Five Favorite Things I Love about Running

Got some favorite things?

I actually have so many favorite things, it's hard to narrow it down to the "top favorites." I'm taking a stab at it, and starting with one of my favorite topics....RuNnInG! Here's my five favorite things about my favorite sport:

1. My colorful gear.  I love the color black (who doesn't?), but it's kind of over-done in the fitness arena (in my ever-so-humble opinion). I know, black is slimming, and it "hides" things underneath that we don't necessarily want others to easily see...but I'm tired of playing the "black gear"game. Thankfully, nowadays, there are options aplenty for those of us who feel (somewhat) smothered in a sea of black.

It's no secret that I LOVE color...and I'm not afraid to wear it

2. My runner friends. I could go on and on, forever and ever (and several days) about the strength, inspiration, support, and genuine love shared among runner friends. There are several local friends who I see often, in training and in races. And then there's the ones I've met through social media. My life has truly been blessed with all the wonderful peeps that came to me through our mutual love of running.

It's true...one can never have too many friends, especially if they are runners!

3. Running accessories (well...my five favorite accessories).
--My Ipod ("just" a Shuffle,but it's been with me for three marathons, one ultra, 25+ half marathons, many shorter races, and thousands of training  miles).
--Sunglasses (always, ALWAYS, a  necessity)
--Headbands (my newest love!)
--Compression sleeves (oh-my-goodness, they make recovery go SOOO much smoother!)
--My shoes (duh!)

Color, compression sleeves, pretty shoes, Ipod, and a funky head band....these are a few of my favorite things...

4. The simplicity of the sport. Seriously, a decent pair of running shoes (and appropriate clothing) and a positive attitude are really all you need to be a runner. All the accessories mentioned above are fluff (but fun fluff at that).

5. The racing experience. Sure, it's fun and challenging getting all the training miles logged, and all the long distance runs done. But there's nothing that compares to race day....the excitement of the start line, the cool air of the morning, the zig-zagging of bodies in the first few miles, and the feeling of  pride as you cross the finish line (and if the race comes with a finisher's medal, all the better!).

Some races are cold!

And some come with fun bling

What are some of your favorite things about running? Do you love everything about it? Or do you love some aspects and hate others?

I'm linking up with the DC gals (Cynthia from You Signed Up for WHAT? , Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC , and Mar from Mar on the Run ) today for the Friday Five...and the theme is Favorite Things.  Head over to the link-up and check out some great reads!

Running on Vacay in Cali

The Transamerica Pyramid

I have been a runner for quite some time (going on 11 years), but truth be told, I have not done much running while on vacation. I have dreamed about doing so, though.

I don't really have any special reasons why. Maybe it's the shoes? I am tall, which translates to having big feet. I wear a 9-1/2 "regular" shoe, so my running shoes are usually 10-1/2 (sometimes 11). Yeah, clown shoes. Even though the running shoes are light weight, they take up a lot of prime real estate in a suitcase. And, sorry, the "running shoes with street clothes" is a fashion look I do not embrace, so into the carry-on they go.

Anyways, in the past, I have (more often than not) just bailed on running while on vacation. Although I am serious about running, it does not dictate my every waking minute of existence. Besides, I have been lacing up for a long time....a few days (or even an entire week) will not jeopardize all that I have gained in building my endurance base.

That said, my recent week in California (for the Rose Bowl) was a unique situation. I had an entire week remaining to finish out the Runner's World Holiday Streak (link to my Streaking Recap  HERE), and  I would be in a scenic place. It would be a total wasted opportunity if I didn't take advantage of it.

So, here's how I made it happen:

We landed in San Francisco mid-day on Saturday, December 26th. We got situated with our rental van, and grabbed lunch. We decided to checkout the Golden Gate Bridge, since we couldn't check-in to our hotel for a few hours. The journey to the bridge took awhile (traffic was crazy!), and the actual drive across it was bumper-to-bumper slow as well.

As we were turning around, to make the return trip back across the bay to San Fran, my husband suggested letting me out so I could run across the bridge. Seriously?? The thought had crossed my mind, and I had been contemplating where (and when) I'd do my daily streak run....this would be perfect! We had all of our luggage, so I changed clothes (awkwardly) and he dropped me off at a parking lot near the approach to the bridge.

Golden Gate Bridge!

All I can say is, "WOW!" It was totally a surreal experience. It was windy, but the sun was reflecting across the water in the bay...and I was, indeed, humbled again by the gift of running and the places it has taken me. I didn't have my GPS watch with me, but I estimated my total distance was probably close to two miles from where I started and where I met back up with the family on the other side.

The next day (Sunday, December 27th), after waiting for some daylight to appear, I headed out to see the sights. Our hotel was on the edge of Chinatown, right near downtown. Holy (steep) Hills, Batman! The streets of San Francisco are great for hill training!

