Cinderella's Caste

Cinderella's Caste

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Fuel and Fitness

Runger. Every runner seems to have it. Runger is defined as a runner who has hunger from well, all the running that he/she does! I tend to suffer from runger big time. In order to help avoid runger as well as keep my energy levels up DURING runs, specifically long training runs, what type of fuel I take in is very important. As part of today’s Tuesday’s On the Run Link Up theme, let’s talk fuel and fitness!
Preach!
My fueling routine before runs depends on how much time I have between eating and running. For example, as an “after work runner” (at 5 p.m. on the week days), I generally eat a regular lunch and nothing “special.” Though I have been known to regret some lunch choices during a run, like wings! Yikes! But hey, I’m far from perfect and it happens. Below, I categorized my various fuel “go to” options based on time.

A few hours before: For a race day or a long run day that I have a few hours of time before, I like to eat toast with peanut butter, a bagel with peanut butter and/or oatmeal. A peanut butter bagel was always my go-to pre-race breakfast during my competitive high school and collegiate years in cross country and track. In fact, a peanut butter bagel is my top choice today if I have a few hours between a race and/or longer distance run. Often I will do toast and peanut butter instead, primarily because I always have bread at the house, and it does the job. This is both filling and an excellent fueling option.

Half hour to an hour before: Energy bars! My top energy bar pick goes to Clif Bars! While I don’t find very many energy-based fueling foods to be particularly appetizing, I actually really like Clif Bars. The standard Clif Bar is very much the same texture as a basic granola bar, but offers an additional boost of energy that’s perfect for running or other endurance based activities. I usually always have a Clif Bar before races, especially super early ones that don’t give me much time to eat “actual food” (I’m looking at you, early Run Disney wake-up calls!) I also often eat a Clif Bar or part of one before runs in general since they give me an extra boost. My favorite flavor is chocolate chip. Personally, I find the standard “chewy” PowerBar to be GROSS. I consumed way too many of those in high school running because there were less options available it seemed. (Eek! Does this make me old?!) However, it is still a good source of fuel and if you can handle the taste and texture, by all means have at it! When it comes to the PowerBar brand, I now prefer the Harvest bars. They are much easier to consume, taste better to me and get the job done! My favorite flavors are chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin! The other energy bar I'd recommend is the Snickers Marathon Bar. It's not the worst tasting energy bar on the market and gets the job done, especially for endurance events!
My FAVORITE! Jelly Belly Sport Beans!!!

Right Before/During: Hands down my favorite of all the energy products, Jelly Belly Sport Beans! My BRF Cailyn introduced me to these bad boys and the rest was history. They are quite yummy and give me the perfect energy boost. They are easy to get down right before a race/long run as well as during. I can usually feel myself perk right up during my long run when I pop even just a few beans. They come in a few different flavors. My favorite is the mixed version, which comes in a black package. Best part about these sport beans is that they also come in a resealable bag, which makes them super easy to bring on runs. As for gels, I don't think I will every truly really like an energy gel. The texture is just disgusting to me. However, I do take energy gels before and during races, specifically, because nasty taste or not, they are most definitely beneficial! I've tried various flavors, including PowerBar brand and GU, but Clif Gels are my favorite. Even though I'm not a real fan of any of the flavors, I think the Clif Gels taste the best and are easiest to take. They come in both caffeinated and non-caffeinated options as well as several flavors. Personally, I find the fruit flavored gels easiest to consume. My go-to Clif Gel flavor is always Razz (raspberry). As much as I dislike energy gels, they almost always give me a good energy zap during a long run.
Give me all the Clif Gels!
I hope these fuel tips help you if you are looking for ways to boost your energy for runs and control that pesky runger! What are your fitness fuel picks? I'd love to know! I'm always looking for new things to try. In fact, I recently purchased some Clif Shot Bloks to try. Let me know if you like them or not! Remember, the key to a good run always boils down to properly fueling yourself!

Monday, August 18, 2014

A Couple of Runners: Happy Anniversary!


A Couple of Runners!
I'm certainly not one for too much cheese when it comes to romance (unless we are talking actual cheese, like cheddar...one of the true keys to my heart), but today is special so I will make an exception. Why is today different?! Well, today the husband and I are celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary! That's right SEVEN years! Wow, 2007 was a LONG time ago! Seven years married and a whopping TEN years together later, he still manages to make me laugh at even the dumbest of things and is still my best friend. (Awww). It hasn't always been easy and we are far from perfect, but we've made it through the rough patches and come across stronger on the other side! More than that though, we have built a life together and made so many wonderful memories! Right now at year seven, I can honestly say this is the strongest our relationship has ever been, and I hope with each passing year we can grow stronger as individuals and as a couple.
Magical memories! What a journey it's been so far!!!

