Workout Recap - Week 5

Sunday, January 24th – 5 mile trail run with the hubby, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Monday, January 25th – Strength Training (abs, back, arms and legs), 5 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Tuesday, January 26th –  6 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Wednesday, January 27th – 4 mile pace run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Thursday, January 28th –  12 mile run

Friday, January 29th –  Rest Day, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Saturday, January 30th –  8 bike ride, 3 mile walk [was supposed to be a 10 mile bike ride, but got a flat tire 6 miles in, so had to walk my bike 3 miles to the bike shop to get my tire fixed, then a 2 mile ride back to the house], Stretched & Foam Rolled

I swapped around a couple of my runs this week because I donated blood on Thursday and wanted to make sure I wouldn't pass out the following day during a workout ;) This week started my taper, so I only got in 32 miles of running, but hopefully my legs are appreciating the break!

How were your workouts this past week?

Friday Favorites

It's been a while since I've posted about some of my favorite things, so I figured WHY NOT?! Note: This is NOT a sponsored post - meaning everything that I found I have spent my own, hard-earned money on. Sometimes it's just fun to spread the word on new products you've been diggin', right?!

Brooks Heritage Line

I got a pair of shoes from the Brooks Heritage line for my birthday. They are pretty much my favorite shoes EVER! So, when I was ordering new running shoes from Brooks last week it's crazy how two more pairs from the Heritage line made their way into my cart (I thought the pair on the left reminded me of the RAD 80s and the pair on the right are sort of Michigan colors). I won't use these for running, but even still, I know they will RACK up the miles because I can see myself wearing them just about everywhere!

Planters NUTrition Protein Mix [Blueberry Nut]

I saw these on sale at the grocery store the last time I went so picked up a couple cans. I wasn't sure if I would like it, but knew the hubby loves blueberries and needed some "healthy" snacks for at his desk at work. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked the mix. It has honey roasted peanuts, granola protein clusters, almonds, yogurt covered raisins and dried blueberries. [Note: The proper serving size is small and the total fat is high, but it is 'good' fat and much healthier than munching on chips or candy.]

Puppy Cuddles

Don't get me wrong, puppy cuddles have ALWAYS been my jam, but lately Walt has actually let me snuggle with him ;) In fact, this morning, Ryan left to go surfing around 7:30am, so I grabbed Walt from his crate and brought him into the bed to lounge for an hour or so. PURE BLISS! (Due to me giving blood yesterday, I rearranged my workouts for the week so today was a rest day AND I didn't have to work until 10am, so snuggle time was MANDATORY!)

New Jewelry

I have had my ears pierced since I was 6 months old (thanks madre!), so I guess you can say the piercing bug has been in me for almost my whole life... Well, last week I thought I would get my nose re-pierced (figuring I'd have to get the opposite side pierced). I went to the local piercing shop and the girl asked how long I had my nose pierced for. I told her probably 6+ years, but it had been at least another 6+ years that I've had out the jewelry. She said that the hole was still there and was able to just stretch it a little to get a stud back in there. AWESOMESAUCE (that means not having to pay for the piercing or deal with any of the healing!)!

Since then I decided I also wanted to switch up some of the earrings I've been wearing for years. Like, legit, I think the rings I have had in my rook and tragus have been there for at least 12 years. Amazon to the rescue! I ordered a heart ring for my rook (before I just had a tiny hoop) and some studs for my tragus (before I just had a horseshoe). I also grabbed some hoops for my nose, but will probably wait a couple more days to put them in.

Anything you've been diggin' on lately and are willing to spread the word about?

#WeRunSocial LA Marathon Meet-Up

Wait just a second there... WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?! I swear I was just posting about how I was selected to be an LA Marathon ambassador like yesterday, right?! And now the race is right around the corner! EEKS! Guess I better get working on my race outfit...

Anywho, second to deciding on what I am wearing, figuring out my social schedule for the weekend is TOP PRIORITY! And if you will be in the Los Angeles area (whether it is for the race or for the Olympic Marathon Trials on the 13th or for the Grammys on the 15th or you live in the area or just want to drive in because of all the hub-bub going on {as you can see, LA will be HOPPIN'}), I want to make sure I give you enough notice so you can add this to your calendar.