Chinatown in the wee hours of morning

The following morning (Monday, December 28th), I went out in the opposite direction - towards downtown San Fran. I had hills (again), but also had some amazing architecture all round me, in every direction. I also found a trolley station (so I knew where I'd take the family later).

Downtown San Fran

We left San Francisco, and headed down the coast on Historic Highway 1, and stayed at a naval base in Monterey on Monday night. Tuesday morning, the husband "rised-and-shined" with me and we ran a lap around the base at the break of dawn.

Ahhh...my first time in the pacific Ocean

We traveled further south, and stayed at Lindenberg AFB that evening. Wednesday morning, we explored a trail near our lodging accommodations.

Later, we made it to Los Angeles, and did some sight-seeing before checking into our hotel in Redondo Beach.

When we decided to travel to California for the Rose Bowl, I did a little searching for races happening while we'd be there. I found an event, A Better World Running NYE, that was taking place on Thursday, New Year's Eve. Keep in mind, this was a Thursday morning...kind of a non-traditional day and time for a race, so it seemed like it was meant to be. This event featured a choice of 5K, 10K, 15K, or a half marathon distance. Originally, I had registered for the half marathon, but in the interest of time I elected to do the 15K instead.

Traditional selfie with Barb....we'd never run in Cali before!

Apparently, there were a lot of other Iowans (Rose Bowl attendees) who had the same idea. Not only my friend (and runner pal extraordinaire), Barb, was there...but also an additional 20 or so Hawkeye fans as well. Of course, we did a group picture (and posted it, profusely,on social media). We also did some cheers and high-5'd each other throughout the morning.

Of the 120 or so race participants, more than 20 of them were sporting Iowa Hawkeye gear!

It turns out the 15K was the perfect distance for me that morning. The race was a 5K-looped course, and by the third loop it got challenging (physically and mentally). The course was flat (and scenic along the beach), but my sleep schedule was messed up (due to the 2-hour time difference from Iowa) and I had not trained for going any further (this is my of-season, after all). I could have gritted it out and ran 13.1 miles...but I would have had to run it slowly, especially the final four (or more) miles, cutting into even more family time. And, I probably would have put myself at risk for injury due to my lack of "off-season" training.

I found some sidewalk chalk and left some Hawkeye artwork

The next morning, New Year's Day, started with a 4:30AM wake-up, and we were out the door an hour or so later, en route to the Tournament of Roses parade. We did a lot of walking, stair-climbing (we scored a parking spot on the top level of a 5-story parking ramp), standing, more walking (a mile or so from the parade route) to the game, more standing at the tailgate party, (some) sitting/(more) standing at the game itself, and finally, another mile-long hike (this time uphill) back to the parking garage. To say that we were all tired would be an under statement. I was hoping to do a short one-mile streak run, but decided I had been active enough with all the game day activities.

Shameless selfie with the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band....

Back at the hotel, we decided to stay in and watch some of the other bowl games on television. Besides, I had another race in the morning, and I wanted a little rest for my exhausted feet, legs, and mind.

Ready to roll on Huntington Beach!

Saturday (January 2nd) found me on Huntington Beach, ready for the Run in the New Year 5K/10K! I was not only excited to do another California run, but also to meet Kristina, a gal I have known for awhile via social media. Kristina (and her friend, Stephanie) arrived about an hour before the race, so we had plenty of time to chat and huddle in the car (it was cold, by California standards...temps in the mid-50's with wind).

Kristina and myself with our newest hardware

I have said it before, this running thing is great in and of itself....but it's the fabulous friends you meet along the way that really make it worthwhile. Such was the case with meeting Kristina and Stephanie. We hung out prior to the race start, ran together, chatted, and laughed afterwards. It felt like we'd known each other much longer than those few hours on the beach. And, all of us received age group awards! How's that for a festive start to the 2016 running year?!

Showing off our AG coffee cups

Altogether, I ran almost 20 miles in those eight days in California, and it was fabulous! I got to see some of the sights on my own, with my husband (and family), with my "regular" running buddy, and also with two "new" running friends. None of that would have happened on a treadmill in a fitness center. I'd say my first experience with vacation-running was a success, and I look forward to my next adventure.

Do you take your running shoes along when you go on vacation? If so, do you run outside and see the sights first-hand? Have you ever ran the streets of San Fran?

I'm linking up with Patty , Erika  and  Marcia  for Tuesdays on the Run.  Head on over and check out some great reads from fellow bloggers!

2015-My Year in Review

Is it really time to start anew?

Can you count them? There are 23 race bibs in my 2015 collection

A new year often brings with it new goals, new events, new friends. And, probably at least one (or several) new pair(s) of running shoes.

But let me digress. This past year was busy and full of many awesome memories made.

