Running sick-- when is it OK?

      Life will go on, no matter how much running you get in during your training.  That means that inevitably, at some point you are going to get sick (if you don't, please tell me your secret!!).  For most people there is a really simple solution for being sick-- curl up on the couch (or in bed) with tissues, have some hot tea and chicken soup, and semi watch an entire season of something on Netflix for a couple of days in your bathrobe until you feel better.  But what about us runners?  Do we take the same steps, and just (gasp) not run for a few days? Well, the answer is a little more complicated than yes or no (isn't it always?).

If you're anything like me when you're sick, then this would be the best gift EVER.

     Most of us in training hesitate to skip a run when we are limping and in pain, so how many of us are honestly going to skip a run with the sniffles?  Well, there are some times that it would be smarter to wait a day.  The formulas vary-- I've heard some say that we should "treat illness exactly like an injury" and always skip a day.  

    Personally I like the other popular belief-- if your symptoms are from the neck up (like a head cold or just your sinuses) then it's fine to go for an easy paced run, and to ignore pacing and just run by feel (and take breaks and tissues when necessary). 

     If you have much of a fever (above 99 degrees) or your symptoms are below the neck however (like a chest cold/ flu), then it's best to skip a day and take whatever steps you need to recover and let your body fight it's invaders.  The old wive's tale of "sweating out your fever" doesn't apply here-- running with a fever can make you really dizzy and disoriented, and put excess strain on your heart due to an already higher body temperature.

    It goes without saying, but if your illness is severe enough to warrant a trip to the doctor, or you have any kind of digestive issues then please take a rest day!  No one wants to run with an upset stomach for sure, and if you needed a doctor visit for your cold/ sinus symptoms, let the medications they gave you have time to work-- and never run right after receiving a shot for something (let it work its way into your system without the extra blood pumping of a workout).

    Skipping that day won't ruin your whole training plan, I promise-- but keeping yourself sick rather than taking a day or two to recover and rest your ailing body will throw you off more than you think!  So do yourself a favor, and catch up on rest if any of these criteria apply to you:

*Symptoms below the neck (body aches, chest cold/ flu)

*Fever above 99 degrees

*Digestive symptoms of any kind

*You got a shot or went to the doctor/hospital due to symptoms

     Most importantly, when you've had some time and rest, take it a little easy the first run or two you're out, and enjoy feeling better!

The Female Athlete Triad-- Staying Safe!

     This is the Female Athlete Triad-- something that I have read about in my college classes but thankfully never had to experience or see in real life.  I felt like posting something basic about this here is absolutely necessary, because as a lady, and as a runner too, I feel like everyone should recognize this for themselves and for the people they love, just in case.

      The Triad is a disorder that strikes athletes of any sort, but is really prevalent in sports where low body weight is encouraged or "the norm".  In today's society this is pretty much everywhere really, but when you add athletics and a lot of activity in with the already obsessive drive for some women to be "skinny", you get a dangerous (and lethal!) problem such as the Triad.

     Part one is the disordered eating-- either not eating enough to sustain your energy levels, or burning off every calorie you take in (I have witnessed this, now that I write it-- in junior high a swim team friend of mine used to eat dinner and immediately get on the elliptical for the rest of the evening, until she saw that she had "worked off" everything that she had eaten.  She swam several hours a day as well, and was rather, almost painfully, thin).  Using laxatives and diet pills falls into this category as well-- in essence, being obsessive about your figure, your body weight, and how to restrict or limit yourself, to the point of exhausting yourself often.

      Part two is amenorrhea, or the loss of the menstrual period for more than 3 months.  Exercising intensely and not taking in enough calories disrupts the hypothalamus (your body's regulator for hormones) and your body stops giving estrogen to your reproductive organs.  This may not seem like the biggest of issues to some folks, but I assure you, it is.  It also brings us to the third leg of the Triad.

     Part three is the onset of osteoporosis.  Yes, I am talking about the bone density disorder that increases your risk of breaks in major bones due to a lack of nutrients (and estrogen plays a big role in this as well!) and increase in the brittleness of bones.  This is not something that happens later in life for those stuck in the Triad-- teens and young women are winding up with this in some cases.  Since athletes endure a lot of skeletal stress, fractures are very common, sometimes ending their ability to compete.

