Workout Recap - Week 25

Sunday, June 12th – 8 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Monday, June 13th – 5 mile run in honor of #Active4Asher2016, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Tuesday, June 14th – 7 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Wednesday, June 15th – 16.5 mile bike ride, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Thursday, June 16th – 5 mile progression run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Friday, June 17th – Rest Day {travel day}

Saturday, June 18th – Rock 'N' Roll Seattle Half Marathon

I had to skip my strength training workout last week because my arm is still a bit messed up from when I donated blood the week prior and they nicked a nerve, but at least it hasn't been affect my running!

A little over 38 miles run for the week... And now I think it is time for a bit of a break... My next race on the schedule isn't until mid-July and my legs are feeling a little burnt out (not injured but won't get up and go as much as I would like). Thinking I'll pull back a little this week and just take it easy for a few days before ramping back up again.

How were your workouts this past week?

Friday Favorites

As you are reading this I am probably aboard my Alaska Airlines flight to Seattle (that is if you are reading this between the hours of 8 and 11am PST on Friday... if you aren't, then who the heck knows where I am or what I am doing but it probably involves running somehow). What I do know is today (the day I hit PUBLISH) is Friday and that means it's time for another round of my favorite things... So let's jump right on in!

JUST Water

A couple weeks ago the folks at JUST Water contacted me. They told me that they felt their ideals aligned with mine and wanted to send me over a case or two of their new product. JUST is a group of like-minded individuals who came together to drive social and environmental impact through a better kind of business; a business that rethinks how they source, deliver and consume every day products, a business that combines for-profit energy with non-profit motives and a business with the goal to offer every day products with impact and affordability. Sounds right up my alley! 

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Now normally I'm not one for bottled water (I mean, remember my last Friday Favorites post where I talked about the issue I have with hoarding reusable bottles?!), but with some camping and hiking trips on the calendar I thought it would be great to have on hand. The bottle is actually made of 53% paper and is designed with more renewable materials over fossil fuels as to lower the carbon footprint while protecting the water inside. Seeing as JUST is constantly striving to improve their model for greater social and environmental impact, the next step is to replace the shoulder and cap on the bottle with one made from plant-based PE derived from sugarcane! This is projected to be available mid-2016.

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Not to mention, the water tastes GREAT! It is 100% spring water from the Glens Falls watershed at the base of the Adirondack Mountains in New York where water is bountiful. And, I've gotta say, I LOVE that JUST encourages responsible water consumption, starting with the use of reusable drinking water carriers. They encourage filtered tap water to play a role in the lives of their customers because it’s JUST right (pun-y, get it?!), but if you need bottled water on-the-go then they ask you to please consider the JUST water bottle vs. the traditional plastic package.

Sparkle Athletic's Pinterest

Okay, like you know, I've always gotta #KeepItReal, so let me spill the beans. I'm sure you already know that I LOVE Sparkle Athletic and I LOVE Pinterest, so it's a no-brainer to LOVE Sparkle Athletic's Pinterest, right?! Of course, but I also may have an ulterior motive for posting this one (at least I'm upfront and honest about it though, right?!).

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You see, a few weeks back I was approached by the lovely ladies at Sparkle Athletic to begin helping them with their Pinterest account. Obviously I jumped at the opportunity as soon as it was presented. Anywho, little by little I've been updating their Pinterest account and TODAY launches a Pinterest Challenge that I have been helping out on.

Head over to Sparkle Athletic's Facebook Page to find the entry form!

It'd be AWESOME if you checked it out (and, shoot, the winner gets a $100 gift card to the website, not too shabby if I do say so myself)! Even if you don't enter, I'd love it if you followed the account. We've got everything from running costume ideas and training plans to sweets to sweat for and running playlists, so I promise it'll be worth your while!

VeganEggs

A couple weeks ago, Ryan and I decided to change our stance on eggs. We are both vegetarians but do eat dairy and eggs (but no beef, chicken, fish, etc). Now, currently we aren't "that" strict about it - meaning we won't turn down food that has eggs in it (i.e. cake, pretzels, ice cream, etc) - but we've decided to no longer bring whole eggs into our home. With that said, we have been trying out some egg alternatives and found a great one - VeganEgg by Follow Your Heart.

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Obviously a powdered egg substitute is not going to be a 100% match to the 'real deal' (especially if you are planning on eating them on their own), but the hubby and I both gave them two thumbs up on taste and consistence (although, FYI, they do take longer to cook than "normal" eggs, so be prepared for a few minutes longer at the oven). We have used them in baking as well as in a breakfast scramble type meal and have been very pleased. This brand is sold at a couple of our local health food stores, but you can also order them on Amazon if that isn't an option.

