Run with Jess

Three Things Thursday

2012-03-01T06:20:00.004-08:00

TRAIN HAPPY or GO HOME!

1. Stop by my Race All 50 page... I need your input on the best races to run across the great 50 States! My fall race calendar is still wide open... Where 'o where should I go?

2. Mark your calendars! The Jelly Bean virtual race is back for it's second running. This race was such a giant success last year and I'm so excited to do it again. More events + more prizes = More Fun! More details to come, but early registration is now open!
Sign up here.

3. The Dirty Girl winner went unclaimed. Boo-Hoo... But that means a new opportunity for someone else!! Rafflecopter drew a new winner this morning and the lucky lady is...

Jenna Nappo!!

Email me at runwithjess@comcast.net to claim your free race registration!

Didn't win? Still time to register for the Dirty Girl near you...

WIAW: Smoothies!

2012-02-29T13:53:00.001-08:00

I haven't done a WIAW (What I Ate Wednesday) in awhile. I had planned to take all kinds of pictures of our glorious food on vacation... and then I just wasn't feeling it. Perhaps a bit guilty over the choices I made? I gained 6 lbs over my Myrtle Beach vacation, but this last week I've managed to shed it all off once again. Was it worth it? Heck yeah! I fueled my body for the race of a lifetime AND I had a wonderful vacation to reconnect with my husband (over beer and ice cream!). There is nothing wrong with jumping off the bandwagon every now and again... as long as you get back on... quickly.

So this week it has been challenging to find my "food zone" once again. I've fallen to temptation several times, but I'm never afraid to work the calories back off... literally as soon as I consume them!

I start my day with coffee. always. no exception...

This week I've been bad about breakfast and grabbed a breakfast bar or banana on the way out the door to the gym. For lunch, I've been serving up some pretty tasty smoothies for a protein pump after the gym. Check out my newest creations...

2 large handfuls of spinach + 1/2 c. almond milk + 1/2 frozen banana + 1 t. honey

+ 1 T. ground flaxseed meal + 2 heaping spoonfuls of light vanilla yogurt

+ 1 small apple + good handful of ice cubes

Throw it all in the blender. Top with light whipped cream. Makes one serving.

300 calories | 8g protein | 26g calcium | 10g fiber

Pin It

3/4 c. almond milk + 3/4 c. orange juice + 1 frozen banana + 1-2 peeled oranges

+ 2 T. ground flaxseed meal + 1 t. vanilla + 1 scoop vanilla protein powder

+ 1/2 t. orange extract + sprinkle of cinnamon + good handful of ice cubes

Throw it all in the blender. Top with light whipped cream. Makes two servings.

Pin It

Want more Smoothie Recipes? Check out these from the past...

Pumpkin Smoothie

Peanut Butter Smoothie

Chocolate Banana Smoothie

For dinner, I whipped up these super yummy Mozzarella & Roasted Garlic Chicken Sausages

(only 120 calories) with some broccoli and red peppers...

And since we're lovin' veggies this month, I mixed some cucumbers, onions and tomatoes

with fresh cilantro and a drizzle of ranch for a nice side salad. Delicious and fresh.

Remember that weight loss challenge at my gym? The final weigh-in is this Saturday. Wish me luck! My personal goal was to lose 25 lbs during the 55 Day Challenge. I may be a couple pounds shy, but I'm almost there!

Get Track'n

2012-02-28T12:02:00.004-08:00

Big Girl headed off to school on the bus..
I drove Little Girl to pre-school.
And then I went to school too...

THE HIGH SCHOOL TRACK!

I'm not a big fan of track sessions. In fact, I'd rather run intervals on the treadmill (crazy, huh?). I'm not sure what prompted me to head to the track today. Perhaps I just needed to be outside. The temps were mild in the mid-30's and the sun tried to peek out every once in awhile. A little windy, but otherwise perfect running weather.

Today I put the Yasso 800's to work on the track.

Recently I finished reading the book "My Life on the Run" by Bart Yasso. I met Bart Yasso last fall at the Quad Cities Marathon, where he signed my book and inspired me with all his great running stories. His book is a fun easy read, each chapter storytelling from the entertaining adventures of Mr. Yasso, chief running officier of Runner's World. At the end of the book, you'll find his training plans, as well as the background on the now infamous Yasso 800's. It's an intriguing premise... run 10x800m at a consistently hard pace to predict your marathon finish time. i.e. If you're able to run each of those 10 intervals in 4 minutes, you can run a 4 hour marathon.

Read more on Yasso 800's here.

The goal of my first marathon was just to cross the finish line (achieved in 4:43). Now training for #2, I obviously have a time goal... not exactly sure what that is yet, but I'm thinking under 4:25. A month ago, I started incorporating the Yasso 800's into my training. My results from those workouts are helping me narrow in on a 'goal time' for the May 5 Wisconsin Marathon.

Here's how today's track workout went down...

YASSO 6x800'S

2.1 mile warmup in 19:06

800m in 4:08

400m recovery in 2:35

800m in 4:10

400m recovery in 2:39

800m in 4:13

400m recovery in 2:47

800m in 4:14

400m recovery in 2:45

800m in 4:11

400m recovery in 2:49

800m in 4:10

1 mile cooldown in 10:45

TOTAL 7.35 miles in 1:08:33 (9:19 pace)

I'm not up to 10 sets quite yet, but I'm ready to bump up to 8 sets next week. The important part is that the 800m splits are fairly consistent. I'm happy with a 5 second spread! They weren't all out sprints, but definitely felt hard, especially with the wind on the backside of the track. No Garmin? No problem... All you need is a cheap stopwatch to track your splits.

Even if you're not training for a full marathon, the Yasso 800's are a great interval workout. The 800 is a tricky distance for me... If I all out sprint, I'm dead after one lap. However, the pace should definitely be faster than 5K race pace. I managed an 8:16-8:28 pace during today's intervals so I was right in the ballpark. If you're unsure how fast you should be running intervals, check with these great resources to find your optimal training paces: Run Less Run Faster and McMillan Running Calculator. Just input your recent 5K time and they spit out a nice chart for you.

Have you ever done Yasso 800's before to predict or train for a marathon?

If so, I'm curious how accurate it was?

There are fierce opinions (both ways) all over the web on this!

Long Run & A Recovery

2012-02-26T20:32:00.000-08:00

Coming off vacation, this week got a bit mixed up on me. I had to hunker down and focus on my 'big girl job' for a couple days. Unfortunately, blogging and running does not pay the bills. After a week away, I had brides flooding my email looking for my wedding designs. With two days of solid work on stationery and cakes, I was caught up once again.

Saturday was suppose to be a rest day, but I was yearning to run. It's been terribly windy in central Illinois this week, but it calmed down on Saturday afternoon. Thankfully, my friend Patty easily adjusted and we headed out a day early for our long run. It was chilly, but a beautiful sunny afternoon for a run. Unfortunately, around mile 8, my running partner struggled with a knee issue. She eventually gave in to the painful IT band and called for a ride. With the sun beginning to set, I stepped up the pace for the 8 miles back to my car. The elevation on the run home was slightly downhill, but I was still happy to maintain a 9:30ish pace in the backhalf of an 18 mile run. Probably too fast for a "long run" but it sure was a nice confidence booster in training for the 26.2 monster.
Total: 18.6 miles in 3:12 (10:19 pace)

By bedtime, I could feel my leg muscles beginning to stiffen. Both the calves and quads were screaming at me. I iced and worked BioFreeze into the sore spots... and slightly worried about the morning. My wonderful hubby got up with the kiddos this morning and let me sleep in until 8am! That's almost 12 hours of sleep - unheard of for me!!

My legs were a good sore, reward for a hard worked run. This afternoon, I slipped on my running skirt and Sauconys to get them moving once again. A year ago, I thought 'recovery runs' were the silliest thing I ever heard of. Now I'm amazed every time at how they assist in my healing. It's not always easy to convince myself to do a recovery run, but I never regret it.

The key to a recovery run is to go short at a slow easy pace, just enough to get moving... and according to the experts, remove lactic acid buildup in your muscles. I usually just do what my legs tell me. Today that was 3 miles at a 10:50 pace. It put the cap on a great week... I came off an exhilarating half-marthon last weekend, only to run a year-high 37 miles this week!

Do you do recovery runs? Do believe in their recovery power?

Five for Friday!!!

2012-02-24T09:48:00.001-08:00

1 - Myrtle Beach Afterthoughts
I have such happy memories of my half-marathon last Saturday. Is it possible a runner's high can last this long? (Miss the race recap? Check it out here.) Surprisingly, my legs have made great recovery after a smashing PR run. I noticed the most soreness in my hips and the sides of my core. Funny, those spots haven't been issues for me in the past. My leg muscles felt nothing more than a good interval beating. I gave my body one day of rest and I've been running every day since Monday. Who-Ya!

There are very few races that I wish to repeat. I know some runners find comfort in running the same familiar races year after year... but I'm different in that aspect I guess. I treat marathons as 'vacations' and like to run different events each year for a new experience. Plus my lifetime goal is to run at least 1 race in each of the 50 states before I die (and a couple international would be cool too!). My hubby and I both like to travel, so I'm hoping this will also keep us active as we creep up on our 50's. With all that being said... I would repeat the Myrtle Beach Marathon. I hope that stresses just how highly I recommend the event. Race organization was top-notch, great course with minimal crowding, and fun after-parties (one immediately after the race and another later that evening!). Spectator support was perfect without fans crowding into the race lanes. And important for us techies, there was good pre-race communication through email and FB updates.

2 - Vacation Weight
After my weigh-in last week, I relaxed a bit on my diet. First was the slight carbo-load that was necessary to fuel my PR run. I didn't go overboard, but I certainly ate more grain carbs than my diet has been used to lately. Secondly, I was vacation and had some celebrating to do! Add alcohol, appetizers and desserts... I came back from vacation +6 lbs. Ugh. After my Ash Wednesday fast of water and tea, I dropped 2 of those extra pounds. This week will be a battle to get back to even.

3 - Next Up

I'm totally running this one
for the cool medal!

As soon as I crossed the finish line on Saturday, I immediately starting thinking, "So now what am I capable of in the full marathon?" My spring race schedule has a variety of races, but my next 'A' race is the Wisconsin Marathon on May 5 in Kenosha, WI. I'm excited to start building my endurance again... I'm actually looking forward to 18 this weekend! I have several friends who are also doing spring marathons so I actually have training partners this time around.

4 - Predictions
With a 1:58 half on the books, I'm now curious what the "experts" say I can do with 26.2. I went to all my usual sources and here's what they told me I could expect to achieve...

MarathonGuide... 4:07

McMillan Running... 4:09

Run Less Run Faster... 4:08

Hmmm, looks like a sub-4:10, huh? I was kinda kicking around a 4:20-4:30 goal for the marathon. Perhaps I need to adjust that and push myself a bit more? Today I'm back to weekly Yasso 800's, another good race prediction exercise. More on the Yasso's next week...

5 - Dirty Girl Winner!!
With nearly 300 entries in the Dirty Girl race entry sweepstakes, you've all proven that there's a dirty side in all of us! I'm still undecided on whether I'm going to do the Indianapolis (May 12) or Wisconsin (Aug. 19). Any of you signed up for either of these? I'd love to run with you!

The Dirty Girl winner is....

Amy Mcteague-Danielski

Please email me at runwithjess@comcast.net to claim your free race entry!

Didn't win? You can still sign up at www.GoDirtyGirl.com!

Race Recap: Myrtle Beach Half Marathon

2012-02-22T12:44:00.000-08:00

There are few races when it all comes together... but the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon was just that!! I'm having a hard time finding the right words to describe how fantastic this race was for me...

It was perfect.

Happy with a New PR!

My husband and I arrived in Myrtle Beach two days prior to the race. I took him on a quick tour of the town past my old apartment, hangouts, etc. So much has changed in Myrtle Beach since I lived there 12 years ago! After checking into our oceanside hotel, we hit the race expo. Pretty much the norm for an expo, so we were in and out pretty quickly.

The race garb was okay... I loved the yellow bag and the sweat towel. Custom arm warmers were also a nice touch (never got those in a race bag before). As a graphic designer myself, I'm always fond of events that put together a nice race magazine. This one had maps and detailed information on everything you needed to know about the race, in addition to local stories. Nicely done, especially for us visitors. Now the race shirts were a bit of a disappointment. Half marathoners got orange, as pictured above - not terrible, but the women's sizing was like children's... tiny. There was no flexibility to swap for a size larger. Perhaps the worst call was making the 26.2 shirts fuschia. While I loved the pink color, I can't imagine any man wearing it. In the short time that I stood at the shirt table, the complaints were very vocal. I felt bad for the volunteers that had to work the shirt table.

After the expo, we scurried off to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville to review our race bags, study the maps and determine a plan for the race events. Tequila is 'muy bueno' for pre-race jitters.

The next morning after a 3-mile shakeout run, we drove the race course. This baby was pancake flat, great straightaways with very few corners. I knew this was "the one" if a sub-2 was going to happen this spring. Knowing this made me even more nervous...

Friday evening was the 5K and family fun runs. I ran around like crazy (in the dark) trying to spot my hubby as he ran the 5K. (I caught him at three different spots in the race - pretty impressive for the 3.1 distance I think) I thoroughly enjoyed cheering in the runners, once again pumping me up for the race that awaited me in the morning. After the race, we finally devoured a pasta dinner at 8:30pm.

Surprisingly, I slept like a baby that night and sprung out of bed at 5:00am. Morning temps were in the mid-40's. And once the sun rose, a beautiful sunny day was on the horizon. Perfecto! My hubby dropped me off a 1/2 mile from the starting area. I got in a nice jog warmup, moved quickly through the porta-potty line and lined up with the 2:00 hr pace group in the starting chute.

It took exactly 1:38 seconds to cross the start line, and once we did, our pace leader took off. Her name was Nicole and I liked her instantly. One of my pet peeves about pace groups is that they always seem to start off behind the pace. Nicole carried a balloon and weaved her way through the crowded street with a line of us on her tail. By mile 1.5, it thinned out enough that we relaxed into a pace and chatted away.

Mile 1 - 8:53

Mile 2 - 9:09

I buddied up quickly with a guy named Blake who was also running in the pace group. In fact, my husband first found me at mile 2 because he could hear me talking. Chatting away and mindlessly following the pace leader kept me from sprinting out too fast. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the pace felt as we ticked away the early miles. I was aching to speed up, but made an internal promise to hold the pace until mile 6. Somewhere in the first couple miles, my right contact flipped in my eye. I struggled to fix it, then attempt to remove it with no success. Instead of stopping to fix the problem, I plunged forward the entire race with the right side a big blur. I was determined not to allow any excuses interfere with this race... and my sub-2.

