile to yoga in the storm, ended up in a class with 4 other people, and it was awesome. I really loved the wednesday night instructor.

Thursday - 3.5 miles AM. Should have been 4 but I woke up tired thanks to late night yoga. (yes, 8:45-9:45 is late night). Fast to finish it off.

Friday - SPEEDWORK. OMG YASSO'S for the first time and they were AWESOME. check out these splits:

7:22?! gah! I was aiming for 8:00's!

I mean, I only did 2 (i'm pretty sure you're technically supposed to start with like 4...), but I think my spin intervals/sprints/hill climbs really helped with this one. Apparently I am really good at kicking it up for "bursts of intensity" (I've been listening to too many jillian michaels podcasts)

Saturday - off, much needed after a night out in river north.

Sunday - 6 miles long. This was good. I'm glad it was only a 6 because it was hot and humid and it was so nice to turn around at 3 miles. Followed by an early morning trip to whole foods, and it was a good morning. 8:30 average, which i'll call pretty good in the heat.

pre (yes the dirt on my mirror makes my head look like its *sparkly*)

check out that sheen

 I also went paddle-boarding for the first time on Sunday. Which was crazy fun, and crazy hard. I just dont have the balance for that type of stuff. I stayed upright for a very short period of time before I resorted to kneeling, but my quads were SO sore afterwards. thumbs up experience and thumbs up work out, for sure. 


Game Plan

Mon: Spin - 50 min
Tues: Run 5
Wed: Hot yoga - 1 hr
Thurs: Run easy 3
Friday: Run yasso's! at least 3 this time!
Saturday: off
Sunday: Runday. 10 miles.

Marathon Training Week #2

Monday - Spin. First spinning class in Chi at GoCycle in Lincoln Park. Enjoyed it in general, but didn't push myself super hard. And no jumps? I don't really know why - it seemed a little weird, haha. Also not a lot of cues. It's no vie, but I enjoyed it a lot, and will stick around for the summer.

Tuesday - 5 miles AM run.
This one felt hard and it was likely because I pushed it hard. average pace: 8:15.

Wednesday - Hot yoga. Also my first hot yoga class in Chi. Went to CorePower Yoga in Roscoe Village (Lakeview). went to hot power fusion, a hot yoga class set to music with a little bit of vinyasa flow, but not a whole lot. I really enjoyed it, sweat a lot, which is always a good indication of a good workout. They have a bunch of locations all around chicago, which is kind of nice.

Also! Forgot to mention that I celebrated national running day by running the mile to yoga. So yay!

Thursday - OFF. Hadn't done a rest day since the previous Monday so I figured a day off wasn't going to kill me.

Friday - 4 miles AM. felt comfortable, but not gonna lie, it was a HARD run. average pace = 8:10

SO SWEATY AFTERWARD. Told myself I was going to do core work afterward, but the open shower was just too appealing. the best thing only good thing about summer runs is the cold shower afterward. and chi roomie LOVES to take sauna showers. and the sauna bathroom post run is not fun.

Saturday - yoga with weights

This was the first yoga class I went to where the instructor just was not good. I feel bad writing a negative review on the blog, so I'm not going to try and ID this in any way, but let me just say that the instructor was not enthusiastic, very monotone (and not in the good peaceful yoga way. in the "i don't really want to be here instructing you and let me act like i'm reading off cards" type of way). she stumbled over words, said um a lot, and was generally distracting as an instructor, rather than instructive. It was a good work out - I had never done yoga with weights before, but it also just wasn't the best class. still, stretched it out, did a little strength training, call it good.

Sunday - 9 miles long along the lakeshore.

I tried to take these miles easy, but I just can't push myself down past like 8:45's now. Which I guess I shouldn't really be complaining about.

My new goal for long runs is to do them without stopping. Spin has gotten my cardiovascular system very used to intervals. Now it's time to keep that heart rate up and keep moving. This run wasn't so bad - stopped a few times. bathroom around 3 miles, turn around at 4.5 miles, and one more time before it was all through.

