Tag Archives: weather

Random Thoughts About My Juiceful Butt and the Runs

Posted on by Run DMT
6

Having a juiceful butt is my curse.  Or maybe it’s my superpower which is everyone else’s kryptonite because no one can resist it.  Sometimes in certain pants, my butt is just out there more and it draws people in like moths to a light.  Inevitably, someone will smack my ass and say, “I just couldn’t help myself.  It was just right there…in front of me.”  I know…I know. *sigh*

However, I don’t think my butt will hold up to all these random ass-smacks much longer and I’m scared.  I need to insure my juiceful butt like J-Lo did.  It’s my only commodity and I believe it needs proper coverage of damage besides panties.

I survived the Frankenfooter Half Marathon and I won Best Costume, but I’ll have a full race recap later this week.

I am suffering from serious Halloween Hangover from all the candy I can’t stop eating.  Major sugar crash!  Then, the day after Halloween was Allana’s 10th birthday and we had family over for dinner and cake to celebrate.  Then, over the weekend, we went to Orlando.  With the time change, Halloween hoopla and birthday hullabaloo and time change, I feel so run down.  I’m exhausted.

While walking around Universal Studios on Saturday, I pulled a hamstring and groin muscle from constantly chasing and lifting my 15 month old.  It was equivalent to doing 25 pound squats and lifts all day long.  I was in so much pain on Sunday.

After my 19 mile run last Friday, my legs were sore but nothing hurt like they hurt on Sunday.  I doubt it was delayed on-set pain from running because it was too specific to how I was lifting Liam.  He is one heavy little man!

As I just mentioned, I ran 19 miles on Friday.  With our Orlando trip over the weekend, I knew I wouldn’t have time to fit it in over the weekend.  So, I woke up at 3:30 a.m. Friday morning to run 19 miles.  I begged my running friends to join me for any number of miles to break up the long, lonely miles.  Only one friend, Sarah, ran 2 miles with me and it was a very soggy, wet 2 miles.  But at least I had company!  There’s nothing worse than being soggy and lonely.

Yes, it rained for most of my 19 miles and it totally sucked because I checked the forecast before I left the house.  I started using Weather Underground because the forecasts on Weather.com have been so inaccurate and off.  Well, based on Friday’s experience, it appears that Weather Underground is not any more accurate.  The forecast said, “0% precipitation, 0 mph winds”, but it was more like 100% precipitation and 6 mph winds.  Those underground bastards lied. Now I know why they’re “underground”. They’ve pissed too many people off with their wrong forecasts. Stay in your hole, you fibbing forecasters!

It started raining around mile 6 and I forced myself to keep going.  It totally sucked, but I did it.  (Have I mentioned that I hate running in the rain?)  Then, around mile 16, my Garmin died so I had to guesstimate the rest of the way.  I went a tad bit over in miles but I still finished in about 4 hours, which is what I was aiming for this distance. So even though I was miserable in the rain, I was pretty pleased with the results.

11/04

20.74 miles

Time  4:00

Ave Pace 11:35

Max Pace 8:47

Honestly, I was a little nervous about my 19 miles, but it nothing to do with rain, storm drain clowns or running in the dark.  After my 17 miles a few weeks ago, my knees swelled during our adult Halloween party, which has never happened after a long run.  However, after that particular run, I took a nap to survive a late night and I think my body went into shock, because I never rest after a long run.  Typically, I don’t have that luxury.  Whenever I return home from a long run, I’m usually chasing after my kids, doing housework or running out the door for some family fun.  There’s never any resting!  My swollen knees were a warning from my body to keep moving next time.

So after my 19 to almost 21 miles, I didn’t rest.  Actually, I couldn’t rest.  I had to be at my kids’ school for an award ceremony.  I had barely enough time to shower and get dressed before I bolted out the door.  Once at the award ceremony, I stretched the entire time.  I’m sure I looked strange to the other parents, but I didn’t care, because it made my legs and knees happy.

But I wonder if anyone thought about smacking my ass while they saw me stretch.  I need to be more careful.