Running is a huge part of my life, and if it wasn't for my love of this great sport I probably would have never met the love of my life (again with the cheese, seriously this is really making me want actual cheese. A block of swiss would be a great anniversary gift *hint*. What can I say, I'm a simple woman). We both attended the University of Charleston on track and cross country scholarships. We met because we were teammates. We quickly grew from teammates to best friends and then one day, I finally gave in, threw caution to the wind, and agreed to date him. We clicked so instantly that I remember not wanting to date him at first because I didn't want to throw a perfectly great friendship away if things didn't work out. I am glad I had a change of heart and that he won me over. After all, this shy boy was still willing to date me after he had already seen me throwing up after cross country races (sexy!), and that's a keeper!
We are just a "Couple of Runners!"
While we have many different interests and are in some ways opposite, running has always been a common bond between us. The husband is my favorite running partner. Now that we are "retired" from our collegiate competitive years, it's nice to train together for races and to just have a running pal in general. We complain about the sucky runs together and celebrate the good ones. We even finish each others...sandwiches! Next up for us is the Tower of Terror 10-Miler and he has even agreed (with a little pushing) to dress in a costume for the race! That's true love!
This is how mature, married of seven years, couples behave!
So, happy anniversary to the husband, or as they call him Daniel outside of the blog world! We are just a couple of runners! I can't wait for our next run together, but more importantly I can't wait to continue our journey together! I love you!

Monday, August 11, 2014

Successful Streaking: RWRunStreak Review

Well, as promised, I now present my review of the 2014 Runner’s World Run Streak Summer Challenge! I wish I could have posted this a lot earlier, but as you can see from my previous update, the month of July basically came and went in a flash! For those who are just now checking out this blog or if you don’t know what the RWRunStreak is, check out this post. If you really don’t feel like clicking on another post, I will break it down for you: the Runner’s World Run Streak 2014 Summer Challenge was to run at least one mile per day from Memorial Day to the 4th of July, marking a total of 40 straight days of running. This was my second time completing the summer challenge. Like any challenge it had its ups and downs. It was good, it was bad, it was ugly (ha! see what I just did there), and best of all, it was GREAT. Using the good, bad, ugly (and GREAT!) system, here goes all about my streaking experience!

THE GOOD: I have mentioned several times on here that summer isn't exactly my favorite season. I’m sure my summer-lovin’ friends are sick of me counting down the days to fall (my favorite season, obviously, mainly due to two words: pumpkin spice!). Where I live, the summers are generally very hot, but even worse VERY humid. As someone who primarily is an “after work runner” due to scheduling, it’s very difficult for me to run early to beat the heat unless I do so at an ungodly hour, like 4 a.m., which I reserve for Run Disney events only! This puts my runs at the hottest time of the day. I am not a fan of the polar vortex we experienced this past winter, but generally I’d be happier running in 30 degree weather compared to the 90s dripping with humidity we have in the summer. Enough summer complaining (because *yay* it’s almost over!). With my distaste of super-hot humid runs (yet again another thing that Run Disney enables me to naturally tolerate more), I have often found my motivation to run lacking during the summer. It was different when I had a XC season to prepare for, but since I primarily run for myself and my fitness now, I noticed I would slack during the summer months. Last year I used the RWRunStreak to hold myself accountable and MAKE myself run, and it worked! I decided to go streaking again for the 2014 Summer Challenge. I knew I needed to build my base back since it was a bit off balance due to being burnt out from Glass Slipper Challenge training, the usual sinus/allergy issues as well as a car accident that tweaked my back. I also knew with the Run Disney Tower of Terror 10-Miler race taking place in early fall that I wanted to be prepared and ready to jump into training, specifically long runs. Needless to say, it was good to have the motivation to get out there every day from Memorial Day to the 4th of July. There were days I certainly didn’t want to even just do a mile, but committing to the streak forced me to just get up and get moving. Even with some injuries and muscle fatigue, I could see a clear difference from my first to my last run of the streak. It was the perfect motivator. It also was good that the duration of the streak brought about some of this summer’s HOTTEST days, which without my goal to finish, I probably would have skipped or slacked off if I’m being totally honest. Even after a bad run or a run I’m not exactly thrilled to do, I always feel good about myself after. Rest days are nice, but I always miss the satisfaction of completing a run no matter the distance. It was nice to feel good and accomplished each day of the streak!