Mile 3 - 9:09

Mile 4 - 9:10

Mile 5 - 8:58

Mile 6 - 9:09

At mile 6, we entered into the Market Common area, a cool area of little shops and condos. There was great crowd support in the next couple miles as I slowly pulled ahead of the pace group. Before I knew it, I passed the halfway clock and were heading down Ocean Boulevard. I couldn't believe how fast this race was going by... and how great I was feeling! I felt pretty confident by mile 8... and slightly giddy. I knew the work was yet to come, but I was beyond happy that it wasn't feeling hard yet.

Mile 7 - 9:01

Mile 8 - 8:58

Mile 9 - 8:58

Mile 10 - 9:00

That's some pretty consistent self-pacing if I do say so myself!

Who needs a Garmin? Not me!

Shortly after mile 10, I saw hubby up ahead and put on my best "I Got This" smile. I couldn't get over what a perfect race I was having at that moment.

But soon the miles and pace caught up with me. Mile 11 started to hurt and I started to work the race mentally. "A PR is gonna hurt... and I AM going to PR today. Do Not Quit. You've got More. You're trained for this. You've got this; Don't let it slip away." We made the turn off Ocean Blvd and back towards the start/finish area. It was the only part of the course that was "slightly uphill". Normally I wouldn't even notice this slight change, but now I was feeling every footstep that was at an incline. I felt like I was slowing down, so I was delighted when my mile 12 split flashed a 8:58. I so freakin' got this...

Mile 11 - 9:00

Mile 12 - 8:58

Mile 13 - 8:58

Final 0.1 - :94

The finish chute was an awesome setup... a long 1/4 mile stretch that was completely barricaded off so no one could cross - and it kept the 13.1 and 26.2 runners separate (genius!). It was lined with spectators cheering and banging on the plastic barricades. As I turned the final corner, the runner next to me took off in a sprint... and I matched. I used up every ounce of energy to carry myself in. I saw the 1:59xx on the clock and was completely overcome with joy.

I had become slightly obsessed with achieving the sub-2 half marathon. Both physically and mentally, I trained hard for this goal... and FINALLY it was mine! I bent over in exhaustion and the tears flowed. I knew in that moment that anything was possible with persistence and hard work. As I exited the finishing chute (slightly delusional, exhausted and still only seeing out of one eye), the disappointments of Chicago and Indy flashed before me. Today made it all worthwhile.

Chip Time: 1:58:16

PR by 5:42 over the Illinois Half-Marathon April 2011

#1154 out of 3570 runners (top 32.3%)

The winner of the half marathon set a course record in 1:07:57.

#404 out of 2033 women (top 19.8%)

The female winner (15 years old!) also set a course record in 1:16:43.

#88 out of 372 in sex/age division (top 23.6%)

Final Race Prep for Myrtle Beach

2012-02-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

The time has finally arrived. In less than 16 hours, I will be on a plane with my honey to Myrtle Beach for 6 days of adult fun. Oh, and a little thing called the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon! This morning, I had a great 3 mile run and a hard 40 minute swim. Besides one more shake-out run at the beach, I'm now on active REST to save it up for the starting line.

THE OUTFIT

Thanks for all of your input via Facebook on the race outfit. I think I've decided to go with PR Purple! Of course with me, it's always a game-time decision. I have so many different accessories to add on to the outfit pending weather... arm warmers, leggings, headband, hat, etc. My toughest call now... do I go with the compression socks or no? I'll just pack it all!

THE INTANGIBLES

I've been weather-stalking like an eager runner girl. The forecast has nearly driven me batty, changing drastically every day. One thing is certain... I probably won't know the true weather until that morning. Race begins early at 6:30 am, so it will still be dark and cool temperatures to start the race. Of course, Myrtle Beach "cool temps" are like spring weather for those of us in the Midwest. Rain is expected on Saturday, but hopefully I will be done before it rolls in. Lastly, if the wind goddesses could keep it under 10 mph, I'd be eternally grateful. After running parts of the route on my iFit treadmill, there doesn't appear to be much tree cover should it be windy.

TIME GOAL

It's no secret that I've been trying to nail a sub-2 half marathon for the past year... 1:59:59 would make me through-the-roof ecstatic. That's a 9:09 pace for 13.1 miles... no small feat. My training has been really good the past 6 weeks, but I'm not quite sure I'm ready for the sub-2 yet. I feel like I need about 4 more weeks. Unfortunately, this is a course that can deliver (flat and fast), so I plan on giving it all I got. I used to live in Myrtle Beach (for a brief year). I tend to race well in cities that I previously called home... something about it gives me that little extra push.

I won't lie... I will be disappointed if I don't PR, but it won't be easy. My current PR is 2:03:58 from the Illinois Half-Marathon (race recap) last spring (9:27 pace). I remember it being a tough run, where I challenged myself every single mile. My latest mantra has been "A PR is gonna hurt." It pushed me through some tough training runs and has prepped me mentally for a tough race. The Myrtle Beach Half Marathon will NOT be a pleasant vacation run... it will be hard fought and pure work. Hopefully the finish line will prove victorious!

I will update my race result on Facebook Saturday morning.

Other than that, I'm over and out for a vacation... until next Wednesday!!

Have a great week peeps and THANK YOU for all your support & encouragement!

* * *

While I'm gone on vacation, don't forget to enter to win {here}

a FREE RACE ENTRY for the Dirty Girl mud run (location of your choice!)

Already entered? Remember you can tweet about it once a day for extra entries!

V-Day Randomness ~Winner~

2012-02-14T06:29:00.000-08:00

My husband and I have mutually agreed on no Valentine gifts since we have a 6-day vacation to Myrtle Beach (with no children!) awaiting us in just two days! We'll have plenty of free time to celebrate our love then. It's actually a special weekend for us (besides my looming half marathon). February 18 is the anniversary of our "second" wedding. We had officially tied the knot at the courthouse 18 months earlier before his year-long deployment, and then on Feb. 18, we had a traditional Catholic wedding and reception with our family and friends.

I just realized that my Half Marathon this weekend starts at 6:30 am. Early start! My kids have spoiled me over the winter... I'm rarely even awake at that time! So this week, I've decided to get my body back accustomed to morning running. I was up at 6am this morning for a short easy run. It was hard to get rolling but felt great at the end. During race weeks, I'm pretty intense on envisioning the finish line in my runs. It's so hard to respect the taper, but active rest is the best thing I can do for race prep this week.

Yesterday's weigh-in got me over the -20 lb mark, so I had earned my next reward (new pair of jeans). However, I opted instead for a new pair of Under Armour running capris. My old pair were getting too big... and extra material is no good for thigh chaffing. To top off the reward, I got myself a little Valentine's present... some fun knee high socks!

Running shoe boxes make great Valentine's Day boxes for the kids...

• • •

The Deluxe CLICK Starter Pack Winner is...

TAMMY SMITH!

She won by pinning the CLICK picture/post to Pinterest.

Tammy, please e-mail me your mailing address.

I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day!

My Ragnar Team Meet-Up!

2012-02-13T06:27:00.000-08:00

Ever since I saw the movie Hood to Coast, an overnight relay race was on my bucket list. So when I found out about Madison-to-Chicago Ragnar Race, I immediately started searching for teammates. Initially, I was on a 12-member team, but the challenge of an Ultra team was calling me. I wanted Ragnar to not only be a fun experience, but a challenge... an 'A' race if you will.

Finding five other women as crazy and adventurous as me was a challenge in itself. But over the last couple months, the team has come together through a chain reaction, three of us from the Peoria area and the other half from the Chicago area. A three hour drive separates us, but yesterday, we met each other (for the first time!) for a team meeting. Team (You Just Got) Chicked is up and ready for action. Meet my teammates here.

What better way to get to know your new teammates than go for a RUN?! After a little research on TrailLink, we settled on the Illinois & Michigan Canal Trail. The trailhead at Lock 14 in LaSalle was our meeting spot.

It was a beautiful sunny day, but true February temperatures in the low teens with the typical Midwest winter wind. Bundling up for the cold was not first option... we first had to take some promotional photos for our sponsor Aspaeris Pivot Shorts in our new compression shorts. It started our first team meeting off with lots of laughs, as we struggled to change in our cars and then stand out in the cold with bare legs. Brrrrrr!

(You Just Got) Chicked - Sexy Legs, huh?
www.aspaerispivotshorts.com

We ran a 10 mile out and back on the trail. Most of the run had beautiful views of water. I will definitely be returning here for a spring/summer/fall run. It was breathtaking even in the cold.

After our run, we photo-opped some more...

From left to right: Amanda, Kate, Lara (up in tree), Julie, Tara and me

And then we went for lunch! We had a lot of logistical details to workout for our Ragnar race... vans, outfits, sponsors, runner routes, travel, volunteers and training. Surprisingly for a group of women, we seemed to agree on everything and came to decisions fairly easy. I'm so happy with this group. We've really got a great team of "ultra" women! Ragnar is going to be a truly special running experience.

TEAM

(You Just Got) Chicked

Ragnar Ultra June 8-9, 2012

Have you ever run on a long-distance RELAY TEAM?

Have any great advice for us?

Run for Sherry

2012-02-11T11:06:00.000-08:00

Last night brought the coldest temps of the winter so far, dipping into the single digits. I was warm and snuggled in with a heated mattress pad and a big down comforter. I could have stayed there all morning long... but I reluctantly rolled myself out of bed at 7:15am.

This morning, we run for Sherry.

I had invited area runners to meet at the Sonnemaker Statue to run the hilly Springdale Cemetery. Over 40 people responded yes or maybe. Unfortunately with the cold temps this morning, it was a smaller showing... but many more pledged to run/walk/workout indoors today to honor Sherry. Without this event, I probably would have reverted to the treadmill also... single digits are kinda my cutoff point for the great outdoors.

We quickly snapped some pictures and then started off our run.

I'm a pretty good one-arm photographer, but 9 people was just too many for my short arms!

We ran the first mile in silence to honor the memory of Sherry. During this time, I prayed for Sherry and her family. I thought she must be smiling from above at all these people running around the globe this morning. My thoughts drifted to how she was kidnapped and ultimately killed, details we may never know. It must be horribly difficult for her family to continue guessing and imagining. I pray that today may start their healing. I found myself extremely grateful for the women running by my side, my Sole Sisters. Running is no doubt safer in groups, but also more fun. I'm so appreciative of all the new friends I've made this year through running. May we run many more happy years together...

R.I.P. Sherry Arnold

• • •

Don't forget to enter my current giveaways to win a

CLICK Pack {here} or the Dirty Girl race entry {here}.

Are you a DIRTY GIRL? ~Giveaway~

2012-02-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

It's about time I get down and dirty.

So this summer, I'm taking the plunge... into the MUD!

Dirty Girl is a female-only 5k obstacle and mud run for women of all ages and athletic abilities. What I like about Dirty Girl is that the event is focused on female-camaraderie (hugs and laughter!), rather than pure grit. Whether you're a runner, fitness guru or a beginner, anyone can do this fun run! It's a healthy day of discovery and laughter with your friends... in the mud.

Participants can register either as individuals or as part of a team. Undoubtedly, the fun begins with a team. At each race, there are awards for Biggest Team, Most Creative Team Name, Best Themed Costumes and a few more with fun prizes. I laughed so hard reading some of the names from past years...

Muddy Melons • The Mudd Butts

G.I. Sloppy Janes • The Muddonnas

Dirty Pigs (group of female cops)

Team Victorious Secret (dressed in lingerie)

Does This Mud Make My Ass Look Fast?

The Dirty Girl course is 3.1 miles with 11 obstacles along the way. In true girl-style, each obstacle has a fun feminine name... The mud pit is called P.M.S. (Pretty Muddy Stuff), and the tunnel crawl is called Utopian Tubes. I'm a sucker for that kind of creativity! The obstacles have varying degrees of difficulty to accommodate all participants. Everyone crosses the finish line laughing with a feeling of accomplishment. See all obstacles of course here.

Do the Dirty Girl with your girls and for your girls. A portion of all proceeds from registration fees is donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. In 2011, Dirty Girls helped raise over $50,000 to help win the race against breast cancer. In 2012, race coordinators will also give special recognition and complimentary registration to 250 cancer survivors in each of the 12 planned cities on the Dirty Girl tour.

The Dirty Girl Mud Run series debuted in 2011 to a sold-out field of over 6,000 women in Wisconsin. (Yup, I'm a Wisconsin girl and can attest... we are dirty girls!) The inaugural year also featured successful events in Colorado and New York. In 2012, the Dirty Girl has expanded across the United States...

The entire day of Dirty Girl is a festival-like atmosphere. The start area features music to rock the crowd, pump up the Dirty Girls and set the stage for runner waves departing every 15 minutes. The course is staffed by off-duty firefighters and concludes with a sloshing crawl through a 40-foot mud pit, energizing Dirty Girls with the laughter, encouragement and cheering of teammates, supporters, friends and families.

After completing the course, Dirty Girls can clean up, change clothes, and then do what women do best... eat, drink, dance and shop! That's right... delicious food at the end with a complimentary cosmopolitan!

So get your girls together and sign up today! Events do fill quickly. The Wisconsin race already sold out for August 18. Thankfully, race coordinators added a second day to accommodate those Wisconsin Dirty Girls.

Check out the Dirty Girl website {here} for more event details and registration.

Don't forget to show 'em your dirty love on Facebook {here} and Twitter {here}.

ARE YOU A DIRTY GIRL?

I'm excited to offer one lucky reader a FREE REGISTRATION

for the race location of their choice (based on availability)

I'll be running this sweepstakes via Rafflecopter, ending at midnight on Feb. 23.

Winner will be announced on Friday, Feb. 24. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Show me LOVE

2012-02-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is less than a week away. Don't get me wrong, I love flowers. White and pink daisies are my personal favorite. And oh-boy, I can devour a good box of chocolate... especially if there's a little peanut butter in the center.

Nothing says LOVE like PINK running gear!
Here's some of my favorites that are perfect for Valentine's Day. Give yourself a little love - or send your man over for some ideas!

Always the place for fashion and function, BondiBand headbands
are my favorite sweat gear. Available in hundreds of patterns, colors and sayings,
these are an affordable gift when the wallet is slim.
$8 each -or- Buy 3, Get 1 Free with coupon code ONE.
{buy here}

Most runners love a good watch - and pink always makes it cooler in my opinion.
No matter what your budget, there's a watch right for you. (Note: I love my cheap Casio!)
Left to Right

Garmin Forerunner 110 GPS Watch $185 {buy here}

Soleus Chicked Watch $55 {buy here}

Casio Runner Digital Watch $24 {buy here}

What a fun surprise to find one of these socks wrapped up inside your running shoe?!?!

