22 Miles with the B.R.A.

Let's cut straight to the chase here... I RAN 22 MILES!!!

*insert battle cry here* (Actually, I really need to work on this battle cry, what should it be??? Like my redheaded war cry ya know? Hmmm....)

Friday night as discussed I trekked over to B.o.B's side of the state and we settled into our extremely party-animalistic Friday night... eating dinner, watching Coach EK's video of him running the 2006 Chicago Marathon where I swear I most certainly did NOT* get emotional and want to cry (Best part... when they do some close-ups of people hitting "the wall" after mile 20... B.o.B: Don't watch this part! No don't look! You're not going to look like that!!!! Turn away from the TV!!!! LOL!!!) catching a spectacular episode of the Golden Girls (oh how I love the GG's), having B.o.B make fun of me as I go through my stretching routine (OMG what are you doing?!?!? AHAHAHAHAHA) and finally settling into bed whilst it was still light out. I love us. We rock.

So did I mention that I ran 22 miles? Oh I did? Ok... just making sure.

Fast forward to 3am... it's wakey-wakey time and we fall into the motions of our respective getting ready routines. With all systems go we head over to the B.R.A. meet-up headquarters for the route. It's a 4 1/2 mile out & back with plenty of water along the way, gas stations at each end and porta potties in between. Como? What is this organization thing they speak of?

I fall into place with two lovely ladies of the B.R.A. and we proceed to kill the next 18 miles with little to no problem. I feel strong, the pace is perfect, the ladies are great and we pass the time swapping our running backgrounds as the miles tick off. At the 18 mark we only have one more out to go before we're done and I am def feeling the heat and getting tired. Just as we prepare to head back out I see P-Funk coming in B.o.B-less. Uh-oh... as the seconds tick by I finally see her visor bouncing along and instantly feel relief... until I see her face. She's in pain. No bueno.

Upon arriving she recaps to us that her ankle is bothering her and she isn't going to be able to finish the run. I can see the disappointment dripping off her. My heart aches for her because I know how hard it is. I've been in her shoes and it's not fun. I tell her not to push herself and to just call it a day, 18 is still a very respectable distance and she'll kick herself in the @ss if she hurts herself further. With a nod of understanding I hand her a Naproxen and hope against all hope she heeds every one's warning.

I head out and fall in line behind the girls as we set out to finish up the 4 remaining miles. No sooner do we start out that I know without a doubt it's going to be a rough 4 miles. At 19 I take a walk break so I can stretch my calves and thus fall behind. At Mile 20, same thing. By this point P-Funk has caught up to me and we run the next mile more or less together, chatting away. At Mile 21, another walk break is needed. P-Funk steams on and I have a little inner chat with myself...

Negative Nancy: 21 miles is still pretty d@mn respectable. You should just stop... look at you you're a tired, sweaty mess.
Motivated Morgan: Eff that, it's only one more frigging mile. Just DO IT!!!
Negative Nancy: But it's soooooooooo far... just quit... 21 miles is still 21 friggin miles.
Motivated Morgan: Ok how about a compromise? At 22 miles you can stop and walk it in. Your plan calls for 22 miles so just stop there and you're done. You can walk your happy @ss in the remaining .5 miles and still have accomplished the plan.
Negative Nancy: Alright... but it sounds better to just stop and walk now.
Motivated Morgan: JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!

So I busted out the last mile. Flipped my Nike+ the bird when it rolled over the 22, promptly pushed "END WORKOUT" and walked my happy, exhausted, sweaty, disgusting @ss into the finish. 22 Miles - CHECK!

I RAN 22 MILES!!! I only have to run 4.2 miles further and I'll have run a friggin marathon!!! Un-be-liev-able.

After everyone was accounted for and cleaned up (or as cleaned up as you can get after 22 miles) we headed over to Panera for some much deserved breakfast where I assure you I most certainly did NOT* order a spinach & artichoke egg souffle AND whole grain bagel and devour every morsel of each. The next hour was spent cracking up at the B.R.A. hi jinks and regaling in the camaraderie. Every time I hang out with them, it makes me so sad I don't have a running family like this in Orlando. From the pervy convo's to the total and unabashed show of encouragement and support, you really can't find a better group of runners than the B.R.A. Thanks again guys for letting me run with you! Looking forward to next time already!

The highlights of the day/run are as follows:

• Being the ONLY runner without a headlamp.
  
• R & H spiderweb blocking until R got viciously attached by giant spider. (What is with all these d@mn spiders?!?!?)
• Noticing the giant incline that went on forever and H "comforting me" by saying, "Oh yeah see that tree up there? Yeah well no matter how long you run it feels like you never get to it." Thanks a lot!!!
  
• Meeting the infamous Navy Steve and Caribbean Steve
• Everyone who hadn't met me yet saying "You must be The Redhead"
  
• Coach Tom's sweaty hug at the 9 mile mark
• Coach Tom convinced I was giving him the key to my heart when I handed him B.o.B's car key
• R trumping my burp and telling me it's because she pulls it from the gut. Classy! LOL!
  
• The 7-11 lady asking me if I was ok at the 18 mark (I must have looked pretty bad)
• Realizing I might just be a vampire runner because too much face time with the sun kicks my @ss. More night/early morning running please!
  