More runs

10/25

4 miles

Time 43:48

Ave Pace 10:58

Max Pace

 

10/29

13.1 miles (Frankenfooter Half Marathon)

Time 2:21:39

Ave Pace 10:47

Max Pace 7:44

 

10/31

3.35 miles (I also threw in a quarter mile sprint.)

Total 33:04

Ave Pace 9:52

Max Pace 7:05

0.25 mile sprint, Ave Pace 8:12, Max Pace 7:05

 

11/02

8 miles

Ave Pace 10:38

Max Pace 00:08 <– That’s some serious sprinting!  I was flash of light!

 

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Wake Me Up When September Ends

Posted on by Run DMT
11

So here we are: the last week of September.  I can’t believe we’re into fall already especially since it still feels summer.

Much like the temperatures, we ended the month hot by celebrating two birthdays in one weekend.  First, we celebrated my friend, Chrissy’s birthday with a pool party, which tells you just how warm it is here still.

Then, on Sunday we celebrated my hubby, Allan’s birthday, but he wanted a low-key birthday with just the kids and me.

As September draws to a close, we may have not experienced our first taste of fall, but we did taste the rainbow twice, minus the Skittles.

I believe this is a prelude to what fall and the remainder of the year has in store for us.  Good times followed by good things, good fortune and many blessings.

Thanks for stopping by and linking up to share what music moves you.  Be sure to visit Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.



Random Tuesday Thoughts and Some Running

Posted on by Run DMT
3

Even though I failed to blog a Random Tuesday Thoughts post last week, my life and thoughts were pretty random.

The bands of Hurricane Lee hammeered our area and since I don’t do rain, I didn’t run much last week.  Lame.  I know, but nonetheless true.

I’ve been stalking the Disney site and Facebook page quite the Disney fan lately.  First, I entered the runDisney’s Share Your Bling Sweepstakes for a chance to win an all-expense paid entry to the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, including hotel, travel expenses, races fees and all kinds of cool VIP access to the races.  I added my Disney marathon photo to the runDisney Facebook page and even posted some bling on my profile for additional entries.  I hadn’t planned to run any races in January, but it’s paid for, then I’ll go for it!

But the Disney deeds didn’t stop there.  I also applied to be part of the runDisney Disney Mom Panel.  Living in Florida most of my life, I’ve practically grown up at Walt Disney World as well as ran through it three times, so I feel like I would make a great candidate.  I’ve even changed my Twitter profile to show enthusiasm for all things Mickey.  I need to change my Run DMT header too.

Somehow I survived the first week of school like a pro.  The family fell right into routine like we never even took a break, but then the second week of school was a disaster.  Maybe it something to do holiday weekend looming around the corner, but the last two weeks have been utter chaos around here and we haven’t even added any after-school activities into the mix.  What gives?  I don’t believe I could drink enough alcoholic beverages to make sense of it all.

Speaking of massive amounts of alcoholic beverages, my annual moms beach getaway is this weekend and I cannot freaking wait!  I missed last year because I wasn’t ready to leave my newborn behind, but I am back in full force and ready to soak in the sun and suck down the beer and not wipe any snotty noses or poopy butts for 3 days.  Well, you never know.  One of us may have a situation, but let’s hope not.

I am also looking forward to some beach runs.  I told Faith, Chrissy and Kathleen to pack their running clothes, but I don’t mind running along the beach by myself, as long as I don’t get lost again.  At least with some company, I can run some longer miles and hopefully, one of us will pay attention to where we are going as long as we are not too hungover and dehydrated.  Maybe I should pack my fuel belt just in case?

Yes, I broke down and finally bought a dorky hydration belt and you know what…I love it.  What a saving grace, especially on the big miles!  My new Nathan Speed 2 has pockets for my Cliff shots and a place to keep my car key.  It fits snuggly on my hips and doesn’t slip around.  I seriously love it and I don’t feel so
dorky in it after all.   In fact, I think I look pretty in pink.

The first time I tested out my fuel belt in was on a 13 mile run with Larisa and Kris.  Larisa got me hooked on the Galloway 3-1 plan.  I really noticed the benefits of the “run three minutes, walk 1 minute” training method the next day, because I wasn’t sore or stiff at all.  The forced walking intervals are a welcomed break and great for recovery.  And it doesn’t really add too much time onto my overall time.