      Suffering from one part of this triad makes it likely to suffer from the others as well.  They are interconnected, and should be taken seriously as soon as it's noticed.

     There are several questions that you can ask yourself (or anyone you think might need help):

*Do you worry about your body weight or composition?

*Do you carefully limit and control what you eat?

*Do you worry that you have lost control of what you eat?

*Do you refrain from eating around other people?

*Do you have monthly cycles?

*Have you ever broken a bone or had a stress fracture?

* Do you avoid parties and social situations because of food or alcohol consumption?

* Do you feel inspired and try to emulate "thinspiration" photos or models?

*Do you weigh yourself more than a couple of times a week?

   Some of these can be construed as "normal", but if it becomes an obsession or gets in the way of everyday life, please seek medical aid from your sports doctor, general practitioner, or even your OB/GYN.  If you have a friend you are concerned about, speak with her gently about it-- don't accuse or freak out on her.  Be supportive and helpful, and do some research on your own so you have as much information as you need.  

    Even among the group that most view as "extremely healthy", there are still some scary issues out there.  Us ladies have to look out for one another-- things are tough for us in the body image department (as they are for you guys out there too-- photoshop and distorted images of models of both genders are making it increasingly difficult to feel fine with our bodies) and together we can support and show one another that 

we are ALL gorgeous (thin, not thin, short, tall, whatever qualifier you want to use. ALL means every. single. person!) and strong for what our bodies are capable of!

   If you feel like this might be you, and you need someone to reach out to and can think of no one, please, PLEASE contact me if you will.  

I loved these ads when they came out, and I wanted to share them now as a reminder, for myself and anyone out here who needs it.  There is so much "thinspo" (thin spiration, or photo boards out there of painfully thin women as "perfect" and "goals" for women, mostly younger like me) but strong is what we should remember.  Our bodies carry us for miles, then go about a whole day just fine!  Our legs are wonderful, as are our butts, and the rest of us too!  We should praise them, and thank them, and love them wholly for what they are, not scold them and be angry with them for what they should not be.  So, be kind to yourself, and encourage your fellow athletes (and non athletes for that matter), every day!

Both images courtesy of Nike

Crafty project: Running medal/ bib display

     Our weekend has been a recovery weekend-- we have been slubs sitting on the couch half the time, and cleaning up and working on today's craft project the other half.  It was much needed-- we surpassed all of our week's training goals!  I am happy about this beyond what is probably normal or acceptable, but I have seriously been proud of the Hare and I this week.  I'm even starting to see definition in my legs that I never thought was possible!

      Now, on to the project.  I took a few photos, but it really is simple and pretty self explanatory as far as projects go.  I love all the displays I see online, but in my attempt to be thrifty I think I came up with a pretty nice alternative!

     First you need to gather supplies-- I found these nice wooden plaques at Walmart for a few dollars, but if you have some scrap wood laying around, feel free to use that too (I was just feeling too lazy to dig through my dad's scrap pile at home).  You will also need some screw in hooks to hold your medals and such, and some saw tooth picture hangers (for the back of the piece, to hold it on the wall of course).

    You'll need some paint (whatever you like!) and things to decorate it/ fancy it up with (anything goes-- I used glitter glue, because I'm about 8 years old in my head).

Here's the hooks and one of the wooden pieces, unpainted.

       First things first, find a surface that's ok to paint on (I am MESSY, so I just keep old cardboard around-- put a drop cloth down, whatever you need to keep your house fabulous) and go to painting!  I just used the cheapie craft paint that's less than a dollar-- a couple of coats will work fine, just be sure it dries in between.  Make sure you get the sides covered too!

The Hare liked the deep green, and it did look nice. (Can you tell I painted my peace sign door wreath on that cardboard before? Haha)

      After painting your basic coats of base paint, you need to mark with dots where you want your hooks and your bibs to go.  I just laid the bib down and put a little dot of paint (sharpie would work too-- just for a reference later) where the holes are, then put a line of dots across the bottom for the medal hooks.

