Three Things Thursday

Thing 1:
I spent a decent amount of time in the pool Wednesday night.

Do you swim?

Because, I don't, and that isht is COMPLICATED. The breathing, the kicking, arms moving, eyes open, it's so many things to actively do at one time.

Running, you just.... go. You go forward. Swimming is just so... much.

The goggles I have figured out. But that foam thing? I don't get it.


Thing 2:
SoCal/OC Locals: I've snagged a discount code for the next Summer Trail Run on August 1st and  iTRYathlon. If you're thinking about registering, you can use code RC2013 for 10% off.

I promise the hills aren't thaaaaaaat bad.


Thing 3:
I love love love PROCompression. I have several pairs, and I wear them religiously - recovery, racing, costuming (because they have all the colors under the sun), hiking, to work, on planes, long drives. I wear them a lot, is what I'm saying.

PROCompression reached out regarding their summer promo, and I'm sharing it with you - 40% off everything in their store:

Huge Summer Savings from PRO Compression Get 40% off ALL merchandise at procompression.com, including their brand NEW Neon Calf Sleeves and Team PC Gear such as hats and running visors! Simply enter coupon code JULY at checkout. You'll save 40% and get free US shipping. Click here to stock up today: http://www.procompression.com/products/ Hurry, coupon code JULY expires August 4, 2013.

 One of my favorite things is their Sock of the Month - every month they introduce a new awesome product. This month, it's these fun retro socks.

They are the funnest.

"I don't exaggerate - I just remember big." PFTW

Last week:
Monday: 30 minutes strength
Tuesday: 7 miles with 14x400*
Wednesday: Refueling with cheese and chocolate with OC runner friends
Thursday: 7 miles easy
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: 5 miles easy**
Sunday: 18 miles easy***

Total: 37 miles

So, not quite the 3 days of cross training that I envisioned. Oh well.

This week:
Monday: cross training - I'd like to do some yoga, maybe strength a little. I don't know.
Tuesday: 7 miles progressive
Wednesday: cross training (for real)
Thursday: 8 miles strides, .9 easy, .1 stupid fast
Friday: rest
Saturday: 5 miles easy, cross training
Sunday: 20 miles (ugh)

*I love 400's. They're over so fast, it doesn't have a lot of time to suck. Goal pace 2:03 (8:15 pace). Actual: 2:04, 2:01, 2:01, 2:01, 1:59, 2:00, 2:01, 1:59, 2:01, 2:02, 2:02, 1:59, 2:00, 1:57. <--fastest 400's I've ever done ever. And I didn't want to die.

**The H ran with me! And I might have been better than him at the end. That gives me some hope for our December 10k, that I stand a fighting chance in beating him. Maybe. (We can ignore that he hasn't run more than 3 miles in a long time).

***TONS better than my previous few long runs, which have all felt like death chasing me down and beating me with a stick. Miles 1-5, 11:04 avg pace, 6-10 10:51, 11-15 10:45, 15-18 10:44.

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Saturday morning was gloriously cool and overcast, and maybe a little drizzly - aka, perfect running weather. The forecast promised more of the same on Sunday, so I spent AGES on mapmyrun plotting out an 18 mile route with access to water fountains and bathrooms, but without crossing too many busy roads (AGES).

And then I woke up Sunday and it was bright and sunny. WTF. That's not what I signed up for.

How DARE SoCal be bright and sunny. So rude.

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Random things that happened this weekend....

Gabby threw a party for us at her BFF's house....

I dressed very fancy, in my orange ProCompression socks and skinny jeans that are too big for me so they look very, very weird.


Pumpkin cheesecake at Mimi's. Go eat it.

Evan Dando vs My Running

I had a tempo run on schedule for Monday.

I hate tempo runs.

My iPod refused to play my Evan Dando playlist (rude), so I settled for whatever random stuff I had on there.

My tempo run was... good. Not just, like, I didn't die good. Like, for real, actual good.

Conclusion: Evan Dando has been the key to my recent crappy runs.

Gabby's birthday is tomorrow, and we picked up the ONE THING she's been asking for for ages....

I have no idea. I've certainly never recommended fishing.

I've been obsessively checking weather reports for our camping trip this weekend. Last week, there was a chance of showers on Saturday. That would suck. Then, it shifted to Tuesday. Awesome.

But then it shifted to Wednesday. And then Thursday.

Plus, there's this.

Brrr. WHY did I think October camping in the mountains was a good plan?? Assuming I survive the bears, I sure hope I don't succumb to hypothermia.

Someday, I will learn that I cannot keep candy at my desk.



I took a total rest day yesterday, in my ProCompression socks (orange might be my favorite....). I intended to come home, do weights, and eat chicken for dinner. Instead, I played Trouble, and made pizza. Way better.

Tonight, I get to do my long run. 16 exciting miles, after work. Whee?

Ridic HTC Jealousy + 18 Internet Strangers + 200ish miles...

Freaking FINALLY!!

Ragnar supplies have taken over a corner of my dining room.

I'm sorry in advance, #SMCOL, for bringing this on board.

I'm still doing laundry. I haven't packed. I have to work tomorrow, then meet up the rest of the 12-chick team for van decorating. It's chaos.

It's just the way I like it.

Team So Much Cooler Online will be...

Outfitted by:

RunningSkirts


BIC Bands


Run Pretty Far

Hydrated by:

Nuun

Compressed by:

Aspaeris Pivot Shorts


Pro Compression Socks

And fueled by:

GU

You guys. 200+ miles.

THAT'S KIND OF FAR.

There have been some last minute changes to our lineup (um, hello, Rose is going to INDIA).

Our line up (with our Twitter handles for your following pleasure)

Van 1
Runner 1: Shannon@hungrygazelle
Runner 2: Becka @squirrelgirl44
Runner 3: ME! @hmgiraffy
Runner 4: Julie @julie16750
Runner 5: Sandy @bicbands
Runner 6: Madison @Borntorun77

Van 2
Runner 7: Ashley @prettyfittie
Runner 8: Linzay @brokerunner
Runner 9: Danica @GTR_Danica
Runner 10: Erica @cajun_runner
Runner 11: Sharon
Runner 12: Elisabeth @ewallerscott


We'll be tweeting up a storm, giving away Nuun at exchanges, and generally being... awesome.

Follow us under #SMCOL

I'm super stoked, in case the obnoxious giant fonts didn't tip you off.

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In less exciting news, I saw a new PT today regarding the lumpy shin, and I'm hopeful she'll get it unlumped. She's a runner, and gave me the green light to run Ragnar and PCRF in 2 weeks (omg 2 weeks), and then, probably take a week or so down time to actually fix the weirdness.

Phew.

Running news: 6 miles easy yesterday, 10:53 pace. Boring, I know.