Wednesday, January 6th – 5 mile pace treadmill run, Stretched & Foam Rolled
Thursday, January 7th– 20 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled
Friday, January 8th – 15 miles of walking in San Francisco
Saturday, January 9th– Rest Day
Instead of Christmas gifts to each other, a group of us decided to do a GIRLS WEEKEND to San Francisco (presence instead of presents). This was THE WEEKEND, so I had to get in all of my runs for the week before heading north. My cross-training day this week was 15 miles of walking around the city instead of biking, not perfect but I'll take it (especially the 35,000+ steps and amazing views).
Today's run was ALL mental! But, I'm getting ahead of myself, so I will go back to the beginning.
I had 20 miles on the calendar for tomorrow. That was until some girlfriends and I decided that instead of doing Christmas gifts we would do a girls weekend and it landed on THIS weekend. I knew missing my long run or trying to fit it in while in San Francisco wouldn't be an option, so I decided to move it up a day and get it in this morning.
This issue is... EL NINO! You see, they have been predicting this cold, wet winter for months now and it finally decided to rear its ugly little face this week. The weather has been CRAY-CRAY because of it. Legit, we have had flood warnings, tornado watches, wind advisories, an earthquake, you name it, we've had it.
An old coworker texted me this picture yesterday... This is outside our office...
RIGHT WHERE I USED TO PARK MY CAR! Thankfully no one (or vehicles)
were injured in the crazy windstorm!
[And a quick video to show the rain we are getting... This was yesterday afternoon]
Well, I knew 20 miles on my hand-me-down treadmill wouldn't really be an option so I went to be praying that the weather would be runable when I woke up.
THANK YOU JESUS! It was sprinkling and in the 50s when I got up. They were predicting thunderstorms, but I no longer saw it on my weather app so I suited up and made my way down to Carlsbad (the hubby feels more comfortable if I run in Carlsbad before the sun comes up as opposed to Oceanside).
Looks like perfect running weather to me!
The closer to Carlsbad I got, the windier and rainier it got... That didn't seem like a good thing, but I was DETERMINED to get this run done! I parked, put on my rain jacket, turned on my headlamp and got out of the car. I made it maybe a tenth of a mile away from the car and then it happened - LIGHTNING! Well, I am all about getting my run in, but I am also all about safety. I turned my butt right around and went back to the car.
A BIG thumbs down... But my #1 concern is health and safety!
I decided that I would go back to the house and run around there. I figured there was a 5 mile loop that I could do by the house. At most, when I am running it, I am 2 miles max away from the house. I figured that if they weather got bad I could head back to the house and finish up the remainder on the treadmill.
Thankfully, when I got back home it was just sprinkling like it had been when I left so I took off on my 20-miler for the second time. It rained off and on but the lightning stayed away - HOORAY! By the time I was finishing my first lap the sun was actually starting to break through the clouds.
It was like God was painting me a pretty picture to look at while I ran
And after my second loop I caught a glimpse of a rainbow! Honestly, it looked like the pot of gold could have been at our house from this view... but either it wasn't or the hubby took it with him to work so he wouldn't have to share because I didn't come across it when I got home.
If only the winning PowerBall ticket was in the
mysterious pot of gold...
I took my PROBAR BOLT chews at miles 6, 12 and 16. The first two sets I took on the run, but when it was time for my third round I just wanted a bit of a break so sat down on a park bench to give my feet a brief rest when I nibbled on my yummies.
Strawberry is my JAM! What's your favorite flavor?!
Like I said in the title, this run was 100% mental. Sure, don't get me wrong, running 20 miles is definitely a physical feet, but what was hardest was the mental aspect. My pace was the slowest it had been for any training run (not sure if it is because of fatigue, slowing down due to the slick ground, tired legs, knowing that I was so close to the house and wanting to just crawl back into my warm bed or what) so every time I looked at my watch I got more and more defeated.
