If you know me or if you’ve been following my blog, you know that I completed my first marathon, the Nike Women’s Marathon, in October 2011 with Team in Training while raising close to $3000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  It was such an amazing experience that I decided to stay with TNT and attempt my second 26.2 at the Oakland Running Festival this coming March.

A girl reserves the right to change her mind, of course, and feeling a bit burned out from running following the marathon, decided to put off my second attempt at 26.2 until June 3rd, and will be running the San Diego Rock n’ Roll marathon instead.

People keep telling me that San Diego RnR is really rough.  Hot, crowded, and miles 22-26 (around Fiesta Island) are The Worst, no rock nor roll, no water stops, and no wind whatsoever.

You think that scares me?  Not quite.  Whenever someone tells me how hard San Diego is, I ask if it’s any harder than Nike and the response is always, “Oh no way!  Nike is harder!  Friends don’t let friends do Nike!  At least San Diego is flat!”

Nike Women's Marathon Elevation (aka: what was I thinking?)

San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon Elevation (aka: ahhhhhhh!)

Now that it’s time to ramp up the training, it’s also time to revisit my goals for marathon #2:

1. Complete Fundraising Sooner Than Later.  Once again, I have committed to raise $2250 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and am working hard to meet that goal as soon as possible.  With Nike, I found that I really wanted to focus on the running instead of the money and got really, really stressed about it the closer I got to race day.  I figure if I get the fund raising out of the way sooner than later this time, I’ll be able to focus more on the running and accomplishing the following goals… (it’s week 3 and I’m at 82% raised so it’s working, YAY!  My Auction for a Cure raised $1500 for LLS!!!!  THANK YOU to everyone for your bids & donations!)

2. Do It Faster.  Well, not that fast.  It took me 5 and a half freaking hours to complete Nike!  WHOA!  I blame the elevation as well as my lack of marathon knowledge and figure this one has got to be at least 30-60 minutes faster.  Honestly, I don’t really care about my speed- I believe that miles are miles are miles no matter how they are accomplished, speed is relative.  And as I am a marathon novice, just finishing the thing- no matter how long it may take- is really the greatest accomplishment.

3. Strength Train More. Distance running can be mastered via correct breathing as well as strong arms and a tight core.  I hit the weights only once a week and worked on isometrics once a week when training for Nike, but plan to up that to weights twice a week. I don’t mind weight training, boot camp trained me well for that, but fitting it into my schedule will be tough.

4. Add One More Run Each Week. I am a fan of my rest days and since we run long on Saturdays, on Sundays I rest.  I’ve started to add in short Sunday recovery runs and the occasional Monday tempo run, but haven’t been terribly consistent; nevertheless, I am going to do my best to increase my weekly mileage to about 30 miles.

5. Don’t Be Such a Wack-A-Doodle. Alright, alright, I KNOW I was a just a little, tiny bit the Honorary Mayor of Crazy Town with my constant obsession with the marathon. I’m still as obsessed (that is, passionate and dedicated) but now that I have already completed one, I can go into this next one with a lot more perspective, confidence, and knowledge. I can’t promise that I won’t go completely psycho like last time but I promise I will try to stay calm… well, calmer…

WEEK 1 (2/5 – 2/11)
Sunday: Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon** (PR by 5 minutes!!!), 13.1 miles
Monday: REST (PRs take work- I was SOOOO tired & sore!)
Tuesday: Buddy Run, 3.33 miles
Wednesday: Elliptical 45 minutes followed by 30 minutes of strength training
Thursday: Track Run, 2.25 miles
Friday: REST
Saturday: Run, 7.5** miles
Total: 26.18 running miles

WEEK 2 (2/12-2/18)
Sunday: Run, 3 miles
Monday: Strength Training, 30 minutes
Tuesday: Buddy Run, 3.33 miles
Wednesday: Yoga, 1 hour
Thursday: Track Run, 3.25 miles
Friday: Elliptical 30 minutes followed by 30 minutes of strength training
Saturday: REST (woke up feeling like crap, very sore throat)
Total: 9.58 running miles

WEEK 3 (2/13-2/19)
Sunday: Run, 6 miles (felt great, held a good 9:12 pace the whole time!)
Monday: Run, 3 miles (tempo run on treadmill, 9:00 pace)
Tuesday: Buddy Run, 3.18 miles (after I officially felt SICK, SICK, SICK!!!)
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: REST (stupid flu!)
Saturday: Run, 10 miles** (hoping this flu is gone and my mojo returns- wish me luck!)
Total: 22.18 running miles

(**This is not a typical marathon training schedule- I initially started training for the Oakland full in November 2011, so my mileage got pretty high.  Since my next race is a half marathon on March 25th, I’m keeping it there!  And hoping for another PR!)