13.1 miles

Time 2:46:38

Ave Pace 12:43

Max Pace 8:47

Like Larisa said, “It’s not about how fast we can go, but finishing.”  She’s so right.  I’m just trying to get back into the game and doing my best to finish.

So with that, I’ll finish by sharing some more of my runs.  Like I said before, I didn’t run much due to all the rain, but I did run in the 911 Memorial 5K on Sunday.  Watch for my race recap later this week.

6.2 miles

Time 1:15:53

Ave Pace 11:36

Max 8:19

 

3.1 miles

Time 33:28

Ave Pace 10:49

Max Pace 8:30

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Random Thoughts about Running in a Sauna through Sprinklers and Santana

Posted on by Run DMT
3

Lately, the thermometer has been sticking around the high 80s to low 90s and the humidity is sticking around with the heat and choking my running friends and me.  It’s brutal, like running in a marathon in a sauna.  No room to breathe.

I would like to thank my neighbors that illegally watering their grass at 5:30 morning.  You don’t think anyone notices, but I do.  I make a mental note of the days and times you run your sprinklers and I always run past your house on those days.

However, I’m not thankful for your push green grass or how you are selfishly depleting the aquifers to keep that plush green grass.  But don’t worry.  I’m not calling the water department to file a complaint.  Nope, I’m too busy running slowly on your plush green grass and selfishly soaking up the water sprayed illegal by your sprinklers and I don’t feel a bit guilty about it because it feels so damn good during my hot humid runs, like this morning’s 3 mile run.  So thank you.

3.1 miles

Time 35:03

Ave Pace 11:03

Max 8:13

After discussing with several running friends the number of weeks to prepare for the Space Coast Marathon, the consensus seems to be that it is totally doable. I have a few half marathons under my belt from early in the year and another one coming up next month, so I should be ready for the marathon if I keep at it.  So, there you have it.  I’m going for it.

Last Saturday, I ran 10 miles to get back in the training groove.

Time 2:11::01

Ave Pace 13:06

Max 8:04

The run felt good and I didn’t mind the miles, but once again, that damn humidity was a real bitch.  My friend, Faith, joined me for a couple of miles which it helped take my mind off the humidity and I was really grateful for her company.  Besides the humidity, the hours spent running alone can be a real bear too.

But, I came up with a plan to beat the long boring miles by myself.  I asked a few of my shorter distance running friends like Faith and Chrissy to meet at different times to help me get through the miles.  Even by running a couple of miles with me, it will keep me motivated and moving.

Speaking of miles and motivation, I registered for two races in October: the Race for the Cure and the Frakenfooter half marathon.  I love Race for a Cure (the course and the cause), but I’m really excited about the Frankenfooter.  I have wanted to do this race for some time, because it’s a Halloween race with costumes!  I even picked my costume before I registered…Santana from Glee!

How fun is that?!

I told my running girlfriends to dress in the same costume so we could be a whole group of Cheerios!  Of course, I’ve got a totally different costume for our adult costume party, but that’s under wraps until we get closer to Halloween. Muhahahahaha!

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

This Sets Us on Fire

Posted on by Run DMT
14

The meteorologist lied.  She said that Hurricane Irene would pull of the moisture out of our atmosphere in our area as the hurricane traveled along the eastern coast.  We had 2 days with little to no humidity, but on  Saturday morning the air was so saturated it felt like I was running in a sauna.

The heat is so unbearable right now, I’m afraid I may spontaneously combust during my long runs.

Every time this Kings of Leon song plays on the radio, my husband loves to share an interesting lesser know fact about it.  Well, since I’ve heard his trivia countless times, it’s not so lesser know to me.

The lyrics to Kings on Leon’s Sex on Fire is really this “set is on fire”.  As the story goes, a producer walked into the studio and heard the song as the band played.  The producer commented about the lyrics he heard, “sex on fire”.  The band thought his twist to the lyrics were funny and it stuck.