THE BAD: With anything, especially with a challenge, it’s not all unicorns, sunshine and rainbows. Just like the previous year of streaking, I could really feel the wear and tear of running every day in the final few weeks of the challenge. It didn’t help that I was running on a tweaked ankle, which I experienced during the WV 5K (more on that in THE UGLY). Aside from being physically draining, it was very mentally exhausting as well. I am a runner that thrives with days off and I’ve always been this way, even when I was at my most competitive in collegiate XC and track training. The strain of no real rest day definitely got to me. There were some evenings where I came home, laid down and then got out the door for my quick mile after 9 p.m. At least I was getting in the runs, but as a person who thrives with schedule and routine, I didn’t exactly like how those late runs were completely throwing me off balance. There were days when I wondered why I chose to do the streak again. “Why am I so crazy?!” thoughts ran through my head several times! Running every day without a break is flat-out hard to do! It feels great to finish, but they call it a CHALLENGE for a reason!

THE UGLY: Now for the ugly. I won’t dwell too much here, because for the most part the RWRunStreak was a very positive experience. I probably wouldn’t need to include “THE UGLY” portion of this review if it hadn’t been for my aforementioned ankle snafu during the WV 5K. I tweaked my ankle pretty bad in that race. My own stubbornness and adrenaline came in handy, because otherwise I’m not sure I would have been able to finish the 5K if it was just a training run and not a race. It HURT. Also, normally I would have taken a few days off to give my ankle a chance to fully heal before attempting to run on it. However, I was DETERMINED to finish the streak, and with only a few weeks left, in my mind quitting wasn’t an option. I did have conditions for the streak set for myself that I would quit in the event of illness/injury, but since I could still run on my ankle thanks to the wonders of KT Tape (and my previously noted stubbornness), I forged along. I did back off my usual distances, which helped, but it was clear that my ankle snafu made the final weeks of the streak not  so awesome.

THE GREAT: As I’ve said, the 2014 RWRunStreak was GOOD, BAD, and UGLY. More importantly, however, IT WAS GREAT! The positivity of the streaking experience outweighs the negativity and all the exhaustion. My ankle eventually felt better, and as I mentioned in THE GOOD, by the streak’s end my runs were significantly better than how I started. Not to mention the sense of accomplishment of being a 2014 RWRunStreak finisher made all the crappy moments worth it. It was GREAT that the streak propelled me to push through and get out there EVERY DAY for a run. It was GREAT that I was able to build my base back and be ready to jump into Tower of Terror 10-Miler training. It was especially GREAT to know that I could set a goal and work to achieve that goal regardless of the obstacles that got in the way. Best of all, it was GREAT to receive the support and encouragement through the entirety of the challenge from my family, friends and social media guys and gals, like ALL OF YOU READING THIS! Thank you to everyone who supported me in this venture. You all are what made my RWRunStreak truly GREAT!

Let me know if you are a fellow RWRunStreak finisher! I’d love to read all about your experience! Not a run streaker? That’s totally cool! I’d love to hear all about your summer running in general as well as what motivates you to get out there!

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Run Princesses, Run!

WOW! I am sure you all are just bursting with one major question: "Where the heck have you been, Hope?!" I am truly sorry for my hiatus and my lack of Wednesday's Weekly Wrap-up posts for the month of July! Last month flew by in a flash and I've just been quite the busy bee! Instead of a traditional wrap-up post today, we are going to talk the 2015 Run Disney Princess Half Weekend! I've actually had this post written and ready to go since registration opened a few weeks ago. However, a case of a bad migraine and then losing myself to another type of marathon, as in a binge watching marathon session of seasons 1 and 2 of Orange is the New Black (amazing show), made me delay posting this. I've also been in full-training mode for the Run Disney Tower of Terror 10-Miler! Upping my training and adding back scheduled long runs has made me a tired gal! Then of course life has been hectic with some weekend trips, my summer yard sale, and the normal work-flow! Enough excuses though, I'm back and really hope to get in a regular posting groove again! I am sure you all have missed me! If not, well, oh well! Virtual high-fives all around for getting back to blogging!