Left to Right

Hearts Print Knee High Socks $11 {buy here}
Stripped Red/Pink Knee High Socks $7 {buy here}
Pink Cheetah Animal Print Knee High Socks $8 {buy here}
Key to My Heart Knee High Socks $10 {buy here}
Run Love Compression Socks in Haute Pink $32 {buy here}

The best way to feel feminine on the run is to sport a cute running skirt!
This one from SparkleSkirts has Valentine's Day written all over it!
Neon Luv SparkleTech Skirt $64 {buy here}

Every girl needs a pair of PINK shoes in her run wardrobe,
and these stability shoes will treat your sweet feet.
Saucony ProGride Guide 5 $100 {buy here}

• • •

What do you and your significant other normally do for Valentine's Day?
Do you go all out? or just a special card sealed with a kiss?

WEIGHT for me!

2012-02-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

My weekly weigh-in was yesterday at the gym. Pulling no punches here, it was a roller coaster week. I let stress get the better of me on Wednesday, resulting in a major food splurge. On Thursday, my hubby returned from his work trip and we went out for dinner. I ordered from the Guiltless Grill, but it was still a higher calorie dinner than I've been used to lately. Then Friday, we ordered pizza from my favorite place (Monical's), but I held myself to only 2 small pieces. A little struggle on the food side...

Thankfully, it was a strong week on the workouts. I ran 33 miles, swam twice for 80 minutes, completed 1 Spinning class and 38 miles on the bike, several DVDs including yoga and abs, and 2 strength workouts. After a last-chance workout Monday morning, the scale was nice to me...

-2.5 lbs this week!

My 4 week total for the Weight Loss Challenge is now -17.6 lbs or -9.7%.

I'm not defined by the number that appears on the scale. However, over the past several years, I have learned one thing... my running speed has a direct correlation to that number. Research has shown that, on average, runners get two seconds per mile faster for every pound they lose. Of course, this is not all inclusive, but all other measurables the same (training, health, race conditions), I believe it to be pretty accurate. At least for me. Last spring, I was at my lowest running weight and all my current PR's are from that time frame. This past summer, I got lazy on the food and gained 10-15 lbs back, despite running 40+ miles each week training for a marathon. The extra weight resulted in disappointing times at the finish line last fall.

Source

As the weight drops off in recent weeks, I'm clocking improved paces - with the same exertion level. It's exciting to see what each run will bring. It also keeps my will power strong at the dinner table. I'm so determined to PR in both the Half and Full Marathon events this spring. To reach those lofty goals, I know that the work I do in the kitchen is just as important as the work on the track.

Do you run to lose weight? or lose weight to run faster?

Right now, I'm pretty focused on the latter.

Losing weight may not be the option for everyone, especially if you're BMI is already in the low 20's. My BMI still classifies me as obese (what the?!), so I have a long way to go yet. What's your ideal running weight? Check out this good article from Runner's World here for more information.

Everything Just CLICKed ~Giveaway~

2012-02-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

Let me apologize in advance. I'm writing under the influence... the endorphins are jumping around like crazy in my body. I can't stop smiling. Yup, a total runner's high. I just finished my weekly long run and am so darn pleased with how it unfolded.

As I dropped the girls off at the babysitter, I told them "Mommy's gonna have a great run today. I can just feel it." The temps were in the mid 30's, beautiful blue skies and a sun so bright and warm. I was ready and rearing to go this morning... that's what happens when you actually adhere to a rest day.

With only two weeks to go before the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon, I needed a confidence run. Due to my foot injury in late November, my training got a late start for this race. However, in the last month, I've felt strong legs and speed coming back. Now it was time to put it all together on a long run.

My first mile at 10:15 was good for a warmup. Then I gradually took the pace down for the remaining miles: 9:55, 9:45, 9:40, 9:19, 9:23, 9:23, 9:49, 9:09, 9:24, 6:54. I've been able to hold these paces on training runs when the distance was 5-6 miles, but my average pace has never dipped into the 9's once I got over 10 miles. Best of all, it felt good but not overly difficult. I'm confident in a race that I can dial it in even more. Today's long run just CLICKED... exactly what I needed going into the taper for the Myrtle Beach Half.

TODAY'S STATS:
10.77 miles in 1:42:57 (9:33 avg pace)

After every long run, I immediately get protein into my body to help my muscles recover more quickly. Today I tried something new... CLICK! CLICK is espresso protein drink - powder that you mix with water. It is available in two flavors: Mocha and Vanilla Latte. As a new innovative drink, CLICK is the first to combine gourmet coffee, protein and decadent taste into one healthy drink that boosts energy and curbs appetite so active people (like us!) can keep click'n throughout the day.

Anyone that knows me well knows two things about me...

I love chocolate.

I love coffee.

And now I can honestly say, I LOVE Click!!

The drink was easy to mix up in the hand shaker that CLICK provided. Unlike protein powders I've tried before, there was no clumping and it was ready to drink in about 30 seconds.

The rich flavor of CLICK reminded me of those super expensive coffee-house drinks. I love the iced mocha drinks, but gave them up after discovering they were 300+ calories. CLICK is a perfect alternative to those fancy drinks - but only 120 calories. In fact, as I sipped my Mocha CLICK, I went back to study the label... something this tasty and rich in flavor can't only be 120 calories? It simply tastes like more.

Not only is CLICK low in calories, but it also contains 15 grams of protein and 23 vitamins and minerals. With a double-shot of expresso in each serving, it also provides a nice boost of energy. Not only will I continue to use CLICK as a post-run drink, but I also envision it as a great afternoon treat (when I normally go searching the house for chocolate!).

I drank CLICK cold on ice, but it can also be served up hot like a true coffee. The CLICK website also has neat recipes here to "spice" up the drink even more... Mocha Pumpkin Spice anyone?

CLICK gets a THUMBS-UP from me!

Wanna CLICK?

• Click here for a great sample offer: Buy 1 sample pack, Get 1 FREE!

• There is also a great Valentine's special here, where you get a free pink tumbler and free shipping with each canister purchase.

Click was also generous enough to provide a

Deluxe CLICK Start Pack

for one lucky reader of Run with Jess!

Enter today to win the Deluxe CLICK Start Pack.

I'm using Rafflecopter below to run this giveaway sweepstakes.

Good Luck! Winner will be announced Feb. 14.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday Musings

2012-02-04T08:36:00.000-08:00

I just realized that the reward dollars I earn with my Old Navy credit card can ALSO be used at Athleta!! Ever since Athleta rolled with their new Power to the She campaign, this advertisement has caught my eye... for that fun looking skirt. Luckily, I had enough reward points saved up to make that cutie free! Score!

Yesterday was an at-home workout. I started off with the Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga DVD, followed by P90X Ab Ripper. Have you ever done P90X? My husband bought the entire program several years ago and I've dabbled around with it a little bit. The Ab Ripper is by far my favorite... 15 minutes of pure hell on your abs (and surprisingly your quads too!). Try it out on Youtube: Part 1 and Part 2.

After the yoga and ab DVDs, I created my own circuit. I wanted something that was high intensity, but quick and simple that I can work it at the park while the kids are on the playground. (This spring-like weather in Feb has me daydreaming of park playdates already!) I quickly found myself sweating and out of breathe. Twice through and I was spent for the morning. Give a try and let me know what you think!

My husband is finally home again (after a 2 week work trip), so I was laced up and waiting on the porch when he returned from work yesterday. It was another warm day and I was anxious to get a run in before dark. With my next half marathon just two weeks away, I'm kinda giddy with the paces that have come naturally in recent runs. My 5-6 mile runs have consistently been in the mid-9 range, which has never been my comfort zone. It's got me thinking, "What's possible in a race with the adrenaline pumping??" Especially Myrtle Beach, which is probably the flattest 13.1 I'll ever run.

What's your favorite brand name of running skirts?

Have you ever worked out with Tony Horton and the P90X series?

Do you do circuit workouts or just run?

3TT: What Moves You?

2012-02-02T13:30:00.000-08:00

~ ONE ~

I had a rough day (emotionally) yesterday, so this morning speed intervals got me moving! I'm never eager to do intervals, but today I had some aggression to work off. Little Girl has the sickies today, so the gym was out. Thankfully, I have that shiny new treadmill in the basement. And Little Girl was completely happy to curl up on the couch with her blankie while I pounded out miles for an hour. Here's what my interval workout looked like today...

Find the paces that are right for you at www.mcmillanrunning.com. Just enter a recent 5K time

and use the training paces for speed workouts that the calculator tool provides.

My paces above are based on a 27:00 5K.

~ TWO ~

The Chicago Marathon (Oct. 7) opened for registration yesterday, and since I live in Illinois, it was all the news amongst my runner friends. I did not sign up - and probably never will for that particular event. While I looooove the city of Chicago, I'm not a fan of the enormous races. The Chicago Rock 'n Roll left a bad taste in my mouth (race congestion the entire 13.1 and the mass of spectators crowding the course). I haven't narrowed down my 'A' race for the fall yet, but all the Chicago rage yesterday got me thinking... What moves me to pick one race over the other? How about you?

~ THREE ~

The final thing that has me moving is STRENGTH TRAINING. Let me tell you, I hate strength training. I find it utterly boring. When I workout, I like to move and move quickly. But after a long talk with my personal trainer last month (evaluating my BMI), he's convinced me to add strength training back into my routine to make me a stronger runner. I am humbly obliging. Tuesday I did some static work with kettlebells and tonight I hope to check out a new circuit class at my gym. Wish me luck!

Do you strength train? If so, what's your favorite move?

WIAW - Endulgences!

2012-02-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

My Facebook followers get a daily dose of "what I eat" since I started photo food journaling in January. See the full photo album here. In an attempt not to be redundant, I've skipped a couple What I Ate Wednesdays (WIAW). Upon your request, I bring it back to share my homemade pizza recipe with you! Enjoy!

{breakfast}

Coffee and oatmeal with extra raisins, strawberries and walnuts.

High protein and carbs to fuel a morning swim & spin workout.

225 calories

{lunch}

Tuna wrap with 1/2 apple and veggie straws

355 calories

{afternoon snack}

coffee and a Skinny Cow chocolate bar - 115 calories

{dinner}

Homemade pizza with a salad - 380 calories

{evening snack}

Not pictured: a Fudgsicle sugar-free bar. 40 calories

Daily Total: 1115 calories

One of the hardest parts of dieting for me is missing out on Friday Night Pizza, kind of a tradition in our house. A couple weeks ago, I decided to create my own, as low-cal as I could go. I've made it three times since - it's that good. Plus it's a fun activity for the kids to get in the kitchen and create our dinner together. My kids love to cook with me.
THIN-CRUST PIZZA BY JESSINGREDIENTSFlatout Flatbread (Multi-grain w/Flax)Ragu Pizza Sauce (Homemade style)Finely shredded Mozzarella CheeseHormel Turkey PepperoniChopped Red OnionDiced Fresh Roma TomatoFresh Spinach Leaves
• Preheat oven to 425˚. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil (helps make the crust crispy).• Spread 1/4 cup pizza sauce onto flatbread. • Measure out 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle half of it onto of sauce.• Top the pizza with 9 slices of turkey pepperoni, a heaping tablespoon of red onion, a handful of diced tomato, and a healthy handful of spinach leaves (I rip them up into smaller pieces).• Finally top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

I let the kids use regular pepperoni and more cheese.
In this one, it looks like I sprinkled on a little cheddar too.

• Bake in oven at 425˚ for about 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it - I usually don't time it, just pull it out when the sides are crispy and top starts to golden.

• Cool, cut and serve with the side dish of your choice. I picked a nice salad, while the girls went with oranges and applesauce.

The pizza alone (as measured by the recipe above) is only 260 calories. Seriously, the WHOLE pizza! I could live on this! The salad and dressing added on another 100 calories.
Let me know if you give it a try, your thoughts and any improvisions you make! Bon Appetite!

Blessings and Trials

2012-01-31T14:46:00.000-08:00

BLESSING: It reached 60 degrees here in Illinois today... on January 31. This weather is freakin' unbelievable. Who knew if I decorated my blog with seasonal snowflakes, it would be the mildest winter in history?!
TRIAL: The wind just won't ease up. I live near the airport, so we feel every ounce of the windy blasts as they pick up speed across the flat runways. Our street is like a wind tunnel.

BLESSING: I ran today! 5.6 miles. I never ever take this for granted.
TRIAL: Did I mention the wind? Yeah, I can handle that. But my hamstring muscles were still sore this morning. It took me 14 minutes to complete my first mile. No joke. Once I started running, I felt a popping sensation, particularly in my right hamstring. So I stopped, stretched, and walked it out. I debated turning around... and then it gradually ~~grew numb~~ loosened up. I iced the hammies as soon as I finished my run. It's feeling much better this afternoon, so maybe the run helped?

BLESSING: I can feel the quickness of weight loss. With 15 lbs off my frame since Jan. 9, I'm running at a quicker pace (without dying). It feels good... and that makes my runs happy.
TRIAL: I'm still fighting to eat the right foods. It's a double edge sword: eating to fuel my workouts AND to lose weight. You gotta know when to eat 'em (CARBS!) and know when to walk away...

BLESSING: I got mail!! I arrived back from my run just in time to meet my UPS man. He had a Saucony box for me. I'm so nervous getting new shoes - especially when I switch brands. I've run exclusively in Asics for over a year now - but these Saucony ProGrid 5's fit like a glove! Review to come once I give them a test run...
TRIAL: Hmmm, how to explain to my husband that I NEEDED another pair of running shoes.

Little Girl and I went shopping today to get my -15 lb Reward... TaDa!

Guess what I'll be doing during Biggest Loser tonight?

January Challenges Recap

2012-01-30T12:52:00.000-08:00

Like most people, I set myself lofty goals as the calendar flipped to January. Make no mistake - I love blogger fitness challenges and virtual races, but I need to evaluate and select wisely. Does this help me stay on track to reach my 2012 Goals? Keeping focused on own personal goals is tough for me as I tend to get caught up in the excitement/persuasion of others. During the month of January, I decided to participate in the following two challenges...

New 2 U Cross Training Challenge

hosted by (Just) Trying is for Little Girls

This challenge is a simple nudge outside my comfort zone of running... and try one new cross training activity each month of the year. I am all about new experiences! It keeps fitness fresh for me. I find the more I cross train, the more I enjoy running days AND the less I get injured from overtraining. Total WIN all the way around. Since one of my 2012 Goals is to complete my first triathlon, the selection of my first "new to me" cross train was easy... SWIMMING!

I wasted no time taking the plunge with my first pool date on January 2. My goal was to swim at least two times each week as part of a brick-style workout (coupled with biking or running). During the last month, I completed 10 pool workouts.
Here's what I've learned...

