Mud Run: a Preview

To get you as excited and anxious as I am about Saturday's Mud Run, I thought I'd share with you some tidbits I've gotten from the race organizers either via their web site or by email.

First the training tips (I have done none of these things):
• Practice running in wet shoes and wet clothes. Jump into the ocean, river, shower or a pool fully dressed
and then go for your run.
• Train on dirt, mud, sand and through water.
• Run hills and stairs.
• Train harder than the actual event will be.

Other tips (thoughts from me in Italics):

Wear boots. The hills of dirt that you climb along the race have been known to eat a sneaker now and then
because they come off so easy.
(I'll be wearing sneakers. I can not imagine wearing any boots for five miles.)

Contact lenses can be a pain when mud gets in your eyes.  If you wear contacts, be certain to pack a spare pair and solution to clean as necessary after the run.
(A friend who's done the race before suggested we go without contacts or glasses. That's just not an option for this practically blind chick.)

Don't run through the middle of the creeks or mud pits where they can get deep; run along the shallowest sides (edges) of the water obstacles. There may be unexpected divots and holes in the creeks and in the mud pits; proceed with caution.
(Doesn't this sound like something on America's Funniest Home Videos? Running along and then all of a sudden you step in a divot and disappear?) 

This is just the tip of the ice berg. I have definitely not trained hard enough, but at this point it's a little too late to fix that.  I think I'll employ the "I'll just avoid thinking about it" tactic. That strategy worked with skydiving at least! 

Help Me Pick What to Wear

I need your help! I'm going to an event soon where the dress code has been specifically spelled out as "Semi-formal."

I have no idea what this means or if I have a dress that fits the bill. Here are my options (the pictures aren't great and I'm too lazy to try them on, so I will also describe them for you too):

Option 1: a strapless black dress with tiny sparkles in it. It is made out of rayon and polyester. I would wear a black shrug with this so that it would not be strapless. It comes to just above my knee, and is pretty form fitting and straight.  I have only worn this twice, once in Vegas and once at a friend's bachelorette party.

My thoughts: too sexy.

Option 2: A three-quarter sleeve black v-neck dress. This comes just below the knee, but is made out of cotton. I could dress it up with a scarf and boots? But it's still cotton.

My thoughts: too casual.

Option 3: a deep purple dress. This is a slight a-line dress that comes just below the knee. The label says it is polyester, but it feels nice and kind of slinky. It is sleeveless, and I would probably wear my black shrug too.

My thoughts: probably what I'll go with.

Option 4: a deep purple silk skirt that has sequins on it and comes to about my knee. It's quite cute. I would wear with a black top.

My thoughts: I like it and I've never worn it. Is it fancy enough?

I also have a prom dress from 1998, but I'm pretty sure that's over the top.Or I have a nice black skirt that's a little fancier than your average black skirt. Not sure what I'd wear with it. I will not be buying any new clothes for this event, either. 

I'm sorry I am bad at taking pictures of clothes and describing them, but I still need your help. Thoughts?

30/30

My co-worker and fitness goal twin*, Dre, recently set up a facebook group to encourage people to exercise 30 minutes a day for 30 days straight.

She started her pledge on October 1 and encouraged us to do the same.  At first I didn't think much of it, because I already get exercise in each week.  But on Sunday afternoon when I normally languish on the couch reading novels, I thought of the fb group and decided I'd rather do something worthwhile instead. So I went to the gym to swim 30 minutes. It made me feel great and re-energized me for an evening with my favorite teenagers.

Plus yesterday I skipped my lunch time workout to have lunch with my friend Kati, who I don't see very often. After work I had big plans to do a quick surface clean of the house and then lay on the couch in the company of James, my DVR. (Yes, he has a name. He's very important in my life.) Instead, I thought of the pledge and took Bonnie for a long walk. It was a great way to enjoy the near perfect temperatures yesterday.

