UrbanHalo Review

For my FIRST EVER official review..... I decided to review a product that I know a lot about.  If you are searching for that one perfect headband that will not slip while working out..... look no further!  Urban Halo is the best running headband I have ever owned.  I own a lot of them and they still look as new as the day that I bought them!   One of my favorite Halos accompanied me on my first ever half marathon in October. 

You can check out the website here www.urbanhalo.com.  These headbands are truly NO JOKE.  They are made in a variety of different colors and patterns.  They are super soft, and stretchy.  Each halo can be worn as large or as small as you like - I usually wear mine just a tad on my forehead as pictured above because I like the way it stays put and also catches some of the sweat.  

If you're a runner - these headbands are for you!  I have NEVER found a headband that does not slip while I'm running... except for these babies!  I can run for miles and actually don't even realize it's on my head as they are very comfortable.... no headaches here!

They are even cute to wear as an accessory too! You don't have to always be sweating in them. :)

Each individual halo sells for $15. But many times throughout the year, they can be found at a discounted rate depending on sales.  I think that this is a great price because truly you cannot go wrong.  You absolutely HAVE to try one out for yourself.  

Now you're going to ask?  Do they get smelly from all that working out in them?  I have never noticed any smell with my halos... BUT I do wash them often.  I throw them in with my workout clothes and let them air dry.  Usually, they go in a small garment bag just because they are so small and I want them to stay put. 

So, if you're looking for that perfect headband or even a gift for that special workout buddy... these are for you! Super fast shipping and great service!

Happy Shopping!

Stress Fracture

My very first running injury! Anterior tibial stress fracture. TOO MUCH....TOO FAST....TOO SOON! I pushed myself through all of my races including my first half marathon in October, and wound up with an injury. Newbie mistake that hopefully will not happen again.

In a strange way though, it felt worth it! I have never felt so accomplished as I did crossing that finish line of my half. More on the blog soon about my first half marathon. 

I've taken 6 weeks off of running and I am slowly easing my way back in. I completed 3.1 this morning on the "dreadmill" and loved every minute of it!

During my off period I have taken full opportunity of the extra morning sleep but also to read up on how to prevent further injury. I'll be posting about that soon too! Just getting back into the swing of the blog posts!!

Happy running!

Medtronic 10 MILE and MUCH needed rest

 

On Sunday, I finished my first Medtronic Twin Cities 10 mile.  41 degrees and ultimately pretty darn perfect for a 10 mile run.  Here is my finisher photo!  I'm not going to lie, I felt like a marathon finisher with my super cool finisher blanket draped around my shoulders.  But, I was actually trying to smile through the picture because it was soo COLD at the finish. :)

 

FINISH TIME :  1:27:38     8:36/mile average

Earlier that week, my post talked about taking a rest.  I did not run Thursday - Saturday of this week.  It was absolutely FANTASTIC.  My body needed the rest desperately. I had come off of 6 months of 5-6 days per week of early morning (4:50AM) runs and it really was screaming at me. 

Ultimately, I am very happy with my finisher time. It's the fastest I've ever run a 10 mile.  My goal was to run 8:30/mile and finish in 1:25:00.  I was disappointed, but when I took a moment to step back and "really" look at my accomplishment, I realized that 1:27:38 is a pretty amazing finish time.  I'm happy with that.  My VERY FIRST half marathon is coming up in 2 weeks..... Here's to hoping for a sub 2:00:00 finish time!!!!

Below is my reward for finishing my race!  I know that it is extremely glutonous ( my husband did help me eat it! )

Sucktastic! My body needs a rest!

 

This has been a rough start to the week. I'm not going to lie.  I was sick for about 10 days and I am struggling to get back on track!  Which leads me to this face below! :(

 

I run with great friends who have increased my pace from a 10:00/mile to around 8:30 consistently. For awhile I was even doing 8:20/mile and had a 5K PR at 24:15.  This week I've absolutely dreaded, I MEAN DREADED the thought of running at 5AM.  My alarm rings at 4:50 and I cringe.  I can't catch my breath, my legs feel like they have cinder blocks hooked to them and I'm exhausted.  ( my husband thinks at 6 days per week, I'm running too much )  Maybe he's right?!?  I'm telling myself that it's not true and I will bounce back.  However........

