Never sorry when you go, example 1342

Yesterday, I was just feeling lazy. Not tired, not sore, just lazy. It may have been coming down off the high of a really great weekend with The Captain in Vancouver, BC. (I will sheepishly note that this really great weekend didn't include much running despite there being a beautiful loop)

 

So yesterday I was refreshed and downright perky the whole day, and then I got home. It was a surprisingly sunny evening and relatively warm; a perfect night to get in my long run. The plan was to hit the road at 6pm and do 1hr out before turnaround with a goal of 12 miles. But since I didn't finish up at work until 6pm this plan went out the window. The rebound plan? Eat string cheese and stare at dirty laundry (willing it clean) all the while making a back-up run plan.

Just for the record when I deviate from my plan and am forced to make a new one it often goes like this:

Time	Thought
6:30	I'll still be able to get in 1.5hr if I leave at 7, yep, I'll go at 7
7:05	OK, no prob. I'll still be able to get in 1hr if I leave at 7:30, yep, I'll go at 7:30
7:35	Hmm, It'll be dark soon. I'll go to the gym. If I leave at 8 then I have 2 hours of parking and can get in a good long run and heck, throw in a swim! OK, deal
8:15	Screw the swim
9:00	Well, I may as well just park on the street and in that case I don't have any time constraints. I will leave here at 9:30-10 and stay to my heart's content
10:00	CRAP! (This is either me dragging my butt to the gym or my thought when I wake up and realize I had dozed off)

 

Last night however, I got a call from the Cap who reminded me of the cardinal rule of happy Seattleites; if it is sunny out you MUST go enjoy it.

I still dragged a bit and didn't actually get out the door until 7:30. I decided to do 45minutes tempo. And it was great!

I headed out with an alarm set for 23minutes to alert me to turn around. But I felt like maybe I hadn't actually set the alarm because I had gotten kinda far and my alarm still hadn't chimed. I am officially annoyed with my running app for my iPhone so I didn't use it but from what I know of the trail I knew I'd gone more than 2.5 miles and yet I hadn't turned around yet. Hmmm.

 

Mere moments after this thought my alarm sounded and I turned back. But still I had to be clipping along to have gotten as far as I had in that much time.

 

Lesson learned here: 1) I should just get the freaking garmin so I can be more quantitative about all of this; 2) I want to be faster which means I need to be more consistent with my speedwork. I think I have been doing 1 speed workout every 2 weeks (which is an improvement over nothing) but I really deviate how/how much I do it. 3) I need a coached workout plan that I STICK TO.

 

It was a lovely run; I wanted to take a few pics but didn't want to stop. If I remember I'll load the pics of all the pretty flowering things I saw near my house as I cooled down.

 

See Amber…another example of how you're NEVER SORRY WHEN YOU GO

 

Back to the Future

Remember in Back to the Future, where Marty McFly is messing up and the picture of he and his siblings starts disappearing? I think that is happening to me!!!

A few months ago I posted this. The pic showing how I still wear my timing chip from the marathon. I said how I left it on my shoe to remind myself of the sense of accomplishment and the benefit of hard work and BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.

Well here is a pic of it now:

SO.STINKIN.SAD

Speedy and I have been calling each other by our Tucson Marathon bib numbers (I know, we're embarrassing) but I think the disappearance of my number on the chip means that I am no longer #1125. I have slacked off enough to make that girl disappear.

Now, Marty is able to fix things and restore the image and even improve reality…let's see if I can do the same! (Of course I'm not sure my image will magically reappear)

The Plan:

Run

(and bike and swim)

33 Days to Issaquah (:S)

No Rock `n’ Roll for me

So apparently the amount I blog is proportional to the amount I run (OK, I have failed to post on 2 long runs but still). There has been little running and very little blogging. I even have 2 posts drafted but for different reasons just haven't successfully completed them.

 

Anyhow, this is just to report that I will not be rockin and rollin here in Seattle on 6/27. I will instead be in sunny San Diego catching up with my high school peeps at my 10 years high school reunion. I am way more excited and curious than I was just months ago; high school was a BIG DEAL for me and I can't wait to see how all the people who were such a big part of my life then are now.

The trip should be fun. I love San Diego and am excited to show it to The Captain (who I still think should consider not blowing off his friend's b-day…SD is always there…unless it burns down). El Cajon, my hometown, is not the shiniest of all places but there is some good food, great friends and years of memories that I can't wait to visit. Greater San Diego though…that is shiny! Maybe it's because I moved away long ago, or the fact that when I did live there I never paid rent but I am a sucker for SD. The weather is gorgeous, the food is home to me, there is a different beach for whatever mood you're in, SD's little version of central park (Balboa Park) which is one of my favorite places in the world. I'm excited!