I decided it was just about putting the miles in the bank today. Not all runs are great, but I did it and I might be a tad bit stronger (at least mentally) because of it. And, shoot, I even got to test out one of my next Christmas gifts... my reflective vest!
Now I can go to San Francisco without a long run looming over my head (I will have a 5-miler but am hoping I can fit it in one morning before the other girls wake up). It wasn't pretty, it wasn't fast, but it is D-O-N-E!
If you don't believe me, just check out my social media or #FlatCarlee pictures! I would say 95% of my races (and training runs) include these brands.
But hear me out - I don't wear these brands because I get stuff free or the company pays me to say nice things about their gear - I rock the products because I LOVE THE PRODUCTS! (In fact, I don't get paid by any of the companies and only a couple of them offer any type of discounts... I pay full price for gear just like you do!)
So when I am asked to rep a brand as an ambassador, a brand that I love to my core, I JUMP at the opportunity! This is actually the THIRD year of being a PRO Compression Ambassador (I am THRILLED that they love me almost as much as I love them ;) and have asked me back for another year!).
Being an ambassador means I get to be part of an AMAZING crew of like-minded, PRO Compression rockin' athletes and have the opportunity to spread the word about their awesome product from the mountain tops (okay, it's not like PRO is sending me to the mountain tops, but if I get there somehow, I can spread my love for their socks up there too!).
Just a few of the 2015 PRO Ambassadors hanging out after the PHX Marathon
PS If you wanna join us at the race this year, use MCDOT10 to save 10% on
all of the distances (the full is close to selling out, so register NOW!)
Not only that, I get to spread some lovin' to YOU! Today's gift is a 40% OFF promo code... [That code is only good thru 2/28 so you better hurry and stock up NOW!]
If you haven't signed up for their email list yet, NOW IS THE TIME! You don't want to be part of the few who miss out on a BANGIN' deal or a BRAND SPANKIN' NEW sock design, do you?! (Remember those #UglySweater socks?! THEY SOLD OUT WITHIN HOURS OF BEING RELEASED and the folks on the email list were the first to know about them!) Not to mention, you could win a $100 shopping spree! [PS A little birdie may have mentioned that the January Sock Of The Month sock is coming out SOON, so get on the list TODAY to be one of the first to see it!]
Don't get me wrong, I am totally in agreement that there are CRAZIES out there and that we need to take necessary precautions to make sure the public (especially in large gatherings) are safe, but once you start messing with what I can or can't wear when running a runDisney race you are going to ruffle some feathers!
Yesterday afternoon runDisney posted a new article on their blog, NEW RUNDISNEY COSTUME & SAFETY GUIDELINES, about the new restrictions that go into effect on January 6th. Below are a couple snapshots I grabbed from the post:
Again, I am NOT questioning the need for safety, but really?! No UP Houses?! Have you seen some of the costumes at runDisney races?! They are extravagant, creative, outlandish and AMAZING!
runDisney races have NEVER been about a time on the clock for me; they've ALWAYS been about the magic (which may be one reason I don't mind having to sidestep a giant running churro or jump out of the way of a flying carpet)! Now, I am not saying that once you start restricting costumes the races will no longer be any fun, shoot, we are a creative bunch, I am SURE we can work within the new regulations, but I guess it is just a bit shocking.
Just a few of my runDisney pictures... As you can see, I take my costuming seriously ;)
Maybe I am naive to think "it will never happen to me", maybe I thought runDisney was immune from the craziness of the world, maybe because the Disneyland Half was my first half marathon my mind sees it and all of the other runDisney events as being in this magical bubble that nothing or no one would ever dare harm, who knows... I suppose I was just a bit surprised (I mean, they've already banned selfie sticks, I guess I thought that was as far as they would go).
Like I've mentioned, runDisney races have always been about the magic, miles and smiles for me. I don't think that restricting the type of costumes will hamper it (although I think I physically said "LAMESAUCE" when I read "Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, and hats are acceptable."), but it is yet another reminder that the world is not as safe as we may believe.