• Hearing Coach EK explain his drink situation about 20 times
• All the different random conversations I couldn't quite keep up with around the breakfast table
• Navy Steve using his stick on me. It was very long, hard and kinda hurt. ;)
  
• Coach Tom holding a round of applause for all the 22 mile virgins
• Me telling B.o.B every 10 minutes or so that I had ran 22 miles
  
• B.o.B proclaiming herself my running mom as she dumped the ice in my ice bath
• Lloyd the Attack Terrier's stinky breathe all up in my face while B.o.B and I tried to stay awake while elevating

So yeah... did you know that I ran 22 MILES? Cuz I did. Yup. Twenty-two. I kinda feel like issuing a public statement or something. I have pretty much told everyone I've come in contact with since that "oh by the way I ran 22 miles this weekend." I get bragging rights right? I mean I can find ways to work it into the conversation... and if I can't... I'll just announce it anyway.

When I got to Lazy Runner's birthday celebration Saturday night everyone introduced themselves to me and either said "You must be the runner girl" and/or "You ran 22 miles this morning didn't you." It kinda made me happy to be the known as the runner girl. LOL! LR and I also realized that it was the first time we had ever seen each other outside of running. We met at a 5k, ran into each other again at a 10k and then started running together... 7 months later and we finally got to see each other unsweaty, unsmelly, freshly showered and put together. It was kind awkward. LOL! Since we didn't run together this weekend I put together a "running care package" for his run this morning with Capt. C. I think it made his night... well that and the gloriously yummy carrot cake we ate in celebration. Mmmm...

Besides all that there was a whole lot of being exhausted and napping... If this was any indication of how tired I'll be after the marathon, I'm basically going to be useless! With that being said...

22 MILES DONE!!! ONLY 4.2 MILES FURTHER & 6 WEEKS TO GO!!! CHICAGO HERE I COME!!!

*Totally DID.

O.A.R & my girls... just what the Doctor ordered!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!! TGIF!!!

Last night was just what I needed! There's nothing quite like a great concert, a reunion with old friends and some carb loading courtesy of a Shock-Top! LOL! Yup, I was a naughty girl and enjoyed a tasty adult beverage last night... Mmm Beer!

(I drank almost the whole glass!!!)

Way back when, from 2003-2006, Rixy, Ebs and I used to rent a house on Pamlico St., thus the "Pamlico Girls" were formed. Those three years were spent on the front porch of our house (cuz we're white trash like that) enjoying many an adult beverage and jamming out to a whole lotta tunes... especially some O.A.R.

Pamlico Girls circa 2005 (Me, Rixy & Ebs)

For many a year since those Pamlico days we've been trying and failing to get to an O.A.R concert. Every year we somehow forgot or missed it due to prior engagements. But not this year!!! Last night Rixy drove up from Bradenton and the Pamlico Girls where reunited once more!!! The concert was a blast and just what I needed to get my mind off the 22 Miler. The best part, besides the obvious reunion of the Pamlico Girls, was that they ended the show with a killer remix of "Crazy Game of Poker" THE ultimate drinking, sing-on-the-top-of-your-lungs, dance around like an idiot song!!! YAY!!!

Pamlico Girls circa 2009 - Rocking out!!!

So much fun and you better believe I'm going to be jamming out to some O.A.R. tomorrow morning on my run!!! That was easily one of the best concerts I've seen and I'm going to be channeling the fun and energy of the show to fuel my run as I rock the hell outta the 22 miler tomorrow!!!

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement yesterday guys... you are the best!!! Next post... 22 Miler Recap where B.o.B, the BRA and I killed it.

Have a FANTABULOUS weekend ya'll! Kill those races, score some P.R.'s and rock those long runs!!!

3 Things Thursday

1. The FANTABULOUS staff over at Nuun sent me this package yesterday with the 3 remaining flavors I had yet to try after reading my review on their product. How awesome is that!?!?! Thank you so much Nuun! I've already tried the Tri-Berry and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!!
   
   
   


2. Tonight I'm hitting up the O.A.R. concert with Rixy & Ebs!!! Pamlico girls reunite! So many nights spent on the porch jamming out to O.A.R. with these girls back in the day. I am SO STOKED! I L-O-V-E O.A.R.!!! They are a staple in my running playlist, you should def check them out if you don't already love them.
   


3. Saturday's long run is 22 miles. TWENTY-TWO MILES!!! A four mile bump up from last week's 18 miler, my first and only long run mileage bump over 2 miles. This run is also my longest run of the training plan. I am scared sh*tless. Thankfully B.o.B and the BRA have graciously agreed to let me run with them on Saturday morning. This has been plaguing my mind, emotions and nerves all week. Wish us luck!!! Did I mention that Saturday is my 22 miler?
   AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
   
   
   *Grabs paper sack*
   Breathe... breathe...

Inventory

Today Jamoosh posted about encouraging female runner/bloggers to post pics of themselves for his assessment, while I'm not into all that kinky photo-swapping business, it did make me stop and take inventory of the current state of affairs of my body...

• Of my 10 toenails only 3 are normal functioning toe nails. The rest are in various stages of nonexistence, eradication or more disgustingly, possible infection. Thank you Lazy Runner for running us through godknowswhat on that trail. Keep your fingers crossed that one clears up and no professional medical assistance is needed.
  