 

I am however worried the Cap will think I'm a freak because I have been looking into races in SoCal for that weekend. I want to do this because I'm missing the RnR and it was one of my 09 racing resolutions (which I adapted from his) to race in another state. I want to find a 5 or 10K maybe since bringing a bike and stuff would be annoying. We'll see what I find and I won't stress over it…just an idea.

 

 

Pain, anguish, agony

So it is time for a new jogbra. I learned this the hard way on my 10miler last night. It appears that my jogbra is roomier than it was when I bought it and my poor little (now as compared to when I bought the bra) breasts are getting bounced around like crazy.

Uncomfortable

Finding a jogbra was a huge task for me. I like underwire because I feel like none of the materials the great bra-lobby is trying to use to define and separate work very well and old school underwire is the way to go. BUT I also feel very strongly about having a racer back on a jogbra. It is annoying enough to deal with strap falling when you're stationary but when trying to run or bike it is a total PITA.

I was directed to Title 9 by a colleague and they have some awesome options.

(Go there! They have an amazing selection for busty ladies and their return policy is AMAZING! http://www.titlenine.com/jump.jsp?itemID=676&itemType=CATEGORY )

My current one is:
Triple Threat UnderwireA triple threat because you get support from an all-powerful, 360-degree Powermesh and racer-back construction, you get separation from a cushioned underwire and you get easy on and off with a back hook closure. Adjustable straps. Nylon/spandex. Our most supportive racer-back style, the Triple Threat is best for C and D cups. By Champion. Catalog/web only. 32-40 C-DD

It has served me well. However there are some serious downsides. The first is that the construction of the back means that you have to be a contortionist to get in and out of it. It also has very little room for adjustment, the straps have the capability but it doesn't translate to any change in suspension. My other gripe is it seems to dry rather slowly; when I wore it during the swim in tri's it stayed wet for a LONG time (*I should note that I have only raced in WA so maybe drying would be better somewhere that the sun shines). Oh, one more thing this bad boy gets FUNKY (but that may not be the bra's fault).

So now that it is replacement time the question becomes should I go for a straight replacement or try something new?

Here are some that I am considering:

Having-It-All Bra

Here's one time when we can have it all: we can have a bra that's super-supportive, super wicking and easy to get on and off. The fit is right on, snug in the right places (like under your breasts) and firm, firm, firm everywhere else. Wide, padded, adjustable straps never stretch. Front closure. Poly/nylon/spandex. Catalog/web only. 34-42 C-DD, F

Pros: Racer back, front secure closure

Cons: Not underwire which I think lacks support

Three Blessings Bra

When it comes to sports support, this bra is a threefold blessing. Blessing 1: a four-layer, 5 point support system gives you that "no-move" kind of compression. Blessing 2: with three layers of power mesh, this bra actually breathes, aaahhhh. And blessing number 3: an adjustable back hook closure means you'll be able to get it off without that postworkout struggle. The 3 Blessings has made believers out of all our largest-breasted testers. 80% Coolmax, 20% spandex. Best for a D or DD looking for a bounce-free bra that breathes. Catalog/web only. 34-38 B/C, D, DD

Pros: 4+ barbells which means it holds those puppies up and secure, crossed back (LOVE!)

Cons: Too restrictive?, no underwire, too much coverage?

Full Support Double Dry Over-The-Top Underwire

An underwire bra that's over-the-top when it comes to support and comfort. The comfort of seamless, the shaping and support of underwire, all sewn up into one wicking bra. Fully adjustable straps and back closure allow us to dial in just the right amount of support for our workout needs. Nylon/spandex. By Champion. Chest: 32/34, 34/36, 36/38, 38/40 Cup: B/C, D/DD

Pros: Underwire, classic

Cons: Not racerback, wily straps
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So with these bras researched and with great determination I went in and tried on a ton. I jogged in place, did jumping jacks, arms circles, the whole bit.

Cup size perplexes me here. I want it snug so I tried going down a cupsize but NO GO. It is such a fine line between snug support and sickening spillage. Somehow I still wind up wearing a cup size that I had stepped down from in big girl bras (Bali, Lily of France, etc) which is a fun way to reinforce how tiny most runner-types tend to be.

Well, an entire hour later I triumphantly made a purchase. I decided to deal with the contortion required by my original bra and was buying a replacement. But it fit SO much better and I was glad I had been disciplined and bought a new one in a new size.

Then I got home.

Somehow I had bought an exact replacement: same size, same issues. Ugh! But at least this new one is in black :(