So You’re a Beginner Runner

I am so not an expert on running or being a runner. But I’ve been running for 2 years, have had 2 injuries, one serious and I still love running. Some call me crazy. Whatever.

Lately I’ve had some people ask me about how to get into running and I thought this would be a fantastic idea to post something for anyone to follow!

1. If you want to start running, my first word of advice is start slow! Otherwise you will only cause yourself heartache and possible injuries. All in all, failure.

2. I say you probably want to start with a run/walk program. I started running with C25K and there is even an app for your phone and its free (score!) You start out slow, like walking 2 minutes and running 30 seconds for all of 20 minutes. Easy-peasy. But if thats too much, then start with trying to walk for a full 20 minutes. Once you can do that, then start a run/walk plan. C25K is a 9 week program and by the end you can run for 30 minutes. Or a 5K.  I’m currently using a 10K trainer and loving it. 

3. Go and get properly fitted with the shoes that are best for you. There are stores that cater just to runners and someone will watch you on a treadmill and analyze your gait, pronation, and how you strike your feet. Once they find a variety of shoes, try them on and run a little bit. Which one gives you that support? Does it feel good, heavy or light? If there is the slightest thing that you don’t like, do not get those. Try another pair.

4. Invest. That means in shoes, gadgets (I’m obsessed with my Garmin Forerunner 405) and clothes. Clothes should be light, loose, and not cotton. Dri-fit is a word you will become accustomed to. And you don’t have to spend loads of money on clothes. I look at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, and the best…Goodwill. Yep, Goodwill. They have some pretty good finds, you need to look. And sometimes you will have to pay full price for certain items, like my compression socks. I will pay over $40. Because they work and I can’t find them cheap.

5. Hydrate. Drink more water than usual, especially since summer is coming. Carry some water with you on ALL runs. Just drink water, and drink low-fat chocolate milk after a run. Don’t believe me? Go read all about it.

6. Eat. Before, during, after. If you enjoy running and want to go further, start bringing some sort of snack to eat to keep your energy up. I love Clif Shot Bloks, Powerbar gummies (cola is my fav), and Gu. Swedish Fish are amaze as well.

7. Decide if you want to run for time or distance. Not both, otherwise you will be so critical and hard on yourself. I know from experience.

8. Enjoy it! You are making a decision that will make you healthier, you’ll have less stress (unless you become consumed by running and trying to run 24/7), and you will be able to call yourself a runner.

For me, I enjoy running because its a time where I focus on me. I find great pleasure in pushing my body to its limit in the end and being covered in sweat. I love blasting whatever music I want and just losing myself in the moment. I like racing, I like being slow and I like running.

What advice would you give to a new runner or someone who is interested in running?

Get In The Mind Of A Runner

While running, there are many different thoughts that go through ones mind.

The one everyone tries to avoid is “just take a break, stop.”

Then you talk to yourself and people look at you all strange and you’re just like, “yo, you are not in this convo so just butt out.” Yeah they will definitely call you crazy because you’re telling them to get out of your conversation with yourself. Maybe or maybe not its happened to me.

Regardless, keeping your mind at bay can be a challenge. Its hard to keep a positive thought process when your body is dying. At least it feels like its dying because everything hurts. Like your lungs, eyes, that chafe mark in your underarm, and you don’t know if you have legs anymore.

If you were to go in my mind when I’m running, you’d laugh. A lot. And really, really loud till your sides hurt and you’re crying.

“Ok, this is going to be great. Totes great.”

20 seconds later…

“OMG I have to pee, like so bad but I’m not turning around or stopping.”

Like a minute later…

“What would Britney Spears wear while running? Would she listen to her music? OMG would she like my playlist?”

Later…

“I am dying. This is what it feels like to die. How much longer? OMG its only been 6 minutes?! WTF #$&%!”

Ok the last one is sorta true. But I generally don’t think about anything else besides running when running and most of the time it kills me. I lose energy and overall time because I seem to get super negative about my pace and time.

But then there are runs that literally blow your mind. You can’t believe it just happened, you take a picture of everything to prove its real.