  
• I have red marks on each boob where the Gu's I packed into my sports bra on Saturday scraped my skin. Sexy.
  
  
• Speaking of boobs, they've gone down at least another half cup size. D@mn it. Time to invest in some training bra's.
  
  
• I have a handful of unidentifiable scrapes and bruises that I'm sure are all running related.
  
  
• My arms are starting to look a bit too muscular, one might even say masculine. Time to lay off the push ups.
  
  
• My calves on the other hand, are dead sexy. Work 'em girl.
  
  

Somewhere over the last couple months of training my body has transformed into that of a runner. Shocking huh? There are muscles in places I never thought would see definition. The chunky monkey of my @ss is actually starting to disappear. A strangers glance might even classify me as athletic. Where once upon a time I would have found many of these things I've listed unappealing (especially the toe nails!!! YUCK!!!) I now wear proudly as badges of honor. The war wounds of my runs tell a story of the hard work and determination I've put into my training. They aren't pretty but they're mine and I've earned them. I don't think "normal" people would or could understand this level of pride quite like ya'll can. How bout it... what/where are your scars? Favorite "war" story of the acquired?

Closing Statement to Jamoosh: While there are no pictures attached, I hope I've managed to hold your attention through this post by mentioning boobs twice... actually now three times.

The Dysfunctional 18 Miler

I am happy to report that for once, when I woke up at 2:50 am there was no text message from Lazy Runner mere hours before requesting two wake up calls. One wonders if he's finally starting to take this running/training for a marathon thing seriously... (yeah right) Any way, I got up and around and headed on over to the UCF area to meet up with LR for our planned 18 Miler. We met at the Starbucks (not to be confused with 4Bucks which I seriously googled not realizing he meant that as a joke... I don't drink coffee so I don't know these things!!!!) and headed out for our dysfunctional run.

First off let me just set the scene by stating that LR shows up wearing his ex-girlfriends running shorts... I know this because he told me so I feel no sympathy for him as I repeat this. Homeboy was wearing chick shorts! You can just imagine the thigh-age going on... Then I decided to take a tip from Frayed Laces and use my sports bra as a pocket to pack my Gu... (which worked surprisingly well and eliminated having to wear my spibelt that I have recently decided I hate) We def started the run out with more than a few laughs.

Anyway there we are pitch dark, running all around the greater UCF area, have not the faintest clue our route but the first 9 miles were fairly uneventful. Lots of running down dark roads, swapping stories and trying to find where he tossed the waters in the bushes. But come Mile 9, as we're running along some random dark road LR stops and goes, "Morgan turn here." "Here" was a bunch of bushes and trees. Um yeah not so much... "No really, we're turning here." Um yeah not so much... "No really, we're turning here. Just um... duck under and then we have to climb over this thing and there's a trail!" LR and his trails. (Insert annoyed frustration sound here.)

As I stare at the bushes I wonder why I have to "duck" until I see this gigantic spider web with accompanying gigantic spider. I HATE SPIDERS. We actually had an entire conversation about spiders earlier in the run and how I would NOT go anywhere that had spiders... go figure here's a giant spider... As I continue to stall and refuse (Read: Temper Tantrum) about going, LR disappears into the foliage. Mother Effer! Did I mention it's still pitch black dark out? Did I mention I'm scared of the dark? Did I mention I'm on the side of some unidentified road staring at a giant spider web?!?!? I had no choice... I ducked hopefully under the spider web, screeching like a girl the entire time, and then attempted to climb over a road block that came about hip high before falling over it "gracefully." (Read: Like a sack of potatoes. You try scaling a road block when you're a midget that's been running 9 miles already!) Once I regained my composure (Read: Danced around screeching like an idiot swatting my entire body to make sure no spiders where on me) I gazed over at LR and "the trail." "The Trail" is an overgrown, muddy dirt road. Awesome... notsomuch.

For the next mile I dodged mud puddles as best I could in the pitch dark while praying I didn't twist an ankle as I attempted to keep up with LR so the scary boogie monsters of the night wouldn't get me. When we finally stumbled out of "the trail" into a parking lot I was easily capable of murder. If looks could kill LR would be dead. My BRAND NEW shoes were so water bogged I had to wring out my socks. I was covered in mud and dirt and bugs. I wanted to scream. Sure I'm up for an adventure but that was ridiculous. I don't think I spoke two words to him for a good 10 minutes after that little detour. I am now the proud owner of several blisters on several toes because of this. UCF "Trails" = FAIL!

Back in civilization we headed towards the nearest open facility, a La Quinta Inn, to use the facilities and fill up my handheld. While I'm refueling LR does some refueling of his own... I walk out of the restroom to find him drinking a cup of coffee. 11 miles into an 18 mile run and this kid is drinking a cup of coffee. He is not human I tell you. Who does this?!??!?

We headed back over to the UCF campus to finish our run and that's when the real dysfunction started kicking in. First off my knee had been nagging me the entire run, it was still bothering me from Mondays track session and after all that puddle jumping added to that the fact that my shoes are sloshing away at each step, it was not feeling the run anymore. Furthermore I had been using the nuun the entire run and not drinking enough plain water so my tummy was starting to feel sloshy, something that's never happened before. And to top it off Superman over here is finally getting his just deserves and his knee is bothering him enough to actually request a few walking stops. In short we were falling apart.

