Running for cupcakes

I ran 6 miles yesterday!  I've had this mental block about running over 3 or 4 miles.  Yesterday I broke through that block!  It may have helped that it was a beautiful morning for a run and I knew Megan and I were going on a cupcake tour.  How many miles does a person have to run to burn off one cupcake anyway??  My plan for Monday is to head back to run Burke Lake (since I am done with summer school I have more running time on my hands) and run 2 loops (9 miles).  We will see how that goes on Monday.  Looking back over June I barely ran.  I have more than tripled my amount of running for July!!  The heat is still kicking my butt, but I'm still out there running.

So after my run I met Megan for our cupcake tour of DC.  After some research we had our cupcake areas mapped out.  Megan was thinking we would hit around five cupcake places.  I had my doubts.  That is a lot of sugar.

We headed down to Old Town Alexandria and hit up Alexandria Cupcakes. I decided to try the Guinness cupcake and Megan got the blackberry.

The only sad part of our first cupcake stop was that I had a party foul.  As I was trying to unwrap my yummy cupcake it fell on my lap and all over my camera.  Ugh!  That icing was just so yummy to waste on my legs and camera.  Don't worry I cleaned it up nicely:)  Alexandria cupcakes was a keeper.

Next up was Lavender Moon.

Megan had the Sandy Beach and I had the Chocolate Raspberry. 

Megan was not a fan of her cupcake.  Mine was ok.  The cake was dense and yummy, the icing..it was ok.  I definitely preferred my Guinness cupcake from earlier. 

After our Alexandria tour we headed into DC.  We headed for the new Martin Luther King Memorial.  This was our third attempt at visiting the memorial.  There is just something I love about playing tourist.  It is amazing how close we live to so much history and many people in the area do not get out and explore it.  Our plan was to see the MLK Memorial and then locate another cupcake place.

MLK Memorial was very nice.  Hopefully we can see it at night all lit up soon. 

After walking in the heat we decided to head to Capital Hill to find some food.  It was a very warm day and I thought it would be a good idea to get some food in our belly's before more sugar.  We headed to get s a slice of pizza.  At this point I just wanted some food in some A/C.  After dinner we were both not feeling the best.  I think heat and sugar do not really mix.  So looks like our Cupcake Tour was going to end for the day.  The Cupcake Tour will take on part II sometime soon. 

Great day  all around! 

Running, Cupcakes and Tourists Oh My!!

I got in a run around Burke Lake on Wednesday right after summer school.  I wanted to run it twice, but after 1 loop I was done..I wanted to go home and have some lunch.  Which was fine with me..I'll take 4.7 miles during lunch.  While running around the lake I was thinking of the last time I saw this:

Yep I screamed like a girl and bolted way.  That thing was getting ready to attack me, I could feel it!  But no snake on this run..instead I was thinking of the snake sighting and a biker came up and I screamed like a little girl.  I am sure she thought I was on crack.  Note to self, never think about snakes..no good can come from it.

Well I am hoping to get in my long run tomorrow morning.  Fingers crossed that it is not super hot and I can get my butt out of bed early.  After the run I am meeting Megan for a cupcake tour of DC.  Yeah, cupcakes, that's how we roll. 

Not sure where our cupcake tour is going to take us..but we are going to be on our way to learning a little more about the cupcake scene in DC.  It is a hard job, but somebody has to do it.  In order to use some of those calories, we are going to head over and check out the new MLK monument.  I just love being a tourist every once in awhile.  So tomorrow should be lots of fun with yummy cupcakes, tourists and friends.  Now where is that fanny pack of mine..(every good tourist needs a fanny pack right?)

Things I notice during my runs including "Where's My Wife"

Well I do most of my running around my neighborhood.  A lovely one mile loop of down hill and back up hill.  Yeah I know you all are jealous!  While I was out running my five mile run this morning I noticed some things. 

1.  There is a guy in the 'hood that loves his truck.  Every time I am out running  he is out washing his car.  He also loves to listen to the Spanish station while washing his car.  Sounds like I am stalking him..I'm not.  Today I wondered about his washing since it was starting to sprinkle.  But don't worry I don't think his car wash went to waste..the sprinkles stopped.

