Boston on my mind...

What a scary day in Boston yesterday. I had multiple friends running the Boston Marathon yesterday but it really hit home when I talked to my current training buddy yesterday evening. He told me that two years ago when he ran the Boston Marathon his wife was standing in almost the exact spot of the first explosion and that he wouldn't have finished the race because he was not having a good race. They would have diverted or stopped him completely from running, and it would have been just a minute or so after the blast that he would have reached that spot. I can't even fathom the thought of what racers, families and spectators are going through.

I'll probably never run the Boston Marathon. I don't have any desire to run a full marathon at this point in my life. But I can run in their honor. So today I set out on a run in honor of those in Boston. I ran 4.09 miles because that is what the marathon clock read when the first explosion occurred.

I have no other words to express how I feel about the events that took place in Boston. I have only been to Boston once but it holds such a special place in my heart. My husband went to seminary outside Boston so it was a great joy for him to take me there on vacation. I'm so sad for the city, the families and the runners.

God Bless.

Praying for Boston

I can't begin to express the sadness I feel about today's events in Boston. What an amazing day that was turned so quickly into a tragic one. I am a runner and I will probably never run Boston, but I have friends that have run it. And I even had friends there this year. But that means nothing. I don't need to know any of the runners to tell you how hurt I am. It makes my heart ache to think about the lives that were lost because of this tragedy.

As I prepare for my next big race in 13 days I never thought I would have this looming in the back of my mind. I find myself praying while I run and I always pray for my safety and those running alongside of me. But now that prayer will seem even more warranted. That prayer will seem even more deep.

Please pray for the families and runners affected. Pray for the city of Boston and it's officials. Pray for our country and our officials. PRAY. 

God Bless.

17 days til race day!

Ok, it's 17 days until the Nike Women's Half in DC. I'm so excited but I'm also getting ready to just be there all ready. I'm excited and nervous but also a little tired of following a training plan. Don't get me wrong, I love to run, but I feel I have been training for this race forever!

I have my last long run this Saturday. 13 miles is the plan, and that will go down as my longest training run ever. I have run a half marathon but the last time I trained for it my longest training run was 11 miles. I'm excited and scared to run the 13 on Saturday. I'm hoping and praying my allergies clear up some. I'm also actively working on hydrating earlier in the week. I let myself slack at the end of the last week so last weekend's 12 miler was terrible.

Anyone have any advice? Any other runners deal with over training?

Have a great week. God Bless.

Accel Gel

It's time to announce the winner! Shay over at Whine Less, Breathe More is the winner. Shay please contact me with you mailing information. 

Thank you everyone who entered.

Have a great weekend. God Bless.

Esprit de She

I'm so excited to announce that I will be a part of the Esprit de She race series bloggers. I will be participating in the Cary, NC 10K. I don't have all the details just yet but I'm super stoked about it.

Check out the video link about the series!

Have a great day. God Bless!

Favorite Things Round Three + Giveaway

Round Three of my favorite things is all about nutrition. And I mean this as nutrition that works best for me, not for everyone! I have a very sensitive stomach when I run so you'll see that I don't do much pre-run or mid-run.

Pre-Run:

• Accel Gel, if long run I am prepping for a long run this is my go to product. I have a really sensitive stomach so I can't have real food in my tummy. **Check out the giveaway**
• Honey Stinger Waffles, I like to use these as "breakfast" on race days. I really can't have much in my stomach but this gives me something besides gel.
• Water

Mid-Run:

• Accel Gel, ok so depending on the race I not only use Accel Gel before races but I also use it for mid-race. With my first half marathon I used on at mile 4 and then again at mile 8. I am working on spacing that out farther though. Last week when I ran 12 miles I only used one at mile 6. I think this weekend when I run 13 I will try to use one at about mile 6 again, but we will see. My flavor preference is key lime.
• Water, of course, this is kind of a given. I carry it in my amphipod handheld.
• Honey Stinger Chews, when I need some variety in my training runs I pick up some of these bad boys. I love the flavor and texture. I haven't used them yet for a race but I have trained with them multiple times. I like the orange flavor.
• Nuun Active Hydration, this is one of the best ways I keep hydrated. It gives my water an added extra umph. I love it. And so far, I haven't really found a flavor I don't like. I have not tried tri-berry or strawberry lemonade though as I am allergic to strawberry.