Anyway, U.S. Fitness guidelines recommend 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days a week.  There are all kinds of health benefits associated with aerobic exercise, including living longer.  See the Mayo Clinic's Top 10 Reasons to Get Physical for more benefits.

If you're not currently exercising, don't start with 30 minutes a day. Start smaller and add to it as you get fitter. Or if you are currently exercising, but are somewhat sporadic in your efforts, make a goal to start a streak.  Try to do some form of exercise every day for five days. Sparkpeople.com recommends you start with 10 minutes a day.  Or take the plunge and pledge to do 30 minutes a day for 30 days straight.  So far, I'm going six days strong.

If you'd like to be a member of the 30/30 facebook group to get encouragement from others who've pledged the 30/30, let me know and I'll add you.


*She does not know, but I have decided we are fitness goal twins because we seem to do everything separately, but in tandem. We both started running about the same time, started training for triathlons about the same time and decided to do an obstacle course the same fall - she did the Warrior Dash a few weeks ago, my Mud Run is in a week (panic!) We choose these goals independently, but it is uncanny how they mirror each other. Although she is cooler than me because she is a certified Turbokick instructor.

Thankful Thursdays: October 6

Here's what I'm thankful for this Thursday.

Seasons
The cooler temps this week have me excited. Breaking out boots, scarves and jackets are a wonderful thing.  But it's not just fall that has me thankful, but the way the seasons change just when we most need them to, amazes me.  God planned his world perfectly, including knowing that we would need relief from the summer heat right about now.

Gas prices are coming down.

Amiright? Look at the prices last night. I love living in South Carolina.

 I get to see these guys this weekend.

My brother and his family are coming to visit, including three-year-old Caitlin and one-year-old Ryan. Adorable. And funny.

I think I've parked my lawn mower for the winter.
The last few times out my ol' push mower has been giving me lots of trouble.  I'm glad to be done with it for a few months. (I hope.)

Abi
One of my best friends who always talks me down from metaphorical ledges.

What are you thankful for this week?

My Next Big Thing

If you've known me for any length of time, you may have picked up on this subtle thing I do. If you haven't, don't worry. It's subtle.

I only have room for one major interest (my 'big thing'*, if you will) at a time. Whatever it is, it is all that I think about, all that I that I want to talk about. Most recently, my major interests have been (in this order):


The Office on NBC
Seriously. A few years ago it was all I ever talked about. Everyone knew how I felt and wanted to know my opinion on the latest episode. I rewatched the entire series every summer, researched the different DVD packages to purchase the best one and threw fabulous season premiere parties. Even John Krasinski stopped by at one...

But as the show grew less funny, I less wanted to be associated with it. Enter my stint with:

Karaoke
If you did not know me during my karaoke heydey a few years back, I can only say that I am sorry for you. It was spectacular.  Over the couple of summers when karoke was my 'thing', I performed many, many, many songs, but some of my favorites were "These Boots are Made for Walking," "Does He Love You?" and "Midnight Train to Georgia.

Exercise and Weight Loss
Then somehow, miraculously, I got onto the exercise and weight loss kick.  Once I made exercise a regular part of my life and lost about 30 pounds (which is when people started to notice), I became a big weight loss champion.  Lots of people asked for advice and I freely gave.  I eagerly worked out twice a day and got up early on Saturday mornings to meet people for longer runs.

That led to and overlapped with a bit:


Blogging
I'm kind of surprised that I took to blogging as well as I did, but it became very important, very quickly, to be a consistent blog poster.  I honestly don't know how I came up with enough blog topics to post as much as I have over the last year. For awhile there, I was trying new things (like rock climbing or farm fresh vegetable deliveries) specifically for the purpose of blogging.  It was great and opened me up to some new things.

But now I feel the blogging bug waning a bit.  Perhaps you've noticed too. I took a week off to rev up my mojo, posted consistently for a week and then have been rather spotty ever since.  I'm not saying I'm giving up on blogging, rather that it's just not the all-consuming force that it once was for me.