Speaking of twists and other dance moves, this week I’ve been selected as a spotlight dancer for Monday’s Music Moves Me by Xmas Dolly and the gang.  Yay!

Xmas Dolly

And while I’m sharing randomness (And it’s not even Tuesday!), next Monday is Run DMT’s Music Monday one year anniversary.  I would LOVE for you all to celebrate the occasion with me by linking up and sharing your favorite party song.  After all, we have to keep the party going strong for another year because Music Monday sets me on fire is like sex on fire.

Thanks for all you love and support!

Visit Amanda, Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

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Random Thoughts about a Dead Heat and Swamp Monsters

Posted on by Run DMT
2

Thanks to a nasty cold, I hadn’t run in over a week, but with the girls back at school this week, I was ready to get back into a regular routine again.  However, the heat is seriously killing me.  I’m usually one of those people not bothered by the heat, but I’m feeling it now and it ain’t got nothing to do with hot flashes, honey.

Anyhow, yesterday I woke up plenty early to fit in three miles before the back to school chaos.  I braved the heat and finished a sad, slow sweaty three miles.

3.1 miles

Time 33:18

Ave Pace 10:44

Max Pace 7:44

Even in the early morning hours, the humidity clings to me.  There’s no breeze only steam rising from the lakes and the storm drains, which is unbearable.  It’s like a swap monster or storm drain clown is breathing down my neck.

Besides the swamp monsters and storm drain clowns, I’m worried about my running because I haven’t been getting my miles in to be prepared for the Space Coast marathon which is only 13 weeks away.  The farthest I’ve gone is 10 miles and that was weeks ago.

My Garmin must have sensed my anxiety and couldn’t handle the stress and decided to check out.  Like a Monty Python sketch, my Garmin “is NO MORE.  It has ceased to be!  My Garmin is an ex-Garmin!”  But then, as I typed this post, I bumped its charging dock and it seems to be all right now.  I guess the heat is getting to my Garmin too.

A running friend, Larissa, is training for the Savannah Marathon and she mentioned to me the other day that she has been using the Galloway method to survive training in the heat.  She suggested I try it.  Following this method, I would run 3 minutes and walk one minute for recovery.

So, this morning I tested the Galloway method for 4 miles. Well, it was more like “run a mile walk a couple minutes.”  Plus, because I was Garmin-less, I guesstimated the total distance to be about 4 miles, but when I mapped it out on Map My Run, it was more like 4.47 miles.  Whatever.  The bottom line: The Galloway method certainly helped.

4.47 miles

Time 47:00

Ave Pace 10:30

A couple of weeks ago, I was supposed to participate in the All Out Running 5K.  A few days before the event, the race coordinators sent out an email about the trail and included these photos.

Needless to say, I freaked out!  I expected a trail run, not a mud run. And look at the height over those runners!  I guarantee those gentlemen are much taller than little ol’ petite barely 5′ me!   And I’m sure there’s a swamp monsters hiding in those waters!  Not to mention, I hadn’t trained for any swimming and it’s possible I would drown, if a swamp monster didn’t grab me first.

But thankfully, the race gods heard my cries and postponed the race, however, I’m not sure when the new date will be.  At least I have some extra time to work on my breaststroke while preventing a heatstroke.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Random Thoughts About Getting Serious

Posted on by Run DMT
3

“You’re just not being serious.  When you get serious about running again, you’ll get faster.  I’ve seen you turn it on, girl!” Like a tough coach, Jackie busted my chops along with my ass and legs after Iron Girl.

 

I thought I was being serious.  It’s been a struggle to juggle it all, squeezing in my runs while trying to squeeze back into my old clothes.  But Coach Jackie blew the whistle and called me out on my slacker running style.  She served me a reality check.

 

Haven’t I turned it on yet?  I felt on, but maybe I hadn’t really plugged into my training.  Allrighty then, it’s time to get serious and really push myself!

 

So after a week of recovery from Iron Girl, I decided to show my serious side with a fresh start on Saturday morning and 6 miles.  My goal was to finish at about an hour (10:00 minute miles).  At the beginning of my run, it was a cool spring Florida morning.  PERFECT running weather!  But then, it turned hot really quickly and my about hour goal was gone with the cool weather.  Oh well.  I’ll get serious tomorrow Monday.