With my bling after the Glass Slipper Challenge!
Frankly, I can't believe it's already August! I am ecstatic that it's August too. This means I am closer to my favorite season, fall, as well as my Disney vacation and the Tower of Terror 10-Miler! Be sure to let me know if you are planning to run into the Twilight Zone with me this October! I've never done this villain themed night race (or a night race in general!), but am VERY excited as I love Halloween and have always had a special place in my heart for those naughty Disney villains! But, more on the Tower of Terror 10-Miler later, because now it's time to discuss Run Disney's shiniest event! Unless you are a Run Disney fan living under a rock (or just a normal, everyday non-Disney crazed civilian), you should know that registration opened for the Princess Half Weekend last month and all races sold out within a few days (not sure on how quick the 5K sold, but I know it went very fast as well)!

The Princess Half Weekend is generally the most coveted Run Disney event. It’s pretty much the crown jewel on top of the Run Disney tiara. Having participated in my first Princess Half Weekend last year by completing the inaugural Glass Slipper Challenge, which included both the Enchanted 10K and Princess Half races, I can see why this Run Disney event is such a hit. With the usual Disney charm included, the women’s focused weekend is just spectacular from everything to the race expo to the races themselves. The husband stayed at home last year and I did the Glass Slipper Challenge as part of a girl’s trip runcation. I’m sure he was cool with missing out on the overwhelming amount of estrogen and wannabe Disney princesses that lurked everywhere! Completing the Glass Slipper Challenge and earning three amazing medals with it (I’m all about the bling!) along with all the other race swag was a wonderful experience. It was also a mentally and physically exhausting experience. I even shed a tear or two when I crossed the finish line after the Princess Half last year because the Glass Slipper Challenge was such an emotional event for me. While it had the Disney thrills and fun, the CHALLENGE part of the race was certainly true. In the future, I hope to have a post on here re-capping my 2014 Glass Slipper Challenge so I can explain all my thoughts in more detail!
Duck-facing with Pluto & my GSC medal
at our celebratory dinner last year!

After talking it over with my BRFs (Best Runner Friends), I am happy to report that I will be returning for the 2015 Princess Half Weekend! However, we decided as a group to not do the Glass Slipper Challenge, which is probably a good thing because it sold out in less than two hours the day registration opened, I believe! Cost effectiveness was a major role in our decision to not do the challenge this year. Run Disney is awesome, but expensive! I mean I want to run ALL the races, but I have to do it EVENTUALLY since well, money doesn’t grow on trees lol! I’m not sure I enjoyed the back to back race experience with my mental psyche either. It was quite intimidating post 10K to know that I would need to run an additional 13.1 miles the next morning. Maybe if the races were reversed that wouldn't have bothered me as much. Even though it would be the same distance, I think getting the half out of the way first would have made me feel a lot better! Dopey Challenge will never be for me! But all you Dopey runners rock! I love running and adore Run Disney, but that’s just not my cup of tea both mentally and physically. Someday I’d love to do the Glass Slipper Challenge again or another challenge like the Dumbo Double Dare/Rebel Challenge events in Disneyland, but that’s all for another year! Instead, this year for Princess weekend, I will be running the Enchanted 10K again as well as doing my first Run Disney 5K! The girls and I typically start in different corrals and the 5K will be the perfect option for us all to finally start and finish a race together! After running solo for both the 2014 races, I am very excited that I will get the chance to do this race with my BRFs! Having someone by your side, especially when it comes to Run Disney, makes the experience even better!
Olaf & Elsa before the 2014 Enchanted 10K!
BRFs make races better!

Now, imagine my excitement when word leaked that the theme for this year’s Princess 5K would be FROZEN! That didn’t take long for Run Disney to capitalize on the Frozen hysteria! I have to say that I am also very excited to be running the Enchanted 10K again. I like half marathons, but I find the 10K to be my favorite distance now and sadly, there seem to be very few 10K races compared to the halfs, 5Ks and even full marathons out there. I absolutely loved the Enchanted 10K course and even though it doesn’t run through the castle, which is my favorite part of the Princess Half, I’d say I like it better than the Princess/WDW Half course. The Enchanted 10K’s beginning might be a little uneventful, other than the wonderful Elsa and snow surprise we got last year, but the middle and end of the race is spectacular. I loved running through the Epcot World Showcase and Boardwalk area. The views were gorgeous! Of course running through Epcot’s future world to the finish was fun as well. I’m excited to get to run the Enchanted 10K and to not be held back by the thought that I have to run a half marathon the next day. I won’t feel the need to keep reminding myself to take it easy and like my dear Elsa, I will be able to LET IT GOOOOO if I want to!

BRFs Celebrating with Mary Poppins after the Glass Slipper Challenge last year! 
I don’t know about you all, but this running princess is looking forward to another Run Disney Princess Weekend! Who else will be there? What races do you plan to run? See all you princesses in February!