Swimming is hard! Unlike running, there is much more coordination needed amongst the body parts - arm strokes, hip position, kicking and then breathing. Oh-the breathing!! The basic movements of running are natural for humans, right? It was quite clear with swimming that I was not a natural-born fish.
I had to think back to the beginning days of my running. I didn't run a 5K overnight (took me months to work up to that!). The same holds true with swimming. I started with one simple lap of freestyle strokes. I alternated with a lap of water jogging for recovery (I was literally panting after one lap of swimming!). The second week, I built up to a 2-1 ratio. Now in my fourth week, I'm doing 3 laps of freestyle to 1 lap of board kicking where I practice proper breathing technique. I can now easily finish 1500 yds in 40 minutes.
Swim caps are not only awesome, but much needed when you have long hair. I tied my long locks back in a tight bun to swim, but it still came loose. I can't tell you how difficult it is to detangle swim hair! Finally I bought myself a swim cap and the hair problem is solved.
Swimmers are not nearly as friendly as runners. Just sayin'... it was a frigid welcome to the pool by the other regular swimmers. Even after a month, only one guy has warmed up enough to say hello. Weird.
Swimming rocks the side muscles of your core! I felt it instantly after the first workout. I will continue swimming in my regular fitness routine because I think it's made a huge difference in my cardiovascular ability and overall toning of my "non-running" muscles.

Food Journal Challenge

hosted by Run to the Finish

Another one of my 2012 Goals is to lose weight, specifically 30 pounds before summer. If you've been following me for even a little while, you know my failure is not in the exercise arena. My weakness is food. This Food Journal Challenge was just what I needed to start the year. Luckily the challenge perimeters were pretty flexible, because I fumbled around before finally finding what worked for me...

First I bought a little notebook, eager to jot down everything I ate and journal my "food feelings" for the day. I did well with that the first week and then it slowly fizzled (lost in the pile of homework, bills and mail on the kitchen counter).
As I struggled to keep up the notebook, I started taking photographs of my meals. Initially, the photos were just a visual reminder of what I ate... so that I could catch-up on my journal. What I learned quickly was that I had a really hard time taking a picture of a pile of chocolate chips (the only chocolate I could find in the house!) or a greasy plate of pizza. I also couldn't take seconds... I mean seriously, two pictures for one meal!?!? Then I began sharing my photos in a Facebook album {here}. Now I felt an urge to make the plates "look pretty and colorful". It also held me a bit more accountable.
Lastly, I logged back into My Fitness Pal. I used this website (and now iPhone app) several years back when I started my weight loss journey. It's so easy to use (and free!) to track your daily intake and calories. It forces me to measure out my food portions. Like so many Americans, my portions were too big. In fact, I quit using the 11" dinner plates (except for salads). My dinners are now served on the smaller 8" plates.

Do these monthly challenges make a difference? I'll let you decide. This morning was my official Week 3 Weigh-In for the 55-Day Weight Loss Challenge at my health club. So excited with my results this week...

-5.1 lbs this week!

Brings my total to -15.1 lbs for the three week period.

My team in general is doing very well. The five of us Sole Sisters have lost 51.8 lbs as a group!

Long Run Sunday

2012-01-29T14:29:00.000-08:00

I wish I could say my long run today was all awesomeness, but it didn't quite fill the bill. The morning started off fun with a large group of Sole Sisters (and one Mister Sister) showing up to begin the run. As soon as I stepped out of the car, I realized it was much windier than I had thought. I later checked... 17mph winds out of the northwest. We got a little relief from some tree cover, but it was a tough run for me to enjoy today.

We received a couple inches of snow yesterday, so the trail conditions were questionable. We found a real mixture on the run - some places were completely clear, other spots of black ice and crusty snow. Normally this doesn't bother me too much, but I made a bad rest-day decision yesterday. I pulled out a new DVD Saturday afternoon. It was a core workout, so that shouldn't mess with my legs, right? Ummm, yeah, I got two words for you... Weighted Deadlifts. OMG! My hamstrings were so sore getting out of bed this morning! And on the run, I found out quickly how much one uses hamstring muscles (a lot!) for balance on snow and slippery spots. No matter how much I warmed up and stretched, there was no pleasing my sore hammies. As I type away now, I have them resting on ice packs. Mistake I won't make again... I know better.

The last four miles (with the wind at our back) was the best part. I had questioned myself the whole run and now we were on the home stretch. I was so lucky to have my friend Patty with me for the long haul. Otherwise, I'm not sure if I would have pushed myself through the full mileage. Today was my longest run of the year so far, putting me at 36 miles for the week!

Today's run stats

15.27 miles in 2:43

Once I picked up the kids, I was freezing and anxious to jump in a hot shower. I haven't been able to talk myself into a post-run ice bath this time of year... yet. Instead, I'll foam roll and do a 20 minutes of yoga this evening. For now, I get to relax and warm up with a hot beverage with my two biggest cheerleaders...

Happy Sunday y'all! Hope it's a great day!

No Excuses Mommy!

2012-01-27T13:40:00.000-08:00

My Fit Fluential supporters tell me VLOG (video instead of writing) is the new craze. So here is my first stab at a vlog...

Today's Topic

No Excuses: Run Mommy Run!

~ how to run with your kids in tow ~

I'd really love your feedback.
Do you enjoy VLOGs or do you prefer reading?

I of course find it slightly annoying to listen to myself talk... Is that normal?

Tread This!

2012-01-26T12:55:00.000-08:00

I just found out yesterday that our health club had a new offering called Treading. Offered four times a week, there is a maximum of only 4 people per session. One personal trainer + four bodies + four treadmills = Treading. I was told it was like Spinning but on a treadmill... you know, hills and intervals. Hmmm, sounds like something right up my alley. So I signed myself right up!

By evening, I was a little anxious just thinking about it. It's hard enough for me to do intervals and hills on my own... could I survive someone else's direction? I envisioned a trainer hanging overtop of my treadmill, pushing the buttons faster... and faster... and higher... and faster. I've always dreamed of a training session Jillian Michaels style, but now I was starting to make myself nervous.

Stop touching the treadmill buttons Jillian!

Run Faster Jess!

As Little Girl and I drove to the gym this morning, I still had some butterflies in my stomach - more out of the unknown, not knowing what to expect from this new Treading class. Aw-man, it felt like race morning or something! Geesh! I just hoped there would be someone slower than me in the group. As soon as we walked in the door, I saw Trainer Amy. She greeted me with, "Good, you're here. It's just you and me today." Oh-great... now she could focus solely on me. I tried to quickly turn this around in my head... I'm getting an hour of personal training - on running intervals, where I need it the most. Did I mention this was FREE?

She started me off with a slow walk to warmup. We chatted away... Trainer Amy had just run her first half marathon last fall. Slowly, we picked up the pace to a fast walk. Then added in hills... built up to a 15% incline and then backdown (several times), but never dipping below 3%. My calves were working hard on the hills, but I was still comfortable. She asked how I was feeling, to which I always responded "Just fine!" She laughed and said, "Yeah, I haven't had anyone quite this talkative, smiling and laughing during these workouts... We better amp this up." And then Trainer Amy pulled out the big guns. When I wasn't climbing a monster hill, she had me running fast. Yeah, she totally pulled a Jillian - reaching over, pushing the buttons, saying I can go faster... and of course, I obliged.

We did a full 50 minutes before Trainer Amy led me into a cooldown and stretching. I was sweating and felt it was a good workout. Although to be honest, I could have gone longer. Shorter warmup and more of the meat in the middle would have been ideal. She knew that too. Amy's parting words were "Next time, I can go harder on you."

My legs were feeling pretty good yet, so I jumped back on the treadmill and did a little 2-mile progression run. After running all those hills with Amy, a 0% incline felt easy... So I started at a 9:30 pace and kept adding speed every 1/4 mile. It's what I like to call my "Dream Run"... envisioning my next finish line (Myrtle Beach!!) and race to beat the clock. Finally... I was exhausted.

Have you ever done a trainer-led treadmill session?

Or any kind of workout with a personal trainer?

11 Random Things

2012-01-25T21:25:00.000-08:00

So this little "11" game has been going around the blogosphere and I've been tagged (twice) so I better get at it!

THE RULES...

Post these rules.
You must post 11 random things about yourself.
Answer the questions set for you in the post you were tagged in.
Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
Go to their blog, FB page, or wherever you can grab their attention and inform them of their obligation to the blogosphere.

11 RANDOM THINGS

I love the water. Running around a lake, beside a river, down a beach = Heaven! And yet I'm convinced my death will be from drowning since I have nightmares about it all the time.
My favorite color is yellow.
I'm sexy and I know it.
I used to work for a beer company.
I got paid to sit around and think up crazy promotions for minor league baseball games.
I played clarinet through middle and high school.
I have awesome toes - all the perfect length - but my feet are so extremely dry!
My favorite cupcake is butter pecan with maple frosting.
I've always wanted to be a housewife... and yet I hate to cook, iron, and do laundry. I do like mild cleaning though.
I'm a middle child and only girl. Always wanted a sister...
In the last 25 days, I've only had 1 Diet Coke. Some kind of record!

QUESTIONS ASKED FROM: Kurt @ Becoming An Ironman

What did you want to be when you were growing up? What do you want to be now that you have grown up? I wanted to be President! Seriously, held onto that for awhile through college (Political Science major here) until I realized how nasty the political world is.
If you came into a large fortune all of a sudden and were set for life, what is the first thing you would do? Pay off all the bills! Tell the hubby to turn in the pink slip and we're off to the beach!
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Rocky Road
Of all the places you've been - vacation, work, or any other reason - which was your favorite and why? My college semester abroad in Poland. Life seemed so simple there and a slower pace.
What is your favorite time of day to exercise? Morning - especially early dawn in the summer. It's like getting a jump on the day before anyone else is even out of bed.
Everyone has an innate fear. What are you naturally afraid of? Heights! I totally freaked out on the big ferris wheel on Old Navy Pier in Chicago. Petrified! My kids were like, "What's wrong with Mom?"
Which holiday is your favorite?, and why? Halloween! I love costumes!
It's Friday night and you have the whole weekend ahead of you, what do you do? What? No plans? Friday night movie with the hubby, Saturday morning run followed by a day putzing around the house. We never have down-time, so I really enjoy it when we do.
What was the very last meal you ate? tuna and veggies
What is your big race this year?, and what is your goal for that race? My big race is marathon #2 (May 5, hoping to finish in under 4:30) and the Chicago Ragnar Relay. And at some point this year, I'd like to nail that sub-2 Half.
What is the toughest aspect of training for you? How do you overcome it? Time is always difficult. I do what I can with what I got and go from there.

QUESTIONS ASKED FROM: Karen @ Working It Out

What was your favorite vacation of all time? Camping. I love just relaxing in the great outdoors and watching my kids explore.
Snacks: Sweet or Salty? Definitely sweet. Chocolate is my fix.
What were you doing around this time ten years ago? Probably drinking in a bar!
Hit play on your Ipod. What is the first song to come up? More by Usher
What was your favorite memory of 2011? Definitely my first marathon!
Google “(Your first name) needs”. What comes up? Jess, the Rule Engine for the Java Platform!
What is your favorite running or triathlon related product? BondiBand headbands.
If you could only do one race, which one would it be? Rome or Paris Marathon
Do you prefer to train alone or in groups? A like a good mixture of the two.
What is the one race you wouldn’t mind doing over and over again? Peoria Race for the Cure - good cause & challenging hilly course.
What accomplishment makes you the most proud? My kids! I think I'm a pretty good mom!

TAG! YOU'RE IT!

Kim M. - Life in the Twin Lane

Jamie - Running Diva Mom

Rachel - Running in Real Life

Britt - Chicago Runner Girl

Jennifer - Adventures of Badgergirl

Bekah - Sexy Mother Runner

Michelle - Runn Princess Runn

Amanda - TooTallFritz.com

MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU...

I know you're a runner - but have you ever watched/cheered at a race?
Where's your favorite place to run?
Would you rather be able to run fast OR far?
Name one bad habit that you want to break:
If you could trade lives with anyone for just 1 day, who would it be?
Your ideal workout would consist of....
Name 1 food item that you'd like to magically make "healthy":
What's your favorite distance to run, and why?
What's the one thing about running that you DON'T like?
What's your favorite cross-training exercise?
What sports did you play in high school?

More Peanut Butter please!

2012-01-24T06:21:00.000-08:00

Peanut Butter Smoothie
Ready to drink!

When I read today's news, I was delighted to see... it's National Peanut Butter Day! Peanut butter is one of the top power foods for runners. It's a highly condensed source of protein, which runners need to build and repair muscles in training, especially after hard workout sessions. After strenuous long runs, I usually have protein waiting in the car for me to inhale, usually in the form of a protein drink since I'm thirsty.

Peanut butter is also a good source of fiber, which makes you feel fuller longer. That's why I often top my pre-run waffle/bagel with peanut butter. It provides that extra punch of protein and fiber to make my body satisfied during long races. Of course, peanut butter is also high in calories, so be careful not to overdo it. Taken at the right times, peanut butter can be a great source of power for runners and a nutritious filler for those on a diet.

In honor of today's holiday, I made a new recipe and it was YUMMY! This breakfast will power me through a tough tempo run today.

** PEANUT BUTTER SMOOTHIE **

1 frozen banana (cut up in chunks)

1 heaping tablespoon of peanut butter

1/2 c. almond milk

drizzle of honey

5 ice cubes

Blend it all up and enjoy!

360 calories | 10g protein | 26g calcium | 6g fiber

In the blender

Of course, the other "magic" food in this recipe is banana! A good source of carbs, bananas also contain potassium, which runners lose through sweating and help regulate muscle contraction and prevent cramping. Bananas are also considered safe pre-run food because they're unlikely to cause GI issues.

Back up to Speed

2012-01-23T11:43:00.000-08:00

Holy smokes, I haven't blogged in a nearly a week! I wish I could say that I was off running an ultra or something amazing like that... Instead I was earning "Wife of the Week" award.

The majority of my daily focus goes towards raising children, work and my running. My supportive hubby often gets the shaft, my leftover time. Not last week... My hubby turned the big 40 on Friday and I threw a big ole party. I spent most of my time Wed/Thurs/Fri running errands and prepping for the party. Confession - I missed a workout or two... or three.

I made over 100 cupcakes for the party (and didn't eat a one!)

I made his favorite blueberry muffins (Again, not one went in my mouth!)

However, I did have a couple pieces of pizza at the party... and a zillion Miller Lite beers. Yeah, I let loose, but it was totally worth it. My hubby was on cloud nine and we had a blast with friends and family - many who we haven't seen in ages.