      Once that is settled, you can see where your "free" space is, to write an inspirational quote, or in our case "His" and "Hers" (since they'll be hanging together, it's cutesy and newlywed, right?)-- or just a photo of you, or anything you want!  That's the beauty of DIY, isn't it?  Anyway, that is the point I put my glitter glue/ fancy stuff on too, so it could sit for a few hours and dry well before putting the hooks on.

Plotting out the location of the hooks.

     Now, this is where I should have thought a little ahead.  Before you put the hooks on, (but be sure it's dry) be sure to flip it over and put the picture hanger on the back (while it still lays flat).  Just measure the width of the board with a ruler, and mark the center (so it will hang straight!), and hammer it into place.  Most of them come with little nails by the way!

Taking pictures while I (impatiently) wait for the paint and glitter to dry.

      Once everything is dry, it's time to put the hooks on!  I just did it by hand (wear some gloves or use pliers, or you may get blisters on your fingers! Mine got sore, but thankfully I had the Hare's help on some of them.

Hooks!  Also, more proof that having a safe surface to paint on is a great idea!

Twisting the hooks into the Hare's board-- it was slow going, but they hold really well!

    The Hare was helpful during this process-- he made sure they both hung at the same height, and he helped me with some of the harder hooks.

      The finished product!  Hang them wherever you see fit, and add your bibs and medals accordingly!  Then stand back and enjoy it!  There is plenty of room for growth on ours, huh?  That's a-ok with me, that means lots more to run!

**Personal Update**

     We had our long run tonight-- and we realized that we just ran more than 1/3 the distance of a half marathon!  We were slow (it was earlier than usual, and honestly the hottest I've felt so far this summer), but we felt great about it!  It's a great feeling, once you see just how far you've come from the start.  All week we have really been on it hard to train, and it's paying off.  I'm seeing the definition in my legs clearly now, and the Hare is seeing all the results (cross training is bulking him up faster than I am, but that's being skinny for you!) and enjoying it.

Do you display your race memorabilia, or store it?  Do you like crafty projects?  Tell me about it!

Digestive "Fun" and Running

     Yep, today is the day that we go over the most terrifying (ok, to me!) aspect of distance running-- the dreaded digestive insanity!  You hear it from all the experienced runners (and the embarrassing "worst that's ever happened to me" stories)-- they are going along great at a race, then all of a sudden, they have to go.  Not in a little while, not after the race is over, but right now, whether there is a porta potty nearby or not!

     Fortunately, these same experienced folks have taken the time to figure out ways that usually prevent this awful side effect of running (we'll get to why I call it a side effect in a second).  So, with a few considerations (and a fair bit of luck) this may not be an issue for you!  Some folks are more prone to digestive issues than others-- and some supplements and gels/ bars will bring digestive trouble on, so always test things out, and never anything new on race day!

Why is digestive trouble a "side effect"?  Well, when you run, your body's muscles start calling out for more support (ie, bloodflow), and the digestive system slows down productivity.  When you have food to digest still, it can get sloshed around in your system, and the body isn't fond of this.  This causes some of the issues, and the lessened bloodflow along with improper hydration can cause colitis symptoms (inflammation of the intestines) and pain.

     So, what exactly can happen?  Well, a number of common issues crop up for runners, for a variety of reasons.  Here are the biggest/ most problematic:

*Cramps-- stomach cramps are typically due to a lot of factors, but usually eating too close to a run will cause them, and being dehydrated/ using concentrated sports drinks rather than water.  A safe bet is to never eat a large meal right before a run, and try not to eat anything at very least an hour or so before going out.  Also, as always, keep yourself hydrated (yes, every day, not just running!).

*Nausea-- feeling sick during a run is a major cause for concern, usually due to dehydration or extreme heat.  If you feel the need to throw up, slow down and rest (sit down if you need to) or discontinue the run if you show other signs of heat exhaustion.

*Diarrhea- This one is probably the most scary for people-- and it is pretty easily preventable.  Avoid foods with a lot of fiber/ roughage before a race-- salads, corn, cereals, and any other high fiber foods.  You want to keep things simple for your digestion before a run, because muscles will be taking the bulk of the blood supply, and your digestive system won't be able to function well.