Our spirits were still high, lack of energy wasn't an issue, so we trudged on. LR decided to take us down another random trail which I agreed to only because it was light out but after a good quarter mile of puddle jumping I was over it. LR decided not to fight me on the matter and we headed back to the campus route and finished out the loop. I didn't go to UCF for college but I lived minutes from it my entire Florida residency so it was neat to check out the campus and see all the different areas.

With 2 miles to go we were near the car and it was getting hotter out so LR suggested we hit a nice shaded, wood-chip trail behind some office buildings he knew of. I was weary of more "trail" running but he assured me it wouldn't be so bad so we trekked over and it wasn't... the shade was nice and the terrain was quite comfy on the knees... but I was falling off bad by this point. My sloshy tummy was turning into an all out need to puke. I begged a walk break at Mile 17 to regain my composure and that's when LR's knee threw in the towel on him. He headed towards the cars and I finished out the last mile solo. I run up the trail a good quarter mile or so and then headed back to the parking lot to meet up with him walking towards the cars. I picked up the pace and finished it up strong. Another 18 milers struck off the training plan!

When I compared the stats to our last 18 miler (aka the crazy Friday night hill running of Clermont adventure) I was a bit disappointed to find that we had only shaved off one minute in comparison but I attribute that to the craptastic "trails" we ran and the fact that we both had some nagging knee issues. I won't call it a bad run, it wasn't, the overall pace was 9:06 which is still decent but I had really hoped to see some great progress like I did with last weeks 16 Miler. Oh well, they can't always be so glamorous. I'd give you more stats but for some reason my iPod is not syncing up to my computer so I'm in the dark as to what the splits are. Stupid iPod! Grrr!

After the run I hit up the store for two bags of ice and proceeded into the most painfully cold ice bath imaginable... but it helped. I'm feeling like a million bucks and even had a great recovery run this evening with Deputy S over on the Econ Trail. The 5 miles breezed by with at a nice easy 9:40 pace. Probably should've taken it slower but the legs felt great and we were just chatting away. It's been forever since I've caught up with him and I think we're going to start running Sunday nights after I get off the night gig together.

Well besides all that running I hit West Palm to visit Baby Maya again, it's been a few months since I last seen her and just check her out... she's getting so big!!! Don't you just want to eat her up!!!


Well that's that, another weekend done, another week closer to Chicago.
7 more weeks!!!

Redhead Running has Heart!

Mel over at Tall on the Run has tagged me to "Show your Heart"

The tag reads: "with as much creativity as you can muster, show your heart in: a picture, poem, a song (or piece of music), a phrase (or quote), an item of clothing, a place, and (just for fun) a Disney princess." So here goes...

My Heart in a picture...

My Bubbies... aka Redhead Running's Baby Brothers Kabob & Cheech... It's been over a year since I've seen them last!!! :( I miss them so much and can't wait to see them in October!!!

My Heart in a poem...

Remember by Christina Rosetti

Remember me when I am gone away,

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

You tell me of our future that you plann'd:

Only remember me;

you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.

My Heart in a song...

Ok so don't judge but that song by... Miley Cyrus ... "The Climb" well I totally tear up when I hear it...

"There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side

It's the climb"

My Heart in a phrase...

"It's very hard to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the real competition is against the voice inside you that wants to quit."

- George Sheehan

My Heart in an article of Clothing...

My "Dike Shorts." If I could wear these incredibly comfy, incredibly versatile shorts every single day I totally would. I've rocked them to the beach with my bikini, I've rocked them with heels, a cute top and went out but mostly I just rock them like this... and all my friends have officially given up on the white shorts, they know I'll always wear them... which is a vast improvement from the camo ones...

My Heart in a place...

While I've traveled quite a few places and seen some amazing/beautiful/inspring things, at the end of the day... there's no place like HOME.

Disney Princess...

Well this one was easy...

I'm redheaded, enjoy singing, hang out with a merry band of misfits, struck out on my own far from home in a land unlike my own, collect strange items of interest (Flamingo's anyone) and although I miss my family very, very much, I was just meant for bigger better things.

Thanks Mel for tagging me! That was fun and really tough! I now tag:

Hot Piece of Sass
Harmony's Travels
Living and Loving in L.A.
NJ Training
No One Said it would be Easy

Show me your heart ladies!!!

...and the Winner is...

First off, THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by, entered, shouted out, became a follower, etc... for my first Giveaway!!!

After consulting the random number generator over at Random.org, the lucky winner of the $100 Gift Certificat to Dick's Sporting Goods is #66...

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

Elina from Healthy and Sane

CONGRATS ELINA!!!

Her entry stated: "I would buy a foam roller and some new sports bras. I've been wanting to do more running outside shirtless, but most of my old s/bs are not really acceptable for public ;)"

Elina - send me an email (redheadrunning (@) gmail ) with your name and contact information and we'll get that gift certificate to you ASAP so you can get that foam roller (greatest thing ever and will totally help with that hip issue) and some new sports bra's so you can run around in public judgement free! LOL! :)

Happy Friday everyone! I hope ya'll rock your long runs and PR in your races!!!

