Runnin' down a dream....

Wow, thanks to everyone who entered the iRun Like A Girl Giveaway!  I used random.org to determine the winner, and it is #50 Run ODonnel!   

Congrats! Send me an email and I'll give you the details on how you can get your prize!

Saturday was another successful run, of 18 miles.  This week we left from Norine's house, ran through her neighborhood, then through some really pretty side roads that bordered cornfields, and then along the river.  Onondaga Lake Park is in the town next to us, so we ran onto the trail there.  It was nice to see so many other people running and biking at that early hour, usually at that time of day we only see each other.  My legs were feeling it during this run, but in a good way, although my knee started bugging me a bit around mile 10, and that was weird.  Then we came to a bridge that was under construction.....and I don't like bridges.  I make Mike drive on the inside lane when we go over them, I get a weird tingly feeling in my feet and I want to be as far away from the edge of the bridge as possible.  We had to run over what essentially was layers of plywood on a platform, and all I could think of was falling through it, then landing on the highway below, while a tractor trailer going 70 mph crushes me and screws up my whole marathon plan.  At any rate, I felt good the whole run, but I bitched a bit for the last mile, because it was pretty much uphill the whole way. 

What I'm especially happy about, is that for these last couple of long runs I haven't used my ipod.  It makes a huge difference between running alone, and being able to talk with Jeannine and Norine as we run, but we have our quiet moments.  It's those times when I'm in my little Zone, and I realize that I'm not only training my body for the Big Show, but my mind as well.  I really feel in tune with myself, which helps to up my confidence level.

After I got home and sat in an ice bath (wearing Mike's Cleveland Browns ski hat - I know, I know) and ate some leftover veggie ziti, we took the kids blueberry picking, which made for some delish blueberry pancakes for breakfast this morning.  My hamstring is a bit sore today, but I'm keeping up with the stretching and icing. 

Two other fun notes, I joined Abbi's first time marathon group, called Distance Dreamers, for runners who are completing their first marathon, or half marathon in 2010.  Abbi has a great blog, so if you're interested, go check it out!

And check out Julie's blog (I just love her), for her newest giveaway, which is a foam roller, sports beans, Nuun, gels and Glide.  You can find it here!

I'm a Hungry Beast

Well, here is the photographic evidence.  I'm registered for my marathon on September 12!

This has been an interesting week.  First off, I have to say that between the two giveaways that I have going on right now, I've "met" a whole bunch of new people, and I look forward to reading more about each of your journey's. 

On Wednesday, Mike was home in the morning so I was able to run outside, which is rare during the week.  My bruised foot is still bugging me, I can't wear my Birkenstocks (which I live in), and it hurts to lace up my running shoes, but once they're on and I get moving, it's bearable.  I went seven miles around my neighborhood, and left my water bottles at home, I figured if I needed water I could stop at one of the water fountains at the various playgrounds.  At mile five I came up to a big baseball field, and as I cut across it, between the sunshine and smell and crunch of the grass, it took me right back to my high school field hockey days.  The water even tasted the same.

My appetite has really kicked in this week,  I'm like a bottomless pit.  I was hoping to drop a few lb's by the marathon, but then I keep hearing that you really shouldn't lose weight while training.  It seems hard to do at this point anyway.  The day after my 17 miler I had a black bean, rice and veggie burrito, and after it was gone, I felt like I could eat another.  Today Luke came in my room to tell me he wanted breakfast, and I was like, I'm right there with you buddy, I'm so hungry I could eat my hand. 