     The most important things to do in order to prevent all of these issues is of course to be aware of what you eat before races and runs.  We've covered safe choices for pre/ post run foods-- but some of the process is just trial and error on your part.  Try different meals, gels/bars, and sports drinks (whatever you want to use to fuel during a race) while you train, and keep track of what works well and what doesn't treat you well.  Another great idea is to always go to the bathroom before a run-- if you run in the morning, coffee or tea (black, not cream or anything) can help things get moving, so to speak, and reduce risk of that happening 6 miles from home!

      For a trial and error example, I am not that tolerant of Gu-- some days it's fine, but there have been occasions that my stomach was not a fan of it.  Honey Stingers, on the other hand, I am great with.  I had to try each and see what worked best.  My husband does great with Gu though-- so you really never know what each person will be ok with until you try it.

***Personal Update***

     We got our medium run in yesterday-- it was really one of those runs that made me realize how much we are improving! Every time I would think about walking for a minute, before I said anything to the Hare I would catch my breath and feel fine!  We did stop a couple of times for just a minute, but we exceeded our distance, and felt pretty good!  It was cooler out (thanks rain!) but still 80 degrees at 7pm with 75% humidity, so we were both dripping with sweat, but happy about a good workout.

     I have discovered that chewing gum does wonders for me-- my mouth gets so dry it holds me back a little, but having just a little something in my mouth has been amazing!  Thank you Iantha for telling me that!  

     We've got a short run tomorrow night, and our long run this weekend is 5 miles (6 if we want to be really ambitious).  I am actually excited about it-- we are really getting there!  Our muscles are getting stronger and more noticeable (the Hare said yesterday that I had some calf muscles now-- yay! I've always been jealous of my mom's!) and the soreness isn't as awful (I think that's just getting used to it).

Have you ever dealt with digestive issues on a run or race?  Are there any foods or fuels you avoid?  Do you chew gum when you run?  Share with me below!

Rest Days-- Signs you need one, and WHY you need one!

     "Rest" is a 4 letter word for most serious runners, but with a training program worth it's salt, you will inevitably see at least one day out of your week with "REST" in huge letters.  "Why do I need to rest" you might say?  Well, all that running and cross training does wear down the muscles (you have to tear them down to build them up, literally!) and lead to soreness, depleting glycogen stores, and mental burnout about doing something every day.  It eats into your social life too (but that's another post for another day).

If this is you, you may need to read on, and take a day off!!

    If you find yourself feeling/ doing any of the following things, take a step back and think about taking a day (just one if that's all you can do!) off.  If you see a bunch of them that apply to you, maybe you should take a couple of days!

*Your resting heart rate is elevated-- you'll feel like you do while running (not so intense, but still winded and heart thumping).  It's a sign of stressing the heart too much!!

*You aren't sleeping well or enough--  I'm talking several nights in a row, with very little (less than 5 hours) of sleep.  That takes a toll on you mentally, physically, and emotionally.  Rest up!

*You are cranky-- If you overtrain, your body can release cortisol and other hormones (stress hormones) that will make you feel anxious and irritable.  Running is supposed to relieve that, not cause it by running too much!

This is much more me! :)

*You feel pain-- Not just soreness, but altered gait or inability to carry on fairly normally the next day because of pain.  Bruising, visible knots and inflammation and swelling are things to look out for too, could be an injury!

*You are sick--  Your body works overtime while you are sick to fight the problem, and you need all the energy you can to help it.

*You are worn down-- Not just "I worked out yesterday" tired, but unable or barely able to get through your normal activities (running excluded).  We are notorious for pushing through it, so be honest here!

When you feel like this, just take it easy for a day!

     Those are extreme examples, and warrant at least a day off entirely (that means NO RUNNING), especially if you think more than one applies to you.  It is good to do a little bit on rest days, so instead of a run, try going swimming (not a cross training hard core swim, just gentle aqua jog or laps), or taking a walk at an easy pace (find a nice trail or park, or go shopping!) or a leisurely bike ride (key word-- leisurely).  Anything to keep you moving a little, but not enough to call it a workout (make sense?  Rest...so you recover!).