What items do you have on your Friday Favorites list right now?

Junk Miles

Man, I don't know what is going on, but my runs lately have been pretty crummy... I'd say that since my Fontana Days Run Half I haven't really been able to get my legs going. Don't get me wrong, I have still enjoyed my runs (any day that we are given the ability to lace up our running shoes and pound the pavement {or treadmill} is a day we should be forever grateful for), but lately they have felt a bit rougher than normal.

Maybe it's my nutrition or the weather or my body just asking for a bit more of a break. Whatever the reason, yesterday I actually stopped mid-run for a moment, shuck my head and said (to myself) "I've had quite a few junk miles lately."

Junk miles?! Now I know right off the bat people will say "THERE ARE NO SUCH THING AS JUNK MILES. A MILE IS A MILE NO MATTER WHAT!" and they are totally right! I am not necessarily meaning the miles are trash, but just that they seem fairly monotonous. Since Fontana I haven't really done any speed work and my long run was only 10 miles. The miles this past week or so have just been ones to put in my mileage bank account, nothing more, nothing less.

A little blurb from Competitor.com on the phrase 'junk miles'

And while I'm keeping it real, these miles have felt harder than they "should" at the pace I have been running. (I haven't been posting many Garmin shots these past few days on my IG account because I have been frustrated with the pace my legs have been taking me. Yesterday I even went out for a progression run and when mile 4 was slower than my first mile I decided to throw that workout in the wind and just finish the mileage.)

Since I have yet to put a goal full marathon on my calendar (and the halves and other races currently on the schedule aren't "goal" races), maybe I will take a little break. Ah, let's be real, I probably won't stop running, but maybe I need to keep my Garmin in the drawer and try something new - whether that is running with friends, hitting the trails, switching up my routes, etc.

I didn't start running because I wanted to hit a certain time or run a specific distance... I need to get back to the joy of running to run. (I don't think I've necessarily lost that lovin' feelin', but when I finish a run and am bummed with the results I know it's time to do something different!) I want to get back to the days when I would finish a run and have a giant smile on my face - no matter what pace I run! No more junk miles... only HAPPY miles from here on out!

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How do you make sure your miles are happy ones?

#RnRSEA WRS Meet-Up

Thanks to my partnership with Athlete IQ and Alaska Airlines, I will be flying up to Seattle on Friday for the Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon! I am stoked! I've never been to the Pacific Northwest, but have heard AMAZING things about the area so I'm pumped to check it out (not to mention I get to explore it my favorite way - by running the city!).

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In case any of you will be in Seattle on Friday (whether you are running one of the #RnRSEA races {they offer an 8K, Half Marathon and Full Marathon} or not), the #WeRunSocial crew will be putting on a little social meet-up at the Expo - everyone and their mama's and wee-ones are invited! Linzie, Megan and I will be hosting it and PRO Compression will be sponsoring the shindig (which means PRIZES!). We will be meeting at 3pm at the PRO Booth!

PRO Compression will be at Booth 419 (where the red arrow is pointing)
You can click HERE to see what other vendors will be at #RnRSEA and where to find them at the Expo.

And while you are at the Expo, you should swing by the Sparkly Soul Booth (booth #321, just three booths down from PRO) and pick up your exclusive #WeRunSocial headband! These were available at #RnRSD and will now be available at #RnRSEA. (I've heard rumors that if there are any of these headbands remaining they will be added to the Sparkly Soul site by the end of June, but I wouldn't count on there being any left...)

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I hope to see you there; we can selfie and high-five the afternoon away!

PS If you are interested in running any of the races, online registration is now closed but they will have registration available at the Expo! Also, just in case you aren't able to make it to the meet-up (I understand it might be during your work day), we will be meeting on race morning for a BIG picture near the corrals. I don't have the specifics yet, but will tweet the deets once we make the plans. Follow me on Twitter if you want to be in the know... @CarleeMcDot

Will I see you in Seattle?

#Active4Asher

I don't know if you know the FitFam6 crew or not, but if you don't you should! This family is PURE AWESOMENESS! I literally can't say enough great things about these six - they ROCK MY SOCKS!

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Last year they wanted to help educate those around them on Rare Chromosome Disorders, one of which their youngest suffers from, so they started a tradition of being #Active4Asher. Asher, their four year old, was diagnosed with Chromosome 13Q Deletion - a deletion that is limited to only about 250 reported cases. With so few people affected by this deletion you can imagine that there is very little research done, studies being run or knowledge being shared. It is this family's desire to spread the word and get people educated on these issues. They want to show others that Rare is beautiful, that everyone has their own hard battle despite the appearance on the outside, and that acceptance of all abilities and talents is a wonderful thing. (Can you say A-to-the-FREAKIN'-men?!)