Going into Sunday’s half marathon, I was more than dubious.  Having felt burned out for the first time in 5 years, I wasn’t too sure that a half marathon was the smartest thing to do given my attitude problem.

Thankfully, I was wrong.

The Kaiser Permanente half was just what I needed to shake that feeling- it was such a great race!  As my 35th race and my 4th half marathon, it was the most mellow race experience to date.  With 10,000 participants, the course was not crowded, course support aplenty, the weather was gorgeous, plus I PRed by 5 minutes so, yes, I am completely biased.  I’ve got my mojo back- yaaaaaay!

My friend Anya arrived to my place at 5:40am on Sunday morning and off we trekked to San Francisco.  Even though the race started at 8am, I really wanted to get there early to avoid any parking or bib pick-up issues and thankfully Anya agreed- I was so happy to have the company!

We drove out, got parking, then walked to a near by Starbuck’s to get caffeinated for our race.  After coffee, we waked back through Golden Gate Park, I picked up my bib and we waited for the start.

Me & Anya trying not to pee ourselves from all that fricking coffee!

We waited and stretched and tried to locate the rest of our Team in Training buddies but with 10,000 participants, no one was easy to find… finally the national anthem was sung, the race began, and we were off…

Again, it was really a mellow race.  The course ran through Golden Gate Park which has ample room, not one bit of congestion like I am always used to.  Found my pace easily, pumped up my tunes, smiled at my fellow runners, and just enjoyed the beautiful day!  Even though it had been raining earlier in the week, the sun came out and we were met with blue skies and a slight breeze, which immediately reminded of how much I love to run in this great city I call home.  (Burnout?  What’s that???)

It felt just as good as it looks!

Like I said, this was my 35th race, so after about 20 races, I started to take for granted the route itself.  I check out the course map when I initially sign up (to be prepared for any hills) but then don’t give it much thought after that.  So, I had no idea that a portion of this race ran along The Great Highway- the scene of the crime for miles 22-26 of my first marathon.

The coast was just breathtaking, the waves were a peaceful blue, breaking and crashing over the shore very naturally but internally, I immediately recalled Nike.  I hadn’t been to this area of the city since the marathon so I had to work very hard to remind myself that this was actually mile 10 and NOT mile 23, I’m running great and NOT about to scream, cry and/or puke my guts out.  That was really weird.

At mile 12, I looked at my watch and was so surprised to see that I was on my way to a PR!  My last half was the US Half and as such a deplorable disaster, that one really doesn’t count AT ALL, and the one prior to that was Rock n’ Roll San Jose where I finished in 2:15.  At 12.88 miles, I was on my way to a 2:08 finish but my tummy started cramping badly and there wasn’t a porta potty in sight- if you have ever run while having to *go*, you know how difficult it is to ignore that cramping!  While I was ready to sprint it in, my tummy thought otherwise, and the last quarter mile was uphill.  Frick.  Once I hit that hill, I just had to take walk break.  Bye-bye 2:08, hello 2:10- new PR!  (I’ve got 2:08 in my sights for next time, though, dang it.)

I completed the race without much fan fare.  In other words, no medal.  Hmph.  Not sure how I feel about that as I am a whore for the hardware, but as it was a reasonable reg fee and such a great run, I really don’t mind!  (This time.)  Got my shirt and goody bag and then walked FOREVER to the shuttles to take us back to the parking garage at the race course start.  Really, that’s the only problem I had at this race- the walk was VERY LONG and the wait for the shuttles was also VERY LONG.  If I ever do this race again, I’m calling a cab.  Seriously.

Got home at 1pm (from a 5:40am start- whoa!), ice bathed, then feasted on many different carbs and proteins and alcohols while watching this thing every one tells me is called “The Superbowl”.  (I’m not a sports fan… could you tell?)  Highlight of the day was my PR, while the low light was watching Madonna at half time (I love her but what the heck was that????).