2.  One road has lots of cats.  I am guessing that a white cat and a black cat were listening to a lot of Marvin Gaye

There are a bunch of black, white and combo of the two cats running around the one street that I run on.  Unfortunately today on the second lap one kitty did not make it across the road.  It was rather disturbing for the rest of the run every time I had to pass it.  RIP kitty.

3.  I run up my dreaded hills!!  I hate one of the hills around mile .5  and I crushed it each time I got to it.

4.  I think my legs are looking stronger.  Less dimples.  Each time I headed up a hill I kept telling myself..nice legs..nice legs..nice legs...

5.  I think I might run too slow.  At the end I ended kicking it up a bit..I need to try to run a bit faster.

6.  Sometimes when you are running a random 10 year old may yell out "Where's My Wife!!" at the top of his lungs.  Not sure if it was to throw me off or to crack up the grandpa or neighbor guy that was standing next to him laughing.  Sorry I haven't seen your wife.

7.  When the temps are in the 70's it is much more enjoyable to run.  I guess I don't enjoy running through hell.

8.   I need to carry around a hanky..I hate sweat running in my eyes.  I usually wear a visor to help with the sweat..but I think that if I have a bandanna or hanky I may have less issues with salty eyes.



Good Job!

Headed out for a 4 mile run in the heat and humidity.  I did wait until 7:30 thinking it would cool down some, but really it was still hot.  The only thing that changed was that the sun wasn't on top of me so I did have the  shade of the buildings to run in.  I figured today was going to be "cooler" than tomorrow so I might as well run today.  Although tomorrow is Tuesday so I will still end up running in the heat at run club. 

While I was running I notice an odd issue.  My feet were starting to burn.  And of course for most of my run all I could think of is how hot my feet were.  Then all I could think about is that those poor runners at Badwater were running in much hotter feeling feet than my feet.  I guess I need to try some thinner socks.  Hopefully that will help.  I do love my cushiony balega socks. 

So I guess I need to go back to my feeture elite socks.  How do those Badwater runners do it?  A few miles and I was ready to try barefoot running.  Then I thought about the rocks on the road and quickly changed my mind.  My feet do not like it rough. 

While I was running I saw one of my neighbors running up the huge hill that I was running down.  I have seen him run before (or I may have seen him in his yard..not sure.)  Anyway, I was heading down the hill, hating my feet and he was running up the hill.  As he was pushing on up the hill he turns and says "good job!"  Little did he know he just made my run!  Its funny how some of the simplest things that people say really has an impact.  It just put a little skip in my step.  Most times I find that runners will either

A.  ignore me

B. give me the little head nod

C. the smile and keep running.

I don't ever normally get "good job" while I'm running.  Not sure if it was the look on my face.  I tend to look like I hate life during my runs.  Sometimes I actually hate life, other times I don't realize that I look like I hate life.  Or if he is always so nice to other runners.  Whatever the case, thanks for making my run!  I think I am going to start to tell other runners "Good Job!"

So to all of you runners, Good job!  Keep on running!

20K on the calendar and sloth-like weekends

Looks like I just added my first 20K race to my calendar.  Megan is running it, and I figured why not.  Then I looked at my training schedule and I am supposed to run an eleven mile run that weekend, so perfect. :)  Maybe this will help me PR on one of my two Halves in September. 

Well this weekend I have officially been a sloth.

Yep that is exactly what I've looked like for most of the weekend.  I have really done nothing this weekend.  Sure I ran some yesterday and today..but other than that..looks like my weekend has consisted of strawberry pie and napping. 

Yeah this weekend has been one of those lazy weekends.  Sometimes you just need some time to do nothing.  I have read some and I did give the dog a bath...that counts for something right?? Yeah sounds exhausting...hence the naps that have been required on both Saturday and Sunday. 

Raindrops keep falling on my head

I decided that even though it was humid, it wasn't nearly as bad as last weeks temps so I went and put the old running clothes on.  Twice this week I didn't really want to run and I made myself lace up the running shoes.  Twice this week I have been so glad that I ran.  It was a great night for a run.  It was just me running around the neighborhood.  No music, no kids out.  Just me and my feet pounding the pavement.  I felt really good running.   I might be gaining some of my running that I lost by not really doing much of anything in June.  Why do we go on strike from running when it feels so hard to get back to where you were? 