     Resting is just as important as your long runs are to building up your endurance-- our bodies are awesome, amazing things that can tolerate a lot, but overtraining will only hold you back and potentially injure you..forcing you to rest, ironically-- for weeks, not days!  Keep the rest day sacred, and do something for yourself that day!  Use your roller to massage out those tough knots, take a nice bath to relax the muscles, paint your toenails or something-- anything to make you relax and enjoy yourself for a moment, and appreciate all the hard work you are putting in.

What do you do for rest day?  Have you ever overtrained?  How did you handle it/ what tips do you have?  Tell me below!

Four legged running companions

     Yesterday I mentioned that having a friend to run with can really help you be accountable/ responsible and get you out there.  Sometimes those running buddies happen to have four legs and a tail!  However, not just any dog is a great running friend-- there are some that will love different kinds (and lengths) of runs.

This is our dog Stella...she is not the running type, obviously!  A trip to the mailbox (1/2 mile there and back) and she's totally exhausted...poor little smushed face!

 If you are looking for a pet, and think it would fit into your running lifestyle, then doing a little research is a great way to start out!  If you don't have room for one, some shelters and even family and friends might let you borrow Fido to help burn off some excess energy!  Either way, here are some of the top contenders for a four legged running companion.

Best Dogs for Long distances (over 10 miles)

These guys (Jack Russels) are small, but they LOVE to run and have boundless energy!

• Jack Russel Terriors

• Vizslas

• Weimeraners

Great Sprinters and Short Distances

Labs make great family pets too-- and they love water sports, so maybe a triathalon training buddy?

• Pit Bulls
• Golden Retrievers/ Labs
• Greyhounds

Fastest and Slowest Paced Pups

Weimeraners are also wonderfully beautiful!

Fastest:

• Vizslas
• Weimeraners
• German Shorthair Pointer

Catahoulas will keep you safe, and they love trails too!

Slowest/ best "Sloggers":

• Catahoulas
• Dalmations
• Labradors

      Whatever research you do, please check out your local shelter and rescue organization first!!  There are so many amazing animals there (some of these listed, purebred, and lots of amazing mixes that are full of these trails and more!), and you never know what you might get. 

     I have an amazing personal story about this very thing-- my parents dog, Sally!  We had a border collie mix for almost 16 years, and when she passed away there was just a hole that we couldn't fill.  We had another small dog, and she mourned the loss of her friend so much that she wouldn't eat or drink.  My dad looked all over, and found this 3 year old border collie in a rescue almost 9 hours from our hometown.  They got in the car the next day to go and get her!  

This is what they were met with when they arrived-- she came to them and never looked back!  She rode the 9 hour drive home with absolutely no complaint, she loves riding!

      She now goes out with my mom almost every day-- she knows when mom gets home that it's time to go!  She will walk back and forth from her shoes to the door, and generally make my mom get her daily in!  It's been years now ( I think it's been 5 or 6-- we've lost track!) and she is the constant companion for her, and a great rescue story all around.

Do you run with a furry friend?  What kind is it? Are there any breeds I missed listing? Let me know below!!

Keeping yourself motivated

       Obviously this has been an issue for me on the blogging front lately-- there has been a LOT of company from out of town (and the country!) for the Hare and I the last couple of weeks, and we wanted to spend as much time with our friends as possible.  The Hare also had some crazy 12 hour night shifts the past couple of weeks, and whether you are the spouse or the one working, it does throw you for a loop pretty hard.  That brings about an interesting thought though-- when life really has to come first (some people argue that it doesn't, but I'm not one of them!) how do you handle it and keep motivated?

Just to make me feel a little bad about not going, I found this!

       I would love to say that we just chugged on and didn't miss a thing, but I can't lie-- we haven't had a run in several days.  We had good intentions of the hill repeat run with the group on Friday, but it rained (I mean lightning, no visibility thunderstorm) and we just dropped the ball.  On Sunday we were both barely functional (complete with driving to the wrong restaurant and confusing his Mother in law!!) and we just did a full body workout that evening (which was hard, but not nearly as much as a run would have been).  We are going tonight (no trip to the grocery store before we go, so we have to!) but I wanted to remind myself (and you guys and gals out there!) what helps us keep at it when things like this inevitably occur.