Anyhoo, I am very thankful that all it took was one good race to get me out of my funk- have you ever raced during a funk?  Did it effect your effort?  Have you ever accomplished a PR despite a bad attitude? 

************************************************************************************************

And, please join me in the Run For Sherry this Saturday, February 11th.  Print the bib, lace up, and go for a run/walk/bike/swim to honor her memory.  Take a moment to watch this video done by Olympic runner, Carrie Tollefson, about this Virtual Run for Sherry:

Finally, yet another reminder that my super huge Auction for a Cure benefiting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society closes 12am PST on February 13th!  Check it out, bid today, and help save lives- it’s a good, good thing!!!!!

Reblogged from running4thereason:

It’s Officially Auction Time!!! I joined Team in Training last May to help raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and ran my first marathon, the Nike Women’s Marathon on October 16th.  It was such an amazingly fulfilling experience, I became more than dedicated to the cause and to all the wonderful people and honorees I met along the way. Not wanting to quit, I have decided to train for another marathon with TNT and will be running in the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon on June …

First, grab a protein bar and a cup of coffee and check out this new video by Handful with lots of athletic women looking happy, strong, powerful, and super cute in their awesome Handful bras (I’ve got that one in pink and am wearing it right now- LOVE!!!)…

Here’s how you & I can get entries:

• 1 entry per Tweet (mention @handfulbra in a tweet with link to video)
• 1 entry per Facebook post (be sure to tag to @handful)
• 10 entries per Blog post (post your link on Handful’s facebook page)
•  5 entries for me/you if one of my/your readers gets into the contest via the above social media activities (send me an email at running4thereason.com with your name so I can get credit  for peer pressuring you)

There will be 2 separate drawings for 3 FREE Handfuls- the first on 2/14, and the other on 2/29!  Let’s win some super cute, super comfy, super flattering bras, people- WOOOOOOO!!!!!

And thank you.

And I just wouldn’t be me if I didn’t mention my Auction for a Cure benefiting my fundraising efforts for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!  (And yes, there are some Handful bras there to bid on!)  I got a bunch of new bids last night so subscribe to my blog and/or “like” Running 4 The Reason on Facebook to stay in the loop!  Auction closes 12am PST on February 13th!!!

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My last few runs have not been great.  More specifically, they have been HORRIBLE.  The 6 miles on Sunday felt never-ending, I was angry the whole time.  The 3 miles on Monday were excruciating, I wanted to stop after a mile.  The next 3 miles on Tuesday were just as rough, ran the whole thing but hated every minute of it.  And the 1.25 hill run yesterday was pretty much torture, the yearn to quit overwhelmed me.

After yesterday’s run, I said to Coach Kim, “What is wrong with me?  I just don’t want to run!  After 5 years, has it finally happened?  Have I finally burned out???”  Coach Kim couldn’t really answer that.  And neither can I.

I am running the Kaiser half marathon on Sunday and while I am perfectly trained for it, I am really nervous because of my current attitude.  For the first time in my running career, speed seems easy whereas distance feels threatening.  My yearn to quit on the short runs has propelled me faster and even though I have accomplished a steady increase in distance on my long runs- hitting 6, 8, 10, then 12 miles just 2 weeks ago- it still seems so daunting… so far…

Rough trails, mos def... rough TRIAL... fo sho!

I’m wondering if I’m bored.  Same weekly runs.  Same route.  Same weights at the gym. Maybe variety is the key.  Maybe this race will be just what I need.  Maybe focusing on my second marathon is dragging me down- knowing I have miles and miles to get through to get there again… I dunno, I just dunno… I am a hard worker when it comes to my training so this feeling is pretty frustrating.

On these bad runs, I find that I repeat over and over in my head, “This is so hard.  Running is hard.”  The longer you run- well the longer you do anything, really- the harder it gets to get better at it.  Makes me feel jealous of the newbie runners out there- fresh legs, not injured, new distances to accomplish, many PRs to set… they have it so lucky.  For me, after 5 years of running, I know I have to work harder to get better.  And like I said- that’s fricking hard.

I know that it is perfectly normal to feel bad during a run, even a race- every run/race is different. I keep telling myself to relax, enjoy the fact that  I am outside and smelling the fresh air; however, the more my mental fortitude breaks down, the more I focus on the negative and the more I suffer physiologically- my breathing, form and posture get all messed up.  When this starts to happen, I stop, take a deep breath, and attempt to start over again.  Usually that works, but lately it has not.