I wanted to run a few more miles, but a storm was brewing and I didn't want to get caught in it.  So I called it quits after three miles.  I figure three miles are better than nothing.  That and I figured I might have ran off a few bites of some yummy strawberry pie that I made earlier. 

Ahh remember when it was chilly outside and we had to wear lots of clothes..yeah I don't remember that either...

Looks like tomorrow I will be running my long run.  I wanted to knock it out today, but the weather had other ideas.  That's ok..I will just enjoy some reading and TV watching instead.

Foto Friday the 13th

Great night for an outdoor movie with friends!  No running, but that is ok.

Tall Man with big shoes..

People starting to pack in for some Dirty Dancing

Becca is excited to make sure that Nobody puts Baby in a corner

Becky thinks that it is going to snow at any moment

Do you see the hand reaching for Swayze?

Becca is shocked that people keep asking us about the movie

Three things Thursday

1.  I had to force myself to run tonight.  I am really glad I did.  It was a great night for a run.  The temps were right and it was just a great run!  So glad I made myself run tonight.  I also attacked the dreaded hill around my house that I hate.  I ran it each time I hit it. 

2.  The first week of summer is school is almost done.  It has been a very long week.  You would think it would fly by since it is only from 8:30 to 1:00, but really is has turned in to a long, long day.  Two more weeks and then I get a few weeks off before I start back to work again. 

3.  Tomorrow I am hanging out with some friends watching this movie on the outdoor screen at National Harbour:

This is one of my all time favorite movies.  I know most of the words (which I am sure is a bit annoying when you are watching the movie with me.)  Hopefully it will not be too hot so we get to enjoy the movie. I figure if we went to see a band play at a winery while it was 110 degrees outside,, tomorrow it should feel like it is relatively balmy. 

Tuesdays = run club!

So it is Tuesday which means it is run club night!  Love my run club friends!  No real post today just some random run club pictures :)

Happy Running!

Staying safe while running

Sometimes as women we forget how vulnerable we can be while we are running.  Last week a woman was running and was attacked and raped on a pretty popular running path.  She was running alone and noticed a man as she was running out and saw the same man as she was returning.  Turned out that the man that she noticed twice ended up pulling her into some vegetation.  Every woman's worst fear.

It is a horrible thought to think about how some of us might be putting ourselves in danger while attempting to get our run on.  I read recently on a blog about a runner writing down notes when she leaves to go run.  She writes the route, the distance and the estimated time due back.  I never thought of that. 

If you think about it, how much do you carry while you run?  If you are like me, not much.  I carry a water bottle (I guess I can try squirting it in someones eyes) and if I drove to run I will have a car key and maybe some headphones and ipod.  I only run with one earbud in so I can still hear what is happening around me.  That usually is the extent of my extras.  Although I will say I normally stick to my neighborhood circle.  At run club, we run in a large group.  Sometimes I run some other rather visible routes around town. 

According to the article How to stay safe while running  there are some great tips to stay safe while running. 

Here are some of the tips:

 

Before the Run

Try to get a running partner.
Leave word with someone or write down where you plan to run and when you will return.
Carry some I. D. and change for a phone call.
Take a whistle with you.
Do not wear a radio/headset/earphones or anything which distracts you so that you are completely aware of your environment.

During the Run

Always stay alert. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are. Think about possible escape routes in case of a confrontation.
Take notice of who is ahead of you and who is behind you. Know where the nearest public sites are with some general activity - there is usually safety in numbers.
When in doubt, follow your intuition and avoid potential trouble. If something seems suspicious, do not panic, but run in a different direction.
Run clear of parked cars, bushes, dark areas.
Run against traffic so that you can observe the approach of automobiles.
If the same car cruises past you more than once, take down even a partial license number and make it obvious that you are aware of its presence (but keep your distance).

I will say that I am horrible at noticing my surroundings.  I usually do not notice people in general.  I normally do not run in unfamiliar places. 

Hope everyone stays safe out there! 


On running news I did squeeze in 4 mile run today.  It was so much cooler than the 100 plus weekend we had. 

Adventure Run..yes please!