 

6 Miles

Time 1:08:40

Ave Pace 11:27

Max Pace 8:00

 

On Monday, I hit the snooze button and slept in.  I’ll get serious on Tuesday.

 

On Tuesday, I really did get serious, thanks to my friend, Faith (@fmc3).  Unfortunately my Garmin died, so we had to estimate our time with a little help from the DailyMile.

 

3 miles, 38:00

Start time 5:32 a.m.

End Time 5:40

Ave Pace 12:40

 

As much as I hate to admit it, Jackie is right.  I really do need to get serious about my training again.  I would love to reach my old pace of 9:00 minute miles.  In the next couple of months, I face a few shorter distance races, so improving my time for those races is totally doable.  It really would be great to finish a 5K under 30 minutes again.

 

With regards to my training, I’ve got a few other things going on next month to help me get serious about my running again.  Thanks to @runningmom2boys, I’ve been roped into an abs/push-ups challenge cleverly called the #aMAYzingabs challenge.  I’m excited about this challenge because core training is so critical to improve your running.  So this timing of this challenge couldn’t be better!

 

Basically, all participants have to do 100 push-ups and 100 crunches every day and tweet it.  That’s it.  It sounds like punishment, but it’s really not that bad because you have all day to do it.  I started my challenge yesterday and my body didn’t complain one bit.

 

Then, if you noticed my nifty little Joggermom button in my sidebar, I’ve also joined Joggermom’s May Marathon.  The goal is to run 26.2 miles before May 31.  Again, that’s totally doable.  Piece of cake, right?  Well, between both of these challenges and improving my pace, I will have certainly earned a whole piece of birthday cake.

 

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Random Thoughts about Some Pricks, a Strong Wind and the Runs

Posted on by Run DMT
6

For me, running has always melted the pounds away, but I honestly I had no earthly idea that it would melt so quickly in such a short amount of time.  I realize that most diet plans recommend only losing 1-2 pounds a week, so I hope that I’m not losing weight too quickly.  But I ain’t gonna lie.  It also feels really freaking good to be losing all this baby weight so quickly and to be squeezing into smaller dress sizes every week. With each pound, I’ve double my wardrobe by fitting into some of my old clothes.

 

Each Saturday, I weigh myself after I return from my long run.  I only expected to have lost about a pound this week, so you can imagine my delight when my scale said I dropped another 4.5 pounds for a grand total of….drum roll…16 pounds!!!   INCREDIBLE!

 

On Sunday, the ladies competing in my mom’s group Weight Loss Challenge (WLC) met at the gym where @jellisfl measured and calculated our loss for the first month.  I couldn’t be more thrilled with my progress!  I honestly don’t care if I win the WLC, because I’ve already won in my mind!  Here’s what @jellisfl calculated for me:

 

Inches lost- 18.7
Weight lost- 10.2
Body Fat % down 3
Fat mass down 9lbs

 

Last week, I went for my third round in three years of allergy testing to learn that I’m not allergic to oak any more but I’m allergy to some funky weed that doesn’t even grow in Florida.  WTF?  Whatever.  I’m not buying it or those dumb desensitizing drops for a year and pay a $35 co-pay every visit.  I’ll just stick with Zyrtec.  Thank you.  It seems to do the trick when my allergies flare up.

 

Because of that stupid skin prick test, I wasn’t allowed to run Thursday morning before the test.  So, Wednesday morning was the last morning I ran.  I had hoped to run on Friday morning but I had to complete a late phase of the skin prick test.  In other words, I had to walk around with rows of lovely bumps on my left arm and watch how the lesions developed in a 24 hour period.  Um…yeah…they developed into larger lesions and I looked like I had some bizarre fleshing eating disease.  So in 24 hours, I learned that I’m still allergic to EVERYTHING?!  Oh, except oak.  Duh!

 

Ironically from all the blood work I had done over the past few weeks, I’ve also learned that I have a Vitamin D deficiency which is so strange for such a sun goddess like myself.  I guess I need to scale back on the SPF 50 sunblock, eat more oily fish and eggs, and drink more milk.