I would like to believe that with every run I improve and continually get better, but that just isn’t reality. Changes in my sleep pattern, my nutrition, drinking less water than usual, stress in my day-to-day life, or a combination of all of those factors can change the outcome of any run.  And, essentially, running is repetitive so maybe it just stands to reason that anyone who runs for years will eventually feel this way.

Where oh where has my mojo gone???

I am really hoping that today and tomorrow, I can turn it all around in time for Sunday’s race.  Get good sleep, eat well, foam roll like it’s my job, and just try to forget about those last few runs… I know exactly what Coach Al would say:

Fellow TNTer Cyndi proving the statement!

So I have to prove to Coach, prove to myself, and to my little legs that I am no wimp and CAN DO THIS (no matter how much I actually don’t want to!).  It’s just a matter of time and will power… and if I’m “slow”, so be it!  Listen to my body, breathe deeply, relax into my pace, and enjoy the race for what it is and if it ends up really sucking, well, the next one is just right around the corner!

Have you ever felt bored or burned-out from running?  What do you do to combat that feeling?  How long does it take you to shake it?

And please don’t forget to check out my Auction for a Cure benefiting my fundraising efforts for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society- I added a bunch of new prizes last week and at last count, there’s nearly $4000 worth of running products and gear up for auction!  Check it out and bid today- every donation helps save and improve the lives of patients with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

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• Auction for a Cure (running4thereason.wordpress.com)

I learned of the abduction and murder of Sherry Arnold from her cousin, fellow blogger Beth at Shut Up and Run.  Sherry went out for her morning run on January 7th and never came home- all that has been found of her was her right Brook’s running shoe.  The story was chilling, almost too tragic for someone like me to handle- I can only imagine the myriad of emotions her close friends family are going through.

After 7 days, the FBI received a tip that led them to the arrest of the men that had abducted Sherry during her run at 6:40am that fateful day in January.  The men confessed to killing Sherry, yet her body still has not been found.

With the permission of Sherry’s family, Beth has organized a virtual run in Sherry’s honor on February 11th.  I plan to run for Sherry, and I hope you will join me.  Click on the bib above to print it, pin it to your shirt, gather a group and go for a run, keeping Sherry-  runner, mother, wife, daughter, and teacher- in your thoughts and hearts.

Please visit Beth’s blog, Shut Up and Run for more information about the run.  You can also visit the Facebook page here.  To quote Beth, “My goal is to get the MOST love, momentum and energy moving in honor of Sherry. This run symbolizes the beginning of healing and honors a woman who was courageous, strong and loved by so many.”

With Sherry in mind, I implore my readers and fellow runners to PLEASE think about your safety when running alone, outdoors, and in the dark.

TIPS FOR RUNNING SAFELY

1. If you must wear a headset, keep the volume low.
2. Stay alert and aware of what’s going on around you. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are.
3. Don’t run alone, especially at dawn or at night.
4. Vary your running route and run in familiar areas if possible. In in an unfamiliar area, know where open businesses or stores are located.
5. Always carry a cell phone or change for a phone call and know locations of call boxes and telephones along your regular route.
6. Trust your intuition about a person or an area. Be sure to avoid a person or situation if you’re unsure. If something tells you a situation is not “right”, it isn’t.
7. Avoid deserted streets, overgrown trails, and unlit areas, especially at night.  Also be sure to wear reflective material if you must run before dawn or after dark.
8. Carry identification or write your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside sole of your running shoe and include any medical information.
9. CALL THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY if something happens to you or someone else, or if you notice anyone out of the ordinary.

Please help me to honor Sherry and her family, pass the link around, and on your next run, just listen to your instincts and know what to do in the case of an attack- PLEASE STAY SAFE!

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• Two-State Search for Body of Missing Teacher Sherry Arnold – ABC News (abcnews.go.com)
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mmmm... baby back ribs...

crabby deliciousness

… well, more like gorged on.  I have the Kaiser half marathon on Sunday so Coach Al warned me to take it easy this week and pay close attention to my nutrition.  My run this morning really wasn’t that great… guess I can blame that pound of ribs from Saturday followed by the metric ton of crab I ate last night with melted butter on the side.  I had to have the butter, of course… and that yummy pinot noir too.  Well, indulging is now OVER until after the race so bring on the fruit, veggies and whole grain carbs!  Mamma’s got a PR to earn!