My whole meat issue is still there. I went for five days without meat, and I was headachey and just didn't feel right, so I went back to eating it once a day.  Some days I don't eat it at all, but I'll eat it if Mike makes it, or if it's mixed with something else.  I'm definitely getting my fruits and veg in, I roasted a bunch of tomatoes, onions, zucchini and mushrooms to add to a ziti last night, and I'm loving all the summer fruits for my breakfast smoothie. I did have two kitchen disasters the other night, a perfect example of when blogging is distracting.  I was heating up/defrosting some vodka sauce, and I'm tweeting/blogging away, Mike is on the phone, and I smell something.  As in burning vodka sauce, the pan is completely black on the bottom but I'm trying to salvage it.  So then I had to come up with something for dinner.  We had two whole wheat burrito wraps left, some chicken, rice, cheese and corn.  So I threw together a big quesadilla, and put it in the oven.  Flipped it over when it was halfway done, put it back in the oven, then kept blogging.  Then I smelled something.  Yup, I burned it.

Hooray for Friday and all the good things it comes with it.....my iRun Like A Girl giveaway ends Sunday....and don't forget the Nathan fuel belt giveaway!

Anyone need a Fuel Belt?

When I started going for runs that lasted more than eight miles, I knew I needed to get some kind of hand held bottle, or fuel belt for my water and electrolyte drinks. I carried a small 8oz bottle of water in my hand, but that got old quick.  My neighbor Heather has a marathon under her belt, and thanks to her, I use the Nathan Speed 4 Fuel Belt. 

I like it for several reasons, the belt doesn't shift around once I Velcro it on, it has four bottles, and two pockets, one in front, one in back.  I used it during the Boilermaker, my camera fit easily in the back pocket.  Otherwise it can fit four gels (haven't needed that many yet!) and my ear buds.  The front pocket zips, so that's where I put money, and lip balm. 

There is a new model out of my belt, the Speed 4R,  and thanks to the lovely folks at Nathan Sports, I have one for this giveaway, in a size Medium.  The cool thing about this one, is that two of the four 8 oz bottles have what they call a Race Cap.  These have a high-flow, one-way valve that opens and closes automatically and offers a quick shot of gel. You don't have to suck or squeeze hard to get it out.

To enter this giveaway, please go to the Nathan Sports website here, click around, and leave me a comment.

As usual, for extra entries you may (please leave a comment for each additional entry)

1. be a follower of my antics, or become one

2. follow Nathan Sports on Twitter here, or facebook

3. spread the word, via blog, twitter, facebook

4. tell me what you're training for

This giveaway ends at Midnight EST on Sunday August 8th.  (August......already???)

What I'm liking this week

You know what makes a mess?  When your kid dumps a whole bottle of shampoo in the tub when you're not looking.  So I didn't really like that.

But.....I finally broke 500 miles today, halfway to my 1,000 miles in 2010 goal!  I did it while wearing my latest running acquisition, a Nuu-Muu exercise dress in olive green and pink, that I won in a giveaway at Laura's blog, My Reason to Run.  I have to say it's really comfy to run in, I like how the arm holes are cut small, so there is little room for chafing.  Because I'm tall, I did pair it up with some boy-cut bathing suit bottoms, otherwise I'd be flashing a bit too much skin!   It also makes for a cute bathing suit cover up, which mixes things up nicely because we've been hitting the pool practically every afternoon.

As I've mentioned before, although my name says otherwise, I'm not a very good sleeper.  I'll be tired when I get in bed, but then my mind kicks in, Mike starts snoring, and the next thing I know, it's two a.m.  I've been a fan of Badger Balm for years, especially their lip balm tins, so I was excited for the chance to try out their Badger Sleep Balm.  It's made with organic lavender and bergamot, and at bedtime you rub a bit on your temples or face, or wherever you want to smell its lovely scent.  Which, by the way, is not overpowering at all, otherwise Mike would complain.  I've been using it for almost 3 weeks now, I put a bit on the back of my neck, and on my temples.  I didn't realize how well it's been helping me to settle down until I forgot to pack it when we went to the Adirondacks. It took me forever to fall asleep, and then it was like a light bulb went off, and I thought "I forgot the BALM!"  I haven't forgotten it since, it has a permanent spot on my bedside table.