3 Things Thursday

1. It's over. I'm officially ending my relationship (or lack there of) with the track. Speedwork is officially being struck from my training plan. I've tried repeatedly to give it a fair chance but it's just not working out. Yes I know it makes you faster but is it worth this pain? As far as I'm concerned... not anymore. I've given it so many chances, taken it back one to many times... I do not deserve the pain and suffering it causes me. That being said I will now lace my Tempo Runs on Thursdays with Fartlek's (not to be confused with Fartnik's as I told B.o.B yesterday). I tried this last week and I did so much better than I ever have at the track. Plus there was no lingering pain after. While some of you may have a special relationship with speedwork, alas I can not say the same about our abusive relationship. I mean look at what it's done to me, behold the wonder of the Office Mullet: (Oh yes I DID!)

(Excuse the headless horsewoman that I am, I didn't have the heart to ask coworker to take another one considering the sillyness of the request to begin with...)

Saturday's Long Run calls for the second 18 miler of the training plan.... Lazy Runner has decided that we shall tackle his old stomping grounds and relive his glory days of running for UCF by hitting the campus and trails. Should be interesting with a 4am start... wonder if we'll run in to any drunkards still out and about?!?!

Today is the last day to enter my Giveaway for $100 Gift Certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods. If you haven't entered yet, click the link above and leave me a comment already!!! Winner to be announced tomorrow morning-ish... GOOD LUCK and thank's to everyone that's entered already and plugged it on your blogs! Much luv!!! MUAH!

Why I Run

When I go to bed early,
and wake earlier still,
I wonder why I Run.


When my heart isn’t in it
and it all seems like a waste of time,
I wonder why I Run.

When each mile is torture,
and the end is nowhere in sight,
I wonder why I Run.


When the exhaustion takes over,
I’m breathless and want to give up,
I wonder why I Run.


When the tears mix with sweat,
as I push through the pain,
I wonder why I Run.


When my pride is wounded,
from coming up short,
I wonder why I Run.


When I catch a perfect sunrise,
While I have the city to myself,
When I run a PR,
When my pace is dead on,
When the pain is forgotten,
And with a smile on my face,
I finish strong…

This is why I Run.

Tuesday Trial - Nuun

Recently I tried a new electrolyte product and wanted to attempt my first product review, this could become a weekly to bi-weekly thing depending on how it goes over, so without further ado I give you...

Awhile back after reading Chic Runner's raving report about Nuun and after discussing it further via IM with her, I decided to give it a certified Redhead Running test... I usually stick to my tried and true Strawberry-Kiwi G2 but after crapping out at the end of countless runs I really wanted to analyze my hydration situation. After hitting up the website for retailers near me I trekked over to Glory Cycles to buy a tube. They only had a few flavors which was disappointing, I really wanted to try the Tri-Berry, but at least they had it.

Test Run # 1 was a Tempo 8 miler with the Citrus Fruit flavor. The directions stated to dissolve one tablet in a 16 oz bottle of water, but because I am skeptical I dissolved a half a tab in a 24 oz bottle. Right off the bat I was not a fan of the taste but I made it through the entire bottle and besides the taste it worked great.

Test Run # 2 came in the form of my 14 miler; I started off drinking a small G2 bottle of it and then I stashed a water bottle of it at Mile #10. The flavor was easier to choke down this time (although I am still not a fan) and I could really tell the difference overall with helping me not bonk out at the end. I finished that run strong and I really think it had a major hand in the matter.

Test Run #'s 3 & 4 were my easy 6 miler run (cut short (to 4.5) due to S.R.S = Sucky Run Syndrome) and a Tempo 8 miler (again cut short (to 6) for the same reason) and while my run sucked, I felt properly hydrated.

Come Friday I hit Glory's again and snagged another tube, this time the Orange Ginger, to see if I would like the flavor better. I drank another G2 size bottle of it mixed with water before the 16 Miler but didn't have a chance to mix up any for the rest of the run. I felt great throughout the run but definitely noticed I didn't feel nearly as hydrated by the end. I def liked the Orange Ginger better and an added bonus; it hasn't upset my tummy once!

Survey Says: Redhead Running gives Nuun the Rock Star vote*! Def check Nuun out! You can find out more (factual & scientific) info on the product here!

Conveniently enough, Mel over at Tall Mom Running is hosting a Nuun Giveaway! Not that I want you to enter because I really want to win it... but I believe in spreading the wealth so if you haven't entered yet, get on over there...

One last thing: Don't forget to enter MY (Very First) Giveaway for $100 to Dick's Sporting Goods! Holla!!!

*Just because it worked for me doesn't mean it will work for you, I live by the rule experiment, experiment, experiment!!!

Another 16 Miler Recap... and 8 more weeks til Chicago!!!

First up... another Saturday, another Long Run with Lazy Runner... and staying true to form, another text message at 1:43 am saying "I might need a second wake up call." GRRRR!!!

Any way, we hit up the Seminole Wekiva Trail for my second 16 miler of the training plan. Since Negative Nancy filled in for Morgan all week expectations were not high for this run, so imagine my surprise when it ended up being one of the best runs I've had yet! Vicious cycle be damned! (B.o.B. and I keep having alternating weeks of good run/bad run) Highlights of the run include:

• Lazy Runner proposing to me... (Jokingly of course)


• A lot of TMI about sex (or lack there of) after discussing the new post over at the other blog (Is running better than sex?)


