Remembering Boston with 4.09

As you may know by now, there was a tragic bombing in Boston at the famous Boston Marathon. The Boston Marathon is often considered the creme de la creme of running events in the US. You cannot simply register for the event, you have to qualify. It is often the pinacle event for many runners' careers. 

For me, I always associate the finish line, or any part of a race for that matter, with feelings of joy, excitement and overall happiness. Running, I love it! After Boston's tragedy, I know whenever I cross that finish line, a part of my joy will be accompanied by sadness for the victims and the realization of how far humanity has fallen. Such a senseless act. 

Today, the running community is pulling together to remember the victims of the Boston Marathon by wearing race shirts and running/walking 4.09 miles (the clock time at the explosion).

Sports Bra Phone Holder

I always run with my iphone. It plays music, tracks my run (Strava app), keeps me accessible in case of an emergency, and I can capture awesome views like this sunrise.

I hate carrying my phone in my hands and my running clothes don't have pockets. I have an ifitness double pouch fuel belt, but it rides up after a while and becomes uncomfortable. Way back when I first started running, I used to shove my phone in my bra. Classy, I know. And it didn't even work very well. I wanted something that would attach to my bra somehow, but when you google "sports bra phone holder," not much comes up. There are a couple sports bras on the market that have pockets in the front, but to be frank, I don't really want to add more "up front" while I run. So... when you can't buy it, make it yourself! 

*  The Sports Bra Phone Holder  *

Attaches securely to the back of your bra, allowing for a full range of motion, while still remaining close to the body to keep it from bouncing around. It has a top flap to keep your phone in, but is still easy to access. It's not sewn onto the sports bra, so it can be moved to different articles of clothing, like a tank top. 

I wouldn't call myself unusually flexible, but I can reach between my shoulder blades easily, which makes this possible. The amazing part is I can't tell it's there. Here's how it works: 

Attach holder to sports bra before putting it on.

Phone slips in

Top flap folds down...

and closes shut.

Ta da! 

What do you think? If you run, how do you carry your phone/ipod/music device? 

Races I'm Lusting After

Now that running has become such an important part of our lives, Dearest suggested coordinating vacations and races across the country. Here are some I have in mind:

Kaua'i Marathon (full & half)
http://www.thekauaimarathon.com/

It's Kaua'i, need I say more? Dearest and I went to Maui for our honeymoon and he's been itching to go to Kaua'i. (Personally, I still prefer Maui.) The course looks amazing, though there are some hills. The only downside? It's held over Labor Day weekend, the same weekend the Disneyland half is held. I can't imagine not running the DL 1/2 every year, so it looks like we'll be passing on this race. 

Maui Marathon (full & half)
http://mauimarathonhawaii.com/

Hawaii is too beautiful to skip and there are plenty of other races across the islands. Maui offers both a full and half, starting in Kaanapali, the area we stayed for our honeymoon. It would be a nice touch to to run this on a major anniversary year (5 yr in 2015?).

Boston Half Marathon
http://www.baa.org/races/half-marathon.aspx

Dearest and I already know we want to visit Boston. We'd love to see the coastal views and explore the city. The Boston half, younger sibling to the famed Boston Marathon, takes place in mid-October, when the leaves should be changing colors- perfect timing!

Portland Marathon (full & half)
http://portlandmarathon.org/

Portland has often been compared as the more hip, laid back version of where we currently live. It's super friendly for bikers (Dearest loves this) and has lots to see culture-wise. The Portland Marathon has been considered one of the best marathons in the country for both the course and organization. 

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
http://runvictoriamarathon.com/

There's something about Canada that I just love. The people are super friendly, the atmosphere is always relaxed and laid back, and Victoria is so pretty. The little coastal town on the south-west corner of Canada hosts a half marathon through it's downtown and along the oceanside. 


Walt Disney World Marathon
http://www.rundisney.com/disneyworld-marathon/

I have never been to Disney World. Hard to believe since I've been to Disneyland more times than I can remember. (Or do I just have a bad memory? haha) I already know that I want to run our first Marathon at Disney World, possibly in 2015. Dearest is game as well and I heard that you can ride Expedition Everest during the race! How fun! 

Athens Classic Marathon
http://www.athensclassicmarathon.gr/

How can you resist running the original marathon course? Dearest was wondering the other day if there was a race that follows the original path and there is! One for the bucket list, for sure! 

What races are you lusting after? Any on your bucket list? 