You read that right, Linzie & I will be hosting a #WeRunSocial Meet-Up over the Los Angeles Marathon Weekend!

We will be meeting at the LA Convention Center (since that is where the Expo is located and figured it was a centralized meeting place), in the South Hall Lobby. Don't worry about missing us, simply look for the #WRS gear, the big banner and the hoards of friendly runners and you'll be in the right spot!

I'm not sure if you noticed it on the image above but PRO Compression is helping to sponsor this meet-up... which means PRIZES! Oh HECK TO THE YES, you better believe it! Come one, come all and be prepared to #KeepItTight! And while you're at it, you should probably wear your PRO gear so that you make sure your legs are refreshed for the following day (whether you are running, spectating or having a Netflix marathon on the couch)!

And why wait to start the giveaways?! Why not have one RIGHT NOW?!

I've got one of the OH SO FLY #WeRunSocial sling bags up for grabs! Now, just like you don't have to be running any of the races to attend the meet-ups, you don't have to be in LA to win this prize (although if you are I can bring it to the meet-up to save on shipping ;)). 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway will run through Tuesday, February 2nd at 11:59pm. Open to US residents only. The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with their Rafflecopter account and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.

Good luck to everyone who enters! And don't forget to enter early and often, some entries are available daily!

Nuun GIVEAWAY

When the folks at Nuun reach out to you about trying their new electrolyte drink, you say "yes please" and then thank them graciously when the package arrives.

PS I received a ton of comments on my Instagram when I posted this picture about
the pineapple. Nuun did not send it. The hubby actually picked it up as a souvenir
from his trip to Bali last year. 

Now, I've gotta be honest with you - I am a HUGE water lover. I could (and often do) drink the stuff morning, noon and night (which can lead to frequent bathroom breaks - oops) and never get sick or bored of it. With that being said, I am well aware that often times one needs to replenish the body with more than just water.

Source

Seeing as I have a deep affinity for water, I've never really searched out an alternative hydration plan. Most of the time I just reach for old fashion agua or whatever (low calorie) sports drink was on sale that week at the grocery store. I've gotta say, Nuun takes some getting used to (at least for me). It isn't like BAM full-of-flavor like some of the other sports drinks on the market AND it's carbonated, but having a clean way to replenish your body with electrolytes is AWESOME!

Source

I know some of you are already Nuun lovers, while others of you may have never tried it before. Whichever category you fall in to, let me tell you, do I have some news for you?! Nuun is releasing a NEW product (okay, maybe not a completely new product, but a tried and true product that has been updated to a new and improved formula!)!

Source

New Nuun Active has the same optimal electrolytes, but now has a better absorption rate and with plant-based, natural ingredients. It is also certified gluten free, certified vegan, and certified for clean sport through Informed Choice.

One of the biggest differences between the current and new formula is the switch to plant-based sweeteners (monk fruit and stevia leaf extracts instead of acesulfame potassium) and to natural ingredients. New Nuun is also certified vegan (previously only some of the flavors were vegan). They've added 1g of non-GMO dextrose, which means calories are slightly higher than the current Nuun, but it improves the absorption rate and is still low overall (12 calories per 16oz). New Nuun is currently available at a few retailers including Whole Foods (ha, I bet some of you Nuun-aholics didn't even notice, did ya?!), but will be available more widely in early February when it will be available at Nuun.com (at that point all retail locations will make the switch to the updated formula).

Source

Nuun has graciously offered up TWO 4-packs of the new Nuun for my readers! Yup, win it here before you can buy it from the site - AWESOMESAUCE! Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter (and just a heads up - some of the entries are available DAILY so make sure you enter early and often!).

Flavor choices:

• Cherry Limeade Energy
• Citrus Fruit Active
• Fruit Punch Active
• Grape Active
• Lemon Lime Active or Energy (40mg of caffeine)
• Orange Active
• Strawberry Lemonade Active
• Tri Berry Active
• Tropical Fruit Active
• Watermelon Active
• Wild Berry Energy

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway will run through January 31st at 11:59pm. The winners will be contacted via the email address associated with their Rafflecopter account and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.

Good luck to everyone who enters and #MakeYourWaterCount!

