Tag Archives: track workout

Favorite Hair Tools and Products

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On the agenda for today’s run: Yasso’s 800s.

Track workout:

2 mile warm-up

0.5 mile dynamic warm-ups (high knees, butt kickers, accels, etc.)

8 x 800 meters [broken into 2 sets with 90 seconds of active recovery (jogging) in-between each interval]

my splits:

3:10

3:14

3:12

3:15

3 minutes rest (walking)

3:10

3:16

3:14

3:11

1.5 miles cool-down

Total distance: 8 miles

Time: 1 hour of actual running but it took me about 90 minutes to complete the full workout

This was definitely a tough workout. I was feeling it after the first set, but it has been about a month since I last did any speed/track workouts. Despite this, it was a good workout, and I am definitely faster and strong than I was last year where I was averaging 3:25 for my splits, so that was a good feeling!

In theory, Yasso’s 800s are supposed to be able to predict your marathon time, so this means (in theory) I should be able to run about 3:15 in the marathon. But seeing it didn’t predict my time last year, I’m not holding out for a 3:15 this time around, but I would be stoked if I ran 3:20!!

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Arugula Salad

I’m not sure how I feel about arugula; it definitely has a unique flavor that my taste buds aren’t quite used to. I think more than anything, I want to like it, but I’m not sure I can get behind the spicy flavor.

I did spend some time searching for recipes online and it seemed that most recipes called for some type of sweet fruit to off-set the spicy arugula. So I added sweet nectarines, sharp cheddar cheese, and pecans to this salad, topped with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

It seems as though if you pair some type of fruit + cheese + nuts (preferably caramelized nuts!), you will have a pretty decent salad every time.

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I know this is primarily a running and food blog, but also like to throw in a little “fashion” every once in a while because my motto is: “Running is our passion but we never forget about fashion.”  ;)

So today we are talking hair. I have very thin hair that is pin-straight, so I’m always looking for ways and products to give me a little extra boost.

I am featuring some of my favorite hair tools and hair products that I’ve discovered. But I have to admit, the first four of these recommendations came from the blog The Small Things Blog; she really knows her hair stuff! You must go check out her blog if you need hair help. There are tons of tutorials for ponytails, curling your hair, and hair products listed on the blog.

BaBlyiss Pro Ceramix Xtreme

I’ve never owned anything but the cheap blow dryers from Target or Wal-Mart, but I was optimistic this would be worth the cost. And thankfully it was. I definitely think this hair dryer dries my hair faster and leaves it feeling softer, so I’m glad I paid the extra money for it.

GHD Classic Flat Iron

Now the cost of this baby was a bit more to get behind. I never thought I would own a flat iron that cost more than about $25, but I think there is a reason you get what you pay for. I love this flat iron—my hair is silky smooth after using it, my hair doesn’t get stuck or pinched in it, and it literally heats up in 10 seconds! I love this flat iron and don’t think I could go back to the cheaper ones.

Kenra Volume Spray Hairspray

Hands-down the best hairspray I have ever used! It works like a charm to create volume and acts as a nice finishing spray too. I will continue to buy this!

Aquage Uplifting Foam

I’ve tried a lot of different volumizing products out there and this is definitely a top contender. I feels regular mousse, but there is something about it that gives my hair some extra volume.

Aveda Volumizing Tonic

I think I like this, and I think it helps?? I’m not entirely sure, but I continue to use it. I think I just need to do a better test with it versus without it to determine if it helps or not.

Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion

Out of all the products I’ve tried for helping my hair achieve some extra volume, this is the product I love the most. It comes out as a dust/chalk-like powder that is slightly wet (It is kind of weird.), but whatever it is, it works!

I have bought this product several times and plan to continue to use it.

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Questions

What is your favorite track/speed workout?

Arugula. . . love it? hate it? Any good recipes out there?

What is your favorite hair tool and/or hair product?

400s

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Tuesday morning I did a pretty tough track workout. I was supposed to do this workout Monday morning, but when I was still feeling a little sore and tired from Saturday’s 24-miler, I decided to push it back to Tuesday morning.

Tuesday’s track workout:

2 mile warm-up

12 x 400 (with 200 meter jog recovery)

2.5 mile cool-down

Total: 9 miles

Overall, the workout went okay, but I was a little bummed the splits for each of my 400s weren’t faster. Most of the splits were between 1:40 – 1:44—I was hoping they would be around 1:35. I know I shouldn’t make excuses, but the cool/cold temperatures in the morning (low 40s) isn’t warm enough for my muscles to perform at optimum levels. I do much better in warmer temperatures.

When I complete the next track workout, I plan to go to the indoor track and hopefully I’ll be able to post some better times.

I am still grateful for no injuries yet this training season, and I hope that continues to be the case. I’ve been trying to be very diligent about icing, foam rolling, taking ibuprofen (only when absolutely necessary), stretching, getting enough sleep, and eating right because I want to get that Boston-qualifying time this time around!

Catch-up Monday

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FYI: this post is filled with very random things!

Since I am a Type A+ person, we shall go in chronological order, so let’s start with my weekend.

Friday: work was not fun, I got scolded by another teacher and talked to like I was a child, but then I left work :)

Friday night: Craig and I attended a multimedia lecture given by a professional opera singer, Anton Belov. While some of the history went over my head, it was still very interesting, and Craig really dug it!

Saturday: I ran 15 miles in the morning and got things checked off my to-do list the rest of the afternoon/evening.

Sunday: I went to church in the morning, and then Craig and I attended a pianist who played Jewish and Gypsy tunes.

Both the opera lecture and piano recital featured professional musicians, and both events were FREE!!

Locals, you should definitely check out the this concert series at Anchorage Lutheran Church. The next event features bagpipers! (Craig is really excited about this!)

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This weekend I made Acorn Squash Bisque using this acorn squash I got at the grocery store for a dollar! Recipe courtesy of Jenna at Eat, Live, Run.

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This is why you should always clean out your vacuum cleaner–and never assume that it is just broken!

DSC_0015

I know, gross, right??

For the past couple of weeks, the canister on our vacuum cleaner has not been collecting anything. Craig swore it was broken and that we needed a new vacuum. I thought otherwise.

My first plan of attack was to change the filter, so I bought and instilled a new filter. No such luck.

Then I reasoned, “okay, if things are ‘disappearing’ off the floor, but they are not making it to the canister, then something must be in the way.”

So I had Craig check the hose and see if something was clogging it. Sure enough, and the above picture explains it all.

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I am cutting back my mileage this week to about 35 miles.

After increasing my mileage for 3 weeks, I usually take the 4th week to cut back a little. I don’t know this is scientifically proven to help prevent injury, but this “rule” is generally followed by most runners.

Mileage from the past week (10/17 – 10/23):

Monday - 8 miles + 20 minutes lifting weights

Tuesday - 6 miles

Wednesday - 7 miles (a.m.) + 4 miles (p.m.) + 30 minutes lifting weights

Thursday - 5 miles

Friday - 3 miles

Saturday - 15 miles

Sunday - off

Total: 48 miles


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This morning I ran 7 miles. I ran 2 miles to the local track and then did 3 x 1-mile repeats. I finished by doing a 2 mile cool-down.

Splits from my mile repeats:

7:11

7:39

7:09

Not too consistent, huh?

I was not super stoked to go running this morning when I got up and saw it was raining pretty hard and windy outside. But I’ve always said—and will continue to say—I will take rain over snow any day, so I wore my best clothes for running in the rain and walked out the front door. . . . which is always the hardest part!

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Question

What was the highlight of your weekend?