It's kind of difficult to read...but it says, "In 2015 I Declare to do 15 NEW events. I'm doing it because Diversity is FUN. I will crush this goal on or before Dec. 31, 2015."

Back in early February, I set out to make 2015 a year of new races and experiences. Since I live in Iowa, the majority of my races are on Iowa soil (and/or Iowa streets), and I tend to do a lot of the same events each year. I vowed to do at least 15 "new" events in 2015. This could involve new (to me) events or races that had different routes than in years past. I barely made it, finishing my 15th new event on the morning of New Year's Eve while on vacation in California. Whew!

My final 2015 event....a 15K along the beach in Santa Monica CA

This was not a year free of injury, unfortunately. After several years of battling Piriformis Syndrome (literally, a royal pain in the buttocks), I was diagnosed as having Hamstring Tendonitis (also a pain in the buttocks region) in my upper left hamstring. The two "conditions" kind of feed off each other. I have been though more physical therapy, and finally have a grip on the proper exercises, stretches, and warm-ups/cool-downs needed to keep the stiffness and muscle tension under control. All is good. Rather than chronic, these conditions are very manageable as long as I keep my mileage reasonable and allow myself proper rest and recovery following each training cycle. Common sense prevails.

My first episode with Plantar Fasciitis!

Imagine my surprise to have a new injury make its appearance around mile 10 of the Dam-to-Dam Half Marathon. I had heard many bad things about Plantar Fasciitis, and now it was my turn to experience the frustration of it. This was at the end of May, and I was scheduled to run two 10K races (and a half marathon) two weeks later as well as Grandma's Marathon at the end of June. Not ideal timing.....I took an entire week off from running and did a lot of stretching and massaging my foot. I was able to run the two 10K's, but elected to DNS the half marathon. I was able to run Grandma's, and finished just over five hours. It was slower than I'd prefer, but given my circumstances, I was satisfied. After all, it was 26.2 miles....the fact that I was able to finish on my feet (and not a stretcher) was nothing short of a victory.

Grandma's Marathon, June 20th in Duluth, MN

This was a record number of races (23 actual events, one virtual event) for this gal.  My total miles came in at 771(+/-).  I realize that is small peanuts compared to most of my comrades, but I pride myself on my ability (and luck?) to be able to keep my miles at the minimum and still excel with my distance training. Not everyone can maintain their endurance with this kind of mileage, I appreciate the fact that this works for me. I was a little surprised the actual miles weren't a bit higher, but I did take a good week or so off in February (after a bad fall and had several bruised ribs, making breathing a little difficult). I also took a week off in early June (Plantar Fasciitis), and I scaled my mileage way back in August, in recovery from my Ultra in July.

My first Ultra! Christmas in July.....with Michelle, Penny, Maggie, Teri, Barb, and Karen

That's right! I ran my first Ultra! The setting was in Lisle, IL (near Chicago) for the Christmas in July, on the hottest day on record (at the time). The humidity was unbearable. The race (we did the 6-hour race) began at midnight, under a sky brightly lit with Christmas lights and an occasional lightning bolt. There were two hours of rain to add to our enjoyment, as myself and six other gals (along with all the other race participants) made our way around the 1-mile looped course for six continuous hours. We talked, laughed, cried, ate, and drank as we ran through the night. And we all committed to returning in 2016 to do the 12-hour endurance race.

I also ventured (yet again) out of my comfort zone and conquered my first duathlon. This event, Flying Pig Duathlon , had us running a 5K, biking for 20 miles, then running a final 1.5 mile jaunt to the finish line. That final run seriously felt like a death march, and most of us looked (and probably felt) like zombies, but it was a great accomplishment for little 'ole me with limited experience in the saddle of a bike.

Flying Pigs Duathlon, August 1

Always looking for a new challenge, I did several "short" monthly challenges to keep things interesting. I have learned that I do better with short-term challenges (that are over and done quickly) rather than long-term goals that take several months to see results. I also am more disciplined when these involve daily obligations, because I'm less likely to procrastinate the work. My favorites (that had the most impact and visible results) were those involving daily yoga poses, daily squats/lunges, daily planking, daily push-ups, and (short-term) streaking).

Most recently, I was able to surpass 200 planking minutes (blog recap HERE) in November (and my core is ever-so-thankful). I also did 100 daily push-ups in December (even while on vacation). I also completed my fifth running streak (also while on vacation).
 
But since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll let the pictures tell most of my 2015 story....

The Leprechaun Chase 10K happened on my birthday this year (March 14th)...and all my buddies sang to me

My third time doing the Fight for Air Climb in Des Moines

My 8th consecutive appearance at Dam-to-Dam...it was my husband's fourth, Barb's second, and we paced Chuck across the finish line for his first-ever Dam 13.1

A second place age group finish at the Sully Freedom Run on the 4th of July

Capital Pursuit, Sept 20th...a 10-mile PR!

