Go Push Yourself

 
I started the weekend with my planned 25K/15.5M long run early this morning.

 


 
I wanted to keep an easy pace of average 05:24 Min/KM (08:41 Min/M), with the first 5K being a bit slower than average, and the last 5K being a bit faster than average.

 
This is me at the end of my run, back to my car, running around the parking lot to make it to 25K… seriously I couldn’t stop at 24.89..

 

I never thought I’d be that person…

 
The weather was amazing, cold enough to keep me cool but nothing more than that.

 
I wore my Mizuno compression BG-5000 tights, that’s one amazing pair of tights.. they are on the pricey side but they are worth it for hard efforts, especially long runs, where the compression helps with the feeling of tired legs. The only thing I don’t like about these tights is that they don’t have a back pocket, only that little key pocket inside the front of the waist… seriously, what are running apparel people thinking when they make clothes with this pocket? Who wants to run with a key sticking into their waist?

 


 
I wore my new Ironman running sunglasses because I knew the sun would be up and bothering me at some point, I started running at 6:30 AM so my finish time was to be about 8:45. I actually wore them on my head for the first half hour or so since it was still grey out, and they didn’t move or bother me in any way. So I’m really happy with this $30 pair of sunglasses, really worth it.

They might be men sunglasses… who cares

 
This was my 2nd run with my new black Mizuno Wave Rider 16s, it feels so nice to be running with new shoes. My first pair of Wave Rider 16s (aqua) is getting to that point where the cushioning is not as supportive as it used to be, although I still wear them often. I probably have about 500KM/310M on them… so they should last a bit longer.

 
The first 5K I run as planned, pretty easy. For some reason those first KMs always feel the hardest.
Then I picked up the pace, I think the next 15K/9.3M were average of 05:05 Min/KM (08:11 Min/M). Nothing crazy, but definitely faster than I intended, especially for a long run… although my hips starting feeling thight, I loved the feeling of pushing, of making an effort, of making it not easy on myself… And I know this is not always healthy and I really don’t want to get any kind of injury or pain, but sometimes I can’t help it. Last 5K were faster, I was high on running, enjoying the view and the morning air and the fact that I’m healthy and that my body can run. Average pace 04:45 Min/KM (07:38 Min/M).

 

Last 7K

 
So even though running is hard, and we have to run smart, and take care of our bodies, today I say, go out and push yourself, run harder or run longer, until you feel the burn, even if for a minute, because it’s worth it.

 


 
I had a tempo run scheduled for tomorrow but I will switch to an easy run, and I will make up for today’s speedier run.

 
So that was my run, and I’ve been feeling happy and eating non-stop ever since. THE END.

 

 

What I Take When I Go Running, and I’m a Gear Addict

 
I admit I’m one of those people that if I’m uncomfortable, I just can’t function. When I go running, I have to have as little on me as possible.
Don’t get me wrong, because I am a little obsessed with running gear, and own way more than I need… I just don’t want it all on me at the same time.

 
CAR KEYS:
Don’t you love running bottoms with zipper pockets on them? I don’t buy them without them, learned my lesson.
Because I usually don’t run straight from my house, but either drive to the boardwalk or drive closer to the gym to run around that area so I can do some strength/swimming/shower afterwards, I have to have my car keys with me. That’s when that zipper pocket comes in handy. Put the key in there, and forget about it.

 

Those pockets are a life saver

 
MUSIC:
I don’t think I ever ran without listening to music, I bet if I did I would run so much slower.. The rhythm of the music helps me move, and keeps me entertained.. how do people run without it, I would be so bored…
But then I would never consider swimming with musi, and some people love it, to each their own, of course.

 
So my IPod Shuffle is always with me, I have a pink one I bought I think 3 years ago, and it still works perfectly. I thought of buying a new one but there’s no point until this one stops working, since I would get the same exact model anyway. I love how small and light it is, and the back clip that I just attach to the waist of my shorts/pants and don’t feel for the whole run (the IPod doesn’t move or fall). I wish they had a screen to display the songs I’m listening to, but I guess they can’t fit one in such a small device, and really, size is everything in this model.

 


 
HAIR TIE:
I know this sounds obvious, it is to me, but I’ve seen girls running with untied hair and I just don’t get it. I always run with a pony tail and pray that my hair tie doesn’t break.

 

Simple and strong

 
RUNNING WATCH:
I started running with my phone to record my time and my distance (although GPS on a smart phone is not that reliable in my personal experience), eventually moved on to a regular timer watch, which was a few hundred steps backwards in terms of technology, but at least I could wear it on my wrist and didn’t have to carry it in my pocket like I had to with my phone.
The timer watch worked fine, I measured the distance of my usual routes with Google Maps so by knowing what time it took me to run the route, I could calculate my speed.
And recently I got a Garmin so now I’m back in the 21st century.

 

Same thing, right?

 
WEATHER RELATED GEAR:
I run early in the morning so in winter it is usually cold. Depending on the temperature, I wear gloves and/or a hat. I’d rather wear gloves than the hat because the hat sometimes makes me too hot mid run. The gloves I can usually stand until the end of the run.
If I’m running later than 08:00 AM, I take running sunglasses because the sun is strong here, even in winter.
I’ve never ran with a sun hat or visor, not even in the summer, I guess I would if I were to run closer to noon.

 

I’d rather just pick one

 
NUTRITION:
I don’t take fluids and I cannot imagine myself carrying any kind of bottle or water belt. Maybe someday if I’m training for a marathon? I think I would just do routes with water fountains in them, seriously.
I also don’t take fuel on regular runs or long easy runs. The only time I take a GU gel is when I’m doing a long run with a fast finish, since I’ll be making a hard effort from the half point on, and I eat it a few minutes before I start to run faster.

 

I get the variety pack but my favorite is Espresso Love

 
I like to see other people running by me with all their cool stuff (hair bands, arm sleeves, calf sleeves, water/running belts, phone arm bands), but I can’t do it.