I guess I should listen to my body and rest.  So, a MUCH NEEDED rest day....or two.... are in order for me.  I race on Sunday and I cannot wait to set a PR!!  10 miles. I need to be motivated and not my grumpy self!  It is supposed to be a beautiful 50 degrees in Minnesota with partly cloudy skies and I want those 300,000 spectators cheering to help motivate me. I will not back down for a fantastic race! 

Medtronic 10 mile

It's been a little while since I've written. Crazy couple of weeks. I was side-lined fit nearly a week due to a crazy virus. Tired, sore throat, headache.... The whole nine.  

Now I'm back and ready for the race next weekend. I have hopes to finish in about 1:25:00. We shall see. Today my run was 10.30 miles at 8:57/mile. Race days I always run faster. Here's to hoping. 

This was going to be a 100 mile goal month..... I'm 16 miles short. Four more days. Might not make it but I'm sure going to try.

WAKE UP EARLY...... GET IT DONE....FEEL GREAT ALL DAY! 

Run of the Mill 5K

Saturday I ran in our towns small 5K race called Run of the Mill 5K.  The weekend run kicks off the day of celebration and fundraising for our town.  It was beautiful outside.  Perfect running weather at 51 degrees and not a cloud in the sky! 

I am happy to say that I PR'ed at 24:20 - my goal was to finish in under 26:00 so I CRUSHED my goal.  There is no greater feeling than crossing the finish line at races with a PR.  The guy behind me in the blue hat actually came up to me after the race and said "Great Race - and Great Pace!"  He said he was following me the whole way and was using me as his pacer.  My pace was in the 7:50 range.  My first mile was 7:35 ( fastest mile I've ever run). Followed by an 8:05 / mile

The right pictures were taken by my husband and the right picture was me getting a glimpse of my two cutie pies watching mama run past them!  On the way back they came out and gave me high fives!

This race is one I will remember for while and is going on my PR chalkboard.  ( I don't have a PR chalk board yet )  But Pinterest gives me great ideas and I have a crafty husband who will hopefully make me one! :)  Maybe I'll get a picture of that up soon.

Next up:  10K Saturday, Sept. 20th.  at the Walker North Country Marathon!!

BUT YOU CAN!!!! Don't let ANYONE tell you that you can't!!!

Hello Friends!

Today I dropped my son off at preschool in my workout clothes.  No shower, didn't brush my teeth, no makeup, "sweat-band" still slopped to my head, hair still wet from my run. ( that's what I call my awesome headband I wear while running to catch sweat.)

I realized two things today. The first one is that truly, REALLY no one but you really cares what you look like and if anyone would have given me a dirty look I would have said " did you bust your ass in 91% humidity and run 5 miles at 5 AM this morning? Nope, I didn't think so. :)  That's the look I'm going with today " :)  I might not have sounded so rude.   But, I felt really good about myself, dropping my kiddo at school and rockin' my sweaty self - even two hours later. 

Secondly, I was having a very nice talk with his teacher and she said, "Oh you're so lucky that you get to work out now before you go to work. "  To which I replied very nicely.... " Oh I was up at 4:50 AM and it's already done"  ( smile and laugh )  I'm up before the son and done before my kids even roll out of bed!  And, I have the out the door by 7 AM.  Her look of disbelief was priceless.  She said " Wow, that's amazing... I WISH I could do that "

BUT YOU CAN!!!  Don't let anyone tell you that you can't!  I used to say that there is NO way I can possibly get up that early to fit in a workout.  But there IS a way. I made the time and I couldn't be happier.  So, It's OFFICAL...... I'm no longer the woman who says what she said to me to other woman who bust their ass early mornings.  I can see the look on others' faces when they say it to me.  It was AWESOME!!!  And, may I note that in no way was his teacher being rude and I wasn't either we were just talking today.

I started my day off on the right foot with my fantastic running partner, had a great mid-morning chat with my son's teacher and the rest of the day stayed on the right foot!  Happy Thursday! 

NEVER GIVE UP and MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF.  Never feel guilty about making yourself better!