TrainingTruths: ZOOMA Week 1

For the first time I am feeling a little blah about my next half marathon training. It has nothing to do with the race or running. It's the weather and the bugs. The hot temperatures, high humidity, mosquitos, and deer flies are really taking the fun out of my runs. Running with a partner on humid days makes a huge difference on where my head is, but lately I've been whimping out and taking solo runs to the treadmill.

Monday - Instead of struggle with the high humidity and battle the deer flies, I took my run to the treadmill. My basement was a lot cooler and I could aim the fan on myself. This was also a chance for me to try my Mizuno Wave Sayonaras on a little longer run and on the 'mill. While my run felt good, I think my lower legs felt the effects of the lower heel drop afterwards. Nothing hurt, but my lower leg/ankle muscles were a little sore.

Tuesday - After noticing a new class time being offered at TI Fitness, mr. C and I decided to go to SurfSet. As usual we got our butts kicked by Christine. She really knows how to work the abs and squats on a surf board!

Wednesday - I convinced myself to run 5 solo miles in the morning to the Floating House. This is not my favorite route because there's a really big hill right in the middle, and the humidity only makes it more dreadful.  Later we went on a 3 mile hike to Purgatory Falls, although we didn't actually make it to the falls.

Thursday - It had been a while since I used my Polar HRM, so I decided to walk on the treadmill and just try to burn some fat calories. It still amazes me how inaccurate our treadmill calorie counter is.

Friday - A friend came to visit for the weekend, so mr. C and I got in an early 5 mile run. It was a repeat of Wed's run, but a little cooler. I don't think I would've gone out alone on this one, so I'm glad that he was available to run with me.

Sunday - After a busy weekend, I ran 7 miles after dinner on the treadmill. This was just one of those I can't get myself moving days. I almost didn't even get it done on the treadmill, but mr. C reminded me that I would feel better after I did it. He was right.

It turned out to be a good week. I ran a total of 22 miles (hitting my weekly goal of 20 for the first time since April!) and did a lot of cross training.

There's still time to enter to win a race entry to the Allstate 13.1 half marathon or 5K in Boston.

TrainingTruths: What's Beautiful: Try a Tri

First let me announce the winners of the Firmoo sunglasses giveaway:

Congratulations to Jenelle, Lydia R, Meredith, Cristi Rae, Shelley Oz, and Heather Hunter!

Please email me at so that I can give you your gift card code.

I mentioned last week that I am participating in the What's Beautiful campaign with Under Armour and FitFluential to help redefine the female athlete. My goal to run 20 miles a week fell a little short, but I did add a challenge to help make me a stronger runner.

The first part of my week was pretty normal. Tuesday I went for a 4 mile run after school with my Crazy Running Partner. It was a little cooler and my legs felt fresh and bouncy again.

My CRP was doing RTB MA and had to leave on Thursday afternoon, so I went home to run. I choose a route that took me off the main road, but was much hillier. It was a rough 5 miles in the bright afternoon sun. I tried to focus on how I was feeling and adjust my pace, but I ended up having to take a few walk breaks. It's going to be a tough transition to summer weather.

After a late start on Saturday, my sleep deprived husband and I drove to one of out favorite routes to do our long run. Ironically, we couldn't get to it because there was a race going on! Instead we headed downtown and ran on the Manchester portion of the rail trail. It was a tough one for him, but I LOVE paved paths. I rewarded mr. c with a stop for delicious fruit smoothies.

Saturday I also did the Try a Tri challenge. I'm not a triathlete, so I put together three workout moves of my own and ran through them ladder style starting at 20. Here's a snippet of what it looked like.

As always, how was your week? Try any new challenges?

A Running Partner, a Challenge, and a Giveaway

Here are three fun things I'm excited to share!

A Running Partner

In June I will be running the BAA 10K, the second event in the Medley Series. I'm so happy because now I will be running it with my stepdaughter! A couple of weeks ago she said she wanted to challenge herself and train for a 10K. She has run a local 5K with us a couple of times, but now she is ready to increase her endurance.

A Challenge

I'm excited to be a part of a sponsored FitFluential campaign for the Under Armour What's Beautiful program. This is a competition to show the world what it means to be a female athlete. All you have to do is set a goal and then work your butt off to achieve it.

My goal: #IWILL run 1000 miles this year. 

When you join the What's Beautiful community, you can share your journey, get inspired, and find motivation. It's all about working together. You can even join a team and work together toward a common goal.

My Team Goal: Log 5,000 (or more) miles together - run, walk, swim, bike, elliptical

The best part is that Under Armour will be giving out rewards to the women who demonstrate a fierce dedication toward achieving their goals. You can win cool Swag Bags and even a trip to Costa Rica for four days!

A Giveaway

Back in January, I wrote a review for Firmoo, an online eyeglasses store. Firmoo offers affordable and fashionable eyewear that is discounted "85-90%".

There are a lot of cute choices and they also offer tinted and prescription glasses.

With summer right around the corner, Firmoo wants to sponsor a sunglasses giveaway.

PRIZES:

1. If there are less than 50 entries:
6 winners will win a $20 sunglasses E-voucher each. The vouchers can only be used on Firmoo sunglasses at http://www.firmoo.com/wrap-around-rx-sunglasses.html.

2. If there are more than 50 entries:
For the grand prize winner (1 person): a pair of fashionable sunglasses, shipping included.
For the second prize winners (6 persons): a $20 sunglasses E-voucher each. The vouchers can only be used on Firmoo sunglasses at http://www.firmoo.com/wrap-around-rx-sunglasses.html.

To enter (mandatory) visit Firmoo.com and then comment below which eyewear you would love to win. Winners will be announced on May 18th.

If you want to have Prescription Sunglasses, choose a pair of eyeglasses frame here http://www.firmoo.com/all-products.html, and tint the lenses into sunglasses lenses. You may visit http://www.firmoo.com/prescription-sunglasses.html to learn how to order Prescription Sunglasses. All the contestants have to be located in the area our delivery can reach to. Please visit http://www.firmoo.com/help-c-10.shtml to get the countries we ship to and details of the postage. You can find help with ordering at http://www.firmoo.com/help-c-5.shtml