Monday, January 30, 2017

Running Alone

I used to do a lot of running by myself when I first started. The big reason I started running was because it was something I could do while pushing little man in the jogger. I was getting exercise in and I wasn't feeling like a guilty mommy. Then I started doing longer runs and just couldn't take the jogger with me because the distance was too much for little man to sit through. At first I felt like a terrible parent but luckily my husband kept reassuring me that I wasn't and even encouraged me to keep running. I soon found that running by myself was so freeing. I was able to relax, listen to music and enjoy being outside. Some days it was a way for me to release stress, plan workouts or just work through stuff in my head. Eventually I even stopped listening to music all together and just took in the surroundings. I loved this kind of me time.

I never thought much about being harmed while on a run. It was about a year or so ago that we had a random murder occur on our apartment complex property. I would run by myself all the time around the complex. There is a little section that was always some what questionable because no one could see you and that's the general area where the murder had taken place. Since then there have also been other events in the news about women being taken while they are out running. I feel so robed of my me time. Some people think it's stupid that I won't run alone, that I let fear get to me. But what's the point of running by myself if I'm worried or scared and constantly looking behind my back to see if someone is following me. That's not why I run. That's not how I want to run.

I don't run alone much any more. If I do it's during the day time in a heavy populated area and not for long distances. I also always change up running route so that it is not predictable. I am glad that I enjoy running without music which gives me one less distraction. I know lots of people dread the treadmill but I actually don't mind it. I can still get close to having that me time, just not outside.

Today I got in 6.5 miles by myself. It was much needed. The weather was gorgeous and I have missed it. It was around 80 degrees with clear, sunny skies. As much as I enjoyed it and being back in a tank top and shorts, I've also realized how much I need to do in terms of heat training. I feel like LA Marathon is going to be a hot one and I've been so use to running in cooler temps for training runs. I also need to put the sunscreen back in my car. Got a little pink today.


Today I was Rocking:
Orange Mud HQ Single Barrel (I completely forgot my visor today)
INKnBURN tank and shorts
PRO Compression purple socks
HokaOneOne Vanquish 2s
Tailwind Nutrition Lemon flavor
Goodr black sunglasses 

Friday, January 27, 2017

124 Miles in 27 Days

January has been a very busy month in terms of logging my miles. My trail run today put me at 124 miles total. I still have a few days left in this month and I have a lovely 20 mile long run this Sunday. I ran across a tank top that I earned back in the summer of 2014. My Raleigh Running Mamas group back in NC does a summer running challenge every year. You have 60 consecutive days during the summer months to earn either 60 or 120 miles. I started my running back in 2012. In the summer of 2013 I earned 60 miles in 60 days and that was hard for me to do. In 2014 we moved out to CA but luckily my Running Mamas let me in on the challenge one more time. I was determined to get 120 miles in 60 days this time, especially since the weather in SoCal was amazing to run in. I completed the challenge with a few days left. I felt like a bad ass logging all those miles and couldn't imagine keeping this up. It was hard work and lots of dedication for me to get those miles in. Yet, here I am 27 days into January. I only ran 19 out of the 27 days to get to this point.


Today my running buddy and I hit the trails since it was beautiful outside and we needed a change up from our usual running spot. What we didn't count on was the Santa Ana Winds! They were insane. It didn't help that we ran headlong into the wind either. The sand was hitting us and felt like little pellets. I'm surprised I didn't have any small bruises on my legs. We were running but at times it felt like we were running in place and even running into each other. The mountains in the distance still have snow on them and was gorgeous to look at. There is just something about being out on the trails that calls to me. I love to run but when I'm on the trails its a deeper kind of love that rises up in me. Below are a few more pictures from my run today. One of them looks like I am wearing some pretty short shorts but really the wind was kicking up and blew my running skirt up.



Rocking on my run today:
Orange Mud HQ Single Barrel and Arm Sleeves under the wind jacket
INKnBURN Shirt and Running Skirt
PRO Compression Black Socks
Tailwind Nutrition Lemon flavor
HokaOneOne Challengers
Brooks Rain/Wind Jacket
Goodr Black Sunglasses 

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

It's my Birthday!!

Actually, my birthday was yesterday. I celebrated mainly with little man at Disneyland and then finished the day with a family dinner. Little man is getting over a cold while the hubby is still fighting his. I've got some major sinus issues going on right now and just hoping it doesn't turn into a sinus infection. Staying healthy and injury free while training for these longer mile races is tough.

My sinus problems started the evening of my 19 mile long run on Saturday and I've just been taking it easy. I did get out today with some running friends and got in 7 miles. It felt good to get out and I just ran a comfortable pace. I also got to test out my new birthday present from my hubby. I'm really excited to get this new action camera and take it out on the trails. My run today put me at 119 miles for the month of January so far.