• Coining the term "Run-gasm" as a direct result of said conversation


• Lazy Runner attempting to run me into a swamp (JERK)


• Charging a bridge


• Admitting I wasn't wearing underwear (my shorts have them built in but I've never gone sans a regular pair too) and then being mocked for wearing them to begin with (apparently "runners" don't wear underwear??)


• Given the creeps by a gas station attendant who asked if I always ran dressed like that in the mornings... AHHHH!!!!


• LR chasing Roosters in Oviedo... apparently Roosters just hang out round those parts...


• Stealing water from a random persons hose


• Wanting to kill LR for getting the "I make the good girls go bad" song stuck in my head


• LR - "Morgan you don't need a Get Lost Garmin, you have Mapquest Man!"


• Picking up the pace for a good 3/4 of a mile to rock out a 7:43 min/mi at mile 13!!!


• Singing "This is why I'm hot" which seg-wayed into "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me" during both of which I was most certainly far from hot... except in the literal sense


• Finishing strong with a negative split!!!

Here are the stats against the last 16 miler:
7/18 - 16 Miles
Duration: 2:37
Overall Pace: 9:43

8/15 - 16 Miles
Duration: 2:23
Overall Pace: 8:55

I shaved 14 minutes off my overall time and 55 secs off my average pace! Hell's to the Yizzay!

Besides having such a great run overall I'm also stoked because after extensive research on handhelds (Thanks to everyone for reviewing them lately!!!) I finally decided on this fantastic little bright green Fuel Belt Handheld (that conveniently matches my new kicks) that worked like a charm! I never got tired of carrying it and although it doesn't hold nearly enough water for a 16 miler (it seems the Seminole Wekiva Trail is sans water stops! WTF?!?!?) I could refill it easily enough along the way. (Thank you random people's hose!)


After a run well done I gave Tall Guy Surfing a call to rehash our respective long runs, hit up Einstein's for what is becoming my new fav after run breakfast, a lox bagel, Mmm... Got to the digs and caught up with the roomies, cleaned up, chilled out and then The Brunette and I hit up a Yoga class. OMG! The regular Saturday instructor was out so we had a fill in that she just so happened to post about the other day and how fantastic she was. Well she did NOT disappoint! This chick really rocked it, I LOVED this yoga class! It looks like Yoga is fast becoming a great after long run tradition as well... I'm telling ya, it really helps work out the kinks!

The rest of Saturday I just took it easy, visited Baby RJ & my Beaker Luv, caught some rays, had lunch with my invalid friend Kimmy (she's having serious back issues poor thing), grocery shopped, chillaxed over at Therese's for a a few, she made me almond butter toast (LOL!) and then hit the hay. Oi what a day!

Sunday in preperation for B.o.B's arrival, everything got discombobulated. Therese was supposed to come run with us but ended up getting in a fight with the pavement and losing... I had forgotten all about the fact that I usually work Sunday nights and couldn't find anyone to cover my shift... So our recovery run together got canned. We did manage to soak up some sun before I went in to the night gig but B.o.B was left to fend for herself... so she hit up the Dreadmill and got her run on while I went to work and played the "I have a friend in town please let me go home!!!" card. It worked. Right about the time The Brunette & B.o.B showed up to grab a bite to eat, I got cut and was able to join them. After dinner we headed back to the digs, I hit up the Dreadmill to get my recovery run in but seriously, I can not run on the dreadmill. 3 miles in and I was over it. So I headed back upstairs and B.o.B and I settled in for our pillow fight... then it was off to bed.

8 MORE WEEKS TIL CHICAGO!!!

Don't forget to enter my Giveaway! $100 to Dick's Sporting Goods!!!

Did someone say GIVEAWAY! AHHH!!!

Happy Friday Runner Fiends... er I mean friends!!! What better way to start the weekend off right than by hosting my very first Giveaway sponsored by Dick's Sporting Goods!

*Cue the confetti!!! *Cue the marching band!!! *Cue dancing acrobats!!!

I guess this means I've officially hit the big time huh?!?!? For real, I'm so excited about this! (Shocking right? Me excited?) But seriously, I always see ya'll having giveaway's and have secretly had giveaway envy but had no clue how you even qualify to host one or even how to get free stuff for that matter! Somehow or another Andrew over at Dick's found his way over here and Giveaway sponsorship ensued! Time to spread the wealth!

Without further ado, here are the rules to qualify for a $100 Gift Card to Dick's Sporting Goods:

1. Follow @dickssportcmo on Twitter

2. Comment on this post with an answer to the question "What would you buy at Dick's with $100 and why?"

3. Link back if you'd be ever so kind

This contest will run for one week so you have until next Friday, 8/21/09 to think of something good!

Bonus entry if you answer "Buy Redhead Running *insert item here* " - J/K !!!

Maybe you need a smaller sports bra like me, maybe you need a deer whistle to scare off woodland creatures while out on your run, what about some binoculars to scope out the pony tails? The sky's the limit, its ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS PEOPLE!!! HOLLA!!!!!! Can't wait to read all your answers, I want some creative ones, high expectations here!!!

