Tuesday Topics: Some new fitness gadgets I’d like to try

As a runner, I make sure I have the “best” gear for me.  I like my Brooks shoes, Oiselle clothes, Smartwool socks, and Garmin watch.  I don’t think I need anything else.  I am horrible when it comes to stretching and I rarely use my foam roller.  Hopefully that will change soon since many of you have commented how much better you feel when you use it.  I have a couple of them and honestly I don’t need that many.  Or do I?  I forgot to mention that I also have an R8 Roll Recovery (older version) but that thing HURTS!!!

However, there are a few other things that I would like to try or buy.

• A Peloton bike.  It will be one of the first things I buy when I move to a house.  I love reading about Kim and Deborah’s fun classes in their bike.

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PowerDot Electrical Muscle StimulatorIt provides therapy for tired muscles and aching joints no matter where you go.  This little gadget helps you:

     • Recover faster
     • Massage out knots 
     • Avoid training fatigue
     • Relieve muscle and joint soreness
     • Increase muscle strength and endurance
     • Increase blood circulation
     • Warm up muscles to prevent injury
     • Feel your best    

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• High Intensity Vibrating Fitness RollerOK so I just wrote that I rarely use my foam roller, but this one looks so cool!  I remember a few months ago someone told me about a heated foam roller.

• Compression boots.  I have used them at expos and they are truly amazing!  I think one time I almost fell asleep.

• Whole Body CryotherapyWhy not?  I read that the benefits of it outweigh those of a traditional ice bath.  Should I believe everything I read online?  🙂

Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are some new fitness gadgets you’d like to try?  You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Weekly Run Down: A short work week and running in shorts

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This week I went to work Monday-Wednesday.  On Thursday we had an Institute Day and Friday was Good Friday.  Even though it is a public school, we are always off on Good Friday. 

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The 2nd grade students did another art project.  This time we did an Easter Egg Wreath.  It was more work and more supplies to buy but the students had fun!

How to Make a Paper Plate Easter Egg Wreath -Easy Easter Craft for Kids

After Sunday’s weather fiasco, it warmed up to do some runs in shorts!  I was supposed to run 5 miles on Monday but had no desire to deal with the snow and did my run on Tuesday.

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Thursday’s workout was 2 miles warmup, 6×25 seconds intervals with 90 seconds recovery, and 2 miles cooldown.  The warmup and cooldown felt more tough than the intervals.  I am pretty pleased with how I did though!

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It did rain for bit while I was out there but I was home by the time it began to rain more.  While out on my run I saw a few male workers.  I moved to the other side of the street because I had no desire to deal with any comments/catcalls.  Would they have said something?  Maybe, I don’t know.  There have been a few times that some men have made some comments.  So annoying.

We also had some sunny but windy days where it was got cold.  On Friday I struggled just to run 3 miles.  I am loving again the Brooks Levitate 1.  Bought a pair at Nordstrom and purchased another pair from eBay.  I like those so much better than the 2s and definitely more than the Brooks Glycerin (sending those back).  

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I procrastinated my run on Saturday.  I slept in till 8:30 and still did not feel like running.  I was on my computer for a few hours before deciding to get out.  I had to do 8 miles but did not want to do that with it being so windy.   I took some Generation UCAN and filled my water bottles with UCAN Hydrate.  

It was awful.  I was OK for 3 miles and then the wind sucked everything out of me.  I almost cried.  I wanted to quit.  The reason I didn’t is because of my race next weekend.  My coach wanted me to do some miles at marathon pace but I didn’t and I didn’t care.  The way I was feeling I just wanted to finish the 8 miles.

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Random Thoughts Thursday 68

Random Thoughts Thursday

• You all know about my love for Ticonderoga pencils.  For sure it will be C and then A. 

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• Thanks to Facebook for the reminders.  Last year on April 15 was in the 70s.  This year we had snow.

• I don’t mess with sleep.  I’m a Scorpio and 1 hour is not enough.   

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• I registered yesterday for the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon for next year.  I don’t remember having to answer these questions on other registration forms.  Seriously they want to know my marital status and ethnicity?

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• Our administrators treated us to a salad bar.  It was totally unexpected but definitely nice.  It definitely inspired me to eat more salads during lunch.  I had two plates but was still hungry at 2pm (my lunch is at 11:30am).

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Tuesday Topics: My favorite recovery tools

Who watched the Boston Marathon yesterday?  Wasn’t it awesome!!!  The best was the men’s race!!!

I was rooting for Desi to win again and was bummed she came in 5th place.  However, whether it is 1st or 5th or 10th place, she is still AMAZING!!!

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So far most of my runs have been less than 6 miles.  I do not miss marathon training AT ALL.  I had a chance to sign up for the NYC Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, and/or the Chicago Marathon through BibRave and was tempted for a bit, but at the end decided not to.  Right now I want to focus on finishing up my Race in the 50 States +1 Goal.  In a few weeks I will run in my 40th state.  

Since almost all of my runs are in the morning before work, after each run I recover by drinking lots of water with Nuun or UCAN Hydrate (Watermelon is my favorite).  I make coffee and drink that on my way to work.  Once I am at work I eat overnight oats or chia seeds with Orgain Protein Powder (chocolate is my favorite), Moringa, and almond milk.

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On the weekends I will eat whatever I can find at home (not the best strategy) or sometimes I will make a smoothie or drink an Orgain shake.  If I am really tired (whether from running or work), I will spend the day on the couch watching TV.  Sometimes I will also take a nap.  Lola and I love to nap.

After a longer run or a race, I crave a burger and beer.  🙂

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I have a few recovery tools but rarely use them.  I know I should.  🙁  Once in a while I will use my foam roller but that’s it.  However, I prefer to use The Stick.

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Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are your favorite recovery tools?  You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Weekly Run Down: A STEAM Family Night and a 5K

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On Wednesday our school had our STEAM Family Night.  A coworker and I planned most of it and it was A LOT of work!  All of our work paid off because we had a great turnout that night.  We had about 20 stations/activities and they were managed by some of our students and from the junior high school. 

On Saturday I ran a 5K presented by the Illinois Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (IALAS).  I heard about this race from one the administrators and got two of my coworkers to sign up (one couldn’t make it on race day).  It was a small but fun race!  Proceeds from this race went towards the IALAS Scholarship Program.

It was a very casual race with no chip time.  I started right at the front but then many people passed me up.  🙂 5Ks can be fun but are also tough.  I never know how to pace myself.  The best part of this race is that my coworker won Overall Female!

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I always complain about race swag but this time I actually like what was in the bag! 

I didn’t do good with my runs this week.  I had a great run on Monday and happily ran in shorts and a short sleeve top.  Then Mother Nature had one of her moods and brought back the cold weather.  Even though it did warm up a bit in the afternoon/evening, I had no desire to deal with the colder weather in the morning and definitely did not want to run after school.

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Today we got more snow!  UGH!!

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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