For breakfast, I had one of my favorite meals: Trader Joe’s multi-grain waffles, topped with one cup of Trader Joe’s organic unsweetened apple sauce.  I toasted up 2 tablespoons of walnut pieces, sprinkled them over the top, then dusted a little cinnamon and nutmeg over that.  It’s rare that I can finish this entire meal, it is incredibly filling, but even just a little of this breakfast is perfect for muscle recovery and will keep you going all morning long!  So delicious!

waffles, applesauce and nuts- oh my!

I just love waffles. So easy, so tasty, so many varieties, I never use syrup so am always challenging myself to do something with them other than spread them with peanut butter.  As I was eating this, I caught a feature on Self about waffles- what a coincidence!  Check out their recipe for whole-grain waffles with strawberries and almonds, it’s definitely on my list To Try.

I was so full from breakfast that I skipped a morning snack but by noon, I was pretty famished so I whipped up my FAVORITE veggie tacos- 2/3 cup of Morning Star Farm’s meatless crumbles, sauteed for a few minutes, then divided among 2 small corn tortillas. I then zap them in the microwave for 30 seconds to get the tortillas soft, then fill with spinach, and top off with fresh Pico de Gallo and 1/4 of an avocado, diced.  With a little fruit on the side = YUMMMMMMM.

And for dinner tonight, I am refining a veggie chili recipe I attempted last week from AllRecipes.com.  While I prefer a slow-cooked chili any day, I wanted to try a quicker on-the-stove type and see if there was a difference- the veggies were crunchier and the broth wasn’t as thick as I would have liked but the bulgur wheat really helped the consistency, made it seem as though there was ground beef in it even though it’s truly all veggies, all the time.

Laura’s On-The-Stove Veggie Chili

on the stove...

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
•  2 cups low-sodium tomato juice
• 3/4 cup bulgur wheat
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes (I like to use the garlic & oregano type)
• 1 (20 ounce) can red kidney beans, undrained
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (I am a spice wimp so if you aren’t, you can always add more spice!)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup dry red wine (and the rest for the chef- yay!)
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, chopped
• Light sour cream & avocado for garnish (optional)

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Stir in the onion, celery, green bell pepper, carrot, garlic, mushrooms, red pepper flakes, cumin, chili powder, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir until the vegetables begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato juice, bulgur wheat, canned tomatoes, kidney beans, hot pepper sauce, lemon juice, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, red wine, and jalapeno. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes before serving.  (Makes 4-8 servings depending on your bowl!)

... and into my belly!

What are some of your favorite recipes with waffles and/or chili?  Any go-to sites, blogs, or books out there to recommend?

And please be sure to check out my Auction for a Cure benefiting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society- at last count there is close to $4000 worth of prizes donated by over 30 very generous companies!  You even have the chance to win one of these super cute Runner Girl shirts from Balancing Act Clothing, modeled below by yours truly, plus so much more!

Drink your own kool aid much, Laura? Yes. Yes I do.

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I thought that might get your attention but get your heads out of the gutter, people, this post is about sports bras.

It has been a personal goal to find The Best running bra in order to avoid the inevitable low-hanging-boob effect from too much bouncing and not enough support.  I read once that when you run, your breasts can move up to EIGHT inches in all different directions- up, down, all around, to the right, to the left, and out- so, as we female runners age, supporting the girls in order to avoid too much tissue damage from all that jostling is pretty important no matter what size you may be.

I have boobs- shocker- and they are an ample C cup so when it comes to choosing a good sports bra, my decision is not based on aesthetics (like all my other running gear) but on level of bounce.  The more I bounce in the bra, the less likely I am to buy.  I try them on then jump up and down, do some jumping jacks like a crazy person and make my decision from there.

When I first began exercising, I invested in the Nike Pro Victory Bra which is intended for medium-impact sports such as cycling.  It suited my purpose for a couple years; however, when I began running longer, I found I needed more support so would wear 2 of them at the same time.  Yes that works, but if you have ever done the bra-double-up you know that it isn’t ideal whereas just wearing one at a time *is*.

The first iterations of this bra did not include the hook-and-eye closure on the back, it was all one piece, so lifting one or sometimes two of these bras up and over your head after getting all sweaty is fairly difficult, essentially, another work out.  (Sometimes I would be so amazingly sore from boot camp that when it came to removing this bra, I would just get one arm out, give up, then take a shower with the fricker still wrapped around my neck!  I found that asking hubby to assist was a much better idea… for both of us!)

