Happy Winter Solstice! In the spirit of true western NY, which is drunk half the time, we had a great fifty degree day that I celebrated with a beautiful run in shorts. For a girl with Renaud's who is not a fan of winter outdoor running, this was a huge win. And for the mom that spent 3 hours wrapping last night because the big man in the red suit won't do it for me (Lame, Greg, lame) it was a great break from the last minute Christmas that'll scrooge ya if you aren't careful.
As years go, this has been one of the biggest struggle fests to fit it all in in time for Christmas. I finally have all my shopping done, save for a few stocking stuffers. I haven't touched any baking yet, and who knows if my house will be clean for our annual dinner for twenty. But, there's four days left, so I'm slightly optimistic. This year I've decided to put the important stuff first, like Christmas parties with friends, gingerbread houses with the kids, school parties, and the heck with it if I make 4 kinds of cookies instead of seven. I had the kids and Greg pick out their fave kinds, so we have snickerdoodles, chocolate crinkle cookies and PBJ thumbprints on tap, and then the rest is a "we'll see". If nothing, its kept me more realistic, sane, and less of a scrooge!
This week also started my 16 week marathon plan for Coffee Milk Marathon on April 7 - even though it seems odd to start a plan the week before Christmas, its worked out well for me to get out there and get it done. While I had no break throughs other than the notice that I can't sing well (not a shocker) as I attempted some big hair crooning during my last recovery run with the hubs (hewill probably never run with me again loved it) the fact that I'm on a training plan again makes this type A girl super happy.
Speaking of happy, if you still are shopping and a bit clueless about what to buyme that fabulous triathlete in your life, I'm here to help. Every year my mom looks at me like I have two heads when I attempt to explain my training toys to her, so here goes....in no particular order....the 2018 triathlete wish list!
1. Hanson Marathon Method: Run Your Best Marathon: This book is epic. I used it for my last
marathon and took over five minutes off my time on a hilly course. I found that running 6 days a week made a huge difference in my ability to run tired and somewhat fast. I also should probably return it to the person that let me borrow it. Whoops.
2. Swim Paddles/goggles - While running 6 days a week does wonders for your run skill, it does shit for your swim form. As we've noticed on this blog (and everywhere I go) I need to work on this. It helps if you have toys to use for drills, and also if your goggles don't leak. Apparently you need to replace the latter every few years....or probably more if you pretend you actually swim. Which I don't, but hey, I'm trying.
3. Running Shoes: These guys need to be replaced every 300-400 miles, which for me is every two months. I am in love with Saucony Ride 10s - I wore Saucony's in high school, broke up with them for Asics, and last year came groveling back to my long lost love. They are comfy, last forever, and you don't even need socks with them. Which is a hot button topic in the running world, but whatever. No blisters = no socks. Plus it makes transition a hell of a lot easier during tri's. And it's a great lethal weapon if greg ever pisses me off. Seriously. Def con 5.
4. Which leads to....Win detergent. While laundry soap is decidedly un exciting, so is the stink of workout clothes after running a zillion miles in them. And this stuff works. It's also not a zillion dollars, though I would highly recommend the economy pack, especially if you're married to a crazy triathlete!
5. Cool race wear - While I usually look like a homeless person or live in my running clothes (Hey at least I DO work out!), I oddly enough like to look put together while racing (which makes no sense, as you don't even want to talk about what happens during the swim portion of a tri). Last year, Santa brought me a cool Betty tri kit, and I would love to accessorize with the matching bra and visor. Black works, but my race color is pink (another oxymoron) so ya know, glam it up, girl.
6. Stocking stuffers - We athletes are super easy - gus, gum, travel sized stuff for our gym bags, chamois butter (well, I don't use it, but most sane people do), energy bars (larabars are yummy and don't melt) and, my fave, Epsom salt for recovery baths.
If in doubt....just do what my mom does. Race entries and massages. She is the best. And does not understand my crazy, but loves me anyways :)
I know that ridiculous video is still in your head. You're Welcome.
Merry Christmas and I hope Santa is good to you and you get everything on your list!
As years go, this has been one of the biggest struggle fests to fit it all in in time for Christmas. I finally have all my shopping done, save for a few stocking stuffers. I haven't touched any baking yet, and who knows if my house will be clean for our annual dinner for twenty. But, there's four days left, so I'm slightly optimistic. This year I've decided to put the important stuff first, like Christmas parties with friends, gingerbread houses with the kids, school parties, and the heck with it if I make 4 kinds of cookies instead of seven. I had the kids and Greg pick out their fave kinds, so we have snickerdoodles, chocolate crinkle cookies and PBJ thumbprints on tap, and then the rest is a "we'll see". If nothing, its kept me more realistic, sane, and less of a scrooge!
This week also started my 16 week marathon plan for Coffee Milk Marathon on April 7 - even though it seems odd to start a plan the week before Christmas, its worked out well for me to get out there and get it done. While I had no break throughs other than the notice that I can't sing well (not a shocker) as I attempted some big hair crooning during my last recovery run with the hubs (he
Speaking of happy, if you still are shopping and a bit clueless about what to buy
1. Hanson Marathon Method: Run Your Best Marathon: This book is epic. I used it for my last
 |
| Not on the wish list. At least for racing. |
2. Swim Paddles/goggles - While running 6 days a week does wonders for your run skill, it does shit for your swim form. As we've noticed on this blog (and everywhere I go) I need to work on this. It helps if you have toys to use for drills, and also if your goggles don't leak. Apparently you need to replace the latter every few years....or probably more if you pretend you actually swim. Which I don't, but hey, I'm trying.
3. Running Shoes: These guys need to be replaced every 300-400 miles, which for me is every two months. I am in love with Saucony Ride 10s - I wore Saucony's in high school, broke up with them for Asics, and last year came groveling back to my long lost love. They are comfy, last forever, and you don't even need socks with them. Which is a hot button topic in the running world, but whatever. No blisters = no socks. Plus it makes transition a hell of a lot easier during tri's. And it's a great lethal weapon if greg ever pisses me off. Seriously. Def con 5.
4. Which leads to....Win detergent. While laundry soap is decidedly un exciting, so is the stink of workout clothes after running a zillion miles in them. And this stuff works. It's also not a zillion dollars, though I would highly recommend the economy pack, especially if you're married to a crazy triathlete!
5. Cool race wear - While I usually look like a homeless person or live in my running clothes (Hey at least I DO work out!), I oddly enough like to look put together while racing (which makes no sense, as you don't even want to talk about what happens during the swim portion of a tri). Last year, Santa brought me a cool Betty tri kit, and I would love to accessorize with the matching bra and visor. Black works, but my race color is pink (another oxymoron) so ya know, glam it up, girl.
6. Stocking stuffers - We athletes are super easy - gus, gum, travel sized stuff for our gym bags, chamois butter (well, I don't use it, but most sane people do), energy bars (larabars are yummy and don't melt) and, my fave, Epsom salt for recovery baths.
If in doubt....just do what my mom does. Race entries and massages. She is the best. And does not understand my crazy, but loves me anyways :)
I know that ridiculous video is still in your head. You're Welcome.
Merry Christmas and I hope Santa is good to you and you get everything on your list!
No comments:
Post a Comment