New Goodies!

I decided to stay in Friday night because I really wanted to get up on Saturday morning and run. I am glad I did. I met up with Becky and we ran the neighborhood together. We met up at 8 AM thinking the weather wouldn't be too brutal but it was all ready 80 something degrees with humidity at well over 70%! I think next time we will meet at 7 AM. There should be enough light then. 

I went into Corpus Christi to meet up with friends for lunch but I also really wanted to get new socks after my feet fiasco this past week. However sending me into Academy is just a disaster waiting to happen. I went in for socks then remembered I needed more tape and then wondered over to the clothing section. The socks are proving to work quite well. I am loving the fact that I now have a container for my tape and I think I prefer the Pro over the regular. And this is the second Nike shirt I have in this color. I love it. And I love the thin material. 

Sunday mornings to me are just the best. I wake up without an alarm, turn on the American Country Music Review and on Sundays it is Christian Country countdown. I drink my coffee and make my breakfast all before church. 

But yesterday I woke up in a funk and even after spending the day  outside with my friend and her boys playing in the pool I felt I needed a short run. I am glad I did it. 

Monday miles meant upping my mileage to start the week. Pretty much stayed consistent with 5k's last week but need to get in consistent 4 milers this week. 

This foam roll technique for shin splints is no joke. I almost yelled in the gym when I started this. I also am taping a bit differently. Instead of starting my long piece of tape at my ankle I am starting it just under the arch of my foot and taking it up from there. We will see how it goes. 

I am terrible at taking gym selfies. 

Monday Miles

My never miss a Monday mantra didn't hold up last week as I was coming back from Fredericksburg but I stuck to it yesterday! And as I am getting dressed, Woodrow can't help but think he gets to go too. It is what I get for taking him out last week. 

I think I am going to keep up my Monday miles with him. I don't like to do a long run on Monday's because I usually do HIIT and spin. He keeps me at a pretty good pace and is getting better at running next to me. I am hoping the more I take him out, the more he will get used to the routes and smells....not sure I can take having my arm almost jerked out of socket because he wants to smell the stop sign! Just to give you an idea....Woodrow is around 4 years old (he is originally my husband's dog but I swear he love me more) and weighs almost 100 lbs!

HIIT last night was a little different. Evy decided to incorporate more moves from her martial arts playbook. It was fun, different, and make me miss when I used to do kickboxing back in San Antonio years ago. 

Update on my shins: I pretty much have to be taped and wear my sleeves if I am going to run. I went back to running in my Asics but Tom gave me inserts to help with arch support. I bought two Dr. Cool wraps for my calves and icing helps a bunch. I am not really sure why over the last three months my shins decided to start acting crazy. If this really continues through the spring I am going to have a gait analysis done to see what else I need to be doing to keep from being in such pain after my runs. 

Hump day and how my week has been so far....

So if you haven't figured out, I usually don't blog everyday. I really don't have time. I work full time, work out, and I have activities with my church my family. When I do have free time, I catch up on my DVR and try to spend as much time with our three fur babies as I can. This week I have done fairly well with keeping up with meals and such....

I love coming home at lunch when I know I have goodies on the way! Another new Fabletics outfit
and my first box of RxBars. They are good but a little too much chocolate for me.
These would be great if you are a chocolate person on a Whole30 or paleo.

Lunch Sunday was chicken tenders wrapped in bacon dipped in Tessamae's Honey Mustard sauce
with sauteed greens!

Dinner Sunday night was baked salmon, sauteed brussel sprouts, potato hash, and avocado slices.
After church I was on a seafood kick so I picked up quite a bit of it. 

Monday I ate leftover slow cooked pork. I was finally able to finish it. That one small shoulder made so many meals. 

Monday night Sara and I made HIIT class and spin. I didn't run because it gets to be too much some nights but class was awesome. I feel like I am getting the hang of spin and I hope to start seeing the effects of taking the class in my running.

The last of the salmon for lunch on Tuesday.
I have been using blackening season lately which has been a change to just salt and pepper for me.