Workout Recap - Week 4

Sunday, January 17th – 5 mile run with the hubby, 3 mile hike with the hubby and puppy, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Monday, January 18th – Strength Training (abs, back, arms and legs), 5 mile progression run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Tuesday, January 19th –  8 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Wednesday, January 20th – 19.65 mile bike ride, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Thursday, January 21st –  5 treadmill mile pace run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Friday, January 22nd –  20 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Saturday, January 23rd –  Rest Day (5 mile hike with the hubby and puppy), Stretched & Foam Rolled

First off, how is it that the LA Marathon is less than three weeks away?! EEKS! (PS If you haven't registered and want to, use CARLEE16 to save a couple dollars.) Next, I sure hope this taper time helps with my legs because they have been feeling like a million pounds lately... I don't know exactly what it is, but you better believe I will be doing all the foam rolling, stretching and Epsom Salt baths I can in the next couple weeks to try and give my legs their best shot at this next full marathon (and then their next one two weeks after that!).

How were your workouts this past week? 

Active Recovery

Today is what you would call an "active recovery" day. It was a rest day on my calendar, but I knew I wanted to get out and about with my guys (the hubby and puppy). I had to work from 6am-10am and then again from 6pm-10pm so we had a good eight hour window to hit the trails.

We decided to head up to Palomar Mountain and hike the Observatory Trail. The trail begins at the Observatory Campground.

Look, you can even see a little "snow" on the side of the road!

The only issue is, the campground is closed during this time of the year. Thankfully there seemed to be some street parking by the entrance so we pulled off the road and decided to do it anyway. Once you get to the trail head, the hike is about 2.25 miles to the Observatory. The hike there is a pretty decent climb. I would say over the two and a quarter miles we probably climb about 1,000 feet.

Some of the hill-age

You definitely earn the views on this one!

Seeing as the East Coast is being pummeled by snow, I thought my snowflake PRO Compression socks were the PERFECT choice for today's hike. I was actually hoping we would come across some snow... And guess what! WE DID!

So it wasn't FEET of snow, but there was some WHITE!

The snow never bothered me anyway... well, I guess it has... but at least now
I can drive to visit in and then drive back to the 65* weather ;)

It was more like ice crystals, but you gotta take what you can get in SoCal

Walt did a great job, especially since he has never seen snow before (well, at least not while we have had him). I wouldn't say it is his favorite (he is a pretty big wuss when it comes to being cold, but thankfully with the huffing and puffing of hiking at above 5,000 feet we warmed up pretty quickly), but he kept up and held his own as a sausage dog ;)

#Shoefie with #WaltTheWienerDog

You can see some of the elevation in the background

When we came across a little patch of snow, Ryan even made Walt a mini snowman. (Am I the only one who finds it funny that we found more snow in Southern California today than we saw in Michigan over our Christmas break?!)

Next time we will hike with a carrot for the snowman's nose!

The Observatory was pretty cool, although I am sure it would be even cooler if it was open and you could actually see through the 200 foot telescope! Ah well, at least it gave us a turn around point for our hike. (And a place to refuel with our PROBARs.)

I don't know if any of us were looking in the proper direction ;)

We took turns going into the Observatory (since doggies aren't allowed inside),
this is Walt waiting not so patiently for Ryan to come back outside

We worked up an appetite! Glad to be #FueledByPROBAR!

The hike back to the car went much quicker than the way to the Observatory seeing as it was mostly downhill (praise the Lord, since my legs were pretty beat from yesterday's 20-miler to begin with). We stopped for a couple pretty views and funny photos, but other than that we were cruising.

Snow-capped mountains in the distance

Look at how big that pine cone is!

Our selfie stick comes in handy while hiking!

I'd say it took us about two hours to hike probably 5.5-6 miles. Not too shabby with a wiener dog in tow (and stopping for #AllThePhotos). On the way home we stopped at Mother's Kitchen, which is an all vegetarian little gem. DELISH and hit the spot after a morning of hiking! The hubby got a bowl of chili and I had a club sandwich - YUM! (We inhaled it before snapping any pictures - sorry!)

And we were home with plenty of time before my next shift (in fact, we were even able to watch a little Red Wings and Walt was able to get some more napping in. I can't blame him... Those tiny legs of his work hard when we are hiking!). I'd say it was quite the productive "rest" day!

Do you prefer active recovery or complete rest days?