Sunday rolled around and I had to get back to business... 15 miles on the schedule. The temps were average (33 degrees) but it was gloomy, misty and windy. Thankfully, I was meeting a running partner so there was no bailing. After a couple days off running, my legs felt like lead and my pace was so sluggish. But 15 miles went down in the books... that had to burn off a couple beers, right?

A rare moment... NOT excited to run!

This morning, I haphazardly rolled out of bed. Draggin' big time... but I got the kids off to school and woke myself up at the gym. After a 4 mile run and a 40 minute swim, I was exhausted. I feared the worst for my week two weigh-in. Skipped workouts plus drunken indulgences can't be good for weight loss!

Official weigh-in: -1.5 lbs for the week

Heck-Yeah! I'll take that!

It puts me -10 lbs in the past two weeks.

My goal for next week is -4 lbs. To get it done, here's my blueprint for the week...

Tough Chik - Proven

2012-01-17T14:49:00.000-08:00

This morning I woke up {ready or not} to get the kiddos off to school and then myself out for a run. Mother Nature was messing up my plan. It was dark, drizzly and WINDY. It was literally howling around my house... The girls thought there was a werewolf in our yard (where did that come from?). I pretty much succumbed to the fact that it would be a treadmill kind of morning. <ugh>

And then Amanda (my Ragnar team buddy!) posted this on Facebook...

Aw, crap! It's like she was speaking right to me.

So I went out and stood on my deck. Temperature was hovering around 32-33 degrees, so it wasn't terribly cold... but that damn wind! Oh, what the heck... I got dressed and headed out.

On the agenda today was a 6 mile Tempo run. I started off the first two miles at a comfortable pace (10:30ish). These was a slight drizzle in the air that later changed to flurries. At the mile 2 mark, I cranked it up to "comfortably hard" if there is such a thing. My mile 3-4-5 splits were nothing to brag about (all around 9:20ish). I was working much harder than indicated by my stopwatch. My neighborhood is a little hilly, nothing extreme, but just a constant rolling up and down. And the wind gave good resistance. Several times a big wind gust made me nearly stop in my tracks. It was one of those runs where you know you're building something...

When I finished this torturous tempo, my cooldown mile felt great, like a victory lap. I did it! No doubt about it today, I'm a TOUGH CHIK.

And the WINNER of my Blogiversary Giveaway

chosen randomly here...

...is BETH S!!

Email me {here} with your mailing address to claim your prize.

Thank you everyone for making it a great Blogiversary!

Fuel the Fire

2012-01-16T13:28:00.000-08:00

Asics

Running has enabled me to better deal with life in general... to roll with the punches, to deal with bad situations and celebrate the good. When things/people annoy me (I'm an opinionated person, it happens), I'm able to internalize it... and then let it all out as my Asics breeze the pavement. With each step, my worry and stress wash away. I'm not saying everything is peaches afterward, but I usually finish the run with a better perspective.

The things that tick me off are the very things that fuel my run. It's one of the reasons I like solo runs. I fall deep into thought about situations happening in my life. And typically the more upsetting they are, the harder I run. On my long run yesterday, I choose a hilly 6 mile loop to do twice. I thought a lot about SUAR's cousin Sherry... and Miss Zippy's recent post about "not giving up, not letting evil win." It pushed me up those hills and got me through 12.5 miles in the cold. (It also reminded me to put my pepper spray and pocketknife in my pocket before heading out.)

In general, it's pretty easy to emotionally fuel my RUNS. Now when it comes to weight loss, that motivation has to burn 24 hours a day for months on end to keep me away from the chocolate and pizza! A bit more difficult to stay focused. A week before the Weight Loss Challenge started at my local gym, a friend backed off my team to create her own. I was a little hurt... and kinda ticked when she said, "But Jess, you don't have enough to lose... and I want to win." She probably meant this as a compliment, but I didn't take it that way. I read into it as...

YOU CAN'T

You Can't lose enough to be an asset.

You Can't produce results.

You Can't win.

Thoughts like this stimulate me beyond measure. I get fired up. I take challenges seriously, and whether she realizes it or not, one was just laid down with that comment. So in week 1 of our Weight Loss Challenge, it was my fuel, my fire.

Each time a run got hard, I made myself think about the You Can't.

Oh-yes, I CAN! And I picked up the pace.

When I craved a snack, the You Can't sign on my fridge convinced me to grab a handful of carrots instead of my normal afternoon chocolate. I CAN make the right decisions.

After nailing sub-9 paces on my tempo run this week, I thought about my upcoming Half Marathon in February. PR? Just maybe... I CAN!

While on vacation this past weekend, weigh-in results from my team began to roll in. I started to doubt myself. Would I be able to stack up? Well I'm here to prove... I CAN! My official weigh-in was -8.5 lbs for week one. That's a weight loss of 4.7%. I was beyond pleased. I'm not jumping on any fad diet or starving myself. I'm making whole meals for my family to eat together each night... just selecting the right foods to support my vigorous training. (See my Photo Food Journal on FB here.) Here's what I got done last week Jan. 9-15...

Run 33 miles

Bike 44 miles + 1 Spinning class

Swam 1500yds + 1 water workout

Yoga DVD twice

Boxing workout once

Strength Training twice

Ab/Core workout four times

Hell-Yeah, that's one good week!

And I plan to do it again. Here's this week's blueprint...

My point of all this is not to toot my own horn. As we all know from watching The Biggest Loser, week one of weight loss is always big - week two is the true test. My point is that whatever chip is on your shoulder, whatever person is bugging the crap out of you... USE IT! Use that emotion to fuel your workouts. Even if you have to exaggerate it a bit, the emotional power can bring your workouts to incredible heights.

Now someone please piss me off this week and be my fuel! Hahaha!

***

Don't forget to enter my Blogiversary Giveaway here - ends tomorrow!

Snow Run * YakTrax Review

2012-01-12T20:25:00.000-08:00

Our winter has officially started... on Jan. 12. I can't remember a winter that has been this mild. While I was enjoying the mild --almost springlike-- temperatures, it was also exciting to have a snow day. The kiddos were at the window this morning with a twinkle in their eye. The school kids were giddy and playful when they stepped off the afternoon bus. And I was waiting at the door the minute hubby returned from work... dressed to ~~kill~~ run.

It was 19 degrees, windy, still snowing... but I was headed out to play. My husband looked at me like I was crazy. In fact, I think he actually said it. With a wave, I was off down the road. Neighbors were out snowblowing and shoveling. Cars inched along in appropriate "first snow of the year" style. I ran my airport loop, that I knew was low traffic. The roads weren't plowed very well, so it was pretty fun "breaking trail," just like we used to do on snowmobiles back in Wisconsin. Once I started running, it didn't feel very cold at all, but the wind did hurt. I was thankful for my new Under Armour pullover with a built-in baklava to keep my face protected.

Three miles in the snow (with hills) felt more like five. With snow, you have to pick your feet up a bit more. No shufflin' here! I trudged along pretty well, keeping my average pace around 10:30 even with a couple photo stops. Absolutely Exhilarating!

Santa left me YakTrax Pro in my stocking and I was pretty excited to give them a test run today. Following package size chart, I have a size small. It took some muscle to stretch them over my size 9 Asics. The fit was snug, but also no worry that they were going to slip off.

YakTrax Pro boasts the ability to run on slick surfaces with the same stability as dry surfaces. The frame that wraps around your shoe is made with heavy duty natural rubber with abrasion resistant 1.4mm steel coils that criss-cross on the underside of your shoe. During my snow run, I never felt a moment of slickness. In fact, I had no fear of falling whatsoever. I'm curious how they will feel on actual ice. The snow we had today was pretty "packy."

Remember that left ankle/foot I twisted back at Thanksgiving? Halfway through my snow run, I felt that still-healing muscle across the top of my foot. The YakTrax coils on the bottom were right down the center of the shoe... almost encouraging my foot to slant towards the outside (I'm a natural over-pronators anyway). It didn't bother my right foot, but my already-injured left foot didn't like it. With that in mind, I'm not sure how many miles I could actually run in these while still nursing that injury.

All in all, I was happy with the YakTrax Pro function. They're easy to put on and take off my shoe. And they certainly gave me a sense of security as I ran through the snow. For the $20 retail tag, they are definitely worth the purchase! There's nothing like having the sense of freedom that you can run - regardless of the white ground cover. Old Man Winter, you will not slow me down!

3 Things Thursday

2012-01-12T11:10:00.000-08:00

~ONE~

The Olympic Marathon Trails are this Saturday (Jan. 14) and I'm pretty darn excited. I'm secretly arranging our family plans so that I can be in front of the TV from 3-5pm. (True sign of runner addiction? Probably.) The committee made the event pretty monumental by hosting both the women's and men's Olympic Marathon Trails on the same day, at the same place. What I wouldn't give to be in Houston this Saturday and watch the magic in-person. So thank you NBC for making the most of your sponsorship and actually airing it nation-wide. It won't be live, but at least we get 2 hours of coverage.

Why is the 2012 U.S. Trials so exciting? We have some of the most exciting athletes toeing the line this year as one big bunch. It's anyone's game. In the women's field, Kara Goucher, Shalane Flanagan, Deena Kastor and the newest marathon darling Desiree Davila, who ran a 2:22 at Boston this year (Yeah, that's good...). If you don't subscribe to Runner's World (what?!), they had a great feature in last issue on Desiree here. I'm personally pulling for Kara. Something about her I just really like. She's a young mom with so much emotion on the track. The connection between Kara and her husband Adam is undeniable. He's always there going ape when she runs, kissing and hugging her... and I just like that. I've read both Kara and Adam Goucher's books, which I guess makes me feel closer to them. You know, like family. Recent interview with Kara here.

In the men's field, Ryan Hall, Meb Keflezighi, and Dathan Ritzenhein will make it an amazing race to the finish line. Ryan ran a 2:04 this past year at Boston (reality check - that's under 5 min miles!) and is just down right amazing to watch. I think the race is his to lose. Meb is coming off injury (and getting old at 36, yes?), but still a threat. Curious to see if Dathan can give Hall a run for the money?

~TWO~

Yesterday I had an unbelievable workout day. In the morning, I swam for 40 minutes, then Spinning class for 45 minutes (I pushed hard!). In the evening, I had a nice 3 mile run with the Sole Sisters. Once home, I was about to send in my summary for KDUB's 70.3 Birthday Challenge and realized... I was 7 miles short on the bike. Ugh. My husband laughed as I crawled up on the bike to finish it at 9:30pm. The worst part? I was baking a cake at the time. Do you know how hard it is to workout with the smell of freshly baked cake wafting through the air?

The 70.3 Challenge was to SWIM 1.2 miles (2100 yds), BIKE 56 miles, and RUN 13.1 miles during the first eleven days of January. The challenge motivated me to get in the pool first thing this year and start TRI-training. I'm finding out that I really love swimming. Not good at it, but the workout is productive and refreshing.

My final stats in KDUB's 70.3 Birthday Challenge...

SWIM - 3000 yds

BIKE - 56 miles

RUN - 48 miles

~THREE~

We are finally getting snow here in Illinois... first of the winter season. I can't wait for hubby to come home from work this afternoon!! While he snowblows, I'll be taking out my YakTrax Pro for a test run. Good thing today has an "easy run" on the schedule. Snow running means slowing down the pace, being more cautious of drivers and just enjoying the white beauty ahead.

My backyard at lunch time.

Can't wait to try out my YakTrax!

What I Ate Wednesday

2012-01-11T06:53:00.000-08:00

First of all, THANK YOU for all the love yesterday on my blogiversary!! Wowza - You know how to make a girl feel good! I truly appreciate all your kind words and feedback. If you missed it, head over to be entered into my Blogiversary Giveaway (ends Jan. 17).

• • • • •

Part of January's Food Journal Challenge is taking pictures of the food you eat. I've found this really helpful in eating healthy. Do I really want to take a picture of THAT? Easy solution, don't eat it. Find something you're proud to take a picture of. I've done super well on food this week because of the photographs.

Here's a sample of my day yesterday...

BREAKFAST

Whole-grain waffle topped with peanut butter and banana

Good fuel for my morning workout!

LUNCH

Salad loaded with veggies!

SNACK

Apples with peanut butter & raisins

And then for dinner, I tried this new recipe. Dinners are tough because they have to be family-friendly. I'm sharing the recipe because this one was a winner. Healthy, great tasting, easy to make and family-approved!! Give it a try.

Italian Herb Chicken

Thawed chicken - assorted pieces or breast

Fresh mushrooms

McCormick Seasoning mix - Italian Herb Chicken

Can of Italian diced tomatoes

Can of tomato paste

Fresh or Frozen vegetables of your choice

Spray the inside of your crock pot lightly with olive oil. Place chicken on the bottom. Slice your mushrooms in halves or quarters and sprinkle on top. In separate bowl, mix together tomatoes, paste and seasoning mix. Pour mixture overtop the chicken and mushrooms. No need to mix. Turn crock pot on Low (for 8 hrs) or High (for 3-4 hrs).

About halfway through cooking, I added a couple healthy handfuls of frozen vegetables to the top. (I recently found a huge bag of Normandy mix at Wal-Mart that has a great variety of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, squash and zucchini.) Don't mix the veggies in. They'll cook fine on top without getting mushy from mixing. Every once in a while, I scraped down the sides, but other than that, left it untouched the entire length of cooking.

The dinner looked nice on the plate. Chicken was super tender, almost falling apart. The Italian seasoning gave both the chicken and veggies a nice flavor without being overpowering. Even my hubby, who doesn't really care for chicken, said the flavor was great - plus it disguised the cauliflower, a veggie that the rest of the family normally won't eat.

Italian Herb Chicken is hubby & kid approved!
I can make it again.

My Blogiversary!

2012-01-10T06:31:00.000-08:00

Happy Blogiversary to me!

(And yes, blogiversary IS a word, listed in the urban dictionary here.)

I started writing this blog exactly one year ago today. And what an awesome hobby it has become! When I hit those first buttons to create Run with Jess, I had several intentions...

KEEP THE STREAK ALIVE.

My family may have grown up,
but I've slimmed down!

I was on a roll in my weight loss and running was a big part of that. The blog was a way to hold myself accountable to my planned workouts. I've always had great intentions but the follow-through is not stellar when it comes to me, myself and I. My fitness had fallen to the back burner once I got married and had children. I struggled to find my way back. Like numerous others, my hurdle was 'time'. For several years, my New Year's resolution was "just say no" to other people's favors and to stop volunteering my time. This sounds harsh and selfish, but when I maxed out at 225lbs, something had to give. I had to focus on me... not only for my happiness, but the well-being of my new little family. So last January, I finally found myself back in a good place. I had lost 45lbs and was starting to feel alive again. I had to keep this going...