After about 2 years of that Nike bra, I took my need for more support as well as a hook-and-eye closure and stepped into a local women’s running store, See Jane Run, for help. I relied on the sales person’s advice, tried on about 20 different bras, completed my jumping quality assurance test and…

  … found this winner: the Fiona bra by Moving Comfort.  Boobs don’t move. Not at all. Not even on a super steep downhill.  The other element I love about this bra is the straps- they are Velcro so completely adjustable.  I wasn’t entirely sold on the Velcro as I figured it would start ripping apart while I ran but after wearing this bra for about 3 years, I can tell you that IT WORKS.  You adjust and the straps do not move.  Not even in the wash!

This bra met my needs in terms of boobie stability with a hook-and-eye-closure , however, this bra is also really good at completely squishing the girls.  I don’t mind that so much, I mean, as long my boobs aren’t moving while I run, I don’t really think about them but as I have shed some pounds lately I now think I look like a flat-chested boy wearing this bra. Again, really not a big deal to me but enough to make me want to conduct more research… could I really get stability, ease, and cuteness all in one sports bra???

When you read the words “top-of-the-line-athletic-wear”, what company do you think of first?  There are several, but I think of Lululemon- they’ve got to get it right!  Luckily, Lulu is also a local store, so I walked in knowing exactly what I wanted:

Lululemon’s Ta Ta Tamer.  While it looks hideous on (I mean have you ever seen anything so ugly?), under a shirt it really keeps your curves while providing awesome motion control.  This bra has the hook-and-eye-closure as well and- added bonus- detachable straps that you can cross in the back for more support. The straps themselves are also adjustable (a la regular bras) but they do tend to slip from the weight of my boobs.

I really like this bra and on my long runs, the Ta Ta Tamer is my go-to.  My boobs did move a little more in this one than in the Fiona bra but having the completely removable and adjustable straps made it very easy to adjust for more support, based on my heavy-duty-boobie-needs.

While canvassing sports companies for item donations to my Auction for a Cure, I found Handful.  They were generous enough to not only donate 2 of their bras towards my auction, they also sent me one to try out (wish they could send me these abs too!).

And I love it!  Similar to the Ta Ta Tamer, the Handful bra has removable cups that are very flattering in terms of keeping those nipples from protruding on those cold winter mornings.  Ever since I had my second child, my breasts are very un-even, lopsided, crooked, whatever you want to call it- plainly, lefty is bigger than righty, so having the cups smooths everything out and creates the illusion that my rack is normal and evenly dispersed.  That’s so nice!

Given that the Handful bra is an over-the-head type and the straps are not adjustable, it’s best suited for medium-impact sports akin to the Nike Pro Victory Bra.   While those with an actual handful (A/B) could probably run with it, I have more than a handful (C/D) so I do not; but, I do choose it for everything else, mainly day-to-day wear, as it provides great support.  I’ve never found a sports bra that’s as comfortable, pretty and as flattering as Handful. I also adore the fact that Handful is an approved mastectomy bra, supporting breast cancer survivors during treatment and their return to good health and fitness- and you know I’m all about supporting good causes.

Now that you know more about my boobs than you probably ever wanted to, answer me this: what do you look for in a sports bra?  Are you loyal to one brand or do you experiment?  What brands are your favorite?

And, if you want a chance to win a 2-pack of Handful bras or any other awesome running loot, please be sure to check out my Auction for a Cure and bid today!  100% of all proceeds benefit my fund raising efforts for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

It’s Officially Auction Time!!!

I joined Team in Training last May to help raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and ran my first marathon, the Nike Women’s Marathon on October 16th.  It was such an amazingly fulfilling experience, I became more than dedicated to the cause and to all the wonderful people and honorees I met along the way. Not wanting to quit, I have decided to train for another marathon with TNT and will be running in the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon on June 3rd. In order to run my second 26.2, I have pledged to raise $2250 for the cause and train six days a week from now until the race in order to help find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

I reached out to several sports companies asking (pretty please) for product donations and as a result of their amazing generosity, I am holding my first Auction for a Cure benefiting LLS!  By participating, you will be supporting a great cause and improving patients’ lives.

Following are the items up for bid, just be sure to check out the Rules and Logistics before bidding, thank you for the support, and GOOD LUCK!