Also first run with the hydration belt. see more thorough review in the running things post.

even foam rolled afterwards, and I wasn't really sore, so we'll call that an accomplishment.

Plan for this week:
Monday: spin
Tuesday: run 5
Wednesday: hot yoga
Thursday: run (tempo? yassos? who knows)
Friday: run 3 easy
Saturday: OFF
Sunday: run 6! its a cutback week baby!

2013 intentions

I've tried to cement some new year intentions (yes, like setting an intention for a yoga practice) for the past week, and it hasn't been the easiest thing in the world. But since I still have over a week until back to the law school grind, I think I still have some time.

What i do know is that I'd like 2013 to be a year of getting healthy again. 1L kicked my butt pretty hard - I didn't consistently eat healthy or run, and I think that was to my detriment.

So new gameplan for 2013.

source

I will be signing up for a half marathon very shortly (for April 27! Plenty of time to train for a PR), and I'm seriously toying with the idea of signing up for the Chicago Marathon this year - I'll be up to 8 mile long runs at that point, so I think I'll have a good idea of whether that's something I want to do.

So fitness intentions:

1) PR the half
2) run consistently
3) keep up spinning class, as cross
4) foam roll
5) master an impressive strength training project - headstand, pull-up, something like that

and more general health and wellbeing intentions:

1) continue eating whole foods
2) snack healthy, less often, and smarter
3) break up with sugar

With regard to these health and wellbeing goals, I actually have the good fortune of a physical this week with bloodwork - so I can make sure all those pesky levels are where they need to be and adjust accordingly if necessary.

So far, the running stuff has been going well.

I've been consistently meeting my plan (minus the spinning as I'm not near my go-to spin studio), and it's been great.

So nice to just get out there and run.

Plus i feel like a badass running in the cold.

these things have been lifesavers:

toe warmers

Having my toes be toasty when i run makes running in the cold infinitely better.

Running a lot has me a little worried about old injuries (a legit 3rd metatarsal fracture from running in 2011), but I think if I run smart and cross train, I'll be good to go.

So here's to 2013, big goals, big accomplishments.

Let's do this. 

Done-L means Running and Food

Guess who is finally done with 1L? Oh yes, this girl.

And with the end of 1L comes free time that I never knew I had!

So here I am, blogging again, running again, baking again.

It's a good life.

After last fall's half-mary #2, I ran a bit over the rest of the fall/winter (including an epic faceplant on thanksgiving. i rock) + here and there in winter semester. Most of my exercise time was on the arc trainer or bike reading law supplements (yes, FML). 

But with finals, and the tinges of an injury brewing in March caused me to lay off the running. + quite a few binge drinking episodes to celebrate the end of exams, and then the end of write-on, I was way out of shape.

So running is working its way back in. it's been pretty consistent -- at least 3 times a week for the past 2 weeks. Go go go Lauren.

The heat is definitely a killer, but I'm working with it. 

Some days are better than others. like 55* mornings, followed by 10 minutes of turbofire stretching and some crepes for bfast (see bellow)

I've also been cooking like a fiend. homemade meals for bfast, lunch, dinner most nights. 

some of my accomplishments:

crepes a la the fitnessista  definitely one of my favorite bfast recipes. lemon + sugar.

and of course, nutella. 

carb free pizza. yum yum. no pepperonis, + spinach, and olives.

other favorite bfast eats:

omelet

new obsession. love chobani

banana + dark chocolate dreams

With regard to baking, 2 weeks ago  I got together with some awesome girlies and made joy the baker's raspberry almond cupcakes with chocolate ganache.

again, fabulous.

so in all honesty, i've had this post in the queue since over a week and half ago.

so despite gathering new blogging material, i have yet to post this one, so i'll do that and then drop the big news. although if you follow me on instragram or twitter, you probably already know.