Yesterday we were melting.  It was 100 degrees outside at 5pm.  What better time to head off to Roadrunner Sports in Falls Church to participate in their Thursday Adventure Run!  Megan found out that the first Thursday of the month, Roadrunner Sports has what they call an adventure run ( I would call it a scavenger run).  It sounded fun and it was the perfect price..free!  So we headed over to Falls Church.  I was convinced that we would be the only idiots running in 100 degree weather.  Well if you are wondering, there are other crazy people in the DC area!  Yep the store was pretty packed.

We signed in and then waited for the store to release the map that we needed to find the checkpoints around Falls Church.  We had one hour to visit as many checkpoints as possible. 

They also emailed the map to our smartphones.  We were all at a little disadvantage because neither Becky, Megan or myself hang out around Falls Church. So we did not know where anything was, we really relied on the map.  Luckily Megan was a great map reader/runner. 

We took off and headed to our first spot to collect some raffle tickets. 

It was really hot out..did I mention that??  I am not really good at running in the heat.  So it really was a run/walk kind of night. We didn't hit all of the stops, but we did hit the slip n slide stop. 

That was the best check point ever!  Although I did learn that small children are much better at a slip n slide than I am!  We knew we were not going to hit all of the check points so we headed to the area that had some more relatively close.

When it was coming up to our cutoff time of 7:30 we headed back to the store so we could place all of our raffle tickets in the bin.

They had some great prizes up for grabs.  Oh how I love a good raffle.  Hopefully we had one of the winning tickets.

All of those tickets and not one  a winner.  Oh well we had fun.  Maybe next month we will be a winner. :) 

Let Freedom Run recap

Ran a 4th of July run yesterday.  Let Freedom Run was a family friendly 5K race held at 9am.  Who schedules a race a 9 am in July?  Needless to say it was  a very very hot run.  From mile 2 on I was miserable, but I finished.

Look who we got to run with:

Yep the Statue of Liberty showed up to run.  You would think that it would be her busy time in New York, but she took some time out of her busy 4th of July to run with us! 

Oh she wasn't the only patriotic runner we had in our group.

So great that Ryan and Megan dressed up for the run.  As one random little kid put it, "Cool hair bro!" 

Before the race started we were super happy.  We had yet to experience the heat while running.  If only they would have started it at 8am..the heat moved in around 8:45. Becky and I ran most of the race together until I was mean to her and kept telling her to keep going.  I don't know what it is right now, I just don't want to run the miles..I would rather walk.  I didn't want to hold her back. I have been having a hard time just running.   I do think it has something to do with my hatred of the heat.  I have not really acclimated to the heat yet.  I always end up feeling ill.  I might have to take some of my running inside.  I hate running on the treadmill, so we will see if I can head to the gym a few times a week. 

After the run we had some much needed cooling off treats.

Those were the best Popsicles ever!  And red, white and blue to celebrate the day!

Hope everyone had a wonderful July 4th!

summer running sucks

Every year I forget how much I hate running in the summer.  I know I said I do not like running in the cold cold temps, but really running in 95 and above is torture.  I'll take 30 and below any day. 

I have not run in a week because I hate the heat and running. That and I lost electricity on Friday night from the crazy storm that hit VA.  My electricity wasn't back until Saturday night. I know what does that have to do with running?  I couldn't bring myself to die running in the heat to have to come into a warm house.  Then my air was broken when the electricity came back.  That is now all fixed so I went for a brief run this morning. 

I woke up after the first night sleeping in my bed since Thursday.  Ah it was so nice to not have to sleep downstairs on a couch b/c that is the coolest place to sleep.  So after a very restful nights sleep, I got up and got dressed.  It was a beautiful night the previous night so I'm sure that it would be a fabulous morning for running.  Turns out that I was slightly off.  I waited too long to run.  8 am during the summer feels like noon running.  I guess when the humidity is hovering around 50%.  I thought I my face was going to catch on fire for the heat that was coming off of my body.    I guess I need to start to turn on the alarm clock and get up super early.  It doesn't help that we are having a heat wave, but really that is not that new for July. 

Looks like I will be running tonight at run club.  Then I have a 4th of July 5K to run tomorrow.  Sooner or later I guess I may actually get used to running in hell.