I had that on Tuesday. I finished my C25K plan and started the 10K Trainer which I am so loving. I had to run for 17 minutes x3 with only a minute walking break in between. I was so excited to run, because on Saturday I ran the world’s smallest 5K near our house and about DNF. It was pouring rain, like pouring to where it stung my legs, and it was so cold. I think in the high 40s. I finished slow, but it was miserable. So anyway I ran Tuesday with the goal of just running. Getting further than 4 miles.

And it so totes happened. I ran 5 miles.

Wait! It gets even better!

OMG?! A mile under 10 minutes. A mile in the 9:00′s. I felt amazing during this mile too. I saw my pace on my BFF Garmin and was like I can keep this up for like 6 more minutes and then it said to stop but I was so close to 5 full miles I had to finish and I did, 2:30 minutes over the set time. I had the biggest runner’s high.

I came home and gulped the best after run drink.

Holla, low-fat chocolate milk!

I was so happy about this run. It makes all those negative, nasty thoughts worth it.

And yes, I want to know what Britney Spears would wear while running so we could be twinsies.

A Run For Boston

Yesterday, a bunch of us runners set out with a goal to spread our support with a silent run, wearing an old race shirt, and most importantly just running.

I wanted to run 2.62 miles in honor of the marathon distance, and lets be honest I can’t run a marathon so what ever I could do, I did.

I was completely zoned out, in fact went over my distance and ran 2.75 miles. At an 10:23 pace which I am happy with considering I’ve been slow over these past few weeks. I wore my favorite race tee, the one from my half-marathon in October.

I ran without music for only the second time and it was blissful. I wasn’t even aware of my surroundings, just  kept thinking of those coming to the end of their triumphant marathon and then something just so damaging happening. It was very emotional as I kept thinking about it.

We the runners want to show no fear, for we run the distances people can’t even grasp and we run in the worst conditions others hate. We are fearless. We are runners. United.

Did you run a silent run?

What was going through your mind on your run?

Devastating Day in Boston

As a runner, you only dream of qualifying for such an elite race. You imagine running those famous landmarks thousands of others have stomped on before you. Heartbreak Hill, yeah one day I will break your heart.

Today that wasn’t the case.

Instead, someone or some persons, decided to ruin such a joyous event that thousands of runners train hard for every year and every day.

To put it nicely, they shit on today.

As a runner, I know the value of those spectators and how much they influence us. They can make a whole race a greater experience. And for someone to kill and injure them, well that sort of person is sick and twisted beyond words.

I pray, for each and every single runner, volunteer, and spectator and their families. I pray runners will unite and not show fear and continue to race. I pray that they catch the person who caused such heart ache.

As a runner, I pray for Boston.

Its Ombre-d

Hey y’all! Is it freezing where you are because it is here! What happened to spring?!

Lately when people see me they first notice my hair. Weird, I know. But I’ve had long, brown hair majority of my life minus the years I colored it in high school and went full on blonde way back in 2008. So I thought I’d share some tips for getting you hair did like mine. (yes, I know I put did instead of done)

First I got my hair chopped off. It went from long to short.

Next was highlights. I wanted ombre highlights, that way it would just add brightness to the next step and look like I’m not fully growing out a color and have people tell me to get my roots done. After much thought I finally had the color in mind, I wanted blonde, but not platinum.

Then the last step was full on bleach to my hair. My hair stylist did two different tones of bleach, and did the pattern in highs-lows. That way it didn’t look like a straight line of color, at first it did only because the color was so fresh…now its mellowed out and looks like the bomb.com.

My tip for you is to be committed. When the process was taking place I was freaking out. My hair hadn’t been touched by color in over 4 years prior and I kept thinking my hair would be chemically cut. She did not tease my hair like I thought, instead she went with the brush and starting going up until she thought it’d look good. I have no clue about hair, so I left it up to her. Now makeup, thats another story.

Anyway, the end result was a shocker. I couldn’t believe it. I’m so happy I had the highlights done so it blended better with my roots. The color complimented my tone of brown hair which is more ashy, cool toned.

Here is a much better picture of the change.

It’ll grow out and I won’t have to cut all the pretty blonde out since I let her dye up so much.

I like wearing my hair straight and wavy. When its wavy, the color blends much better. When its straight its pretty obvi that my hair is done in the newest trend. I am loving it though, its a nice change to my otherwise boring hair.

Have you been wanting to do this to your hair? 

Have you done it? 

What is your favorite way to wear your hair?