Training Tuesday: Or Lack There Of

This past week was the ultimate fail. On Tuesday I started to get a sore throat, which morphed into a head cold. Needless to say, any kind of running was a bust. I wanted to wait out the sore throat and not aggravate it any more, so I didn't run. Now with a stuffed up nose, running is completely out of the question. I already have a hard time regulating my breathing (that's next on my agenda to work on), so running with a cold would not have gone well. I'm disappointed because this week was supposed to be my official Dumbo training plan kick off. Sadly, it'll have to wait. 

Another bummer is that Dearest ran our local half marathon on Sunday, something we had talked about doing together. I took a long running hiatus due to surgery last September and didn't have enough time to train, so he ran it solo. But I'm actually glad he ran it by himself. He regularly runs a 1:45 half, but it's never been "officially" documented in a race because he's always opted to run with me. He wasn't prepared for the heat, but still finished in 1:51. 

A lot happy and a little sweaty

Starting with a clean slate and healthy body, I'm jumping right back into things. 

This Week / T-20 Weeks until Dumbo

Tuesday: 2 mile run

Wednesday: cross training

Thursday: 5k

Friday: 2 mile run

Saturday: rest

Sunday: 5 mile run (6 miles if I'm feeling up for a challenge)

Monday: rest

Have you ever been side-lined by a cold? Do you try to push through it or wait it out? 

Need Motivation?

Run Disney posted a bunch of quotes/signs that are sure to strike a chord with anyone needing some inspiration or motivation. Here are a few of my favorites:

For me, the adrenaline and excitement on the actual race day significantly increase my speed. I know it's that little secret weapon that'll help me get my PR. :) 

I could not agree more. I usually spend the first mile convincing myself to push to mile 2 and it's always smooth sailing after that. 

I may need to print this out and hang it next to my running shoes. I am quick to listen to that little voice in my head giving me any excuse not to run, a bad habit I'm trying to kick. I can plan and plan to run faster, but nothing will ever happen unless I actually do it.

Do you have any inspirational or motivational quotes that help you? 

Bedroom Re-do Part 1: Shoes

After six years together, Dearest and I are finally getting new bedroom furniture. We've had this Malm dresser from Ikea and that's it.

 Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about the changes. 

First up: Shoes! I'll admit, I have a lot of shoes. Combined with a poor organization system for them, my closet looked like a mess. Until I found this beauty at Ikea! The Hemnes Shoe Cabinet with 4 compartments (they have a 2 compartment version, but it's much taller). We paired it with a matching Hemnes mirror above. 

The compartments open from the top and your shoes slide right in. I was able to squeeze in quite a few pairs (3 pairs of heels on the left, 5 pairs of flats on the right). Unfortunately Dearest was only able to fit 3 shoes, yup, 3 individual shoes, into one compartment, so this is really just for my shoes. I still have a few pairs that don't fit, like my boots, and I have a couple pairs I keep in the box, like the red heels I wore for my wedding (pic on the right). 

Getting my shoes out of the bottom of my closet allowed for better organization, going from this

to this! 

Looking at my closet, I realized that almost half my clothes are gray or black. Apparently I like to adhere to the "banker's black" a bit too much. I can't wait for the day when I don't have to wear a suit to work. 

I opted to take the sliding doors off my closet and will be hanging curtains in their place. 

Have you done any reorganizing lately? How do you organize your shoes? 

Training Tuesday: 5k PR!

Tuesday already? The week, and weekend unfortunately, seem to have flown by. While I still have about a week left until I start my "official" plan, I've been using this time to establish a running pattern. My running has been more consistent and I'm picking up my pace. I even set a 5k PR! I attempted to set back-to-back 5k PRs, but couldn't quite make it. 
My running app, Strava, says I ran 3.1 miles each time, but I think my second day I didn't quite finish that tenth of a mile, which is why I didn't hit my second PR. C'est la vie. It'll give me something to aim for this up coming week. 

I got lazy over the weekend- the husband and I are giving our bedroom a makeover. I've been busy cleaning, building furniture, and organizing. Stay tuned for pictures!

Previous Week

Tuesday: 1.5 mile run

Wednesday: rest

Thursday: 5k PR 

Friday: 5k 

Saturday: rest

Sunday: (skipped 4 mile run- I know I'm going to regret this later)

Monday: rest

This Week / T-21 Weeks until Dumbo

Tuesday: 2 mile run

Wednesday: cross training

Thursday: 5k

Friday: 2 mile run

Saturday: rest

Sunday: 5 mile run (Training plan officially starts) 

Monday: rest

How is your training going? Any plans for this week? Hoping to set any PRs?