I really found this helpful-- sometimes you just have to think that way!

       *Write it down-- having a log (on the computer or good old pen and paper) is a good way to keep yourself going.  For me it almost feels like an appointment or something, but it has to be done!

       * Don't think "all or none"-- if you can't do your 6 mile run today, then do a 2 mile if you have time.  Do something when you have a run day, rather than nothing.

       *  Set up a reward for yourself-- if you like being pampered, go for a massage or a pedicure after you complete so many miles on your log (or so many training weeks).  Or, if you need a little better watch or some other gear, then give yourself a dollar every time you complete a run and get it for yourself!

      * Speaking of getting stuff...new shoes are a huge motivator for me to get out there!  If it's getting close to time for new ones, then if you can, grab a new pair (online sales can be amazing for this-- I've seen them for more than half off, same pair I know and love now!) and break those babies in!

      * Just get up-- seriously.  Put your shoes on, and go outside.  That's all you commit to.  Then, try a really easy run around the block-- just one.  By the time you do that, guaranteed you will want to (and ultimately) put in some miles.

      * Find a friend-- I have it easy here, since we hold one another accountable, but really, having a buddy (or four legged friend!) to go with you can make a lot of difference.

      * Branch out-- go to a different way out of your driveway, or find a local park or other scenic place nearby to try out. Don't be afraid, just explore a little on your next run!

Here's a handy chart I found helpful too-- as well as humorous.

      Whatever you need to do to make yourself get out there (or write in your blog *cough*) and just go for a little bit, then use it to your advantage!  Sometimes it can get overwhelming (training isn't easy for a reason-- the long miles of a half or full marathon aren't!), and if you feel like you truly need a day or two off (which happens!) then don't beat yourself up.  Just take the day, and come back with fresh legs.  Either way, just keep putting one foot in front of the other!

How do you stay motivated?  Have you ever taken a break due to lack of motivation?  How do you balance social and running/ training aspects of life? Tell me below!

Gear review: Amphipod Full tilt waist pack

      I am one of those runners that cannot stand having a bottle (or anything else) in my hands when I run.  It just makes me feel weird, and I feel like I have to keep my grip on it and it ends up hurting me later. Weird? Maybe.  But thankfully there are lots of non-holder bottles out there for those of us who don't like carrying water.

      At first I tried the Hare's Kelty hydration pack, and though it is wonderful (its name is Moocow!  When we only had it, one of us would run with it, and the other would ask for water and grab the hose and drink.  It feels like a baby cow nursing sort of, so the name stuck) women's running singlets are not built to have a backpack on.  I got chafed by the straps a little (not bad, but I hate to just put up with it for the sake of "it wasn't so bad").

      After that, my search was on for something suitable.  Most of the hydration belts you get have small bottles-- and honestly, that irritates me.  I don't want 13 tiny bottles of water all around my waist (it's goofy enough to run with a belt, much less with little bottles, and they jiggle and slosh!).  I have friends that like theirs, and it's really a matter of finding the right one for you, but that particular type is not for me.  Besides, it's hot here in summer-- I need more than tiny bottles.

     When we went to our running store looking for shoes, I happen to see this Amphipod water bottle holder.  The saleswoman told me that she was ok with it, but she felt like it moved around on her a lot (tiny thing that she was).  I figured I'd try it out, and just make sure I kept it cinched enough.

      It essentially fits in the curve of your back, and cinches around your waist.  The first time I ran with it I really wasn't sure to be honest-- it did jiggle around some, and I had a bit of trouble getting it back into the sleeve.  However, with a few more runs it got a lot easier, and I finally got it adjusted just right!  I love it because I can put ice in it, fill it up, and it keeps me a little cooler.  Once you get the hang of slipping it back into the holster, it's just fine, and it does not fall out (not yet anyway *knock on wood*).

     The bottle itself is 20 ounces, more than the typical small 6 or 8oz. bottles.  It is also contoured so you don't drop it trying to get it out of the sleeve, and it's bright green and BPA free!  It hasn't leaked, and if you use Nuun or some other sports drink you won't have any trouble with this bottle-- just put whatever in it and shake it-- the seal is great.