The many faces of sweet Asher (caught on @FitFam6's Instagram account)

It is their hope that today, June 13th, runners and non-runners alike would get up, get moving and get #Active4Asher! Whether that's taking the pup for a walk, going to the playground with the kids, heading out for a run on your lunch break or hiking with friends - take the day to be grateful for your ability to be active! Let's make this a day dedicated to encouragement, support and understanding.

And to motivate folks to spread the love and share their support, they're hosting a giveaway! If you post pictures or tweets TODAY, tag @FitFam6 and use the hashtags #Active4Asher2016 and #a4agiveaway you will be automatically entered to win some awesome prizes (including goodies from Starbucks, HydroFlask, Road ID, Sarah Marie Design Studio and QALO).

Obviously Ryan and I HAD to participate! Normally Ryan would totally be down for fitting in a run with me before heading into work, but after yesterday's 8+ hour hike he did on San Jacinto he opted for sleep instead. But don't you worry, he will be #Active4Asher on his lunch break when he hits up the climbing gym. And in honor of Asher's birthday, Rare Chromosome Awareness Week and the whole FitFam6 crew, I made sure to get active and had a smile on my face the whole time, remembering what an honor and privilege it is to have the ability to pound the pavement!

PS You can read more about their story and find all the details for the giveaway on their blog post HERE.

How will you be #Active4Asher today?

Workout Recap - Week 24

Sunday, June 5th – Rock 'N' Roll San Diego Half Marathon, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Monday, June 6th – 4 mile progression run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Tuesday, June 7th – Strength Training (abs, back, legs and arms), 5 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Wednesday, June 8th – 17 mile bike ride, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Thursday, June 9th – 10 mile run

Friday, June 10th – Rest Day, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Saturday, June 11th – 3 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

After back-to-back races last weekend, this week was a little bit more of a recovery week. Donating blood and having a nicked nerve from the needle, along with trying to give my body a bit of a break all played into a little bit of a lighter week. Thankfully my body (other than my arm) feels great! Next up a racecation to Seattle at the end of the week!

How were your workouts this past week?

Vowing Against The Clique

I don't know how many of you read Justin's open letter to the running community a few days ago, but it seems as though after he hit publish the flood gates were opened with people's opinions about the running community {both positive and negative}... And some specifically about #WeRunSocial.

Now, I know I mention WRS a lot on my blog, but in case you are new to these parts, let me give you a brief rundown. The idea came from the 2015 Phoenix Marathon. Some of us were running the race and started using the hashtag #ItsGoingDownAtPHX (it's a downhill course and of course we also meant the party was "going down" too). We began noticing that even folks who weren't running the race were starting to use the hashtag in their posts. Well, Brian (Pavement Runner) had always wanted to start a running 'crew' and it seemed like it might be perfect timing. My hubby helped with the graphic and through word of mouth and the power of social media this all-inclusive running family was born. [PS Head to Pavey's post who spells out the in's and out's much more eloquently than me... But just know the ONLY criteria is to "be good people" - period! There is no application to fill out, no speed or distance requirements, if you run and enjoy social media then you are already a part of #WeRunSocial!]

Well, I've gotta be honest that I was SHOCKED when I saw some folks saying that they felt WRS was a clique. The main premise behind the 'team' is that everyone and anyone is welcome! As long as you aren't a douche you can totally come kick it with us! And I think since I have so many amazing friends who rep WRS it was a bit of a blow to the gut to hear that it was being perceived as the exact opposite of what is intended.

But if people feel it, even if it isn't the majority, their opinions need to be given weight and taken into account.

If you have ever felt like the WRS crew was 'clique-y' I want to say a sincere "I'm sorry", especially if I in any way played a part in that feeling. There is a fine line between spending time with your friends who live across the country and you only see at a few races a year and making others feel unwelcome or excluded... And apparently we haven't been toeing the line as well as I thought. So, for that, I need to offer an honest apology!

So, right now, I am taking a VOW to stand AGAINST the clique! Now that it has been brought to my attention I am going to do my bestest to make everyone feel included and 'a part of' whenever and however I can (I thought I was doing this before, but I plan to put extra effort in since it seems as though I have fallen a bit short of perfection).

And again, I am truly sorry if anything I have done in the past has made you feel alienated. There is no "in-group" or "cool kids table"... if you run, you are a runner, and if you are a runner, then #WeRunSocial! Everyone is welcomed with open arms... And I'm not just saying that, I want each and every one of us to FEEL that!

What is your best tip on helping others feel welcomed into a group for the first time?