SHARE THE JOY OF RUNNING.
Along with a lighter load, I had a new love in my life - running! When I wasn't pounding the pavement, I was scouring the web for information on how to get faster, stronger, go longer. I could talk "running" forever with whomever would listen. And let's face it, a blog is just that...
a place to talk about your passion.

Definitely the highlight of my year!
Quad Cities Marathon
26.2 baby!

PAY IT FORWARD.
I felt a deep gratitude towards running and how it was turning around my life. I wanted to tell the world about this great endorphin high I was on... It was free and legal (!) and they could have it too! My hope was to share my story - my success, my struggles, my failures - with a desire that others would be motivated to take their first steps into running.

DOCUMENT THE JOURNEY.
With two years of regular running under my belt, I was ready for bigger challenges. Although I wasn't sure exactly what that was at the time last January, I knew I wanted to keep a diary of the journey. I enjoy reading my own thoughts back from time to time. It's motivating for me to read back on where I was ... and how far I've come. Who knew I would be a marathoner less than a year later?!?! So glad to have that journey documented here.

NEW FRIENDSHIPS.
What I didn't know when I started writing Run with Jess was the wealth of friendships that would come my way. Even if they are "imaginary" as Kim would say, I feel like I know many of you quite well through our conversations and training together on DM. It's a true community here in bloggyland and I'm happy to be a part of it. You all inspire me. Thank you for all your advice and encouragement over the first year of Run with Jess.

So after all that, you better believe I'll be hanging around for a while longer... and getting better with age! A friend once told me that on her wedding anniversary each year, she "checks in" with her husband... How are we doing? Do we need to make adjustments? What can I do better? Brave, yes! The answers could be scary, but that's the time for growth. So today, I ask the same of you - my readers! Tell me in a comment below...

What do you like best about Run with Jess?

What would you like to see more of?

Fitness Tips... Giveaways... Running Stories... Motivational Quotes

Product Reviews... Virtual Races... Current News, etc...

Answer in a comment below and you'll be entered into my

Blogiversary Giveaway

a collection of my favorite things!

One entry per person. Must be a follower of my blog via Google Friend Connect or on Facebook (See the top right sidebar to get connected on both.) Winner will be drawn one week from today on January 17.

BondiBand headband
Sexy Mom's Running Club water bottle
Hot Sweaty Mamas book
nuun hydration tablets
Gone Running magnetic sign
velcro wrist pouch
assortment of five GU gel flavors
$10 iTunes gift card (not pictured)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS DONE.

Blueprint Monday

2012-01-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

Week two of the new year... Are you on pace?

I set myself some lofty 2012 Goals and set up a training plan with rewards to make it a reality. I wasn't terribly strict with myself last week (since our 55 Day Weight Loss Challenge didn't start until Saturday). I looked at last week as a "weaning" week. Slowly slip the junk food out of the diet (aka empty the fridge!), build up my workouts and introduce myself to swimming. I managed to have one of the best weeks in months! I logged 30 run miles, 2 Spinning classes, 1 Yoga session, 3 Swim and 3 Ab workouts. Not too shabby.

Today begins strict discipline to the plan. I woke up early, got the kiddos off to school and headed out for a run to start my week. I ran with one of my Sole Sisters for 4 miles along the Peoria Riverfront, and then added on some fartleks for speed training. I hate them, but was actually in the mood today. My legs felt fresh from yesterday's rest day. As soon as I got home, I hopped on the bike and got in 7 miles (25 min) before I had to scurry off to pickup the little one from preschool.

Each week, I'll map out my schedule to meet the weekly workout goals. The mix of running and cross training will keep things fresh, ward off injury, and hopefully make me more well-rounded on fitness. Plus I find that the more cross-training I add to my routine, the more I look forward to the RUN!

Tomorrow is my

ONE YEAR BLOG-IVERSARY!

In true blogger style, I'll have a giveaway... so stop back tomorrow to enter.

Long Run & Weigh-In

2012-01-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

When the alarm went off at 6am on Saturday morning, I snoozed and snoozed.

Did. Not. Want. To. Get. Up.

I certainly picked the right
headband for my attitude today.

As I slowly started to wake up, the thought of maybe one cup of coffee (in silence before the kids awoke) got my legs to swing off the bed. I had 12 miles on the agenda this morning. Let's be honest, there are times when you're just not "feeling the run" and today was one of those mornings. But there was no other option. It was now or never. Hubby was working all weekend. Babysitter lined up. Perfect weather. Run group waiting. Go!

I made myself a whole-grain waffle topped with peanut butter and banana for a good pre-run fueling. Slammed a cup of coffee. Filled my handheld bottle and dropped in a nuun tablet. Picked out a Peanut Butter GU gel for mid-run. Packed my cooler with a banana, Gotein powder mix, and five water bottles (Yes five! Keep reading to know why...). Packed my gym bag with fresh clothes. Changed outfit for the second time. Dressed the kids. Strapped on my watch, BondiBand, ipod and finally out the door we went...

After dropping off the kids, I was finally on my way to the Rock Island Trail. When I pulled in, I was delighted to see over 20 women gathered in the parking lot. The Sole Sisters started just 6 months ago and every once in a while, I am drawn back at what an awesome group it has become. Trotting down the trail, all different paces, different backgrounds, these women have come together to support each other in their run journeys.

The first couple miles, I bounced around groups. Today's conversation was universal - upcoming races, especially the rumor of a new local half-marathon this spring (in Peoria Heights). Eventually, I settled in next to Karyn, who planned to go the distance with me. We went out to the 5 mile marker, made a quick stop for a GU and started the return trip.

We had chatted along the whole run, but by mile 7, we both settled in for the final miles. I hadn't felt 100% all morning. In fact, I was a little sore from Friday's swim & spin session. It got me thinking that I really need to prioritize a 'rest day' before my long runs. We kept a steady pace on the way home, but my breathing was labored. I finally turned on my music to give me the extra push that I seemed to need in the final miles.

I dropped Karyn off at the trail head - and reluctantly turned back for 2 more miles. I was tired and there was nothing I wanted more than to call it done. But these are the moments when you become a STRONG RUNNER, the kind that can push through to meet the wildest of dreams. Running with friends is great and has it's perks. For me, it helps me maintain a good pace. However, I believe solo running also has great benefits. It makes you dig deep to empty the tank... all on your own. It trains your mind for the final miles of a race when you got nothing left but a PR waiting up ahead.

12 miles done. 2:03 (10:15 pace)

Now back to all those bottles of water... So today was the first weigh-in for the 55 Day Weight Loss Challenge at my gym. After picking up the kids, we headed to the gym for my first weigh-in. I've had a pretty darn good week of workouts and food and (accidently) lost a couple pounds in the process. Crap! That won't help the contest, huh?! So on the way to the gym, I ate my regular post-run banana, mixed up my protein recovery drink and drank 5 bottles of water! Aw, nothing like post-run refueling, huh?! I weighed in almost exactly what I was earlier in the week. (ha!) Perfect.

Here's my team for the 55 Day Weight Loss Challenge...

We call ourselves the

Sassy Slimming Sole Sisters

and we're gonna look amazing when this is done!

Laura, Renee, me, Kelli and Michelle

3TT: Get Down to Business!

2012-01-05T08:23:00.000-08:00

~ ONE ~

It's all fun and dandy the last couple weeks... looking back on ~~how awesome I was~~ how far I've come in the past year and dreaming up new adventures for the new year. No doubt, I have some pretty ambitious 2012 Goals. Now I need to make sure I can actually get it done. I'm a girl who thrives off a plan...

Plan your WORK... WORK your Plan!

Seriously, I feel lost without the details. Sure, I make modifications along the journey, but a good routine keeps me focused on the big picture. No questions, no excuses... IT'S GO TIME.

This week, I've been breaking down my 2012 Goals and asking myself,

"What do I need to do on a weekly basis in order to get there?"

I'm trying a new approach this training cycle. Instead of every day mapped out for months in advance, I'm allowing myself some flexibility on a daily basis, as long as I get it all done within the week. I'm hoping this will take away the stress of conflicts that screw up my schedule. Every Sunday, I will schedule in my workouts like one would a business meeting.

Life responsibilities can really throw off the best of training plans.

MY WEEKLY PLAN...
Run Easy (3-4 m) - 2x

Run Tempo (5-6 m) - 1x

Run Intervals (5-6 m) - 1x

Run Long (9+ m) - 1x

Yoga - 2x

Boxing - 1x

Swimming - 2x

Spinning/Biking - 2x

Ab/Core Work - 5x

Strength/Weights - 1x

Boxing - 1x

~ TWO ~

Weight loss is a big goal of mine. I was successful last spring, but tacked a lot of it back on during marathon training (and Christmas). I take full responsibility. I ate crap food. After a 20-mile training run, I need to reward my body with true nutrients to refuel, not the junk I delisionally think I deserve. To drive myself forward, I came up with this reward system. Ready, Set... Go!

~ THREE ~

My "real" business... To afford my racing addiction (and make it possible to stay home with my children), I run a freelance graphic design business, focusing mainly on wedding stationary. Do you know someone getting married in 2012? Please refer them to my business... Paper Dreams Design Studio. Tell your friends/family to use discount code RUNWITHJESS when placing an order and I'll give them $10 off their order.

Family Fitness and WIAW

2012-01-04T06:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a slow start back to the routine... Hubby went back to work after a 12-day holiday and Little Girl returned to preschool after a 3 week break. When did Christmas break get to be so loooong?

Big Girl and I hit the gym. She hung out in child care while I warmed up on the treadmill with a quick 2 miles (9:42 avg pace). When my swim lane opened up, we both jumped in for a pool workout. Alternating laps seem to work well for me as I learn the sport of swimming. I focused on my freestyle form for 2 laps and every third lap, I'd water jog down the lane, pulling Big Girl on a kickboard. I completed 667 yds of swim and 366 yds of water jogging in 40 minutes. At the end of the workout, the pool was empty so I let Big Girl do some jumping. We both had a great workout and some fun quality time together. In the locker room, she proudly told all the other ladies how she got to "workout with Mommy". Melt my heart...

Tuesday nights, we have a tradition in our house... Commercial Workouts! It's the one night of the week that "my show" is on... The Biggest Loser. Seriously, it's the only show that I HAVE to watch each week. My hubby used to work Tues nights, so I started Commercial Workouts simply as a way to keep the little ones occupied so I could watch my show. Completely selfish reasons. But over the past year, it's become something we really enjoy.

The first commercial has barely started, and my girls have jumped off the couch yelling, "Windmills! Situps! Pushups!" Each commercial break, we take turns picking a fitness activity. The girls learn new moves and I get in a mini-workout. By time the show starts again, the girls are ready to cuddle up on the couch (and be quiet). Last night I went strictly ABS every time (with the exception of one plank challenge from the hubs).

What did you think of last night's Biggest Loser?? I applauded the "No Partners" and "No Excuses" themes for the season. And of course, delighted to see Dolvett's return. Black is my favorite color, but I find myself cheering for RED. The girls of course are pulling for Santa...

I had a good day with food yesterday. I logged my intake and feelings in my Food Journal. I photographed all my food. Best water intake I've had in weeks. I give myself a B+ on the day. Here's what my food looked like...

Breakfast: Banana and coffeeAM Snack: Special K strawberry barLunch: Loaded turkey sandwich with apple & carrotsPM Snack: Coffee and chocolate (!)Dinner: Baked parmesan tilapia with veggies and salad

2 for Tues: Let's Get This Over With

2012-01-03T06:20:00.000-08:00

ONE

My Wisconsin Badgers put out a good fight yesterday but lost the 2012 Rose Bowl to Oregon. It was a high-scoring game, 45-38 final score, where a last minute fumble sealed the coffin for the Badgers. Not the way I wanted to end the season, but I still love my Badgers! Staying true to my friendly wager here with (Just) Trying is for Little Girls, let's get this over with...

TWO

It was packed at the gym yesterday (surprise!). While it's slightly annoying because I have to arrive early to secure pool space or a spin bike, I like to see the new faces of hope and old friendly ones back for another round. I put in my first swim yesterday. I have a newfound respect for triathletes... swimming is freakin' hard! Holy cow! Two laps and I was huffing harder than a run sprint. I looked at the water thinking, "What the hell did I get myself into?" But I continued on... alternating laps between free-style, breast stroke and water jogging. Finished the 35 minute workout with a total of 500 yds swam (15 laps) and 500 yds water jogging. Exhausted, I quickly changed for Spinning class.

I need to approach swimming the same way I started running... learn the basics and start slow. Alternating laps is a perfect start for me. I can totally feel the workout in my arms, shoulders/back and core this morning. Last night, I watched a bunch of videos on You Tube on breathing exercises and swim form. I'm back to the pool today, but this time combined with a run. I going to do this... thankfully I have until August for my Tri.

2012 Goals

2012-01-01T16:54:00.000-08:00

NUTRITION & WEIGHT LOSS
I'm starting off 2012 with the same resolution I've had for years... lose weight. I was successful last spring and then gained most of it back during marathon training. My downfall is the food. I need eat like an athlete with smart choices and proper nutrition to fuel my runs.

To put resolve into action, I'm participating in the Food Journal challenge during the month of January (sponsored by RunToTheFinish). I went out and bought myself a little journal today and plan to make it an in-depth journal of what enters my mouth and how I feel each day.

Locally, I put together a team of 5 to participate in my gym's 55 Weight Loss Challenge, where we have a chance to win $1000+ and a free gym membership. This will keep me motivated and accountable until at least March 3. My goal is to trim 30 pounds before summer.

CONSISTENT FITNESS
There are no breaks. This is the lifestyle I want and enjoy. If not running, I want to be active biking, spinning, swimming, yoga or any other activity that strikes my fancy. My goal is to be "Half Marathon Ready" at any given point throughout the year. By integrating weekly cross training, I hope to prevent any major injuries.

MILEAGE
My run goal for the year is 1300 miles, but secretly I'm hoping to hit 1500. If all goes smoothly (no injuries), I believe it's completely possible.

RACES

I'd like to complete at least 6 Half Marathons in 2012. It's my favorite race distance and I'm still highly driven by that illustrious sub-2 that's been out of reach. (My current Half PR is 2:03)
I want to limit the number of 5Ks I participate in, which is hard because I get wound up in the pre-race excitement. They are expensive, messes up my long runs and I usually end up disappointed with the race organization and flow. However, I do plan to pick at least 2 good events and nail a new PR. My goal is to run a 5K in under 26 minutes.
I'd like to throw a 10K in the schedule. I ran my first one last September here and found it really challenging to hold a sub-9 pace for 6.2 miles. I think it would make a great test of my speed/endurance if placed strategically before one of my half-marathons. I'm looking at the Shamrock Shuffle 10K on March 17 in Madison, WI.