In other non-Giveaway but still exciting running related news:

• 16 Miler is on the plan for this weeks Long Run which means the new Asics get their first LR beat down... time to channel Chicago


• B.o.B is coming into town and we're running our recovery run Sunday together with Therese! YAY! It's been so very, very long since I've ran with my B and I can't wait for her to meet my new running friend! :)
  


• The new post for our other blog is up. This week's topic: Is Running Better than Sex?
  While you're there, don't forget to check out B's Hash Recap from last week!
  
  
• Thank ya'll so much for you support on my post yesterday, it really means a lot!!!
  

• Mel over at Tall Mom on the Run is hosting a Giveaway for Nuun! Check it out!

TGIF Peeps!!! May you all ROCK your long runs/races tomorrow!!!

3 Things Thursday: The Announcement Edition

This week's 3 Things Thursday is all about some major announcements. If you've paid attention to the blog layout you'll have noticed that I added a few things to the TO DO: List... so please settle back and prepare for an extra long, 3 Things Thursday: The Announcement Edition

1. Back around the end of July following my crazy 18 Miler, I received this email from Maddy over at Gotta Run:

Hi Morgan,

I don't know if you have thought about what's next for you after Chicago, but I was wondering if you would be interested in joining our Ragnar Relay Team on November 20 - 21. http://ragnarrelay.com/

It is usually run with a team of 12, but since a few of us have 30 miles scheduled for that weekend in preparation for Goofy, we decided to run it as an Ultra Team (Ultra teams are made up of six runners. Each member of the team will complete six legs of the Ragnar Relay Florida. Runners run two legs back to back three times (i.e. the first runner would run legs 1, 2, 13, 14, 25, 26 etc.)
To make matters more complicated, we want to run as a mixed team, which means we need 3 girls. One of my twitter friends from California - who is awesome and does crazy things like run 3 marathons in 20 days including the Boston Marathon, is pretty sure she is joining us and then there is one more open spot that I thought you might be interested in. I mean, if you're running 18 miles in the dark on a Friday night in Clermont, that I think you would definitely be up to the challenge!

Keep in mind it's not all at once, but over the course of 24 hours


Let me know what you think. It's going to be a lot of fun and the team has some pretty cool people and people I "know" but have never met. Talk about running blind date...

I hope you can join us! It'll be quite a story!

Best Regards,
Maddy

After reading the email, my stomach full of butterflies, I forwarded it to B.o.B with one sentence: "Why am I tempted?" To which she replied: "LOL! DO IT DO IT DO IT! And we can text each other along the way! SUPER CRAZIES UNITE!!!!" I was already sold before I even hit send and she knew it. I mean, how could I possibly say no?! So one month after my first marathon I will be running the RAGNAR with a crazy bunch of fools on the aptly named team: MOJO LOCO... how fitting since I have clearly lost my d@mn mind.

2. Next up on our list is the National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer Half Marathon to benefit the Donna Foundation. I want to do this particular run because of it's personal significance to me: My Aunt & Godmother, Donna, was diagnosed, and thankfully overcame breast cancer. When I stumbled across this aptly named race and cause I knew I wanted to run it in her honor. I plan on presenting her with a shadow box of the finishers medal and letting her know how much her strength inspired me in my running journey. I was originally planning to do the full marathon but realized that it is exactly one week before the Gasparilla Marathon (more on that in a moment) and although I have clearly already lost my mind, I think I would be pushing it by doing two marathons in a row. So right about the time I settled on doing the Half, I had an exchange with Jill over at Finishing is Winning, one thing lead to another and the next thing you know I had her convinced to come to Orlando and we'd head up to J-ville to hit the Half together! I'm so excited to run this with her and finally meet her in person!!!

3. And finally one week after the Breast Cancer Half Marathon I will be running in my second marathon, the Gasparilla 2010 Marathon! As I said above, I had planned on doing the Breast Cancer marathon as my second marathon but when I found out this would be the final year Gasparilla would host a full marathon I absolutely HAD to run the Full. An added bonus is that the race is in B.o.B's back yard and we'll get to run it together!!! I had made a pact with myself that next year I would only run races that supported causes that were important to me and imagine my surprise and excitement when Danica over at ChicRunner posted about Operation Jack. After reading Sam & Jack's story I was stoked when I saw that one of the races Sam will be running will be the Gasparilla Marathon! Autism is another subject that is near and dear to my heart as I have not one, but two cousins affected by this. I left a comment to Danica thanking her for the info and moments later I had an email waiting in my inbox from Sam about Operation Jack and becoming a team member for Train 4 Autism. A few exchanges later and I was on board. I am so excited that I am able to make Gasparilla a run for a cause that is important to me and to meet Sam in person. I encourage you to take a moment and read his story and mission and then check out the schedule to see if he is running a marathon near you and JOIN A TEAM! Do you see the trend here people? Blogging + Running = Amazing New Friends and Experiences!!! I am so frigging excited about all that my running future holds and all the amazing people I am about to meet, run with and share these crazy/inspiring adventures with!!! I plan to go into more detail about the different races in future posts but I couldn't sit on them any longer without letting the blogosphere know!

What about you? What cause do you want to run for? What/Who inspires you???

Out with the old... In with the new!