It's a NEW YEAR. Time to make some NEW GOALS, right?! I have never been one for resolutions (for some reason it seems like the word "resolutions" just tends to set you up for failure from the get-go, am I right?!), but GOALS are something I can get behind!
Now, I know a lot of people set precise goals (i.e. "lose 10 pounds", "run a sub-3:45 marathon", "log 2016 miles", etc) and those are GREAT, but I am switching it up a bit this year. Instead of specifics (maybe because I don't want to feel like a major failure if I don't smash those goals), I am setting non-numeric objectives.
Goals For 2016
*Go outside*
The hubby and I have been hiking more frequently lately and I love it! Sure, we aren't summiting Everest or scaling crazy strenuous trails or anything (I mean, shoot, Walt the Wiener Dog has to be able to tackle most of the climbs with us), but getting outside has been AMAZING and I want to make sure we keep up with it. #Explore
*Travel more*
I'm sure to some, when they look at our calendar, it may seem like we travel a ton (and we do!), but I want to do more! But it doesn't have to be trips to Hawaii or Bali, short weekend getaways in our Adventuremobile are just as awesome! We live close by some FANTASTIC locations, yet we don't take advantage of them... This year we will change that!
*Run with others*
I will be the first to admit it - running (at least for me) is my selfish time. I normally run alone so I don't have to worry about having to match someone else's pace/ distance/ speed. I often will get so focused on my training. But, let's be real, I am not going to be winning races any time soon (or EVER), so why do I have to be so serious? Running should be about ENJOYMENT! And running with others reminds me to get out of my own head. The running community ROCKS MY SOCKS - I need to immerse myself in it WHILE running!
*Self acceptance*
#RealTalk: I have TERRIBLE self esteem. I know that saying a couple positive things about myself in the mirror will probably never fix that, but I've gotta start practicing some self lovin' somehow. I think this one might be the hardest one for me to complete (not only because my self hatred runs deep {I've had 31 years to perfect it, I'm pretty great at it}, but also because the goal is hard to quantify).
*Give back*
Often times we get busy and with that busyness comes being occupied with our own stuff. I want to make a conscious effort this year to focus on others and give back to those around me. It doesn't have to be something huge like selling all of our possessions and moving to a third-world country, but taking the time to hold the door open for a stranger can remind us to step outside of our world and reach out to another. Do what you can when you can with what you can!
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of other goals I would LOVE to tackle in 2016 (for example, qualify for the Boston Marathon, work on my core strength, PR in the 5K, 10K, Half and Full distances, etc), but I want my main focus to be on my all-encompassing goals.
Saturday, January 2nd– 4 mile hike with the hubby and puppy
This week I missed one of my runs (Monday I was supposed to have a 5 mile run after my strength training workout, but due to my phlegmy cough I decided to opt for a 50 minute treadmill walk instead). Also, instead of my normal bike ride for cross training, I did some hiking with the hubby and puppy. The hike on Saturday was supposed to be longer, but on the way the battery in our truck died so after a hike to Autozone we had to cut our trail hike short due to a lack of time. But hey, I did what I could with what I had and am better for it, right? Not to mention, I think I am on the tail end of this sickness, so I hope to be back to 100% in the next couple days (fingers crossed).
I will be the first to admit, my blogging dropped off DRASTICALLY after my 12 Days of Carlee's Christmas concluded. There are a couple reasons for that. First, running and tracking all of those giveaways took a lot of time, energy and dedication (not to mention moola). Next, the hubby and I went back to Michigan to visit both of our families for the Christmas holiday. Finally, the hubster has been off work (his office physically closes between Christmas and New Year's... you couldn't work even if you wanted to). With that being said, I have spent my time with the ones I love rather than in front of my computer screen (YAY for me, BOO for you!).
I promise I will be back and better than ever once everything goes back to "normal" and I am able to get into a better routine. Until then, make sure to follow me on my social media accounts to stay up-to-date on all of my crazy adventures!