You Know You Want To Know What I’ve Been Up To

Lets just be real, you really do want to know what I’ve been doing since my last blog post.

Like dying.

Any who I’ve been running and doing P90X. And eating the best peanut butter in the world. Some serious stuff.

Here is my past 2 weeks since moving, I promise its awesome.

1. I ran my first hill run and I didn’t die. I did want to throw myself on the pavement and curl into a ball and not finish, but alas I hiked up my big girl panties and finished the run. Yes. I ran in those Gucci shades, like every run I’ve ran in the past 2 years.

2. I got new running shoes! I love/dislike the Brooks PureCadence. I think they are wonderful on the treadmill, but on the road they just aren’t for me. I don’t like the feeling that my foot is slipping out the sides (I know that can’t happen but it feels like it) so I had a great experience with Zappos and they refunded me and allowed me to keep my shoes. A big Rachel Zoe MAJ to Zappos. I did stick my with beloved Brooks and got the Ravenna 4 shoe.

3. I got fed-up with my workouts lately so I decided at 11PM one night to start P90X again. This time I’m doing the lean program. I’ve stuck with it since last Monday, but Friday I couldn’t do the legs and back disc. My hip flexors got over-stretched doing the yoga disc so I couldn’t walk Friday. I did manage to run, but it was run/walk so it was all good.

4. Last week I ran 9 miles. Thats like a 1,000 times more than any weekend this whole year. Except that weekend I ran 10 in January. I really like the C25K app (again, yes I know) with the hills in my hood because if I went out the gate I would die while running. Not cute. Only 3 weeks to go then I can begin my half-marathon training! (to get used to long runs again and eventually run another half)

5. Go and get this. Like right now! I can’t stop eating it. And, I know you’re wondering. Yes, it was on Oprah’s Favorite Things List.

There you go. My life in 2 weeks captured in 5 pictures.

What are you doing? 

What MAJ thing have you done in the past 2 weeks?

Where Have You Been?

“…all my life.”

Thank you Rihanna.

So I haven’t blogged in over a month. 45 days to be exact.

A lot, and I mean a lot has happened.

Ok, not really a lot more like one big thing. We finally moved! I’m so excited. I’m currently typing this in our hotel since our house won’t be ready until tomorrow for our movers to unload everything. And can I just say, hiring someone to pack and drive your belongings is the best idea ever. It is glorious!

We are so much closer to family and friends its amazing. I cannot believe it. And I am still with SEPHORA, just waiting for my last interview and then hopefully great news on Tuesday.

Enough about that, lets talk running.

I’ve slacked off BIG time. Like I need to be smacked to get my head on straight and get back to the sport that makes me feel alive and makes sweat tolerable. I re-booted myself with some C25K and the greatest thing happened. Zach got into running! For reals! He is coming from a complete newbie who just quit smoking. We are taking it nice and easy, however when we run he is faster than me and I get very annoyed and mad. I may or may not pout and yell at him. Anyway, I plan on running on a treadmill tonight and with the temperatures here I seriously need a treadmill. Zach, if you’re reading this I really, really want a treadmill. It’ll benefit the both of us.

I miss seeing these numbers,

10 miles, sigh…

And, there is a race this weekend I forgot about. The Spartan Race. I have no idea if I am going to do it. I never built up the strength I planned because to be honest I thought I had a lot more time and nope. Not even close. It would/will be my first mud run so I don’t know…it’s a hard decision. Plus my awesome, cool friend was going to do it with me. Ugh, why didn’t I work on my arms and not on my consumption of awesome food?

How are you doing? I’ve been keeping up with blogs and getting race envy so I’m hoping for a fall half-marathon to in so I can have a legit reason to not slack off and run.

 

So Much Going On!

I haven’t blogged in like years. For reals.

All kidding aside, I have been going nonstop. I need a minor break. My head is a constant battle with work, exercising, house hunting, packing, stressing, and whatever else is being thrown at me. Glorious battle I tell you.

So last week I had my big interview with SEPHORA and I’m still praying it went well enough for me to get the promotion. During our weekend trip we were supposed to look for houses, but that didn’t happen. Cue in the stress that is destroying my life. Prior to going back north last Friday I worked 8 days straight of long days. That pattern starts tomorrow too. I’m exhausted.