• Each item has a minimum starting bid of $20.
• All bidders must email running4thereason@hotmail.com to place an official bid (bids left in the comments section will not be reviewed, only bids e-mailed will be considered official and affirmative).
• Auction closes February 13th, 12am PST.
• Highest bids will be left above the item photo.
• Once a reader has won the bid on an item they will then donate the specified amount to my TNT page within 24 hours.
• After the close of the auction, I will post a Google Document that lists each item, the bids they received, and how I arrived at each winner.

For those who want to know if they’re improving their fitness or burning fat, be sure to bid on the FT7 Training Watch from Polar (in black/silver). The FT7 tells you if the main effect of your training is fitness improvement or fat burning, displays calories burned, comes with comfortable transmitter and coded heart rate transmission
to avoid cross-talk, over $100 value.
CURRENT HIGH BID: $70 as of 2/9
 

This huge lot from Zippearz Lot includes one pair of Nouveau ear buds, one pair of Sport ear buds, one Z-Traveler Portable Speaker, and one ZWaist Away band, a high-quality neoprene waist band that provides a perfect solution to increase work-out intensity and comfort.  Total value of this package is $150.
CURRENT BID: $50 as of 2/12

This lot from Skirt Sports includes a Wonder Girl Tank, a Gym Girl Ultra running skirt, and visor- winner choses size and colors ($140 value).
CURRENT HIGH BID: $90 as of 1/30

This huge lot from Vega Sport includes their Pre-workout Energizer drink mix (12 packs in lemon lime), their Electrolyte Hydrator drink mix (30 packs in lemon lime), a canister of their Performance Protein in vanilla, as well as a Shaker Cup, all from  Vega Sport!  (Total value, $125.)
CURRENT HIGH BID: $25 as of 2/12

Display Your Race Bling Lot #1 includes a medal hanger from Allied Medal Displays (winner chooses either a catalog or custom display), and one Race Bibs Holder from Running on the Wall (winner choses style).  A $90 total value.
CURRENT HIGH BID: $65 as of 2/10

 

Display Your Race Bling Lot  #2 includes winner’s choice of any medal display from Sport Hooks, one custom race bib coaster set and two magnets of your choice from 26MileStones ($90 value).
CURRENT HIGH BID: $60 as of 2/2

A one-year membership to the International Association of Women Runners ($137 value) includes monthly Q&A calls and interviews with veteran coaches and runners, “Top Sports Foods” reference guide, members only contest and giveaways, as well as  discounts on training plans and Garmin and Timex GPS watches and heart rate monitors.
CURRENT HIGH BID: $25 as of 2/12

Compression Pack from RecoFit includes one pair of Armcooler Compression sleeves

and one pair of Calf Compression sleeves, an $80 value. Wear Recofit™Compression Components™ during and after exercise, while you’re sleeping, relaxing or while you’re on a plane.  They’ll help your muscles perform and recover faster and more efficiently so you’re better prepared for your next effort and your next day.

CURRENT HIGH BID: $50 as of 2/12

This lot contains a 2-bra pack from Handful and 2 pairs of socks from Thorlo (winner chooses the color and size of the bras). Handful combines function, feel and fashion, and supports you from workout to weekend!  Thorlo socks are specially padded to ensure maximum comfort with blister-free comfort and protection. ($110 value).

CURRENT HIGH BID: $70 as of 2/12

You also have the chance to win a gorgeous black wrap dress and scarf from 
Marissa Borelli Designs.  Both items have SPF 20, Freshguard™ odor control, and are made out of the revolutionary drirelease™ fabric and can easily go from triathlon transitions to cocktail hour.  Winner chooses scarf color and dress size ($120 value).
CURRENT HIGH BID: $65 as of 2/12

This Headband Bonanza lot includes one Scroll Down Your Playlist thick band from Sweaty Bands, one Mer thick band and one Lucy thin band from Broad Bandits, one lightweight Bouncy band and one heavyweight wicking Will Run For Wine band from Bondi Bands (a $60 value).
CURRENT HIGH BID: $30 as of 2/10

Running Jewelry Lot #1 includes one tarnish-resistant .925 sterling silver Run necklace from Endure Jewelry Company plus a $10 coupon towards a future purchase as well as winner’s choice of a hand-stamped silver bracelet from fellow TNTer Stefanie at Running4Linda ($73 value).