Today on my run I was rocking:
Orange Mud Visor and HQ Single Barrel
INKnBURN Lotus Pullover
Tailwind Nutrition Raspberry Buzz
Hoka OneOne Vanquish 2s
PRO Compression low cut pink socks


Wednesday, January 18, 2017

New INKnBURN Lotus Kit

I'm pretty excited about the latest kit from InB because not only is it beautiful but I was lucky enough to be a tester for their new 6" shorts design. I logged a lot of miles in them both on road and trail back in October/November. The shorts also survived a fall that I took towards the end of a training run and they managed to not get a scratch on them. Wish I could say the same for my knee but that's another story for a different day. They fit very much like the InB capris and the shorts that is under their skirts. The 6'' shorts are light weight, silky smooth and very comfortable to be in. There was no rubbing on my thighs, adjusting, movement or pulling at. Like I told Megan from InB, it's like I was wearing nothing at times and had to look down to make sure I had shorts on :P The 6'' shorts has a triangle crotch and the inseam has been moved slightly to the front for comfort and to decrease rubbing on the seams.  These 6" shorts also feature two pockets on the front of the thigh area. I personally don't use the pockets but my iPhone 6 does fit nicely into it. My only criticism is that I personally feel like the extra pocket on the shorts takes away from the beautiful art on the right side. With that being said, I know that there has been lots of requests for InB to include 2 pockets. It's nice to see that the company listens to their buyers and is giving this 2 pocket thing a try. I am wearing a size 8 in the 6" shorts which is the same size that I wear in their capris, tights and running skirt. I size up one to a size 10 for the regular shorts.
The Lotus pullover is a cherry on top of a sundae. I love the pullovers for early morning runs and even to just wear with jeans. It doesn't get too cold here in SoCal but when it does cool off I like having these pullovers on hand. 




note: also pictured is my Orange Mud Visor and HQ Single Barrel with Raspberry Buzz Tailwind Nutrition in my water bottle. My pick socks are by ProCompression. These are my favorite HokaOneOne shoes, Vanquish 2s.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

New Arm Sleeves and Back to the Trails

FINALLY!!! We got a lot of rain last week and the major trails close by closed for a bit. My running buddy and I were able to hit one of our favorite local trails this morning for 14 glorious miles. It was beautiful. Everything was very green and quiet out with views of snow covered mountain tops in the background. I've missed the trails, more then I thought I did. I could tell a difference in my legs doing the trail run this morning versus paved trail. My legs definitely felt more tired and heavy towards the end.

I also tried out some new arm sleeves from Orange Mud today. I used them for my short run yesterday and enjoyed them. I brought them out on my run today to see how they would hold up for longer runs. Also, while I love having the thumb holes on my Louva Gear arm sleeves it has been messing with my iWatch being under it. The OM arm sleeves were super soft, stayed put and wicked sweat away so that I wasn't cold. I don't know how tough they hold up yet as I haven't worn them very much and I haven't washed them yet. I will make an updated post on these arm sleeves once I can test them out more. Oh and these are also made out of bamboo. I just used a pair of gloves to help keep my hands warm for the first few miles where I would normally just tuck them in on my Louva Gear ones. The Louva Gear arm sleeves are nice as well. I have had a pair for almost 2 years and they still are holding up great. I keep a pair in my car too just in case I forget some at home. 

If you are interested in purchasing the Orange Mud arm sleeves then please feel free to use my personal link https://www.orangemud.com/#_l_4x (this lets them know that I sent you) and use code VALERIESPEEPS at check out for 10% off.






Today on my run I rocked:
Orange Mud VP2 Hydration pack
Orange Mud Visor, buff and arm sleeves
Orange Mud 1/4 zip pullover I used for the first 4 miles. It is attached to my bag in first picture
INKnBURN Motion Tank and Denim shorts
ProCompression Black socks
HokaOneOne Challenger ATR
Tailwind Nutrition Raspberry Buzz in my water

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Trying Again

I'm not even really sure where to start. I knew that starting a blog two years ago was going to be tough. I'm much more of a quick post to IG or FB kind of girl. I don't really take the time to sit down and write up something to post here. So much has happen in the last 2 years with my running that I feel like I have much more to share. I've found new products that work well for me and others that I won't buy again. I've become an Ambassador to two companies and a racing rep for a local racing company. I've also been selected to be a sponsored athlete this year. I still can't get over that one. I know I don't really have any followers on my blog and that's ok. I'm going to use this blog as a way to recall my runs and races, share my thoughts and post running and food pictures. Ah, speaking of food. Most people don't know but I've switched my diet over to a mostly plant-based diet. It was a life change that I decided to make for myself. I still have a little meat here and there but I find that I don't crave it. I also cave when cake or donuts are present so that's why I say mostly plant-based diet. Honestly, I think I stopped blogging because I put too much pressure on myself to write these amazing posts and to be like other great running bloggers. It has taken some time for me to let things go and find who I am in this running community. I'm ready to try this again.