I'm almost on giveaway overload, I still have two more to post.....in the meantime don't forget my iRun Like A Girl Giveaway!

Disclaimer: I received a tin of Badger Balm for the purpose of this review, the opinions stated here are entirely my own. 

Top Five Running Must Haves

I'm a guest blogger today over on Be Active, which is part of Become.com.....on what I think you need when you're going for a run.....so go check it out.....here!

Wild stilettos on the dance floor make for a tender run

What I love about weddings, in no particular order:

Family

Cake

Dancing

Food

Alcohol (well, we are Irish)

I was so looking forward to my cousin's wedding this past Friday, despite the downpours, and heat and humidity, they managed to have an outdoor ceremony overlooking the Hudson. 

I was bummed that my brother and his wife couldn't make it, but it was great to see my extended family on such a happy day.

I tend to enjoy the cocktail hour more than the dinner, I like the chance to have a little bit of everything.  There were some beautiful salads, seafood and lamb, but I really went for the passed hors d'oeuvers like ahi tuna springrolls, tomato basil tarts and teeny tiny BLT's.  I tried Mike's lamb, and later on his filet, and they were like butter (I'm going to write more about how my relationship with meat is going in another post, but I went with the fish for dinner).  

As soon as I saw the cake, Mike took one look at me and said "I'll go take a picture of it right now."  It was white cake inside, and my brother in law described the chocolate frosting perfectly.  It was just like a Tootsie Roll.

I did have a couple of typical Molly moments.  During the cocktail hour, I was doing some plate/glass adjusting (I decided to forgo the mint juleps, in honor of the groom's Kentucky roots, for margaritas.  You know, since tequila is a safer choice over bourbon) and I managed to drop my fork.  Well, I didn't want to drop it and make a loud noise on the marble floor, so it tumbled a bit along the front of my dress before I caught it.  It left a few spots on the top of my dress, which my sister said just made me look like a breastfeeding mother.  Which I haven't been in three years.  

My family loves to dance (although my sister dances JUST like Elaine from Seinfeld) and it's pretty much a requirement when "Build Me Up Buttercup" is played, since it's my Mom and Aunt's favorite song.  What isn't fun though, is when a women dancing next to you manages to drill the top of your foot with her stiletto.  Can I get an ouch?  A bruise popped up immediately, and it even got a bit puffy, I wouldn't have been surprised if I broke it, since it was my right foot, and I've broken that ankle twice already.

My dress was a hit.  It did get a bit warm when I was dancing, but I like how it had a bit of draping in the front to disguise my baby belly.  A few days ago I was looking through my gazzilion photos, and I realized I didn't have any of just me and my Mom, the photos are usually of her and one of her six grandkids.  So we did that, and I also took a photo with my sister Meagen, which is my new favorite.

The party went on late into the evening back at the hotel.  Thankfully check out was at noon.  Mike and I managed to stumble out at 11:45.

Since the wedding was on Friday, I had to do my long run on Sunday.  Which was good since I needed to work off all that I had indulged in at the wedding. I wasn't looking forward to it, wasn't sure about my foot, and there were thunderstorms in the forecast.  But by the time Jeannine and Norine arrived, and my running shoes felt okay on my tender foot, I was ready to get it on.

I was happy with the run, the rain stayed away for the most part, and we varied the route a bit, and managed to get in a killer hill.  The great thing was, at mile 16, I felt like I could go farther than the planned 17.  Waaaay farther, which I take as a very good sign about my training. 

Next week.....18miles Baby!!

Thursday Always Sneaks Up On Me

1.  Mike and I are having a night away from the kids this weekend, and I can't wait.  My cousin is getting married at a fab place, and I have a fab new dress, and it's in a fab single digit size.

2. My long run this weekend is going to be seventeen miles.  Seventeen miles! I'm lucky if I drive that far in a day, much less run it.

3. Don't forget the iRun Like A Girl giveaway.....and congrats to Cynthia O'H, who is the winner of the JumpStart membership!