Way back when on Feb. 14th (Valentines Day for all you love birds out there) I bought my very first pair of running shoes. I was less than a month out from the Gasparilla Half Marathon and had been training all along in cross trainers. (Unbeknownst to me being still very wet behind the ears in this whole running business I thought since I got them in the running section at Kohl's they were running shoes... FAIL) Anyway, The Redhead Father, being fashionably late as always, finally got around to sending me money for Christmas as all I wanted were some real running shoes and with money in hand I trekked on over to Track Shack to be fitted for the real deal. Upon arriving a gasp was heard round the room as they looked on in disgust at my cross trainers. And I quote: "You've been training for a half marathon in these?!?!?"

A half hour, various walking/running assessments and three pairs of shoes later I walked out with my very first pair of RUNNING shoes: Asics GT-2140

A Half Marathon, countless 5k's, a 10k, 6 months & 400+ miles later it was time to invest in a new pair, the pair that will take me to CHICAGO... Introducing my NEW pair of Asics GT-2140's

Running Porn = New Shoes *Drool*

Weekend Recap

With the 20 under my belt this week's long run was like a jaunt in the park, a refreshing 14 miles. Yippee! I got with Lazy Runner to hash out a game plan but we both had different ideas; he wanted to hit REAL trails and I wanted to open it up and see how my pace is doing on a nice flat path. We agreed to disagree and come Saturday morning it was just me, the numerous 7-11's I frequented and a bunch of bums. I mapped out a run that took me over to Winter Park in and around downtown and then finish up where my usual Thursday morning neighborhood run is. I rigged my iPod up so that my ear buds where wrapped around the straps of my sports bra and I cranked up the volume so I wouldn't have to wear them (SAFETY FIRST!) but could still hear a little bit of tunes as I trekked around by myself. I got up early and water dropped at various places and then it was go time.

Let me first just say that Orlando STINKS after the bars have let out and all the drunks have stumbled home. Holy H*ll! Along the way I ran past numerous bums (we have serious bum issues here) but thankfully most were passed out cold, sleeping off some crack/booze no doubt. Winter Park was quiet and peaceful, nothing exciting there. Heading back through downtown I ran past a few runners and I was all smiles. I felt good. I felt fast. Once I got over to my hood the sun was breaking and I snapped this absolutely beautiful pic:



After I got around the lake I had the most hilarious thing happen ever... this guy on a bike wearing a fisherman's hat, comes out of nowhere and he's clapping and singing as loud as can be. Seriously. You can't make that up. WTF?! Anyway, finished up my run feeling FAN-TAB-ULOUS! Just as I got back to my digs, The Blonde called me up, she needed to be picked up and taken downtown to grab her car. She is so lucky she has a freak of a roommate that she knows she can count on in situations like this, cuz for real, who the heck else is up that early? LOL! After the walk of shame to my car, I made her buy me some water as payment for picking her drunk @ss up. Oh to be young & dumb again...

Back at the digs I plugged in the ol' Nike+ and got the best surprise ever:

Mile 1: 8:37
Mile 2: 8:46
Mile 3: 7:38 (Hell's the the Yizzay!!!)
Mile 4: 9:03 (See what happens when you get ambitious)
Mile 5: 9:05
Mile 6: 9:20
Mile 7: 8:16
Mile 8: 9:07
Mile 9: 8:41 (Now that's what I like to see...)
Mile 10: 8:41
Mile 11: 8:35
Mile 12: 8:39
Mile 13: 10:10 (Got stuck at a light and forgot to pause - FAIL)
Mile 14: 7:51 (H*LL YEAH!)

Do you see that last one there??? Do you know what that is??? A STRONG FINISH!!! Now if you'll excuse me I need to go toot some horns...

After a great run, I cleaned up, ate a lox bagel and started cleaning up the digs before the girls came over... we were hitting the pool for my best friend, Jamily's birthday. Just us girls, the sun and lots of fun. The guest of honor showed up a little early and we headed down to catch some rays whilst we waited on the rest of the crew to show up.


(Jamily and I have been best friends since our high school days back in Michigan)

After catching some rays we all split ways. Jamily and I grabbed some grub and then settled in to watch Seven Pounds. (If you haven't seen it yet, be warned it's REALLY frigging sad!!!) It's been so long since James and I have had some real quality time together and I was so thankful we got to just veg out. Such a perfect relaxing day.


By now it's Saturday night and seeing as how I had been itching to get out, The Blonde and I decided to have an impromptu "Roomies Night Out." (The Brunette ditched us for the weekend to visit the Fam so we had to entertain ourselves somehow!) With a little help from The Blonde (thank goodness I live with fashionista's as I am a fashion reject) I hit the town with a bit of style and rocked a super cute skirt combo WITH heels and loved every minute of it...


The Blonde & I (enjoying an adult beverage at that! I'm such a rebel!)

Sunday I hit up IKEA and got a new dresser (that took FOREVER to assemble, seriously, you should have seen how many pieces it came in!!! P.S. I got it in black) and that pretty much ate up my day besides just cleaning up around the digs and working at the part time gig. All in all it was a pretty d@mn good weekend if I do say so myself. I have a TON of posts in my reader as I neglected ya'll this weekend so stay tuned for lots of comments coming your way!

9 More Weeks Til Chicago Marathon!!! OMG! Down to single digit weeks! AHHHHHH!!!