Going to my interview, had to show the girls how fly I was looking

Sorry to throw in that whine. Anyway, back to my story. We didn’t look at homes, and we are moving in the next 3 weeks. That means we are almost homeless. NO! And Saturday night I decided to bust out the longest run since last October. On a treadmill. At 10PM. I ran 6 miles. Even better? It was a 9:22 pace! The WHOLE time! 56:14 was my time. I ran my heart out and was feeling amazing, even when it was 11PM. Major pat on the back for me. I am now hunting down a treadmill because I’m obsessed. I need one in my life.

This week I am starting to run more often, still smaller miles. For one, the weather is unbelievably hot. I am so not used to this warm weather. It feels like I’m running through a wet blanket, icky.

How is your week going thus far? Are you enjoying your week or are you dealing with as much stress as me?

How is everyone doing with the #2013in2013 running challenge? I’m currently at 18 miles.

Go Big Or Go Home

Well I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited about 2013.

For starters, this year we are moving back home (!), I’m hopefully having a new job with Sephora, and Zach and I are really moving forward with our lives. Things have changed tremendously for us, with our career dreams to simply going back home. 2013 is looking awesome!

With such a great year, I’ve decided to really commit to my goal for this year. That goal is running 2,013 miles for the year. I think its something that will push me to my limits, really show what I can do, and hell I just love a good challenge.

With #elf4health still going on until the end of this month, today’s challenge was to write our fitness goals. I went a little overboard and really did it up with some fancy Instagram-realness. I want to be accountable for my decisions. I find if I actually put myself out there and become slightly vulnerable with failure, I finish my goal. Failure is not an option with me.

Granted, I’m still recovering from bronchitis. That stupid sickness knocked me out for some weeks, and I still suffer from a cough and sinus issues. That’s lovely info I know. I have to take this slow and steady. I’m starting my training plan over…AGAIN…to get accustomed to long runs and have a steady base for the year. I like long distance running, ok long for me which is over 6 miles. So today I started the first of many runs. A good 2 miles in my new Brooks PureCadence.

BTW, my new shoes are for real hard to run in. They are the first pair of “minimal” shoes and I could feel my legs really working to keep proper form and what not. I love them. I felt support, but then I felt the ground. It was a crazy experience!

With the new year just starting, I find it a good time to see if y’all want to join me in my running challenge! Do you think you could run 2,013 miles this year? If so, do it with me! Find me on dailymile at Brooke N and lets do this together. Instagram your runs with #2013in2013 and we will tackle this together!

New Year Coming, New Resolutions

I know I haven’t been blogging so much within these last two months on 2012, I have been so busy with my job. I’m literally working all the time. Not saying I don’t enjoy it, I actually do. Currently I’m working at a possible promotion with my transfer. Fingers crossed!

With 2012 coming to a close, there are things I’m so proud of and then things that I wish never happened (losing my beloved Bonnie). I’ve pretty much switched careers, which is nothing bad. Like I mentioned, I’ve thrown myself into Sephora. Another moment was just training for a half-marathon, I never knew how determined I could become. Needless to say the highlight of this year was running my first half-marathon. Nothing can come close to the feeling of accomplishment with running 13.1 miles.

I’m always iffy on making health “resolutions” because I find that people just talk…a lot, about how they’ll change themselves for the better and it becomes just another saying that they never commit to. I’ve seen it, a lot. I like to make health habits, something easy to stick to and not become overwhelmed with a dramatic change.

Here is my list of what I want to see change for 2013:

+Drink more water, cut out less soda and stuff thats shit for your body.

+Run 2013 miles for 2013.

+Incorporate veggies and fruits into every meal.

+Bust out another half-marathon.

+Enjoy my days off and not feel like I must do something, its called rest for a reason.

Sounds easy enough, right? Well yeah, but it can be hard to do everything all at once. I can easily start with one or two and work up to all and then they’ll stick as habits and not just a list of what I want.

I would also love to get well so I can work out, its been 3 weeks [?!] of no exercise. I’m slowing going crazy from it. I want to run and sweat, do some tabata or yoga. Good Lord I just want to get better! Whats worse, is these beautiful babies are here just waiting to be out on the road.

I want to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year, may 2013 bring you what you’re seeking!

What are your resolutions?

What are your goals for 2013?