NEW CHALLENGES
Changing things up and keeping fitness fresh is important to me. I love to run, but like anything the passion can fade when not nurtured. To avoid the slight chance of getting bored, I like to keep myself challenged. This year, I've got three "big" events on my calendar to keep me invested...

Wisconsin Marathon

May 5

I really didn't mean to do this, but when I went to register for the half-marathon, I accidentally clicked FULL 26.2. Opps! Okay, real story... I reread the race recap from my first marathon and the emotions got the best of me. I wanted that feeling again. I wanted the next couple months to be work for me. I have the perfect running partners who are also training for a spring marathon. Family in the area means no hotel costs. And the medal for the full is just so freakin' cool... All the pieces just fit. So Marathon #2, here I come!

Ragnar Ultra Relay - Madison to Chicago

June 8-9

As a team of six women, we'll jam ourselves in two vans and split a 197 mile run over the course of two days. This week, we found our final runner and will be officially registering shortly. I can't tell you how excited I am for this one. I really want to test myself and log some serious miles in the training for this event. I see two-a-days in my future!

Oshkosh Area Sprint Triathlon

August 5

This will be a new experience for me, reaching outside my comfort zone for my first TRIATHLON! I look forward to mixing up my summer training with the addition of biking and swimming. I plan to get into the gym pool next week to start working on my form. Best of all, this event is held in my hometown... the village (population 2,000) where I graduated high school. It will be cool to compete in the lake where we ~~skinny-dipped~~ boated and the country roads we ~~parked~~ learned to drive on.

See my complete 2012 Race Calendar here.

ASPIRE TO INSPIRE

Over this past year of blogging, I've received so many nice messages from readers saying I inspire THEM. Thank you, I'm honored and humbled by that. I'm just a Midwest gal trying to find her way myself. So it truly warms my heart when I play a small role inspiring someone else to lace up, go for a run and lead a more active life. I truly believe in those magical endorphins! I'll continue to blog - share my story, my successes and my failures in 2012 in hopes that it will motivate you, befriend you or at least give you a good laugh. Thank you so much readers and fellow Sole Sisters for making me feel loved!

Have no doubt, it's going to be a great 2012!

Which one of YOUR 2012 challenges are you most excited about?

Resolution Run 5K

2012-01-01T13:30:00.000-08:00

I started off 2012 in the best way possible... sleeping in, snuggling with my kids, morning crafts and then out for a run with my awesome Sole Sisters. I'm so impressed that over 20 women showed up for the New Year's Day run.

It was fairly warm for January 1st in Illinois at a 37 degrees, but the 25 mph winds were just plain annoying. Luckily we ran the Rock Island Trail, where we had some tree cover. After yesterday's 11-miler, my legs (calves!) were a little sore. So I held my Resolution Run to an easy-paced 5K as a recovery run.

Resolution Run 5K

3.24 miles in 32:30

The sun completely whited out the Resolution Run bib... so here's a closeup!

I have the same "RESOLUTION" as always... slim it and trim it baby!

I really hope to reach my goal weight this year.
30 lbs to go!

2011 Farewell

2011-12-30T12:20:00.000-08:00

The finish line of my first Marathon
Quad Cities 9.25.11

I had full intentions of writing a extensive 2011 Year in Review. I thought about it. I made notes. But when it comes right down to it, I can't get myself motivated to write it. Why? Because I'm too damn excited to kick off 2012!! I'm so over 2011 and can't wait to get started on new goals in the new year!

So without much ado, I bid 2011 farewell, short and sweet...

2011 will forever be remembered for my First Marathon (race recap). It is by far my proudest accomplishment. I diligently trained my ass off, sacrificed summer fun for rest/run/recovery, and crossed that finish line like a damn champion. (No, I didn't win.) I still can't quite put the feeling into words. How on earth can running 26.2 miles make me feel so darn happy and elated? I'm all about the endorphin high.

Other Highlights from 2011

I broke PR's in every race distance. Training with speed intervals work. period. no cheating. just do the work.
I met so many fabulous running friends with the creation of Sole Sisters. I can't say enough about this newfound running community of women.
I started blogging last January and made extraordinary friendships with runners from all over the U.S. Pretty confident that I could run anywhere and find a fellow blogger who would take me in. :)
I became Half Fanatic #1092.
I raised over $2000 for cancer charities.

What was your proudest moment of 2011?

Rose Bowl wager

2011-12-29T08:13:00.000-08:00

I may live in Illinois now, but I'm a Wisconsin gal through and through. Born, raised, educated there. If you're not familiar with us Wisconsin folk, let me educate you a bit...

• We love our football.

• We arrange our weekend plans based on when the Green Bay Packers play.

• We've perfected the art of tailgating. I've been around the country and have never seen anyone do it better than the fans at Lambeau, Camp Randall and Miller Park. Don't be jealous or bitter, it's just what we've been trained to do.

• The Rose Bowl is our thing. The Wisconsin Badgers have earned 7 trips to the infamous "Granddaddy of Them All," claiming victory 3 times. Those victories came during/since my college years. In 1994, I was a college sophomore and remember the mass celebration not only when we earned the trip, but also the extensive victory celebration that followed. The Badgers repeated victory in 1999 and 2000. Kinda became old hat, right? So we took a break. Last year's Rose Bowl trip ended in defeat, so we're pretty determined to redeem ourselves this year.

In four days, the Wisconsin Badgers take on the Oregon Ducks, who are 1-5 in Rose Bowl appearances. You're asking... What the heck does this have to do with RUNNING?!

Well, my imaginary running pal Kim... you may know her from (Just) Trying is for Little Girls... is a huge Oregon fan. Quack, Quack! Needless to say, we've been smack-talking for weeks now, and decided to put a little wager on the line.

Me and the Badgers are ready to FIGHT!

Kim sporting her new Ducks shirt. Ooooo, I'm so scared!

~ THE ROSE BOWL BLOGGY WAGER ~

Whoever LOSES the mighty football game must immediately...

Deck themselves out in the WINNING teams colors.

(red/white for the Badgers - green/yellow for the Ducks)

Design and pose with a sign that declares their humble servitude.

Post a photo of the above on their blog, facebook & twitter for all to see!

Oh- the Shame!

I can't wait to see Kim all dressed in Badger Red!!

Please support me in this fun little wager... I encourage you to give Kim

a little Badger love (taunting) on Facebook (here) and on Twitter (here).

GO BIG RED!
I'm hungry for roasted duck!

Christmas Runs & New Toys!

2011-12-28T07:49:00.000-08:00

Back from another whirlwind Christmas. It was by far the best I've had in years. The kids were at a wonderfully fun age this year. We were able to see all of our extended family and still squeeze in some quality time for our little family of four.

And I kept my run on through it all! On Christmas Eve, I joined up with Sole Sisters Patty, Laura and Karyn as we tackled 9+ miles on a sunny but very cold morning. We ran the Pekin trails, which are one of my favorites. I wasn't feeling it that morning, but so happy I had company to push me through the miles. I'm totally late in recapping for the virtual Christmas 5K, but my 5K split was 32:02. The backhalf of the long run was to complete the virtual Home for the Holidays 10K, so my official time for that race was 1:04.

Christmas Eve run... Our hats/headbands were covered in frost!

And then the food coma began. Let's just get it out there... I ate like crap! My stomach hurt so badly from the rich (and delicious) food. Yesterday morning before we left Wisconsin, I pushed myself out the door for a run. Again, I was totally not feeling it, but I knew even a short run would make me feel better. I told myself at least 3 miles and then see how it goes... I ended up with 6 miles. There's something I just enjoy about running back in my hometown!

But now to the really fun news... NEW RUNNING STUFF!!

I'm most excited about the YakTrax. It was the "one" thing I wanted for snow-running this winter. But look at all the other stuff too... gloves, Luna bars, foot repair cream, knee high socks, gum, nuun, GU packets, BondiBand headband, clip-on light for a hat and a $25 gift certificate to our local running store.

Of course, last week I already received my new treadmill...

And yesterday, we stopped at four car dealerships during our long drive home looking for one of these...

Dodge Journey in Pearl Blue... Yup, one is in my future... real soon!

So what running toys did Santa bring you??

Friday Five!

2011-12-23T17:56:00.000-08:00

O • N • E

All my patience, rest and icing has paid off. My foot is on the mend. I'm so darn happy to be running again this week. Of all the weeks I need my run, the week of Christmas is it! With travel, shopping and all the hustle-bustle, the holiday season is not exactly my favorite time of year. (what?!) The next 14 days, my hubby is on vacation, which means my run window is wide open! Best gift ever.

T • W • O

Christmas Eve morning (Sat), I'm heading out with a couple Sole Sisters to hit 9 miles before the holiday festivities sweep me into a coma. I'll time the first 5K split for Daily Vitamin F's virtual Christmas 5K. (you can still enter here). The back half of the run, I'll time separately for Home for the Holidays virtual 10K. So I guess that means I gotta do 9.3 miles total, huh?

T • H • R • E • E

2012 is going to be a great year. I'm working on my goals, my challenges, my aspirations... and I'm really getting excited for the possibilities of a New Year! It's official... I'm on the ToughChik Team for 2012! And you can be too! They have extended membership signup until Jan. 7, so head over HERE and check out the details.

F • O • U • R

I'm at 1165 miles for the year. I was hoping to reach 1200, which means I need 35 miles in the next 8 days. Can I do it? Do I want to? We'll see... Friend me on DailyMile.com here and you'll find out when (if) I do!!

F • I • V • E

Signing off for the weekend... I hope you all have the best Christmas ever! May you and your family enjoy all the blessings of the holiday. Next week, I'm excited to write my "best of 2011" that Miss Zippy has challenged us with. It's been such a fabulous year that it's taken me some thought.

Merry Fitmas and a Happy New Rear!

Introducing my new baby...

2011-12-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

Name: Pro-Form 1450 Treadmill, but taking your suggestions on a sassier name...
Delivered: December 20, 2011 at 1:25pm
Weight: 256 pounds!
Proud Mommy: Jess!
First Words: "No Excuses!"

My sweet baby has arrived! This one is gonna give me a run for the money, I just know it. While I was playing with 16 kindergarteners yesterday afternoon, my hubby welcomed our new treadmill in the door. We had to break down the box upstairs and carry it piece by piece into the basement. Once I accounted for all the pieces, I let her sleep for a couple hours because I knew the task of assembly was going to be long and frustrating.

When my hubby and kids settled in for The Polar Express movie, I snuck downstairs and got to work. For the most part, it went together without problem. The worst part was that my hands were sore from tightening all the screws. The instruction manual was adequate, but it helped greatly that could quietly concentrate 100% on the task at hand. Roughly two hours later, I was at the end of assembly. Hubby came down to assist with the final part and she was good to go.

This morning I woke up ready to coo over my new baby. I read the whole manual, played with the console, setup my iFit.com account, downloaded routes and charted some maps. During all this, my girls kept asking, "So when you going to RUN on it?" Finally, I strapped on my Asics and took her for a spin.

Going so fast it's blurry! Ha! Just the best photo my 3 year old could get...

My girls set up their seats right next to the treadmill for the inaugural run... So darn cute!

I tried out the iFit program for my first run since this was the feature on the Pro-Form 1450 I was most excited about. I choose the 3.15 mile Central Park loop in New York City.

The iFit program controls your treadmill, taking you through the streets of New York. It automatically rotates displays of map, street and satellite pictures, or you can lock it on the one of your choice. The incline adjust up and down based on the actual geography. Central Park has some hills, that I now know.

I can knock out 5 miles around my neighborhood with ease, but for some reason, the treadmill always seems like hard work to me. Today was no exception. The console reported a 10:30 pace and yet I felt like I was really hustling... and I'm usually pretty good about "feeling" my pace. My first run was a hard 3 miles with some decent hill work (up to a 4.5 incline in spots). I guess the hills felt harder because I never decreased the speed. Regardless, I was sweating something fierce!

No doubt about it, I enjoy outside running much better. But this will make me appreciate the days I actually get outdoors, especially in the winter. And the toughness of treadmill runs will make me stronger for spring races. I can't wait to try out some of Jillian Michaels' interval workouts. The thought of letting Jillian take over my mill controls sounds kinda scary.

The corporate introduction of my new baby...

Can you help me think up a

fun sassy name for my new treadmill?

Tis the Season

2011-12-20T06:07:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed participating in the holiday card exchange hosted by (Just) Trying is for Little Girls. Everyone was put on teams of five... and then we sent holiday cards to each other. Team Vixen totally rocked and I got cool cards (and goodies!) from all of them.

Yesterday, I received a surprise gift from my Secret Santa on DailyMile. Cool new running book! I can't seem to find her on DM to thank her, so if by some chance Melissa reads this blog... Thank You!

Last Friday, I celebrated the holidays with my longstanding group of girlfriends. They may not run, but they sure do mix up killer cocktails. Seriously, it took me a couple days to recoup from these Pomegranate Fizzlers. They sounds innocent enough, right?! I mean pomegranate is healthy. Yeah, not these... pomegranate seeds marinated for a day in brandy, then dropped into a glass of champagne. The seeds bounce up and down for the whole 5 minutes it lasted in my hand. Fun, festive, but dangerous!

Today I hold my breathe with anticipation. My new treadmill is scheduled to arrive. It's been a long journey (read here), but ALAS! My new baby arrives today! I cross my fingers that assembly goes smoothly and it works when we flip the switch.

ProForm 1450, you are all mine!

5 Days until Christmas!

Shopping is done and wrapping in progress. I'm trying to take this year in stride and not stress about the details, the travel, the chaos... and just enjoy the time with my kids, family and friends. Today I get to be "room mom" at the kindergarten Christmas party and then both girls will be on holiday break for 2.5 weeks. Sure hope I can fit some runs in there or momma might go crazy.

Jingle Bell HELL recap

2011-12-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

The infamous Michael Sonnemaker statue was
our start/finish line for each hilly loop.

Last night I gathered up all the red, green and white that my running wardrobe had to offer in preparation for the Jingle Bell Hell. I wish a trip to Berkley, California was in my cards to run the JBH with XLMIC herself. Instead, I created a local fun run and invited my Sole Sisters to join in.

The objective of the Jingle Bell Hell run was to put together a challenging course of hills and run a 1/3 marathon (8.75 miles). I designed a winding course of 4.45 miles through Springdale Cemetery and Glen Oak Park. I wanted to give the option of 1 or 2 loops, depending on individual abilities.

So this morning, we all bundled up and met at 8:00am to complete our hellish run. It was a chilly 24 degrees at the start, but the sun was shining so brightly! It was a beautiful morning and by time we were done, it was up to 40 degrees already.

Now I've been giving my foot a lot of rest this week - no running, all biking and boxing. So I wasn't sure what to expect of my Jingle Bell Hell run. The roads through Springdale aren't the best (broken cement, rocks, uneven), so I watched my footfall and concentrated on my steps. The foot feels sore, but no pain, so I'm happy with that.