     There is a small zippered pocket on the sleeve as well for money, keys etc.  It's too small for a Gu or anything, but it will keep some small things.  However, Amphipod has lots of small add on pouches and neat things to add to a belt if you want to customize yours (I'm considering it now that I've found this information out!)  The material on the back is also vented, so you don't sweat to death under the pack.  

     The best thing about this pack is definitely that it doesn't bounce around! When I wore the others I felt like I was getting smacked by the bottles or straps-- I just felt like it bounced too much.  With this one it felt fine (after a little adjusting to make sure I had it fitted to me properly).   I've seen some cheaper types of holders like this literally hit someone in the back of the knees it bounced so much, so beware of cheaply made ones!

This is me for sure!

     We all know staying hydrated is important, and if you are an anti in hand water carrier like me, this might be a good option to look into.  Amphipod (and the plethora of other companies-- any one you find will do great!) has about 800 other options too, so just look at them (in person if possible!) and try them out until you find one you like best. 

**Off Topic Update**

      So we're horrible people and skipped our run this morning.  The Hare is on night shift this week, and I never sleep well (ahem, usually crashed out on the couch) so we were both just not going.  So, we just did a good leg workout instead, and we have a good run planned for Friday-- a group run of a mile hill repeat x4 (1/2 mile up, 1/2 mile back down)!!  I'm excited about this because I've never done much with running groups, but the people are really friendly, and the neighborhood is gorgeous and it'll be great motivation having others there (and less incentive to cuss the hill as I go up and down!).  We'll see how excited I am after I run up and down hills for half an hour.

What kind of water bottle/ hydration pack do you have?  Have you ever had trouble finding the right gear for running?  DO you like hill runs?  How about group runs?  Respond below in the comments!

Running as a couple

      Ok, so I've been rolling this post around in my head for a while now (probably longer than I even think!), and I think it's time to get it in black and white.  I promise you, this will not be so full of saccharine that you need an insulin shot by the end.  I intend to give you the clearest picture possible of what it feels like to run with a significant other (the good and the not so awesome).

Hah..haha...hey, it' supposed to be a cute pun!

      Let me start by saying that not everyone can or will run together consistently.  Lots of folks are more than content to run solo, and catch up at the end of the race, or the end of the run.   That is not the Hare and I-- we went into this together, and we have actually discussed doing our runs separately to see how it goes.  In the end, we came back to the agreement we came to our first steps out the door-- together, whatever that took.

      Running with a partner is really a lot like the relationship itself.  From the outside, people see a running couple out together, keeping the same pace, and they think "oh my, how nice-- they just click somehow and do that so well!  It doesn't even look like they're trying!"  However, everyone who has 1) ever run in their life or 2) ever been in a relationship in their life can imagine how doing both at the same time can be a tricky puzzle to work on!

      I can say with certainty that running together is frowned upon by lots of runners for those tough reasons.  I will be the first to admit that I have yelled, fussed, screamed and cussed (at the poor Hare) when it gets tough, or he goes ahead far enough that I don't feel I can catch up, or I'm just struggling and feel awful for "holding him back".  We've both done that, and yet we always come back to that first time we talked about it-- we will do this together, because that's how we started, and it just doesn't feel right any other way (we've tried just to see!).

      It can also be the most rewarding thing you ever do (like anything else that is tricky in life, right?).  I can say with no hesitation that running with the Hare is single handedly one of the best things that's happened for our relationship (marriage aside of course!).  It is a chance to catch up and be out doing something together, without the "what do you feel like doing?" back and forth, or any technology involved. 

 It's a chance to just be.  Sometimes our runs are bad, but even the bad ones show us something that we need-- whether it's patience when one is struggling and the other wants to push faster, or compassion when one is working with an injury or frustration, and always, always compromise about pace.  Running together is at the same time a nice escape to relax and think and enjoy your partner and some important lessons that are necessary for the rest of your lives as well.

That's the compromise! :)

      There are just a couple of tips that I would recommend any running partners (but especially spouses/ significant others!) should think about.

• Always be supportive!  This goes both ways-- don't yell (even if it gets really hard) or talk down to your partner, encouragement gets so much farther.