 Tough it up Tuesday you could say! I ran 3.5 miles increasing speed every half mile, took the CoreFit class, and did spin. My run felt great! Core class was a little weird....the instructor didn't do the usual core workouts I was used to doing. And it was Calvin Harris night last night at spin and the routine can be brutal. Once I am able to keep up with her 100% I know that set will really kick my butt!

3.5 Miles increasing speed every half mile.
Made my run go by fairly fast it seems. 

Core class. Surprisingly I am feeling it this morning. 

Last but not least - SPIN!
Love Sara's face in this picture :P

After class I started feeling like I was catching whatever crud is going around. I still don't feel that great. I am downing Emergen-C, added Vapor Steam to my humidifier, and using some essential oils which will hopefully help. I don't do sick well at all. 

I have a week and half until my next 10K and it is mostly bean running. Not sure what I was thinking when I signed up for this one because I am pretty sure it is going to TRY to kill me but it will be an awesome challenge. I am not expecting to PR, I am really just looking forward to the challenge. 

Training this week

Sunday is usually my day for meal prep. At work we have 10 AM break and 3 PM break
so I usually pack a snack pack and my lunch.

 This week was a pretty good week for doing more of my runs & workouts outside in the South Texas 95+ degree heat and humidity. 

Found this app through reading blogs. It is sponsored or created by The Weather
Channel and I think it is pretty dang cool. 

The small town I live in hosts a bootcamp three days a week in the mornings and in the afternoons. I didn't go once it turned into Hades here in South Texas but I have recently picked it back to start getting acclimated to the heat/humidity again. Plus our instructor is former military and I do like the workouts. I leave a hot sweaty mess!

Monday's 6 PM session. That board is what Garza puts our workouts on.

Monday and Wednesday was bootcamp with Inez. Just over 2 miles in mileage mixed in with our workout. Garza likes to use kettle bells, along with lots of squats, jumping jacks, tire flips, mountain climbers, and ab work.

Wednesday's aftermath while stretching

Tuesday Inez and I went to the gym. I got roughly 2.5 miles before we did our CrossFit WOD in the back garage of the 24 hour gym we are members of. 

LOVE my second pair of Fabletics capris. I am so glad I found the website because they
are seriously my new fave pants!

Tonight won't be any running as we have family dinner for a birthday and tomorrow I am leaving work early to drive north to New Braunfels for wedding stuff in San Antonio this weekend. Mom and dad live at the edge of Landa Park so I am going to take advantage of that for an early morning run on Saturday before dress alterations and my bridal shower. 

My Must Have Gear Lately

I am by no means an expert or seasoned runner but I do have somethings that I just can't seem to live without when it comes to my runs. I am always on a budget so I don't have the latest and greatest things money can buy however I have made due with what I can afford.

1. iPhone & Nike GPS Running App - I have been using this app for a few years now and so far, for me, it seems to work the best when it comes to tracking my runs and coaching. Ideally it would be great to run without the cords of my earphones so I am keeping my fingers crossed maybe I can get a pretty cool set of bluetooth earbuds for Christmas or my birthday!

2. Right before my Beach to Bay 2014 run I had to get new running shoes. I was battling a potential stress fracture and the Nikes I was running in just didn't provide the correct support for my foot. So I headed to the Fleet Feet Sports in Corpus Christi and got fitted for my first pair of Asics Gel Cumulous and I must say, so far they are doing well for me. I only wear them when I run or when I am working out (usually after my run) so that I don't wear them wrong from walking.

3. If you haven't seen or heard about Fabletics yet, mostly on Facebook, then you should definatley check them out. I got my first outfit for $29 I think and I absolutley love the leggings that I got. They stay in place, they aren't too thin (so your butt doesn't show through), and they look pretty dang cool! By far my fave pair to date!

4. I recently started wearing a calf sleeve on my right leg. So far it seems to be helping and it is something I cannot really run without right now. I am not sure if it is all the treadmill work I am doing right now (since it is usually around 100 degrees when I am able to run during the week) or the increase in mileage but I picked mine up at Academy for $10 or $15. I wanted to see if it would help before I ordered a more expensive one online.

5. A mainstay on this list will always be my Costa Sunglasses! There is only one place in Corpus Christi you can get prescription Costa Sunglasses and I wear mine all the time - running, fishing, driving, at the ranch...you name it!