These "big things" that I have don't really seem to leave me, but my interest in them does fade over time.  Or if they do leave (scrapbooking and baseball fandom are all but gone), it takes a really long time. I certainly don't want to lose blogging or weight loss, but I'm just not as gung ho as I used to be.

The Next 'Big Thing'
For awhile I thought my next 'big thing' was going to be adventures.  Skydiving, triathlons, Mud Runs, all fell into this category for me.  In truth, though, I'm a bit of a scaredy cat and wouldn't try anything truly crazy (you're welcome, Mom). Plus, there's just not a lot out there that appeals to me and fits in my budget.

So now, I'm kind of at a loss.  I'm not sure what my next big thing will be. Really, it's not like I can pick it from a line up anyway. It has to be something that grabs me and consumes me, almost without me even realizing it.  But without a "big thing" in my life, I feel a bit aimless.  Like a karoke singer with out a microphone.

So here's hoping I figure it out soon.  And that it is something edifying that allows me to grow as a person, as the really classic 'big things' do.

Of course I'm always open to suggestions...do you have any hobbies or interests that have captured your attention and won't let you go?  Please share.

*Please refrain from any TWSS jokes.  I realize I've set you up well, but we're above that, people.

Thankful Thursdays

I'm thinking about starting a new series on Thursdays, and today's a test run.  Basically, I love making lists and being grateful, so this kind of pairs those two up.
So here's what I'm thankful for this week:

Morning phone calls with my mom
I just recently started doing this so that I would not be tempted to stop at a drive through on my way to work. It's been working, and it makes me feel more connected to her.

Basically

This music video from the new TV show "Up All Night" is awesome and stuck in my head today. (It's from last night's show.)

Getting back into running

Even though I'm starting at the very beginning of an easy program, it is not easy. But it makes me feel good when I'm done, like I've done something. And it makes my body feel weary, in a really good way.

 

Lists of things I love. 

This week in my group study of this book, the exercise was to write a list of your blessings, which basically turns into a list of things and people I love. 

This necklace
I ordered it from a friend having a jewelry party and just got it yesterday. 

Running blogs

I mean running blogs from people who know about running. People who run tempo runs and hills and Yasso 800s, all of which I have no clue about.  People who run marathons, like my current favorite blogger, Ali on the Run, who just ran her first marathon on Saturday and made me cry with her recap. (She also does a weekly Thankful Things Thursday post, which was inspiration for today.)

You know what I'm most thankful for?  Blog comments. For reals, nothing makes me happier. So hit me up in the comments and tell me what you're thankful for this week.

It Always Comes Back to Running

You know me, I run a little hot n' cold when it comes to running. Well, I think my temperature is starting to heat up again and give me that running itch.  Here's why:

• I loved seeing all of those tough triathletes on Saturday, and I want to be one again.
• I talked to my big bro today. He's recently taken up running (possibly inspired by me? I'm not positive.) and he and running have really hit it off. He's done two 5Ks and is doing his first 10k on Saturday!
• One of the blogs I read, Ali on the Run, just finished her first marathon on Saturday. Her race recap made me cry multiple times. So inspiring!
• I wore my favorite winter running shirt last weekend to go kayaking and it made me really miss wearing it.
• I've gotten to the point where I see strangers running on the side of the road and I feel so proud of them. I cheer for them from my car. :)

All good reasons, really. However, I have been so slack on running since getting back from the Heels and Wheels Duathlon at the end of August that I'm going to start over. Today I started following this training plan: http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/training-program.asp?p=6. It is a really easy and gradual start (four minutes walking for one minute running) if any of you are interested in running but intimidated by the thought of it.  In the end, I might switch to this one:  http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/training-program.asp?p=5

What do you think? Have you been thinking about taking up running? Want to follow one of these training plans with me? Want to run a 5k together in December?  Want to get together on Saturday mornings and run or run/walk? Have any questions about running or gear for beginners?

Let me know!