 

Speaking of eggs…for the past week, the winds have been ridiculously strong as a result of all the arctic cold fronts making their way down south.  Have I mentioned how much I hate running in the wind?  Despite the wind, I still did pretty good.

 

5 miles

Time 58:55

Ave Pace 11:47

Max Pace 9:09

 

Saturday, I ran 10 lonely miles by myself because Tiffany flaked due to her foot giving her some trouble. The solitude must have made me run a better pace, because at 9 miles, I beat my 9 mile time (1:50:07) from the previous week (1:58:32).

 

10 Miles

Time 2:01:37

Ave Pace 12:10

Max Pace 9:27

Calories Burned 1010  :-)

 

The weather was so damp and yucky on Monday and I missed the Mom’s Mid-Morning Run at Suncoast Running.  Bad mommy! Or am I a good mommy because I didn’t take my baby out it that icky weather?  Either way, I’m a total slacker runner because I missed my Monday run and I’ve not done any yoga or Boot Camp stuff in weeks.  My BFF Sharon Mann is totally going to make me suffer when I see her next.

 

This morning, I fit 4 miles in even though the wind made me want to stay in bed.

 

4 miles

Time 44:37

Ave Pace 11:09

Max Pace 8:21

 

***Proudly submitted at The Un Mom’s Random Tuesday Thoughts, because when I blog about my runs, it’s usually pretty random.***

randomtuesday

I Heart Faces: Bundled Up

Posted on by Run DMT
8

This Week’s I ♥ Faces couldn’t better describe our winter this season! With record lows here in the Tampa Bay area this winter, we’ve spent the past few months very bundled up, but for Floridians, that means wearing closed toes shoes on a daily basis rather than flip-flops.  Although this past January, we had to dust off the Uggs on a few occasions as there were reports of snow flurries as far south as Naples, which is simply absurd for the Sunshine State.

 

However, my family and I have seen more than our share of snow flurries for the past two winters.  Every January, we travel to North Carolina to experience a real winter complete with snow boots, snow pants, water resistant mittens, long johns and lots of performance fleece.  After spending a week in 10 degree temperatures, 30 degrees feel like a heat wave.

 

 

Going for Gasparilla

Posted on by Run DMT
2

Late last Saturday evening, I bit the bullet and registered for the Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K.  Since I’ve been feeling pretty good and my bladder is still holding stong, I feel capable to run a 5K.  So why not go for the Gasparilla gold?  After all that little bit of runner bling will look so lovely resting on my big ol’ baby bump.

 

The weather has been ridiculously frigid by Florida standards since December which makes it awfully difficult for me to find any motivation to run.  We’ve also had a really wet winter and I hate running in the rain.  Plus, since becoming pregnant, my sleep pattern has been so out of whack that I can’t seem to summon the energy to run in the early morning (my favorite time of day).  So, all of these stupid excuses seem to get in the way of any running, but I needed to find some room for running with a race only weeks away.

 

For the past month, I’ve maintained my training with wogging (jogging/walking).  I’ve kept my pace around 11:00-11:30 mm and remarkably throughout my little wogs around the neighborhood, I haven’t had a constant urge to pee, which is pretty amazing for a running pregnant mama.  But since I never know when an unsuspecting cough or sneeze will strike, I think I will start wearing a panty liner to avoid wet wogs just to be safe.

 

On Tuesday, the sun was shining. Our temps began to warm up to normal highs for this time of year and the sun greeted me like an old friend.  With every step, I soaked up the sun’s rays and I found my mojo once again.

3.10 miles

Time 35:17

Ave Pace 11:22

Max Pace 8:23

 

Then, on Wednesday our temps dropped again and the rain returned, but an e-mail from Tiffany, my running partner, later that evening coerced me to run in the cold early morning on Thursday.

3.18 miles

Time 41:50

Ave Pace 13:11

Max Pace 9:29

 

I feel confident that I will wog my way to the finish in about 40 minutes and hopefully, I can keep my race adrenaline from forcing me to run too fast for my bladder’s sake.