Post-Run/Recovery

• Endurox, my husband got me to try this recovery drink. It's easy to make, you just mix two scoops with cool water, shake or stir then chug away. We like the fruit punch flavor when mixing it with water. We have also bought the vanilla to use it in a protein shake.
• Nuun Active Hydration, this go to after I do any kind of workout to help rehydrate. It takes great, is easy to make and I just enjoy it. I can't say enough good things about Nuun.
• Water, again it's a given. Need I say more?
• Chocolate Milk, they say that chocolate milk is the perfect mix between sugar, carbs and protein for a post workout recovery drink. I just like the excuse to drink chocolate milk.

So what do you prefer for nutrition while you run?

Ok, now do you want a chance to win some of my favorite pre and mid run fuel? You can with rafflecopter. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends on Friday April 5th. Winner will be announced on my blog and emailed. If I do not receive a response from the winner within 24 hours a new one will be chosen.

Have a great week. God Bless.

Favorite Things Round Two

Happy April Fools Day!

Here is my favorite things the accessory list, no fooling ;). Again, I have broken it down by weather. If you want to see the clothing list you can here. 

Cold Weather:

• Oiselle Arm Warmers, one of the best purchases I ever made! They are great for that "I don't know" weather. I can wear short sleeves and add the armwarmers then either roll them up mid run, push them down or take them off completely and tuck them in my waistband. Big recommendation!
• Headsweats Earband, mine is customized with the Phabulous Phat Girlz logo on it. But it is a great winter accessory. It keeps my ears warm until they warm up. Then if I need to I just pull it down and let it ride on my neck. If I get too hot then I wrap it around my wrist.
• Gloves, Eeek I lost one! I had an awesome pair of Adidas ones that my husband bought me Christmas 2088 but I just lost one this month. So I'm on the hunt for a new pair. Any suggestions? I want lightweight as my hands get warm pretty quickly. And I'm looking for a  pair that clips together or something so I'm less likely to lose one. My old pair had a clip on it.

Warm Weather:

• Sunscreen! I don't really have a preference as long as it is spray on and sweatproof. But it is a must for this pale girl!
• Hat, I'm in the market for a new hat. I have been looking at the Brooks Nightlife Mesh Cap but I have yet to purchase it. I really want the new Oiselle hat but it is not being sold yet. It is only out to their athletes.
• Handana, if you read my blog regularly (I know very few people do!) you may have already seen my review on Handana. If you have not, you can see it here. But it's great for snot, sweat, blood or whatever else you need to wipe off.

Year Round:

• RoadID, I never leave on a run or walk with out it! Click on the banner above or in the sidebar to get one.
• Soleus GPS 2.0, I can't tell you how much I love my watch. It's so easy to use the GPS is so accurate. It is one of the best running birthday gifts I have ever received.
• Locklaces, the fastest and easiest way to get your shoes tied. 
• Amphipod Hyrdoform Handheld Pocket, I use this on any run when I need to use a gel, any run longer than eight miles or any warm weather run. The pocket works great for a gel, keys, lip balm, just about anything. And I love the way the bottle is formed to fit your hand. It took me a few runs to get used to it but now I feel sort of naked without it.
• Amphipod AirFlow Microstrecth Belt, depends on distance, race and shorts whether I wear this or not but it's a good belt. Because it's stretchy it very rarely rides. I can store gels, my phone or keys in it.
• Body Glide, never ever go on a run without it! I use it on my inner thighs, my bootie, under my sports bra band and on my toes. It has saved me from so much pain.
• Brooks Ravenna 3, I know Brooks has come out with Ravenna 4 but happened after I bought my second pair of 3s. I will buy 4s the next time around probably but I love these shoes. I have never had a problem with any of my Brooks shoes. I'm a huge fan.

Did I miss anything? Have any suggestions for me?

Have a great week. God Bless.