CURRENT HIGH BID: $50 as of 1/23

Running Jewelry Lot #2 includes one Warrior Training Bracelet and one Inspiration Key Ring from Endorphin Warrior and one necklace, winner’s choice, from fellow TNTer Shannon at MyHeartOnAString ($55 total value).

CURRENT HIGH BID: $25 as of 2/4

This Running Art Lot includes 3 framed 8×10 prints: one Keep Calm and Love Running print from The Lobster Pot, one Running Cheaper Than Therapy print, and one I Dare You to Run Like a Girl print, both from Penny Jane Designs, $70 value.

Running Prize Pack #4 includes one I Love Running I Hate Running men’s shirt from We Love Runners (winner choses size), one Running Chics women’s cotton tee (brown with aqua writing, size large), one matching aqua velcro-strap hat, and one ivory tote bag all from Running Chics plus winner’s choice of any one necklace from Resonates ($90 value).
CURRENT HIGH BID: $40 as of 2/12

CURRENT HIGH BID FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO STORE: $110 as of 1/28

Even though I was leaving for Utah on a Thursday, I started celebrating my impending 4-blissful-days-in-the-snow-no-hubby-no-kids-adventure that Tuesday.  Somewhat akin to “senioritis” my mind was mentally already on the trip, already in Utah, happily relaxing by the fire.  So no, I did not go to the gym on Wednesday nor did I go to track that Thursday before my departure.  Figured I “needed” the rest.  Figured I earned that “down time”. Figured packing for the snow was “hard” enough.  (And I don’t even ski!)

I'm a pro at resting!

When I finally returned, I took another handful of days off.  Figured I needed to “recover”. Figured I needed to “make-up” the sleep I lost in Utah.  Figured I needed a few days to really “re-hydrate” before hitting the pavement again.

Whatever it takes, right?

Superman Ryan Hall says, "I constantly remind myself that resting takes confidence. Anyone can train like a mad man but to embrace rest and to allow all the hard training to come out takes mental strength."

You’re funny, Ryan Hall… it’s not that hard to rest, trust me!  Being confident enough to not feel guilty about it, therein lies the rub!

When I first started exercising, I would beat myself up mentally if I missed a planned work out or took a sabbatical from running.  I would feel guilty and angry at myself that I didn’t follow-through, knowing that every day off results in waning motivation.  Obviously, in the 5 years I have been exercising and running, I’ve never completely stopped but I take time off, most definitely, when I need to… or really, when I WANT to.

This time around, I don’t feel bad about being MIA for 9 days at all. I no longer beat myself up about it, instead, I congratulate myself for resting and simply move on knowing tomorrow is another opportunity. I don’t know if that’s because having completed my first marathon this past October, I feel totally invincible or due to the fact that I have my Team in Training group and training plan to get right back to or just because I know I am stronger now than I ever have been- mentally and physically.  So, for whatever reason, I just don’t allow time off to get me down anymore.

Not to say that I did absolutely nothing while in Utah but as I mentioned, I do not ski, so I exercised my right to eat…

One of many family meals! (yours truly in the middle)

… drink…

24 ounce glass of champagne- yes please!

…go to the spa…

This is not me but see- it's hard work soaking, then getting a massage and facial!

… shop…

Shopping burns calories, you know... (that's me on the very right)

… and be merry!

Wrestling your friends to the ground is considered exercise... right?

When people ask me about running I always say, “Consistency begets consistency” and I do really mean it- if you run on a consistent basis, not only will you get better at it, but it becomes easier.  If you are inconsistent with running and lack focus, well, you downright suffer!

I believe that running is hard no matter what, yet my life is certainly easier because of it.  I admit I make it harder on myself when I am inconsistent with my training, yes, but I know that my body remembers and knows what those miles feel like so a week or so off really won’t do too much damage.  You do get stronger when you rest- okay 9 days may be pushing it, but when I finally went to track yesterday and we worked on hill repeats, I really felt great.  Those 12 rainy, muddy, hilly miles planned for tomorrow… well… we’ll see…

Do you plan your rest days?  How do you feel when you take a little too much time off?  Is it hard to get back to it?  What do you tell yourself in order to stay motivated?

And don’t forget that my Auction for a Cure benefiting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society starts at 9am PST on Monday!  Subscribe, and/or “like” Running 4 the Reason on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the bidding and be sure tell your friends!!!