• Keep it playful.  If you want to "race" a little on training runs, do so, but don't turn everything you do together into a competition (including organized races) or talk too much smack.

• Take cues from your partner!  If you are chatty, and they are huffing and puffing to answer, then 1) ask if he/she'd like to slow down a bit, and 2) ask if they'd prefer to run in the quiet for a while.  It's ok to ask "how are you doing?" every now and then, just to check in, and don't be afraid to speak up for something if you need it!

• Form a line!  This one is small, but if you run on the road, please don't run 2 abreast if you can help it-- single file is much safer, and you can still be together and chat easily that way.

    Above all, remember that you love this person, and respecting and keeping that in mind will make you that much closer in the long run (pun kind of intended!).  So enjoy that time together, see it as a date almost if you can-- (no need for heels and makeup!) and appreciate what you and your partner are doing together, for yourselves and for one another.  Happy running!

Do you run with your partner?  What challenges have you faced?  Do you have any tips for us?  Let me know below!

Color Run Completed!

     We did it!  The Color Run was a fantastic success!  The weekend was long, so thanks for bearing with me, I left my laptop at home (it's on it's last poor little leg anyway, I figured it deserved the rest too!) but we did arm ourselves with 2 disposable cameras to capture all the fun.

The packet opening!  Our dog played with the headband, so it didn't make it into the photo!

     We started out with dinner on Friday night, with all of the team, and several friends!  We dined at Sal and Mookie's, a local pizza and ice cream place with an awesome beer list (hey, that counts as hydrating and carb loading, right?!)

Group picture-- we took up the whole patio!

      Saturday morning we all got up and ready to go, and met up to walk over to the start line.  It may have been early, but we were all pumped!  Thankfully, it wasn't even too hot (for July... in Mississippi!)

      We had to wait for our wave to get out of the starting gate (there were over 2900 people registered!), so we had time to take photos and be goofy.

A start line conga?  Why yes, I think we will!

The hare and his brother and parents-- ready for some color!

My mom and my "other mother"!  They wore hats (a smart decision!!)

      We finally got started, and we were off!  The Hare and I timed ourselves just for fun, but didn't bother with music or anything else (except a camelbak to carry everything, and water to rinse our mouths out after color zones!).  It was so lovely-- and everyone was so positive!

Going over the bridge at the start of the race-- it was so beautiful out!

I got a shot with the Runicorn!  I also look horribly poufy because I am leaning backward!

Disposable cameras really do take good shots-- we never stopped running, and this came out well

The Hare's dad (father in law) got "smurfed!"

It really was pretty happy!  I just wondered how well the street cleans off afterward!

Father in law getting some orange! (He's the one with arms up, my mother in law is behind him in pink!)

My mom and other mother coming in for a photo finish!

It almost looks like it has a halo-- I know we were all glad to cross it!

the group, post run, but pre party!

      After the race we all waited for the whole group to get back together (and cheer each other into the finish!) and then we headed for the color party!  There was awesome music and we just danced and goofed around until the color throw (which we got much more color on us there than during the race itself!)

Posing with the promo sign-- we had to!

There was a ton of sidewalk chalk around, and we wrote our team name!

Ready for the throwing!  I got my favorite color!

The Hare captured both of these-- it was amazing he got them on disposables, but these are my favorites!

In case you're wondering, this is what the inside of the giant color throws look like!

Here's what they look like after the dust settles a little.

Post throw photos-- lots more color added!

Me and my wonderful friends!

Here's what happens when you wear a camelbak to a run like this!

Even Akasha's sweat was colorful and happy that day!

We did it! (And we found a Color Run beach ball on the walk home!!)

     So, that was our Color Run adventure!  It was amazing, and we hope to be able to do it again!  It's inspired us to keep at it-- especially because we beat our fastest time!  We walked some (lots of folks, so we had to slow down) but even at a fairly easy pace we were faster!  That by itself was great for us-- we let ourselves have fun, and we got to share it with family and friends on top of it all!  The race staff and volunteers were great, and everyone said they enjoyed it.  I can't wait for our next race!

What was your favorite race?  How did you feel the first time you beat your PR?  Do you take a camera to races, or have you used a disposable camera?  Tell me about it!