My first-ever marathon relay! Quad Cities Marathon with Lynn, Carie, and Kristi...Sept. 27

In conjunction with the IMT Des Moines Marathon weekend, I ran the Principal Financial Group Road Race 5K along with my friend, Barb, and my sister, Lisa

My fifth time running the IMT Des Moines Half Maraton, October 18

Not really running related, but 2015 is the year our family became dog-owners! We rescued Max from a nearby shelter in January

While on vacation in California, I had the privilege of running across the Golden Gate Bridge!

I actually did a virtual event in December. The 12 K's of Christmas had me doing one kilometer for each of the 12 Days of Christmas (kind of a no-brainer since I was already doing a mile each day already for the Runner's World Holiday Streak)..but the medal is pretty sweet with that big K on it

Most of my 2015 hardware....the majority are finisher medals, but there are some age group awards in the mix and even an overall placing medal

So, that's a wrap. I typically don't make resolutions for the new year. Designating January 1 as the "start" date for goals is great, but each new month, week, day, and minute are opportunities for growth and renewal. 

I'm linking up with Deb from Deb Runs  for the Wednesday Word link-up...today's word happens to be Renewal. Head over and check out what everyone has to say about Renewal. Let's make 2016 the best year ever!!

 



Do you make resolutions? Did you have any goals for 2015 that you crushed? Any big goals for 2016?

Oops, I did it again....2015 Holiday Streaking Wrap Up

Well, I have done it again. Streaking, that is.

This was, hands down, my easiest running streak. Ever.

A very warm run (temps in the 50's) had me positively giddy

Like last year, I wanted to do every run outside. Kind of a grandiose scheme, considering I live in Iowa (and it is the winter season, none the less).

Day #1 of streaking. our neighborhood's annual Turkey Trot

The Runner's World Holiday Streak began on Thanksgiving Day and concluded on New Year's Day. Runners were encouraged to run at least one mile everyday, but can run longer distances if they choose.

My streak started a couple blocks from my driveway (Turkey Trotting) and concluded on a beach in Santa Monica while on vacation in California. 

As mentioned, this streak seemed much easier than the other four streaks I have done.

Christmas Day...it was Day #30 of streaking, but my first day with snow on the ground

For one thing, we had very mild weather in Iowa....a few days had some cold temps and rainy conditions, but no snow on the ground until Christmas Eve. Christmas Day found me cross country running on the grounds of the nearby golf course due to icy road conditions. Not to worry, because a day later I found myself streaking across the Golden Gate Bridge!

It's not every day I have the opportunity to streak across the Golden Gate Bridge!

The majority of my streaking runs were in the evening hours. My job as kept me very busy, giving me limited availability for daytime running. And that's alright. I was not training for anything major, so there was no need for excessive miles.

That's four (count 'em, four!) miles under the Christmas lights

I take my off-season very seriously. Running the minimum daily mile was not a stress on my body whatsoever. In fact, I think getting outside every day did my body good, and I actually looked forward to lacing up and heading outside, even if it was only for one mile on some days. 

An especially warm December day of running....

My total streaking mileage came in around 92 miles, which is a conservative approximation. I seldom have my GPS watch with me, and the routes that are 5K's are "rounded down" (for simplicity's sake), so there are several "(.1) miles" not accounted for. I'm alright with that, too.

One of the many runs illuminated by my Knuckle Lights and reflector band

Technically, this Streak is meant to end on New Years Day. Well, I spent that day (after a very early wake-up) at the Tournament of Roses Parade, speed-walking, stair-running (parking ramp), more speed-(hilly)walking to/from the Rose Bowl game, and more stair-running. I had a 5K race the next morning, so I decided to forego that daily mile on January 1st. After the previous 36 days of streaking (and 92+ miles run), I decided all was (indeed) good. I'm alright with that as well.

Here's some additional highlights and memories from this Streak:

Christmas Eve...we (finally) have snow in Iowa!

Another cold (and rainy) run

One of the very few day time runs

Brrrrr!

Santa's Snow Shuffle...yes, I am running bare-legged in a Santa outfit...in Iowa...in December

 

Concluding the Streak on the beach path of Santa Monica (in my UofI Hawkeye colors)

The day after....another beach run, this one in Huntington Beach on January 2nd

So, will I streak again? Absolutely! But for now, I plan to enjoy my "regular" routine for awhile. I don't have any long-distance events on my roster in the immediate future, and I plan to enjoy my off-season a bit longer. 

Have you ever done a running streak? What are your thoughts on daily running? Do you take an off-season?

I'm linking up with Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin for their Weekly Wrap. I invite you to head over and check out what all of bloggers have been up to!