Eighteen ladies showed up to run Peoria's first Jingle Bell Hell. We broke up into a couple different groups based on pace and tried not to get lost on my winding course. I was so impressed on how everyone trudged up those hills. Even with hill interval training on the bike the last two weeks, I could feel every muscle in my legs working to get up those hills.

Two loops of up and down, up and down = 1/3 Marathon baby!

There's a reason there is only one letter difference

between the words HILL and HELL!

On the second loop, I started to feel the hills a bit more. As my legs started to scream, I focused on a halfway point up the hill ... and crawl towards that until I slowed to a walk. Even with a couple walk breaks on the big hills, my group maintained a pretty good pace of 10:31 average. I was pleased with that for my first run back and ahem... the hills!

My Jingle Bell Hell stats

8.93 miles in 1:33:50

"Don't look up!"

Once we were done, I promised the gals hot chocolate waiting at the finish. We laughed (mandatory for XLMIC!), we hugged, we snapped pictures, we told stories and discussed holiday plans over yummy hot cocoa. Despite the hellish run, it was AWESOME to spend a Sunday morning with my Sistas. I think we'll make the Jingle Bell Hell an annual tradition in Peoria. Thanks for the great idea and hosting the virtual event XLMIC.

We all look funny squinting into the sun!

Happy to be done with Hills!

Yeah, she's a crazy Bears fan, but I still love my Steph!

Hot chocolate for all - perfect warmup after a chilly run!

Three Things Thursday

2011-12-15T13:28:00.000-08:00

1. When I run in the early morning or evening darkness, I'm a safety gal. With reflective belt, a headlamp and numerous blinkers around my body, I'm hard to miss coming down the street. I always joked around that I'm "lit up like a Christmas tree." Well, I took that to a literal sense this holiday season...

Yup, that's a battery-powered set of LED Christmas lights wrapped around me.

Festive and effective! Best of all, they were only $4.

2. I'm reading a new book right now. Only five chapters in, I'm already compelled to tell you about it! If your running ~~obsession~~ hobby is parallel for other important things in your life, this book is a must read. I'm getting so much out of it already. It's making me think outside the box... and dream again. A seriously great last-minute addition to your Christmas list...

Running the Edge by Adam Goucher and Tim Catalano

3. I thought the hardest part of getting a treadmill was picking which one I wanted. Nope! You won't even believe the process of how it's gone down... starting back in early November...

O' Yes... you will be mine!

• Finally decided on the ProForm 1080 treadmill.

• Ordered from (company unnamed) online. Said it was in-stock and would arrive for pickup in 4-6 days. Eagerly waited...

• One week later, receive an email that the item is now backordered. Crap!

• Two weeks later, receive an email that my order has now been cancelled because it is backordered indefinitely. Sh*t!

• Fight with company to get the extended warranty refunded. Hello? You cancelled my order, why would I still want the warranty on an item I don't have?

• Decide on a new model - since the 1080 is now sold out everywhere. (Hello holiday season!)

• Order the 1450 model directly from ProForm. No messing around with a middle man this time. Delivery is promised in 10-14 days.

• 15 days go past... nothing. My credit card is still not even charged for the order. Okay, WTH? I e-mail the company for an order status update. No answer for three days.

• Finally today, the shipping company calls to schedule delivery for next Tuesday. I think this just MIGHT become a reality!! But there is 4 more days for someone to screw something up. Dare I even wonder it aloud... Will it work upon arrival!?!?

The Battle Within

2011-12-14T05:56:00.000-08:00

I want to thank everyone who played the 12 Days of a Fit Christmas! It was fun playing Santa for 12 straight days. There were some super great sponsors, right?! I hope you found a new product or two to add to your Christmas list. By reading the responses each day, it really motivated me last week... so thanks to YOU! I have one final winner to announce from Day 12. Congrats to JENNIFER F., who ran 10 miles on a treadmill Monday to win herself some Peppermint GU Energy gel. Jennifer, email me with your address at runwithjess@comcast.net to claim your prize.

• • •

I'm struggling this week with the same nagging injury. Twisting an ankle equals a lot of unhappy muscles in your whole foot. Downsizing my runs for the past couple weeks has not been easy. I'm trying to stay fit with bike rides, boxing, weights, yoga... but it's just not the same. Running brings me a special kind of release. It's my elixir, my drug. Without it, I feel kinda lost... and depressed, especially when I'm suppose to be in-training for the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon in less than 10 weeks.

Getting over an injury, even as simple as a twisted ankle, takes a certain kind of inner strength. It's easy to get sucked down into that spiraling tunnel of laziness. Without the exhilaration, exhaustion and utter high that a run provides, I find myself wandering around the house bored and unsatisfied. That always leads me into the kitchen looking for something I can eat to make it better, make it go away. In the past, I've dealt with life's adversities by numbing my system... food comas, alcohol or cigarettes. I refuse to be that person again. So when injuries riddle my run, my subconscious goes into a deep battle. I fight the urge to sulk on the couch with a tub of ice cream. I refuse to let my muscles turn to jelly. I hoist myself up on that bike, crank the happy tunes and pedal away... because I know a kick-ass run is in my future.

Day 12 of a Fit Christmas

2011-12-12T06:07:00.000-08:00

It's the FINAL day of a the 12 Days of a Fit Christmas! I hope it's provided a little extra motivation to help keep you on track this busy holiday season. Just reading your entries have made the difference in getting me out the door some days! The random winner of Day 11's custom iPhone cover from Family Fan Club is... ERIN D., who ran 5.5 miles, followed by the hip portion of the StrongStrides DVD. Erin, please email me at runwithjess@comcast.net to claim your prize.

• • •

When I was training for my first half marathon, a runner friend asked me if I was practicing mid-run fueling. The answer was obvious by my "deer-in-headlights" look. Almost three years later, I've gotten it down to a near science. My product of choice is GU Energy gels.

GU Energy was first on the scene with energy gels, introduced in 1991. Easy to take, simple to digest, the GU Energy gels provide a shot of fast-acting natural fructose (natural sugar) to boost your energy supply while on the run. The 100 calorie pack restores vital electrolytes to keep your blood chemistry in line and hydration levels stable. The gel contains complex carbs (in the form of maltodextrin) to assist in maintaining your glucose levels over the course of your run.

I typically use energy gels when I plan training runs over 8 miles in length. In a half marathon, I've found timing to be best at mile 5 and 10. Sometimes I even take one before a 5K or 10K if I feel like I didn't fuel properly the night before.

GU Energy also offers "fuel" in forms of chewable Chomps, electrolyte drinks and the Roctane ultra-endurance gels. I've trained with them all at some point or another. The Chomps remind me of my kids' fruit snacks. If you have a hard time swallowing the "goo," then these are probably your best bet. The drinks are a great addition to your water on a long run to keep your electrolyte levels up. I found this really helpful during my full marathon training. The Roctane is a serious boost of caffeine. I've tried it many times without a consistent result. Sometimes my tummy can't handle it; other times it's fine.

Overall I prefer the regular GU Energy gels. There is definitely a difference when I use them on a long run or marathon. My favorite flavors are Tri-Berry, Strawberry-Banana, Mandarin Orange and Jet Blackberry. And now, GU Energy introduced a seasonal flavor for the winter... Peppermint Stick!

I recently tried out the Peppermint Stick flavor and found the minty flavor refreshing while on the run. Keep in mind, I love Peppermint flavor in general. I chew Peppermint Extra gym while running all the time, so this flavor was perfect for me. Think of it like a breath mint - your running partner will thank you!

GU Energy also introduced new Peanut Butter and Island Nector flavors. I haven't tried them yet, but Peanut Butter sure sounds interesting to me!?

It's Monday AND the last day of a Fit Christmas ... so GET BUSY and GET ACTIVE today! Then come back and tell me about it to earn an entry to win today's prize...

Peppermint Stick GU Energy gel!

HERE'S HOW TO WIN TODAY'S PRIZE

from GU Energy

First you gotta work out!! That's #1 priority here folks. Get your sweat on and then come back and tell me about it!! Make stuff up and Karma will come knocking at your door...

1. BLOG

Comment below on this blogpost: Answer me this... "How did you stay FIT today?" Simple answers such as "I ran 3 miles" will suffice, or you can brag it up and give me a detailed summary. One entry per person per day.

2. TWITTER

Tweet, tweet, tweet! Tweet something like this... "I ran 4 miles to win Peppermint GU in the #FitXmas @GUEnergyLabs @RUNwJESS" Of course, you should replace the underlined part with what you actually did. Key is to include the hashtags #FitXmas, @RUNwJESS and @GUEnergyLabs. No need to come back and tell me about it... I'll see it on Twitter if you tag me appropriately. One entry per person per day.

3. FACEBOOK

Comment on today's Facebook post that asks, "How did you stay FIT today?" Again, no need to come back and tell me about it... I'll see it on the Run with Jess FB page. One entry per person per day.

No matter which social medium is your forte,

you can play the 12 Days of a Fit Christmas!!

If you do all three, you'll earn 3 entries into today's drawing.

Day 12 closes for new entries at 12:00 midnight CST. Winner will be announced on Dec. 13.

THE FINE PRINT

• You must follow Run with Jess via Google Friend Connect (click Join button in the right sidebar), on Facebook and/or on Twitter. I don't mean to force you to like me, but I gotta be able to get in touch with you.

• Giveaway items were supplied to me by the named companies. However, the opinions expressed here are all Jess.

• Open to U.S. residents only. Sorry my international buddies, but postage is getting expensive.

• Each person may only win once. Gotta spread the holiday cheer around...

• No sign-up or registration required. Just come back each day from Dec. 1st thru the 12th.

• Each person is allowed a maximum of 3 entries into each giveaway (1 for a blog comment, 1 for a tweet, and 1 for a FB post). Each entry must answer the question, "What did you do to stay fit today?"

Day 11 of a Fit Christmas

2011-12-11T07:44:00.000-08:00

Saturdays equal long runs for a lot of you... many in some really COLD weather! Congrats! Unfortunately for me, it meant a rest day since my ankle was throbbing again. <argh> The random winner of Day 10's Tough Chik iRun t-shirt is... AMY, who rocked 14 miles in 20 degrees Sat morning. Amy, please email me at runwithjess@comcast.net with your mailing address to claim your prize.

• • •

Last spring, hubby and I made the plunge into "technology" and bought matching iPhones. Until then, we had the regular old cell phones, with no extra features... not even texting. Now I don't know how we ever lived without our iPhones. They're like little computers at our fingertips! I even use my iPhone on long runs when I want to know exact mileage via GPS apps like Nike+GPS or iMapMyRun+. When I'm gone running for 2+ hours, having the iPhone along on the run is kind of a safety thing too.

So when a gadget becomes that important in your life, you want it to look good, right? I have several covers for my iPhone... pink, yellow, black... but nothing as stylish as my new iPhone cover from Family Fan Club! Recently, Family Fan Club contacted me about their new custom iPhone covers. Feature your favorite finish line photo or make a design of your own. As a graphic designer, I love creating custom looks on just about any and all products.

I wanted the design to reflect my blog a little bit, so I kept with the purple and black colors and my "runner ponytail girl"icon. I went with a black cover, but you also have the option of clear or white. I kept the design general enough so that any runner can use the design... I'D RATHER BE RUNNING! So go ahead and order one of these iPhone covers from Family Fan Club. Just ask for Run with Jess design! Order before Dec. 15 and you can get 15% off with the coupon code runwithjess.

My custom iPhone cover arrived within the week and I was so delighted at how it turned out! The color printed nice and vibrant. It snapped around the iPhone with ease, but has a firm fit so there's no slipping off. The cover provides a protective shield around all four corners, with openings for all the buttons and plug-ins. And by golly, I just look cool holding it, right?!

The Family Fan Club team excels at customer service, whether you're doing a custom shirt, hat, drinkware or iPhone cover. They are all about customized service to make something special for the athlete in you or the fans that cheer you on.

So GET MOVING and GET ACTIVE today to score an entry into Day 11 of a Fit Christmas to win a custom iPhone cover of your choice from Family Fan Club! Remember even if you don't win, Family Fan Club is offering my readers a super great discount for the holidays...

HERE'S HOW TO WIN TODAY'S PRIZE

from Family Fan Club

First you gotta work out!! That's #1 priority here folks. Get your sweat on and then come back and tell me about it!! Make stuff up and Karma will come knocking at your door...

1. BLOG

2. TWITTER

Tweet, tweet, tweet! Tweet something like this... "I ran 6 miles to win a @familyfanclub iPhone cover in the #FitXmas giveaway @RUNwJESS" Of course, you should replace the underlined part with what you actually did. Key is to include the hashtags #FitXmas, @RUNwJESS and @familyfanclub. No need to come back and tell me about it... I'll see it on Twitter if you tag me appropriately. One entry per person per day.

3. FACEBOOK

Comment on today's Facebook post that asks, "How did you stay FIT today?" Again, no need to come back and tell me about it... I'll see it on the Run with Jess FB page. One entry per person per day.

No matter which social medium is your forte,

you can play the 12 Days of a Fit Christmas!!

If you do all three, you'll earn 3 entries into today's drawing.

Day 11 closes for new entries at 12:00 midnight CST. Winner will be announced on Dec. 12.

THE FINE PRINT

• Giveaway items were supplied to me by the named companies. However, the opinions expressed here are all Jess.

• Open to U.S. residents only. Sorry my international buddies, but postage is getting expensive.

• Each person may only win once. Gotta spread the holiday cheer around...

• No sign-up or registration required. Just come back each day from Dec. 1st thru the 12th.

RIP Treadmill

2011-12-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

Today I laid my first treadmill to rest. I bought that ProForm baby home almost 8 years ago. In fact, I had just started dating my husband. I remember us having a "date night" assembling it together.

I never did give it a name, but our treadmill had 3 different homes over the years... my old apartment, my brother's house, and our current homestead. The last 3 years, I really gave it a run for the money.

It was the home of many speed intervals.

The treadmill is the only place I can really get into those.

It was my docking station for motivation.

I watched many movies and news updates while the 'mill cranked mile after mile.

I made the decision to run my first half marathon on that treadmill.

It was my refuge when weather turned to this...

It was my last resort when the kids were sick or napping.

The treadmill broke down this past spring. We fixed it, only to have it break down again. A new ProForm is on the way... so this weekend we needed to make room for our new baby. Hauling a treadmill out of the basement is never an easy task, but my hubby & dad did it smoothly. Today we made the solemn trip to the dump...

Yes, I climbed in the dumpster to give

one last hug to my trusty treadmill.

It's been a long good run, but now it's time to

REST IN PEACE.